SCOTUS Should Strike Down HHS Hospital Abortion 'Guidance'

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Jan. 11, 2024



WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2024 / Christian Newswire / -- The U.S. Supreme Court granted on Friday an emergency request allowing Idaho to enforce its near-total abortion ban in hospital emergency rooms, which temporarily denies a Biden administration effort to force hospitals to perform abortions. The Court agreed to hear arguments in Idaho v. United States in April 2024 to decide whether the Biden administration's new "guidance" of a 1986 federal law requires abortions in certain emergencies and thus supersedes Idaho's law that criminalizes most abortions in the state. Liberty Counsel will file an amicus brief next month in this case.

Idaho's "Defense of Life Act" was enacted in 2020 and took effect when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022. The law makes it a felony for doctors to perform an abortion unless it's necessary to save the life of the mother.

Soon after Roe's overturning, Secretary Xavier Becerra of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued policy guidance to hospitals stating that the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) of 1986 preempts state abortion laws and requires doctors to perform abortions under a broader set of exceptions than just to preserve the life of the mother. Under EMTALA, Medicare-funded hospitals are required to provide necessary emergency care to pregnant women without discrimination, including if they cannot pay for the treatment.

However, even though EMTALA does not mention abortion, Secretary Becerra interpreted the law as including abortion if the woman's physician believes abortion is "the stabilizing treatment necessary." The guidance noted that state abortion laws with more narrow exceptions than EMPTALA are "preempted," and that physicians "must" perform an abortion if they feel it is "necessary" to resolve an emergency medical condition. Under the guidance, hospitals could lose federal funding for failing to comply.

In August 2022, a U.S. District Court judge blocked Idaho's abortion ban stating it was more narrow than federal law by only including "imminent" health threats and excluding other "serious" emergencies.

A three-judge panel at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals briefly overturned that decision stating even if EMTALA does preempt Idaho's law, its exemption for the life of the mother was sufficient to keep the laws out of conflict. However, the full Ninth Circuit disagreed and quickly reversed that ruling upholding the district court's block of the law which set up the U.S. Supreme Court's Friday decision to keep the law in effect and hear Idaho's emergency request.

While the Biden administration argues that the HHS "guidance" is just clarifying existing federal law, the Idaho legislature and state officials called the disputed HHS guidance an "unauthorized power grab" and stated it would have been "odd" for Congress to negate "state abortion laws" in a provision that "does not even mention abortion."

Now that SCOTUS has allowed Idaho's protections for unborn babies to remain in effect, doctors who perform abortions are subject to penalties ranging from two to five years in jail, fines, and suspension or revocation of their medical license.

The High Court's decision to take the case comes just days after a court ruling in a nearly identical dispute in Texas. Last week, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the Biden administration cannot use EMTALA to override Texas' near-total abortion ban and force Texas doctors to perform abortions. In Texas v. Becerra, a three-judge appeals court panel called the guidance "unlawful" and unanimously upheld a lower court ruling that struck down the guidance.

Authoring the ruling, Circuit Judge Kurt Engelhardt determined that EMTALA does not discard the unborn child during a life-threatening medical emergency, and he noted that the law requires hospitals to "stabilize both the pregnant woman and her unborn child."

Judge Engelhardt 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 question before the Court is whether EMTALA, according to HHS's Guidance, mandates physicians to provide abortions when that is the necessary stabilizing treatment for an emergency medical condition. It does not."

"EMTALA does not mandate medical treatments, let alone abortion care, nor does it preempt [state] law," stated Judge Engelhardt.

Dr. William Lile, who is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and who has delivered thousands of babies, told Liberty Counsel that the goal in treating a pregnant woman is always to preserve the lives of both the mother and her unborn baby when possible.

Dr. Lile stated, "It's the delivery of the baby that cures the mother's condition, it's not the stoppage of baby's heart and the killing of the baby that helps the mother."

Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, "Federal law does not preempt state abortion laws, nor does it require the killing of an innocent life. Emergency rooms are only required to stabilize patients, which includes the unborn patient. Treatment, and certainly destroying a human life, is in no way required by federal law. This so-called 'guidance' by the Secretary of Health and Human Services is another lawless act of the Biden administration that will be struck down."

Liberty Counsel provides broadcast quality TV interviews via Hi-Def Skype and LTN at no cost.



SOURCE Liberty Counsel



CONTACT: Mat Staver, 407-875-1776, Liberty@LC.org




Trams decorated with lights to attract tourists in Dalian, China's Liaoning

Xinhua) 09:08, January 12, 2024

A tram decorated with lights is seen in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 9, 2024. Since Dec. 31, 2023, several trams in Dalian have been decorated with lights in order to attract more tourists. The history of tram in Dalian City dates back to 1909. After more than 100 years of operation, the tram has become a popular icon of the city. As the tourism industry in Dalian has recovered since 2023, many tourists come to take the trams to enjoy the cityscape. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

Tram driver Li Peng prepares for departure in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 8, 2024. Since Dec. 31, 2023, several trams in Dalian have been decorated with lights in order to attract more tourists. The history of tram in Dalian City dates back to 1909. After more than 100 years of operation, the tram has become a popular icon of the city. As the tourism industry in Dalian has recovered since 2023, many tourists come to take the trams to enjoy the cityscape. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

Tram driver Li Peng prepares for departure in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 8, 2024. Since Dec. 31, 2023, several trams in Dalian have been decorated with lights in order to attract more tourists. The history of tram in Dalian City dates back to 1909. After more than 100 years of operation, the tram has become a popular icon of the city. As the tourism industry in Dalian has recovered since 2023, many tourists come to take the trams to enjoy the cityscape. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

Tram driver Li Peng prepares for departure in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 8, 2024. Since Dec. 31, 2023, several trams in Dalian have been decorated with lights in order to attract more tourists. The history of tram in Dalian City dates back to 1909. After more than 100 years of operation, the tram has become a popular icon of the city. As the tourism industry in Dalian has recovered since 2023, many tourists come to take the trams to enjoy the cityscape. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 9, 2024 shows a tram moving in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province. Since Dec. 31, 2023, several trams in Dalian have been decorated with lights in order to attract more tourists. The history of tram in Dalian City dates back to 1909. After more than 100 years of operation, the tram has become a popular icon of the city. As the tourism industry in Dalian has recovered since 2023, many tourists come to take the trams to enjoy the cityscape. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

A tram is seen in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 8, 2024. Since Dec. 31, 2023, several trams in Dalian have been decorated with lights in order to attract more tourists. The history of tram in Dalian City dates back to 1909. After more than 100 years of operation, the tram has become a popular icon of the city. As the tourism industry in Dalian has recovered since 2023, many tourists come to take the trams to enjoy the cityscape. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

A tram decorated with lights is seen in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 9, 2024. Since Dec. 31, 2023, several trams in Dalian have been decorated with lights in order to attract more tourists. The history of tram in Dalian City dates back to 1909. After more than 100 years of operation, the tram has become a popular icon of the city. As the tourism industry in Dalian has recovered since 2023, many tourists come to take the trams to enjoy the cityscape. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

Tourists take the No. 201 tram in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 8, 2024. Since Dec. 31, 2023, several trams in Dalian have been decorated with lights in order to attract more tourists. The history of tram in Dalian City dates back to 1909. After more than 100 years of operation, the tram has become a popular icon of the city. As the tourism industry in Dalian has recovered since 2023, many tourists come to take the trams to enjoy the cityscape. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

Tourists take the No. 201 tram in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 8, 2024. Since Dec. 31, 2023, several trams in Dalian have been decorated with lights in order to attract more tourists. The history of tram in Dalian City dates back to 1909. After more than 100 years of operation, the tram has become a popular icon of the city. As the tourism industry in Dalian has recovered since 2023, many tourists come to take the trams to enjoy the cityscape. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

Tram driver Li Peng helps a passenger board a tram in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 8, 2024. Since Dec. 31, 2023, several trams in Dalian have been decorated with lights in order to attract more tourists. The history of tram in Dalian City dates back to 1909. After more than 100 years of operation, the tram has become a popular icon of the city. As the tourism industry in Dalian has recovered since 2023, many tourists come to take the trams to enjoy the cityscape. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

Tram driver Li Peng operates a tram in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 8, 2024. Since Dec. 31, 2023, several trams in Dalian have been decorated with lights in order to attract more tourists. The history of tram in Dalian City dates back to 1909. After more than 100 years of operation, the tram has become a popular icon of the city. As the tourism industry in Dalian has recovered since 2023, many tourists come to take the trams to enjoy the cityscape. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

A tourist takes photos in the No. 201 tram in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 8, 2024. Since Dec. 31, 2023, several trams in Dalian have been decorated with lights in order to attract more tourists. The history of tram in Dalian City dates back to 1909. After more than 100 years of operation, the tram has become a popular icon of the city. As the tourism industry in Dalian has recovered since 2023, many tourists come to take the trams to enjoy the cityscape. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Oak Lawn musicians team with peers from California

Late last month, students in Oak Lawn Community High Schools commercial music department gathered with their counterparts from Huntington Beach High School in California to perform and present at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Festival in Chicago, an event usually reserved for traditional band and Orchestra directors.

The group was able to visit Oak Lawn as part of their trip to Chicago. The OLCHS event was organized by Oak Lawn director Bob Habersat and Huntington Beach Director Danielle Collins through their mutual connections at Yamaha.

The students from Huntington Beach participated in a performance exchange with the OLCHSs pop music ensemble in the programs new rehearsal space. Each group had a chance to perform and jam together as a big group at the end of the event, expanding their cooperative and collaboration skills.

OLCHSs commercial music ensembles will present at the Illinois Music Education Conference at the end of January and the school will host the states first ever Commercial Music Festival in May.

Will County residents win outdoor challenge

The Forest Preserve District of Will Countys inaugural Take It Outside Challenge ended Dec. 31 with multiple participants in a tie for first place. Winners completed 501 nature-themed missions throughout the year to wind up at the top of the leader board.

The Forest Preserve District of Will Countys inaugural Take It Outside Challenge ended Dec. 31 with multiple participants in a tie for first place.

Winners completed all 501 nature-themed missions throughout the year by using a free app to earn points and climb the leader board. Missions included trivia questions, check-ins within the preserves, selfies with specific backgrounds and hunts for various nature elements such as flowing water, boulders, moss, multitrunked trees, and creatures, ranging from woolly bear caterpillars to live raccoons.

The challenge ended with a 12-way tie for first place. One first-place finisher was not eligible to win because he is a District employee, and two others are married and per the rules, only get one share of the prize. So, the $900 in total prize money is being split 10 ways. Take It Outside Challenge winners were Mike Slowik of Bolingbrook, Heather Linko of Crest Hill, Joanne Nott of Plainfield, Matthew Jaeger of Crest Hill, Nick and Stacey Scholtes of Shorewood, Linda and Ross Neumann of Manhattan, Amy and Zoey Bartling of Monee, Kathy Figuieras of Elwood, Ulises and Martha Coronel of Chicago, and Melissa Warren of Homer Glen.

More than 1,200 people participated in the challenge, according to district officials. They said stories poured in all year about how the missions were getting people to walk more than they had in years, lose weight, discover Will Countys preserves, kayak for the first time, spend quality time with family, feel better mentally and physically and make new friends.

Officials said a 2024 challenge will be launched later in January. Information is at ReconnectWithNature.org.

$2 million remodel set for Oak Lawn rec center

The Oak Lawn Park District is set to receive $2.1 million in state funding to remodel the Memorial Park Recreation Center, a project planned to include converting smaller rooms, such as locker rooms, shower facilities and storage areas, into larger multipurpose rooms and new restrooms. The entry vestibule will be changed to a lobby and reception area.

Weve had great success this past year with getting grants to offset the cost to the taxpayer for some exciting, high-profile projects, said Tom Hartwig, Oak Lawn Park District executive director. This added space allows us to expand our program offerings and utilize a space that has sat dormant for years.

The funding comes from the Park and Recreational Facility Construction grant program, which is part of the Rebuild Illinois capital improvement program. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources administers the program.

FEMA assistance deadline approaching

Cook County homeowners and renters with uninsured or under insured losses from the severe storms and flooding Sept. 17-18 have until Feb. 9 to apply for assistance. The application deadline was recently extended by three weeks to allow more time for affected residents to apply. More than $31 million in FEMA assistance has already been approved.

FEMAs assistance programs are designed to help with basic, critical needs such as a safe, sanitary and accessible place to live. Assistance includes rental assistance, lodging expenses reimbursement, and home repair and replacement assistance. FEMA grants do not have to be repaid and FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.

People can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA mobile app, call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 or visit a Disaster Recovery Center. Center locations and current hours are at FEMA.gov/DRC. More information about Cook Countys recovery is at www.fema.gov/disaster/4749.

Send news to communitynews@Southtownstar.com.
A snowmobile fell into the water on the partially frozen Little Rock Lake on Friday, Jan. 12. The Benton County Sheriff's Office is advising caution for anyone going out onto the ice.

The Benton County Sheriffs Office is advising caution for anyone going out onto the ice after a 16-year-old fell through on Little Rock Lake.

At 11:30 on Friday, sheriff deputies responded to a call about a snowmobile falling through the ice on the main basin of Little Rock Lake.

The caller reported that they saw the snowmobile disappear into the water before seeing the driver climb back onto the ice and begin walking toward a fish house near the St. Regis landing.

Deputies arrived at the landing in Watab County where they found the 16-year-old boy from Rice. The boy had been transported from the fish house by an angler on another snowmobile.

The boy was treated at the scene for hypothermia by deputies and fire fighters from the Rice Rescue Squad before being transported to St. Cloud Hospital by Mayo Clinic for further evaluation.

While driving his snowmobile on the lake, the boy saw open water ahead of him but didnt manage to stop before falling into the water.

The Benton County Sheriffs Office was also assisted on scene by the Sauk Rapids Fire Department and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

The office will be working with the boy and his family to ensure the snowmobile is removed from the lake according to state law.

Even with the drop in temperatures over the last several days, thin ice and open water

exists on significant portions of Little Rock Lake and other area lakes, Sheriff Troy Heck said in the release.

Anyone venturing onto the ice should exercise extreme caution, use appropriate tools to test ice thickness, and have handy self-rescue or floatation devices.

 Tess Ware is the local editor of The St. Cloud Times. Contact her at tware@stcloudtimes.com.

This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Snowmobile falls into lake; Benton sheriff urges caution
Biden administration says Texas is blocking agents from portion of border with Mexico

The Justice Department alleged Friday that Texas border officers erected additional concertina wire and fence on the banks of the Rio Grande, making it impossible for Border Patrol agents to do their jobs along the busiest parts of the U.S.-Mexico border.

The court filing Friday continues a back-and-forth between Texas and the Justice Department over proper jurisdiction for border security. The federal government asked the Supreme Court to weigh in on the disagreement last week.

Fridays filing alleges additional fence erected Wednesday makes it impossible for Border Patrol agents to access certain parts of the Rio Grande important to its border security mission along a 2 1/2-mile stretch near Eagle Pass, Texas.

The sections include a city park that contains the Border Patrols primary boat ramp into the river and a staging area used for processing apprehended migrants. The Justice Department said the Texas National Guard did not allow Border Patrol agents to use the boat launch or staging area.

Texass new actions since the governments filing demonstrate an escalation of the States measures to block Border Patrols ability to patrol or even to surveil the border and be in a position to respond to emergencies, it continues.

Top Stories from The Hill

The Justice Department also said the Texas National Guard blocked Border Patrol access to the border fence along its normal access roads with fences, barbed wire and parked vehicles.

The Texas National Guard has now blocked Border Patrols access to the area, rendering its agents unable to place mobile surveillance trucks, the filing reads. Border Patrols ability to view this portion of the border is now limited to a narrow sliver from a single surveillance camera located outside of the newly fenced area.

A previous court order allowed the Border Patrol to remove Texas fencing and barbed wire only if it was necessary to provide lifesaving aid. Federal attorneys said the new lack of access prevents that from being possible.

Because Border Patrol can no longer access or view this stretch of the border, Texas has effectively prevented Border Patrol from monitoring the border to determine whether a migrant requires the emergency aid that the court of appeals expressly excepted from the injunction, the filing reads.

In an appeal to the Supreme Court last week, federal prosecutors said the barbed wire and fences pose serious on-the-ground consequences for border patrol agents, as well as migrants coming into the United States.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said Friday that the state government has the authority to control any land in the state.

That authority is being asserted, he said.

The conflict between Texas and the federal government has heated up for months. It came to legal blows last summer, when the state placed buoys in the Rio Grande, preventing crossing near Eagle Pass. The buoys were later removed after a court order and complaints from the Mexican government.

Last month, Abbott signed a bill allowing Texas state law enforcement to make arrests at the border, an authority previously held only by the federal Border Patrol. The move also allowed local judges to order deportation and has been challenged by the federal government.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Certain borrowers will be eligible to have the rest of their student loans cancelled as soon as next month, the Biden administration announced.

Starting in February, borrowers who took out less than $12,000 in loans and have been in repayment for 10 years will get their remaining loans cancelled as long as they are enrolled in the Saving on a Valuable Education plan, President Joe Biden said in a statement on 12 January.

Its not immediately clear how many Americans will be impacted by the move.

The SAVE plan is arriving six months ahead of schedule, the White House said. This action will particularly help community college borrowers, low-income borrowers, and those struggling to repay their loans, the statement continued.

Nearly 7 million borrowers are enrolled in the SAVE plan, according to the statement, and 3.6 million have had their loans cancelled already.

Mr Biden also mentioned the Supreme Courts decision last year, finding that the president lacks the authority to broadly cancel student loan debt.

Following the disappointing ruling, we are continuing to pursue an alternative path to deliver student debt relief to as many borrowers as possible as quickly as possible, the statement said.

Mr Biden has long advocated for the cancellation of student debt. Fridays action shows that the president is keeping a campaign promise.

He encouraged anyone eligible to enrol for the SAVE plan at studentaid.gov.

Student Debt Relief Update:



Our Administration is implementing student debt cancellation for borrowers enrolled in the SAVE plan ahead of schedule.



Starting next month, eligible borrowers will get their remaining debt cancelled.



Learn more: https://t.co/fR5neMDW4W. pic.twitter.com/BeheJsRw6Q  The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 12, 2024

On Friday, several high-profile political figures praised the announcement.

This is good news for borrowers and for students wondering if college is within their reach, Sen Majority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote. This is an important step in our movement to cancel meaningful student debt. I applaud the Biden admin for taking action.

Sen Elizabeth Warren wrote, Woo-hoo! More student debt relief coming for borrowers in Massachusetts & across the country.

New Mexico Rep Melanie Stansbury also chimed in: This is a great step. Next: lets cancel all student debt.

DNC Chair Jaime Harrison wrote on X: Just another example of how President @JoeBiden & his administration are working to improve the lives of the American people! No other President has ever done anything this significant to address the student loan crisis!
In Washington, D.C., on Friday, President Joe Biden walks on the South Lawn of the White House before boarding Marine One on the first part of his trip to Pennsylvania. The president is returning to the Keystone State to tout an economic rebound in Allentown after opening his campaign there last week. Photo by Ting Shen/UPI

Jan. 12 (UPI) -- President Joe Biden will travel to Pennsylvania Friday to highlight economic recovery in Allentown as jobs, public and private investments, and small business creation were experiencing a rebound under his administration.

Biden will arrive in Allentown shortly after 1 p.m. before visiting several small businesses in the city, which the White House said lost 23,000 manufacturing jobs as many of its steel factories known for supplying metal structural materials to build iconic American institutions such as West Point and the White House, relocated overseas during the Trump administration.

The visit is intended to spotlight Biden's legislative achievements which have boosted manufacturing and infrastructure in Pennsylvania, while paving the way for job growth in disadvantaged communities throughout the state, the White House said in a statement.

Allentown is now on the upswing, thanks to efforts from local leaders, small businesses and workers who've struggled for years in a sluggish local economy, the White House said.

Since Biden took office, the city has seen significant improvements in job growth, new business launches, and increased public and private investments as 16 million new business applications were filed across the nation since Biden took office three years ago, according to Census data cited by the White House.

President Joe Biden boards Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Friday. The president was on his way to Pennsylvania to highlight economic recovery in Allentown. Photo by Ting Shen/UPI

The unemployment rate in Allentown is now at a 20-year low of 3.9%.

Biden will also tout $14.2 billion in public infrastructure and clean energy investments, alongside $3 billion in private contributions that helped Pennsylvania businesses stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing relief to 3,500 restaurants and bars, and 6,850 child care programs; plus an additional $268 million from the State Small Business Credit Initiative.

With President Joe Biden aboard, Marine One leaves the White House on Friday. The president's trip is intended to spotlight Biden's legislative achievements that have boosted manufacturing and infrastructure in Pennsylvania, according to administration officials. Photo by Ting Shen/UPI

More people in Allentown are employed now compared to pre-pandemic levels, with nearly 32,000 additional workers in the area getting jobs under Biden's term, the White House said.

Additionally, workers are taking home higher pay, with personal income in Allentown up more than 3% since before the pandemic.

Companies are injecting fresh capital into new projects, such as Pratt Industries' $500 million investment in sustainable packaging facilities; and Schless Bottles' investment of $7.5 million in a new factory.

Factory construction investment has also surged more than 100% since Biden took office, a stark contrast to 2% growth in the previous four years, while new investments were serving to create jobs, boost incomes and drive more customers to local small businesses, the White House said.

Last year, the Small Business Administration provided nearly $910 million to small businesses in Pennsylvania, with emphasis on supporting minority-owned enterprises.

Black business ownership is experiencing the fastest growth rate in three decades, while Hispanic ownership is up nearly 40% compared to 2019, the White House said.

Small businesses in Pennsylvania also secured a noteworthy share of federal opportunities, with a total of $2.8 billion in federal contracting opportunities distributed across various sectors.

Biden returns to the Keystone State seven days after he kicked off his 2024 campaign in Pennsylvania one week ago during an impassioned speech near Valley Forge that assailed former President Donald Trump as "a threat to democracy" on the third anniversary of the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.
President Biden said Friday that while he still has confidence in Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, he displayed a lapse in judgment for not informing him of his hospitalization.

In his first time personally weighing in on the controversy surrounding Austin, Biden replied I do, when asked if he has confidence in the secretary.

When asked if it was a lapse in judgment for Austin to not inform him, he told reporters, yes.

Austin underwent surgery in an initial Dec. 22 hospital visit after prostate cancer was detected and he was released the next morning, the Pentagon revealed Tuesday. He returned to the hospital due to complications Jan. 1, but Biden was unaware of his hospitalization until Jan. 4.

Biden then did not find out about Austins prostate cancer diagnosis until Tuesday morning, the same day it was revealed to the public, in what some are calling an extraordinary breach of protocol.

The White House has said Biden isnt considering firing Austin despite mounting criticism, including from some Republicans who have called for Austin to step down. Austin acknowledged that he failed to notify Biden for multiple days when he was hospitalized following complications.

Austin apologized for not notifying the White House, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said Friday in response to Bidens comments.

She told CNN that Austin is doing well and on the mend, adding hes been incredibly active over the last week monitoring the airstrikes the U.S. launched against the Houthi rebels in Yemen on Thursday. When questioned by host Jake Tapper if he has access to a secured space at the hospital, known as a SCIF, she replied that he can access secure lines.

He is fully equipped to monitor everything that happened last night and all around the world, she said.

The White House announced Tuesday it is launching a review of protocols for how Cabinet officials delegate authority.

White House chief of staff Jeff Zients in a memo to Cabinet secretaries said agencies would be required to notify the Office of Cabinet Affairs and the White House chief of staff in the event they need to delegate their duties when traveling to areas with limited communication, during a hospitalization, or when undergoing a medical procedure requiring anesthesia.

Updated at 4:59 p.m. ET

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Wednesday was the day Nona Arnold and 149 other residents of Celebrate Senior Living South Holland have circled on their calenders for two months.

When management for the storied senior living facility known as Holland Home told seniors in early November the building would shut down, Jan. 10 was the tentative date for closure. But that day came and went with more than half the residents still living at the facility, said Tony Shir, a spokesperson and board member for Elevate Housing Foundation, which owns the property.

Its just hard to try to find a place at short notice like this, said Arnold, a 74-year-old former nurse and McDonalds manager. I cried for two days.

During an interview in her living room Wednesday, Arnold and two other residents, Mary Simmons and Patricia Rawls, explained in detail why it is difficult to find a new place to live and that it also takes time to close on a move. Two months was never enough time, they said.

Arnold and some of the other 85 remaining residents are under various government assistance programs. She pays $648 dollars a month for her place and the state picks up the rest of the rent, which is a little less than $2,000 a month. But many facilities that sent representatives to entice residents do not accept government checks, removing them as an option.

For places that do accept government money, many have a two- to three-year wait list, said Rawls, 67. The already high demand for affordable senior living facilities in the south suburbs is compounded by the recent closure of Village Woods near Crete in addition to the Holland Home.

They had an influx of people putting in their applications, Rawls said of a nearby facility. They put you on the wait list. Everybody got a wait list.

She said a Catholic Charities building has a two-year waiting list.

But even for those who get into a facility with immediate vacancies that take a government subsidy, a final hurdle is whether that place offers independent living. Many provide only assisted living or nursing home style care which takes more of residents government assistance checks and leaves them with only $90 a month, according to Arnold.

They say they do that because (for) some people its hard for them to manage their money, said Arnold, explaining she doesnt need nursing or assisted living care. But everybody isnt like that. And you work too hard to give someone your money for them to give you just $90 a month.

Nona Arnold, 74, is getting ready to pack up her living room at the Holland Home and she looks for a new place to live, even after the original Jan. 10 closure date passes.

She said Holland Homes management tries to help them find new housing but its not meeting the needs of herself or her fellow residents.

Simmons, Rawls and Arnold said they all paid January rent. But Shir said of the 85 people remaining, 60 are no longer paying rent while they look for a new place.

If a resident is relying on government assistance, the state requires residents to follow a final verification process before it signs off on cutting a check for a residents new rent check. Simmons said someone from the state has to physically visit the space a resident wants to live to ensure its up to code.

Thats a good rule, the three residents agreed. It keeps them safe and makes sure their new apartment meets their needs. But it also takes time.

Arnold said she wonder why the management for Holland Home didnt give them more notice.

If they was going to do this, why they didnt do it and say well give you a year? Why do it in the middle of winter? said Arnold.

Shir said Thursday there is no new deadline to move residents, but said management is doing what it can to ensure residents have a place to go to. He said understood the long timeline for residents relying on government assistance.

Rawls said she found a place with an opening and was waiting for the government to inspect her room. Arnold perked up.

Is it around this way? she asked.

Its in Dolton, Rawls responded.

Is it an apartment building?

Yeah.

They got any more? Arnold asked.

Nuh-uh, Rawls said shaking her head, noting its not even a done deal for her. I dont want to put all of my eggs in one basket.

Right, like I did, Arnold said of her effort to move to a building in Calumet City.

Simmons and Rawls gave her their contacts. Arnold thanked them.

Yeah, I better go on and call this building, she said.

hsanders@chicagotribune.com
By Nandita Bose and Kanishka Singh

EMMAUS, Pennsylvania (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday called Yemen's Houthi forces a "terrorist" group, after American and British warplanes, ships and submarines launched dozens of air strikes across Yemen overnight.

Biden said Washington will respond to the Houthis if they continued behavior that he called "outrageous."

WHY IT IS IMPORTANT

London and Washington say their strikes in Yemen were in retaliation for months of attacks by the movement on Red Sea shipping that the Iran-backed fighters cast as a response to the ongoing war in Gaza. The strikes represent one of the most dramatic demonstrations to date of the widening of the Gaza conflict.

KEY QUOTES

"I think they are," Biden told reporters on Friday when he was asked if he was willing to call the Houthis a "terrorist" group.

"We will make sure that we respond to the Houthis if they continue this outrageous behavior along with our allies," he added.

The White House said earlier on Friday the United States does not want war with Yemen but will not hesitate to take further action.

"It's irrelevant whether they're designated (as terrorists). We've put together a group of nations (that) are going to say that if they continue to act and behave as they do, we'll respond," Biden told reporters.

CONTEXT

The Houthis, an Iran-backed armed movement that took control of most of Yemen over the past decade, have been attacking shipping at the mouth of the Red Sea - one of the world's busiest trade lanes - since October. The attacks have forced shippers to change course and take longer routes.

The Houthis say their attacks have been a show of support for Palestinians under siege by Israel in Hamas-governed Gaza.

The Gaza conflict followed an attack on Israel on Oct. 7 by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, which Israel said killed 1,200 people. Israel's subsequent assault on Gaza has killed more than 23,000 Palestinians, about 1% of the 2.3 million population there, according to Gaza's health ministry.

(Reporting by Nandita Bose in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, and Kanishka Singh in WashingtonAdditional reporting by Dan Whitcomb in Los AngelesWriting by Kanishka SinghEditing by Daniel Wallis, Alistair Bell and Matthew Lewis)
Howling winds, bitter cold and wintry precipitation moved into northeast Kansas late Thursday and early Friday, beginning what forecasters predicted would be five straight days of sub-zero wind chills.

The temperature and wind chill index had dipped to 12 degrees and minus 6 degrees, respectively, as of 11 a.m. Friday at the National Weather Service's Topeka office, its website said.

Topeka saw only a trace of snow and a glazing of ice late Thursday and early Friday, said Nathan Griesemer, meteorologist for that office.

A temporary warming center has been set up at 206 N.W. Norris in the Topeka Rescue Mission warehouse.

Warming center plans to remain open until Tuesday

Meanwhile, TRM Ministries said it planned keep the warming center it was operating at 206 N.W. Norris open past noon Saturday, when it had tentatively planned to close it.

TRM now plans to keep the center open until noon Tuesday, though that will only be possible if it has sufficient volunteers and staff to safely operate it, said TRM spokeswoman Kim Turley.

Anyone who would like to volunteer can click here.

TRM, which operates two homeless shelters in North Topeka, had opened the warming center late Jan. 8 to provide refuge and rest for those who are unsheltered and living outside, said executive director La Manda Broyles.

This month's center has seen less support than was received by the warming center TRM set up to deal with similar weather in December 2022, Broyles told The Capital-Journal on Wednesday.

What does the Topeka weather forecast say?

The weather service for days had been warning the public about the bone-chilling conditions anticipated to result from a southward move of the polar vortex, a gigantic, circular area of cold air high up in the atmosphere that typically spins over the North Pole.

Wind chills could get as low as 30 below in Shawnee, Douglas, Lyon, Osage, Morris, Wabaunsee and Jefferson counties, the weather service said in a wind chill warning it issued early Friday covering those counties and lasting from 6 p.m. Friday to 1 a.m. Tuesday.

Wind chills at Topeka were predicted to get as low as minus 21 late Saturday, minus 28 early Sunday, minus 20 early Monday and minus 27 early Tuesday, the weather service's Topeka office said in a graphic linked to its website.

A 20% chance of snow was predicted Sunday and Sunday night for Topeka, with no precipitation otherwise expected between Saturday and Tuesday.

How can people stay safe in sub-zero wind chills?

The weather service asked residents to avoid outdoor activities if possible, and to wear appropriate clothing if they go outside, including a coat, hat and gloves.

"The cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes," said the wind chill warning it issued.

Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Sub-zero wind chills hit Topeka; TRM warming center plans to stay open
Niani Finlayson (left), 27, was fatally shot by a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy on Dec. 4. Her father, Lamont (right), is now caring for Niani's two young daughters.

Niani Finlayson (left), 27, was fatally shot by a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy on Dec. 4. Her father, Lamont (right), is now caring for Niani's two young daughters.

Lamont Finlayson called his daughter, Niani Finlayson, on Dec. 1 last year. Finlayson, a 27-year-old Black woman, was living in her first apartment in Lancaster, California. It was the first time she was able to host family members for the holidays.

They talked about Christmas gifts, Lamont told HuffPost this week, and about his plans to get her a car. Three days later, all those plans were cut short.

Niani Finlayson called the authorities on Dec. 4 during a domestic incident, saying her boyfriend would not leave her home. In audio later released by the sheriffs department from the 911 call, Finlayson can be heard shouting for help.

He wont get out of my house, he will not leave me alone, I need the police here right now, she said.

Finlayson was screaming on the call and repeatedly telling a man to get off her. Bradley Gage, the familys lawyer, has identified the man as her former boyfriend.

The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department responded to the call, arriving at the Lancaster apartment complex, some 44 miles outside of Los Angeles. In body camera footage released by the department last week, Finlayson can be seen holding an object that authorities described as a kitchen knife. Finlaysons 9-year-old daughter appears to tell officers that the man at the home had been pushing her.

Finlayson grabbed the man while holding the knife. She told police she was going to stab him because hed harmed her daughter that evening.

Deputy Ty Shelton fired four shots within seconds of arriving inside, killing Finlayson in front of her daughter.

The sheriffs department did not respond to requests for comment. In a statement last month, the department referred to a robust review process that would determine whether Shelton violated department policies.

Finlaysons boyfriend was arrested for child abuse and assault on a police officer, but was later released, the department said in a statement.

Lamont Finlayson told HuffPost he believes the shooting was not justified. He now has to care for his two granddaughters.

It is very hard to do, because how do you explain to children that their mom is not coming back? he told HuffPost.

Finlaysons family and lawyers want to know why officers at the scene did not deescalate the situation. Video shows Shelton entering the apartment holding both a stun gun and a firearm.

Lamont Finlayson said he wanted his daughter to live with her two children in Lancaster to avoid volatile encounters with police.

He told HuffPost that Niani aspired to be a nurse, and that she loved her two daughters and her family.

I thought she would be at peace, Lamont told HuffPost. She wanted to live life to the fullest and see me get old. But instead, now I cant see her get old.

Gage, a civil rights attorney, filed a claim signaling a $30 million lawsuit in state court, but says the county could move the lawsuit to the federal level, alleging wrongful death. Gage is also demanding the district attorney file murder charges against Shelton.

When you bring a case like this, a common theme applies: We want to see justice, Gage told HuffPost. So often you hear law enforcement talking about some suspect or criminal, and they forget these are human beings with families of their own.

Nearly four years ago, Shelton killed Michael Thomas, a Black man, also while responding to a 911 call on domestic violence. Thomas and his girlfriend got into a verbal disagreement and Thomas was attempting to stop officers from entering the house, according to police. Shelton shot Thomas in the chest when he arrived.

No criminal charges were filed against Shelton in the encounter, which occurred just weeks after George Floyds murder in Minneapolis. No footage of the shooting exists.

Related...
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken returns to Washington, following a week-long trip aimed at calming tensions across the Middle East

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet senior Chinese official Liu Jianchao in Washington on Friday, the State Department said in his official schedule, the talks coming just a day ahead of elections in Taiwan that will test efforts to ease U.S.-China tensions.

The Jan. 13 presidential and parliamentary contests in Taiwan, which China claims as its territory, represent the first real wild card in 2024 for the Biden administration's goal of stabilizing ties with China.

Blinken's routinely publicized schedule did not give further details about the 10 a.m. ET (1500 GMT) meeting. But the meeting will be the latest in a flurry of U.S.-China interactions following a November summit between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in San Francisco.

Those include a Wednesday meeting between Liu and White House deputy national security adviser Jon Finer, a phone call on Thursday between U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, and the resumption this week of long-frozen military talks between the countries.

The meetings appear aimed in part at insulating the U.S.-China relationship - which tumbled to historic lows last year - from the kind of friction that typically results from elections in Taiwan.

"The health of the U.S.-China relationship, I don't think you can view as a derivative of cross-Strait tensions," a senior U.S. administration official told reporters on Wednesday, adding that the aim was to manage tensions and try to avoid unintended conflict.

Taiwan's government has accused China of an unprecedented campaign of election interference, using everything from military activity to trade sanctions to sway the vote toward candidates Beijing may prefer. China has labelledthose allegations "dirty tricks".

Washington has warned China not to interfere in the democratically governed island's elections, and said Beijing will be the provocateur should it choose to respond with additional military pressure.

China has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwanunder its control.

The U.S. is Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties with the island. China says Taiwan is its most sacred red line and the most dangerous issue in U.S.-China relations, warning any move toward formal independence by the island means conflict.

Liu is the head of the Chinese Communist Party's international department, which handles ties with foreign political parties. A one-time senior anti-corruption official, Liu led Beijing's efforts to compel the return of Chinese criminal suspects who had fled overseas through its Operation Fox Hunt.

The U.S. has criticized the program for using tactics it calls "transnational repression" toward Chinese dissidents, such as kidnappings and pressure on suspects' families.

The Biden administration should reconsider the optics and consequences of engaging with an official tied to Operation Fox Hunt, if for no other reason that it undermines our commitment to supporting those who seek refuge from authoritarian regimes, like China, said Craig Singleton, a China expert at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington.

The White House said in his meeting with Liu that Finer had stressed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the South China Sea, a potential flashpoint where Beijing has been increasingly assertive of its expansive territorial claims that put it at odds with regional countries, including U.S. ally the Philippines.

(Reporting by Michael Martina; Editing by Don Durfee and Michael Perry)
GREEN BAY - Snowfall and high winds picked up throughout the day Friday as blizzard conditions arrived in greater Green Bay in a daylong storm that has prompted closings and snow emergencies.

A blizzard warning is in place for much of northeastern Wisconsin including Green Bay starting Friday afternoon. The warning is from 3 p.m. Friday to noon Saturday. The following counties included in the warning were Brown, Door, Outagamie, Kewaunee, Winnebago, Calumet, Manitowoc. Shortly before 1 p.m., the weather service expanded the blizzard warning to include Shawano, southern Marinette and southern Oconto counties and along the lakeshore.

The National Weather Service Green Bay had initially put out a winter storm warning starting at 6 a.m. Friday but upgraded it into a blizzard warning for most of Friday because of the high winds and increase in snowfall. The winter storm warning still remains in effect until 3 p.m. Saturday.

The Blizzard Warning has been expanded to include Shawano, southern Marinette, and southern Oconto counties. Worst conditions are expected in east-central WI & along the lakeshore with blowing and drifting snow causing white out conditions. Avoid travel unless its an emergency! pic.twitter.com/IMYwhWWTeh  NWS Green Bay (@NWSGreenBay) January 12, 2024

The snow will start to taper off Friday night, but winds will remain strong and lingering snow showers will bring another inch or two through the day Saturday, said Scott Berschback, a meteorologist with NWS Green Bay. Low temperatures over the next week will make the snow stay for a while.

Winter has arrived and its going to stick around for at least a week or two, Berschback said.

Due to the expected blizzard, most schools in the Green Bay are ending the day early or are closed for the whole day.

It's the first blizzard warning issued for Green Bay since 2018.

Here's what to know about the possible blizzard, which schools are canceled, and how the snow is affecting flights at local airports. This story will be updated with more event and business closings throughout the day.

Current road conditions can be found at 511wi.gov.

Joe Jackson clears snow from his driveway on Friday in Green Bay, which is under a blizzard warning through noon Saturday.

What makes a blizzard?

The weather service issued a blizzard warning based on certain criteria including visibility and length of the storm. With the amount of snow and gusty winds, visibility will reach near zero for at least three hours, Berschback.

A winter storm needs to go on for that amount of time to qualify it as a blizzard, he said.

The snow was on the wetter side Friday morning and winds started to slowly start picking up around 10 a.m., Berschback said. The winds will start to pick up through the late morning and afternoon.

"Thats when the snow will become fluffier and thats when the blizzard conditions are expected, Berschback said.

10 p.m.: Snowfall totals continue to rise in Green Bay, northeast Wisconsin

Here are snowfall totals as reported to the National Weather Service:

Stockbridge: 12 inches (as of 7:20 p.m.)

Green Bay: 11 inches (as of 9 p.m.)

Appleton: 10.1 inches (as of 8:25 p.m.)

Sobieski: 9.5 inches (as of 6 p.m.)

Clintonville: 8.5 inches (as of 5:08 p.m.)

Wrightstown: 7.8 inches (as of 5:45 p.m.)

De Pere: 7.8 inches (as of 5:45 p.m.)

Ashwaubenon: 6.8 inches (as of 6 p.m.)

7 p.m.: Another foot of snow expected in Brown, Door and Kewaunee counties

Another 2 to 12 inches of snow is expected to fall between 6 p.m. through noon Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.

The highest snowfall will be in the eastern half of Green Bay to Lake Michigan, including Kewaunee and Door counties, which is projected to receive another 8 to 12 inches.

The western half of Brown County, eastern half of Shawano County and most of Oconto County is expected to receive another 6 to 8 inches.

Lower total are expected in north-central Wisconsin.

Additional snow will fall in northeast Wisconsin through Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024.

4 p.m.: Green Bay gets 5 to 6 inches, on track to get a total of 10 to 15 inches

The area is on track to get around a foot or more of snow in the storm.

By 3:45 p.m., the National Weather Service Green Bay had received snowfall reports between 5.5 to 7.5 inches in parts of Green Bay. That means the city is on track to get as much snow as the forecast estimated Friday, said Phil Kurimski, a meteorologist with NWS Green Bay. Most areas in the northeast region reported around 5 to 6 inches of snow, similar to Green Bay.

4 p.m.: Marcus Theatres close early

The last movie at Bay Park Cinema in Ashwaubenon will start at 5 p.m. Friday. Marcus Green Bay East Cinema is closed and will reopen at 12:45 p.m. Saturday.

3:15 p.m.: Green Bay Metro Transit ending service early

Green Bay Metro Transit will end all service, including the city bus, paratransit, and GBM on demand at 4:45 p.m. Friday. Anyone in need of a ride home should call Metro Transit as soon as possible at 920-448-3450 to set up a ride.

Call ahead tomorrow to see if there are any delays or changes in service Saturday due to the storm.

1:45 p.m.: Bellin Health closes clinics, urgent care early

Bellin Health's Ashwaubenon and Bellevue urgent care centers will close at 4 p.m. Friday. Most clinics in the Green Bay area close at 2 p.m. FastCare clinics close at 4 p.m.

1:30 p.m.: Green Bay Water closes early

Green Bay Water's billing office closed at 1:30 p.m. Friday. All payments can be made online. Call (920) 448-3483 in case of a water emergency.

Postal worker Zach Owen works in blizzard-like conditions Friday in Green Bay. The area is under a blizzard warning through noon Saturday.

1:30 p.m.: Neville Public Museum reopens Sunday

The Neville Public Museum closes early at 2 p.m. Friday through Saturday. It will reopen at noon Sunday, the museum said in a Facebook post.

1 p.m.: UW-Green Bay closes several buildings early

The UWGB library closed at 1 p.m.

University Union closes at 3 p.m.

The Kress Events Center closes at 3 p.m. and will stay closed Saturday, though anyone going to the women's basketball game will have access.

UW Credit Union is closed all day Friday.

Marinette, Manitowoc, and Sheboygan campuses closed at noon.

1 p.m.: Green Bay YMCA closes early

All programs and classes at YMCA sites in the Green Bay area are canceled Friday. The east- and west-side facilities close at 3 p.m. and all others closed at 1 p.m.

All facilities reopen at 8 a.m. Saturday.

11:30 a.m.: Brown County Library closes early

All Brown County library branches closed at 11:30 a.m. Friday. Online resources are still available.

11:30 a.m.: Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary, Lambeau Field Atrium closes early

The wildlife sanctuary, including all buildings, parking lots, and skiing/hiking trails will close at 1 p.m. Friday. It may also open late Saturday. Updates can be found on its Facebook page.

All businesses at the Lambeau Field Atrium will close at 1 p.m., including the Pro Shop, Hall of Fame, stadium tours and 1919 Kitchen & Tap.

11 a.m.: MLK celebrations moves to virtual only

Brown County's 29th annual Dr Martin Luther King Jr. celebration will now be a virtual-only event Saturday. Updates and how to join can be found on its website.

10:45 a.m.: NEW Zoo closes early

The NEW Zoo and the Neil Anderson Canopy Tour closed at noon today. The animals are all safe and zookeeping staff are on-site to provide any care needed, the zoo said in a Facebook post.

10:45 a.m.: Prevea Health closes early

All Prevea Health clinics and urgent care centers will close at noon Friday. Some urgent care centers will reopen at noon Saturday.

If you need emergency medical care, go to your nearest emergency department.

10:40 a.m.: City Hall closes early

Green Bay City Hall will be closed starting at 1:30 pm Friday and will reopen at 8 a.m. Monday.

10:30 a.m.: Allouez, Ashwaubenon, Green Bay, De Pere, Howard, Wrightstown issue snow emergencies

Under a snow emergency, cars cannot be parked on village or city streets so snow can be cleared. Any parked cars will be ticketed and may get towed. Here's when the snow emergencies start.

Ashwaubenon: noon Friday to midnight Sunday.

Wrightstown: noon Friday to 3 p.m. Saturday.

De Pere: noon Friday to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Howard: 7 p.m. Friday to noon Saturday.

Allouez: 7 p.m. Friday to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Green Bay: 7 p.m. Friday to 5 p.m. Saturday.

10:20 a.m.: The Wedding Show rescheduled

The Wedding Show at the Resch Expo is canceling Friday's show and is rescheduled for Sunday. The show on Saturday is still on schedule. Any tickets purchased previously can be used Saturday or Sunday.

New Wedding Show hours:

Saturday: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Fashion show at 1 p.m.

Sunday: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Cake dive at 11 a.m.

9:50 a.m. Community First Credit Union closes early

All locations of Community First Credit Union will close at noon Friday.

9 a.m. update:

How much snow will Green Bay get?

The area could see over a foot of snow this weekend.

Green Bay will get between 10 to 15 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service Green Bay. The highest amounts will be in the northeast region and along the lakeshore. Snow will get heavier Friday afternoon and evening. With temperatures below freezing, meteorologists expect the incoming snow to accumulate.

Brown, Door, Outagamie, Kewaunee, Winnebago, Calumet, Manitowoc, Shawano, southern Marinette, and southern Oconto counties are part of the blizzard warning.

Project snowfall totals.

What about winds?

Winds will reach 50 mph in Green Bay and the Fox Valley and visibility could drop below a quarter mile during the blizzard, according to the blizzard warning.

With possible "whiteout" conditions and tree damage, the weather service warns people to avoid traveling as the weather will affect commutes Friday.

Winds will be gustier by the bay, Berschback said.

"The plows just won't keep up and certain roads will become impassable because theres just too much blowing snow," Berschback said.

Live cameras of roadways are at 511wi.gov.

Which schools are closing early or canceled for the day?

Area schools will either have an early release or will be closed today.

Here are area schools that have a two-hour early release. All after-school activities are canceled.

Green Bay School District

Ashwaubenon School District

De Pere School District

West De Pere School District

Here are area school districts that are closed Friday.

Howard-Suamico School District

Wrightstown Community School District

Pulaski Community School District

Oneida Nation School District

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Green Bay campus will close at 1 p.m. Employees are working remotely.

Several UW-Green Bay buildings are also closing early.

Flights are delayed or canceled

Most flights from the Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport and Appleton International Airport have been canceled Friday and tomorrow morning. Check their websites for updates. If your flight has been affected, the airports say to contact the airline you are traveling with for rebooking.

First blizzard warning for Green Bay since 2018

Friday is the first time the weather service has issued a blizzard warning for the area in five years. The last warning was for the three-day "Doozy" blizzard from April 13-15, 2018, according to the weather service. Green Bay got two feet of snow in the historic blizzard late in the winter season.

It is still the second largest snowstorm on record for Green Bay. The snow caused several barn roofs to collapse in Brown, Oconto and Outagamie counties and brought down part of the roof at the Econo Lodge hotel in Ashwaubenon.

RELATED Four years ago an April blizzard sets snow records across Wisconsin, shut down roads, power

This story will be updated.

Danielle DuClos and Kelli Arseneau contributed to this report.

Benita Mathew is a health reporter for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin. Contact her at bmathew@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Green Bay weather: 10-15 inches of snow forecast, blizzard warning
A Skokie woman who co-founded the group Abolition Coalition to advocate for racial equity is facing a judges deadline to pay $38,000 in attorney fees for an Awake Illinois leader whom she sued unsuccessfully for defamation and other matters.

Cook County Judge Daniel Kubasiak on Dec. 14 ordered Jasmine Sebaggala, who works as an assistant principal for Evanston/Skokie District 65 schools, to pay the $38,000 after he dismissed her lawsuit. Sebaggala had sued Helen Levinson, vice president of the board of the conservative group Awake Illinois and, according to her Facebook page, chair of Moms For Liberty Cook County, for defamation and intentionally causing her emotional distress in 2022.

The lawsuit was a reaction to Levinson writing a 2021 letter to District 65 accusing Sebaggala of using heavy-handed tactics in her work with the Abolition Coalition and asking that the letter be placed in her employment file.

On May 16, 2023, Kubasiak dismissed Sebaggalas lawsuit and ordered the reimbursement for legal expenses in the amount of $38,000. Sebaggala and her attorney requested an extension to pay until Jan. 24, but that came at a $2,000 cost, leaving her liable for $40,000.

We were denied access to a legal system that should protect teachers and children, said Sebaggala, who is Black, at a virtual Abolition Coalition press conference Dec. 29. To me, its really a shame that almost 70 years after the Brown vs. Board of Education decision in 1954, I am still advocating for my daughters to receive equal education opportunities free from racial harm and trauma.

Jasmine Sebaggala asks a question during an informational meting for parents, students and faculty at Niles West High School in Skokie on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Maggie Vandermeer, a co-founder with Sebaggala of the Skokie Schools for Equity Collaborative, said Sebaggala is appealing both the dismissal of her lawsuit and the order to pay for Levinsons legal defense. An online fundraising appeal had produced more than $38,000 in donations as of Jan. 11 to pay the judges order. If the legal appeal should succeed, Sebaggala would be refunded the money and plans to offer donors an option to get their funds back, Vandermeer said.

Levinson referred requests for comment to her lawyers, and her attorney Sorin Leahu declined to comment. She is also represented by America First Legal, organized by Stephen Miller, who served as senior adviser for policy in the Trump administration. America First Legal did not respond to a request for comment.

The matter started Aug. 31, 2021, when Levinson wrote to School District 65 administrators questioning Sebaggalas activities at public school board meetings in the Evanston and Skokie areas, particularly School District 72, in which Levinson said she resided.

Levinson said Sebaggalas behavior included berating parents online via social media platforms, posting anti-white rhetoric, posting anti-police rhetoric, holding signs in the faces of board members, holding fists in the air during board meetings, calling parents and board members racists, white supremacists, white nationalists, bigots and misogynists. She wrote that some board members asked to be escorted to their cars for security reasons after a controversial Niles Township High School District 219 board meeting.

Sebaggala and the Abolition Coalition, as plaintiffs, filed a lawsuit Dec. 19, 2022, with Levinson and the Niles Township Accountability Coalition as defendants. It said Levinsons accusations against Sebaggala in her 2021 letter were false and defamatory, and included examples of other accusations Levinson had leveled at Sebaggala, including falsely stating that (Sebaggala) had abused white children.

The lawsuit asserted Levinson wanted to damage Sebaggalas career for the sole reason that Sebaggala is a Black teacher who supports Black Lives Matter. It also includes the text of a Sept. 29 letter to Sebaggala from her teachers union representative, Maria Barrosa, who wrote that Levinsons letter is defamatory and can impact your profession. Such actions by this person can cause harm to your livelihood and this should be addressed.

The lawsuit also contained counts on intentional infliction of emotional distress and appropriation of Sebaggalas image, alleging Levinson used it in social media to stir outrage among her followers and generate donations.

Judge Kubasiak dismissed Sebaggalas lawsuit saying it had failed to state a sufficient cause of action under Illinois law.

Levinsons statements and concerns which she expressed to the school board are protected by the Citizen Participation Act (CPA) known as the anti-SLAPP Act (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) which allows citizens to exercise their First Amendment rights without fear of retaliatory lawsuits, he wrote in the discussion portion of his opinion.

He also ruled that Sebaggalas attorney failed to cite specific facts and evidence for their allegation that the defendant had inflicted emotional distress.

Cassie Creswell, director of Illinois Families for Public Education, said there has been increased opposition to racial and equity policies in schools across the state stemming from guidelines put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abolition Coalition of Skokie co-founder Angela Sangha Gadsen argued the case is about intimidation and creating an exclusive education that touts misinformation.

District 65 responded earlier this week to an email from Pioneer Press/Chicago Tribune asking about the lawsuit, stating this is the first they had heard of the suit.

As the District is not a party to the lawsuit, we have no comment, said a District 65 spokesperson.
Republican presidential candidates have canceled their Friday events  just days before the Iowa Caucuses as they hoped to make their final pitches to caucusgoers  due to a blizzard warning affecting the entire state.

Others, like Former President Donald Trump, also are adjusting weekend plans as a blizzard warning set to expire at 6 a.m. Saturday was extended to 6 p.m.

Snow started falling in Des Moines just before midnight and travel was not advised in the metro area or areas to the east on Friday, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation. High winds and light snow were expected to make for blizzard conditions in the state and dangerously low temperatures were expected to follow.

Donald Trump campaign scraps three in-person events in favor of virtual rallies

Earlier Friday, the Trump campaign said it would hold weekend events as planned. But it announced Friday evening that they were cancelling three of four scheduled in-person rallies this weekend featuring the former president, in favor of virtual telerallies.

Previously scheduled rallies in Atlantic and Sioux City on Saturday, as well as in Cherokee on Sunday, have all been scrapped in favor of telerallies on Saturday evening, Sunday evening and Monday at noon. One in-person rally remains on the schedule, at noon Sunday in Indianola.

"Our volunteer grassroots team is as mobilized as ever and ready to bring home a historic win for President Trump on Monday, January 15," the campaign wrote in an email advising the schedule changes. "Nothing will keep our people from showing up to caucus for President Trump!"

Trump's campaign has advertised the Iowa rallies as "Commit to Caucus" events, at which attendees are heavily encouraged to sign a commit-to-caucus card and get involved with the campaign's organizing efforts.

A slate of surrogates and endorsers, including a number of U.S. House members, will hold a meet and greet event for supporters in Fort Dodge on Monday afternoon. Donald Trump Jr. will appear in Ankeny at the same time Monday.

A senior advisor to Trump's campaign, asked Wednesday by reporters about the coming winter storm and snow, had a simple response:

"Wear a coat," Chris LaCivita said.

"This is Iowa, they know how to handle the weather," he said. "We have a very committed group of voters who, as the president said numerous times, would walk over glass to vote for him. So we know the intensity favors us."

LaCivita said the campaign had "old-school" contingencies in place to get supporters to caucus sites, including drivers and volunteers who can transport them in more severe weather.

"We have all that stuff planned, and we've been planning that. We haven't run our campaign exclusively on a spreadsheet, put it that way."

Nikki Haley held virtual town halls instead

Nikki Haley's campaign canceled three in-person events scheduled Friday in Fort Dodge, Le Mars and Council Bluffs due to the weather. Instead, campaign officials said they would be hosting telephone town halls.

Stormy weather wont stop us from ensuring Iowans hear Nikkis vision for a strong and proud America, Pat Garrett, a Haley spokesperson, said in a statement. With only three days until the caucuses, were going to keep telling voters why they should Pick Nikki.

Speaking virtually to callers who hoped to see her in Fort Dodge, the former United Nations ambassador and South Carolina governor apologized to them and joked about how she knows shes not in South Carolina anymore.

It is beyond cold, she said.

During the nearly hourlong town hall, Haley dove into her usual stump speech on the economy, foreign policies and veteran homelessness and took questions from a handful of callers. Haley in the last week moved away from hosting town halls  a campaign staple  and held faster-paced events focused on encouraging people to caucus Jan. 15.

More: Iowa Caucus weather is expected to be bitterly cold - likely the coldest ever

Haley told the callers to come out Monday but urged them to be cautious and mindful of the expected sub-freezing temperatures.

I know that on Jan. 15 it is going to be negative 19. I know its asking a lot of you to go out and caucus, but I also know we have a country to save.

If you go out, please remember to bring your ID with you. Please wear layers of clothes in case theres a line so that you are staying safe, she continued. And please go in there and know that you are setting the tone for the country. All eyes are on Iowa because you set the tone for where our country goes from there, and thats what the rest of the states listen to. I trust you.

Ron DeSantis dropped by campaign headquarters

Florida Gov. Ron Desantis speaks to members of the media outside a DeSantis campaign office in Urbandale, Iowa, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024.

Ron DeSantis spoke at the Northside Conservative Club in Ankeny Friday morning alongside Gov. Kim Reynolds, but Never Back Down, the PAC supporting DeSantis' campaign, canceled the rest of his events for the day. DeSantis made an impromptu midday visit to his campaign office in Urbandale, though.He took questions from a small mob of reporters on the snowy steps outside the office, as snow fell and wind whipped past.Nothings handed to you in this life, much less a presidential nomination, he said. So if you have to go and trudge through snow to be able to earn the vote, you trudge through snow to be able to earn the vote.DeSantis flexed his commitment to holding events in all Iowas 99 counties. He said a strong ground game is essential when dealing with an eleventh-hour snowstorm and predicted sub-zero temperatures on Monday night.Theres a machinery that goes with a caucus no matter what, but especially now with what the weather's gonna be like, he said.Never Back Down, the PAC supporting DeSantis, canceled Friday events in Clear Lake, Marshalltown, Pella and Coralville.

Vivek Ramaswamy pledged to get to all scheduled events

However, candidate Vivek Ramaswamy said he would continue on with every event as "long as we can physically make it." His campaign went into a ditch earlier this week and needed the help of a passerby to get out.

Later Friday, his campaign decided to cancel a televised town hall for Gray TV in Sioux City, instead doing it remotely. He planned to move forward with public campaign events in Hubbard, Fort Dodge, Council Bluffs and West Des Moines.

More: Here's how the Iowa Caucuses work, who can caucus and where to caucus

Ramaswamy could not use his bus or plane Friday to get to events because of the snowy conditions, said campaign spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin. Instead his campaign used 4-wheel drive SUVs to travel slow and safe, she said. Ramaswamys campaign is limiting the distance staffers and volunteers travel, and is having fewer staff members than normal travel to events on Friday, McLaughlin said.

Were working hard to balance still working hard and toughing it out, McLaughlin said. But safety is the campaigns top priority, McLaughlin said. People need to be safe.

In 2016, a volunteer for Ben Carson's campaign died when a campaign vehicle lost control on an icy Interstate 80 and crossed the median.

Ramaswamy canceled three events during Tuesdays snowstorm, McLaughlin said, though he spent that time calling people who had RSVP'd, she said. He also is doing interviews on local radio stations and holding virtual town halls to make up for events impacted by the weather.

More: Where are candidates campaigning in Iowa? See our Candidate Tracker here

Asa Hutchinson planned Iowa City event but venue closed

Asa Hutchinson's campaign canceled one event in Ottumwa on Tuesday for an earlier snowstorm this week. And on Friday, an Iowa City venue where he was scheduled to appear closed due to the weather, forcing the campaign to return to Des Moines, campaign manager Alison Williams said.

Earlier Friday, Hutchinson told the Register he had mostly been able to stick to his campaign itinerary and still planned to make a case to Iowa voters through Caucus Day.

"I was in Decorah last night for caucus recruitment and training and made it back before the next round of snow," Hutchinson said in a written statement Friday. "Today, we are making calls and continuing with the events for this evening and this weekend. At each stop I find new caucus goers for my campaign."

Hutchinson is scheduled to be in Clear Lake on Saturday afternoon before returning to Des Moines by Saturday evening.

Ryan Binkley also canceled his Friday events and held virtual meet-and-greets instead.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Blizzard forces GOP candidates to cancel Iowa Caucus events
Extreme winter weather continues to wreak havoc on Republican presidential candidates hoping to criss-cross Iowa in the closing days before Monday's caucuses, with one campaign already scrapping its schedule for Friday.

Nikki Haley's campaign said late Thursday it will replace the former South Carolina governor's three planned in-person stops the next day with "tele-town halls" instead, just hours after the National Weather Services Des Moines office issued a blizzard warning, warning of a storm of a magnitude seen only once or twice a decade. The storm began Thursday night and was expected to continue into Friday, with 6 to 10 inches of snowfall and increased wind starting Friday morning.

Travel is not recommended except if absolutely necessary, especially by Friday afternoon into the evening, read the advisory, which predicted that travel would become extremely difficult by Friday and even impossible in more rural areas.

Pat Garrett, a spokesperson for Haley's campaign, said the change ensured the weather wouldn't "stop us from ensuring Iowans hear Nikkis vision for a strong and proud America."

Following the storm, bitter cold is expected to envelop the state. The Weather Service cautioned Thursday that once the temperature drops below zero during the day on Saturday, it wont climb above that mark until Tuesday, the day after the caucuses. Wind chills  a figure that combines the air temperature with the wind speed to approximate how cold it feels  could plunge as low as minus-45.

The leading candidates  Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy and Haley  all announced a full roster of campaign events for the weekend, even after another snowstorm earlier this week already caused them headaches.

On Monday, Haleys campaign canceled an event in Sioux City due to the weather. The Trump campaign canceled an event with former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and his daughter, current Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, due to issues flying them into Iowa.

After mocking Haley for canceling her event, Ramaswamy posted on social media Tuesday when his car got stuck in a ditch on his way back to Des Moines: 5 of us tried to push SUV out, finally got it done with extra help from a good Iowan, he wrote.

A spokesperson for Ramaswamys campaign told POLITICO that the campaign would hold its Friday events as planned if possible, albeit without its bus or plane, which will be grounded by the weather.

The Trump and DeSantis campaigns did not immediately respond to questions about how the storm will affect their schedules.
A whale calf suffering propeller wounds on the head, mouth and lip will likely die, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Wednesday.

The calf, an endangered North Atlantic right whale, was likely hurt in a vessel strike, officials said. The injuries could impact the calf's ability to nurse from its mother successfully.

Biologists with Georgia's Department of Natural Resources said the calf's wounds don't appear to be fresh. Images show that the injuries are covered in cyamids, which are small crustaceans.

The injured North Atlantic right whale calf seen with injuries on the head, mouth, and left lip, consistent with vessel strike, on Jan. 3, 2024. / Credit: Forever Hooked Charters of South Carolina / NOAA

While the calf's exact age is not known, officials believe the whale was born in late November. North Atlantic right whales can live to be 70.

The mom and calf were last seen before the injury on Dec. 9, off Amelia Island, Florida. By the time the NOAA was notified on Jan. 6, the mom and wounded calf were off Edisto, South Carolina.

Officials used videos shared on social media to identify the mom as Juno, a whale first sighted in 1986 in the southeastern U.S., according to the NOAA. Officials don't know if Juno is also injured, but they said mother-calf pairs are more likely to be hit by boats because they are difficult to see and spend most of their time close to the water's surface.

Vessel strikes and entanglement in fishing gear are the leading causes of death among North Atlantic right whales, according to the NOAA. The species has been listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act since 1970, and there are approximately 360 remaining North Atlantic right whales.

The North Atlantic right whale is listed as endangered. / Credit: NOAA Fisheries

"The population continues to decline at an unsustainable rate, due to human impacts," according to the NOAA. "The number of new calves born in recent years has been below average."

More than a dozen right whales have been struck by vessels in U.S. waters since 2008, according to the New England Aquarium, which helped identify the mother-calf pair.

"This devastating case brings a heightened sense of urgency to address the significant challenges North Atlantic right whales are facing," said Amy Knowlton, senior scientist at the aquarium's Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life. "It is crucial to act now to implement enhanced regulations to protect this critically endangered species along the U.S. East Coast."

Boeing CEO acknowledges mistake on Alaska Airlines 737

Hunter Biden leaves wild House committee meeting after surprise appearance

Hunter Biden makes surprise appearance at GOP-led House contempt hearing
In this National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) handout, an opening is seen in the fuselage of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 Boeing 737-9 MAX on January 7, 2024 in Portland, Oregon.

The Federal Aviation Administration announced immediate new and significant actions to its increased oversight of Boeings aircraft manufacturing and production processes on Fridayone week after an Alaskan Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 plane made international headlines when one of its emergency door plugs blew off mid-flight, jettisoning travelers personal items , and forcing an abrupt return to its departing airport. National Transportation Safety Board officials recovered the door plug from the backyard of a Portland, OR, schoolteacher on Sunday.

Approximately six minutes after departing Portland International Airport on January 5, Alaskan Airlines Flight 1282 suddenly lost one of its emergency door plugs while at an altitude of 16,000-feet. Door plugs are installed in place of certain emergency exits if a jet is only outfitted for a lower number of passengers.

Footage supplied by travelers aboard the plane to The New York Times shows a gaping hole on the 737 Max 9's left side as yellow emergency oxygen masks dangle in front of frightened travelers. None of the flights 171 passengers and six crew members were reported seriously injured following its emergency return landing at PIA. An initial assessment provided by NTSB officials indicates none of the door plugs four bolts had been installed. The 737-9 involved in last weeks emergency had previously been in service since November 2023.

After grounding 171 Boeing 737 Max 9 planes pending further inspections last week, the FAA has now announced that it will begin an audit of the Boeing 737 Max 9 production process, as well as the companys suppliers. Results of the initial audit will determine if further investigations are required. Meanwhile, the FAA intends to increase its monitoring of Boeing 737 Max 9 in-service events, as well as assess safety risks, quality control, and delegated authority decisions with the potential to transfer these responsibilities to outside, independent entities.

It is time to re-examine the delegation of authority and assess any associated safety risks," said FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker in Fridays announcement. "The grounding of the 737-9 and the multiple production-related issues identified in recent years require us to look at every option to reduce risk.

The FAA previously reported that the jets will remain grounded until all emergency door plugs are evaluated, and on Friday noted the safety of the flying public, not speed, will determine the timeline for returning the Boeing 737-9 MAX to service. Hundreds of 737-9 Max 9 flights have been canceled since January 5's emergency landing, while United Airlines has discovered loose door plug bolts in at least one of its own 737 Max 9 planes.

[Related: Heres what to know about the Japan Airlines collision .]

The FAAs oversight announcement arrives one day after the agency issued a letter to Boeing informing the company of an investigation into its planes design and production safety. This is not the first time Boeings line of 737 planes has faced scrutiny after emergencies. Fatal international crashes in 2018 and 2019 resulted in Boeing grounding all its 737 Max aircraft for nearly two years, with the company ultimately paying $2.5 billion in a settlement with the Department of Justice to avoid criminal charges.

In the week since the emergency, Alaskan Airlines issued full refunds to all Flight 1282 passengers alongside $1,500 to assist with any inconveniences. Meanwhile, at least six passengers have already filed a lawsuit against Boeing, in which they allege some of the planes oxygen masks did not appear to function during the ordeal.
Sometimes, glowing reviews arent enough.

Despite nearly unanimous praise online, local Boise restaurant El Faro Mexican Food, 4628 W. State St., has closed.

El Faro Mexican Food wants to thank all our lovely customers for supporting us all this time, a handwritten sign posted on the door says. Unfortunately we are running out of business  .

The closure occurred Nov. 30, according to the message.

Opened in early 2022, El Faro served unabashed paper-plate cuisine. Customers ordered tacos, burritos, quesadillas and tortas at the counter. Staffers brought meals to tables on red plastic trays.

El Faro served authentic, street-style tacos.

Tacos were served street-style: A helping of meat piled atop two small corn tortillas. Customers walked over to a utilitarian condiments bar to spice up things themselves  with onion, cilantro, lime and several hot sauces.

El Faros online reviews were highly positive. It rated 4.8 out of 5 stars on both Google and Yelp.

The most recent Google submission described El Faro as a local treasure. Our favorite for taco Tuesday  or anytime we need a taco fix. Authentic Mexican and reliably delicious.

Another Mexican restaurant previously had operated in the space. Taqueria El Torito lasted five years before closing in 2021.

A handwritten sign on the door explains that El Faro Mexican Food closed.
SAN DIEGO (Border Report)  The operators of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant in the Tijuana River Valley are being accused of releasing untreated water containing extremely high levels of raw sewage and toxic chemicals into the valley and out to the Pacific Ocean.

Both San Diego Coastkeeper and the Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation have sent a letter to the International Boundary and Water Commission warning they will sue the agency if the facility continues to release contaminated water.

San Diego Coastkeeper alleges that the plant is discharging extremely high levels of sewage and toxic chemicals into the Tijuana River and Pacific Ocean in violation of its Clean Water Act permit, leading to years of public health impacts, beach closures and degradation of the Tijuana River Estuary.

The wastewater plant, which is operated by the IBWC, sits on the U.S. side of the border and is supposed to treat water coming in from Mexico before pumping it out.

Historic day as ground is broken on sewage treatment facility south of the border

It was built in 1990, but over the years, it has become outdated and is in need of a total overhaul, according to the IBWC.

In September, officials with the IBWC said the plant needed more than $150 million in deferred maintenance, but it required anywhere from $600 million to $900 million to renovate and increase capacity at the facility.

More sewage from Mexico expected on California beaches as treatment plant in Tijuana gets fixed

According to the agencies threatening to sue the IBWC, the plant is violating the Clean Water Act by:

 Discharges of DDT, PCBs, hexachlorobenzene and other hazardous chemicals at thousands of times the permit limit.

 Violations of receiving water limits for bacteria in the Pacific Ocean at hundreds of times the limit, in areas designated for water recreation and shellfish harvesting.

 Failure to submit self-monitoring reports, depriving the public of meaningful access to information about the treatment plants discharges.

The continued discharge of residual water and chemical products by the IBWC are threatening public health, degrading the Tijuana Estuary and our coastal waters denying people along the border their right to live and recreate in a safe and clean environment, said Phillip Musegaas, executive director of Coastkeeper.

Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the U.S.-Mexico border

Border Report and Fox5 San Diego reached out to the IBWC about the allegations being made by San Diego Coastkeeper and the Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation, but because of the implied legal action, the agency referred us to the Department of Justice for comment.

It responded by saying we dont have a comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
The Hinsdale Township High School District 86 Board of Education has hired Michael Lach, the current assistant superintendent for Township High School District 113 in Highland Park and Deerfield, as superintendent.

During a special meeting on Jan. 10, the board revealed Lach would assume District 86s highest administrative role beginning July 1, under a three-year contract with a starting annual salary of $255,000.

As we welcome Dr. Lach to District 86, the Board wants to thank all stakeholders for aiding the search that brought him here, the board said in a statement. The feedback that was provided via the online survey, focus groups, and open forums was instrumental in helping identify strong candidates for the position.

Lach previously worked for the Chicago Public School system as chief officer of teaching and learning, officer of high school teaching and learning, and director of mathematics and science; he also directed the University of Chicagos STEM and strategic initiatives, and led STEM education policy in the U.S. Department of Education during President Barack Obamas first term.

I am honored and excited to be selected as the new superintendent for District 86, Lach said in a statement Wednesday. There is tremendous capacity and opportunity here, and I have deep respect for the history and reputation of Hinsdale Township High School District 86.

Lach will take the reins from interim superintendent Raymond Lechner, who last month took on the full role of head administrator in the district after co-superintendent Linda Yonke resigned for personal reasons.

We also want to thank our interim superintendents for everything they have done on behalf of our district. They have led us through a critical period of transition and will continue to play an integral role in ensuring that the remainder of the school year is a success for our students, staff and families, the board said in the statement.

Despite having more than 30 years of experience in education, this job will be Lachs first time as superintendent of a school district, and one that has had a tumultuous year administratively.

Former superintendent Tammy Prentiss was ousted from the role in May and two members of the board of education have resigned since September.

Throughout the interviewing process, Ive been impressed by just how much this community cares about its schools and students. I want to thank the board of education for this incredible opportunity and am excited to begin the important work that will help every District 86 student realize their full potential, Lach said in his statement.
The main building is perched on a hilltop with soaring sea views across to the neighbouring Isle of Raasay (The Bracken Hide Hotel)

In a nutshell: This stylish new opening is centrally located on the beautiful Isle of Skye, with trendy cabin rooms and a gorgeous main building. However, the fashionable look is papering over some obvious teething problems.

The location

The Isle of Skye really is as beautiful as the pictures all over your Instagram feed would suggest. Towering peaks hold court around vast bays and ethereal moorland. The Bracken Hide sits in a superb position on the edge of the islands main (and only) town of Portree, where guests can walk a leisurely 20 minutes from the hotel to all of the towns restaurants, pubs, cafes and shops. Despite its proximity, The Bracken Hide acts as a retreat away from the tourist honeypot that is Portree. Perched on a slight elevation above the town, one view from the hotel faces the barren hills inland, while the other looks out onto Loch Portree and, further afield, to rolling hills on the neighbouring island of Raasay.

Read more on Scotland travel:

Skye is a large island with lots to see and a car is recommended, but the Bracken Hides central location results in shorter journey times to the must-go attractions. By car, the ancient volcanic landscape of the Quiraing is 40 minutes away, while the jagged rock formation of the Old Man of Storr is less than 20. Skye can be reached by car from the Scottish mainland at Kyle of Lochalsh over the Skye Bridge, itself a two-hour drive from Fort William or four hours from Glasgow. Alternatively, both vehicle and foot passengers can take a 25-minute ferry from Mallaig, a port town reachable by an incredibly scenic 90-minute train journey from Fort William.

The Bracken Hide cabins benefit from stellar views (The Bracken Hide)

The look

The centrepiece of the hotel is the extraordinary main building containing the lobby, restaurant and whisky bar with the cabin-style rooms set separately. Built like a curved wooden box and plonked on top of a hill, it looks as if modernist Scandi-chic and traditional Scottish style had a baby. Stepping through the front doors into the lobby, visitors are presented with huge floor-to-ceiling windows below a soaring asymmetric vaulted ceiling presenting views of the bay below. The reception desk is hidden, allowing for more space for guests to relax into soft furnishings and admire the Highland scenery through the windows. Armchairs and sofas upholstered with wool and leather create a space that, despite the vastness of the buildings interior, feels altogether cosy.

The lobbys floor-to-ceiling windows perfectly frame Loch Portree and the Sound of Raasay (Benjamin Salmon)

The restaurant, Frasers, shares the same vast space, with an abundance of natural light flowing through the windows. Soft brown hues of matted pinewood walls and straw light shades are offset by ocean blue coloured plates and verdant green bursts of well-kept plants lined along the walls. Low-key alcove seating and the inclusion of teal-coloured wall tiles framing a semi-open kitchen create a space with the feel of a Los Angeles beachfront cafe. It is a genuinely beautiful backdrop to the dining experience.

Outside the main building, the lack of vegetation and rows of bare flower beds make the property feel somewhat desolate. Rooms come in the form of 45 cabins dotted around the hillside and, while cosy inside,theyre not particularly beautiful to look at. With over 8m spent over six years to build the hotel, a few trees and bushes to make the place feel more established wouldnt have gone amiss. It should also be noted that at the time of visiting in June 2023, the hotel was unfinished, with building work ongoing. This detracted from the hotels get-away-from-it-all offering and prompted thoughts that it perhaps wasnt quite ready for opening yet.

Bed and bath

The cabins are stylish if snug affairs, with high-quality bedding, Harris tweed headboards and burnt wood panelling. Each cabin has a tea station with a kettle, tea, coffee, hot chocolate and shortbreads (which unfortunately were not replenished during my visit), two decent-sized wardrobes and a smart yet very small en-suite bathroom. Size does matter when the door to the bathroom hits the sink on opening, forcing guests to shimmy themselves around when they want to take a shower. Similarly, a lack of space for toiletries and shower doors that dont properly close add to an overall theme of style over substance. Thankfully, each cabin has an outside deck with chairs to enjoy the bewitching views over Skye.

Food and drink

The food at dinner was spectacular  some of the best Ive ever eaten in Scotland  showcasing the best of modern British cuisine. A starter of pan-seared pigeon breast with black pudding and apple offered unexpected flavour combinations; the fillet steak and summer vegetables main coupled bold umami hits with tender, buttery meat. The restaurant rightly and proudly touts its locally sourced ingredients. The beef, all Highland, is bought from a local butcher only 20 miles away in Kyle of Lochalsh, while the venison and lamb are all reared on the Isle of Skye itself. Vegetables and mushrooms are grown on the island and seafood is sourced from local ports.

Frasers at the Bracken Hide produces some stand-out cooking in fashionable, unstuffy dining room (The Bracken Hide)

Unfortunately, this is where the superlatives end. The restaurant itself is a separate entity from the hotel and communication doesnt extend between the front desk and the maitre d. Breakfast was a disappointing affair; a four-star hotel should be offering more than a cold buffet breakfast of simple pastries, meats and cheeses. There was a lack of care too, with cling film left on the plates of cold cuts, bread still inside the plastic it was bought in and juice left unreplenished.

Much of the cold breakfast buffet was still wrapped in plastic, including the cheese and meat platters (Benjamin Salmon)

Other than that offered by the restaurant manager, service at both dinner and breakfast was particularly poor. Finding staff in the Scottish Hebrides is notoriously difficult due to the remote location, made harder by post-Brexit immigration rules. However, it was basic service training which was lacking. During dinner, we had to ask to order wine three times before it eventually arrived after the starters.

Service was brusque at breakfast too. Hot drinks werent offered, requiring guests to ask themselves. Considering the price point, many guests in the hotel at the time of visiting shared our disappointment.

That said, the staff in the Whisky Hide Bar, located in the main building, were delightful. Friendly and knowledgeable, they offered insight into the extensive whisky selection without erring towards know-it-all territory. Design-wise, minimalism was swapped for black-painted walls, interspersed with gold finishes on the shelves. Squint and you could be in Dubai, rather than the Inner Hebrides.

The hotels Whisky Hide Bar brings a London cocktail bar vibe to the Highlands (Benjamin Salmon)

Pools, spas and public areas

Guests can find a lounge area with comfortable and cosy seating in the extraordinary main building. There is also a mezzanine lounge area, which contains a large television and lay-flat seating for movie nights. The Bracken Hide also has Estonian saunas, a plunge pool with views of the bay, open daily from 4-8 pm. There is ample parking for visitors, though be aware that this is at the bottom of quite a steep hill  the walk up may not be suitable for some.

The hotel has two Estonian-style saunas as well as a plunge pool (The Bracken Hide Hotel)

The hotel is also let down by some poor logistical design. For example, there is nowhere for staff to take their breaks, meaning it is common to see them smoking next to the hotel entrance. Furthermore, the first things guests see before they enter the main building are messy window ledges inside the restaurant kitchen filled with kitchen appliances unceremoniously stacked on top of one another.

Used items stacked in windows greet guests on first entering the hotel (Benjamin Salmon)

Nuts and bolts

Room count: 45 cabins.

Freebies: A tea station with coffee and shortbread biscuits.

In the bathroom: All cabins have basic toiletries including sea kelp shampoo, hand soap and shower gel from the ever-popular Scottish Fine Soaps.

Wifi: Yes: but the connection hardly extended to some of the cabins.

Extra charges: Hot breakfast.

Disability access: Some cabins are reserved for those with mobility needs and the hotel explains extensively on its website how accessible different cabins are. However, there is no wheelchair access as each cabin has steps going up to the front door.

Pet policy: Two dogs are allowed in cabins for 20 per night and they must remain on a lead when in the hotel grounds.

Bottom line

Best thing: Beautiful design: the main building is a real showstopper.

Worst thing: The guest experience. Most staff are friendly but the lack of care is often apparent. The grounds were not ready at the time of our visit; it would have been beneficial to put off opening until the full experience was up to scratch.

Perfect for: People seeking stylish surroundings in a prime location.

Not right for: Those who want value for money and good service.

Instagram from: The main lobby entrance, where huge windows frame an iconic view of the Highlands.

Price: Rates at The Bracken Hide start at 140 based on two sharing a small cabin, including a limited cold breakfast. This increases considerably in the height of summer.

Read more of our best Isle of Skye hotel reviews
The Chinese Peoples Liberation Army is counting on its rocket force, the PLARF, to deliver the first and most powerful blows against Taiwanese and allied troops in the event of an invasion of Taiwan.

So its a big problem, potentially an historic one, that the PLARF reportedly is riddled with corruption. That corruption could weigh on the rocket forces ability to do its wartime job. And if the PLARF cant fire its 2,800 non-nuclear missiles, quickly and accurately, Taiwanese and allied forces might be at full strength as the rest of the PLA forces commence their campaign.

All that is to say, advocates of a free and democratic Taiwan should hope the PLARFs corruption problem is as bad as recent reports indicate.

Corruption has long plagued the PLA. In past decades, powerful Chinese commanders ran their regiments and divisions as veritable fiefdoms: putting them to work in military-controlled businesses that lined commanders pockets but contributed nothing to war-readiness.

Beijing has cracked down on corruption in recent years. The crackdown has intensified under Chinese leader Xi Jinping. But these efforts havent eliminated corruption, if new reporting from Bloomberg and other publications is any indication.

In an apparent purge back in August, the Party replaced two PLARF generals as well as the defense minister. The purge hinted at a greater crisis. And now, Bloomberg has dug up the alleged details. US intelligence sources told Bloomberg that PLARF leaders had filled up some missiles with water instead of rocket fuel  and apparently pocketed the savings.

At the same time, some of the PLARFs underground missile silos, which protect its nuclear-tipped rockets, reportedly have defects that could prevent them from opening properly.

If true, these are serious issues. And they might hint that the Party still hasnt rooted out endemic corruption in a critical fighting force. Besides overseeing Chinas nuclear deterrent, the PLARF is Chinas surprise-attack force. In the early hours of a war over Taiwan, the PLARF would lob hundreds of ballistic and cruise missiles at Taiwanese headquarters, air bases, supply depots and air-defense sites. Perhaps most importantly the PLARF would be trying to knock out Taiwans large armory of anti-shipping missiles.

The plan: to soften up Taiwanese defenses before the Chinese invasion force set out across the 100-mile-wide Taiwan Strait.

Chinese military vehicles carrying DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missiles travel past Tiananmen Gate during a military parade - Andy Wong/Pool via Reuters

And the PLARF has another main mission: preventing the United States and other countries from intervening in the invasion. Perhaps most alarmingly for the Americans, the PLARF has potentially hundreds of DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missiles that can range as far as 900 miles. The DF-21Ds could rain down on US Navy aircraft carrier strike groups  some of Americas most powerful forces for defending Taiwan. The carrier escorts might struggle to shoot them down. Its not for no reason that some analysts call the DF-21D the carrier-killer.

But what good are the DF-21Ds if  for instance  the officers in charge of them have sold off important parts, or hired their troops out to make money when they should have been training?

Theres no firm evidence the carrier-killer batteries are as dysfunctional as other PLARF batteries reportedly are. Then again, the corruption the media has discovered in the rocket force in recent months is exactly the kind of rot that could weaken the whole institution.

Shen Ming Shih, a fellow at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research in Taiwan, said the PLA is still reluctant to go to war with Taiwan and the United States at the same time  and would need another 10 to 15 years of modernization before it could risk an invasion.

But the PLARFs corruption scandal probably wont derail Chinas strategy of gradual escalation in the so-called gray zone between peace and war, Shen and fellow panelists said at an August event hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington DC.

Beijing relentlessly harasses Taipei with ever-larger military exercises in the air space and waters surrounding Taiwan while also deploying its shadowy maritime militia  paramilitary sailors crewing hundreds of fishing boats  to intimidate and crowd out Taiwans allies from the disputed waters of the China Seas.

These methods do not depend on a perfectly-functional rocket force to work. They are gradual efforts to undermine Taiwan without attacking Taiwan  and they both weaken the island democracy over the long term while buying time for the Chinese Communist Party to set right the problems inside the PLARF.

All bets are off if the PLARFs corruption is endemic to the entire PLA, however. If the army, navy, air force and marines are also hollow forces, then Beijing has a much bigger problem than its inability to conquer Taiwan right now.

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The annual five day Parliamentary ski trip to Davos this month  attended by MPs and peers including Liz Truss, Tim Loughton and Sara Britcliffe  was enlivened by an outbreak of Brexit wars over the cheese fondue.

It was Trusss first ever visit to the Swiss mountain resort, the base for next weeks annual meeting of the World Economic Forum. Its probably the nearest she will get to the WEF meeting, too.

One evening warmed up when ex-Conservative MP Phillip Lee got into heated debate with an elderly Tory peer about whether the NHS had been weakened by the effects on staffing of Brexit. Others joined in with some heckling.

The affable Lee  a GP who quit the Tories for the LibDems in 2019  brushed off the dispute, telling me he has a thick skin. But it risked becoming a diplomatic incident. Some of the Swiss came up to me and were quite shocked, he said. Will we Brits ever get over Brexit?

What Would Rishi Do?

Rishi Sunak has to be more like Jesus, former defence secretary Sir Liam Fox told his New Years drinks party at the Carlton Club in St Jamess this week.

Around 100 guests including Tory grandees Sir Gerald Howarth, George Osborne and Matt Hancock, cheered as newly-knighted Fox toasted his wife Jesme for becoming a Foxy Lady.

In a speech Fox urged ministers to tell a better story about Conservative successes since 2010, such as how Osborne and his successors slashed the deficit so the economy could cope with the Covid shock by the decade-end.

As I said to the Prime Minister last week, Jesus is not remembered for preaching theology, he is remembered for telling parables, Fox said. Politics needs to be about stories not statistics.

Garnier v Evans  no one hurt

History has been made between Tory MPs Mark Garnier and Nigel Evans who have restarted their fortnightly game of squash at the Royal Automobile Club on Pall Mall (the matches were paused after the younger Garnier kept injuring the older  and more slight  Evans).

For the first time ever, we came off uninjured, former trade minister Garnier told me at the One Nation Tory caucuss drinks this week, adding that he still won.

Evans  a deputy speaker of the Commons  adds: The b-----d beat me but coming off uninjured is a victory for me  I call it a draw.

The pair meet again in a fortnight when normal service might be resumed.

No sex please, were Scottish

TV presenter Lorraine Kelly has dropped all love scenes from her upcoming debut novel The Island Swimmer. She told the How To Be 60 podcast: Theres no sex in it. People dont write sex properly. We all know what happens and what goes on.

And I thought My mother is going to read it and I cant put naughty things in its, so its a naughty-free zone. But hopefully its a good story that people will want to read.

I will buy a copy Lorraine.

On with their heads!

Peterborough reader Max Craven wants to go further than Andrew Rosindell MP who appeared to suggest last week that hereditary peers should be restored to the House of Lords.

Craven wants a quick one line Act of Parliament revoking all historic Acts of Attainder passed against peers between 1299 and 1746, to strengthen the reserve of hereditary potential members.

Acts of Attainder were used by kings and queens to sentence people to death without trial, often for treason. Victims of the law included Thomas Cromwell, Catherine Howard and Elizabeth Barton, known as the Holy Maid of Kent. That should pull in some diverse characters, he tells me.

It sounds like an improvement on the current lot.

Selfie please, MLord?

Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom has been winning plaudits from unusual places for championing the cause of the sub-postmasters before it was fashionable and he was plain James Arbuthnot MP. Two Labour MPs asked me for a selfie this week, the Old Etonian peer told me with some surprise on a visit to GB News studios. No surprise here, James!

Bradys publishing deal

Happy new year news for Sir Graham Brady, the long-standing chairman of the 1922 committee, who has been penning what will be an eye-opening account of his time overseeing the election and removal of five Tory leaders in 14 years. Publishing sources tell me Swedish company Bonnier has bought up the Brady memoir for a tidy sum.

It will be a must-read in SW1 and beyond.

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.
Emma Degerstedt took to TikTok to share her wedding flight got axed last minute.

She was slated to fly on a Boeing 737 Max 9, the plane model that lost its door mid-air last week.

Commenters criticized her plan to fly so last minute, but she said the backlash was a blessing.

Everyone told Emma Degerstedt that something was bound to go wrong leading up to her wedding day.

She told Business Insider she figured her florist might forget flowers, or that a guest's flight might be delayed.

But a day before Degerstedt and her fiance were scheduled to fly from Newark, New Jersey, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for their wedding, Degerstedt discovered their United flight was canceled.

They learned that the plane they were scheduled to fly on was a Boeing 737 Max 9  the same plane model the FAA grounded earlier this week after an Alaska Airlines aircraft lost part of its fuselage in mid-flight.

According to Reuters, United has 79 Max 9s and canceled 167 flights on Wednesday as a result of the groundings.

United Airlines did not respond to BI's comment request at the time of publication. Boeing and Alaska Airlines declined BI's request for comment.

"We were emotionally prepared for this moment, but we just thought it might be a delayed flight due to weather," Degerstedt told BI. "We didn't think that doors, windows, and door plugs flying off of planes and loose bolts was going to be the reason our flight was completely canceled."

This photo released by the National Transportation Safety Board shows a gaping hole where the paneled-over door had been at the fuselage plug area of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Portland, Ore. A panel used to plug an area reserved for an exit door on the Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliner blew out Jan. 5, shortly after the flight took off from Portland, forcing the plane to return to Portland International Airport. National Transportation Safety Board via AP

The couple rebooked on another airline to make it to Florida

On Tuesday, Degerstedt and her fiance were told by United their Wednesday flight was canceled due to plane maintenance and inspection, she said.

Panic set in. Degerstedt's fiance had his final tuxedo fitting scheduled for Wednesday at 1 p.m. in Florida. This Friday, they have their rehearsal dinner  and Saturday is the big day.

"What are the odds that we're on one of 80 planes?" she said. "There's thousands and thousands of flights every day."

United had three other flights scheduled out of Newark on Wednesday, and only one would get them to the tuxedo fitting on time, Degerstedt said. The couple went to reschedule, but the flight was already full.

The couple said they didn't want to risk flying standby. While Degerstedt's fiance figured out a flight alternative, Degerstedt started texting friends and family. Then, she decided to post on TikTok.

She said she hoped it might draw United's attention and support. While she didn't hear from the airline in response to her video, her conundrum was the perfect recipe for virality, sitting at the intersection of two of TikTok's most popular genres: wedding drama and travel debacles .

Degerstedt's saga exploded on Tuesday, nabbing 1.3 million views.

As Degerstedt's video gained traction, she said the pair was willing to do anything to get to Florida.

"We'll fly out of a different airport. We'll fly into a different airport. We'll take a train," Degerstedt said. "We'll do whatever we need to do."

Ultimately, Degerstedt's fiance found a solution. He booked the pair on the last two seats of an American Airlines flight heading to Florida at 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday. The couple would land at a different airport but with plenty of time to get to the tux fitting.

Since the first video, Degerstedt has continued to document the rest of her wedding run-up in real-time  including their realization about the Boeing issue, an early-morning airport jaunt , and the couple's arrival on a sunny beach  totaling more than 460,000 additional views.

That said, commenters have largely been unsupportive, and many were "hateful," Degerstedt said in her most recent TikTok . Some felt it was her fault for flying out so close to the ceremony.

She clarified in both videos and to BI that, in a panic, she had written out the video's caption incorrectly. Their flight was days before the wedding  not the day before.

Despite the backlash, she told BI, it's ultimately helped her wedding guests stay informed about what's happening.

"The silver lining here is that because of this viral TikTok, a lot of my guests got the heads up that they need to figure this out and check on their flight," she said. "So it actually ended up being a positive thing."

Degerstedt said 10 of the 130 guests were slated to fly on Boeing 737 Max 9s.

Three guests on Max 9s preemptively changed their flights. Another two later learned that their flights were canceled. She said they rebooked flights to another part of Florida and will drive to the wedding from there.

Degerstedt is still waiting to find out what will happen to the other five.

"It's not necessarily over yet," she said.

Thankfully, she and her fiance are doing everything they can to get everyone to their wedding. And, they're already starting to laugh about the entire event.

"Maybe this is a good omen," she said. "Maybe it's like rain on your wedding day."

Read the original article on Business Insider
It looks increasingly likely that Republican Todd Rokita is in his final days as attorney general. He's over the job and doesn't care who knows.

Rokita is quiet quitting  err, noisy quitting  before our eyes. He's exhibiting behavior so careless, so reckless, so dumb  and he's not a dumb person  that it must be calculated.

Here's the calculation, as I see it: The job has nothing left to offer him, so Rokita is attempting to go out in a blaze of indignity, a martyr for MAGA, in hopes of lining up new and better opportunities on the other side.

That's the most logical explanation for why he's railing against the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission, which holds his law license  and, thus, his job  in its hands. The same body that suspended Curtis Hill's law license after determining he groped women as attorney general could take even more consequential action against Rokita.

More and more, Rokita's words and actions seem to say: Do it.

Rokita wrote in a Jan. 3 legal filing that the commission needs to be "cordoned-off from the political stage," as if its members are puppets on strings controlled by the libs.

Then, on Monday, Rokita went on the radio to Tony Katz's WIBC show and pushed back on the court's insistence that he flouted its authority, saying, "If anyones impeding the integrity of the court, its the news media, its political opponents who want this story to never end."

Ah, yes, "this story."

Attorney General Todd Rokita has been publicly feuding with the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission.

Rokita's flirtation with disbarment began in July 2022 when he went on Fox News and took the horrific story of a 10-year-old rape victim who became pregnant as an opportunity to mug for the cameras and raise his clout on national TV.

Rokita, with an armory of bluster and a bare cupboard of facts, suggested Dr. Caitlin Bernard committed crimes as the obstetrician-gynecologist who performed an abortion in that case. Rokita called Bernard an abortion activist acting as a doctor  with a history of failing to report.

More James Briggs: Todd Rokita went on Fox News and bared his vacant soul

The Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission determined that Rokita's amateur cable news punditry violated two rules of professional conduct and it reprimanded him in November. Rather than accepting his slap on the wrist and moving on, though, Rokita issued a defiant statement insisting his words expressed on Fox News "are factual."

Now, the Supreme Court panel is taking another look at the matter as Rokita eggs on the justices.

It's been clear since before Rokita took office that he didn't care about the primary functions of being Indiana attorney general. Despite his 2020 message that he was running to restore professionalism to the office in the wake of Hill's groping scandal  "I'm doing this out of a labor of love," he told me then  Rokita has gone into business for himself, using his staff and resources to promote his political self-interests.

In that sense, attorney general is a pretty good gig. So, why would he want to give it up?

I sent an email to Rokita's office asking if he's intentionally trying to lose his law license and I didn't hear back. Although I don't profess to be inside his head, I have some educated guesses as to what he might be thinking.

More James Briggs: Todd Rokita will never be governor (or senator)

Rokita viewed the attorney general job as a launching pad to get back in the mix for either another U.S. Senate run or a bid for governor. No lane opened up in either direction for a charmless Trump imitator, though, and now Rokita is staring at a future in which other Republicans likely will lock down those jobs for many years to come.

Rokita is wobbling on a stepping stone to nowhere. He could simply sit out re-election this year, of course, but then there'd be no spotlight to follow him out of office.

Rokita might find advantages to getting kicked out  over a "perfect" Fox News hit, he might say. Rokita could frame his ouster as a matter of The Establishment, beholden to the left, retaliating against a champion of freedom who stood up for conservative values.

With a story like that, Rokita could spin a path to a second Trump administration, a rebranded run for future office or find some other way to cash in on his shamelessness. In the meantime, he could return to a high-paying, opaque policy advisor role in the private sector and make more money than he can in his high-level state job.

No matter what, Rokita is virtually guaranteed to win by losing.

Rokita's job in public service has ceased to serve him. His final insult to the voters who hired him could be to pretend he's the victim as he slinks away to whatever's next.

Contact James Briggs at 317-444-4732 or james.briggs@indystar.com. Follow him on X and Threads.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Todd Rokita is over being Indiana attorney general
Precision guided attacks by US and UK forces are designed to cut the head off the Houthi snake before it has a chance to set the Middle East on fire and hold global trade to ransom. The terrorists on the Arabian Peninsula, fuelled and fed by Iran, are under orders to bring the West into another disastrous conflict to strangle their economies and create global derision. Western action overnight is designed to prevent this and shows that, at last, we appear to have learned from our disastrous handling of the conflict in Syria in 2013; a conflict which showed us up as weak and indecisive, with disastrous ramifications.

I was in Syria in the summer of 2013 when President Obama threatened to respond if the Syrian dictator Bashir Al-Assad dared to use chemical weapons. When Assad did just that, killing 1500 civilians in Ghouta near Damascus, he did nothing.

That response had been partly shaped by the British Parliament: I was also there in September 2013 when the House of Commons debated whether to hit the Syrian chemical weapons facilities with precision strikes to stop the genocide. Unfortunately, prime minister David Cameron gave a pretty limp speech in favour, and Labours Ed Miliband used the issue as an opportunity to divide and wound the government. Presumably unwilling or unable to understand the magnitude of the decision, he switched Labours votes, and thus Parliament  helped by several rebellious Tories  let Assad off the hook.

For the next five years Assad continued to kill thousands of civilians and used chemical weapons over 100 times. I started collecting evidence of those chemical attacks myself, but it took the French government until November 2023 to issue an arrest warrant to Assad. Then in April 2018 Assad attacked the town of Khan Shaykhun again with a nerve agent, killing many civilians.

This time  at last  we struck Assad chemical weapons facilities with precision guided attacks and pretty much stopped the use of these illegal weapons. Whilst a year later the Damascus suburb of Douma was again hit with chemical weapons, but this time with chlorine. It killed over 70 people, mostly children. That night I had a call from somebody very senior in the government asking me if we would be doing the right thing if we struck the Syrian chemical facilities again. I could confirm we were.

The Douma chemical attack proved to be the last in Syria. Striking after Kan Sheikun stopped Assad using chemical warfare agents, and striking after Douma stopped him using chlorine. But, in a sense, the damage had already been done. Using chemical weapons in August 2013 kept Assad in power at a critical moment.

I pray politicians have learnt the lesson from that terrible saga: that you must not appease terrorists and tyrants, for unpunished evil grows.

The MOD appears to believe this is an isolated strike on Yemen. But if not, we must be prepared to repeat such strikes until the threat is gone. Iran holds the key to escalation in the region and no doubt the US and UK alliance will be encouraging Tehran to desist.

China is being tellingly silent at the moment. Since it is their goods and services most impacted by strikes in the Red Sea, it is disappointing that  once again  it is Britain and the US who have had to do the right thing. When the second most powerful military on the planet does nothing, it tells you something about their mentality.

As the maelstrom of political and media debate rages today and over the weekend, I hope those in Westminster put the security of this country first. The only thing that tyrants and terrorists understand is the equal and opposite threat of violence to curb their terror, and if this is absent, they will only continue and increase their attacks.

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.
Explosions rock Baghdad during an air strike in 2003 as part of the US-led invasion of Iraq - GORAN TOMASEVIC/REUTERS

Rishi Sunak agreed to UK air strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen late on Thursday night after an emergency call with his Cabinet.

The Prime Minister sent in four Typhoons to hit terrorist positions in response to the armed group attacking shipping in the Red Sea.

But he faced immediate questions from MPs over why he did not consult Parliament before launching the joint military action with the United States.

Layla Moran, the Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman, said the move was shameful and demanded a retrospective vote.

Jeremy Corbyn, the former Labour leader, added that it was utterly disgraceful that Parliament has not even been consulted.

But the military action was backed by Sir Keir Starmer, who said that clearly the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have to be dealt with.

His spokesman told reporters ahead of the strikes being announced that he did not believe a Parliamentary vote would be necessary before such action.

However, the Labour leader did urge Mr Sunak to set out the justification, the limits and scope of the operation in a statement to MPs as soon as possible.

There is no legal requirement for No 10 to consult Parliament ahead of taking military action, though it has been convention to do so since 2003.

David Cameron, the then-prime minister, updated the Cabinet Manual in 2011 to say that MPs should be given the chance to debate sending in forces except in emergencies.

Here, The Telegraph looks at how the Government has approached four recent conflicts.

2003: Iraq

Two years earlier, Tony Blair had held Parliamentary debates on sending British troops into Afghanistan, but he had not asked MPs to vote.

But when it came to joining the Iraq war, which was much more controversial, the then-prime minister decided he needed the backing of the Commons.

Mr Blair set a political precedent by not only tabling a motion authorising military action but saying that he would not commit forces unless it passed.

In the end, MPs authorised him to join the war alongside the US, on the premise that Saddam Hussein held weapons of mass destruction.

After swiftly toppling the dictator, British forces ended up staying in the country for eight years, finally leaving in 2011 and handing over to the Iraqi army.

An RAF Typhoon aircraft takes off from RAF Coningsby to enforce the UN-backed a no-fly zone in Libya in 2011 - HO /REUTERS

2011: Libya

Mr Cameron authorised air strikes on Libya which began on March 19 2011, in support of rebels who were trying to topple dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

Parliament was not consulted before the first Tornado jets were sent in to drop bombs on the country, to enforce a UN resolution on a no-fly zone.

MPs were called to the Commons to debate the military action two days later, and on March 21 they voted to retrospectively authorise it.

Mr Cameron told them that the swift action days before had come just in the nick of time to avert what could have been a bloody massacre in Benghazi.

Britain, the US and France carried out months of strikes which led to the deposing of Gaddafi, though Libya has been plagued by instability since.

An image taken from footage provided by an RAF Tornado showing explosions during the destruction of a number of rocket launchers and missiles during strikes on Libya in 2011 - MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

2013: Syria

Two years later Mr Cameron did seek Parliamentary approval for air strikes against Syria and was dealt a shock defeat by Labour and Tory rebels.

Mr Cameron wanted to join US-led action against Bashar al-Assads regime over its use of chemical weapons against its own people.

But he was forced to abandon the plans after the Commons rejected a Government motion by 285 votes to 272 amid angry scenes in the chamber.

The decision was welcomed by Russia but prompted dismay in Washington and Paris, who were once again the other main partners in the military plans.

Barack Obama and Francois Hollande, then presidents of America and France, ended up abandoning the strikes, with the Assad regime going on to carry out dozens more chemical attacks.

Mr Cameron went back to Parliament a year later and did get MPs backing to carry out air strikes on the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq.

RAF Tornados take off at RAF Akrotiri to conduct strikes against chemical weapons factories in Syria in 2018 - CPL L. MATTHEWS/PA

2018: Syria

Five years on from Mr Camerons shock defeat, his successor Theresa May sent in RAF jets to bomb chemical weapons factories in the country.

She chose not to ask for Parliaments consent before doing so, arguing that the military action was justified on urgent humanitarian grounds.

Mrs May did address the Commons three days later, telling MPs there was clear evidence Assad was behind a chemical weapons attack in Douma.

But, unlike Mr Cameron in relation to Libya, she did not seek their retrospective approval for the strikes which were carried out with the US and France.

Despite the Western military action Assad remains in power in Syria, and in recent years has become increasingly close to Vladimir Putin, the Russian president.

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Nikia Handy graduated from Waukegan High School in 2015, earned a degree from the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, returned to her hometown and now works for the College of Lake County.

When she finished college and came back to Waukegan, not all of her classmates were around.

I have lost friends to gun violence, Handy said. When I came back from college, they werent here anymore. They never got to see 25. We see it all around us, and no one is doing anything about it.

More than 40 people attended the town hall Thursday in Waukegan.

Handy was one of 40 people asking questions and offering views during a town hall hosted by three members of the Illinois General Assembly Thursday at Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep in Waukegan, where the legislators sought community input.

State Sen. Adriane Johnson, D-Buffalo Grove, state Rep. Rita Mayfield, D-Gurnee, and state Rep. Dan Didech, D-Buffalo Grove, wanted to hear from constituents before the legislature begins its 2024 session Tuesday in Springfield.

Though she admitted she could not get sufficient support for gun safety legislation to her liking to make it law in Illinois, Mayfield made her views clear on how to handle the proliferation of guns.

If it were up to me, I would strip the guns from every person in Illinois, she said in response to a question form a constituent who expressed a preference from less gun control.

As the trio of legislators get ready to return to Springfield to begin work on the states budget for the next fiscal year, continue to work on legislation introduced in 2022 and propose new laws, Johnson said it was important to hear from constituents.

We get our ideas listening to you, she said. Ninety-five percent of the laws I introduced came from ideas I received from constituents.

Recognizing gun violence is a major problem in Lake County and throughout the state, Johnson said there are tangible results locally through Lake County States Attorney Eric Rineharts Gun Violence Prevention Initiative.

Through Rineharts program, Johnson said there are violence interrupters working on the streets in some parts of the county, having conversations with gang members and others trying to change their thinking.

They have prevented 28 shootings. Theyre risking their lives and dodging gang bullets to make a difference, Johnson said. Its a public health crisis. It is a top priority.

Handys comment came after another member of the audience asked young people to talk about what they felt was needed to enhance education, particularly after-school programs.

Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep officials and the schools comfort dogs listen to what the guests have to say.

Mayfield said grants are available to not-for-profit organizations which can make contributions to reducing gun violence or crafting after-school programs to give young people productive activities. Johnson said $15.8 billion was made available.

We have given out grants of $250,000, she said. You have to be a legitimate not-for-profit organization. There are three state departments who give grants for after-school (and gun violence prevention) programs.

As soon as the legislators invited questions, the first one asked was what was being done to remove the coal ash ponds from the now shuttered NRG electric plant along the shores of Lake Michigan, just north of downtown Waukegan. Mayfield has a bill pending in the legislature which will require the company to fully remove them.

Were five votes short of a majority, she said. Were circling back with some of the representatives on the bubble. We are getting some help from the unions.

Christine Lensing, who is a member of the Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 Board of Education, said while the minimum wage in Illinois increased to $14 per hour on Jan. 1, it needs to go higher. A living wage for a single person is $19 per hour, she said.

Going to $15 per hour next year, Didech said the first vote he cast as a member of the General Assembly in 2019 was increasing the minimum wage. It took a lot of work with his colleagues.

Didech said some members wanted the wage lower in counties which bordered other states, like Lake County.

I fought very hard to keep Lake County the same as everyone else, Didech said. Illinois has one of the highest minimum wages in the country.
The Brunswick County Utility Billing Division has moved to a new home.

The Brunswick County Utility Billing Division has moved to a new home.

Brunswick County recently moved the division to a renovated building in Bolivia. The new office, which the county announced last week, is now fully operational.

Heres what you need to know about the move and new location.

Where is the office now located?

According to a January news release from the county, the utility billing office is now located at 3769 Old Ocean Highway in Bolivia.

The division began transitioning to the new space on Jan. 4 and became fully operational there on Jan. 5.

According to the county, the building was renovated to best serve customers. Some features of the renovated space include an accessible parking lot, drive-thru lane and several service counters for fast service.

What businesses previously operated there?

The building is located along Old Ocean Highway, between the countys government complex and the Bolivia Fire Department.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

The building formerly housed a BB&T (now called Truist) bank.

What are the hours at the new space?

The building will be open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The drive-thru will open an hour earlier, operating from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

STAY CONNECTED: Keep up with the areas latest Brunswick County news by signing up for the Brunswick Today newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram.

How can I contact the division?

The billing for and collection of water and sewer fees for the county is overseen by the Brunswick County Utility Billing Division.

The department can be reached by phone at 910-253-2655 or by email at utilitybilling@brunswickcountync.gov.

Jamey Cross covers Brunswick County for the StarNews. Reach her at jbcross@gannett.com or message her on Twitter/X @jameybcross.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Brunswick County utility billing moves to new space
Historic documents related to the 1901 autopsy of President William McKinley are for sale for $80,000 through The Raab Collection, a private firm that deals in historical autographs and documents.

CANTON  A morbid piece of presidential history is up for sale.

Original documents from the autopsy of President William McKinley are being sold through The Raab Collection, a Pennsylvania-based private firm that deals in historical autographs and artifacts. The company is selling them for $80,000.

The Raab Collection also has offered pieces from Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Amelia Earhart, Winston Churchill, Napoleon Bonaparte, Walt Disney, Albert Einstein and Neil Armstrong.

Honoring history: President McKinley statue now on display at Stark County Courthouse

This gives new and fascinating insight into an important moment in American history, the nation grieving, (and) demanding answers about a fallen president," said Nathan Raab, president of The Raab Collection and author of "The Hunt for History." "We've never seen anything on the market like it."

Kimberly Kenney, executive director of the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum, said the documents are out of the museum's price range.

"Although the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum would be interested in adding this unique archive to our permanent collection, we do not have the financial resources to acquire it," she wrote in an email. "We rely on the generosity of our donors to build our collection of artifacts and archival materials that relate to Canton, Stark County and President McKinley.

"It is our hope that the buyer will be able to share this resource with us, so the information contained within these documents is preserved for future generations."

What was Dr. Matzinger's role in the autopsy?

Documents include the original autopsy report and unpublished medical notes from McKinley's death belonging to Dr. Herman G. Matzinger, who assisted Dr. Harvey Gaylord in performing the president's autopsy on behalf of the New York State Pathological Laboratory.

Matzinger was a bacteriologist and Gaylord a pathologist.

What President William McKinley artifacts are for sale?

Also included in the archives for sale are documents of Matzinger's work to determine McKinley's cause of death, including letters and ephermera.

The collection had stayed with the family of the surgeon until now, the collectibles dealer said. The items are valued at $80,000, The Raab Collection said.

Asked how Matzinger came into possession of the items, Nathan Raab said: "Back then, even public employees were allowed to keep their own materials. Such government retention is most often a function of the Nixon era. These were his private notes. And a public report was issued."

Historic documents related to the 1901 autopsy of President William McKinley are for sale for $80,000 through The Raab Collection, a private firm that deals in historical autographs and documents.

Who killed President McKinley and how?

McKinley was shot twice at close range on Sept. 6, 1901, while attending the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York, by anarchist Leon Czolgosz. Even with the limited medical capabilities of the time, McKinley's initial surgery appeared to be successful, but his health soon declined and he died on Sept. 14.

Intriguing history: Remembering McKinley's 'full dinner pail'

Presidential monument Remembering JFK: Canton's eternal flame still burns for slain president

Following the assassination, some doctors criticized the medical treatment the president received while others speculated that a poison-tipped bullet or another agent had been involved in his death. A formal report was commissioned in two parts  one covering the shooting and surgical operations and the second consisting of an autopsy and bacteriological report, the news release explained.

Matzinger, a New York medical professional, worked alone on the bacteriological analysis using samples from the wound site, weapon and bullets, which were sent to him, The Raab Collection said.

The report determined that any infection developed later, as a result of trauma and complications from the shooting. Evidence of poison also was not found, The Raab Collection noted.

McKinley is believed to have died from an infection that developed along the bullet pathway and near the pancreas.

Stark County Commissioner Janet Creighton talks with Gov. Mike DeWine, left, and Robert Timken at October's unveiling of a statue of President William McKinley at the Stark County Courthouse.

A closer look at the documents

Matzinger passed down the historic items to his family before they were acquired by Raab, which has clients worldwide.

Among the items in the collection are:

Matzinger's 17-page notebook of lab notes and scientific observations from Sept. 14-30, 1901, most of which is unpublished.

Matzinger's draft manuscript of "Report of the Bacteriologic Examination in the Case of the Late President McKinley."

Matzinger's final typed report.

The government's acknowledgment of McKinley's death certificate.

Tickets to McKinley's funeral service.

Reach Ed at ebalint@gannett.com.

On X (formerly Twitter) @ebalintREP and on Instagram at ed_balint

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Raab Collection selling President William McKinley autopsy documents
SAN DIEGO (KSWB)  A California bill that aims to restrict the use of police K-9s during arrests for certain crimes is looking to advance through the legislature this year.

Assembly Bill 742, introduced by Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley) last year, is moving to the full Assembly for a vote after it was put on hold during the previous session.

Under the bill, the use of K-9 units will be prohibited for any form of crowd control or in situations where threats of death or serious bodily injury are not a factor for officers attempting to apprehend a suspect.

It would also ban the use of police dogs for biting or pursing a suspect unless there is an imminent danger to officers or another person. Use of police dogs during search and rescue, as well as explosives and narcotics detection, are not impacted by these restrictions.

Vetoed cannabis cafe bill revived by state legislator

The chamber has until the end of January to approve the bill. If lawmakers do, it will go to the Senate before heading to Gov. Gavin Newsoms desk.

Across the state, police attack dogs are estimated to account for more than one in 10 uses of force that result in serious injury each year, according to the California Department of Justice.

Supporters of AB 742 say the bill would prevent dangerous escalations of interactions between the public and officers that could lead to these severe injuries, in turn aiding in the restoration of trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

The vast majority of Californians severely injured by police attack dogs are not armed with any weapon, ACLU California Actions director of governmental affairs, Carmen-Nicole Cox, said in a statement on Wednesday, citing a newly released report from the organization on the use of K-9s to attack an individual during an interaction.

The study, which looked at data and public records from 37 police agencies across California, found that law enforcement does not frequently use attack dogs, but in the majority of incidents when they do, it is against people who were unarmed and were suspected of minor crimes.

It also noted that attack dogs are disproportionately deployed against Black Californians or other individuals from communities of color, as well as in incidents where an individual is experiencing a behavioral health crisis.

The bites from police attack dogs  cause deep and lasting wounds that often result in long-term pain and permanent disability, said Dr. Altaf Saadi, an assistant professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School who co-authored a publication by Physicians for Human Rights on police attack dogs in California. (This includes) nerve injury, loss of function of arms and legs, disfigurement, and enduring psychological trauma.

Some law enforcement agencies, on the other hand, have expressly contested AB 742.

In a statement of opposition, the Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna argued that its restrictions on K-9 use for law enforcement would effectively take away a less lethal force option for officers looking to change the behavior of a suspect. He did agree with the section of the bill prohibiting the use of K-9s for crowd control at assemblies like protests.

Our canine units are only deployed after extensive verbal warnings and announcements are given to the suspect, bystanders, and surrounding residents, Luna said in the statement. Often, the mere presence of a canine is enough to dissuade criminal acts or compel a suspect in hiding to surrender without incident.

Law enforcement agencies contend that only a fraction of the instances that K-9 units are deployed to a scene result in the dog attacking whomever officers are interacting with.

New California bill aims to implement stricter penalties for retail theft

In the city of San Diego, only about 1% of calls for the K-9 unit between 2017 and 2022 resulted in the handler releasing their dog to bite a suspect, according to Lt. Chris Tivanin with the San Diego Police Departments K-9 unit.

What those dogs do is provide time and distance for police officers to address violent, suicidal, confrontational suspects and that really is the fundamentals of de-escalation, Tivanin told Nexstars KSWB back in August at a memorial for a SDPD dog killed in the line of duty.

According to the ACLU report, studies examining the impact of either terminating K-9 apprehension programs or limiting the dogs deployment has not been found to have a negative impact on public safety outcomes in municipalities that have taken those steps.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
Around this time next year, President Joe Biden will be readying his second inauguration speech or our 47th president will be close to moving into the White House. So it is, we begin the 2024 presidential campaign this week, at least for Republicans.

Theres still plenty of votes to count in between the Iowa caucuses, the Jan. 23 New Hampshire GOP primary and the Nov. 5 election. Former President Donald Trump maintains huge polling leads against his chief rivals, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and even Biden.

Both Haley and DeSantis seem to enjoy throwing barbs at each other instead of pointing to the many faults of Donald Trump, who has more than Californias earthquake-prone landscape. Despite this, Republican voters want to nominate him for a second presidential run.

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, right and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, left, point at each other during the CNN Republican presidential debate at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

His dwindling number of opponents, meanwhile, seem to loathe each other instead of Trump. In a Des Moines debate prior to the Iowa caucuses, DeSantis labeled Haley another mealy-mouthed politician Haley, in turn, said: You cant trust what Rons saying.

This came after former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who had filed paperwork to appear on the Illinois March primary, pulled out of the presidential sweepstakes proclaiming, I would rather lose by telling the truth than lie to win. Ah, if only all our politicians meant that.

Meanwhile the Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives continues to ignore the issues Americans want addressed and worry about: Reproductive rights, the porous Southern Border, the economy, assault weapons, national security, keeping Social Security and Medicare financially sound, raising the nations retirement age, climate change, the war in Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas war and Chinas growing global hegemony. And theres more that should be addressed, but not as long as the partys leaders remain distracted.

The House GOP seeks an unprecedented action of impeaching a member of a presidents Cabinet, alleging Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is not upholding immigration laws. Republicans say they can prove the secretary has been derelict in his duty for being weak at enforcing immigration rules.

Republicans have also called Hunter Biden, the presidents son, to a congressional committee hearing. When he showed in public, they seemed disappointed. Apparently, they wanted to grill him in private about his financial affairs and any links to his father, but not in public.

They also want to impeach President Biden because they seem not to like his policies and politics. Just as Democrats did in the early years of Trumps presidency.

There must be a virus going around in Republican circles. The symptoms include babbling about high crimes and misdemeanors the constitutional benchmark for impeachment.

Such zany actions may make for entertaining political theater, but poor governance. The party of Lincoln, Roosevelt, Eisenhower and Reagan, needs to focus or rebrand itself.

Embracing Donald Trump in 2016 cost Republicans statewide and countywide in 2018. Once a strong majority party in Lake County, GOPsters find themselves a struggling minority cadre, mirroring what has happened across Illinois.

The partys slender majority in the U.S. House is fragile at best since a far right-wing coup to oust Kevin McCarthy, the previous GOP speaker. Especially if Trump leads the ticket come November.

Many of us are waiting for a true leader to surface and move the GOP from dysfunctional sniping to charging forward with ideas and discourse that can spark Americans imaginations. One like Republican Lowell Weicker, a progressive Republican U.S. senator and Connecticut governor, who died last year at age 93.

Fifty years ago, at the height of the Watergate scandal of President Richard Nixon, it was Weicker who stood up for whats right and for what Americans expect of their elected officials. Republicans do not cover up, he declared.

Republicans do not go ahead and threaten; Republicans do not go ahead and commit illegal acts; and, God knows, Republicans dont view their fellow Americans as enemies to be harassed, Weicker said, according to what was mined from testimony at congressional hearings on President Nixons behavior in office.

Fast-forward from 1974 to 2024, and there is an indicted Republican presidential candidate asking voters to return him to the White House. Front-runner Trump has followed a Nixonian path set before him.

Trump certainly is compiling an enemies list made up of those who he believes have slighted him, including members of the media. Nixon did the same.

Nixon, who resigned the office rather than be impeached, also was behind commission of illegal acts by his inner-circle accomplices who ended up in jail. Trump is facing state and federal lawsuits over his actions trying to overturn the 2020 election The Steal as he maintains.

Besides Adam Kinzinger and Liz Cheney, where are those Republicans in 2024 willing to stand like Lowell Weicker for a decent and open GOP? Are there any left?

Charles Selle is a former News-Sun reporter, political editor and editor.

sellenews@gmail.com

X @sellenews
A Sacramento man is suing city police and county sheriffs deputies, claiming that after he called 911 for help from a knife-wielding homeless woman he was arrested and taken to jail, where his dreadlocks were sliced off and a bag was placed over his head.

The suit, filed in federal court in Sacramento late Thursday on behalf of Silas Jones, alleges that in the early morning hours of Dec. 26, 2022, Jones was wrongfully arrested and subjected to excessive force and physical abuse by Sacramento police and deputies at the jail.

The incident began as Jones was leaving an acquaintances home on Franklin Boulevard when he was confronted by a homeless woman running toward him with a knife in her hand, the suit says.

Jones ran from the woman while calling 911 for help and, after he had safely evaded her, continued walking home, the suit says.

As he walked, officers arrived and asked if he had called 911, and Jones said he no longer needed help and continued walking, the suit says.

The two officers  a man and a woman whose identities are not yet known  then approached him, the suit says.

Immediately upon reaching Plaintiff, the officers grabbed Plaintiff and handcuffed Plaintiff by forcing Plaintiffs arms behind his back, the suit says. Plaintiff repeatedly told the officers that he had not committed a crime and should not be detained.

The female yet-to-be-identified Sacramento police officer explained that they were doing a welfare check, to which Plaintiff explained that he did not need a welfare check and that he was the one that called the police for help.

The officers partner then took the handcuffed Plaintiff to the patrol vehicle and forcefully shoved Plaintiff into the back seat, the suit says.

Plaintiff continued to express that had not committed a crime and was the one who called for the polices assistance, the suit says, adding that multiple additional officers arrived at the scene.

Jones was then removed from the patrol vehicle and had his backpack cut off his back, the suit says, adding that he suffered injuries during his unlawful arrest by Sacramento Police Officers before he was taken to the Sacramento County Main Jail downtown.

At the jail, sheriffs deputies strip searched Plaintiff by forcefully ripping off his clothing, leaving Plaintiff in only a t-shirt and underwear, the suit says.

Additionally, while going through the booking process, yet-to-be-identified deputies cut Plaintiffs dreadlocked hair, the suit says. The abuse endured by the Sheriffs Deputies continued, as without lawful justification, yet-to-be-identified Sheriffs Deputies placed a bag over Plaintiffs head.

With his vision impaired, yet-to-be-identified Sheriffs Deputies then brutalized Plaintiff. After the yet-to-be-identified Sheriffs Deputies finished unlawfully assaulting Plaintiff, they threw him in a cell, where he remained in a t-shirt and underwear until he was able to post bail.

City officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday; the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office declined comment.

The suit alleges excessive force, battery, unlawful search and seizure and detention and seeks general special and punitive damages.
Fujitsu has nearly 20 government deals and is in the running for more - Chris J Ratcliffe/Bloomberg

Fujitsu should be stripped of its 355 million contract running the Brexit border in the Irish Sea unless it pays compensation to postmasters over the Horizon IT scandal, senior politicians have said.

That bill is likely to run to millions of pounds after Rishi Sunak announced plans on Wednesday to exonerate postmasters after one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in our nations history, and ministers urged Fujitsu to pay up.

The Japanese multinational led a consortium that won the lucrative government contract in 2020 for the Trader Support Service (TSS), an IT and advice system which helped companies move goods from Britain into Northern Ireland after Brexit.

The TSS is the largest single outlay of taxpayers money on post-Brexit trading arrangements in Northern Ireland, and one of Fujitsus near-200 deals with the Government, which are worth 6.8 billion.

The contract for running the free-to-use TSS was extended in 2023 until the end of 2024.

Fujitsu is also in the running for a 180 million contract to streamline UK post-Brexit trade through a Single Trade window.

Lord Dodds said Fujitsu should not be carrying out government contracts unless it paid compensation to postmasters - PA/Alamy

Politicians in London and Belfast want any further deals frozen until Fujitsu agrees to contribute to the compensation package for postmasters.

The inquiry into the scandal is currently being held in London.

There needs to be accountability, Lord Dodds, a DUP peer, told The Telegraph. He said it was scandalous to make a tidy profit out of the contentious Brexit border at the same time as not paying compensation.

The DUP has boycotted power-sharing in Stormont for the past 23 months over the Irish Sea border, which introduced checks and controls on British goods.

It was created to prevent a hard land border with EU member Ireland after Brexit, which it was feared could put the peace process at risk.

Red and green lanes

The DUP boycott continued despite the Windsor Framework, which was agreed in February 2023 by the UK and EU to replace the Northern Ireland Protocol.

That deal introduced red and green lanes to reduce the border checks, which Fujitsu now facilitates through the TSS.

Doug Beattie is the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, which had reservations about the Irish Sea border but has urged the DUP to return to Stormont.

As a Northern Irish politician, I am concerned that this discredited company now has an important part to play in delivering the Windsor Framework red and green lanes. That contract should now be reviewed and their work on this peer assessed, he said.

The 340 million contract should not be renewed in 2024 if they do not play their part in delivering compensation to those affected sub-postmasters.

Doug Beattie, leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, wants the Fujitsu contract to be reviewed - Charles McQuillan/Getty Images

Leading Brexiteers also called on the Government to heap pressure on Fujitsu to pay up.

Former Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage said: Fujitsu has earned billions in UK government contracts. It is now time for pressure to be applied.

David Jones, a former cabinet minister and Tory MP, said, I dont believe that they should have any such contracts. That would include the Northern Ireland contract.

No question of further contracts

Mark Francois, the chairman of the European Research Group of conservative MPs, said, Until all sub-postmasters have been fully compensated, there should be no question of awarding any further government work to Fujitsu.

A Fujitsu spokesman said: Out of respect for the inquiry process, it would be inappropriate for Fujitsu to comment further at this time.

It is expected that the TSS will continue beyond the end of 2024 after the signing of the Windsor Framework.

The green lane is set to be expanded from October. This will mean increased traffic and the need for continued support from schemes like the TSS, industry sources said.

The Telegraph understands there have been no major issues with the TSS IT system, unlike with Horizon.

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.
Migrants walk along a highway in the state of Chiapas in southern Mexico on Monday, during their journey north toward the U.S. border. (Edgar H. Clemente / Associated Press)

We might as well just take down the Statue of Liberty. Retire the Mother of Exiles, in Emma Lazarus 140-year-old words . Extinguish her torch welcoming from other nations your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.

And forget the rhapsodizing weve long heard, from social-studies teachers and presidents including John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan, about the United States being a land of immigrants, the shining city upon a hill, the promised land to millions of migrants for all of its history.

Granted, America has never fully lived up to its self-professed ideal as a beacon to the world; the nation has always had a troubled relationship with the waves of wannabe Americans. I learned as a schoolgirl of Irish and German descent about the No Irish Need Apply signs in the United States around the time my 19th century ancestors arrived, and about the early 20th century law in my native Ohio against speaking German, the language of my grandmother and great-grandparents.

But today's open xenophobia is among the worst instances in our history , and a defining attribute of one of our two major political parties, the Republicans. At their presidential primary debate Wednesday night, Republican candidates Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley fought hard to out anti-immigrant each other. For months, House Republicans have opposed further aid to Ukraine and Israel  and now they might block government funding, too  unless President Biden and Democrats agree to an immigration crackdown.

And yet, e conomically and demographically , amid baby boomers' retiring and a persistently low birthrate, the nation has rarely if ever needed immigrants more. We need them to work, including in jobs most Americans wont take; to pay taxes, including the payroll levies that buttress our strapped Social Security and Medicare programs, and to replenish Americas entrepreneurial spirit with the risk-taking bent that migrants show by leaving their homes to come here.

Read more: What rising immigration really means for California's economy

Its a testament to the opportunities the U.S. still promises that foreigners keep coming despite the way they are demonized in our domestic debates. Lady Libertys lamp beside the golden door at New York harbor is giving way to layer upon layer of razor wire along Texas border with Mexico.

Yes, the influx at the southern border is as severe and uncontrolled as ever before. Those who come seeking a better life from Mexico and Central and South America are joined at the Rio Grande and other entry points by migrants from Africa, China, Ukraine and the countries where America was recently at war, Iraq and Afghanistan, all seeking asylum or trying to cross illegally. At the same time, the United States must guard against terrorists and drug traffickers who also want in.

Read more: Immigrant women are joining the job market at record levels, boosting U.S. employment

Bold action is essential. But it should not be merely restrictive and punitive; it must balance the imperative of border control with Americas ideals and, less abstractly, its needs. Restrictions must be combined with incentives for workers, skilled and unskilled, that U.S. employers tell Congress they desperately want to hire; for every unemployed person in the United States, there are 1.6 unfilled positions . New laws must deal with the millions who are here now illegally, including by giving them a path to earn citizenship. And Washington needs to invest far more resources to meet the demand of processing the record numbers of migrants and asylum-seekers clamoring for admission.

All of that, however, requires a bipartisanship that is not within sight. Congress hasnt come close to enacting a broad overhaul of immigration law for a decade, when the Senate passed a measure by a bipartisan 2-to-1 margin only to have the Republican-run House refuse to consider it. If that bill had become law, it would by now have reduced the federal budget deficit by $197 billion and added $276 billion to Social Security, according to a Congressional Budget Office analysis.

The polarization over immigration is relatively new. In past centuries, pro- and anti-immigration sentiment existed largely without regard to party. Now, however, the Republican Party has transformed from being mostly pro-immigration  it was Reagan who signed the last comprehensive law, including amnesty for millions, in 1986  to being unabashedly nativist. Separate from their hostility to undocumented migrants, three-quarters of Republicans favor a decrease in legal newcomers. (The good news: The same Gallup poll in July showed most Americans say immigration is positive for the country.)

Read more: Guerrero: No Republican presidential candidate can sound crueler than Trump on immigration

The Republican Party was already turning against migration when Donald Trump opened his 2016 presidential campaign by tarring arrivals from Mexico as murderers and rapists. Then as now, he was playing to the base. Eight years later, as the Republicans likely 2024 nominee, the former president echoes Nazi-era rhetoric in claiming immigrants are poisoning the blood of our country.

So much for the melting pot.

Trump promises , if reelected, to mount an unprecedented deportation of millions of undocumented residents, many of whom have been here for years and are raising children who are U.S. citizens, and to build sprawling detention camps for those newly nabbed at the borders.

To see how grossly changed the Republican Party is on this score, heres Reagan in his farewell address : Thanks to each wave of new arrivals to this land of opportunity, were a nation forever young, forever bursting with energy and new ideas.  If we ever close the door to new arrivals, our leadership in the world would soon be lost.

And heres Trump earlier this week : Theyre coming in from prisons all over the world.  Some of these people make our prisoners look like very nice people.

Never mind that Trumps first and third wives, the mothers of four of his five children, were immigrants. Hes leading his willing party in trying to destroy whats been an American superpower.

Theres hope in the fact that, as just about any business owners can attest, the nation needs immigrants so badly. Eventually, perhaps Republicans will relent, if only out of self-interest.

@jackiekcalmes

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
No Labels, already under rhetorical fire from Democrats, could soon face lawsuits and complaints aiming to compel the group to disclose its donors.

No Labels, already under rhetorical fire from Democrats, could soon face lawsuits and complaints aiming to compel the group to disclose its donors.

A coalition of left-leaning and nonpartisan campaign finance groups appear on the verge of filing lawsuits and complaints aiming to force the well-heeled centrist group, No Labels, to reveal its donors as it prepares to back a third-party bid for the presidency, according to a letter obtained by HuffPost.

In the letter, sent Thursday night to No Labels CEO Nancy Jacobson, the groups  including End Citizens United, Black Voters Matter, the League of Women Voters, and the Campaign Legal Center  suggest they are giving No Labels a final chance to voluntarily reveal their donors.

No Labels refusal to disclose its funders is disturbing and unlawful. Secret political spending is one of the most corrupting influences in politics and having a secret money organization impersonating a political party severely undermines the democratic process as a whole, the groups wrote in the letter, adding: If you continue to deprive voters of the information to which they are entitled, our organizations will consider legal action to vindicate American voters legal right to know who is using No Labels to try to buy the 2024 presidential election.

The letter is both a reflection of how No Labels seems to be skirting the law surrounding nonprofits and political activity by failing to register as a political party, and to how Democratic-aligned groups remain worried about the possibility No Labels will possibly tilt the presidential election toward Republican Donald Trump.

No Labels did not respond to an email sent Thursday night requesting comment. However, the group responded to the letter in a Friday post on social media, arguing that it was operating under a precedent established by a 2010 ruling involving a group called Unity08, which similarly worked to provide ballot access for a never-realized bipartisan ticket in 2008.

No Labels is operating under the safe harbor created by Unity08 because we are only engaged in ballot access and never have and never will run a candidate or a campaign, the post said. We will only offer our ballot line to a presidential ticket, which would then have all of the responsibility for creating a campaign.

 No Labels is providing Americans with the choice they so clearly say they want in the 2024 race for President of the United States. We have a legal right to get ballot access, and our supporters also have a right to be shielded from the growing intimidation they are facing pic.twitter.com/J2h8cPcG4e  No Labels (@NoLabelsOrg) January 12, 2024

The group has previously suggested that it does not need to disclose its donors because the candidate it eventually chooses to support will have to file with the Federal Election Commission and reveal their financial backers.

Theres nothing nefarious going on here, Jacobson insisted to NBC News last year when asked about donor disclosure.

No Labels is registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)4 nonprofit. Such groups do not have to disclose their donors, but are supposed to focus on promoting social welfare and not have politics as their primary purpose.

The watchdog groups and others have suggested No Labels is violating IRS and Federal Election Commission rules by essentially acting as an unregistered political party. Even though it has not yet chosen a candidate to back, it has spent heavily to gather signatures and qualify for the ballot in 13 states, including the swing states of Arizona, Florida and Nevada.

Last March, the Arizona Democratic Party filed a complaint with the Secretary of State office there, arguing No Labels should be kicked off the ballot because it does not follow the same donor disclosure rules as the Democratic and Republican parties. A judge rejected the argument in August, dismissing the lawsuit.

What is known of the groups funding suggests it is mostly backed by wealthy political donors and business interests. The letter notes conservative megadonors Peter Thiel, Harlan Crow and David Koch have all given to the group in the past. The group, which backs the Congressional Problem Solvers Caucus, is known for pushing a centrist, business-friendly line on the vast majority of issues.

The rumored candidates for No Labels backing broadly fit that ideological profile. The most likely seems to be former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, who resigned from the groups leadership on Thursday in what The Associated Press described as potential prep for a run. Other rumored candidates include Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who ended his run for the GOP nomination earlier this week.

Strategists aligned with the group also launched a super PAC dubbed New Leaders 24 earlier this week. The New York Times reported the group already has pledges of $2 million and could raise up to $300 million if their eventual ticket is viable.

Democrats have long worried about No Labels impact on the election, fearing it would steal the votes of moderates who were crucial to President Joe Bidens 2020 coalition. Democratic groups, led by an alliance between the moderate Third Way and the progressive MoveOn, have waged a rhetorical war against No Labels, aiming to dissuade donors and politicians from signing on to the groups efforts.

Other groups who signed on to the letter include Public Citizen, Defend The Vote, Democracy SENTRY, People For The American Way, and Stand Up America. The groups could potentially file complaints with the IRS or FEC, or file a lawsuit seeking to compel donor disclosure.

At the crux of a healthy democracy is disclosure, accountability and the rule of law, the groups wrote in the letter. But No Labels is the embodiment of whats wrong with Washington: a secretive special interest group using unethical practices in an attempt to install politicians who will help the most powerful and wealthy benefit at the expense of working Americans.

CORRECTION:An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that no ruling had been reached in a lawsuit against No Labels in Arizona. A judge dismissed the lawsuit last year.

Related...
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A Canal Winchester man has been found guilty of fraudulently obtaining COVID relief funds, along with narcotics and firearms charges.

A federal grand jury convicted Thomas Crowell, 35, of Canal Winchester with narcotics, firearms and fraud crimes, according to a news release from United States Attorney of the Southern District of Ohio Kenneth Parker.

73-year-old man arrested in relation to Scioto County murder

The verdict was announced on Thursday following a trial that began on Jan. 8. Crowell, who is also known as T-Mack, possessed, with the intent to distribute, fentanyl, cocaine and marijuana in June 2021, according to court documents. He also illegally possessed firearms at the time, specifically a rifle and a Glock. Crowell is a previously convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

Crowell was also convicted of wire fraud for fraudulently obtaining COVID-relief Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding by falsely claiming to own a trucking business called Thomas Chrowell, the news release said. In April 2021, Crowell applied for the PPP loan and received nearly $20,000.

Possessing with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, cocaine and marijuana carries a punishment of five years to life in prison. Illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Editors Note: Jack Becker is the editor of Caprock Chronicles and is a Librarian Emeritus from Texas Tech University. He can be reached at jack.becker@ttu.edu. Todays article about mustangs on the Llano Estacado is by Paul Carlson, emeritus professor of history at Texas Tech.

Obviously, during the 19th century, horses proved vital to humans. At the time, many horses on the Llano Estacado were half wild animals that belonged to Comanches and their allies. Others remained, as Johnny Cook, a bison hunter, wrote, unfettered in their freedom.

A herd of horses pictured on the early Plains. Because of the large number of horses they owned, Comanches moved their camps often  horses ate a lot. To meet the grazing (feeding) requirements of their mounts they shifted camp as their animals consumed the nearby grass.

There were a lot of horses. In 1832, about the time beaver trapping in the Rockies reached its peak, Albert Pike, an adventurer, and Bill Williams, an old Mountain Man, led a group of trappers eastward from Taos and Santa Fe, across the Llano Estacado, and down Blackwater Draw.

On their journey, Pike, Williams, and the trappers encountered 3 separate Comanche villages or rancherias. The first village, located in the sandhills of Lamb County, appeared small and destitute without adequate food, clothing, or tipi coverings. Still, the little village of 20 lodges, whose men were absent in a fight with Comancheros, held over 1,000 horses, watched over by the few women and children left behind.

A second village, perhaps in the area of present McKenzie Park, looked a bit larger and far less destitute. Its men were likewise gone, probably in the same fight as those men from the first village. This Comanche band, according to Pike, likewise held a thousand horses.

A Native American sitting on a horse on the early Plains.

The third village Pike and Williams group found spread farther down the Upper North Fork of the Double Mountain Fork of the Brazos River. It was well provisioned and described as having handsome tipis and carefully-dressed inhabitants, with at least 3,000 horses.

Because of the large number of horses they owned, Comanches moved their camps oftenhorses ate a lot. To meet the grazing (feeding) requirements of their mounts they shifted camp as their animals consumed the nearby grass. As a result, perhaps we should remember Comanches as mobile horse Indians more than as nomadic bison hunters. Hungry horsesmore than bison herdsrequired Comanches to be constantly on the move.

While there were a lot of horses on the Llano in the 19th century, there also existed an enormous demand for the animals. The demand increased during and after the Civil War. Comanches captured horses for themselves and for trade, especially with Northern Plains Indians, who needed horses as they lost many to cold and snow and inadequate forage each winter. Eastern Plains tribes, such as Chickasaws, Cherokees, Osages, Delawares, and Shawnees, wanted horses. too.

Demand for horses in Saint Louis, Fort Smith in Arkansas, and New Orleans, fueled by an insatiable American market, especially in the South, steadily increased.

The horse trade remained busy, and Comanches played a pivotal role in it. They acquired horses in New Mexico, raided Texas ranches for livestock, crossed into Mexico to gather horses at bordering haciendas, bred and raised their own animals, and rounded up wild horses on the Llano Estacado.

The high demand and the large number of horses attracted mustangers, men seeking to capture the wild animals to sell. Hispanic mesteneros, such as Pedro and Soledad Trujillo, came from New Mexico, and toward the end of the century such Lubbockites as Isham Tubbs with his sons William, Rob, Frank, and Lee, sought mustangs to augment their income.

According to most witnesses, wild horse herds on the Llano made an impressive sight. In May of 1849, for example, Randolph B. Marcy guided a large party of California-bound gold seekers from Fort Smith to Santa Fe.

While on the Llano near modern Vega, some New Yorkers in Marcys charge watched a herd of mustangs approach. One Easterner wrote: About 3 pm we were amused by the appearance of . . . wild horses. They came within 3 hundred yards of us and stared at us with as much curiosity as we had of them.

An artist's rendering of an early Spanish explorer, some of whom brought first horses to the Plains.

The horses, after treating their eyes sufficiently and satisfied that we were the folks who hold horses as slaves, turned about and made quick tracks for the south. It was a splendid sight to look on. As far as our eyes could reach, we grazed after them, till they became as small pigmies.

In July 1877, as another example, Johnny Cook and bison-hunting companion Sam Carr while searching for Comanches rode up on a large horse herd. They were in northern Martin County west of Sulphur Springs Creek and northwest of Big Spring.

Carlson

They had ascended a rise in the plain, remembered Cook, when they saw scattered over many thousands of acres . . . bands of wild horses. The animals, wrote Cook, were ranging in unmolested freedom and in perfect quiet.

Awed by the incredible scene, the men watched the horses for hours. As evening came on, Cook concluded, young colts came running and frisking around in reckless abandon in their wild unfettered freedom.

Clearly, the horses scattered before them in their unfettered freedom, represented an impressive sight of the most vital animal to man in the 19th century.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Caprock Chronicles: Horses on the Llano Estacado in the 19th Century
ST. LOUIS (AP)  The St. Louis Cardinals and outfielder Dylan Carlson agreed to a $2.35 million contract Thursday to avoid arbitration, though the club could not reach a deal with versatile Tommy Edman and will exchange salary figures with him.

The 25-year-old Carlson has long been considered one of the Cardinals top young players, but he is coming off a disappointing and injury filled season in which he hit just .219 with five homers and 27 RBIs. The club still views him as an important piece of their future, though, and he will find time in the outfield behind Edman, Jordan Walker and Lars Nootbar.

His salary was big increase from the $742,400 that Carlson made last season.

Edman, a Gold Glove finalist as a utility player the past two seasons, has been recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his right wrist in October. He missed three weeks last season with inflammation in the wrist, and it may have contributed to a downtick in his production at the plate, where he hit .248 with 13 homers and 47 RBIs in 137 games.

The 28-year-old Edman made $4.2 million last season.

The Cardinals also announced they had avoided salary arbitration with pitchers Ryan Helsley John King, Andrew Kittredge and JoJo Romero.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
The small town of Limon on the eastern Colorado plains was slowly creeping back to post-holiday life on the third day of 2024, exactly one week after controversial Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert announced shed be switching from the states 3rd congressional district to this one, the 4th  hundreds of miles from her hometown and the communities she currently represents.

The swap made big news in political circles and on social media, the latest in a long list of headlines grabbed by the 37-year-old new grandmother. But in Limons hair salon, the lunch cafe, the quilting store  mention of the fiery Republicans name elicited blank stares. A flicker of recognition ran across one womans face as she handled fabric in the 2,000-person enclave.

Didnt she used to run over there? the Limon resident said, using a colloquial term for the other side of Colorado; then, upon hearing Boebert had joined the race in the Republican primary, she snorted: At least shes not a Democrat.

That derision of the left is a hallmark of the region Boebert hopes to represent, a congressional district even more favourable to Republicans than her current one; the GOP candidate is all but guaranteed to take the seat in CD4. But the area is also filled with ultra-conservatives as averse to outlandish behaviour as they are to brash outsiders; locals tend to talk in terms of here or there, with Boebert decidedly hailing from the latter.

Lauren Boebert was removed from a September Beetlejuice performance at a Denver theater after vaping and groping her date  an Aspen Democrat  four months after announcing that she was divorcing her husband, with whom the 37-year-old shares four boys and a grandchild (9News)

CD4 is heavily rural and agricultural, with the majority of hard-working voters most immediately concerned with the day-to-day and the hyper-local  not dramatics emanating from Washington DC. (The capital and its lawmakers, in general, are not too popular around here.) Many still dont have computers in Limon, about halfway between Denver and the Kansas border, and fibre-optic internet remains a work in progress. The incumbent, Republican Rep. Ken Buck, announced in November that he would not seek a sixth term, citing his exhaustion with insidious narratives that breed widespread cynicism and erode Americans confidence in the rule of law.

Too many Republican leaders are lying to America, claiming that the 2020 election was stolen, describing Jan. 6 as an unguided tour of the Capitol and asserting that the ensuing prosecutions are a weaponization of our justice system, Buck said.

Now hes watching as one of the partys biggest MAGA provocateurs vies for his home seat.

But more than a half-dozen other Republicans are competing for the primary in CD4, a few giving Boeberts gun-toting image a run for its money  with deeper local roots and no accompanying baggage. Boeberts abandonment of decorum at the 2022 State of the Union, berating the President as he spoke and turning her back on the Cabinet, turned off some straight-laced Republicans; exponentially more shook their heads when the sitting congresswoman was thrown out of a Denver performance of Beetlejuice in September for vaping, groping her date and generally misbehaving. She made news yet again for all the wrong reasons this past weekend when police were called during a public altercation with the ex-husband she recently divorced  and his arrest on Tuesday on six charges in their home county kept the drama in the headlines.

None of it jibes well with her purported promotion of Christianity and conservative family values.

I wont vote for her because of who she is and what she has done, Randy Wallace, an unaffiliated voter, tells The Independent from behind the counter of his antique store in Elizabeth  216 miles from the town where Boebert raised her boys.

He, too, had not yet realized Boebert was switching districts to represent the eastern parts of the state  a move Boebert made as her Democratic challenger, to whom she lost by only 546 votes in the last election, continues a well-funded and celebrity-endorsed campaign for the CD3 seat.

That Democrat, Adam Frisch, gloated that Boebert was running scared following her announcement; many members of her own party  and potential constituents  cried foul.

The town of Limon, like much of CD4, is comprised of ultra-conservative voters and 2nd amendment advocates, which should align with Boeberts platform, but many voters disapprove of her antics or are wholly unfamiliar with her candidacy and track record (Sheila Flynn)

Its just very obvious that shes not moving here because her kids going to college or for a real reason, one Republican party officer within CD4 tells The Independent. Were not fans of people that seek power for powers sake  theres already a lot of candidates that we had [in the constituency] for a very long time that are well qualified. And then this just naked power-seeking behaviour to save the seat, because she gave away a plus-nine Republican seat, doesnt really sit well. You might be shocked at how many people are not happy about it  a lot of people tell me they think its very selfish.

Particularly unhappy about it are the Republicans whod already thrown their hats into the ring.

The first thing that came to mind was carpetbagger  100 per cent shes a carpetbagger, State Rep. Richard Holtorf tells The Independent. (He introduces himself as the most qualified and the best candidate and the rowdiest, most raucous of all; I dont mince words  Im a cowboy and cattleman and I shoot straight, walk straight and talk straight.)

The next thing that came to mind is: Shes a deserter. Shes deserting her people out of political expediency, Holtorf says.

Kyle Saunders, a political science professor at Colorado State University, acknowledges the carpetbagger narrative and the baggage that Boebert comes with from Beetlejuice but points out there are these other things that shes bringing with her.

She also has name recognition, which is both a positive and a negative in this case, Mr Saunders tells The Independent. She has campaign finance experience. She has run a campaign successfully in a constituency as large as a congressional district, which none of her competitors have.

There are these advantages that she comes in with, he says. Now whether or not shes able to persuade the Republican primary voters that she is going to represent their district better than any of her competitors, when those competitors are from that district, especially remains to be seen.

Limon native Catherine Thurston points out that even the liberals have guns in rural CD4  but theyre also wary of outsiders and outlandish tactics; on the other hand, she points out that the constituency embraced Trumps style (Limon native Catherine Thurston points out that even the liberals have guns in rural CD4  but theyre also wary of outsiders and outlandish tactics; on the other hand, she points out that the constituency embraced Trumps style)

One place Boebert certainly didnt seem to have name recognition was Limon, where the local paper refrains from printing political news and where residents look askance at anyone doing anything outrageous, according to Catherine Thurston, the business manager of The Limon Leader and a native of the town.

People around here used to make a deal on a handshake, Thurston tells The Independent. If youre not going to spend time talking face-to-face with people out here, youre probably not going to get the vote.

Back in CD3, Frischs campaign has made a point of wooing voters unhappy with Boeberts perceived lack of attention to local issues and preference for national headlines (and controversy.)

Thurston says she believes Boebetts reception locally was going to be pretty cool, adding: I think that she will not get a big warm welcome from the folks out here.

Holtorf, despite being one of Boeberts rivals, summed up the impressions of many Republicans familiar with Boeberts personal and legislative track record.

She started out doing really well, but she got a little out of line and started losing a level of professionalism that I think she needed to hold, he tells The Independent. And shes done some good things in Washington DC, but  theres certain very disruptive things shes done that are unprofessional and should not be done, particularly the outcries during the State of the [Union] speech  you just dont do that. That kind of high school banter is totally unprofessional at that level.

Thats one issue. But the real issue I have is when you come home to your home state and then you start doing very disrespectful things, he says, referring to Boeberts ejection from Beetlejuice.

You have to hold yourself to a higher standard, he says.

The congresswomans shenanigans will be easy fodder during the race, Saunders points out.

You can imagine the campaign ads that her opponents are going to run, he says Its going to be dark, grainy footage of her in the theatre: Lauren Boebert does not represent the 4th Congressional District of Colorado  doesnt represent the values.

I mean, thats whats coming.

Colorado State Rep. Richard Holtorf, a Republican running against Boebert in CD4, describes himself as a cowboy and a cattleman and says of the sitting congresswomans high school banter is totally unprofessional' (Colorado General Assembly)

Thurston, in Limon, acknowledges that Boeberts behaviours are a little questionable but, there again, I mean, so are Trumps.

The 45th President was hugely popular in Lincoln County, and much of CD4 is MAGA territory  so any endorsement from Trump could significantly impact Boeberts chances, Saunders says.

Lets say Trump is the Republican nominee and endorses Lauren Boebert, he tells The Independent. All it takes is one mention, and all the free media that Donald Trump gets, all of a sudden Lauren Boebert gets. I dont know that thats going to happen, but thats a scenario that seems plausible.

Many within her party, though, remain hugely nervous about just what impact her entry will have on the race and wider Republican efforts.

Colorado House Minority Leader Mike Lynch, who announced his CD4 campaign the week after Boebert, told the Denver Post her bid for the 4th was unfortunate because of the political theatre she brings to the race.

He told the paper he was shocked that anyone would have the hubris to make such a move. To assume that the state needs her so bad that shed switch her constituent bases was shocking.

The Republican party official whod derided Boeberts naked power-seeking is also very concerned that there will be significant down-ballot consequences  and that she will drive Democratic turnout that could affect other races and potentially even the CD4 race. It could also drive unaffiliateds to the primary to vote against her.

The official continues: More experienced activists are very concerned about the impact someone so polarizing could have on down-ballot, closer races throughout CD4  especially in places starting to lean more democratic like Douglas County, populated more densely with metro-area and suburban voters.

Colorado Minority Leader and Republican State Rep. Mike Lynch announced his CD4 campaign one week after Boebert, telling the Denver Post he was shocked that anyone would have the hubris to make the constituency switch that she chose  also bemoaning the political theater she brings' (Colorado General Assembly)

The Colorado Democratic Party, meanwhile, has been organizing in CD4 since before Lauren Boebert announced for this race, chairperson Shad Murib tells The Independent.

We actually had some really interesting success flipping all three Douglas County School Board seats to the Democrats, he points out, adding: Were not leaving anything on the table; my motto is that the next frontier of Colorado politics is local, and we compete everywhere, whether its a safe seat or not.

Labelling Boebert a walking eye-roll for most people, he said that constituency residents who are working hard, who are providing Americas food, whether its beef or something else, they expect someone who can actually get work done  not someone whos a showboater.

And so I think the most common phrase that we hear is that shes a coward, that shes most interested in her social media accounts and not actually getting things done, he tells The Independent. And thats from Republicans and unaffiliated to Democrats.

There are also, of course, Boeberts ardent supporters. At a Republican town hall in Parker last week  held in an event room at a sleek, multi-million-dollar county library with plenty of fast wifi, unlike Limon  the first question asked was what the state representative planned to do about radical gun reform being pushed in the Colorado legislature. Boeberts brashness and platforms  and gun-themed family Christmas cards  resonate deeply in a region where the 2nd amendment is sacrosanct. (Back in Limon, according to Thurston, even the liberals out here have their guns.)

She wants to stay in the fight; she wants to stay in the legislature, and I want her to stay there, one well-dressed Republican town hall attendee tells The Independent, asking to be referred to as a senior citizen.

Before switching to CD4, Boebert narrowly scraped to victory with 546 votes in the 2022 election against Aspen Democrat Adam Frisch  who launched another well-funded and dogged campaign to unseat her (AFP via Getty Images)

Referencing Boeberts Beetlejuice incident down at the auditorium, she says: Im giving her grace, because she is going through a tough divorce, and the husband admitted it was his fault.

She believes her controversy was kind of a setup, reasoning that people, when theyre under stress and theyre in the public eye  who had the camera right on her? It was kind of amazing that that was all videoed and to show out to the public and it was all to destroy her.

One thing is certain: The race, with Boebert and a cast of cowboy-hat-clad characters, will not be boring. And its ramping up fast; the primary is in June.

Candidate Jerry Sonnenberg, the Logan County commissioner whos served in both the state house and senate, graciously applauds the excitement about somebody new carrying the message in the 4th.

Hes a fourth-generation farmer and rancher and, unlike Boebert, hails from the constituency  calling himself a working stiff  I drive an eight-year-old pickup with 235,000 miles on it. Im one of those blue-collar working stiffs, and I think that makes me a better voice, because I know exactly what theyre going through and the struggles that those other families in the district are going through.

The crowded Republican ticket, he says, makes the race better  and it makes it tougher for candidates.

Of Boeberts constituency switch, he says: I welcome her to the fourth district.

I look forward to representing her as her congressman, quite frankly.
The following items were taken from Naperville police reports and press releases. An arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt:

A 53-year-old man from Naperville was arrested on charges of speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol at 2:54 a.m. Jan. 7 at 75th Street and Fort Hill Drive.

A 48-year-old woman from Naperville was arrested on a warrant at 10:21 a.m. Jan. 7 at Columbia Street and Windham Lane.

A 68-year-old woman from Aurora was arrested on a warrant at 7:50 p.m. Jan. 7 in the 1800 block of Centre Point Circle.

A 19-year-old man from Chicago was arrested on charges of aggravated unlawful use of weapons and illegal transportation of cannabis by a passenger at 8:14 p.m. Jan. 7 at Liberty Street and North Route 59.

A 53-year-old man from Putnam was arrested on a charge of violating a bail bond/family member at 12:30 p.m. Jan. 8 in the 1600 block of West Diehl Road.

A 31-year-old man from Bolingbrook was arrested on a charge of endangering the health/life of a child at 2:37 p.m. Jan. 8 at the police station, 1350 Aurora Ave.

A 58-year-old man from Naperville was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and aggravated assault at 6:27 p.m. Jan. 8 in the 1300 block of Ivy Lane.
(KRON)  Celebrity TikTok food reviewer Keith Lees highly anticipated trip to the Bay Area ended earlier than expected, Lee announced Thursday night. He listed unsafe conditions, disappointing food and an allergic reaction as reasons for his sudden departure.

Lee, an MMA fighter turned food critic, has gone to several American cities to try food spots and review them for his 15.6 million followers. He typically opts for mom-and-pop places over trendy and upscale restaurants, intending to bring increased attention and business to places that offer quality food and service.

Keith Lee arrives at the Streamy Awards on Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023, at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Lee made three videos reviewing places called Double Decker (San Francisco), Chef Green (Oakland) and Mama Ts (Oakland) before posting Thursday night that the Bay Area stop was cut short. Lee listed three reasons for why he left the Bay Area early.

His first reason was that I truly dont believe the Bay is a place for tourists right now the people of the Bay are just focused on surviving. Lee talked about seeing people living in tents and burned cars, describing it as shocking, to say the least.

As an outsider, I wish the city would step in, he said. I dont know if they have, I dont know if theyve been trying, but just from the outside looking in, it dont seem like it was much city interference.

The second reason had to do with the food he tried. Lee said he went to six food spots that he opted not to make a video about because he had nothing constructive to say, which was unique to the Bay Area.

Trey Lance sells South Bay home for $2.7 million

Ive always been big on honesty, Ive always been big on transparency, but Ive never been big on completely tearing down anybody, and I feel like those six videos were only doing that, he said.

Lee said the money and resources he invested into the trip would be going to waste if he could not produce content from the spots he visited.

I want to stress, it is not normal for us to go to restaurants, not like it, and not post it, he said. Any other time weve ran into this situation, Ive always had some kind of constructiveness to say. This was just different.

The third reason, which Lee said is the most important one, is that he was hospitalized after suffering an allergic reaction to something he ate. Lee is allergic to shellfish and said he blew up like a balloon due to eating food that was cooked on the same grill as shellfish. He did not name the place that sent him to the hospital.

Lee went on to say that the Bay Area isnt the target audience for what we do because many of the places that were recommended to him already had ample business. He said he tried some of those busy places and did not like the food.

Lee did speak positively about the people he met in the Bay Area.

The people from the Bay were absolutely amazing, and Ill never forget the hospitality and the love that yall showed me, he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
The city council in St. Paul, Minnesota is now made up entirely of women, a first not only in the city's history but also likely among major cities in the U.S.

The council, comprised mostly of women of color and all under 40 years old, was sworn in Tuesday and began the city's business at its first meeting on Wednesday, including approving mayoral appointments and appeals of abatement ordinances

"Were a multifaith, multicultural group of women. Our professional experiences are what people trusted as much as our personal ones," St. Paul City Council President Mitra Jalali told the Associated Press. "We have a clear policy vision that we got elected on.

Experts who spoke to the Associated Press said that the council is the first all-female council of a major American city.

"To have a 100% female city council in a major city in the United States is really significant," Karen Kedrowski, director of the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics at Iowa State University told the AP. "If its not the first one, its one of the first where this has happened  so its a big deal."

Minnesota lieutenant governor says this should be 'the way it is'

Members of the St. Paul City Council hold their first meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, in St. Paul, Minn. Experts who track women in politics say St. Paul, with a population of about 300,000 people, is the first large U.S. city they know of with an all-female city council.

Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan said that while the all-female council has made history, "it should also simply be the way it is, according to The New York Times.

Flanagan spoke to a packed auditorium as the council members were sworn in, telling them that young people are going to dream big and achieve their dreams because of the risk you were willing to take," the newspaper reported.

Six of the seven women on the council are women of color and all are Democrats.

"This is the vision I had when I first started organizing eight years ago," Nelsie Yang, the representative for Ward 6 who was first elected to the council in 2020, told the Times. "Change doesnt happen with the same voices at the table."

Yang, 28, is also the first Hmong-American to serve on the council.

Jalali noted at the swearing-in ceremony that the historic first was not without blowback.

"A whole lot of people who were comfortable with majority male, majority white institutions for nearly 170 years of city history are suddenly sharply concerned about representation," she said. "My thoughts and prayers are with them in this challenging time."

The audience erupted into applause.

Stats show women underrepresented in municipal politics

According to data from the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University, nearly 70% of municipal offices in the United States are held by men.

In Minnesota, 35% of municipal officials in the state are women, placing the state in a tie with Michigan for the 16th highest state in the country for male representatives.

Arizona and Alaska are tied for the states with the most women holding municipal offices at 45%. North Dakota ranks 50th with 20% of the state's municipal offices held by women.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'A big deal': All-female city council in St. Paul makes history
All charges against a former Butler school board member who was accused of having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a teenager have been dismissed.

>> Former Butler school board member charged with sexual assault

Bill Halle, who resigned from the school board in early May 2023, was accused of having sex with a 17-year-old girl he employed and counseled.

Charges against Halle were dismissed on Friday.

>> Butler school board member being investigated in connection to alleged sexual relationship with teen

Friday morning, there was a hearing for Halle, to keep him from being patrolled for his sexual violent protective order sentence.

District Attorney Rich Goldinger said Halle kept contacting the teenager while in jail, which violated his sentence.

>> Local school board member resigns, accused of inappropriate sexual relationship with teenage girl

A judge denied Halles parole in October, making him serve his entire six-month sentence. He has about two and a half months left.

Friday afternoon, Judge Timothy McCune dismissed all criminal charges against Halle which included sexual assault by a volunteer or employee of a nonprofit, unlawful contact with minors, corruption of minors and criminal use of a communication facility.

Channel 11 contacted the Butler County District Attorneys Office for comment and they said they just received the order and are reviewing their options.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

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New Castle woman made incriminating Google searches before death of boyfriends toddler, police say Missing womans body found along trail near Geneva College Officials: Tiny fibers link couple to death of 5-year-old son in 1989 VIDEO: McKeesport Area School District drops security company after guard allegedly had sex with student DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
The King was informed of his mothers death at the wheel of his car after leaving her side in Balmoral to pick mushrooms, a new book has revealed.

Charles pulled over while his most senior aide took the call, before he was addressed as Your Majesty for the first time.

At the time, he was returning to the royal familys Scottish residence after foraging for mushrooms in a bid to clear his head, after spending a final hour at the late Queens bedside.

King Charles III was first addressed as Your Majesty by his private aide (PA Wire)

Details of Elizabeth IIs final moments have been revealed for the first time in a new biography of the King by royal author Robert Hardman.

In a memo written by her private secretary, her death is recorded as very peaceful, who said that she wouldnt have been aware of anything.

King Charles was returning from picking mushrooms when he was informed of the Queens death. (PA)

The note was written by Sir Edward Young on 8 September 2022 and has been published by the Daily Mail.

The document, which is now in the Royal Archives, forms part of a new biography of the King  Charles III: New King. New Court. The Inside Story and reveals that the King and Queen Camilla had spent time with the late monarch privately before she died.

Her children and grandchildren had rushed to Balmoral to say their goodbyes (PA)

Princess Anne and the late Queens senior dresser, Angela Kelly, alternated at her bedside, along with Rev Kenneth MacKenzie, a minister at nearby Crathie Kirk.

The biography adds that Charles had called both of his sons and told them to travel up to Scotland as soon as possible to say their goodbyes.

While the Queen had suffered episodic mobility problems in the months before her death, her eldest son had been caught unaware by her sudden deterioration and had travelled to Balmoral by helicopter while reading his London Bridge notes on the journey.

London Bridge was the code word for the logistical plans in place for the Queens death, which included the order of people to be informed in the immediate aftermath.

Then, when Charles called William via the palace switchboard to break the news, he told the operator its me as he realised he could not reveal to staff that he was king yet, before informing his heir.

Prince Harry pictured arriving at Balmoral after the Queens death (AP)

The King did try to contact his younger son to tell him personally, but Harry was already in the air and he could not get through, the book reveals. The Duke of Sussex discovered that his grandmother had died through a breaking news alert upon arriving by plane.

Hardman also claims that the Prince of Wales had failed to respond to text messages from his younger brother which asked how he was travelling to Balmoral.

Neither the Princess of Wales nor the Duchess of Sussex travelled with their husbands, while the Duke of York and the Duke of Edinburgh made the journey to Scotland.

The biography also discloses how the late Queen worked her way through her final red box diligently, even as she was confined to her bedroom, leaving a sealed letter for her son and a second for Sir Edward.

The box contained her choice of candidates for the Order of Merit for exceptionally meritorious service across the Commonwealth.
Weve highlighted several events happening in the Charlotte area that will honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Please use the links provided to check for last-minute updates before you go.

Saturday, Jan. 13

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Parade  The MLK Holiday Parade will be held in Uptown Charlotte from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday. More than 100 community organizations, marching bands and step and drill teams are expected to participate. The parade will march down Tryon Street, beginning at Ninth Street and ending at Brooklyn Village Avenue. Link

MLK Dream Day Parade and Community Event  The MLK Dream Day Parade will be held in Kannapolis on Saturday. The parade will begin at 11 a.m. and march the length of the Kannapolis Loop and end at City Hall. Following the parade, there will be a community event at the Laureate Center from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Link

Let Freedom Ring: A Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  Theatre Charlotte will present a special performance on Saturday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will be spoken word, dramatizations, music and dance. Admission is free. Link

United Way MLK Jr. Call to Service  On Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., volunteers are needed at Northside Baptist Church to help assemble snack packs for students attending tutoring and after-school programs supported by United Way. Registration is required. Other in-person and virtual volunteer opportunities are available as well. Link

5 things you didnt know about Martin Luther King Jr.

Sunday, Jan. 14

Bridging Musical Worlds  This performance will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church and feature the Charlotte Strings Collective, UNC Charlotte Music Department, Charlotte Folk Society, Tosco Music and the A Sign of the Times Band. Tickets cost $10. Link

Art / Poetry / Music  Opera Carolina will present a collaborative concert at Caldwell Presbyterian Church at 4 p.m. that fuses music, spoken word and visual art with selected readings from Dr. Kings iconic speeches. Admission is free. Link

Monday, Jan. 15

Atrium Health Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Service  This event will include a wreath-laying ceremony and will take place from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday at Marshall Park at 800 East Third Street. Link

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at the Gantt  The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture will host a community celebration with a full day of programs and activities for all ages on Monday. There will be dance performances, live music, interactive workshops, guided tours, and other activities. Admission is free. Link

Town of Davidson Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration  This years event will include musical performances and spoken word with the theme, It Starts with Me - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion  Actualizing the Dream. Music will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the auditorium at 251 South Street with the official program starting promptly at 10 a.m. Link

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service  Join Keep Charlotte Beautiful, the Greater Charlotte Apartment Association and fellow volunteers in cleaning up litter along Tryon Street on Monday. There will be four cleanups occurring simultaneously along sections of Tryon Street. Anyone interested can sign up online to volunteer at the cleanup of their choosing. Link

VIDEO: Heres whats happening in Charlotte Jan. 12-14
CHEBOYGAN COUNTY  A severe winter storm set to sweep across Michigan on Friday afternoon and into Saturday will bring a large amount of snow and high winds to the region.

The Cheboygan County Emergency Management is monitoring the storm and receiving updates from the National Weather Service.

I am expecting power outages due to the high winds and have several shelters ready to open when needed, said Lt. Jeremy Runstrom, director of Emergency Management.

If shelters are opened, the location will be shared on the Cheboygan County Sheriffs Department Facebook page. If you need a shelter, you can also contact 911 and let them know where you live and they will provide you with the closest shelter.

If you do need to travel to a shelter, Runstrom recommends you bring:

Prescriptions and emergency medication

Food and water

Extra clothing, pillows, blankets and other comfort items

Supplies needed for children and infants, such as diapers, formula and limited toys

Collapsible/folding beach chair or camp chair

Cellphone and charger

Special items for family members who are elderly or disabled

For those sheltering at home from the storm, Runstrom recommends the following:

Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food per person

Water, the recommended amount is three gallons per person for three days

Prescribed medications

Battery-powered or hand-crank radio

Flashlight and extra batteries

First aid kit

Whistle to signal for help

Pet supplies

A complete change of clothing and footwear for each person

Extra bedding

Important family documents

Extra clothes and blankets

Due to the expected snowfall and gusting winds, travel conditions are likely to be difficult. Runstrom recommends residents stay off of the roads unless it is an emergency. If you must travel, make sure you have emergency supplies in your vehicle and you tell someone about your travel plans. If the road is not passable, turn around. If your vehicle becomes stuck, do not leave your vehicle and call 911.

Items that should be in vehicle emergency kits include:

Jumper cables, flares or reflective triangle

Flashlights with extra batteries

First aid kit, including any necessary medications, baby formula and diapers if you have a small child

Non-perishable food, such as canned food and protein rich foods like nuts and energy bars

Drinking water

A basic toolkit with pliers, wrench and screwdriver

A radio, either battery or hand-cranked

Cat litter or sand for better tire traction

Shovel

Ice scraper

Warm clothes, gloves, hat, sturdy boots, jacket and an extra change of clothes for the cold

Blankets or sleeping bags

Charged cell phone and car charger

If traveling with pets, include pet emergency items

Runstrom said he has coordinated with the other law enforcement agencies, fire departments and the Cheboygan County Road Commission so they can help those affected by the storm. Cheboygan County Emergency Management will continue to monitor the storm and power outages over the weekend.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Cheboygan County Sheriffs Department warns residents about winter storm
In-person school is out Friday for thousands of students across west suburban Chicago as a winter storm moves into the area, with school districts mostly switching to e-learning.

The Chicago and Northwest Indiana area is under a winter storm warning from overnight Thursday until mid-afternoon Saturday with a forecast that calls for for several inches of snow and blizzard-like conditions, according to the National Weather Service.

In Elmwood Park, the four schools of Elmwood Park School District 401 will do e-learning Friday due to the anticipated winter storm, Superintendent Leah Gauthier told Pioneer Press in an email.

The 3,500 students of Franklin Park-based Leyden Community High School District 212 will do asynchronous e-learning where students get to learn on their own schedule, within a certain timeframe, district officials announced in a notification to families.

According to the notice, assignments would be posted Friday morning by teachers, and students complete them any time throughout the day.

There would be no expectation that students login into Zoom or into class, but rather, complete the assignments by the end of the day, the notice states.

Notices of a switch to e-learning went out to families of other area school districts as well.

The National Weather Service issued the winter storm warning Thursday, predicting snow accumulations of 3-inches to 5-inches, with at times, wind gusts as high as 35 mph. Additionally, as the snowfall is expected to taper off by late Saturday night into early Sunday morning, air temperatures are predicted to drop from a high of 35 degrees to a low of -7 degrees.

At Oak Park-River Forest High School, the lone school of Oak Park and River Forest School District 200, officials announced students would do remote learning Friday, with teachers expected to take attendance within the first five minutes of each class.

By closing our building and implementing the districts E-Learning Plan, we are able to provide continuity of learning, while also keeping our students and staff safe, SD200 Superintendent Greg Johnson announced on the schools website.

Oak Park Elementary School District 97 also moved to remote learning Friday, a school district spokesperson told Pioneer Press.

Sports, extra-curricular, after school and other programs across area school districts were all canceled.

Schools were already set to be closed Monday for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. And looking ahead to Tuesday and later next week, school leaders announced that officials would continue to monitor the weather as subzero temperatures  bringing with it dangerously low windchill factors  have been predicted.

Families are urged to monitor school district websites and social media for additional information.
Chinese automobile exports surged by 63.7% in 2023, according to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), the news agency Interfax-Ukraine reported on Jan. 12.

Much of the increase can be attributed to the emergence of Russia as a crucial foreign market for Chinese auto manufacturers who delivered 840,000 vehicles, including trucks and buses, to Russia in the first 11 months of 2023.

This growth has made China the worlds largest car exporter, surpassing Japan. Between Januaryand November 2023, Japan exported 3.6 million cars to foreign markets. Meanwhile, China exported 4.1 million vehicles.

Reflecting these trends, the Chinese shipbuilding company, CIMC Raffles Group, announced the delivery of the countrys first car-carrying vessel. The ship, capable of transporting up to 7,000 cars, was leased by BYD Co. and will make its maiden voyage to Europe.

Read also: Ukrainians demand for electric cars from China is growing

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A Modesto man is in jail in Merced County after being arrested on suspicion of shooting a car in a Jan. 4 road rage incident on Highway 99 in Livingston, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Sixty-four-year-old Juan Carlos Navarro was being held Friday at the John Latorraca Correctional Center on $250,000 bail on suspicion of carrying a loaded firearm, discharging a firearm in a grossly negligent manner, shooting at a vehicle and assault with a firearm, according to the Merced County Sheriffs Departments website and department spokesman.

All the charges are felonies except for carrying a loaded firearm, which is a misdemeanor.

Officers arrested Navarro on Tuesday after an investigation to identify the shooter, according to a CHP Merced Area Office Facebook post. The post states Navarro drove off after the incident.

CHP officers responded about 4:20 p.m. to the road rage incident between the occupants of a Hyundai Sonata and a Toyota Prius on northbound Highway 99 near Hammatt Avenue in Livingston.

The driver of the Toyota pulled out a handgun and fired one shot at the passenger side of the Hyundai, according to the post. The gunshot struck the Hyundais right front passenger door; however, it missed the two occupants. The suspect then fled the scene before CHP arrival.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting is asked to call CHP investigator O. Martinez at 209-356-6631 or the CHP Merced Area Office at 209-356-6600. The number for the office after hours is 209-356-2929.
ANKENY, Iowa  It was the day after one of Nikki Haleys biggest breaks in her presidential campaign, and she didnt mention it even once.

In New Hampshire, Chris Christies exit from the GOP primary the previous night had opened a wider path for Haley there, a state where the former South Carolina governor has been surging in recent polls.

But in Iowa, with its more conservative primary electorate and where Christie hasnt stepped foot this campaign, there was no upside  and yet potential pitfalls  to invoking, let alone saying nice words about, the vehemently anti-Donald Trump former New Jersey governor.

Waiting for Haley to begin speaking inside a high-end suburban wedding venue where she campaigned here Thursday, Dave Bergren of West Des Moines described word of Christies departure from the race as a positive development for her.

In New Hampshire, Bergren clarified.

Christies exit from the race was unlikely to make much of a difference in Iowa, where Trump is still polling nearly 30 points ahead and where Haley is scrambling to tear down Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in a close race for second place.

We've got friends that are Haley supporters, but we've got an equal number of friends that still like Trump, Bergren said, sitting next to his wife. I think Iowa is going to show well, unfortunately, for Trump.

A poll released Thursday by Suffolk University showed Haley now in second place in Iowa. Factoring in Christies exit, the field barely shifted  though Haley did get a bump of 2 percentage points.

Christie declined to issue any endorsement as he announced the suspension of his campaign Wednesday evening. And he even trashed Haley on his way out  getting caught on a hot mic before his announcement predicting she would get smoked and was not up to this.

If she is or not will become clearer in a matter of days in Iowa.

The reality is, in Iowa, you now have 5 or 6 percent of voters who are looking for a new place to go, and in New Hampshire, you have 14, 15 percent of the vote looking where to go, said Mark Harris, lead strategist of SFA Fund Inc., a super PAC that has spent more than $54 million on advertisements boosting Haley. And you know, weve got to go out and make the case about why they should vote for Nikki Haley.

The stakes are significant for Haley in Iowa, even if she is not likely to catch Trump. A second place showing could give her a major lift heading into New Hampshire and, perhaps, bury DeSantis.

As she spoke from the front of the room for 20 minutes, Haley said the idea of wrapping up her campaign in Iowa was bittersweet: the combine she drove, the pig she held, the state fair games she played. She went through some of the greatest hits of her stump speech, pitching herself, as she has for 11 months, as the accountant the country needs in the White House.

The Christie news might as well have evaporated at the state line. And his appeal to his rivals to attack Trump head-on went largely unheeded. Haley only briefly touched on the former president Thursday, giving her well-worn stump speech line that rightly or wrongly, chaos follows him. The remark received no response from the audience of Iowa Republicans, who over the course of the campaign havent been energized by Trump-bashing like their New Hampshire counterparts.

Haleys only other reference to Trump in her speech was noting that polling shows she outperforms him in a general election against President Joe Biden  a point she and her allies have sought to highlight. A recent mailer sent to a Des Moines Republican household by Americans For Prosperity, a copy of which was obtained by POLITICO, shows the conservative group making the same argument: Nikki Haley crushes Biden by double digits as Trump barely clings on.

Haley told Fox News on Thursday that she and Christie spoke that morning, but that she did not ask him for an endorsement. Christie campaign spokesperson Karl Rickett confirmed to POLITICO that they spoke. And with the campaign turning quickly to New Hampshire after the caucuses, Haley's operation there, unlike in Iowa, was quickly feeling the effects of Christies departure.

In New Hampshire, some staunch Christie supporters are already migrating Haleys way. Norm Olsen, a member of Christies steering committee, said in an interview Thursday afternoon that hes enthusiastically on board with Haley in hopes of her actually winning over Trump in New Hampshire and was about to put one of her campaign signs on his front lawn.

Whether he endorses Nikki or not, I think a large majority of his supporters are going to go to Nikki, Olsen said.

There are good reasons to think that may be true. A CNN/University of New Hampshire poll conducted before Christie dropped out of the race found that nearly two-thirds of his backers, 65 percent, would pick Haley as their second choice. Christie, according to that poll and others, was in third place in the state.

Haley and Christie drew primarily from the same pool of more moderate Republicans and independents who do not want to see Trump as the nominee. Many of those voters told POLITICO in interviews across dozens of New Hampshire campaign events over the past few months that they were torn between the former governors. And some now undoubtedly will head for Haley  even if Christie himself does not.

But the shift to Haley is unlikely to be universal, and the latest FiveThirtyEight polling average shows her still running more than 10 points behind Trump in New Hampshire, too.

Wayne MacDonald, who chaired Christies New Hampshire steering committee and was caught on the hot mic ahead of his campaign-ending speech joining in his maligning of Haley, told reporters afterward that he feels its very unlikely Christie endorses before the states primary.

All of the concerns he had about all the other candidates, about how theyre not critical enough and not willing to stand up and criticize Donald Trump  I dont see how he reconciles that with supporting them, MacDonald said.

MacDonald, too, is no fan of Haleys.

I dont know where Im going to go, but Im not going with Nikki Haley, MacDonald said. Shes pandered to Donald Trump.
Two Treasure Coast school districts exceeded the statewide average of chronically absent students during the 2021-22 school year. St Lucie schools tied for the 10th highest chronic absenteeism rate in the state.

The statewide average of the number of students missing 21 or more days hit a record high at 20.9% in the 2021-22, according to data from the Florida Department of Education.

St. Lucie schools, at 29.4%, had the highest rate on the Treasure Coast, tying Hardee County for No. 10 among Florida's 67 school districts.

Indian River County schools, at 23.3%, also exceeded the state average, ranking 31st in the state. Martin County schools, at 19.5%, was slightly better than the state average, and ranked near the bottom half of the state, tying Flagler County for the 41st highest rate in the state.

St. Lucie County Sheriff's Sgt. Matthew Woods (from left), Lt. Keith Pearson, and (former) Chief Deputy Brian Hester welcome Rivers Edge Elementary School students back for the first day of school during the annual Tunnel of Hope on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021, in Port St. Lucie. "It reenergizes us as law enforcement to see the kids coming back," Pearson said, adding that the Tunnel of Hope will be happening across the school district all week. "We try to break that mold of kids being afraid of cops."

A national trend

Mirroring national trends, Florida's absenteeism rate is the highest it's been since at least 2010, according to a data analysis by The News Service of Florida.

Rural counties showed the highest rates of absenteeism, which is calculated by dividing the number of students who miss more than 21 days of school by the total number of students enrolled in the district.

Before the pandemic, 8 million students were affected by chronic absence across the country. By 2021, that nearly doubled to 15 million, according to Attendance Works, a nonprofit that studies and aims to end school absence.

Promoting student attendance

School districts such as Martin County actively monitor student absences, intervening when students chronically miss school, said Paula Lewis, the district's director of Student Services.

The district equips schools with a toolkit with activities, announcements and student incentive ideas aimed at boosting attendance, Lewis said.

A field officer sometimes is sent to students' homes to meet with family, Lewis said. Wellness checks are implemented to ensure a student's safety, she said.

"We are here to support all our students," Lewis said. "We want to make sure they are OK and they are safe."

St. Lucie County schools also created programs at the beginning of the school year aimed at improving student attendance. Each school created an attendance plan addressing areas of concern and organized attendance teams to monitor absenteeism, according to district reports.

The district also partnered with community organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs to identify chronically absent students and to work with those students and their families to get students back in school, reports said.

In addition, two Port St. Lucie police officers are assigned as truancy officers, according to reports.

Education researchers and politicians agree that there is no one type of student or one singular reason students miss class.

Personal or family illnesses, medical procedures, family travel, housing instability and homelessness, lack of reliable transportation, shifts at work, mental illness and child care all play a role in why American students can't make it to school every day, according to Attendance Works.

Chronic absence is different from truancy in that it counts all of a student's missed time, whether or not that time is excused.

Impact on learning

Attendance Works found that students who live in poverty are two to three times more likely to be chronically absent. Not only does that absenteeism impact students' ability to catch up, but the organization found that "when (absence) reaches high levels in a classroom or school, all students may suffer because the resulting classroom churn hampers teachers ability to engage all students and meet their learning needs."

More: Year-round school? Not in Martin County, as School Board says no state pilot program

More: Feeling the pinch: 60% more students here taking private-school vouchers under new state law

State lawmakers have signaled they're interested in learning more about absenteeism and fighting it. Members of the House Education Quality Subcommittee in December heard from experts on absenteeism and referenced the data from the state Department of Education in its hearing.

Paul Burns, a K-12 education chancellor with the Department of Education, said during the meeting that the circumstances that a family and student may be facing are really individualized," the News Service of Florida reported.

It's unclear whether lawmakers plan to introduce a bill to address absenteeism, although House Education Quality Chairwoman Dana Trabulsy, R-Fort Pierce, said during the committee's meeting that members have not heard the last" of the issue, the news outlet reported.

Colleen Wixon is the education reporter for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers. Contact her at Colleen.Wixon@TCpalm.com.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Treasure Coast school districts battling chronic student absences
Ukraines SBU security service has exposed Vasyl Povorozniuk, the sanctioned Metropolitan of the Luhansk Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine, as a collaborator, the agencys press service reported on Telegram on Jan. 12.

Read also: Ukraines parliament votes to ban the Moscow Patriarchate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church for its ties to the Kremlin

According to the investigation, in September 2022 Povorozniuk visited the Kremlin, where he took part in the ceremony of the so-called "accession" of the temporarily occupied regions of Ukraine to Russia. He also supported Moscow's war against Ukraine and the seizure of Ukrainian territory, including Luhansk Oblast.

In May 2022, Povorozniuk attended a meeting held in Luhansk under the leadership of the Russian-appointed puppet governor of LPR, Leonid Pasechnik.

Read also: ROC priest in Sumy sentenced to 15 years in prison for spying

Along with an advisor to Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov, Povorozniuk spoke to Russian TV channels in favor of adopting a so-called "resolution" that spread disinformation about Ukrainian soldiers and the situation at the front.

The SBU noted that, in many interviews with Kremlin propagandists, the Povorozniuk glorified the Russian military and called for the continuation of Russias war of aggression against Ukraine.

Investigators indicted the Metropolitan in absentia for aiding the aggressor state, the punishment for which is imprisonment for a term of 10 to 12 years, among other things.

Read also: SBU detains UOC-MP church chorister for guiding Russian missile strikes on Ukrainian military units in Zaporizhzhya Oblast

The Ukrainian parliament voted on Oct. 19 to ban the Moscow Patriarchate, and the SBU has conducted inspections of monasteries, churches, and other property of the Moscow Patriarchate throughout Ukraine since November 2022. During these operations, substantial quantities of pro-Russian literature was discovered, along with numerous Russian citizens with questionable documents.

On Jan. 19 2023 the Cabinet of Ministers submitted a bill to the Verkhovna Rada that banned the activities of religious organizations headquartered in the aggressor state.

The decision to ban the activities of churches belonging to the Moscow Patriarchate in several oblasts across Ukraine.



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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  In response to the severe cold weather, City Rescue Mission announced on Thursday, enhanced shelter options for the community.

City Rescue officials says, when temperatures fall below 32 degrees, City Rescue Mission facilities are prepared to house up to an additional 25 men, 25 women, and family spaces are available until capacity is reached.

Arctic blast plows into Oklahoma

Since 1960, City Rescue Mission has offered warmth and safety during challenging winter conditions.

 Hours of Operation: 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

 Capacity: Accommodation available for up to 25 men, 25 women, and family spaces are provided until capacity is reached.

 Extended Stay During Severe Cold: Guests can remain indoors, with meals provided, when temperatures are consistently below 32F or use Embark transportation services to access the day shelter provided by the Homeless Alliance. This flexibility ensures that everyone has access to a comfortable and secure environment throughout the day.

This weekend and early next week will be incredibly dangerous for anyone experiencing homelessness. We encourage anyone without shelter to please access one of the OKC Winter Weather Overflow Shelters to stay safe and warm, states Wendy Elliott, Vice President of Development at City Rescue Mission. The collaborative effort among all of the shelter providers in Oklahoma City ensures that no one has to remain out in the extreme conditions.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
A jury convicted a Chicago man Thursday evening who fatally shot a babys father in Gary after the couple wouldnt let him hold the child.

Ray Dampier, 44, pleaded not guilty and represented himself during a three-day trial. The jury deliberated for about an hour.

He was charged with murder in the May 10, 2022 shooting death of Devonte Brown, 29, outside on the 1700 block of West 5th Avenue in Gary.

Dampier dated Browns girlfriends sister.

Gary Police interviewed Brown 6:23 p.m. May 10, 2022 at Methodist Hospital in Gary. He told them Dampier shot him after Brown took his 6-week-old baby from him.

A hospital security guard reported Brown later died in surgery, the affidavit states.

Lashawn Ware testified this week that she and Brown arrived with their kids at her sisters apartment. Her sister crossed the street to see her six-week-old baby for the first time.

Dampier saw the baby, then asked if he could hold the child. Ware refused. Brown left his car and walked over, took the baby from the sisters arms and gave the child back to Ware, then went back to their car and put on music.

He was minding his own business, she said.

Dampier is mad now, her sister said.

At one point, Dampier slapped a gun on the hood, before a woman took it away and put it in her purse.

Dampier walked to the car and punched Brown in the head, Ware said. A fight broke out.

I tried to break it up, Ware said.

Dampier told Brown youre dead, she said. He ran across the street to his car, found the gun inside the purse, pointed it at Brown and fired it 3-5 times, according to the affidavit.

Brown tried to block his face.

Brown fell and Dampier took off East on 5th Avenue in a white Mitsubishi Outlander, the affidavit states.

Dampier is appealing two separate contempt of court citations during the case. Each could add another six months in prison.
Clark County to Las Vegas building owner: Fix it or tear it down after partial roof collapse

LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The Clark County Building Department issued an ultimatum to the owners of a dilapidated rental property in Sunrise Manor just days after a partial roof collapse displaced 14 tenants, the 8 News Now Investigators have learned.

In a notice and order for abatement, building department director James Gerren instructed the owners of the four-family apartment building at 6937 Issac Avenue near Hollywood Boulevard and Lake Mead Boulevard, to remove all occupants of the property and to secure the structure. The ultimatum followed: to either obtain all required permits and repair the structure or demolish it.

ORIGINAL STORY: Multi-family building partially collapses in east Las Vegas, displaces 14 people

Partial roof collapse at rental property on Jan. 5, 2024 at 6937 Issac Avenue. (KLAS)

The owners, who the county has identified as Wu Hao and Shen Yang of Fort Worth, Texas, have until Feb. 9 to acquire permits to either repair or demolish the building. Demolition could be signed off on by the end of Feb., the abatement order indicates. Work on the building, should the owners choose to repair it, would need to be finished by August.

The 8 News Now Investigators have, unsuccessfully, attempted to reach Hao and Yang by any and all emails and telephone numbers available through a variety of internet searches. Phone messages have gone unanswered, and an email was returned as undeliverable.

Owners of east Las Vegas partially collapsed building havent applied for building permit since its construction

On Monday the 8 News Now Investigators reported that none of the buildings dozen-or-so owners have ever applied for a permit since 1983, the year the building was built. Last Fridays partial roof collapse was a byproduct of the buildings age, as opposed to a fire or other disaster, the Red Cross said in a statement immediately after the collapse.

The Clark County Fire Department said last Friday evening that it secured the scene by turning off natural gas and power to the building. However, information from the county Thursday indicated that homeless people  vagrants, according to the abatement order  had been living inside some of the apartments and stealing electricity from a nearby apartment building. A visit to the building Thursday by the 8 News Now Investigators confirmed that. It also appeared that someone was living in a camper outside of the building, and propane tanks littered the area outside of that camper.

However, according to the county, the owners have agreed to keep the property off-limits.

Partial roof collapse at rental property on Jan. 5, 2024 at 6937 Issac Avenue. (KLAS)

Partial roof collapse at rental property on Jan. 5, 2024 at 6937 Issac Avenue. (KLAS)

Partial roof collapse at rental property on Jan. 5, 2024 at 6937 Issac Avenue. (KLAS)

Partial roof collapse at rental property on Jan. 5, 2024 at 6937 Issac Avenue. (KLAS)

Partial roof collapse at rental property on Jan. 5, 2024 at 6937 Issac Avenue. (KLAS)

The building must be secured against unlawful entry by Jan. 25  though the owner indicated they would do that as soon as possible  and remain secured against unlawful entry until repair or demolition has been completed, a Clark County spokesman said in a written statement Wednesday.

CCFD said they removed some occupants whod been trapped on the second floor, where debris from the roof made it impossible for them to get out Friday. The Red Cross was at the scene of the partial roof collapse trying to find temporary housing for the tenants who were displaced.

One of the first-floor tenants, Katherine Lusk, was collecting her belongings but had no idea where she was headed to sleep that night or in the near future. Lusk said she was already attempting to find new housing because of subpar conditions inside her home.

The people who own the building just never want to come fix it or do anything to it, Lusk said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
After a netizen posted a video on Tuesday claiming that there was a fire at the mausoleum of Emperor Cheng of the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220) in Xianyang, Shaanxi province, a staff worker from the local relics management administration confirmed that the fire did not damage the mausoleum. The video showed flames and thick black smoke rising above the hills.

On Wednesday morning, a staff member from the relics management center said that a villager burned grass on top of the mausoleum while burning garbage. There was wind at the time, so the fire was relatively large, according to ahwang.cn, a media outlet from Anhui province.

"It was an act of arson, and the person responsible has been handed over to the police," the staff member told ahwang.cn. "Since the main cultural relics are underground, the fire did not have a significant impact."

The staff member stated that the mausoleum area has a security system, and they will strengthen monitoring and patrols to prevent fires, according to ahwang.cn.
In her three years as executive director of Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry, Shannon Cameron has talked to plenty of asylum seekers from Colombia and Venezuela.

Shes heard their stories of abject poverty and unspeakable violence, including those who have witnessed the murder of family or been victims of sexual assault.

In her position heading up the largest food pantry in the area, Cameron has also seen the generosity of this community time and time again.

Aurora is full of beautiful people who would love for us to be responsive to the intense trauma these refugees have faced in coming to this country, she recently told me.

The immigration mess facing this country and now our communities  in particular Chicago as busloads of asylum seekers have been arriving for months  is as emotional as it is complex. But at the heart of the issue, insists Cameron, are the people who arrive in this country after arduous journeys with little else but the desire to forge a better life for their families.

Which is why she was dismayed that in September the city of Aurora and Kane County both rejected the chance for state grant money to local governments that would welcome asylum seekers, despite her personal pleas to both elected bodies that this money could go a long way in addressing complex issues such as housing.

This rejection was hardly unique to the Fox Valley. Nor was the emergency ordinance the city passed in late December to deter buses from dropping off asylum seekers sent by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a decree that came five days after groups of refugees, most wearing light clothing, even flip-flops, arrived at the Transportation Center in Aurora with tickets or money to purchase tickets for the Metra train to Chicago.

But some are asking what this all says about Aurora, which bills itself as a sanctuary city that is proud of a reputation promoting diversity and inclusivity.

Sister Kathleen Ryan, executive director of the Dominican Literacy Center, which for more than a quarter century has worked directly with immigrants to help them assimilate into the local landscape, believes we have a moral imperative to help these asylum seekers because they are our brothers and sisters and we share a common humanity.

Unfortunately, a huge roadblock is the fact there is currently no system or leader who is willing to step up and lead on the issue in our area, insists Ryan.

There are people of goodwill who want to help but dont know how, she said.

We have wonderful churches, not-for-profit groups and individuals who seek to relieve the suffering that these asylum seekers are going through, Ryan said. We need to harness that energy for good.

Ryan and Cameron represent a number of local leaders in Aurora who insist that as a nation and as a community we need to do better than turn asylum seekers away.

In a recent press release, the grassroots group Mutual Aid of Aurora, formerly known as Indivisible Aurora, described the citys attitude as callous and indifferent, urging local elected officials to immediately cease the indiscriminate expulsion of asylees and to instead, engage in constructive dialogue with other organizations.

We call for a comprehensive and humane approach that respects the dignity and rights of all individuals, regardless of their immigration status, the press release stated.

How to do that remains the million-dollar question.

The Rev. Tim Piasecki, who retired 18 months ago as pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church and who for decades worked with immigration and homelessness in Aurora, admits to mixed feelings about the communitys role in tackling such a complex problem.

While the Benedictine order rule is to receive all guests as Christ ... I dont know what that looks like as policy, he admits.

My heart goes out to these people who risk everything to bring their families out of danger and poverty and are filled with such hope because they think so highly of us.

Certainly the faith community has a responsibility to meet people in difficult places and make their lives easier, he added. But in order to do that, churches need to be talking to churches, governors to governors, mayors to mayors.

Joe Jackson, executive director of Hesed House, agrees the role of the faith-based community is critical. Even then, there needs to be one lead church that takes point on it, Jackson said, adding that, from what he sees at the Aurora homeless shelter, which relies heavily on local churches for resources, these congregations too are strapped for money right now, with volunteer and membership numbers down.

That being said, Jackson is convinced the states second largest city has enough resources to gather community leaders together to plot a strategy.

Which is what Aurora Mutual Aid is aiming to do in partnership with another grassroots organization, Aurora Rapid Response Team.

On Jan. 20, the two groups are holding a community forum at 2 p.m. at the Santori Aurora Public Library downtown to discuss concerns about the absence of substantive efforts to provide direct aid to address the plight of migrants or collaborate with local organizations to assist.

The city defends recent actions, including its emergency ordinance forcing any buses coming into the city with one-way passengers and dropping them off to apply for a permit five days in advance.

The ordinance, passed Dec. 22, also provides for a fine of up to $1,000 to the bus companies and possible seizure and impoundment of the buses if the new rules are not followed.

The ordinance is not for the purpose of penalizing migrants, rather, it regulates the way that these chartered buses operate in the city, Mayor Richard Irvin said at the time the 9-1 vote was taken by the City Council approving the new regulations.

City spokesperson Clayton Muhammad says officials are well aware refugees have integrated into the community, not just because they are using food pantries but because their children are enrolled in Aurora schools.

The increase, however, is not overwhelming this community like it has done in Chicago.

The busing issue had to take priority, Muhammad insists, pointing out that the asylum seekers that came briefly to Aurora recently were headed to Chicagos so-called landing zone, where they could get processed.

Those who want to return to Aurora would be welcome, he said, adding that if and when their numbers show a significant uptick, we will have those conversations.

World Relief Executive Director Susan Sperry, who acknowledges the emotions involved in this issue, is convinced that, while it takes an entire community to create welcome, the best thing for organizations and residents is to support our local governments and their Emergency Response Units to help asylum seekers reach the Chicago landing zones where they are more equipped to help right now.

But we also need to look ahead, she added, to when these newcomers move out of shelters and settle into our communities. We know they will need our support.

One way people can help now, Sperry said, is by assisting with donations or volunteerism through World Reliefs website. There, you can also find more information about its HOME Program, which helps churches and other groups support and foster asylum seekers financially or by walking alongside a family for six months.

Hesed Houses Jackson is convinced much can be done to help these refugees, but like Sperry, is convinced it must be well coordinated and well funded.

And if action is to be taken, Jackson added, it makes most sense the city run point on it to avoid duplication of services and people falling through the cracks.

The dire situation, he noted, is not because people are saying lets forget about these asylum seekers. There is just so much work that needs to be done and not one agency or organization has the resources or time to take on such a Herculean effort.

In the meantime, says Luma Webster, executive director of Aurora Mutual Aid, there are refugee families who dont have the basic needs to survive a winter in this area.

Because of mobilization efforts that began last year, we are sitting on access to coats, jackets, medicine, food and immigration lawyers, she said. But we have not been able to get it out to those who need it most.

One reason to convene the forum on Jan. 20 is to let people know that, hey we do have resources in Aurora, we are not hoarding them, said Webster, adding that the overall goal is to educate more people on the issue, raise questions and seek solutions together.

No doubt emotions are running high right now, but thats not necessarily a bad thing, say those I spoke with about how to respond to this crisis.

They come from valid places ... they are very personal, said Sperry, adding that wherever we fall politically - and it is important these political debates take place - the question we all must ask ourselves is how do we respond when we see need in our community.

So much is happening in really good ways, she continued. We have the opportunity to continue it.

Cameron, for one, is confident the community will come through, as always.

Asylum seekers have been coming for years to the pantry. Whether or not we accept a bus is not going to stop them from coming here, said Cameron. We are so diverse, there are so many connections to those fleeing other countries.

They will be coming our way. And they will need our help.

dcrosby@tribpub.com
Communities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire are bracing for more river and high tide flooding concerns, as well as the threat of power outages, as another rain and wind storm takes aim at the region.

A flood watch has been issued for most of Massachusetts until 1 p.m. Saturday and there are also wind advisories in effect along the coast, Cape Cod, and the Islands.

Flood watch, wind advisories issued as another weekend storm bringing rain approaches

The storm will arrive after midnight with rain and wind beginning to pick up and a little bit of snow in the elevations. The storm will persist until about noon on Saturday.

This latest round of weather comes just days after a drenching rainstorm swamped seacoast communities, and less than a week after a noreaster dumped a foot of snow in some areas.

On the North Shore of Massachusetts, major roadways were flooded and left impassable as rivers crested and high tide hit. In Hampton, New Hampshire, beach homes were left underwater and police urged residents to evacuate to higher ground.

Ocean Boulevard in Hampton was temporarily closed after ocean water crashed over the seawall during high tide on Tuesday.

The Hampton Police Department told Boston 25 News that morning tides were higher than expected.

We expected water levels to be about 11.7 feet. And I believe the last assessment that we were probably around 13.8 feet, Hampton Police Chief Alex Reno said. We werent surprised there was flooding. The amount of flooding was a bit more than we expected.

Beach roads in the Massachusetts towns of Plum Island and Salisbury were also impacted by floodwaters.

In Newbury, the body of a man was recovered from the Parker River after he got trapped in the current.

In Worcester County, the Blackstone River was running high and running fast.

There was also severe flooding in the area of Chelsea and Everett earlier this week, where cars were left submerged in the street.

Flooding in Wells, Maine

Flooding in Wells, Maine

Southboro Flooding

Southboro Flooding

In Dorchester on Friday morning, there was a sign posted on Morrissey Boulevard warning drivers of the potential flooding and the possibility of detours through the weekend.

Officials urged residents to clear storm drains because when clogged they can exacerbate the problem.

For more on this approaching storm, visit the Boston 25 Weather page for updates.

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GREENSBORO, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A Concord man was convicted Thursday of committing hate crimes against a Black man and Hispanic man in recent years.

Marian Hudak, 52, was charged in June after being accused of a series of reported harassment incidents involving Black drivers, a Mexican family, and his neighbors, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The conviction came out of the Middle District of North Carolina in Greensboro.

13,000 still without power in Cabarrus, Stanly counties after flood knocks over power pole

Its one thing to use racial slurs and harbor the KKKs flag, but carrying out acts of violence fueled by naked racial animus and hatred violates the law and core principles of our democracy, said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke. The defendant was held accountable for his violent and unlawful attacks on Black and Hispanic members of his community.

FBI

Evidence at trial proved that, on Oct. 13, 2022, Hudak encountered a Black man, identified as J.S., while driving in Concord, and shouted racial slurs at him. After telling J.S. to come here, boy, Hudak swerved into J.S.s lane, got out of his vehicle and punched J.S.s drivers side window multiple times. When J.S. fled, Hudak chased him to his home where he continued shouting racial slurs and threatened to shoot and kill him.

Documents describing Hudaks actions against a Hispanic man.

A year earlier, there was reportedly a similar encounter with a Hispanic man. On Nov. 27, 2021, evidence showed that Hudak attacked his neighbor, J.D., outside J.D.s home because of his nationality. Hudak shouted racially charged insults at J.D. before attacking him. Hudak punched and tackled J.D., causing J.D. to suffer bodily injury.

Additional trial witnesses testified about Hudaks frequent anti-Hispanic comments, both before and after the attack on J.D., and about other instances where Hudak shouted slurs at, gave the middle finger to and drove aggressively near other motorists of color in the Concord area.

Sheriff: Child sex assault victim Snapchats evidence of accused abuser in the act

Other evidence reportedly included a KKK flag, a racist publication and Nazi memorabilia found in Hudaks residence.

All people  regardless of the color of their skin or their nationality  are entitled to travel on public roads and enjoy their homes without fear of being threatened, harassed or intimidated, said U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Hairston. We appreciate the law enforcement agencies who diligently sought justice in this case. The Concord community is safer and more peaceful as a result of todays verdict.

A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for May 1.

The FBI Charlotte Field Office investigated the case.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Maurice "Rese" Jhordan, a middle school teacher in Newark City Schools, speaks during a community forum Wednesday about the importance of "showing up" for local events and conversations involving diversity and the value of equity and inclusion. A fellow panelist during the forum Wednesday sponsored by the United Way of Licking County is Averi Frost of the Central Ohio African American Chamber of Commerce, who said there is a business case for equity and inclusion.

In a world where stereotypes and misinformation help shape perceptions about the meaning of "diversity, equity and inclusion," four experts spoke Wednesday about the value of inclusiveness and the barriers to opportunities for all to be successful.

On a personal level, they said, no one  no matter their race, gender or culture  wants to feel excluded or "othered." Such feelings have a host of negative effects for the individual and society, the experts said during a panel discussion hosted by the United Way of Licking County at the Licking County Aging Partners center on Newark's East Main Street.

"Anyone can think of a time when they felt left out," said Maurice Rese Jhordan, a middle school teacher in Newark City Schools, a real estate agent and musician. "We have to elicit that persons empathy. We have to go out of our way to connect with others."

And there is a business case for equity and inclusion, said Averi Frost, executive director of the Central Ohio African American Chamber of Commerce.

"With all of the development in Licking County, your economy has just changed," she said. "How are you helping promote those opportunities?"

One way to explain the need for and value of diversity, equity and inclusion is by looking at hard facts  data rather than preconceived notions, said Richard Brown, associate dean of students and director of the Center for Belonging and Inclusion at Denison University.

Licking Countys population of 178,519 in the last census was a 7.2% increase from 2010, making it the state's 17th largest county, according to U.S. Census data quoted in an Advocate story about the countys increasing diversity. The county's white population decreased by 1,107 residents, while the minority population more than doubled from 11,300 in 2010, to 24,449 in 2020.

"Our world is becoming more diverse  every part of our life," Brown said. "We as individuals and organizations can only benefit from learning to navigate this."

Frost and Jhordan echoed that thought.

Richard Brown, of Denison University, speaks Wednesday with Brianna Johnson of Ohio State University Newark, Maurice Jhordan of Newark City Schools and Averi Frost of the Central Ohio African American Chamber of Commerce during the United Way of Licking Countys forum on diversity, equity and inclusion in Licking County.

"Some people say Licking County isnt diverse; its incredibly diverse," Frost said, not only in race but also in gender, culture, religion and socio-economic diversity.

"We love diversity" in Licking County, Jhordan said. "When a new restaurant opens here, its a big deal! We have a Bojangles (fried chicken and biscuits) now, so we just closed the gap right there," he said to laughter from the audience.

Meaningful progress, Jhordan said, requires that people "break through stereotypes, challenge them and sometimes smash them, and then rebuild from there. We have to let everybody know the value that is to you. Incentives and consequences are valuable when they change behavior."

In the increasingly diverse community of Licking County, the panelists said the biggest barriers to understanding the value of equity and inclusion are fear and polarization.

And in a world where stereotypes and misinformation help shape perceptions about the meaning of DEI, the panelists talked about how individuals and organizations can work to overcome stereotypes and break down the barriers that keep people from understanding one another.

"With hyper-polarization  and COVID and social media have made it worse  people feel threatened," Frost said. "We see people going further and further into corners, and even starting their own social media platforms to go further into their corner."

That helps breed fear, said Brianna Davis Johnson, chief diversity officer and director of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Ohio State University at Newark and Central Ohio Technical College.

"Fear of loss of power, fear of a loss of resources and fear of the unknown," she explained. "When we get to know people with different life experiences, we find there are a lot more similarities than differences."

Brown said people need to get beyond the notion that "if they get something, Im getting less."

When it comes to resources, there are plenty for everyone, he said, but the opportunities are not always available to everyone.

Jhordan added that "we have to be honest about whats going on here and why we need DEI in the first place. Something had to happen. People were held back for a long time, and those things have effects on our society today."

Brown said its up to everyone to educate themselves about that history, to be discerning about the news we consume and "not just run with inflammatory headlines without reading the stories that go with them," and to not sit back and think that equity and inclusion should be implemented by others "because its her job, or Im not Black, or Im rich" and it doesnt affect me.

"We have to resist the notion that its someone elses job  that when we see a house on fire that we think someone else is going to call the fire department," Brown said.

Alan Miller writes for TheReportingProject.org, the nonprofit news organization of Denison Universitys Journalism program, which is sponsored in part by the Mellon Foundation and donations from readers.

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: United Way panelist share how to make Licking County more inclusive
A late push from hard-line conservatives in the House to get Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to back out of a top-line spending deal with Democrats is frustrating Republicans on both sides of the Capitol.

Thats pretty nasty. Its ridiculous, Rep. Greg Murphy (R-N.C.) said, noting that the same members have continuously complained about spending deals over the last year. At some point when you have people complain all the time, its like crying wolf. It just lacks credibility anymore.

Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) had sharper words for the conservatives pressing to renegotiate the deal: Theyre just feckless people.

Its just easier for them to scream and vote no, because it takes a lot of courage to explain a yes vote and everything thats inside of it, Miller said. If I said I was gonna vote no on any of this stuff, my job would be a lot easier.

After tanking a procedural vote and holding up floor action Wednesday on unrelated legislation in protest of the deal announced over the weekend, conservatives huddled with Johnson in his office Thursday to convince him to retract his commitment to the top-line deal and push for a new spending agreement with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and the White House.

Im doing everything I can to influence the Speaker to ditch the bad deal for the country, which is the Schumer deal, and to commit to cutting spending over last year and securing the border and doing whatever we can to accomplish that, said Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.), the chair of the House Freedom Caucus.

Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.)

Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.) answers press questions after exiting a meeting with the House Freedom Caucus at the Capitol on Thursday, January 11, 2024. (Allison Robbert)

The bipartisan deal sets top-line spending at $1.59 trillion plus around $69 billion in additional budget tweaks  largely in line with the spending caps included in the debt limit deal then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) struck with President Biden last year that outraged Republicans, leading to McCarthys ouster. Johnson has touted some tweaks to that agreement, including accelerating clawbacks of IRS mandatory funding and additional clawbacks of unspent pandemic funds.

Johnson assured reporters Thursday that he has not made any commitments to the conservatives  so if you hear otherwise, its just simply not true  but the chatter about a new framework is enraging Republicans, who are aiming their fire at the rabble rousers who have been at the center of near-constant chaos in the lower chamber.

Rank-and-file members who just want to solve the problems that face our country, and who understand that that will most likely be done through incremental progress, are furious with the hard-line tactics, said one House GOP member who requested anonymity to speak candidly. They think its playing into the Democrats hands; they think that it is undermining our ability to get a victory in November; and they think its moving the country backwards. People are pissed.

Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.), a key negotiator of the Fiscal Responsibility Act bill last year that is the basis of the spending deal, said that the Freedom Caucuss calls to renegotiate the top line has reaffirmed that theyre not focused upon real savings and real outcomes.

This is all theatrics for them. This is the drama caucus, Graves said.

More Top Stories from The Hill

Graves argued that the continued hardball tactics from those members over the last year  from scuttling spending to ousting McCarthy  have resulted in a prolonged extension of policies approved in spending levels from the last Congress under total Democratic control.

Whos the conservative? Nice job, guys, Graves said.

House appropriators in particular are warning the Speaker against seeking to put forward an alternate deal, saying it will damage his ability to negotiate anything else with Democrats.

You cant pull out a deal that was already cut, said Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), a top appropriator.

If you are not going to honor the terms, then then you have a credibility problem, said Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.), another top appropriator  adding that he thinks the calls to renegotiate the deal increase the chances of a shutdown.

As Congress aims to strike a deal to fund the government through the end of the fiscal year, it faces a two-tiered government funding deadline with some programs running out on Jan. 19 and the rest expiring on Feb. 2.

Across the Capitol, Senate Republicans were baffled by the news emerging out of the Houses hard-right faction and their meeting with the Speaker.

Thats not gonna work, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) said bluntly when asked about the news Thursday.

Top GOP members and appropriators said a deal was already in place and that it was too late to change course, especially to mollify Freedom Caucus members who are highly unlikely to back any type of bipartisan bill.

I assume hell do everything he can to get the job done over there, and hopefully hell have enough of the Republican caucus working with him who are interested in getting results that theyll be able to get an outcome, but I dont know how to predict it at this point, Sen. John Thune (S.D.), the No. 2 Senate Republican, told reporters.

I think hes very sincere and wants to get results, but he has to manage an incredibly divided caucus and I assume at some point theyll have to get it done in a bipartisan way because I dont think there are people on our side of the aisle who will vote for anything, he added.

Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.)

Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) speaks with press after weekly policy luncheon at the Capitol on Tuesday, January 9, 2024. (Allison Robbert)

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), the top GOP appropriator in the upper chamber, added that it would be extremely difficult to avoid a shutdown if Johnson reneges from the deal with Schumer.

Part of the push from hard-line conservatives centers on what kind of stopgap funding measure to pursue, as the Senate tees up a short-term continuing resolution (CR).

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), chair of the House Judiciary Committee, is among those advocating for a long-term stopgap that would trigger an automatic, across-the-board 1 percent cut that was written into the Fiscal Responsibility Act debt limit bill last year.

Do the long-term CR and negotiate on the policy we want to get the border, Jordan said coming out of the meeting in Johnsons office Thursday. That creates the incentive to actually do the work were supposed to do.

The idea with a long-term CR would be to then push for conservative policy riders, such as concerning the border and immigration.

But that, too, is facing pushback from appropriators.

No appropriator likes a CR, said Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), an appropriations cardinal.

Aris Folley, Al Weaver, and Mike Lillis contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Howard Meadows is a new housing subdivision under construction by Howard Elementary School in the River Road area of Eugene. The project expects to be completed by the end of the year if timelines hold up.

Project: A new housing subdivision called Howard Meadows.

Location: 600 block of Howard Avenue, Eugene, Oregon.

A formerly unused parcel of land kitty-corner from Howard Elementary School in the River Road area of Eugene is set to be developed into a new housing subdivision named Howard Meadows.

The subdivision is anticipated to include 12 lots of fourplex townhomes. Forty-eight total units are planned to occupy the parcel, which is just under two acres. One of the lots may require a slightly different configuration from the rest to accommodate planning goals, but it is unknown what that change may be at the time of publishing as the subdivision is under construction.

City Council agendas obtained from public hearing appeals label Howard Meadows as a needed housing development. Qualifying as needed housing requires criteria to be met to prove the need for that specific type of housing. Howard Meadows includes single-family and multiple-family housing units for both renter and owner occupancy, qualifying it as needed housing in Eugene.

The development is privately funded and does not include a design partnership with an architect.

Electrical servicing on this project is being completed by Harrisburg-based 360 Electric. HVAC systems are being placed by Kent Witham Air Inc. of Springfield and plumbing is being done by Summit Plumbing.

The subdivision has plans to complete construction within the year. The project may experience delays depending on winter weather, which might impact progress timelines.

Howard Meadows is a new housing subdivision under construction by Howard Elementary School in the River Road area of Eugene. The project expects to be completed by the end of the year if timelines hold up.

Subdivision Size: Nearly two acres consisting of 12 lots with 48 units planned.

Contractor: Burnham Construction, of Springfield.

Sources: City of Eugene Planning and Development Department Permit Records, Lane County Property Records, Burnham Construction.

Is there something under construction that youd like to learn more about? Contact growth and development reporter Hannarose McGuinness at 541-844-9859 or hmcguinness@registerguard.com

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: What's that new construction near Howard Elementary in Eugene?
The construction of 24 new condos in the Campus Commons neighborhood will move forward.

The citys Planning and Design Commission unanimously approved the condos Thursday, despite an appeal submitted by nearby homeowners.

More than 20 Campus Commons residents attended the meeting to raise concerns with the design of the condos not fitting in with the character of the existing neighborhood, a planned community located next to Sierra Oaks. They also took issue with the proposed removal of 10 trees. Some also raised concerns that the condos would not be affordable enough to tenants.

Commissioners were most sympathetic to the tree argument, but ultimately voted in favor of the project in order to add more much-needed housing to the city.

Though affordable housing is needed, housing at all levels will help alleviate the crisis, said developer Katherine Bardis-Mary of Mather-based Bardis & Miry Development.

The condos will be built within six new three-story fourplex buildings, according to a city staff report. An office building will be demolished to make way for the development.

Carr Kunze, a Campus Commons homeowner, submitted the appeal.

The project did not require Planning and Design Commission approval originally, but was approved by the city staff in November. The appeal caused it to be reconsidered by the commission.

If there is no appeal to the full City Council, the project will be able to move forward.
(BCN)  A Salinas man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for four counts of child molestation, Monterey County prosecutors said.

Alan Ortiz Zacarias, 29, was sentenced for repeatedly molesting a girl starting when she was 10 years old.

American Canyon officer shoots suspect in Vallejo

The girl told authorities that Zacarias, a family member, gave her special attention and bought her gifts while he was molesting her, and she delayed reporting it because she didnt want to get him in trouble, the Monterey County District Attorneys Office said in a news release Thursday.

According to research into sexual assault victim behavior, it is very common for victims to delay reporting the sexual abuse, especially when the victim is a minor and has a close relationship with the perpetrator, prosecutors said.

Zacarias, who is listed as Alan Rafael Zacarias Ortiz in court records, was sentenced to 30 years for committing three counts of assault with the intent to commit a sexual assault on a victim under 18 years old, and one count of lewd acts upon a child under 14. The offenses are considered strikes under Californias Three Strikes law.

Zacarias will also be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

The sentence was handed down by Monterey County Superior Court Judge Mark Hood.

Copyright  2024 Bay City News, Inc.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
A glimpse into winter fun in China's 'ice city' Harbin

People's Daily Online) 09:33, January 12, 2024

Tourists visit an attraction with splendid ice sculptures in China's "ice city" Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. (People's Daily Online/Xu Chenglong)

Boasting ice and snow sculptures of extraordinary craftsmanship, fun-filled ice and snow activities, and challenging and thrilling ice and snow sports, China's "ice city" Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, becomes a magnet for tourists across the country every winter.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
IMAX debuted the critically acclaimed documentary "Asteroid Hunters" in China on Jan. 12, marking the first commercial release of an original IMAX film in the country.

Kyle Tsao, vice president of Marketing at IMAX China, emphasized at the premiere held at the China National Film Museum in Beijing on Wednesday that, "This time, the IMAX original film, which began showings in museums, science centers, and planetariums, will now enter commercial theaters nationwide. It marks a significant milestone for both IMAX and the film industry, representing a new starting point."

Kyle Tsao, vice president of Marketing at IMAX China, speaks at the premiere of "Asteroid Hunters" held at the China National Film Museum in Beijing, Jan. 10, 2024. [Photo courtesy of IMAX China]

"Star Wars" actress Daisy Ridley serves as the narrator for this distinctive 40-minute IMAX original film, a collaboration of top scientists and an Oscar-winning crew. Notably, for the Chinese version, director and actor Dong Chengpeng, also known as Da Peng, assumes the role of narrator, marking the first time an Asian actor has contributed to an IMAX original film in this capacity.

Captured using IMAX cameras and enhanced with CGI and digital simulation technologies, the film immerses viewers in a cosmic odyssey, offering a close-up examination of asteroids. The narrative delves into their origins and explores the potential threat they pose to Earth. Throughout the film, leading asteroid scientists unveil cutting-edge technologies and techniques employed to safeguard our planet from this preventable natural disaster.

The premiere attracted numerous industry insiders, including many previously involved in Chinese sci-fi blockbusters. Xu Jian, founder and CEO of MoreVFX, known for heading visual effects for blockbusters such as "The Wandering Earth" franchise and "Moon Man," stated after the screening that presenting scientific subjects in the form of IMAX original films is "of great assistance to the overall societal understanding of science." He added that audiences of all ages coming together for the film and "gazing at the stars" is worthwhile.

Xu's colleague, "The Wandering Earth II" colorist Zhang Gen, expressed deep admiration for the technical standards of the film: "I hope there will be more films like this in the future. For us industry professionals, it provides significant help from both creative and technical perspectives." Meanwhile, cinematographer Liu Yin, who also worked on "The Wandering Earth" franchise, praised the film's significance and visual impact, saying, "The kind of breathtaking spectacle we witness in these scenes is something we might not experience elsewhere."

An immersive installation made for a related science lecture inside the China National Film Museum after the premiere of "Asteroid Hunters" in Beijing, Jan. 10, 2024. [Photo courtesy of IMAX China]





A related science lecture was later held at the China National Film Museum. Gou Lijun, a researcher at the National Astronomical Observatories under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), believes that people have become accustomed to the frequent occurrence of meteorites on Earth. However, when these celestial bodies are large enough, as depicted in the film, they pose a significant crisis. "The impact of asteroids is closely related to our own survival," he said, adding, "There are many aspects in 'Asteroid Hunters' worth learning about by scientists, such as the tracking and warning of asteroids. This IMAX original film is needed more than ever as it can inspire future scientists."

Wang Xiaolin, a researcher at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology under CAS, introduced various scientific hypotheses in the scientific community during the lecture, including the belief that an asteroid caused the extinction of dinosaurs, as depicted in the film. He stated how this background information allows the audience to gain a deeper understanding of the scientific exploration presented in "Asteroid Hunters." He also described how IMAX original films like this one, which combine great scientific and artistic value and secure wide releases in commercial theaters, represent "a significant milestone in the history of Chinese cinema."

IMAX has been a pioneer in popular science documentaries, producing highly educational and groundbreaking original films shot with IMAX cameras for decades. These films, featured in renowned science centers and museums globally, have taken audiences on journeys through space and the deep sea, exploring science, nature, and the humanities. IMAX hopes that the commercial release of "Asteroid Hunters" in China will bring their other original films closer to Chinese audiences, allowing them to deeply explore space and experience the charm of IMAX, showcasing the company's ongoing innovative and diversified content expansion.
A former Wilmington police officer convicted of crimes related to dishonesty has argued that secrecy built into Delaware's police disciplinary laws should invalidate his criminal convictions.

It is one argument put forth to the Delaware Supreme Court by attorneys representing James MacColl, who last year was convicted of lying to department investigators about tampering with the gun he used to shoot an unarmed teenager fleeing from a stolen car in 2019.

MacColl is appealing that conviction, citing the vast protections Delaware police have to hide from the public information that shows how local departments investigate and handle allegations of dishonesty and abuse within their ranks  protections that have been the subject of debate and reform in recent years.

Last year, a jury convicted MacColl of providing a false statement to law enforcement, a felony, as well as misdemeanor official misconduct. He was acquitted of felony evidence tampering and later sentenced to probation.

On Wednesday, the Delaware Supreme Court heard arguments on whether the evidence that built the case should have been kept secret under constitutional protections against self-incrimination, as well as Delaware's Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights, a controversial law that blocks public disclosure of how Delaware police handle misconduct allegations.

The following is a rundown of the arguments. But first, some background on the case:

The shooting

While responding to a call reporting an armed carjacking in February 2019, MacColl shot then-18-year-old Yahim Harris twice as the teen fled across his field of view from the stolen car.

Delaware Department of Justice officials said the shooting did not constitute a criminal offense in Delaware because MacColl claimed he feared the fleeing and unarmed teen was turning to shoot at him. Harris would survive the shooting and spend months in prison before prosecutors dropped a carjacking case against him. The city agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by Harris in 2022.

LAWSUIT: Details of secret Wilmington settlement show $650,000 payment to man shot by police

The lie

Shortly after the shooting, investigators discovered a discrepancy in evidence.

Nobody disputed that MacColl shot Harris. But, using microscopic comparisons of bullets found at the scene and the gun MacColl turned in to department superiors shortly after shooting Harris, ballistics experts determined that the bullets could not have traveled through the barrel of that gun.

In multiple interviews with Wilmington police superiors, MacColl denied tampering with the gun after he shot Harris.

A year after the shooting, MacColl would admit to internal investigators that he installed an aftermarket barrel on the gun long before shooting Harris but continued to deny changing the barrel after he shot the teen.

James MacColl (right) and his attorney Eugene Maurer (left) speak to Wilmington Detective Thomas Curley weeks after the shooting of Yahim Harris.

Prosecutors said the circumstances meant MacColl changed the barrel of the gun between returning to Wilmington police headquarters and when he turned it in that day and lied about it in statements to department superiors over the following year.

At trial, prosecutors presented evidence arguing MacColl would have had the opportunity to change the barrel in the hours after shooting Harris and turning the gun in. They also presented the jury with audio and video of MacColl denying doing so when questioned by departmental superiors about the shooting.

SENTENCING: Former Wilmington police officer who shot teen gets probation for lying to investigators

Were constitutional rights violated?

Those audio and video denials by MacColl were derived from internal interviews he gave to Wilmington Police investigators and were the central evidence showing he lied.

Prosecutors said the interviews were conducted as part of an internal investigation into MacColl's conduct related to shooting Harris. At the outset of the interviews, he signed paperwork stating that "any admissions made by me during this interview will not be used in a subsequent criminal proceeding," Molly Dugan, one of his defense attorneys, emphasized in his Supreme Court appeal.

Editor's note: Video of the Supreme Court arguments can be viewed at the top of this story. Attorneys' briefs in the appeal are included at the bottom of this story.

The paperwork also stated that MacColl did not have the right to remain silent and that any refusal to answer questions would be subject to disciplinary action. And so his interview with superiors was essentially coerced, because he could have faced disciplinary action had he not answered his superiors' questions, Dugan argued.

Courts have generally viewed such statements, referred to as Garrity statements, as inadmissible in criminal proceedings because the officers were essentially forced to talk in violation of their right to avoid self-incrimination, according to reporting from The Associated Press.

In rejecting this argument ahead of his trial, the judge equated MacColl's false statements to perjury, which he opined was not protected under Garrity-statement caselaw.

In his Supreme Court appeal, MacColl's attorneys argued this was incorrect. They told the Supreme Court justices that Garrity law seeks to determine whether "the accused was deprived of his free choice to admit, to deny or to refuse to answer," and not a fact-finding mission to determine whether such admission or denial was truthful.

In its reply, state prosecutors argued that the judge had it right.

Deputy Attorney General Zoe Plerhoples told the Supreme Court that Garrity protections are "not a license to lie." She said such protections only apply to prosecutions related to the conduct that was the subject of the investigation, specifically Harris' shooting, and not lies that constitute a separate criminal offense.

"Had MacColl told the truth, he could have availed himself of Garritys protections," Plerhoples said. "But because he lied, he could not."

Police confidentiality in Delaware

Beyond those arguments, defense attorneys also claim that prosecutors should have never been able to publicize MacColl's statements to internal investigators through the trial.

Police disciplinary procedures in Delaware police departments are largely standardized by the Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights, a law known as LEOBOR that sets up the processes for such investigations and officer's rights under those investigations.

It also generally mandates that all disciplinary information remain "confidential." For decades, the law has been used by local police as justification to conceal information from the public about how departments police their own.

MacColl's appeal argues that the law should have also shielded prosecutors from using his internal interviews as evidence of his dishonesty. His attorneys made this argument ahead of MacColl's trial, asking a judge to bar the presentation of the statements to the jury or toss the case entirely.

Family and friends of Yahim Harris, 18, protest for the release of Harris outside of the Carvel State Building in 2020. Harris, was shot by Wilmington Police Cpl. James MacColl as he ran from a stolen vehicle on Feb. 2, 2019.

In rejecting that argument ahead of trial, the judge said that LEOBOR governs officers' rights during disciplinary procedures  rights that are enforceable against police agencies only  and the law contains no remedy for supposed violations that can be imposed by the court overseeing MacColl's criminal case.

In arguments to the Supreme Court, Molly Dugan, one of MacColl's attorneys, said a proper remedy would have been barring their use at trial.

Prosecutors said LEOBOR does not prohibit law enforcement agencies from complying with a lawful subpoena and that MacColl's legal gripe should be with Wilmington Police, not prosecutors. She said that had legislators wanted to include a court-enforceable remedy when the confidentiality clause was violated, it would have been written into the law.

And so, the law can't be used to exclude evidence in an unrelated criminal matter, she told the justices.

LEOBOR reform

During oral arguments, Justice Gary F. Traynor asked Dugan whether their argument meant that officers could never be prosecuted for lies told to their internal investigators. She said no, and noted that since MacColl's interviews, the law had been modified by lawmakers to provide some transparency in situations where officers are found to be dishonest.

That reform came last year after years of pressing by transparency advocates.

Under LEOBOR, documents outlining potential lies or misconduct, whether they are relatively small or more grave, were completely under the control of individual police departments. It left the departments themselves to determine what the public is and isn't able to ascertain about the conduct of its police. Prosecutors were able to find out about MacColl's lies only after a tip from inside the department that was followed by a subpoena.

The nationwide protests that followed the 2020 murder of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer saw promises of change around the secrecy of police disciplinary actions by state lawmakers. That movement extended to Delaware with efforts to reform police secrecy here.

Those who sought reform argued that public insight into police discipline would repair public confidence in police departments by ensuring bad acts are not simply hidden from public view without consequence. Delaware's public defenders were a primary champion of reform, arguing their clients have a legal right to learn when an officer involved in their case has previously been dishonest.

Participants attend the Delaware General Assembly's House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee hearing at Legislative Hall in Dover, Wednesday, June 7, 2023. The committee heard two bills focusing on police reform and transparency.

But reforms to LEOBOR were contested significantly by police backers in the Delaware General Assembly. Efforts to open up past disciplinary records to greater public scrutiny were abandoned and the scope of what police disciplinary records could be made public in the future was watered down.

POLICE SECRETS: State police paid to end middle-finger traffic ticket lawsuit. Were officers disciplined?

This summer, changes were passed and signed by Gov. John Carney. The reform bill opens up some public oversight over internal investigations involving police discharging a weapon, sexual assault or harassment, dishonesty like filing false reports, witness tampering and tampering with evidence.

Information about such cases will be made public only when police internal investigators find that a rule was broken. So, in cases where internal investigators didnt substantiate any misconduct, the public will not have any insight into what investigative steps were taken or what evidence led to that finding.

Backers said the reform is a first step. Critics say it still requires the public's blind faith that the police will promote accountability within their ranks. So far, no second-step legislation to further reforms has been introduced for consideration by lawmakers in Dover this year.

Contact Xerxes Wilson at (302) 324-2787 or xwilson@delawareonline.com. Follow @Ber_Xerxes on Twitter.

Reporting from the Associated Press contributed to this article.

James MacColl Opening Brief by Xerxes Wilson on Scribd

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This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Convicted Wilmington officer says police secrecy law must void verdict
TRENTON - No criminal charges will be filed against a Monmouth County police sergeant who was involved in the 2022 pursuit of a stolen vehicle that crashed in Old Bridge, killing a Freehold man.

A New Jersey grand jury has voted not to file criminal charges against Marlboro Police Sgt. Gregory Arrone, according to the Office of the New Jersey Attorney General.

The decision not to file charges was reached in connection with the death of Arturo Tlapa Luna, 33, the driver whose vehicle was struck by the stolen vehicle during a Nov. 9, 2022 police pursuit. Arrone was pursuing the stolen vehicle but was not involved in the crash.

Luna's death was investigated by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) and presented to the state grand jury in accordance with the Independent Prosecutor Directive of 2019.

A state grand jury has voted not file criminal charges against a Marlboro police sergeant who was pursuing a stolen vehicle in 2022 that crashed into Arturo Tlapa Luna's vehicle, killing him and injuring his wife, Maria, and two other family members

The investigation included interviews of witnesses, review of photographs and video footage, and autopsy results from the State Medical Examiner. This evidence, including video of the incident, was presented to the grand jury.

Under state law, the Attorney General's Office is required to conduct investigations of a persons death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in the officers official capacity or while a defendent is in custody.

After hearing the testimony and reviewing the evidence, the grand jury concluded its deliberations Jan. 8, and voted no bill, meaning jurors concluded no criminal charges should be filed against Arrone.

According to the investigation, the fatal crash occurred at 2:14 a.m. near the intersection of Spring Valley Road and Route 9 South in Old Bridge, after Arrone attempted to stop a stolen Nissan Maxima while investigating attempted car thefts from a neighborhood in Marlboro.

Earlier: Somerset man sentenced in Old Bridge stolen vehicle crash that killed Freehold man

Arrone learned the suspects were checking to see if they could open the doors of parked cars in driveways. When police officers arrived, the suspects ran back to the Maxima and fled.

The driver of the car, later identified as Samuel Villar, 20, of the Somerset section of Franklin, drove away at a high speed and was pursued by Arrone. The pursuit spanned nine miles, lasted more than seven minutes, and reached speeds of more than 100 mph.

The Office of Public Integity and Accountability's investigation revealed that during the pursuit in the early morning hours, few cars and no pedestrians were along the route of travel.

The pursuit, however, continued to a heavily traveled area of Route 9 in Old Bridge, where Villar ran a red light at a high speed and collided with another vehicle that had the right of way.

The driver of that vehicle, Luna, died from injuries in the crash and three members of Luna's family were injured.

An investigation determined the vehicle driven by Villar was stolen from New Brunswick on Oct. 23, 2022, and was used to travel to Marlboro, where the suspect allegedly attempted to burglarize cars.

On June 14, 2023, Villar pleaded guilty in Middlesex County Superior Court to aggravated manslaughter, aggravated assault while eluding, and eluding. On Dec. 4, 2023 he was sentenced to serve 12 years in New Jersey state prison, 85 percent of which must be served before parole eligibility, pursuant to the No Early Release Act.

Email: srussell@gannettnj.com

Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Grand jury declines to file charges against cop in Old Bridge chase
The coronavirus subvariant JN.1 continues to retain its status as the most dominant strain in the United States this year.

According to CDC estimates, nearly 61 percent of COVID-19 cases are infections with the JN.1 strain. Over the course of one month, JN.1 went from being the third most prevalent strain in the U.S., after EG.5 and HV.1., to No. 1. Experts have previously said that JN.1 is largely contributing to this years surge of winter illnesses as COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths are on the rise in some parts of the country.

But as previously reported, JN.1 didn't come out of nowhere. In August 2023, virus trackers first discovered its parent, BA.2.86, and noted that it was significantly different from Omicron. With nearly double the number of mutations on the spike protein than previous strains, experts warned BA.2.86 likely had a stronger ability to bind to cells, making it more infectious. It also had a mutation in the viruss spike protein, which experts said increased the chances of immune evasion to the disease. Until recently, BA.2.86 and JN.1 were grouped together as experts referred to them as the so-called "Pirola clan. In December, the World Health Organization announced that it was classifying JN.1 as a separate variant of interest. This week, two new studies reveal not so great news about what has been dubbed the Pirola clan, perhaps revealing more clues as to why JN.1 is behind a coronavirus surge this winter.

In the first study published in the journal Cell, researchers found that BA.2.86, the parent of JN.1, can infect lung cells more efficiently. Specifically, the researchers found that it can infect lung cells more easily with the help of a cellular enzyme called TMPRSS2, suggesting that two mutations in the spike protein are responsible for making it easier for the virus to enter the lung cells. Researchers said this is significant because previously circulating Omicron sub-variants did not have this mutation, hence contributing to it being a "more mild" form of COVID-19. But the variants Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta, which circulated during the first years of the pandemic, did have mutations that made it easier for the virus to enter into lung cells.

It is noteworthy that two years after the global dominance of the Omicron variant, which fails to robustly enter lung cells, now a quite different virus is spreading, said Stefan Pohlmann, co-author of the study and head of the Infection Biology Unity of the German Primate Center, said in a media release. And that this virus is able to again enter lung cells with high efficiency.

The good news is that once the lung cells were infected, according to the study, they werent able to replicate as effectively as the pre-Omicron variants.

A second study published in Cell this week by researchers at Ohio State University also found that BA.2.86 can merge with cells more efficiently and that they can easily infect cells in the lower lung. Both studies show that instead of the virus evolving to be more mild it could be evolving in a more disconcerting direction. What does this all mean for JN.1, which is dominating U.S. infections?

Technically, the jury is still out regarding whether or not JN.1. leads to more severe disease or not. These studies focused on BA.2.86. But as Ryan Gregory, an evolutionary and genome biologist at the University of Guelph in Canada, told Salon there are very few genetic differences between JN.1 and BA.2.86.

It seems likely that the same lung infecting properties are found in JN.1, along with the significantly increased ability to infect new hosts versus BA.2.86, he told Salon via email, adding that there is good news in terms of how it weakly replicates. No matter how virulent a variant is, it wont cause much damage overall if it cant successfully infect new hosts.

As the first study noted, BA.2.86 has not been especially successful in that regard. Gregory said its concerning to see variants succeeding in terms of immune escape, transmissibility and its ability to infect the lungs. At the same time, he noted, the level of immunity in the worlds population is much higher compared to pre-pandemic times. Just because JN.1 could be better at infecting lungs, and maybe even better at infecting more hosts, that doesnt necessarily mean JN.1 will cause a huge wave of severe respiratory infections, he said.

It will add to pressure on healthcare systems, though, and of course there is the ever-present issue of long COVID, he said, adding that future generations of JN.1 could pick up additional mutations that make it even more concerning. Indeed, this appears to be the crux of the concern.

Dr. Rajendram Rajnarayanan, of the New York Institute of Technology campus in Jonesboro, Arkansas, told Salon he is also concerned about what this means for future generations of the coronavirus.

Concerns arise with JN.1 and its sublineages, as new mutations could potentially push boundaries, he said via email. The lack of efficient lung tropism in previous Omicron lineages contributed to their mild presentation without immediate hospitalization requirements.

He added that he believes its urgent for the next round of vaccines to be utilizing a JN.1 spike backbone and anticipate further mutations as the variant continues to spread.

In terms of how the coronavirus will evolve from here, Gregory emphasized that the idea that viruses evolve to become benign  like the coronavirus evolving into the common cold  is a myth and was never guaranteed. Thats not how evolution works, he said, adding that its important to recognize that the current situation is unprecedented.

Weve had pandemics before, but never one with 8 billion potential hosts, massive global travel, a virus that can infect and reinfect year-round, and a population living to older age as we have now, he said.
Madison County Coroner Stephen P. Nonn Friday released the name of an Alton woman who died in a residential fire on Thursday.

Tina Marie Price, 56, called 911 at about 1:38 p.m. to report her house was on fire and that she was being overcome with smoke, according to a release from Nonns office.

By the time first responders reached the scene in the 2700 block of Grandview Avenue, the release said, heavy fire was visible at the front of the house. Price was later located inside the home and pronounced deceased at the scene by Coroners Office Senior Investigator Diondra Horner at 3:09 PM.

Preliminary results of the autopsy determined her likely cause of the death was smoke inhalation. Routine toxicological testing remains pending at this time, Nonn said.

The case remains under investigation by the Alton Police Departments Criminal Investigation Division, the Illinois State Fire Marshals Office, the Alton Fire Department and the Madison County Office of Coroner.

According to a release, an Alton firefighter fell through the front porch, but was not injured.
The Council of Europe expressed regret on Jan. 12 about Russia's withdrawal from the Council's national minorities convention, raising concerns about the impact on national minorities and indigenous peoples of the Russian Federation.

Moscow withdrew from the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM) last October, allegedly due to reduced powers of Russian representation.

The FCNM's Advisory Committee issued a statement saying that this step "deprives more than 25 million persons belonging to the Russian Federation's numerous national minorities from the protection offered by this unique international treaty."

The committee also noted that young men from national minorities are overrepresented among the Russian military's recruits and fatalities in Moscow's war against Ukraine.

The statement further pointed out diminishing language and education rights for national minorities and severe human rights violations against minority rights advocates in Russia.

Finally, the committee voiced concern about reports from Ukrainian national minorities living in Crimea and other Russian-occupied territories.

The Crimean Tatar community has suffered heavy repressions under the Russian occupation of Crimea since 2014. Moscow is targeting other Ukrainians in occupied territories as well, forcing them to accept Russian passports and reportedly coercing them into military service.

"On top of the human suffering and destruction of cultural heritage caused by the aggression, persons belonging to national minorities are exposed to human rights violations and assimilation policies by the occupying forces," the statement read.

The FCNM, ratified by about 40 countries, aims to promote the rights of national minorities among the member states, combat discrimination, and promote and protect individual ethnic groups and cultures. Russia ratified the treaty in 1998.

Moscow justified its withdrawal by saying that in September 2022, the Council of Europe "significantly limited the powers of a Russian expert" in the Convention's Advisory Committee.

Russia claims it lost the opportunity to monitor and address cases of alleged rights violations of national minorities abroad, "primarily of the Russian-speaking population."

The Kremlin has used the false pretext of abuse and discrimination against Russian speakers in Ukraine to justify its aggression against its neighbor and was propagated as one reason for invading Donbas in 2014.

Read also: In the shadow of war, Kremlin continues terrorizing Crimean Tatars

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
MILFORD  A man has been arrested and a woman summonsed on charges they ran what police are describing as a "mobile pharmacy."

Maxsuel Ferreira Andrade, 26, and Renata De Lima, 37, both of Acton, are the first of several people expected to be charged, according to Police Chief Robert Tusino.

"It's just one of many dominoes that will be falling as a result of a multi-agency investigation," he said.

Tusino said the pair have been under investigation for several months. They allegedly targeted communities with large Brazilian populations to sell medication.

'Not licensed to drill teeth': Milford police finds illegal dentist office in convenience store

"They were selling a plethora of drugs," said Tusino. "Antibiotics, anti-depressants. You name it and they were selling it."

Tusino said investigators who were working undercover arranged to buy clonazepam, an anti-anxiety medication. When the pair allegedly sold the medication to officers on Jan. 5, Andrade was arrested and a summons was issued for De Lima.

Police are charging each of them with distribution of a Class C substance; possession of a Class C substance; conspiracy to violate the drug laws; and endangerment of a child.

The child endangerment charge was due to the pair having a young child in the car with them when they allegedly sold the drugs, Tusino said.

Advocate for Brazilian-Americans says some may feel they have no other options

Liliana Costa, executive director of the Brazilian-American Center in Framingham, said this type of activity can succeed because some people feel as if they do not have other options.

"I think these incidents are because of the lack of options for medical care, costs, lack of information and some cultural issues," she said.

Costa said people who try to make these kinds of sales should not be supported.

"I don't think these people play an important role," she said. "The majority of people in the Brazilian community do not agree or condone these situations."

'Really unbelievable': Police say Milford backyard volleyball tournaments were front for gambling

Tusino said buying unregulated medication without a prescription can be dangerous.

"You don't know what you're really getting," he said. "You really don't know what they're selling."

Andrade was arraigned Monday in Milford District Court and released on $1,000 bail. He is due back in court on March 7 for a pretrial conference.

It's unknown when De Lima's first court appearance will be.

Andrade's lawyer, Stephen Bitsoli, did not return a call seeking comment.

Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on X @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Milford police: Illegal prescription drugs sold to residents in van
The 6ft social distancing guidance enforced in the US during the Covid pandemic sort of just appeared, Dr Anthony Fauci, the former White House medical adviser, has admitted.

It was likely not based on data, Dr Fauci conceded in a behind-closed-doors session of the House select subcommittee on the Coronavirus pandemic.

The social distancing requirement  6ft in the US and 2 metres (6.5ft) in Britain  underpinned sweeping lockdowns on both sides of the Atlantic. It was also a key reason for the mask mandates which became politicised as the pandemic spread.

Dr Fauci also became a polarising figure, lionised by the Left and despised by conservatives with Rand Paul, a libertarian Republican senator, demanding his prosecution.

White circles are drawn on the grass to indicate safe social distance during the pandemic at Domino Park in Williamsburg, Brooklyn - Roy Rochlin/Getty Images North America

In his evidence, Dr Fauci also said that the belief that the virus leaked from a lab in Wuhan was not merely a conspiracy theory.

Earlier this week, Ron DeSantis, the Florida governor and Republican presidential hopeful, vowed that if he won the election he would bring a reckoning to Dr Fauci.

We cannot allow Anthony Fauci to escape accountability, DeSantis wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

I am the only candidate who will bring a reckoning for what tyrants like Fauci did to our country during Covid.

Brad Wenstrup, the Republican chairman of the sub-committee, added: During his interview today, Dr Fauci claimed that the policies and mandates he promoted may unfortunately increase vaccine hesitancy for years to come.

The attack was joined by the Wall Street Journal, which said that the 6ft rule was first questioned in August 2020 in the British Medical Journal.

They didnt trust Americans

Officials nonetheless promoted the arbitrary rule because they didnt trust Americans to understand scientific nuance or, for that matter, anything, the WSJ wrote.

Businesses, churches and schools that werent forced to close had to spend money reconfiguring their operations to comply with these government guidelines.

Its nice of Dr Fauci to acknowledge now that the rule lacked a scientific basis.

However, Democrats accused Republicans of distorting Dr Faucis interview, which lasted seven hours spread over two days. Democrat Debbie Dingell said Republican statements were disinformation.

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 number of daily COVID-19 hospitalizations in Mecklenburg County has reached its highest point in more than three years, data show.

During the week of Dec. 30, there was an average of 124 daily COVID-19 hospitalizations in Mecklenburg County, according to the New York Times COVID-19 Tracker, which uses data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Thats the highest daily average since Oct. 10, 2020, data show.

There was an average of 741 hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Mecklenburg County during the same time period, the highest since the first week of 2023, according to the data.

Data also show that intensive care units in at least four hospitals in the Charlotte area are more than 95% full.

Code Yellow in Mecklenburg

Mecklenburg County is currently in code yellow or medium-level exposure for COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention community levels indicator.

Levels can be low, medium, or high, and are determined by the CDC community levels map that examines available hospital bed capacity, COVID hospital admissions, and new cases in an area to determine the severity of transmission.

With the medium-level exposure rating, the CDC is recommending that Mecklenburg County residents, stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines and get tested if they have symptoms.

Those who are at high risk of getting very sick should wear a high-quality mask and talk to their healthcare providers about additional preventative measures, the CDC says.

COVID-19 vaccination rate in Mecklenburg County

Data show that 70% of all Mecklenburg County residents have completed their primary series of vaccinations, meaning they have received two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Nearly all residents (95%) aged 65 and older have completed their primary series of vaccines, according to the data.

However, the number of residents who have received the updated booster is much lower.

Only 14% of county residents have received the updated booster, and roughly 4 in 10 residents have aged 65 older have gotten the shot, data show, meaning people may be missing out on protection from the virus as it mutates.

What is the dominant COVID-19 strain in Mecklenburg County?

According to data from the Mecklenburg County Health Department, the omicron JN and XBB variants are the dominant strains in North Carolina.

Older vaccines were based on COVID-19 variants that are different from those circulating now, which means people who have not yet received the updated booster could be reinfected, according to Andy Pekosz, a molecular microbiology and immunology professor at Johns Hopkins University.

That, combined with the fact that your immunity from vaccination or infection tends to drop off over time, means that you wont get a lot of protection from COVID-19 if you are relying on the vaccines you received nearly a year ago, Pekosz said.

Though he expects case rates to rise in January and February, Pekosz recommended that all eligible individuals get the booster, especially those in high-risk groups.

Where to get the updated booster in Mecklenburg County

The updated booster is available at pharmacies and doctors offices throughout the county.

The shot is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older, including pregnant people and those with compromised immune systems, according to the CDC.

Most health insurance plans will continue to cover the COVID-19 vaccine at no cost or with a co-pay, according to the Mecklenburg County Health Department. People with limited or no insurance coverage can get free or low-cost COVID-19 vaccines through the CDCs Bridge Access Program for adults and Vaccines for Children Program for children 18 years old and younger.

To find a location to get the booster in your neighborhood, you can use Pfizers VaxAssist tool at vaxassist.com.

What are the side effects of the updated booster?

The side effects of the new booster will be the same as previous vaccines, Dr. Kirsten Hokeness, immunologist and professor of biomedical sciences at Bryant University, said.

According to the CDC, those side effects include:

Pain, swelling, and redness at the injection site

Tiredness

Headache

Muscle pain

Chills

Nausea

Fever

If you have pain, swelling, or redness where the shot was given, the CDC recommends applying a clean, cool washcloth over the area.

The CDC also advises drinking plenty of fluids and taking over-the-counter medicines, such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or aspirin, to relieve symptoms.
You are here: Business

A woman hosts a livestreaming show at her own flower field in Qujing, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Feb. 12, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

China has remained the world's largest online retail market for 11 consecutive years, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said Thursday.



China's e-commerce transaction volume totaled 43.83 trillion yuan (about 6.17 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2022, up from 31.63 trillion yuan in 2018, MOC spokesperson Shu Jueting told a press conference.

Shu said that online retail sales of physical commodities accounted for over 25 percent of the country's total retail sales of consumer goods, adding that the e-commerce sector has become a new engine for digital transformation.

Over the past five years, the number of people working in the e-commerce sector in China has surged from 47 million to more than 70 million, while its Silk Road e-commerce cooperation has extended to 30 countries, according to the ministry.




FILE - Families of victims of Saturday's terror attack on a military parade in the southwestern city of Ahvaz, that killed 25 people mourn at a mass funeral ceremony, in Ahvaz, Iran, Monday Sept. 24, 2018. Three members of an Iranian separatist group convicted of promoting terror in Iran and gathering information for an unnamed Saudi intelligence service, have been sentenced to jail sentences of six, seven and eight years. An appeal court on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, also ruled they would be expelled from Denmark for good. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi, File)

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP)  A Danish appeals court Friday upheld the sentences of three members of an Iranian separatist group convicted of promoting terror in Iran and gathering information for an unnamed Saudi intelligence service.

The three had been convicted and sentenced in a lower court in 2022 to six, seven and eight years in prison, respectively. They will be expelled from Denmark for good, the Eastern High Court in Copenhagen ruled.

The appeals court did not release the men's names. They will serve their time in Danish prisons but it was unclear when they would be expelled.

The three were arrested in February 2020 in the town of Ringsted, 60 kilometers (40 miles) southwest of the Danish capital of Copenhagen, and subsequently convicted of promoting terror for their roles in a deadly attack on a military parade in the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz in September 2018.

The Eastern Court found Tuesday that the men belonged to the Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahvaz, and had been gathering information about individuals and organizations in Denmark and abroad, as well as on Iranian military affairs, and passing it on to Saudi intelligence.

The court said one of the men who had Danish citizenship will have it revoked.

Earlier this week, the court confirmed the mens February 2022 guilty verdicts by the District Court in Roskilde, which convicted them of financing and attempting to finance terrorism by obtaining 15 million kroner ($2.2 million) and trying to obtain at least another 15 million kroner from Saudi Arabia for the separatist group.

Iran has accused the separatist group of the Ahvaz attack, which killed at least 25 people. The group has condemned the violence and said it was not involved.

The case was linked to a 2018 police operation in Denmark over an alleged Iranian plot to kill one or more opponents of the Iranian government. The operation briefly cut off the island where Copenhagen is located from the rest of Denmark. That same year, Denmarks Security and Intelligence Service started investigating the three Iranians.
Kochava, the self-proclaimed industry leader in mobile app data analytics, is locked in a legal battle with the Federal Trade Commission in a case that could lead to big changes in the global data marketplace and in Congress approach to artificial intelligence and data privacy.

The stakes are high because Kochavas secretive data acquisition and AI-aided analytics practices are commonplace in the global location data market. In addition to numerous lesser-known data brokers, the mobile data market includes larger players like Foursquare and data market exchanges like Amazons AWS Data Exchange. The FTCs recently unsealed amended complaint against Kochava makes clear that theres truth to what Kochava advertises: it can provide data for Any Channel, Any Device, Any Audience, and buyers can Measure Everything with Kochava.

Separately, the FTC is touting a settlement it just reached with data broker Outlogic, in what it calls the first-ever ban on the use and sale of sensitive location data. Outlogic has to destroy the location data it has and is barred from collecting or using such information to determine who comes and goes from sensitive locations, like health care centers, homeless and domestic abuse shelters, and religious places.

According to the FTC and proposed class-action lawsuits against Kochava on behalf of adults and children, the company secretly collects, without notice or consent, and otherwise obtains vast amounts of consumer location and personal data. It then analyzes that data using AI, which allows it to predict and influence consumer behavior in an impressively varied and alarmingly invasive number of ways, and serves it up for sale.

Kochava has denied the FTCs allegations.

The FTC says Kochava sells a 360-degree perspective on individuals and advertises it can connect precise geolocation data with email, demographics, devices, households, and channels. In other words, Kochava takes location data, aggregates it with other data and links it to consumer identities. The data it sells reveals precise information about a person, such as visits to hospitals, reproductive health clinics, places of worship, homeless and domestic violence shelters, and addiction recovery facilities. Moreover, by selling such detailed data about people, the FTC says Kochava is enabling others to identify individuals and exposing them to threats of stigma, stalking, discrimination, job loss, and even physical violence.

Im a lawyer and law professor practicing, teaching and researching about AI, data privacy and evidence. These complaints underscore for me that U.S. law has not kept pace with regulation of commercially available data or governance of AI.

Most data privacy regulations in the U.S. were conceived in the pre-generative AI era, and there is no overarching federal law that addresses AI-driven data processing. There are Congressional efforts to regulate the use of AI in decision making, like hiring and sentencing. There are also efforts to provide public transparency around AIs use. But Congress has yet to pass legislation.

What litigation documents reveal

According to the FTC, Kochava secretly collects and then sells its Kochava Collective data, which includes precise geolocation data, comprehensive profiles of individual consumers, consumers mobile app use details and Kochavas audience segments.

The FTC says Kochavas audience segments can be based on behaviors and sensitive information such as gender identity, political and religious affiliation, race, visits to hospitals and abortion clinics, and peoples medical information, like menstruation and ovulation, and even cancer treatments. By selecting certain audience segments, Kochava customers can identify and target extremely specific groups. For example, this could include people who gender identify as other, or all the pregnant females who are African American and Muslim. The FTC says selected audience segments can be narrowed to a specific geographical area or, conceivably, even down to a specific building.

By identify, the FTC explains that Kochava customers are able to obtain the name, home address, email address, economic status and stability, and much more data about people within selected groups. This data is purchased by organizations like advertisers, insurers and political campaigns that seek to narrowly classify and target people. The FTC also says it can be purchased by people who want to harm others.

How Kochava acquires such sensitive data

The FTC says Kochava acquires consumer data in two ways: through Kochavas software development kits that it provides to app developers, and directly from other data brokers. The FTC says those Kochava-supplied software development kits are installed in over 10,000 apps globally. Kochavas kits, embedded with Kochavas coding, collect hordes of data and send it back to Kochava without the consumer being told or consenting to the data collection.

Another lawsuit against Kochava in California alleges similar charges of surreptitious data collection and analysis, and that Kochava sells customized data feeds based on extremely sensitive and private information precisely tailored to its clients needs.

AI pierces your privacy

The FTCs complaint also illustrates how advancing AI tools are enabling a new phase in data analysis. Generative AIs ability to process vast amounts of data is reshaping what can be done with and learned from mobile data in ways that invade privacy. This includes inferring and disclosing sensitive or otherwise legally protected information, like medical records and images.

AI provides the ability both to know and predict just about anything about individuals and groups, even very sensitive behavior. It also makes it possible to manipulate individual and group behavior, inducing decisions in favor of the specific users of the AI tool.

This type of AI coordinated manipulation can supplant your decision-making ability without your knowledge.

Privacy in the balance

The FTC enforces laws against unfair and deceptive business practices, and it informed Kochava in 2022 that the company was in violation. Both sides have had some wins and losses in the ongoing case. Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill, who is overseeing the case, dismissed the FTCs first complaint and required more facts from the FTC. The commission filed an amended complaint that provided much more specific allegations.

Winmill has not yet ruled on another Kochava motion to dismiss the FTCs case, but as of a Jan. 3, 2024 filing in the case, the parties are proceeding with discovery. A 2025 trial date is expected, but the date has not yet been set.

For now, companies, privacy advocates and policymakers are likely keeping an eye on this case. Its outcome, combined with proposed legislation and the FTCs focus on generative AI, data and privacy, could spell big changes for how companies acquire data, the ways that AI tools can be used to analyze data, and what data can lawfully be used in machine- and human-based data analytics.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and analysis to help you make sense of our complex world.

It was written by: Anne Toomey McKenna, University of Richmond.

Read more:



Anne Toomey McKenna is affiliated with Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and she serves as Chair of IEEE-USA's Artificial Intelligence Policy Committee (AIPC); this AIPC chair position involves subject matter and education-related interaction with U.S. Senate and House congressional staffers and the Congressional AI Caucus. IEEE-USA supports the proposed Algorithmic Accountability Act of 2023. McKenna has received funding from the National Security Agency for the development of legal educational materials about Cyberlaw and funding from The National Police Foundation together with the U.S. Department of Justice-COPS division for legal analysis regarding the use of drones in domestic policing.
Tarrant County school officials say their districts werent affected by a massive data leak at a Texas school security company.

Raptor Technologies, a Houston-based school safety software firm, inadvertently leaked a cache of more than 4 million records from school districts nationwide, including incident response plans and campus evacuation routes. The company quickly made the files inaccessible after a security researcher reported the leak last month.

Cyber security researcher Jeremiah Fowler spotted the leak, which also included details about background check systems, security gaps and school layouts. Writing this week for the cybersecurity company vpnMentor, Fowler said the breach could have real-world consequences if the wrong people accessed the information while it was public. Information about school security systems could help bad actors exploit gaps and vulnerabilities, he wrote.

Also exposed during the breach were court records like divorce and custody documents, health records documenting students medical conditions and reports identifying students who were involved in incidents at school. Some of the information included in those documents could make students and their families vulnerable to fraud, Fowler wrote.

In a statement, Raptor spokesman David Rogers said the company secured the data as soon as it was notified of the breach and notified clients. The company has no evidence the data was misused while it was public, he said.

Officials in the Fort Worth, Arlington, Crowley, Keller, Hurst-Euless-Bedford and Northwest independent school districts confirmed that they didnt have sensitive information disclosed during the leak. Spokespeople in several of those districts said they use Raptors systems to manage information like attendance, volunteer schedules and campus visitors, but dont store sensitive information like student data, incident response plans or evacuation protocols there.

Cyber security issues represent a growing challenge for school districts across the country, including in Tarrant County. In March 2020, Fort Worth ISD fell victim to a ransomware attack, leaving teachers without a way to take attendance or use online instructional tools. The district spent nearly $100,000 to recover from the attack, and another $242,000 to strengthen its security systems.

Last year, officials in the Mansfield Independent School District announced that attackers had hit the districts network, taking down internet-connected systems including phones, email and the districts website.
Visitors learn about new energy vehicles of Chinese carmaker BYD during the 27th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area International Auto Show at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, June 16, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

"BYD EXPLORER NO.1," a vehicle carrier vessel leased to Chinese automaker BYD, was delivered and left the construction base of the vessel maker in Longkou, east China's Shandong Province Tuesday.



It arrived at Yantai Port on the same day, berthing at the ro-ro terminal to start loading. Its next stop will be Xiaomo International Logistics Port in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, and will head for Europe after loading cars around Jan. 15.

"BYD EXPLORER NO.1" has a total length of 199.9 meters, a width of 38 meters, a design draft of 8.6 meters, a speed of 19 knots, and a loading capacity of 7,000 vehicles.

According to China International Marine Containers (Group) Co., Ltd. (CIMC), headquartered in Shenzhen, "BYD EXPLORER NO.1" was built by CIMC Raffles, a subsidiary of CIMC, for international ship management company Zodiac Maritime, and was leased to BYD as the first ship of BYD's "sea shipping fleet."

The vessel, equipped with two sets of Type C tanks, uses green and clean liquified natural gas as the main fuel for main engine and generator. With a maximum cruising range of 15,800 nautical miles, it is an energy-saving, environment-friendly and efficient automobile carrier.
More than 80 delegations to discuss peace formula in Davos

More than 80 delegations are set to participate in discussions of the Ukrainian peace formula in Davos on Jan. 14, the Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs said on Jan. 11.

The conference aims to conclude negotiations at the level of national security advisors on the principles of establishing a lasting and just peace in Ukraine, said the statement.

These principles are intended to form the basis for the subsequent stages of the peace process.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented a 10-point peace formula In November 2022 at the G20 summit, which included the restoration of Ukraines territorial integrity, the withdrawal of Russian troops, the release of all detainees, a tribunal for those responsible for aggression, and security guarantees for Ukraine.

Zelenskyy stated on Dec. 19 that Ukraine is ready to negotiate with Russia once the aggressor country accepts the final document outlining the Ukrainian peace formula.

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Wednesday was the day Nona Arnold and 149 other residents of Celebrate Senior Living South Holland have circled on their calenders for two months.

When management for the storied senior living facility known as Holland Home told seniors in early November the building would shut down, Jan. 10 was the tentative date for closure. But that day came and went with more than half the residents still living at the facility, said Tony Shir, a spokesperson and board member for Elevate Housing Foundation, which owns the property.

Its just hard to try to find a place at short notice like this, said Arnold, a 74-year-old former nurse and McDonalds manager. I cried for two days.

During an interview in her living room Wednesday, Arnold and two other residents, Mary Simmons and Patricia Rawls, explained in detail why it is difficult to find a new place to live and that it also takes time to close on a move. Two months was never enough time, they said.

Arnold and some of the other 85 remaining residents are under various government assistance programs. She pays $648 dollars a month for her place and the state picks up the rest of the rent, which is a little less than $2,000 a month. But many facilities that sent representatives to entice residents do not accept government checks, removing them as an option.

For places that do accept government money, many have a two- to three-year wait list, said Rawls, 67. The already high demand for affordable senior living facilities in the south suburbs is compounded by the recent closure of Village Woods near Crete in addition to the Holland Home.

They had an influx of people putting in their applications, Rawls said of a nearby facility. They put you on the wait list. Everybody got a wait list.

She said a Catholic Charities building has a two-year waiting list.

But even for those who get into a facility with immediate vacancies that take a government subsidy, a final hurdle is whether that place offers independent living. Many provide only assisted living or nursing home style care which takes more of residents government assistance checks and leaves them with only $90 a month, according to Arnold.

They say they do that because (for) some people its hard for them to manage their money, said Arnold, explaining she doesnt need nursing or assisted living care. But everybody isnt like that. And you work too hard to give someone your money for them to give you just $90 a month.

She said Holland Homes management tries to help them find new housing but its not meeting the needs of herself or her fellow residents.

Simmons, Rawls and Arnold said they all paid January rent. But Shir said of the 85 people remaining, 60 are no longer paying rent while they look for a new place.

If a resident is relying on government assistance, the state requires residents to follow a final verification process before it signs off on cutting a check for a residents new rent check. Simmons said someone from the state has to physically visit the space a resident wants to live to ensure its up to code.

Thats a good rule, the three residents agreed. It keeps them safe and makes sure their new apartment meets their needs. But it also takes time.

Arnold said she wonder why the management for Holland Home didnt give them more notice.

If they was going to do this, why they didnt do it and say well give you a year? Why do it in the middle of winter? said Arnold.

Shir said Thursday there is no new deadline to move residents, but said management is doing what it can to ensure residents have a place to go to. He said understood the long timeline for residents relying on government assistance.

Rawls said she found a place with an opening and was waiting for the government to inspect her room. Arnold perked up.

Is it around this way? she asked.

Its in Dolton, Rawls responded.

Is it an apartment building?

Yeah.

They got any more? Arnold asked.

Nuh-uh, Rawls said shaking her head, noting its not even a done deal for her. I dont want to put all of my eggs in one basket.

Right, like I did, Arnold said of her effort to move to a building in Calumet City.

Simmons and Rawls gave her their contacts. Arnold thanked them.

Yeah, I better go on and call this building, she said.

hsanders@chicagotribune.com
This undated photo provided by the Alabama Department of Corrections shows inmate Kenneth Eugene Smith (Alabama Department of Corrections)

A federal judges decision to allow the execution of an Alabama death row prisoner by nitrogen gas, the first of its kind anywhere in the world, has been condemned by advocacy groups.

Lawyers for Kenneth Eugene Smith say that the execution, which is now set to take place between 25 January and 26 January, violates his constitutional rights.

Smith, 58, was convicted of capital murder in 1996 over the slaying of 45-year-old Elizabeth Sennett in 1988. He was part of a two-person team that orchestrated the murder of the pastors wife. Prosecutors say he was paid $1,000 to commit the crime.

The jury voted 11 to 1 in favour of Smith serving life in prison without parole, but the judge who oversaw the case handed him the death penalty. Alabama has since removed the power of judges to override a jurys verdict.

Smith has been sitting on death row for three decades. In 2022, officials attempted to execute him through lethal injection but the attempt was botched after those administering the drugs could not place intravenous lines into his system.

It was the third consecutive execution that failed because officials could not place the lines into prisoners.

Earlier this month, the United Nations expressed concern over the decision to execute Smith using the untested method.

We are concerned that nitrogen hypoxia would result in a painful and humiliating death, the UN said, adding that the execution style could violate the 8th Amendment, which protects a person from cruel and unusual punishment.

Mississippi and Oklahoma have also authorised nitrogen hypoxia for executions.

There are so many unanswered questions about this protocol and I think there are real concerns that Smith will suffer a cruel and painful death, while possibly endangering others in the execution chamber, Robin Maher, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center, said in a statement.

In an appeal filed in November, Smiths attorneys argued that the method can cause severe and permanent injuries short of death, including a persistent vegetative state, stroke, or the painful sensation of suffocation.

However, US District Judge R Austin Huffaker, denied the appeal in a ruling on Wednesday, while writing that Smith was not guaranteed a painless death. Smiths attorneys plan to appeal the decision, meaning it could wind up before the US Supreme Court.

The Equal Justice Initiative, an organisation that works to end mass incarceration, condemned the judges ruling, stating that it was unprecedented for the state would subject someone to a second execution attempt.

Alabamas plan is grotesque and unnecessary human experimentation that offends any just societys sense of decency and humane punishment, the group said in a statement.

Alabama is threatening more than the loss of life in its plan to Kenny Smith, it is also threatening any semblance of credibility and integrity for its legal system.
WHO logo seen near its headquarters in Geneva

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Cape Verde free of malaria, hailing it as a significant milestone in the fight against the disease.

Cape Verde, an archipelago of 10 islands in the central Atlantic Ocean, has faced severe epidemics in densely populated areas before it implemented targeted interventions.

"(It) gives us hope that with existing tools, as well as new ones including vaccines, we can dare to dream of a malaria-free world," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement.

The WHO said that in the heavily affected African region, Cape Verde had become the third country after Mauritius and Algeria to eliminate the mosquito-borne disease.

It joins the ranks of 43 countries and one territory certified by the WHO.

"This (certification) has the potential to attract more visitors and boost socio-economic activities in a country where tourism accounts for approximately 25% of GDP," the statement said.

The WHO certification is granted when a country has demonstrated no locally transmitted cases of malaria in at least the last three years.

(Reporting by Anait Miridzhanian; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Students attend a class at Yan'an High School in Yan'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Oct. 27, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua]

China's Ministry of Education outlined a series of major tasks for the year 2024 at a national education work meeting held on Thursday.

These tasks include constructing a new ecosystem and framework to implement the basic task of fostering virtue through education, reinforcing the leading role of higher education, consolidating the foundation of elementary education, and making vocational education more adaptable and appealing to the general public.

For the new year, the ministry also urged efforts to break new ground in the digitalization of education, promote high-quality opening up of the education sector, and nurture high-caliber talents inspired by good educational values.
COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Denmark, home to shipping company Maersk , fully supports the U.S. and British strikes against Yemen's Houthis, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said in a statement on Friday.

Denmark last week joined a U.S. statement warning the Houthis to halt their attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

"It will come with a huge bill if the Houthis succeed in forcing international shipping traffic away from the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. 12% of all civilian ships sail through exactly that strait," Lokke Rasmussen said.

Maersk said earlier this month it was diverting all container vessels from Red Sea routes around Africa's Cape of Good Hope for the foreseeable future, and warned customers to prepare for significant disruption.

(Reporting by Louise Breusch Rasmussen, editing by Stine Jacobsen)
PAW PAW, Mich. (WOOD)  Van Buren County deputies are warning of an uptick in scams involving cryptocurrency, that the people theyve heard from recently have lost nearly $100,000 all together.

The scams work like this: Victims will get emails that look like theyre from legitimate companies, often referencing a bill or a virus.

An example: You have successfully renewed your McAfee Antivirus Software Subscription for $600. If this was not you, please call this number to cancel,' a Thursday release from the Van Buren County Sheriffs Office said in part. Another example (is) a pop-up alert stating, Your computer has been infected with spyware do not use, please call this number.'

When the victims call the number listed, the person on the other end of the line may offer some sort of company ID number to attempt to show theyre with a real business  but its phony.

The scammers tell victims theres a problem with their account. In some cases, they even transfer the victim to another scammer pretending to be from the banks fraud department.

Scammers ultimately ask the victims for money through a money app or via a cryptocurrency ATM. The scammers then ramp up the scare tactics, saying something went wrong with the deposit and asking for more, saying they could lose their job if the victims dont resolve the problem.

They will use this tactic multiple times until the victims either run out of money or realize that they have not been speaking with their actual bank, the release read.

Its difficult to track down online and phone scammers, deputies said, and its likely youll never get your money back if you lose it.

If you think theres a problem with a bill you paid or with your bank account, look up the company or banks number yourself and then call them, rather than calling a number or clicking a link provided in an unsolicited email. You can also go to your bank in person to find out whats going on. Real banks wont ask you to deal in cryptocurrency, money apps or gift cards to resolve a problem.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A Clark County deputy district attorney was booked on a DUI charge after she was clocked at 73 mph in a 35 mph zone, according to a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department arrest report.

Kayla Farzaneh-Simmons was driving a white KIA SUV westbound on Sunset Road at about 5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 7, when a Metro police officer stopped her near Rainbow Boulevard, according to the report.

While she looked for proof of insurance, the officer noticed a strong smell of alcohol even though she was chewing gum, the report said. She had three passengers in the car at the time, and the officer asked her to get out of the vehicle.

As Farzaneh-Simmons spoke to the officer next to the patrol vehicle, the smell of alcohol was observed coming from her, according to the report. Farzaneh-Simmons declined to take a sobriety test.

While assisting Farzaneh-Simmons into the back of my patrol vehicle, she appeared to almost fall and I went to assist her, the officer wrote in the report. I advised her I thought she was going to fall for a second, and she responded, I am not that drunk, I promise. 

Farzaneh-Simmons was booked on the DUI charge and also a reckless driving charge, partially because she had passengers in the car. A blood draw was performed, but results of the test were not available from the arrest report.

She was hired by the District Attorneys Office on Sept. 6, 2022, and she is listed as currently employed with the county. Her date of birth was redacted from the report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
A Lee County Sheriff's Office deputy in Florida rescued a bobcat he found injured while on patrol. Photo courtesy of the Lee County Sheriff's Office/Facebook

Jan. 12 (UPI) -- A Florida sheriff's deputy on patrol ended up loading a bobcat into his patrol car when the wild animal appeared to be injured.

The Lee County Sheriff's Office shared photos of the deputy lifting the bobcat and loading it into his patrol vehicle in Precinct 4.

The deputy took the bobcat to Blue Pearl Animal Hospital.

The sheriff's office said the bobcat is expected to make a full recovery and be released back into the wild.
Gov. Ron DeSantis faces the first  and possibly last  major test of his presidential campaign on Monday when Iowa Republicans gather amid subzero temperatures to pick their nominee.

DeSantis needs to finish ahead of former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley to show voters he remains a plausible alternative to Donald Trump, political analysts say. The former president comfortably leads in Iowa and in the New Hampshire primary a week later, polls show.

Haley has been surging in the polls in New Hampshire, with a CNN/University of New Hampshire survey from Tuesday showing her at 32% to Trumps 39%. DeSantis was in fifth place at 5%, behind former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.

Haley likely will pick up even more voters after Christie, the harshest critic of Trump on the GOP side, dropped out of the race Wednesday night.

It makes it easier for Haley to say next week, Its either Trump or me in New Hampshire,' said Dante Scala, a political scientist at the University of New Hampshire. Even though Christie is not offering an endorsement, at least not yet, Haley becomes the only game in town for anti-Trump voters.

Christie said in his withdrawal speech, I would rather lose by telling the truth than lie in order to win. And I feel no differently today because this is a fight for the soul of our party and the soul of our country.

He also was caught on a hot mic saying that Haley is going to get smoked and that DeSantis called him, petrified.

I agree with Christie that Nikki Haley is going to get smoked, DeSantis wrote on social media afterward.

DeSantis takes sharper aim at Trump in Iowa but to little avail

With New Hampshire looking like a lost cause for DeSantis, the Iowa caucuses have become all the more crucial.

A Civiqs/Iowa State poll released Thursday had DeSantis tied for second in Iowa with Haley at 14% each. But a new Suffolk University poll of Iowa had Haley at 20% and DeSantis at 13%, a concerning swing for the Florida governor.

With Christie out of the race, however, the Suffolk poll shows Christies 2% of voters all going to Haley. The Iowa State poll also had most of the 4% in Christies camp listing Haley as their second choice.

Trump, meanwhile, remains well in the lead in both polls, at 54% and 55%, respectively.

DeSantis has spent huge amounts of both time and money in the state, visiting all 99 counties and jetting to Des Moines for a Fox News town hall on Tuesday just hours after his State of the State Address in Tallahassee amid a major Florida storm that led him to declare a state of emergency.

[Iowa is] someplace where he actually invested the time and money and made sure that caucus-goers got to meet him personally, said Gregory Koger, a political science professor at the University of Miami. If Iowans who are facing a barrage of television [ads] and personal time with Gov. DeSantis say, I dont think so? Thats a really, really damaging outcome for the rest of his campaign.

Dave Peterson, a political scientist at Iowa State University, said the situation for DeSantis in Iowa differs from the narrative that hes running an intensely focused campaign.

I still see stories about his supposed ground game, Peterson said. But I havent seen much evidence for that. I was just at the dentist with daytime TV on and I saw more Ryan Binkley ads than I saw DeSantis ads, referring to an obscure GOP candidate. [DeSantis] just does not seem to be running an effective campaign here.

Haley and DeSantis knew the stakes were high Wednesday when they faced off in a testy, one-on-one CNN debate where they spent much of the two-hour event swapping insults.

She blames other people, DeSantis said of Haley. Leadership is about getting things done. Stop making excuses. Make it happen.

If leadership is about getting things done, how did you blow through $150 million in your campaign, and [youre] down in the polls? said Haley, who referred repeatedly to her website DeSantislies.com. Youve campaigned for president in one state. Youre invisible in New Hampshire, youre invisible in South Carolina  Why should we think you can manage or do anything in this country?

Haley and DeSantis tear into each others records in a hostile head-to-head Republican debate

If DeSantis does finish ahead of Haley, even narrowly, at least then he has a viable argument, and theres a rationale to keep going at that point, Peterson said. I think his strategy right now just seems to hope something bad happens to Trump and that hes in the position to pick up the pieces.

If he finishes behind Haley, he said, she would become the heir apparent if Trump faltered, not DeSantis. At that point, he said, it may be time for him to drop out, Peterson added.

If hes third, why would the party turn to him? he said.
AMES, Iowa (AP)  Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis was interrupted three times by as many protesters during a campaign stop in Ames, Iowa, Thursday, including two who were forcibly removed by security.

Speaking at his fourth event of the day just days before the leadoff Iowa caucuses, the Florida governor harshly criticized the protesters, saying they represent what's wrong with U.S. colleges and universities today, and reminded the crowd that he's the target of attacks from Democrats and the media.

DeSantis was on stage for about five minutes before a protester, who was close to the stage, stood up and shouted his name, seemingly to try to ask a question.

Excuse me, hold on. Excuse me, I'm doing this, DeSantis said. I know you have an agenda. Stop.

DeSantis went on, saying the man who interrupted wants you to pay for more gas and were not going to let people like that win.

Were going to make sure were energy independent in this country, he said.

A second protester tried to get onstage  yelling Ron DeSantis is a climate criminal and trying to display a banner. He was almost immediately pushed off the side of the stage by DeSantis' security.

That's exhibit A" for what's wrong with U.S. colleges, DeSantis said, smiling. The protesters were young adults, and Ames is home to Iowa State University, though there was no clear indication they were students.

The third protester chimed in not long after, calling out from the crowd. She also was hauled off.

DeSantis continued on with his remarks before taking several questions about his policy positions.

We take questions from folks all the time," DeSantis said later to reporters. "Yeah, Im not going to let these, these numbnuts rush the stage or do anything like that, but I mean people that ask, you know, normal, respectful questions, were happy to do.

Campaign events have been infrequently disrupted as the DeSantis has crisscrossed Iowa, with some exceptions.

Protesters with a similar message to the ones in Ames  no oil money  interrupted DeSantis Tuesday during a Fox News town hall. They were escorted out.

DeSantis also encountered protesters on both sides of the aisle at the Iowa State Fair in August. During a one-on-one chat with Gov. Kim Reynolds, liberal protesters blew whistles, drowning out the two talking until they were removed. Supporters of former President Donald Trump chanted things like "We love Trump! when DeSantis was nearby.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is offering his supporters tickets to the New Hampshire GOP debate scheduled for later this month.

As a special thank you, Im giving our supporters a chance to attend the New Hampshire GOP debate as my guest, DeSantis wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter. Add your name, and you and a plus-one will have a chance to get flown-in for the debate and a meet and greet!

DeSantiss campaign is offering people a chance to attend the debate if they add their name and email to a list. If they are selected, the campaign will give them two tickets to the debate, provide transportation and lodging and an opportunity to meet DeSantis and his family, according to the website.

The New Hampshire CNN debate will be Jan. 21  just two days before the states primary. DeSantis is trailing at a distant third place in the polls in the state, as former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley continues to rise.

An Emerson College Polling/WHDH poll released Thursday found former President Trump maintains a comfortable lead in New Hampshire with 44 percent of support among Republican primary voters. The former president was followed by Haley, who clinched 28 percent in the poll, and DeSantis, who garnered just 7 percent.

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R), who spent most of his time campaigning in the Granite State, suspended his bid for the White House on Wednesday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, speak to members of the media outside his campaign office in Urbandale, Iowa, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)  Ron DeSantis is taking his battle with Nikki Haley directly to her home state, planning to head straight to South Carolina  which holds the first GOP votes in the South  after Monday's Iowa caucuses.

His campaign said Friday that the Florida governor will leave Iowa after a caucus night party on Monday and fly to South Carolina, where he will appear at a campaign event in Greenville, in the state's largely conservative northwestern corner. That's instead of immediately going to New Hampshire, which is the next state on the GOP calendar with its Jan. 23 primary.

For months, Haley and DeSantis have been locked in a battle for second place in Iowa, which has been led by former President Donald Trump.

DeSantis' campaign says the move is intended to send a message to Haley that he's intent on performing well in her home state. Advisors also point out that DeSantis has several times more endorsements from current and former elected officials in Haley's home state than she does.

The announcement also reflects Haley is doing better in New Hampshire than DeSantis. A CNN/UNH poll conducted in New Hampshire this week suggested that Haley, the former South Carolina governor and U.N. ambassador, could be approaching Trumps top spot in the state. About 4 in 10 likely Republican primary voters in New Hampshire choose Trump, while about one-third pick Haley.

This campaign is built for the long haul. We intend to compete for every single available delegate in New Hampshire, Nevada, South Carolina and then into March," DeSantis spokesman Andrew Romeo told AP. That begins on Mondays Iowa Caucus, and the next day we will kick our campaign into overdrive in both South Carolina and New Hampshire.

Traditionally, campaigns head straight to New Hampshire to stump there before moving on to the states that follow. After Nevada's GOP caucus in early February, South Carolina's Republican primary is next on Feb. 24.

After his event in South Carolina, DeSantis plans to fly on to New Hampshire, where hes scheduled to participate in a CNN town hall Tuesday night.

Haley has promised to perform well in the first rounds of votes before taking the campaign to her "sweet state of South Carolina, and well finish it. Her campaign didn't immediately return a message seeking comment on Friday.

Trump has maintained popularity in South Carolina since his 2016 primary win helped propel him to the nomination. He's endorsed in this year's election by Gov. Henry McMaster, Sen. Lindsey Graham and several U.S. House members.

___

Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP
North Korea has called U.S. assertions that it has transferred ballistic missiles to Russia for use in its war of conquest against Ukraine are baseless, says North Koreas UN representative Kim Song, reported North Korean state-run propaganda outlet KONA.

The DPRK does not feel the need to comment on every U.S. groundless accusation, Songsaid.

The Jan 10 UN Security Council meeting on Russia's use of North Korean missiles against Ukraine gave the U.S. another chance to show it is an "incurable cancer tumor," eroding the pillars of global peace and security, he said.

Song accused the U.S. of needlessly pulling North Korea, which has nothing to do with the agenda items being discussed, into the situation, adding that this demonstrates its insufficient might and means in the strategic confrontation with Russia.

Read also: Russia fires North Korean ballistic missiles at Ukraine, again  White House

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FILE - Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker watches a pitch during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds on Aug. 27, 2023, in Phoenix. Th Diamondbacks and Walker agreed to a $10.9 million, one-year deal Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, avoiding salary arbitration. Walker has been one of the most well-rounded first baseman in the big leagues over the past two years and was a huge piece for the D-backs during their recent run to the World Series. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

PHOENIX (AP)  The Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to one-year contracts with six players Thursday, including Gold Glove first baseman Christian Walker and All-Star right-hander Zac Gallen, to avoid salary arbitration.

Walker will be paid $10.9 million next season, while Gallen will make $10,011,000.

Walker, who will be 33 next season, has been one of the most well-rounded first basemen in the big leagues over the past two years and was a huge piece for the D-backs during their recent run to the World Series, batting cleanup.

He's won Gold Gloves in each of the past two seasons and hit .258 with 33 homers and 103 RBI in 2023. Walker has played the last eight seasons with the D-backs after he was claimed off waivers from the Reds in 2017.

He made $6.5 million last season.

The 28-year-old Gallen was the starting pitcher for the National League All-Star team last year and had a 17-9 record with a 3.47 ERA. He finished third in NL Cy Young Award voting.

Gallen nearly doubled his salary after making $5.6 million last season.

Arizona also reached agreements with four key bullpen pieces, including closer Paul Sewald ($7.35 million), lefty Joe Mantiply ($925,000) and right-handers Kevin Ginkel ($1.225 million) and Ryan Thompson ($1.35 million).

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  One Tennessee lawmaker wants to give Tennesseans the right to die.

Rep. Bob Freeman (D-Nashville) filed a bill in the General Assembly this month that would create a process for those suffering terminal diseases to die in a humane and dignified manner.

HB1710 would allow for qualified patients to request a prescription of medication that would end their lives if certain conditions are met.

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Specifically, the bill states [a]n adult who is capable, is a resident of this state, and has been determined by an attending physician and a consulting physician to be suffering from a terminal disease, and who has voluntarily expressed the wish to die, may make a written request for medication for the purpose of ending the adults life in a humane and dignified manner in accordance with this part.

According to Freeman, the bill was inspired by friends struggles with aging family members end of life.

Recently Ive had some close friends go through really horrible end-of-life situations for their family members that wanted the pain to be over, and its not an option, They just had to live in pain for the last six months of their life, he told News 2.

According to the bill, the disease must be one that is incurable, irreversible and would likely result in death within six months; there must also be two witnesses to the request, one of which cannot be a relative, the attending physician, or anyone who would have a vested interest in the patients estate.

Read the latest from the TN State Capitol Newsroom

In order to receive the prescription, the bill states they must make an initial oral request to their attending physician, followed by a written request. They must then make a second oral request within 15 days of the initial oral request. They would also retain the right to rescind the request under the terms of the bill.

There are around a dozen states that honor the right to die, including Oregon, Maine, Montana and Washington, D.C. Tennessee does not currently recognize the right to die, only offering hospice or palliative care for those at the end of life.

In those instances, Freeman said, the care is more about treating the pain to the best of the ability.

When you talk about hospice, they talk about quality of life, and quality of life at the end of life should be honored as well, he said. When you enter into hospice, and you know the end is nearits not medically treatableand youre just treating the pain until the person dies naturally, I think that people should have the choice to choose how they want to die.

Elections-related bills filed in Tennessee General Assembly

Freeman also shared he had an acquaintance choose to take their own life instead of endure long-term pain management after a terminal diagnosis, which was another inspiration for the bill.

They should have been able to go into a facility, speak to a medical professional, get the counseling needed and go through that medically, and that decisions not available for Tennesseans today, he said.

Freeman said hes spoken with multiple hospice facilities, and they agree their role is more about quality of life, and part of quality of life is dignity in death.

Theres a false belief that theres a killer dose of morphine at the end of someones life that they can give, and the reality is thats not the case. People are in so much pain that they have to get massive doses of morphine at the end of their life to continue to treat the pain, Freeman said. When we know somebodys not going to get better and theyre not going to recover, we should have an opportunity for that person, if theyre in the right mind, to be able to make that decision and act on that decision.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Some other protections included in Freemans bill include prohibitions on requests from family membersonly the patient can make the request; not familyrequired consultation with physicians, witnesses, and the right to rescind, all of which he said he saw in other states bills.

More than anything I just want to open it up to a debate. Lets see if this is something that people really want, he said. Let them reach out to their representatives and, if so, lets move this forward.

Tennessee should allow people dignity in death, he added.

Let them choose, if they have a terminal disease, how they want to end their life, Freeman said.

According to Death With Dignity, there are 14 different states considering right to die bills in 2024, including Tennessee.

Hundreds of bills will be up for debate during the 113th General Assembly. Tennessee lawmakers shared their thoughts on some of the major issues up for discussion at this years legislative session.

You can also find daily coverage from the session here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
T. rex may not be the king of dinosaurs after all. An unearthed skull has revealed a close relative of the T. rex that may have been even larger than the previously-crowned apex predator.

A study, published Jan. 11 in Scientific Reports, identifies a new species of predator that for decades has been mistaken for T. rex.

When paleontologists in Elephant Butte found a skull along the banks of the Rio Grande in 1983, its resemblance to the dinosaur king was clear. They put it on display at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History under the title Tyrannosaurus rex.

But to other paleontologists, something seemed fishy. They decided to conduct a study of the skull  an in-depth second look.

In the study, they found that this dinosaur was not T. rex after all but a never-before-seen sister species, Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis. This species was older and perhaps even larger than the T. rex.

The skull dates back to between 71 and 73 million years ago, making T. mcraeensis up to 7 million years older than T. rex, according to researchers. And while age alone was a big clue that this was a separate species, there were also differences in its structure that gave it away.

It turns out that the bones are different from T. rex, Nick Longrich, a researcher in the study, wrote in his blog. In fact, every single bone is slightly different from the corresponding element in T. rex.

T. rex is famously enormous. According to the American Museum of Natural History, T. rex was 12 feet tall and 40 feet long  the height of an African elephant and double its length. T. rex weighed as much as 15,500 pounds.

According to the study, T. mcraeensis rivaled T. rex in size. In an interview with Life Science, Longrich reveals that its unlikely that the skull the 1983 group found belonged to the largest of the T. mcraeensis species. It is probable that these predators would have been even larger than T. rex himself.

Until now, many fossils within the tyrannosaur lineage have been discovered in modern-day Mongolia and China . However, the discovery of even older bones in New Mexico suggests that tyrannosaurs actually originated in North America and later spread to Asia.

The breakthrough points to New Mexico being a good place for paleontologists to focus their search for dinosaur fossils in the future.

It seems then weve solved the mystery of where Tyrannosaurus comes from, Longrich wrote. The giant tyrannosaurs are in the southern part of North America, where fossils tend to be rarer, so weve largely overlooked them.

The southern part of North America seems to be the epicenter of tyrannosaurine evolution.

Miners find millennia-old mammoth tusk bigger than them. Then experts start digging

Fossil of prehistoric dragon  as big as a great white shark  unearthed in Japan

Look familiar? 115-million-year-old fossil is of something you might find in the yard
A Philadelphia man is accused of breaking into a Hilltown Township home, tying up three people, stealing jewlery, guns and money before killing a man and raping his girlfriend then fleeing in a stolen truck  a 2013 crime that baffled investigators for a decade.

Thomas Delgado, 50, faces 28 felony charges including homicide and kidnapping and related misdemeanors in the murder of Joseph Canazaro, a 48-year-old father of two and rape for the assault on the victims girlfriend. He was arraigned Wednesday and taken to Bucks County Correctional Center without bail. He had no legal representative listed on the docket as of Thursday.

Authorities believe that Canazaro was targeted and phone records appear to connect the victim and defendant two years before the fatal home invasion, according to a probable cause affidavit.

DNA tested years after the crimes appears to have led to the arrest.

Delgado was one of two masked men who allegedly broke into the Swartley Road home, shortly after 6 a.m. on Jan. 18, 2013 entering the home through a first floor window in a master bedroom, police said. The men allegedly were armed with handguns and bound Canazaro and his girlfriend with zip ties, the affidavidt said.

Joseph Canazaro was murdered in his Hilltown home on Jan. 18, 2013. Ten years later, authorities are asking for help in identifying the killers.

After his 12-year-old son entered the bedroom one of the men put a knife to his throat and bound him with zip ties as well.

The men then led Canazaro around the bedroom to retrieve valuables and money. Among the stolen items were a Rolex watch, firearms, casino chips, identity documents and cell phones, police said.

Shortly after the girlfriend believed the men left, she freed herself, then the boy and went looking for Canazaro but could not find him. Police found him later in the garage dead, face down with his hands still bound. An autopsy determined he died of multiple stab wounds.

When the girlfriend could not find Canazaro, she attempted to call 911, but the cordless phone died. She then got the boy, the family's dog and they went outside to her vehicle to get help. In the driveway the girlfriend noticed that Canazaro's 2006 black pickup was missing.

The truck was later found abandoned behind a restaurant in a Quakertown shopping center, authorities said. Police obtained surveillance video from the shopping center which showed shortly before 10 a.m. the day of the home invasion murder the stolen pickup parked behind the restaurant. Almost immediately a red Nissan sedan pulled up next to it.

Authorities allege video showed two men retreiving items from the bed of the stolen pickup truck and loading them into the Nissan. Both men then got into the Nissan and drove off, the affidavidt said.

A decade later, the second home invasion suspect has not been apprehended.

While Hilltown detective continued to work the case, a big break came in 2019 when detectives took another look at the stolen pickup truck looking for evidence and found items the girlfriend described the suspects as wearing during the home invasion, according to court documents.

The items were sent to the FBI Laboratory in Quantico VA for DNA analysis, which later came back indicating a possible match with a Thomas Delgado in Philadelphia. A description of her alleged rapist also matched the physical characteristics of Delgado, police said.

The girlfriend told authorities that she did not know Delgado and she did not know the man who raped her.

When authorities analyzed phone records they found Canazaro received multiple calls from a phone number associated with Delgado in 2011, according to the affidavidt. Additional phone records showed Canazaro received dozens of calls in 2011 to a phone number associated with a woman who lived with Delgado.

In the years before his murder, Canazaro had incurred millions in debt, including money owed to various casinos. He claimed bankruptcy on $10 million in debt and later settled two federal lawsuits involving passing bad checks.

More on Canazaro murder 2013 Hilltown killing: Detectives seek info in unsolved murder on 10 year anniversary of slaying

More on record settlement in jail death Bucks County Jail contractor tried to keep payout in inmate death secret. We unsealed it

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Suspect in 2013 Hilltown home invasion murder of Joe Canazaro arrested
(BCN)  Neurologist Dr. Peter Fung wants to parlay his years of health care experience into a seat on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors and use it to improve care quality.

Fung, a 76-year-old retired neurologist, joins a crowded race for District 5 supervisor as incumbent Joe Simitian terms out and runs for Congress. Fung will face off against Mountain View Councilmember Margaret Abe-Koga, California Board of Equalization Member Sally Lieber, former Cupertino Mayor Barry Chang and Los Altos businessman Sandy Sans.

Oaklands crime problem didnt start under my watch, Mayor Thao says

I want to learn and feel about what my constituents are concerned about, Fung told San Jose Spotlight. I want to be in their shoes.

Fung, who lives in Los Altos Hills, has worked to improve health care access and quality throughout his time as a physician. He sits on the El Camino Health board of directors and led the hospitals stroke program for a decade, which is named in his honor.

Fung said he has heard from supporters in the medical community, but was initially surprised by the support from non-medical groups.

What that demonstrates is there (is) a lot of discontent within our county, Fung said. I think, if they are satisfied, they are happy, they would not try to contact a newly entered candidate with so much interest.

Fung helped found the El Camino Hospital Chinese Health Initiative, which was the first health program in the Bay Area designed to specifically cater to the Chinese community. He said at the time he was hearing from friends and family that it was difficult for Chinese community members to find medical information and support. Through his stroke program, he furthered community awareness and education about the dangers and risk of strokes. He added that El Camino Hospital has consistently received five stars from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which rates hospital quality nationwide.

About half of the countys $11.3 billion budget is spent on health care  funding multiple medical centers and emergency and behavioral health services, among other health expenditures  and its expecting a $158 million structural deficit by next fiscal year.

Fung said fixing the countys health care system is key to addressing a plethora of issues, as well as helping improve its fiscal health.

The affordability is impossible in Silicon Valley, Fung said. We are in the epicenter of the best innovation in the world, and we cannot take care of our own people.

Improving the countys health services would benefit homelessness and crime, Fung said, adding that more than one third of the countys unhoused population is gravely disabled and could be supported by the states Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Act program. He said the county also needs to better support health care professionals, especially mental health providers, to improve access and quality.

Google lays off hundreds of employees overnight

After retiring in 2022, Fung said he has been working toward receiving a masters degree in business administration at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, which he said will strengthen his leadership skills. He is slated to graduate from the program in June.

Donald Sibery, a former colleague of Fungs who was interim CEO of El Camino Hospital in 2017 and whose work overlapped with Fungs time as board chair, praised his work ethic and moral compass.

Dr. Fung is willing to take the time necessary to formulate his position on issues, Sibery said in the statement. He thinks through it very carefully, speaks with people who have differing positions than his own and then crafts a balanced point of view and communicates it effectively.

Copyright  2024 Bay City News, Inc.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
The family of a missing dog named Disco searched tirelessly for her, putting up fliers and canvassing their community in Arkansas.

Then Disco turned up at a Sara Lee bakery in North Carolina, over 1,000 miles away.

Her owner, Habooki Shepmann, said her dog never leaves her side unless its to do a little exploring, and even then, shes never more than a whistle away.

Shes been my steadfast companion for over a decade, and shes got the most kind, gentle, attentive little soul, Shepmann told McClatchy News.

Disco went missing from her familys home in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, on Dec. 28, Shepmann said in the first of a series of posts on Facebook.

Shepmann began sharing daily updates on the search for Disco in which she detailed efforts from searching the area on foot, going door-to-door to alert neighbors and duct-taping her clothes up at a gas station.

On Jan. 2, someone posted a sighting of Disco at the Sara Lee plant in Tarboro, North Carolina, still wearing her signature yellow bandana. Disco was spooked and couldnt be caught, so she was still on the run.

The post made its way to Shepmann, who got on a flight to North Carolina as soon as she could to continue the search. Meanwhile, a friend from Arkansas made his way to the area to help with efforts on the ground before she arrived.

Shepmann said someone she knew may have taken Disco in his car from their home in Arkansas, which is how she made it all the way to North Carolina. She looked through posts on Facebook and pieced together that Disco may have escaped from a car crash and was running loose.

Mommy is coming for you, Disco, she posted on Facebook.

After Shepmann touched down in Raleigh on Jan. 3 and made her way to Tarboro, a local search party looked for Disco as late as it could before calling it off for the night.

The next morning, as Shepmann was searching while in the car, she got a call from the local shelter about a Disco sighting. She was only a couple hundred feet from the address where a woman had spotted her dog, she said.

I jumped out of that van so fast and ran up the driveway Shepmann told McClatchy News. There was Disco on the porch just sitting on a cushy bench.

A video taken by her friend shows their emotional reunion.

I could show her that Id never give up on her, Shepmann said. She knew immediately that it didnt matter how much distance was between us; Id walk every bit of it for her.

Shepmann told McClatchy News the support across state lines was invaluable.

She drove back to Arkansas with Disco to avoid stressing out her dog with flying.

As of 4am this morning, my family has been made whole again, Shepmann announced on Facebook on Jan. 6 After 9 days, 34 hours of driving, multiple plane rides, and over 2,400 miles, Disco is once again safely back where she should be, with her mom and dad and all her siblings.

Now the healing process begins, Shepmann said.

She wants to go with me everywhere. If Im getting dressed to leave the house, Disco is patiently waiting at the door to accompany me, she told McClatchy News. She literally wont allow me out of her sight now.

Tarboro is about 75 miles east of Raleigh.

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The Department of Justice said in a court filing Friday that it will pursue the death penalty for Payton Gendron, who killed 10 people inside a Buffalo, New York, supermarket in 2022 during a racist attack.

He was indicted by a federal grand jury in 2022 on 27 counts involving hate crime and firearm offenses.

Gendron livestreamed part of the attack on Twitch, a streaming platform, but it was shut down in under two minutes. He wrote a 180-page manifesto beforehand, in which he proclaimed his support for white supremacy and his belief in the racist great replacement theory.

President Joe Biden visited Buffalo days after the shooting, condemning Gendrons acts of preying on one of the poorest Black communities in the city. Biden has previously said that he was against the federal death penalty.

A jury sentenced Gendron in Erie County Court in February 2023 to life in prison without parole on 10 first-degree murder charges.

Prosecutors wrote in federal court documents that Gendron intentionally killed Roberta Drury, Pearl Young, Heyward Patterson, Ruth Whitfield, Celestine Chaney, Aaron W. Salter, Jr., Andre Mackniel, Margus Morrison, Katherine Massey, and Geraldine Talley.

They said they were seeking the death penalty because Gendron intentionally and specifically engaged in an act of violence knowing he could also harm other people in the store or nearby, and cited aggravating factors, including that it was allegedly a racially motivated attack and attempt to incite further violence.

Gendrons next court date is Feb. 2. He did not appear in court Friday during a status hearing.

Mark Talley, the son of Tops shooting victim Geraldine Talley, said Friday that Gendron committed a domestic terrorist attack.

Thats grounds enough to pursue the death penalty. I have no problem with them doing it, Talley told reporters outside the courthouse, but added: I would have preferred he stayed locked up right here in county jail for the rest of his life, surrounded by people who wanted to kill him every day.

John Elmore  an attorney representing the estates of shooting victims Heyward Patterson, Katherine Massey and Andre Mackniel, as well as survivor Latisha Rogers  told HuffPost he supports the families demands in the case. But, he said, Gendron being sentenced to death will not stop people from committing mass shootings.

He has already pleaded guilty to murder in state court and sentenced to life without possibility of parole. All of their families have expressed their feelings to the Justice Department. Some were for it, and some were opposed, Elmore said.

How the families feel about it, their opinions matter to me.

Related...
A drone photo taken on Jan. 10, 2024 shows the container terminal of Rizhao Port in Rizhao, east China's Shandong province. [Photo/Xinhua]

While the Chinese economy grew by 3% in 2022, estimations for 2023 and 2024 are now higher than initially expected. In particular, both the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund revised their prognostics in their most recent announcements. The former adjusted China's GDP growth from 5.1% to 5.2% in 2023, and forecasts 4.5% growth, up from 4.4%, in 2024. Meanwhile, the latter predicts the national economy grew by 5.4%, not 5%, in 2023, and 4.6%, up from 4.2%, in 2024.



The continuation of China's reform and opening-up policies are expected to be a crucial parameter in 2024. Last year, China celebrated the 45th anniversary of the launch of such policies, which have become the pillar of its development. With the government's backing, Chinese enterprises have managed to excel in different sectors, and their success has been widely recognized. In 2023, for example, 142 Chinese companies were included in the Fortune Global 500 list, compared with 95 in 2013. In the era of globalization, China's open-up and reform achievements have also massively increased its contribution to the world economy through growth and trade.

China is also exerting more effort to draw in foreign investments. The Chinese government seeks to create a world-class business environment and unleash innovation, and  within this framework  foreign firms can certainly play a role. A few weeks before Christmas, for instance, Volkswagen announced that it would expand its innovation hub in Hefei by building specifically designed electrical platforms.

China not only invites American investors to participate but also others from different parts of the world. Investors from countries in the Persian Gulf constitute a characteristic example. The Chinese economy will continuously rely on technological advancements, and the results of hard work in this regard are already evident. For example, at the end of 2023, Chinese car company BYD overtook Tesla as the world's top seller of electric vehicles. China also made some gains in the use of its domestically produced C919 passenger jet last year, marking the country's developing presence in the industry.

While challenges remain ahead, the country's economic recovery momentum is expected to continue on a positive trend as it works hard to ensure stable and sound development of the real estate market and strengthen macroeconomic adjustments. We can see that the country's service sector and labor market are further recovering from the impact of COVID-19, further leading to the revival of consumer spending. The annual tone-setting Central Economic Work Conference, held in December 2023, also showed the country's commitment and determination to bolster economic growth. In short, China looks to monitor developments without deviating from proactive and prudent policies that guarantee progress.

George N. Tzogopoulos is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:

http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/GeorgeNTzogopoulos.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
Payton Gendron killed ten people and injured three others in a racially-motivated attack (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

The US Department of Justice is seeking the death penalty against the racially-motivated Buffalo supermarket shooter Payton Gendron.

The agency announced the decision in a court filing.

The United States believes the circumstances in Counts 11-20 of the indictment are such that, in the event of a conviction, a sentence of death is justified, the notice of intent to seek the death penalty read.

In the document filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York on Friday, the DOJ said that the punishment is justifiable in the event of a conviction.

Prosecutors aim to prove that Mr Gendron committed the following: Intentional killing, intentional infliction of serious bodily injury, intentional participation in an act resulting in death, intentional engagement in an act of violence, knowing that the act created a grave risk of death to a person, in addition to statutory aggravating factors.

In May 2022, Gendron killed ten people and injured three others when he opened fire at a Tops Friendly Markets location. The chain is based in Amherst, New York.

Payton Gendron expressed bias, hatred, and contempt toward Black persons and his animus toward Black persons played a role, the filing read.

According to the criminal complaint against him, Gendron was motivated by a racist conspiracy theory called the great replacement. The theory purports that nonwhite immigrants are part of a plot designed to undermine or replace the political power and culture of white people living in Western countries, according to the National Immigration Forum.

During his sentencing, Gendron said he was very sorry for all the pain.

I did a terrible thing that day. I shot people because they were Black, he said.

The 19-year-old was sentenced to life in prison without parole in February 2023. He previously pleaded guilty to 15 charges, including domestic terrorism motivated by hate, murder and attempted murder.
 Flash

Gabriel Attal (R, Front) delivers a speech at the ceremony of power transfer in Hotel Matignon, official residence of the Prime Minister of France, in Paris, France, Jan. 9, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday nominated a list of ministers in the new government based on the proposition of the newly-appointed Prime Minister Gabriel Attal.

According to a press release of the presidential palace, the Elysee, the new government now consists of 11 ministers and three ministers delegate attached to the Prime Minister, down from 16 ministers and three ministers delegate in the previous government.

Among the new ministers in Attal's government is 38-year-old Stephane Sejourne, nominated as Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

The labor ministry and the health ministry are now combined into Ministry of Labor, Health and Solidarities, which is led by Catherine Vautrin.

The new Minister of Culture is Rachida Dati, an experienced political veteran who served as justice minister under the presidency of Nicolas Sarkozy.

The two most senior members from the previous government, Bruno Le Maire and Gerald Darmanin keep their positions as Minister of Economy, Finances and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, and Minister of the Interior and Overseas France, respectively.

Eric Dupond-Moretti continues to serve as Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals, Sebastien Lecornu remains as Minister of the Armed Forces, Marc Fesneau stays on as Minister for Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, and Christophe Bechu still leads the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion.

Two ministers from the previous government are also chosen to continue their functions. Sylvie Retailleau remains as Minister of Higher Education and Research, while Amelie Oudea-Castera is now heading a new ministry combining education, youth and sports, including the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

All the three new ministers delegate are women, with Prisca Thevenot in charge of democratic renewal and serving as the government spokesperson, Marie Lebec in charge of parliament relations, and Aurore Berge in charge of equality between women and men and the fight against discriminations.
By Alexandra Valencia

QUITO (Reuters) -The administration of Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa has asked lawmakers to weigh an increase in value added tax (VAT) to finance efforts to combat crime gangs, as the armed forces increased operations in violent areas on Friday.

A dramatic spike in violence this week - including the on-air storming of a TV station, the hostage-taking of 178 prison staff by inmates and the kidnapping of police officers - appears to be a response by gangs to Noboa's plans to tackle a dire security situation, the government has said.

Noboa, who took office in November, has declared a state of emergency and named 22 gangs as terrorist organizations.

A total of eight prison staff have been released since late on Thursday, prisons agency SNAI said in a statement on Friday.

Three were being held in Azuay prison in Cuenca, where 21 hostages have also been attended to by the Red Cross. Three were released from a prison in Canar province, while two others were freed in Esmeraldas.

Remaining hostages number 170 - 155 are prison guards and 15 are administrative staff.

The death of an inmate at a prison in El Oro province is being investigated, SNAI added.

The government has said operations to free hostages taken at least seven prisons are ongoing, but there has been scant information about their status, leading to criticism by their families and union.

Videos purporting to show prison staff being subjected to extreme violence, including shooting and hanging, have circulated on social media, but the government has said no hostage has been killed and that some videos had been altered.

Reuters could not independently verify the videos.

Security has worsened in tandem with serious economic troubles, as the country grapples with domestic liquidity problems, limited options for foreign financing and tens of billions in external debt.

Noboa's tax proposal, sent to the national assembly late on Thursday, would raise VAT by three points to 15%. The bill is classed as urgent and must be approved within 30 days.

The measure would not be levied on basic food products, medicine, public utilities, transport, health or education costs or rented housing, among other things, the government said in a statement.

"The current security crisis in Ecuador underlines the urgency to increase potential tax collection for the state," Noboa said in a document shared with the assembly. "Increasing VAT will give the state a constant source of income."

LAWMAKER DISAGREEMENT

The measure could raise more than $1.3 billion per year and would come into force in March.

Funds would go to finance weapons and equipment for security forces and improvements to the prison system, as well as the payments owed to regional governments, the document said.

Lawmakers - in a rare show of unity - have already approved two urgent proposals from Noboa's government, another tax bill meant to increase youth employment and a law designed to attract investment in the electricity sector.

But lawmakers from the leftist Citizens' Revolution party, which is part of Noboa's majority coalition, said in a statement they will not back the VAT measure, instead urging him raise funds through tax on foreign capital transfers or one-time duties on large sums.

"President Noboa, you have options, but not at the cost of the wallets of a hurting citizenry!" the legislators said in a post to social media.

The Social Christian party, also part of Noboa's coalition, also said it would not back the bill, potentially forcing the president to seek agreements or make amendments with minority parties.

Ecuador closed 2023 with a fiscal deficit of more than $5.7 billion, according to the government. Its foreign debt totals more than $47 billion.

"Higher public spending on security and a likely loss in revenues from slower growth will put pressure on the government's budget balance. That will make the job of establishing the country's strained public finances even harder," Capital Economics said in a note.

The military on social media said it has intensified operations in several provinces, arresting gang members and seizing weapons.

The attorney general's office said three people were being held on charges of plotting an attack on the head of the national police, without providing further details. The police made no comment on the issue.

Noboa's government blames the deteriorating security situation on an increase in drug trafficking through Ecuador, which borders cocaine-producing Colombia and Peru and has become a major drug shipment point.

Noboa on Thursday presented details of two new high-security prisons he has pledged to build to hold top gang leaders.

The chairmen of foreign relations committees at the United States Congress reaffirmed their support for Noboa's efforts to restore order in a joint Friday statement.

Washington has not yet provided details of the aid it may offer Ecuador, but the State Department said on Thursday law enforcement officials will travel there to assist with criminal investigations.

Ecuador will ask people entering the country across its borders with Peru and Colombia to show their criminal record or lack of one during the duration of the state of emergency, the government said late on Thursday.

(Reporting by Alexandra Valencia, additional reproting by Peter Frontini in Sao Paulo; Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Mark Porter and Aurora Ellis)
Sir Ed, who was the Post Office minister from May 2010 to February 2012, said the sub-postmasters deserved compensation - James Manning/PA

Sir Ed Davey has refused to apologise to sub-postmasters for his part in the Post Office Horizon scandal.

The Liberal Democrat leader was asked 10 times whether he wanted to say sorry during his first sit-down interview since an ITV drama reignited the scandal.

Sir Ed, who was the Post Office minister from May 2010 to February 2012, instead repeatedly expressed regret at what had happened but did not apologise.

The Liberal Democrat leader has faced criticism since it emerged that he turned down a request to meet campaigner Alan Bates in 2010, before agreeing to see him in October of that year.

EXCL: In his first in-depth interview, Sir Ed Davey refuses to apologise for his part in the Horizon scandal.



When asked more than 10 times, he says he regrets being lied to on an industrial scale, but wont go as far as to say sorry. pic.twitter.com/NRHdUFCWHR  Paul Brand (@PaulBrandITV) January 12, 2024

The MP for Kingston and Surbiton told ITV on Friday: Ive said time and time again that I deeply regret that I was lied to on an industrial scale and Im sure that every other Post Office minister who was lied to regrets that they were part of this huge conspiracy that the Post Office perpetrated.

Focus on getting compensation

When he was pressed for an apology to the postmasters, he said: My heart goes out to the hundreds of people who were hit and I deeply regret that we didnt get to the bottom of the lies that were told.

And I deeply regret that it took until 2019 and the High Court case until people got the truth. What we absolutely need to focus in on now is getting that compensation quickly.

When you listen to the sub-postmasters, thats what they want, they want to make sure that the compensation is there.

After being asked whether the sub-postmasters deserved to hear an apology from him, Sir Ed said: Well, the sub-postmasters deserve a huge amount.

They deserve compensation, they deserve a huge apology from the Post Office, from Fujitsu, and from all the people who led this conspiracy of lies against them and frankly the whole British public.

Sir Ed said my heart goes out to the hundreds of people who were hit - Dan Kitwood/Getty

Sir Ed has also faced pressure to hand back his knighthood after Paula Vennells, the former Post Office chief executive, announced that she would return her CBE earlier this week.

He said that he was really surprised she got it in the first place because the stories were already emerging.

However, when asked whether he should be held to a similar standard, he said that he was very proud of his title.

Post Office caused suffering

A Liberal Democrat spokesman said: Eds heart goes out to the victims of this terrible miscarriage of justice.

Like all ministers of all parties over the past two decades, Ed was lied to by the Post Office on an industrial scale. It is the Post Office which owes an apology to the victims for their appalling behaviour and the pain and suffering they caused.

Eds focus now is on getting justice and compensation as quickly as possible to all those affected.

It comes after residents in Sir Eds seat are planning to stand a former postmistress, Yvonne Tracey, as an independent candidate against him at the next election.

The local independent councillor wrote on social media this week: Come the next election, its incumbent on those seeking justice for our sub-postmasters to stand against Ed.

Daisy Cooper, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, responded to online criticism of the interview by saying it was wrong to turn a historic tragedy into selfish clickbait.

She added: Ed was lied to like everyone else.

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Friday saw Mayor Brandon Johnsons first news conference in three weeks, which, even accounting for the holiday season, is way too long an absence from the podium. Nonetheless, we wholly concur with Johnsons emergent purpose: to announce that the 60-day rule for migrants occupying city shelters had been suspended in the light of the frigid weather.

Whatever your opinion of how the Chicago migrant crisis is being handled, all reasonable Chicagoans can agree that no family should be kicked out into this kind of cold and left to fend for themselves, let alone folks from a much warmer country. When the weather turns this chilly, any and all such rules should wait for a thaw.

We were similarly glad that Gov. J.B. Pritzker wrote to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday, imploring him to suspend his busing program. Wed called for that too. Texans are decent, compassionate people. Few would want Abbott to be so reckless with human lives.

We hope youre staying warm this weekend. And to our Republican Iowa readers, a hardy crew, we say that there might just be only one good reason to leave the house on what is forecast to be a frigid Monday in the Hawkeye State: to cast your vote in Iowas leadoff caucuses.

Americans who care about our democracy are counting on you to keep your skin covered and your democratic instincts at the fore.

Join the discussion on Twitter @chitribopinions and on Facebook.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
GOP Representative Elise Stefanik no doubt thought it was shrewd to describe the rioters who attacked the Capitol as January 6 hostages. This sort of talk hits a sweet trifecta for a GOP leader with seemingly limitless ambition. It reassures the right-wing media that the GOP leadership is fully behind Donald Trump. It fires up the MAGA bases small-dollar donors. And it infuriates the libs, which excites the right-wing media and MAGA voters all over again.

But it turns out vulnerable House Republicans arent too thrilled about Stefaniks barb. The Washington Post reports that many are distancing themselves from it, a sign that being associated with pro-insurrection sentiments is politically dangerous in swing districts across the country.

News flash, vulnerable Republicans: This will almost certainly get much worse. If you think some throwaway sound bite designed to pump up Sean Hannity creates political problems for you, what will it mean for you if Trump goes to trial this year or even earns a criminal conviction?

Heres an overlooked possibility to contemplate: While commentators often assume the prosecutions of Trump are only driving the GOP to unite behind Trump, its perfectly plausible that when his legal travails grow more serious, it will ensure that GOP divisions grow deeperperhaps much deeper.

Stefaniks insurrectionist outburst suggests a misplaced confidence that none of this threatens the party. Last month, Trump said of the hundreds of people charged or convicted in relation to January 6, I dont call them prisoners. I call them hostages. Then on Meet the Press last Sunday, Stefanik brashly echoed his language: I have concerns about the treatment of January 6 hostages.

The way vulnerable Republicans ran from this is telling. Theyre criminal defendants, not hostages, said Representative Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania. I dont defend people who hit cops, who vandalized our Capitol, added Nebraskas Don Bacon, pointedly adding of the hostage language: The broad, broad electorate doesnt like it.

Given that Fitzpatrick and Bacon represent two of the 17 districts held by Republicans that Trump lost in 2020, thats an indication of how politically outside the mainstream it is to deny the gravity of January 6 and smear the justice systems response to it as illegitimate.

The details of this years political and legal calendar suggest this dynamic could intensify. In coming days, an appeals court will likely rule against Trumps demand that the criminal charges against him for conspiring to overthrow U.S. democracy be dismissed on grounds that his misconduct constituted official presidential duties. The Supreme Court could soon follow. While Trumps strategy of delaying his trial might work, its more likely to fail.

Now recall that last year, Trump expressly called on House Republicans to shut down the government to defund his prosecutions. They didnt, but at the very least, the actuality of Trumps trial unfolding before the nation will cause him to ramp up his entreaties into 2024. And it may well be harder for Republicans to resist them during a presidential election year.

Its about to get real for House Republicans that Trump is going to criminal trial before the election, legal scholar Matthew Seligman, who tracks the timeline of Trumps trials for Just Security, told me. That will put them under intense pressure to try to derail the prosecution.

What then? House Democratic aides see a range of possibilities, such as votes on resolutions declaring the prosecution of Trump corrupt, or possibly more hearings designed to harass and sabotage the case against him. Those aides point out that Trump could be locking up the GOP nomination (making it harder for vulnerable Republicans to resist closing ranks behind him) even as his trial gets underway (making support for Trump look more corrupt to swing voters).

The sweet spot for many Republicans is to say that of course they condemn anything related to January 6 that was actually criminal, while also insisting that the legal systems targeting of Trump is obviously politically motivated because, duh, a Democrat is president. Thats an easier posture to hold when Republicans can redirect the question of Trumps guilt back on to the unpopular President Biden by insisting hes surreptitiously pulling law enforcements strings.

But a trialor a convictionwill dramatically shrink the space for that straddle, pushing vulnerable Republicans to say with clarity whether all this should be disqualifying in a president.

Democrats predict Republicans wont be able to resist Trumps pressure. Theyre going to continue to defend him, Representative Suzan DelBene, the chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, told me. That will cost them at the ballot box.

A recent Washington Post poll found that 57 percent of Americans say the Justice Department is holding Trump accountable under the law, as opposed to targeting him politically. Among independents that number is also 57 percent. Similar majorities believe Trump is probably or definitely guilty.

I believe were underestimating another factor here: Trump will soon be facing a jury of his peers. They cant be smeared as stooges of the deep state. The spectacle of Trump facing the judgment of ordinary Americansjust like any American accused of crimesis likely to mean something powerful to swing voters.

A trial could also intensify public attention on whether Trump would simply order his prosecution halted if elected, or, if hes convicted, whether hed try to pardon himself. Good luck defending his answer to those questions, vulnerable Republicans.

A certain strain in our punditry holds that many Americans question the legitimacy of the Trump prosecutions because they no longer trust our institutions or because of some other social malaise. Its reasonable to lament the state of our institutions. But what if the prosaic reality is that many in the middle of the country are already prepared to accept a guilty verdict for Trump as correct and legitimate?

Its heartening that vulnerable Republicans felt politically obliged to defend the legitimacy of our justice system simply because Stefanik unfurled a dumb MAGA talking point. Now imagine how whipsawed theyll be if Trump goes on trialfollowed by Trump and the MAGA-aligned media furiously demanding that the GOP unanimously declare the proceedings wholly and irredeemably corrupt. Whether or not a conviction is secured by Election Day, all this could worsen GOP divisionsand threaten GOP control of the House in ways few have anticipated.
U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes, D-Akron, presents the Domestic Violence Project Inc. in Canton with a congressional citation for its community service.

When Rep. Emilia Sykes was minority leader of the Ohio House, she'd sit down each term with her Democratic freshman colleagues and ask them, "What does success look like for you?"

Inevitably, they'd share grand, but unrealistic, plans  things like, "I'm going to fix the school funding formula."

Sykes realized as a Democratic leader in a Republican-controlled state legislature that she had to choose her battles and find ways to help her constituents. She knew getting her bills passed would likely be an uphill battle.

An effective lawmaker finds ways to assist those they were elected to serve and to advocate for their community, even when gridlock makes it nearly impossible to get laws passed.

Emilia Sykes

Sykes has taken this approach with her to Washington as she begins the second year of her first two-year term representing Ohio's 13th Congressional District, which covers half of Stark County. Rep Bill Johnson, R-Marietta, who will soon assume the presidency at Youngstown State University, covers the other half. (The two worked well together and Sykes, who belongs to the Problem Solvers Caucus along with Johnson, hopes that continues with Johnson's successor.)

During a recent meeting with the editorial boards of the Canton Repository and Akron Beacon Journal, Sykes shared how she has tried to navigate what she calls "one of the least effective Congresses in modern history" to benefit the region.

"We did not seek out a very broad package of legislative activity because, quite frankly, I just didn't think it was going to be very fruitful to do so," she said. "And I'm very glad that we made that decision, because you could spin your wheels pretty significantly trying to put together a lot of legislation for it to go nowhere."

Sykes serves on the House's Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Science, Space and Technology Committee  bodies that are important to the region, especially as the Stark Area Regional Transit Authority continues its push for a hydrogen hub and Akron seeks to capitalize off its polymer expertise.

When the Federal Railroad Administration announced last year that Ohio is in line for service expansion but Akron and Canton weren't part of the plans, Sykes took notice.

"No one even bothered to mention Akron-Canton in the conversation," she said. "It just never came up. And that is what I hear over and over. No one said it, no one said those two communities."

She then met with the Amtrak CEO to urge future expansions to include the region, citing such benefits as connecting travelers with the Akron-Canton Airport and workers in Central Ohio's growing job market with Greater Akron's more affordable housing stock. There's no word yet whether her request will go anywhere, but at least someone is speaking up for the region.

During her tenure, she brought back $100 million in federal dollars to the district. The Akron Metro RTA station, for example, received a $37 million grant to build a new facility. In Stark County, SARTA is getting another $4 million in federal funds to continue to be the leader in hydrogen-powered vehicles in the country.

As a legislator, Sykes can't write grants for constituents, but she has knowledge of what grants are available, and she can share advise on how to secure them.

There is still a lot work to be done  a fact Sykes readily acknowledges. Too many Akron-Canton residents still struggle to make ends meet or pay off students loans. Downtown Canton and Akron have many vacancies to fill in a post-COVID, work-from-home era. And local businesses need more workers.

What's Sykes' No. 1 priority for the remaining year of her freshman term?

"So it's pretty boring," she said. "I just want this government to work for people in this area."

In these times of uncivil discourse and ineffective division in federal politics, we'll take boring any day.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Rep. Emilia Sykes seeks to be effective within an ineffective Congress
A driver mysteriously disappeared from a hit-and-run scene  then came a gruesome discovery, officials said.

Days after the crash, the missing North Carolina driver was found dead down a steep embankment. He was thrown from his vehicle before it continued moving, causing the hit-and-run Jan. 6, according to the High Point Police Department.

Officers were called to Interstate 74 and found a vehicle they believed was involved in the hit-and-run. But the vehicle was empty, sparking a search for the person who had been behind the wheel, police wrote in a news release.

Police identified the driver, and a K-9 search led officers near his home. But they said the man was nowhere to be found.

Then on Jan. 8, the drivers family reported him missing. Two days later, officers continued looking for the man on a lake near his neighborhood.

Later that day, an individual who was part of a private search party searched the woods around the crash site and located a body at the bottom of a steep embankment, about 25 feet down, police wrote. The man had a substantial head injury and was pronounced dead.

The man was identified as the driver, 33-year-old Eric L. Morrison Jr. of High Point.

Officers believe Morrison was on the interstate when he lost control coming up the exit ramp and ran off the side of the road. He was thrown from the vehicle and hit a guardrail, killing him instantly, officials said.

His body was found 75 feet away from where he hit the guardrail, police wrote. His vehicle continued to travel about 250 feet up the road, where it hit another vehicle at the top of the ramp.

Two men helping crashed SUV are killed when pickup hits them, North Carolina cops say

Woman and her dog are hit and killed as she chases after it on NC highway, cops say
Los Angeles City Council District 8 spreads across much of South L.A., from the elegant homes in Baldwin Hills to the impoverished neighborhoods in southeast L.A. and the ongoing revitalization of the Crenshaw Boulevard commercial district.

City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson has represented the district since 2015 and has been an effective steward of this changing community, tackling homelessness, economic development and public safety.

Harris-Dawson is running for a third and final term (in accordance with term limits) in the March election. He gets our endorsement  once again  to finish his work in this district.

Read more: L.A. Times electoral endorsements for 2024 March primary

That work includes addressing homelessness  one of the most pressing issues in his district and the city  with temporary and permanent housing. He actively welcomed development of the 1,040 units of housing for people who are homeless (or in danger of becoming homeless) subsidized through the citys Proposition HHH bond measure program that are either open or under construction in his district. This is the second-highest number of HHH units in any district in the city, according to the L.A. Housing Department. Underused city land in his district was available to be repurposed for homeless housing.

He has also moved people from large tent encampments in his district including one at 87th Street and Western Avenue and another at the intersection of Century Boulevard and the 110 Freeway  into hotels and motels through Mayor Karen Bass Inside Safe program. In the few instances of homeless people returning to those locations, the councilman's office alerted service providers who returned to do outreach before Inside Safe rooms were offered.

Harris-Dawson has also gotten people off the streets without designating any sidewalks in his district as off-limits to homeless people under the city's controversial 41.18 camping ban. That city ordinance doesnt resolve homelessness, it just shuffles people from one sidewalk to the next, and Harris-Dawson knows that.

Read more: Editorial: Bass had a strong first year on homelessness. Year 2, L.A. needs more housing

In his years on the council, he has been a progressive voice, particularly on public safety issues.



He is a champion for criminal justice reform, specifically ending traffic enforcement stops by armed LAPD officers, which he says is one of the most damaging factors in community-police relationships. "I dont know any driver of color who has not been part of what they consider an unjustified police stop. You cannot do policing in communities that do not trust them, he said.

He also joined other council members to push for the creation of unarmed crisis response for people having mental health emergencies. And in his district, he directed and supported emergency vans staffed with healthcare providers to roll out of a fire station in his district on mental and physical health care calls as part of a pilot program.

He started Project Figueroa, an effort with police and the city attorney to shut down sex-trafficking of girls and women on Figueroa Street  a decades-long magnet for this activity  by using surveillance cameras to help arrest pimps and customers rather than criminalizing sex workers. He has worked with the city to prioritize resolving complaints against motels that participate in the sex trade. Three motel owners have lost their permits to operate. He would like to see those places eventually become housing.

Read more: Destination Crenshaw announces new artworks, official grand opening pushed to early 2024

He has also helped facilitate commercial development in his district to bring more retail and job opportunities to his constituents. His biggest achievement has been Destination Crenshaw, a 1.3-mile outdoor installation of significant Black art and parks along Crenshaw Boulevard  the major commercial corridor in South LA. The project, which celebrates Black culture and the Black roots of the Crenshaw area, is expected to open this year.

The district is still beset with undeveloped stretches of land and buildings in disrepair  at least partially a result of a badly needed overhaul of water and power infrastructure, something Harris-Dawson has been pushing for. But thats an issue one of his two opponents, Cliff Smith, a community activist and business manager for the union Roofers Local 36, says is a reason he should replace Harris-Dawson. Smith, who served two terms on the South Central Neighborhood Council, has been a dogged advocate on community issues and may one day be a viable City Council candidate. Harris-Dawsons other opponent, Jahan Epps, is a real estate broker and developer.

Neither challenger has the experience or accomplishments of Harris-Dawson. District 8 will benefit with him at the helm for one last term.

If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
 Flash

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday held a phone conversation with his Canadian counterpart Melanie Joly at the latter's request.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that both China and Canada are countries with important influence in the Asia-Pacific region.

The two countries have neither historical rows nor realistic conflicts of interests, and share many common interests and enjoy complementary advantages, he said.

Wang noted that the current challenging China-Canada relationship is not what China desires, nor is caused by China, while China is open to maintain contact and dialogue with Canada.

Wang put forward three points on improving and developing China-Canada relations:

Firstly, correct cognition. The root cause of the downturn of China-Canada relations in recent years is the serious deviation of the Canadian side's perception of China.

China hopes that the Canadian side can objectively, rationally and correctly interpret China's domestic and foreign policies. China neither exports ideology nor challenges the international order, but has consistently upheld the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, the international system with the UN at its core and the international order based on international law. At the same time, China must firmly safeguard its own sovereignty, security and development interests and never allow the Chinese people to be deprived of their legitimate rights to development, Wang said.

Secondly, mutual respect. The differences in social systems and ideologies between China and Canada stem from their respective histories, cultures, national conditions and people's choices. The two sides should respect each other, engage in dialogue on an equal footing, increase trust, dispel misgivings and strengthen communication responsibly and constructively, so as not to let differences dominate bilateral relations, Wang said.

He also urged the Canadian side to earnestly implement its commitment to the one-China policy, preserve the political foundation of China-Canada relations, and not send any wrong signal to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

Thirdly, win-win cooperation. China will continue to expand high-level opening-up, and Chinese-style modernization will surely bring important development opportunities to Canada and other countries in the world, Wang said.

As promoters and beneficiaries of free trade, China and Canada should jointly oppose the politicization and pan-security of economic issues and create a fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for business development, he added.

Joly, for her part, said that healthy and stable Canada-China relations serve the fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples.

Despite the difficulties in bilateral relations, Canada is willing to bring bilateral relations back to the right track with a more open, practical and constructive attitude, and is willing to strengthen communication and dialogue with China, promote personnel exchanges, deepen economic and trade cooperation, and maintain close coordination and cooperation on environmental protection, biodiversity and international and regional issues, Joly said.
Estonia is contemplating planting landmines along its border with Russia, including both anti-personnel and anti-tank mines, deputy chair of Estonian parliamentary Defense Committee, Leo Kunnas, said on Jan. 12, as reported by public broadcaster ERR.

He said that three important conditions must be met for the construction of fortifications along Estonias border with Russia.

Read also: Estonian donations to Ukraine dropped fivefold during 2023

First, we must replace the stocks of engineering materials and mines that we gave to Ukraine, said Kunnas.

For instance, we gave [Ukriane] a very large number of anti-tank mines. We need to immediately replace them and then acquire more mines, explosives, and ammunition.

Read also: Estonia commits 0.25% of its GDP to UAs defense over next 4 years, calls on allies to do the same

The next step, he said, should be the Baltic countries' denunciation of the Ottawa Convention, which bans the use of anti-personnel mines.

Read also: Zelenskyy arrives in Tallinn, Estonia on second leg of Baltic tour

Thirdly, Kunnas mentioned that Estonia should start producing its own military explosives, which could be used in anti-tank and anti-personnel mines, mine-clearing charges, and artillery shells.

Having such manufacturing capabilities would be important for us because the quantity needed is also very large, the MP explains.

Once we do all this, we can then talk about starting to seriously build defensive structures.

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
Madison Countys ethics adviser is recommending that the County Board sanction Chairman Kurt Prenzler for handing out campaign-style business cards while on the job.

Adviser Bruce Mattea, a Collinsville attorney, stated in an investigative report that Prenzler violated a county ethics ordinance when he gave the cards to a vendor working at the county administration building last fall and to an assistant states attorney.

The orange cards with black lettering included a list of Prenzlers accomplishments and links to his political campaign fundraising website, according to the report. He had written his cellphone number on the card given to the vendor.

This innuendo is highly improper, it diminishes public confidence, and such actions could lead to distrust of the Countys elected officials, Mattea wrote. It reinforces the concept of political quid-pro-quo.

It could result in the albeit mistaken impression on the part of the recipient that a political contribution to the Chairmans campaign would result in economic advantage to the vendor.

The Madison County Ethics Ordinance prohibits soliciting campaign donations or votes on county time or property.

Prenzler, a Republican, blames the investigation on politics and insists that he wasnt campaigning when he gave the card to Mark Weimerskirch, an employee of Pinkerton Consulting & Investigations, who had been hired to perform a security analysis of the county administration building.

Prenzler told the BND that he spoke to Weimerskirch on a variety of topics, including his whistle-blowing against former county Treasurer Fred Bathon, who was sent to federal prison in 2013; and gave Weimerskirch the orange card because it listed the Bathon case as one of his accomplishments.

Prenzler noted that Weimerskirch is an Ohio resident who cant vote in Illinois elections.

(The investigation) is just another attempt by Chris Slusser to weaponize the criminal justice system against me  like theyre doing with Pres. Trump, Prenzler wrote in an email.

This doesnt even meet the low standards of Chicago Democrats. This was sent to the Democrat Illinois Attorney General and the Illinois State Police, and they saw nothing wrong.

Prenzler was referring to the fact that States Attorney Tom Haines office forwarded the allegations to the Illinois State Police and Illinois attorney generals office for review. Both declined to investigate or file criminal charges, according to county emails obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request.

Prenzler is facing a contentious primary challenge by Republican county Treasurer Chris Slusser.

Slussers own conduct is similar to Fred Bathons conduct, Prenzler wrote in the email. A county board member has asked the ethics officer for an opinion on Slussers unethical conduct.

Slusser isnt mentioned in Matteas report on Prenzler.

Madison County Board Chairman Kurt Prenzlers campaign-style business cards, as described by the countys ethics adviser, are shown next to examples of official county business cards.

This isnt the first time campaigning on the job has been an issue in Madison County. Four years ago, the County Board fired Administrator Doug Hulme and IT Director Rob Dorman, both hired by Prenzler, for allegedly spying on county employees by accessing their emails.

Hulme and Dorman denied wrongdoing and argued that they were trying to document what they described as widespread campaigning by Democrats on county time and property.

My job was to make it stop and let the County Board know about it, Hulme said in a interview last year.

The Madison County Board is scheduled to discuss Matteas report on Prenzler at an Executive Committee meeting at 4:15 p.m. Wednesday, according to board Chairman Pro Tem Mick Madison.

Madison, a Republican, was appointed chairman pro tem in 2022, when the County Board voted 19-6 to strip Prenzler of some of his powers due to complaints about his leadership.

On Dec. 5, 2023, Madison asked Mattea to review the allegations against Prenzler, as suggested in an email from Haine, a Republican.

We gave this allegation, an initial review ... and concluded that it potentially implicated not only the County Ethics Ordinance but also state law, Haine wrote to Madison, county Administrator Dave Tanzyus and Human Resources Manager Andrew Esping.

Haine stated that his office would normally prosecute or decide not to prosecute in such cases but the likelihood for a conflict of interest here (Chairman Prenzler being a current county official) was high.

Madison notified County Board members in an email that he was referring the case to Mattea, noting that the Illinois State Police and Illinois attorney generals office had declined to act.

Just because certain issues are not found to be illegal, or prosecuted, does not, necessarily, mean they are not unethical, Madison wrote.

Madison declined to comment Thursday on the allegations against Prenzler, other than to say that he has asked for a list of potential actions available to the board in response to the report.

Were getting pretty close to an election here, and I dont want to give the look of impropriety by playing politics, said Madison, of Bethalto, who represents county District 5.

County Board members received Matteas 13-page report and two-page addendum on Thursday.

Mattea didnt respond to a BND request for comment.

The report refers to Weimerskirch, but his name is redacted in emails that the county released earlier this month in response to a FOIA request. The documents present the following timeline:

Weimerskirch was working at the county administration building last fall, when he got into a conversation with Prenzler, who gave him the orange business card.

Weimerskirch spoke by phone to Annette Schoeberle, the countys director of safety and risk management, on Oct. 26, 2023, and mentioned that he thought the card was odd compared to official business cards from other county officials.

In a video conference later that day, Schoeberle reported her conversation with Weimerskirch to Assistant States Attorney David Livingstone.

Livingstone spoke to Assistant States Attorney Paul Evans, who told him that Prenzler gave him the same orange card after an awkward discussion about politics last year, when Evans was assisting with a county real-estate transaction.

Livingston outlined the allegations against Prenzler in an email to Haine on Nov. 3, 2023.

The alleged distribution of a business card with political content which implicitly requests or solicits campaign donations and potentially votes (both of which would grant a personal advantage to the Chairman) appears to be forbidden by County Ordinance if it occurred, Livingstone wrote.

On Nov. 5, 2023, Haine asked First Assistant States Attorney Chad Loughrey to refer the allegations to the Illinois State Police and Illinois attorney generals office, which Loughrey did.

ISP Sgt. Windy Westfall responded by stating that the case does not meet our criteria to conduct a criminal investigation.

Loughrey had asked that the attorney generals office accept the matter as a special prosecutor. The response came from Richard Cenar, deputy chief of its criminal enforcement division.

I regret to inform you that our office is unable to provide the assistance that you are requesting, Cenar wrote in an email.
European Union flags fly outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels

(Reuters) - The European Commission and the European Investment Fund (EIF) on Friday announced the launch of a new 175 million euro ($191.57 million) fund to bolster defence and security innovation.

The Defence Equity Facility is expected to leverage around 500 million euros in total investment by attracting investments from private equity and venture capital funds.

The fund is part of the bloc's efforts to play a greater role in defence policy and stifle business activity in a sector seen as decisive in the face of internal security threats and various armed conflicts in Europe's close neighbourhood.

It will focus on technologies with civilian and defence applications over the next four years, the commission said.

(Reporting by Tassilo Hummel and Andrew Gray; editing by Bart Meijer)
By Gabriela Baczynska

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - A group of EU lawmakers called on member states' governments on Friday to punish Hungary's Viktor Orban for damaging democracy at home by moving one step closer to suspending Budapest's vote in the bloc, a letter signed by the lawmakers showed.

One hundred and twenty of the European Parliament's 705 members singed the letter after Orban blocked a review of the bloc's budget in December that included granting Ukraine 50 billion euros ($55 billion) in new financial aid through 2027.

Last month's tense summit of EU leaders - during which Orban also let the other 26 countries advance Kyiv's membership bid despite his public opposition to such a move - capped another year of evermore bitter feuds between the bloc and Budapest over the independence of Hungarian courts, corruption and freedom of minorities, non-governmental organisations and education.

"The letter demonstrates a clear willingness in the Parliament to launch Article 7.2 TEU," the author of the letter, Finland's MEP, Petri Sarvamaa, said, referring to the next step in the disciplinary steps described in article 7 of the EU treaty for countries not respecting the rule of law.

"But above all, it highlights the urgency of addressing Viktor Orban's actions," said Sarvamaa, who is from the centre-right European People's Party (EPP), the biggest faction in the current European legislature.

Speaking on public radio, Balazs Hidveghi, an MEP from Orban's Fidesz party, dismissed the letter as yet another attack by Hungary's critics.

"Our adversaries, who have been smearing Hungary with lies for years and are trying to make our life more difficult in Brussels... have launched another attack," he said.

The European Parliament wants to adopt a resolution on Hungary next week as its main political families are dissatisfied with the European Commission's decision in December to unfreeze billions in EU financial support to Budapest.

The money has been suspended for years over concerns that Orban is undermining democratic checks and balances.

THE POLISH FACTOR

The Commission decision last month was seen as part of a deal to make Budapest agree to the money for Kyiv but many MEPs argue Budapest has not really addressed rule of law concerns.

In power for more than 13 years, Orban has clashed with the EU over the rights of migrants, LGBT community, freedom of courts and academics, with the Commission and international watchdogs lambasting Budapest for damaging the rule of law.

The Friday letter calls for the EU to take another step in a punitive procedure called "Article 7" and launched against Hungary in 2018. The lengthy process could eventually culminate in suspending Hungary's voting rights in the bloc.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine two year ago, Orban has also emerged as loud critic of EU's sanctions against Moscow and the bloc's financial and military support for Ukraine. EU leaders have to deal with obstruction from Hungary each time they want to adopt a new measure to help Kyiv.

They will meet again in Brussels on Feb. 1 to have another go at the 50 billion euro support package for Ukraine. If Hungary's vote in the EU were to be suspended as a result of the Article 7 process, aid for Ukraine could be agreed much more easily.

Taking away Hungary's EU vote has until recently been unrealistic, because Orban had the backing of nationalist allies in Poland.

But Warsaw's support is no longer there. An election last November brought to power pro-European Prime Minister Donald Tusk who has vowed to restore the rule of law at home and has made supporting Ukraine a key priority.

(Additional reporting by Gergely Szakacs in Budapest; Reporting by Gabriela Baczynska; editing by Jan Strupczewski and Nick Macfie)
The European Commission is ready to accept some of Hungary's demands in order to overcome its veto of a 50 billion support package for Ukraine.

Source: Financial Times, citing unnamed officials, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The newspaper's sources indicated that the European Commission was ready to give Budapest the right to assess whether Ukraine still needed money and whether it had fulfilled the requirements for EU aid in 2025 to persuade Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to lift his veto.

The FT noted that Orban will, in fact, have the right to veto aid to Ukraine in 2025.

The European Commission is also not opposed to annual aid reviews and the addition of an "emergency brake" clause, according to which any country can raise critical concerns about payments to Ukraine for discussion at a summit of EU leaders. However, the article says this will not give Hungary an additional opportunity to veto the bill.

When asked whether this would be enough for Orban to lift his veto, the Hungarian senior official replied: "Still uncertain, but I say most probably yes."

The source said the Hungarians "are in a negotiating mood".

The newspaper reported that concessions to Hungary are better than alternative arrangements requiring more complex mechanisms to bypass Budapest.

These include, in particular, extending the existing loan for one year, raising joint debt backed by national guarantees, or creating a special financial mechanism to pay grants.

All of these options could be implemented without Hungary's involvement, although they are costlier and would take longer to set up and disburse funds to Ukraine.

For its part, Kyiv insists that it needs to receive the aid by March at the latest to avoid having to resort to printing money to finance its expenditure.

Hungary says it may lift its veto on the 50 billion EU aid package to Ukraine, provided that the funding is reviewed annually.

The permanent representatives of the EU member states recently reached a partial agreement on a solution that should unlock the disbursement of 50 billion to Ukraine over the next four years.

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A duplex at Cleveland Street and 18th Avenue in Eugene, pictured in the summer of 2019.

Corrections and Clarifications: This story was updated at 10 a.m. Saturday to reflect that

Eugene city councilors are revisiting the middle housing ordinance they passed in May 2022 after the measure was struck down in court.

The council passed the law in response to Oregon's House Bill 2001, which required large cities to adopt codes that banned single-family exclusive zones or adopt the state's model code in the name of increasing housing supply and choice.

Councilors went above the state's minimum requirements by also allowing detached accessory dwelling units middle housing such as cottage clusters and townhouses in addition to the required attached middle housing such as duplexes and triplexes, incentivizing some development and eliminating off-street parking requirements in areas served by the EMX. In November, they eliminated those parking requirements in all areas because of new state rules.

Eugene city councilors are revisiting the middle housing ordinance they passed in May 2022 after the measure was struck down in court.

In October 2023, the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals with an opinion from the Oregon Court of Appeals struck down Eugene's middle housing ordinance on the grounds that it failed to account for the infrastructure needed for the middle housing the ordinance allowed. Eugene has been governed by the state-recommended code in the months since.

"Although updating the public facilities and services plan likely was not feasible on the schedule that the legislature imposed  there were other ways to achieve compliance with Goal 11, like adopting provisions similar to those in the model code that limit middle housing on lots that lack sufficient infrastructure to support it," wrote presiding Judge Scott Shorr.

Goal 11 refers to the 11th of Oregon's 19 statewide planning goals. Goal 11 requires land use laws and decisions take into account how development will be served by public services such as water and sewer services, police and fire protection, health services, recreation facilities, and energy and communication services.

In the new ordinance, the city doesn't reduce where the middle housing rules apply but instead explains that the city already doesn't approve developments that don't have sufficient infrastructure and that it has plans to expand those services.

"We have provisions  that say that development, including middle housing development, but also including single-family homes and other types of development is prohibited if the applicant can't demonstrate that the property can be served," said Lauren Summers, assistant city attorney.

A table showing the number of middle housing units developed in 2022 and 2023. Provided by City of Eugene

Councilors agreed to hold the public hearing for the staff-recommended additions, which read in part,

"Almost all areas within the city limits of Eugene and Springfield are served or can be served in the short term (05 years) with water, wastewater, stormwater, and electric service," the code states. "The public facility projects identified in the (Public Facilities and Services Plan) to support and serve residential uses will also support and serve middle housing uses."

According to senior planner Jeff Gepper, in the first six months of the city's middle housing ordinance, they saw the development of 36 units of middle housing, compared with seven units in the previous six months.

The Eugene City Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the revisions Tuesday, Jan. 16, and vote on them Monday, Jan. 22. Written public comment can be emailed to MiddleHousingTestimony@eugene-or.gov or mailed to Jeff Gepper, Planning Division, 99 W. 10th Ave., Eugene.

Alan Torres covers local government for the Register-Guard. He can be reached over email at atorres@registerguard.com or on X @alanfryetorres.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Eugene must revisit middle housing ordinance after court ruling
The European Commission approved on Jan. 11 a 126 million euro ($138 million) fund to help strengthen Romanian port infrastructure and reduce congestion caused by increased Ukrainian exports.

Romania plays a crucial role in Ukrainian exports amid Russia's threats to Black Sea maritime transport, shipping out almost 60% of Ukraine's produce. Romanian and Ukrainian officials have been working to expand the capacity of Romania's shipping infrastructure on the Danube River and Black Sea.

The Danube's importance as a shipping route rose sharply following Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea grain deal in July.

The fund will be dispersed in grants of up to 10 million euros for companies willing to invest in increasing their storage capacity in the region.

The project will help bolster the EU's "Solidarity Lanes" initiative, which seeks to support Ukraine's export capacity harmed by Russian aggression in the Black Sea.

"This 126 million euro scheme will allow Romania to reduce bottlenecks created by the sudden surge in goods arriving in the Danube and Black Sea coast ports. The aid will support port operators to process and store queuing goods, thereby reducing the blockade caused by Russias war against Ukraine," said Margrethe Vestager, the European Commissioner for Competition.

The European Commission said the aid is justified because it would be difficult to get private investment into the project due to risks and uncertainty created by the war.

It is also unclear what the future of Ukrainian exports through Romania will be if Ukraine's Black Sea ports reopen to their pre-war capacity.

Read also: Sunak confirms $3.2 billion aid package for Ukraine, signs security deal with Zelensky

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Petri Sarvamaa, a Finnish Member of the European Parliament, collected the necessary 120 signatures on a petition to deprive Hungary of the right to vote in the Council of the European Union.

Source: Sarvamaa on Twitter (X), as reported by European Pravda

Details: According to Sarvamaa, his petition was supported by 120 MEPs from different political groups and "several member states".

"We are one step closer to withdraw Orbans voting rights.... Next it would be crucial to measure the final overall support for the petitions idea in plenary as soon as possible," he added.

Sarvamaa notes that his proposals can be included in the resolution of the European Parliament on Hungary, for which members of parliament will vote next week.

The EU has been considering the possibility of applying the provisions of Article 7 of the Treaty on the European Union, which can make it possible to deprive Budapest of the right to vote due to the requirements put forward by Hungary in exchange for financial assistance to Ukraine.

The petition comes after Charles Michel, President of the European Council, announced his planned resignation in order to run for the European Parliament elections. This could strengthen Orban's role in the EU: he will temporarily chair the European Council if EU leaders do not find a replacement for Michel.

Read also: Will Orban be allowed to "seize" EU power? onsequences of Charles Michel's resignation

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Community members can pay tribute to the lasting legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. at a Monday bell ringing ceremony on the Columbia Basin College campus.

The annual event begins at 5:30 p.m. at the MLK Jr. statue outside the Lee R. Thornton Center (T Building). The bell ringing will be led by Miss Juneteenth Queen Alyssa Dunstan and then the event moves inside the Gjerde Center for the presentation of the colleges Martin Luther King Jr. Spirit Award.

The event this year will feature an art gallery highlighting civil rights history and Black artists, information about MLK Jr.s life, choir and spoke word poetry performances, and some light refreshments and free boxed food from HoneyBaked Ham Company. Anyone is welcome to attend.

The recipient of the 2024 Spirit Award is Joseph Joe Thornton, founder of the youth mentorship nonprofit Big Bro Joe Foundation. His story will be highlighted Monday in the Tri-City Herald eEdition and on the tricityherald.com website.

The award is bestowed on someone in the Tri-Cities community who strongly believes in equality and social justice and whose contributions to society reflect the spirit, philosophy and teachings of the late civil rights icon.

The statue of King was erected at the college at 2600 N. 20th Ave. in Pasco more than three decades ago.

MLK Jr. Day of Service

Thousands of service projects also are planned across the country on Monday as part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.

At least one of those will take place in the Tri-Cities.

About 30 AmeriCorps members with Serve Tri-Cities will provide games, crafts and tasty treats to residents of Luther Senior Center in Richland, starting at 11 a.m.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service to encourage Americans to volunteer to honor the life and legacy of King and improve their communities, according to a news release.

The MLK Jr. Day of Service shines a spotlight on service as a powerful force to bridge economic and social divides.

Today we answer Dr. Kings call to serve and are making a difference in the lives of Luther Senior Centers residents, said Dyann Trujillo, program director of Serve Tri-Cities, in a statement. A resourceful way to meet local needs, volunteer service is a powerful tool that builds strong communities. We are putting the core American principles of citizenship and service into action.

Serve Tri-Cities is one of 24 organizations in Washington that have AmeriCorps programs throughout the 2023-24 service year. More than $24 million in federal grants help support 1,500 AmeriCorps members serving in Washington state.

Serve Tri-Cities has been a part of student success in Pasco School District for 30 years by putting on family events and assisting hundreds of K-5 students with their academics.

Alpha Kappa Alpha sock fundraiser

The Psi Nu Omega chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority will be accepting new pairs of socks for men, women and children.

The fundraiser is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday at Columbia Center mall, 1321 N. Columbia Center Boulevard in Kennewick.

Their goal is to raise 1,500 pairs for those in need. Thats triple their goal last year.

All donations will be distributed to agencies providing homeless resources.

Free food distribution for homeless

The Tri-Cities Diversity and Inclusion Council will distribute food and essential items to the homeless and those struggling with housing Saturday, Jan. 20.

This fourth-annual, free drive-through resource event is 10 a.m. to noon at the Gesa Stadium parking lot, 6200 Burden Boulevard in Pasco.

The event is being sponsored by Lutheran Community Services Northwest, HAPO Community Credit Union and more than a dozen other local businesses and organizations.
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A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Thursday said that the elections in the Taiwan region are purely China's internal affairs, which brook no external interference, and China urges the U.S. side to stop interfering in elections in the Taiwan region in any form.

Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a daily press briefing when answering a relevant query.

Mao said there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. China firmly opposes the United States having any form of official contact with the Taiwan region.

The United States needs to earnestly abide by the one-China principle and stipulations of the three China-U.S. joint communiques, prudently and properly handle Taiwan-related issues, stop official contact with the Taiwan region, and stop sending wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, she said.

The United States must not interfere in the elections in the Taiwan region in any form, or do anything harmful to China-U.S. relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, she said.

The Taiwan question is China's internal affairs. Elections in the Taiwan region are purely China's internal affairs that brook no external interference, said Mao, noting that China deplores and strongly opposes the U.S.' unwarranted comments on Taiwan's elections.

Mao stressed that the Taiwan question is the very core of China's core interests and is the first red line that must not be crossed in China-U.S. relations.

China urges the United States to abide by the one-China principle and stipulations of the three China-U.S. joint communiques, honor the commitment made by U.S. leaders, stop interfering in elections in the Taiwan region in any form and stop sending wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, said the spokesperson.

She added China will take resolute and strong measures to safeguard its sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.
Organizations and groups in the Mid-Valley will host Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations throughout January, honoring the civil rights activist's life and legacy.

Here are 2024 events commemorating King's life around the Mid-Valley.

Salem-Keizer NAACP, American Red Cross partner for blood drive

Salem-Keizer's NAACP branch will host a blood drive with the American Red Cross at the Salem Donor Center, at 1860 Hawthorne Ave. NE, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 15.

Potential donors can schedule an appointment in advance of the blood drive via their website www.redcross.org/local/oregon.

Although walk-ins are available, Stephen Grady, a Salem account manager for the American Red Cross, suggests making an appointment.

"When you make an appointment, you can choose to donate platelets, blood, or power red," Grady told the Statesman Journal.

A Power Red donation, as defined by the American Red Cross, is a process where only red blood cells are taken, and the plasma and platelets are returned back to the donor.

There are different requirements for power red donations  only people with O-positive, O-negative, A-negative and B-negative blood types can donate this way.

"There's an ongoing need for blood on a daily basis, and we're feeling that need," Grady said.

"We're struggling to fulfill our hospital orders over here so every donation really counts."

For more information, visit sknaacp1166.org.

Silverton Grange and People for Peace 22nd annual observance

The Silverton Grange and Silverton People for Peace hosts a memorial observance and a community potluck beginning at 6 p.m. on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Portland community and union organizer Bryan Lewis will speak on "A Moral Revival and a Poor and Working People's Agenda for a Better Oregon." There also will be readings, sing-a-longs and a community potluck.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

For more information, visit www.silvertongrange.org.

Chemeketa Community College and Salem-Keizer NAACP

The Salem-Keizer NAACP and Chemeketa Community College invite the public to learn about Dr. King's life on Wednesday from 1-3 p.m. in Room 179 of the Student Center at 4000 Lancaster Drive NE., Building 2. The event also will be live-streamed.

The theme is "love, truth, and firmness," said guest speaker, Chemeketa Community College history professor Taylor Marrow III.

"In the face of violence and oppression, the commitment to non-violence is the way to fight it," Marrow said.

For more information, visit www.sknaacp1166.org.

Fee-free outdoor spots for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

The Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service will waive many fees on Monday, Jan. 15.

The Bureau of Land Management waived day-use fees at these locations:

For more information, visit: https://www.blm.gov/visit.

The Forest Service will waive most recreation day use fees for national forests in Oregon in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Most trailheads, picnic areas, boat launches and visitor centers will have free entry.

Locations include:

Camping, cabin rentals and permit fees still apply.

For more information, visit: the Forest Service's Pacific Northwest Forest Area Map.

For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Christian Willbern at cwillbern@statesmanjournal.com

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2024 events around Salem, Oregon
The platforms at Altona station are empty after German Train Drivers' Union (GDL) has called for a strike to protest the current wage dispute with Deutsche Bahn and other companies from the middle of the week. Marcus Brandt/dpa

Around one in three long-distance trains operated by state-owned German rail firm Deutsche Bahn ran late last year, an embarrassing figure for a rail system once known for its promptness.

Some 36% of stops were reached with a delay of more than 5:59 minutes, a Deutsche Bahn spokesman said on Friday, meaning under the company's definition only 64% of long-distance services was on-time, slightly lower than 65.2% in 2022.

Deutsche Bahn considers a stop on time if the train is less than 6:00 minutes late.

Increasing demand, combined with ageing infrastructure and construction work, has delivered a perfect storm of delays and cancellations for rail travellers in recent years, making Deutsche Bahn a frequent punch line and source of frustration for Germans.

Deutsche Bahn said a few months ago that it had given up on meeting its 70% punctuality target for the year. The company says construction is the primary cause of the delays.

In 2020, 81.8% of long-distance trains were still on time.

Regional networks fared much better last year, with 91% of those trains considered punctual.

By 2030, the railway aims to have turned dozens of lines into high-speed corridors - but this will require far-reaching construction and refurbishment projects.
The Iowa caucuses are Monday, and all the action is on the Republican side. After former Democratic National Committee chair Tom Perez blew up the partys 2020 caucuses by shoving an untested app down our throats, Joe Biden  who has never done well in Iowa  put the final shovelful of dirt on the grave of the Democratic end of things.

Iowa Democrats are doing their best by asking Democrats to turn in caucus preference cards and attending party meetings Monday night, but theres little excitement about the process. Sure, they are behind Biden 100%, and fear any Republican in the Oval Office, but the thrill of the caucuses is gone.

Donald Trump is leading Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley by more than 30 points in most polls, so here the race is for second. The media narrative is that DeSantis is fading, and Haley is on the rise. However, the Florida governor is much better on the ground here in Iowa than on TV, and Im sad to say that many of my fellow Iowans love his casual cruelty. His loudest cheers come when he exclaims how proud he is about shipping immigrants from the border (which his home state doesnt touch) to northern cities. Im old enough to remember when that would have been called human trafficking.

What has really hurt DeSantis is the media focus on his white boots, pudding fingers, and other minor missteps. That and they dont like his facial expressions and body language  clearly more important things to talk about than his policies. Not so much.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and evangelical Christian kingmaker Bob Vander Plaats have endorsed DeSantis. Reynolds backing wont move the needle, and Vander Plaats nod might hurt. Many on the right  especially Trump supporters  are tired of the sanctimonious churchy folk trying to drag them to the pews as well as the voting booth. Vander Plaats also brought them losers Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum and Ted Cruz in years past.

Some Republican voters warm to Nikki Haley

Iowa Republicans love Haley  unless they love Trump. Shes too much of a RINO for that group, and her policies too reasonable. Shes not the blunt instrument they like. Yet at her events, she shows genuine rapport with the crowds, especially among women. I have many Republican friends who love Trump, and when I tell them I think Haley has the best chance to beat Biden, they dont care. They are all-in on Trump, sink or swim. A few of my friends whom I call Eisenhower Republicans, who were troubled by Trump, have soured on DeSantis and recently broke for Haley. The fact that she is now within striking distance of Trump in New Hampshire will help her.

Ive been to many Vivek Ramaswamy events over the past few months  and have talked to him enough to like him as a person  but over the holidays, there was a hint of desperation in the air as he circled the drain. Well see if he has a future in politics, but I will say it has been interesting to have had him around.

Asa Hutchinson either prefers Iowa over his native Arkansas, or his family needs to do an intervention. If he is still in the race Tuesday morning, hes delusional.

Here in Iowa, Trump is at the sloppy top of his game. He blathers on about magnets, windmills and more. I was at the event in Newton where he said he could have negotiated us through the Civil War. People around me nodded and applauded. That it would have been impossible was irrelevant. Give the guy a chance! He knows the art of the deal!

People thought Trumps court troubles would keep him out of Iowa. Didnt happen. The Des Moines Register reports he has held 25 rallies since March 13, 2021. While that doesnt compare with other candidates, each of his rallies packs a more powerful punch than maybe 100 of theirs.

His rallies are rites of intensification that build community, always with music and often with dancing. Its cosplay in MAGA gear. When he takes the stage to Lee Greenwoods God Bless the USA, the music doesnt fade to allow him to speak. He stands there, in his magnificence, as the entire song plays  looking into the eyes of as many members of the audience he can, making personal connections, occasionally nodding, smiling at or pointing at someone.

Marion County GOP holds Trump fan meetings

Here where I live, in Marion County, Trump is so loved that the county Republican Party has its monthly central committee meeting, but for months they have also been holding a separate monthly meeting just for Trump supporters.

Trump had almost no ground game in 2016, and now he has the best data of any campaign. Staffers work the crowds with commit-to-caucus cards not only at his rallies but at other events he isnt even at, like the Vander Plaats Family Leadership Summit. Trump has built a powerful team that is like no other, and he makes his followers feel loved  comrades on the battlefield for the future of our nation.

On Monday night, Iowa Republicans will gather in churches, libraries and other community centers to hold our storied caucuses to launch the nomination cycle.

Real Clear Politics polling as of Jan. 9 had Trump with a 35.6% lead over Haley and DeSantis in Iowa, both holding close to 17% of Republicans preferring them. The race is for second in Iowa. If Haley beats expectations, she will go into New Hampshire strong on Jan. 23, and then head to her home state on Feb. 3 to see if she can make a run against Trump. If he doesnt do well, Ron DeSantis will go home and  knowing which way the wind is blowing  will likely endorse Trump

The forecast for Monday, caucus day, has a predicted high in Des Moines of minus 5 degrees, and a low of minus 15. Ive stood in lines with thousands of other Iowans at Trump rallies for hours in stroke-inducing heat and shivered at others when it was below freezing. No matter how bad the weather, no one walks away.

The MAGA army will be there Monday. Im not so sure of DeSantis or Haley supporters. Believe it or not, Trump could beat expectations.

Robert Leonard is an anthropologist in Knoxville/Pella, Iowa. He writes the newsletter Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture at rleonard.substack.com
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The Houthi rebel group in Yemen has vowed strong retaliation against the United States and Britain for airstrikes carried out earlier on Friday in areas under their control.

According to a statement from Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea, the American and British forces launched a "brutal aggression," with 73 raids targeting the Yemeni capital Sanaa as well as the provinces of Hodeidah, Taiz, Hajjah and Saada.

The spokesman said the raids have resulted in the deaths of five people, with at least six being injured.

He strongly condemned the strikes and said the Houthis "will not hesitate to target all sources of threat."

He also warned that the "American-British aggression will not go unanswered and unpunished."

The spokesman reiterated the Houthis' stance in support of the Palestinian cause, saying the raids "will not deter us from our position in support of the oppression of the Palestinian people."

Additionally, the Houthi representative confirmed the rebel group will continue to prevent Israeli ships from navigating the Arabian and Red Seas.
PIERRE  Bills involving certain aspects of the criminal justice system are making their way through legislative committees as the first week of the 99th Legislative Session wraps up.

Lawmakers heard a bill in House State Affairs on Friday morning that would shift the cost of representing people within state prisons, who commit crimes behind bars, from the county level to the state. Lawmakers sent the bill on to House Appropriations.

Another bill, which would make it a crime to expose law enforcement to drugs, was heavily debated and passed on to the House floor.

Here's a breakdown of the arguments:

The front of the South Dakota State Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024 in Pierre.

Can someone be charged for accidentally exposing a first responder to drugs?

HB 1025 would make it a class three felony with up to 15 years in the state prison if someone exposed law enforcement, EMTs or fire fighters to a drug that results in serious bodily injury or harm.

Rep. Ben Krohmer, R-Mitchell, sponsored the bill and explained that as fentanyl continues to harm residents in South Dakota, there have already been incidents where law enforcement have been exposed to the drug either by breathing in small particles or having skin-to-skin contact.

Fentanyl overdoses and arrests continue to rise across the nation. On Thursday, Attorney General Marty Jackley told senators there had been 88 fentanyl-related arrests and an average of 10 pounds of fentanyl seized in South Dakota in 2022.

Legislators listen to Gov. Kristi Noem speak during the State of the State address on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024 at South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre.

"We confiscated enough fentanyl to kill all of South Dakota several times over," Jackley said.

Krohmer showed body camera footage Friday morning from two incidents, including one from Florida in 2022 when a police officer was shown to lose consciousness after being exposed to a drug powder during an arrest, and the other when a San Diego deputy was exposed to the drug.

"This drug is dangerous to everyone," Krohmer said. "Our police, law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, first responders and correctional officers are the most at risk."

Opposition to Krohmer's bill was swift, including the Defense Lawyer's Association and the Trial Attorney's Association.

More: Bill to allow tribes in SD to apply for housing grant, loan program passes through committee

Cash Anderson, a lobbyist for the South Dakota Defense Lawyers Association, said experts had rebuked the San Diego body camera footage shown and argued inhaling small fentanyl particulates couldn't cause serious harm or death.

"It would take over 200 minutes of breathing fentanyl at the highest airborne concentrations to yield a therapeutic dose but not a potentially fatal dose," he said, citing a 2017 report from the American College of Medical Toxicology and the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology.

Anderson added because of the fear around fentanyl, law enforcement officers experience symptoms akin to a panic attack.

"A lot of times with these, there's not a whole lot of follow up confirmatory testing regarding fentanyl," he said.

Rep. Mike Stevens, R-Yankton, questioned if the bill was necessary since the aggravated assault on law enforcement law includes attempting to cause serious bodily harm and if the length of punishment if someone unintentionally exposed law enforcement to the drug.

"I think if somebody intentionally does something, I think they should be punished more than somebody who gets arrested and their in an ambulance," he said, referencing an example of a first responder getting poked by a needle with a trace amount of drugs on it from the pocket of an unconscious patient. "They're not intending to hurt anybody in that regard."

More: Sioux Falls mother tied to shooting of 11-year-old girl sentenced to 2 years probation

Rep. Tyler Tordsen, R-Sioux Falls, added he was concerned about the penalty for what could be a potentially accidental action.

Rep. Mary Fitzgerald, R-Saint Onge, said it would be up to the prosecutors to decided if they were going to use the bill if it became law to charge a person with the crime.

Stevens was unable to convince the committee to kill the bill, and instead an amendment brought by Rep. Bethany Soye, R-Sioux Falls, to lower the felony penalty from class two to class three passed. HB 1025 with the amendment passed 8-4.

Lawmaker: Let the state pay for incarcerated men's legal defense fees

HB 1039 was created after a summer study on county funding issues. Rep. Ernie Otten, R-Tea, sponsored the bill but was unable to defend it in committee.

Instead, House Majority Leader Will Mortenson spoke on the bill, saying only inmates who couldn't afford legal council would have their legal costs covered by the state. Currently, counties foot the bill for incarcerated people's legal fees when they commit a crime inside a state prison, while the state covers expenses incurred by the Attorney General's Office for prosecution.

"We're really talking about the folks who are the most impoverished in our communities that qualify for these," the Fort Pierre Republican said.

The front of the South Dakota State Penitentiary on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Erik Erickson, a lobbyist representing the South Dakota Association of County Commissioners, noted an incident at the Mike Durfee men's prison in Springfield where a group of incarcerated men incurred more than $3 million in defense costs after a drug ring they were running inside the prison was busted in 2018.

"[Bon Homme county's] budget is about $5 million so that wasn't just going to work very well," he said.

While there was no opposition from lawmakers about passing the bill off to the Appropriations committee, officials with the Department of Corrections opposed HB 1039, saying it was near impossible to track what the fiscal impact of shifting the financial burden from the counties to the state would be like.

"For criminal defense, Minnehaha County doesn't track which cases occurred at the Penitentiary, so they don't know what their annual costs are that the state would assume and what budget adjustments would actually need to be made," said Brittni Skipper, the DOC director of finance and administration.

She urged for more research to be done and cautioned that the new men's penitentiary, set to be built in Lincoln County, won't open its door until 2028. There was time for more research, she said.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Exposing first responders to drugs may become a felony in South Dakota
High winds and potentially dangerous cold are possible across northern Ohio in the coming days.

Hold onto your hats.

It's about to get super windy  again.

And keep that hat handy as it is about to get super cold.

Yet another storm system will make its way through northern Ohio this weekend.

It will bring a bit of everything from rain to high winds to snow to bitter cold.

High wind warning for northern Ohio

First will come the rain and wind.

The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning starting at 4 p.m. Friday and running through 7 p.m. Saturday.

Winds of anywhere from 25 to 35 mph are expected.

Some wind gusts of up to 60 mph are possible.

The weather service warns some tree limbs may fall and even power outages are possible.

"Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines," the weather service says. "Widespread power outages are expected.

"Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles."

The high winds are expected to come in waves.

"The two windows of strongest wind gusts will be late this evening and then Saturday morning and afternoon," the weather service says. "Gusts over 40 mph can linger through Saturday evening."

Rain is expected to switch over to snow early Saturday morning with snow showers expected daily through Tuesday.

Arctic Blast expected in northern Ohio

The passage of the storm system will bring with it the coldest temperatures so far this winter and dangerous wind chills.

"An Arctic airmass will arrive this weekend, with an extended period of sub-zero wind chills Saturday night through Wednesday," the weather service says.

Daily highs will be in the teens starting Sunday with lows in the single digits through Tuesday night.

Akron opens warming centers

To help residents cope with the cold temperatures, Akron plans to offer places for residents keep warm.

The city is extending hours at Summit Lake Community Center at 380 W. Crosier St. starting Sunday through Tuesday.

The Center will be open between 8 a.m. through 7 p.m.

The city's other community centers plan to be open during normal hours over the holiday weekend.

Mayor Shammas Malik said the city is monitoring the weather and may consider extending the hours at the so-called warming centers. Unless otherwise specified, the centers will return to their normal business hours starting Wednesday.

The Emergency Overnight Shelter , which is a partnership between the Peter Maurin Center, Summit County Continuum of Care, and Community Support Services, at 111 East Voris St. in Akron plans to open Saturday and be open from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. through Monday, Jan. 22.

With frigid temperatures setting in this weekend, we want to make sure everyone has somewhere to go to keep warm and be out of the elements, Malik said in a release. "I applaud the efforts of the organizations collaborating on the emergency overnight shelter to keep folks sheltered during the coldest periods at night. Weve set our hours to correspond with theirs so that no matter the time, residents will have somewhere to go.

For more, visit akronemergencyshelter.org.

Ohio Turnpike travel ban

The Ohio Turnpike is issuing a travel ban in anticipation of the expected high winds.

Starting at midnight Saturday morning through 6 p.m. Saturday certain high-profile vehicles will be banned from the 241-mile toll road.

The vehicles subject to the ban are ones whose height .

High-profile vehicles are defined as height exceeding 7 feet and 6 inches.

Those vehicles subject to the ban include:

All high-profile tow-behind trailers, campers, boats, and enclosed trailers. (Fifth wheel trailers are excluded.);

Commercial trucks towing an empty single 53-foot trailer;

All mobile homes, office trailers and livestock trailers;

All long combination vehicles (LCV) that include long double-trailer combinations exceeding 90-feet in length. (Enclosed trailers only, including Conestoga type trailers); and

All LCV triple-trailer combinations.

What's the forecast?

Friday: Showers, mainly after 2 p.m. High near 45. Breezy, with a southeast wind 14 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 41 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday night: Rain and snow showers before 4 a.m., then a chance of snow showers. Low around 28. Windy, with a southeast wind 24 to 26 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 46 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Saturday: Snow showers likely, mainly before 11 a.m. Patchy blowing snow before 11 a.m. Cloudy, with a high near 29. Windy, with a southwest wind 26 to 29 mph, with gusts as high as 44 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Saturday night: A chance of snow showers. Patchy blowing snow between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 14. Breezy, with a southwest wind 18 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Sunday: A chance of snow showers, mainly before 1 p.m. Patchy blowing snow before 4 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 18. Breezy, with a west wind 20 to 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Sunday night: A slight chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 7. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 18. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Monday night: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 10. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Tuesday: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 17. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

Tuesday night: A chance of snow showers before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 3. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 18.

Wednesday night: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Thursday: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 26. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Reporter Derek Kreider contributed to this article.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: High winds rain snow and dangerous wind chills coming to northern Ohio
Amid chaos over a panel flying off a Boeing 737 Max 9 airplane mid-flight, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it plans to increase oversight of the production and manufacturing of the aircraft.

Last week, a panel of the plane  called a door plug  flew off in the middle of an Alaska Airlines flight forcing the passenger jet to make an emergency landing. Though none of the passengers or crew aboard the plane were injured, videos and photos from the incident sparked fear in thousands of other people about riding the aircraft.

Following the incident, the FAA immediately launched an investigation into Boeing and grounded all 171 Boeing 737-9 Max planes. But now, the FAA is promising to take significant actions to review the production and manufacturing of Boeing.

This will include an audit of the production line and its supplies, increased monitoring of in-service events and assessments of safety risks around delegated authority and quality oversight.

The new oversight arrives as passengers share fears for plane stability.

Just this week, an Airbus plane operated by United Airlines made a precautionary premature landing after the flight crew noticed an issue with the planes door indicator light. United Airlines told The Independent that the issue was addressed and took off later. The FAA is also investigating that possible issue.

United Airlines made a precautionary premature landing after the flight crew noticed an issue with the planes door indicator light (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

It is time to reexamine the delegation of authority and assess any associated safety risks, Mike Whitaker, the FAA administrator said in a press release statement.

"The grounding of the 737-9 and the multiple production-related issues identified in recent years require us to look at every option to reduce risk, he added.

In 2018, a Lion Air flight carrying 189 people crashed into the Java Sea minutes after takeoff, killing all people aboard. A similar incident occurred in 2019 when an Ethiopian Airlines flight carrying 157 people crashed. Both deadly flights were on Boeing 737 Max planes. Preliminary investigations determined software pushed the planes nose down.

Mr Whitaker added that the agency was looking into the possibility of implementing a third party to oversee Boeings inspections and quality system.
A man walks through snow in the parking lot of a casino as a winter storm hits the area dropping temperatures to extreme sub-freezing levels in Altoona, Iowa, on Friday. Republican presidential candidates campaigning for the Iowa Caucus have been forced to cancel events because of the dangerous weather conditions. Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI

Jan. 12 (UPI) -- Dangerously cold wind chills producing sub-zero temperatures, heavy snow and freezing rain will continue across much of the United States through the weekend and into next week, forecasters said Saturday.

The arctic conditions include "near record, dangerously low temperatures and wind chills" stretching from the Northwest into the Deep South, the U.S. Weather Service said in an update.

In the Rockies and the Midwest -- including Iowa, where U.S. presidential campaigns are gearing up for Monday's Iowa Caucuses -- wind chills this weekend will dip as low as minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit, with values plunging as low as minus 65 degrees in Montana and parts of the Dakotas.

"These windchills will pose a risk of frostbite on exposed skin and hypothermia," officials warned. "Have a cold survival kit if you must travel."

Meanwhile in the Pacific Northwest and western United States, "significant freezing rain" will likely affect powerlines in western Oregon while heavy snow and blowing snow will make for "poor to impossible" travel conditions in Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Nevada, including such cities as Portland, Ore., Boise, Idaho, and Salt Lake City.

A man shovels snow away from a stuck vehicle as a winter storm hits in Altoona, Iowa, on Friday. The Midwest is expected to get 6 to 12 inches of snow through Saturday. Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI

By late Sunday, the worst winter conditions are expected in the Mid-South, where snow, sleet and freezing rain will spread across parts of eastern Oklahoma and through the Tennessee Valley, where several inches of snow are expected.

And if that weren't enough, parts of the Midwest could again experience near-record low temperatures and dangerous wind chills late next week, the weather service said, warning that the Deep South could once again be socked by subfreezing temperatures.

A truck with a snow plow clears a snow-packed roadway as a winter storm makes travel dangerous in Altoona, Iowa, on Friday. The National Weather Service in Des Moines, Iowa, cautioned drivers to stay off the roads, even as they prepare for the Iowa Republican Caucus on Monday. Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI

Dangerously cold temperatures and wintry precipitation will create hazardous conditions for much of the nation well into next week. Freezing rain today in western Oregon and snow/ice in the South Sunday/Monday pic.twitter.com/FWQoqTRcSP NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) January 13, 2024

Strong winds whipped and damaged flags near the Gateway Arch in St. Louis as temperatures begin to fall there on Friday. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

On Friday, the severe winter conditions hampered travel across the Midwest ahead of Monday's Iowa Caucus and caused havoc with the nation's air travel system.

The Federal Aviation Administration instituted a Traffic Management Program for inbound and outbound flights during the day, resulting in some arrivals being delayed by an average of one hour and 46 minutes.

A worker clears snow from the parking lot of an outlet center in Altoona, Iowa, on Friday. Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI

Friday afternoon, there were 2,781 flights canceled nationwide. Chicago was the hardest hit, with 414 flights canceled and another 238 delayed out of O'Hare. At Midway, there were 142 cancellations with 28 flights delayed, according to FlightAware.

In light of the intense conditions, Chicago delayed enforcement of a 60-day shelter stay limit for migrants who are close to reaching the deadline.

A man takes pictures as he walks with his dog in the snow in Altoona, Iowa, on Friday. Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI

Chicago Department of Family and Support Services Commissioner Brandie Knazze said the city will suspend the deadline until Jan. 22 or later if weather conditions do not improve.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker also sent a letter to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott pleading with him to stop sending buses full of migrants to Chicago as the city is battered by the storm and its migrant shelters already are overfilled.

A man pushes a car stuck in the snow as a winter storm drops temperatures in Altoona, Iowa, on Friday. Forecasters said strong winds could blow snow to create blizzard-like conditions and slick roads through Saturday. Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI

"The next few days are a threat to the families and children you are sending here. I am pleading with you to at least pause these transports in order to save lives," Pritzker told Abbott.

Abbott's office on Friday responded to the letter, saying the migrants signed a voluntary consent waiver to travel to Chicago, and the bus drivers are taking necessary safety precautions.

A man walks through a snowy parking lot as a severe winter storm makes life miserable and potentially dangerous in Altoona, Iowa, on Friday. Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI

A spokesperson for Abbott added Texas will continue to send migrants north until President Joe Biden secures the U.S.-Mexico border.

Iowa Caucus concerns

A man in Des Moines, Iowa, carries a broom as he walks along a snow-covered sidewalk earlier this week. Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI

The Midwest is expected to get six to 12 inches of snow through Saturday. The National Weather Service in Des Moines, Iowa, cautioned drivers to stay off the roads, even as they prepare for the Iowa Republican Caucus on Monday.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday said he's still going "full speed ahead" with his campaign but urged his supporters to be safe over the weekend. The DeSantis-backed super PAC Never Back Down canceled events in Clear Lake and Marshalltown Friday morning before also cancelling events in Pella and Coralville.

The Iowa State Capitol is surrounded with snow after a heavy storm swept the Midwest this week, causing slippery roads and extensive power outages. According to reports, more than 160 million people were under weather alerts as the storm moves east. Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI

Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley canceled her in-person event in Fort Dodge and instead addressed voters in a tele-town hall Friday.

While Haley admitted she was concerned about voter turnout due to the weather, she said she "has faith" that supporters will turn out Monday.

A tractor clears a walkway on the Drake University Campus in Des Moines, Iowa, earlier this week. Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI

"What we hope is that they will wear layers, that they will bring their photo ID, and that they will come out and caucus," she said.

Southeast, Northeast prepare

Florida Gov. and Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis (M), talks to reporters in Urbandale, Iowa, on Friday. He said he's still going "full speed ahead" with his campaign but the DeSantis-backed super PAC Never Back Down canceled events in Clear Lake and Marshalltown Friday morning before also cancelling events in Pella and Coralville. Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI

Officials said the storm might have claimed its first victim Friday night. NBC News reported a 69-year-old man was found dead after clearing his driveway near Milwaukee. The Milwaukee Medical Examiner's office said it will investigate the incident as a "weather-related death."

The storm isn't just a Midwest threat. Severe thunder storms and high-speed winds are forecast to heavily affect the Southeast, too. And heavy rain is expected to eventually threaten a Northeast that already is experiencing widespread flooding.

On Friday evening, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a state of emergency for western New York. Erie, Genesee, Wyoming, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties are under a winter storm watch until Monday morning. The west side of the state also is under a high wind warning until Saturday night.

On the heels of this storm is a brutal arctic blast that could drop temperatures to 30 degrees below zero as far south as Texas. Iowa Caucus voters on Monday can expect to be hit by a wind chill as low as minus 50.
Claim:

In 2020, then-presidential candidate Joe Biden posted the following on Twitter: As President, I will use military power responsibly and as a last resort. We will not go back to forever wars in the Middle East.

Rating:

Rating: Correct Attribution

Context:

Critics pointed to the January 2024 U.S. bombing attacks against Houthi militants in Yemen amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict as evidence that Biden had broken his 2020 promise to use military power "responsibly and as a last resort."

As U.S. President Joe Biden ordered airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen in January 2024, many online brought back his old promises about U.S. involvement in the Middle East. It was claimed that Biden wrote in a Twitter (now X) post, in 2020, when he was running for president, As President, I will use military power responsibly and as a last resort. We will not go back to forever wars in the Middle East.

Social media users shared screenshots of the post, arguing it was indicative of Bidens hypocrisy in the light of the recent airstrikes.

JOE BIDENS HYPOCRISY EXPOSED AGAIN



AS PRESIDENT, I WILL USE MILITARY POWER RESPONSIBLY AND AS A LAST RESORT. WE WILL NOT GO BACK TO FOREVER WARS IN THE MIDDLE EAST pic.twitter.com/mYrIrJn9FI  Sulaiman Ahmed (@ShaykhSulaiman) January 12, 2024

The screenshot is accurate, as Biden did indeed tweet that statement on Feb. 7, 2020. The original post is still available on X. We thus rate this as a Correct Attribution.

As President, I will use military power responsibly and as a last resort. We will not go back to forever wars in the Middle East. #DemDebate  Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) February 8, 2020

The tweet was posted the same day as a Democratic candidates presidential debate took place. During the Feb. 7 debate, Biden and then-candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders sparred over their respective roles in the Iraq War vote nearly two decades prior. Biden had voted for a resolution authorizing the use of force, while Sanders opposed it. Biden admitted during the debate that he made a mistake trusting then-President George W. Bush to use diplomacy.

Cut to four years later, as the Israel-Hamas conflict continued into January 2024. Bidens 2020 tweet went viral again after the U.S. and U.K. launched what The Associated Press described as a "massive retaliatory strike using warship- and submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets" against the Houthis, a militant group in Yemen. Biden said the U.S. airstrikes in Houthi-controlled Yemeni territories were a direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea.

According to the U.S. military, the Houthi fighters  who are believed to be backed by Iran  had launched a number of drone and missile attacks on international shipping lanes in the Red Sea. The Houthis said the missile launches were meant to show solidarity with the Palestinian people. They mainly targeted commercial vessels with ties to Israel, though U.S. Naval Central Command said the most recent attacks had no direct connection to Israel.

The Houthis, who had ignored previous ultimatums from the U.S. and other countries, said through a spokesperson that there was no justification for the U.S.-led attacks, according to NPR's reporting. "They committed foolishness with this treacherous aggression, and they were wrong if they thought that they would deter Yemen from supporting Palestine and Gaza," the spokesperson said.

Sources:

Hansler, Jennifer and Oren Liebermann, Haley Britzky, Natasha Bertrand, Kevin Liptak, Alex Marquardt, MJ Lee. US and UK Carry out Airstrikes against Iran-Backed Houthis in Yemen | CNN Politics. CNN, 11 Jan. 2024, https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/11/politics/us-strikes-houthis-yemen/index.html. Accessed 12 Jan. 2024.

Kranish, Michael. Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden Continue to Spar about the Iraq War  Nearly 18 Years Later. Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2020. www.washingtonpost.com, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/bernie-sanders-and-joe-biden-continue-to-spar-about-the-iraq-war--nearly-18-years-later/2020/02/08/7bb78a62-38ac-11ea-a01d-b7cc8ec1a85d_story.html. Accessed 12 Jan. 2024.

Liebermann, Oren. US Navy Shoots down Barrage of Houthi Missiles and Drones Launched from Yemen over Red Sea, US Central Command Says | CNN Politics. CNN, 10 Jan. 2024, https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/09/politics/us-navy-houthi-missiles-drones-red-sea/index.html. Accessed 12 Jan. 2024.

READ: President Joe Bidens Statement on Strikes against Houthi Targets in Yemen | CNN Politics. CNN, 12 Jan. 2024, https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/11/politics/read-biden-statement-airstrikes-houthis-yemen/index.html. Accessed 12 Jan. 2024.
Bangladesh PM Hasina's 37-member new cabinet announced

Xinhua) 09:44, January 12, 2024

DHAKA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- A 37-member new cabinet of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was announced on Wednesday night.

Cabinet Secretary Mahbub Hossain told a press conference that the cabinet included Prime Minister Hasina, 25 cabinet ministers and 11 ministers of state.

According to the cabinet secretary, Hasina has inducted 14 new faces into her new cabinet.

Among them, he said there will be two technocrat ministers this time.

Portfolios would be announced on Jan. 11 after the oath-taking ceremony of the new cabinet members, he added.

Members of the new cabinet, including the prime minister, are slated to take the oath at 7:00 p.m. local time on Thursday at the President's Office.

Bangladeshi President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Wednesday appointed Hasina, leader of the ruling Bangladesh Awami League (AL) party as the new prime minister of the South Asian country.

This is Hasina's fourth consecutive term as the country's prime minister.

According to gazette notification published by the Election Commission on Tuesday afternoon, the AL party led by Hasina won 222 out of 298 seats of the parliament in Sunday's general elections. The AL-led alliance bagged a landslide win with 225 seats.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
A man who was filmed on TV weeping into his hands after they found his sons dead body in 1989 has been arrested for murder.

My sons in there! Victor Lee Turner is heard saying when local TV filmed the moment that the body of five-year-old Justin Turner was found in a camper, then immediately breaks down sobbing, the stations archive footage shows.

While authorities had their suspicions at the time, it was not until 34 years later that the murderers of the young boy could be brought to justice, including his weeping father.

After over three decades, Mr Turner and the boys stepmother, Megan Turner, were arrested and charged with murder in South Carolina after the cold case was reopened in 2021 by investigators.

Physical evidence that was collected from the scene of the crime and the autopsy was reassessed by forensic pathologists, the police said.

I cant think of a more tragic, horrendous murder. A 5-year-old boy, Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis said at a press conference on Wednesday.

Justin would have been 40 years old, could have graduated high school, went to college, got married, had a child, been a productive citizen, Mr Lewis said.

Mr and Mrs Turner have both been charged with murder (Berkeley County Sheriffs Office)

But he wasnt because we believe these two people took that away from all of us and this family who I have been in contact with over the years. And they have been tremendous in their efforts to keep this case alive and keep pushing us and asking questions and in helping us get where we are today.

On 3 March 1989, the police were called to the couples home after Justin allegedly did not get off the bus after school, court documents obtained by WCSC said.

That morning, Ms Turner told police she did not see her stepson off to school as she would usually do as she was not feeling well and was taking a shower. Yet witnesses also reportedly told investigators they never saw him leave home nor get on the school bus.

He never got on that bus. He never got on that bus because he was dead inside that house, Mr Lewis said.

Ms Turner admitted she and the young boy got into an argument, claiming this was the last time she saw him alive, the outlet reports.

After this, a two-day search was initiated to find Justin when the childs body turned up inside the couples camper, which the couple had keys and the only access to.

Mr Turner was seen on camera crying after he found his sons body (WCBD News 2 Archive)

Mr Turner was the one to make the discovery, and despite his sobbing, still made investigators suspicious.

The authorities said he found the boys body within seconds of entering the camper, with the warrant suggesting he knew exactly where his sons body was, WCSC said.

The warrant reportedly continued to say that Mr Turner did not check his son for any indication of life, something that he rebutted, telling investigators he looked dead. I could feel that something was wrong with him. I did not touch him.

Before the discovery, Mr Turner also allegedly asked a member of law enforcement if someone had done harm to the victim, such as killed him, what would happen to that person?

Investigators said that when Mr and Ms Turner knew that physical evidence was being collected from the scene, they expressed concern and devised a plan to withhold/conceal potential evidence and gave spontaneous incriminating statements to indicate responsibility in the death and intent to conceal physical evidence from investigators, the outlet reported.

While the investigators believed the scene was staged, Mr Lewis said, there was no solid evidence at the time to prosecute either of them.

Forensic analysis of a ligature that was recovered from the couples home matched the childs neck wounds, and the fibres found on the ligature were consistent with the boys clothing fibres (WCBD News 2 Archive)

Ms Turner, known as Pamela Turner at the time, was even arrested with a grand jury recommending she be charged with murder, but she was let go due to insufficient evidence, WCSC said.

Eventually, the couple moved upstate, and none of the family heard from them again, Mr Lewis said.

Isnt that strange? I never got one phone call, one phone call from his daddy or stepmother, Mr Lewis said.

What are yall doing about my sons death? Not one. What does that tell you?

The boys cause of death was alleged to have been strangulation with a ligature, according to the court documents obtained by the outlet.

Forensic analysis of a ligature that was recovered from the couples home matched the childs neck wounds, and the fibres found on the ligature were consistent with the boys clothing fibres.

"This is an amazing day, Mr Lewis said of the murder charges.

"We got here because of new technology and forensic medicine. Yall, we all know how things have progressed over the years.

The couple were arrested at their home in Cross Hill and transported back to Berkley County. The couple were being held at the Hill-Finklea Detention Center awaiting a bond hearing that happened Wednesday.
An arrest warrant for the arrest of a former Florida Department of Children and Families child protective investigator has revealed more details, including when his employment came to an end.

Agents with the FDLE this week arrested Trevor Wayne McKenzie, 27, of Ave Maria, on one felony count of falsifying Department of Children and Family Services records. McKenzie was released Wednesday on a $2,500 bond, records show.

According to his arrest warrant, authorities on March 8 received a criminal complaint from the Department of Children and Families' Office of Inspector General.

The referral alleged McKenzie falsified child protective investigative records. It further indicates McKenzie allegedly falsified five cases.

CBP officer charged: U.S. Attorney: Naples customs officer stole $2,000 from passenger

McKenzie received Child Welfare Protective Investigator certification in March 2021. On Jan. 18, 2022, DCF Circuit 20 Program Administrator Jacob Ford learned of the allegations against McKenzie through a supervisor, Shauna Beetham.

The affidavit says McKenzie was terminated Jan. 18, 2022. His certification was also revoked, according to the 18-page affidavit.

Their investigation found that on Jan. 8, 2022, McKenzie entered a falsified home visit for a child he supervised into the agency's case management system.

Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement executed an arrest warrant Tuesday and took McKenzie into custody in Naples.

McKenzie is next due in court Feb. 5 for his arraignment.

Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran and Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: DCF investigator accused of falsifying was fired in 2022
TALLAHASSEE, Florida  A federal judge on Friday rejected a bid to require Florida Democrats to hold a presidential primary in March.

Floridas Democratic primary was scuttled because President Joe Biden was the lone candidate certified to state election officials. It was a decision that rankled other Democrats, including Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) who is challenging Biden and called it intentional disenfranchisement.

A Tampa attorney challenged the decision and asked U.S. District Court Judge Allen Winsor to force the state to hold a primary that would feature Biden and Phillips as well as spiritual author Marianne Williamson and progressive Cenk Uygur.

Michael Steinberg argued that the party actions were unconstitutional and compared them to past laws that allowed state parties to limit participation based on discriminatory factors such as race.

Winsor, who held a hearing on the case on Jan. 10, disagreed.

On Friday, Winsor denied Steinbergs request for a preliminary injunction, ruling that the attorney likely wouldnt succeed with the case on its merits.

Steinberg, who pursued his lawsuit on his own and is not affiliated with any campaign, is expected to appeal the decision. After an hourlong hearing earlier this week on his lawsuit Steinberg, said he would push to take the case all the way to the Supreme Court if the high court agrees to take it up.

Its an issue that could be subject to repetition in 2028, and you could have the issue come up again, Steinberg said. This is more of a matter of principle of saying that Democrats should be democratic.

Under Florida law, its up to state parties to determine which candidates will appear on the presidential primary ballot.

Phillips launched his long-shot bid for the presidency in late October. Days later, the Florida Democratic Party held its annual convention in Orlando, where the state executive committee voted unanimously to submit only Bidens name to Florida election officials  a move that effectively canceled the Democratic primary.

The party action did not receive much attention until right before the Nov. 30 deadline for parties to turn in primary candidates.

Floridas primary is held March 19, which puts it in line behind Super Tuesday and several other large states such as California and Texas. It is expected to allocate 250 delegates.


Federal prosecutors announced on Friday that they intend to pursue the death penalty against the perpetrator of a 2022 mass shooting at a Buffalo, New York, supermarket.

In a court filing, prosecutors argued that the actions of Payton Gendron, the white supremacist who intentionally killed 10 Black people at a supermarket in Buffalos predominantly Black East Side neighborhood, rose to the level warranting the death penalty under federal law. Prosecutors pointed not only to the high level of planning involved with the attack, but also the nature of the attack itself, as grounds for capital punishment.

Gendron, who was 18 at the time of the shooting and pleaded guilty to the murders, reportedly wrote a manifesto calling himself a white supremacist and was radicalized on online far-right forums. The case was declared a hate crime by federal prosecutors in May 2022.

Friday's filing marked the first time President Joe Biden's Department of Justice has sought out a new death penalty sentencing and is a break with the administrations purported stance towards the death penalty.

Biden pledged to abolish the federal death penalty as a presidential candidate in 2019, though he has not taken action to strike it from many sections of the federal criminal code.

In 2021, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced a moratorium on federal executions and a review of the department's usage of capital punishment, without giving a timetable. The moratorium does not prevent prosecutors from seeking death sentences, but the DOJ has largely refrained from pursuing it.

But in cases of hate crimes, Bidens Justice Department has left that card at its disposal. In 2023, a federal jury sentenced the perpetrator of a 2018 mass shooting at a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, synagogue to death, the first death sentence of the Biden administration. It also went ahead last year with an effort to get the death sentence against an Islamic extremist who killed eight people on a New York City bike path, though a lack of a unanimous jury meant that prosecution resulted in a life sentence.

The Justice Department has declined to pursue the death penalty in other mass killings, including against the gunman who killed 23 people at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas.

White House spokesperson Jeremy Edwards said Friday that the Buffalo shooting was an "an absolute tragedy, and the president continues to pray for the victims of this unspeakable act of violence." He added that "the president has long talked about his views on this issue broadly, but we would leave it to the appropriate authorities to speak to individual cases and sentencing decisions," pointing reporters to the Justice Department.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul voiced her support for the Justice Department's decision, saying during a press conference that "the community is still reeling from the atrocity of 10 innocent people on May 14 in 2022 simply going about shopping and were targeted, targeted because of the color of their skin by a white supremacist who was radicalized online."

Republican candidates for president, meanwhile, have embraced the death penalty as part of tough-on-crime messaging. When former President Donald Trump announced his presidential bid, he called for the use of the death penalty against alleged drug dealers. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has also increased the availability of the death penalty, amending state law to allow for executions of child rapists and removing a requirement that juries must unanimously determine that the death penalty is warranted during the sentencing stage of a trial.

Adam Cancryn and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This story was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans  and engages with them  about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.

The Texas National Guard and state troopers have blocked U.S. Border Patrol agents from a 2.5-mile stretch of the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass, preventing federal agents from patrolling that part of the border, according to a court filing by the U.S. Department of Justice, escalating the clash between state and federal authorities on the Texas-Mexico border.

On Wednesday night, troopers and National Guard members began to take full control of the 47-acre Shelby Park, erected concertina wire and fencing at the park to close off access to the public, Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas said. He added that he was told that the park would be closed indefinitely and the state took the action to prevent immigrants from illegally crossing into Texas.

State officers and National Guard members also have denied Border Patrol agents entry to the park, where agents routinely used a boat ramp to launch their boats to patrol the Rio Grande, the filing says. There is also a staging area at the park that Border Patrol agents use to inspect migrants who have been apprehended in this part of the border, the filing says.

In the filing, the DOJ is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene in an ongoing legal battle between the state and the federal government and overrule a 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that prevents Border Patrol agents from cutting the concertina wire Texas has strung along the Rio Grande.

Texass new actions since the governments filing demonstrate an escalation of the States measures to block Border Patrols ability to patrol or even to surveil the border and be in a position to respond to emergencies, Elizabeth B. Prelogar, the DOJs solicitor general, wrote in the filing to the Supreme Court.

A White House spokesperson said in a statement that Gov. Greg Abbott has been using extreme political stunts to demonize and dehumanize people and now has made it harder and more dangerous for Border Patrol to do their jobs.

Gov. Abbott has repeatedly proven that he is not interested in solutions and only seeks to politicize the border, the spokesperson said. The president has been clear that we need adequate resources and policy changes, and that our immigration system is broken. That is why on his first day in office he presented Congress with a comprehensive immigration reform plan and that is why he is working to find a bipartisan agreement with Congress that includes funding and meaningful reforms.

The Texas National Guard and DPS did not immediately respond to emails from The Texas Tribune seeking comment.

On Friday, during a news conference about an arctic blast expected to sweep through Texas this weekend, Abbott defended the park takeover, saying it is legal.

Texas has the legal authority to control ingress into any geographic location in the state of Texas, he said.

Renae Eze, a spokesperson for Abbott, said in a statement on Thursday that Texas is using different tactics to deter people from crossing the border illegally and blamed the Biden administrations immigration policies.

Texas will continue to deploy Texas National Guard soldiers, DPS troopers, and more barriers, utilizing every tool and strategy to respond to President Bidens ongoing border crisis, Eze said.

Since 2021, Abbott has sent state troopers and National Guard members to different parts of the Texas-Mexico border under his Operation Lone Star initiative. That has created tensions between Texas and the federal government, which has sole authority to enforce immigration laws under federal law and Supreme Court rulings.

Within the past three years, the Texas Military Department has spent $11 million to place 70,000 rolls of concertina wire in different parts of the Texas-Mexico border, most notably in Eagle Pass, where migrants have been seriously injured trying to get through the wire.

Border Patrol agents began cutting through the wire or removing it to apprehend migrants or assist injured people, which triggered a lawsuit by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton that claimed federal agents were illegally destroying state property.

U.S. District Judge Alia Moses of Del Rio sided with the Biden administration, ruling that Border Patrol agents didnt violate any laws by cutting the wire. Paxtons office appealed, and a panel of judges from the 5th Circuit paused Moses ruling until the case went through the appeals process.

The Biden administration has also sued Texas over Abbotts order to deploy a 1,000-foot-long floating barrier on the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass. In December, the Fifth Circuit, in a 2-1 decision, ordered Texas to remove the barrier. Texas has asked the appeals court to reconsider the case.

This story was updated Jan. 12, 2024, at 1:21 p.m. EST with a statement from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
ST. LOUIS  A convicted felon appeared in federal court on Thursday and admitted to robbing a pizza delivery driver at gunpoint last year in a popular St. Louis neighborhood.

Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said Antione Shockley, 25, and his girlfriend placed a false order with a local Dominos on April 13, 2023, and provided a delivery address of a vacant home in the Central West End.

According to court documents, when the driver arrived at the home, Shockley pointed a gun at the victim and stole two pizzas, hot wings, and the insulated bag the driver had been carrying.

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St. Louis police traced the order to Shockleys email address as well as Shockleys phone.

Shockley was arrested on June 24, 2023, after allegedly firing a handgun into the air in a school zone. Shockley passed the handgun over to a woman who was with him and then pulled two more firearms from his waistband.

Following his arrest, Shockley struck and injured a St. Louis police officer.

Shockley pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. Hes also agreed to plead guilty in St. Louis Circuit Court to a gun charge and to resisting arrest.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
From Key West to Pensacola, Floridas environment is facing a surge of threats.

On land, human development jeopardizes the existence of the Florida panther, one of the states most endangered species, while climate-fueled sea rise puts pressure on an already troubled insurance market  all while more than 1,000 people move here each day.

In the water, pollution continues to kill off seagrass in major estuaries, coral bleaching has pushed offshore reefs to the brink and fish are contaminated with pharmaceuticals.

Its under this backdrop that Florida lawmakers convene in Tallahassee this week for the annual legislative session, where a slate of new laws and an annual budget will emerge after 60 days.

Like last year, theres no shortage of environmental issues Floridas elected officials could address with their proposals, some of which seek to wrest control of environmental regulation from local governments.

The Tampa Bay Times compiled this list of legislative bills from sources including regional planning councils, local governments, elected state lawmakers and nonprofit organizations like 1000 Friends of Florida, the Sierra Club and Tampa Bay Waterkeeper, among others.

These are the bills to watch as session begins this week.

Is it safe to swim?

Title: Safe Waterways Act

Is the water youre swimming in safe? Are there health risks at the beach? Are pollutants like chemicals and fecal bacteria swirling around?

The answers to these questions are hard to find if youre a Floridian looking to swim in a water body.

The Safe Waterways Act aims to inform the public, through digital messaging and on a central website, of the risks of a waterway.

This is the third time in as many years lawmakers have tried to pass the Safe Waterways Act, and this years bipartisan version has a key detail: The bill puts responsibility for bacteria testing at beaches solely under the responsibility of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection instead of Floridas health department.

The public has a right to know whether the beaches and waters theyre swimming in are infested with fecal bacteria, said one of the bill sponsors, Sen. Lori Berman, D-Boca Raton.

Legal fees for failed permit challenges

Title: Environmental Management

Several environment watchdogs said they are closely monitoring a measure introduced this year that would force people who sue the Florida Department of Environmental Protection or water management districts to foot up to $50,000 in legal bills if they lose.

The measure takes cues from a law passed last year that similarly allowed lawsuit winners to collect attorney fees in challenges to local governments comprehensive plan amendments. Opponents warned it would have a chilling effect on citizen challenges to developments and called the law the worst environmental bill passed by the Florida Legislature during the 2023 session.

Critics of the latest proposal, including the nonprofit Friends of the Everglades, said the bill is a gift to the development industry, at the expense of Floridas environment and everyday people.

One of the bills sponsors, Rep. Toby Overdorf, R-Stuart, defended the bill, saying its another tool to clean up a court system bogged down by potentially frivolous lawsuits.

A ballooning problem

Title: Release of balloons

Youve probably seen people releasing balloons on the beach to celebrate a birthday or remember a loved one.

Though this may be a fun or symbolic way to mark a special event, balloons can wreak havoc on the environment. Sea turtles can mistake plastic balloons for jellyfish, and balloons can take decades to biodegrade.

A bill introduced this session would prohibit the intentional release of balloons and re-classify released balloons as litter.

A great blue heron perches atop a cypress tree in the Florida Everglades.

Fertilizer bans under threat

While no legislation has been filed, local governments and environmental advocacy groups fear the state could use this session to extend a pause on a tool used in an effort to improve water quality: seasonal fertilizer bans.

Late into last years session, lawmakers tucked a measure into the budget that gave the University of Florida $250,000 to study the effectiveness of local fertilizer bans. The proposal prevented any cities or counties from adopting a new fertilizer ban until July 1 of this year.

The halt on fertilizer bans and the accompanying study were suggestions from the TruGreen lawn care company. Late last month, the results from that report became public: University researchers argued theres not enough evidence that banning fertilizer stops pollution. It was a controversial claim that was countered by a scientist whose own research was cited in the report.

Still, lawmakers could potentially use the studys findings as a reason to further halt fertilizer bans. So county officials, including those in Pinellas, which already has a summer fertilizer ban, say a priority this session is to support other counties that want to adopt one.

Wetlands a focus after Supreme Court ruling

Title: Land and Water Management

A pair of bills would preempt local governments dredge and fill activities to state environmental regulators.

Environmental groups fear the bill creates an insurmountable financial hurdle for local governments when wetland protections are stronger than the states baseline requirements.

The bill comes on the heels of a July 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision that changed the definition of a protected wetland.

The House sponsor of the bill, Rep. Randy Maggard, R-Dade City, last year filed a controversial bill that, if passed, would have meant any future county control over wetlands and pollution laws would be preempted by the state. Maggard filed the bill after county regulators raised red flags about his nephews property, where trees were slashed without permits and an eagle nest was missing.

Company challenges to local government decisions

Title: Local Government Actions

Under this proposed bill, it would now be easier for private, for-profit food, energy and supply-chain security companies to challenge local government decisions that might affect their business.

The bill would apply to the fertilizer production and distribution sector, including companies like Mosaic, who have facilities located in the jurisdiction of both the house and senate bill sponsors.

Heres how the bill could work for a company like Mosaic: If a local government opts against approving a company permit, this bill allows the corporation to petition a state agency to review the decision.

The bills house sponsor is Rep. Lawrence McClure, R-Plant City, who last year was the sponsor of a bill that would allow the Florida Department of Transportation to study the use of phosphogypsum, a mildly radioactive byproduct of Mosaics phosphate manufacturing process, in road construction. The bill was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, and Mosaic later paid nearly $25,000 for a fundraising event for McClure.

Bills related to community planning

Title: Residential Building Permits

Two bills aim to streamline building permitting in a state reeling from hurricane damage, but opponents say they would also limit local government control over development. The bills would require local governments to create a program to speed up issuing residential building permits, reduce permit applications from 10 to three days and make permits valid indefinitely.

Title: Attorney Fees and Costs

This bill would define the term property rights in Florida law to expand landowners rights to water bordering their properties. Similar to other bills filed this session and last year, the measure would also award attorney fees for the winners in land-use change disputes as long as they comply with state environmental regulations.

Title: Agritourism

This measure would bar local governments from limiting certain activities associated with agritourism, which traditionally offer on-farm recreational experiences for consumers. The bills language includes breweries, wineries and food stands under the umbrella of agritourism.

Opponents worry it creates a back door to legalizing party spots that draw noisy crowds but have loose ties to actual farming practices. A similar local ordinance in Miami-Dade County has disrupted rural life and threatened environmentally sensitive areas, according to some residents.

Bills tackling environmental preparedness

Title: Mangrove Replanting and Restoration

This bill has been reintroduced this session, and would require the Department of Environmental Protection to create rules for mangrove replanting and restoration. The rules include tackling eroded areas, protecting barrier islands and restoring the Everglades and Biscayne Bay. The bill also requires a statewide study to determine if mangroves  which provide flood protection  could reduce insurance premiums.

Title: Saltwater Intrusion Vulnerability Assessments

The bill would allow coastal counties to receive funds from the Resilient Florida grant program to determine what areas are vulnerable to saltwater intrusion. It would also require the state to update its flood vulnerability and sea-level rise data.

Title: Flood Zone Disclosures for Dwelling Units

This bill would act as a safeguard for renters. Before a lease is signed, landlords would have to tell potential tenants if a rental property is in a flood zone. Additionally, current tenants must be told if their rental propertys flood zone changes.

Other key proposals

Title: Flood Disclosure in the Sale of Real Property

Another bill meant to inform residents of property flood risk, this act would ensure buyers are aware of flood damage to a home. A seller must disclose instances of flooding, the homes risk of flooding and any federal assistance received for flooding before selling a property.

Title: Everglades Protection Area

The bill ensures that any proposed amendments that involve land within 2 miles of the protected area of the Everglades will be reviewed by the Department of Environmental Protection for anything that could harm the area. The department would make recommendations on how to avoid damaging effects.

Title: Advanced Wastewater Treatment

The legislation aims to assess the health of wastewater treatment plants and nearby water bodies that receive discharged, treated sewage. The information would be used to create a list prioritizing facility upgrades across the state.

Land conservation across Florida

Title: Land Acquisition Trust Fund

This bill would assign $20 million each year from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund (a fund for purchasing and conserving the states land) to protect water resources in Central Florida, and create new water supply options. It would be for areas that include the Alafia, Hillsborough and Peace rivers, among others.

Title: Land Acquisition Trust Fund

Another bill that requires $20 million annually from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund  this measure would go toward the Florida Keys. The bill outlines working with local governments in the Keys to protect or restore marine ecosystems. The funds can also be used to obtain land for conservation efforts.
Winds gusting over 50 mph continued to pound northwest Whatcom County on Friday, knocking out power as an arctic chill swept Washington and brought a second straight day of record-breaking cold.

A low of 3 degrees at 7 a.m. Friday broke the record of 4 from 1950, according to readings from Bellingham International Airport. A low of 9 degrees Thursday broke the previous mark of 10 from 1963.

On Saturday morning, a low of 7 degrees broke another record from 1950.

Thats nearly 30 degrees colder than normal overnight temperatures for mid-January in Bellingham.

Unseasonably cold temperatures likely will remain through Tuesday or Wednesday, when highs are expected return to the mid-40s, according to the National Weather Service in Seattle.

Bellingham, Ferndale and other locations opened severe weather shelters and daytime warming sites as the cold and wind drove feels like temperatures into negative numbers.

Schools were open Friday, with Bellingham possibly keeping students indoors for recess, according to the districts website.

Mount Baker School District was operating on a two-hour delay.

About 2,000 Puget Sound Energy customers were without power at 8 a.m. Friday, down from about 5,000 customers late Thursday, mostly north of Bellingham in the flatlands exposed to the biting northeast wind, called a Fraser Outflow.

A downed utility pole and electrical wires were blocking the Mount Baker Highway near Eastwood Road between Welcome and Kendall, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Elsewhere in Bellingham and Whatcom County, roads were reported clear and open with no overnight snow.

Mt. Baker Ski Area was open Friday with a temperature of -11 at Heather Meadows and no new snow in the past 24 hours. Mount Baker Highway was clear with compact snow and ice in places at the 4,250-foot level, WSDOT said online.

Avalanche danger was moderate in the Mount Baker backcountry, according to the Northwest Avalanche Center.

Weekend forecast

Fridays forecast high was 19 degrees with northeast winds at 20-30 mph, gusting to 45 mph.

Fraser winds were expected to ease through the weekend, with a forecast high of 28 on Saturday and 31 on Sunday.

Overnight lows could be in the teens or single digits.

Clear skies were expected through Tuesday, where there was a chance of brief snow as a storm rolls in from the southwest, bringing warmer temperatures.
Candidates and caucus-goers faced extra challenges in Iowa on Friday as a second major snow event in a week hit the state, three days before Republicans are due to kick off their presidential nomination process for the critical election year.

Related: What are the Iowa caucuses and how will they shape the 2024 US election?

According to the National Weather Service in Des Moines, most of Iowa could expect significant, possibly record snowfall, high winds stoking blizzard conditions.

Life-threatening winter weather is expected beginning tonight with heavy snow, the NWS said on Thursday. White-out conditions likely Friday into Friday night. To follow, extreme wind chills as low as -45F [-43C] possible through early next week. Plan ahead for this dangerous stretch of winter weather!

In Washington DC and New York, reporters packed thermal underwear and tried to find flights still scheduled. In Iowa City, home of the University of Iowa, heavy snow covered streets overnight and continued to fall. Save for the occasional car, the streets were largely deserted as the temperature hovered at about 15F (-9C). At the local Target, students and other residents stocked up on supplies as snowplows worked outside.

Schools and businesses closed. In the state capital, Des Moines Performing Arts announced the postponement of Civic Center shows by the percussion group Stomp.

According to Iowa polling, Donald Trump will stomp all over his competitors on Monday. He has however largely chosen to skip in-person campaigning, spending his time in warm courtrooms in Washington and New York while surrogates make Arctic treks between churches and town halls.

On Wednesday, Ben Carson, the neurosurgeon who ran for president in 2016 then became housing secretary in the Trump administration, told churchgoers in Davenport backing Trump was OK. After all, Carson said, not everyone in the Bible was a boy scout.

Trump  who as president famously confused boy scouts and angered parents with a speech about partying in New York  faces 91 criminal charges. Seventeen concern election subversion, 40 are for retention of classified information, and 34 arise from hush-money payments to an adult film star who claimed an affair.

The former president also faces civil suits over his business dealings and a defamation claim arising from a rape allegation a judge called substantially true, and attempts to keep him off the ballot for inciting the January 6 insurrection, one of which has reached the US supreme court.

As reported by the Associated Press, Carson drew vocal reactions  yeas and nays, amens and laughs  from the friendly room.

Polling averages give Trump huge Iowa leads: 35 points according to FiveThirtyEight, 36 at RealClearPolitics.

Among his remaining challengers, Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor widely held to be surging, canceled in-person events on Friday, replacing them with tele town halls. A spokesperson said the snow would not stop the campaign ensuring Iowans hear Nikkis vision for a strong and proud America.

At least initially, Ron DeSantis, the hard-right Florida governor widely held to be tanking, forged on. So did the biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, telling followers: George Washington braved the weather to cross the Delaware [in snow and ice on Christmas Day 1776, to attack the Hessians at Trenton]. Another snow day in Iowa, another day of events for us  well continue to every last one for as long as we can physically make it.

Even before the second snow of the week, Ramaswamy documented a spot of difficulty with the weather.

Just got back to Des Moines after a five-plus-hour drive in snow from north -west Iowa, he wrote on social media on Tuesday. Got stuck in snow ditch on the way. Five of us tried to push [the] SUV out, finally got it done with extra help from a good Iowan.

A picture accompanying the post showed Ramaswamy with a man in a hooded sweater, lit by car break lights, smiling against the driving snow.

Alas for Ramaswamy, who failed to qualify for the final debate in Des Moines this week, his insurgent campaign is widely seen to have run out of steam. He did point to a concern for all candidates, though  that caucus attendance might be hit by the freeze.

We honor the Iowa caucus process, Ramaswamy said. I encourage everyone in these communities to be safe and respect their decisions today, as we continue to do our best to show up.

CNN said a senior Trump campaign adviser indicated concern in the frontrunners camp.

The weather issue may take away the intensity, the aide was quoted as saying. But first of all, a wins a win. And I know the expectations, but no ones ever won Iowa by more than 12 points now. So thats our goal.

Ultimately, with Trump so far ahead, the battle for second between Haley and DeSantis is set to draw most attention. Should Haley win it, thereby teeing herself up for a tilt at Trump in New Hampshire, most observers expect DeSantis to drop out.
Members of Congress are expressing their displeasure with Joe Biden for launching airstrikes in Yemen, a move that has achieved the rare effect of uniting many Republicans and Democrats.

The United States and the U.K. bombed 16 different sites in Yemen Thursday night, hitting more than 60 targets, in a retaliatory strike against the Houthis. The strikes were meant to pressure the Houthis to stop blocking commercial ships in the Red Sea, a campaign it began over growing frustration with Israels war on Gaza.

Members of Congress across the political spectrum expressed frustration late into the night that Biden gave them just a few hours notice before authorizing the strikes. Democratic Representative Ro Khanna was one of the first to state his outrage, writing on X (formerly Twitter) that presidents do not have unilateral authority to launch military strikes unless the country is under attack.

The President needs to come to Congress before launching a strike against the Houthis in Yemen and involving us in another middle east conflict. That is Article I of the Constitution. I will stand up for that regardless of whether a Democrat or Republican is in the White House.  Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) January 11, 2024

Khanna also retweeted former Republican Representative Justin Amash, who explained that the War Powers Act only allows the president to involve the U.S. military in overseas hostilities if the country is already at war or is currently under attack, or if the president got special approval. Otherwise, Congress must be notified 48 hours in advance.

Republican Representatives Matt Gaetz, Anna Paulina Luna, and Thomas Massie, as well as Senator Mike Lee, were quick to back Khanna up on his point. All four Republicans stressed that Congress should have been given more advance notice.

Ro is absolutely correct on this. https://t.co/W8CzLDKwEx  Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) January 12, 2024

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene slammed Biden for authorizing the airstrike without congressional approval, though she also slammed him for multiple other issues. The Georgia Republican accused him of becoming a warmonger by supporting conflict in Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and now the Middle East.

Democratic Representative Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian American in Congress, accused Biden of violating the Constitution. The American people are tired of endless war, she wrote on X.

.@POTUS is violating Article I of the Constitution by carrying out airstrikes in Yemen without congressional approval. The American people are tired of endless war.  Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (@RepRashida) January 12, 2024

In a shocking display of unity, Massie backed her up in the comments against people arguing on Bidens behalf.

Democratic Representatives Cori Bush and Summer Lee warned against involving the U.S. in more endless wars, alongside expressing their displeasure that Biden hadnt notified Congress 48 hours in advance. Representative Pramila Jayapal called it an unacceptable violation of the Constitution.



Representatives Sarah Jacobs and Barbara Lee, both California Democrats, were worried that the airstrikes could escalate into something much greater.



This is why I called for a ceasefire early. This is why I voted against war in Iraq.



Violence only begets more violence. We need a ceasefire now to prevent deadly, costly, catastrophic escalation of violence in the region. https://t.co/acd6bwiRPF  Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) January 12, 2024

Many other lawmakers, again both Democrats and Republicans, also made an unlikely alliance in backing Bidens decision to order the airstrikes. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell called the bombing overdue. Democratic Representatives Ruben Gallego and Seth Moulton praised Biden for standing up to terrorism overseas.
(Bloomberg) -- Finnish border guards arrested a group of men who illegally crossed the closed Russian frontier through the forest, suggesting worsening tension on the NATOs newest demarcation with its key adversary.

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Its a worrying sign for the government in Helsinki to see asylum seekers arrive through the wilderness as checkpoints have mostly been closed since mid-November. The border spans 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) and its length makes it hard to monitor, though its enclosed by thick forest on both sides, and snow cover hinders crossing.

Russian authorities are assisting asylum seekers to the border to put pressure on the newest NATO member in what amounts to a hybrid operation, Finland says.

On Thursday, 11 Iranian men were stopped in the Lappeenranta area in southeastern Finland, the Border Guard said in a statement on Friday. Theyd received help from Russia to reach the Nordic nation, and all applied for asylum when they were taken into custody, it said.

Separately, the authority on Wednesday arrested four people in the Parikkala area, also in the southeast, on suspicion of an illegal crossing, it said on the social media platform X.

President Sauli Niinisto discussed the border situation with key ministers on Friday, according to a statement from the government.

Finland decided on Thursday to continue keeping all eight road crossings on its demarcation with Russia closed until Feb. 11. The new decision followed a monthlong shutdown which was set to expire on Sunday.

Read More: Finland to Keep Russian Border Shut to Protect National Security

The Nordic nation is starting to build a fence to cover stretches of its border, but the project is only in its early stages.

Read More: Finland Starts Building Fence on Parts of NATOs Eastern Flank

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Another storm  off the tail of a massive one that hit the area on Tuesday  is approaching Charlotte on Friday afternoon, potentially jeopardizing Charlotte Douglas International Airports flights.

Before 5 p.m Friday, 29 flights were canceled and 235 were delayed, according to FlightAware. American Airlines had 17 canceled flights and 143 delays. PSA Airlines had six cancellations, and Southwest Airlines had four.

After a major storm spawned a deadly tornado, record-setting rains and heavy winds on Tuesday, more bad weather and more tornado threats are forecast for late Friday afternoon across the Charlotte area.

The National Weather Service expected thunderstorms would likely emerge after 3 p.m. and warned of possible tornadoes south of Interstate 85.

Tornadoes, severe storms could hit Charlotte area today. Heres what to expect.

About Charlottes airport

Charlotte Douglas remains one of the busiest airports in the world.

The Airport Council International ranked CLT the seventh-busiest worldwide for arrivals and departures, according to the groups preliminary rankings for 2022. The airport is a hub for American Airlines, which handles the vast majority of flights from CLT.

The airport recently held a groundbreaking for its fourth parallel runway, the final part of a 10-year, $3.1 billion capital project at the airport. The $1 billion runway, part of the project called Destination CLT, will be 10,000 feet long and 150 feet wide to accommodate the airports increasing traffic. After its completion in 2027, the additional runway will allow for a 20% to 25% increased capacity for arrivals and departures.

See map of tornados deadly nine-mile path of destruction through Catawba County
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  After an Alaska Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency return landing at the Portland International Airport last week, its passengers have chosen to file a class action lawsuit.

A Seattle firm filed the suit against Boeing on behalf of the passengers after their aircraft, a Boeing 737 MAX 9, experienced critical failure during its initial takeoff on Friday, Jan. 5.

Snow, ice accumulation expected in the Pacific Northwest. What you need to know

Flight 1282 took off from PDX just before 4:30 p.m. but while it was at 16,000 feet, the door plug blew out of the aircraft, causing a rapid depressurization incident on board.

The force of the depressurization ripped the shirt off a boy, and sucked cell phones, other debris, and much of the oxygen out of the aircraft, the suit reads. The shirtless boy leapt over the woman next to him, and escaped toward the front of the plane. At least two others seated near the hole followed and found new seats closer to the front.

This photo released by the National Transportation Safety Board shows a gaping hole where the paneled-over door had been at the fuselage plug area of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Portland, Ore. A panel used to plug an area reserved for an exit door on the Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliner blew out Jan. 5, shortly after the flight took off from Portland, forcing the plane to return to Portland International Airport. (National Transportation Safety Board via AP)

In this photo released by the National Transportation Safety Board, NTSB Investigator-in-Charge John Lovell examines the fuselage plug area of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Portland, Ore. A panel used to plug an area reserved for an exit door on the Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliner blew out Friday night shortly after the flight took off from Portland, forcing the plane to return to Portland International Airport. (National Transportation Safety Board via AP)

This image provided by Kelly Bartlett shows passengers near a hole in the fuselage of an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9, Flight 1282, which was forced to return to Portland International Airport on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024. (Kelly Bartlett via AP)

This image from video provided by Elizabeth Le shows passengers near the damage on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9, Flight 1282, which was forced to return to Portland International Airport on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024. (Elizabeth Le via AP)

This photo released by the National Transportation Safety Board shows the door plug from Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Portland, Ore. A panel used to plug an area reserved for an exit door on the Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliner blew out Jan. 5, shortly after the flight took off from Portland, forcing the plane to return to Portland International Airport. (National Transportation Safety Board via AP)

The aircraft managed to safely land at PDX around 5:30 p.m., but passengers say they feared they would not survive the flight.

Thoughts of a complete plane malfunction and possible destruction naturally entered their minds, the suit reads. Some prayed. Some texted family to express their trepidation. Some gripped and clung to one another. Some adult passengers were crying.

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After the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration ordered the grounding of some Boeing 737 MAX 9s.

And though the FAA also announced an investigation into the cause of the flights decompression, Attorney Daniel Laurence said the passengers chose to file the suit before the results were determined for the sake of their physical and emotional needs.

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Unfortunately, although everyone is glad that the blow-out occurred while the crew could still manage to land the aircraft safely, this nightmare experience has caused economic, physical and ongoing emotional consequences that have understandably deeply affected our clients, and is one more disturbing black mark on the troubled 737-MAX series aircraft.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
After a storm brought flooding to downtown Salisbury this week, there's another flood warning set for late Friday night/early Saturday morning, plus more heavy winds.

Here's all to know.

New flood watch, wind advisory in effect for Salisbury for early morning

The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for Wicomico starting at midnight Saturday and lasting until 4 a.m. Here's what the NWS advised:

"Widespread flooding of vulnerable areas will result in an elevated threat of property damage to homes and businesses near the waterfront and shoreline. Water will be 1 to 2 feet above ground level in some areas resulting in a sufficient depth to close numerous roads and threaten homes and businesses. Flooding will extend inland from the waterfront along tidal rivers and bays resulting in some road closures and flooding of vehicles."

A wind advisory is also in effect for all of the Lower Shore of Maryland, including Ocean City, and the Eastern Shroe of Virgina from 7 p.m. Friday until 4 a.m. Saturday.

App tracks Maryland flooding: Flooding photographs can be put to good use with Maryland-backed app

The Friday/Saturday forecast for Salisbury

Salisbury travelers are still dealing with the aftereffects of the heavy rain that came through the area on Sunday night. The Route 13 corridor in Salisbury  in the area of the Priscilla Street and Northwood Drive intersections  continues to remain flooded and impassable. The City of Salisbury Public Works division has detours in effect in the area until the clean-up is complete.

The NWS forecast calls for showers before 10 p.m. Friday, showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m., then a chance of showers after 4 a.m. Low around 49 degrees, and windy, with a southeast wind 18 to 23 mph becoming south 24 to 29 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 49 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday will have a chance of showers before 7 a.m. Sunny, with a temperature falling to around 45 by 5 p.m. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 41 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

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High surf advisory as huge waves expected in Ocean City

After Tuesday's storm brought huge waves to Ocean City earlier this week, a new high surf advisory is now in effect for 10 p.m. Friday through 10 a.m. Saturday. That advisory extends also to coastal areas of Virginia's Eastern Shore, including Chincoteague.

Here's the Friday/Saturday forecast for Ocean City from the NWS:

Showers before 10 p.m. Friday, showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m., then a chance of showers after 4 a.m. Low around 49. Windy, with a southeast wind 23 to 28 mph increasing to 29 to 34 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 49 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday has a chance of showers before 7 a.m. Sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy, with a west wind 17 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

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This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: High winds, flood watch for Salisbury for weekend: All to know
If a picture is worth a thousand words, as the old adage goes, do hundreds of pictures equal thousands of words? Maybe not, but so far this week, there are over 200 photos of flooding and storm conditions uploaded to an app from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

The purpose  to tell the story of the effects of weather conditions and climate in the state in order to help prioritize projects for resilience and restoration.

By using MyCoast you are helping document important weather and climate related events in your community, said a description of MyCoast: Maryland, an online app, funded by the states department and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, created in 2019. We analyze this data to make informed management decisions.

The Route 13 corridor in the area of Priscilla Street and Northwood Drive in Salisbury, pictured in this file photo, was closed due to flooding on the weekend of Dec. 18-19, 2023.

From Jan. 8 to Jan. 11, hundreds of photos came in from across the state from locations in Anne Arundel and Baltimore counties on the Western Shore to Dorchester and Somerset counties on the Eastern Shore. Half of the states 24 jurisdictions had at least one photo of high water or high tide flooding uploaded.

Annapolis, where state legislators convened on Wednesday, saw flooding of its own after heavy rains and wind Tuesday.

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Use of a flood-watching app rises greatly in Maryland this year

Kate Vogel, coastal resilience planner with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, said within 10 days this year, the app has 300 new users. It took about four years to get to the 1,000-user mark just last month.

Vogel attributes the increase in citizen participation to really intentional engagement with communities at the local, county, and state level.

At the county level, she said, were using (the app) as a way for residents to be able to communicate with their county government.

With local communities, she said, the app is a way to empower (citizens), to show them your photos matter. Youre contributing.

A golf cart drives thorugh the flood waters at the J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, at Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield, Maryland.

But what does an inundation of flood photos do? How do those photos add up to make a difference?

The most relevant and recent example is in St. Michaels on the Eastern Shore, Vogel said. They were noticing that one of their public access points was flooding all the time.

In a Jan. 11 phone interview, she said local officials used the MyCoast app in the past year to help develop stormwater management strategies and a mitigation project at West Harbor Road/East Chew Avenue as part of a grant application to the states Department of Natural Resources.

Flood documentation is an important way to help community members voice and capture what theyre seeing on the ground, said Vogel, but also for flood planners, community managers, (and) emergency managers to really start to say, Okay, this is a pattern what can we do about it?

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How many flood photos are too many?

Recently, Vogel said the department has been getting the question: How many pictures of City Dock (in Annapolis), for example, are too many?

She said: I dont think we can have too many because each storm it creates different conditions, and every high tide is under different conditions, adding that theres a huge revitalization project plan underway for the area and its resilience to flooding.

Much of the flooding from the day before at the Annapolis City Dock had receded by the afternoon on the first day of the Maryland General Assembly session on Jan. 10, 2024. Elected officials, including the Senate president and governor, noted the flooding during their pre-session press conferences on Wednesday morning.

What photos can we get now to document the flooding? she asked rhetorically, So that we can see just how much this project mitigates.

Jake Day visits Somerset County: Jake Day visits Somerset County for first Day Trip of 2024 to hail investments in projects

I think its going to be really incredible to see the difference, Vogel said.

Now, that story of improvement (and its associated pictures) in communities recently affected by flooding all across the state really would be worth a thousand words.

Dwight A. Weingarten is an investigative reporter, covering the Maryland State House and state issues. He can be reached at dweingarten@gannett.com or on Twitter at @DwightWeingart2.

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Maryland tracking flooding around state with app. Here's how its used.
A new legislative push in Florida is aimed at making the internet safer for children by limiting their access to social media and adult websites.

The changes are split between two bills.

One would require websites that host a substantial amount of adult content, especially porn, to implement age verification measures to prevent children from accessing the material.

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At what point will we say, when is it enough? I think this bill, to summarize it in one word, says enough, said bill sponsor State Representative Chase Tramont (R-Port Orange) during an initial committee hearing Thursday.

The other bill carries the designation of HB1, which signifies its importance to Floridas House Speaker who has made protecting children on the internet his top legislative priority in 2024.

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That bill would require social media companies to implement age verification measures and prohibit them from allowing minors under the age of 16 from creating accounts on their platforms.

Existing accounts held by children 15 years old and younger would have to be deleted by the companies.

Exhaustive studies have shown that adolescent rates of depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm and suicide have skyrocketed in the United States since social media became prevalent, said bill sponsor State Representative Tyler Sirois (R-Merritt Island).

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Duval residents Action News Jax spoke with questioned whether the idea would work in practice.

I think regardless, youre not gonna be able to keep kids off of the internet or off of social media in general, said Duval resident Olivia Wichterman.

I think parents are the ones that need to be stepping in and deciding what is appropriate, said another Duval local Bonnie Hunter.

State Representative Ashley Gantt (D-Miami) made a similar critique during the bills Thursday hearing.

We talk about parental rights here in the State of Florida and so, it just feels like the government is now telling parents that no, you dont really have the to make the ultimate decision, said Gantt.

But Sirois argued the significant harm social media can inflict on children obligates the legislature to begin treating the products in the same way it treats alcohol and gambling.

He closed recounting a conversation he had with a barista about his proposal.

She said, I think if they had done it a long time ago, I would have enjoyed being a kid. I want you to think about that. It doesnt have to be that way in the State of Florida, said Sirois.

Both bills advanced through the first committee this week.

They still have one more stop before reaching the House floor.

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FILEL - Law enforcement officials continue their investigation of a mass shooting at a Dollar General Store, Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Dollar General store where three Black people were killed during a racially motivated shooting last summer reopened Friday morning, Jan., 12, 2024, in a northeast Florida community where it is among only a few stores selling fresh food to nearby residents.(AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP)  A Dollar General store where three Black people were killed during a racially motivated shooting last summer reopened Friday morning in a northeast Florida community where it is among only a few stores selling fresh food to nearby residents.

Nearly five months after the Aug, 26 shooting, memorials dedicated to victims Jerrald Gallion, Anolt A.J. Laguerre Jr. and Angela Carr remained outside the New Town Dollar General store in Jacksonville, still decorated with photos, flowers and stuffed animals.

At the store's entrance, the company installed a permanent plaque that says #JacksonvilleStrong, the Florida Times-Union reported.

It was important to take the necessary time to listen to and evaluate feedback from employees and the community, which informed not only the stores upgrades but also our efforts to reopen the store in a respectful and thoughtful manner, Julie Martin, Dollar General divisional vice president of store operations, told Jacksonville television station WJXT during a tour of the store on Thursday.

The store sported a new look, which was the result of consultations with community members and local officials. The store now offers customers a wider variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, pre-made salads, frozen vegetables, cold cuts and milk.

The reopening has put the victims' family through their own individual emotional torment, said South Florida attorney Adam Finkel, who represents the victims' estates and some family members. They filed a lawsuit against the company late last year over lax security at the store.

"This was the site of a horrible mass shooting that should have never happened, Finkel told The Associated Press.

If the store was going to be open, and a lot of people including the families and those in the community don't want it to reopen, then it should at least reopen in a safe manner, Finkel said.

He said the lack of security at the store was a reason behind the tragedy, and he questions whether appropriate security measures will be in place at the newly opened store. The lawsuit filed in December cites a rash of shootings, assaults, burglaries, robberies and drug dealing in the neighborhood around the store.

The AP inquired about security measures at the newly opened store, but that was not addressed in the news release Dollar General provided in response. The company noted that it had provided $2.5 million to multiple charities and agencies in the Jacksonville area since the shooting.

On Aug. 26, Ryan Palmeter, 21, fatally shot Carr as she sat in her vehicle outside the store. He then went inside and shot Gallion and Laguerre Jr.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said Palmeter texted his father during the attack and told him to break into his room and check his computer. There, the father found a suicide note, a will and racist writings from his son. The family notified authorities, but by then the shooting had already begun. Officials say there were writings to his family, federal law enforcement and at least one media outlet, which made it clear that he hated Black people.
A former Los Angeles sheriffs deputy who fatally shot an unarmed 24-year-old man in his car in 2019 was sentenced to 30 days in jail on Friday.

Andrew Lyons, one of two deputies who fired a barrage of bullets at Ryan Twyman in a parking lot in south Los Angeles, pleaded no contest to assault with a firearm and assault under color of authority, said the district attorney, George Gascon.

He had originally been charged with voluntary manslaughter. He will be on probation for two years and his officer certification has been revoked under the deal, meaning he can no longer serve in law enforcement in California, Gascon said. Two years was the maximum probation term allowed under the law, and if he commits a violation of probation, he could face more than a decade in prison, the DA said.

Lyons surrendered on Friday and was taken to jail. The criminal conviction and jail time for the 39-year-old is an exceptionally rare outcome for an on-duty killing by a law enforcement official.

On 6 June 2019, two Los Angeles sheriffs department (LASD) deputies drove up to an apartment complex in Willowbrook in south LA, not far from Twymans home in Compton. Surveillance video showed the deputies exited their car with guns pointed at a parked vehicle. As the two officers approached, the car reversed and both deputies opened fire at it, continuing to shoot from a distance as the vehicle appeared to roll away.

The car came to a stop, still in the lot, but footage showed Lyons return to his car, open his trunk, pick up an assault rifle and continue to shoot at the motionless vehicle. The footage did not have sound and the entire interaction was less than a minute. The sheriffs department said the two deputies fired a total of 34 rounds. Twyman was in the drivers seat.

Lyons was fired from the LASD after the shooting. The second deputy did not face charges.

Twyman was one of four people killed by officers in Los Angeles county that day, and the case sparked protests in the city. Twymans family has been organizing against police brutality in the years since, pushing for the ouster of the former district attorney Jackie Lacey over her failure to prosecute officers, demonstrating against the scandal-plagued former sheriff Alex Villanueva and protesting against the powerful police unions. His relatives are part of a group of families of people killed by police who reported that the LASD harassed them after they spoke out.

Twyman was a father of three. His sons were aged one, two and three when he was killed.

Tommy Twyman, Ryans mother, stood with her family at a press conference alongside Gascon after the sentencing, saying: Today is bittersweet. We all miss him very, very much. We miss his smile, his laugh. We miss him chasing dogs around the backyard. His three boys really, really miss him. I promised him wed fight to the end and we did.

An official with the DAs office told reporters the manslaughter charge required proof that the defendant caused the death, and because two officers fired shots, that could have created a challenge.

Lyons was only the second officer to face criminal charges for an on-duty fatal shooting in Los Angeles county in over 20 years. The other prosecuted officer was acquitted at trial. Officers in Los Angeles, the most populous county in the US, have killed more than 1,000 people since 2000, according to a Los Angeles Times database.

Gascon, who was elected on a platform of holding police accountable, has also filed criminal charges against officers for on-duty assaults and perjury during his tenure.

Lyons did not speak at the hearing, the LA Times reported. From the outset, we have stated this is a case based in politics, not facts, his lawyers said in a statement, criticizing the DA. Mr Lyons has reluctantly agreed to accept a plea in this matter and to end his 15-year law enforcement career out of his belief that it is in the best interest of his family  Being a first responder is an inherently dangerous job. In Los Angeles county that danger is compounded by District Attorney George Gascons injection of politics into his analysis of public safety decision-making.

Before details of the sentence were announced, Chiquita Twyman, Ryans sister, said the process of the criminal proceedings had been grueling for the family, but she was glad there was some resolution: It has been a such a long time  four and a half years  so at least my family can now mourn correctly and have some closure from the trauma  But my nephews, three young Black men, will never have a father. Its horrible.

Of the plea agreement, she added, There is some justice, but there is no accountability. He has never apologized to my family.
Dmitry Medvedev, Russian Security Council Chairman, became angry over the visit of UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to Kyiv and began threatening to declare war if the UK deployed a military contingent in Ukraine.

Source: Dmitry Medvedev on Telegram

Quote from Medvedev: "UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has arrived in Kyiv to sign a 'historic security agreement'. How would the Western public react to the fact that the UK delegation came under fire from cluster munitions in the centre of Kyiv, as happened to the civilians of our Belgorod? (according to Russian propaganda  ed.)"

Details: He called the UK "brazen" and "eternal enemies" and also began to threaten that "the deployment of their official military contingent in Ukraine would mean a declaration of war" against Russia.

Background: On 12 January, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrived in Kyiv; it is assumed that he will announce the provision of 2.5 billion to Ukraine.

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FILE - In this Aug. 12, 2010 file photo, Suriname's President Desi Bouterse attends a military parade after his swearing-in ceremony in Paramaribo, Suriname. Surinames former dictator will face a final verdict in Dec 2024 in the years-long judicial process over the 1982 killings of 15 political opponents that deeply scarred the South American country. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton, File)

PARAMARIBO, Suriname (AP)  Former Suriname dictator Desi Bouterse, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison last month for the 1982 killings of more than a dozen political opponents, has vanished after not turning himself in to authorities on Friday as planned.

His wife, Ingrid Bouterse-Waldring, told reporters that she did not know where he was and firmly stated, He's not going to jail!"

I havent seen or spoken to him for a few days, she said as she lashed out at judicial authorities for the conviction, claiming it was politically motivated.

Authorities on Wednesday had ordered Bouterse and four others convicted in the case to report to various prisons by Friday. Only three have done so. They were in frail health and shuffled slowly toward a prison's entrance as reporters followed them.

By late Friday afternoon, the 78-year-old Bouterse had not yet appeared, prompting the office of the prosecutor to issue a one-sentence statement saying they were investigating those who had not reported to jail.

Earlier on Friday, dozens of backers of Bouterse and the National Democratic Party he chairs arrived at his house to show their support as some yelled at journalists and played loud music, prompting government officials to tighten security measures.

All necessary steps will be taken to ensure that the safety of both those involved and the wider society is guaranteed, the government said in a statement.

Spokesman Ricardo Panka said the party disagrees with the sentencing and noted that Bouterse will remain as chairman. But he said the crowd was ordered to remain calm.

We are not going to create an angry mob to go against the authorities, he said.

Bouterse was sentenced on Dec. 20 after being found guilty in the killings of 15 political opponents, ending a historic 16-year legal process. He had previously been sentenced in 2019 and 2021 but appealed both rulings.

A new team of lawyers filed an appeal Monday against the sentencing on grounds that an amnesty law Bouterse unsuccessfully tried to push through more than a decade ago would apply, but Surinames attorney general rejected the move on Tuesday.

Bouterse led a bloodless coup to become dictator from 1980 to 1987. During that time, he and two dozen other suspects were accused of executing prominent people including lawyers, journalists and a university professor at a colonial fortress in the capital of Paramaribo.

Bouterse has accepted political responsibility for the 1982 killings but insists he was not present.

He was later democratically elected as president from 2010 to 2020.

____

Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
Semafor Signals

Insights from Taipei Times, The Strait Times, and Taiwan News

The News

A former Taiwanese presidents claim that China could be trusted on cross-strait issues, days before the islands critical election, could cost his party votes in the tight three-way race, analysts said.

Ma Ying-jeou of the Kuomintang or KMT party told German outlet Deutsche Welle that Taiwan could never win a war with the mainland, and also voiced openness to unifying Taiwan with mainland China, a view supported by only a tiny proportion of Taiwans population.

Ahead of Saturdays vote, Chinas military said it would crush any efforts to promote independence in Taiwan and that it was on standby to take any necessary measures.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

Mas nationalist KMT party distances itself from him

Sources: Taipei Times, Liberty Times Net

For the first time, Ma has not been invited to a major election rally held by the KMT  a sign that the party wants to distance itself from the former leaders remarks. Former president Ma and I have very different positions on certain issues, KMT presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih told the Taipei Times on Friday. When it comes to cross-strait issues, we cannot rely on goodwill from one side, he said, adding that he would not touch on the issue of reunification if elected. William Lai, Hous main opponent from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), accused the nationalist candidate of bluffing  saying was obvious that Hou was distancing himself from the former leader because of the consequential ballot.

Mas comments could tilt election in DPPs favor

Sources: The Strait Times, Taiwan News

Hous supporters may worry that the KMT will sacrifice Taiwans interests following Mas comments, one Taiwan expert told The Strait Times. To say these things just a few days before the election will likely cost the party crucial median voters, the analyst said. The DPP has moved swiftly to capitalize on Mas remarks. Lai, acknowledging Taiwanese peoples fears of becoming like Hong Kong, has told reporters that he plans to strengthen national defense and form a deterrent force to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific  arguing that acting otherwise would force Taiwan under Chinas authoritarian rule, Taiwan News reported.

A vote about war or peace, change or continuity

Sources: The Japan Times, The New York Times

China has denounced the DPP as separatist and suggested that four more years under the pro-independence group would escalate tensions with the mainland. Such a warning has played out differently among voters  with some analysts framing the upcoming election as a vote for change or continuity in the islands China policy amid worsening economic issues. Wen-Ti Sung, an expert in Taiwanese politics, told The Japan Times that Hou had a fighting chance of winning because he was campaigning on the choice between war and peace and accused the DPP of heightening tensions with Beijing. Recent polls suggest that Taiwanese people want the island to maintain its ambiguous status quo and not risk angering Beijing by pursuing independence, The New York Times reported. But surveys also suggest that few residents see prospects for a peaceful agreement with China that they could accept.
Former Trump attorney Tim Parlatore criticized the former presidents legal team after a disastrous round of closing arguments capped off by Trumps rant attacking the judge. Parlatore said that Trumps team has been kind of un-led for a while when asked who is controlling the case.

With Alina Habba handling discovery, thats not something where I think anybodys really at the wheel. And so now you get into this trial where it does seem to me to be kind of a combination of building a record for the appeal and putting out things into the media that are helpful to the campaign, Parlatore said, adding that fellow Trump attorney Chris Kise is not a trial lawyer and is probably just to prep this case for an appeal. The Trump teams strategy appears to be to try to convince this trial judge to get so mad that he makes bigger mistakes for the appeal.

Habba, who previously served as the general counsel for a parking garage company, previously came under criticism from several Trump allies. "He has some lawyers that are very sophisticated with years of experience litigating, and he has now fallen prey to inexperienced lawyers who are just telling him what he wants to hear," a source close to Trump told Axios last year. "It's disconcerting to everyone around him who actually care about him.

Parlatore: Wiith Alina Habba handling discovery, thats not something where I think anybody was really at the wheel pic.twitter.com/CDzjq9KRos  Acyn (@Acyn) January 12, 2024
Platte River Power Authority is facing pressure from Colorado and local lawmakers who are questioning whether the electric provider is putting off efforts to further reduce its carbon emissions.

The officials sent a letter to PRPA last month questioning whether the wholesale power supplier for Fort Collins, Loveland, Longmont and Estes Park will be in compliance with a 2023 state law that pushes electric providers to make incremental greenhouse gas improvements before 2030.

The concern seems to stem from PRPA's ongoing plans to pursue building new gas-fired turbines at a cost of about $240 million to provide electricity when wind and solar sources aren't producing due to what is known as "dark calm." PRPA is pursuing the gas turbines even though it has a goal of being 100% carbon-free by 2030.

In response to the letter, the power utility says it will comply with all that the state requires of it.

The 2023 law, Senate Bill 23-198, requires PRPA to model and examine two different energy portfolios that could achieve certain greenhouse gas reductions by 2027.

One model must show how PRPA could achieve at least a 46% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2027 (over its 2005 baseline), and a second model must show how it could achieve greater reductions than PRPA's prior plan.

Under the new law, PRPA's board is required to consider each plan.

The letter to PRPA was signed by nine public officials, including Fort Collins Democratic state Reps. Cathy Kipp and Andrew Boesenecker, Larimer County commissioner Jody Shadduck-McNally and Fort Collins City Council member Kelly Ohlson.

Their letter says PRPA's public outreach regarding its 2024 integrated resource plan has so far not shown how PRPA intends to comply with the requirements. It asks the utility to remedy that by its next public meeting for the 2024 plan.

It goes on to warn that PRPA is falling behind other utilities in the state.

"Currently, out of the six Colorado utilities that have filed Clean Energy Plans, PRPA is dead last in reducing CO2 emissions, and is projected to remain in last place through 2029," the letter says. "In other words, every other utility that has filed a Clean Energy Plan expects to reduce CO2 emissions much more between now and 2029 than PRPA."

A chart that was included in a letter from some Colorado legislators and local officials to Platte River Power Authority shows how six Colorado utilities plan to cut their carbon emissions between now and 2030.

The lawmakers said SB 23-198 "is intended to harmonize the efforts of Colorados electric utilities so that they are all making the same minimum level of progress in decarbonizing their systems."

Further, the lawmakers urged PRPA to implement a plan that reduces more greenhouse gases by 2027: "Given that the legislature encouraged PRPA to achieve at least a 46% reduction in GHG emissions by 2027, we join the legislature in requesting that PRPA recommend, and its Board approve, a portfolio that achieves at least a 46% reduction in GHG emissions by 2027 while also reducing GHG emissions at least 80% by 2030."

In its response to the letter, PRPA said the required modeling is underway as part of its 2024 integrated resource plan and the utility will still meet  and plans to exceed  the state's requirement that it achieve 80% carbon reduction by 2030.

Javier Camacho, PRPA's director of public and external affairs, strategic communications and social marketing, said PRPA wasn't obligated to file a clean energy plan with the Public Utilities Commission, but it did so to show support for the state's clean energy goals.

And he noted that while PRPA is now required to model the portfolios, it isn't required to implement them.

"The law does not require a utility that has already filed a voluntary clean energy plan to implement the model results. Rather, the law only encourages the utility to achieve an interim target of 46% GHG emission reduction levels while ultimately meeting the states 2030 GHG emission reduction goal of 80%," Camacho wrote in the letter.

He said PRPA's 2018 resource diversification plan preceded and outpaces the states goal of achieving 80% carbon reduction by 2030. That plan sought to achieve 100% noncarbon energy by 2030.

He also said there are significant differences among the six utilities the lawmakers compared in their letter. PRPA is a community-owned, wholesale, public power generation and transmission utility, unlike private, investor-owned, co-operative, or fully integrated utilities, Camacho wrote in the letter.

"While other utilities with extensive thermal generation in their portfolios can continue retiring thermal assets by 2027, leading to a more gradual transition, Platte River has fewer, yet significant assets," including the Rawhide Unit 1 coal resource, "a unit that represents over half of Platte Rivers generation portfolio," the letter said. Its retirement at the end of 2029 will "be the catalyst" to PRPA exceeding the state's 2030 goal.

The interim targets would add to the amount of investments needed by PRPA and would fall on the shoulders of its customers, Camacho said.

And "to say Platte River is breaking the law or in last place" is a gross misrepresentation of what the actual law states, he said. "Platte River Power Authority stands as strong advocates for a clean, affordable and reliable energy future for the state of Colorado, and efforts to transition its energy portfolio exemplify that. Platte River will not only meet the states goal but will exceed it  and that should be a point of pride for Colorado."

Groups like the Fort Collins Sustainability Group and Sierra Club say investment in a new gas facility now goes against PRPA's commitment to pursuing 100% carbon reduction by 2030.

PRPA's projections show it can achieve an 88% reduction by 2030. It's proposing construction of the new gas turbines, which it says can run on clean hydrogen once that technology is available. PRPA said it would expect the turbines to be used up to 20% of the time, when other noncarbon sources like solar and wind are not available.

Ohlson said he signed the letter after being asked to by groups and individuals with whom he shares certain values.

"I was hoping they'd rethink their position that appears they're going to invest $300 million in gas technology that I can't say I completely understand, when organizations and individuals throughout the state think it's misguided and that there's a better way to go about providing energy to Northern Colorado."

He said he felt PRPA's process "seemed a little fast" and should have included the involvement of the four cities that own the utility.

Each city has two representatives on the board. PRPA made presentations to all four of the cities in the fall, just about the time its board was considering a resolution to support the plan to pursue permits for the gas turbines.

And at least a dozen people showed up at one Fort Collins City Council meeting to express concerns about the gas technology.

Ohlson said he wants to see "if we can come up with other solutions or at least slow the train down and make sure we're examining all options."

Shadduck-McNally said she signed the letter after constituents brought it to her attention, and she cited her strong relationships with the state representatives who signed the letter and worked on the legislation.

Her concern is that PRPA would not be in compliance with the requirements for 2027, she said, and she wouldn't want "our community highlighted as not being compliant."

She said she has followed the utility's work and communicates with PRPA board members.

"I do believe PRPA is a wonderful organization and provides reliable energy for our municipalities," she said. "I think there's a lot to celebrate there, and I believe in them as an organization to achieve this."

She said since signing the letter, constituents have thanked her and asked for further action, but she said she is still evaluating that.

"We need everyone to collaborate together to meet goals for the state," Shadduck-McNally said. "And if we don't have everyone complying with the minimum, it doesn't help us."

Camacho said after receiving the letter, he reached out to all the signees and welcomes a conversation with them, but he hasn't heard from anyone.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado lawmakers send warning letter to Platte River Power Authority
The franchisee of a Chick-fil-A store in Lancaster, South Carolina, will step away from the business after he was charged this week with a sex crime in nearby Fort Mill, according to a statement from the company and police records obtained by The Herald.

Lafe Hunter Thompson, 56, of Lancaster, was arrested Wednesday by the Fort Mill Police Department on a charge of second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor, an incident report and arrest warrant show.

The charge is a felony under South Carolina law.

Chick-fil-A issued a statement Friday to The Herald after it sought information about the store and incident.

Hunter Thompson is the independent franchise owner of the Chick-fil-A branded restaurant in Lancaster, SC, the statement said. Chick-fil-A and Hunter Thompson have agreed that, until these charges are resolved, Thompson will step away from his restaurant business.

Thompson allegedly met this week with a juvenile in Fort Mill, where the crime took place, according to police documents and Capt. Steven Bivins, Fort Mill police spokesman. Police investigated and charged Thompson, records show.

Thompson is charged in the case but has not been convicted of any crime. It is unclear if he has a lawyer.

The Lancaster Chick-fil-A store website lists Hunter Thompson as the restaurant operator. The S.C. Secretary of State Web site lists Lafe Hunter Thompson as the registered agent of a business that is the same address as the Lancaster restaurant.

Thompsons Linkedin profile says hes owned and operated the Lancaster Chick-fil-a since 2004. Hes also served on the board of directors for the Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce, according to his Linkedin profile.
ARLINGTON, Va.  The U.S. Navys first Constellation-class guided-missile frigate will arrive late amid workforce shortages, a program official said Thursday.

Fincantieris Marinette Marine shipyard in Wisconsin won a contract in April 2020 to build the first 10 ships. Construction on the first frigate began in September 2022, and four ships are now on contract.

The yard is a few hundred workers short, Andy Bosak, the deputy program manager, said in a presentation at the Surface Navy Associations annual conference, although he declined to say exactly how much it would delay the program.

Much like the rest of industry  we are working on increasing the ship workforce, both the blue-collar and white-collar workforce, he said.

As a result, we do have a challenge in the schedule. We are working this. Fincantieri has communicated to us challenges within the schedule. We are doing our analysis, as the Navy does, doing deep dives on causes and effects and various different levers of which we can pull within that shipyard, Bosak added.

He said Navy leaders will decide what to do going forward, and therefore determine the exact schedule impact.

Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro announced Thursday he has directed the ship acquisition community to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the Navy shipbuilding portfolio to provide an assessment of national and local causes of shipbuilding challenges, as well as recommended actions for achieving a healthier U.S. shipbuilding industrial base that provides combat capabilities that our warfighters need, on a schedule that is relevant.

This study is due in 45 days.

I remain concerned with the lingering effects of post-pandemic conditions on our shipbuilders and their suppliers that continue to affect our shipbuilding programs, particularly our Columbia Class Ballistic Missile Submarines and Constellation Class Frigate, Del Toro said in a statement.

Fincantieri Marinette Marine deferred to the Navy when asked for comment.

The delay comes as the Navy is increasing its procurement rate of the frigates. After buying one ship a year since fiscal 2020, the Navy in FY24 asked for two ships. This will begin a sawtooth pattern of alternating between one and two ships a year, as Fincantieri completes other ships on the production line and learns how to increase its throughput of frigate work.

Bosak said Fincantieri is finishing up the last remaining littoral combat ship work and will wrap up the Multi Mission Surface Combatant program for Saudi Arabia. Then, it will have more space and workforce to focus on the frigate.

Bosak said during his presentation Congress has allocated $50 million in FY23 to bolster the small surface combatant industrial base. The Navy and Fincantieri created a process to identify where theyd get the most out of the money, which includes initiatives aimed at the workforce at the yard and efforts to support suppliers.

He added that the frigate program is leveraging work done by the submarine community, which has established training pipelines and partnerships across the country to train new workers in welding, machining and other trades.
The European Commission is ready to grant Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban certain concessions in order to advance a four-year funding agreement for Ukraine worth 50 billion euros ($55 billion), the Financial Times (FT) reported on Jan. 11, citing senior officials.

The EU will convene at a special summit on Feb. 1 to revisit the support package, which Hungary alone opposed in December. With U.S. aid to Ukraine also stalled, securing a funding agreement has taken on new urgency.

The Commission is open to giving Orban an opportunity to stop the funding agreement in 2025 in exchange for his approval now, three officials close to the matter told FT.

Politico reported on Jan. 9 that Hungary might be willing to withdraw its veto if the funding were subject to annual renewal. Such a deal would allow Budapest to extract new concessions from the EU each year.

The EU has already released over 10 billion euros ($11 billion) in frozen funds to Hungary as Orban continues to block sanction against Russia and vocally oppose Ukraine's accession to the EU.

The officials told FT that potential concessions would entail annual audits of the support package and the inclusion of an "emergency brake" clause, allowing any member state to raise concerns about Ukraine funding at future summits.

The clause would not allow Hungary an additional opportunity to veto the funds, the officials said.

While it is "still uncertain" whether the concessions will persude Orban to support the deal, the Hungarians "are in a negotiating mood," the officials said.

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba will meet his Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto in Uzhhorod on Jan. 29 to prepare for a potential high-level meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Viktor Orban, ATV reported on Jan. 11.

Officials close to the negotiations told Bloomberg on Jan. 10 that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was also urging Orban to improve his relationship with Zelensky in back-channel talks.

Read also: Opinion: Orban is plain wrong on Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Kids may say the darndest things, but parentstweet about them in the funniest ways. Although Twitter has rebranded to X, the humor lives on.

Every week, we round up the most hilarious quips from parents on the social media platform to spread the joy. Scroll down to read the latest batch, and follow @HuffPostParents for more!

My husband doesnt see the hilarious irony that he sent our identical twins to school in matching sweatshirts that say, Be Unique! on the front and now Im questioning who I married.  Shit I tell my toddler (@Toddler_talkin) January 11, 2024

The thing about 4 year olds is no matter how tired they are, if they get an 86 second nap in a car it will be enough to fuel them for the next 48 hours.  Simon Holland (@simoncholland) January 9, 2024

Sleep experts: Dark room, avoid caffeine, listen to white noise, no screens an hour before sleep



Me sitting in my bed with the light on, eating dark chocolate, hearing my 3yo roar like a dinosaur over the baby monitor, reading a 4000-reply Twitter argument: Sounds good  Amy Colleen (@sewistwrites) January 10, 2024

This whole "no smoking with kids in the vehicle" thing is ridiculous.. look at him he's just cold... pic.twitter.com/UOSumbKxa5  Uncle MOOK  (@itsMook989) January 9, 2024

My 4 year-old learned how to spot an EXIT sign in preschool and her teacher told her she was really good at it so now she points out EXIT signs to people everywhere we go. Its the cutest way Ive seen anybody tell someone it was time for them to leave.  NicholasG (@Dad_At_Law) January 9, 2024

You think your kids are so mature and growing up and then you have to say something like the bathroom is not for karate  Katie D (@KatieDeal99) January 7, 2024

Me: You're supposed to be in bed.



11-year-old: I tried.



Me: You tried?



11: It didn't stick.  James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@XplodingUnicorn) January 12, 2024

my 2yo officially has reached the milestone of climbing out of his crib. we discovered this when after bedtime, we heard his doorknob turn, and he proudly proclaimed, "hi!!!!!!!! i leave crib!!!!!!!"  emily (@emilykmay) January 12, 2024

Ive never committed a crime but I have changed my nieces diaper in the public washroom while she screamed YOURE NOT MY MOM  I Hide From My Kids (@IHideFromMyKids) January 10, 2024

The funny thing about having your kid in childcare is you have no idea what they know. I started signing if youre happy and you know it and it was like I unlocked a sleeper cell in my 11 month old. She suddenly sat up straight and started clapping perfectly to the song   Lucy Huber (@clhubes) January 6, 2024

6YO said shell never be able to appreciate winter, cause snow on the bushes reminds her of cauliflower  Vinod Chhaproo (@Chhapiness) January 8, 2024

My daughter is sad because one of her preschool friends hasnt been in school because hes on vacation. I asked where he went and she said hes at the place where you cant see the fox but the fox can see you and I dunno I just feel like Id need a vacation from that vacation.  Kristen Mulrooney (@missmulrooney) January 10, 2024

My 6yo told his teacher we had no food in the house so she sent a flyer home with him for the local food bank. Go-Gurt, we had no Gogurt.  My Life Is The Pitts Family (@LifePitts) January 9, 2024

My kid has started responding "but I JUST sat down" when I ask him to do something so I guess he has been listening  meghan (@deloisivete) January 9, 2024

"I need to buy a book for school before tomorrow."



~ Kids, at 10pm Sunday night  Sarcastic Mommy (@sarcasticmommy4) January 8, 2024

What do you want to be when you grow up?



other kids: firefighter, doctor, scientist



my 9yo: Im gonna sell my Pokemon cards on the streets of New York.  Daddy Go Fish (@daddygofish) January 6, 2024

Every conversation with a child getting ready for school in the winter ends with a parent yelling, "FINE, THEN FREEZE."  Rodney Lacroix (@RodLacroix) January 12, 2024

how to ruin your childs entire week with 3 words:



empty the dishwasher.  Dadman Walking (@dadmann_walking) January 11, 2024

Have kids so someone whos never driven a car in their life can criticize your driving.  Mommy Needs A Life (@mom_needsalife) January 6, 2024

Related...
British defense minister James Heappey said Friday that the country has not immediately planned additional air strikes on Yemen, after joint U.S.-UK airstrikes Thursday hit about a dozen Houthi targets in the country.

Clearly the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have to be dealt with, he told BBC Radio 5 on Friday.

The strikes targeted facilities all over Yemen, killing five people, Houthi leadership said. The attack was in response to a Houthi naval strike campaign on civilian shipping in the Red Sea.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the strikes were necessary, proportionate, and targeted.

President Biden said the attacks were also supported by Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands.

The president justified the action as a necessary defensive strike against a force that targeted American vessels in the Red Sea.

Todays defensive action follows this extensive diplomatic campaign and Houthi rebels escalating attacks against commercial vessels, Biden said. These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the worlds most critical commercial routes.

I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary, he added.

Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdul-Salam denounced the attack, saying the U.S. and UK committed foolishness with this treacherous aggression.

They were wrong if they thought that they would deter Yemen from supporting Palestine and Gaza, he said. Houthi targeting will continue to affect Israeli ships or those heading to the ports of occupied Palestine, he said.

The action has come under fire from some members of Congress in both parties, who said the strikes were an overstep of presidential authority.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Did you know that 50% to 75% of the water we use in New Mexico comes from forests?

The trees that protect the winter snowpack and help filter water into our aquifers are being killed by drought, insects, disease, and wildfire. The results are degraded water quality, decreased water absorption by soils, and a greater risk of flash floods. Such forest loss is unprecedented, and the patches of tree mortality are so large that many tree species will be incapable of seeding into these areas within our lifetimes. But this doesnt have to be the end of the story. We have a chance to prepare our forests for a warmer, drier, and more flammable future.

In development now, the New Mexico Reforestation Center (NMRC) will have the capacity to grow up to five million seedlings per year. Five million seedlings may sound like a lot, but New Mexico needs over 100 million seedlings just to replant what has already burned, and to help restore our degraded watersheds. Seedling survival can be low given our dry, rocky soil. Fortunately, we are using cutting edge research, done right here in the state, to increase seedling survival.

Our research uses technology, including satellite data and machine learning to predict the best places to plant seedlings for the greatest chance of survival. Additionally, well use techniques that make seedlings more tolerant to drier climates by drought-stressing them in the nursery. Once the facility is built, these strong, hardy seedlings will be available to all private, federal, and tribal entities helping to reforest New Mexico.

But the NMRC is more than just a tool for replanting our watersheds, it is the heart of a plan to develop a robust reforestation economy in our state. Growing seedlings requires seeds, which requires climbing trees to harvest cones. This year, we trained 27 people in tree climbing and worked with contractors to collect cones which, after processing, will yield approximately 10 million seeds. While the seedlings grow, logistics and supply chains to support planting site preparation, transportation, planting, and post-planting monitoring must be developed. All these steps in the reforestation pipeline, including facility maintenance, require skilled workers. Each part of this pipeline is an employment opportunity that we, and other partners, are working to bring to our rural communities. The NMRC plans to train students and professionals for employment and business opportunities in the reforestation economy.

In 2023, our state made an $8.5 million investment to start implementing the New Mexico Reforestation Center plan. With this support we identified a site for the nursery  the New Mexico State University John T. Harrington Forestry Research Center in Mora  and will establish a training facility at New Mexico Highlands University. These two universities plus the University of New Mexico and the EMNRD Forestry Division are working together to prepare for Phase 2 of the process.

This year we are asking the State for $47.5 million to begin construction. This request, combined with the $10 million we have received from the USDA Forest Service will help us complete Phase 2 construction, purchase equipment, and hire the staff needed to start producing 1.25 million of the 5 million seedlings per year.

These commitments will help achieve our goal of having the right tree growing in the right place for the year 2100. After all, we cant meet that goal by leaving things to chance. The New Mexico Reforestation Center plan for restoring our landscapes and revitalizing our rural economies is exactly what we need to prepare our state for the future.

The comments provided by the authors do not necessarily reflect the views of their individual employer.

This article was authored by Rachael Foe EMNRD Forestry Division, Matthew Hurteau, Professor, University of New Mexico, Joshua Sloan, New Mexico Highlands University and Owen Burney, Professor, New Mexico State University.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: A future from our forests
The officers stood before the coffin to remember a man who was brave, who was devoted and who they vowed would not be forgotten, not now, not ever.

And for all the mourners who filled a Lucedale church on Friday to remember fallen George County Sheriffs Deputy Jeremy Malone, the officers mustered the only words they could for a fallen brother.

He gave his life for all of us, said Gov. Tate Reeves, who traveled to George County to attend the funeral.

He was just a great man, said Brother Tommy Mitchell, a chaplain from the sheriffs department.

Jeremy Malone

The people who loved him came together Friday to remember the life of Malone, a son, husband, father of three and sheriffs deputy shot and killed when he pulled a man over for a tag violation in a Dollar General parking lot this month. The governor said the state was grieving. The chaplain prayed for the familys peace. And again and again, the old friends and colleagues pleaded the world remember this: Jeremy Malone was a hero.

You loved him dearly, said Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter, who was roommates with Malone 22 years ago at police academy. So did I.

Malones coffin stood at Agricola Baptist Church for the funeral Friday, draped in an American flag and surrounded by blue and white flowers. Officers from across the Mississippi Coast and state and other out-of-state officers attended, and those who spoke prayed for his wife and three daughters in their grief.

The casket of George County Sheriffs Deputy Jeremy Malone is seen in a procession escorting Malones body from his funeral at Agricola Baptist Church in George County on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024.

Malone, 44, graduated from Perry Center High School. He attended the state law enforcement academy in 2002.

Over the years, he worked as an officer at the Leakesville Police Department, the Jackson County Sheriffs Department, the Green County Sheriffs Department and the George County Sheriffs Department. He had also worked with Biloxi police each year for Cruisin The Coast.

When he wasnt policing the streets, he worked as head of security at Bolinger Shipyards in Pascagoula, or was volunteering to take part in programs, such as the Blue Line Toy Drive and Santa Wears a Badge campaign to help the less fortunate.

Since his death, his police cruiser, George County sheriffs patrol car No. 402, has been on display outside the George County Sheriffs Department.

Mourners have placed flowers and notes on his car to honor him since his death.

The non-profit group Tunnels for Towers, also paid off the mortgage of Malones home that he and his wife had just purchased.

Members of the Jackson County Sheriffs Department and George County Sheriffs Department salute the casket during a graveside service for George County Sheriffs Deputy Jeremy Malone at Tanners Cemetery in George County on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024.

The killing

Malone had initiated the traffic stop on Mississippi 98 near Brushy Creek Road around 5:15 p.m. the day of his killing.

According to authorities, the suspect, identified as Rickey Powell, got out of his vehicle and fatally shot Malone, and drove off. A witness, Billy Mitchell, followed the suspect for several miles until law enforcement could catch up and get behind the suspect.

Powell, a convicted felon, led authorities out of George County into Perry County, where the chase ended and Powell died of a gunshot wound as authorities closed in on him to make the arrest.

Sean Tindell, the commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, said investigators are still trying to piece together all the events that happened leading up to the shooting and afterward when the suspect died.

An American flag is waved above Highway 613 at the county line in honor of George County Sheriffs Deputy Jeremy Malone in George County on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024.

Officers remember friend and colleague

Malones fellow law enforcement officers escorted his body from George County to the Mississippi Crime Lab in Biloxi last week, and returned his body to a funeral home in Lucedale on Friday.

Malone was set to be laid to rest after a somber procession through the county that led to Tanners Cemetery.

Those who spoke sometimes struggled to find words to give voice to the tragedy. Malone was a kind man with no ego, Ledbetter said, who could be called on at any time. He was family. He made people laugh.

In grief, those who mourned were still grateful.

Thank you for sharing Deputy Malone with us, Reeves told Malones family.

Ill say this one more time, Ledbetter said. Thank you for your service.

Mississippi Highway Patrol state troopers lead a procession escorting the body of George County Sheriffs Deputy Jeremy Malone from his funeral at Agricola Baptist Church in George County on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024.

To help Malones family

The Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District (SMPDD) is accepting donations for Malones family.

Those wishing to donate to the family may mail or deliver donations to the SMPDD office at 10441 Corporate Drive, Suite 1, Gulfport, MS, 39503. Checks should be made payable to Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District, with a designation of the Fallen Officer Fund in the memo line of the check.

Additionally, SMPDD has a bank account at Community Bank to receive donations for fallen officers. The name of the bank account is Southern Mississippi Planning Fallen Officer Fund. Donations can be made at any Community Bank branch.

For those wishing to donate online, you may go to www.smpdd.com and click on the Fallen Officer Fund Donate button to donate via PayPal, credit card or debit card.

Sean Tindell, the commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Public safety, has also set up a GoFundMe to help with funeral expenses that had raised over $40,000 as of Friday.

Family place roses on George County Sheriffs Deputy Jeremy Malones casket during a graveside service for Malone at Tanners Cemetery in George County on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024.
When Gov. Gavin Newsom railed during his budget presentation this week against shameful suggestions from the Wall Street Journal editorial page that he would support a tax on wealthy Californians, he also could have been speaking to the national audience hes been wooing for months.

The effort to institute a state tax on ultra-millionaire and billionaire constituents net worth was going nowhere. Hours after Newsom spoke, state lawmakers promptly shelved the measure with little discussion.

The plan did draw a critique from the Journal, regarded as a leading voice of conservative thought. And Newsom for months has actively, aggressively courted this kind of attention.

Analysts said Thursday that Newsoms anger as he unveiled the budget at Wednesdays news conference was transparently political, as he seeks to stave off a perception of the state as one that overtaxes its residents.

His frustration at the Journal editorial was also likely also meant for the state lawmaker who proposed the tax, as well as the legislative leader who allowed it to be heard on the same day as his budget announcement.

Newsom spokesman Brandon Richards declined to comment further, saying the governors statements on Wednesday were pretty clear and comprehensive.

All the outrage reflected a predicament Newsom faces as he balances his national ambitions with the realities of working with progressive legislators. Some budget-watchers would like to see the governor consider some tax-related solutions as he works to fill a $38 billion spending gap.

I think  in a period where youre facing a significant shortfall, and youre having to roll back some essential services  you should be at least having a conversation about every tool in the toolbox, said Chris Hoene, executive director of the California Budget and Policy Center. Before you actually just shut it down and say, No, were not going to do some of the stuff.

Assemblyman Alex Lee, D-San Jose, speaks at a press conference Monday, Jan. 23, 2023 to discuss AB 259 and ACA 3, which would tax extreme wealth in California. Gov. Gavin Newsom during his budget presentation railed against the idea of implementing such a tax.

Lawmakers shelve wealth tax

Newsom presented a $291 billion fiscal 2024-2025 budget that seeks to reduce the states large budget deficit by dipping into reserves and cutting and delaying spending.

Ahead of Newsoms announcement, Assemblyman Alex Lee, D-San Jose, learned the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee would hear his wealth tax measure, Assembly Bill 259, shortly after the governor unveiled the budget.

Lees bill would add a 1% tax on the net worth of residents with more than $50 million in assets. Those with more than $1 billion would be taxed at a higher 1.5% rate. The current top income rate is 13.3% for millionaires.

The hearing attracted attention because Lees bill did not make it that far last year. But new Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, D-Hollister, has taken a different approach to working with committee chairs. Instead of giving them complete freedom to decide which bills gets hearings, he believes legislation introduced in good faith deserves an opportunity to be heard, said Cynthia Moreno, a spokeswoman for the speaker.

This prompted news coverage and a Wall Street Journal editorial headlined Californias wealth tax arrives, complete with a photo of Newsom right below it.

Only Assemblyman Joe Patterson, R-Rocklin, and Chair Jacqui Irwin, D-Thousand Oaks, spoke during the committee hearing for AB 259.

Irwin expressed concern the bill would drive away the wealthy Californians needed to support the states progressive tax structure.

We must act with a degree of fiscal prudence and seek to reduce volatility in our revenue streams, she said.

Irwin quickly placed AB 259 on the committees little-known suspense file and then held it there, effectively killing the measure.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom releases his 2024-25 budget proposal, a $291.5 billion plan to close a $37.86 billion budget shortfall, on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024.

Newsoms tax politics

Political experts say the bill and associated coverage so incensed Newsom mostly because he sees it as a liability in his quest to raise his national profile.

The governor last year created a political action committee to promote Democratic causes in more conservative states, embarked on a red state tour and debated Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on national television. All of this has stoked a persistent belief that Newsom plans to run for president someday, although he has repeatedly denied it.

If he were to support tax increases and run for president in 2028, that would be a leading Republican attack point, said John Pitney, professor of politics at Claremont McKenna College.

Newsom has had difficulty with the left in the past over issues such as single-payer health care, which caused him some heartburn because he realized that just wasnt economically feasible for a single state to do, Pitney said.

The governor during his 2018 campaign pushed for a single-payer system, but he has backed away from that promise during his time in office.

This is another chapter of long story, Pitney said. In most places, Gavin Newsom would be considered a progressive. But by the standards of the California Democratic Party, hes a moderate.

The Wall Street Journal editorial page acts as kind of a foil for Newsom, said Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabatos Crystal Ball, a nonpartisan political analysis firm.

You could argue the message is directed both at the Wall Street Journal and also at his own Legislature, he said. Its probably better to make the actual person who youre attacking the Wall Street Journal, as opposed to your Legislature, but youre sending the same message: its like, I dont support this.

Hoene of the Budget and Policy Center suggested Newsom might consider more under-the-radar revenue solutions, like suspending some corporate tax breaks and creating a more equitable structure that could generate funds from companies with bigger profits.

For example, Senate leaders last year supported instituting a graduated corporate tax system that would raise taxes on the highest earning companies and cut them for lower earners.

They basically had a banner five or six years where their profits have gone off the charts, no matter what other circumstances are making life difficult for other folks in California, Hoene said.

So theres an actual political rationale to be making the case of like, look, we need to ask those really thriving corporations to do a little bit more in order for the state to be able to continue to make some progress for people who who arent doing that well and are struggling to get by.
A new group, run by alums of Beto ORourkes 2022 campaign and funded by Democratic megadonor George Soros, has emerged this election cycle to take on the age-old challenge of turning Texas blue.

Texas Majority PAC has kept a relatively low profile since forming over a year ago in the wake of the 2022 election. But it raised $2.25 million through last year, and campaign finance reports due Tuesday are expected to show how the group  and Soros  have been spreading their money around the state.

Working with the PAC, Soros made six-figure donations to three county parties  Dallas, Cameron, and Hidalgo  and a few other groups that have a regional focus, according to figures first shared with The Texas Tribune.

The contributions are intended to help the entities register, contact and turn out voters on a scale never seen before, year after year, in the key regions of our state, the PACs deputy executive director, Katherine Fischer, said in a statement.

We need millions of more dollars and hundreds of more full-time staff to do this, Fischer said. Texas Majority PAC works with partners across the state to create the conditions that will make flipping the state possible.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is up for reelection in 2024, and the Democratic president, Joe Biden, will be on the ballot in a traditionally red state that he only lost by 6 percentage points four years ago.

Texas Majority PAC was registered with the Texas Ethics Commission in December 2022. It was founded by Fischer, who was the organizing director for ORourkes gubernatorial campaign; Jason Lee, who was ORourkes deputy campaign manager; and Crystal Zermeno, a former longtime staffer for the Texas Organizing Project.

O'Rourke's 2022 campaign manager, Nick Rathod, previously led a Soros-aligned group and tapped his relationships to help get a $1 million donation for O'Rourke's campaign and then help lay the groundwork for Texas Majority PAC afterward.

The PAC has already disclosed raising $852,000 through June of last year, most of it from the Soros-funded Democracy PAC II.

The PAC represents the latest in a long line of groups who have promised to mobilize more Democratic voters in Texas, a mission shared by the state Democratic Party. Both the PAC and party publicly say they welcome each others help, though there have been signs of tension privately as Democrats begin another critical election year.

The Messenger reported in October that the party expressed concern about the potential for programmatic fracture and duplication of effort.

The PAC suggests its focus is more regional than that of the state party. Fischer said the group is helping to build party infrastructure at the regional level, because the various regions of our state are distinct and therefore require different strategies.

That is reflected in the county recipients of its funding so far and organizations, including the Texas Organizing Project, which is active in Bexar, Dallas, and Harris counties; First Tuesday PAC, which works in Harris County; and CTX Votes PAC, which is based in the Austin area.

The size of funding already is a boon to county parties that, even in major Democratic strongholds, are not used to seeing six-figure checks.

[The] overall investment is a game-changer for not only us but for county parties throughout the state, said Kardal Coleman, the chair of the Dallas County Democratic Party, which received $200,000 from the PAC.

In Cameron County, party chair Jared Hockema said the funding his party has received  and expects to receive  is more than weve ever had available to us. The money, at least $100,000 so far, has made it possible for the party to hire a full-time staffer, open a permanent office, and even make some get-out-the-vote efforts targeted at low-propensity voters in the November 2023 constitutional amendment election.

Most of the contributions have been made in Soros name but in coordination with the PAC. Some of those Soros donations have already been disclosed due to various campaign finance deadlines, like the donations he gave to the Cameron County party last year.

Gov. Greg Abbott and other Republicans have already cited the Soros donations in fundraising emails to warn that the New York billionaire  a favorite GOP boogeyman  is trying to turn Texas blue. Hockema said he is not concerned about the GOP using Soros as a rallying cry, adding that the Cameron County Democrats are proud to have his support.

George Soros is a person who knows whats at stake in the election we face, Hockema said, adding that Soros, a Holocaust survivor, knows about confronting the specter of authoritarianism and fascism.

Plus, Hockema said, Republicans relied on plenty of big out-of-state donors when they made an aggressive drive to turn South Texas red in 2022.

In a statement for this story, the state party said it welcomes any new investments and efforts that collectively achieve the ambitious goals of keeping Joe Biden in the White House, sending Ted Cruz packing and electing more Texas Democrats up and down the ballot.

With a state as big as Texas, there is no time or dollar to waste, and were ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work, said Monique Alcala, executive director for the Texas Democratic Party.

Michelle Tremillo, the co-executive director of the Texas Organizing Project, likened the PACs mission to what has happened in states like Georgia, Arizona and Virginia, where Democratic breakthroughs, she said, did not happen overnight. The groups funding, she said, has allowed TOP to plan with more certainty for its 200-canvasser program this fall.

When you are making an investment for a long term, you can measure growth in voter participation and it isnt necessarily about, did our candidate win? she said. This is about becoming a voter on a regular basis.

Correction, Jan. 14, 2024 at 1:37 p.m. : A previous version of this story misstated how much the Texas Majority PAC raised since Beto O'Rourke's failed 2022 gubernatorial campaign due to inaccurate information initially provided by the group. The PAC raised $2.25 million through last year.
"Caution train traffic" is written on a display board at the main station after the end of the three-day train drivers' strike. A three-day train drivers' strike ended throughout Germany on Friday evening, but the head of the GDL union warned that rail operator Deutsche Bahn should prepare for more industrial action to come. Monika Skolimowska/dpa

A three-day train drivers' strike ended throughout Germany on Friday evening, but the head of the GDL union warned that rail operator Deutsche Bahn should prepare for more industrial action to come.

"After completing these strike measures, we will give the company (Deutsche Bahn) some time to come to its senses," GDL boss Claus Weselsky said in Berlin on Friday evening as the strike wound down.

"If they dont do that, the next industrial action will follow. It will be longer and it will hit the company even harder," Weselsky added, without giving a date for another strike.

The strike at Deutsche Bahn ended at 6 pm (1700 GMT). Industrial action affecting regional operator Transdev ended at 12 pm, earlier than expected.

Deutsche Bahn said passengers should prepare for delays and cancellations even after the strike.

The rail operator expects operations to return to normal by Saturday morning.

There appeared to be some movement in the dispute between GDL and Transdev. GDL indicated that in a new offer, Transdev had assured the union that it would "seriously negotiate all the core demands of the current collective bargaining round."

Transdev confirmed the new offer and said negotiations are to resume on Monday. The company operates regional rail lines in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, Saxony and Bavaria.

The GDL's core demand at both companies is a reduction in working hours from 38 to 35 hours for shift workers with full pay compensation. Both Deutsche Bahn and Transdev have rejected this.

The GDL had therefore previously declared the negotiations at both companies to have failed.

There could only be a resumption of collective bargaining if the railway operator shows itself to be open to the core demands, union chief Weselsky said.

So far, Deutsche Bahn has only offered to expand existing working time models. This means that anyone who reduces their working hours in this context must accept financial losses.

Deutsche Bahn in turn called on the union to return to the negotiating table. "We are ready to negotiate, we are ready to talk," said DB spokeswoman Broker. "It is now also up to the GDL to return to the table. Strikes to enforce all demands - that's not how collective bargaining works."

The third and longest strike action to date in the collective bargaining dispute began early on Wednesday morning in passenger transport and on Tuesday evening in freight transport.

Deutsche Bahn said it managed to operate a good 20% of its usual long-distance services with an emergency timetable during the strike. In regional transport, the effects of the action varied greatly depending on the federal state.

Since the start of negotiations at the beginning of November, the GDL had already brought passenger trains to a standstill twice with 20 and 24-hour strikes.

In December the union held a ballot for its members to vote on whether to escalate pressure on Deutsche Bahn by walking off the job for an indefinite period of time. Around 97% of members were in favour, making it possible to hold longer strikes at any time.

An ICE train leaves the main station after the end of the three-day train drivers' strike. A three-day train drivers' strike ended throughout Germany on Friday evening, but the head of the GDL union warned that rail operator Deutsche Bahn should prepare for more industrial action to come. Monika Skolimowska/dpa
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock reiterated Berlin's staunch support for Israel during her visit on Friday to Malaysia, a Muslim-majority country that advocates for the Palestinian cause and maintains ties with Hamas.

Baerbock said that, in the German government's view, peace would only come to Gaza if foreign supporters of the Palestinians do not take "unilateral" positions.

She said Hamas, which is considered a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States and the European Union, must "lay down its weapons so that we can really come to a sustainable peace agreement."

Germany's top diplomat spoke after meeting with Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said in November that even possible US sanctions on Hamas' foreign supporters, which could include his country, would not dissuade him.

"We do not see Hamas as a terrorist organization," he said at the time.

Baerbock met with the prime minister later on Friday, but no statements were made afterwards.

Earlier in the day, Baerbock had said she made it clear in the meeting with her Malaysian counterpart that in order to shore up international law, "it is crucial to condemn such a barbaric terrorist attack and it is therefore crucial for us to do this together everywhere."

She also said that "it is crucial for us to contain the catastrophic situation in Gaza as quickly as possible and that humanitarian aid must be brought into the country."

The suffering of the Palestinians can only be ended "if the suffering of the Israelis is ended," Baerbock said.

This requires "a universal perspective," she said. "I very much hope that we can make progress on precisely this path together as an international community."

Prior to the meeting with Hasan, Baerbock had met with representatives of Muslim organizations.

Malaysia has strongly condemned Israel's attacks on health facilities in the Gaza Strip and considers them a violation of the Geneva Convention.

At the UN General Assembly in October, Malaysia voted in favour of the resolution demanding a ceasefire.

The German government is against a general ceasefire, saying it would deprive Israel of the opportunity to respond to the ongoing rocket attacks by Hamas. Instead, Baerbock is in favour of new humanitarian pauses in order to bring more aid to Gaza.

Malaysia is Germany's most important trading partner in South-East Asia. The country has been an important investment location for German companies for years.

On Friday evening, Baerbock made a stopover in neighbouring Singapore on her return flight to Berlin. There she met with Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.

Singapore, which is home to followers of almost every religion in the world, takes a stance of non-interference in the Gaza conflict.

Baerbock was in the Philippines on Thursday.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock speaks during a press statement after a meeting with her counterpart, Mohamad Hasan, Foreign Minister of Malaysia. Michael Kappeler/dpa
The leading investment banks decision to discontinue Launch With GS coincides with increased attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion measures.

Goldman Sachs is nixing a 2018 diversity initiative after reportedly fulfilling its goal of investing $1 billion in diverse-led businesses.

The leading investment banks decision to discontinue Launch With GS coincides with increased attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion measures.

According to Fortune, then-chief strategy officer Stephanie Cohen shared in a 2018 blog post that the goal of Launch With GS was to generate strong investment returns.

The bottom line is this makes sense for our business  because investing and helping companies grow is our business, she wrote.

Goldman Sachs is ending its Launch With GS initiative, saying it has fulfilled its goal of investing $1 billion in diverse-led businesses. (Photo: Adobe Stock)

At the time, the investment bank also said it would not assist firms in going public if their boards did not include at least one diverse director.

As of June 2023, Goldman Sachs said it had deployed $1 billion of company and client capital into businesses led, developed and managed by women and people of color. The company quietly updated the initiatives website in recent weeks, describing the effort in the past tense.

Regina Green, who worked at Goldman Sachs for nearly 17 years, was assigned to lead Launch With GS in May 2021. She announced her departure from Goldman via LinkedIn at the beginning of this year.

Im so proud of the work weve done, the founders and managers weve partnered with, and the impact weve had so far, she wrote, according to Fortune.

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The company told Fortune that Launch With GS oversaw five entrepreneur cohorts which helped 47 startups and handled nearly 60 investments over five years. BentoBox, Burst Oral Care, LeaseQuery and the funds Construct Capital, Define Ventures and MaC Venture Capital are among the companies that benefitted from the initiative.

Goldman Sachs now says it is shifting its diversity efforts toward 2022s One Million Black Women, a 10-year commitment to distribute $10 billion in investment capital and $100 million in philanthropic assistance to address the dual disproportionate gender and racial biases that Black women have faced for generations. The funds will be spread across more categories than venture-focused Launch With GS, Fortune reported.

Goldman says the company has invested $2.3 billion thus far and has four team members exclusively focused on the initiative.

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The post Goldman Sachs says it has satisfied diversity support promises, nixes initiative appeared first on TheGrio.
As we get older, any number of things  from illness to medication, body confidence, relationship worries and family dynamics  can impact our sex lives. Here, doctors and therapists explain the ups and downs you might encounter in every decade. This guide covers:

Can you have great sex at any age?

Yes, but we have to define what great sex actually means, says Ammanda Major, a sex therapist and the head of clinical practice at Relate. If you look at movies or social media, its generally people having multiple orgasms. But for many people, simply being together intimately can be rewarding.

Sex can mean different things to different people, and it changes as we go through life. We have to recognise how our bodies change over time and how the ageing process impacts us sexually. Theres something to be said for accepting that and working with whats possible, rather than comparing yourself with everybody else.

What happens to your sex life as you age?

Things may change as we get older, but thats not necessarily bad news, says Cynthia Graham, a senior scientist at the Kinsey Institute, the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Sex Research and a co-author of the Healthy Sexual Ageing project, which analysed successful sex in people aged over 60 across Europe.

Theres a negative stereotype that it all goes downhill  and its true that frequency tends to drop, but thats not necessarily linked to lower sexual satisfaction, she says. A lot of changes with ageing and sexuality are gradual, so people are able to adapt. Its not all doom and gloom.

Sex in your 40s

Significant changes to our sex lives can begin now, as men and women experience hormonal shifts that alter desire and arousal. It is a hell of a decade, says Dr Angela Wright, a GP, clinical sexologist and the co-founder of Spiced Pear Health.

In women, perimenopause can cause fluctuating hormones. You wont feel arousal in the same way because the amount of blood flow that goes to the area when youre excited isnt the same. You dont lubricate as well, so sex can become less pleasurable and even painful. You can get UTIs more easily because your pH levels become less acidic and youre less able to fight off infection, she says. You may also still be on hormonal contraception  the combined pill can drop the libido because it mops up the testosterone thats circulating around your system.

One option to replace hormones is HRT, but Wright acknowledges that some women cant have or dont want it. But many can use vaginal HRT, or oestrogen creams and pessaries that work solely on the genitals, which can make a big difference to comfort and pleasure, she says.

Men may see the beginnings of erectile dysfunction and lower libido, with 40 per cent of those over 45 experiencing low testosterone levels  or hypogonadism  according to research published in the journal Frontiers in Endocrinology.

Dr David Goldmeier, the clinical lead for the internationally renowned Jane Wadsworth sexual function clinic at Imperial College London, says this is commonly linked to the health issues that take their toll on our bodies in midlife: high cholesterol, high blood pressure, being overweight and having diabetes.

Stopping smoking, exercising more and eating healthily may help as a first port of call, then you could ask your GP to prescribe a PDE5 inhibitor, such as Viagra or Cialis, which can be taken daily at a low dose. This will reverse some of the changes that are happening in the blood vessels. That and testosterone replacement can make a really big difference to sexual function and desire, says Wright.

But if you see any change in erectile function, go to the GP. Goldmeier says its a window into the cardiovascular system, as both rely on healthy blood vessels and could be an indicator of an underlying condition, such as atherosclerosis or a narrowing of the blood vessels that might mean youre at risk of heart disease.

Stress can also have a huge impact on your sex life, says Major, especially given the common demands of work, children and caring responsibilities in this decade. When were anxious, it can understandably be difficult to relax and get into that space where you feel that you can initiate or receive intimacy, she says. This can create a cycle of rejection where either you or your partner feels continually unwanted.

Aoife Drury, a psychosexual and relationship therapist, advises taking a mental temperature reading. Have a scale in your head of zero to 10  10 being Im definitely up for it and zero being not at all. Think to yourself, Im at a four and maybe theres an opportunity to get to a five. But perhaps decide that below a four is just an impasse. Knowing where you sit is really helpful.

Sex in your 50s

The average age for a woman in the UK to go through the menopause, when they have not menstruated for a year, is 51. Historically, the narrative has been that women are dried up from this point, but the experts disagree. Indeed, a US study from 2019 concluded that sexual health and function are essential components in the care of menopausal women and can improve quality of life.

One of the main biological issues is the big drop in the production of oestrogen by the ovaries, which diminishes the blood supply that reaches the vagina, reducing sensitivity, lubrication and desire, and potentially causing weight gain that can make women feel alienated from their own bodies.

The impact of the menopause can have a real hit on a womans body, says Drury. Sex can go down the pecking order because we might not be feeling ourselves.

Youre ageing and that can impact your sexual confidence, says Wright. Your body shape can change, your skin becomes less firm, you can get hot flushes, youre not sleeping, which makes you feel rubbish. It can be hard to muster the energy for it.

Women might start experiencing bladder leaks, Wright adds, with pelvic floor issues becoming more common along with changes to the skin on the outside of the genitals. She recommends seeing a GP, who can prescribe local oestrogen or steroid creams. Pelvic-floor therapy can be helpful: exercises designed to strengthen the muscles around the bladder, bottom, vagina or penis, which are as helpful for healthy sexual function in men as they are in women. Vaginal moisturisers can help make sex more comfortable and boost blood flow. Not every woman experiences menopause negatively, however. For some, says Drury, it means the end of painful periods and can feel liberating.

Wright says that it can be helpful to talk about good enough sex, with couples reminding themselves that intimacy doesnt have to mean full intercourse. Deliberately making time to nurture that aspect of your relationship is really important, she says.

Life changes such as children becoming more independent or the loss of your parents can act as a catalyst for recalibrating your sex life as a couple, she adds. It can be a chance to pay attention to one another, but it can also shine a light on what youve not been doing. Take stock of the relationship and work out what you miss and how you can reestablish that. Life is limited and youve got to crack on.

Sex in your 60s

The 60s can be a turning point in the wake of empty nests, bereavement and retirement. Office for National Statistics data shows that divorce rates in the over-60s doubled between 1993 and 2019, with many people finding themselves single again.

The good news, says Graham, is that sex and intimacy are still really important and the quality doesnt have to be impacted negatively.

Going into a new relationship has benefits because you have lots of novelty, so arousal and libido are often higher and better. But it can be more difficult to work around problems, says Wright. If men havent had sex for a long time, due to divorce or losing their wife to illness, they can find that their sexual function is altered and its harder to get and maintain an erection.

This could also be related to health issues, such as diabetes or an enlarged prostate, as well as medication (antidepressants are known to lower libido in both men and women), so its worth going through what youre taking and making changes if needed.

The 60s are also when men might start to experience a longer refractory period  the time between having an orgasm and being able to become aroused again. With older men it can last hours, even days, says Wright. It might be time to adapt your sexual activities and focus more on caressing, so its not so centred on having an erection.

The third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles in Britain found that embarrassment is a potential barrier to seeking medical help for sexual problems as we age. But, Wright says: its key not to feel embarrassed and avoid the issue  its a natural age-related decrease in sensitivity that can happen for both men and women.

Medications like Viagra can make a difference, she adds, as can losing weight, which improves your general health and self-esteem, as well as lessening the chances of conditions that can increase the risk of erectile dysfunction, such as diabetes and high cholesterol. In one study, Canadian researchers found that 30 per cent of men experiencing erectile dysfunction who then lost weight regained their normal sexual function. As you get older, sex changes, and the people who do well at maintaining their sex lives are the ones that adapt and stay healthy, adds Wright.

If youre making a fresh start when it comes to dating and relationships, its worth bearing in mind that STIs are on the rise in people over 65. Data from UKHSA found the number of STIs recorded in this age group increased by 20 per cent between 2017 and 2019, with the biggest rises in gonorrhoea and chlamydia.

Newly single people are getting out there and being more adventurous, says Major. The sexual experience, far from going off the boil, can be reignited as you go through life. But the sexual landscape has changed fundamentally, so its about knowing how to set boundaries and keep yourself safe.

The experts recommend asking about any other sexual bedfellows a new partner may have, for any relevant history and, for ultimate peace of mind, that both parties are tested for possible infections before embarking on a sexual relationship. Visit your GP with any concerns, such as lumps, bleeding or unusual discharge. And use a condom. Postmenopausal vulvas and vaginas are more fragile, so skin breaks and that can more easily lead to transmission or infection, says Wright.

As for couples, retirement can have a major impact on sex, says Major. Its often a time that people have to face problems theyve managed to avoid talking about because they were too busy with work. But retirement can be a rich opportunity to recalibrate the relationship sexually.

She recommends making the space to talk and ensure you both feel listened to, using a third party if needed. Life tends to take over and we make a lot of assumptions along the way that everything is OK. Now its about reaching a place where you both want the same thing.

Sex in your 70s

Your 70s, say the experts, are a decade for broadening the definition of intimacy. A study into the sex lives of people aged 50 to 90, published by Cambridge University Press, concluded that being able to adapt to a more sensory sexuality, with less focus on penetrative sex, can make an important contribution to continued sexual activities into later life.

Any number of health worries might impact your ability to engage in full intercourse  cardiovascular issues, major surgery such as a mastectomy, or prostate treatment that blocks testosterone production. You may have pain along scars or simply feel tired from having been manhandled and examined.

What is important now are things like cuddling, kissing, touching each other, oral but not necessarily penetrative sex, says Graham, although some people of this age say theyre having the best sex of their lives.

Body shame can be an issue, says Major, who regularly hears from women in her clinic who are reluctant to fully undress in the bedroom.

Its about coming to love your body because of the experiences its already been able to give you and the experiences it can still offer you, she says. Yes, there might be a droopy bit there, but youre still you. Men struggle too  the waning erection and saggy bits. Its about thinking My body isnt how it was when I was in my 20s, but its still OK and still valuable.

Patricia*, 74, recently met a new partner after being widowed. Breast cancer had made me terrified at the prospect of showing my body, and osteoarthritis in my knee and hip had impeded my flexibility  but then men have those insecurities and doubts too, she says. My partner went to the GP for Viagra and I went to a gynaecologist for Idracare, a vaginal moisturiser. Sex in your 70s takes preparation, but its worth it for the joy of sharing my bed and my body with a gentle man of the same age. Id missed the fun, mutual delight and the exercise.

Devices can help where joints, arthritis or mobility issues present obstacles  pillows or inflatable and foam wedges to maintain sexual positions, or the Ohnut to control the depth of penetration. Where men are struggling with erectile dysfunction and PDE5 medications havent helped, Goldmeier suggests speaking to a GP about injectables, vacuum pumps and high-tech implants.

Communication is vital, says Wright, particularly if a couple sleeps in separate beds. Set some clear expectations  that its OK to have a cuddle but it doesnt necessarily mean that its a green light for anything more. Its about redefining what intimacy looks like within your relationship, regardless of the adaptations youve had to make around your changing bodies.

Sex in your 80s

A study published in 2017 reported that at least one in four men and one in 10 women aged over 85 said that they were still sexually active. Whats more, it suggested that people over 80 experienced more emotional closeness during sex than younger age groups.

Wright says we need to de-stigmatise sex in this age group. Theres a feeling of sex being for young, beautiful bodies, whereas actually this is the Woodstock generation. They were sexually free, so for many of them its still a very important part of their identity, she says. Indeed, research by Linda J Waite of the University of Chicago in 2010 concluded that people who were young in the 1960s are likely to have more liberal attitudes to sex.

Sexuality and sensuality are still important, agrees Wright. We make assumptions about intimacy not being important in settings like nursing homes, but it often still is. Thats still a valid and important need, regardless of age. A 2017 Dutch study of dementia-free people living in retirement communities found that more than half of those with partners engaged in sexual activity and two thirds in physical touch. The greatest barrier to being sexually active at that age was the lack of a partner.

I think this is a really good time to get into toys like vibrators or rings, says Drury, pointing out that these can work between couples where mobility is limited but also solo, given that people may have lost partners and be on their own.

It might be something that you havent engaged with before and could feel a bit alien. But they can be stimulating tools to maintain that sexual arousal and bring a bit of novelty to something that might have become a bit stale over time. Its about practicality and what hits the spot. You might just have to think outside the box.

*Name has been changed

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Thomas Massie makes a point in the House Rules Committee as Republicans advance a bill to disapprove of action by the District of Columbia Council on a local voting rights act and a criminal code revision, at the Capitol in Washington, in February 2023 (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

A Republican lawmaker was called out for an interview with a CNN host that viewers branded misogynistic.

In a contentious interview with CNNs Kate Bolduan, Kentucky Rep Thomas Massie mocked the female anchor and appeared to denigrate her intelligence.

Bolduan asked Mr Massie  who was recently the sole congressman to vote against a resolution that reaffirms the State of Israels right to exist  why he did so. After Bolduan began reading off the title of the resolution, Massie cut her off.

Congratulations, he said. Youre able to read the name of the resolution.

Bolduan visibly bristled and responded to the dig. Ooh, Congressman  I dont think youre trying to question my intelligence, now are you?

No, Im just saying, you didnt have time to prepare for this like I did, he replied.

Do you mean the two pages that I read in two minutes this morning? she asked, holding up a highlighted printout of the resolution.

Ms Massie laughed. You took two minutes, he said. Good for you! You took two minutes.

Viewers criticized the lawmaker for the interview. Whats wild is Massie has no idea how terrible he comes off in the exchange, regardless of viewpoint, tweeted Alyssa Farah Griffin, co-host of The View and a former Trump White House staffer.

What a condescending jerk Massie is, tweeted former Illinois GOP Rep. Joe Walsh. Good job @KateBolduan for standing up to him. And doing it professionally. Well done.

Mr Massie, who has recently been stumping for Republican presidential candidate Gov. Ron DeSantis, said he voted no on the resolution because he believed it equates anti-Zionism with antisemitism.

Antisemitism is deplorable, but expanding it to include criticism of Israel is not helpful, Massie wrote in a tweet about the resolution in November.

In December, the politician was accused of antisemitism over a meme he posted on Twitter. In the image, which was a meme featuring Drake, Massie insinuated Congress cared more about Zionism than it did American patriotism.

Rep. Massie, youre a sitting Member of Congress, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer tweeted . This is antisemitic, disgusting, dangerous, and exactly the type of thing I was talking about in my Senate address. Take this down.

All Americans - including @HouseGOP leadership - should condemn this virulent Antisemitism from a sitting member of Congress, tweeted White House Deputy Communications Director Herbie Ziskend.
Republican presidential candidate hopeful Ryan Binkley speaks during the Lincoln Dinner on Friday, July 28, 2023, at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines.

Editors note: A correction has been made. A previous version of the article stated Ryan Binkley founded a church in 1999 in Atlanta, Georgia. The church was founded in 2014 in Richardson, Texas.

ST. PAUL  On Thursday, the Minnesota Supreme Court heard an expedited petition by longshot GOP presidential candidate Ryan Binkley to be placed on Minnesota's Republican primary ballot.

Not only does Binkley have to overcome the saturated and more established field of fellow candidates, he is also on a time crunch to get his name on the ballot before early voting starts in just a week.

Binkley has fallen short in polling and failed to receive any "first-choice support" in Iowa polls, according to the Des Moines Register.

More: Ryan Binkley, Texas business executive, is running for president as a Republican. Who is he?

Despite his lack of support in numbers, Binkley is still fighting for a spot on the ballot.

The pastor and businessman is focusing on Iowa ahead of the caucuses next week, campaigning on balancing the budget, repairing the healthcare system, and urban education reform.

Here's what you need to know about his efforts to win the GOP nomination.

How to qualify for the Minnesota Republican primary (and why didn't Binkley)?

In December, Republican Party of Minnesota Chair David Hann submitted a list of candidate names to Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon to be added to the party's presidential primary ballot. This list included familiar names like former President Donald Trump, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, Florida Gov. Ron Desantis, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and now dropped-out candidate former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. One name not on that list? Ryan Binkley.

In Minnesota, to qualify for the Republican primary, a candidate must meet one of the following requirements:

Meet the threshold to appear in the first debate at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in July. To qualify for this debate, a candidate must have 70,000 individual donors and reach 4% in national polls.

Have held at least one of the following offices: The Presidency, the Vice Presidency, Senator or Congress person, Governor or mayor of city with a population of 250,000 or more.

Binkley does not meet either of these requirements. He told USA Today that his energy won't cease.

"Hopefully (the Minnesota Supreme Court) will just make the decision to let us in," Binkley said. "If not, then we're prepared to take it as far as we need to."

Binkley has made it onto the ballot in 20 states and the District of Columbia, including early primary voting states like Iowa and New Hampshire.

In 2016, the Minnesota legislature re-established the presidential primary system in a bipartisan bill, signed by then-Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton, moving the state away from a party-run caucus system to the state-administered primary system.

Binkley v. Simon

During oral arguments on Thursday in St. Paul, six of the seven Minnesota Supreme Court justices heard arguments from Binkley's attorney, Erick Kaardal.

Binkley and his attorneys are suing Secretary Simon to add his name to the list of Republican candidates on the GOP primary ballot, despite not meeting the state party's requirements. Kaardal argued that by leaving Binkley's name off the ballot, other candidates are receiving an unfair advantage for the general election by having a chance at the party nomination.

In 2020, Kaardal represented then-presidential candidate Roque "Rocky" De La Fuente in a nearly identical case just before the presidential primary. The court denied Kaardal's petition to add De La Fuente's name to the state's party ballot. However, he still garnered several thousand votes in the general election in November by making his name on the ballot via the nominating petition process.

So, how are the two cases different?

"Didn't we reject this argument in De La Fuente?" Associate Justice Paul Thissen asked Kaardal during oral arguments.

Kaardal told USA Today that the case at hand relies on the argument that the Article II Section I of the Constitution, the Electors Clause, grants the legislature the power to determine how state parties develop their primary systems. He said this holds states and their parties to using the enumerated qualifications in the Constitution (age, birthplace, etc.) to make it on a primary ballot.

Kaardal, a former MN GOP chapter member himself, called the requirements set forth by the state party "crazy qualifications". Chief Justice Natalie Hudson questioned "who determines what are crazy qualifications? Who determines what are reasonable ones?"

Assistant Attorney General Nathan Hartshorn told the court, the parties get to determine those qualifications, and the legislature allows them to.

Hartshorn argued that the Electors Clause doesn't give the state legislature authority to decide how state parties run their primary system, but rather it's their inherent power as a body of government to make these legislative decisions. Therefore, parties can make their own requirements for state ballots.

Binkley is asking for the justices to rule that the 2,000 signatures needed for an independent candidate to be placed on the ballot be applied to major party candidates who do not meet the requirements set by the major state parties.

Hartshorn asked for a speedy decision with opinion to follow to give elections officials time to prepare for early voting starting next week.

Who is Ryan Binkley?

Ryan Binkley is the co-founder and CEO of Generational Equity Group and lead pastor at Create Church based in Texas.

More: Ryan Binkley, Texas business executive, is running for president as a Republican. Who is he?

The 56-year-old announced his bid for the White House in April 2023, running on paving the path for unifying the country and potential bipartisan cooperation on immigration and health care policy.

In 1999, Binkley and his wife Ellie co-founded a location of Create Church in downtown Atlanta. Binkley told USA Today that God called him to run for president.

"It doesn't matter people's different faiths, we're in a cultural moment right now," he said. "My message to everybody is we're all Americans first. Let's treat each other with respect and let's serve each other, and let's focus on those that need the most."

According to FEC filings, Binkley outspent every other candidate in the race in the third quarter, racking up a bill of $7 million in Iowa. Despite this, he has yet to make any headway into the field, barely even showing up on polls ahead of the caucuses.

Linda Hofstadter, a Binkley for President Minnesota volunteer told USA Today that getting to vote for the candidate she wants, even if he's not dominating the polls, is important to her.

More: Minnesota voter registration guide: How to check your status, voting options, what to know

More: Who will win the Iowa Caucuses? 6 GOP candidates' path to victory  or defeat  on Jan. 15

Hofstadter works as an election judge and said Binkley's values as a Christian and proposal to build a wall on the southern border while also making the immigration process easier made her want to vote for him.

"This isn't right," she said. "I believe in freedom of choice and I won't even be able to vote for him."

Hofstadter said that if Binkley isn't on the GOP primary ballot, she would write in his name.

Early voting for the state primary starts on Jan. 19 and ends March 4.

Binkley has yet to campaign in Minnesota.

 Sam Woodward is the Minnesota Elections Reporting Fellow for USA Today. You can reach her at swoodward@gannet.com or on X @woodyreports.

This article originally appeared on Aberdeen News: Republican presidential candidate Ryan Binkley sues to be on MN ballot
WASHINGTON  Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-Texas) suggested Wednesday that Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas should be impeached because slavery exists in the world and fentanyl is killing people  a claim that law professor Frank Bowman, a witness in this House hearing, had to keep informing the congressman made no sense.

Both were participants in a House Homeland Security Committee hearing focused on impeaching Mayorkas. The hearing, which went on for nearly five hours, was a political stunt: Republicans are eager to make the migration crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border a major liability for President Joe Biden in the 2024 elections. Mayorkas is their latest target.

The problem with the GOPs impeachment effort is that Mayorkas, a cabinet secretary charged with carrying out immigration laws, as broken as they may be, has not been accused of any crimes. Never mind the kinds of serious high crimes and misdemeanors that meet the constitutional threshold for impeachment, like treason or bribery.

Nonetheless, the GOPs rationale is that because Mayorkas is overseeing Bidens border policies, he is responsible for the egregious crimes that people commit at the border and elsewhere, so he should be impeached.

Luttrell leaned hard into that rationale on Wednesday, trying to pin blame on the homeland security secretary for crimes carried out by others.

Can you give me the definition of a high crime and misdemeanor? the Texas Republican asked Bowman, who is a professor emeritus of law at the University of Missouri School of Law, and a former federal prosecutor.

Bowman said theres no single definition that will satisfy everyone, but that the late constitutional scholar, Charles Black, would define it as extremely serious offenses in the way that serious crimes like treason and bribery are.

Bowman was still talking when Luttrell cut him off.

Extremely serious, repeated the Republican congressman. Thats a great point. Is the selling of fentanyl inside the United States causing hundreds of thousands of deaths over the past years considered a high crime, in your opinion?

Im unaware that the secretary has sold any fentanyl, Bowman said flatly.

No, Im not directing that to the secretary, Im asking you, said Luttrell. If the selling of fentanyl inside the United States, killing hundreds of thousands of Americans over the years, would that be considered a high crime?

If you could establish that an officer actually did that, possibly, Bowman began, as Luttrell talked over him. But we have no evidence that that ever happened.

Theres no evidence that hundreds of thousands of people over the past few years have died from fentanyl overdoses? the Texas Republican asked.

Im unaware of any evidence that Secretary Mayorkas has ever sold fentanyl, said Bowman.

By now, the two were openly clashing and raising their voices. Luttrell kept pointing out that fentanyl is killing people  and Bowman kept reminding him that this has nothing to do with crimes being committed by the homeland security secretary that warrant impeachment.

Im not talking about Secretary Mayorkas, said Luttrell, flustered. Im talking about fentanyl!

But thats what were here to talk about! replied Bowman. Are we not, congressman? Secretary Mayorkas?

Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-Texas), on the left, clashed with Frank Bowman, a professor emeritus of law at the University of Missouri School of Law, over there being grounds for impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-Texas), on the left, clashed with Frank Bowman, a professor emeritus of law at the University of Missouri School of Law, over there being grounds for impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

The Texas congressman isnt wrong that America is facing a fentanyl crisis. More than 150 people die every day in the United States from overdoses on opioids like fentanyl, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And Mexico, along with China, is a primary source for fentanyl being trafficked into the country.

But fentanyl is overwhelmingly smuggled into the United States by U.S. citizens, not by people illegally crossing the border, as the Cato Institute reported in 2022. Moreover, Mayorkas is not personally committing these crimes, so there is no legal basis for impeaching him.

Luttrell eventually moved on from trying to blame Mayorkas for fentanyl deaths in America, and tried to blame him for other crimes.

Let me ask you this, since were unhinged on fentanyl, asked the Republican lawmaker, visibly agitated. Do you consider slavery a high crime?

Cross-border human trafficking is also a serious problem, and as Luttrell cited, there are tens of millions of people around the world are who are trapped in a form of modern slavery. But again, Mayorkas is not committing these crimes, so the idea that he should be impeached for them makes no sense.

The law professor, speaking slowly and eventually closing his eyes as he spoke, said only, Is there any evidence that Secretary Mayorkas has enslaved anyone?

That signaled the end of Luttrells questions for Bowman.

This is getting a little bit more complicated than I thought it was going to be, he said, moving on.

You can watch their exchange here.

Related...
JANUARY 12

Flags across Mississippi are flying at half-staff Jan. 12 as the state honors George County Deputy Jeremy Malone.

Malone was shot and killed Jan. 4 after he pulled over Rickey Labaron Powell for a tag violation. According to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, the shooting happened around 5:15 p.m. in the parking of a Dollar General store on Mississippi 98, near the intersection of Brushy Creek Road in the Rocky Creek community. Malone was shot as he approached the vehicle.

Jeremy Malone

Malone had just gone on duty about 45 minutes before his killing, newly-elected Sheriff Mitchell Mixon said last Friday. The sheriff never thought for a minute that would be the last time he saw Malone alive.

We were looking forward to working together, Mixon said. He was excited. He just loved law enforcement. Other than his wife and three daughters, this would be the next love he had.

Flags across the state will fly at half-staff until sunset Friday, under an order from Gov. Tate Reeves.

The proclomation, signed by Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, in honor of George County Deputy Jeremy Malone.
Britains Environment Agency has eliminated the cap on fines for environmental permit violations in their continued effort to crack down on corporate pollution.

What changed?

With this decision, companies can now face unlimited fines after a breach of environmental permits. Previously, the Variable Monetary Penalties (VMPs) were capped at 250,000.

The policy applies to breaches of sites that discharge into rivers and seas, as well as illegal discharges to non-permitted bodies of water. This will affect several industries, including water and waste companies, agriculture, and processing.

Additionally, the EA now has expanded abilities to punish waste offenses and air pollution permit breaches, which will impact violators in illegal scrapyards, under-permitted waste management facilities, manufacturing companies, and power stations.

Britains Environment Secretary Steve Barclay outlined the agencys double-pronged approach to combating pollution.

Polluters should be in no doubt that if they harm our precious habitats and waterways, they will pay. By lifting the cap on these sanctions, we are simultaneously toughening our enforcement tools and expanding where regulators can use them, he said.

Recently, sewage overflows in Britain have sparked outrage and driven the government to action with their Plan for Water.

Barclay said the money raised from the fines would go into a new Water Restoration Fund.

This is part of the increased investment, stronger regulation and tougher enforcement we are delivering through our Plan for Water, he said.

Why are these policies so important?

Pollution is devastating to our health; its the largest environmental cause of disease and death, causing more than 9 million premature deaths per year worldwide. The good news is that tighter regulations do work; the key is just implementing more of them.

In the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agencys policies are enforced to varying degrees from state to state, with some states barely enforcing them at all. Large corporations and local governments also work hard to circumvent these policies.

Britain is hoping to serve as an example. These unlimited fines are another addition to their recent law condemning ecocide, crimes with severe damage to the environment.

The threat of uncapped financial penalties should boost compliance with environmental laws, Barclay said, and help to provide stronger protection to the environment, communities and nature.

What else can be done to combat pollution?

Regardless of where you live, you can be part of the solution by supporting pro-climate candidates and proposals, such as the recent reforestation law passed in Indonesia. You can also support corporations that stay true to their words  and their permits  and incentivize change through your dollars.

There are also ways to take action locally against pollution, from choosing circular brands to being a whistleblower when necessary.

These changes will deliver a proportionate punishment for operators that breach their permits and cause pollution, Barclay concluded.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Hefner Middle School was placed on a brief lockdown Friday morning after a weapon was found on campus.

According to Putnam City Schools, the student involved was arrested and the weapon was taken by police. There is no active threat to staff and students.

LOCAL NEWS: Stolen car is latest setback for local couple

At this time, our Putnam City Campus Police Department has determined that the weapon was discharged one time in a bathroom by the student who is in custody. We have been able to confirm that the student was alone in the bathroom at the time of the discharge. There are no injuries associated with this incident, including the student. The student was fully cooperative with school administration and police immediately following the discharge. The motive for

this incident cannot be determined at this time. We can not provide any additional details regarding the student due to his age. Putnam City Schools News Release

According to school officials, the student entered the school through the main entrance at around 7:11 a.m. and the weapon was discharged at around 7:36 a.m. The school went into a lockdown shortly after as police began an investigation.

A student in possession of any type of weapon on school property violates District Policy BE for weapons and District Policy EH for student conduct. This situation will be addressed according to Putnam City District Policy and State Law. The safety and security of our Putnam City students, staff, and campuses is our number one priority. said Putnam City Schools.

Officials say additional campus police officers and counselors will be on campus for staff and students. Putnam City Campus Police are still actively investigating the incident.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Here we go again. The House Republicans are running around in circles, unable to agree among themselves about what they were sent to Washington to do and we are once again on the cusp of a government shutdown. No matter who's in charge or what the circumstances are, they just can't get anything done. And for some reason, they believe this is a winning election year strategy.

The week started on a hopeful note. I was pleasantly surprised to see that Speaker Mike Johnson and House Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had agreed on a top-line budget number. This seemed to signal that Johnson and his team were serious negotiators who might be able to avoid a government shutdown. Of course, the framework was already in place from the deal struck last spring between then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy and President Joe Biden to raise the debt ceiling. But it still spoke well of McCarthy's successor that he could be practical enough to recognize that he was going to have to negotiate.

The MAGA crazies on the far right had rejected that bipartisan deal at the time and it was passed with Democratic votes, eventually bringing about McCarthy's ouster in October when he once again was forced to rely on Democratic votes to pass a temporary funding extension to keep the government open. Johnson had a little honeymoon that allowed him to pass another short-term spending bill without being defenestrated by the crazy caucus. Buyt unfortunately for him and the country, that honeymoon is over.

After announcing the top-line spending deal that would have set the levels until September 30th, everyone understood that it was still going to take a lot of work to agree on the details and that would require yet another short-term extension. Yet the MAGA hardliners in Congress are a hard no on all of it.

Johnson is a hardliner himself so you would think he'd know how this was going to go over. He seems to think that by "listening" and having "thoughtful conversations" he would have enough credibility with the Freedom Caucus that they would go along. He thought he could tell them "I think its the best possible deal that conservatives and Republicans could get under these circumstances" and that would be that. Is he living in a dream world?

He must know that they truly believe that if they shut down the government the Democrats will throw up their hands in surrender and give them everything they want. And if they don't, the Democrats will all be defeated in November because the government will have been shut down for 10 months, the economy will be in ruins and they will be blamed. In Republicans' addled minds, it's a win-win either way.

Needless to say, that is irrational nihilism but that's who they are. According to the Washington Post, conservatives in the House want Johnson to renege on the funding agreement and go back to the Senate with their new top line number, destroying any credibility he has with the Senate and the White House. The Freedom Caucus must also be given a say in how any funding is allocated, which is the Appropriations Committee's job or there must be a 1% cut across the board. Oh, and they also demand new draconian immigration restrictions before they will agree to any short-term spending bill.

After a meeting on Thursday morning between Johnson and the rebels, the members emerged saying that Johnson was with them. Johnson disagreed, telling reporters, he's made "no commitments"  and that "if you hear otherwise, it's just simply not true." Nobody really knows what Johnson is doing. It's a mess:

House GOP feuds as shutdown looms and speaker in bind



A massive failure, MTG says as hardliners push for Johnson to back off deal



Hern is OK with short-term shutdown



But many Rs say hard-right making unrealistic demands



McHenry on Johnson: Hes got to fulfill his word pic.twitter.com/h5zstzxQHK  Manu Raju (@mkraju) January 12, 2024

The MAGA extremists are talking about ousting him as they did McCarthy.

MAGA Republicans are now floating removing Mike Johnson just barely three months after Kevin McCarthy was ousted: I suspect we will be looking for a new Speaker. That is an option. If we don't like our boss we can remove them pic.twitter.com/vrXu1HaMJp  DNC War Room (@DNCWarRoom) January 11, 2024

Don't tell anyone but with their tiny majority, there's a good chance that if they do this we'll be looking at a Speaker Hakim Jeffries, D- NY. Somebody may just crack.

In case you're wondering why these zealots think this is such a good idea and that it's going to work for them, look no further than the "intellectual leader" of the MAGA cult, Steve Bannon. Media Matters reported that he has begun an effort to oust Johnson after having successfully led the effort to depose Kevin McCarthy in October. They report that "although Bannon and his guests have been criticizing Johnson since November  just weeks into the new speakers tenure  the attacks have escalated in recent days."

On Thursday, Bannon interviewed Russell Vought, one of the new MAGA gurus who is working on all those dystopian plans for Trump's second term at the MAGA "think tank" Center for Renewing America, who told him I am one of the biggest critics of Mike Johnson right now. He is bowing to the fear of a government shutdown within his own ranks. I think he should stand up to that fear like, Congresswoman Greene would have him do, but he's not.

Vought is said to be very influential in Trump's inner circle which may explain why Johnson told Hugh Hewitt he was planning to talk to Trump about this situation but Trump has been a little busy. If Johnson's counting on Trump's support he should probably have a chat with his predecessor who did everything in his power to curry favor with the Dear Leader and it did him no good at all when push came to shove. Trump has always been for a government shutdown.

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Perhaps the most ominous part of Vought's comment is the fact that he extolled the virtues of Marjorie Taylor Greene, who is asserting her power as a MAGA leader. Media Matters reports that she also appeared with Bannon on Thursday and said,

If I was speaker of the House, Id finish the job in the House. Id pass the appropriation bills, and then Id tell Chuck Schumer in the Senate, Its your job now, buddy. You do your work and then well talk. But right now, Mike Johnson is getting rolled in meeting after meeting after meeting. When he is talking to Jake Sullivan and Chuck Schumer every day and impressed with these four corners meetings, but he's not talking to me and other important members in our Republican conference at all about any of the negotiations and any of the plans and exactly what we want to see done, he's failing on the job."

She certainly sounds like someone who thinks she's the right woman for the job, doesn't she? I suspect that there are more than a few Republican House members who would happily vote for Hakim Jeffries over Greene. But you never know. The House Republicans have been infected with MAGA fever and there doesn't seem to be a cure.

Time will tell if Mike Johnson can corral these rebels, keep the government open and hold his seat. But the pressure from the MAGA base, incited by Steve Bannon and others, to blow up the system is going to be relentless. They've tasted the power that comes from deposing a leader and they want more. The only thing that will stop them is the loss of their majority. If there is any justice in this world, that will happen next November. Until then, it's going to be a very turbulent time in the U.S. House of Representatives.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A man is under arrest after crashing his car into a power pole during a high-speed chase that came to an end this morning in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina State Highway Patrol confirmed with Queen City News on Friday.

Troopers attempted to pull over Charlotte resident Colin Threadgill, 32, who was doing 94 MPH on I-85 in Rowan County around 9:17 a.m. Friday morning.

Threadgill pulled over and then proceeded to flee, and a chase ensued. The suspect exited onto I-485 in Mecklenburg County and then tried to exit at Mill Creek Church Road where he crashed into a utility pole.

Threadgill was arrested without incident and is facing charges that are currently pending, Highway Patrol said.

Threadgill suffered minor injuries in the crash and was not hospitalized, troopers said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
While local forecasters say severe weather headed to the Lowcountry on Friday afternoon wont be as much of a threat as the weeks earlier storm, state officials urged people to still keep their guards up.

Frank Strait, the states severe weather liaison, said as the storm passes to the northwest, it will pull a warm front northward through the state, causing rain and potentially a few embedded thunderstorms during Friday afternoon. His primary concern is the cold front moving into South Carolina in the evening.

A surge of warm and humid air that arrives ahead of the cold front will provide enough thunderstorm fuel for robust storms, and the wind shear ingredient is a given with storms this intense, Strait said.

Beginning around noon, showers and thunderstorms, with the potential to stir up damaging winds and tornadoes, will pass through Beaufort County. Meteorologists expect the severe weather to last until 6 p.m.

Severe weather outlook on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024.

Sustained winds on land that will reach up to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 58 mph, could damage power lines and knock down trees. Over water, winds will strengthen between 20 and 30 knots and gusts may whip up to 40 knots. Isolated brief tornadoes shouldnt be ruled out, according the National Weather Services Charleston Offices morning briefing.

Beaufort County schools said it would monitor weather conditions and will notify families if it diverts from normal operations. Neither the Technical College of the Lowcountry nor the University of South Carolina-Beaufort were closed. County, town and city governments within Beaufort County had not modified their schedules as of 8:30 a.m. Friday.

Stay weather aware, the South Carolina Emergency Management Division cautioned. Most of the state is under a Slight Risk level 2 out of 5. The primary concerns from Friday afternoon into Friday night are damaging winds and tornadoes.

As of Friday morning, Beaufort County wasnt under any watches, warnings or advisories.

Strait said the weekend will be clear but a bit chilly, with below average temperatures. He expected the next storm to roll in on Monday.
She is known for her thrifty, no-nonsense approach to fashion.

The Princess Royal, 73, a long-time champion of recycling whenever possible, sported a pair of sunglasses in Sri Lanka this week that she has had for more than a decade.

And in an interview marking the end of her three-day visit, she spoke out against fast fashion, suggesting that it may be time to return to traditional tailoring methods.

The Princesss first stop in Colombo earlier this week was the MAS Active factory, which has been manufacturing lingerie for Marks & Spencer for 30 years.

Remarking on the ubiquitous T-shirt which was churned out in millions, she said: What do you do with them next? Nobody really thought that one through and they are going to have to think about that sort of thing in the future.

You think about how much is going into landfill.

The Princess Royal favours the sunglasses given to her by the British cycling team during the 2012 London Olympics - Matthew Horwood/Getty Images

The Princess, president of the UK Fashion and Textile Association, questioned whether a return to traditional processes of clothing manufacture might be the answer.

You go through the phase when fashion was very structured and people followed fashion, but you had tailors and dressmakers who absolutely fundamentally made that, but you could also alter it because they had the skills to do so, she said.

Now youve got instant fashion which you then throw away, you dont alter it because it wouldnt be worthwhile.

So whether weve got to relearn those skills, go back and say actually, we need materials that can do more than one evolution of fashion

The Princess, who is president of the British Olympic Association, wore her favourite pair of Team GB Adidas sunglasses every day in Sri Lanka.

They were given to her by the British cycling team during the 2012 London Olympics and she has been wearing them ever since.

The Princess, much like her elder brother, the King, believes that all clothing should have a long shelf life.

The sunglasses are thought to have been considered a practical addition to her wardrobe. If she likes them and they serve a purpose, thats all that matters, one source said.

She has been wearing the frameless aerodynamic glasses at public and private engagements for many years. Previously, she wore a very similar pair thought to have been given to her during the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The Princess is routinely dubbed the hardest working Royal for carrying out more public engagements than any other member of the family.

Sir Timothy smashes a coconut, a ritual believed to banish bad luck - Jonathan Brady/PA

The Princess and her husband make an offering at the Vajira Pillayar Kovil Hindu temple - Jonathan Brady/PA

Asked in Sri Lanka about her workload, she described herself as the eyes and ears of the monarchy and someone who is committed to travelling around the country to support those doing an incredibly good job.

The three-day trip concluded on a colourful note on Friday, with flower garlands, vivid silk shawls and a Hindu blessing at Vajira Pillayar Kovil, a temple in Colombo.

The Princesss husband, Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence, 68, was given the chance to banish bad luck and welcome better fortunes by smashing a coconut to the ground.

Outside, they were offered the chance to feed sacred cows, a revered animal in Hinduism, and the Princess held some vegetation as they munched away.

The Princess pays her respects to the fallen at the Jawatta Cemetery - Jonathan Brady/PA

The visit to a temple in Colombo marked a distinct change in tone after the Princess paid her first visit to a Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) cemetery as the organisations president.

At the immaculately kept Jawatta Cemetery, the Princess paid her respects to service personnel from Sri Lanka and Commonwealth countries, the majority of whom had served during the Second World War.

During a short service of remembrance, an extract from the poem For the Fallen was read and a bugler played the Last Post before a minutes silence was observed. The Princess laid a wreath of poppies with a handwritten card reading: We will remember them, and signed: Anne.

It was announced during last years Remembrance weekend that the Royal would take on the CWCG role, succeeding the Duke of Kent who had been president of the organisation since 1970. The King was announced as its first patron.

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Samuel Bond Haskell IV, charged with three counts of murder in the killings of his wife and her parents, appeared shirtless during his arraignment in Los Angeles on Dec. 8. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

A Hollywood executive's son accused of murdering his wife and her parents pleaded not guilty Friday in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Samuel Bond Haskell IV, 35, was arrested in November on suspicion of killing his wife, Mei Haskell, 37; her mother, Yanxiang Wang, 64; and stepfather, Gaoshan Li, 72.

Authorities say Haskell first tried to dispose of human remains on Nov. 7, when he hired day laborers to remove bags from his property. The workers, who said they were paid $500 and initially told that they were hauling away rocks, said the bags felt soggy and soft, like meat. The laborers tried to return the money and contacted police, but by the time officers arrived, the bags were gone, according to a KNBC-TV Channel 4 report.

The next day, a homeless man found a duffel bag containing a human torso in a Tarzana dumpster. Haskell was arrested a short time later. Surveillance video from a nearby building captured a man who seemed to be Haskell dumping the bag after unloading it from his vehicle.

Read more: What day laborers are hired to do: the dangerous, the gross, the sometimes illegal

The Los Angeles County coroner determined the torso belonged to Mei Haskell, but Los Angeles police detectives have yet to locate the remains of her parents. Police have not confirmed a motive or the manner of death in the killings, but L.A. County Deputy Dist. Atty. Beth Silverman said detectives discovered blood and evidence consistent with dismemberment inside the family home.

If convicted of the murders, Haskell faces a potential sentence of life without parole. His next court appearance is set for Feb. 16.

Haskell shared a home with his wife and in-laws in the 4100 block of Coldstream Terrace in Tarzana. His wife's relatives, many of whom still live in China, previously told The Times that while they didnt know of any fights or discussions of divorce between the couple, financial issues were a strain on their relationship.

Mei was the only person contributing to the couple's $7,000 monthly mortgage, according to her uncle, who described Haskell as strange and quiet and reserved.

Authorities recovered cars used by the family in the San Fernando Valley and have said that in the days between the killings and his arrest, Haskell had driven all over Los Angeles County. Haskell's children are now in the care of relatives, according to authorities.

The defendants father, Sam Haskell, has won an Emmy award as a producer and was a high-level executive at the powerful William Morris talent agency before launching his own production company.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
HONG KONG  As Taiwan heads to the polls tomorrow in an election bound to shape its relationship with China, voters are being called to think of Hong Kong.

The Chinese territory, where critics say a crackdown on dissent after 2019 protests threatens cherished freedoms, has been cited as a cautionary tale by politicians and voters in Taiwan who say they could expect similar treatment from Beijing, which has not ruled out the use of force in unifying with the self-ruling island democracy it claims as its own.

Addressing voters last month, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen pointed to Hong Kong as she dismissed Chinas framing of the election as a choice between war and peace.

Does anyone want war? Nobody does, she said at a rally. Look at Hong Kong and think of Taiwan. We dont want Hong Kong-style peace. We want dignified peace.

Tsais vice president, Lai Ching-te, the front-runner in the presidential race, criticized the crackdown in Hong Kong on Tuesday, saying that if China were successful in intervening in Taiwan, Taiwans democracy will not exist.

Rather than electing a president, Lai said, Taiwan would be electing a chief executive, just like Hong Kong.

Taiwan Holds Presidential Election (Annabelle Chih / Getty Images)

Jaw Shaw-kong, the vice-presidential candidate for the opposition Kuomintang (KMT), which favors closer ties with Beijing, pointed to the internationally criticized national security trial of Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai and the record-low turnout in Hong Kongs patriots only District Council elections last month.

If Beijing treats Hong Kong in this manner, the people in Taiwan are watching, he told reporters yesterday.

All three presidential candidates  Lai, Hou Yu-ih of the KMT and Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan Peoples Party  reject Chinas offer of unification with Taiwan under the principle of one country, two systems, which Beijing says would provide the island a high degree of autonomy and is the same model used in Hong Kong.

Their comments on Hong Kong resonate with some voters.

I would still be cautious in my voting choices when thinking of the lessons Hong Kong learned after 2019, said Huang, a Taipei-based doctor, who wanted only his last name to be used for fear of being arrested for his comments if Taiwan becomes a second Hong Kong.

Last fortress of democracy

People in Taiwan, which rejects Beijings sovereignty claims, were captivated in 2019 by mass pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong that lasted for months and at times turned violent. Many noted that it reminded them of the stakes in Taiwan.

Taiwan is the last fortress, one Facebook user wrote in July 2019. Freedom is not so easy to come by.

Hong Kong was a huge issue in Taiwans 2020 election, said Shelley Rigger, a professor of East Asian politics at Davidson College in North Carolina, who was in Taiwan at the time. Tsai, who had faced rising momentum from the opposition KMT, brought it up frequently in her campaign for re-election and won in a landslide.

Beijing responded to the Hong Kong protests later that year by imposing a sweeping national security law criminalizing terrorism, secession, subversion and collusion with foreign forces, saying it was necessary to restore social order. Critics say the law has instead eroded the civil liberties that Hong Kong, a former British colony, was promised it could retain for 50 years when it returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

Since then, Hong Kong has only continued its reputational decline, falling to 88th out of 167 countries and territories in the Economist Intelligence Units 2022 Democracy Index, compared with 75th in 2019. It has also struggled economically as international companies move employees or headquarters to rival financial hubs, such as Singapore.

Though most Taiwanese voters are more concerned this time around with their own economic issues than Hong Kong or anything else happening in China, Rigger said it was still a background factor.

Theyre reinforced in the perception that Taiwan should not allow itself to be influenced by Beijing, she said.

Supporters attend a Kuomintang campaign rally ahead of Taiwan's presidential election in Taipe (I-Hwa Cheng / AFP via Getty Images)

A cascade of convictions

The news in Hong Kong is a constant churn of trials, verdicts and sentencings stemming from the protests almost five years ago.

Among the most prominent cases is that of Jimmy Lai, 76, the founder of now-defunct pro-democracy tabloid Apple Daily whose national security trial has been criticized as politically motivated. He is accused of acting against the Hong Kong and Chinese governments by conspiring to print seditious publications and colluding with foreign countries to call for sanctions.

Hong Kong and Chinese authorities say the case against Lai is being handled in accordance with the law and is not about press freedom. Lai, who has pleaded not guilty, faces possible life imprisonment if convicted.

A verdict is also expected in coming months in Hong Kongs biggest national security case, involving 47 pro-democracy Hong Kong politicians and activists accused of plotting to overthrow the government through an unofficial legislative primary election in July 2020.

Protesters throw a brick at police during a clash at an anti-government rally in Tsuen Wan district in Hong Kong, (Anthony Kwan / Getty Images file )

The defendants, who also face life imprisonment, say their actions were part of normal opposition politics under Hong Kong law. Most have been held without bail since 2021, and all but 16 have pleaded guilty, which could reduce their sentences.

Thousands of less high-profile people have been arrested, as well. On Wednesday, a 26-year-old Hong Kong man, Chu Kai-pong, was sentenced to three months in prison for wearing a T-shirt that said Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times, a slogan used by protesters in 2019 that has since been ruled a violation of the national security law.

Other pro-democracy figures have opted to leave Hong Kong, many of them going to Taiwan, though that has not stopped the Hong Kong government from pursuing them. Since July, the Hong Kong national security police have announced bounties of 1 million Hong Kong dollars ($128,000) each on 13 activists living overseas, including in the United States and Britain.

Last month, activist Agnes Chow, 27, said she would not return to Hong Kong from graduate studies in Canada, citing intense scrutiny from police since her release from prison in 2021 on charges related to the 2019 protests and her fear that she would not be allowed to leave Hong Kong again.

Also in December, Tony Chung, 22, the former leader of a Hong Kong pro-independence group who was released from prison in June, said continued police surveillance and mental health issues had compelled him to flee to Britain, where he is seeking political asylum.

Hong Kong authorities have condemned the two activists and vowed to bring them to justice.

The events in Hong Kong have permanently altered the way people in Taiwan view China and not in a good way, Rigger said.

The deep feeling is that the crisis in Hong Kong in 2019 and 2020 proves that Beijing cannot be trusted to allow territories influences to be different from the sort of heartland of the PRC, she said, using the initials for Chinas formal name, the Peoples Republic of China.

Huang, the Taipei doctor, said voters should consider which was more important to them, preserving their freedoms or avoiding conflict.

At least we have freedom and democracy in Taiwan now, he said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Houthi militants are continuing attacks in the Red Sea in spite of a joint U.S.-U.K. strike on a dozen targets in Yemen on Thursday, a senior Pentagon official told reporters on Friday.

A ballistic anti-ship missile landed in the water on Friday morning, said Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims II, director of the Joint Staff.

I would expect that they will attempt some sort of retaliation, he said. Quite honestly, I would hope they wouldnt.

Allied strikes in Yemen hit more than 60 targets in more than a dozen locations, the White House confirmed Thursday night, meant to degrade the groups ability to continue its attacks on shipping lanes in the Red Sea.

Sims called out Iran for its backing of the Houthis, saying that the countrys leadership has some power to tell the group to stand down and prevent any further U.S.-led strikes.

So the hope would be that any real thought of retaliation is based on a clear understanding that, you know, we simply are not going to be messed with here, Sims said.

The Navy on Friday sent a message warning U.S. shipping companies to stay out of the region in the wake of the strikes, the Associated Press reported.

My guess is that the Houthis are trying to figure things out on the ground, and trying to determine what capabilities still exist for them, Sims said.

Among the targets were air surveillance and radar systems, as well has launch sites for the missiles and drones used in 27 attacks on or near commercial ships as of Thursday.

Attacks on US troops in Iraq and Syria climb to 130

A battle damage assessment, totaling destroyed equipment and casualties, is still being compiled, Sims said.

A Houthi spokesman announced Thursday that the strikes had killed five and injured another six.

The number of casualties we dont expect would be very high, Sims said. In fact, the majority of the locations that we hit were in areas that were not built up at all  so think ballistic missile launchers that were in mountain areas or you know, very lowly populated areas.

Though the U.S. expects Houthis to retaliate for the strikes, Sims said, officials dont believe they will be able to replicate the complex attack carried out Tuesday, which included 18 drones, two cruise missiles and one ballistic missiles.

I know we have degraded capability, Sims said. I dont believe that they would be able to execute the same way they did the other day. But we will see.
A handout photo supplied by Ministry of Defence showing a RAF Typhoon FGR4 taking off from RAF Akrotiri to conduct strikes against military targets in Yemen. The USA and Great Britain, with the support of other allies, "successfully" attacked Huthi rebel positions in Yemen on Friday night. -/Ministry Of Defence via PA Media/dpa

The US-British strikes in Yemen were blatant aggression and a folly, with no justification, an official from the Iran-allied Houthi group said on Friday.

A blatant American-British aggression against the Republic of Yemen to protect Israel and halt Yemens operations in support of Gaza. They have committed a folly by this treacherous aggression, Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdel-Salam said in an X post.

We emphasize there was absolutely no justification for the aggression against Yemen. There was no threat to international navigation in the Red and Arabian Seas, he added.

The official vowed the group will continue to target Israeli ships or those heading to Israels ports.

Pro-Houthi TV al-Masirah quoted Abdel-Salam as saying that the group's response to the strikes is "inevitable."

The United States and its allies launched a series of military strikes against the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, sending fighter jets to attack several targets.

The White House issued a statement on Thursday from US President Joe Biden confirming the strikes, which took place in the middle of the night in the Red Sea.

"Today, at my direction, US military forcestogether with the United Kingdom and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlandssuccessfully conducted strikes against a number of targets in Yemen used by Houthi rebels to endanger freedom of navigation in one of the worlds most vital waterways," Biden said.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said the US and its allies would "not hesitate to defend our forces, the global economy, and the free flow of legitimate commerce."

"This action is intended to disrupt and degrade the Houthis' capabilities to endanger mariners and threaten global trade in one of the world's most critical waterways," his statement said.
The U.S. and U.K. launched strikes attacking multiple Houthi rebel targets in Yemen on Thursday, Jan. 11, marking a significant escalation in the broader conflict of the Middle East. In October, shortly after the start of the Israel-Hamas war, the Houthis began launching missile attacks at cargo ships passing through the Red Sea, headed towards Israeli ports.

Heres what you need to know about Yemens Houthi rebels and their place in the current conflict.

Who are Yemens Houthi rebels?

The Houthi rebels are one of two main factions controlling territory amidst Yemens ongoing civil war. Currently, they control the Western coast of the country, including its capital city, Sanaa.

The Houthis initially began as a cultural revivalist movement in the 1990s for the Zaydi sect of Islam which, as of 2022, was practiced by approximately 35% of the Yemeni population. According to Stacey Philbrick Yadav, the chair of international relations at Hobart and William Smith Colleges and author of Yemen in the Shadow of Transition, many Zaydi muslims were becoming increasingly frustrated with the growing prominence of Saudi-Arabian Salafi Islam in the country, which they felt repressed their Zaydi cultural and religious heritage.

Additionally, the Houthis resented what they perceived to be widespread corruption and mismanagement in the Yemeni government throughout the 2000s. This led the Houthis to launch several insurgencies against the Yemeni government between 2004 and 2010.

In 2011, during the Arab Spring, the grievances of the Yemeni population reached a boiling point, and mass protests erupted calling for the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who had been ruling the country for over thirty years. After Saleh resigned, Saudi Arabia backed Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi as the new leader of the country. The Houthis resented this choice, and launched a military campaign against the new government, which led to a civil war that is still ongoing.

Their conflict with the Saudi-backed government has led the Houthis to become more closely allied with Iran, from which they receive some support. Nevertheless, some experts say its not entirely accurate to call the Houthi rebels a direct proxy.

They do have a relationship with and support from Iran, but are not a straightforward proxy of Iranian interests. They have their own locally defined interests and so I think that their actions in the past two months have reflected that, Philbrick Yadav told TIME in December.

Read More: How Congress Is Reacting to Bidens Military Attack on the Houthis in Yemen

Why are the Houthis attacking ships in the Red Sea?

In the Arab world, the Palestinian cause is extremely popular and often a signifier of progressive values. By attacking Israeli ships, the Houthis may expand their support base across Yemen and the Arab world. Additionally, it is believed the group is hoping to sabotage the Saudi normalization with Israel, which had been in the works.

Why are the U.S and U.K. striking Yemen?

Over 80% of all internationally traded goods are transported via cargo ships, since air travel is a much less cost effective way to transport large items or huge amounts of goods. Ships must travel through the Red Sea in order to access the Suez Canal, which is the only waterway that allows for direct passage between Europe and Asia.

Otherwise, the ships traveling between Europe and Asia must journey around the African continent, which can add over 30 days in travel time. Due to the attacks by Houthi rebels, insurance prices on ships have risen dramatically and many shipping companies have chosen to take the longer routes, as a safety precaution. This is expected to increase the prices of many consumer goods, from clothing to coffee.

These strikes are in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Seaincluding the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history, President Biden said in a statement. I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
The Houthi rebels in Yemen are vowing to respond to the massive U.S. and U.K. strikes on Thursday that targeted supply facilities and logistical hubs used by the Iranian-backed group.

A Friday statement from the Houthis shared on Telegram said 73 sites were hit by American and British strikes, killing five fighters and injuring another six.

The American and British enemy bears full responsibility for this criminal aggression against our Yemeni people, and it will not go unanswered and unpunished, the statement reads.

The U.S. and U.K. hit critical military sites across Yemen, including in the capital of Sanaa, with warships and fighter jets, targeting Houthi missile, radar and drone capabilities.

Washington said the strikes will cripple the capability of the Houthis to carry out attacks on the Red Sea, where the Iranian-backed group has fired rockets and drones at merchant ships, disrupting global trade.

The Houthis claim they are targeting Israeli-based ships or ships headed to Israel in protest to the war against the militant Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza. But the Houthi attacks have been widespread against a number of international commercial ships, and they have disrupted global shipping through the important transit corridor of the Red Sea.

The strikes this week may have taken out Houthi capabilities, but they do not appear to have worked in deterring the Houthis from taking further action in the Red Sea.

The Houthis said Friday they will not hesitate to target sources of threat and all hostile targets on land and sea in defense of Yemen.

This brutal aggression will not deter Yemen from its position of supporting and standing with the oppression of the Palestinian people, they said. The Yemeni Armed Forces confirm their continued prevention of Israeli ships or those heading to the ports of occupied Palestine from navigation in the Arabian and Red Seas.

Iran, the chief sponsor of the Houthis and other Iranian-backed groups that have launched assaults on U.S. positions since Israel began fighting in Gaza, also condemned the attacks in Yemen.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani warned of repercussions to the attack, which he said violated Yemens sovereignty.

The arbitrary attacks will have no result other than fueling insecurity and instability in the region, Kananni said Friday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  Yemens Houthi rebels vowed fierce retaliation Friday for American and British strikes against them, further raising the prospect of a wider conflict in a region already beset by Israels war in Gaza.

The bombardment  launched in response to a recent campaign of drone and missile attacks on commercial ships in the vital Red Sea  killed at least five people and wounded six, the Houthis said.

The U.S. Air Forces Mideast command said it struck over 60 targets at 16 sites in Yemen, including command-and-control nodes, munitions depots, launching systems, production facilities and air defense radar systems.

Navy warships and fighter jets from the aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower also took part in the operation, according to officials.

On Jan. 11 at 2:30 a.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command forces, in coordination with the United Kingdom, and support from Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and Bahrain conducted joint strikes on Houthi targets to degrade their capability to continue their illegal and pic.twitter.com/bR8biMolSx  U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 12, 2024

As the bombing lit the predawn sky over multiple sites held by the Iranian-backed rebels, it forced the world to again focus on Yemens yearslong war, which began when the Houthis seized the countrys capital.

Since November, the rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea, saying they were avenging Israels offensive in Gaza against Hamas. But they have frequently targeted vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, imperiling shipping in a key route for global trade and energy shipments.

The Houthis military spokesman, Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, said in a recorded address that the strikes would not go unanswered or unpunished.

The British militarys United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, which oversees Mideast waters, reported on Friday evening a new missile attack off Yemen. It said the missile was fired toward a ship some 90 miles southeast of Aden, Yemen, while the ship was being followed by three small vessels. The ship reported no injures or damage, the organization said.

Vessels are advised to transit with caution, it warned.

Though the Biden administration and its allies have tried to calm tensions in the Middle East for weeks and prevent any wider conflict, the strikes threatened to ignite one.

Saudi Arabia  which supports the government-in-exile that the Houthis are fighting  quickly sought to distance itself from the attacks as it seeks to maintain a delicate detente with Iran and a cease-fire it has in Yemen.

U.S. Air Forces Central Command said the strikes focused on the Houthis command and control nodes, munition depots, launching systems, production facilities and air defense radar systems. The strikes involved more than 100 precision-guided munitions including air-launched missiles and ship-and submarine launched Tomahawk land attack missiles.

The United Kingdom said strikes hit a site in Bani allegedly used by the Houthis to launch drones and an airfield in Abbs used to launch cruise missiles and drones.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Treasury Department on Friday announced it imposed sanctions on two firms in Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates for allegedly shipping Iranian commodities on behalf of Iran-based Houthi financial facilitator Said al-Jamal. Four vessels owned by the firms were also identified as blocked property.

A man holds up a Palestinian flag during a demonstration condemning the U.S. and British military strikes against Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen, after Friday prayer in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Hussein al-Ezzi, a Houthi official in their Foreign Ministry, said that America and Britain will undoubtedly have to prepare to pay a heavy price and bear all the dire consequences of this blatant aggression.

The Red Sea route is a crucial waterway, and attacks there have caused severe disruptions to global trade. Benchmark Brent crude oil traded up some 4% Friday at over $80 a barrel. Tesla, meanwhile, said it would temporarily halt most production at its German factory because of attacks in the Red Sea.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy acknowledged an attack days earlier on a ship in the far reaches of the Indian Ocean  an attack that may signal Irans willingness to strike vessels as part of a wider maritime campaign over the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Tehran on Thursday separately seized another tanker.

In Saada, the Houthis stronghold in northwest Yemen, hundreds gathered for a rally Friday, denouncing the U.S. and Israel. Another drew thousands in Sanaa, the capital.

Houthis now control territory that is home to some two-thirds of Yemens population of 20 million. War and misgovernment have made Yemen one of the poorest countries in the Arab world, and the World Food Program considers the vast majority of Yemens people as food-insecure.

Yemen has been targeted by U.S. military action over the last four American presidencies. A campaign of drone strikes began under President George W. Bush to target the local affiliate of al-Qaida, attacks that have continued under the Biden administration. Meanwhile, the U.S. has launched raids and other military operations amid the ongoing war in Yemen.

That war began when the Houthis swept into Sanaa in 2014. A Saudi-led coalition including the United Arab Emirates launched a war to back Yemens exiled government in 2015, quickly morphing the conflict into a regional confrontation as Iran backed the Houthis with weapons and other support.

The conflict, however, has slowed as the Houthis maintain their grip on the territory they hold. In March, Saudi Arabia reached a Chinese-mediated deal to restart relations with Iran in hopes of ultimately withdrawing from the war.

However, an overall deal has yet to be reached, likely sparking Saudi Arabias expression Friday of great concern over the airstrikes.

While the kingdom stresses the importance of preserving the security and stability of the Red Sea region ... it calls for restraint and avoiding escalation, its Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Iran condemned the attack in a statement from Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani.

Arbitrary attacks will have no result other than fueling insecurity and instability in the region, he said.

In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning called on nations not to escalate tensions in the Red Sea. And Russia on Friday condemned the strikes as illegitimate from the point of view of international law.

Oman, long a regional interlocutor for the U.S. and the West with Iran, condemned the airstrikes. It called the attack a great concern while Israel continued its brutal war and siege of the Gaza Strip without accountability or punishment.

Meanwhile Friday, the U.S. Navy confirmed an attack days earlier near the coasts of India and Sri Lanka. The chemical tanker Pacific Gold was struck Jan. 4 by what the Navy called an Iranian one-way attack drone, causing some damage to the vessel but no injuries.

The Pacific Gold is managed by Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping, a company that is ultimately controlled by Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer. Iran itself has not acknowledged carrying out the attack.
(Bloomberg) -- The US and UK launched about 70 airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen in an effort to stop shipping attacks in the Red Sea, though the Iran-backed group pledged to retaliate with an urgent response.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Addressing tens of thousands of supporters Friday at a rally in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa, Mohammed Ali Al-Houthi, a senior leader, said a counter move would be imminent. The Houthis campaign against commercial vessels will be expanded and all US and UK interests are now legitimate targets alongside those linked to Israel, the group said earlier.

Oil prices rose more than 4% at the prospect of a widening Middle East conflict, with Brent climbing above $80 a barrel for the first time since late December. It traded at $79.92 as of 3 p.m. in London, about a two-week high.

The military action underscores the deepening fallout across the Middle East from the Israel-Hamas war, which shows no sign of ending after entering a fourth month. The Houthis started attacking ships in mid-November, ostensibly in support of Hamas, which is also backed by Iran, and have said they wont back down until Israel stops fighting in Gaza.

Read More: The Spreading Fallout From Israel-Hamas War: Balance of Power

The US and its allies have worked to prevent any escalation, with Antony Blinken, President Joe Bidens top diplomat, conducting the latest in a string of tours of the region to ease tensions. Thats not been enough to persuade the Houthis to end the assaults, which have roiled global supply chains and pushed up freight costs.

Despite the escalating aggression, the strikes on Yemen will probably have a limited impact on the global economy, according to Ziad Daoud, chief emerging markets economist at Bloomberg Economics. The attacks are unlikely to draw Iran into the conflict directly, and shipping costs remain below their 2021 peak, he wrote in a note.

The strikes started about 2:30 a.m. Yemen time, with residents in Sanaa and the Red Sea port city of Hodeida reporting huge explosions. Other Houthi-held towns were hit, including Saada, Taiz and Hajjah, the group said.

The Houthis said there were 73 strikes in total and that five fighters were killed. Its unclear if any there were civilian casualties. The US military said 16 sites were hit including airports, radar installations and storage and launch sites for drones and missiles.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said initial indications were that the strikes were successful in degrading the Houthis ability to attack shipping. Our aim is very clear: Its to de-escalate tensions and to restore stability to the region, Sunak told broadcasters Friday, adding that the Houthis are disrupting the global economy.

More Strikes?

The US attacked with jets on the USS Eisenhower aircraft carrier, as well as with Tomahawk missiles launched from a submarine and other ships. The UK sent planes from a base in Cyprus.

The Netherlands, Australia, Canada and Bahrain provided support as part of the mission, though they didnt fire missiles.

Biden didnt rule out more strikes. He said the move was a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the worlds most critical commercial routes.

On Tuesday, the Houthis launched their largest missile and drone attack to date in the Red Sea, prompting the US and UK forces to shoot down 18 drones and three anti-ship missiles. The group earlier hijacked a car carrier, tried to capture others and attacked dozens with missiles and drones.

Many companies have rerouted their ships away from the Red Sea  which links to the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal  forcing their vessels on much longer routes around southern Africa. Volvo Car AB said Friday it will suspend production at its Belgian plant due to supply-chain disruptions, while Tesla Inc. shares dropped after warning of the impact on its sole European factory.

Its likely that this wont end here, said Jane Kinninmont, a senior research fellow at UK think tank Chatham House. But there will be a limit on how directly the US and UK want to get involved. They will not want to be sending any troops into Yemen. What they will be doing is pressing Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar and other Arab countries to join them in reining in the Houthis.

Saudi Arabia said it was following the latest events with great concern, highlighting how some of the USs regional allies are uneasy about the strikes.

The kingdom borders Yemen and has been trying to forge a peace deal with the Houthis after failing to dislodge them from power for most of the past decade. The Houthis have attacked Saudi territory in the past, including in 2019 when they claimed a hit that briefly knocked out half the kingdoms oil production.

Russia and Iran, which provides funding and training to the Houthis, both said they strongly condemned the airstrikes.

Iran has a strategy of supporting other groups to further its aims so that it can stay out of the way to some extent itself, said Kinninmont. It will be pleased to see the Houthis are taking action and it wont suffer any direct costs from the airstrikes either. So, Iran probably sees this as a win-win.

Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan  a staunch critic of Israeli actions in Gaza  said the US and UK actions were disproportionate and could turn the Red Sea into a sea of blood.

Read More: Who Are the Houthis Being Hit With US, UK Airstrikes: QuickTake

Iranian Proxies

The strikes embroil the US in yet another fight with an Iranian proxy since the Israel-Hamas war erupted on Oct. 7. American forces have launched attacks in Syria and Iraq in recent weeks against Iranian-supported militias that have targeted American bases  so far without major casualties.

Washington also sent aircraft carriers and other ships to the region in support of Israel and to warn Lebanons Hezbollah militant group against a full-on attack of the Jewish state.

Hezbollah and Israel have traded fire almost daily since Oct. 7 across the Israeli-Lebanese border. While those havent escalated, there are growing calls within Israel for the government to act more aggressively against the group.

Read More: Hezbollah Says Top Commander Killed as Tensions With Israel Grow

The fighting in Gaza, meanwhile, continues to rage and Israeli officials say it could go on for months, if not longer. More than 23,000 people have been killed there, according to health officials in the Hamas-run Palestinian territory.

Hamas, designated a terrorist group by the US and European Union, killed 1,200 people during its October incursion into Israel.

Deterring the Houthis wont be easy. The group, which took control of Sanaa in 2014 at the start of Yemens civil war, holds much of the north-west of the country. It withstood a massive bombing campaign from a Saudi-led coalition that began a year later, and remains firmly entrenched.

The US revoked its designation of the Houthis as a terrorist group in 2021 out of concern the label would harm Yemenis access to aid, with the conflict having devastated the country.

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Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have been launching attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.

The rebels said the missile and drone assaults are in protest to Israel's bombings in Gaza.

The Houthis are not new to the scene: they're on one side of Yemen's decade-long civil war.

For weeks, shipping vessels around the Red Sea have been harassed by Yemeni militants called the Houthis, disrupting one of the world's most important trade routes.

A military coalition led by the US has blasted down drone and missile attacks from the Iran-backed rebels.

Now the situation is heating up. The US and UK bombed over a dozen Houthi sites in Yemen on Thursday night in retaliation for the militant group's ongoing attacks. The group has since vowed revenge for the deadly strikes.

Here's the history of the Houthi rebels and how they fit into the broader Middle East conflict.

Who are the Houthis?

The Houthis  named after their founder Abdul-Malik al-Houthi  are an Iran-backed Yemeni militant group that has been battling the country's US-backed government since the 1990s.

The rebels, who belong to a Shiite branch of Islam, control parts of Yemen and lead one side of the civil war that has consumed the country for nearly a decade, killing tens of thousands of people.

The Iranian allies have previously launched attacks against its neighbors, including Saudi Arabia after the powerful Gulf state intervened in the Yemeni civil war, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

A core part of the Houthis' ideology is an opposition to US imperialism and Israel colored with religious language and antisemitism. Their slogan  recently posted on X by a member of the Houthi's political bureau  translates to: "God is Great, Death to America, Death to Israel, Curse the Jews, Victory to Islam."

Why are the Houthis attacking ships in the Red Sea?

The Houthis have supported Hamas since it first attacked Israel in October and killed hundreds of civilians. Israel has responded with a fierce, months-long bombing campaign in the Gaza Strip where Hamas holds power.

Israel's military has said it is taking steps to reduce civilian casualties, but there has been an international outcry over the scale of destruction in Gaza; the Hamas-led Gazan Health Authority says 23,000 people have died in the Israeli bombings and ground assaults.

The Houthis say they've attacked dozens of international ships that passed through the Suez Canal and into the Red Sea as retaliation for the Israeli bombings.

The rebels claim the vessels are on their way to help Israel, though many of the commercial ships under attack were not bound for Israeli shores.

The Houthis have attacked ships using anti-ship missiles, unmanned aerial drones, and small boats containing armed militant fighters.

Yemen is located on the coast of the Red Sea, giving the Houthis prime access to the crucial route.

The Houthi rebels are based in Yemen and are attacking commercial vessels traveling into the Red Sea. Roberto Scandola/Getty Images; Business Insider illustration

How could the Houthis' attacks affect the rest of the world?

Any disruptions to that traffic flow could seriously affect the global economy, Business Insider previously reported.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters at a press conference this week that the Houthis' attacks on international shipping are "a threat to everyone."

"These attacks are having a real effect on the prices that people have to pay for food, for medicine, for energy," he said. "Ships have to get diverted to other places, insurance rates go up, and the basic principle of freedom of navigation is what's at stake."

In December, the US announced the launch of Operation Prosperity Guardian, an international coalition of naval assets to protect commercial shipping.

US ships have been shot down dozens of Houthi missiles and drones and repelled their attacks. But some have gotten through.

A Maersk ship was struck by a missile in late December; the shipping giant then announced it would pause sending ships through the area.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Nearly 3,000 Vietnamese firms receive codes to export agricultural products to China

Xinhua) 09:48, January 12, 2024

HANOI, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 3,000 Vietnamese firms have received codes granted by China to export farm produce and food products to the Chinese market, local media reported.

In the last two years, Vietnamese firms have received 3,013 codes in line with the related regulations on farming region supervision and origin tracking of farm produce, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

China was Vietnam's biggest fruit and vegetable importer in 2023, said the ministry.

Vietnam recently signed a protocol for official exports of more Vietnamese fruits to China, Vietnam News Agency reported Thursday.

Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports are expected to reach a new record of 6.5-7 billion U.S. dollars this year, up 15-20 percent from 2023.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
A manhunt has been launched after a worker fell into an enormous crack created by the earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in Iceland.

The missing man was working to fill in crevasses formed by earthquakes and volcanic activity in the fishing town of Grindavik when he fell on Wednesday, according to local media.

The search, involving hundreds of rescue workers, had to be called off overnight on Thursday after landslides dropped tonnes of rocks on the area.

The volcano erupted in December after hundreds of earthquakes (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

At midnight, we had to stop the search because we could not guarantee the safety of those who were working down in the crevasse, Ulfar Ludviksson, the police chief in South Iceland said. There was a rockfall at the top.

Its deep down. This runs tens of metres down to the bottom. There is water far below this work area where rescuers are working, he said.

There are two men who go down in a basket and stay down for about 10 minutes. Then they come up and the other two take over.

The missing man was being lowered to work on filling cracks in town with soil and compacting before he fell.

A fissure in Grindavik spewing lava (AP)

Scientist of the University of Iceland take measurements and samples standing on the ridge in front of the active part of the eruptive fissure of an active volcano in Grindavik (AP)

Rescue efforts are being hampered by the conditions and the fact that the tight gap only fit two people at the time to look for him.

What is absolutely clear is that we are sending people into life-threatening situations, so we have to spend more time on the safety of those who are going to work on this, field manager Hjalmar Hallgrimsson told local outlet RUV.

People are clambering around this and trying to get to it, and the work area is for two people, we cant get more people in.

That is why we are replacing people and bringing in fresh hands. These are the conditions we are trying to work with.

(Icelandic Met Office)

Mayor of Grindavik Fannar Jonasson says that the accident took everyone by surprise and shows how serious the cracks in the town which was evacuated in November.

The accident came as the risk due to cracks within the town limits of Grindavik is estimated to be higher than before, according to a news report on the Norwegian Meteorological Agencys website.
The Capital City Human Trafficking Taskforce arrested 16 people since the investigative crew formed two months ago.

The taskforce launched two undercover operations : Operation Firewall, which targeted individuals engaging in internet crimes against children, and Operation Grinch, which targeted prostitution and human trafficking. Each investigation yielded eight arrests so far.

"After only two months  this is the tip of the iceberg," Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeill said. The crimes are "insidious," he added, and they are negatively impacting the community.

Leaders from the taskforce announced the operations' success Thursday afternoon, which the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation recognizes as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.

Investigators involved in Operation Firewall posed as children on the internet and engaged in over 100 conversations, LCSO Sgt. Tyler Epstein said. Of those conversations, 75 were flagged when individuals continued to talk with the undercover agents after learning they were supposedly minors.

Operation Grinch was a "John operation," LCSO Sgt. Shade McMillian said. The goal of these types of operations is to identify and arrest people engaged in sexual exploitation, he said, and the only way to find those people seeking illegal services is to pose as someone who is selling themselves.

Tackling this issue is important because "these types of crimes only filter down to other types of crimes in our community," McMillian said.

The taskforce is comprised of nine different agencies  the Department of Homeland Security, United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida, Florida State Attorney's Office for the Second Judicial Circuit, Leon County Sheriff's Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Tallahassee Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Internal Revenue Service and United States Marshals Service.

It launched in November 2023, dedicating its mission to addressing human trafficking in the capital city and county.

"Collaboration is something we owe to the community and to the crime victims," Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell said. "This community is stronger and better when we all work together."

Operation Firewall arrest roll call

Jason Wilson  traveling to meet minor, soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct and use of two-way communication device to facilitate felony

Gary Jackson  traveling to meet minor, transmission of material harmful to minor and use of two-way communication device to facilitate felony

Michael George Jr.  transmission of material harmful to minor and use of two-way communication device to facilitate felony

Rene Ulloa Casco  traveling to meet minor, transmission of material harmful to minor and use of two-way communication device to facilitate felony

Gerald McBride  online solicitation of a minor and use of two-way communication device to facilitate felony

DeAndrew Lovett  traveling to meet minor, transmission of material harmful to minor and use of two-way communication device to facilitate felony

Ocie Jenkins  attempted human trafficking and use of two-way communication device to facilitate felony

Shawn Burge  coercion and enticement of minor to engage in any sexual activity and distribution of child pornography

As part of Operation Grinch, eight other people face misdemeanor charges of solicitation for prostitution and entering a building for the purpose of prostitution. The Democrat does not typically name those charged with misdemeanors.

Elena Barrera can be reached at ebarrera@tallahassee.com. Follow her on X: @elenabarreraaa.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Human trafficking taskforce arrests 16 people during investigation
Hunter Bidens daughter Naomi has accused Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of lying after she said Mr Biden fled the scene of a House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing to hold him in contempt once she started speaking the truth about him.

The son of president Joe Biden appeared unannounced at the committee briefly on Wednesday as Republicans and Democrats on the panel battled over whether they should advance a resolution to hold him in contempt of Congress over his defiance of a December subpoena for a hearing about his fathers involvement in his foreign business dealings.

Mr Biden sat in the room for a short period before abruptly leaving with his entourage as Marjorie Taylor Greene began speaking.

As he walked out, Ms Greene began shouting at the youngest son of the president, calling him a coward.

Hunter Biden is terrified of strong Conservative Republican women, she remarked.

She later continued her criticism of Mr Biden on X, claiming he fled the scene as she began speaking the truth about him.

WOW  Hunter Biden fled the scene when I started exposing the truth behind the Biden Crime Family, Ms Greene posted on X. Too bad his daddy cant save him this time. We have mountains of evidence of Biden family corruption and foreign influence peddling and there will be accountability for these crimes.

Hunter Biden, President Joe Biden's son, accompanied by his attorney Abbe Lowell, left, talks to reporters as they leave a House Oversight Committee hearing as Republicans are taking the first step toward holding him in contempt of Congress (AP)

But on Thursday, Mr Bidens daughter Naomi defended her father, hitting back at the Georgia congresswoman and accusing her of lying.

Actually, it appears everyone fled the scene when she started lying, Naomi Biden wrote on X.

This is not the first time Ms Greene has feuded with Hunter Biden. Last year she sparked outrage when she held up pictures of the presidents son naked during a congressional hearing.

At Wednesdays hearing, Rep. Nancy Mace called Mr Bidens appearance a political stunt, saying he should be hauled off to jail right now for defying Congress.

You are the epitome of white privilege. Coming in to the Oversight Committee, spitting in our face, ignoring a congressional subpoena to be deposed. What are you afraid of? You have no balls to come up here, Ms Mace said.

I think that Hunter Biden should be arrested right here, right now, and go straight to jail, she added.

Marjorie Taylor Greene (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Both Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jasmine Crockett called out Mace after her white privilege comment.

I just want to run it back through to the very beginning, because this is something that I just cant get over. I just can get over the gentlelady from South Carolina talking about white privilege, Crockett said later in the hearing. It was a spit in the face, at least of mine as a Black woman, for you to talk about what white privilege looks like, especially from that side of the aisle.

Yall dont know what white privilege looks like, she said.

Meanwhile, in an interview that aired on Thursday on MSNBCs Morning Joe, first lady Jill Biden was asked how she is coping with Republicans accusations against her family, notably Hunter.

I think what they are doing to Hunter is cruel, and Im really proud of how Hunter has rebuilt his life after addiction, the first lady said. I love my son, and its hurt my grandchildren.
Hunter Biden offered on Friday to comply with any new subpoena and testify in private before House Republicans seeking to impeach his father over alleged but unproven corruption, an attorney for Joe Bidens son said.

Related: Hunter Biden pleads not guilty to federal tax charges in Los Angeles

If you issue a new proper subpoena, now that there is a duly authorised impeachment inquiry, Mr Biden will comply for a hearing or deposition, Abbe Lowell wrote to James Comer and Jim Jordan, the Republican chairs of the oversight and judiciary committees.

We will accept such a subpoena on Mr Bidens behalf.

Republicans are interested in Hunter Bidens business dealings and struggles with addiction. Outside Congress, he faces criminal charges over a gun purchase and his tax affairs that carry maximum prison sentences of 25 and 17 years. In Los Angeles on Thursday, he added a not guilty plea in the tax case to the same plea in the gun case.

Biden previously refused to comply with a congressional subpoena for testimony in private, giving a press conference on Capitol Hill to say he would talk if the session were public.

On Wednesday, Comer held a hearing to consider a resolution to hold Biden in contempt of Congress, a charge that can result in a fine and jail time.

The hearing descended into chaos with Biden and Lowell making a surprise appearance, sitting in the audience while Republicans and Democrats traded partisan barbs. The resolution was sent to the full House for a vote. The White House said Joe Biden had not been told of his sons plan to attend the oversight hearing.

Lowell represented Jared Kushner, Donald Trumps son-in-law and chief White House adviser, when Democrats sought to subject him to congressional scrutiny. In his letter on Friday, Lowell queried the legality of previous subpoenas for Hunter Biden.

Republicans, he said, had not explained why you are not interested in transparency and having the American people witness the full and complete testimony of Mr Biden at a public hearing, when Biden had said repeatedly that he would answer all pertinent and relevant questions you and your colleagues had for him at a public hearing.

Nonetheless, Lowell said his client was now prepared to testify in private.

In a joint statement in response to Lowells letter, Comer and Jordan said Biden had defied two valid, lawful subpoenas and charged him with staging stunts instead.

They added: For now, the House of Representatives will move forward with holding Hunter Biden in contempt of Congress until such time that Hunter Biden confirms a date to appear for a private deposition in accordance with his legal obligation.

While we will work to schedule a deposition date, we will not tolerate any additional stunts or delay from Hunter Biden. The American people will not tolerate, and the House will not provide, special treatment for the Biden family.

Steve Scalise, the Republican majority leader, previously said there would be a contempt vote in the House next week, adding: Enough of [Hunter Bidens] stunts. He doesnt get to play by a different set of rules. Hes not above the law.

Democrats on the House judiciary committee responded by posting a picture of Comer with a hand over his eyes, using an acronym for Donald Trumps campaign slogan as they said: Maga Republicans continue to pursue baseless impeachment stunts when a government shutdown is imminent.

What are they actually doing to better the lives of the American people?
Hunter Biden attorney Abbe Lowell sent a letter House Republicans on Friday arguing that subpoenas they sent the presidents son in November are legally invalid, because they were issued before the full House authorized an impeachment inquiry on December 13, 2023.

The letter cites a Trump-era Office of Legal Counsel opinion that subpoenas issued before the House authorized inquiry in which the subpoenas are based are not enforceable.

Bidens lawyers said they would accept service of a new subpoena.

[N]ow that there is a duly authorized impeachment inquiry, Mr. Biden will comply for a hearing or deposition. We will accept such a subpoena on Mr. Bidens behalf, Lowell wrote.

But a footnote at the bottom of the page implies that that cooperation would only extend to public proceedings and suggested the basis for their discussion of what comes next could be a procedure for a hybrid process-a public deposition/hearing with alternating rounds of questions for Republicans and Democrats, and with similar rules (e.g., role of counsel in questioning), as is done in a closed-door deposition.

Following the letter Friday, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer and House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan said in a joint statement that they will continue to move forward with holding Hunter Biden in criminal contempt of Congress until the presidents son schedules a closed-door deposition.

For now, the House of Representatives will move forward with holding Hunter Biden in contempt of Congress until such time that Hunter Biden confirms a date to appear for a private deposition in accordance with his legal obligation, Comer and Jordan wrote.

While we will work to schedule a deposition date, we will not tolerate any additional stunts or delay from Hunter Biden, they added.

Republicans have insisted that Hunter Biden sit for a closed-door session before they would hold public proceedings. This was a concept initially proposed by a Democrat in the House Judiciary Committee that failed but four Republicans voted for it.

Hunter Bidens lawyers have previously said their client is willing to testify in a public hearing and expressed concerns that any closed-doors proceedings could result in selective leaks from Republicans.

House Republicans have been moving to hold Biden in contempt of Congress with committee action this week. The resolution passed out of committees on Wednesday and is expected to hit the floor next week.

Biden, along with his lawyers, has gone to Capitol Hill twice in the past two months  first to hold a brief news conference reiterating his willingness to answer questions in a public setting and again this week to attend the committee vote on holding him in contempt.

Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said: Hunter Biden is giving Republicans exactly what they have been demanding this week. In a letter today he has offered to appear for a hearing or deposition. It is time for Chairs Comer and Jordan to call off this truly absurd and wasteful contempt proceeding and finally take yes for an answer, which Chair Jordan already said he would certainly do.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

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House Oversight Committee meets to vote on whether to hold Hunter Biden in contempt of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden would be willing to testify in a public hearing or a deposition if Republicans in the House of Representatives issued a new subpoena, his lawyer said on Friday.

The offer, made in a letter to the chairs of the House Oversight Committee and House Judiciary Committee, comes two days after the panels moved ahead with historic efforts to hold Hunter Biden, 53, in contempt and he made a surprise appearance at one of the hearings.

House Republicans had sought, via a subpoena, a closed-door deposition with the younger Biden as part of their impeachment inquiry into the president. They say the Biden family improperly profited from policy decisions the president participated in as vice president in 2009-17. The White House and Hunter Biden deny wrongdoing.

Hunter Biden had refused to participate in a closed-door interview, offering instead to answer questions in a public hearing.

The subpoena was invalid because it was issued before the House held a full vote authorizing its impeachment inquiry, Hunter Biden's lawyer Abbe Lowell argued in the letter.

"If you issue a new proper subpoena, now that there is a duly authorized impeachment inquiry, Mr. Biden will comply for a hearing or deposition," Lowell wrote.

James Comer and Jim Jordan, the chairs of the committees, said the House would continue to move forward with the contempt resolutions until the younger Biden confirmed a date to appear for a deposition.

"While we will work to schedule a deposition date, we will not tolerate any additional stunts or delay from Hunter Biden," they said in a joint statement.

They did not state if they would issue a new subpoena.

The House is scheduled to move ahead with the contempt resolution next week.

Hunter Biden is embroiled in several legal disputes aside from the congressional probes. On Thursday he pleaded not guilty in a California federal court to tax charges. He has also pleaded not guilty in a separate case in Delaware over lying about his illegal drug use when he bought a gun.

(Reporting by Makini Brice; Editing by Scott Malone, Rosalba O'Brien and Cynthia Osterman)
[Source]

Powerhouse talent agency Hybe has intensified efforts to protect the intellectual property of K-pop supergroup BTS from unauthorized use.

Warnings issued: Hybe, the South Korean parent company of Big Hit Music representing BTS, has issued a stern warning that the illicit use of the groups name, logo and images will be dealt with heightened scrutiny and stringent measures, reported the Korea Herald. Hybe officials have clarified that such actions violate the intellectual property rights of the agency and its artists, potentially tarnishing their image.

Action taken: The company recently called out the Nam-gu district office in Busan and Goyang City in Gyeonggi Province for using BTS' official logo and a mural portrait of RM, respectively, for promotional purposes. The label has also requested the removal of a sculpture of BTS' name on Maengbang Beach in Samcheok, Gangwon Province.

We do not allow government departments, local governments, and institutions to create streets, sculptures, and murals using portraits and names of our artists. Such creations are a violation of our intellectual property, Hybe said. We prohibit such creations as they could negatively influence the image of our artists when damaged or badly managed.

Trending on NextShark: Japanese scientists capture plants communicating with each other on video

Online violators too: Hybe also sent a warning letter to The Camp, an app facilitating letter-sending to soldiers, after it mistakenly labeled its BTS fan community as "official." The app has since corrected the purported misinformation by informing its followers.

Trending on NextShark: Lululemon's Lunar New Year ad with Michelle Yeoh draws backlash

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The world's largest cruise ship, complete with 20 decks and six waterslides, is getting ready to set sail for the first time.

Royal Caribbean's "Icon of the Seas" is in Port Miami getting ready for its maiden voyage into the Caribbean. NBC News correspondent Sam Brock got a firsthand look at the breathtaking ship on TODAY on before it heads out to sea.

Here's what to know about the record-setting cruise ship.

Icon of The Seas, Royal Caribbean (royalcaribbean.com)

How big is the Icon of the Seas ship?

A seven-year building process in Finland resulted in a ship that's 1,198 feet long and features 20 decks. It can carry more than 7,000 passengers, and combined with the crew, will hold nearly 10,000 people  the size of a small city.

Icon of The Seas, Royal Caribbean (TODAY)

At 250,800 gross tons and nearly 1,200 feet long, it makes the Titanic look like a tugboat. For comparison, the Titanic was 882.9 feet long and 46,328 gross tons.

What are some of the amenities on the Icon of the Seas?

There are eight "neighborhoods" geared to all different experiences, from the shopping area of "Central Park" to the pools and cabanas of "Chill Island."

They also are in proximity to one another so parents can relax in the pool while the kids go flying down one of the six slides in the nearby water park area of "Thrill Island."

Icon of The Seas, Royal Caribbean (royalcaribbean.com)

Youre not competing with another cruise, youre competing with any other vacation a family would want to do," Royal Caribbean senior vice president Jay Schneider told Brock on TODAY.

"So we purposely put a more adult-centric pool next to the slide structure so you know mom, dad can sit and immerse in the water while the kid goes on like 50 slides."

In keeping with the theme of the ship, a bar named "Swim & Tonic" is the largest swim-up bar ever put on a cruise ship, according to Schneider.

There also is a three-story glass structure known as "The Pearl," which Schneider said is the world's largest "kinetic" art sculpture.

Icon of The Seas, Royal Caribbean (royalcaribbean.com)

The vessel also includes a theater that features performances of Broadway's "Wizard of Oz."

For the more adventurous, there's the "Crown's Edge" walk, which Brock tested out on TODAY. He strapped into a harness that took him along a zipline that allows passengers to dangle along the side of the ship, 150 feet above the water.

How much does a trip on the Icon of the Seas cost?

A seven-night round trip from Miami to the eastern Caribbean that includes a stop at Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas costs an average of $2,019 per person, according to the cruise line's website. It's an average of $1,809 for the package without the stop at the island.

Icon of The Seas, Royal Caribbean (royalcaribbean.com)

That package also includes stops in St. Thomas and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The demand for that journey is so overwhelming that the earliest trip currently being booked is for Oct. 11, 2025.

There's also a trip to the western Caribbean for $1,759 per person with a stop at the island, which is called Perfect Day at Coco Cay.

When is the Icon of the Sea's release date?

The maiden voyage for the gargantuan vessel is coming up on Jan. 27, leaving out of Port Miami.

Royal Caribbean is taking bookings for the alternating trips to the eastern and western Caribbean, with the earliest available being a seven-night trip that departs on Feb. 24 and costs an average of $2,297 per person, according to its website.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Two Columbus men will serve a combined 70 years in prison after receiving their sentences for a 2019 murder of a husband and wife.

According to the U.S. District Attorneys Office, Chris King, 28, and Justice Stringer, 29, were sentenced to 40 and 30 years in prison, respectively. The two were indicted on murder charges in July 2019 after they robbed an internet cafe on East Broad Street.

How to get your road safety slogan on Ohio highway signs

Police said that King, Stringer and Brisco Dawkins, 54, entered the Players Paradise cafe at 4 a.m. on Jan. 20 and robbed the store at gunpoint. There, Stringer and King murdered Joseph Arrington, a security guard, and his wife Karen Arrington.

Court documents state that the men positioned themselves near the business office door while one of them sat at a game station pretending to play. When Karen Arrington attempted to enter the office, the suspects, armed with handguns, moved to confront Joseph Arrington, who was also armed.

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Both the Arringtons were then shot and killed by King before Stringer drove the men away from the scene.

Five total defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2019 for crimes related to a string of robberies of Internet gaming businesses, including the robbery at Players Paradise.

Shots fired through a Grandview Heights hotel room

Dezhan Townsend, 24, and Desjuan Harris, 28, were previously charged by federal criminal complaint.

The defendants were also responsible for a prior cafe robbery at Players Paradise in Dec. 2018, stealing $30,000 in cash, the U.S. District Attorneys Office said. Stringer also admitted to his involvement in a Jan. 2019, robbery of Planet Jackpot cafe on Alum Creek Drive.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Over the past year, several Shorewood Public Library clerks, administrators, librarians and library board trustees have left or been removed from their positions amid complaints of a hostile working environment.

An investigation into these complaints by the Wisconsin-based firm von Briesen & Roper concluded that the library's "current dysfunction is a direct product of library employees actively resisting" former library director Jen Gerber's leadership, according to the investigation findings released Jan. 9.

But some former staff members and board members called the investigation one-sided, missing key perspectives and clarifications that show Gerber contributed to the hostile workplace environment.

Doll burned in 'cathartic' event, investigation says

While von Briesen & Roper did not identify conditions reaching an actionable level of harassment on either side, the firm tells a narrative of some staff members' insubordination, evidenced by routine end-around discussions about Gerber, challenges to Gerber's directives and her experience of a hostile workplace.

The investigation said months of this resistance culminated in an incident on Sept. 22, 2023, where Gerber and two other supportive staff members decided to burn a former staff member's childhood doll she accidentally left at her desk as a "'cathartic' event, considering the stressors associated with the workplace."

The Shorewood Police Department said no laws were broken, but six staff members at the Shorewood Library filed a workplace safety grievance Sept. 25 recounting the incident  substantiated by video evidence obtained by the Journal Sentinel  and calling it, a product of the toxic culture cultivated and fostered by director Jen Gerber throughout her tenure as Director, the grievance said. The product of this action is a further divided, toxic, and unsafe workplace culture with no resolution in sight.

Gerber announced her resignation on Oct. 12, saying the Shorewood Public Library Boards lack of confidentiality in discussing her actions with unsupportive staff undermined her leadership and threatened the staffs ability to function.

Eight openings remain at the library

On Oct. 18, the village board voted to remove two of the seven library board members, including Donna Whittle and former Board President Alexandra Dimitroff. The board said they'd lost confidence in Dimitroff's ability to effectively steer the direction of the library board and said Whittle had mishandled agendas according to Wisconsin open meetings laws. A few days later, another library board member, Ling Meng resigned.

At a Jan. 10, 2024, library board meeting, interim library director Hayley Johnson said there are currently eight openings at the library they are working on filling.

Attached to the investigation document are augmentations submitted by Whittle and Dimitroff, criticizing and refuting aspects of von Briesen & Roper's findings and techniques.

Wisconsin state law allows persons appearing in a record who are employees or officials of the entity releasing the record to have the ability to "augment" the record and have it be released with the original document.

Whittle and Dimitroff both said the firm didn't interview people with key insight into the dysfunction, including many of the librarians and clerks who have resigned in recent months.

Interviews conducted by the Journal Sentinel with some of the staff members who did participate in the investigation paint a more nuanced picture than the one von Briesen & Roper drew.

Lizzie Hjelle, a former clerk at the Shorewood library and one of the six staff members who filed the workplace safety grievance against Gerber, said the investigation findings presented a totally different situation than the one she and her co-complainants experienced and relayed to investigators.

What did the investigation say?

In mid-October, after receiving multiple complaints regarding the librarys workplace environment, Shorewood's village board initiated the investigation into the library and hired von Briesen & Roper to conduct it.

The firm's investigation involved interviewing 13 current and recently-departed staff members, as well as reviewing email correspondences, internal memoranda, library board minutes and a few written statements submitted by the former library board trustees.

The investigation shows three complaints were submitted to the village board:

The first complaint submitted by former director Jen Gerber against the library board is based on claims described as "illegal meetings, unethical practices, ruining workplace culture," according to the investigation.

The second complaint described identically to Gerber's was submitted by Administrative Assistant Angela Andre, Joan Stroika and staff member Carolyn Curran.

The third complaint, described as "burning of item outside of library," is based on the doll-burning incident involving Gerber, Andre and interim director Hayley Johnson.

According to the investigation, the discontent started in December 2022, five months after Gerber was hired as library director. Former assistant library director Emily Vieyra  whose doll Gerber would eventually participate in burning  disagreed with Gerber's desire to overhaul the existing staffing model and began contacting library board members "outside the scope and duties of the assistant director" about Gerber's management of the library.

The investigation does not mention that the object burned was Vieyra's childhood doll or that some staff believed the action violated a village ordinance against burning combustible materials within 100 feet of buildings and library workplace safety rules.

Multiple staff members witnessed the relationship between Gerber and Vieyra deteriorate, including Vieyra's insubordination and disrespectful treatment of Gerber, until Vieyra's resignation in May of 2023, according to the investigation.

When contacted by the Journal Sentinel, Vieyra declined to comment but confirmed that she was never contacted for the investigation. Von Briesen & Roper attorney Mark Kapocius said he was not authorized to comment on why Vieyra and other current and former employees named in the investigation were not contacted.

Investigators said Dimitroff directed the board to take "an adverse position towards Gerber," evidenced by a performance review in September 2023 that read, "the board is deeply concerned about the challenges posed by current staffing levels and morale.

Investigators said the performance review was "inconsistent" with the previous performance review from March 2023, which was characterized as generally positive. However, the investigation does not mention that a large portion of the March 2023 review also contained areas in need of improvement.

In her augmentation, Dimitroff said over half the review pertains to the need for working on relationship building, communication with the board and lack of engagement, which she said Gerber did not address between the performance reviews.

Board meetings violated open meetings laws, investigation says

Between August and October of 2023, frequent library board meetings included closed sessions, which were not given proper public notice or statutory citations as required by Wisconsin open meetings laws, according to the investigation.

During this same period of time, multiple witnesses said several staff members took an openly adversarial position toward Gerber, verbally challenging her directives.

"Through this dynamic, employees may have been empowered to believe they do not fall within the chain-of-command every functional organization must have," Von Briesen & Roper said. "From the perspective of Jen Gerber, each effort she made to lead was met with greater resistance, and eventually led to her resignation from the Library."

Investigation fails to mention 'yelling, bullying, belittling' of employees, Dimitroff said

However, Dimitroff noted in her augmentation that the investigation does not mention that many employees who were unsupportive of Gerber described her "yelling, bullying, belittling, excluding and embarrassing library employees" in their complaint.

Hjelle said she resigned in late October from her dream job at the Shorewood Library after she heard Gerber might be reinstated as director after Gerber requested the library board rescind her resignation.

While the board ultimately did not reinstate Gerber, Hjelle said Gerber's behavior became increasingly erratic and volatile over the course of the last year to the point where it was a really hostile work environment for anyone who had a difference of opinion with her or anyone who asked a question about any decisions that she made."

Many working to keep the library's services running

Since September, the village has spent almost $16,000 in professional fees to von Briesen & Roper for library-related consultations, according to village invoice accounts.

Amid the dysfunction and vacancies, a number of village staff and board members have stepped up to help keep the library's services running and to help implement new policies such as the elimination and forgiveness of almost $24,000 in library fines accrued since 1995.

Over the past several months, the library board, comprised of volunteers dedicated to the library and Shorewood community, held frequent meetings to carve out a path for the library's success. The village board also has devoted several special meetings to the issues.

Acting Library Board President Jonathan Smucker said he and village officials have been meeting regularly to collaborate on solutions.

At the Jan. 10 library board meeting, Johnson described the tireless efforts of remaining staff members who have taken on extra hours and demonstrated flexibility in handling new tasks while the library works on filling the vacancies.

Johnson said the library would close Jan. 25 for a professional development day for staff to move forward.

Contact Claudia Levens at clevens@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @levensc13

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Findings released in Shorewood Library workplace investigation
FILE - A hearse and van sit outside the Return to Nature Funeral Home, Oct. 6, 2023, in Penrose, Colo. Investigators who entered the funeral home encountered stacks of partially covered human remains, bodily fluids several inches deep on the floor and flies, an FBI agent testified Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

DENVER (AP)  Investigators who entered a Colorado funeral home where nearly 200 abandoned bodies were found encountered stacks of partially covered human remains, bodily fluids several inches deep on the floor, and flies and maggots throughout the building, an FBI agent testified Thursday.

Prosecutors also revealed text messages sent between the funeral home's owners showing they were under growing financial pressures and had fears that they would be caught for mishandling the bodies. As the bodies accumulated, one of the co-owners even suggested getting rid of them by digging a big hole and treating them with lye or setting them on fire, according to the texts.

Twenty-three of the bodies had death dates from 2019 and 61 were from 2020, FBI agent Andrew Cohen said. The remains included adults, infants and fetuses. They were being stored at room temperature in a neglected building in the small Rocky Mountain town of Penrose, he said.

It looked like something youd like to forget but cant, Cohen said during a hearing for one of the funeral home's co-owners.

Investigators also found animal remains and bags of packaged concrete, Cohen said. Some relatives of the deceased received fake ashes rather than the cremated remains of their loved ones, prosecutors have said.

Police in November arrested funeral home owners Carie and Jon Hallford in Oklahoma after the married couple allegedly had fled Colorado to avoid prosecution.

The bodies were discovered in early October after neighbors noticed a putrid smell. The Penrose building had makeshift refrigeration units but Cohen said those were not operating when the bodies were found. Near the squat building was a post office and a few scattered homes, spaced out between dry grass and empty lots with parked semitrailers.

The Hallfords are accused of abusing corpses, stealing, laundering money and forging documents over several years at the Return to Nature Funeral Home, which was based in Colorado Springs and stored remains in nearby Penrose. They are each charged with approximately 190 counts of abuse of a corpse, five counts of theft, four counts of money laundering and over 50 counts of forgery.

Carie Hallfords attorney, Michael Stuzynski, did not immediately challenge the evidence from the scene that was presented by prosecutors, except to question cell phone data that prosecutors said placed Carie Hallford at the Penrose facility with her husband. The defense will have another chance to argue against the evidence during a hearing set for next week.

Stuzynski said after the hearing that he could not talk about the case outside of court.

Jon Hallford remained in custody at the El Paso County jail on Thursday after his bond was lowered from $2 million to $100,000 during a hearing last week. His attorney, Adam Steigerwald, did not immediately return a telephone message seeking comment.

Several families who hired Return to Nature to cremate their relatives have told The Associated Press that the FBI confirmed their remains were among the decaying bodies.

Jon Hallford was worried as far back as 2020 about getting caught, according to prosecutors.

My one and only focus is keeping us out of jail, said one text message he allegedly wrote.

Other texts included messages between the Hallfords about selling off assets to cover their expenses and worrying about losing everything if they were exposed.

In a 2020 exchange, Jon Hallford messaged his wife that they needed to begin restoring the building in Penrose" and appeared to suggest various ways to get rid of the bodies, according to Kevin Clark, an investigator with the district attorneys office.

Options: A, build a new machine ASAP. B, dig a big hole and use lye. Where? C, dig a small hole and build a large fire. Where? D, I go to prison, which is probably going to happen, the message said, according to Clark. It was not clear what the new machine referred to.

In yet another text, from last year, Jon Hallford wrote about dealing with decaying bodies before he appears to give a dinner order.

I want to take a shower as soon as I get back because while I was making the transfer, I got people juice on me. Want the double cheeseburger, lettuce, wrapped with everything minus tomatoes, please, the text said according to Clark.

Further details on how the bodies came to be mishandled have not been publicly released after defense attorneys objected to unsealing affidavits in the case.

The discovery of bodies prompted an effort to identify them using fingerprints, dental records, medical hardware and DNA. Officials plan in coming days to level the building where the bodies were found.

The bodies recovered included that of a former Army sergeant first class who was believed to have been buried at a veterans cemetery, Cohen said.

Investigators exhumed the wooden casket and found the remains of a person of a different gender inside, he said. The veteran, who was not identified in court, was later given a funeral with full military honors at Pikes Peak National Cemetery, he said.

In December, relatives who knew or feared their loved ones were among the abandoned bodies watched in person for the first time as the Hallfords appeared before a judge. One woman held up a photo of her late son who she thought may have been among the mishandled bodies.

Several dozen sets of remains have not yet been identified, according to Cohen.

Return to Nature started in 2017 and offered cremations and green burials without embalming fluids.

The AP previously reported that the Hallfords missed tax payments, were evicted from one of their properties and were sued for unpaid bills by a crematory that quit doing business with them almost a year ago, according to public records and interviews with people who worked with them.

____

Brown reported from Billings, Mont.
Campaign signs for Florida Gov. Ron Desantis line the road in front of Drake University, where CNN hosted a presidential debate in Des Moines on Jan. 10, 2024. Credit - Chip SomodevillaGetty Images

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis had forgotten his coat.

After 13 minutes speaking about Florida infrastructure and Washington dysfunction, it was this remark that finally got a stir out of the quiet audience at a contractors conference in Des Moines.

The next people that are coming up from Tallahassee, they're gonna bring, bring my winter coat, DeSantis said, his most personal comment of the morning. But I think I looked at the forecast for Monday. I think I'm gonna need much more than that. I think I'm gonna need the earmuffs and all that other stuff.

This years caucus day is shaping up to be the coldest ever, according to the Des Moines Register. Temperatures are expected to fall as much as 15 degrees below zero in some areas. Much of Iowa is under a blizzard warning on Friday, and the storm could deposit up to ten inches of snow in some areas.

The prospect of dangerously cold weather is adding another element of uncertainty into a caucus night in which just about everyone expects former President Donald Trump to come out on top. But as the forecast for Monday draws predictions of icy roads and dead car batteries, such obstacles could discourage all but the most committed voters from making the trek to their caucus sites.

It's already a bigger ask to ask someone to caucus than it is for them to vote in a primary, says Nicole Schlinger, a Republican consultant in Iowa who worked on Ted Cruzs 2016 presidential campaign. So enthusiasm is going to really matter. You have to care a lot to show up on a regular day, you're going to have to care even more to show up under adverse conditions.

Interviews with caucus veterans and campaign officials suggests DeSantis, who has staked much of his bid on a strong ground game in Iowa, may be best positioned to beat expectations in a subzero caucus night.

The Florida governor has more than 1600 precinct captains across the Hawkeye State and has knocked on the doors of its target voters five times apiece, according to campaign officials. Dave Vasquez, national press secretary for DeSantis-allied super PAC Never Back Down, says the organization has kept up its pace of door knocking despite this weeks winter weather. Earlier this week, the candidates wife, Casey, took their son out in the snow to knock on the PACs three millionth early-state door, says Vasquez.

Our precinct captains, the folks in our communities, they know exactly who to call if they need a ride, Vasquez says, describing a system of networks across the state that DeSantis backers intend to use to ensure his voters make it out to caucus Monday night.

if they are broken down on the side of the road, if they need help, if they cannot get out because their driveway is covered in snow, they know exactly who to call for a ride, Vasquez adds.

Some groups of voters stand to be disproportionately affected, like voters in rural areas, who sometimes have to drive fifteen miles to their caucus locations. Older voters, worried about falling and slipping on the ice, may decide to stay home as well.

Nikki Haley speaks to members of the media during a campaign event at Mickey's Irish Pub in Waukee, Iowa, on Jan. 9, 2024. Rachel MummeyBloomberg/Getty Images

Former President Donald Trump may be able to rely on enthusiasm alone to emerge from the cold caucuses victorious. But with polls showing him outperforming DeSantis by as much as forty points, his supporters may also be more likely to take his win on caucus night for granted and stay home.

I do think a lot of Iowans want Trump back, says Patty Alexander, a retired teacher who hasnt yet made up her mind who to support. A lot of his rallies are popular and well attended.  They see his record, and they see how he's performed. And they believe that he's the man.

Trumps team did not comment on specific preparations for the winter weather, though the campaign is expected to use buses to help transport voters to caucus sites.

Were confident that local government is going to do their jobs effectively and will ensure that the roads and parking lots at precinct caucus locationswhich are overwhelmingly government-ownedare cleared and fully accessible to voters for the caucuses, a Trump campaign official said.

While the state GOP chair has anticipated Republicans may see great turnout instead of record-breaking turnout, some suggest that the arctic temperatures and icy conditions will have little effect at all. Back in 2008, when temperatures fell below zero during the caucuses, almost 119,000 Republicans and 240,000 Democrats turned out, setting records for both parties. Unlike DeSantis, the locals arent exactly missing their winter gear.

I think Iowans are used to the weather, says Olivia Perez-Cubas, a spokesperson for former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley. For us, it's about communicating to our voters.

With reporting by Eric Cortelessa/Marion.

Write to Mini Racker at mini.racker@time.com.
(Bloomberg) -- In this years presidential election, the Iowa caucuses are crucial  marking the first shot for Republican challengers to Donald Trump to undermine his position as the party's standard-bearer.

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Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis are hoping that a strong showing Monday will convince Republicans in later races that they are viable alternatives to the former president. A blow-out performance from Trump, however, will further cement the sense of inevitability of a November rematch with President Joe Biden.

For a highly anticipated contest that results in the first votes for president, Iowas process can be remarkably opaque to outsiders. Heres a breakdown.

How do the Iowa caucuses work?

At 7 p.m. local time Monday  which this year falls on the federal holiday honoring Martin Luther King Jr.  Iowans will convene to nominate candidates for president in schools, libraries and other public places making up 1,657 precincts. The process usually takes 90 minutes, but in some precincts it can last three hours or more as supporters of each candidate give speeches to win over undecided voters. The drawn-out events mean turnout is often lower than in states that hold primaries.

Iowa Republicans vote by secret ballot. Precinct officials count the votes in the presence of candidate representatives. The tabulations are sent to the Republican Party of Iowa, which reports the results. Unlike primary elections, theres no opportunity for a recount, but the tabulation sheets can be audited later.

How is the winner determined?

Though different states have different rules for awarding delegates, Iowa Republicans are straightforward: Candidates get delegates in proportion to their support in the statewide vote. If all goes smoothly, the candidate receiving the most delegates will be clear within hours.

For some candidates, winning can involve some creative storytelling, such as claiming victory simply by meeting or exceeding expectations.

What about Democrats?

For Democrats, Iowa doesnt hold the same importance this year. Iowa Democrats will cast their votes in a mail-in election that wont be counted until March 5, an attempt to comply with both the new party rules and a state law requiring a caucus on Jan. 15.

Biden faces only token opposition from within his own party, making the caucuses largely moot for Democrats. His chief Democratic challenger, Minnesota Representative Dean Phillips, is campaigning largely in New Hampshire. The president had pushed for South Carolina as the kick-off for the Democratic presidential voting process after voters in that state helped rescue his previous campaign in 2020.

What is Iowas record in picking winners?

Generally, presidential contenders strive for a spot in the top three. Indeed, the axiom is that there are three tickets out of Iowa, and its mostly true. Biden is one exception  he finished fourth in Iowa, fifth in New Hampshire and second in Nevada before finally winning South Carolina.

Iowa has a mixed record of picking nominees, with the last three contested caucuses producing a winner that would go on to lose the GOP nomination. And only three non-incumbent presidents have won both the Iowa caucuses and the presidency since 1972: Jimmy Carter in 1976, George W. Bush in 2000 and Barack Obama in 2008.

How representative is Iowa of the US?

Its not, really. Manufacturers are the biggest private employers in Iowa. Nationwide, they account for 6.4% of jobs. Iowas Black and Hispanic populations, at just 4% and 7% respectively, are less than half of the shares for the US.

What do critics say?

Some have expressed dismay over the outsize importance in presidential elections wielded by Iowa, where the population of 3.2 million people just nudges past the population of the city of Chicago. The state will send just 40 of the 2,429 delegates to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in July. On March 5, which is known as Super Tuesday for the many states who hold nominating contests that day, 1,151 delegates will be awarded.

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The 2024 US presidential election begins in earnest in Iowa on Monday, as Republicans in the midwestern state stage their caucuses, events through which their preferred nominee is selected. The process is hallowed but arcane. Heres an attempt to explain.

What is a caucus?

Merriam-Webster, Americas Most Trusted Dictionary, defines a caucus thus: A closed meeting of a group of persons belonging to the same political party or faction usually to select candidates or to decide on policy.

Related: Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis to face off in Iowa Republican debate

David Yepsen, a doyen of Iowa political journalism, boils it down: A caucus  its a neighbourhood meeting.

And as Tom Beaumont of the Associated Press explains, more than 1,600 such meetings will take place on Monday, one for every precinct in the state.

Either which way, its not a primary, the straight-vote contest held by most states, starting in New Hampshire next week.

How does a caucus work?

In Iowa, Republican and Democratic caucuses work differently. Now, after chaos and confusion in 2020, Democrats have made changes: they will meet on caucus day and conduct political business, but their choice for president will be made by mail and announced later.

Republicans are going ahead as usual. That means participants will gather in each precinct  usually a school, community center or similar venue  at 7pm local time (8pm ET) on Monday.

Eligible voters, who must be registered Republicans, check in to the caucus and then start discussing candidates and issues with their neighbors. As Beaumont said, some also stand up and speak on behalf of the candidates. Within an hour or so, the caucusgoers write their choice of candidate on a slip of paper and hand it to the chair of the caucus, who then tallies the votes and submits them to the state party. The state party counts and releases the results, usually within a few hours.

Each precinct is then assigned a number of delegates based on the results. Ultimately, 40 delegates from Iowa will go to the Republican national convention, where the presidential nominee for the party is chosen.

In terms of the presidential race, the person with the most votes wins Iowa. In practice, delegates to a state convention are awarded on a proportionate basis, so everyone wins  in a way.

Why does Iowa get to go first?

As the New York Times puts it: Iowa got its spot by historical accident.

Responding to a previous political fiasco, the protest-racked Chicago convention of 1968, Democrats wanted to give voters more of a say than party insiders in picking a nominee. In 1972, Iowa Democrats happened to schedule the first such contest. Four years later, Iowa Republicans did the same, while Jimmy Carter came from nowhere to win the Democratic caucus, the nomination and the keys to the White House.

The power of going first thus clearly demonstrated, the Times said, the Iowa legislature passed a law requiring the state to continue scheduling its caucuses before any others.

Is Iowa the right state to vote first?

Iowas first-in-the-nation status has long been questioned, given that it  like New Hampshire  is predominantly rural and white in a country trending ever more urban and demographically mixed.

On the flip side, Yepsen offers a historical nugget that points to a place in the tapestry of US life  Caucus is thought to be a Native American term, Algonquin for meeting of tribal leaders  and even Iowa is changing: white children, for example, are now in a clear minority in Des Moines public schools.

If they were running a traditional caucus, the lack of diversity would be an issue for Democrats. But they arent, because of the mess last time and because of concerns about diversity. They now kick off with South Carolina, where Black voters saved Joe Biden in 2020.

For the Republicans, the question of whiteness is less of an (internal) problem. Heavily influenced by evangelical Christians, the GOPs Iowa caucuses offer a reasonable indicator of the temperature inside the party. Eight years ago, the last time the GOP caucuses were competitive, the Texas senator Ted Cruz courted evangelicals and won. This year, a key endorsement of Ron DeSantis notwithstanding, Donald Trump seems to have the evangelical vote sewn up.

Related: Trump called Iowa evangelicals so-called Christians and pieces of shit, book says

Do Iowa winners go on to be nominees  or presidents?

Not always. Among the Democrats, the last winner of a competitive Iowa caucus was Pete Buttigieg, then the little-known mayor of South Bend, Indiana. He ended up endorsing Biden, his reward a cabinet post. Before that, in 2008, Barack Obama beat Hillary Clinton narrowly in Iowa and went on to the White House. In 2004, John Kerry beat John Edwards and won the nomination but lost the general election. In 2000, Al Gore won Iowa and the nomination but lost the White House to George W Bush.

Of late, fewer Republicans have won Iowa and the nomination. In 2016, Cruz lost the nomination to Trump. In 2012, Rick Santorum won Iowa but lost the nomination to Mitt Romney. In 2008, Mike Huckabee beat Romney but John McCain, fourth in Iowa, became the nominee. In 2000, Bush  a rare candidate with appeal both to evangelicals and moderates  was a clear winner on his way to the White House.

So losers in Iowa can win the race elsewhere?

Very much so. As Beaumont of the AP explains, for Iowa Republicans this year, Donald Trump remains the dominant frontrunner [and] the race is essentially for second place. Nikki Haley is in the race for second place in Iowa. Should Haley beat Ron DeSantis, that would almost certainly signal the end of the DeSantis campaign and provide a lift to Haley, who is stronger than any other [non-Trump] candidate in New Hampshire.
In his first Condition of the Guard speech, Maj. Gen. Stephen E. Osborn spoke Thursday about the continuing recruiting challenges facing the the Iowa National Guard.

Osborn, who Gov. Kim Reynolds named as the adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard last February following the retirement of Maj. Gen. Benjamin Corell, thanked the Iowa Legislature for providing more than $16.6 million in funding for infrastructure and more than $6.4 million in service scholarships supporting 988 soldiers and airmen.

Here's what else he had to say:

A familiar problem  recruiting falls off since pandemic

Although the National Guard has seen improvements since the COVID-19 era, the Guard still faces an echoing problem of recruitment.

Since late 2021, however, our recruiting success has slowed, and we are dealing with the challenges that are being felt across the Department of Defense in respect to military recruiting, Osborn said.

But as we continue to maneuver through this environment, we have experienced improvements over the last quarter, and we will continue to apply effort, energy, and resources to our recruiting and personnel readiness.

Operation Lone Star

Osborn spoke about the Iowa National Guard's largest domestic operation in 2023, which was sending 109 soldiers to Texas in support of Operation Lone Star."

Reynolds announced in May 2023 she would send the troops to the border in response to a request for assistance from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. She was one of at least half a dozen Republican governors around the country to send personnel to the border to support the operation.

The 109 soldiers were tasked with "deterring illegal border crossings and preventing the trafficking of illegal substances by cartels through Texas," Reynolds had said.

Breaking ground in 2023

Osborne also added other accomplishments the Iowa National Guard has seen, such as the completion of a $13 million federal renovation of the air crew operations building for the 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City.

Another major milestone the National Guard faced was breaking ground in West Des Moines for their weekend training.

The $24 million facility, 75% of which was funded by the federal government, is scheduled to open in the spring of 2025, Osborn said. The facility will have capacity for over 200 soldiers, their vehicles and their equipment.

Looking ahead to the future

Although there is plenty to look forward to, the Iowa National Guards priorities are focused on the multi-million-dollar capital improvements needed for a runway and ramp at the Sioux City Gateway Airport and the 185th Air Refueling Wing, Osborn said.

Without these improvements we are at risk of losing the air refueling mission in Sioux City and being overlooked for future aeronautical missions, Osborn said.

Reynolds, along with the governors from Nebraska and South Dakota, collectively signed a letter of support during the 2023 Tri-State Governors Conference for the Sioux City runway replacement, Osborn said.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa National Guard adjutant general addresses recruiting challenges
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa - Billie Veach didn't pause to think last year when asked what issues matter most to her as an Iowa voter who will play an outsize role in selecting the Republican nominee for president.

"We are pro-life," the 49-year-old said one Sunday on her way out of church. Her husband, Lyle Veach, said the federal government "needs to do something" to curb abortion.

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In New Hampshire - which will have its say on Jan. 23, eight days after the Iowa caucuses - another Republican couple wanted something very different. "I don't think a bunch of politicians, mostly males, have the right to say you cannot do it across the board," Joan McMahon said, prompting her husband to add, "It's been kicked down to the states, anyone talking about it on the federal level is wrong."

In GOP-controlled Iowa, where evangelical Christians dominate the caucuses, the candidates have many incentives to support abortion restrictions. But the same positions that appeal to Iowa conservatives can backfire in New Hampshire, a swing-state where independents play a large role and where a slight majority of likely GOP primary voters say abortion should be legal in all or most cases.

The gap has at times created some awkwardness for the candidates as they toggle between the two states and attempt a careful balancing act. It has also amplified larger GOP divisions over abortion as candidates navigate competing pressures in a party that has struggled to find a politically effective general election message since a conservative-leaning Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade in 2022, generating wide backlash.

Voters in Iowa and New Hampshire have long gravitated to different kinds of candidates, and their differences on abortion have only sharpened in the first presidential election since the end of Roe, which guaranteed access to abortion nationwide.

Disappointing GOP losses over the past year-and-a-half haven't deterred some antiabortion activists who play an influential role in the primary - even as many Republicans would rather minimize abortion's role in the presidential race.

"We're really not looking for a leader that just responds to the polls - we're looking for the leader that will shape the polls," said Bob Vander Plaats, an Iowa evangelical leader who has endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and is the president of a conservative Christian organization called the Family Leader.

The candidates have tailored their message to each state - and seen their applause lines in one place become vulnerabilities in another. More than three-quarters of likely GOP primary voters in Iowa say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases, according to a CBS News poll from September, a stark contrast to New Hampshire, where 49 percent agree.

Former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley's appeals to find areas of "consensus" on abortion - and her declarations that she doesn't "judge anyone for being pro-choice" - are especially well-received by many voters in the Granite State, where she has gained the most traction.

Now grappling with DeSantis for second place in Iowa, Haley's campaign is running an ad touting the support of an antiabortion leader in the state, former Iowa Right to Life president Marlys Popma, who calls Haley "a sister in Christ." No such ads are running in New Hampshire, where one campaign spot features Gov. Chris Sununu (R) praising Haley as someone who "understands fiscal responsibility and individual liberty."

Haley has faced some skepticism among Iowa evangelical activists such as Vander Plaats, who pressed Haley at a Family Leader forum last fall.

"I had some pro-lifers say, that sounded like a pro-choice answer," Vander Plaats asked Haley in front of a crowd of 800. "Can you assure them why that's not a pro-choice answer?"

Put on the spot, Haley later said she would sign a six-week abortion ban in South Carolina if she were still governor there. Soon a rival 2024 candidate, former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, was assailing Haley's answer in New Hampshire, suggesting she sent a different message in Iowa. Christie, who staked his campaign there before dropping out on Wednesday, appealed heavily to centrist voters who are also key for Haley.

Former president Donald Trump, meanwhile, has run ads reminding Iowans that he appointed conservative Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe - even as he's resisted calls to back a specific national limit on abortion and angered activists by calling six-week bans at the state level "terrible." In many ways, Trump has nodded to both sides of a divisive debate regardless of the state where he is campaigning.

At a Fox News town hall in Iowa this week, one voter pressed Trump to "reassure" her he could "protect life without compromise."

"You wouldn't be asking that question, even talking about the issue because for 54 years they were trying to get Roe v. Wade terminated, and I did it, and I'm proud to have done it," Trump said to applause and cheers. But he added, "a lot of women don't know if they're pregnant in five or six weeks, I want to get something where people are happy."

DeSantis and his allies have assailed those comments as they struggle to chip away at Trump's daunting polling lead in Iowa - where GOP lawmakers passed a six-week ban. At a CNN town hall last week in Des Moines, DeSantis noted the former president's 2020 speech at the March for Life in Washington. "Did he flip-flop?" DeSantis asked. "Did he not believe it at the time?"

Yet Trump hasn't paid much of a political price for backing away from the restrictions he cleared the way for - even in the first-in-the-nation caucus state. He's expanded his lead in the polls there as the caucuses near. "President Trump's unmatched record speaks for itself," Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said in response to DeSantis's criticisms.

DeSantis, who is pinning his presidential hopes on Iowa, promoted Florida's six-week abortion ban on the trail in the Hawkeye State and attended an Iowa antiabortion group's Christmas gala. In some visits to New Hampshire last year, he didn't so much as bring up the issue. DeSantis has spent far less time and polls far lower in New Hampshire, where some voters cite his abortion stance as a turnoff.

"I'm a fiscal conservative, but I do not like conservative views on issues like abortion," said Melissa Fitzpatrick, 45, an undeclared voter from Derry, N.H., who plans to vote in the Republican primary. Out grocery shopping this fall, she said DeSantis's signing of a six-week ban in Florida added to her concerns about him - she believes "a woman's body is her choice" - and was more drawn to Christie and Haley.

Abortion is legal in New Hampshire through 23 weeks of pregnancy, a sharp contrast to Iowa, where Republicans passed a six-week ban that is caught up in the courts.

Policy-wise, Haley and DeSantis's stances on abortion are similar. Haley has said she will sign whatever restrictions can pass, suggesting that would reflect the will of "the people" in different jurisdictions. DeSantis has said the federal government should play a role in abortion but, like Haley, avoids espousing a specific limit.

But they've struck different tones and formed different alliances. Haley has the backing of Sununu, who supports significant access to abortion and recently scoffed at near-total ban proposed by a handful of state lawmakers, saying it was headed for the "crazy pile." DeSantis has the endorsement of Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R), who has championed priorities of the base, including the six-week ban.

"If you like what we're doing in Iowa, you're going to love what Ron will do for this country," Reynolds said Thursday at an event where DeSantis also spoke.

Despite their broad differences, Republicans in Iowa and New Hampshire are similarly skeptical that many antiabortion measures can pass at the federal level - regardless of who's president.

Even at Billie and Lyle Veach's evangelical church outside Des Moines - full of social conservatives who are politically active - many congregants thought Haley was smart to emphasize the political barriers to most national measures.

"I think it's a realistic attitude about where the country is really at," said Dave Bubeck, standing next to his wife, Denise, last fall.

Nodding to the church behind them, he said: "These people are completely pro-life.  And we are too. But I'm not opposed to the message that she's saying. Because we live in a fallen world."

Showing up to a DeSantis event this month, however, he was ready to serve as a "precinct captain" for the Florida governor on Monday.

"He's clearly the strongest in his positions on being pro-life," Dave Bubeck said.

Activist efforts to get the 2024 candidates to commit to specific national measures on abortion have been, in many ways, unsuccessful. Two presidential candidates who advocated a 15-week federal limit - former vice president Mike Pence and Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) - dropped out this fall, unable to catch fire even with the socially conservative Iowans they heavily courted. Many Republican voters who oppose abortion do not view it as a primary issue in the presidential race, eager to elevate other, more unifying priorities or satisfied to see restrictions play out in the states.

"Leave it up to the states, leave it up to the people  let the general population decide how they want it," said Wayne Defeo, a voter in his 60s who attended a DeSantis event in Laconia, N.H. and calls himself "pro-life." He said the issue didn't matter much in his vote.

"It's probably a state issue at this point," echoed Meg Jaques, 39, an Iowan who believes that life begins at conception. She wants candidates to share that belief but doesn't fault them for steering clear of a specific national limit.

Kathy McNutt, 60, from the area of Gilford, N.H, supports restrictions on abortion but doesn't hold Trump's recent comments against him. "I think the Democrats have pushed the pendulum so far to the other side that any conservatism, to me, is better - is helpful," she said.

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Iowa Senate Democratic leader Pam Jochum announced Friday that she will not seek reelection in 2024.

Jochum, from Dubuque, is serving her fourth term in the Iowa Senate. She has a long record at the Iowa Capitol: She was first elected to the Iowa House in 1993 and served eight consecutive terms before being elected to the Senate in 2008.

She became Senate President in 2013 when Democrats held the majority in the chamber. And in 2023, she was elected to lead the Senate Democratic caucus following the sudden ouster of Sen. Zach Wahls, D-Coralville.

"I want to thank the people of Dubuque for the honor and privilege of serving them and our community in the Iowa Legislature," Jochum said in a news release. "Its truly been an honor that words do not adequately express. I am excited to pass the torch to the next generation of leaders who will champion a brighter future for Iowa."

Iowa Senate Democratic Leader Pam Jochum speaks during the 2023 Polk County Steak Fry at Water Works Park on Saturday, September 30, 2023 in Des Moines.

In an interview with the Des Moines Register, Jochum said she had told her Senate Democratic colleagues before last summer's leadership shakeup that she intended to retire.

"And my colleagues in the Senate said it doesnt matter, and even better because we know that youre in it as a leader to really help the Senate Majority Fund and all of us rather than just pursue personal political ambitions," she said.

As the leader of the Senate Democrats, Jochum is in charge of leading the party's efforts to retake Iowa Senate seats. Democrats currently hold just 16 of 50 seats in the Senate, but Jochum said she was confident they would do well in November.

"While I am not running for reelection, I am still committed to delivering a better deal for all Iowans," she said in the news release. "As the leader of the Iowa Senate Democrats, I am confident we will secure Democratic victories across the state."

Jochum said she was proud of the role she was able to play in the Legislature in securing funding for projects revitalizing Dubuque, creating the HAWK-I children's health insurance program and the Iowa Public Information Board, allowing Iowans to register to vote on Election Day and investing in renewable energy, infrastructure and education.

IA Sen. Pam Jochum, D-Dubuque, speaks in the Iowa Senate during a special session on redistricting maps, Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021, at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines.

Speaking to the Register, Jochum also cited the creation of the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan, which expanded Medicaid coverage in the state, and raising the state's minimum wage to $7.25 an hour in 2007, which remains the last time the minimum wage has been increased in Iowa.

"It was a proud moment at the time because we were actually able to move the minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $7.25," she said. "And we did that before the federal government even did it."

Tom Townsend, president of the Dubuque Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, announced Friday that he would run for Jochum's senate seat, with her endorsement.

Tom Townsend

"There needs to be more working-class folks in the state Legislature," Townsend said in a news release. "I have been fighting for working folks for over 30 years. In the Iowa Senate, I will continue advocating for labor and all working Iowans."

Townsend, a Democrat, is a licensed electrician and member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He previously served for six years in the U.S. Navy.

Jochum praised Townsend's record of helping working people and fighting food insecurity in Dubuque and said she encouraged him to run for the seat.

"Hes just been very good, very active in our community and hell be a strong voice for the working class of Dubuque," she told the Register.

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: Senate Democratic leader Pam Jochum says she won't run for reelection
Jessie Ewald walks o after receiving almost 9 inches of snow in a winter storm on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Ames, Iowa.

Schools around the area are bracing for the week's second snowstorm.

Iowa State University will be partially closed on Friday, Jan. 12, due to a blizzard warning issued through Saturday. All winter session classes will meet virtually as scheduled at the instructor's discretion, the school said in a release.

The Ames Community School District and Nevada also announced that Friday's classes will be canceled ahead of a storm officials predict could dump 6-10 inches of snow across the county.

The Boone Community School District canceled Friday's classes at 5:45 p.m. Thursday.

More: Central Iowa is under a winter storm warning through Friday. What this means for Ames.

Another storm on the way

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning in central Iowa for the next two days. The warning will be in effect from 9 p.m. this evening to midnight on Friday.

This storm comes on the heels of a front that swept through Story and Boone County Monday night, dumping nine inches of snow in Ames and 10.2 inches in the City of Boone.

Snow is expected to begin falling Thursday night with the heaviest coming in the overnight hours. The storm front will transition into blizzard-like conditions at 10 a.m. Friday, with wind gusts likely topping out at 35-45 MPH. Though snow is expected to ease by Friday night, frigid temperatures move in Saturday through Tuesday. The National Weather Service of Des Moines predicts highs well below zero and wind chills potentially dipping to -45 early in the week.

More: Central Iowa is under a winter storm warning through Friday. What this means for Ames.

Campus buildings will be closed

During ISU's partial closure, all campus buildings will be locked. Anyone needing access should contact the ISU Department of Public Safety.

Students moving back into the residence halls will still have access on Friday. Thielen Student Health Center will be open, as will the Student Counseling Center for crisis appointments.

There should be maximum flexibility for ISU employees to work remotely or take leave. Supervisors in police, public safety, security, power plant, food service, animal care and critical maintenance should make arrangements for team members to report safely to campus. Employees who cannot make it to campus should contact their supervisors.

ISU leaders will continue to monitor weather conditions. A campus update will be provided to students and employees on Monday.

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Iowa State University closes campus Friday as blizzard looms
A handout photo supplied by Ministry of Defence showing a RAF Typhoon FGR4 taking off from RAF Akrotiri to conduct strikes against military targets in Yemen. The USA and Great Britain, with the support of other allies, "successfully" attacked Huthi rebel positions in Yemen on Friday night. -/Ministry Of Defence via PA Media/dpa

Tehran on Friday strongly condemned the military strikes against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The attack was a clear violation of Yemen's sovereignty and territorial integrity and a breach of international law, the state news agency Irna quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani as saying.

"These indiscriminate attacks will not lead to any result except fuelling insecurity and instability in the region."

The United States and the United Kingdom, with the support of other allies, attacked Houthi rebel positions in Yemen overnight.

US President Joe Biden said it was a "direct response" to the Houthi's unprecedented attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea.
Russia is suspected of having used a new Iranian exploding drone in Ukraine, though it's not confirmed.

The weapon, Iran's jet-powered Shahed-238, is believed to offer a speed boost over the Shahed-136 loitering munition.

With these new drones, Moscow could create more headaches for Ukraine's air defenses, experts say.

Months after Iran unveiled a new, jet-powered version of its Shahed loitering munitions, suspicions are growing that Russia is in possession of the explosive weapon  and may have already used a variant of it in Ukraine.

The jet engine-powered Shahed-238 is a significant upgrade in speed and altitude over the propeller-driven versions of these Iranian-made drones that Russia has used to attack Ukrainian cities for over a year. This new capability in the hands of the Russian military could create headaches for Kyiv's air defenses by reducing reaction time, putting additional pressure on already-strained systems, experts told Business Insider.

Iran has built a vast arsenal of one-way attack drones, but perhaps the most well-known of these weapons is the Shahed-136, which have been employed in Ukraine and across the Middle East.

Although the Shahed-136 is often called a drone, it's technically a loitering munition, meaning it can lurk above a target before flying into it and detonating. It's a small system that's powered by a propeller and can carry an explosive payload of up to an estimated 110 pounds.

Tehran debuted variants of the new jet-powered Shahed-238 in November, but many of its capabilities remain unknown or unconfirmed. A Russian general told state media in early December that the system can travel at speeds of nearly 500 mph  which would make it several times faster than its predecessor and put it on par with some cruise missiles and that Moscow would soon be fielding the new version, the Kyiv Post reported.

In early January, some evidence began to emerge that Russia had employed at least one Shahed-238 in Ukraine that was shot down by Kyiv's forces.

Photographs said to be of the wreckage of the drone were shared by multiple open-source intelligence accounts on Monday, The War Zone reported later that day, although it's unclear where or when the interception may have occurred, if it did at all. Business Insider was not able to independently verify these claims.

It appears that Iran has supplied Russia with the newest Shahed kamikaze UAV variant (Shahed-238) with jet engine.



The first one (MJ0) was shot down by Ukrainian forces. pic.twitter.com/hWuxfEUzSV  Clash Report (@clashreport) January 8, 2024

/1. Wreckage of the Shahed shot down in Ukraine with a jet engine installed. This is the first known case of their use.https://t.co/lY3Js7yPH4 pic.twitter.com/AwlvBrDAmz  Special Kherson Cat  (@bayraktar_1love) January 8, 2024

Neither Ukraine nor Russia has officially confirmed the presence of the new Shahed-238 on the battlefield. But if Russia has it and the drone is in use there, experts say it could put significant pressure on Kyiv's formidable  but overworked  air-defense network.

Ukraine has had great success in shooting down Russia's Shahed-136 drones because it could employ cheap and mobile air-defense options  like truck-mounted guns  against a system that has an estimated cruising speed of just over 100 mph and makes an audible buzzing sound. Kyiv has often been able to reserve its more expensive and higher-end options  like the MIM-104 Patriots  for other threats, like cruise and ballistic missiles.

A faster jet engine-powered Shahed-238 means Ukraine would have a lot less time to react than it does when faced with the Shahed-136. This could force Kyiv to use more costly air-defense methods  such as its more advanced, Western-provided air-defense systems  to shoot down the threat, especially if Russia acquires a lot of these new exploding drones, said Samuel Bendett, an expert on drones and various Russian military capabilities at the Center for Naval Analyses think tank.

An Iranian schoolboy takes selfie with Iran's Shahed-136 (L), and Shahed-131 unmanned aerial vehicles during his visit to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) National Aerospace Park in western Tehran, October 11, 2023. Photo by Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images

The US and its NATO allies have outfitted Ukraine with a whole slew of air-defense systems, but Kyiv has repeatedly said additional capabilities remain a priority as the country continues to face aerial bombardments by Russia. Between Dec. 29 and Jan. 2 alone, Moscow launched some 500 missiles and drones, killing dozens of people and injuring hundreds more.

"Our defenders of the sky are doing everything possible to protect the state," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a Jan. 4 address to the nation, adding that officials "are doing everything they can to ensure the delivery of additional air defense systems and missiles."

"This is the number one priority," he added.

Indeed, while Ukraine's air-defense capabilities are significantly more advanced now than they were nearly two years ago at the start of the full-scale invasion, fears are mounting that Kyiv could soon exhaust its stockpile of interceptor missiles and ammunition as future Western security assistance, particularly that provided by the US, remains in flux.

Ukrainian air defense intercepts a Shahed drone mid-air in Kyiv on May 30, 2023. AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka, File

If Ukraine has to turn to its higher-end systems to take down the new Shahed-238s, then Kyiv could easily be looking at higher levels of expenses for air defense, "which will be difficult to sustain in the long term," said Shaan Shaikh, an expert on drones and air defense at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank.

The Shahed-238 could basically act as a substitute for a cruise missile  just cheaper, but with potentially more maneuverability and a smaller warhead, Shaikh said, adding that it's becoming more difficult to discern the differences between drones and cruise missile characteristics. Transcending these categories is one way for a military to find gaps in its adversary's air defenses.

And such is the danger of the Shahed-238. The drone could operate in "this in-between section," Shaikh said, which raises questions of how much damage Ukraine may suffer in the interim before it's able to develop effective countermeasures.

Remain of a Russian-made Shahed 136 at an exhibition on May 12, 2023 in Kyiv, Ukraine. Oleksii Samsonov /Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images

But Shaikh and Bendett said the Shahed-238 could still have potential disadvantages. The drone may be more expensive than the Shahed-136, which is estimated to cost around $20,000, and it may be easier to detect thanks to its heat signature. Jet fuel also burns quickly and the drone can likely only carry a limited amount, potentially decreasing the range from its predecessors.

Bendett said Iran will likely be taking notes on how its drones are used on the battlefield in Ukraine. This could have far-reaching implications, given the vast network of militia groups that Tehran supports in the Middle East, which has been roiled by violence for months since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war.

"We have to think what this means for other conflicts as well," he said.

The suspected transfer of Shahed-238s from Iran to Russia also underscores the deepening economic and military relationship that has emerged between Tehran and Moscow since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. US officials have repeatedly condemned the warming ties between the two pariah countries, calling them "harmful" to Kyiv, the Middle East, and the broader international community.

Read the original article on Business Insider
South Africa formally accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza and asked the International Court of Justice to order a suspension of hostilities, which have left tens of thousands of Palestinians dead, Gazan officials have said.

The case, which strikes at the heart of one of the worlds longest simmering conflicts, could result in serious legal and political ramifications for Israel and its allies, experts told McClatchy News.

But, while the court may soon issue provisional measures, the full case is likely to drag on for years.

Bringing the case

South African officials filed its case with the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the U.N.s top court established at The Hague, on Dec. 29, nearly three months into Israels war with Hamas.

Acts and omissions by Israel, South African officials said, are genocidal in character, as they are committed with the requisite specific intentto destroy Palestinians in Gaza...

Both South Africa and Israel are party to the Convention Against Genocide, a treaty over which disagreements can be adjudicated by the ICJ, Ian Hurd, a political science professor at Northwestern University, told McClatchy News.

The treaty requires all countries to prevent genocide and to prosecute anyone suspected of committing genocide (or organizing it, or attempting it, or conspiring over it), Hurd said.

Provisional measures

South African officials have requested that the court to take action soon and to issue provisional measures, which could require Israel to cease hostilities before the case is fully resolved, Robert Goldman, a professor of law at American University Washington College of Law, told McClatchy News.

Think of them as very much like an injunction, where a court requires a party to do or not to do certain things, pending its decision on the merits, Goldman said.

Requests for these measures are filed when a party believes irreparable harm will be committed without immediate action, Rebecca Hamilton, also a professor of law at American University Washington College of Law, told McClatchy News, adding that these cases are prioritized by the court.

Composed of a panel of 15 judges, the court held hearings on these measures on Jan. 11 and 12.

During these hearings, representatives for Israel argued that the country is in a war it did not start and did not want and that it is seeking to minimize civilian casualties, while Hamas attempts to maximize them.

Following the hearings, the court will either dismiss the case  an improbable possibility  or accept some or all of South Africas requested provisional measures, Goldman said.

The most likely result, if the Court finds for South Africa, is that the Court would demand that Israel live up to its obligations under the treaty, specifically by stopping whatever acts it is committing that constitute genocide or conspiracy for genocide, Hurd said.

This ruling would also likely include measures requiring unimpeded humanitarian relief to Gaza, whose population is already on the brink of starvation, Goldman said.

Response to provisional measures

While the decision will be legally binding, the court does not have a police force or other enforcement mechanism, meaning Israel will not be forced to comply with any ruling that comes down, Hurd said.

However, in the past, countries have a pretty good record of abiding by the decisions of the ICJ, even when the Court finds against them, Hurd said.

Still, there have been instances when countries have disregarded ICJ rulings, Goldman said.

Russia, for example, ignored the Courts March 2022 provisional measures to cease all military operations in Ukraine, undermining the courts authority, Goldman said.

Looking farther back, the U.S., too, has a history of spurning the courts orders. In 1979, when the U.S. brought a case against Iran over the taking of American hostages, the court ordered both parties to refrain from any actions that would alter the status quo.

Nonetheless, President Carter, ordered what was the abortive attempt through military action to rescue the hostages, Goldman said. And that was in violation of the provisional order.

If Israel adopts a similar playbook and disregards the courts orders, it would not be without ramifications, though, Goldman said.

This could create additional pressure if Israel is seen as violating provisional orders, particularly for Israels allies, Goldman said. If the Biden Administration continued to support Israel, then the U.S. would implicitly become complicit with that violation, which would likely damage the presidents credibility.

Concluding the case

Following a decision on provisional measures, the next phase of the process would deal with preliminary objections, Goldman said.

At this point, Israeli officials would offer a defense through written and oral proceedings, Goldman said. They could argue that the court does not have jurisdiction or that the country is engaged in a war of self-defense.

Then, if the court accepts that it has jurisdiction, it would decide on the merits of the dispute, namely whether Israel has committed genocide or not.

This process will take years, Goldman said, noting that the ICJ has never before ruled that a state has engaged in the crime of genocide.

However, if the court does break with precedent and rules against Israel, it could order that reparations be made to victims, Hamilton said.

What are war crimes? How are they prosecuted? What to know as Israel-Hamas war rages

Bernie Sanders proposes resolution on Israels destruction of Gaza. What does it do?

US labels dozens of groups  like Hamas  as terrorists. How is this decision made?
Tal Becker, legal advisor to Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, sits at a hearing before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), where Israel is to make its first statement on the accusation of genocide in the Gaza war. South Africa accuses Israel of systematically committing genocidal acts against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Remko De Waal/ANP/dpa

Israel firmly rejected on Friday the accusations, brought by South Africa to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, that its actions in Gaza amount to genocide.

South Africa's claim in "unfounded" and "absurd," said Tal Becker, legal advisor to the Israeli Foreign Ministry.

Victims of the Gaza war and the suffering of the civilian population were solely the responsibility of the terrorist organization Hamas. "Israel is at war with Hamas not the Palestinian people," he told the judges.

Israel has invoked its right to self-defence following the attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian extremists from Gaza on October 7.

Becker also described the massacres in which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 kidnapped from Israel, around half of whom have been released so far.

"What Israel seeks is not to destroy a people but to protect a people, its people," Becker said.

This is the first time that Israel has faced a genocide accusation before the highest court of the United Nations.

On Thursday, the first day of hearings, South Africa put forward its contention that Israel is committing "systematic" acts of genocide, citing examples of military violence and statements by Israeli politicians and military brass.

More than 23,000 Palestinians have been killed amid Israel's military campaign in Gaza, with at least 70% of them women and children, according to the Hamas-run health authority.

These initial court proceedings concern an urgent application by South Africa for the ICJ judges to order an end to Israeli military action.

The court, which is based in the Netherlands and is supposed to resolve conflicts between states, will decide on this in the coming weeks.

However, proceedings on the main issue - the genocide allegation - could take years to resolve.

Israel has repeatedly dismissed South Africa's claims as baseless.

The fight against Hamas in the Gaza Strip is "in full compliance with international law," said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday.
Tal Becker, legal advisor to Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, sits at a hearing before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), where Israel is to make its first statement on the accusation of genocide in the Gaza war. South Africa accuses Israel of systematically committing genocidal acts against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Remko De Waal/ANP/dpa

Israel firmly rejected on Friday the accusations, brought by South Africa to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, that its actions in Gaza amount to genocide.

South Africa's claim is "unfounded" and "absurd," said Tal Becker, legal advisor to the Israeli Foreign Ministry.

Victims of the Gaza war and the suffering of the civilian population were solely the responsibility of the terrorist organization Hamas. "Israel is at war with Hamas, not the Palestinian people," he told the judges.

As the proceeding ended on Friday at the UN's highest court, demonstrations were held by hundreds of Israeli and Palestinian supporters.

The ICJ is being asked to rule on two issues. The hearings that concluded on Friday concern an urgent application by South Africa for the ICJ judges to order an end to Israeli military action in Gaza. The second issue, whether Israel committed genocide, will take much longer.

The court is to decide as quickly as possible on the military action issue, court president Joan Donoghue said. A decision is expected before February 6, when the panel of judges is reassembled.

Israel has repeatedly rejected the request for an immediate ceasefire, invoking its right to self-defence following the attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian extremists from Gaza on October 7.

Becker also described the massacres in which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 kidnapped from Israel, around half of whom have been released so far.

"What Israel seeks is not to destroy a people but to protect a people, its people," Becker said.

"Hamas has systematically and unlawfully embedded its military infrastructure in ... schools, mosques, hospitals and other sensitive sites. This is a preplanned, abhorrent method of warfare," he said.

This is the first time that Israel has faced a genocide accusation before the ICJ.

On Thursday, the first day of hearings, South Africa put forward its contention that Israel is committing "systematic" acts of genocide in Gaza, citing examples of military violence and statements by Israeli politicians and military brass.

More than 23,000 Palestinians have been killed amid Israel's military campaign in the coastal strip, with at least 70% of them women and children, according to the Hamas-run health authority.

Israel has repeatedly dismissed South Africa's claims as baseless.

The fight against Hamas in the Gaza Strip is "in full compliance with international law," said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday.

According to the UN Human Rights Office, Israel is violating basic principles of international humanitarian law in its military operations in Gaza and failing to take precautionary measures to protect the civilian population.

A spokeswoman for the UN office said on Friday in Geneva that violations of international humanitarian law increase the risk of being held accountable for war crimes.

The complaint at the world court particularly affects Israel because the country was founded in the wake of the Holocaust during which about 6 million Jews were murdered by Germany's Nazi regime.

The German government has clearly sided with Israel in the genocide proceedings concerning the Gaza war.

"We know that different countries have different assessments of Israel's operation in the Gaza Strip. However, the German government firmly and explicitly rejects the accusation of genocide now being made against Israel before the International Court of Justice," said government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit in Berlin on Friday.

"This accusation has no basis whatsoever."

Hebestreit said that the German government also intends to take a corresponding stance in court if a main trial is held.

"The [German government] intends to intervene as a third party in the main hearing," he added.

Berlin considers itself particularly committed to the Convention against Genocide due to its historical responsibility for the crimes against humanity committed by the Nazis, he said.

"This convention is a central instrument of international law to implement the 'never again' principle. We firmly oppose any political exploitation," Hebestreit said.

Both South Africa and Israel have signed the Genocide Convention, thereby committing themselves not only not to commit genocide, but also to prevent it.

South Africa cited quotes from Israeli ministers in favour of the eradication of the Gaza Strip as evidence.

This was rejected by Israel's legal representatives, who argued that those were not the views of the collective government.

Decisions of the UN court are binding, but it does not have the means to enforce them.

A decision could damage Israel's reputation, however, and further increase international pressure to end the fighting in Gaza.
Israel defended its war in Gaza as a legitimate defense operation and claimed Hamas was guilty of genocide at the United Nations court Friday.

South African attorneys at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) said Israel has violated the Genocide Convention, an international treaty among 153 countries that requires nations to prevent genocide.

The attorneys blamed Israel for its widespread bombing campaign, displacement of Palestinian civilians in Gaza and for blocking aid and basic necessities from reaching the region. South Africa said Israel has conducted one of the deadliest bombing campaigns in modern war history and continued a pattern of genocidal conduct against Palestinian people.

Israel said the allegations were hypocritical and defended the air and ground campaign in Gaza as a legitimate response to the Oct. 7 surprise attack by Hamas that killed 1,200 Israelis and took more than 200 hostages, The Associated Press reported.

South Africa asked the ICJ to order a halt to Israels war and aid the civilians who have been displaced. Since Israel began its counteroffensive, more than 23,000 Palestinians have been killed.

Tal Becker, an Israeli legal adviser, told the court Friday that the country is fighting a war it did not start and did not want. He said the crisis in Gaza was not severe enough to warrant a charge of genocide, the AP reported, and said the charge and allegation were false and malevolent.

The ICJ has never ruled an entire country has committed genocide. If Israel is found in violation of the international treaty, the ruling would be final and binding, The Hill previously reported.

Even if a country is acting in self-defense, it is required by international law to follow the rules of war. It is up to the court to decide if Israel has done so.

While the United States has pushed for Israel to scale back its attack in a more precise manner, it continues to be an ally for Israel while in court.

We find it without merit, White House national security council spokesperson John Kirby said of the charges against Israel. We find it counterproductive.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
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Five Maryland co-workers hit the jackpot on Christmas Day, but some thought one co-worker was playing a joke, according to Maryland Lottery.

Others did not believe their winnings until they saw the ticket with their own eyes, they told lottery officials in a Jan. 11 news release.

The group won $540,000 playing the states rolling jackpot game, according to the Maryland Lottery, and beat 1 in 2 million odds.

None of the five had ever won a big prize before, one of the co-workers told lottery officials. Some plan to use their portion of the winnings to get ahead on bills; others may treat themselves to a vacation, the group said.

When (the employee) turned the screen around and showed me the amount, I lost it for a minute but I kept my cool, the player said in the news release.

The group works together in Baltimore and plays the lottery together weekly, officials wrote.

The ticket was purchased in Windsor Mill one week before the drawing, according to Maryland Lottery.

Windsor Mill is about 18 miles northwest of Baltimore.
Mississippi Emergency Management Agency upgraded its assessment of severe weather from "slight" to "enhanced" for most of the state for Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, and Friday, Jan. 12, 2024.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Jackson announces shelter opening

Updated at 10 a.m.: The City of Jackson, in partnership with the Red Cross of Central Mississippi, Shower Power and the People's Advocacy Institute, will manage a temporary shelter at Shepard's Gym at 1355 Hattiesburg St. (near Jim Hill High School), the City of Jackson announced.

The shelter will be open to the public beginning at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 15. Food and cots will be available.

City leaders caution residents to stay home if possible in the event of wintry precipitation. Unlike Northern cities, Jackson and much of Mississippi is not equipped to deal with widespread freezing precipitation, a press release states. These conditions can lead to a mixture of snow, sleet and freezing rain, which makes traveling on Jackson roadways perilous. Residents are advised to monitor National Weather Service forecasts and local media reports.

Also, the Jackson Police Department is implementing a security plan and is going to 12-hour shifts to accommodate residents during this extreme weather, city officials said.

Cold weather tips provided by the City of Jackson.

Area schools

Area schools are keeping an eye on the weather as emergency officials warned of possible damaging winds and rains into the morning hours on Friday.

Much of the area was placed under a tornado watch until 11 a.m.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency reported the risk of severe weather overnight was upgraded Thursday afternoon.

"There's an enhanced risk for a large portion of the state," MEMA said on X, formerly known as Twitter. "Risks include widespread damaging winds from 60 to 80 mph and numerous power outages. Tornadoes cant be ruled out."

6:20 a.m.: Madison County Schools open Friday

Madison County Schools announced the district will remain open as normal Friday.

"While we remain alert to weather conditions," the district statement read, "MCS plans to observe a regular school schedule on Friday."

The district announced it is monitoring the weather and will communicate any changes.

5:30 a.m.: Jackson Public Schools open on Friday

Jackson Public Schools will operate as normal on Friday. The district issued the following statement Friday morning:

"Jackson Public Schools will resume its regular schedule this morning. All schools will be open for in-person learning. We will continue to monitor the weather conditions and notify you of any changes."

The cities of Jackson, Flowood and Byram remain in a boil-water notice on Friday.

5 a.m. Friday: Tornado watch issued for Central Mississippi

The National Weather Service in Jackson has issued a tornado watch for much of Central Mississippi until 11 a.m. Friday.

All of the Jackson area is included, with Hinds, Madison, Rankin and Warren counties all on the tornado watch list by the NWS.

The tornado watch also includes the Mississippi Delta, including neighboring counties such as Yazoo County. Parts of Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas are also included.

Rankin County schools watching weather overnight

Rankin County School District officials are "closely monitoring the forecast for potential severe weather in our area."

"In collaboration with Rankin County Emergency Management officials and the National Weather Service, we are dedicated to prioritizing safety in our decision-making process," the district announced on Facebook. "At this time, we will continue with a normal school day schedule tomorrow."

 Ross Reily, Clarion Ledger

Madison County schools monitoring weather

Madison County School District officials said they will continue to monitor the weather. They encouraged parents to say weather aware by following local news and the district's website and social media.

"MCS will make a decision regarding any possible school schedule changes as more accurate information about the projected timing and intensity of the storms becomes available," the district reported. "In the meantime, please remember to charge school devices as a precaution."

 Ross Reily, Clarion Ledger

This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Tornado watch issued for Central Mississippi, Jackson area
Mayor Scott Conger discusses the city's emergency shelter plan for the upcoming freezing weather during a press conference on January 11, 2024 in Jackson, Tenn.

As temperatures are expected to drop near and below zero, the city of Jackson is preparing for the inclement weather with an emergency shelter plan.

In a release on Thursday, the National Weather Service warned of temperatures across the Mid-South region potentially remaining below freezing for 72 hours or longer, beginning on Monday.

During a press conference on Thursday morning, Mayor Scott Conger shared the strategy for combatting the cold and ensuring the safety of the city's unhoused population.

More: 'Peace of mind and stress off my heart': How Jackson is addressing homelessness in winter

More: Local organizations helping homeless find shelter in cold temperatures

Beginning on Jan. 14 at 4 p.m. and through Jan. 17 last 9 a.m., those seeking aid from the inclement weather can do so at the following locations:

Emergency shelter for men will be at the Carl Perkins Civic Center and will be closed to the public during this time. Room in the Inn will also be held at the Civic Center.

Emergency shelter for women and children will be provided at the First United Methodist Church Mission Center at 200 South Church St. in downtown.

Community members pose for a photo as they commemorate the Men's Homeless Shelter groundbreaking in Jackson Tenn. on Wednesday, Apr. 19, 2023.

More: First homeless shelter for men breaks ground in Jackson

Service animals will be allowed with those who seek shelter at these locations. Additionally, the Jackson Police Department will transport individuals to the shelters if requested or encountered, according to a city press release.

"I think that what we've worked on in creating a plan going forward is how we can provide security, how we can provide those people to volunteer and be trained. Some of our officers that will be there and everyone will be there [at the shelters] at the time is crisis-trained as well," Conger said.

For those looking to donate, either materials or monetarily, can do so at the following locations:

Non-perishable food items at RIFA (133 Airways Blvd.)

Toiletries and clothing at either of the respective shelter locations (Civic Center or FUMC Mission Center)

Hope and Healing Foundation for monetary donations (Contact Vicki Lake).

Area Relief Ministries and Tennessee Homeless Solutions will commence outreach efforts at encampments, advising those who wish to be relocated to the emergency shelter facilities to be ready to be picked up at 3 p.m. on January 14.

Sarah Best is a reporter for The Jackson Sun. She can be reached at

This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: Jackson mayor shares emergency shelter plan ahead of freezing weather
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) demanded former President Donald Trump return the $7.8 million foreign governments paid to his company while he served as president in a letter released on Friday.

I write today to demand that you immediately return to the American people the $7,886,072 that we know you have accepted from foreign governments in violation of the U.S. Constitutions Foreign Emoluments Clause  a fact you admitted, once again, at a Fox News town hall this week, Raskin wrote in the letter addressed to Trump.

Trump admitted that foreign governments paid his Trump Organization millions of dollars for hotel stays during a Fox News town hall in Iowa on Wednesday.

If I have a hotel and somebody comes in from China, thats a small amount of money and it sounds like a lot of money, Trump said. Thats a small [amount of money], but I was doing services for that.

After becoming president, Trump refused to divest from his business empire of hotels, real estate, golf courses and resorts and maintained control through a revocable trust led by his sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump. During his presidency, those businesses received $7.8 million in payments from foreign governments, according to a report released by Raskin and House Oversight Committee Democrats on Jan. 3.

Those payments violated the Constitutions Foreign Emoluments Clause forbidding officers of the United States from receiving anything of value from a foreign government without consent from Congress, according to Raskin.

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) called on former President Donald Trump to return $7.8 million in foreign government payments he received while president.

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) called on former President Donald Trump to return $7.8 million in foreign government payments he received while president.

Trump and his sons have justified the payments from foreign governments like China and Saudi Arabia as simple payments for services rendered at hotels. They claimed to have donated profits received from foreign government payments to the U.S. Treasury. This policy, however, only applied to some of Trumps properties and only some of the payments made by foreign governments.

The Emoluments Clause, however, explicitly forbids receipt of anything of value from foreign governments  not just profits  as Raskin noted.

[I]t is hard to imagine a more ludicrous and half-hearted approach to the categorical prohibition in the Constitution than The Trump Organizations voluntary donation policy, which was grossly underinclusive in several other respects, Raskin writes. By its own terms, the policy applied only to certain Trump properties, excluded state-controlled entities, and was not subject to any kind of audit or inspection.

In addition to repaying the full $7.8 million Trump received from foreign governments to the U.S. Treasury, Raskin called on the former president and 2024 presidential candidate to provide Congress with a full accounting of all payments, benefits, or other emoluments you received from foreign governments or their agents, including through the more than 500 entities you own, during your term as president.

Trump faced extensive lawsuits while president that challenged his receipt of foreign government payments as unconstitutional under the emoluments clause. Those cases ended in 2021 when the Supreme Court declared them moot after he left office. Trump falsely claimed that he won the emoluments cases during a Fox News town hall on Wednesday.

Raskins letter to Trump demanding he repay his foreign government payments comes as Republicans seek to impeach President Joe Biden for allegedly receiving payments from foreign governments through his son, Hunter Biden. Republicans, however, have not presented nor found any evidence that such payments to Biden occurred or exist. Raskin has instead shown that Trump received copious payments from foreign governments, including $5.5 million from China.

Read the letter in full below.

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2024-01-12.JBR to Trump Re ... by Paul Blumenthal
As former President Donald Trump awaits trial, so too does a Salisbury man and former public official for his alleged role in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the United States Capitol.

Carlos Ayala, until this week a member of the Maryland State Board of Elections, was arrested Tuesday, and charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with civil disorder, a felony, and related misdemeanor offenses.

According to allegations contained in court documents, Ayala was identified as among a group of rioters illegally gathered on restricted Capitol grounds, said a release from U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia. Ayala is seen on video footage climbing over police barricades and making his way to the Upper West Terrace of the Capitol as rioters overran the police lines.

Carlos Ayala of Salisbury, Maryland is charged with civil disorder, a felony, and more for his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Ayala climbing police barricade to access Capitols Upper West Terrace.

An altercation with United States Capitol Police is described in the release, and according to the document, Ayala walked the length of the police line, gestured at the officers, and said, Join us!

Reached by the Daily Times, Ayalas lawyer, James Trusty, said: No comment at this time.

Original story on Carlos Ayala: Salisbury man arrested in connection with Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Here's everything to know.

Jan. 6 suspect resigns from Maryland Elections Board

The fallout from the arrest of Ayala, a retired Perdue executive, on Tuesday was first slow, then swift.

I have accepted the immediate resignation of Carlos Ayala, said Maryland State Board of Elections Board Chair Michael Summers, in a release on Thursday. The Board is committed to maintaining the security and integrity of our elections in Maryland in a non-partisan manner. The State Board will remain steadfast in our mission to oversee our elections process and serve as a trusted source of information for all Marylanders during this presidential election year.

He was unanimously approved by the state Senates Executive Nominations Committee after being introduced by state Sen. Mary Beth Carozza, R-Worcester/Wicomico/Somerset last March, receiving the green light to begin a four-year term on the board on July 1, 2023.

Carlos Ayala of Salisbury, Maryland is charged with civil disorder, a felony, and more for his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Ayala on the Upper West Terrace.

In a statement, Nicole Beus Harris, the chairwoman of the Maryland Republican Party, said the state party believes in the 1st Amendment and in the American principle that one is innocent until proven guilty.

(The U.S. Constitutions First Amendment, in part, protects the right of the people peaceably to assemble.)

The statement of Harris, the wife of Maryland Congressman Andy Harris, R-1, continued.

That said, Mr. Ayala did choose to resign because he believes that the 2024 elections process and the State Board of Elections is extremely important and should not be muddied with distraction, she said.

App tracks Maryland flooding: Flooding photographs can be put to good use with Maryland-backed app

Salisbury Capitol riot suspect also resigns from Wicomico committee

Similarly, Assistant Director of Administration for Wicomico County Matthew Leitzel confirmed Carlos Ayala resigned on Jan. 10 from the countys Administrative Charging Committee, a five-member body designed make determinations on whether a police officer should be charged and appear before a trial board after allegations of misconduct.

Ayala had been unanimously selected to a two-year term on the committee on Oct. 19, 2022 by the Wicomico County Police Accountability Board, which is comprised of community members whose professions include a pastor, a farmer, and former law enforcement.

The Chair of both the countys Police Accountability Board and Administrative Charging Committee, Ron Lewis, who retired as a Maryland State Police officer after 28 years, said: Im not authorized to speak on behalf of the county when reached by phone on Friday.

That Administrative Charging Committee has reviewed 15 cases since its inception, and has eight cases pending, according to Leitzel. The countys Police Accountability Board is scheduled to meet next week. The countys administrative charging committee is scheduled to meet Jan. 23.

Oysters thrive in Maryland: Oysters enjoy 'prolific' year all around Chesapeake Bay. Here's what to know.

Court date set for Jan. 6 Capitol riot suspect Carlos Ayala

A court hearing for Ayala is scheduled for Feb. 8, 2024, at the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, according to court documents accessed online, which also stipulate the conditions for his release in the interim.

More than 1,265 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 440 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony, said a press release from the United States Department of Justice, The investigation remains ongoing.

The release also said: All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

In this file photo, (L-R) US Capitol Police Sergeant Aquilino Gonell, DC Metropolitan Police Department Officer Michael Fanone, DC Metropolitan Police Department Officer Daniel Hodges and US Capitol Police Private First Class Harry Dunn, are sworn in before members of the Select Committee, as they investigate the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol, during their first hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on July 27, 2021.

No one is above the law, said Harry Dunn, who worked as a U.S. Capitol Police officer who was attacked on Jan. 6, 2021 and is now running for U.S. Congress in Marylands third district, in a public post online Thursday.

Dwight A. Weingarten is an investigative reporter, covering the Maryland State House and state issues. He can be reached at dweingarten@gannett.com or on Twitter at @DwightWeingart2.

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: After resignations, Jan. 6 defendant Carlos Ayala gets court date
A Connecticut man pleaded guilty Friday to Capitol breach charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021, riots.

Gino DiGiovanni Jr., a former city alderman who ran an unsuccessful mayoral bid in Derby, Conn.,  a town outside of New Haven  made his plea by videoconference. His sentencing is set for April 15, and he faces up to six months in jail.

DiGiovanni was charged for going in and staying in the restricted area of the U.S. Capitol without authorization.

Martin Minnella, DiGiovannis lawyer, found the charge fair, but he hopes his client can learn from it.

He didnt break anything. He didnt force his way in, Minnella told The Associated Press. But he did remain in there when he wasnt authorized. This is an aberration in his life, and hopefully he can turn the page.

DiGiovanni won the citys Republican primary by ousting incumbent Mayor Richard Dziekan. Ultimately, he lost the general election in November to Democratic candidate Joseph DiMartino.

Three years since the Jan. 6 insurrection, more than 1,200 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the breach. About two-thirds of the nearly 750 who have been sentenced served jail time. Federal prosecutors are still in a search for at least 80 suspects connected to the Capitol breach.

Minnella said Jan. 6 was a terrible situation, but his client was there to exercise his rights.

Certainly we dont condone the conduct of a lot of other people, he added. It was a terrible situation that got out of control.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The new moon of January will be at 6:57 a.m. Eastern Time on January 11, according to the U.S. Naval Observatory , and a day later the planet Mercury will reach its greatest westward separation from the sun, showing itself as a "morning star."

New moons happen when the sun and moon share the same celestial longitude, a position also called conjunction. At new phase, you can't see the moon from Earth because the illuminated side is facing away from us.

New moons are only visible during solar eclipses; The only way to see the new moon is when it passes in front of the sun, causing a solar eclipse , which isn't happening this month (the next one is slated for April 8).

Related: New moon calendar 2024: When is the next new moon?

Visible Planets

TOP TELESCOPE PICK:

A Celestron telescope on a white background

Looking for a telescope to see the planets of the solar system up close? We recommend the Celestron Astro Fi 102 as the top pick in our best beginner's telescope guide.

The day after the new moon (Jan. 12), the sun rises at 7:19 a.m. Eastern Time in New York. Mercury rises at 5:40 a.m. , so by 7 a.m. it will be about 12 degrees high in the southeast. The planet reaches greatest western elongation that afternoon at 2:18 p.m., according to skywatching site In-the-Sky.org. Mercury will still be hard to see, but one can use Venus, which will be about 19 degrees high, to find it.

Venus is the single brightest star-like object in the sky, and it will be above and to the right of Mercury, which is fainter and only just visible as the sky starts to get light. One should try to spot Mercury as soon as possible after it rises, since the brightening sky will make it harder to see as sunrise approaches.

As one goes southwards the observing prospects for Mercury improve because the angle of Mercury's orbit (as viewed from Earth) with the horizon gets steeper. If one is in Miami, for example, Mercury rises at 5:29 a.m. and by sunrise, which is at 7:09 a.m. , Mercury is a full 18 degrees high. The innermost planet won't be visible at that point as the sky is too bright, but by 6:30 a.m. it will be about 12 degrees above the southeastern horizon.

a gray planet covered in craters

The best observing prospects are near the equator. In Quito, sunrise on Jan 12 is at 6:15 a.m. and Mercury rises at 4:38 a.m. local time . By sunrise it is a full 23 degrees high in the southeast, and a half hour before sunrise at 5:45 a.m. Mercury is 15 degrees high. As one moves into the Southern Hemisphere the planet's elevation will decrease again; in Buenos Aires, the planet rises at 4:13 a.m. , with sunrise at 5:53 a.m. A half hour before sunrise the planet is about 12 degrees high in the southeast; as in the Northern Hemisphere one can use Venus to find Mercury; Venus, about 22 degrees above the eastern horizon, will be above and to the left of Mercury.

On the day of the new moon, Venus is still a bright morning star , and when the moon is not out it is the last celestial object one can see with the naked eye; it is a distinct, bright star even relatively close to sunrise. Venus rises at 4:45 a.m. on Jan. 11 in New York, with sunrise at 6:49 a.m. By sunrise the planet's altitude is 17 degrees.

a pale yellow planet in the night sky

As with Mercury, the planet's appears further above the horizon as one approaches the equator and then starts to drop again as one gets into the Southern Hemisphere. In San Juan, Puerto Rico. For example, the planet rises at 4:27 a.m. local time and by sunrise ( 6:59 a.m. ) the planet is a full 30 degrees above the eastern horizon. In Quito the planet rises earlier, at 3:46 a.m., and one would see the planet almost directly above Mercury in the east-southeast. And by sunrise at 6:17 a,m., Venus is 34 degrees above the horizon.

The day of the new moon also is when Mars will start to emerge from the sun's glare in the predawn hours. From New York City (and locations of similar latitude) Mars rises at 6:23 a.m. local time , just 26 minutes before the Sun  count oneself lucky if you can spot it. In more southerly locations Mars rises further ahead of the sun, but not by much; in Quito, for example, the planet rises at 5:12 a.m. local time, but sunrise is at 6:18 a.m., and a half hour before sunrise the planet is only about 8 degrees high. As January progresses the planet will appear further west of the Sun, as the Sun moves eastwards against the background stars , making it more visible and part of a line of three terrestrial (or rocky) planets stretching from the horizon upwards in the predawn hours.

In the evening sky, Jupiter and Saturn are both visible from locations at about 41 degrees North  New York, Chicago, Omaha, or Madrid (Spain) -- in the evening, and both are in the southern half of the sky. By about 6:30 p.m., when the sky is fully dark, Jupiter will be just west of due south, a bright yellow-white "star" about 61 degrees above the horizon. Saturn will be fainter, and much closer to the southwestern horizon as the planet sets at 8:22 p.m. in New York. Jupiter sets at later at 1:34 a.m. on Jan. 12. For Southern Hemisphere sky watchers the situation is similar in the mid-latitudes; in Melbourne, Australia, for example, on the evening of Jan. 11 Saturn sets at 11:05 p.m. local time, and the planet is about 17 degrees high in the west by 9:30 p.m. (sunset in Melbourne is at 8:46 p.m.) with Jupiter 36 degrees above the horizon in the north-northwest. Jupiter is in the northern half of the sky because from the Southern latitudes the sky is "reversed" (though in fact it's just that one is seeing the stars from the opposite side of the equator).

Stars and Constellations

Winter constellations are in full swing for Northern Hemisphere observers in January. By about 6 p.m. Orion, the Hunter, is completely above the Eastern horizon, and one can watch its stars appear as the sky darkens. Orion faces Taurus , which early in the evening is above the Hunter (the constellation is actually to the west and north). One can see the Hyades, a cluster of bright stars that is the "face" of the bull.

Looking left, above Orion's head, one sees Gemini, the Twins, and the two stars Castor and Pollux . Castor is the uppermost of the two stars, as the Twins are on their "side" just after they get above the horizon. North and west of the Twins  above them in the early evening -- is Auriga, the Charioteer. Auriga contains the bright star Capella, which from the latitude of New York City and above never sets  it is one of the circumpolar stars.

By about 9 p.m. on Jan. 21, Canis Major and Canis Minor, the "hunting dogs" of Orion, have both cleared the horizon and are in the southeast. Canis Major is below Orion (to its south) while Canis Minor is to the east (on Orion's right, the observer's left). Canis Major, the Big Dog, contains Sirius , the brightest star in the sky. Looking left and above Sirius one will see Procyon, the brightest star in the Little Dog. Procyon, Sirius and Betelgeuse in Orion form the Winter Triangle asterism that is easy to see even from light-polluted locations in cities and suburbs.

By 11 p.m. Leo the Lion is fully above the horizon; one can spot it by looking for Sirius which by that point is almost due south, and turning to the left (eastwards) and upwards; one will see Procyon to the southeast. Continue left from Procyon and downwards slightly until one is facing nearly eastward; one should be ablw to see Regulus, or Alpha Leonis, also called Cor Leonis, the Heart of the Lion. Continue diagonally towards the horizon and one encounters Denebola, the Lion's tail.

By this time of night Orion is fully "upright" with the Belt stars making a line from east to west angled slightly upwards; it's much easier to see the shape that forms Orion's shoulders and legs. If one looks at the three stars of the Belt, Betelgeuse is the one above and to the left, while Rigel, Orion's foot, is below and to the right. If the local city lights are not too bright one can spot a fainter star just above and to the right of Rigel; this is the start of Eridanus, the River, and the star is called Cursa or Beta Eridani, as it is the second-brightest star in the constellation. Eridanus' brightest star, Achernar, isn't visible at all from north of 33 degrees latitude. In the continental U.S. that means one must be in one of the states along the Gulf Coast, the southern half of Arizona or New Mexico, or San Diego.

The Orion constellation as seen over the Mayall 4-meter Telescope on Kitt Peak, in southern Arizona.

For Southern Hemisphere observers, January is when Puppis, Carina and Vela, the three constellations that make up the ship (connected to the Argo, the famous ship of Jason and the Argonauts) are prominent. As it is the austral summer the sun doesn't set until after 8 p.m.; for the sky to get fully dark one must wait until about 9:30 p.m. At that point in the northeastern sky one would see an "upside down" Orion, with the Belt stars above Betelgeuse, which from Melbourne is below and to the right.

Rigel, meanwhile, is upwards and to the left, and this time when one follows the River from Cursa, one goes up a full 62 degrees to a point just west of north to Achernar. If one uses Betelgeuse and Sirius as "pointers," one can draw a line between them southwards (this will be to the right) and above that line is the bright Canopus, the brightest star in Carina, the Ship's Keel, about 52 degrees high and due east. Carina is one of three constellations that make up the legendary Argo, the ship Theseus the hero of Greek legend sailed. Between Canopus and Sirius is a group of seven fainter stars that forms a long shape something like a foot and an ankle; that's Puppis, the Poop Deck. Look just south (to the right) and one can see a ring-shaped group of stars that is Vela, the Sail.

Turning a bit further south  it will be to the right  one can see Crux, the Southern Cross, just between 12 and 17 degrees high in the south-southeast. From the latitude of Melbourne Crux is circumpolar  it never sets. Crux is one of the smallest of the 88 constellations in the sky; at that hour in January it is pointed towards the horizon. If one turns nearly due south one will see Rigil Kentaurus, otherwise known as Alpha Centauri . The Centaur is mostly below the horizon, but by midnight the constellation has almost completely risen.

If you are hoping to catch a look at the planets or anything else in the night sky during new moons, our guides to the best telescopes and best binoculars are a great place to start.

And if you're looking to snap photos of any of these or the night sky in general, check out our guide on how to photograph the moon, how to photograph the planets, as well as our best cameras for astrophotography and best lenses for astrophotography.
FILE PHOTO: Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi looks on during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken,

By Suleiman Al-Khalidi

AMMAN (Reuters) -Jordan said on Friday Israeli "war crimes" against Palestinians were to blame for heightened regional tension and violence in the Red Sea which it said threatened to ignite a wider war in the Middle East.

Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi also voiced support for South Africa's "genocide" case against Israel at the U.N.'s top court over the war against Hamas in Gaza, and said Amman was ready to submit legal documents and appear in court if the case proceeds.

Israel has denied allegations that it has committed war crimes, and rejected as "grossly distorted" the accusations brought by South Africa that the military operation in Gaza is a state-led genocide campaign against the Palestinian population.

In comments after the U.S. and Britain launched strikes on Houthi military targets in Yemen in response to the movement's attacks on ships in the Red Sea, Safadi said the international community had failed to act to stop Israeli "aggression" against Palestinians which was endangering regional security.

"The Israeli aggression on Gaza and its continued committing of war crimes against the Palestinian people and violating international law with impunity are responsible for the rising tensions witnessed in the region," Safadi said in remarks carried by state media.

The stability of the region and its security were closely tied, Safadi said.

"The international community is at a humanitarian, moral, legal and security crossroads," he said.

"Either it shoulders its responsibilities and ends Israel's arrogant aggression and protect civilians, or allows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his extremist ministers to drag us to a regional war that threatens world peace."

Safadi said Israel was pushing the region towards more conflict "by continuing its aggression and its attempt to open new fronts," and that Israeli military actions against civilians in Gaza met the legal definition of genocide.

"Jordan supports South Africa in its case against Israel," he said. "We will submit legal documentation and appear at the court when or if the case is accepted."

(Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi; editing by Mark Heinrich and Timothy Heritage)
A judge has taken the unusual step of seeking to ban a Cook County prosecutor from his courtroom, alleging a business-related conflict of interest, according to a court order filed Thursday.

Judge Michael McHale, who presides over criminal cases at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, entered a court order that said Michelle Mbekeani, newly appointed head of the Conviction Review Unit, is removed from this case as a representative of the People and shall also refrain from appearing as a representative of the People on any other case assigned to this courtroom.

The order stemmed from a spat over Mbekeanis connection to a business venture that connects defendants seeking to overturn their convictions with lawyers while serving as a prosecutor handling post-conviction cases for the states attorneys office.

Mbekeani recently replaced Nancy Adduci as head of the Conviction Review Unit, previously called the Conviction Integrity Unit, under States Attorney Kim Foxx. Adducis role as head of a unit that reviews potential wrongful convictions had come under scrutiny in the past year due to her prosecution of defendants accused of shooting and killing Chicago police Officer Clifton Lewis in 2011.

The states attorneys office in June dropped charges against two of the three suspects amid accusations from defense attorneys of misconduct on the part of the police and prosecutors who handled the case.

In a statement, the states attorneys office said the complaints about Mbekeani are unfounded and detract from our critical mission.

Casting doubt on Michelles commitment and integrity leads to significant delays in our work, which have severe consequences  not only prolonging the wrongful incarceration of innocent individuals but also impeding the healing and closure needed by victims and their families, the office said in a statement.

The judge did not immediately respond to a message left at his chambers.

The issue came to a head during post-conviction proceedings for Dante Brown, who is asking a court for a new sentence in his double murder case. Brown, who was 19 at the time of the double homicide, is arguing that his life sentence for murder is unconstitutional given his status as a a severely intellectually disabled teenager, according to the petition.

Mbekeani, who represents the state in the case, launched a venture called Period, which offers legal help to people who are incarcerated, according to a description of the project by the University of Chicago Law School.

In a court order in Browns case, McHale wrote that he held a conflicts hearing to determine if ASA (assistant states attorney) Mbekeani should remain on this case as a representative of the People on Monday. The order said McHale asked Mbekeani questions about the project, to which she responded that it was a class project.

He wrote in the order that he finds that a conflict of interest exists for Mbekeani.

Based on the testimony from the hearing of January 8th and in addition to her prior statements made in court and to the media, this court makes the following finding: that a per se conflict of interest exists on the part of ASA Mbekeani given her commitment and duty to represent the interests of victims of crime and their families while contemporaneously serving as the Registered Agent, Director, President and CEO of a corporation that works on behalf of defendants and defense attorneys on post-conviction cases, he wrote. In light of this per se conflict, ASA Mbekeani is hereby removed from this case.

The prosecutors office pushed back on this finding, writing that Mbekeanis leadership of the Conviction Review Unit is anchored in her unparalleled experience, deep knowledge, and fervent dedication to justice reform.

Michelles academic project, which centers on due process for incarcerated individuals, underscores the crucial societal need to support and rehabilitate those unjustly affected by our justice system, the statement said. We are immensely proud to have Michelle, a professional so deeply committed to rectifying historical inequities, leading the charge against corruption and restoring trust in our legal processes.

Mbekeani joined the office in 2018 as a legal and policy adviser and was previously an attorney at the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law.

McHale, a former prosecutor, has been a judge since 2006.

mabuckley@chicagotribune.com
MADISON  Republican lawmakers do not have the authority to remove or replace the state's top election official, and the Wisconsin Elections Commission has no duty to do so, a Dane County judge ruled Friday.

Dane County Circuit Judge Ann Peacock ruled that Wisconsin Elections Commission administrator Meagan Wolfe is legally holding over in her position in a decision blocking Republican legislative leaders from taking actions to oust her. The decision follows an October order temporarily blocking them from doing so.

"The Legislature has fanned the hyper-partisan flames by engaging in several high-profile unequivocal official acts to purportedly remove Administrator Wolfe without publicly disclosing for months that their acts were 'symbolic' rather than supported by the law," Peacock wrote. "That lack of transparency and their willingness to attempt actions contrary to the law are precisely the reasons why a permanent injunction is appropriate in this case."

Wolfe oversees a commission that has been under fire for three years because of false claims put forward by former President Donald Trump to convince supporters he actually won an election that he lost and because of policies commissioners approved during the 2020 presidential election to navigate hurdles presented by the coronavirus pandemic.

President Joe Biden defeated Trump in 2020 by about 21,000 votes in Wisconsin  a result that has been confirmed by two recounts paid by Trump, state audits, a partisan review, a conservative study and multiple lawsuits.

In September, the state Senate in a party-line vote rejected the appointment of Wolfe. Minutes after the vote, Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul filed a lawsuit asking a judge to block Republican legislative leaders from appointing a new administrator and to declare Wolfe administrator, arguing the Senate did not have the power to oust her. Meanwhile, Wolfe said she would not leave her job until a court told her to do so.

Even though lawmakers voted Wolfe out, she stayed in her job because the vote to fire her wasn't recognized by Wolfe or Democrats as legitimate. That's because the Republican-controlled state Senate forced a vote on Wolfe's future even though the bipartisan elections commission charged with hiring her did not put forward a nomination of Wolfe to consider.

When Wolfe's term expired in June, the six members of the commission agreed Wolfe should stay in her job but failed to find consensus on how to respond to an effort by Senate Republicans to oust her.

Ultimately, the commission did not put forward the four votes required by law to reappoint Wolfe, with Democratic commissioners arguing a recent state Supreme Court ruling that allows such officials to stay in their positions beyond the expiration of their terms protects Wolfe's job.

Senate Republicans decided to move forward anyway. Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, contended the 3-0 commission vote that resulted in a failed motion to reappoint Wolfe was actually enough votes to reappoint Wolfe, even though state law says such votes require a majority of commissioners, or four votes.

"They could have voted no. They didnt vote no. That would have been a tie vote. But it was a unanimous vote," LeMahieu said after a floor session during which Republicans voted to move forward with Wolfe's nomination. "3-0 is a two-thirds vote."

But in an Oct. 16 filing, LeMahieu's attorneys claimed the opposite  admitting the commission's 3-0 vote on Wolfe "did not effectuate an appointment," that Wolfe is lawfully in her current position as a holdover, and that "the Senate has no power to act on an appointment where there is no pending appointment."

The legislative leaders also said in that filing that the Legislature's Joint Committee on Legislative Organization has "no power to appoint an interim administrator while Administrator Wolfe is holding over," despite public statements indicating they would pursue that approach.

The GOP leaders asked the court to order the elections commission to appoint an administrator for a four-year term "irrespective of whether a vacancy exists" no later than Nov. 1.

Peacock's ruling found that Wolfe is lawfully holding over in her position, the elections commission did not vote to appoint Wolfe to a new term and has no duty to appoint a replacement, and the Joint Committee on Legislative Organization has no power to appoint a replacement for a lawful holdover. Republican lawmakers are barred from "taking any official action contrary to these declarations," according to the decision, which may be appealed.

In a statement, Wolfe said she is "grateful for the clarity and stability that the court's decision provides for Wisconsin's elections system."

"I hope this will put an end to attempts by some to target nonpartisan election officials and fabricate reasons to disrupt Wisconsin elections," Wolfe said. "The effort to undermine me was especially cruel given that the defendant legislators themselves admitted in court that I remain the lawful administrator. We have important work to do to prepare for the election year ahead and I look forward to returning my full focus to that work now that this unnecessary distraction is behind us."

Spokespeople for Republican legislative leaders did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Jessie Opoien can be reached at jessie.opoien@jrn.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Judge blocks Republican effort to remove elections chief Meagan Wolfe
To the chagrin of James and Jennifer Crumbley, a judge has ruled that two eyewitnesses to their son's mass shooting at Oxford High School will be allowed to testify at their upcoming trials, and, the jury will be allowed to see video footage of the rampage.

The witnesses are a teacher who was shot in the arm by the Crumbleys' son, and an assistant principal who encountered the shooter in the hallway during his rampage, and tried to save the life of one of his victims, who did not make it.

The Crumbleys had sought to keep the witnesses from testifying, and keep the video out of trial, arguing the footage and witness testimony are irrelevant to their case and potentially prejudicial. Specifically, they maintain that their charges involve their actions before the shooting, not during, and that what happened inside the school that day could unfairly inflame the passions of the jury.

Jennifer Crumbley, sat to the left of attorney Mariell Lehman as her husband, James Crumbley sat to the right in the Oakland County courtroom of Judge Cheryl Matthews on March 22, 2022, regarding pretrial matters.

"All evidence offered by the parties is 'prejudicial' to some extent, but the fear of prejudice does not generally render the evidence inadmissible," Oakland County Circuit Judge Cheryl Matthews wrote in her Thursday ruling, concluding the video and eyewitness testimony are "relevant" to proving the crime alleged in this case: involuntary manslaughter.

Jennifer and James Crumbley are accused of causing the deaths of Hana St. Juliana, 14; Madisyn Baldwin, 17; Tate Myre, 16, and Justin Shilling, 17. All were killed by their son, who carried out the shooting using a gun that his parents had bought him as an early Christmas present. Seven others were also injured in the shooting, including a teacher.

More: Judge orders separate trials for James, Jennifer Crumbley in Oxford H.S. shooting case

Prosecutors allege the parents, who will have separate trials, ignored a troubled son who was spiraling out of control, but instead of getting him help they bought him a gun  the same one he used in the massacre. They are also accused of failing to notify school officials about that gun when given the opportunity.

Matthews, meanwhile, did set some limits regarding the eyewitness testimony. Specifically, the judge prohibited the witnesses from testifying about any aid they gave to victims, or discuss any suffering or emotional trauma they have endured, maintaining such testimony "is not relevant to prove the elements ... of involuntary manslaughter."

Jennifer and James Crumbley are joined by their attorneys in the Oakland County Courtroom of Judge Cheryl Matthews on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023.

Rather, Matthews has ordered that the eyewitness testimony will focus on the following: the identification of the shooter and the gun that was used in the massacre; the location of the weapon and any observations the witnesses made of the shooter, who carried out his crime using a gun his parents had bought him as an early Christmas present.

"The court will allow testimony from (the eyewitnesses) to the extent that it is probative on whether there was 'killing of another,' " Matthews writes, concluding the eyewitness testimony is relevant to the charges in this case  involuntary manslaughter  and that the prosecution has a right to present "probative" evidence as it bears the burden of proving its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

In this case, the stakes are especially high as the prosecution is trying to do what has never been done before in America: hold parents responsible for a mass school shooting.

Prosecutors have accused the Crumbleys of ignoring a troubled son who was spiraling out of control, and instead of getting him help they bought him a gun  the same one he used in the Nov. 30, 2021, shooting at Oxford High School. Four students died and seven others were injured, including the teacher who will testify on behalf of the prosecution at the Crumbleys' trials.

The prosecution has noted that the two eyewitnesses it will be calling will be the only shooting witnesses to testify at the Crumbleys' trial, despite the fact there were 1,800 witnesses that day.

The witnesses who will testify against the Crumbleys are: Assistant Principal Kristy Gibson-Marshall, who tried to save Tate Myres life in the hallway, where she found him lying on the ground with a gunshot wound to the back of his head, and gave him mouth to mouth as she waited for paramedics.

Oxford High School Assistant Principal Kristy Gibson-Marshall describes the shooting scene at the high school during testimony on July 28, 2023, in Pontiac, Mich. Prosecutors are making their case that the Michigan teenager, Ethan Crumbley, should be sentenced to life in prison for killing four students at his high school in 2021. Prosecutors introduced dark journal entries written by Crumbley, plus chilling video and testimony from a wounded staff member.

It was crushing. I had to help him. I had to save him, for his mom, Gibson-Marshall testified during a summer hearing that brought many in the courtroom to tears. I just kept talking to him. I told him that I love him, that I needed him to hang with me.

Gibson-Marshall also encountered Crumbley during his rampage that day. She saw him from a distance, walked toward him and said: 'Are you OK, what's going on?' "

Crumbley didnt respond. He kept walking, so she tended to the student on the ground  Tate Myre.

Jurors will also hear from teacher Molly Darnell, who locked eyes with the gunman before he opened fire on her, striking her arm, about 6 inches from her heart.

Educator Molly Darnell describes where she was shot by Ethan Crumbley during a hearing on Thursday, July 27, 2023, in Pontiac, Mich. Oakland County judge Kwame Rowe is hearing evidence starting Thursday to help him decide whether the teen who killed four students and injured six others and a teacher in November 2021 at Oxford High School should be sentenced to prison without the chance of parole.

"I love you. Active shooter," Darnell texted her husband that day. She would eventually quit her job at Oxford, and later testify at a hearing involving the shooter's punishment: "Do you know how hard it is to heal from something like this?"

The shooter, Ethan Crumbley, who was 15 at the time of the shooting, pleaded guilty to all his crimes and is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

His parents have been jailed for more than two years now on $500,000 bond each. They are facing separate trials, with one scheduled to begin Jan. 23, though it has not yet been decided who will go on trial first. If convicted, they each face up to 15 years in prison.

Contact Tresa Baldas:tbaldas@freepress.com

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Judge: Jury will see Oxford school shooting video in Crumbley trials
Then-Rep. Larry Inman, R-Williamsburg, speaks to the Detroit Free Press in Traverse City on Monday, Sept. 24, 2018. A jury acquitted Inman on counts of attempted extortion and soliciting a bribe on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024.

A jury acquitted former Michigan Rep. Larry Inman on all counts Thursday, finding him not guilty of attempted extortion and soliciting a bribe five years after federal prosecutors accused him of attempting to sell his vote to repeal the state's prevailing wage law in 2019.

Inman, a Republican from the Traverse City area, initially was charged that year with soliciting a bribe, attempted extortion and lying to federal investigators. Prosecutors alleged Inman sought campaign donations from the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and other unions in return for "no" votes on a measure to repeal Michigan's prevailing wage law that requires union wage rates on most public projects, in 2018.

Thursday's acquittal was the result of a second federal trial  initially, a jury found Inman not guilty of lying to investigators but could not reach a verdict on the other two charges in 2019, leading to a second trial which began Monday in Grand Rapids in front of U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker.

"I think he's very glad to have this behind him," said James Fisher, one of Inman's publicly appointed defense attorneys. "He feels vindicated because this has been a very long struggle for him. And he's never said anything other than that he is not guilty of these charges, and I think the jury believed that."

Fisher said the jury deliberated for about 45 minutes Thursday before delivering their verdict. During the first trial, a jury deliberated for 10 hours over two days before issuing its verdict.

Like he did in the first trial, Inman took the stand in his own defense in the second trial, court records show.

Inman, 69, is now exonerated, according to court documents. He served in the House from 2015 to 2020, despite calls from House Republican leadership for him to resign in 2019 after he was charged. If found guilty, Inman faced up to 20 years in prison for the most serious charge.

Fisher said it's unlikely Inman would run for office in Michigan again.

"I think it'll be very hard for him to get back involved in politics after this just because he's struggled through this whole entire process," he said. "I hope the people that he represented see this and look at him in a positive way. I think he is a good man who deserves to be credited for what he did for his constituents."

Public Corruption: Ex-Michigan Speaker Rick Johnson gets over four years in prison for marijuana corruption scheme

While I respectfully disagree with this outcome, todays verdict does not deter my commitment to fight public corruption with impartiality and safeguard the publics trust in our democracy, Mark Totten, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, said in a statement provided to the Free Press.

While the Michigan Legislature, controlled by Republicans at the time, did pass a repeal of the state's prevailing wage law in 2018, the law was reinstated by legislative Democrats last year after they took control of both the House and Senate. Prevailing wage is slated to go back into effect in February.

Contact Arpan Lobo: alobo@freepress.com. Follow him on X (Twitter) @arpanlobo.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Former Michigan lawmaker Larry Inman acquitted of bribery, extortion charges
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A former El Paso business owner was charged with indecency with a child back in 2020, and jury selection for the trial begins on Friday, Jan. 12.

Former local business owner accused of engaging in sexual contact with a 12-year-old girl

David Villalobos, 60, was charged after allegedly engaging in sexual contact with a 12-year-old girl.

Villalobos was arrested in 2020 after a 15-month-long investigation by the El Paso Police Department.

Villalobos was the owner of Villalobos Pest Control until approximately 2017 when his son took over the company, and they have since cut business ties.

The trial will be taking place at the 409th District Court with Judge Sam Medrano presiding.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
Two restaurant employees in northeastern Massachusetts showed up to work expecting a slow but fairly typical Sunday morning shift. It turned out to be anything but when they got a tip of more than $7,000.

Raisa Zan and Nicole Boiardi were working at the family-owned Red's Kitchen and Tavern in Peabody when they got a large table of 40 people from Wicked Smaht Zone, a local Peloton group. After serving the group drinks and food, their manager gave them the news: the group had quietly left them a $7,200 tip.

We were expecting the regular 20%, Zan told USA TODAY on Thursday. If people leave us an extra $5 or $10, we are so happy.

Raisa Zan, an employee at Red's Kitchen and Tavern in Peabody, Massachusetts, is pictured in a selfie.

Boiardi said the group was secretive and left a big wad of hundreds while they were serving other tables in the main dining area.

I felt bad because I was like, I just want to give them all a hug, she said. It was insane. In the back of our heads, we were like This is great. I'm trying to absorb it but I have to go get drinks from my other table.

Servers expected a slow day due to Noreaster

A Red's Kitchen and Tavern storefront is pictured.

On Sunday, Boiardi and Zan started work at 8 a.m. but they werent sure how busy things would be since there was a Nor'easter set to hit the area that afternoon.

Shortly after, their manager told them they had a big party to serve. Zan and Boiardi described the group of 40 as pleasant and said their service went smoothly. But nothing could have prepared them for the monster $7,200 tip, which they split among themselves and their co-workers.

Since most servers in the U.S. make $2.13 an hour before tips, they rely on their customers to make ends meet. Many undertip, and when things are slow, their wallets especially suffer.

We do not have a minimum wage, Zan said. Tips are our salaries. We both work morning and night shifts. We have nights walking out of there with like, $40  a six- to eight-hour shift with $40.

Generous tip motivated small business owner to do more

Red's Kitchen + Tavern employee Nicole Boiardi.

The money came at a good time since Boiardi just helped her daughter buy a truck.

I gave her some money, she said. She started working and she saved. I gave her the difference so she could get her truck and it matched the tip that I got. It was just very ironic and crazy.

She said the generous tip gave her the push she needed to put some money into her small business selling home goods and vintage clothing and accessories, which she runs with her sister.

Peloton group is made up of repeat big tippers

This is a file photo from 2018 of cash fanned out from a wallet in North Andover, Massachusetts. In January 2024, a group of Peloton enthusiasts in Massachusetts tipped serves $7,2000- in a random act of kindness.

Sunday wasnt the first time Wicked Smaht Zone has left large tips for servers.

The first time they left a generous tip was at Lowells Restaurant in Mendon. They left their server a $3,600 tip, Wicked Local reported. Then in early 2023, they left a $4,600 tip at Plymouths Tavern.

Mendon resident Josh Vernon started the group during the COVID-19 pandemic and said the large tips make people smile.

I hope more people will see it and do something  even if its just buying a cup of coffee for a stranger, he told the outlet in early 2023.

Boiardi said shed love to be able to help people the way Wicked Smaht Zone helped her.

The Peloton group and everybody that contributed are great people and I hope they continue to be able to do that, she said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Massachusetts Peloton group gifts restaurant servers with $7,200 tip
There is political theater and theres political circus. After Thursdays commission meeting, the city of Miami can claim to have both.

The hopes that the election of two new commissioners last year would bring some semblance of good governance to a City Hall plagued by scandals were quickly dashed when a brawl almost erupted.

The confrontation between commissioners Joe Carollo and Miguel Gabela shouldnt even have been the biggest news of the meeting. The ousting, but not firing, of City Attorney Vicky Mendez should have dominated headlines. Mendez, whos accused in a lawsuit along with her husband of preying on vulnerable people to flip their homes for profit, was told to leave her job  in five months, after she becomes eligible to collect her taxpayer-funded pension. What a sweetheart deal.

The commission faced calls to fire Mendez after WLRN reported how her husbands company used a county program to buy homes on the cheap from people the courts declared incapacitated, and resell them for top dollar. The commission on Thursday voted 3-2 to renew Mendezs contract for just five months instead of one year. That could be viewed as a de-facto termination, but it looks like a cop-out. If the commission doesnt want her on the job anymore, then why allow her to stay for almost another half year?

Mendez, too, had words with filmmaker and activist Billy Corben. She called him a vile little man after he labeled her a mob lawyer and called for her firing during public comments. But that skirmish was easily overshadowed by Carollo and Gabela  one of the new commissioners elected in November. They proved that the days of dysfunction at City Hall are far from over.

Carollo embarked on his usual rants from the dais, blaming Mendezs ouster on the 8th Street Boys and Mr. Gabela. The 8th Street Boys reference appears to be about the two Little Havana businessmen who successfully sued Carollo for political retaliation, a case Mendez defended spending millions of city dollars to fight in court. A judge in December ordered part of Carollos city salary and benefits be garnished to pay the $63.5 million judgment against him.

Gabela interrupted Carollo several times, saying, You are a liar. When Carollo called Gabela a little man, Gabela rose from his seat and headed for Carollo but was restrained by a staff member before he could reach his rival. Commission Chair Christine King should have kept her chamber under control before it escalated into such spectacle.

Miami Dysfunction

Carollo, as the Herald Editorial Board has said many times, is a main source of trouble in Miami and he has a reputation for bullying city officials into submission. Gabela, an auto parts dealer, ran on an anti-corruption platform when he defeated one-time Carollo ally and former Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla, who was arrested for bribery, among other charges, in September.

During last years election, Gabelas combative demeanor was evident during an outburst when he was being interviewed by the Editorial Board. Hes showing quickly he might not have the thick skin and temperament to push for improvements in the lions den of Miami politics.

Thats a shame because Miami desperately needs new voices  not commissioners who cant manage the tension and incivility that has poisoned City Hall.

Miamis best hope is a complete revamp of its legislative body. Thursdays circus further supports the need to expand the small five-member commission, so easily hijacked by mercurial officeholders, to seven or nine seats. The Editorial Board suggested this reform in our Miami Dysfunction series last year. Another issue is low voter engagement. Thats why it is time to change the timing of off-year city elections to coincide with presidential and midterm elections.

What happened on Thursday further cements Miamis status as a non-serious city. Citizens must demand real, longterm change and no longer accept politicians who embarrass the people who live here.

Click here to send the letter.
Missouri Republican lawmakers want to cut or eventually eliminate the 1% earnings state in St. Louis, a move that risks ensnaring Kansas Citys own earnings tax and a crucial revenue source for the city.

A GOP-led Missouri House committee this month released a slew of recommendations, including a gradual phase-out of the earnings tax in Kansas City and St. Louis tied to certain revenue increases. But interviews with lawmakers make clear their anger lies with St. Louis and how the city handled taxing workers during the pandemic.

The panel also recommended exempting new residents and low-income workers from paying the tax, as well as the creation of opportunity zones where residents and workers would also be exempt.

An earnings tax, especially when were dealing with two cities that border on other states  it doesnt necessarily attract business and attract people to the metropolitan area, said state Rep. Jim Murphy, a St. Louis area Republican who chaired the committee that studied the tax.

Still, Murphy said, Kansas City was not the main issue.

Supporters of limiting or ending the earnings taxes have not provided clear answers about how the cities would replace the revenue generated from the tax, which makes up nearly 47% of Kansas Citys general fund revenue and pays for basic city operations. The House committee recommended that the tax in both Kansas City and St. Louis be reduced by 10% reductions based on revenue increases, eventually triggering a complete elimination of the tax.

Kansas City voters have overwhelmingly supported the earnings tax, which Democrats point to in opposing changes. More than 77% of Kansas City voters approved it the last time it was on the ballot in 2021. Some have painted attempts to cut it as more evidence of Republicans in Jefferson City attempting to strong-arm residents in Missouris two most Democratic and diverse cities.

Contrary to what Republicans in Jefferson City believe, the people who live in Missouris two largest cities are more than capable of governing themselves, state Rep. Maggie Nurrenbern, a Kansas City Democrat who was one of three Democrats on the committee that studied that tax, said in a statement.

Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, an Independence Democrat, echoed this sentiment while speaking to reporters last week, contending that whenever Republicans dont like something that primarily Democratic local elected officials do, they try to fight it.

Much of the discussion in Jefferson City surrounding the earnings tax centers on St. Louis, which has been sued over denying earnings tax refunds to remote workers. Kansas City allows remote workers to get refunds on taxes they paid while working outside of the city limits.

Murphy said the way St. Louis handled remote work reimbursements during the pandemic caused lawmakers to examine changes to the tax in both cities.

Unfortunately, Kansas City got caught up in the mix of the exploration, he said.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said in a statement that the earnings tax was crucial to funding public safety in the city as well as basic city services. He also pointed to the fact that city voters have historically supported the tax.

I encourage the legislature and the Committee to focus their efforts on making the Earnings Tax permanent to preserve this vital funding rather than eliminating the Citys ability to make decisions on a local level related to taxation and funding of vital City services, he said.

Murphy has filed legislation that would require St. Louis to issue refunds to remote workers and bars the city from imposing an earnings tax without submitting a quarterly report showing how much money its received from the tax. At least one bill, filed by state Sen. Ben Brown, a Washington Republican, would phase out the tax in St. Louis.

Another bill would create earnings tax opportunity zones, areas within distressed communities where residents and workers would be exempt from paying the tax.

No bills have been filed so far to phase out the tax in Kansas City, but Murphy said that if we find solutions for St. Louis that work and would work in Kansas City, certainly we would try to apply it both ways.

Kansas City has collected an earnings tax, also called the e-tax, since 1963 from businesses, residents and workers. The tax helps pay for basic city operations, including police, firefighters, trash pickup and road repairs.

The earnings tax comprises the single largest portion of revenue in each of Missouris two largest cities and economic drivers, state Rep. Steve Butz from St. Louis, the ranking Democrat on the committee that studied the earnings tax, said in a statement.

Failing to propose a plan to cover that lost revenue is fiscally reckless and irresponsible.

Butz on Wednesday issued a scathing rebuttal to the House committees recommendation to phase out the tax, arguing that eliminating it would result in cuts to important government services such as police and fire, education, health care and tourism.

But Missouri Republicans argue that its an issue of fairness and the tax in both cities does not encourage people to want to live and work there.

Its not good public policy as it relates to, you know, taxing folks in that way, Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden, a Columbia Republican, told reporters.

House Speaker Dean Plocher, a St. Louis-area Republican who appointed the committee to study the earnings tax in Kansas City and St. Louis, told reporters that he thinks that the tax hurts St. Louis, calling the issue a peculiar thing.

I dont think that earnings tax is actually the right way to help the city thrive, he said. But Im open to debate.

Murphy acknowledged that state lawmakers dont have exact answers to how the cities would be able to make up for lost revenue if the tax is eliminated. But he said that if city residents decided to vote against the tax, the cities would be stuck with a big hole in their budget.

Common ground

For Murphy, eliminating or phasing out the tax is a pie-in-the-sky proposal. He said lawmakers are more likely to look to pass legislation related to refunds for remote workers in St. Louis and a bill that exempts low-income workers from having to pay the tax  legislation he thinks will have support from both parties.

While Butz pushed back on phasing out the tax, he said Democrats agreed with the proposals to exempt low-income workers and the creation of opportunity zones.

I believe we can find some common ground with our Republican colleagues on a few of the less inflammatory and dramatic recommendations, and we should work to make this system more equitable and progressive, state Rep. Marlon Anderson, a St. Louis Democrat who was also on the committee, said in the release.

2nd District Kansas City Councilman Wes Rogers, a former Democratic lawmaker, in an interview pointed to the broad support the tax has received among Kansas City voters.

Voters have spoken pretty overwhelmingly in support of this tax and we need to be respectful to the voters as to how they choose to finance their government, he said.

Rogers, however, said he has a good relationship with Murphy and its always worthwhile to take a look at how were taxing people and making sure that its fair to the taxpayers.

While Republicans seek to phase out the earnings tax or limit who has to pay, state Sen. Greg Razer, a Kansas City Democrat, has filed a bill that would extend the number of years the tax is in place in Kansas City. Currently, the tax is required to be on the ballot every five years and Razers bill would expand that to ten years.

Rizzo, the top Democrat in the Missouri Senate, said that if people dont like the tax, they can vote against it. He said Republicans should spend some money and campaign on the issue when it comes back on the ballot if they want to get rid of the tax.

Win the election, he said. There will be a renewal in a few years. Win an election.
I can hear some of you rolling your eyes. Shes writing about natural hair, again.

Yes, I am, but Kansans have a good reason to read this. And Missourians, well, youll either keep your eyes on this in the hope that change will come, or not.

Via a virtual stream Thursday, I watched the Kansas Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs discuss Senate Bill 36  natural hair as a part of discrimination through ancestry  in Topeka during the first week of the legislative session.

Missouri has no such law.

What is S.B. 36? Is it the same thing as the CROWN Act, which has been passed in Lawrence, Wichita and Atchison? This new legislation would amend the existing 1953 Kansas Act Against Discrimination by adding ancestry and protective hairstyles to its list of terms that prohibit unjust treatment.

Speakers for the bill, such as Shirleys Kitchen Cabinet founder Michele Watley, pointed out that race, on its own, does not include hair as a protected characteristic, and so the act must be amended.

Star Opinion writers, myself included, have written about the importance of letting people wear their hair as they like at school and in the workplace. Ive published a book with hair narratives. Hair is a personal part of our bodies, a personal choice, and should not be prescribed by employers, schools, public or private agencies.

A fiscal note attached to the bill, signed by Kansas Budget Director Adam Proffitt, explains: Ancestry would be defined as inclusive traits historically associated with a persons ancestry, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles. Protective hairstyles would include but would not be limited to hairstyles such as braids, locs and twists.

Not creating new class, just clarifying ancestry

The commission has 15 bills in committee and other resolutions to consider for the session, so members naturally had many questions on whether the amendment is necessary.

State Sen. Mike Thompson, committee chair, asked and took questions on whether S.B. 36 would affect workplace occupational safety or health policies. No, it wouldnt. People could cover or put up their hair to comply with those policies.

Thompson also wondered how far the bill could go. Could someone with green hair claim protections? Jason Long of the Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes was clear in the implications: We are not introducing a new class but just clarifying the ancestry. So unless green hair is in your ancestry, it would not be part of a protected class.

State Rep. Stephanie Clayton of the 19th District came forward as the chief carrier of the act on the House side. Clayton said she sees the Senate bill as primarily a concern in the workforce.

Putting this in place does make it easier from a workforce issue, She said. If it is no longer up for discussion, it would protect employees and allow them to wear their hair in a way natural to them.

Clayton, a white woman, gave an interesting argument.

Lets turn it around on its head, she said. I have incredibly straight hair. It will never curl. She went on to wonder what if societal expectations forced her to make it curl? Fortunately, she said, her natural hair does not defy current beauty standards.

I look at removing that bizarre and outdated expectation.

In and near the Kansas City area, weve seen discrimination by hair mostly against young people. For example:

Fear, frustration, if not outright discrimination

Ruth Glover is the executive director of the Kansas Human Rights Commission, the agency that administers the existing discrimination law. She was neutral on the bill because of those very concerns from young people.

We are not a resource when schoolchildren are involved, she said. Public accommodations do not include schools.  We refer (complaints) to the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights.

She suggested the committee take a look at the states bullying statute to ensure proper coverage.

But several proponents of the amendment who appeared before the commission said there are plenty of other examples of fear and frustration in the workplace, if not outright discrimination. Several Black women wearing their hair in various styles, including Watley, Lawrence City Commissioner Amber Sellers, Kansas African American Affairs Commission Executive Director Stacey Knoell and others spoke on their hair journey of searching for authenticity and being accepted in the workplace and society.

State Rep. Ford Carr of the 84th District, who is African American, recalled how he wore his hair in straight backs (also called French braids) in the last session, and thanked his colleagues, because not one of you said anything. It wasnt discussed in this body. I would ask that we simply expect the rest of the state to have the same courtesies in this body.

Carrs plea was right at home, and I agree. If the legislative body can treat his hair choice with courtesy, all people deserve that same treatment.

I encourage the committee to take the necessary steps to make the amendment stick. And maybe, when Missouri does the same, I wont ever have to write about hair again.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A 36-year-old Kansas City, Kansas man was convicted this week in connection to the April 2020 deadly shooting of 33-year-old Daniel L. Washington.

A Jackson County jury on Thursday found Ivan Mock guilty of second-degree murder and armed criminal action.

View the latest Weather Alerts in the Kansas City region on FOX4

According to court records, Just after 3 a.m. on April 12, 2020, Kansas City, Missouri police responded to a shooting near East 39th and Main. When officers arrived they located the victim dead in the passenger seat of a vehicle from a gunshot wound in a CVS parking lot.

Witnesses told police that the shooting had occurred near 40th and Agnes, but the car was driven to 39th and Troost.

Police identify 3 men found dead behind home in Kansas Citys Northland

They found a police vehicle parked in front of the CVS there and sought help for the victim. Witnesses identified Mock as the person who shot Washington.

He will be sentenced on March 19.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Humza Yousaf told independence supporters on Friday that they 'must' vote SNP to keep separation 'on the table' - WATTIE CHEUNG

Humza Yousaf has claimed that Labour will win a general election majority even without a single Scottish seat.

The First Minister pleaded with independence supporters not to abandon his party, claiming Sir Keir Starmer does not need Scotland to become prime minister due to Labours commanding lead in UK-wide polls.

The radical shift in strategy, which saw the SNP ditch its claim that it would pull the strings of the UK Government by holding the balance of power in a hung parliament, was branded desperate by opponents.

To win a majority without Scottish seats, Sir Keir would have to achieve a far larger swing from the Tories even than Tony Blair won in his 1997 landslide.

Mr Yousaf told independence supporters they must vote SNP to keep separation on the table, amid mounting evidence that they are deserting his party following a string of policy disasters and the police investigation into party finances.

One recent poll found the SNP is on course to lose up to 33 of the 48 seats it won at the 2019 general election in this years contest. Labour figures are confident they can claim well over 20 Scottish seats, compared with one in 2019.

Its very clear now that Keir Starmer is going to be the next Prime Minister, Mr Yousaf said at an event billed as a general election campaign launch in Glasgow.

Rishi Sunak is finished as PM. The Tories are done. Keir Starmer doesnt need Scotland to win the next general election. He does need Scotland and SNP MPs to keep him honest.

The First Minister urged independence supporters to vote SNP to keep separation 'on the table' - WATTIE CHEUNG

In May, Stephen Flynn, the SNPs Westminster leader, claimed that it was increasingly clear that his party would hold the balance of power in the hung parliament, putting Scotland in a prime position to pull the strings of a minority UK Government.

Mr Yousaf also said last year that he could demand an independence referendum in exchange for propping up a minority Labour government.

But Mr Flynn said on Friday that the situation in England is very clear and was certain to lead to Sir Keir becoming Prime Minister.

Asked whether this meant there would not be a hung parliament, he said: I dont think anyone can argue with the polls.

However, Sir John Curtice, the UKs leading pollster, said the claim that Labour does not need Scotland relied on polls remaining consistent and then being replicated at a general election which is likely to be several months away.

If the polls are correct and nothing changes until the election, then Labour will not need Scotland, Sir John said.

But of course, neither of those conditions may be correct. The election could be 11 months away and who knows what could happen.

Its currently not an unreasonable supposition but its not necessarily a supposition that will stand the test of time. Wed be talking about a record swing.

An obvious lie

Blair McDougall, a Labour election candidate who was a senior figure in the pro-UK campaign at the independence referendum, said Mr Yousafs claim that Sir Keir could win the election without Scottish votes was an obvious lie.

Without them, Starmer will need to secure a 14-point swing, he wrote on his Notes on Nationalism blog.

To put that into context, Tony Blairs landslide victory in 1997 was a 10-point swing and Clem Attlees 1945 earthquake result was delivered on a 12-point swing.

The swing needed, if Scots believe Yousaf that their votes are not needed, would see Labour win seats that have never, literally never, been Labour in all of political history.

Yousaf is arguing that its a certainty that things that have never happened are certain to happen.

Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labours deputy leader, said Mr Yousafs speech was nothing more than another desperate attempt to reset the SNPs failing political strategy.

She added: From talking down the influence that Scottish voters have to desperately moving the electoral goalposts, it is clear that the SNP is in trouble.

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Keith Lee cut his food tour of the Bay Area short, saying it's 'not a place for tourists right now'

Keith Lee cut his Bay Area food tour short, saying it wasn't "a place for tourists right now."

The TikTok star said he was shocked by the number of people living in tents and burned-up cars.

Lee was disappointed by the food and said he had to go to the hospital for an allergic reaction.

Keith Lee was not impressed with Bay Area cuisine.

Lee  who's become a TikTok sensation for the honest food reviews he shares with his 15.6 million followers  said Thursday night that he was ending his food tour in Northern California early. Lee did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

"I truly don't believe the Bay is a place for tourists right now," Lee begins in the video, which has already racked up more than 1.4 million views. "And that's what I was, a tourist."

"The people in the Bay are just focused on surviving," he continued. "That's the business owners, the locals  the amount of tents and living structures and burnt-up cars that we saw people living in was shocking, to say the least."

Lee said the second reason he cut the food tour short was multiple disappointing dining experiences.

"We went to a lot of restaurants  popular restaurants, not popular restaurants, mom-and-pop shops  and this is the first city where I have over six videos that I don't feel comfortable posting because nothing about my experience was constructive and nothing that I said was constructive," Lee said. "I've always been big on honesty, I've always been big on transparency, I've never been big on completely tearing down anybody, and I felt those videos were only doing that."

"I'm blessed to do this, but it does take a lot of money, and it does take a lot of resources. At the moment everything comes out of pocket," he added. "So when we had that many restaurants we couldn't do anything with, that was another deciding factor."

Lee said his third "and probably the most important" reason for cutting his Bay Area trip short was an allergic reaction that sent him to the hospital. Lee said he notified the restaurant of his shellfish allergy and was assured the grill and utensils would be cleaned, but he still "blew up like a balloon" when he tried the food.

The new TikTok comes just four days after Lee posted a video addressing his fans' concerns over his Bay Area visit, specifically highlighting articles about crime in San Francisco and Oakland, two cities in the Bay Area.

"I heard a lot of people call the Bay 'Gotham City,' and the way my mind works, that's even more reason to go. I'm extremely excited to see what the Bay offers," Lee said in the video posted on Monday.

But many people in Lee's comments were disappointed that he only visited San Francisco and Oakland when the Bay Area encompasses nine counties and 101 cities. Some questioned why Lee didn't visit San Jose, one of the Bay Area's biggest cities.

"There's more spots than just Oakland and SF, mom and pops shops that needed exposure outside of our two major cities," one person wrote.

"San Mateo, San Jose, Hayward would have been great places to go to for some hidden gems," another added.

"Went to Oakland & called it a day lol. Bay didnt get the chance it needed," one disappointed user wrote.

Lee did highlight some bright spots in his video, giving a shout-out to Greens Restaurant in San Francisco and Mama T's and Luxurious Cuisine in Oakland.

"I truly want to say, from the bottom of my heart, I appreciate every single bit of love," Lee added. "The people of the Bay were absolutely amazing, and I'll never forget the hospitality and the love that y'all showed me."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Kent Mayor Dana Ralph went beyond the call of duty when she helped police search for a robber Wednesday afternoon.

Mayor Ralph was getting a ride from a meeting with Kent Police chief Rafael Padilla, when they heard officers flooded downtown Kent.

Moments earlier, a suspect allegedly tried to rob a bank teller near the Kent Police station. The teller pushed the alarm, and the robber took off.

As the robber was leaving the bank, he spotted a woman at the banks ATM. The robber went up to the woman and forced her to withdraw $300 from her bank account.

Police and the mayor were already swarming the area with K9 officers and a police helicopter.

Two officers on foot spotted the robber running from two employee of a nearby business towards the library.

He was quickly arrested, and police recovered three $100 bills.

During their investigation, police learned the man also tried to steal $2,000 worth of luggage from a business along 1st Avenue South. The two people who were chasing the suspect were employees of the store where the luggage was stolen.

The 27-year old Kent man was booked into the Regional Justice Center for two counts of first-degree burglary and one count of second-degree theft.
FRANKFORT  Kentuckys crowded election schedule could be streamlined under a bill that has already advanced through a committee and the Senate floor.

Senate Bill 10, sponsored by Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Ryland Heights, would allow voters to decide whether to amend the Kentucky Constitution so that elections for statewide offices are held in the same year as presidential elections.

Currently, elections for statewide offices are held the year before presidential candidates are on the ballot. If Kentucky voters approved the proposed amendment, statewide officials elected in 2027 would remain in office for five years, until the 2032 election, before shifting back to four-year terms.

The bill was approved by the state Senate on Jan. 17 on a 26-9 vote, and McDaniel said he's optimistic it'll find enough support in the House to make it to the ballot.

McDaniel said the measure is needed because Kentuckians are suffering from election  and campaign ad  fatigue. Holding state and national elections at the same time would increase voter participation, McDaniel said.

State Sen. Chris McDaniel, sponsor of Senate Bill 10, listens at a hearing at the Kentucky Capitol Annex in February 2020.

The measure would also save the state an estimated $2 million, McDaniel said, and the Legislative Research Commission previously found local governments could save up to $13.5 million in years when a primary and general election would no longer take place.

Democrats pushed back on the proposal. Sen. Cassie Chambers Armstrong, D-Louisville, said the framers of Kentuckys 1851 Constitution developed the election schedule so people could focus on state-related issues during the statewide races without the interference of national politics.

Nowadays with national division with presidential elections lasting for years and eating up the airwaves, I think it's really important that the people of Kentucky have space to focus on Kentucky issues, Armstrong said.

Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, said early in the session he's seen similar measures fall short in the legislature, but he understands the line of thinking behind it. Holding fewer elections would save money for the state, he said, and he has a "gut feeling" it would increase turnout. He spoke in favor of it when it reached the Senate floor on Jan. 17.

Theres no guarantee McDaniels bill will cross the legislative finish line this session. When he proposed a similar bill in 2020, it gained Senate approval but never got a vote in the House.

House Speaker David Osborne, R-Prospect, said after the Senate vote that there are "pretty strong opinions" in his chamber about the legislation and it hasn't passed in previous years, but House members will soon "start having those conversations with the caucus and try to get the pulse of it."

Stephen Voss, a professor of political science at the University of Kentucky, said its no surprise Kentucky Republicans want to alter the states election schedule. Thats because Republicans tend to do well in national elections.

But while state Republicans tend to draw more votes in national election years, that may not be true for all Republicans, Voss said. Some GOP candidates may have an easier time in non-national election years because of the nature of their appeal to voters, he said.

In addition, Republicans may want to focus its attention on other constitutional amendments that are more pressing or prevent voter fatigue around ballot measures, Voss said. Under Kentucky law, the state legislature may only put up to four proposed amendments on any one ballot.

But even if the measure gains legislative approval this year, Voss said, there's no guarantee Kentucky voters would approve it at the ballot box in November. Voters have declined to approve many past Republican-backed constitutional measures, including two 2022 proposals that would have allowed the legislature to call a special session without the governor's approval and would have eliminated the right to abortion from the state constitution.

Legislators have filed a number of other election bills as well.

Absentee voting and Election Day hours

Sen. John Schickel, R-Union, has proposed legislation that would eliminate Kentucky's no-excuse in-person absentee voting.

Senate Bill 61, which has been referred to the chamber's State & Local Government committee, would also ensure excused in-person absentee voting would take place at least 13 days before an election. The bill has four other Republican co-sponsors.

Additionally, Rep. Chad Aull, D-Lexington, filed House Bill 151, an effort to keep polls open on Election Day until 7 p.m. Polls currently close at 6 p.m.

Aull also filed legislation to add Kentucky to a list of states that would pledge their electoral votes in a presidential election to the candidate who receives the most votes nationally (House Bill 153). Seventeen other states have passed similar measures.

Aull and Sen. Adrienne Southworth, R-Lawrenceburg, have each filed bills in their respective chambers that would remove straight-ticket voting options on ballots.

Voting systems and IDs

Southworth has filed six other bills aimed at changing election laws. One would require the state to use only voting systems with parts manufactured in the U.S. Another would disallow the use of university ID cards as voter identification. Others would change the procedures around counting and auditing votes.

Voting audits

Sen. John Hodgson, R-Fisherville, filed House Bill 53, which would require Kentucky's attorney general or a designee to randomly select at least one ballot scanner and one race tabulated on that scanner in all 120 counties for a hand-eye recount. Discrepancies found could lead to an investigation until the reason behind it is discovered and resolved, with a report given to the attorney general.

Reach Rebecca Grapevine at rgrapevine@courier-journal.com. Reach Lucas Aulbach at laulbach@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky election schedule could get reboot under Senate Bill 10
A man and woman in Greenup County have been charged with murder in connection to a suspicious death of a 5-year-old child, according to Kentucky State Police.

Rachel Waddell, 36, and Christopher Stiltner, 38, are both facing murder charges related to the death investigation. KSP said they were arrested without incident at a residence on Oak Street in Wurtland, the same location where the child died.

KSP learned about the childs death in June. KSP said on Thursday detectives presented its case to the Greenup County Grand Jury, which led to the indictment warrants for murder for Waddell and Stiltner.

Waddell and Stiltner are being held at the Greenup County Detention Center, according to KSP.

KSP didnt identify the victim in the case.

This is a developing story and may be updated.
This is a photo of a shirt that says "child care is essential."

This article was originally published in Kentucky Lantern.

FRANKFORT  In a year when Kentuckys child care providers are looking to the legislature for a financial lifeline, a Senate committee heard an overview Tuesday of what its chairman called one of the most pressing issues facing the General Assembly .

Several members of the Senate Families and Children Committee, including chairman Danny Carroll, said they are committed to finding solutions to the challenges facing the states child care industry.

With federal COVID-era assistance coming to an end, Kentuckys child care providers are hoping the legislature will subsidize the industry to avoid closures, pay cuts and increased tuition for parents, the Lantern previously reported.

Support The 74's year-end campaign. Make a tax-exempt donation now.

Gov. Andy Beshear, in a December budget proposal, said he wants to spend $141 million over the next two years on the industry. But advocates said this figure falls short of what is needed.

Beshears desire to spend $172 million to begin funding universal preschool for Kentucky 4-year-olds also concerns industry experts. Thats because child care centers rely on children of that age to make profits, as the teacher-to- student ratios can be larger than they can be with babies.

Sarah Vanover, a policy and research director for Kentucky Youth Advocates, told the committee that universal pre-k is a great option but it is a long-term goal.

Right now the priority is maintaining child care, and not waiting for child care to collapse, she said.

Carroll, R-Benton, president and CEO of Easter Seals West Kentucky, whose programs include a child care center, seemed to agree, urging caution on Beshears proposals for universal preschool while also stressing the value of early childhood education.

Carroll said a disadvantage of Beshears plan for 4-year-olds is that it would be tied to the traditional school schedule and unable to meet the needs of many families.

Sen. Stephen Meredith, R-Leitchfield, said public schools are not currently in a position to take on additional responsibilities by adding pre-kindergarten instruction.

Related

U.S. House Democrats and Advocates Push for Additional Federal Child Care Funding

Meredith also said: Certainly this matter has our attention.  I think well try our best to come up with some resolution. But I think we have to understand that this is not going to be a one-year, two-year proposition  that we have to build this infrastructure.

Carroll said Kentucky has a great foundation in child care, but its time for the state to step up and to make the investment that we need to sustain it in the future. He stressed that access to child care is critical to workforce participation.

Preschool, early childhood education, its about child care, but its about education. Its about workforce. The importance of this is no less  and, I would argue, that its greater  than what it is for primary, secondary, post secondary.

He added: Until we start looking at early childhood education for what it is: education and part of our system, and we start funding it in that manner, were not going to make any progress.

Kentucky Lantern is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Kentucky Lantern maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jamie Lucke for questions: info@kentuckylantern.com. Follow Kentucky Lantern on Facebook and Twitter.
ENTEBBE, Uganda, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Renovation and upgrade works at Uganda's Entebbe International Airport have been completed ahead of the Non-Aligned Movement and the G77+China summits, a senior official has said.

The East African country has been upgrading the arrival and departure units, as well as expanding the parking space at the airport, ahead of the two major international events scheduled to start next week.

"The airport has enough space to handle between 40 and 65 private jets as well as other aircraft," Ayub Sooma, director of airports and aviation security at the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), told reporters Thursday on a guided tour of the airport, located 40 km south of Kampala, the capital of Uganda.

Sooma said that although he did not expect congestion at the airport, plans have already been made with neighboring countries to use their international airports in case of any crisis.

Several works have been completed, including the renovation of runways, the construction of a modern cargo handling center, the construction of new arrival and departure terminals, as well as expansion of the car parking lot.

Some of the works were part of the expansion and upgrade of the airport, a 200-million-U.S.-dollar project financed by the Import-Export Bank of China.

At least 1,500 delegates and more than 50 heads of state from 134 countries are expected to attend the Jan. 15-20 NAM summit and the Jan. 21-22 G77+China summit, according to organizers.

The theme of the NAM Summit will be "Deepening Cooperation For Shared Global Affluence," while the G77+China Summit (Third South Summit) will be held under the theme "Leaving No One Behind."

Uganda says it will use the two summits to promote South-South cooperation and solidarity among member states. 
A 22-year-old man has been charged with three counts of murder for a violent collision in South Los Angeles that killed a man, a woman and their 5-year-old daughter and badly injured the girls sister, the L.A. district attorney announced Thursday.

Jordan Kahari Isaac was allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol on New Years Eve when he ran a stop sign and plowed into a sedan occupied by Jose Pascagaza, 49, his wife, Luisa Bernal, 30, and their daughters Mia, 5, and Hanna, who just turned 2. The toddler suffered traumatic injuries but is expected to recover, authorities said.

Jose Pascagaza, Luisa Bernal and their daughter Mia, 5, were killed in a New Year's Eve collision in Los Angeles. Their 2-year-old daughter was badly injured but is expected to recover.

Jose Pascagaza, Luisa Bernal and their daughter Mia, 5, were killed in a New Year's Eve collision in Los Angeles. Their 2-year-old daughter was badly injured but is expected to recover.

Authorities said that just before the deadly crash, Isaac, driving a white Chevrolet Tahoe, rear-ended another car several blocks away, injuring the driver. Instead of stopping, he allegedly sped away, driving over 60 mph in a 25 mph residential zone, and ran a stop sign before T-boning the sedan.

The collision was so violent and had so much force that the sedan was pushed across the intersection, knocking over a street sign and crashing into a fence before coming to a stop by a parking lot, LAPD Detective Ryan Moreno said in a news conference posted by Fox LA.

Bystanders who tried to help free the victims from their car told investigators the collision sounded like an explosion, Moreno said.

Pascagaza, the driver, died at the scene. Mia was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital, and her mother died two days later. Hanna remains hospitalized in a pediatric intensive care unit at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.

Authorities and relatives said the family is from Bogota, Colombia, and had been living in L.A. for just over a year. The girls older sister, Angie Pascagaza, who lives in Colombia, created a GoFundMe to raise money to transport the bodies back to Colombia for burial with their family, and to help with medical expenses for Hanna. She described her father as a hardworking man who came to the U.S. looking for a better life for his family.

Isaac was hospitalized after the crash with non-life-threatening injuries, authorities said.

In addition to three counts of murder, Isaac is charged with three counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, one count of driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage causing injury, and one count of hit-and-run driving resulting in injury to another person.

If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. His bail is set at $6.1 million.

Isaacs case is being handled by the public defenders office, a spokesperson told HuffPost. He is scheduled to be arraigned Feb. 15.

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With a general election on the horizon, the Tory party is in trouble. If the vote were called tomorrow, 41pc of the country would back Labour and only 24pc the Conservatives, according to the latest Ipsos polling.

Many middle-class Britons are worried about what a Labour government would mean for their money  and are rearranging their financial affairs accordingly.

Despite ruling out a wealth tax, Sir Keir Starmers proposals to add levies to private schools, reimpose limits on pension savings and scrap the non-dom status are fueling fears of wider tax hikes.

One way of avoiding a Labour tax grab would be to vote with your feet and join the estimated 557,000 Britons who emigrated last year.

David Lesperance, an international tax and migration adviser, says: My clients are working on the assumption that its a question of when will the election be called, rather than will Labour get in.

If you are already toying with the idea of moving abroad, the prospect of higher domestic taxes could tip the balance towards taking the plunge.

Here, Telegraph Money explains where best to relocate to swerve Labours tax raid.

For private schools

Sir Keir may have backed down on plans to strip private schools of their charitable status, but he has pledged to immediately end their exemption from VAT if Labour comes to power.

The average day school fee in Britain is 16,656 per year while the average boarding school fee is around 39,000, according to the Independent Schools Council, a trade body.

A 20pc rise could therefore add tens of thousands of pounds to a familys school bills over the course of a childs education, assuming the tax is passed on to parents.

Chris Etherington, a partner at tax firm RSM, says: Increases in the cost of education may not be the sole factor in deciding whether to move overseas but it could well influence the decision of where to go.

If you are looking to give your children a top-quality education abroad, Switzerland is well worth considering. The tax-haven has a world-beating reputation for quality schools, including Le Rosey, known as the most expensive school in the world, with yearly fees of CHF 132,000 (120,000).

Co-educational since 1967, Le Rosey is keen to claim a slice of a market traditionally dominated by British boarding schools such as Eton and Harrow.

On the more affordable end of the scale, College du Leman International School consistently ranks near the top of league tables and charges fees of around CHF 27,950 (25,406), for pupils aged two to 18.

Located in the cosy provincial town of Versoix, the business hub of Geneva is just a few minutes drive away.

The cost of living in Switzerland may be among the highest in Europe, but when you consider other tax perks, moving there can make financial sense.

Mr Etherington says: Switzerland has a strong number of international schools. You also have 26 cantons with different tax rules, some of which are very favourable.

The maximum overall rate of federal income tax is relatively low, at 11.5pc, although depending where you live, cantons can levy income tax of between 0pc and 30pc.

The country also taxes households, rather than individuals which simplifies  and can sometimes lower  the tax liability for wealthy couples.

Another option is Spain, which boasts some of the best value private schools in Europe. Six of the cities in Europe with the cheapest international schools are in Spain: Valencia, Malaga, Alicante, Madrid, Barcelona, and Majorca.

The country has seen an influx of student applications because of lower costs, Mr Etherington says.

Kings College Soto de Vinuelas, in Madrid, for example, is one of the top five schools in Spain, according to Forbes league table, with global education group Carfax Education ranking it as one of the top 15 schools in Europe (outside the UK and Switzerland).

The prestigious co-educational college in the Madrid suburbs charges yearly fees for students aged 11 to 18 of $8,250 (6,513) for day pupils and $42,250 (33,355) for boarders.

If you want to combine a quality education with a home on the sunny south coast, Sotogrande International School on the Costa del Sol is one of the top 75 International Baccalaureate schools in the world. Fees range from $15,500 (12,381) for day pupils to $50,250 (40,127) for boarders.

To live in Spain, you can qualify for a golden visa by spending 500,000 (433,643) on a property. Alternatively, you can apply for a non-lucrative visa, which is designed for those not working in the country, and requires proof of financial self-sufficiency.

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For non-doms

Labour plans to scrap the non-domiciled tax regime which allows people living in the UK to avoid paying UK tax on money they make overseas.

Non-dom residents tend to be wealthy. Three in 10 people who earn 5m or more claim non-dom status, compared with fewer than three in 1,000 among those earning less than 100,000.

The designation offers an opportunity for significant  and entirely legal  tax savings, if you choose a lower-tax country as your domicile.

Labour estimates that scrapping the non-dom status would save the government at least 3.2bn a year. But the worry is that non-doms would simply leave the UK if the tax relief were abolished.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates have already become popular destinations for high-earners wanting to leave Britain.

Dubai ranked as the 18th most expensive city to live in for an international employee, in consultancy Mercers Cost of Living City Ranking 2023, which compared 200 cities across the globe.

You are also required by law to buy private medical cover in the UAE, with individual premiums costing an average of $5,587 (4,393).

However, the big draw is that there is no tax on income or capital gains (CGT).

This means that if you are planning to sell your company and want to avoid CGT, you might move to the UAE temporarily to complete the sale.

Under UK tax law, you have to pay tax on gains you make on property and land in the UK even if you are a non-resident for tax purposes. But you do not pay CGT on other UK assets  shares in UK companies, for example  unless you become a UK resident again within five years of leaving.

Mr Etherington says: It doesnt mean you cant set foot in the UK, youve just got to be careful about it, and make sure you are not classed as a UK resident for the next five years.

If you spend less than 46 days in the UK in any tax year, you will maintain your non-resident status provided you have not been classed as a UK resident for the previous three tax years. If you have had non-resident status for less than this, you must spend less than 16 days in the UK.

However, Mr Etherington warns that it is easy to make mistakes when it comes to following the rules, and that travelling back to the UK will draw attention from HM Revenue and Customs.

Life happens. Covid is a good example  people were stuck in the UK and accidentally became residents here. Illness, too, may force you to come back if the only place you can get treatment is in the UK.

This doesnt mean you have to spend all five years in the UAE. After completing the sale in the UAE you can then move to another country for the remaining four years before you can return to the UK without any CGT liability from the sale.

Mr Etherington adds: Sometimes clients find that Dubai is great for a holiday, but less good for living year-round.

For retirees

Labour has indicated it would reverse Chancellor Jeremy Hunts abolition of the lifetime allowance (LTA)  a tax charge on pensions worth more than 1.073m  calling it tax cut for the rich.

Previously, savings over the limit were taxed at 55pc if the money was taken as a lump sum or 25pc plus income tax if taken out gradually.

Around 250,000 people aged 55 to 64 could be affected if the LTA is reintroduced at its previous level of 1.073m, according to estimates by pensions consultants LCP.

Becoming a resident abroad and drawing your pension there could help to avoid a tax hit on your retirement income.

For many years, the obvious choice for an expat retiree has been Portugal and its golden visa which allows for tax-free earnings on international income for a decade.

But with Portugals socialist government winding down the scheme, expats-to-be are looking elsewhere.

Italy, for instance, has become more popular since it introduced a forfeit regime in 2017, when a fixed amount of tax is paid to cover all foreign income, whether 5,000 or 50m.

Italy has pegged its annual forfeit at 100,000 (86,175). Assuming a UK tax rate of 45pc, if you have non-Italian source income over 222,222 (191,417), moving from the UK becomes an attractive option.

If your income isnt so high, you can apply to retire in one of Italys sun-drenched but less populated southern regions and pay just 7pc tax on your pension and other income from abroad.

To qualify, you have to settle in a municipality that has fewer than 20,000 inhabitants in southern Italy, which includes Campania and Sicily, and you still need to obtain a visa if you are not a EU citizen.

Another contender is Malta, whose attractive tax regime is designed to entice wealthy expats.

Most of the tax benefits arise when you have ordinary residence in the country which entails either renting or purchasing a property in Malta.

You must be at least 55 years old to apply for the Malta Retirement Program (MRP) which allows EU/EEA/Switzerland and non-EU nationals who intend to retire in Malta to obtain a residence permit.

Expats on the MRP are not subject to tax on non-Maltese-sourced income or capital gains and there is no inheritance, estate or gift tax in Malta  although a 5pc transfer duty can apply.

Yet as Geraint Davies, founder and managing director of financial planners Montfort, notes, whether a foreign countrys tax regime is favourable will depend on your specific circumstances.

He says: It may be that by moving overseas you can draw down your pension tax-free. But everyones situation is different, so its really worth consulting a tax specialist before moving overseas. People sometimes think its plug and play  but its not.

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The 84-year-old expensed flights worth 19,906 between 2022 and 2023 alone - LOUISA BULLER/AP

A Labour lord has expensed more than 100,000 on flights between London and his home near Newcastle, The Telegraph can reveal.

Lord Cunningham of Felling, a former cabinet minister, has handed the taxpayer the highest running bill for air travel since 2017 of any peer.

The 84-year-old expensed flights worth 19,906 between 2022 and 2023 alone, documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act show.

Members of the House of Lords are entitled to claim the full value of business class flights to and from Westiminster within the UK and on official visits abroad. MPs may only expense economy class.

In the wake of the 2009 parliamentary expenses scandal exposed by the Telegraph, MPs must keep detailed public records of spending under the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, while Lords are subject to a separate regime.

It comes as scrutiny on politicians spending grows amid the cost-of-living crisis and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer pledges major reforms of the upper chamber.

Lord Cunningham, who led the joint committee on sweeping Lords reforms under Tony Blair, was suspended from the Labour Party whip in 2013 after it was claimed in The Sunday Times he asked undercover reporters posing as representatives of a South Korean energy company for a 144,000 yearly fee to carry out lobbying activities.

He was subsequently cleared of any wrongdoing by parliamentary standards authorities, apologised and had the whip restored.

Last year he submitted more than a dozen expense claims, most of which totalled between 800 and just under 1,000, for British Airways tickets.

This is roughly four times the value of travel expenses claimed by fellow peer Lord Shipley, who also commutes to London from Newcastle, but on the train.

Lord Cunningham has not broken any rules, but the relatively large expense claims have been called into question.

Benjamin Elks, operations manager of the TaxPayers Alliance said that people would find Lord Cunninghams sky-high travel expenses hard to believe.

While most people pay for their commutes out of their own pockets, Lords racking up six-figure expense bills on flights feels deeply unfair.

Parliamentarians have a duty to keep their costs grounded, he said.

It is not clear what class of ticket Lord Cunningham claimed for all the flights expensed during the last six years. However, from October 2017 to July 2018 he claimed for at least 40 trips with the airlines business class Club Europe service.

Lord Cunningham (right) led the joint committee on sweeping Lords reforms under Tony Blair (centre) - John Stillwell/PA Archive

The total cost of his air travel that year was 16,583. In the following year, the former Cabinet Office minister in Tony Blairs New Labour government submitted his most costly set of claims in the period analysed, worth a total of 28,355.

Members of the House of Lords are entitled to claim the full cost of business class air travel between Westminster and their registered address in the UK, as well as to and from official events abroad.

The Telegraph understands that Lord Cunningham commutes to the Lords from an address near Newcastle, although his main address is redacted from expenses documents and not listed on the House of Lords website.

However, departure and arrival times on his expensed flight tickets appear to be consistent with a plane journey between Newcastle International Airport and London Heathrow.

Other lords with high air travel expenses have registered addresses further away that are located in the north of Scotland or Northern Ireland.

While some peers are allowed to expense international travel on official trips where they represent the House of Lords abroad, records show Lord Cunningham has had no days away from Westminster since 2017, indicating his air travel is entirely within the UK.

At least one other Lord regularly makes the same journey by train, which takes a little over three hours each way, at a fraction of the cost to the taxpayer.

Expenses published by the House of Lords show that Lord Shipley, a 77-year-old Liberal Democrat peer whose registered address is listed in Newcastle, attended Lords sittings eight times in April last year and expensed 417 in train travel.

Lord Shipley confirmed all his taxpayer-funded travel between London and Newcastle is by train. He attended a total of 119 days at Westminster last year.

Lord Shipley of the Lib Dems confirmed all his taxpayer-funded travel between London and Newcastle is by train - ROGER HARRIS

Lord Cunningham, who also attended eight days that month, went by plane at a total cost of 2,598 to the taxpayer.

He chairs the sub-committee of the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee and is a member of the Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee in the Lords, and attended Westminster 128 times last year.

Members of the House of Lords are also allowed to expense the travel of spouses and children under the age of 18, which may also be to the value of a business class ticket.

Guidance given to members of the House of Lords states that members are expected to take advantage of any available cheap ticket facilities when booking flights.

Lord Cunningham was approached for comment. A spokesman for the House of Lords said: The sitting patterns of the House of Lords can be uncertain and the scheduling of business can change at short notice.

Business class tickets provide flexibility to Members and can reduce the need to incur extra costs or being required to purchase additional tickets when requirements change.

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A Lafayette man in his 30s died inside this house in the 2300 block of Drexel Drive after a fight with his roommate, according to Lafayette police.

LAFAYETTE, Ind.  Police have released the man who shot and killed 39-year-old Charles Rhodes, and are investigating whether what happened was self defense, Lafayette police Lt. Justin Hartman said.

Rhodes died about 2:35 a.m. Thursday after being shot by a roommate in a house in the 2300 block of Drexel Drive.

No one has been arrested, and the suspected shooter was interviewed and released, Hartman said.

It will be up to prosecutors to determine whether it likely was a self-defense shooting and whether charges are filed.

Neighbors in the area on Thursday indicated the police had been called to that residence in the past. Hartman confirmed that records going back as far as August 2021 indicated officers ran calls to that home for various reports.

Officers released the crime scene Thursday after Rhodes' autopsy, Hartman said, indicating those who live there are free to return to the house.

Reach Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Lafayette police say Drexel Drive shooting possibly self-defense
People living on the east shore of Lake Erie may see the lake's water level rise into their yards and onto roads during this weekend's storm and Arctic invasion. At the same time, residents on the west shore will watch the lake recede far away from them. This phenomenon is what meteorologists call a 'seiche.'

Witnessing a seiche is like looking at the storm surge and waves from a hurricane. When seiches occur during the winter, they add heavy snow and ice into the mix on top of the flood threat. In the video below, Reed Timmer documented the rise of water and debris from a seiche at Buffalo, New York, on Dec. 23, 2022, along with high waves, winds and heavy snow.

BIG-TIME SEICHE storm surge flooding at Buffalo Naval Park with winds over 60 mph. Dangerous #blizzard conditions pic.twitter.com/SnZZDQrRHI  Reed Timmer, PhD (@ReedTimmerAccu) December 23, 2022

Because of the increased water levels, already destructive waves can reach new heights. If the lake has partial ice coverage, damage can also occur as waves throw the ice toward shore.

While the damage from a seiche can be similar to a storm surge from a hurricane, a storm surge would typically be directed at one particular area on the coast, whereas a seiche can damage both shores.

A seiche occurs when wind forces water across a lake, creating high water on one end and low water on the other. (NOAA) A seiche occurs when wind forces water across a lake, creating high water on one end and low water on the other. (NOAA)

For Lake Erie, the largest seiches occur when high winds blow from southwest to northeast, which matches the orientation of the lake. The water is pushed northeastward by high winds then sloshes back in the other direction and continues to oscillate at lower levels. This can happen with any small body of water.

This weekend, Lake Erie's level at Buffalo is forecast to rise nearly 7 feet higher than before the storm, while at Toledo, Ohio, on the west side, levels will drop by 10 feet.

The water level forecast for Toledo, OH, and Buffalo, NY shows a seiche this weekend, with Buffalo rising and Toledo falling. (NOAA) The water level forecast for Toledo, OH, and Buffalo, NY shows a seiche this weekend, with the water level at Buffalo rising but Toledo falling. (NOAA)

The largest known seiche on Lake Erie was a 22-foot event that killed 77 people and dammed Niagara Falls with ice, temporarily stopping the waterfall from flowing. More recently, a 16-foot seiche flooded homes in Buffalo in 2008.

Seiche waves strike a shoreline structure in Buffalo, New York, in April 2018. (NYSDEC) Seiche waves strike a shoreline structure in Buffalo, New York, in April 2018. (NYSDEC)
Brookfield Renewable, owner of the Lake Wallenpaupack hydroelectric project, started releasing lake water over the spillway gates at the dam at noon on Dec. 18, and has continued three and a half weeks as of this Jan. 12 writing. The purpose, according to Brookfield, is a precautionary measure for flood mitigation and there is no safety concern.

Anecdotally, residents are referring to this extended release as what may be the longest in memory. Amy Burnett, senior manager of stakeholder relations/communications at Brookfield, did not respond to questions concerning that.

"Brookfield Renewable began releasing additional water via spillage from Lake Wallenpaupack due to the amount of rainfall received in the past few weeks and the steady increase in lake elevation," the statement released by Brookfield notes. "The spillage is a precautionary and routine measure to reduce the lake level."

The statement stressed, "Again, this is a precautionary measure, part of routine operations during precipitation events, and there is no safety concern."

Burnett said they continue daily monitoring of the many factors that impact the lake elevation.

The majesty of the Paupack Falls has been witnessed from the Ledges Hotel decks in Hawley since Brookfield Renewable began releasing water to bring down the level of Lake Wallenpaupack on Dec. 18, 2023, due to excessive rain. This was the view the afternoon of Jan. 11, 2024.

The water is released through the spillway gates and channeled into Wallenpaupack Creek, where it then flows into the Lackawaxen River at Hawley. The effect, as always, is spectacular as a great volume of water cascades down the rocky ravine which is normally not much more than a trickle depending on runoff. The resulting waterfall roars and sprays high in the air as it tumbles down behind the Hawley Silk Mill and past Ledges Hotel, before meeting the confluence with the Lackawaxen.

"It is quite the sight to see the dam open," said Wayne County Commissioner James Shook, who owns Lake Region IGA alongside the Paupack Falls near Hawley, on Thursday, Jan. 11. He added, "In my first 50 years at the lake, I think it was only open maybe five times prior to 2010, and now it has been open and additional five or six times."

Shook said, "It will probably be full for the next two weeks, which is probably one of the longest releases they ever had."

Mikki Uzupes, whose parents' former business near Hawley (Pines Tavern) was directly opposite the falls, said from her observation, "There are more releases I would say since 2000 at least. Prior to that I only remember one or two others. I can think of probably half a dozen instances since then."

At Ledges Hotel, guests, staff, and other visitors who stop by have a front-row seat to the powerful waterfalls at times like this, observable from their decks overlooking the ravine.

To further aid in bringing the lake level down, water is released into the 3 1/2-mile flume line connecting the lake with the hydroelectric station at Kimbles on the Lackawaxen River in Pike County.

While normally they may use both turbines, generating electricity, due to maintenance activities there is one power generating unit in operation at this time, Burnett stated.

The last release was in July 2023.

Paupack Falls returned to its former glory, Tuesday, July 18, when Brookfield Renewable opened the spillway gates at the Lake Wallenpaupack dam to reduce the lake level due to unusually heavy rain in recent days. The resulting cascade, a rare event, is enjoyed from the decks at Ledges Hotel in Hawley, as seen here. The hotel originated as a glass factory in 1890, powered by these falls, as were several other businesses. Lake Wallenpaupack was created in 1926 for hydroelectric power, and resulted in shutting down the Paupack Falls. This picture was taken July 20, 2023.

National Weather Service records indicate that, as measured at Avoca in Lackawanna County, in December 2023 there was a measured 5.53 inches of precipitation, nearly double the norm of 2.80 inches. The amount measured in December 2022 was 3.68 inches. December 2023 was rated as the third-highest December in terms of precipitation on record.

As of Jan. 12, at 3:49 p.m., the elevation of Lake Wallenpaupack was 1,184.3 feet. The Jan. 1 targeted lake level is 1,183, and by Feb. 1 the target is 1,182. The top of the dam is 1,200 feet; the top of the spill gates is 10 feet lower.

The majestic but still relatively rare releases are reminiscent of the day before Lake Wallenpaupack was created by Pennsylvania Power & Light (PP&L) Inc. in 1926. Before this, the cascade was a normal sight and generated power for many mills and factories, from Wilsonville at the future dam site, to the industries that lined the ravine at Hawley.

Brookfield has owned the Wallenpaupack plant since 2015.

Information regarding Lake Wallenpaupack elevations can be found on the Brookfield Renewable website: safewaters.com/facility/wallenpaupack.

Peter Becker has worked at the Tri-County Independent or its predecessor publications since 1994. Reach him at pbecker@tricountyindependent.com or 570-253-3055 ext. 1588.

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Lake Wallenpaupack water release ongoing after rainy December
A small group of Lake Worth Beach residents have worked for decades to ensure the town has an annual Martin Luther King Day celebration. Now, as the event marks its 30th anniversary, that group is looking for a new generation of leaders to take the reins and preserve the now four-day event for years to come.

The federal holiday has honored Martin Luther King Jr. every year, on the third Monday of January, since the 1980s. Along with recognizing the contributions of Dr. King, the holiday offers a chance to reflect on lessons from the civil rights movement, the victories achieved since that time and all of the needs that still remain.

But it wasn't until the 1990s that residents in Lake Worth Beach began to observe MLK Day.

"They were never recognizing MLK, and we as a community said, 'Why? Why can't we do it? Every other city is doing it.' So we started this," said Retha Lowe, who became the city's first Black commissioner in 1995 before serving for more than a decade.

Former city commissioner Retha Lowe and author Ted Brownstein stand together at the Wall of Unity in Lake Worth Beach, Florida on January 10, 2024.

In the beginning, Lowe joined more than a dozen residents of a historically Black neighborhood in Lake Worth Beach, once known as the Osborne Colored Addition, to start organizing the annual MLK Day celebration.

They started with a one-day event at the local park. "It was like a big family reunion," Lowe said, recalling a day spent with neighbors, potluck meals, family-friendly activities and recordings of MLK's most famous speeches.

Thanks to the Lake Worth MLK Committee, which includes Lowe and a handful of dedicated residents, the event has grown into a multiday celebration that extends throughout the city and draws hundreds of people who hail from different backgrounds.

Residents look forward to bonding over free meals, musical programs, activities and community service projects, along with a candlelight march from City Hall to the Lake Worth Cultural Plaza. Lowe said she tried for years to get the city more actively involved in the planning and execution of the event, ensuring it remains long after the original organizers are gone.

That route has proven to be a dead end so far, she said, and now the organizers are engaging local youth and urging more residents to take ownership of the annual celebration.

"It's important to know the dream that Dr. King had, it's not just for us. It's for everybody," she said. "I would like to see us continue to grow like we are now. This city, when I first moved up here, was so divided. It was so segregated. Since we started this, we have brought this into a salad bowl of people  race, color, religion, everything. It's brought us together."

MLK Day in Lake Worth Beach offers a chance to reflect on history and build community for the future

Murals painted along the Wall of Unity in Lake Worth Beach, Florida on January 10, 2024. The 1,100-foot wall at the southern end of Lake Worth Beach once separated the races in the city.

Ted Brownstein, one of the event's longstanding organizers and a founding member of the Lake Worth Interfaith Network, a key MLK Day sponsor, said it was imperative to continue providing residents with a yearly opportunity to build community and learn about history.

That rings especially true in Lake Worth Beach, which has a robust immigrant population.

"A lot of these people came to the U.S. long after the civil rights moment, and they just don't have a really keen awareness of what Dr. King was all about," said Brownstein, who has memories of marching with MLK and a crowd of 30,000 others during the summer of 1966, when they rallied in Chicago and stood up for equality in education, housing and employment.

"There is power in activism, getting involved and really changing things, which Dr. King accomplished," Brownstein continued. "His emphasis on nonviolence and dialogue and forgiveness and reconciliation are important lessons, along with the recognition that there is still a measure of racial inequality in our society. There's still problems that need to be addressed."

Brownstein, who authored "Pioneers of Jewell: A Documentary History of Lake Worth's Forgotten First Settlement," said the event also offers a chance to highlight local history. And there's no shortage in Lake Worth Beach.

A sign at Bryant Park marks the approximate area where African-American couple Samuel and Fannie James lived and worked starting in 1885. They were among the first people to file claim for a homestead in the area. The Jameses erected a post office, earned the respect of their white neighbors and constructed the town of Jewell  before the existence of Lake Worth.

About 2 miles away, on the 1400 block of Wingfield Street, another reminder of the past  and decades of progress  still stands. The Wall of Unity, as it's now known, once separated Black and white neighborhoods before Lake Worth Beach integrated in 1969, and droves of people came together in recent history to paint the wall and feature important landmarks and community figures.

Brownstein said history can bring people together and remind residents not only of past struggles, but also of the strength, perseverance and accomplishments that lined the path forward. MLK Day, he said, creates a sense of unity that extends far beyond the once-a-year holiday.

"The dedication of the leaders to support this event year in and year out, and the energy they put into it, it helps build community," he said. "We build relationships and then we can collaborate with other things, other community needs."

Questions linger about future and Lake Worth Beach's involvement

Francisco Lopez walks by a mural painted on the Wall of Unity in Lake Worth Beach, Florida on January 10, 2024.

Brownstein and Lowe are among just over half a dozen people who regularly plan the event every year, down from the original group of at least 15 people who started the local MLK Day celebration three decades ago.

"I can't do 30 more years," said Lowe, now 78 years old.

Lowe said the community built something special, and that Lake Worth Beach has a prime opportunity to take ownership of MLK Day. Currently she said, the city provides the stage and sound equipment for speeches and performances at the Cultural Plaza.

But the burden of planning and paying for the multiday event  offered free to the community  falls on the grassroots Lake Worth MLK Committee and a handful of sponsors. And when the event organizers collect donations, they go directly to scholarships for high school students.

Lowe said she has tried for countless years to make MLK Day an official event run by the city, to no avail, but she's staying hopeful. In the meantime, her group is trying to bring more residents and local youth into the fold  people who can carry the torch.

We want people to come, enjoy the event and, if you feel like it, we welcome anybody and everybody to get involved," she said.

Commissioner Sarah Malega, whose district includes the Osborne Community, said she was confident the event would carry on regardless of whether the city takes charge. Plenty of local organizations, she said, can step forward and help.

"Ms. Retha and the community have done a great job," she said. "They started something that's amazing, and it's up to us to succession-plan everything in our city, from who's going to be the next city commissioner to how we're going to carry this event forward. We do have other organizations that could help spearhead it. It's just about getting the right community partners involved."

Anyone interested in getting involved with the Lake Worth MLK Committee can reach Lowe at 561-586-7276.

MLK weekend events schedule in Lake Worth Beach

In Lake Worth Beach, "Thirty Years of Truth, Love and History" will be the theme of the annual Martin Luther King Day Commemoration. All events are free and open to the public.

Friday, Jan. 12, 7 p.m. : A musical theatre presentation, "Unbought and Unbossed," will recognize the lives of two African-American women: Sally Hemings, enslaved by Thomas Jefferson and mother of five of his children, and Shirley Chisholm, the first African American woman to run for president of the United States. A performance by Core Ensemble will include live music and poetry. Dessert reception to follow at St. Andrews Episcopal Church (Lucerne and Palmway).

Saturday, Jan. 13, 8 a.m. : Volunteers of all ages are invited to meet at the Wingfield Street City Gymnasium for a community cleanup organized by Healthier Lake Worth.

Sunday, Jan. 14, 10:30 a.m. : New this year will be Mindfulness and MLK at the Tiger Territory Urban Forest, 706 Eighth Ave. N., across from North Grade Elementary. The event organizer, Soil & Soul, invites teens and adults to a special session of Sunday Mindfulness Club. See how inner resources and mental models fueled the Civil Rights Revolution, including stillness, movement and song.

Monday, Jan. 15, 8 a.m. : The annual MLK Interfaith Breakfast will be held this year at Barton Elementary, 1700 Barton Road. Breakfast will be served at 8 a.m. with the inspirational and musical program to follow. Kings coalition included people of all faiths (and no faith) working for civil and voting rights, and justice. A video short by Richard Jackson will premier. Representatives of more than a dozen Lake Worth Beach-area faith communities will participate.

Monday, Jan. 15, 4:30 p.m. : The 30th annual Candlelight March will be a highlight of the day as hundreds march through downtown Lake Worth Beach with unity, dignity and respect to continue the struggle for a fuller realization of freedom and equality. Participants will gather at 4:30 p.m. at City Hall for a musical Sing-Along and parade down Lake Avenue to the MLK Ball Memorial. A brief commemorative program at the Cultural Plaza Memorial will recognize the accomplishments and unfinished business of Kings Dream.

Monday, Jan. 15, evening: Following the march, a free fellowship dinner will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 402 North M St. Volunteers are needed. Please contact Retha Lowe at (561) 582-7276. For more information, including events planned for the remainder of January and February go to LWInterfaith.net.

Giuseppe Sabella is a reporter covering Boynton Beach and Lake Worth Beach at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at gsabella@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism and subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: MLK Day: Lake Worth celebrates with weekend events; breakfast; march
Frost-resistant, intelligent Fuxing bullet train deployed in Qiqihar, NE China's Heilongjiang

People's Daily Online) 09:49, January 12, 2024

Passengers watch performances on a frost-resistant and intelligent Fuxing bullet train, which travels from the Qiqihar South Railway Station in Qiqihar, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province to Beijing Chaoyang Railway Station in Beijing. (Photo/Xu Shuai, Ma He)

Train G904, a frost-resistant and intelligent Fuxing electrical multiple unit (EMU), departed from the Qiqihar South Railway Station in Qiqihar, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province to Beijing Chaoyang Railway Station in Beijing, on Jan. 10, 2024.

To enrich the passengers' travel experience, the chief conductor described ice and snow tourism destinations along the route via the broadcasting system, while crew members, dressed in cotton-padded jackets with red-and-green floral patterns typical in northeast China, presented passengers with local snacks like frozen pears, frozen persimmons, and candied fruit snacks. Passengers also watched song and dance performances while enjoying the beautiful scenery outside.

Seven frost-resistant and intelligent Fuxing EMUs were assigned to the China Railway Harbin Bureau Group Co., Ltd. to better meet the travel needs of tourists, as ice and snow tourism in Heilongjiang has become increasingly popular in recent days.

Compared to a standard Fuxing EMU, a frost-resistant and intelligent Fuxing EMU features materials designed to withstand low temperatures. It has a quiet carriage, a barrier-free carriage, an open dining area, USB charging ports, adjustable headrests, electric leg rests, wireless chargers, and variable-frequency air conditioners that allow more precise temperature control, guaranteeing a more comfortable winter travel experience.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
A man visits a booth during the 47th session of the Baghdad International Fair in Baghdad, Iraq, on Jan. 11, 2024. More than 800 Iraqi and foreign companies from about 20 countries participated the event, which opened on Jan. 10 and will last until Jan. 19. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)

People look at a vehicle during the 47th session of the Baghdad International Fair in Baghdad, Iraq, on Jan. 11, 2024. More than 800 Iraqi and foreign companies from about 20 countries participated the event, which opened on Jan. 10 and will last until Jan. 19. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)

An exhibitor arranges products during the 47th session of the Baghdad International Fair in Baghdad, Iraq, on Jan. 11, 2024. More than 800 Iraqi and foreign companies from about 20 countries participated the event, which opened on Jan. 10 and will last until Jan. 19. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)

People visit the 47th session of the Baghdad International Fair in Baghdad, Iraq, on Jan. 11, 2024. More than 800 Iraqi and foreign companies from about 20 countries participated the event, which opened on Jan. 10 and will last until Jan. 19. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)

People visit the 47th session of the Baghdad International Fair in Baghdad, Iraq, on Jan. 11, 2024. More than 800 Iraqi and foreign companies from about 20 countries participated the event, which opened on Jan. 10 and will last until Jan. 19. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)
(WHTM)  A Lebanon man has been sentenced to more than eight years in prison for cocaine trafficking and firearm offenses.

The United States Attorneys Office of the Middle District of Pennsylvania stated that Warionex Martinez-Medina, 35, of Lebanon was sentenced on Friday for the attempt to possess with intent to distribute around two kilograms of cocaine and possessing a firearm.

Steelton Borough police officer suspended after rape charge

Martinez-Medina admitted to accepting a package that he believed contained two kilograms of cocaine, stated the U.S. Attorneys office.

When a search warrant was executed at Martinez-Medinas residence in Lebanon by law enforcement, they found a loaded handgun, drug-packaging materials, and over $123,000.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Pennsylvania

State Police.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
Semafor Signals

Insights from Gallup, the Financial Times, and Human Rights Watch

The News

The White House has urged Israel and Lebanon to find a diplomatic solution to calm escalating hostilities on their shared border, amid fears a rise in clashes between Israeli armed forces and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah could lead to a greater regional conflict.

On a visit to Beirut aimed at easing tensions between Israel and Lebanon, White House adviser Amos Hochstein told reporters he believed both sides prefer a diplomatic solution to end the border hostilities that have seen tens of thousands of Israeli and Lebanese citizens forced from their homes.

After Israel assassinated a top Hezbollah commander in southern Lebanon earlier this week, Hezbollah retaliated with an attack on an Israeli army base  while continuing to say it did not want a full-scale war.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

Faith in Lebanons government and financial institutions is already at rock bottom

Source: Gallup

Lebanon could risk further economic and political destabilization if conflict spills deeper into its borders. After Beirut failed to deliver on structural reform and defaulted on its foreign debt in 2018, confidence in the nations government and state institutions plummeted. Drawing from data gathered last September, a month before conflict erupted in Gaza, Gallup reported that only 3% of the countrys population expressed faith in their financial institutions and banks. Gallup found that the financial pressure on households had also reached new heights  with 64% of the population saying that getting by on their present income was very difficult. Public healthcare and education institutions also continue to falter, the research firm found, with its survey suggesting that the only hope that Lebanese retain is with the countrys military.

The Gaza war reminds Lebanons Palestinians of a painful past

Sources: Financial Times, Human Rights Watch

Watching the Israel-Hamas war unfold from across the border has been especially distressing for Lebanons estimated 250,000 Palestinians, most of whom are still stateless and retain close ties to Gaza, The Financial Times reported. The oldest among them fled mandate-era Palestine 75 years ago, and watching Gazans make the exodus to the south of the war-torn enclave has evoked painful memories. Almost 1.9 million Gazans have been internally displaced, according to Human Rights Watch. They are all walking towards an unknown fate, just like we did, one elderly resident who lives in the Shatila refugee camp in southern Lebanon told the FT. This is like the Nakba, all over again.

Israel may find itself spread too thin if it chooses war with Lebanon

Sources: The Washington Post, Reuters

The Biden administration has warned Israel against escalating a conflict with Lebanon, The Washington Post reported citing intelligence that showed Israeli armed forces would struggle to win in a conflict against their Lebanese counterparts with their military assets and resources spread too thin. Though U.S. officials have consistently dissuaded Israel from launching a preemptive attack on Hezbollah, they fear that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sees war in Lebanon as key to his political survival, as the leader continues to face criticism for failing to prevent Hamas Oct. 7 attack. Israel, however, has publicly said that it is giving diplomacy a chance in the hope that Hezbollah will retreat from the countries shared border, Reuters reported.
Attorneys for a Leesburg woman who said she was raped and impregnated by a Lyft driver announced Wednesday that she is suing the ride-share company in federal court.

After a night out, she expected a short, safe ride, San Francisco attorney Rachael Adams said during a video conference call announcing the suit. Instead, the driver immediately began making inappropriate comments, and then things took an even darker turn.

The incident took place in Tampa in April 2019.

Tabatha Means said she hemorrhaged three times and was taken to a hospital in an ambulance. Her son was then placed in a neonatal intensive care unit for a month.

I look at my boy. Hes the most beautiful thing Ive ever seen, she said. But she also described the birth as a mixed blessing, because he is a lifetime reminder of the trauma. She has two other children.

Adams, with the Peiffer Wolf law firm, blasted Lyft for what she said was a decades-long practice of failing to train drivers in sexual harassment. She also said it has failed to update its apps or install cameras (a requirement for taxi companies), and skimped on background checks. The company uses a name check instead of fingerprints, which can be verified by state and federal databases, she said.

The suit is seeking damages for seven types of negligence, including emotional distress, product liability and breach of contract. It was filed in the U.S. District Court, North District of California, San Francisco.

The driver was not named in the suit. Nor was he charged criminally.

Adams said Means was afraid after the attack. The suit said she was even afraid to tell a member of her family because,  it would further traumatize them, as both of them had survived sex abuse by a family member as children.

She also recognized that as time passed, there was no physical evidence, Adams said. However, she was able to obtain a paternity test through Florida child support services and the results show that by 99.9999999998 percent the driver is the father of her son.

The suit said Means was intoxicated, making her easy prey for the driver. He followed her into her residence where he assaulted her, the suit said.

During the video news conference on Wednesday, reporters from around the country praised her for being brave enough to come out with her story.

It was the hardest thing Ive ever done, she said, adding that she was mad at myself for not coming forward sooner. She urged other victims to take action.

Lyft, in an email statement to the Daily Commercial, said: Safety is fundamental to Lyft and the behavior described has no place in our society. The alleged incident from 2019 did not take place on the Lyft platform while using the Lyft app, but rather involved a separate trip arranged between the individuals involved.

"Lyft has worked to design policies and features that protect both drivers and riders, and we are always working to make Lyft an even safer platform. Lyft has a dedicated, around-the-clock safety response team, a partnership with ADT to aid in emergencies, and works with leading national organizations to inform our safety policies.

It also stated the driver is no longer associated with Lyft and hasnt been for years.

Lyft said it uses a third-party company to screen drivers.The background checks include a Social Security trace, national criminal search, court records and a U.S. Department of Justice sex offender registry search.

Adams said the companys response has been wholly inadequate."

The off app claim just means that he turned his phone off, a spokesman for the law firm said.

Earlier coverage: Rape, assault allegations mount against Lyft in what new suit calls 'sexual predator crisis'

Im not surprised Lyft is trying to blame me, Means said.

Adams has handled 1,000 lawsuits against Lyft and Uber, said spokesman Max Karlin, and she now heads up a federal court litigation project.

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Rape allegation is at center of Leesburg woman's lawsuit against Lyft
For many, the schism that has wracked the United Methodist Church seemed inevitable, though it was an outcome few wanted.

The departure of a quarter of the churchs approximately 30,000 congregations illustrates the fallout of a prolonged and messy divorce, sparked by disagreements over issues of sexuality and gender identity.

More than 7,600 congregations signaled their intent to disaffiliate from the UMC as of Dec. 31, with many choosing to join the newly formed Global Methodist Church. The rift marks the largest denominational schism in U.S. history.

Its a divorce, and a messy one, said Tracey Karcher, a former Methodist pastor who runs a general store in rural Sand Springs, Montana. Thats all it is, if you break it down. Who gets to keep what, who gets to live with who. But both sides will move forward.

Tracey Karcher in a photo taken in Heron, Montana, in 2021. Karcher, a former Methodist pastor in North Carolina, said she has taken a step back from the Church while it wrestles with the fallout of the largest denominational schism in U.S. history.

Methodist pastors and members expressed a mix of relief, sadness and hope for the future as the two sides go their separate ways.

The majority of delegates representing U.S. churches are very strong about being welcoming and affirming denominations, said Joel Bullock, senior pastor at St. Matthew UMC in Mesa, Arizona. I cant speak on behalf of traditionalists, but I think they saw the writing on the wall and decided it would be in the best interests to start something new.

Others, like Joyce Miller, a member of Christ Venice Church in Venice, Florida, saw it differently.

As a member of a Global Methodist congregation, I can assure you that those that have chosen to follow the Biblical tradition of Methodism did not leave the UM, Miller wrote in an email. It left us.

LGBT participation a divisive issue

The United Methodist Church has been one of Americas largest Protestant denominations, second in size only to Southern Baptists. While a 2015 Pew Research Center study estimated about 9 million Methodists nationwide, the churchs more recent online directory cited about 5.7 million professing members.

Over the past decade, progressive factions within the church have grown more vocal about overhauling church discipline to welcome LGBT participation, including same-sex marriage and ordination of gay clergy.

In 2016, a number of Methodist clergy came out as gay, fueling debate over the issue. But several years later at the UMCs general conference, church leadership voted to affirm traditional policies, prompting additional blowback.

A quarter of the United Methodist Church's approximately 30,000 congregations have disaffiliated from the church as of Dec. 31, 2023, the largest denominational schism in U.S. history.

The ongoing stalemate prompted Church leaders to bring in mediator Kenneth Feinberg to help broker a resolution that ultimately included creation of a new denomination, the Global Methodist Church, as well as an exit plan allowing churches to disaffiliate for reasons of conscience regarding sexuality issues.

Bullock, who joined St. Matthew last summer, said no disaffiliation vote was necessary among his congregation given that leaders of the regional group to which it belongs  the UMCs Desert Southwest Conference  had already voted to support full LGBT participation despite objections among some members.

The issue, he said, was divisive in his congregation. Bullock, who is gay, read emails and letters written by former congregation members passionately opposed to the churchs open views on sexuality.

Some, he said, left the church before he arrived in July and he cant help but wonder whether he was the impetus.

Some of those folks still have ties to the church, he said. Ive met them personally, and theyre lovely, wonderful people  but this was something they could not participate in.

'Is that what we've been fighting for?'

While many saw the split as inevitable, some expressed frustration with how it unfolded.

The number of reconciling congregations  those voting to accept full participation of LGBTQ people in church life and community  has been growing in the U.S., fueling hopes among many that the UMC as a whole might adopt similar policies and eliminate anti-LGBT language from its laws. Instead, there has been a push toward creation of global regions that could decide matters for themselves.

Frank Schaefer, pastor of University United Methodist Church in Isla Vista, Calif., worries that the schism within the United Methodist Church -- the largest denominational rift in U.S. history -- will leave the issue of LGBTQ acceptance unresolved in church teachings. In 2013, Schaefer, then a Methodist pastor in Pennsylvania, was defrocked after performing a same-sex wedding and refusing to promise not to do so again. He was reinstated on appeal and his defrocking declared unconstitutional.

The way its playing out now is very frustrating for us, said Frank Schaefer, pastor of University UMC in Isla Vista, California. We have lost thousands of churches. Thats a big price to pay for our denomination, and for what?

For Schaefer, the matter is personal: A decade ago, as a pastor in Pennsylvania, he was defrocked after performing a same-sex wedding and refusing to pledge not to do so again. Schaefer was ultimately reinstated by the UMCs judicial council, but left Pennsylvania to become chaplain and pastor at the California church near the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Hes bothered by the idea that the UMC likely wont officially welcome LGBTQ participation as a whole.

If we leave things just as they are, there would be congregations that could continue on a path of discrimination, he said. Is that what weve been fighting for all these years?

Karcher, a former Methodist pastor in North Carolina, said shell take a backseat until things get sorted out.

Her issue is not with more progressive views, she said. Rather, it stems from frustration with the UMCs inflated bureaucracy, an increase in harmful rhetoric on both sides and deteriorating respect for church discipline among regional leaders whove approved ordination of openly gay clergy, despite regulations declaring otherwise.

General assemblies need to approve a change in discipline before you can start changing patterns of behavior, she said, noting church doctrine prohibits ordination of gay clergy.

In April 2015, the Rev. Scott Hopkins, right, of United Methodist Church in Vienna, Va, voiced support of gay marriage as Tracy Grisham, of Amarillo, Texas, shouted her disapproval in front of the U.S. Supreme Court building.

Such infighting has been ongoing for years, she said, but the harmful rhetoric being flung back and forth has gotten worse.

Thats when I had to step back and say, Im not going to be part of it, she said.

Some traditionalists felt driven away

In Florida, Millers congregation overwhelmingly voted to disaffiliate from the denomination, she said, despite the strong emotional attachment felt among those whod grown up in the UMC.

She said those pursuing a more progressive theology could have launched their own denomination but decided to hijack the church instead, laying claim to the funds and infrastructure built by the faithful over hundreds of years.

Schaefer, on the other hand, feels the opposite happened. Before 1972, he said, when the United Methodist Church deemed homosexuality as inconsistent with Christian doctrine, the denomination had no language prohibiting LGBT participation.

I feel like the Church got hijacked by political conservatives, he said. Thats what initiated this whole fight.

Karcher said she can understand how traditionalists might feel pushed out.

FILE - A gay Pride rainbow flag flies with the U.S. flag in front of the Asbury United Methodist Church in Prairie Village, Kan., on Friday, April 19, 2019. As of June 2023, more than 6,000 United Methodist congregations  a fifth of the U.S. total  have now received permission to leave the denomination amid a schism over theology and the role of LGBTQ people in the nation's second-largest Protestant denomination. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File) ORG XMIT: NY487

It became a political issue, and politics have no place in the church, she said. When people start putting their agendas in front of serving our Lord, thats just wrong.

At the same time, she recognizes the impatience among progressives in the church who have spent decades fighting for change.

The issue was set to be reevaluated at the UMCs 2020 general conference in Minneapolis but was sidelined by the pandemic, where it has remained ever since. With the split complete, Karcher hopes some sort of resolution can be reached at the UMCs upcoming meeting in Charlotte this spring.

Its time, she said. Lets make a decision.

Will the split spell new beginnings  or trouble?

While some worry about the church's future, others say the break opens the door for each side to move forward.

This will allow the United Methodists to reorganize and cut back on a lot of red tape and get back to where we once were in serving the Lord, and the world, Karcher said.

But while the hemorrhaging has stopped, Schaefer said the struggle for LGBT recognition remains.

This is a huge loss for everybody, Schaefer said. I dont feel any kind of relief. Those who have left have to come up with cash and start over again in some ways. Theres a lot of anxiety.

Joel Bullock, 50, senior pastor at St. Matthew UMC in Mesa, Arizona. Bullock said the issue of LGBT participation in church life and leadership had been a contentious one for his congregation before he arrived in July 2023. The issue ultimately prompted a denominational schism, leading to the departure of more than 7,600 of the United Methodist Church's approximately 30,000 congregations, the largest such rift in U.S. history.

Despite declining membership, the worldwide denomination has expanded globally  particularly in Africa, where, Karcher noted, adherents are much more conservative.

Theyre extremely conservative, but they are a huge financial base, she said. And if African Methodists decide they want to have their own denomination, thats going to hurt. I can see that happening down the road.

Bullock said his hope is not only that the UMC survives but thrives, calling on leaders to affirm LGBT participation in church law so that people really understand  not just the people in our churches, but those who drive by them  that we are inclusive, that Gods love really is for all people.

This is something we say every Sunday morning in the greeting after announcements, he continued, becoming emotional. No matter what you believe or what doubts you have, no matter what age or color of skin or who you love, you are welcome in this space. And that is the heart, I believe, of who we are as a church. I was somebody who was not accepted at one point  and now I am, and Im thankful to be at a church that accepts me."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Methodist schism: Rift over LGBT issues prompts dread, hope for future
BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and Lesotho's King Letsie III exchanged congratulations on Friday over the 30th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Xi pointed out that since the resumption of diplomatic ties 30 years ago, China and Lesotho have supported each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, joined hands on the journey of national development and revitalization, and helped each other in tackling challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, setting a good example of friendly coexistence and common development for large and small countries.

Xi said that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Lesotho relations and is ready to work with King Letsie III to take the 30th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic ties as a new starting point to further elevate bilateral relations, expand practical cooperation areas, and push for greater development of China-Lesotho friendly cooperative relations.

King Letsie III said that both Lesotho and China have achieved leapfrog development in the past 30 years, adding that the two countries have established a solid diplomatic relationship based on peaceful coexistence, mutual respect and win-win benefits, significantly promoting the well-being of people of the two countries.

He reiterated that Lesotho stands ready to coordinate closely with China to continually strengthen Lesotho-China friendship and friendly cooperation, and to support the development and prosperity of both nations.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane also exchanged congratulations to each other on the same day. Li said China-Lesotho relations have maintained a good development momentum in recent years.

China stands ready to take the 30th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to make concerted efforts with Lesotho to promote the sustainable development of bilateral ties, he added.

For his part, Matekane said China is not only Lesotho's strategic partner, but also its all-weather friend, adding that Lesotho will continue to firmly support and participate in the Belt and Road Initiative and China-Africa Cooperation Forum. 
RICHMOND  Lawmakers representing Petersburg and Roanoke will ask their colleagues to let school systems in those cities establish a program aimed at steering eighth-graders away from gun violence by engaging them in community activities and starting them on the path to job skills and college.

Senate and House bills introduced in the opening days of the 2024 Virginia General Assembly create the Community Builders Pilot Program and Fund. Under the direction of each citys school boards, the program would offer students opportunities to get engaged within their communities, teach them job skills and/or get them ready for college, and help them develop socio-emotional behaviors. The goal is to give the kids alternatives to activities that trend toward potential violence.

Sen. Lashrecse Aird

Del. Sam Rasoul

After-class sessions would be held during the school year, and one session would be held during the summers. Up to 100 students would be selected for the programs through application and referral processes administered by the school system.

In addition, the Petersburg and Roanoke school systems would be required to collect data on the progress of their programs and report that data by Nov. 1 annually through 2026 to the governors office, the House Education Committee and the Senate Education & Health Committee. It is tentatively scheduled to run through July 2027.

A special fund would be set aside in the state treasury to pay for the programs. Unused money would stay in the fund at the end of each fiscal year rather than converting to Virginias general fund.

The bills sponsors are Sen. Lashrecse Aird, D-Petersburg, and Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke.

Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com or on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @BAtkinson_PI.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Petersburg, Roanoke lawmakers push for special after-school programs
Rioters loyal to then-President Trump breach the barricades outside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (Julio Cortez / Associated Press)

To the editor: Its a shame the Civil War didn't end racism along with slavery, and it wouldnt have been that difficult had Reconstruction been allowed to play itself out. The 14th Amendment, at issue now in the question over disqualifying former President Trump from the ballot, was its cornerstone. ("Why the Supreme Court will probably put Trump back on the ballot in Colorado and nationwide," Opinion, Jan. 8)

Race is a social and ethnic construct, not a genetic one, and all sorts of truths were being made obvious during the time. At one point in the 1870s, the majority of members elected to the South Carolina Legislature were Black. Suffrage for women and non-property owners was seriously discussed in those days.

The defeat of courage by cowardice has always been this country's ugliest failure, and it appears we will allow the 14th Amendment to go unenforced again. Trump and his fellow insurrectionists probably will be allowed to run, I have no doubt. It's disheartening.

Ronald Webster, Long Beach

..

To the editor: I think a lot of people are failing to draw what appears to be the logical conclusion of the intent of Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.

It doesn't change any qualifications that the Constitution requires to hold these government positions, but adds an exception for a very specific and extremely dangerous situation.

In the case of the office of president, the Constitution doesn't exclude a candidate who has been arrested, convicted or is in jail for committing a crime. The 14th Amendment doesn't change that.

This amendment applies only to those who had sworn an oath to the Constitution and failed to uphold it. It's a question of honor and integrity. This rule has nothing to do with criminality.

Within the government, officer holders are granted power that can have far-reaching effects; the only thing the Constitution asks in exchange is to honor one's oath to it.

Since this is not a criminal prosecution where someone could lose their liberty, the "due process" standard isn't an issue. However, the amendment gives a disqualified person a second chance to prove their newfound trustworthiness by petitioning Congress to remove their restriction.

What other criminal or civil prosecutions afford that type of relief?

Bill Lawrence, Hawthorne

..

To the editor: I believe the U.S. Supreme Court will, and should, allow Trump to be on the ballot, but not for the reason given by columnist Harry Litman. Our justice system is based on the idea of "innocent until proven guilty," and I think it should still be followed.

Much as I detest Trump and all he stands for, as of now he is innocent.

Litman's reasoning that the justices will put Trump back on the ballot because they are "loath to permit a patchwork result" is contrary to what I believe is the role of the court. Its function is to determine if laws that have been passed are in violation of the Constitution.

I am not aware of anything in the Constitution that disallows a "patchwork." The author even mentions that control over voting is given to the states, seemingly allowing variations to exist.

Jay Michtom, Northridge

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A Lexington woman charged with manslaughter in the death of her 2-year-old child has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.

Alashia Brown, 25, pleaded guilty to reckless homicide in Fayette Circuit Court Friday. She was previously facing a second-degree manslaughter charge before accepting the guilty plea deal.

Reckless homicide is a Class D felony in Kentucky. Prosecutor Todd Willard recommended a five-year prison sentence, which Judge Julie Goodman said is the longest sentence she can impose with the charge.

As part of the guilty plea deal, a $6,420 restitution bill has been ordered to be paid. Willard said he believes the crime victims compensation fund will pay the restitution.

Brown, who is out of custody, will be sentenced Feb. 22.

In November 2022, Brown was charged with murder and criminal abuse after her child died at a hospital from a fentanyl overdose. A few months later a Fayette County grand jury downgraded her murder charge to manslaughter and dropped the criminal abuse charge.

Investigation into the childs death remains ongoing

Investigators are continuing to look into the man who owns the house where the incident occurred, Willard confirmed in court Friday.

Brown said she and her son were at someone elses house when the incident occurred. She and the child took a nap around 11 a.m. or noon and when she woke up around 2 p.m., her son was no longer in bed.

Brown went to look for the child in the kitchen, where she found him unresponsive with a blue pill in his hand, according to previous court testimony. She attempted to wake the child, but was unsuccessful.

The child was taken to a hospital, where he later died.

Willard said Brown was aware of the drug trafficking activity at the home when she and her child went there. No one else has been charged in the incident.

Brown originally told police the overdose happened at her home, according to Willard. When detectives figured out the truth, there were no signs of drug trafficking at the home where the incident happened.
Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher argues 'no one wants to be in a band these days' - FRANCESCO PRANDONI/GETTY

Liam Gallagher has claimed that no one wants to be in a band anymore as they dont want to share the spotlight.

The former Oasis frontman argued in a recent interview that solo artists shun the band life as they are all about me, me, me.

Last week he released a highly anticipated single Just Another Rainbow with John Squires, the fellow Manchester musician and Stone Roses guitarist.

The pair, who are working on a new album together, previously co-wrote the song Love Me And Leave Me, released in 1997.

No one wants to be in a band and share success these days. Its all me me me solo stars, the 51-year-old told The Guardian.

The duo agreed that they worked well together, with Squire saying: I think we were both surprised at how complementary my guitar tone is with his voice and how the songs Ive written worked for him.

Gallagher added: He definitely knows how to write a f---ing song.

Boring solo artist life

In 2022, Gallagher spoke out about how boring life as a solo artist was and that he would much rather be in a band.

Despite his success as a solo artist, which includes five solo number-one albums, he said at the time: It aint what its meant to be.

Id much rather be in a band, all bashing it out together. But as long as it sounds good, thats all that matters.

Oasis split in 2009, which led to a public clash between Liam and his brother Noel at the Rock En Seine festival in Paris.

Liam opened up about the split saying his life caved in when his brother decided to quit the band.

At the time his departure was blamed on the fact that Noel simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer.

But when asked if he would do anything differently, Mr Gallagher said: Yes, Id fill em both in ... They threw me under the f---ing bus. All my life caved in.

The Stone Roses split up for the second time in 2019, after reuniting in 2011.

Squire joined Gallagher on stage at Knebworth in 2022, almost 26 years on from the two concerts Oasis had performed at the same venue in 1996.

Gallagher has had five chart-topping albums in the UK with As You Were (2017), Why Me? Why Not (2019), MTV Unplugged (2020), Cmon You Know (2022) and Knebworth 22 (2023).

At Reading And Leeds festivals this year he will perform the track list from Oasiss debut album Definitely Maybe, 30 years on from its release.

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The UK-US airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen have confirmed that the days of governments meekly asking the Commons for permission to launch military action are over at last.

Until Iraq in 2003, it was considered the legal right  indeed, duty  of any government to embark on necessary military action without the obligation to seek prior approval from MPs. This use of the Royal Prerogative was an entirely understood and uncontroversial convention which allowed ministers to take swift action in the national interest.

The prerogative has been restored but not everyone is pleased about it. Both Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf and Layla Moran, the Liberal Democrat MP who speaks for her party on foreign affairs, have called for parliament to be recalled (despite the fact that it is not currently prorogued).

By giving MPs the chance to vote retrospectively on the military action authorised by Rishi Sunak, constituents would, Moran says, have the opportunity to express their considered views about what the Government has done. Setting aside the rather grim prospect of every MP being inundated with the considered foreign affairs expertise and analysis of, for instance, their local parish council luminaries, what on earth would be the point of a retrospective vote by MPs, other than to use it to undermine the Government at a time of crisis?

Fortunately, Keir Starmer, has taken a rather more considered view and supported the Prime Ministers actions. The Labour leader knows he is facing criticism from the same sections of his party who attacked him when he supported Israels right to defend itself in the wake of the Hamas terror attack on October 7. Hes probably getting used to it by now. And he recognises that someone who aspires to lead the country, and may do so within a year, cannot afford to pander to those who will oppose any military action against any enemy of Israel.

No doubt Moran and those who support her would have been more comfortable with Starmer 1.0, who promised in 2020, as he made his pitch for the leadership of his party, to legislate for a Prevention of Military Action Act. This would only permit lawful military action with the support of the House of Commons and would, he presumably hoped at the time, guarantee the support of Corbynites who view every conflict with which they personally disagree as illegal.

But Starmer has matured somewhat since then, and has calmly and unapologetically rejected many of the pledges he had to make in order to secure the Labour throne. His support for the Governments executive authority to embark on military action without the explicit approval of the Commons does not mean that the prime minister, now or in the future, can be given a blank cheque. Actions still need to be justified, to the Commons and to the public.

But the scenario envisaged by Moran and her party, and some Labour MPs, in which military action, its purpose, its legality, its context and its timing, is subject to the scrutiny of 650 armchair generals who are constantly looking over their shoulders at the reaction of their constituents, would be disastrous. Disastrous for our democracy but, even more importantly, disastrous for our Armed Forces.

Given the combustible political context of the proposed invasion of Iraq in 2003, Tony Blair had little option but to consult the Commons in advance. But what is it about the British constitution that we so often allow mistakes to become precedents? Within a decade of Iraq, David Cameron was recalling parliament (it actually was in recess at the time) to seek permission from parliament to send a handful of RAF jets to Syria in response to the launching by the Assad regime of chemical weapons against civilians. And thanks to the leader of the Opposition, Ed Miliband, Cameron was left defeated while Assad was left smirking.

Rishi Sunak has changed all that and, in doing so, he has done the nation a great service. In ordering, without recourse to parliament, the latest attacks against an Iran-backed force that had been bombing Israeli vessels, the Prime Minister has merely reinstated a legal and effective process that should never have been abandoned in the first place.

The added benefit for Sunak, and a favour that he has done for everyone who works in the parliamentary estate, is that the action he authorised was done and dusted before the usual rent-a-crowd demonstrators wielding Palestinian flags and Socialist Workers Party placards could organise a mostly peaceful (in other words, loud and aggressive) lobby of Westminster.

No doubt the likes of Layla Moran will feel entirely comfortable making her case to them.

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The Liberal Democrats have demanded a retrospective vote on Britains air strikes against the Houthi rebels in Yemen, as Sir Keir Starmer called for Rishi Sunak to make a statement in the Commons on the military action.

The UKs participation in the strikes alongside the US was approved by Cabinet ministers in an emergency joint call on Thursday night.

The Labour leader, along with his shadow defence secretary John Healey, was briefed on the situation, as was Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Commons Speaker.

Layla Moran, the foreign affairs spokesman for the Liberal Democrats, said Parliament should not be bypassed on decisions to take military action.

Footage taken from an RAF Typhoon over Yemen showing a targeted strike against the Houthi rebel group - UK MOD/UPI/SHUTTERSTOCK

The MP for Oxford West and Abingdon said: Rishi Sunak must announce a retrospective vote in the House of Commons on these strikes, and recall Parliament this weekend.

We remain very concerned about the Houthis attacks. But that makes it all the more important to ensure that MPs are not silenced on the important issue of military action.

However, Downing Street confirmed that there were no plans for such a vote to take place, with the Prime Minister saying he would be making a full statement in Parliament and taking questions.

Sir Lindsay said he would be happy to facilitate a recall at any time on the issue, but the Speaker cannot do so without being instructed to by the Government.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle leaves Downing Street after the emergency cabinet meeting - RYAN JENKINSON/STORY PICTURE AGENCY

Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said that while his party was minded to back the Governments position on military intervention, the Government should have recalled Parliament.

He added: Theres a principle there which actually has been upheld for the vast majority of the last decade or more after what happened in the Iraq war we had that dreadful war which I think many people now realise was a big mistake.

Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer said on Friday that Labour was fully supportive of the action needed to respond to attacks by Houthi rebels, but asked that Rishi Sunak make a statement to Parliament as soon as possible.

Sir Keir called for the Government to publish a summary of its legal position following the strikes, which was done shortly before 11.30am.

However, some backbench Labour MPs have criticised the Government over the decision to strike the Houthi rebels.

Apsana Begum, MP for Poplar and Limehouse, called the military action dangerously provocative, at a time when de-escalation (and) peace-building in the region is needed.

Claudia Webbe, MP for Leicester East, wrote on X: Stop the War. Stop bombing Yemen. Recall Parliament Now.

An RAF Typhoon aircraft pictured at RAF Akrotiri following its return after striking military targets in Yemen - UK MOD/REUTERS

Also condemning the Governments actions was former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, now sitting as an independent, who described not recalling Parliament as utterly disgraceful.

The MP for Islington North said: Military action in Yemen by the UK & US government is a reckless act of escalation that will only cause more death and suffering.

It is utterly disgraceful that Parliament has not even been consulted.

When will we learn from our mistakes and realise that war is not the answer?

A prime minister does not require parliamentary approval and has a constitutional right to decide when to authorise military action.

A retrospective vote was held in 2011, after the then-prime minister David Cameron approved military action in Libya.

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Firefighters are deployed to secure the hazardous goods container after a chemical accident in Constance. Silas Stein/dpa

A total of 25 people were hospitalized suffering from respiratory tract irritation after inhaling fumes following a chemical accident in Konstanz in southern Germany on Friday morning.

Employees of a company that produces fruit preparation solutions for the food and beverage industry had detected a corrosive and fuming gas, a police spokeswoman said.

The gas was leaking from a container parked in the basement.

The situation was "life-threatening," but an employee acted quickly and did the right thing, according to the fire department's spokesperson.

The man was wearing full protection and able to use a forklift to move the container out of the building where the leaking gas could evaporate and no longer cause any damage. The environment or surrounding residents were not endangered and the man was unharmed.

According to the police spokeswoman, two chemicals had been mixed together in a 1,000-litre container at the company on Thursday to produce a cleaning agent for boilers.

According to initial findings, the two substances were 53% nitric acid and the detergent Horolith.

For unknown reasons, the temperature rose and a chemical reaction occurred, causing highly toxic nitrous gases to leak and spread throughout the building.

"The substances reacted violently with each other," the fire department spokesman explained, "causing corrosive gases to escape in the basement, which led to respiratory injuries."

The gases could have corroded the lungs of the employees if the container had not been brought out into the fresh air.

"The situation was life-threatening," the spokesman said.

A specialized company was hired to dispose of the container, while the fire department prepared to pump the chemical mixture into another 1000 litre container. The second container contained a solvent that would dilute the mixture and render it harmless.

Firefighters work to secure the hazardous goods container after a chemical accident in Constance. Silas Stein/dpa

Firefighters are deployed to secure the hazardous goods container after a chemical accident in Constance. Silas Stein/dpa
A court order limiting San Francisco's ability to clear street encampments of people who have nowhere else to go will remain in effect while litigation continues, a federal appellate court ruled Thursday.

The ruling by a three-judge panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals marked a substantial win for the Coalition on Homelessness, a progressive advocacy organization that secured a preliminary injunction by challenging San Francisco's policies for clearing encampments as fundamentally unjust and illegal under past court decisions protecting the rights of homeless people to sleep in public in certain situations.

Thursday's ruling is the latest decision in a sprawling legal debate over homelessness in the American West and how local jurisdictions may legally address it. The debate has pitted progressive activists and advocacy groups against liberal leaders such as San Francisco Mayor London Breed and Gov. Gavin Newsom, who have been frustrated along with many of their constituents by the spread of encampments in downtown areas and other neighborhoods since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The debate has also sparked tensions between liberal and conservative judges of the 9th Circuit, including in a separate case out of Grants Pass, Ore. that is under consideration for review by the U.S. Supreme Court.

In its decision Thursday, the 9th Circuit panel declined to consider several arguments in favor of stricter enforcement measures that San Francisco and a coalition of other California cities had raised in recent filings, saying they hadn't been properly raised or substantiated with facts in the lower district court. The judges did acknowledge, however, that the injunction only applies to "involuntarily homeless" people, or those who have not been offered alternative housing or shelter by the city, and ordered the lower court to clarify that point.

In recent months, San Francisco has tried to justify its continued operations to clear encampments, saying they are inhabited by people who have been offered shelter or housing.

The appellate judges also ordered the lower court to specify that the injunction prohibits the city from "threatening to enforce" its enjoined laws, but does not bar the mere presence of police officers near encampments.

John Do, a senior attorney for the ACLU of Northern California representing the coalition, said Thursday's order should help ensure that San Francisco continues ramping up resources and offering shelter and housing to homeless people, rather than simply criminalizing poverty.

"It's a resounding win," he said.

Jen Kwart, a spokeswoman for San Francisco City Atty. David Chiu, said they appreciated that the appellate court "confirmed again and further clarified that the injunction only applies to people who are involuntarily homeless, not those who have refused an offer of shelter."

However, Kwart said their office was "disappointed" by the court's decision not to consider arguments posed by the city in the appellate process, including around the scope of its restrictions  which she said left critical legal questions about solving homelessness unanswered.

"Cities cannot reasonably be expected to solve homelessness while operating under this uncertainty," Kwart said. "At some point, a court will need to clarify the law in this area, and it is disappointing that in the midst of an intense homelessness crisis, we all must continue to wait for that clarification."

Breed's office declined to comment on the pending litigation, but released figures Thursday claiming a 22% increase in the number of people connected to shelter or housing last year, and that 64% of people who city personnel interacted with at encampments "declined offers of shelter or reported already having shelter or housing."

Newsom, in a statement, said the ruling would "only create further delays and confusion as we work to address homelessness."

Liberal judges have argued that the constitution  and specifically the 8th Amendment's provisions against cruel and unusual punishment and excessive fines  protects homeless people's right to sleep in certain public spaces, with certain protective gear, when they have no where else to go. Conservative judges have rejected that idea, arguing that there is a long legal tradition of local jurisdictions enforcing "anti-vagrancy" laws.

Circuit Judge Lucy H. Koh, who wrote the court's opinion Thursday, was joined by Circuit Judge Roopali H. Desai; both were appointed by President Biden. Circuit Judge Patrick J. Bumatay, who was appointed by President Trump, dissented.

Koh wrote that the litigation "raises difficult and important legal questions with real stakes for San Francisco and the thousands of unhoused individuals who call San Francisco home." But, Koh added, the appellate court could not delve into city arguments about geographic and time limits on encampment restrictions that were never made in the lower court.

Moving forward, the lower court should consider whether the city's rules "leave involuntarily homeless individuals with a realistically available place to go," Koh wrote.

Koh wrote that her panel was bound by past 9th Circuit precedent on the 8th Amendment in such matters, but noted the Supreme Court may soon be reviewing the existing precedent.

Bumatay, in his dissent, wrote that the 9th Circuit has repeatedly misinterpreted the protections of the 8th Amendment as it relates to homeless encampments, endangering public safety in the process.

It "cannot be cruel and unusual to prohibit homeless persons from sleeping, camping, and lodging wherever they want, whenever they want," Bumatay wrote. "While they are entitled to the utmost respect and compassion, homeless persons are not immune from our laws."

Newsom has called on the conservative-leaning Supreme Court to take up the Grants Pass case and rule in favor of local municipalities trying to rein in public encampments. He said Thursday's ruling reinforced the need for such intervention.

Do, the coalition's attorney, called Newsom's position "deeply, deeply troubling."

"It is incredibly unfortunate and shameful for our policy leaders to scapegoat unhoused people for their own policy failures," Do said. "Homelessness didn't come out of the ether. It's a direct result of the lack of investment in affordable housing."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The president of Lincoln University in Missouri was placed on paid leave Friday after students and alumni called for his ouster following a senior administrators death by suicide this week.

President John Moseley volunteered to be placed on paid leave while a third party reviews personnel issues and concerns about mental health after Antoinette Bonnie Candia-Bailey died Monday, the universitys board of curators said in a news release.

Antoinette Bonnie Candia-Bailey (Lincoln University)

As a Board, we are committed to make certain the mental health of Lincoln University employees is a priority and that every employee is always treated with dignity and respect, board President Victor Pasley said. The Board has confidence in the leadership team we have at Lincoln, but as we all work together to serve students and the Lincoln University community, this review will fully examine important questions, concerns and gather facts. Dr. Moseley agrees those issues should be examined and has volunteered to go on leave during the review so that it can move forward in a fully independent way.

Candia-Bailey, who was the vice president of student affairs, took her own life in Illinois, her mother and husband told NBC News in interviews Friday. She was 49. They said that she had been terminated by Moseley on Jan. 3. The school did not respond to a request for comment about Candia-Baileys termination and referred to her as a beloved alum and leader in a Facebook post announcing her death. She started in the role May 1.

Her mother, Veronica Candia, and husband Anthony Bailey, told NBC News exclusively that she told them both during the holidays last month that her relationship with Moseley had deteriorated.

She never gave me any specifics about what he did or said, Candia said.

Moseley did not return phone and email requests for comment.

Bailey said his wife was depressed and did not feel supported in her role at the university.

Although the universitys board did not respond to specific questions about why it is conducting a review, Monica Graham, who had been friends with Candia-Bailey since they met during freshman year at Lincoln University, said she received an email from the administrator on the day she died.

The email included a letter addressed to Moseley accusing him of bullying, as well as lengthy criticisms about his leadership and the school administration.

The university did not respond to a request for comment about the letter, including whether it had been received by Moseley. Moseley did not immediately respond to a request for comment left at a number listed for him in public records.

You intentionally harassed and bullied me and got satisfaction from sitting back to determine how you would ensure I failed as an employee and proud alumna, Candia-Bailey wrote in one section, according to the email shared by Graham.

Graham said she last saw Candia-Bailey in October at the universitys homecoming celebration. She said this job isnt going to kill me and this job depresses me, Graham said.

Candia and Bailey said that they had not been contacted by Moseley since Candia-Baileys death. They said they had only been contacted by the president of the board of curators, who on Thursday asked for written permission to have a memorial service for Candia-Bailey.

Sherman Bonds, the president of the universitys national alumni association, is among those who have called for Moseleys ouster since Candia-Baileys death.

We need new leadership and obviously to heal, he said in an interview Friday. My primary concern is institutional care has been breached and that falls on the office of the presidency.

Candia said that in recent days, she has read many admiring social media posts about her daughter.

I was not aware that there were so many people who thought so highly about my daughter, she said. Id just like for her to be remembered as an inspiration to others.

Bailey said that he wanted her to be remembered as an advocate for Lincoln University, where she graduated in 1998.

She loved it there, he said.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's special representative Liu Guozhong will attend the 19th Non-Aligned Movement Summit and the third South Summit in Uganda upon invitation and visit Algeria, Cameroon and Tanzania from Jan. 15 to 24.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning made the announcement Friday.

Liu is a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and vice premier of the State Council. 
With four days before the first caucus of the 2024 Republican primary race, almost all candidates who have little hope of winning have dropped out.

Chris Christie, the former New Jersey governor, bowed out on Wednesday after admitting there was no path to the White House. His withdrawal is expected to boost Nikki Haley who is still in contention.

But the state of the polls appears not to worry Ryan Binkley, an investment banking CEO that almost no one has heard of, and who has been running a little-noticed Republican primary campaign since April.

Mr Binkley told The Telegraph he still thinks his prospects are very good, and said he has received more donations since other candidates have dropped out.

Were looking to have a great turnout and surprise the nation, he said. Were looking to do really well.

Weve had a resurgence in ad money. You know, when theres 15 candidates in there, we missed the requirements for the first debate just by a few people. So we pulled back on the advertising because its a crowded field with governors and billionaires.

Ryan Binkley, 2024 Presidential hopeful, speaks to a reporter at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines - STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

Mr Binkley said his team has recruited around 300 speakers for the Iowa caucuses on Monday, giving him representation across the state and leaving him in fourth or fifth as the campaign heads to New Hampshire.

US presidential races are littered with first-time candidates who hope to break into politics with a shot at the White House, and it is a much-celebrated quirk of the American political system that any American citizen over 35 can run  if they have the money.

The Iowa caucus is the first Republican vote in the nation, and other contenders have spent millions on a sophisticated ground campaign, data targeting of voters, and teams of people to canvas for support.

The main candidates are running events every day, in the hope of meeting as many voters as possible, and travel around the state - which is the size of England - on campaign buses packed with supporters.

They also receive national press coverage through their participation in televised debates, which Mr Binkley has not been invited to join.

Iowa has an outsized impact on the overall race because it sets the tone of the primaries and can result in candidates receiving more support in later votes, or dropping out completely.

Few longshot hopefuls stay in the race for as long as Mr Blinkey, a 56-year-old pastor and businessman from Texas who says he wants to take the US back to the great days of the past.

His examples of former glories include the end of the Second World War and Ronald Reagans 1987 order for Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down this wall.

We havent had anything like that in 20-plus years  weve had division, he said.

Weve had a bad financial plan, leaders putting us 34 trillion in debt with no way out. Were in trouble financially.

Apparently unfazed by the lack of political recognition, Mr Binkley says pollsters 'should pay attention to me because theyre going to hear about us' - Juli Hansen/Shutterstock

The father of five said that he would continue supporting Ukraine as president, but would hope to bring the war to an end if he were to win the White House.

You know what? Our countrys greatest moments have been when we stood for freedom, he said.

We need to stand with Nato; we need to stand with allies throughout the Western world.

It is hard to measure the success of Mr Binkleys campaign since most pollsters do not bother to put him on their lists of potential candidates in surveys.

They should pay attention to me because theyre going to hear about us, he said. I believe were going to surprise Iowa, do well, we want to finish top four or five, and move on.

Apparently unfazed by the lack of political recognition, Mr Binkley said he was not using his campaign to try and land himself a job in the cabinet of another successful presidential candidate  and is only running for the presidency.

Im not really looking for that, he said. Im the CEO of an investment bank. Ive got a good life. Im blessed. I really feel called to this and this one running for it, for a United States of America.

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A person waves a palestinian flag while passing a pro-israel protest outside the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. The United Nations' top court opened hearings Thursday into South Africa's allegation that Israel's war with Hamas amounts to genocide against Palestinians, a claim that Israel strongly denies. (AP Photo/Patrick Post)

In the second day of hearings Friday at the United Nations' top court, Israel rejected allegations levied by South Africa that its campaign against Hamas amounts to genocide against the Palestinian people, saying that, if anything, it is Hamas that is guilty of genocide.

Although the case is likely to take years to resolve, South Africa is asking the International Court of Justice to order an immediate suspension of Israels military offensive in the Gaza Strip. Its unclear if Israel would comply with any court order.

Meanwhile, the United States and British militaries have launched strikes on sites used by the Iran-backed Houthi rebel group in Yemen in retaliation for their attacks on ships in the Red Sea. The Houthis say their attacks are aimed at stopping Israels war on Hamas, but their targets increasingly have little or no connection to Israel and imperil a crucial trade route linking Asia and the Middle East with Europe.

The Oct. 7 Hamas attack from Gaza into southern Israel that triggered the war killed around 1,200 people and saw some 250 others taken hostage by militants. Israels air, ground and sea assault in Gaza has killed more than 23,000 people, some 70% of them women and children, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-ruled territory. The count does not differentiate between civilians and combatants.

Currently:

 The U.S. military strikes another Houthi-controlled site in Yemen after warning ships to avoid parts of Red Sea. How Houthi attacks on ships there are crimping global trade.

 Israel defends itself at the U.N.s top court against allegations of genocide.

 U.S. defense secretary ordered Yemen strikes from hospital where he's receiving prostate cancer care.

 Israel kills three Palestinians after they attack inside West Bank settlement, army says.

 Blinken sees a path to peace in Gaza, reconstruction and regional security after his regional tour.

 Find more of AP's coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war.

Here's the latest:

THOUSANDS RALLY IN INDONESIA DEMANDING CEASE-FIRE

JAKARTA, Indonesia  At least 5,000 pro-Palestinian demonstrators rallied Saturday in front of the heavily guarded U.S. Embassy in downtown Jakarta to demand a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war.

Organized by the Indonesian Mass Organization Council, a conservative Muslim forum, the protesters wore black and white as they joined the Global Day of Action Stop the War on Gaza. Waving Indonesian and Palestinian flags, they held signs that read Boycott Israel, End the Genocide of Palestinians and Ceasefire Now.

Indonesia, the worlds most populous Muslim-majority nation, has long been a strong supporter of Palestinians and does not have formal diplomatic relations with Israel.

U.S. SAYS ITS MILITARY STRUCK ANOTHER HOUTHI SITE IN YEMEN

WASHINGTON  The U.S. military has struck another Houthi-controlled site in Yemen that was determined to be putting commercial vessels in the Red Sea at risk.

The strike happened early Saturday, according to two U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an operation that hadnt yet been publicly announced.

Associated Press journalists in Sanaa, Yemens capital, heard one loud explosion.

The first day of strikes on Friday hit 28 locations and struck more than 60 targets. However the U.S. determined the additional location, a radar site, still presented a threat to maritime traffic, one official said.

___

By Tara Copp, Lolita C. Baldor, Jon Gambrell and Aamer Madhani.

ISRAEL'S ORDERS FOR DISLACEMENT IN GAZA POTENTIALLY AMOUNT TO A WAR CRIME, U.N. SAYS

UNITED NATIONS  Israels orders for massive displacement of more than 1 million people in Gaza without ensuring access to food, health care, shelter or safety fail to meet international legal requirements and potentially amount to forcible transfer, a war crime, a senior U.N. official said Friday.

Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ilze Brands Kehris also expressed alarm at incendiary statements by some Israeli officials pushing for Palestinians to be resettled overseas.

Palestinians right to return to their homes must be subject to an ironclad guarantee, she told a Security Council meeting on the threat of forced displacement.

U.N. humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths told the council that what has been unfolding in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory is a war conducted with almost no regard for the impact on civilians.

As a result of Israels unrelenting evacuation orders, he said, more people are being crammed into an ever-smaller sliver of land, only to find yet more violence and deprivation, inadequate shelter and a near absence of the most basic services.

Griffiths also said the statements by Israeli officials on encouraging Palestinians to go to other countries raise grave concerns about possible forcible mass transfer or deportation  something that would be strictly prohibited under international law.

U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY WAS IN HOSPITAL WHEN HE ORDERED STRIKES ON YEMEN, PENTAGON SAYS

WASHINGTON  From his hospital room, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin first orchestrated and then watched in real time as the U.S. retaliatory attack on Yemen-based Houthi militants unfolded Thursday night.

It was the latest in a series of responsibilities Austin has carried out from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he has been recovering from complications due to treatments for prostate cancer that he initially did not disclose.

On Friday, President Joe Biden said it was a lapse in judgment for Austin to keep his hospitalization a secret, but said he still has confidence in the Pentagon chief.

Austins delays in disclosing his prostate cancer and his hospitalization have roiled the administration, Pentagon and Congress. Pentagon officials have repeatedly said that Austin has been performing his duties for the last week, even as he remains hospitalized.

GERMANY TO JOIN U.N. CASE ON ISRAEL'S BEHALF, SAYS NO BASIS FOR GENOCIDE CHARGE

BERLIN  Germanys government said Friday that it will request to join the International Court of Justice case as third party on Israels behalf, saying there is no basis whatsoever for genocide accusations.

Under the courts rules, if Germany files a declaration of intervention in the case, it will be able to make legal arguments to support Israel at the merits phase of this case to address how the genocide convention should be interpreted, legal expects say.

"That would come after the court issues its decision on South Africas request for urgent measures to protect the Palestinian people in Gaza, said international lawyer Balkees Jarrah, associate director of the international justice program at Human Rights Watch, in an interview from The Hague where she attended the ICJ hearings.

Berlin's support for Israel carries some symbolic significance given Germanys Nazi history.

Hamas terrorists brutally attacked, tortured, killed and kidnapped innocent people in Israel, German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said in a statement Friday. Since then, Israel has been defending itself against the inhumane attack by Hamas.

We know that different countries assess Israels operation in Gaza differently, Hebestreit said. However, the Federal Government firmly and expressly rejects the accusation of genocide that has now been made against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

Hebestreit said Germany sees itself as particularly committed to the Convention against Genocide. He added: We firmly oppose political instrumentalization,.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the announcement, saying the gesture touches all of Israel's citizens.

ISRAEL KILLS 3 PALESTINIANS AFTER THEY ATTACK WEST BANK SETTLEMENT, ARMY SAYS

JERUSALEM  The Israeli army said Friday it killed three Palestinian men who infiltrated a West Bank settlement and fired on soldiers.

The soldiers were attacked while patrolling the settlement of Adora in the southern West Bank and they returned fire, killing three men, according to Israels Army Radio.

One 34-year-old Palestinian man involved in the attack was wounded with a shot to the leg, Israels medical rescue service said, without providing more information.

The attack came amid surging violence in the occupied territory nearly 100 days into Israels war with Hamas in Gaza.

Israel has held the West Bank under a tight grip ever since Hamas deadly cross-border attack in southern Israel on Oct. 7. The army frequently stages deadly military raids it says are aimed at stamping out militancy.

The Palestinian Health Ministry says Israeli forces have killed 344 Palestinians in the West Bank since Oct. 7.

U.N. SAYS DESPERATION AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN, NEW MOTHERS AND OTHERS IN GAZA

UNITED NATIONS  Returning from a week in Gaza, a senior official for the U.N. agency that focuses on sexual and reproductive rights for women warned that the situation is beyond any of our worst nightmares  and its getting worse.

Dominic Allen, the U.N. Population Funds representative covering the Palestinian territories, told reporters in a video briefing from East Jerusalem on Friday that desperation is everywhere, from pregnant women, doctors and midwives to humanitarian workers and people who have fled their homes and are moving to the southern part of Gaza.

Many pregnant women who should be getting extra nutrition are suffering from thirst, malnutrition and lack of health, Allen said. If the bombs dont kill them, if disease hunger and dehydration dont catch up with them, simply giving life will  and we cant let this happen.

He repeated his message several times: The world needs to help Gaza. It needs to help at scale, and it needs to help now.

Allen said he is terrified for the 1 million women and girls in Gaza, including 690,000 who are of menstruating age but have almost no sanitary supplies, and 5,500 pregnant women due to give birth in the coming months  which means 180 births every day in Gaza.

Since Hamas Oct. 7 surprise invasion of south Israel and Israels military response, UNFPA estimates there have been 18,000 births, he said. While the agency has been able to provide supplies for more than half of those deliveries, much more is needed.

One of the few functioning hospitals in southern Gaza that he visited is overwhelmed with 70 to 80 births a day, including 20 cesarean sections, Allen said, and women can only spend a few hours in the hospital because of the overcrowding. That means the mothers and their mainly underweight babies arent getting the post-natal care they need, he said.

IRAN PRAISES YEMENS HOUTHIS IN WAKE OF U.S.-LED BOMBING

TEHRAN  Irans foreign minister on Friday praised Yemen's Houthi rebels for their support for the Palestinians in Gaza, an apparent reference to Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping that the Houthis say are aimed at stopping Israels war on Hamas.

However, Hossein Amir Abdollahian also said in a post on X that the Houthis are fully committed to marine and shipping security, without elaborating.

The foreign minister said the United States, instead of striking Yemen, should halt its military support for Israel's operations in Gaza and the West Bank in order to restore security to the entire Mideast.

In Tehran, a group of people gathered outside the British Embassy in Iran to protest London's role in this week's airstrikes on Yemen. Carrying Palestinian flags, they burnt flags of Britain, U.S. and Israel. Similar rallies were held earlier on the day after Friday prayer ceremonies in the capital Tehran and other major cities of the country.

KEY HOSPITAL LOSES POWER IN CENTRAL GAZA, DOCTORS WARN PATIENTS WILL DIE WITHIN HOURS

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza  Power cut off at the main hospital in central Gaza on Friday after it ran out of fuel for its main generator, according to an Associated Press journalist at the hospital, and doctors warned that patients would soon die if electricity isnt restored.

The cut came soon after Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the city of Deir al-Balah warned that its fuel supply was about to run out. It said the U.N. had told it a fuel delivery was expected but it had not arrived by Friday night.

After the facility went black after nightfall, staff kept ventilators and incubators operating using batteries charged by solar power during the day. But they warned that would last only a few hours. In two hours at most, if the electricity doesnt come back, and the oxygen, these patients you see here will die, said one doctor, Taiseer Abu Sweirih, speaking to the AP in front of bed-ridden patients on life support.

The hospital has been overwhelmed with wounded from Israels bombardment and ground offensive across the central portion of Gaza.

Last week, the WHO said half of Gazas 36 hospitals are out of action, while the remaining 13 are only partially functional.

Gazas health sector has been decimated by the three month war between Israel and Hamas, with many hospitals unable to treat the rising number of casualties or re-stock supplies including basic medicine.

U.N. CHIEF SAYS YEMEN'S HOUTHIS MUST HEED CALL TO STOP ATTACKING SHIPS

UNITED NATIONS  The United Nations chief says Yemens Houthi rebels must comply with the Security Council resolution demanding an immediate halt to all attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres took note of Thursdays U.S. and British airstrikes, with support from other countries, said U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric on Friday. Guterres called on all nations that are defending their vessels from attacks to do so in accordance with international law, as stipulated in the resolution.

The Security Council approved the resolution by a vote of 11-0 vote Wednesday with Russia and China among the four countries that abstained. In addition to condemning and demanding a halt to Houthi attacks, it implicitly condemned the Houthis main weapons supplier, Iran.

Dujarric said the secretary-general also calls on all parties not to escalate even more the situation in the interest of peace and stability in the Red Sea and the wider region and to avoid acts that could further worsen the situation in Yemen itself.

DEAL TO DELIVER MEDICINE TO HOSTAGES IN GAZA IS IN THE WORKS BETWEEN ISRAEL AND QATAR

JERUSALEM  Israel and Qatar are working on a deal to deliver much-needed medication to Israeli hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza, the Israeli government and a diplomat said Friday.

Hamas and Israel have both shown willingness to allow the delivery of the medicine, the diplomat said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the negotiations were still ongoing. Logistics are still being worked out, including the types of medications needed and how to deliver them, the diplomat said.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had assigned the head of the Mossad intelligence service, David Barnea, to discuss the entry of medicines to the hostages with the Qataris, who have acted as mediators with Hamas in previous negotiations over hostage releases. In a statement, the office said the delivery could take place in the coming days.

The diplomat said the move for a deal came after families of hostages met with Qatars prime minister and raised their worry that some of their loved ones are in need of important prescription medication.

Hamas and other militants abducted around 250 men, women and children during their Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel that triggered the war in Gaza. During a cease-fire, around 100 hostages were freed in return for the release of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, leaving around 130, mostly men, including 10 over the age of 75. Since then, Israel has announced that 20 died in captivity, leaving around 110.

The diplomat said discussions were also underway with international NGOs about delivering the medicines. During a round of swaps of hostages for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel in November, the International Committee of the Red Cross served as the go-between, receiving freed hostages from Hamas and transporting them out of the territory.

The ICRCs spokesperson in Geneva, Jason Straziuso, would not comment on the reported deal but said that since the start of the war, the group has been calling for three things  that the hostages be released, barring that, that we be allowed to visit them and deliver medications as needed, and that the hostages be able to communicate with their family.

___

Associated Press writer Isabel Debre contributed.

NEW MISSILE ATTACK AGAINST VESSEL OFF YEMEN'S COAST, U.K. SAYS

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  A new missile attack has been reported off Yemen. The British militarys United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, which oversees Mideast waters, reported the attack Friday night.

It said the missile was fired toward a ship 90 miles (145 kilometers) southeast of Aden, Yemen, while the ship was being followed by three small vessels.

The ship reported no injures or damage from the attack, the organization said.

Vessels are advised to transit with caution, it warned.

The U.S. Navy has warned American-flagged vessels to stay out of areas around Yemen in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden for the next 72 hours, a notice to shippers issued by the U.S. said. The warning came over the airstrikes launched by a U.S.-led coalition against the Houthis.

GAZA LOSES PHONE AND INTERNET DUE TO FIGHTING, CUTTING OFF COMMUNICATION WITH OUTSIDE WORLD

CAIRO  The Palestinian telecoms provider, Paltel, said Friday all communication services across Gaza have dropped due to ongoing fighting, isolating the besieged territory from the outside world.

We regret to announce that all telecom services in Gaza Strip have been lost due to the ongoing aggression Paltel said in a post on X. Gaza is blacked out again.

Communication services in Gaza have completely dropped at least seven times since the Oct. 7 start of the Israel-Hamas war, according to Paltel.

The telecom company is used by people in both the Israel-occupied West Bank and The Gaza Strip.

ISRAEL SAYS IT COMPLIES WITH INTERNATIONAL LAW AND THAT A RULING OF GENOCIDE WOULD SET A BAD PRECEDENT

JERUSALEM  Israel argued on Friday that South Africa was trying to defame Israeli leadership and society by accusing the country of genocide at the International Court of Justice.

Making Israels closing statement, attorney Gilad Noam said South Africas case against Israel made the nation look like a state singularly consumed with destroying an entire population. That is patently false.

Noam, Israels deputy attorney general for international law, argued that compliance with the law was woven deeply into the fabric of the Israeli military apparatus and a core component of the Israeli state since the war that led to Israels creation. That war forced an estimated 700,000 Palestinians from their homes in what is known by Palestinians as the Nakba, Arabic for catastrophe."

When the cannons roar in Gaza, the law is not silent, Noam said. This has been the case since 1948.

On Thursday, South Africas legal team alleged that Israeli leadership had demonstrated genocidal intent, pointing to statements made by top officials. But Noam said Israel has no tolerance for statements calling for harm to civilians in Gaza and that the Israeli justice system could consider them to be incitement.

Noam said an order by the court asking Israel to halt hostilities in Gaza would lead to a perverse situation in which Hamas would continue to attack citizens of Israel, hold about 136 hostages in the Gaza Strip and prevent displaced Israelis from returning to their homes. It would also set a precedent, he said, in which militant groups like Hamas turn to the international court for protection.

Yes, there is a heart wrenching armed conflict," Noam said. "But the attempt to classify it as genocide will turn an instrument adopted by international community to prevent horrors of the kind that shocked the conscience of humanity during the Holocaust into a weapon in the hands of terrorist groups who have no regard for humanity or the law.

GERMANY SAYS NO BASIS FOR GENOCIDE ACCUSATION AGAINST ISRAEL

BERLIN  Germanys government said there is no basis whatsoever for an accusation of genocide against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

We know that different countries assess Israels operation in Gaza differently, government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit said in a statement Friday. However, the Federal Government firmly and expressly rejects the accusation of genocide that has now been made against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

Given Germanys Nazi history, Hebestreit said the German government sees itself as particularly committed to the Convention against Genocide. The convention is a central instrument for preventing future crimes against humanity like the Holocaust, he said.

We firmly oppose political instrumentalization, Hebestreit said.

HAMAS CONDEMNS STRIKES ON HOUTHI TARGETS

CAIRO  Hamas has condemned U.S.-led strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, saying Washington and London are responsible for any repercussions in the wider region.

We consider it (the attack) a crime and a blatant aggression against Yemeni sovereignty, and a threat to the security of the region, the Palestinian militant group said in a statement on Telegram.

Hamas and the Houthi rebels are allies, brought together by a common enemy, Israel, and backed by a common sponsor, Iran.

The Houthis have launched at least 27 attacks against commercial shipping since the war between Israel and Hamas erupted on Oct. 7. The group says the attacks are in response to the war in Gaza but many of the ships targeted have no connection to Israel.

RUSSIA CONDEMNS STRIKES ON HOUTHI REBEL POSITIONS

MOSCOW  The Kremlin on Friday condemned the U.S.-led strikes on Houthi rebel positions in Yemen, calling them illegitimate from the point of view of international law.

The countries that struck, they tried to put their actions on the basis of international law, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters, referring to a U.N. resolution adopted earlier this week that demanded an immediate halt to attacks by the Houthi rebels on ships in the Red Sea. This attempt was unsuccessful, because the adopted resolution does not provide any right to strike, Peskov said.

However, he described the rebels attacks on ships in the Red Sea as extremely wrong and added that Russia repeatedly called on the Houthis to abandon this practice.

BRITAIN'S SUNAK SAYS ATTACKS ON HOUTHI REBELS WERE PROPORTIONATE AND TARGETED

KYIV, Ukraine  British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said attacks by Houthi rebels could not continue with impunity and that overnight strikes by the U.S. and Britain should degrade and disrupt their ability to endanger shipping through the Red Sea.

Over the last month, weve seen a significant increase in the number of Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, he said while on a visit to Ukraine. Thats putting innocent lives at risk, its disrupting the global economy and its also destabilizing the region.

He said this type of behavior cant carry on and reiterated his view that the strikes, which involved British Typhoon jets flying from a British base in Cyprus, were proportionate and targeted.

Sunak said initial indications are that the strikes were successful.

People cant act like this with impunity and thats why together with allies weve decided to take this action, he added.

He said he will make a statement to Parliament about the strikes on Monday.

U.N. HEALTH AGENCY SAYS GAZA'S MAIN HOSPITAL IS PARTIALLY FUNCTIONING AGAIN

JERUSALEM  The head of the World Health Organization said Friday that Gazas main hospital has begun partially functioning once again, after an Israeli operation in early November forced it to shut down.

Director-General Tedros Gebreysus wrote on X, formerly called Twitter, that the organization has delivered 9,300 liters (2,460 gallons) of fuel to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, allowing a 60-person medical team to begin treating over 1,000 patients. He said Shifa now has a working emergency room and a surgical ward with 40 beds.

The hospital was the site of a major Israeli raid in November. Israel said it targeted the facility because it was hiding a Hamas command and control center, but evidence provided by Israel of rooms in tunnels underneath the hospital did not fully prove the claim.

We insist, once again, that health must be protected and never targeted or militarized, Tedros said, calling for increased fuel and medical supplies for hospitals in Gaza.

RELATIVES AND SUPPORTERS OF HAMAS-HELD HOSTAGES MARCH IN ISRAEL

JERUSALEM -- Relatives and supporters of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group marched in Israel on Friday to bring attention to the 136 people remaining in captivity ahead of the wars 100-day mark.

In one march near Kibbutz Urim in southern Israel, participants sought to focus attention on physical and sexual violence that hostages may be experiencing while in captivity. They bound themselves with red tape and marched behind a woman who writhed in a mobile cage. Bring our sisters home now!" they chanted.

The marches began as Israeli lawyers sought to defend the country against charges of genocide at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Protesters denounced the allegation, brought by South Africa.

Its a shame, its a shame. We are the one who were murdered, who were kidnaped, who were raped, and were going to trial and not the terrorist organization, what is wrong with you? said Eleanor Sela, one of the marchers.

ISRAEL ACCUSES SOUTH AFRICA OF USING SELECTIVE FACTS IN GENOCIDE ALLEGATION

THE HAGUE, Netherlands  Israel is accusing South Africa of cherry-picking facts in its case accusing Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinian people.

Attorney Galit Raguan told the International Court of Justice on Friday that in its presentation, South Africa barely mentioned Hamas outside of its initial attack on Israel on Oct. 7, which started the ongoing hostilities.

She said South Africa has also ignored Israels attempts to mitigate civilian harm in its ground offensive in Gaza by warning of attacks in advance, working with hospitals to provide assistance and urging evacuations in advance of operations.

South Africa paints a dire picture, but it is a partial and deeply flawed picture, she told the court.

She accused Hamas of using hospitals and other civilian facilities to launch military operations and shelter fighters, and suggested the militant group sought civilian casualties to help sway opinion against Israel.

Hamas has built a military strategy founded on embedding its assets and operatives in and amongst the civilian population, she said.

Urban warfare will always result in tragic deaths, harm and damage, but in Gaza, these undesired outcomes are exacerbated because they are the desired outcomes of Hamas.

GERMANY BACKS U.S.-LED STRIKES ON HOUTHI REBELS

BERLIN  German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Friday that Germany backs the United States-led strikes on Houthi targets in the Red Sea.

The reaction has our political support, Baerbock said from Kuala Lumpur after a meeting with Malaysias Foreign Minister, Mohamad Hasan, according to the news agency dpa.

She criticized the Houthis for contributing to the destabilization of an already tense regional situation with their attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea, calling on the group to stop these attacks immediately.

Baerbock said German and European Union leaders are working to quickly determine how we ourselves can strengthen stabilization in the Red Sea and can contribute to this stabilization.

NETHERLANDS SUPPORTS STRIKES ON HOUTHI REBELS

THE HAGUE, Netherlands  Caretaker Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said his country supports the U.S. and British military strikes on Houthi rebels who have targeted shipping in the Red Sea.

The Houthi attacks are a clear violation of international law and pose a threat to maritime personnel and trade flows. The US-British action is based on the right of self-defense, aims to protect free passage and is focused on de-escalation, Rutte said in a message on X, formerly Twitter.

The Netherlands, with its long history as a sea-faring country, places significant importance on the right of free passage and supports this targeted operation, he said.

IN DAY 2 OF HEARINGS, ISRAEL REJECTS SOUTH AFRICA'S ALLEGATIONS OF GENOCIDE

THE HAGUE, Netherlands  Israel is rejecting allegations levied by South Africa that its campaign against Hamas amounts to genocide against the Palestinian people, saying that, if anything, it is Hamas that is guilty of genocide.

Israeli representative Tal Becker asked for a dismissal of the case, calling it a libel in his opening statement Friday to the International Court of Justice.

He told the court that Hamas started the violence with its surprise Oct. 7 attack on Israel in which more than 1,200 people were killed, while showing the court images of those people slain.

Becker accused Hamas of hiding its fighters and military assets throughout Gaza in densely populated civilian areas, and making use of mosques, homes, U.N. facilities and hospitals. He also showed the court video of Hamas official Ghazi Hamad vowing to continue attacks and annihilate Israel, while discounting the reported death toll of more than 23,000 Palestinians as unverified statistics provided by Hamas itself.

If there is a threat to the Palestinian civilians of Gaza, it stems primarily from the fact that they have lived under the control of a genocidal terrorist organization that has total disregard for their life and well-being, Becker, who is the legal adviser to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told the court.

FRANCE CONDEMNS HOUTHI ATTACKS ON VESSELS IN THE RED SEA

PARIS  France condemned Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and demanded an immediate halt Friday. France has warships in the region that protect commercial vessels and are working with American and British partners.

Through these armed actions, the Houthis bear an extremely heavy responsibility for regional escalation," the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement. It noted that this weeks United Nations resolution gives countries the right to react to these attacks.

France will continue to assume its responsibilities and contribute to maritime security in this zone in conjunction with its partners, it said.

9 PALESTINIANS KILLED IN AN ISRAELI STRIKE IN SOUTHERN GAZA

RAFAH, Gaza Strip  Nine members of a Palestinian family have been killed in an Israeli strike in southern Gaza.

Relatives gathered Friday at the Abu Yousef Al-Najar Hospital in Rafah to grieve for their loved ones who were killed the day before, their bodies laid out on the ground covered in white sheets.

Hundreds of people have been killed in recent days in strikes across the territory, including in areas of the far south where Israel has told people to seek refuge. Israeli military operations in Gaza have lately focused on the southern city of Khan Younis and urban refugee camps in the territorys center.

The Israeli military said Friday that, over the past day, it had killed dozens of militants in Khan Younis and the Maghazi camp.

Since the Oct. 7 attack launched by Hamas into southern Israel in which some 1,200 people were killed, at least 23,469 Palestinians have been killed according to the Ministry of Health in Hamas-run Gaza.

Israel has reported 184 soldiers killed since the beginning of its ground operations.

NORWAY AND SWEDEN CALL FOR AN END TO ATTACKS IN THE RED SEA BEFORE CONFLICT SPREADS FURTHER

COPENHAGEN, Denmark  Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide described the situation in the Mideast as a low-intensity conflict that was now spreading to neighboring countries.

The basic conflict is the one we see in Gaza and in the Middle East itself. We must do everything we can to solve it, Barth Eide said. At the same time, it is not acceptable that there are regular attacks on shipping through the Red Sea.

His Swedish colleague Tobias Billstrom said in a statement to the Swedish news agency TT that the responsibility for the situation lies with the Houthis. Their attacks in the Red Sea must stop.

YEMEN'S HOUTHI REBELS SAY U.S.-LED STRIKES TARGETING THEM KILLED 5 PEOPLE AND WOUNDED 6

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  United States-led airstrikes on Yemen killed at least five people and wounded six others, military spokesperson from the Houthi rebels Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said Friday in a videotaped address.

The American and British enemy bears full responsibility for its criminal aggression against our Yemeni people, and it will not go unanswered and unpunished, Saree said.

He described 73 strikes hitting five regions of Yemen under Houthi control. He did not elaborate on what the U.S.-led strikes targeted.

TESLA ANNOUNCES PRODUCTION STOPPAGE DUE TO RED SEA FIGHTING

BERLIN  The electric vehicle company Tesla announced it will halt most of its production for two weeks in its factory near Berlin, from Jan. 29 to Feb. 11, due to the developing conflict in the Red Sea.

The armed conflicts in the Red Sea and the associated shifts in transport routes between Europe and Asia via the Cape of Good Hope are also affecting production in Grunheide, Tesla said in a statement Thursday night. The significantly longer transport times create a gap in the supply chains.

Normal operations are expected to begin again on Feb. 12, Tesla said in the statement.
Heavy rain has moved out of metro Atlanta after felling trees and power lines.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

A colder, drier weekend is ahead.

Heres the weather threat as it happened.

LIVE UPDATES:

2:01 p.m.

Trees are down on Lovel Road and Druid Road in Rome.

1:58 p.m.

In response to the Heads Creek Reservoir Emergency Action Plan activated by the Spalding County Director, TJ Imberger, announced today the official closure of bridges surrounding Heads Creek Reservoir. This precautionary measure is a result of the recent rain event on Tuesday (01/09) and the anticipated rainfall on January 12th, posing a potential risk of flooding.

The following bridges will be closed immediately and will remain inaccessible until further notice, contingent upon a safe reduction in water levels:

West McIntosh @ New Salem South New Salem on dirt portion Vaughn @ W McIntosh

West Ellis Rd between Parker Rd and Campground Rd West Ellis Rd between Quail Rd and Vaughn Rd

Moon Rd between Parker and Campground Rd

12:45 p.m.

Around 1,200 people in Cobb County are without power.

11:58 a.m.

Around 1,000 people in northwest Georgia are without power, according to Georgia Power.

Another 1,000 North Georgia Electric customers are without power in Dalton.

11:40 a.m.

Douglas County Schools is canceling all after-school activities.

11:32 a.m.

Gilmer County Schools will delay release times by 20 minutes this afternoon in order to allow potentially severe weather to pass.
The Supreme Court said Friday it would consider whether local laws prohibiting homeless people from sleeping on public property is cruel and unusual punishment barred by the Constitution.

The Oregon city of Grants Pass asked the high court to review a lower courts decision to block it from enforcing its public camping ordinance, writing that the decision cemented a conflict with California courts that have upheld similar ordinances.

The city cited a slew of potential consequences for allowing the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision to stand, including crime, fires, environmental harm, the reemergence of medieval diseases, drug overdoses and deaths.

(The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals) decisions are legally wrong and have tied the hands of local governments as they work to address the urgent homelessness crisis, Theane Evangelis, a lawyer for Grants Pass, said in a statement.

The tragedy is that these decisions are actually harming the very people they purport to protect, she continued. We look forward to presenting our arguments to the Supreme Court this spring.

Grant Passs request for the Supreme Court to take up the case was backed by officials in San Francisco and Phoenix, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and 20 Republican state attorneys general.

The Eighth Amendment is at the heart of the case. It prevents cruel and unusual punishments from being imposed, in addition to excessive fines or bail.

For years, political leaders have chosen to tolerate encampments as an alternative to meaningfully addressing the western regions severe housing shortage, attorneys representing the citys homeless population wrote to the justices, urging them to let stand the lower courts ruling favoring them.

As the homelessness crisis has escalated, these amici have faced intense public backlash for their failed policies, and it is easier to blame the courts than to take responsibility for finding a solution, they added.

The Supreme Court previously declined to consider a similar appeal of the lower courts 2019 ruling, which found that sleeping outdoors on public property  when there is no option to sleep indoors  cant be criminalized on the false premise they had a choice in the matter.

The fact is the Ninth Circuits narrow ruling is consistent with decades of Supreme Court precedent. The U.S. Constitution does not allow cities to punish people for having an involuntary status, including the status of being involuntarily homeless. We look forward to presenting our case to the Court, Ed Johnson, director of litigation at the Oregon Law Center and lead counsel for the respondents, said in a statement.

Fridays announcement came one day after the 9th Circuit upheld a lower decision prohibiting San Francisco from removing homeless people from the streets without first offering them shelter.

The courts brief, unsigned order  as is typical  likely places it in the final set of cases to be argued this term. Such a timeline would result in a decision by the end of June.

The justices on Friday also agreed to step into the Starbucks union fight as well as cases related to visas, arbitration and a remedy-exhaustion requirement.

 Updated at 4:11 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
NANJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- East China's economic powerhouse Jiangsu Province saw the total freight value for the China-Europe freight train service hit 30.32 billion yuan (about 4.27 billion U.S. dollars) last year, local authorities said Friday.

This freight value marks an increase of 8.3 percent year on year, according to Nanjing Customs in the provincial capital.

On Jan. 1, a China-Europe freight train loaded with refrigerators and washing machines departed from Jiangsu (Suzhou) International Railway Logistics Center and is expected to arrive in Kazakhstan in 12 days.

"In 2023, we served more than 500 production enterprises in transporting goods through China-Europe freight trains involving nearly 10 categories of goods such as home appliances and electronic products," said Shou Ting, customs department manager at Suzhou Datian international freight transport agency Co., Ltd.

A batch of polypropylene plastic particles from Kazakhstan, with a value of 7.53 million yuan, arrived in Nanjing comprehensive bonded zone on Monday which were then stored and sold in the bonded zone.

Foreign enterprises can carry out transportation, warehousing and sales simultaneously while the goods are in transit to the zone, said Kang Zheng, deputy director of the Jiangbei office of Jinling customs. 
In our era of wars, political violence, and climate catastrophe, Republicans have shown yet again that they have their priorities straight by freaking out over a sexy beer calendar.

Ultra Right Beer, which markets itself as an "anti-woke" brew for people worried Bud Light doesn't hate queer people enough, last month released a pin-up calendar of right-wing women. The calendar is relatively tame for what it is. It's nothing more than trying to prop up the sad fantasy of lonely MAGA men that hot women might one day date them.

Some of the pin-ups are even wearing shirts. But the whole thing outraged many Republicans who, As Zack Beauchamp at Vox reports, complained that sticking your booty in a camera while flashing come-hither eyes runs counter to Christian values. "If conservatives arent morally grounded Christians, what are we even conserving?" complained former Donald Trump lawyer and confessed criminal Jenna Ellis. Speaking for this faction, Madeline Kearns at the National Review wrote that conservatives should stand for "a courtship culture, one that emphasizes male and female sexual complementarity, abstinence before marriage, fidelity within it, openness to the gift of children." (For those who don't speak Republican, "openness to children" is code for banning birth control.)

Beauchamp portrays this as a fight between Christian conservatives and "Barstool conservatives," who he describes as dude-bros less interested in Jesus and more in hating "what they see as censorious political correctness." The truth is that it's even weirder than that.

In many circles, the dirtbag aesthetic of the Joe Rogan world has been combined with a lot of Jesus talk. Many people on the right who never darken a church doorstep now proclaim themselves "evangelical." It's become an identity marker more than a faith, a way to create a tribal identity for white conservatives that runs deeper than mere partisan preference. Even the Proud Boys, who were initially sold as a secular authoritarian group, are now mixing showy prayer with all the hard drinking. Indeed, many of the women who posed for the cheesecake photos espouse conservative Christianity. Like this woman:

She recently told the audience at Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, Virginia that she views herself in a "spiritual battle" between "moral versus evil."

Or this lady, who otherwise likes quoting Bible verses on Twitter.

Separating the "evangelical" identity from actual Christian teachings may be politically popular  all those "thou shalt nots" suck!  but it understandably frustrates people who actually believe all that "blood of the Savior" stuff. This fight has been brewing for awhile. Right-wing social media is rife with personalities who claim to advocate for "traditional" Christian values, but whose feeds regularly serve up sexually provocative imagery. As I recently wrote, for instance, the whole world of "tradwives" online looks like a 50s-era Playboy magazine ad.

The reason for this isn't hard to suss out: Sex sells. On social media especially, it can be hard to capture people's attention as they scroll rapidly through their feeds. The easiest and quickest way to grab their eyes and cause them to linger over a post? Boobs. Or a butt. Or a scantily clad woman making "fk me" eyes. So conservative creators, even those who champion themselves as Christians, have come around to the tits-forward marketing strategy.

The problem is that this runs directly counter to the "purity" messaging that the Christian right has been peddling forever. The contradictions are especially galling after the Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade. It's already difficult for Republicans to pretend they don't hate women when they are punishing women  even with death  for having sex. It becomes impossible in the face of this endless stream of softcore porn being served to men from MAGA influencers.

Frustration over this has been building within the Christian right for a while now. Even before the sexy calendar fight, a growing chorus vented frustration at female MAGA influencers who unsubtly use sex to bolster their following. Last fall, for instance, there was an intra-right social media war over this video by a woman who has figured out how to get hundreds of thousands of followers for her far-right propaganda.

brown butter caramel cake is the messiest thing ive made thus far pic.twitter.com/urfHoGWv66  Isabella Maria DeLuca (@IsabellaMDeLuca) October 24, 2023

For the men consuming this content, I suspect they don't feel much cognitive dissonance between "sex is good when straight men have it" but "women who have sex have no rights." The two views are entirely consistent if you believe in male supremacy. Read enough "men's rights" material and it swiftly becomes evident that they see sex as men's right and women's burden  and childbirth and marriage as ways to trap women into servitude to men.

The Republicans pushing back against this, of course, understand that while "orgasms for me, forced childbirth for thee" is a pleasing ideology for conservative men, it's a hard sell outside of their circles. Most Americans don't like to think of themselves as sexist or unfair. There's a reason that most Americans oppose the flood of abortion bans being passed in red states. It's hard to justify the belief that men get to have sex, but women who do should be punished.

In the pre-Donald Trump era, the way Christian conservatives sold their views as just was to argue that their roles applied to both men and women. They claimed to believe that both sexes should wait until marriage. They argued that, in exchange for women's submission, a man was required to provide and protect. Patriarchy was propped up as an arrangement where both sexes had duties and made sacrifices. It was always a lie, of course. Men's sexual transgressions were always quietly forgiven while women were condemned. Men's "duties" were not enforced, while women's submission was policed heavily. But this concept of "complementarianism" seemed fair enough in the abstract to deflect criticism from feminists.

Donald Trump, however, has blown all that up. He doesn't pretend to buy this "equal but different" view of gender. He brags about his own womanizing while shaming women who have sex. It mirrors his attitude towards Christianity. Trump waves a Bible around and demands to be treated as a Christian leader, but he barely bothers to hide that he's never read the Bible, doesn't believe in basic Christian tenets, and doesn't even know the basic rituals of church.

Trump's worldview, shaped by his severe personality disorders, is simple: He should get all the benefits with none of the work. He should get all the traditional privileges of being a man, including dominion over women, without having any of the responsibilities. He should get the glory and praise of being a Christian leader, but without having to know anything or do anything vaguely Christ-like. By signing off on Trump as their new messiah, the Christian right signaled that this attitude is the new way of doing business for the GOP.

Is it really any wonder that the ranks of Republican voters are now flush with people who call themselves "evangelical" but never go to church? This fight over the porn-ification of right-wing media is just more of the same. Republican men don't care about propping up an illusion of fairness. They just want to be sexually gratified while heaping punishment on the heads of women who want the same. They feel entitled to hang it all out like that because their leader, Trump, approaches the world with the same over-the-top selfishness.

But yeah, it turns off everyone outside of the GOP bubble. For those who want Republicans to win elections, this situation is aggravating. Running on the "men get to have sex, while women get to suffer" platform is especially tough when trying to win the women's vote. None of that really matters to the right-wing influencers and beer peddlers and other online marketers trading on conservative resentments to make money, however. If anything, they probably make more cash if Republicans are out of power. Not that anyone should feel sorry for the Christian right, however. They knew Trump was trouble when they backed him, but they were done in by their own short-sightedness. Now they're lying in the bikini photoshoot bed they made for themselves.
NEW YORK  A Maine man pleaded guilty Thursday to attempted murder charges, admitting he tried to kill three New York Police Department officers when he attacked them with a machete near Times Square on New Years Eve a year ago.

Trevor Bickford, 20, of Wells, Maine, entered the plea in Manhattan federal court to three attempted murder charges and three charges of assaulting U.S. employees or officers. Together, the charges carry a potential penalty of up to 120 years in prison.

Sentencing is set for April 11.

U.S. attorneys say this security footage shows Trevor Bickford, of Wells, Maine, riding a subway in New York City on the day he allegedly attacked police officers on duty near Time Square on the night of Dec. 31, 2022.

On Dec. 31, 2022, I attempted to kill three NYPD officers with a knife while they were working in Manhattan, Bickford said after he was asked to describe his crimes. I know what I did was wrong and I'm sorry.

Authorities have said the officers were injured when they were attacked by Bickford on the edge of the high-security zone where revelers were screened before entering the blocks around Times Square. The attack occurred about two hours before the new year began.

Bickford shouted Allahu akbar  the Arabic phrase for God is great  before striking the officers in the head with the machete and trying to grab an officers gun, authorities said. One officer suffered a fractured skull.

The kukri that Trevor Bickford allegedly used in the attack, pictured, was recovered by law enforcement from the scene of the attack

All three officers were injured in the attack. Bickford was shot in the shoulder by police and taken to a hospital. Authorities say he had studied radical Islamic ideology and decided to wage jihad against U.S. officials.

During the plea proceeding, Judge P. Kevin Castel questioned Bickford, who confirmed that it was true that he was pleading guilty without any kind of agreement with prosecutors.

Trevor Bickford

At the outset of the hearing, Bickford said he was taking three medications for treatment of schizoaffective disorder.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Kushner told the judge that evidence in the case included the foot-long (30-centimeter) machete as well as post-arrest statements in which Bickford left no doubt that he attacked the officers because they were military-age men.

The officers, she said, were part of a joint task force of city and federal officers assigned to protect the city on New Year's Eve.

Lewiston, Maine shooting: Friend who warned officials of shooter says 'I literally spelled it out'

She said Bickford had intended to kill as many as possible of the men in uniform that he came across.

Kushner said he had intended to die a martyr in the attack and believed it was unsuccessful because nobody died.

The prosecutor said Bickford had originally intended to go overseas and fight alongside terrorists there but eventually decided to carry out an attack in the United States instead. She said he told investigators that he had walked around Times Square before the attack, trying to figure out the right time to kill.

After the plea, Bickford was returned to a federal facility, the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. He still faces state charges in connection with the attack.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Wells, Maine man pleads guilty in New Year's Eve machete attack
Coastal communities in New Hampshire and Maine are at risk of experiencing a second major flooding event in four days as a weekend storm approaches, with forecasts calling for the possibility of steady rainfall and high winds at high tide.

Officials are advising against travel to the coastline on Saturday as municipal and emergency crews battle the incoming storm and lingering effects of Wednesdays storm surge.

High tides brought flooding and closed roads to Hampton Beach side roads and Ocean Blvd. Jan. 10, 2024.

National Weather Service meteorologists in Gray, Maine, expect about 1.25 inches of rain throughout Seacoast New Hampshire and southern Maine on Saturday. Wind gusts are expected to hit 50 mph along the coastline and 35 to 40 mph inland.

Communities further inland and parts of Strafford County may see a bit of snowfall, though the system is expected to be purely rain before mid-morning Saturday.

The storm comes on the heels of a system that blew through the Seacoast and southern Maine on Wednesday, bringing at least 2.5 inches of rain with wind gusts topping out at 74 mph at the Isles of Shoals, and widespread flooding, according to the National Weather Service. In Hampton, Police Chief Alex Reno ordered Ocean Boulevard closed from Seabrook to North Hampton as neighborhoods filled with a steep pool of water.

High tide a big factor in flooding risk for Saturday

New Hampshire state officials are warning about the danger at high tide, which will be at 12:19 p.m. Saturday in Hampton.

With a second storm arriving in New Hampshire in less than a weeks time, its important that residents and visitors continue to take steps to keep themselves and their families safe, said Robert Buxton, director of New Hampshire's Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Stay informed of changing weather conditions and listen to instructions from local officials.

Though projected rainfall totals for Saturday are less than what the region experienced Wednesday, high tides in Hampton are expected to reach 13.7 feet, said meteorologist Jon Palmer. That rivals Wednesdays peak Hampton high tide of 13.66 feet reported to the National Weather Service.

A lot of the impacts that we saw from Wednesday's coastal flooding could be possible this weekend. Were really expecting generally the same thing pretty much across our whole coastline down in Hampton all the way up to mid-coast Maine, Palmer said. Tides are going to be really high across our whole coast and we could see some pretty serious flooding all the way up to the Rockland area. Its going to be everywhere.

Previous coverage: Homeowners at Hampton Beach clean up after storm surge

The National Weather Service is advising coastal communities in Maine and New Hampshire that Saturday's storm could result in moderate to locally major coastal flooding. In the aftermath of Wednesdays storm, Palmer gave the flooding seen in areas like Hampton the same classification.

A storm system will move across the area early Saturday morning, with gusty to damaging winds expected along the coast Saturday morning, NWS reported. High winds could create high storm surge, which combining with the highest astronomical tide of the month may bring substantial splash over, inundation and beach erosion.

Hampton police planning for major flooding: Hampton Beach will be closed

Hampton Police Chief Alex Reno said they are planning for a major coastal flooding in the Hampton area on Saturday.

High tide on Saturday afternoon is at 12:20 p.m. Astronomical tides, he said, are nearly one foot higher than on Wednesday.

"Major beach erosion and coastal inundation has increased vulnerability," he said. "We anticipate flooding to begin within a few hours prior to high tide. The storm surge is predicted to be 2.5 to 3 feet, with inundation of 1 to 3.5 feet.

Reno said roadway access into Hampton Beach will be closed down starting at 10 a.m. Saturday and will reopen as the waters recede.

"We urge anyone in low-lying areas that typically flood to move vehicles to higher ground for the duration of the event," he said. "We also urge securing of items on your property that may float away in flood waters."

Reno said those who live in homes prone to flooding should seek higher ground or shelter during the storm.

"We also urge people to move from the area early to avoid being stuck and requiring emergency service rescue," Reno said.

Reno also asks people to avoid Ocean Boulevard and the sea wall.

"Ocean waves that are crashing over the walls carry dangerous debris such as large rocks, wood, traps, and other harmful items that could cause serious injury if you are struck with them," Reno said.

Reno said the state of NH and town emergency operations centers will be open during the storm. Anyone with storm-related damage to their property should call 211 to report the damage.

The town of Rye, state Department of Transportation and Seacoast emergency services are advising visitors and residents to avoid the areas of Route 1A in Rye, North Hampton, Hampton and Seabrook.

Rye is asking all boaters and surfers to avoid the water. Vehicles parked in locations used for surfing are subject to a parking ticket or towing depending on storm cleanup operations. Additionally, Rye has closed the sidewalk between the Rye, North Hampton town line north to South Road until further notice.

Rye police are asking residents and community members to avoid the intersections of Washington Road at Ocean Boulevard and Ocean Boulevard at Church Road, as those locations are still flooded from the previous storm. Rye is also requesting no vehicle or pedestrian traffic at these intersections along town roads.

What is the timing of Saturday's rainstorm?

The storm is anticipated to arrive around 1 a.m. Saturday and begin winding down by lunchtime, though rain showers are possible in the second half of the day. High winds could produce a few power outages in the Seacoast.

Mirroring Wednesdays storm, the air could be warmer for January, with current forecasts calling for Saturday temperatures to surpass 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Splash over and high tides carried debris and sea foam into the roadways of coastal communities on Wednesday, affecting parked cars and drivers.

Similar effects could take place on Saturday.

Officials urge people to stay away from coastline

The two general tips we have for the public this weekend is that though we understand a lot of people are excited to see really high waves along the coast, we would strongly discourage people from going out of their way to go to the coast, Palmer noted. In addition, please listen to any evacuation orders that may happen.

In Maine, the York County Emergency Management Agency issued an advisory on Thursday warning against travel to the coast on Saturday.

We urge individuals to avoid traveling to the coast this weekend, said Megan Arsenault, the agencys deputy director, in a prepared statement. Municipal officials are actively cleaning up from Wednesdays storm damages and this weekends hazards could pose a serious threat to life and safety.

It is crucial to adhere to road closures enacted for public safety, added Deputy Fire Chief Clif Whitten of the Old Orchard Beach Fire Department. Do not attempt to cross barricades without consulting authorities first. Disregarding these precautions not only endangers your safety but also puts the lives of first responders at risk.

The agency stated any residents who lost flood protection mechanisms during Wednesdays storm could be particularly vulnerable to further damage on Saturday.

New Hampshire provides safety tips

The following is advised by the state Homeland Security and Emergency Manage

Stay informed by signing up for local alerts.

Find the latest road conditions at newengland511.org.

Slow down and move over for emergency vehicles and never crowd the plow.

Clear all snow and ice off your car, including your roof, around lights, and license plates before traveling.

If flooding occurs, get to higher ground immediately.

Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 1 foot of water can sweep your vehicle away. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.

Never move or drive around barriers. It can put you, other people and first responders in danger.

If floodwaters rise around your car but the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground. Do not leave the car and enter moving water. Just 6 inches of water can reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling.

Plan two ways out of your home in case of emergency.

Clear the driveway and front walk from ice and snow. This will provide easy access to your home.

Stay away from downed wires and call 911.

Use flashlights, rather than candles, for emergency lighting.

Check on neighbors and others who may need help.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Coastal flood warning in Seacoast NH, Maine
A prominent Democratic super PAC announced Friday that it plans to spend $200 million on the 2024 election cycle, including $140 million on television, digital, streaming, radio and mail advertisements.

American Bridge 21st Century intends to focus much of its firepower on winning over women voters in key swing states, a nod to the importance of that voting bloc in the outcome of Novembers elections.

Another Donald Trump presidency would mean disaster for Americans who value their rights, the groups founder, Bradley Beychok, said in a statement. We know exactly how to beat Donald Trump. Weve done it before, and our paid media strategy is a big part of how were going to do it again.

American Bridge intends to run paid programming, focus on opposition research and push back against third-party candidates who could increase the likelihood former President Trump wins back the White House.

The group said it already has raised $85 million as of this month.

Its $140 million paid media program will target Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania and potentially North Carolina. Biden won the first three states in 2020 and will likely need to do so again to hold the White House.

The ads American Bridge will run will focus on women voters in particular in the aftermath of the Supreme Courts June 2022 decision to strike down Roe v. Wade, which has led to a slew of restrictive of abortion policies in conservative states.

The ads will feature the true stories of women voters and their families living in these key swing states and will use their voices to expose the truth about Donald Trumps agenda, American Bridge said in a press release.

The group said it has recruited hundreds of people living in the swing states who can speak to how another Trump administration would adversely affect their lives.

The last time Donald Trump was in the White House, he made it his mission to overturn Roe and strip the right of millions of Americans to make their own decisions about their pregnancies  and he was successful, American Bridge 21st Century Co-Chair Cecile Richards said in a statement.

Were leaving no stone unturned and making sure that voters  especially women voters  in these key states know just how much is at stake in November, she added.

American Bridges efforts reflect a wider focus for Democrats heading into 2024, where they plan to make abortion a central issue in the race for the White House, as well as down ballot races.

In the roughly two years since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Democrats have grown their Senate majority by a seat, lost fewer seats than expected in the House, seen ballot measures protecting abortion access pass in states including Kansas and Ohio, and retained control of the governors mansion in Kentucky, a reliably red state.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  The boyfriend accused in the death of missing Portage woman Heather Kelley was sentenced Friday to 14 months in prison for cutting off an electronic monitoring tether around the time Kelley disappeared.

In addition to prison, a federal judge in Grand Rapids also ordered Carlos Watts Jr. to spend three years on supervised release and pay a $500 fine.

Court docs: Man involved in murder of Portage woman hours before escape

In July, Watts pleaded guilty to felony escape of a prisoner in custody. He was staying at a Kalamazoo halfway house in December of 2022 when he cut off his ankle monitor and fled out of an emergency door.

A charge of open murder was filed against Watts on Wednesday. Kalamazoo County officials earlier said they would take custody of Watts after his Jan. 12 federal sentencing.

Carlos Watts poses a tremendous threat to our community, U.S. Attorney Mark Totten wrote in a news release.

Watts last year was staying at KPEP, a halfway house in Kalamazoo, and wearing a tether while finishing out a 2013 federal gun and drug conviction.

Foul play suspected in Portage mothers disappearance

In court records, Watts claimed he left KPEP on Dec. 12, 2022 because Kelleys brother had threatened him over the disappearance. But the feds accused him of fleeing the halfway house to avoid prosecution in Kelleys disappearance two days earlier.

In a Jan. 2 sentencing memorandum, the defense attorney for Watts wrote that his client denies any involvement in the disappearance of Heather Kelley.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
NAIROBI, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Kenya has more than doubled its power imports from neighboring countries amid increased demand, the national bureau said in a new economic report released Friday.

The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) said the country imported 706.9 million kWh of electricity from Ethiopia and Uganda in the first 11 months of 2023, up from 288.27 million kWh in a similar period in 2022.

The bulk of the power imports -- 546.5 million kWh -- were sourced from Ethiopia during the period, according to KNBS, with the country emerging as Kenya's biggest supplier of electricity in the region.

Ethiopia has supplanted Uganda from the position, which for years was Kenya's top source of power imports.

Kenya Energy Transmission Company (KETRACO), which builds power transmission lines in the country, recently completed construction of the 500kV Ethiopia-Kenya interconnector line, which has enabled Kenya to import cheaper hydropower, according to the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).

The line will facilitate regional power trade in eastern Africa.

Power imports from Ethiopia are expected to rise by 200 MW over the next three years, increasing the import capacity from the country to 400 MW, according to EPRA.

Kenya's installed power generation stands at about 3,078 MW while the total effective interconnected capacity is about 2,925 MW. The system peak demand averages 2,057 MW while the average available capacity is 2,035MW, necessitating the imports, according to EPRA. 
A Virginia man purchased 30 Pick 4 lottery tickets for $1 each.

He used the same combination, and all the tickets won, earning him $150,000.

This isn't the first time he's succeeded with this strategy; he won $125,000 last May.

A Virginia man bought 30 Pick 4 tickets for $1 each using the same combination: 1-1-2-9.

They were all winners, with each lottery ticket carrying a $5,000 prize.

As a result, Dana Bickham earned a total prize of $150,000, which he collected last week.

The chances of matching all four Virginia Lottery numbers in exact order are slim  one in 10,000.

But this isn't the first time Bickham has succeeded with this strategy.

Virginia Lottery said in a Wednesday news release that Bickham did the same thing in May last year, using identical combinations on 25 winning tickets in the same drawing.

That time, he won $125,000.

Reflecting on the most recent win, Bickham told lottery officials: "I thought, 'You've got to be kidding me!'"

Virginia Lottery said he intends to save his winnings and perhaps use some to travel.

Though Bickham's strategy relied on a helping of good fortune, some mathematicians claim there are ways to hack the system.

Last month, Business Insider's Mia Jankowicz reported on how British mathematicians worked out that buying 27 tickets guarantees a win in the UK's National Lottery.

But while it guarantees a win, it doesn't necessarily mean participants would get a big enough prize to cover the cost of the tickets.

Another mathematician, Stefan Mandel, who won 14 times and retired on a remote tropical island, developed a six-step formula for winning big.

While Mandel's strategy was legal then, laws in the US and Australia now render it impossible.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A man was charged Thursday for a suspected DUI crash that killed a couple and their young daughter while leaving a toddler hospitalized in South Los Angeles.

The suspect was identified as Jordan Kahari Isaac, 22, by the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office.

On Dec. 31, Isaac is accused of driving while intoxicated. He crashed into a vehicle, causing injury while fleeing the scene and speeding on, authorities said.

At around 11:20 p.m., a family of four was driving at the intersection of Normandie Avenue and 60th Street in the Harvard Park neighborhood.

Isaac, who was driving over 60 miles per hour in a 25-mile-per-hour zone, ran through a stop sign and slammed into the familys vehicle, according to Los Angeles police.

The violent impact forced the familys car into a street sign, killing Jose Manuel Pasgagasa, 49, on impact. His wife, Luisa Arenas, 26, and their two daughters  5-year-old Mia and 1-year-old Hanna  were all transported to the hospital in critical condition.

Jose Manuel Pasgagasa, 49, Luisa Arenas, 26 and their two daughters  5-year-old Mia and 1-year-old Hanna in a family photo. (GoFundMe)

Jose Manuel Pasgagasa, 49, Luisa Arenas, 26 and their two daughters  5-year-old Mia and 1-year-old Hanna in a family photo.

Jose Manuel Pasgagasa, 49, Luisa Arenas, 26 and their two daughters  5-year-old Mia and 1-year-old Hanna in a family photo.

Luisa Arenas, 26 and her 5-year-old daughter, Mia seen in a family photo.

Three people were killed and a toddler remains hpspitalized after a deadly crash in South Los Angeles on Dec. 31, 2023. (Citizen)

Three people were killed and a toddler remains hpspitalized after a deadly crash in South Los Angeles on Dec. 31, 2023. (Citizen)

Three people were killed and a toddler remains hpspitalized after a deadly crash in South Los Angeles on Dec. 31, 2023. (OC Hawk)

Three people were killed and a toddler remains hpspitalized after a deadly crash in South Los Angeles on Dec. 31, 2023. (OC Hawk)

Three people were killed and a toddler remains hpspitalized after a deadly crash in South Los Angeles on Dec. 31, 2023. (OC Hawk)

Three people were killed and a toddler remains hpspitalized after a deadly crash in South Los Angeles on Dec. 31, 2023. (OC Hawk)

Arenas and 5-year-old Mia later died from their injuries. One-year-old Hanna was the sole survivor who remains hospitalized in the pediatric intensive care unit.

Moments before the crash, surveillance cameras captured the suspects SUV speeding down a side street followed by a red sedan. According to police, the driver of the red car had just been rear-ended by Isaac and was chasing it.

Neighbors said the red car stopped at the stop sign while the suspect plowed through it.

Video from the scene showed the destructive aftermath as both vehicles were destroyed and debris was dispersed across the roadway.

SoCal man found shot to death at New Years Eve party; suspect at large

The collision was so violent, with so much force that it sent that vehicle onto the southwest corner [of the intersection], knocking over the street sign, the fence, said Sgt. Ryan Moreno with LAPDs South Traffic Division.

Several good Samaritans heard the crash and were seen running over to try to help as smoke started coming from the car. Witnesses said the crash sounded like an explosion.

Loved ones are devastated as the family of four had moved to Los Angeles from Colombia just a year ago.

Mr. Isaacs negligence and disregard for the safety of others resulted in the tragic death of a father, mother and their five-year-old child, L.A. County District Attorney George Gascon. Not only was this young family destroyed, but left behind a one-year-old who was also injured in the crash and now left to live a life without their family. Such reckless actions demand severe consequences, and I hope others learn from this senseless tragedy.

Juvenile motorcyclist killed in Redondo Beach crash

Isaac was charged with three counts of murder, three counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, one count of driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage causing injury, and one count of hit-and-run driving resulting in injury to another person.

He is being held on $6.1 million bail. An arraignment hearing is scheduled for Feb. 15 at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

If convicted on all charges, Isaac will face a maximum sentence of life in prison.

A GoFundMe page was created to help the victims family with medical and funeral expenses.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
A 44-year-old man died of his injuries more than a week after he was pulled from his burning home, Alabama police said.

Now, his niece is charged with capital murder.

The Tarrant Fire Department rescued Otis Jones Jr. from the flames shortly before 5 a.m. on Dec. 28, police said. He was rushed to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, and an arson investigation began.

Jones died Jan. 5 at the hospital, the Birmingham Police Department said in a news release.

An autopsy performed by the Jefferson County medical examiner revealed homicide was the manner of death.

His 32-year-old niece, Keechaundra Cook, was with him when his house became engulfed in flames, police said, and she became a person of interest in the investigation.

Police learned Jan. 10 that Cook was in custody for other charges in a nearby jurisdiction, and they made plans to interview her. The next day, police announced they had obtained a warrant for her arrest.

Cook is being transported to the Jefferson County Jail, where shell be held without bond on a charge of capital murder (arson), police said.

Jones death marks Birminghams third murder investigation of 2024, police said.

Target shooter starts wildfire in national forest, feds say. Now he must pay $180,000

75-year-old badly burned while using lighter to open bag of chips, Georgia officials say

Deputy kills man trying to burn possessed 9-year-old boy in fire, Florida cops say

Veteran found dead in burning car, family says. Someone took my baby brothers life
Detectives on Wednesday arrested a man suspected of disguising himself as an Amazon delivery driver to force his way into a north Sacramento County home to commit sexual assault more than two years ago.

William Matthew Hunter, 45, was arrested on suspicion of assault with the intent to commit rape in the commission of a burglary and burglary, the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office announced Thursday in a news release. He also faces a misdemeanor battery charge.

Hunter was booked Wednesday evening at the Sacramento County Main Jail, where he was being held Thursday afternoon in lieu of $1 million bail. He appeared Friday afternoon in Sacramento Superior Court for his arraignment hearing.

The sexual assault occurred July 23, 2021, and the victim did not know the suspect. Sheriffs officials said the suspect disguised himself as an Amazon delivery service employee, and he forced his way into the victims home where the assault occurred.

Evidence was collected from the crime scene, but investigators did not immediately identify the assault suspect. Sheriffs officials said detectives later came upon new investigative leads that led to identifying the suspect as Hunter.

The detectives learned Hunter was an employee of a delivery service company that was contracted by Amazon. Sheriffs officials said detectives are concerned there may be unreported victims.

Investigators asked anyone with information relevant to this ongoing investigation to call the sheriffs Sexual Assault Bureau at 916-874-5070 or send an email to seab@sacsheriff.com. Those with information also can call Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at 916-443-4357.
The man admitted drinking ahead of the trip in an attempt to calm his nerves (Getty Images)

A US man travelling by plane for the first time has wound up with criminal charges after getting drunk and allegedly asking if members of cabin crew would join the mile high club.

Officers from the FBI were called to meet a disruptive passenger at Orlando International Airport after a Spirit Airlines flight from Kentucky that arrived at around 10am on 6 January.

Court documents state that James Warren Finnister, 37, asked the lead flight attendant if she would join the mile high club  a euphemism for having sex while on an aircraft at altitude  before grabbing a second, pulling her into his seat and repeating the question, reports Fox 25 Orlando.

The member of staff reported the incident to her supervisor after freeing herself from Mr Finnisters grip.

The court documents go on to state that Mr Finnister wouldnt stay in his assigned seat and was asking questions related to entering the aircraft cockpit that alarmed staff.

He eventually [lay] down on the floor of the aircraft in front of his seat after being moved for a third time by flight attendants due to his disruptive, intimidating behaviours.

Mr Finnister was arrested for knowingly interfering with the performance of the duties of the flight crew. According to reports, he has been released ahead of a trial.

The first-time flyer admitted to drinking shots ahead of the trip to settle his nerves but said the charges were bogus in an interview with The Daily Beast  claiming he only made a joke about the mile high club and that he didnt recall the incidents in the complaint as he was asleep for most of the journey.

The Independent has contacted Spirit Airlines for comment.

In late 2023, a video of a Southwest Airlines flight attendant banning a mother she had earlier seen doing drunken cartwheels in the airport went viral.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A man was found dead inside a residence late Thursday night, Jan. 11 after a fire was being extinguished, according to the City of Socorro.

The City says the Socorro Police Department was dispatched to a residential fire located on the 300 block of Yamaha Dr. just after 10:30 p.m. The first fire department vehicle arrived shortly after.

As the fire was being extinguished, a male body was discovered.

The City says the identification of the man is believed to be know. However, it will not be released until positive identification is made by the medical examiners office.

The cause of the fire is currently unknown, and the incident is under investigation.

No further information has been released.

This story will be updated as soon as we learn more.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A 60-year-old man and a Kansas City firefighter were taken to the hospital following a house fire Thursday morning.

The Kansas City, Missouri Fire Department responded to the fire around 10:15 a.m. in the 3000 block of College Avenue.

Kansas City area under Winter Weather Advisory once again

When crews arrived on scene they could see heavy smoke and fire coming from a two-story residence.

During a search of the structure, crews discovered a victim who had been overcome by the heavy smoke conditions. He was treated and evaluated on scene before being taken to a local hospital for further evaluation. He is reported to be in serious but stable condition.

KCFD said the fire was under control by 10:40 a.m.

One firefighter was also taken to the hospital for evaluation of minor injuries.

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Dangerous buildings and bomb and arson were ordered by KCFD investigators. The cause of this fire is under investigation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
A Florida man has pleaded guilty to illegally obtaining COVID-19 relief money while in federal custody and depositing the money into an Oklahoma bank account.

A Florida man this week pleaded guilty to illegally obtaining COVID-19 relief money while in federal custody and depositing the money into an Oklahoma bank account.

In Oklahoma City federal court, Adonijah Lindsay, 38, of Miami, was charged with two counts of wire fraud.

Prosecutors said that on June 24, 2020, Lindsay applied to the U.S. Small Business Administration for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan, which provided loans to small businesses affected by the pandemic.

Lindsay claimed to own a business with revenue of more than $200,000 in 2019, according to prosecutors.

More: The vast majority of cities struggled to recover from the pandemic. Here's why downtown OKC was an exception

Prosecutors said Lindsay did not own a business in 2019, but instead spent most of that year in federal prison. He applied for the loan while in a U.S. Bureau of Prisons residential reentry center in Florida, and when the SBA approved the loan, $74,000 was disbursed to a bank account in Enid, they said.

At sentencing, Lindsay faces up to 30 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $1 million.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Florida man accused of illegally getting COVID loan, placing in OK bank
Islamic extremist rebels on Jan. 1 killed 15 Christians in attacks on two villages in northeastern Nigeria, sources said.

Area residents said members of Boko Haram first attacked Gartamawa village, Chibok County in Borno state, killing 12 Christians and wounding two others. The rebel militants then went to nearby Tsiha village and killed three Christians and kidnapped another, residents said.

The Christians in Tsiha were killed in an ambush by the terrorists as the Christians were returning to their community from Gartamawa village, after attending the funeral of those killed hours earlier at Gartamawa village, Mary Barde told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News in a text message.

Jennifer Kefas, another resident, said a young Christian girl was kidnapped in the attack on Tsiha village.

This aside, the Boko Haram terrorists broke into stores in the two communities and looted food items and other valuables, Kefas said in a text message. Houses too were burned by the terrorists.

Nahum Daso, spokesman for the Borno State Police Command, said in a press statement that the attacks were carried out by Boko Haram, which has been fighting to establish sharia (Islamic law) throughout Nigeria.

The insurgents bearing deadly weapons attacked Gartamawa and Tsiha villages, Daso said. In all, 15 persons were killed and two others were injured.

Northeastern Nigeria has been under attack from Boko Haram since 2009, including the kidnapping of 276 high school girls from Chibok town in 2014. Military authorities said in October 2022 that 98 of the kidnapped girls remain missing.

Col. Obinna Ezuipke, head of intelligence the military high command in the northeast, said that 57 of the girls escaped in 2014, and 107 were released in 2018. Three of the girls were recovered in 2019, two in 2021 and nine were rescued in 2022, leaving 98 who remain in captivity, he said.

Boko Haram, formerly led by Abubakar Shekau, aligned with the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in 2015, and in August 2016 Islamic State leaders replaced Shekau with Abu Musab al-Barnawi as ISWAPs leader. A Shekau-led faction broke off into the separate group, reverting back to the name Boko Haram, officially Jamaatu Ahlis Sunna Liddaawati Wal-Jihad.

Shekau killed himself by detonating a suicide vest on May 19, 2021 during a battle between Boko Haram and ISWAP, according to ISWAP, Nigerian officials and The Wall Street Journal.

In 2015, the Global Terrorism Index had ranked Boko Haram the deadliest terror group in the world.

Nigeria led the world in Christians killed for their faith in 2022, with 5,014, according to Open Doors 2023 World Watch List (WWL) report. It also led the world in Christians abducted (4,726), sexually assaulted or harassed, forcibly married or physically or mentally abused, and it had the most homes and businesses attacked for faith-based reasons. As in the previous year, Nigeria had the second most church attacks and internally displaced people.

In the 2023 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, Nigeria jumped to sixth place, its highest ranking ever, from No. 7 the previous year.

Militants from the Fulani, Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and others conduct raids on Christian communities, killing, maiming, raping and kidnapping for ransom or sexual slavery, the WWL report noted. This year has also seen this violence spill over into the Christian-majority south of the nation Nigerias government continues to deny this is religious persecution, so violations of Christians rights are carried out with impunity.
A man on the SoCal-bound Alaska Airlines plane who was seated right behind a portion of the fuselage that was pulled off the jetliner in mid-air is speaking out and sharing new cell phone video of the incident.

The incident occurred on Jan. 5 after Alaska Flight 1282 departed Portland, Oregon at around 5 p.m. headed for the Ontario International Airport.

Passengers were airborne for about 20 minutes when they reported hearing a loud boom that led to a large door plug being ripped from the plane, leaving a gaping hole at 16,000 feet that caused an explosive decompression and suction of freezing air.

Miraculously, no one was sitting in row 26 where the door plug exploded off the plane, but Huy Tran, who recorded harrowing video of the terrifying event, was seated in the middle directly behind the portion of the Boeing 737 Max 9 that came off the aircraft.

Images from Huy Tran who was seated in the middle seat directly behind the row where the door plug was ripped off a SoCal-bound Alaska Air flight on Jan. 5, 2024. (Huy Tran)

Images from Huy Tran who was seated in the middle seat directly behind the row where the door plug was ripped off a SoCal-bound Alaska Air flight on Jan. 5, 2024. (Huy Tran)

Cuong Tran suffered brusies and a sprained ankle during an explosive decompression event aboard a SoCal-bound Alaska Air flight on Jan. 5, 2024. (Huy Tran)

I opened my eyes to a giant hole in the plane and I could see the city lights, he told KTLAs Chris Wolfe. The first few seconds was just pure shock and confusion, Is this really happening?

The passenger seated next to him in the window seat, his friend Cuong Tran, had his socks, shoes and cell phone sucked out of the hole in the jetliner. The suction was so strong, it also lifted Cuongs body above his seat and began to pull his legs toward the gaping hole.

I was like, What the heck is going on? My mind was all over the place, Cuong said. The kid, I saw half of his body was sucked out of the airplane too and his clothing and everything else and I was like, Oh, my God!

The pilot made an emergency landing back at PDX, and while everyone survived, Cuong suffered bruises and a sprained ankle.

We couldnt even talk to each other. I mean, me and Cuong were face to face and we couldnt hear each other at all because it was so loud, Huy recalled.

Their friend Tram Vo was seated in row 12 with her family, who all heard the blast and the rush of cold air through the cabin, but they had no idea what had happened.

I was so scared to look around and at this time, we could still hear the wind coming from the back of the plane, she said.

Iconic Pea Soup Andersens restaurant abruptly closes

Several days after the frightening ordeal, Cuongs cellphone was found intact on the ground in Portland. It was returned to Alaska Airlines and eventually its rightful owner. It still works.

Pretty much no damage at all besides some dirt, Cuong said. Its pretty crazy.

The Federal Aviation Administration on Thursday launched an investigation into the Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliners, saying in a statement that, This incident should have never happened, and it cannot happen again.

The FAA now joins the National Transportation Safety Board in looking for the cause of the blowout.

In the meantime, every 737 Max 9 with a door plug has been grounded indefinitely.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN)  A man has been found guilty of capital murder related to a San Marcos police officers shooting death in 2017.

Stewart Thomas Mettz, 57, was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole, according to a news release from the Hays County District Attorneys Office.

Brothers in blue remember San Marcos Officer Kenneth Copeland

Officer Kenneth Copeland, 58, was serving an arrest warrant on charges of assault and injury to an elderly person on the afternoon of Dec. 4, 2017, when he was shot and killed in what the police chief at the time characterized as much like an ambush type situation.

Ken Copeland was a shining example of what it means to be a public servant in San Marcos. His demeanor and approach to his work set the example for so many, and the day he was taken from us was one of the darkest in our Citys history, San Marcos Assistant City Manager Chase Stapp said in a news release. Stapp was San Marcos police chief during the incident.

Photo of San Marcos Police Officer Kenneth Copeland. Officer Kenneth Copeland was shot and killed while serving a warrant in 2017.

Copeland joined SMPD on March 30, 1998, according to the city.

Copeland was the first San Marcos police officer to be killed while on patrol in the departments history. Additionally, he was a military veteran and the father of four boys, the release said.

I am beyond relieved that justice has been served. Officer Copeland was the epitome of what an officer should be, and Im glad he and his family can now rest a little easier knowing that his killer has faced justice, SMPD Sergeant Matt Daenzer said.

The city said Copeland was known as an exceptional friend and a selfless servant to his community and department. The city said he also kept Topo Chico mineral water in a cooler he kept stocked in his patrol car to hand out throughout the day.

Im grateful for the conviction, but the loss continues to resonate. I will forever be appreciative of the work and assistance from all those involved. Live like Ken! SMPD Corporal Brady Templeton said.

It was an honor to be part of the team that was able to get justice for Ken, Assistant District Attorney Allison Buess said following the verdict.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A man was rushed to the hospital after being shot at a gas station Thursday night.

The incident happened just before 10 p.m. in the 4300 block of East Shelby Drive. One man was found shot and taken to Regional One in critical condition.

The suspects fled the scene in a white Dodge Challenger with black rims.

MPD says this remains an ongoing investigation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is investigating the shooting death by Sioux CIty police of a man outside the Hard Rock Casino.

SIOUX CITY  Police shot to death a man who rammed two police vehicles with a truck and then used a chain to swing a metal object at officers outside a Sioux City casino, Iowa authorities said.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation identified the man as 55-year-old Salvador Perez-Garcia of Sioux City. It did not provide the names of the officers, both of whom are on leave pending an investigation by the DCI.

The agency said a Sioux City officer was parked in a patrol vehicle inside a garage at the Hard Rock Casino around 4 a.m. Monday when a white truck rammed it head-on.

Other officers arrived at the scene as the truck exited the garage and rammed a second patrol vehicle head-on, the DCI said in a news release. Perez-Garcia emerged from the truck swinging a length of chain with an affixed metal object in an aggressive, threatening manner, the agency said.

Officers tried but failed to calm him and take away the weapon, the DCI said. When Perez-Garcia continued to approach the officers while swinging the object, they shot him, the DCI said.

Perez-Garcia died at the scene.

One officer was treated for injuries sustained when the truck hit his patrol vehicle, Sioux City Police Chief Rex Mueller told the Sioux City Journal.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Man dies after Sioux City officers shoot him outside casino
Christian campaigners are calling for tough restrictions on online pornography after new figures released this week revealed a rise in sexual offences committed by children.

According to latest figures from the National Police Chiefs Council, a total of 106,984 child sexual abuse offences were reported in 2022, an increase of 7.6% on the previous year.

In 52% of these cases, the alleged offender was a child aged 10 to 17, with 14 being the most common age.

The report said that the increasing prevalence of mobile phone ownership and access to hardcore pornography were behind the disturbing trend.

Christian campaign group CARE called the figures "alarming" and said they demonstrated the need to introduce "robust" age verification on pornography websites.

Tim Cairns, an online safety expert at CARE, which has spent years campaigning for age verification, said: "The disturbing number of children and teenagers committing sexual offences points to the need to restrict access to pornography.

"We know that pornography is a leading factor in sexual crime. Children reenact what they see online.

"Most younger children encounter porn by accident. Robust age verification measures will help prevent the youngest and most vulnerable children being exposed to content that is damaging them and inspiring abuse."

Ofcom, the communications regulator, has been tasked with drafting new guidance that will force porn websites to check the age of users. The regulator is currently consulting on guidance for "highly effective age checks to stop children accessing online porn services".

CARE said it was "vital" that it gets the guidance right.

"It is vital that Ofcom gets age verification, and other long overdue safety measures outlined in the Online Safety Act, right. We will be examining the regulator's proposals for achieving this carefully," added Cairns.

A poll conducted on behalf of CARE by Savanta found strong public backing for the introduction of age checks, with eight in 10 saying they should be introduced to protect children, and the same number agreeing that online porn should only be accessible to over-18s.

A separate poll for CARE found that six in 10 UK adults fear porn is inspiring sexual violence against women and girls.

Originally published by Christian Today
Across the globe, from France to the U.S., millions celebrate Mardi Gras each year. But the Mardi Gras we know  filled with extravagant costumes, large parades and colorful masks  is not how the holiday began.

Mardi Gras has holy origins, beginning as a religious holiday observed prior to Lent. Today, Mardi Gras has expanded beyond a single day, and now encompasses a whole season of partying.

So, when does Mardi Gras fall this year, and how long does it last? Here is what you need to know about the holiday, plus some history.

When is Mardi Gras?

Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras, will take place on Feb. 13, 2024.

When does Mardi Gras start?

Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday," according to Britannica. Following the Christian liturgical calendar, it is traditionally celebrated on Shrove Tuesday, which falls before Ash Wednesday.

Historically, on Mardi Gras, people were meant to use "all the fats in the home before Lent in preparation for fasting and abstinence," Britannica reports. Christians would consume rich, fatty foods, such as meat, eggs and cheese, before the period of Lenten fasting, according to the History Channel.

Another name for the Mardi Gras season is "Carnival." The name may derive from the medieval Latin word, "carnelevarium," which means "to take away or remove meat," the History Channel reports.

These specific customs are no longer the main focus of Mardi Gras. The practice of over-indulgence, however, still rings true for the holiday. Today, Mardi Gras is seen as a chance to go all out and party before the solemn period of Lent.

In the U.S., Mardi Gras is known for its parades, king cakes and beads of green, purple and gold.

Celebrating Mardi Gras? Here's how the locals do it.

How long is Mardi Gras?

While Mardi Gras technically refers to the specific day of Shrove Tuesday, it is often considered to be a whole season. The first Mardi Gras festivities often take place on "Twelfth Night," or the Epiphany, which falls on Jan. 6, according to Britannica.

These parades and events continue until the climax on the official Mardi Gras day. Mardi Gras celebrations last anywhere from four to eight weeks, depending on the year's liturgical calendar, according to Conde Nast Traveler.

In the U.S., on Mardi Gras day, outdoor celebrations last until midnight, until party-goers are "asked to clear off the street," according to the French Quarter official website.

Mardi Gras traditions: How (and why) one New Orleans man ate more than 100 King cakes.

Is Mardi Gras celebrated every year?

Yes, Mardi Gras is celebrated every year. In 2021, parades in New Orleans were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mardi Gras festivities in 2024 are already set in New Orleans, starting on Jan. 6. These will continue until Feb. 13. This will be around five weeks of merriment.

The first Mardi Gras in the U.S. took place on March 3, 1699, the History Channel reports. Celebrations would continue for decades thanks to French settlers who partook in parades, masked balls and fancy dinners during the holiday.

However, under Spanish control of New Orleans, bans preventing large observances were placed on Mardi Gras. This remained until Louisiana became a state in 1812, according to the History Channel.

Just Curious for more? We've got you covered

USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From "How many federal holidays are there?" to "How long is a passport good for?" to "How to find cheap flights?"  we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our Just Curious section to see what else we can answer for you.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When is Mardi Gras 2024? Start preparing for Fat Tuesday now.
Over the holidays, Mary Maraghy read another news story with another familiar name.

Another former student, shot and killed.

She figures that makes eight.

At least, she said last week. Maybe more.

She puts together a list off the top of her head, in no particular order, other than theyre all students who passed through her portable classroom at Westside High, all made her laugh or smile at one time, and all are now dead.

Delmontae Davis

Randolph Brice

Marcus George

Raheem Hutchinson

Paton Pinette

Rick James

Baron Dixon

Zachary Willis

She, of course, isnt the only teacher who can put together a list like this. There are many others in this city, in this country. Some undoubtedly and sadly with much longer lists.

I just happen to be aware of Mary Maraghy losing another former student, and posting a few gut-wrenching sentences on Facebook, because were former co-workers.

She was a writer at the Times-Union. I can picture where she sat in the old newsroom and what she said when she left the paper in 2010. She loved being a reporter, but even after 18 years, she could make more money as a first-year teacher.

So with her family to think about, a husband and two children, she took the leap and became a ninth-grade English teacher at Oakleaf High School.

I didnt know what I was doing and those kids destroyed me, she said. I got fired. Well, non-reappointed, which is fired.

She found another job at Westside High, where her husband taught social studies. A lot of her students come from poor families. Theyre dealing with things that kids at some other schools dont have to deal with. Theyre also brutally honest, genuine, funny. And right from the beginning, she loved teaching them.

She teaches journalism. She has trouble getting kids interested in it as a career. She tries to tell them its storytelling. And she knows they have all kinds of stories to tell.

Randolph Brice

He was a character, she said. They all were.

He mightve been the funniest. He had a prosthetic leg that often became a prop for some physical comedy. Hed kick it off during class, just to get a laugh. Sometimes hed get carried away and shed call his mother, who memorably said to pass along a message to her son: tell that one-legged SOB he better behave.

When the kids in her yearbook class recorded skits to encourage other students to buy yearbooks, Brices group came up with one built around him asking a classmate if you could use food stamps. When the classmate told him no, he kicked off his leg in anger.

The skit ended with them holding up the prosthetic and saying: Buy a yearbook, it wont cost you an arm and a leg.

The class loved that one. She says the whole school loved Brice. The security guards were always cutting up with him.

At some point, she learned how he lost a leg.

In middle school, he was in a car with some kids. They had a gun. They were messing around and he shot himself.

She knew the prosthetic wasnt always funny. One day Brices mother told Ms. Maraghy he was having a bad day. He was still growing and sometimes hed end up between prosthetics. Sometimes hed get depressed.

Still, he told his teacher that losing a leg was a blessing. He learned not to mess around with guns, not to keep hanging with that crowd.

Losing his leg, he said, saved his life.

I believed him, she said. But I guess it wasnt true. He ended up shot dead.

When she says this and when she tells the stories of other former students  twists like this come abruptly, just like they did in real life.

She thinks Randolph Brice mightve been the first former student she learned had been killed.

She knows for sure he wasnt the last.

He was was a character, she said. They all were.

Some of the deaths made the news. Some did not. And its hard to say which is sadder.

It reminds Maraghy of when she started off as a reporter, straight out of UCF, covering the police beat in Sanford for the Orlando Sentinel. She says she had a potty mouth and so did the cops. So she fit right in.

Going through the police reports was just part of the job. It was like a game. She didnt know the victims she wrote about. And even when she learned about them, even when she could have a sense of sadness and empathy, it was different from what she has experienced as a teacher, hearing about another homicide in Jacksonville and instinctively fearing its another former student.

Ill think, Oh, God, please dont be one of our kids, she said.

Raheem Hutchinson

He and a classmate made a rap song about passing the FCAT. They sang it over the PA at school.

She says he was a good kid.

She says, as far as shes concerned, they all were.

Maybe I am super naive, she said. They were all so good to me. Respectful, bright, entertaining as hell.

Marcus George

He graduated in 2015. Maraghy remembers him encouraging everyone in class. He always seemed to be smiling, laughing. She still is friends with his foster mother.

He was shot at a gas station on 103rd Street in April 2021.

Maraghy went to Georges funeral and watched as his birth mother crawled into the casket, screaming.

Baron Dixon

He worked at a seafood place. Hed come to class tired and dirty and smelly. But hed give her a hug and say, I made it.

He loved cars. Loved fixing them up.

As is the case with a lot of her former students, she lost track of him. Until he made the news Christmas Day 2022.

He was found dead, shot in his car, she said.

His family said he was heading home Christmas afternoon in a car he had bought, planning to repair it and sell it, start a lawn mowing business and put his fiance through nursing school.

He was shot at the intersection of Normandy Boulevard and Chaffee Road. He was 21.

Two months later 

Delmontae Davis

His nickname was Smoke. He was a star wrestler. He also was one of Ms. Maraghys favorite students. Just talking about Smoke brings a smile to her face, followed by a shake of her head.

He was shot in the head, breaking up a fight, she said.

That was last February. By the end of the year, according to Times-Union statistics, the homicide tally had hit 157  down from 168 in 2022, but still the fourth time in the last five years that it topped 150.

In March, Maraghy lost her husband, Gerry. Hed been sick for a while. She says hes the one who dragged her into teaching.

By the numbers: 157 people died by homicide in Jacksonville in 2023. Here's who died, where and how

She and an art teacher went to Smokes funeral. When Maraghy returned to school in the fall, she had two of his stepsiblings in her class. They remembered her as the white lady from the funeral.

Most of the former students who have died have been Black. But not all of them. The one common denominator, she says, has been guns.

Zachary Willis

He was still a student, 16 years old. He loved the Florida Gators and skateboarding. Police said he accidentally shot himself in the head.

That happened in 2012. So maybe he was the first. By this point, she worries about whos next.

She goes on break for the 2023 holidays and 

Paton Pinette

She remembers going through the names during roll call at the start of one year, reading off his and saying: It is Pay-ton?

Actually, this little blond-haired kid told her, its pronounced Puh-tawn, making it sound almost like a French name.

She found out he was just messing with her.

That was years ago. She had his younger sister in her class a few years ago. Thats who told her about what happened two days after Christmas.

The news stories said Jacksonville police shot and killed a man they said fired at them first during a standoff on the Westside. The police identified him as 26-year-old Paton John Pinette.

Maraghy doesnt claim to know exactly what led to his death, or really to any of her former students deaths.

So many questions, she said. I wish I knew the answers.

The holiday break ended and she returned to school last week, at age 57, the top of her spiky hair freshly dyed bright colors. Suffice it to say, the students arent the only characters in her classroom. Since becoming a teacher, shes also added a tattoo to her right forearm. Nellie Bly, the female journalist who became famous in the late 1800s, going undercover at a mental health asylum and exposing terrible conditions.

She says she misses being in a newsroom. I say that while we miss having her in ours, she seems meant to be in her classroom, with her students.

Sometimes people ask how she does it. Not just how she does the job. How she seems to see the good in all of the kids who pass through her classroom.

I only see them for 90 minutes every other day, she says. It's easy to love a kid for 90 minutes every other day.

The hard part is losing another one, worrying it wont be the last time.

mwoods@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4212

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: For some teachers, losing former students to gun violence part of job
Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday honoring the life and legacy of one of the most influential civil rights leaders in American history.

Although the federal holiday is observed annually on the third Monday of January, this year is extra special because the day coincides with King's actual birthday, Jan. 15. To celebrate the activist and Baptist minister, there will likely be a few changes to the regular operating hours of businesses and government services this weekend.

Here's what will be open and closed this Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Will banks be open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2024?

Although many banks observe federal holidays, they are not required to do so.

Some banks, like Wells Fargo, Capital One, Bank of America, and PNC, will be closed on Jan. 15.

Fifth Third Bank, however, has not announced whether or not it will close for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but TheHolidayHours.com reports that the Cincinnati-based bank will likely be closed.

It is always a good idea to check your bank's website or app for more information regarding your local branch's specific hours.

Will mail be delivered on MLK Day 2024?

Post office locations will be closed, and the Postal Service will not deliver regular mail or packages, except for Holiday Premium Priority Mail Express and Holiday Same-Day Package Delivery.

UPS pickup and delivery services will also not be available. UPS store locations may also be closed, but check with your local store for specific hours of operation. Most FedEx services will also be available. FedEx Express and FedEx Ground Economy will have modified services on Monday. Most stores will also remain open on the federal holiday.

Will Amazon packages be delivered on Martin Luther King Jr. Day?

Amazon employees are offered paid time off on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, so no packages will be delivered by Amazon employees on Jan. 15, per the Naples Daily News.

Will trash be picked up on Martin Luther King Jr. Day?

If your regular city of Cincinnati trash collection day falls on Monday, your trash will be collected the following day. Rumpke will not have any delays in trash collection, according to its holiday schedule.

Will Cincinnati-area schools be open on MLK Day 2024?

All Hamilton County school districts, including Cincinnati Public Schools, will be closed on Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Clermont, Butler and Warren County schools will also be closed on Jan. 15.

In Kentucky, Covington Independent Public Schools, Newport Independent Schools, Kenton County Schools, Boone County Schools and Campbell County Schools will close on Monday.

The University of Cincinnati, Xavier University and Northern Kentucky University will be closed.

Is the stock market open on MLK Day?

The New York Stock Exchange won't open on Monday, Jan. 15. The market will reopen on Tuesday.

Are stores and restaurants open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day?

Yes, most retail and grocery stores, as well as restaurants, will be open on Monday.

What else will be open and closed on MLK Day 2024?

In Ohio, the city of Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Butler County, Clermont County and Warren County will be closed on Monday, Jan. 15.

Campbell County, Kenton County and Boone County fiscal court offices in Kentucky will be closed on Monday.

Since Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday, all non-essential government employees are off work and most government offices are closed. Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library locations will be closed.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: What's open and closed in Cincinnati, NKY on MLK Jr. Day 2024
A Republican official in Maryland has resigned after the FBI arrested him on charges related to the Capitol riot.

Carlos Ayala, who serves on the Maryland State Board of Elections, resigned from his post on Thursday after the FBI arrested him on Tuesday, according to The Hill.

Maryland State Elections Board Chair Michael Summers confirmed his resignation in a statement on Thursday, the Associated Press reported.

The board is committed to maintaining the security and integrity of our elections in Maryland in a non-partisan manner, Mr Summers said. The State Board will remain steadfast in our mission to oversee our elections process and serve as a trusted source of information for all Marylanders during the presidential election year.

Mr Ayala has been charged with felony civil disorder and other related misdemeanour offences for his alleged participation in the Capitol riot on 6 January 2021.

Prosecutors allege that Mr Ayala was identified in a group of rioters who illegally gathered in restricted areas on the Capitol's grounds. He was allegedly spotted near a large scaffolding that had been erected for use in the upcoming inauguration.

Footage captured on the day of the riot allegedly shows Mr Ayala climbing over police barricades and pushing toward the front of the crowd outside the Senate Wing door of the Capitol, according to the Department of Justice.

Another video shows him allegedly standing inside the Senate Wing of the Capitol near a window. The DOJ said he was holding a "distinctive black and white flag" that was attached to a PVC pipe pole. The flag reportedly says "We the People" and "DEFEND", and bore the image of an M-16-style military rifle.

The DOJ further claimed that an unidentified rioter was seen near the same area jabbing a US Capitol Police officer with a flag and a flagpole, but it could not positively identify Mr Ayala in the footage.

Mr Ayala served for only a year in the state government; he was appointed last year by Governor Wes Moore on the recommendation of the state's Republican party.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  A Maryland man pleaded guilty in federal court after pouring gasoline on several Supreme Court cars.

Cody Tarner, 26, of Hagerstown, pleaded guilty Tuesday, Jan. 9 to arson.

DC councilmember introduces comprehensive crime bill to address rising crime

According to the governments evidence, on July 15, 2020, Tarner drove onto the U.S. Supremes Courts property in Northeast D.C. and parked his car in a marked spot meant only for employees. He walked around the property, took a red gas can from his car and was seen on security camera footage, pouring gasoline onto three unmarked Supreme Court Police cars. While he was pouring the gas, some of it splashed onto him and his clothes.

He then lit one of the cars on fire which resulted in a violent ignition of the gasoline. This caused Tarner to become engulfed in flames causing severe burns and injuries to himself.

Tarner admitted to using 87 octane unleaded gasoline he bought from Pennsylvania to start the fire.

Bacteria outbreak closes Prince Georges County animal shelter

An investigation showed that Tarner had multiple previous encounters with law enforcement in which he expressed anti-government and militia extremist ideologies, according to a news release. He also claimed to be a leader of a militia group.

Tarners sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 14.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Two women hug on March 29, 2023, near a memorial at the entrance to The Covenant School in Nashville. A day after the mass shooting, a Maryland man sent an anti-LGBTQ+ threat.

Two women hug on March 29, 2023, near a memorial at the entrance to The Covenant School in Nashville. A day after the mass shooting, a Maryland man sent an anti-LGBTQ+ threat.

A 34-year-old Maryland man was sentenced to two years in prison after making violent threats toward an LGBTQ+ advocacy group after the Covenant School shooting last March in Nashville.

Adam Michael Nettina, of West Friendship, Maryland, admitted to leaving a threatening voicemail for the Human Rights Campaign in March. He entered into a plea deal in which he also admitted to having left other threatening messages.

In addition to two years in prison, U.S. District Judge George L. Russell III sentenced Nettina to three years of supervised release.

You have the right to your own opinions, but you dont have the right to threaten the lives of those who disagree with you. As this case demonstrates, free speech does not include violent threats against others, U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron for the District of Maryland said in a Justice Department statement Thursday. Well continue prosecuting these threats to the fullest extent of the law.

Nettinas voicemail to HRC was recorded the day after the March 27 Covenant School shooting in which six people were killed, including three 9-year-olds. Police fatally shot the gunman, a 28-year-old trans man.

You guys going to shoot up our schools now? Is that how its going to be? You just gonna kill little kids? Nettina said in the voicemail, according to WUSA-TV in Washington, D.C. Let me tell you something, were waiting, were waiting. And if you want a war, well have a war. And well fucking slaughter you back. Well cut your throats. Well put a bullet in your head. Were not going to give a fuck. You started this bullshit. Youre going to kill us? Were going to kill you 10 times more in full.

Nettina agreed that his actions were identifiable as a hate crime and as part of his plea deal admitted to leaving threatening messages for Maryland and Virginia state delegates, according to WUSA. The two delegates publicly supported the LGBTQ+ community.

You are a terrorist. You deserve to be shot and hung in the streets. You want to come after people? Lets go bitch, Nettina wrote in an email to a Virginia state delegate in October 2022, according to the Justice Department.

The following month, Nettina sent a social media message in which he called a Maryland state delegate a Baby killing terrorist, according to the Justice Department.

Enjoy hell Youre going sooner than you think, Nettina said in the message.

Related...
Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Slovakia on Jan. 11 to protest pro-Russian Prime Minister Robert Ficos plans to amend the countrys criminal code, AP reported on Jan. 12.

Read also: Thousands of Slovaks protest against the government of Robert Fico

The proposed changes involve abolishing the special prosecutors office, which deals with serious crimes like bribery, organized crime, and extremism. Such cases would instead be dealt with by regional prosecutors who have not handled such crimes for 20 years.

Around 20,000 protesters gathered in the central square of Bratislava, according to police. The crowd chanted slogans like mafia, mafia and enough of Fico.

REUTERS/Radovan Stoklasa

REUTERS/Radovan Stoklasa

The legislation introduced by Ficos government will require approval from both the President and the parliament. However, a three-party coalition has a sufficient majority to overcome a potential veto from President Zuzana Caputova.

Caputova stated her readiness to use constitutional procedures to challenge the law. It remains unclear how the Constitutional Court might rule at this time.

Read also: Slovak PM Fico says Ukraine is not ready for EU negotiations

From the initial, relatively small, protests in Bratislava on Dec. 7, which involved several hundred people, anti-government rallies have now spread to 19 cities and towns. By Dec. 19, thousands of people in major cities across Slovakia had gathered to protest against the law.

In parliamentary elections on Oct. 1, the pro-Russian party Smer-SD, which is led by Fico, emerged victorious. Fico opposes support for Ukraine and its accession to NATO, stating that Slovakia will cease military assistance to Ukraine and focus solely on humanitarian support. He also argues for negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.

Fico has previously repeated false Russian narratives, such as claiming that the war began in 2014 when Ukrainian Nazis and fascists started killing Russian citizens in Donbas and Luhansk.

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
Denmark has changed its penal code to criminalize inappropriate treatment(s) of texts of high religious importance, thus introducing blasphemy legislation that the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) criticized as the wrong approach.



The amendment makes it illegal for any inappropriate treatment of a text that has a significant religious importance to a recognized religious community, or an object, that appears to be such a text.

USCIRF Commissioner David Curry said religious books should be respected, but that altering the law in Denmark would cause problems in local religious communities. In many countries, such blasphemy legislation is misused to settle personal vendettas against religious minorities through false accusations or charges based on inadvertent mishandling of texts held sacred.

USCIRF condemns the burning of religious texts or other objects of religious importance  such as the Quran, the Bible, the Torah, the Vedas, and the Tripitaka (Pali Canon)  as deeply uncivil and disrespectful, Curry said in a press statement. Criminalizing blasphemy is the wrong approach and not effective in addressing either security concerns or the underlying hatred experienced by religious communities. This amendment will only serve to propagate harmful stereotypes that could worsen the situation of religious minorities in Denmark.

Danish lawmakers made the change on Dec. 7, citing an increased terrorist threat following a spate of Quran burnings. The amendment, which was signed into law on Dec. 13, came after the government in 2017 had repealed a 100-year-old blasphemy provision in the Danish Penal Code.

USCIRF defines blasphemy as, the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God or sacred things.



Laws opposing blasphemy punish expressions or acts deemed blasphemous, defamatory of religions, or contemptuous of religion or religious symbols, figures, or feelings, according to USCIRF.



Such laws are inconsistent with human rights law, which protects the rights of individuals, but not religious feelings, figures, or symbols from behavior or speech considered blasphemous, the body states on its website.

USCIRF Commissioner Stephen Schneck called on Denmark to change its approach in dealing with freedom of belief.

All too often, governments suppress human rights protected under international law in pursuit of national security concerns, Schneck said in the press statement.

Denmark, as a democracy, should not compromise fundamental rights to manage such aims. The Danish government must instead work with communities to address religiously-motivated hatred and intolerance and support freedom of religion or belief.

During debate on the legislation, Member of Parliament Inger Stojberg criticized it as an undue restriction on freedom of speech, but Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen argued that citizens would still be free to criticize religion.

Those convicted under the legislation would face a fine or up to two years in jail.

The new law comes after USCIRF published its 2023 annual report highlighting religious freedom issues in Europe, which included Christian communities facing rising prejudices. The report cites listed 16 European countries with blasphemy laws that in some cases enforced or sought to reinforce them.

A Polish political party, United Poland, even tried to submit a parliamentary proposal to expand the countrys blasphemy law by dropping a requirement that an individual actually take religious offense from anothers actions.

The USCIRF report described hate speech laws in Europe as a parallel legal challenge to religious freedom along with blasphemy laws.



Such laws criminalize speech that does not amount to incitement to violence, the report noted, denying the right of individuals to peacefully and publicly share and express their religious beliefs  including beliefs that others in society may find offensive or controversial.

The reported cited the case of prosecutors in Finland charging Member of Parliament Paivi Rasanen and Evangelical Lutheran Bishop Juhana Pohjola with hate speech for expressing Christian beliefs about LGBTQ+ issues in 2021.

A court dismissed the charges, and the prosecutor appealed, but Rasanen and Pohjola won the appeal in August 2023. Paul Coleman, executive director of ADF International, which coordinated Rasanen and Pohjolas defense, said after the last hearing that the case appeared to pressure Rasanen to deny her religious belief.

At the heart of the prosecutors examination of Rasanen was this: Would she recant her beliefs? Coleman said. The answer was no  she would not deny the teachings of her faith. The cross-examination bore all the resemblance of a heresy trial of the Middle Ages; it was implied that Rasanen had blasphemed against the dominant orthodoxies of the day.
Thurston County plans to spend over $640,000 in sales tax funds through 2025 to help people with mental health or substance use disorders.

The Board of County Commissioners voted 4-1 Tuesday to award community grants to three organizations. The awards are funded by the countys Treatment Sales Tax, a one-tenth of 1% sales tax that it has collected since 2009.

The sales tax has served as a key funding stream for meeting mental health and substance use needs in Thurston County, according to a news release from the county. By meeting these needs, the county says it also reduces costs related to the criminal justice system, emergency room use, health care and public assistance.

The vote, which occurred amid a power outage, took place at the commissions first regular board meeting of 2024. The commission took up the matter after the county received and reviewed 24 proposals for the funding. Three proposals with a combined cost of $642,995 were ultimately approved.

A mobile health clinic program operated by Providence Southwest Washington Foundation will receive $254,421 through 2025. The funds will support a van that provides outreach and coordinated care to unhoused people at a variety of locations in the county.

The van is equipped to offer care for mental health disorders, substance use disorders and resulting physical health problems.

Interfaith Works will receive $236,438 to fund the nonprofits Navigation Team as they work to provide peer advocacy and care coordination to people at its Unity Commons shelter off Martin Way.

The team connects individuals to permanent housing, primary care and behavioral health services.

County documents indicate the Navigation Team will focus on people referred through the states Rights-of-Way Initiative, an effort to remove people from encampments along state freeways and offer them housing.

Lastly, the county granted Family Support Center of South Sound $152,136 to help families enrolled in one of the countys treatment courts.

The nonprofit will use the money to provide intensive case management and housing search support to the families, according to the countys news release.

Why did the county pick these programs?

Chelyn Sowers, TST Program Manager, said the advisory committee previously recommended funding behavioral health services at Community Action Councils Monarch Childrens Justice and Advocacy Center as well as Catholic Community Services.

The advisory committee also recommended funding Providences mobile health clinic and Family Support Center of South Sound, but it did not recommend funding for Interfaith Works Navigation Team.

The county released a requested for proposals in October 2023. At the time, the advisory committee recommended making $800,000 available for community grants in 2024 and 2025, according to county spokesperson Renae Miller.

However, Miller said projected revenue for TST decreased after the request was released. This resulted in available grant funding decreasing from $800,000 to about $300,000 in 2024 and 2025.

The board later adjusted the combined total to $640,000 to support the costs of the selected program services and operations, Miller said.

At a Nov. 29 meeting, the board directed staff to develop contracts with the top three recommendations, which removed Catholic Community Services from consideration.

During that meeting, Commissioner Emily Clouse pushed the board to fund Interfaith Works Navigation Team, saying she strongly felt it would do life-saving work. Commissioners Tye Menser and Wayne Fournier later sided with Clouse at a Dec. 12 meeting.

Commissioner Gary Edwards voted against approving the TST community grants on Tuesday, saying he wished the commission could follow the recommendation they were initially given.

Im very much in favor of supporting all these organizations, but there was a limited amount of money available. Edwards said. My concern is that I wanted to follow the Treatment Sales Tax (Advisory) committees recommendation.

Commissioner Carolina Mejia also said she supported the advisory committees recommendation but she was outvoted on the matter along with Edwards. She said she still voted to approve it Tuesday because she felt the funding should go out.

I will respect the majority of the boards decision for the organization that they chose, but it wasnt my first choice I guess Ill say, Mejia said before the vote.

When reached for comment, Mejia said the TST advisory board did a hard job going through 25 application within the new funding limitations. She also expanded on why she supported Community Action Councils Monarch Childrens Justice and Advocacy Center.

With the rise in child abuse cases in Thurston County and the backlog Monarch has due to these awful circumstances, I was not in favor of removing funding from them, Mejia said. All of the recipients and the projects outlined are worthy of funding. Interfaith Works is a wonderful organization, and they do amazing work for our community, and I am fully supportive of them.

In a statement to The Olympian, Clouse said theres an undeniable need for programs like Monarch. However, she explained that the decision to fund Interfaith Works Navigation Team was driven by fiscal considerations and a desire to fund new initiatives, which is a core mission of TST community grants.

Historically, Interfaiths immediate response to life-threatening conditions for residents experiencing houselessness, mental illness and substance use, exemplifies the kind of urgent intervention TST aims to fund, Clouse said.

During the Tuesday meeting, Clouse said she respected the advisory committees recommendations and looked forward to streamlining this process to make it more effective going forward.
A juvenile arrested Thursday in a Mesa beating is tied to multiple attacks on teenagers by the gang known as the "Gilbert Goons."

The 17-year-old appears in three separate videos of gang assaults recorded by members of the Goons and shared on social media; one at a Mesa park, another at a Gilbert In-N-Out Burger, and a third in a Gilbert parking garage.

The teenager's house is one of four in the wealthy Gilbert enclave of Whitewing searched by police in connection with the Oct. 28 fatal beating of 16-year-old Preston Lord in Queen Creek, interviews and records show.

Maricopa County Juvenile Court officials confirmed the teenager appeared before a judge on Friday. He was booked into the Maricopa County Juvenile Detention Center, accused of aggravated assault. A judge ruled he should remain detained, according to a spokesperson for the court.

The boy's mother declined to comment on Friday when contacted about her son's arrest. She also did not respond to questions about the attack videos or a photo shared on TikTok showing her son holding a gun.

He was arrested in connection with a May 29 assault against another minor in a park near Val Vista Drive and Pueblo Avenue. A report was not filed with police until Jan. 4 when a man reported his stepson was the victim of the assault, police said.

The teenager is one of seven individuals  three adults and four juveniles  arrested in the past four days by authorities in Gilbert, Mesa and Pinal County for their roles in video-recorded beatings. The latest arrest occurred late Friday in connection with a Nov. 18 beating near San Tan Mountain Regional Park.

The arrests come after a Dec. 14 investigation by The Arizona Republic that first reported the Gilbert Goons, a gang of mostly affluent teenagers, had engaged in a string of attacks on other teens in the southeast Valley for more than a year, according to interviews, court and police records, and social media posts.

Most attacks occurred in Gilbert. Parents, students and community activists say members of the Goons were involved in Lord's fatal beating at a Halloween party.

Gilbert police Chief Michael Soelberg initially said officers never connected the attacks because victims did not specifically mention "Gilbert Goons"  and the department did not have police reports associating the Goons "to any alleged criminal activity." Victims have since referred to their attackers as being associated with the Goons, according to the department.

Gilbert police since have opened nine investigations related to what officials there describe as "teen violence" cases: Four were reopened, and five were previously unreported to the department. Officials are seeking the public's help in identifying suspects.

Teenagers scatter after police called to park

A video clip of the Mesa attack shows a crowd of teenagers around a boy on the ground who is being hit repeatedly by a teen standing over him. As the pummeling continues, another boy steps into the frame and stomps on the victim. The clip is less than 10 seconds long.

Although the attack was not reported to police at the time, a "subjects disturbing" call was recorded by police, according to dispatch information.

About 9:30 p.m., a caller reported a fight in progress among 30 to 40 teenagers, both boys and girls. At that time, several vehicles started to leave the area, including one with a girl who had been fighting, police said.

Officers saw several people in the park who started scattering, according to the dispatch information. Police contacted some of the juveniles in the park and at a nearby apartment complex but saw no physical injuries.

No potential victims sought help, and no juveniles admitted to fighting or watching a fight, according to the dispatch record. The call was closed, and no report was written.

Police said they won't release the name of the 17-year-old arrested because he is a minor. The case remains active, police said.

The Republic is not naming juveniles, even in cases in which they were convicted of assaults and other crimes, because they are underage. None has been charged or identified by authorities as suspects in Lord's killing.

Parent defends 17-year-old on social media

The 17-year-old's mother has defended her son on Facebook and threatened "legal action" against parents and community activists in the southeast Valley who have created websites dedicated to ending teen violence and demanding justice for Lord.

She pushed back at posts naming her son as one of Lord's attackers, saying they were putting her family at risk. In a December post on a Facebook page in the name Lily Waterfield, she acknowledged her son was at the party where Lord was killed but said he had no involvement with the victim.

Waterfield, started in response to Lord's killing, is a hub for discussion among parents, students and activists. It is operated by a pair of Gilbert mothers who said they wanted to bring attention to the case and the spate of teen violence rocking the southeast Valley suburbs.

"Would you turn your child in if he was at a party where something awful happened?" the boy's mother said in the post. "For you and everyone here to judge & attack my family, parenting and livelihood is completely unacceptable & full blown slander."

The mother said her family was cooperating with authorities "the best we can."

"Your page is causing threats and more violence and false accusations," she said in the post. "Trying to ruin other lives does not bring justice to Preston."

The Republic is not naming the mother because it would identify her son.

Teen's house targeted in Preston Lord investigation

The 17-year-old's house was targeted in an intense Nov. 6 police search, according to neighbors who were blocked for hours from returning to their own homes.

Police descended on the gated community near the Latter-day Saints' Gilbert Arizona Temple  where houses sell for more than $1 million  with automatic weapons, an armored vehicle and evidence vans.

Streets were shut down as black-clad officers led by Queen Creek police positioned themselves around the neighborhood and executed multiple search warrants, according to neighbors, who quickly connected the searches to Lord's killing.

Several teenagers living in Whitewing told their parents what was up; they had attended the party where Lord was killed and explained the connection to the homes being searched, neighbors said.

Police escorted residents from the targeted homes, letting them sit on curbs as investigators carried out heavy paper evidence bags.

The Republic verified the four addresses where searches took place through interviews and photographs provided by neighbors. The names of four boys living in the homes correspond to social media posts connected to members of the Goons.

Queen Creek police on Dec. 28 announced they are seeking criminal charges against seven "adults and juveniles" in Lord's death and have turned cases over to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office for review.

Prosecutors are considering whether there is evidence to charge the Goons as members of a criminal street gang. County Attorney Rachel Mitchell on Wednesday declined to give a timeline for the review, which she said must be thorough and deliberate.

"Because we all want the right outcome," Mitchell said. "We all want to see justice for Preston."

Photo, videos on social media show weapon, beatings

Among many social media posts is a picture of the 17-year-old posing with what appears to be a gun. The photo appeared on his TikTok account, which included his handle.

The image, taken at night, shows three boys. One is exhaling a heavy cloud of smoke, another is sitting atop a stop sign and the 17-year-old is holding the black handgun in his right hand and flashing a thumbs up with his left. He appears to be smiling.

The teenager has been identified by multiple southeast Valley residents who have reviewed the posts and cataloged them, including Waterfield co-operator Kristine Brennan and community activist Katey McPherson, a former teacher and school counselor.

Both have organized rallies and marches to bring attention to Lord's death. They have appeared at public meetings in Queen Creek, Gilbert and Chandler, calling for action on teen violence. They have also blasted Gilbert police for failing to connect beating videos to the Gilbert Goons in the year before Lord died.

One of those videos shows the 17-year-old in the scrum of teenagers beating a boy during a December 2022 attack outside the In-N-Out at San Tan Village Parkway and East Williams Field Road. The video lasts 26 seconds. The victim was hit at least 23 times by at least four attackers.

Some of the assailants in the video are identifiable as Goons from other social media posts and individual accounts.

Another video shows the 17-year-old in a Gilbert parking garage, where a boy is hit, thrown on the ground and stomped while another boy is seen being held on the ground. It is unclear in that video if the 17-year-old participated in the beating, although he appears to help prevent a victim from escaping while an attacker yells, "Someone get him!"

Brennan said the videos make her nauseous. She said the Gilbert Goons have been allowed to terrorize the southeast Valley long enough.

"Our children should not be afraid to go out at night," Brennan said. "Our community should not live in fear."

Republic reporters Miguel Torres and Jimmy Jenkins contributed to this story.

Robert Anglen is an investigative reporter for The Republic. Reach him at robert.anglen@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8694. Follow him on X @robertanglen.

Elena Santa Cruz is a criminal justice reporter for The Republic. Reach her at elena.santacruz@gannett.com or 480-466-2265. Follow her on X @ecsantacruz3.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arrested teen tied to other attacks by 'Gilbert Goons,' Lord murder case
Israeli scholars say their research affirms the destruction of a biblical city  the conquest of Gath by King Hazael of Aram detailed in the Second Book of Kings  using a novel technology that measures magnetic fields in burnt bricks.

Scientists from Tel Aviv University, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Bar-Ilan University in Ramat Gan and Ariel University in Samaria made a discovery that enables archaeologists to identify burnt materials found in excavations and estimate their firing temperatures.

This innovative study seemingly validates the biblical account of the destruction of the Philistine city of Gath by Hazael, king of Aram, as depicted in 2 Kings 17:17. The narrative describes Hazael's conquest of Gath before turning his attention to Jerusalem.

"About this time Hazael king of Aram went up and attacked Gath and captured it. Then he turned to attack Jerusalem," reads the passage.

The study was published in the journal PLOS ONE for the project titled "Applying thermal demagnetization to archaeological materials: A tool for detecting burnt clay and estimating its firing temperature."

"Our findings are important for determining the intensity of the fire and the scope of destruction in Gath  the largest and most powerful city in the land at the time  and also for understanding construction practices in the region," Prof. Aren Maeir from the Martin (Szusz) Department of Land of Israel Studies and Archaeology at Bar-Ilan University said in a statement.

The research focused on findings from Tell es-Safi, identified as biblical Gath. The team, led by Dr. Yoav Vaknin from the Sonia & Marco Nadler Institute of Archaeology at Tel Aviv University, demonstrated that the bricks in a city wall were burned in a conflagration during the city's destruction. The study also contradicts previous assumptions that the bricks were kiln-fired before their construction.

In an interview with The Jerusalem Post, Vaknin highlighted the historical context, noting that in regions like Mesopotamia, where stone was scarce, inhabitants would fire mud bricks in kilns to enhance their strength and durability. This practice is mentioned in the biblical story of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:3).

Prof. Lipschits, another researcher on the project, emphasized the importance of mud bricks as the primary building material in the Land of Israel during the Bronze and Iron Ages.

"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," Lipschits explained, according to All Israel News. "That's why it's so important to understand the technology used in making these bricks."

Dr. Vaknin added that most researchers believe the technology of kiln-firing bricks did not reach the Land of Israel until the Roman conquest. Prior to this, inhabitants used sun-dried mud bricks. The new method developed by the team can conclusively determine whether bricks found in archaeological excavations were fired in a kiln or burned in situ during a destructive event.

The method hinges on the magnetic properties of mud bricks. Sun-dried bricks exhibit a random magnetic orientation, but when fired, their ferromagnetic particles align with the Earth's magnetic field. The researchers discovered that reheating the bricks in a special oven could cancel this alignment, returning the bricks to their original random orientation at the temperature at which they were initially fired.

This technique revealed that the bricks from Gath were fired at temperatures consistent with a conflagration rather than kiln-firing, which involves much higher temperatures.

In July, a mosaic panel depicting biblical stories uncovered at an ancient synagogue was discovered by archeologists seeking answers about the impact of early Christian rule on Jewish people.

In September, archaeologists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem reported that an ancient inscription paraphrasing the first two verses of Psalm 86 was uncovered from a remote site in the Judean desert of Israel.



Originally published by The Christian Post
New Mexico 2050 was the very ambitious title of an only slightly ambitious project. In 2015, a small conference was held and a book was published, featuring in-depth analysis of major issues by respected New Mexico policy experts, edited by former U.S. Sen. Fred Harris.

The book contained a great deal of information but lacked the long-term vision I had hoped to see. For all my years here, New Mexico policy makers have focused on fixing our myriad immediate problems rather than aiming with determination at long-term goals.

Thats reasonable, given how many immediate problems we have, but maybe it would help to set higher specific goals.

To quote author Stephen Covey, in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Begin with the end in mind. That means set the goal first then figure out how to achieve it.

Merilee Dannemann

Its a new year, the state is flush with money and the legislative session has not started yet. So for a few optimistic moments, instead of being bogged down by pragmatism Im starting my new year by thinking big.

I suggest that the state set some long-range goals. Here are two specific ideas as examples.

Im skipping the obvious  education and economic development. We know New Mexico is obsessed with those issues, and I dont believe a vision statement would move the process along any faster or alleviate the continuing argument about how to achieve results. Lets find some other things that are challenging and worth doing.

First: eliminate all leaking carbon within 10 years. All of it.

As I wrote in a recent column, the oil industry should be capturing methane from active oil production, because it is highly toxic, has a powerful greenhouse effect, and doesnt contribute any positive benefits.

Lets expand that goal to include capping depleted and abandoned oil wells. If the science holds up, these capped wells can be made beneficial by using them to store carbon dioxide underground.

According to New Mexico Earth Matters, a publication of New Mexico Tech, carbon sequestration is a well-established technique that has been used in New Mexico for decades. It involves injecting carbon dioxide into oil reservoirs to push the oil out so it can be pumped to the surface.

The problem of abandoned oil wells is also well documented. The number in New Mexico has been estimated from 700 to more than 1,700. They can leak not only methane, but also hydrogen sulfide, benzene, arsenic and other chemicals, all toxic.

There is no political controversy around this issue. But there are possible administrative complications in determining who pays: whether specific wells are the responsibility of a known private owner or orphaned, meaning no former owner or operator can be located.

New Mexico has received $25 million in federal funds for this effort, and additional funding from other sources is likely.

Heres a second and simpler goal: within 10 years, make New Mexico the most physician-friendly state, so doctors will want to be here.

This requires no explanation  just determination. The inadequacies of healthcare access in New Mexico, including our serious shortage of physicians, are based on public policies, such as our high Medicaid population combined with low Medicaid reimbursement rates. Those policies can be corrected, and the rewards are obvious.

If you dont agree with these goals, suggest other ones. Id like to see one of our trusted nonprofits start a New Mexico 2050 Commission.

As Yogi Berra famously said, If you don't know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else. Lets decide where we want to go.

Contact Merilee Dannemann through www.triplespacedagain.com.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: A New Mexico long-range wish list
No community in the country would be more affected by former President Donald Trumps call to repeal and replace Obamacare than the neighborhoods surrounding his Miami-Dade golf resort  where support for the former president ballooned in the years after he tried to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

Last year, the zip code that includes Trump National Doral Miami topped the nation in Obamacare marketplace enrollees. Second in the nation: the zip code in Hialeah where thousands gathered in November to cheer on Trumps campaign to reclaim the White House.

Nearly 14 years after it became law, the Affordable Care Act  labeled by conservatives during its inception as Obamacare and big government run amok  is more popular in Miami-Dade County than anywhere else in the country. Last year, nearly three-quarters of a million people enrolled in the health care marketplace in Miami-Dade, and the numbers are expected to grow in 2024, with enrollment for the new year open through Tuesday, Jan. 16.

The programs ubiquity here is something of a curiosity. When Obamacare emerged in 2010, Republicans said the Affordable Care Act and its now-defunct mandate that every person carry health insurance was tantamount to socialism, an attack that appeared to resonate in the Miami area, where hundreds of thousands of Hispanic voters settled after fleeing nations governed by leftist regimes. And yet, its Hialeah, where some three in four residents are Cuban, and Doral, known as Doralzuela because of its Venezuelan expats, that lead the nation in enrollment numbers.

But even as voters in those communities lurch to the right and the race for the Republican presidential nomination picks up, the popularity of Obamacare and Trump  the GOP frontrunner, who says hes seriously looking at alternatives for health care coverage  appear to be enduring.

If you look at the trends of voting in Miami-Dade County, and specifically in those cities from 2016 to 2020, they become more and more Republican and Obamacare plans become more popular, said Mike Hernandez, a political analyst for NBC and Telemundo. It is in fact quite confusing because theyre not linear in their thinking when it comes to health insurance and their politics.

Experts and consumers say the prevalence of Obamacare in South Florida is due to a uniquely Miami set of circumstances, including its economy, high immigrant population and a highly efficient funnel of advertising, word-of-mouth and non-profit organizations steering new consumers to Obamacare.

Plus, Obamacare  which isnt a public health insurer but rather a government-run marketplace for health insurance  isnt nearly as polarizing as politicians make it out to be. And the demand for the program is undeniable.

Last year, 746,987 Miami-Dade residents enrolled in the marketplace, helping to make Florida the top state in the nation for marketplace enrollments, a place the state is likely to hold onto in 2024.

On Wednesday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released updated enrollment numbers for this year, showing that the country has already hit a record, with more than 20 million people signing up for a health plan through the marketplace since open enrollment launched on Nov. 1. Florida is leading the pack, with more than 4 million people signing up for health insurance under ACA, an increase of about 25% from 2023. County-level data is not available yet.

Florida typically has some of the highest percentages of enrollment among people eligible for health insurance through the marketplace, said Cynthia Cox, a vice president at KFF, a non-profit that specializes in health policy research. Even though we dont have a 2024 estimate, I would not be surprised at all if Florida is still among the top states, said Cox.

Why do Doral, Hialeah have so many Obamacare enrollees?

The Affordable Care Act, passed in 2010, required insurers to provide coverage to people with pre-existing conditions without charging them more and created a government-run insurance marketplace, with the goal to make affordable health insurance available to more people through the creation of tax credit subsidies. The law also gave states the ability to expand Medicaid to cover more adults with income below the federal poverty level, though Florida is among 10 states that have chosen not to do that.

Health policy experts, health insurance navigators, nonprofit executives and political scientists who spoke with the Miami Herald say there are several reasons why Miami-Dade has led the U.S. in Obamacare enrollments:

There are robust and effective outreach efforts, including in Spanish and Creole, by registered and licensed agents, brokers, insurance companies, health providers, nonprofits and the federal government. Word-of-mouth between friends, families and colleagues is also key.

Floridas decision to not expand Medicaid through the Affordable Care Act, along with the Medicaid disenrollment that is currently occurring in the state following the end of the national COVID-related health emergency, leads many to Obamacare.

Small businesses, which often dont offer health insurance for employees, make up the majority of the workforce in Miami-Dades service-driven economy, including in areas where Obamacare is most popular. About 77% of Miami-Dades more than 260,000 businesses have fewer than 4 employees, according to the Miami-Dade Beacon Council. Only about a quarter of small businesses in Florida offer some form of health insurance, according to a 2022 survey by the agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

In Doral and Hialeah, where Obamacare enrollment is highest, the number of small businesses is even more pronounced. The Beacon Council, which defines small businesses as those with fewer than 50 employees, reports that about 98% of the businesses in Doral and about 99% of the businesses in Hialeah fit the definition.







Only about 23.7% of small businesses in Florida offer some form of health insurance, according to a 2022 survey by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

At Florida Blues Hialeah location, yoga, dominoes tournaments, and immigration workshops act as lures to bring new customers through the doors to educate people about the importance of health insurance and the different options that exist, including health plans in the marketplace.

Before the new year, the center had already surpassed last years 638 new Obamacare enrollments and expected to enroll more people before open enrollment ends in Florida on Jan. 16.

For Franklin Orozco, 58, it was a radio ad, along with the recommendation from his roommates colleague, that led him to visit the Florida Blue Center in Hialeah to ask if he was eligible for any type of health insurance. His Florida Blue agent helped enroll him in Obamacare.

Orozco, who moved to South Florida 30 years ago from Colombia and is a naturalized citizen, said it will be the first time in a decade that hell have health insurance. His current job doesnt offer it, he said. Now that hes older, Orozco, 58, said he wants to make sure he can visit doctors and get care when needed.

I feel secure having insurance, Orozco said in Spanish.

Obamacare enrollees Franklin Orozco, 58, left, Maria Pavon, 55, right, speak with Sales Consultant Melissa Cignarella, far right, at a Florida Blue Center in Hialeah, Florida, on Wednesday, December 20, 2023.

In Hialeah and Doral, there are two uniquely Miami things that have helped increase Obamacare enrollment, said Dr. Olveen Carrasquillo, an expert on the Affordable Care Act at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

At the macro level, many of these small businesses dont offer health insurance for people  for their employees, said Carrasquillo. He also cited very successful grassroots efforts to get people enrolled, but also people themselves spreading the word.

Some of the players involved in enrolling people into Obamacare  like brokers and insurance agents  receive compensation, which according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services can include commissions and fees. But various nonprofit organizations, some enlisting federally paid workers called Navigators, also help inform people on their healthcare options and get them enrolled into Obamacare.

Thats what led Roxana Azuaje, 42, to enroll in an Obamacare plan for the second time in her life.

After being laid off from her job and going a year without health care, the photographer, who came to South Florida from Venezuela in 2002 and is a naturalized citizen, enrolled in December with the help of a nonprofit called Catalyst Miami, which offers free appointments with certified counselors to find health insurance as part of its mission to improve equity in the community.

Accessing good healthcare benefits even when you have an employer can be hard sometimes, like if you want to include your family. Its very expensive, said Azuaje. So this past year, it was very uncomfortable to not have health insurance. I had some health concerns that I had to wait on.

Freelance photographer and Obamacare enrollee Roxana Azuaje holds her son Kai Moreira at Legion Memorial Park in Miami, Florida, on Tuesday, December 19, 2023.

Outreach and education efforts have been critical in bolstering health care coverage under Obamacare.

The federal government pours money into national multi-language campaigns and provides funding to select organizations to help promote and educate people on how to enroll in Obamacare online, by phone or in-person. Often, hospitals and community health centers can also help patients learn about the different health options available to them. Its not uncommon to see enrollment booths in front of supermarkets, stores and in shopping centers during open enrollment.

In Miami-Dade, where more than half the population was born in another country, many immigrants are eligible to enroll in a health plan through the marketplace. Under the law, U.S. citizens, nationals and others who are lawfully present in the country and are not incarcerated in jail or prison can sign up for a health plan through the marketplace. This includes residents, asylees, refugees and those with temporary protected status, though some additional criteria may apply.

Venezuelans like Azuaje, especially newer arrivals, are specifically targeted by campaigns to enroll people in Obamacare plans, said Eduardo Gamarra, a political science professor at Florida International University.

Venezuelans are really a very large group and theyre facing an enormous problem because the ones who are arriving are not as wealthy as the ones who came in the early part of the century, or even five, six years ago, and they have no health care, he said. Those are the groups that are being courted by these insurance brokers  by these Obamacare brokers.

Scott Darius, executive director of Florida Voices for Health, said that another reason why the Doral and Hialeah zip codes may have high enrollment numbers could be because those who come from places like Cuba and Venezuela are already familiar with some kind of universal healthcare.

Repeal or Improve?

In Miami-Dade, Trumps mission to rid the U.S. of Obamacare sticks out amid a sea of campaigns and efforts to get people into the marketplace.

Trump, who held an anti-Obamacare event outside Trump National Doral Miami days before the 2016 election, tried to replace Obamacare during his time in office and failed, though Republicans eliminated penalties under the Affordable Care Act for people without health insurance. Even so, from 2016 to 2020, Trump won dramatic increases in support in Miami-Dade County, and in Hialeah and Doral, specifically.

READ MORE: How Hialeah, Doral helped deliver Florida for Donald Trump in 2020

Now the favorite to win the GOP nomination for 2024, Trump said hes committed to finishing the job, saying in November on the social media site Truth Social we should never give up!

Trumps frustrations with Obamacare might have sympathetic ears from some in the marketplace in Miami-Dade County. Freddie Sufran, 53, is grateful that he has health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, but he wishes his health plan was better. The South Miami-Dade cargo driver has had insurance under the ACA for two years, but getting care isnt easy, he said.

Hes struggled to schedule appointments with doctors and, most recently, has had issues getting a referral for a specialist, he said. Hes tried different Obamacare plans to see if things would improve.

But theres always a roadblock in getting care, Sufran said.

U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, the congressman who represents both Doral and Hialeah, said in a statement that, since it was created, Obamacare has been nothing more than a government takeover of healthcare that has taken our country down the path of bankruptcy by increasing the costs of premiums, killing jobs, and raising taxes on small businesses.

Opposition to the Affordable Care Act isnt unanimous among Miami Republicans. U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez told the Miami Herald hed prefer to improve Obamacare rather than repeal it, and U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar expressed similar sentiments during the 2020 campaign in which she won her Miami-area seat.

Consumers who spoke to the Miami Herald said they arent interested in the politics of Obamacare  just functional health care.

Im thinking about the services I need  What benefits me and my family, said Azuaje, a Democrat.

Gamarra, the FIU professor, said that voters perception of Obamacare has changed over the years. While some may have viewed it as communist or socialist at its inception, he believes its now seen with the same level of normalcy as Social Security, which was also once viewed as radical.

Our great representative from South Florida, Claude Pepper, he was one of the ones who introduced Social Security and he was called red pepper because Social Security was perceived as a communist program  There is no serious Republican now that would consider running on abolishing Social Security, said Gamarra.

And while Miami-Dade has gone from deep-blue bastion to Republican-friendly, with the county in 2022 supporting Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis  like Trump a presidential candidate who wants to repeal Obamacare  Gamarra said health care doesnt appear to be one of the issues pushing Hispanic voters to the right.

RELATED CONTENT: DeSantis wants health care plan that would supersede Obamacare. What does that mean?

Gamarra said that based on his research, which includes the 2023 Annual Hispanic Public Opinion Survey, he believes that immigration and foreign policy are two topics that the Republican Party has successfully used to win over more Latinos.

Its all political, said Sufran, one of the Obamacare consumers the Herald spoke with, about the debate over health insurance that arises during election season. Sufran declined to say whether he identified with a political party. We just need people to really listen to the community.

What the future of health coverage looks like in Florida

While the future of the Affordable Care Act is unknown, the dynamics playing out in Floridas safety net health program is expected to push more people onto Obamacare. Florida is checking peoples Medicaid eligibility again now that the federal COVID emergency that automatically re-enrolled people in the health insurance program is over. So far, more than half a million Floridians have already lost their Medicaid.

Others are expected to fall into the Medicaid access gap, in which their incomes are too high for Medicaid eligibility but too low for the Obamacare marketplace. Floridas leaders in the state Legislature have once again made clear that they do not intend to expand Medicaid access.

Miami, Florida, December 20, 2023 - Community Health Worker, Ellen Smith, right, helps out a client with insurance questions at the Doris Ison Health Center, 10300 SW 216th Street, Miami, FL 33190

At the Doris Ison Health Center just off Floridas Turnpike in South Miami-Dade, officials are concerned about the number of people who will fall into the Medicaid access gap.

There were a lot of families, individuals and families that got on Medicaid and stayed on Medicaid during the public health emergency, said Peter Wood, the vice president for planning and government affairs at Community Health of South Florida, which operates the Doris Ison Health Center. And then when those folks are having to re-enroll, many of them are falling off, and the level of their healthcare access is definitely going to drop particularly as it relates to access to specialty care and hospitalization.

READ NEXT: Thousands of Floridians could lose Medicaid coverage soon. What should you be doing now?

Predominantly Spanish-speaking clientele without health insurance are a common sight at the center, located at 10300 SW 216th St. The flagship and largest health center of the Community Health of South Florida, the Doris Ison Health Center serves as a one-stop shop of care for its patients and offers a variety of services, including primary care, pediatric, urgent care, cardiology, behavioral health and womens services.

About half of its patients dont have insurance, and about 35% of its insured patients have health coverage under Obamacare, said Wood.

Miami, Florida, December 20, 2023 - Interior of the Doris Ison Health Center, 10300 SW 216th Street, Miami, FL 33190

Carrasquillo, the UM health policy expert, also expects more people will turn to Obamacare following the disenrollment of millions of Floridians from Medicaid, a health insurance program run jointly by the federal government and the states. He thinks Floridas best move to improve health care would be to expand Medicaid, but said there are cost issues with Obamacare that the federal government could improve.

Having Obamacare is a lot better than not having Obamacare, but it still has challenges and it still has issues, said Carrasquillo.

Hernandez, the Telemundo analyst, expects the Affordable Care Act to remain as popular as ever, regardless of what happens in the November election.

Most voters  red, blue or in between  are pragmatic  Even if theyre going to vote for President Trump, I believe millions of them, especially in Florida, are hoping that Obamacare either stays the same or is improved somehow, he said. And I seriously doubt that President Trump even being reelected could overturn it.
Good Morning America anchor Michael Strahans 19-year-old daughter Isabella revealed she has cancer. She is being treated for a malignant brain tumor known as medulloblastoma, he shared in a segment on Tuesday.

I literally think that in a lot of ways, Im the luckiest man in the world because Ive got an amazing daughter, he said. I know shes going through it, but I know that were never given more than we can handle and that she is going to crush this.

The 19-year-old was diagnosed last October after experiencing headaches for a month while being enrolled as a freshman at the University of Southern California. She experienced headaches, nausea and said she couldnt walk straight. One morning, she woke up and started throwing up blood.

I was like, Hm, this probably isnt good. So I texted [my sister], who then notified the whole family, she said.

Isabella sought medical attention and was instructed by her doctor to do a full checkup. Her symptoms persisted, and Michael Strahan said they encouraged Isabella to seek medical attention.

She did an [electrocardiogram, or EKG], there for my heart and like, other stuff, but she didnt have an MRI machine, so I went to [get an MRI] somewhere else, she said. And then she calls me, and shes like, You need to head to Cedars-Sinai [Medical Center] right now. Im gonna meet you there.'

Doctors found out Isabella has a tumor in the back of her brain that required immediate treatment.

I dont really remember much, her father recounted. I just remember trying to figure out how to get to LA ASAP. And it just doesnt feel real. It just didnt feel real.

The hardest thing to get over is to think that she has to go through this herself, Strahan added.

Isabella underwent emergency surgery to remove the tumor in late October. She then went through a month of rehabilitation and radiation treatment.

Im feeling good. Not too bad, she said about how she feels now. And Im very excited for this whole process to wrap. But you just have to keep living every day, I think, through the whole thing.

Isabella will start chemotherapy in February. She will document her journey in a YouTube series in partnership with Duke Childrens Hospital & Health Center to help children at the hospital.

Isabella posted her first video, How It Started, showing her recovering after surgery and even celebrating her 19th birthday while in the hospital with those closest to her.

I just hope anyone who sees this knows that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that things will get better because every day is another day closer to getting better and closer to feeling better, she said. Progress takes a lot of time try to see the positive things.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sophia Strahan (@sophialstrahan)

Shortly after the 19-year-old disclosed her diagnosis, Isabellas twin sister Sophia posted several photos of the two on Instagram and praised Isabella for her fortitude throughout her difficult medical ordeal.

Im so lucky to have the most amazing sister and best friend in the world. The last few months have been so much harder than we could have ever imagined, but its made me realize just how strong you are. You inspire me, and Im so proud of you. Us forever , Sophia wrote.

Strahan said the experience has changed his perspective on life and on being a father.

You learn that youre probably not as strong as you thought you were when you have to really think about the real things, and I realized that I need support from everybody, he said. You think that Im the athlete, the tough guy, you know, I can come and handle, Im the father in the family. It is not about any of that. It doesnt matter. And its really made me change my perspective on so many things in my life.
The US Navy has named the first four Arleigh Burke class destroyers that will be brought up to the new Mod 2.0 standard, which one of a number of destroyer modernization efforts within the service.

The U.S. Navy has named the first four Arleigh Burke class destroyers that will receive a slate of major upgrades, including new radars and advanced electronic warfare suites . One of these ships, the USS Pinckney, has already gotten its new electronic warfare system, which has completely transformed its outward appearance . This is all part of the Navy's broader modernization plans for its destroyer fleets, which also includes a program to develop and acquire an entirely new design currently known as DDG(X) .

U.S. Navy Capt. Tim Moore, who is in charge of what is currently known as the Destroyer Modernization 2.0 Program, provided new details about the upgrade effort at the Surface Navy Association's main annual symposium yesterday. USS James E. Williams (DDG-95), USS Chung Hoon (DDG-93), and USS Halsey (DDG-97), along with the Pinckney (DDG-91) are now set to be brought up what has also been called the DDG-51 Mod 2.0 or DDG 2.0 standard. DDG-51 is the hull number for the USS Arleigh Burke, the lead ship in this class.

The USS Chung Hoon. USN

Pinckney, James E. Williams, Chung Hoon, and Halsey are all Flight IIA subvariants of the Arleigh Burke, an improved version of the design that was developed in the late 1990s. Of the 73 Burkes in Navy service today, 34 are baseline Flight IIA types. Another 10 are Flight IIA Restart or Flight IIA Technology Insertion versions with additional improvements. Three more Flight IIA Technology Insertion Burkes, as well as several examples of the newer enlarged Flight III subclass, are currently in various stages of construction.

The USS James E. Williams. USN

Capt. Moore outlined four key components of the Mod 2.0 upgrade package yesterday, according to Breaking Defense . These are the new AN/ALQ-32(V)7 Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) Block III electronic warfare suite, and additional thermal management systems to help keep it cool, as well as the new AN/SPY-6(V)4 radar and an improved version of the Aegis Combat System .

The USS Halsey. USN

As already noted, the USS Pinckney has the SEWIP Block III suite now . As can be seen at the top of this story and below, the integration of the system has radically changed how that ship appears with the addition of two huge fully enclosed extensions on either side of the main superstructure. These new geometric structures extend down the upper edge of the ship's hull and protrude significantly outward. The War Zone has explored the full scope and scale of those physical modifications in detail in the past .

USS Pinckney with its new electronic warfare suite. @cjr1321 via @warshipcam

Northrop Grumman's SEWIP Block III suite itself represents a revolutionary capability leap over previous iterations of the AN/SLQ-32 system. The new variant features active electronically scanned array (AESA) technology capable of putting out powerful and highly focused bursts of radio-frequency energy that can be used to launch electronic attacks on multiple targets along different vectors simultaneously. It also has advanced capabilities to detect, geolocate, and categorize threats passively. The system's arrays have the potential to also be used as radars and communications nodes. You can read more about the full extent of what the system can do in this past War Zone piece .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2HjzGZRGB8\u0026t=2s

Raytheon's AN/SPY-6(V)4 radar is a scaled-down derivative of the AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) that is a key component of the Flight III Arleigh Burke design . All AN/SPY-6 radars feature active electronically scanned arrays and are made up of groups of cube-shaped Radar Modular Assemblies (RMAs). The (V)1 version has four fixed arrays each with 37 RMAs. The (V)4 has four fixed arrays, as well, but with 24 RMAs apiece.

The USS Jack H. Lucas, the US Navy's first Flight III Arleigh Burke class destroyer, which features the AN/SPY-6(V)1 radar. The AN/SPY-6(V)4 that is part of the Mod 2.0 upgrade package is scaled down derivative of the (V)1. USN

Even the smaller version of the AN/SPY-6 will be able to track more targets at greater ranges with greater precision and fidelity than the AN/SPY-1 passive electronically scanned array radars currently found on older Burkes. The Navy is also acquiring two other radars in the SPY-6 family for integration on other types of ships, and you can read more about them all in more detail here .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZZ3A05RdxE

Then there is the new Aegis Combat System baseline. Versions of Aegis have been in use on U.S. Navy warships for decades now and it is not immediately clear what new and improved functionalities the version that is part of the Mod 2.0 package will feature.

The Navy is already testing a new "virtualized" variation of Aegis on another Arleigh Burke class destroyer, the Flight IIA USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81). Virtulized Aegis helps reduce the hardware footprint of the system, which in turn makes it easier to integrate more capability and do so without greater physical bulk. You can read more about how this works, as well as Aegis in general, in this past War Zone feature .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMUfDCrxR2U

When exactly the Mod 2.0 work on the initial four Arleigh Burke destroyers will be completed is unclear. The Navy's Capt. Moore explained the current plan is to upgrade the initial four destroyers to the new configuration in two distinct phases, according to Breaking Defense . The warships will receive all of the components of the package in the first phase except for the new radar, which will be integrated afterward.

I dont want to publish that [schedule] here because were trying to bring that to the left as best we can, Moore said, per Breaking Defense's report. Moore did add that once the first four Burkes are upgraded, then the Navy plans to begin upgrading other ships in that class to the Mod 2.0 configuration. The service has said in the past that it could upgrade as many as 20 Flight IIAs to this new standard.

The Navy is also still acquiring new Flight III Arleigh Burkes. The Flight III types are set to become the Navy's primary air defense command and control platform afloat, a role previously occupied by the service's Ticonderoga class cruisers, which are in the process of being retired .

The first Flight III Burke, the USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG-125), entered service last year. Future Flight III Burkes are expected to incorporate additional upgrades. Navy budget documents show plans to eventually integrate the SEWIP Block III electronic warfare suite onto at least three of these warships in the coming years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTDt3UiOqL0

All of this is also leading up to the Navy's planned acquisition of a new and substantially larger class of destroyers, currently known as DDG(X). The service is still very much ironing out its requirements for this future warship, but it is expected to have a displacement of around 13,500 tons. By comparison, the Flight III Arleigh Burke notably has a displacement of just 9,700 tons. The Navy's three Zumwalt class stealth destroyers have displacements of around 15,000 tons. The DDG(X) looks set to be in the middle, size-wise, between these two designs.

Capability-wise, the Navy wants DDG(X) to feature the AN/SPY-6(V)1 radar, have an advanced propulsion system, and be heavily automated (which could translate to a smaller crew size). You can read more about what is known so far about the DDG(X) requirements here .

A rendering of a notional DDG(X) design with various prospective features highlighted. USN

Just from a design standpoint, our shipbuilding programs are evolutionary vice revolutionary, Navy Rear Adm. Fred Pyle, the head of the Surface Warfare Division within the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, told USNI News in an interview yesterday. Where design and automation come in for DDG(X) is the hull form, what were doing in the propulsion plant, and those other enablers are the platform.

"We want a plant thats efficient, and less dependent on the logistics for us," Pyle added. "Were looking at all options, as we look at propulsion."

The Navy currently hopes to begin buying DDG(X)s in the 2032 Fiscal Year. However, the service says it wants to procure these vessels in a way that does not upset other shipbuilding schedules, particularly with regard to future Arleigh Burkes.

A three-year overlap with ongoing Arleigh Burke construction is the current goal "to make sure we do no harm to our shipbuilding industry, whether its Bath Iron Works or [Huntington Ingalls Industries], Rear Adm. Pyle told USNI News. Bath Iron Works and the Ingalls Shipbuilding division of Huntington Ingalls Industries are the two yards currently producing Arleigh Burke class destroyers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQknH-rVAvU

This, of course, comes amid concerns that have been growing for years about available shipyard capacity in the United States to build warships, as well as submarines, of any kind. Yard space for major upgrades and routine maintenance has been a growing issue, as well.

Navy Vice Adm. Brendan McLane, the service's top surface warfare office, told reporters last week that the service typically has between 50 and 60 major surface warships available for operations on any given day, according to Breaking Defense . This is short of a current self-imposed goal of 75 ships available daily.

"The 75 ships counted do not include carriers, submarines, Military Sealift Command ships and classes that contain just a handful of vessels, such as the Zumwalt class destroyers and the expeditionary sea bases," Breaking Defense noted. Much of the lost operational time is due to maintenance backlogs.

Since 2019, weve reduced our days of maintenance delay by 43 and a half percent, Vice Adm. McLane said. Were going to have to keep our eye on this and continue to try harder.

These issues are made even more worrisome given the exponentially larger size and scope of the shipbuilding industry in China. The U.S. military describes China's People's Liberation Army as the "pacing threat" that it primarily uses for future planning purposes across the board. There are also persistent fears that a conflict with the Chinese in the Pacific might erupt before the end of the decade. The Navy's surface and subsurface fleets would be critical in any such future fight.

An unclassified briefing slide from the US Navy's Office of Naval Intelligence discussing comparative U.S. and Chinese shipbuilding capacities and other other metrics. USN

All of this can only put more emphasis on the Navy's need for its various destroyer modernization efforts, and for them to stay on schedule. The service is now taking important steps forward with the Mod 2.0 upgrade program for a portion of its Arleigh Burke fleet, the size of which is still expanding, as well as the acquisition of the future DDG(X).

Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com
In the aftermath of recent tornadoes in Middle Tennessee, the Community Resource Center (CRC) has proven indispensable in aiding recovery efforts.

Serving as a beacon of hope, the CRC provides crucial resources and support for those affected by disasters and individuals facing daily crises.

As we transition into long-term recovery, it is crucial to recognize the ongoing importance of the CRC. Beyond immediate relief, the center acts as a lifeline, offering sustained assistance in rebuilding lives.

Editorial: After deadly tornadoes, Tennessee has stepped up for our community. Here's how to help.

Clean up continues on Dickerson Park as NES fixes the power lines in Madison, Tenn., Monday, Dec. 11, 2023.

Here's what we need in donations for tornado survivors

The comprehensive aid, from basic necessities to household kits, not only addresses immediate needs but also restores a sense of dignity to survivors facing an uncertain future.

To ensure the center's ongoing effectiveness, I appeal to our community for support. Specifically, the CRC is seeking donations of new hygiene and cleaning supplies to assist survivors in regaining normalcy.

These supplies are vital for health, sanitation, and creating a clean living environment, essential components of the recovery process.

Your contribution can significantly impact the lives of those grappling with the aftermath of disasters. Let us unite to support the CRC and our neighbors in need. Donations can be dropped off during operating hours at the CRC, with details available on their website (crcmidtn.org) or by contacting them directly at 615-291-6688.

Thank you for your unwavering support during these challenging times.

Tina Doniger, CEO of the Community Resource Center, Nashville

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville area tornadoes: Survivors still need community support
Mike Thomas

Looking for a quick, easy change to help your home feel fresh for the new year? One of the easiest (and more inexpensive) ways to update your home is by changing up your color palette.

Depending on your current decor and overall aesthetic, there are a number of directions you can go. Here are paint manufacturers top suggestions for 2024.

Warm and soft

Creating a comfortable environment is critical for a space where everyone can live, play and work. These warm, soft hues for 2024 are sure to elevate the ambience of your home and create a place to draw you, your family and your friends together.

Peach Fuzz, from Pantone, is a cozy peach hue that highlights both a desire for togetherness and enjoying a moment of stillness.

Persimmon, from HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams, is a naturally inspired terracotta-based hue that feels both uplifting and refreshing.

Limitless, from Glidden/PPG, is a warm honey beige hue that draws on its power as a primary color while serving as a strong neutral at the same time.

Peaceful blues

The idea of creating a sanctuary within the home extends to other shades as well. Look toward the blue color spectrum for a variety of shades to create a serene, uplifting environment.

Upward, from Sherwin-Williams, is a breezy, blissful blue that encourages you to slow down, take a breath, and clear your mind.

Blue Nova, from Benjamin Moore, is an alluring mid-tone thats equal parts enchanting and timeless.

Thermal, from C2, is a punchy blue poised for adventure while evoking feelings of loyalty, trust and confidence.

Skipping Stones, from Dunn-Edwards, can add a sense of mystery and thoughtfulness to any space.

Bluebird, from Krylon, complements natural tones and textures while creating an environment where everyone can be at ease.

Bay Blue, from Minwax, is a relaxing mix of blue and green that invites you to create a home thats authentically personal.

Renew Blue, from Valspar, is a nourishing, green-influenced blue that creates a sense of peace wherever you place it.

Statement colors

Sometimes a new year calls for a new look, with a bold shift in appearances. If a pop of fresh color is what youre looking for, here are a few selections to help make a statement:

Cracked Pepper, from Behr, is a versatile soft black that accentuates the spaces you create life moments in.

Ironside, from Dutch Boy, provides a sense of sophisticated comfort, as well as the perfect backdrop for showcasing furniture, art and accessories

Chocolate Cherry, from Rust-Oleum, stands out but also provides a strong neutral backdrop that adds a sense of authenticity.

To learn more about color and design trends, contact the BIA office at 330-494-5700 or visit www.biastarkeco.com.

Mike Thomas is president of the Building Industry Association of Stark & East Central Ohio.

This article originally appeared on The Alliance Review: Mike Thomas: Three color trends to update your home in 2024
Russia is missing some weapon components like modern optics and electronics as a result of international trade restrictions, Military Intelligence (HUR) spokesperson Andrii Yusov said on Jan. 12.

This statement indicates that Western sanctions have a tangible effect on the Russian defense industry, although multiple reports show Moscow continues to obtain sensitive sanctioned goods.

"They (Russia) face several restrictions and sanctions. They (sanctions) create additional complications when it comes to modern optics, electronics, and microchips, which is what the enemy lacks," Yusov said on air.

The HUR spokesperson noted that Moscow is trying to establish "gray import schemes" to smuggle in the necessary equipment.

"Russia is one of the world's leading smuggler countries. But as far as the development of modern, high-tech weapons is concerned, there are difficulties," Yusov added.

Yusov nevertheless said that Russia still wields the old Soviet technological base and has the ability to modernize existing projects.

In a comment for the French newspaper Le Monde, HUR chief, Kyrylo Budanov, said Russia had likely increased ammunition production since the summer of 2023.

This came at the cost of munitions' quality, which, for example, negatively impacts their accuracy, Budanov added.

Following the outbreak of the full-scale war, Western countries imposed extensive sanctions against Russia, banning imports of electronics and other goods critical for the production of high-tech weapons like missiles or drones.

In spite of these restrictions, Moscow continues to acquire dual-use goods via third-party countries like Kazakhstan, Turkey, or China.

Ukraine's National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NAZK) identified around 2,500 foreign components in Russian weaponry, mostly from U.S. producers who do not sell their products to Russia directly.

Kyiv's allies have sought to crack down on the Kremlin's ability to circumvent their sanctions. The EU's latest sanction package included a ban for third-country entities to re-export sensitive goods to Russia.

Read also: Most of 2,500 foreign components Ukraine found in Russian weapons come from US (GRAPHS)

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Moscow-installed illegal occupation authorities in Kherson Oblast are offering coal subsidies for heating purposes, but only to those residents who became Russian citizens, the Ukrainian military's National Resistance Center reported.

As part of its forced passportization strategy, Russia creates special incentives oriented toward residents in occupied Ukrainian territory to adopt Russian passports. At the same time, those Ukrainians who refuse Russian citizenship are often threatened with deportation or being forcibly mobilized into the Russian military.

Multiple settlements in the occupied part of Kherson Oblast remain without power supply amid freezing temperatures, creating more need for coal, according to the National Resistance Center, which is run by Ukraines special forces.

However, the Russians cynically use even this situation for their plans to change the demographic situation in the region, the center wrote.

Ukraine's Armed Forces liberated Kherson and other regional settlements on the west bank of the Dnipro River in the fall 2022 counteroffensive.

Russian troops were pushed to the river's east bank, which they have controlled for almost two years now, except for some positions retaken by Ukrainian forces during their cross-river raids conducted since February.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said in May last year that nearly 1.5 million Ukrainians in the occupied territories have been given Russian passports over the past nine months, according to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.

Ukraine's Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said on national television the same month that Ukrainians who were forced to take Russian citizenship to survive in the occupied territories would not be punished by Ukrainian authorities after the war.

Read also: Inside occupied Ukraines most effective resistance movements

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A Minnesota tribe is at the forefront of efforts to introduce a futuristic building material to the United States, with a first-of-its-kind manufacturing facility expected to be completed in April.

Grist reported that the Lower Sioux, who are part of the Mdewakanton Band of Dakota, are building a 20,000-square-foot campus that will help the tribe regain some of its sovereignty and facilitate the construction of houses from hempcrete, a sustainable material made from lime, water, and hemp.

The facility will be the only one stateside involved in the growth of the hemp, the production of the hempcrete, and the building of the houses.

The idea of making homes that would last and be healthy was a no-brainer, tribal council president Robert Deuce Larsen told Grist. We need to build capacity in the community and show that it can be an income stream.

Unlike the harvesting or production of other building materials like wood or concrete  the latter of which is responsible for 8% of carbon pollution globally  the cultivation of hemp is eco-friendly.

Multiple studies have concluded that the plant soaks up planet-warming carbon at least two times more effectively than trees, the number of which has dropped nearly 50% since the start of human civilization, according to the journal Nature.

Hempcrete is also a powerful way to weatherize a home for all seasons. One study by Cerema found that the toxin-free mixture could even reduce [a] buildings heating requirement by up to 70%.

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, current heating and cooling needs account for more than 40% of global carbon pollution linked to dangerous changing worldwide temperatures and extreme weather.

The Lower Sioux will also reportedly utilize a storage greenhouse that runs on solar power, a type of clean energy, adding even more to the ventures sustainability.

What the Lower Sioux is doing is the most compelling and forward-thinking thing thats happening in hempcrete today, Jennifer Martin, a partner at design and construction company HempStone, said, per Grist.

Theres no other contractors in the area who can offer natural building materials that are better for the health of the people and the homeowners pocketbook, Lower Sioux tribal council vice president Earl Pendleton told the Sahan Journal.

Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Miss Michigan won the talent preliminarily competition at Miss America Thursday.

Speed painter Maya Schuhknecht of Buchanan won, along with Miss North Carolina and Miss Maine. According to the competition, she will receive a $3,000 scholarship for the win.

We could not be more proud and happy for her achievements! the Miss Michigan Facebook page said in a Thursday post, along with a photo of her painting of Michael Jackson.

Schuhknecht first found a passion for art growing up and later turned to the creative outlet during hardships in her life.

Meet the West Michigan artist vying for Miss America title

I use the arts as a creative and emotional outlet, she previously told News 8. Ive been through a lot of adversity in my life. It started when my mom had breast cancer when I was like 13. And when youre 13, you dont know how to process those emotions, or at least I didnt.

She advocates for the arts with Arts for All, her community service initiative.

The recent Michigan State University grad told Hometown Productions ahead of the competition that representing a nontraditional talent is really close to my heart.

More than $250,000 in scholarships will be awarded during the Miss America and Miss Americas Teen competitions. Miss Michigan Teen Kyle DAndrea of St. Clair Shores is competing for the Miss America Teen title.

The Miss America Finals will stream free on Sunday at watchmissmaerica.com.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG)  A Pensacola woman who had been reported missing was found dead Thursday night.

Pensacola investigators located the body of Kayla Atwood, 32, around 11 p.m. Thursday near the intersection of Fairfield Drive and Crow Road, according to a news release from the police department.

Potentially deadly dog virus found at Ft. De Soto Park; officials warn pet owners

Mikhail Alexis Fountain, 34, of Pensacola, was charged with her murder based on evidence investigators gathered over the past weeks, according to the PPD.

Police said Atwood and Fountain had previously been involved in a relationship. Fountain allegedly deleted text messages between him and Atwood and deleted security camera footage outside of her home.

Due to this, Fountain was also charged with tampering with evidence.

He was held in the Escambia County Jail without bond as of this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
ST. LOUIS, Mo.  The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department issued a missing person report Thursday for 27-year-old John Steffen Jr.

Steffen is described as a black male, 511 and 160 lbs. Police say he frequents the Downtown and Central West End areas.

Belleville man recovering after being mauled by two dogs

Steffen was reported missing by his family on Wednesday. He was released from a hospital and has not contacted any family members since Monday. Police say Steffen has various mental health problems and is without his medication.

According to his family, he has violent tendencies as an effect of his medical conditions. Anyone who sees Steffen is advised not to approach him and to call 911.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
An illustration shows the death of a massive star in a supernova explosion that birthed a neutron star or black hole.

Astronomers have discovered the stellar "missing link" that directly connects a massive star's death to the birth of a black hole or a neutron star.

Two teams of scientists made the discovery using the Very Large Telescope (VLT) and the New Technology Telescope (NTT) to look at supernova wreckage designated SN 2022jli, which was discovered in May 2022. Lurking in the spiral arm of the relatively close galaxy NGC 157, located 75 million light-years away from Earth, SN 2022jli demonstrated peculiar traits distinguishing it from other supernovas.

While most supernovas simply fade in brightness after the initial explosion that marks the death of a star that has run out of fuel for nuclear fusion at its core, SN 2022jli's brightness declines regularly, but not smoothly, instead "jumping" up and down every 12 Earth days or so.

This light oscillation appears to be the result of a black hole or neutron star whipping through the puffed-out atmosphere of a surviving star among the gas cloud supernova wreckage, stealing matter as it does so.



Related: Star-birthing galaxies can hide supermassive black holes behind walls of dust

"In SN 2022jli's data, we see a repeating sequence of brightening and fading," study leader and Queen's University Belfast scientist Thomas Moore said in a statement. "This is the first time that repeated periodic oscillations, over many cycles, have been detected in a supernova light curve."

Astronomers have previously spotted indirect evidence of the link between destroyed massive stars and super-dense stellar remnants like neutron stars and black holes. One such example is the presence of a neutron star at the heart of supernova wreckage called the Crab Nebula, created when a star exploded nearly a thousand years ago.

However, this new research is the first direct evidence of a connection between supernovas and black holes or neutron stars.

The discovery was presented at the 243rd American Astronomical Society meeting in New Orleans on Tuesday, Jan. 9, by the leader of one of the teams of astronomers, Weizmann Institute of Science researcher Ping Chen.

Companion star is a witness to a massive star murder mystery

Both teams of scientists behind the observations of SN 2022jli think that the strange oscillating brightness behavior of this supernova happens as a result of a companion star existing alongside the exploded massive star, making this a binary star system.

While binary star systems are not exceptional, especially for massive stars, what makes this system really special is the fact that the supernova death of the system's massive star hasn't kicked away or destroyed its companion star and that the two objects remain in orbit around each other.

The sequence of events that occurred when supernova SN 2022jli changed a massive star to a neutron star or black hole

Using the X-shooter instrument on the VLT and a variety of other astronomical instruments, the team led by Chen made additional observations as well as spotting the regular fluctuations in the visible brightness of SN 2022jli. This led to them also seeing periodic movements in hydrogen gas in the system and powerful bursts of high-energy light called gamma rays.

When all this evidence is combined, it suggested to the two research teams that when the system's companion star interacted with the material blasted out by the supernova death of its stellar sibling, the hydrogen envelope of the surviving star "puffed out."



The black hole or neutron star in SN 2022jli is passing through this swelled-out layer, pulling away material with its gravitational influence. This material formed a disk of matter around the compact stellar remnant and the snatching process is releasing energy responsible for the periodic flashes in brightness observed by the two teams.

For the researchers, this theft of matter and energy from the companion star confirms the presence of a neutron star or black hole that is attracting matter to itself, even though this dense stellar remnant can't be seen directly.

"Our research is like solving a puzzle by gathering all possible evidence. All these pieces lining up lead to the truth," Chen concluded.

RELATED STORIES:

 An 'extragalactic' intruder may lurk among stars orbiting the Milky Way's black hole

 Can stars form around black holes?

 Is a black hole stuck inside the sun? No, but here's why scientists are asking

Even if the presence of a neutron star or black hole in this supernova wreckage can be confirmed, the SN 2022jli system is still unique. That means it holds further mysteries for astronomers to investigate with the next generation of telescopes, such as the Extremely Large Telescope currently under construction in Northern Chile.



The missing link supernova research was published in two papers featured in Nature and the Astrophysical Journal Letters.
JACKSON, Miss.  The Mississippi State Department of Health issued a boil-water notice Thursday for the cities of Jackson and Flowood after E. coli bacteria was detected in the water supplies, a result that local officials plan to dispute.

Around 169,000 residents in the capital city of Jackson, Byram, and Flowood are affected by the order. But JXN Water  Jackson's third-party water manager  believes the state's notice to be in error and plans to dispute the state's lab results, according to a news release.

"Officials in the (MSDH Public Health Laboratory) do not believe there was any contamination of the samples while in the lab and the results are not false positives," the state health agency said in a news release.

Health officials are recommending that all water be "boiled vigorously for 1 minute before it is consumed," according to the state health agency's website. It added that the precaution will last for at least two days and water system officials will be notified when the boil-water advisory is lifted.

Thursday's notice is the latest incident in Jacksons water troubles. In August 2022, infrastructure breakdowns in the city's water system left 150,000 residents without safe drinking water for weeks.

The city's water crisis highlighted years of infrastructure issues, which experts say reflect the disinvestment of communities of color. Jackson residents have long faced water supply issues, including a boil-water notice in late July 2022, lead concerns, and a cold wave that left residents without water.

Is there hope ahead?: Deadly disasters are ravaging school communities in growing numbers.

Jacksons interim water manager questions state's results

During a news conference Thursday, Jacksons interim water manager Ted Henifin questioned the state's results. He said the detection of E. coli bacteria in two different water systems was suspicious, adding that the amount of chlorine within the water system would kill the bacteria.

"Having positive results (for E. coli.) from any system...is fairly unusual. Having two positives from two different water systems on the same day, analyzed at the same time seems highly suspect," Henifin said.

Despite his concerns, Henifin clarified that residents should follow state orders.

"You need to follow what the state is saying, they are the health professionals," he said. "We're not asking to lift the boil-water notice even though we're taking these samples from the taps that failed and we'll test those to show that we're pretty confident."

JXN Water relies on the Mississippi State Department of Health to conduct testing to ensure the water system is compliant. Henifin said he asked the department if they would further validate the sample results before taking any action, but they refused to do so.

"Over the last 12 months since we've been doing this, we've turned in almost 1,500 samples to the lab and there have been no positives, no false positives, no problems at all," Henifin said. "It's something that really caught us off-guard and got our attention quickly."

Lead water pipes pose a health risk: The EPA wants to remove them all

E. coli bacteria in drinking water 'very unlikely,' local officials say

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires JXN Water to take monthly water sampling tests at 120 different sites throughout the city and test for bacteria. Henifin said the water system has been in full compliance and has not failed any tests for the past year.

Yvonne Mazza-Lappi, the Drinking Water Compliance Manager for Jacobs Engineering, whom JXN Water contracts to run the city's water plant, said Thursday that the state's results could be a false positive. A number of factors could be the cause for this, according to Mazza-Lappi, including cross-contamination in the lab, improper handling of the water samples or human error.

"We knew how much chlorine or disinfection we had in our distribution system, therefore the likelihood of having E. coli in our drinking water would be very unlikely," Mazza-Lappi said at Thursday's news conference.

"The fact that you have chlorine present and E. coli? That is really unusual," Henifin added.

To lift the order, JXN Water must resample all 120 locations around the city and have two consecutive days of no E. coli being found in the system.

"Barring no other analysis failures on the lab's part, I am confident that we will clear all those samples and be able to lift this," Henifin said. "We're moving as fast as we can to get those samples back to the lab and they'll do the analysis and I am confident we'll be lifting the order by Monday."

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said Thursday he would look into this more but that residents should follow state recommendations.

Contributing: Nada Hassanein, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson, Mississippi, under boil-water notice after E. coli detected
ST. LOUIS  A Lincoln County, Missouri, man appeared in federal court on Thursday to be sentenced for trying to secretly film underage girls and sell the videos online.

Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said James D. Kukan, 39, pleaded guilty in August 2023 to two counts of attempted production of child pornography.

Kukan told the court he placed a hidden camera in a bathroom to make spy videos featuring two teen girls between October 2021 and February 2022. He admitted trying to sell the videos on Kick, Snapchat, Telegram, and WhatsApp.

On Feb. 14, 2022, Kukan went into a Kik group and struck up a conversation with an undercover FBI agent. Kukan offered to sell the videos of the girls to the agent for $60 to $100.

A U.S. District Court judge sentenced Kukan to 17  years in federal prison.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
U.S. "small yard, high fence" strategy will eventually backfire

09:52, January 12, 2024 By Zhong Sheng ( People's Daily

The U.S. domineering and coercive practices in technology are continuing escalating. The U.S. Department of Commerce recently announced an investigation into the U.S. semiconductor supply chain and national defense industrial base in the name of reducing national security risks, to assess the extent of their reliance on Chinese chips.

It was also reported that the U.S. has even requested Dutch chip equipment company ASML to halt exports of lithography machines to China before the relevant "bans" take effect.

While the U.S. claims to advocate fair competition, it constantly sets obstacles for the technological development of other countries. The country always groundlessly accuses other countries of engaging in "economic coercion," while its own economic coercion has seriously harmed the interests of even its allies.

According to reports, the investigation initiated by the Bureau of Industry and Security under the U.S. Department of Commerce focuses on traditional chips that are not cutting-edge but still crucial to the industry.

Unlike previous U.S. restrictions on chip sales to China, this time it will scrutinize the usage and procurement of traditional chips manufactured by China in key U.S. industries.

To restrict China's acquisition of advanced semiconductors, the U.S. is implementing a strict policy that prohibits both the sales and purchases of relevant products, which severely impedes the normal trade exchanges between chip, chip equipment, materials, and component companies from various countries.

This harms the legitimate rights and interests of not only Chinese enterprises but also semiconductor companies from other countries, including the U.S. It is typical economic and technological bullying and a serious violation of international trade rules.

The semiconductor industry is highly globalized, and the formation and development of its supply chain is the result of market forces and corporate choices. The United States, against market laws and the will of companies, is attempting to block the semiconductor supply chain with a "small yard and high fence" strategy, severely disrupting the landscape of the global semiconductor industry and seriously impacting the security and stability of international industrial and supply chains.

According to data from the U.S. Semiconductor Industry Association, China's semiconductor procurement in 2022 amounted to $180 billion, accounting for over 1/3 of the global total and making China the largest single market worldwide. The Chinese market is irreplaceable, and withdrawing from it is not a feasible option. This is a consensus among global semiconductor companies.

The U.S. arbitrary act of isolating the Chinese market will not succeed and will eventually backfire. The U.S. Semiconductor Industry Association pointed out that excessive unilateral control may harm the U.S. semiconductor ecosystem.

Colette Kress, chief financial officer of U.S. chip company NVIDIA believes that long-term bans on exporting AI chips to China would cause the U.S. chip industry to permanently lose many opportunities.

The U.S. act to suppress and contain China's technological development at the sacrifice of harming itself is a manifestation of its deep-rooted Cold War mentality. By excluding China from critical supply chains through state behaviors and restricting China's ascent to higher segments of the value chain, the U.S. is indeed politicizing, instrumentalizing and weaponizing economic, trade, and technological issues to serve the hegemonic purpose of containing China's growth.

The U.S. disguises its "small yard and high fence" strategy as an approach to safeguarding national security, and finds various excuses to coerce other countries into implementing technological blockades against China.

This has raised widespread concerns and criticism. Some said the U.S. efforts to weaponize its technological superiority in order to confront China seem to be putting strain on its alliances.

According to a report by The New York Times, government officials in European countries are concerned that preventing European companies from entering China, one of the world's largest and most dynamic technology markets, could harm the interests of these enterprises.

Development of China is innovation-driven. Stifling Chinas technological progress is nothing but a move to contain China's high-quality development and deprive the Chinese people of their right to development. China's development and growth, driven by its own inherent logic, will not be stopped by external forces.

The Chinese nation has the proud tradition of standing up for itself. Suppression and containment will only strengthen the will and boost the morale of the Chinese people.

The restrictions imposed by the U.S. on China's technological innovation will only strengthen China's determination to achieve high-level self-reliance in science and technology.

Insiders in the semiconductor industry have openly opposed the U.S. export control measures targeting China. They believe that the more pressure the U.S. exerts on the Chinese people, the more likely they will double their efforts.

Win-win cooperation has been the true narrative of the 45-year diplomatic relations between China and the U.S., and it should also be a shared goal of the two sides.

Adhering to Cold War mentality and zero-sum game thinking, and engaging in economic and technological bullying, will not bring progress to the U.S. Only by broadening horizons and realizing that the world is big enough for the two countries to develop themselves and prosper together can they better serve their respective development and prosperity through mutually beneficial cooperation.

(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People's Daily to express its views on foreign policy and international affairs.)

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
The City of Jackson was awarded slightly more than $10.3 million after a lawsuit was settled with Zurich-American Insurance Group.

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba made the announcement during a mayor's press conference Thursday at the Jackson Police Department's Real Time Command Center.

More than 100 buildings throughout the city were damaged during a hail storm in late 2013, Lumumba said. The city hired their own independent evaluator to assess the damage, but Zurich-American disagreed with the amount of money the city wanted for repairs.

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, along with City Attorney Catoria Martin, hold up a symbolic $10.3 million check from Zurich-American Insurance Group at mayor's press conference Thursday at the Real-Time Command Center.

A lawsuit ensued with the insurance company first offering the city $1 million to settle. Lumumba thanked the work of City Attorney Catoria Martin, who's last day in the position is Friday after resigning last week, and her office for fighting the lawsuit and bringing in more money for the city.

"We've been in a battle with Zurich for quite sometime trying to make sure that we got a proper settlement," Lumumba said.

Some of the money will be used to handle repairs for city buildings, but Lumumba said discussions will be had on how else to spend the money, including looking at what other city facilities need repairs. The city will receive the money within the next 30 days.

"I'm sure there will be conversations to look at other needs across the city, but I won't go ahead of that process and declare where this money will go," Lumumba said. "But it certainly is well needed and we're grateful for the work to get it."

City Spokesperson Melissa Payne said she was unsure how many city-owned buildings still need to be repaired.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson wins $10.3 million in insurance lawsuit
When it rains, it pours. And, in New Jersey's case, when it rains it just keeps raining.

Brutal storms brought strong winds and rains to the region on Tuesday night, leaving many without power. Now, more precipitation is expected for this weekend.

Will South Jersey see snow next week?

What's the weather this weekend?

 Wash, rinse, repeat! Yet another storm will impact our region Friday night into Saturday with river flooding, strong to damaging winds, and coastal flooding anticipated. We've updated our briefing for this storm here: https://t.co/JiD09ByGTv#PAwx #NJwx #DEwx #MDwx pic.twitter.com/6VX3Qjt1FI  NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) January 11, 2024

South Jersey can expect to see rain Friday into Saturday, as well as wind gusts starting around 15 mph, though they could go up to 40 mph Friday night.

A flood watch is in affect for Gloucester, Camden and Northwestern Burlington counties from 7 p.m. Friday night through 7 a.m. Saturday morning, as well as a coastal flood watch that starts late Friday evening.

While conditions are forecast to generally be less severe than the outgoing system, additional flooding, tree damage, power outages, and coastal flooding are possible once again.  NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) January 11, 2024

Alerts from the National Weather Service advise drivers to take precautions and avoid driving around barricades or through waters of unknown depths.

Will it snow in South Jersey?

Despite recent rain showers, advanced forecasts are showing potential snow for the region next week.

Temperatures will dip to lows around 23 degrees Monday night, and Tuesday will bring chances of snow with a 50% chance of precipitation and a high near 33 degrees. By Tuesday night precipitation chances will decrease to 40% and a low around 16 degrees.

Areas near the shore, like Cape May County, can expect slightly higher temps and a mixture of rain and snow.

Kaitlyn McCormick writes about trending issues and community news across South Jersey for the Courier Post, The Daily Journal and the Burlington County Times. If you have a story she should tell, email her at kmccormick@gannett.com. And subscribe to stay up to date on the news you need.

More: He spent 2023 picking up trash. Now, this 70-year-old wants to inspire you to do the same

More: Holidays, long weekends and every date you need to know for 2024

More: Think you have COVID-19, flu, RSV? Here's what to know and do

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: How much will you get? More rain forecasted for South Jersey
MOUNT HOLLY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Mount Holly Police and Fire officials conducted swift water boat rescue minutes before it could capsize, thanks to a concerned citizens call.

The citizens call got relayed to Mount Holly Police Officer Haley Helton about the pontoon in Dutchmans Creek near Nims Avenue around 8 a.m. Wednesday.

Helton contacted Mount Holly Fire Chief Ryan Baker for assistance. Responding swiftly, the department got to the scene, successfully locating the individual whose boat had become lodged between two trees amid flooding.

The fast work from the fire and police department resulted in the safe rescue of the boat operator, Baker said. This also shows how dangerous and powerful moving water can be.

Upon arrival, officials instructed the stranded individual to put on a lifejacket. Firefighters deployed a rope bag to the boat operator, who attached the rope to the pontoon. Firefighter Blake Davis, secured by a tagline, navigated his way to the boat and brought the individual safely to shore.

Within minutes of the rescue, the boat overturned. Emergency personnel did not report any injuries. Rescuers secured the boat at the scene.

Second suspect in Mount Holly double homicide caught Friday

The Mount Holly Fire Department commends the collaborative efforts of Helton, Baker, and the dedicated rescue team for their prompt and effective response.

The boater is not facing any citations.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Mount Nittany Health has temporarily put a masking requirement in place at all of its facilities due to an increase in respiratory illness within the community.

Effective 7 a.m. Friday, all patients, visitors and employees will be required to wear a face mask in patient care clinical and common areas, according to a press release. The requirement applies to the medical center, clinics and all physician group offices.

The masking requirement is a precautionary measure due to an observed increase in respiratory illness (flu, RSV, and Covid) cases within the community, our healthcare system, and among our team, the health system wrote.

Mandatory masking will be in place for at least two weeks, with the goal of lifting the requirement by Jan. 26.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions latest respiratory illness activity update, Pennsylvanias respiratory illness level is high, and surrounding states are either listed in the high or very high levels (West Virginia is the exception at a moderate level).

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Centre Countys only hospital has made various adjustments to its masking policy. The most recent was in September, when it temporarily required employees to wear masks when engaging with patients due to an increase in COVID cases.

For more information and further updates, visit mountnittany.org.
SAN DIEGO  San Diego County announced Friday a mouse positive for hantavirus was found in Mission Trails, the first positive of the new year.

Hantavirus is a deadly disease that can be transmitted to humans by inhaling rodent droppings. It is rather rare, with only 17 cases reported in San Diego in 2023, because rodents tend to avoid people, according to the San Diego County Vector Control Program.

San Diego resident dies from tick bite; health officials warn of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

The Western Harvest mouse that tested positive was found on the eastern side of Mission Trails on Jan. 5, 2024, the first local detection of hantavirus in 2024.

In San Diego County, deer mice are the main carriers of hantavirus, and are most commonly found in rural areas, the desert and mountain areas. Infected rodents spread the virus through urine, feces and saliva, so its important to take preventive measures to keep them out of your home.

CDC warns of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever for those traveling to Mexico

Here are some tips for detecting and getting rid of mice.

Since the virus is spread through the air, when cleaning up rodent droppings never sweep or vacuum; use bleach or disinfectant, gloves and seal it all in a bag before washing your hands. Its also important to ventilate the area well before and after.

10 effective rodent repellent solutions to keep mice out of your home and RV

Symptoms of hantavirus usually develop between 1-8 weeks after exposure:

Severe muscle aches

Chills, fever or fatigue

Headache or dizziness

Nausea, vomiting or stomach pain

Difficulty breathing

Although there is no cure or vaccine for hantavirus, medical care can help reduce symptoms. However, about 30-40% of people who contract the virus die from it.

The San Diego Countys Vector Control Program regularly collects blood samples from wild mice to test for hantavirus, then notifies the public of any positives. Visit San Diego Countys website for information on positive cases reported in past years, and for information on protecting yourself from hantavirus.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
A leading Democrat hopes a recent string of wrongfully incarcerated Oklahomans being released from prison will be the catalyst for lawmakers to increase state compensation for people jailed for felony crimes they didnt commit.

House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, is working to build bipartisan support for legislation to increase the compensation for wrongfully incarcerated Oklahomans. It is capped at $175,000 regardless of the number of years someone spent imprisoned.

Although Munson has been working on this issue for years, she thinks a series of high-profile overturned convictions last year could drive home the need for change.

We are putting people in prison who shouldnt be there, and we should correct that, she said. That, to me, is an important part of criminal justice reform. Its saying we admit when were wrong, and we try to fix it and take care of the people that we harmed by keeping them from their families and their communities.

Glynn Simmons made national headlines after an Oklahoma County district court judge vacated his murder conviction and declared him innocent. Simmons, who spent more than 48 years in prison, is considered to have served the longest wrongful conviction sentence in the nation.

More: After 48 years of imprisonment, Glynn Simmons formally exonerated in Oklahoma

The $175,000 Simmons could be entitled to under state law would break down to about $3,646 for every year he was imprisoned.

A Pontotoc County judge in October vacated the conviction of Perry Lott after post-conviction DNA testing showed he did not commit the rape for which he served 30 years behind bars. Lott had been working with attorneys to get his case permanently dismissed since he was released from prison in 2018.

In June, a Sequoyah County judge vacated Ricky Doritys murder conviction after he spent more than 20 years in prison for a 1997 murder he maintained he did not commit.

Glynn Simmons reacts after stepping out of the Oklahoma County Courthouse on Dec. 19 after Judge Amy Palumbo ruled to approve Simmons' "actual innocence" claim during a hearing. To his side is one of his lawyers, John Coyle, and his cousin, Cecilia Hawthorne.

Proposed payments would be based on time served

Munson filed legislation last year that would compensate exonerated Oklahomans $50,000 a year for every year they served in prison. Death row inmates would be entitled to an additional $50,000 per year. Munson proposed the state pay out the money in monthly annuity payments.

Her bill that will carry over to the 2024 legislative session also proposes offering exonerated Oklahomans state health benefits and a tuition waiver at any Oklahoma college or university.

Munson already has found some bipartisan support for the idea of increasing wrongful incarceration pay. Rep. Chris Kannady, R-Oklahoma City, who chairs the House Civil Judiciary Committee, proposed raising the flat payments to $300,000 per person in a bill that cleared the House last year.

The federal government and about three dozen states have laws that entitle exonerees to some compensation for their convictions, but payments vary and the process to claim relief can be lengthy and arduous. Many states offer at least $50,000 per year of wrongful incarceration.

Kansas offers exonerees $65,000 for each year they spent behind bars. Colorado pays out $70,000 per year. And Texas, which has some of the most generous wrongful imprisonment payments in the nation, offers exonerees $80,000 per year imprisoned.

More than 3,400 people, including at least 43 from Oklahoma, have been exonerated since 1989, according to the National Registry of Exonerations.

Since Oklahoma lawmakers in 2003 created the payments for felony exonerees, the state has paid about a dozen claims.

Oklahoma Innocence Project Legal Director Andrea Miller told a legislative panel in 2022 the amount of compensation is not intended to serve as a punishment for the state, but it gives exonerees a chance to find a place to live and reintegrate back into society.

She advised lawmakers to scrap the flat payments in favor of a compensation structure based on the number of years a person was wrongfully imprisoned.

It just doesnt make a whole lot of sense, Miller said. Somebody who spent six months wrongfully convicted and is exonerated would recover the same thing as somebody who spends 30 years in prison.

Do current wrongful incarceration payments fall short?

Dority was released June 15 from Joseph Harp Correctional Center after spending 24 years in prison on a first-degree murder conviction that was vacated over the summer.

During the COVID pandemic, Dority used his federal stimulus check to hire a private investigator who, along with the Oklahoma Innocence Project, helped clear his name.

After his release, Dority moved in with family near Fort Smith, Arkansas, and began the process of seeking to be found factually innocent, a legal designation that would allow him to clear his name and pursue compensation from the state.

Earlier this month, a Sequoyah County judge dismissed Doritys case with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled. The judge also said Dority had presented enough evidence to show factual innocence.

Dority said receiving $175,000 in exchange for being wrongfully incarcerated for more than two decades doesnt feel like a fair trade-off.

I feel like they owe me more than that, he said. I dont know how much more, but I figure they owe me more than that.

In the meantime, he is drawing on his retirement and contemplating getting a part-time job while enjoying being a grandfather.

Alisa Trang Green, founder and CEO of the Dress for Success Oklahoma City affiliate, brought the issue to Munsons attention several years ago. Greens father was wrongfully incarcerated on a rape conviction for much of her childhood.

He was sent to prison when Green was 6 years old and wasnt released until she was a sophomore in high school. Greens family hired a private investigator to track down his accuser, who recanted her testimony about 10 years after the initial trial.

After her father was freed, Greens family spent the next decade working to get his record expunged and pursue American citizenship so he could return to Vietnam to see his family.

He still hasnt sought wrongful imprisonment compensation from the state, which Green attributed in part to the PTSD he suffers from due to his time behind bars.

Green said the payment, a portion of which would inevitably go to attorneys, falls short.

Nobody in this world would trade 10 years of their life for $175,000, she said.

She said her family likely spent more than that on the private investigator and various attorneys to defend her father.

Green, who went to college with Munson, has advocated for lawmakers to increase compensation for exonerees even though her father wouldnt benefit. None of the proposed legislation would apply retroactively.

At the end of the day, this happened for a reason, and if we can make it right for other people, then lets try to do that, she said.

Oklahoma Voice is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oklahoma Voice maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janelle Stecklein for questions: info@oklahomavoice.com. Follow Oklahoma Voice on Facebook and Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Glynn Simmons may get only $175K for wrongful Oklahoma imprisonment
Alex Murdaughs lawyers said Friday they may call lead Murdaugh prosecutor Creighton Waters and Aubrey Hill, the daughter of Colleton County clerk of court Becky Hill, as potential witnesses during an upcoming hearing on allegations that Becky Hill tampered with the jury during Murdaughs double-murder trial last year.

Murdaughs attorneys made their plans known in a brief filed Friday.

The brief is a supplement to one defense attorneys filed earlier in the week. Fridays supplement also says defense attorneys might want to call Carly Jewell, a paralegal with the Attorney Generals Office who worked with the team who prosecuted Murdaugh, David Owen, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division agent who led the investigation into the murders of Paul and Maggie Murdaugh, and Rachel Joseph, another SLED agent.

In a document submitted Wednesday, Murdaughs defense attorneys indicated they plan to call four jurors who may have heard Hill making improper statements. Among other potential witnesses is Judge Clifton Newman, who presided over Murdaughs murder trial, as well as Rhonda McElveen, the Barnwell County clerk of court, and two former employees of the Colleton County Clerk of Courts Office.

Former South Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Toal will be overseeing the hearing, as well as a pre-hearing session this coming Tuesday at the Richland County Courthouse. Toal was selected by Chief Justice Donald Beatty to replace Newman, who retired at the end of 2023.

Murdaugh was convicted last March of killing his wife and son. He contends he is innocent.

Defense attorneys Jim Griffin and Dick Harpootlian did not say in their supplemental brief why they may want to call additional people as witnesses.

Aubrey Hill was listed last January as a potential juror in Murdaughs then-upcoming trial. However, she did not get chosen.

Waters and Jewell were named as possible recipients of tips that Becky Hill forwarded to the Attorney Generals office last year during the trial. Emails obtained from the Colleton County Clerk of Courts office show that Hill forwarded the tips that her office received during the trial to the prosecution.

On Tuesday, Murdaughs defense attorneys and Attorney Generals prosecutors will argue legal issues in Murdaughs appeal  including which witnesses are needed to testify at an evidentiary hearing in late January.

That hearing, set to begin Jan. 29, could have jurors testifying as to whether Becky Hill made improper statements to them during the trial. Hill too could be called as a witness
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX)  Planning to visit one of Colorados national parks? The National Park Service announced theyre offering six free days in 2024 for parks that charge an entry fee  making it easier and cheaper to experience the parks.

All of Colorados national parks that charge an entrance fee are open for free visits on the following dates in 2024:

Jan. 15: Martin Luther King Jr. Day

April 20: First day of National Park Week

June 19: Juneteenth

Aug. 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act

Sept. 28: National Public Lands Day

Nov. 11: Veterans Day

For a list of parks participating in fee-free days, visit the National Park Service website.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a warning that a bitter cold arctic blast will move in across the United States over the weekend, adding to an already stormy January across the country.

Arctic temperatures will move in from the West, affecting the northern Rocky Mountains and northern Plains beginning Thursday evening into Friday.

The cold temperatures will move south and east through the Plains and Midwest over the weekend, where temperatures could reach daily cold records in the South-central U.S. on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, the NWS predicted.

Parts of Texas and the interior Southeast could experience wind chills below zero early next week. Over the weekend, wind chills in the Rockies and northern Plains will be below negative 40 degrees.

This will pose an increased risk of frostbite on exposed skin and hypothermia, the NWS said in an advisory, adding that if people must travel, they should do so with a cold survival kit.

The cold air will usher in another storm system across the West on Friday. Snow with considerable impacts is predicted in Oregon, Idaho, Nevada and Utah.

As the storm system moves east, it will likely bring snow to the interior south through the Mid-Atlantic areas Sunday into Monday, and it has the potential to bring some to the Northeast Tuesday and Wednesday, the NWS predicted.

The polar vortex air typically stays 15 miles to 30 miles above the Earth, but last week there was a minor disruption increasing the chances for cold air outbreaks, Amy Butler, an atmospheric scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, told Nexstar, The Hills parent company, in a statement.

Blizzard conditions with 6-to-12-inch snowfall totals may be headed for the Midwest, and the Southern U.S. is bracing for potential tornadoes, The Hill previously reported.

The Southwest Power Pool, which oversees electric reliability in 14 states, has declared multiple advisories for energy operators ahead of the storm, which may bring a higher than normal risk of outages.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Guy and Richard Madison, brothers and members of the Tulalip Indian Tribe, are suing the Bureau of Indian Affairs for failing to comply with a request for their familiar records.

The suit, filed this week, states that at issue is the BIAs unreasonable delay in responding to the brothers October 20, 2020, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request seeking familial records relating to their great-grandmother, Katie George, her sister, Fannie George, and their descendants. Records requested include those related to Tribal enrollment, identification, and lineage of family members.

Plaintiffs seeking a declaration from the court that the BIA violated FOIA in its inaction on the request, as well as an injunction from the court directing BIA to provide them with the requested data by a certain time.

The brothers allege the Bureau violated FOIA by:

Failing to make a timely determination regarding the Plaintiffs requests.

Failing to provide a date on which the request would be fulfilled.

Failing to conduct a reasonable search for the requested records.

The suit details the brothers intentions of learning about and preserving their family history to pass down to younger generations.

According to the filing, Katie and Fannie were Native Alaskans who lived their entire lives in an Alaska Native village. Forced enrollment in Indian Boarding Schools caused Katies children to relocate to Western Washington.

Part of the suit reads:



Plaintiffs are working to understand their Native Alaskan Lineage, the life of their ancestors, and the stories associated with their family members. Due to a long and painful history of the United States control over the lives of Native Americans and Native Alaskans, including Plaintiffs and their ancestors, BIA is uniquely situated to have possession of the PLaintiffs family records. BIAs failure to provide Plaintiffs with their family records frustrates their goal of understanding their familys history.

The plaintiffs state their request is time-sensitive and of great significance, as Guy is currently undergoing treatment for cancer.

After submitting an electronic FOIA request on October 20, 2020, the Madisons received a letter from Eugene R. Pelota, Jr., Regional Director of BIA Alaska Region, on December 3, 2020. This letter informed the Madisons that BIA had received their request on October 30, 2020. Pelota informed the Madisons they could expect to hear from the [BIA] promptly regarding the outcome of this search.

More than three weeks later, on December 31, the brothers received another letter from Pelota that the BIA would be unable to fulfill the as the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the American Indian Records Repository (AIRR) is closed due to the Covid-19 global health pandemic. As soon as AIRR opens again, this request will be

processed.

After several correspondences and attempts to reach out to the BIA in 2023, Madisons request remains without an estimated date of completion. The brothers are represented by Seattle-based law firm Ziontz Chestnut.

About the Author: "Elyse Wild is senior editor for Native News Online and Tribal Business News. "

Contact: ewild@indiancountrymedia.com
There will be 2,000 slot and video gaming machines.

Blackjack, three-card poker and the Chinese game pai gow will be played across 40 gaming tables.

By the time its fully operational, there will be 1,000 more jobs at the 100,000 square-foot North Fork Mono Casino and Resort planned to go up just east of Highway 99 and north of the Madera Municipal Airport.

The casino is a project more than 20 years in the making for the the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians. Its much closer to reality now that the National Indian Gaming Commission, a federal regulatory agency within the U.S. Department of Interior, has approved its management agreement with Las Vegas-based Station Casinos, the tribe announced in a news release Thursday.

If theres one thing weve learned over the last 20 years, its that making hard claims about the timing has been fraught with challenges, Charlie Altekruse, a spokesperson for the tribe, said in a phone interview with the Fresno Bee. So, we havent set a specific time for groundbreaking, but we definitely expect it to happen this year.

North Fork Rancheria, one of the largest federally-recognized Native American tribes in California, initiated its plans for a casino in 2003. Since then, a litany of lawsuits by groups have worked against a swath of state and federal approvals for the casino.

It seemed the casino was set to break ground in the summer of 2021, and then a state appeals court ruled that former Gov. Jerry Brown did not have the authority to OK the federally-approved plan to move the Madera location into trust for a casino thats not within a reservation. This is because California voters in 2014 heavily opposed a proposition that would allowed that.

A new $350M casino is breaking ground off Highway 99. What will it mean for jobs, economy?

The Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians, which operates Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino in eastern Madera County, joined Stand Up for California!, a group known to oppose Native American gambling, in a 2016 lawsuit against the Department of Interior over North Fork Rancherias plans. Altekruse said opposition is normal for large developments, but added that the tribe believes many of the court challenges against its plans were frivolous.

Tribal Treasurer Maryann McGoveran said in the release that no tribal gaming project has ever been scrutinized as much as North Forks. Nonetheless, the casino management agreements approval is a key administrative milestone that is a long time coming, the announcement said.

Our Tribe has always prided itself on abiding by the spirit and letter of the law and being respectful partners with all levels of government, Tribal Chairperson Fred Beihn said in the release. This decision validates our approach and has proven successful for our Tribe.

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Under the agreement, Station Casinos will help the tribe develop and operate the casino. The release says that, besides adding jobs to the local economy, the casino expects to generate tens of millions of dollars in goods and services purchased. The tribes announcement added that the casino will invest in local schools, charities and public safety, among other things.

Indian gaming was supposed to provide an economic engine, not only for tribal citizens but also for local surrounding communities, Altekruse told the Bee. Thats what its done throughout the state. Were excited to finally, after nearly two decades, have a rightful place at the table as well.

Native American gross gaming revenue was almost $50 billion in fiscal year 2022, the highest amount ever and an increase of nearly 5% from the previous year.

Bobby Kahn, former executive director of the Madera County Economic Development Commission, told the Bee in 2021 that the casino would be a huge job creator and voiced confidence in its potential for long-term success. At that time, Red Rock Resorts, which owns Station Casinos, estimated the casino would cost between $350 million and $400 million to complete.
NATO said on Friday that Iran must use its influence to control Yemen's Houthi rebels, who are supported, supplied and equipped by Tehran.

Iran has a special responsibility when it comes to its "proxies," NATO spokesman Dylan White said.

"The Houthi attacks must come to an end," he said.

Since the outbreak of the Gaza war between Israel and Hamas in October 2023, the Iran-backed Houthis have repeatedly attacked ships with an alleged Israeli connection in the Red Sea.

Major shipping companies are increasingly avoiding the route forcing them to divert along a much longer and costly route around South Africa.

In response, the United States, Britain and other Western allies launched airstrikes on several Houthi positions in Yemen in the early hours of Friday.

The NATO spokesman called these strikes defensive and aimed at preserving freedom of navigation on one of the world's most important waterways.
Expanding NATOs rotational air defense presence in the Black and Baltic Sea regions would be an appropriate response to the Russian escalation that is already taking place, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said at a press conference with his Romanian counterpart, Luminita Odobescu, in Vilnius on Jan. 11.

NATO allies agreed on this model in June 2023, but it has not yet been implemented. The Baltic states are currently in talks with countries that could deploy air defense systems in the region.

Read also: Polands Duda calls top brass to emergency session to evaluate threat after cross-border incursion

Actions like the drone crashes, even if seemingly unintentional, are escalation. They would not be happening if Russia were not waging war against Ukraine, Landsbergis said

These incidents highlight the security situation in the Black Sea region, not just in Ukraine, Odobescu said, noting the importance of implementing the commitments of increased military presence in our region agreed at the NATOs Vilnius summit.

Read also: German Bundeswehr Inspector General warns of potential defensive war against Russia

On the eve of the Vilnius summit last July, NATO approved new regional defense plans reflecting changes in the alliances strategy.

Previously, NATOs plan was for the Baltic states to try to hold off a Russian offensive until allied reinforcements could arrive. The new approach aims to ensure that the alliance is ready to fight back immediately.

Landsbergis also stressed the need to agree on the strongest possible package of new sanctions against Moscow before the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine at the end of February.

Odobescu, for her part, said her country would support Ukraine "as much as necessary".

Germany will also deploy four Eurofighter jets to Romania to support NATO's air policing mission by the end of November, Reuters reported on Nov. 9, citing a security source.

This decision comes in the wake of recent Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports along the Danube River. The attacks, just hundreds of meters from the Romanian border, along with the discovery of drone debris in Romania, have highlighted security risks for the military alliance, whose members have a mutual defense commitment.

The wreckage of Russian drones used in attacks on Ukraine has been discovered on Romanian territory several times.

Read also: Crater found in Romania following Russias shelling of Odesa Oblast

On Oct.11, Romanian Defense Minister Angel Tilvar announced the conclusion of an investigation into such incidents on Romanian territory. He stated that the drones were Russian and had been downed by Ukrainian air defense. Tilvar clarified that there was no evidence indicating an intention to attack Romanian territory, and Russian drone crashes in Romania were deemed accidental.

Polish President Andrzej Duda also convened an urgent meeting because an "unknown object" had been observed in the country's airspace during Russias massive missile attack on Ukraine on Dec. 29 2023.

The object came from the direction of the Ukrainian border and was monitored by air defense radars from the time it crossed into Polish airspace until the signal disappeared.

Another missile fell in the Polish village of Przewodow in November 2023. Initial reports suggested it was Russian made, but almost a year later, Polish experts concluded the missile was part of Ukraines air defense.

Ukraine intercepted 114 of the 158 drones and missiles Russia launched on Dec. 28-29 during its biggest attack since the start of the war, said Ukraines Commander-in-Chief Valeriy Zaluzhnyi.



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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A advanced Navy helicopter crashed into San Diego Bay during a routine training mission Thursday evening and all six crew members on board survived, the Navy said.

According to a statement, it happened at about 6:40 p.m. local time.

The Navy's MH-60R Sea hawk helicopter / Credit: lockheedmartin.com

An MH-60R helicopter from Helicopter Maritime Strike squadron (HSM) 41 "entered the water," the Navy said, but "due to the nature of the training" a safety boat was at the scene and, with federal firefighters helping, the crew was "promptly moved ashore."

All were being medically evaluated.

The cause of the crash was being investigated.

The Navy describes the MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter as its "most advanced rotary wing maritime strike platform" and says its "newest Naval Aviators and Naval Aircrewmen" were being taught how to fly it.

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SAN DIEGO  All six crew members aboard a Navy helicopter that crashed into the San Diego Bay on Thursday during routine training survived, a military official said.

Commander Beth Teach, a Navy spokesperson for Naval Air Force Pacific Fleet, told FOX 5 the Helicopter Maritime Strike squadron (HSM) 41 entered the bay around 6:40 p.m. near Naval Amphibious Base Coronado.

Due to the nature of the training, a safety boat was on location and, with the assistance of Federal Fire, all six crew members survived and were promptly moved ashore, Teach said.

All six crew members are undergoing medical evaluation at this time, per the Navy.

Photos: King tides slam San Diego coast

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash.

The U.S. Coast Guard assisted with the incident.

According to the Navy, the HSM-41 is a Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) that trains the Navys newest Naval Aviators and Naval Aircrewmen to fly and fight the MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, which is the military branchs most advanced rotary wing maritime strike platform.

Check back for updates on this developing story.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
North Carolina Central University Chancellor Johnson Akinleye will retire at the end of the academic year, he announced Friday.

Akinleye is the 12th chancellor of the historically Black university, which is part of the UNC System. He assumed the role permanently in June 2017 after filling the position in acting and interim capacities for nearly a year. He previously served as the universitys provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs.

His last day at the university will be June 30.

Akinleye brought transformational leadership to the university as chancellor, a news release said Friday, citing accomplishments in enrollment, student success and fundraising, among other areas.

I am deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to lead this esteemed university through a period of growth and innovation, a period when the institution was primed for transformative change, Akinleye said in a statement to the campus community. I am immensely proud and truly gratified to have worked with very talented executive staff, a supportive Board of Trustees, a dedicated faculty and staff and thousands of caring and dedicated alumni across the nation and worldwide during the past eight-plus years.

NCCUs large infrastructure explansion

Physically, the university changed significantly under his leadership, with projects valued at more than $400 million bringing the largest infrastructure expansion in NC Central history, the news release said. He completed six major capital projects, the release said, including a new student center and business school.

He also secured the designation of a Millennial Campus for the university, which will bring the university new student housing and learning spaces, among other projects.

Akinleye also prioritized campus safety, the university said, investing millions of dollars to improve security.

UNC System President Peter Hans said Akinleye has worked tirelessly for NC Central since joining the university in 2014.

During his nearly eight years as chancellor, Dr. Akinleye has helped the university increase its academic offerings, enrollment, research funding and capital infrastructure, Hans said. The chancellor also helped to elevate the universitys national presence, prioritizing access, affordability and student success. We are grateful for Dr. Akinleyes service and leadership.

Akinleye said he and his family are thankful to have been part of the NCCU fabric and family for these many years.

We take with us very fond memories of an institution that has a rich tradition and legacy and will continue to make great strides in championing education for generations yet to come, he said. We shall continue to cherish and nourish the friendships we have made and our love and passion for this great institution, North Carolina Central University.

Four UNC schools seeking new leaders

Akinleye holds a bachelors degree in telecommunications and a masters degree in media technology from Alabama A&M University. He earned his doctorate degree in human communications studies from Howard University.

A national search will be conducted to find Akinleyes successor, with details to be released soon, the university said Friday.

Akinleyes departure makes four UNC System universities that will be searching for new chancellors this year.

Searches for new chancellors at NC A&T State University and Winston-Salem State University have begun in recent months, while a search at UNC-Chapel Hill is expected to begin soon, following Kevin Guskiewicz leaving the university to become the next president of Michigan State University.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  Aiming to address some peoples complaints about homeowners associations in North Carolina, a state House committee began meeting Thursday to discuss various reforms the legislature could take up during this springs session.

Bipartisan proposals considered in the 2023 session did not pass, as lawmakers ultimately formed a study committee instead to hold hearings and study the issue. The committee has to issue a report by March.

Weve heard hundreds of complaints from HOA members. This is a sample, said Rep. Frank Iler (R-Brunswick), holding up a stack of printed emails from constituents.

Iler noted the state has about 14,000 homeowners associations, a number which continues to grow as new neighborhoods are built to accommodate North Carolinas growth.

Rep. Iler was the lead sponsor of a bipartisan bill that would have tasked the NC Attorney Generals Office with oversight of HOAs, noting no state agency currently oversees them.

Sunila Chilukuri, representing the AGs office, told the committee her office backs various reforms, including improved transparency requirements for HOAs.

Rep. Ya Liu (D-Wake) said lawmakers have continued discussing that issue since last years session ended.

She said, Were trying to see whats the best way to provide the oversight. Is that the attorney generals office? The real estate commission? Is that a separate entity, government agency, consumer protection agency that we have to create?

Timothy Hinds, who lives in Raleigh and owns a property at the coast, said hes struggled to get documents from his homeowners association that neighbors are entitled to receive, including financial records.

His only recourse is to sue the HOA, which he said is prohibitively expensive and impractical.

Well, a homeowner is not going to spend, ten, fifty, a hundred thousand dollars to take someone to court who is themselves and their neighbors. So, the HOA can essentially flout the law, he said.

His group, the NC HOA Law Reform Coalition, has made a variety of recommendations to state law including establishing state-level oversight of HOAs.

But, if the General Assembly were serious about making changes to protect homeowners, they would have done it instead of yet another study commission, he said.

Rep. Liu has raised concerns about the power of HOAs to place liens on peoples property over unpaid fines or dues.

In 2019, CBS 17 shared the story of Keith Williams Jr., who nearly lost his home for failing to pay his annual HOA fee, which was $177. A few months later, his HOA put a lien on his home, saying he owed $526 at that time.

He came home one day to find door locks changed and a notice from the Wake County Sheriffs Office. He ended up raising enough money to get back into his home.

Rep. Liu proposed establishing a threshold of $2,500 or one year of HOA does (whichever is greater) before an HOA could place a lien on someones property. That proposal was amended down to $1,500 or one year of dues (whichever is lower). That legislation did not pass.

Weldon Jones, an attorney representing the NC chapter of the Community Association Institute, raised concerns about that idea.

Setting an arbitrary number for associations with drastically varying degrees of budgets and operating expenses and reserves, we feel is just not the best policy, he said.

Rep. Liu also said some property owners have reached out to her about their homes being foreclosed on without them even realizing they owed any money to the HOA. She said some landlords may not end up receiving written notices mailed to those properties if the tenants dont share them. She added there should be more requirements regarding notifications.

Its not that homeowners dont want to pay the dues. Its really, they did not know they were behind on dues, he said. We want to strengthen the notice requirement, make sure homeowners get notified, right?

Jones told lawmakers most of the issues hes heard about between homeowners and HOAs could be resolved by improved education for board members and residents.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com.
Proposed North Carolina charter school policy changes could cause more schools to close or face shorter renewal periods than now allowed.

Last summer, the Republican-controlled General Assembly stripped the Democratic majority on the State Board of Education of its authority to approve and renew individual charter schools. Now the State Board is considering a policy amendment that would increase the academic, financial management and conflict of interest requirements for charter schools to be renewed.

The State Board now wants a charter school to score no less than two percentage points below the state test score of the school district it is located within. Currently, a charter school is allowed to be up to five percentage points below the district score when being considered for renewal.

It recognizes those schools that are achieving quality standards in academics, in financial management, in conflict of interest, and rewards them with a longer term, State Board chair Eric Davis said at this months meeting. Thats appropriate because we need that stability.

It also recognizes that for schools who cannot meet those standards of academic performance, financial management or conflict of interest, that they dont continue.

The State Board unveiled the draft policy this month for public comment. Charter school groups are urging the State Board to drop the changes or at least delay Februarys vote on the policy.

The Coalition supports appropriate and reasonable accountability measures for our states public charter schools, Lindalyn Kakadelis, executive director of the North Carolina Coalition for Charter Schools, wrote in a letter sent Thursday to the State Board. But this revised policy, as it is currently conceived, extends beyond that, with the capacity to do harm.

Lindalyn Kakadelis is executive director of the North Carolina Coalition for Charter Schools.

Lawmakers transfer charter school power

Charter schools are taxpayer funded schools that are exempt from some of the rules that traditional public schools must follow. For instance, charter schools are not required to offer transportation or participate in the federal school lunch program.

There are now 211 charter schools statewide serving more than 140,000 students.

A recently released report shows North Carolina had the third-highest growth rate in the nation in charter school enrollment since the 2019-20 school year.

In August, state lawmakers transferred the state boards authority over individual charter school approvals and renewals to the renamed N.C. Charter Schools Review Board. The Review Board consists of charter school advocates whose members are mainly appointed by legislators.

Once charter schools are approved, they have to be renewed to keep their charter. Schools can be renewed for up to 10 years. But some schools are renewed for terms of three, five or seven years or are not renewed at all.

One of the renewal requirements is that a charter school must demonstrate its academic comparability to the school district where its located. State law doesnt definite comparability so it had been interpreted by the State Board as being within five percentage points of the districts state test score.

The policy update comes as 17 charter schools are up for renewal this year and 38 are up renewal in 2025. Davis said one of the issues to be resolved is whether the policy change would apply to this years renewals.

Review Board guidelines questioned

In September, the Review Board adopted updated renewal guidelines that it submitted to the State Board for the policy update. The Review Boards changes included new language such as saying a charter school being on financial noncompliance disciplinary status would affect its renewal.

But several State Board members said at the November meeting that the Review Board didnt go far enough. For instance, State Board members questioned how a low-performing school could receive a 10-year renewal under the guidelines.

It appears to me that the (renewal) bar for 10 years is lower than it is for three, five and seven, State Board member John Blackburn said at the November meeting.

Torchlight Academy, a K-8 charter school in Raleigh, was closed by the state in 2022. The State Board of Education is considering policy changes that would increase the requirements that charter schools must meet to be renewed to stay open.

State Board member Jill Camnitz said the renewal guidelines didnt address conflict of interest concerns that have been raised at several charter schools.

New definition of academic comparability

This month, the State Board unveiled an updated renewal policy that includes new language such as saying a low-performing school would not be eligible for a 10-year renewal.

The biggest change suggested by State Board members is a reinterpretation of the academic comparability requirement from five percentage points to two percentage points. The length of the renewal would depend on how many of the past three years the charter school has been comparable to the district.

If the charter school is targeting specific groups then the policy says the Review Board can also see how those students are doing compared to their peers in the district.

In essence, its another effort to reward charter schools that are performing to the academic standard that we see, said Davis, the State Board chair.

State Board of Education chair Eric Davis

Changes called draconian

But Kakadelis of the N.C. Coalition for Charter Schools said the change to two percentage points is problematic.

The shift from five points to two for performance comparisons is draconian, leaving little latitude in such a high-stakes decision for variations within charter-to-district comparisons, Kakadelis wrote to the State Board. Such latitude is critical, given the likelihood of a charter schools much smaller size relative to an entire school district  and the outsized impact a few students can thus have on a charter schools performance.

Kakadelis said other new policy language could allow state Department of Public Instruction staff to unilaterally declare the existence of compliance issues to hold up renewals.

Rhonda Dillingham, executive director of the North Carolina Association for Public Charter Schools, said if the new comparability standards were used this year that some charter schools would not be renewed.

Dillingham said any changes should only be used for schools facing renewal in 2025.

Rhonda Dillingham is executive director of the North Carolina Association for Public Charter Schools

State Boards authority questioned

The proposal split Republican State Superintendent Catherine Truitt and the State Boards GOP members from the members appointed by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.

The changes to the renewal process, that in my way of thinking should have been instigated, originated by the Review Board and then brought to the State Board of Education, said State Board member Olivia Oxendine.

That point is echoed by the charter school groups.

The process has been flipped, Dillingham said in an interview. The Review Board should be making recommendations and then the State Board should be taking it there.

Kakadelis said the state law creating the Review Board requires any charter school rules adopted by the State Board to have been recommended by the Review Board. She also accused the State Board of not following the state rulemaking process for adopting policies that affect third parties.

State Board defends right to make change

But the majority of State Board members and their legal staff say the new policy does incorporate some of the recommendations from the state Office of Charter Schools and the Review Board. They also say that, despite the change that state lawmakers made to who decides on renewals, the State Board is within its rights to make the policy changes.

The (State) Board does have the constitutional authority to pass policies, said Allison Schafer, the State Boards attorney.

State lawmakers could step in to block the policy changes. Last year, state lawmakers limited the State Boards ability to withholding funding from new charter schools.

There wouldnt be a need for a new policy if state lawmakers had left the State Board in control of charter school renewals, according to Heather Koons, a spokesperson for Public Schools First NC. Koons said the State Board has every right to hold charter schools to high academic standards.

Public Schools First supports close examination of public charter schools because improving academic performance is presumably one of the goals of charter schools, Koons said in an interview. But any examination of performance should include examination of the demographics of the population.
As spring semester classes began this week at NC State University, Poe Hall remained closed for further environmental testing, forcing the temporary relocation of faculty offices and classes that were originally scheduled to be held there.

The university closed the building, which houses the College of Education and the psychology department, in November after test results showed the presence of PCBs  toxic, man-made chemicals that were banned from being produced in the United States in 1979  on various surfaces throughout the building.

The university says the decision to close the building was made out of an abundance of caution, and has provided little context about the test results or potential impacts  including possible health effects  of the materials in the building, citing a need for additional testing and information to understand the overall building environment.

The situation has stirred frustration among faculty  primarily those who have worked in Poe Hall, but also those who work in other campus buildings of similar age, who wonder whether they could be exposed to similar materials.

The health of those who worked in Poe is, by far, the most important issue, professor David Ambaras, who is the president of the campus American Association of University Professors (AAUP) chapter, told The News & Observer by email. We are also concerned about the risk of similar problems in other campus buildings.

But is it feasible for the university to test additional buildings? And how would the university be expected to remedy potential findings beyond those in Poe Hall?

Keri Hornbuckle, a professor at the University of Iowa College of Engineering who researches PCBs in school environments, told The N&O that because PCBs were commonly used in commercial construction for nearly 40 years, it is highly likely that the chemicals could be found in other campus buildings if the university tested for them.

Finding them in solid materials and buildings that were built between 1950 and 1980 is incredibly common, Hornbuckle said.

The more important question, Hornbuckle said, is how and where the chemicals are found in those buildings  and how the university might prioritize future testing.

The north atrium of Poe Hall at N.C. State University in Raleigh, N.C., photographed Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024.

What the test results showed

People generally have the greatest risk of being exposed to PCBs when they volatilize, or disperse, in the air, Hornbuckle said  not necessarily from the chemicals sitting undisturbed in building materials.

Its my opinion that you should consider air, first of all, because exposure to high levels in the air, a person cant really protect themselves from it, Hornbuckle said. And its direct exposure. Even though youre just sitting there, not touching the PCBs or bothering them, youre still being exposed.

NC State provided the initial test results from Poe Hall to media outlets, including The N&O, in response to public records requests. The results are primarily from solid surfaces and building materials, such as insulation and an air handling unit, with fewer results from air sampling.

Results for some building materials showed the presence of Aroclor 1262, a specific PCB mixture produced by Monsanto, at levels several times higher than the threshold  50 parts per million (ppm)  at which federal regulations require PCB materials to be removed from buildings. For example, duct insulation in room 520E was found to have Aroclor 1262 in it at a level of 940 ppm, almost 19 times higher than the threshold for removal.

Aroclor 1262 was commonly used in caulking and other sort of semisolid materials, Hornbuckle said.

Asked by The N&O whether the university would remove materials from Poe Hall above the 50 ppm limit, spokesperson Mary Cole Pike said the university would work with the environmental consultant it has hired, Geosyntec Consultant, on mitigation strategies once the broader environmental testing is complete.

When evaluating indoor air samples of PCBs in schools, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offers reference doses, or levels of exposure that are estimated to be without an appreciable risk of harmful effects during a lifetime.

EPA recommends that the concentrations of PCBs in indoor air be kept as low as reasonably achievable, and the total PCB exposure be kept below the [reference dose] level, guidance from the federal agency states.

Results of the air sampling in Poe Hall, which tested for eight different PCBs, did not appear to indicate concentrations higher than those EPA recommendations. The samples do not appear to have included testing for Aroclor 1262, as that compound is not listed in the results.

An entrance to Poe Hall at N.C. State University in Raleigh, N.C., photographed Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024.

Will NC State test additional buildings?

According to a university timeline available online, several buildings across NC States campus were built around the same time as Poe Hall, which was completed in 1971, and throughout the broader 40-year period in which PCBs were commonly used in building materials.

It is unclear if any of those buildings contain PCBs, and there are no regulations that require buildings to be tested for the chemicals at regular intervals. But given the prevalence of PCBs in buildings from that time, Hornbuckle said testing would likely reveal additional buildings with the chemicals present.

Asked by The N&O if the university would test additional buildings for PCBs, or if there was a timeline by which that would be decided, Pike said NC State is working with our environmental consultant to determine any recommendations for additional testing beyond Poe Hall.

If the university were to test additional buildings, pretty soon, youre going to figure out that its in all of the buildings, Hornbuckle said. And so then youve got to figure out whats the worst case.

Hornbuckle said it is important, then, to prioritize testing and removal of PCBs based on the likelihood and severity of potential exposure.

The process to remove and remedy the presence of PCBs depends on a variety of factors, Hornbuckle said, but it can be very expensive. It might be enough to replace fluorescent light ballasts, which commonly contained PCBs, for example, or it might require replacing all of the windows in a building or even more extensive work.

In 2022, when students completing a summer project at UNC-Chapel Hill detected lead in campus drinking fountains, the university eventually tested more than 250 buildings for the toxic substance, finding some amount of lead in more than 400 individual water fixtures.

Comparing the processes used to identify and remedy lead and PCBs, Hornbuckle said the latter is a little more complicated, partly due to the wide range of nasty outcomes associated with the chemicals and because the route of exposure is not always as clear as it is with lead.

The universitys Poe Hall website recommends faculty and staff reach out to their primary care providers if they have health concerns related to potential PCB exposure, while students are encouraged to contact Campus Health.

Its not logistically possible to remove PCBs from all these places they were used in, Hornbuckle said. We need to think about, how are people going to be exposed to them? Where is the risk, and whats the worst exposure scenario?
An exoplanet orbiting a small star some 50 light-years away from Earth may be a life-friendly water world, a new study has revealed  and the James Webb Space Telescope could determine if that is indeed the case.

The planet in question, called LHS 1140b, orbits in the habitable zone of a small, dim star called LHS 1140 that lies in the constellation Cetus. The exoplanet was discovered in 2017 and has been observed by multiple telescopes since.

These observations first convinced researchers that LHS 1140b is a rocky planet about 1.7 times wider than Earth. But a new analysis of all available observations has shown that LHS 1140b is not dense enough to be purely rocky and must either contain much more water than Earth or possess an extensive atmosphere full of light elements such as hydrogen and helium.

Researchers can't yet tell which of the two options is correct, but the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) might be able to find out in the coming years. If LHS 1140b is a water world, then the planet is set to become the number one target in the search for life outside our solar system .

Related: The search for alien life

"Since the planet is in the habitable zone, it's really interesting, because if you had water on the surface of a planet inside the habitable zone, you would expect that some of the water is in the liquid state," Charles Cadieux, an astronomy researcher at the University of Montreal and lead author of the new study, told Space.com. "So that's a really interesting scenario in terms of habitability."

Since the first-ever discovery of an exoplanet in 1992, astronomers have confirmed more than 5,500 worlds orbiting stars in the Milky Way galaxy. Of those known exoplanets, however, only a handful are potentially habitable, said Cadieux.

For years, the most promising target to search for extrasolar life has been the intriguing system around a small, red star called TRAPPIST-1 . A little closer to Earth than LHS 1140, TRAPPIST-1 hosts an impressive collection of seven known Earth-size exoplanets, three of which circle in the star in its habitable zone. But recent observations by JWST have been turning out disappointing results, suggesting that those planets might be completely barren with no atmosphere and no surface water. That, Cadieux said, is not entirely surprising.

"We know that the TRAPPIST-1 star is very active," Cadieux said. "It produces many flares . And the current observations with Webb suggest that these planets may be just balls of rock with no atmosphere and probably no life at all because the star is too active, and all the atmospheres have been stripped off."

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The lesser-known LHS 1140 star is much less active than TRAPPIST-1, Cadieux added. At about 20% the size and mass of our sun , LHS 1140 emits barely enough energy to produce habitable conditions in a region closer to its surface than Mercury is from the sun. Planet LHS 1140b is, in fact, thought to be cooler than Earth even though it orbits more than four times closer to its star than the scorching Mercury orbits the sun.

"I think that LHS 1140 is the next most interesting exoplanet system after TRAPPIST-1 in terms of habitability," Cadieux said. "And the results of our study help us to identify what to look for in the future with other programs."

Cadieux said the researchers have applied to study the LHS 1140 system with JWST to investigate whether the exoplanet has an atmosphere full of hydrogen and helium or whether it appears to have an abundance of water. So far, however, no observations have been planned.

"If it could be confirmed in the future that it is a water world, we can do some modelling of the planet's climate to see whether there is liquid water on the surface," said Cadieux. "That would be the first indirect detection of liquid water on an exoplanet, and that would be a very nice discovery."

The study was published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters on Jan. 3.
Stephane Sejourne, the newly-appointed foreign minister of France, is on his way to Kyiv to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Source: French newspaper Le Figaro, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Zelenskyy had originally intended to meet with the previous foreign minister, Catherine Colonna, but plans were altered due to personnel changes in the government, Le Figaro's sources close to Sejourne explained.

According to Le Figaro, the new head of French diplomacy is "on his way to Kyiv", where he will meet with the Ukrainian president to "demonstrate France's support for Ukraine against Russia".

This week, French President Emmanuel Macron announced the appointment of Gabriel Attal as the new prime minister following the resignation of his predecessor, Elisabeth Borne.

Earlier, the Elysee Palace announced that the majority of key ministers from the Borne government have kept their positions in the new French government, but the foreign minister has been replaced.

Attal, Frances youngest-ever prime minister, has roots in the city of Odesa on his mothers side.

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Action 9s investigation into a real estate companys practices has led to another agency cracking down on the business.

Channel 9s Jason Stoogenke has been following the development surrounding MV Realty after numerous clients reached out with complaints about a contract that they said was predatrory. MV Realty would offer a one-time cash payment in exchange for the exclusive first rights to sell a home if the homeowner wanted to put it on the market. Those contracts would last for up to 40 years.

Sixteen states have passed new laws targeting long-term agreements like the ones MV Realty used. The company told Stoogenke it has since stopped offering the agreements.

Now, the North Carolina Real Estate Commission has banned MV Realty from offering brokerage services in the state.

PREVIOUS STORIES:

The commission told Stoogenke this week its giving MV Realty 120 days to wrap up any brokerage agreements it already has in place. It cant sign any new ones.

The company can appeal the decision. Stoogenke asked MV Realty for a response to the ruling and is waiting for a response.

(WATCH: Senators concerned about homeowners stuck with MV Realty contracts)




With many North Jersey roads still closed after this week's storm, local officials are working to provide motorists with the best travel routes to avoid traffic and stay safe from flooding.

Lincoln Park Police officers noticed motorists getting lost because their GPS systems were directing them to flooded roads. To help, the department shared tips on its Facebook page Thursday to steer the drivers in the right direction.

For vehicles in Lincoln Park heading south and east, the department suggested entering this address into their GPS: 25 Newark Pompton Turnpike, Pequannock Township, NJ 07440. Drivers should then continue past the address heading southbound, which will lead to Route 23 South and eventually to Routes 80 and 46.

The right lane of traffic is closed due to flooding on Route 46 eastbound near Willowbrook Mall in Fairfield, NJ on Friday Jan. 12, 2024.

Drivers heading north of Lincoln Park toward Riverdale, Butler, Pompton Lakes and Oakland should enter 432 Boulevard, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444. The address is just before Route 23, where motorists can take the northbound lanes to their destination.

Southbound vehicles heading toward Morristown should head to the Montville Police Department, located at 360 Main Rd., Montville, NJ 07045. Just beyond the department are the entrances to Route 287 north and south.

In Little Falls, the neighborhood near the Passaic River where Gov. Phil Murphy visited Thursday is completely closed to vehicle traffic as of Friday morning.

NJ floods: New Jersey braces for more rain, wind on Friday night while still dealing with flooding

Mayor James Damiano said on Facebook that the closed roads include Parkway, William Street, Louis Street, Zeliff Avenue and Fairfield Avenue. The area is accessible by foot, and the fourth level of the parking garage across the street from Parkway is open for residents to park if needed.

"You are able to walk back into the area, just not drive at these current times," Damiano said. "The wakes that are being created by cars driving through (are) causing issues for surrounding residents, and we're looking to minimize that."

Greg Carr, of Little Falls, leaves his home on Zeliff Ave in Little Falls, NJ on Friday Jan. 12, 2024. Carr spent the night in his home while his wife, children and pets stayed with family. Carr said he removed his water heater, which was located in the basement, and moved it to higher ground to keep it safe.

Numerous other local towns have reported road closures due to flooding and advised drivers to seek alternate routes. Residents are asked to stay tuned to news updates and social media posts from authorities for further information.

Murphy said during his visit to Little Falls Thursday that there have been no injuries or deaths reported from the storm. He praised the public for their efforts to stay safe and urged drivers not to make any "silly mistakes" that could put them in jeopardy.

"Human nature is, 'I know it says don't drive down that street, but I'm going to be fine'," Murphy said. "In (Hurricane) Ida, we lost a lot of people that way."

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: North Jersey roads closed due to flooding. Here are alternate routes
Nearly 95% of teenagers between 13 and 17 report using social media, with more than a third of them saying they use the platforms "almost constantly," according to a U.S. Surgeon General advisory released last year.

While the report found some benefits of social media among youth, it also found "ample indicators that social media can also have a profound risk of harm" to the mental health and well-being of children.

Though most social platforms allow anyone 13 or older to set up accounts, legislation being pushed in some states would make it more difficult for teens to access social platforms.

Such is the case in Ohio, where legislators passed a law requiring parental consent for children under the age of 16 to access certain social media sites. The law was set to go into effect Monday, but is on hold after a group representing social media companies filed a federal lawsuit.

Here's a look at what Ohio and some other states across the country are doing to try to protect kids online  and the roadblocks they are coming up against.

Some states across the country are trying to implement laws that would require parental consent for minors to access social media.

Ohio

Ohio was slated to become the first state to prohibit social media use for teens under 16 without parental consent, the Cincinnati Enquirer, part of the USA TODAY network, reported.

The state's Social Media Parental Notification Act would have gone into effect Jan. 15, making the verification process upon the creation of an account very challenging without parental sign-off.

But on Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge Algenon Marbley issued a temporary restraining order to block the law from going into effect for now.

The hold comes after NetChoice, whose members include TikTok, Facebook parent Meta, and X, filed a lawsuit last week challenging the constitutionality of the legislation.

Meta's changes: Teens won't be able to see certain posts on Facebook, Instagram

Arkansas

Ohio isn't the first state to attempt requiring parental consent for minors to set up social media accounts.

Similar legislation was supposed to take effect in Arkansas on Sept. 1, but was blocked by a federal judge after NetChoice requested a preliminary injunction, AP reported.

NetChoice sued Arkansas for violating the First Amendment and recently filed a motion it believes will "issue a final decision on its constitutionality without sending the case to trial."

Researchers have been studying the mental health impacts of social media on kids and teens.

Utah

Utah also passed a law that would require parental consent for kids and teens to access social platforms with the addition of keeping teens offline between the hours of 10:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.

It is slated to go into effect in March, but like other states, is facing pushback.

Digital rights group The Electronic Frontier Foundation demanded the legislation be vetoed, saying time limits and age verification would "infringe on teens' rights to free speech and privacy," AP reported. The group also argued that a dangerous aspect of the law would be that more information on youth could be collected through such a rigid verification process.

NetChoice has also filed a lawsuit, stating the laws, if passed, would be violating the constitutional rights of Utahns.

California

Last month, California Attorney General Rob Bonta appealed a preliminary injunction filed by NetChoice and approved by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on Sept. 18 in defense of a law meant to safeguard children online.

The California Age Appropriate Design Code is based on a U.K. law that has already influenced the behavior of Silicon Valleys biggest names, the legislation states. If passed, requirements would include:

Google making SafeSearch the default browsing mode for all children under 18.

YouTube turning off autoplay for children under 18 and bedtime reminders are turned on by default.

TikTok and Instagram disabling direct messages between children and adults they do not follow.

The Google Play Store preventing children under 18 from viewing and downloading apps rated as adult-only.

NetChoice's lawsuit claims that the law, though designed to protect minors, "replaces parental oversight with government control." Beyond its First Amendment violations, NetChoice claims the legislation is unconstitutional under the Dormant Commerce Clause "because it regulates behavior and activities that take place outside of California," the group states.

More states are considering social media laws

Despite the battle in the courts over bills in other states, legislation continues to be drafted across the country similar to what has been passed in Ohio, Utah and Arkansas.

A bill has been proposed in Florida that would work to restrict social media access for children under 16 and require pornography websites to verify visitors are 18 years or older, according to reporting by the Orlando Sentinel.

A bill in New Jersey, if passed, would require parental consent for teens under 18 within 14 days of creating a social media account. Similar to California's law, it would also block messaging between adults and children on certain platforms, according to reporting by the New Jersey Monitor.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Social media laws across US try to limit teen access: Where they stand
CALDWELL, Ohio (WCMH)  A woman from Pleasant City has been arrested and accused of faking a young childs serious illness for money.

Pamela Reed, 41, faces a felony charge of petty theft. Noble County Court records showed a judge set her bond at $100,000.

Pamela Reed. (Courtesy Photo/Noble County Sheriffs Office)

The Noble County Sheriffs Office said it and the county childrens services agency began investigating Reed after getting a Jan. 4 report from a local school of a possible theft by deception. The incident was tied to Reed portraying a child as fighting cancer, and several local organizations had fundraised and donated money to help with the familys medical expenses. While a Noble County Court affidavit did not mention how much Reeds family had received in total, a detective wrote that one of the groups, Zeps Against Cancer, had given them around $8,000.

Live mice cause brief closure of Columbus Kroger

In public online posts as recent as Saturday, Reed detailed the childs battle with acute myeloid leukemia. While she wrote in the latest post that people did not have to send money or gifts, she asked for birthday cards for the child.

Reeds story began to unravel when the childs elementary school grew concerned with how much school they had missed. Reed had provided school staff with documentation on the childs cancer diagnosis and had also told them the child was blind in their right eye, the detective wrote in the affidavit. However, the school disproved that when it gave the child an eye exam.

When one of the schools administrators contacted the medical care provider listed on the cancer diagnosis documentation, they confirmed that the child did not and never had cancer or leukemia. Reed would later tell investigators that she had altered documents she received from the provider to say the child had leukemia, according to the affidavit.

Detectives alongside Noble County Childrens Services arrested Reed on Monday. During an interview with detectives, the sheriffs office said she admitted she had exaggerated and fabricated medical conditions to get the donations. She had shaved the childs hair off, and it was never because of medical treatment for cancer, according to the affidavit. Reed also received seizure medication prescribed to the child as a result of what she reported to doctors, despite the child not needing it.

Reed has a preliminary hearing in Noble County Court scheduled for Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.

The sheriffs office asked anyone with information on the case, or any person or organization that feels they may have donated mistakenly, to call 740-732-5631.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional information from the Attorney General's office.

The brutally cold weather expected to hit Oklahoma this weekend has residents scurrying to prepare for what could be a tough weekend  that includes making sure there's enough heat and power.

And while several of the state's energy suppliers say they are ready for the storm, one Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner remains concerned.

This week, the AccuWeather Global Weather Center predicted the coldest air of the winter season so far will sweep through the Northern Rockies and Northern Plains by Saturday and will then drive all the way south into Texas and other Southern states by Sunday. With nighttime temperatures expected to approach the subzero range Sunday and Monday and remain in the teens for the rest of the week, the center said energy demand would significantly increase across the central part of the country and be "yet another test" of the electric grid's resiliency.

"This dangerous frigid airmass will threaten people and risk property damage," the center said. "People and business should be advised of this risk now and begin making needed preparations, including making sure homes and businesses are ready to deal with the frigid air."

Snow covers a natural gas meter Feb. 3, 2022, in Edmond.

The National Weather Service's Norman office issued an advisory, warning that "the coldest conditions will be felt on Sunday and Monday."

"Dangerously cold wind chill values of negative fifteen to negative twenty degrees are expected on Sunday and down to negative twenty-five degrees on Monday. Extremely cold conditions continue into Tuesday morning before beginning to moderate," the advisory said.

More: How much snow is OKC getting? See forecast for Thursday night through this weekend

Oklahoma Corporation Commission Bob Anthony concerned over arctic blast

That predicted storm has Corporation Commissioner Bob Anthony concerned.

Last fall, Anthony told Energy Intelligence Magazine that the state has yet to identify what caused the extraordinary spikes in natural gas prices, and he said Oklahoma isn't prepared for a repeat.

"Unfortunately, Oklahoma is not in a position to say that we've taken steps to be prepared for the next winter storm," Anthony told the magazine in late September. "Other commissioners have stated that's it's a 100-year storm. As I've put in writing and in footnotes and otherwise in my numerous dissents, the National Oceanic and Administration says there were three such storms in the last 40 years."

Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Bob Anthony takes part Oct. 21, 2021, in a meeting at the Jim Thorpe Building in Oklahoma City.

Anthony told the magazine he remained concerned about the next winter storm.

"If 'we're not able to look at what caused hundreds of millions of dollars of excessive costs to our consumers and ratepayers because the commissioners want to shirk their duty and abrogate their responsibility, then how can we say we're really giving a conscientious effort to know how to do it differently next time," he said.

Opinion: Commissioner: 2021 winter storm costs are the worst financial abuse of Oklahoma ratepayers

How prepared are Oklahoma utility companies?

Friday morning, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued a statement saying he was monitoring the natural gas market to ensure Oklahomans are not exploited as they were during Winter Storm Uri.

I am committed to protecting ratepayers from price manipulation to ensure fair costs that reflect market conditions, Drummond's statement said. I understand the natural volatility of energy prices during inclement weather. My office will be closely monitoring the situation and any suspicious activity will be investigated promptly. I will not permit unscrupulous actors to exploit Oklahoma on my watch.

Drummond said he is asking public utilities to notify his office if natural gas marketers fail to meet their obligations as specified by contract. He said an investigation into activity during the Uri storm is active.

At the same time, many of the state's utility companies, and Commissioner Todd Hiett, the commission's chair, said they are ready for the storm and have secured an adequate supply of natural gas for power generation.

The regulated utilities have been proactive in reaching out to the agency to let us know what they have planned and the steps they have taken to prepare," Hiett said in a statement to The Oklahoman. "I am encouraged by the communications and there can be no doubt that the preparations are based on the lessons learned from Winter Storm Uri. I am also encouraged by the Southwest Power Pools assessment of adequate electrical capacity for Oklahoma.

Chad Previch, the spokesman for Oklahoma Natural Gas, said ONG's customers could be confident that the utility is ready to deliver natural gas safely and reliably to homes and businesses. He said the utility's natural gas purchasing strategy relies on historical data, including extreme weather but was updated after the Winter Storm Uri.

"While this has been a standard practice for years, after Winter Storm Uri, our company adjusted its purchasing strategy to address the newly reported extreme," Previch said. "Our top priority is delivering natural gas to our customers safely and reliably. With the predicted weather, we know the service we provide is essential to keep customers warm during the coldest days. Anytime temperatures drop, an increase in natural gas usage can be expected."

More: Bundle up: Incoming arctic blast could feel a lot like the 2021 winter storm

Because most of ONG's infrastructure is underground, the utility he said, has a 99% reliability rate, even in the most extreme weather conditions.

"While our system performed well during Winter Storm Uri, with minimal service outages, we continue to make enhancements to our system performance every year. These improvements to our system enable even more reliable gas service for our customers," he said.

Previch said ONG has increased its storage of natural gas, upgraded gas pipelines and expanded supply sources, and has deployed mobile compressed natural gas trailers.

"This means we can access more natural gas at more stable prices ahead of winter weather events and store it, so it is ready when our customers need it. Doing so reduces the need to purchase natural gas on the open market."

The utility is also deploying mobile compressed natural gas units in advance of the weather. "In the event areas experience low pressure during winter weather, the trailers help minimize service disruptions," he said.

Chris Meyers, the general manager of the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives, said state electric coops have been following the weather forecasts and were well prepared for the upcoming storm.

"We expect an increase in usage," Meyers said. "We believe we will see peak usage."

Still, the state's 27 distribution cooperatives and the three generation and transmission cooperatives are prepared, he said. Meyers said the coops rely on generators using coal, natural gas, wind, solar and even hydropower. "When you have weather like this is takes everything you have," he said. "But we are doing everything we can to be prepared."

On Sunday, the Southwest Power Poll issued a Resource Advisory to raise awareness of the anticipated increase in demand. Aaron Cooper, a spokesman for Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co., said was monitoring any potential weather impact from the very cold temperatures and winter precipitation expected this week.

"At this time, OG&E does not expect widespread outages, as high winds and ice accumulation are not in the forecast," Cooper said in a statement to The Oklahoman.

Cooper said each year the utility prepares its power plants for winter by the end of October. He said that includes building temporary enclosures around critical equipment and testing freeze-protection circuits, among other tasks that protect power plants and our people from extreme cold and winter weather.

"We also have made sure to have fuel on hand or available to purchase, if needed, to generate electricity throughout this weather event and beyond," Cooper said. "Weve increased our natural gas storage to help support our natural gas power plants, and coal inventories are at full levels at all of our coal power plants. All available units at OG&Es power plants are operating and ready to support the grid during this cold snap and for the rest of the winter."

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Are Oklahoma utilities ready for arctic blast this weekend?
More than a million investors will pay tax on investment dividends for the first time from April as allowances are halved.

The cutting of the annual tax-free dividend allowance from 1,000 to 500 in the new tax year is forecast to drag a further 1.15 million investors will be forced to pay income tax on money earned from dividends. Some 635,000 people were dragged into the tax net for the first time in the current financial year, according to figures provided by broker AJ Bell, following an earlier cut in the annual allowance in April 2023 from 2,000 to 1,000.

Prior to 2017, the allowance stood at 5,000. The rate on dividend tax also rose in in the Autumn Budget in 2021 by 1.25 percentage points to 8.75pc for the ordinary rate, 33.75pc for the higher rate, and 39.35pc for the additional rate from April 2022.

This is on top of additional reductions in tax breaks on investment profits. The capital gains tax allowance will fall to 3,000 a year from April, down from 6,000 last year. It previously stood at 12,300.

It means thousands of taxpayers will need to fill in a self-assessment form for the first time, with thousands more becoming liable to pay tax on assets and property gains.

The tax raid on investors comes as Mr Hunt pushes for more people to invest in stocks and shares to boost the economy. In November the Chancellor scrapped rules restricting savers opening and putting money in just one of each type of Isa a year to ignite a savings war between lenders.

Laith Khalaf, AJ Bells head of investment analysis, said Mr Hunt is sending mixed messages to investors at a time when he wants more people to invest in British companies.

He said: The Government wants to encourage more people to invest, with the City regulator trying to nudge people to invest their cash savings, and the Treasury taking small steps like tweaking Isa rules to simplify the system and pledging to give retail investors access when Natwest is returned to private ownership.

But theyre sending out mixed messages  at the same time as promoting investing, theyre also implementing tax reforms that will punish investors, and introduce hundreds of thousands to the unpleasant process of completing a tax return.

Additional analysis from broker Interactive Investor shows that Mr Hunts capital gains tax raid will result in a basic-rate taxpayer earning 5,000 on their investments will pay 200 to the taxman from April, while those on the higher rate of tax will pay 9,400 in capital gains tax on every 50,000 in investment profits made outside of an Isa.

HM Revenue and Customs data shows that CGT receipts reached a record 16.7bn in the 2021-22 tax year  a 15pc rise on the previous year.

Receipts are forecast to reach 18.1bn this tax year, with cuts in the tax breaks expected to increase the annual haul to 26bn by 2027-28.

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Update: In an additional statement, OpenAI has confirmed that the language was changed in order to accommodate military customers and projects the company approves of.

Our policy does not allow our tools to be used to harm people, develop weapons, for communications surveillance, or to injure others or destroy property. There are, however, national security use cases that align with our mission. For example, we are already working with DARPA to spur the creation of new cybersecurity tools to secure open source software that critical infrastructure and industry depend on. It was not clear whether these beneficial use cases would have been allowed under military in our previous policies. So the goal with our policy update is to provide clarity and the ability to have these discussions.

Original story follows:

In an unannounced update to its usage policy, OpenAI has opened the door to military applications of its technologies. While the policy previously prohibited use of its products for the purposes of "military and warfare," that language has now disappeared, and OpenAI did not deny that it was now open to military uses.

The Intercept first noticed the change, which appears to have gone live on January 10.

Unannounced changes to policy wording happen fairly frequently in tech as the products they govern the use of evolve and change, and OpenAI is clearly no different. In fact, the company's recent announcement that its user-customizable GPTs would be rolling out publicly alongside a vaguely articulated monetization policy likely necessitated some changes.

But the change to the no-military policy can hardly be a consequence of this particular new product. Nor can it credibly be claimed that the exclusion of "military and warfare" is just "clearer" or "more readable," as a statement from OpenAI regarding the update does. It's a substantive, consequential change of policy, not a restatement of the same policy.

You can read the current usage policy here, and the old one here. Here are screenshots with the relevant portions highlighted:

Before the policy change. Image Credits: OpenAI

After the policy change. Image Credits: OpenAI

Obviously the whole thing has been rewritten, though whether it's more readable or not is more a matter of taste than anything. I happen to think a bulleted list of clearly disallowed practices is more readable than the more general guidelines they've been replaced with. But the policy writers at OpenAI clearly think otherwise, and if this gives more latitude for them to interpret favorably or disfavorably a practice hitherto outright disallowed, that is simply a pleasant side effect. "Don't harm others," the company said in its statement, is "is broad yet easily grasped and relevant in numerous contexts." More flexible, too.

Though, as OpenAI representative Niko Felix explained, there is still a blanket prohibition on developing and using weapons -- you can see that it was originally and separately listed from "military and warfare." After all, the military does more than make weapons, and weapons are made by others than the military.

And it is precisely where those categories do not overlap that I would speculate OpenAI is examining new business opportunities. Not everything the Defense Department does is strictly warfare-related; as any academic, engineer or politician knows, the military establishment is deeply involved in all kinds of basic research, investment, small business funds and infrastructure support.

OpenAI's GPT platforms could be of great use to, say, army engineers looking to summarize decades of documentation of a region's water infrastructure. It's a genuine conundrum at many companies how to define and navigate their relationship with government and military money. Google's "Project Maven" famously took one step too far, though few seemed to be as bothered by the multibillion-dollar JEDI cloud contract. It might be OK for an academic researcher on an Air Force Research lab grant to use GPT-4, but not a researcher inside the AFRL working on the same project. Where do you draw the line? Even a strict "no military" policy has to stop after a few removes.

That said, the total removal of "military and warfare" from OpenAI's prohibited uses suggests that the company is, at the very least, open to serving military customers. I asked the company to confirm or deny that this was the case, warning them that the language of the new policy made it clear that anything but a denial would be interpreted as a confirmation.

As of this writing they have not responded. I will update this post if I hear back.

Update: OpenAI offered the same statement given to The Intercept, and did not dispute that it is open to military applications and customers.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  With the exception of 2020, Oregon craft brewers have named 2023 as the worst year for the industry in decades.

The state said goodbye to more than 20 breweries just within the past few months, the Oregon Beverage Alliance reported on Thursday.

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One notable closure is Laurelwood Brewing Co., which indefinitely shut down its Northeast Portland brewpub this past August  after 22 years in business. Later in November, Ecliptic Brewing announced the company had been acquired by another brand and it would be closing its own brewpub.

Both businesses previously spoke about the impact of rising costs, a factor that other brewers have also struggled to overcome.

Increased costs, changes in consumer preferences, and diminished on-premise consumption all made 2023 an especially challenging year, Oregon Brewers Guild President and Breakside Brewery brewmaster Ben Edmunds said in a statement to OBA.

Sonia Marie Leikam, OBG vice president and Leikam Brewing co-founder, mentioned changes in consumer trends and on-site consumption as well.

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People are going out less, especially since Covid, she said. There is a lot of competition when it comes to a customer choosing to drink your beer, not just from other breweries, but many other beverage producers as well.

OBA added that the canned cocktail market, along with the cannabis market, has also pushed consumers away from craft beer.

On a national level, the Brewers Association reported that 2023 was the first year in decades where there were almost as many brewery closures as openings  excluding 2020. The organization said draft beer sales in the U.S. have declined by nearly 30% since 2019.

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While industry leaders are awaiting data for the full year, Beer Marketers Insights estimated that last year was the countrys lowest for beer shipments since the turn of the century.

Within the first nine months, the company reported that shipments dropped by more than 5%.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Susan Myers was selected as the next executive director for the Oregon Government Ethics Commission on Jan. 11.

The Oregon Government Ethics Commission selected Susan Myers as its new executive director on Thursday.

Myers will replace Ron Bersin, who is retiring after leading the agency since 2006. She has been an employee of OGEC since 2018, first working as an investigator.

"She has my complete confidence in leading OGEC into the future. I am pleased I am leaving the Commission after 17 plus years in such capable hands," Bersin said Friday.

He said Myers is avalu ed member of OGECs team.

"I appreciate your belief in me," Myers told the commission on Thursday.

Myers said in an email that her immediate goal would be to engage in rulemaking for the Public Meetings Law. OGEC was given the authority to enforce the state's public meetings law with HB 2805, approved by the legislature in 2023. The commission is working out details to provide training to agencies and other entities about the law and changes under the bill.

The bipartisan commission enforces the states ethics laws, provides training for public officials and maintains the registry of required economic interest disclosures, registered lobbyists and quarterly expenditures.

Last year, it launched an investigation into former Secretary of State Shemia Fagan and her potential ethics violations of using state resources for personal benefit and reimbursement of personal expenses. It also was the commission behind an ethics investigation that ultimately led to Gov. John Kitzhaber's resignation in 2015.

Myers received her bachelors in English from the University of Arizona and a masters degree in English Literature from the University of New Mexico. She moved to Portland in the 1990s and taught English Literature for 10 years at Mt. Hood Community College and Portland Community College before returning to Arizona and attending law school. She worked at a private law firm before becoming an assistant attorney general in Arizona from 2008 through 2016, specializing in antitrust law.

Myers was named as a finalist for executive director in December. Interviews included panels with OGEC staff, stakeholders and the Governors Office before a final interview with the commission. Jay Messenger, internal controls officer for the Oregon Department of Revenue, was the other finalist.

Commission Chair Shawn Lindsay congratulated Myers following the vote and thanked Bersin for his "many years of service."

Myers said her "longer term priorities are to ensure that OGEC becomes even more of a resource for public officials throughout the state."

She said she wanted more "intentional engagement" with stakeholders, more training opportunities and more outreach.

Gov. Tina Kotek said in an email to the Statesman Journal that Myers would bring a "wealth of experience and institutional knowledge" to the position.

The Oregon Government Ethics Commission is critical to ensuring government accountability, transparency and stewarding the publics trust," Kotek said. "I expect she will see these objectives through.

Dianne Lugo covers the Oregon Legislature and equity issues. Reach her at dlugo@statesmanjournal.com or on Twitter @DianneLugo

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Susan Myers named Oregon Government Ethics Commission director
The Oregon Supreme Court said Friday it will not hear a petition to bar Donald Trump from being on the Oregon 2024 Republican primary and general election ballots. Oregon Chief Justice Meagan Flynn, pictured above, said the U.S. Supreme Court is hearing identical arguments next month in Colorado.

The Oregon Supreme Court on Friday said it is declining to hear five Oregon voters' lawsuit to block Donald Trump from being on the Oregon 2024 Republican primary and general election ballots.

The five voters petitioned the Oregon Supreme Court in December arguing Trump was disqualified from holding public office because he had violated the Insurrectionist Disqualification Clause in the U.S. Constitution. Trump, their lawyers argue, "engaged in a course of conduct, culminating on January 6, 2021, that constituted" an "insurrection."

The court's Friday order denying the petition said the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to review a decision by Colorado's Supreme Court on identical arguments.

The Colorado Supreme Court agreed with the arguments and decided Trump should be removed from ballots. The ruling was appealed, and the U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments on Feb. 8.

Oregon Chief Justice Meagan Flynn said in her Friday order that a decision in the Colorado case surrounding the 14th Amendment could resolve arguments made in the Oregon case. Flynn said if any issues remain after the U.S. Supreme Court decision, the Oregon case could be filed again.

The Oregon voters are represented by Oregon lawyers Jason Kafoury of Kafoury & McDougal and Daniel Meek, alongside the national advocacy group Free Speech for People.

The petition was filed after the Oregon Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade announced on Nov. 30 that she would not remove Trump from Oregon's ballot.

Oregon law does not give me the authority to determine the qualifications of candidates in a presidential primary, Griffin-Valade said in a release announcing her decision. I will follow our usual process and expect to put Donald Trump on the primary ballot unless a court directs me otherwise.

The Secretary of State said the Oregon Department of Justice concluded she lacked the authority to disqualify Trump or any candidate in a presidential primary election because there wasn't a set of qualifications for who could be considered at a party nominating convention.

Trump had filed a 162-page brief in December objecting to the argument that he had participated in an insurrection and claimed the Oregon Supreme Court and petitioners lacked the authority to make a decision blocking him from the ballot or suing.

Last week the Oregon Supreme Court requested additional briefs for further explanation on the voters' right to sue and the secretary of state's authority to determine a presidential candidate's eligibility.

On Tuesday, the voters' lawyers said their request was a matter of "urgent public concern" and that the judicial power of Oregon broadly included the authority to hear cases, "particularly cases of public importance."

The secretary of state's duties, they added, include "accurate ballot preparation."

Free Speech for People said in a statement that the Oregon Supreme Court's "decision not to decide is disappointing."

The group also expressed concern about the uncertainty of when the U.S Supreme Court would finalize its decision.

"Waiting until the U.S. Supreme Court issues its order only compresses the time that the Oregon Supreme Court may have to resolve the issues that may remain if the U.S. Supreme Court does not fully resolve all the issues in this case," the statement said.

Griffin-Valade has a March 21 deadline to finalize presidential primary ballots.

Dianne Lugo covers the Oregon Legislature and equity issues. Reach her at dlugo@statesmanjournal.com or on Twitter @DianneLugo

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon Supreme Court denies petition to remove Trump from ballot
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The Oregon Supreme Court declined to hear a case on Friday challenging former President Donald Trumps qualification for the state ballot over his involvement in the Jan. 6 insurrection  citing an upcoming decision from the countrys high court.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of five individual Oregon voters by Free Speech for People and Oregon co-counsel Jason Kafoury  of Kafoury & McDougal and Daniel Meek  against Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade.

The petitioners argued that the former president should not be on the state primary and general election ballots because of his role in the Jan. 6 insurrection, which they say, violates Section Three of the 14th Amendment  a provision barring people from holding office if they were involved in insurrectionist activity.

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In Fridays decision, the Oregon Supreme Court declined to hear the case because the United States Supreme Court will review a similar decision by the Colorado Supreme Court, which may resolve challenges in the Oregon case.

The United States Supreme Court set an expedited briefing and argument schedule with oral argument slated Feb. 8, 2024  before Oregons presidential primary ballots must be finalized March 21, 2024.

In a statement, the Secretary of States office said, We appreciate the Oregon Supreme Courts perspective. The Secretary will continue following our normal process for the presidential primary unless the U.S. Supreme Court or a subsequent state case directs us otherwise.

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Meanwhile, Free Speech for People says the Oregon Supreme Courts decision is disappointing.

While it is certainly possible that the U.S. Supreme Courts decision in Trump v. Anderson may resolve some or all of the issues in this case, it is also entirely possible that the U.S. Supreme Court may resolve that case based on particular details of the Colorado proceeding or that it may issue an order that does not resolve this case. Furthermore, no one knows when that decision will issue. Waiting until the U.S. Supreme Court issues its order only compresses the time that the Oregon Supreme Court may have to resolve the issues that may remain if the U.S. Supreme Court does not fully resolve all the issues in this case, Free Speech for People said.

The non-profit continued, Importantly, the Oregon Supreme Court did not rule against the plaintiffs on any of the merits: it did not say that January 6 was not an insurrection; it did not say that Trump did not engage in it; it did not say that Section 3 doesnt apply to him; it did not say that Congress must pass a law to enforce Section 3; and it did not say that Oregon cannot enforce Section 3 on its own, including for presidential candidates. It simply said that it wishes to wait until the U.S. Supreme Court decides a related case.

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Free Speech for People filed the case with the Oregon Supreme Court in December 2023, after they sent a letter to Secretary Griffin-Valade calling for Trump to be banned from both the primary and general election ballots, citing Trump violated the 14th Amendment.

However, Griffin-Valade said she does not have the authority under Oregon law to consider Trumps primary election qualification.

Oregon law does not give me the authority to determine the qualifications of candidates in a presidential primary, Secretary Griffin-Valade said. I will follow our usual process and expect to put Donald Trump on the primary ballot unless a court directs me otherwise.

This is among Free Speech for Peoples latest legal challenges to Trumps candidacy as the organization says theyve written letters to secretaries of state and chief election officials in all 50 states and the District of Columbia in an effort to hold insurrectionists accountable for the Jan. 6 insurrection.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
The Oregon Supreme Court on Friday declined to hear a case that could have kept Donald Trump off the states ballots in 2024, citing a pending U.S. Supreme Court hearing on the matter.

Five Oregon voters are seeking to disqualify the former president based on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which bars from state or federal office anyone who engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the nation after having sworn an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution.

The group initially asked Oregon Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade to strike Trump from Oregons primary and general-election ballots. After she declined, arguing that state law didnt grant her that authority, the voters appealed to the Oregon Supreme Court.

In a 4-3 decision last month, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that Trumps involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol met the 14th Amendment threshold, barring him from the ballot there.

One week later, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows reached a similar conclusion.

The U.S. Supreme Court this month agreed to review the Colorado decision, with oral arguments scheduled to begin Feb. 8.

Free Speech for People, the advocacy group representing the Oregon voters, said it was disappointed in the courts decision not to decide, but it emphasized that the decision isnt necessarily a win for Trump.

Importantly, the Oregon Supreme Court did not rule against the plaintiffs on any of the merits, the group noted in a statement.

It did not say that January 6 was not an insurrection, the statement went on. It did not say that Trump did not engage in it; it did not say that Section 3 doesnt apply to him; it did not say that Congress must pass a law to enforce Section 3; and it did not say that Oregon cannot enforce Section 3 on its own, including for presidential candidates.

Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung, meanwhile, cast the non-decision as a victory and described the legal challenges as election interference.

Todays decision in Oregon was the correct one, Cheung said in an emailed statement. President Trump urges the swift dismissal of all remaining, bad-faith, election interference 14th Amendment ballot challenges as they are un-Constitutional attempts by allies of Crooked Joe Biden to disenfranchise millions of American voters and deny them their right to vote for the candidate of their choice.

Oregons presidential primary ballots must be finalized by March 21. Trump is currently far and away the front-runner for the GOP presidential nomination.

Related...
RCEP catalyzes foreign trade in southwest China

Xinhua) 09:58, January 12, 2024

CHONGQING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Based in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, SAIC Hongyan Automotive Co., Ltd. has been manufacturing heavy trucks for over half a century. It has embraced new business opportunities overseas since the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) came into effect on Jan. 1, 2022.

"In 2023, we exported 450 heavy trucks to Indonesia, up about 160 percent from 2022," said Li Dong, head of the Indonesian branch of the international business department of the company.

"As the RCEP agreement took effect for Indonesia, the tariffs on dump trucks have been reduced to zero from 10 percent, which means local consumers are able to purchase our trucks at lower prices," Li said, adding that this has increased the products' competitiveness.

Likewise, many other enterprises in Chongqing have also made the best of the agreement to boost overseas businesses.

Chongqing Huafon Chemical Co., Ltd., one of the largest adipic acid producers globally, has facilitated its export businesses, especially to Japan. In 2022, the company exported 4,706 tonnes of adipic acid to Japan, hitting a record high.

"In 2023, the tariff on adipic acid was 3.2 percent, compared to 4.6 percent prior to the RCEP agreement," said Xu Shuyuan, deputy manager of the company, adding that thanks to relevant policies, the company was able to score a price advantage in the foreign market, which also enhances its international competitiveness.

At Lvling, a local pickle-making company based in Fuling District, a batch of uniformly sized, emerald-green pickled mustard tubers roll off the production line. Soon, they will be packaged and shipped to Japan's Yokohama.

Thanks to the free trade agreement, the customs clearance time has been further shortened, and now it only takes a week to ship the mustard tubers to Japan. Also, the import costs imposed on Japanese clients have been reduced through tariff concession policies, according to Zhou Linxiang, general manager of Lvling.

Lvling exported 50 million yuan (about 6.9 million U.S. dollars) worth of pickled or fresh mustard tubers to RCEP member countries in the first three quarters of 2023, up 5 percent year on year. Mustard tubers worth about 20 million yuan were exported to Japan during the same period, up 6 percent year on year.

Data showed that during the first three quarters of 2023, Chongqing Customs issued 693 certificates of origin under the RCEP agreement for exports to Japan, up 8.45 percent year on year. The total value of the goods was 62.6 million dollars, up 37.74 percent from 2022.

Through RCEP, these made-in-China products have also won recognition overseas for their good quality and specialized services.

"In a bid to meet the needs of Indonesian clients, we utilize late-model hydrodynamic retarders and larger-diameter wheels on our heavy dump trucks, which largely increase the maneuverability and stability of the products," Li Dong said.

He added that many clients in Indonesia gave positive feedback that China-made heavy-duty trucks feature higher power, carrying capacity and security compared with products from Japan and the Republic of Korea at the same price.

"These mustard tubers are selected precisely in terms of size, quality and color. At a food exhibition in Japan, many clients sought to cooperate with us," said Zhou, adding that the company plans to build overseas warehouses and increase product varieties to provide more high-quality pickles.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
One man was killed when his pickup truck struck a fence and a tree in the woods Thursday night off Interstate 75 in Ocala. Here's what we know:

Where? The crash happened near mile marker 355, approximately 1 1/2 miles north of the U.S. 27 (Northwest Blitchton Road) exit.

What time? Marion County Fire Rescue spokesman James Lucas said his agency was assigned the call at 6:21 p.m. and arrived at 6:32 p.m. The victim was pronounced deceased at 6:35 p.m.

A county water truck at the scene of a deadly crash off Interstate 75 on Thursday night.

Extra duty: Firefighters on scene said the front of the vehicle was on fire when they got to the location. The fire was under control in a couple of minutes, fire officials said. Firefighters were worried about a nearby wooden utility pole with live wires hanging overhead. Several firefighters entered the woodline with a hose and doused the area with water.

Vehicle traffic moving along Interstate 75 close to the crash site on Thursday night.

What happened? Florida Highway Patrol troopers said the Ford F-150 pickup truck was southbound in the outside lane and negotiating a left curve. For an unknown reason, the vehicle veered off the road and went down the grassy embankment.

The truck struck a fence and entered the thick brush, where it hit at least one tree. The vehicle caught fire and the driver was trapped.

About the victim and the scene: Troopers identified the victim as a 27-year-old man from Ocala. Troopers said there were no skid marks, and they found travel marks in the grass. Officials said they were told the man was on his way home from work.

FHP officials said this pickup truck crashed in the woodline off Interstate 75 on Thursday, killing the driver and lone occupant.

The crash investigation continues, authorities said.

I-75 mess: Out-of-control semi causes another deadly I-75 crash

Other traffic deaths: Troopers said Thursday's traffic fatality was the third in Marion County in 11 days. In 2023, FHP investigated 91 traffic deaths, compared to 99 in 2022. These numbers do not include figures from the cities of Ocala, Belleview or Dunnellon.

Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Ocala traffic deaths; Pickup driver killed off I-75 Thursday night
It was a historic day for North Texas, marking the official opening of the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, but for Bob Barrett, Jan. 13, 1974, was just another work day.

He was a co-pilot on American Airlines Flight 341, the first commercial flight to land at the new airport. The flight traveled from New York to Dallas, via Memphis and Little Rock.

I really didnt think too much of it at the time, said Barrett, 50 years later. My boss just called me one day and said youre flying that first flight in.

Barrett replied, Thank you very much.

The captain and I just flew on an airport over to Little Rock and picked up the flight over into Dallas-Fort Worth, he said.

He recounted the day to former Star-Telegram aviation reporter Dan Reed years earlier in 1994 when the airport turned 20, sharing a story about his sons reaction to the days events. His wife had taken their two sons to the new airport to watch the landing, Barrett said at the time.

The next morning, Barretts youngest son Joe sat down next to him, very serious.

Dad, Mom took us to the airport last night and told us you were bringing in the first flight and that we should be proud of you. But I wasnt, the boy said.

His son went on to ask, What were we supposed to be proud of?

I guess all he saw was an airplane come in to the airport. To him one landing was pretty much like another. He really put things in perspective for me.

Barrett, who lives in Euless, said his career with American Airlines spanned 30 years before he retired in 1993. The region has seen major growth in the past several decades, much of which has been driven by the airport.

Well obviously its been good for the community, provided a lot of jobs and convenience for people that didnt exist before, Barrett told the Star-Telegram Wednesday.
Editor's note: This is a developing story and will be updated.

U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrived in Kyiv on Jan. 12, the prime minister announced on social media, where he is expected to announce a new major military commitment to Ukraine.

"I am in Ukraine to deliver a simple message. Our support cannot and will not falter," Sunak said on the social media platform X.

"To all Ukrainians, Britain is with you  for as long as it takes."

Sunak is set to announce in Kyiv that the U.K. will provide Ukraine with 2.5 billion pounds (around $3.1 billion) in military aid in 2024-2025, which is 200 million pounds more than in the previous two years.

"The funding will help to leverage the best of U.K. military expertise and defense production to ensure Ukraines victory on the battlefield, including in critical areas like long-range missiles, air defense, artillery ammunition, and maritime security," the U.K. government wrote in a press release published on Jan. 12.

Of the 2.5 billion pounds, at least 200 million will be spent to procure and produce thousands of military drones for Ukraine, including surveillance, long-range strikes, and sea drones, reads the press release.

This is meant to be the largest delivery of drones to Ukraine from any nation.

"Putin hoped the West would be distracted by events in the Middle East, but today we've taken the critical step to increase our military support to Ukraine, to get them more of what they need to win," Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said.

U.K. Foreign Secretary David Cameron said earlier this month that support for Ukraine within the country is bipartisan and not as controversial as in the U.S. and that London is ready to help for many years to come.

Read also: PM Sunak to visit Kyiv, announce $3.1 billion military aid package

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will visit Kyiv on Jan. 12 to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky and announce a major new military aid package for Ukraine, including largest-ever commitment of drones, the U.K. government reported.

U.K. Foreign Secretary David Cameron said earlier this month that support for Ukraine within the country is bipartisan and not as controversial as in the U.S. and that London is ready to help for many years to come.

Sunak is set to announce in Kyiv that the U.K. will provide Ukraine with 2.5 billion pounds (around $3.2 billion) in military aid in 2024-2025, which is 200 million pounds more than in the previous two years.

The funding will help to leverage the best of U.K. military expertise and defense production to ensure Ukraines victory on the battlefield, including in critical areas like long-range missiles, air defense, artillery ammunition, and maritime security, the U.K. government wrote in a press release published on Jan. 12.

Of the 2.5 billion pounds, at least 200 million will be spent to procure and produce thousands of military drones for Ukraine, including surveillance, long-range strike, and sea drones, reads the press release.

This will be the largest delivery of drones to Ukraine from any nation.

Sunak and Zelensky are also set to sign a historic U.K.-Ukraine Agreement on Security Cooperation, the first finalized bilateral agreement on security guarantees under the Group of Seven (G7) declaration.

The agreement reportedly formalizes a range of support the U.K. has been and will continue to provide for Ukraines security, including intelligence sharing, cyber security, medical and military training, and defense industrial cooperation.

The document will also commit the U.K. to consult with Ukraine if the country is ever attacked by Russia again and to provide swift and sustained assistance for Ukraine's defense.

During his visit to Ukraine, Sunak is also expected to meet emergency workers responding to the aftermath of Russian attacks. There, he will announce a further 18 million pounds (around $23 million) in humanitarian aid to Ukraine, building on almost 340 million pounds ($434 million) already provided.

Some of these funds will go to organizations like the U.N. and Red Cross, supporting civilians in front-line areas, and eight million pounds ($10 million) will help fortify Ukraine's energy infrastructure against Russian strikes.

According to the U.K. government, London will also provide additional funding and resources for English language training in Ukraine.

Including the latest funding, the U.K. has provided almost 12 billion pounds (over $15 billion) in support to Ukraine since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Latvia announces new aid for Kyiv, including artillery, munitions, helicopters

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The museum of the killing fields of the red Khmer or khmer rouge outside the city of Phnom Penh of Cambodia. Cambodia, Phnom Penh | DPST/Newscom

Forty-five years ago last Sunday, Vietnamese troops seized Phnom Penh and ended Cambodia's 45-month reign of terror known as the "killing fields." Under the leadership of Pol Pot, the Khmer Rouge government implemented policiesforced labor, resettlements, torture, starvationthat led to the death of 1.7-to-3 million people, or at least 20 percent of the nation's population. The regime destroyed the country, caused untold suffering, and left permanent scars.

Painful as it is, we should not let these grim anniversaries go unremembered. For context, imagine a "political experiment" that obliterated our society and left a quarter of our 331-million population dead. It's inconceivable. As the son of a Nazi concentration camp survivor and grandson of peasants who fled Russian pogroms, I've always been fascinated by a simple question: What are the conditions that lead to such horrors?

The obvious answer is these horrors always are rooted in ideas, typically radical ones that try to implement some utopian vision. They typically are the work of governments. Large swaths of the population take partsome willingly, others by force. The Cambodian revolution wasn't spontaneous. Its leaders honed their philosophy while studying in Paris. And one usually finds intellectuals behind crazy notions. As the saying goes, "Ideas have consequences"and they're often tragic.

Cambodia's leaders sought to create an idyllic and classless agrarian society, one that harkened to the Angkor Empire from the 800s. "They wanted all members of society to be rural agricultural workers rather than educated city dwellers, who the Khmer Rouge believed had been corrupted by western capitalist ideas," according to the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust. Their philosophy echoed Mao Zedong, whose efforts to remake China led to unimaginable horrors.

For half of my life, the Cold War and the threat of communism was an ever-present feature. Time moves on, so it's no surprise that fewer Americans remember the widespread fear that totalitarianism might dominate. Communist regimes at one point controlled 30 percent of the world's population. Despite this history, a shocking 2019 poll found more than a third of U.S. millennials approve of communism, with only 57 percent preferring the Declaration of Independence to the Communist Manifesto, according to a report in the Independent.

In 1999, the "Black Book of Communism" tried to detail the number of civilian deaths caused by the world's communist regimesnot deaths caused amid wars and civil strife, but direct massacres from the kind of policies so efficiently carried out in Cambodia. The authors came up with a figure of 100 million. These deaths don't tell the entire story of fear, slavery, and repression. It's simply unfathomable that any modern American could have a view of communist regimes that were any more favorable than the views most of us hold of Nazism.

Then again, ideological narratives grab hold of people in ways that are hard to understand. So many young leftists are nurtured in a university hothouse that divvies up humanity into fixed groups of "oppressor" and "oppressed." They learned to have an endless faith in the government's ability to reorder humanity. They probably haven't been taught about what happens when officials are given unlimited powers to launch a "Great Leap Forward," create "Year Zero" or design a "New Soviet Man."

That's too bad because the reason we live such free and prosperous lives is because we live within a system that limits the government's power to take our property, throw us in prison, depopulate cities, execute us, force us onto long marches and put us in re-education camps. History proves that many peopleincluding those who claim to have the best intentionswould do horrific things if they had such powers at their disposal. We can even point to horrors in the history of our own country, of course.

What lessons can modern Americans draw from the Cambodian nightmare? I'd suggest we show no tolerance toward grandiose social experiments of any kind (such as radically reordering society to avert a supposed climate doom) and focus instead on incrementally improving life within our current system. People get excited about big, transformative ideas even though they can upend society, yet lose interest in the nuts-and-bolts of the slow-moving democratic process. The latter can be hard work, so no wonder political radicals prefer dangerous shortcuts.

Back in Cambodia, the devastation from the 1970s still permeates the nation's politics. After Pol Pot was deposed, the country fell into a civil war that lasted until the 1990s, with an apparently unrepentant Pol Pot finally dying in exile 1998. As Time reports, many former Khmer Rouge officials remain in power and the country "still grapples with Pol Pot's brutal legacy." Cambodia's population is young, so few remember the horrorsbut it still casts a pall over everything.

For the rest of us, all we can do is remember, or as author Elie Wiesel said: "For the dead and the living, we must bear witness."

This column was first published in The Orange County Register.

The post Pol Pot's Atrocities Still Matter, 45 Years After Khmer Rouge's Fall appeared first on Reason.com.
FILE PHOTO: Swearing in of the new Polish cabinet, in Warsaw

WARSAW (Reuters) -Polish Justice Minister Adam Bodnar outlined on Friday a bill that aims to correct the way judges are appointed as a first step in rolling back the previous nationalist government's judicial reforms with a view to unfreezing EU funds.

The former Law and Justice (PiS) party government had for years been stuck in a row with Brussels over its court reforms and the rule of law, resulting in billions of European Union's funds for Poland being frozen.

But pro-EU parties won a majority in an Oct. 15 election, ending eight years of PiS rule, and a new government led by former European Council president Donald Tusk has vowed to regain access to the money.

One of the key issues is the procedure for appointing judges, which critics say was politicised under PiS. The European Court of Human Rights and Court of Justice of the EU have also pointed to irregularities in the procedure.

Bodnar proposes that members of the National Council of the Judiciary (KRS) should be appointed by other judges, with the judges nominated by the previous Council being excluded from the process.

"In our opinion, such a bill is consistent with the constitution and international treaties applicable to Poland ... and it will meet standards resulting from ECHR and CJEU verdicts," said Deputy Justice Minister Dariusz Mazur.

Doubts over the validity of appointment of judges under PiS has led to disarray in the courts, as shown by a recent case regarding the conviction of two former PiS ministers.

Judges appointed according to the new rules introduced by PiS argue that questioning their status would be illegal and lead to even more chaos.

"Attempts to question the status of judges undermine the foundations of the Polish Republic's political system," judges of the Supreme Court Civil Chamber said in a resolution published on Friday.

(Reporting by Marek Strzelecki and Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk; Editing by Alex Richardson)
On Thursday, Polish border guards detained a 15-year-old schoolboy from Czechia who was on his way to fight against Russia on the side of Ukrainian troops.

Source: Seznam Zpravy news outlet with reference to the Border Guard in Polish Silesia

Details: It is noted that the boy had just crossed the Polish-Ukrainian border, but "thanks to the quick actions of the Silesian Border Police and impeccable international cooperation, the Czech was taken to Poland without delay", from where he will return home to the Czech Republic's Ostrava.

The 15-year-old reportedly left home on Wednesday but did not come to school, after which his parents informed the police and provided a description of their son.

The Czech police passed on his details to their Polish counterparts who serve at the station in the Czech town of Chotebuz. The Polish police traced the boy's phone and found out that he was in Przemysl, Poland, near the border with Ukraine.

It was found that the teenager had prepared his passport back in Czechia to go to Ukraine to fight against Russian aggressors.

Background:

Earlier, the Supreme Court of Appeal in Prague upheld a 21-year sentence in absentia for Czech citizen Alojz Polak, who fought in Ukraines east on the side of the militants of the non-recognised and self-proclaimed "Donetsk Peoples Republic".

His lawyer noted at the main trial that his client was probably no longer alive.

It was reported earlier that in the Czech Republic, Nela Liskova, a supporter of Russia and former "honorary consul" of the "DPR", will be tried for incitement to hatred against Ukrainians and Ukraine.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Police are asking the public for help locating a woman wanted for questioning in a pre-Christmas shooting that turned deadly.

Las Vegas Metropolitan police released a photo Friday of Yesenia Maldonado. Investigators want to ask her about a shooting on Dec. 23, 2023, that happened around 3:42 a.m. in the 3400 block of Greenwood Springs Drive near E. Desert Inn Road and Hollywood Boulevard.

LVMPD is trying to locate Yesenia Maldonado for questioning in a homicide investigation. (Credit: LVMPD)

Police said that when police arrived at the scene, a man suffering from a gunshot wound was found on the sidewalk. He died on Jan. 4, 2024. Police said a woman was seen with the victim after the shooting but fled the scene in a black vehicle before officers arrived.

Police urge anyone with information on this incident to contact the LVMPD Homicide Section at (702) 828-3521, or by email at homicide@lvmpd.com. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at (702) 385-5555, or online at this link.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Rep. Adam Schiff holds a slight lead in Californias race for the U.S. Senate, while the battle for the second spot is fiercely competitive, according to a new poll from the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies.

Schiff leads the field with the support of 21 percent of likely voters, followed by Democratic Rep. Kate Porter with 17 percent and Republican and former Dodgers player Steve Garvey with 13 percent. Given the margin of error, they are in a close contest for second place.

Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee trails her major opponents, with the support of 9 percent of likely voters, according to the poll. But a poll last month from POLITICO|Morning Consult showed Lee also in a dead heat for second place.

The top-two primary on March 5 will determine which candidates advance to the November general election  and the IGS poll suggests the contest remains in flux as the campaigns prepare for ballots to hit voters mailboxes in early February.

Porter and Schiff, both from the greater Los Angeles region, launched their first TV ads of the campaign this week. Each has spent nearly $1 million targeting Democratic voters, especially women, in the San Francisco-San Jose-Oakland media market. Lee, who hails from Oakland, doesnt have the money to compete on the airwaves.

Whether two Democrats advance or Garvey snags a second-place spot will determine the competitiveness of the future campaign, which could result in an expensive intraparty war or a lopsided Democrat v. GOP contest in deep-blue California.

The IGS poll was conducted Jan. 4-8, surveying 4,470 likely voters in both English and Spanish. It has an estimated margin of error of 2 percentage points.
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis was unable to complete a speech on Friday, complaining of "a touch of bronchitis" during an address to a group of French religious communications experts at the Vatican.

The 87-year-old pontiff suffered from an acute lung infection in November which caused him to cancel a planned trip to the COP28 climate summit in Dubai and have aides read his speeches for a couple of weeks.

Francis was meeting participants of the symposium "Universite des Communicants en Eglise" organised by the French Bishops' Conference when he had to interrupt his welcome message.

"I would like to read all the speech, but there is a problem, I have a touch of bronchitis," he said in a raspy voice.

The pope had already delivered other speeches earlier on Friday during meetings with young professionals and a committee promoting relations between the Catholic, Orthodox and Oriental churches.

At a later engagement on Friday, Francis did not read his speech to members of a Catholic scientific body, who instead received it in written form, the Vatican said.

(Reporting by Philip Pullella, writing by Alessandro Parodi, editing by Gavin Jones and Alex Richardson)
After at least two weeks of closure due to the owner's recent health problems, Cinderella Bakery on the West Side has reopened its doors.

Regulars quickly realized the Saltillo Street bakery was closed in late December, and the daughter of owner Enrique "Henry" Correa took to social media to explain the unexpected absence.

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Her father had decided to shut down Cinderella Bakery due to health problems, but hoped to open again in 2024, Jennifer Correa wrote on Facebook on Dec. 27.

Enrique Correa took over the family business from his father in 1981 and has been running the bakery ever since, cultivating a loyal customer base.

Longtime supporters were disappointed to hear the news, but on Thursday, Jennifer Correa had an encouraging announcement.

She reported that the family was joining forces to reopen the bakery. The post included a photo of a sign in the window finally switched back to "open."

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"We would love to say thank you to everyone for your prayers for our Dad, Henry Correa," Jennifer Correa wrote.
Only two weeks into 2024, Adams County has reported its first case of rabies, after a stray cat that attacked a woman near Hanover tested positive for the virus.

According to a press release by the Adams County SPCA, on Tuesday a woman at a garage near the intersection of Carlisle Pike and Hanover Street in Oxford Township discovered a stray cat that had been outside in the rain.

When the woman attempted to pick up the cat and bring it out of the rain, it attacked her left hand and arm. The cat was trapped, the release states, and brought to the Adams County SPCA.

Due to suspicion of rabies, the cat was humanely euthanized to be tested for the virus.

According to the Centers for Disease Control(CDC), the only accurate way to test an animal for rabies is through testing the brain tissue of an infected animal after it has been euthanized, due to the fact that viral shedding in other tissues is very inconsistent.

On Wednesday, the test results from the Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory in Harrisburg came back positive for the rabies virus, the SPCA said.

The woman's condition following the injury was unclear.

How to limit rabies risks

The Adams County SPCA shared the following tips to stay clear of rabies:

All dogs and cats, 3 months of age or older, are required by PA law to be vaccinated against rabies. Owners should consider vaccinating livestock and horses as well.

Reduce your pets' possible exposure to rabies by not letting them roam freely.

Spaying or neutering your pet may reduce their tendency to roam or fight, thus reducing their exposure to rabies.

Do not keep food or water outdoors for your pets, as bowls will attract wild and stray animals.

Keep garbage securely covered to avoid attracting wild or stray animals.

Do not touch or handle unfamiliar animals, even if they appear friendly.

Wild animals, specifically raccoons, bats and feral cats, are the highest risk of rabies. Do not approach or handle wild animals, even if they appear approachable.

Harrison Jones is the Hanover reporter for the Evening Sun. Reach him at hjones@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Hanover Evening Sun: Rabies case reported after cat attack near Hanover, Pa.
Steven Rodriguez, 21, of Kyle was arrested after a man was found shot to death at a home in the 300 block of Country Lane in Kyle, according to the Hays County Sheriffs Office. mbbirdy/Getty Images

A Hays County man faces multiple charges after a fatal shooting at a home in Kyle, the Hays County Sheriffs Office said Thursday.

Steven Rodriguez, 21, of Kyle was arrested after a man was found shot to death at a home in the 300 block of Country Lane in Kyle, according to the Hays County Sheriffs Office. Kyle is a city of about 57,000 people in Hays County, north of San Marcos along Interstate 35.

READ MORE: Hays County man gets life in prison for killing San Marcos police officer

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Rodriguez was arrested on a felony charge of aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury/family violence, as well as on a misdemeanor charge of violating the conditions of his bond, according to the sheriffs office.

Sheriffs deputies arrived at the home about 3:15 a.m. Wednesday and found a man with a gunshot wound. The man, whose name was not released, was pronounced dead at the scene, the sheriffs office said.

Investigators believe Rodriguez fired the shot that killed the man, the sheriffs office said. Officials did not release any other details about the shooting.
Ralph Yarl, the 17-year-old whom a white homeowner shot after mistakenly knocking at the wrong address, has earned a spot in the 2024 Missouri All-State Orchestra. The high schooler is one of four students to have secured a place. He will play the clarinet as the second chair in the band.

Bravo to Eliza Cockrell and Stephen Kwon from Northtown and Ralph Yarl and Carter Walters from Staley! Theyve earned a spot in the 2024 Missouri All-State Orchestra or Band and will perform at the Missouri Music Educators Association annual conference in January at Margaritaville Lake Resort in Lake of the Ozarks, North Kansas City Schools announced in a statement posted on Facebook.

Yarl was picking up his younger brothers from a friends home on April 13, 2023, when he went up to the wrong door. He came face to face with Andrew Lester, an 84-year-old homeowner, who shot him in the head and in the right arm as Yarl fell to the ground and ran away.

The 17-year-old suffered a traumatic brain injury and saw a therapist. His family relocated after the incident.

Im just a kid and not larger than life because this happened to me, Yarl told Good Morning America. Im just gonna keep doing all the stuff that makes me happy. And just living my life the best I can and not let this bother me.

Yarl plays several instruments apart from the clarinet, including the bass clarinet, the saxophone, the tenor saxophone and the contrabass clarinet. He said music has helped him cope with the incident.

Ralph Yarl has received the special distinction of being selected to the 2024 Missouri All-State Band less than a year after he was shot after mistakenly going to the wrong house.https://t.co/fOCLXDIp7M pic.twitter.com/omdmS8XJOi  ABC News (@ABC) January 9, 2024

Classical music kinda resonates with me, he said. Just the feeling that it creates and the fact that you can make it yourself  it kinda invigorates me.

Yarl testified in court last August, according to NBC News. A judge ordered Lester to stand trial, while the man pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action.
U.S. Sen. Rand Paul had some positive things to say about 2024 presidential candidates former President Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy  but there's one GOP candidate who didn't earn any platitudes.

"I don't think any informed or knowledgeable libertarian or conservative should support Nikki Haley," Paul said in a social media post shared on X, asking people to register at nevernikki.net.

As I look over the field, I dont think I yet have a first choice, but I do know one thing: count me in as #NeverNikki! pic.twitter.com/0RjbBhnwdc  Rand Paul (@RandPaul) January 12, 2024

In the social media thread, Paul scrutinized Haley's stances on the nation's overseas actions and policies. He also criticized Haley for previously saying people should be required to verify their identities to use social media platforms  a stance she has already walked back, according to the Washington Post.

Paul has yet to make a formal endorsement for a 2024 presidential candidate, noting that in addition to those GOP candidates, he has also met with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is running as an independent.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: U.S. Rand Paul criticizes 2024 presidential candidate Nikki Haley
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) came out swinging against Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley Friday with the launch of a Never Nikki website.

I have been watching the GOP Primary closely for a while now, and I like various aspects of several candidates, Paul said in a statement included on the website, noting GOP hopefuls former President Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, as well as independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

As I look over the field, I dont think I yet have a first choice, but I do know one thing: count me in as Never Nikki, Paul said.

The launch comes a day after Paul teased a very important statement about 2024, stoking speculation that he would endorse one of the GOP contenders.

Top Stories from The Hill

The move also comes ahead of Mondays Iowa caucuses, the critical test that starts off the partys presidential nominating cycle.

Trump leads the Republican field by double-digits in national and swing-state polling, while Haley is considered to be fighting for second place with DeSantis. Shes seen notable momentum from her performances in the partys presidential debates and has been gaining on Trump in New Hampshire, which hosts its first-in-the-nation primary later this month.

The former president, though, boasts endorsements from 20 U.S. senators, according to The Hills latest tally  while Haley and DeSantis dont have any from the upper chamber.

Based on her record and campaign, I dont see how any thoughtful or informed libertarian or conservative should vote for @NikkiHaley, Paul, a libertarian, said on X, the platform previously known as Twitter, alongside a thread of complaints against the former U.N. ambassador.

The Hill has reached out to Haleys campaign for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Lucky tourists stumbled into a dreamy scene in Joshua Tree National Park when they woke up to watch the sunrise on their only morning in California, photos show.

They posted the stunning photos to Reddit on Jan. 7 and explained they were only in the area for one morning on a less than 24-hour trip when they were greeted by a snowy park.

Photos show what looks like the most delicate dusting of snow sprinkled across the desert landscape: rocks, sagebrush, dry soil and, fittingly, coating one side of a Joshua Tree.

The snow started at approximately 4,000 feet of elevation and became more dense as they drove up to Keys View at 5,185 feet, they said.

We asked the Visitor Center how often it snows and they said, Maybe once or twice a year, they said. We loved it, feeling incredibly grateful to have been there today!

A park spokesperson told SFGATE the park received a sprinkling of snow that day.

It was all melted within an hour but looked beautiful while it was there, spokesperson Jennie Kish Albrinck told the outlet.

The park recently posted a photo of heavy snow coating the desert landscape and weighing down the limbs of a Joshua Tree  but the photo was taken in February 2019.

The visitors only noticed two other cars in the parking lot between 7 and 8 a.m., and having the place mostly to themselves made the experience all the more special, they said in the post.

It was incredible having this frosty wonderland to ourselves, they wrote.

Shapes hide in desert of Californias Joshua Tree National Park. How many do you see?

An elusive creature is staring at you from Joshua Tree in this photo. Do you see it?

Influencers swarmed art near Joshua Tree Airbnb. Now host says photo has $20,000 fee
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) went after former President Trump on Friday, demanding in a letter that he return about $7.8 million Trumps companies received from foreign governments while he was in office.

House Oversight and Accountability Committee Democrats first made the allegation in a report last week, claiming Trumps companies accepted money from foreign entities in 20 countries and alleging the payments violate the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution.

Your acceptance of foreign emoluments while in office was a stunning violation of the U.S. Constitution  and a profound betrayal of the interests of the United States and the trust of the American people, Raskin wrote.

A majority of the payments, about $5.6 million, came from China and went to Trumps hotels in Washington and Las Vegas, as well as Trump Tower in New York, the report found.

Raskin said the $7.8 million figure is incomplete and does not account for a significant portion of money Trump received. He said the investigation was curtailed by Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) when he became the committee chair last January.

Critically, the report was unable to provide a full accounting of the total amount of foreign emoluments you accepted as President, and thus, was unable to determine precisely what you owe to the American people, Raskin wrote. You spent years litigating against the Committee to prevent us from obtaining any documents regarding the foreign emoluments you received while in office.

Top Stories from The Hill

Raskin said the countries that gave Trumps businesses money sought  and in many cases obtained  favors and specific policy outcomes from you and your Administration in exchange.

The report comes as Oversight Committee Republicans investigate President Bidens family finances, including allegations that the presidents son and brother accepted money from foreign sources in business deals.

Raskin and Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) sparred over the foreign money claims in a committee hearing on Thursday.

There is no hotel exception, Mr. Donalds, to the foreign emoluments clause, Raskin said. There is no international real estate syndicate exception to the foreign emoluments clause, Mr. Donalds.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
As we were driving south on Jan. 6, 2021, my wife and I started getting alerts on our phones about a mob of Trump supporters storming the Capitol, calls to hang Mike Pence and the evacuation of the House and Senate chambers.

Driving through Washington D.C., we saw a small caravan of black Suburbans flying up an on-ramp in the opposite direction moving away from the Capitol. We wondered if it was carrying leaders of Congress or the vice president away from the violence.

Over the next several days, like most Americans, we watched in horror at news video of people scaling walls, smashing windows, attacking police and using the American flag as a weapon. We heard the blood-curdling screams of a police officer being crushed in a doorway and watched some weird, shirtless creature with horns who referred to himself as QAnon Shaman.

All of it made me sick.

But even in the darkness of this terrible moment there was hope. Congress had completed counting the electoral votes. The vice president had performed his duty. Republicans and Democrats in Congress joined together to denounce the mob as criminals and terrorists. Even some loyal Trump supporters were angry and vowed that this insurrection would not stand.

Over the next two years, I followed the activity of the House Select Committee, which was investigating what happened on that day. I followed the trials of some of the more prominent insurrectionists who were being convicted of seditious conspiracy. More recently, I read former Congresswoman Liz Cheneys book Oath and Honor, which laid out many of the sordid details.

Given the mountain of evidence that we all saw, there could be no doubt as to what happened on Jan. 6. It was an insurrection. And those in the mob literally carried the Trump flag into battle.

It started with a song

But Donald Trump wasnt finished. The master of manipulation and disinformation was working to change all of the ugliness that we had all seen with our own eyes into something else.

It started with the J6 Prison Choir, a group of 20 inmates convicted of federal crimes for their participation in the insurrection, recording "The Star-Spangled Banner" using a prison phone and then having it edited to include former President Trump reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. The song was designed to portray the criminals as political prisoners and patriots.

In Waco, Texas, Trump opened his rally with a recording of the song while images of rioters storming the Capitol flashed behind him on a huge screen. Trump and his allies were using the nations most patriotic song to whitewash the insurrection.

Before long the Trump choir was all singing from the same song sheet. Members of Congress who had condemned Trump and the rioters were now saying that we should move past that day and that it really wasnt all that bad.

At some point, Trump upped the ante saying that he might consider pardoning some of the rioters. Then he said that he would pardon them.

'J6 hostages'

More recently, Trump has begun referring to those convicted and imprisoned as hostages. According to Trump, these were loyal Americans. Release the J6 hostages Joe, Trump crowed at recent rallies. Right on cue, the Republican choir started repeating his message. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., chair of the House Republican conference, someone who had initially condemned the rioters, was now parroting directly from the Trump song sheet calling them hostages.

Following Trumps lead, Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis said that he would consider pardoning rioters. And both he and Nikki Haley have said that if Trump is convicted for his role in the insurrection, he should be pardoned.

While all of this was going on, the Department of Justice has been busy prosecuting those who participated in the insurrection. To date, more than 1,265 people have been charged bringing sentences as long as 22 years. Only two defendants have been acquitted of all charges. It is clear that, when confronted with irrefutable evidence, judges and juries are holding these criminals accountable.

Despite everything, Donald Trump is singing a different song, using the events of Jan. 6 as a rallying cry. Hes not running away from the riot or his role in it  hes using it as a weapon to energize his supporters and to bludgeon his opponents.

First Trump used the song, then he normalized images of the insurrection at his rally, then he talked about pardons, and now calls those who have been convicted or pleaded guilty hostages. Step by step, Trump has been manipulating his followers to change the insurrection into a patriotic cause. And millions of brainwashed Americans and scores of spineless politicians are letting him.

If he gets away with it, hes ready to do it again. In the ultimate act of defiance, Trump has refused to sign a pledge, signed by presidential candidates in Illinois, not to overthrow the government  a pledge that he willingly signed in 2016 and 2020.

Lets be clear:The people who stormed the Capitol are not hostages. Theyre insurrectionists. They brought guns, knives, bear spray, bats and a noose to hang those in our government whom they disagreed with.

They are not patriots. Their fidelity is to a would-be dictator and not to our Constitution.

Lets call Jan. 6 what it was: an insurrection. And Donald Trump was its leader. He has no remorse for the beatings, the deaths and all of those who have been sent to prison for following him.

If there is any justice, Donald Trump will end up joining the J6 Prison Choir in person.

Email Raymond V. Mariano at rmariano.telegram@gmail.com. He served four terms as mayor of Worcester and previously served on the City Council and School Committee. He grew up in Great Brook Valley and holds degrees from Worcester State College and Clark University. He was most recently executive director of the Worcester Housing Authority. His column appears weekly in the Sunday Telegram. His endorsements do not necessarily reflect the position of the Telegram & Gazette.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Ray Mariano on Donald trump and Capitol rioters labeled as hostages
(Reuters) - The United States and Britain launched a series of strikes on Yemen on Thursday aimed at the Iran-backed Houthi militia that started targeting international shipping in the Red Sea late last year.

Reactions included anger from Russia and Iran, support from U.S. allies and criticism from progressive Democrats in the U.S. Congress:

RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESWOMAN MARIA ZAKHAROVA

"The U.S. air strikes on Yemen are another example of the Anglo-Saxons' perversion of UN Security Council resolutions."

Zakharova said the strikes showed a "complete disregard for international law" and were "escalating the situation in the region". Russia also called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Friday to discuss the issue.

IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN NASSER KANAANI:

"These attacks are a clear violation of Yemen's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a breach of international laws. These attacks will only contribute to insecurity and instability in the region.

IRAN-BACKED HEZBOLLAH GROUP IN A STATEMENT:

"The American aggression confirms once again that the U.S. is a full partner in the tragedies and massacres committed by the Zionist enemy in Gaza and the region."

SAUDI ARABIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY IN A STATEMENT:

Called for restraint and "avoiding escalation" after the strikes and said it was monitoring the situation with "great concern".

"The kingdom emphasizes the importance of maintaining the security and stability of the Red Sea region, as the freedom of navigation in it is an international demand."

DUTCH PRIME MINISTER MARK RUTTE

"The U.S.-British action is based on the right of self-defence, aims to protect free passage and is focused on de-escalation. The Netherlands, with its long history as a sea-faring country, places significant importance on the right of free passage and supports this targeted operation."

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON, REPUBLICAN

This action by U.S. and British forces is long overdue... (Iran and its proxies) must understand there is a serious price to pay for their global acts of terror and their attacks on U.S. personnel and commercial vessels. America must always project strength, especially in these dangerous times."

U.S. SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON BEN CARDIN, A DEMOCRAT

"I support President Bidens decision to take precise action against these increasingly dangerous provocations that have threatened the interests of the U.S. and our allies, and welcome our coalition partners taking these actions with us. I look forward to continued consultation with the Administration on this decision, as required by law, and encourage the President to persist in his efforts to keep this conflict from spreading further in the region."

DEMOCRATIC U.S. HOUSE PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS CHAIRPERSON REPRESENTATIVE PRAMILA JAYAPAL

"This is an unacceptable violation of the Constitution. Article 1 requires that military action be authorized by Congress."

(This story has been corrected to fix the spelling of Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson's name to Kanaani in paragraph 2)

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh, Eric Beech; Editing by Cynthia Osterman, Raju Gopalakrishnan and Mark Potter)
A body was found inside a garbage bin of an unoccupied home, according to a Jan. 7 news release from the Minneapolis Police Department.

Realtor Josh Fredrickson discovered the body as he was preparing the property for an open house, according to WCCO.

Fredrickson called police Jan. 6 about an unknown vehicle parked in the homes garage, the station reported. The vehicle was gone the next day, but a garbage bin was left behind.

Fredrickson and the homeowner discovered the body while attempting to move the garbage bin ahead of the open house, KARE 11 reported.

It was super heavy, Fredrickson told the station. I peeled the tarp backI looked at Bill and said, theres an effing body in here, there is a body in here, he told the station.

The victim was identified as 51-year-old Reid Christopher Johnson, according to a Jan. 8 news release from the Hennepin County Medical Examiner.

Johnsons cause of death was listed as multiple gunshot wounds.

Thats somebodys son, somebodys baby, somebodys brother, Fredrickson told WCCO.

Johnson leaves behind a legacy of humor, kindness, love, and a contagious laugh, according to his obituary.

Authorities are investigating the circumstances of Johnsons death, and no arrests have been announced, police said.

Wife discovers husbands body after he drowns in flooded basement, WV cops say

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18-year-old shoots man 15 times, hides body inside an air mattress, Missouri cops say
Semafor Signals

Insights from CNN, Prism, and The Rand Corporation

The News

Life-threatening winter weather is expected to pummel Iowa on Friday, as the state looks toward Mondays caucus when wind chills are projected to dip as low as negative 40 degrees. There has never been a colder Iowa caucus night than whats forecast for Monday, per National Weather Service data. The 2024 Republican presidential hopefuls are increasingly concerned about the conditions, worried that the Arctic blast will suppress voter turnout.

Frigid temperatures and a snowstorm threw campaign schedules into chaos in the week before the caucus. GOP presidential contender Vivek Ramaswamy attacked other candidates for canceling their events due to the cold and snow, but eventually ended up canceling three of his own events due to the severe weather.

Some experts say that climate change is as much of a threat to elections and democracy as foreign interference, and a lack of robust plans to deal with extreme weather events could depress voter turnout and further marginalize underrepresented voices.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

Sources: CNN, The Associated Press

Former president Donald Trumps campaign was counting on a massive showing in Iowa, CNN reported, but his advisers are now trying to lower turnout expectations because of the cold. Members of the Trump team are concerned that his hefty lead in the Iowa polls could deter some Trump supporters from showing up on Monday, the outlet reported. During a campaign event in Sioux Center, Iowa, last week, Trump told the audience the only way we are hurt on Jan. 15 is if you stay home.

The whole GOP field is publicly expressing optimism that their supporters will show up no matter how bad the weather is, the Associated Press reported, despite the conditions already having wreaked havoc on their plans.

Failure to address climate change directly impacts voter turnout, experts says

Sources: Prism, ProMarket

Severe weather events  including winter weather  are exacerbated by climate change, and extreme weather prevents voters from making it to the polls, non-profit news outlet Prism reported in 2022. While extreme weather isnt a form of voter suppression, experts warned that state legislatures resistant to climate change legislation combined with governors ill-prepared extreme weather response plans create a scenario in which the electorates voice isnt being heard. Failing to address the root causes and effects of climate change on voting systems further risks marginalizing voices that are already underrepresented in elections, Prism wrote.

But a study of elections in India found that extreme conditions, especially those that affect the agricultural productivity of rural voters, can actually increase voter turnout by pushing voters to elect candidates with agricultural backgrounds, researchers wrote for The University of Chicagos ProMarket publication.

State election officials need 'robust' extreme weather response plans

Source: The Rand Corporation

The frequency and intensity of natural disasters is no less a grave risk to democracy and elections than threats from foreign interference and artificial intelligence, according to policy analysis professor Quentin E. Hodgson. Election officials should be equipped to respond to mega events and not just small-scale disasters, he said.

One way is for U.S. governors and state officials to review and revise the emergency powers they can use after a disaster, including delaying an election day, expanding mail-in voting, or otherwise helping voters get to the polls. Congress could also get involved by allocating more disaster preparedness funding to states. Without robust extreme weather response plans, disasters will likely depress voter turnout, Hodgson wrote.
Five years ago this week, a mother and her two daughters were found shot to death in a $1 million home in Anaqua Springs Ranch, a gated community in Leon Springs. Today, the case remains open. No arrests have been made.

Heres a look back at the case, which drew nationwide attention.

Who were the victims?

Nichol Leila Olsen, 37, and her two daughters, Alexa Denice Montez, 16, and London Sophia Bribiescas, 10, were found dead on Jan. 10, 2019, in a home they shared with Olsens boyfriend, Charlie Wheeler, then 31.

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Nichol Leila Olsen is shown with her daughters, London Sophia Bribiescas, left, and Alexa Denice Montez, right. The three were found shot to death in a luxury home in the gated Anaqua Springs Ranch neighborhood near Leon Springs on Jan. 10, 2019. Five years later, the case remains open, and the Bexar County Sheriffs Office hasnt publicly divulged findings of its investigation. Courtesy of Carlos Montez

Autopsies determined that Olsen and Alexa each had been shot once in the head, and that London suffered a gunshot wound to her head and neck. The three bodies, found close together in an upstairs hallway, were cold and rigid. A handgun was found near Olsen.

Within days, the Bexar County Medical Examiners Office said Olsens death was a suicide and her daughters deaths were homicides.

Who found the bodies?

The deaths came to light when Wheeler called 911 around 9 a.m. that morning to report a suicide at his home in the 11300 block of Anaqua Springs. A Bexar County sheriffs deputy arrived to find Wheeler on the ground, crying, in his front yard.

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Wheeler told investigators he left the house around 10 p.m. the previous night after arguing with Olsen and had spent the night at a relatives house. He said he found the bodies when he returned home the next morning.

How did Wheeler and Olsen become a couple?

Olsen was a hairstylist at a North Side salon and a mother of three. She was raised in San Antonio and endured a difficult childhood. She had been divorced twice. Her oldest child, a son, now 27, lived in another city.

Olsen and Wheeler met in the summer of 2016. He had spotted her on Instagram and was so taken with her that he reached out with a private message. They met face-to-face for the first time at La Cantera Resort, and their romance developed quickly.

Charles Wheeler and Nichol Olsen posed in a photo session for KeVa Col, a wristwatch and jewelry company that Olsen owned with two friends and business partners. Olsen, 37, and her two daughters  Alexa Montez, 16, and London Bribiescas, 10  were found shot to death in Wheelers home in the gated Anaqua Springs Ranch community on Jan. 10, 2019. Courtesy photo/Vanessa Turney and KeVa Col

She moved in with him at Anaqua Springs Ranch in 2017. Her daughters lived with them several days a week and spent the other days with their fathers.

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Alexa was a sophomore at Clark High School and a cheerleader. She planned to enroll at Texas A&M University and wanted to become an obstetrician. The teen attended Kingsborough Ridge Baptist Church, where she participated in the puppet ministry and volunteered in the nursery.

Olsens younger daughter, London, was a fifth-grader at Leon Springs Elementary School. She was a vivacious child who loved monkeys, singing, painting and theater.

Who is Wheeler?

Wheeler was raised in Fredericksburg. He competed professionally on the rodeo circuit in team roping, then ventured into the oil industry and started a security gate company in the Eagle Ford Shale area.

Wheeler sold that company when he was just 24. He later started an oil field services business based in Fort Stockton in West Texas.

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Charles Edward Wheeler, now 36, came under scrutiny after his girlfriend, Nichol Olsen, 37, and her two daughters, Alexa Montez, 16, and London Bribiescas, 10, were found shot to death in his home in Anaqua Springs Ranch near Leon Springs on Jan. 10, 2019. Wheeler has since sold the house and moved to Austin. Five years after the deaths, the Bexar County Sheriff's Office still hasn't closed the case and hasn't publicly divulged any findings from its investigation. No charges have been filed. Courtesy photo/Crane Creatives

He was an avid hunter, and he owned a Maserati and a Range Rover. His home in Anaqua Springs Ranch spanned 4,500 square feet on a lot of nearly 3 acres. It had five bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, a swimming pool and a hot tub.

After the deaths of Olsen and her daughters, Wheeler sold the property. He now lives and works in Austin.

Was Wheeler ever a suspect in the slayings?

Not quite. Three months after the tragedy, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar called Wheeler a person of interest but not a suspect.

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Sheriffs investigators quickly learned that Olsen and Wheeler had a tumultuous relationship. Friends claimed Olsen was the victim of emotional abuse. One friend, a Houston-area cardiologist, said she took Olsen in one weekend in 2017 after Olsen said Wheeler had left her stranded without her belongings at a Galveston hotel, where they had been celebrating their first anniversary.

But Wheeler was never charged in connection with the killings. His attorneys said he had nothing to do with the crime. They asserted there is no evidence that anyone but Olsen pulled the trigger.

Still, for the past five years, Salazar has not publicly cleared Wheeler. Nor has he made public the findings of his offices investigation.

Wheeler has consistently declined to comment and has asked the media to leave him alone.

Nichol Olsen, 37, was found shot to death in her boyfriends home in the gated Anaqua Springs Ranch subdivision along with her two daughters on Jan. 10, 2019. The Bexar County Medical Examiners Office ruled Olsens death a suicide and her daughters deaths as homicides, but the Bexar County Sheriffs Office is still investigating five years later. No charges have been filed. Courtesy photo / Josh Huskin Alexa Denice Montez, 16, a Clark High School sophomore and cheerleader, was found shot to death with her mother, Nichol Olsen, and her sister, London Bribiescas, 10, at a home in Anaqua Springs Ranch on Jan. 10, 2019. Five years later, the Bexar County Sheriffs Office still hasn't closed the case. No charges have been filed. Courtesy photo / Carlos Montez Jr. London Bribiescas, 10, a fifth-grader at Leon Springs Elementary School, was found shot to death with her mother, Nichol Olsen, and her sister, Alexa Montez, 16, at a home in Anaqua Springs Ranch on Jan. 10, 2019. Five years later, the Bexar County Sheriffs Office still hasnt closed the case. No charges have been filed. Courtesy photo / The Bribiescas family The shooting deaths of London Bribiescas, 10, left, and her sister, Alexa Montez, 16, were ruled homicides. The death of their mother, Nichol Olsen, 37, was ruled a suicide. Five years later, the Bexar County Sheriffs Office still hasnt closed the case. No charges have been filed. Courtesy photo / The Bribiescas family

What has happened since?

More than three years ago, Salazar informed Joe Hoelscher, a San Antonio attorney representing Londons family, that sheriffs detectives had exhausted all resources and credible leads and had found no evidence the deaths were anything but a murder-suicide.

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But soon after, the sheriff sent investigators final report to a cold case detective in the sheriffs office for further investigation.

In the fall of 2022, Londons relatives and Hoelscher sent a letter to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton asking him to take the case away from the sheriffs office and reassign it to the Texas Rangers, the states elite law enforcement agency.

The letter said the family had lost confidence in the sheriffs ability to conduct an impartial and accurate investigation.

In response, Salazar said he welcomed the Rangers involvement. The state of Texas is welcome to come take a look at this case, the sheriff told KTSA Morning News with Trey Ware. If the Rangers or the FBI or any other law enforcement agency wants to come help us out with this case, absolutely.

The Rangers never responded to the familys letter.

Londons and Alexas fathers, Hector Bribiescas and Carlos Montez Jr., filed separate lawsuits against Wheeler three years ago, accusing him of negligence in keeping a loaded gun unsecured beside his bed. The lawsuits also accused Wheeler of failing to protect their daughters and failing to notify authorities of any threats of danger when he left his residence.
A witness reported that Officer Albert Sanchez told her he was engaged in sexual conduct with juveniles. San Antonio Police Department

A San Antonio police officer has been charged with child pornography.

Albert Sanchez, a 16-year veteran of the department, was arrested Thursday. According to a news release, a witness reported on Jan. 5 that hed told her he was engaged in sexual conduct with juveniles.

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Sanchez, 38, was placed on administrative leave, and detectives got a search warrant Monday to seize his cellphone. The phone had several explicit images of minors, the news release states.
Alexis Tovar, center, poses Sunday, June 25, with a photo of her mother, Melissa Perez, who was shot and killed by three San Antonio police department officers. Seated with Tovar are her aunt, Daisy Nieto, left, and her husband, Adrian Tovar. William Luther/Staff This photo combo shows from left, Sgt. Alfred Flores and Officers Eleazar Alejandro and Nathaniel Villalobos. The three San Antonio police officers were charged, Friday, June 23, with murder in the fatal shooting of a woman who was experiencing what the city's police chief said was a mental health crisis. San Antonio Police Department

A San Antonio police officer was fired and another suspended after they failed to respond to a call that resulted in the death of Melissa Perez in June.

Lt. Steven Velasquez was given an indefinite suspension after he left his shift four hours early that fateful night in June without prior authorization, according to police disciplinary records. Indefinite suspension is another way of saying an officer was fired.

Lieutenant Velasquez was not attentive to his duties when he failed to make the scene of an officer-involved shooting as the highest ranking member assigned to the South Patrol service area, disciplinary records state.

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Sgt. Paul Rodriguez was given a seven-day suspension after he changed out of his uniform and left the police station 45 minutes early the same night. Rodriguezs disciplinary records mention the shooting but do not state if he was supposed to respond to the call.

Last month, two former San Antonio Police Department officers, Sgt. Alfred Flores and Eleazar Alejandro, were indicted by a Bexar County grand jury on a murder charge in the death of 46-year-old Melissa Perez. They also were charged with aggravated assault by a public servant, aggravated assault by a public servant with a deadly weapon, manslaughter and deadly conduct.

A third officer, Nathaniel Villalobos, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and deadly conduct.

Flores, Alejandro and Villalobos are accused of shooting into Perezs apartment after she allegedly threw a glass candlestick at an officer and rushed toward police with a hammer. Family members of Perez said she had schizophrenia.

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All three officers were suspended immediately, pending the outcome of the charges. However, disciplinary records show that Flores and Villalobos were suspended for violating department rules on Dec. 6.

Officers responded to the Rosemont at Millers Pond apartments around 12:30 a.m. June 23 after a neighbor called 911 to report that Perez had cut the wires to the complexs fire alarm system. Initially, Perez cooperated with officers but grew upset after police asked her to walk to their patrol car. She ran to her apartment and locked the door.

Flores and Villalobos jumped over the back patio railing, where officers communicated with Perez. Flores and another officer tried to enter the apartment through the patio door.

Disciplinary records state that Flores failed to use sound judgment by directing officers to breach the apartment and attempt to arrest Perez.

At some point, Perez charged toward the closed patio door while swinging the hammer, striking the window, according to records.

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Flores, Alejandro and Villalobos fired between 12 and 16 rounds at Perez, hitting her twice, according to investigators. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Disciplinary records state that she did not pose a threat and was separated from the officers by a closed door and an open window blocked by a television. All three officers were arrested on the day of the shooting.
Russia has offer the best look to date a new conversion kit that transforms FAB-1500 M54s into stand-off glide bombs.

The Russian military has offered the first clear look at a new glide bomb conversion kit with pop-out wings for the massive 1,500-kilogram (3,300-pound) class FAB-1500 M54. This weapon is three times larger than the Russian bombs with pop-out wing kits that have already become a major issue for Ukrainian forces and that have prompted notable shifts in that country's air defense tactics. Wing kit-equipped FAB-1500 M54s offer a new and far more destructive stand-off strike option for many of Russia's tactical jets that also help pilots stay further away from enemy defenses .

The new views of wing kit-equipped FAB-1500 M54 general-purpose high-explosive bombs were included in a video, seen in the social media post below, that the Russian Ministry of Defense released a video earlier today. The footage is from a recent visit by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and other officials to the JSC Tactical Missiles Corporation.

JSC Tactical Missiles Corporation is the company responsible for making the wing kits, which are formally known as Unifitsirovannyi Modul Planirovaniya i Korrektsii (UMPK), translating to unified gliding and correction module. The corporation's production output has reportedly tripled since last year. You can read more about what is known about Russia's UMPK glide bomb kits and their development in this past War Zone feature .

The glide bomb conversion kit for the FAB-1500 M54 includes an assembly containing the pop-out wing, which is strapped around main body of the weapon. That assembly also extends all the way to the rear of the bomb and a v-shaped tail is attached to the end. The video from Russia's Ministry of Defense shows one wing kit-equipped FAB-1500 M54 glide bomb with a new rounded fairing that slips over the weapon's blunt nose. This will help with aerodynamics and will extend the range of the weapon.

A front view of a Russian FAB-1500 M54 bomb with a UMPK wing kit. Russian MoD capture

A look at the bomb from the rear offering a different view, especially of the wing kit and hardback. Russian MoD capture

UMPK designs have at least some form of satellite navigation-enabled guidance , but just how accurate bombs with these kits are remains unclear.

The range of the wing kit-equipped FAB-1500 M54 is also unknown. Smaller 500-kilogram (1,100-pound) class bombs with UMPK kits are understood to be able to hit targets up to a few dozen miles away.

The video footage the Russian Ministry of Defense released today also shows testing of what may be an improved version of the UMPK kit for 500-kilogram-class general-purpose high-explosive FAB-500 M62. UMPK-equipped FAB-500 M62s that have been observed previously have a pair of additional vertical fins directly attached to the bomb's existing circular tail section. The example seen in the new clips has a v-shaped tail section that clamped around the rear of the bomb's body.

A FAB-500 M62 with a UMPK wing kit seen being tested in the newly released footage. Russian MoD capture

A screen capture from an earlier video released by the Russian Ministry of Defense showing a UMPK-equipped FAB-500 M62 being loaded onto an Su-34 Fullback combat jet. Note the difference in the tail fin configuration between this bomb and the one in footage released today. Russian MoD capture

What appears to be a UMPK kit-equipped RBK-500 SPBE-D 500-kilogram class cluster bomb is also briefly seen in the new footage. The SPBE-D contains 15 'smart' anti-tank submunitions that are capable of searching for and zeroing in on their targets using built-in sensors. The weapon is similar in many respects to the U.S. Air Force's Sensor Fuzed Weapon (SFW) . Russian forces have also observed employing other wing kit-equipped versions of the RBK-500 in Ukraine in recent months.

What appears to be an RBK-500 cluster bomb with a UMPK wing kit. Russian MoD capture

As far back as April 2023, there were reports that a version of the UMPK for the FAB-1500 M54 was under development. Last September, the Fighterbomber channel on Telegram, which has close ties to the Russian armed forces, claimed that wing kit-equipped FAB-1500 M54s were being used against targets in Ukraine.

Yesterday, a partially blurred-out picture of one of these bombs with a UMPK kit, loaded on a centerline pylon of an indeterminate combat jet, also emerged on Telegram. Russia's Su-34 Fullback combat jets, as well as Su-35 Flanker-E and Su-30SM Flanker fighters , could all potentially carry wing kit-equipped FAB-1500 M54 bombs on their centerline and certain wing stations.

As The War Zone has noted in the past , Russia has a limited air-launched stand-off precision-guided munitions arsenal , overall, so being able to convert dumb bombs into longer-range weapons with even rudimentary guidance is a boon. Even with minimal precision guidance capability, UMPK-equipped bombs have still clearly offered important benefits for Russian forces, especially in the face of more capable Ukrainian air defense assets .

Ukrainian officials themselves have publicly said that these weapons present serious threats . In the past few months, there has been a notable shift in Ukraine's air defense tactics. This has been clearly intended to disrupt Russian tactical aviation operations, especially along areas of the front lines, with a particular focus on stemming the use of UMPK kit-equipped glide bombs. The War Zone has been tracking these developments closely .

Altogether, heavyweight FAB-1500 M54 with wing kits could add a new dimension to all of this, especially if they can offer additional range and/or precision over previous types. UMPK-equipped FAB-1500 M54 already offers significantly greater destructive capability than the smaller FAB-500 M62-based types, which would make them useful against new target sets. It also offers a new way for Russian forces to more effectively employ the larger 1,500-kilogram-class weapons at all.

It's also interesting to note here that there is no direct U.S. military analog to the FAB-1500 M54. It is roughly 50 percent heavier than the largest of the three most common sizes of bombs (500, 1,000, and 2,000-pound classes) that American aircraft employ.

In recent weeks, there have been reports that Russia is trying to expand its air-launched stand-off strike capabilities in other ways, too, with a particular emphasis on new cluster munitions.

Last week, the government-run National Resistance Center of Ukraine claimed to have obtained documents showing Russian plans to reequip air-launched Kh-32 cruise missiles with cluster munition warheads. The Kh-32 is an improved version of the Kh-22, and both are primarily intended for anti-ship use. The standard Kh-32 has a high-explosive warhead and a reported maximum range of at least 550 miles. These missiles fly at supersonic speed and dive on their targets in the terminal phase of flight, making them hard to intercept .

Russia has employed Kh-22s and/or Kh-32s against targets on the ground in Ukraine on several occasions since May 2022, and they have shown to be very destructive if inaccurate. A cluster munition warhead for the Kh-22/Kh-32, if can be made to work, would make good sense and could help make up for limited accuracy.

Earlier this week, Russian state media reported that the PBK-500U Drel precision-guided cluster bomb is set to go into full-scale production this year, citing an unnamed individual from state-run defense conglomerate Rostec. Drel is said to contain 15 SPBE-series sensor-fuzed anti-tank submunitions (just like the RBK-500 SPBE-D) and to use a satellite navigation-assisted inertial navigation system guidance system. The bomb, at least as it has been shown in the past, has four large strake-like fins that reportedly give it the ability to glide up to 30 miles (50 kilometers) to its target.

It remains to be seen if the PBK-500U will indeed enter serial production, and possibly start seeing operational use, in 2024. The bomb was first publicly unveiled in 2016 and Russian authorities initially said they hoped it would enter service in 2018 .

A PBK-500U, or a mockup thereof, on display in 2016. TASS

Cluster munitions, in general, offer valuable ways to uproot deeply dug-in enemy forces, as well as large concentrations of personnel and vehicles in open areas. Weapons of this type can also be employed to devastating effect against other kinds of open targets, including enemy airfields and air defense sites. Being able to use them from a stand-off distance only increases their flexibility and reduces the vulnerability of the launching platform.

Ukrainian forces have demonstrated this to a high degree with their use of U.S.-suppled cluster munition artillery shells and Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) short-range ballistic missiles with cluster munition warheads. The War Zone has explored these operational benefits of cluster munitions in detail in the context of the conflict in Ukraine in the past.

The news of new Russian air-launched stand-off munition developments comes as Russian forces have made some very modest gains in areas of the front lines in eastern and South Ukraine in recent weeks. Ukraine's armed forces are currently facing serious concerns about available personnel and worrisome uncertainty over future Western aid, especially from the United States .

Though the full extent of the impact of Russia's new wing kit-equipped FAB-1500 M54s and other new air-launched stand-off weapons is still to be seen, the introduction of far more destructive stand-off bombs can only present new challenges for Ukrainian forces.

Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com
Russian forces launched 73 strikes against Kherson Oblast over the past 24 hours, killing one person and wounding another three, Oleksandr Prokudin, the regional governor, reported early on Jan. 12.

Since Ukrainian forces liberated Kherson and other regional settlements on the western bank of the Dnipro River in November 2022, Russia continues to heavily strike the area, resulting in multiple civilian casualties.

In the past day, Russia fired 310 projectiles from artillery, tanks, drones, and multiple-launch rocket systems at targets in Kherson Oblast, according to Prokudin.

Some of these projectiles hit residential areas, he added, without specifying the damages.

Prokudin earlier reported that a Russian artillery strike against Kherson on Jan. 11 had injured a woman in her late 80s and damaged her house.

Except for Kherson Oblast, Russia targeted another eight Ukrainian oblasts over the past day  Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Chernihiv, Mykolaiv, Luhansk, Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk, and Kharkiv.

Regional authorities in Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Dnipropetrovsk reported damages to homes and civilian infrastructure but no casualties.

Read also: How Russian troops killed 3 unarmed teenagers in Ukrainian village

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A long line of vehicles wait on the Matamoros, Mexico side of Gateway International Bridge on Friday afternoon to enter the United States at Brownsville. The reopening of U.S. borders to non-essential visitors is allowing a burst of shopping trips and family reunions. Sam Owens /San Antonio Express-News

WASHINGTON  Texas National Guard soldiers have shut federal immigration agents out of a key stretch of the border, an unprecedented move that is escalating tensions between state and federal officials who have been at odds over Gov. Greg Abbotts increasingly aggressive border security efforts.

The Texas National Guard has fenced off a 2.5-mile stretch near Eagle Pass and deployed armed soldiers and vehicles to block Border Patrol agents from accessing the Rio Grande, the Department of Justice wrote in court filings late Thursday night. That includes a public park in Eagle Pass that the state seized control of this week.

Soldiers were preventing Border Patrol from reaching a key staging area under an international bridge and blocking them from using a boat ramp in the public park  the only one for miles along the Rio Grande. The National Guard told Border Patrol it would not allow federal agents to apprehend migrants in the area, or permit state troopers to turn migrants over to federal agents for processing, according to the filing. The park was the center of Abbotts migrant crackdown last summer, when the state strung miles of razor wire, lined the Rio Grande with shipping containers and state troopers arrested thousands of migrants on trespassing charges.

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The move comes as the Biden administration is urging the Supreme Court to step in to allow Border Patrol to cut or move state-owned razor wire they say is endangering migrants. A lower court barred federal agents from tampering with the wire, except to respond to medical emergencies.

The DOJ wrote that the state has now gone even further and is actively blocking federal agents from accessing a 2.5-mile stretch of border, including the city-owned Shelby Park, which is one of the most frequently traversed crossings along the southwest border. The state earlier this week seized control of the park without authorization from the city under an emergency declaration signed by the governor, putting up fencing and blocking entry points with military vehicles. Federal agents also have been blocked from accessing a key staging area just south of the park, the filing said.

Texass new actions  demonstrate an escalation of the States measures to block Border Patrols ability to patrol or even to surveil the border and be in a position to respond to emergencies, the DOJ filing said. The filing urged the high court to restore Border Patrols access to the border it is charged with patrolling and the migrants it is responsible for apprehending, inspecting, and processing.

According to the filing, Texas soldiers began putting up fencing and adding razor wire along the stretch Wednesday evening. The next day, as state troopers were turning over 11 migrants to Border Patrol for processing, a National Guard major told the troopers and the federal agents that the Guard would no longer allow the state to transfer migrants to federal custody at that location and that Border Patrol agents would no longer be allowed to pick up migrants in the park and surrounding area. Border Patrol agents in a vehicle towing a boat were later denied access to the park and its boat ramp.

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The state also is barring Border Patrols mobile surveillance trucks from patrolling the area, according to the filing. Border Patrols ability to view the stretch of the border is now limited to a narrow sliver from a single surveillance camera outside of the newly fenced area, the filing said.

The Texas Military Department did not respond to questions about whether it is blocking Border Patrol from accessing the park.

The Texas National Guard has maintained a presence with security points and temporary barrier in Shelby Park since 2021, an agency spokesperson said Thursday. The current posture is to prepare for future illegal immigrant surges and to restrict access to organizations that perpetuate illegal immigrant crossings in the park and greater Eagle Pass area.

The takeover comes as Texas is gearing up to empower state officials to deport people suspected of being in the country illegally under a new law that Abbott signed last month. The law, set to take effect in March, would allow any law enforcement officer in Texas to arrest migrants accused of unlawfully entering the state from Mexico and empower judges to order their removal.

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The DOJ has sued to stop the change from taking effect, arguing it is unconstitutional and will disrupt the federal governments immigration enforcement operations. The governor and other Texas Republicans have cast the law as an invitation for the U.S. Supreme Court to revisit long-standing precedent that leaves immigration enforcement solely to the federal government.

Abbott has said the state is doing everything it can to stop crossings and has accused President Joe Biden repeatedly of failing to secure the border. His efforts have pushed the bounds of immigration enforcement, long left solely to the federal government, and drawn multiple lawsuits that could test how far states are permitted to go in securing the international boundary.

As caravans of migrants are moving through Mexico toward the U.S. border, we are making clear that Texas will be a tough place to cross, Abbott wrote on social media Thursday night.

The White House slammed Abbott in a statement, saying he continues his extreme political stunts that not only seek to demonize and dehumanize people, but that also make it harder and more dangerous for Border Patrol to do their jobs.
The Russian army targeted Dnipro district with a missile on 12 January; there were no casualties amongst the civilian population.

Source: Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote: "It was loud in Synelnykove District. An agricultural facility was damaged. The people are safe."

Details: Nikopol was shelled from artillery three times. There were no casualties there either.

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A handout photo supplied by Ministry of Defence showing a RAF Typhoon FGR4 taking off from RAF Akrotiri to conduct strikes against military targets in Yemen. The USA and Great Britain, with the support of other allies, "successfully" attacked Huthi rebel positions in Yemen on Friday night. -/Ministry Of Defence via PA Media/dpa

The Russian Foreign Ministry has condemned airstrikes by the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries on the Houthi rebels in Yemen.

They are a complete disregard for international law, ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on Telegram on Friday.

Russia has requested a special session of the UN Security Council in New York on Friday because of the attacks.

The Anglo-Saxon countries were allowing the situation in the region to escalate "for the sake of their destructive goals," she wrote.

"We condemn the irresponsible actions of the USA and its allies," Zakharova said at her weekly press conference in Moscow.

She called on the the international community to join her.

The US and UK, supported by the Netherlands, Canada and Bahrain, attacked Houthi positions in Yemen overnight. The aim is to stop their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.
The command of the Russian occupation army has not achieved the goals it has set in recent months.

Source: Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander of the Ground Forces of Ukraine, reported by ArmyInform

Details: He said that the Russians continue to advance on several fronts and have the resources to do so, but that overall, the Russian army's winter offensive is not successful.

Quote: "I would rather say that the Russian army's offensive is failing... They have repeatedly set deadlines for themselves to capture certain settlements and reach certain borders, then postponed them  they have really failed in these tasks."

Background: Earlier, Syrskyi said that preparations were underway to resume the Russian offensive on the Sivershchyna front in Ukraines northeast. The Russians are moving Storm units and forming assault companies there.

Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, also confirmed that the occupation forces are preparing for another offensive near Synkivka on the Kupiansk front.

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Russian forces launched an artillery strike against Kherson on Jan. 12, killing at least two people, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported.

The attack took place at around 12 p.m., targeting streets of the city's Korabel district, said Roman Mrochko, the head of Kherson's military administration.

The victims include an 80-year-old woman and a driver of a car whose identity is being determined, according to officials.

No further details were provided at the moment.

Ukraine's Armed Forces liberated Kherson and other regional settlements on the western bank of the Dnipro River in November 2022.

Russian troops were pushed to the eastern bank, from where they have since been firing at the liberated territories, regularly resulting in civilian deaths and injuries.

Over the past day, Russian attacks against Kherson Oblast killed one resident and injured three, Prokudin said in his morning report on Jan. 12.

Read also: Inside occupied Ukraines most effective resistance movements

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A senior lieutenant of Russia's tank brigade who shot and killed two civilians near Kyiv Oblast's village of Mriia in 2022 was sentenced to life imprisonment in absentia on Jan. 12, the Prosecutor General's Office reported.

Ukrainian investigators have continuously sought to identify and prosecute Russian soldiers who committed war crimes, whether or not they are physically located in Ukraine.

The Russian lieutenant was found guilty of violating the laws and customs of war combined with intentional murder.

According to the investigation, five Russian soldiers in a car with the letter "V," one of Russia's war symbols, and the inscription "tank special forces RUS" arrived at an enterprise near Mriia, just 10 kilometers west of Kyiv, in March 2022.

Two unarmed male civilians  the owner and a guard of the enterprise  approached the soldiers who at first let them go, "having ensured that these people did not pose any threat to them," the Prosecutor General's Office wrote.

As soon as the civilians moved a few meters away, the convict and an unidentified Russian serviceman opened fire on their back from an automatic weapon, as proved by the prosecutors. "The men died from at least 12 gunshot wounds."

After the killing, the Russian soldiers reportedly broke into the enterprise's territory and stole valuables.

The crime was recorded by the company's video surveillance cameras.

Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine has been accompanied by numerous war crimes and atrocities, with Ukrainian prosecutors recording more than 110,000 war crime cases to date.

A Russian soldier who kidnapped a 15-year-old Ukrainian boy near Chernihiv in March 2022 was sentenced to 12 years in prison on Dec. 7.

Earlier the same month, a Ukrainian court sentenced to 15 years in prison a Russian soldier who shot at a civilian car with a married couple inside driving to the embattled city of Bakhmut to evacuate elderly relatives.

Read also: This Week in Ukraine: Russias strategy of evil: 80,000 war crimes in Ukraine on Apple Podcasts

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A court has convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment a Russian soldier who shot two civilians in the back near the village of Mriia in Kyiv Oblast.

Source: Kyiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office; Ukrainska Pravda

Details: The court found a senior lieutenant of the 5th Separate Guards Tank Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces guilty of violating the laws and customs of war, combined with deliberate homicide. He was sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment.

Ukrainska Pravda has information that the man in question is a 28-year-old native of Omsk, Nikolai Sokovikov.

Prosecutors in court proved that in March 2022, five Russian servicemen in a car with the letter "V" and the inscription "Tank Special Forces RUS" arrived at a car dealership near the village of Mriia in the Bucha district of Kyiv Oblast.

At that time, two unarmed civilians  the owner and a security guard of the company  came out to the occupiers. The invaders, convinced that these people did not pose any threat to them, allowed them to leave. However, as soon as they moved a few metres away, the convict and an unidentified serviceman insidiously opened fire with automatic weapons in the back of the civilians.

The men died from at least 12 gunshot wounds.

After that, the occupiers entered the premises on the territory of the car dealership and stole material assets, loading the loot into a car.

This crime by the Russian military was recorded by the company's CCTV cameras.

The Prosecutor's Office noted that the materials in respect of other persons involved in the crime have been separated into separate criminal proceedings.

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Photo: The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Russian occupiers keep trying to advance. Over the past day alone, they attacked on 7 fronts, launching 3 airstrikes and firing 16 times from multiple-launch rocket systems on the positions of Ukrainian troops and populated areas. In total, 64 combat clashes took place during the past day.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 06:00 on 12 January

Details: In the area of responsibility of the Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group on the Kupiansk front, Ukrainian defenders repelled two Russian attacks near the settlement of Synkivka in Kharkiv Oblast.

On the Lyman front, Ukrainian defenders repelled six Russian attacks near Makiivka (Luhansk Oblast) and east of Terny (Donetsk Oblast).

On the Bakhmut front, Ukrainian troops repelled a Russian attack near Klishchiivka in Donetsk Oblast.

In the area of responsibility of the Tavriia Operational Strategic Group on the Avdiivka front, Ukrainian defenders are continuing to restrain the Russian forces trying to encircle Avdiivka. Over the past day, Ukraines Defence Forces repelled 10 Russian attacks near Novobakhmutivka, Stepove and Avdiivka and another 17 attacks near Pervomaiske and Nevelske (Donetsk Oblast).

On the Marinka front, Ukrainian defenders continued to hold back the Russians near Heorhiivka, Marinka and Novomykhailivka in Donetsk Oblast, where they repelled 13 attacks.

On the Zaporizhzhia front, Ukraines Defence Forces repelled three Russian attacks near west of Verbove in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

In the area of responsibility of the Odesa Operational Strategic Group on the Kherson front, Ukrainian soldiers are continuing measures to expand their established bridgehead. Despite significant losses, the Russians did not abandon their attempts to dislodge Ukrainian units from their positions. During the past day, they made three unsuccessful assault actions on positions of the Ukrainian troops in that area.

During the past day, Ukraine's Air Force struck two areas where Russian personnel were concentrated.

Units from Rocket Forces and Artillery hit two clusters of Russian military personnel, weapons and equipment, a command post and two ammunition storage points belonging to the Russians.

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Russian forces launched Shahed-type drones from the north of Ukraine on the evening of 12 January.

Source: Ukraines Air Force on Telegram

Quote: "Shahed UAVs recorded flying through Sumy Oblast in the direction of Chernihiv Oblast."

At 22:01, the air-raid warning was also issued in Poltava Oblast.

At 22:35, the Air Force reported that Myrhorod is under threat as well.

At 22:41, the air-raid warning was issued in Kyiv Oblast.

At 22:48, the military spotted a missile moving towards Okhtyrky, Sumy Oblast.

At 23:12, it was reported that Shahed UAVs were flying in the north of Kyiv Oblast, heading to the west, and in Velyka Pysarivka district of Sumy Oblast, heading to the south-west. Kyiv Oblast Military Administration stated that air defence units were responding to the attack.

At 23:22, the Shahed UAV that had previously been spotted in the north of Kyiv Oblast changed course and was flying to Irpin.

At 23:52, the all-clear was given in all oblasts.

Background: On the evening of 12 January, an air-raid warning was issued in a number of oblasts of the country. In addition, Ukraines Air Force reported the take-off of a Russian Tu-22m3 bomber from Shaykovka air base (Kaluga Oblast).

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Two separate cold fronts are heading toward San Antonio. At left, Fridays cold front will deliver strong winds. At right, an arctic cold front will move through Sunday morning, sending temperatures plunging. Pivotal Weather

San Antonio is getting ready for a wintertime one-two punch, as two separate cold fronts will be crashing through South Texas over the next few days. The first cold front, which is moving through Friday morning, will bring especially strong winds to the region. The second cold front could bring the coldest air weve had all winter long to San Antonio by Sunday. Heres everything you need to know to get ready.

Fridays cold front

Wind speeds: While temperatures will fall from where they were on Thursday, the main effect youll notice will be the wind. Winds will be strongest in the morning, between 4 and 10 a.m. That is when sustained winds will be near 30 mph and wind gusts will be between 40 and 50 mph. That will result in some blown dust moving in from West Texas, along with an elevated wildfire danger.

Here is a look at estimated wind gusts in South Texas early Friday morning. Some gusts will be up to 50 mph between 5 and 10 a.m. Pivotal Weather

Winds will start to lighten up by the middle of the day, but theyll still be blowing at 15 to 25 mph between noon and 3 p.m. Wind speeds will fall substantially after that, decreasing to less than 10 mph after 6 p.m.

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Temperatures: This is a Pacific front, separate and distinct from the arctic front coming later in the weekend. Because of that, temperatures will get chilly, but they wont be exceptionally cold. Low temps on Friday will be in the upper 40s, and highs will rise only into the upper 50s. Thats about 5 degrees below average.

Texas storms: Here in San Antonio, no rain is expected with this cold front. The air moving in will be much too dry. However, strong to severe storms are expected farther north and east. Storms will begin along a line from Dallas south to Waco, and theyll move into much of East Texas.

Arctic chill incoming

If you want to go outdoors, do so on Saturday. Thats when wind speeds will be quite light, and afternoon high temperatures will rise into the 60s. Take advantage of it, because bitterly cold weather will settle in for several days after that.

Weather forecasting models are now progressing the arctic cold front more quickly than originally expected. By Saturday evening, the front likely will be moving through North Texas, moving fast toward the south. Its now expected to move into San Antonio by early Sunday, dropping morning temperatures quickly into the upper 20s and low 30s.

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Temperatures are expected to stay close to the freezing mark in San Antonio through the afternoon. Parts of the area, especially just north of San Antonio, could see temperatures stay below freezing for the entire day.

MLK Day will be very cold throughout South Texas. Mondays morning low temperatures will drop into the low to mid-20s with a chance of a light wintry mix or freezing drizzle in the region. Precipitation will stay light, so it will be nothing like what we experienced in February 2021. However, even very light freezing rain can cause hazardous travel conditions.

Temperatures will not rise much throughout the day, topping out close to the freezing mark once again. The coldest air of this entire event will come late Monday and into early Tuesday morning. That is when low temperatures will drop to the upper teens in the Alamo City.

Here is a look at estimated wind chill values for Tuesday. Wind chills likely will be in the single digits in San Antonio, and areas to the north will fall below zero. NWS Austin/San Antonio

Northerly winds are going to be breezy throughout this entire arctic air outbreak. Wind speeds will generally fluctuate between 15 and 25 mph, causing feels like temperatures to plummet. Temps will feel like theyre in the teens on Monday morning in San Antonio. By early Tuesday morning, wind chill temps will be in the single digits in San Antonio, falling below zero in the Hill Country.
China raises 19.1 billion yuan for popular science in 2022: ministry

Xinhua) 10:03, January 12, 2024

BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- China saw the funds raised for science popularization nationwide reach 19.1 billion yuan (about 2.7 billion U.S. dollars) in 2022, the Ministry of Science and Technology said Thursday.

Of the total, 80.79 percent, or 15.43 billion yuan, was allocated by governments at all levels, according to statistics released by the ministry.

The country spent 7.98 billion yuan on popular science activities in 2022, while another 2.77 billion yuan was used for related infrastructure construction. By the end of 2022, there were a total of 1,683 science and technology museums and venues across the country.

China has witnessed a growing number of practitioners in popular science, the ministry said, noting that the number of full-time and part-time related workers reached about 2 million in 2022, an increase of 9.26 percent over the previous year.

In 2022, online and offline popular science lectures nationwide attracted more than 2.3 billion participants, said the ministry.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
South Africa has accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in a case pleaded before the UN International Court of Justice on Thursday.

They're requesting the court to order an immediate halt to the IDF's operations in Gaza and the West Bank. Israel, of course, has denied this claim.

South African lawyers argue that the current iteration of the Gaza conflict is part of a decades-long campaign of oppression of the Palestinians by Israel, according to the Associated Press.

The hearing, which lasted two days, is seen as one of the most significant cases heard in the international court on this issue and cuts deep into the matter. South Africa is looking for a binding order that will compel Israel to stop its offensive in Gaza and the West Bank.

1,200 Israelis lost their lives during the October 7 assault on the country's southern region. Current estimates are that 23,000 Palestinians have died since the Israeli invasion of Gaza, according to the Palestinian health ministry. The filing pits the Israeli military campaign's effect on the Palestinian population against Israel's right to defend itself.

"Genocides are never declared in advance, but this court has the benefit of the past 13 weeks of evidence that shows incontrovertibly a pattern of conduct and related intention that justifies as a plausible claim of genocidal acts," South African lawyer Adila Hassim told the judges and audience at the Peace Palace in The Hague.

"Nothing will stop the suffering except an order from this court," she said. Israel's counter is that it is battling an enemy that attacked its territory, causing the deaths of more people than any attack since the modern state of Israel was created in 1948.

They also blame Hamas for the high death tolls. South Africa, however, insists that Israel's imprecise destruction is by design.

"The scale of destruction in Gaza, the targeting of family homes and civilians, the war being a war on children, all make clear that genocidal intent is both understood and has been put into practice. The articulated intent is the destruction of Palestinian life," said lawyer Tembeka Ngcukaitobi.

"What state would admit to a genocidal intent? Yet the distinctive feature of this case has not been the silence as such, but the reiteration and repetition of genocidal speech throughout every sphere of the state in Israel," he said.

The state of Israel was created after the Holocaust, which was genocidal and widespread and resulted in the deaths of millions of Jews. The African National Congress, once led by pro-Palestinian resistance fighter turned leader Nelson Mandela, has a history on such matters after decades of white minority rule with apartheid being the official state policy. Israel denies the accusations and it is unclear that they will heed an UN ruling to halt operations in Gaza.

If not, they would likely face sanctions and those sanctions would likely be vetoed by the United States.

"The violence and the destruction in Palestine and Israel did not begin on Oct. 7, 2023. The Palestinians have experienced systematic oppression and violence for the last 76 years," said South African Justice Minister Ronald Lamola. South Africa argued that Israel's actions in Gaza are an inevitable part of its history since it declared independence.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a video statement Wednesday night defending his country's actions and insisted they had nothing to do with genocide.

"Israel has no intention of permanently occupying Gaza or displacing its civilian population," he said. "Israel is fighting Hamas terrorists, not the Palestinian population, and we are doing so in full compliance with international law."
Gunman Robert Card killed 18 people and injured 13 others in Lewiston, Maine on the night of October 25.

The attack had prompted a manhunt across the region as local, state, and federal law enforcement officials searched for the gunman. The hunt ended two days later when officials located Card and found him dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Sean Hodgson revealed to The Associated Press in his first interview, that he had warned officials of his former roommate and fellow U.S. Army reservist's heightening anger and paranoia. With Card refusing to seek help, Hodgeson did the only thing he could-- He sent a text about Robert Card and his state of mind at the time to their Army supervisor.

"I believe he's going to snap and do a mass shooting," he wrote on Sept. 15.

Six weeks later, Card fatally shot 18 people at a bowling alley and a bar in Lewiston before turning the gun on himself.

"I wasn't in his head. I don't know exactly what went on," Hodgson told The Associated Press last week in an exclusive interview, his first since the Oct. 25 shootings. "But I do know I was right."

In May of 2023, Card's relatives warned police of his mounting paranoia, expressing their concern about his facile access to guns. The warning signs were there and they have been well documented. In July, Card was hospitalized in a psychiatric unit for two weeks after shoving a fellow reservist and locking himself in a motel room. In August, the Army had barred him from handling weapons while on duty and declared him nondeployable.

But by September, Hodgson raised the most obtrusive red flag, telling authorities to change the passcode to the gate at their Army Reserve training facilities and to arm themselves should Card show up.

"Please," he wrote. "I believe he's messed up in the head."

The Army Reserve responded to AP's questions about Hodgson's warning by releasing a statement that suggested not jumping to conclusions until its investigation and an independent examination by the Army inspector general are completed.

"Any speculation at this point without having all the details could affect the outcome of the investigation. More details may become available once the investigation is complete," Lt. Col. Addie Leonhardt, Army Reserve spokesperson, said in the statement.

What Did Card Do?

After a night out at a casino, Hodgson informed The Messenger, that Card began "flipping out," banging on the steering wheel and nearly crashed the car. As Hodgson pleaded with him to pull over, Card then punched him in the face. Hodgson asked Card to drop him off near his home.

"I love you, and I'll always be here for you no matter what," Hodgson told him.

However, authorities failed to take the warning signs seriously, raising more questions about whether the state's worst shooting could have been prevented. Hodgson went on to tell The Messenger, that he did what he could to raise the alarms about his friend, and is pushing back against the independent report for law enforcement that characterized him as "over the top" and "alarmist."

"I did my job, and I went over and beyond it, and I literally spelled it out for them," he concluded. "I don't know how clear I could have gotten."
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is willing to testify before a Republican-led House of Representatives committee seeking to impeach him for allegedly encouraging illegal immigration with his policies, a department official said in a letter on Thursday.

The letter, sent to the Republican chairman Mark Green and reviewed by Reuters, revealed that the Department of Homeland Security is prepared to discuss possible dates for Mayorkas to appear as a witness in the proceedings against him.

Reuters also reported that Republicans have progressively focused on the border crisis and illegal administration in the countdown to the Nov. 5 elections that will decide control of the White House and Congress. The committee commenced impeachment proceedings against Mayorkas on Wednesday during a hearing where they blamed him for record levels of migrants attempting to illegally cross the U.S.-Mexico border.

Democrats dismissed the hearing as a political stunt and said Republicans should instead pass a White House proposal that would provide roughly $14 billion for border management. In the letter to Republican Chairman Mark Green, assessed by Reuters, went on to praise Mayorka's ongoing conversations with a bipartisan group of senators trying to craft border security legislation, saying he "is working with this group in a good-faith effort to break the gridlock."

Representative Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, the top Democrat on the panel, called the impeachment proceedings against Mayorkas "baseless."

According to CNN, should the Homeland Security Secretary be impeached, it would be an exceedingly rare event. Only one Cabinet official has ever been impeached in American history -- Secretary of War, William Belknap in 1876.

What Does The Constitution Say?

CNN stated that the Constitution sets the standard for impeachment as treason, bribery, or "high crimes and misdemeanors." Legal experts and conservative scholars have argued that policy disputes don't rise to the level of high crimes and misdemeanors. Green argued during the hearing that impeachment does not have to be limited to limited to criminal behavior, but can also be a way to remove officials guilty of "gross incompetence."

"The constitutional history is overwhelmingly clear on this subject - the founders designed impeachment not just to remove officials engaged in criminal behavior, but those guilty of such gross incompetence that their conduct had endangered their fellow Americans, betrayed the public trust or represented a neglect of duty," Green communicated to CNN.

The House Homeland Security Committee has planned a second impeachment hearing on Jan. 18 and Mayorkas is expected to attend.
Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao expressed concern over US sanctions preventing third-party countries from exporting lithography machines to China. The remarks were made after he had a phone call with his American counterpart, Gina Raimondo, on Thursday (Jan. 11).

Reuters reported that Washington has been allegedly weaponizing export controls to cut off China's access to advanced chips and chip-making tools that could fuel breakthroughs in AI and sophisticated computers for military use. The US also convinced allies with critical suppliers to adopt similar curbs.

"Wang Wentao focussed on the United States' restrictions on third-party exports of lithography machines to China, a (US) investigation into the legacy chip supply chain, and sanctions that suppress Chinese enterprises," Beijing's commerce ministry said in a statement.

Wang's discussion with Raimondo also highlighted Beijing's concern at a US Department of Commerce survey into how US companies were sourcing so-called legacy chips like current-generation and mature-node semiconductors as it moved to award nearly $40 billion in subsidies for semiconductor chips manufacturing.



On the other hand, the department said that the survey aimed to reduce national security risks posed by China and focus on the use and sourcing of Chinese-manufactured legacy chips in the supply chains of critical US industries.

Read Also: TSMC Plans to Expand Advanced Chip Packaging to US: Bloomberg

Dutch Chip Firm Backs Out of China Chip Deal

One of the Western companies convinced to cease dealing with China was the Dutch chip equipment maker ASML. The company said that the Dutch government revoked an export license covering some of its equipment shipment to China on Jan. 1.

ASML's semiconductor production equipment - including extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines - has already been restricted and not shipped to China due to recent US export bans.

China was ASML's biggest market in the third quarter of 2023 and was responsible for 46% of the company's sales.

In a press conference, Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesperson Shu Jueting said that Chinese trade officials were "deeply concerned" by the US's alleged "direct involvement" in interfering with the export of ASML's lithography machines.

Related Article: Huawei's New Laptop Uses Taiwan's 5NM Chip, Disproving Rumors That China Makes New-Generation Chips
In light of the recent news regarding the mid-flight shattering of a Boeing 737 Max 9's jet panel, government officials are investigating whether there was a failure on Boeing's part to make sure that the panel was safe and was developed to meet regulatory approved designs.

Exploring The Investigation

The Federal Aviation Administration or FAA, stated in a statement to the Associate Press as well as other outlets that the investigation is zooming in on the plugs that were utilized for extra exits despite the doors not being required for Boing 737 Max 9 models. The plugs that were blown off were found in Portland, Oregon were taken to a government lab for examination. In the article from the Associated Press, they quoted the FAA's statement as follows "This incident should have never happened and it cannot happen again. Boeing's manufacturing practices need to comply with the high safety standards they're legally accountable to meet." The FAA has informed Boeing of the investigation in a letter Wednesday and has requested a response from them within the following 10 business days. They have also suspended Max 9 Jets, including the 65 that are operated by Alaska Airlines and the 79 that are used by United Airlines. Alaska Airlines has also canceled all Max 9 operated flights through Saturday.

The article continues by stating that investigators who work with the National Transportation Safety Board have also joined the fray. The board has reported this week that they have not been able to find four bolts that are used to hold the door plug and that they are uncertain about whether the bolts were there before take-off.

Thankfully, no injuries were reported at the time of the incident or at this time of writing and the flight itself made a safe landing despite the missing door fiasco.
(Photo : Kena Betancur/Getty Images)

Former U.S. President Donald Trump waves as he arrives at the Manhattan Criminal Court on April 04, 2023 in New York, New York. Trump will be arraigned during his first court appearance today following an indictment by a grand jury that heard evidence about money paid to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election.

Judge Arthur Engoron, who had barred Trump from giving a closing argument Thursday morning, seized the opportunity to speak in court. The judge allowed him to continue his speech almost entirely uninterrupted for what resulted in a complete personal summation before cutting him off and calling a recess.

Trump and his co-defendants, which include both of his sons, are on trial for fraudulently misstating the value of assets on financial statements in order to obtain more favorable business deals and reflect a higher net worth for Trump.

"This is a fraud on me. What's happened here, sir, is a fraud on me," Trump said. He subsequently alleged that the judge did not pay attention to his statements. "I know this is boring to you," The Associated Press reported.

"We have a situation where I am an innocent man," Trump protested. "I'm being persecuted by someone running for office and I think you have to go outside the bounds."

Engoron had previously rescinded his initial approval for Trump to speak in court, with emails made public Wednesday showing Trump's lawyers refused to agree to terms that would prohibit Trump, as revealed in an article from Forbes, from criticizing the judge, "comment[ing] on irrelevant matters" or "deliver[ing] a campaign speech."

In the same Forbes article, Kise asked the judge if Trump could speak to the court, and while Engoron asked Trump if he promised that he would stick to the facts and the law, the ex-president began to speak without agreeing first, railing against the "political witch hunt" against him.

Engoron warned Trump's lawyer, Christopher Kise, to control his client amid the accusatory outburst.

What Would Be Trump's Punishment?

The state is asking for a range of punishments against Trump and his co-defendants, including $370 million that would be largely paid by Trump himself and up to $250 million from his businesses. Trump has claimed that he should be paid damages instead of the state seeing that he has been "politically persecuted," by New York Attorney General Letitia James, who originally brought the case against him.

The judge will issue the verdict in the coming weeks, likely before the end of January and decide punishment himself, as there is no jury in the trial.
Artificial intelligence has been a big star during CES 2024. During this year's various presentations, we have seen various presentations regarding the integration of AI into gaming, home appliances, and even cars.

Now, AI is making its way into childcare.

A new company called Capella has developed a new app for your phone that can transcribe your newborn baby's cries informing you whether they are hungry, tired, uneasy or simply need a diaper change. All through the use of AI and machine learning.

How Accurate Is The App?

In an article published by CNET, it says that Capella states that their application is 95% accurate as opposed to humans who are only 30% correct. However, one should take these stats with a grain of salt and better yet if you think Capella's assessment is wrong you can just tap the "I disagree" option on their app. The app itself will cost you $10 a month and is even looking into seeing if your baby is crying because it's too hot or too cold. During their demonstration of the app, they used a baby doll crying to show off its capabilities.

However, Capella is not the only product in the childcare market that uses AI to support you in your childcare endeavors. Last year at CES there was the device Qbear+ and it even received an award for its innovation. For more on Qbear+ Mashable has gone into more detail. But as previously stated, Capella's product isn't an entirely new device and is instead an app you can get for your phone. CNET pulled a statement from their site that says "With our groundbreaking AI-powered baby cry translator, we accurately understand your baby's needs and use AI-generated sounds to soothe your little one without requiring your constant attention".

This year's CES has made it abundantly clear that artificial intelligence is not just a passing trend but is likely here to stay for the long term. As our understanding of AI and its diverse applications deepens, it is inevitable that we will see the implementation of more regulations and restrictions surrounding the use of this burgeoning technology.
(Photo : -/AFP via Getty Images)

TOPSHOT - A picture taken on May 14, 2019, shows a general view of the Hodeida port in the Yemeni port city, around 230 kilometres west of the capital Sanaa. - Yemen's Huthi rebels have handed over security of key Red Sea ports to the "coastguard" but much work remains to remove military equipment, the UN said.

On Thursday night, the UK is expected to join the US in launching air strikes against the Houthis in Yemen 'within hours' to protect global shipping in the Red Sea.

UK aircraft and Royal Navy ships were scheduled to participate in the operation within hours, approved by Cabinet ministers in an emergency joint call.

UK, US to Fire Air Strikes Against Houthis

The decision was confirmed after a frenetic behind-the-scenes activity in Whitehall that included a National Security Council meeting and an urgent Cobra meeting of senior ministers.

On Thursday, Rishi Sunak warned Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the Egyptian president, that the UK would continue to take action to defend freedom of navigation and protect lives at sea.

A Downing Street spokesman said they had discussed the rise in Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and the disruptive impact on global shipping, including the Suez Canal.

UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron traveled to Downing Street at 8 pm on Thursday to brief ministers on the call. UK Labour Leader Keir Starmer, the shadow Defense Secretary John Healey, and the Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle also received a briefing on the situation.

The briefing indicated that there would be no time for a parliamentary vote to support military action.

The US National Security Spokesperson for the White House, John Kirby, said, "We will take all necessary measures to oppose and eliminate the threats that the Houthis continue to pose to commercial shipping in the Red Sea." He added that they will continue to consult with allies and partners about the appropriate next steps.

The UK Defense Secretary, Grant Shapps, gave a hint earlier this week that the Houthi rebels should "watch this space" and warned that Iran was "guiding what is happening there in the Red Sea."

Shapps' hint comes after Cameron's warning last month that Britain would not put up with Tehran's malign activities, either in the Middle East or on home soil.

Read Also: South Korea To Provide $3 Million Aid to Quake-Hit Japan as Death Toll Reaches 206

US, UK Shoot Down Houthi Drones, Missiles

The Houthis launched several drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles that were purportedly all Iranian-designed. Centcom has reported that the weapons were fired from areas in Yemen under Houthi control.

Centcom said on Tuesday night that the Houthi missiles and drones were aimed at an area through which numerous merchant vessels were passing.

The Houthis carried out 26 attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes since November 19. The Galaxy Leader, a vehicle carrier sailing from Turkey to India, was their most recent target.

The group claimed responsibility for initiating the attacks and said that they were against Israel's military actions in Gaza.

Four destroyers, one from the UK and fighters from the aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower, participated in the operation. No damage or injuries were reported.

Last month, the US established an international marine coalition to address the attacks. Due to the attacks, several shipping companies have used the longer maritime route around southern Africa instead of the Red Maritime.

The Houthis stated that they intend to continue attacking until a resolution is reached regarding the conflict in Gaza.

US soldiers successfully intercepted a drone launched from Yemen over the weekend. Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, the commander of US naval forces in the Middle East, reported about the Houthis' recent use of an explosive-laden sea drone in commercial routes.

Related Article: Yemen's Houthis Say They 'Targeted' Israeli Ship, No Damage Reported


On Thursday, the officials announced that the US Virgin Islands will soon build its first artificial reef to boost coastal protection against future storms.

According to the island's department of planning and natural sources, the 18-foot by 12-foot reef will be installed near the coast around St. Thomas and is expected to be completed by July.

US Virgin Islands to Build First Artificial Reef

Over $760,000 in federal funding will support the project awarded to the University of the Virgin Islands following the 2017 hurricanes Irma and Maria that devastated the US territory.

The department's commissioner, Jean-Pierre L. Oriol, said university officials will select the strongest specimens from over a dozen coral nurseries to attach to the artificial reef. He noted that the officials would work with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts to create an environmentally sensitive design.

"The goal is to provide enhanced habitat for corals struggling from climate change and provide added shoreline protection as we work to restore natural coral reefs," Marilyn Brandt, project manager and a research professor at the University of the Virgin Islands, said.

According to Fox News, the US Virgin Islands initiated the project due to the rising water temperatures causing stronger Atlantic hurricanes.

Read Also: US Treasury's Yellen Vows Support for Egypt's Economic Reforms

US Military 'Reefense' Program

The US military intends to establish artificial reefs to safeguard coastal bases from storm surges amid rising sea levels and climate change. Three contracts have been given under the 'Reefense' program, which aims to bolster the protection provided by concrete breakwaters and human-built sea walls utilizing natural and manmade defenses.

The project comes after catastrophic events such as Hurricane Michael, a Category 5 storm that struck some of the Air Force's costly F-22 Raptor fighter jets in 2018. The hurricane also destroyed every building at Florida's Tyndall Air Force Base, resulting in $4.7 billion in damage overall.

According to Catherine Campbell of the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, they are creating engineered reef-mimicking structures, hybrid biological and self-healing, with a living component to reduce coastal erosion and floods.

DARPA's Defense program envisioned an artificial structure that could disperse some of the power of incoming waves and storm surges. Furthermore, the program would enhance the capacity for coastal protection by creating an environment beneficial to the growth of oysters and corals on the artificial foundation.

Although natural reefs typically take five to ten years to develop fully, DARPA hopes these artificial reef structures will spur serious oyster and coral settlement within just a few years. Its plan could use new laboratory methods for growing corals and oysters.

One Rutgers University team in New Jersey has been awarded $4.5 million to build defenses modeled after oyster reefs in the Gulf of Mexico near Tyndall Air Force Base. More than $7.3 million was given to the University of Hawaii team to test out coral reef-promoting structures in the Pacific.

The University of Miami's third team received about $7.5 million to create an artificial reef using a different kind of coral for the Atlantic Ocean.

Related Article: Historic Oyster Reef to be Restored; About 85 Percent Have Disappeared Over Past Century


US officials have raised concerns about an escalating risk of Hezbollah militants conducting attacks against American targets, both in the Middle East and potentially within the United States.

These warnings come from four officials with knowledge of intelligence matters, who shared their insights with Politico.

US Officials Warn of Home and Abroad Attack Risks

The Iran-backed Hezbollah is believed to be inclined to target US personnel primarily in the Middle East, with intelligence agencies collecting data indicating potential attacks on American troops or diplomatic staff abroad. There is also a heightened alert for the possibility of strikes within the United States as tensions escalate.

Officials acknowledge that Hezbollah possesses unique capabilities distinct from groups like ISIS and Al Qaeda. While details on potential attacks were not disclosed, concerns were expressed over the group's abilities and the potential impact on US interests.

Given the recent exchange of cross-border fire between Israel, a key US ally in the Middle East, and Hezbollah following the October 7 attacks by Hamas, officials suggest that American military and diplomatic personnel in the region are likely initial targets. However, there is a growing apprehension regarding the potential for Hezbollah to carry out attacks on US soil.

"Hezbollah could draw on the capability they have to put people [in] places to do something," emphasized one official in discussions with Politico. The officials stressed the need for vigilance, noting that Hezbollah's international network might be utilized for attacks against the US

The situation adds complexity to the Biden administration's efforts to keep US troops out of Middle Eastern conflicts. Since October 7, American forces have faced numerous attacks from Iranian proxy groups, prompting US responses, including drone strikes, as per to Politico.

Read Also: Former VP Mike Pence's Brother Rep. Greg Pence Announces Retirement From US House

US Acts Amid Proxy Ties, Regional Tensions

While it remains unclear if these proxy groups collaborate with Hezbollah, officials believe they share common goals in undermining American influence in the region. The US State Department has responded by heightening security at its embassy in Lebanon in anticipation of escalating tensions.

Former State Department official Andrew Tabler highlighted the broader context, pointing out ongoing conflicts in eastern Syria and Iraq. The US administration is actively working to mitigate tensions and redirect Hezbollah away from Israel's northern border.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during his recent visit to the Middle East, characterized the situation as a "moment of profound tension" with the potential to escalate further. The risk of an all-out war on Israel's northern border is a significant concern as hostilities persist.

In response to recent events, Hezbollah described its rocket barrage as an "initial response" to the targeted killing of a top Hamas leader. Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have signaled a diminishing tolerance for cross-border clashes, expressing readiness to use force if diplomatic resolutions fail.

Israeli military chief Lt. Col. Herzi Halevi emphasized the rising military pressure on Hezbollah, indicating a potential shift towards a more forceful approach. The situation remains fluid, and the international community closely watches the developments in the region, according to Daily Mail.

Related Article: Antony Blinken Announces UN Assessment Mission in Northern Gaza as Cost of Conflict on Children Far Too High
China to expand general sign language, braille in special education schools

Xinhua) 10:11, January 12, 2024

BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- China will accelerate the promotion of the use of national general sign language and braille across special education schools, the China Disabled Persons' Federation said on Thursday.

According to a circular jointly issued by the federation and the Ministry of Education, by 2025, general sign language and braille will be widely used in schools accommodating students with hearing and visual disabilities.

The circular called on special education schools to integrate general sign language and braille into teaching practices. It also required local authorities to carry out special training in this regard, with the aim of expanding the training services to all special-education teachers by 2025.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The United Nations' top court commenced hearings on Thursday regarding South Africa's case against Israel for genocide. Israel and its key ally, the US, strongly deny these allegations, further complicating US relations with nations that hold differing views.

During the court proceedings, South Africa's legal team presented their case, asserting that Israel's actions can be characterized as a consistent pattern of genocide.

Netanyahu Slams Genocide Accusations

An urgent request has been made to halt the ongoing Israeli campaign, which was initiated in response to a devastating attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on October 7. The attack resulted in the loss of approximately 1,200 lives and the capture of 240 hostages.

Per VOA News, Israel is set to present its arguments on Friday. It is possible that judges may take a significant amount of time to reach a decision.

"Our government has taken the initiative to address the urgent situation in Gaza by seeking assistance from the International Court of Justice," stated South African Justice Minister Ronald Lamola, speaking outside the court.

The global community is deeply moved by the commitment to justice and the efforts to end the humanitarian atrocities in Palestine. South Africa has accused Israel of violating the 1948 Genocide Convention and drawing parallels to a similar situation within its own borders.

Meanwhile, Israel has rejected the allegations as baseless. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that Israeli forces are making every effort to reduce civilian casualties, while also condemning Hamas militants for exploiting civilians as human shields.

"Israel is engaged in combatting Hamas militants, rather than targeting the Palestinian civilian population, and we are carrying out our actions in complete accordance with international law," stated Netanyahu.

However, opinions in Washington are divided, as certain politicians and labor leaders are backing South Africa's plea for a cease-fire, while also criticizing the Israeli forces for their perceived excessive actions. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, the counteroffensive by Israel has resulted in the deaths of over 23,300 Palestinians. The aftermath has left large areas of Gaza in ruins and forced 85% of its population, totaling 2.3 million people, to be displaced.

Josh Paul, a former director in the US State Department's Bureau of Political and Military Affairs, made the decision to resign in October as an act of protest. Recently, he submitted a document to the court in support of South Africa.

South Africa has a history of strong support for the Palestinian cause, as former President Nelson Mandela once emphasized "the interconnectedness of our freedom with that of the Palestinians".

However, experts argue that there are larger factors at play beyond Israel's actions. With an increasing number of countries and entities aligning with Pretoria's perspective instead of Washington's, the potential for significant diplomatic consequences looms large. This is particularly true if the UN-backed court were to deliver a verdict against Israel.

According to Netanyahu, South Africa's hypocrisy is extremely evident and deserving of strong criticism. "We are fighting terrorists, we are fighting lies... Today we saw an upside-down world. Israel is accused of genocide while it is fighting against genocide," he stated.

Israel's foreign ministry strongly criticized South Africa, claiming that the country is supporting the Hamas terrorist organization with unfounded allegations. The White House also dismissed the allegations of genocide as baseless. Palestinians expressed their desire for the court to intervene and bring an end to the conflict.

In Rafah, in southern Gaza, the bodies of members of the al-Arjany family killed overnight were laid out outside a morgue. Neighbor Khamis Kelab tenderly held the smallest of three children, wrapped in shrouds, and gently cradled the lifeless infant.

Read Also: US Raises Concern on Hezbollah's Escalating Attacks, Warns Assault Inside Washington

Israel-Gaza Conflict

Since the start of the year, Israel has declared a new stage in the conflict, planning to gradually reduce its presence in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, where its military operation was initiated. Nevertheless, the level of conflict has escalated in the southern regions.

Residents are cautiously returning to devastated cities in the north, only to find a desolate landscape where their homes once stood. Although Washington has expressed support for Israel's military campaign, it has also urged its ally to reduce the intensity of the conflict, prioritize the safety of civilians, and work towards the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in the future.

This week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a visit to the region, engaging in discussions with Israeli and Palestinian officials as well as leaders of neighboring Arab States. During these meetings, he expressed support for Israel's efforts to combat Hamas while also urging for collaboration between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA), which acknowledges Israel's existence.

During his visit to Egypt, he emphasized that providing a pathway to a Palestinian state would be crucial for stabilizing the broader region and countering the influence of Iran and its allies.

According to Reuters, Blinken received updates on the ongoing efforts by Egypt and Qatar to mediate between Hamas and Israel, aiming to achieve a ceasefire and secure the release of over 130 Israeli hostages in Gaza, as reported by Israeli sources.

Family members of the hostages gathered near the Gaza fence on Thursday, expressing their love and support through a microphone, hoping that their messages would reach the captives.

Related Article: Gaza Hostages: Israeli Military Claims Traces of Captives in Underground Tunnel
Thousands protested in nearly 20 towns and cities on Thursday to condemn Prime Minister Robert Fico's efforts to close graft's prosecutor office.

The disbandment of the special prosecutor's office, which handles serious crimes such as graft, organized crime, and extremism, was proposed by the three-party coalition government.

Thousands of Slovaks Protested

The police reported that about 20,000 protesters in a Bratislava central square opposed the plan. The first small protest in Bratislava involved hundreds on December 7 and has now spread to 20 towns and cities.

Michal Simecka, head of liberal Progressive Slovakia, the strongest opposition party, was among the crowd.

"You're making the same mistake as any other unsuccessful dictator," Simecka said in a message to Fico. She noted that Fico underestimated people's desire for freedom and justice.

"Mafia, mafia," and "We've had enough of Fico," the protesters repeatedly chanted.

The legislation approved by Fico's government requires parliamentary and presidential approval. Fico returned to power for the fourth time after his scandal-plagued leftist party won Slovakia's legislative election on September 30 on a pro-Russia and anti-American platform.

His critics fear that Slovakia could abandon its pro-Western course and instead follow the direction of Hungary under Prime Minister Viktor Orban if he returned.

Since Fico's administration came to power, some elite investigators and police officials who handle high-profile corruption cases have been dismissed or furloughed. The planned changes in the legal system also include reduced penalties for corruption.

Numerous high-ranking government employees, law enforcement personnel, judges, prosecutors, politicians, and business associates of Fico's party have been accused and found guilty of corruption and other crimes under the previous administration in 2020 after campaigning on an anti-corruption platform.

Read Also: North Korea's Kim Jong Un Inspects Arms Factories Following Criticism of Russia's Weapon Transfers

Former President Caputova Criticizes Fico's Plan

President Zuzana Caputova has criticized the plan to close the office as a "step backward," which will be closely monitored in Brussels for potential damage to the rule of law. The issue has pitted neighbors Poland and Hungary against the European Union.

The three-party coalition can override an expected veto by Caputova. Caputova declared she would be open to using a constitutional challenge to the legislation. It was unclear how the Constitutional Court might rule.

Fico told a press conference that the USP had violated human rights in its processes and had to be dismantled. "This evil in the form of Lipsic must end, and we are doing that forcefully and thoroughly," he said.

In 2018, he was forced to resign by mass protests after the murder of a journalist investigating corruption. He has long accused the USP of being politically biased against his SMER party and has spoken in favor of removing Leipsic.

Furthermore, the USP also oversaw the murder investigation.

Related Article: EU Migration Policy: Member States Agree on Series of New Procedures


(Photo : Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 11: Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media at one of his properties, 40 Wall Street, following closing arguments at his civil fraud trial on January 11, 2024 in New York City. The former president, who is currently the front runner for the Republican nomination, attended the closing arguments for the trial which will now go to the judge for the penalty phase in which New York Attorney General Letitia James is seeking $370 million in damages and to prohibit Trump from doing business in the state.

Former President Donald Trump disclosed on Wednesday that he has already chosen a potential running mate for his 2024 general election campaign, contingent on securing the Republican nomination for president.

Despite this revelation, Trump opted for secrecy during a televised town hall in Des Moines, Iowa, refusing to disclose the identity of his preferred running mate, as per to New York Post.

Trump's Secretive VP Selection Adds GOP Suspense

"I can't tell you that really. I mean, I know who it's going to be," Trump hinted when pressed for details. The former president's decision to withhold the name added an air of suspense to the political landscape.

When questioned about considering individuals from the primary race, Trump expressed openness to the idea. Notably, he teased a potential preference for former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who withdrew from the primary race that day and had been a vocal critic of Trump's, particularly targeting fellow candidate Nikki Haley.

However, the lack of an official announcement leaves room for speculation, as a Trump campaign adviser emphasized that no final decision has been made regarding the vice-presidential pick. This clarification from NBC News underscored the fluidity of the situation, indicating that Trump might still be evaluating his options.

Trump's standing as the dominant front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination is evident in polling data, with comfortable leads in both national and state-level surveys since announcing his candidacy in November 2022. According to polling averages from The Hill/Decision Desk HQ, Trump enjoys a 53-percentage-point lead in national surveys, a 36-point advantage in Iowa, and an 11-point margin in New Hampshire over his GOP rivals.

While Trump has been relatively discreet about his potential running mate, he has mentioned South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem as a consideration. Notably, there is an expectation that Trump will not select his previous running mate and vice president, Mike Pence, for another campaign.

The push for a female running mate within Trump's circle has gained traction, with names like Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R), and Nikki Haley being floated. However, Trump has yet to provide concrete details on his choice, maintaining an air of mystery around his decision-making process, according to The Hill.

Read Also: More Than 20 Million Enroll for Obamacare, Breaking Record for Third Consecutive Year

Trump Keeps VP Pick Secret

During a Fox News town hall in Des Moines, Iowa, Trump reiterated his reluctance to disclose the chosen running mate, even when pressed by host Martha MacCallum. The former president's comments revealed a willingness to consider reconciliation with former primary opponents.

Trump playfully mentioned Chris Christie as a potential pick, despite their past differences. This jesting tone continued when asked about Christie as a vice-presidential candidate, with Trump dismissing the notion as an "upset."

Christie, who was a finalist for Trump's running mate in 2016 but lost out to Mike Pence, predicted earlier on the day of the town hall that Nikki Haley would face difficulties in the race, a sentiment Trump echoed.

While speculation continues about Trump's running mate, names like Kristi Noem and Senator Tim Scott have emerged as favorites. However, the official decision remains pending, and Trump's inner circle remains tight-lipped about the details.

In response to queries about Trump's decision-making process, campaign advisors Chris LaCivita and Jason Miller emphasized that the president knows the qualities he is seeking in a vice president. Despite this insight, the specifics remain undisclosed, adding an element of intrigue to the unfolding narrative.

As the 2024 election season progresses, Trump's eventual choice for a running mate will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of the Republican ticket and influence the dynamics of the presidential race. The anticipation surrounding this pivotal decision remains high, as the political landscape awaits further developments, Daily Mail reported.

Related Article: Donald Trump Defies Judge, Gives His Own Closing Argument
US Navy sailor, has been sentenced to 27 months in prison by a federal district court in California for engaging in espionage activities on behalf of China.

Thomas Zhao pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and one count of receiving a bribe related to his official duties. The Monterey Park resident, aged 26, received a fine of $5,500, significantly less than the maximum 20-year sentence that could have been imposed for the combined charges, as per to Newsweek.

Former US Navy Sailor Zhao Sentenced for Spying

Zhao, arrested in August, had worked as a petty officer at a US naval base in Ventura County, California. Born in China, he immigrated to the US in 2009, became a naturalized citizen in 2012, and enlisted in the US Navy in 2017. The sentencing came after Zhao admitted to accepting nearly $15,000 in 14 separate payments from a Chinese intelligence officer, betraying his country and compromising classified information.

The espionage activities involved Zhao "collecting" and "transmitting" photographs and videos between August 2021 and May 2023. The stolen material included specific details of naval movements, logistical information, and operational support, along with diagrams and blueprints for a radar system installed on a US military base in Okinawa, Japan.

The court proceedings revealed that Zhao's sentencing took into account his cooperation and guilty plea, resulting in a prison term lower than the maximum penalty. His sentence began from the day of his arrest, and he was also fined $5,500.

United States Attorney Martin Estrada emphasized the severity of Zhao's actions, stating that he had betrayed his country by accepting bribes from a Chinese intelligence officer. The FBI's Los Angeles field office, represented by Donald Alway, highlighted the consequences for those who collaborate with foreign adversaries, reinforcing the message that such actions will be held accountable, according to The Star.

Read Also: Former VP Mike Pence's Brother Rep. Greg Pence Announces Retirement From US House

Chinese Embassy Denies Espionage Amid Tensions

The Chinese embassy in Washington responded to the case, stating that it was not aware of the details but expressing opposition to what it deemed "groundless slander and smear of China" by the US government and media. This comes amid rising tensions between the two countries, with accusations and counter-accusations becoming increasingly common.

Zhao's case is not isolated, as another US sailor, Jinchao Wei, also known as Patrick Wei, faced similar charges in August for allegedly spying for China. Wei, born in China and naturalized as a US citizen in 2022, pleaded not guilty. The court has scheduled further proceedings for his case on March 18, and US officials view these incidents as evidence of China's espionage operations on American soil.

These espionage cases underscore the broader shadow war between China and the United States, with both nations actively engaged in intelligence activities. The US government is particularly concerned about China's efforts to recruit individuals with security clearances, targeting military personnel to obtain sensitive information.

While Zhao's sentencing serves as a legal consequence for his actions, it also reflects the ongoing challenges the US faces in countering foreign espionage and maintaining national security. As the geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China intensifies, these cases highlight the importance of vigilance and security measures to protect sensitive information and military capabilities, The New York Times reported.

Related Article: Japan Tightens Air Traffic, Pilot Protocols with New Rules After Haneda Collision
Thousands of Yemeni citizens protested in cities across the country to listen to leaders condemn the air strikes carried out by the United States and Britain in response to attacks by Houthi rebels on shipping in the Red Sea, reports Reuters.

Dozens of airstrikes were carried out overnight. This action significantly widens the theater of combat in the region that was initially set off by Israel's response to the Hamas assault on southern Israel on October 7.

"Your strikes on Yemen are terrorism," said Mohammed Ali Al-Houthi, a member of the Houthi Supreme Political Council. "The United States is the Devil."

The Houthis began attacking shipping in the Red Sea in response to Israel's offensive in Gaza. They fired drones and missiles toward Israel and targeted ships bearing the Israeli flag.

However, they've since attacked any vessel they feel is vulnerable. The Houthis hold the United States partly responsible for the war in Gaza because they're the country's closest ally.

This recent action has upped the stakes significantly, though. "We did not attack the shores of America, nor did we move in the American islands, nor did we attack them. Your strikes on our country are terrorism," said Al-Houthi."They are terrorists and they are amazing at lying to the people of the world, but the awareness of the Yemeni people is a different awareness. Do you, Yemeni, think that America is defending itself or is it a terrorist?"

US and UK warplanes, ships, and submarines launched 73 airstrikes on 60 targets at 16 different locations using 100 precision munitions on military bases and other targets.

"These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation," U.S. President Joe Biden said.

In December the United States and its allies formed a naval task force to the region. US attack helicopters sank three boats and killed several Houthi fighters who were attempting to board a ship. On Tuesday, the United States and Britain shot down 21 missiles and drones that targeted them.
An Academy Sports and Outdoors employee shows off her decorated Stanley Quencher tumbler at a store in Houston. The store had sold out of Stanleys 40-ounce Quencher. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer

About a year ago Academy Sports and Outdoors, the retailer headquartered in Katy, noticed an unexpected buying pattern.

"Weve been selling Stanley drinkware, such as the Stanley Classic Legendary Thermos, for many years," said Grace Carter, a senior public relations specialist for Academy. "We began seeing the 40-ounce Quencher Tumbler flying off our shelves during the 2022 holiday season. Since then, we have worked hard to keep our shelves stocked."

Even now, with the 2023 holiday shopping season behind us, that is proving to be a challenge. As 2024 begins, the hottest ticket in retail is an 8-year-old cup from a 113-year-old brand.

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A display of Yeti insulated tumblers at a Houston Academy store. A tumbler made by a Seattle company is proving wildly popular, even in the home state of Austin-based Yeti. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer

This week, Academy.com was sold out of the cup, a supersize tumbler featuring a chunky handle and plastic straw. Few of its area stores had any of the 40-ounce Quenchers in stock, even though other Stanley models  including the 30-ounce Quencher tumbler, which also has a handle and a straw  were readily available in a range of colors. Retailers such as Target and REI were having a similar experience. Even Amazon, which prides itself on delivering anything imaginable in under 48 hours, was running low.

The phenomenon has baffled many observers for several reasons. The hefty tumbler can be cumbersome, although a tapered bottom allows it to fit in most vehicle cupholders. It has a hefty price tag to match, retailing at $45. While that's in line with drinkware from premium brands such as Austin-based Yeti, companies like Igloo, headquartered in Katy, sell insulated tumblers for a fraction of the cost.

But according to the bloggers who put this particular tumbler on the social media map, the Quencher's popularity makes perfect sense.

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"We knew it had the potential to be huge because there was no competition," said Ashlee LeSueur, co-founder of The Buy Guide, an online shopping guide and product testing site that began touting the Quencher in 2017. "It was the only tumbler that had all these features. No one else made anything like it."

A Stanley cup is photographed Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in the Houston Chronicle photo studio in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

TEXAS BRANDS: Behind some of the iconic brands of Houston and Texas

In an interview, LeSueur explained that it was a chance encounter with the 40-ounce Quencher that set this whole thing off. In 2016, she was shopping at Bed Bath and Beyond when she noticed the cup, a model Stanley had introduced a few months earlier to little fanfare and in just three colors  black, silver and the army green the company has long used for its thermoses.

"Like most other people, I had a cupboard full of water bottles that were just not cutting it. The mouth was too wide; I had to hand wash them; it didnt have a straw," she said. "I thought, Wow, this is it. This checks all the boxes.

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She proceeded to buy several, for herself and as gifts for friends including Taylor Cannon and Linley Hutchinson. In 2017, when the trio launched The Buy Guide, the Quencher was one of the first products the site featured. And they proceeded to recommend the Quencher to readers whenever they could find it in stock; The Buy Guide participates in affiliate marketing, meaning it gets a commission when readers make purchases through links on its site.

A Stanley cup is photographed Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in the Houston Chronicle photo studio in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer A Stanley cup is photographed Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in the Houston Chronicle photo studio in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

Among the skeptics, LeSueur said, were some of Stanley's own leaders. Whenever The Buy Guide posted a link to the Quencher, it would quickly sell out. But because the tumbler was being manufactured in small quantities, its total sales remained low. Making matters worse, LeSueur recalled, was Stanley's own brand identity. In brick-and-mortar stores the company's cups, including the Quencher, were effectively presented to consumers as occasional-use items, drinkware you might take to Big Bend.

"As much as we love this cup, it is not the cup you take hiking. It is not the cup to go camping with," LeSueur said. "We saw it as a daily driver. It should be a daily use item, and it should be manufactured as such  create colors that look good in people's lives, not just in the great outdoors."

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The Buy Guide's initial efforts to directly connect with Stanley went nowhere, she said. The company, founded on 1913, had never worked with Instagram influencers. Eventually, the women took matters into their own hands, finding a warehouse space, setting up a Shopify site and putting in a purchase order for thousands of cups.

"Ive read somewhere that to be truly successful you have to be a tiny bit crazy," LeSueur said.

The Buy Guide sold 5,000 Quenchers in four days, commanding the attention of Stanley leadership and leading to a 2019 meeting in Denver where Stanley, headquartered in Seattle, agreed to give the 40-ounce Quencher a second chance and relaunch it in an extended range of colors. Stanley did not respond to a request for comment.

The company's sales, about $75 million in 2020, surged to nearly $200 million in 2021 and to $400 million in 2022. And, as of December, according to CNBC, they were on track to hit $750 million by the end of 2023.

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Academy, which has nearly 300 stores in 18 states, said the Quencher is just as popular in Texas as it is everywhere else, even though homegrown companies such as Yeti and Igloo have passionate fan bases in the state.

"There has not been a regional variance in consumer demand," said Carter. "Even with certain individuals maintaining loyalty to either Yeti or Igloo, Stanley has proven to be popular across our footprint."

Yeti and Igloo did not respond to requests for comment. But in November, Yeti introduced a new 42-ounce Rambler, complete with a handle, a straw and a tapered base. It retails for $45 and comes in half a dozen standard colors as well as two limited edition hues, "power pink" and "cosmic lilac."

Yeti Rambler mugs on a shelf at a Houston Academy store, where the Stanley 40-ounce Quencher tumbler is sold out. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer

2021 RIVALRIES: Yeti accuses Igloo of copying drinkware designs in new lawsuit

To some observers, the whole phenomenon has echoes of previous retail fads, like Beanie Babies in the 1990s. You can buy aftermarket accoutrements for the Quencher  specialized carrying slings, straw covers, name tags, bejeweled wraps, even snack bowls  in a range of TikTok-ready colors and designs on sites such as Etsy, or from vendors at Houston's Sunny Flea Market on Airline Boulevard. Limited-edition colors have sparked shopping frenzies and can sell for several hundred dollars on eBay.

But LeSueur argues that the rise of the Quencher is a case study in what can happen when women market to other women, who drive most household spending decisions, according to studies.

"Any company that is not talking to the 25- to 50-year-old female is really missing the boat, no matter what they manufacture; no matter what theyre trying to sell; even if they only sell men's products." LeSueur said. "If you invite women to be part of the conversation, you will sell more."

Sales of the Quencher, she reckons, could easily continue to grow now that production has ramped up.
Hotel Granduca in Uptown was recently bought by Transwestern. Transwestern The Hotel Granduca opened in 2006. Transwestern

An Italian villa-inspired luxury hotel in Uptown will be renovated this year after a change in ownership.

Transwestern Hospitality Group on Thursday said it acquired Hotel Granduca, a 122-room all-suite hotel, at 1080 Uptown Park Blvd. Transwestern Hospitality Group declined to disclose the price or seller in a statement.

The hotel, on a 3.5-acre site, was opened in 2006 by developer Giorgio Borlenghi, chairman of Houston-based Interfin. The hotel on Friday was still listed among Interfin's holdings, according to the company's website.

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Transwestern said it will renovate the hotel this year with updates to the ground floor, including its restaurant and workout facilities. Event spaces will be expanded and updated, the company said. The hotel will not close during renovations, which are expected to be completed by the end of the year, the company said.

Transwestern will work with Denver-based hospitality company Ring on Hook and Houston-based design firm Kara Childress on the renovations, according to the announcement.

We are privileged to have this opportunity to further elevate the Granduca hospitality experience for our guests," said Transwestern Chairman Robert Duncan in the announcement. "And we are delighted that Giorgio remains a stakeholder who will consult with us to unleash the full potential of this extraordinary property.
Crime scene tape Mark Winema / Getty Images/Mark Wineman / Getty Images

A 24-year-old woman was arrested Thursday and accused in the strangling death of an 18-year-old whose body was found on a hiking trail near Buffalo Bayou last week.

Shania Turner of Houston was charged with murder in the death of Tierra Horn, according to Harris County court records.

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Turner is accused of "intentionally and knowingly" causing Horn's death by strangling the younger woman with her hands, according to a complaint.

Horn was killed on Jan. 5, according to charging documents. Her body was found by police later the same day near 1900 Nance, along the banks of Buffalo Bayou.

Horn and Turner were dating, according to court documents. Prosecutors alleged Turner attacked Horn after they got into an argument, according to court records.

Turner's bond was set at $100,000, court records show. Turner gave home addresses in southeast Houston and in Dayton, in Liberty County.

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She is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, according to court records. She had no listed defense attorney as of Friday morning.
Kenry Flukers, Toniesha Perkins and Mya Breaux-McGruder are accused of duct-taping a 2-year-old girl's ankles and abusing and starving her. Houston Chronicle

Two women and a man are in jail after being accused of duct-taping a 2-year-old girl in a Houston apartment, starving her and abusing her to the point where she had multiple injuries to her internal organs.

Kenry Flukers, 23, Toniesha Perkins, 27, and Mya Breaux-McGruder, 17, were all charged with injury to a child and unlawful restraint of a minor, court records show.

Maintenance workers fixing the dishwasher in Perkins' apartment on Nov. 28 heard the toddler crying in the living room, and when they looked over, they saw the child covered up in a blanket, according to court documents. They told Houston police that the girl's feet were tied up, so they proceeded to take a picture and a video before leaving the apartment.

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A caseworker for Child Protective Services came to the apartment two days later, and Perkins blamed the four other children also living in the unit for tying up the toddler, court records show. She told the caseworker the kids "tie each other up" and that the 2-year-old is her cousin.

Although the other children living in the apartment appeared to be in good health, the caseworker noticed the 2-year-old girl was malnourished, according to court records. When examined by doctors at Texas Children's Hospital, the toddler was diagnosed with an acute kidney injury, head trauma, anemia, malnourishment and multiple hemorrhages. The girl also had a condition called bradycardia, meaning she had a slow heart rate.

Doctors told police they believed the girl's kidney injury and anemia were because of dehydration, court records show. They suggested that the girl's head trauma may be due to shaking.

HEIGHTS STANDOFF: Man wanted over Metro stabbing arrested at Heights church

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The girl's weight was equivalent to a 1-year-old when she arrived at the hospital, court documents show. One of the doctors told police that the girl wouldn't have survived through the night if she weren't hospitalized. The doctors said the girl suffered some of the injuries a week or two ago before being admitted.

Detectives determined that Flukers was Perkins' boyfriend, and he'd been staying with her since September, court records show. Flukers told police that the girl was "small" and he could see her rib cage, but he never saw her duct-taped around her ankles, just around her hands. Flukers explained to the officers that Perkins allegedly duct-taped the girl's hands because "she was getting into the refrigerator, trash can and pantry."

When asked who abused the little girl, Flukers told police he didn't know but it could have been Perkins or Breaux-McGruder, court documents allege.

Breaux-McGruder, who was later identified as the girl's aunt, was interviewed Dec. 1 by a detective, court records show. During the recorded interview, she told the detective that she also lived at the apartment with Perkins, Flukers and the kids since September. She also told the detective that she's normally at school during the day, but attendance records showed several absences from October to December.

Like Flukers, Breaux-McGruder said she didn't see the girl's ankles duct-taped, but her story changed once she learned about the maintenance workers' photo, according to court documents. She then told the detective that she was in the apartment during the work order and that she covered the toddler up because one of the maintenance workers was looking at her "funny." She removed the duct tape when the workers left.

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Detectives interviewed two other children in the home who told them that the girl sleeps on the floor and regularly removes tape off her arms, legs and mouth, according to court records. They then accused Breaux-McGruder of disciplining the girl when she takes off the tape. Another child in the home told police that there was a lock on the fridge to prevent the girl from taking food out.

In an interview with authorities, the mother of the girl said she lives out of state and turned over care of the child to Perkins, court documents show.
Washington urged to keep promise on Taiwan question

10:13, January 12, 2024 By Wang Qi ( Global Times

Taiwan question Illustration: Chen Xia/GT

China's Foreign Ministry on Thursday urged the US to abide by the one-China principle, stop sending wrong signals to Taiwan secessionists, and refrain from interfering in the Taiwan's regional leader election in any form, after reports disclosed that the Biden administration will dispatch a delegation comprised of former senior officials to the island of Taiwan shortly after the island's regional leader election to be held on Saturday.

Chinese experts noted that the US' scheme would be destructive to China-US relations, and is highly likely to trigger countermeasures from the Chinese side, which has reiterated the core significance of the Taiwan question.

Citing people familiar with the plan, the Financial Times (FT) said in a Wednesday report that the White House has tapped James Steinberg, a former Democratic deputy secretary of state, and Stephen Hadley, a former Republican national security adviser, to lead the bipartisan delegation to Taiwan island.

The FT report said that the purpose of sending the delegation is to ensure Washington was "communicating clearly" with the winning and losing candidates about US policy and the "uniqueness of the unofficial relationship" between the US and Taiwan island.

The Associated Press (AP) said sending the delegation is the "most effective way" to engage the newly-elected authorities and convey US policy.

One senior administration official said that the delegation "will convey the importance of ties" between the US and Taiwan island and also reiterate Washington's "one-China policy," CNN reported, noting that exact composition of the delegation was still being determined, per senior administration officials it reached.

"Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. China always firmly opposes any form of official exchanges between the US and Taiwan authorities," Mao Ning, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.

The US side should earnestly abide by the one-China principle, prudently and properly handle the Taiwan question, stop sending any wrong signals to Taiwan secessionists, and refrain from interfering in the Taiwan regional elections in any form, so as to avoid causing serious damage to China-US relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, Mao said.

She added that China will take resolute and forceful measures to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Lyu Xiang, an expert on US studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times that the US releasing such a message a few days before the Taiwan regional election is a move apparently aimed at appeasing secessionists on the island, and encouraging voters "not to be afraid to support secessionists."

US tricks cannot change the overall situation of the Chinese mainland seizing the initiative of the cross-Straits situation, Lyu said, "China stays focused and will make all kinds of contingency plans. If the US crosses the red line, China will definitely take firm countermeasures."

Citing one former US official, the FT report noted that sending the delegation to Taipei right after the election was a "risky move that could backfire."

Diao Daming, an expert on US studies at the Renmin University of China in Beijing, told the Global Times on Thursday that disclosing the planning of the trip ahead of the Taiwan regional leader election may suggest that the US believes that whoever takes office can be used by the White House to implement the US' "Indo-Pacific" strategy.

"If secessionist Lai Ching-te is elected, it will carry out more risk management, and if KMT's Hou Yu-ih is elected, the US will hold him back from getting too close with the mainland," he explained.

But Washington should be aware that if there is any reaction from the Chinese side, it is the result of US actions, said Diao, "Instead of being concerned about the China's countermeasures, the US should follow through on its promise [on Taiwan question]."

The US move also came amid recent increased interactions between China and US to stabilize strained ties.

Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, visited the US this week, urging it to abide by its commitment to not support "Taiwan independence."

At the Carter Center Forum commemorating the 45th anniversary of the establishment of China-US diplomatic relations on Tuesday, Xie Feng, Chinese Ambassador to the US, reiterated that the Taiwan question is the most important and sensitive question in China-US relations.

China hopes to maintain stability in the Taiwan Straits and does not want to see a conflict between China and the US over the Taiwan question, but the premise is that the US cannot cross the red line, otherwise China will definitely respond in a "tit for tat" manner, Lyu said

China's communication with the US on the Taiwan question is entirely a manifestation of goodwill, Lyu said,"If one day China no longer talks about the Taiwan question with the US, it means that China does not consider Washington to be a factor, then the situation will be irreversible."

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
HISD Superintendent Mike Miles announces that the Houston Independent School District will open Cullen Military Academy at Cullen Middle School in the 2024-2025 school year at Delmar Stadium on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in Houston. Karen Warren/Staff photographer HISD Superintendent Mike Miles shakes hands with Dhriti Gupta, left, and Sophia Contello, center, both with giant checks denoting their scholarship awards as Miles announced that the Houston Independent School District will open Cullen Military Academy at Cullen Middle School in the 2024-2025 school year at Delmar Stadium on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in Houston. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Dr. Cornell McGhee, Director of JROTC Military Programs speaks after HISD Superintendent Mike Miles announced that the Houston Independent School District will open Cullen Military Academy at Cullen Middle School in the 2024-2025 school year at Delmar Stadium on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in Houston. Karen Warren/Staff photographer HISD Superintendent Mike Miles announces that the Houston Independent School District will open Cullen Military Academy at Cullen Middle School in the 2024-2025 school year at Delmar Stadium on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in Houston. Karen Warren/Staff photographer

A military academy will open at Cullen Middle School for the 2024-2025 school year, Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles announced Thursday at an event at Delmar Fieldhouse.

Cullen Military Academy aims to help middle school students develop discipline, leadership, teamwork and physical skills, as well as Mandarin language skills and career and college exploration. Miles worked with officials at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the U.S. Naval Academy as he built this program to support students interested in joining the military.

"Most Americans believe that there's an aspect of service the military provides that's good for society, but also good for young adults. So, if it leads to a military career, especially focused on leadership, character building and academics, I don't think there'll be that much pushback," Miles said. "It's (also) voluntary, we've got kids with interests in all kinds of different things, so we're promoting that, a district of choice."

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WHAT TO EXPECT: Houston ISD families, staff will see more changes in 2024

Miles is a U.S. Army veteran who spent five years as a ranger and joined the U.S. State Department as a diplomat in 1990. He was also a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point with an engineering degree.

The superintendent emphasized during the press conference that any student can have the opportunity to enroll in the Cullen Military Academy, as part of the school choice application that will open next week. Students who are given a seat will be ask to to commit to the program for two years, starting at the sixth or seventh-grade level.

If students do not want to attend the academy, they can continue their education at Cullen Middle School -- a campus just west of the Astrodome area that had just 324 students in 2022-23. About 75% are Black and 20% are Hispanic. Every student at the school is considered low income and two-thirds of students are considered at-risk of dropping out, according to Texas Education Agency data.

Roughly half of Cullen students approach grade level standards on the reading portion of the STAAR, about 20 percentage points lower than the HISD average, according to state data. Math scores trend even lower.

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HISD Director of Junior ROTC Programs Cornell McGhee said the military academy can help prepare students' minds and bodies for success in any career.

"There are other school districts around the country that have been doing this for years," he said. "So, we're hoping that community gets on board with what we're doing and will understand that we're not creating soldiers, we're recreating responsible citizens that are prepared to be successful in any other career fields that they choose."

McGhee said he has seen positive changes in the attendance, behavior and discipline of students who participate in JROTC and similar programs, and is confident those benefits will extend to the military academy.

EDUCATION NEWS: How much are Mike Miles' changes costing HISD

Scarborough High School junior Esmeralda Hernandez, co-commander for the JROTC armed drill team and captain of the academics team, said she struggled to complete her schoolwork during her freshman year. Joining JROTC was key to helping her learn discipline.

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Brining that structure to middle schoolers would be even more beneficial, the now 17-year-old said.

"It also helps them in the future, like starting young helps you with your future," she said.

Junior Ruben Ayala, 16, agreed that middle school students sometimes need guidance before starting high school. As a student at Scarborough High, the guidance from JROTC helped him become a member of the armed drill team and left guard for color guard.

"High school is a really weird time and they could get like really lost if they don't have the proper guidance with the proper parental figures or the proper resources for them," he said.

Heights High School student Sophia Contello, 17, said she has benefited from being in programs involving military structure, including receiving a full tuition ROTC scholarship.

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"This is an awesome opportunity for students coming out of elementary school and going into middle school to really have that foundation to learn the military values, not even just about military, this is academic, this is discipline, these are principles that make a great student and person," she said.

The program will be a "specialty" program offered under HISD's school choice umbrella that also includes magnet schools.
Sam Gonzalez Kelly is an education reporter for the Houston Chronicle covering the Houston Independent School District. He can be reached at sam.kelly@houstonchronicle.com.

A Chicago native, Sam joined the Chronicle in 2021 to cover marginalized communities after two years covering breaking news at the Chicago Sun-Times. Sam has a bachelor's degree from Pomona College.
Signs of notice to obtain a solid waste permit are placed near the Hawthorn Park Landfill Monday, June 27, 2022 in Houston. Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Monique Singletary speaks during the TCEQ meeting on proposed Hawthorn Park Landfill expansion that Carverdale neighborhood residents oppose, at Sterling Banquet Hall on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 in Houston. Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer The TCEQ committee and community members before the TCEQ meeting on proposed Hawthorn Park Landfill expansion that residents in Carverdale are opposing at Sterling Banquet Hall on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 in Houston. Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Bob Bullard speaks during the TCEQ meeting on proposed Hawthorn Park Landfill expansion that those in Caverdale neighborhood of Houston are opposing at Sterling Banquet Hall on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 in Houston. Karen Warren/Staff photographer

A permit application for the expansion of a landfill in northwest Houston's majority-Black Carverdale neighborhood was withdrawn Thursday after heavy opposition from area residents and environmental justice advocates.

The Hawthorn Park Landfill, which opened at a modest 10 acres in 1977, is permitted to operate on 171.6 acres. Its now-scrapped plan would have added another 38.6 acres to the site and increased the height of the waste piles.

The site is owned by USA Waste of Texas Landfills, a subsidiary of Houston-headquartered Waste Management, and sits beside Sam Houston Parkway. The company applied for Texas Commission on Environmental Quality permission to expand its operations in 2021.

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"When they applied for this permit, they were going to seal off what's in the ground and build a 20-story mountain of trash, and that would have just been devastating," said Myra Jefferson, who grew up in Carverdale and remembers the area before the landfill took over.

"There has been a history of sickness and death, (and then there are) the smells, the rats, the roaches, the dust. I mean, I'm constantly trying to keep my house clean," Jefferson said. She added that "the battle is not over" since the landfill's owners can apply again.

"USA Waste withdrew the application due to realignment of strategic company priorities. The Hawthorn Park Landfill remains a valuable operating asset and the expansion will be re-evaluated in the future," the company said in a statement.

Protests and community hearings on the proposed expansion held by the TCEQ have drawn crowds since 2021. Residents were joined by elected leaders, including then-state Sen. John Whitmire and environmental justice scholar Bob Bullard, who called the expansion plan a "classic example" of environmental racism.

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Bullard, a professor at Texas Southern University, did his foundational research in the field on how Houston's landfills were nearly always located in predominantly Black areas.

Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee built these arguments into a petition against the expansion, which his office filed in administrative court in February 2023.

"We don't get a lot of wins in this space," Menefee said Thursday. "What my office did was hire experts, review hundreds of thousands of pages, and then do everything we could to persuade Waste Management to do the right thing."

Whitmire, elected mayor of Houston last month, called the change "something to celebrate" and said he had objected to the landfill's expansion as state senator, marching alongside residents and business owners.

"This is a great victory for Carverdale," Whitmire said. "It's a very proud community, a lot of history there. But then you have open ditches, illegal dumping and this very harmful landfill. ... No one should live under that stress."

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Hana Ikramuddin is a Hearst Fellow for the Houston Chronicle.

Raised in the Twin Cities, Hana majored in journalism and political science at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

She has held internships with the Star Tribune, APM Reports and Sahan Journal. In her free time, she loves to cook, make chai and take care of her houseplants.
Judge Frank Aguilar listens during a hearing in the 228th District Criminal Court on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse in Houston. Aguilar was arrested on a domestic violence allegation in Galveston on Dec. 31, 2023, yet returned to work several days later. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

When Jeremy Washington appeared before Harris County District Court Judge Frank Aguilar on Jan. 4 for a bond setting, he may not have known that they had something in common. Both Washington and Aguilar were arrested on domestic violence allegations just one day apart.

The details of Washington's case aren't known, except that he was arrested on New Year's Day and charged with felony assault of a family/household member "with impeding breathing." Aguilar authorized his release on a $20,000 bond, on the condition he wear an ankle monitor and cease contact with the accuser.

Despite the fact that Aguilar's arrest for a strikingly similar misdemeanor offense  assault causing body injury/family violence  was widely reported, the prosecutor on Washington's case did not submit a motion for "recusal" to remove the judge from the case. Perhaps the prosecutor didn't want to risk angering the judge, or perhaps he hadn't read a heavily redacted probable cause affidavit detailing Aguilar's arrest. The affidavit paints a sordid, disturbing scene that not only raises ethical questions about Aguilar's impartiality in presiding over domestic violence cases, but whether he is fit to be a jurist at all.

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Aguilar was arrested early on New Year's Eve during a party at his Galveston residence. According to the affidavit, when Galveston police officers arrived around 1:30 a.m., Aguilar was out on the balcony of his home visibly intoxicated. The accuser, a woman, had blood leaking from her nose, red marks on her neck and a welt on the back of her head.

The woman told the police that the alleged incident with Aguilar began after she got in a verbal altercation with another woman who was renting a room downstairs. After that exchange, Aguilar allegedly followed the accuser upstairs where he cursed at her and punched her in the face and head multiple times. He then "held his foot down on (her) neck for a minute" until she told him "I can't breathe," after which he walked away, the police wrote. For his part, Aguilar told police that the woman was intoxicated and threw beer cans around the house and at him. When asked by police how the accuser sustained her injuries, he responded "I don't know." He was arrested and booked into the Galveston County jail and was later released on a $1,500 bond.

An associate judge took over Aguilar's docket for two days after the holiday weekend, but by Jan. 4, he was back on the bench. In addition to Washington's case, court records indicate Aguilar has presided over at least two other domestic violence cases since returning to work.

How can this be allowed?

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The State Commission on Judicial Conduct can suspend a judge for crimes "involving moral turpitude" but only after an indictment is filed. Even so, Aguilar would have a right to a post-suspension hearing where he could argue that his continued service on the bench wouldn't conflict with the interests of any parties that come before his court.

At press time, the Galveston County district attorney had not yet published an indictment against Aguilar. Until that happens, Aguilar is allowed to continue working.

That doesn't mean he should.

Aguilar did not respond to our request for comment. A spokesperson for the Harris County Administrative Office of the District Courts incorrectly told this editorial board that "only the State Commission on Judicial Conduct could take action that would affect Judge Aguilars ability to preside" while his case is pending.

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In reality, Texas' guidance on when judges should recuse themselves is spelled out clearly in the rules of civil procedure: A judge must recuse in any proceeding in which their impartiality might reasonably be questioned or if they have a "personal bias or prejudice concerning the subject matter or a party." Considering that this is the second time Aguilar has been accused of domestic violence  as a magistrate judge in 2010, he was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor for allegedly hitting a woman he was dating but was acquitted by a jury  it is fair to question whether he can be truly objective in assessing defendants charged with similar crimes.

We believe that Aguilar remaining on the bench reflects poor judgment. We urge him to take a voluntarily leave of absence until his case is resolved. If he chooses to continue working, he should, at minimum, recuse himself from presiding over domestic violence cases.

The editorial board endorsed Aguilar for a second term in the 2022 general election despite concerns raised about some of his bond decisions and his alleged favoritism of certain private defense attorneys instead of public defenders. We chose him anyway because his Republican opponent was lacking and inexperienced. District court judges are elected positions, and voters won't be able to hold Aguilar accountable for his actions until 2026.

Like any one else accused of a crime, Aguilar is considered innocent until proven guilty. He has the right to defend himself and see his case through if or when he is officially charged with a crime. Unlike most others accused, Aguilar's position as an elected judge entrusted with meting out justice requires that he be held to a higher standard in his professional life.

Recusal isn't an admission of guilt. It's an admission that perceptions matter in a judicial system dependant on public trust. It's an action that would help avoid the appearance of bias or impartiality. It's an action that demonstrates good judgment, the very least we expect from Aguilar or any other elected jurist.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media at one of his properties, 40 Wall Street, following closing arguments at his civil fraud trial on January 11, 2024 in New York City. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Trump and the 2024 election

Regarding Trump warns of 'Pandoras box' of perpetual presidential prosecutions if charges against him stand, (Jan. 9): Duh! On Monday, Donald Trumps lawyers in Georgia offered a new reason to dismiss this case. Trump apparently hadnt realized that he could be prosecuted for trying to twist Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffenspergers arm to find more votes. At that point in time, only one of Trumps dozens of election fraud cases had ruled in his favor. As we heard in the Jan. 6 congressional investigation, several of his advisers had told him that he had legitimately lost.

The Georgia case is based on Georgias Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) laws, and Donald Trump is the head of the family. Of course, he well knew that what he was asking for was criminal; but then again, what he was asking for doesnt seem to have been any different from the rules he had been operating under throughout his business career.

Once a bully, always a bully. Its time this bully is reined in before the 2024 election season gets into full swing.

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Dave DiCamillo, Tomball

Just about every conspiracy claim, lawsuit and effort to alter the 2020 election result has been debunked. No significant fraud was uncovered by numerous investigations. Some have described 2020 as the most secure election ever. Regardless, state legislatures in conservative states passed numerous laws under the guise of making elections even more secure. Many of these laws merely make it more cumbersome and difficult to vote.

When Trump lost the 2020 election, actions and words contributed to a riot and attack on Congress to prevent certification of the election results. Just Tuesday, Trump spread more disinformation, claiming that the Biden administration has a conspiracy to steal the election from him by eliminating him as a candidate. He warned that if they are successful that will be bedlam in the country. Bedlam is frequently equated with violence.

Could this be a dog whistle to his supporters to be prepared for another assault on democracy? Some of the more extreme will most likely see it as such.

P. Crane, Conroe

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Regarding Donald Trump defies judge, gives courtroom speech on tense final day of New York civil fraud trial, (Jan. 11): So, the former resident of the White House wanted to play pretend lawyer and give his own closing argument in his New York civil business fraud trial. Thats hilarious. Judge Arthur Engoron ruled that he would have to abide by the rules that apply to real, big boy attorneys if he were to give closing arguments. So sad. That means he couldnt spend his time behind the mic assailing the characters of his political adversaries, judges or others in the court system.

Trumps legal team responded by saying those limitations would unfairly muzzle him. Well, yeah. No kidding! When the former resident of the White House opens his mouth, he is spreading unsubstantiated conspiracy theories, hurling insults like a middle schooler or just outright lying. I imagine his legal team was secretly pleased and relieved with the judges ruling.

Gene Fisseler, Houston

In a fit of extortion, wannabe dictator essentially threatens bedlam if voters dont select him. Hes already unleashed bedlam upon losing an election once, and hes campaign-promising to do it again.

David Haim, Houston

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What threat? I see Trump making an observation that he believes there will be bedlam if he loses  an opinion, but he makes no threat of inciting it. More of the mainstream media distortions to keep Trump out of the 2024 election. The media ought to focus on Bidens incitements of bedlam when he refers to Trumps MAGA supporters, numbering in the millions, as political hoodlums and worse.

J. Jones, La Porte

Never forget

Then angry individuals  with a variety of intentions, to be sure  broke through barricades, assaulted law enforcement officers, destroyed property, chanted for Congress members deaths, and even erected gallows for hanging the vice president. That day, then-President Trump assured them that they had been terribly wronged and that he loved them. Today, he says that, if reelected, he will pardon them.

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We heard and watched Jan. 6. To an extent, the former president, supportive Congress members and the mob were successful  for the first time in our nations history, we did not have a peaceful transfer of power.

This is an event we should learn from and never forget. Those who are attempting to rewrite history should be voted out of office and never hold office again.
Department of Public Safety troopers stand guard over migrants in a detention area Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, in Eagle Pass as a surge of migrants push across the border. William Luther 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 A Texas Department of Public Safety official, right, looks on as migrants walk near a rail car covered in Concertina wire 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 Migrants cross the Rio Grande river to reach the United States from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Christian Chavez) Christian Chavez/Associated Press Governor of Texas Greg Abbott is pictured on his office chambers at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Feb. 23, 2023. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News EAGLE PASS, TEXAS - JANUARY 09: U.S. National Guard soldiers stop to talk while patrolling the Rio Grande at the U.S.-Mexico border on January 09, 2024 in Eagle Pass, Texas. Immigrant crossings in the area have dipped dramatically since a major surge in the last months of 2023. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) John Moore/Getty Images EAGLE PASS, TEXAS - JANUARY 09: U.S. National Guard soldiers stop to talk while patrolling the Rio Grande at the U.S.-Mexico border on January 09, 2024 in Eagle Pass, Texas. Immigrant crossings in the area have dipped dramatically since a major surge in the last months of 2023. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) John Moore/Getty Images

WASHINGTON  Gov. Greg Abbott says Texas is doing everything to stop border crossings short of shooting migrants because the Biden administration would charge us with murder.

We are deploying every tool and strategy that we possibly can, the governor said in an interview with conservative commentator Dana Loesch. The only thing that were not doing is were not shooting people who come across the border because of course the Biden administration would charge us with murder.

The comments came during an appearance on Loeschs show last week in which Abbott was asked what he believed was the maximum amount of pressure he could implement to secure the border.

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The third-term Republican responded that the state is using every tool that can be used, from building a border wall to building these border barriers. He also touted the new Texas law empowering state officials to remove people from the U.S. who they suspect of being in the country illegally.

READ MORE: Gov. Greg Abbott responds as NYC adds restrictions on buses bearing migrants from Texas

The clip was aired on Loeschs program again Thursday without the line about shooting migrants. A version of the audio was also posted on social media by Heartland Signal, a progressive radio show based in Chicago.

Abbott said Friday that he was asked to point out where he was drawing the line on what the state can legally do to secure the border.

I pointed out something that is obviously illegal, Abbott said. Its that simple.

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The comments come as the Biden administration has sued the state to stop a slew of Abbotts border security efforts, including the new deportation law, which is set to take effect in March and threatens to upend longstanding precedent leaving immigration enforcement solely to the federal government. The law would allow any law enforcement officer in Texas to arrest migrants accused of unlawfully entering the state from Mexico and empower judges to order their removal.

Abbott also has strung miles of razor wire along the border and deployed a wall of buoys in the Rio Grande, which the Biden administration is also fighting to have removed in a separate court battle.

But Abbott still has faced pressure from some conservatives to do more, and some in the GOP have called for the use of deadly force to stop suspected traffickers. Republican presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis urged as much during a campaign stop in Texas last summer, saying those breaking through border barriers and displaying hostile intent should end up stone-cold dead as a result of that bad decision.

The Texas Department of Public Safety last month found no wrongdoing by agency officials after six troopers working for Abbotts border security initiative alleged mistreatment of migrants last summer.

The complaints included an email from a DPS medic describing inhumane treatment of migrants he witnessed while deployed in Eagle Pass. The email said troopers had been ordered to push small children and nursing babies back into the Rio Grande and told not to give water to asylum-seekers even in extreme heat. The agencys inspector general found that most of the incidents raised by the troopers did happen, but concluded that DPS officials did not violate law or agency policy.
Texas Department of Public Safety officers guard an entrance to Shelby Park on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. Gov. Greg Abbott signed an emergency declaration allowing state troopers to take over the park, located on the banks of the Rio Grande, without permission from the city of Eagle Pass, according to its Mayor Rolando Salinas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Texas Department of Public Safety officers guard an entrance to Shelby Park on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. Gov. Greg Abbott signed an emergency declaration allowing state troopers to take over the park, located on the banks of the Rio Grande, without permission from the city of Eagle Pass, according to its Mayor Rolando Salinas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Texas Department of Public Safety officers guard an entrance to Shelby Park on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. Gov. Greg Abbott signed an emergency declaration allowing state troopers to take over the park, located on the banks of the Rio Grande, without permission from the city of Eagle Pass, according to its Mayor Rolando Salinas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Texas Department of Public Safety officers work inside the fenced-off Shelby Park on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. Gov. Greg Abbott signed an emergency declaration allowing state troopers to take over the park, located on the banks of the Rio Grande, without permission from the city of Eagle Pass, according to its Mayor Rolando Salinas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News A Texas Department of Public Safety officer guards an entrance to Shelby Park on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. Gov. Greg Abbott signed an emergency declaration allowing state troopers to take over the park, located on the banks of the Rio Grande, without permission from the city of Eagle Pass, according to its Mayor Rolando Salinas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Texas Department of Public Safety officers guard an entrance to Shelby Park on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. Gov. Greg Abbott signed an emergency declaration allowing state troopers to take over the park, located on the banks of the Rio Grande, without permission from the city of Eagle Pass, according to its Mayor Rolando Salinas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

WASHINGTON  Texas National Guard soldiers have shut federal immigration agents out of a key stretch of the border, an unprecedented move that is escalating tensions between state and federal officials who have been at odds over Gov. Greg Abbotts increasingly aggressive border security efforts.

The Texas National Guard has fenced off a 2.5-mile stretch near Eagle Pass and deployed armed soldiers and vehicles to block Border Patrol agents from accessing the Rio Grande, the Department of Justice wrote in court filings late Thursday night. That includes a public park in Eagle Pass that the state seized control of this week.

Soldiers were preventing Border Patrol from reaching a key staging area under an international bridge and blocking them from using a boat ramp in the public park  the only one for miles along the Rio Grande. The National Guard told Border Patrol it would not allow federal agents to apprehend migrants in the area, or permit state troopers to turn migrants over to federal agents for processing, according to the filing. The park was the center of Abbotts migrant crackdown last summer, when the state strung miles of razor wire, lined the Rio Grande with shipping containers and state troopers arrested thousands of migrants on trespassing charges.

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The move comes as the Biden administration is urging the Supreme Court to step in to allow Border Patrol to cut or move state-owned razor wire they say is endangering migrants. A lower court barred federal agents from tampering with the wire, except to respond to medical emergencies.

The DOJ wrote that the state has now gone even further and is actively blocking federal agents from accessing a 2.5-mile stretch of border, including the city-owned Shelby Park, which is one of the most frequently traversed crossings along the southwest border. The state earlier this week seized control of the park without authorization from the city under an emergency declaration signed by the governor, putting up fencing and blocking entry points with military vehicles. Federal agents also have been blocked from accessing a key staging area just south of the park, the filing said.

Texass new actions  demonstrate an escalation of the States measures to block Border Patrols ability to patrol or even to surveil the border and be in a position to respond to emergencies, the DOJ filing said. The filing urged the high court to restore Border Patrols access to the border it is charged with patrolling and the migrants it is responsible for apprehending, inspecting, and processing.

According to the filing, Texas soldiers began putting up fencing and adding razor wire along the stretch Wednesday evening. The next day, as state troopers were turning over 11 migrants to Border Patrol for processing, a National Guard major told the troopers and the federal agents that the Guard would no longer allow the state to transfer migrants to federal custody at that location and that Border Patrol agents would no longer be allowed to pick up migrants in the park and surrounding area. Border Patrol agents in a vehicle towing a boat were later denied access to the park and its boat ramp.

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The state also is barring Border Patrols mobile surveillance trucks from patrolling the area, according to the filing. Border Patrols ability to view the stretch of the border is now limited to a narrow sliver from a single surveillance camera outside of the newly fenced area, the filing said.

The Texas Military Department did not respond to questions about whether it is blocking Border Patrol from accessing the park.

The Texas National Guard has maintained a presence with security points and temporary barrier in Shelby Park since 2021, an agency spokesperson said Thursday. The current posture is to prepare for future illegal immigrant surges and to restrict access to organizations that perpetuate illegal immigrant crossings in the park and greater Eagle Pass area.

The takeover comes as Texas is gearing up to empower state officials to deport people suspected of being in the country illegally under a new law that Abbott signed last month. The law, set to take effect in March, would allow any law enforcement officer in Texas to arrest migrants accused of unlawfully entering the state from Mexico and empower judges to order their removal.

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The DOJ has sued to stop the change from taking effect, arguing it is unconstitutional and will disrupt the federal governments immigration enforcement operations. The governor and other Texas Republicans have cast the law as an invitation for the U.S. Supreme Court to revisit long-standing precedent that leaves immigration enforcement solely to the federal government.

Abbott has said the state is doing everything it can to stop crossings and has accused President Joe Biden repeatedly of failing to secure the border. His efforts have pushed the bounds of immigration enforcement, long left solely to the federal government, and drawn multiple lawsuits that could test how far states are permitted to go in securing the international boundary.

As caravans of migrants are moving through Mexico toward the U.S. border, we are making clear that Texas will be a tough place to cross, Abbott wrote on social media Thursday night.

The White House slammed Abbott in a statement, saying he continues his extreme political stunts that not only seek to demonize and dehumanize people, but that also make it harder and more dangerous for Border Patrol to do their jobs.

Governor Abbott has repeatedly proven that he is not interested in solutions and only seeks to politicize the border, the statement said.
In a significant shift in the landscape of digital liberty, a new bill has been passed that introduces heightened government regulation over the Internet in the United States. This development marks a departure from the traditional stance of regulatory bodies like the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which have historically been seen as protectors of internet freedom.

The passage of this bill aligns with the concerns previously raised by FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr. Carr had warned of the potential for a scenario resembling internet censorship in China, where the government exercises extensive control over online content. With this new legislation, the federal government gains substantial authority to dictate what content remains accessible on the internet, irrespective of its truthfulness or falsehood.

Revisiting the Net Neutrality Repeal and Its Aftermath

The context of this change can be traced back to the evolution of the internet landscape in recent years. In 2015, the FCC adopted "net neutrality" under Title 2, vowing to shield consumers from unfair internet service rate adjustments. However, this was overturned in 2017, leading to a period of less government intervention in Internet affairs and a measurable enhancement of consumer freedoms regarding Internet service charges.

The newly passed bill, however, signals a reversal of this trend. It not only reinstates the principles of Title 2 but also potentially amplifies government involvement in the internet domain. This shift is seen as bolstering the influence of Big Tech companies, which have long maintained a close relationship with the federal government. Critics argue that this will lead to an erosion of entrepreneurial spirit and monopolized control over the internet by Big Tech firms, supported by government backing.

Impact on Consumers and the Future of Internet Freedom

This legislation presents a stark contrast to the government's claims of offering more reliable, high-quality, and affordable internet services. Critics view these promises as misleading, suggesting that the real outcome will be increased surveillance and control over users' data and online activities. With the new bill, the combined forces of Big Tech and the federal government are set to decide the boundaries of online expression, mirroring the controlled internet environment seen in countries like China.

In response to these developments, companies like American Cloud are playing a part in advocating for a free and open internet, believing that your data deserves better. The internet we know today came into being with American values at the foundation. American Cloud is doing its best to keep it that way with a reliable, sustainable, cost-effective, and ultra-secure cloud computing solution to help you run your mission-critical infrastructure without unjust regulation, interruptions, or unnecessary complexity.
Google announced that the company is immediately removing the fees charged to customers who wish to leave its cloud service to transfer to a rival service.

The move will pressure other cloud service providers like Microsoft and Amazon to follow Google's suit.

Read Also: Google Agrees to Settle $5 Billion 'Incognito Mode' Privacy Lawsuit

Google Cloud Offers Free Network Data Transfer

In a blog post, Google Cloud Head Amit Zavery explained that cloud services should be flexible to accommodate certain policy changes. The change in fees applies to all customers globally.

"Starting today, Google Cloud customers who wish to stop using Google Cloud and migrate their data to another cloud provider and/or on premises can take advantage of free network data transfer to migrate their data out of Google Cloud," he announced.

However, Zavery detailed that the elimination of data transfer fees does not provide the ultimate solution for customers. He cited that there are still issues of restrictive and unfair licensing practices that affect the consumers' choice to work with their preferred cloud service.

U.K. Antitrust Council Investigates Cloud Sevices, Bundled Products

The U.K. antitrust launched a probe that investigates cloud services and bundled products of companies like Microsoft and Google. According to Zavery, the decision was made due to the request from regulators and customers.

"We want to make sure our opinion, our point of view, is heard - as well as what we hear from customers," he added.

Currently, the U.K. antitrust is examining penalties and fees that could be done amid various cloud concerns. For instance, several customers have been complaining about Microsoft's cloud service which is pricier and makes running Microsoft programs in rival clouds difficult.

With its decision to waive data transfer fees, Google is now encouraging rival companies to do the same action.

Related Article: Google Creates Robot Constitution That Prevents Harmful AI Actions
MANCHESTER, N.H.  Iowa and New Hampshire are about to kick off the 2024 presidential nominating process, but Sen. Joe Manchin said Friday it won't become clear until March whether there's a path for a third-party candidate.

The West Virginia Democrat visited New Hampshire just before the Jan. 23 primary, and though he insisted his only goal was to promote his new Americans Together organization aimed at fostering bipartisanship and giving moderates a voice, he previously floated the possibility of a presidential run. He demurred when an audience member at a Politics & Eggs event suggested that Democrats should write him in on their ballots.

Asked about a possible run, he told reporters later that he thinks Super Tuesday will provide a better perspective on the political landscape.

"If there's going to be an option or a need for an option, you'll find out by then," he said. "By March, you're going to have pretty much a lay of the land and what you're going to have and what you're going to be offered."

Manchin, who is not running for reelection to the Senate in 2024, said on NBC's "Meet the Press" in November that he would "absolutely" consider a run for president. Last month, the 76-year-old joked that the nation could use someone slightly younger than the leading contenders, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.

Some Democrats expressed concern that a run by the centrist Manchin as an independent could cut into Biden's support and pave the way for Trump to win a second term. Asked by the event's moderator Friday who would get his vote if Biden and Trump are the nominees, Manchin declined to answer.

"That's a difficult question right there," he said. "You have to make a decision  the character of that candidate, whether you agree or disagree, whether you support or haven't supported, whether you're in the same political party or not."

Earlier in his speech, Manchin emphasized the importance of "the character of the people who want to serve." He declined to say whether Trump or Biden has a stronger character when asked by a reporter.

"You're going to make that decision," he said. "I already made my decision."

The event opened with a campaign-style video promoting Americans Together that poked fun at the notion that "moderate" has become a dirty word in Washington. The organization is run by Manchin's daughter, Heather Bresch, who announced the listening tour Friday. Manchin himself offered few details.

"I don't know, I have to talk to my daughter," he said. "I have still a job to do, and she tells me when I can go wherever my schedule allows."
Aomori, Jan 13 ( News On Japan ) - During the winter season, nothing beats a hot spring to warm your body and soul. And if you can enjoy it while taking in beautiful scenery, the relaxation and happiness become even more profound.

Out of approximately 2,900 hot spring destinations in Japan, the title of the top day-trip hot spring with breathtaking views, according to the 'Scenic Day-Trip Hot Spring Ranking,' goes to "Koganezaki Furou Fushi Onsen" in Fukaura Town, Aomori Prefecture.

In the evening, the sight of a fantastical golden sunset painting the sky and the Japan Sea lies right before your eyes. It's a spectacular view that can be enjoyed in an atmosphere of ultimate serenity.

Breathtaking 'Sky and Sea' Views in a Golden Hue

Situated at the westernmost tip of Aomori Prefecture in Fukaura Town, this hot spring is surrounded by the World Heritage-listed "Shirakami Sanchi" and the Japan Sea, making it a true hidden gem. The open-air bath is just one meter from the sea, creating a stunning scene where the ocean and hot spring seem to merge as one.

The second spot on the list is claimed by "Akasawa Day-Trip Hot Spring House" in Shizuoka Prefecture, offering panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean from its open-air observation bath. The third place goes to "Tsuru no Yu Onsen" in Akita Prefecture, where you can savor the mesmerizing snowscape from the outdoor bath.

Source: ANNnewsCH
NAGOYA, Jan 13 ( News On Japan ) - A man wearing stockings with a slit up the middle has been arrested for showing his buttocks to a male store clerk at a convenience store in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture.

Police received a phone call from the store manager, saying, "A man in stockings came into the store."

According to police, an individual wearing only black stockings on the lower half of his body entered the convenience store at around 4:30 AM on December 2nd last year.

After wandering around the store, he stopped opposite the cash register and bent over, peering into the product shelves, showing his backside to the 24-year-old male store clerk.

Then... shaking his hips left and right, he revealed a slit up the middle of his stockings that exposed his bare butt.

Police arrested a 48-year-old company employee, who admitted to the allegations, saying, "I thought we could become friends by showing my butt, so I gave it shot."

Source: NEWS
Building community with shared future for mankind: A glorious banner leading progress of times

13:51, January 11, 2024 By He Yin ( People's Daily

The Communist Party of China (CPC) has remained true to its original aspiration and mission of seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation. It has also contributed to human progress and world harmony.

The Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs was recently held. It was pointed out at the conference that building a community with a shared future for mankind is the core tenet of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy. It is how China proposes to solve the questions of what kind of world to build and how to build it based on the deepening understanding of the laws governing the development of human society.

It reflects the Chinese Communists' worldview, perception of order, and values, accords with the common aspiration of people in all countries, and points the direction for the progress of world civilizations. It is also the noble goal pursued by China in conducting major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics for the new era.

Since the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind was proposed in 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping has systematically expounded on it multiple times.

In summary, in building a community with a shared future for mankind, the goal is to build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world of lasting peace, universal security and shared prosperity, the pathway is promoting global governance that features extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, the guiding principle is to apply the common values of humanity, the basic underpinning lies in building a new type of international relations, the strategic guidance comes from the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and the platform for action is high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

Since the dawn of this new era, building a community with a shared future for mankind has developed from a Chinese initiative to an international consensus, from a promising vision to substantive actions, and from a conceptual proposition to a scientific system. It has served as a glorious banner leading the progress of the times.

Countries should build a world of lasting peace through dialogue and consultation. It means beating the swords of war into the plowshares of peace. Upholding peace is the responsibility of every country. Countries should foster partnerships based on dialogue, non-confrontation and non-alliance.

Countries should build a world of common security for all through joint efforts. It means turning absolute security for one into common security for all. All countries should pursue common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and need to take a holistic approach to traditional and non-traditional security threats.

Countries should build a world of common prosperity through win-win cooperation. It means bidding farewell to the winner-takes-all mindset and sharing development achievements. Countries should make economic globalization more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all, so as to bring greater benefits to all peoples in a fairer manner.

Countries should build an open and inclusive world through exchanges and mutual learning. It means bidding farewell to the mindset that one civilization is superior to another and starting to appreciate the strengths of other civilizations. Diverse civilizations should draw on each other to achieve common progress, and countries should make exchanges among civilizations a source of inspiration for advancing human society and a bond that keeps the world in peace.

Countries should make the world clean and beautiful by pursuing green and low-carbon development. It means bidding farewell to the destructive exploitation of resources and preserving and enjoying the lush mountains and lucid waters. All parties must protect ecosystems as preciously as they protect their eyes, and cherish them as dearly as they cherish their lives. They must preserve what gives the planet life and embrace green development.

The vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind responds to the common pursuit of people in countries around the world for peace, development and cooperation, and identifies the fundamental path to solve global issues. It has been widely recognized and supported by the international community.

The vision has been written into resolutions of the UN General Assembly for seven years in a row, and included in resolutions or declarations of multilateral mechanisms like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS.

China also put forward important initiatives such as building a global community of health for all, a community with a shared future in cyberspace, and a community of life for humanity and nature, giving a strong boost to global governance in various sectors.

Great transformation is accelerating across the world. Changes of the world, of the times, and of historical significance are unfolding like never before, and the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation.

Facing the unstable and uncertain international situation, more and more countries have come to realize that the world today has become a community with a shared future in which countries all share a huge stake of survival. The future of the world should be determined and created by all.

What people in various countries long for is an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world that enjoys enduring peace, universal security and common prosperity. Such is the logic of historical advance and the trend of the times. All countries need to uphold the correct views of the world, of history and of their overall interests, and act to translate the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind into reality.

China is an advocate and an activist in building a community with a shared future for mankind. It is always committed to solving hotspot issues peacefully, promotes the strengthening of global security governance, steadfastly builds an open world economy, advances exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations, and leads global ecological progress.

China has established various forms of a community of shared future with dozens of countries and regions, whether bilateral or multilateral, regional or global. China will continue to uphold global peace and tranquility, continue to promote common development for all, and continue to promote mutual enrichment among civilizations. It will work with the international community toward a bright future of peace, security, prosperity and progress.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
74,000 cases investigated as China mounts "street racing" crime fight

Xinhua) 10:14, January 12, 2024

BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- China's crackdown on "street racing" crimes resulted in around 74,000 cases being investigated in 2023, the Ministry of Public Security said Thursday.

As a result of special operations aimed at addressing the serious disturbance caused by "street racing" noise, 297 "street racing" gangs were busted, and 456 illegal vehicle modification sites were shut down.

These efforts have effectively curbed the rising trend of "street racing" while also maintaining public order and road traffic safety, the ministry noted.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The recent car models over the last years have had better systems, considering that they can now be connected to the internet and have their own apps for remote navigation and control. While this is seen as innovative and convenient, it has been exploited by abusive partners, and regulators expressed their concerns about it.

Using Car Apps to Track Drivers

Your smartphone can now serve as a control system for your car, making it possible to turn your car on, adjust the temperature, see the battery percentage for EVs, and so on, all without having to get in the vehicle. Unfortunately, some people see these features as a way to harass car owners.

There have been cases where abusive partners are using the apps connected to vehicles to stalk or harass their partners, making the technology dangerous for those who want to steer clear of the individuals. What's worse is that the companies behind the car are no help at all.

The victims of the exploited features said that when they contacted the manufacturers of their vehicles to remove their abusers' access to the cars, they were either unresponsive or said that there was nothing they could do about it, as per The New York Times.

Customer service personnel reasoned that since the abusers, which were previous partners of the victims were co-owners of the car, they could not remove their access. Even legal separations like divorce or restraining orders were not grounds enough.

With the situation becoming more dangerous, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel expressed that "no survivor of domestic violence and abuse should have to choose between giving up their car and allowing themselves to be stalked and harmed."

Furthermore, Rosenworcel stated that they need to work with auto and wireless industry leaders to find solutions for the issue. The FCC already sent letters to nine of the largest advanced car manufacturers like General Motors, Tesla, Ford Motor, and Toyota.

In addition to that, companies that provide internet connection for the affected cars also received letters from the FCC such as Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. All the contacted automakers and communication providers are expected to respond to the letter by the end of the month.

Read Also: Samsung SmartThings Will Soon Be Integrated into Hyundai Vehicles

Smart Cars Affecting Privacy

Even without abusive partners as factors in the negative aspects of a well-connected car, there's still the question of how safe your private data is. In order to provide the best service, car companies have to collect data about the driver, which calls into question the security measures they're implementing.

Even car company giants can suffer cyberattacks, and this, in turn, could result in stolen information about their drivers. Business professor Rajiv Kohli said that users "need assurance that their data are protected from cybercriminals and misuse," as per W&M News.

As important as it is for manufacturers and service providers to implement high-level security measures, Kohli also expressed that there are "too many breaches and misuses of data to provide assurances and build trust with individual users."

Related: The Dangers Of Cyber Security In Smart Car
Severe storms with probable tornadoes tore through several central U.S. states, damaging homes and businesses and killing at least three people, with more bodies likely to be discovered, authorities said. As the sun rose Friday, officials scrambled to assess the extent of the destruction wit
The private military company Wagner has since Monday been tangled in fierce fighting in the village of Kengue, in the sub-prefecture of Mingala, with Coalition des Patriotes pour le Changement [Coalition of Patriots for Change] (CPC), a rebel group opposed to the regime of Faustin Archange Touadera, local media Corbeau News reports.

The fighting has forced local populations to flee into the bush. The Russian mercenaries backed by Central African Republic armed forces, pounded the rebel positions in the village and managed to take control of the area.

Touadera, in power since 2016 has been facing rebels backed by former President Francois Bozize ousted from power in 2013 amid a civil war. To prop up his power, Touadera turned to Moscow-backed Wagner in 2018. The company was recruited to supply instructors to train the countrys armed forces.

At 1,000 Wagner mercenaries are reportedly present in the African country which has slid into chaos since 2013.
Algeria and its ally South Africa have both ensued a painful diplomatic setback when Morocco won the presidency of the UN Human Rights Council by a comfortable majority of votes.

The two resource-rich African countries have waged a campaign against Moroccos bid using all sorts of propaganda in defiance of an African consensus backing Moroccos candidacy.

The end-result was a crushing defeat for their schemes to smear Moroccos reputation leading to a humiliating defeat of the South African candidate who only received 17 votes, compared with 30 votes in Moroccos favor, out of 47 votes in total.

The vote is an eloquent expression of the standing and weight of each of Morocco and South Africa at the international level. It reflects the influence and credibility of each state and its perception as far as human rights are concerned.

South Africa and Algeria are two countries led by a single party since the end of apartheid and French rule. While in authoritarian Algeria the military is the Kingmaker, South Africa is an electoral democracy where corruption, violence and nepotism are rampant.

After failing to use their abundant resources to develop what was once Africas most developed economies, the two regimes use memorial as they seek to build legitimacy by invoking the past struggle against apartheid and French colonialism to mask their failure to build functioning democracies and economies.

The two countries failed to look in the mirror before unleashing their propaganda campaign against Morocco. They both said Morocco should not take the presidency of the council, citing uncorroborated rights abuses in the Moroccan Sahara, a conflict they are both responsible for perpetuating after they pre-judged the UN-peace process and recognized the imaginary SADR republic- an Algerian proxy militia.

Africa

Moroccan ambassador Omar Zniber told news agencies that Moroccos bid has Africas support. This puts Algeria and South Africa outside the African consensus.

While Morocco has a centuries-old African policy permeated by productive investments, south-south cooperation, including in vital fields such as fertilizers, education, banking sector and infrastructure, Algeria and South Africa have often dealt with Africa in a condescending manner.

On migration in particular, Morocco has advocated a paradigm shift giving the example by offering residency permits to tens of thousands of Sub-Saharan migrants and urging Europe to clean break with its security approach to the issue.

Algeria and South Africa have kept a security approach that replicates the apartheid regime and the atrocities of French occupation. Algeria in particular still abandons migrants in the Sahel desert and South Africas ANC has shocked the continent by its violent treatment of illegal migrants.

Mired in ideological anachronism, memorial rent and corruption, the Algerian and South African regimes have come to symbolize all that African nations are battling.

Moroccos UN Human rights Council inroad should serve as a reminder to both Algeria and South Africa that they have been diplomatically punching above their weight and that they should look within to their own troubled political, rights, and economic realities before trying to project influence in international forums.
Proceedings opened on Thursday (11 January) at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, where Israel faces accusations from South Africa that it is subjecting Palestinians in Gaza to genocidal acts.

South Africa accuses Israel of violating the United Nationss 1948 Genocide Convention, established in the wake of the Holocaust, an accusation that Tel Aviv has dismissed, saying it operates in accordance with international law. Lawyers told the top UN court that more than 23,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed and most of Gazas population of 2.3 million has been displaced amid Israels ongoing three-month war in the territory. Therefore, South Africa appeals to the court to order Israel to halt its deadly campaign in Gaza

Rights organizations have long accused Israel of the crime of Apartheid under the Apartheid Convention and Rome Statute namely. Adila Hassim, a lawyer representing South Africa, told the ICJ that Israel had breached Article II of the Genocide Convention, which included the mass killing of Palestinians in Gaza. Israel deployed 6,000 bombs per week  No one is spared. Not even newborns. UN chiefs have described it as a graveyard for children, she said. Many people in South Africa and other parts of the continent are closely watching the genocide case. All African countries should support South Africa in this step, Modou Jawo, a resident of the Gambian capital, Banjul, told the media. What Israel is doing is killing innocent people. But analysts point out that the case could drag on for years.
The Indian Ocean archipelago nation of Comoros will vote in an election on Sunday (14 January) that is widely expected to deliver a fourth term to incumbent President Azali Assoumani, a former military officer, whose opponents accuse him of stifling dissent.

In 2019, the 65-year-old Assoumani was re-elected president after constitutional reforms that extended presidential terms from one five-year term to two and also eradicated the need for a rotational presidency among the islands. This effectively provided Assoumani with the opportunity to seek another term and potentially extend his rule until 2029. The predominantly Muslim Indian Ocean archipelago nation has faced decades of political upheaval, witnessing approximately two dozens attempted or successful coups since breaking away from French rule in 1975.

Nearly 340,000 people are eligible to vote in the country of fewer than one million people, nearly half of whom live below the poverty line, according to the World Bank. Assoumani will face five competitors, while other opposition leaders have called for a boycott, accusing the electoral commission of favoring the ruling party. While the electoral commission has denied these accusations, regional observer missions, including from the AU, said the 2019 was riddled with irregularities and lacked credibility. Assoumani, who held the rotating chairperson role of the African Union (AU) for the past year, and his government have been accused of a crackdown on political opposition, epitomized by the life imprisonment of ex-president Ahmed Abdallah Sambi on charges of corruption.
Photo: Alex Kent/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Nobody knows for sure how this is going to go. No practitioner, no law professor, no retired judge, no Twitter icon, no TV analyst or former prosecutor (ahem) can rightly make bold declarations about how the ongoing legal Armageddon over the 14th Amendment will ultimately come out. We can have our views on whats likely  Ive got mine, and well get to them  and we can draw on adjacent examples, but weve never seen anything quite like the ongoing effort to disqualify Donald Trump from the 2024 presidential ballot. As a wise federal judge once said to me after a difficult trial setback: A little humility never hurt anyone. So lets start by acknowledging that this is new to all of us. We can learn together as we go.

Further complicating matters, we (collectively) have been all over the map (literally) on the issue. Nationwide, the healthy majority of 14th Amendment challenges have failed. Some have been rejected by secretaries of State, others by state courts, still others by federal judges, for various reasons. But now two states, Colorado and Maine, have broken the seal and determined (for the moment) that Trump engaged in insurrection and, therefore, cannot appear on their 2024 ballots.

Late last week, the Supreme Court  likely spurred by the proliferation of state-by-state chaos  decided to weigh in. The Courts order granting certiorari (that is, taking the case) is perfunctory. The Court gave us one paragraph, all about scheduling. While some certiorari orders delineate the precise legal questions to be argued, this one is silent on the matter. Essentially, its: Were taking the case, but were not specifying on exactly what grounds.

Still, we can puzzle through and gain some clarity. In his petition for review, Trump makes somewhere between seven and ten arguments against his disqualification, depending how thinly we slice the pie. The Court might rule on all of them, or some, or none at all; it might find for Trump on some issues but against him on others; or it could import a rationale that Trump has not even raised. The permutations are dizzying, mathematically. Lets try to narrow down the possibilities in Holmes-ian fashion (Sherlock or Oliver Wendell, take your pick).

First, lets adopt an uncontroversial premise: The Supreme Court wants to put an end to this, now. The last thing the justices (or most Americans, Id assume) want over the next few months is a piecemeal flow of other disputes arising in dozens of states that disqualify (or refuse to disqualify) Trump from the 2024 ballot. The Court has every incentive to use a silver bullet here. One shot and were done.

Agreed? If so, then we have our answer about who will win.

Lets imagine the Court defies the widespread (but not universal) expectation that it will strike down the Colorado Supreme Court, upholding Trumps disqualification there. The ruling would essentially amount to: Individual states do have the right to apply and administer the 14th Amendment according to their own procedures, and Colorado did so within the bounds of due process. A decision along these lines would bar Trump from the Colorado ballot, and it would establish that other states can apply the 14th Amendment to ban him too, so long as they abide by reasonably fair processes.

But heres the problem. A pro-Colorado, anti-Trump outcome doesnt settle anything beyond the borders of the Rocky Mountain State. If the Court does leave disqualification up to the states, then every states determination becomes fodder for litigation: Did this state abide by its own procedures and afford Trump due process? The Supreme Court would essentially have to consider (or refuse to consider) each states disqualification determination, one by one  and there are around three dozen such challenges making their way through various administrative agencies and courts. Do you see a world where the Supreme Court invites that outcome? I dont.

If the Court wants to issue one definitive ruling that will resolve all 14th Amendment challenges nationwide, it has two pathways  and both of them result in Trump victories.

First, the Supreme Court could rule that only Congress has the authority to set procedures for application of the 14th Amendment and that, in the absence of such enabling legislation, the states are out of luck. (Keep in mind that, while Section 3 of the 14th Amendment contains the insurrection clause, Section 5 provides that The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.)

Second, the Court might rule that the 14th Amendment does not apply to the presidency. On one hand, the Amendments text does delineate certain offices  senators, representatives, even presidential electors  but not the president (though it does apply to any office, civil or military, under the United States). On the other hand, its tough to believe the Framers wanted to keep insurrectionists out of all offices except the most powerful one.

If I had to guess  and we are all guessing, perhaps cut with some experience and intuition  Id go with the former one-shot approach (though the Court could do both). The Court can base its ruling on textualist, plain-language principles: When the Constitution says Congress decides, it means Congress and not Congress  but also the states, if they feel like it. Its legalistic, its above the fray, its clean, and its definitive. Plus, the Court would build itself a neat political heat shield: Dont like this result? Blame Congress, theyre the ones who havent done their jobs.

As for the president is not an officer argument, that one feels too much like a loophole, a stretch of common sense. How the hell could the president not be an officer of the United States? I have a hunch the Court will give that one a pass. Either way (or both), with one decision, the Court can reach a defensible legal result and put an end to the ongoing political and electoral chaos.

If thats disappointing to you, take solace in this: Whatever happens, well know much more about the constitutional insurrectionist ban when this is all over. The 14th Amendment may not help the country be rid of Donald Trump now, but we could learn how to use it properly in the future.

Listen to this article. And for more analysis of law and politics with Elie Honig, Preet Bharara, and other contributors, sign up for the free CAFE newsletter or become a member of CAFE Insider.
Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

If, like me, youve been holding off on picking a presidential candidate because you base all your important voting decisions on Rand Pauls recommendations, theres some good news and some bad news.

First, the good news: On Thursday afternoon the Kentucky senator announced that hed soon be breaking his silence on the 2024 election. As you know Ive been pretty quiet about the presidential race, which is kind of unusual for me, Paul said in a video posted to X. But tune in tomorrow and Ive got something very important to say on the presidential race.

Ive stayed out of the Republican Presidential Primary so far - but Ive seen enough.



Thats why tomorrow morning I will have something important to say.



Dont miss it! pic.twitter.com/HBnMnSy4Bc  Rand Paul (@RandPaul) January 11, 2024

Now the bad news: Rand Paul did not actually endorse any candidate on Friday morning.

Ive been watching the GOP Primary closely for a while now, and I like various aspects of several candidates - Republicans like President @realDonaldTrump, Governor @RonDeSantis, and @VivekGRamaswamy.  Rand Paul (@RandPaul) January 12, 2024

He didnt even commit to voting for a Republican!

Im interested in the ideas of some independents too, such as @RobertKennedyJr.  Rand Paul (@RandPaul) January 12, 2024

So what was this very important thing the senator needed to tell us? Hes not voting for Nikki Haley.

Im not yet ready to make a decision, but I am ready to make a decision on someone who I cannot support, he said. So Im announcing this morning that Im #NeverNikki.

As I look over the field, I dont think I yet have a first choice, but I do know one thing: count me in as #NeverNikki! pic.twitter.com/0RjbBhnwdc  Rand Paul (@RandPaul) January 12, 2024

Basically, Paul hates Haley. Like, a lot. He followed up this video with 21 posts explaining his reasons for voting against the the former South Carolina governor. He also urged people to go to NeverNikki.net [so] you can let her know that youre not a supporter either.

Traditionally, voters let candidates know they dont support them by casting their ballots for other people. Americans will finally have a chance to do this when the voting phase of the 2024 election kicks off with the Iowa Caucuses on Monday. So why do people need to go to this website? Because Rand Paul is messy and lives for drama? Sure, thats probably a factor. But take a closer look at the site, which was PAID FOR BY RAND PAUL FOR US SENATE:

It seems the real answer lies in the fine print at the bottom:

Sign up for text updates! By participating, you agree to the terms & privacy policy for recurring autodialed campaign & donation messages from Rand Paul to the phone number you provide. No consent required to buy. Msg&data rates may apply.

So this is a just a stunt to expand Rand Pauls mailing list? Wow, I guess Im going to have to find some other failed presidential candidate to tell me which single name I should cross off my 2024 presidential ballot.
Lol thats the least of what theyre gonna pay. Nice try though.

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Assholes are probably trying to avoid a lawsuit or some shit. The fact that the flight crew complained and the airline KNEW there was a problem with the plane... sue the shit out of them.



Hey ONTD attorneys!

If the passengers accept that pissy payout, can the airline use that against them if they try to sue for damages?

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They usually have a clause in a payout that says they cant come after them at a later time unfortunately. Hopefully theyre smart and dont take the money.

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Not a lawyer but I think they can. Here in Canada, the top supermarket engaged in bread price fixing scheme and when they got caught they offered us a paltry 25$ gift card. In order to claim it you had to agree that you would not engage in any lawsuits or make any claim on any judgement payouts. I know its not comparable, bread and nearly dying on a plane but Id imagine the airline would do the same regarding claiming the 1500$.

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I'm not an attorney, I'm an insurance adjuster. It's not unusual, in the case of aviation incidents or large losses, to offer small payments like these for immediate use. It doesn't necessarily mean that there is no negligence. And if they don't broker a settlement or require a release for this payment, it doesn't preclude the people who take this payment from bringing another action against the airline or responsible parties.



In fact, there are several different requirements for releases and for equitable settlements per state and felt. I highly doubt that even if they tried to use this as a release, that it would hold up. Especially if the person accepting the settlement is in a state that requires a "cooling off" period.



Additionally, I will say that any wholesale settlement of payment without knowing what the damages are for each person or the negligence of all parties would be irresponsible.



To compare with the Southwest Airlines incident, there are certainly some people who se damages were way higher than others. Not least of all the passenger who died. But also the people who had to move out of their seat so that person could get attention from the flight attendants. The people who pulled the passenger out of the window. The people who directly witnessed the incident. They would be entitled to more than someone who doesn't see anything. And then you have to consider special damages, which are the medical bills or treatment from an incident. It's not enough to say you were going to need therapy, you actually have to get the therapy. All of these factors are going to impact what type of settlement a person would receive.

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If I actually saw a hole appear in the side of an aircraft I was currently riding in my therapy bill would be more than that. Just saying.

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Shit, I'd probably need a therapist that charged $1,500 an hour to even start helping me handle trauma that massive.

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Id also need money for other forms of travel cause lord knows Im not flying again after that.

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MFs are lucky no one died. This paltry payout is an insult. My ass would need some serious therapy because I already hate flying and this would have fucked me up.

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i don't think i'd ever be able to fly again

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There's not a chance in hell I would step back on an airplane.

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I think I would literally never get on a plane again.

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$1500 is NOT enough. They need to open that wallet.

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They basically pulled a 'my bad' here's a refund and a bandaid, now please don't sue us.

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The lawsuit that is going to come out of this is going to be enormous.

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Im wondering how Boeings going to survive after the eventual lawsuit and all the fines and restrictions that state and federal governments will impose. The OSHA fines alone would be massive.

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Evil never dies

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they got fined $2.5billion after the 2018/2019 crashes, and they're far from going under. if this is correct , they've made 10 times that amount in federal contracts in the last decade.

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They're a defense contractor so they have an unlimited flow of American taxes in perpetuity, no strings attached.

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boeing will survive from their military contracts

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$1500 when their lives were seriously in danger?



They treating this like a fender bender.

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Im very scared of flying, its so emotionally exhausting bc I genuinely embark feeling like I saw/talked to the people I loved for the last time. Ironically, the actual flight (minus the landing) is usually okay but if something like that happened in my flight, 1500 wouldnt even begin to treat the absolute mess Id be.

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I hate flying too and only do it when i have to, i do not understand how people can just hop on them like an uber ride. Like i get something happening is unlikely but the thought of being in fear in the air is unfathomable to me, id rather be in a car crash tbh



Edited at 2024-01-12 04:00 am (UTC)

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Hard same. I hate flying, my stress levels are crazy and require either alcohol to chill me out or some meds to knock my ass out for a few hours. This would have scarred me for life.



When can we have highspeed railways across this damn country. I'd take the train every time over flying if available.

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I am the exact same way. My friends always know when I'm flying because they suddenly get "just wanted to say I love you!" texts. It's an absolutely horrific experience from start to finish for me

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I hate flying and I fly at least several times a year, exclusively with Alaska because it's so much more affordable than other airlines unfortunately.

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Same. And dickheads are constantly like lol why though ? Like??????? Lmao because crazy horrible shit happens. It feels like the most unnatural thing in the world.



If this happened to me I would for sure never be able to fly anywhere again for any reason. Thats absolutely traumatising.

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One time I almost got a panic attack when I was flying from LA to Hawaii at night like I watched the route on the screen and suddenly realised how much we (obviously) be flying over water and how far it is away from any main land whatsoever and so I imagined myself crashing but surviving (as if lol) and being stranded in the middle of the ocean, just drifting around and no idea what creepy creatures are swimming below us!

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I love flying but something like this would fuck me up massively.

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I dont even know what the right amount is because as someone with plane/flying anxiety I feel like this would fuck me up for life. But, I know damn well its not $1500.



I know that flying is still the safest mode of transportation, but I hate how these companies just restate how much they give less and less fucks about us with each incident.

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That is pocket change. That is not enough. That pay is INSULTING. WTF?!

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Wait why is Alaska Airlines paying these people instead of the plane manufacturer  and multiple reports had come out with employees who had reported the issue, only to be ignored; Former employees at the Boeings subcontractor repeatedly warned corporate officials about safety problems and were told to falsify records. https://t.co/Pfq8qMUckM pic.twitter.com/JdvP8C0hMA  Philip Rocco (@PhilipRocco) January 11, 2024 Listen to workers. https://t.co/yEKLPTg1Xo  Alphabet Workers Union (AWU-CWA) (@AlphabetWorkers) January 9, 2024

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God this reminds me of how during the Southwest mess the employees warned them as well, so tired of companies not listening to save a buck.

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And after that fiasco SW said it would take years to implement a new system. If they had started implementing the new system when you were first told about it, you would've been done already.

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Oh dont you worry I know theres attorneys already foaming at the mouth and theyre gonna sue everyone from Boeing to the guy who held a screw once.



Edited at 2024-01-12 03:33 am (UTC)

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I think you answered your question. The airline was not unaware and I guess now they are hoping no one will notice.

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Yikes couldn't you sue Boeing in to oblivion for this??

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I know no one died or was seriously hurt but that feels like a lowball figure

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It does. That kid who had his shirt ripped off, but fortunately had his seatbelt on, should have at least four years of whatever college he chooses to attend paid for, and if he doesn't go to college, they should pick up the tab for whatever he wants to do for an equivalent period. Provided his parents will even let him out of the house again.



Edited at 2024-01-12 05:18 am (UTC)

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Its insanely lowball

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1,500 is a lowball number OMG!!

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I know this was fucked up, but I'm enjoying how they guy they interviewed is all "I might be okay with $1500, I might not - let's see which way the vibes go *wink wink* (Ps Boeing how deep are your pockets what are we talking here)"

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lol I think that's one way to interpret it. If looking at it more seriously though, he's right  it's probably not immediately obvious to the passengers how this will affect them in the long term.

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(Photo : Unsplash/Garrett Overheul)

Australian online watchdogs revealed on Thursday that Elon Musk's company, X, has terminated more than a thousand employees globally from teams responsible for removing offensive content from the internet.

The regulator has been closely monitoring X, formerly known as Twitter, in recent months and noted an increase in "toxicity and hate" on the platform around the time of Musk's takeover.

The eSafety Commission obtained a detailed list of software engineers, content moderators, and other safety personnel employed by X using Australia's innovative Online Safety Act, which revealed that 1,213 specialized "trust and safety staff," have departed from X since Musk's acquisition in October 2022.

Fulfillment of the Government's Basic Online Safety Expectations

Proof of the reduction surfaced when the independent body overseeing and regulating Australians' online activities issued a legal notice to X Corp in June. Acting under the Online Safety Act, it sought specific details about Twitter/X's efforts to fulfill the Australian government's Basic Online Safety Expectations regarding online hate and the enforcement of its policy on hateful conduct.

The company disclosed a 30% reduction in directly employed moderators and a global public policy staff number of 80%, which involved software engineers dealing with "trust and safety issues." Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, a former Twitter employee, compared it to Volvo, a brand known for safety, eliminating all its designers or engineers, which creates a "perfect storm" by significantly reducing defenses and allowing repeat offenders back onto the platform.

Although news of staff reductions in online moderation and safety had circulated since Musk's acquisition of Twitter for $44 billion in October 2022, this marks the first instance where specific figures detailing the affected areas have been provided, according to the Australian Commissioner.

READ ALSO: SpaceX Wrongfully Terminating Eight Workers, Faces Criticism on Labor Laws and Working Conditions

Perfect Storm of Challenges

In addition to the safety and moderation personnel reduction, X Corp allowed 6,100 banned accounts to return to the platform in Australia. Reports indicated 62,000 suspended accounts were reinstated globally, which X Corp confirmed are not subject to additional scrutiny.

Grant expressed that combined substantial cuts to safety and local public policy staff with the reinstatement of thousands of previously banned users will make social media platforms more toxic and unsafe for users, creating a perfect storm of challenges.

A recent eSafety study in Australia revealed that First Nations youth are three times more likely to encounter online hate speech compared to their non-indigenous peers. X Corp mentioned it had not formally communicated with any First Nations organizations after initiating layoffs in safety staff and receiving the legal notice.

Australia has taken a lead in the global effort to regulate social media, compelling tech companies to detail their strategies for addressing problems like hate speech and child sexual abuse. However, efforts to use these powers have sometimes been met with disregard.

X's Fine on Child Pornography

In October, the eSafety Commission imposed a fine of Aus$610,500 (US$388,000) on X, stating that the company had not demonstrated sufficient efforts to combat child pornography.

X missed the deadline to pay the fine and initiated continuous legal proceedings to challenge it. The company did not respond to AFP's request for comment, providing only an automated response stating, "busy now, please check back later."

RELATED ARTICLE: Elon Musk's Drug Use Concerns Executives in Businesses He Runs; Denied in Random Testing Results

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Building a Safer Workplace: Harnessing Connectivity to Boost Your Lone Worker Safety Program

Is your organization using best practices to ensure lone worker safety, security, and well-being? Its more important than ever as approximately 15-20% of the workforce work alone. And 44% of those workers felt unsafe while at work, while nearly 20% struggled to get help after an incident (EHS Today). Whether you have employees working solo indoors, outdoors, driving or in remote locations, ensuring their safety is paramount.

Join our upcoming webinar, "Building a Safer Workplace: Harnessing Connectivity to Boost Your Lone Work Safety Program," to learn how you can protect your lone workers and meet safety compliance requirements effectively.

Youll discover:

Why establishing a clear definition for lone workers within your organization is critical.

What are the legal obligations and industry-specific regulations pertaining to lone worker safety.

How to develop a comprehensive lone worker safety policy, that includes comprehensive hazard assessments and clear roles and responsibilities.

Ways connected worker technology can mitigate lone worker risks.

Valuable tools, resources and best practices to support the management of change and ensure the safety, security, and well-being of lone workers.

Register for this free webinar!

DATE: January 30, 2024

TIME: 11:00AM ET - 10:00AM CT - 8:00AM PT

Speakers:

Connected gas safety and emergency monitoring specialist, Miriam O'Connell, manages Blackline Safetys portfolio of 24/7 emergency monitoring solutions across Europe. In her time at Blackline, Miriam has revolutionised the monitoring offering available to European customers and prides herself on the efficiency, professionalism, and constant development of our portfolio. With a background in Neuroscience and data analytics, Miriam is a huge proponent of Blackline Analytics and regularly hosts webinars and talks around our trend analysis solutions and the future of data-informed prediction.



Randall Arms

Channel Operations, Lone Worker Safety Specialist

Blackline Safety

Randall Arms is a seasoned safety professional with a 15-year career dedicated to process safety and worker empowerment. He has a rich history of managing safety processes to facilitate the implementation of best-in-class safety initiatives within companies for their lone worker programs. His comprehensive approach ensures both employee well-being and operational excellence across diverse workplace environments.



From his roots in the fire service, Randall evolved through distribution and ground-level Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) roles in manufacturing. Notably, he held positions at Mohawk Industries, Bridgestone, and Gibson Brands, culminating in his role as Global EHS Manager. Randall joined Blackline Safety in 2021 and is now the Channel Operations Manager for North America. His dedication to people and safety initiatives ensures every worker safely leaves the workplace.

Duration: 1 Hour
The tense situation in the Middle East with constant Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea is upending the global trade of crude oil and petroleum productsagain.

The markets had just adjusted to the disruption caused by the sanctions on Russian oil and fuels, which found new outlets in Asia, North Africa, and South America instead of the top buyer before the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

New Threat To Global Oil Trade

Then came the Hamas-Israel war that began in early October, shifting the market focus to the most vital oil shipping lanes in the world, in the Middle East.

The most recent threat to global trade, including part of oil and products trade, emerged from the Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen, who have intensified attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and near its vital chokepoint, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a critical chokepoint for international oil and natural gas flows. The Suez Canal, the SUMED pipeline, and the Strait are strategic routes for Gulf oil and natural gas shipments to Europe and North America and for U.S. oil to Asia. Total oil shipments via these routes accounted for 12% of total seaborne-traded oil in the first half of 2023, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments accounted for about 8% of worldwide LNG trade, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) says.

As a result of intensified Houthi attacks in the Red Seathe route that links the Middle East and the Gulf of Aden with the Indian Ocean and Asian marketsshippers and oil majors such as BP either rerouted part of their tankers and container vessels or temporarily suspended all shipments via the Red Sea/Suez Canal route. Related: Platts Survey: OPEC+ Raised Oil Output in December

Last week, shipping giant A.P. MollerMaersk said, While we continue to hope for a sustainable resolution in the near-future and do all we can to contribute towards it, we do encourage customers to prepare for complications in the area to persist and for there to be significant disruption to the global network.

For the time being, oil and gas supply per se isnt in jeopardy, and there is capacity to reroute to alternatives, but this will come at a cost, analysts say.

U.S. Oil Becomes Too Expensive for Asian Buyers

These higher costs have already upended global crude trade patterns. U.S. crude such as WTI Midland, is now more expensive for Asian refiners compared to the crude grades from the Middle Eastern producers as tanker rates have surged in recent weeks. The arbitrage window for WTI cargoes to Asia is now closed, traders say. Asian buyers are boosting purchases and orders for Middle Eastern crudes at the expense of U.S. crude.

The cost to charter a supertanker to ship up to 2 million barrels of crude from the United States to Asia surged this week to about $10 million, up from around $8 million just last week, per data from shipbroker Simpson Spence & Young on LSEG Eikon cited by Reuters.

The premium for WTI for April delivery on a cost-and-freight basis has now jumped to more than $4 per barrel over the Dubai benchmarks, compared to a $2 a barrel premium last week, traders told Reuters.

Due to the higher freight costs, WTI Crude is now $1 a barrel more expensive than Abu Dhabis Murban, versus small discounts or parity in prices last week, the traders say.

No deal (for WTI) is heard settling at the new prices. The arbitrage window is now closed, an oil trader based in Singapore told Reuters.

According to Energy Aspects analysts Anastasia Zania and Christopher Haines, The pop in freight will now favor Middle Eastern grades.

The stronger rise in US Gulf Coast freight has already driven Japanese and Indian refiners to pick up Murban, possibly at the expense of WTI, the analysts wrote in a note carried by Bloomberg.

U.S. crude cant compete now in Asia because freight rates have made it too expensive.

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So Asian buyers are turning to more Middle Eastern crude, especially after Saudi Arabiathe worlds top crude oil exporterslashed the price of its crude for Asia for February loading by $2 per barrel to a premium of $1.50 per barrel over the Oman/Dubai prices, off which Middle Eastern producers price their crude loading for Asia. Thats the lowest premium for Saudi crude over Oman/Dubai for 27 monthssince November 2021.

For example, India is looking to buy more term supplies from Saudi Arabia and from West African producers as the worlds third-largest crude oil importer is always on the hunt for bargains for its crude supply.

With prohibitively expensive U.S. crude and lower imports of oil from Russia, now Indias top crude supplier, the Asian country is turning to more Middle East supply. State refiners Indian Oil Corporation (IOL) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) are looking to book extra 1 million barrels of oil each from Saudi Arabias oil giant Aramco for February, sources at the Indian companies have told Reuters.

Rising tensions in the Middle East and the Red Sea/Suez Canal route are likely to favor more U.S. crude supply to Europe and more Middle Eastern supply to Asia in another shift to global oil trade caused by geopolitical flare-ups.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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In December, U.S. President Biden announced the launch of the American Climate Corps to train young people in high-demand skills for jobs in the clean energy economy. As part of the Biden administrations aim to accelerate the green transition, it plans to get the countrys youth population involved in the transition through training and awareness schemes for green energy and clean technology.

Following several delays, the Biden administration launched the American Climate Corps (ACC) programme in September, backed by federal funding from a range of climate programmes. The program aims to employ thousands of youths in the countrys clean energy, conservation, and climate resilience sectors. The ACC will be driven by partners in the departments of Commerce, Interior, Agriculture, Labour and Energy, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency and AmeriCorps. The White House hopes that encouraging several different departments to participate in the programme will incite action and drive the acceleration of the green transition across several sectors, as well as spur higher levels of de-centralised funding.

The first ACC cohort is expected to enrol in the summer of 2024 and, starting this January, the corps will hold several virtual listening sessions, aimed at engaging youths in the scheme, as well as hearing their interests and concerns. It will allow for engagement with youths across the country to understand how the programme can be implemented at the local level. Several high-level politicians will participate in the talks, including Senator Ed Markey, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi and AmeriCorps CEO Michael Smith. The ACC relies heavily on youth engagement with the green transition and related sectors. So far, almost 50,000 youths from all U.S. states have signed up to learn more about the ACC.

The development of the ACC echoes former programmes under previous administrations such as the 1933 Franklin Roosevelts Civilian Conservation Corps, which aimed to provide work in land preservation for unemployed youths during the Great Depression. However, it is the first scheme of its kind to be launched in several decades. Maggie Thomas, special assistant for climate to President Joe Biden, stated A historic programme like this has never been done before in the lifetime of almost every single person thats working on this programme.

The launch of the ACC at the federal level follows in the footsteps of existing Climate Corps programmes in California, Colorado, Maine, Michigan and Washington. This will provide state-level partners in some regions of the U.S. and could encourage the launch of others. It aims to engage youths with work conserving and restoring U.S. lands and waters, bolstering community resilience, deploying clean energy, implementing energy-efficient technologies, advancing environmental justice and other related activities. It is expected to support the development of the key skills needed for youths to develop careers in environmental justice careers, which will create meaningful long-term change in support of a green transition.

The ACC is expected to mobilise a diverse generation of over 20,000 youths, providing them with the skills to find good-paying careers in the clean energy and climate resilience economy. In addition to helping youths get onto the job ladder, the work of the ACC is expected to enhance equity and environmental justice across the country in support of the Biden administrations Justice40 programme. The White House has called upon Tribal, State, and local governments, labour unions, non-profit organisations, the private sector, and philanthropy to partner with the ACC to provide input and training that will enhance environmental action at the local and regional level across the country.

In December, the Departments of Commerce, the Interior, Agriculture, Labour and Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and AmeriCorps signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in support of the multiagency initiative. The MoU defines the core principles of the ACC, including compensating members to ensure the initiative is accessible to all, expanding workforce pathways in and led by disadvantaged communities that are marginalised, underserved, and overburdened by pollution, serving all U.S. communities by improving climate resilience, public health, energy security, and by creating economic opportunity in U.S. urban, rural, suburban, and wilderness remote areas. The MoU established the Executive Committee, which is comprised of the Assistant to the President and National Climate Advisor, CEO of AmeriCorps, Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of the Interior, Secretary of Agriculture, Secretary of Labour, Secretary of Energy, and Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, to lead the ACC at the federal level. It also created a Working Group to carry out and implement the initiative.

If successful, the programme could encourage other countries around the globe to develop similar initiatives to support the acceleration of the green transition and develop a generation of youths with the skills and experience needed to advance green energy and clean technologies.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

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While Chinese oil demand growth may slow in the future, its natural gas demand growth is likely to remain robust as it increases the use of natural gas in power generation.

Despite fluctuations in demand and some disappointment among analysts, both domestic production and imports of energy commodities reached historic highs.

China produced a record amount of crude oil and natural gas last year, the National Energy Administration has said.

The authority added that the increase in shale and other unconventional gas output was especially remarkable. That was the same year that imports of crude oil also broke several records and natural gas imports remained robust.

In crude oil, domestic production rose by more than 3 million metric tons last year, the NEA said, as cited by China Daily. This brought the total to 208 million tons, equal to about 4.2 million barrels a day, using a conversion factor of 7.33 barrels per 1 million metric tons.

Natural gas production in China went up to 230 billion cubic meters last year, with so-called unconventional gas, including shale, coal-bed methane, and natural gas hydrates, accounting for 96 billion cubic meters. The unconventionals represented 43% of Chinas total gas output, highlighting the importance of developing such resources.

For years, China has been working hard to make unconventional gas production commercially viable. Its shale deposit geology is much more challenging than the one in the United States, which made progress slow and challenging, but progress, as the numbers suggest, was nevertheless made.

The record production of energy commodities came amid recovering demand after the pandemic lockdowns that decimated said demand temporarily. While it fell short of the expectations of many analysts and energy traders, demand for oil and gas in China stimulated both record domestic output and significantly higher imports.

LNG imports, for instance, remained at record 2022 levels, and monthly oil imports broke records on several occasions during the year. China is likely to have remained the worlds largest importer of crude oil last year based on data for the first ten months.

The increase in energy demand that drove the increase in output and imports was commonly attributed to post-pandemic recovery. Interestingly, trader behavior during the year suggested they were disappointed with the pace of this recovery, apparently expecting it to be an uninterrupted upward line rather than a curve.

Even so, China did not disappoint energy exporters, with imports steady and growing for most of the year. In November, imports of crude fell, for the first time since April, by over 9% on the back of high levels of storage and weaker demand from refiners, per Reuters, which also cited a slowdown in economic growth towards the end of the year.

The slowdown may be temporary, however, given that last month, Beijing issued the first batch of crude oil import quotas for refiners and the total was a substantial 60% above the first batch of quotas for 2023.

For 2024, China released a total of 179.01 million metric tons of crude import quotas for 41 refiners. This compared to a quota of 111.82 million tons issued in the first batch of quotas for 2023, data supplied by traders and consultancies showed.

Despite this increase in import quotas, some analysts have predicted that demand for oil in China is set for slower growth this year, at a rate of 4% over the first six months. The basis for the prediction is weaker diesel fuel demand due to the decline in the real estate industry. This, however, should be offset by stronger demand for jet fuel and petrochemicals, Reuters reported in November.

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Demand for gas is also expected to remain healthy as China moves forward with its plan to increase the share of gas in power generation and reduce the share of coal, even as it builds new coal power plants. This is the long-term perspective, however. For this year, it would all depend on international LNG prices, as always. Now that China has a steady supply channel with Russia and is boosting domestic production, it is better placed to avoid financial pain in case of a price surge.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
The brazen Ethiopia-Somaliland deal represents the perfect opportunity for Al Shabab to launch attacks under the guise of the savior of Somalias

On Wednesday, Al Shabab attacked a UN helicopter after an emergency landing in Al Shabaab territory. Five passengers were taken hostage, one was killed while attempting to escape, and one is still missing.

Even if the Somali government doesnt take some form of action directed at what amounts to Ethiopias declaration of Somaliland as a sovereign nation, radical Al Shabab willand has, already.

The Port of Berbera on the Gulf of Aden is on the coast of Somaliland, and its a lifeline of desperation for Ethiopia. The deal has enraged Somalias government, which has condemned the deal as illegal. The deal also comes on the heels of what Somali had thought was some sort of progress in talks with Somaliland less than a month ago.

On the surface of the issue is a deal between Ethiopia and the autonomous region of Somaliland that will give landlocked Ethiopia the right to use the port of Somaliland, a region attempting to gain international recognition as a sovereign state and not part of Somalia.

As tensions rock the Middle East, the Horn of Africa is following suit, with the New Year presenting a critical resurgence of Al Shabab, an Al-Qaida affiliate, helped along by geopolitics that strike at the very heart of Somalias territorial sovereignty.

As tensions rock the Middle East, the Horn of Africa is following suit, with the New Year presenting a critical resurgence of Al Shabab, an Al-Qaida affiliate, helped along by geopolitics that strike at the very heart of Somalias territorial sovereignty.

On the surface of the issue is a deal between Ethiopia and the autonomous region of Somaliland that will give landlocked Ethiopia the right to use the port of Somaliland, a region attempting to gain international recognition as a sovereign state and not part of Somalia.

The Port of Berbera on the Gulf of Aden is on the coast of Somaliland, and its a lifeline of desperation for Ethiopia. The deal has enraged Somalias government, which has condemned the deal as illegal. The deal also comes on the heels of what Somali had thought was some sort of progress in talks with Somaliland less than a month ago.

Even if the Somali government doesnt take some form of action directed at what amounts to Ethiopias declaration of Somaliland as a sovereign nation, radical Al Shabab willand has, already.

On Wednesday, Al Shabab attacked a UN helicopter after an emergency landing in Al Shabaab territory. Five passengers were taken hostage, one was killed while attempting to escape, and one is still missing.

The brazen Ethiopia-Somaliland deal represents the perfect opportunity for Al Shabab to launch attacks under the guise of the savior of Somalias sovereignty. What the radical group is looking for in its resurgence is a sense of legitimacy and political capital. And it could succeed by playing to the heartstrings of Somali nationalism, much like Maduro is doing in Venezuela over the threat to annex Guyanas oil-rich Essequibo to gain domestic political capital.

At the same time, Al Shababs actions will pressure the Somali president to act against Ethiopia/Somaliland to avoid appearing weak in the face of a threat to Somali sovereignty. Its a dangerous cocktail of developments for the fragile stability of the Horn of Africa, just across the Red Sea from Yemen, where shipping is under constant threat of missile attack.

The Somali presidents first call in this respect was to Eritrea, a long-time rival of Ethiopia. The stakes are high for everyone in this game, and all parties are willing to raise them to the highest levels, including the leaders of Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somaliland.

This emerging conflict also goes beyond the Horn of Africa, and if there is a dealmaker lurking in the shadows, it is the UAE, which is investing heavily in the region because it wants to ensure its own maritime security. In this equation, the UAE has sizable investments in Ethiopia that have perhaps helped to embolden Addis Ababa to the extent that it took the plunge on the Somaliland port deal.

In the meantime, the Houthis are no longer the only threat to the Red Sea. Al Shabab is potentially gearing up to cause trouble of its own.
In 2003, the late author and investment banker Matther Simmons predicted that with certainty, by 2005 the U.S. would enter a long-term natural gas crisis for which the only solution was to pray. T. Boone Pickens and a number of high-profile energy insiders concurred.

ConocoPhillips and ExxonMobil made large acquisitions of natural gas companies, betting on a future with much higher natural gas prices. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminals were being built to help address the expected supply shortfall.

By 2005, U.S. natural gas production had begun to decline. Natural gas spot prices regularly spiked above $10 per million British thermal units (MMBtu), and sometimes as high as $15/MMBtu.

What happened next was unanticipated. Natural gas producers were experimenting with a combination of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and horizontal drilling. Their success would change everything.

Instead of an ongoing decline, by 2007 U.S. natural gas production was moving substantially higher. The industry was in the early stages of the largest expansion of U.S. natural gas production in its history.

A decade later, natural gas production was 50% higher than the level in 2007. Today, it is 86% higher and still climbing. Along the way, LNG import terminals were converted into LNG export terminals, and many more were built.

Natural gas expansion was so dramatic, that in 2016, the U.S. began to sharply increase LNG exports. At first, exports were a drop in the bucket compared to those of Qatar and Australia  the worlds two largest LNG exporters. But the rise was steep, and by 2022 it looked like a possibility that the U.S. could soon overtake those countries as the worlds largest LNG exporter.

LNG Exports from 2000 through 2022. ROBERT RAPIER

That has now happened, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Data through the end of December 2023 showed record U.S. exports of 91.2 million metric tons. The U.S. became the worlds leading LNG exporter in 2023, surpassing Qatar and Australia.

The increase in production was attributed to the return of Freeport LNG to full service, adding 6 million metric tons, and the full-year output of Venture Global LNGs Calcasieu Pass facility, which added 3 million metric tons more than in 2022.

This is an extraordinary achievement for U.S. natural gas producers, but it is even more impressive when you consider the state of the industry in 2005. It turns out that predicting the future is hard, even for an integrated supermajor like ExxonMobil.

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The easing of the COVID-related sanitary regime at Chinese customs crossings enabled Kazakhstan to quadruple the amount of agricultural goods it exported to the country in 2023 as compared to a year earlier.

The 2.2 million tons, which comprised wheat, barley, soybeans, flax and sunflower seeds, that was sent to China last year was not just significantly more than the 615,000 tons delivered in 2022. It was also a large surge on the previous record of 1.2 million tons recorded in 2019.

Most of the deliveries were carried on freight trains, but around 500,000 tons were transported by road.

The return of the Chinese market has helped the Kazakh farming sector out of a tough spot. As a result of the ongoing quarantine regime in China and payment difficulties experienced by heavily sanctioned Iran, Kazakhstans farmers were left almost entirely with neighbors in Central Asia as customers.

Chinas purchases extended to Kazakh grain heavily spoiled by adverse weather conditions. Heavy rains last year caused up to 5 million tons of grain to sprout  and only Chinese importers had equipment suitable for processing it.

Yevgeny Karabanov, a representative for the Grain Union of Kazakhstan, a lobby group, is buoyant about China emerging as such a dependable customer.

China is a huge and solvent market, there are never problems with payment for deliveries to China, he told the Eldala news site.

Karabanov believes there is potential for greater exports to China. In 2023, China imported 12 million tons of wheat  of that total, 400,000 tons came from Kazakhstan. That could be tripled, Karabanov says.

Experts consider this a real prospect against the backdrop of Kazakhstans expanding infrastructure capabilities. The two railway crossings  Dostyk-Alashankou and Altynkol-Khorgos  have the capacity to accommodate much more than is currently going through them. Another line to Dostyk now under construction will be launched in a few years.

The only drawback of developing China as an economic partner, Karabanov said, is the sluggishness of the bureaucratic machine and the people running it.

We have to maintain constant communication with them and nudge them, he said. As soon as those contacts are weakened, we start seeing problems with cargo at their end.

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By Almaz Kumenov via Eurasianet.org

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Trade between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan in 2023 increased sixfold year-on-year, hitting $266 million, a certain sign that engagement between the war-stricken nation and its northern neighbors is flourishing despite the Talibans ascendancy.

Afghan news agency Tolonews cited an Industry and Trade Ministry representative in Kabul as saying that imports from Uzbekistan over that period reached $239 million, while $27 million of goods went in the other direction.

Most of our exported items to Uzbekistan are dried fruit, fruit juice, apricots, sesame, carpets, and most of our imported items are electricity, flour, beans, chemical fertilizers, oil and gas, Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, a spokesman for the ministry, was cited as saying in a January 9 report.

This pattern provides strong vindication for ongoing plans to construct a trans-Afghan railroad that would link Uzbekistan with Pakistan. Officials from the three countries met in Islamabad in July to sign a protocol outlining a roadmap for the project, which should culminate in a route running from Termez in Uzbekistan, through Mazar-i-Sharif and Logar in Afghanistan and finally reaching the Kharlachi border crossing in Pakistan. The roadmap envisions organizing technical feasibility studies and exploring funding options.

Uzbek officials estimate that building this railroad will reduce transport costs of goods coming to and from Pakistan by 40 percent. The cost of completing the work has been estimated at $6 billion and it is hoped that up to 15 million tons of cargo will be able to travel along the route by 2030.

In the more immediate future, there are plans to upgrade an already-existing 75-kilometer segment of railway running from Khairaton in south Uzbekistan to Mazar-i-Sharif in Afghanistan. This railroad was put into operation in 2011 and has since been maintained by the Uzbek state railway company. Railroad officials from the countries met in November and agreed that the work should start as soon as possible.

Dialogue on hardware is now being accompanied by regular contacts on easing the bureaucratic complications of doing business across borders.

Also in November, trade officials from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan gathered in Islamabad for a maiden session of the Trilateral Meeting on Trade and Transit format, which has been instituted to explore ways to reduce trade barriers and streamline customs procedures. Pakistani Commerce Minister Gohar Ejaz described the meeting as a significant step towards enhancing regional connectivity, promoting trade, and fostering cooperation.

Exciting times ahead! he wrote on Twitter.

By Eurasianet.org

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Alberta produced a record amount of crude oil in November last year, with the daily average topping 4 million barrels.

As the larger Trans Mountain pipeline nears completion, oil sands producers in Canadas oil province ramped up production by more than 330,000 barrels daily to a total of 4.16 million bpd, in November, Bloomberg reported, citing data from the Alberta Energy Regulator.

The Trans Mountain pipeline will, after its expansion, be able to carry 590,000 bpd more in crude oil than it did before the expansion, which will raise the total capacity of the pipeline to 890,000 bpd. However, it has to be completed first, and for that to happen the Canadian authorities would need to approve a change in the construction plan.

The government-owned Trans Mountain company requested regulators allow it to install a pipeline with a smaller diameter on a short section of the expanded pipeline after coming across difficult drilling conditions, Reuters reported earlier this month.

In response, the Canada Energy Regulator scheduled a hearing for today so Trans Mountain can elaborate on the reasons for this request. The CER had previously rejected the request, citing inadequate addressing of concerns related to pipeline integrity and the environment.

Alberta oil majors are already planning further production expansion in anticipation of the Trans Mountain projects completion. Last month, Canadian Natural Resources said it eyed an output expansion of some 40,000 barrels of oil equivalent daily this year. Cenovus is also investing in production growth.

Analysts expect tie-backs to existing oil sands facilities or expansion of operational sites by some of the biggest Canadian oil firms to boost Canadas crude oil production by 8% by 2025.

Trans Mountain should start transporting crude by the end of the first quarter of the year, but according to the company, the start could be delayed by two months, depending on the CERs decision.

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Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley both spoke in favor of oil and gas at a recent debate in Iowa, with the former Florida governor vowing to stimulate more local production and the former South Carolina governor noting the importance of nuclear in cutting emissions.

Were gonna choose Midland over Moscow. Were gonna choose the Marcellus over the mullahs. And were gonna choose the Bakken over Beijing, Ron DeSantis said during the debate, noting that if he becomes president, development in the Bakken and Marcellus shale plays would be priorities.

Asked about tackling emissions as a way of arresting climate change, DeSantis argued energy reliability was the priority, while Haley said that nuclear could go a long way towards cutting emissions.

Both candidates committed to removing the so-called green subsidies that the Biden administration has lined up for transition projects.

On day one as president, we take Bidens Green New Deal, we tear it up, and we throw it in the trash can, DeSantis said.

DeSantis has promised to bring gasoline prices down to $2 per gallon if he becomes president by boosting domestic oil production. Domestic oil production already hit a record last year and is expected to rise more moderately this year.

Also among DeSantis energy-related campaign pledges is to Replace climate change ideology with energy dominance in all national security and foreign policy guidance. Boosting energy exports is another, along with refilling the strategic petroleum reserve and revitalizing the U.S. nuclear industry.

Haley, who played a key part in President Trumps withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Agreement, said that the U.S. should step up its efforts to hold China and India accountable for their carbon dioxide emissions as the two were much worse emitters than the U.S.

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Both candidates slammed the Biden administrations plans for a phaseout of internal combustion engine cars, with Haley noting the lack of charging infrastructure and the damage that heavier EV vehicles would do to roads.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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(Photo : Pixabay/StockSnap)

In 2023, companies moved beyond the pandemic and considered the working models for their future. Some adopted a hybrid approach, others insisted on a complete return to the office, and a few permanently abandoned the office. Throughout these changes, workers approached their tasks in diverse ways and continue to do so. Here are some key workplace trends to observe as we enter 2024:

Airplane Mode

Taking a break from work emails and Slack notifications might soon become a common practice. A company called Density recommends employees switch to Airplane Mode for 100 minutes to encourage deep focus, where they can read, brainstorm, or do activities that help them concentrate.

"Skills-First" Approach

The era of an expensive college degree being a must-have on resumes might be coming to an end. Companies globally embrace the concept that having the right skills makes you fit for the job, even if you lack a four-year degree or specific job titles.

READ ALSO: U.S. Companies Ditching Degrees, Now Prioritizing Skills Over Diploma

"Rage" Applying

The trend appears on TikTok, where numerous young workers express their fears and frustrations about work. "Rage applying," or applying to multiple jobs out of frustration, may not be a new trend but a proactive strategy used by distressed workers for years. However, the current ease of firing off job applications, particularly with the help of artificial intelligence, enables Gen Z applicants (born between 1997 and 2013) to take this age-old approach to new levels.

End of the Five-Day Office Week

Even with the push to return to the office, working from home is likely here to stay, and data consistently suggests that Return to Office (RTO) policies should be reconsidered. Both employees and management are questioning various aspects of traditional employment, particularly in light of daily inconveniences and commuting expenses.

Rise of the "Queenagers"

Introducing a new group of workers: women who started their careers in the 1980s and, through determination, shattered the glass ceiling to become successful corporate leaders, typically aged between 45 and 65, with older children and higher incomes.

Social Side Gigging

The traditional 9-to-5 job is no longer the sole path to financial security in the modern era, where some office workers opt for weekend jobs with more social interaction or as a creative outlet to fill the social gap caused by remote work. Many in this group choose jobs in food service or bartending.

Unfiltered Zooming

Forget about digital backgrounds! There's been a push to reduce the overuse of social media filters and Photoshop in recent years. 2024, this trend may extend to our digital backgrounds to promote a more authentic remote work culture. Since virtual environments are never flawless, it's better not to hide your actual backdrop. Make sure it's tidy, as professionalism goes a long way.

It's crucial to create an environment that appreciates authenticity, flexibility, and ongoing learning to adapt to these trends, help address the challenges, and seize the opportunities in the evolving workplace of the future.

RELATED ARTICLE: AI Domination: Five AI Trends to Change The Way We Work in 2024

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and the U.S. and UK strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen overnight, the largest shipping and tanker industry groups are advising members to stay away from the Bab el-Mandeb Strait while shippers are diverting transit away from the Red Sea en masse again.

In an advisory to its members, the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (Intertanko), representing nearly 70% of all international oil, chemical, and gas tankers, said that tankers should stay well away from Bab el-Mandeb and pause north of Yemen when traveling south through the Suez Canal route.

The threat period for shipping is expected to last for several days, Intertanko said in the advisory carried by the Financial Times.

The higher threat to shipping in the area sent oil prices surging by more than 4% early on Friday, after the U.S. and UK forces in the Red Sea struck military targets in Yemen late on Thursday in response to the Houthi attacks on ships in the area.

These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation, U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement following the air and sea strikes.

BIMCO, the world's largest direct-membership organization for shipowners, charterers, shipbrokers, and agents, also advised members to avoid the Red Sea.

Should the situation escalate, all ships must be expected to avoid the Red Sea until safe passage is restored and effectively close the Suez Canal for all ships except for vessels that arent going all the way through the Red Sea, BIMCOs chief shipping analyst Niels Rasmussen said, as carried by Bloomberg.

In an update on Friday, shipping giant Maersk said that The situation is constantly evolving and remains highly volatile, and all available intelligence at hand confirms that the security risk continues to be at a significantly elevated level.

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We have therefore decided that all Maersk vessels due to transit the Red Sea / Gulf of Aden will be diverted south around the Cape of Good Hope for the foreseeable future, Maersk added.

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Tesla expects to stop production at its Giga Berlin factory, its largest in Europe, for two weeks at the end of January and early February, due to a lack of components as the Red Sea attacks on shipping have strained supply chains.

The considerably longer transportation times are creating a gap in the supply chains. Due to a lack of components, we are therefore forced to suspend vehicle production in the Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg, Tesla said in a statement on Friday carried by The Wall Street Journal.

Tesla will suspend production of electric vehicles at its factory in Berlin between January 29 and February 12.

The incessant attacks from the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen on commercial shipping in the Red Sea have prompted many cargo owners and operators to divert traffic away from the Red Sea/Suez Canal route, a vital shipping lane for goods from Asia to Europe.

While there is an alternative route, via the Cape of Good Hope south of Africa, shipping times have increased significantly, and so will costs.

Relying on so many key components from Asia, and specifically China, has been a potential weak spot in any automakers supply chain, Sam Fiorani, vice president at AutoForecast Solutions, which tracks automotive supply chains and production, told Reuters, which first reported the halt in Teslas production in Berlin.

Tesla relies heavily on China for battery components, which need to be transported to Europe through the Red Sea, putting production constantly at risk, Fiorani added.

Other European automakers, including VW and Renault, are closely coordinating supply with shippers and are monitoring the situation, but they havent flagged yet significant production threats from the delays in the supply chains.

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At the end of last year, furniture giant Ikea warned of delays in the supply of its products because of the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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The TotalEnergies refinery in Port Arthur, Texas, has been forced to shut down its two crude distillation units and two vacuum distillation units, due to a malfunction at the gasoline-producing unit, sources with knowledge of the refinery operations have told Reuters.

After a malfunction at the gasoline-producing fluidic catalytic cracker (FCC) at the 238,000 barrel-per-day refinery, the plant shut down on Thursday the two crude distillation and two vacuum distillation units, according to Reuters sources. Those units convert crude into feedstock for all other units at the refinery.

Earlier this week, sources familiar with the refinery operations told Reuters that the small crude distillation unit at the refinery was operating at a reduced production level.

The 76,000-bpd gasoline-producing fluidic catalytic cracker 2 (FCC-2) at the refinery continued to operate at reduced rates. TotalEnergies carried out a three-month-long overhaul at the FCC-2 which was completed at the end of November.

In the middle of December 2023, the small crude distillation unit was still shut three weeks after the overhaul was completed, sources with knowledge of the refinerys operations told Reuters at the time.

This week, TotalEnergies notified the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) on Thursday that the malfunction at the gasoline-producing cracker began on Wednesday afternoon and continued until Thursday morning. During that period, steam use and production were reduced. In the same notice to the environmental authority, TotalEnergies said that FCC-2 had returned to normal operations.

Port Arthur is one of TotalEnergies largest refining and petrochemicals platforms. To scale up its petrochemical operations in the United States and gain further market share, TotalEnergies invested in 2017 in significantly increasing its ethylene production capacity by using abundant and cheap U.S. ethane. The Port Arthur site has a refining production capacity of 185,000 barrels per day (bpd). The complex also features a 1 million metric ton/year steam cracker through a joint venture with BASF.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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U.S. and UK forces in the Red Sea have struck military targets in Yemen in response to Houthi attacks on ships in the area.

Reuters cited witnesses as saying there had been strikes across the country.

"These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation," President Biden said in a statement following the air and sea strikes.

The escalation follows what the U.S. Central Command called the biggest Houthi attack yet, the U.S. and UK forces in the Red Sea shot down 21 drones and missiles on Tuesday. The Houthis military spokesman, Yahya Saree, said they had attacked a U.S. military ship because it was providing support to Israel.

The news of the U.S. and UK retaliation pushed oil prices higher, initially spiking by more than 2% before retreating some. In mid-morning trade in Asia today, Brent crude was trading above $78 per barrel, with West Texas Intermediate at over $73 per barrel.

The U.S. and UK strikes on Yemen are the first on the countrys territory since 2016, Reuters noted in its report as it recalled that the Houthis have made a vow to respond to any attack in kind. This would mean further escalation of the Middle Eastern conflict.

"The concern is that this could escalate," security studies professor Andreas Krieg from Kings College in London told Reuters, noting Saudi Arabia and the UAE could be drawn into the war. The Saudis have already issued a statement calling for restraint and avoidance of escalation.

"The kingdom emphasizes the importance of maintaining the security and stability of the Red Sea region, as the freedom of navigation in it is an international demand," the Saudi foreign ministry said in the statement.

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The worlds largest uranium miner issued a dire warning on Friday concerning its production outlook for 2024, sparking fears that nuclear fuel supply could be at risk.

London-based Kazatompromthe largest uranium miner in the worldsaid on Friday that sulfuric acid shortages and construction delays at newly discovered deposits could lead to the company missing production targetschallenges that could remain into next year.

Uranium supply is already under threat, with spot prices for yellowcake-uranium concentrate used in nuclear power generation reaching a new 16-year high at $92.45 per pound this week. And analystsincluding BofAwere already forecasting that the continued market tightness could lead to prices that reach more than $100, calling it a third bull market.

That was before Kazatomprom said it that while it was committed to fulfilling its contractual obligations for existing customers in 2024, 2025 plans would be subject to considerable supply chain risks, Bloomberg said on Friday.

Public sentiment surrounding nuclear energy has improved over the last year as governments attempt to balance energy independence and persistent calls for attention to climate concerns. Nuclear powerwhile getting a bad rap over some signficant nuclear disasters has been hailed as a carbon-free energy source while serving as a baseload power source superior to the variability of solar and wind power sources.

Kazatomprom, controlled by the Kazakhstan governments sovereign wealth fund, said it would detail the likely effect the sulfuric acid shortage and construction delays will have on its output in a trading update by February 1.

Kazakhstan is the largest producer and exporter of uranium globally, mining and exporting more than 40% of the worlds supply, according to The Jamestown Foundation. According to the Foundation, Kazakhstan has been the leading supplier of uranium to Russia, which uses more than twice as many tons of uranium as its domestic mines produce.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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Via Metal Miner

U.S. flat rolled steel prices closed the year decidedly bullish. A nearly 14% month-over-month rise saw HRC prices easily outperform all base metals both during the month and throughout 2023 as a whole. Meanwhile, plate prices saw an upside correction after prices traded down throughout November.

HRC Prices See First Decrease Since September

HRC prices finished 2023 very strong. In fact, the turn of the year marked three consecutive months of increases that saw prices rise over 61% from their late-September low. While the bullish market came in contrast to an otherwise contracted manufacturing sector, it appears the tides might be shifting again.

Source: MetalMiner Insights

During the first week of January, HRC prices saw their first, albeit modest, week-over-week decrease since September. The early-year decrease remains but one data point, which  on its own  is too little to confirm a trend shift. However, it could signal that the bullish momentum within flat rolled steel prices has begun to wane. If not now, prices might find a new peak soon.

HRC Market Backwardation Holds as Capacity Utilization Rate Creeps Up

The first clue within the market occurred in mid-December, when spot and future prices shifted into backwardation for the first time since the beginning of the month. This inversion, in which futures prices begin trading below spot prices, came alongside spot prices breaching the $1,000/st mark. Before the historic uptrend of 2020 and 2021, that level was seemingly unheard of within the market. In fact, from 2012, the closest HRC prices came to that level was when they hit $904/st in July 2018. This is considerably higher than the previous high of $744/st from February 2012.

Dont leave money on the table when prices shift up, down, or sideways. MetalMiner Insights offers real-time alerts so subscribers can alter buying strategies as soon as the market changes.

Amid far-from-bullish demand conditions and headwinds looming in the new year, markets appeared to deem the $1,000/st mark as a resistance level from which prices would struggle to sustain further gains. As prices continued to rise during the second half of December and the first weeks of January, the premium of spot prices over futures became increasingly substantial. By January 9, the premium rose to $192/st, the most significant delta between the two price points since June 2023.

Correlation Between Futures and Spot Steel Prices

Clearly, market backwardation doesnt necessarily dictate the future direction of spot prices. However, the strong, almost 94% correlation between futures and spot prices suggests that futures remain a strong leading indicator.

Meanwhile, data from the American Iron and Steel Institute showed that the capacity utilization rate remained notably suppressed below the 75% mark throughout Q4. However, it appears capacity returned online by early January, as the rate jumped to 76.9%. Although the rate does not differentiate between specific forms of steel, it loosely mirrors HRC prices, often lagging behind price trend shifts.

Steelmakers likely anticipate a jump in sales during Q1. This would be consistent with historical trends. The steel market will continue to see demand from the construction industry, especially government-funded projects, in the new year. However, the recent increase in output will likely threaten the tight supply conditions that producers manufactured throughout Q4. By late December, mill lead times had already shown evidence of easing from their quarterly peak, though this came prior to the jump in the capacity utilization rate. If mills miss the mark on how much demand materializes during Q1, prices could easily reverse to the downside once again.

Steel Prices: Outlook for 2024

What will the new year bring for hot rolled coil prices and other forms of flat rolled steel?

For starters, the market already saw the first price hike of 2024. On January 3, Cleveland-Cliffs announced a $50 per net ton increase for HRC, CRC, and HDG, elevating its minimum HRC price to the top of the market at $1,150 per net ton. Its previous hike occurred roughly one month prior, in early December.

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Meanwhile, new capacity is on its way. Specifically, the market will soon see the expansion of AM/NS Calvert, the joint venture between ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel. Though there is no official completion date, estimates say the expansion will add a new EAF with a capacity of around 1.5 million metric tons of steel slabs per year.

Construction on the expansion began in February 2021, with completion originally set for H2 2023. However, construction obstacles and labor shortages have delayed the project, which company officials now expect to come online during H2 2024. Considering the historically low capacity utilization rate among domestic steelmakers, the addition of new capacity in 2024 will add another challenge to the current uptrend for flat rolled steel prices.

By Nichole Bastin

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Confederates by Dominique Morrisseau will be the first presentation in the new Shirley Tyree Theater at the Union for Contemporary Art.

The Tony-nominated play is about two Black American women who are having parallel experiences of institutional racism, even though they live a century apart. It explores the grip that racial and gender bias still has over American educational systems. Actors will present a staged reading of Morrisseaus script.

The 7 p.m. performance will mark National Day of Racial Healing, which occurs each year on the Tuesday following Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The racial healing day was established in 2017 and is hosted by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation as a way for people to contemplate their shared values and create a blueprint to heal from the effects of racism. Events similar to the Union presentation will be held across the country.

A community conversation with Wayne Brown, president and CEO of the Urban League of Nebraska, and Terri Sanders, publisher and CEO of The Omaha Star, will follow the reading.

The Union for Contemporary Art renovated the historic F.J. Carey Block building at 2401 N. 24th St. for the theater, breaking ground in summer 2022. It has a flexible, 90-seat performance area, an open formal rehearsal and community gathering space, an accessible lobby and ticketing area, a scene shop and a green room and dressing area.

Community leader Shirley Tyree was born in Louisiana in 1939 and moved to Omaha as a child. She graduated from Technical High School and became one of the first Black managers at Northwestern Bell and one of the initial members of the Nebraska Black Managers Association. She was a longtime member of Morning Star Baptist Church and found strength for her activism through her strong faith in God.

She served on the Omaha Public Schools board for 20 years and was in theater productions at the Omaha Community Playhouse, the Dundee Dinner Theater and the Center Stage Theater. She died in 2021 at age 82.

To guarantee a seat for Confederates, purchase a $5 reserved ticket at u-ca.org. General admission is free but space is limited.

Symphony hosts virtuoso pianist

Internationally known conductor Tito Munoz will conduct pianist Michelle Cann on Ludwig von Beethovens Piano Concerto No. 5, Emperor, at this weekends Omaha Symphony concerts.

Cann has been called a compelling, sparkling virtuoso by the Boston Music Intellingencer. She has performed with the Cleveland Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra and the Philadelphia Orchestra, among others, and is recognized as a leading interpreter of the music of Florence Price.

Munoz is recognized as one of the most gifted conductors of our time. He is in his ninth season as the music director of the Phoenix Symphony and has appeared with many of the most prominent orchestras in North America, including those in Atlanta, Baltimore, Cleveland and Houston.

In addition to the Beethoven piece, the symphony will also perform Sensemaya by Silvestre Revueltas and one of Igor Stravinskys most beloved works, the ballet Petrushka.

The concerts are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets, ranging from $20 to $85, are available at omahasymphony.com or 402-345-0606.

The Meeting onstage at Benson Theatre

A play that imagines a conversation between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X will be onstage Sunday and Monday at the Benson Theatre.

In The Meeting by Jeff Stetson, the two civil rights pioneers with differing styles and philosophies debate their approaches to the same grave social problems. Both are willing to die for their beliefs but neither knows how soon he will be assassinated.

D. Kevin Williams directs the one-act play, which features actors Jus Black and Michael Young. Its recommended for people age 12 and above.

Shows are at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday and 2 p.m. Monday, which is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Tickets are $15 with a $2 convenience fee and are available at bensontheatre.org

Another Benson Theatre event

The film Guess Whos Coming to Dinner, starring Sidney Poitier, Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy, will launch the Benalto Film Series at the Benson Theatre on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

Local filmmaker and art facilitator Jason R. Fischer will host an audience discussion after the film, which examines family reactions to an interracial couples marriage plans. It was selected in 2017 for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry as being culturally, historically and aesthetically significant.

Stanley Kramer was the director and William Rose wrote the script.

Tickets to the film series are $12 general admission and $10 for students. Theyre available at bensontheatre.org

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of January 2024
The expected arrival of the first below-zero temperatures in more than a year  and even lower wind chill readings  has health officials reminding area residents to take precautions against frostbite, hypothermia and other cold-weather threats.

Travis Hedlund, injury prevention coordinator at Childrens Nebraska, said the hospitals staff has seen several sledding injuries since snow arrived. Some were more serious than others, but all of the injured are on the mend.

Meanwhile, the Douglas County Health Department is encouraging residents to limit time outdoors for the next several days. But those who do venture out should wear multiple layers of clothing and protect their ears, faces, hands and feet. Wearing hats can slow the loss of body heat.

Hedlund said safe sledding, too, starts with proper clothing, which includes not only multiple layers but also warm gloves or mittens; hats and scarves or knitted face masks; and warm, waterproof pants and boots.

However, he noted that frostbite can occur in less than 30 minutes in adults and even less time in children. Anyone venturing outdoors also should factor in wind chill.

Hedlund said he would love to see sledders wear helmets if they can. Location also is important  choose a hill free of trees, roads and other obstacles that comes to a gradual stop on flat ground.

Sledders should always go down feet first rather than head first. Younger children should be accompanied by an older one or an adult.

Sledding can be an awesome activity, he said. But that doesnt mean we shouldnt be safe.

Anyone spending time outdoors should watch for signs of frostbite, include pain, burning, numbness, red or gray skin or yellow discoloration with tissue that is still soft and malleable.

Mild frostbite, he said, can be treated at home. Place affected extremities in warm water  think the temperature of a warm bath or hot tub  or apply a warm washcloth. After a few minutes, dry the area. Avoid hot water; dry heat from a fireplace, heater or hair dryer; rubbing the frostbitten area; or refreezing it by applying snow or ice. Also avoid walking on frostbitten feet  carry children or pull them in a sled.

If numbness continues, however, frostbite might be severe, he said. Such cases require a call to a health care professional.

To prevent hypothermia, make sure children take breaks inside or in a warm vehicle, he said, and have a Thermos of warm drinks nearby. If clothing gets wet, go inside and change into warm dry, layers.

Early signs of the condition, according to the Centers for Disease Control, include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech and drowsiness.

Douglas County health officials noted that infants and the elderly are at greatest risk of serious injury and illness from cold. They encouraged checking on elderly neighbors.

Hedlund noted that health officials typically recommend an additional layer of clothing for babies and very young children. However, bulky clothing such as snowsuits can interfere with safety mechanisms in car seats. When transporting youngsters, dress them in a light sweater or hoodie so straps remain close to the body and place a coat or blanket over that layer.

In the home, Health Department officials advised using care with portable heating devices. Users should read labels carefully. Electric heaters should not be used near combustible materials, including paper and some fabrics.

Devices that require combustible fuels, such as some lanterns and grills, should not be used indoors. Fires of any size, including candles, should not be left unattended, especially if children are around. Stoves or ovens, especially if powered by natural gas, should never be used to heat your home.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of January 2024
The Omaha Public Schools district is making several policy changes in an effort to increase staff during a critical workforce shortage.

The OPS board approved two amendments to special education and paraprofessional pay on Thursday.

The first change is an extra bump in pay for special education teachers because of the required work outside a standard school day. The second is a new agreement that allows paraprofessionals to step in as a substitute teacher if one isnt available, in exchange for an hourly pay raise.

Special education teachers  one of the districts biggest shortages  will get a 10% pay boost to help compensate them for paperwork and meetings outside the school day. That is an increase from the current 7% boost. Teachers in special education often have to conduct or participate in meetings about students individualized education plans with their families.

Kathy Poehling, president of the Omaha Education Association, said the district brought the proposal to the union and it was agreed that special education teachers would receive back pay for the extra 3% raise, going back to Aug. 1, 2023.

I know that the district wants to be able to recruit and retain more special education teachers because thats in high need, Poehling said. However, I will continue to work on an (overall) retention plan, because we need to keep trying to recruit and retain staff.

For paraprofessionals, the district has signed an agreement with Service Employees Local No. 226, the union that represents other education staff, including cafeteria workers, security officers, janitors and bus drivers.

Paraprofessionals with a local substitute permit will now receive a $9.65 per hour increase when they are asked to substitute for a half or whole day when a substitute isnt available.

Starting paraprofessionals receive from $14.86 to $16.26 per hour, depending on the position. During the 2025-26 school year, the extra pay for substitute work will rise to $10.40 an hour.

Steve Owens, union president, said OPS is short roughly 400 paraprofessionals.

OPS is supposed to be taking care of paras, they are so short of them, Owens said. Everybody is short of people, they are short everywhere  maintenance, custodians, engineers, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, everything.

OPS began the school year in dire need of support staff and paraprofessionals, with more unfilled positions than the previous school year.

Photos: Winter storm hits the Omaha area
Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon says he wont retreat to this behavior after responding sharply to attacks on social media.

The worst coffee any patriot ever tasted the Bearded Vet makes us all gag, Bacon wrote in response to a post categorizing him as a RINO, or Republican in name only.

The comment was in response to a post on X, formerly Twitter, by user @Beard_Vet on Tuesday. Bacon also responded to several subsequent comments, some of which included vulgar insults and referred to sexual acts. Some of the online comments referred crudely to Bacons wife.

Beard Vet, according to the users X profile, is a veteran-owned coffee company, and the account has posted content supporting Donald Trump in the 2024 election.

Ill let the post on Bearded Vet speak for itself. Im glad to drink his competitors coffee, Bacon said in a statement to The World-Herald in response to the exchange. He represents a small segment of the party who likes name calling, bullying and intimidation.

As far as being labeled a RINO, Bacon said too many folks use it when they disagree.

Some hard-right conservatives were outraged after Bacon voted against Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan in the process to elect a new speaker of the House of Representatives. Bacon previously told The World-Herald that Jordans supporters harassed Bacon and his family, and he shared anonymous texts sent to his wife that called him a disappointment and failure.

Bacon has also criticized his hard-right colleagues, who have stalled passage of various budget measures and, he said, risked a government shutdown.

Bacon is currently pursuing reelection to represent Nebraskas 2nd Congressional District and is likely to have a rematch against State Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha. The two faced off in the 2022 midterms, where Bacon narrowly defeated Vargas by fewer than 3 percentage points.

Some have speculated that Bacon may face a challenger in the Republican primary.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of January 2024
The government vowed Friday to step up the monitoring of the real estate project financing (PF) market amid potential insolvency risks and concerns as Taeyoung Engineering & Construction won support from creditors to start a debt restructuring program.

The midsized builder has received 96.1 percent of support from creditors to proceed with its debt restructuring program, surpassing the required 75 percent, according to the Korea Development Bank, its main creditor.

Following the creditors' decision, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok held a meeting with Bank of Korea Gov. Rhee Chang-yong and chiefs of financial institutions to discuss the matter.

"The participants agreed that the financial market has been stable since Dec. 28, when Taeyoung filed for a debt workout, and foreign investors also expected limited chances of the risk spilling over into other sectors," the finance ministry said in a release.

"As many remain wary of the overall real estate PF field, however, the government needs to enhance the monitoring of major businesses and make appropriate responses, if needed, in close consultations with the institutions concerned," it added.

The officials also called for carefully managing the Taeyoung issue to ensure that its debt restructuring process should not cause difficulties to its workers, affiliates and buyers of apartments to be built by the troubled builder.

Though Taeyoung has gained needed relief, it still must secure its own operating funds, including labor and construction costs, which are estimated to exceed over 500 billion won ($379.7 million), before a final restructuring plan can be confirmed. (Yonhap)
A 39-year-old Omaha man serving a life sentence for first-degree murder died at the Reception and Treatment Center in Lincoln on Friday, according to the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services.

Ryan Poe was serving a life sentence for the 2004 murder of 23-year-old Trever Lee. Poe, who was 21 at the time of the killing, was one of three men who broke into Lees Omaha townhome to commit a robbery. A struggle ensued, and Lee was shot six times, killing him.

A jury found Poe guilty of first-degree murder and use of a firearm to commit a felony in 2006, and he received an automatic life sentence without parole.
LINCOLN  Nebraska lawmakers adopted two rules changes during their first day of debate Thursday, leaving just four more days to consider the 15 remaining proposals.

The pace of debate could leave the sessions most contentious rules changes out in the cold this year, including one last proposal advanced by the Rules Committee Thursday that could bar the news media from committee deliberations.

The other controversial proposals include one that would eliminate secret ballots for electing legislative leaders, a second that would reduce the number of votes needed for filibuster-ending cloture motion and a third that would limit senators to introducing only 14 bills per session.

Speaker of the Legislature John Arch of La Vista has set Jan. 19 as the last day for debating rules changes. He said Thursday that he is sticking to that deadline, despite calling off the planned rules debate for Friday because of the weather.

Frankly, we just dont have that luxury, he said. We have too many priority bills to deal with.

He said he did not want to debate the rules when senators may not be able to make it to Lincoln nor did he want to encourage senators to take risks so they could participate in the debate.

Arch introduced both of the changes adopted Thursday. He said he thought they represented important changes that would help the legislative process. Both advanced from the Rules Committee unanimously and the full Legislature approved both with strong majorities.

The first change will make it harder for senators to employ a tactic used last year to dominate a portion of the debate on a bill that sought to prohibit transgender care for minors.

During the last two hours of an eight-hour filibuster, opponents took turns filing priority motions, talking the 10 minutes allowed for introducing the motions, then withdrawing the motions without others having a chance to speak.

The newly approved rule will bar senators from withdrawing priority motions without unanimous consent. In situations such as last year, there likely would be someone who would oppose the withdrawal, forcing the motion to be decided by a vote.

State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha, who worked with Arch on that change, said the proposal would discourage the gamification of the process that occurred last year.

After opponents of the transgender care bill used the tactic, lawmakers passed a temporary rule to prevent it from being used again. The temporary rule allowed lawmakers to consider only one of each type of priority motion per stage of debate. That led to bill introducers filing priority motions on their own bills to prevent others from doing so.

The second change will allow for filibuster-ending cloture motions on resolutions and main motions, which would include such motions as confirming gubernatorial appointments and withdrawing bills. The rule previously only allowed cloture motions to be filed on bills.

Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln said it was important that the change will not apply to motions to amend or adopt the permanent rules, which she said deserve robust debate.

I do not believe this is a significant threat to minority voices and minority rights, she said.

The debate began with several senators talking about the importance of the rules and about their desire to prevent a repeat of 2023, when session-long filibusters against the transgender bill and another that limited abortions led to frayed tempers and frustration.

The two bills were merged and passed near the end of the session, leaving little time for consideration of other measures. Lawmakers responded by creating giant Christmas tree bills out of multiple individual measures.

Several senators, primarily Democrats, expressed caution about making changes based on one unusual year and argued that it should not be too easy to pass legislation.

One of my big fears is that we want to change the rules to simply win, said Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont.

Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard, the Rules Committee chairman, said lawmakers were elected to do the work of the people and they failed at that job last year. He argued that the proposed rules changes would let the majority be the majority without restricting the legislative minority.

Erdman introduced the rules change that could bar the news media from committee deliberations. Under an amended version of his original proposal, it would be up to committee chairs whether to allow reporters into the discussion sessions while requiring that they be allowed in when any votes are taken.

Current legislative rules allow reporters to cover committee meetings where members discuss bills and vote to amend, advance or kill legislation. Those meetings are closed to the public and other lawmakers.

Erdman said the change is needed because there have been times when things were reported that should have never gotten out. He also said lawmakers are able to have better discussions about legislation without reporters present.

It changes the way you talk about things, he said.

Arch, who is a non-voting member of the Rules Committee, opposed the proposed change, saying that it would reduce the transparency of the Legislature.

Omaha World-Herald's top news photos of 2023
LINCOLN  In the midst of an ongoing debate over the Nebraska Legislatures rules, lawmakers also introduced a collection of new legislation, including one constitutional amendment that could restructure the State Board of Education.

The amendment, Legislative Resolution 278CA, would reduce the number of elected members on the State Board of Education to five, with two additional members appointed by the governor. It was introduced by State Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil, chair of the Legislatures Education Committee.

The board is currently composed of eight members, each elected from separate districts. Murmans resolution would have three board members elected by Nebraskas congressional districts, plus two members elected at large. The new rules would take effect for members seeking election in 2026.

Murman said the current map of the eight district boundaries for the state board does not provide adequate representation for all Nebraskans. He said many Nebraskans dont know which board district they reside in, nor are they aware when their representative is up for election. He hopes electing board members by congressional district might help with that.

Electing two board members at large could also provide some balance between urban and rural representation, Murman argued.

This way, I think with the broader footprint of where theyre campaigning  it would maybe be a little bit more visibility for the public, he said.

Adding two gubernatorial appointees is an effort to give the governor and the Legislature an opportunity to work closer with the board, he said. Nebraskas K-12 public schools receive billions of state dollars each year, Murman said, so state government should have more influence on the boards makeup.

Deborah Neary, current vice president of the board, said the proposal goes against the nature of the state board, which she said limits the influence of outside politics. She advocated for the existing setup of the board, saying it gives Nebraska voters a significant voice in the states education policy.

Our school districts need consistency of policy and responsiveness  which is not possible when these seats become political appointees, Neary said.

Murman said that, for better or worse, education policy has already been politicized across the nation. He said he doesnt believe his resolution would change that much.

Here are the highlights of the other bills introduced Thursday:

Medical leave  Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha introduced LB 1139, which would create an insurance program to cover Nebraska workers who take leave from their jobs to care for themselves or a relative experiencing a serious illness, or to care for a newborn child.

This is virtually identical to a bill Cavanaugh introduced last year, LB 57, which is still technically active for this years session, but hasnt yet been voted out of committee. Cavanaugh has introduced such measures multiple times, with no success.

The primary difference between LB 57 and LB 1139 is that Cavanaughs latest bill would give employees and businesses the option to participate in the program, while LB 57 would make the program mandatory for many employers.

History Nebraska  The Nebraska State Historical Society, now known as History Nebraska, would no longer be an independent state agency under LB 1169, introduced by Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard. The bill would put the agency under control of the governor, who would name the director and approve gifts worth $10,000 or more or gifts of real property.

The societys board of trustees, which now oversees the agency, would be converted into an advisory group. The bill also would create a new Nebraska State Historical Society Collections Trust Fund.

The agency was dogged by turmoil under Trevor Jones, its former executive director and CEO. Jones, who resigned in 2022, faces charges of theft by deception for allegedly diverting money intended to help the state agency deal with COVID losses into a newly created foundation.

Student discipline  LB 1141, introduced by Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha, would prohibit school administrators from removing a student from school without following some level of due process, such as meeting with the students family. McKinney said his bill would close a loophole in one of the bills he passed last year, which banned schools from suspending students in preschool through second grade, with some exceptions.

Murman also introduced a measure to amend McKinneys bill from last year through LB 1146. The bill would add a new exception to the ban that would allow schools to suspend students at those grade levels if they engaged in violent behavior capable of causing physical harm to another student or school employee.

Medical debt  Some Nebraskans could have their medical debt relieved under LB 1158, introduced by Sen. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln. Under the bill, the state treasurer would be tasked with contracting with a medical debt relief coordinator, who would work with eligible Nebraskans and health care providers to discharge medical debts.

To be eligible, people would have to have medical debt equal to at least 5% of their household income, or have income at or below 400% of federal poverty guidelines.

World-Herald staff writer Martha Stoddard contributed to this report.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of January 2024
Lagos State University (LASU) has described as false and baseless a publication accusing its management of diverting N198 million staff pension fund to buy luxury cars.

LASU Spokesman, Ademola Adekoya, said in a statement on Monday that at no time did the university borrowed from its Staff Contributory Fund to finance accreditation expenses.

Adekoya said the university only borrowed N474 million from its provision and not from pension fund in order to meet past service obligations.

The Pension Fund for members of staff who are yet to register with Pension Fund Administrators, which is less than N100 million, is intact.

As a matter of practice, the university does not default in the payment of its obligations to either the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) or its retirees.

 The Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC), the regulatory body for pension fund, had recently commended the university for its efficiency in remittance,  Adekoya said.

He said the money borrowed was a proactive measure to ensure that the university did not lose its accreditation of the programmes presented to the National University Commission (NUC).

According to him, the measure followed an information that the commission would henceforth conduct accreditation once yearly.

The aftermath of losing accreditation of the 37 programmes would have been devastating because the university would not be able to admit students for the programmes.

Further to the approval of the universitys budget by Lagos State Government and the need to urgently commence preparation for the accreditation as set by the NUC, the university took the initiative of sourcing for required funds internally, pending release of same by the state government, he said.

Read also: LASU Students Union election holds today

According to him, the university was able to record over 95 per cent success in the programmes presented for accreditation, adding that all programmes presently offered in the institution were duly accredited.

Adekoya noted that the universitys 2018 budget approved by the Lagos State Government also included the sum of N474 million for accreditation.

He explained that the sum catered for various laboratory equipment, motor vehicles, office furniture/accessories, generators, books and manpower requirement.

He said that all the vehicles purchased were all in the name of the university, constituting an asset of the institution.

The university spokesman stated that the vehicles were bought from foremost Toyota dealers in Nigeria and verifiable.

Aside approval of budget, there are layers of checks that ensure that purchases are done in line with best practices.

These layers of checks include the internal audit, office of the special adviser on education, line ministries, office of the Lagos State AuditorGeneral and the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Appropriation,  he said.

Adekoya emphasised that the university obtained approval of the Governing Council while the Office of the Special Adviser on Education and the governor, the Visitor to the University were duly carried along in the steps taken.

At no time did the Pro-Chancellor and the Vice Chancellor violate the provisions of the financial guidelines of the university.

It must be stated at this point that there appeared to be a deliberate attempt by the author of the publication in his usual habit to use a credible platform to denigrate the relentless efforts of the present university administration.

His antecedents in raising frivolous, baseless and uninformed allegations against the university has not gone unnoticed, Adekoya said.

He, however, assured that the university remained committed to achieving the vision of its founding fathers and would continue to work under the auspices of the governing council. (NAN)
President Muhammadu Buhari has responded to allegations in the petition by Atiku Abubakar and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), before the Presidential Election Tribunal of not possessing the statutory educational qualification to contest the February 23, 2019 election.

In a preliminary objection, Buhari dared Atiku to present his educational certificates, indicating the schools attended by him, with dates, before the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal.

Buhari said he was head and shoulder above Atiku in terms of educational qualifications, training and courses attended, both within and outside Nigeria.

He also said he surpassed Atiku in terms of acquisition of knowledge, certificates, laurels, medals and experience.

The reply filed on Wednesday by Buharis lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), partly reads:

The respondent (Buhari) avers that he is far more qualified, both constitutionally and educationally, to contest and occupy the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria than the 1st petitioner; and that in terms of educational qualifications, training and courses attended, both within and outside Nigeria, he is head and shoulder above the 1st petitioner in terms of acquisition of knowledge, certificates, laurels, medals and experience. Respondent states further that it is the 1st petitioner who is not qualified to contest the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and challenges the educational credentials and certificates of the 1st petitioner. The 1st petitioner is hereby given notice to produce and tender his educational certificates, indicating the schools attended by him, with dates.

Buhari also denied submitting false information to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in respect of his educational qualification. He quoted his resume as reading, in part:

Elementary School Daura and Maidadua  1948 to 1952; Middle School, Katsina  1953 to 1956; Katsina Provincial Secondary School (now Daura Government College, Katsina)  1956 to 1961.

The reply added, He (Buhari) did not, at any time, provide any false information in the Form CF001 submitted to the 1st respondent, either in 2014 or 2018.

The affidavit of compliance to the 2019 Form CF001 was correct in every material particular. In filling Form CF001 in 2014 and 2019, the respondent was not oblivious of the constitutional qualifications stipulated in Section 131 of the Constitution and interpreted in Section 318 of the same Constitution. Petitioners themselves are also not oblivious of the fact that the respondent possesses far more than the constitutional threshold expected of a candidate contesting for the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Buhari asked the tribunal to dismiss the petition, saying that it contained more of pre-election issues, which the Court of Appeal, sitting as a tribunal lacked jurisdiction to entertain.
On Monday, eleven decomposed bodies of Fulani individuals from Tulde Fulbe in the Ladduga Grazing Reserve, situated in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, were found in a forest near a location known as Crossing within the same local government area.

According to Daily Trust, it was gathered that the bodies were identified by relatives and community members as those of the Fulani allegedly arrested by soldiers in the area at different times.

Relatives and other members of the community, who could not hold back tears, took the pains of putting their loved ones in sacks after driving for over 30 minutes to get to the location where the bodies were allegedly dumped because they were decomposing.

The victims, namely Safiyanu Adamu, Abdulkadir Idris, Akilu Abdullahi, Ibrahim Abubakar, Magaji Umar, Said Saleh, Abdulaziz Yusuf, Ibrahim Sani, Musa Dan Asabe, Nura Yusuf and Nuru Magaji were said to have been arrested by soldiers.

But when contacted, the Army Headquarters in Abuja referred one of our reporters to the 1st Division of the Nigerian Army in Kaduna.

When contacted the army officials in Kaduna said they dont kill suspects in their custody.

They intercepted us while taking my son to hospital

Adamu Idris, who is the father of one of the victims, Safiyanu Adamu, alleged that he was taking his son to a hospital after being involved in an accident when he was arrested by the soldiers.

He narrated: My son had an accident on a motorcycle on his way back from Maulud celebration. I was at home when the news came to me. I was taking my son who was bleeding from his mouth to a hospital when the soldiers stopped us, took him and told us they were taking him to Abuja. They accused my son of being a thief, an accusation, which I denied. Before they left, they (soldiers) collected the N18,000 cash I was holding to pay my sons hospital bills.

A week after his arrest, I was informed that his corpse had been found. I want justice for my son and all the other victims. The soldiers in the area are taking advantage of us, the Fulani. The government should wade in and bring the earring soldiers to face the wrath of the law, said Malam Adamu.

Another member of the community, Ayuba Muhammad, accused soldiers of raiding their homes and taking their property.

He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani to come to their aid and end the injustice being meted on Fulani in Ladduga.

He said: On the 28th of December, 2023, soldiers came into the community before a place called Crossing and killed three of our people. We do not know what their offence was, but we know them to be good people because even if we go to the police station here in Ladduga, you will find out that they have no records.

We called the police to see the corpses, they made their report and gave us permission to bury the corpses. We thought it was over, but unfortunately, it was not. So far, 11 people have been killed. They were arrested by soldiers and their corpses were found near the Navy Barracks in the area.

On the 30th of December, 2023, soldiers came to the Crossing market, they arrested some people and shot at Nuhu Yusuf in broad daylight. After that, they entered the village, took more people and raided some houses and took N30,000 from one of the houses. In another house, they went away with a bag of ginger, which was being dried. After that, they again came into our community in the night, raided some houses and went away with motorcycles and ginger.

We do not know our crime. We are law abiding citizens here in Ladduga, and we do not harbour criminals. We have continuously supported the security agencies in a bid to have peace in our community, said Malam Ayuba.

Also, Suleiman Abdullahi, a relation of Nuru Magaji, one of the victims, narrated: Last Saturday, we were taking tea early in the morning at the tea sellers shop in the community when soldiers came asking how much was the cost of sugarcane. We told them that the sugarcane seller was partially deaf and so they had to come closer and speak louder.

As we were drinking our tea, the soldiers called my relation, Nuru Magaji and took him to the front of their vehicle and they asked him what was this. I did not really hear what they were saying, but the next thing I heard them say was enter the car. There was another man selling grains called Nura; the soldiers pulled him towards their vehicle and shot him. That was how we all ran for safety. Thats all I saw, and the next thing, their corpses were found. We want to call on the government to address this issue of intimidation and injustice by soldiers.

However, Abubakar Muhammad, a relation of Akilu Abdullahi, said the victim went to the market and was arrested by soldiers.



We did not hear from them since the arrest until their corpses were found, he said.

He also corroborated the allegation that the soldiers stole ginger, motorcycles, cash and other valuables from members of the community.

He wondered what had changed in the atmosphere under which they have been living in that community, saying: We have been living peacefully in this community since the days of our grandparents up till date.

The Village Head of Tilde Fulbe, Ladduga Grazing Reserve, Muhammad Yusuf, accused the soldiers of arresting and killing innocent Fulani without proper investigation.

He called for proper investigation into the matter.
Controversial relationship expert Blessing Okoro Nkiruka aka Blessing CEO has ridiculed Martins Vincent Otse aka VeryDarkMan on Instagram.

This comes after Nollywood actress Tonto Dikeh petitioned the police which led to him being invited to the Force Headquarters.

Dikeh posted many images of the TikToker on her Instagram account, along with some mysterious remarks, as ETIKONAIJA previously reported.

Reacting, Blessing CEO joked about sending a goat to meet the actress in Abuja and praised Dikeh for how she handled the critique.

In another post, the contentious influencer ridiculed VDM and his legal team. She asked him why he hadnt gone to the police station in his singlet and advised him to start collecting money for his legal defense.

In one of the publications, the Blessing CEO said that Verydarkman had been smacked around for lying to the police.

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Terrorists said to be ISWAP militants have reportedly cut off the hands of two fishermen in Marte, Borno State, after accusing them of stealing fish.

The fishermen were said to be part of a larger group engaged in fishing activities under the control of ISWAP, where they were subject to levies and taxes.

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert and security analyst in Lake Chad, who made this known via a post on X, said

the two fishermen incurred the wrath of the militants when they were found to have failed to pay their taxes.

Zagazola also said the terrorists confiscated eight cartons of fish belonging to the fishermen.

He added that the militants were forced to abandon two cartons due to space constraints, after loading the fish onto their canoe.

However, the fishermen secretly retrieved the two abandoned cartons, leading to their arrest by ISWAP on charges of theft.

Following their arrest, the leader of the militant group ordered that the mens hands be cut off in accordance with Sharia law.
The defendant, who resides at 7, Arowojobe Close, Oshodi, Lagos , is arraigned for an attempt to molest a child.

On Thursday, the Lagos Police brought charges against 57-year-old Apostle David Onyendi before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates Court, accusing him of attempting to defile a minor.

The defendant, who resides at 7, Arowojobe Close, Oshodi, Lagos, is arraigned for an attempt to molest a child.

Earlier, the prosecutor, ASP Raji Akeem, informed the court that the offence was committed on Dec. 30, 2023, at the defendants residence.

Akeem said the victim, an 11-year-old girl, went to collect a marker in the defendants room and the defendant pushed her to his bed.

He said the defendant covered her mouth and was attempting to sexually molest her, when the victims friend, who was looking for her, came into the room.

According to him, the offence contravened section 135 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Bola Osunsanmi, granted him bail in the sum of N250,000, with two sureties in like sum and then adjourned the case to January 31 for mention.
Financial authorities deem trading a potential violation of Capital Market Act

By Lee Yeon-woo

Despite the considerable anticipation among retail investors, it is unlikely that bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) will be available for purchase or brokerage in Korea for the foreseeable future. Financial authorities have determined that such actions conflict with the current Capital Market Act.

According to financial authorities, Friday, an ETF must track a base index or price composed of underlying assets, which may include financial investment products, currencies, or commodities. However, the Financial Services Commission (FSC) interprets that virtual assets, such as bitcoin, do not meet the criteria to be considered as underlying assets, since their value or price cannot be reasonably evaluated.

According to the interpretation, brokerage firms in Korea are unable to list bitcoin ETFs, nor can they allow their trade in the market. Furthermore, the FSC has determined that domestic investors are prohibited from trading even the 11 ETFs that have been approved for listing by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

"The intermediation by domestic securities firms in Korea for bitcoin ETFs listed abroad could potentially conflict with the government's current stance on virtual assets and the provisions of the Capital Market Acts," FSC said.

This development has put the brakes on brokerage firms that were actively preparing to capitalize on this new source of income. After the SEC approval, the industry was instructed by financial authorities to halt their sales plans, and this led to some confusion. For instance, Kiwoom Securities posted a sales notice on their website at 4 p.m., Thursday, only to remove it 30 minutes later.

For the listing and trading of bitcoin ETFs to become feasible in Korea, an amendment to the Capital Markets Act would be required, or a formal interpretation from the FSC must be issued.

However, the FSC is currently taking a cautious stance to integrating virtual asset investments into the established financial framework. The Assembly also appears to be preoccupied with other issues due to the general election in April. The situation reduces the likelihood of virtual assets being formally incorporated into the system.

Nevertheless, industry observers from both securities and virtual assets sectors are welcoming the development and its potential impact on the domestic market.

"Bitcoin ETFs are a new type of product, and their introduction is positive for the industry as it broadens the variety of sales options. Although financial authorities do not yet recognize them as legitimate products, I believe they could create significant ripples in the future. We'll wait and see," a local brokerage firm official said.

Financial authorities have announced plans for further reviews of these products.

"In light of the upcoming implementation of the Virtual Asset User Protection Act in July, which reflects the evolving regulation of virtual assets, and considering international precedents like those in the U.S., we are preparing for additional evaluations," FSC said.

Meanwhile, the total transaction volume of 11 Bitcoin ETFs on the New York stock market reached 6 trillion won ($4.5 billion) on their first day, showcasing the keen interest of international investors.
Governor Babajide of Lagos State on Friday celebrated his victory at the Supreme Court of Nigeria which upheld his victory in the 2023 general elections on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Sanwo-Olu in a statement declared that the affirmation of his victory by the Supreme Court re-validates the trust and confidence our people have placed in our vision for a greater Lagos. Thank you all for your unwavering support.

The statement reads in full:

Babajide Sanwo-Olu

@jidesanwoolu

Im grateful for the Supreme Courts affirmation of my election as Governor of Lagos State.

An affirmation that re-validates the trust and confidence our people have placed in our vision for a greater Lagos. Thank you all for your unwavering support.

READ ALSO: Tinubu felicitates with GT Bank Founder, Fola Adeola, @ 70

Like I always say, there are no victors and no vanquished. I invite those still on the fence to join our train of progressive governance. We run an inclusive government and do not claim a monopoly of ideas.

@drobafemihamzat and I are privileged to have been elected to serve at this auspicious moment in the history of our state. Lets continue working together to build a Lagos that thrives, progresses, and uplifts every resident.

The journey continues, and our commitment remains steadfast.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed felicitation with the Founder of Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB), Fola Adeola, on his 70th birthday.

Adeola, founder of Guaranty Trust Bank, is also founder and chairman of the FATE Foundation, and member of the Commission for Africa.

READ ALSO: Martins Oloja retires at THE GUARDIAN, Toke Alex-Ibru takes over as CEO

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, in a statement indicated that President Tinubu felicitated Adeola for reaching the milestone age and for his numerous contributions to the Nigerian business ecosystem by creating jobs, opening up investment opportunities across sectors, as well as promoting initiatives for the economic advancement of Nigeria.

The President extolled the brilliance, integrity, courage, and patriotism of the founder of one of Nigerias leading banks, describing him as a great asset to the nation.

President Tinubu wished the top business leader many more years in good health and strength.

The statement read:

Presidency Nigeria

@NGRPresident

, ,

President Bola Tinubu celebrates his long-time friend and foremost business leader, Mr. Fola Adeola, as he marks his 70th birthday.

Mr. Adeola is the founder of Guaranty Trust Bank; founder and chairman of the FATE Foundation, and member of the Commission for Africa.

President Tinubu felicitates Mr. Adeola for reaching the milestone age and for his numerous contributions to the Nigerian business ecosystem by creating jobs, opening up investment opportunities across sectors, as well as promoting initiatives for the economic advancement of Nigeria.

The President extols the brilliance, integrity, courage, and patriotism of the founder of one of Nigerias leading banks, describing him as a great asset to the nation.

President Tinubu wishes the top business leader many more years in good health and strength.
Abba Yusuf, the Governor of Kano State Governor has broken his silence after the Supreme Court on Friday affirmed his election.

Reacting, he said hes extremely happy with the verdict.

Briefing reporters at the venue of the apex court in Abuja, the governor said the contentious 165,616 ballot papers have been claimed to have emanated from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

I am extremely happy with the judgement of the Supreme Court that took place today, January 12, 2024. I feel extremely happy, as you can see, so many people are happy and cheering, he stated.

In its ruling, the Supreme Court restored Yusufs votes that were cancelled by the Court of Appeal and the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal on the basis that the ballot papers were not signed.

Justice John Okoro, who read the lead Judgement, said the Court of Appeal was wrong in affirming the decision of the tribunal, which held that Yusuf did not win the majority of lawful votes cast in the governorship election of March 18, 2023.

In the judgement, Justice Okoro held that the tribunal was wrong in deducting 165,616 votes accrued to Yusuf in the election because the ballot papers were not signed and stamped by officials of INEC.

When asked about his position on the lower courts deduction of his votes, Governor Yusuf said the apex courts position is that there is no illegality regarding the March 18, 2023 governorship election.

The Supreme Court has confirmed that there is no illegality as far as the election is concerned. They were saying illegal ballot papers. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that the ballot papers belong to them, they were issued by them.

The Supreme Court justices have just confirmed also that there is no illegality, so people are aware.

The governor said he feels justified with the apex courts decision on his electoral victory last year, saying the controversy trailing the election has been set aside.

He commended the people of Kano State for supporting his administration within the past seven months as well as Nigerians across the world who stood by him.

I feel justified, I feel that issue has been set aside because there was no justification whatsoever. Well, my good people, the first thing is to say a big thank you to everybody for all the support, and prayers that have been rendered for the last seven months of our administration.

I just want to say a very big thank you to everybody, not only Kano State people but the entire good people of Nigeria as well as other people across the globe, Yusuf said.
At least 11 out of the 18 newly elected governors successfully reduced their inherited domestic debts by a significant N111.35 billion in the short span from June to September 2023.

This drop further contributed to a notable decrease in the collective debt of these 18 governors, witnessing a drop of approximately N46.79 billion within three months.

An analysis of the subnational domestic debt reports, as released by the Debt Management Office (DMO), indicates a downward shift in the total debt figures for these governors. The total debt, which stood at N2.52 trillion as of June 2023, saw a reduction to N2.47 trillion by September 2023.

The total debt of these 18 governors makes up 43.03% of the total subnational domestic debt of N5.74 trillion by the third quarter of 2023.

Conversely, four of the newly elected governors recorded an increase in their domestic debt, amounting to N20.56 billion, during the same timeframe.

Notably, for certain states like Kano, the domestic debt data was available only up to December 31, 2022, while for Katsina and Rivers states, the data extended up to March 31, 2023.

Consequently, while these three states were accounted for in the overall total debt calculation for the 18 governors, they were not included in the detailed breakdown of governors who either augmented or diminished their states debt in this analysis.

The 11 new governors that decreased their domestic debt include Alex Otti of Abia state, Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom state, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta state, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi state, Peter Mbah of Enugu state, and Umar Namadi of Jigawa state.

READ ALSO: Obi faults Tinubu, NASS over securitisation of N7.3tn CBN debt

Others include Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, Mohammed Bago of Niger State, Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto of Sokoto State and Agbu Kefas of Taraba State.

In total, these 11 governors took an inherited debt of N1.46 trillion as of June 2023 to N1.35 trillion as of September 2023. The table below provides a breakdown of each states debt:

The four new governors that increased their domestic debt are Hyacinth Alia of Benue state, Bassey Otu of Cross River state, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau state and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara state.

Together, they pushed their total domestic debt from N644.91 billion as of June 2023 to N665.46 billion as of September 2023. Leading the trend is Plateau state, with a 7% increase in three months, getting about 58% of the total fresh loans by these four new governors. The table below provides a breakdown for each state:

The current trend observed among some of Nigerias newly elected governors, where a significant number are reducing their inherited domestic debts, presents a scenario open to two primary interpretations.

On one hand, this trend could be indicative of a deliberate and strategic effort by these governors to lower their states debt profiles, showcasing a commitment to fiscal prudence and sustainable economic management.

On the other hand, it is also plausible that the observed reduction in debt levels is not necessarily a result of proactive debt-reduction strategies, but rather a consequence of routine debt servicing and repayments. In this context, the reduction could be more reflective of the governors initial phases of administration, where they are yet to fully establish their financial strategies or undertake new debt-incurring projects or policies.

Given these possibilities, the true nature of the debt reduction among these governors could either be a strategic decision aimed at improving fiscal health or a temporary phase of regular debt servicing, which could potentially change as the governors terms progress and new financial policies are implemented.

However, in a significant turn of events that could reshape the political landscape, the Supreme Court of Nigeria is set to deliver judgments today (Friday) on appeals concerning the election outcomes of seven governorship seats.

This critical decision encompasses five of the 18 newly elected governors, specifically from Kano, Zamfara, Plateau, Ebonyi, and Cross River states. Additionally, the apex court will also rule on appeals for the governorship elections in Bauchi and Lagos states, bringing the total to seven potentially impactful judgments.

This follows the recent dismissal by the Supreme Court of three separate appeals lodged by candidates and parties from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Young Progressives Congress (YPC), and New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) against the election of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno.

Particularly noteworthy are the judgments pending for Kano and Plateau These cases have garnered heightened public interest due to the lower courts previous decisions that resulted in the sacking of the incumbent governors in these states. The outcomes of these appeals are eagerly anticipated, as they are expected to have significant implications for the political dynamics and governance in these regions.

Amidst these legal battles, there have been critical observations and remarks regarding the role of the judiciary in political processes. The sacking of opposition governors by the courts has sparked debates and concerns about the independence of the judiciary. Critics have described these actions as potential instances of the executive arm exerting influence over the judiciary, using it as a tool to gain control in certain states.
The immediate past Local Government Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA, Rivers State, Solomon Abel Eke has described former Governor Nyesom Wike as too controlling and overbearing.

Eke spoke at a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Ward 12 event at Rumuomoi in Port Harcourt, where also the people of the Ekinigbo clan in Obio/Akpor LGA came out to drum their support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara in the face of the political crisis rocking the state.

Addressing the people, Eke noted that the current administration has given people the freedom to express themselves, in contrast to the former administration led by Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, where even government appointees and Council Chairman could barely speak freely.

His comment was in reaction to the Council Chairman of Ikwerre LGA, Samuel Nwanosike, who at an event last week, called Governor Fubara, A mumu man who was given power.

Eke said, Who are you as a Local Government Chairman to call the Governor Mumu? In fact, if they call for a meeting in the government house, you will carry your BP drug in your pocket. Im telling you what happened in our own time.

READ ALSO: Another Wikes loyalist dumps Fubaras cabinet

But its not happening now. The Chairmen are like Lords. They do anyhow they like. In fact, who are you to go to Aba without writing a letter to the governor that you want to get to Aba? Who are you as a Local Government Chairman?

But some of them now go to London, they go anywhere. That is the kind of peaceful man that is now ruling us.

He said he will not rule us with a tight hand, that hes going to rule Rivers State like a governor that loves his people. That is what we are enjoying now and nobody will take that away from us.

So, I thank the people of Ward 12 for giving us this support. The next step is to take this to the unit. I want to assure you that as you give Sim support, you will not lose anything. We are the eyes of Sim in Obio/Akpor. As hes doing projects, he will also extend it to you. He added

Eke who served only one tenure in office as Obio/Akpor LGA Chairman, has been in support of Fubara since the political crisis in the state.

READ ALSO: Wike no longer relevant in Rivers state politicsEze

On his part, the state chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN Chijioke Ihunwo called on Rivers people to pray for peace and unity in the state.

Ihunwo noted that the prayers of the people and their support for Governor Fubara will see him through to victory in ensuring that the state is not caged.

What we are doing here is to tell our people that His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara was elected by Rivers people and that no one individual can remove him because its God that gives power.

We gave the former Governor the support he needed as our son for eight years. We are also going to give that support to Fubara because Sim represents young people, Sim represents peace and unity.

Also speaking, the PDP ward 12 leader, Eze Isiguzo affirmed that no level of intimidation can stop them from supporting the truth.
Hon Mudashiru Obasa, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly has congratulated Gov Babajide Sanwo-Olu after the Supreme Court on Friday, affirmed him as the duly elected governor of the state.

Dr. Obasa, in a congratulatory message issued by Eromosele Ebhomele, his Chief Press Secretary, said the judgement by the Supreme Court is a further affirmation that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has the support of Lagos residents as reflected in the governorship and House of Assembly elections in 2023.

With the election battle now put to rest by the Supreme Court, I join millions of our supporters to congratulate our amiable Governor and Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat.

It is a victory well deserved as the Supreme Court has now proven the Election Petition Tribunal and the Appeal Court right concerning their earlier rulings in favour of Governor Sanwo-Olu.

On behalf of my colleagues at the Lagos State House of Assembly, I also congratulate our party, its leadership, members and supporters for all the efforts they put into the electioneering just as I urge other contenders in the election to join hands with the current administration and support its policies to make Lagos greater, Obasa said.


The Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN), a human rights organization based in Enugu State, has submitted a petition to Governor Peter Mbah regarding the illegal detention of a 16-year-old secondary school student at the state police headquarters since October 2023, up to the present date.

According to SaharaReporters, the group appealed to the governor for an urgent intervention in a petition addressed to him dated January 11, 2024, and copied to the State Commissioner of police, CP Kanayo Uzoegbu, Attorney General of the State and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kingsley Udeh.

In the petition signed by the President of the organisation, Mr Olu Omotayo, the group described the police action as clear violation of the Child Rights Act 2023, while regretting that the police action has disrupted the academic study of the Senior Secondary School two student, who was arrested on October 9, 2023 and kept incommunicado without bringing him to court for any offence.

The group added that the police were demanding a total N1.2million to release the boy who was arrested for alleged rape which the victim reportedly denied.

The petition partly read: We write to you in respect of the above-mentioned matter on behalf of an SS2 student in one of the secondary schools in the state, who has been in Police detention at the State Police Headquarters Enugu since 9th October 2023.

Mr and Mrs Eze, the distressed parent of the detained child had told the organisation that a family friend of theirs, and complainant to the police, one Mrs Blessing Erede, who attends same church with them, by virtue of which children of both families exchanged visits, but due to an altercation between them and Mrs Erede, she came with police to their house on 9th October 2023, and alleged that their child raped her 16-year-old child named Mary Peace sometimes in May 2023 and also in June 2023.

The Ezes further revealed that since 9th October 2023, when their son was detained he has not been able to go back to school.

They further stated that all efforts to settle the matter were rebuffed by Mrs Erede, who insisted that their son must go to jail, even the intervention of the father of the victim Mr Erede a serving Police officer could not secure the release of the detained child as his estranged wife Blessing insisted that police should not release the detained child.

The Ezes further stated that despite the fact that the victim denied that she was raped, and her father Mr. Erede stated that there was no rape; and also there was no medical examination/ Report to support rape, the Police decided to charge the child to court for rape.

Mr. Erede not supporting what his wife was doing went further to depose to an affidavit before a Notary Public, stating that there was no iota of truth in the issue of rape raised by his wife but a ploy to extort money from the Eze family. The said affidavit is attached to this petition.

The Police charged the child to court on the 26th October 2023, in Charge No. MEN/384C/2023, on a two count charge of rape. The lawyer to the child G.S.K Iriaka, raised objection to the arraignment of the Juvenile and the presiding Magistrate, His Worship J.I. Agu adjourned the matter to 1st November 2023, for argument.

On the 1st November 2023, the court took argument on the matter and the childs lawyer pointed out that by virtue of 207, 212, 216, 217 and 226 of the Child Rights Law, Enugu State, the child cannot be tried as an adult offender.

The Learned Magistrate thereafter directed that the OC Legal of the state Police Headquarters should resolve the matter between the parties and secure the release of the detained child. The Ezes said they have been going to the office of the OC Legal, but were not able to meet the financial demands made on them.

According to them the OC Legal demanded N500,000; the Investigating Police Officer Nwosu demanded N200,000, while the complainant also demanded N500,000.

As the Ezes could not satisfy the demands of the police and the complainant, they have written to the office of the Honorable Attorney General vide a letter submitted to his office on 4th December 2023, wherein they sought justice.

The group, however, appealed to the governor to use his good office to intervene in the matter to ensure that justice was done in the circumstance of the case.



We believe that the continued detention of the child at the Police Headquarters Enugu for over 3, months is a grave violation of rights of a Nigerian Child and the refusal of the Police to admit him to bail is not only worrisome but also a clear assault on the Administration of Criminal Justice in the state and Nigeria as a whole. We seek your intervention.
Bandits abducted 23 residents from Kawu community in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Thursday.

Councilor Abdulmumini Zakari, confirming the abduction, stated that the gunmen infiltrated the community from the Kuyeri Forest in Kaduna State, dividing themselves into groups

He said that a group entered the palace of the district head, Alhaji Abdurrahman Danjuma Ali, and abducted his son, Lukman, along with his wife, whom he had married two weeks ago.

Others attacked the compound of Alhaji Alhassan Sidi Kawu, the Marafa of Kawu and a former PDP Chairman of Kawu Ward, he said.

He stated that according to him, the bandits abducted the former PDP chairman along with his four children.

He added that afterward, the bandits went into the compound of Sarkin Pawan Kawu, Gambo Pawa, and abducted him, along with his two wives and children.

The incident was confirmed by SP Josephine Adeh, the spokeswoman for the FCT Police Command.

Over the past few weeks, several residents of the FCT have been abducted by bandits

Residents of satellite towns in the FCT are primarily affected by criminal activities.

Kanyi Daily recalls that In Yorro Local Government Area of Tarara State, bandits have murdered Jauro Kabiru Gambo, the Head of Wuro Musa village.
A governorship aspirant under the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, Sen. Hieneken Lokpobiri, has urged the party to conduct indirect primaries for election of its candidate for the Nov. 16 poll.

Lokpobiri, a former Minister of State for Agriculture, gave the advice at a news conference on Thursday shortly after picking his expression of interest and nomination forms at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the former minister bought the form to participate in the primaries for the partys flag bearer for Nov. 16 governorship poll in the state.

He said that indirect primaries would ensure transparency and credibility in the process of electing the partys flag bearer in the state.

Lokpobiri said that the only way to avoid problem and division in the state chapter of the party is to conduct free, fair and transparent primary scheduled for Aug. 29.

The only time there will be problem in Bayelsa is when a transparent and credible primary election is not conducted.

That is in my wisdom and the wisdom of the majority members of the party; indirect primary is the best way to go.

By the time authentic delegates of the party gathered in a designated place that is well secured, the winner will clearly emerged.

Also the losers will also know that they were given a fair chance, and that is what we as a party want, he said.

According to him, if you hear anywhere somebody is rooting for direct primary, that is the persons opinion but I believe that as a party and the majority of the supporters in Bayelsa support indirect primary election.

Read also: Guber polls: APC state chairmen promises victory for party in Kogi, Bayelsa

Like I always say, the only way we can avoid division and ensure that there is credibility in the process is to ensure that we have the indirect primary, Lokpobiri said.

He also said that he has no problem with the former Governor of the state, Timiprie Silva.

Let me make it categorically clear that I dont have any problem with Sylva.

Sylva is a Bayelsa man, he is a Bayelsa leader, just like all the other ones we have here with me and I will never have any problem with him, he stressed.

Lokpobiri also urged the ruling party to desist from fielding candidate of questionable character during the gubernatorial election, adding that if the party put forward a candidate with the highest quality, the election would be easily won.

Let me assure you that Bayelsa in the last election got 40 per cent, this time around, we will win and we will win big.

How many Bayelsans are in PDP? Majority of voters are not party men, but what determines the failure of the process in any party in an election is the quality of your candidate.

If the candidate has the highest quality then you have already won the election by 60 per cent.

But if you bring a candidate with a lot of questionable issues then you are about to fail the election and we have had that experience, Lokpobiri said. (NAN)
Toyota Nigeria Limited will be presenting a technical training session this week Friday at the 2019 Nigeria Auto Journalists Asociation Training/Capacity Building Workshop at the Golden Tulip Hotel, along Airport Road in Lagos.

Among others expected to make presentation during the one day event which will have Aliyu Jelani, director-general, National Automotive Design & Development Council (NADDC) and Boboye Oyeyemi, Corp Marshal of the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) as special guests are Oscar Odiboh, an academic doctor with the Convenant University, Ota, Ogun State and Adenusi Patrick, executive director of Safety Beyond borders. Cornerstone Insurance is also providing more insight on Insurance matters as it relates to the automotive industry.

While Oscar Odiboh will be beaming searchlight on Zero Patronage, Zero Tariff and the Redefinition of Patriotism by Nigerias Automobile Industry, Adenusi Patrick on his part will be taking a critical look at Road User Attitude- Cost and Effect.

The annual training workshop which is designed to boost human capacity for journalists reporting the automotive sector in the country is the fourth edition in the series.

Apart from Toyota Nigeria Limited, CFAO, Weststar Associates, Mercedes Benz, Stallion Motors, Mandilas, Pirelli and Cornestone Insurance.

Chairman of Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA), Mike Ochonma said the training workshop which is in its fourth edition is aiming at refreshing the knowledge and competency of automotive journalists while on the job.

The NAJA training workshop is an annual training programme organised to refresh the minds of practicing auto journalists on the trend of auto journalism worldwide. Members of the association are motoring journalists that cut across the newspapers, television and online media organisations including bloggers from across the country.

Journalism is wide and we must open ourselves to consistent training and retraining. It is important that journalists writing about the automotive sector are well informed; they must be well educated and empowered to write effectively. The NAJA Chairman said.

On her part, Julie Chi-Nwaoha, chairperson of this years event, there is need for consistent training and retraining because of its benefit to the motoring journalists that are reporting the beat.

She maintained that, the automotive industry is one fundamental industry in Nigeria that one cannot ignored because of the huge contributions to the nations economy.
The United States on Thursday took note of China's role in curbing North Korea's "provocative" and "harmful" activities amid international criticism over Pyongyang's transfers of weapons to Russia and its evolving military threats.

State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel made the remarks in response to a reporter's question over whether China  with close relations with the North and Russia  is responsible for its apparent inaction regarding the arms trade between Pyongyang and Moscow.

"We've long said that countries that have a relationship with the DPRK, including even Russia in that matter, have a responsibility to help curtail this kind of provocative harmful activity," Patel said during a press briefing. DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Asked to comment on Russia's claim that there is no evidence that it has used North Korean ballistic missiles against Ukraine, Patel called attention to a recent joint statement adopted by the top diplomats of nearly 50 countries to condemn the arms transfer between the North and Russia.

"It is interesting that the Russian Federation would say that," he said.

"There is a high level of confidence from the United States as well as these other partners who share our concern and condemnation of the transfer of this type of ballistic missile," he added.

The White House has revealed that Russia, which has been provided with several dozen North Korean ballistic missiles, used some of them to strike Ukrainian targets on Dec. 30, Jan. 2 and Saturday.

In a separate briefing, Defense Department spokesperson Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder reiterated the U.S.' concerns over the arms trade between the North and Russia.

"We've been talking for a long time about the fact that it's very concerning that the relationship between Russia and North Korea  in terms of providing munitions and weapons that are being employed on the battlefield in Ukraine  again just demonstrates the desperation that Russia is experiencing when it comes to replenishing their own stockpiles," he said.

"But also more importantly the fact that North Korea is participating in the illegal occupation and killing of Ukrainian civilians in this war," he added. (Yonhap)
According to reports, the man who was supposedly resurrected by by Prophet Alph N Lukau, has allegedly been arrested according to his former employer.

The man has since been identified as Elliot/Brighton, following the viral miracle in Johannesburg, South Africa, which many believe was staged.

Now, one of Brightons former employers has revealed the extent of his deception and that he has been arrested.

The Citizen reported that Azania Mosaka interviewed Vincent, who Brighton had worked for at a wood-working factory in Pretoria. According to Vincent, Brighton was arrested on the morning of Tuesday, February 26.

Thula Siyo@ThulaSiyo

So Elliot/ Brighton the not so dead guy from Pastor Likaus church has been arrested according to his employer- 702712:23 PM  Feb 26, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacySee Thula Siyos other Tweets

Speaking to Azania Mosaka during the Tuesday edition of her show on 702, the man named Vincent confirmed that he had been told by his other employees that Brighton had been arrested and that they had no further details at this stage.

I got word from one of the guys that works for me that knows Brighton, I believe they arrested him today, said Vincent.

Can you imagine what a life hes had? Hes worked for me, he died, he was resurrected and now hes been arrested, joked Vincent.

He went on to confirm that Brighton was indeed an employee at his wood-working factory in Pretoria where he had worked until recently and looked completely healthy the last time hed reported for duty.

According to Vincent, this was not the first stunt Brighton had been a part of as hed previously allegedly pretended to be wheelchair-bound so that the pastor could heal him in front of the masses.

His employer went on to describe him as a very smart man who was unfortunately fond of lying.

Various social media users have also shared old photos featuring Brighton, and it seems he has previously worked with the pastor as his cameraman, among other things.

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The fugitive former pension boss, Abdulrasheed Maina, has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his re-election.

Mr Maina, who has been on the run for years, said he would continue to give Mr Buharis administration necessary support.

On behalf of myself and my family, I wish to congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo on their victory in the just concluded 2019 historic Presidential election.

This goes a long way to show the unalloyed support and trust that the generality of Nigerians have on your persons and administration.

We shall continue to give you and your administration the necessary support while you continue making Nigeria great again and taking us to the next level, the advert reads.

On the run

Mr Maina was in 2012 accused of leading a massive pension fraud scheme amounting to more than N100 billion. Ironically, he was drafted by the then Goodluck Jonathan administration in 2010 to sanitise a corrupt pension system.

The Senate Joint Committee on Public Service and Establishment and State and Local Government Administration, which investigated the allegations, indicted Mr Maina and issued a warrant of arrest against Mr Maina.

Mr Maina sued the Senate and the then Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, and thereafter went into hiding after being declared wanted by the police.

He was dismissed from the civil service for allegedly absconding from duty and attempting to evade arrest and charged to court.

He was on July 21, 2015 charged by the EFCC, alongside former head of service Stephen Oronsaye and two others with fraud. While Mr Oronsaye and the two other accused were in court and pleaded not guilty to the charge, Mr. Maina remained at large.

Since absconding, nothing was heard of Mr Maina until shortly after the emergence of President Buhari in 2015 when members of his defunct Presidential Task Team on Pension Reforms offered to work with the then incoming administration.

The team, which addressed a press conference in Abuja, said its work would be easier under Mr Buhari, known for his anti-corruption stand.

PREMIUM TIMES found in October 2017 that the new government had secretly reinstated and promoted Mr Maina.

Amid natiowide outrage, President Buhari ordered immediate sack of Mr Maina.

It later became clear Mr Maina was reinstated with the knowledge of the minister of interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, and minister of justice, Abubakar Malami. The head of service, Winifred Oyo-Ita, said the decision was taken without her approval.

Mrs Oyo-Ita in a leaked memo to the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, said she warned Mr Buhari against the reinstatement.

Mr Maina himself said his reinstatement was ordered by President Buhari.

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In October 2017, PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mr Maina was being provided guards by the State Security Service (SSS). This newspaper learnt that a safe house in Maitama, allegedly belonging to the SSS, was also provided for his use.

This paper also found out that Mr Mainas controversial $2 million house in Jabi, Abuja, was guarded by the police. However, the SSS did not react to the publication.

The role of the SSS in bringing back Mr Maina was confirmed by a representative of his family, Aliyu Maina, who told journalists few days later that the fugitive was working with the SSS, also known as DSS.

Despite declaring him wanted and securing an arrest warrant against the former pension boss, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has failed to track him down for about one and half years ago.

Fridays advert featured photographs of both Mr Buhari and Mr Maina. It was signed by the fugitive ex-civil servant on behalf of himself and family.

It appeared on a page of Leadership newspaper of Thursday February 28.
Former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan has claimed that ex-UK prime minister David Cameron harboured grudges against him because of their clashing views on marriage equality.

In his recently published memoirs, For the Record, Cameron claimed that the then Nigerian leader stymied efforts to rescue some of the 276 schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram in 2014.

Under Camerons government, marriage equality was passed in Britain in 2013.

Jonathan, 61, responded to the allegations by saying that, at the time, Cameron was enacting unbearable pressure on him after the president passed a bill prohibiting same-sex marriage in Nigeria, reported newspaper Punch Nigeria.

What happened?

In April 2014, 276 schoolgirls were kidnapped from the Government Secondary School in the town of Chibok in Borno State, Nigeria.

Responsibility for the kidnappings was claimed by Boko Haram, an extremist terrorist organization based in northeastern Nigeria.

Loved ones of the girls waited agonising weeks as Nigerian officials released the names of those abducted, while Nigerian soldiers combed the countryside to locate the girls.

While more than 100 of the girls have seen been found or rescued, many are still missing in a crisis that continues to haunt the West African country.

According to Cameron, British intelligence officers and troops offered to rescue the girls after tracking down a potential location.

But Jonathan was asleep at the wheel.

When he eventually made a statement, it was to accuse the campaigners of politicising the tragedy. And absolutely crucially, when we offered to help rescue the girls we had located, he refused, he wrote.

Jonathan decried Camerons allegations of corruption. The crux, the former president claimed, was the two leaders contrasting stances on marriage equality.

He said: I do, however, know that Mr. Cameron has long nursed deep grudges against me for reasons that have been published in various media.

As such, on Monday, January 13 2014, I signed the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Bill into law after the bill had been passed by an overwhelming bipartisan majority of Nigerias parliament, in line with the wishes of the Nigerian people.

This happened shortly after a study of 39 nations around the world by the US Pew Research Centre came up with a finding which indicated that 98 percent of Nigerians were opposed to the idea of gay marriage.

Immediately after I took this patriotic action, my government came under almost unbearable pressure from Mr. Cameron, who reached me through envoys, and made subtle and not so subtle threats against me and my government.
Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi says his convoy was blocked while on his way back to Abakaliki, the State capital from his Uburu, Ohaozara home.

The roadblock was said to have been mounted by a group of people observing a wake-keep sequel to a burial ceremony along Onicha Road in Onicha Local Government Area of the state on Friday night.

Hence, Governor Umahi banned all forms of wake-keep beyond 10 pm in the state.

He said that in any case where such event must pass the stipulated time, the organisers must seek permission from the local government chairman, who would be held responsible if anything occurs.

The governor who disclosed this while receiving some guests at the State Executive Chambers in Abakaliki, decried the development, saying it is a criminal breach of the law.

He alleged that the culprits made away with a gun belonging to an Army Officer and expressed worries over what they could have done if it had been an ordinary victim that encountered them. Umahi said:
Daddy Freeze

Daddy Freeze responds to follower who asked why his Cool FM boss is a white person

Cool FM OAP, Daddy Freeze celebrated his Cool FM boss and this led to a conversation about why it is that foreigners are usually the ones running a number of Nigerian companies.

Freeze shared a photo of Serge Noujaim, an Arab who is in charge of affairs at the media house, to celebrate him for his contribution to the growth of Cool FM.

And a follower responded, writing: How can a white person run Nigerian radio stations in Nigeria does it mean no Nigerian is capable of it

And Freeze replied: It means he is more capable than anyone else, where work is concerned, delivery and capability always surpass nationality.
Sowore harrassed in court

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the February 2019 general election, Atiku Abubakar, on Friday said he experienced extreme anguish of spirit while watching the invasion of the Federal High Court, Abuja, by operatives of the Department of State Service.

Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu was presiding over the court proceedings involving presidential candidate of the African Action Congress in the February 2019 general election, Mr. Omoyele Sowore, when DSS made unceremonious entry and attempted to forcefully remove the activist.

Operatives of DSS had held Sowore for 125 days in what had been described as illegal detention, following his arrest last August on allegation of attempting to forcefully sack the government via his scheduled nationwide #RevolutionNow protests.

Sowore was freed on Thursday evening, but during a court appearance on Friday (today), DSS operatives disrupted court sitting as they attempted to rearrest him.

Taking to his verified Twitter handle @atiku on Friday, Atiku, in a series of tweets, condemned the court invasion, comparing the Nigerian situation to dictatorship.

Below is what he tweeted:



Today, I am in extreme anguish of spirit having watched the unfortunate drama that played itself out at the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, in which agents of the state caused a commotion in court in order to frustrate a judgment of a court of competent authority.

Never in the history of Nigerian democracy has a judge been treated in such a disdainful and brazen attack on not just her person and office, but on the entire judiciary. This is unacceptable. It is a rape on the sanctity of the court.

Nigeria is not a dictatorship. We are a democracy, no matter how inconvenient this fact is to the powers that have forced themselves on us.

I call for an immediate inquiry to be set up to identify those responsible for the maltreatment meted out to Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu and the desecration of her court, and indeed the Nigerian judiciary. They must be sanctioned to the highest extent permissible by our laws.

I further call for all law enforcement agencies in Nigeria to immediately respect not just the court order made by Justice Ojukwu, but the order of any court in Nigeria, on any detainee, be it Omoyele Sowore, Sambo Dasuki or Ibrahim Zakzaky, among others.

We cannot have a situation where our government is quick to obey foreign court orders and even quicker to disobey domestic court orders. This is symptomatic of a mindset that is servile to foreign powers and brutal to Nigerians.

Without the rule of law, there can be no rule at all. Power in Nigeria still flows from the people, not from the barrel of a gun. I call on all men and women of goodwill not to keep quiet or sit on the fence at times like this.

To keep Nigeria a democracy is the paramount duty of all concerned stakeholders. Please speak up against this tyranny and side with the Nigerian people.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has berated the Buhari Presidency for its negligence and laid back attitude to governance and the welfare of Nigerians leading to the avoidable entrance of the deadly corona virus into our dear country.

The party said it was evident that the Buhari Presidency, not being alive to its responsibilities, as usual, took no concrete steps to hedge our nation against the virus, leading to the current scary situation.

The PDP in a statement by Kola Ologbondiyan, National Publicity Secretary, noted that a responsive and proactive government would have mobilized effective surveillance and screening measures to ward off the menace, particularly at entry points, but the incompetent, insensitive and indifferent Buhari administration, was more interested in propaganda and unnecessary showboating with false performance claims.

The party also recalled that the Buhari administration had done nothing to assist Nigerian citizens stranded in China despite their pleas, just the same way it abandoned Nigerian compatriots who were being murdered in the heat of xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

The PDP said Nigerians should directly hold the Buhari Presidency responsible should any national calamity arose from COVID-19 in addition to the economic and security challenges its negligence had caused our nation.

Due to the negligence and incompetence of the Buhari administration, Nigerians can no longer move freely across their country for fear of insurgents, bandits, kidnappers and now corona virus.

ALSO READ: Coronavirus Update from CDC: Why your beards should get you worried now

Indeed, the Buhari government is a huge misfortune to our nation. This latest leadership failure further validates widespread calls for it to step aside for more competent hands to manage the affairs of our country, the party declared.

The PDP, therefore, called on Nigerians not to despair but stir up the Nigerian resilient spirit for an urgent, multi sectoral concerted effort by agencies, groups, corporate entities and public-spirited individuals to immediately curb the disease before it spreads, particularly given the prevalent security, economic and humanitarian challenges in the country.

The party called on the Federal Government to end its cosmetic attitude and immediately adopt the proactive strategy used by the PDP administration to promptly contain the Ebola Virus disease in 2014.

The PDP also advised Nigerians to be very vigilant and follow intervention directives to ensure that the disease does not spread in the country.

The party urged the ministry of health to continue to be open and not allow propaganda, speculations and misinformation in the handling of this health emergency.

PV: 0
BLOOMINGTON  The Georgia man accused of killing a Peoria teen in a 2022 Bloomington shooting pleaded not guilty Friday morning.

Tomiyale M. Anderson, 20, of Hampton, Georgia, appeared Friday in McLean County court before Judge Scott Black for an arraignment.

He is charged with four counts of murder and one count each of attempted murder and aggravated discharge of a firearm in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Kanye Stowers.

Stowers was found unresponsive on April 8, 2022, in front of a residence in the 400 block of East Mill Street in Bloomington; he was pronounced dead at the scene after midnight that night. The cause of death was later determined to be a single gunshot wound to the back.

At Andersons detention hearing last week, Assistant States Attorney Aaron Fredrick said multiple witnesses identified Anderson exiting a vehicle just prior to the shooting.

Anderson was taken into custody 20 months after the shooting by the U.S. Marshals Service in Chicago.

Assistant Public Defender Matthew Koetters represented Anderson for Fridays hearing, but he indicated the defendant had hired a private attorney, Jennifer Patton, to represent him.

Koetters asked Black to waive a formal reading of the six-count bill of indictment and entered pleas of not guilty on Andersons behalf.

Black found Andersons continued detention in this case was necessary for safety of individuals and the community, and the defendant was to remain in McLean County custody.

Andersons first pretrial hearing in this case is scheduled for Feb. 26 with Judge Jason Chambers.

Violent crime is up  and also down, according to new federal data Violent crime is up  and also down, according to new federal data Federal reports show similar long-term trends in violent crime, but diverge significantly on year-over-year changes Despite the long-term trends, the two reports differ more than ever before on the year-over-year change in violent crime. Property crime went up in 2022 One undeniable trend: Violent crimes against young people doubled Still, most crimes are not reported to the police
NORMAL  A technological arts program on the Redbird campus is fledging into a school of its own.

A proposal to establish a new School of Creative Technologies at Illinois State University was approved in late November by the Illinois Board of High Education. A statement Tuesday from the university announcing the expansion said the program, which is run under the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts, was founded in 1999 and previously called Arts Technology.

It started with two faculty members and about 30 enrolled students; since then, its grown to at least 285 undergraduate and graduate students, according to the statement. Students majoring in the program can now elect sequences in audio and music production, game design; or interdisciplinary studies. A masters program is also offered.

Described by the university as a popular program, ISU expects Creative Technologies to grow to over 400 majoring students by 2027, the statement continued.

Jean Miller, dean of the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts, and said the Creative Technologies program, listed in ISU course catalogues under the acronym CTK, is a beautiful example of how the faculty within that academic unit has brought all of the fine arts together into one practice.

The dean also said Tuesdays announcement marked a long-awaited change that presents an exciting opportunity for all in the fine arts college and the larger ISU campus.

Around a year ago, CTK professor Rose Marshack told The Pantagraph that the program was centered in the midst of the colleges schools of art, music, and theater and dance, also noting its an interdisciplinary effort. Additionally, shes the programs director and will continue to fill that role on an interim basis until a permanent school director is hired through an external search process.

Eight full-time instructors are teaching CTK courses, plus seven who teach on a part-time basis. Miller said among the part-time group are guest-teaching industry professionals, like Eddie Breitweiser, director of area sonic arts nonprofit pt.fwd.

Miller said aligning the program among the colleges other schools makes sense on a structural level, and operationally. While the definition of a university school varies by institution or college, she said the fine arts college is structured by schools.

The college schools have a reputation for employing a conservatory approach to teaching, Miller said, adding thats based on applied craft and skill, performance and professional practice. Other majors that applies to include art, music, theater and dance education, music therapy and fine art history, she said.

Marshack said becoming a school will mean faculty can really concentrate on the fine arts aspects of CTK courses.

It just means your teachers will be there more for you, she said she would tell students anxious about the change. Its greater acknowledgement that  the school cares very much about interdisciplinarity and technology.

Miller said over the past decade, students had dabbled in Creative Technologies to learn a different approach or take on a course. But as technology advanced over the last decade, she said they found a population that wanted to major in it.

That is a sea change, the dean said. It really demanded that we do something to formalize that school.

Other changes to come with that formalization include establishing a permanent operating budget and hiring a director, budgetary staff, advisers and other support staff. Miller said the next phase of setting day-to-day operations and a calendar for the CTK school is underway, as well as developing bylaws, and tenure and promotion documentation.

Driving the beats

Marshack said the Creative Technologies program is perfect for the type of student she was going in to college. She said shes really good at technology, but wished be creative with it, too.

She teaches courses on music business and and computer programming for creatives. In the latter class, Marshack said an early assignment tasks her students with illustrating a superhero avatar from primitive shapes and colors.

Marshack said CTK alumni have gone on to work for video game developers like Blizzard, makers of real-time strategy game Starcraft; and Naughty Dog, creator of the Crash Bandicoot series. She also said theyve invited guest speakers to campus, such as Ian MacKaye of punk rock band Fugazi and Mike Morasky, a composer for video game developer Valve.

Core courses in the audio and music production sequence will be audio production, audio theory, and music concepts. A teaching recording studio in the Center for the Visual Arts building is now online and being used for all AMP classes, Marshack said.

After hours, she said the studio is being used for recording by both student and faculty groups.

One new sequence that may be added is a virtual and augmented reality, Marshack said. She also said they have hopes of creating a synthesizer laboratory. Thats because they have a ARP 2600 Grey Meanie synthesizer she believed was purchased by CTKs founder, ISU Professor Emeritius David B. Williams. Miller said Williams was a visionary.

Marshack said that model of synthesizer created the R2-D2 sounds heard in the Star Wars film series, and only 35 of those machines were made.

What makes the CTK major sequences unique from music performance and business majors in the School of Music is the technology aspect, she said. Students will take classes on intro to web design and computer programming, where they will learn the mindset of technology.

We feel thats really important, Marshack said.

With advances in technology software and innovations in interactivity and artificial intelligence, the opportunities for students with a degree in Creative Technologies are endless, stated Miller. The statement added career opportunities can include game developer, software engineer, video and audio editor, VR/UI/UX designer, digital content specialist, music producer, video animator and more.

When Marshack studied computer science at the University of Illinois computer engineering college, she said she took a class on AI in 1984 that used the Scheme programming language.

While its fine for professors to instruct students to avoid using AI for fundamental learning assignments, Marshack said they also encourage students to ask an AI program to explain concepts they have trouble understanding.

Youre not embarrassed to ask a question to an AI, she said, adding she wants students to explore AI as much as possible.

Marshack said the onset of AI will bring many more wonderful opportunities to the world. She likened it to the following metaphor she read about in a book titled The Overworked American.

She said before the washing machine was invented, people only owned a few articles of clothing.

What followed the invention of the washing machine, Marshack, said, is that people bought more clothes.

Were going to make more work for ourselves, she said. Were going to make more creativity for ourselves.

Marshack said: Its going to be like a car that we can drive. Now we dont have to take horses anymore.

Photos: The Music Shoppe and friends play Christmas carols in uptown Normal UPTOWN CAROLS Clarinet and selfies Clarinet Sisters Jazzy horn Trio of musicians Trio of musicians Music Shoppe Band

Contact Brendan Denison at (309) 820-3238. Follow Brendan Denison on Twitter: @BrendanDenison
The United States imposed sanctions on three Russian entities and one individual for their involvement in the transfer and testing of North Korean ballistic missiles for Russia's use against Ukraine, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday.

The sanctions came after the White House said that the North has provided Russia with several dozen ballistic missiles, some of which were used to strike Ukrainian targets on Dec. 30, Jan. 2 and Saturday.

"The DPRK's transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia supports Russia's war of aggression, increases the suffering of the Ukrainian people, and undermines the global nonproliferation regime," Blinken said in a statement. DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

"The United States continues to closely monitor any Russian-provided support to the DPRK in return for these weapons and will use all available tools to designate and expose individuals and entities involved in arms transfers between the DPRK and Russia." (Yonhap)
NORMAL  What was once a long, meticulous process for students hoping to secure financial aid for college has now been revamped and optimized to save time.

But a soft, and late, launch has brought some challenges.

Officials from Bloomington-Normals higher education institutions are seeing mixed responses as students and families have begun filling out the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

Some have been able to move through surprisingly quickly while others have struggled to access the application website in its limited windows of availability.

The U.S. Department of Education announced in September the FAFSA was undergoing a complete redevelopment and simplification and the new online version of the form would roll out on Dec. 31 instead of Oct. 1, as it has for the past several years.

Scott Siebring, director of financial aid at Illinois Wesleyan University, said the rollout will seem much later than usual, but prior to 2017, most higher education institutions did not receive applicants information until after Jan. 1.

Since 2017, weve gotten used to getting them earlier and we were able to get financial records coming in late October and get financial aid proposals out in early December. So thats been a change here in the more recent years, Siebring said. We knew when this was happening that, even though people should be able to do the FAFSA by Jan. 1, that we were not going to get the results until the end of January.

Siebring said their focus now is to help families going through the forms and letting them know they still have time and they should manage their expectations with the later release schedule for those financial proposals.

Our message has really been to try and reassure them that its OK  youre going to have plenty of time regardless of whether you file on Jan. 20, Jan. 2 and even probably Feb. 1, Siebring said. Youre going to have plenty of time to get your information back from schools and make a timely decision before May 1.

Completing an online FAFSA, or the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid for those not eligible for federal aid, became a requirement for high school graduation in Illinois during the 2020-21 school year, with an opt out waiver available.

Bridget Curl, director of financial aid for Illinois State University, said she knew of at least one Redbird family that had been trying since the launch but could not gain access to the application.

With the soft launch, the Department of Education has said the form will only be available for certain periods of time while they monitor the site and respond to issues.

We will be initiating pauses to the site, during which time the form will not be available while our team makes improvements, according to the department website. ... Students and families will have ample time to complete the 2024-25 FAFSA and do not need to rush to fill out the form immediately when the soft launch period opens.

Curl said ISU has been encouraging students and families to follow the social media accounts for Federal Student Aid where status updates are posted and to take note of the time zones for posted FAFSA outages.

As issues decrease in the new FAFSA process, Curl said she expects the system to be available for longer periods of time.

But several other students and families have indicated they werent delayed by the site pauses and were able to log in immediately and finish the form.

Its been so simplified they even questioned whether they were actually done with their FAFSA, Curl said.

Is it really that simple? she said they have asked.

Streamlining

Part of the new systems optimization comes from utilizing skip logic, Curl said. Depending on how a student filled out the form, they may have had to answer only 18 questions and were done in 15 minutes, she said.

This is a significant change from the more than 100 questions previously posed to every applicant entering their financial information.

As part of the streamlining, families financial information now is transmitted to the Department of Education directly by the IRS, so they no longer have to provide tax information.

These changes also mean the parent or guardian and the student each are required to have their own ID to log into the website, listed as a contributor for the Federal Student Aid office. It takes a couple of days for that to be issued, and you have to have that first before beginning to fill out the form.

Once those IDs are issued, the application process can begin.

Siebring said the automated import of financial data ultimately makes it easier for families and expands upon those who qualify for a federal Pell Grant.

Also for the first time this year, the value of family farms will be included as assets on FAFSA, which could affect the way some rural students see financial aid come in, potentially shrinking the funds made available to them.

Thats one piece that especially in the Midwest a lot of financial aid officers are cringing at because it will impact eligibility for those types of students, said Todd Burns, director of financial aid for Heartland Community College.

If the application results in financial aid estimates and eligibility issues that families were not expecting, colleges and universities will have to work with them to figure out if a mistake was made during the application process, said Siebring at IWU.

Curl at ISU said a common mistake she has seen has been students marking that their parent or guardian is not willing to provide information to FAFSA. Students who are dependents to a parent, guardian or step-parent should answer yes, she said.

In such situations her office has encountered, she said the student just misunderstood the question. And, it can take days to correct the mistake after filing.

Sometimes, the federal government will select students for a verification process. Curl noted this doesnt mean the students have done anything wrong, but it does require schools to verify the reported data.

Siebring said he feels confident his office will be able to help families navigate their application and aid issues.

Its never a perfect system and theres always circumstances where the FAFSA does not exactly paint the family picture and give an accurate calculation, he said.

Community college

Burns said the process is a bit different for a community college that works with two-year students transferring out, and the delay actually has little effect on them as they process applications later in March.

The impact on us is very limited other than helping students work through their frustration because they might be in a panic mode and they think they have to have it done for Heartland, Burns said. I always tell them though, if theyre looking at other schools that they really need to reach out to that school to see what kind of flexibility theyre gonna give them.

The delay could push their financial proposals back by a month at worst, but in the meantime, students attending Heartland can apply for scholarships on their own through the college and more aid outside of FAFSA, Burns said.

Heartland officials have offered advice to high schoolers who may be worried about the process and whether or not their applications will reach their prospective colleges and universities.

We try to talk them through and say the school is going to be flexible and that they should keep trying at it and theyll eventually get through, Burns said. Were really encouraging students to let the system work its bugs out, and by the end of the month, Im projecting that the Department of Education should have a lot of these bugs worked out and it should be flowing pretty good.

For those who need assistance in completing their FAFSA application, Heartland Community College is hosting a free FAFSA Open House from 5:30 till 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 23. This is open to anyone and is not just for people planning on attending Heartland.

Crunch time

To prepare for the new application process and this years timeline, universities financial aid offices have spent a lot of time preparing and planning.

Curl said ISU updated its systems  just as the federal government has  to receive information in the new application format and updated the universitys websites and processes.

The Dec. 31 rollout shortened the time schools could communicate the necessary information with students, too.

Curl said she anticipates ISU will start sending confirmations for received FAFSAs to Redbird students starting in mid-to-late February and tentatively will begin generating financial aid offers for incoming students in the middle of March. But, that could be delayed.

While students do not need to complete the FAFSA this week or even this month, Curl said her institution encourages students to file by Feb. 15  a deadline that was pushed back for several schools. If there are still issues closer to that date, she said they will revisit that deadline.

While theres still plenty of time for high school graduates to decide by May 1 what college theyll be attending, Curl said it does condense that timeline.

The deadline for seeking student aid from federal grant programs for this upcoming school year is June 30, 2025.

Valerie Wells contributed to this story.

Saving for your kids' college education? Everything you need to know about 529 plans Saving for your kids' college education? Everything you need to know about 529 plans
EUREKA  Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton will be the keynote speaker at Eureka Colleges Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. program on Thursday.

The event will be at the Becker Auditorium of the Donald B. Cerf Center at 6 p.m. It is free and open to the public.

In her role as lieutenant governor, Stratton also serves on the Illinois Council on Women and Girls, the Governors Rural Affairs Council, the Military Economic Development Committee and the Rivers of Illinois Coordinating Council.

As the first Black woman Lieutenant Governor in the state of Illinois, I am committed to furthering progress and delivering opportunities to all communities, especially those who have been historically disinvested or ignored, Stratton said in a news release. There is more work ahead to ensure that all of our communities are afforded the equity and justice they deserve.

During her speech, Stratton will discuss the leadership legacy of Dr. King and the work her Justice, Equity and Opportunity Initiative has done to ensure stronger communities.

Photos: Eureka College at Illinois Wesleyan University baseball.
BLOOMINGTON  A hotly contested resolution stating McLean County would deny its services to migrants entering the county was rejected by the County Board on Thursday.

The resolution, which was introduced by board member Chuck Erickson, states McLean County will not accept or provide taxpayer funded services to migrants sent into McLean County by any other state or municipality. It comes as Chicago, New York and several other Democrat-led major cities struggle to accommodate the thousands of migrants being bussed there by Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott.

McLean County Assistant States Attorney Trevor Sierra said the resolution was non-binding and would have simply expressed the position of the county on the record.

Its not changing official policy, its not changing any rules, its not changing how the county spends money (and) it wouldnt change any of our budgets, Sierra said. It would just be an expression of opinion.

Additional chairs and benches had to be brought into chambers to accommodate every member of the public.

Roughly 40 attendees voiced opposition to the resolution, including religious leaders, past and present Bloomington City Council members and immigrants living in McLean County. Some called the proposal dishonest and political grandstanding, citing Ericksons candidacy in the Republican primary for an Illinois House seat.

Charlotte Alvarez of the Immigration Project said the ordinance does not live up to McLean Countys values as a society  and it could have financial ramifications as well.

She said immigrants in the community have contributed $1.2 billion to the countys gross domestic product and make up almost 8% of its employed labor force.

Communities who accept recent arrivals will win, Alvarez said. Communities who reject them will be rejected in turn.

Diana Hauman, president of the League of Women Voters of McLean County, said her organizations opposition is based on the long-held position that all person should receive fair treatment under the law.

We believe that food, housing and emergency health care are basic human needs, that our federal government has primary responsibility for ensuring those needs are met and that other government entities should take secondary responsibility, Hauman said.

However, not every speaker appeared in opposition.

Although she didnt confirm whether she was for or against the resolution, Bloomington resident Surena Fish suggested the county should first take care of its existing citizens, including those currently living in tent cities.

I welcome the fact that you have a whole room of people who all agree something needs to be fixed, Fish said.

Chad Berck, who is running for the County Board, said McLean County does not have the answers to federal immigration problems but bringing migrants to the county wont solve the issue.

Whats good about what Chuck has brought here is were talking about it, Berck said. Thats what we need to do as a community.

The public comment portion of the meeting lasted about two hours.

Board member Susan Schafer said it was the opinion of the McLean County Health Departments Board of Health that as a certified local health department of Illinois, it is mandated to provide services.

(The Board of Healths) work is to protect anyone who lives, works, plays in or visits McLean County and promote health equity, Schafer read. We do not base eligibility for services on, nor do we ask about, citizenship status.

Board member Jim Soeldner, who represents the southwest portion of McLean County outside Bloomington-Normal, said he was concerned about the financial impact new arrivals could have on smaller towns along the interstate.

The small towns do not have the resources now to deal with that kind of an influx of people, Soeldner said. I know that theres supposedly state funding available (but) Im not sure how long that would take.

Board member George Wendt said the hope is that the resolution would send a message discouraging the arrival of migrant buses in McLean County.

However, board member Randall Knapp argued immigration is such a large issue that it needs to be elevated to the state and federal government level.

I dont think we have the resources here, Knapp said. However, by making a resolution, I dont see how thats going to fix the problem.

McLean County Board vice-chair Elizabeth Johnston made a motion to call the question.

The resolution was defeated 13-7 with board members Erickson, Soeldner, Wendt, William Friedrich, Adam Reeves, Lyndsay Bloomfield and Geoff Tompkins voting in favor.

Photos: Chicago, other cities say shelters full, budgets hit by immigration uptick
LEROY  Loves Travel Stops locations in Dwight, LeRoy and Utica are among a dozen Illinois gas stations awarded grants from the United States Department of Agriculture.

The funding, announced Thursday and awarded from the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program, will be distributed to national gas station companies to support their Illinois locations efforts to increase the availability of domestic biofuel.

Roughly $4.9 million was awarded to Loves Travel Stops and Country Stores Inc. locations nationwide. A portion of this funding is dedicated to creating infrastructure to expand the sales and use of renewable fuels, and locally, to expand the use of E15 fuel dispensers at gas stations in Dwight, LeRoy and Utica.

When we prioritize homegrown biofuels, were encouraging job growth, prioritizing our national security, reducing gas prices, protecting our environment and securing Illinois leadership in the energy sector for years to come, U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth said in a news release.(tncms-asset)1fc398ec-0700-578a-9050-29240aafe4d8[1](/tncms-asset)

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BLOOMINGTON  The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for Bloomington-Normal and McLean County for Friday and into the weekend.

Alex Erwin, a meteorologist the NWS office in Lincoln, said an approaching low-pressure front will bring a myriad of weather conditions to Central Illinois Friday night  more specifically, a mix of rain and snow after 9 p.m. Isolated thunderstorms are possible Thursday night into Friday morning.

The low-pressure front will lift northeast across central and southeast Illinois Friday afternoon and bring mostly rain until it changes to snow between 3 and 6 p.m., Erwin said.

The snow will taper off to isolated light snow showers overnight and winds will increase, with an 80% chance of gusts reaching over 45 mph, Erwin said.

Even if the snow isnt really accumulating, thats going to make for hazardous driving with those strong winds and lower visibility, Erwin said.

Bitter cold temperatures could arrive Saturday and continue through much of next week. Wind chills could fall to minus 15 to minus 20 degrees overnight Saturday into Sunday, with Monday and Tuesday morning wind chills approaching 25 degrees below zero.

Wind chills will still be 10 to 20 degrees below zero Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.

So the bottom line for this weekend, no matter where you are in the Midwest, its looking like a good one to make indoor plans, said Lee Enterprises meteorologist Matt Holiner.

Holiner said Central Illinois could experience 2 to 4 inches of snow between Thursday and Saturday, while Chicago and the Chicagoland area could see upward of 6 to 8 inches of snow during that same period.

Photos: Bloomington at Normal Community girls basketball
Politicizing the census may be acceptable. But when it turns into a game of tribes belittling others. we may overstep the point.

The census is constitutionally required. It determines where our emphases need to be. Why wouldn't we want every person possible counted? Why do we grumble over re-counts and make every discussion political?

To be sure, this isn't a new trend. Going back more than two centuries, disputes have surrounded the U.S. Census. A 1787 compromise counted enslaved individuals as three-fifths of a person to apportion representation and taxation. Minorities can be sometimes conveniently ignored by census-takers. Or minorities can point to the World War II practice of locating individuals of Japanese descent using information from the census.

In advance of the 2020 census, the Supreme Court rejected a Trump administration proposal to add a question about citizenship. By the time people were able to knock on doors, the world had turned into a place that actively rejected interaction. The COVID pandemic negatively affected many things, including the 2020 Census

Four years after the last census, almost a dozen small communities in the Midwest -- including Urbana -- 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.

In the majority of these cases, city officials don't think the numbers from the original count were inaccurate. 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.

That's the way the system is supposed to work. This isn't designed as a census that counts people who aren't there. The federal dollars that are dealt to cities, counties and states are designed to go to the places that need those dollars.

Local municipalities have to foot the bill for their special censuses. The cost ranges from just over $370,000 to almost $500,000 for the communities.

Unlike the 2020 census, the second counts won't 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.

Nothing nefarious here. Just attempts to acquire as much of the pie as they're allocated.
In recent years, McLean County has been fortunate to be a community that welcomes all persons. We have a Not In Our Town group which has been active since it started 28 years ago and that has widespread support, and a relatively new Welcome Center that provides support for immigrants.

Immigrants shipped on buses to large cities by Southern governors have indeed been extremely problematic for these cities. Those sent to Illinois have gone to Chicago; we have had only five immigrants who have gotten off those buses in the last two years. So we dont have an immigration problem in McLean County. Immigrants here are positive additions to our community.

Yet, County Board member Chuck Erickson wrote a resolution that the McLean County Board will consider at its monthly board meeting on Thursday, January 11, that is against our historic values of hospitality and humanitarianism. It calls for the county to refuse to accept or provide taxpayer funded services to migrants sent into McLean County by any other State or municipality. It is a clearly anti-immigration political document that includes unfounded smears such as suggesting that current immigration laws jeopardize the health, safety and welfare of our residents and stating that our immigration laws empower drug cartels and victimize women and children.

This resolution has no place in McLean County. Working with immigrants who come to our community is a local issue. Regardless of our beliefs about undocumented immigrants or how the federal government and Congress are managing the issue, this is about how to deal with immigrants who are already in our country. We cannot be a community that denies basic human services to anyone in need. I encourage you to contact your County Board representative to ask them to vote no.

Laurie Bergner, Normal
On the evening of Friday, December 29, 2023, burglars forcibly entered the residence of Dr John Ampontuah Kumah, the Deputy Minister for Finance and Member of Parliament for the Ejisu Constituency, situated in Chantan, Greater Accra.



According to the report filed at the Mile 7 Police Station, the thieves made off with an amount of GH50,000.



Additionally, they stole household appliances and important documents, including passports and birth certificates belonging to the Deputy Minister's wife.



The burglary occurred at 6:44 pm while the family was away attending a church event in town.



On 29th Friday, 29th December 2023 thieves broke into the house of the Deputy Minister for Finance and member of Parliament for the Ejisu Constituency, Dr. John Ampontuah Kumah located at Chantan in the Greater Accra region.



"The thieves made away with GHC 50,000, home appliances, and documents such as passports, and birth certificates belonging to the wife of the deputy Minister, Apostle Lilian Kumah."



"The incident is alleged to have happened at around 6:44 pm when the family was out in town attending a church event."

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The Chairman of the Ghana Hajj Board, Hon. Ben Abdallah Banda has signed a 2024 Hajj agreement with Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.



The mandatory agreement, signed in Jeddah during the ongoing 2024 Hajj Conference, officially confirms Ghana's participation in the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage which is expected to take place in June this year.



With the agreement, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah will now commence official engagements with Ghana's Hajj Board which will include allocation of quota to Ghana and other important engagements between now and the time of the Hajj.



Hon. Ben Abdallah expressed satisfaction and gratitude to Saudi's Ministry of Hajj over the agreement.



"We just signed the agreement with the Ministry of Hajj. This indicates that Ghana is formally and legitimately cleared to participate in this years Hajj...We will like to express our sincerest and heartfelt gratitude to the Minister, the Prince and to the King himself for their commitments to ensuring a successful Hajj last, and also ensuring that this year's Hajj becomes successful", he told the Saudi media after the ceremony.



The Ghana Hajj Board boss, who supervised his first Hajj operation last year following his appointment as Chairman a few months to the Hajj, said he has had discussions with the Saudi authorities on ways to improve Ghana's Hajj experience.



Among issues he discussed with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the Board Chairman revealed, is the infiltration of Ghana's Hajj camp by people who connive with others to use tourist visas and perform Hajj using Ghana's Hajj allocations.



"This has become a source of concern to the Ghana Hajj Board because last year when they gave us a quota 6730 because of the huge numbers of tourism visas that some people procured which they used to perform Hajj, it negatively impacted us."



"We have put this request before His Excellency the Deputy Hajj Minister and he has given us the assurance that they will put in place very strict measures to ensure that people do not use it to perform Hajj. They are also putting in place additional measures to ensure that people who do that are punished."



Hon. Ben Abdallah Banda led Ghana's delegation to the 2024 Hajj Conference which commenced on Monday, January 8, and ended on Thursday January 11, 2024.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Growing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia is raising questions over whether it would lead to their joint production of weapons with implications for security on the Korean Peninsula, a U.S. expert said Thursday.

Victor Cha, senior vice president for Asia and Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), made the point as the North's alleged transfers of weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine have come under global criticism and scrutiny.

"(Russians) are going to basically try to outlast the West (in the war in Ukraine) and North Korea's munition stockpiles are not bottomless," Cha said during a virtual forum hosted by CSIS.

"This raises the question of coproduction ... whether the Russians will actually start to help North Korea produce more munitions and that, in turn, will also allow North Korea to have better munitions on the Korean Peninsula than some of the really crappy stuff that they have now," he added.

Military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow was highlighted when the White House revealed recently that Russia used North Korean ballistic missiles in its strikes against Ukraine on Dec. 30, Jan. 2 and Saturday.

During the forum, Sydney Seiler, a former U.S. National Security Council official, expressed concerns that should Russia contribute to improving the North's arms industry, the world may see a more "powerful" and "emboldened" North Korea.

"North Korea's conventional weapons programs and even its missile programs have been impacted by resource shortages and their ability to produce in great quantity has always been limited by access to raw materials, the state of the production facilities and etc.," he said.

"If this relationship with Russia should enable improvements to production facilities and enhancement of surface-to-air missiles ... then we have a more powerful North Korea who I think will be even more emboldened," he added.

Amid concerns about the two countries' military ties, Seiler pointed out the role of China that has openly said it opposes instability on the peninsula.

"China needs to use the leverage it has with Moscow to lay down ... maybe even some cooperation guidelines for North Korea so that Moscow's behavior is more constrained, checked and balanced," he said. "China, to the degree it has leverage, is able to discourage (North Korean leader) Kim Jong-un for being overly emboldened by what he's getting out of this relationship with Russia."

Concerns over burgeoning military cooperation between the North and Russia initially centered largely on its potential effect on Moscow's war efforts in Ukraine, but stoked broader worries that it could affect the overall security landscape on the Korean Peninsula and beyond.

On Wednesday, South Korean Ambassador to the U.N. Hwang Joon-kook said that Russia's use of North Korean ballistic missiles against Ukraine has given the North "technical and military insights."

Hwang also accused the North of having used Ukraine as a "test site of its nuclear capable missiles" as he cited experts' assessment that the North Korean missiles at issue are KN-23 missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads. (Yonhap)
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has tasked the new Offinsomanhene, Nana Dwamena Akenten II, to look for a new candidate to replace Nana Ama Serwaa Nyarko, the current Queen mother of Offinso.



The Asantehene said he wants a candidate who can smoothly work with the newly enstooled Omanhene, such that, she will be willing to cooperate and will respond to summons from the Manhyia Palace without offering unsubstantiated excuses.



This pronouncement by the Asantehene at the Manhyia Palace, means he has brought to an end, the reign of Nana Ama Serwaa Nyarko, the current Queen mother of the Offinso Traditional Area in Asanteman.



The Asantehene said this on Thursday, January 11, 2024, during the inaugural meeting of the Asanteman Council for 2024.



The newly enstooled chief of Offinso, Nana Dwamena Akenten II, appeared before the Asanteman Council, headed by Asantehene, to swear his oath of allegiance.



The destoolment by the Asantehene is grounded on gross insubordination, primarily stemming from the Offinsohemaa's refusal to appear before Otumfuo following several summons and other reported offences.



Nana Ama Serwaa Nyarko had proposed Dr K. K. Sarpong, a former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) as a candidate to fill the then vacant Offinsomanhene stool, but the Asantehene raised issues with the candidate on the grounds that, he was not qualified in line with the maternal lineage and tasked the Queen mother to go and do the right thing.



After that, the Queen mother failed to heed to all other summons by the Asantehene.



On some occasions, she cited ill health as her inability to appear before Otumfuo.



The matter dragged on until the Asantehene tasked the head of family to take over and look for a candidate, The proposed candidate, Nana Amoako Poku was accepted by the royal family and the Manhyia Palace and he was subsequently enstooled with the stool name, Nana Dwamena Akenten II. He takes over from the late Nana Wiafe Akenten III.



Otumfuo Osei Tutu II addressing Asanteman on Thursday, told the new Offinsomanhene that he was delivering Offinsoman into his care alone without a queen mother.



He tasked him to find a new queen mother to help him undertake his mandate when he settles down.



Otumfuo said Offinso needs a queen mother who will be present at Manhyia when he needs her.

Source: graphiconline









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Burundi has closed its borders with Rwanda after accusing its neighbour of funding rebel attacks.



Last December Red Tabara, a Burundian rebel group, killed 20 people near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.



Rwandan President Paul Kagame denies the charge, but Burundi's government has branded him a "bad neighbour".



"We have stopped ties with him until he changes," said Burundi's Interior Minister Martin Niteretse.



Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye made the accusation in December following the attack.



The Rwandan government responded that it "regrets the unilateral closure of the border by Burundi", according to AFP.



It said the border closure was an "unfortunate decision" which violated the principles of regional cooperation and the integration of the East Africa Community.



Red Tabara admitted to carrying out the December attack, but said they had only killed nine soldiers and one police officer.



The group operates from DR Congo's South Kivu province bordering Burundi.



It was not immediately clear whether the border closure included both land and air.



In 2015 Burundi closed its border to Rwanda due to political tensions and then because of Covid-19. Seven years later the borders reopened.



During that time land crossings were not permitted. But the airline carrier RwandAir never stopped its commercial flights to Burundi.



Relations between Rwanda and Burundi have been tenuous despite their having a similar language, ethnic composition and colonial history.

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.

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The Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu has commended the Inspector-General of Police Dr. George Akuffo Dampare for enhancing the outlook and public perception of the police service.



According to Otumfuo, measures put in place by the IGP since he assumed office have endeared the Police to the public much more than it existed in the past.



 I want to commend you for the good work youre doing with your team. Since you came to the seen. Now we feel the Police in our lives, our homes and everywhere and we are grateful.



Commenting on security in the Ashanti region during the Christmas festivities, the Ashanti Monarch said he was marveled by the number of motorbikes that patrolled the region and Kumasi in particular to ensure the safety of residents.



I was here when they came to show me videos of the number of officers patrolling the city on motorbikes and it was beautiful. Because of your work, we didnt see robberies and the number of carnage we used to see on our roads during Christmas, please continue the work because we are praying for you.



The Otumfuo also advised the IGP not to allow the office and its challenges to change his personality.



On his part, Dr. Akuffo Dampare who is currently on a working tour in the Ashanti expressed his gratitude to the Otumfuo and assured him the police will continue to work to ensure the safety of the citizenry.







Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Catholic bishops in Africa have rejected Pope Francis' declaration to bless homosexual couples, asserting that it is "contrary to the will of God".



The Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (Secam) - the umbrella body for Catholic bishops across Africa - said in a statement the Vatican's approval of same-sex blessings is "not appropriate".



"The constant teaching of the Church describes homosexual acts as 'intrinsically disordered' and contrary to the natural law," it read.



President of Secam, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, said the message had been approved by Pope Francis and they will continue their communion with the head of the Catholic Church.



Last month, Pope Francis declared that priests should be permitted to bless same-sex couples.



This has sparked mixed reactions from both the Catholic Church and the LGBT community.



But the Vatican said blessings should not be part of regular Church rituals or related to civil unions or weddings.



It added that it continues to view marriage as between a man and a woman.



There are 64 countries globally that criminalise homosexuality and about half of these are in Africa.

Source: BBC









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Minister for Communications and the Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West constituency, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has appealed for re-election to represent her constituents in the House of Legislature.



Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, in an interview with Nana Yaw Kesseh on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show, outlined some developmental projects that necessitate her retention in Parliament.



She highlighted proper road networks, sports, and educational infrastructure, among others, as some of the projects she and the governing New Patriotic Party have undertaken at Ablekuma West to improve the lives of the constituents.



She also disclosed her significant role as Communications Minister in installing rural telephoning and internet connectivity in her constituency and other communities as part of measures to enhance the progress of the nation.



The New Patriotic Party will on Saturday, January 27, conduct their internal polls to elect their parliamentary candidates.



Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful and a host of other sitting Members of Parliament of the NPP are hopeful to retain their seats.



Speaking to Nana Yaw Kesseh, the Minister was confident she would make the New Patriotic Party and her constituents proud, as she insisted going for an alternative in the December 7 elections is "very, very scary."



"I'm the best candidate, and I will win the primaries come January 27th," she asserted, adding, "My party has decided to present me again because there is no reason to change me for any new person."







Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Hamamat Africa, The No1 brand in sheabutter, has condemned the bullying of G4S Security Guard by its third-party-employed videographers.



A viral video circulating online shows two videographers in Hamamat-branded shirts verbally abuse a security guard in the dispensation of his duties.



A statement released by Hamamat Africa expressed their shock towards the conduct of the videographers, whom they described as third-party contractors.



"Hamamat Africa is deeply troubled by a recent online video depicting unacceptable behaviour by videographers wearing Hamamat Africa-branded shirts during a scheduled production shoot. on December 27, 2023.



"It is essential to clarify that these videographers were independently contracted individuals and not employees of Hamamat Africa.



"Although provided with Hamamat-branded T-shirts, they are third-party contractors with no direct association with our brand. Hamamat Africa did not participate in or endorse the incident and has promptly terminated its association with the involved videographers.



"We unequivocally condemn the bullying and verbal abuse directed towards a security guard, actions contrary to our core values of respect, professionalism, and ethical conduct."



Hamamat Africa also apologised to the security personnel affected as well as anyone who was affected by their conduct.



"We recognise the distress caused and assure you that we are taking this matter seriously. Moving forward, we will implement additional measures when contracting third-party vendors and have initiated training programmes to uphold a respectful and inclusive environment.



"We value the trust of our community and customers, committing to the highest standards of integrity and professionalism," the statement said.









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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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

For the first time, researchers have analyzed the impact of antibiotic use on the rise of treatment-resistant bacteria over the last 20 years in the UK and Norway. They show that while the increase in drug use has amplified the spread of superbugs, it is not the only driver.

Researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, the University of Oslo, the University of Cambridge, and collaborators conducted a high-resolution genetic comparison of bacteria. They compared over 700 new blood samples with nearly 5,000 previously sequenced bacterial samples to answer questions about what factors influence the spread of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli).

The study, published in The Lancet Microbe, shows that greater antibiotic use does drive an increase in treatment-resistant bacteria in some instances. However, researchers have confirmed that this varies depending on the type of broad-spectrum antibiotic used. They also found that the success of antibiotic-resistance genes depends on the genetic makeup of the bacteria carrying them.

Recognizing all the main factors behind antibiotic resistance can help build a deeper knowledge of how these bacteria spread and what hinders them. This could then better inform public health interventions that use a complete view of the environment to help stop the spread of treatment-resistant infections.

The bacterium, E. coli is a common cause of bloodstream infections worldwide. The type of E. coli responsible for these infections is commonly found in the gut, where it does not cause harm. However, if it gets into the bloodstream due to a weakened immune system, it can cause severe and life-threatening infections.

As an added challenge for health care providers, antibiotic resistance, in particular multi-drug resistance (MDR), has become a frequent feature of such infections. In the UK, over 40% of E. coli bloodstream infections are resistant to a key antibiotic used in the treatment of serious infections in hospital.

Rates of antibiotic resistance in E. coli vary globally. For example, the rate of resistance to a different antibiotic, one commonly used to treat urinary tract infections caused by E. coli, ranged from 8.4% to 92.9% depending on the country.

Antibiotic resistance has been a topic of research for decades, and the surveillance data from previous studies have consistently shown an association between antibiotic use and an increased frequency of MDR in bacteria worldwide, including in the UK.

Previous studies have suggested a stable coexistence of resistant and non-resistant E. coli strains and in some cases, the non-resistant bacteria are more successful. However, previously it was not possible to assess the role of the genetic drivers of this due to the lack of unbiased large-scale longitudinal data sets.

This new study, from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, the University of Oslo, and collaborators, is the first time it has been possible to directly compare the success of the different strains of E. coli between two countriesNorway and the UKand explain differences based on country-wide antibiotic usage levels.

By analyzing data that spanned almost 20 years, they found that the use of antibiotics was linked to increased resistance in some instances, depending on the type of antibiotic. One class of antibiotics, non-penicillin beta-lactams, was used three to five times more on average per person in the UK compared to Norway. This has led to a higher incidence of infections by a certain multi-drug resistant E. coli strain.

However, the UK also uses the antibiotic trimethoprim more often, but analysis did not uncover higher levels of resistance in the UK when comparing the common E. coli strains found in both countries.

The study found that the survival of MDR bacteria depended on what strains of E. coli were in the surrounding environment. Due to this and other selective pressures in an area, researchers concluded that it is not possible to assume that the widespread use of one type of antibiotic will have the same effect on antibiotic-resistant bacteria spread in different countries.

The scientists stress that their results warrant sustained research efforts to identify what else drives the spread of E. coli and other clinically important bacteria across a range of ecological settings. Further research is needed to fully understand the combined effect of antibiotics, travel, food production systems and other factors shaping the levels of drug resistance in a country.

Understanding more about the strains that can outcompete antibiotic-resistant E. coli can lead to new ways to help stop the spread. For example, attempts that increase the amount of non-resistant, non-harmful bacteria in an area.

Dr. Anna Pontinen, co-first author from the University of Oslo, Norway and visiting scientist at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, said, "Our large-scale study allowed us to start to answer some of the long-standing questions about what causally drives multidrug-resistant bacteria in a population. This research was only possible due to the national systematic surveillance of bacterial pathogens that occurred in the UK and Norway. Without such systems in place, scientists would be considerably more limited in terms of what can be learnt using the power of genomics."

Professor Julian Parkhill, co-author from the University of Cambridge, added, "Our study suggests that antibiotics are modulating factors in the success of antibiotic-resistant E. coli, instead of the only cause. Our research traced the impact of several different broad-spectrum antibiotics and shows that the influence of these varies by country and area. Overall, our comprehensive genetic analysis shows that it is not always possible to predict how the use of antibiotics will impact an area without knowing the genetic makeup of the bacterial strains in that environment."

Professor Jukka Corander, senior author from the Wellcome Sanger Institute and the University of Oslo, Norway, noted, "Treatment-resistant E. coli is a major global public health issue. While it has long been accepted that the overuse of antibiotics plays a role in the rise and spread of superbugs, our study highlights that the level of drug resistance in widespread E. coli strains can vary substantially.

"Antibiotic use will be one selective pressure, and our study shows that it is not the only factor that impacts the success of these bacteria. Continuing to use genomics to gain a detailed understanding of the underlying drivers of bacterial success is crucial if we are to control the spread of superbugs."

More information: Modulation of multi-drug resistant clone success in Escherichia coli populations: a longitudinal multi-country genomic and antibiotic usage cohort study, The Lancet Microbe (2024). DOI: 10.1016/S2666-5247(23)00292-6 Journal information: The Lancet Microbe
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

Astrobotic's damaged Peregrine lander managed to send data back from all nine of its interfacing payloads over the three days it's been hurtling through space, the company said.

An additional payload received power, making for a full demonstration of the startup's first lander, aside from the fact that none of the instruments are being tested on their ideal target, the moon.

The information will likely be a huge asset for Astrobotic as it plans for its next moon mission, Griffin, later this year. It also offers some assistance to NASA, which paid $108 million to get its first Commercial Lunar Payload Services partner into space.

Peregrine blasted off flawlessly from Cape Canaveral early Monday aboard a United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur rocket, but suffered a propulsion failure hours into the mission.

Despite nonstop efforts from its mission control in Pittsburgh, Astrobotic has determined there is "no chance" of a soft landing on the moon.

Late Wednesday, Peregrine reached 200,000 miles from Earth in an orbit intended to slingshot it to the moon. It will likely run out of fuel Friday morning, ten days before it was scheduled to enter lunar orbit, the company said.

Among the data received back from Peregrine was a photo of its Iris rover, developed by students at Carnegie Mellon University. Working largely from a vacation rental in Cape Canaveral on Wednesday, the students were still hoping for a chance to spin the rover's wheels or receive a photo from its own onboard camera.

The team's first hourlong window showed "unambiguously that Iris was operational," said Red Whittaker, the CMU robotics professor overseeing Iris.

NASA began working with Astrobotic shortly after the propulsion failure to see if any of its five instruments on the lander could still function.

All five of those scientific payloadsfour spectrometers and a lidar systempowered on and sent data.

NASA was optimistic but said interpreting the results will take some time.

One instrument, the laser retroreflector array, cannot conduct any operations in transit, the agency said.

But two others are measuring radiation between the Earth and the moon, which could yield insights for both humans and electronics.

"Measurements and operations of the NASA-provided science instruments on board will provide valuable experience, technical knowledge, and scientific data to future CLPS lunar deliveries," Joel Kearns, deputy associate administrator for exploration with NASA's Science Mission Directorate, said in a statement.

The Mexican and German space agencies were thought to still be processing data from their payloads and did not immediately publish updates.

Peregrine is carrying a total of 20 payloads, which include objects like an amusement park token from Kennywood, an art piece curated by CMU, and a controversial set of cremated human remains that the Navajo Nation worried would "desecrate" the moon.

Jay Apt, a former NASA astronaut and business professor at CMU, said Astrobotic was doing "a very impressive job" of balancing the needs of each of its paying customers on its first mission.

"A lot of folks would have just hunkered down and said, "Well, OK, our engineering team needs to work on our own spacecraft," and they went far beyond that," he said.

2024 the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO; Optical: NASA/ESA/STScI; IR: NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI/Milisavljevic et al, NASA/JPL/CalTech; Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/J. Schmidt and K. Arcand

Astronomers have completed the largest and most detailed study of what triggers stars to form in the universe's biggest galaxies, using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and other telescopes. They were surprised to find that the conditions for stellar conception in these exceptionally massive galaxies have not changed over the last ten billion years.

"What's surprising here is that there are lots of things that could have affected star formation over the last ten billion years," said Michael Calzadilla of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) who led the study. "In the end, however, the main driver of star formation in these huge galaxies really comes down to one thingwhether or not the hot gas surrounding them can cool off quickly enough."

Clusters of galaxies are the largest objects in the universe held together by gravity and contain huge amounts of hot gas seen in X-rays. The mass of this hot gas is several times the total mass of all the stars in all the hundreds of galaxies typically found in galaxy clusters.

Calzadilla and his colleagues studied the brightest and most massive class of galaxies in the universe, called brightest cluster galaxies, in the centers of 95 clusters of galaxies. The galaxy clusters chosen are themselves an extreme samplethe most massive clusters in a large survey using the South Pole Telescope (SPT)and are located between 3.4 and 9.9 billion light-years from Earth.

The team found that star formation in the galaxies they studied is triggered when the amount of disordered motion in the hot gasa physical concept called "entropy"falls below a critical threshold. Below this threshold, the hot gas inevitably cools to form new stars.

"It's impressive to think that a single number tells us whether billions of stars and planets formed in these huge galaxies, going back ten billion years," said co-author Michael McDonald, also of MIT.

While other attempts have been made to identify the drivers of star formation in such huge galaxies over cosmic time, this survey is the first to combine X-ray and optical observations of the centers of clusters over such a large range of distances. This allows the researchers to connect the fuel required for stars to formthe hot gas detected with Chandrato the actual formation of stars after the gas cools, as seen with optical telescopes, over most of the history of the universe.

The team also used radio telescopes to study jets of material firing away from supermassive black holes in these clusters. In a process called "feedback," the hot gas that cools to form stars eventually feeds the black holes, resulting in jets and other activity that heats and energizes their surroundings, temporarily preventing further cooling. When the black hole runs out of fuel, the jets turn off and the process starts again.

"It's as if we've collected different chapters for the book of star formation across most of the universe's lifetime," said co-author Brad Benson, from the University of Chicago and Fermilab in Illinois. "Instead of being written in words, this story is told in X-ray, optical, and radio light."

An unexpected aspect of this study is that previous works had suggested that other factors besides the cooling of hot gas might play a bigger role in star formation in the distant past. Ten billion years ago, in a period astronomers call "cosmic noon," collisions and mergers of galaxies in clusters were much more common, the rates of star formation were generally much higher and the galaxy's supermassive black holes were pulling in material much more quickly.

"The type of star formation we're seeing is remarkably consistent, even approaching cosmic noon when it could have been overwhelmed by other processes," said co-author Lindsey Bleem of Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois. "Although the universe looked very different back then, the trigger for stars to form in these galaxies does not."

In studying relatively nearby clusters, previous researchers have also found a threshold level of disorder in the hot gas is required for feedback from supermassive black holes, in the form of jets, to occur.

This new study by Calzadilla's team found that the entropy threshold for feedback, however, does not apply to galaxies in more distant clusters, which could mean that clusters about ten billion years ago are not as well regulated by black hole feedback. This is plausible because it takes time for the hot gas to begin cooling down onto the central galaxy, and then more time for that cool gas to make its way to the central galaxy's supermassive black hole and then, finally, for jets to form and prevent further cooling of gas.

It is also possible, however, that radio signals do not give a clear indication of jet activity at these early times.

This result is based on X-ray data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory; radio data from the SPT, the Australia Telescope Compact Array, and the Australian SKA Pathfinder Telescope; infrared data from NASA's WISE satellite; and several optical telescopes. The optical telescopes used here are the Magellan 6.5-m Telescopes, the Gemini South Telescope, the Blanco 4-m Telescope (DECam, MOSAIC-II), and the Swope 1m Telescope. A total of almost 50 days of Chandra observing time was used for this result.

Caldazilla presented these results at the 243rd meeting of the American Astronomical Society in New Orleans. In addition, he is the first author of a paper submitted to the Astrophysical Journal on this work, which is available on the pre-print server arXiv.

More information: Michael S. Calzadilla et al, The SPT-Chandra BCG Spectroscopic Survey I: Evolution of the Entropy Threshold for Cooling and Feedback in Galaxy Clusters Over the Last 10 Gyr, arXiv (2023). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2311.00396 Journal information: Astrophysical Journal , arXiv
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A 2019 image of the SHIIVER tank sitting inside the In-Space Propulsion Facilitys vacuum chamber at NASAs Neil Armstrong Test Facility in Sandusky, Ohio. The tank was part of a Cryogenic Fluid Management project effort to test the tank at extreme temperatures and ensure the new technologies kept the propellants inside cold and in a liquid state. Credit: NASA

Establishing sustained operations at the moon and Mars presents a multitude of opportunities and challenges NASA has yet to encounter. Many of these activities require new technologies and processes to ensure the agency is prepared for its ambitious Artemis missions and those beyond.

One of those challenges is working with cryogenic fluids, meaning fluids existing in a liquid state between 238F and absolute zero (460F). These fluidsliquid hydrogen (the most difficult to work with), methane, and oxygenare vital to spacecraft propulsion and life support systems. The fluids may also be produced in the future on the lunar and Martian surfaces via in-situ resource utilization (ISRU).

Human exploration in deep space requires storing large amounts of cryogenic fluids for weeks, months, or longer, as well as transferring between spacecraft or fuel depots in orbit and on the surface. Each aspect is challenging, and, to date, large amounts of cryogenic fluids have only been stored for hours in space. Engineers working in NASA's Cryogenic Fluid Management (CFM) portfolioled by Technology Demonstration Missions within the Space Technology Mission Directorate and managed at the agency's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland and Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabamaare solving those issues ahead of future missions.

"This is a task neither NASA, nor our partners, have ever done before," said Lauren Ameen, deputy CFM Portfolio manager. "Our future mission concepts rely on massive amounts of cryogenic fluids, and we have to figure out how to efficiently use them over long durations, which requires a series of new technologies far exceeding today's capabilities."

Cryogenic challenges

For a cryogenic fluid to be useable, it must remain in a frigid, liquid state. However, the physics of space travelmoving in and out of sunlight and long stays in low gravitymake keeping those fluids in a liquid state and knowing how much is in the tank complicated.

The heat sources in spacelike the sun and the spacecraft's exhaustcreate a hot environment inside and around storage tanks causing evaporation or "boiloff." When fluid evaporates, it can no longer efficiently fuel a rocket engine. It also increases the risk of leakage or, even worse, a tank rupture.

Being unsure of how much gas is left in the tank isn't how our explorers want to fly to Mars. Low gravity is challenging because the fuel wants to float aroundalso known as "slosh"which makes accurately gauging the amount of liquid and transferring it very difficult.

"Previous missions using cryogenic propellants were in space for only a few days due to boiloff or venting losses," Ameen noted. "Those spacecraft used thrust and other maneuvers to apply force to settle propellant tanks and enable fuel transfers. During Artemis, spacecraft will dwell in low gravity for much longer and need to transfer liquid hydrogen in space for the first time, so we must mitigate boiloff and find innovative ways to transfer and measure cryogenic propellants."

So what's NASA doing?

NASA's CFM portfolio encompasses 24 development activities and investments to reduce boiloff, improve gauging, and advance fluid transfer techniques for in-space propulsion, landers, and ISRU. There are four near-term efforts taking place on the ground, in near-Earth orbit, and soon on the lunar surface.

Flight demos

In 2020, NASA awarded four CFM-focused Tipping Point contracts to American industryEta Space, Lockheed Martin, SpaceX, and United Launch Allianceto assist in developing and demonstrating CFM technologies in space. Each company is scheduled to launch its respective demonstration in either 2024 or 2025, performing multiple tests using liquid hydrogen to validate technologies and processes.

Radio frequency mass gauge

To improve gauging, NASA has developed Radio Frequency Mass Gauges (RFMG) to allow for more accurate fluid measurement in low-gravity or low-thrust conditions. Engineers do this by measuring the electromagnetic spectrum, or radio waves, within a spacecraft's tank throughout the mission, comparing them to fluid simulations to accurately gauge remaining fuel.

The RFMG has been proven in ground tests, sub-orbital parabolic flight, and on the International Space Station, and it will soon be tested on the moon during an upcoming Commercial Lunar Payload Services flight with Intuitive Machines. Once demonstrated in the lunar environment, NASA will continue to develop and scale the technology to enable improved spacecraft and lander operations.

Cryocoolers

Cryocoolers act like heat exchangers for large propellant tanks to mitigate boiloff when combined with innovative tank insulation systems. With industry partners, like Creare, NASA has begun testing high-capacity cryocooler systems that pump the "working" fluid through a network of tubes installed on the tank to keep it cool. NASA plans to increase tank size and capabilities to meet mission requirements before conducting future flight demonstrations.

CryoFill

NASA is also developing a liquefaction system to turn gaseous oxygen into liquid oxygen on the surface of the moon or Mars to refuel landers using propellant produced in situ. This approach uses various methods to cool oxygen down to critical temperature (at least 297F), where it condenses, turning from a gas to a liquid. Initial development and testing have proven NASA can do this efficiently, and the team continues to scale the technology to relevant tank sizes and quantities for future operations.

Ultimately, NASA efforts to develop and test CFM systems that are energy-, mass-, and cost-efficient are critical to the success of the agency's ambitious missions to the moon, Mars and beyond.

Provided by NASA
North Korea's ambassador to the United Nations has dismissed the claim that Russia launched North Korean missiles into Ukraine in its war against the country as a "groundless accusation," Pyongyang's state media said Friday.

Ambassador Kim Song made the remarks in a statement carried by the North's official Korean Central News Agency after members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) condemned the arms transfers between the North and Russia as a violation of multiple UNSC resolutions in a session on Wednesday.

Earlier this week, the White House revealed that Pyongyang had provided Moscow with several dozen ballistic missiles, some of which were used to strike Ukrainian targets on Dec. 30, and Jan. 2 and 6.

Kim accused the U.S. of "illegalizing the legitimate relations between independent sovereign states" and said the North "does not feel the need to comment on every U.S. groundless accusation."

"The U.S. pulled up the DPRK which has nothing to do with the discussion of agenda items," Kim said, referring to the North by the acronym of its official name. "This is the vivid reflection of their plight in the tight corner and only reveals its insufficient might and means in the strategic confrontation with Russia."

During the UNSC session on the maintenance of peace in Ukraine, Russian Ambassador to the U.N. Vasily Nebenzya rejected the revelation, saying the U.S. appears to be "spreading information that is wrong."

South Korea's unification ministry in charge of inter-Korean affairs denounced Kim's statement and reiterated that such arms transactions are illegal.

"Despite repeated denials by both countries, it is apparent that the arms transfers between Russia and North Korea are a fact," Kim In-ae, deputy ministry spokesperson, said in a press briefing.

"We again emphasize that the arms transfers between North Korea and Russia are a violation of UNSC sanctions as well as an illegal act that undermines the rules of the international community," Kim said.

Following the revelation earlier this week, the U.S. imposed sanctions on three Russian entities and one individual for their involvement in the transfer and testing of North Korean ballistic missiles for Russia's use against Ukraine. (Yonhap)
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Future population trends in SSP2 classified according to the degree of urbanization for four U.S. regions. To simplify the comparison, the values are normalized for each city class per region. This means, in the top left figure, that of all urban cities in the Northeast region, 77.4% are likely to increase by 2100, while 17.3% are likely to depopulate. From the figure, we see that although urban cities in all regions will be gaining population, around 17% in the Northeast and Midwest are likely to depopulate. Rural places will be declining in all regions. The number of suburban and periurban cities that are likely to gain population is higher in the South and West than in the Northeast and Midwest. The gray cells with no values indicate that no urban cities are likely to lose population in the West and the South. Credit: Nature Cities (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s44284-023-00011-7

A trio of environmental engineers at the University of Illinois Chicago, has used census data and an annual demographics survey to make predictions about U.S. city population growth or decline in the years leading up to 2100.

In their paper published in the journal Nature Cities, Uttara Sutradhar, Lauryn Spearing and Sybil Derrible, describe how they used publicly available data sources and results from climate models to make predictions about population changes for U.S. cities in the coming years under various scenarios.

Making predictions about city population changes is difficult due to the number of variables that can impact growth, stagnation or even depopulation. Factors such as immigration, tax rates, home prices, birth rates, job availability and even the political climate can have an impact on people, pushing them to stay or leave.

On top of all that, there is global warming, which could make some cities too hot to remain livable. Others, especially on ocean shorelines could become submerged. To make the task a little less daunting, the researchers chose to tackle the problem by looking at recent and current population trends.

To make their estimations, the researchers analyzed data from the U.S. census over the years 2000 to 2020 to track current population trends for 24,295 cities in the U.S. that had consistent data available. They used two datasets from the Census Bureau's 2020 TIGER/Line Shapefiles to make future trend estimations for 31,568 U.S. cities. They then compared the trends they found with climate change estimates under multiple scenarios.

The team found that as many as 50% of U.S. cities could see declines in population over the coming 70 yearscompared to 43% in 2020. They also found that the biggest population declines will likely come in the Midwest and Northeastthough not in the biggest cities, such as New York and Chicago. Conversely, they estimate that cities in the south and the west will see more growth, particularly those that are well-established and currently growing, such as Phoenix and Houston.

The researchers suggest that work like theirs is important because city planners need long lead times to prepare for either type of scenario. Cities that grow fast can experience strains on services, while those that shrink can suddenly find it difficult to provide services with a dwindling tax base.

More information: Uttara Sutradhar et al, Depopulation and associated challenges for US cities by 2100, Nature Cities (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s44284-023-00011-7 Journal information: Nature Cities

 2024 Science X Network
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Dangerous avalanche conditions will develop this weekend across the high country, prompting the Colorado Avalanche Information Center to issue a special avalanche advisory on Wednesday.

The current avalanche danger is rated "considerable," which is Level 3 on the CAIC's 1-5 scale, for nearly every region of the mountains. CAIC forecasters expect it to worsen this weekend, prompting the advisory. The most dangerous avalanche conditions are likely to develop Saturday afternoon and into Sunday, the advisory said.

"We're getting continued snowfall, and we're going to see a pretty big wind event on Friday," CAIC director Ethan Greene said Thursday.

"We're going to see avalanches breaking on more slopes, they're going to be easier for people to trigger, and they're going to be much larger, thus much more dangerous. All we want people to do is check the avalanche forecast, know what the avalanche conditions are where they're going. We're going to be putting out avalanche warnings in different parts of the state as this storm progresses."

Following a relatively dry December and early January, an approaching system will deposit heavy snow on brittle slabs, complicated by high winds causing drifting snow, and those factors will set up prime conditions for avalanche activity. More than a dozen ski areas are expected to receive 20-40 inches of snow over the next five days.

"Observers reported triggering and seeing avalanches on Wednesday," CAIC reported in its outlook for the northern mountains on Thursday.

"Most were shallow or narrow. They will just get bigger as a series of storms will move across the Northern Mountains over the next few days. Expect periods of heavy snow and strong winds, which will drift snow onto easterly-facing aspects. The most dangerous spots will be the places where the new and wind-drifted snow is the deepest. The Park Range and Flat Tops will probably pass the tipping point first, with other areas only a day or two behind."

The outlook is similar for the central mountains.

"Avalanche conditions are rapidly growing more dangerous with the combination of the new snow (finally!) and some pretty fierce winds forming wind-drifted slabs even below treeline," CAIC said.

"The new slab is developing over some very weak snow, and crust-facet combinations on southerly-facing slopes, from our prolonged drought period. Observers were already noting widespread collapsing."

The southern mountains also will see increasing avalanche danger.

"By this weekend or early next week, the snowpack may reach critical levels and we could see a widespread natural avalanche cycle," CAIC said. "This would leave us with very few safe places to travel."

A long dry period, such as the one Colorado experienced in December and early January, causes the snowpack to change in structure and weaken.

"While that is sitting on the surface, that's not that big of a deal, which is why we saw low danger last week," Greene said. "When you start to pile (new) snow onto that weak snow that formed on the old surface, that's a recipe for avalanches. The more snow, and the faster you pile it on, the more dangerous that's going to be."

There have been no avalanche fatalities so far this season in Colorado, according to CAIC records, but four backcountry tourers were caught in a slide in the Elk Mountains near Marble in November. In the 2022-23 season, 21 were caught, 16 partially buried and 11 killed.

2024 MediaNews Group, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Research from Anglia Ruskin University's Policing Institute for the Eastern Region (PIER) shows that two-way communication, as well as careful monitoring, is the most effective way to prepare girls to handle online requests for indecent images.

The research draws on survey results that were conducted following a public awareness campaign run by the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) in 2021. The UK charity is responsible for finding and removing images and videos of child sexual abuse from the internet. The campaign aimed to build resilience among girls and their parents around online requests for sexual imagery.

'Self-generated' child sexual abuse content is created using webcams on tablets, smartphones, or other tech devices, predominantly in children's own homes and without the abuser present. The criminal material is then shared online via a growing number of platforms. In many cases, children are groomed, deceived, or extorted by online predators into producing and sharing sexual images or videos of themselves.

From 2020 to 2021, there was a 168 percent increase in the proportion of web pages displaying self-generated imagery found by the IWF. More than 80 percent of those web pages (147,188 out of 182,281) included images and videos of girls aged from 11 to 13 years old.

This trend has continued. Data from 2022 show that the majority (64%) of the 199,363 web pages containing self-generated videos and images that were removed by the IWF featured 11- to 13-year-old girls.

The report says that parents and caregivers should not wait for the 'right time' to talk to their children, as broaching the issue is unlikely to backfire, and researchers recommend that it is still 'better to talk than not'.

The report analyzed more than 3,000 survey answers from both parents/caregivers and their daughters, girls aged between 11 and 13 years old. The survey participants, who were not known to be victims of online child sexual exploitation themselves, were asked questions about the IWF public awareness campaign and how they thought they would deal with requests for indecent images.

Commissioned by the Home Office, the report by the Policing Institute for the Eastern Region at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) explored awareness, understanding, and behavior among the survey respondents in relation to the proliferation of self-generated indecent images and videos.

A combination of talking and monitoring measures was found to give girls the best confidence and know-how to respond safely online if they receive requests for explicit material. This could be through ignoring requests, blocking another person, or telling someone, such as a family member or the police.

However, researchers point out that monitoring measures should not be overly restrictive and that talking must be meaningful. Survey responses showed that many girls want to be provided with the practical tools to manage their online lives and to be trusted to do so.

Additionally, parents and caregivers need to keep up to date with technological change and the programs and social media platforms being used so that they can more effectively help girls keep safe online.

The report further recommends teaching children and young people digital literacy and showing them how to engage in activity online using critical and ethical thinking.

Though in the minority, some of the parents surveyed blamed the victims themselves or other parents for the rise in self-generated material. Researchers note that these attitudes can be unhelpful as they can prevent victimized children and their parents/caregivers from seeking out the help they need.

Susie Hargreaves OBE, Chief Executive of the IWF, said, "The rise of self-generated child sexual abuse content is alarming and complex. It is vital that we equip parents and children with the knowledge to protect themselves and others online without delay."

"During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, many children became used to occupying themselves on the internet, and sadly, this means they have become the targets of predators. These criminals cajole and blackmail children into performing on camera, producing sexual imagery which is often distributed widely afterward."

"Understanding more about self-generated material is vital, and the valuable insights from this study will help the IWF plan preventative campaigns aimed at helping to protect all children from predators online."

Professor Sam Lundrigan, Director of the Policing Institute for the Eastern Region at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), said, "It's extremely positive that organizations such as the IWF are developing and exploring ways to raise awareness of and resilience to the threat of online sexual abuse. It's critical, however, that we use insight and evidence to get these messages right."

"This is where research can help, and our team was able to analyze direct feedback from the target audience who needs to hear these messages. The responses were encouraging in the number of young people and parents who want to be well informed on this serious issue, and we now have an evidence base to work on as we develop the best possible ways of helping to keep young people safe."

"Regrettably, we cannot eradicate the threat of online abuse, but we can do everything in our power to help keep children and young people safe online."

The report also found that the two-pronged approach of the IWF campaigntargeting children and parents/caregiverswas effective and recommended that future prevention campaigns and interventions should follow a similar approach.

To ensure that prevention efforts reach as many people as possible, the report says that interventions need to be targeted based on a consideration of a range of factors, such as ethnicity, age, gender, faith/religion, or nationality of families.

With these important findings in mind, the IWF continues to work with PIER researchers in a further phase of this project. Guided by the most recent IWF data, which highlights the increasing involvement of younger children in self-generated child sexual abuse material, it focuses on children and young people aged 8-16 years.

The aim is to establish a stronger evidence base which will help to inform a future public prevention campaign by the IWF. The views and experiences of children and young people, parents, caregivers, and teachers from a wide range of demographics will be examined via research focus groups.

The term 'self-generated' has been used to refer to indecent imagery created by children themselves. The report authors recognize the difficulties posed by this terminology, in that it is widely considered that the term 'self-generated' carries implicit victim-blaming connotations and note the recent recommendation from the APPG on Social Media and UK Safer Internet Centre to switch to 'first-person produced' terminology.

However, to avoid confusion, the 'self-generated' terminology has been used because it accurately reflects the language used within the campaign and survey that are subject to analysis in the report.
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The iron-catalyzed hydrosilylation of alkynes undergoes two potential energy surfaces, the triplet (red) and quintet (blue) states, where the spin crossover effectively lowers the reaction energy barrier, and the spin-delocalization between iron and ligand dynamically modulate the oxidation and spin states of the metal center. Credit: Science China Press

From a spin state perspective, metal complex catalysts are classified into two types: closed-shell catalysts (lacking unpaired electrons, typically based on noble metals like palladium) and open-shell catalysts (with unpaired electrons, often based on Earth-abundant metals such as iron).

Closed-shell catalysts, more extensively studied and widely used in industrial production, contrast sharply with open-shell catalysts. Open-shell catalysts navigate different potential energy surfaces through spin transitions, displaying catalytic behaviors markedly distinct from closed-shell catalysts.

This divergence offers exciting new avenues in synthetic chemistry and is garnering increasing interest. However, the development of open-shell catalysts is hindered by a limited understanding of their spin effects and a lack of effective control methods.

Unraveling these spin effects is crucial for improving the design of crust-abundant metal catalysts and could potentially revolutionize catalysis, a prospect of significant research importance.

To tackle these scientific challenges, Shou-Fei Zhu's research group at Nankai University conducted a comprehensive study on the spin effects in iron-catalyzed hydrosilylation of alkynes, blending experimental work with theoretical calculations. They uncovered a novel mechanism where the spin state of open-shell iron catalysts modulates both reactivity and selectivity.

These findings are published online in the National Science Review, with Peng He, a doctoral student at Nankai University, as the first author.

(A) Characterization of the single crystal structure and related magnetic, valence and spin states of the active catalyst and calculation of the electronic structure; (B) DFT calculations of the energy profile during the reaction. Credit: Science China Press

The team synthesized a range of active iron complexes, whose structures were elucidated through X-ray single-crystal diffraction. They characterized the magnetic properties, metal valence states, and spin multiplicity of the iron center using techniques like superconducting quantum interferometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Mossbauer spectroscopy.

Theoretical calculations revealed the pivotal role of spin-delocalization interactions between iron and the 1,10-phenanthroline ligand in regulating the spin and oxidation states of the iron center. This regulation forms the structural foundation for the unique spin effects observed in iron catalysts.

Controlled experiments indicate that the reaction proceeds as a two-electron redox process, catalyzed by zero-valent iron species. These stages occur on potential energy surfaces of different spin multiplicities, with the iron catalyst facilitating transitions between these surfaces through spin crossover. This adaptability fulfills the contrasting electrostatic demands of oxidative addition and reductive elimination, significantly lowering the energy barriers of these elementary processes and thereby enhancing the reaction rate.

(A) Spin and charge population changes of key intermediates and transition states during the reaction process; (B) Electronic structure and orbital occupation of key intermediates and transition states during the reaction process. Credit: Science China Press

Spin effects also critically influence high regioselectivity. Iron catalysts adjust the spin delocalization states of complexes through specific spin states. These adjustments modulate the intramolecular noncovalent interactions within transition states, impacting their stability and enabling precise control of regioselectivity.

In summary, this study elucidates the spin effect in iron-catalyzed hydrosilylation of alkynes. The catalyst dynamically modulates the iron center's spin and oxidation states through spin-delocalization, promoting both oxidative addition and reductive elimination processes with diametrically opposed electrostatic requirements in the catalytic cycle.

Additionally, it influences regioselectivity by altering noncovalent interactions in the transition states. These insights are poised to guide the discovery and application of open-shell catalysts.

More information: Peng He et al, Spin effect on redox acceleration and regioselectivity in Fe-catalyzed alkyne hydrosilylation, National Science Review (2023). DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwad324
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Graphical abstract. Credit: Science of The Total Environment (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167577

After disasters, the people impacted are often called upon to participate in scientific research, but researchers can easily forget that participants are more than study subjects: They are survivors. Disasters are traumatic, and those who have endured them have their own concerns, needs, and perspectives that must be met with respect and consideration.

So, how can scientific studies avoid exacerbating trauma? How, like medical interventions, can they be designed and conducted to "first, do no harm"?

Enter the SHIFT framework co-developed by Bethany Cutts, an associate professor in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management at North Carolina State University and a faculty fellow at NC State's Center for Geospatial Analytics. SHIFT encourages researchers to ethically center the experiences of disaster survivors while collecting scientifically rigorous data to improve how the scientific process acknowledges and addresses a community's needs. The framework comprises five elements:

incorporating social-ecological context into measurement,

preventing stigma or fear about hazards during data collection,

understanding the history of information locally collected or enforced in the past,

encouraging fair-minded practices that identify and avoid power imbalances, and

co-creating transdisciplinary knowledge that serves societal and scientific needs.

The importance of reflection and representation

Cutts and her collaborators piloted the SHIFT framework while working with North Carolina residents whose properties were flooded during Hurricanes Matthew and Florence in 2016 and 2018. As she and her team conducted disaster recovery interviews, Cutts learned that community leaders were worried floodwaters may have polluted local soils.

So, she engaged interested residents in soil sample collection to test for fecal coliform bacteria and heavy metals. "It didn't seem ethically responsible to continue doing interviews [alone] when the community had concerns about the possibility of toxins being distributed by flooding," Cutts says.

Through a combination of interviews and soil sampling, the project yielded a rigorous snapshot of post-flood soil conditions as well as insight into how residents of many different, including intersectional, identities viewed flooding and its impacts as well as flood recovery.

The project was successful, Cutts notes, because SHIFT helped her team to be intentional about each component. They considered the power of data, how data could be used or misused, and how researchers' own identities and perspectives mattered in building relationships and trust. Soil samples were collected from NC State's campus to provide reference data and avoid stigma, and information gained from the analyses was shared back to participants in ways valuable to them.

Of particular importance was ensuring that residents' demographics were represented by the people who interviewed them and guided them through sample collection. Cutts hired a group of "community specialists" who "helped us as a team to know the local landscape," she explains. These specialists were recruited specifically for their "untraditional but relevant qualifications," such as experience in trauma counseling, social work, political leadership, or housing issues.

They understood local conditions and concerns, had existing networks in the area, and were well-received when knocking on doors or making phone calls. "Having local accents, local expertiseit was huge," Cutts says.

Guidance for other researchers

The SHIFT framework can be applied "to any infrastructure improvement project," Cutts explains, helping to ethically center the experience of community members whom researchers, engineers or planners hope to engage.

"It's one thing to do things to people and another to do things for or with people," Cutts says. "The community has contextual knowledge you need, to do work in service of the public good and have that work be maintained."

Cutts' advice for other scientists hoping to implement SHIFT comprises five main themes:

Partner with social scientists.

"Biophysical scientists and engineers need to partner with social scientists" when doing community-engaged research, Cutts says. "Otherwise, they will do bad science without realizing it." Conducting and analyzing interviews and other input from people requires training and expertise just as rigorous as other areas of science.

"By treating interactions as social science data," Cutts says, "we can evaluate the range of ways that people are relating to nature and discover how to share the results and recommendations back in ways that are relevant."

Be reflexive.

It's human nature to filter the world through our own views and experiences, and researchers need to realize when they're doing that, Cutts says, to avoid making assumptions or judgments. "Understand the social perspectives that researchers themselves bring to a project and how those perspectives might or might not align with the community's," she advises. "Communities have a different idea of how humans and the environment relate, just as scientists from different disciplines have different ideas."

Additionally, scientists must "pay attention to the incentive structure of academia and the value of work to communities," Cutts notes, "because they are not well aligned at all." The findings from her project, for example, were published in a scientific journal four years after samples were collected because she prioritized getting results back to the community before publishing.

Be responsive.

"Research teams active in disaster recovery are often led by biophysical expertise and must focus on ethics more specifically," Cutts says. "The first step is treating disaster survivors as collaborators instead of people the researcher is providing a service to, or people who are providing a service [like collecting publishable data] to the researcher."

What a community needs might not be cutting-edge science, but researchers have an ethical obligation to treat their community partners fairly and ensure mutual benefit. "Be flexible about how you can match what you can do to what the community needs," Cutts says. For example, her research team didn't have expertise in the heavy metal analysis her community partners requested, but she was able to secure funding to pay another lab to run the soil samples.

"Listen for and identify ways to fill data gaps and address community needs," Cutts advises. "A data gap itself is the beginning of a question, not the end of one. It's not, 'We can't do that because there is no data.' The absence of the data itself might be the problem."

Critically consider how to engage and share back.

Ethically engaging communities includes being mindful about how to collect information and how to return results.

"Ask people to participate in a way that's useful and relevant to them," Cutts says. In her study, residents collected soil samples themselves, as community specialists walked them through the protocol, and personal results were returned and explained in person. Community specialists showed residents how the samples from their own yards compared to community values and samples taken on the NC State campus, and anonymized results were shared back at higher community levels.

Often, residents asked about other local projects or disaster recovery programs, so Cutts ensured they were provided with contact information and additional resources for getting answers to their questions.

"Scientists get nervous about sharing info" that doesn't directly relate to their own project, Cutts says, but providing this informationand in the right wayhelps address important needs.

"Access to information about your environment is very sparse in low-income, rural communities, and it's often left to the individual to find information," Cutts says. When sharing back answers to specific questions asked by only one or two people, "it's less stigmatizing or obvious to give the same information to everyone on the same sheet," she suggests.

Don't be afraid to be human.

"In disaster research, the idea of political neutrality is oppressive," Cutts says. Researchers' attempts to be objective can leave them insensitive to disaster survivors' trauma, exacerbating harm.

"Scientists want to have boundaries," Cutts says, "but they can permeate the boundary of outside objectivity with compassion, and it'll be okay."

Consider whether barriers or decisions are "an actual restriction or just a conventional one," Cutts says. Self-reflection and compassion can improve both the process and outcomes of community-engaged research.

More information: Bethany B. Cutts et al, Shifting terrains: Understanding residential contaminants after flood disasters, Science of The Total Environment (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167577 Journal information: Science of the Total Environment
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A male of one of the new species, recently collected from Toweranna in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, within the known area of occurrence of Urodacus lunatus. Credit: Huon L Clark

An Australian study has found some surprising features in two new species of burrowing scorpions, including a very strangely shaped "tail tip" and some "sexy" anatomy features.

Terrestrial biologists from South Australia's Flinders University, West Australian universities and the Museum of WA have taken a closer look at two new species of the mysterious Urodacus genus of burrowing scorpions endemic to Australiaonly to find a big difference in their tails compared to other species.

"By also looking at their internal genitalia, rather than only the external morphology, we discovered what we initially thought was one strange speciesquite distinctive from other known Urodacus specieswas actually two new unusual species," says Flinders University evolutionary biologist Dr. Bruno Buzatto, lead author of a new article in the Australian Journal of Zoology.

"One novel feature of these two new species, Urodacus uncinus and Urodacus lunatus, is that the males have noticeable enlargement in their sting or telson where the venom glands are located.

"The tip of their 'tails' features swollen vesicle and an aculeus that is more strongly curved than other known species of Urodacus."

The new article adds to existing descriptions of 21 already known species of Urodacus scorpions, with experts suggesting a further 100 could still be discovered and examined in future.

U. uncinus was named after the hooked shape of its sting (aculeus) and U. lunatus for a moon-shaped structure on its hemispermatophore.

"It's important to study and understand the biodiversity of these burrowing scorpions and list species of conservation significance because a lot haven't been discovered or properly described yet," says Dr. Buzatto.

Senior author Dr. Erich Volschenk, who is an Australian scorpion taxonomist, says the two new species are a little bit similar to U. similis and U. yaschenkoi in their external morphology but little is yet known about the new species' behavior, ecology and physiology and other features such as their venom.

"What we did discover is that these two species are quite distinctive in their hemispermatophores, which are structures that occupy the full length of their abdomen and fuse together to produce the spermatophore.

"This is the first time in Urodacus research that we have used hemispermatophore morphology to diagnose two different species, however, we can still only speculate about how these structures work during mating.

"After mating, the male scorpions will re-grow hemispermatophores and can mate again within two weeks."

The researchers warn that the pet trade and mining industry could pose threats to burrowing scorpions, which have adapted to live in hot arid ecosystems by burrowing underground.

Three of the known Urodacus species are featured in the top 10 most popular invertebrate species in online pet trade, one recent study shows.

The trade and keeping of exotic pets such as Australian scorpions has serious implications for biodiversity conservation and biosecurity, the researchers say.

"So far, we only know these two new species have a narrow range in the Pilbara, restricted to creeks and drainage lines, so we need to investigate their habitat requirements a bit more in future research," says Dr. Buzatto.

Some species of Urodacus can live up to 20 years in the wild but deep burrowing species are unlikely to live longer than one year in captivity, adds Dr. Volschenk.

He says the stings of Urodacus burrowing scorpion seem to be more benign to people than the venom of other Australian scorpions classified in the Buthidae family. In general, the venom of Australian scorpions is not considered medically significant and not as dangerous to humans as scorpions on other continents.

More information: Bruno A. Buzatto et al, Two new species of burrowing scorpions (Urodacidae: Urodacus) from the Pilbara region of Western Australia with identical external morphology, Australian Journal of Zoology (2023). DOI: 10.1071/ZO23018 Journal information: Australian Journal of Zoology
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NASAs OSIRIS-REx curation engineer, Neftali Hernandez, attaches one of the tools developed to help remove two final fasteners that prohibited complete disassembly of the TAGSAM (Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism) head that holds the remainder of material collected from asteroid Bennu. Engineers on the team, based at NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston, developed new tools that freed the fasteners on Jan. 10. Credit: NASA/Robert Markowitz

Curation team members at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston have successfully removed the two fasteners from the sampler head that had prevented the remainder of OSIRIS-REx's asteroid Bennu sample material from being accessed.

Steps now are underway to complete the disassembly of the Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism, or TAGSAM, head to reveal the rest of the rocks and dust delivered by NASA's first asteroid sample return mission.

"Our engineers and scientists have worked tirelessly behind the scenes for months to not only process the more than 70 grams of material we were able to access previously, but also design, develop, and test new tools that allowed us to move past this hurdle," said Eileen Stansbery, division chief for ARES (Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science) at Johnson.

"The innovation and dedication of this team has been remarkable. We are all excited to see the remaining treasure OSIRIS-REx holds."

The remainder of the bulk sample will be fully visible after a few additional disassembly steps, at which point image specialists will take ultra-high-resolution pictures of the sample while it is still inside the TAGSAM head. This portion of the sample will then be removed and weighed, and the team will be able to determine the total mass of Bennu material captured by the mission.

Curation processors paused disassembly of the TAGSAM head hardware in mid-October after they discovered that two of the 35 fasteners could not be removed with the tools approved for use inside the OSIRIS-REx glovebox.

In response, two new multi-part tools were designed and fabricated to support further disassembly of the TAGSAM head. These tools include newly custom-fabricated bits made from a specific grade of surgical, non-magnetic stainless steel; the hardest metal approved for use in the pristine curation gloveboxes.

"In addition to the design challenge of being limited to curation-approved materials to protect the scientific value of the asteroid sample, these new tools also needed to function within the tightly-confined space of the glovebox, limiting their height, weight, and potential arc movement," said Dr. Nicole Lunning, OSIRIS-REx curator at Johnson.

"The curation team showed impressive resilience and did incredible work to get these stubborn fasteners off the TAGSAM head so we can continue disassembly. We are overjoyed with the success."

Prior to the successful removal, the team at Johnson tested the new tools and removal procedures in a rehearsal lab. After each successful test, engineers increased the assembly torque values and repeated the testing procedures until the team was confident the new tools would be able to achieve the torque needed while minimizing the risk of any potential damage to the TAGSAM head or any contamination of the sample within.

Despite not being able to fully disassemble the TAGSAM head, the curation team members had already collected 2.48 ounces (70.3 grams) of asteroid material from the sample hardware, surpassing the agency's goal of bringing at least 60 grams to Earth. They have fulfilled all the sample requests received from the OSIRIS-REx science team so far and have hermetically sealed some of the Bennu sample for better preservation over long timescales (e.g., multiple decades), storing some at ambient temperature conditions and others at -112 Fahrenheit (-80 degrees Celsius).

Later this spring, the curation team will release a catalog of the OSIRIS-REx samples, which will be available to the global scientific community.

Provided by NASA
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Couples with differing political views and identities face unique challenges in their consumption of news, which can create significant stress on their relationship, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign communication professor Emily Van Duyn found in a recent study. Credit: L. Brian Stauffer

By one estimate, as many as 30% of people in the U.S. are in romantic relationships with partners who do not share their political views. In today's hyperpartisan climate, where Democrats and Republicans have difficulty talking to each other and their views are polarized about media outlets' credibility, how do couples with differing political perspectives decide which media to follow? And how do these decisions affect their discussions on political issues and their relationship in general?

To explore these questions, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign communication professor Emily Van Duyn conducted in-depth interviews with 67 people whose partners' political views differed from their own. For these couples, seemingly mundane decisions about media consumption became "especially difficult," Van Duyn said.

"Their cross-cutting political views presented many challenges for these couples," Van Duyn said. "Deciding which media to consume and whether to do so together or separately was difficult because it presented them with a choice about recognizing their political differences and finding a way to navigate them.

"They saw the news as inherently political, and their selection of a news outlet or the act of sharing an article or video meant they were intentionally pulling their partner into a recognition of their political differences."

News coverage activated differences between the partners that otherwise would not have emerged, sparking conflict as well as discussion. Conflict emerged in various ways, including disagreement over news sources and content, but also when one person failed to respond as intensely as their partner when the latter shared news that they found disturbing or alarming, Van Duyn said.

Partners' differing political beliefs and/or identities created a need to influence or negotiate their news consumption, a process that Van Duyn calls "negotiated exposure" and that played out across public-facing media such as television and those that are more private in nature like social media.

This process and the interpersonal conflict that resulted from it "often worked in tandem to reinforce one another and impact the relationship," Van Duyn said. "Conflict resulting from news consumption often caused individuals to seek greater control of their news exposure, a reinforcing process that highlights the muddled order in how individuals simultaneously navigate news and relationships in contemporary democracy."

Van Duyn chose to interview only one partner from each couple so that participants would feel comfortable speaking freely without the concern of impacting their relationship or feeling constrained by their partners' views. To protect the privacy of those interviewed, who were recruited through social media advertisements, pseudonyms were used in the study.

Of the participants, 39 were female, 27 were male and one identified as non-binary. Most were in opposite-sex relationships and had been in their current relationship more than two years. The majority (42) of the study participants where white, 11 were Black, three were Hispanic and 11 were Asian.

A 46-year-old Virginia woman identified as "Wendy" in the study was a Donald Trump-supporting Republican whose boyfriend of two years was a Democrat who voted for Hillary Clinton. Wendy said that she and her partner compromised on which news programs they viewed on television and when, with Wendy having control over programming during the morning hours and her boyfriend's preferences taking precedence during the afternoon.

Since the couple fervently disagreed about then-President Trump, co-viewing TV news together created friction, especially when Wendy felt there was too much negative coverage of Trump and wanted to avoid it. Moreover, negative news stories about Trump made Wendy susceptible not only to her boyfriend's criticism of her favored candidatebut also of herself, personally.

Some couples sought a common media outlet they could agree on to co-view together, while others intentionally chose to consume news independently, whether in separate rooms or by scrolling their social media feeds on separate devices while in each other's company. Other individuals sought ways of consuming news with their partner that superseded their differences and utilized other news media privately, according to the study.

Nancy, a 49-year-old Michigan woman who had switched from voting Republican to voting Democratic in 2016 and 2020, said her husband was a Trump supporter that held political beliefs she described as "diametrically opposed" to her own. News was a significant source of conflict between them as was Nancy's ideological shift, which her husband attributed to her viewing CNN.

Nancy, who worked from home, responded by watching CNN secretly during the day when her spouse was away and kept her political activityworking as a text banker for the Democratic party during the 2020 electionsecret as well.

"The point in their relationship when couples' political differences emerged affected how partners negotiated news with one another," Van Duyn said. "While some were aware of their ideological differences at the outset of the relationship, other individuals found their shared tradition of amicably co-viewing the news together disrupted when their partners' views or party affiliation changed. Negotiations around news selection in cross-cutting relationships involved a negotiation of political identity as much as of news exposure."

When the news began to take a negative toll on some participants and their relationship, these couples decided to avoid the news altogether and quit sharing articles or videos with each other because doing so triggered tensions that affected their emotional intimacy.

Van Duyn said that some of those who chose news avoidance cited heightened conflict within their relationship or mental health concerns such as anxiety.

The study is published in the journal Political Communication.

More information: Emily Van Duyn, Negotiating News: How Cross-Cutting Romantic Partners Select, Consume, and Discuss News Together, Political Communication (2023). DOI: 10.1080/10584609.2023.2270445
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Credit: CHIME/Andre Recnik

Fleeting blasts of energy from space, known as fast radio bursts (FRBs), are a cosmic enigma. A Canadian-led international team of researchers has published new findings suggesting that supernovae are the predominant contributors to forming sources that eventually produce FRBs.

"Fast radio bursts are one of astronomy's greatest mysteries," said lead author Mohit Bhardwaj, a member of the Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment Fast Radio Burst (CHIME/FRB) collaboration and a McWilliams Postdoctoral Fellow at Carnegie Mellon University. "These extremely powerful radio blasts can travel cosmological distances and emit more energy than the sun does in a thousand years, despite lasting only a few thousandths of a second. Even more intriguing is that, though they hit the Earth roughly every minute from all over the sky, their origin is still unknown."

The researchers, led by scientists from Canada and including teams in the U.S., Mexico, Chile, and Australia, examined 18 nearby FRB hosts, all of which were spiral or late-type galaxies. The prevalence of late-type galaxies suggests that FRB sources predominantly occur in relatively young galaxies, with the sources possibly produced by supernovae that involve the core collapse of a massive star.

"This work identifies an intriguing trend that suggests most local FRBs likely come from core-collapse supernovae," said Bridget Andersen, a co-author on the paper and current Ph.D. student at McGill University working under the supervision of Professor Victoria Kaspi. "In future studies, it will be particularly interesting to see if this trend persists with a larger number of localized host galaxies."

The work holds particular significance because, a year ago, following the detection of an FRB source in a globular cluster of the Messier 81 galaxyhousing an extremely old stellar populationthere was speculation that such sources might dominate the FRB population.

Bhardwaj said that the team's findings disfavor such a scenario and instead support the hypothesis that the majority of FRB sources originate from the demise of massive stars, often resulting in the formation of either black holes or neutron stars.

"Looking ahead, as we amass larger samples of more precisely observed FRBs, we can further scrutinize these distinctions for both nearby and distant FRBs," he said. "By conducting more in-depth analyses, we hope to refine our understanding of the diverse origins of FRBs and potentially unveil the underlying mechanisms that drive these cosmic phenomena, shedding light on the intricacies of the universe's radio signal bursts."

The CHIME/FRB team recently doubled the catalog of known repeating FRBs and has continued to make progress in the field. The collaboration's most recent paper, which is available on the arXiv preprint server and will be published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, is significant because it pinpoints the host galaxies of the new nearby FRBs, which are promising candidates for identifying the proposed prompt or afterglow counterparts beyond radio wavelengths.

Understanding the origins of FRBs is a pivotal challenge in contemporary astronomy, and so far, extragalactic FRBs have exclusively manifested as radio phenomena. By identifying their sources, cosmologists can gain new insights into the extreme astrophysical environments that give rise to these signals, and the physical mechanisms responsible for them.

"The ability to pinpoint the galaxy from which the FRB originated was key to this study. But with CHIME, we can only identify the host galaxies of the closest FRBs," said co-author Daniele Michilli, now a postdoctoral scholar at the MIT Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research. "We are building new CHIME "Outrigger" telescopes in Canada and the U.S. to enable precise sky localizations for all FRBs detected by CHIME. This will revolutionize the field and enable us to test the ideas put forth here."

One prevailing hypothesis connecting these intense bursts of radio waves to astrophysical processes involves neutron stars, Bhardwaj said. He added that the prominence of this hypothesis increased in 2020 when CHIME/FRB observed FRB-like bursts from a known highly magnetized neutron star (SGR 1935+2154) in our own galaxy, leading to the identification of magnetarsyoung, highly magnetized neutron starsas a likely source.

"Regardless of their origin, these short bursts hold great promise for cosmological studies," Bhardwaj said. "For each FRB, we can estimate the amount of ionized matter the FRB signal traveled through on the way to Earth. This unequivocally positions FRBs as a very promising probe for studying the distribution of ionized gas in the cosmic web."

More information: Mohit Bhardwaj et al, Host Galaxies for Four Nearby CHIME/FRB Sources and the Local Universe FRB Host Galaxy Population, arXiv (2023). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2310.10018 Journal information: Astrophysical Journal Letters , arXiv
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Migration is an increasingly dominating topic in politics and is discussed with increasing vehemence among the German population. Those in favor of migration say that the lack of skilled workers and shortage of staff will become worse without immigration. Those who oppose migration fear that an increasing number of immigrants will exceed the reception capacities of the country.

A new study headed by Mannheim sociologist Professor Dr. Marc Helbling and the Mannheim political scientist Professor Dr. Richard Traunmuller shows that the populations' immigration preferences depend on two factors, besides the sheer number of immigrants: the entrance criteria for immigration and the migrants' participation rights in Germany. Professor Rahsaan Maxwell, Ph.D. of New York University is co-author of the study published in Comparative Political Studies.

"When it comes to evaluating the migration policy, the number of persons allowed to enter the country currently plays the biggest role," Helbling explains. "However, migration policy should also take into account who is allowed to enter a country and which rights immigrants enjoy."

Despite the close connection between these two aspects of migration policy, they are usually analyzed separately in researchwithout checking if the preferences for the one dimension depend on the policy for the other dimension. "With our study, we follow a new path," says Traunmuller.

The study shows that those critical of migration are 40% more likely to agree to a larger number of immigrants if the entrance criteria become stricter. Stricter entrance criteria would mean, for example, that immigrants with suitable qualifications are prioritized when it comes to issuing residence permits.

Among those in favor of migration, every third person will agree to a more restrictive migration policy if migrants have more participation rights such as access to social benefits and the labor market.

Another study, which the authors have published together with Felix Jager in International Migration Review, shows how this could look like. The study shows that persons in favor of more or less migration have relatively similar ideas on how integration should take place. Those in favor and those against migration are of the opinion that migrants should learn the language as best as possible, take part in integration courses and not be dependent on social benefits. At the same time, they should have the same rights as locals in the labor market and have the option to extend their work permit.

For their study, the authors have evaluated several survey experiments in which almost 10,000 people from Germany took part between 2020 and 2023. The respondents were asked to evaluate certain policy suggestions.

"The migration debate often gives the impression that the positions of both camps are irreconcilable. Our study shows, however, that it is possible to bring those in favor of and those opposing immigration together," says Helbling. According to the study, most people would welcome the compromise to reduce the number of immigrants in total, introduce stricter entrance criteria, and extend the participation rights of migrants in Germany.

More information: Marc Helbling et al, Numbers, Selectivity, and Rights: The Conditional Nature of Immigration Policy Preferences, Comparative Political Studies (2023). DOI: 10.1177/00104140231178737 Marc Helbling et al, Broad and Detailed Agreement: Public Preferences for German Immigration Policy, International Migration Review (2023). DOI: 10.1177/01979183231216076

Provided by Universitat Mannheim
Websites of major North Korean propaganda media outlets targeting South Korea were inaccessible for the second straight day Friday morning for an unknown reason.

As of 10:20 a.m., there were failures in connecting to the North's main propaganda site Uriminzokkiri and other similar media outlets, such as DPRK Today and Ryomyong. The servers of those sites are mainly based in China.

The exact cause for the access failure was not immediately confirmed. Access to those websites suffered setbacks sometimes in the past.

But the latest failure could be related to North Korea's move to overhaul the websites of its propaganda outlets in line with leader Kim Jong-un's order to reform agencies in charge of inter-Korean affairs.

At a year-end party meeting, Kim defined inter-Korean ties as relations between "two states hostile to each other" and said he will not regard South Korea as a counterpart for reconciliation and unification.

North Korea recently removed sections providing information on unification and inter-Korean affairs from websites of its propaganda outlets.

Still, no problem was detected in accessing the websites using North Korean official domain names ending in ".kp," such as the Korean Central News Agency and Rodong Sinmun, the main newspaper, as well as the foreign ministry. (Yonhap)
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A critically endangered parrot, with a population numbering as few as 70 in the wild, could be at further risk after being found to carry a half-dozen previously undetected viruses.

New research from a team involving James Cook University Microbiologist and Senior Lecturer Dr. Subir Sarker identified 11 viruses being harbored between 40 captive-bred orange-bellied parrots in two different aviarieswith six of those viruses having not been discovered in the bird before.

"The critically endangered orange-bellied parrot, with as few as 70 wild individuals, is a species at risk of extinction. Yet up until this point, little research has been conducted into their existing viral diversity," Dr. Sarker said.

"From this study we identified a number of viral pathogens which we knew were already present in the orange-bellied parrot population, but there were also those six novel pathogens we discovered."

The parrot breeds only in Tasmania during summer with most of the population migrating to coastal Victoria and South Australia for winter.

Dr. Sarker used next-generation sequencing technology to detect for viomes, which encompass all viruses present, in fecal samples taken in 2021 from captive-bred parrots housed at Zoos Victoria.

His team's analysis eventually identified 11 viruses belonging to the families Adenoviridae, Circoviridae, Parvoviridae and Picornaviridae.

Eight viruses were detected in Aviary 1 compared to only three viruses housed at Aviary 2.

"This parrot already faces numerous threats to its survival in the wild, including habitat loss, predation and small population impacts. Conservation of the wild orange-bellied parrot population is heavily reliant on using parrots from a managed captive breeding program," Dr. Sarker said.

Dr. Sarker said it was important to continue to study the species in order to understand whether the six new viruses detected were limited to captive-bred birds from one location and whether they could pose a risk to the wild population if those birds were released.

"It's now up to Zoos Victoria and conservation authorities, including the Orange-bellied Parrot National Recovery Team, to decide how they will manage this risk," he said.

"This is an area that we need more focus and more research funding to understand and protect these iconic birds in Australia."

The study is published in the journal Microbiology Spectrum.

More information: Natalie Klukowski et al, Virome of Australia's most endangered parrot in captivity evidenced of harboring hitherto unknown viruses, Microbiology Spectrum (2023). DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03052-23
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Credit: Andrea Viale (University of Glasgow)

If you happened to be looking at the sky in Europe on a cold night on February 5, 1993, there is a chance you could have seen a dim flash of light. That flash came from a Russian space mirror experiment called Znamya-2.

Znamya-2 was a 20-meter reflective structure much like aluminum foil (Znamya means "banner" in Russian), unfurled from a spacecraft which had just undocked from the Russian Mir space station. Its goal was to demonstrate solar energy could be reflected from space to Earth.

This was the first and only time that a mirror had ever been launched into space for that purpose. But, three decades on, colleagues and I believe it's time to revisit this technology.

Unlike proposals to build solar power stations in space and transmit energy down to earth, all the generation would still happen down here. Crucially, these reflectors could help solar farms generate electricity even when direct sunlight is not available, especially during evening and early morning hours when demand for clean energy is greatest. Colleagues and I call this concept "orbiting solar reflectors".

Pioneering rocket scientist Hermann Oberth recognized the potential all the way back in 1929, when he envisaged reflectors in space relaying sunlight to illuminate large cities and ship routes. He predicted that these reflectors would be very large, thin and ultralightweight, and built in space by astronauts wearing diving suits.

Znamya-2 produced a 5km-wide bright spot that travelled across Europe from France to Russia. Credit: RSC Energia ( , CC BY-SA)

Colleagues and I recently published a paper in which we explored the possibility of orbiting solar reflectors in the near term. We think Oberth's vision may now be achievable thanks to up-and-coming technologies such as robotic spacecraft that can manufacture and assemble structures in space. The reflectors and other materials necessary to build such large structures could be launched by modern rockets such as SpaceX's colossal Starship.

Each time a reflector passes over a solar power farm, it could angle itself to illuminate the solar farm and its immediate surroundings. Each "pass" would extend the "day" of the solar farm and hence its hours of electricity generation.

When the reflector can no longer illuminate the solar farm, it can be rotated such that it is edge-on to the Sun and no light is reflected to the ground. For this reason, we expect the potential disturbance to ground-based astronomical observations would be minimal.

Illuminate a 10km area

When the reflectors can see a large solar farm, they would steer themselves to redirect sunlight towards it. Credit: Andrea Viale, University of Glasgow; NASA (for Earth texture)

With the reflectors orbiting 900km above usabout twice the altitude of the International Space Stationwe estimate that the illuminated area on the Earth would be approximately 10km across when at its brightest. Therefore, a system like this would not be aimed at individual rooftop solar panels but large solar power farms, typically located away from inhabited areas.

Each pass would extend energy generation by about 15 to 20 minutes around the dawn or dusk hours. This is important because those hours are when electricity demand is the highest and often exceeds the amount being generated by wind and solar, meaning coal and gas power plants are used to compensate. Reflectors may therefore help abate fossil fuel use without needing to store energy during the day.

These reflectors would be high enough to service multiple solar farms on the same orbit. Their orbits could even be used to inform where to build new solar farms in especially sunny regions.

Our proposal uses hexagonal reflectors with sides 250 meters long. Each weighs about 3 tons. It would currently cost a few thousand US dollars per kilogram to launch something like this into space, though costs are on a downward trend. If costs are reduced to a few hundred US dollars per kilo, then we would expect orbiting reflectors to be viable within a few years.

Potential target? The vast Bhadla Solar Park in a desert in India is 14 km (8.7 miles) end to end. Credit: Google Maps, CC BY-SA

We expect these reflectors to operate for 20 to 30 years, though the carbon footprint of a system such as this is hard to estimate since spacecraft generally take a long time to design, build and operate. Further research will be needed to produce a full lifecycle assessment, but in the long run, we expect the reflectors would help generate enough clean energy to outweigh their carbon footprint.

No more nighttime?

Three days after the news of the Znamya-2 experiment was published in the New York Times, a reader wrote to the editor wondering whether we would give up our nights. The short answer is no.

Even at its brightest, we estimate that the illumination levels would last only a few minutes per reflector and not exceed an overcast day level. This means that, unless you are very close to the solar power farm, the illumination may not even be noticeable most of the time, especially at dawn/dusk times when the sky is already quite bright compared to nighttime.

How this might work. Credit: Andrea Viale, University of Glasgow

We also estimate that the reflector itself would not be visible to the naked eye unless you are close to the solar farm. These estimations suggest that the impact of these reflectors on the natural environment around the solar power farm may also be minimal, though more research is necessary.

When the reflectors are old or no longer needed, they could "sail" on sunlight into less-congested higher orbits or into a lower orbit to burn up safely.

Orbiting solar reflectors are still some way off. But they represent a way to connect the space and energy sectors to help accelerate the transition towards clean energy and tackle climate change.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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The Rev. Ai Hironaka, resident minister of the Lahaina Hongwanji Mission, walks through the grounds of his temple and residence destroyed by wildfire, Dec. 7, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. The latest calculations from several science agencies Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, all say that global average temperatures for 2023 shattered existing heat records. Credit: AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File

The latest calculations from several science agencies showing Earth obliterated global heat records last year may seem scary. But scientists worry that what's behind those numbers could be even worse.

The Associated Press asked more than three dozen scientists in interviews and emails what the smashed records mean. Most said they fear acceleration of climate change that is already right at the edge of the 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) increase since pre-industrial times that nations had hoped to stay within.

"The heat over the last calendar year was a dramatic message from Mother Nature," said University of Arizona climate scientist Katharine Jacobs. Scientists say warming air and water is making deadly and costly heat waves, floods, droughts, storms and wildfires more intense and more likely.

This last year was a doozy.

Average global temperatures broke the previous record by a little more than a quarter of a degree (0.15 degrees Celsius), a big margin, according to calculations Friday from two top American science agencies, the British meteorological service and a private group founded by a climate skeptic.

Several of the scientists who made the calculations said the climate behaved in strange ways in 2023. They wonder whether human-caused climate change and a natural El Nino were augmented by a freak blip or whether "there's something more systematic afoot," as NASA climate scientist Gavin Schmidt put itincluding a much-debated acceleration of warming.

A partial answer may not come until late spring or early summer. That's when a strong El Ninothe cyclical warming of Pacific Ocean waters that affects global weather patternsis expected to fade away. If ocean temperatures, including deep waters, keep setting records well into the summer, like in 2023, that would be an ominous clue, they say.

Nearly every scientist who responded to AP's questions blamed greenhouse gases from the burning of fossil fuels as the overwhelmingly largest reason the world hit temperatures that human civilization has not likely seen before. El Nino, which is bordering on "very strong," is the second-biggest factor, with other conditions far behind, they said.

The trouble with 2023, NASA's Schmidt said, is "it was a very strange year ... The more you dig into it, the less clear it seems."

A man cycles through a mister to cool off from the heat in Montreal, Sept. 6, 2023. The latest calculations from several science agencies Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, all say that global average temperatures for 2023 shattered existing heat records. Credit: Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP

One part of that is the timing for when 2023's big burst of heat began, according to Schmidt and Samantha Burgess, deputy director of Europe's Copernicus Climate Service, which earlier this week put warming at 1.48 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times.

Temperatures are typically highest above normal in late winter and spring, they said. But 2023's highest heat kicked in around June and lingered at record levels for months.

Deep ocean heat, a big player in global temperatures, behaved in a similar way, Burgess said.

Former NASA climate scientist James Hansen, often considered the godfather of global warming science, theorized last year that warming was accelerating. While many of the scientists contacted by AP said they suspect it is happening, others were adamant that evidence so far supports only a steady and long-predicted increase.

"There is some evidence that the rate of warming over the past decade or so is slightly faster than the decade or so previouswhich meets the mathematical definition of acceleration," said UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain. "However, this too is largely in line with predictions" that warming would accelerate at a certain point, especially when particle pollution in the air decreases.

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration calculated that Earth in 2023 had an average temperature of 59.12 degrees (15.08 degrees Celsius). That's 0.27 degrees (0.15 degrees Celsius) warmer than the previous record set in 2016 and 2.43 degrees (1.35 degrees Celsius) warmer than pre-industrial temperatures.

"It's almost as if we popped ourselves off the staircase (of normal global warming temperature increases) onto a slightly warmer regime," said Russ Vose, global monitoring chief for NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information. He said he sees acceleration of warming.

NASA and the United Kingdom Meteorological Office had the warming since the mid-19th century a bit higher at 2.5 degrees (1.39 degrees Celsius) and 2.63 degrees (1.46 degrees Celsius) respectively. Records go back to 1850.

The World Meteorological Organization, combining the measurements announced Friday with Japanese and European calculations released earlier this month, pegged 2023 at 1.45 degrees Celsius (2.61 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than pre-industrial temperatures.

People cool off on a beach in Barcelona, Spain, Aug. 9, 2023. The latest calculations from several science agencies Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, all say that global average temperatures for 2023 shattered existing heat records. Credit: AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti

Many of the climate scientists saw little hope of stopping warming at the 1.5-degree goal called for in the 2015 Paris agreement that sought to avert the worst consequences of climate change.

"I do not consider it realistic that we can limit warming (averaged over several years) to 1.5C," wrote Woodwell Climate Research Center scientist Jennifer Francis in an email. "It is technically possible but politically impossible."

"The slow pace of climate action and the continued disinformation that catalyzes it has never been about lack of science or even lack of solutions: it has always been, and remains, about lack of political will," said Katharine Hayhoe, chief scientist at The Nature Conservancy.

Both NASA and NOAA said the last 10 years, from 2014 to 2023, have been the 10 hottest years they've measured. It's the third time in the last eight years that a global heat record was set. Randall Cerveny, an Arizona State University scientist who helps coordinate record-keeping for the WMO, said the big worry isn't that a record was broken last year, but that they keep getting broken so frequently.

"It's the rapidity of the continual change that is, to me, most alarming," Cerveny said.

Cornell University climate scientist Natalie Mahowald said, "This is just a taste of what we can expect in the future, especially if we continue to fail to cut carbon dioxide fast enough."

That's why so many scientists contacted by The Associated Press are anxious.

"I've been worried since the early 1990s," said Brown University climate scientist Kim Cobb. "I am more worried than ever. My worry increases with every year that global emissions move in the wrong direction."

 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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The Knaresborough Hoard. Credit: Yorkshire Museum

Researchers report on one of the most unusual late-Roman metalware ever discovered in the British Isles. Although the Knaresborough Hoard was discovered about 1864, there has never been any detailed analysis of the items undertaken. Nor were the circumstances surrounding its discovery fully understood.

Newcastle University archaeology student, Jessica De Maso, carried out the first comprehensive study of the hoard as part of her MA degree, and the results are published in The Antiquaries Journal.

Most of the 30 items, which are now on display in the Yorkshire Museum in York, were donated to the museum in 1864 by Thomas Gott, an ironmonger who was also a Town Councilor and lived in Knaresborough. However, he was reluctant to name where they had been found or who owned the land.

The research by Jessica, and colleagues at Newcastle University, suggests that the hoard was probably discovered in a boggy area near Farnham, in the Vale of Mowbray, approximately two miles north of Knaresborough. During the Roman period, two important Roman roads ran through the Vale: Cade's Road, which ran north-south on the eastern side, and Dere Street to the west, which was a significant route providing a connection to York and Hadrian's Wall.

Because of these connections, there were a number of wealthy Roman villas in the area and it is thought that the items in the collection may have come from one of these, or an affluent townhouse or settlement close by.

The Knaresborough Hoard is the only known example of a late Roman hoard of this type to be recovered from a bog or marsh in Britain.

It is not known why the items were grouped together and deposited in the bog, but there are examples from other parts of the Roman empire where this was done for ritual or spiritual reasons, or simply to hide them or make them irretrievable.

During their investigations, the research team also found evidence that there were originally more items in the hoard when discovered, but many had been mistakenly melted down in Gott's foundry.

Re-visiting old discoveries

The surviving collection is predominantly made from bronze and includes a large fluted bowl (approximately 48 cm diameter) with a scalloped edge, more commonly found in gold or silver, and a bronze vessel handle that has a unique rest to support it, both of which are the only known examples to be found in Britain, along with a number of bowls, strainers and oval plates.

The research team says that many of the items were clearly meant to impress guests at the table when displaying or serving food as when polished, the bronze would have resembled gold and would have suggested a certain level of wealth.

By carrying out a portable X-ray fluorescence analysis the team was able to confirm the composition of ancient alloys and discovered that many of the items in the collection also showed signs of ancient repairs, reinforcing the fact they were made from a valuable material.

James Gerrard, Professor of Roman Archaeology, Newcastle University, said, "This project has shown the value in re-visiting old discoveries and we're delighted to have the opportunity to work alongside the Yorkshire Museum to understand more about this extraordinary collection and who Thomas Gott was.

"It's good to know that more than 150 years on, our research has helped tell a fascinating, if complex, part of the story about this remarkable discovery."

Adam Parker, Curator of Archaeology at the Yorkshire Museum, said, "The Knaresborough Hoard is an exceptional collection of Roman copper alloys, which has been in the collection of the Yorkshire Museum for a long time. The excellent work undertaken by Newcastle University has unlocked the research potential of these objects for the first time and will allow us to tell their story more completely."

'Old collections, new questions'

The research also uncovered more about Thomas Gott and his role in the discovery.

In 1848, Gott married Mary Anne Drury, a widow, in Scarborough. Mary Anne died in 1860, aged 47, and the following year Gott married Emma, his late wife's sister, in London.

At this time, Gott was serving as Knaresborough Improvement Commissioner, and although the marriage of a widower to his sister-in-law was generally accepted, it was illegal and might explain why it took place in Londonwhere they could avoid scrutiny and minimize the risk that Gott's reputation could be called into question.

The research team suggests that Gott must have known Frederick Hartley, who was also on the Knaresborough Improvement Commission and was the agent and estate manager of land near Farnham owned by Sir Charles Slingsby. The research uncovered how, in 1864, Slingsby had commissioned work to improve the drainage on a marshy part of his land, and it was most likely during this work that the hoard was found.

Hartley kept a cup either for himself or Slingsby and handed the rest to Gott, who then gave the majority of the collection to the Yorkshire Museum. Gott gave a second, final, part of the collection to the Yorkshire Museum 13 years later.

In 2017 the Yorkshire Museum listed the Knaresborough Hoard as part of its "Old Collections, New Questions" research initiative and Jessica jumped at the chance to study the hoard as part of her MA in Archaeology at Newcastle University.

Jessica, who is now working as an archaeologist in the United States, said, "The study of the Knaresborough Hoard at the Yorkshire Museum was an incredible opportunity to engage with the idea that endless avenues of research can be done on existing collections in museums. I found thisand my time at Newcastleto be especially engaging and wonderfully challenging. The research on the Hoard and the work throughout my MA archaeology program has thoroughly prepared me for my current job."

More information: James Frederick Gerrard et al, A multidisciplinary analysis of an antiquarian discovery: The Knaresborough 1864 hoard of late Roman vessels, The Antiquaries Journal (2023). DOI: 10.1017/S0003581523000197
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NASA's Magellan spacecraft captured this image of Venusian craters. Credit: NASA/JPL

When scientists detected phosphine in Venus' atmosphere in 2020, it triggered renewed, animated discussions about Venus and its potential habitability. It would be weird if the detection didn't generate interest since phosphine is a potential biomarker. So people were understandably curious. Unfortunately, further study couldn't confirm its presence.

But even without phosphine, Venus' atmosphere is full of chemical intrigue that hints at biological processes. Is it time to send an astrobiology mission to our hellish sister planet?

While the phosphine discussion petered out pretty quickly, there are other, more long-lived indications that Venus' atmosphere contains chemical anomalies, some of which might relate to life. Some of the atmospheric gases appear to be out of thermodynamic equilibrium, for example. Adding to the complexity, scientists aren't certain what the composition of large particles in the lower atmosphere is.

The authors of a new paper illustrate why Venus captures our chemical curiosity and suggest that it's time for an astrobiological mission to satisfy it.

The paper is titled "Astrobiological Potential of Venus Atmosphere Chemical Anomalies and Other Unexplained Cloud Properties." It hasn't been peer-reviewed and published yet, but it's available on the preprint server arXiv. The lead author is Janusz Petkowski, an astrobiology researcher in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences at MIT.

"Scientists have been speculating on Venus as a habitable world for over half a century," the authors write, "based on the Earth-like temperature and pressure in Venus' clouds at 4860 km above the surface."

Most space-interested people know that Venus' atmosphere is extremely dense ant hot. We also know that it's dominated by carbon dioxide, that its other main component is nitrogen, and that it supports dense clouds of sulfuric acid. Other chemicals are present in only tiny, trace amounts.

The atmospheric region between 48 to 60 km above the surface is particularly interesting. At that altitude, both the pressure and the temperature approach near Earth-like levels. Between about 52.5 km and 54 km, the temperature is between 20C and 37C. At about 49.5 km above the surface, the pressure is the same as at Earth's sea level. There's no way that liquid water could be present on Venus' surface, but in the atmosphere it's possible.

That's the backdrop for considering Venus' potential habitability.

But there are ample chemical considerations, too, and in their paper, the authors outline one long-standing mystery in the planet's atmosphere.

"In this paper, we review and summarize Venus' long-lasting, unexplained atmospheric observations, which have been acquired over the span of the last half-century," they write.

A lot of the mystery around Venus concerns the so-called "unknown absorber(s)." As far back as the 1920s, ultraviolet observations showed unusual high-contrast features that move in conjunction with Venus' upper cloud deck's four-day rotation. Something is absorbing the UV light.

"Much effort has gone into attempting to identify the substance(s) responsible for the absorption between 320400 nm, but no proposed candidate satisfies all of the observational constraints, leading to the oft-used descriptive term 'unknown UV absorber,'" the authors write.

Researchers have made a prolonged effort to understand what the absorber or absorbers might be, and some have made progress. Research has shown that sulfur allotropes and sulfur compounds could be responsible, and researchers have uncovered new pathways for their formation in Venus' atmosphere. But these pathways are the result of simulations, not exploration. Not everyone agrees with these findings. There's no consensus.

Theres not much else to Venus atmosphere beyond CO 2 and a small component of nitrogen. The trace elements add up to less than 1% of the atmosphere. Credit: Junkcharts  Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31595105

"Despite decades of effort and observations by two orbiting spacecraft in the 21st century (Venus Express by ESA and Akatsuki by JAXA), none of the proposed candidate molecules have been found to entirely fit the observational data," the authors explain.

The candidates either don't match the profile well, or they're not abundant enough. Some of the proposed candidates aren't stable, either.

But it's critical that we figure out what it is. "The unknown absorber is remarkably efficient, capturing more than 50% of the solar energy reaching Venus, with consequent effects on atmospheric structure and dynamics," write the authors. Though the mystery persists, it's a huge missing piece that stymies our efforts to understand the planet.

Some researchers propose that the UV absorber is a sign of cloud-based biological activity. "The spectral characteristics of the Venus clouds, including the strong UV absorption, are consistent with the spectrum of certain types of terrestrial bacteria," the authors explain.

Another of the mysteries concerns lower clouds. A subset of cloud particles larger than 7 m is unknown. Adding to the mystery is that some of them aren't round. We know this from NASA's Pioneer Venus mission. Since the particles, called Mode 3 particles, are non-spherical, they can't be liquid droplets.

"The nature and composition of the Mode 3 particles is debated with data presently in hand," the authors write, making it clear that we need more data from a modern mission.

Some have proposed that the particles could be sulfuric acid, but the authors say data rules that out. If they're not sulfuric acid, that works in favor of the idea that life could persist in the clouds. "This result could indicate unknown chemistry and is intriguing with regard to the possible presence of 'life as we know it," which cannot withstand a concentrated sulfuric acid environment," the authors explain.

It should be noted, however, that not all scientists agree that the large particles even exist and that calibration errors could be responsible for their detection instead.

The authors outline other reasons why only a biological mission to Venus can solve these mysteries. In-situ measurements from the Venera program and the VeGa balloons suggested that the atmosphere hosted non-volatile compounds necessary for life. Life as we know it requires metals, including iron. Venera found iron, while VeGa didn't. More mystery waiting to be solved.

There are other unexplained components in Venus' atmosphere. There are trace gases with abundance profiles that scientists can't explain. Venera and Pioneer also found oxygen there. Nobody knows where it came from, and it's a subject of frequent discussion. Other chemical detections add to the mystery and complexity.

The maddening thing about studying Venus from afar is that many of the observations could be explained by either biotic or abiotic processes. That's why we need a biological mission.

"The habitability of the Venusian clouds should also be explored by new in situ missions," the author explains. Lots of scientists agree with them, including renowned planetary scientist Sara Seager. In fact, Seager goes even further, suggesting that a sample-return mission is needed.

There are missions to Venus coming in the future. NASA's VERITAS mission and DAVINCI mission will both head to Venus, but not for several more years. DAVINCI will send a probe into Venus's atmosphere for in situ observations, while VERITAS will map the surface in more detail.

In the meantime, the data we have is all the data scientists have to work with. While scientists are resourceful and determined, that's not enough.

Only a mission to Venus that's solely focused on biology and chemistry can solve the planet's mysteries.

More information: Janusz J. Petkowski et al, Astrobiological Potential of Venus Atmosphere Chemical Anomalies and Other Unexplained Cloud Properties, arXiv (2024). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2401.04708 Journal information: arXiv
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Twelve jurors, and four alternates, sat in Washington County Court in Fort Edward on Thursday, Jan. 11, and heard two different accounts of what may have happened last April when Kaylin Gillis was shot to death.

They will have to decide if they believe the argument of the prosecutors who contended during opening statements that Kevin Monahan, 66, was willful and reckless in his use of a shotgun, or the defense attorneys side that says he was a scared, old man with a defective gun, a weapon that shot twice though the trigger was pulled only once, according to defense attorney Arthur Frost.

Monahan is facing charges of second-degree murder, reckless endangerment and tampering with physical evidence in the shooting death of Gillis, who was 20 at the time. Monahan allegedly shot Gillis as she and her friends turned their car around in Monahans driveway in the Town of Hebron on April 15, 2023. Thursday Jan. 11, 2024, saw the first day of the trial after jury selection.

During opening statements of the trial, Washington County First Assistant District Attorney Christian Morris laid out a roadmap for the events that took place on the unseasonably warm April night.

What started as an evening at Blake Walshs house  boyfriend to Gillis  where he and Gillis, along with five other friends, were travelling by three vehicles from the center of Cambridge to hang out at in the Town of Hebron at another friends house, that of Joey Carry, Morris said.

Another friend, Rory, was on a Yamaha 4000 motorcycle, Katherine and Maxwell in one SUV, and Walsh, Gillis, Alexandra, and Jacob in another SUV. Last names of the friends were redacted from court discussion.

When the group realized they had the wrong house, Morris said they started to look at their phones to find the right address. Katherines vehicle was heading down the driveway while Walshs SUV was facing up the driveway.

After Rory had started heading away from the home, Katherine was the first one down the driveway and Max looked back to see a man at the doorway of the wraparound deck. Max thought he saw another person in the doorway, Morris said.

Blake, Kaylin, Jake, and Alex started pulling away and Alex sees a long barrel gun in the mans hands, and its pointing out. She heard a shot, and there was a flash, Morris said. Everyone ducked and flinched. There was another shot seconds later as the back of the car was facing the house.

Morris then told the jury a second shot from the 20-gauge shotgun traveled through the metal column and rear window of Walshs Ford Explorer, went over Jakes shoulder, striking Gillis in the neck. Panic flooded the car, but Walsh kept the car driving. Everyone started asking each other if they were alright, hearing from everyone but Gillis.

She was leaning to the right, next to the window, and they had to use the flashlight of their cellphones to see her, Morris said. Phone call attempts to 911 started to be made down the driveway.

Morris said that both shots are what create the recklessness when it comes to Monahans charges. Morris argued that a man came out on his porch and shot twice, knowing someone could be killed but he disregarded it.

Washington County Sheriffs Office Senior Investigator Harold Spezio handled the search warrant for the home, did a grid search for the shells, and searched inside the house where on he found, on Monahans side of the bed, the shotgun with the safety almost fully engaged and not loaded.

Forensic investigator sprayed adhesive on the gun for prints and found none, Morris said.

The shotgun was swabbed for DNA. The pump of the gun showed DNA, but the trigger had insufficient DNA. No gunpowder was in the chamberthat calls for tampering of evidence, Morris said. Monahan also changed his clothes before he was taken into custody.

Second-degree murder is for Kaylin. Reckless endangerment is for all of the individuals involved, Morris said.

Frost started his opening statement by saying all was a terrible accident and somebody or rather anybody should have realized that.

We will agree with the People on the facts but disagree sharply on the conclusions, Frost said.

Frost claimed that the shotgun was defective, broken, and malfunctioned after a drop test was performed on it by the New York State Police Lab. Frost also said that the drop test will tell that at least one time the gun fired when no one pulled the trigger.

According to Frost, Monahan is familiar with the sound of motorcycles as he races them.

When the motorcycle arrived in the driveway and was about 20 feet away, the rider did not acknowledge Monahan on the porch, but waved the two SUVs up the drive.

Monahan asked his wife to take a revolver and hide in a closet as Monahan went to the door with the shotgun.

Frost said Monahan, an old man, held the gun up in the air as a warning on the deck. The motorcycle went down the driveway, and Monahan looked down to see it go between the vehicles with windows down.

Frost said a warning shot fired in the air and the motorcycle left.

The SUVs got closer to deck to turn around and Monahan watched and waited, according to Frost. When he was walking back to the edge of the deck, he was looking at the vehicles, stumbled, and the gun went off.

Both SUVs kept going and Frost said in that moment Monahan took a relieved breath.

Its over. He goes back upstairs, unloads the third round, picks his wife up, and puts the revolver away. His wife is crying, and he says its over, Frost said to the jury.

Frost closed his statement saying Monahan didnt kill Gillis intentionally.

He said jurors should keep questions in mind such as the ways he could have had an opportunity to fire motorcycle and SUVs as they got closer, and he didnt. Frost asked the jury why would he have waited until they leave to fire at a moving target?

Maybe you will think it was dumb then to go out in flipflops and go out on the deck with a gun. Maybe it was, but we have a word for being dumb, it isnt indifferent, wicked, or evil, Frost said. You will have to decide if it was a heinous disregard for human life or is he a dumb, scared, old man with a defective gun.
WASHINGTON  The U.S. and British militaries bombed more than a dozen sites used by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen on Thursday, in a massive retaliatory strike using warship and submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets, U.S. officials said. The military targets included logistical hubs, air defense systems and weapons storage and launching locations, they said.

President Joe Biden said the strikes were meant to demonstrate that the U.S. and its allies will not tolerate the militant groups ceaseless attacks on the Red Sea. And he said the U.S. and its allies only made the move after attempts at diplomatic negotiations and careful deliberation.

These strikes are in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea  including the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history, Biden said in a statement. These attacks have endangered U.S. personnel, civilian mariners, and our partners, jeopardized trade, and threatened freedom of navigation.

Associated Press journalists in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, heard four explosions early Friday local time but saw no sign of warplanes. Two residents of Hodieda, Amin Ali Saleh and Hani Ahmed, said they heard five strong explosions hitting the western port area of the city, which lies on the Red Sea and is the largest port city controlled by the Houthis. Explosions also were heard by residents of Taiz, a southwestern city near the Red Sea.

The strikes marked the first U.S. military response to what has been a persistent campaign of drone and missile attacks on commercial ships since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. And the coordinated military assault comes just a week after the White House and a host of partner nations issued a final warning to the Houthis to cease the attacks or face potential military action. The officials confirmed the strikes on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations. Members of Congress were briefed earlier Thursday on the strike plans.

The warning appeared to have had at least some short-lived impact, as attacks stopped for several days. On Tuesday, however, the Houthi rebels fired their largest-ever barrage of drones and missiles targeting shipping in the Red Sea, with U.S. and British ships and American fighter jets responding by shooting down 18 drones, two cruise missiles and an anti-ship missile. And on Thursday, the Houthis fired an anti-ship ballistic missile into the Gulf of Aden, which was seen by a commercial ship but did not hit the ship.

In a call with reporters, senior administration and military officials said that after the Tuesday attacks, Biden convened his national security team and was presented with military options for a response. He then directed Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to carry out the retaliatory strikes.

In a separate statement, U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the Royal Air Force carried out targeted strikes against military facilities used by the Houthis.

Noting the militants have carried out a series of dangerous attacks on shipping, he added, This cannot stand. He said the U.K. took limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defense, alongside the United States with non-operational support from the Netherlands, Canada and Bahrain against targets tied to these attacks, to degrade Houthi military capabilities and protect global shipping.

And the governments of Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand and South Korea joined the U.S. and U.K. in issuing a statement saying that while the aim is to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea, the allies won't hesitate to defend lives and protect commerce in the critical waterway.

The rebels, who have carried out 27 attacks involving dozens of drones and missiles just since Nov. 19, said Thursday that any attack by American forces on its sites in Yemen will spark a fierce military response.

A high-ranking Houthi official, Ali al-Qahoum, vowed there would be retaliation. The battle will be bigger  and beyond the imagination and expectation of the Americans and the British," he said in a post on X.

Al-Masirah, a Houthi-run satellite news channel, described strikes hitting the Al-Dailami Air Base north of Sanaa, the airport in the port city of the Hodeida, a camp east of Saada, the airport in the city of Taiz and an airport near Hajjah. And eyewitnesses who spoke with The Associated Press said they saw strikes in four areas, including Dhamar, Hodeida, Sanaa and Taiz.

The Houthis did not immediately offer any damage or casualty information.

A senior administration official said that while the U.S. expects the strikes will degrade the Houthi's capabilities, we would not be surprised to see some sort of response, although they haven't seen anything yet.

The Houthis say their assaults are aimed at stopping Israels war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. But their targets increasingly have little or no connection to Israel and imperil a crucial trade route linking Asia and the Middle East with Europe.

Meanwhile, the U.N. Security Council passed a resolution Wednesday that demanded the Houthis immediately cease the attacks and implicitly condemned their weapons supplier, Iran. It was approved by a vote of 11-0 with four abstentions  by Russia, China, Algeria and Mozambique.

Britains participation in the strikes underscored the Biden administrations effort to use a broad international coalition to battle the Houthis, rather than appear to be going it alone. More than 20 nations are already participating in a U.S.-led maritime mission to increase ship protection in the Red Sea.

U.S. officials for weeks had declined to signal when international patience would run out and they would strike back at the Houthis, even as multiple commercial vessels were struck by missiles and drones, prompting companies to look at rerouting their ships.

On Wednesday, however, U.S. officials again warned of consequences.

Im not going to telegraph or preview anything that might happen, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters during a stop in Bahrain. He said the U.S. has made clear that if this continues as it did yesterday, there will be consequences. And Im going to leave it at that.

The Biden administrations reluctance over the past several months to retaliate reflected political sensitivities and stemmed largely from broader worries about upending the shaky truce in Yemen and triggering a wider conflict in the region. The White House wants to preserve the truce and has been wary of taking action in Yemen that could open up another war front.

The impact on international shipping and the escalating attacks, however, triggered the coalition warning, which was signed by the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom. Separately, the U.S. called on the United Nations Security Council to take action against the Houthis and warned their financier Iran that it has a choice to make about continuing to provide support to the rebels.

Transit through the Red Sea, from the Suez Canal to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, is a crucial shipping lane for global commerce. About 12% of the worlds trade typically passes through the waterway that separates Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, including oil, natural gas, grain and everything from toys to electronics.

In response to the attacks, the U.S. created a new maritime security mission, dubbed Operation Prosperity Guardian, to increase security in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Aden, with about 22 countries are participating. U.S. warships, and those from other nations, have been routinely sailing back and forth through the narrow strait to provide protection for ships and to deter attacks. The coalition has also ramped up airborne surveillance.

The decision to set up the expanded patrol operation came after three commercial vessels were struck by missiles fired by Houthis in Yemen on Dec. 3.

The Pentagon increased its military presence in the region after the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks in Israel to deter Iran from widening the war into a regional conflict, including by the Houthis and Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria.

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Today in history: Jan. 11 1908: The Grand Canyon 1935: Amelia Earhart 1963: The Beatles 1964: Luther Terry 1989: Ronald Reagan 2010: Mark McGwire 2020: Coronavirus 2021: Pope Francis
CAPE MAY  Film buffs and history fans should keep an eye out in future movies, in case they get a glimpse of a familiar interior.

Two rooms of the Emlen Physick Estate are expected to be made available as film locations, but that will not mean crews and actors piling in to the historic mansion, which was built in 1879. The arts and culture group Cape May MAC plans to make digital versions of the site available to filmmakers.

Cape May MAC receives regular requests to use our three historic sites for filming projects, said Jody Alessandrine, the MAC director and CEO, referring to the Physick Estate, the Cape May Lighthouse and a World War II lookout tower on Sunset Boulevard. The organizations schedule, with visitors touring the sites 363 days a year, means MAC rarely allows the use of the sites for film locations.

Digital technology may allow MAC to have its cake and virtually eat it, too. Last week, a crew from Cinematic Digital Experience was at the estate at 1048 Washington St. to capture digital images of two of the rooms, which will allow filmmakers around the world to use the site as a virtual film set without filming on location.

Cape May MAC is thrilled to be an early adopter of this cutting-edge technology. We see it as a new way to fulfill our mission of historic preservation, by preserving the physical space in the 1879 Physick House Museum in a valuable and unprecedented way, using this digital twin technology, as the Smithsonian has done for some of its artifacts, Alessandrine said in a statement.

The Smithsonian has used a similar technique to create digital versions of artifacts in its collection, which are posted online. People throughout the country can examine the pieces, spin them around to observe each angle and zoom in, with no chance of damage to the original.

So that led us to work on doing the same thing at the Physick Estate, said Allan Barmak, the CEO of Cinematic Digital Experience in Austin, Texas. Its a fantastic way to use cutting edge technology to preserve and promote history on Cape May.

He said people all over the world could be a click away from exploring those rooms in an immersive experience. The team captured the dining room and the study.

New exhibit depicting racially segregated beaches opens MLK weekend in Cape May A new exhibit exploring the racially segregated beaches of Cape May and Atlantic City prior to the Civil Rights Movement will open Martin Luther King Jr. weekend in the Carroll Gallery of the Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May MAC (Museum+Arts+Culture) said Tuesday.

Last week, a photographer went to work capturing all the angles of the exterior of the building and of the rooms to create models of the structure. Barmak described the process as the most important technological advancement for documenting history since photography.

Those involved in the project say it is a different process than one used by real estate companies to offer virtual tours of properties, a remote option that became more popular during the COVID-19 pandemic, with many Cape May properties available to tour online.

Photogrammetry is the process of obtaining information including images, UV, textures and relative distance for developers to create a photo-real and accurate digital twin, Barmak said. The company used a drone and still photos to capture the exterior of the building, and specialized camera equipment inside.

He said interactive, engaging environments are a great way to get students around the country involved and interested in history.

Alessandrine said MAC has no plans to offer digital tours but is interested in licensing the digital twins to filmmakers. The process will digitally preserve the physical space of the estate, he said.

We also see great potential in the possibility of finding new ways of engaging our visitors with the museum down the road with this technology. There is a chance of making some money, Alessandrine said.

Hollywood is looking for virtual sets of actual locations, Barmak said.

The beauty of this partnership with Cinematic Digital Experience is that Cape May MAC will no longer need to choose between granting a filming permit for a film production and interrupting its 363-day-a-year tour schedule, Alessandrine said.

Middle Township cadet corps welcomes new leader: Hometown briefs Middle Township High Schools Navy National Defense Cadet Corps welcomes a familiar face as its new senior instructor, Retired U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. William Neill.

MAC will retain the rights to the digital twins, he said, and will be careful what projects will be allowed to use the digital sets.

We will have complete control to license the digital twin to projects of our choosing, as we do currently with our robust film and photography policy, which provides protection for the estate and complete control over the permitting of commercial filming projects, he said.

Susan Krysiak, director of media relations for MAC, declined to say how much the nonprofit paid to have the digital twins created, or how much it might charge filmmakers to use them.

We cannot comment on the contract price since our partner will be negotiating with other parties, she said in an emailed response to questions. As a nonprofit organization, we did our due diligence and believe the benefits make the cost a good investment. We have full control over the approval of all projects and are the owner of the digital twin.

She said MAC will learn what the market will bear.

Architect Frank Furness designed the house for Dr. Emlen Physick Jr. It was built in 1879 and served as a family home. By 1970, the Victorian-era house and other structures on the estate were decrepit and appeared beyond salvage, according to details from MAC, which grew out of the efforts to save and restore the building. A statement from MAC also cites this as a turning point in the fortunes of Cape May.

The building has been used in film and television, at a time when directors, actors and crews still needed to be on site. According to the Wikipedia entry, the mansion appeared in a season one episode of Haunted Towns on Destination America, and was used as a location in the 1981 low-budget slasher film The Prowler.

Set in California but filmed in Cape May, the film was directed by Joseph Zito and included other locations in town. Zito is better known for the Chuck Norris movie Missing in Action in 1984.

GALLERY: 3-D mapping of the Emlen Physick Estate in Cape May
Interim Executive Atlantic County Superintendent Leslie White-Coursey, of Atlantic City, will be presented the 34th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Spirit Award on Tuesday, the county said.

The award is given in commemoration of Kings birthday to an outstanding resident who exemplifies his principles through their involvement in the community and their efforts to improve the lives of their fellow citizens.

Leslie White-Coursey is an innovative and compassionate leader who has devoted her career to educating our youth, empowering our educators and encouraging community involvement, Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson said Friday in a statement. She believes in the power of education to enrich and improve lives, much like Dr. King.

Levinson will present the award to White-Coursey during the county Board of Commissioners meeting at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

White-Coursey serves as the liaison between the New Jersey Department of Education and all school districts and charter schools in Atlantic County. She has held this position for five years. Prior to this, she served as a principal and assistant principal in the Atlantic City school system, according to the county.

White-Coursey started her career as a technology coordinator and first grade teacher. She earned her master's degree in educational leadership and administration from Walden University in Minneapolis and her bachelor's degree in business management from Rutgers University, School of Business.

She serves as a member of several professional organizations, including the Agape Community Life Center, Atlantic Cape Community College Board of Trustees, Rowan College of South Jersey Board of Trustees, Cumberland County Technical Education Center Board of Trustees and the Cumberland County Human Relations Commission.
China assists Zambia in cholera outbreak

Xinhua) 13:19, January 12, 2024

LUSAKA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- China on Thursday announced measures to assist Zambia in tackling the cholera outbreak in the southern African country.

Du Xiaohui, the Chinese ambassador to Zambia, unveiled nine assistance measures during a joint press conference with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema at State House.

"In the wake of the ongoing cholera outbreak in Zambia, the government and people of China wish to show our solidarity as a trustworthy all-weather friend," Du said.

He outlined various measures, including delivering cash assistance, dispatching medical experts, donating personal protective equipment, providing medical equipment, building a clinic in the Southern Province and contributing water tanks and supplies.

The ambassador also underpinned a water supply project under construction by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, aiming to supply clean and safe water to around 750,000 people in Lusaka, the Zambian capital.

Hichilema commended China for its support during this difficult period, saying that the support measures would not only address cholera in the short term but also contribute to the long-term eradication of the waterborne disease.

Zambia has been grappling with cholera since October last year, which has affected nine out of the country's 10 provinces. The Ministry of Health reported a total of 7,830 cumulative cases, with 310 deaths.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Regime uses public trials, executions to awaken the masses

By Jung Min-ho

More than 17 young North Koreans were prosecuted for watching unsanctioned videos and using South Korean slang in 2023 as the regime strengthened its control over almost every aspect of peoples lives, according to a report published Thursday (U.S. time).

In its annual World Report, Human Rights Watch (HWR), a New York-based NGO, said North Korea remains one of the most repressive countries in the world as totalitarian leader Kim Jong-un continues to use torture, executions and other barbaric means to tighten his grip on power.

Citing North Korean escapees who spoke to their relatives there, Elaine Pearson, HRWs Asia director, said 17 young North Koreans were prosecuted last year for watching unauthorized videos  likely originating from South Korea  and using South Korean-style language.

The groups leader was sentenced to 10 years forced labor, Pearson said in response to The Korea Times email inquiries. In another case, youth athletes were sentenced to 3-5 years for using South Korean vocabulary.

North Korean authorities also approved the use of public trials and executions to awaken the masses, she added. Consuming any media content created outside the country is illegal. But defectors say the penalties are particularly severe for those possessing or distributing content from the South.

This past year, weve seen the North Korean regime strengthen its control, the country has become even more repressive and even more isolated since the pandemic, Pearson said.

North Korea is infamous for its extreme isolation  an environment established under the regime to brainwash its people. But the stakes for crossing the border are now higher than ever before.

The government has a shoot-on-sight policy in place for anyone reaching the Northern border  that has been in place since August 2020. Other violations of quarantine laws carry severe penalties, even death, Pearson said.

This finding is consistent with a white paper released earlier this week by the Korea Institute for National Unification, a state-funded think tank. Citing an eyewitness who escaped North Korea last year, scholars said in that paper that a person was publicly executed for violating pandemic rules.

A combination of the global health crisis and the expansion of state intervention aggravated North Koreas already dire shortages of food and other daily necessities, the World Report shows.

They adversely impacted the ability of ordinary North Koreans to conduct basic economic activities, generally worsening their rights to food, health, and an adequate standard of living, the report says. There were reports of a mass vaccination campaign and a second round of vaccinations for COVID-19 in North Pyongan Province, Nampo port, and Pyongyang in September 2022. However, there are no official numbers of vaccinated people available.

The report also points out that Chinas mass surveillance and its practice of deporting North Korean refugees are among the major obstacles that impede human rights activists efforts.

The Chinese government continued to seek to detain North Korean asylum seekers and return them to North Korea, violating Chinas obligations as a state party to the UN Refugee Convention. Many North Koreans detained in China were forcibly returned to North Korea  80 in August, 40 in September, and at least 500 in October  where they almost certainly faced grave abuses for their attempted escape, it says.
WILDWOOD  For the next 30 days, City Clerk Lisa Brown will also serve as the citys administrator, while the Board of Commissioners looks for a more permanent candidate.

Its just until we find someone, Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr. said after the Wednesday night meeting at which the appointment was made.

Someone who will serve the needs of the city, the commission members and the needs of the public, added Commissioner Krista Fitzsimons.

Former Administrator Steve OConnors contract ended at the end of 2023, and a new administrator was not appointed at the reorganization meeting Jan. 3.

The three members of the Board of Commissioners discussed the position, along with professional services contracts such as the city solicitor and engineer, in a closed-door meeting before making the appointment.

Officials chose Steven Morris of the Morris Law Firm as the new city attorney.

DiBlassio and Associates was chosen as the city engineer, and Morris was also chosen as the tax appeal counsel and redevelopment counsel. Fitzsimons voted no on those appointments, with Troiano and Commissioner Steve Mikulski voting in favor.

The vote was unanimous on several other appointments, including for Shore Animal Control to provide animal control services and Triad Associates as grant coordinator.

Troiano once again mayor of Wildwood Wildwood has a new mayor, sort of, with the return of former Mayor Ernie Troiano to the top seat at the Wednesday reorganization of the Board of Commissioners.

In an earlier vote during the meeting, Fitzsimons also voted no in a 2-1 split on appointments to the planning and zoning boards. She later said it would have been better to abstain, saying she had no objections to the people chosen, but rather that she did not have any input on the appointments. Troiano said he believed the vote could be changed if it took place at the same meeting.

Brown said she would check with Roberts Rules of Order, a guide to parliamentary procedure that governs discussions and votes at public meetings. All three members voted that if it were allowable to change the no vote to an abstention, it should be changed.

In the recent race for the three seats on Wildwoods governing body, Mikulski and Troiano ran together, while Fitzsimons ran a separate campaign. She and Mikulski were incumbents, while Troiano had previously served as mayor.

At the reorganization meeting, Fitzsimons voted against naming Troiano mayor. But the three have sought to project unity for the new year, with Troiano and Mikulski posing with Fitzsimons for a selfie she took at the start of the meeting.

Al Brannen, another former Wildwood mayor, called on the city to use a professional service in the search for a new city administrator.

All due respect, I hope were not going to hire some local, as a favor or whatever, because the city will never move anywhere, Brannen said. We need a young, professional, outside city administrator.

He cited the time Rich Deaney served as administrator. The former Ocean City administrator had served as temporary administrator in Wildwood in 2010, after serving a similar transitional role in Sea Isle City.

Brannen said when approached with a problem or a suggestion, Deaney would offer three options, including an estimated cost for each and an analysis of its benefits and drawbacks.

Judge rejects call by ex-Wildwood mayor to dismiss corruption case A judge on Friday rejected a motion by former Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano to dismiss a state corruption case, saying prosecutors had presented sufficient testimony to justify the grand jurys decision, NJ.com reported.

Brannens comments came as part of a wide-ranging speech to the commissioners.

After the meeting, Troiano did not say the city would use a search service to help find an administrator, but he didnt rule it out, either.

Were always open to suggestions, Troiano said.
ATLANTIC CITY  The Atlantic City School District is awaiting information on how much it would have to pay toward a match for a $3.75 million grant to get police on campuses, school board President Shay Steele said Thursday.

Theres no clarity on the financial obligation the board would have, Steele said of why the boards role in the grant has not been finalized.

The police union drew attention to the need to get new officers hired after four homicides occurred in the city in the first week of the new year.

One of those killed was a 14-year-old middle school student. Another 16-year-old was shot, treated and released from the hospital.

We are at a point now we have to put things aside, push this forward and get officers in the system, Steele said. The children are vulnerable.

The federal Community Oriented Policing, or COPS, grant would hire 30 new officers for three years, police Chief James Sarkos has said.

The Police Department announced in November the city had won the grant, and that it would be used to hire new school resource officers and traffic safety officers.

Mayor Marty Small Sr. said at the time the funding would give police the tools they need to enhance safety.

Atlantic City officials plead for help stopping violence after 4 killings in one week Saying he is giving law enforcement all the tools they need, Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. on Wednesday addressed the four homicides in the first week of the new year in the resort by saying that preventing violence is everyone's responsibility.

Shay said the board needs to know what the split in cost will be among the city, the school district and the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority.

The city applied for the grant with the support of the school district, said city spokesman Andrew Kramer on Thursday.

The city and school district are responsible for covering the matching part of the grant, but Small is seeking financial help from the CRDA, Kramer said.

Wed love to have police in the buildings, in terms of building relationships, Steele said. A lot are younger now. Thats a key component.

The district is willing to share costs, he said.

Hed like to see officers who grew up in Atlantic City and know the families there be the ones who provide in-school services.

And hed like them to be in plain clothes.

I dont want them walking around in SWAT vests, Steele said. I want them in plain clothes so they will be approached when students have issues.

Currently the district has two Class III school resource officers working in the district, and they have been a positive influence, he said.

Citing 4 homicides in first week of 2024, Atlantic City police union urges hiring Atlantic City's police union is appealing for additional law enforcement resources after the new year started with a sharp rise in homicides.

The important thing is to get officers into schools who care about the kids and want to be there, he said.

I dont want someone in there just doing it to get a check, Steele said. They have to love what they are doing, love the children.

Its much like what the district looks for in teachers, he said.

The COPS grant funds are part of about $217 million available to hire and retain 1,730 police officers in about 400 communities nationwide. The citys grant is New Jerseys largest and one of the largest in the U.S., police have said.
NORTH WILDWOOD  A winter storm this week further gnawed at the line of sand dunes in the middle of town, and more storms are on the way.

Theres another one coming tomorrow night and another one coming next week, Mayor Patrick Rosenello said Thursday morning. Its January at the Jersey Shore.

Rosenello described his town as the worst spot in New Jersey for beach erosion. In recent years, he has had a running series of arguments with the state Department of Environmental Protection on beach issues, both in court and in the public eye, over the best way to protect his community from storm-powered waves.

For its part, the DEP has said North Wildwood has endangered its own dunes, in part by engaging in beach work without the proper permits, including the construction of seawalls on the barrier island.

The DEP did allow a protective bulkhead to be built in front of the communitys Beach Patrol headquarters, where the dune had eroded away and high tides had breached.

Rosenello plans to seek emergency authorization to extend that bulkhead, where the dune from about halfway up the block at 13th Avenue to 14th Avenue has been further eroded by storm-powered waves.

The dune is pretty much washed away and overtopped by the waves, he said, with some areas of the dune, which was once more than 10 feet tall, now about waist high.

The city already has the material to build a bulkhead on hand, he said, remaining from the last project. He hopes for fast action from the DEP, but at the same time, he said his hopes are not very high.

Private clubs at Diamond Beach in talks with DEP Private beach owners in Diamond Beach remain skeptical of a federal plan to build dunes the length of the Wildwoods. A beach replenishment project in North Wildwood may depend on the state getting easements from those owners, and officials in two communities are talking about plans if those beaches become public.

If they deny it or try to attach unreasonable conditions to it, well appeal to the judiciary, Rosenello said.

DEP will review any request for an emergency authorization when we receive one, DEP state spokesperson Larry Hajna said.

Rosenello said he wants to move quickly, saying it could be dangerous for crews to start installing bulkheads when high tides are hitting one side.

Every high tide is deteriorating that dune even more. Functionally it doesnt exist anymore, Rosenello said.

There have long been plans for a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers replenishment project, which is also planned to include the construction of an extensive dune the length of the Wildwoods, which includes the communities of Wildwood, Wildwood Crest and Diamond Beach, a section of Lower Township.

The DEP has been working on securing the needed approvals from municipalities and easements for property owners, a process Rosenello said has been moving extremely slowly.

By the DEPs own admission, this is the most dire shore protection issue in the state, and they have done nothing about it for the last 10 years, he said. In previous interviews, he said the project for North Wildwood always seems to remain about two years away, an assessment he repeated Thursday.

Documents from the Army Corps and other records show North Wildwood once had an extensive dune line and one of the widest beaches in the state. Now, there is a narrow beach in much of the city, and closer to the inlet, there is no beach at all, with the sea always at the seawall.

Beaches coming back to Strathmere Sand is being added to the badly eroded beaches in the Strathmere section of Upper Township. In North Wildwood, a similar project remains years away, with little progress seen locally.

Rosenello called on Gov. Phil Murphy to push for action, saying the governor was happy to visit the community for a July 4 parade but has never set eyes on the erosion problem at the beach.

This is the most precarious community in the state of New Jersey in terms of shore protection, and he is AWOL, Rosenello said.

There was no immediate response from Murphys press office to a request for comment.
WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today marks the first anniversary of the opening of Radio Free Europe/Radio Libertys (RFE/RL) Riga office, which is home to more than 70 staff, including RFE/RL Russian Service and Current Time journalists forced out of Russia as the Putin regime cracked down on independent media.

We are grateful for the support the Latvian authorities and people have provided in welcoming RFE/RL back in Riga, said RFE/RL Acting President Stephen Capus. We see this as reassurance for our mission to counter Kremlin disinformation and provide Russian-speaking audiences with trusted news and objective reporting.

In March 2023, the Riga office launched Current Time Baltics, a public affairs program for Russian-speaking audiences in the region that airs live every weekday from 17:00-17:30 local time. Today, the program will air an interview with Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics about the security situation in the Baltic Sea region.

The Riga office also hosts eight reporters working for the Russian investigative unit Systema, which has published numerous groundbreaking investigations over the past year, including joint reporting with RFE/RLs Ukrainian investigative unit Schemes on a fake private military company set up by Russian military intelligence.

This week also marked the first anniversary of the opening of RFE/RLs office in Vilnius, Lithuania, which hosts 28 staff, many of whom are journalists exiled from Belarus in the aftermath of Alyaksandr Lukashenkas fraudulent 2020 re-election. RFE/RLs Belarus Service and Current Time teams in Vilnius produce content for Belarusian audiences in Belarusian and Russian, respectively.

For more information, contact press@rferl.org.

###

About RFE/RL

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) is a private, independent international news organization whose programs  radio, Internet, television, and mobile  reach influential audiences in 23 countries, including Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the republics of Central Asia and the Caucasus. It is funded by the U.S. Congress through USAGM.
1:45 p.m. update

The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Chill Warning through Tuesday morning across the Quad-City region.

According to NWS Quad Cities, these historically come roughly two out of every three winters.

With wind chills projected to reach 25 to 40 below through Tuesday, meteorologists suggest cancelling outdoor plans, limiting one's duration outside or dressing with at least three layers on  one insulating  if needing to go outside.

Temperatures are projected to top out at -3 on Monday, reaching a high of 1 by Tuesday. Monday and Tuesday lows could reach -13 and -10, respectfully.

11:40 a.m. Sunday update

Rural areas in Scott County remain impassable, the Scott County Emergency Management Agency stated in a news release. Abandoned vehicles also are slowing the progess to clear roadways.

The county agency is urging residents to check road conditions if they must get out and travel. For those in rural Scott County, they are urging residents to stay home. City road conditions vary and residents should check the city website or social media pages for more details.

Quad-City area police departments also are urging people to not call 911 to request plows or to check the plowing status. Yesterday, the city of Moline reported that QCOMM was receiving a high volume of calls requesting plowing for residential streets and interfering with higher priority calls.

If residents around the Quad-Cities are in need of emergency services such as police and fire, they should dial 911.

The non-emergency numbers for public works departments:

East Moline: 309-752-1574

Davenport: 563-326-7923

Moline: 309-524-2400

Rock Island: 309-732-2200

Bettendorf: 563-344-4055

2 p.m. Saturday update

The National Weather Service, Davenport, has extended the winter weather advisory until midnight Saturday as there is the potential for another 1-2 inches of snow this afternoon and tonight, Meteorologist Brian Pierce said. Arctic air that is settling over the region will mean high temperatures in the minus single digits through Tuesday. Dangerous wind chill indices are expected to range from minus 20 to minus 30 degrees.

At 2:12 p.m., MidAmerican Energy was reporting there were 10 customers without power in the Iowa Quad-Cities with eight of those being in Davenport. There were 108 customers without power in the Illinois Quad-Cities. For the Illinois Quad-Cities, that number includes 32 customers in Moline, 38 customers in Rock Island and 20 customers in Rock Island County.

4:30 p.m. Friday update

There are still more than 2,200 Quad-Cities residents without power, per Mid American.

The outage map showed about 213 customers in Iowa and nearly 2,000 in Illinois were still without power. The majority of those outages came from Cole Valley were more than 600 customers were without power and Henry County where nearly 900 people were reportedly without.

Of the power outages reported by Mid American, the Quad-Cities was virtually the only region facing this issue.

At about 3:45 p.m. the National Weather Service issued an update that snow was mostly leaving the area. But, winds were slowly picking up with 30 mph winds already recorded in Vinton. Those winds are expected to bring blizzard conditions.

The previously issued blizzard warning is set to begin at 5 p.m. tonight and extend through Saturday at Noon. Road conditions remain especially dangerous, with some western portions of Iowa being completely inaccessible, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation.

Back in Scott County, travel was not advised on I-74, I-80, Rt. 61 and all other roads in and out of the Quad-Cities. No lane closures were reported, but reporters out advised of slick road conditions with very slow movement.

2 p.m. update

Predictions from the National Weather service indicate much of the same, with 1-2" additional inches of snow expected after 6 p.m. tonight. The heavy snow is expected to leave the area by 9 p.m.

The wind advisory remains in effect, with that being the biggest point of concern right now. Many local businesses and other municipalities have closed for the day, citing the upcoming predictions.

On its travel map, the Iowa DOT is warning of treacherous driving conditions across most of the state. All roads in and out of the Quad-Cities remain completely covered. Travel on I-74 is not advised as the road is completely covered.

Mid American has reported wide spread power outages in the Quad-Cities.

More than 1,600 customers are without power in the downtown Davenport area, but crews are en route. Nearly 800 more people are reportedly without power on the Illinois side, with almost 600 of those customers in the Carbon Cliff area. The expected restoration time is 5 p.m.

12:30 p.m. update

The City of Bettendorf announced it's halting public transit because of deteriorating road conditions. The city said it'll update its website when transit resumes.

The storm has forced closure of public facilities across the Quad-Cities, including libraries, community centers, and recreation facilities.

Mid-American Energy is keeping the safety of its employees at the forefront.

Between storms, line crews surveyed overhead lines in areas that were impacted on Tuesday to reduce threats from tree debris and address any equipment concerns.

Right now the electric and gas delivery teams are fully staffed should something occur. The concern from the company right now is the wind as the storm transitions into blizzard conditions. High winds can impact overhead lines, particularly if there is any buildup of freezing precipitation.

Also, high winds result in blowing and drifting snow that makes travel difficult, if not impossible, especially in rural areas  and thats no different for the field crews. If the electric or gas delivery crews need to drive to a location and the route is too dangerous or impassable, the crews will work with appropriate city, county, and state partners to discuss options, according to a news release.

Should an outage occur, it will be reported on the outage map. Right now, there are only four outages reported statewide. All are to the west of the Quad-Cities.

As the snow rages on outside, tow bans are still in effect for Clinton, Scott and Muscatine Counties among others. All major roads from Des Moines to the Illinois border have been deemed not safe for travel, according to the Iowa DOT. No road closures in the Q-C area have been reported so far, but Illinois roads remain covered as well.

In Davenport, a majority of two lane roads are down to one lane in each direction with traffic moving slowly. I-74 is partially snow covered, according to a reporter on scene.

Bettendorf's Middle Road is open, but traffic remains slow.

The blizzard warning encompassing the area has been expanded into northeast Iowa and northwest Illinois. This includes areas like Dubuque, Waterloo, Freeport and Sterling. The warning begins at 5 p.m. tonight and expires tomorrow at Noon.

A windchill advisory is still in effect from Saturday evening through Tuesday morning.

10 a.m. update

Thundersnow was reported over night in some areas of the Quad-Cities, but its expected to stay away.

Meteorologist Rich Kinney with the National Weather Service said the weather phenomenon was reported in the early hours in the Moline, pointing east toward Geneseo and Princeton.

A thundersnow occurs when areas have heavy, intense snow, and the right conditions for a thunderstorm, he said. The thunder and lightning will occur as the snow falls, which also results in more snow than usual.

In some cases, that can equate to 2-3 inches per hour, he said. At this point, the Quad-Cities region is past that stage, he said and is now moving into an all-day snowfall outlook.

There will be a lingering mix of rain and snow to the south, but once the cold air comes in this afternoon everything will switch to snow.

A blizzard warning has been issued for today at 5 p.m. through early tomorrow morning. The blizzard warning is concentrated mainly in the counties west of the Quad-Cities, he said. Those to the north and east will have bad weather, but not as bad as the rest.

While that blizzard warning is in effect, travel will be extremely dangerous if not impossible, he said. White-out conditions with zero visibility are almost a guarantee.

To have blizzard conditions, the wind must have frequent gusts of about 35 MPH for more than three hours, Kinney said.

The Quad-Cities area is looking at wind gusts up to 50 mph for longer than three hours as these conditions are expected to continue overnight.

If there's any good news, it's that ice is not expected to be a major factor. Very small ice accumulation is expected.

The Iowa Department of Transportation map shows roads are still completely covered. I-80 between Davenport and Walcott is completely covered. Much of northern Illinois remains covered with ice or snow.

9 a.m. update

Quad-Cities law enforcement are reminding people to move parked vehicles off of marked snow routes until plows can clear them off, according to their social media pages. Not doing so can result in a citation or the vehicle being towed.

Not parking on residential streets will also help the cities clear the snow more efficiently, the Rock Island Police Department posted.

The Davenport Police Department's post included a warning to expect "rough travel and slick conditions throughout the day."

Motorists should go slowly and keep lots of space between vehicles, the police post advises.

Earlier in the week, Quad-Cities police and fire departments had storm advisories on their Facebook pages. Tips included:

Remove snow from fire hydrants and the entryways of residences in case of emergency.

Remove snow from mailboxes.

Keep vehicles, and recycling and garbage bins off streets and alleys to help snow plow drivers do their jobs.

Dont travel if possible.

Stay indoors when possible.

Check on older neighbors to be sure they are doing well.

If there is a power outage, use flashlights instead of candles to minimize fire risk.

Keep emergency numbers handy.

Report unsafe conditions to authorities.

8:30 a.m. update

Snow totals have made their way to the National Weather Service. Through 6 a.m. Friday the following was reported by NWS staff:

Davenport: 3.9"

Moline: 3.7"

Dubuque Airport: 1.6"

Volunteer Observers reported the following:

Clinton: 3"

Tipton: 3"

Anamosa: 1.6"

Snow and a rain/snow mix is expected to continue to expand across the area this morning. Most area roads are snow-covered and very slick, according to the NWS. Visibility is expected to be greatly reduced. Those traveling are warned to use extreme caution.

Power outages are rare in the Quad-Cities with 19 reportedly out along Highway 6 in Illinois and three in Davenport. Live views from the Iowa Department of Transportation show roads are mainly snow covered with plows actively trying to keep up.

Tow bans remain in effect for the lower two-thirds of the state. I-280 westbound in Davenport is down to one lane due to a stalled vehicle.

7 a.m. update

Roads in eastern Iowa and northwestern Illinois are completely covered in snow and ice. Travel is not advised.

The Iowa Department of Transportation has issued a tow ban for the lower two-thirds of the state. U.S. Route 6 has been deemed completely impassible and I-80 is blocked in both directions due to a multi-vehicle crash including a fatality about four miles west of the Williamsburg area.

Illinois roads are not much better with the DOT reporting the roads in the upper third of the state are completely covered in snow and ice.

So far, power remains on in the Quad-Cities with Mid American reporting one outage on Highway 6 near Briar Bluff. A restoration time of 9:30 a.m. is expected for the 19 people effected.

For some good news, snowfall amounts have dropped to 3-6" expected in the Quad-Cities through tonight. The heaviest hit towns will be north of I-80, according to the National Weather Service.

Blizzard conditions are still developing and travel is not advised. The worst of the storm is expected late tonight and into Saturday morning when winds are expected to reach between 40 and 50 mph resulting in blowing snow and blizzard conditions.

Dangerously low temperatures and wind chill will arrive Saturday night and hang on through Tuesday, according to the NWS.

Photos: Snow blankets the Quad Cities Jan. 8 and Jan. 9, 2024
Vivek Ramaswamy campaigns for the GOP nomination Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, at the Columbus Club in Davenport.

Steve King, Candace Owens campaign for Vivek Ramaswamy

With the Republican Iowa caucuses just days away, Ramaswamy is fielding campaign help from his endorsers.

Controversial former U.S. Rep. Steve King and Republican political commentator Candace Owens campaigned with Ramaswamy Thursday morning in Davenport with just four days to go until the Jan. 15 Republican caucuses.

King endorsed Ramaswamy, he said, because of Ramaswamy's hard positions against illegal immigration and carbon capture pipelines.

"Vivek hits all of the points that I believe in. All the way down the line," King said. "...He's got a plan to strip government down and a plan to get us back where we get our freedom back, we're pressed by taxes and debt and regulations and the intrusion into our lives."

Ramaswamy pledged, as he has before, to cut 75% of the federal workforce, fight against carbon capture pipelines and the "climate change agenda", end U.S. involvement in foreign wars, and dissolve the U.S. Department of Education and the FBI. He also pledged to deport any person who resides in the country illegally.

Ramaswamy pitches himself as a younger version of Trump who can take over the movement if legal woes or other forces keep Trump from the White House. He's also mostly self-funding his campaign, which he argues means he doesn't answer to big campaign donors.

"If you want to save Trump, you want to save this country and what our movement represents, a vote for me is the way to do it," Ramaswamy said.

Ramaswamy, who has been polling in the single digits behind Republican frontrunners Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley, asked the audience to brave the cold to caucus for him on Monday.

Monday's temperatures aren't expected to reach above freezing and the caucus-time temperature is expected to be -5 degrees.

Republicans and Democrats in Iowa will each caucus at 7 p.m. on Monday. Republicans will pick who they support for president.

Democrats, who are doing a mail-in caucus system for the first time this year, won't select their preference for president at Monday's caucuses, but will discuss party platform.
Rock Island-Milan schools will hire Dr. Sharon Williams as the district's new  and first female  superintendent.

On Thursday, the Rock Island-Milan school board unanimously approved a three-term, performance-based contract with Williams, paying a base annual salary of $220,000.

"My commitment to the Rock Island-Milan community is to serve as your next superintendent with integrity and a spirit of excellence," she said after the board's vote.

As previously reported, Rock Island-Milan schools partnered with educational search firm School Exec Connect in July for a national superintendent search.

Aside from assisting with the interview process, the firm helped district leaders in gathering stakeholder input  namely, via focus groups, open forums and an online survey.

Board member Gary Rowe took time to praise School Exec on Thursday, saying they "dug deep in the district" and sought a variety of opinions from district constituents.

"It was an excellent process every step of the way," he said. "We took very seriously what everybody had to say."

Dr. Williams was among the six final candidates recommended by the firm for interviews, school board president Terell Williams explained on Thursday.

"Three (candidates) went on to a second interview. It was a very diverse, I would say, set of superintendent candidates that we had. Both in gender, race, capability and experience," he said Thursday. "We spent a lot of time interviewing the candidates and making sure that the person we're selecting will fit with the district, and I think we have our person."

Additionally, Terell Williams said Williams' contract includes the following goals:

Develop and execute strategies to enhance family and community engagement by 20%.

Improve academic achievement by 50% (over the life of the contract.)

Develop a strategic, short and long-term building and infrastructure plan to guide the district over the next 15 to 20 years.

"I can't tell you how impressed we were," board member Nicole Cisne Durbin said of Williams. "I have the utmost confidence that she will help us move forward."

School board vice-president Michael Matherly also thanked Leslie Fonseca, the district's executive assistant to the superintendent, for being an "unsung hero" during the board's hiring process. He also gave kudos to the interim superintendents who served during this time.

Touting more than 23 years of experience in education, Williams most recently served as the deputy superintendent Proviso Township High School District in Cook County, Illinois. Other previous roles of hers range from teacher and principal to executive director and chief academic officer.

Williams said it was Rock Island-Milan's diversity that caught her attention  citing an "especially poignant moment" with students and staff during the interview process.

"I asked the interview team what they were proud about and one thing they would change," she said Thursday. "Both students spoke of the diversity of Rock Island High School as a strength and were proud that they were able to access high quality and rigorous courses."

These students also spoke clearly about what they would change, Williams said.

"They didn't talk about cafeteria food, or the infrastructure or condition of their school," she said. "What they advocated for, was increased academic opportunity for their classmates, and concern for equity and attendance and discipline issues."

Williams said she looks forward to "working hand-in-hand" with district leaders, the school board, teachers, staff, students and the broader Rock Island and Quad-Cities community.

"Thank you for the opportunity, and thank you for your trust in me," she said.

Williams will take over for interim superintendent Lanty McGuire on July 1, 2024.

To view Thursday's school board meeting in full, visit www.rimsd41.org/apps/pages/BOE and click the Vimeo link.
CHICAGO  More than 56,000 abortions were performed in Illinois the year the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, marking the most pregnancy terminations statewide since the mid-1990s, according to the Illinois Department of Public Healths annual abortion statistics report.

The rise in abortions that year was driven by a roughly 49% spike in out-of-state patients: Nearly 17,000 people came from other states to Illinois to terminate a pregnancy in 2022 compared with roughly 11,000 abortion seekers who traveled from other states in 2021, the data showed.

In contrast, the number of Illinois residents having abortions in-state decreased slightly, from a little over 40,000 in 2021 to nearly 39,000 in 2022.

Abortions overall increased by about 9% from 2021 to 2022, according to the report, which was released Tuesday and includes the most recent state health department data on abortion available.

Its the first Illinois abortion report to include a partial year following the June 2022 demise of Roe, the landmark Supreme Court case that guaranteed the right to terminate a pregnancy nationwide for nearly 50 years.

The statistics offer a glimpse at the rise in travel for abortion seekers in a post-Roe nation, though the data doesnt include information on the states where patients are coming from or the distances traveled.

Data for 2023, the first full year without federal abortion protections, arent available from the state health department yet.

While abortion rights remain protected in Illinois after the end of Roe, many states in the Midwest and around the country almost entirely banned or severely restricted terminating a pregnancy.

The 2022 spike in total abortions and out-of-state patients was anticipated by Planned Parenthood of Illinois, which saw a 54% increase in overall abortion patients since the fall of Roe, said President and CEO Jennifer Welch.

She added that a quarter of those patients traveled to Illinois for care from another state; Planned Parenthood of Illinois clinics have seen patients from 40 states since the end of Roe.

This is direct evidence of the Supreme Courts decision which allows states to enact abortion bans and restrictions, impacting the ability to equitably access care, she said. Abortion bans and restrictions absolutely affect peoples ability to access care where they live and have devastating impacts on lives and overall health.

To keep up with the surge in demand, Planned Parenthood of Illinois expanded abortion services at its Champaign Health Center in 2022 and last month opened a new southern Illinois clinic in Carbondale.

Anna Kinskey, executive director of the anti-abortion organization weDignify, said the increase in abortions in Illinois is a tragic but expected result of Illinois extreme abortion policies, led by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

The impact of these laws is that more unborn childrens lives are ended, more mothers are traumatized and more families are broken, she said.

The total number of terminated pregnancies in Illinois in 2022 was more than any other year since 1995, the oldest data archived on the health departments website. Around 53,600 pregnancies were terminated in 1996, the previous record year during that period, according to health department data.

In previous years, the state included a breakdown of abortion numbers per county but is no longer doing so in order to protect the privacy and safety of those who receive abortions and abortion providers, the state health department said in a statement.

The most recent statistics do include data on gestational age, patient age and type of abortion.

The data showed that more terminations are occurring later in pregnancy. In 2022, more than 3,100 patients had an abortion at 16 weeks gestation or more in Illinois, a rise from nearly 2,200 in 2021. The majority of terminations, though, are earlier in pregnancy, with most occurring before 11 weeks, according to the data.

Megan Jeyifo, executive director of the Chicago Abortion Fund, said this trend has been reflected in calls to the nonprofits helpline: Before the end of Roe, the average gestation of callers was 9.94 weeks compared with 15.61 weeks after the end of federal abortion protections, she said.

There is no doubt that the abortion bans across the South and Midwest are directly related to this increase, as heightened barriers force people to delay their care, she said.

As many states have enacted near-bans and tight restrictions in recent years, Illinois has expanded abortion access.

In 2019, Pritzker signed the Illinois Reproductive Health Act, ensconcing abortion rights in state law. In early 2023, he signed a measure that widened the pool of abortion providers to help meet the surge in demand. That legislation also increased protections for abortion patients and health care workers.

Illinois increase in abortion access and numbers means some people who lost access in their home states have been able to obtain abortion care in our state, Jeyifo said. But it doesnt measure the emotional and physical cost of getting to that care  the tremendous hardships that people are overcoming to obtain basic, common, essential health care.

In addition to delays caused by traveling, Pro-Life Action League Executive Director Eric Scheidler attributed the recent increase in abortions later in pregnancy to the fact that our state government  and the city of Chicago  are pushing abortion so hard on poor women throughout the region.

Illinois has embraced a radically pro-abortion culture, he added.

The data also showed an increase in minors terminating pregnancies in Illinois. Roughly 1,600 abortion patients were under 18 in 2022 compared to nearly 1,300 in 2021.

Peter Breen of the Chicago-based conservative public interest law firm the Thomas More Society attributed this increase to Illinois repealing parental notice requirements for abortion seekers under 18, which went into effect in June 2022.

We expect those numbers to only increase in 2023 and beyond, said Breen, executive vice president and head of litigation at the firm.

Most abortion patients in Illinois were 18 and older, according to the health department data.

Medication abortions have been more common than procedures in recent years, accounting for more than half of all terminations over the past three years. More than 32,000 terminations in 2022 were medication abortions compared with roughly 23,700 procedures, the data showed.

More than half of all abortions nationwide are also medication abortions, which usually involve a two-drug regimen of mifepristone and misoprostol. But access to mifepristone hangs in the balance with court challenges to the drug looming; the Supreme Court has agreed to review a lower court decision that would make the drug less accessible, but has preserved access to mifepristone in the meantime.

We should be working to increase access to medication abortion, which can relieve the strain on clinics and hospitals that need to see patients who require procedures or surgery, and can be the best possible option for care in many situations, said Sarah Garza Resnick, CEO of Personal PAC, an abortion rights advocacy organization .

The number of out-of-state abortions in Illinois has increased every year since 2014, when nearly 3,000 patients crossed state lines to terminate a pregnancy. By 2022, the number of abortion seekers from other states surged to more than five times that amount.

Some reproductive rights experts predict the number of out-of-state abortions will increase in the coming years.

The fall of Roe created a predictable and preventable public health crisis, said Julie Lynn, spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri, which includes southern Illinois.

As long as the anti-abortion activists continue pushing their anti-abortion and anti-science agenda with policies that shame, harm, and criminalize abortion we will see more patients being forced to flee their home states for abortion care, she added. Planned Parenthood and our partners remain committed to ensuring everyone regardless of their income, identity, or ZIP code can make personal health decisions without government interference.

Scheidler said he expects to see abortion numbers continue to rise in Illinois in the future.

As long as (Gov.) J.B. Pritzker and the General Assembly continue pushing abortion like they have been, Illinois will continue to earn its reputation as the abortion dumping ground of the Midwest, he said.
DES MOINES  Republican presidential candidates flexed their support for biofuels and Iowas ethanol producers at an industry conference on Thursday, promising to strengthen the industry and ensure its continued success.

While the candidates have spent much of the last year railing against President Joe Bidens focus on climate action, they shared the stage with speakers at the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit that put a key focus on the need to lower carbon emissions in ethanol production and at times praised carbon sequestration policies passed under Biden.

In her remarks that mostly focused on general policy remarks on the border and the economy, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley took shots at her primary opponent Ron DeSantis for his past support for repealing the Renewable Fuel Standard, which requires oil refineries to blend biofuels into gasoline.

Ron DeSantis just came here and spoke to you. Did he tell you that he authored legislation to ban the Renewable Fuel Standard? she said. Did he tell you that he co-sponsored five different bills to ban the renewable fuel standard? Did he tell you he called out Trump and told him to stop offshore drilling in federal waters?

While in Congress, DeSantis sponsored legislation to repeal the standard, but he has since said he supports keeping it in place.

Haley also suggested agriculture would benefit from steering trade away from China and toward countries like India and Japan. She has cast China as one of the top foes to American agriculture and called for banning American land sales to Chinese entities.

Yall already see now, when China buys something, they place an order and then they cancel the order, and then they wait and buy it at cheaper prices, she said. That's what China does. We need to start working with friends, where you don't have to worry about things like that.

DeSantis, the governor of Florida, told the crowd he favored an all of the above strategy for producing domestic energy, including biofuels. He said he would favor allowing the sale of E-15 year-round and push for the production of higher ethanol blends.

Weve been able to go talk with a lot of people, what could be helpful to be able to take the industry to the next level, and I have checked all the boxes they were looking for, he said.

DeSantis has been endorsed by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, and he said he would look to her to craft his agriculture and biofuels policy if he is elected president. DeSantis has said Reynolds is in consideration for his vice presidential pick.

Asa Hutchinson told the conference attendees that he is the only candidate running for president who grew up on a farm, giving him a key insight into the needs of agriculture and biofuels producers.

He said Congress should pass the farm bill and include an energy section in the large agriculture package. The bill, reauthorized every five years, was set to expire last year but received a temporary extension.

Hutchinson said he would sign an executive order as president to allow the year-round sale of E-15.

I want to support your industry, youll have an advocate for your industry as president of the United States, he said.

Biofuels industry grades candidates

Haley and DeSantis have both received passing grades from Biofuels Vision 2024, a project of Iowa renewable fuels and corn growers trade groups.

The group asks candidates to support its eight key policy priorities, which includes allowing the year-round sale of E15, preserving ethanol tax credits and opposing electric vehicle mandates.

Former President Donald Trump, who leads the field in polling, was not at the conference and has not committed to each of the group's policy goals.

Wilson Hedderich, a partner with Biofuels Vision 2024, said the policy agenda is an effort to hold presidential candidates accountable on their promises.

I think it's very important to make sure that any presidential candidates put on the record of what they say in Iowa counts, you can't just pay us lip service and then forget about us.

Joe Jobe, a Missouri resident and the CEO of the Sustainable Advanced Biofuels Refiners, said protecting the Renewable Fuel Standard and keeping carbon sequestration tax credits intact are top priorities for biofuel producers when considering presidential candidates.

He said he was concerned about comments Haley and DeSantis made during a debate in Des Moines hosted by CNN this week that he saw as advocating for rolling back carbon policies he said were the apex policy driving energy policy.

During the debate, DeSantis said he would revoke Bidens Green New Deal, while Haley said she would roll back all of Bidens green subsidies.

Those are concerning things when you want to talk about rolling back various carbon initiatives, he said. So that's something to keep an eye on.

Tom Vilsack touts Biden administrations biofuels policies

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack offered an alternative to the Republican pitches, touting the policies of Democratic President Joe Biden that he says are increasing competition for small farmers, advancing the profitability of biofuels and making farmers a part of decarbonization efforts.

Vilsack, the former Democratic governor of Iowa, received the groups Lifetime Champion of Renewable Fuels award during the conference on Thursday.

He said he has worked to maximize the volume of ethanol that gets blended into gasoline and worked with U.S. trade officials to export American ethanol to other countries.

Vilsack also said the demand for sustainable aviation fuel could be a boon to Iowa corn and soybean farmers if the government regulations and production systems align. He said he had worked on policies to allow Iowa agriculture to contribute to sustainable aviation fuel.

The real opportunity in the future to enhance and expand this industry lies in expanding the utilization of renewable fuels in transportation beyond cars and trucks, he said. And that gets us to a discussion of sustainable aviation fuel.
During Wednesday's meeting, the Legal and Finance Committee unanimously recommended an agreement continuing the school resource officer program between the Rapid City Police Department and Rapid City Area Schools.

The item, titled "Authorize Chief of Police, Mayor, and Finance Director to Sign the Rapid City Area School District School Resource Officer Program Agreement," is a step forward in the collaboration between the Rapid City Police Department and Rapid City Area Schools.

The RCPD and RCAS have a longstanding partnership in the SRO program. The program includes several officers and a sergeant dedicated to maintaining safety and order in schools. The schools contribute to the salaries and training expenses of the officers.

This is an agreement between the city and the school district which governs the school resource officer program, a long-standing arrangement with some minor changes. These changes include an increase in wage of a police officer and additional costs for training, Lt. Christian Sigel of the RCPD said at Wednesday's meeting.

The financial aspect of the agreement includes the school district reimbursing the police department $32,000 per officer annually for eight officers. Payment invoices will be issued monthly for a nine-month period each fiscal year. Additionally, the school district will cover up to $14,000 annually for training costs, including travel and tuition.

SROs, as employees of law enforcement, will be under their administration and control. However, a joint committee of law enforcement and school district representatives will recommend SRO positions. Schools will have designated SROs, with a "rover" SRO assigned as needed, and every elementary school will have a designated SRO housed at a middle or high school.

Duty hours for SROs are intended to align with the school day, with efforts made to accommodate requests for SROs at after-school activities.

The SRO Program aims to foster a positive school climate, prevent crime, mentor students and act as role models. It also emphasizes education, with SROs becoming integral members of the school community, according to the agreement.

One other change is the clear separation between law enforcement duty and the administrative role of principals regarding students. This has been practiced for some time but is now formalized in writing, Sigel said.

The agreement will proceed to the full city council for consideration and action next Tuesday. The committee includes councilmembers Josh Biberdorf, Bill Evans, Kevin Maher, Lindsey Seachris and Greg Strommen.
Seoul, Beijing, Tokyo trilateral summit unlikely any time soon

Editors note This article is the second in a four-part series that provides an analysis of South Koreas diplomatic situation with neighboring countries at the start of 2024.  ED.

By Lee Hyo-jin

President Yoon Suk Yeol and Chinese leader Xi Jinping conversed for just three minutes without holding a formal meeting during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco held in November of last year.

That same month, a unique foreign ministerial meeting occurred between South Korea, Japan, and China in Busan. Preceding the event, there were ongoing discussions for the three ministers to conduct a joint press conference and have a dinner afterward. However, these plans were canceled reportedly due to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's constraints on time during his visit to Korea.

These incidents serve as clear indicators of the increasing rift between South Korea and China.

This uneasy relationship is anticipated to persist this year, according to diplomatic observers.

The year 2024 will be marked by continued challenges and uncertainties in bilateral ties between the two Asian neighbors, as both countries are unlikely to demonstrate a significant willingness to alleviate the strained relations.

"Since the Yoon administration took office (in May 2022), we have observed some challenges in relations with China. Particularly noteworthy is China's open expression of discomfort since last November, accompanied by signals suggesting a diminished commitment to actively ease tensions," said Kim Heung-kyu, director of the U.S.-China Policy Institute at Ajou University.

"As it stands, the prospects for relations with China indicate that challenges are likely to persist throughout the current year," Kim added.

Yoon, whose foreign policy emphasizes fostering alliances based on shared values, has been cultivating stronger connections with the United States and Japan. This has sparked objections from Beijing which perceives these efforts as South Korea joining U.S.-led efforts to encircle China.

"I believe there's a dilemma within the Yoon administration regarding how to shape relations with China. Diplomatically, South Korea appears to be aligning with the U.S. within the global framework presented by Washington as 'democracy versus autocracy.' This narrative categorizes China as an authoritarian state, which may pose challenges to the South Korea- U.S. alliance," Kim said.

"On the other hand, the government acknowledges the risks associated with distancing from China, our largest trade partner. China holds various options for economic retaliation against South Korea, and the recent control on urea exports was just one of the many cards it could play," he added.

However, the Yoon government appears to lack a dedicated strategy to ease bilateral tensions with Beijing, Kim said.

Starting this year, National Security Adviser Chang Ho-jin and Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, both newly appointed, will lead Yoon's foreign policy team.

During a parliamentary confirmation hearing on Jan. 8, Cho said South Korea should work on its relations with China based on the principle that it does not harm the alliance with the U.S.

"An alliance is an alliance, and a partnership is a partnership. I don't believe we can achieve a perfect balance between these two relationships, " the foreign minister said, signaling that the government's foreign policies will continue to prioritize the U.S. alliance over its partnership with China.

Xi has a lot on his plate, making it unlikely that Beijing will prioritize the South Korea-China relationship on its 2024 agenda, according to Kang Joon-young, a professor of Chinese studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.

The urgent task for the Chinese leader on the domestic front is to improve the economy, which is plagued by a property crisis and high youth unemployment. Beyond the borders, Xi is expected to invest more efforts in managing relations with the U.S. and rallying support from the Global South, while keeping a close eye on Taiwan following the presidential election there.

A trilateral summit between Seoul, Beijing and Tokyo that is under discussion, if held, could create some room for diplomatic engagement. However, experts say it is highly unlikely to occur in the near future, at least not in the first half of 2024.

"I don't see the trilateral summit happening anytime soon. The key reason for the delay is the absence of positive interaction or optimistic expectations from China regarding the trilateral summit. This trend is likely to persist until China perceives a positive shift in policy from South Korea and Japan," said Yun Sun, director of the China Program at the Stimson Center.

Kim echoed a similar view.

The researcher believes that if the summit occurs before South Korea's April 10 general elections, it would be deemed a diplomatic achievement for the Yoon administration. While foreign diplomacy is not a decisive factor in the parliamentary elections, any signs of improvement in relations with China through the three-way summit could contribute to boosting voter support for Yoon and the governing party.

"There is little reason for Xi to expedite the summit for Yoon's domestic political use," Kim said, adding that China will be closely watching the parliamentary election results to adjust its stance accordingly.

Another variable in South Korea-China ties could be North Korea's increasing military threats, experts said. The Kim Jong-un regime ushered in the New Year with fresh threats of war and labeled South Korea as its "principal enemy."

"If North Korea provokes, there could be more obstacles, as moves South Korea makes to defend its territory could be perceived as a threat by China," Yun said.

Seoul has been urging China to play a constructive role in addressing North Korea's nuclear threats, but Beijing has been hesitant to do so.

"I don't expect any dramatic shift in its current stance," Kang said. "However, if Pyongyang engages in provocations that China perceives as crossing the red line, such as a seventh nuclear test, it could take action."
A few years ago, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Heather Hunsaker of Hot Springs sought a new educational path for her daughter after learning that the five-year-old would be required to wear a mask all day at a public school.

In response, Hunsaker and her husband homeschooled their daughter but later sent the girl and her younger sister to classes at Bethesda Lutheran School and Early Learning Center, a private Christian school and day care in Hot Springs.

The flexibility to decide where and how their children will be taught is a principle that has become fundamental to the thinking of the Hunsakers and an increasing number of parents who, both before and after the pandemic, have turned to homeschooling or other educational options outside the traditional public school system.

And its one critical reason Hunsaker supports legislative attempts in South Dakota to enact a voucher program that would allow parents to move their children, and the money the state uses to educate them, and shift them to a private school like Bethesda.

I believe the voucher system would give parents more freedom of choice of where to educate their children, Hunsaker told News Watch in an interview. One of the biggest hurdles parents have in bringing their children to a private school is the cost.

According to a recent poll conducted by News Watch and the Chiesman Center for Democracy at the University of South Dakota, nearly half of registered South Dakota voters support creation of a school voucher program in the state.

South Dakota is not one of the 16 states that offer school vouchers. A legislative measure to enact a voucher system failed by a wide margin in its first committee stop in 2023.

As of Jan. 10, a voucher bill had not yet been filed for the 2024 legislative session, which just began, though some backers do expect some form of legislation will be filed this session.

The poll showed that 48.8% of respondents support development of a voucher system, while 45.6% do not, with 5.6% undecided. Support for vouchers in the poll was highest among Republican respondents, at 64.5%, but was lower among Independent/No Party Affiliation voters, 41.4% support, and lowest among Democrats, 24.6% support.

Mason-Dixon Polling and Strategy conducted the cellphone and landline poll of 500 random registered South Dakota voters Nov. 27-29, 2023. Respondents were representative of all South Dakota counties, ages, gender and political parties. The margin of error is plus or minus 4.5%.

Hunsaker, who is now the part-time principal at Bethesda Lutheran, said she hopes the state will open the door to greater school choice options for parents, including vouchers, that will provide families more flexibility in how and what students are taught. Bethesda, she said, has an afternoon daycare for pre-K students, a low teacher-to-student ratio, and solid academic achievement scores.

"It was important to us that if we couldnt home school them, that they could get a good Christian education," Hunsaker said of her two daughters. "Our girls love it here, and we wouldnt have them go anywhere else."

In general, school vouchers allow parents to use the per-student government funding typically provided to public schools to instead pay for tuition at a private school of their choosing.

On a basic level, opponents said the program hurts public education by shifting significant dollars away from schools that are required to provide education to any student who enrolls. The per-student funding forms the foundation of school budgets that pay for teachers, administrators, materials and buildings to house them.

Conversely, proponents frequently argue that parents should have the right to determine where their tax dollars for education are spent, including at private schools if they decide that is the best path for their children to learn and succeed, and especially if the child has struggled in the traditional public school environment.

While theres no way to know how many South Dakota families would request a school voucher, documents from the South Dakota Legislative Research Council estimate the fiscal impact on public schools could be significant.

In estimates related to the 2023 voucher proposal, which featured a three-year phase-in, the voucher program would attract about 3,300 primary school students in the first year, with a total price tag of $12.9 million. As the vouchers expanded to middle schoolers in year two and and finally to high school students in year three, the LRC estimated that about 9,650 students in total would request vouchers and cost about $45.1 million annually.

The 2023 legislation would have allowed parents to request vouchers that would include both the state and county funding for each student but only if parents sent those children to accredited nonpublic schools. The measure failed 11-4 last year in the House Education Committee.

Vouchers are considered part of a larger educational movement known as school choice, an umbrella category of educational methods that generally allow parents to choose where and how to educate their children, whether in traditional schools, private schools, charter schools or at home.

South Dakota has relatively liberal laws when it comes to allowing parents to choose homeschooling or private schools, though at their own expense.

The state Legislature has failed on several attempts in recent years to enact legislation enabling charter schools, which are privately run schools that are typically managed by local school boards and supported with public money.

Recent failed attempts to allow for a handful of pilot charter schools in South Dakota have largely been driven by Native American leaders who want to incorporate more Lakota language and culture into schools as a way to improve outcomes for Native students who have long struggled in the public school system.

Vouchers are one way in which states can make it easier and far more affordable for parents to choose options outside the public school system.

The political action group Americans for Prosperity is a proponent of vouchers and has testified in favor of a voucher program in the past, according to Don Haggar, a former state lawmaker who is director of the South Dakota chapter of the national organization.

On Jan. 8, the group released its priorities for the upcoming legislative session and included a strong focus on school choice policies, such as vouchers, that allow parents to freely pursue the education that fits their childs unique needs, regardless of ZIP Code or family income.

Haggar said his group, which he categorized as center-right on the political spectrum, believes that while public schools may work for a large percentage of children, parents should have the ability to adjust how and where their children are taught to seek the best possible outcomes.

About 90% of South Dakota children attend public schools, with roughly 138,000 in public schools and 14,000 in private schools.

At the heart of it, what were really interested in is recognizing that every child has unique needs and they ought to have the opportunity to pursue the kind of education to achieve their fullest potential, Haggar said. And sometimes thats not where they are right now in the education system.

The state is already home to the South Dakota Partners in Education, a nonprofit group that runs a privately funded scholarship program giving tax-credit scholarships to some families that want their children to attend one of 48 private schools across the state.

In the 2022-23 school year, the program provided 1,500 scholarships averaging about $2,000. Hunsaker said Bethesda Lutheran School, a K-5 school and day care that participates in the partners program, has six families that have received a scholarship to help pay for tuition.

While some parents may have the time, financial means and abilities to homeschool their children or send them to private schools, many do not, Haggar said.

A voucher system or other choice programs that provide tax incentives or other financial educational assistance to parents simply provide parents with the opportunity to make the best possible decision for their childs education, he said. That is especially true for parents whose children are not succeeding or thriving in traditional public schools or those who want a religious component baked into the teaching, Haggar said.

Some parents have a child with unique needs and they dont have the income to send their kids to the private schools that are around or to homeschool, he said. For some, they just need another option.

Haggar, a former Republican lawmaker from Sioux Falls, said the education lobby and the Legislature have been slow to enact reforms that are showing success in other states at a time when student test scores in the state have lagged or even stagnated in recent years.

Our state is a great place to live. But if there was a single area of public policy where were just way behind, its education, he said. All we hear candidly is the same old stuff. ... 'Well, wed be a lot better if we were paying our teachers more.' But I think we have really good teachers and were not talking about the right things.

Haggar said he expects some form of voucher legislation will be proposed in the 2024 legislative session but likely will not have the votes to pass.

We should talk about how do we help kids thrive as opposed to how do we pay teachers more because I think we miss the central point when we focus on those sorts of things, he said. With vouchers, the (public) schools dont lose as many kids as they think they would. And the kids who leave are the ones that really need it. So the question is, who do you care more about, the school district financial statement or the child?

But vouchers also draw strong opposition, including by many organizations and groups that support public schools.

During the 2023 legislative debate over vouchers, the measure was opposed by the South Dakota United School Association, the South Dakota Education Association, the Sioux Falls School District, the state Bureau of Finance and Management and the Associated School Boards of South Dakota.

Doug Wermedal, executive director of the associated school boards group, told News Watch that the organization opposes vouchers because they siphon state funds away from public schools and do not lead to improved outcomes for students due to a lack of academic and financial transparency among private schools that receive voucher payments.

"How can a state wring its hands about teacher pay and then at the same time turn those taxpayer dollars over to private schools?" he asked. "Is the (financial) pie really that big?"

Wermedal pointed out that unlike public schools, private schools are not required to perform student testing and publish results that reveal how children are performing.

"Thats one of our standing positions, that we oppose any diversion of public taxpayer funds that is to private entities where theres no accountability or reporting," he said.

Wermedal said there are numerous instances of fraud in which vouchers are used to fund schools that misspend money or ultimately fail after receiving significant public dollars.

Furthermore, there is little evidence that vouchers raise student performance either in private schools or for the public school system, and that in fact the opposite is true, he said.

Wermedal added that many proponents of vouchers belittle the efficacy of the public school system, which doesn't hold up in South Dakota where average ACT scores are well above the national average, 21.1 compared to 19.5 nationally. Graduation rates rose in the past year and attendance has risen among economically disadvantaged students and English learners, he said.

While the educational outcomes surrounding implementation of vouchers remains an open question, recent studies have indicated that voucher systems are not a clear path to improved educational outcomes.

The Brookings Institution reviewed independent studies in four states in 2017. The four different studies use four different designs but arrive at the same result: on average, students that use vouchers to attend private schools do less well on tests than similar students that do not attend private schools, it concluded.

The National Education Association, the labor union representing U.S. public school employees, has long opposed vouchers and published an analysis in 2021 arguing that the bulk of research on voucher programs reveals questionable results for students and negative outcomes for public schools, which continue to educate the majority of American children.

The NEA argues that shifting funding away from public education reduces the ability of schools to buy musical or science equipment, update textbooks or develop new after-school programming.

No matter how you look at it, vouchers undermine strong public education and student opportunity, the group wrote in 2021. Moreover, there is zero statistical significance that voucher programs improve overall student success, and some programs have even shown to have a negative effect for students receiving a voucher.

At least one state that dove headlong into school choice programming is pulling back on vouchers or trying to limit their use.

In early January, Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs of Arizona said she wants to add greater accountability to the states school voucher program, one of the most aggressive in the nation, due to its estimated $900 million a year cost.

But school choice programs continue to expand.

Haggar said that last year he helped Arkansas Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders pass the so-called Learns Act, which allows parents in that state to open educational savings accounts that are fueled with state education dollars. Parents can then use the public funds for private school tuition or other educational purposes. It was the third school choice program put in place in Arkansas.

Wermedal said his group will oppose any voucher legislation that might arise in the 2024 South Dakota legislative session.

"There is no impoverishment of South Dakota public education that is not eventually an impoverishment of South Dakota, and thats why we're against vouchers," he said.

This article was produced by South Dakota News Watch, a non-profit journalism organization located online at sdnewswatch.org.
A legislative attempt to make all 148 public K-12 school districts and all 706 public K-12 school buildings in South Dakota have a school sentinel or school resource officer failed Thursday.

Sen. Brent Hoffmans (R-Hartford) Senate Bill 34 wouldve required that type of staffing, of which at this time only 11 school districts have school sentinels and only 50 school resource officers work across the state, according to testimony and discussion heard Thursday.

SB 34 was killed on a 5-2 vote in the Senate Education committee by Sens. Shawn Bordeaux (D-Mission), Sydney Davis (R-Burbank), Liz Larson (D-Sioux Falls), Tim Reed (R-Brookings) and Kyle Schoenfish (R-Scotland). Sens. Steve Kolbeck (R-Brandon) and Tom Pischke (R-Dell Rapids) had voted to save it.

In his opening argument, Hoffman said he recognized his bill was controversial and that the idea of guns in school makes people uncomfortable.

"The reality is if you have an armed violent threat attempting to enter your school and threatening your kids, the only thing that will repel and end that threat is another armed person, Hoffman argued, however.

Testimony spans workforce shortages, local control issues

Proponents of the bill included Oglala Lakota County School District Superintendent Connie Kaltenbach and two parents with children in the Sioux Falls School District, Amy Bruner and Maria Agrawal.

Kaltenbach spoke about how her district has school resource officers and/or sentinels at each school site and touted her district as a frontrunner for safety in South Dakota.

Bruner, a member of the local Moms for Liberty chapter with students in Sioux Falls elementary, middle and high schools, spoke about how many perpetrators of school shootings are bullied and questioned how long it would be until a bullied student decides to exact his or her revenge.

But members of the education lobby groups came out in full force Thursday to oppose the bill, including the Associated School Boards of South Dakota, the South Dakota Education Association, School Administrators of South Dakota, the Sioux Falls School District and the large school group.

ASBSD Executive Director Doug Wermedal said the bill would require hiring additional full-time employees at the same time theres a workforce shortage across the state, and schools are already vigilant on safety issues. He also said the bill would mean a missed opportunity for local control on the issue of having school sentinels.

SDEA Executive Director Ryan Rolfs said SDEA has always been opposed to the school sentinel program, which he said places an educator in the position of being caring and nurturing to also being in the position to take the life of a student. He asked the committee to kill the bill and instead place more resources and funding into mental health efforts.

Sioux Falls School District lobbyist Sam Nelson said the cost of having a school resource officer or school sentinel at the more than 30 buildings in the district would be difficult. It places school districts in a place to carry out law enforcement duties or act as a quasi-law enforcement, Nelson said.

A representative from the Bureau of Finance and Management also spoke in opposition to the bill, testifying it would cost anywhere from $2.1 million to have a school sentinel at each school, or up to $18.5 million to have a school resource officer at each school.

In his rebuttal, Hoffman said the arguments about local control are a cop-out and a way to cast aspersions on a bill you dont like, which was countered by Sen. Reed in his discussion of the bill toward the end of the meeting.

Questioning by Sen. Schoenfish to SASD Executive Director Rob Monson led to the conclusion schools that cant find a sentinel or school resource officer for the school year, let alone on a sick day, could be found in violation of the law, and therefore, are at risk of losing their accreditation, and thereby, their funding.

This story originally appeared in the Sioux Falls Argus Leader.
WASHINGTON  The U.S. and British militaries bombed more than a dozen sites used by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen on Thursday, in a massive retaliatory strike using warship and submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets, U.S. officials said. The military targets included logistical hubs, air defense systems and weapons storage and launching locations, they said.

President Joe Biden said the strikes were meant to demonstrate that the U.S. and its allies will not tolerate the militant groups ceaseless attacks on the Red Sea. And he said the U.S. and its allies only made the move after attempts at diplomatic negotiations and careful deliberation.

These strikes are in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea  including the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history, Biden said in a statement. These attacks have endangered U.S. personnel, civilian mariners, and our partners, jeopardized trade, and threatened freedom of navigation.

Associated Press journalists in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, heard four explosions early Friday local time but saw no sign of warplanes. Two residents of Hodieda, Amin Ali Saleh and Hani Ahmed, said they heard five strong explosions hitting the western port area of the city, which lies on the Red Sea and is the largest port city controlled by the Houthis. Explosions also were heard by residents of Taiz, a southwestern city near the Red Sea.

The strikes marked the first U.S. military response to what has been a persistent campaign of drone and missile attacks on commercial ships since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. And the coordinated military assault comes just a week after the White House and a host of partner nations issued a final warning to the Houthis to cease the attacks or face potential military action. The officials confirmed the strikes on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations. Members of Congress were briefed earlier Thursday on the strike plans.

The warning appeared to have had at least some short-lived impact, as attacks stopped for several days. On Tuesday, however, the Houthi rebels fired their largest-ever barrage of drones and missiles targeting shipping in the Red Sea, with U.S. and British ships and American fighter jets responding by shooting down 18 drones, two cruise missiles and an anti-ship missile. And on Thursday, the Houthis fired an anti-ship ballistic missile into the Gulf of Aden, which was seen by a commercial ship but did not hit the ship.

In a call with reporters, senior administration and military officials said that after the Tuesday attacks, Biden convened his national security team and was presented with military options for a response. He then directed Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to carry out the retaliatory strikes.

In a separate statement, U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the Royal Air Force carried out targeted strikes against military facilities used by the Houthis.

Noting the militants have carried out a series of dangerous attacks on shipping, he added, This cannot stand. He said the U.K. took limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defense, alongside the United States with non-operational support from the Netherlands, Canada and Bahrain against targets tied to these attacks, to degrade Houthi military capabilities and protect global shipping.

And the governments of Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand and South Korea joined the U.S. and U.K. in issuing a statement saying that while the aim is to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea, the allies won't hesitate to defend lives and protect commerce in the critical waterway.

The rebels, who have carried out 27 attacks involving dozens of drones and missiles just since Nov. 19, said Thursday that any attack by American forces on its sites in Yemen will spark a fierce military response.

A high-ranking Houthi official, Ali al-Qahoum, vowed there would be retaliation. The battle will be bigger  and beyond the imagination and expectation of the Americans and the British," he said in a post on X.

Al-Masirah, a Houthi-run satellite news channel, described strikes hitting the Al-Dailami Air Base north of Sanaa, the airport in the port city of the Hodeida, a camp east of Saada, the airport in the city of Taiz and an airport near Hajjah. And eyewitnesses who spoke with The Associated Press said they saw strikes in four areas, including Dhamar, Hodeida, Sanaa and Taiz.

The Houthis did not immediately offer any damage or casualty information.

A senior administration official said that while the U.S. expects the strikes will degrade the Houthi's capabilities, we would not be surprised to see some sort of response, although they haven't seen anything yet.

The Houthis say their assaults are aimed at stopping Israels war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. But their targets increasingly have little or no connection to Israel and imperil a crucial trade route linking Asia and the Middle East with Europe.

Meanwhile, the U.N. Security Council passed a resolution Wednesday that demanded the Houthis immediately cease the attacks and implicitly condemned their weapons supplier, Iran. It was approved by a vote of 11-0 with four abstentions  by Russia, China, Algeria and Mozambique.

Britains participation in the strikes underscored the Biden administrations effort to use a broad international coalition to battle the Houthis, rather than appear to be going it alone. More than 20 nations are already participating in a U.S.-led maritime mission to increase ship protection in the Red Sea.

U.S. officials for weeks had declined to signal when international patience would run out and they would strike back at the Houthis, even as multiple commercial vessels were struck by missiles and drones, prompting companies to look at rerouting their ships.

On Wednesday, however, U.S. officials again warned of consequences.

Im not going to telegraph or preview anything that might happen, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters during a stop in Bahrain. He said the U.S. has made clear that if this continues as it did yesterday, there will be consequences. And Im going to leave it at that.

The Biden administrations reluctance over the past several months to retaliate reflected political sensitivities and stemmed largely from broader worries about upending the shaky truce in Yemen and triggering a wider conflict in the region. The White House wants to preserve the truce and has been wary of taking action in Yemen that could open up another war front.

The impact on international shipping and the escalating attacks, however, triggered the coalition warning, which was signed by the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom. Separately, the U.S. called on the United Nations Security Council to take action against the Houthis and warned their financier Iran that it has a choice to make about continuing to provide support to the rebels.

Transit through the Red Sea, from the Suez Canal to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, is a crucial shipping lane for global commerce. About 12% of the worlds trade typically passes through the waterway that separates Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, including oil, natural gas, grain and everything from toys to electronics.

In response to the attacks, the U.S. created a new maritime security mission, dubbed Operation Prosperity Guardian, to increase security in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Aden, with about 22 countries are participating. U.S. warships, and those from other nations, have been routinely sailing back and forth through the narrow strait to provide protection for ships and to deter attacks. The coalition has also ramped up airborne surveillance.

The decision to set up the expanded patrol operation came after three commercial vessels were struck by missiles fired by Houthis in Yemen on Dec. 3.

The Pentagon increased its military presence in the region after the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks in Israel to deter Iran from widening the war into a regional conflict, including by the Houthis and Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria.

Read more:
NEW YORK  Barred from giving a formal closing argument, Donald Trump still seized an opportunity to speak in court at the conclusion of his New York civil fraud trial Thursday, unleashing a barrage of attacks in a six-minute diatribe before being cut off by the judge.

Trump spoke as the judge was trying to find out if the former president would follow rules requiring him to keep his remarks focused on matters related to the trial. Asked whether he would comply with the guidelines, Trump defied the judge and simply launched into his speech.

We have a situation where I am an innocent man, Trump protested. Im being persecuted by someone running for office and I think you have to go outside the bounds.

Judge Arthur Engoron  who had denied Trump permission earlier to give a closing statement at the trial  let him continue almost entirely uninterrupted for what amounted to a brief personal summation, then cut him off and recessed for lunch.

Trump, the leading contender for the Republican presidential nomination, has repeatedly disparaged Engoron, accusing him in a social media post Wednesday night of working closely with the New York attorney general to screw me.

On Wednesday, Engoron had nixed an unusual plan by Trump to deliver his own closing remarks in the courtroom, in addition to summations from his legal team, after lawyers for the former president would not agree to the judges demand that he stick to relevant matters.

After two of Trump's lawyers had delivered traditional closing arguments Thursday, one of them, Christopher Kise, asked the judge again whether Trump could speak. Engoron asked Trump whether he would abide by the guidelines he had laid out earlier, which included not trying to introduce new evidence or making a campaign speech.

Trump then launched into his remarks.

This is a fraud on me. Whats happened here, sir, is a fraud on me, Trump said. He later accused the judge of not listening to him. I know this is boring to you.

Control your client, Engoron warned Kise.

Engoron then told Trump he had a minute left, let him speak a little more, and then adjourned.

In the afternoon, a lawyer for New York state said in his closing remarks that Trump and his cash poor company couldnt have completed various development projects without loans and cash flow from interest savings enabled by spurious financial statements.

"Fraud was central to the operation of the Trump Organizations business, said the attorney, Kevin Wallace. He said that Trump and the other defendants intentionally put false information in the company's financial statements.

Engoron, who is deciding the case because state law doesnt allow for juries in this type of lawsuit, ended the court day by saying he hoped to have a final decision in the case by Jan. 31.

Not a promise, not a guarantee, but Im reasonably confident, he said, adding, "Youll be hearing from me, as he left the bench.

Trump skipped the afternoon court session in favor of a news conference that served as counter programming to the states closing argument. He peppered his remarks at a lower Manhattan office building he owns  and could lose control of as a result of the trial  with barbs about President Joe Biden and a writer who accused him of rape, E. Jean Carroll.

James told reporters after exiting court, This case has never been about politics or personal vendetta or about name calling. This case is about the facts and the law. And Mr. Donald Trump violated the law.

I trust that justice will be done, she said.

The exchange took place hours after authorities responded to a bomb threat at the judges house. Police checked out the threat at Engorons Long Island home, which came a day after he denied the former presidents extraordinary request to deliver his own courtroom close, officials said. The proceedings were not delayed.

At 5:30 a.m. on Thursday, hours before the trials final day was to begin, Nassau County police said they responded to a swatting incident at Engorons Great Neck home. Nothing amiss was found at the location, officials said.

The false report came days after a fake emergency call reporting a shooting at the home of the judge in Trumps Washington, D.C. criminal case. The incidents are among a recent spate of similar false reports at the homes of public officials.

Taking the bench a few minutes late, Engoron made no mention of the incident at his home.

Thursday's court action featured the start of closing arguments in the trial over allegations that Trump exaggerated his wealth on financial statements he provided to banks, insurance companies and others.

Forty-four days of trial  not one witness came into this courtroom, your honor, and said there was fraud, Kise said, contending his client should get a medal for his business acumen instead of punishment he deemed the corporate death penalty.

New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, wants the judge to impose $370 million in penalties. Trump says he did nothing wrong. He contends outside accountants that helped prepare the statements shouldve flagged any discrepancies and that the documents came with disclaimers that shield him from liability.

The former president had hoped to make that argument personally, but the judge  initially open to the idea  said no after a Trump lawyer missed a deadline for agreeing to ground rules. Among them, Engoron warned that Trump couldn't use his closing remarks to "deliver a campaign speech or use the opportunity to impugn the judge and his staff.

This entire case is a manufactured claim to pursue a political agenda, Kise said in his closing argument. It has been press releases and posturing but no evidence.

Lawyers from James' office were to deliver their closing argument Thursday afternoon.

Trump returned to court as a spectator Thursday despite the death of his mother in-law, Amalija Knavs, and the launch of the presidential primary season Monday with the Iowa caucus.

Since the trial began Oct. 2, Trump has gone to court nine times to observe, testify and complain to TV cameras about the case, which he called a witch hunt and a disgrace.

He clashed with Engoron and state lawyers during 3 hours on the witness stand in November and remains under a limited gag order after making a disparaging and false social media post about the judge's law clerk.

Read more:
Nava Thakuria





When Bangladesh embraced 12th general elections on Sunday (a working day for the Muslim majority nation) amidst violence and boycott call from the prime opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), it was predicted that the ruling Awami League (AL) led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will win for the fourth consecutive term to lead the poverty stricken south Asian country. The incumbent AL won 222 Parliamentary seats, where the voters' turnout was low. A compromised opposition Jatiya Party won 11 seats and three smaller parties emerged successful in one seat each. Significantly independent candidates succeeded in 62 constituencies, a record since its birth as a nation in 1971, to enter the Jatiya Sansad, the highest legislative body of the populous country which is strategically located between India and Myanmar.





The polling took place from 8 am till 4 pm, where nearly 120 million registered electorates were supposed to exercise their franchise under high security arrangements as the 170 million nation often report widespread poll-related violence, but less than 42% voters' turnout was recorded. To encourage the electorate, PM Hasina, accompanied by her sister Sheikh Rehana and daughter Saima Wazed, cast her vote as the first individual in Dhaka City College polling station. Over 750,000 police and paramilitary forces were deployed on the ground, where Bangladesh Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel were on duty to ensure security during the single day polls in 261,912 polling booths under 42,024 voting centres across the country.





More than 200 foreign observers representing over 30 countries and organisations like the Commonwealth, European Union, US-based International Republican Institute, South Asia Democratic Forum, National Democratic Institute, etc were in the country to monitor the election. Three senior members of the Election Commission of India also joined the group. Over 20,000 Bangla observers representing 84 organizations were also engaged in the process.





Sporadic incidents of violence and rigging of polls were reported, as BNP leaders called for a 48-hour Hartal (general strike) beginning from 6 am on Saturday till 6 am on Monday. Alleging that polls under Hasina's government would not be fair and fair, the BNP and its political allies stick to their demand to conduct the election under a neutral caretaker government in Dhaka, which Hasina denied. Jamaat-e-Islami, a radical party of Bangladesh, also took out processions in the capital city on Sunday supporting the BNP's boycott call.





BNP's president Khaleda Zia (78 years old) is ailing and with more to it the former Bangla Prime Minister is under house arrest for graft charges. Even the party's acting president Tarique Rahman has been living in self-imposed exile since 2008. Son of former Bangla President Ziaur Rahman and Zia, even faced 18 months jail term before leaving to London and staying there till date. So the party has been termed as a leaderless entity on the ground and they are assumed not to be in a position to contest the elections.





Hasina (76) had earlier won the national elections continuously from 2008 to 2019 to establish herself as the longest-serving government head among women in the world. Daughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Hasina maintained that only her party can lead Bangladesh towards peace, prosperity and growth. In the election manifesto, Hasina promised to convert the digital Bangladesh to a Smart Bangladesh. She also assured that her party will always protect and promote the spirit of democracy, offer quality education to youths, modernise agriculture, make healthcare services affordable to all, etc.





The Paris-based global media rights body Reporters Sans/Without Borders (RSF) in a statement issued on Tuesday condemned unacceptable violence against the journalists during Bangladesh polls, when at least 12 reporters were attacked and expelled or denied entry to voting stations, in most cases by supporters of the Hasina's party.





"Bangladesh's general elections were marred by unacceptable violence against journalists. Ruling party supporters attacked reporters covering cases of electoral fraud. We call on the relevant authorities to launch an independent investigation so that those responsible are brought to justice. Furthermore, in a context of stifled media freedom, muzzled by governmental suppression of all criticism, we urge the newly re-elected authorities to finally adopt strong measures to safeguard unrestricted Internet access and protect the freedom of the press enshrined in Bangladesh's constitution and freedom of expression, which is being obstructed by the draconian new Cyber Security Act. The government's toxic control over news and information must end," said an RSF statement.





On a polling day marked by tension  with the main opposition party (BNP) boycotting the polls- many journalists were physically attacked or were subjected to harassment and intimidation, and were either expelled from or were denied entry to voting stations. Most of the harassment and violence was the work of ruling Awami League supporters targeting reporters trying to cover irregularities and cases of fraud. In another serious violation of the right to report, access to the website of Daily Manab Zamin, a leading media critic, was blocked on 6 January. The newspaper stressed that it had no internal technical issues when it reported the ongoing access problem in an alternate media message on the previous day to voting.





"The Bangladeshi authorities also refused to issue visas to journalists from the headquarters of many leading international media outlets, including BBC News, The New York Times, Bloomberg, Agence France-Presse, Reuters and Al Jazeera. Most of the foreign reporters who managed to obtain visas were those based in New Delhi. Some foreign reporters were also asked to sign a statement accepting that their photos and video footage would have to be approved by the Bangladeshi authorities before being sent, and could not harm the national image," added the statement.




By: Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury





Although in January 7 general elections, Awami League under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina bagged 222 seats out of 300, there is clear indications of the newly-elected government facing oxymoronic hegemon from the United States and its Western allies, including Britain. If Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her administration fail to properly assess and prepare to counter the anticipated extended pressure from the West, the country may even face severe challenges despite the fact of enjoying univocal support from Beijing, New Delhi, Moscow in particular as well as several African, Asian and Middle Eastern countries.





Within hours of the January 7 general election, the US Department of State in a statement said, "The United States supports the people of Bangladesh and their aspirations for democracy, freedom of peaceful assembly, and freedom of expression. The United States notes the Awami League party won a majority of seats in the January 7, 2024 parliamentary elections. The United States remains concerned by the arrests of thousands of political opposition members and by reports of irregularities on election day. The United States shares the view with other observers that these elections were not free or fair and we regret that not all parties participated".





In the same statement Washington said, "The United States condemns violence that took place during elections and in the months leading up to it. We encourage the Government of Bangladesh to credibly investigate reports of violence and to hold perpetrators accountable. We also urge all political parties to reject violence".





Similar notion was also expressed by the United Kingdom.





Meaning, Biden administration has already started pushing forward its fresher agenda with the ulterior agenda of planting Islamists, jihadists and Caliphate-mongers into power  if necessary, through an undemocratic process and turn Bangladesh into its colony under the garb of a neo-Taliban state.





It may also be mentioned here that, whenever Washington's scary intelligence establishments set up a blueprint of toppling any targeted government or regime in a foreign country, they first of all join hands with several local elements  including political parties, civil society, think tanks, media and others. Once they fail to topple the government through street protests, anarchism, and terrorist acts, they immediately switch to alternative options of staging coup d'etat by funding and utilizing mercenaries and even terrorist and jihadist groups.





If we carefully scrutinize the above statement, it will be proved  the Biden administration has taken an oxymoronic policy towards Bangladesh. Or maybe even worse. Why? Here is my assessment.





On November 3, 2008 in a classified cable to the Department of State from former ambassador James Moriarty, it was said that "Tarique Rahman, the notorious and widely feared son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia... is a symbol of kleptocratic government and violent politics in Bangladesh. His flagrant disregard for the rule of law has provided potent ground for terrorists to gain a foothold in Bangladesh while also exacerbating poverty and weakening democratic institutions. In short, much of what is wrong in Bangladesh can be blamed on Tarique and his cronies".





This very same Tarique Rahman, who is a convicted terrorist with two life sentences is the current leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and currently instigating and instructing violent political activities in Bangladesh, through means of radical Islamist parties like the Jamaat-e-Islam (JeI).





The US Secretary of State has asked the government of Bangladesh to credibly investigate the "reports of violence" but at the same time has condemned the "arrest of political opposition members". This certainly is an oxymoronic piece of advice.





The BNP has staged multiple demonstrations in Bangladesh before without any opposition from the government, but in the recent times when violence has resurfaced, the government was compelled to take legal actions - arrest those involved in terrorist and subversive acts for the sake of national security. Now, is the Biden Admin advising to find innocent "scapegoats" for crimes the BNP and its allies are committing, exonerating Tarique Rahman and other members of the BNP who are without any reasonable doubt, and even based on past evidence, directing these violent activities?





The US State Department's statement also said "foreign observers" have maintained that the election in Bangladesh was not free and fair. This is an unsubstantiated claim  if not totally ridiculous. Which "foreign observers" are they referring to? What are the metrics for "free" and "fair" for the US? We can definitely ask this question because immediately after the election, a large number of election observers from the United States as well as other nations have categorically said, the January 7 general election was free and fair. Even none of the anti-government and critical media outlets in Bangladesh have made any such claims stating the election was not free and fair. Instead, they have been focusing on low voter turnout  which is slightly above forty percent.





Joining a discussion on Indian TV channel NewsX, former diplomat Veena Sikri and others have already said, though voter turnout in the January 7 election was "slightly low", Bangladesh Election Commission has succeeded in holding a free and fair election.





Then why is Washington not accepting this reality? In the above-mentioned discussion, as well in another discussion in the same TV channel, I have clearly said, on January 7, 2024, Bangladesh has avoided an international conspiracy of turning the country into a neo-Taliban state.





Subsequently, on CNBC18, I have explained why January 7 election was crucial for Bangladesh, although it is well-anticipated, those who have been conspiring to turn Bangladesh into a neo-Taliban state won't stop, while BNP and its ideological ally Jamaat would not intensify its activities by mobilizing lobbyists and PR agencies in the West with the aim of a massive media assault targeting the January 7 general election, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Bangladesh. Unfortunately, the Bangladesh government is not prepared to counter such acts as they most possibly fail realizing the grave consequence of propaganda on international media outlets alongside social media. If they show such lethargy onwards  BNP and its cohorts shall succeed in putting the government into an unimaginable situation  if not immediately, within the next few months.





Meanwhile, in addition to running propaganda and lobbyist activities with the agenda of delegitimizing the January 7 election, BNP and its cronies  including several anti-Awami League media outlets already are talking about the 12th parliament having no opposition, as Jatiya Party, which was until January 7 perceived as the opposition in the parliament failed to bag required number of seats to once again retain the position of the mail opposition in the parliament.





It may be mentioned here that, Jatiya Party was created in the incubator of military dictator Gen Hussain Muhammad Ershad, which was seen as the ruling party during 9-years military rule of Ershad. Onwards, this ultra-Islamist party mostly remains a back-bencher in the parliament. But it's luck clicked when BNP boycotted the 2014 general elections, where Jatiya Party emerged as the main opposition in the parliament while at the same time, its MPs joined the cabinet and even Gen Ershad was appointed "Special Envoy" to the Prime Minister with the status of a cabinet minister. Meaning, during 2013-2018, Jatiya Party was not a real opposition in the parliament as it was part of the government. But at that time, none of the Western nations, including the United States, had raised any objection.





During the 2018 general election, Jatiya Party again emerged as the main opposition in the parliament, despite the fact, BNP had participated in that election. But the result of that election, which has been marred with extreme controversy for proven vote rigging and even ballot-stuffing on the previous night of the election showed  Jatiya Party bagging more seats than BNP  which is absolutely impossible, as this party is nothing more than a parasite.





During January 7 elections, as Jatiya Party bagged assurance of winning at least 26 seats, Awami League had to withdraw its own candidates to grant a free-pass to Jatiya Party. But voters rejected these ultra-Islamist forces. As a result, Jatiya Party  with the help of Awami League managed to get just 11 seats, which disqualified it from becoming main opposition in the 12th parliament. For Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the most difficult task would be to find an opposition in the parliament unless she uses 62 independent candidates  most of whom also are renegade Awami League members in forming a kind of opposition alliance and emerge into opposition in the parliament  pushing Jatiya Party at the backbench. This is possibly going to happen as there is no other alternative. Here again, some of those independent candidates are extremely vocal, who may continue to whip the ruling party in the parliament criticizing its future actions. There may also be strong pressure from these independent candidates if they emerge into opposition  forcing Awami League to an iron-hand drive against corruption as well as to control prices of essentials. Certainly, these two drives will help the Awami League in gaining massive support from the masses.





Consequences of Biden administration's double-standard





Bangladesh was not invited to Biden's last two democracy summits but Pakistan was. It is an outward display of hypocrisy. Pakistan, so far, has not experienced ONE democratic transfer of power. Even being invited, Pakistan did not attend either summits, and it was a downright humiliation of the Biden administration.





Biden administration's failed policy is pushing every country in the Indo-Pacific away from the US, just as had the Nixon administration's support towards the Bangladesh Genocide. Now it has to resort to making "imaginary friends" like Pakistan in this region, who no longer go to the "social gatherings" that the Biden admin hosts. If the Biden administration keeps pursuing its agenda of denigrating Bangladesh, it will only help remind the Bangladeshi people of its role during the 1971 war. The cordial relations and the mutual trust that have since developed will all go in vain. And in the future, people of Bangladesh may turn against the US altogether and future administrations in Bangladesh will find it exceedingly hard to rebuild an alliance with the US without violently going against the will of its own people.





The Biden administration is delusional to think that the BNP will safeguard US interests in Bangladesh. Under BNP, Bangladesh became a safe haven for terrorism, and if they were to return to power, it would have soon turned into an Afghanistan, and rather than being a US ally it would have become a threat not only to the US, but also to India as the BNP government had actively funded and aided the insurgency groups in Northeast India.





These counterproductive measures by the Biden admin not only goes against the interests of Indo-Pacific countries, but against the will of the people: democratization, development, and denial of space to terrorists, all three of which according, to Moriarty and the past US administrations, Tarique Rahman and the BNP had jeopardized.





This is not the first time the BNP has declined to participate in the election. They demand a caretaker government. And may I remind you that the BNP knowing its inevitable defeat was also unwilling to participate in the 2008 general election under a caretaker government (once again, it is clearly mentioned in the same cable from Moriarty). But the BNP only participated in the election by brokering a deal with the military government that it would participate in exchange for Tarique Rahman to be released from jail and sent abroad for medical treatment.





Even now, the BNP knowing that it would be defeated in the polls, is unwilling to participate despite efforts from other countries and the Bangladesh government itself. Except this time - they found an opportunity to blame the Awami League government for the BNP's own unwillingness to join the election, trying to persuade key policymakers in the US, through its lobbyists, that the Sheikh Hasina government is not an ally to the US which is entirely untrue. Sheikh Hasina's government has always maintained a balanced diplomatic stance, as can be seen from its cordial relationships with both China and India at the same time, and it has no reason to push the US away unless the Biden admin actively goes against the interests of Bangladesh.





Despite such realities, why is the Biden administration showing enmity and oxymoronic behavior with Sheikh Hasina and the ruling party in Bangladesh? The reply is complex and disturbing indeed. Joe Biden wants Sheikh Hasina to abandon her relations with India, China and Russia and become an obedient lapdog of the United States. For a patriotic leader like Sheikh Hasina, such undue desire of Washington is absolutely unacceptable, as Bangladesh's foreign policy is  friendship to all and malice to none. This is something key policymakers in Washington need to understand, realize and accept.




By Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury





When in February 2022 Russian began its war in Ukraine which is also known as 'Special Military Operation' (SMO), American intelligence agencies came up with a hurried speculation stating it would end in days. Now after 23 months of the conflict, analysts are saying  the Ukraine war will become a frozen conflict in 2024. There is a clear prediction that the war is either heading towards sudden surrender of Kiev or it would continue to no ending point. Under such circumstances, Western nations, particularly the United States may not be able to continue their cash flow to Ukraine for an indefinite period as those Western countries already are facing economic crises, growing unemployment and multiple social issues which would worsen once the Western leaders do not put funding Ukraine into shelves.





But, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is not going to admit the reality. Instead, according to The Guardian  Ukrainians believe they can win the war, while the UK newspaper said, "... Nonetheless, it is true that the prospect of some decisive breakthrough routing Russian troops from Ukrainian soil looks more remote than ever. Meanwhile, with another crisis raging in the Middle East, the appetite in western capitals to keep providing the funding and weapons that Kyiv needs has only diminished".





Pentagon officials say that there are enough munitions to last Ukraine for the winter, and Biden could yet get a deal that will secure the money. As an alternative, the US and Europe are reportedly considering drawing on US$300 billion in frozen Russian assets instead.





If the funding does not come in some form, "that will be catastrophic for Ukraine", war correspondent Shaun Walker said. "They are already facing shortages of everything they need". Volodymyr Zelenskiy visited Washington earlier December 2023, but his pleas for more support appeared to have left Republicans unmoved. In fact, the majority of the American lawmakers are unwilling to let the Biden administration send any further fund to Ukraine.





Hiroyuki Akita, commentator of Nikkei Asia wrote: "... No one I talked to called for a cease-fire, although it was clear that people wanted the fighting to stop. In a group interview with Nikkei and other news media, Zelenskyy [Volodymyr Zelensky] acknowledged that the country was facing a serious shortage of weapons and that its counteroffensive had stalled". Meaning, While Zelensky is constantly asking cash flow from the Western nations, after spending over US$75 billion  Ukraine could achieve no advantage over Russian forces. Instead, Kiev is already on the verge of losing the war.





Meanwhile, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, a German research institute, by now the Biden administration and the US Congress have directed more than US$75 billion in assistance to Ukraine, which includes humanitarian, financial, and military support. Although this massive fund did not help Ukraine is showing any real sign of winning the war, US President Joe Biden wants to send an additional amount of US$61 billion aid package which has been held up by the Congress. Meanwhile, there are allegations of loot and rampant corruption with this foreign aid.





Meanwhile, Ukrainian president Zelensky admitted to Associated Press stating, summer counteroffensive did not produce the desired results, partly because Kyiv did not receive the necessary weapons from its allies.





On December 1, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu claimed that the Ukrainian army had lost more than 125,000 people and 16,000 large-scale weapons since the start of the counteroffensive.





"Total mobilization in Ukraine, supplies of Western weapons and the introduction of strategic reserves into battle by the Ukrainian command did not change the situation on the battlefield", he said.





With statements of Volodymyr Zelensky and Sergei Shoigu, what can the world expert say about the war in 2024? In November, Zelensky stated that Ukraine needs "three victories"  for the US Congress to approve further military assistance, for the EU to continue its support, and for "open dialogue" on Ukraine's EU accession. Question here is  can Zelensky succeed in achieving his "three victories"? The Biden administration has already provided more than US$40 billion in security aid to Ukraine. Germany and the Netherlands also recently increased their aid pledges for Ukraine. However, the future of these commitments risks becoming mired in domestic politics, as a proposed US$61 billion US aid package has been held up by Congress. Moreover, the war between Israel and Hamas, which broke out on October 7 is having an effect. The US has reduced its supply of 155mm ammunition by "more than 30 percent", a senior Ukrainian source told ABC News in November 2023, despite Washington's assurances that the conflict in the Middle East would not have an impact.





With regards to European partners, a proposed 50 billion package from the EU is being opposed by Hungary, delaying its approval. According to experts, it may also face disruption due to the financial crisis in Germany and the strengthening of the far right in several European countries, such as in the recent Dutch elections. Along with this financial angle, the diplomatic aspect remains an obstacle. Not least is the fact that Ukraine's membership bid has already divided the European Union.





"Ukraine is in no way ready to negotiate on its ambitions to join the European Union," Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in November last year.





In a Foreign Policy article in 2022, Amanda Coakley had called Orban "Putin's Trojan horse inside the European Union". Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, commenting on the European Commission's recommendation that accession negotiations with Kyiv should begin, suggested that Ukraine should not be admitted to the EU until the armed conflict there ends, otherwise it risks spreading throughout Europe. Meanwhile, Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu warned that NATO allies need to stand firm in supporting Ukraine or risk right-wing and populist forces in the EU becoming even stronger.





Meanwhile, the possibility of peace negotiations taking place between Moscow and Kiev is crucial while it is anticipated that such negotiations may not take place during 2024, primarily due to disagreement between the two conflicting sides. Zelensky is until now being extremely stubborn stating the conflict could end if Russia fulfills the conditions of the "peace formula" he presented, although Moscow already has ruled out negotiations based on Zelensky's plan. Meaning, the conflict shall not end even in the near future.





In December, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an increase in the number of Russian troops of nearly 170,000, bringing the size of the army to 2.2 million, including 1.32 million troops. As for Ukraine, according to the latest polls conducted by Rating Group, one of the biggest nongovernmental and independent research organizations in Ukraine, almost half of Ukrainians (44 percent) declared their readiness for compromises in peace negotiations with Russia, but about the same number (48 percent) were in favor of continuing hostilities.





In an October 2023 interview with Berliner Zeitung, former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder said Washington prevented the conflict from being resolved in March 2022. He believes Washington is the only one that can resolve the issue of a settlement. Therefore, the 2024 US presidential election, in addition to the European Parliament elections, might contribute to evolving approaches toward the war and the role of Western countries in it.





Meanwhile, although elections are also expected to be held in Ukraine during this spring, President Zelensky is unwilling to let it be held as he is acutely concerned about the "Churchill phenomenon", referring to the electoral defeat of successful British wartime leader Winston Churchill in 1945.





Zelensky although has until now succeeded in uniting Ukrainians for "national struggle", he faces acute criticism that include rampant corruption and loot of public wealth, which he fears would add a domestic challenger to his external struggles that may lead to his humiliating defeat in the election. With such complexities  from shortage of cash and military hardware to multiple allegations, including corruption, for Volodymyr Zelensky, the coming months may continue to be increasingly challenging and harder. On the other hand, Russia continues to build its important role among what it terms the "world majority", for example - countries in the Global South and the East, which will help it to sustain its economy and war effort. Amid such dynamics, possibility of peace in Ukraine or President Volodymyr Zelensky winning the war against Russia remain largely elusive.




This weekend, the Richmond Symphony will highlight not one but two prominent African American figures in honor of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

On Friday and Saturday, the symphony will play alongside guest conductor Henry Panion III and guest vocalist Desiree Roots for A Tribute to Gospel Legend Richard Smallwood.

On Sunday, the Richmond Symphony and Panion will perform again for Celebrate MLK, a concert to honor Kings life, legacy and inspiring messages of hope and peace for all.

Richard Smallwood is a Grammy-award winning composer whose music runs deep through African American culture both inside the church and out.

Widely known for gospel staples like Total Praise and The Center of My Joy, Smallwoods music has been recorded by musicians spanning multiple genres including Destinys Child, Chaka Khan and, most notably, Whitney Houstons rendition of I Love the Lord that was used in the soundtrack of The Preachers Wife, the 1996 film starring Houston and Denzel Washington.

Panion, a world-class musician in his own right, shares Smallwoods passion for blending genres.

The orchestra is able to present melodies, harmonies and rhythms in a live presentation unlike any other, Panion said. Richard Smallwoods music lends itself well to a merging of these two genres.

Panion is a professor of music and director of music technology at the University of Alabama at Birminghams Department of Music and is in the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. He has worked on arrangements for superstars like Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder as well as gospel legends like Smallwood.

I think that Richard Smallwood is probably one of the most important composers in gospel music, Panion said.

A Tribute to Richard Smallwood will include selections from Smallwood like Total Praise, Anthem of Praise, Bless the Lord and more.

Sundays program, Celebrate MLK, will have musical selections by classical composers of African descent including Lift Every Voice and Sing, composed by J. Rosamond Johnson; We Shall Overcome, arranged by Roy Ringwald; and African-American Spirituals Suite, composed by Panion.

For Panion, the merging of Smallwoods iconic gospel arrangements with the peaceful sounds of the Richmond Symphonys classical orchestra serve as a perfect opportunity for reflection on what MLK Day represents while also enhancing the integrity of the music.

These concerts will serve to bring these two communities together, Panion said. People can expect to hear some of the most beautiful music in the world, and get the chance to commemorate the important legacy that is the life of Dr. Martin Luther King.

All three concerts will be held at Dominion Energys Carpenter Theatre at 600 E. Grace St. A Tribute to Richard Smallwood is scheduled for Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Celebrate MLK will be Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets start at $15 at etix.com.

From the Archives: The Richmond Symphony
Bon Secours has opened a facility to treat adolescents with behavioral health needs, and it is designed to address a growing need for youngsters with psychological troubles.

Since the pandemic, cases of kids with depression, anxiety and aggression have risen. But there arent enough child psychiatrists or mental health beds.

Bon Secours new program, located at St. Marys Hospital in Henrico County, hosts kids ages 12 to 17 for eight hours a day. At the end of the day, the kids go home, a program called partial hospitalization. Patients can complete their schoolwork in between therapy sessions. The hospital will start accepting patients next month.

Hospital leaders opened the second-floor space Wednesday, complete with computers, a sensory room, murals on the walls, and video images of swimming fish.

Bryan Lee, president of St. Marys, said the program will cut a childs wait time for a psychiatrist, which can take months. Kids in the program will see them within 24 hours.

One in five kids or young adults experiences a diagnosable mental health condition, the Virginia Mental Health Access Program reported in 2021. But there are not enough child and adolescent psychiatrists in the state. Most localities do not have enough, and some have none at all.

Inpatient beds are limited, too. Chippenham Hospitals Tucker Pavilion and Commonwealth Center for Children & Adolescents in Staunton are two of the few locations available for kids and teens needing to be hospitalized for mental health problems. Chippenham opened a similar partial hospitalization program in 2015.

Often, kids and teens arrive at the emergency room and wait for beds. Sometimes, they can sit for days. Now, if the patient is a good fit for the partial hospitalization program, he or she can go home and return to the hospital the following morning. The program is designed for patients who do not need hospitalization but require more attention than an outpatient visit to a therapist.

Students can be referred by school counselors, too, and the hospital expects to treat kids in and out of foster homes and juvenile detention facilities, said Mae Carter, Bon Secours director of outpatient behavioral health.

To create the space, Bon Secours took an empty office on the second floor that had been used for storage. Staff installed computers for schoolwork, and a nonprofit called Praespero Group gave the rooms themes such as trees or water. A local artist, John Price, painted murals on the walls. One room, a sensory room, features low light, a mural depicting a camp fire at night, stars on the ceiling and pillows on the floor, all designed to help calm patients.

The program will employ eight staff members, including a psychiatrist, and can treat about 20 patients at a time. Bon Secours recommends the patients visit five days a week for one to two months. The hospital takes all types of insurance, and many of the patients likely will be on Medicaid, Carter said.

Kids with drug problems are a good fit only if they have some other mental or behavioral diagnosis, Carter added.

At other facilities, Bon Secours already opened partial hospitalization programs for adults. The system has them at Southside Medical Center in Petersburg and Richmond Community Hospital in Church Hill.

Top 5 weekend events: Celebrate MLK, Sherlock Holmes & After 5 Fridays Celebrate MLK Coconut Cove at The Veil Brewing Co. Pink Floyd tribute at Main Line Brewery 'Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery' After 5 Fridays
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, next week, his office said Friday.

Han will depart Monday to attend the annual meeting of government and business leaders under the theme "Rebuilding Trust," where he will participate in various sessions, including on restoring trust in global regimes, to share South Korea's vision.

The prime minister also plans to hold bilateral meetings with other government leaders, business executives and WEF Chairman Klaus Schwab.

Han will be the first South Korean prime minister to attend the event since 2009. Last year's session was attended by President Yoon Suk Yeol. (Yonhap)
The Hanover County Sheriffs Office on Friday announced an arrest in a series of larcenies at multiple Virginia ABC stores.

Police said Ashley Davenport, 41, of Richmond, on Thursday was arrested after stealing from an ABC store at 9502 Chamberlayne Road in Mechanicsville. Subsequent to the arrest, police identified Davenport as a suspect in at least five previous larcenies at Hanover ABC stores over the past year.

Numerous other larcenies in which Davenport may have been involved are also under investigation, police said.

Davenport has been charged with six counts of petit larceny, according to court records. He is being held without bond at the Pamunkey Regional Jail.

Additional charges against Davenport are pending. He is next scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 13.

From the Archives: Jackson Ward in the 1970s and 80s
Attorney General Jason Miyares is backing a bill that would make it tougher for inmates over the age of 60 to be granted parole, a move that is frustrating prison reform advocates but affirming crime victims.

Currently, any prisoner who has not committed a Class 1 felony, a catch-all for the worst crimes in Virginias legal code, can apply for whats known as geriatric release at the age of 60 or 65. The requests are approved or denied by the Virginia Parole Board.

But House Bill 308 would add nearly 40 felony offenses as disqualifiers, an increase that would make many more applicants ineligible.

Currently, an offender could receive a life sentence for murder, rape, or an act of terrorism and be released on geriatric parole five years later  thats traumatic for victims and a loophole in our legal system, said Victoria LaCivita, a spokesperson for Miyares.

If passed into law, the criteria would apply to certain crimes committed on or after July 1, 2024. Prisoners can apply if they have served 10 years and are over the age of 60, or have served five and are over the age of 65.

The bill is carried by Del. Jason Ballard, R-Giles. Ballards staff said the bill came as a recommendation from Miyares.

The bill comes as Virginias prison population continues to swell with aging inmates. In 2020, corrections officials described them as the fastest growing demographic in the prison population. They are also the most expensive, requiring end-of-life care and medication for which taxpayers foot the bill.

Those numbers have risen since Virginia lawmakers abolished most types of discretionary parole in the 1990s. Nowadays, Virginia has one of the lowest rates of parole in the country, while its incarceration rate is among the highest, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported in August.

The Virginia Parole Board receives thousands of applications each year, and a handful are granted. In December, for example, the board heard several hundred cases and granted just one.

Margaret Breslau, co-founder of the Virginia Prison Justice Network, said the bill has a human cost, too, given how few prisoners actually win parole and how few recidivate when they do.

Older prisoners are less likely to commit a crime that returns them to prison. The parole board did not return questions on Thursday regarding the recidivism rate of its geriatric releases.

In 2020, researchers at the Virginia Department of Corrections found that the recidivism rate for those over the age of 50 is around 17%. A study from the U.S. Sentencing Commission found the recidivism rate to be around 13% for those over the age of 65.

If you look at the statistics, these are not the people who reoffend, Breslau said. With the rising costs, I dont understand why we cant allow people who are clearly no threat to the public to be free.

Breslau thinks its incumbent upon Miyares office to prove that geriatric releases are actually reoffending.

Im not seeing older people coming back, Breslau said. Believe me, if there was some murder, rapist or terrorist who was sent back from prison, wed all hear about it. And I dont hear about it.

But some crime victims are adamant the bill is necessary and even wish for tougher restrictions on parole. LaCivita connected The Times-Dispatch with an opponent of parole reform: Paige OShaughnessy. OShaughnessys husband, Timothy, was murdered in 2000 by Joseph Ludlam, a former colleague.

He was convicted on a plea deal to a 40-year sentence.

Ludlam was up for parole this past November. On Nov. 15, OShaughnessy and her three kids asked investigators at the parole board to deny the petition. They did.

OShaughnessy stands by the proposed bill and said she would love to see something stronger in hopes of sparing other victims from reliving their grief.

Even if theyre not granting parole, why put the victims through this? OShaughnessy said. No violent criminal should be allowed to get out.

OShaughnessy expressed little empathy for her husbands killer.

I get tired of, you know, the criminal needs to be rehabilitated, OShaughnessy said. Why do we have to relive the idea of this person ever being out on the street?
By the start of 1968, Virginia, along with the rest of the nation, had witnessed a momentous amount of change in a matter of two decades. The nation had reached a fever pitch of people tired of violence, inequality and injustice.

In Richmond, businesses and buses had desegregated and, despite Massive Resistance, a collection of Virginia laws meant to impede school integration, schools had begun to do so.

This progress was largely due to the many community-based organizations that made it their mission to see racial injustice end once and for all. One man became the face of the movement: the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., a charismatic, determined Baptist preacher from Atlanta.

From the Montgomery boycotts to the lunch counter sit-ins to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, King had led the movement across the Deep South and the nation. In the fight against racial inequality, he had come up victorious more often than not.

So when he announced his next initiative, the Poor Peoples Campaign, which aimed to create a multiracial army of poor people to fight economic injustice, there was a new buzz in the air.

His vision included visiting 15 Southern cities to draw up support and make a final drive to Washington, D.C., to demand Congress protect the countrys most vulnerable.

Richmond was scheduled to be the second-to-last stop before the nations capital.

On March 30, 1968, King was set to hold a rally at the Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church in Jackson Ward with an expected turnout in the hundreds.

Dr. King will personally direct persons to the non-violent approach to a cool summer in Richmond. He is coming so that the forgotten, disenchanted and left-out will know there is another option save violence, Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church pastor the Rev. Barry L. Hopkins told the Richmond Times-Dispatch in the Thursday, March 21, 1968, edition of the paper. We expect the poor will come in great numbers, regardless of race, color or creed.

But the night before he was set to make his appearance, King decided to postpone his visit. Instead, he would remain in Memphis, Tenn., for a few more days. He had arrived a week earlier in support of a labor strike organized by Black sanitation workers that had turned violent. He would wrap up in Memphis, travel to Richmond and then hold a demonstration in D.C. on April 22.

He never made it to Richmond.

On April 4, 1968, while leaving his second-story room at the Lorraine Motel, King was shot and killed by James Earl Ray. His death shocked the nation and left many defeated and uncertain of the future of the movement.

The entire world is shocked because of it, Richmond Vice Mayor Winfred Mundle told The Times-Dispatch in the Friday, April 5, 1968, edition of the paper. It is one of those things that we all hoped would not come to pass. His work was one that I think was intended to bring us closer together and make this the type of world we all want.

Kings legacy in Richmond did not begin in his final year. Like many influential Southern cities, Richmond, the former capital of the Confederacy and the cornerstone of Virginian integration policy, became one of importance in the road to equal rights.

While he was not met with many warm regards from local and state leaders throughout the years, he did work closely with many of the historic Black institutions in the city, including Virginia Union University and the Virginia NAACP.

When Virginia defined itself as one of the leading states behind Massive Resistance, King helped organize a march to the state Capitol to demand school integration.

On Jan. 1, 1959, nearly 1,800 people congregated outside of the Mosque Auditorium, now the Altria Theater. Despite the cold rain that pelted them, they began, arm-in-arm, their 17-block pilgrimage.

A serenade of church hymns grew as they neared the Capitol steps.

Then-Gov. J. Lindsay Almond Jr. had run a campaign promising that schools would remain segregated. Across the state, despite the U.S. Supreme Courts Brown v. Board of Education decision, many localities had skirted the ruling by opting to shutter schools that saw Black children enroll.

With new legislation headed toward the governors desk aimed at ending this practice, the purpose of the march was to show support. King invited Almond to sit down and discuss it. Almond refused.

Exactly a year later, King gave a speech to Virginia Union students and teachers alike. A month later, 34 students, inspired by other demonstrations, organized a nonviolent sit-in at Thalhimers department store. The store was fully integrated by the end of the year.

King would continue to visit the university on many occasions.

As his initiatives continued to gain traction, many Richmonders joined the peaceful resistance from bus boycotts to sit-ins to rallies.

On Aug. 28, 1963, four buses carrying nearly 300 Richmonders left the city bound for Washington, D.C., where they joined nearly 260,000 others on the Washington Mall to demand racial equality. It was then that King gave his now-famous I Have a Dream speech.

The marchers left Richmond at dawn quietly, as if they were going to an all-day church outing, Ross Weeks, a staff writer for The Richmond News Leader, reported in the Wednesday, Aug. 28, 1963, edition. At the northwest base of the Washington obelisk, the Richmond marchers joined other Virginians to sing the freedom songs which have characterized the nations civil rights demonstrations.

King led the charge for racial equality and set the precedent for future activists. His numerous organized demonstrations, like the March on Washington, overcame constant financial and legal obstacles, often under the threat of violence despite his nonviolent resistance philosophy.

His death sparked outrage as folks took to the streets in protest. The National Guard was called in to cities like Washington, D.C., Chicago and Detroit. In Richmond, which saw its fair share of damage, state and local police patrolled the city for days.

His legacy, however, continued, and a new generation of activists, inspired by the political philosopher and activist, stepped up to continue his work.

10 places that shaped Martin Luther King Jr.'s march in history Intro Atlanta, Georgia Memphis, Tennessee Montgomery, Alabama Birmingham, Alabama Washington, D.C. Boston, Massachusetts Bimini, Bahamas Ghana The civil rights struggles in the United States and the end of colonialism in Africa came at the same time and naturally the movements dovetailed. In 1957, the Kings went to Ghana in West Africa to attend its independence ceremony from Britain, according to the King Encyclopedia at Stanford University. In the capital of Accra, he met then-Vice President Richard Nixon, among others. His first overseas trip, Ghana a profound effect on King. Upon his return to the United States, he said, "Ghana has something to say to us. It says to us first, that the oppressor never voluntarily gives freedom to the oppressed. You have to work for it." Before the pandemic, Ghana was emerging as a prime tourist destination not just in West Africa but the entire continent. It is open to US visitors. While many people come for the beaches, wildlife and food, it also holds important historical sites. That includes Cape Coast Castle, which was a hub of the transatlantic slave trade. A visit there is a somber reminder of centuries of oppression and its ramifications during MLK's time up to today. Victoria Road, Cape Coast, Ghana, +233 024 587 3117 India Online If you're simply not able to make it to any of these places in person this year, trace the journeys of King online at Stanford University's extensive King Institute. It's a deep dive into his life, yet easy to navigate.
The new chair of the Senate Education and Health Committee is raising concerns about leadership at the Virginia Department of Education weeks ahead of the legislatures deadline to confirm Lisa Coons, Gov. Glenn Youngkins appointee as state superintendent of public instruction.

The General Assembly must approve Coons appointment by Feb. 10  30 days after the legislative session commenced  or her appointment will expire, according to the state constitution.

Since Coons took over as head of the state education department in April, the agency has seen an exodus of longtime staff and top-level staff. At the same time, the agency created a new, expensive tier of upper-level officials in the department.

I have heard some serious concerns around leadership in VDOE and we are gathering facts and details, said Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield, chair of the Senate Education and Health Committee. Well be in a position to share that information publicly next week.

Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, declined to comment and noted that Senate Democrats have not yet collectively discussed Coons confirmation.

Democrats now hold a 21-19 edge in the Senate and a 51-49 edge in the House of Delegates.

A spokesman for the Department of Education referred questions to the governors office, which defended Coons performance.

Governor Youngkin acknowledges that change is hard and when you bring in change leaders not everyone is going to agree, said Youngkin spokesman Christian Martinez.

Dr. Coons effective leadership and her willingness to collaborate is demonstrated in her 50 public engagements since April with Virginias superintendents and every school division in the Commonwealth being ALL IN to improve attendance, literacy and learning in Virginia. This is about getting the Virginia Department of Education to where it needs to be to deliver a world class education for Virginias students.

This would not be Democratic legislators first clash with Youngkin over appointees.

Last year, Senate Democrats voted to remove Youngkin appointee Suparna Dutta from the State Board of Education. Hashmi introduced the amendment on the Senate floor to block Duttas appointment, and it passed the Democratic-led Senate on a party-line vote.

In 2020, Dutta led the fight against admissions policies that aimed to boost Black and Latino enrollment at the prestigious Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Fairfax County and resulted in fewer Asian Americans being admitted.

In January 2023, a Virginia Senate committee struck the name of then-Health Commissioner Dr. Colin Greene from a list of appointees requiring General Assembly confirmation. Greene had come under fire in 2022 after he reportedly said he believed there was no evidence that racism plays a role in maternal and infant mortality rates.

Senate Democrats also voted last year to remove former prosecutor Steven Buck, a Youngkin appointee, from the Virginia Parole Board. Surovell asserted that Buck, a former Richmond, Henrico County and Albemarle County prosecutor, almost never voted to grant parole.

In February 2022, Democrats who controlled the Senate rejected Youngkins nomination of Andrew Wheeler  former head of the Environmental Protection Agency under President Donald Trump  as Virginias secretary of natural resources. It was the first time legislators had spurned a governors Cabinet nominee since 2006, when House Republicans defeated Daniel LeBlanc, former state leader of the AFL-CIO, as then-Gov. Tim Kaines nominee for secretary of the commonwealth.

Coons assumed her position as head of the Virginia Department of Education after a period of turmoil under predecessor Jillian Balow, who resigned last March. The department came under fire for errors in its redrafting of K-12 history standards and for miscalculating how much education funding localities would receive from the state. The appointment of Balow, former state superintendent of Wyoming, was seamlessly confirmed by Virginias legislature in 2022.

Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg, D-Henrico, who sits on the Senate Education and Health Committee, said he is concerned about the effectiveness of the department. Without speaking directly to Coons leadership, he criticized how the department handles education policy.

They seem to bite off more than they can chew. They seem to drop a lot of balls. They seem to be concerned with headlines over substance and that has me concerned, as its had me concerned for the last couple of years, said VanValkenburg, who is also a Henrico teacher.

I want to focus on the things that we know we need to do to improve students educational outcomes. Sometimes, it seems like the department is in a constant state of flux.

Since Coons was appointed in April, seven directors  department heads within the agency  have left the VDOE. Another director, Sarah Susbury, will leave the agency next month after 24 years at the VDOE. She oversaw the student assessment department.

Notable departures under Coons include former agency spokesman Charles Pyle, who left in June after 23 years at the agency; then-Deputy Superintendent Kimberly Richey, a former U.S. Department of Education official under the Trump administration; and then-Assistant Superintendent Shelley Loving-Ryder, who worked at the VDOE for more than 42 years and shaped Virginias assessment program.

Virginia General Assembly opens 2024 session
Daniel Gade, a U.S. Army combat veteran and former U.S. Senate candidate, is leaving his state post as commissioner of veterans services to return to Northern Virginia and look for opportunities in the private sector.

Gade, who lost one leg to a combat injury in the Iraq War, said Thursday, Im leaving because Ive accomplished quite a lot in the past two years and its time to hand the reins over to somebody else for the last two years of the governors term.

Friday is his last day. His replacement, Northern Virginia business consultant Chuck Zingler, is scheduled to start Monday.

Zingler is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and served as a Navy intelligence officer before his career in the private sector, Gade said. Hes a seasoned military executive and also a seasoned business executive.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin appointed Gade to lead the Department of Veterans Services at the beginning of his term two years ago.

Spokesman Christian Martinez said in a statement: Governor Youngkin is grateful for the retired lieutenant colonels lifetime of service to his country and the Commonwealth.

He leaves a legacy of transforming the way the Commonwealth serves military veterans and their families. The Governor appreciates that he is willing to continue to serve Virginia in the future.

Gade is the latest in a number of high-profile state officials to leave the administration as it passes its halfway point.

Travis Hill resigned as CEO of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority this fall, one of three executives to leave the semi-independent authority in the span of four months. Joe Damico stepped down as executive director of the Department of General Services last fall soon after completing years of work on a $300 million project to transform the seat of government around Capitol Square with a new General Assembly Building and renovated Old City Hall.

Separately, Jennifer DeBruehl is retiring as executive director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation in June.

In his case, Gade wants to spend more time with his wife and twin sons, who live in the Mount Vernon area of Fairfax County, and acquire a government contracting company in the region.

Im looking to come into the private sector and continue to serve veterans in Virginia in a different way, he said.

Gade ran for the U.S. Senate in 2020 as the Republican challenger to Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., who won re-election by more than 500,000 votes.

In a debate during the race, Gade referred to a Richmond Circuit Court judge as a racist judge, prompting Judge Bradley Cavedo to file a lawsuit against him for defamation. Gade publicly retracted his statement after settling the suit with Cavedo.

A native of North Dakota, he graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and received both the Bronze Star and Legion of Merit for valor in combat as commander of an Army tank company in Iraq. Wounded twice, he lost his right leg in 2005.

He then earned a masters degree in public administration and a doctoral degree in public administration and policy from the University of Georgia.

As head of the Department of Veterans Services, Gade has overseen the provision of veterans benefits, including veteran and family support, education, transition and employment services. The agency, under the secretary of veterans and defense affairs, also oversees veterans care centers in Richmond and Roanoke, veterans cemeteries and the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond.

In two years as commissioner, he said the state developed a robust program for suicide prevention among veterans and more than doubled the number of businesses in the Virginia Values Veterans program. These are businesses that promise to hire veterans, he said.

Veterans are honored at ceremony in Richmond 111123-rtd-met-veterans 111123-rtd-met-veterans 111123-rtd-met-veterans 111123-rtd-met-veterans 111123-rtd-met-veterans 111123-rtd-met-veterans 111123-rtd-met-veterans 111123-rtd-met-veterans 111123-rtd-met-veterans
Two bills filed at the General Assembly say Virginia should step in where Washington has been ineffective, so far, in blocking unregulated e-cigarettes with sweet flavors that entice teenagers.

The bills, House Bill 1069 and Senate Bill 550, call for a fine of $1,000 a day for each product sold that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not cleared to be marketed in the U.S.

Its a public health issue, said Del. Rodney Willett, D-Henrico, who sponsored the House of Delegates bill.

Theyre targeting kids with the flavors, he said. When I walk into a convenience store, Im just stunned by the number of these products that are for sale.

Theyre just all over, added state Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Charlottesville, who sponsored the Senate version.

Theyre going after kids, he said.

The bill states any retailer and wholesaler that sells or distributes any liquid nicotine or nicotine vapor product in the state is subject to scheduled or unscheduled compliance checks carried out by the Attorney Generals Office for enforcement purposes.

Manufacturers must certify, in a filing with the Attorney General, that their product is covered by an FDA marketing authorization order, or is exempt from that because it was sold in the U.S. before 2016 or subject to a premarket tobacco product application dating from before 2020.

Under federal law, only those products may be legally sold in the U.S., but that law is widely flouted.

The Attorney General would maintain a directory of legal products. Products not listed in that directory could not be legally sold in Virginia.

The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions latest youth survey found that 10% of high school students use e-cigarettes.

Young people are especially attracted by the flavored disposable e-cigarettes and pods from brands the FDA has repeatedly warned are violating federal law, the survey reported.

These include Elf Bar, with such products as peach-mango-watermelon flavored pods; Esco Bar, with a line that includes banana ice flavor; and Mr. Fog, which offers apple berry flavor.

Elf Bar is subject to an FDA directive to staff last month advising its enforcement officers to seize any they come across. In May, the agency issued a warning letter to the maker of Esco Bar products to stop marketing them in the U.S.; it issued a similar warning to the maker of Mr. Fog products last August.

Last month, Rep. Rob Wittman, R-1st, and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., jointly called on the FDA and the U.S. Department of Justice to do more to address proliferation of illicit vaping products.

Deeply concerning to us, in 2023, 10 percent of high schoolers and 4.6 percent of middle schoolers, or 2.1 million youth, used e-cigarettes, the two House members said in their letter to the agencies.

The letter said vaping products imported from China now account for more than half of all vaping products sold in the U.S. and are driving underage use.

The two added that those imports are predominantly high-volume products containing approximately as much nicotine as in several cartons of cigarettes, as well as candy and fruit flavoring that attract youth.

The CDC Foundation, a congressionally chartered group that raises private funds to support the work of the CDC, has reported that flavored vape sales surged 64% over the past 3.5 years, to 18.4 million vaping products per month as of September 2023. Disposable vapes account for 57% of vaping sales in retail stores, a figure that does not include sales in vape shops or online sales.

To allow for enforcement of the state ban, Willetts and Deeds bills say anyone who sells, stores, handles or transports liquid nicotine or nicotine vapor products must keep all records relating to the purchase, sale, exchange, receipt or transportation for three years. Those records are subject to audit and inspection, and failing to maintain them would be a misdemeanor subject to a fine of $1,000.

Henrico County-based tobacco giant Altria sells legal e-cigarette products, as well as the nations No. 1 cigarette brand. Altria spokesman Steve Callahan said the company believes legislation authorizing state registries of legal vaping products and efforts to crack down on sales of illegal ones are important steps to reining in illicit products.

The company has said such products are undercutting efforts to block underage use.

Public health activists worry that the products, by hooking youth on nicotine, will lead them to smoke cigarettes.

Photos: Here's what Cuban cigar tobacco harvesting looks like
A dramatically changed Virginia General Assembly convened for a 60-day legislative session on a day that was part history and part first day of school.

The House of Delegates, in which Democrats now have a slim 51-49 edge, elected Del. Don Scott Jr., D-Portsmouth, on Wednesday as speaker of the House of Delegates. Scott is the first Black person to serve as speaker in the more than 400 years since the legislature was established and the first enslaved African people arrived on Virginias shores.

Scott, a lawyer who once served nearly eight years in prison on federal drug charges, emotionally thanked members of his family for their years of support during his redemptive rise. Family members who were present Wednesday to watch him make history included his 88-year-old mother, Helen Scott, his wife, Dr. Mellanda Yvonne Colson-Scott and their 15-year-old daughter, Peyton.

Many of the new speakers new colleagues are still learning their way around the Capitol and the new General Assembly Building.

In December 2021, the state Supreme Court imposed new legislative district boundaries that lumped dozens of legislators into districts with their colleagues. An ensuing wave of retirements and defeats of incumbents has left a remarkable sea change. As the legislature settles in this week, 19 of the 40 state senators and 35 of the 100 delegates are newly elected.

If you think you need a scorecard, youre not alone. Lawmakers say they do, too.
Like a time-worn Abbott and Costello routine, Congress has been tangled in a circular debate about how to fund the federal government for the fiscal year that began more than three months ago.

An agreement that House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., reached last weekend ran into a partisan roadblock erected by the same group of conservative Republicans who deposed then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., for relying on Democrats votes to pass a stopgap spending bill to prevent a government shutdown at the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30.

Led by Rep. Bob Good, R-5th, the new chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, the conservative faction temporarily blocked a procedural rule on Wednesday that locked up the House from taking action. That sent a clear message to the new speaker that the spending deal  estimated between $1.59 trillion and $1.66 trillion, depending on whos talking  was unacceptable.

By Thursday afternoon, they allowed the rule to pass after forcing Johnson into talks about potentially revising the deal to reduce spending and change policies they say harm the country.

There are some things that are worse than a shutdown, Good said in an interview on Tuesday night.

On Saturday night, The Associated Press reported that congressional leaders are working on a new stopgap measure to keep the government running into March and avert a partial shutdown.

Its not yet clear whether the new measure will resolve the political stalemate, but time is running out before parts of the government shut down on Friday. That is the first of two deadlines imposed by a second stopgap spending bill lawmakers passed in November to buy more time.

Patience is running out, too, for some members of Virginias congressional delegation.

I think they need to buckle down and focus on funding bills and put the sideshows away, said Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-4th, who represents Richmond, parts of Chesterfield and Henrico counties, and the Tri-Cities area.

Democrats assert that Good and other conservative representatives are missing the obvious  the House cannot get anything done without them.

The speaker has to work with us and stick with us, and not cave to the chaos wing of their caucus, she said.

Good, who represents part of Hanover County and outlying counties around Richmond, does not see it that way. He was among a group of House conservatives who blocked McCarthys election at the beginning of the new Congress in January, then voted present in the final round, which enabled McCarthy to get a majority and attain the speakership. Good was one of eight Republicans who voted to remove McCarthy on Oct. 3, followed by three weeks of limbo as Republicans warred publicly over whom to elect as a replacement.

They settled on Johnson, a low-key Southern conservative who subsequently reached an agreement with Senate Democrats for a second continuing resolution to avert a shutdown. It was his idea to impose two deadlines  the first on Jan. 19 to pass four appropriations bills to fund parts of the government and the second on Feb. 2 for the remaining eight bills to fund the rest.

Friday deadline

If Congress misses the first deadline, money will run out for the departments of Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation and Energy. Concerns range from the potential loss of housing vouchers for low-income residents who could face eviction to funding of the Federal Aviation Administration, which oversees the nations airports and air traffic control system.

Anytime we even get close to a shutdown, its a mess, Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., told reporters on Thursday.

Rep. Rob Wittman, R-1st, whose district includes parts of Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico counties, said he is optimistic that the House will move forward to approve the appropriations bills by the dual deadlines.

Were back on track, Wittman said Thursday after the House approved the procedural rule that conservatives had blocked the previous day.

He said Johnson told Republicans on Wednesday that the deal has a top-line spending number of $1.59 trillion, including $704 billion in discretionary non-defense funding. Wittman said that is in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act that McCarthy negotiated with President Joe Biden in late May to avoid a potential default of the national debt.

It funds the military, said Wittman, vice chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. All of these things are good news.

Top-line trouble?

Senate Democrats say the top-line number  which becomes the basis for all of the appropriations bills  is $1.66 trillion, which reflects both the deal between McCarthy and Biden, but also a $69 billion side deal they struck for additional discretionary non-defense spending.

I dont believe in reneging on deals, Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., told reporters on Thursday, saying he viewed the agreement between Johnson and Schumer as a positive sign.

Wittman played down reports of Johnsons negotiations with the Freedom Caucus on potential changes to the spending agreement.

I think the speaker is doing his due diligence, he said. Hes having discussions with everyone, not just the Freedom Caucus.

Goods take

Good continues to support Johnson, whom he said inherited an extremely difficult situation.

Im going to do everything I can to help him be successful, he said. If not, Im going to do everything I can to help him get back on track.

Good blames McCarthy for failing to ensure that the House passed the appropriations bills that conservatives wanted by Sept. 30, so that it would enter negotiations with the Senate on even footing.

Our response seems to be, what passes out of the House is what the Senate will agree to, he said.

Democrats fault House conservatives for refusing to work with them, even though their votes are essential to adopting legislation that has a chance of becoming law in a divided government.

With a two-seat majority, there is no legislation that can pass the House without Democratic support, said Warner, who blamed the impasse on a radical right-wing group of bullies in the House.

Hopefully, Virginians will remember who is in that group, he said.

Passing all 12 spending bills is likely to require more time, meaning another short-term continuing resolution, even though everyone would prefer to avoid it.

In the meantime, Senate Democrats are trying to reach a deal with Republicans over border security  both increased spending and revised policies  to get their support for more than $100 billion that Biden seeks in aid to Ukraine, Israel and Gaza. Kaine is optimistic in the Senate, but House Republicans are pushing for more far-reaching immigration reforms embodied in what they proposed as the Border Security Act of 2023.

McClellan derided the House immigration legislation. The child deportation act is dead on arrival, she said.

Before reaching agreement on border security and foreign aid, McClellan said, Congress has to break out of the political circle its been spinning for more than three months and avoid a government shutdown.

Obviously, the priority is weve got to fund the government or we wont be able to do anything, she said.

Photos: Scenes from historic speaker vote of 118th Congress
Traci Franssen remembers that when her father secured health insurance for her family when she was younger, she was excluded from coverage for her parents and older sister.

Having been treated for depression the year prior, she had been deemed to have a preexisting condition and was therefore denied.

The experience made her realize that policy affects personal lives, Franssen said Friday during a news conference to remind Virginians of Tuesdays deadline to enroll in Virginias Health Exchange.

Fast-forward to 2024. Franssen said the federal Affordable Care Act has protected people with preexisting conditions for the past 14 years. But people around the country still fall through health care insurance gaps.

The Affordable Care Act empowers states to take matters into their own hands. Virginia authorized the creation of its marketplace in 2020.

Virginia lawmakers gathered Friday to remind residents that the state-based marketplace is available for all eligible Virginians who are not insured by their employer and do not have affordable coverage, or Medicaid or Medicare.

Franssen, a small-business owner and therefore her own boss, said she would not otherwise have health insurance.

Im thankful that I had the opportunity to purchase a plan. I encourage other small-business owners and freelancers to sign up, the Chesterfield County resident said during the news conference at the General Assembly Building, where she joined lawmakers and health care access advocates. This country is built on the entrepreneurial spirit of small-business owners.

She stood alongside Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield, chair of the Senate Education and Health Committee, and Del. Mark Sickles, D-Fairfax, chair of the House Health and Human Services Committee. Sickles and then-state Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, now a congresswoman, carried the bills in 2020 that authorized Virginia to create its exchange.

Also present Friday were Keven Patchett, director of Virginias marketplace; Katie Baker, the Virginia director of Protect Our Care; and Ruth Alburez, a health care navigator with the Legal Aid Justice Center.

We have these very good, cheap, affordable products that were selling on our exchange that we hope people will take advantage of, Sickles said.

So far, nearly 400,000 people have signed up since enrollment opened in November, Hashmi and Sickles said.

The state exchange is a great option for people who otherwise lack access to affordable insurance plans  people who are self-employed, people in between jobs and young people who are aging out of their parents insurance, Hashmi said.

President Joe Biden asserts that 20 million people nationwide have enrolled since the 2024 enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act opened in November. It also closes Tuesday.

Asked if health insurance rates in Virginia are different with its exchange, compared with the federal exchange, Patchett said Virginias rates are stable and maybe even slightly lower this year than last year.

He and Sickles noted there are Virginians who still might be uninsured despite state and federal efforts to expand affordable options.

Patchett said the number of people who are uninsured include those who do not realize they are not covered by Medicaid, people who have forgotten to file renewal paperwork, and those whose income has changed their eligibility status. He said residents should make sure to check if they qualify and are enrolled in Medicaid.

Sickles said he hopes Virginia will expand outreach and access to people who remain unaware or less inclined to enroll and those who currently do not qualify.

We need to work on the undocumented population, he said. Theyre a big part of the population that dont qualify for Medicaid and are served by our free clinic community.

He added an additional task  breaking through to young people who think theyre immortal and dont need health insurance.

Virginia General Assembly opens 2024 session
North Korea's recent artillery shell firings near the western sea border appear to be aimed at driving a wedge in strengthening security cooperation among South Korea, the United States and Japan, Seoul's top diplomat said Friday.

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul made the remarks during a presser following his inauguration, when asked about his assessment of what was behind the North's latest provocations over the weekend.

"The South Korea-U.S.-Japan security cooperation and the South Korea-U.S. extended deterrence have been building up under the Yoon Suk Yeol government, and we are seeing the concrete efforts to strengthen the deterrence and those taking form in a very tangible way, making (North Korea) anxious," Cho said.

He said the North's belligerence suggests its "underlying fear" over the solidifying deterrence plans between Seoul and Washington.

"I personally think that (they) may have done so with the intention of driving a wedge between the South, the U.S. and Japan, or creating some sort of a rift in their trust," Cho said.

He said the government has taken "firm and very restrained" action against Pyongyang's provocations and will continue to do so in consultation with Washington.

On South Korea's relations with China, Cho stressed the importance of trust-building between the two nations, saying that deteriorating public sentiments and mutual perception between the peoples of both sides are more serious problems.

"We have many areas in which we can cooperate, such as economy, arts and humanity and people-to-people exchanges. It's very important that we build trust through substantive cooperation projects," he said.

Touching on the relations with Japan, Cho called for efforts to resolve the issues stemming from the 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula, expressing hope for Japanese private companies to "ride the same boat" to resolve the longstanding historical issues, Cho said.

"The third-party reimbursement plan was the only solution to the forced labor issue," Cho said, referring to the South Korean-led proposal of compensating Korean victims without contributions from the liable Japanese companies.

In the face of the intensifying strategic competition between the U.S. and China, the minister called for diplomacy that "integrates economy and security," as the two areas should no longer be dealt with separately given the complexity of the current geopolitical climate.

"I intend to strengthen our diplomatic capabilities to converge on economy and security, and create a work system and culture to make it possible," he said.

Cho said he will also work to promote South Korea's diplomatic status as a significant middle power so as to realize its push to join the envisioned expanded version of the Group of Seven (G7) developed countries.

"Our country is already recognized as an advanced country," Cho said. "I hope to solidify the national status as a potential 'G7 Plus' candidate in the near future, or higher, during my term in office," he added. (Yonhap)
A handful of Northern Virginia residents wielding gas-powered blowers gathered outside of the state Capitol on Thursday to ask state lawmakers to turn over a new leaf.

They think the lack of regulation on leaf blowers, well, blows.

Thats why they hope lawmakers will pass a bill by Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim, D-Fairfax, that would grant local governments the ability to prohibit or regulate the use of gas-powered leaf blowers. If lawmakers pass the measure and, if a locality created such an ordinance, the ordinance could include civil penalties, and a locality could use funds generated from fines to assist with the purchase of non-gas-powered blowers by residents and local businesses.

Salim says the measure could have an environmental impact in helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

After hearing from plenty of constituents, the senator said he wanted to address the matter in his new role in state government. He said that especially in his district, he has seen residents use blowers beyond just curtailing fallen leaves in autumn.

(People are) using it for everything, at least  or choosing it for everything. And thats where, you know, you see a lot of environmental impact, Salim said.

Del. Rip Sullivan, D-Fairfax, also has a version of the bill in the House of Delegates. Sullivan was a chief author of Virginias Clean Economy Act, which encourages growth of renewable energy and requires state-regulated utility companies to phase out the use of fossil fuels.

Some localities  including Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico counties in the Richmond area  already place some restrictions on leaf blowers as part of their ordinances that bar loud noises in residential areas late at night or before 7 a.m. Violators could be subject to hundreds of dollars in fines, but some officials see fines as a last resort.

A brochure about Henrico Countys noise ordinance says: Henrico Police encourages everyone to speak with their neighbors on their own before involving law enforcement for noise complaints.

The legislation from Salim and Sullivan would add the ability to regulate the types of blowers, taking particular aim at gas-powered devices.

Theyre used like brooms

Advocates for the bill say its part of addressing noise pollution as well.

The coalition demonstrating at the Capitol on Thursday is part of a group called the Quiet Clean NOVA.

My husband works at the hospital. These machines have woken him up in the morning after hes been up all night, said Alexandria resident Samantha Ahdoot. To work from home is very difficult when you have these machines blowing. It makes it hard for people to walk outside, to enjoy their porches, or have little outdoor parties with their kids.

She and a handful of people fired up gas-powered blowers Thursday to demonstrate how loud they can be. (Electric blowers are quieter.) The residents walked around Capitol Square blowing leaves, sticks and other debris along the walkways, making a racket.

While Adhoot acknowledged the effectiveness of any kind of leaf blower on clearing leaves in the fall, she concurred with Salim that in her locality, the devices have been used nearly year-round.

Theyre used like brooms, she said.

The legislation has a long way to go and plenty of room for debate before it could become law. With Virginias 60-day legislative session underway, Salims bill will first be reviewed by the committee on local government  which will have its first meeting of the session next Monday. Committees are where bills are first reviewed.

Were starting with noise, because thats the most impactful thing to people personally, said Paul DeCourt with Quiet Clean NOVA. And all these other things sort of flow from what else is wrong?

Virginia General Assembly opens 2024 session
More and more these days, local governments are saying thanks but no thanks to the big arrays of solar panels that are key to Virginias move to a clean energy future.

Its a growing concern in a state where theres a now-4-year-old law that says Dominion Energy must have 16,100 megawatts of solar facilities tied into its grid  enough to power more than 4 million homes  by 2035. Dominion currently has about 1,600 megawatts of solar facilities.

Youve got to do something to get there, said state Sen. David Marsden, D-Fairfax, who as the newly appointed chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee said finding a comprehensive answer to the challenge of finding sites for solar facilities will be a major focus this year.

Either you have a real policy, or you just have a bright shiny thing you can take out and admire without doing anything about it, he said.

Its an issue that can pit rural Virginians against urban and suburban neighbors, because solar farms can take up a lot of space  hundreds of acres for some of the biggest  and there is more so far unbuilt-upon acreage in rural Virginia than in cities and suburbs, Marsden said.

As part of a package of bills aimed at speeding up Virginias move to reduce fossil fuel use, Del. Rip Sullivan, D-Fairfax, is proposing House Bill 636. It would let the state step in to approve sites for solar facilities if local officials do not act in a timely way on a request to install them.

Even if local governments in rural Virginia, with their limited streams of property and business taxes, like the idea of the additional tax revenue a solar facility could bring, they do not like flouting voters who have been saying they do not want to look at a field full of solar panels, that they are worried that rainwater running off the panels will pollute streams and groundwater, and that the facilities will destroy the rural nature of their communities.

Residents objections

They are saying quite loudly: Not In My Back Yard.

Weve put all kinds of money into the house to make it our home, our oasis, Prince George County resident Michelle Coker told the countys supervisors last month as they considered and eventually rejected a 100-megawatt facility that RWE wanted to erect on 506 acres of a 1,295-acre site.

I currently work from home, so this eyesore will be at my back door every day, she said, adding that she has cancer and will soon be unable to travel from home. Thats all well see. It will be solar farms next to us ... please keep it rural.

County resident Chris Brooks told the supervisors: These solar farms do not benefit our properties in any way, saying he has three properties in three counties all within a mile of solar farms. The value of those properties has declined, and the buffers do not block the sight of them.

What about the long-term effect of these panels after 30 years ... what about wildlife in these areas ... these solar farms do not provide power direct to Prince George, it is sent upstream and then sold, he said.

It can take years to get a solar facility approved  RWE started development work on the Prince George project in 2017.

In Madison County, the board rejected a solar facility proposed for 59 acres of a 92-acre site in July.

Fauquier County supervisors in August pulled the plug on Torch Clean Energys proposal for an 80-megawatt, utility-scale solar farm, dubbed the Sowego Energy Facility, deciding it was not in accordance with the countys Comprehensive Plan.

Mecklenburg County supervisors last year did the same with a proposed 90-megawatt project proposed for more than 1,000 acres, arguing that it would remove nearly 490 acres of farmland while runoff would send dirt and mud into nearly Allen Creek and from there to Lake Gaston, contaminating water that local cattle ranchers use to water their animals.

In Dinwiddie County, Energix Renewables second effort to win a green light for its Lily Pond solar facility, to be built on 500 acres of a 1,900-acre tract, ran into such strong local opposition that it withdrew its bid for supervisors approval in June. It is trying again, with a revised proposal slated for the county Planning Commissions review next month.

Sullivans bill sets timelines for various steps a locality would take in considering a large solar, wind or battery project if that locality has an existing ordinance allowing such facilities and setting standards for them.

If the locality cannot act in a timely manner, the bill would allow the State Corporation Commission to review and decide whether to approve the project.

The commission could also step in if the local government rejects a project that complies with SCC requirements for its approval of a project.

In addition, it could if the locality enacts a zoning or land-use ordinance after a renewable energy developer first proposes a project.

The Virginia Association of Counties opposes the bill. The group argues that local review and approval of utility-scale solar, wind and battery storage projects is necessary to make sure they fit the localitys land-use objectives.

The state should not usurp local authority to make that decision, the association said.

Greg Habeeb, a lobbyist who represents solar interests, said the bill is an effort to find a balance between the states renewable energy goals and local authority.

This is not about preemption, he said.

Along with the bill, Sullivan is proposing measures to facilitate more shared solar facilities  the kind of facilities that apartment or condominium communities might set up. Here, he is proposing that the bills customers pay would reflect their actual use  reduced because of what they receive from the solar panels  as well as the basic cost of being connected to the system. Current law says the minimum bill has to include the costs of all utility infrastructure and services used to provide electric service.

He is also proposing measures that say data centers  major energy users  cannot get a promised sales tax break unless they can procure energy that does not create carbon emissions equal to 90% of their electricity use. Dominion says the energy demands from data centers mean it will need to keep operating gas-fired plants.

Another bill would create an Electric Vehicle Rural Infrastructure Program and Fund to assist private developers with nonutility costs associated with the installation of electric vehicle charging stations.

Yet another would levy a daily charge of 33 cents per kilowatt hour on electric companies if they take too long to process requests for interconnections where a customers own renewable generators  solar panels on a roof or a wind turbine, for example  require the utility to track how much electricity from the customers facilities flows into the grid where others can tap it.

After four years, were finding where the pinch points are, said Sullivan, who sponsored the 2020 Virginia Clean Energy Act, which commits electric utilities to stop burning fossil fuels and emitting carbon as they generate electricity.

Weve got state goals, and we need to think as a state about how we get there.

Virginia General Assembly opens 2024 session
I leaned over to shake his hand, Youngkin said. On the left, I saw Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears; to the right, President Pro Tempore of the Senate Louise Lucas.

With three African Americans at the top of Virginias government, it was a good moment, Youngkin said, to remind students of the historically Black university of its mission, to chase your dreams.

That, he said, was what King  a man who forever changed the course of human history  did with his call to remember the lesson of his faith that we should love one another.

In addition to African Americans in top leadership positions, the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus now boasts a record 32 members.

King believed in the American dream of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, Youngkin said.

In the long struggle for civil rights, he said, King took heart from Virginia Unions Richmond 34, arrested in February 1960 as a result of their sit-down protest at the segregated lunch counters in Thalhimers department store.

For nearly a year after the arrests, picket lines dotted the streets of downtown as residents set up boycotts against stores with segregated facilities. Many department stores decided to integrate their lunch counters. By the end of 1960, Thalhimers had desegregated, effectively ending the picket line.

Now, Youngkin said, it is time to celebrate Kings life by committing to the idea that we want our commonwealth to be a place that recognizes diverse dreams, our incredibly diverse people, where opportunity beckons.

To do that, we must learn from the horrific chapters of our collective past, Youngkin said.

Those chapters, he said, included the abomination of slavery and the bigotry and hatred that the civil rights movement fought so hard against.

Critics have regularly complained that Youngkins administration has tried to sugarcoat that history, with its much-revised effort to write new standards for history curricula in public schools and concerns he expressed in his first executive order as governor, dictating an end to the use of inherently divisive concepts, including Critical Race Theory.

But it was not just history that Youngkin sought to stress at VUU. He reminded the audience that King always spoke of the possibility of a brighter future.

Thats our challenge, he said. To continue building bridges, to continue striving for the greater good.

From the archives: In 1960, The Richmond 34 were arrested during a sit-in at the Thalhimers lunch counter
More than 23,000 people have died in the first three months of the Israel-Gaza war and the violence is only now beginning to slow down. Pictures of bombed-out hospitals in Gaza City and Khan Younis have become some of the iconic images of the war. Israel, meanwhile, reports finding Hamas weapons caches, communication equipment and hostages hidden in medical compounds.

Even as the United States concentrates on finding a solution to bring the fighting in Gaza to an end, it must ready long-term plans to avert the damage that can come even after fighting has stopped, including strategies for supporting Gaza hospitals.

It is important to think about the war on a proportional basis. A little more than 12 million people inhabit the areas between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, where about two out of every 1,000 people have died in the last month. To put this in perspective, this is equivalent to the United States losing the entire population of Detroit.

As in all wars, the impact of violence in Israel and Palestine is uneven. The brute logic is that belligerents seek to inflict more harm on their enemy than their enemy can return or endure. Israel suffered 1,200 deaths on the first day of the war. Since then, Israel has meted out the bulk of the damage, reflecting its advanced military capacities. Palestinians now account for more than 10 times the number of deaths as Israelis.

For both sides, civilians represent the bulk of the fatalities. The war joins a morbid roster of Middle East conflicts that includes Yemen, with 58,500 battle deaths and Syria, with 285,000.

But battle deaths alone do not measure wars long and destructive tail. Damage to housing, hospitals, sanitation and other infrastructure can stunt life expectancies for decades to follow. One study found that mortality due to indirect or lingering effects from disease after conflict equaled direct combat deaths. Such terrible legacies are already visible across the Middle East. In Yemen, the decimation of infrastructure left populations vulnerable to cholera and coronavirus. Syrian physicians living in rebel-held enclaves found that deaths from malnutrition and infection remain elevated even after kinetic military action dissipated.

The combat in Gazas hospital complexes makes concerns about long-term and post-conflict sustainability even more acute. Whether these facilities are legitimate military targets, no one can doubt that health care facilities are severely degraded. Twenty-one of Gazas 36 hospitals are closed and those that remain are only partly functional, according to the World Health Organization. As winter sets in, Gazans have few means to cope with diseases or disabilities. The WHO warns of outbreaks of meningitis, chickenpox, jaundice, hepatitis, and respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, especially among children, that could mar another generation.

The U.S. can begin planning now, while the fighting rages, to minimize such post-conflict harm. To avert a post-war humanitarian catastrophe, the U.S. must marshal its soft power to assemble a multilateral alliance, including Israel and Arab neighbors, to provide humanitarian relief and improve health conditions once the fighting is over.

Israel has one of the most advanced medical services in the world and is already closely, albeit unevenly, integrated with Palestinian health services. Reflecting a combination of medical ethics and the political and economic asymmetries, some 200,000 Palestinians each year get medical treatment in Israel. Still, thousands of other Palestinians see their requests denied or delayed on security grounds, accordingly to Physicians for Human Rights-Israel.

However, Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) collaborated considerably during the coronavirus pandemic, supporting health care workers and distributing personal protective equipment and vaccines. Israel will likely refuse to admit Gazan refugees for treatment. Still, with American encouragement, Israel can still work with PA medical officials to provide for aid delivery and reconstruction efforts that mitigate the risk of post-conflict dangers.

The United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Egypt and other Arab states also have an important part to play. Each has diplomatic ties with Israel, which can allow them a unique influence. They are wary of committing their political capital to mediating the current dispute, but they all have an interest in removing Hamas from Gaza.

Moreover, each has invested heavily in upgrading health care by adopting American standards and practices. Within Gaza itself, Jordan and the UAE have helped build small mobile field hospitals to make up for damaged infrastructure. Jordan is a well-known regional medical hub, with strengths in pharmacology and treatment. Four Emirati hospitals are international associate members of the Association of American Medical Colleges, which sets standards for medical training and care. Egyptian medical facilities have taken in Gazans fleeing through the Rafah gateway. Perhaps most intriguing is the role of Saudi Arabia, which was beginning steps toward normalizing with Israel before the war began. Saudi hospitals, like Jeddahs International Medical Center, a part of the Mayo Clinic network, are a relatively short flight from Gaza, and could potentially contribute as well.

Asking these countries to lend a hand in reconstruction could allow them to claim a diplomatic victory while also avoiding the worst legacies of war. Future generations do not need to suffer from the harm ravaging the region today.

From the Archives: Nurses 20150324_FEA_POD_Red_Cross 20150724_FEA_POD_Sheltering nurses Army Nurses Red Cross march Sheltering Arms Sheltering Arms Sheltering Arms Sheltering Arms Sheltering Arms Sheltering Arms

Ariel I. Ahram is a program chair and professor at Virginia Tech School of Public and International Affairs and the author of War and Conflict in the Middle East and North Africa. Contact Ahram at ahram@vt.edu.
National Guard deals with more than 24 stranded vehicles after highway snowfall

Hermosillo, Sonora  National Guard have attended to more than two dozen stranded vehicles after a heavy mountain snowfall. A heavy snowfall in the high altitude areas of Sonora and Chihuahua Wednesday had highway Transit on alert.

In Sonora and Chihuahua, the Guardia Nacional maintained safety operations to prevent accidents on roads in both states where snowfalls caused by cold front number 25 were recorded, the Agency reported.

Elements of the National Guard (GN) maintain security and accident prevention operations on roads in both states where snowfall was recorded due to the presence of a mass of polar air associated with cold front number 25.

Guardia Nacional helped over two dozen vehicles due to the frozen mountainous highways in two states.

Photo: Guardia Nacional January 10, 2024.

Personnel from the General Directorate of Road Safety and Facilities of the National Guard, together with Civil Protection, implemented intermittent closures to traffic on roads affected by the freezing highway in addition to the accumulation of snow.

In the state of Sonora, traffic cuts were implemented along the Mexico 16 federal highway from kilometer 255+000 to 279+000 at the height of the Yecora-Hermosillo section due to the snow and freezing road conditions.

Two Guardia Nacional patrol highway units attended to stranded motorists after a heavy snowfall.

Photo: Guardia Nacional January 10, 2024.

In Chihuahua, traffic detours were implemented mainly at kilometer 078+000 of the Janos-Agua Prieta highway due to the freezing roads. In this area, National Guard, in coordination with Civil Protection personnel, also provided support with blankets and food to the occupants of at least 24 vehicles that were stranded.
Venezuelan-Mexican criminal group of high-end jewelry thieves snagged in Tulum

Tulum, Q.R.  Five people recently arrested on narcotics charges by Secretariat of Citizen Security in Tulum are facing additional charges. Oswaldo N, Irvin Eduardo N, Ivan N, Kelwin Leonel N and Felida del Carmen N are now facing charges of robbery.

The three Venezuelans and two Mexicans were arrested earlier this week from Itzamna Street in the residential area of Aldea Zama of Tulum. They were picked up for drug dealing. Since their arrests, the State Attorney Generals Office says they are related to a criminal gang dedicated to the theft of high-end watches.

The first acts of investigation relate those captured as members of a criminal gang dedicated to the theft of high-end watches who had recently committed assaults against tourists from whom they stripped of luxury watches and jewelry, the FGE reported in a statement.

Since the beginning of January, at least three broad daylight armed robberies were recorded on security cameras in different parts of central Tulum. In each instance, the victims were stripped of their jewelry.
The return of cold weather over the holidays brought a sharp increase in the number of COVID-19 illnesses in the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health District.

We had a really rough holiday season, Dr. Cynthia Morrow, director of the district, said during a press briefing earlier this week.

More than 100 people were hospitalized during the last week of December  the highest level in nearly two years.

There have been at least 20 deaths since September, 12 of them between November and early December.

Fatalities are more difficult to track because it can sometimes be weeks or months before they are reported to the Health Department.

It is too early to be able to say the true toll that COVID-19 has taken on our community in 2023, Morrow said.

The good news, she said, is that the numbers appear to have peaked and are beginning to go down.

As of Jan. 8, 55 people remained hospitalized in the district, which includes the cities of Covington, Roanoke and Salem and the counties of Alleghany, Botetourt, Craig and Roanoke.

Health department officials attribute the winter spike to several factors. As people spend more time indoors during the colder months, there is usually an increase in respiratory illness.

Other factors include a low rate of vaccine boosters, compared to the number of people who received their primary doses, and the waning of immunity provided by the shots.

During the most recent week-long reporting period, the district saw 350 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID.

Last years provisional count of deaths stands at 76.

Like in previous years, numbers in 2023 started with a jump in early January, then decreased dramatically over the spring and summer before starting to tick up again in September.

There were 385 deaths in 2022, 495 in 2021 and 238 in 2020, when the pandemic first struck.

Morrow said there has also been high activity for flu statewide, but local figures were not available.

Health Department officials encourage everyone to get their flu shots and COVID boosters.

Its never too late, Morrow said. This is a personal choice. But we just want to encourage anyone who wants to reduce their risk of a COVID-related hospitalization, or a COVID-related death, to get vaccinated.
The Roanoke man who was charged with fatally shooting another in the middle of a northwest city road in November was denied bond Friday.

Jacob K. Foskey, 44, faces two charges  first-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony  related to the Nov. 21 death of 31-year-old Dominique J. Blount, who Chief Assistant Commonwealths Attorney John McNeil said had been seeing Foskeys daughter.

McNeil said Roanoke officers found Blounts body near the intersection of Orange Avenue Northwest and 22nd Street Northwest around 10:45 p.m. that day. He had multiple shell casings and a gun near his body, plus a gun in his pocket, McNeil said. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Foskeys attorney, public defender Allegra Black, argued during Fridays bond hearing that this shooting incident is unlike others in Roanoke, which in the past have involved gangs or personal disputes. She said the shooting that killed Blount was a specific situation that involved a father who was concerned for his daughter.

But McNeil said that, according to home security camera video captured near the scene of the shooting, 17 gunshots were fired that night. The prosecutor argued that if released on bond, Foskey would be a danger to the public.

In October, McNeil added, Foskey was convicted in Roanoke Circuit Court on a misdemeanor charge dating from last February: transporting a firearm while the subject of a protective order. He was not sentenced to any active jail time for that offense.

Black said that if granted bond, Foskey, a former member of the South Carolina National Guard, would reside with his parents in Botetourt County. His mother testified that she and her husband are both retired law enforcement officers who have retired service weapons in their home but would be happy to relocate the guns.

Foskeys mother said her son has always been very compassionate and she is not afraid to have him in her home. Black called her clients parents very matter-of-fact people who dont stand for any nonsense.

Black added that Foskey has indicated a desire to facilitate the turnover of the firearm used in the November homicide to police. She maintained that he is not a risk to the public at large.

But Judge Christopher Clemens said that, while hes impressed with Foskeys parents, Foskeys criminal record and the allegation that 17 shots were fired are cause for concern.

I dont trust you with guns right now, Clemens said, and Foskey was remanded back into the custody of the Roanoke Sheriffs Office.

McNeil said the fatal shooting stemmed from a conflict between Blount and Foskeys daughter, Hannah Foskey. On the night of the homicide, according to statements McNeil said the daughter made to police, the pair went to a skill gaming location.

When Blount observed Foskey sitting in a car in the parking lot with another male, he got upset, McNeil relayed. The couple left, and in the vehicle, Foskey said Blount took her firearm and demanded that she pay him back for her portion of a trip they had previously taken together to Greensboro, North Carolina.

In the 2200 block of Orange Avenue, McNeil continued, the couple got out of the vehicle and began an argument, some of which was captured on a nearby home security camera.

Foskey told police, McNeil said, that she texted her father to tell him about the situation and shared her location with him.

Jacob Foskey pulled onto the scene, and Blount approached Foskeys vehicle, McNeil continued. As he did so, Foskey fired a gun, striking Blount. McNeil said a shell casing found inside Foskeys vehicle matched the ones found near Blounts body.

The regional medical examiners office told The Roanoke Times in a December email that gunshot wounds to the torso and arms caused Blounts death. His was the 29th of 31 homicides reported in Roanoke in 2023.
Kerrell D. Jones was 18 years old at the time of the offense, attorneys said during Thursdays hearing. He faces two felony charges  first-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony  related to the death of 43-year-old Edward D. Gates.

Jones was indicted on the charges Nov. 6. When he learned about the indictments, his attorney Neil Horn said, Jones turned himself into police. Horn said he walked Jones across Campbell Avenue Southwest from his law office to law enforcement.

Horn called Jones aunt and grandmother to testify Thursday. His aunt said that if granted bond, Jones could live with her, and his grandmother said that she would put him to work immediately at her own business.

The women said they were not afraid to let Jones into their homes, his grandmother telling Judge David Carson that she simply wanted to support Jones during this difficult time.

Horn told Carson that Jones has no criminal record or juvenile record. Jones testified that he would be willing to cooperate with pretrial supervision and a curfew.

But Chief Assistant Commonwealths Attorney John McNeil argued that Jones would be a danger to the public if released on bond.

The prosecutor said that in the hours before the homicide, police responded to a domestic dispute involving Jones mother and stepfather. When police arrived on scene, McNeil said, Jones mother appeared intoxicated and his stepfather was not there.

Later, on Sept. 17 at about 4 a.m., police responded to gunshot wound reports in the 800 block of Westside Boulevard Northwest. When police arrived, they recognized Jones mother, McNeil said, who said she didnt know who had shot Gates.

McNeil played a portion of a responding officers body camera video for the court Thursday. The footage captures Gates lying in a bedroom with a gunshot wound to his midsection. McNeil said he had died by the time he arrived at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment.

The prosecutor said police preliminarily suspected Jones mother in their homicide investigation, given interactions they had had with her just a few hours prior.

McNeil said officers on scene asked to test Jones mothers hands for gunshot residue. Shortly after that, Jones requested to use a restroom, where he may have washed his hands, McNeil continued.

Later, Jones removed some items from his pockets, placing some change and other items on a television stand, McNeil said. Among the items was a cartridge casing, which matched the ammunition found in a black 9mm handgun that officers located in a tent in the backyard.

McNeil said the events that led up to the homicide were captured on the homes security camera. He played portions of the video for the court Thursday. The footage depicts Jones, McNeil said, waiting at the back door with a black firearm in his hand, at times pointing it in the direction of Gates, who sat in his vehicle.

After the shooting, McNeil said, the camera footage captures Jones younger brother rushing out the residences back door towards the area of the tent with the black firearm in hands.

Horn said what happened inside the residence and what wasnt captured on camera would be up for debate at a trial on a later date. He said the case differs from other Roanoke shooting cases, which in the past have involved a gang war, road rage, robbery or a drug deal gone wrong.

This case deals with a single incident within one family within one household, Horn said, maintaining that Jones was not a danger to the public.

Carson said the presence of Jones family at Thursdays hearing spoke well of the defendant. But the judge said he is concerned about Jones behavior. McNeil had argued that Jones and his younger brother appeared to be lying in wait with the intent to cause harm.

From where I sit, I do not like what Ive seen, Carson said, and ordered that Jones be held without bond.
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Top diplomat vows stern response to N. Korean threats

By Lee Hyo-jin

Cho Tae-yul, South Korea's newly appointed foreign minister, invited Chinese leader Xi Jinping to visit Seoul at a time that is convenient for him, Friday, conveying that Xi's visit should precede President Yoon Suk Yeol's trip to Beijing.

"In terms of the number of visits, while our presidents have visited Beijing six times, President Xi has visited South Korea only once. Therefore, the government's position is that it would be reasonable for President Xi to make a visit this time," Cho said during a press conference, the first such event since he took office on Wednesday.

Since the beginning of Yoon's presidency in May 2022, there have been no official visits between the leaders of South Korea and China. Former President Moon Jae-in was the last South Korean leader to visit Beijing in 2017, while Xi's latest trip to Seoul was in July 2014 during the former Park Geun-hye administration.

When asked whether Xi's visit would most likely take place after a trilateral summit between South Korea, China and Japan, Cho replied that the three-way meeting is not a prerequisite for the Chinese leader's trip to South Korea.

"President Xi's visit is welcomed whenever his schedule allows, and there is no need to directly link the two events," the minister said.

Cho stated that the current strained relations between South Korea and China can be attributed to the geopolitical environment, including the ripple effects of the U.S.-China rivalry and supply chain disruptions. He shared plans to prioritize economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges with Beijing as a strategy to enhance mutual trust between the two countries.

The minister anticipated that resolving the turbulence in relations with Russia would be challenging, given the circumstances of the ongoing Ukraine war.

"Achieving significant progress in our relationship (with Russia) may be challenging as long as the fundamental factors arising from the war in Ukraine remain unresolved ... It is true that issues such as people-to-people exchanges and high-level personnel exchanges have been disrupted due to the prevailing circumstances," Cho said, adding his ministry currently does not have concrete plans regarding visits of high-level Russian officials to South Korea.

Meanwhile, he pledged a firm and stern response to North Korea's escalating belligerence.

When asked to comment on concerns that the escalating tensions between the two Koreas could turn into a "game of chicken," Cho told reporters, "Conversely, if we take no action in response to North Korea's increasing provocations, would that guarantee our safety? No, that is not the case."

He added, "We must respond sternly and resolutely based on clear principles."

The minister also said that the Yoon administration is committed to diplomatic efforts to facilitate the smooth implementation of the third-party reimbursement system for South Korean victims of Japan's wartime forced labor.

In an effort to mend ties with Tokyo, Seoul's foreign ministry unveiled a plan in March of 2023 to offer compensation to the victims through a South Korean government-affiliated foundation, funded by donations from local businesses. Notably, the plan does not entail seeking direct compensation from the Japanese firms deemed responsible.

The ministry has been seeking voluntary participation from Japanese enterprises, but none have stepped forward so far.

"I hope Japanese companies will join hands with us to resolve the issue, as if we were on the same boat. I will actively pursue diplomatic efforts to move in that direction," Cho said.
The exhibit, Bridging Reality, features acrylic paintings that move from realism to the abstract, usually incorporating elements of both, according to a press release from Northwestern. Her graphic drawings embrace the absurd, she said in the press release, using elements of realism to illustrate a strange sort of parallel universe.

Lane-Johnson has a home studio on the Johnson Family Century Farm near Hospers, Iowa. She shows her work at the Blue Monkey Gallery in Archer, Iowa and also helps operate the cooperative gallery, which is housed in a historic former bank building. Her artwork is also in private collections in locations that range from Norway, New York and Florida to Nebraska and Iowa.
By Jon Dunbar

There are so many bands and performers coming to Korea from Japan this month that it's hard to keep track of them all.

It's already too late to see Japanese grindcore band Deserve to Die and goregrind band FesterDecay, who played two Seoul shows  Club SHARP in Mangwon-dong on Jan. 6 and Club Victim near Hongik University on Jan. 7  that were organized by local promoters using the name Behind the Tongue.

If you're interested in something more digital, Japan's Ozigiri will be at ACS in central Seoul's Euljiro area Jan. 12. Ozigiri originated a sound called digital grindcore, which the act describes as a "super-fast and violent chimera sound that blends grindcore, death metal, speedcore, breakcore, dubstep and all the other extreme sounds." Also playing are local acts K-Supermotel and Sikkal, as well as a whole host of DJs including DJ yes yes, plus a midnight drag performance by Rust.

The event, titled "Over 200!" will feature genres with over 200 beats per minute. A live BPM detector will be installed so participants can " experience the bpm boundary of madness that goes beyond 200...300... maybe even beyond that without being bored." Visit @acs.kr on Instagram for more information if you want to check out the "Digital Grinding Slaughter."

Colliding tours

The weekend of Jan. 19 to 21 will have three Japanese bands on two tours colliding for one date.

Victim Records is bringing the alternative punk rock band Tortionals from Kashiwa, located in Chiba Prefecture right outside Tokyo, as well as the melodic hardcore band Upper, for a three-day tour starting in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, and moving to Seoul for two more shows on Saturday and Sunday.

This tour came about as a result of Korean punk band Smoking Goose's Japan tour last March. Shunya Katoh, guitarist/vocalist of Tortionals, said he met Yoon Ki-sun of Victim Records on the tour, and asked for help to come to Korea.

"This is the first time for all the members to visit Korea. I am really looking forward to meeting everyone on the tour," Katoh told The Korea Times.





He added that the members of Upper are their seniors. "We have looked up to (them) for a long time and we are very happy to tour with them," he said. "I am sure they will surprise everyone in Korea with their live show."

Meanwhile, at the same time, the Japanese band the Skippers is also touring Korea to promote their split album with Seoul-based punk band ...Whatever That Means (WTM), and they're set to collide on Saturday night.

"Skippers is a well-known band in Japan, so of course I know their name, but this is the first time we are playing together," Katoh said. "It will be interesting to meet them for the first time in Korea."

Tortionals and Upper are at Cheongju's Club Jijik on day 1 of the tour for the 23rd Rise Up Fest, organized by Lee Chang-ok, frontman of the local hardcore band Sink to Rise. There, they'll share the stage with Smoking Goose and Sink to Rise, as well as B-Addiction and RKA.

That same night, the Skippers will be at The Studio HBC in central Seoul's Haebangchon area, performing with WTM as well as ska-punk band Monkey Gang War, Long Time No Shit and Gwangju-based skatepunk band TwoFive.

Then on Saturday, Jan. 20, all three touring bands will meet up together at Club FF near Hongdae. They'll play with Smoking Goose, WTM, Beacon and the recently resurrected Gwangju skatepunk band BettyAss.

Tortionals and Upper will close their tour on Sunday with a show at Club Victim, along with Smoking Goose, Idiots, Merry Hey Day, Pogo Attack, Row Brothers, TwoFive and the recently reunited Seoul skatepunk band Half-Brothers (yes, a lot of Korean bands are reuniting these days).

Visit fb.com/PoundFoolishPromote for more information about Tortionals and Upper's tour, and @wdikorea on Instagram for more about the Skippers' tour.

Final weekend

After Tortionals, Upper and the Skippers return to Japan, then the next weekend we will see three more Japanese hardcore/crust punk bands, Zikade and Marvelous, both from Ashikaga, and Wage Slave, from Fukushima. They'll be joined by local acts K-Supermotel, Pogo Attack and Distruggle.

This ambitious show on Jan. 27 is planned to celebrate the release of Mutant Rebellion, a zine made by Baek Ryun, a Korean who travels around the world to document punk scenes. Visit @baekryun__prima on Instagram for more information.

All this activity demonstrates how closely interlinked the Korean and Japanese underground music scenes are, while also emphasizing that the local scene needs people coming out, getting involved and making music in order to grow and thrive.
The suspect in a Jamestown homicide who escaped from a Pennsylvania jail Thursday night climbed a piece of exercise equipment in a recreation yard and then used bedsheets to get down from a roof, a county spokesperson said during a briefing Friday.

Jamestown police warned residents Friday morning to lock their doors and stay vigilant after Michael C. Burham, a suspect in the homicide of a woman in May and kidnapping of an elderly couple, escaped from jail in Warren County, Pa.

Burham, 34, was last seen about 11:30 p.m. Thursday wearing an orange-and-white jumpsuit, Crocs and a blue denim jacket.

He fled the jail on foot. Authorities have searched the area of the City of Warren and are expanding the search area, public information officer Cecile M. Stelter said during a briefing, which was posted on Twitter by Your Daily Local.

Authorities have no information Burham is being helped or that hes traveling in any way but on foot, Stelter said.

Burham, who should not be approached by the public and who should be considered dangerous, has survivalist skills and would be comfortable living in the woods for several days, she said.

Burham was being held in Pennsylvania on federal kidnapping charges after being captured in South Carolina on May 24.

Warren County is just across the Pennsylvania border from Chautauqua County, and the Warren County jail is about 20 miles from Jamestown.

Burhams escape was noticed within minutes, the Warren County spokeswoman said. He was in the recreation yard with other inmates and was under video surveillance, Stelter said.

Burham drew attention of the authorities after the body of Kala M. Hodgkin, 34, was found on William Street in Jamestown on May 11. Jamestown police identified her as a homicide victim.

While authorities dont know what Burhams potential motives might be, law enforcement in Chautauqua County has relocated several individuals tied to the Hodgkin case, including witnesses, said District Attorney Jason Schmidt.

Schmidt said Burhams ties are to the Jamestown area.

Anyone who sees something suspicious should call their local police agency, he said.

Jamestown police ask anyone with information to call their confidential tip line at 716-483-8477.

As of about 11:30 a.m. Friday, roughly 12 hours after his escape, there had been no official reports of potential sightings, Schmidt said.

More than 10 agencies are involved in the manhunt, officials said.

A day after Hodgkins body was found, police said a pickup truck Burham was believed to have been driving was found in Warren, Pa.

Burham has been charged with kidnapping an 89-year-old man and 68-year-old woman from Sheffield, Pa., and driving them to South Carolina.

North Charleston, S.C., police identified Burham as a suspect in a homicide who also was wanted on a rape charge.

On May 24, Burham was taken into custody in Huger, a community in Berkeley County, S.C., after a resident called in a tip that Burham was hiding in a shed behind a residence, police said. Burham was confronted by the resident as he hid behind tarps near the familys woodshed and fled. Police, with the help of a K9 team and air units, located and arrested an unarmed, disheveled Burham.

According to the Post-Journal, Burham was extradited first to New York and then was moved to the Warren County Jail on June 19. He was arraigned before U.S. District Judge Raymond Zydonik on charges including two counts of kidnapping, burglary and aggravated assault. He has not been charged in the Jamestown homicide.

Prosecutors are awaiting results of laboratory tests on DNA evidence, Schmidt said.

Jamestown police also said there were two fires set in the city around the time Hodgkins body was found.
SIOUX CITY  A number of 2024 GOP presidential candidates are having to reckon with a massive winter storm as they look to make one last swing through the most-conservative part of Iowa just days before the caucuses kick off the election cycle.

Thursday evening, the campaign for former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley canceled an in-person event set for 2:30 p.m., Friday at the Wells Visitor Center & Ice Parlor in Le Mars and rescheduled it with a "telephone town" hall which allows for people to call in and hear from the candidate. Earlier Thursday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis stopped at the very same location to give a stump speech and took questions from residents as a fresh round of snow was falling. Thursday forecasts for the area showed anywhere from 610 inches of new snow.

The in-person Siouxland event was the second of the week the Haley campaign had to cancel following a Monday stop in Sioux City which was cut because of the single-day record-breaking snow seen then. The campaign for Ohio businessman Vivek Ramaswamy criticized Haley for the cancellation but later had to drop a Tuesday morning event saying it was "effectively impossible to safely get from Des Moines to Coralville."

The forecast from the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls just before noon Friday had total daytime snow accumulation of around 2 inches with wind chill values as low as -20 and gusts as high as 35 miles per hour.

DeSantis' "Never Back Down" Super PAC postponed a pair of Friday morning stops in Clear Lake and Marshalltown because of the winter weather conditions there. While in Le Mars on Thursday, DeSantis joked about leaving his winter coat back in Tallahassee.

Despite the winter weather warnings all throughout the state, the Ramaswamy campaign continued holding events Friday morning including one in Fort Dodge where Haley was also supposed to be.

The National Weather Service's Saturday forecast for Sioux City called for "A slight chance of snow before 10 a.m., then a chance of flurries after noon. Widespread blowing snow, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy and cold, with a temperature falling to around -8 by 5 p.m."

Both Ramaswamy and former President Donald Trump are slated to have events in Sioux City Saturday evening and had not canceled or postponed through Friday morning.
SIOUX CITY  Pat Gill announced Wednesday plans to run for his eighth term as Woodbury County Auditor, Recorder and Commissioner of Elections.

Gill, the lone elected Democratic official in Woodbury County, said it is more important than ever to have someone with experience in the office to defend the integrity of elections.

In 2020, Gill defeated Barbara Parker, a Republican from Salix and former city clerk there, 23,031-20,441, to win another four-year term. Gill was first elected in 1996.

The auditor oversees budgets for all governmental entities, insurance policies and surety bonds, alcohol and tobacco licenses, and payroll. The auditor is also the clerk to the Board of Supervisors. The recorder oversees vital records, land and records management and real estate departments.

Gill said in his time as commissioner of elections, the legislation has continued to put more restrictions on voting and over the last few years there have been unprecedented attacks on elections.

I think its important to have someone in [the office] that has the experience and really cares about the integrity and working to restore that, he said.

A former state legislator, Gill was elected to Iowa House District 2 in 1990 and 1992.

In November, Gill testified in the trial of Kim Taylor, who was facing 52 charges related to voter fraud.

As Woodbury County election workers processed absentee ballots during the June 2020 primary election, they alerted Gill to what they considered an unusual number of write-in votes on Republican ballots cast for Jeremy Taylor for both Woodbury County Board of Supervisors, county auditor and recorder.

At the time there was no way to see who had submitted the ballots because they had been separated from the envelopes, but a few months later, just before the general election, Gill had suspicious ballots he could trace, and he reported it to the FBI.

On Nov. 21, a federal jury found Taylor guilty of 52 counts of voter fraud for running a scheme in which she tried to stuff the ballot box for Jeremy Taylor who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for a U.S. House seat in the 2020 primary before winning election to the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors that fall.

Gill said during the trial it was alleged that he was proceeding with the voter fraud claims against the Taylors to put himself into a position to run for the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors. Gill said that was far from the truth.

So far, no one else has announced the intention to run for the auditor position. The candidate filing period for county offices is March 4 through March 22 for the primary.

The primary will take place June 4 with the general election scheduled for Nov. 5.
SIOUX CITY  Organizers for Sioux City's Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday celebration will now have to wait a week to pay tribute to the civil rights icon.

Due to the ongoing severe winter weather, event planner Sandra Pearson said the celebration would be moved to 6 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 21 at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 4600 Hamilton Blvd. Choir rehearsal is set for 4:30 p.m.

Choir rehearses for 2024 MLK Day Music director Sandra Pearson conducts the MLK Community Gospel Choir during a rehearsal for Sioux City's annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebr

The recognition of the Nobel Peace Prize winner was already rescheduled because of the 2024 Iowa caucuses falling on Martin Luther King Jr. Day which is a federal holiday in the United States (King was born Jan. 15, 1929).

"When Gov. Kim Reynolds declared Monday, Jan. 15 would be the night of the Iowa caucuses, we had to readjust our schedule," Pearson told the Journal.

Choir rehearses for 2024 MLK Day Aaron Parrales plays saxophone during a rehearsal for the MLK Community Gospel Choir at Sioux City's First Congregational United Church of Christ.

The theme of the 2024 celebration is "Living the Dream: It Starts with Me -- Spread Hope, Courage and Unity." The Hon. Robert Tiefenthaler, the first Black judge for Iowa's Third Judicial District, will offer the keynote speech.
TAIPEI, Taiwan  Using military threats, diplomatic pressure, fake news and financial inducements for politicians, China is being accused of deploying a broad strategy to influence voters in Taiwans elections to pick candidates who favor unification.

China's ultimate goal is to take control of the self-governing island democracy, whose high-tech economy supplies key components for computers, cellphones and other electronic devices and ships much of the world's goods out from the Taiwan Strait. Beijing has long insisted Taiwan is part of China and must be regained, by military force if necessary, regardless of the views of the island's people.

Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu says China's global objective is that they want to use Taiwan as a test ground. If they are able to successfully shape the results of the Taiwan elections, they will try to apply their tactics on other countries.

China has been sending warships and fighter jets near Taiwan on a near-daily basis in recent years, hoping to intimidate the islands 23 million people and wear down its military, which relies heavily on support from the United States. China has described Saturday's elections as a choice between war and peace.

While the numbers of such missions have dropped off slightly in recent days, Taiwan has reported a number of suspicious balloons traveling over the island from China. The Defense Ministry also sent out an air raid alert via cellphones about a Chinese rocket launch Tuesday that it later amended to describe as the placement of a satellite into space but on an "abnormal trajectory." It said the alert was justified by the potential threat to civilians on the ground in Taiwan.

Previous efforts to intimidate Taiwanese voters with missile launches and direct threats were largely seen as backfiring after the election of China critics in 1996 and 2000.

China has also restricted imports from Taiwan and invited local leaders on all-expenses-paid visits aimed at persuading them to press colleagues to support pro-China candidates in the elections for the island's president and 113-member legislature. Cases have been opened against dozens of ward officials for accepting such gifts in violation of Taiwanese law.

China in general refuses to acknowledge the legitimacy of Taiwans political institutions in keeping with the Communist Partys insistence that the democracy does not exit.

In line with that policy, China has not commented on Taiwans upcoming elections. However, the head of the Chinese Cabinets Taiwan Affairs office, Song Tao, said on Jan. 2 that China would continue to unswervingly oppose Taiwans independence while also working to safeguard peace, expand exchanges, enhance cooperation, deepen integration and advance reunification to ensure that cross-Strait relations move in the right direction of peaceful development, according to the official Xinhua News Agency.

Surveys show most Taiwanese embrace their current de facto independence  including compulsory military service for all men, the ability to travel worldwide on Taiwanese passports, and the right to choose their leaders in democratic elections at all levels.

While the race remains tight, support is strong for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, even though China has refused to engage with the government since President Tsai Ing-wen was elected in 2016. She is unable to run again due to term limits.

The DPP favors closer ties with the United States as a way to preserve Taiwans separate status and has refused to agree that Taiwan falls under the sovereignty of the People's Republic of China, which has never exercised political control over the island or its outlying territories. The DPP's presidential candidate, current Vice President William Lai, leads most pre-election surveys.

The main opposition Nationalist Party candidate, Hou Yu-ih, is appealing to voters who fear a military conflict with China that could draw in the U.S. and disrupt the global economy. Hou opposes Taiwanese independence and agrees with Beijings view that Taiwan is part of China, although under separate governments.

A third candidate, Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan Peoples Party, has sought to straddle the differences by appealing to young voters turned off by the rivalry between the Nationalists, also known as the KMT, and the DPP.

However, Taiwanese elections are often decided on the basis of local issues such as housing, employment, education and healthcare that are separate from relations with China.

Taiwan, long a melting pot of Asian and European cultures, was a Japanese colony for 50 years until 1945, when it was handed over to Chiang Kai-sheks Chinese Nationalist government at the end of World War II. The Nationalists relocated their government and military to the island in 1949 after the Communists under Mao Zedong took power on the mainland amid a civil war in which millions were killed and which has yet to be formally resolved.

China accuses the U.S. of encouraging Taiwan to raise tensions between the sides by supplying it with military weapons.

Any attempt to use Taiwan to contain China is doomed to failure, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Col. Wu Qian said at a briefing in Beijing last week. Seeking independence by military force is a dead end.
NEW YORK  Barred from giving a formal closing argument, Donald Trump still seized an opportunity to speak in court at the conclusion of his New York civil fraud trial Thursday, unleashing a barrage of attacks and complaints in a six-minute diatribe before being cut off by the judge.

Trump spoke as the judge tried to find out if the former president would follow rules requiring him to keep his remarks focused on matters related to the trial. Instead, Trump defied the judge and launched into his speech.

"We have a situation where I am an innocent man," Trump protested. "I'm being persecuted by someone running for office and I think you have to go outside the bounds."

Judge Arthur Engoron  who earlier denied Trump's extraordinary request to give his own closing statement  let him continue almost uninterrupted for what amounted to a brief personal summation, then cut him off for a scheduled lunch break.

Trump's in-court remarks, which were not televised, ensured a tumultuous final day for a trial over allegations that he habitually exaggerated his wealth on financial statements, deceiving a bank and insurance companies into giving him plum deals.

Engoron said he hoped to have a verdict by Jan. 31. He is deciding the case because state law doesnt allow for juries in this type of lawsuit.

New York Attorney General Letitia James sued Trump in 2022 under a state law that gives her broad power to investigate allegations of persistent fraud in business dealings. She wants the judge to impose $370 million in penalties and forbid him from doing business in the state.

Thursday's exchanges took place hours after authorities responded to a bomb threat at the judge's house in New York City's suburbs. The scare didn't delay the start of court proceedings.

Trump, the leading contender for the Republican presidential nomination, disparaged Engoron throughout the trial, accusing him in a social media post Wednesday night of working closely with James. She and Engoron are Democrats.

On Wednesday, Engoron rejected an unusual plan by Trump to deliver his own closing remarks in addition to summations from his legal team. The sticking point was that Trump's lawyers would not agree to the judge's demand that he stick to "relevant" matters and not try to introduce new evidence or make a campaign speech.

After three Trump lawyers delivered traditional closing arguments Thursday, one of them, Christopher Kise, asked the judge whether Trump could speak. Engoron asked Trump whether he would abide by the guidelines.

Trump didn't agree to do so, instead launching into his remarks.

"This is a fraud on me. What's happened here, sir, is a fraud on me," Trump said. He later accused the judge of not listening to him. "I know this is boring to you."

"Control your client," Engoron warned Kise.

Engoron then told Trump he had a minute left, let him speak a little more, and then adjourned.

In the afternoon, a lawyer for New York state said in his closing remarks that Trump and his "cash poor" company couldn't have completed various development projects without loans and cash flow from interest savings enabled by spurious financial statements.

"Fraud was central to the operation of the Trump Organization's business," said the attorney, Kevin Wallace. He said Trump and the other defendants intentionally put false information in the company's financial statements.

Trump skipped the afternoon court session in favor of a news conference that served as counter programming to the state's closing argument. He peppered his remarks at a lower Manhattan office building he owns  and could lose control of as a result of the trial  with barbs about President Joe Biden and E. Jean Carroll, a writer who accused him of rape.

The day began with police on Long Island checking out what they called a swatting incident at Engoron's home. Nassau County police said they found nothing amiss.

Taking the bench a few minutes late, Engoron made no mention of the incident.

The false report came days after a fake emergency call reporting a shooting at the home of the judge in Trump's Washington, D.C., criminal case. The incidents are among a recent spate of similar false reports at the homes of public officials.

Engoron ruled before the trial that Trump had committed years of fraud by lying about his riches on financial statements with tricks like claiming his Trump Tower penthouse was nearly three times its actual size.

The trial involves six undecided claims, including allegations of conspiracy, insurance fraud and falsifying business records. Trump's company and two of his sons, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., are also defendants. Eric Trump was also in court for closing arguments.

In a ruling last month, the judge suggested hes inclined to find Trump and his co-defendants liable on at least some claims. Assets can be valued in different ways, the judge wrote, "but a lie is still a lie.

However, Engoron asked the state lawyers Thursday what evidence they had that Trump's sons knew of the alleged fraud. I just haven't seen it, the judge said.

Amer responded that the sons, as top executives, bore responsibility even if they claimed to be unaware of the purported wrongdoing.

Since the trial began Oct. 2, Trump has gone to court nine times to observe, testify and complain to TV cameras about the case.

He clashed with Engoron and state lawyers during 3 hours on the witness stand in November and remains under a limited gag order after making a disparaging and false social media post about the judge's law clerk.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands  In a case that strikes at the heart of Israel's national identity, South Africa formally accused the country of committing genocide against Palestinians and pleaded Thursday with the United Nations' top court to order an immediate halt to Israeli military operations in Gaza.

Israel, which was founded in the aftermath of the Holocaust, vehemently denies the allegations. Israeli leaders took the rare step of engaging with the court to defend their international reputation. Israel often boycotts international tribunals or U.N. investigations, saying they are unfair and biased.

During opening statements at the International Court of Justice, South African lawyers said the latest Gaza war is part of decades of Israeli oppression of Palestinians.

The court "has the benefit of the past 13 weeks of evidence that shows incontrovertibly a pattern of conduct and related intention" that amounts to "a plausible claim of genocidal acts," South African lawyer Adila Hassim told the judges and audience in a packed room of the Peace Palace in The Hague.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blasted the case and vowed to continue fighting Hamas, the militant group whose fighters stormed through Israeli communities on Oct. 7. The fighting left some 1,200 people, mainly civilians, dead.

"This is an upside-down world  the state of Israel is accused of genocide while it is fighting genocide," he said in video statement. "The hypocrisy of South Africa screams to the heavens."

The case is one of the most significant ever heard in an international court, and it goes to the core of one of the world's most intractable conflicts.

South Africa seeks preliminary orders to compel Israel to stop its military campaign in Gaza, where more than 23,000 people died so far, according to the Health Ministry in the territory, which is run by Hamas.

"Nothing will stop the suffering except an order from this court," Hassim said.

A decision on South Africa's request for "provisional measures" will probably take weeks. The full case is likely to last years.

Israel launched its massive air and ground assault on Gaza soon after the deadly Hamas attack. Three months later, the offensive has driven nearly 85% of Gaza's population of 2.3 million from their homes.

With only a trickle of food, water, medicine and other supplies entering through an Israeli siege, a quarter of the territory's residents face starvation. Much of northern Gaza, including Gaza City, has been reduced to a moonscape.

Though the court's findings are considered binding, it was unclear whether Israel would heed any order to halt the fighting. If it doesn't, it could face U.N. sanctions, though those could be blocked by a U.S. veto.

The White House declined to comment on how it might respond if the court determines Israel committed genocide. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby called the allegations "unfounded."

"That's not a word that ought to be thrown around lightly, and we certainly don't believe that it applies here," Kirby said.

Israel says it is battling a fierce enemy that carried out the deadliest attack on its territory since its creation in 1948. Israeli leaders claim they are following international law and doing their utmost to avoid harm to civilians. The country blames Hamas for the high death toll, saying its enemy operates in residential areas.

South Africa insisted Israel committed genocide by design.

"The scale of destruction in Gaza, the targeting of family homes and civilians, the war being a war on children, all make clear that genocidal intent is both understood and has been put into practice. The articulated intent is the destruction of Palestinian life," said lawyer Tembeka Ngcukaitobi.

He said the case's "distinctive feature" was "the reiteration and repetition of genocidal speech throughout every sphere of the state in Israel."

The Oct. 7 attackers also abducted around 250 people, nearly half of whom were since released. Ahead of the proceedings, hundreds of pro-Israeli protesters marched close to the courthouse with banners saying "Bring them home," referring to the hostages still being held by Hamas.

At a separate demonstration nearby, pro-Palestinians protesters waved flags calling for an end to "Israeli apartheid" and the adoption of a cease-fire.

Chanting by protesters on the streets around the court's manicured grounds could sometimes be heard in the courtroom.

The case targets the center of Israeli identity and the country's creation as a Jewish state in the aftermath of the Nazi Holocaust, which killed 6 million Jews.

It also evokes issues central to South Africa's own identity: Its governing party, the African National Congress, has long compared Israel's policies in Gaza and the West Bank to its own history under the apartheid regime of white minority rule, which restricted most Blacks to "homelands" before ending in 1994.

The two-day hearing continues Friday, when Israel, which has sent a strong legal team to make its defense, is scheduled to address the court.

South Africa sought to broaden the case beyond the Israel-Hamas war.

"The violence and the destruction in Palestine and Israel did not begin on Oct. 7, 2023. The Palestinians have experienced systematic oppression and violence for the last 76 years," said South African Justice Minister Ronald Lamola.

About two-thirds of the dead in Gaza are women and children, health officials there say. The death toll does not distinguish between combatants and civilians.

Israel will be back on the International Court of Justice's docket next month, when hearings open into a U.N. request for an advisory opinion on the legality of Israeli policies in the West Bank and east Jerusalem.

Today in history: Jan. 11 1908: The Grand Canyon 1935: Amelia Earhart 1963: The Beatles 1964: Luther Terry 1989: Ronald Reagan 2010: Mark McGwire 2020: Coronavirus 2021: Pope Francis
A woman on South Carolina's Hilton Head Island who drew national attention from stars such as Tyler Perry and Snoop Dogg as she fought off developers in her final years has died, according to a publicist for her family. She was 94.

Josephine Wright came to embody the development pressures displacing residents of historic African American communities in the beautiful South Carolina coastal town and around the country. An investment firm sued her early last year over alleged property encroachments on a proposed 147-unit neighborhood near land her late husband's family had owned for more than a century.

Her legacy as a pillar of strength, wisdom, and commitment to justice will forever remain etched in our hearts, the family wrote in a statement after her death Sunday at her Hilton Head home. A cause of death was not mentioned.

Wright moved around 30 years ago from New York City to the historic Gullah neighborhood of Jonesville  named for a Black Civil War veteran who escaped slavery and purchased land there. She and her late husband sought peace while he suffered from Parkinson's disease. The couple thought they'd found the perfect quiet place in the same spot where his ancestors once took refuge.

The Brooklyn-born matriarch was a dedicated community participant and a hard-working woman. She raised seven children and recounted terms as president of three different Parent Teacher Associations. She returned twice to school for certificates in computer science and insurance. She also helped out her husband's law office until he could afford a secretary and worked for a time in the New York City Department of Transportation's legal department.

You have run your race and fought an incredible fight! Perry, the actor and filmmaker, wrote in an Instagram post. Journey well my dear lady. You have inspired me.

The Hilton Head home became a sanctuary for a family that totals some four remaining children, 40 grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren, two Cockapoo dogs and a Shih Tzu, according to Charise Graves, one of Wright's granddaughters, who spoke with The Associated Press last summer.

Graves fondly recalled trips there as a teenager.

Everybody comes here, everybody visits, she said.

The hope was that future generations would also enjoy it. Whether they'll withstand the developer's lawsuit, or any future growth, remains to be seen. According to the most recently published online court records, a third party had been appointed to resolve the dispute. Altimese Nichole, the family's public relations representative, said conversations about a settlement are ongoing.

Wright held strong against offers to give up the land.

Why havent I? Because I want to keep my property and I dont want to sell, Wright told The Associated Press last summer of the offers she'd declined in recent years.

I just want to be able to live here in this sanctuary with a free mind, Wright said.

14 heroes of the Civil Rights Movement whose names you may not recognize 14 heroes of the Civil Rights Movement whose names you may not recognize Claudette Colvin Robert Weaver A. Philip Randolph Claude Barnett Charles Hamilton Houston Howard Thurman Pauli Murray Mamie Till-Mobley Diane Nash Fannie Lou Hamer Dion Diamond Ella Baker Amelia Boynton Robinson Daisy Bates
NEW YORK  TikTok has restricted one tool researchers use to analyze popular videos, a move that follows a barrage of criticism directed at the social media platform about content related to the Israel-Hamas war and a study that questioned whether the company was suppressing topics that dont align with the interests of the Chinese government.

TikToks Creative Center  which is available for anyone to use but is geared toward helping brands and advertisers see whats trending on the app  no longer allows users to search for specific hashtags, including innocuous ones.

The social media company, which is owned by Beijing-based ByteDance, has also removed certain hashtags from the Creative Center that some online researchers had stored for analysis. They include topics that would be seen as controversial to the Chinese government  such as UyghurGenocide and TiananmenSquare  as well as hashtags about U.S. politics and the war in Gaza and Ukraine. The center will now only allow searches for the top 100 hashtags by industry, the company said.

Unfortunately, some individuals and organizations have misused the Centers search function to draw inaccurate conclusions, so we are changing some of the features to ensure it is used for its intended purpose, TikTok spokesperson Alex Haurek said in a prepared statement.

The New York Times first reported on the changes, which came to light last week in an addendum to a study published in December by the Network Contagion Research Institute at Rutgers University.

In the study, researchers with the nonprofit had compared hashtags for certain geopolitical topics on Instagram and TikTok and concluded there was a strong possibility TikTok content was being amplified or underrepresented based on how it aligns with the Chinese governments interests.

Haurek, the TikTok spokesperson, has disputed the reports findings, saying it uses flawed methodology and fails to take into account that hashtags are created by users, not the company. The study was also criticized in a blog posted earlier this month by the Cato Institute, a libertarian-leaning think tank based in Washington.

Overall, TikTok has said blunt comparisons of hashtags is a flawed way to analyze activity on the platform. But at the same time, the company has used hashtag comparisons to defend itself against accusations that content on the app was overwhelmingly biased against Israel during its war in Gaza.

TikTok says it enables academic researchers to study content through Research API, which allows third-parties to gather data about information on the platform. Researchers seeking that data need to submit an application to TikTok and get its approval.

How the 'TikTok ban' and other social media legislation could restrict internet use How the 'TikTok ban' and other social media legislation could restrict internet use
South Korea's top military officer has called for "seamless" surveillance as he visited units on the western coast, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Friday, in the wake of North Korea's recent artillery firing.

JCS Chairman Adm. Kim Myung-soo inspected a coastal guard unit and a radar base, both located in Taean County, 109 kilometers southwest of Seoul, on Thursday.

The latest inspection visit came after the North fired hundreds of artillery shells near the western sea border last Friday to Sunday.

Kim called on troops to respond firmly if a situation arises, saying that "seamless surveillance and vigilance" is the start of any coastal security operation, according to his office.

During his visit, Kim also held discussions on ways to develop operations utilizing unmanned assets, it said.

South Korean officials have said that North Korea is expected to stage provocative acts early this year ahead of South Korea's general elections in April to possibly influence public opinion. (Yonhap)
A lawsuit brought by the U.S. Department of Labor against a Hastings meat processing company recovered $230,000 for more than 500 employees who were denied compensation for work completed before and after their shifts.

Last November, the department filed a federal lawsuit against Noahs Ark Processors LLC, a kosher meatpacking plant and slaughterhouse based in Hastings, alleging that 545 employees were not paid for pre- and post-shift work such as taking on and off protective equipment and cleaning knives. Noahs Ark utilized a gang time policy in which employees were only paid for the time that the entire production line was running.

Under defendants gang time policy, the employee at the very end of the production line starts getting paid when the employee at the beginning of the production line starts working, and then the employee at the beginning of the production lines stops getting paid when the employee at the end of the production line stops working, the departments complaint reads.

Within weeks of the initial filing, Noahs Ark agreed to a settlement in which they would pay a total of $230,000 to employees who were affected by the policy from September 2021 through February 2023. The company also agreed to a court order requiring them to comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act in the future.

The federal courts ruling reinforces that employers must pay their workers for time preparing for and completing shift work, Marietta Taylor, the Wage and Hour Division District Director in Des Moines, Iowa, said in a statement. These compensable minutes each day add up to real dollars in workers pockets.

Noahs Ark Processing is no stranger to scrutiny from courts and enforcement agencies. Since 2018, the plant has been in a prolonged legal battle with the United Food and Commercial Workers Local Union No. 293, the union representing workers at the plant. The company has repeatedly been found in contempt of court for refusing to bargain with the union, and the National Labor Relations Board found in 2023 that, when the company did bargain, they did so in bad faith.

As a result of the 2023 findings, the company was again ordered to bargain in good faith with the union. The company appealed the enforcement order to the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, which heard oral arguments in the case in December.

In 2022, the company pleaded no contest to three criminal counts of failing to file required workers compensation paperwork, a practice that the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office said was done to avoid increased insurance premiums. In 2020, the American Civil Liberties Union unsuccessfully attempted to sue the plant for negligence because of treacherous COVID-19 policies. And in 2019, the Occupational Safety and Health Organization ordered the plant to pay more than $180,000 for 16 serious safety violations after an employee suffered severe ammonia burns.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of January 2024
Nothing makes 2014 feel further away than recalling that, back then, the first season of HBOs True Detective was hailed as a work of genius. Sumptuously photographed and directed, and grounded by two magnetic performances by straight-up movie stars, that season, arriving smack-dab in the midst of the golden age of premium cable, certainly bolstered TVs claim as the prestige medium of the day. But a revisit in the present day only highlights that first seasons weak spots.

Theres the muddled ending. There are the portentous red-herring cultural allusions engineered seemingly to fuel podcasts and columns promising to decode their secret meanings and to drive further publicity for the show. There is the dorm-room edgelord nihilism of Matthew McConaugheys Rust Cohlewhich Ill confess I mistook for parody the first time around, causing me to find the early episodes much funnier than they were in fact meant to be. And theres the underlying conspiracy plot about a pagan cult of pedophiles composed of the rich and powerful, with its unsettling resemblance to what we can now identify as the paranoid fantasia of QAnon. While that first season of True Detective was a handsomely mounted, splendidly acted piece of crime fiction, if it were released today, amid an abundance of top-quality detective shows, would it still be so celebrated?

This is why a fourth season of True Detective, appearing a decade after its sweaty, broody, macho debut, calls not for a return to form but for an overhaulwhich is exactly what the stylish and eerie True Detective: Night Country, premiering on HBO on Sunday, succeeds at being. The series has a new showrunner, Issa Lopez, a Mexican director best known for the lyrically frightful 2017 horror film Vuelven (released in the U.S. as Tigers Are Not Afraid), about street children battling the drug cartel that killed their parents. Lopez has conceived of Night Country as a response to the series first season, a mirror image that reverses the thing it reflects while offering a fresh path forward. Instead of humid rural Louisiana, the setting is frigid, small-town northwestern Alaska during the time of year when the sun never rises above the horizon. Instead of men, the two estranged detectives reunited to clear up the cold case that drove them apart are women. The victims of the new crime that brings them together arent abused children or girls, but adult mena team of research scientists found naked and frozen in tormented postures out on the ice.

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Jodie Foster plays Elizabeth Danvers, the police chief of the fictional Ennis, Alaska. (Is she named after the sinister housekeeper in Rebecca for a reason? If so, that reason is as obscure as the first seasons references to Robert Chambers 1895 short story collection The King in Yellow.) When the case of the dead scientists turns up a link to an unsolved murder that Danvers once worked on with Evangeline Navarro (a charismatic Kali Reis), who quit the police to become a state trooper, the two women must team up again. Like the philandering Marty Hart, played by Woody Harrelson in Season 1, Danvers, a widow, has a messy and very active sex life. Navarroalong with the Indigenous people who live in what Ennis white residents refer to as the villagesis of Inupiaq descent but alienated from those roots. And like Rust Cohle, she has a dark metaphysical side, believing that she and her family are cursed.

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Nic Pizzolatto, the original creator and would-be auteur of True Detective, had an affinity for noir that emerged fully in the series second and third seasons, with their baroque municipal corruption plots and wisecracking dialogue. The creepy twig dolls and animal masks in Pizzolattos seasons of True Detective hinted at supernatural forces that never actually materialized. In Night Country, by contrast, Lopez pledges her allegiance to horror with lashings of jump scares and gruesome apparitions. The first episode features a memorable scene of Fiona Shaw (playing a reclusive former professor) gutting a dead wolf in the snow when she is interrupted by the ghost of her late lover, who has useful information to impart. Such strange doings, apparently, arent uncommon. This is Ennis, a delivery truck driver explains to a police officer. You see people sometimes. Its a long fucking night. Even the dead get bored.

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Nevertheless, something has gone badly wrong with Ennis, as suggested in the first episodes opening scenein which an Inupiaq hunter witnesses a herd of caribou charging, lemminglike, over the edge of a cliff. The cold case that haunts Navarro is the murder of Annie K, an Inupiaq activist protesting the environmental devastation caused by a local mining concern. The spiral tattoo on Annies corpsea carry-over from Season 1matches a symbol drawn on the forehead of one of the dead scientists, but the clue that clinches the connection between the two cases is a human tongue found on the floor of the deserted research station. But what does it all mean? I think the world is getting old, Shaws character explains to Navarro, and Ennis is the place where the fabric of all things is coming apart at the seams.

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The best detective fiction depicts the violation, then the healing, however imperfect, of a social order. In the process it offers a portrait of that order and the truths it must be compelled to yield up and confront. The detective has a license to step into rooms the reader could never access herself and to ask questions otherwise forbidden. Lopez understands this, and a particular strength of Night Country is Ennis itself. The town feels fully manifested. We see Danvers and Navarro dealing with the everyday concerns of policing: unruly drunks and domestic abusers. Each woman comes to us enmeshed in a network of long-standing relationships, parental and quasi-parental, erotic and platonic, inflected by race and gender and class. Who are you? the Inupiaq characters keep asking Navarro, meaning: Where do you fit in the web of humanity that is this community? The towns and cities in Pizzolattos True Detective, by comparison, are thin and lifeless, mere backdrops to two men driving around in a car.

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In Pizzolattos seasons, the truth was usually found on the outskirts, in sugar cane fields, jungly woods, and derelict structures overcome by the rampant fecundity of nature and haunted by degenerate rednecks. Like the rituals of that shadowy pedophile cult, these spaces represented some kind of reversion, a backward movement of civilization or of the heroes themselves. Pizzolatto likes to send his detectives down into tunnels and caves, passages dripping with moisture and tangled with overgrowth, whose sexual imagery hardly needs to be pointed out.

Lopez works into her story some tunnels as well, but of a very different kind. The cosmic horror implicit in Pizzolattos True Detective becomes explicit in Lopezs. Some great force is stirring. Shes awake, a convulsing scientist says in a video found on a cellphone abandoned in the research station, a phrase repeated in the dreams and auditory hallucinations of other characters. The spiral symbol that, according to a character in Pizzolattos True Detective, stands for large-scale pedophile rings connected to people of influence has a more ambiguous meaning here.

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As a plot device, the elite satanic pedophile rings in Pizzolattos True Detective always felt a bit lazy, a semaphore for absolute evil, titillating and sensational enough to outrage even the least sophisticated viewer, which is surely also why Q, from the fetid depths of the internet, later resorted to the same motif in his conspiracy yarns. Even if pedophiles are overrepresented in the population of people of influence (which I doubt), its not as if the rich and powerful need to be malevolent, devil-worshipping perverts to do tremendous harm to the rest of us, including untold numbers of children. They just have to be greedy and indifferent. This is a story Lopez has told before, powerfully, and while it may be less salacious than Pizzolattos True Detective, it has the advantage of being true.
If you want a fun challenge, heres an idea for you: Pull out a calendar and try to figure out when, exactly, all the presidential primary contests are going down this year.

I did this recently. I learned the Iowa caucuses are Mondaybut just for the Republicans. I learned the New Hampshire primaries are in a couple of weeksand Joe Biden is not on the ballot. I learned that the South Carolina primary is in early February for Democratsand three weeks later for Republicans. This years primary process is extremely disorganized compared to past primaries, according to Ari Berman, who is something of a voting expert. If there was to be a competitive primary, the whole calendar would be a complete mess.

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Characterizing an election as a complete mess before even considering that the leading Republican candidate is charged with dozens of felonies is not what Id call reassuring. In some cases, Berman says, the primary calendar seems designed to frustrate a casual observer. Take the Republicans Iowa caucuses next week. Theyre not being held on the usual voting day in this country, Tuesday. Theyre being held on Monday, which is a holiday: Martin Luther King Day, to be exact.

What a fitting way to honor Martin Luther King with Trump winning Iowa. Im sure this is the full fulfillment of the dream that Martin Luther King had in 1963, Berman said.*

On a recent episode of What Next, we spoke about how the 2024 primary calendar got so confusing. And why, as a result, voting in this country is about to get really weird. Our conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity.

Mary Harris: How has the schedule for American primaries usually gone? Like, which dates go first? How did it get there?

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Ari Berman: Since the 1970s, its been Iowa and New Hampshire. The Iowa caucus kind of emerged by accident. My understanding is Jimmy Carter went there early on during the 76 campaign and did really well. And then the Iowa caucus started to become a thing.

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Why does the order of the primaries and caucuses even matter? How big of a deal is this to candidates? And has it always been that way?

A huge deal. You could very credibly argue that Barack Obama would not have been elected president of the United States had he not won Iowa as his first state in 2008. That showed that he was for real. You also see how it derailed people there. Howard Dean was the Democratic front-runner until he had a disastrous third-place finish in Iowa and then gave this speech that people later thought of as the Dean scream. And that almost ended his candidacy.

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So, Iowa has played a huge role in terms of potentially elevating long-shot candidates into being front-runners. Its played a significant role in confirming that people who say theyre front-runners actually are front-runners. And its a small enough state that you can actually visit all of the counties, and you can do a lot of retail politicking. That way, the person with the most money or the biggest name or the most endorsements isnt the person that always necessarily wins.

Lets just lay out what exactly is happening next week, because it is funny. The Republicans have their caucuses on Monday, MLK Day. The Democrats, are they even doing an in-person caucus?

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They might be doing an in-person caucus for some kind of minor offices, but nothings going to be decided on Jan. 15 for Democrats.

How did the Republican and Democratic caucuses come to evolve to have such different processes and dates in the first place?

The basic thing is Iowa Republicans wanted to keep Iowa, and Democrats didnt want to keep Iowa. Its also reflective of where Iowa is. Iowa used to be a major swing state. Now its much more of a Republican state. Republicans are very happy going to Iowa because it solidifies their dominance of the state, whereas national Democrats wanted to move the Democratic Party away from Iowa, because Iowa is not a state they view as a swing state anymore.

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Democrats, my understanding is, have been thinking about demoting Iowa for a while now, but they kind of got a very compelling reason to do so in 2020. Can you remind us what happened?

Basically, we didnt know who won Iowa. The votes took forever to be counted, and they were contested in terms of who won. Was it Bernie Sanders, or was it Pete Buttigieg, or was it Amy Klobuchar? And in the end, it made a lot of people very angry. And no one can argue that they got an Iowa bounce because nobody knew who won the state.

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I have been to an Iowa caucus, and the way they add up the votes is extremely confusing. Its gone through this whole complicated math process that looks like youre scribbling a bunch of crazy numbers on a whiteboard. So, Im not surprised this thing finally went kaput. That was the last straw for saying not only is Iowa not reflective of the Democratic Party or the country as a whole, but they cant even count their votes properly.

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My understanding is that for Democrats whove made the most moves in terms of the calendar and when their elections are happening, the seed of all this change started with one meeting between 30-odd members of the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee back in December 2022. What was that committee trying to accomplish when they met up?

Basically Biden and his supporters wanted South Carolina to go first.

Why South Carolina?

Because South Carolina was the state that delivered for Joe Biden in 2020. Remember, he lost Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada, and his campaign was sinking. And he was rescued by Black voters in South Carolina, and the dean of the U.S. House delegation there, Jim Clyburn, is widely seen as delivering not just the primary but likely the presidency to Joe Biden.

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But you could also argue that South Carolina is a solidly red state. A Democratic presidential candidate hasnt won there since 1976.

Thats a very legitimate critique. If you want to have a more diverse state, why dont you have Michigan or Georgia go first?

Which are real swing states.

Yeah. There are benefits from having South Carolina go first in terms of the concentration of Black voters there. That is the largest and most loyal Democratic voting bloc. And it makes sense that theyre finally getting the acknowledgment of their power, but there are also states in which Black voters have a lot of power, like Georgia, like Michigan, where their states are actually competitive in November. And there would be a lot of benefits to Democrats campaigning there, compared to campaigning in South Carolina, which everyone knows is going to go red and doesnt even have a single competitive congressional district right now.

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So Democrats, they decided they wanted to start with South Carolina. They said Feb. 24 is the day. But that is not actually whats happening, because New Hampshire essentially muscled in and said, Not so fast.

New Hampshire is basically holding a rogue primary.

Totally normal.

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They have a state law that says theyre the first primary. And so they have to hold it. But none of the votes in New Hampshire are going to count towards the actual result of the primary. And not only that, but Biden is not even on the ballot. Hes mounting a write-in campaign to try to win the state, so he doesnt get embarrassed by whatever other Democrat is running a nominal campaign against him.

This seems not functional. How does New Hampshire explain itself here?

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New Hampshire explains itself that basically, Democrats knew when they moved South Carolina ahead of New Hampshire that New Hampshire still was going to be the first primary in the nation. Theyre essentially rebelling against the moves by the national party. This has happened in the past, but I dont know if its ever happened this early, that theres fights over which state comes first and are the votes even going to be counted there? But, according to the Democrats, the New Hampshire primary is completely irrelevant. It doesnt actually count.

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Have the Democrats really processed what happened here? It seems to me like this setup that they arranged, its a solution that seems to have pissed off everyone and been very embarrassing all around and resulted in a lot of confusion.

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Yeah, and all of that would matter a lot more if there was a competitive Democratic primary and Donald Trump wasnt the likely Republican nominee, because people right now have bigger fish to fry. But it is an important issue. And its something that had there been a more competitive election and had the primary mattered more, it would have been a much bigger issue. And of course, its a conversation for another day of whether Biden should have had a more competitive primary, given concerns about his age and his seeming weakness against Trump in the polls.

While the Democrats are busy dealing with a messy primary calendar of their own design, the Republicans have their own challenges. Take whats about to happen in Nevada. In early February, that state will hold both a Republican primary and a Republican caucus.

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Heres why: A couple of years back, local legislators passed a law requiring a primary election. But that made GOP operatives balk. Eventually, they decided theyd simply have a caucus anyway and ignore the primary results altogether. That allowed the GOP to write their own electoral rulesrequiring people to show up in person and bring a state ID with them.

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Oh! And theres one more thing: Candidates can only be on the ballot for the caucus or the primary, not both. That means half the candidates are competing in the Feb. 8 caucus and the other half are competing in the primary, two days earlier.

Trump is competing in the caucus, but Nikki Haley is competing in the primary. Its so confusing. I dont even know how Republicans can keep track of this and which one theyre going to vote in. But its kind of like election denialism to its most extreme: OK, were going to hold an entirely different election because we dont like the way that our state votes. Thats insane. You cant do that in November.

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Republicans are totally able to, like, slip out of the way the state wanted to run the election. Nevada is a pretty blue state. And my understanding is that the Legislature passed rules basically being like, We want our primaries to be run like this. Heres how were doing it. And the Republicans just said no. But then because our primary system is set up so the state parties run it, its like, Oh, well, uh, yeah, we have that rule. But I guess the Republican Party locally is running it. So its a caucus now.

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Theyve had caucuses in years past, so its not totally unprecedented. But the reason for it now is totally unprecedented. And caucuses shut out many more people than primaries because of the way they operate. And so the caucus is going to disenfranchise a lot of people just by the fact that theyre holding a caucus. And its also held to much stricter voting laws than would have existed in the primary. And theyre days apart, which is even more confusing.

If I was a Republican in Nevada, what do I do?

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Well, thats what Republicans are going to have to figure out. And again, they just elected a Republican governor in Nevada. So, its a Democratic-leaning state, but Republicans have won elections there. And not only that, they have a number of competitive congressional elections potentially. So, the Republican Party doesnt want to be in a position where its screwing everything up in a place like Nevada. But thats what it seems like theyre doing. And Nevada was one of those states where you had extreme MAGA election deniers who lost elections for things like secretary of state and attorney general that they otherwise could have won. And now those same election deniers that lost in 2022 seem to be running the party in 2024.

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Its funny because as we talk, youre making this point, which I think is well taken, which is that people are just assuming its going to be a Trump-Biden rematch, so actually all this chaos, it would have mattered more in a different kind of year. And I think thats true. But I also think that arguably the parties are diluting the voter pool even further by making this confusing system where its very hard to understand what should I be doing here? When should I be voting? Who should I be voting for? Why isnt the president on the ballot? Do you worry about that?

Yes. Especially if youre a first-time voter and youre confused or youre disenfranchised, youre going to be less likely to vote in the November election. Getting people to vote in primaries is a great warmup to getting them to vote in the main event, which is the general election. And if they cant vote in the primary or the caucus, or if they dont think their vote will matter in the primary or caucus, that cynicism could extend toward November. And also a lot of people are unhappy about the two candidates. So, it would actually be a lot better if there were clear rules. And there were also a meaningful debate on both sides. From a small-d democratic perspective, its unfortunate that there werent more alternatives on both sides to the two major front-runners. If the public is unhappy about a Trump-Biden rematch, which it seems like they are if you look at the polling75 percent of Americans want a different kind of contest, or something to that effectthen how come more choices didnt emerge in the primaries? Because thats the only way to get a different candidate to emerge in the general election.

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We havent even talked about another huge element at play in the primaries, which is that Donald Trump, the front-runner for the Republican nomination, has been kicked off the ballot in Colorado and Maine.

Yeah, that thing too.

How is uncertainty around Trumps status causing chaos for election workers? Hows that going to trickle down?

Election officials in general have been put in a very, very difficult position because of the uncertainty over the calendar, because of the uncertainty of whos going to be on the ballot, because of the threats that theyre facing. The decision to take Trump off the ballot has dramatically escalated the threats that the election officials in those states were already facing, and the real prospect of political violence in America, of threats being sent into state capitols, of threats being sent against judges and election workersthe 2024 election is taking place amongst a very, very scary backdrop. The concerns about voting just intensify what is already a very unpredictable atmosphere in this country right now as we head into a presidential election year.

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Im thinking back to the 2020 election, when, of course, so many election workers faced people banging on their doors, questioning their work. And I do feel like the chaos in the calendar, the chaos about whos on the ballot where, it actually creates a much higher degree of difficulty for maintaining that trust with election workers.

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Yeah. And I have another concern, which is that a lot of those people that were banging on the doors in 2020 to try to overturn votes might be in charge of counting votes in the next election, or might be Republican poll watchers, or might be Republican Party chairs, and that a lot of the people that were insurrectionists or supporters of the insurrection or did insurrection-y things have been promoted in the Republican Party. Things like political violence and overturning elections, far from being repudiated, have been legitimized among very key aspects of the Republican base.

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Is there a solution for this chaos were about to see in the primary process? Is the solution more centralized control of the elections process or control that comes not from the parties, but some other entity?

One could argue that the whole idea of the parties structuring the elections is in and of itself a conflict of interest, right? Whoever is the front-runner of the party, if its a sitting president, theyre going to control the process. Theyre going to control the institutions, the state parties, and the national party in particular that make these kind of decisions. And thats an inherent conflict if you want some alternative. It would be nice if the calendar was standardized for both sides. It would be good if things like caucuses were abolished and primaries were opened up so that more people participated. It would be good if these kind of decisions were made with more buy-in from the public compared to feeling like its being done in smoke-filled back rooms. A lot of it could change.

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Youve said how in some ways you anticipate this elections chaos is just going to skate by this year because theres so much other chaos layered on top of it. One of the major candidates is in and out of court, etc. Is there any pressure to fix this system before the next big election?

Well, theyre going to see how it goes. If Nevada is a total laughingstock because of the dueling primaries and caucuses, theres going to be a lot of pressure to try to standardize that for the next election. If Biden were somehow to lose New Hampshire, or Democrats were to lose critical races in New Hampshire, and they could point back to the fact that theyre no longer the first state primary, then there might be more pressure to put New Hampshire back in. And were also going to have to see how this thing unfolds in terms of South Carolina, Michigan, and other states going first on the Democratic side.

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All of these decisions can be revisited. Nothing is really set in stone here. This is going to be a test run, and people are going to see how it goes. But my guess is a lot of other events are going to overtake it.

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Oh, but that seems like a problem to me, because the next round of this, it wont be Trump and Biden. And these processes will need to be strong so that whoever is there, its not a total disaster.

Yeah. Its like when youre dealing with your kids, and you have to compartmentalize the level of messes, and what is the biggest one? And this is a mess. But in the eyes of others, theres bigger messes that need to be solved first.
Not many things about immigration policy are clear except for the fact that it seems to have broken peoples brains. Just over the past few weeks, Congress spent a considerable amount of time not reaching an immigration deal; House Republicans made a pilgrimage to the southern border for a traditional immigration publicity stunt; Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to Mexico to discuss interdiction policies; media outlets ran prominent stories about new migrant caravans and increasing arrivals at the border; Texas passed legislation making undocumented immigration a state crime, setting itself up for a legal challenge to reach the Supreme Court; and New York sued bus companies for transporting migrants from Texas to the Empire State.

Despite all the attention on immigration, the discussion has been divorced from the reality of migration. Alarmist lawmakers and media have made it seem that we are facing an unprecedented crisis, but we are not. Looking at the picture globally, immigration worldwide is an infrequent phenomenon. Only about 3 percent of the world population migrates, a percentage that has remained stable for decades. Moving to whats happening in the United States, although last year recorded the highest numbers of arrivals on record, Customs and Border Protection has five times the budget it used to have in 2000, during the previous peak, so its hard to believe the agencys claims that theyre simply overrun. In short, yes, there is more immigration to the U.S., but its not at a level that corresponds to the political frenzy or justifies the rightward shift of the Biden administration.

Both the reported efforts during legislative negotiationsoffering a return to some of the most draconian border policies we saw under Trumpand Secretary Blinkens trip to Mexico are proof that the Biden administration has fully embraced immigration deterrence as its main policy agenda. This is despite the fact that deterrence policies greatly endanger lives and they simply dont work. How could they if even Americans dont know what the border policy is? Moreover, if the dangers of crossing Mexicowhere just last week a bus with 31 migrants was kidnapped by an organized crime syndicateor of crossing the Darien Gap or Sonoran/Arizona desert do not dissuade people from coming to the United States, then U.S. border policy wont do so either.

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Related From Slate 100,000 Immigrant Kids Are in Limbo Because of a Technicality Read More

Finally, the patterns of current migration to the U.S. further suggest that old deterrence measures are even less likely to work this time around. For the first time ever, a majority of people arriving at the southern border are not from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras combined. More family units and people are coming from Venezuela, Colombia, and China than before, for example. It was also reported recently that immigration from Africa to the U.S. has increased as Europe has tightened its border controls. This tells us that people are embarking on longer treks with their entire families, meaning that they are less likely to be dissuaded by whatever CBP is doing at the border.

A big reason that deterrence wont work is that one of the main pull factors: the American economy. The U.S. is currently experiencing an economic boom that is not seen anywhere else on this continent and there is a shortage of just under 9 million workers. People currently migrating may have good reasons to leave, but the reason they choose to come to the U.S. is because the economy here is ready to receive them.

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The Mexican example is illustrative. Mexican migration to the U.S. was net negative between 2005 and 2014. This is despite the soaring violence and meager growth in Mexico during those decades. Since 2015 the trend has reversed, greatly increasing last year. Conditions in Mexico did not change that much in that time; the real difference is that today the U.S. is a much more attractive destination.

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The reality is that the fate of immigration is deeply tied to the economy, a fact that will be even more pronounced in the future as the population in the U.S. keeps getting older.

Defenders of the Biden administrations embrace of deterrence policies frame it as a response not only to Republican pressure but also that of state and local Democratic officials. The loudest of these officials has been New Yorks Mayor Eric Adams. Adams has made himself notorious for his bizarre and incongruous conduct, but at least when it comes to migration, hes been consistently awful. He has made it clear that New Yorka sanctuary city in nameis not open to migrants, and recently sued bus companies taking migrants from Texas to New York under a 19th-century New York state law that requires anyone who transports a needy person likely to seek government assistance from another state to cover their expenses. Various observers have said the suit is not going anywhere, but it shows just how reactionary Adams is on immigration. The problem is that Adams isnt alone. Many other local officials have raised similar concerns, albeit in less alarmist or racist ways.

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Many people believe that these mayors and governors are caving to the politics of the MAGA right. That may be part of the story. However, its important to recognize that increased immigration to places like New York and Chicago is putting constraints on cities and states social budget and infrastructure. Perhaps even more importantly, local officials may also be responding to traditionally Democratic constituencies. At a recent panel on immigration in Chicago, Erendira Rendon from the Resurrection Project, an organization that works with and in immigrant communities, spoke about the growing resentment in those communities toward newly arrived migrants. Rendon reported that many people felt it was unfair that there was no government support for long-term undocumented residents while temporary parole, employment authorization, and more generous city services were being provided for new arrivals. The same is true for other minority communities that only know a history of underinvestment in their social infrastructure and well-being. Of course, the easiest thing to do is to blame the new arrivals, because its only natural to believe that public resources are a zero-sum game.

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It is, however, in that notion that lies the solution to the morass. Democrats are so scared to alienate voters when it comes to immigration that theyve caved or adopted restrictionist policies and xenophobic talking points. However, policymakers can be shown through policy that immigrants are not enemies to their identities or their pockets, that public social support systems are not zero-sum. On the contrary, immigration makes the country wealthier, which ensures that state and local resources are plentiful enough to cover the needs of all communities. Of course, that process takes time. In the immediate term, local officials should spend their resources in communities, not on lawsuits and publicity stunts, and the executive should start making the case that immigration is good for the country. Because thats just it, and yet people are afraid to say it. Either the United States will embrace itself as a nation of immigrants or it will become a nation in decline.
This article was originally featured in Foreign Policy, the magazine of global politics and ideas. It was reported by journalists at the Fuller Project, a global newsroom that catalyzes positive change for women. For news, expert analysis, and background on the conflict, read FPs latest coverage of the Israel-Hamas war.

GAZAAs bombs rain down on Gaza, Maryam Abu Akar has managed to escape death twice. But her loved ones have not. Maryams 17-year-old daughter, Sarah, was killed when a bomb landed on their two-story home on Oct. 17ripping the teenagers body in half.

In the wake of Sarahs death, Maryam relied on her husband, Salama, for support. He helped me bear the loss of my daughter. He told me that everything would be better and that our daughter went to heaven, the 40-year-old said in an interview in her husbands family home in Khan Younis, a city in southern Gaza.

Seven weeks later, Salama was chatting with a neighbor when a bomb landed nearby, killing them both. In an instant, Maryam became a widowand the sole caregiver for their remaining four children. She is far from alone. Thousands of women in Gaza have been widowed by the war or left in charge of households, and aid experts fear that their worsening plight is being overlooked in the humanitarian response.

I do not know how I will face his absence and raise the children without him, Maryam said, tears streaming down her pallid cheeks. Sometimes, when the children make me angry, I tell them: I will call your father. And then I remember that he is not here.

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Maryams late daughter and husband are among more than 23,000 Palestinians who have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza since early Octoberwith about 70 percent of the victims estimated to be women and childrenaccording to CARE International, a global humanitarian organzation.

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On Oct. 7, the Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 peoplemainly civiliansand taking more than 240 hostage, according to Israeli figures. Growing evidence is emerging of widespread sexual violence by the Hamas attackers against Israeli women and girls.

Israel responded to the attack with a massive bombing campaign in Gaza that has resulted in the highest civilian death toll in the long-running conflict since 2005. More than 2,780 women in Gaza have been widowed, data from U.N. Women Arab States shows. With at least 85 percent of Gazas 2.3 million residents displaced and food, fuel, medicine, and water scarce, these newly female-headed households are struggling to cope, several humanitarian organizations said.

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These women not only have to contend with a deeply rooted patriarchal society and systemic legal inequities, but they are now increasingly vulnerable to gender-based violence, unable to support themselves and their families, and lack access to organizations that can help thembe it with food, safe shelter, or health care, several aid experts said.

Most of the burden will be on the women, said Lucy Talgieh, head of the womens program at the Palestinian Conflict Transformation Center, a civil society organization based in Bethlehem. They have to be strongto live, and to help their children, and to start a new life, maybe with an injured husband who has become disabled, or maybe as a widow with four to five children to care for.

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LAWS IN GAZA PLACE WOMEN under the protection and guardianship of men, and fail to protect female citizens against honor killings, marital rape, and domestic violence, the United Nations said in a 2018 report.

A woman can lose her right to spousal maintenance if she chooses to leave her husbands home, and in 2021, a Hamas-run Islamic court ruled that women need the permission of men to travel in Gaza.

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Although female literacy rates are high in Gaza, only 17 percent of women were active in the workforce as of 2021, compared with 69 percent of men, data from the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics shows.

In 2017, Gaza had the worlds highest unemployment rate at 44 percent, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. Most women in Gaza have never had a formal job, and now, even if they could work, there are virtually no opportunities available because of the war.

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At least two-thirds of jobs in Gaza have been lost since the war startedroughly 192,000 jobsthe International Labour Organization said in late December, warning that women working in agriculture could lose out if rising unemployment results in men taking their jobs.

Maryam married at 20 and never finished university. She has been a housewife almost her entire adult life and was financially dependent on her late husband, who earned about $9 a day selling clothes in a market.

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I got used to relying on him to raise my children. He was the only breadwinner for us, Maryam said. I am not accustomed to bearing the responsibility alone. I do not know how I will continue the path with my children.

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For Gazas widows, grief and the trauma of war are compounded by the challenge of suddenly becoming the sole breadwinner, aid workers said.

CARE International said some mothers are only eating once a day because they are putting their childrens health first amid World Food Programme warnings that cases of dehydration and malnutrition are rising.

There are heightened feelings of fear, anxiety, grief, and anger, and in an emergency, this is associated with the breakdown of social structures, family separation, and the disruption of support networks, said Nour Beydoun, the regional adviser on protection and gender in emergencies for CARE.

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As many womens organizations in Gaza struggle to remain operational, CARE is working with community leaders and influencers to organize support networks and provide psychosocial support.

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Such activities are a reminder of normal life and crucial in helping to preserve and protect the human soul, said Sanam Anderlini, the founder and CEO of the International Civil Society Action Network, a women, peace, and security organization.

I think Palestinians have learned and instinctively understood that to preserve normalcy is itself a form of resistance, she added.

For serious mental health issues, CARE is attempting to tap into the existing health care infrastructure to get people referred to psychiatrists and provided with medication.

However, Gazas only psychiatric hospital stopped functioning in November after it was damaged in an attack. As of mid-December, less than a third of Gazas 36 hospitals were still operating, and only partially, according to the World Health Organization.

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RESEARCH BY A RANGE OF ORGANIZATIONS from the World Bank to the U.N. Human Rights Office has found that gender-based violence, including sexual exploitation and trafficking, increases during war and in post-conflict situations due to economic hardship, displacement, and the breakdown of social structures.

The first thing that happens is that levels of poverty force women into risky work, like sex work, and forces children into work early, Anderlini said. We also see a huge spike in early marriage of girls.

About 1.4 million Palestinians in Gaza are currently residing in U.N. shelters, and aid agencies have warned that overcrowding in such spaces increases the risk of abuse against women and girls.

Helping widows and female heads of household to find work and make money to support their families is a key way to prevent women and children from being forced to turn to high-risk work as their only option, according to Anderlini and Talgieh.

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For example, the Palestinian Conflict Transformation Center is planning to help women join the workforce and develop their own money-making enterprises, as well as provide seed funding for small businesses.

They will be working, even on a small-scale level at home selling things, but they will find their way with the help of the community, the [nongovernmental organizations], Talgieh said. These women have to find ways to survive, and they will.

One such woman, Widad Abu Jama, a mother of six, recently lost her husband. The 45-year-old said Israeli soldiers shot and killed him when he went to his farm to check on his livestock and look for food for his family.

I feel like I lost my life, not just my husband, Jama said, sitting in the crowded classroom of a school that is now being used as a U.N. shelter. Her children were huddled around her, crying from the hunger and the cold.

I got married at the age of 15. I lived with my husband for a very long time, and I grew up in his house. We worked together on our agricultural land. We spent long hours taking care of the crop. We built our lives together, Jama explained.

Now I will go to the land without him. I will be alone among the crops.
As with all things in Trump world, just when you think there is no lower behavioral place to go, new depth-defying plunges occur. Thursdays defense summations in the New York attorney generals civil fraud case against Donald Trump, his sons, and the Trump Organization is just the most recent example.

While this latest plunge only further assures an extremely negative result for Trumps finances, going forward, it portends a unique and especially serious problem for holding the former president accountable for his criminal conduct in the 2020 D.C. election interference trial.

I have not been shy in calling out Trumps New York legal team for tactics that are as patently unprofessional as they are self-defeatingincluding making baseless claims about the supposed political nature of the proceedings and personally attacking the prosecutor, the judge, and his law clerk. So, counsels similar rants in Thursdays summations were nothing new, although, as a courtroom veteran for more than four decades, the strikingly incompetent Alina Habbas attack on her adversary counsel for drinking Starbucks in court was a real standout. Beyond its complete irrelevance, was it an amazingly hypocritical complaint about courtroom decorum or is Habba an avid Dunkin fan?

What is new is the decision to have Trump address the court directly and hurl the multifaceted lies straight to the judges face. While that tactical choice was most likely made by the client and not counsel, it surely removed any doubt that the ultimate result would be as bad as possible, placing Trumps financial holdings in grave danger.

Related From Slate The New Jan. 6 Testimony Against Trump Will Be Devastating at Trial Read More

But, as has been abundantly clear for some time now, decisions made by Team Trump are almost always based primarily on their potential political impact, with little to no regard for the legal resultafter all, as he believes, if he is president again, he can undo whatever needs to be undone.

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That brings us to the potential impact the Trump defense strategy will have in the far more significant cases on the horizon, most immediately the D.C. Jan. 6 election interference trial.

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Unlike the New York civil case, the D.C. prosecution will be a jury trial, with 12 regular citizens sitting in judgment of the former president. While the New York cases fact finder, Justice Arthur Engoron, is extremely capableat least to the degree humanly possibleof putting aside Team Trumps histrionics, those occupying the D.C. jury box will have no such experience.

In this regard, it must be understood that in criminal trials when something improper is said in the jurys presence by either counsel or a witness, the judge will pronounce it stricken from the record and instruct the jurors to disregard it. Repeated violations can be met with warnings of contempt or actual contempt citations. While in almost all circumstances these steps are more than sufficient to ensure the trial proceeds smoothly and properly, what the New York civil litigation has made crystal clear is the fact the Donald Trumps behaviorand that of at least some of his defense lawyerscannot be controlled in the standard way.

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Unlike Engoron, Judge Tanya Chutkan, the D.C. judge overseeing the Jan. 6 election interference case, has a jury to protect. However impressive and experienced she is, Chutkan will have an extremely difficult time insulating the jury from variations of the kind of blatantly inadmissible statements and improper behavior defendant Donald Trump seems to have insisted on in New York.

In all high-profile cases, judges must spend meaningful time both in the jury selection process and as the trial proceeds to make sure the jury is isolated from media coverage about the case or its participants. Most ironically, in this trial, expected to be the most publicized in history, Chutkan will likely have to spend even more time protecting jurors from a graver threat to their independence and impartialitythe improper things that can be expected to be said and done by the defense in the four corners of her courtroom.

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Based on what we have witnessed in the New York civil case, it is all too predictable that in the best opportunity to finally hold Donald Trump responsible for his criminality, there will be any number of times when the unique but entirely appropriate limitations Chutkan will be forced to impose on the conduct of the trial will be the basis for Trump lawyers asking for a mistrial and demanding her removal from the matter. The more times this happens, the more problematic things will become.

The D.C. case against Donald Trump is overwhelming. He has no real defense, in fact or in law. Given the shameful nature and character of his defense of the New York civil litigationa matter both less significant and involving actual defenses (however weak)his D.C. defense strategy may be to do everything he can to improperly impact jurors and cause a mistrial.

Of course, as I observed in the beginning of this piece, Trump almost always goes even lower than one might reasonably expect. That realization is surely keeping both judicial and law enforcement authorities up at night.
After the U.S.-British air and naval strikes on Yemen on Thursday night, the Middle East is even messier than it may seem.

President Joe Biden and his allies (a smaller coalition than he was hoping to rally) had good reason to launch the attack. Since November, Houthi militias, which control much of Yemen, have fired more than 100 drones and missiles at 27 commercial vesselsaffecting the trade of 50 countriesin the Red Sea, passageway for 20 percent of the worlds container shipping.

The Houthis most recent strike, on Tuesday, had been a coordinated salvo of 21 drones and missiles at commercial and military ships. U.S. Navy crews were able to shoot down all the weapons, but some came close. In any case, protecting navigation of the seas is an age-old, legitimate military mission. Before Tuesdays strike, the U.S. and 13 other countries had formally warned the Houthis they would face consequences if they continued attacking ships. The U.N. Security Council also condemned the Houthi attacks.

Yet at the same time, the Biden-led attackwhich involved ships, submarines, and aircraft firing more than 100 highly accurate missiles at more than 60 Houthi targets across at least 16 locations in Yemen, including the capital, Sanaacould escalate and widen the ongoing conflicts in the region. At the very least, it will further embroil the United States in the war and complicate the prospects of a peace.

The strikeswhich officials say were aimed at radars, missile factories and depots, command-control facilities, and drone launch siteswere meant to degrade Houthi capabilities to attack more ships. The officials did not claim that the strikes would destroy all of their capabilities; they said it was likely that the Houthis would retaliate in some form, in which case the U.S. would respond accordingly. It is not yet known how effective the strike wasit takes hours, sometimes days, for military intelligence to conduct bomb-damage assessment. Houthi officials claimed the attack killed five militiamen and injured six. They said nothing about civilian casualties, which suggests there were probably few, if any.

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The Houthis are a Shiite sect that overthrew the Yemeni government in 2014 and have been waging a civil war ever since, with steadily increasing support from Iran and against steadily diminishing resistance from Saudi Arabia. The support from Iran and Lebanons Hezbollahin weapons, training, and intelligencehas made Houthi fighters, which were once a ragtag militia just loosely allied with Iran, quite skillful and sophisticated, a full partner in the Iran-led axis of resistance. It has also made the Houthis leaders more radical and ambitious.

In the past year, they have tried to cast themselves as not only rebels against Yemens Saudi-backed regime (which, though deposed, is still recognized by most countries as the legitimate government) but also as a leader of jihad, a Southern Hezbollah, as Michael Knights of the Washington institute has put it. Their slogan: Death to America, Death to Israel, Curse the Jews, Victory to Islam!

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They have justified their attacks on ships in the Red Sea as retaliation to Israels killings of civilians in Gaza. U.S. officials say many of the ships attacked had nothing to do with Israel and werent steaming to or from Israeli ports. Data from MariTrace, a maritime-intelligence firm, supports this claim. Reports, which I have seen, on 13 of the ships attacked by Houthis indicates that none of them had any ties to Israel. Another sign that the Houthi justification is false: The militias started militarizing islands in the Red Sea before Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

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However, since Oct. 7, the Houthis have played up the anti-Israeli angle and have portrayed their fight as Gods quest for liberation of Mecca and Jerusalem. Nadwa Dawsari, a fellow at the Middle East Institute with 20 years of field experience, tweeted Thursday night, shortly after the airstrikes:

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The Houthis have been desperately waiting to engage with America and Israel for 20 years. Since Oct 7, they recruited [45,000] fighters for the battle of promised conquest & holy Jihad. Today the US & UK made their dream come true.

According to Elisabeth Kendall, an Arabist and Middle East specialist at Cambridge University, the post-Oct. 7 surge gave Houthi leaders a chance to distract attention from their own failure at governing Yemen. Before, they blamed the countrys poverty and their corruption on the war with Saudi Arabiaa less convincing ploy since a cease-fire was negotiated last year. Now they can blame their problems on, and rally the population around, a war with Israel.

Still, Kendall observed in an essay posted just hours before Thursdays U.S.-British airstrikes, It makes little sense for the Houthis to risk their hard-won military gainsterritory, power, and recognitionby provoking America to unleash its might against them.

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Now that America has unleashed its might, what happens next? For the moment, the Houthis are reveling in their new status as their devils target. Tens of thousands of Yemenis filled the streets of their capital Friday morning in protest of the airstrikes and in support of the Houthis. (The brutality of the Houthis rule has led some to wonder whether displays of popular allegiance are based on loyalty or fear. Quite often, an attack by a big foreign power can boost loyalty, even among the subjects of a repressive regime.)

The Houthis have vowed to respond to the strikes, perhaps by going after more ships or by attacking American or British targets. Either way, the U.S. will retaliate to that by striking more Houthi targets, which might dampen war fevers or inflame themits hard to predict.

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Much depends on how the neighboring states respond. Bahrain was the only Middle Eastern country in the 13-nation coalition that warned the Houthis not to attack any more ships. Saudi Arabias leaders Friday morning urged restraint, without specifying on whom. They have no desire to reignite a nine-year war against the Houthis that they thought would be a cakewalk but wound up severely damaging Riyadhs economy and reputation. Egypt has said nothing, even though it risks losing $12 billion in fees that it had hoped to earn this year from international shippers, many of whom are now avoiding the Red Sea. Its president, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who is taking enough risks trying to compel Hamas to negotiate a truce and free hostages, has no desire to incite more pro-Palestine passions.

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Iran is, true to form, the wild card. The mullahs of Tehran have walked a tightrope in dealing with the war in Gaza. They declared support for Hamas while publicly disavowing any role in the Oct. 7 attack. They have tightened the leash on their other terrorist ally, Hezbollah, letting them lob just enough rockets into northern Israel to make a statement but not so many as to foment a major retaliation either from Israel or from the U.S. warships in the Mediterranean.

Baraa Shaiban, a Yemeni analyst, wrote in the journal RUSI in December that the Houthis attacks in the Red Sea, which had just begun, could provide a face-saving display, showing that Iran is finding other ways to support its allies in Gaza. The Houthis weapons came entirely from Iran and will likely continue to flow, an arrangement that serves both the Houthis and the Iranians, he wrote.

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If the Houthis continue to attack ships in the Red Sea, or escalate their attacks against other targets in the region, and the U.S. responds by stepping up its attacks on Yemen, will the Iranians continue the arrangementor will they clamp down on the Houthis, as they have on Hezbollah, for fear of sparking, and becoming complicit in, a wider war? If they do order a clamp down, will the Houthis obeyor will they go with their own interests, however riskily calculated? As Kendall writes, the Houthi leaders really do believe God is on their side, which can complicate the plans of more pragmatic supporters of jihad.

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Its likely that Biden decided to attack the Houthi targets in Yemen knowing that he had no good options.

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But Bruce Riedel, a former Middle East analyst at the CIA and author of the 2023 book America and the Yemens, sees one possible way out of this: an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, he said over emailwhich, he added, would be good for its own reasons. Whatever the Houthis real motive in attacking ships, they say theyre retaliating to Israels bombing of Gazaso a cease-fire in Gaza might compel them to hold fire in the Red Sea. (Then again, they might come up with another excuse for attacking vessels.)

The conflict in the Red Sea might have started out as something separate from the war in Gaza, and the Biden administration very much wants to keep them separate. But the two wars are now joined, for better or for worse.

A cease-fireespecially if attached to a deal where Hamas frees the hostages and Israel at least embarks upon negotiations on a Palestinian statewould require Biden and his team to exert enormous pressure on all the neighboring leaders, with whom they have been engaged in shuttle and telephone diplomacy almost constantly for the past two months. This would include, very much, perhaps most of all, pressure on Israel. This may be the hardest step of all, but this may be the only alternative to inexorable escalation to a wider, deeper, longer war.
South Korea has successfully test-fired a modified version of the homegrown Korean Tactical Surface to Surface Missile-I (KTSSM-I), military sources said Friday, as the country is bolstering its defense capabilities against North Korea.

The launch of the KTSSM-I variant, capable of being mounted on the homegrown Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system, took place Thursday at the Agency for Defense Development's testing site in Taean County, 109 kilometers southwest of Seoul, according to the sources.

South Korea developed the KTSSM-I to secure precision strike capabilities against North Korean artillery pieces hidden in caves after the North's shelling of the South's northwestern border island of Yeonpyeong in 2010. The artillery shelling killed two civilians and two Marines.

The missile is known to be able to penetrate the ground by a couple meters to reach underground targets. (Yonhap)
The owner of three Casa Don Juan restaurants in Las Vegas, NV. has been sentenced to 37 months in prison for a significant tax evasion offense, causing a tax loss of approximately $1.6 million to the IRS.

Raul Gil, the restaurant owner, was found guilty of manipulating sales figures and evading federal income taxes from 2014 to 2018. According to court documents, Gil instructed his manager and internal bookkeeper to falsify sales records, underreporting cash sales by around $5.1 million. These tampered records were then provided to an accountant, who, unaware of the deceit, used them to prepare false business and personal income tax returns for Gil.

The scheme unraveled during an IRS audit in July 2018 when Gil directed his accountant to present profit and loss statements that corroborated the figures reported on the fraudulent tax returns. Additionally, he ordered his manager/bookkeeper to produce and submit false daily cash and sales reports to the IRS, purportedly generated from the restaurants point-of-sale systems. In subsequent interviews with IRS agents, Gil continued to assert the accuracy of these fabricated records.

U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon, presiding over the case in the District of Nevada, sentenced Gil not only to prison time but also ordered three years of supervised release and restitution payments amounting to $2,228,943.65 to the United States.

This case, investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation unit, was announced by Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Departments Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. It was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Thomas Flynn of the Justice Departments Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Lopez for the District of Nevada.

For small business owners, this case serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences of tax evasion and the importance of maintaining accurate and truthful financial records. It highlights the IRSs commitment to uncovering and prosecuting financial fraud, ensuring the integrity of the tax system.
Starting a shrimp farm can be rewarding for those interested in aquaculture. With the increasing demand for shrimp globally, establishing a successful farm requires careful planning and implementation. In this article, well explore how to start a business in shrimp farming. Lets dive in!

What is a Shrimp Farm?

A shrimp farm, also known as shrimp aquaculture, refers to shrimp cultivation in controlled environments.

It involves the breeding and rearing of shrimp species, such as the Pacific white shrimp, in specially designed ponds or tanks.

Responsible shrimp farming practices aim to ensure sustainable production, focusing on factors like water quality, disease prevention, and ecological impact.

Shrimp farms play a significant role in meeting the global demand for shrimp.

How to Start an Indoor Shrimp Farming Business in 6 Simple Steps

Embark on your journey to establish an indoor shrimp farming business with these six straightforward steps.

From setting up the infrastructure to managing water quality, follow these guidelines for a successful venture. Dive into the details on how to start a farm with shrimp below:

1. Determine Your Business Plan

Formulate a comprehensive farm business plan outlining your goals, target market, and financial projections. Assess feasibility and market demand to ensure a solid indoor shrimp farming venture foundation.

2. Set Up the Ideal Infrastructure

Create a suitable environment for shrimp farming, including tanks or ponds, filtration systems, and temperature control. Ensure optimal conditions for growth and reproduction while maintaining a sustainable and efficient operation.

3. Select the Right Shrimp Species

Choose the appropriate shrimp species based on market demand, compatibility with your infrastructure, and your farming objectives. Consider factors such as growth rate, disease resistance, and market value.

4. Acquire Healthy Shrimp Stock

Source healthy shrimp postlarvae from reputable hatcheries. Ensure proper transportation, acclimation, and quarantine procedures to prevent diseases and maintain the quality of your shrimp stock.

5. Implement Feeding and Management Protocols

Establish a feeding schedule and provide balanced nutrition for your shrimp. Monitor water quality parameters regularly, manage disease prevention measures, and implement best practices for optimal growth and health.

6. Harvest and Market Your Shrimp

Plan and execute a systematic harvesting process, ensuring the shrimp reach the desired marketable size. Develop marketing strategies to promote your sustainably farmed shrimp and secure profitable sales channels.

The Shrimp Farming Industry Today

The global shrimp farming industry is set for substantial growth, with the market expected to reach $69.35 billion by 2028.

Demand for frozen shrimp, driven by its popularity in the food, pharmaceutical, healthcare, and cosmetic sectors, contributes to the industrys prospects.

However, shrimp production poses environmental risks, as the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) notes.

Why You Should Consider Becoming a Shrimp Farmer

Becoming a shrimp farmer could be a viable option if youre seeking a rewarding and profitable venture.

Here are five compelling reasons to consider starting a shrimp seafood farming business:

High demand: The global appetite for shrimp is growing steadily, providing a lucrative market for shrimp farmers.

The global appetite for shrimp is growing steadily, providing a lucrative market for shrimp farmers. Sustainable practice: Shrimp farming can be conducted using responsible and sustainable methods, minimizing environmental impact.

Shrimp farming can be conducted using responsible and sustainable methods, minimizing environmental impact. Profit potential: Shrimp farming has the potential for significant profits due to high market prices and efficient production techniques.

Shrimp farming has the potential for significant profits due to high market prices and efficient production techniques. Versatile market: Shrimp is a versatile product with a wide range of uses, catering to various industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.

Shrimp is a versatile product with a wide range of uses, catering to various industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Ease of entry: With proper planning and guidance, starting a shrimp farm can be relatively straightforward, making it accessible for aspiring entrepreneurs.

U.S. Shrimp Species

When it comes to shrimp species, the United States boasts a diverse range found naturally or farmed.

Here are some prominent shrimp species in the U.S., each with distinct characteristics and considerations for farming:

Marine Shrimp: Commonly known as white shrimp or pink shrimp, this species is abundant in coastal regions, known for its delicate flavor and versatile culinary applications.

Commonly known as white shrimp or pink shrimp, this species is abundant in coastal regions, known for its delicate flavor and versatile culinary applications. Giant Tiger Prawn: Also called black tiger shrimp, these large, impressive creatures are native to Asian waters but are now farmed in the U.S. Known for their size and distinctive tiger-like stripes, they offer a sweet and succulent taste.

Also called black tiger shrimp, these large, impressive creatures are native to Asian waters but are now farmed in the U.S. Known for their size and distinctive tiger-like stripes, they offer a sweet and succulent taste. Freshwater Prawns: Native to freshwater habitats, these prawns are larger than typical shrimp. With a firm texture and slightly sweet taste, theyre popular for their versatility in various dishes.

Native to freshwater habitats, these prawns are larger than typical shrimp. With a firm texture and slightly sweet taste, theyre popular for their versatility in various dishes. Blue Shrimp: Native to the Gulf of Mexico, blue shrimp display vibrant blue coloration and a mild, slightly sweet flavor, making them a sought-after delicacy.

Native to the Gulf of Mexico, blue shrimp display vibrant blue coloration and a mild, slightly sweet flavor, making them a sought-after delicacy. Brown Shrimp: Found along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, brown shrimp have a robust flavor and firm texture, making them ideal for various cooking methods.

Found along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, brown shrimp have a robust flavor and firm texture, making them ideal for various cooking methods. Pink Shrimp: Residing primarily in the Gulf of Mexico, pink shrimp boast a delicate flavor and tender texture, often favored for their versatility in recipes.

Residing primarily in the Gulf of Mexico, pink shrimp boast a delicate flavor and tender texture, often favored for their versatility in recipes. Rock Shrimp: With a rock-hard shell, rock shrimp are prized for their sweet taste and firm, lobster-like meat, commonly harvested off the southeastern coast of the U.S.

With a rock-hard shell, rock shrimp are prized for their sweet taste and firm, lobster-like meat, commonly harvested off the southeastern coast of the U.S. Spot Prawn: Native to the Pacific Northwest, spot prawns offer a subtly sweet flavor, firm texture, and a distinctive white spot on their tail, hence their name.

Native to the Pacific Northwest, spot prawns offer a subtly sweet flavor, firm texture, and a distinctive white spot on their tail, hence their name. Royal Red Shrimp: Deep-sea dwellers found off the coast of the southeastern U.S., royal red shrimp have a unique taste, described as sweet, succulent, and comparable to lobster.

Deep-sea dwellers found off the coast of the southeastern U.S., royal red shrimp have a unique taste, described as sweet, succulent, and comparable to lobster. White Shrimp: Widely distributed along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, white shrimp have a mild, slightly sweet flavor, making them a popular choice for various dishes.

Shrimp Species Characteristics and Culinary Traits Marine Shrimp Abundant in coastal regions, delicate flavor, versatile cooking. Giant Tiger Prawn Native to Asia, farmed in U.S., large size, sweet and succulent. Freshwater Prawns Larger than shrimp, firm texture, slightly sweet, versatile. Blue Shrimp Gulf of Mexico native, vibrant blue color, mild and sweet. Brown Shrimp Atlantic and Gulf coasts, robust flavor, firm texture. Pink Shrimp Gulf of Mexico inhabitant, delicate flavor, tender texture. Rock Shrimp Rock-hard shell, sweet taste, lobster-like meat, southeastern U.S. Spot Prawn Pacific Northwest native, subtly sweet, distinctive white spot. Royal Red Shrimp Deep-sea dwellers, sweet and succulent, similar to lobster. White Shrimp Atlantic and Gulf coasts, mild and slightly sweet flavor.

Shrimp Production Methods

When it comes to shrimp production, various methods are employed to meet the growing demand for this popular seafood.

Each shrimp production method has its own advantages and considerations, influencing factors such as production scale, environmental sustainability, and water management practices.

Here are some of the main shrimp production methods used in the US:

Pond Culture: The most common method, shrimp are grown in large ponds, utilizing natural or controlled environments to support their growth and reproduction.

The most common method, shrimp are grown in large ponds, utilizing natural or controlled environments to support their growth and reproduction. Raceway Systems: Shrimp are raised in narrow, flowing channels called raceways, allowing for controlled water flow and efficient waste removal.

Shrimp are raised in narrow, flowing channels called raceways, allowing for controlled water flow and efficient waste removal. Biofloc Technology: This method promotes the growth of beneficial microorganisms in shrimp ponds, creating a biofloc system that helps maintain water quality and provides supplemental nutrition.

This method promotes the growth of beneficial microorganisms in shrimp ponds, creating a biofloc system that helps maintain water quality and provides supplemental nutrition. Recirculating Aquaculture Systems: Shrimp are raised in closed-loop systems, where water is continuously filtered and recirculated, optimizing water usage and minimizing environmental impact.

Shrimp are raised in closed-loop systems, where water is continuously filtered and recirculated, optimizing water usage and minimizing environmental impact. Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture: This method combines shrimp farming with other species, such as fish or algae, creating a symbiotic ecosystem where waste from one species is used as nutrients by others.

Choosing a Shrimp Farm Location

When choosing a shrimp farm location, several factors should be considered. First and foremost, water quality plays a vital role in fish farms, as shrimp require clean and well-oxygenated water to thrive.

Proximity to markets is also important for efficient distribution and reduced transportation costs.

The availability of suitable land and access to necessary infrastructure, such as electricity and freshwater sources, must be assessed.

Climate conditions, including temperature and rainfall patterns, should also be taken into account to ensure optimal growth and disease prevention.

Essential Shrimp Farm Equipment

To establish a successful shrimp farm, specific equipment is essential. Lets explore the necessary tools and machinery vital for shrimp farming operations, covering pond management, water quality control, and shrimp handling.

Pond Aeration System: A reliable aeration system is crucial to maintain proper oxygen levels in shrimp ponds, promoting healthy growth, and minimizing the risk of diseases.

A reliable aeration system is crucial to maintain proper oxygen levels in shrimp ponds, promoting healthy growth, and minimizing the risk of diseases. Water Pump: An efficient water pump ensures optimal circulation, maintaining water quality and facilitating the removal of waste materials from the ponds.

An efficient water pump ensures optimal circulation, maintaining water quality and facilitating the removal of waste materials from the ponds. Shrimp Net: A specialized net designed for capturing and handling shrimp enables efficient harvest and transfer of shrimp between ponds or containers.

A specialized net designed for capturing and handling shrimp enables efficient harvest and transfer of shrimp between ponds or containers. Water Testing Kit: Regular water testing using a comprehensive kit allows farmers to monitor and adjust crucial water parameters, ensuring an ideal environment for shrimp growth.

Regular water testing using a comprehensive kit allows farmers to monitor and adjust crucial water parameters, ensuring an ideal environment for shrimp growth. Feeding Equipment: Automatic feeders or feeding trays are essential for the accurate and timely distribution of shrimp feed, optimizing nutrition intake, and reducing wastage.

Automatic feeders or feeding trays are essential for the accurate and timely distribution of shrimp feed, optimizing nutrition intake, and reducing wastage. Shrimp Grading Tools: Tools such as grading sieves or trays are employed to separate shrimp based on size, ensuring uniformity in growth and facilitating market grading.

Tools such as grading sieves or trays are employed to separate shrimp based on size, ensuring uniformity in growth and facilitating market grading. Water Filtration System: A reliable filtration system helps to remove impurities, sediment, and excessive nutrients from the water, maintaining favorable water conditions for shrimp.

A reliable filtration system helps to remove impurities, sediment, and excessive nutrients from the water, maintaining favorable water conditions for shrimp. Shrimp Tanks or Ponds: The primary infrastructure for shrimp farming, tanks or ponds provide a suitable habitat for shrimp, allowing them to grow and reproduce under controlled conditions.

The primary infrastructure for shrimp farming, tanks or ponds provide a suitable habitat for shrimp, allowing them to grow and reproduce under controlled conditions. Water Heating or Cooling System: Depending on the geographical location and climate, a heating or cooling system may be necessary to maintain optimal water temperature for shrimp growth.

Depending on the geographical location and climate, a heating or cooling system may be necessary to maintain optimal water temperature for shrimp growth. Shrimp Disease Prevention Tools: These include disinfection products, probiotics, and medications that assist in preventing and controlling common shrimp diseases, ensuring healthier stocks.

Developing a Sustainable Shrimp Farming Strategy

There are many environmentally friendly techniques that can be utilized in shrimp farming. Use organic feeds, avoid harmful chemicals, and implement energy-efficient systems to minimize ecological impacts. Sustainable practices not only benefit the environment but also contribute to the health and well-being of the shrimp.

Effective Water Management: Water quality is critical in shrimp farming. Regular testing, efficient filtration, and water conservation techniques are essential. Effective water management supports healthy shrimp growth and reduces the environmental footprint of the farm.

Marketing and Selling Your Shrimp

In the dynamic world of shrimp farming, having a top-notch product is just part of the equation. The other critical component is effectively marketing and selling your shrimp.

This involves not only identifying who your customers are but also how to reach them, engage them, and ultimately convert them into loyal patrons of your products.

Identifying Target Markets

Local vs. Global Markets : Assess the potential of local markets versus global markets. Explore selling to local restaurants and markets for fresh shrimp or consider international markets for frozen or processed products.

: Assess the potential of local markets versus global markets. Explore selling to local restaurants and markets for fresh shrimp or consider international markets for frozen or processed products. Specialty Niches : Identify niche markets that value specific shrimp qualities, such as organic or sustainably farmed shrimp. This could include health-conscious consumers or high-end culinary establishments.

: Identify niche markets that value specific shrimp qualities, such as organic or sustainably farmed shrimp. This could include health-conscious consumers or high-end culinary establishments. Market Research: Conduct thorough market research to understand the preferences and buying patterns of your target audience. This can involve surveys, focus groups, or studying market trends.

Developing Effective Marketing Strategies

Branding : Develop a strong brand identity for your shrimp farm. This includes creating a memorable logo, a compelling brand story, and consistent messaging that reflects your farms values and the quality of your shrimp.

: Develop a strong brand identity for your shrimp farm. This includes creating a memorable logo, a compelling brand story, and consistent messaging that reflects your farms values and the quality of your shrimp. Digital Marketing : Utilize digital marketing tools such as a professional website, social media platforms, and email marketing. Share engaging content like behind-the-scenes farm tours, customer testimonials, and educational pieces about the benefits of your shrimp.

: Utilize digital marketing tools such as a professional website, social media platforms, and email marketing. Share engaging content like behind-the-scenes farm tours, customer testimonials, and educational pieces about the benefits of your shrimp. Collaborations and Partnerships: Forge partnerships with local chefs, food bloggers, or influencers who can showcase your shrimp in their recipes or dining experiences. This can provide authentic endorsements and widen your reach.

Sales Channels and Distribution

Direct Sales : Consider direct-to-consumer sales models like subscription boxes, online orders, or farm stand sales. This allows for better profit margins and a direct connection with your consumers.

: Consider direct-to-consumer sales models like subscription boxes, online orders, or farm stand sales. This allows for better profit margins and a direct connection with your consumers. Wholesale Distribution : Partner with wholesalers or distributors to reach a broader market. Negotiate favorable terms and ensure they align with your brands values and quality standards.

: Partner with wholesalers or distributors to reach a broader market. Negotiate favorable terms and ensure they align with your brands values and quality standards. Diversification of Products: Beyond selling raw shrimp, explore value-added products like marinated shrimp, ready-to-cook meals, or shrimp-based snacks. This can attract different customer segments and increase revenue streams.

Promotion and Customer Engagement

Promotional Offers : Create promotional campaigns such as discounts, seasonal offers, or referral programs to attract new customers and retain existing ones.

: Create promotional campaigns such as discounts, seasonal offers, or referral programs to attract new customers and retain existing ones. Customer Engagement : Engage with your customers through regular updates, newsletters, or social media interactions. Encourage feedback and use it to improve your products and services.

: Engage with your customers through regular updates, newsletters, or social media interactions. Encourage feedback and use it to improve your products and services. Community Involvement: Participate in community events, sponsor local activities, or host farm visits. This helps in building a loyal local customer base and enhances your brands community presence.

Maintaining and Expanding Your Shrimp Farm

Routine maintenance is vital for a productive shrimp farm. Regular pond cleaning, equipment maintenance, and health monitoring are crucial. A well-maintained farm not only ensures high-quality shrimp but also prevents diseases and minimizes losses.

Plan for the growth of your shrimp farming operation. This might include increasing pond sizes, diversifying shrimp species, or integrating other aquaculture types. Consider the financial and logistical implications of expansion and aim for sustainable growth.

FAQs

How much does it cost to start a shrimp farm business?

The initial investment required to establish a shrimp farm business can vary significantly, typically ranging from $10,000 to $200,000, influenced by factors such as the scale and extent of production.

How long does it take to grow farmed shrimp?

The growth timeline of farmed shrimp depends on various factors, such as species, water temperature, feeding practices, and desired size at harvest. Generally, it takes around 4 to 6 months for shrimp to reach marketable sizes, but this can vary.

Where are the best places in the U.S. for shrimp farms?

The Gulf Coast region is popular for shrimp farming. Specifically, the best states to start a farm with shrimp include Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, is known for its favorable climate and abundant water resources, making it ideal for shrimp farming. Other potential regions include parts of Florida, South Carolina, and Hawaii.

How much money do shrimp farmers make?

Shrimp farm owners can earn annual salaries ranging from $35,000 to well over $150,000, with the amount dependent on the size and scale of their operation. Some shrimp farms even invest in additional revenue streams. For example, you may look into how to start catfish farming to add even more profitability.

Is shrimp farming a profitable business?

Shrimp farming proves to be a lucrative business, offering significant profitability. With meticulous management and streamlined operations, youll unlock tremendous financial gains and pave the way for long-term success in this lucrative industry.
As a small business owner, you should actively seek grant opportunities. They offer timely financial support without the need to repay, enabling you to fund innovative projects, support your businesss expansion, and enhance competitiveness.

Particularly for startups or financially challenged businesses, these grants can be a lifeline, providing access to resources, training, and networking opportunities. Grants fuel your growth, encourage sustainable practices, and foster community engagement, all contributing to your businesss long-term success.

There are several programs currently running that may impact small businesses in various ways. From storefront renovation initiatives to the American Rescue Plan Act program, there are thousands up for grabs for your small business. So, dont wait, apply as soon as possible.

Small Business News January 12, 2024

This week the IRS let tax professionals know about the launch of the Tax Professional Awareness Week, which is designed to support tax professionals, ensuring they are well-prepared for the upcoming tax season and understand the latest developments and challenges in the field. The agency is also granting an extension for clean vehicle sale reporting. Stay ahead of the small business news every day and in the weekly roundup on Small Business Trends.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is gearing up for the 2024 tax filing season with the launch of the Tax Professional Awareness Week starting Monday, January 8. This initiative is designed to support tax professionals, ensuring they are well-prepared for the upcoming tax season and understand the latest developments and challenges in the field.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced an extension for dealers and sellers of clean vehicles to submit their time-of-sale reports in a drive to facilitate the transition to a new online reporting portal. This extension is a response to the recent launch of the IRS Energy Credits Online (IRS ECO) system, which became operational on January 1, 2024.

eBay has launched an innovative tool to revolutionize social media sharing for its sellers. This new feature, driven by advanced artificial intelligence (AI), simplifies the creation of social media posts, making it more accessible and efficient for sellers to promote their listings.

Many people say that the only constant in life is change  in fact I wrote an entire book called ChangeMasters to help people make the changes they want to make. In small business, owners constantly must adapt to changes in the marketplace to survive and thrive. On The Small Business Radio Show this week, I interviewed Morgan Housel who says that some things never change.

Apple Inc. has expanded its Self Service Repair program and introduced a new diagnostic tool, aimed at giving users greater autonomy in troubleshooting issues with their Apple devices.

Fiverr International Ltd. has declared Montserrat as the Font of the Year for 2024. This decision, announced on December 7, 2023, underscores the growing recognition of Montserrats versatility and modern appeal in the realm of business branding. Montserrat, an open-source sans-serif typeface, has garnered acclaim for its clean geometric lines and contemporary style.

Salesforce has announced updates to its Einstein 1 Platform with the introduction of the Data Cloud Vector Database and the Einstein Copilot Search, marking a new era in AI, analytics, and automation for business data utilization.
Gevorkyan shows why a family atmosphere and strict recruitment criteria matter.

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After Mikhail Gorbachev came to power in the Soviet Union in the late 1980s, efforts towards independence intensified in Armenia. During the ensuing conflict, Moscow disconnected Armenia from electricity and gas.

Armenian Artur Gevorkyan was serving in the Soviet Army when these geopolitical changes began. As a newly-qualified aviation officer, he decided to quit the army and left for Ukraine. From there, he moved to Slovakia where over more than 25 years he has built up a company. The firm, which bears his name, specialises in powder metallurgy.

The Gevorkyan companys strong position on the market is reflected not only in its continuously growing sales, but also its list of customers. These include engineering companies such as Linde, Komatsu and Siemens, as well as fashion houses like Yves Saint Laurent and Versace. The firm manufactures custom-made products from metal powders for them, from buckles to decorations.

Investment Advisory Guide Well-arranged information about the economy, labour market, investor support, legislation, and real estate as well as investment opportunities in Slovakia. For more details visit our online shop.

In addition, Gevorkyan is the first Slovak company to enter the Prague Stock Exchange (on the Start platform) - it has received almost 30 million from investors to expand production capacity and buy new machines and robots.

From Ukraine to Slovakia

When the war for Nagorno-Karabakh broke out in the 1990s, Gevorkyan relocated from Armenia to Ukraine. In Kharkiv, near the border with Russia, he set up a factory producing magnets using powder metallurgy.

It was the first private factory in Ukraine that began to compete with Russian state giants. The first magnets were used in shaving razor blades, others ended up in toys, automobile starters, and kitchen appliances.
Members of his party's parliamentary caucus say they see no problem in his conduct.

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Deputy Speaker of Parliament Andrej Danko, who is also leader of the governing coalition's Slovak National Party (SNS) and has recently floated the idea of running for president, was last night involved in a potentially serious car crash after which he fled the scene.

The crash occurred on Thursday night (January 11) in the Bratislava borough of Dubravka. His car struck a traffic light at a pedestrian crossing, wrecking it, after which he drove away from the accident  reportedly, without calling the police. The website Startitup first broke the news.

Although, according to the traffic code, anyone involved in a traffic accident is required to call the police and remain at the place of the incident until an officer arrives, Danko did not do so. The code states that an incident in which "the road or a generally useful device becomes inoperable"  i.e. not just an incident involving other road users  is included.

According to Startitup, "Allegedly, Andrej Danko did not immediately report the accident to the police, he just reversed the car and went home. The police tracked him by following an oil leak that led to his garage and the reporters saw this with their own eyes."

In addition, the presence of one of the registration plates from Danko's car, which was apparently dislodged by the force of the impact and later found at the scene, made it somewhat straightforward for the police to identify the culprit.

The site of the pedestrian crossing light in Bratislava's Dubravka borough that Andrej Danko reportedly demolished by crashing his car into it on the evening of Thursday, January 11. The broken light pole is visible on the ground in the background of the image. (Source: SME - Patrik Sopoci)

Danko eventually confirmed the accident, saying "It happened, I admit it. My car skidded, that is nothing unusual. I hit the light, I reported it to the insurance company, I reported it to the municipality. If something still needs to be done, I will do it," said Danko. He added that he also cooperated with the police and issued a statement on social media.

The pedestrian crossing light that Danko struck is located on a long, straight two-lane section of road, and is where pedestrians would stand while waiting to cross the road. There have been no reports of injuries as a result of the incident.

Fleeing the scene of an accident is punishable by a fine in the range of 200 to 1,000 and also a ban on driving a vehicle for up to five years.

When approached by the Sme daily, several MPs in the SNS parliamentary caucus said they did not see any problem with Danko's conduct.

The leader of opposition party Progresivne Slovensko, Michal Simecka, lambasted Danko and called on him to take responsibility. The vice-president of another opposition party, Freedom and Solidarity (SaS), Branislav Grohling, said the accident raises "so many doubts that it is untenable for him to remain in office". Similarly, the opposition Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) has directly called on Danko to resign.

The leader of the Slovensko movement (formerly OLaNO), Igor Matovic, has publicly asked whether Danko was drunk.

In case Danko does not step down, the opposition intends to collect signatures to initiate a no-confidence motion in parliament next week. The opposition also wants him to explain the circumstances of the accident and to say whether he was driving under the influence of alcohol or not.

Update: This story has been updated to amend the translation of the word used by Danko to describe the accident from "slipped' to "skidded", and to add more details about the incident.
Comenius University is meeting experts to discuss changes.

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Following the mass shooting at Prague's Charles University in December, Slovak universities are looking for ways to increase security.

Comenius University in Bratislava is holding meetings with security experts in order to explore ways to improve safety. New checks have already been introduced at the entrances to its building, with more to come in the future.

"Currently, we are exploring further steps and meeting with experts in order to set security measures reasonably. In addition to technical and communication measures, trainings on how to behave in crisis situations should also be included in them," stated Barbora Tancerova from the univesity's communication department. She added that preventative measures, especially in regards to mental health, will be an important part of the plan as well.

The Slovak University of Technology (STU) is planning an audit of existing security measures and procedures in its buildings and workplaces. Based on the results, it says, necessary adjustments will be made.

"This will include reassessment of measures to prevent potential threats from the outside, such as barriers, turnpikes, camera systems  as well as measures to eliminate potential internal risks, such as increased emphasis on prevention, counselling," said university spokesman Juraj Rybansky, adding that the risks could not be nullified entirely, even if all the measures were to be implemented.

Education State Secretary (i.e. deputy minister) Robert Zsembera said that his ministry would help universities to establish new security measures.

"We are aware that some measures require financing, which is why we plan to announce a call in the first half of 2024," Zsembera stated, adding that the goal of the call would be to improve the safety and the mental health of university students.
On Friday, January 5th, the co-owner of Tacoma, Washingtons Howdy Bagel Jake Carter was killed tragically while vacationing in New Orleans. There with his husband and fellow co-owner, Daniel Blagovich, the pair were mugged at around 1:30am near Bourbon Street in the Marigny neighborhood, where a not-yet identified suspect shot Carter.

The murder has rocked the tight-knit Tacoma restaurant community, and many establishments are raising funds to donate to a GoFundMe for Blagovich and Howdy Bagel. This includes Olympia Coffee Roasters, who will be donating all sales today, January 12th, from the Proctor Tacoma Cafe.

More than just providing the coffee for Howdy Bagel, Olympias connection with Carter goes back years. The Texas transplant worked as a barista at the Proctor location in the early stages of opening the bagel shop. He was a person of light, kindness, and warmth. He worked for us during some low moments of the pandemic and I can strongly remember his optimism and positive attitude, Olympia co-owner Oliver Stormshak tells Sprudge.

Opened in 2020, Howdy Bagel served as an inclusive community space. Eater Seattle states that Howdy provided a crucial LGBTQ-friendly hangout space in Tacoma, a place with not many dedicated daytime queer spaces for all ages.

He had a vision to bring positivity and joy into the Howdy Bagel brand and create a proud space in Tacoma for the LBGTQ+ community, Stormshak confirms.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Howdy Bagel (@howdybagel)

In an Instagram post about the tragedy, Howdy Bagel announced that it would close temporarily to give Blagovich and the rest of the staff time to grieve and figure out what comes next. This leaves them without any ability to earn a living. Thus a GoFundMe has been started on Blagovichs behalf to help raise funds that will go to cover the cost of shop rent and other operating expenses, as well as employee wages, per the crowdfunding page.

For their part, Olympia plans to donate all of todays sales from their Proctor location to the GoFundMe. As of press time, the campaign in closing in on $250,000 raised. So if you find yourself in the Seattle/Tacoma area, stop in to the Proctor Olympia cafe and get coffee for a good cause. For more information or to donate directly, visit the Howdy Bagel GoFundMe page.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240112/attacks-on-yemen-put-us-on-very-slippery-slope-to-war-1116135685.html

Attacks on Yemen Put US on 'Very Slippery Slope' to War

Attacks on Yemen Put US on 'Very Slippery Slope' to War

Sputnik International

According to former Pentagon senior security policy analyst Michael Maloof, the United States now finds itself on a very slippery slope," and the country could slip into war.

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analysis

yemen

us

joe biden

houthis

gaza strip

israel

attack

michael maloof

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It remains to be seen what the long-term results of the US and UK attack on Yemen will be, but they are unlikely to include de-escalation. The Houthis have vowed to continue attacking Israeli-related ships and branded all US military assets in the region as legitimate targets for reprisals.According to former Pentagon senior security policy analyst Michael Maloof, the United States now finds itself on a very slippery slope," and the country could slip into war.The problem, as Maloof explained, is that while the US attack was meant to be defensive, such acts of self-defense sometimes can get carried away, with the analyst recalling how defending a US destroyer against an alleged North Vietnamese attack in the Gulf of Tonkin kickstarted the Vietnam War decades ago.Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden has not displayed strong leadership until now and has not been in a position to show any leadership in terms of trying to bring this conflict to an end, Maloof said. He also pointed out how the US, instead of halting all of its exports of munitions to Israel, essentially keeps pouring more and more gasoline on the fire.Maloof also observed that the recent visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to the Middle East was useless - Houthi attacks on the shipping lanes in the Red Sea continue unabated.So his effectiveness is pretty much down there near zero. And they only put up with him because he's a high US government official, Maloof said, referring to Blinken and the leaders he met during said visit respectively. But beyond that, he's feckless, he's ineffective, and he's very timid and meek. He's not strong at all. And for that matter he's not doing anything that brings about or showing any ability to bring these sides together. And all he's doing is spending, wasting money traveling around doing nothing and he's totally useless.If the current trend continues, Maloof suggested, and the Israelis not only continue to bomb the Gaza Strip but also expand their war into Lebanon, it may actually unite the Sunnis and the Shia.As for the legitimacy of the attack on Yemen, Maloof argued that it is allowed from an international law standpoint, seeing how cargo vessels in the Red Sea were being targeted by Houthis, but things become a lot less simple when it comes to US legislation.However, we also have what is called the War Powers Act passed by Congress a number of years ago. It allows for the United States to respond in a measured retaliatory fashion if US assets in the forces are attacked. But it has to be reported to Congress ultimately if it persists and this escalates, then Congress has to approve, he explained.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240112/how-exactly-did-the-us-and-uk-attack-yemen-1116133575.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240112/hunter-biden-faces-congressional-contempt-vote-for-defying-subpoena---scalise-1116133421.html

Hunter Biden Faces Congressional Contempt Vote for Defying Subpoena - Scalise

Hunter Biden Faces Congressional Contempt Vote for Defying Subpoena - Scalise

Sputnik International

The House of Representatives will vote next week to hold President Joe Bidens son, Hunter, in contempt of Congress for his repeated defiance of subpoenas, Majority Leader Steve Scalise said on Friday

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us

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joe biden

steve scalise

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sputnik

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"Next week, the House will vote to hold Hunter Biden in contempt of Congress for repeatedly defying subpoenas. Enough of his stunts. He doesn't get to play by a different set of rules. He's not above the law," Scalise said. Hunter Biden faces contempt of Congress charges for defying a subpoena to provide testimony in the House probe into alleged criminal activity by the Biden family. In December, prosecutors charged Hunter Biden with nine criminal offenses, including spending money on an "extravagant lifestyle" instead of paying federal taxes. He also faces tax and firearms charges in the state of Delaware. Bidens attorney Abbe Lowell told Sputnik in December that his client was being targeted because of the connection to his father.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240110/us-house-judiciary-panel-approves-hunter-biden-contempt-of-congress-resolution-1116106582.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240112/joint-us-uk-assault-on-houthis-heres-the-latest-1116126864.html

Joint US-UK Assault on Houthis: Heres the Latest

Joint US-UK Assault on Houthis: Heres the Latest

Sputnik International

Houthi leader Mohammed al-Bukhaiti pledged on Friday that the UK and the US would "soon realize" that the strikes on Yemen "was the greatest folly in their history."

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us

united kingdom (uk)

yemen

air strikes

houthi militants

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The British and the US forces have carried out air strikes against the Houthis in Yemen, in retaliation for the militants attacks against ships in the Red Sea that has been ongoing since November 2023. What has been known about the strikes so far? Sputnik explores.How Many Houthi Targets Were HitUS Air Force Central Commander Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich told reporters that American and coalition forces hit more than 60 targets at 16 Houthi militant locations in northern Yemen on Thursday evening.The locations included the capital Sanaa, the Houthi Red Sea port of Hudaydah in the Dhamar governorate and the north-western Houthi stronghold of Saada.According to Grynkewich, over 100 precision-guided munitions were used in the strikes that targeted the Houthis command and control nodes, munitions depots, launching systems, production facilities and air defense radar systems.What Military Hardware Was Used CNN cited unnamed US military officials as saying that the strikes on the Houthis' positions were carried out from aircraft, ships and submarines.According to the officials, the USS Florida, a guided-missile submarine that crossed into the Red Sea on November 23, was part of the attack, firing the Tomahawk cruise missiles on Houthi targets."We were absolutely not targeting civilian population centers. We were going after very specific capabilities, in very specific locations, with precision munitions," the official contended.What Senior Western Officials Say US President Joe Biden said in a statement on Thursday that he had ordered the strikes "in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea."US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, in turn, said that the joint strikes were "intended to disrupt and degrade the Houthis capabilities to endanger mariners and threaten global trade."This came as a joint statement by 10 governments said that they would "not hesitate to defend lives and protect the free flow of commerce in one of the world's most critical waterways"."The Houthis' more than two dozen attacks on commercial vessels since mid-November constitute an international challenge. Today's action demonstrated a shared commitment to freedom of navigation, international commerce, and defending the lives of mariners from illegal and unjustifiable attacks," the statement added as Denmark, Germany, New Zealand and South Korea added their names to the six nations that took part in the joint strikes.Houthi Leadership RespondsHouthi leader Mohammed al-Bukhaiti tweeted that "America and Britain made a mistake in launching the war on Yemen because they did not benefit from their previous experiences."Al-Bukhaiti was echoed by Nasr Aldeen Amer, vice president of the Houthi media authority in Sanaa, who hit out at what he called a brutal aggression against our country by America."They will pay absolutely and without hesitation, and we will not back down from our position in supporting the Palestinian people, whatever the cost," he vowed.The remarks came as Russia called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, which is expected to be held later on Friday, over the joint US-UK attack.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240101/houthis-warn-of-repercussions-after-ten-fighters-killed-in-us-red-sea-attack-1115928973.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240112/sunak-confirms-uk-air-force-carried-out-airstrikes-against-houthi-positions-in-yemen-1116125514.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240112/us-uk-trying-to-distract-from-genocide-in-gaza-by-strikes-in-yemen---houthi-member-1116126421.html

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houthi movement, houthi militants, us and uk forces' air strikes on houthi targets in yemen, tomohawk cruise missiles
A court on Friday ordered broadcaster MBC to correct its report on President Yoon Suk Yeol's remarks caught on a hot mic during his visit to the United States in 2022.

The Seoul Western District Court issued the order in a lawsuit filed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs alleging that the video subtitle of MBC's report on Yoon's informal exchange with then Foreign Minister Park Jin in New York in September 2022 was incorrect.

Yoon's remarks, which experts say are difficult to discern due to background noise, were subtitled by MBC to make it sound like the president was referring to U.S. President Joe Biden. Yoon's office later clarified that he had made no mention of Biden, expressing concern about damaging the alliance with reports different from the facts.

The foreign ministry launched the lawsuit against MBC in December 2022 after failing to resolve the differences at the Press Arbitration Commission.

The court ruled that the host of MBC's main evening newscast should read the correction statement related to Yoon's remarks once at normal speed, with its title and text displayed on screen, as soon as the court's correction order is finalized.

If the defendant does not fulfill the order, it will have to pay the plaintiff 1 million won (US$760) a day after the due date expires, the court said.

The court said MBC reported that Yoon mentioned Biden in his remarks, though it was not clear even through technical analysis whether he made such a pronunciation.

"Considering the remark's time, place, background and context, and the statement of the minister who heard it in person, it cannot be said that President Yoon used swear or vulgar words toward the U.S. Congress and Biden," the court said.

The foreign ministry responded to the court ruling, saying it will be an opportunity to correct MBC's untrue reports and restore trust in the country's diplomacy.

The presidential office also reacted to the news.

"It is incredibly irresponsible that a broadcaster, which claims to be public, manipulated subtitles without any scientific or objective verification process and aired a false report that seriously impacts the national interest," Lee Do-woon, senior presidential secretary for public relations, said during a press briefing.

"We expect this to be an opportunity to fix the incorrect report, quell the groundless and consuming political strife, and restore the people's trust in our diplomacy and our government."

But MBC appealed, saying the ruling may deter freedom of expression and the role of media, and that the state or local governments cannot be victims of defamation or contempt. (Yonhap)
US Navy destroyers might have very good air defense radars, but if you send towards them a bunch of drones, then theyre eventually going to run out of missiles. What will be the most insulting in this case, rubbing salt in the wound so to speak, will be the fact that the Houthis will probably just sending $5,000-6,000 drones, which will force the US expend $1.5-2 million air defense missiles to stop. And the fact of the matter is that the Houthis might get lucky. If a US destroyer, let alone aircraft carrier, gets hit by some kind of the explosive device or drone, then that will have not just technical issues, but it will also become a political problem.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240112/sputnik-new-era-university-of-philippines-sign-memorandum-of-understanding-1116131658.html

Sputnik, New Era University of Philippines Sign Memorandum of Understanding

Sputnik, New Era University of Philippines Sign Memorandum of Understanding

Sputnik International

Sputnik News Agency and Radio and the University of New Era (Philippines) have signed a memorandum of understanding. Sputnik is partnering with one of the largest universities in the Philippines, which awards degrees in communications and international relations.

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philippines

sputnik

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The memorandum was signed by Vasily Pushkov, Sputnik's International Cooperation Director, and Dr. Alberto R. Domingo, Jr., President of the New Era University (NEU).The signing of a MOU with Sputnik is a monumental move towards internationalization of NEU's academic endeavors, especially along the College of Communication's aspiration to attain new level for the programs in Broadcasting and Journalism, noted Dr. Alberto R. Domingo, Jr.New Era University is a private, non-profit educational institution run by the Church of Christ (Iglesia Ni Cristo), located in Quezon City. The University offers a varied range of educational programs which also welcome international students. In 2021, the University officially launched its Russian Studies Center, which aims to develop partnerships with Russian educational institutions.SputnikPro is a project by Sputnik News Agency and Radio for journalists, students, press service employees and media managers. Its main goal is to promote exchange of expertise and develop professional ties between colleagues worldwide. The project's modules are hosted by Sputnik media managers and other prominent Russian experts. The sessions focus on various aspects of journalism, including production of multimedia content, social media management, building website traffic, and much more. Since March 2018, more than 10,000 people from over 80 countries have taken part in SputnikPro workshops.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240112/strikes-on-yemen-are-another-example-of-disregard-for-international-law---moscow-1116127556.html

More Disregard for International Law: Moscow Hits Out at US-UK Attack on Yemen

More Disregard for International Law: Moscow Hits Out at US-UK Attack on Yemen

Sputnik International

Strikes by the US and the UK on Yemen are another example of the distortion of UN Security Council resolutions and complete disregard for international law in the name of escalation in the region, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday.

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world

yemen

war on yemen

yemen conflict

yemen airstrike

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The US and the UK carried out overnight airstrikes against Houthi positions in four governorates of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa and the cities of Al Hudaydah, Saada and Taiz, provincial government officials told Sputnik. The US and UK officials confirmed the airstrikes, saying these were targeting Houthi military facilities and positions in Yemen in response to attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea and not civilian population centers. "US airstrikes on Yemen are another example of the Anglo-Saxons distortion of UN Security Council resolutions and complete disregard for international law in the name of escalating the situation in the region for their own destructive purposes," Zakharova wrote on Telegram.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240112/us-uk-launch-military-operation-against-houthi-positions-in-yemen-al-arabiya-reports-1116124742.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240112/sunak-confirms-uk-air-force-carried-out-airstrikes-against-houthi-positions-in-yemen-1116125514.html

Sunak Confirms UK Air Force Carried Out Airstrikes Against Houthi Positions in Yemen

Sunak Confirms UK Air Force Carried Out Airstrikes Against Houthi Positions in Yemen

Sputnik International

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed on Friday that the air force of the United Kingdom carried out airstrikes against positions of the Ansar Allah movement, also known as the Houthis, in Yemen.

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"The Royal Air Force has carried out targeted strikes against military facilities used by Houthi rebels in Yemen," UK broadcaster Sky News quoted Sunak as saying.Sunak added that "the Houthi militia have carried out a series of dangerous and destabilising attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea, threatening UK and other international ships, causing major disruption to a vital trade route and driving up commodity prices." The UK Defense Ministry said in a statement on Friday that the country's military used Typhoon fighter jets and Paveway IV guided bombs to carry out strikes against Houthi facilities, namely a site for launching reconnaissance and attack drones in the Bani Matar district and an airfield in the Abs district. The ministry added that "particular care was taken to minimise any risks to civilians" in the planning phase for the airstrikes. The ministry is assessing detailed results of the airstrikes, but "early indications are that the Houthis ability to threaten merchant shipping has taken a blow," the release said.On Thursday, The Times reported that Sunak had held an emergency meeting with UK officials and authorized military action against the Houthis in response to attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea. A US defense official told Sputnik earlier on Friday that the US, in coordination with US partners, carried out strikes against targets of the Houthis in Yemen. Government sources in Yemen's governorates told Sputnik on Friday that airstrikes hit targets in the cities of Al Hudaydah and Taiz, as well as the capital Sanaa.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240112/us-uk-launch-military-operation-against-houthi-positions-in-yemen-al-arabiya-reports-1116124742.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240112/us-imports-russian-oil-strategic-maneuver-or-policy-contradiction-1116125830.html

US Imports Russian Oil: Strategic Maneuver or Policy Contradiction?

US Imports Russian Oil: Strategic Maneuver or Policy Contradiction?

Sputnik International

The US imported $749,500 worth of Russian-origin crude oil in November 2023, marking the first transaction since the ban on Russian energy imports was implemented in April 2022.

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The US, in November 2023, made a strategic pivot by importing $749,500 worth of crude oil from Russia, a move that has not been witnessed since the sweeping sanctions imposed in April 2022. This decision comes amidst ongoing global energy challenges and raises critical questions about the consistency and objectives of US trade policies.The ban on Russian oil, gas, and other energy imports was a cornerstone of the US response to the geopolitical tensions, aligned with a broader international effort. However, the recent resumption of oil imports from Russia has sparked a debate about the underlying motives and potential consequences for US allies, particularly in Europe and Japan.Tiberio Graziani, chairman at Vision & Global Trends - International Institute for Global Analyses, suggests that the US trade policy, particularly within the energy market, operates with hegemonic intentions.When asked if this act signifies a violation of the US's own sanctions policy, Graziani emphasizes the hegemonic nature of US trade strategies. The US, by resuming Russian oil imports, seemingly contradicts its own sanctions framework, a liberty its allies, such as the EU and Japan, do not enjoy.Furthermore, Graziani sheds light on the reasons behind the US's resumption of Russian oil imports. He points out that this move aims to deprive European allies of opportunities to reestablish economic-commercial activities with Russia. More critically, it binds them long-term to the US energy market, thereby making the European economic-industrial sector increasingly dependent on the United States.In 2022, the US, along with other G7 countries, the EU, Switzerland, and Australia, implemented price ceilings on Russian oil to reduce Moscow's income. Companies from these nations were prohibited from providing transportation, insurance, and financial services for Russian oil sold above the set limit of $60 per barrel. The price ceilings for petroleum products vary by type, with diesel capped at $100 per barrel and discounted fuel oil at $45 per barrel.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240112/remarkable-resilience-russian-economy-grows-despite-sanctions-becomes-worlds-top-5-1116124972.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240112/us-uk-seem-bent-on-protecting-israel-by-attacking-yemen-1116129798.html

US, UK Seem 'Bent on Protecting Israel' by Attacking Yemen

US, UK Seem 'Bent on Protecting Israel' by Attacking Yemen

Sputnik International

The US and Britain want to show their leadership over the world and their ability to strike and to confront any threat not only in Europe and in the Atlantic, but also in the Middle East, says Ayman Yousef, professor of political sciences and international relations at the Arab-American University in Palestine.

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2024-01-12T15:19+0000

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Late on January 11, American and British forces launched a string of airstrikes against Yemen, ostensibly in retaliation for the attacks previously conducted by the Houthi rebels against Israeli-linked vessels traversing the Gulf of Aden.The Houthis started conducting their attacks on Israeli-linked ships in response to Tel Avivs brutal invasion of the Gaza Strip, with the United States using the Houthis actions as a pretext for launching a joint naval operation off the coast of Yemen  seemingly to protect shipping traffic  and now to directly attack Yemen.While the threat posed by the Houthis to the flow of international shipping through a vital waterway that connects East Asia with Europe through Bab-el-Mandeb and the Suez Canal and then to the Mediterranean was indeed one of the factors that led to the joint US-British assault on Yemen, this attack should also be regarded in a different context, says Ayman Yousef, professor of political sciences and international relations at the Arab-American University in Palestine.According to him, the United States and the UK do not want Israel to be involved in this kind of confrontation due to how sensitive the ongoing crisis in the Gaza Strip is to people in many Arab countries, so Washington and London resorted to attacking Yemen and the Houthis themselves.The professor also argued that the US and Britain want to show their leadership over the world and their ability to strike and to confront any threat not only in Europe and in the Atlantic, but also in the Middle East.Meanwhile, Shahram Akbarzadeh, expert in the Middle Eastern politics at Deakin University, told Sputnik that the attack on Yemen by the US and British forces was a very dangerous move.While many Muslim countries merely condemned Israel for its invasion of the Gaza Strip, the Houthis had actually taken action against Israeli interests and are now paying the price for it, which the Yemeni movement will now wear with pride.The US action has confirmed the worldview that Washington is bent on protecting Israel and has no regard for Muslims, Akbarzadeh remarked, adding that the US move will reinforce the notion that Muslims are under siege and have no recourse to justice.As for how this emerging crisis might unfold, Akbarzadeh suggested that the Houthis will surely double down on their campaign in the Red Sea while Hezbollah and other anti-US paramilitary groups in the region are likely to see this escalation as a signals to strike US targets, which by definition would include soft targets outside the region.His sentiment was echoed by Yemeni political analyst Mohammad al-Qaidi who told Sputnik Arabic that Yemens response to this US aggression will not be limited to the Red Sea, with all US military installations in the region now becoming legitimate targets for the Houthis.He promised that the American airstrikes, conducted with the assistance from Britain and several other countries, including some Arab states, will not go unanswered and will receive a proper response.The people of Yemen will not be watching silently at this brutal aggression, al-Qaidi said.He pointed out that Yemen is capable of protecting its territory without any foreign assistance, while US military installations in the Persian Gulf and the Horn of Africa are now potential targets for any retaliatory actions.Al-Qaidi also branded the US and the UK attacks as unjustified, since the Houthis have never attacked any cargo vessels that were not linked to Israel.All this shows the level of involvement of Western states in the aggression against Gaza, he said. It is an attempt to attack and break those who protect the Palestinian people.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240112/us-uk-trying-to-distract-from-genocide-in-gaza-by-strikes-in-yemen---houthi-member-1116126421.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240112/strikes-on-yemen-are-another-example-of-disregard-for-international-law---moscow-1116127556.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240112/us-uk-trying-to-distract-from-genocide-in-gaza-by-strikes-in-yemen---houthi-member-1116126421.html

US, UK Trying to Distract From Genocide in Gaza by Strikes in Yemen - Houthi Member

US, UK Trying to Distract From Genocide in Gaza by Strikes in Yemen - Houthi Member

Sputnik International

The US and the UK are trying to divert attention from the genocide in the Gaza Strip with ill-conceived airstrikes against the Ansar Allah movement, also known as the Houthis, in Yemen, Hezam al-Asad, a member of the movement's political bureau, said on Friday.

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The US and the United Kingdom carried out overnight airstrikes against Houthi positions in four governorates of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa and the cities of Al Hudaydah, Saada and Taiz, provincial government officials told Sputnik. The US and UK officials confirmed the airstrikes, saying these were targeting Houthi military facilities and positions in Yemen in response to attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea and not civilian population centers. "Through these hostile and ill-conceived operations, Washington and London are trying to divert attention from the ongoing crimes of genocide. We will continue to defend our principled position on the key issue for us  Palestine  and neither the US nor the UK will be able to dissuade us from supporting our people in the Gaza Strip, whether in the Red or Arabian Seas," al-Asad wrote on X. The Red and Arabian Seas will remain closed to Israeli-associated ships until the conflict in the Gaza Strip ends, the political bureau member added. "Our armed forces are well prepared and the aggressors will regret their aggression against the Yemeni people," he said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240106/biden-admin-can-force-israel-to-stop-fighting-in-gaza-but-will-not-do-it-1116017382.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240112/zelensky-critic-gonzalo-lira-reportedly-dead-at-55-1116136403.html

Zelensky Critic Gonzalo Lira Dies While Imprisoned in Ukraine: Report

Zelensky Critic Gonzalo Lira Dies While Imprisoned in Ukraine: Report

Sputnik International

Kit Klarenberg announced tonight that Gonzalo Lira's death in a Ukrainian prison has been confirmed by Lira's family. The report was subsequently backed up by Tucker Carlson, who cited Gonzalo Liras father.

2024-01-12T21:00+0000

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If this is true, it will make political headlines around the world. Lira was from a very wealthy Chilean family, had Chilean citizenship, as well as US.Lira, a controversial "alt-journalist" had lived in Ukraine for many years, where he appeared to be an anti-Maidan, pro-Russian journalist, was detained and subsequently released by Ukrainian secret services in April of 2022, before being again detained in May of 2023 by the SBU. In recent weeks, Tucker Carlson and Elon Musk had begun lobbying for Lira's release. It should be remembered that just because the SBU or Lira's family say he's dead, this may or may not be the case. This is a developing story, stay tuned to Sputnik for more information as it becomes available.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230531/state-department-wont-say-if-its-helping-free-american-jailed-for-criticizing-ukraine-1110806593.html

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A sloppy track combined with heavy snow that started to fall after the third race provided some messy going at Batavia Downs on Thursday afternoon (Jan. 11), but it didnt take away from competitive racing and several very close finishes.

The features were a pair of $20,000 Open I Handicap races that were written for each gait.

First in the Open I Handicap Trot, despite coming up only a neck short in his first start in the top class at Batavia last week, Comeonover Hanover was dismissed by the betting public at 9-1 and made them pay after making a late rush to victory.

Blogmaster (Jim Morrill Jr.) led to the half in a soft :59.2 when Big Box Hanover (Larry Stalbaum) moved first-over and pushed the issue to three-quarters. At that station, Comeonover Hanover (Billy Dobson) was still sixth, but out and moving third-over. After coming out of the turn, Big Box Hanover took the lead from Blogmaster and Special Prosecutor (John Cummings Jr.) had moved into third. But it was Comeonover Hanover who was barrelling down the center of the track and took the lead at the wire to win in 2:00.4.

Comeonover Hanover ($20.60) is owned by Perry Elkins and trained by Andy Gardner.

Then later in the Open I Handicap Pace, Lanjo Lee took no prisoners and could not be caught as he easily put away the competition in the stretch.

Lanjo Lee (Kyle Cummings) took the lead and cut quarters of :28.2 and :58.2 before Alta Engen A (Jim Morrill Jr.) pulled first-over from third. As they paced up the backside on the second circuit, Alta Engen A tried hard but could not get alongside Lanjo Lee and by three-quarters, his challenge had ended. This left Lanjo Lee two lengths ahead of the pocket-sitting Dontholdanythinbak (Keith Kash Jr.) and looking very much like a winner. When they straightened for home, Lanjo Lee bolted for the line under a line drive and won by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:55.2.

Lanjo Lee ($8.40) is owned by Gordon Swift and trained by Jeff Sorenson.

In the days 14th race, driver Brett Beckwith made a three-wide move in the last turn with All About Lynx and caught the front-running Examiner Hanover (Larry Stalbaum) at the wire to win in 1:59 and blow up the toteboard at 53-1. All About Lynx returned $109 for the win and sparked a 7-4-5-2 superfecta that returned the handsome sum of $3,253.80 for a 20-cent wager.

Drew Monti and Billy Dobson both scored driving hat tricks on Thursday while the day's top trainer Chris Petrelli sent two from his stable to the winners enclosure for pictures.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Monday, Jan. 15 at 3 p.m.

(Batavia Downs)
Much of the Nebraska Panhandle and eastern Wyoming will be under a wind chill warning starting Friday evening. Temperatures are expected to drop well below zero starting Friday evening and to continue into Monday morning.

Residents can expect blistering cold over the weekend with temperatures as low as 17 degrees below zero expected. Paired with the forecast of 15 to 20 mile per hour winds and gusts of over 25 miles per hour, the wind chill could be as low as 30 degrees below zero, according to NWS Cheyenne Lead Forecaster Jerry Claycomb.

There will be an Arctic front from the north (Friday) night that is going to bring some really brutally low temperatures, Claycomb said.

He advised extreme caution as temperatures and wind chill that extreme can cause frostbite to set in on exposed skin within 10 minutes. People should avoid any prolonged outdoor activities and should bundle up and avoid exposed skin if they are forced to venture outdoors.

In the northern part of the Panhandle, Claycomb said temperatures could be even more extreme with projected wind chills reaching lows of nearly 45 degrees below zero in Chadron Saturday night, according to Claycomb.

He also said that people should keep their pets inside and advised ranchers to position their cattle somewhere where they will be protected from the north winds this weekend.

If anyone is caught in their vehicle due to snow or a breakdown, Claycomb said they should avoid the temptation to walk and look for help and instead wait in their vehicles for the proper authorities.

Area residents got a taste of the weather to come with some snowfall that began early Thursday morning and continued into the afternoon. Volunteers reported snow totals of three inches Thursday morning as snow continued to accumulate.

While Scottsbluff and Gering saw significant snowfall, the heaviest hit areas were centered around Chadron and Sioux County, where volunteers reported five inches of snow, according to Claycomb.

Claycomb said that the increased snowfall in the Panhandle was caused by what he referred to as a higher snow ratio. The snow ratio represents how much water is contained in the snow.

At freezing temperatures, one inch of precipitation in the form of water can equate to 10 inches of snow. Due to the cold temperatures, the snow ratio was higher and led to a higher snow total.

There is also the possibility of some light snow Friday evening into Saturday morning on top of the accumulation from Thursdays storm.

There is also considerable snowfall and blizzard conditions expected on the eastern side of the state this weekend.

Claycomb also said that snowfall and extreme wind was uncommon at this time in the winter season. He said patterns like this would usually be expected between Thanksgiving and Christmas and described the upcoming events as abnormal.

The wind chill warning will take effect for much of the Nebraska Panhandle and eastern Wyoming Friday at 5 p.m. and is scheduled to expire 6 a.m. Monday.
The Supreme Prosecutors Office (SPO) requested the justice ministry Friday take disciplinary action against an incumbent prosecutor for declaring his candidacy for April's parliamentary elections.

Kim Sang-min, a senior prosecutor from the Daejeon High Prosecutors Office, organized a public event Tuesday to celebrate the publication of his book in his hometown, the southeastern city of Changwon, where he also declared his intention to run for a parliamentary seat.

Kim later resigned, but his resignation has not been accepted.

Additionally, the SPO urged disciplinary action against Park Dae-beom, a senior prosecutor at the Gwangju High Prosecutors Office, for engaging in "inappropriate" contacts with outsiders related to the election.

"Upon confirming the violation of the duty of political neutrality by the two prosecutors, we promptly conducted an inspection and requested disciplinary measures," the SPO said.

Furthermore, it was revealed that Kim, while serving as a senior prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office last September, sent text messages to residents of his hometown during the Chuseok holiday, indicating his intention to run for office. (Yonhap)
A transition to a more consistently cold weather pattern in Virginia is about to take place.

Before these types of transitions happen, there is usually some type of precipitation and wind. That ought to be the case Friday and Saturday across the state.

Clouds thicken on Friday as breezes turn more from the south, sending temperatures well into the 50s before rain crosses the state during the afternoon and evening.

The rain will not be as consistent, nor the winds as strong, as the storm earlier in the week. Most rivers across the state are either cresting or falling, and anticipated rain totals with the Friday storm are below one inch, so additional flooding is not expected. Isolated flash flooding is possible near streams and creeks, but overall, the rain will not reinvigorate the flood waters along the major rivers of Virginia.

The cold weather comes in three distinct waves, with the first coming on Saturday. This one will largely knock temperatures back toward normal, or perhaps a few degrees below normal, but nothing that we have not experienced already this winter.

Sunday brings a second, subtle surge of cold air, further forcing the temperatures back several degrees during the day and at night. Weekend highs will be in the 40s with lows in the 20s, and both days will bring chilly breezes from the northwest, signaling the advancing colder air.

That colder air will be in place as the next storm takes shape and advances into Virginia between Monday night and Tuesday. It remains the states best chance of accumulating snow so far this season  from Richmond to Fredericksburg and from Roanoke to Charlottesville.

But the precise details are simply too far away, giving us the weekend to see how the storm takes shape. It will come ashore along the West Coast on Saturday, so there will be a good 24-36 hours to formulate the impacts the storm has on Virginia.

Having said that, it does not look like a colossus. But it will probably be enough to get the VDOT trucks moving on Monday, especially in the areas west of Interstate 95.

Whatever that storm brings, it will exit Tuesday night next week, allowing the third surge of cold air into the state  the coldest one so far this season. And this time, the cold will anchor into the state for several days, giving us our first multi-day period with temperatures consistently below normal.

Record cold is not coming, as low temperatures would need to be flirting a few degrees either side of zero, and we will remain at least 10 degrees above those levels. But several afternoons in the 30s or low 40s are coming next week.

As for the snow, the best guess this far in advance is for an inch or two in that early week storm, perhaps a bit more toward Virginias Blue Ridge.

But much more data is needed before scouring the hardware stores for shovels and sleds.
The Human Rights Watch's World Report 2024 highlights a series of significant human rights concerns in Syria amidst an ongoing economic crisis.

The Human Rights Watchs World Report 2024 highlights a series of significant human rights concerns in Syria amidst an ongoing economic crisis. The report paints a grim picture of the situation, particularly for civilians who continue to suffer from abuses by various parties involved in the conflict.

In 2023, Syrian civilians faced numerous grave abuses, primarily perpetrated by the Syrian government and other conflict parties. This includes the targeting of a displaced persons camp near Idlib city, resulting in severe destruction.

The HRW report says over 90% of Syrians are living below the poverty line, indicating a severe humanitarian crisis. The economic collapse, aggravated by regional instabilities and international sanctions, has made necessities unaffordable for millions.

Despite the ongoing hostilities and unsafe conditions in Syria, HRW says, countries hosting Syrian refugees, such as Turkey and Lebanon, have been conducting unlawful deportations. Human Rights Watch stresses that these countries should not repatriate refugees to Syria under the current circumstances.

Syrian security forces in government-controlled regions are reportedly involved in arbitrary arrests, torture, enforced disappearances, and harassment. This is further complicated by the governments mismanagement of aid and resources, the report adds.

The report mentions notable international actions, such as the case filed by the Netherlands and Canada at the International Court of Justice against Syria for violating the International Convention Against Torture. Additionally, despite Syria being readmitted to the Arab League, international sanctions continue, aiming to pressure the Syrian government.

The Syrian-Russian military forces have been conducting indiscriminate attacks in Idlib, including using prohibited weapons. In Northeast Syria, controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), issues like arbitrary detentions and poor detention conditions, particularly for ISIS suspects and their families, are highlighted.

The report also criticizes the UN Security Council for failing to renew the cross-border aid mechanism for Syria due to Russias veto.

HRW calls to action

Adam Coogle, Deputy Middle East Director at Human Rights Watch, emphasizes the urgent need for protection and humanitarian aid for Syrian civilians. He urges governments to uphold their human rights obligations and refrain from returning refugees to Syria under the current unsafe conditions.

This report underscores the complex and multifaceted nature of the Syrian crisis, highlighting the need for sustained international attention and action to address the ongoing human rights violations and humanitarian needs.

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.
Severe weather shelters can open in Longview as of Wednesday evening after the city declared a severe weather event, the administrative OK needed before those shelters resume.

First Christian Church at 2000 East Kessler Blvd. can open from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. until evening temperatures rise above near freezing, a city press release states. The shelter is the only currently permitted city severe weather shelter, according to the city.

A shelter representative said it would open Thursday and run at least through Wednesday morning.

The Longview code says severe weather shelters can open when lows are forecasted to be below 35 degrees. The National Weather Service forecasted Thursdays low to be 28 degrees, Fridays to be 17, Saturdays to be 16, and Sundays to be 17.

For more information on the shelter, visit klmasevereweathershelter.org.
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Perovskite solar cells like this one, made by Xiwen Gong's group, could make solar energy cheaper and more environmentally friendlybut they degrade faster than silicon. In a study published in the journal Matter, the team discovered how to make the black perovskite film last longer. Photo credit: Zhengtao Hu, Gong Lab, University of Michigan.

An insight into preventing perovskite semiconductors from degrading quickly, discovered at the University of Michigan, could help enable solar cells estimated to be two to four times cheaper than today's thin-film solar panels.

The study is published in the journal Matter.

Perovskites may also be combined with the silicon-based semiconductors that are prevalent in today's solar panels to create "tandem" solar cells that could surpass the maximum theoretical efficiency of silicon solar cells.

"Silicon solar cells are great because they are very efficient and can last for a very long time, but the high efficiency comes with a high cost," said Xiwen Gong, U-M assistant professor of chemical engineering. "To make high-purity silicon, temperatures over 1,000 degrees Celsius are needed. Otherwise, the efficiency won't be as good."

The high temperature comes with higher economic and environmental costs. But while perovskites can be produced at lower temperatures, they degrade when exposed to heat, moisture and air. As a result, the lifespan of perovskite today is too short to be commercially competitive in solar panels.

Gong's research aims to make hardier perovskite solar cells, and her new study in Matter suggests that bulky "defect pacifying" molecules are best at increasing the perovskites' stability and overall lifespan.

Perovskite crystals contain lead atoms that aren't fully bound to the other components within the perovskite. Such "undercoordinated sites" are defects often found on the crystal surfaces and at grain boundaries where there's a break in the crystal lattice. These defects hinder the movement of electrons and speed up the decay of the perovskite material.

Engineers already know that mixing defect-pacifying molecules into the perovskites can help lock up the undercoordinated lead, in turn preventing other imperfections from forming at high temperatures. But until now, engineers didn't know exactly how a given molecule affected the hardiness of perovskite cells.

Xiwen Gong's team designed these three molecular additives to study how an additive's size and configuration impacts the stability of perovskite films, a class of materials that could be used to make high efficiency, low cost solar cells. The additives can prevent defectswhich hurt the efficiency of the solar cellsfrom growing at breaks perovskite crystal lattice, known as grain boundaries. The perovskite lattice is shown as an array of yellow diamonds while the defect sites are shown as dark blue dashed circles. The dashed black lines depict bonds that can potentially form between perovskite and additives. The bulkiest molecule covers the most defects at the surface of the perovskite grains while also increasing the overall size of the grains during the manufacturing process. Larger perovskite grains result in a lower density of grain boundaries throughout the film, which reduces the number of locations where defects can form. Image credit: Carlos A. Figueroa Morales, Gong Lab, University of Michigan.

"We wanted to figure out what features on the molecules specifically improve the perovskite's stability," said Hongki Kim, a former postdoctoral researcher in chemical engineering and one of the study's first authors.

To investigate the problem, Gong's team created three additives with a range of shapes and sizes and added them into thin films of perovskite crystals, which can absorb light and convert it to electricity. Each additive contained the same or similar chemical building blocks, which made size, weight and arrangement the main properties differentiating them.

Then, the team measured how strongly the different additives interacted with perovskites and consequently influenced the formation of defects in the films. Larger molecules by mass were better at sticking to the perovskite because they had more binding sites that interact with perovskite crystals. As a result, they tended to be better at preventing defects from forming.

But the best additives also needed to take up a lot of space. Large but skinny molecules resulted in smaller perovskite grains during the manufacturing process. Smaller grains aren't ideal because they also create perovskite cells with more grain boundaries, or more areas for defects to form. In contrast, bulky molecules forced larger perovskite grains to form, which in turn reduced the density of grain boundaries in the film.

Heating the perovskite films to over 200 degrees Celsius confirmed that bulky additives helped the films retain more of their characteristic slate black color and develop fewer structural defects.

"Both the size and configuration are important when designing additives, and we believe this design philosophy could be implemented across various perovskite formulations to further improve the lifetime of perovskite solar cells, light emitting devices and photodetectors," said Carlos Alejandro Figueroa Morales, a doctoral student in macromolecular science and engineering and one of the study's first authors.

More information: Hongki Kim et al, Molecular design of defect passivators for thermally stable metal-halide perovskite films, Matter (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.matt.2023.12.003 Journal information: Matter
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Schematics illustrating the mechanism of the newly developed chemical doping technique and a graph showing how changes in the pH of a solution can be used to control the doping levels of organic semiconductor thin films. Credit: Yu Yamashita National Institute for Materials Science

A research team consisting of NIMS, the University of Tokyo and the Tokyo University of Science has developed the world's first technique capable of precisely doping an organic semiconductor in an aqueous solution without requiring a vacuum or a nitrogen atmosphere using special equipment.

This techniquewhich uses water, previously unexploited for this purposecould bring about a breakthrough or even a paradigm shift. The study is published in the journal Nature.

Chemical doping is a crucial process in semiconductor device production. Doping organic semiconductors involves the use of redox agents. Because effective redox agents are prone to react with water and/or oxygen, they need to be handled in a vacuum or a nitrogen atmosphere created using special equipment. In addition, these doping methods do not allow precise, consistent adjustment of doping levels.

These issues have long posed major hurdles to technological advances in the organic semiconductor industry.

The research team recently developed a chemical doping technique that uses redox reactions between benzoquinone and hydroquinone in an aqueous solution under ambient conditions. The rate of these redox reactions can be controlled by the acidity of the solution (i.e., pH)a mechanism also found in electron transport chains in photosynthesis.

The team achieved the chemical doping of organic semiconductor thin films by immersing them in an aqueous solution containing benzoquinone, hydroquinone and hydrophobic ions.

In addition, the team was able to accurately and consistently control the doping levels by changing the pH of the solution, resulting in the production of semiconductors with a wide range of electrical conductivityapproximately five orders of magnitude of difference between the minimum and maximum conductivity.

Flexible, lightweight organic semiconductors can be used as materials suitable for inkjet printing and other low-cost printing processes. The chemical doping technique may be used to promote the industrial production of flexible organic film devices, including sensors, electronic circuits, displays and solar cells.

The proof of concept for a thin-film pH sensor was also demonstrated by employing this novel technique, which suggests possibilities for health care and biosensing applications.

More information: Masaki Ishii et al, Doping of molecular semiconductors through proton-coupled electron transfer, Nature (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06504-8 Journal information: Nature
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Attention analysis of commonsense inferences generated by COMET and GD-COMET for testing samples in GD-VCR. Credit: Proceedings of the 2023 Conference on Empirical Methods in Natural Language Processing (2023). DOI: 10.18653/v1/2023.emnlp-main.496

AI language models are booming. The current frontrunner is ChatGPT, which can do everything from taking a bar exam to creating an HR policy to writing a movie script.

But it and other models still can't reason like a human. In this Q&A, Dr. Vered Shwartz, assistant professor in the UBC department of computer science, and masters student Mehar Bhatia explain why reasoning could be the next step in AIand why it's important to train these models using diverse datasets from different cultures.

What is 'reasoning' for AI?

Shwartz: Large language models like ChatGPT learn by reading millions of documents, essentially the entire internet, and recognizing patterns to produce information. This means they can only provide information about things that are documented on the internet. Humans, on the other hand, are able to use reasoning. We use logic and common sense to work out meaning beyond what is explicitly said.

Bhatia: We learn reasoning abilities from birth. For instance, we know not to switch on the blender at 2 a.m. because it will wake everyone up. We're not taught this, but it's something you understand based on the situation, your environment and your surroundings. In the near future, AI models will handle many of our tasks. We can't hard code every single common-sense rule into these robots, so we want them to understand the right thing to do in a specific context.

Shwartz: Bolting on common-sense reasoning to current models like ChatGPT would help them provide more accurate answers and so, create more powerful tools for humans to use. Current AI models have displayed some form of common-sense reasoning. For example, if you ask the latest version of ChatGPT about a child's and an adult's mud pie, it can correctly differentiate between dessert and a face full of dirt based on context.

Where do AI language models fail?

Shwartz: Common-sense reasoning in AI models is far from perfect. We'll only get so far by training on massive amounts of data. Humans will still need to intervene and train the models, including by providing the right data.

For instance, we know that English text on the web is largely from North America, so English language models, which are the most commonly used, tend to have a North American bias and are at risk of either not knowing about concepts from other cultures or of perpetuating stereotypes.

In a recent paper (published in Proceedings of the 2023 Conference on Empirical Methods in Natural Language Processing), we found that training a common-sense reasoning model on data from different cultures, including India, Nigeria and South Korea, resulted in more accurate, culturally informed responses.

Bhatia: One example included showing the model an image of a woman in Somalia receiving a henna tattoo and asking why she might want this. When trained with culturally diverse data, the model correctly suggested she was about to get married, whereas previously, it had said she wanted to buy henna.

Shwartz: We also found examples of ChatGPT lacking cultural awareness. When given a hypothetical situation where a couple tipped four percent in a restaurant in Spain, the model suggested they may have been unhappy with the service. This assumes that North American tipping culture applies in Spain when, actually, tipping is not common in the country, and a four percent tip likely meant exceptional service.

Why do we need to ensure that AI is more inclusive?

Shwartz: Language models are ubiquitous. If these models assume the set of values and norms associated with Western or North American culture, their information for and about people from other cultures might be inaccurate and discriminatory. Another concern is that people from diverse backgrounds using products powered by English models would have to adapt their inputs to North American norms, or else they might get suboptimal performance.

Bhatia: We want these tools for everyone out there to use, not just one group of people. Canada is a culturally diverse country, and we need to ensure the AI tools that power our lives are not reflecting just one culture and its norms. Our ongoing research aims to foster inclusivity, diversity, and cultural sensitivity in the development and deployment of AI technologies.

More information: Mehar Bhatia et al, GD-COMET: A Geo-Diverse Commonsense Inference Model, Proceedings of the 2023 Conference on Empirical Methods in Natural Language Processing (2023). DOI: 10.18653/v1/2023.emnlp-main.496
Interview: Belt and Road Initiative brings significant opportunities for Lebanon

Xinhua) 13:22, January 12, 2024

Waref Kumayha, a dedicated stamp collector and the founder of the Lebanese-Chinese Dialogue Road Association, receives an interview from Xinhua at his office in Beirut, Lebanon, Jan. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

BEIRUT, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- In an interview at his office, Waref Kumayha, a dedicated stamp collector and the founder of the Lebanese-Chinese Dialogue Road Association, shared his profound connection with China and the transformative impact of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Kumayha's passion for China traces back to his childhood, ignited by a simple hobby -- collecting stamps. "My relationship with China goes back to my childhood more than 40 years ago, starting with my hobby of collecting stamps," reminisced Kumayha.

Over the years, Kumayha's dedication to stamp collection led him to embark on a journey that spanned 40 cities in China, covering the vast expanse from north to south and east to west. "Those experiences added to my knowledge about China as well as my passion for China," he shared.

Stamps, according to Kumayha, served as "traveling ambassadors," playing a crucial role in showcasing China's culture and heritage on a global stage. "So the stamps were an important measure for me to discover China, its history, and its development," he explained.

Kumayha established the Lebanese-Chinese Dialogue Road Association in 2017 with the aspiration of fostering closer ties between Lebanon and China, seeking to capitalize on additional opportunities within the initiative's framework.

Despite setbacks caused by economic crises, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Beirut port explosion, Kumayha remains optimistic about the future of Lebanese-Chinese relations within the BRI.

Kumayha specified key areas for collaboration, such as energy, electricity, gas exploration, infrastructure projects, and transportation developments, which are vital elements to tackle Lebanon's economic crisis.

He also praised China's achievements in developing rural areas, eliminating poverty, and fostering equality among ethnic groups, adding that Lebanon could learn from China's experience, given its diverse religious background.

Kumayha also commended China's global initiatives, including the Global Security Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, emphasizing their role in building a community with a shared future for mankind.

He has written two books on China, titled "The Dragon and the Phoenix" and "China: The Pearl of the Eye," providing an understanding of China from a Lebanese and Arab perspective.

He revealed that he is working on his third book, which will focus on Chinese-Arab relations and use stamps as a visual narrative. The book will document the diplomatic and economic ties between China and Arab countries, as well as their historical and cultural exchanges.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Three lawmakers who left the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) earlier this week announced Friday they plan to launch a new party ahead of April's general elections.

Reps. Cho Eung-cheon, Kim Jong-min and Lee Won-wook left the DPK on Wednesday after their demands for party reforms, including the resignation of party leader Lee Jae-myung, were rejected. Their departures also came amid speculation they are unlikely to win party nominations in the upcoming elections.

A day later, former DPK leader Lee Nak-yon also quit the DPK.

"We cannot change people's lives unless we destroy the bulletproof and hegemonic politics, the winner-takes-all politics of hatred and confrontation, and the politics for selective people of incompetence and irresponsibility," Cho said in a press conference.

Along with the three lawmakers that left the DPK, two former lawmakers, Park Won-suk and Jeong Tae-keun, were present at the conference. Park and Jeong each left their respective parties  the minor opposition Justice Party and the ruling People Power Party  on Thursday.

"Let's move from a country of the conservatives and the liberals to a country for everyone," Park said.

The new party is expected to begin talks to unite with Lee Nak-yon, a former DPK leader, and other prominent political figures who have signaled plans to form new parties ahead of the elections. (Yonhap)
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Hackers who targeted the city of Dallas had access to the addresses, social security numbers and other personal information of nearly 300 more people than what had been previously disclosed to the public, city officials now say.

Catherine Cuellar, the city's spokesperson, told The Dallas Morning News on Wednesday that further internal investigations into the cyberattack pinpointed an additional 293 people, including residents and employees, whose information may have been accessed by hackers. She said the city has sent letters to notify them.

The disclosure adds to the tally of more than 30,000 people affected by the data breach and comes after the Dallas City Council met in closed session earlier Wednesday to discuss the cyberattack with the city attorney's office. The council's last listed executive session meeting on the topic was in late September.

It's not clear what was discussed during Wednesday's closed meeting, and the council members did not speak about it when they resumed the open meeting in the afternoon.

The City Council voted on Aug. 9 to set aside nearly $8.6 million to pay vendors for hardware, software, incident response and consulting services in response to the ransomware attack. The city has refused to disclose specifically how that money is being spent.

The city appealed a public records request from The News seeking a listing of where the money was going. The attorney general's office approved part of the records to be released, but when the city turned over the information in December, it only provided the contract amounts and censored the name of every vendor and descriptions

"All goods and services were procured between May 3, 2023, and July 31, 2023," the one-page document of ransomware expenditures said. The line items ranged from nearly $7,100 to $4 million.

Cuellar said the city's IT department does not plan to ask the City Council to approve any more spending to address the ransomware attack beyond the $8.6 million council members had already approved.

The city's refusal to break down any information about the money it has spent is the latest example of how little information the city has disclosed to the public about the May attack, which took some city computers and services offline for weeks.

The city reported the data breach to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in August, three months after the city discovered the attack, saying personal information from 30,253 people in Dallas' self-insured group health plans was exposed during the breach.

That same month, the city sent about 27,000 letters, mainly to employees, former employees and their relatives explaining that names, addresses, Social Security numbers, medical information and other details were exposed and possibly downloaded.

They also offered them two years of free credit monitoring. Cuellar said 13% of the people notified had enrolled in credit monitoring as of Tuesday.

Hackers used stolen online credentials to get into the city of Dallas' system last April and steal files during a cyberattack, according to city officials.

The ransomware group Royal connected to a city server and had remote access to the system starting last April. Royal spent about a month going through the city's network, downloaded almost 1.2 terabytes of data through that server, and launched a ransomware attack in May, setting off city alert systems.

City officials told The News last year that the data stolen was equal to roughly 819,000 files stored by the city.

The report said all of the city's more than 40 departments were impacted by the hack. It also lists at least 17 systems that were down at some point during the ransomware attack, including city fax and print services, police surveillance cameras, public safety file sharing, the building permitting system, library management services, fire station alert systems, police and fire mobile data computers, court-ordered warrant management system, and the ePay system for residents to pay their water bills and bills from other departments.

It's not clear how much data was taken from city servers. Royal has threatened to release city-stored information, but Cuellar said the city has found no evidence of any leaked information as of Wednesday.

City officials have cited an ongoing criminal investigation into the hacking as reason to release few details of the incident. They also haven't said if any ransom has been paid to hackers related to the data breach.

An FBI Dallas spokeswoman declined to say if a criminal investigation was still ongoing.

2024 The Dallas Morning News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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The sea and impoundment levels for the base case installation with 1.2 m of SLR. The truncated tops of the scenario curves show that pre-SLR high tide limits are easily achieved by simply closing sluices and stopping generation or pumping when the existing high tide level is attained. Pumping is necessary to achieve the pre-SLR low tide levels. At neap tides, there is little or no difference between the efficient C-by-C operating mode and the FL mode, which means there is no cost to achieve existing low tide levels. At spring tides, the FL mode starts ebb generation slightly earlier than the C-by-C mode and the rate of discharge and turbine speed is slightly greater. The amount of pumping required at low tide is similar, but the FL mode starts earlier. The FL mode achieves the required current MLWS levels with an additional reduction of 1% of the AEP. Spring low tide inside the impoundment lags the natural tide by 2 h 36 min for C-by-C and 2 h 0 min for FL modes. Credit: Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Energy (2023). DOI: 10.1680/jener.23.00031

Tidal range schemes can protect estuaries and coastal areas from the effects of sea level rise according to a new study by Lancaster researchers.

David Vandercruyssen, Simon Baker, David Howard, and George Aggidis from the School of Engineering say that tidal range schemes are vital to protect habitats, housing, and businesses from a rising sea level estimated to be over one meter within 80 years.

Postgraduate researcher David Vandercruyssen said, "High tides can be limited to existing levels simply by closing sluices and turbines and existing low tide levels can be maintained by pumping."

Professor George Aggidis, Head of Energy Engineering, said, "Development of estuarine barrages has been hampered by misconceptions about their operation and fears of disturbance of the ecologically sensitive intertidal areas."

"Our studies show that with modern technology and operating procedures, estuarine barrages are the only practical way to protect these vital habitats. Coastal lagoons have also been proposed for several locations around Britain's coast. Schemes will provide jobs in construction and manufacturing for generations to come as well as opportunities for transport, communication, conservation and recreation. In the long-term, they will provide reliable power with reduced costs."

Their research, published in Proceedings of the Institution of Civil EngineersEnergy, follows on from earlier Lancaster University research into a combined tidal range electricity generation and cost model demonstrating the viability of tidal range energy in the UK. This showed how it is possible to maintain the full tidal range within existing dams or weirs.

Professor Aggidis said, "Great Britain has the second largest tidal range in the world, and major barrages have been considered since Victorian times. Globally, two large-scale schemes are currently in operation, La Rance in France, completed in 1967, and Lake Sihwa in South Korea in 2011; both schemes generate significant quantities of cheap, sustainable electricity."

More information: David Vandercruyssen et al, Tidal range electricity generation into the twenty-second century, Proceedings of the Institution of Civil EngineersEnergy (2023). DOI: 10.1680/jener.23.00031
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Comparison of sensor array schemes, fabricated 10  10 nonstretchable pressure sensor array and multimodal pressure-temperature sensor array prototypes. Credit: HKUST

Researchers from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have developed a sensor array design technology inspired by the human auditory system. By mimicking the human ear's ability to distinguish sounds through tonotopy, this innovative sensor array approach could optimize the application of sensor arrays in fields such as robotics, aviation, health care, and industrial machinery.

The team's findings, realized in collaboration with City University of Hong Kong, were published in the journal Science Advances in an article titled "One-wire reconfigurable and damage-tolerant sensor matrix inspired by the auditory tonotopy." Dr. Long Zhihe and Mr. Lin Weikang are the first authors of this work.

Traditional sensor arrays face challenges such as complex wiring, limited reconfigurability, and low damage resistance. The design developed by the HKUST team, led by Associate Professor Yang Zhengbao from the Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, addresses these challenges by assigning a unique frequency to each sensor unit and using the sensor unit signal to modulate the amplitude of the frequency signal, similar to the distinct frequencies processed by hair cells in the human cochlea.

Demonstration of the 5  5 stretchable pressure TSM. Credit: HKUST

These amplitude-modulated signals of different frequencies are then superimposed onto a single conductor, and a Fast Fourier Transform algorithm is finally used to decipher the individual signals. This design allows the reduction of a large number of output wires from the conventional row-column setup to a single wire, without sacrificing functionality.

This innovative method allows the decoding system to process information from all sensor units simultaneously, which is a stark contrast to the existing implementation of time-division multiplexing for sensor array decoding.

Demonstration of the non-uniformly distributed pressure TSM. Credit: HKUST

The research team leverages a redundancy design in the sensor connection network to ensure continuous operation, even when parts of the array's connection network are damaged. This design feature is inspired by the multiple synaptic connections between hair cells in the internal ear and neurons, providing a backup should one pathway fail.

This redundant design not only enhances the system's damage tolerance but also enables greater reconfigurability, a feature that is particularly useful in rapidly changing environments such as responsive robotics or adaptable wearable devices. The Lego-style modular design could also lead to cost savings in maintenance, as it is easier to repair than traditional multi-wire sensor arrays.

The proposed sensor array technology offers a multitude of potential applications. Its flexibility and robustness make it ideally suited for integration into curved surfaces and operation in harsh environments. It can adapt to the shape and multimodal sensing requirements of the surface while providing real-time data.

Demonstration of the 10  10 non-stretchable pressure TSM. Credit: HKUST

In practical terms, the team has demonstrated the sensor array's functionality in two primary applicationsa pressure sensor array and a pressure-temperature multimodal sensor array. The latter is particularly noteworthy for its potential to monitor critical parameters in medical prosthetics, thereby enhancing comfort and safety for users.

The team has also underscored the technology's potential for monitoring strain distribution in airplane wings, which could contribute to the development of safer and more fuel-efficient aircraft.

Demonstration of the TSM applied to wing strain distribution monitoring. Credit: HKUST

Despite its many advantages, this sensor array design does encounter some limitations. The number of sensor units in the array is constrained by the operational bandwidth of the circuits, and the potential for miniaturization is limited by the size of the off-the-shelf electronic components required for each sensor unit.

Looking ahead, the HKUST team aims to further simplify the sensor array's design and seek commercial partnerships to bring this technology to the market.

Physical damage resistance test of the designed 5  5 stretchable pressure sensor array. Credit: HKUST

More information: Zhihe Long et al, One-wire reconfigurable and damage-tolerant sensor matrix inspired by the auditory tonotopy, Science Advances (2023). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi6633 Journal information: Science Advances
Don Scott, Texas A&M Class of 1987, was elected as the first Black speaker in the history of the Virginia House of Delegates on Wednesday.

Were only a few miles from where the first slaves came into this country in 1619, Scott told CBS Wednesday. Now, 405 years later, you have your first Black speaker. Im very cognizant of the shoulders that I stand on. I take it very seriously and Im humbled and Im grateful for the opportunity.

Scotts path to become Virginia House leader included an almost eight-year stint in federal prison. He was arrested on drug-related charges in 1994.

I made the dreadful mistake of going to pick up some money, some drug money, in Mobile, Alabama, Scott told CBS. I had never been in any trouble before and I ended up getting a slap for 10 years. I remember my mother in the courtroom. I can hear the little yelp when the judge said 10 years. I still remember that sometimes.

Once released from prison, Scott moved to Portsmouth, Virginia, and became a successful trial lawyer.

Scott, a Democrat, didnt enter politics until 2019 when he was elected to Virginias 80th district. He was reelected in 2021 and has served as the Virginia Houses minority leader since 2019. Democrats won the majority of the Virginia House election last November, which paved the way for Scott to become speaker.

Damaged goods sometimes can turn out to be OK, and were a lot more interesting than the people that followed all the rules and did everything perfect, Scott told CBS. Like God will  I think hes a great comedian. He will use people folks think have nothing to offer and shock the world with them.
Several events will be held over the coming week in Bryan-College Station to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., whose birthday will be celebrated Monday on the annual MLK Day.

The 40th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Keeping the Dream Alive Celebration: Forward Forever, Backwards Never event will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday at Lincoln Recreation Center in College Station. The event is free to attend. Educator and author Lafredrick Smith, a College Station native, will speak. Praise songs will be performed by Unity of Navasota. A light dinner will be served after the program.

On Monday, the Brazos Valley Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will host its 28th annual MLK Freedom March and Program. The event is free and open to the public. It begins at 11 a.m. at Sadie Thomas Park in Bryan and concludes at Kemp-Carver Elementary School. Due to weather forecasts, there will be a caravan instead of a march.

According to the BVAAs Facebook page, Reverend Donnie Nelson Jr., local minister, musician and youth advocate will be the program speaker, and the MLK Essay and Art Contest winners will be announced during the program. This contest is co-sponsored by the Brazos Valley African American Museum.

Texas A&M University will host its 17th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast from 9-11 a.m. Jan. 18 at Bethancourt Ballroom inside the Memorial Student Center. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for A&M students.

Educator and self-described Marxist political activist Angela Y. Davis will be the events keynote speaker. She has taught at San Francisco State University, Mills College, the University of California-Berkeley, UCLA, Vassar College, Syracuse University, Claremont Colleges and Stanford University. Davis, who was once a vice presidential candidate on the Communist Party ticket, was most recently at UC-Santa Cruz. She has authored 10 books and lectured around the world. Davis work in recent years has focused on the range of social problems related to incarceration and the generalized criminalization of communities most affected by poverty and racial discrimination. Davis, who was on the FBIs Ten Most Wanted list, spent 18 months in jail in the 1970s before being acquitted for conspiracy to commit murder.

The impact Dr. Martin Luther Kings teachings had on so many, but especially our committee, is something we hope to share with the entire campus. The MLK Breakfast is a forum that allows the spirit of Dr. Kings dream to continue with the speakers that we invite, Trinity Boudreaux, director of diaspora education for MSC WBAC, said in a statement. As we look toward this years event with Dr. Davis as our keynote speaker, it is a great hope of mine and the committee that her words will inspire this generation to understand the importance of action and continuing Dr. Kings legacy.
A Bryan man was arrested Thursday morning for allegedly possessing child pornography, according to the Bryan Police Department.

Reuben Boyer III, 25, has been charged with possession of less than 100 instances of child pornography, according to Brazos County Jail records.

At around 10 a.m. Thursday, police said they assisted the Houston FBI in executing a search warrant of Boyers residence related to the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse and exploitation material.

Officers said Boyer was detained at the scene and that he admitted to having possessed child pornography for the past five years. Police also said he admitted to having been banned from at least one social media platform for attempting to contact underage children.

During the search of Boyers residence, officers said they found a USB flash drive containing numerous files believed to be child pornography. The total number of files is currently unknown according to police and officers said it will require further investigation.

Possession of child pornography under 100 instances is a third-degree felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.

Boyer is being held under a $20,000 bond, according to jail records.
Rival parties lock horns over results of police investigation

By Lee Hyo-jin, Jun Ji-hye

The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) said Sunday that it will take legal action against the prime minister's office, accusing it of attempting to scale back and distort a knife attack on the party leader, Rep. Lee Jae-myung earlier this year.

Jeon Hyun-heui, who leads the party's task force dealing with the incident's aftermath, said during a media conference that the prime minister's office, soon after the attack on Jan. 2, sent text messages to reporters and many others, saying that Lee suffered only a slight injury on his neck.



The opposition party said those messages constituted "fake news," as vascular surgeon Min Seung-kee at Seoul National University Hospital, who performed emergency surgery on Lee, said the lawmaker sustained a 1.4 centimeter-wide knife wound on the left side of his neck and that about 60 percent of his internal jugular vein was cut.



Jeon said, "We need clarification on who authorized the sending of these messages, the reasons behind it, and the number of recipients. After reviewing the relevant laws, we plan to file a complaint against the prime minister's office."

She said somebody had swiftly cleaned the crime scene within an hour of the incident, asserting, "This clearly amounts to the crime of destruction of evidence."

The opposition party claimed that the prime minister's office, in collaboration with fire and police authorities, sought to downplay and distort the incident to mitigate its political repercussions leading up to the April 10 general elections.

The DPK has already traded barbs with the ruling People Power Party (PPP) on Friday over the results of a police investigation, after the Busan Metropolitan Police Agency announced two days ago that the incident was a premeditated crime committed solely by the 67-year-old suspect, surnamed Kim  with no accomplice  who was driven by political beliefs. He launched the attack to stop Lee from becoming president, the police said.

The DPK criticized the probe as hastily conducted, speculating that there may have been other accomplices who assisted the knife-wielding perpetrator. The PPP accused the opposition party of engaging in conspiracy theories.

"In summary, the police probe is a pile of cover-ups and speculations," said Rep. Jung Chung-rae, a four term DPK lawmaker, during the party Supreme Council meeting. "If you closely look at how the perpetrator stabbed Lee with the knife, he seems like someone who was highly trained. There should be a thorough background check into this."

The lawmaker demanded the police conduct a re-investigation to find out whether other individuals were involved in the attack.

In response, the PPP denounced the opposition lawmakers for producing fake news and conspiracy theories ahead of the general elections.

"There would have been no reason for the police to passively conduct the investigation," PPP floor leader Rep. Yun Jae-ok told reporters, saying that he doesn't see any issues with the probe results.

"I perceive it (DPK's claim) as nothing more than fueling political bickering," he added.

The law enforcement authorities decided to withhold the suspect's personal identity and political affiliation, in what opposition lawmakers interpreted as an attempt to downplay the incident.

Kim has been referred to the prosecution for further investigation on charges of attempted murder.
Less than half of South Korean students think unification is necessary
Miss Nebraska 2023 Morgan Baird, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate and former legislative page, will compete for the title of Miss America on Sunday.

When Baird takes the Walt Disney Theater stage in Orlando, Florida, she will be the first woman to represent Gering since Teresa Scanlan took the Miss America crown in 2011.

The finals for the competition begin at 5 p.m.

That evening will represent the culmination of months of preparation by Baird, including pre-pageant activities this week in Orlando. Contestants are scored on several categories including a private and onstage interview, a talent performance, evening wear and fitness.

Contestants are also required to champion a social cause. For Baird that has been Rock the Vote: Engaging the Political Power of Young People. Baird graduated from UNL with a political science degree and worked in the Legislature as a page during the previous two sessions.

I aim to register and educate young voters so that they feel empowered and capable and ready to make their voice heard at the polls, Baird said.

She has also been preparing for the talent category, where she will perform a dance. She chose to choreograph her own number in part because of a lingering injury.

My senior year of high school I tore both my labrums in my hips and so I am not at my best physically, and so Ive had to work around that a little bit, Baird said.

Baird, a longtime dancer, said she wished that she could have chosen to perform a different dance but had to acknowledge the limitations from her injuries.

Ive been working hard to still have a competitive number while still keeping the integrity of my body and making sure that I dont push myself too far, Baird said.

In her time as Miss Nebraska as well as in her preparations for the upcoming Miss America Pageant, she said she has had to manage her injury carefully. This included making sure she has time to rest after competing.

Working through the injury has forced her to be more in tune with her body, so that she knows what she needs.

Much of her preparation has centered around feeling comfortable, from practicing her walk for the evening and fitness portions to memorizing her dance until it becomes second nature.

She said she also has a journaling strategy for gathering her thoughts and releasing any negativity she might feel during this week of competition.

I write down how Im feeling, get it out, any negative feelings, get it out on the paper before I walk into the interview, before I walk on stage, Baird said.

Contestants also have to concern themselves with their wardrobe for a weeks worth of pageant events, from galas and visitations to Sunday evenings finals.

As for her wardrobe, Baird said that aspect of the competition has been taken care of through a dress sponsor.

Hirschfelds Prom Shoppe in North Platte has allowed her to borrow dresses for appearances and helped her fund her wardrobe along with the Miss Nebraska Organization.

I was really fortunate to go to Atlanta at the end of July with my dress sponsor from North Platte, and she took me there and we picked out my entire Miss America wardrobe, Baird said.

She said she ended up with so many items she had to purchase new luggage to fit it all.

Baird said she has enjoyed her time as Miss Nebraska and felt that her schedule of appearances helped her to see and understand much more of the state than she had previously.

The Journal Star's most memorable photos of 2023
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BAMBERG  Mount Pleasant resident Harry Talmage surveyed about ten different cities and towns to find out where he wanted to open up his business.

Bamberg stuck out with its great leadership, Talmage said.

It really appealed to me and how beautiful downtown will be.

I was working with the county and the city on how I could help revitalize downtown.

The 28-year old put a couple hundred thousand dollars of his own money into Bamberg's two oldest buildings at 3059 Main Highway. The buildings date back to around the early 1890s.

Talmage had rehabilitated about 80 percent of the upstairs for use as commercial office space.

An EF2 tornado hit downtown Bamberg on Tuesday, causing both buildings to collapse.

Now I just don't know what the next step is, Talmage said. I just don't know what I will do next to move forward on that project. I sunk a lot of money into this.

In addition to lot of money, Talmage says he has put in over 7,000 miles traveling back and forth between Bamberg and Mount Pleasant to make the project happen.

I don't know how I am going to put it back together, Talmage continued. I don't think insurance will give me enough to fully repair it all.

The downstairs was occupied by Bamberg Rustic Furniture and More, owned by Bobbi Bunch. Bunch has operated the business for about 2-1/2 years as a home decor and furniture consignment shop.

Bunch says shell have to see what she does now.

Ive got structural damage. I can't get in to get anything. I will have to call it a loss. Maybe some other buildings will come up. We will see, she said.

Robert Thomas, executive director of Southeastern Housing and Community Development, owned the building next door to Talmage's.

Thomas also planned to help revitalize downtown.

We are all trying to figure out what is the best thing to go into different buildings in downtown, Thomas said.

The building was empty, but was insured. It was the tallest in the county.

I am thinking that it is unsafe, Thomas said. The whole back wall is still standing. I am thinking it will have to come down. It will probably be a blank slate. I don't know if we will be able to salvage any of it.

Bamberg Mayor Nancy Foster said the city has been working with the Southern Carolina Alliance in acquiring a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant. It was also working with a company to help restore businesses and bring mom-and-pop business downtown.

Despite the tornado damage, Talmage said, I am not going to give up on Bamberg.

Foster said shes brokenhearted.

Downtown is my passion, so it is kind of sad for me to see buildings from the late 1800s destroyed, but God has another plan. We will keep going and pick up and start over, Foster said. We will have to make some decisions on what we will have to do.

Just say a prayer for us and we will get there, Foster said.

It was a lot scary

While downtown business owners wondered what their next steps would be, Bamberg residents were just happy to see another day.

I experienced what sounded like a freight train inside of a wind tunnel, said Alisha Moore, who lives off Veterans Avenue.

High winds, house rattling, windows shaking, a tree branch came to my bedroom window, she said. I was terrified. It was a brand new experience. I even called my children to tell them I loved them because I didn't know what was going to happen.

Moore got inside her bathroom and shut the door. She got on the floor for what seemed about a 10-minute period.

The impact of the wind and the extreme shaking of the house and the windows shattering  it felt like an eternity, Moore said. I am grateful not only that I was not injured and there was not more damage to the house that I was renting, but all our Bamberg County citizens were not injured and there were no fatalities. That is the shining light at the end of this horrific tunnel, she said.

Carlisle Road resident Jennifer Hiatt was at home when the storm hit.

It was a lot scary, Hiatt said. Things got a little dicey.

Hiatt said she received an emergency alert about a minute before the storm hit.

It was so quick, she said. It was like my phone went off and then it was too late. It was already there. It went by so fast. I was still in panic mode and then it was over.

A day after the storm, Hiatt was still without power. The family lost a storage shed.

It saved the house, but we were lucky in that respect, Hiatt said. We have a real mess down there.

Hiatt said it was the first time she had ever been that close to a tornado.

I don't care to repeat it, she said.

Sue Greenberg was in her home on Second Street when the storm hit.

It sounded like a freight train, Greenberg said. The sky was dark, the wind was whipping. It worked its way down Second Street.

Greenberg said her alert did not come in time and when it did come, it was in Spanish.

I got an alert in Spanish, she said. Ive got a flip phone and I can't even make it speak Spanish.

Greenberg said she did not have time to take cover and was in the sun parlor trying to stay away from windows.

We lost electricity almost immediately, she said. It took about 20 hours to have it restored.

I am very thankful but blessed, actually, but you know what? Scary stuff, just scary. I can't even begin to tell you, Greenberg said.

Greenberg said the storm cut off the top of a pine tree in her yard. Her house was spared from any damage.

I am so glad that school was closed, because the buses come down Cannon Street around 3:04 p.m. and it would have meant they were over at the school waiting to load to bring the kids home. But because they closed school in anticipation, there was not a need for that, she said.

William Axson, who lives on Second Street, heard a loud boom.

I don't know what that was. Loud wind  very, very ferocious winds rattling windows and doors, he said.

Axson said he lost some lawn furniture during the storm.

Somebody saw it going down the street in the middle of the road. I don't know where it ended up, Axson said. I just sat in my recliner and just rode it out.
State Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg, is scheduled to host the second of three planned town halls to talk about upper Dorchester Countys infrastructure needs.

The purpose of the town hall is to connect constituents directly to representatives from the S.C. Office of Resilience, Department of Transportation, S.C. Broadband Office and S.C. Rural Infrastructure to ask questions and express concerns about flooding, stopped-up ditches, no internet connection and unsafe roads.

The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, at the Rosenwald School, 205 Ann Street, St. George.

Cobb-Hunter represents House District 95, which includes portions of Orangeburg and Dorchester counties.
The Orangeburg County Fire District  which encompasses the entire county except for the greater Orangeburg and Santee areas  is facing several critical issues in 2024.

They include adding paid firefighters, combining some departments, and seeking the elimination of a property tax rate cap.

Heres a closer look.

Fewer volunteers

The districts fire departments have about 400 people on their rosters, but only about 200 have completed some type of formal firefighter training.

Those numbers have been stagnant, Fire Service Director Teddy Wolfe told the Fire Commission recently.

We need help during the daytime, when many volunteer firefighters are working their day jobs, Wolfe said.

Wolfe raised the issue at the past two County Council annual retreats and they have heard us, and its coming. They have agreed to allocate us money for daytime firefighters.

How many is yet to be decided. Wolfe hopes the council will support one paid firefighter for each of the five battalions.

The fire district presently has 10 paid employees, all of whom work out of the fire district office. They include the fire marshal, vehicle maintenance personnel, and administrative personnel.

Fewer departments

I dont want to say this, but it is becoming apparent to me that we are very, very close to having to present a plan of combining and merging some of our departments, Wolfe said.

Nobody wants to hear that. Its not going to be an easy pill to swallow. but Im getting very uncomfortable and something has got to change. Its only a matter of time, he said.

The district recently changed its policy to increase the number of departments that are summoned in certain situations. But it isnt working out. We just arent getting the people there, he said.

Obviously that adversely affects the ability to fight fires. But it can also cause property insurance rates to increase.

Property taxes

In 1997, a fire engine cost $175,000. The most recently purchased engine cost $355,000. The district is in the process of buying an engine for the Eutawville Fire Department for $535,000.

Associated expenses are also rising as the volume of calls is growing and growing and growing, said Carl Thompson Sr., head of the Advisory Fire Board and chief of the Providence Fire Department.

The fire districts fiscal year 2024 budget is $3,485,965, with most of that coming from property taxes.

As farmland is repurposed for commercial uses and residential subdivisions, its assessed value increases. That growth generates about $50,000 a year in tax revenues for the fire district.

However, the state Legislature expanded property tax exemptions for agricultural-use properties such as poultry houses  which reduced the fire districts revenues by about $50,000 a year.

A county ordinance caps the fire districts property tax rate at 19 mills.

At the fire commissions direction, Wolfe wrote a letter to County Council Chairman Johnnie Wright Sr. on Nov. 20, 2023, asking the council to amend the ordinance to remove the millage rate cap.

The fire commission has done our due diligence to live within the means of the provided fire millage, he wrote in part. It is now apparent that the fire system is not able to keep up. With the current funding we will not be able to maintain the fire fleet or get ahead of the growth.

Dispatching

Communications problems with emergency dispatchers were discussed at many fire commission meetings throughout 2023.

Were having major problems. It is getting desperate. Thats our lifeline. Were not safe without that communication. We just need for things to get better, Thompson said in September.

Two months later, Thompson said that a three-hour meeting revealed problems on both ends, and a lot of promises were made.

Wolfe said: They asked me to present training like I used to do when the new dispatchers came in, and he agreed. Were going to get back to the basics and get them familiar with our nomenclature.

The donut

The Orangeburg Department of Public Safety provides fire service within the city and in a donut shaped area just outside the city limits.

The donut is the only area in the county where residents still have to buy fire contracts.

Some homes and businesses in the donut are closer to a volunteer fire station than a city fire station, and their insurance rates are higher.

The city and the county have tried to hammer out new service lines for years. They came close in 2023 but fell short. Wolfe expects the negotiations to resume in 2024.

Health concerns

Firefighting has always involved a measure of risk, whether its entering a burning building or directing traffic after a motor vehicle accident.

But now, some firefighting gear and foam has been found to contain PFAS, which is associated with health problems including several types of cancer, according to an Associated Press article.

The article says thousands of firefighters nationwide have sued PFAS manufacturers and companies that make firefighting gear and foam, seeking damages for their exposure.

Remembering history

Last May, fire commissioner Ken Davis proposed having a special called meeting and inviting the original members of the fire departments to talk about the history of the fire departments and the fire district.

That meeting hasnt been scheduled yet, but Wolfe has begun compiling a history of the fire district.
By Lee Min-hyung

LAS VEGAS  A new mobility paradigm  driven by software-defined vehicles (SDV)  has swept across the entire automobile industry during this years CES tech fair, with global automakers moving to build their own identity amid the arrival of the new wave.

Until recently, automakers here and abroad focused on promoting hardware improvements in their electric vehicles (EV) at major global auto shows. The trend remains in place, but they were mesmerized by a bigger theme of artificial intelligence (AI) and software at the CES 2024.

The fresh movement comes as the global EV industry faces slowed growth amid a long-lasting electrification hype voiced by major market players.

But they have shown clear signs of ending the redundancy and setting up a new strategy, bracing for the AI-powered auto paradigm shift at the worlds largest IT exhibition.

Hyundai Motor took the center stage against the similar backdrop. The automaker did not display its new vehicles at its CES booth. Instead, it helped visitors understand in-vehicle structures powered by software. In a CES media event, the company delivered its renewed strategy of becoming a firm focusing on software-defined everything.

BMW teamed up with Amazon to equip its vehicle with an AI-driven personal assistant, Alexa. The German automaker plans to launch vehicles available for the service by the end of this year.

Overseas platform giants  such as Google and Microsoft  also partnered with auto players for a similar move. Google said its voice assistant will be operated in Nissan and Lincoln vehicles. Microsoft also reached a consensus with Honda for equipping its upcoming EV model with its AI assistant from 2026. Volkswagen Group is moving to embrace ChatGPT-based AI assistant, IDA, for its vehicles from the second quarter of this year.

Electronics and parts manufacturers have also drawn keen attention from visitors for their expansion into the in-vehicle AI system.

LG Innotek, which is best-known for its camera module business, showcased a concept model for a 4.3-meter-long driverless EV, in a show of willingness to make inroads into the AI-converged mobility business. The company also promoted its software system that can control and manage the quality of auto parts in real-time by collecting data during vehicle operation.

Officials from the auto and electronics industry said AI- and software-driven mobility is still a blue ocean, in that most players have so far focused on enhancing the functions of hardware.

The rise of SDVs will reshape the vehicle industry paradigm, as smartphones did so, an official from an automaker said. But the market for smartphones is making little progress, as a number of players jumped into a tight rate for the development of both hardware and software of the mobile devices. But this is not the case for automobiles. Vehicles powered by software are still considered a relatively fresh notion within the industry.

Samsung Electronics is also moving to diversify its revenue area by teaming up with Hyundai Motor Groups software affiliate 42dot. Both firms agreed to partner with co-developing AI-based SDV platforms and system-on-chips for vehicles on the sidelines of the CES 2024.
The likelihood of inclement weather on Friday has prompted South Carolina State University to postpone residence hall move-in day for the spring 2024 semester until Tuesday, Jan. 16.

Because of approaching windstorms, S.C. State will dismiss all but essential personnel at 2 p.m. Friday. All offices will close at that time.

The semester was slated to begin on Tuesday, but because of the move-in delay, the start of classes has been moved to Wednesday, Jan. 17.

New freshmen and transfer students arrived in residence halls on Thursday. New student orientation to take place from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday.

All students are advised to take precautions during peak storm periods:

 University officials advise everyone to remain on alert by paying close attention to broadcast communications about the storm.

 Employees and students are urged not to attempt to drive or walk during periods of strong winds and rain.

 Students who remain on campus should expect to shelter in their residence halls during strong winds while staying away from windows.

 If a tornado emergency alert is issued, anyone in the affected area immediately should take cover.

 In the event of emergencies, students and employees are advised to call Campus Police at 803-378-4754 or dial 911.

Other important information:

 Students in need of housing assistance may call 803-533-3675, 803-747-0638 or 803-809-4246.

 Any issues regarding facilities or weather-related damage should be reported to facilities at 803-596-6030.
Fifty-years after returning to the skies under the ownership of Caribbean governments, the 67-year-old island-hopper LIAT is to wind up in its current form  LIAT (1974) Ltd.





As it was, LIAT (1974) Ltd. had dwindled to four major government shareholders  Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica and St. Vincent and the Grenadine by the time, July 2020, when the airline was put into court appointed administration.





The administrator was tasked with overseeing the operations then of a severely scaled down airline which, when it went bottoms up in 2020, left hundreds of workers across the region on the breadline.





No commitment to dismissed workers





Now, LIAT (1974) Ltd. will be no more as of January 24, 2024, as disclosed in a letter dated Thursday 4th January, 2024 from the administrator, Cleveland Seaforth, and directed to more than 90 employees, who are to be sent home without any payment and a promise that obligations will be met.





According to Barbados Today, who had come upon a copy of the letter from Seaforth, said it read inter alia, "After careful consideration and evaluation of the present operations, a decision has been taken by the court-appointed Administrator to permanently cease all commercial flying operations as of close of business on January 24, 2024.  As a result of the foregoing, you are hereby notified that your employment with LIAT (1974) Limited (in administration) will be made redundant effective February 4, 2024.





Seaforth also informed the staff that the company was not in a position to make any severance payments at this stage, but declared that it would not be shying away from its obligations to them on severance, vacation pay, retroactive pay and any outstanding salaries.





Severance remains outstanding





Apart from Barbados and St. Lucia, no other Caribbean country (St. Vincent and the Grenadines included) has moved to offer or make recompense to LIAT workers for their lost entitlements and severance pay.





And since the announcement by Seaforth, no culpable Caribbean Government has said anything in relation to addressing the matter of severance and other entitlement payments for dismissed LIAT (1974) Ltd. workers.





It is estimated that the figure owing to LIAT workers for severance pay, amounts to some EC$94 million. THE VINCENTIAN understands that there are 43 workers in St. Vincent and the Grenadines who qualify for severance pay from LIAT (1974) Ltd.)





Clearing the way for Browne





The official cessation of operations of LIAT (1974) Ltd., from all accounts, clears the way for Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, to pursue his plan to establish a new airline  LIAT 2020  which he has already indicated has attracted the interest of shared ownership from Air Peace, a Nigerian airline.





In addition, he has committed, as per his presentation of his countrys 2024 Budget, to spend some an estimated EC$30 million to "ensure LIAT 2020 Ltd has all the aircraft needed and appropriate maintenance and operational arrangements are in place for the safe, reliable, and efficient delivery of service to the people of the region.




Christian Oliver, his daughters Annik, 12 (left) and Madita (right front) and their mother Jessica, from whom their father was divorced

The Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA) investigators have begun their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash last Thursday, January 4, off the J.F. Mitchell airport in Bequia, in waters near Petit Nevis.





A Bellanca 17 single-engine aircraft, registration No. N4023B, is said to have departed the J.F. Mitchell airport around noon with pilot and owner Robert Sachs and three passengers  Christian Oliver/Klepser- 51, and his two daughters, Annik- 12 and Madita- 10, on board.





Reports are that the plane was headed for St. Lucia when, according to an eye witness, it appeared to make an attempt to turn around in the direction of the airport, went down instead.





All four occupants died in the crash but their bodies were recovered the same day, thanks to the expert assistance of fishermen from Paget Farm, Bequia. They were handed over to the Coast Guard who transported the bodies to mainland St. Vincent where post mortems were expected to be performed.





Work to recover the wreckage of the plane began the next day and by the weekend most of what could be salvaged was lifted out of the water and brought ashore, where it will be thoroughly examined.





Local authorities are co-operating fully with the ECCAA personnel in their investigation.





The public can look forward to disclosure of a full report upon completion of the investigation and a full inquiry into the incident.
(Editors Note: The following is a Press Release from the St. Vincent Electricity Services (VINLEC) carried verbatim.)





St. Vincent Electricity Services Limited (VINLEC) is excited to announce its plans for the construction of a new power plant and supporting infrastructure on the Northern Grenadines island of Bequia.





This initiative forms part of our commitment to providing reliable and sustainable energy to meet the islands needs and contribute to its long-term development. The proposed project aims to construct a new, modern power plant in Bequia with the inclusion of a 1300 kW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to enhance grid stability and improve the integration of supplementary renewable energy sources.





The new plant, which will replace the existing power station that was first established in 1968, will occupy an area of approximately 600 square metres at the same location. The project is being executed under the management of local consulting firms; the Reputable Consultancy Services Limited (RCSL) and Island Engineering Consulting (IEC) in a joint venture.





To ensure compliance with environmental regulations and sustainability objectives, an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) will commence this month and is expected to span approximately 10 weeks. This process will involve a comprehensive study of potential environmental effects, as well as strategies to mitigate and manage any impacts.





VINLEC is committed to open and transparent communication throughout this project and will actively engage with stakeholders to gather feedback and insights. The Company looks forward to working collaboratively with the community throughout the development process.
Camillo Gonsalves, Finance Minister, warned that without reforms, the NIS will not be able to continue meeting its obligations beyond the year 2035.

The long-anticipated reform measures to ensure the viability of the countrys pension plan as administered by the national insurances Services (NIS) is set to begin this year.





And according to Camillo Gonsalves, Minister of Finance while delivering the 2024 Budget address on January 8, "The question is not if we should reform, but when, and by how much.





The finance minister added that the approved reforms, once fully implemented, were expected to secure the financial future of the Fund and ensure that the NIS remained the best investment for Vincentian workers.





Increase in monthly contribution





Among the measures announced was a gradual increase of workers monthly contributions to the NIS, beginning on June 1 this year.





The monthly contribution was expected to move from 10 to 15 percent over a three-year period.





The first increase in employees NIS deductions will occur later after June 1, 2024, when the monthly contribution will move to 12 percent, and between January 1, 2025 and January 1, 2027 it will continue to increase 1 percent for each of those years.





This measure was one of eight measures adopted by Cabinet following the release of the 12th Actuarial report, Gonsalves said.





From an OECS perspective, Gonslaves told the Parliament, St. Vincent and the Grenadines current NIS contribution of 10 percent was among the lowest in the region  like St. Lucia and Anguilla.





"However, the St. Lucian and Anguillan rates were at 10 percent since 1979 and 1982, respectively, while our NIS contribution rate did not reach 10 percent until 2014.





And as such, St. Lucia and Anguilla were able to build up greater reserves Gonsalves explained.

Change the current age pension





A second d reform will be to change the current age pension to a retirement pension, which Gonsalves said included not awarding early age pensions to those who have retired or those who still earn more than 50 percent of the wage ceiling.





This means that early-age pensions would only be paid upon retirement or to the elderly with lower incomes rather than to everyone who claims before the pensionable age.





And as part of the reforms announced, Gonsalves said that Cabinet had agreed to implement the measure that would increase the reduction factors that apply to early-age pension moving it from one half per month, or 6 percent, to two thirds per month or 8 percent to discourage early-age pensions.





Increase reference age and more





Another recommendation approved for implementation was to increase the reference wage period used to compute pension, from the five best years to the seven best years of contributions.





Gonsalves also announced that recommendations aimed at improving benefit adequacy included: an increase in insurable wages from EC$1,000 per week to EC$1,200 per week effective April 1, 2024; increase in the minimum pension from EC$70 per week to EC$80 per week effective March 1, 2024; and the introduction of a permanent unemployment benefit starting January 2025.





Towards improving coverage, the NIS will enhance its marketing campaign to extend social security coverage for self-employed participation; allow self-employed persons to qualify for Employment Injury Benefits; implement a new approach for self-employed and informal sector workers to pay contributions to the NIS easily.





The finance minister said that according to the draft 12th Actuarial Valuation Report, the mentioned combination of reform measures would, in the short term, improve the financing and reduce the Funds long-term costs.





Without reforms, the Fund will not be able to continue meeting its obligations in the manner that it currently does beyond the year 2035, he continued.





"However, with the prudent and people-centred reforms announced today, that date is projected to be pushed back until the year 2060, Gonsalves posited.
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Numerous entities around Casper and Natrona County want the Oil City to be the home of the states shooting complex. Last week, Casper city councilors officially joined in with them, telling city staff they would provide a letter of support for a potential shooting complex.

The goal of developing a state shooting complex began with Senate File 169 at last years Legislative Session. A state shooting complex development and oversight task force was formed featuring representatives from the Legislature, the Wyoming Game & Fish Department, Wyoming State Parks & Resources and others. That force has developed a pre-proposal process to gauge interest and see what various communities have to offer, according to a memo from the City Council work session.

And the city is interested, City Manager Carter Napier said. After the task force sent out a survey to measure what desired amenities people wanted in and around a potential complex, they opened it up for groups to send in letters of interest. By greenlighting a letter of support, councilors are collaborating with Visit Casper, Advance Casper, Natrona County and Casper College, among others, for this letter of interest.

In addition to their letter, the city would also be expected to contribute $5,000 to $6,600 to a study that would measure the potential economic impact of having such a complex in Natrona County. At least, thats their goal  the total cost of the study is estimated to be around $20,000, and the city wants to share it with other entities in this project.

The letter is due by March 1. After its sent, there will be an application stage, in what Napier described as being more well-rounded  it would take a community effort to persuade the task force that Casper is the right place for the complex, he said.
By Park Jae-hyuk

The World Economic Forum (WEF) taking place in the Swiss city of Davos from Jan. 15 to 19 is likely to draw less attention from Korean businesspeople this year, as the chairmen of Samsung, SK, Hyundai Motor and LG will not attend the event, according to industry officials, Friday.

The top four business groups in Korea are said to be sending professional managers of their affiliates, such as LG Chem CEO Shin Hak-cheol, Hyundai Motor President Kim Karl and Samsung Biologics CEO John Rim.

In 2023, a large number of Korean business tycoons participated in the annual forum with President Yoon Suk Yeol to support Busans bid to host the World Expo 2030. The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry also invited global political and business leaders at the forum to the Korea Night event to promote the port city.

However, Saudi Arabias capital of Riyadh defeated Busan last November by a large margin, so the heads of Koreas four largest business groups seem to see less need for their participation.

Amid their absence, younger Korean business leaders will attend the WEF.

Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-youns three sons  Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan, Hanwha Life Insurance President Kim Dong-won and Hanwha Galleria Vice President Kim Dong-seon  are on the list of this years attendees.

The oldest son has participated in the event every year since 2010, except for 2021 when the forum was cancelled over the COVID-19 pandemic. The second-oldest has attended the forum since 2016, while the youngest made his debut last year.

HD Hyundai Vice Chairman Chung Ki-sun is also expected to fly to Davos from Las Vegas, as he took part in the CES tech trade show in the U.S. city.

GS Caltex CEO Hur Sae-hong and Hyosung Group Vice Chairman Cho Hyun-sang will represent each of their groups at the forum, as both groups chairmen will be absent from the event.

Korea Zinc Chairman Choi Yun-beom will participate in the WEF for the first time this year, as the company was chosen as an official partner for this years event.

The government also lowered the rank of this years participant. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will attend the forum to meet with global political and business leaders. This is the first time since 2009 for the government to send a prime minister to the WEF.

Under the theme of rebuilding trust, participants in this years forum are expected to talk about the lingering conflict in the Middle East and the Russia-Ukraine war which is approaching the two-year mark.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is also mentioned as a potential topic for this years event, as its organizers latest survey showed that concerns over the impact of AI in disrupting elections topped the list of the biggest risks for 2024.
Fifty years ago, the Endangered Species Act was signed into law by President Richard Nixon with the intention of establishing a clear process for recovering species on the verge of extinction. In the years that have passed since its enactment, this well-intended law has taken on a life of its own and has dramatically shifted from its original purpose to the point where it does far more harm than good.

Since its passage, the ESA has become a weapon wielded by the left to appease environmental activists that has punished landowners and once-thriving communities with virtually no improvement to the species it aims to recover. Today, there are roughly 1,667 threatened or endangered species protected under the ESA. Of those 1,667 species, only 62 are recovered species. To add insult to injury, the ESAs poor recovery rates are compounded by the fact that for the majority of recovered species, roughly 60% of downlisted species appear to owe their improvement to data error, not the protections afforded to them by the ESA.

In 2019, the Trump administration offered meaningful reforms regarding the delisting of species and designation of critical habitats that struck a balance of protecting endangered species without hogtying landowners. This welcomed change in policy eliminated constraints that previously prevented agencies from researching and sharing the economic impacts of listing determinations under the ESA. Unfortunately, the Biden administrations rigid take on the ESA removed Trump-era clarity by inflating unelected Washington bureaucrats power and strangling landowners and communities across the country with onerous red tape.

In order to fix this broken law, we must have a clear understanding of its failures, which is why the bipartisan, bicameral Western Caucus Foundation marked the ESAs 50th anniversary by compiling a comprehensive report that details its problems and failures with hopes of creating a road map for commonsense reforms.

For far too long, this administration has allowed the ESA to be the death knell of local communities bound by its outdated policies. Now more than ever, we have a responsibility to modernize the ESA so it not only better fits its intended purpose but empowers our landowners and businesses to be partners in preserving our iconic species and landscapes. With a less than 5% success rate, it is abundantly clear that the ESA is woefully inept at recovering dwindling species populations on the verge of extinction and is in serious need of immediate reform.

We value the good intentions of this legislation to preserve Americas iconic species and landscapes and hope we can be partners in modernizing this antiquated policy in a way that actually recovers endangered species without destroying the communities around them.
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.
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.
Late-night comedy returned from its collective holiday vacation this week, but that doesnt mean the hosts were hitting on all cylinders.

Click right here to get the best of Cracked sent to your inbox.

The week got off to a bumpy start when Seth Meyers told this joke about the Bass Pro Shop debacle making all the meme rounds. You know it doesnt land when Meyers has to explain the bit: A man in Alabama was arrested recently after he allegedly crashed his car outside of a Bass Pro Shop, took off his clothes and jumped into the store's aquarium. But Im not going to make a joke about that because its low-hanging fruit. Actually, after he jumped in the water, it became high-hanging fruit.

After the joke died, Meyers added, Anybody who doesnt get it, stay after and well do a Baze, I think, told me he drew a diagram. We should offer more, like, stay after if you didnt get any of the jokes.

Meyers wasnt the only one apologizing for jokes this week. Heres Jimmy Fallon stumbling backwards after his Tiger Woods joke didnt land: Nike and Tiger Woods just ended their 27-year partnership. Tigers about to be 50, so hes trying to choose between New Balance and Florsheim.  Its not every day you hear a Florsheim reference. Yeah.

Meanwhile, Stephen Colbert got a muted response with this welcome-back message: Happy New Year, everybody, a little belatedly but 2024 is finally here. Scientists warned us for decades that it would start on January 1st, and yet, we did nothing.

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And leave it to Fallon to make the Epstein joke that even Aaron Rodgers was trying to avoid vis a vis the Alaska Airlines malfunction: The door blew off. You know youre on a bad plane when it knocks Jeffrey Epsteins plane out of the news.

A day later, Fallon was at it again with another Epstein joke that elicited uncomfortable groans from the audience: Trump said, I found the Immunity Idol in a remote tropical location known as Epsteins Island. Thats the only reason I was down there. To get this beautiful Immunity Idol. No other reason.

In This Week in Parallel Thinking, the late-night comics decided that sketch artists were the best vehicle for describing Trumps multiple court appearances in recent days. Here was Fallons version: Yeah, another court hearing for Trump. At this point, the courtroom sketch artist doesnt even draw him. She just traces the grooves in her desk.

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While Jimmy Kimmel weighed in with his version of essentially the same joke: Trumps spent so much time at court the sketch artists are running out of orange pastels.

Lets end the week with this groaner from Colbert, nearly a week late with this joke about Golden Globes fashion: Actress Gillian Anderson turned heads at the Golden Globes last Sunday when she wore a dress covered with embroidered vulvas sewn onto the skirt, custom-made by designer Gabriella Hearst. And not, as I expected, Dolce and Vagina.
I am a soup person. Its my go-to comfort food. Its what I make the second the air turns crisp in early fall and all through the winter when I want to warm up. Its my favorite thing to eat when I feel like Im getting sick, when I feel down, when I crave something nourishing, if I want to eat a bunch of vegetables, or I just need to clean out my fridge and pantry.

So, I make a lot of soup; over the years Ive made hundreds of pots of it. That said, Im here to tell you  with absolute certainty  that this French onion chicken soup is hands-down the most comforting soup you will ever eat. Its exactly what it sounds like: a mashup of French onion soup and classic chicken soup, all in one bite.

The soup starts with caramelizing a big pot full of onions, which gives the soup an impossibly rich and indulgent, savory-sweet flavor. Then, in go the carrots, celery, herbs, chicken and chicken broth for big chicken soup vibes. And, of course, no version of French onion soup is complete without a slice of cheesy toast on top.

This is the soup to make on a weekend or on a day you have an hour-and-a-half to two hours to spend in the kitchen. It will be worth your time  I promise. Plus, it makes a big batch of soup, which also happens to freeze quite well.

A few tips

Be patient with the onions. It may seem like an excessive amount of onions at first, and like there are too many. But dont worry  the onions cook down a lot. This part of the cooking process takes the longest, and its so worth it, because the caramelized onions give the soup its signature sweet-savory flavor. The secret to really good caramelized onions is actually quite simple: Give it time. So be patient, as it will take 35 to 45 minutes. Remember to also stir regularly  especially as the onions start to brown and stick to the pot.

Dont forget to stir the soup as it simmers and the chicken cooks. I tell you this from personal experience. When you forget to stir, the bottom of the pot is very likely to scorch, ingredients may stick to it, and the pot is a real bear to clean.

The Gruyere toasts cook fast. Keep an eye on the toasts after sliding them under the broiler (especially if you know that your broiler runs very hot). It will take anywhere from 30 seconds to two minutes.

Recipe: French Onion Chicken Soup

Makes about 11 cups; serves 8

For the soup:

3 pounds yellow onions (4 large or 6 medium)

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided

1 teaspoon dried thyme

2 dried bay leaves

2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided, plus more as needed

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

3 medium carrots

3 medium stalks celery

3 cloves garlic

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

3/4 cup dry white wine

1 tablespoon dry sherry

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

6 cups low-sodium chicken broth

For the (optional) cheesy toasts:

1/2 baguette

2 ounces Gruyere cheese (about heaping 1/2 cup)

Make the soup:

1. Peel, halve, and thinly slice 3 pounds yellow onions (about 10 cups).

2. Melt 4 tablespoons of the unsalted butter in a Dutch oven or large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the onions, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 2 dried bay leaves, 1 1/2 teaspoons of the kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Cook, stirring often and scraping the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to prevent burning, until the onions are soft and amber brown, 35 to 45 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, prepare the following, adding each to the same medium bowl as you complete it: Peel and cut 3 medium carrots crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick rounds (about 1 1/4 cups). Cut 3 medium celery stalks crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick pieces (about 1 cup). Mince 3 garlic cloves.

4. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons unsalted butter to the onion mixture. When the butter is melted, add the carrot mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, until the carrots are crisp-tender and brightened in color, about 5 minutes.

5. Meanwhile, season 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs all over with the remaining 1 teaspoon of the kosher salt. (If using thick chicken breasts, start at the thickest end and hold your knife parallel to the cutting board, then cut the chicken breasts in half  also known as butterflying.)

6. Pour 3/4 cup dry white wine and 1 tablespoon dry sherry into the Dutch oven. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mostly evaporated, 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup all-purpose flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute to cook the floury taste out.

7. While stirring constantly, pour in 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth. Add the chicken in a single layer. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a lively simmer.

8. Reduce the heat as needed to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pot occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken registers at least 165 F, about 10 minutes for thighs or 12 to 20 minutes for breasts. Meanwhile, prep the cheesy toasts if desired.

Make the cheesy toasts:

1. Arrange an oven rack 3 to 4 inches below the broiler unit and set the oven to broil. Cut 1/2 baguette crosswise on a bias into 1-inch-thick slices (about 8). Place in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Grate 2 ounces Gruyere cheese on the largest holes of a box grater (about heaping 1/2 cup). Sprinkle the bread evenly with the cheese.

Finish the dish:

1. Using tongs, transfer the chicken to a clean cutting board. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Return the chicken to the pot. Remove and discard the bay leaves. Taste and season the soup with more kosher salt as needed.

2. Broil the bread until the cheese is melted and bubbling, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Top each bowl of soup with a piece of cheese toast.

Recipe notes: Leftover soup can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to four days or frozen for up to three months.
Three months after leaving Earth with its dust, the Tucson-born OSIRIS spacecraft just passed its hottest test yet.

Preliminary data indicates the robotic probe survived its closest ever approach to the sun as it maneuvers into position for its extended mission to a second asteroid.

On Jan. 2, the spacecraft formerly known as OSIRIS-REx passed within about 46.5 million miles of the sun, a distance well inside the orbit of Venus.

Thats about 25 million miles closer to the sun than the spacecraft was designed to operate during its original voyage to collect and return samples from the asteroid Bennu.

Weve done a lot of modeling to ensure the spacecraft will be safe, but any time you take a piece of space flight hardware beyond the design criteria you incur risk, said University of Arizona assistant professor Dani DellaGiustina, principal investigator for the extended OSIRIS mission.

The spacecrafts new destination is another potentially dangerous near-Earth asteroid named Apophis.

NASA approved the unscheduled detour in 2022, adding another $200 million in funding to a project that has already cost almost $1.2 billion.

As soon as the spacecraft released its return capsule of samples from Bennu during a pass by Earth on Sept. 24, the name of the probe and its mission changed to OSIRIS-APEX, short for Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security  Apophis Explorer.

As of now, NASA said, the spacecraft is still transmitting a telemetry signal and otherwise operating normally.

Once OSIRIS-APEX is farther from the sun in March, the craft will be instructed to point its high-gain antenna toward home so mission team members can download the data they need to tell them how the increased heat and radiation impacted it as it passed roughly half the distance between Earth and the sun.

The spacecraft wont reach Apophis until June of 2029, about two months after the potato-shaped asteroid as long as the Empire State Building narrowly misses the Earth on April 13, 2029.

Scientists say the space rock will be close enough on that date to be visible in the night sky over parts of Europe and Northern Africa.

Once OSIRIS-APEX does rendezvous with Apophis, it will enter orbit to collect detailed images, data about the asteroids composition and maybe some telltale signs of water.

The spacecraft is not set up to collect any more samples, but in September of 2030, the team plans to steer the probe close enough to stir the surface of Apophis and expose whatever material lies beneath.

DellaGiustina has said they might even try to poke the asteroid with the probes sampling arm.

First, though, OSIRIS-APEX must survive five more close encounters with the sun and three gravity-assist slingshots around Earth in order to catch up with its new target.

To keep sensitive components safe during these passes, engineers at mission partner Lockheed Martin Space developed a creative spacecraft configuration team members call the fig leaf. It involves tucking one of OSIRIS-APEXs solar arrays so that it provides shade for critical parts of the probe while the other array remains extended to generate power.

We are most creative when the spacecraft is in flight and were pushing boundaries to meet mission needs, said Sandy Freund, Lockheed Martin Spaces program manager for both OSIRIS-REx and OSIRIS-APEX.

The aerospace company in the Denver suburb of Littleton, Colorado, built the passenger-van-sized spacecraft for NASA and the U of A.
The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:

Every time I read an opinion piece about the lack of political diversity among college professors, I ask myself: how would I try to address this issue if I were a university president? And the answer is simple: Hire the best teachers and researchers in any given academic field.

As part of that process, I would strive to ensure that the political science department and the economics department and the philosophy department contained a balanced contingent of liberal and conservative thinkers, because that would provide students with the different perspectives necessary to become scholars and practitioners in those fields. I would also try to hire the best scientists and literature professors and historians, and this is where my thought experiment becomes more problematic.

All respected natural history scholars (biologists, geologists, paleontologists, etc.), as a result of years of questioning and study, accept evolution as the organizing principle of their discipline, so when one major political party consistently challenges that basic premise, is it any wonder these scientists favor the other party? Literature professors study the written word in all its diversity and glory, so when one party advocates for book banning is it any wonder literature professors tend to support the other party? Historians study history by going to prime source documents (not secondary or tertiary sources), so when the public is presented with indisputable prime source documents as they were in the Jan. 6 hearings, and one party openly tries to suppress and discredit the sources, is it any wonder reputable historians are appalled?

Additionally, when one party generally advocates cutting National Science Foundation (NSF) research funding while the other party generally advocates for more publicly funded science research, is it any wonder the political views of researchers lean one particular way?

Although these observations are straightforward, they are not necessarily politically definitive. That is, a person could disagree with one political party on the issue of NSF funding and still support that party if they believe other issues are more important, like the need to balance the budget for example. But it is to say that, human nature being what it is, it is unsurprising that college professors tend to skew politically liberal these days.

Which leads me to wonder what my conservative parents thought as they sent us off to college in the early seventies?

I think my parents generation viewed college as one more step on the way to adulthood. They knew wed be exposed to a variety of different beliefs, including many that were in opposition to our espoused family values, and they accepted that. They understood that each of their children were interested in different things, and that their chosen field would influence their political outlook (along with many other factors such as their choice of friends and partners, the amount of money they made, the church they chose to attend, etc.). They believed that liberal arts lean politically liberal, that business tilts politically conservative, and that politics and economics are to be argued about. I like to think our parents ultimately trusted us to make our own sense of the world.

But times have changed. My sense is that we are currently at a point in history when one political party is at odds with the basic tenets of the academic establishment in many fields of study, and the argument about whether conservative professors are fairly represented on college campuses is one of many ways that party is trying to discredit academic institutions and promote its own political agenda. This is not the first time in history the academic establishment has been challenged by other powerful forces in our society.

What do you think? Is this a problem? How would you address the issue if you were a college president?
The European Union (EU)'s antitrust regulator is set to approve a merger deal between South Korea's two largest carriers  Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, Reuters reported Friday.

Citing sources with direct knowledge of the matter, Reuters said the regulator is set to clear the merger plan after the companies pledged to sell the latter's cargo business and divest passenger flight routes to four European cities.

Since the announcement of the merger plan by South Korea's two full-fledged carriers in 2020, the regulator has been examining the case. However, concerns were raised that the 1.8 trillion-won ($1.4 billion) deal might limit competition in the markets for passenger and cargo air transport services between the EU and South Korea.

The European Commission, the executive body of the EU, has set a provisional deadline for the review of Feb. 14.

So far, 11 countries have approved the merger deal, including Britain, Australia and Singapore, but the South Korean airlines have yet to receive approval from three key markets: the EU, the United States and Japan.

For the merger to be finalized, the airlines must win approval from competition regulators in key markets. (Yonhap)
The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:

I recently overheard a woman say we can look to God for help, but hes not inclined to save us from ourselves. She was talking about a mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine. I reflected on how we roil from one mass shooting into another, doing our best to clean up each mess with thoughts, prayers, vows, and vigils. God may hear us, but apparently hes not inclined to save us from ourselves.

Guns have been elevated to almost-celestial status as though they were anointed by God as a natural right of man, like speech. As such, gun rights are defended with religious fervor. Why wouldnt they be, if firearms are merely extensions of human arms? I suppose that explains the origin of the word firearms. But the firearm is not natural like speech is natural. In the language of the Declaration of Independence, we are endowed by our Creator with natural rights, speech being one of them because all humans have vocal cords. Humans, however, are not born with firearms as natural extensions of their arms.

When you stop to think about it, if everything about guns is human crafted, then everything about guns could be human managed, mitigated, or even prevented. Moreover, if its natural for man to try to survive as a species, whether God-generated or not, then it should be natural for the species to save as many lives as possible. Anything less would be unnatural, such as the species eating its own kind. In short, man is not, nor should he be, helpless to do something, perhaps many things, to save the lives of his fellow man. Helplessness then is man-made, just as the guns themselves are man-made. Thoughts, prayers, vows, and vigils are, like silence, complicity in man-made helplessness.

On the subject of helplessness, guns, and natural rights, there is also the natural right of eyesight which, like vocal cords being accompanied by speech, has its own companions  metaphors for other kinds of sight accompanied by mans ability to reason to survive and thrive. As I see it, besides eyesight, there are six other kinds of sight, starting with cant see the forest for the trees (near-sight, far-sight).

Near-sighted means we can only perceive our own self-serving desire to protect our guns, without being able to see the damage gun violence does to the culture and the very idea of America.

Far-sighted means seeing that the perceived-as-sacred Second Amendment prevents us from seeing whats closest to us, our families and friends who will become victims.

The repeated cycles of violence give us the foresight to see what will happen tomorrow if we change nothing that is man-made. Similarly, in hindsight we can mourn, but we cant undo. We cant forget, but we can see what we could have done but didnt. Foresight and hindsight are inextricably connected  one is for prevention, the other is for mourning.

Foresight and hindsight together  the metaphor for narrow sight. As you look through the hindsight of the gun barrel, you line up the target through the foresight near the tip of the barrel. You then narrowly see only what the two sights give you. You cannot see peripherally, and you choose not to see anything other than the target. If the human being chooses not to see or care that the target is another human being with a family, and then pulls the trigger, the man-made and man-destroyed choices are neither inevitable nor inexorable. It is a human choice. We can choose to be narrow-sighted and look down the barrel of a gun (our present and our past) or we can choose all of the human sightedness combined (the future) to achieve the most important human sight of all, Creator-endowed insight.
Trump thinks like Hitler

One of Hitler's famous quotations was, "Strength lies not in the defense, but in the attack." Another well-known Hitler quotation is, "If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed." History seems to be repeating itself in Trump's trials and his refutation of the 2020 election results.

Don Dickinson, former world history instructor

Oro Valley

Another Trump letter

Re: the Dec. 6 letter "Star's letter section, aka hate Trump forum."

Yet another disgruntled, fact-blind Trump supporter is upset about the Star publishing too many anti-Trump letters. Well here comes one more. By the writers own seat-of-his-pants calculations, he estimates over 2,500 negative letters were published. He goes on to complain that the judge in Trumps New York fraud trial determined there would be a bench trial, meaning no jury. The fact is, the judge ruled per Trumps legal teams wishes. Trump's lawyer, Alina Habba, requested a bench trial in the July 31, Certificate of Readiness for Trial document. I suppose with over 90 felony charges and multiple civil charges to keep track of, Trumps legal team can be forgiven for checking the wrong box. It must be kept in mind that letters stating the facts regarding Trumps many crimes do not make them hate letters. It might hurt some feeling, but facts must trump lies. Fear of losing our democracy is real if Trumps re-elected.

Gerry Wolter

SaddleBrooke

Our own U.S. terrorists are killing us

Re: the Dec. 8 letter "Terrorists crossing border"

A Fox News watcher wrote in and claims thousands of terrorists are coming across the borders. In case she doesn't know all the mass murders are being handled by, homegrown terrorists. Attacking innocent children, old and young man and women. Since 2016 bigoted terrorism has risen. The bigots found their own savior No. 45 the former worst president in our countries' History. No. 45 is a great liar, has read Hitler's book (I hate to mention that hateful book), No. 45 was on Fox News earlier this month, his biggest fan Hannity asked him that if he would become a dictator if elected  No. 45s reply, just the first day  he will have jailed all who done injustice to him." I think Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa said it best, "Fools multiply when wise men are silent."

David E. Leon

Vail

Don't make freedom a (false) god

Re: the Dec. 8 article "Protect the bedrock concept of freedom."

I disagree with the writer's opinion who argues my life belongs to me. For him, this is the ultimate foundation of all human liberties, and freedom trumps all other causes. Well, no.

Yes, I am an individual with rights/responsibilities. However, I am also part of the wider community of life (including other humans). This interdependent kinship existed long before my arrival and will endure long past my short lifespan. As a Christian, I know that all life belongs to God, including mine. In fact, I-centeredness (as individuals, as a nation, as a species) is the very bedrock description of sin. Championing such a perverse ideology is neither wise, nor an option.

Furthermore, the writers use of pejorative verbs like draft, control (twice), regulate, censor, force to describe the daily functions of governing institutions staffed by citizens is juvenile.

Ron Rude

West side

Say 'NO!' to the geopolitics of murder

I will not vote for Joe Biden  or any politician who supports the killing in Gaza and Ukraine. (Google "moral injury." Of the nation?) Israel was created from part of the British Palestinian Mandate. The government of Ukraine was installed after a US and Western-backed coup de etat in 2014. The ongoing slaughter there is the product of the relentless expansion of NATO since 1989 and a proxy war with Russia.

There were supposed to be two nations created from Palestine in 1948, one for Israelis and one for Palestinian Arabs. But Israeli politicians, most recently Netanyahu, have worked feverously to ensure that didnt happen. The conflict in Ukraine is the product of repeated failures to respect the security concerns of Russia since 1989. Russia lost 26 million dead in WWII.

The U.S. has proven itself neither wise nor wealthy enough to police the world.

Steven Lesh

East side

Fascism  seriously ?

I would like to thank the author for all comments liberal democracy related. Your resume precedes your opinion.

The author continues an adjective laden missive comparing Trump and his supporters to Hitler, Mussolini, et al.

Name calling and obtuse historical comparisons is a tactic used to attack an opposing view.

The last paragraph was a fine example of you doing what you charge your opponents of doing.

What does the Balfour Declaration have to do with Jews who have been living in Palestine for 3 millennia; kicked out, enslaved, imprisoned, slaughtered, returned and yet still are the target of those who wish to have them to be wiped from the face of the earth.

Do Jews have the right to live safely in Israel?

Questions for today!

Richard Barnes

East side

The flawed "Marshall Plan" for Gaza

Re: the Dec. 22 article "Gaza will need a Marshall Plan."

The concept of a "Marshall Plan" for Gaza, while heartfelt, is deeply flawed.

There can be no doubt that the destruction wrought upon Gaza by Israel is much more than the destruction wrought by Hamas on Israel. As such, Israel bears responsibility. To paraphrase what the late former Secretary of State Colin Powell said to President Bush about invading Iraq, "You break it, you own it."

If such money goes to Gaza, who will win? In the Dec. 17, 2023, New York Times there is an article that points out that Hamas-tied business organizations were legal entities instead of front companies, with Turkish banks acting for the companies. The money from whatever source would help support a Turkish-based or Lebanese-based Hamas Palestinian government in exile. Do you really think Israel will truly destroy Hamas forever? Just as the Kurds are still fighting for a homeland in Syria, Turkey and other countries, Hamas will always be around.

Such a "Marshall Plan" will finance the next generation's war.

Matt Somers

Midtown

Retribution never ends

At the end of the Civil War our legislators debated for a long time about what to do about the Confederacy to best rebuild our nation. Instead of charging Confederate officers with treason, Congress added the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments to our Constitution. The only punishment the Confederate insurrectionists suffered was from the 14th Amendment which barred them from national office.

After WWI the United States and its European allies signed the Treaty of Versailles which delivered extreme retribution to Germany. The economic collapse caused by this punitive treaty eventually led to the rise of Hitler and the subsequent devastation. After WWII the United States chose a different path and instituted the Marshall Plan which rebuilt and economically stabilized Germany which is now an important ally.

Trump is pledging his followers that he will be their retribution. Retribution and the subsequent revenge by victims create forever civil wars. Is this what you want for America? If not, vote against him and his acolytes.

Dee Maitland

Marana

Congressional action needed to fund WIC

As we step into the new year, a critical issue faces the U.S. Congress: the urgent need to fully fund the WIC program. With soaring food costs and increased program participation, fortifying WIC is essential to deliver nutritional support to women, infants, and toddlers nationwide.

As a school psychologist, I understand that nutrition is pivotal in the rapid brain development in young children. WIC, a cost-effective investment backed by extensive research, enhances family nutrition, empowering hard-working families to nurture their loved ones effectively.

Despite a 17% increase in child participation since 2020, WIC faces a January 19 deadline. Failure to boost its investment risks a return to 1990s-era waitlists, jeopardizing benefits for families. Attention Raul Grijalva, Juan Ciscomani, Kyrsten Sinema, and Mark Kelly: action to fully fund WIC is imperative! Research confirms WIC as an investment in our nation's future, aligning with our commitment to healthier infants, robust economies, and student academic success. The time to act is now; the consequences of inaction are unacceptable.

Jennifer Arenas-Cardenas
If you are wanting to get out and experience Tulsas arts culture, here are three suggestions for artworks you should see this month. Be sure to check them out before they go away: two of the exhibits close in mid-January, and the third ends its run Feb. 1.

Night Painter by Mark Lewis

108 Contemporary, 108 Reconciliation Way

Mark Lewis collage at 108 Contemporary confronts you as you enter the gallery. Its sheer size is impressive at 8-by-12 feet, and the vivid colors he uses show off his command of perspective and color relationship to background and foreground. But what I loved most about this work, which took Lewis two years to complete, is the way he captures complexity. The work is a mixture of media, from fabric to knitted afghans to clothing, canvas, acrylic paint, felt rug, paper, found objects and simply anything he finds along his merry way. And somehow, it works.

I paint, draw and collage street scenes, he says. Night Painter is a fictional piece dealing with ordinary and extraordinary experiences from daily life.

This work is a result of experiencing the many different things in our life that influence us. From the political landscape of liberals vs. conservatives, our emotional makeup of relationships, our jobs, our pathways to and from our work or school.

The main character of Night Painter holds a knife in one hand and a bouquet of flowers in the other. But, both are a bit ambiguous, which is exactly what Lewis wants us to see. Dogs bark, lights flash around us, retailers scream to sell you something from towers of consumerism. Its like we are seeing into a dream of the painter, with symbols like a small wooden cross around a mans neck exalting us to live justly and to be courageous. It takes some time to let it all sink in when you see the work, so allow plenty of time. And dont wait too long, because the exhibit, The State of Craft 2024, is only there through Sunday, Jan. 21.

Sin Fronteres by VniceWorld and Dreamspace Lab

Living Arts, 307 E. Reconciliation Way

Monument Valley is Laura Ruizs first curated exhibition. And if this is any indication of whats shes able to do, then bring it on! She states, Monument Valley is a celebration of installation art, work that demands your attention as you share space with it. Installation art is commonly characterized as large-scale site-transforming art, and Monument Valley seeks to explore the spectrum of what this can look like in practice.

The combo of VniceWorld and Dreamspace in these works is really refreshing. The works fold spray-painted, printmaking and video projections that move and change all the time to create a very compelling and entrancing visual experience. The computer mapping techniques are especially satisfying when Dreamspace matches them up with the painted imagery of VniceWorlds images. Let me tell you, this work is exactly what Living Arts should be showing, and I am really eager to see what else they do!

Monument Valley runs through Saturday, Jan. 20.

Fundamentally Deconstructed, Robert Nendza and Thomas Fry

Liggett Studios, 314 S. Kenosha Ave.

The exhibit Fundamentally Deconstructed, which is open until Thursday, Feb. 1, features individual works by digital artist Robert Nendza and mixed media artist Thomas Fry.

Nendza challenges the idea of handmade by fusing abstract expressionist principles with digital processes. These include digital facsimiles of drawing, painting and collage, as well as darkroom techniques. The result is a digital work created by hand, he feels, through use of a personal computer.

Fry works with many different media.I usually start from a happy memory: a party, playing games with a friend, a good conversation, a road trip. I take a song that goes with the memory and play the song to keep on track due to my ADHD. Then I start thinking of colors that goes with the song. I love Peter Max, and his use of colors with music. My work is influenced by funky clothing designer John Paul Gaultier, who designed Madonnas brassiere with the cones, and I love his kinda in your face approach.

To create his wall sculptures, Fry says: I cut pieces from wood, paint them and then glue them on. Painting the background with textures gives the piece more depth.

Steve Liggett is the owner of Liggett Studio.

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Tim Stanley Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Tim Stanley 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 dream project of a late north Tulsa developer and community advocate is moving closer to becoming a reality.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Friday for Black Wall Street Square, a mixed-income residential townhome development to be built at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Reading Street in north Tulsa.

The project was originally envisioned by the late Terry McGee and is being carried on by his sons and a host of partners.

McGee, 66, a former Tulsa assistant fire marshal, drowned in October 2022 at Skiatook Lake while trying to rescue a child. The child made it out OK.

My father always believed in bigger and better things for north Tulsa, said McGees son Domanic McGee of McGee Enterprises. This project was very important to him, and it will be a brick-and-mortar testament to what can be done when we put our minds and resources together.

The 25-unit, single-family, owner-occupied development is being co-developed with Boomtown Development Co., a subsidiary of Green Country Habitat for Humanity.

It will occupy 1.76 acres at the northeast corner of the intersection. Construction is anticipated to complete in mid-2025.

Due to the winter weather Friday, the groundbreaking was held at Crossover Preparatory Academy.

Other project partners include PartnerTulsa, The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation, J.M. Huber Corp. and QuikTrip Corp.

Boomtown Development President Vicki Jordan said: We are thrilled, excited and overjoyed to be working with Domanic and Terry Jr. We are indebted to everyone who has been involved and who will be involved with this project.

Black Wall Street Square was indeed Terrys brainchild, Jordan said. He was the captain of the project. He preached the needs for housing and led the charge for the missing middle  the need for missing middle housing. This project will come to life because of Terrys unrelenting efforts.

Project partners were joined at Fridays event by Mayor G.T. Bynum and City Councilor Vanessa Hall-Harper.

On behalf of the citizens of Tulsa, Im just here to say thank you to everybody who is making this project possible, Bynum said.

The reason Im so excited about this project, the mayor added, is because this is the model for what Tulsa is going to have to do for at least the next decade to get everybody in Tulsa a home who wants one. And that is an all-encompassing partnership.

So its not just PartnerTulsa doing the work. Its not just the developer doing the work or going to one or two philanthropic foundations and asking for support. Its a whole community rallying around a worthy project and having a great vision like Terry had.

All townhome units will come with three bedrooms, two full baths and one half bath, and a one- or two-car garage. Professional landscaping, sidewalks and a community gathering space will be features of the development.

The site offers easy access to downtown Tulsa, U.S. 75 and the Tisdale Expressway.

I would like to thank every company and institute thats playing a part in carrying on my fathers vision and legacy, Domanic McGee added.

My father always said that Black Wall Street does not have to stop at Greenwood or downtown. Rather, Black Wall Street is a mentality and about taking collective action. Im certain that Black Wall Street Square will create a tidal wave of new development in north Tulsa, and Im excited to build on my fathers legacy.

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Anna Codutti Tulsa World Breaking News Editor Follow Anna Codutti 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

A cold front bringing dangerous wind chills into the Tulsa area Saturday will make way for potential snow Sunday and frigid temperatures through Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

Forecasters expect the cold front to arrive in the Tulsa area around 6 a.m. Saturday, with a wind chill advisory from Saturday night through midday Sunday.

Once the front comes through, temperatures will either stagnate or fall into the afternoon before really dropping in the evening (Saturday), NWS meteorologists said Friday afternoon.

Wind chills from 5 degrees down to minus 10 are expected by Saturday night, with the situation even worse the following week.

Wind chill values Monday and Tuesday could range from minus 10 to minus 25 degrees.

These values can be life-threatening if not prepared, the National Weather Service said in Fridays forecast discussion. To make matters worse, guidance is still advertising potentially impactful snow accumulations Sunday into Monday.

Overnight low temperatures will likely plummet into the single digits or below zero in the same time period. High temperatures above the freezing mark are not expected until Wednesday.

This snow event continues to show large uncertainty in the footprint and amounts of where snow may occur, meteorologists said Friday, encouraging Oklahomans to follow NWS Tulsa for updates. As of now, the most likely snow amounts are for 2-4 inches for most of the area.

Officials with the Oklahoma Poison Center are warning about carbon monoxide dangers as calls to the agency increase during extreme winter weather events.

People will occasionally attempt to heat their home with grills or stoves, said Poison Center Managing Director Kristie Edelen. This is extremely dangerous; there is no way these attempts at heating can be made safe.

Carbon monoxide fumes are produced when fuel is burned in gas furnaces, ranges or water heaters, cars or trucks, small engines, stoves, lanterns and grills. Proper ventilation is essential for safety; damaged or blocked chimneys, vents or exhaust can also cause carbon monoxide to build up indoors.

Those using space heaters should plug them directly into the wall  not an extension cord  with only one per outlet, and they should be placed at least 3 feet from any combustible items, city officials say.

A city ordinance requires that any pets be kept in a temperature-controlled facility whenever the temperature drops below 25 degrees, so pet owners are urged to bring animals inside.

The operator of Oklahomas power grid, Southwest Power Pool, has a weather advisory in place through Tuesday night, citing a desire to raise awareness of forecast extreme cold temperatures, potential for heavy snowfall and expectations of significant gas interruptions. SPP notes that long periods of extreme cold can result in equipment failures and above-normal load conditions.

Its unclear how this cold snap will compare to the February 2021 storm that Oklahomans have been told is the cause for increased prices from gas utility companies.

Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced Friday that he will be monitoring natural gas supply and marketing activity over the coming days, asking public utilities to notify his office if natural gas marketers fail to meet contractual obligations.

I am committed to protecting ratepayers from price manipulation to ensure fair costs that reflect market conditions, said Drummond, who has also been exploring legal action against entities he has said were responsible for soaring natural gas prices during the 2021 winter storm.

Extended periods of extreme cold may also cause waterline breaks on city streets and in neighborhoods. Officials urge residents to report breaks at 918-596-9488.

Those concerned about finding help for someone during the extreme cold can go to housingsolutionstulsa.org/assistance-request to request an outreach teams response. Call 911 if someone is in immediate danger.

Rides are available to warming stations for anyone who needs transportation and for those who may be unhoused, according to GRAND Mental Health.

The agencys outreach team will work with Housing Solutions, Tulsa Day Center, Iron Gate and John 3:16 to coordinate rides either to a warming station or a safe space, according to a news release. Contact GRAND Outreach at 918-378-9378 to coordinate pickups and drop offs.

A clothing drive will support GRAND Mental Healths distribution efforts to get coats, hoodies, hats and gloves to those in need. A blue donation bin is located under the covered drive at GRAND Recovery Center, 6333 E. Skelly Drive.

Meals on Wheels of Metro Tulsa will be activating its St. Bernard Brigade, a group of volunteers who have four-wheel drive vehicles. These volunteers deliver meals and Blizzard Boxes to 1,200 homebound residents, as well as provide general wellness checks.

We know our clients depend on meal delivery and regular contact, and were committed to meeting their needs regardless of the weather, Meals on Wheels of Metro Tulsa CEO Jay Betz said in a news release.

Those wishing to donate their time by joining the St. Bernard Brigade may go to mealsonwheelstulsa.org/volunteer to learn more.

Warming stations John 3:16 Mission, 506 N. Cheyenne Ave., open 24/7 The Salvation Army Center of Hope, 102 N. Denver Ave., open 24/7 Tulsa Day Center, 415 W. Archer St., open 24/7 Denver Avenue Station, 319 S. Denver Ave., 5 a.m.11:30 p.m. weekdays, 6:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Saturdays

Be ready for winter weather Winter weather response crews will be on standby across the area, according to local officials. City of Tulsa snow-clearing routes are available at cityoftulsa.org. Tulsa International Airport warns travelers that they might experience delays related to the extreme weather conditions. Passengers are encouraged to contact their airline before leaving for the airport. Avoid burst pipes by keeping faucets on with a small but steady stream of water, especially at sinks along an exterior wall. Open cabinet doors below faucets to allow warm air to reach pipes. Unhook exterior garden hoses and place protective covers over outside faucets. Turn off water sprinklers. Keep your vehicle's fuel tank at least halfway full to avoid frozen condensation interrupting the line. Source: City of Tulsa, Tulsa International Airport

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A battery-grade lithium products manufacturer announced on Thursday that it will build a refinery in Muskogee.

Stardust Power Inc. selected the Southside Industrial Park in the Port of Muskogee for its refinery because of Oklahomas central location in the U.S., the Greenwich, Connecticut-based company said in a press release. That location will allow the facility to receive lithium inputs and ship battery-grade lithium products over multiple transportation routes, the company said.

The release also cites the areas intermodal freight options, the highly skilled oil and gas engineering work force and the states emergence as a national leader in sustainable power as key factors in the decision to locate in Muskogee.

Stardust Power expects to be eligible for up to $257 million in state and federal economic incentives for the facility build-out and also may be eligible for additional grants and incentives from the U.S. Departments of Energy and Defense, according to the release.

Oklahoma offers many advantages for private employers, including a strong, well-trained workforce and an eye on the future of energy production and mobility, Stardust Power founder and CEO Roshan Pujari said in the release.

Currently there is no large-scale refinery for battery-grade lithium in the United States, exposing the country to undue national security and supply chain risk, Pujari said. We will work with oil and gas producers to address Americas growing energy demands. When fully operational, our new lithium refinery will both speed Americas energy transition and boost Oklahomas local economy, creating significant new investment and employment opportunities. We are excited to call Oklahoma our new home.

Gov. Kevin Stitt welcomed the company to the state and commended its commitment to American energy dominance.

Stardust Powers more than a billion-dollar investment is a testament to Oklahomas all-of-the-above approach to energy, and our focus on workforce development, Stitt said in the release.

Arthur Jackson, senior vice president of economic development for the Tulsa Regional Chamber, said the Stardust announcement was a huge win for the region and state.

The high-paying jobs that will ultimately result from this refinery are a testament that Oklahoma is a national player in the ever-growing sustainable power sector, Jackson said in a prepared statement. The continued commitment and support of the Tulsas Future economic development regional partnership help bring projects such as this to our region.

Port of Muskogee Executive Director Kimbra Scott said the companys decision to locate there reinforces the ports unmatched advantages and our commitment to supporting emerging industries.

The total value of the economic incentive package will ultimately be determined by Stardusts achieving certain business milestones targeting job creation and local investment, including new machinery, equipment and manufacturing, according to the release. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce performed an illustrative analysis of the incentive package based on the companys inputs.

Stardust currently expects to break ground on the facility in the first half of 2024.



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The Ministry of Public Security Office for UN Peacekeeping Operations held an inauguration ceremony for Vietnam Police Peacekeeping Unit No. 1 in Hanoi on Thursday.

The launch of the unit is aimed at making more contributions to ensuring security and safety for UN personnel and assets, protecting civilians, and aiding other UN peacekeeping operations.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Deputy Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang affirmed that the decision to set up the police peacekeeping unit demonstrates the Vietnamese Party, state, and ministrys commitment to proactively and responsibly joining efforts to maintain peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.

The establishment is a new move following the success of Vietnam in sending working groups to UN peacekeeping missions abroad and is expected to further contribute to protecting regional and international security, as well as the basic principles of the UN Charter, Quang said.

Senior Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Nam, commander of Vietnam Police Peacekeeping Unit No. 1, said he and other unit members are so proud of the countrys long-standing traditions and will make significant contributions to maintaining peace and security in the world.

Deputy Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang (R, 2nd) hands over the decision to set up Vietnam Police Peacekeeping Unit No. 1 in Hanoi, January 11, 2024. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Senior Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Nam, commander of Vietnam Police Peacekeeping Unit No. 1, recites the oath and pledge at its inauguration in Hanoi, January 11, 2024. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Delegates pose for a group photo at an inauguration ceremony for Vietnam Police Peacekeeping Unit No. 1 in Hanoi, January 11, 2024. Photo: Tuoi Tre

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Vietnam requests that the U.S. remove it from the Special Watch List for religious freedom and make objective assessments on the issue based on accurate and comprehensive information, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday.

Vietnams consistent policy is to respect and ensure the human rights and freedom of religion and belief for its people, spokeswoman for the foreign ministry Pham Thu Hang said at a regular press briefing in Hanoi on Thursday.

She emphasized that this policy is clearly prescribed in the countrys 2013 Constitution as well as its legal system, while its enforcement is ensured in reality.

Hang was speaking in response to reporters questions about Vietnams reaction to the U.S. decision to put the Southeast Asian country on the Special Watch List for religious freedom.

Vietnams efforts and achievements in ensuring human rights, including the right to freedom of belief and religion, have been recognized by the international community over the past time.

Therefore, Vietnam feels regret about the U.S. decision and requests that the U.S. stop putting Vietnam on such a list and make objective appraisal on the freedom of religion and belief in Vietnam based on correct and comprehensive information, Hang stated.

Hanoi is ready to discuss with Washington all issues of mutual concern in the spirit of frankness, openness, and mutual respect, contributing to further strengthening the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership for peace, cooperation, and sustainable development between the two countries, the spokesperson said.

She also recalled that at the 75th anniversary of the United Nations adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights held in Geneve, Switzerland, on December 12, 2023, representatives of Vietnam and other countries affirmed their policies of promoting the implementation of the declaration through specific commitments.

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Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his spouse, and a high-ranking delegation will attend the 54th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) gathering in Davos, Switzerland and pay an official visit to Hungary and Romania from January 16 to 23.

The top Vietnamese leaders trips take place at the invitation of WEF founder and chair Klaus Schwab, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu.

The 54th annual WEF, which runs from January 15 to 19, is set to focus on 'Rebuilding Trust amid global challenges, including geopolitical tensions, climate change, and technological advances.

The WEF gathering will welcome over 100 governments, major international organizations, and the forums 1,000 partner companies, alongside civil society leaders, experts, youth activists, social entrepreneurs, and the media.

The event will also be attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.

Other participants include Ajay S. Banga, president of the World Bank Group; Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency; Cindy H. McCain, executive director of the World Food Program; Mohammad Abdulla AlGergawi, UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs; and Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Vietnam and Hungary established diplomatic relations in 1950. Two-way trade reached US$1.2 billion in 2022, nearly double the figure recorded in 2018, when the two nations upgraded their ties to a comprehensive partnership, reported Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper.

Vietnam and Romania have been fostering their multifaceted cooperation, seeing bilateral trade total $425 million in 2022, a 14.8-percent year-on-year increase.

Romania is home to some 700,000 Vietnamese.

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The United States and Britain have started carrying out strikes against targets linked to Houthis in Yemen, four U.S. officials told Reuters on Thursday, the first time strikes have been launched against the Iran-backed group since it started targeting international shipping in the Red Sea late last year.

The Houthis, who control most of Yemen, have been targeting Red Sea shipping routes to show their support for Hamas, a Palestinian Islamist group. The attacks have disrupted international commerce on the key route between Europe and Asia that accounts for about 15 percent of the world's shipping traffic.

These are believed to be the first strikes the United States has carried out against the Houthis in Yemen since 2016.

The officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said a formal statement was soon expected to detail the strikes.

Earlier on Thursday, the Houthi's leader said any U.S. attack on the group would not go without a response.

The Houthis, who seized much of Yemen in a civil war, have vowed to attack ships linked to Israel or bound for Israeli ports. However, many of the targeted ships have had no links to Israel.

The U.S. military said on Thursday Houthis fired an anti-ship ballistic missile into international shipping lanes in the Gulf of Aden, the 27th attack by the group since Nov. 19. (Reuters)
The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has acknowledged information from Ireland indicating that three out of the 14 migrants discovered in a refrigerated container in the northwestern European country earlier this week are presumed to be Vietnamese.

Irish authorities have announced that three out of the 14 migrants found inside a refrigerated shipping container at Rosslare Europort in southeastern Ireland on Monday are believed to be Vietnamese, Pham Thu Hang, spokeswoman of the foreign ministry, said at a press briefing on Thursday, citing the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK that is also in charge of Ireland.

According to AFP, the 14 people in the container included nine men, three women, and two girls, all of whom were in good health upon being discovered.

These people include three Vietnamese, one Turkish national, and 10 Kurds from Iran and Iraq, Irelands RTE television and Irish Independent newspaper reported.

Rosslare Europort handles passengers and goods from the UK and Europe, with special connections to France and Spain.

Irish police on Wednesday launched an investigation into the human trafficking case after the illegal migrants were found, Hang stated, adding that as soon as receiving the information, the ministry directed the embassy to contact and coordinate with Irish authorities to inquire into the case.

The embassy and the honorary consulate office in Dublin, Ireland are working with local police to verify the identities of the three Vietnamese and prepare to carry out citizen protection measures if necessary, the spokeswoman said.

Speaking with the press, Irish Transport Minister Eamon Ryan said he felt relieved that the migrants were safe despite having spent more than 24 hours in a refrigerated container.

It was a stroke of luck that there were no fatalities among them, Irish Examiner newspaper cited Eugene Drennan, the president of the Irish Road Haulage Association.

They were found when a refrigerated container truck was stopped and forced to exit a ferry which reached Rosslare Europort from Zeebrugge Port in Belgium on Monday.

Previously on the same day, the British coast guard force received an emergency call from a person inside a refrigerated container truck, and then coordinated with Irish authorities to stop the vehicle upon its arrival at the port, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

The container had been loaded onto the truck south of Paris, France before being transported to Zeebrugge Port, RTE reported, citing Drennan.

The truck was fully sealed it had to be some people who knew how to manipulate the locks and seals, Drennan told RTE, emphasizing that the incident was certainly the work of a professional human trafficking organization.

He commented that the migrants might have believed they were headed for England.

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar affirmed that Dublin will consider processing all potential asylum applications as quickly as possible, and emphasized that the countrys first response is always a humanitarian one.

Irish police had yet to make any arrest in relation to the incident, the VNA reported on Thursday.

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Over 60 percent of Vietnamese tourists said that they lack trust in reviews by celebrity content creators, saying that such reviews rarely match up with reality, according to a survey released by Klook, a travel and experience platform.

More than 80 percent of travelers from the Asia-Pacific region and some 91 percent of Vietnamese tourists said they relied on reviews from Internet content creators to select where to go and what to eat, according to the results of Hong Kong-based Klooks Travel Pulse Survey, which was released on Wednesday.

The survey highlighted that 61 percent of the respondents put the majority of their trust in travel-content from non-celebrity creators despite their relying on social media content to make travel decisions, according to Nguyen Huy Hoang, managing director of Klook Vietnam.

Vietnamese tourists who depend on media for travel decisions show a preference for obtaining travel ideas through video content, surpassing other formats.

According to Hoang, video clips constitute 63 percent of the consumed travel content in this demographic.

The survey also showed that Vietnamese led the Asia-Pacific (APAC) in using Facebook and TikTok for travel inspiration.

Over 90 percent of the Vietnamese respondents have expressed their intent to book tours from the present period until the latter half of the year, making them the most enthusiastic travelers in the APAC region, Hoang said.

However, he highlighted that the Vietnamese also exhibit a penchant for spontaneous travel, with up to half of them indicating a preference for booking experiences and activities after arriving at or while staying in a destination.

Hoang also emphasized that Vietnamese tourists no longer plan their trips as carefully as they did before the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly as most of their trips are spontaneous weekend getaways to unexpected destinations at affordable prices.

In addition, Vietnam took the lead in the APAC in terms of family travel, with nearly three in five Vietnamese respondents saying that they gave priority to taking trips with family members.

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Over 26,000 Indonesians visited Da Nang, a city on the central coast of Vietnam, in 2023, accounting for about 25 percent of the Indonesian arrivals to the country, the Da Nang tourism promotion agency said on Thursday.

Indonesia, the worlds fourth-largest country by population with over 280 million citizens, is seen as a potential tourism source market for the Vietnamese city, according to the Da Nang Department of Tourism.

The Da Nang tourism promotion agency is focusing on diversifying tourism source markets, particularly from Muslim nations, said a representative from the municipal tourism department.

Recently, the city has introduced several tourism products to the Indonesian market and made it a priority to ensure Halal options at tourist accommodations and venues.

Besides, Da Nang International Airport opened a prayer room for Muslim guests in late 2023.

Speaking at a seminar titled Solutions for Attracting Indonesian Travelers and Promoting Route from Indonesia to Da Nang on Wednesday, Pauline Suharno, chair of the Indonesian Travel Agents Association (ASTINDO), said domestic and international flights in Indonesia have recovered to over 90 percent of their capacity since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Indonesian travel demand is high, with the majority prefering to tour new tourist destinations and high-end tourism services, she said, adding that the market is not particularly picky even though Halal-friendly services are a major appeal.

During the seminar, 35 ASTINDO members who are participating in an ongoing FAM trip for Indonesians through Friday to Da Nang discussed solutions to make use of flights linking Indonesia and Vietnam and plans to open direct air routes between the country and Da Nang.

Guests on the trip have visited multiple tourist sites in Da Nang, experienced a host of typical tourism products and services, and learned about the citys tourism potential.

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Kim Seon-ho, most known in Vietnam for his role in the Netflix K-drama Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, will hold a meet-and-greet with Vietnamese fans this March.

According to organizers, the event will be held on March 9 at Military Zone 7 Stadium in Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City as part of Kims Asian fan-meeting tour Color+Full slated for January to June of this year.

Tickets will be sold online from 12:00 pm on January 19, with details on prices and event time to be released in the near future.

Kim Seon-ho, 37, made his screen debut in 2017 with Good Manager and rose to fame with his role in the hit television series Start-Up in 2020.

His popularity continued to grew when he appeared in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha a year later.

Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha tells the story of dentist Yoon Hye-jin, played by Shin Min-a, who moves to a seaside village and falls in love with kind handyman Hong Du-sik, portrayed by Kim Seon Ho.

South Korean actors Kim Seon-ho (right) and Shin Min-a. Photo: Netflix

The series, which premiered in August 2021, was one of Netflix's most-watched non-English television shows thanks to its heart-warming story.

Kims role as Hong Du-sik won him the Outstanding Korean Actor award at the Seoul International Drama Awards in September 2022.

South Korean actor Kim Seon-ho is seen in a photo uploaded on his Instagram account.

In October 2021, Kim was accused of pressuring his ex-girlfriend into getting an abortion while the two were dating, putting the actor's career in a one-year halt. He was later exonerated.

Kim's overseas fan meetings were canceled in 2022 amid public criticism.

In 2023, he returned to acting by starring in the neo-noir action thriller film The Childe, which was released theatrically last June.

His performance in The Childe earned him an award for Best New Actor at the 2023 Grand Bell Awards.

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US procedural The Good Doctor has confirmed its upcoming seventh season will be the last.

The Good Doctor has been a once in a lifetime opportunity, but its time to say goodbye, co-showrunners David Shore and Liz Friedman and fellow executive producer Erin Gunn said in a statement. We are incredibly proud of the work weve done and the message weve been privileged to be a part of. We look forward to giving our fantastic fans, the truly extraordinary Freddie Highmore, the rest of our talented actors (and friends), and the best crew in the business the series ending that you all deserve. Thank you, Sony; thank you, ABC; thank you all.

Freddie Highmore said, Playing Dr. Shaun Murphy has been an immense privilege and one of the most remarkable and rewarding experiences of my life. I will always be grateful to David, Liz, and Erin as well as the hugely talented  and lovely  cast, writers, and crew who made this show possible. Caring deeply is what got us here. Thank you to Sony and ABC, and to everyone who has watched along at home. With love from Vancouver  tequila, stat!

Thanks to David Shore and Liz Friedmans creative direction and anchored by Freddie Highmores performance, The Good Doctor has captivated audiences, who have deeply connected with Dr. Shaun Murphy and the staff at San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital, said Disney Television Group president Craig Erwich. As we prepare to finish this beloved story, words cannot express our gratitude for the incredible cast, crew and our partners at Sony and ABC Signature for the lasting impact theyve made.

The Good Doctor, based on a Korean series, screens in Australia on Seven. A potential spinoff, The Good Lawyer, is not proceeding.

Source: Hollywood Reporter
Opening up: Tirana street scene, dominated by snow-capped mountains (Simon Calder)

Summer flights from the UK to Albania are on sale for under 50 return. Beachfront apartments in the resort of Durres can be rented for less than 20 a night. A full meal with drinks comes in at under 10. But the nations tourism minister insists: We are aiming for high-end tourism in Albania.

Mirela Kumbaro, whose brief also includes the environment, was speaking exclusively to The Independent. In a wide-ranging interview, the tourism minister says she is pushing for four- and five-star hotels with international brand names  and hits out against comparisons between Albania and the Maldives.

For most of the second half of the 20th century, Albania received only a handful of foreign tourists. Ms Kumbaro says her nation lived under the wildest dictatorship in Europe for half a century. Visitors could only join organised and closely supervised tours, with mandatory shaves and haircuts at the border for male tourists with long hair or beards.

The hard-line communist dictatorship ended three decades ago, but only this year is Albania easily accessible from the UK.

Research by The Independent shows widespread availability of flights between Luton and the capital, Tirana, for under 50 return in May, on the multiple daily departures on Wizz Air.

Ryanair will also compete to the Albanian capital in summer 2024 from five UK airports  Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Edinburgh and London Stansted  while British Airways continues to operate from London Heathrow to Tirana.

Living costs are the lowest in Europe, with rooms in a good city-centre hotel in Tirana selling at under 30, including breakfast. Beachside apartments on the Adriatic shore are even cheaper.

Distant dream: the beach at Durres in 1989, when tourism to Albania was strictly controlled (Simon Calder)

But Ms Kumbaro is determined to avoid overtourism and maximise high-spending visitors, saying: You will not have mass-market holidays on the beach at Albanian resorts.

We think that we are complementary in this map of tourism between Croatia, Italy and Greece.

So we are not going to see lots of hotels being built.

Story continues

Much store is being put on adventure tourism away from the coast. Three quarters of Albania is mountains, forest and rivers, says the minister.

Tiranas Mother Teresa International Airport is currently the only air gateway to Albania, but a second airport is being built at Vlore in the south of the country.

Ms Kumbaro says: To avoid having many cars travelling through Albania, we need this second airport to attract people. Some tourists visiting southern Albania currently fly into the Greek island of Corfu and take the ferry across the narrow strait.

The tourism minister takes exception to reports last summer describing Albania as the Maldives of Europe because of its pristine white-sand beaches.

Fighting against the cliche is the most difficult task, she said. We have never called Albania the Maldives of Europe. Albania is Albania.

You can go from the the modern city of Tirana, which is already a laboratory of modern architecture, to cities which are 2,000 years old.
Welcome Guest! You are here: Home  India

Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Indias longest sea-link, opened

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday January 12, 2024 opened Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) for general public. Read More

Friday January 12, 2024 5:36 PM , ummid.com News Network

Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday January 12, 2024 opened Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) for general public.

The 21.8 km Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL)  Indias longest sea-link which connects Sewri in South Mumbai to Nhava Sheva in Raigad, cuts short travel from Mumbai to Navi Mumbai from the existing over 2 hours to just 15-20 minutes.

The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link will also reduce travel from Mumbai to Pune as commuters will be able to catch the Mumbai-Pune Express Highway in less than half hour.

Built at a cost of  17,840 crore, the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) has six lanes. About16.5 km of the bridge is over the sea.

VIDEO | PM Modi inaugurates Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), the longest sea bridge in the country, in Navi Mumbai.



The MTHL, also known as Atal Setu named after former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, originates from Sewri in Mumbai and terminates at Nhava Sheva in Uran taluka in pic.twitter.com/Z9cy8S1vAD  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 12, 2024

Motorcycle lovers should note that only four-wheelers are allowed on the sea-link and bikes and auto-rickshaws are barred.

Maximum Speed Limit

Vehicles on this route will also be required to maintain a maximum speed of 100 km/hour.

Named after former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee as "Atal Setu", the sea-bridge contains a 6-lane highway and one emergency lane on both the sides.

"The MTHLs lanes have a width of 3.5 meters with a 2.5 meter wide shoulder on either side and 0.75m shoulder at the median, based on JICAs recommendations", according to the MMRDA.



There are seven OSD (Orthotropic steel Deck) spans of length 90m to 180m which are used on bridge first time in India. There is a 4 km steel span section in the middle to allow for ships to pass underneath.

There are Interchanges, at Sewri in Mumbai, Shivaji-Nagar and SH-54 in Jasai and at Chirle on NH-348.

"The MTHL features an intelligence transport system (ITS) and the other amenities required for a marine bridge. The traffic conditions on the stretch are monitored and managed from the traffic control centre with the help of CCTV cameras and related facilities installed on the stretch. Variable message signs (VMS) have also been installed to display appropriate information for the commuters", the MMRDA said.

The bridges foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2016, and construction work started in April 2018 for 3 civil packages.

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Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiyy said on Thursday that a ceasefire in Russia's war against Ukraine would not lead to political dialogue, and would only benefit Moscow.

Speaking to reporters in the Estonian capital Tallinn during a wider tour of the Baltic region, Zelenskiyy said any pause would risk allowing Russia to re-group and boost its supply of munitions "and we will not risk."

"The pause would not lead to an end of the war, it would not lead to political dialogue with Russia or someone else... And thank God this is all decided in Ukraine and there will be no pauses to benefit Russia," he said.

Speaking later on Thursday in the Latvian capital Riga, he said Russia is preparing to launch an offensive ahead of the presidential election in March.

"They want some small tactical victories before (the elections), and prepare for something global or massive afterwards," said Zelenskiyy.

"The situation on the front is very complicated; we lack weapons," he added.

On his trip to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, some of Kyiv's staunchest supporters in the European Union and the NATO military alliance, Zelenskiyy hopes to push back against fatigue among Ukraine's Western allies, secure more financial and military aid, and discuss Kyiv's bids to join NATO and the EU.

It will be difficult for Ukraine to survive unless it receives a delayed package of financial support from the European Union, he told media in Tallinn. The package was blocked by Hungary in December.

"This support is very important to us," said Zelenskiyy.

No negotiations

The three Baltic states were the first Western nations to supply Ukraine with lethal weapons in the weeks before the Russian invasion in February 2022.

Zelenskiyy said Russia was facing a "deficit" of munitions and struggling to rebuild its elite troops, which was influencing its battlefield behaviour.

He alleged Russia was negotiating missile purchases from Iran and that Russian forces had received more than 1 million rounds of ammunition from North Korea.

Zelenskiyy refused to comment on remarks by Italy's defence minister on Wednesday that the time had come for diplomacy in the conflict.

"I have never had such negotiations with Italy on any level, so it is hard for me to comment," he said. (Reuters)
Welcome Guest! You are here: Home  The Hague

South Africa at ICJ: Israelis celebrate Genocide of Palestinians

Listing the genocidal acts of the Israeli Occupation Forces, Adila Hassim said the Palestinians in Gaza are subjected to relentless bombing wherever they go. Read More

Friday January 12, 2024 11:52 AM , ummid.com News Network

[South African lawyer Adila Hassim representing South Africa at the International Court of Justice Thursday January 11, 2024.]

The Hague (Netherlands): The South African lawyers while deposing before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Thursday January 11, 2024 said Israelis treat the Palestinians like animals and celebrate their destruction, massacre and genocide in Gaza.

Deposing before the International Court of Justice, which comprises of 15 judges from different countries of the world, the South African team of lawyers played video clips and presented documents and testimonies to establish that the Israeli military offensive in Gaza is being carried out with intent to genocide.

The South African lawyers at the ICJ said the Israeli occupation soldiers are not only committing but also celebrating the genocide of Palestinians and destruction of Gaza.

The destruction is celebrated by the Israeli army. Soldiers film themselves joyfully detonating entire apartment blocks and town centres, erecting the Israeli flag over the wreckage, seeking to re-establish Israeli settlements on the rubble of Palestinian homes and thus extinguishing the very basis of Palestinian life in Gaza, Adila Hassim, a lawyer presenting South Africas Gaza genocide case at the ICJ said while participating in the first round of argument Thursday.

Another South African lawyer, Tembeka Nicholas Ngcukaitobi, who represented South Africa during the ICJ public hearing on the first day, also said Israeli soldiers in Gaza were filmed dancing, chanting, and singing May their village burn, May Gaza be erased and this has become a trend.

There is now a trend among the soldiers to film themselves committing atrocities against civilians in Gaza, in a form of snuff video, Ngcukaitobi said adding that the genocide of Palestinians is state policy nurtured at the highest levels of Israel .

Listing the genocidal acts of the Israeli Occupation Forces, Adila Hassim said the Palestinians in Gaza are subjected to relentless bombing wherever they go, and quoted the UN Secretary General who said, Nowhere is safe in Gaza.

They (the Palestinians) are killed in their homes, in places where they seek shelter, in hospitals, in schools, in mosques, in churches, and as they try to find food and water for their families. They have been killed if they failed to evacuate, in the places to which they fled, and even while they attempted to flee along Israeli declared safe routes, she said. The level of killing is so extensive that those whose bodies are found are buried in mass graves, often unidentified, she said showing the images of mass graves.

6,000 bombs per week

Adila further said that Israel deployed 6,000 bombs per week in the first three weeks of its military offensive that started on Oct 7. They deployed at least 200 two-thousand-pound bombs in southern areas of Palestine designated as safe and in the North, including refugee camps.

2000-pound-bombs are some of the biggest and most destructive bombs available. They are dropped by lethal fighter jets that are used to strike targets on the ground, by one of the worlds most resourced armies, she said at the ICJ. Israel has killed an unparalleled and unprecedented number of civilians, with the full knowledge of how many civilian lives each bomb will take, she said.

Adila said while bombing the civilian areas of Gaza, Israel did not spare women and even newborn babies and left many families without any survivor.

More than 1,800 Palestinian families in Gaza have lost multiple family members, and hundreds of multigenerational families have been wiped out, with no remaining survivors  mothers, fathers, children, siblings, grandparents, aunts, cousins  often all killed together, she said.

Hunger as weapon

Asserting that Israel has forcefully displaced the Palestinians from Gaza multiple times, Adila said, This forceful displacement has been deliberately calculated to cause widespread hunger, dehydration and starvation.

Israels campaign has pushed Gazans to the brink of famine. An unprecedented 93% of the population in Gaza is facing crisis levels of hunger. Of all the people in the world currently suffering catastrophic hunger, more than 80 percent are in Gaza, she said. The situation is such that experts are now predicting that more Palestinians in Gaza may die from starvation and disease than airstrikes, and yet Israel continues to impede the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance to Palestinians, not only refusing to allow sufficient aid in, but removing the ability to distribute it through constant bombardment and obstruction, she added.

Prof John Dugard SC, Counsel and Advocate for South Africa in the case against Israel at ICJ, described in detail how South Africa before approaching the UN Court reminded Israel  directly and through various platforms including the UN Security Council (UNSC), that its action in Gaza is genocide and war crimes.

The South African government repeatedly voiced its concerns, in the Security Council and in public statements, that Israels actions had become genocidal. South Africa repeated this accusation at a meeting of BRICS on 21 November 2023 and at an Emergency Special Session of the UN General Assembly on 12 December 2023. No response from Israel was forthcoming, he said. As a matter of courtesy, before filing the present application, on 21 December 2023, South Africa sent a Note Verbale to the Embassy of Israel to reiterate its view that Israels acts of genocide in Gaza amounted to genocide  that it, as a State Party to the Genocide Convention, was under an obligation to prevent genocide from being committed. Israel responded by way of a Note Verbale that failed to address the issues raised by South Africa in its Note and neither affirmed nor denied the existence of a dispute, he explained. Despite these harsh accusations, Israel has persisted in its genocidal acts against the population of Gaza, John Dugard said.

"Provisional measures"

At the end of the South African oral arguments, Prof Vaughan Lowe detailed the provisional measures the country is requesting the ICJ order, including for Israel to immediately suspend its military operations in and against Gaza, desist from the deprivation of access to adequate food and water and other humanitarian assistance; and ensure that Israeli officials and others refrain from direct and public incitement to commit genocide and punish those who do.

Prof Lowe also claimed that Israels campaign against Hamas was not covered by Article 51 of the UN charter permitting a country to defend itself from attack, since, he contended, Israel remains in occupation of Gaza due to its control of its access points.

Israel says it aims to destroy Hamas. But months of bombing, flattening entire residential blocks, cutting off food and water to an entire population cannot credibly be argued to be a manhunt for Hamas, Prof Lowe alleged.

Citing UN officials, Prof Lowe said the suspension of Israels military operations was critical in enabling the provision of humanitarian relief to Palestinians in Gaza.

In front of the International Court, Prof Lowe also answered the question why South Africa is not filing lawsuit against Hamas for its action on Oct 7.

This case concerns with the Israel's actions in Gaza. Hamas is not a state and cannot be a party to the Genocide Convention and cannot be a party to these proceeding, he said. South Africa understands that not all acts are Genocide. There are acts that are unlawful but not genocide. And, there are other forums to address them, he said.

The ICJ hearing on Thursday was adjourned after the first round of the hearing participated by the lawyers representing South Africa.

Today, Friday January 12, 2024, is reserved for Israel to defend itself at the UN Court and respond to the allegations against it.

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Welcome Guest! You are here: Home  Hajj & Umrah

SPL to study to make Makkah Grand Mosque access smoother

The SPL study will explore if dividing the Makkah Grand Mosque and its courtyard in coded zones can make access to the Holy site easier and smoother for worshippers and its staff. Read More

Friday January 12, 2024 10:16 AM , ummid.com News Network

Makkah: The Saudi Postal and Logistics Services Company (SPL) has been mandated to carry out a study to explore easier and smoother access to the entire premises of the Grand mosque in Makkah, also known as Makkah Haram.

The SPL study will explore if dividing the Makkah Grand Mosque and its courtyard in coded zones can make access to the Holy site easier and smoother for worshippers and its staff.

The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophets Mosque has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Saudi Postal and Logistics Services Company (SPL) in order to conduct this study, leading English daily Saudi Gazette said.

Under the MoU, signed on the sidelines of the Hajj and Umrah Services Conference and Exhibition 2024, the SPL will conduct the study about dividing the Grand Mosque and its courtyards into coded zones to help accurately find geographical locations and facilitate spatial description to guide worshippers and workers in the sprawling mosque and its premises.

Also Read

Watch: The Makkah Grand Mosque In 2030

The purpose of the study is also to gauge performance, and distribution of Makkah Grand mosque working staff based on their accommodation and operational capacity, and thus ensuring the highest standards of services provided at the holiest site for Muslims.

With every passing day more and more Muslims from around the world are keen on visiting Makkah to perform Umrah and annual Hajj.

According to Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, more than 13.5 million foreign pilgrims performed Umrah in 2023.

This is 58 percent increase, with 5 million more pilgrims visiting the Makkah Grand Mosque compared to the previous year, the minister said addressing the opening session of the Hajj and Umrah Services Conference and Exhibition, which kicked off at Jeddah Superdome on January 8, 2024.

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HA NOI  A process has begun to allow the Viet Nam Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (SBIC) to declare bankruptcy, according to Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Xuan Sang.

The Ministry of Transport (MoT) says the bankruptcy was, at this point, an inevitable conclusion and the ministry is now aiming for an overhaul of the corporation's core businesses while trying to retain as many experienced managers and workers as possible.

Established in 2013, SBIC was formed through the reorganisation and restructuring of the Vinashin Group. At that time, its charter capital was over VN9.5 trillion (US$390 million). However, SBIC had to bear the debt burden left by Vinashin, totalling over $4 billion.

Meanwhile, the bankruptcy will allow profitable subsidiaries to thrive by freeing them from their parent corporation's old and existing debt. A recent report by the ministry said while the corporation's ship-building businesses have consistently been able to turn a profit in the last few years, they were not sufficient to meet financial obligations inherited from the Vinashin era.

Vinashin, officially known as the Vietnam Shipbuilding Industry Group, is a State-owned enterprise in Viet Nam involved in shipbuilding, ship repair, and maritime industries. Between the years 2000 and 2010, Vinashin faced financial difficulties and a significant debt crisis due to mismanagement, cost overruns, and a lack of transparency.

Funds obtained from the liquidation of the company and assets will be utilised according to bankruptcy laws, including debt repayment, salary payment, and social insurance for workers, remaining from the Vinashin period, according to the MoT.

Earlier this week, the MoT conducted a full evaluation and review of SBIC's businesses and subsidiaries across the country. The ministry has started building a detailed roadmap aimed at maximising capital and asset recovery while minimising the use of additional State budgets.

In a meeting with SBIC's managers, the deputy minister said the bankruptcy includes the transfer of ownership of the corporation. Once completed, it will allow SBIC's member shipbuilding companies to enter a new phase, free from the burden of old debts, so they can have more proactive control in their production and business activities, ensuring greater efficiency.

SBIC was asked to complete the personnel reorganisation, address difficulties, and coordinate with the Business Management Department under the Ministry of Transport to facilitate the bankruptcy procedures for its member companies.

Regarding the corporation's existing workers, Sang said that the bankruptcy is aimed at creating conditions for business revival and restructuring activities. Therefore, regardless of the owner, there is still a significant need for an experienced management team and labour force within the existing businesses.

Following the process, member units and SBIC will submit bankruptcy procedures to the court. Once the court opens the case and declares bankruptcy, the liquidation of assets, obligations, and payment priorities will be carried out according to the court's ruling. During this process, actively operating units with existing contracts will continue their normal operations.

In an earlier development, the MoT sent a document to SBIC requesting a thorough assessment of the situation of each business, compiling documents, and developing specific plans for each enterprise. The affected units include the parent company SBIC, its subsidiaries (seven companies), and 147 former Vinashin member businesses that have not completed restructuring.  VNS
HA NOI  Aside from increasing transaction volume, the Vietnam Commodity Exchange (MXV) is currently studying and developing specialist commodity trading systems that will highlight Viet Nam's strengths in the coming years.

This plan is a key priority for MXV during the 2023-28 period, with the aim of developing the Vietnamese commodity trading market in accordance with international standards.

ang Viet Hung, CEO of MXV, said that these specialised commodity trading platforms will address specific challenges faced by each product.

In general, the platforms will contribute to making Viet Nam's production and trade operations transparent and modern, laying the groundwork for breakthrough development in the future.

Additionally, MXV will continue to prioritise domestic and international collaborations, particularly with Commodity Exchanges and major technology partners worldwide.

According to the plan, the MXV is set to achieve trading connectivity with Commodity Exchanges in China in the first quarter of 2024, moving towards the goal of cross-listing trading products.

The link with this populous market offers considerable potential for domestic firms and investors to improve their price hedging and investment operations.

The MXV will work closely with partners to gradually operationalise specialist commodities trading platforms.

The initial operations of the Rubber Exchange and the Pork Exchange in HCM City are expected in 2024. The Coffee Exchange and Carbon Credit Exchange are anticipated to commence operations in 2025.

The MXV and Vietnam Rubber Group have reached the testing phase of Viet Nams Rubber Trading System. The platform will bring transparency, expand business opportunities, improve product quality, and align the domestic rubber market with global standards.

In 2024, the MXV will also collaborate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) and relevant authorities to formulate new decrees, replacing Decree 158/2006/N-CP, which provides detailed regulations on commercial activities through the Commodity Exchange, and Decree 51/2018/N-CP, which amends Decree 158.

The efforts are aimed at enhancing the legal framework and ensuring the stable and sustainable development of the commodity trading market in Viet Nam.

"This will serve as a precedent to foster the stable and sustainable development of Viet Nams commodity trading market, enhancing the countrys position on the global commodity trading map," the CEO of MXV said.  VNS
HA NOI  The State Bank of Vietnam's (SBV) competent authorities can conduct unscheduled inspections of credit institutions to ensure their compliance with monetary and banking legal regulations from next month, according to a newly issued circular.

The new policy is under the SBVs Circular 17/2023/TT-NHNN that will take effect from February 8 this year.

According to the SBV, the inspection is aimed at reviewing and evaluating information, data, and the compliance with monetary and banking policies and laws of credit institutions to ensure their completeness, accuracy, and compliance with regulations of laws on currency and banking.

Under the circular, planned and unscheduled inspections, which are carried out with authority and on the basis of legal regulations, will be conducted to ensure accuracy, objectivity and without overlap. Unscheduled inspections will be carried out on the basis of management requirements and actual situations; or requests, suggestions, and feedback from competent State agencies; or upon request or direction of the SBVs Governor.

The SBVs Governor will assign the heads of other administrative agencies under the SBV to sign the annual inspection plans. The SBVs Banking Supervision Agency will take responsibility for developing and issuing an inspection plan for the following year before December 15 every year, and send the promulgated inspection plan to other administrative units under the SBV.

Other administrative agencies under the SBV will develop and issue inspection plans for the following year before December 25 every year, ensuring there will be no overlap with the inspection plans of the SBVs Banking Supervision Agency for that year.

The annual inspection plans, which can be amended and supplemented when necessary, must have a basis for issuance, purpose, requirements, subjects, content, and time. The plans must be sent to the inspection subject no later than five working days from the date of issuance, according to the circular.  VNS
HA NOI  The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has released the Master Plan for Integrated River Basins in the Ma River area for the 2021-30 period for the Ma, Huong and ong Nai rivers.

The ministry said the goal is to ensure water source security in the river basins and the entire plan area; store, regulate and distribute water in a fair and reasonable manner; and exploit and use water resources economically and efficiently.

These plans are designed to safeguard water resources, preventing their degradation, depletion and pollution, as well as mitigating harmful effects caused by water-related issues.

This involves establishing and operating water resource information and data systems, ensuring seamless integration with environmental resource information systems and industries that exploit and use water.

In accordance with the Master Plan for Integrated River Basins in the Ma River area for the 2021-30 period, with a vision to 2050, the planning encompasses the entire Ma River basin within the administrative boundaries of ien Bien, Son La, Hoa Binh, Thanh Hoa, and Nghe An provinces spanning a total area of 17,653 sq.km and divided into eight planning sub-regions.

Looking ahead to 2050, the plans envision effective prevention and control of river and stream bank erosion in the Ma River basin, regulated river bottom elevations, and monitored sand and gravel exploitation in the river bed. Measures will be taken to reallocate residential areas along the river, enhance riverside landscapes and control flooding through water storage structures in flooded and low-lying areas.

For the Huong River, the planning encompasses the entire basin and surrounding areas in Thua Thien-Hue Province and a Nang City, covering a total area of 4,648sq.km.

Looking towards 2050 in the Huong River basin, the plans target effective prevention and control of river and stream bank erosion, regulated river bottom elevations, and monitored exploitation of sand and gravel on the riverbed.

The reallocation of riverside residential areas is intended to enhance the landscape's value, with the management, exploitation, use, and protection of water resources carried out online through smart management systems.

Similar goals are set for the ong Nai River basin, which encompasses areas of HCM City and the provinces of ong Nai, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, ak Nong, Lam ong, Ninh Thuan, and Binh Thuan.

Looking ahead to 2050 in the ong Nai River basin, measures will be implemented to control inundation caused by high tides, rains and floods through water storage structures.

Besides, areas with excessive groundwater depletion and degraded, depleted and seriously polluted rivers and canals will be restored.  VNS
HA NOI  The eighth Viet Nam - Japan environmental policy dialogue was held on January 12 in a hybrid format. It was co-chaired by Japans State Minister of the Environment Yagi Tetsuya, and Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Le Cong Thanh.

Deputy Minister Thanh highlighted the event's importance as the memorandum of understanding for cooperation that the two ministries signed in 2020 expired, saying that this was an opportunity for the two ministries to discuss to open up a new phase of cooperation in the environment, climate change, and plastic waste reduction.

Japanese State Minister Yagi said that the cooperation between the two ministries had achieved specific and practical results, especially in the field of environment and climate change adaptation.

Viet Nam participated in the Joint Credit Mechanism proposed by the Japanese Government to implement bilateral cooperation with developing countries. To date, more than 40 projects related to the mechanism had been carried out in Viet Nam, helping Viet Nam raise its capacity to implement Article 6 of the Paris Agreement while promoting the process of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

On collaboration in natural disaster mitigation, Deputy Minister Thanh said Viet Nam was interested in devising solutions to a natural disaster early warning system, including a network of hydrometeorological monitoring stations. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment had encouraged Japanese businesses to join the hydrometeorological service market in Viet Nam, Thanh said, adding that his ministry would support initiatives on early warning system of the Japanese environment ministry.

Minister Yagi said his ministry was making efforts to apply measures on early warning in countries in the Asia-Pacific region via the public-private partnership.

In addition to cooperation in mitigating impacts of climate change, Viet Nam is seeking Japans support in tackling pollution, particularly ocean plastic waste, electronic waste, expired solar panels, solid waste, and waste water, along with air and water environment control.

Yagi affirmed that the Japanese Ministry of the Environment always stood ready to cooperate and accompany the Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to carry out activities on environmental protection and climate change adaptation. VNA/VNS
Tens of thousands of people will attend final pre-election rallies in Taiwan on Friday ahead of critical presidential and parliamentary polls, as China's defence ministry warned it would "smash any Taiwan independence plots".

Taiwan, a neighbouring island China claims as its own, has been a democratic success story since holding its first direct presidential election in 1996, the culmination of decades of struggle against authoritarian rule and martial law.

The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which champions Taiwan's separate identity and rejects China's territorial claims, is seeking a third term in office with its candidate, current Vice President Lai Ching-te.

China, which has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control, has framed the elections as a choice between "peace and war", calling the DPP dangerous separatists and urging Taiwanese to make the "right choice".

The DPP rejects China's sovereignty claims, and says only Taiwan's people can decide their future.

In the run-up to Saturday's election, China repeatedly denounced Lai and rebuffed repeated calls from him for talks.

China's defence ministry, responding to a question on Friday on Taiwan's air force upgrading F-16 fighter jets and buying more from the United States, said even with purchases of U.S. weapons the DPP "cannot stop the trend of complete reunification of the motherland".

"The Chinese People's Liberation Army remains on high alert at all times and will take all necessary measures to resolutely crush any form of 'Taiwan independence' separatist plots and firmly defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity," said ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang.

Lai says he is committed to preserving peace across the Taiwan Strait, but has accused China of seeking to interfere in the vote by spreading disinformation and putting further military and economic pressure on the island which Beijing views as "sacred" Chinese territory.

Lai is facing two opponents for the presidency - Hou Yu-ih of Taiwan's largest opposition party the Kuomintang (KMT) and former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je of the small Taiwan People's Party (TPP), only founded in 2019.

No matter who wins, China looms in the background.

Taiwan's government believes China is likely to attempt to put pressure on its incoming president after the island votes, including staging military manoeuvres near the island this spring, two senior government officials said.

Hou wants to re-start engagement with China, beginning with people-to-people exchanges, and has, like China, accused Lai of supporting Taiwan's formal independence. Lai says Hou is pro-Beijing, which Hou rejects.

The KMT and TPP say Taiwan needs a change of government after eight years of DPP rule, though an effort by the two parties late last year to form a joint ticket to take on the DPP collapsed in acrimony.

The DPP and KMT will both hold their final rallies Friday evening in Taipei's neighbouring New Taipei, while the TPP has the prime spot in central Taipei near the presidential office. Tens of thousands are expected to attend each event.

The DPP and KMT alike face a formidable challenge from the TPP, seeking to break the mould of two-party politics.

"This political status quo has led to an increasing wave of people hoping for reform. It has also pushed the TPP, which represents Taiwan's third force, on to the stage of Taiwan's politics," the TPP's Ko told foreign reporters in Taipei on Friday.

Ko has won a passionate support base, especially among young voters, for focusing on bread and butter issues like the high cost of housing. He also wants to re-engage China, but insists that cannot come at the expense of protecting Taiwan's democracy and way of life.

"We are not afraid" of China, said tech worker Charlie Lee, 61. "We already have a very strong democratic identity and will fight to the end."

Polls open at 8.00 a.m. (0000 GMT) and close at 4.00 p.m. (0800 GMT), with ballot counting by hand starting almost at once. There is no electronic, absentee, proxy or early voting.

The result should be clear by late evening Saturday when the losers concede and the winner gives a victory speech.

Tsai is constitutionally barred from standing again after two terms in office. (Reuters)
Trong Kien

HA NOI  Canada is willing to share experiences and prepared to deploy Canadian technologies to assist Viet Nam in addressing the "real climate change challenges" facing the country, Canadian Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen told media during his visit to Viet Nam.

The official said that Viet Nam and Canada shared the same goals when it comes to climate change and the environment, especially with the two countries both committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

The two countries are also committed to a transition to renewable energy and a green economy that benefits everyone.

In the past, Canada has already collaborated with Viet Nam to tackle the issue of industrial pollution, he noted, and in future, Canada's international development assistance will work with Viet Nam to achieve net zero by 2050, a just energy transition and help deal with the adverse impacts of climate change particularly to coastal communities in this country.

Minister Hussen said: "A significant portion of the CAD$40 million that's in the pipeline in a new period of international development assistance from Canada will address Viet Nam's climate change challenges.

"In that regard, Canada will continue to be a partner not just in addressing threats, but also in how we take advantage of these new opportunities that are presented by green technology, by renewable energy.

"Our development dollars should lead to Viet Nam being in a better position to benefit from those opportunities. So that includes capacity building, there's a potential project that will partner with the World Bank and the Government of Viet Nam, hopefully, will be concluded soon, that will enable us to do that.

"There are other bilateral projects that enable us to tackle specific challenges concerning climate change and different impacts of it. But the point is, Canada is very much seized with the importance of working with Viet Nam, to enable Viet Nam to deal with the challenges.

"With regards to energy, Viet Nam has a growing population and a growing economy, so there's a higher and higher demand every year for more energy," the official said, adding that Canada is prepared to work with Viet Nam to address the challenge of distribution of the grid, and renewable energy generation and storage.

Global Carbon Pricing Challenge

With regards to the Canada-led Global Carbon Pricing Challenge, Vietnamese Minister of Natural Resources and Environment ang Quoc Khanh during a working session with the Canadian official has informed that the ministry has submitted for the Government to review and approve the policy of Viet Nam participating in the initiative, which Khanh has discussed with his Canadian counterpart Steven Guilbeault while the two met in Dubai for COP28.

Minister Khanh said that this initiative is important in promoting the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions globally, and participation in the initiative will open up opportunities to access and develop the domestic carbon market, take advantage of financial and technical support sources, and share experiences to improve capacity, which will contribute to achieving the Viet Nam's development goals and international commitments on climate change.

Minister Hussen told Minister Khanh that Canada is ready to support Viet Nam in addressing climate change and going forward with energy transition efforts, but the implementation will require engagements from many stakeholders, nations, organisations and the public and private sectors so he hoped the environment ministry of Viet Nam would advise to the Government on how to best create conditions for all interested parties to join and contribute to this common cause.

Minister Hussen said Canada encouraged and will continue to encourage Viet Nam to join this initiative.

In terms of support for the initiative, Canada has an ongoing project which is about adopting high quality carbon markets in Viet Nam in the agro-forestry sector.

"This is a CAD$7 million project and it's about improving climate governance through high-quality, inclusive and gender-responsive forestry, carbon market development, developing the market for carbon so that Viet Nam is able to join many countries that have put a price on pollution, that have enabled the disincentivising of pollution so that you can incentivise the investment in renewable energy," Minister Hussen said.

When a market is set up, it provides predictability to the private sector and stability needed for them to participate, which means a market will enable private sector actors to fund and implement carbon projects, according to the official.

With regards to questions over Canada's response to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's proposal for Canada to involve/invest in developing large-scale, significant transport projects, especially climate-sensitive ones, Minister Hussen said Canada will always consider whatever requests come from the Government of Viet Nam, in line with its own targets.  VNS
HA NOI  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his spouse, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation will attend the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland and pay official visits to Hungary and Romania from January 16-23, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on January 11.

The working trip and visits will be made at the invitations of WEF Founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and Prime Minister of Romania Ion-Marcel Ciolacu. VNA/VNS
HA NOI - The Ministry of Defence on Friday conducted a ceremony to announce the President's Decision assigning five officers for United Nations peacekeeping missions in the Central African Republic and South Sudan.

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of Defence and Head of the Interdisciplinary Working Group, chaired the ceremony.

Four officers are set to depart for peacekeeping missions in the Central African Republic, with Lieutenant Colonel o Van Thong, an officer of the Viet Nam Peacekeeping Department, replacing Lieutenant Colonel Pham Quang Thieu. Major Trinh Van Hung, an officer of the Border Guard College, Border Guard Command, will replace Major Vu uc Nhien. Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Hai Duy, from Brigade 139, Communications Corps, replaces Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Hien. Senior Lieutenant Le Son Tung, an officer of Engineer Brigade 25, Military Region 7, will replace Senior Lieutenant Pham Tien Long.

Additionally, Lieutenant Colonel Pham Vu Huy Hiep, an officer of the Coast Guard Command, will replace Lieutenant Colonel Bui Thi Minh Nguyet as the Operations officer at the mission in South Sudan.

Colonel Pham Manh Thang, Director of the Viet Nam Department of Peacekeeping, highlighted the completion of all deployment preparations, ensuring the officers' readiness for their missions in January 2024. The officers have received approval from the United Nations, secured plane tickets, and will travel together to support one another during deployment.

Speaking at the ceremony, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien urged the officers to adhere to foreign policy and Party, State and Army viewpoints. They were instructed to strictly follow the discipline of the Viet Nam People's Army, United Nations regulations, host country laws, and the guidance of authorities and the Viet Nam Peacekeeping Department, always maintaining military behaviour.

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien emphasised the importance of officers promoting the traditions of the Army and the Viet Nam Green Berets, showcasing bravery, and contributing to enhancing Viet Nam's image on the international stage. He urged quick integration and affirmation of Vietnamese officers' capabilities in language mastery and organisational work, highlighting the need for high professionalism in a multinational environment.

On behalf of the officers, Lieutenant Colonel o Van Thong expressed their readiness for the UN peacekeeping mission with utmost determination. Each officer had developed an approved work plan, thoroughly grasping their responsibilities. They actively exchanged experiences, studied, practised and acquired knowledge and skills through practical training, both domestically and abroad. The officers were committed to performing their tasks effectively. VNS
HA NOI  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's participation at the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF-54) in Davos, Switzerland from January 16-18 will provide a chance for Viet Nam to highlight ideas, commitment and solutions to realise the countrys strategy on sustainable socio-economic development and international integration, according to Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai, head of the Permanent Mission of Viet Nam to the United Nations, WTO and other international organisations in Geneva.

The Vietnamese Government leader will share Viet Nam's visions at the forum's main sessions, including a WEF Country Strategic Dialogue on Viet Nam, a policy dialogue of Viet Nam and a discussion with some ASEAN countries on promoting the role of global cooperation in ASEAN, the diplomat told Vietnam News Agency (VNA)s correspondent in Geneva.

PM Chinh will also join leaders of countries, international organisations and multi-national businesses at a WEF session on recovering confidence on the global system.

The Vietnamese leader will address some other events, including a seminar on attracting investment in the semiconductor industry, and another on experience and development models of international financial centres with the participation of leading Swiss financial groups.

PM Chinh will hold bilateral meetings with leaders of some countries and international organisations to discuss regional and international issues of shared concern, and strengthen connectivity with partners.

The diplomat stressed that the Vietnamese Government leader would directly tell leaders of states, international organisations and multi-national enterprises about Viet Nam's efforts to renovate the growth model, promote green economy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, speed up innovation and digital transformation on an equal and inclusive principle and enhance capacity to deal with climate change, showing the countrys determination and attempts to deliver on the commitment it had made at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) to achieve net-zero emission by 2050.

The Vietnamese PM would have a meeting with WEF Founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab, during which they would witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between Viet Nam's Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and WEF on developing innovation and green transition skills, and a deal between the Peoples Committee of HCM City and WEF on collaboration in establishing a Fourth Industrial Revolution Centre, Ambassador Mai revealed.

She underlined that these activities demonstrated Viet Nam and WEFs great attention to bilateral relations.

Viet Nam had highly valued the WEFs role in the world and Viet Nam, and stayed ready to promote ties with the forum. Meanwhile, WEF leaders had hailed Viet Nam's role and contributions in promoting multilateral cooperation, as well as the countrys efforts to join hands with the international community in dealing with global challenges.

Ambassador Mai said that the activities would also provide opportunities for Viet Nam to prove its role as an active partner of the international community and its willingness to make contributions to the settlement of global issues, as well as efforts to shape the future by putting forth ideas and implementing policies to boost socio-economic development and improve peoples living conditions in the current important period.

The PMs participation at the event would affirm the role, position and reputation of Viet Nam in the world arena, the diplomat underlined.

Themed Rebuilding Trust, the WEF-54 will focus on four major issues  building economic policies to suit the new era, long-term strategy on climate, nature and energy, artificial intelligence as a motivation for socio-economic development, and security and cooperation in a divided world.  VNS
HA NOI  National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong inh Hue met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who is paying a three-day state visit to Viet Nam, in Ha Noi on January 12.

The host leader welcomed President Widodo on the latters second visit to Viet Nam, which holds great significance after the two countries celebrated the 10th founding anniversary of their strategic partnership in 2023.

Viet Nam has always treasured and exerted efforts to work with Indonesia to promote the strategic partnership in a more practical and extensive manner so as to meet their people's aspirations and interests as well as the two countries sound friendship and cooperation, founded by Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Sukarno and nurtured by generations of leaders, Chairman Hue stated.

President Widodo emphasised that the two countries strategic partnership had harvested concrete cooperation results, adding it is now time for Viet Nam and Indonesia to strengthen bilateral connections, including in digitalisation and high technology, to obtain common achievements.

He highly valued the parliaments role in enhancing the strategic partnership, particularly in making laws and policies to accelerate energy transition, digital transformation, and innovation.

Echoing his guests view, the top legislator of Viet Nam expressed his hope that the two countries would elevate the bilateral relations to a new level at an appropriate point of time.

Chairman Hue held that the increase of mutual visits at all levels and via all channels, the improvement of the existing cooperation mechanisms effectiveness, and the expansion of cooperation between the two countries localities and friendship associations would help foster people-to-people ties. He also called on both sides to enhance collaboration in the Halal industry, rice trading, and investment and business partnerships.

President Widodo said the two sides should actively cooperate with each other to devise concrete policies and measures to raise bilateral trade to US$15 billion by 2028.

At the meeting, the NA Chairman affirmed that Viet Nam would continue creating the optimal conditions for foreign investors, including Indonesian ones. He asked Indonesia to provide favourable conditions and legal procedures for a joint venture between the two countries to become operational soon in the archipelago nation to help build an electric vehicle and battery ecosystem.

He also stressed the need for the two sides to carry out the existing mechanisms on maritime cooperation, reinforce ties in maritime affairs and sustainable fishing, and work together to settle fishermen and fishing boat-related issues in a goodwill and humanitarian manner in line with the strategic partnership.

Viet Nam and Indonesia should coordinate more closely via the government and parliamentary channels to help enhance the solidarity, unanimity, and centrality of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), bring into play the role of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), and maintain peace and stability in the region, the top legislator said.

The two nations also needed to cooperate in accordance with ASEANs viewpoint on the East Sea (known internationally as the South China Sea), promote the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and coordinate in the negotiations on an efficient and effective Code of Conduct (COC) that matches international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), he added.

President Widodo spoke highly of the close cooperation between the Vietnamese NA and the House of Representatives of Indonesia, welcoming the two legislative bodies signing of a cooperation agreement in August 2023. He also affirmed support for stronger ties, experience sharing, and exchanges, including visits by high-ranking delegations.

Chairman Hue suggested the two countries support each other at regional and international forums, especially ASEAN, AIPA, ASEAN-led mechanisms, the UN, and the Non-Aligned Movement, on international and regional security and strategic issues.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian President voiced his support for Viet Nams initiative to host the ASEAN Future Forum on fast, sustainable, and people-centred development, and affirmed that Indonesia would send senior representatives to the event. VNA/VNS
HCM CITY  The 18th theoretical workshop between the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) and the Communist Party of China (CPC) was held in Ho Chi Minh City on January 12, with a focus on experiences in and solutions to enhancing the protection of the ecological environment during the process of national construction and modernisation.

The CPV delegation was led by Nguyen Xuan Thang, Politburo member, Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council, and President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics. The CPC delegation was led by Li Shulei, Politburo member, Secretary of the CPC Central Committees Secretariat, and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee.

Stressing the urgency of environmental degradation, natural resource exhaustion, and climate change, Thang said the Party and State of Viet Nam identified consistent and critically important targets, viewpoints, and measures for promoting green growth to achieve economic prosperity, environmental sustainability, and social equality while practically contributing to the international communitys efforts to protect the ecological environment and respond to climate change.

For his part, Li said the protection of the ecological environment and civilisation held special importance in Chinas efforts to realise the Second Centenary Goal. He also introduced China's general target on environmental protection set at the 20th National Congress of the CPC, which is pursuing green development and promoting harmony between humanity and nature, results obtained so far, experiences, and effective measures.

Both officials affirmed the importance of increasing theoretical discussions between the two Parties in the new context, saying those events are occasions for the two sides to share the CPV and CPCs theoretical achievements and practical experiences in leading and organising the implementation of guidelines and policies on the protection of the ecological environmental and civilisation, particularly during the process of national modernisation and development in each country.

The same day, Thang and Nguyen Van Nen, Politburo member and Secretary of the HCM City Party Committee, had separate meetings with Li and the CPC delegation. VNA/VNS
HA NOI  Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Hanoi on January 12, during which the leaders highly evaluated the strong and dynamic development of the two countries cooperation in multiple areas.

Welcoming his guest, PM Chinh said President Widodos state visit to Viet Nam held special significance and would create new momentum for bilateral ties after over 10 years of their strategic partnership and ahead of the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2025.

President Widodo affirmed that Viet Nam was a partner of strategic importance of Indonesia in the region.

Both leaders shared the view that the strategic trust between their countries had been increasingly reinforced via frequent high-level mutual visits and meetings. The bilateral cooperation in such fields as security - defence, maritime affairs, agriculture, fisheries, education - training, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges had recorded a number of positive results.

Economic and trade cooperation was a bright spot of the bilateral relations. Indonesia registered over US$1 billion in investment in Viet Nam during January - November 2023, up 37 per cent year on year. It was the third largest ASEAN trading partner of Viet Nam, which in turn ranked fourth among trading partners of the former in the region, with bilateral trade approximating $13 billion in the 11 months, statistics showed.

To create a new impetus for the bilateral relations, the two leaders agreed to consider lifting the Viet Nam - Indonesia strategic partnership to a new level. They agreed to continue increasing delegation exchanges and meetings at all levels, effectively implement bilateral cooperation mechanisms and signed high-level agreements and documents, and soon build an action plan for 2024 - 2028 that suits the new context.

They also concurred in working together to raise the bilateral trade to $15 billion and even $18 billion by 2028, facilitate and encourage the two countries businesses to invest in each others markets, and expand cooperation to new areas such as artificial intelligence, digital economy, green economy, renewable energy, and electric vehicle (EV) and EV battery ecosystem.

The two sides would also expand cooperation programmes within the framework of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), enhance ties in the Halal industry, boost connections in ensuring food security, and promote the signing of a deal on rice trading.

PM Chinh and President Widodo affirmed that Viet Nam and Indonesia would foster ties in other important fields such as defence, security, maritime affairs, the settlement of common sea-related challenges, fisheries, and the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The two countries would also step up education - training cooperation, increase direct commercial flights, and promote people-to-people exchanges and locality-to-locality cooperation.

At the meeting, the two leaders also discussed some regional issues of shared concern. They agreed to continue the coordination with and support for each other at multilateral organisations; enhance collaboration to strengthen ASEANs solidarity, centrality, and common viewpoint on regional security issues, including the East Sea (known internationally as the South China Sea) matter; and support Laos to fulfil the role of the ASEAN Chair in 2024.

PM Chinh invited Indonesia to send senior representatives to and support Viet Nam to successfully host the ASEAN Future Forum on fast, sustainable, and people-centred development in 2024 to help build a resilient and sustainable ASEAN community. VNA/VNS
HA NOI  Farmers in Luan Van Village in the central province of Thanh Hoa are busy harvesting pomelos, an integral part of the traditional Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday feast.

Luan Van pomelos were dubbed "regal fruits" during the Hau Le Dynasty era when they were regularly presented as a tribute to the kings.

One characteristic that sets them apart from other varieties is their striking red color, which envelopes not only the peel but also the flesh.

The color has elevated the pomelo to the status of "fruits of luck and prosperity," linking them in the popular imagination with an auspicious start to the Lunar New Year.

Nguyen Van Tu, a farmer in the village who has more than 1,000 pomelo trees in his orchard, anticipates, thanks to the good weather, a bountiful harvest that promises to yield over 10,000 of the fruits.

They were only expected to ripen by the 12th lunar month but traders have been flocking to his orchard since the 10th month to pay an advance.

With a fruit expected to fetch VN85,000-100,000 (US$3.5-$4.1), the orchard could earn up to VN900 million ($37,000).

Close to it is an orchard belonging to Phan Van Thanh, where too the pomelos are ripening. Despite only taking to agriculture recently, he has already had 130 plants with around 2,400 pomelos ready to be picked.

He said the days leading to the 12th month were a tough time for his family since pomelos are prone to falling off the trees then. His family had to work round the clock to ensure they stayed in the trees until traders came to collect them.

"If the pomelos fall on the ground rather than be picked, their prices will diminish considerably."

In Tho Xuong Commune in Tho Xuan District, where the village is situated, many farmers grow pomelo plants, some with thousands of trees and making a small fortune from the fruit.

Nguyen Huu Dung, deputy chairman of the Tho Xuan District People's Committee, said Luan Van pomelo has been recognised as a four-star OCOP product by Thanh Hoa Province.

The Tho Xuan's authority has drafted a scheme to elevate it to five-star OCOP status and sell it in international markets, he said.

The first step in it involves establishing a hub for pomelo farming and integrating technical advancements into the cultivation process there to boost yields and ensure top quality, he said.

The next is to link up pomelo farming with tourism to attract travelers who like visiting orchards and show them how pomelos are grown and offer them fresh fruits, he said.

With the use of cutting-edge farming techniques, each orchard in the hub is expected to yield up to 20,000 fruits per hectare per crop worth VN2 billion ($82,000), he said.

He also said the Tho Xuan District administration had successfully taken pomelo plants with desirable characteristics to other communes and obtained a geographical indication for the fruits several years ago.

Now Luan Van pomelos have made a name for themselves nation-wide and can be found in supermarkets in big cities.

Luan Van pomelos are grown predominantly in Tho Xuong (35ha) and Xuan Bai (20ha) communes. The average yield in the district is around 400 tonnes per crop.  VNS
QUANG NAM  Three days following the military aircraft crash in the central province of Quang Nam, Captain o Tien uc, the aircraft pilot, has recalled the life-and-death moments when his aircraft suffered a sudden loss of control.

Captain uc, leader of Squadron 1, Fighter Squadron 929 of the Air Defence and Air Force Division 372, managed to divert the Su-22 aircraft away from residential areas before safely parachuting out. This action prevented the scattering of debris from the crash and minimised potential human and property damages.

Currently, Captain uc has recovered and continues to undergo health monitoring at Military Hospital 17 of the Military Region 5.

Captain uc recalled at noon on January 9, after completing the routine training flight, he received the order to return to the airport for landing. He was piloting the aircraft, adjusting the spacing with the other planes in the formation for a direct landing at a Nang Airport.

However, during the landing approach, a malfunction occurred, preventing the plane from landing. He immediately reported to the flight command.

After multiple checks on engine parameters and continuous reporting, he determined it was unsafe to land and decided to eject.

Captain uc quickly observed the densely populated residential area ahead and the open fields and less-crowded area on his left. The aircraft's altitude and speed were decreasing.

Following the command to avoid the densely populated area, he steered the plane to the left. While continuously reporting and checking parameters, Captain uc tried to maintain altitude and slow down the speed to minimise the impact with the ground and avoid scattering debris upon landing.

As the altitude and speed approached the limits for parachute ejection, Captain uc made his decision to parachute out.

The entire incident took less than 30 seconds, and any delay in ejecting could have posed a danger to the pilot's life.

With his 15 years of flying experience, Captain uc knew this situation was extremely dangerous.

"I knew that ejecting earlier would be safer, but at that moment, my concern was not for myself but ensuring the safety of the people below, he said.

After a successful parachute landing, I still worried about the possibility of the debris scattering and hurting people or causing damage. It was only about 20 minutes later, after hearing the local chairman announce there were no casualties, that I felt relieved," he shared.

A touching moment for the pilot was when he was still dazed after landing, an elderly woman rushed in to inquire about his well-being. After finding no injuries, the woman finally felt reassured.

Captain uc said ien Ban Town used to be a revolutionary base, so local people had a special bond with the soldiers.

Colonel Le Tuan Nghia, the commander of Fighter Squadron 929, the Air Defence and Air Force Division 372, recalled that before the incident occurred, the flight command reminded the pilot to remain calm and check engine parameters and related systems.

After grasping all the parameters, the flight command assisted the pilot in executing the emergency procedures according to the pilot's manual.

When the pilot followed all the steps but couldn't restore the engine and systems to working condition, the flight command ordered the pilot to steer towards an open area without residents and perform the ejection.

Colonel Nghia also said that after the incident, the squadron coordinated with military forces and local authorities to secure the crash site. The unit assessed the damages to local people and developed a plan to rectify the consequences.

As of now, the unit is repairing homes affected by the incident.

Captain uc ejected at a location approximately 19 km south of the runway in ien Nam Trung Commune, ien Ban Town in Quang Nam Province.

Debris scattered in the area, causing damage to a nearby house, with a resident nearby sustaining minor injuries from flying debris. He received treatment at Vinh uc General Hospital.

The Air Defence and Air Force Command has directed relevant agencies to collaborate with local authorities to continue the investigation.  VNS
Vietcombank's non-performing loan (NPL) ratio was kept at 0.97 per cent, and pre-tax profit was on target at around $1.8 billion. The bank paid $472.5 million into the state coffers last year.

Another lender reporting figures in the billion-dollar range for 2023 is the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam, (BIDV) which saw a healthy profit of $1.12 billion last year, up 18.6 per cent on-year. The banks total asset value came to $95.3 billion last year, as it remains Vietnams largest bank in the asset scale. Last year, BIDV posted $79.7 billion in total deposit volume, up 16.5 per cent on-year, and outstanding balances reached $73.8 billion, surging 16.6 per cent on-year.

Strong credit growth in the last quarter of 2023 might not yet translate into last year's figures, but should contribute to the profit picture in 2024.

For its part, Agribank reported $84.38 billion in total asset value and capital sources exceeded $79.3 billion for last year.

Its total deposit volume approximated $65 billion, with over 65 per cent earmarked for agricultural and rural development targets. The bank kept bad debt ratio at below 2 per cent, meanwhile its pre-tax profit exceeded $1.06 billion, setting a record.

Another major lender, VietinBank, reported an outstanding balance of $63.29 billion, up 15 per cent on-year. Credit quality also improved markedly as the bank kept its bad-debt ratio at 1.15 per cent, putting it in the group of banks with low non-performing loans ratios.

VietinBank's deposit volume surged 13.7 per cent on-year for 2023, in which demand deposit accounted for 27 per cent. At the bank's recent 2023 summary meeting on January 6, the bank's executives said they had reached their full-year profit target of nearly $950 million.

Meanwhile, southern lender Sacombank announced it achieved $28 billion in the asset scale, with income-generating assets accounting for over 90 per cent of the total. Its estimated consolidated pre-tax profit soared 50 per cent on-year to over $400 million, reaching the years projection.

Despite these encouraging results, banks are still cautious about setting 2024 targets in the face of the current uncertainties.

BIDV is aiming for a 14 per cent hike in the outstanding balance, as opposed to the 16.6 per cent hike seen last year, commensurate with the credit limit being assigned by the government. The bank's bad debt ratio is set to be equal or lower than 1.4 per cent, while the profit target has yet to be set.

Vietcombank expects to see nearly $2 billion in profit for 2024, up 10 per cent on-year; with total asset value and deposit volume surging 8 per cent and 12 per cent respectively by the year-end. Its bad debt ratio is set to be contained at below 1.5 per cent. Early this year, the bank was assigned a credit growth target at 16 per cent, higher than the sector average growth at 15 per cent.

Meanwhile, Sacombank envisages raising financial capacity and manpower quality, along with pushing up digital bank operations and heightening risk management, from there consolidating internal resources to reach new targets.

In its 2024 prospect report, Mirae Asset Vietnam JSC points out a raft of factors for the banking sectors rosier performance in 2024, including anticipated global and domestic economic rebound and surging credit, lower system risk, augmenting demand deposit flow, net income margin bottoming out, and a more positive profit picture.

Some analysts have assessed that the strong credit growth in the last quarter of 2023 might not yet translate into last year's figures, but should contribute to the profit picture in 2024.

Vietnam's manufacturing expected to grow in 2024 Thanks to hopes for a recovery in demand both domestically and in export markets, plus business expansion plans, manufacturing is forecast to increase this year, according to S&P Global.

A strategy fit for success to ensure 2024 targets are met Vietnams economy grew at a lower-than-expected rate in 2023. Shantanu Chakraborty, Vietnam country director for the Asian Development Bank, talked with VIRs Thanh Tung about how the economy has performed and key impetuses for the next 12 months.
In 2024, businesses in Vietnam will have to grapple with how they can weave AI into their organisations effectively, whilst taking advantage of other emerging trends impacting the business landscape. There are some of the key business and technology trends that will open a new chapter for Vietnamese companies and the ways they can embrace them.

Bee Kheng, president of Cisco ASEAN

AI will move from a nice-to-have to a must-have technology

The AI industry, expected to grow from $95.6 billion to $1.8 trillion by 2030, will be one of the main drivers of the global economy over the next decade. But companies are not yet fully ready to take advantage of this opportunity.

Ciscos inaugural AI Readiness Index has found that only 27 per cent of organisations in Vietnam are fully prepared to deploy and leverage AI, with 84 per cent admitting severe concerns about the impact on business if they fail to act in the next 12 months.

The good news is that there is urgency to embrace AI and most companies have taken the first step. Almost all (99 per cent) organisations reported their companys urgency to deploy AI-powered technologies has increased in the past six months. Ninety-nine per cent of organisations already have a robust AI strategy in place or are in the process of developing one.

However, considerable gaps exist across other key business pillars like infrastructure, data, governance, talent, and culture. As we welcome 2024 and the next waves of AI revolution, Vietnamese companies will need to wrestle with how to address AI across their organisations, not just from a technology perspective, but also among the humans who are ready, or not, to use that technology.

A movement for responsible, ethical AI will begin

AI promises transformative benefits but navigating its adoption is fraught with risks that demand organisations to have a strong framework of policies and protocols in place so as to guide the ethical and responsible management of data and AI systems.

While most organisations recognise the importance of AI governance, there is still room for improvement. Data privacy is a key risk, with only 35 per cent of respondents saying they have highly comprehensive AI policies and protocols in place. Bias is another, with less than a quarter (21 per cent) of organisations not having systematic mechanisms to detect data biases.

As AIs impact grows, regulatory frameworks will continue to evolve, making it imperative for companies to stay updated on relevant local and international regulations and deploy timely, internal policies that address data privacy and security, and the responsible and ethical use of AI technology.

This includes implementing robust cybersecurity measures that consider potential vulnerabilities introduced by AI systems and continuous training and upskilling to ensure employees remain competent to handle risks. Companies building AI applications will have to think about embedding security, privacy, and trust by design processes throughout their innovation lifecycle and its application in products, services, and enterprise operations.

A new era of intuitive network infrastructure will emerge

As companies continue to capitalise on emerging technologies like AI to deliver their business outcomes, their digital infrastructure will play a more important role than they think. Building a modern and intelligent network will become an important part of companies growth as the scalability and integration of their networks with AI workloads or emerging technology could be the single differentiator in their success in leveraging AI and innovation.

Companies will realise the need for integrated security platforms that can provide end-to-end visibility for their organisations, especially when cybersecurity is becoming more complex in a multi-application and multi-cloud environment, and as employees work from different locations, use multiple connections, and access information across diverse platforms.

At the core, the network will play a crucial role in providing broad and deep visibility into every user, device, or entity that flows through the enterprise. This in turn allows it to be the sole control point to detect and remediate security threats and enforce security policies to contain the lateral movements of threats across the network and minimise the time needed to isolate threats when detected.

2024 will be a year of climate reckoning

With 2023 likely the hottest year on record, there is a critical need to limit the temperature rise to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius to avoid catastrophic changes to the climate. As we get closer to that milestone, it will be increasingly clear that public-private partnerships are essential in creating a consistent and accurate way to measure progress, both within countries and industries and globally.

The demand for mandatory reporting will be a growing conversation as regulatory bodies step in to turn plans into concrete outcomes. Companies will face pressure to make progress on their sustainability journeys, with technology playing an important role in providing visibility and insights from the data centre to company premises to help them accurately measure their emissions and put together plans to create smart buildings and intelligent workspaces.

Receptiveness to change will remain core to success

As companies in Vietnam continue their digitalisation journeys, they must ensure that their talents keep pace with growth. While the technology industry continues to blossom, there remains a shortage of tech talent and demand is high. This presents a window of opportunity for organisations to develop future-ready tech professionals who are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skill sets to adapt to the evolving technology landscape.

This is where skills-to-job programmes like Cisco Networking Academy can help bridge the current tech talent gap. The programme has partnered with higher learning institutions to equip over 74,000 students in Vietnam with highly sought-after industry skills like cybersecurity, data science, and networking. It also aims to train 6.7 million people in Asia-Pacific in digital and cybersecurity skills by 2032.

Apart from cultivating a pipeline of talent, organisations also need to ensure that they foster the right culture that is rooted in purpose. We have seen first-hand how this has helped teams stay connected to each other and the company as they navigate a complex macroeconomic environment. This also helps to build stakeholder support and receptivity towards change as companies adapt to an ever-changing world.

AI can reshape Vietnams payment landscape Vietnam's payment landscape is set to undergo significant transformation through the use of generative AI, according to Visa.

ASEAN, Japan to beef up AI, cybersecurity cooperation The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Japan are planning to work together on cybersecurity and systems for managing and operating artificial intelligence (AI), based on a draft plan on deepening their relationship.

Vietnam keeping pace with worlds AI development: expert With the development of several language models designed specifically for Vietnamese users like PhoGPT, Vietnam has caught up with the worlds AI trend, an expert from VinAI under Vingroup conglomerate said on December 19.

Thailand promotes AI application The Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry of Thailand has outlined its quick wins AI & cloud policy to promote artificial intelligence (AI) adoption and support domestic AI technology providers.
In a statement released on January 11, AmCham Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City said that RamC had previooulsy held global and regional roles in Citis Banking, Capital Markets and Advisory business, based in London.

I am honoured to serve as chairman for 2024 and greatly appreciate the confidence and support of my fellow governors. I have now had the privilege of being on the board of two chapters of AmCham Vietnam, in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, for three consecutive years between 2022 and 2024. I look forward to forging a national effort, with all chapters of AmCham in Vietnam serving as one voice on behalf of American business, and to advocate for policies and regulations that facilitate sustainable growth across all sectors, RamC said.

RamC has 29 years of corporate banking experience with Citi across multiple functions. Through his extensive travels to 37 countries across Asia, Europe, Africa, and Latin America, RamC has gained invaluable insight into industry trends, market dynamics, and international best practices. His unique experience with the largest multinational companies in the world enables him to advocate policies, frameworks, and regulations that foster healthy, sustainable growth.

Also on this occasion, AmCham Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City elected Winnie Wong, country manager for Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, Mastercard, and Michael Nguyen, member of the Global Advisory Board for Fulbright University Vietnam, country committee chairman for the US - ASEAN Business Council, and country director for Boeing Vietnam, as vice chairs.

Ace Wilson, CFO, Intel Products Vietnam, has been selected as treasurer, and Leonardo Garcia, general manager, Coca-Cola Vietnam and Cambodia, is in as secretary.

Rockhold elected chairman of AmCham Vietnam for 2022 The board of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham Hanoi) elected John Rockhold as its new chairman for 2022. He succeeds Bay Global Strategies Virginia Foote who held the post in 2020 and 2021.
The factory, also known as the CPV Food Complex, has been a beacon of success since its establishment in late 2020. Last year marked a significant milestone, with export volumes tripling compared to those in 2021 with help from exports to Japan, Hong Kong, Laos, and Cambodia.

These accomplishments have played a pivotal role in bolstering the economic growth of Binh Phuoc Province and enhancing the quality of life for its residents.

With over 30 years of experience in the food industry and utilising state-of-the-art production processes, CPV has been a trailblazer in implementing the closed-breeding production model in Vietnam, commonly referred to as the 3F model: Feed - Farm - Food. This commitment aligns with CPV's business philosophy to 'Bring fresh, clean, safe products from farm to table for all Vietnamese families'.

Wirat Wongpornpakdee, senior vice president of CPV, said, Our vision is to become the 'kitchen of the world'. We aim to infuse each product with care to ensure quality from farm to table, thereby positioning Vietnam on the global map of branded poultry meat exports.

To realise this vision, CPV has gleaned insights from advanced markets, equipped our factories with cutting-edge technologies, and met stringent criteria from high-end import markets. We are capable of tailoring our products to meet the specific requirements of each market, he added.

Launched with a substantial investment of $250 million, the CPV Food Complex in Binh Phuoc has made a significant impact on Vietnam's livestock industry, elevating it to international standards.

The factory adheres to 100-per-cent traceability across its entire supply chain, from raw-material sourcing to processed products. It also implements comprehensive environmental and animal-welfare solutions, meeting the stringent criteria set by developed countries.

As of last year, the factory in Binh Phuoc boasts an impressive output of 50 million broilers and 19,200 tonnes of processed chicken annually.

In the face of economic challenges, the sustainable 3F Plus model offers CPV the advantage of optimising input costs, reducing expenses, and providing support to farmers and the livestock industry to maintain stable operations.

Additionally, CPV is establishing a sustainable 3F Plus foundation. Since its inception in Vietnam in 1988, CPV has systematically invested in animal-feed factories, employing modern equipment and technological solutions. This approach ensures the provision of nutrition that is clean, safe, and free from harmful substances.

As a result, its animal feed is consistently of high quality, enhancing the food metabolism efficiency of animals and minimising environmental pollution. Furthermore, raw-material growing areas are strictly monitored via the latest technology and the automatic production process is overseen to guarantee product quality.

Binh Phuoc is currently home to six livestock farms that have been developed on an industrial scale. Livestock is housed in closed farm conditions with air conditioning to prevent disease. This farm system has been recognised by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) as Vietnam's first disease-free zone.

Through a comprehensive control process, foods are produced using modern machinery to deliver high-quality products that ensure hygiene and safety for consumers.

CPV emphasises sustainable development, traceability of the entire supply chain from input to output, and environmental friendliness. These efforts contribute to waste and food-loss prevention and the development of sustainable food production agriculture for a sustainable future.

CPV Food entering new frontiers Among very few companies to successfully take processed chicken to the Japanese market, C.P. Vietnam is opening up a promising land for the local poultry industry.

C.P. Vietnam supports Sustainable Food Forum 2023 C.P. Vietnam Corporation was a prominent participant at the Sustainable Food Forum and the Ceremony Honouring Initiatives and Efforts in Sustainable Food Development, an event dedicated to fostering sustainable transformation within the food industry.
To enable commercialisation, two critical factors are licensing and infrastructure. To support the government in realising this goal, the amended Law on Telecommunications was endorsed by the National Assembly in November and is set to take effect from July 1. Several provisions within the amended law are designed to bolster the 5G networks commercialisation goals.

Vu Thanh Minh, Partner, LNT & Partners

Telecommunications licensing has been restructured into three forms: individual licences, group licences, and registration. The criteria for individual licences are specific and stringent, requiring careful business planning and deployment because this form applies to cases where businesses have infrastructure using radio frequency or infrastructure in areas with special requirements. For 5G, these regulations help optimise the use of frequencies, infrastructure, and ensure service quality.

For group licences and registration applying to other cases, such restructuring helps reduce administrative procedures, saving time and costs for businesses, reducing the burden on most businesses looking to enter the telecommunications sector in general and 5G network business in particular.

One of the fundamental differences between 5G and older generations is that 5G networks use higher frequency bands (from 1GHz to tens of GHz). Licensing and approval for accessing high-frequency bands are, therefore, keys to developing 5G networks.

The amended Law on Radio Frequency in 2022 has addressed this issue by regulating new licences for the use of high-value commercial frequency bands mainly through bidding and, in some cases, selection or in-person/reissue. This has successfully addressed the bandwidth bottleneck in the roadmap for commercialising the 5G network. In addition, to fulfil the requirements of 5G network commercialisation, the number of BTS stations is expected to double the current count at least.

However, relying solely on telecommunications service providers to secure investment capital for 5G network infrastructure development poses a significant challenge for these businesses. This potential obstacle could hinder achieving the 5G network commercialisation goal.

In order to alleviate this concern and reduce the pressure on developing new BTS towers and related infrastructure, the amended law introduces more specific regulations on sharing telecommunications infrastructure and the planning of inactive telecommunications technical infrastructure.

Previously, the telecommunications law only addressed the obligation to share facilities between telecommunications businesses. A decade-old decree covered regulations on the common use of technical infrastructure in urban areas, including antenna masts, cable poles, technical trenches and tunnels, and roads and bridges.

However, the amended telecommunications law extends the obligation to share infrastructure beyond telecommunications businesses, including defence and security agencies. To ensure implementation, the amended law also introduces methods for determining prices and outlines the responsibility of government authorities in deciding contractual terms if the parties cannot reach an agreement on the terms of the sharing contract.

In addition, Article 65 emphasises the importance and mandatory nature of inactive telecommunications infrastructure. Regulations on the construction of works on public property are being added, along with mechanisms to ensure implementation and sustainability. Residential buildings, public works, and industrial clusters must have a design for the construction of inactive infrastructure, design for installation of cable systems, and transmission systems to ensure at least two telecoms businesses can provide services in these areas.

Vietnam seeks 5G investment increase from Apple Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong held strategic meetings with Apple's CEO Tim Cook on November 15 during his visit to the US for the 2023 APEC High-Level Week.

2024 breakthrough demanded for 5G While concerns remain in the newly adopted amended Law on Telecommunications, positive signals for 5G commercialisation are expecting to bring new opportunities to businesses.
As it finalises the draft hydrogen production strategy and implements offshore wind power and gas power projects, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) will shortly submit a report to the government and present its findings to the appropriate authorities for evaluation.

Offshore wind power, hydrogen, and gas power awaiting policies, source:freepik.com

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien stated at a December 25 meeting that the strategy, which outlines the execution of gas power and offshore wind power projects in accordance with Power Development Plan VIII, has issues surrounding gas power and offshore wind energy initiatives that need to be examined and addressed promptly and simultaneously, from strategies to policy mechanisms.

Gas power and offshore wind are two crucial energy sources for ensuring national energy security and advancing the energy transition process in Vietnam, Minister Dien said.

In addition, the hydrogen development strategy serves as a political orientation and a critical strategy, providing a foundation for the establishment of robust policy mechanisms and facilitating the practical implementation of hydrogen production activities in Vietnam. This not only addresses the demands of the energy transition but also fosters economic progress, he added.

As stated in a report by the Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority under the MoIT, the execution of gas power and offshore wind power projects in time for commissioning prior to 2030 is a formidable task that demands the involvement of capable authorities and close collaboration among pertinent entities.

Such efforts also serve to safeguard national energy security and facilitate the realisation of Vietnams commitment to carbon neutrality.

This report details the investor selection, feasibility study preparation, power purchase contract negotiations, loan arrangement, and execution of engineering, procurement, and construction contracts involved in the execution of gas power projects. The entire process takes approximately 7-8 years.

Pham Van Phong, general director of PetroVietnam Gas (PV Gas), states that the inadequate infrastructure for importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) could impede the advancement of gas power projects and hinder the achievement of objectives outlined in the PDP8.

The absence of a financial policy, a mechanism to guarantee electricity output coverage, or a mechanism to convert petrol prices to electricity prices in Vietnam have rendered investment projects incapable of ascertaining their capacity to recuperate capital, organising capital, and determining the quantity of LNG imports required to secure competitive petrol prices for electricity production contracts, said Phong.

Vietnam has a single LNG storage facility at present, according to the general director of PV Gas. PV Gas has successfully concluded and is prepared to supply regasified LNG to consumers in the Southeast region from its import port in the Thi Vai area of the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Phong added.

Other port terminals, such as those situated in import ports that are slated to be incorporated into LNG thermal power initiatives, are confronted with a multitude of challenges and concerns. These encompass technical conditions as well as regulatory issues.

Phong further underscored that neglecting the integration of LNG import infrastructure with power plants would result in suboptimal resource utilisation, diminished investment efficiency, and inefficient use of Vietnams seaport resources.

Le Manh Hung, chairman of PetroVietnam, asserted that at present, all domains associated with the PDP8 implementation fall under PetroVietnams purview, with the exception of hydrogen. Nevertheless, investors face significant hazards in gas power and offshore wind power due to the absence of appropriate policies. However, the lack of mechanisms, policies, and planning, as well as the absence of a location and management agency responsible for approving such projects, pose a significant obstacle, he said.

Experts in energy and economics concur that international obligations must be carried out expeditiously and that policies and work attitudes must be revised accordingly. The integration of hydrogen production strategies, gas power implementation, and offshore wind power initiatives into the broader national energy strategy is imperative.

Offshore developers frustrated at lack of pilot policy There is still currently no legal avenue for foreign or domestic investors to take on offshore wind power pilots in Vietnam.

Answers sought for offshore wind gains Vietnamese authorities are being urged to contemplate strategies to advance offshore wind energy development.
At the start of the year, the prime minister received a report from the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) outlining a proposition to establish a novel pricing structure for electricity generation utilising solid waste and biomass power projects.

The feed-in tariff mechanism is presently being utilised to incentivise investors, Le Toan

The proposed framework would encompass all forms of electricity generated from solid waste and electricity generated through biomass. Vietnam Electricity and the project investors will negotiate prices and enter into power purchase agreements (PPAs) based on the price framework established by MoIT, as stipulated in this proposal.

The primary rationale for MoITs proposal to discontinue the preferential price mechanism for biomass electricity and solid waste is technological advancement. The tariff for biomass electricity ranges from 7.03 to 8.47 US cents per kWh, contingent upon the presence or absence of co-generation in the project. The tariff for solid waste electricity is from 7.28 to 10.05 US cents per kWh.

The MoIT believes that, like other power plants in the system, the electricity price of these plants should be determined through negotiations between electricity buyers and sellers based on the input parameters of the plant. The negotiated pricing falls within the MoIT-issued price range.

Despite MoITs assurance that business investment will remain assured for projects that have previously entered into PPAs in accordance with the Law on Investment 2020, numerous investors remain apprehensive that the revised price will impede capital recovery and new investments. Vietnam had 23 biomass and solid refuse power facilities with a combined capacity of over 523MW as of six months ago.

Despite the extremely positive outlook, many sugar companies are not interested in developing co-generation thermal power projects from bagasse, said Vo Thanh Dang, general director of Quang Ngai Sugar JSC. This is despite the fact that many businesses have calculated their investments.

A suitable electricity purchase price, in his opinion, will encourage the construction of heat-power co-generation facilities in the sugar industry, as companies will be able to utilise a portion of the generated electricity for sugar production and transfer the remainder to the national grid.

High investment capital costs are an additional barrier for biomass and refuse power. Moreover, policies that incentivise the purchase of electricity are not conducive to biomass power, and there is currently no mechanism in place to exchange certificates pertaining to the reduction of CO2 and greenhouse gas emissions.

Energy analysts are of the opinion that the governments policies for waste incineration and gas recovery facilities are unattractive and do not provide new advantages. The costs associated with developing biomass power remain significantly elevated in comparison to alternative renewable sources like wind and solar.

The feed-in tariff (FiT) mechanism is presently being utilised to incentivise investors to contribute cash flow towards the development of biomass power projects. However, for tech that is not co-generation, Vietnams FiT costs only 8.47 US cents per kWh, which is less than many other nations, including Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines.

Numerous hazards will render financing challenges for banks in the presence of low preferential pricing. Insufficient leverage on the financial market discourages banks from extending capital if the FiT is not exceptionally favourable.

Vice president of the Vietnam Energy Association Nguyen Van Vy stated, Achieving investment efficiency becomes a challenging task if the facility operates for a mere few months per year. The generation of biomass energy from sugarcane bagasse is seasonal for approximately 3-6 months and relies on the output of basic materials. Basic material depletion often forces power facilities to cease operations.

In order to maintain year-round operations, the unified implementation of prices will incentivise co-generation biomass power plants at sugar mills to substitute sugarcane bagasse for fuel, Vy added. Additionally, this approach facilitates investment efficiency and improves projects access to credit.

New feed-in tariff advocated for biomass energy bonanza Although the Vietnamese government hoped for deeper biomass energy investment through a previously-introduced feed-in tariff, some experts advise that a new one must be coupled with other legal incentives to ensure a more significant share in the countrys energy mix.

Biomass boost to fuel power evolution Although the Vietnamese government has introduced policies to promote the development of biomass power, results so far remain modest, leaving insiders to ponder what is hindering the development of this type of energy.

Co-generation technology could act as solution to help balance power supply While biomass energy from sugarcane and other agricultural by-products has proven to be financially rewarding and environmentally useful, smaller companies remain discouraged to participate.
There are plenty of huge projects trying to take off this decade, but some of the processes are not simple, Photo: Le Toan

Last week, Quang Tri Department of Planning and Investment said that it had sent a document to the local Peoples Committee seeking opinions on the proposal of two foreign companies to contribute capital to two solar power projects in the central province.

The companies, Taiwans Shinfox Energy and Singapores Camellia Energy, want to invest $5.2 million each in Gio Thanh Energy JSC, the investor of 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 Energys charter capital if the proposal is approved.

In December, Sembcorp Solar Vietnam proposed to contribute capital and purchase shares of five projects in the same province. The company is willing to spend $29 million to take over Huong Phung Wind Power Company, the owner of the Huong Phung 2/3 plants, and buy out Gelex Quang Tri Energy Company, which owns Gelex 1-3 plants, for nearly $52 million.

The previous month, Khe Sanh Wind Power JSC, the investor behind the Amaccao Quang Tri 1 wind farm project, also proposed to transfer a 50 per cent stake to a Chinese investor.

A merger and acquisition broker in the renewable energy field told VIR, Many investors are keen on buying clean energy projects with a clear feed-in tariff (FiT). They are willing to pay over $2 million per megawatt for wind power projects in operation which enjoy the announced FiT scheme. Meanwhile, investors can spend around the same to buy projects with documents, despite not taking advantage of an FiT.

Many wind power initiatives are racing to sell electricity by the end of 2025 to enjoy an attractive FiT of 6.95 US cents/kWh, signalling that billions of US dollars are awaiting to flow into the renewable energy sector. However, investors are still waiting for new developments of the direct power purchase agreement (DPPA) mechanism.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) noted that of the 95 wind power and solar power projects with a capacity of 30MW or more, 24 projects with a combined capacity of 1,770MW have expressed interest in participating in a pilot scheme for a DPPA in Vietnam. An additional 17 projects, totalling 2,830MW, are considering their eligibility and capability to secure contracts with large electricity consumers.

However, 26 projects have opted out of the DPPA pilot. The MoIT is accelerating the development of the DPPA mechanism to woo investment in renewable energy.

Last month, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners announced the launch of its Growth Markets Fund II, with a target size of $3 billion. This will enable more than 10GW of new renewable energy capacity.

Vietnam is one of the key focus markets for the fund, with a pipeline of renewable energy projects such as the La Gan offshore wind project, set to be completed in 2030 off the coast of Binh Thuan province.

In addition, Enterprize Energy has been present in Vietnam for the past 4-5 years to seek opportunities to develop offshore wind power. Among them, the group is investing in the Thang Long offshore wind project. It comprises Thang Long Wind with a capacity of 3,400MW and investment of $11.9 billion, and Thang Long Wind 2 with 2,000MW capacity and costing $5 billion.

Likewise, Sembcorp Utilities (SCU) and PetroVietnam Technical Services Corporation are jointly exploring the development of offshore wind farms in Vietnam for the export of electricity to Singapore. Last October, Singapores energy regulator granted conditional approval to SCU to import 1.2GW of low carbon electricity from Vietnam to Singapore.

However, there are numerous barriers for offshore wind power projects like these to take off. According to Ernst & Young Vietnam, there are around 20 different risks for developers and lenders involved in offshore wind power project development in Vietnam. They include risks associated with legal permits and approvals, site selection, wind resources, technical design, financing, construction risk, and many more.

The MoIT believes that offshore wind power projects need to be included in the list of important national projects with special policy mechanism. Meanwhile, the ministry also wants a resolution issued to remove legal obstacles for offshore wind power projects in alignment with the Power Development Plan VIII.

Meanwhile, after three years of negotiation, PetroVietnam Power Corporation (PV Power) is making progress on the PPA for the Nhon Trach 3&4 liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plants. However, PV Power faces hurdles with the negotiations on electricity prices and annual power offtake commitments.

In late December, Vietnam Electricity (EVN) completed the price frame for the LNG gas power projects and sent it to the MoITs Electricity Regulatory Authority for consideration. This price frame will have to be updated in 2024.

Previously, PV Power proposed 80-90 per cent of annual power offtake within 15 years from the date of commercial operation. However, the current regulation requests the mobilised contracted volume (MCV) of power plants are between 60 and 100 per cent of average long-term power output. PV Power proposed the MCV to be over 70 per cent. However, PV Power and EVN have not agreed on the long-term MCV power output, so it will be difficult to determine the volume of LNG purchase and capital arrangement.

EVN is now worried about the low load demand in reality. However, it still has to buy electricity at high prices due to commitments under the PPA, which will lead to an increase in its electricity purchase costs.

$3 billion fund launched for renewables projects in emerging markets Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) announced the launch of the Growth Markets Fund II (GMF) on December 4 during COP28 in Dubai.
The report pointed out that there are some key factors contributing to Vietnam's appeal to overseas investors.

Firstly, wages are lower than those in China, but the quality of the workforce is comparable, according to surveys by the Japan External Trade Organization.

Vietnam's geographic proximity to Asia's high-tech industry supply chains is another major benefit, as is the nation's position among the friendshoring cohort of countries that are at low risk of having tariffs imposed on their exports to the US.

Last year, Vietnam's FDI story kept improving. The United States and Vietnam raised their diplomatic relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, further cementing Vietnam's position in the US' friendshoring orbit.

Furthermore, Xi Jinping came to the country three months after Joe Biden, making Vietnam the only nation in Asia Xi visited last year, and the only one to host both Biden and Xi.

Michael Kokalari, chief economist of VinaCapital said, "This illustrates Vietnam's unique position in the world's evolving geopolitical landscape, which benefits investors because multinational companies that set up a factory in Vietnam need not worry about being able to sell their products in the US market nor their ability to access production inputs from China since Vietnam is being actively courted by both countries."

The International Monetary Fund, Atlantic Council, and others have highlighted that geopolitics is becoming an increasingly important factor in how companies decide which countries to invest in.

Apple's announcement that it will move some of its research and development activities to Vietnam for the first time follows its 2022 decision to start making the Apple Watch in Vietnam, which is a particularly complicated product to manufacture. The transition from assembling products to designing them is a further step up in the complexity of the activities the company conducts in Vietnam.

The single most powerful growth driver for a country like Vietnam is an increase in the complexity of the products and services it can produce, according to research from Harvard.

VinaCapital's economists believe Apple's latest move is a step  albeit a modest one  towards the development of a semiconductor industry in Vietnam, which is currently the subject of considerable discussion among executives from leading US and Taiwanese firms such as Nvidia.

The main caveat to all the positive points above is that Vietnam needs to accelerate infrastructure development to maximise high-quality FDI inflows. Its transportation and logistics infrastructure urgently needs to be upgraded, and foreign-led companies have concerns about the nation's ability to reliably supply electricity to industrial users  following last summer's power outages in the North.

Global minimum tax is not seen as a risk to Vietnam's FDI inflows. The primary reason is that tax incentives are not the main motivation for multinational companies to invest in one developing country versus another, according to research by the World Bank. These corporations consider a wide range of factors such as wages, the quality of the workforce, the quality of infrastructure, and the ease of doing business when deciding where to invest.

Vietnam will remain FDI magnet with global minimum tax in place On November 29, the National Assembly of Vietnam approved a resolution on applying additional corporate income tax following the Global Anti-Base Erosion Rules, which is expected to have an impact on foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into Vietnam.

Vietnam to develop initiatives to sustain FDI flows Vietnam will set up a support fund to encourage and lure strategic investors and multi-national groups, making it more attractive in attracting foreign direct investment, as the National Assembly recently approved a resolution on applying additional corporate income tax in accordance with the Global Anti-Base Erosion Rules (global minimum tax).
10th "China in my imagination" children's painting contest held in Mexico City

Xinhua) 13:31, January 12, 2024

This photo taken on Jan. 10, 2024 shows a dance performance in Mexico City, Mexico. The tenth "China in my imagination" children's painting contest held its awarding ceremony and the opening ceremony of an exhibition of the entries on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Li Mengxin)

This photo taken on Jan. 10, 2024 shows a dragon dance performance in Mexico City, Mexico. The tenth "China in my imagination" children's painting contest held its awarding ceremony and the opening ceremony of an exhibition of the entries on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Li Mengxin)

People pose for photos in front of paintings in Mexico City, Mexico, Jan. 10, 2024. The tenth "China in my imagination" children's painting contest held its awarding ceremony and the opening ceremony of an exhibition of the entries on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Li Mengxin)

A girl points at a painting in Mexico City, Mexico, Jan. 10, 2024. The tenth "China in my imagination" children's painting contest held its awarding ceremony and the opening ceremony of an exhibition of the entries on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Li Mengxin)

Zhuang Lixiao (L, front), cultural advisor to Chinese Embassy in Mexico, presents a certificate to a contestant in Mexico City, Mexico, Jan. 10, 2024. The tenth "China in my imagination" children's painting contest held its awarding ceremony and the opening ceremony of an exhibition of the entries on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Li Mengxin)

Children pose for photos in front of paintings in Mexico City, Mexico, Jan. 10, 2024. The tenth "China in my imagination" children's painting contest held its awarding ceremony and the opening ceremony of an exhibition of the entries on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Li Mengxin)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
With the new year comes a newly redesigned FAFSA, the document that flips the switch for student-loan money and even scholarships to help pay for college.

But be prepared for delays when trying to access the form for the 2024-25 school year.

Thats because the Department of Education said the Free Application for Federal Student Aid  as its formally called  will only be available periodically in the first few weeks of the year as part of a soft launch while it tests site performance and form functionality.

We will have planned pauses for site maintenance and to make technical updates as needed to provide you with a better experience, the department said in a Dec. 27 bulletin.

The FAFSA typically is released on Oct. 1, but the Education Department pushed back the launch by three months as part of a significant redesign and streamlining of the form, including fewer questions and easier data exchanges.

Despite the delay, the department said students and families should still have plenty of time to complete and submit the application.

Regardless of your family financial circumstances, anyone who plans to attend college or who is already enrolled should fill out the FAFSA as soon as possible. Money is handed out generally first-come, first-served.

Unfortunately many students fail to file the form because they think they wont qualify for loans, work-study funds, grants and scholarships. Big mistake.

If you do submit your forms during the soft launch, the Education Department said youll receive a confirmation email with preliminary eligibility information. Early filers will not need to refile once the FAFSA site is totally up and running.

The department said it will provide FAFSA eligibility information to your selected schools and states by late January. This will include estimated eligibility for federal Pell Grants, which currently provide students with up to $7,395 that doesnt need to be repaid.

The department said about 610,000 new students from low-income households will be eligible for Pell Grants thanks to changes in student-aid calculations.

Until late January, states wont be able to answer questions about aid eligibility and status. Many states have also changed their own aid processes for scholarships and loans for this year, so check on StudentAid.gov for updates.

What should you do right now?

You will need a so-called FSA ID to submit the FAFSA. The department said each person who submits financial information for the FAFSA, including the student and parents, will need a unique username and password to log in and complete their portion of the form. For identification purposes, parents are now called contributors.

The Education Department also urged filers to check FAFSA.gov for updates on the soft launch, along with Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other social media sites.

In addition, the agency is emailing students who applied for funds last year, reminding them to go through the process again for the new round of financial aid.

Next week: Whats new with the new FAFSA.
GRUNDY CENTER  The Iowa Court of Appeals has upheld the conviction of a Grundy Center man who shot and killed a state trooper at his home after attacking a police officer.

Michael Thomas Lang said he should have been able to claim he acted in self-defense when he shot Sgt. Jim Smith in the chest with a shotgun in April 2021.

Authorities said Lang led a Grundy Center police officer on a chase and then struggled with the officer outside of town. Lang then fled home, culminating in a standoff.

Smith led a team to enter Langs home and detain him, but Lang shot Smith and threatened to kill other officers, taking aim at the driver of an armored vehicle. A tactical team eventually detained Lang following a shootout.

At trial, a judge refused to allow Lang to present a self-defense claim, siding with prosecutors who noted there is no right to use force to resist an arrest.

On appeal, Langs attorney argued he should have been able to claim he was acting in self-defense because law enforcement was using excessive force to the point they were no longer acting in the lawful performance of their duties.

In a decision handed down Wednesday, the Iowa Court of Appeals ruled that Lang couldnt use the excessive force argument because he didnt argue the issue in district court.

Lang is currently serving life in prison for first-degree murder in Smiths death plus an additional 30 years for attempted murder and assault on an officer for attacking other officers.

PHOTOS: Michael Lang trial, May 2022 Lang sentencing Lang sentencing 2 Lang sentencing 3 062722jr-lang-sentencing-7 Lang sentencing 5 062722jr-lang-sentencing-8 Lang sentencing 6 051122jr-lang-trial-12 050922jr-lang-hearing-4 050922jr-lang-hearing-5 050922jr-lang-hearing-3 050922jr-lang-hearing-1 050922jr-lang-hearing-2 051022jr-lang-trial-16 051022jr-lang-trial-15 051022jr-lang-trial-14 051022jr-lang-trial-12 051022jr-lang-trial-2 051022jr-lang-trial-4 051022jr-lang-trial-10 051022jr-lang-trial-11 051122jr-lang-trial-1 051122jr-lang-trial-11 051122jr-lang-trial-14 State Trooper 1 State Trooper 2 State Trooper 4 051222dm-lang-trial-1 051222dm-lang-trial-2 051222dm-lang-trial-3 051222dm-lang-trial-5 060822h-lang-trial-damage
WATERLOO  The decision to allow or deny a new trial for a Denver man accused of killing his friend in a Waterloo house fire is now in the hands of a judge.

Prosecutors allege John Walter Spooner, 60, doused the front porch of 60-year-old Tony Lewis Griders East Second Street home with gasoline and sparked a blaze, trapping Grider in an upstairs bedroom and killing him in August 2022.

A Black Hawk County jury found Spooner guilty of arson in November 2022. He is also awaiting trial for murder.

On Thursday, private fire investigators challenged the states account, claiming their analysis of the scene pointed to the possibility the fatal fire started inside the house  perhaps under a couch in the living room or with an electrical outlet in the same room.

John Lentini, with Forensic Fire Analysis Institute, testified via video link that he tested samples of gasoline found in a gas can Spooner was seen hurling from the porch against samples from the porch deck. Lentini said he compared molecular weights from the two samples and concluded the gas in the can wasnt the same as the gas from the burn site.

Also appearing by video link was Douglas Carpenter of Combustion Science and Engineering Inc., who said he concluded the fire started in the living room, breached a window and spread to the porch where it took off.

Fire Marshal Brock Weliver, who originally investigated the fire for Waterloo Fire Rescue, took the stand for the state to back his findings that the blaze started on the porch.

Weliver said the porch had the heaviest fire damage, leading to his conclusion the fire started there and then worked its way inside.

He said the living room outlet suspected by the defense experts wasnt destroyed by the fire, and there were still parts of the couch that survived the inferno. If the fire had started with the couch, Weliver said, it would be gone.

He said he considered the couch but ruled it out.

Weliver also said the interior of the home had a large fuel load  possessions that could catch fire. But the interior items werent consumed by fire as items on the porch were. Those interior items also included other gas cans, he said.

Weliver also noted Spooner had told police he noticed the fire on the porch and claimed he had tried to extinguish it.

Judge David Odekirk will rule on the issue of a new trial at a later date.

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CEDAR FALLS  Mayor Danny Laudick expects Tuesday to mark the first of many productive meetings about future improvements at College Hill.

The City Council will meet at 5:15 p.m. for a public work session on the subject in the conference room right outside the chambers at City Hall, 220 Clay St.

College Hills revitalization was a hot topic during the months leading up to the November election.

Officials debated the Imagine College Hill vision plan crafted to guide the areas progress. Many have decried the loss in quantity and diversity of businesses on The Hill.

The Tuesday meeting will be the first time Laudick, along with new councilmembers Hannah Crisman, Aaron Hawbaker and Chris Latta, will broach the topic in hopes of reaching consensus with the rest of the council on next steps. They had preliminary conversations during goal-setting sessions last month and in November.

Laudick has said College Hill is part of a larger problem faced by the city  a lack of alignment between leadership about the direction the city is pursuing. Resources were spent on a vision plan the council adopted in May 2021 but not everyone believed in.

Former Mayor Rob Green and five of seven members of the 2021 council are gone. Daryl Kruse, now the longest-serving member, has a drastically different opinion on the document than he did when he was part of the unanimous vote to adopt it.

Much of the dispute centers on how restrictive the vision plan is: Does it lock in form-based zoning requirements if implemented or can the council make changes in the future?

Those concerns led the previous council to rescind the vision plan. Green vetoed that decision, but was overruled by the council.

Its safe to say form-based zoning will come up again Tuesday.

Laudick has said Tuesdays meeting will be informal, allowing councilmembers to air concerns and set priorities.

You can just tell talking to all the councilmembers everyone wants actual time to sit down and work together at a table because you cant really have good constructive conversation at the dais, especially when youre on camera and its televised, Laudick said previously.

A second work session is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. It will focus on the animal control services provided for decades as part of an agreement with the Cedar Valley Humane Society and city of Waterloo.

The current contract was reportedly terminated Thursday because of a proposed 400% increase in cost the city would have to pay and, allegedly, a reduction in services.

Photos: UNI women's basketball vs. Indiana State, Jan. 6
DES MOINES  In his first Condition of the Guard address as adjutant general, Major General Stephen Osborn asked state lawmakers Thursday to expand a scholarship program for Guard members.

Osborn delivered the annual address to a joint session of the Iowa Legislature at the Iowa Capitol. He recently was named adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard after the March retirement of Ben Corell.

The Iowa National Guard Service Scholarship program provides annual scholarships  up to $8,798  to Iowa National Guard members who attend eligible Iowa colleges and universities.

Osborn told state lawmakers he is seeking to modify the scholarship program to expand its reach and create an opportunity for Guard members to receive a postsecondary certificate or competency-based credentials.

Osborn called the scholarship program an incredible benefit for Iowans to gain a college education while serving in the Iowa National Guard.

Osborn said that one of the reasons he joined the military was because of the college benefits, in addition to a history of military service in his family. His grandfather served in World War I and his father in Korea.

Economic development grants awarded

The Enhance Iowa Board awarded nearly $1.8 million in Community Attraction and Tourism grants to four projects. The board, which is a subset of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, awarded:

$1 million to the Crawford County Recreation and Wellness Center in Denison.

$475,000 to a community center in Doon.

$200,000 to the Tatanka Ska Trace trail in Lake Park and Spirit Lake.

$100,000 to a splash pad in Huxley.
Luke Gibbons, 27, who hails from Claremorris, has been named in the Irish Echo Top 40 Under 40 Irish in America 2024. Luke is currently based in Boston, Massachusetts where he is a Fulbright Scholar and Researcher at Harvard Law School. Luke is also a Ph.D. in Law Candidate and Irish Research Council Government of Ireland Scholar at Trinity College Dublin.

The 40 Under 40 Awards is a celebration of Irish and Irish Americans who have distinguished themselves in their respective fields of work before reaching the age of forty. It honours the up and coming personalities of Irish America from every walk of life, and from every part of the nation. The Top 40 Under 40 spotlights the leaders of Irish America from around the nation who work in a variety of fields and occupation.

Gibbons has been included in this prestigious list in recognition of his transatlantic climate research and his endeavours to promote Irish American relations.

Gibbons has been included in this prestigious list in recognition of his transatlantic climate research and his endeavours to promote Irish American relations. Lukes current Fulbright research at Harvard Law School assesses the differences between company directors duties in the United States and Ireland in light of climate change risks to business. His research has been described as both innovative and ground-breaking. This comparative study between the United States and Ireland is a first of its kind. Lukes research will create real change in the world and assist as a piece in the puzzle to tackle the polycentric and globally pervasive issue of climate change. The aim is to provide a generalised standard between the United States and Ireland with regards to how company directors treat climate change risks and in turn foster transatlantic relationships.

In promoting US and Ireland cooperation, Lukes research has led to him meeting several influential individuals and winning notable allies. In October 2023 Luke was invited to Columbia Universitys Institute of Politics event entitled The United Nations Declaration of Human Rights at 75, on the basis of his research links to the human right to a healthy environmental. There he met Former Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Former President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Maria Ressa.

To further promote transatlantic cooperation on this issue Luke has spoken at many notable conferences. He was recently invited to present his work virtually at the Irish Centre for European Law and Environmental Protection Agency Conference at Dublin Castle alongside Mr Justice ODonnell, the Chief Justice of Ireland and Ms Justice Marie Baker, Judge of the Supreme Court of Ireland.

In September 2023, Luke also founded and established the Ireland America Young Professionals Network (IAYPN). After extensive media coverage, IAYPN has grown rapidly and now has 600 members across the United States and Ireland. Luke is the sole founding member of IAYPN which now has a board of 10 individuals all under 40 based between Ireland and the United States. Considering the time demands of his aforementioned research endeavours, this is a remarkable feat which demonstrates Lukes commitment to the Irish community in the United States. Membership is free and open to all particularly: young professionals, recent graduates, and students interested in building transatlantic relationships.

Luke was also a Legislative Fellow in the Office of Congressman Matt Cartwright on Capitol Hill as part of the Washington Ireland Program. The program is extremely competitive with over 1,000 applicants for 30 places. Specifically, in his role Luke worked on a number of key initiatives to promote the special relationship between Ireland and the United States.

Luke travelled to Congressman Cartwrights district (PA-08) to speak to residents who have Irish heritage. This trip included a Meet a Nice Irish Fellow event in Scranton, PA. It was attended by over 100 Irish Americans who came to hear Lukes presentation on current issues in Ireland and how the relationship between the two nations is currently perceived. The event was covered by both WBRE and FOX News. In his interview on both news stations Luke spoke about the need to continue to work on the Irish American relationship and to secure its future through demonstrating its importance to younger generations. During his trip Luke also engaged with Treasurer of the Democratic National Committee Virginia McGregor and outlined the importance of maintaining strong ties between the United States and Ireland.

This is not the first award bestowed upon Gibbons. In 2022 Luke was named as Irish Law Student of the Year 2022 in recognition of his climatic research and JCI Most Outstanding Young Person Under 40 for Academic Leadership and Achievement in Ireland 2021.

The 17th Annual 40 Under 40 Awards will take place on Friday, February 23rd, 2024 at The View at The Battery in New York City.

To see the full list of awardees visit Irish Echo.
Last post update: Okay, done with getting the word out. The main characters have all seen what happened and posting finally the basics. RIP Gonzalo (01/14/2024)

***

If this is true, he didnt just die, he was intentionally murdered and murdered with the consent of a non-caring USA, which he was a citizen of

Updated:

So true what was said above

Update: Murdered by the fact that he had Pneumonia and in both lungs, no care was given, kept in a cell and not hospitalized for a full case of pneumonia. USA never helped and Gonzalo had said it is because Victoria Nuland hated him. Looks like he may have been correct.

We will be updating as info comes out

Update: Tucker Interview of Gonzalos dad

https://twitter.com/TuckerCarlson/status/1733581286256607619

I am sure this will get interesting

Update:

BREAKING: It is with great sadness I must announce that Gonzalo Lira @GonzaloLira1968, passed away in a hospital according to his father, who has been fighting to get his son much-needed medical attention for the past weeks.Here is a hand-written note from Gonzalo which I pic.twitter.com/jY8Mh0xQV3

 Alex Rubinstein (@RealAlexRubi) January 12, 2024

His dad tried to get him help as in medical and no one in the USA Gov cared one damn bit and that is that

Update:

NEW YORK, January 12. /TASS/. Reporter Gonzalo Lira, a citizen of Chile and the US, who was detained by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), has died in prison, US journalist Tucker Carlson said, citing Liras father.

and

Update:

The interview drew concerns from none other than Elon Musk, the SpaceX, Tesla and X CEO. Musk demanded answers on the status of Lira from US President Joe Biden and his Ukrainian counterpart Vladimir Zelensky, and wondered how it was possible that an American citizen is in prison in Ukraine after the US sent over a $100 billion to support Kiev in the conflict with Moscow. It would be a serious problem if it turned out that the journalist was being persecuted for simply criticizing Zelensky, Musk added in December.

***

Yes he was murdered by the USA and Ukraine

Update:

Trump Jr. also denounced the likely lack of reaction to this tragedy in the US media. I would have waited for the outrage of our media, but I know that it will not happen, he lamented. So we are now allowing our foreign welfare recipients like Zelinski to murder our citizens and our journalists???Id wait for the outrage from our media but I know its not coming! https://t.co/L5VbRfHm9R  Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) January 12, 2024

WtR
Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation (11 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 aviation and artillery repelled four counter-attacks launched assault groups of the AFU 32nd Mechanised Brigade close to Sinkovka (Kharkov region).

In addition, strikes were delivered at clusters of manpower and hardware of the AFU 25th airborne and 95th air assault brigades close to Berestovoye (Kharkov region) and Terny (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

Up to 85 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, one Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery system have been eliminated.

In Krasny Liman direction, the Tsentr Group of Forces supported by helicopters, artillery, and heavy flamethrower systems inflicted losses on clusters of manpower and hardware near Serebryansky forestry.

The enemy losses amounted to up to 160 Ukrainian troops, four motor vehicles, as well as one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 22nd, 42nd, and 93th mechanised brigades near Andreyevka and Kleshcheyevka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The total enemy losses in this direction for the day amounted to almost 260 servicemen, two armoured personnel carriers, 15 motor vehicles, as well as D-20 and Msta-B howitzers.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces supported by aviation, artillery, and heavy flamethrowers repelled two attacks launched by units of AFU 72nd mechanised and 58th motorised infantry brigades close to Novomikhailovka and Pavlovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

Up to 145 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, and two Akatsiya self-propelled artillery systems have been eliminated in this direction during the day.

In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery inflicted losses on clusters of manpower and hardware of the 33rd Mechanised Brigade near Rabotino and Verbovoye (Zaporozhye region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 30 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, and three motor vehicles.

In Kherson direction, up to 30 Ukrainian troops, four motor vehicles, as well as one D-20 gun have been neutralised.

Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Group of Forces have engaged two ammunition depots, 119 AFU artillery units, manpower and hardware in 126 areas during the day.

Twenty-nine Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been shot down by anti-aircraft defence forces near Belogorovka, Verkhnekamenka (Lugansk Peoples Republic), Spornoye, Maryinka (Donetsk Peoples Republic), Kamenka-Dnepropetrovskaya (Zaporozhye region). One HIMARS MLRS projectile was intercepted.

In total, 567 airplanes and 265 helicopters, 10,609 unmanned aerial vehicles, 447 air defence missile systems, 14,563 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 1,202 combat vehicles equipped with MRLS, 7,692 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 17,310 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.

Tags:

WtR
The city of Portage has declared a snow emergency and the school district has cancelled all classes on Friday as another winter storm is expected to bring around 7 more inches of snow.

According to the National Weather Service, the snow is to mainly come after 4 a.m. Friday, with 4 to 7 inches expected to fall by 11 p.m. and another 2 to 4 inches to accumulate overnight and into Saturday morning. Less than an inch of snow is expected to fall on Saturday, but temperatures are expected to drop to around -3 degrees by Saturday night and down to around -9 degrees on Sunday night. Monday's temperatures are expected to be at high of around 2 degrees with a low of -11 degrees.

Beginning at 7 a.m. Friday, parking is prohibited on all signed snow routes within the city. At 9 a.m., parking is prohibited on all other streets, except the Central Business District.

In the Central Business District, parking is prohibited from 4 a.m. Saturday until 4 a.m. Sunday.

Vehicles not complying with these parking regulations are subject to a fine. Vehicles parking in violation of this snow emergency may be towed and the owner shall be responsible for any associated charges.

The snow emergency remains in effect for 48 hours or until it is cancelled. Parking limitations at Library Lot 6, Edgewater Lot 6 and Market Square Parking Lot 10 are temporarily suspended during a Declared Snow Emergency. For more details, call the Snow Emergency Hotline at 608-810-4200 for current information or visit Snow Emergency Parking Regulations at portagewi.gov.

Classes canceled

The Portage Community School District has cancelled Friday classes, including online learning, and has postponed or canceled all co-curricular events and practices.

The district has sent a message with additional information to students' families.

Baraboo School District has a virtual school day scheduled for Friday after closing its buildings.
Gas stations and grocery stores in Wisconsin could more easily operate electric vehicle charging stations under legislation advanced Thursday by the states budget committee.

The proposal, which passed unanimously, would also allow Wisconsin to tap into more than $78 million in federal funds  first approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation in 2022  aimed at boosting the states network of EV charging stations along state highways and interstates. Lawmakers are on a short timeline, however, as the legislation will need to be passed and signed by March 31 in order to receive those funds.

Under current law, a business that wants to operate EV charging stations must be regulated as a utility.

Senate Bill 791 would provide private businesses an exemption from the rule and require that they sell electricity by the kilowatt-hour  or by the amount used  rather than by the length of time it takes to charge a vehicle. The state would impose a 3-cent per kilowatt-hour excise tax on electricity sold through an EV charging station.

EV charging stations are characterized as Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3, with the third level being the fastest in terms of how long it takes to charge a vehicle.

Under the amended version of the bill approved Thursday, any existing Level 1 and 2 chargers in the state do not need to charge the 3-cent excise tax. Any new charging stations, as well as all current and future Level 3 chargers in the state, would be required to charge for power by the kilowatt-hour and collect the excise tax. The bill also excludes residential chargers from fees and taxes.

Rep. Deb Andraca, D-Whitefish Bay, supported the measure, but raised concern about the excise tax, which adds more costs for electric vehicle owners in addition to the states increased vehicle registration fees for hybrids and EVs. The increased fees were implemented in previous legislative sessions to make up for lost fuel tax revenue, which motorists pay when purchasing gas or diesel fuel and which is not being paid by EV owners.

I do hope that at some point we will address the problem that we are over-taxing drivers of electric vehicles, said Andraca, who owns an EV.

17,000 EVs

The state Department of Revenue estimates there are more than 17,000 electric vehicles registered in Wisconsin. The agency estimates the excise tax will generate about $3.1 million in revenue in the fiscal year that ends in the summer of 2025. However, that number could be lower depending on how many EV drivers charge up at home. The state Department of Transportation offers a much lower projection, estimating the tax to generate up to $314,000 in fiscal year 2025.

Any funds generated by the excise tax would go into the state transportation fund, which is used to fund infrastructure projects like roads and bridges.

The 2-year-old National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure formula program, which provides funding to states for electric vehicle charging stations and infrastructure, has pledged $78.6 million to Wisconsin if it allows charging stations to sell electricity by the kilowatt-hour. The state can also apply for another $2.5 billion in competitive funding if it meets program requirements, including that charging stations bill by the kilowatt-hour.

Wisconsin will need to implement the proposed changes by March 31, 2024, in order to be eligible for federal funds. If approved, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation plans to use those federal funds to help develop dozens of new charging stations roughly 50 miles apart along major interstates and highways in the state.

Leaders respond

Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, told the Wisconsin State Journal he hopes to pass the bill in the coming months. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said hes open to the idea of expanding EV charging stations in the state but said spurring that development using federal dollars instead of letting the market determine what gets built was a dumb idea.

The proposal also bars the state and local governments from selling EV charging to the public. It does, however, allow those entities to lease property to private businesses that could own and operate EV charging stations.

Some groups, including the Wisconsin Local Government Climate Coalition, a collection of local governments across the state, and the Sierra Clubs Wisconsin chapter have largely backed the bills intentions but have cautioned lawmakers that limiting local governments ability to sell EV charging could stifle future development.

Evers proposed in his 2023-25 biennial budget changes to allow private entities to operate EV charging stations without needing to be regulated as a utility in order to secure the federal funds. The proposal was ultimately removed by the budget committee.

Today in history: Jan. 11 1908: The Grand Canyon 1935: Amelia Earhart 1963: The Beatles 1964: Luther Terry 1989: Ronald Reagan 2010: Mark McGwire 2020: Coronavirus 2021: Pope Francis
Recently-elected Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Janet Protasiewicz and the new liberal majority wasted little time in wielding power. In a 4-3 decision, the Supreme Court overturned previously-litigated legislative maps that may create a chaotic atmosphere for the 2024 election cycle. I touched on this in last weeks wish list column, but it needed a deeper dive.

Protasiewicz called the current maps rigged and unfair during her 2023 race for the court and ignored calls to recuse herself. She dismissed concerns about hearing the case even though she got $10 million from the Democratic Party of Wisconsin during the campaign. Her contention was that the Democratic Party of Wisconsin wasnt a litigant.

News outlets portrayed the decision as partisan. A CBS News story admitted the court ruled 4-3 in favor of Democrats, and referred to the Democrat victory throughout the story. Any casual observer could note the rampant conflict of interest with Protasiewicz hearing the case. The entire case was predicated on Democrats getting revenge on what they have complained are gerrymandered maps, despite previous rulings.

Conservative justices didnt mince words in their dissent. Justice Annette Ziegler wrote the deal was sealed on election night. She also stated the court of four (took) a wrecking ball to the law. Justice Rebecca Bradley called the liberal majority handmaidens of the Democratic Party, and that they dishonor the institution of the judiciary and undermine democracy.

MacIver Institute has done solid analysis on whether claims of Republican-created maps constitute gerrymandering. Their analysis tells the plain truth. No areas of Wisconsin are as red as Madison and Milwaukee are blue. Theres no disputing Wisconsin is a purple state, but any way you dice up 99 Assembly Districts into Wisconsins nearly 6 million residents  the majority of those 60,000 person groups will likely have at least a red tilt.

Six of Wisconsins Congressional seats are now held by Republicans with just two Democrats. The Democrats, Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Black Earth, and Gwen Moore, D-Milwaukee, are tucked into liberal havens. Its another example of how much of the state outside Madison and Milwaukee tilts red.

Quote box Democrats may be living in fantasy land in hopes of new left-wing majorities. Youd have to carve up Madison and Milwaukee like little pizza slices to find a balance.

The contention made was that districts were not contiguous. Many districts have small islands of other municipalities lying within another municipal entity. These islands occur across the state and stay together legislatively for congruity of voting wards. The liberal majority used this as their rationale for rejecting the maps, trying to focus on state constitutional questions, seeking to avoid using any argument that would tee up the decision for a federal reversal.

Federal action is just what Wisconsin Republicans are looking for in order to keep the current maps in place for their duration. The ruling set a deadline of Jan. 12 for Republicans to submit maps for review by Gov. Tony Evers, but Evers has stated he likely wouldnt approve any new Republican maps. Wisconsins redistricting fate is likely to end up in the hands of a couple of high-priced consultants hired by the Supreme Court.

What would new maps look like? Democrats may be living in fantasy land in hopes of new left-wing majorities. Youd have to carve up Madison and Milwaukee like little pizza slices to find a balance. Wed need the help of Dora the Explorer to discern. Its worth noting that Evers Peoples Maps Commission came up with maps so bad, they were rejected across party lines, because slicing the districts severely impacted minority communities.

There is little doubt new maps will still result in Republican control. Liberal former Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz conceded that it is very likely Republicans will retain legislative control in a recent Isthmus column, and other analysis tells a similar story.

Well have spent millions in taxpayer dollars, vast amounts of time and energy dealing with the disarray of hastily drawn maps, and untold chaos for legislators, candidates, and voters. Energy and resources intended to wrest control from Republicans, and all to an end where their majorities are intact. In their first big test, we may find the liberal Supreme Court has created much ado about nothing. The Democrats dream will likely be shattered by reality.
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Since the pandemic, many people have gotten used to making video calls on their computers and phones via Zoom, FaceTime and other services.



The set-top box from Yorba Linda, California-based Onscreen lets you have video calls with an aging parent, grandparent or other relative through their own television.

Its just a way to keep the family together, says chief executive and cofounder Costin Tuculescu. Calls to Grandmas TV originate on a relatives phone. If Grandmas TV is off, it automatically turns on after 30 seconds and answers the call. If she is watching a show, the TV switches to a screen that tells her Junior is calling and connects.



Onscreen bested four other start-ups at an invitation-only pitch competition that the AgeTech Collaborative from AARP hosted on Jan. 10 at the CES trade show in Las Vegas. AARP has run similar pitch fests over the past half dozen years or more.

As the winner, Onscreen earned a $10,000 prize.

Onscreen lets you have face to face video calls with your loved ones or doctors via the TV. Courtesy of Onscreen

Onscreens video calls work for telemedicine, other uses

Product. The companys device isnt just about video calls with family. It also lets the older person go to telehealth sessions with their doctors through the TV, participate in Zoom classes, or attend virtual community events. Users can also engage with a generative artificial intelligence (AI) avatar companion named Joy who can play games and provide companionship to supplement family involvement.



Many people in their 80s and older arent tech savvy, which can make them feel lonely and isolated, Tuculescu says.

Joy will greet you in the morning: Hi Mary, have you had your breakfast yet? Have you taken your medication? What would you like to talk about? Would you like to talk about the most recent book that youre reading?  Tuculescu says.

Onscreen does not record conversations with Joy, but caregivers can monitor them from afar. They also can send pictures that appear on the TV as text messages and might remind Grandma of a doctors visit. And caregivers can set up recurring tasks delivered through Joy to their loved ones

The box, which is relatively small, plugs into an HDMI port on the television. Tuculescu compares it to a Roku with a camera and multiple microphones.

I dealt with older folks and TV, he says. Asking them to switch inputs is never going to happen. Current buyers are mainly adult children of people their 80s and older, with an even split between those still living at home and in independent or care communities.

Cost. $29.99 a month plus a $39.99 activation fee.


Lake Resources to Present at Sidoti Virtual Micro Cap Conference

Sydney, Jan 12, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Responsible lithium producer Lake Resources NL ( ASX:LKE ) ( LK1:FRA ) ( LLKKF:OTCMKTS ) announces that Sean Miller, Senior Vice President of Field Evaluation and Development, will be presenting at the Sidoti Virtual Micro Cap Conference on Thursday, January 18 at 12:15 p.m. ET. Investors can access the virtual presentation by registering in advance at the link* below.



Lake Resources will also be conducting virtual one-on-one meetings with qualified professional investors throughout the conference on January 17 and 18. To schedule a time with management, please follow the link to Sidoti Micro Cap Conference Registration. The Company will do its best to accommodate meeting requests.



*To register, please visit:

https://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/RDVQF4ID



About Lake Resources NL





Lake Resources NL (ASX:LKE) (OTCMKTS:LLKKF) is a clean lithium developer utilising state-of-the-art ion exchange extraction technology for production of sustainable, high purity lithium from its flagship Kachi Project in Catamarca Province within the Lithium Triangle in Argentina among three other projects covering 220,000 ha.

This ion exchange extraction technology delivers a solution for two rising demands - high purity battery materials to avoid performance issues, and more sustainable, responsibly sourced materials with low carbon footprint and significant ESG benefits.

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Palestinian journalists Hamza al-Dahdouh and Mustafa Thuraya were killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza on Sunday, while driving to interview victims of a previous bombing. The deaths raise the total number of journalists killed in three months of Israel's war to at least 79, the highest of any year of conflict in a single country on record, and more than the entirety of WW2.

The rampant killing of journalists constitutes a brazen war crime, carried out without a squeak from Israels democratic imperialist allies.

Israel seeks to silence those reporting on its atrocities in Gaza, so that it can continue to carry out its new Nakba under the cover of darkness. It feels emboldened by the knowledge that it can act with impunity, without any consequences under the so-called rules-based order of bourgeois legality.

Targeted killings

Typically, Israel has attempted to wash its hands of these crimes. Mark Regev, a senior advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said in response to the latest killings:

To say Israel deliberately targets the press is ridiculous, we're the only country [in the Middle East] that actually enshrines the free press."

Israels actions followed a predictable pattern. First, they attempted to justify the murders, claiming that the fatal missile strike on the car containing Hamza al-Dahdouh and Mustafa Thuraya was also occupied by a terrorist aircraft operator.

Unable to produce any evidence, they then retreated to saying that the journalists simply looked like terrorists because they had previously operated a camera drone. This was al-Dahdouh and Thurayas job, as videographers and camera operators.

In much the same way, Israel has justified past murders of journalists by saying that they were armed with cameras. What does it say about a regime and military that considers a camera, designed to document the truth, as a weapon?

These appear to be yet more deliberate assassinations of prominent journalists. Especially since Hamza was the eldest son of Al Jazeeras Gaza bureau chief, Wael al-Dahdouh. Wael was himself injured in an airstrike while covering the bombing of Haifa School. He has also lost his wife and 13 relatives to Israeli attacks, including a seven-year-old daughter and one-year-old grandson. Nor is he the only journalist whose family has been targeted.

On top of the outright killings, 16 journalists have been injured, three have been reported missing, 21 have been arrested and 50 different media offices have been destroyed.

To supplement the work of bombs, the press is also being censored through more traditional means. In October, the Israeli government passed a regulation allowing it to shut down news channels which harm national morale. Foreign journalists have been banned from the Strip unless they are embedded with the IDF and agree to have their footage checked by the military before publication. The Israeli Communications minister even drew up regulations targeting Israels third largest newspaper, Haaretz, because of its defeatist and false propaganda, although this was not approved by the cabinet.

In Israel, Gaza and the West Bank, Reporters have been faced with assaults, cyberattacks and threats. In Tel Aviv, one journalist who expressed solidarity with the Palestinians was forced to go into hiding after his home was attacked by a far-right mob.

Such is par the course for this bastion of democracy and free speech. Israel has a long and bloody history of dealing with the critics of its 75 year occupation. Between 2000 and 2021, 30 journalists were killed by the IDF, including Shireen Abu Akleh, who was murdered in 2021 by an IDF sniper. The following week, her funeral was attacked by Israeli police.

Much like with these latest killings, the IDF initially denied responsibility, claiming Abu Akleh was killed by Palestinian militants; before concluding she had been accidentally shot by an Israeli sniper. Israel has refused to conduct an independent investigation into the circumstances of Abu Aklehs death, and we expect nothing different in the case of al-Dahdouh and Thuraya.

No one has ever been held accountable for this endless list of crimes against journalists, which have increased to sickening proportions in line with the current indiscriminate slaughter.

Imperialist crocodile tears

These mounting atrocities have put the Americans in an embarrassing position. Not for any moral reasons, in fact, the US set the standard for killing journalists in Iraq, but because Israels reckless abandon is provoking major opposition from the masses around the world, and carries the risk of sparking a wider conflict. Israel's disregard for the international laws also exposes the capitalist establishments legal niceties as a sham.

To save face, Blinken said Hamza al-Dahdouh's death was an unimaginable tragedy / Image: U.S. Embassy Jerusalem, Wikimedia Commons

The fact that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Qatar engaged in negotiations aimed at smoothing over tensions at the time of the killing of journalists for the main Qatari broadcaster was highly convenient for the Israelis. They knew exactly who they were targeting. It is quite possible that this was a cynical murder aimed at sending a message to the US: when youre negotiating, remember that you need us, and this war will continue until we say so.

To save face, Blinken said Hamza al-Dahdouh's death was an unimaginable tragedy and added that far too many innocent Palestinian men, women and children have died in the war. However, no action will be taken: money, weapons and political support for Israel will be maintained.

This is tantamount to a shrug of the shoulders. Though the Americans might disapprove of the candour of Israels unmitigated slaughter, Israel represents a key ally for American interests in the Middle East, meaning any excesses are excused.

In the words of Joe Biden in 1986:

3 billion dollars a year to Israel is the best investment America makes. If Israel didnt exist, America would have to invent an Israel to protect Americas interest in the region.

To facilitate these interests, the free press of the western world has been called to heel. All manner of lies have been broadcast by the bourgeois media to obscure the truth and an unprecedented campaign of slander and censorship has rained down on pro-Palestinian activists and journalists, including our comrades in Britain.

Compare that to the Ukraine war, in which the yellow and blue flag was waved from every state building in the West! Meanwhile, the western ruling classes wept for all of the 17 journalists killed in Ukraine. Each of Putins alleged war crimes (real and imagined) made front page news.

Today, Israel is carrying out a full-scale massacre and is breaking records for killing journalists, while the so-called land of the free stands shoulder-to-shoulder with it. The shameless hypocrites in the editorial teams of the western press have been remarkably silent on the deaths of their colleagues in Palestine.

The solution?

In response to the most recent killings, Al Jazeera published a statement saying:

The assassination of Mustafa and Hamza... whilst they were on their way to carry out their duty in the Gaza Strip, reaffirms the need to take immediate necessary legal measures against the occupation forces to ensure that there is no impunity.

But if legal measures were taken, who would enforce them? Certainly not a toothless body like the UN. In the last 50 years, the US has blocked 53 of its resolutions condemning Israel.

Israel is an imperialist power, backed and funded by the most reactionary and well armed force on the planet. No amount of moral or legal appeals will change that.

The only force powerful enough to hold these armed gangsters to account is the working class of the world, united for the overthrow of the rotten capitalist system that seeks to conceal its crimes under a pile of corpses.
Babita Baruah has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer for VML in India. She has been Executive Director, VMLY&R Thailand, and Regional Client Lead, WPP Ford, International Markets Group. Her appointment comes a quarter after WPP merged VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson to form VML. She will take charge of her new role from March 1, 2024.

Meanwhile, Saurabh Saksena has been elevated as President.

Baruah has an over two-decade long tenure with WPP in various roles. She had joined WPP in 1996 at JWT/Wunderman Thompson India. Her portfolio has been extensive  Unilever brands, Godrej brands, Kotak brands, Aditya Birla Capital, Kingfisher Airlines, Diageo, Kelloggs, Wills, Bata, Emami, World Gold Council, De Beers, and Nokia, among others. She worked on the Nestle business for two years before moving on to head PO1 as Senior Vice President & Managing Partner and Head, JWT Delhi.

In 2017, Baruah took up a senior position at WPPs Global Team Blue, which is WPPs dedicated agency for the Ford business in India.

In 2021, Baruah took moved to Bangkok, taking on the roles of WPP Lead for the Ford business across India, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, the Middle East, and South Africa, as well as Executive Director, VMLY&R Thailand.

Commenting on her new role, Baruah said, Its an honour to lead a market like India for VML. I look forward to working closely with Audrey, Yi-Chung, Saurabh, and the whole team in India to make sure that we connect creativity, experience, data and technology, to be the preferred destination for Indias ambitious brands and talented individuals.

On Baruahs appointment, Audrey Kuah, Co-CEO, VML APAC, said, Babita is no stranger to India, and we welcome her home as the new VML India CEO. With her vast experience in delivering innovation and growth for clients and a passion for building a high empathy and performance culture, I look forward to working with Babita to take our India business, already one of the strongest in the region, to new heights in 2024.

Yi-Chung Tay, Co-CEO, VML APAC, added here, Saurabh and Babita will be a driving force for growth in India. Ive watched Babita grow the Ford and VMLY&R Thailand businesses over the years and Im confident that she will do the same for our clients in India.

In another development, Shamsuddin Jasani has stepped down as CEO of Wunderman Thompson, South Asia. February 28, 2028 will be his last day with the agency.
D2C fashion jewelry brand Salty, targeting the GenZs and the generation next, has announced that it has raised Rs 5.4 crore in funding in a Seed round led by All in Capital and Anicut Capital..

Other strategic investors participating in the round are Suashish Diamonds, JK Group, and other angel investors.

Founded in 2022 by college friends- Sonaal Goel, Twishaa Gupta, and Kanishka Garg, Salty aims to redefine fashion jewelry for the younger generation with unique, chic, and functional designs that resonate with consumers seeking distinctive and expressive accessories.

The funds will be used to foster team expansion and launch a new product range as the brand continues its mission to provide high-quality and affordable fashion accessories to consumers.

The funding is not a mere financial milestone but a testament to the hard work of our team and the unwavering support of our community. We aim to achieve Rs 40 crore annual revenue run rate in 2024 and expand our design range to include over 3000 products, said Kanishka Garg, Co-founder of Salty.

We are excited to back Salty's vision of bringing high-quality and affordable accessories to Indian consumers. Salty has shown exceptional efficiency in its one-year journey. We believe that Salty has the potential to become a key player in the e-commerce and jewelry space.

We look forward to collaborating closely with the Salty team to achieve their ambitious goals and contribute to their continued success." said Ajay Anand, Partner, Anicut Capital.

While Ashish Goenka of the Suashish Group mentioned, "We were impressed by the team and think that this venture is aligned with the emergence of fashion accessories as a category today's generation is in tune with. The team has created unique designs demonstrating that they have a pulse on what younger generations want."

With over a year under its belt, Salty has become one of India's fastest-growing accessories brands, fulfilling over one lakh orders. The brand's encouraging history is demonstrated by its approval into the Startup India Seed Fund program and a community of 100K followers on Instagram.

Salty is poised to deploy the raised capital to fuel several key initiatives strategically. These include recruiting for critical positions, expanding channels, and fortifying the brand's digital presence with the release of an App, propelling them towards the ambitious milestone of becoming a 100-crore company in the next few years.
RPSG Lifestyle Media has appointed Jabir Merchant as its Chief Revenue Officer. He will join the group on January 15, 2024.

Having more than two decades of advertising and media experience, Jabir Merchant joins RPSG Lifestyle Media, from Conde Nast India, where he was on the leadership team serving as the Chief Digital Officer.

He has successfully driven revenue initiatives across traditional and non-traditional media channels, and has worked in the luxury and lifestyle space.

Avarna Jain, Chairperson of RPSG Lifestyle Media, expressed excitement on Merchants joining. He said that a dynamically evolving media company like RPSG, requires a revenue driver who comprehends the influence of legacy media and the immense potential of digital.

Jabir Merchant also expressed positive sentiments about the RPSG Group's decision to focus on luxury and lifestyle in the context of India's growing economy and the changing preferences of Indian consumers. According to Merchant, Avarna Jain's leadership has been strong, and the group's investments in various areas such as legacy media, events, digital platforms, and unique intellectual properties (IPs) like music, video, and influencer-led talent have positioned them advantageously in these markets.
In a strategic move, Namita Sahu, who previously held the position of Chief Operating Officer at Mediascope, has announced her departure to spearhead her innovative startup, ADMOTT.

ADMOTT is a revolutionary In-Content AD recommendation platform, powered by advanced AI/ML technology. It focuses on seamlessly integrating virtual brands within streaming video content. Propelled by Admotts cutting-edge Smart Ranking Algorithm and AI intelligence, the platform adeptly aligns audience interests with the Right Placement, Right Context, Moments, and Environment, presenting advertisers with an invaluable solution for immersive brand experiences without resorting to intrusive ad formats.

The dynamic ADMOTT platform caters specifically to Content Creators and Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms, providing effortless end-to-end automation for In-Content Advertising. Operating as a SaaS platform on a robust AWS cloud infrastructure, ADMOTT ensures efficiencies and speed at a scale. Notably, it seamlessly integrates with programmatic platforms, while its advanced data insights promise to deliver ROI.

Namita Sahu, the visionary Founder & CEO of ADMOTT LLP, emphasizes the crucial challenge that today advertising faces: "Audience attention is fragmented, and ad-skipping has become the new normal. The Audiences of Tomorrow are migrating to streaming platforms on mobile or CTV, where 'Attention' metrics have never been more critical. At ADMOTT, we harness the power of technology to solve this problem, fostering enduring connections between brands and their audiences. Our Enterprise platform is indigenously built and is our small step towards Atam Nirbhar Bharat - Built in India for Bharat and the world".

The product will be made available soon in the market for content creators and advertisers.

With a career spanning over two decades in the digital startup environment, Namita Sahu boasts an impressive track record. Her notable achievements include steering the monetization efforts of renowned international media brands such as The New York Times, Forbes, Fortune, Time, The Washington Post, HBR, National Geographic, Financial Times, CBS TV, RTL Group, Nine Group, Travel and Leisure, among many others across integrated media. Throughout her journey, she held P & L management roles in various leadership positions, across the Indian and Asia markets.

Namita's transition from Mediascope to ADMOTT signals a pivotal moment in the ever-evolving landscape of digital advertising, as she brings her wealth of experience to revolutionize the industry with ADMOTT's innovative solutions.
PR Boutiques International (PRBI), a prominent global network of founder-led boutique PR firms, today announced its newly elected executive officers and directors for 2024 - 2025.

This change heralds a renewed commitment to providing agency owners a dynamic, supportive, growth-oriented community that unites around offering culturally-aware, handcrafted public relations services worldwide. Simultaneously, member agencies are able to offer clients the extensive experience of vetted PR professionals in various locales and a broad range of industries, without the inherent big-agency fees for that level of talent.

Elected to a two-year term are Julia Labaton of RED PR, as president, joined by vice president Duree Ross of Duree & Company, treasurer/secretary Jeffrey Graubard of The Other Agency, Member at Large Tarunjeet Rattan of Nucleus PR, and president of PRBI Europe Juris Petersons of Jazz Communications. The board of directors welcomed Taru Nikulainen of Brunnen Communications to help guide its international growth.

Ms. Labaton notes The network thrives on collaboration over competition, offering a community to learn, network, and mentor while its members provide their clients more executive counsel and tailored services than larger, brand-name agencies.

Founded in 2008, PRBI is the worlds leading peer-to-peer network for independent, best-in-class communications agency owners. With more than 30 boutique firms across the globe, the network offers member agencies clients unparalleled access to senior communicators, on-the-ground cultural knowledge, and a track record of success in key industry sectors. The common thread weaving this association together is that, as small agencies (most between 3-15 employees), each member customizes client service, ensuring a blend of personal attention, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.

PRBI members meet in person once a year at its Annual General Meeting (AGM); last years event was in Milan, Italy. This springs AGM will take place in New York City.

Along with the AGM, there are monthly online networking and learning meetings with both industry and business-thought leaders. Additionally, members regularly share industry intelligence and new business opportunities.
As travellers start to think about their travels for the new year, global travel marketplace, Skyscanner has launched its latest campaign, Everywhere Agency , connecting travellers with record-holding travellers who have visited every country across the globe.

According to data from Skyscanner, Indians' passion for global exploration has reached unprecedented heights in 2024, with mounting early interest in travel indicated in its data. In the last week of 2023, the search volume for overseas travel by Indian travellers increased by 39% compared to the same period last year. Looking ahead into 2024, a remarkable 98% of Indian travellers are keen to try somewhere new while 42% share that one of their biggest struggles when booking travel is deciding where to go. In a survey conducted by Skyscanner, it is revealed that despite social media, TV, and film perpetuating conventional tourist spots, 95% feel fatigued by those repeated choices. 79% of Indian travellers admit that the prospect of booking travel in 2024 is overwhelming, with 40% citing cost concerns and an equal percentage grappling with destination decisions.

To help alleviate Indians travel anxiety, the Everywhere Agency is a campaign that connects record-holding travellers with consumers worldwide, offering travel advice based on their own experience. These well-travelled experts are known as Everywhere Agents, who are set to ease traditional traveller anxiety about unknown destinations, and help travellers discover the less-travelled places, without compromising on value. Travellers can explore tips offered by the Everywhere Agents through the Everywhere Guide, or via 1:1 exclusive virtual appointments. This campaign is powered by Skyscanners Everywhere search, the travel hack that helps travellers explore destinations, ordered by price, from thousands of travel sites - all in one place. The Everywhere search is the most searched destination for Indian travellers currently, highlighting the desire to explore regardless of the location of origin. Other popular destinations for Indians are Dubai, Bangkok, London, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore.

Travellers can also easily access the Everywhere Guide, an online widget on Skyscanner, that shares responses to frequently asked travel questions, based on each Everywhere Agents personal experience. Questions include Wheres the most memorable night out?, Where should everyone try a once-in-a-lifetime activity?, and more. The Everywhere Guide also displays a Trip Snapshot for every suggested destination, showing the lowest flight and hotel prices, and the cheapest day to travel, for any selected month of 2024. These link out to corresponding search parameters on Skyscanner, allowing travellers to conveniently complete trip bookings for their newly discovered destination.

With India being a diverse market with a large variety of travel preferences, Skyscanner has appointed renowned travel personality, Anunay Sood, as the Everywhere Agent for India. Known for exploring 30 countries by the age of 30, Anunay captivates audiences with his inspiring travel adventures, travel tips, encouraging them to uncover the world's breath-taking wonders. Other Everywhere Agents include individuals like Gunnar Garfors, the first to visit every country in the world twice; Renee Burns, a world record holder for traveling to the most countries in a year in a wheelchair.

Skyscanners appointed Everywhere Agent, Anunay Sood says, "I used to be in a full-time corporate job to finance my travel adventures. My fascination with travel photography and exploration ignited my desire to become a dedicated globetrotter. After exploring over 30 countries, I've gained insights into what travellers really love. As someone who's passionate about adventures, through my extensive travels, I've tailored tonnes of handy travel tips - whether it's picking the right destination, navigating the complexities of budgeting or planning the perfect itinerary. Having been there myself, I also understand the specific needs of younger professionals who are working corporate jobs and dreaming of exciting getaways. Along with Skyscanner, I look forward to helping travellers find the best views, food, experiences and more as they plan their upcoming trips.

Mohit Joshi, Skyscanners Travel Trends and Destination Expert says, The Everywhere Agency is not just about offering alternatives; its about inspiring a shift in perspective. Through exclusive 1:1 sessions with record-breaking travellers and recommendations that go beyond the ordinary on the Everywhere Guide, we hope to empower and equip travellers with the tools needed to discover and enjoy destinations that they didnt even know they desired.
Tata Consumer Products today announced that it has signed definitive agreements to acquire up to 100% of the issued equity share capital of Organic India, one of the strongest better for you organic brands spanning Food & Beverages and Herbal & Traditional Supplements. This move is consistent with Tata Consumers strategic intent to expand its product portfolio and its target addressable market in fast

growing/high margin categories. This acquisition will create a Health & Wellness platform for Tata Consumer Products.

Organic India is a 25+ years established brand with a geographical footprint covering over 48 countries, substantially from India and the USA. Its product portfolio spans premium and high growth categories focused on sustainable living - Herbal Supplements, Tea & Infusions and Organic Packaged Foods. Organic India has strong, long standing relationships with 12,000+ farmers and unparalleled end to end organic certifications across the supply chain. It pioneered commercial cultivation of tulsi and introduced high value medicinal crops for farming in India. It has a portfolio of over 100 products in the Health & Wellness space.

The Total Addressable Market for the categories that Organic India is present in is Rs 7,000 crores in India and Rs 75,000 crores in international markets where Tata Consumer has a strong presence. This acquisition will provide significant synergy benefits in distribution, logistics and overheads apart from driving portfolio premiumization and unlocking additional channels and new markets. Structural growth drivers for this portfolio include increasing demand for Health & Wellness products, growing consumer awareness around wellness and changing consumer preferences.

Sunil DSouza, MD & CEO, Tata Consumer Products said, We are excited about bringing Organic India into Tata Consumer Products. This transaction aligns well with Tata Consumers overall strategic objectives and presents exciting market opportunities in the rapidly growing Health & Wellness segment. In addition, Organic India has built very strong relationships with farmers to create a robust organic supply chain with a trusted brand and a loyal consumer base. Organic Indias differentiated products and robust supply chain together with Tata Consumers distribution strength

across channels in India and specific geographies globally makes us confident of accelerating momentum in the business while improving our margin profile.

Mr. William Bissell, Managing Director of Fabindia said, Tata is Indias most venerated and dynamic brand. For over a hundred and fifty years, it has stood as the visionary exemplar of Indian values: fairness, preservation of civilizational traditions, harmony with the natural world, and social uplift for all. That is why we are immensely excited that they will be guiding Organic India through its next chapter and stewarding the vital mission for which Organic India stands.

We at Fabindia echo Jamsetji Tatas vision that The community is not just another stakeholder in business but is in fact the very purpose of its existence. Organic India works with a community of tens of thousands of farmers who work only with socially and ecologically sustainable methods. We are confident that Organic India will continue to thrive with the Tatas leadership.

Kotak Investment Banking, Trilegal and Sidley Austin have been TCPLs exclusive financial and legal advisors for this transaction respectively.
TOKYO, Jan 11 ( News On Japan ) - Seven-Eleven Japan is tantalizing taste buds with a fresh lineup of strawberry-themed desserts, available this week.

Among the new offerings is the "Cup de Petit Choux & Strawberry Whipped Cream," bite-sized choux pastries with a generous dollop of strawberry whipped cream. This treat will be rolling out sequentially from January 9th in Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, and Saitama prefectures, priced at 346 yen, tax included.

For waffle enthusiasts, the "7 Premium Strawberry Cream Waffle," a pack of four waffles filled with a sweet strawberry cream, is set to launch. Starting January 11th, this dessert will be available in regions across Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Kinki, Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu, retailing at 279 yen, tax inclusive.

Those craving a traditional Japanese sweet can look forward to the "Marutto Fruit Strawberry Daifuku," a soft mochi ball bursting with a whole strawberry and sweet filling. This item will be available sequentially from January 12th in Tochigi, Tokyo, and the Kinki area for 249 yen, tax included.

Additionally, the "Strawberry Cream Daifuku," another mochi offering with a creamy strawberry center, will be sold in Ibaraki, Gunma, Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa, Yamanashi, Niigata, Shizuoka, Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu from January 12th, priced at 160 yen, tax included.

The last new item is the "Milk Strawberry Kanten" which combines agar jelly with strawberries and milk. This dessert will be sequentially available from January 9th in Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Hokuriku, Tokai, Kinki, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, and Okinawa, for 260 yen, tax included.
Here are some of the most secure, reliable, user-friendly, and convenient digital payment methods commonly used by Canadian online slot enthusiasts.

When you sign up for a fully licensed and regulated Canadian online casino to play your favourite online slot machines, having a secure, reliable, user-friendly, and convenient online payment solution to top up your account is extremely important.

Revealed on this page are some of the most popular digital payments commonly used by players in Canada to deposit funds into their iGaming accounts.

What are the most popular online casino payment methods?

It all depends on what type of payment method you prefer to use. That being said, not all online casinos accept the same payment methods  the same is true for countries, with Canadian online casinos accepting methods that UK online casinos might not.

The most popular online casino payment methods in Canada tend to include the following:

Credit and debit cards

Prepaid vouchers/gift cards

Digital wallets (also referred to as electronic wallets, eWallets or web wallets)

Instant/direct bank transfers

Mobile payments (also referred to as scan-to-pay or QR code payments)

Cryptocurrencies

Some of the older, less commonly accepted payment solutions that a handful of casino sites still accept are bank cheques (and e-cheques), money couriers, and Pay at Bank or Pay at Cage.

For example, in South Africa, players can walk into certain banks, deposit, and use their mobile number and reference number from the bank when depositing at certain online casinos.

At certain land-based casinos in Canada that also have an online version of the casino, players can top up their online casino accounts using the Pay at Cage option.

Payment methods are a defining reason for how customers choose which online casinos to sign up to. Finding reviews can help reveal what options are available to prospective customers. Heading to casinos.com source for Canada is a surefire way for Canadians to pick the perfect casino for them, for instance.

Which payment gateways are the safest, most secure, and most reliable for online casino deposits?

Again, it all depends on which type of payment method you, as an individual, prefer using.

Some Canadians will tell you that they prefer depositing with their credit card, but in the United Kingdom, at UK-licensed online casinos, the use of credit cards at real money gambling sites (aka iGaming sites) and land-based gambling venues like casinos and betting shops has been banned, meaning instead of depositing with credit cards, UK players must use an alternative payment method.

Similarly, some Canadians may prefer using cryptocurrencies to deposit, but not every online casino accepts crypto, so they have to use other payment methods.

Examples of some of todays most popular online casino deposit options are the following trusted brands:

Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, American Express, Diners Club, Visa Electron (credit and debit cards)

Trustly, POLi, Interac (direct/instant bank transfer solutions)

PayPal , Skrill, Jeton, Neteller, Payz (formerly ecoPayz), Paytm, Web Money, eZeeWallet (eWallets/digital wallets)

Bitcoin, DogeCoin, Tether, Ripple, Ethereum (cryptocurrencies)

Paysafecard, AstroPay Card, Cast to Code, Flexepin, Neosurf (prepaid cards)

Boku, MuchBetter, Apple Pay, Zapper (mobile payments)

There are many other popular online casino payment methods commonly accepted at todays best online casinos, but the examples mentioned above are some of the most common that many operators are most likely to accept.

Do all online casino payment gateways process deposits and withdrawals?

No, so if you want to use one payment method that processes deposits and withdrawals, always check before using a payment method. The best thing to do would be to use a digital payment solution that processes deposits and withdrawals.

For example, prepaid cards like Paysafecard, AstroPay, and Cash to Code, to name a few, or mobile payment methods like Boku, can only be used to top up your account, not withdraw your winnings.

Final note

To find out if the casino you have been considering signing up to accepts your preferred payment, you must head to the cashier/banking section or ask the professionally trained player support agents via email, telephone, or live chat. They will be able to tell you exactly which deposit and withdrawal methods they accept.
The Body Shop, a British-born international ethical beauty brand on a quest for social and environmental justice, has officially joined the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) Network through Shopalysts plugin. This is a significant move between ONDC and The Body Shop to add 100% VEGAN product formulations and ethically sourced Skincare, Bodycare, Haircare and Make-up to join the expansive Open Network.

The Body Shop India, one of the largest beauty retailers since 2006 has a strong retail presence with 200 stores and reaching 15000+ pincodes via the ecommerce channels and new digital experiences. The new ground-breaking development enables The Body Shop to showcase its catalogue across a rapidly expanding network, allowing consumers to explore and transact easily. Also, this gives an opportunity to the buyers choose from an entire selection of ethical products available through any app on the network - all within a single, unified app or website.

Mr. Vishal Chaturvedi, VP- Retail and Operations, The Body Shop Asia South, said "We are thrilled to be one of the first international beauty and skincare brands in India to join the ONDC Network. As a brand that is always looking to innovate and disrupt the market, joining the ONDC Network is a great move for us. With ONDC Network, we can widen our reach, be easily accessible to consumers across the country, and provide them with a simply great experience at affordable prices."

This move is strategically aligned with The Body Shop's vision to expand its presence across the country and make ethical, sustainable and vegan beauty products accessible to a wider audience. Furthermore, by adopting the ONDC Protocol, The Body Shop intends to create multiple consumer touchpoints, providing an enhanced and simplified shopping experience for all consumers alike.

T Koshy, MD and CEO, ONDC said, As the ONDC Network charts its course towards creating a transparent e-commerce ecosystem that champions equal opportunities for all, we are elated to have The Body Shop join the Network. This not only signifies a significant stride for The Body Shop but also sets a pioneering precedent for the beauty industry at large.

In a rapidly evolving tech landscape, initiatives like the ONDC Protocol play a crucial role in fostering innovation and growth. The Body Shop, with its pioneering spirit, is well-positioned to leverage the ONDC Network and take its innovative product portfolio to new customers across the country.
The Federal Council

Bern, 12.01.2024 - The 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum is taking place in Davos next week. Six members of the Federal Council will be attending. President Viola Amherd will open the event together with WEF founder Prof. Klaus Schwab on Tuesday, 16 January.

At the Annual Meeting, members of the Federal Council have the opportunity for many more contacts and discussions; at least 40 bilateral meetings are expected to take place. Programme changes are always possible, even at the last minute.



President Viola Amherd, head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS), will meet with heads of state and government while in Davos. She will focus on Switzerland's relations with European countries and the European Union (EU). The security situation in Europe and the Middle East, as well as the sluggish global economy, will also be key topics of discussion.



Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter, vice president of the Federal Council and head of the Federal Department of Finance (FDF), will use the Annual Meeting in Davos to discuss various international financial issues, particularly those related to developments in economic growth and debt and their impact on the international financial architecture. Bilateral meetings are planned with the finance ministers of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Al-Jadaan, and South Africa, Enoch Godongwana, as well as with IMF Director Kristalina Georgieva and the president of the Financial Stability Board, Klaas Knot.



Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), will use the Annual Meeting in Davos to promote various thematic priorities in the areas of business, trade, research and innovation. Bilateral talks are planned with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (together with President Viola Amherd), German Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, Robert Habeck (together with Federal Councillor Albert Rosti), and the Moroccan Minister for Trade and Industry Ryad Mezzour, the Moldovan Minister for Economic Development and Digitalisation, Dumitru Alaiba, the European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Education, Iliana Ivanova, the President of the World Bank Group, Ajay Banga, and the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Odile Renaud-Basso. In addition, the relevant ministers of the World Trade Organization (WTO) will meet on the fringes of the Annual Meeting to prepare for the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference, which will take place in Abu Dhabi at the end of February.



Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), will focus his activities in Davos on the situation in Ukraine, the Middle East conflict and the European dossier. On the fringes of the Annual Meeting, he will chair the 4th meeting of the National Security Advisers with Ukraine on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's peace formula on 14 January. During the Annual Meeting, the head of the FDFA, together with President Viola Amherd, and the Ukrainian authorities, will take part in an event on humanitarian demining in Ukraine. A meeting with European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic is scheduled to discuss relations between Switzerland and the EU. In addition to the various bilateral meetings with Federal Councillor Cassis, which will focus on the abovementioned priority topics, the head of the FDFA will also take part in a conference on science diplomacy and quantum computing.



Federal Councillor Albert Rosti, head of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC), will open the Advancing AI-Powered Sustainable Development panel. There are also plans to continue the discussions that began on 2 November 2023 during the AI Safety Summit in London. Federal Councillor Rosti will also be one of the keynote speakers at the Re-Thinking Energy Infrastructure panel. He will take part in a panel discussion with Brazilian Energy Minister Alexandre Silveira de Oliveira and use the opportunity to hold further discussions. This event at the Annual Meeting is being organised among others by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE), the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and ETH Zurich.



Federal Councillor Beat Jans, head of the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP), will use the annual meeting to establish contacts in the area of migration. The bilateral meeting with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein on Tuesday will focus on deepening cooperation on migration. The head of the FDJP will discuss the recent visa liberalisation and judicial and police cooperation with Kosovan Prime Minister Albin Kurti. Mr Jans will also take part in the Refugee Employment Alliance, founded in 2022, to share experiences of successful strategies for the labour market integration of refugees from Ukraine. On Wednesday, he will open the Digital Wallets Panel together with digitalswitzerlands managing director Stefan Metzger.

The House of Switzerland at the 2024 WEF Annual Meeting



Official Switzerland is once again represented at this year's annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) at the House of Switzerland. Run by the FDFAs Presence Switzerland unit, with the support of the Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics, the House of Switzerland will be located downtown at the arena that is home to HC Davos. It will serve as a venue for meetings and dialogue with facilities for meetings of members of the Federal Council, the Swiss delegation and their international guests and partners. A series of thematic events will also be organised in cooperation with various federal offices and players from the worlds of politics, business and science. The programme focuses on current foreign policy issues and the protection of Switzerland's interests abroad. The topics range from the impact of artificial intelligence, peacebuilding, sustainability in the financial system, data management and science diplomacy to energy and mobility infrastructures, where Switzerland presents solutions in a global context.



www.houseofswitzerland.org



Address for enquiries

Serge Kuhn

Communication Presidential Affairs Unit, Federal Chancellery

058 463 71 34, serge.kuhn@bk.admin.ch

Publisher

The Federal Council

https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start.html



Federal Department of Justice and Police

http://www.ejpd.admin.ch



General Secretariat DDPS

https://www.vbs.admin.ch/



Federal Department of Finance

https://www.efd.admin.ch/efd/en/home.html



Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research

http://www.wbf.admin.ch



Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications

https://www.uvek.admin.ch/uvek/en/home.html




A Mobile man admitted in federal court this week he called the White House switchboard in July 2022 and told the operator I am coming to assassinate the president. I cant wait to see your faces when I put a bullet in him.

John Andrew Bazor Jr., 38, pleaded guilty to one count of making interstate threatening communications. In exchange for Bazors guilty plea, federal prosecutors dropped the charge of making threats against the President and successors to the Presidency, according to federal court documents.

Court records also show the U.S. Attorneys Office has recommended Bazor be sentenced to time served -- he has been jailed since August 2022 -- but the presiding district court judge may not accept the prosecutions recommendation, according to a report by WALA.

Bazors attorney noted the time his client has already served is longer than the minimum sentence under federal guidelines, but U.S. Code allows for a maximum sentence of two years. Had Bazor been found guilty of making a threat against the president, he was facing a maximum sentence of five years.

In expressing hesitancy to accept the U.S. Attorneys recommendation, U.S. District Court Judge Kristi DuBose noted Bazors criminal record, which includes a pending trial for domestic violence and drug possession.

Bazor was arrested in February 2022 and charged with 3rd-degree domestic violence/harassment. State court documents say Bazor threatened to kill a woman and her mother. He was freed on bail, with the court ordering he have no contact with the victim of her mother.

In August 2022 -- after Bazor was charged with threatening the president -- the domestic violence case was bound over to a grand jury pending the outcome of the federal case.

As of Thursday afternoon, DuBose had yet to pass sentence on Bazor.

Last month, a forensic pathologist found that Bazor was not afflicted with any mental disease or defect and is thus able to understand the nature of his actions and the consequences of the charges against him, according to federal court documents.

After Bazor made the threatening call to the White House, U.S. Army Sergeant Samuel Kash notified the United States Secret Services Protective Intelligence Operations Center of the incident. The following day, Bazors phone number was subpoenaed, according to the affidavit.

An initial investigation found that Bazor left a series of rambling voicemail messages at the Secret Services Mobile Resident Office during the weekend of July 9. He also went to the Federal Bureau of Investigations office in Mobile to file a complaint.

Federal investigators also learned that Bazor made several calls to the Secret Service office in Mobile before he called the White House. A witness told investigators they noticed an unidentified white male in the lobby of the office building on July 8, rambling about the Secret Service ruining his life.

A week after his calls, agents were able to find a potential address for him and went to visit on July 17. When they arrived, his mother came to the door.

According to the affidavit, Bazors mother told agents that he had never been diagnosed officially with a mental illness, but she tried on numerous occasions to get him committed. She also said he had been trying to get her to rent him a car so he could travel to Washington, D.C. for unknown reasons, according to court records.

In 2017, according to her, Bazor was involuntary committed to Mobile Infirmary but to her knowledge, never received a diagnosis.

Bazor also previously threatened to blow up a hotel in Mobile, according to the affidavit.

Bazor was arrested by federal agents a week after the threat against Biden, reportedly admitting to agents he both made the threat and wanted to carry it out.
When the Prichard Police Department sent out an Amber Alert early Friday morning after two children were abducted during a carjacking, the offers of help came pouring in.

The FBI, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Marshals and other law enforcement agencies offered assistance.

Even Gov. Kay Iveys office contacted Prichard police offering use of the governors helicopter in searching for the carjacked truck and the two children.

Any time theres an Amber Alert, we have everybody calling us, said Prichard police Sgt. Bart Andrews. The FBI, U.S. Marshals, Secret Service, ALEA -- everyone calls and wants to know what they can.

The carjacking occurred late Thursday night at a Loves truck stop along the Interstate 65 service road in Prichard.

Andrews said the two children -- ages 4 and 3 -- were traveling with their parents in a 1999 Ford F-250 truck with a Tennessee license plate pulling a trailer full of new appliances.

The family is from the New England area and the parents were delivering the equipment in the trailer to the Mobile area.

Multiple suspects -- two of them brandishing firearms -- approached the family and carjacked the truck and trailer, taking the two children with them, police said.

Andrews said the mother begged the suspects to leave the children, but instead they became more aggressive and violent towards the mother.

They sexually assaulted her because they patted her down, searched for money in her bra, things like that, Andrews said.

By 5:30 a.m. Friday, the truck had been found, with the two children inside, appearing uninjured.

The trailer was gone, but located about three hours later, Andrews said. The trailers contents were gone.

There are no immediate suspects, Andrews said, other than the descriptions provided by the victims.

Because the carjacking involved interstate commerce, the FBI has taken over the case, Andrews said, and already has a forensics team in route to the crime scene.

The suspects, if caught and convicted, face up to 15 years in federal prison.

Andrews said he and his department are grateful for the assistance provided by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), the FBI and concerned citizens who called in with information, as well as the assistance offered by other agencies.

Andrews also said he is glad the FBI is investigating.

I hope (the suspects) are scared to death, Andrews said. Theyre going to get caught.
The United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit today granted a request by Alabama Attorney Steve Marshall to begin enforcing the states ban on gender-affirming care for minors.

The law, titled Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act, prohibits anyone under the age of 19 from receiving puberty blockers, hormone therapy or gender-affirming surgeries. It also punishes a doctor who prescribes or administers the treatments with a felony conviction and up to 10 years in jail.

Alabamas law was signed by Gov. Kay Ivey in 2022 but never went into effect. U.S. District Judge Liles Burke blocked the medication ban after a hearing where families who have transgender children challenged its constitutionality.

The issue has been tied up in federal and appellate courts for the past two years.

In August the federal appeals court reversed the initial injunction issued by Burke, but plaintiffs requested that a full panel of judges reconsider the ruling. That prevented any enforcement from taking place.

Marshall requested in November that the court still allow him to immediately begin enforcing the law, calling the plaintiffs move a delay tactic.

The physical and psychological safety of our children can now be better protected from these untested and life-altering chemical and surgical procedures through the implementation of the Alabama Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act, Marshall said in a release Thursday.

This is a significant victory for our country, for children, and for common sense.

Alabama previously allowed the prescription of puberty blockers or hormones for transgender children. The medications delay puberty and are considered evidence-based care for children and adults, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Gender-affirming surgeries have never been performed in the state for minors.

Lawyers representing parents of transgender adolescents said in a news release today that Alabamas transgender healthcare ban will harm thousands of transgender adolescents across the state and will put parents in the excruciating position of not being able to get the medical care their children need to thrive.

The district court issued its preliminary order blocking the ban after hearing days of testimony from parents, doctors, and medical experts about the devastating impact of this ban and the lack of any medical justification for it. Todays ruling will hurt parents and children in the state. We will continue to challenge this unlawful ban and to support parents and their kids in pushing back against the dangerous reality of being denied access to necessary, best-practice medical care.

A full trial on the constitutionality of the ban is scheduled for August 2024.

When asked in September how the Attorney Generals office plans to enforce the law, a spokesperson said the office does not answer questions about how we intend to investigate and/or enforce any criminal law.
The Flora-Bamas seasonal spring hiring drive has a twist this year, with a focused search for back-of-house employees and higher starting pay for some positions, such as $18 an hour for dishwashers.

The famed roadhouse on the Alabama-Florida line, and CoastAL Orange Beach, an upscale restaurant sharing some of the same ownership, both will hold job fairs in upcoming weeks. Both are offering the same starting wage incentives for specific positions: $18 an hour for dishwashers, $20 an hour for prep cooks and oyster shuckers, $22 an hour for line cooks.

Offering higher starting wages with multiple advancement opportunities, these roles offer a career not just a job, says hiring information provided by the venues. These full-time positions include other incentives like flexible hours, major medical, employee appreciation outings, and apprenticeship program opportunities to become a certified sous chef. It is Flora-Bamas goal to help assist this community of back of house workers with the increased challenges in the economy by offering these career opportunities and build a strong team within the Flora-Bama family.

The Flora-Bama will hold a job fair Friday and Saturday, Feb. 2-3, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Managers will be hiring for more than 200 positions across five businesses, including the Flora-Bama, Flora-Bama Liquor & Lotto, Flora-Bama Yacht Club and Flora-Bama Ole River Grill.

Interested applicants should apply online in advance at www.florabama.com/application. Hires are contingent on a background check, and applicants should bring proper ID for I-9 verification to the job fair. Age restrictions may apply to some open positions, which include Server, Busser, Bartender, Hostess, Food Runner, Dishwasher, Cook, Kitchen Prep, Gift Shop, Liquor Store, Special Event Support, Customer Service, Door Staff, Maintenance and more.

CoastAL, at 25722 Perdido Beach Blvd., will hold a job fair from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 26-27. It is recommended that interested workers apply in advance at www.coastalorangebeach.com/Coastal-Orange-Beach-Employment.
UPDATE: Kedarrius Mack surrendered on Friday.

EARLIER: More charges have been filed in the shooting death of a 5-year-old boy and the wounding of a man who was cutting his hair.

Bessemer police on Thursday announced capital murder charges against Tatyonna Estacia Smith, 24, and Kedarrius Odell Mack, 25, in the Sunday death of Brandon Jamal Nation III.

Smith is in custody but Mack remains at large. Authorities believe he could be in the Dothan area.

Already charged was 26-year-old Kendrick Rondell ONeal.

The charge is capital because of Brandons age and because shots were fired into a home.

The 25-year-old man cutting Brandons hair was also critically injured.

The deadly shooting happened at 10:15 a.m. Sunday in the 500 block of Seventh Avenue North.

Brandons grandmother had taken him to the home for a haircut, which was taking place in an enclosed front porch.

Kendrick Rondell ONeal(Jefferson County Jail)

Authorities said ONeal was accompanied by others when they pulled up to the home with the intention of killing the adult victim. Three people got out ONeals vehicle and opened fire with automatic weapons into the enclosed front porch.

Brandon was struck in the head. He was taken to Childrens of Alabama, where he was pronounced dead two hours later.

The adult victim was taken to UAB Hospital.

Police said dozens of rounds were fired. Several other people were inside the home but were not injured.

ONeal remains held without bond in the Jefferson County Jail.

Anyone with additional information is asked to call Bessemer police at 205-481-4366, the departments tip line at 205-428-3541 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
Latanya King is no stranger to violence.

Eight years ago, her 22-year-old son Byron Ulrick Pritchett Jr. was killed in Birmingham over $5 and a pair of Jordan.

The wounded Pritchett, jumped, robbed, and shot in Birminghams Collegeville community on Sept. 29, 2016, was able to call his parents as he lay bleeding waiting for paramedics to arrive,

He was just calling my name, King said in a 2016 interview with AL.com. I said, Im on my way to the hospital.

He died less than three hours later.

It was a phone call King will never forget, just like the one she got Sunday morning from her daughter telling her that Brandon Nation III, her 5-year-old grandson, had been wounded by gunfire.

She said, Brandons been shot, King said. I thought she was saying it was his dad, but she said, my baby. I was thinking it cant be Brandon III because she doesnt even let that baby go outside.'

Like Kings son, her grandson was dead at the hospital within three hours.

Its been hard, King said. I will never get over it.

The deadly shooting happened at 10:15 a.m. Sunday in the 500 block of Seventh Avenue North.

Brandon Jamal Nation III was fatally shot in Besssemer on Jan. 7, 2023.(Special to AL.com)

Three people are charged with capital murder in Brandons slaying. The gunfire also wounded the 25-year-old man who was cutting Brandons hair and who police say was the target of the automatic gunfire unleashed on the Bessemer home.

Kendrick Rondell ONeal, 26, Tatyonna Estacia Smith, 24, and Kedarrius Odell Mack, 25, are charged with capital murder and attempted murder. Authorities have not said why the adult victim was targeted.

ONeal and Smith are being held without bond in the Jefferson County Jail. Mack remains at large, and is believed to be in the Dothan area.

Brandons other grandmother had taken him to the adult victims home for a haircut, which was taking place in an enclosed front porch.

Authorities said ONeal was accompanied by others when they pulled up to the home with the intention of killing the adult victim. Three people got out ONeals vehicle and opened fire with automatic weapons into the enclosed front porch.

Brandon was struck in the head. He was taken to Childrens of Alabama, where he was pronounced dead.

The adult victim was taken to UAB Hospital with critical injuries.

Police said dozens of rounds were fired. Several other people were inside the home but were not injured.

Family and friends gathered at Birminghams Railroad Park Thursday night to release balloons in Brandons memory.

His mother, Latifah King, tried to speak to the crowd gathered there but was too distraught.

Brandon Nation III, 5, was remembered at a balloon release after he was shot to death Jan. 7, 2024, at a Bessemer home.(Carol Robinson)

Brandons grandmother, however, remembered happier times with the child, who was the second-to-youngest of Latanya Kings eight grandchildren.

Brandon was a good kid, King said. He was going to make you laugh.

And he was a ladies man, she said through her tears. He was going to take your lady, go outside and get her some flowers.

Brandon was in pre-K at Fairfield City Schools. He loved Spiderman, dancing, and McDonalds Happy Meals  especially the toy.

I just keep hearing him say he wants his McDonalds, King said. I see him jumping around in his house. I try to go over there and stay but I cant because I see him everywhere now.

The family has yet to make sense in the senseless shooting and said they dont know the answer to stopping gun violence.

Aint too much we can do out here on these streets, King said. Keep your children close to you. Dont let them go nowhere.

She said the family is grateful for arrests, but said that erase, or even ease, the pain.

Its good to know the people that done it is not out here to hurt nobody elses grandbaby or child, she said, but were going to always remember this.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall declined to speculate Thursday on his political aspirations, and said that his office would continue to do the right thing by evaluating a Mobile city ordinance if asked to do so.

His comments come less than a month after some Mobile council members expressed concerns over forwarding two ordinances related to policing to Marshalls office based on political concerns.

Marshall, who is term-limited and whose name has been floated as a possible candidate for governor or other higher offices, has long been a staunch tough-on-crime candidate and pro-police. He was in Mobile on Thursday to commemorate Kimberly Sickafoose, a police officer with the Alabama State Port Authority who died while on duty on May 11.

I have a job to do as Attorney General to be able to evaluate and analyze the law and to the extent opinions need to be offered and base it on their circumstances, Marshall said during a visit to the International Trade Center in downtown Mobile. To the extend someone wants to speculate on a political career, frankly I am not going to comment on that. I have seven years on the job and a record that speaks of us doing the right thing and well continue to do the right thing if asked by Mobile.

The two ordinances will likely resurface during the councils next meeting, said Councilman Cory Penn.

Were still trying to see what is the best route, said Penn, one of the council members who expressed doubts about sending the two ordinances  one related to the release of police-worn body camera footage, and the other prohibiting pre-dawn raids and no-knock warrants  to the Attorney General for an opinion.

A large contingent of Mobile police attend the Mobile City Council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, at Government Plaza in Mobile, Ala.John Sharp/jsharp@al.com

The council voted 5-2 on Dec. 12 to postpone for 30 days a decision on what to do with the two separate ordinances. The 30-days expires on Friday.

The two proposed ordinances, which do not go above and beyond established Alabama state law or existing city policy, do the following:

Ban no-knock search warrants and pre-dawn raids, something that has been in place since Mayor Sandy Stimpson halted them in November following a tragic pre-dawn raid in which a 16-year-old was shot and killed. The teenager was not the person police were looking for. The mayors ban does include limited exceptions.

A requirement for authorities who deny the release of police-worn body cam footage to provide a legal reason for the denial under Alabama state law. A similar provision has been in place through a new state law that was enacted on Sept. 1, 2023.

The ordinances were the result of complaints about policing late last year.

Chief of Staff James Barber said its up to the council to decide if the ordinances should be forwarded to Marshall for consideration. The mayors staff determined in December that they could be in violation of the 1985 Zoghby Act, the Alabama state law that established Mobiles current form of government, and recommend the council consider forwarding to the Attorney General.

At issue is whether the city council, as a legislative body, can vote on ordinances regulating policing.

Marshall said he has not seen a request and declined to comment specifically on what the city is being asked to do.

Councilman Ben Reynolds said he likes the idea of getting an opinion from the states top prosecutor before moving forward on approving two controversial ordinances.

There were some comments about passing an ordinance might be a misdemeanor, Reynolds said. Id like to know that for sure. I know our attorney is looking into it. But it doesnt hurt to give it to the Attorney General (for consideration).

Council members have said the only way to resolve the concerns on whether they have oversight to regulate policing is through litigation.

Maybe that is where we end up, Reynolds said. But as of right now, we have conflicting opinions (from the council and the citys administration). I dont think it hurts (to get Marshall to review the matter).
TOKYO, Jan 12 ( News On Japan ) - A 30-year-old physiotherapist has been arrested for sexually assaulting a female caregiver who was accompanying him on home care visits, claiming she had romantic feelings towards him.

The arrested individual is Kazuya Nishio, a physiotherapist from Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture.

According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, Nishio is accused of forcibly removing the woman's mask and kissing her at an apartment in Edogawa Ward, Tokyo, where they were conducting a home care visit in October of last year. On another occasion, he is alleged to have suddenly grabbed the woman from behind while she was adjusting the height of a therapy bed.

The incident came to light after the woman's supervisor reported it to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police.

During questioning, Nishio reportedly admitted to the allegations, stating that he believed the woman had romantic feelings for him and had given her consent for his actions.

Source: ANNnewsCH
A Florence man has been charged with manslaughter in connection with a fatal crash in Lauderdale County that happened last month.

Robert E. Jones, 57, was arrested Thursday by Troopers with the Highway Patrol Division of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). Jones is being held in the Lauderdale County Detention Center.

Jones arrest comes in connection with a fatal single-vehicle crash that happened Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, at about 8 p.m. The incident occurred on Lauderdale County 65 near Lauderdale County 63, about two miles north of Killen.

According to ALEA, Regina L. Jones, 62, was a passenger in a 2006 Ford Expedition driven by Robert Jones. The vehicle left the roadway and struck a ditch before becoming submerged in a large body of water. Regina Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.

Robert Jones was injured and transported to North Alabama Medical Center in Florence for treatment.

Troopers with the Highway Patrol Division continue to investigate.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall expressed continued concerns over law enforcement recruiting and job retention in Alabama during a visit Thursday to Mobile for a fallen officer commemoration at the Alabama State Port Authority.

His comments come as agencies in larger cities throughout the state struggle to attract law enforcement officers, particularly in Jefferson County where the entire county has 450 fewer law enforcement officers than five years ago, according to state Rep. Allen Treadaway, R-Birmingham.

When we see a national narrative that is adverse to law enforcement, it minimizes the profession of what law enforcement does, and we create a disincentive of individuals who want to engage in this profession, Marshall said. Its a unique group of people willing to risk their lives to keep people safe. We have to find ways to be able to incentivize it.

Seeking solutions

Alabama State Rep. Allen Treadaway, R-Morris, and a former assistant police chief with the Birmingham Police Department, speaks on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives on Thursday, June 1, 2023, in defense of legislation that adds enhanced penalties against people who commit crimes while associated with a criminal enterprise. (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com).

Treadaway, in an interview with AL.com, said he would like to see state lawmakers consider incentive packages this spring to help agencies recruit police officers amid reports that out-of-state agencies have visited Birmingham in efforts to attract Alabama-based police officers elsewhere.

He cited Florida, where Gov. Ron DeSantis announced last April that the state had awarded $5,000 bonuses to more than 1,750 newly employed law enforcement recruits through the Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Program. Of those, 530 were recruited from out-of-state.

The state needs to do something (similar) also, said Treadaway, who retired three years ago from the Birmingham Police Department following a 31-year law enforcement career. Why the red flag is not thrown up and elected officials are meeting to do something is somewhat shocking to me. This trend is of fewer and fewer officers each day. This is an absolute crisis.

The crisis is a national one as police leave the profession in large numbers. A Police Executive Research Forum issued a report last year that showed police officer resignations up 47% in 2022, compared to the year before the pandemic in 2019 and before the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. More than three-quarters of police agencies in the U.S. are reporting difficulties in recruiting qualified candidates to become police officers, according to a report by the International Association of Chiefs of Police. A quarter of the agencies surveyed reported eliminating or reducing services because of staffing, the report says.

In Mobile, the police department has been down around 60 officers from its budgeted 488. But numbers have been improving in recent months, where the shortage is around 39 to 40 officers, according to Police Chief Paul Prine.

It might not sound like huge gains, but it really is, Prine said. Well never be at net zero regarding attrition, but if we stay on this trend, my hope is by the end of the year well be very close to our budgeted strength.

The city, over the past eight years, has doled out multiple raises to employees including additional longevity and pay adjustments first responders.

Prine said that the Mobile Police Department also hired a full-time recruiter for police and fire, and credited that position and digital advertising toward lowering attrition.

Marshall, while in Mobile, credited creative solutions that assist with increased police recruitment. He referenced a new program at Jacksonville State University in Northeast Alabama where a new Southeastern Command College is enrolling students to participate in police management and leadership studies as well as conflict resolution and other aspects of law enforcement.

The biggest thing we can do as a community is show its support for and advocate on behalf of law enforcement officers and also stand strong with them when they are doing obviously difficult jobs, Marshall said.

Honoring police

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall (right) gives a "praying hands" commemoration to Alabama State Port Authority Police Chief Mark Janowski during a brief ceremony on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, at the International Trade Center in downtown Mobile, Ala. The event was to honor Kimberly Sickafoose, a port police officer, who died while on duty on May 11, 2023.John Sharp/jsharp@al.com

His comments came during the 27th fallen officer event the Attorney Generals Office has held since 2021.

Kimberly Sickafoose, a six-year police officer with the Port Authority, died while on duty on May 11. She died shortly before 3 a.m. after her police cruiser plunged into the Mobile River.

Sickafoose was once the police chief of Silverhill. She was the first woman to serve as a police chief in Baldwin County.

Mark Janowski, chief of the Alabama State Port Authority, said Sickafooses death left him with 19 officers, down from 38 which is allowed under his agencys annual budget.

Recruitment is an ongoing struggle for us and other departments throughout Baldwin County and Mobile, Janowski said.

Sickafoose, who also worked with police agencies in Elberta and Foley, died as a result of a drowning but the circumstances have remained unknown. Janowski ruled out that the drowning was the result of a medical event.

The port is one of the crown jewels in Alabama, Marshall said. The reality is this port does to have the economic impact of this region and state without law enforcement that makes sure its safe and secure.

This story was updated at 2:03 p.m. on Jan. 11, 2024, to include remarks from Mobile Police Chief Paul Prine. It was also updated at 12:13 p.m. on Jan. 14, 2024, to indicate there are 450 fewer law enforcement officers in all of Jefferson County than a few years ago.
Auburn University has just been awarded a $50 million grant - the largest in the schools history - to help the future of the U.S. Armys aviation and missile systems.

The three-year project will help the armys Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center modernize, according to the school.

Auburns Applied Research Institute (AUARI) in Huntsville, its National Center for Additive Manufacturing Excellence (NCAME), and the Interdisciplinary Center for Advanced Manufacturing Systems (ICAMS) will be involved in the effort.

Robert Dowling, AUARI director of research development, said the project will help the Army incorporate advanced manufacturing materials and methods into existing and future aviation and missile systems. That includes using alloys, polymers and composites, as well as additive manufacturing, or 3-D printing. Those techniques will be transferable to other government manufacturing projects, he said.

A lot of effort has gone into developing this opportunity. Were excited to get to work, he said.

Dowling also calls the project tailor-made for fulfilling one of the AUARI administrations stated goals  creating a pipeline between Huntsvilles defense sector and Auburn Universitys main campus.

With this award, weve demonstrated the significant opportunities that can be created for faculty and students when we combine our core research expertise with customer proximity and knowledge, he said.
A Birmingham woman has been charged in the death of her 44-year-old uncle following the fatal house fire at the familys home in late December.

Keechaundra Deshay Cook, 32, is charged with capital murder, Birmingham police announced Thursday. Cooks brother, Otis Jones Jr., died Jan. 5, more than a week after he was critically injured in the blaze.

The charge is capital because it involved a death taking place during the commission of another felony crime, which in this case was arson.

Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service, Tarrant Fire and Birmingham police and were dispatched at 4:54 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 28, to a report of a house fire with a person trapped in the 1000 block of Westley Street. That location is in Inglenook, near the City of Tarrant.

Firefighters were able to quickly get inside and pulled Jones from the blaze. They resuscitated him on the scene and rushed him to UAB Hospital where he remained until he was pronounced dead on Friday, Jan. 5.

A man is in critical condition after fire swept through a home on Birmingham's Westley Street Dec. 28, 2023.(BFRS)

Birmingham police Officer Truman Fitzgerald said fire investigators classified the blaze as an arson investigation.

The Jefferson County Coroners Office performed an autopsy on the victim; the autopsy revealed the victims manner of death was homicide.

Tarrant and Birmingham police investigated the arson, Fitzgerald said. Arson detectives learned the residential property was in Birmingham.

Investigators said Jones was at home with Cook when the house became engulfed in flames.

On Wednesday, January 10, arson detectives learned Cook was in custody for separate charges in a neighboring jurisdiction, and subsequently interviewed her.

Warrants were obtained Thursday.

Cook will be booked into the Jefferson County Jail where she will be held without bond.
Rabbi Steven Henkin, the spiritual leader at Temple Beth-El in Birmingham, will be installed in formal ceremonies Saturday, Jan. 13.

Its a celebration of the relationship we have started to develop and hope to continue nurturing for many years to come, Henkin said.

The Shabbat services tonight and Saturday will also be part of a weekend of installation observances.

Were glad were going to be celebrating together as a community, Henkin said.

We love the people. Its an amazing community. Theres a lot of warm, loving, caring people, who care deeply about Jewish life and creating a strong Jewish community in Birmingham.

During Henkins tenure, Temple Beth-El has unveiled a program to highlight the Jewish role in the civil rights movement with workshops and tours.

Its very much about telling our story and sharing our story, Henkin said. This is an integral part of both the Jewish community and Birminghams story.

The effort to create a civil rights program at Temple Beth-El began before Henkin arrived in July 2022, but he has embraced it.

Its an important story to tell, Henkin said.

The Jewish community in Birmingham did some good things and some things that in retrospect were less proud of. But its important to understand the history. The people who were involved, why were they involved? What were the Jewish values that they were instilling? For those who didnt, why did they not? What were the reasons they made their choices? What were they going through? Its very easy in hindsight to go back and criticize people, but you start to think about and hear why those who were here did what they did, and you get a very different perspective.

Civil rights tours at Temple Beth-El began in 2023.

People who have taken the tours have been blown away by how wonderful it was and how much they learned, Henkin said. We plan to continue expanding it.

Temple Beth-El was established in Birmingham in 1907 and moved to its current location at 2179 Highland Ave. South in 1926.

In 2022, a historic marker was installed outside the temple to memorialize the attempted bombing in 1958.

On April 28, 1958, 54 sticks of dynamite were set outside the temple, but did not explode. Although the case was never solved, its believed the planned bombing was an act of retaliation for Jewish involvement in the civil rights movement.

The effort to highlight civil rights history includes plans for a midrash, or study center. That will have a civil rights component connected with it, where people who want to continue studying or learn more can do research, Henkin said. People who are doing research into civil rights can come to our synagogue to research and look at our resources and archival documents.

As the installation ceremonies take place this weekend, the Jewish community in Birmingham remains concerned about world events including the war in Israel.

We in Birmingham are looking around at whats going on, Henkin said. Theres a lot of anxiety. Theres a lot of stress. Theres a lot of concern.

As a rabbi, part of my job is to address those anxieties and address those concerns and help people cope, Henkin said. But part of my job as a rabbi is also to be out in public and to educate our community about why Israel is important, what Israel means to us as a community  and why we need the larger communitys support during this difficult time.

See also: Temple Beth-El unveils civil rights tours
A 32-year-old former inmate at the Blount County Jail says she was groomed for months for sexual involvement with a jailer and became a victim of Stockholm Syndrome.

The allegations are among many in a federal lawsuit filed this week in federal court in Birmingham against ex-correctional officer Daniel Kelsoe, 39, and Sheriff Mark Moon.

The lawsuit was filed by attorney Martin Weinberg on behalf of the Jefferson County woman.

The suit claims Kelsoe extended extra privileges to the inmate, and that she believed she was in a loving relationship.

Moon said the sheriffs office does not comment on pending lawsuits. A trial date has not yet been set for Kelsoes criminal charges.

Kelsoe was indicted in March on two counts of custodial sexual contact.

The investigation began when claims were made that Kelsoe was sexually involved with at least two female inmates and possibly a third.

In Alabama, an inmate cannot legally consent to sex with a jailer.

Kelsoe was hired as a corrections officer in April 2022, and Moon said he passed all hiring requirements including a background check and a polygraph test. He underwent jail training.

He later admitted to the sexual involvement, Moon said, and was fired.

Weinberg said the inmate who filed the lawsuit was a non-violent offender and the victim of numerous assaults by Kelsoe. He said the assaults happened from the fall of 2022 through March of 2023.

Kelsoe had unfettered access to the inmate, the suit said, and corresponded with her via handwritten notes.

The inmate even tattooed Kelsoes name on her leg, which was visible, and was disciplined for doing so.

She said she was placed in solitary confinement, which she believes was to keep her from talking to anyone else about what happened.

She said she was denied basic services and contracted Covid from the unsanitary conditions. She also developed Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B that she believes was from the sexual contact with Kelsoe.

The lawsuit said the inmate was also beat up by other inmates because they believed she was a snitch based on her relationship with the corrections officer.

Another Blount County sheriffs jailer was also recently arrested and fired amid allegations he had sex with a female inmate.

Last week, 26-year-old Blount County corrections officer Garrett Law was arrested on a charge of custodial sexual misconduct and immediately fired as well.

Weinberg said the two incidents show systemic failures in the control that authorities have over the jail.
The New York Times list of the 52 Places to Go in 2024 includes a number of the usual suspects: Paris, Maui, Singapore, Geneva and the Caribbean.

But mixed in among those exotic locations is the Alabama state capital, listed by the Times as #28 of the 52 selected.

Montgomery is one of only eight U.S. locations to make the list, joining Baltimore, Md.; Craters of the Moon, National Monument & Preserve in Idaho; Baaj Nwaavjo Itah Kukveni National Monument in Arizona; Kansas City, Mo.; Pasadena, Calif.; Boundary Waters Wilderness in Minnesota; and Flamingo, a part of the Everglades National Park in Florida.

According to the Times, Montgomery was chosen largely on the basis of its history and role in American civil rights. Heres what the Times Elaine Glusac wrote:

When it comes to conversations about race in America, few destinations are as engaged as Montgomery, the former capital of the Confederacy and the birthplace of the civil rights movement. In 2018, the National Memorial for Peace and Justice became the first site of its kind to address racial terror across America, represented by 800 suspended steel pillars, one for each county where a lynching was known to have taken place.

This year, the Equal Justice Initiative, the nonprofit that opened the memorial, will debut a companion site: Freedom Monument Sculpture Park. On the banks of the Alabama River, the 17-acre park will exhibit works by Kehinde Wiley and Theaster Gates; artifacts, including dwellings relocated from a cotton plantation and a pen where enslaved people were held; and the 43-foot-tall National Monument to Freedom.

Dedicated to the millions of enslaved Black people who were emancipated at the end of the Civil War, the steel-walled monument, which resembles an open book, will be engraved with more than 120,000 of their surnames.

Montgomery was listed just ahead of Tasmania in Australia and just behind the Mingan Archipelago in Quebec, Canada.

The full list can be found here.
An Ohio woman facing a criminal charge for her handling of a home miscarriage will not be charged, a grand jury decided Thursday.

The Trumbull County prosecutors office said grand jurors declined to return an indictment for abuse of a corpse against Brittany Watts, 34, of Warren, resolving a case that sparked national attention for its implications for pregnant women as states across the country hash out new laws governing reproductive health care access in the wake of Roe v. Wade being overturned.

The announcement came hours before about 150 supporters gathered for a We Stand With Brittany! rally on Warrens Courthouse Square. The event had been planned before Thursdays announcement of the grand jurys decision.

Watts was among several speakers who addressed the crowd.

I want to thank my community  Warren. Warren, Ohio. I was born here. I was raised here. I graduated high school here, and Im going to continue to stay here because I have to continue to fight, she said.

Watts lawyer said an outpouring of emails, letters, calls, donations and prayers from the public helped her client endure the ordeal of being charged with a felony punishable by up to a year in prison.

No matter how shocking or disturbing it may sound when presented in a public forum, it is simply the devastating reality of miscarriage, attorney Traci Timko said in a statement. While the last three months have been agonizing, we are incredibly grateful and relieved that justice was handed down by the grand jury today.

A municipal judge had found probable cause to bind over Watts case after city prosecutors said she miscarried  clogging the toilet and removing some of its contents to an outdoor trash area  then left the house, leaving the 22-week-old fetus lodged in the pipes.

Watts had visited Mercy Health-St. Josephs Hospital, a Catholic facility in working-class Warren, about 60 miles (100 kilometers) southeast of Cleveland, twice in the days leading up to her miscarriage. Her doctor had told her she was carrying a nonviable fetus and to have her labor induced or risk significant risk of death, according to records of her case.

Due to delays and other complications, her attorney said, she left each time without being treated. After she miscarried, she tried to go to a hair appointment, but friends sent her to the hospital. A nurse called 911 to report a previously pregnant patient had returned reporting the babys in her backyard in a bucket.

That call launched a police investigation that led to the eventual charge against Watts.

Warren Assistant Prosecutor Lewis Guarnieri told Municipal Court Judge Terry Ivanchak the issue wasnt how the child died, when the child died but the fact the baby was put into a toilet, was large enough to clog up the toilet, left in the toilet, and she went on (with) her day.

An autopsy determined the fetus died in utero and identified no recent injuries.

Timko told Ivanchak that Watts, who is Black, had no criminal record and was being demonized for something that goes on every day. She also argued that Ohios abuse-of-corpse statute lacked clear definitions, including what is meant by human corpse and what constitutes outrage to reasonable family and community sensibilities.

When Ivanchak bound the case over, he said, There are better scholars than I am to determine the exact legal status of this fetus, corpse, body, birthing tissue, whatever it is.

Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins said in a statement that county prosecutors respectfully disagree with the lower courts application of the law, after their follow-up investigation found Watts committed no crime.

In Our Own Voice, a Black reproductive rights group, expressed relief Thursday at the cases outcome.

What happened to Brittany Watts is a grave example of how Black women and their bodies face legal threats simply for existing, president and CEO Dr. Regina Davis Moss said in a statement. Her story is one that is becoming alarmingly common: in states with abortion restrictions, Black women, girls, and gender-expansive people are being surveilled, arrested, prosecuted and punished for pregnancy loss.

Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights, a key backer of Ohios successful fall amendment protecting access to reproductive health care, had lobbied Watkins to drop the charge against Watts, which Watkins insisted was not within his power.

On Thursday, the group commended the grand jury and called for the dangerous trend of criminalizing reproductive outcomes to be halted.

It not only undermines womens rights but also threatens public health by instilling fear and hesitation in women seeking necessary medical care during their most vulnerable moments, President Dr. Marcela Azevedo said in a statement.

Watts hopes her story can be an impetus to change, Timko said.

Through education and legislation, Timko said, we can make sure no other woman must set her grief and trauma on a back burner to muster the strength to fight for her freedom.
Quaker Oats is expanding its recall of granola bars, cereals and other snacks over concerns they could be contaminated with salmonella.

Twenty-four products have been added to the recall list that was originally announced in December, according to a statement by the Food and Drug Administration. Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, older people or those with weakened immune symptoms. Healthy people infected with salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, bloody stool, chills, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

Symptoms of infection usually occur 12 hours to three days after exposure and infections generally last a few days to a week.

The list of recalled items includes Quaker Chewy Granola Bars Amazing Apple and Splendid Strawberry varieties, Capn Crunch Treats Crunch Berries Cereal Bar, Quaker Chewy Granola Breakfast Cereal Chocolate and Strawberry, Capn Crunch Ooops! All Berries Cereal, Capn Crunch Instant Oatmeal, Gatorade Protein Bar Peanut Butter Chocolate, and Munchies Snack Mix, among others. You can see a complete list of recalled items and UPC numbers here.

Consumers are asked to check their pantries for any of the recalled products and dispose of them. You can contact Quaker Consumer Relations at 1-800-492-9322 or visit www.quakergranolarecall.com for information on reimbursement.
The second Safe Haven Baby Box in Alabama was opened with a ribbon cutting at Fire Station No. 4 in Prattville on Thursday.

Safe Haven Baby Boxes are designed to allow the safe surrender of an infant, anonymously and with no questions asked. The idea is to provide a life-saving alternative for a desperate mother who might otherwise abandon an infant in an unsafe place.

The boxes were developed by Monica Kelsey of Woodburn, Indiana, a retired firefighter and medic, who came to Prattville for Thursdays event.

Kelsey was abandoned two hours after she was born in 1973 by her teenage mother, whose pregnancy was the result of a brutal rape. Kelsey said she considers herself on the front lines of a movement to save other infants who are at risk of abandonment.

This is my legacy and I am their voice, Kelsey said. And I will forever be their voice. And I tell you it is an honor, it is an absolute honor to speak for them.

The Alabama Legislature passed a bill last year to authorize the use of the boxes in Alabama, expanding a law passed in 2000 that allowed the surrender of infants at hospitals.

The first Safe Haven Baby Box was opened in Madison on Wednesday. The Kids to Love Foundation, based in Madison, is spearheading the Safe Haven effort in Alabama. Kids to Love Founder and CEO Lee Marshall said donors have provided funding for a total of 13 baby boxes in Alabama.

Marshall said Kids to Love is talking to city officials and firefighters across the state to have boxes available in more places.

I think the biggest challenge right now is people dont really understand it, Marshall said. They dont understand how it works and that there are so many built in safety factors.

The box, installed in the exterior walls of fire stations, opens with a handle from the outside. Inside the climate-controlled box is a bassinet. When closed, the box locks from the outside and sounds an alarm to alert firefighters that an infant has been placed there.

The law authorizing the use of baby boxes says they can be installed at fire stations that are staffed by at least one emergency medical person at all times, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Marshall said the Alabama law allowing surrender of infants at a hospital, in place since 2000, was a good step, but the expanded law with the use of the baby boxes has the potential to save more lives.

We felt like while that is still a great option, hospitals are crowded, Marshall said. And sometimes this is a decision that they dont want an audience for. So there is complete anonymity when they choose to place their baby in a baby box.

Kelsey said a total of 39 infants have been surrendered in Safe Haven Boxes since the first was installed in her hometown in Indiana in 2016. That includes 17 surrendered in 2023 alone as the number of boxes has grown. Kelsey said another 133 infants have been surrendered directly to firefighters.

There are 193 active boxes nationwide and about 47 more in some stage of installation or testing, Kelsey said.

Rep. Donna Givens, a Republican from Loxley, sponsored the bill to allow the use of Safe Haven boxes in Alabama. Givens said she got the idea at an event where she heard Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch talk about her state passing the same law. Givens said she talked to Fitch, then started working on legislation.

Givens is a freshman lawmaker elected in 2022 and said she prayed about finding her purpose for the legislative seat. She said despite her inexperience as a brand new member of the House and limited days in the session after she introduced the bill, the legislation passed the House and Senate without a dissenting vote. Givens said a reporter asked her how the bill made it to the finish line despite the obstacles.

I said theres only one thing, Givens said. If God is in the middle of something, man cant stop it. And I truly feel like God was in the middle from the beginning to the end of the entire process because it would not have happened.

Givens said it is regrettable that there is a need for the Safe Haven boxes.

Yes, its sad times that we have to have something like this. But were in those times, Givens said.

Kelsey said she got the idea for the boxes when she saw one at a church while traveling in South Africa.

I thought, Why does America not have this? Kelsey said. So on a flight back from Cape Town South Africa on a Delta napkin, 35,000 feet in the air, I hand drew my version of the baby box and then I came to America and started the uphill battle of implementing it here in the country.

Prattville Fire Chief Terry Brown said he would encourage other fire departments to install the boxes. Brown said the boxes fit with the mission of the fire department to protect life.

Kelsey said it always touches her deeply when she learns that a child has been safely surrendered. She is also mindful of the impact on the life of the mother who made that decision.

It never gets old getting a call from a fire chief when they say, Monica, we just got a baby in the box, Kelsey said. Its so encouraging but its also so heartbreaking at the same time. Because yes, weve saved the life of a child. But we also know that there is a mother that is having the worst day of her life.

Marshall said the family of Curtis and Dawn Pilot of south Alabama donated the funds for Alabamas first 10 Safe Haven boxes in memory of their daughter, Nikki Pilot Carlisle, who died of cancer. Maury Carlisle, Nikkis husband, was recognized at Thursdays ribbon cutting.

Marshall said Bill Roark, co-founder of Torch Technologies in Huntsville, donated funds for three more Safe Haven boxes.

This story was edited on Jan. 12 to say that the law allows the use of baby boxes only in fire stations that are staffed by at least one emergency medical worker 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
TOKYO, Jan 13 ( News On Japan ) - The Nikkei Stock Average reached its highest level since the bubble era for the fourth consecutive day on Friday, closing at 35,422.95, surging by more than 2,000 points over the past week on the back of changes to Japan's investment rules.

According to Shingo Ide, Chief Equity Strategist at the NLI Research Institute, "The effect of the new NISA system might account for around 500-600 billion of this rise."

NISA, short for Nippon (Japan) Individual Savings Account, allows tax exemption on investment gains. Starting this January, the investment limit has increased from 1.2 million to 3.6 million annually, encouraging more people to start investing.

"When individual investors purchase foreign stock funds, they convert yen into dollars in the process. This results in a weaker yen, which improves the profitability of Japanese export companies, subsequently leading to an increase in Japanese stocks, Nikkei averages, and TOPIX," Shingo Ide explains.

Despite these market gains, Japanese households still hold a significant portion of their financial assets in cash and deposits, totaling 1,000 trillion.

"While there may be potential corrections next week due to the rapid increase in stock prices so far, in the long run, we can expect gradual growth," Shingo Ide concludes.

Source: ANNnewsCH
The threat for severe weather in Alabama continues to diminish as of Friday afternoon.

There have been reports of trees down, and at least one injury, because of non-thunderstorm gradient winds in north and central Alabama, but the storms themselves have stayed sub-severe as of Friday afternoon.

NOAAs Storm Prediction Center has dropped any severe weather risk for north and west-central Alabama as of its latest update at 1:35 p.m. Friday.

However, the southeast corner of the state remains in a Level 2 risk and could see scattered severe storms, and the rest of south Alabama and the eastern part of central Alabama have a Level 1 risk and could see isolated severe storms.

Strong winds and heavy rain will continue to be possible in the southern part of the state for the next few hours.

In addition there will be non-thunderstorm winds to deal with again, and wind advisories will be in effect statewide. Winds could be sustained at 20-30 mph and could gust as high as 55 mph.

The National Weather Service has already gotten multiple reports of downed trees in northeast Alabama from non-thunderstorm winds, and there have been scattered wind damage reports from central Alabama.

Colder temperatures will follow todays storms, and snow is looking more likely for parts of northern Alabama on Monday and Tuesday. Keep an eye on the forecast this weekend for more updates.
Click here for the latest on Alabamas winter weather threat.

Its looking more possible that parts of Alabama will get a little snow next week. Although snow in Alabama is never a sure thing.

The National Weather Service was dealing with the possibility of severe weather on Friday but also said winter precipitation could be an issue for parts of north and north-central Alabama from Sunday into Tuesday.

Some of the snow could -- could -- accumulate in parts of north and north-central Alabama.

However, all of the state will have to deal with what will be the coldest air  by far  of the winter, which will arrive in Alabama starting on Sunday night and last through next week.

Temperatures in the single digits and teens will be possible in north and central Alabama, and even south Alabama could fall into the teens and low 20s before it is over, according to forecasters.

The coldest night is expected to be Tuesday into Wednesday. Here are the forecast low temperatures:

Here are the low temperatures expected from Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.NWS

A strong Arctic cold front is expected to move into Alabama Sunday night into Monday, and it will bring bitterly cold air along with it.

There is the possibility that light snow could start on Sunday night and last through Tuesday morning.

The forecast for cold temperatures has high confidence. The forecast for snow, as always in Alabama, is more tricky. The weather service said there was low confidence when it comes to snow totals for Alabama.

Heres what forecasters were thinking about snow potential for the different regions of Alabama.

NORTH ALABAMA

This map shows the probability of winter weather impacts for north Alabama from 6 a.m. Monday into 6 a.m. Tuesday. Note that this is an evolving forecast and could change before next week.NWS

The National Weather Service in Huntsville cautioned that the forecast for winter precipitation for north Alabama was evolving -- and changes will be very possible going into next week.

But as of Friday morning forecasters were thinking that there will be low to medium chances for snow Monday and Monday night. Forecasters think the precipitation will arrive in the form of snow.

While it is still pretty early to get into specifics regarding amounts, models continue to favor at least some snow across the Tennessee Valley Monday into Tuesday, the weather service said in its Friday morning forecast discussion. The best timing for snow will come between sunrise Monday morning through the early morning hours on Tuesday.

Snow totals were expected to remain at less than 2 inches across most of north Alabama.

Northwest Alabama could see the most snow, and more than 2 inches is not out of the question.

CENTRAL ALABAMA

Here's the latest on the winter weather expected early next week. We're focusing on potential impacts now and will get into the nitty gritty of accumulations as we get closer. So, hold those questions for now, and go ahead and start preparing. #alwx pic.twitter.com/LmVg6zqRpv  NWS Birmingham (@NWSBirmingham) January 12, 2024

The National Weather Service in Birmingham said wintry precipitation will be possible for areas north of the Interstate 85 corridor from Sunday night into Tuesday morning.

As of Friday afternoon forecasters have upped the odds a bit for areas in northwest central Alabama seeing accumulating snow.

Forecasters said that areas as far south as I-85 could see a wintry mix potentially changing into snow. However, better chances of anything accumulating will be near and north of Interstate 20.

There will be the potential for slippery roads near and north of I-20.

The weather service said light snow will be possible as early as Sunday night across the northwestern parts of central Alabama, which will transition southeastward Monday and Monday night to along and just south of the Interstate 20 corridor.

Forecasters said precipitation may be ongoing Monday evening as temperatures fall into the mid-20s across the northwest counties. Any snowfall may quickly accumulate, possibly leading to travel impacts in that part of the area.

Areas south of I-20 will need to be on guard for possible ice: There is a non-zero chance of light ice accumulation in areas south of I-20 Monday night into Tuesday morning, where temps will reside around 30 degrees. This, in addition to snow further northwest, will need to be monitored closely for any accumulation with regard to infrastructure and travel impacts, the weather service said in its Friday morning forecast discussion.

Anything frozen that falls may hang around a while: Some spots in northern central Alabama may not make it above freezing until Wednesday afternoon.

SOUTH ALABAMA

Here are the low temperatures forecast for south Alabama from Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.NWS

The National Weather Service in Mobile said that as of Friday forecasters were leaning toward most of the rain to fall along and ahead of the Arctic front, which means that south Alabama would only be treated to a cold rain.

But, if the front moves faster than expected and precipitation lingers behind it, then a light wintry mix cannot be ruled out.

If that were to happen the precipitation type would favor freezing rain, the weather service said, but some sleet could also be possible.

The weather service is forecasting a slight chance for freezing rain inland areas long and west of the Interstate 65 corridor starting on Monday night.
Thursdays virtual meeting of the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission was interrupted by pornography.

AMCC Communications Director Brittany Peters said someone who had logged onto the Zoom meeting unmuted themselves and displayed the porn.

Peters said it was not displayed on the full screen but the small box for that participant.

Peters, who was running the meeting on her laptop in the AMCCs conference room, said she noticed it and removed the person from the meeting. She said the incident, which came near the end of the meeting, lasted less than 10 seconds.

The meeting was displayed on a large screen for participants in the conference room. AMCC Executive Director John McMillan, who was in the conference room, said those in the room did not see the porn on the screen but heard what sounded like a loud gasp.

We were concerned that somebody had a heart attack, McMillan said.

The AMCC immediately began hearing from lawyers and others who watched the meeting on Zoom, McMillan said.

Apparently it was pretty explicit, he said.

Commission Chairman Rex Vaughn, who was watching the meeting on Zoom, said there were two porn interruptions during the meeting. Vaughn said the first interruption was the longer of the two and estimated it lasted about 20 seconds.

It was triple-X, Vaughn said. It was pretty bad.

Vaughn said the first disruption showed on the main display on his laptop, not just in the small box.

The main purpose of the meeting was for the AMCCs attorneys to give an update on lawsuits by companies that are challenging the issuance of business licenses by the commission.

McMillan said he believes the incident was an effort to harass the commission, like swatting incidents that have been in the news recently, which involve calls for a bomb threat or some other fake emergency.

Vaughn said none of the commission members are other meeting participants made a comment during the meeting about what they had seen.

Nobody said a word, Vaughn said. He said that is good because the hacker was trying to disrupt the meeting.

The AMCCs meetings, including its virtual meetings, are covered by the state open meetings law. So the AMCC posts the link to the Zoom meetings on its website and on the secretary of states Open Alabama website.

As long as these meetings are for the public we are probably going to be somewhat vulnerable to that, Vaughn said.

Peters said the incident has been reported but she is not aware of a way to identify the person who displayed the porn.

McMillan and Peters said the AMCC is looking at options that would prevent another disruption to a virtual meeting.

The incident was first reported by Alabama Daily News.

Updated at 12:35 p.m. with comments from AMCC Chair Rex Vaughn.
A suspect in a stolen vehicle who had 38 prior arrests was seriously injured Thursday afternoon after he led authorities on a chase in Calera and hit another driver, police said.

A patrol officer spotted the vehicle on Highway 16 and initiated a traffic stop when the suspect fled and struck another vehicle, said Calera Police Chief David Hyche.

The suspect, only identified as a male from Montevallo, was seriously injured while the driver of the other vehicle sustained minor injuries.

The vehicle the suspect was riding in was stolen late last month from Chilton County, authorities said.

Police said they found a stolen tag and narcotics inside the vehicle.

This individual made the choice to drive through Calera in a stolen vehicle while having warrants from 4 other agencies. He chose to endanger citizens, himself and our officers. He will be facing a multitude of charges including the new Alabama FELONY attempting to elude charge, Hyche said.

Criminal justice reform is needed but not the type we normally hear about, he added. Until we have real, swift and consistent enforcement and consequences for crime we will keep arresting the same people over and over.
After years of concerns over rate increases, customer complaints and employee dissatisfaction at the Birmingham Water Works, 21 Republicans and Democrats in the Alabama legislature are calling for an audit of the states largest water utility.

In letters to state Sen. Greg Reed, the president pro tem of the Alabama Senate, the lawmakers cited a recent vote of no-confidence by water works employees among a series of eye-raising concerns.

This incident is just the latest event in what has been years of issues that have played out publicly that bring into question the management of the system: these include allegations of fraud, self-dealing, waste, and inefficiency, reads one letter, dated Dec. 19 and written by State Rep. Jim Carns, R-Vestavia Hills. Thirteen other Republicans and Democrats from Jefferson County signed on to the letter.

A nearly identical companion letter from a bipartisan group of seven state senators from Jefferson County also calls for Reed to begin an audit.

AL.com obtained copies of both letters this week.

Waggoner this week told AL.com the letters represent a rare, unified effort to call for reform. The water works has about 600 employees and serves about 770,000 customers in Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Blount, and Walker counties.

This is the first time in my memory where such a controversial issue has received support from Democrats, Republicans, and its across the board, said Waggoner, who has been in the legislature since 1966. It is historic. Im not sure exactly the outcome were looking for, but it has a lot of momentum.

Reed has not said whether he plans to conduct an audit. But, in a statement to AL.com this week, he stressed the importance of efficiency at the water works.

This area of the state needs Birmingham Water Works to function as a healthy organization in order to meet the needs of their customers, Reed said. Local leaders will continue to look for ways to make Birmingham Water Works the best it can be to carry out its mission to serve the public.

After learning of the delegation letters from AL.com, water works leaders sent their own letter to Reed on Wednesday, inviting him to engage in a constructive dialogue.

The current board of directors would welcome the opportunity to meet with you, Representative Carns, or any other legislator to address any concerns you may have about the Water Works Board, wrote board chair Tereshia Huffman. We are committed to fostering transparency and value the input of all legislators.

In the response, Huffman also noted an error in the lawmakers letters. She said the utilitys most recent rate increase is 4.8 percent rather than the 5.8 percent.

Rick Jackson, public relations manager for the water works, told AL.com that the utility remains open to working with stakeholders across its five-county service area.

Our goal is to continue delivering high-quality water services to our customers at the most affordable rates possible, all while upholding financial transparency and prudence, he said.

Lawmakers cited examples of constituents calling them with complaints of extraordinary high water bills. Rep. Carns told AL.com that the high rates negatively affect quality of life and home resale values for thousands of families in the Birmingham metro.

Jackson said the utilitys water rates are competitive to others nationwide.

It is worth noting that our rates have historically been at or below the national average from 1998 to 2022, emphasizing our commitment to providing cost-effective services to our community, he said.

State Sen. Rodger Smitherman was the lone member of Jefferson Countys senate delegation to not sign the letter. Smitherman, who has been a longtime defender of the utility against state intervention, said his colleagues were premature in their actions before seeking a meeting with the utilitys leadership.

The water works has already done an audit and thats where they need to start, with having a meeting with the board and the auditor and going over whatever their concerns are, Smitherman said. They just bypassed that and went straight to what theyre trying to do now.

Smitherman also questioned the legislatures authority to have the state audit the utility.

State Sen. Linda Coleman, D-Birmingham, said the utility needs to be more transparent with the public  especially when it comes to rate increases and why.

I shouldnt have to be the one to explain this and talk to citizens about it, they should. Its just a matter of communication, Coleman told AL.com. There needs to be transparency, people need to know whats going on, and they need to know what to expect. Citizens need to know whats the long range and how its going to impact them.

Coleman said shes shared her concerns with the water works leadership in the past.

Maybe were asking them to go beyond, Coleman said. Its not about politics, its a common issue that affects all of our citizens, rich and poor.

Two members of the House delegation from Jefferson County, Democrat Juandalynn Givan and Republican Tim Wadsworth, did not sign the letter.

Rep. Wadsworth did not respond to requests for comment.

Rep. Givan said she didnt know about the letters but plans to send a revised version with her name included.

Ive always been in support of an audit. All corporations should have audits and they are no different than anyone else, she said. I suggested it last year so we should know what the issues were. Of course, I would wholeheartedly support that.

Givan, who has defended the utility against state legislation in the past, said she doesnt think the utility opposes an audit.

In December, the Birmingham Water Works Employee Association issued a vote of no confidence in management and detailed several grievances regarding inequity in discipline, promotions, and salaries.

Under this Executive Staff, morale has plummeted to depths never seen before, the associations letter read.

Regarding employee dissatisfaction, Huffman said officials are working to improve communication with staff.

BWW is engaging employees to address communication barriers, fostering an environment where open dialogue is encouraged, Huffman wrote. Our ongoing efforts aim to ensure that employees not only have confidence in BWW, but also feel valued through their meaningful contributions and input.

The lawmakers bipartisan letters represent a rare collaboration between Republicans and Democrats from the city of Birmingham, its surrounding suburbs, and Over the Mountain communities.

It surprised me, Carns said of the effort. This is not a Republican, Democrat issue in my opinion. But the solution has got to come because the process is not working over there. This would be a major step forward if we can get this done.
The operator of a pontoon boat that had to be pulled out of Mobile Bay during storms on Tuesday was being reckless and did not have a license to operate the vessel, authorities said Thursday.

David J. Russell, 55, of Mobile, was charged with reckless operation and no vessel license, said Sgt. Jeremy Burkett with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

The pontoon boat has also been removed from the shoreline in wake of the charges, Burkett said.

Troopers with ALEAs Marine Patrol Division were dispatched to assist a man and a woman on the pontoon boat which had been stranded on the jetties in Mobile Bay near the Buccaneer Yacht Club about 1:52 a.m. Tuesday.

At that time, there was a 17 mph wind out of the south, with gusts up to 35 mph and a thunderstorm in the area, according to the National Weather Service.

As the troopers were in route to the stranded boaters, the boat broke free and drifted into the shore, where the two boaters were assisted by the Marine Patrol.

The two people rescued were identified as Russell and 44-year-old Sabrina M. Breganza of Wilmer.

ALEA did not indicate whether either of the two were injured and no other details were released.
Authorities issued an emergency missing child alert Friday for a 4-year-old boy who disappeared from southeast Alabama.

Phenix Wilkerson, 4, was last seen around 12:30 p.m. Friday wearing a blue tie-dye shirt and gray sweatpants, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, which issued the alert.

Phenix was not wearing shoes when he disappeared near Sid Bush Road in Clayton, in Barbour County.

The boy was described as 3-feet 5-inches tall with hazel eyes and red or auburn hair.

Anyone with information on Phenixs whereabouts was asked to call the Barbour County Sheriffs Office at 334-775-3434 or 911.
An Alabama man convicted of possessing child porn more than a decade ago can live with his underage son, a federal judge in Tuscaloosa ruled.

Bruce Henry, a Tuscaloosa County man who served nearly six years in prison and five years of supervised release after pleading guilty in 2013, challenged a provision of Alabama law barring adult sex offenders convicted of a sex offense involving a child from residing or living overnight with a minor.

Henry filed his challenge in 2021, when he and his wife had a son.

In ruling in Henrys favor, U.S. District Court Judge R. Austin Huffaker called the provisions scope breathtaking, adding that the [n]o other state has crafted or enacted such a broad, unyielding rule in this context.

The statute treats all sex offenses involving a child the same, including child pornography offenses. It applies equally to, for example, a 19-year-old male college freshman convicted for downloading sexually explicit content of his 16-year-old high school girlfriend, to the worst of the worst offenderslike one who trafficked and raped children, Huffaker wrote in his ruling issued Wednesday.

If convicted, and based on that conviction alone, both of those individuals would be subject to [the provision] for life, without relief, no matter the circumstances that led to the conviction, regardless of how the circumstances may have changed in the months, years, or decades following the conviction, the judge wrote. These extremes reveal the statutes core infirmity: it relies on the mere fact of conviction in perpetuity, despite the varying elements attendant to the several independent crimes considered sexual offenses involving a minor.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall indicated in court filings that he would appeal the ruling to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.

The attorney generals office could not be reached on whether Marshall is also asking for a stay of Huffakers ruling while an appeal plays out, but Huffaker wrote that he would entertain such a motion if it is filed.

In siding with Henry, Huffaker quoted another judges ruling in another case involving the Alabama Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Act:

Alabama can prosecute sex offenses to the full extent of the law. It can also act to protect its citizens from recidivist sex offenders. . . . [But] once a person serves his full sentence, he enjoys the full protection of the Constitution. Sex offenders are not second-class citizens, and anyone who thinks otherwise would do well to remember Thomas Paines wisdom: He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself.
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In August 2020, I wrote a post about my AI timelines. Using the following definition of AGI:

An AI system that matches or exceeds humans at almost all (95%+) economically valuable work.

(Edit: To clarify, this doesnt have to mean AIs do 100% of the work of 95% of people. If AIs did 95% of the work of 100% of people, that would count too.)

My forecast at the time was:

10% chance by 2035

50% chance by 2045

90% chance by 2070

Now I would say its more like:

10% chance by 2028 (5ish years)

25% chance by 2035 (10ish years)

50% chance by 2045

90% chance by 2070

To explain why, I think it would be most instructive to directly compare my 2020 post to my current one.

The Role of Compute

The last time I seriously thought about AGI, I saw two broad theories about the world.

Hypothesis 1: Scaling is enough for AGI. Many problems we consider challenging will disappear at scale. Making models bigger wont be easy, but the challenges behind scaling up models will be tackled and solved sooner rather than later, and the rest will follow.

Hypothesis 2: Scaling current methods is not the right paradigm. It is undeniably important, but we will reach the limits of what scale can do, find we are not at AGI, and need new ideas that are far from current state-of-the-art methods to make further progress. Doing so will take a while.

Quoting myself from 2020,

How much are AI capabilities driven by better hardware letting us scale existing models, and how much is driven by new ML ideas? This is a complicated question, especially because the two are not independent. New ideas enable better usage of hardware, and more hardware lets you try more ideas. My 2015 guess to the horrid simplification was that 50% of AGI progress would come from compute, and 50% would come from better algorithms. There were several things missing between 2015 models, and something that put the general in artificial general intelligence. I was not convinced more compute would fix that. Since then, there have been many successes powered by scaling up models, and [in 2020] I now think the balance is more like 65% compute, 35% algorithms. I suspect that many human-like learning behaviors could just be emergent properties of larger models. I also suspect that many things humans view as intelligent or intentional are neither. We just want to think were intelligent and intentional. Were not, and the bar ML models need to cross is not as high as we think.

(2020 post)

Most of the reason I started believing in faster timelines in 2020 was because I thought hypothesis 1 (the scaling hypothesis) had proved it had real weight behind it. Not enough to declare it had won, but enough that it deserved attention.

Now that its 2024, do I get to say I called it? The view of things emerge at scale is significantly more mainstream these days. I totally called it. This is the main reason that I feel compelled to keep my 50% / 90% numbers the same but stretch my 10% number forward. If scaling stops then itll take a while, and if it keeps going I dont think itll take that long. The evidence so far suggests that the scaling hypothesis is more likely to be true.

If there is something I did not call, it would be the flexibility of next token prediction.

There are certainly problems with GPT-3. It has a fixed attention window. It doesnt have a way to learn anything it hasnt already learned from trying to predict the next character of text. Determining what it does know requires learning how to prompt GPT-3 to give the outputs you want, and not all simple prompts work. Finally, it has no notion of intent or agency. Its a next-word predictor. Thats all it is, and Id guess that trying to change its training loss to add intent or agency would be much, much more difficult than it sounds.

(2020 post)

It turned out that next token prediction was enough to pretend to follow intent, if you finetuned on enough instruction: example data, and pretending to follow intent is close enough to actually following intent. Supervised finetuning with the same loss was good enough and it was not much more difficult than that. The finding that instruction fine-tuning let a 1.5B model outperform an untuned 175B model was basically what made ChatGPT possible at current compute.

Diagram from InstructGPT analysis, with added line comparing the 1.5B supervised finetuned model to an untuned 175B model. Feel free to ignore the blue line that includes RLHF.

I was correct in claiming that something very important was happening at scale. I was wrong in how many ideas would be needed to exploit it.

Every day it gets harder to argue its impossible to brute force the step-functions between toy and product with just scale and the right dataset. Ive been converted to the compute hype-train and think the fraction is like 80% compute 20% better ideas. Ideas are still important - things like chain-of-thought have been especially influential, and in that respect, leveraging LLMs better is still an ideas game. At least for now - see experiments on LLM-driven prompt optimization. Honestly it wouldnt shock me if a lot of automatic prompt generation happens right now and just doesnt get published, based on what people have figured out about DALL-E 3.

Unsupervised Learning

Unsupervised learning got better way faster than I expected. Deep reinforcement learning got better a little faster than I expected. Transfer learning has been slower than expected.

(2020 post)

Ah, transfer learning. I remember the good old days, where people got excited about a paper that did like, 5 tasks, and showed you could speed up learning at a 6th task. Now it is all about large internet-scale models that have gone through enough rounds of next token prediction to zero-shot a wide class of tasks. Or to quote work from my colleagues, large language models are general pattern machines. As far as I know, the dedicated transfer learning techniques like PCGrad are not only unused, they dont get much further research either.

Suffice it to say that unsupervised and self-supervised methods have continued to shine as the dark matter powering every large language and multimodal model. Theyre still the best methods for vacuuming up compute and data. Throw everything in the hole and the hole will provide.

If youve got proof that a large Transformer can handle audio, image, and text in isolation, why not try doing so on all three simultaneously? Presumably this multi-modal learning will be easier if all the modalities go through a similar neural net architecture, and [current] research implies Transformers are good-enough job to be that architecture.

(2020 post)

I dont think there are sufficient advances at the algorithms level of unsupervised learning to affect my timelines. It feels compute driven to me.

What about other learning algorithms? There is still a role for supervised learning and reinforcement learning, but they certainly have less hype behind them. When deep reinforcement learning was at peak hype, I remember people accused it of being horribly inefficient. Which it was! The reply Id always give was that deep RL from scratch was insane, but it was a useful way to benchmark RL methods. The long run would eventually look like doing RL on top of a model trained via other means.

Fast forward to now, and I got my wish, except Im not happy about it. RLHF people tell me that they think pretty much any RL algorithm will give okay results as long as you have good preference data, and the most important questions are the ones surrounding the RL algorithm.

Calling back to the famous cake slide from Yann LeCuns NeurIPS 2016 talk on predictive learning, people respect the cherry but its natural for people to care more about the cake. The slide is slightly offensive but Id say it came slightly true.

I still think better generic RL algorithms are out there, and they would make RLHF better, but its harder to justify searching for them when you could spend the marginal compute on extra pretraining or supervised fine-tuning instead. Its what you turn to after youve done both of the former. Robot learning in particular has drifted towards imitation learning because its easier to work with and uses compute more effectively. At least in my research bubble, the field is drifting from generic RL methods to ones that exploit the structure of preference data, like DPO and its siblings. Still, I feel obligated to plug Q-Transformer, a generic RL + Transformers paper I worked on in 2023.

Better Tooling

In the more empirical sides of ML, the obvious components of progress are your ideas and computational budget, but there are less obvious ones too, like your coding and debugging skills, and your ability to utilize your compute. It doesnt matter how many processors you have per machine, if your code doesnt use all the processors available. [] The research stack has lots of parts, improvements continually happen across that entire stack, and most of these improvements have multiplicative benefits.

(2020 post)

Nothing in the tooling department has really surprised me. However, as more people have moved to Transformers-by-default, the tools have become more specialized and concentrated. Stuff like FlashAttention wouldnt be as much of a thing if it werent relevant to like, literally every modern ML project.

If I had to pick something I missed, it would be the rise of research via API calls. API owners have a wider audience of hobbyists, developers, and researchers, giving more economic justification to improve user experience. I also liked Pete Wardens take, that people are now more interested in the codebase thats already integrated LLaMa or Whisper over generic ML frameworks.

Overall Id say tools are progressing as expected. I may have been surprised when LLM assistants appeared, but I always expected something like them to arrive. However, I missed that the pool of people providing research ideas grows as AI becomes more popular and accessible, which should account for some speedup.

Scaling Laws

At the time I wrote the original post, the accepted scaling laws were from Kaplan et al, 2020, and still had room for a few orders of magnitude.

Two years after that post, Hoffman et al, 2022 announced Chinchilla scaling laws showing that models could be much smaller given a fixed FLOPs budget, as long as you had a larger dataset. An important detail is that Chinchilla scaling laws were estimated assuming that you train a model, then run inference once on your benchmark. However, in a world where most large models are run for inference many times (as part of products or APIs), its more compute optimal to train for longer than Chinchilla recommends, once you account for inference cost. Further analysis from Thaddee Yann TYLs blog suggests model sizes could potentially be even lower than previously assumed.

Despite the dramatic reductions in model size, I dont think the adjustments to scaling laws are that important to model capabilities. Im guessing the Pareto frontier has bent slightly, but not in a dramatic way. Maybe I am wrong, I have not seen the hard numbers because it seems like literally every lab with the resources has decided that scaling laws are now need-to-know trade secrets. But for now, I am assuming that FLOPs and data are the bottleneck, and if you control for both we are only slightly more efficient and new scaling laws havent affected timelines too much.

Id say the most important consequence is that inference times are much smaller than previously projected. In combination with smaller model sizes, theres been a lot of progress in quantization to make those models even smaller in scenarios where youre time or memory limited. Thats made products faster than they otherwise would be pre-Chinchilla. In the early 2010s, Google did a lot of research into how much delays impact search engine usage, and the conclusion was it matters a ton. When search engines are slow, people use them less, even if the quality is worth waiting for. ML products are no different.

Speaking of

Rise of the Product Cycle

As part of the 2020 post, I did an exercise I called trying hard to say no. I decided to start from the base assumption that short-term AGI was possible, describe my best guess as to how we ended up in that world, then see how plausible I found that story after writing it. The reason to do this is because if you want to be correct that AGI is far away, you have to refute the strongest argument in favor of short-term AGI. So, you should at least be able to refute the strongest argument you come up with yourself.

At the time, I described a hypothetical future where not many ideas would be needed, aside from scale. I assumed someone developed an AI-powered app thats useful enough for the average person.

Perhaps someone develops an app or tool, using a model of GPT-3s size or larger, thats a huge productivity multiplier. Imagine the first computers, Lotus Notes, or Microsoft Excel taking over the business world.

(2020 post)

This hypothetical app would bring enough revenue to fund its own improvement.

If that productivity boost is valuable enough to make the economics work out, and you can earn net profit once you account for inference and training costs, then youre in business - literally. Big businesses pay for your tool. Paying customers drives more funding and investment, which pays for more hardware, which enables even larger training runs.

Since this idea would be based on scale, it would imply the concentration of research into a narrower set of ideas.

As models grow larger, and continue to demonstrate improved performance, research coalesces around a small pool of methods that have been shown to scale with compute. Again, that happened and is still happening with deep learning. When lots of fields use the same set of techniques, you get more knowledge sharing, and that drives better research. Maybe five years from now, well have a new buzzword that takes deep learnings place.

I thought this was a helpful exercise, and concluded by saying the number of things that have to go right makes me think its unlikely this will occur, but its worth considering.

And then everything I thought was unlikely came true.

We have a ChatGPT app, which went viral and inspired a large cast of competitors. It is not a huge productivity booster, but its enough of one that people are willing to pay for it. Supposedly Microsoft loses $20/user on Copilot, but David Holz has claimed Midjourney is already profitable. Id split the difference and say most AI services could be profitable, but run at a loss in the name of growth.

This has driven tech giants and VCs to throw billions at hardware and ML talent hiring. Deep learning is old news - now everyone says LLM or generative AI or prompt engineering. Masked Autoencoders can handle audio, multimodal Gemini and GPT-4V handle vision, and a few video generation models are uncanny but making good progress.

To me it now seems completely obvious that transformers will be pushed much, much further than any other model architecture in the history of machine learning. There is too much hype, the scaling is inevitable, and even if the doomers point of view becomes more popular, there are enough optimists that I expect somebody will push forward, safety and alignment and fairness concerns be damned. To borrow a point from Gwerns essay on timing, speculative technology is created by the experts with the most faith that it will succeed. It will always seem insane that those experts could be correct, and in fact those experts will usually be too early, but when they are right they will succeed before the world catches up to their ideas. And experts with the most faith tend to understand the possible negative externalities, but assume theyll be fine. For better or for worse.

Trying to Say No, Again

Lets run this exercise of lets assume near-term AGI is possible, how do we get there again, to see whats changed.

Once again, wed assume progress comes primarily from larger compute budgets and scale. Maybe its not transformers, maybe one of the transformer replacements that claims to be more efficient will finally win. (I know some people are excited about Mamba and other state-space models.) Increasing parameter count in code is easy if you have the compute and data to exploit it, so lets assume the bottlenecks are on compute and data. We can take ML powers products powers funding powers ML as a given. Thats just whats happening. The question is whether something will make scaling fail.

I dont really know enough about hardware to discuss it in any detail, so lets just assume itll continue to grow. Computer chips have gotten more expensive, given that everyone is keeping their eyes on them, including nation states. Still, computers are useful, ML models are useful, and even if models fail to scale, people will want to fit GPT-4 sized models on their phone. It seems reasonable to assume the competing factions will figure something out. The silicon must flow, after all.

Data seems like the harder question. (Or at least the one I feel qualified talking about.) We have already crossed the event horizon of trying to train on everything on the Internet. Its increasingly difficult for labs to differentiate themselves on publicly available data. Differentiation is instead coming from non-public high-quality data to augment public low-quality data. The rumor is that GPT-4 is good at coding in part because OpenAI spent a lot of time, effort, and money on acquiring good coding data. Adobe put out an ad asking for 500 to 1000 photos of bananas in real life situations for their AI projects. Anthropic has a dedicated tokens team to acquire and understand data, based on job listings. Everyone wants good data, and theyre willing to pay for it, because people trust the models can use that data effectively as long as they can get it.

All the scaling laws have followed power laws so far, including dataset size. Getting more data by hand doesnt seem good enough to cross to the next thresholds. We need better means to get good data.

A long time ago, when OpenAI still did RL in games / simulation, they were very into self-play. You run agents against copies of themselves, score their interactions, and update the models towards interactions with higher reward. Given enough time, they learn complex strategies through competition. At the time, I remember Ilya said they cared because self-play was a method to turn compute into data. You run your model, get data from your models interactions with the environment, funnel it back in, and get an exponential improvement in your Elo curves. What was quickly clear was that this was true, but only in the narrow regime where self-play was possible. In practice that usually meant game-like environments with at most a few hundred different entities, plus a ground truth reward function that was not too easy or hard, and an easy ability to reset and run faster than real time. Without all those qualities, self-play sputtered and died with nothing to show for it besides warmer GPUs.

I think its possible were at the start of a world where self-play or self-play-like ideas work to improve LLM capabilities. Drawing an analogy, the environment is the dialogue, actions are text generated from an LLM, and the reward is from whatever reward model you have. Instead of using ground truth data, our models may be at a point where they can generate data thats good enough to train on.

There are papers exploring this already, usually under the umbrella term synthetic data. One of the early results around GPT-4 by Pan, Chan, Zou et al was that GPT-4s label accuracy was competitive with human crowdworkers. Diffusion based image augmentation has been shown to improve robot learning, and Anthropic has based a lot of its branding on constitutional AI and RL from AI feedback. NeurIPS had a workshop on synthetic data as well. Other papers more directly use self-play terminology - see Improving Language Model Negotiation from Fu et al and Self-Play Fine-Tuning from Chen et al.

Language models in 2024 remind me of image classification in 2016, where people turned to GANs to augment their datasets. One of my first papers, GraspGAN, was on the subject, and we showed it worked in the low-data regime of robotics. Every image on the Internet is now arguably a low-data regime, which is a bit crazy to think about.

If the models dont eat their own tail, the end result is a world where data becomes increasingly untethered from human effort, and progress just fully turns into how many FLOPs you can shovel into the system. Even if the accuracy of synthetic labels is worse, its often cheaper. I expect these ideas to work, although Im uncertain on the time scale, and the result will be a world where direct human feedback is only used to bootstrap reward models for new use cases or sanity check data generated for existing ones. Everything else will be model-generated and model-supervised, feeding back into itself, with increasingly indirect human supervision.

Language models are a blurry JPEG of the Internet, but that is because current LLM text is bad for training. Blurrifying the Internet was the best we could do. What happens if that changes, and LLMs become blurry JPEGs of something clearer than the Internet?

Search and Q*

I dont have too much to say about search, but I should mention it briefly.

During the Sam Altman drama, Reuters reported a method called Q*, creating a lot of speculation. In the circles I was in, the assumption was that it was some Q-learning driven search process. Eventually Yann LeCun put out a post saying people really needed to cool down, since literally every lab has looked into combining search with LLMs, and it would not be that surprising if someone made it work.

He was 100% correct. It is a very obvious idea to try. DeepMind put out a preprint that CNNs are good evaluators of Go moves in December 2014, added search via MCTS, and turned it into AlphaGo within a year. It was the ML success story of the decade. People do not forget the lessons from machine learnings crowning achievements.

Search methods are usually very computationally inefficient, and I dont know if our base models are good enough to use as search subroutines. Taking MuZero as a data point,

For each board game, we used 16 TPUs for training and 1000 TPUs for selfplay.

This is about a 100x increase in compute hardware. Still, one benefit of search is that it really ought to work. It is one of the most reliable ideas in machine learning. The reason we use search less now is because weve come up with better ideas for how to use compute. Search will always be there to eat marginal FLOPs if we run out of better ideas. Think harder, then teach yourself to come up with your final result the first time.

How Believable is All This?

Overall I think its plausible that well continue to scale, that some of the perceived bottlenecks wont matter, and well discover ways to use current models to widen the ones that do. Im finding it increasingly hard to refute that view of the world.

This theory of the world does rely heavily on model-generated data panning out. Its possible that theory doesnt play out. Or, that it leads to some gains, but runs into diminishing marginal returns. Still, let me know when you see the scaling laws hit a wall, instead of talking about why they ought to stop. So far, I dont think they have.

On Hype

In 2016, a few prominent ML researchers decided to pull a prank. They set up a site for Rocket AI, based on some mysterious method called Temporally Recurrent Optimal Learning (TROL), then all coordinated stories about a wild launch party at NeurIPS 2016 that got shut down by the police. It was all fake, as detailed in this postmortem. Theres a fun quote near the end:

AI is at peak hype, and everyone in the community knows it.

Heres the Google search trends for AI since 2016, scaled out of 100. Lets see how peak 2016 hype compares to now.

Oh, what naive children we were! I do think its funny that AI is one of only a few research topics where people try to play down hype for the sake of the conversational commons. Imagine feeling like you need to discourage people from being interested in your research. Theres a real privilege there.

I have really really tried to avoid getting caught up in hype. I dont like AI Twitter for reasons Ive explained here, but I especially do not like AI twitter post-ChatGPT. So I want it clear that when I say I think AGI could be soon, I am not doing it for street cred, or to fit in. It is something that feels genuinely possible. The routes for improvement are clear, its just a question of if they will fail assuming billions of dollars of funding.

In AI, models can never do everything people claim they can, but what the models can do is ever-growing and never slides backward. Today is the worst AI will ever be. Even if all the VC companies bust and LLMs dry up, well still have the models that are already trained and the ideas already derived. There is no going back. Id recommend people think about what that means.

Everything has been changing since last generation was born

And they wont try to take in change is a two edged sword

Thanks to all the people who gave feedback on earlier drafts, including: Diogo Almeida, Vibhor Kumar, Chris Lengerich, Matthew P. McAteer, Patrick Xia, and Hugh Zhang.

Appendix - The Bull and the Bears

When getting feedback on early drafts of this post, the main lesson I learned is that for AGI, there is one bull and many bears. The bull is to say that we can figure out how to scale models, and scaled up models will solve all the other hard problems. The bears are to declare X, Y, or Z as reasons progress will slow down or stop. And everyone has a different bear.

I ignored these bears in the main text because I felt it disrupted the flow of the argument, but I do want to acknowledge and reply to the bearish counterarguments Ive come across. If I dont mention your bear, I apologize.

The Data Provenance Bear

This article from Scientific American asks whether generative AI is making itself harder to train, by polluting the Internet with junk LLM text. For a more malicious angle, some papers have explored whether you can poison datasets by deliberate data injection - see Carlini et al, 2023.

As Ive argued earlier, I think this is very important in the short term, but will be worked around and become less important later. The entire AI self-play thesis assumes that we will cross a tipping point where LLM text (filtered in some way) is good enough to train with.

One thing this does impact is our ability to evaluate models. I feel like every surprising LLM result gets accused of test set leakage these days, because it has happened before and is increasingly hard to verify it isnt happening. That does drag on research, especially as running evals at all becomes expensive. But, coming from robot learning I am quite biased to think that will be annoying rather than existential. In robot learning our benchmarks are both expensive and bad has been true ever since 2016. and weve still found ways to go forward.

The Overhangs Bear

For people unfamiliar with the term as its used in AGI discussion, an overhang is when the ideas to create really good AI exists, but people dont know it yet. There is an overhang between the best model creatable with present resources, and the best models we actually have. Once people believe in the ideas, you see a rapid increase in capabilities as researchers quickly assemble the right ideas together and fill in the overhang.

The implication is that progress relative to compute will be faster than it should be while the overhangs are filled. Extrapolating progress during overhang filling would overestimate future progress.

I think this view of the world is correct in describing how technology evolves and Id agree that there are fewer overhangs in 2024 compared to 2020. Where it breaks down for me is that this view doesnt give great guidance on when the next overhang will appear. There are important combinations of ideas people have not put together yet is just always true and part of why people do research. To me, overhangs exists sounds the same as progress is a series of sigmoid curves, where every so often you go through an inflection point. Making a projection during the inflection point is wrong, but so is doing so after the inflection point. The important question is how often the field reaches new inflection points.

Im not sure how good scaled up transformers can get, but were not done with trying to scale them up. Its possible the next big inflection point lies in better computers rather than better neural nets. I have a friend who runs an ML computing startup, and he used to ask me what would you do if you magically had 1000x more FLOPs and 1000x more memory? He stopped asking me this question after GPT-3. I think he knew my answer by then.

The Scaling is Hard Bear

A friend reminded me that for every LLaMa, theres a Meta OPT that doesnt live up to expectations. If youre bored one day, the team behind OPT released a very detailed logbook of the issues they ran into. It features gradient overflows during Thanksgiving, mysterious activation norm spikes that traced to an accidental library upgrade, and more.

Scaling isnt exactly a numbers go up, use more hardware, oops we have state-of-the-art game. It requires not just ML expertise, but a more specific expertise that (I assume) is learned mostly by experience rather than reading papers.

So, one theory you could have is that figuring out how to scale ML model training becomes a research problem of its own, that is not solved by scale, and eventually becomes so intractable that progress stalls.

I dont find this theory particularly likely, given the history of scaling compute so far, and scaling of other big projects like the Apollo program (support bigger rockets) and Manhattan Project (get more enriched uranium). But I dont have any specific argument against it.

The Physically Embodied Bear

One of the classic questions in ML is whether intelligence is bottlenecked on physical embodiment.

If this model is good at language, speech, and visual data, what sensor inputs do humans have that this doesnt? Its just the sensors tied to physical embodiment, like taste and touch. Can we claim intelligence is bottlenecked on those stimuli?

(2020 post)

Humans grow up and learn from a huge host of stimuli and sensors. Models learn differently. Large ML models do not have to learn the same ways humans do, but the argument goes like this:

Our AGI definition is An AI system that matches or exceeds humans at almost all (95%+) economically valuable work. 95%+ will include taking physical, real-world actions. Right now, the majority of data feeding models is not embodied. If we assume scale is the answer, lack of embodied data will make it hard to scale.

Right now, I dont think intelligence is bottlenecked on having data from physical stimuli, but performing well at real tasks likely is.

There are recent efforts on improving availability of embodied data in robot learning, like Open X-Embodiment, as well as prior datasets like Something-Something and Ego4D. These might not be big enough, but I dont see a reason you cant use models to generate your way out of the limited embodied data that exists right now. People are exploring this right now - see Universal Policies from Du and Yang et al, 2023. One of the big reasons I co-led AutoRT was because I thought it was important to explore what embodied foundation models looked like and push towards getting more embodied data - because I would much rather have a dumb physical assistant than a superintelligent software assistant. The latter would certainly be helpful, but I find it more concerning.










English News Balancing ecological conservation with socioeconomic development

Alwihda Info | Par pd - 11 Janvier 2024



Xiamen has a high-value invention patent ownership of 20.8 per 10,000 people, which is 2.2 times the national average. In 2022, the digital economy of the city reached 479 billion yuan ($66.97 billion), accounting for 61.5 percent of its GDP. The city also ranked among the top in China in terms of residents' satisfaction with digital living.

By Jiang Shengyang, Yan Ke, People's Daily The tide was rising in the Yundang Lake in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian province. As the floodgate opened, the water flew and fish swam upstream. The egrets descended from the sky and hovered above the lake, ready to dive and catch their prey.



Peng Zhiwei, who was waiting for this scene, immediately pressed the shutter. "The egrets hovering to feed is a distinctive sight of Xiamen," he said.



Peng, who has photographed birds near the Yundang Lake for nearly 30 years, is a witness to the transformation of the lake.



In the 1970s, when the Yundang Lake was surrounded by embankments, untreated sewage was discharged directly from the surrounding area, causing a rapid deterioration in water quality and a near extinction of fish and shrimp.



"Your clothes could even become stinky if you walked around the lake at that time," Peng recalled.



Since 1988, Xiamen has carried out law-based governance of the lake. It halted the discharge of untreated sewage, dredged the lake and built embankments, with an aim to revitalize the water and beautify the environment.



Relevant authorities have launched a five-phase treatment project on a large scale. After more than 30 years of relentless efforts, everywhere around the lake makes picturesque scenery today.

Zheng Lei, born in the 1990s, graduated from Xiamen University and works near the Yundang Lake. In August 2020, he became one of the first "citizen lake chiefs" in Xiamen.



The "citizen lake chiefs," recruited by the Xiamen Yundang Lake Conservation Center, are a group of people with expertise in water ecological protection and management, as well as other related professional knowledge. Their main tasks include carrying out routine inspections of the lake area, and collecting and reflecting citizens' opinions and suggestions on lake management.



As one who majored in marine ecology at university, Zheng noted that he hopes to leverage his expertise in this area and help make the Yundang Lake a signature of Xiamen.



In fact, the philosophy of green development runs through all aspects of Xiamen's economic and social development, from the 1.6-square-kilometer Yundang Lake to the 1,699-square-kilometer Xiamen city.



Xiamen follows a principle that restricts access to mountain areas regularly for better afforestation. It has shut down all sand and gravel plants, and conducted ecological restoration in multiple mining areas, which resulted in a continuous decline in the rate of soil erosion.



"Pocket parks" and "miniature parks" have been built across the city, ensuring that residents can reach a park within a 15-minute walk from any location in the urban area.



The city is also building footpaths to expand the green recreational spaces for citizens. It is estimated that by 2025, the total length of such footpaths in the city will reach 500 kilometers.



Nowadays, Xiamen ranks among the top in China in terms of comprehensive air quality index, greening coverage of built-up areas, and other environmental indicators. The city has been accelerating energy conservation in key sectors such as industry, transportation, construction, and public institutions, with its comprehensive energy consumption per 10,000 yuan GDP surpassing the national level.



From expediting industrial transformation and upgrading to improving the ecological civilization system, and from optimizing spatial layout to fortifying ecological barriers, the people of Xiamen are carefully preserving the city's appearance and injecting strong momentum into its development through innovation and entrepreneurship.



Yealink Network Tech is a communications equipment developer based in Xiamen, whose technologies and novel products are truly eye-openers.



Thanks to sophisticated algorithms the company has developed for sound collection and noise reduction, a seemingly ordinary video conferencing device manufactured by the company can offer call audio quality as good as CD players.



The company, established in 2001, holds the global leading market share in the SIP phone market. "Yealink's rapid development is attributed to years of continuous innovation in the communication field," said an executive of the company.



According to the executive, R&D staff account for over 60 percent of the total employees at Yealink, and the company spends over 8 percent of its sales revenue on R&D investment each year.



The Xiamen Torch High-tech Industrial Development Zone, where Yealink Network Tech is located, is home to more than 10,000 enterprises of various types, including over 1,000 national-level high-tech companies. With less than 3 percent of Xiamen's land area, the zone contributes 43 percent of the city's industrial output value.



By abandoning extensive industries and focusing on high-end manufacturing and modern services, Xiamen is reshaping its industrial structure during its transition and development.



Accelerating the digitization of industries and digital industrialization, Xiamen has built a new-generation information technology industry system with a concentration of chips, screens, smart terminals, software, intelligence, and new-gen networks. The new economy is growing rapidly.



Xiamen has a high-value invention patent ownership of 20.8 per 10,000 people, which is 2.2 times the national average. In 2022, the digital economy of the city reached 479 billion yuan ($66.97 billion), accounting for 61.5 percent of its GDP. The city also ranked among the top in China in terms of residents' satisfaction with digital living.



Dans la meme rubrique : < > China's cruise economy embraces rapid development China still considered favorable investment destination by foreign companies China will remain staunch force for peace, stability, progress of world Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)
Feedback is a fundamental principle of control theory. All systems, regardless of whether theyre technical or social, require negative feedback to maintain predictability and stability. System actions which deviate from those desired must trigger a response which counteracts (rather than reinforces) the deviation. When an automobile begins to accelerate, the cruise control applies negative feedback by reducing the throttle to maintain control. Were it to do otherwise, the cars behavior would be unpredictable or even catastrophic.

The same principle applies to people. Accountability for ones actions maintains the predictability of human behavior. When one is punished for breaking the rules, the likelihood of future infractions is reduced. If a child is punished for anti-social behavior and rewarded for teamwork, a productive contributor to society is developed. If a child receives little or no feedback about his behavior, a person with no sense of right or wrong is created. If a child is rewarded for bad behavior, a monster destined to prey on society is created. The penalties that accompany laws are the negative feedback that prevents our society from doing a Thelma and Louise -- socially speaking.

In 1908, in response to rising organized crime, the federal government decided that additional accountability was warranted. It created a watchdog called the Bureau of Investigation (which later became the FBI). Given the sweeping police powers of the watchdog, its agents receive training about the limits of their authority, and are required to swear a sacred oath to those they serve that they will not abuse their authority.

We trusted our new watchdog to hold miscreants accountable for violation of federal laws. But we failed to hold the watchdog itself accountable. We never yanked the leash and said bad boy when the dog deviated from its oath. Subsequently the dog learned bad habits. After decades of biting people without consequences, were faced with a beast that has become a menace to society, rather than its protector. Our watchdog has become the threat which it was intended to police.

In his book, The Thin Blue Lie, Greg Dillon chronicles one such episode in which accountability failed. While working as a Supervisory Inspector for the Connecticut Chief States Attorneys office, Dillon was assigned to a joint fugitive task force which included other state agencies and the FBI. In late 1994, he became aware that various FBI agents on the task force were falsifying affidavits for warrants (a felony), at the urging of the lead FBI Special Agent, Ralph DiFonzo Jr. Making matters even worse, the agents were attributing the false statements in their affidavits to other members of the task force.

After reporting the issue to his Connecticut leadership, Dillon was shunned by the FBI, and ostracized by his own office. Meanwhile, Director Freeh, known for his bright line ethical behavior edicts, issued a letter of commendation to the task force. The agent who had ordered, If you dont have it (probable cause), lie. wasnt disciplined. He was promoted. The dog bit a bystander (violated its oath), received a treat (positive feedback), and learned from it.

Years later, Deputy Director Andrew McCabe worked with his boss, James Comey, to set a perjury trap for Trumps National Security Advisor, General Michael Flynn. It was part of the bureaus insurance policy to undermine the Trump presidency. The prosecution of Flynn ruined him financially.

An Inspector General investigation found that McCabe had leaked information to the press (against bureau policy) and lied to federal investigators (a felony). The IG recommended criminal prosecution. Then Attorney General Jeff Sessions opted to merely terminate McCabes employment. However, when Merrick Garland became the attorney general, he cleared McCabes record, reinstated his pension, and awarded him half a million bucks for his trouble. The dog broke FBI policies, undermined an election, violated a patriots rights, and received a good dog from the AG. It was another learning moment for the pack -- to the publics detriment.

In the runup to the 2020 election, the Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field office, Steven DAntuono, oversaw what is now widely recognized as an entrapment scheme -- the Governor Whitmer kidnapping case. The FBI used paid assets to talk a bunch of drug and alcohol-addled halfwits into the kidnapping plot. It was a political dirty trick carried out to assert that President Trumps rhetoric was responsible for a rise in domestic terrorism.

However, in court it was discovered that the FBI had as many assets involved in the conspiracy as there were alleged domestic terrorists. In fact, the FBI assets had planned every aspect of the operation, and actively recruited others to join the conspiracy. Under FBI guidance, the conspirators had even conducted a protest at the Michigan Capital, which was eerily similar to the events of January 6 -- almost as if it were a dress rehearsal.

As the case went to trial, DAntuono was promoted to head the Washington Field Office -- just in time for January 6. It seems he was a very good dog to his leftist benefactors.

Now were witnessing firsthand what an out-of-control watchdog is capable of. Agents are violating our rights by colluding with social media to censor our freedom of speech, targeting Catholics for their religious observance, and investigating parents as domestic terrorists. Theyre openly using police state intimidation tactics to conduct armed raids against the elderly (Roger Stone), nonviolent defendants (Mark Hauck), and even journalists (James OKeefe).

There are so many instances of bad behavior that its impossible to cover all of them in the space of this article. A partial list includes Ruby Ridge, Waco, the Atlanta Olympics bombing, the Olympic gymnastics scandal, the Midyear review, Crossfire Hurricane, and on and on.

In 2023, Director Christopher Wray was called before Congress to account for his vicious pack of attack dogs prowling the streets with impunity. Wray simply

Lied, as he did with his Seth Rich testimony;

Obfuscated with I dont know or part of an ongoing investigation; or

Ducked questioning entirely by leaving for vacation.

His behavior was like the alpha dog, snarling at his owner, and daring him to take a swing with the rolled-up newspaper. It was a stark demonstration that our watchdog has learned that disobedience to its master is of no consequence.

In all the above cases, the punishment for those who swore an oath, was considerably less than it would have been for those they are sworn to serve. The system feedback has been either ineffectively weak, or destructively reinforcing of misconduct. The FBI has not accepted accountability, it has merely posed for the appearance of accountability. Like all criminals, corrupt FBI agents are doing a risk/benefit analysis. Theyve clearly found that the benefits (perks from their benefactors) outweigh the risks (an occasional slap on the wrist). The bureaus out-of-control spiral, has proven that its accountability is woefully inadequate.

When a dog cant be trusted among the vulnerable, there are only three options: train it, restrain it, or put it down. The one response that is patently incorrect is to reward it -- patting the dog on the head with a new headquarters, and consolidating its operations in Washington so that the pack may be trained by the Deep State.

John Green is a political refugee from Minnesota, now residing in Idaho. He is a staff writer for the American Free News Network and can be reached at greenjeg@gmail.com.

Image: RawPixel.com
The State Department and the press have been involved in numerous cases of deception and falsehoods. Certain instances, like The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution that sparked the Vietnam War or the accusation of Saddam Hussein developing nuclear weapons that led to the Iraq war, had devastating consequences resulting in the loss of thousands of American lives. The recent depiction of the war in Georgia serves as another example of misrepresentation and a false narrative.

Fifteen years ago, on August 8, 2008, Russia-Georgia war began. The portrayal of this conflict has drawn parallels to Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels' infamous quote, If you repeat a lie often enough, it becomes the truth.

Here are just a few examples:

Fifteen years ago, Russia invaded the sovereign nation of Georgia and occupied 20 percent of its territory. U.S. Department of State, August 7, 2023.

Russia falsely accused Georgia of committing genocide and aggression against South Ossetia. ... It launched a full-scale land, air and sea invasion of Georgia ... Wikipedia.

On August 8, 2008, Russian forces began the invasion of Georgia, marking the start of Europes first twenty-first century war. Atlantic Council, August 7, 2121.

During the war, the Kremlin established full control over the occupied Tskhinvali region (the so-called South Ossetia) and Abkhazia, which together constituted 20 percent of Georgian territory. CSIS Center for Strategic & International Studies in Washington DC.

The State Department and media have perpetuated a narrative that Russia invaded Georgia and annexed South Ossetia in Vladimir Putins bid to restore the Soviet Empire. Yet, a closer examination of historical context and factual evidence presents a contradictory perspective.

Image: The South Ossetian military in 2009 by Cominf.org. CC BY 3.0.

The conflict between Georgia and South Ossetia did not start with the ascendance of Vladimir Putin but had a history stretching for two centuries. South Ossetia became part of the Russian Empire in 1774. After the Bolshevik revolution in 1917 and the subsequent demise of the Russian empire, Georgia attempted to annex South Ossetia. In May 1920, Georgia attacked South Ossetia indiscriminately, killing men, women, and children, causing a flood of refugees.

Incidentally, in 2020, the people of South Ossetia commemorated the 100th anniversary of the atrocities perpetrated by Georgians, which Ossetians call genocide. In April 1922, after the Bolsheviks took power in Georgia, Stalin, who was Georgian, put South Ossetia under the jurisdiction of Georgia.

In April 1991, Georgia declared its independence. It is important to point out that, when Georgia declared independence from the Soviet Union, it retained control over the territories that had been incorporated into Georgia by the Bolsheviks without consulting the population residing in those areas, which were predominantly non-Georgian. Indeed, it never relinquished its claims on South Ossetia and Abkhazia, a little enclave incorporated into Georgia.

In response, South Ossetia and Abkhazia asserted their independence and declared themselves as separate republics in 1992. Therefore, the U.S. Department of State and CSIS statements that Russia took 20 percent of Georgian territory are false. In 2008, those territories were not part of Georgia.

The hostilities resumed almost immediately. In 1992, after another war, Moscow stepped in and forced negotiations. During the talks, the parties agreed to cease fighting. Joint Control Commission for Georgian-Ossetian Conflict Resolution was set up, and the Russian peacekeeping force was authorized.

The situation seemed under control for the next sixteen years, and the border was relatively quiet. However, by the summer of 2008, the situation was becoming more and more volatile. Encouraged by NATOs pronouncements and private assurances that Georgia would soon become a NATO member and be protected from Russia, the president of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, became belligerent, issuing threats toward South Ossetia and personal insults in Putins address.

On August 8, 2008, ignoring multiple warnings from Moscow that concentrated sizable military force in the region to deter the possible aggression, Georgia nevertheless launched a massive, unprovoked attack with tanks and artillery on South Ossetia. As a result of the brutal assault, 48 Russian servicemen were killed, including ten peacekeepers. Moscow ordered a counterattack that liberated South Ossetia, and the Russian troops moved into Georgia all the way to Gori, the birthplace of Stalin. After briefly occupying part of Georgia, the Russians withdrew but stayed as protectors in South Ossetia.

The U.S. hastily declared this a Russian war of aggression.

However, the subsequent EU investigation concluded that it was, in fact, Georgia that launched an assault on South Ossetia and blamed Georgian President Saakashvili for starting the war through a penchant for acting in the heat of the moment.

In the Missions view, it was Georgia which triggered off the war when it attacked Tskhinvali (in South Ossetia) with heavy artillery on the night of 7 to 8 August 2008, concluded Swiss diplomat Heidi Tagliavini, who led the investigation.

Although the report contained some boilerplate accusations against Russia, Tagliavini said: None of the explanations given by the Georgian authorities in order to provide some form of legal justification for the attack lend it a valid explanation. In particular, there was no massive Russian military invasion under way. Saakashvili had said Georgia was responding to an invasion by Russian forces when it attacked breakaway South Ossetia, but the report found no evidence of this.

Therefore, the Atlantic Councils conclusion that the Russian forces began the invasion of Georgia is false. Wikipedias description of the events as It (Russia) launched a full-scale land, air and sea invasion of Georgia is also wrong.

Those accusing Russia of attacking Georgia failed to explain its objective. Russia did not want to occupy Georgia; it withdrew its army five days later. And if it wanted to incorporate South Ossetia, there was no reason to attack Georgia since South Ossetia was not part of Georgia at the time, and a Russian military contingent was already stationed there.

The evidence and common sense show that Georgia was the evil party in this conflict. Unfortunately, when it comes to politics, the more determined and vocal side usually dominates the news and formulates a political narrative regardless of the facts and validity of the arguments. So, it should be no surprise that the State Department and the media ignore the inconvenient truth of the EU investigation and continue proliferating falsehood.

In a rare admission, the Christian Science Monitor wrote, . by dispatching his own ill-prepared military to resolve a secessionist dispute by force, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has managed to lead his country down the path of a disastrous and ultimately self-defeating war.

In the aftermath of the war, Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

This is an infrequent occasion when common sense eventually prevails, and justice is served. The nut Saakashvili is serving time in Georgias jail, and there are no more hostilities between Georgia and South Ossetia. The relations between Georgia and Russia, despite constant pressure from NATO and incitements from Ukraine, are transitioning gradually from confrontation towards a path of peace and mutual prosperity. The Visa regime between the two countries has been waived, and Georgian vines, fruits, and vegetables are back on the shelves of Moscow supermarkets. Georgian Airways made arrangements with the Russian Aeroflot to help Russians circumvent the sanctions and facilitate transit of Russian travelers to various destinations across Europe, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and beyond. The Russians fly to Tbilisi, and Georgian Airways takes them to various destinations.

Now, it is time to separate facts from falsehoods.

Did Russia invade Georgia in 2008? Yes, it is a fact.

Was Russia an aggressor? No, it is not a fact.

Did Saakashvili start the war through a penchant for acting in the heat of the moment? Yes, it is a fact.

Was the war Vladimir Putins bid to restore the Soviet Empire? No, it is not a fact.

Have the American people been misled by the U.S. Government and the press believing in Russias aggression against Georgia? Yes, it is a fact.

Has Russia contributed to peace in the region? Yes, it is a fact.
Tahir Hamut Izgil is a well known Uyghur poet who fled his country in 2017, just ahead of his almost certain arrest, torture, and internment in a Chinese concentration camp. With the help of his friend and translator Joshua L. Freeman, Izgil has written a detailed account of his and his peoples continuing persecution and internment. It is a story that most Americans would do well to read because it reveals irrefutable evidence of the ruthless and brutal nature of the situation in communist China today.

Izgils Waiting to Be Arrested at Night: A Uyghur Poets Memoir of Chinas Genocide is a remarkable book. It is simple, direct, compelling, and informed by a lifetime of experience. In basic chronological order, it recounts the experience of Izgil and his family, friends, and associates through the years as the Chinese authorities instituted tighter and tighter control over the Uyghurs.

What began with the arrest and internment of outspoken critics of the communist party, especially those with strong religious beliefs, soon evolved into a pervasive system of informants, listening posts, block captains, and spies controlling every word and movement and punishing not just those terrorists, as they were called, who spoke out, but those who simply had contact with foreigners, and the family and friends of those who had contact.

Every phone call, every conversation, every piece of mail, every publication past or present was scrutinized and made the excuse for that midnight knock on the door. Especially for those who had traveled overseas, as had Izgil, or had overseas contacts, persecution was inevitable. It was only by way of perseverance in obtaining visas, government permission to travel for medical purposes, and luck that the author and his family managed to escape and make their way to the United States. Once here, life has not been easy  Izgil worked for years as an Uber driver in D.C.  but it has been free and full of opportunity.

What Izgil tells us about the persecution of the Uyghurs, and of others such as followers of Falun Gong, should send a chill up the spine of every Westerner, because what the CCP has done to these people, it would do to us. The persecution began with anti-Muslim propaganda and interference, such as raising the Chinese flag at all mosques and forcing Muslim clerics to dance to the beat of the song Little Apple, a favorite of the regional ruler. But it soon transformed into a total crackdown on the spoken and written word, including publications from 30 years prior. A special Propaganda Department examined every Uyghur-language publication and broadcast to find any materials that contained ethnic separatist or religious extremist content. Anyone associated with this material was then in danger of being arrested and sent to study  in other words, to survive, if possible, the daily beatings, torture, brainwashing, and long hours of manual labor in conditions not unlike those in Nazi concentration camps of the 1930s and 1940s.

The numbers are staggering. Some three million Uyghurs, up to one million members of Falun Gong, Hong Kong dissidents, Christians, and other so-called terrorists have been arrested and interned. In addition, the China government has pursued a policy of resettlement in Xinjiang, the Uyghur center of China, by deporting Uyghurs to concentration camps or other regions and importing ethnic Hans loyal to the CCP. This sort of ethnic cleansing is all too familiar from the past, but Americans should be highly concerned that it is taking place at this moment.

Tyrants have always had a penchant for euphemism, twisting language to conform to their wishes. Not unlike Joe Biden, with his declarations that the border is secure or the national debt has declined $2 trillion under my administration, the Chinese authorities seem intent on hiding the truth even when they are engaged in the most blatant abuses of human rights.

As the persecution in Urumchi, Xinjiangs capital, mounted, police stations manned with officers with machine guns were constructed at the entrance of every Uyghur living area. These threatening police stations were called Peoples Convenience Police Posts, much as the authoritarian nation of China itself is called the Peoples Republic of China  as if prefixing everything with Peoples makes it all right.

The most important takeaway from Izgils book is just how far Chinas control over its population extends. Even the most innocuous activities, such as dining with friends on the weekend or publishing an abstract poem like Izgils Somewhere Else, a work that makes no mention of China or of religion, are recorded and scrutinized as potentially damning evidence of disloyalty.

In the Uyghur region, as Izgil depicts it, every neighbor or work associate or even family member can be an informer, everything overheard can be evidence, every movement proof of anti-government intent. Americans need to think about our own system of state control, what with 57,000 additional IRS officers checking on taxpayers and thousands of government officials collaborating with social media companies just before elections.

In China, a vast bureaucracy exists, backed up by policemen on every corner, that collects data from forms like the Population Information Collection Form, which is fed into the Integrated Joint Operations Platform, a bureaucratic system that has contributed to the arrest of millions of Uyghurs. Based on information from the Population Information Collection Form, individuals are rated as reliable, average, or unreliable. Rumor had it that people with a check mark next to unreliable or even average were sent to study, Izgil writes.

If Izgils report is accurate, conditions in Xinjiang have reached a level of oppression beyond anything that most Americans could imagine. Izgil provides evidence, mostly based on his own and others personal experience, of a totalitarian state bureaucracy exercising control over every man, woman, and child  even the young and the very old  and punishing those who are even suspected of disloyalty. Millions are suffering at this moment, and tens of thousands at least have perished as a result of Chinese government policies toward its minority populations.

American corporations continue to fuel the CCP with trillions of dollars in trade. Now it is time to reconsider all of our policies toward China with the purpose of restricting its growing power. What Izgil describes in Waiting to Be Arrested at Night is a nightmare. Only an aroused American people can stop it from arriving on our shores.

Jeffrey Folks is the author of many books and articles on American culture including Heartland of the Imagination (2011).

Image via Pxfuel.
For years now, a number of mostly Eastern European nations have been arguing that, if they are going to accept any refugees from the Muslim world, they prefer Christians. Hungary, for example, has apparently been doing just that.

To this, the official western response has been to cry racism! Barack Obama, for instance, once called such a suggestion shameful, loftily adding: Thats not American. Thats not who we are. We dont have religious tests to our compassion. It was later revealed that his administration was doing precisely that -- but in reverse: discriminating against persecuted Christian asylum seekers, while favoring Muslims.

All emotionalism and name-calling aside -- that is, the stuff of American politics -- there are, in fact, several objective reasons why the West should give priority, if not exclusivity, to Christian refugees from the Muslim world -- and some of these are actually to the benefit of western nations. Consider:

Christians are real victims of persecution. From a humanitarian point of view -- and humanitarianism is the chief reason cited in accepting refugees -- Christians should receive top priority simply because they are the most persecuted group in the Middle East. As former Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop once put it, I think that Christian minorities are being persecuted in Syria and even if the conflict were over they would still be persecuted.

Indeed. While they are especially targeted by the Islamic State and other professional jihadists, before ISIS, Christians were and continue to be targeted by Muslims -- Muslim mobs, Muslim individuals, Muslim regimes, and Muslim terrorists, from Muslim countries of all races (Arab, African, Asian, etc.) -- and for the same reason: Christians are infidel number one. (See Crucified Again: Exposing Islams New War on Christians for hundreds of anecdotes before the rise of ISIS as well as the Muslim doctrines that create such hate and contempt for Christians.)

Conversely, Muslim refugees are not fleeing direct persecution, but chaos created by the violent and intolerant teachings of their own religion, Islam -- hence why violence and intolerance follows Muslims into Europe.

Muslim persecution of Christians has been further enabled by western policies. Western nations should accept Christian refugees on the basis that western actions in the Middle East are directly responsible for exacerbating the plight of Christian minorities. Christians were not terrorized in Bashar Assads Syria, or Saddam Husseins Iraq, or Muamar Gaddafis Libya. Their persecution grew exponentially only after the U.S. and other western states interfered in those nations in the name of democracy. All they did is unleash the jihadist forces that the dictators had long kept suppressed.

Unlike Muslims, Christians are easily assimilated in western countries, due to a shared Christian heritage. As a Slovakian official once explained, Muslims would not fit in, including because there are no mosques in the Slavic nation. Conversely, Slovakia as a Christian country can really help Christians from Syria to find a new home in Slovakia.

This too is common sense. The same Christian teachings that molded Europe over the centuries are the same ones that mold Middle Eastern Christians -- whether Orthodox, Catholic, or Protestant. As San Diegos Father Noel once said, Mideast Christians who come here [America] want to be good citizens and many who came here a decade ago are now lawyers, teachers, or other productive members of society.

Meanwhile, Muslims follow a completely different blueprint, the Koran -- which condemns Christians by name, calls for constant war (jihad) against all non-Muslims, and advocates any number of distinctly anti-Western practices. Hence it is no surprise that many Muslim migrants are anti-western at heart.

Mideast Christians bring trustworthy language and cultural skills that are beneficial to the West. They understand the Middle Eastern -- including Islamic -- mindset and can help the West understand it. Moreover, unlike Muslims, Christians have no conflicting loyalty issues: Islamic law forbids Muslims from aiding infidels against fellow Muslims (click here to see some of the treachery this leads to in the U.S. and see the treachery Christians have suffered from their longtime Muslim neighbors and friends). Subversive Muslims are working to infiltrate every corner of the U.S. government. No such threat exists among Mideast Christians. They too render unto God what is Gods and unto Caesar what is Caesars.

Finally, it goes without saying that Mideast Christians have no sympathy for the ideology that made their lives a living hell -- the ideology that is also hostile to everything in the West. Thus a win-win: the West and Mideast Christians complement each other, if only in that they share the same threat.

All the above reasons -- from those that offer humanitarian relief to the true victims of persecution, to those that offer benefits to the West -- are unassailable in their logic and wisdom. Yet, because western progressives prioritize politically correct ideals and fantasies over stark reality, there is little chance that they will be considered.

Quite the reverse: all throughout the West, masses of Muslims have been and continue to be granted easy asylum, while the few Christian applicants are scrutinized and often rejected.

The reason for this is simple: for the progressive (now woke) mindset -- which dominates western governments, media, and academia -- taking in refugees has little to do with altruism and everything to do egoism: It matters little who is really being persecuted -- as seen, the West is directly responsible for greatly exacerbating the sufferings of Christians around the world.

No, whats important is that the progressives feel good about themselves. By taking in foreign Muslims, as opposed to siding with same-old, same-old Christians, they get to feel enlightened, open-minded, tolerant, and multicultural -- and thats all that matters here.

Meanwhile, reality marches on: The same Islamic mentality that persecutes and slaughters infidel Christians in the Middle East continues to grow at an alarming rate in the West.

Raymond Ibrahim, author of Defenders of the West and Sword and Scimitar is the Distinguished Senior Shillman Fellow at the Gatestone Institute and the Judith Rosen Friedman Fellow at the Middle East Forum.

Image: National Archives
Article II, Section 4 in the constitution states this:

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.

Currently in vogue for the Democrats is the phrase no one is above the law. In the Constitution, high crimes and misdemeanors arent defined so both are subject to subjective ethical value judgements. What if some laws are unjust, then should no one be above the unjust laws?

As can be noted, a sense of morality or ethics is necessary to judge whether any particular misconduct is a high crime and misdemeanor, or whether a law is truly unjust and need not be obeyed. If an elected representative lies, steals, commits adultery, or murders, then the organization is doomed to failunless its a criminal organization. Similarly, if most citizens begin to lie, steal, commit adultery, and murder, then the society becomes utter insecure chaos.

Another thing to note is that no law is really absolute, and each law has a real world exception(s). You may get away with murder if you are proven to be mentally ill or insane, and you may be pardoned for stealing if you and your family are starving and no charity, government agency, or good Samaritan will help. There are plenty of other examples which are too numerous to list with their own justification for breaking the law in some cases.

Could we reach a reasonable consensus on what constitutes a high crime and misdemeanor? Starting a nuclear war, treason, bribery, a president murdering a political rival, and a first term president succeeding in rigging an election to win a second term come to my mind when it comes to an assessment of high crimes. By definition, misdemeanor doesnt sound like a serious crime unless perhaps, there are very many of them.

Congress has the right to impeach a president or other elected or appointed officials, but it has no legal authority to really impose any criminal punishments. Punishment is the ultimate responsibility of the DOJ or the Department of Justice, which theoretically is under the authority of the executive branch, and only in theory is it an impartial organization. Thus, the conundrum of a politically weaponized DOJ, under the leadership of the current president, using the judicial system to prosecute a former president or political opponent on dubious charges.

The DOJ has been weaponized to go after Trump by legal procedures and the impeachment proceedings against Trump were a Democrat charade. Biden has made many unconstitutional executive orders, and there is the possibility that he has used political privilege with family connections to enrich himself. It appears that not enough laws exist to quickly and ethically prosecute and convict executive branch corruption, or government corruption in general, and not enough elected officials willing to stand against it.

Unfortunately, we have an imperfect Constitution, an imperfect legislative branch, an imperfect executive branch, and an imperfect judicial branch. Separation of powers of the three branches of government only work relatively well with moral or ethical leadership. Take away the moral or ethical part and the government quickly transforms into a political mess or chaos. Making a law governing every move made by government is mission impossible.

So, what the destiny of our Democratic Republic is, is presently highly debatable. Will we ever return to a real sense of morality or ethics? This is also debatable.

Ultimately you need moral or ethical political representatives and citizens who have the courage, conviction, and determination to behave righteously as much as possible.

Image generated by AI.
Jews have always been obsessed with Harvard. When I grew up, there was no prouder boast a Jewish parent could make than to say that his son or daughter was Harvard-bound or a Harvard grad. This was always a bit strange, considering Harvards historic dislike for Jews. Harvard had quotas on Jews from the 1920s through the 1960s. That passive Live and let live but dont live near me policy was bad enough and should have encouraged Jews to sneer at Harvard, but its nothing compared to what Harvard is doing now, which is to ally itself with people who actively call for Jewish genocide.

We started to get an inkling of the toxic mindset at Harvard when pro-Hamas protests swept the campus after Hamas terrorists raped, tortured, and slaughtered over 1,400 Israelis (both Jews and Arabs). It became more apparent when Claudine Gay carefully explained that calling for Jewish genocide (that is, the indiscriminate slaughter of all Jews because of their race) didnt violate Harvard speech codes because dimwitted conservatives didnt appreciate the nuances of context. Context apparently ends only when Jews actually die.

It turns out, though, that antisemitism at Harvard is worse than being threatened with the gas chamber. Six students filed a lawsuit on Wednesday alleging that Harvard is a hotbed of aggressive and dangerous antisemitism and that the administration has done nothing to stop it:

The students in the lawsuit said Harvard disciplines students and faculty members showing bias against other minority groups but fails to punish anti-Jewish behavior. They said students have been attacked on social media and ostracized by their non-Jewish peers. Jewish students dont feel comfortable expressing their support for Israel at school, according to the lawsuit. Several of the students in the lawsuit said Harvard administrators didnt act on their complaints about the antisemitic environment. Two students who are visibly Jewish based on their religious clothing were often stopped and targeted in a campus lounge, the lawsuit said. These students have had to spend their time at Harvard fearing for their physical safety, enduring anti-Jewish abuse and harassment, and communicating with Harvard administrators over antisemitism that Harvard is doing nothing to stop, the lawsuit said.

Of course, thats only six students. Perhaps theyre just unusually sensitive. Or perhaps Harvard is a disgusting cesspool with an administration that eagerly embraces the vile rapists, torturers, and murderers collected in Gaza and the West Bank. The story of Harvards decision to enter into an exchange program with Hamas U inclines me to the latter version:

Harvard University will host a summer program where students will be briefed on settler colonialism at a Palestinian university that called for glory to martyrs after the October 7 terrorist massacre in Israel and has a student body that overwhelmingly elected a Hamas-affiliated bloc to run its student government. The embattled Ivy League institutions Palestine Social Medicine Course will send Harvard students to Birzeit University in the West Bank, according to the programs website. It explains that the three-week intensive summer course is designed to introduce students to the social, structural, political, and historical aspects that determine Palestinian health beyond the biological basis of disease.

One would easily rewrite that to say that Harvard University will host a summer program where students will be briefed on Jewish imperialism at a Nazi university that called for the expansion of death camps and has a student body that overwhelmingly elected a Hitler-affiliated group to run its student government. Yes, its that bad, and I make no apologies for my reductio ad Hitlerum. Not all dictators are Hitler, but all antisemitic genocidal tyrannieswell, the comparisons write themselves.

The once great (albeit passively racist and antisemitic) institution that was Harvard has fallen so far, so fast, that it simply needs to be put out of its misery. Congress needs to start taxing that disgraceful endowment, and people need to start putting pressure on Harvard to live up to its land and slavery apologies by turning over the buildings and land in their entirety to Native Americans and the descendants of slaves. Finito. Kaput. America will be better off without that fetid Marxist toilet endlessly churning out corporate managers, K-12 educators, slimy, unprincipled lawyers, and political operatives.

Image: Harvard Yard by Sdkb (edited). CC BY-SA 4.0.
In the ever-evolving landscape of digital technology, cybersecurity remains a cornerstone issue, critical to both national security and individual privacy. Especially in this time of heightened international conflict, in many instances, weaker and poorer countries are looking to focus their attacks in the cyber sphere in the form of infrastructure breaches that can prove to have wide-ranging consequences.

As we begin to navigate through 2024, cybersecurity trends that emerged in 2023 are reshaping the way we understand and confront digital threats. In this context, it becomes imperative to assess the effectiveness of the Biden administration in tackling these challenges, especially as the current regime struggles with even the basic tenets of securing the nation from virtually every kind of danger that exists.

What Are the Primary Emerging Trends in Cybersecurity?

Rise of AI-Driven Threats: Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) is increasingly being used by cyber criminals to automate attacks, create more sophisticated malware, and execute phishing campaigns with alarming precision. The evolution of A.I. means threats are becoming more adaptive, capable of learning from defensive measures and evolving accordingly.

Increased State-Sponsored Cyber Attacks: Geopolitical tensions are manifesting in the cyber realm, with nation-states either directly engaging in or sponsoring cyber attacks. These attacks are aimed not only at causing immediate disruption, but also at long-term espionage and data theft.

The Expanding Internet of Things (IoT) Vulnerability: As the IoT ecosystem continues to grow, so does the attack surface for cyber criminals. Many IoT devices lack robust security measures, making them easy targets for network infiltration and data breaches. Many of these devices are outfitted by default with Microsoft applications, and recent changes at the tech giant may serve to either improve security or further invade the privacy of private citizens data.

Remote Work and Security Gaps: The post-pandemic world has seen a permanent shift toward remote work, which brings its own set of cybersecurity challenges. Organizations are grappling with securing remote access, ensuring data protection, and educating employees about security best practices.

Ransomware and Data Harvester Evolution: Ransomware attacks have become more sophisticated, with attackers targeting critical infrastructure and demanding higher ransoms. Additionally, increasingly sophisticated data-harvesters like Prime Stealer have become adept at seizing digital wallets, as the rise of cryptocurrency makes for a growing target for hackers.

What Has the Biden Administrations Cybersecurity Strategy Been Thus Far?

Under Biden, the administration has instituted several programmatic changes, to very mixed results. The jury is still out as to whether they have done enough. Taxpayer investment has been allocated at a steep cost, but America still finds herself vulnerable. Like most costly government endeavors, it is difficult to approximate the return on investment (ROI) of what seems to be generally inefficient government initiatives like the National Cybersecurity Strategy. These have been Bidens most important moves thus far.

Investment in Cyber Infrastructure: Throwing money at the problem is a common theme in the swamp that is Washington, D.C. The administration has allocated significant resources in the name of strengthening the nations cyber infrastructure, including funding for upgrading government systems and new programs and grants for private-sector efforts in cybersecurity.

International Collaboration: Recognizing that cyber threats are a global issue, the Biden administration needs to enhance international cooperation in combating cyber crime. This includes working with allies to establish norms and hold accountable countries that harbor cyber criminals. We saw a glimpse of what can be last year, when a bipartisan group of U.S. senators unveiled a new proposal known as the Abraham Accords Cybersecurity Cooperation Act.

Focus on Critical Infrastructure and Other Sensitive Technology Sectors: In response to recent attacks on critical infrastructure and the aerospace industry, the administration has emphasized the need to secure these vital sectors. This involves both regulatory measures and collaborative efforts with private entities that manage these resources.

Changes to Public-Private Partnerships: The administration has made strides in fostering collaboration between the government and the private sector. Although increased partnership is crucial for sharing threat intelligence, developing cybersecurity best practices, and coordinating responses to threats, some, including some GOP members of Congress, feel that new Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules regarding reporting of cybersecurity events amount to governmental overreach.

Workforce Development: Perhaps the biggest failure of the Biden administration regarding cybersecurity has been the unquestionable talent gap in the cybersecurity field. The U.S. is lacking hundreds of thousands of qualified information technology personnel as of the end of 2023. Ramping up initiatives to train and recruit cybersecurity professionals in 2024 is critical for building a robust defense against cyber threats.

The Biden administration needs to work harder to address the countless cybersecurity challenges that face America in the new year. The focus on infrastructure investment, international cooperation, and public-private partnerships are steps in the right direction, however, there are many areas where the administration could further bolster its strategy.

Firstly, the rapid evolution of A.I.-driven threats requires a more dynamic approach. This includes investing in A.I.-based defense mechanisms and staying ahead in the technological arms race against cyber criminals. Additionally, while international collaboration is beneficial, the U.S. must also be prepared to act unilaterally in its position as the leading nation on the planet, especially in attributing and responding to state-sponsored attacks.

The administration must also place greater emphasis on the human element of cybersecurity. This involves not just training professionals, but also educating the general public about basic cyber hygiene practices. The increasing sophistication of phishing attacks, like a recent scam known as "Missing Invoice," which involves malicious emails, highlights the need for heightened public awareness.

Lastly, as IoT devices become ubiquitous, the administration needs to enforce stricter security standards. Manufacturers must be held accountable for integrating robust security features into their products.

In conclusion, while the Biden administration has taken some notable steps toward enhancing the nations cybersecurity posture, there is a lot of room for improvement. Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field, and the strategies employed must be dynamic and adaptive. Its not just about the technology, but also about the people behind and affected by it. As we attempt to best prepare ourselves digitally in 2024, it will be crucial for the administration to stay vigilant and proactive in the face of these new challenges. The security of our digital future depends on it.

Julio Rivera is a business and political strategist, cybersecurity researcher, and political commentator and columnist. His writing, which is focused on cybersecurity and politics, is regularly published by many of the largest news organizations in the world.

Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.
Egotistical Anthony Fauci, who said anyone who didnt believe what he said didnt believe in science, now admits that the six-foot social distancing edicts were not based on science. They were just pulled out of thin air. How many people still believe this intentional lie?

How many businesses were closed because of these made-up rules? Churches and schools were closed also. Commercial real estate owners were destroyed because of remote work. Movies and Broadway were shut down. Sporting events and concerts were canceled. The damages are immeasurable, but Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Meta and other corporations got very rich because of these rules, and these made-up rules massively transferred the wealth from small business to the uber wealthy.

How many old people died alone because people were scared to get close to them?

How many children were permanently harmed because of these rules? How many children and others became alcoholics, drug abusers, or committed suicide because Fauci and others were consumed with power? Anyone who questioned Fauci and the government rules were called anti-science. The media and others accused those questioning of being grandma killers.

Most of what we were told about COVID was not based on science, but was meant to get people to capitulate to dictatorial government rules.

Here is a sample:

In March 2020, people were told (without scientific data), that COVID would easily spread on surfaces. In May 2020, the regime then admitted that wasnt the case. How many people still believe it does because of the original made-up lie? How much money was wasted by businesses and others based on this lie? From CBS News:

The Centers for Disease Control updated its guidance earlier this month to emphasize the coronavirus does not spread easily on surfaces.

In March 2020, the CDC suddenly announced it would be changing the way they would count deaths. Instead of only counting deaths confirmed to be caused by COVID, they decided to count deaths related to COVID or assumed to be related to COVID. This change was not based on science. Clearly, this was made to inflate the death numbers so the public would be more likely to capitulate.

How many people actually died from COVID, or from heart disease, cancer, strokes, obesity, diabetes, Alzheimers, etc.? We will never have an accurate answer because the government intentionally manipulated the numbers. Not having factual numbers greatly harms research.

Businesses were told, without scientific data, to put up plexiglass as if a virus were incapable of getting around a small plastic wall. How much crude oil and money was wasted to put up worthless barriers? From Bloomberg:

Just one hitch: To this day, not a single study has shown that the clear plastic barriers actually control the virus, according to Harvards Joseph Allen, an indoor-air researcher who calls the plexiglass shields hygiene theater.

When Trump and others wanted the Wuhan lab investigated as a source of the virus, Fauci, the media, and others colluded to block an investigation by intentionally lying that it was a disproven conspiracy. Why were so many interested in covering up for China? How many people died from COVID or some other virus because timely investigations were blocked?

How much money did Pfizer and Moderna make because people were told the lie that if you got the shot and the boosters that you could not spread or contract the virus?

Later in 2020, the CDC suddenly changed the social distancing requirement to three feet; that is also a made up number that had no data to support it.

How much money has been spent on masks when there is no scientific data that the general public wearing the masks makes any significant difference. How much have our oceans been polluted by masks? See below:

Given an annual production figure of 52 billion disposable masks and a loss rate of 3% (the percentage of masks that escape water management systems), the team concluded that nearly 1.6 billion face masks wound up in our oceans in 2020. This amounts to approximately 5,500 tons of plastic pollution.

Most of the media should also be sued for their participation in spreading the lies, for failing to properly research or ask questions, and in silencing anyone who disagreed with the dictatorial edicts based on the lies.

Anyone who believes that a government and media who intentionally spread so many lies on COVID would not also be willing to spread lies to get the public to capitulate to dictatorial edicts on the radical green agenda should check to see if their brain has been extracted from their head. There is not one piece of scientific data that directly links oil, coal, natural gas, gas-powered cars, CO2 content, or anything else the green pushers say cause warming, to temperatures. Temperature fluctuates cyclically and naturally as it always has.

The public should question everything they are told. There are a lot of people consumed with power and greed who havent cared about the truth for a long time. Also, do not trust the supposed fact-checkers. Almost all of them are willing to cover up the lies because they are promoting the same anti-freedom agenda.

Image from X.
Down in Georgia, District Attorney Fani Willis is hearing a lot of Bee Gees lately:

And its the start of a love affair The moment when I first met you And if you want Ill take you there (ooh) Be tender with my love Fanny, be tender with my love Cause it's all that Ive got And my love wont forsake me.

The lady from Georgia has a few problems and I am not sure how it will all go down. Of course, Fani Willis is not the first public figure seemingly found to be embroiled in an extramarital affair, but her case is a bit more complicated than most; she is after all trying to take down the guy of the other party, the one leading in the polls. In other words, you better be like Caesars wife,or above suspicion, if you are going to shoot that high.

Lets check this from a New York Post report:

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis had an improper and clandestine relationship with the married special prosecutor who assisted in securing the Georgia grand jury indictment against former President Donald Trump, a co-defendant in the election interference case alleged Monday. The bombshell court filing made by former Trump 2020 campaign official Michael Roman argues that Willis should be disqualified from the case and the charges against him dropped because the district attorney chose to appoint her romantic partner, who at all times relevant to this prosecution has been a married man, to the case. Roman contends that Nathan Wade, a private attorney with the Atlanta-based Wade & Campbell Firm, used some of the nearly $654,000 in legal fees that hes been paid by the Fulton County DAs Office for his work on the Trump case to take Willis on lavish vacations to Napa Valley, California, Florida and the Caribbean. Mr. Roman  moves the Court for an order disqualifying the district attorney, her office, and the special prosecutor from further prosecuting the instant matter on the grounds that the district attorney and the special prosecutor have been engaged in an improper, clandestine personal relationship during the pendency of this case, which has resulted in the special prosecutor, and, in turn, the district attorney, profiting significantly from this prosecution at the expense of the taxpayers, the 127-page filing states. Accordingly, the district attorney and the special prosecutor have violated laws regulating the use of public monies, suffer from irreparable conflicts of interest, and have violated their oaths of office under the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct and should be disqualified from prosecuting this matter, it continues.

Well, thats a mouthful. A lady prosecutor obsessed with Trump, an alleged affair with benefits (as they say) with a married man, and apparently using public money to pay for the fancy trips. There is also a report that Fanis suspected love went to the Joe Biden White House to talk strategy.

It must be a good story because MSNBC has not mentioned it.

P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos.

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What is it about leftists and pig noises?

A Jewish man was speaking out about why the San Francisco's Board of Supervisors shouldn't pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, giving his own family's experience of having lost five family members to Hamas terrorists during the attacks on October 7. He was reasonable. He was temperate. He was eloquent and articulate. He was like the man in the Norman Rockwell painting on the four freedoms, illustrating freedom of speech, complete with a checkered shirt.

WATCH: A San Francisco Jewish man bravely shares his experiences with antisemitism after losing five family members at Kibbutz Be'eri, including two kidnapped by Hamas, only to be met with boos and jeers from anti-Israel activists. pic.twitter.com/waUybyoXtg  JCRC Bay Area (@SFJCRC) January 10, 2024

And the response? A sea of oinks and grunts, as if the leftists were reverting back to their native language.

Rather than let the man say his piece and then reply with their own pieces, as reasonable people in civil society do, they tried to shout him down with pig noises.

Which far from humiliate the man, pretty well told everyone in the room who they were and the worth of their counterarguments. Most hecklers trying to shout down a speaker will try to say something articulate. But these Hamas activists just grunt and oink.

It's not the first time we have seen this pattern from Hamas supporters and associated leftists.

The Hamas crowd here has already made itself loathed by the American public through its blockages of highways and freeways, its spraying of graffiti, and its illegal disruptive protests, claiming a 'right' to free speech.

Now they've taken up oinking to shut down others' free speech.

Maybe it's time to create a special pigpen for them where they can do the things they do without annoying others.

What a disgusting cause this is.

Image: Screen shot from JCRC Bay Area video, via Twitter
Over at Power Line, while discussing the Claudine Gay/Harvard scandals, John Hinderaker raised the broader question whether universities collectively have even been a source of wisdom on political issues.

Its an important question, and it has a clear and definite answer: American institutions of higher education shaped the American founding fundamentally, and for the good (though in those days, they were called colleges, not universities). Here is how I put it in my book Common Sense Nation:

Jefferson was the architect of the Declaration of Independence, Madison was the architect of the Constitution, and Hamilton was the architect of The Federalist Papers. If we want to understand their thinking, we need to start with the fact that the Scottish Enlightenment provided their teachers.

Jeffersons mentor was William Small. Small was a powerful exponent of the Scottish Enlightenments common sense thinking, and he was by far the most brilliant member of the faculty at The College of William and Mary. He came to America to teach only from 1758 to 1764  at precisely the right time to guide Jeffersons studies there. Small left America when he did in response to an urgent request from James Watt. Watt wanted his help with the development of the steam engine.

Madisons mentor was John Witherspoon, the president of The College of New Jersey (todays Princeton University). Witherspoons own education can help us see just how close the Founders were to the Scottish Enlightenment. Before coming to America, Witherspoon had studied with Adam Smith and Thomas Reid, two of the greatest thinkers of the Scottish Enlightenment.

Hamiltons tutor at Kings College (todays Columbia University) was Robert Harpur, also a Scot and a product of the Scottish Enlightenment. He had studied at Glasgow before coming to America.

The Scottish Enlightenments influence in American education continued long after the founding era, securing Americas informal title, the common sense nation. James Fosters admirable book Scottish Philosophy in America states that enduring influence this way:

For a hundred years or more, Scottish philosophers were both taught and emulated by professors at Princeton, Harvard and Yale, as well as newly founded colleges stretching from Rhode Island to Texas.

The distinguished American historian Allen Guelzo made that point in this way in his truly great lecture series, The American Mind:

Before the Civil War, every major [American] collegiate intellectual was a disciple of Scottish common sense realism.

Harvard College, like the other American colleges, once taught students to think like the American founders, to think like an American. Consequently, Harvard and American colleges in general were once sources of wisdom on political issues.

We are separated from those days by two campus revolutions, one around the beginning of the 20th century, the other more radical one an outgrowth of the turmoil of the 1960s. The first abandoned the task of teaching students to think like the founders; as the result of the second one, students today are taught to reject the America of the founders. The common sense thinking of the founders was lost in two steps, first forgotten and then rejected.

For more on this subject, I can recommend this article on how education once was in America.

Robert Curry is the author of Common Sense Nation: Unlocking the Forgotten Power of the American Idea and Reclaiming Common Sense: Finding Truth in a Post-Truth World. Both are published by Encounter Books.

Image via Pexels.
When I was in high school, my father gave me Werner Kellers The Bible As History. Keller, an engineer, scholar, humanist, and anti-Nazi fighter who barely escaped execution, wasnt interested in the Bible as a religious book, at least not for the purposes of The Bible As History. Instead, he showed that objective history corroborates the Bibles historical narratives. I was hooked and have enjoyed Biblical history ever since. I just stumbled across a new entrant into the truth behind the Bible stories. This time, archeology shows that, at the time of Sodom and Gomorrah, there really was fire raining down from the skies.

Genesis 19:24-25 describes the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah when the people, rather than welcoming strangers (who happened to be angels in disguise), instead tried to subject them to homosexual gang rape. Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven; And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.

Current estimates are that those two cities, assuming they existed, were destroyed between 2100 and 1900 B.C., during the Bronze Age. One of the theories is that an earthquake occurred but, Wikipedia explains, theres no contemporary evidence from other cultures that there was such a major earthquake at the time. Of course, the timeline could be wrong, so that may explain the absence of an earthquake.

Image: AI-generated image of the Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

However, maybe the destruction happened a few hundred years later and wasnt an earthquake at all. Maybe it really was fire and brimstone raining down from the heavens. Thats because we now know that, roughly 3,600 years ago (around 1600 B.C.), a giant space rock traveling at about 38,000 MPH exploded above a site now called Tall el-Hamman, which was once a city in the ancient Middle East, near the Dead Sea.

Although the article about this discovery (published in The Conversation) is about two years old, this is the first Ive seen of it, so I wanted to share it with you. The article opens by describing the effect this explosion in the sky would have had on the community beneath it:

Flashing through the atmosphere, the rock exploded in a massive fireball about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) above the ground. The blast was around 1,000 times more powerful than the Hiroshima atomic bomb. The shocked city dwellers who stared at it were blinded instantly. Air temperatures rapidly rose above 3,600 degrees Fahrenheit (2,000 degrees Celsius). Clothing and wood immediately burst into flames. Swords, spears, mudbricks and pottery began to melt. Almost immediately, the entire city was on fire. Some seconds later, a massive shockwave smashed into the city. Moving at about 740 mph (1,200 kph), it was more powerful than the worst tornado ever recorded. The deadly winds ripped through the city, demolishing every building. They sheared off the top 40 feet (12 m) of the 4-story palace and blew the jumbled debris into the next valley. None of the 8,000 people or any animals within the city survived  their bodies were torn apart and their bones blasted into small fragments. About a minute later, 14 miles (22 km) to the west of Tall el-Hammam, winds from the blast hit the biblical city of Jericho. Jerichos walls came tumbling down and the city burned to the ground.

Nor is this just a scene from someones imagination. Christopher Moore, who wrote the essay, is an Archaeologist and Special Projects Director at the Savannah River Archaeological Research Program and South Carolina Institute for Archaeology and Anthropology, University of South Carolina. He explains that this scenario results from almost 15 years of careful analysis conducted by two dozen scientists. The contributors to this space rock theory included archaeologists, geologists, geochemists, geomorphologists, mineralogists, paleobotanists, sedimentologists, cosmic-impact experts and medical doctors.

The whole article is fascinating, so I strongly suggest you check it out. And if you like this kind of thing, I highly recommend a video called Patterns of Evidence: Exodus. In it, Timothy Mahoney suggests that the reason (usually leftist) archeologists insist that the whole Exodus story is fictional is because theyve misdated it. If you shift the narrative by 400 years, theres a great deal of corroborative evidence for the Exodus story.

One of the things I constantly fight is the Islamist and leftist narrative that the Jews ties to Israel go back only to the late 19th century, while the Palestinian Arabs have been there for thousands of years. In fact, the opposite is true. To the extent archeological finds corroborate the Biblical narrative, its clear that the Jews continuous ties to Israel go back to the Bronze Age, when there were neither Arabs nor Muslims around.
Of all the things Pope Francis has on his plate -- from an apparent pervert in the Grand Inquisitor's chair, to looming schisms, to dioceses bankrupted by sex abuse payouts, banking scandals, lavender mafias, and empty churches save in Africa, dialogue with avowed Marxists seems like something that ought to be very low on the papal to-do list.

But here we are, the pope suddenly in 'dialogue' with members of the world's biggest failed philosophy, holding a mano-a-mano as if the two were equals, and that includes a pep talk.

According to LifeSiteNews:

VATICAN CITY (LifeSiteNews)  Hosting a Marxist-Christian dialogue group at the Vatican on Wednesday, Pope Francis urged them to be open, in dialogue, to new ways, while avoiding reiterating the Churchs consistent condemnation of Marxism. Shortly before his weekly general audience on January 10, Pope Francis received a small delegation from the DIALOP group. DIALOP, according to its own description, is a project of dialogue between Socialists/Marxists and Christians, involving intellectuals, academics, politicians, activists and students from several European Countries. In his address, the pope urged the Marxist and Christian attendees to never lose the ability to dream. Today, in a world divided by war and polarization, we run the risk of losing the ability to dream. We Argentines say, no te arrugues, meaning dont back off. This is my invitation to you as well: Dont back off, dont give up, and dont stop dreaming of a better world. Francis stated that it is in imagination, the ability to dream, that intelligence, intuition, experience and historical memory come together to make us be creative, take chances and run risks.

What an amazing load of garbage. Since when have Marxists, once ensconced in power, have ever permitted the ability to dream, let alone use intelligence, intuition, experience, or historical memory? Name one Marxist regime that ever allowed it.

Marxist regimes are big on destroying statues and erasing people from official photos as regards that historical memory part. They throw creative artists in jail or drive them into exile. Natalia Goncharova was unavailable for comment but one could probably ask Mikhail Baryshnikov who, like her, was an artist who fled the Marxist U.S.S.R. for artistic freedom. Meanwhile, anyone who takes "risks" in a communist regime -- such as going to Church -- ends up a 'non-person,' if not in front of a firing squad, in a mental hospital, thrown into a Gulag, shoved into a laogai, or else experiences a turba mob screaming, surrounding, and flinging excrement at his home.

Marxism, recall is famous for its death count, its mass revolts, its created poverty, and its refugees. People flee Marxist regimes wherever they are found -- and now Marxists are turning up in the Vatican.

The dialogue thing is absolutely ridiculous. The group he's dialoguing with, DIALOP, is a European Marxist group that says it wants a RESET, which isn't too popular these days.

Now, one may argue that the pope is just trying to bring all sorts of souls into the Church fold as they are in order to "save" them, same way he is trying to bring in the gays. It may just be politics, such as he and his minions are playing with gay couples.

But if it were, it's a preposterous move. Right now, voters all over Europe are electing people like Geert Wilders and Giorgia Meloni, who are profoundly anti-communist. In every European country, the anti-communists are the wave of the future, as the commies say. Why he's reaching out to the loser side that has been thoroughly discredited by the experience of having them in power is quite a mystery.

The include-them-all argument falls apart further because we don't see any 'dialogue' from the pope with traditional Church Catholics, or hardcore libertarians. How about some dialogue with Nazis while he's at it, given his attraction to pariah philosophies? He could even combine the Marxists with the Nazis, given that both are socialists.

It's such a strange thing, suggesting that Marxism is this pope's comfort zone, given all of his other misguided statements, to the exclusion of all other ideas. Even Pope John Paul II was curious about the libertarians, having once asked someone to bring him some of atheist Ayn Rand's books for him to read. But not this pope. Recall his bad treatment of the Heartland Institute's people who tried to 'dialogue' with him. He didn't give them the time of day, and as for traditional Catholics, they are being suppressed.

LifeSite points out that all popes until he came along have sent out a firm message about the incompatibility of Catholicism and Marxism.

Catholic teaching against Communism is very clear. Writing in Quadragesimo Anno, Pope Pius XI warned the entire Church about the impious and iniquitous character of Communism. Describing Socialism as slightly less violent, Pius XI firmly prohibited any attempts to marry Socialism and Catholicism: Whether considered as a doctrine, or an historical fact, or a movement, Socialism, if it remains truly Socialism, even after it has yielded to truth and justice on the points which we have mentioned, cannot be reconciled with the teachings of the Catholic Church because its concept of society itself is utterly foreign to Christian truth. Pius XI also penned such words in Divini Redemptoris: Communism is intrinsically wrong, and no one who would save Christian civilization may collaborate with it in any undertaking whatsoever. Those who permit themselves to be deceived into lending their aid towards the triumph of Communism in their own country will be the first to fall victims of their error. And the greater the antiquity and grandeur of the Christian civilization in the regions where Communism successfully penetrates, so much more devastating will be the hatred displayed by the godless. Pius words merely built on the constant teaching of his predecessors. Pius IXs 1846 encyclical Qui pluribus described Communism as a doctrine most opposed to the very natural law, which would usher in complete destruction of everyones laws, government, property, and even of human society itself.

It's not for nothing that communism has been called "the devil's imitation of Christianity." Communism creates poverty wherever it goes, and while the Church champions the poor, it shouldn't be endorsing the manufacturing of more poor people just to champion them. Sharper popes in the past have spotted that false-flag resemblance and hastened to condemn the deceptive and lethal atheistic philosophy to make sure the faithful understood. Not this pope. He sees the imitation and mistakes it for the real thing, and then goes and encourages more of it even as ordinary people run as far as they can from it.

Image: VectorPortal.com // CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED
At this point, Joe Biden and the Bidenites dont just have a little blood on their hands, theyre bathing in it.

A few days back, AT published an essay by contributor C.S. Boddie that highlighted a recent tragedy in Colorado: an illegal alien, who had been deported four times before, killed a mother and her 16-year-old son, as he drove (allegedly) completely inebriated near a high school. The illegal had four alcohol-related driving convictions under his belt, and just days before, hed received probation, community service, and work release from a Colorado judge; Boddies piece also included a number of other chilling examples underscoring the deadly consequences of admitting millions of scofflaws.

But dead Americans arent the only casualtiessay adios to Whitewater, Wisconsin, a once-safe and once-quaint midwestern town. Whitewater recently came into the national spotlight after a letter to the Biden regime got picked up by conservative media. Local police chief Daniel Meyer, had appealed to Washington to request help for the influx of illegals that have cropped up since 2022, putting a strain on resources, and bringing in problems like these:

Sexual assaults. Skyrocketing unlicensed drivers. A reduction in the ability to do proactive policing. Substandard living arrangements. These are just some of the issues #Whitewater is facing due to an influx of #illegal immigrants to the city of 15,000 people  Wisconsin Right Now (@wisconsin_now) January 3, 2024

But, dont get confused, Meyer isnt actually against open borders, and neither is the local government apparently; from the Wisconsin Examiner on Tuesday:

Unlike the Republican politicians who have been making political hay out of his letter to Biden, Whitewaters police chief took pains to state in the letter that none of this information is shared as a means of denigrating or vilifying this group of people.  In fact, we see a great value in the increasing diversity that this group brings to our community. Our officers have also seen first-hand the terrible living conditions that many migrants are living in, Meyer stated in the letter, which asks for money to beef up the police force, hire an immigrant liaison, and to pay for a ride-share program, affordable housing and language instruction. We simply need to ensure that we can properly serve this group and the entirety of the community, he wrote.  We have found approximately three times the number of unlicensed drivers on our roadways compared to previous years, Meyer wrote in his letter. One thing that would help, Meyer has said in several interviews, would be for Wisconsin to allow undocumented immigrants to get drivers licenses.

And there it iswith a drivers license in Wisconsin, these illegals then have the right to vote. According to the states government website, all thats required to register to vote is a Proof of Residence document which can be a valid state drivers license. From the website itself:

All voters MUST provide a Proof of Residence Document when registering. If you register to vote by mail, in-person in your clerks office, or at your polling place on Election Day, you need to provide a Proof of Residence document. If you register online  your valid State of Wisconsin driver license or State of Wisconsin ID card issued by the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) qualifies as a valid Proof of Residence document.

Then, when it comes times to vote, a person simply needs to show ID. If this isnt the most absurd slap in the face, then I dont know what is.

I recall attending a 2017 panel discussion in the Quail Creek community, located in Sahuarita, Arizona, in which a number of high-profile conservative figures discussed the problems that come with a porous bordernaturally, the panelists were defending President Trumps call for a border wall. Brandon Darby, one of the gentlemen speaking, and who is currently the Director of Breitbarts Border and Cartel Chronicles, asserted that the tentacles of the cartels reach beyond what any reasonable conservative might assume, extending even as far as the offices of police chiefs and small town mayors.

Imagine that.

Image: ProtoplasmaKid, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, unaltered.
When Rudy Giuliani became Mayor of NYC three decades ago, he and his police commissioner, William Bratton, applied the criminological theory known as broken windows. It states that the signs of disorder in a neighborhood, like broken windows, encourage petty crimes and lead to more serious crimes. In other words, when minor crimes are tolerated, criminals will soon be emboldened to commit serious crimes.

Some argue that Giuliani went too far by supporting cops, who felt they could do their job of fighting crime without being penalized every time they made a move. However, no one can change the fact that crime took a nosedive during their tenure. Sadly, but as expected, Giulianis administration was criticized as racist because more blacks were arrested than whites. The fact that most crimes were committed by blacks didnt have any traction with left-wing orthodoxy.

Looking back at that era, its almost inconceivable to imagine how we became a lawless society in only a generation. During that short span of time, broken windows has morphed from kids throwing rocks to mobs of thugs ransacking stores and carrying out huge amounts of merchandise with no fear of confrontation or arrest. Hence, extrapolating on the broken windows theory, if weve come to a time in which felonies are tolerated, one can only imagine how much more emboldened criminals will become in the near future. Its already unsafe to walk the streets in most urban areas. How long before we experience similar fears in the rural and suburban areas? We either get tough on crime in the cities or prepare for an invasion of violent gangs in our once safe and cozy retreats in those areas only a few miles away.

Moreover, with millions of illegals swarming across the border during the last three years, we can expect huge increases in crime as people, mostly young men from countries all over the world, infiltrate towns and cities throughout the nation. We have yet to experience the full impact of what the Biden administration has subjected us to. No country can deal with open borders for very long without ultimately succumbing to the onslaught of humanity flooding the landscape like a tidal wave. As this ocean of aliens saturates the terrain, demanding rights, how many Americans will have the courage to fight back against an invasion that has been sanctioned by the president and his left-wing horde of nihilists?

Texas, for example, has been in the crosshairs of the left for decades. The Lone Star State is viewed by America-haters as a target that must be destroyed in order to set an example to other states with the audacity to pursue a patriotic agenda. What better way to accomplish their goal than to use the 1,241-mile border with Mexico as the murder weapon? The Texas border with Mexico is about twice as long as the borders of the other three states (California, Arizona, and New Mexico) combined. Although struggling mightily against the human cavalcade, Texas has been repeatedly thwarted by an administration that has declared war on the largest red state.

Meanwhile, Biden begins his campaign for re-election by regurgitating the events of January 6, 2021, and calling Donald Trump, and MAGA Republicans, a threat to democracy. During a saner time in our history, a president wanting a second term would be outlining all the accomplishments of his time in office, not trashing those who voted against him last time. Of course, anyone with a pulse knows that Biden has nothing to brag about. Hes not going to say that when Trump was in office, we were not involved in a war in Europe, another one in the Middle East, and a third one on the horizon as China moves toward an invasion of Taiwan. Furthermore, hes not likely to mention that consumer prices have risen about 25% since he took office, or that we no longer have a southern border. I havent even mentioned the rampant corruption of the Biden crime family.

How insane, or arrogant, is it for a president to even contemplate re-election under those circumstances? It seems to me that the struggle between good and evil is on the ballot in November. My greatest fear is that evil has become so embedded in the fabric of our government that we the people no longer have a voice in anything they want to do to us. Crime is a major example because it directly impacts our daily life. The number-one job of government is the protection of its people. It couldnt be more obvious that our government has failed miserably.

People will never feel safe, or be safe, until the police are allowed to do the job they were trained to do, without being subjected to every new philosophical concept conceived in the minds of those who know nothing about the job. How about ending the political platitudes and concentrating on basic police work, such as increased patrols in high-crime areas and the recognition and encouragement of good police work by the most diligent officers? Every superior officer knows, or should know, which subordinates are doing a good job in his sector of patrol. Those who are merely going in each day for a paycheck should be supervised more closely. But, in all fairness, that can happen only if cops know they wont be facing a political firing squad each time they attempt to enforce the law.

Image via Public Domain Pictures.
Apple Vision Pro is coming very soon; pre-orders begin on January 19, and it will hit shelves in the US on February 2. If thats not all, it is also tipped to sell like hotcakes. It runs on Apples upcoming visionOS, especially for Apple Vision Pro. Now, lets delve into Apples strategy on the developer front. Californias tech major has laid out stringent guidelines, urging developers not to label their applications for visionOS as AR or VR.

Apple doesnt want visionOS apps to be called AR or VR

After Apple shared details about the Apple Vision Pro launch, they updated Xcode so that developers can now submit visionOS apps to the App Store. But theres a rule: Apple doesnt want developers to use terms like AR and VR for their new apps. They want to make it clear that visionOS is for spatial computing, not the traditional AR or VR stuff.

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Theres more to it. The company has asked developers to avoid using terms such as AR, VR, XR, and MR, according to 9to5Mac. Notably, these terms stand for Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Extended Reality, and Mixed Reality, respectively. Notably, folks at TechRadar pointed out that Apple primarily markets the Vision Pro as a spatial computing platform. However, at the 2023 WWDC, Apple CEO Tim Cook presented it as an entirely new AR platform. You read it right, AR.

Apples new laws for developers

A new page on the Apple Developer website outlines all the recommendations and requirements for launching Apple Vision Pro apps on the App Store. The guidelines cover various aspects, including testing procedures, screenshot preparation, icon creation, and more.

Additionally, Apple provides instructions on how developers should name and describe their apps. Apples demand from developers to meet requirements such as using the lowercase v for the visionOS comes as expected. However, the rule against using AR or VR, nevertheless, stands out.

For users eager to experience the Apple Vision Pro, it comes at $3,499 for the 256GB storage variant. It is available exclusively in the US for now.
Google hardware has become best-in-class in recent years, with Pixel phones and Pixel smartwatches becoming some of the best Android has to offer which makes recent layoffs, including from Fitbit, a little bit of a surprise. Googles talent and hardware teams just took a massive hit, as Google is laying off a thousand employees across multiple divisions of the company. The true scope of the layoffs isnt known right now, but its at least a thousand. 9to5Google first reported that restructuring caused hundreds of employees in Googles AR division to lose their jobs last night. Later, it was revealed those layoffs were just the tip of the iceberg.

Google confirmed that a few hundred jobs in the companys AR, core engineering, and Google Assistant teams had been cut in each team, in a statement to The Verge. That totals around a thousand employees, at least, depending on what a few really means. Based on that figure, Google laid off about 0.5% of its total employees, according to September employment data.

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A few hundred roles are being eliminated in DSPA with the majority of impacts on the 1P AR Hardware team, a Google spokesperson said in a statement regarding AR layoffs. While we are making changes to our 1P AR hardware team, Google continues to be deeply committed to other AR initiatives, such as AR experiences in our products, and product partnerships.

Later, after more layoffs were revealed, Google spokesperson Courtenay Mencini did not respond to The Verges inquiry into the full scope of the cuts. However, Mencini did say that a number of our teams made changes to become more efficient and work better. She also stated that some teams are continuing to make these kinds of organizational changes, which include some role eliminations globally.

The layoffs are part of a restructuring involving AR, Google, and Fitbit

Layoffs and leadership departures are happening in separate Google teams, but it seems to be part of a larger reorganization. James Park and Eric Friedman, the co-founders of Fitbit, are leaving Google. Other heads in the Fitbit division are said to be leaving as well, and this could mark the demise of Fitbit. As the Pixel Watch starts to find its footing, it wouldnt be much of a surprise.

Google is also getting out of the AR hardware game, and that explains the layoffs. The company wont stop working with AR tech, it just wont be building hardware in-house. Instead, expect Google to work with other OEMs to produce AR hardware. Google plans to streamline its Pixel, Nest, and Fitbit hardware teams, too. These teams will now work more closely together, as opposed to being separate divisions.

The cuts are the latest round of layoffs to hit Google, and big tech as a whole. Nearly a year ago, Google laid off 12,000 workers in January 2023.
German companies gear up for larger China market share

Xinhua) 13:33, January 12, 2024

TIANJIN, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- In an automotive factory in north China's Tianjin Municipality, automobile chassis and body-structure parts roll off the assembly lines one after another.

The factory belongs to BENTELER Automotive Component (Tianjin) Co., Ltd., one of BENTELER Group's 16 plants in China, manufacturing automotive components and modules for high-end car companies.

Klaus Hansmeier, the company's launch manager, who has been working in China for 11 years, said that the company had invested 260 million yuan (about 36.6 million U.S. dollars) in Tianjin to build new production lines as of March 2023, with an additional 100 million yuan of investment at the site in 2023.

"The overall sales in 2023 have doubled compared with the previous year," said Hansmeier, adding that the company plans to invest another 300 million yuan before 2027 to upgrade the production lines.

"We see the Asia-Pacific business as the backbone of our group's development, and China is the heart," said Hansmeier.

The company is one of a cluster of more than 10 German companies in the Tianjin Beichen Economic and Technological Development Area (BEDA), covering an area of about 50 square km.

Also located in the BEDA is mechanical drive systems supplier Flender that has launched the 10th phase of its capital increase and expansion project for upgrading the production line structure of its Tianjin enterprise.

"We know that half of the world's wind turbine market is here in China. That requires even more investment," said Martin Kaufung, director and CFO of Flender Ltd., China. "The localization rate of our company has reached more than 90 percent, and the indicator continues to rise."

The China subsidiary has become Flender's largest gearbox manufacturing base outside Germany, according to Kaufung.

Not far from Flender's Tianjin enterprise lies Leybold Vacuum Equipment (Tianjin) Co., Ltd., which has been developing rapidly since it entered the Chinese market in 1997.

"After entering China, our annual sales growth peaked at 52 percent. For more than 20 years, our average annual sales growth rate has remained about 10 percent," said Cho Yun-soo, the company's general manager.

In the near future, the company plans to increase the proportion of local support equipment to more than 92 percent. Thanks to China's industrial and logistics systems, this goal is not difficult to achieve, Cho said.

German company Big Dutchman, one of the world's largest suppliers of feeding systems and housing equipment for modern pig and poultry production, has a 12,000-square-meter manufacturing plant in the BEDA, and it is in full swing.

As the company's only production base and logistics center in China, the Tianjin facility, founded in 1997, is involved in marketing, production, services, procurement and logistics.

After 30 years of development in China, Big Dutchman's business in China is on the up-and-up, with an average annual output value of around 1 billion yuan, contributing one-eighth of the company's total global output.

"China is a pillar market for the company's business growth. We still have great development potential in China in the future," said Walter Benz, president of Big Dutchman China.

In the next five years, the company is looking forward to increasing its output value in China to 1.5 billion yuan and will continue to share the growth potential of the Chinese market, Benz added.

Wang Yongping, deputy general manager of the BEDA Co., Ltd., said China's advantages, such as complete industrial chains and ample technical talent, enable many foreign enterprises to enjoy long-term development in China.

According to statistics from the Tianjin municipal bureau of commerce, as of October 2023, Tianjin had 481 German-invested enterprises in the fields of equipment manufacturing, automobile manufacturing, and electrical and mechanical manufacturing.

Nationwide, Germany's actual investment in China increased by 21 percent year on year in the first eight months of 2023, according to statistics from China's Ministry of Commerce. Meanwhile, the actual investment of German enterprises in China in the fields of motor equipment manufacturing and chemical manufacturing increased by 172 percent and 91 percent, respectively.

According to a survey released by the German Chamber of Commerce in China in 2023, more than half of the 288 German companies surveyed planned to increase their investment in China in the next two years.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
As the second week of January unfolds, Google is gearing up to release a new security patch. It will be the first security update of 2024 for the Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2. The tech giant has officially announced the commencement of the rollout for the January 2024 security update. It is specifically tailored for Pixel Watch devices operating on Wear OS 4.

For users eagerly awaiting the update, Google will make it available to the supported watches all over the world gradually over the next week. The phased rollout reportedly depends on the specific device and carrier.

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Google recommends installing all available updates to receive the 2024 security patch

The company has primarily focused on addressing security vulnerabilities for the January 2024 security update. The build number of this update is TWD9.240105.004.A1, noted Google. You can explore the detailed changes accompanying the patch in the Android Security Bulletins. However, the emphasis is on enhancing the security posture of Pixel Watch devices. Users should expect fixes and improvements aimed at fortifying the device against potential threats.

To ensure Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2 users get the latest security enhancements, Google recommends users install the previously available updates. To do so, you can navigate to the Settings menu, scroll down to System, and select System Updates. Google will likely notify users on their watches when the over-the-air (OTA) update becomes accessible. Google staggers the release across carriers and devices to manage a seamless deployment.

The overarching objective of the January 2024 update is to equip Pixel Watch users with the latest security patches, aligning with Googles commitment to providing a secure and up-to-date user experience. Users are encouraged to stay vigilant for notifications on their devices and promptly apply the update to fortify their Pixel Watches against potential security threats.
After extending its AI-powered Copilot from Windows 11 to Windows 10 and later to Android, Microsoft is now reportedly bringing some of that AI magic to Notepad with text generation capabilities in Windows 11. While the company has been actively incorporating AI into various aspects of its ecosystem, Windows enthusiasts have stumbled upon references to a potential AI bot, possibly named Cowriter, within the app package of Notepad. This move aligns with Microsofts efforts to enhance user experience by integrating AI functionalities into its applications.

Windows Copilot, Microsofts all-purpose digital AI assistant, has been evolving, and now it seems Notepad is getting its own AI companion. References in the app package folder suggest a ChatGPT-powered bot may be on the horizon. Tentatively called Cowriter, this AI assistant could provide users with text generation capabilities directly within the Notepad app. The files include references like CoWriterCreditLimitDialog and CoWriterDropDownButton, indicating potential UI elements for managing the AIs features.

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The addition of an AI-powered text generation feature in Notepad signals a potential revamp of the iconic text editor.

The discovery hints at the possibility of a credit system, where users may have usage quotas for the AI feature. Similar to other Microsoft AI-powered features like Bing Image Generator or Cocreator in Paint, users may receive credits to generate unique content within Notepad, with the potential for boosts and a subsequent slower generation process once the initial credits are used up.

While Microsoft hasnt officially announced this AI-powered text generation feature, Windows Insiders have uncovered UI references like CoWriterDropDownButton and CoWriterInfoButton, suggesting buttons for accessing the Notepad AI feature and seeking help or additional information.

Notepads AI tool will likely provide users with context-specific suggestions for their text, similar to the Editor feature introduced in Microsoft Edge. The promotional image found in the updated app package indicates that users may receive multiple suggestions for a text selection, offering modifications related to Length, Tone, Format, and Instructions. This aligns with Microsofts broader strategy of integrating AI to enhance productivity and user engagement across its suite of applications.

While Microsoft has not yet officially confirmed any details about the official release, speculation suggests that Notepads AI feature might undergo testing soon, with a potential waitlist for interested users, possibly within the Windows Insider community. Microsoft continues to explore innovative ways to leverage AI to offer more intelligent and context-aware tools to its users.
Samsungs January 2024 update is available for a few more Galaxy devices. It is rolling out to the three Galaxy S21 series flagships. The Galaxy S21 FE, which isnt a true blue flagship, picked up the new security patch a few days back. Samsung has also rolled out the January SMR (Security Maintenance Release) to several other models, including the Galaxy S23, Galaxy S22, and all recent foldables.

Galaxy S21 series joins Samsungs January 2024 update party

The latest security update for the Galaxy S21 trio is currently rolling out in Europe. More precisely, it is available for users in Switzerland with the firmware build number G99*BXXS9FWL9. A wider rollout, covering the entire lineup in other European countries as well as the rest of the world, should follow shortly. The build number may vary depending on your region but everyone will get the same update.

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As Samsungs official changelog confirms, the latest firmware release for the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra is all about this months security fixes. There arent any new features or functional improvements here, which isnt surprising. Just two months back, the devices received the Android 14-based One UI 6.0 update with tons of goodies, including some UI changes.

The new update still has a lot to talk about on the security side of things. Rolling out with an OTA (over the air) file size of about 400MB, it brings as many as 80 vulnerability patches. Samsung is pushing 75 Android OS patches and 5 Galaxy-specific patches to Galaxy devices with the January SMR. One of these vulnerabilities is labeled critical, potentially allowing attackers to gain remote access to affected devices.

If you are using a Galaxy S21 or any other Samsung phone, you can go to Settings > Software update >Download and install to check for new updates. Note that updates are released in batches and may not be available to everyone at the same time. So, if you dont see a pending update today, you can always check back later. You may also get a notification once the OTA rollout hits your Galaxy device.

The Galaxy S21 series will get Android 15

The Galaxy S21 phones turn three years old next week but they still have plenty of life left in them. Samsung will push four major Android OS updates to the lineup, meaning that they will get Android 15. The devices should also pick up One UI 6.1, which debuts with the Galaxy S24 series next week. If you plan to upgrade to the new flagship, you can pre-reserve it now with no commitment and get a $50 credit from Samsung when you pre-order.
A few days back, Samsung rolled out the Android 14-based One UI 6.0 update to the Galaxy A52 5G in the US. The initial release only covered carrier-locked units. The big Android update has now reached unlocked units too. Those with a locked Galaxy A52 5G, meanwhile, are getting a newer security patch, i.e. the January 2024 release.

Android 14 is widely available for the Galaxy A52 5G in the US

Samsung launched the Galaxy A52 in March 2021 with Android 11 onboard. The device received updates to Android 12 and Android 13. It is now picking up its final major update in the form of Android 14. International versions of the mid-range phone jumped to the latest Android iteration at the end of 2023. The US units followed shortly but the company initially only updated carrier-locked variants.

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We can now confirm that Android 14 is available for unlocked Galaxy A52 5G units in the US. The update is rolling out with the firmware build number A526U1UEUCFWL3. Since it is a major update, there are plenty of new features and improvements to talk about. Samsung has made some changes to the UI, particularly the Quick Settings panel, to make for a more intuitive user experience.

Android 14-based One UI 6.0 also brings new camera features and editing tools, improved homescreen widgets, smoother system animations, improved stock apps, and more. Overall, this update will inject new life into your aging Galaxy smartphone. You will get to experience new features and improved visuals. This is the last major update for the Galaxy A52 5G, though. It may get One UI 6.1 but wont add many new features.

Along with these goodies, the latest update for unlocked Galaxy A52 5G units in the US also brings the December 2023 Android security patch. Last months SMR (Security Maintenance Release) patches more than 60 vulnerabilities across the Galaxy family. These include seven critical Android OS vulnerabilities and dozens of high-severity issues. A few flaws are exclusive to Samsung devices and dont affect Android products from other brands.

Carrier-locked variants are getting the January 2024 security patch

As unlocked units move to Android 14, users with a carrier-locked Galaxy A52 5G are getting the latest security patch. They are receiving the January 2024 SMR with the firmware build number A526USQSCFWL4. These units also picked up the December patch with Android 14, so unlocked variants should get the new security release in the coming weeks. This months patch contains 80 vulnerability patches, including one critical Android OS flaw.
Google is steadily adding features to the Google Wallet app on both the Android and Wear OS platforms. The latest one adds support for airline boarding passes on Wear OS smartwatches, which is a first for Google Wallet. The feature was first spotted on a Pixel Watch 2 on Jan. 9 by 9to5Google, but has been confirmed by other Wear OS smartwatch users on Reddit as well. It should make it easier to show your boarding pass when youre getting on a plane, eliminating the need to pull out your phone.

The feature is available on all Wear OS devices running Wear OS 3.5 or later. Like all feature rollouts, it may take some time for the feature to appear on your smartwatch. However, boarding passes appear to be showing on most Wear OS watches so far. After you add your boarding pass to your Google Wallet app on your phone, it should automatically show up on your watch. There will be a notification that reads boarding pass for your flight to [airport] in your notification center.

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You can tap that notification, and press the view pass button to open up the boarding pass. Alternatively, you can go to the Google Wallet app on your smartphone manually. Either way, your Wear OS watch will pull up any boarding passes you have saved to Google Wallet. The pass will appear as a QR code that can be scanned at your departure gate.

Boarding passes arent the first transit cards to appear in Google Wallet, but they might be the most useful. The app also supports public transit cards in San Francisco, Washington D.C., and Toronto. Google Wallet will also work with OMNY, the service that accepts payments for New York City busses and subways, through any NFC payment card. In the future, Google has announced plans to add support for more transit systems in other cities, like Seattle.

What other passes work with Google Wallet?

Google Wallet can of course already store payment cards, like debit and credit cards. Just last month, it added support for store loyalty cards as well. The loyalty cards will appear in the Wallet app on Wear OS, just like new boarding passes. However, COVID vaccination cards, insurance cards, and other private passes wont work. Boarding passes are the first private passes to appear on Wear OS.

The move comes as Google is working on expanding support for digital IDs in the Google Wallet to more states. The exact states arent known yet, but Google has said the expansion should come in the next few months.
The Princess Royal will visit her first Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) cemetery as the organisations president, as her tour of Sri Lanka draws to a close.

At the CGWCs Jawatta Cemetery in Colombo, Anne and her husband will join other dignitaries paying their respects to the fallen.

A short service of remembrance will feature a bugler playing the Last Post before a minutes silence is held, and Anne will lay a wreath.

The Princess Royals visit marks 75 years of diplomatic relations between the UK and Sri Lanka (Jonathan Brady/PA)

During last years Remembrance weekend it was announced Anne would take on her new role, succeeding the Duke of Kent who had been president since 1970, and the King was announced as the CWGCs first patron.

The third and final day of the princesss Sri Lankan tour will see her visit the Vajira Pillayar Kovil, a Hindu Temple in the capital and receive the blessing of the chief priest.

A string of royal engagements will follow from Anne visiting The Mission to Seafarers, an organisation supporting crewmen and women she serves as president, to touring Hatch Works co-working space to meet start-up companies.

At Annes final event, a reception marking 75 years of UK-Sri Lankan diplomatic ties, she is expected to say a few words about the relationship between the two countries.
A black bear who survived the war in Ukraine has successfully been rehomed at a zoo in Scotland.

Five Sisters Zoo in West Calder, West Lothian, has rescued and rehomed an Asiatic black bear named Yampil from the village of Yampil in Ukraine.

Ukrainian soldiers discovered an abandoned zoo in the village when they arrived in July 2022, five months after the Russian invasion.

Out of nearly 200 animals at the zoo, Yampil the bear was one of the few animals to survive the invasion.

According to the United Nations, more than 13 million Ukrainians have been forced to flee their homes since the beginning of Russias all-out war, including seven million refugees and 6.5 million internally displaced.

The conditions Yampil was found in by soldiers in Ukraine (Natuurhulpcentrum/PA)

Countless animals were left behind, forced to fight for survival amid Russian attacks and cold weather

Staff at Five Sisters heard about the bear from Belgian animal welfare charity Natuurhulpcentrum, which cared for Yampil in the time between his recuse and the search for his permanent home.

When we were made aware of the awful treatment and conditions Yampil was subjected to, our hearts broke; we were just so amazed he was still alive and well, said Brian Curran, owner of Five Sisters Zoo.

Mr Curran added: When the volunteers found Yampil, a shell had not long exploded near his cage, and he was concussed.

He was in terrible condition; five more days and they wouldnt have been able to save him.

Bears, just like people, can suffer mental health issues similar to post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) after theyve been through something really traumatic.

Thats why we have the best team on hand to care for him and help make this transition as peaceful and calm for him as possible.

Yampil in his temporary home in Belgium before he left for Scotland (Natuurhulpcentrum/PA)

Yampil arrived at the zoo in the early hours of Friday and was safely transported to his temporary enclosure where zoo staff hope he will have a peaceful hibernation.

The zoo has a fundraising target of 200,000 for Yampils new home, enclosure and upkeep.

So far, 60,000 has been raised from individual donations and from local businesses donating materials to build Yampils home.

Mr Curran added: We have rescued bears before and have some terrific facilities.

However, Yampil is the first rescued Asiatic black bear we will care for, and he requires a whole new enclosure to match his special needs.

Thats why Yampil is now settling into a temporary enclosure where he will continue his recovery, or go into hibernation; this will give us time to continue to fundraise for his permanent enclosure and work on building this with the support of our community.

We are well aware of the cost-of-living crisis and of peoples difficult financial situations, but should anyone be in a position to help, we would really welcome their support and generous donations.
A bid is under way to have the Stormont Assembly recalled next week.

Sinn Fein is attempting to bring the recall on Wednesday  the day before trade unions are planning one of the largest public sector strikes Northern Ireland has seen in recent history.

Thursday is also the deadline for Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris to call fresh Assembly elections if devolved government in Northern Ireland has not been restored.

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris (James Manning/PA)

The Assembly has been effectively collapsed for almost two years. The DUP is refusing to participate until unionist concerns around post-Brexit trading arrangements are addressed.

Sinn Feins Stormont leader Michelle ONeill said her party has initiated an Assembly recall to restore the Executive and urgently deliver a fair pay deal for public sector workers.

The recall motion will require the backing of 30 MLAs to succeed.

It urges that the Assembly meets urgently to elect a Speaker and Deputy Speakers, appoint ministers and back a motion which endorses fair pay settlements for public sector workers.

It also calls for the DUP to respect the democratic outcome of the May 2022 Assembly election in which Sinn Fein made history by becoming the first nationalist or republican party to top the Stormont poll and entitling it to nominate the first nationalist or republican First Minister.

We have initiated a recall of the Assembly next week to restore the Executive, and urgently deliver a fair pay deal for public sector workers. It is decision time for the DUP. There can be no more delays or excuses. Our public sector workers play a pivotal role right across our  Michelle ONeill (@moneillsf) January 12, 2024

Finally it emphasises the pressing need to urgently reinstate the Executive to tackle the unprecedented challenges confronting citizens and our public services, particularly the immediate matter of public sector pay.

The DUP has insisted it will not end its blockade until it secures legislative assurances from the Government on Northern Irelands trading position within the UK.

Mr Heaton-Harris has said his talks with the DUP over the Windsor Framework have concluded, although leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has insisted engagement is continuing.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson (Liam McBurney/PA)

Mr Heaton-Harris has invited the main Stormont parties to take part in bilateral talks at Hillsborough Castle on Monday about the Stormont stalemate.

Ms ONeill also pressed the DUP on Friday to make a decision on re-entering the Assembly.

It is decision time for the DUP, she said.

There can be no more delays or excuses. Our public sector workers play a pivotal role right across our society, working in our hospitals, schools, on trains and buses, and within the civil service.

The DUP cannot continue to leave workers and families in the lurch any longer.

Earlier DUP MP Gavin Robinson insisted there is no legal basis for joint authority rule in Northern Ireland if devolved government is not restored.

Mr Robinson was reacting after Conservative MP and chair of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee Sir Robert Buckland said any alternative to the DUP agreeing a deal to restore the Stormont Executive would likely mean the involvement of the Irish government.

The DUP deputy leader accused Sir Robert of making hollow threats.

During an appearance on the BBCs The View programme, Sir Robert said that a return to direct rule for Northern Ireland would mean triggering certain aspects of the Good Friday Agreement and involvement of the Irish government, ultimately.

When asked if old-style direct rule of the past was off the table, he responded: I think so.

Mr Robinson responded: Sir Robert Buckland seems to be confused. Its not often he is wrong, but on this he is.

The Republic of Ireland has no legal basis for governing Northern Ireland.

Such a step would be a further breach of the Belfast and successor agreements.

He added: It is the arrangements flowing from the Northern Ireland Protocol alone that are stopping the formation of an Executive.

We are focused on getting this right and restoring the balance. We will not be distracted by Sir Roberts confused viewpoint.

Rather than issue hollow threats about some version of joint authority, Sir Robert and his colleagues would be better to focus on restoring Northern Irelands place within the UK internal market.

Replacing the protocol with arrangements that unionists, as well as nationalists, can support will provide a solid foundation for the restoration of devolution on a cross-community basis.

Previous talks between Mr Heaton-Harris and the main Stormont parties over a 3.3 billion financial package to accompany the return of devolution broke up at Hillsborough Castle in December without any agreement to restore the Assembly and Executive.

The package would include money to make an outstanding pay award to public sector workers.

With their pay demands still unmet, unions are planning a major strike across Northern Ireland on January 18.

Sir Robert Buckland is chair of the NI Affairs Committee at Westminster (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Sir Robert denied that the UK Government was using the strikes in Northern Ireland as a means to pressure the DUP into a deal.

He said: I think on one level its maybe a cynical view about how the UK government would view the valued contribution that public service workers make in Northern Ireland.

The reality is this facing all of us  all of us as elected politicians have responsibilities to face up to.

Sometimes we have to make decisions that we dont particularly like, we dont live in a perfect world.

The DUP are part of this imperfect world. There isnt a perfect solution for them.

But there is a solution and a solution that can deliver for their constituents, many of whom are public sector workers, in a way that I think would redound to their credit.

Thats why I think now is the time for leadership, for courage if you like  an overused word sometimes, but one that might apply in this case  to allow the Executive to be formed as quickly as possible.
A D-Day veteran who was shot by a tank appeared overcome by emotion as he celebrated his 100th birthday at a surprise party organised by his family.

Bill Gladden was 20 years old when he flew into Normandy on a military glider with a tank and six motorbikes on June 6, 1944.

He moved to an orchard just outside the French village of Ranville, near the strategically important Pegasus Bridge that the 6th Airborne Reconnaissance Regiment was tasked with protecting.

But he was severely injured when he was shot in the leg by a German tank 12 days after he arrived.

He was flown back to the UK and spent the following three years in hospital.

He turns 100 on Saturday, and his family organised a surprise party for him on Friday.

D-Day veteran Bill Gladden in his younger years (Family photo/PA)

Mr Gladden was open-mouthed as he saw the crowd of people waiting for him at the community hall in Haverhill, Suffolk, and they began to sing Happy Birthday.

As people set off party poppers the veteran, who was brought into the room in a wheelchair, raised his cupped palms to his sides and mouthed thank you.

When asked later by a guest if he had any idea about the surprise, he replied: No idea whatsoever.

His niece Kaye Thorpe, who organised his surprise 100th birthday party, said: I just think hes a legend, what hes been through, what hes seen, what hes done.

Hes just amazing, and hes still bright as a button on top.

Not many people reach to 100 now, so I had to do something.

D-Day veteran Bill Gladden with his daughter Linda Durrant at his surprise 100th birthday party in Haverhill (Sam Russell/PA)

Former carer Mrs Thorpe, 59, said Mr Gladden told family he didnt want any fuss, so they told him they were going out for a meal to get him to the surprise party.

The gathering was attended by family, friends and people from the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans  who have taken Mr Gladden back to Normandy in recent years.

The hall was decorated with balloons and there was a cake with a military beret, aircraft and medals in icing.

Mrs Thorpe said her uncle, who moved to Haverhill from Welling in south-east London, hopes to return to Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in June.

She said Mr Gladden was very proud, adding: Hes very kind and generous, very emotional, as we all are.

Hes very family orientated. He loves telling stories.

The cake for D-Day veteran Bill Gladdens 100th birthday (Sam Russell/ PA)

She said that he was not in Normandy for long after D-Day.

He always says he didnt do much because he got injured, he got wounded, said Ms Thorpe.

He was only over there for about 12 days then he was three years in hospital.

He had his ankle virtually blown off, shot off.

It was hanging on by the Achilles heel. He was in a bad way.

She said he was carried to a barn near to the orchard for medical attention.

He returned to the barn on a visit to Normandy, which Ms Thorpe described as emotional.

Mr Gladden has a daughter, 61-year-old Linda Durrant, who has Downs syndrome, and they hugged one another at the party.

Mr Gladden was in the building trade before the war and subsequently worked in various jobs in factories and in payroll, Mrs Thorpe said.

She said he loves singing and painting, and has created watercolour artworks from his memories of the Second World War.

Her husband, Alan Thorpe, drove Mr Gladden to the surprise party and he said the veteran had no idea.

The 48-year-old, who runs an office supplies business, said: I had to tell him a white lie unfortunately  I said we were bringing him out for dinner.

He had no idea.

When he starts welling up, we got him.

Hes an inspiration, he really is.
By SA Commercial Prop News

Liberty Life has taken a space at Menlyn Corner, a prime green location in Pretorias trendy Menlyn which has established and joins a number of other green buildings in the area. Image gallery



Wealth Management Group, Liberty Life has taken a space at Menlyn Corner, a prime green location in Pretorias trendy Menlyn which has established and joins a number of other green buildings in the area.

The on-going development of shopping centres and property developments continues to attract business interest in the city of Pretoria. Menlyn, located in the east of Pretoria and an established commercial node, seems set to continue on this growth path, with the new Menlyn Corner now home to wealth management group, Liberty Life.



With its close proximity to the N1, on the corner of Atterbury Road and Lois Avenue, the Menlyn Corner office precinct offers convenient access off the Atterbury and Garsfontein Road interchanges. Also, good public transport links, including Gautrain buses linking to the Hatfield Gautrain station, and plenty of nearby amenities such as upmarket restaurants, banks, hotels and gyms, make Menlyn Corner a compelling proposition for corporates.



Developed by Growthpoint, Menlyn Corner joins a number of other green buildings in the area. According to John Jack, Director for Galetti, the energy efficiency of the building was one of the key deciding factors for Liberty Life, when considering the 3,600sqm they will occupy within the 10,000sqm AAA-grade building.



Liberty Life decided to consolidate their numerous offices so as to reduce overheads and from the outset, they stipulated the need to find a building that operates in an environmentally sustainable way, says Jack.



According to Growthpoints Debbie Theron, Menlyn Corner was specifically designed to provide appropriate responses to commercial green objectives. She comments, A heat pump incorporated into the construction of the building uses between 30% and 50% of the electrical energy that electric heating of the same capacity would require.



Other energy efficient features include the facade thats designed according to the requirements of new energy standards, the building design that complies with new fresh air regulation and the air conditioning system that allows for separate zones to be activated, resulting in substantial energy saving.



The Menlyn area has proven to be a popular commercial node for a while now, but says Galettis Hugo Moller, the new developments have all stemmed from the iconic Menlyn Maine development.



He explains, Some notable properties have been built in the last 6 years and Menlyn Main, home to Nedbank and Sage, both 4-star green buildings of around 10,000sqm  undoubtedly spurred this growth. Other developments include Menlyn Corporate Park, the 25,000sqm, fully let green development and Podium House, the 10,000sqm complex thats secured 95% tenancy in just over 10 months. Summit Place is another, which is currently under development, and has already completed Powertech's head office, in addition to signing Protea Hotel Fire & Ice and numerous other tenants.



Menlyns proximity to sought after suburbs such as Faerie Glen, Lynnwood, Moreleta Park, Waterkloof Glen and Woodhill contributes further to the high demand the area is experiencing as more and more corporates opt to call Menlyn home.
Fresh missile attack reported after UK and US airstrikes on Houthi targets

A fresh missile attack against a vessel has been reported after Houthi rebels warned that British interests are legitimate targets following the RAF and the US unleashing airstrikes in Yemen.

Overnight, the UK and US bombed military facilities used by the Iran-backed group in response to the militants attacks on container ships in the Red Sea.

The Hamas-backing Houthis claim they are targeting vessels linked to Israel in one of the worlds busiest shipping routes over the war in Gaza.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak insisted Britain and the US acted in self-defence and that allies would not hesitate to ensure the safety of commercial shipping.

But experts warned the strikes raised the risk of a wider conflict in the Middle East.

The Houthis Supreme Political Council threatened in a statement that all American-British interests have become legitimate targets for the Yemeni armed forces.

They called the airstrikes a direct and declared aggression against the Republic of Yemen and labelled the UK and the US aggressors.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations received a report of a missile attack 90 miles off the coast of Aden, Yemen, on Friday afternoon.

The Royal Navy initiative that provides information on security incidents to shipping operators said the missile landed between 400-500 metres away from the ship.

Followed by three craft, it was unclear what nationality the ship was flagged with. No injuries or damage was reported, as vessels were advised to transit with caution.

Mr Sunak said there has been a significant increase in the number of Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea which put lives at risk, disrupted the global economy and destabilised the region.

Speaking to broadcasters during a visit to Ukraine, he said: Now its clear that that type of behaviour cant carry on. Thats why we joined with allies in issuing very public condemnation of this behaviour.

And its why I made the decision with allies to take what I believe to be necessary, proportionate and targeted action against military targets to degrade and disrupt Houthi capability. We wont hesitate to protect lives and ensure the safety of commercial shipping.

We need to send a strong signal that this breach of international law is wrong. People cant act like this with impunity and thats why together with allies weve decided to take this action.

(PA Graphics)

The Prime Minister insisted the aim was to de-escalate tensions and restore stability to the region, with allies having acted when calls for the Houthis to desist were disregarded.

He said: We have acted in self-defence. Its incumbent now on the Houthis to stop carrying out these attacks.

Mr Sunak will make a statement to MPs on Monday about the strikes amid calls for greater consultation in Parliament.

He played down concerns that MPs should have been consulted before the military action, saying he chaired Cobra and Cabinet meetings on Thursday and briefed Sir Keir Starmer and shadow defence secretary John Healey.

Experts warned of an inflammatory impact of the strikes, with Sophia Gaston, the head of foreign policy at the think tank Policy Exchange, arguing there is certainly a risk of wider conflict in the region.

The UK and US have carried out targeted strikes on Houthi military targets in Yemen. The safety of UK vessels and the freedom of navigation across the Red Sea is paramount and that is why we are taking action. As the UNSC has made clear, the Houthis must halt attacks in  David Cameron (@David_Cameron) January 12, 2024

She told the PA news agency: Should the Houthis scale up their attacks in the aftermath of these strikes, I think we are going to get fairly quickly to a position where the Western powers could be pushed into areas that theyre not going to feel very comfortable with.

We are moving into a much riskier terrain because the United States and the United Kingdom certainly do not want to be in a situation where we are required to engage beyond a limited targeted strike capacity and certainly not one that may invite the participation of other regional powers.

But Dr Tobias Borck, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) think tank, told PA the threat of a wider regional war that has existed since Hamas deadly October 7 attack on Israel has not changed in light of the strikes.

However, escalation can happen as a result of accidents and miscalculation, or as a simple compounding of risk, a normalisation of an extremely high level of violence, he said.

Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said the strikes sent a message not just to the Houthis, but to Iran as well.

I think it was proportionate, it was legal, it was absolutely right to do. And I think it sends a very clear message to the Houthis, but also to Iran as well, he told NBC in an interview.

The UK Government will get assessments of the impact of the action later on Friday, Lord Cameron said.

Sir Keir said Labour was fully supportive of the airstrikes.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said his party was minded to support the military action, but argued there is a principle of parliamentary consultation before such interventions.

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said he was happy to facilitate a recall of Parliament at any time, but requests by the Government to do so are rare.

Downing Street said that the strikes against the Houthis may not immediately make the Red Sea safer for commercial shipping, but in the longer term would have a positive effect.

(PA Graphics)

The Government published a summary of its legal position following the strikes, saying military intervention was lawfully taken and this was the only feasible means available to deal with such attacks.

The strikes on Thursday night were the first to be launched against the militants since they started targeting vessels in the key international trade route, through which some 15% of the worlds shipping passes.

Four Royal Air Force jets struck two Houthi facilities involved in their targeting of HMS Diamond and US Navy vessels on Tuesday, the Ministry of Defence said.

One was a site at Bani and the other the Abbs airfield, used to launch drones and cruise missiles.

The US Air Force said it struck more than 60 targets at 16 sites in Yemen, including logistical hubs, air defence systems and munitions depots.

They received non-operational support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands.

The Houthis said the US-led operation resulted in at least five deaths and six injuries.
Liam Gallagher has claimed that no-one wants to be in a band any more, and said there is a greater focus on solo stars.

The 51-year-old musician, who was the lead vocalist of Britpop band Oasis, has teamed up with John Squire, former guitarist of The Stone Roses, to release new music.

Speaking to The Guardian about the musical landscape in 2024, Gallagher said: No-one wants to be in a band and share success these days. Its all me me me solo stars.

Discussing his collaboration with Squire and their recently released single Just Another Rainbow, he said: Im a massive Stone Roses fan.

They were the ones who got me into (being in) a band, so I know the rhythms.

Its not like Im singing Trent Reznor out of the f***** Nine Inch Nails, dyou know what I mean?

Not that Im saying it was easy. I just make it look easy.

Squire, 61, wrote the lyrics for their new material and Gallagher said the words resonated with him.

Asked if he had the power to veto any of the lyrics, Gallagher said: If there were any kinky saucepot shenanigans going on, Id obviously have pulled him up on it!

But I remember getting the lyrics, thinking: it feels like me.

The two have collaborated previously and co-wrote Love Me And Leave Me, released in 1997, which was recorded by Squires band The Seahorses, who supported Oasis on tour.

Speaking about their new musical partnership, Squire said: I think we were both surprised at how complementary my guitar tone is with his voice and how the songs Ive written worked for him.

Gallagher added: Squires got a lot more in him. People look at John as this guitar hero, but he definitely knows how to write a f****** song.

Squire confirmed to the Guardian in 2019 that The Stone Roses had split.

Asked: Is that really it for the Roses? he simply replied: Yeah.

The guitarist joined Gallagher on stage at Knebworth in 2022, two gigs that took place almost 26 years on from the two concerts Oasis had performed at the same music venue in 1996.

Liam Gallaghers band Oasis split in 2009, prompted by a backstage brawl at the Rock En Seine festival in Paris, and since then he and his brother Noel have been embroiled in a feud.

Following their split, both brothers have had extensive solo careers.

Liam has had five chart-topping albums in the UK with As You Were (2017), Why Me? Why Not (2019), MTV Unplugged (2020), Cmon You Know (2022) and Knebworth 22 (2023).

At Reading And Leeds festivals this year the vocalist will take to the stage to sing the track list from Oasiss debut album Definitely Maybe, 30 years on from its release.
The meetings will be an opportunity for Labour to discuss its agenda for government and establish relationships with potential future colleagues - Peter Byrne/PA Wire

George Osborne has predicted the date of the general election this year, as Rishi Sunak granted Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, permission to start formal access talks with the Civil Service.

The former chancellor said he thought that the election will take place on Nov 14. Mr Osborne, an ally of the Prime Minister, said voters should save the date after he was informed it had been worked into No10 plans for this year.

It came as Mr Sunak approved the meetings between Labour and civil servants, which are an opportunity for the party to discuss its agenda for government and establish relationships with potential future colleagues in Whitehall. Simon Case, the Cabinet Secretary, will oversee and arrange them.

Access talks, held in the run-up to a general election, are the only chance for the opposition and the Civil Service to exchange information ahead of a potential handover date after the election.

The leader of the opposition must write to the prime minister requesting the meetings in order to initiate the process. By convention, the prime minister is expected to respond by authorising the talks.

A Cabinet Office spokesman said: In line with the long-standing process set out in the Cabinet manual, the Prime Minister has authorised access talks between the official opposition and civil service. The Cabinet Secretary will oversee and arrange these discussions.

A Labour source confirmed that the party had received the letter on Thursday evening and would reply in due course.

Mr Sunak has previously indicated that the next election, which must be held by January 2025, will take place in the autumn.

In the newest episode of his Political Currency podcast, which he hosts with Ed Balls, his former Labour shadow, Mr Osborne said: We know this is going to be the general election year Nov 14, save the date.

A little birdie has told me that the various work programmes required to get ready for a general election have that date singled out. Im pretty certain that is the date that Downing Street has currently selected.

It doesnt mean, of course, they wont be pushed off it.

George Osborne made the prediction on the Political Currency podcast, which he hosts with Ed Balls, his former Labour shadow

Mr Osborne added that logic leads you there in the wake of opinion polls that show the Conservatives continuing to trail Labour by around 20 percentage points.

Hes not going to have a spring election, so then youre left with the autumn. And youre probably thinking, I know, well have the party conference as a kind of launch pad... So Nov 14 kind of writes itself, he said.

Speaking on a trip to Nottinghamshire last week, Mr Sunak said his working assumption was that he would trigger the vote for the second half of this year.

Last week, Sir John Curtice, widely regarded as Britains foremost election expert, also suggested the election would be on the date forecast by Mr Osborne, adding: The Prime Minister will end the Conservative conference on Oct 2  that might be the starting gun.
The US and UK have bombed targets in Yemen in a bid to stop attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels on ships in the Red Sea.

The rebels have carried out 27 attacks involving dozens of drones and missiles since November 19.

A British warship joined three US ships and a French vessel last month in a bid to protect the ships in narrow strip of water between Yemen and east Africa, which is a key trade route, but the attacks have continued.

HMS Diamond firing her Sea Viper missiles in the Red Sea (Ships crew/MoD/Crown Copyright/PA)

Here, the PA news agency looks at what ships have been deployed and which others may be sent there following Thursday nights developments.

 HMS Diamond

The warship has joined a US-led taskforce called Operation Prosperity Guardian which aims to ensure the Red Sea remains safe for passing ships.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said on Wednesday the vessel successfully repelled the largest attack from the Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea to date.

He added: Deploying Sea Viper missiles and guns, Diamond destroyed multiple attack drones heading for her and commercial shipping in the area, with no injuries or damage sustained to Diamond or her crew.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the vessels main role is to protect other ships with air defence using its Sea Viper anti-air missile system and it can detect enemy threats at range.

It is nearly as tall as Nelsons Column but designed to be virtually impossible for the enemy to see.

(PA Graphics)

The vessel is said to have cutting-edge military sensors and a range of sophisticated weapons systems which make it ready to detect and destroy any airborne, surface and sub surface threat.

Ships with its name have existed for more than 400 years and there have been at least 14 in total.

 HMS Richmond

The ship was the second British one deployed to the Red Sea and was dispatched there on Tuesday.

The Defence Secretary said on Twitter/X: HMS Richmond is on its way to the Red Sea to ensure the UK maintains a formidable presence in the face of attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthis.

He told MPs the vessel was being deployed to replace British ones already patrolling the Red Sea as he sought to play down claims the crisis had escalated.

The type 23 frigate was designed to hunt for enemy submarines but since the end of the Cold War its role has become more varied.

It now undertakes virtually every type of operation imaginable from counter-narcotics and anti-piracy to disrupting people trafficking and detaining criminals.

The Officer of the Watch on the bridge of HMS Diamond in the Red Sea (LPhot Chris Sellars/MoD/Crown Copyright/PA)

The first ship to carry its name was launched in 1655 and took part in the Anglo-Dutch wars.

 HMS Lancaster

The vessel has been deployed in the Gulf of Oman near the Iranian mainland.

The US Combined Maritime Forces posted on X on Monday that 11 million dollars worth of illegal drugs were seized from a vessel by crews from a US ship and HMS Lancaster earlier this month.

The vessel performs a variety of roles from drug-busting operations to protecting international shipping lanes.

It can deploy with a Wildcat maritime attack helicopter, which the Ministry of Defence says makes it ideal for our most challenging defence engagement and security operations.

The first HMS Lancaster was built in 1640 and took part in the siege of Louisbourg, Canada.

 US warships

American destroyers USS Gravely, USS Laboon and USS Mason have all been deployed in the Red Sea, and are supported by aircraft carrier USS Dwight D Eisenhower.
Rishi Sunak is making a surprise visit to Ukraine to meet Volodymyr Zelensky, as the UK announced it will provide 2.5 billion in military aid to the country over the coming year.

It comes as the Ukrainian president presses allies in the West to provide the country with more support to fight back against Russian forces, amid fears that interest in the war is flagging among allies as the war drags on.

The crisis in the Middle East as Israel continues to bombard Gaza has also turned global attention away from the battle against Vladimir Putin.

The Prime Minister stressed the UKs continued backing for Kyiv ahead of his meeting with President Zelensky, which comes hours after UK and US forces launched strikes against targets used by Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The Prime Minister has announced a major new package of military aid to Ukraine over the coming year (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Mr Sunak said: For two years, Ukraine has fought with great courage to repel a brutal Russian invasion. They are still fighting, unfaltering in their determination to defend their country and defend the principles of freedom and democracy.

I am here today with one message: the UK will also not falter. We will stand with Ukraine, in their darkest hours and in the better times to come.

Mr Sunak made his first visit to Ukraine in November 2022, weeks after entering Number 10.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pictured during a meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Chequers in Buckinghamshire (Carl Court/PA)

The UK has been among the most vocal backers of Ukraine, with Mr Zelensky visiting London early last year in a historic trip.

The Prime Minister and Mr Zelensky will use the one-day visit to sign a new UK-Ukraine Agreement on Security Cooperation, after G7 countries agreed at last years Nato summit to sign bilateral security assurances with the country.

Number 10 said that the 2.5 billion in funding would cover long-range missiles, air defence, artillery ammunition and maritime security, with the support an increase of 200 million on the last two years.

Around 200 million will also be spent on a push to procure and produce thousands of military drones, which the Government said was the largest delivery of drones to Ukraine from any nation.

Most are expected to be manufactured in the UK.

Mr Sunak is travelling by train to Ukraine (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Mr Zelensky has said that Ukraine particularly needs air defence systems to fend off Russian aerial barrages. More than 500 drones and missiles were fired between December 29 and January 2, according to officials in Kyiv.

The Ukrainian leader began the year with a visit to several Baltic states in a bid to drum up support.

Mr Sunak said that the UK recognises that Ukrainian security is our security.

Today we are going further  increasing our military aid, delivering thousands of cutting-edge drones, and signing a historic new Security Agreement to provide Ukraine with the assurances it needs for the long term.

The Prime Minister will meet Ukrainian emergency workers during the visit, with Mr Sunak also expected to announce a further 18 million in aid.

Funding and resources will also be provided for English language training in the country, Number 10 said.

Shadow defence secretary John Healey gave Labours backing for the vital support for Ukraine.

The UK is united in support of Ukraine and against Russian aggression.

Labour fully backs this new military funding for Ukraine  and has been pushing ministers since the autumn to confirm 2024 military funding, he said.
UK and US forces have bombed military facilities used by Houthi rebels in Yemen, with Rishi Sunak facing calls for greater consultation in Parliament on the military action amid concerns over escalation in the Middle East.

The Prime Minister said Britain has taken limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence after the Iranian-backed group attacked ships in the Red Sea.

The strikes on Thursday night were the first to be launched against the Houthi militants since they started targeting international shipping in the key international trade route.

The Ministry of Defence said four Royal Air Force jets struck two Houthi facilities involved in their targeting of HMS Diamond and US Navy vessels on Tuesday.

One was a site at Bani and the other the Abbs airfield, used to launch drones and cruise missiles.

The US Air Force said it struck more than 60 targets at 16 sites in Yemen.

The UK and US had non-operational support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands.

On Friday, Armed Forces Minister James Heappey played down concerns about the danger of escalation after criticism from Russia, which requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on the strikes.

There are fears over a dramatic regional widening of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and rising tensions with Iran, which backs the Houthis and has condemned the air strikes.

Saudi Arabia has expressed great concern over the situation and has called for restraint and avoiding escalation.

(PA Graphics)

Mr Heappey told BBC Breakfast: Clearly there is nervousness amongst those partners in the region that there could be some sort of escalation, but we were confident that these limited, proportionate, necessary strikes that went in last night were what was necessary to disrupt the Houthis ability to attack our warships that are protecting shipping in the southern Red Sea.

And clearly nobody should see this as part of anything bigger.

The minister also said the the Governments legal position is sound and that no more UK strikes are planned for the moment.

The UK and US have carried out targeted strikes on Houthi military targets in Yemen. The safety of UK vessels and the freedom of navigation across the Red Sea is paramount and that is why we are taking action. As the UNSC has made clear, the Houthis must halt attacks in  David Cameron (@David_Cameron) January 12, 2024

Mr Sunak, early on Friday morning, said it cannot stand that the Houthis continued to carry out dangerous attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea despite repeated warnings from the international community.

The United Kingdom will always stand up for freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade.

The Prime Minister, who is making a surprise visit to Ukraine on Friday, held a full Cabinet call the previous evening in which ministers discussed the response to disruption on the key global shipping route.

In an unusual move, the Government briefed Sir Keir Starmer and shadow defence secretary John Healey after the call.

Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer called for a statement on the strikes in Parliament as soon as possible (Peter Byrne/PA)

Sir Keir on Friday expressed support for the action but called for Mr Sunak to make a statement to Parliament at the first opportunity.

With the Commons having finished business for the week and the Prime Minister having no plans to recall Parliament, the Labour leader accepted any statement to MPs was not likely to come before Monday.

I do want the Prime Minister obviously to make a statement to Parliament as soon as possible because the scope, nature and extent of the operation needs to be explained, Sir Keir said.

He said he also wanted a summary of the Governments legal position to be published.

Royal Navy destroyer HMS Diamond has destroyed multiple attack drones deployed by Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea, according to Defence Secretary Grant Shapps (MoD/PA Wire)

The Liberal Democrats demanded a vote on the matter, and the SNP said any military action should be scrutinised in the Commons.

Lib Dem foreign affairs spokesperson Layla Moran said MPs should not be silenced on the issue.

(PA Graphics)

Parliament should not be bypassed. Rishi Sunak must announce a retrospective vote in the House of Commons on these strikes, and recall Parliament this weekend, she said.

Parliament cannot be recalled without the Government asking the Commons Speaker to do so, and such requests are rare.

Military action in Yemen by the UK & US government is a reckless act of escalation that will only cause more death and suffering. It is utterly disgraceful that Parliament has not even been consulted. When will we learn from our mistakes and realise that war is not the answer?  Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) January 12, 2024

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn described the strikes as a reckless act of escalation and said it is utterly disgraceful that Parliament has not even been consulted.

The Houthis have claimed their attacks have been on Israel-linked shipping in the Red Sea in response to the countrys bombardment of Gaza since Hamas assault on Israel on October 7.

(PA Graphics)

The Ministry of Defence said early indications are the strikes dealt a blow to the Houthis ability to threaten merchant shipping in the Red Sea, through which some 15% of the worlds shipping passes.

But the militants said the strikes would not prevent them from continuing their attacks.

A high-ranking Houthi official, Ali al-Qahoum, posted on X: The battle will be bigger and beyond the imagination and expectation of the Americans and the British.
Veteran broadcaster Annie Nightingale has died at the age of 83, the BBC has said.

She became the first female presenter on BBC Radio 1 when she joined the station in 1970, and went on to become its longest-serving host.

In a statement reported by the BBC, her family said: Annie Nightingale MBE passed away yesterday at her home in London after a short illness.

Annie was a pioneer, trailblazer and an inspiration to many. Her impulse to share that enthusiasm with audiences remained undimmed after six decades of broadcasting on BBC TV and radio globally.

Annie Nightingale (Fiona Hanson/PA)

The statement added that a celebration of her life will be taking place in the spring at a memorial service.

Nightingale first broadcast on the BBC in 1963 as a panellist on Juke Box Jury, before joining Radio 1 seven years later.

She remained the stations only female DJ until 1982, when Janice Long joined, and is credited with helping to pave the way for the likes of Sara Cox, Jo Whiley and Zoe Ball.

BBC Radio 1 is extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Radio 1 DJ, Annie Nightingale CBE. Our deepest condolences are with Annies friends and family at this incredibly difficult time. Rest in peace, Annie  pic.twitter.com/oXbpZz5Me1  BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra & Asian Network Press Office (@BBCRadio1PR) January 12, 2024

As a DJ she has travelled the world, and once said she had been mugged in Cuba, drugged in Baghdad and bugged in Russia.

During her trailblazing career, she was the first woman to present the BBCs Old Grey Whistle Test music show which aired on BBC Two and has written two autobiographical books.

In 2021, BBC Radio 1 launched a new scholarship for female and non-binary dance music DJs which was named after Nightingale.

BBC Radio 1 is extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Radio 1 DJ, Annie Nightingale CBE. Our deepest condolences are with Annies friends and family at this incredibly difficult time. Rest in peace, Annie  pic.twitter.com/oXbpZz5Me1  BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra & Asian Network Press Office (@BBCRadio1PR) January 12, 2024

Up until recently she still hosted her show Annie Nightingale presents on BBC Radio 1.

The head of BBC Radio 1, Aled Haydn Jones, said the station was devastated to lose Nightingale and sent the teams condolences to her family and friends.

He added: Annie was a world class DJ, broadcaster and journalist, and throughout her entire career was a champion of new music and new artists.

She was the first female DJ on Radio 1 and over her 50 years on the station was a pioneer for women in the industry and in dance music.

We have lost a broadcasting legend and, thanks to Annie, things will never be the same.

Over the years, she rubbed shoulders with music titans including the late David Bowie, who she brought to a pub after watching him open up for another band to praise his talent when she was aged 22.

Annie Nightingale (Ian West/PA)

She also befriended The Beatles and was a guest on occasion at the bands Apple Studios in London during the 1960s.

During a special show with former BBC Radio 1 host Nick Grimshaw she told him that Sir Paul McCartney once sort of proposed to her, adding: But I dont think he was serious.

She documented her pioneering career and the evolution of five decades of pop culture in her 2020 memoir Hey Hi Hello.

In 2019, she was made a CBE for services to radio having previously been made an MBE in 2002.

BBC director-general Tim Davie said Nightingale was a uniquely gifted broadcaster and hailed her as a champion for female broadcasters as he paid tribute.

Im deeply saddened by Annies passing and our thoughts are with her family, many friends and the whole of Radio 1, Mr Davie said.

Annie was a uniquely gifted broadcaster who blessed us with her love of music and passion for journalism, for over 50 years.

As well as being a trailblazer for new music, she was a champion for female broadcasters, supporting and encouraging other women to enter the industry. We will all miss her terribly.
UK and US forces have bombed military facilities used by Houthi rebels in Yemen, with Rishi Sunak saying Britain sent a strong signal that the militants attacks in the Red Sea cannot be carried out with impunity.

The air strikes have sparked concerns over a dramatic escalation of tensions in the Middle East.

Experts have warned there is certainly a risk of wider conflict in the region and that promised retaliation by the Iran-backed group could push Western powers into engaging beyond targeted and contained strikes.

The Prime Minister insisted the US and UK acted in self-defence and that allies would not hesitate to ensure the safety of commercial shipping.

Speaking during a visit to Ukraine, he told broadcasters there has been a significant increase in the number of Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea which put lives at risk, disrupted the global economy and destabilised the region.

Now its clear that that type of behaviour cant carry on. Thats why we joined with allies in issuing very public condemnation of this behaviour.

And its why I made the decision with allies to take what I believe to be necessary, proportionate and targeted action against military targets to degrade and disrupt Houthi capability. We wont hesitate to protect lives and ensure the safety of commercial shipping.

He added: We need to send a strong signal that this breach of international law is wrong. People cant act like this with impunity and thats why together with allies weve decided to take this action.

(PA Graphics)

Asked about fears of regional escalation, the Prime Minister insisted the aim was to de-escalate tensions and restore stability to the region, with allies having acted when calls for the Houthis to desist were disregarded.

He said: We have acted in self-defence. Its incumbent now on the Houthis to stop carrying out these attacks.

Mr Sunak is set to make a statement to MPs on Monday about the strikes against the Houthis amid calls for greater consultation in Parliament.

He played down concerns that MPs should have been consulted before the military action, saying he chaired Cobra and Cabinet meetings on Thursday and briefed Sir Keir Starmer and shadow defence secretary John Healey.

The UK and US have carried out targeted strikes on Houthi military targets in Yemen. The safety of UK vessels and the freedom of navigation across the Red Sea is paramount and that is why we are taking action. As the UNSC has made clear, the Houthis must halt attacks in  David Cameron (@David_Cameron) January 12, 2024

Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said the strikes sent a message not just to the Houthis, but to Iran as well.

I think it was proportionate, it was legal, it was absolutely right to do. And I think it sends a very clear message to the Houthis, but also to Iran as well, he told NBC in an interview.

The UK Government will get assessments of the impact of the action later on Friday, Lord Cameron said.

Labour is fully supportive of the action needed to stop Houthi attacks, Sir Keir said.

Asked how concerned he was that MPs will currently not have the opportunity to debate the strikes until Monday, the Labour leader told broadcasters: I want the Prime Minister to make a statement as soon as possible, but the principle of taking action against the Houthi rebels is really important.

Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy was in Beirut calling for the cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel and the prevention of the conflict extending further into Lebanon.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said his party was minded to support the Governments military action, but believed in the principle of parliamentary consultation before such intervention is taken.

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said he was happy to facilitate a recall of Parliament at any time, but requests by the Government to do so are rare.

Downing Street said that the strikes against the Houthis may not immediately make the Red Sea safer for commercial shipping, but in the longer term would have a positive effect.

(PA Graphics)

The Government published a summary of its legal position following the strikes, saying military intervention was lawfully taken and this was the only feasible means available to deal with such attacks.

The strikes on Thursday night were the first to be launched against the militants since they started targeting vessels in the key international trade route, through which some 15% of the worlds shipping passes.

The Ministry of Defence said four Royal Air Force jets struck two Houthi facilities involved in their targeting of HMS Diamond and US Navy vessels on Tuesday.

One was a site at Bani and the other the Abbs airfield, used to launch drones and cruise missiles.

The US Air Force said it struck more than 60 targets at 16 sites in Yemen, including logistical hubs, air defence systems and munitions depots.

The UK and US had non-operational support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands.

The Houthis on Friday said the US-led operation resulted in at least five deaths and six injuries.

(PA Graphics)

A military spokesperson for the group warned the strikes will not go unpunished and will not deter the militia from supporting Hamas by targeting ships associated with Israel.

Intensified attacks by the Houthis could push Western allies into areas that theyre not going to feel very comfortable with, foreign policy expert Sophia Gaston said.

We are moving into a much riskier terrain because the United States and the United Kingdom certainly do not want to be in a situation where we are required to engage beyond a limited targeted strike capacity and certainly not one that may invite the participation of other regional powers, she told the PA news agency.

The head of foreign policy at the think tank Policy Exchange also said the existence of so many proxies for different states, such as the Houthis and Hezbollah for Iran, necessarily makes this a kind of tinderbox.

And I think there are a lot of these players who believe that the stakes at the moment are becoming existential.

So I think that always is a recipe for a higher risk of conflict.

Dr Tobias Borck, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) think tank, told PA that the threat of a wider regional war that has existed since Hamas deadly October 7 attack on Israel has not changed in light of the strikes.

However, escalation can happen as a result of accidents and miscalculation, or as a simple compounding of risk, a normalisation of an extremely high level of violence, he said.

An Iranian professor predicted there will definitely be escalation in the region.

Seyed Mohammad Marandi, of the University of Tehran, said that while Iran doesnt dictate terms to any of its allies, it would support them in backing the Houthis.
Scotlands First Minister has challenged the UK Government to produce legal evidence in support of its military strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Humza Yousaf also made clear the House of Commons should have been recalled ahead of action being taken, to allow for MPs to debate and scrutinise the UK Governments plans.

His comments came after UK and US forces bombed military facilities used by Houthi rebels in Yemen  with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak insisting Britain had taken limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence after the Iranian-backed group attacked ships in the Red Sea.

The strikes on Thursday night were the first to be launched against Houthi militants since they started targeting international shipping in the key trade route.

The Ministry of Defence said four Royal Air Force jets struck two Houthi facilities involved in their targeting of HMS Diamond and US Navy vessels on Tuesday.

Speaking on Friday, Mr Yousaf said Houthi attacks in the Red Sea must stop, and he called for a UN Security Council resolution on the violence to be adhered to.

But the Scottish First Minister said: Before action as serious as military intervention took place, MPs, who have been elected of course to represent the people, should have had their say.

The UK, lets be honest about this, does not have a good track record when it comes to military intervention, particularly in the Middle East.

(PA Graphics)

That is why the House of Commons should have been recalled today, ahead of military action that was taken, in order to allow for MPs to debate and scrutinise the UK Governments plans for military action.

He also challenged the UK Government to produce evidence to support its action, with Mr Yousaf saying: If we have learnt anything from the past, the very recent past, it is that any decision to instigate military action should be evidence based, and we should be transparent with the people of Scotland and indeed the UK about the reasons for military intervention.

The UK Government needs to produce evidence of the legal basis, not just a summary, the evidence of the legal basis.

They need to articulate what is their objective, what is their end goal, and they need to give detail about the security implications of their action both in the region and here at home.

Mr Yousaf spoke on the matter as he launched the SNPs campaign for the general election, which is expected to take place later this year.

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said it was a surprise that he was in Glasgow for the campaign launch, and not in the Commons.

The MP said: Myself and my colleagues should currently be in Westminster questioning the United Kingdom Prime Minister on his decision to launch military action.

It is right that Parliament be recalled this weekend, so that MPs across the board can better understand the decision that has been taken, but also get answers on the consequences and what comes next.
Julie Johnson is a reporter with The Chronicles climate and environment team. Previously she worked as a staff writer at the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, where she had a leading role on the team awarded the 2018 Pulitzer in breaking news for coverage of 2017 wildfires.

She can be reached at Julie.Johnson@sfchronicle.com.
Humza Yousaf has told Scots that voting for the SNP in the general election will ensure Scotland is not ignored by Sir Keir Starmer when he moves into Downing Street.

With Labour comfortably ahead in the polls, the SNP leader said it is very clear now that Sir Keir will be the next prime minister.

The Scottish First Minister said backing his party could make Scotland a Tory-free zone, and he stressed the role SNP MPs could seek to have on a future UK Labour government.

He was speaking as he officially launched the SNP campaign for the general election almost certain to take place at some point this year.

The First Minister has launched the SNPs general election campaign (Steve Welsh/PA)

Addressing the event in Glasgow, Mr Yousaf said the election is a huge opportunity for Scotland.

While declaring Rishi Sunak is finished as PM, he focused much of his speech on Sir Keirs Labour Party.

Mr Yousaf told the audience of SNP MPs and party supporters: Keir Starmer doesnt need Scotland to win the election.

Scotland needs SNP MPs to make sure that we are not ignored and that Scotlands voice is heard.

He said the fundamental choice before the people of Scotland is between electing Labour MPs who will stand up for Keir Starmer and Westminster, or backing his party to elect an SNP MP who will stand up for Scotland and ensure we are not ignored.

The campaign launch involved SNP MPs, members and activists (Steve Welsh/PA)

Mr Yousaf attacked Labour for its support of Brexit, and warned Sir Keirs party could follow Conservative policies on areas such as public spending.

Time after time, when people are looking for leadership, Labour under Keir Starmer has been posted missing, he said.

With Labour leading the Tories by 20-25 points in the polls, this would be the time for Keir Starmer to be bold and to be radical.

Instead, he spends his time attempting to neutralise Tory attacks by imitating their policies.

Mr Yousaf went on to vow his partys MPs would seek to work constructively with a Labour government to introduce measures for a fairer country.

But he also promised they would look to prevent a future Labour government from backsliding on green investment and look to protect the NHS from creeping privatisation at Westminster.

(PA Graphics)

He said the SNP remains focused on independence  repeating a previous commitment that page one, line one of the SNP election manifesto will say Vote SNP for Scotland to become an independent country'.

Here, Mr Yousaf argued that independence is necessary because on issues such as the economy and living standards, Labour and the Conservatives are offering more of the same.

He said: Economic decline is still decline, even if they manage it more competently.

Insisting the election will be an important moment for Scotlands independence movement, Mr Yousaf said Sir Keir will use every single vote for Labour in Scotland as a vote against independence.

The SNP leader had earlier conceded the case for independence will move backwards if his party loses seats at Westminster.

Mr Yousaf said it is very clear Sir Keir Starmer will be the UKs next prime minister (Peter Byrne/PA)

He told BBC Radio Scotland: If the message in Scotland is that Scotland votes for Labour MPs, and if that is the message that Keir Starmer sees, then of course that will take our independence backwards.

But he was clear the SNP will never stop campaigning for independence, pledging his party will continue to campaign for independence regardless of what the election results are, regardless of how many seats we have in any Parliament.

Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy said: Its clear that Humza Yousaf intends to spend from now until polling day sticking his fingers in his ears and repeating Independence, independence, independence, in a desperate bid to shore up his feuding, scandal-ridden partys dwindling base.

That shows the SNPs utter contempt for the Scottish public, who want and expect politicians to focus on what matters to them  including economic growth and public services.

Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said: Todays speech from Humza Yousaf was nothing more than another desperate attempt to reset the SNPs failing political strategy.

From talking down the influence that Scottish voters have to desperately moving the electoral goal posts, it is clear that the SNP is in trouble.
The wife of Scotlands First Minister has said her brother has been unable to flee Gaza, leading to calls for a resettlement scheme similar to that offered to Ukrainian refugees.

Nadia El-Nakla, an SNP councillor in Dundee, told the Guardian newspaper her sister-in-law has been able to take refuge in Turkey with the couples four children, who are aged between six months and nine years.

But she said her brothers name was removed from the list provided by the Turkish administration  meaning the emergency doctor must remain in the war-torn region alongside his 93-year-old grandmother, who requires round-the-clock care.

Ms El-Nakla, who is married to Humza Yousaf, is now urging the UK Government to allow those with family in Britain to live in the UK while the conflict with Israel continues.

She told the Guardian: The Ukrainian resettlement programme saved so many lives. Gazans should also have that opportunity, especially those with family in Britain.

I feel like a second-class citizen in my own country, because I dont have the right to bring my own brother to stay in my own home.

I can see people across the street hosting Ukrainian families, and rightly so, But I cant host my own brother, to me that feels beyond upsetting.

But Ms El-Nakla, who attended a summit of leaders spouses in Istanbul prior to her familys escape, said she is so grateful her sister-in-law and her children are safe, adding: My brother keeps thanking me for saving his kids.

The politician has been outspoken about her familys situation in Gaza, regularly joining Mr Yousaf in calling for a ceasefire.

Nadia El-Nakla is married to Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf (PA)

Her parents  Elizabeth and Maged El-Nakla  were in Gaza visiting relatives at the time of the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel and the subsequent initial retaliation.

They were trapped with limited supplies for almost a month before being granted permission to leave through Egypt along with other British nationals.

They returned to Dundee, but remain traumatised by their experience, Ms El-Nakla said, and they have now travelled to Turkey to support their daughter-in-law.

Meanwhile, Ms El-Nakla said her brother continues to work in dangerous circumstances.

Theres nothing I can say to comfort him, she told the newspaper.

I said to him remember the line from the Koran that says with difficulty comes ease, and that ease should come soon. He replied: I say that line about 100 times a day.

Theyre just so tired of it. Theres no respite.
Zelensky hails UK support with 2.5bn in military aid pledged for next year

Volodymyr Zelensky has hailed the UKs 2.5 billion military aid package for Ukraine, as Rishi Sunak promised to continue to stand with the country in its fight against Russia.

The Prime Minister travelled to Kyiv on Friday to unveil the new funding, becoming the first foreign leader to visit Ukraine this year.

With an increase of 200 million on the last two years, the military support comes at a crucial time for President Zelensky amid fears that interest is flagging among allies as the war drags on.

The two leaders also signed a new security agreement, committing the UK to provide swift and sustained assistance if Ukraine is ever attacked by Russia again.

In a speech alongside Mr Zelensky, the Prime Minister said the new security partnership will last a hundred years or more.

Be in no doubt: We are not walking away, ours is the unbreakable alliance, he said.

Mr Sunak arrived in Kyiv by train on Friday morning before visiting an apartment block in the capital badly damaged by debris from a Russian missile earlier this month.

Mr Zelensky hailed Mr Sunaks personal leadership and said the agreement would lay the groundwork for our further work with our other partners.

The UK is the first country to sign a final security agreement with Ukraine, after G7 countries agreed at last years Nato summit to sign bilateral security assurances with the country.

Mr Sunak told a press conference that our opponents around the world believe that we have neither the patience nor the resources for long wars.

He said: Ukraine is not alone, and Ukraine will never be alone. Putin might think that he can outlast us but he is wrong. We stand with you today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes.

Because this war is about Ukraines right to defend itself and to determine your own future and the Ukrainian peoples historic choice to be an independent democracy at the heart of Europe.

Your quest for freedom has inspired and moved the British people and for the free nations of the world aid to Ukraine is also an investment in our own collective security.

Because if Putin wins in Ukraine, he will not stop there, and our opponents around the world believe that we have neither the patience nor resources for long wars. So waver now and we embolden not just Putin, but his allies in North Korea, Iran and elsewhere.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, left, and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky signed a new security agreement (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Number 10 said the 2.5 billion in funding would cover long-range missiles, air defence, artillery ammunition and maritime security.

Around 200 million will also be spent on a push to procure and produce thousands of military drones, which the Government said was the largest delivery of drones to Ukraine from any nation.

Most are expected to be manufactured in the UK.

The meeting between the two leaders saw Mr Sunak awarded the Ukrainian order of freedom, an honour also bestowed on his predecessor Boris Johnson.

The UK has been among the most vocal backers of Ukraine since the war began, with Mr Zelensky visiting London early last year in a historic trip.

The Prime Minister, centre, was shown damaged buildings in Kyiv during his visit (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

The Ukraine leader has previously said that the country particularly needs air defence systems to fend off Russian aerial barrages.

More than 500 drones and missiles were fired between December 29 and January 2, according to officials in Kyiv.

But there have been concerns that global focus on the war has moved, as the crisis in the Middle East continues to escalate and concerns grow about the fate of civilians in Gaza.

The Prime Ministers visit came hours after UK and US forces launched strikes against targets used by Houthi rebels in Yemen in a bid to disrupt attacks on commercial shipping.

Mr Sunak met with Ukrainian emergency workers during the visit, with a further 18 million in aid also announced for the country.

The war in Ukraine is not over. The Prime Minister saw first-hand today the devastation Russia continues to cause. But the Ukrainian spirit is one of bravery and defiance. It is a spirit that cannot be broken. pic.twitter.com/WDbSlZgvdz  UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) January 12, 2024

Funding and resources would also be provided for English language training in Ukraine, Number 10 said.

Labour backed the vital support for Ukraine, as Sir Keir Starmer urged the need for politicians to remain united on the issue.

I think its really important that we keep our focus on Ukraine, he said.

We have had cross-party support for Ukraine for a very long time and we need to maintain that in the face of Russian aggression that has been going on for a long time now, the Labour leader said.

Im supportive of what the Prime Minister is saying today and we will remain united across our political parties in defence of Ukraine against that aggression from Putin.
A driving school instructor in Southern California has been arrested after police say he sexually assaulting students during lessons and also secretly recorded them during training.

Richard Joseph Banks, who worked as an instructor for American Driving School in El Cajon during the alleged crimes, was jailed without bond on Friday, San Diego Sheriff's Department records showed.

The city of El Cajon is about 15 miles from downtown San Diego.

Banks, 50, was arrested Thursday on 32 felony charges in connection to the alleged crimes, according to the agency, and is due in court to be arraigned on the charges Tuesday.

The alleged crimes, records show, include sexual battery, child abuse and molestation, possession and production of of child pornography, and installation and use of a surreptitious recording device.

The San Diego Police Department, the agency handling the case, could not immediatly be reached by USA TODAY early Friday morning.

Teacher gives top grades for sex: High school teacher gave student all "100s" in exchange for sex, prosecutors say

Students were ages 15-17, police say

But, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Banks sexually assaulted or molested 11 students, who were teenage girls, from April through November of last year.

San Diego police Capt. Mike Holden told the outlet most of the alleged victims were between age 15 and 17, and the molestations took place in northern San Diego County as well as within San Diego police jurisdiction, Holden said.

Banks also allegedly used hidden cameras in the car to record their "private" areas, the outlet reported.

'Immediately suspended': Driving school releases statement

A driving school instructor in Southern California was arrested on Jan. 11, 2024, after police said he sexually assaulting students during lessons while secretly recording them. Richard Joseph Banks, an instructor for El Cajon-based American Driving School, was jailed without bond in the San Diego jail.

The driving schools owner, David Tackett, released a statement to USA TODAY Friday saying the business was "shocked to learn about the allegations" against Banks.

His actions are his alone, and they violate the trust and policies of our company and those of the DMV regarding inappropriate behavior, the statement reads. He was immediately suspended when we were notified by the San Diego Police Department in November about the investigation, and he hasnt taught any students since then."

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call San Diego police.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

He knew son was having sex with teacher: Now not only is Missouri teacher charged, so is the 16-year-old's dad, records show

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: California driving instructor arrested after students molested: Police
The U.S. and U.K.s coordinated attack Thursday evening on the Iran-backed Houthi rebelwho have been wreaking havoc on international shipping routes in the Red Sea for weekshas been met by members of Congress with a bipartisan mix of support but also some unease over President Joe Bidens seemingly unilateral executive action that risks escalating the conflict already raging in the Middle East.

The two countries militaries targeted Houthi-controlled sites in Yemen in a series of bombings, with Biden warning in a White House statement that he will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.

Read More: Who Are Yemens Houthi Rebels? Heres What You Need to Know

Some senators and representatives on both sides of the aisle have lauded the Biden administrations decision to operate against the Houthis, while others have expressed concern over lack of congressional oversight.

Here are some of the initial reactions from the Capitol so far:

I welcome the U.S. and coalition operations against the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists responsible for violently disrupting international commerce in the Red Sea and attacking American vessels. President Bidens decision to use military force against these Iranian proxies is overdue.

I am hopeful these operations mark an enduring shift in the Biden Administrations approach to Iran and its proxies. To restore deterrence and change Irans calculus, Iranian leaders themselves must believe that they will pay a meaningful price unless they abandon their worldwide campaign of terror.

The United States and our allies must leave no room to doubt that the days of unanswered terrorist aggression are over.

The Presidents strikes in Yemen are unconstitutional. For over a month, he consulted an international coalition to plan them, but never came to Congress to seek authorization as required by Article I of the Constitution. We need to listen to our Gulf allies, pursue de-escalation, and avoid getting into another Middle East war.

Only Congress has the power to declare war. I have to give credit to [Rep. Ro Khanna] here for sticking to his principles, as very few are willing to make this statement while their party is in the White House.

This action by U.S. and British forces is long overdue, and we must hope these operations indicate a true shift in the Biden Administrations approach to Iran and its proxies that are engaging in such evil and wreaking such havoc. They must understand there is a serious price to pay for their global acts of terror and their attacks on U.S. personnel and commercial vessels. America must always project strength, especially in these dangerous times.

The decision to strike the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen is necessary to maintain stability and security in the Gulf. The U.S. has dealt with this aggression for far too long, and it is in our nations interests to maintain the free flow of commerce. Terrorism has no safe harbor anywhere.

The President must come to Congress for permission before going to war.

Biden can not solely decide to bomb Yemen.

And what is the condition of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin? Is he still laid up in the hospital?

Biden [administration] wants to fund war in Ukraine, control the war in Israel, arm Taiwan and prep for war with China, and is now going to war in the Middle East???

All with a wide open border, millions invading, and millions of got aways?!

This is insanely out of control!

This is why I called for a ceasefire early. This is why I voted against war in Iraq. Violence only begets more violence.

We need a ceasefire now to prevent deadly, costly, catastrophic escalation of violence in the region.

The U.S. must demand an immediate ceasefire. Anything else is just enabling further violence.

The strikes against the Yemeni outlaws who have threatened our troops and terrorized international shipping are long overdue. But things shouldve never gotten this far. President Trump wisely designated these rebels as terrorists, while one of Joe Bidens first acts in office was to reverse that decision. Then President Biden appeased Iran for three years, emboldening not only Iran, but also its proxies in places like Yemen and Gaza. After all, where do a bunch of Yemeni outlaws get the know-how to use cruise missiles and one-way attack drones? Iran. Yet President Biden still cant even bring himself to mention Iran tonight.

We will see if these strikes deter Iran and its proxies from further attacks; I have my doubts. History teaches that only devastating retaliation will deter Iran, as when President Trump killed their terrorist mastermind in 2020 and President Reagan sank half their navy in 1988. That bold, decisive action is the opposite of what weve seen from Joe Biden for three years.

Tonights airstrikes send a clear and decisive message that we will not tolerate terrorism.

Despite repeated warnings from the [international] community, the Iran-backed Houthi rebels have continued their attacks, impeding the free flow of civilian commerce in the Red Sea.

These strikes are necessary, responsive, and proportionatenot escalatory. President Biden is right to act.

The Houthi attacks imperil the global economy and increase the risk of a wider war. Minimizing the risk of a regional conflict is the utmost priority.

This is where we should put party aside and stand for the oath we all took: Congress alone decides if we go to war. I join my colleagues on both sides insisting we follow the Constitution.

POTUS is violating Article I of the Constitution by carrying out airstrikes in Yemen without congressional approval. The American people are tired of endless war.

This strike was two months overdue, but it is a good first step toward restoring deterrence in the Red Sea.

I appreciate that the administration took the advice of our regional commanders and targeted critical nodes within Houthi-controlled Yemeni territory. It is important that we follow this action in close consultation with our Saudi partners to ensure they are with us as the situation develops.

This strike does not change the basic facts: for weeks, the Houthis have launched drones and missiles at our sailors, while the Biden administration has trumpeted a maritime task force. The Houthi organization, backed by Iran, has for weeks wrought havoc without any significant response.

They have disrupted global shipping in a critical commercial sea lane and targeted sophisticated Navy warships. This is having a severe impact on our military and the global economy.

It is time to dispense with the hollow talk of joint resolutions and maritime task forces.

This strike should be a warning to the Houthis and other Iranian proxies that they will suffer catastrophic consequences from escalation in the region.

I salute the brave military members who carried out todays strikes, and I support President Bidens strong actions against the Houthi militants. The Houthis are endangering innocent civilians and launching violent attacks at U.S. personnel.

These strikes, in concert with weeks of diplomacy, send a clear signal that the United States will continue to take appropriate action to protect our personnel, our interests, and freedom of navigation for vital international waterways. Even as the Biden Administration continues to take a balanced and sensible diplomatic approach, todays military actions were necessary and proportional.

Tonights military action against Yemen is overdue, and we must now maintain pressure on the Iranian-backed Houthis to ensure their lawless behavior is met with severe consequences.

The constant attacks on our sailors and on commercial shipping over the past months should have been addressed far earlier. Our response to this malign behavior - which has no purpose other than to sow chaos and disorder at the behest of Iran - must be decisive. It is incumbent upon the President to come to Congress and present the Administrations strategy for confronting Irans reckless behavior across the region.

I applaud the brave men and women in uniform who executed this mission and thank our allies and partners.

I support the Biden Administrations targeted strikes against Houthi militant targets within Yemen this evening. I condemn the continued, unprovoked Houthi attacks against commercial shipping and personnel which must immediately cease along with provocative launches and actions against Israel.

While I support these targeted, proportional military strikes, I call on the Biden Administration to continue its diplomatic efforts to avoid escalation to a broader regional war and continue to engage Congress on the details of its strategy and legal basis as required by law.

Iran and its proxies must understand that repeated attacks on U.S. troops and the disruption of critical sea lanes will not be tolerated. The military strikes taken tonight by the Administration in conjunction with coalition partners is an overdue response to Iranian-backed proxies that have targeted U.S. military personnel, bases, and ships more than 120 times since October, resulting in a gravely injured service member. In addition, the Houthi terrorists have launched dozens of attacks on commercial, non-military ships of multiple countries.

The United States does not seek an escalation of violence in the region, but we must deter attacks on our troops, and the freedom of navigation that is essential for global trade must be restored.

These airstrikes have NOT been authorized by Congress. The Constitution is clear: Congress has the sole authority to authorize military involvement in overseas conflicts. Every president must first come to Congress and ask for military authorization, regardless of party.

The United States cannot risk getting entangled into another decades-long conflict without Congressional authorization. The White House must work with Congress before continuing these airstrikes in Yemen.

I would not support us being pulled into a broader war.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
A grand jury decided Thursday not to indict an Ohio woman on allegations that she mishandled the remains of a fetus after miscarrying her pregnancy at home.

The case had alarmed reproductive rights groups and legal experts who said there is no clear guidance on how to handle an at-home miscarriage and that police and local prosecutors overreached by charging the woman, who is Black, with "abuse of a corpse."

Brittany Watts, 34, of Warren, was arrested last October and pleaded not guilty to the charge. If convicted, she would have faced up to a year in prison. Because the grand jury decided not to indict, the case has been dropped.

MORE: Idaho woman shares 19-day miscarriage on TikTok, says state's abortion laws prevented her from getting care

According to the Trumbull County Coroner's Office, Watts' water broke last September when she was 21 weeks and five days pregnant. A fetal heartbeat was present, but her doctors at Mercy Health - St. Joseph Warren Hospital recommended that Watts be induced to prevent a life-threatening infection from developing.

At the time, Ohio allowed abortions up to 22 weeks gestation or later if a woman's life was at stake.

The coroner's report said Watts then signed herself out of the hospital against medical advice "to process the information she was told." She returned to the hospital the next day, but again left a second time against the advice of doctors.

PHOTO: The Trumbull County Courthouse, Oct. 16, 2020, in Warren, Ohio. (David Dermer/AP)

The hospital declined to comment, citing privacy concerns.

Two days later, Watts delivered the fetus at home over a toilet. She then returned to the hospital, where she told authorities she thought she had taken the fetal remains out of the toilet and placed them in a black bucket.

The fetal remains were found wedged inside the toilet bowl, according to the coroner's report.

"Not wanting to destroy any evidence, the bottom portion of the toilet was removed" and taken to the local morgue "for further investigation," the coroner's office wrote.

A subsequent autopsy showed that the baby had died before being born due to a spontaneous miscarriage and that no illicit drugs were present. Watts was arrested two weeks later on accusations of "abusing a corpse."

Assistant prosecutor Lewis Guarnieri argued to have the case move forward, which was agreed to by Warren Municipal Court Judge Terry Ivanchak.

MORE: I lost 2 pregnancies. Here's what I've learned in the years since.

Ivanchak referred the case to a grand jury, arguing there was "probable cause" of a crime. He has since retired. The case would have been tried by Judge Andrew Logan.

The local police and the city attorney of Warren, responsible for initiating charges against Watts, have not responded to requests for comment.

Dennis Watkins, the Trumbull County prosecutor who advised the grand jury ahead of its decision, said his office believed Watts "did not violate the Ohio Criminal Statue of Abuse of a Corpse as alleged in the complaint."

"We respectively disagree with the lower court's application of the law," he said in the statement.

The charge against Watts occurred before Ohio voters passed an amendment in the November 2023 election to enshrine abortion rights in the state's constitution.

The ballot measure ended an earlier effort in Ohio by Republican lawmakers to enforce a near-total abortion ban after six weeks.

Grand jury declines to indict Ohio woman facing charges after she miscarried originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
WASHINGTON  Hard-right House Republicans on Thursday met with Speaker Mike Johnson and pressured him to renege on the spending deal he cut with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., just days ago.

Some conservatives left the meeting proclaiming that they were successful. But Johnson, R-La., told reporters shortly thereafter that he had made no commitments to back out of the deal.

While those conversations are going on, Ive made no commitments, Johnson said. So if youve heard otherwise, its just simply not true.

He then put a cellphone to his ear and didnt take any more questions.

Members of the far-right Freedom Caucus and their allies are furious over the $1.66 trillion bipartisan spending deal he announced over the weekend that puts Congress on a path to avert a shutdown this month and finish its fiscal 2024 appropriations process. The conservative rabble-rousers used Thursdays meeting to push the new speaker to reverse course and endorse a new strategy.

Leaving the closed-door meeting, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., insisted that border security absolutely needs to be part of the budget negotiations and that Ukraine should receive no additional aid from the U.S.

Johnson claimed in there he agreed with everything I said. He claimed in there he agreed with other conservatives, everything that we said, Greene told reporters. Theres going to be a new deal drawn up, and thats what were in the process of doing.

Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., a Freedom Caucus member who met with Johnson, said he came away with the belief that the speaker wants a new plan.

My view: Speaker Johnson understands the present deal ... will not work, Norman said. He also realizes the real crisis: illegal immigration.

We have to have a different plan, Norman said.

But other conservatives in the meeting did not believe Johnson had made a commitment to the group. I dont know that I would say that Johnson is backing out, said Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., another member of the Freedom Caucus.

The clash comes at a crucial moment for Johnson, who is seeking to balance the demands of the ultraconservative forces that ousted his predecessor while also striking deals with a Democratic-led Senate and White House to do the basics of governing.

A group of 13 GOP hard-liners, including some of those who met with Johnson, made their anger known Wednesday after tanking a procedural vote on an unrelated bill to protest Johnsons deal with the Senate.

The hard-right Republicans have zeroed in on the must-pass spending legislation as their vehicle to make a stand, seeing it as their best leverage to force Democrats to swallow budget cuts and conservative policy provisions that they wouldnt ordinarily accept.

Schumer said Thursday the upper chamber intends to follow through with the deal and pass a continuing resolution, or CR, to avert a shutdown in the meantime.

Look, we have a top-line agreement. Everybody knows to get anything done, it has to be bipartisan, he said. So were going to continue to work to pass a CR and avoid a shutdown.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said if Johnson backs out, it would lead to a harmful government shutdown. Funding runs out for several federal agencies on Jan. 19.

We have publicly and clearly and unequivocally reached an agreement on the top-line spending number. ... Theres nothing more to discuss, Jeffries said at his weekly news conference. To the extent that House Republicans back away from an agreement that was just announced a few days ago, it will make clear that House Republicans are determined to shut down the government, crash the economy and hurt the American people.

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., the Appropriations Committee chair, said, Im doing my job according to the agreement we have and Im moving forward.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, the panels vice chair, said she hopes that Johnson sticks to the agreement and that rumors of it falling apart arent true. I certainly hope thats not true, she said. Because it increases the chances of a government shutdown.
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People go crazy for chocolate desserts! And who can blame them? With sweet luxuries like chocolate milkshakes, fudgy brownies, and decadent chocolate lava cakes, it's no wonder they've coined the term "chocoholics." But in the same way that there are a variety of chocolate treats, there are also different types of chocolate. So the next time you're in the baking aisle, spend an extra moment in the chocolate section. Want to know which variety is best for melting chocolate or which types of chocolate chips to use for homemade cookies? And what's the deal with white chocolate, anyway? Read on for the most popular types of chocolateand the best ways to try them.

Here, we explain the different types of chocolateincluding chocolate in bar form versus cocoa nibs and cocoa powder. Find out the difference between milk and dark chocolate, or maybe even get introduced to a new kind of chocolate. Have you ever heard of blonde chocolate? But first, a quick lesson on where chocolate comes from: Cacao beans are where it all begins and these are actually the seeds of the Theobroma cacao tree. Once the beans are dried and roasted, the refining process continues and yields two products: cocoa butter and chocolate liquor. Chocolate liquor is the purest form of cocoa, and can remain in a solid or liquid state. From here, chocolate liquor is used to make chocolate as we know it. Chocolate contains both cocoa butter and chocolate liquor, along with sugar to sweeten things up and other ingredients to flavor and shelf-stabilize the final product, which is important to know if you're wondering, "does chocolate go bad?" Try all the different types of chocolate, then check out Ree Drummond's recipe for chocolate sheet cake!

Milk Chocolate

This option is extra-sweet, but it's generally less "chocolatey" tasting than the darker varieties. (Milk chocolate only has to contain a minimum of 10% cacao to be labeled as such.) Though it's great in cookies, pancakes, brownies and more, it can be a bit finicky if you're melting it, as the high concentration of milk solids makes it prone to overheating.

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Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate is a blanket term for any variety that contains 30% to 80% cacao (bittersweet and semisweet chocolates are considered "dark chocolate.") The higher the percentage of cacao, the less sweet and more bitter...or dark! Note that dark chocolate doesn't contain any milk solids, which means it doesn't have the same creaminess as milk chocolatebut it does have that characteristic "snap" when you break it.



Diana Miller - Getty Images

Semisweet Chocolate

Mainly considered an American chocolate that was developed for baking, semisweet chocolate is made up of at least 30% cacao. Semisweet chocolate is considered dark chocolate, but it's not all that darkit's a good middle-ground choice, and is generally the default for chocolate chips.

mphillips007 - Getty Images

White Chocolate

This one is the most divisiveyou either love it or you hate it! White chocolate is made from the cocoa butter extracted during the cacao bean refinement process and does not contain any chocolate liquor. Chocolate purists have argued that because it lacks chocolate liquor and a "chocolatey" taste, it shouldn't be called chocolate, but its smooth, rich, vanilla-like flavor has won over plenty of others.

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Bittersweet Chocolate

Also considered a dark chocolate, bittersweet is less sweet than semisweet chocolateit ranges from 50 to 80% cacao. The flavor is deeper and more bitter than semisweet, but it's a great choice for serious chocolate loversand it makes a mean brownie.

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Michelle Arnold / EyeEm - Getty Images

Blonde Chocolate

If you're skeptical about white chocolate, just give blonde chocolate a try! Also known as caramelized white chocolate, this sweet treat is basically just white chocolate that's been roasted at a low temperature to bring out its warm, butterscotch flavors. You can make your own caramelized white chocolate or buy blonde chocolate bars or chips to make a delicious toasty buttercream or chocolate ganache.

Joanne Ozug

Gianduja

This Italian chocolate is pronounced "jan-doo-ya" and it's a blend of chocolate with 30% hazelnuts. It was first invented in Turin in the early 1800s, but these days, you can find both dark and milk versions in bar formor even spreadable versions which is what we know as Nutella! Use the chocolate-hazelnut spread to make a delicious cake, cookies, or topping for toast.

GCapture - Getty Images

Dutch Process Cocoa Powder

While natural cocoa powder is untreated, Dutch process cocoa powder starts with cocoa beans that have been washed in an alkaline solution. This process gives the cocoa powder a darker color, more mild flavor, and a neutralized acidity. It also means that recipes calling for dutch-process cocoa powder are more likely to be paired with baking powder for leavening, as baking powder contains its own acid.

Tsvetomir Hristov - Getty Images

Couverture Chocolate

With a higher-than-usual percentage of cocoa butter and a high percentage of chocolate liquor, couverture chocolate is an expensive chocolate that's beloved by professional candy makers and is great for dipping. The high ratio of cocoa butter makes for a smoother, more even meltand when it sets, it's thin, glossy and snappy.

daitoZen - Getty Images

Baking Chocolate

No matter what you call it ("baking," "bitter," or "unsweetened"), this chocolate is 100% cacaoit's essentially chocolate in its purest form without any added sugar to mask the bitter flavor of natural cacao. This stuff is not for snacking but it's great for baking, as it imparts a rich chocolate flavor and allows you to control the added sugar.

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Ruby Chocolate

This rosy-hued chocolate is the newest chocolate to hit the block since the 1930s invention of white chocolate. First developed in late 2017, ruby chocolate comes from ruby cacao beans, which are grown in South America and West Africa. It's best described as a fruity, berry-flavored white chocolate, though there are no actual berries involvedthe unique flavor and color comes from the cacao bean itself.

Ross Tomei - Getty Images

Candy Coating Chocolate

Similar to candy melts, these chocolate disks are made with vegetable or palm oils instead of cocoa butter and do not contain high percentages of chocolate liquor (which means they may not taste all that chocolatey). These inexpensive chocolates are ideal for melting and are often used for dipping or coating.

FotografiaBasica - Getty Images

German's Sweet Chocolate

Named after its inventor Samuel German, this dark baking chocolate was produced after German decided to add more sugar to the production process, thinking the added sugar would be more convenient for bakers. The most popular way to use this variety of chocolate is in German chocolate cake, also named after the sweet chocolate inventor.

LauriPatterson - Getty Images

Natural Cocoa Powder

Made up of pulverized pure cacao with all fat removed and no added sugar, cocoa powder is bitter-tasting chocolate in powder form. It's ideal for mixing into doughs and batters. Just be sure to note if the recipe calls for dutch-process cocoa powder, which is an alkalized cocoa powder. When in doubt, stick to regular (natural) cocoa powder and only use dutch-process when directed.

Winslow Productions - Getty Images

Cacao Nibs

One could argue that cacao nibs are chocolate in its rawest form, considering they're 100% crushed cacao beans. After the beans are harvested, they go through a fermentation process before being cracked to form these dark, crunchy and bitter bits. They're loaded with antioxidants and other healthful properties.

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Michelle Lee Photography - Getty Images

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WASHINGTON  Hunter Biden's attorney indicated in a letter Friday that the president's son would comply with a congressional subpoena if House Republicans issue a "new" and "proper" one.

"If you issue a new proper subpoena, now that there is a duly authorized impeachment inquiry, Mr. Biden will comply for a hearing or deposition. We will accept such a subpoena on Mr. Bidens behalf," said the letter obtained by NBC News.

The letter was sent to House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., and House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan, R-Ohio.

Hunter Biden's lawyer, Abbe Lowell, argued that the subpoenas issued to the president's son have so far been "legally invalid," especially because they were issued before the House voted to authorize the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, which it did in mid-December.

Image: Hunter Biden (Kent Nishimura / Getty Images)

"I write to make you aware (if you are not already) that your subpoenas were and are legally invalid and cannot form a legal basis to proceed with your misdirected and impermissible contempt resolution," Lowell wrote. "And you two, of all people, should know that is the case."

Lowell noted in one of the letter's footnotes that during the Judiciary panel's markup on Wednesday, Rep. Glenn Ivey, D-Md., suggested a procedure for a hybrid process in which Republicans could hold a public deposition or hearing with alternating rounds of questions by Republicans and Democrats, as it's done in a closed-door deposition. Lowell said four Republicans voted in support of such a process.

Comer and Jordan responded to Lowell's letter, chastising Hunter Biden for previously refusing to sit for a closed-door deposition while also indicating a willingness to find a new date to speak with him privately.

"While we are heartened that Hunter Biden now says he will comply with a subpoena, make no mistake: Hunter Biden has already defied two valid, lawful subpoenas," the two chairmen said in a joint statement.

"For now, the House of Representatives will move forward with holding Hunter Biden in contempt of Congress until such time that Hunter Biden confirms a date to appear for a private deposition in accordance with his legal obligation," they added. "While we will work to schedule a deposition date, we will not tolerate any additional stunts or delay from Hunter Biden."

Also Friday, Comer, Jordan and Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo., the chair of the Ways and Means Committee, asked the head of the National Archives, Colleen Shogan, to testify publicly about why the Archives has not turned over information they've requested dating back to Joe Biden's time as vice president.

In a letter sent Friday, the trio said that the Archives has turned over more than 60,000 pages of documents but has failed to turn over thousands of others at the direction of the White House. "NARA has responded that the White House has authorized production of only certain tranches of documents. Those documents, in the Committees view, include only those that reflect favorably on the President or that are without substance. This is unacceptable," the letter said.

Among the documents the chairmen are seeking are correspondence where Biden might have used various pseudonyms, his Air Force Two travels and communications with "various Biden family associates."

The letter asks that Shogan appear on Jan. 31 and calls her testimony "critical to understanding whether and how the White House is obstructing the Committees investigation."

NBC News has reached out to the National Archives and the White House for comment.

A senior House Democratic aide said the National Archives has repeatedly told the House Oversight Committee that the agency is "producing the responsive documents in the order which they were prioritized by Committee Republicans."

Despite receiving the documents that they themselves prioritized, Republicans are desperately spreading disinformation because they have failed to uncover any evidence of wrongdoing by President Biden, the aide said.

The House is preparing to vote next week to hold Hunter Biden in contempt of Congress for not complying with the subpoenas already issued. Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., said in a post on X Friday, "Next week the House will vote to hold Hunter Biden in contempt of Congress for repeatedly defying subpoenas. Enough of his stunts. He doesnt get to play by a different set of rules. Hes not above the law."

Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee said Friday that Hunter Biden "is giving Republicans exactly what they have been demanding" and that Republicans should "call off this truly absurd and wasteful contempt proceeding and finally take yes for an answer." He pointed to an interview Jordan gave on Jan. 8, in which he told a radio station that the panels would "certainly" lift the contempt charges if Hunter Biden offered to come in and testify, though at the time he said he didn't see "any offer like that coming."

Republicans on the Oversight and Judiciary Committees voted Wednesday to formally recommend to the full House to hold Biden in contempt.

Biden and Republicans have been in a standoff since last year over how to move forward with their investigation into him. The president's son has repeatedly expressed his willingness to testify before Congress publicly while opting not to sit for a closed-door deposition, demanded by the House GOP, because he and Lowell have said it wouldn't be a fair process.

Sarah Fitzpatrick and Rebecca Shabad reported from Washington, Dareh Gregorian from New York.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman celebrated his marriage to longtime partner Oliver Mulherin in a small ceremony. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

Sam Altman, the 38-year-old CEO of OpenAI, celebrated his marriage to Oliver Mulherin in a discreet ceremony this week.

Altman confirmed the nuptials in a text message to NBC News after photos from the event surfaced on social media, leaving some speculating if artificial intelligence had a hand in their creation.

The pictures, which were apparently lifted from Altmans personal Instagram, capture the San Francisco pair exchanging vows on a picturesque beach, surrounded by swaying palm trees and a group of about a dozen guests.

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Altman and Mulherin, an Australian software engineer formerly at Meta, split their time between their $27 million Russian Hill home (the site of a significant coyote problem) and a ranch in Napa Valley.

While Altman and Mulherin have generally kept their relationship under wraps, they made one of their first public appearances last year at a White House dinner hosted in honor of Narendra Modi, the prime minister of India.

In an interview with New York Magazine, the couple shared their desire to start a family soon.

Altman, who made headlines in November for a tumultuous episode where he was ousted and swiftly reinstated as the head of OpenAI, reflected on the roller-coaster experience in an interview with Time magazine, which later crowned him CEO of the Year.

Describing the corporate ordeal, Altman said, This was a 10-out-of-10 crazy thing to live through.
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Almost everyone swoons over a good love story, but the history of Valentine's Day is, well, not quite that. We all know February 14 as a day of gift-giving, sweet treats, and romantic dinnersalong with an abundance of Valentine's Day cards, of course.

Maybe you also grew up making Valentine's Day crafts with your family or baking cookies for class. Less familiar is why we celebrate the holiday of love in the first place. As with the history of Christmas, Valentine's Day's religious roots are sometimes sidelined in favor of more material interests. Perhaps it's not so surprising, then, that both holiday origin stories have a few things in common.

See, the way we celebrate Valentine's Day has transformed over time. The modern iteration of the holiday with all its rosy hearts and kisses, has quite a bubbly feel compared to its origin story, which is actually a bit... bloody. You won't find the real story of Valentine's Day in your favorite romantic moviesnot only because it's a bit darker than most Hollywood fare, but also because it's a bit of a mystery!

Historians can't quite pinpoint the exact origin of the holiday, but they can trace how Valentine's Day traditions have evolved over time. Why does V-day fall on the same day in February every year? When and why did it become associated with romantic love? And what's a "Valentine" anyway? These are the questions burning in our hearts! We've gathered the facts and myths surrounding the story, and the final picture may surprise you.

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What is the real story behind Valentine's Day?

Valentine's Day wasn't always all cherubs and hearts. As you probably know, the day is named after St. Valentinebut our story starts long before he came along. According to both The New York Times and History.com, the holiday's origin might stem from the ancient pagan festival of Lupercalia, which predated Christianity. Similar to the modern Valentine's Day holiday, the Roman festival was celebrated in the middle of February and involved feasting and pairing off partners.

However, unlike Valentine's Day, it was a bit of a raucous celebration filled with debauchery, blood, and sacrifice. For example, it was tradition for the hide of a sacrificed goat to be cut into strips and dipped in blood. Then, priests would go around slapping women with the strips. The practice was supposedly welcomed, as it was believed to make the women more fertile in the coming year. So, you still have a red association with the holiday, but definitely not the one we're used to today.

The theory goes that as Romans turned away from their pagan beliefs and embraced Christianity, the holiday evolved into one honoring St. Valentine. Lupercalia was eventually outlawed at the end of the 5th century, right around the time Pope Gelasius declared February 14 as St. Valentine's Day.

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Who was Saint Valentine?

The identity of St. Valentine is also up for debate. According to NPR, Emperor Claudius II of Rome executed two different men named Valentine on February 14 (in two different years) during the third century. One account of St. Valentine says that he was a priest who was arrested for defying a Roman decree that forbade soldiers from marrying. He was executed for the crime of continuing to wed lovers in secret.

Another story contends that it was all to do with an imprisoned priest who fell in love with one of his visitors and began writing letters to her. According to History.com, the priest supposedly sent the woman a letter before his execution that he signed off, "From your Valentine." Both of these stories have romantic undertones and cannot be officially verified. All we can say is that Valentine's Day was named for a martyred St. Valentine.

Witthaya Prasongsin - Getty Images

Why do we celebrate Valentine's Day today?

Valentine's Day ultimately transformed into a holiday about romantic love, possibly thanks to the Romantic English poet Geoffrey Chaucer. The Times notes that Jack B. Oruch, a late University of Kansas English professor, made strong arguments to credit Chaucer with our modern ideas about Valentine's Day. Through his research, Oruch asserted that there was no significant written record linking romantic tradition to St. Valentine's Day until Chaucer wrote his 14th-century works "The Parlement of Foules" and "The Complaint of Mars." The former of which is a poem about birds choosing their mates on "Seynt Valentynes day." William Shakespeare has also been credited with popularizing the holiday's romantic associations.

By the mid-18th century, it was commonplace for friends and lovers to exchange small tokens and notes on Valentine's Day. In 19th century, the industrial revolution helped make printed Valentine's Day cards the hot new thing, per NPR. Finally, in 1913, Hallmark Cards of Kansas City, Missouri, began mass-producing valentines, and the world hasn't been the same since.

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Who is Cupid?

When we think of Valentine's Day, visions of pink hearts, red roses, and one arrow-firing, diaper-clad chubby cherub instantly come to mind. But who is Cupid and how did he become the matchmaker mascot of February 14? Well, his roots are actually in mythology!

In Greek mythology, Cupid is the Greek god of love named Eros. As for his origins, just like with many gods, those accounts vary. In some early stories, Eros is believed to be the son of Chaos or Nyx. Later versions of the mythology claim he is the son of Aphrodite, goddess of love and beautyby either Hermes, Ares, or Zeus. According to History.com, Eros was a handsome winged immortal who played with the emotions of gods and men by using golden arrows to ignite love and leaden arrows to incite aversion. Sound familiar?

Later, as the Romans reinterpreted Greek myths, Eros was renamed Cupid, which stems from the word for desire. He was known to them as the child of Venus and Mars, the goddess of love and the god of war. By the Hellenistic period, Roman art increasingly portrayed Cupid as a playful and mischievous puttochild-angels who are nude, usually winged, and representative of pure love. That sounds more like the Cupid we know!



Due to this association with love, those 19th-century Victorians began depicting the cherubic version of Cupid on Valentines Day cards in a trend that we still see today!

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There is such a thing as a passport power ranking. And, spoiler alert, a U.S. passport isnt at the top.

Citizens in six countries are now considered to have the worlds most powerful passports: Japan, Singapore, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, according to the 2024 Henley Passport Index.

This is the first time in the 19 years of the indexs existence that six countries share the top spot, meaning its owners can travel visa-free to the most global destinations  their citizens can visit 194 out of 227 destinations without the need for a visa.

With access to 193 destinations, South Korea, Sweden and Finland are closely behind. Austria, Denmark, Ireland and the Netherlands tied for the third spot with visa-free travel to 192 destinations.

U.S. citizens have the 7th most powerful passport, being able to visit 188 destinations without a visa. In 2014, the U.S, held the top spot with the United Kingdom.

You need a visa for these 80+ countries (including some the government wants you to avoid)

Time to renew your passport? Passport wait times drop to shortest since March 2020

For those who arent citizens of these countries, the good news is that over the past two decades, the general trend of the index has been greater travel freedom.

The average number of destinations travelers are able to access visa-free has nearly doubled from 58 in 2006 to 111 in 2024, Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners and the inventor of the passport index concept, said in a press release.

The 2024 Henley Passport Index includes 199 passports and 227 travel destinations, and bases its ranking on exclusive and official data from the International Air Transport Association.

The fastest climber on the index is the United Arab Emirates, having added 106 destinations to its visa-free score over the past decade. It went from 55th place in 2014 to 11th this year.

However, the global mobility gap between the most and least powerful countries has never been wider. The top-ranked countries are able to travel to 166 more destinations than the bottom-ranked country, Afghanistan, whose citizens can only go to 28 countries visa-free. Above Afghanistan are Syria and Iraq, offering visa-free travel to 29 and 31 destinations, respectively.

The most powerful passports in the world, according to the 2024 Henley Passport Index:

France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Spain (access to 194 destinations) Finland, South Korea, Sweden (access to 193 destinations) Austria, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands (access to 192 destinations) Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, United Kingdom (access to 191 destinations) Greece, Malta, Switzerland (access to 190 destinations) Australia, the Czech Republic, New Zealand, Poland (access to 189 destinations) United States, Canada, Hungary, (access to 188 destinations) Estonia, Lithuania (access to 187 destinations) Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia (access to 186 destinations) Iceland (access to 185 destinations)

Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at kwong@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: These 6 countries have the most powerful passports in the world
President Joe Biden announced Friday that federal student debt will be wiped out for certain borrowers who took out relatively small loans and have been in repayment for the past decade.

Borrowers who received less than $12,000 in federal loans and have been paying off their balances for at least 10 years "will get their remaining student debt cancelled immediately" in February, Biden said in a statement.

He said that the move comes "nearly six months ahead of schedule" and that it applies to borrowers enrolled in the new income-driven repayment plan known as SAVE, which administration officials touted in recent months as a way to help lower their monthly payments.

While 30 million people are eligible for the SAVE plan, Biden said Friday that 6.9 million are currently enrolled. It was not immediately clear how many borrowers would be affected by the cancellation effort.

"This action will particularly help community college borrowers, low-income borrowers, and those struggling to repay their loans," Biden said in his statement.

Many borrowers began repaying federal student loans in October after a pause of more than three years.

The Supreme Court last year rejected Bidens pandemic-era debt relief plan, which aimed to erase up to $20,000 in student debt for about 43 million borrowers.

In his statement, Biden highlighted efforts by the administration to "pursue an alternative path" that he said had already canceled student debt for 3.6 million people.

Friday's announcement follows similar actions in recent months to reduce student loan debt.

Shortly after loan repayments restarted in October, Biden approved $9 billion in student loan debt forgiveness for 125,000 people, including 53,000 beneficiaries of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

Later that month, the Education Department released a proposal that it said would target providing debt relief to four categories of borrowers, including those whose outstanding federal student loan balances exceed the amounts they initially borrowed.
Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.) on Thursday accused Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas of prioritizing Mexican interests above the United States after he declined an invitation to appear before the House Homeland Security Committee.

Green, who chairs that panel, vented his frustrations against Mayorkas in a statement on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Its certainly telling that one of the primary excuses Secretary Mayorkas gave us for declining to appear next week is that he must host a delegation of Mexican officials, he wrote.

Yet again, this Secretary is putting the interests of Mexico ahead of the American people. Apparently, he needs to be reminded that Congress is a co-equal branch of government, and our Committee, not Mexico, has oversight over his department.

The latest friction is part of an ongoing back-and-forth that includes consideration of articles of impeachment against Mayorkas by Greens committee.

Articles of impeachment introduced by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) in November failed a House vote and were remitted to the Homeland Security panel.

The committee on Wednesday held the first hearing of the impeachment process, titled Havoc in the Heartland: How Secretary Mayorkas Failed Leadership Has Impacted the States.

According to Greens office, Mayorkas received letters once in August and twice in September, inviting him to testify before the committee.

It is deeply troubling that Secretary Mayorkas has refused the Committees multiple requests to appear before a co-equal branch of government, said Green in a statement.

For months, we have tried to work with his office to secure his testimony before the Committee so the American people can receive some much-needed transparency about the causes, costs, and consequences of the unprecedented border crisis. We have given him every opportunity to explain his handling of the crisis.

In a letter to Green on Thursday, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs Zephranie Buetow proposed a different schedule, citing a second round of migration talks with Mexican officials in Washington next week.

In keeping with the secretarys commitment to cooperate with Congressional Committees, he will make himself available to testify before the Committee, wrote Buetow.

Consistent with the customary accommodations process, we look forward to working through the details with Committee staff and agreeing upon the date and structure of the hearing. As you can appreciate, the Secretarys schedule is quite committed with the work of the Department including hosting Mexican Cabinet Members next week to discuss border enforcement.

Mayorkas, along with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Homeland Security adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall, last month visited Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in Mexico City for a first round of bilateral migration negotiations.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Suleiman Al-Khalidi

AMMAN (Reuters) -Jordan said on Friday Israeli "war crimes" against Palestinians were to blame for heightened regional tension and violence in the Red Sea which it said threatened to ignite a wider war in the Middle East.

Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi also voiced support for South Africa's "genocide" case against Israel at the U.N.'s top court over the war against Hamas in Gaza, and said Amman was ready to submit legal documents and appear in court if the case proceeds.

Israel has denied allegations that it has committed war crimes, and rejected as "grossly distorted" the accusations brought by South Africa that the military operation in Gaza is a state-led genocide campaign against the Palestinian population.

In comments after the U.S. and Britain launched strikes on Houthi military targets in Yemen in response to the movement's attacks on ships in the Red Sea, Safadi said the international community had failed to act to stop Israeli "aggression" against Palestinians which was endangering regional security.

"The Israeli aggression on Gaza and its continued committing of war crimes against the Palestinian people and violating international law with impunity are responsible for the rising tensions witnessed in the region," Safadi said in remarks carried by state media.

The stability of the region and its security were closely tied, Safadi said.

"The international community is at a humanitarian, moral, legal and security crossroads," he said.

"Either it shoulders its responsibilities and ends Israel's arrogant aggression and protect civilians, or allows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his extremist ministers to drag us to a regional war that threatens world peace."

Safadi said Israel was pushing the region towards more conflict "by continuing its aggression and its attempt to open new fronts," and that Israeli military actions against civilians in Gaza met the legal definition of genocide.

"Jordan supports South Africa in its case against Israel," he said. "We will submit legal documentation and appear at the court when or if the case is accepted."

(Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi; editing by Mark Heinrich and Timothy Heritage)
Family members, press freedom groups and Palestinian journalists have angrily rejected the Israeli militarys allegation that two reporters killed in an Israeli strike last weekend were terrorists.

The deaths of Al Jazeera journalist Hamza Dahdouh and freelance reporter Mustafa Thuraya caused a firestorm among press advocates overseas and Palestinians in Gaza. Hamza was the son of prominent Al Jazeera correspondent Wael Dahdouh, raising the killings profile.

Facing global outcry, the Israel Defense Forces said this week that the two reporters were members of militant groups. The IDF released what it said was a document listing Dahdouh as an operative of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and said it had further evidence showing that Thuraya was a Hamas commander.

NBC News has not verified the accusation or the document released by the IDF, which did not respond to a request for further information and evidence.

In a statement to NBC News, the Al Jazeera Media Network said it strongly condemns and wholly rejects  and indeed expresses its very considerable surprise at  the Israeli armys false and misleading attempts to justify the killing of our colleague Hamza Wael Al-Dahdouh and other journalists, the statement said.

The statement added that Israel has a well-known history of making false allegations and of fabricating evidence and called for the international community to hold the IDF accountable.

Image: (Hatem Ali / AP)

Israel has been criticized for the killings of journalists during and before the Israel-Hamas war, including Shireen Abu Akleh, a correspondent for Al Jazeera. Israel initially said she was killed on May 11, 2022 by errant Palestinian fire, though independent investigations, including by the U.N., concluded that she was killed by the Israeli security forces. The IDF later said she was likely killed by an Israeli soldier.

Before the war, The Committee to Protect Journalists, an American nonprofit that monitors press freedom, documented at least 20 cases of the IDF killing journalists, for which no one was held accountable.

CPJ told NBC News that the IDF has been inconsistent in its narrative of the journalists killings on Sunday.

In this particular case, within four days, the IDF provided three different stories about the killing of the journalists, highlighting the inconsistency and contradictions in these narratives, Gypsy Guillen Kaiser, CPJ's advocacy and communications director, wrote in an email to NBC News.

The committee also called for a swift and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the journalists deaths. So far, the IDF has produced very little information about its investigation, they added.

In a statement to the BBC on Thursday, Hamzas family responded to the claim. It is clear that these are Israeli fabrications in an attempt to defend themselves and justify the targeting of Hamza and the journalists and divert the issue from its track to make it appear that it is not targeting journalists.

Israel is under international pressure and from the American administration. Israel wants to divert attention and create pretexts, the statement added.

Dahdouh and Thuraya were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Sunday as they were driving near Rafah in southern Gaza. Al Jazeera said they were traveling home after filming the aftermath of an airstrike, and denounced what it labeled a deliberate attack on Dahdouh and Thurayas vehicle.

Initially, the IDF said that it had targeted a terrorist in the vehicle.

An IDF aircraft identified and struck a terrorist who operated an aircraft that posed a threat to IDF troops, the IDF said in a statement. We are aware of the reports that during the strike, two other suspects who were in the same vehicle as the terrorist were also hit.

Asked by NBC News on Monday if the IDF had evidence to support its allegation that an individual in the vehicle was a terrorist, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said the incident was unfortunate and an investigation was still ongoing.

Every journalist that dies, its unfortunate, he said.

We understand they were putting a drone, using a drone. And using a drone in a war zone, its a problem. It looks like the terrorists, Hagari said, adding that Hamas uses drones to collect intelligence on Israeli forces. So we will investigate this incident and we will provide the data, Hagari said.

In an earlier statement, the IDF said the men were operating a drone near Israeli soldiers, which prompted the strike.

NBC News has reached out to the IDF for comment on how they avoid mistakenly killing journalists who are using drones as part of their jobs, and have not heard back.

Al Jazeera managing editor Mohamed Moawad told NBC News on Monday that Thuraya was not flying a drone as the pair were driving.

Both Al Jazeera and the Palestinian Journalist Syndicate, a nongovernmental union accredited with the International Federation of Journalists, said that Thuraya was a well-known freelance drone operator in the community, whose work featured in foreign outlets such as Agence France-Presse.

After the attack, AFPs global news director Phil Chetwynd said the agency was shocked by Thurayas death and its thoughts were with his family. We vigorously condemn all attacks against journalists doing their jobs and it is essential we have a clear explanation as to what happened, Chetwynd added.

After outrage and calls for independent investigations over the journalists death grew, the IDF then said in a statement on Wednesday that soldiers found documents identifying Thuraya as a Hamas squad commander and Dahdouh as a member of the Islamic Jihads electric engineering unit, as well as a deputy commander in a rocket unit.

Along with its statement, the IDF released a document with a logo of al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad, that it says is dated June 2022 and included Dahdouhs name on a list under the title electronic engineering, according to an NBC News Arabic translation. The document requested that the names be approved with financial compensation but no additional information was provided.

Anan Quzmar, a Palestinian journalist based in the occupied West Bank who works for the Palestinian Journalist Syndicate, called the allegations and release of the Arabic document a total fabrication.

Quzmar said his organization consulted independent experts on militant groups and independent Arabic language translators to examine the veracity of the Arabic document and found several red flags, including language, phrasing and wording [that] are absurd and uncommon. NBC News has not independently reviewed this evidence.

I think its reflective of Israels policy of targeting Palestinian journalists. These targetings have been covered but only in prominent cases has IDF engaged with the media. This is one of very few times that we have specific allegations pointed at somebody, he said in a telephone interview from Tulkarem, a city in the West Bank.

In a statement posted on X, the syndicate said that following intense media attention to his killing in a surgical strike, the Israeli military issued a statement with fabricated evidence in order to justify the systematic killing of journalists in Gaza.

So far 72 Palestinian journalists have been killed since the war began, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
In the gilded palace where the International Court of Justice sits in The Hague, Israel has been defending itself from accusations of genocide against Palestinians as it continues to wage war in the rubble of Gaza.

The historic case could see the United Nations top court order Israel to halt the fighting. Israel  which often boycotts international tribunals and U.N. investigations saying they are unfair  has pushed back on this case by sending a high-level legal team to the two-day hearing, which began Thursday in the Dutch city.

South Africa brought the case calling for the court to order an immediate halt to the countrys military operations in the Gaza Strip, which were launched after Hamas attacks on Oct. 7  100 days ago Sunday.

Israeli officials say around 1,200 people died that day and around 240 were taken hostage, although more than 100 have since been released as part of an exchange for Palestinian prisoners. More than 23,000 people have been killed in Gaza, 70% of them women and children, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

Although it maintains a strong trade relationship with Israel, South Africa has been a fierce critic of the military campaign in Gaza. Many, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, have compared Israels policies toward Palestinians in both Gaza and the occupied West Bank to South Africas previous apartheid regime of racial segregation. Israel has rejected such allegations.

South Africa does not have to prove Israel has breached the Genocide Convention of 1948 at this stage. It only has to show that this branch of international law is applicable. The full case could take years and it is unclear if Israel would abide by any of the courts orders.

The United Nations' top court opened hearings Thursday into South Africa's allegation that Israel's war with Hamas amounts to genocide against Palestinians, a claim that Israel strongly denies. (Patrick Post / AP)

After Israel wrapped its defense Friday, the courts 17 judges pledged to return their verdict as soon as possible, the ICJs president Judge Joan E. Donoghue said in her closing remarks.

Whatever decision comes down, the results will be highly contested  and quite possibly rejected by one or even both parties, David J. Simon, director of the genocide studies program at Yale University, said in an email after both countries had wrapped up their arguments

Heres how the case unfolded.

South Africas case

On Thursday, lawyers for South Africa spent some three hours arguing that Israel has breeched the Genocide Convention  the first human rights treaty adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in 1948. It was in large part a response to the Holocaust, which saw Nazi Germany systematically kill more than 6 million people, mostly Jewish, and ultimately led to the formation Israel.

It also indicates the international communitys commitment to prevent genocide from happening again.

The ICJ can bring the case because both countries are signatories to the treaty.

The South African argument rests not only on the allegation that Israel has killed thousands of Palestinians, made their homes unlivable and denied them aid, but also that comments by figures such as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have shown genocidal intent.

This killing is nothing short of destruction of Palestinian life. It is inflicted deliberately. No one is spared  not even newborn babies, Adila Hassim, a lawyer on the South African team, told the court. Genocides are never declared in advance, but this court has the benefit of the last 13 weeks of evidence that shows incontrovertibly a pattern of conduct and related intention that justifies a plausible claim of genocidal acts.

Her colleague Tembeka Ngcukaitobi also pointed to statements by Israeli officials and lawmakers, who he said had called for Gaza to be wiped out, flatted, erased and crushed.

They have deplored anyone feeling sorry for the uninvolved Gazans, Ngcukaitobi said. He added that the Israelis had acted as though the children of Gaza have brought this upon themselves, and that there should be one sentence for everyone there: death.

Israel said that it was not seeking to destroy the Palestinian people, as it hit back at what it called a

The legal team also said Hamas Oct. 7 attacks  which they unequivocally condemned as a violation of international law  were no rationale for a retaliation that itself was a breach.

The ICJ has never found a country guilty of genocide before, although it came close in 2007, when it ruled that Serbia violated the obligation to prevent genocide in the July 1995 massacre by Bosnian Serb forces of more than 8,000 Muslim men and boys in the Bosnian enclave of Srebrenica.

Proving it under the convention is also notoriously difficult because it has to be shown that a state intended to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.

Ultimately, Simon at Yale said he thought South Africas case would come down to whether the panel of judges will recognize the possibility of genocidal intent. But he added that the court could conclude that a lot was happening in Gaza, but none of it is necessarily likely to be related to genocide.

Israels response

In the past, Israel has criticized the U.N. and other international organizations as biased. But this time it has thrown itself into a full-bodied legal defense  principally because it thinks it can win, according to Israeli officials.

Israel has said it has done everything it can to protect civilians, whereas Hamas has deliberately put Palestinians in harms way. It has also accused South Africa of giving a one-sided portrayal of the war, focusing entirely on Israels actions while minimizing those by Hamas.

And Israel's lawyers have argued that South Africa has cherry-picked comments by Israeli officials in an attempt to show genocidal intent, ignoring clarifications by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government that such comments do not represent official policy.

Urban warfare will always result in tragic deaths, harm and damage, Israeli lawyer Galit Raguan said. But in Gaza, these undesired outcomes are exacerbated because they are the desired outcome of Hamas.

South Africas call for the ICJ to order a cease-fire was frankly astonishing, according to Christopher Stake, another of the lawyers for Israel.

This would see one side, Israel, halting its military campaign, leaving the other party free to continue attacks, which it has a stated intention to do, he said, referring to Hamas stated intention to continue assaulting Israel, a country it wants to wipe off the map.

What happens next?

The court gave no date for its decision on whether or not to order a cease-fire, only saying that it would come as soon as possible.

The court will have to grapple with all of these claims and on a tight deadline, since decisions on provisional measures are usually given fast, said Eliav Lieblich, an international law professor at Tel Aviv University.

The International Court of Justice Public Hearing On South Africa's Gaza Genocide Case Against Israel (Michel Porro / Getty Images)

If it does tell Israel to stop bombing and fighting, Israel could easily ignore this directive as the ICJ has few if any direct ways of enforcing its decisions. Russia has previously dismissed an order to pause its war in Ukraine, and the Trump administration rejected the ICJs 2018 ruling that sanctions against Iran must not impact humanitarian aid.

However, Israel flouting a ruling related to the Genocide Convention would be seen as a grave step in the international court of public opinion.

It could also incur U.N. sanctions, although the U.S., a permanent member of the Security Council, could veto these.

If the ICJ allows the full case to go ahead, it will be a complex argument that will likely take years.
By Clauda Tanios

DUBAI (Reuters) -Tens of thousands of Yemenis gathered in several cities on Friday to hear their leaders condemn U.S. and British strikes on their country in response to attacks by Houthi militants on Red Sea shipping.

The U.S. and Britain carried out dozens of air strikes on Houthi military targets overnight, widening a wave of regional conflict unleashed by Israel's war in Gaza.

"Your strikes on Yemen are terrorism," said Mohammed Ali Al-Houthi, a member of the Houthi Supreme Political Council, referring to the United States. "The United States is the Devil."

After Gaza's Hamas rulers attacked Israel on Oct. 7, triggering Israel's assault on Gaza, the Iran-aligned Houthis began attacking shipping lanes and firing drones and missiles towards Israel, saying they would not stop until Israel's offensive stopped.

The Houthis, who rule much of Yemen, said they would target all ships heading to Israel, more than 1,000 miles away, and warned international shipping companies against using Israeli ports.

The Houthis are one of several groups in the Iran-aligned "Axis of Resistance" that have been taking aim at Israeli and U.S. targets since their Palestinian ally Hamas killed more than 1,200 people in Israel on Oct. 7. The groups hold the U.S., Israel's closest ally, partly responsible for the crisis and the scope of Israel's massive response.

"We did not attack the shores of America, nor did we move in the American islands, nor did we attack them. Your strikes on our country are terrorism," said Al-Houthi.

"They are terrorists and they are amazing at lying to the people of the world, but the awareness of the Yemeni people is a different awareness. Do you, Yemeni, think that America is defending itself or is it a terrorist?"

The Iraqi militia group Harakat al-Nujaba, also aligned with Iran, said that American interests and countries allied to the U.S. would not be safe from now on. In Sanaa, protesters stamped on Israeli and American flags.

U.S. and allied forces have been attacked at least 130 times in Iraq and Syria Since Oct. 17, according to Washington.

The United States has no plans to deploy more forces to the region, Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder said.

(Additional reporting by Doina Chiacu and Ahmed Rasheed; Writing by Michael Georgy; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
From the Dispatch Politics on The Dispatch

Happy Friday! Good morning from Des Moines, where were writing to you from under a thick blanket of fresh snow. With temperatures in the teens today (and dropping), likely blizzard conditions thanks to winds expected to hit 45 miles an hour, the Iowa Department of Transportation urging people in areas east of Des Moines not to travel, and major interstates already closing due to accidents, its unclear what the weekend of last-minute campaigning is going to look likebut well be here to keep you posted!

Up to Speed

With the Iowa caucuses just three days away, every remaining presidential candidate will be hitting the trail here this weekend, although how much those plans will be upended by a forecast of bitterly cold weather remains unknown. Nikki Haley opted to convert all her Friday events to tele-town halls; Ron DeSantis snuck in a quick early-morning event with Gov. Kim Reynolds before winds picked up too much, but has postponed a number of stops planned for later today. Vivek Ramaswamy, who has made braving dangerous weather to get to his events part of his campaign brand, said on social media he was moving forward with four events across the state. Donald Trump, who was in New York yesterday for the conclusion of his civil fraud trial, is scheduled to return to Iowa on Saturday.

Ron DeSantis on Thursday rallied supporters at a Jethros BBQ in Ames, Iowa, a college town north of the state capital, as he hustled to surpass increasingly diminishing expectations for his prospects in the caucuses. Watching DeSantis deliver his stump speech and take questions from raised hands in the crowd of a couple hundred, it was clear the past eight months have transformed the notoriously stiff and prickly politician into a more comfortable, fluid campaigner.

But is it too little, too late? The governors top supporters insist not, optimism they credit at least partly to an extensive voter turnout operation unrivaled by that of either Trump or Haley. I believe on Monday night, this guyRon DeSantiswill shock the media, shock the nation, shock the world, win the Iowa caucuses, Bob Vander Plaats said as he introduced the governor to the standing-room-only gathering in Ames. Vander Plaats, a top evangelical activist in the Hawkeye State who is backing DeSantis, has never endorsed a caucus loser.

Fresh New Hampshire polling shows Nikki Haleys momentum possibly stalled in the Granite State, although she remains within striking distance of Donald Trump. In the new survey from St. Anselm College Survey Center at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics, Trump led Haley 45 percent to 31 percent, with a margin of error plus or minus 2.8 percentage pointsvirtually identical to the results from the same polling outfit last month. This new survey was conducted Monday and Tuesday, prior to Chris Christie exiting the presidential race. He garnered 9 percent in this poll, which, even if all of his support moved to Haley, would not be enough for her to surpass Trump. The New Hampshire primary is January 23.

Sen. Rand Paul revealed in a video posted on X, formerly Twitter  that he is not yet ready to endorse in the GOP presidential primary. But the Kentucky Republican said he has reached one conclusion about the race. Im not yet ready to make a decision, but I am ready to make a decision on someone I cannot support. So Im announcing this morning that Im Never Nikki, he said. I dont think any informed or knowledgeable libertarian or conservative should support Nikki Haley. Paul, who urged voters to visit NeverNikki.net suggested he was mulling endorsements of Trump, DeSantis, and Ramaswamy, while mentioning he had met with independent presidential contender Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Haley Eyes Upset Elimination of DeSantis in Iowa, Targets Trump

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley greets supporters following a campaign event on January 11, 2024 in Ankeny, Iowa. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

ANKENY, IowaNikki Haley wont say it out loud but the Republican contender now appears convinced second place in Mondays presidential nominating caucuses is within reachand her campaign, exuding confidence while managing expectations, is aiming to eliminate Ron DeSantis from contention here to create a clear shot at frontrunner Donald Trump in New Hampshire.

So, get excited. Four days until caucus, Haley told a midday crowd of more than 400 supporters and late-deciding voters who filled up a shiny new conference center in this bedroom community just north of Des Moines. I trust you; I trust that you did your homework. I trust that you know where you want the country to go.

Three days before the first votes of the 2024 Republican primary, the former South Carolina governor has pulled ahead of DeSantis in the RealClearPolitics Iowa polling average, leading the Florida governor 17 percent to 15 percentand she is going for the jugular.

SFA Inc., Haleys supportive super PAC, was on track to spend more money in advertising down the stretch in Iowa than any similar group or campaign. The lions share of that investment is dedicated to attacking DeSantis.

Indeed, SFA Inc. overall has clocked more than $21 million in ads blitzing DeSantis, trailing expenditures against the Florida governor from Trumps supportive super PAC, Make America Great Again Inc., by just $2 million, according to Rob Pyers, a researcher with the California Target Book who tracks political spending. (Super PACs are prohibited by federal law from coordinating with campaigns, but they can certainly take their cues from them.)

In one television ad SFA Inc. is running in Iowa, the group calls DeSantis phony  failing  too weak to win. In a new spot put into the rotation Friday, SFA Inc. mocks DeSantis previous adulation of Trump, declaring: America needs strength, not a suck up. But its Haleys latest broadside against DeSantis, one that she has been delivering personally, that reveals her campaigns view of where this race stands with just days to go.

How could you blow through $150 million in your campaign and you [went] down in the polls? Haley asked incredulously during this weeks head-to-head CNN debate with DeSantis. Youre invisible in New Hampshire; youre invisible in South Carolina; youre in fifth place; youve [spent] $150 million and youve gone down in the polls in Iowa. (DeSantis is running fourth in the RealClearPolitics average of New Hampshire polling.)

The fact that hes only running in one state is not the way you win, Haley added.

The former ambassadors lengthy critique of DeSantis beleaguered campaign was framed as though it was intended to raise concerns about his ability to manage federal finances. But quietly, Republican operatives working to elect Haley explained to us that the real goal was to cast doubt about DeSantis ability to win the Republican nomination in a bid to depress his overall support and peel away any of his voters who prioritize blocking Trump.

If Haleys strategy works, its unclear if DeSantis would respond to a third place finish in Iowa by exiting the 2024 contest.

But her top supporters are laying a foundation for that eventualityif not in fact than by treating the race in New Hampshire as effectively boiled down to Trump versus Haley, regardless of whether DeSantis (and wealthy biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy) are still hanging around. Indeed, whereas in Iowa SFA Inc. is focused on the Florida governor, the television ad the group is currently airing in New Hampshire is a direct attack on the former president, and only the former president.

Trump cant stop lying about Nikki Haley, one temper tantrum after another. His entire campaign is based on revenge, the spots voiceover says. This is a two-person race.

Team Haleys approach might just yield results. But first she has to neutralize DeSantis in the Hawkeye State, and it was evident to us from conversations we had with likely caucusgoers in Ankeny that she still has some work to do. This growing community of more than 70,000 is a suburban stronghold where Haley must run up the score if she is to finish ahead of DeSantis on Monday.

Im leaning more toward DeSantis right now, said Judy Seuferer, a Republican voter. Its DeSantis or Nikki.

Its either between Nikki or DeSantis, added Kelly Polich, a retired educator. Polich is trying to figure out if Haley is conservative enough for her on the issues of abortion and public education. Im worried about the pro-life issues, for sure, with her. I dont know for sure if shes that dedicated to pro-life, you know, if she would really protect the unborn.

Polichs husband, David Polich, is impressed with Haleys hawkish foreign policy, lately out of fashion with a significant portion of the GOP base. If he caucuses for the former U.N. ambassador, that issue will probably have closed the deal for him. But David Polich, too, has concerns about the depth of Haleys conservatism on core concerns, such as public education.

I think DeSantis has a little better [position] on the schools, in my opinion, he said.

Iowa Ethanol Keeps Strong Hold on GOP CandidatesFor Now

ALTOONA, IowaLet no one accuse Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley of shirking the coalition-building work the idiosyncratic Iowa caucuses have historically demanded.

After all, here they both were Thursday at the Prairie Meadows casino in this suburb just east of Des Moines, come to attend the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summitthe annual policy conference of the corn-into-fuel ethanol industry.

In her conference keynote speech, Emily Skor, the CEO of ethanol trade association Growth Energy, commended the candidates in attendance for their detailed, nuanced agendas for expanding the bio-economy.

Where those details and that nuance came from wasnt exactly a secret. In introducing DeSantis, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, who has endorsed the Florida governor, applauded him as the first candidate to check all boxes for the political-pressure group backed by Iowa Renewable Fuels, Biofuels Vision 2024. (The group dispatches legions of ethanol enthusiasts to candidate campaign events across Iowa to get candidates on the record on where they stand on a number of industry priorities; both Haley and DeSantis received full marks.)

Weve been able to go talk with a lot of people [about] what could be helpful to be able to take the industry to the next level, DeSantis said when he took the stage. And I have checked all the boxes that they were looking for.

Ethanol production across the Midwest has boomed since President George W. Bush signed a pair of laws requiring a certain amount of the fuel to be blended into the nations gasoline supplyand Iowa, with the outsize policy influence of its first-in-the-nation presidential caucus, has become the industrys political enforcer.

But the industry sees storm clouds on the political horizon. Democrats abandonment this cycle of Iowa caucuses have reduced corn growers grip on the primary process from full nelson to half nelson. Industry insiders spoke in dark tones from the stage about President Joe Bidens strategic path for renewable fuel developmenta strategy predicated not on burning biofuels, but on electric vehicles.

There is no better time to educate policy-makers than in a presidential election year, Skor said. Granted, this campaign season is like no other: Democrats are shuffling their primaries and Iowa is seeing fewer opportunities for the kind of retail politics that voters expect. But were not letting any of that get in our way. We are working to cultivate allies and maximize the number of officeholders who make firm commitments to Bioethanol.

And Im confident they will continue supporting the bio-economy, Skor added of Haley and DeSantis, regardless of whether they capture their partys nomination.

This is ethanols other current political headache: Republican frontrunner Donald Trump. Trump backs ethanol, but he hasnt spelled out chapter-and-verse support for the industrys priorities. With his mammoth lead, he hasnt had to; with his rallies-over-town-halls campaigning style, they havent had as much of a chance to try and make him.

At the end of the day, its up to him and his campaign staff who he talks to. So if were not gonna get the opportunity to ask those questions at those town halls, then this is the best we can say: He has talked strongly about growing biofuels and he likes to talk about his ethanol record, Biofuels Vision 2024s Wilson Hedderich told The Dispatch, adding that Trumps first-term ethanol record had been a mixed bag. I wouldnt say hes not a friend to ethanol, but he has not given our organization an opportunity to ask those questions.

Its a striking image of whats become the central dynamic of this caucus season, which has really featured two completely different campaigns. On the one hand, youve had the bulk of the candidates running the traditional Iowa playbook: Hustling to dozens of events, meeting with and taking individual questions from countless voters, doing debates, snuggling up to key state interest groups, and generally courting the discrete universe of highly-engaged Iowans who see themselves as key players in the candidate-winnowing process. On the other hand, youve had Trump, whos campaigned like Trump: not really bothering with all that and relying instead on his direct parasocial connection with his base to carry him forward.

Which strategy will carry the day? In just a couple days, well find out.

Notable and Quotable

Well, he is a good guy. Hes just not Trump. What else can I say?Urbandale voter and Trump supporter Hud Lainson telling The Dispatch his thoughts on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, January 11, 2024

Read more at The Dispatch

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Jordan Parker is a breaking news reporter for The San Francisco Chronicle. He graduated from Sacramento State University in May 2022 with a degree in journalism. During his time there, he spent three years as a reporter and editor for the university's award-winning student newspaper, The State Hornet. He spent his senior year of college serving as The Hornet's first Black editor in chief, leading the organization to two Pacemaker awards and several other national honors from the Associated Collegiate Press. When he's not chasing down a story, he likes watching movies, traveling and trying new restaurants.

He can be reached at Jordan.Parker@sfchronicle.com.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared he will win Iowa. Former President Donald Trump says hell capture the state, with his advisers promising a victory by at least 12 points. And Vivek Ramaswamys team has said he'll come in third.

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley hasnt been as easy to pin down.

Just four days before the caucuses, Haley on Thursday remained vague about just where she expects shell finish Monday or what she needs to do to have momentum going into New Hampshire.

What I want is I want to be strong in Iowa, strong in New Hampshire, strong in South Carolina. We dont know what strong looks like until we see the results, right? Haley told NBC News. But I think its important that if we show that were strong in Iowa, that gives us momentum going into New Hampshire. Thats what Im focused on for Monday.

Its the kind of answer Haley and her team have been giving when it comes to anticipating her performance in the first caucus state. In doing so, they have tried to insulate Haley from an expectations game that has the potential to drive momentum out of Iowa.

But it also allows her more room to falter in Iowa and still keep an aura of momentum moving into New Hampshire, where her polling is strong, some Republicans say. Haley has increasingly made her argument one of electability  that she is the inevitable candidate to take on Trump one on one  and some observers say that was bolstered by Chris Christies departure from the race Wednesday. Also helping Haley's argument is that, as the former governor of South Carolina, she is known to voters in the important early primary state.

Unfortunately, Gov. DeSantis let expectations get a little bit out of control when he said he was going to win Iowa about a month ago. Thats not going to happen. His best bet is second place, and that is in question, said Jimmy Centers, an Iowa-based Republican strategist. This is an expectations game. Whats really nice, if you're Team Haley, is that they dont need a second-place finish. They just need third  and that seems fairly guaranteed at this point.

If polling is any guide, DeSantis is narrowly leading Haley in Iowa  but within the margin of error  with both of them trailing Trump, who broke 50% support in the NBC News/Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll taken last month. That survey had Trump at 51%, DeSantis at 19%, Haley at 16% and Ramaswamy at 5%. If that holds, it would ensure she and DeSantis take up the second- and third-place slots.

In Iowa, Haley had a lackluster ground operation until the conservative group Americans for Prosperity backed her in late November, and this weekend, it plans to have 150 people out knocking on doors for her  to the extent that Iowa's expected brutal winter storms permit.

That organization, however, came well after the DeSantis-aligned Never Back Down super PAC had sunk more than $100 million into whats promised to be a massive ground organization.

Last month on NBC News Meet the Press, DeSantis declared: Were going to win the caucus.

Trump has promised to win by a wide margin, with a senior adviser on his team last month predicting a margin of at least 12 percentage points. That only led DeSantis to question the estimate and accuse the Trump team of trying to lower expectations for Trump in Iowa.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa  I thought he was winning by 50. That's what he always Truths out," DeSantis said at the time. "Are they lowering expectations? I mean, give me a break."

Steven Everly, the Marion County GOP chair, who hasnt endorsed in the race, said: Your best bet is to not have any expectations at all. All you got to do is say, I believe were going to do well; were going to keep talking to everybody. When you start saying youre going to win by X amount of points and then you turn around and you dont meet those expectations, you make yourself look like a fool.

Preya Samsundar, the spokeswoman for the Haley-aligned Stand for America PAC, said it has never been the Haley strategy to align strongly with any one early state; instead, the strategy is to try to force an eventual showdown between Haley and Trump.

Its not nearly as relevant for her as it is for Ron, she said of Haley in Iowa. Its do or die for Ron. Nikki has a path forward wherever she goes. Nikki is playing in multiple spaces; she didnt put all her eggs in one basket. Shes worked all the early states.

Stand for America itself is looking forward. On Thursday, it launched a new ad titled tantrum attacking Trump. It ran in New Hampshire.

The DeSantis strategist countered that Haley could struggle in New Hampshire if she ends up third in Iowa. The person said Haley's recent remark that New Hampshire is poised to "correct" Iowa's result most likely rubbed potential caucusgoers the wrong way.

But it isnt just Haley world thats looking beyond Iowa to New Hampshire.

MAGA world is bracing for Haleys performance there, along with the flood of donor cash already flowing in her direction.

Her sharp political acumen is not to be minimized, said Steve Bannon, Trumps ousted chief strategist in the White House and the architect of his winning 2016 campaign.

This is not Ron DeSantis, Bannon said of the governor, who has struggled in the primary campaign, and whose rise Trump claims credit for. This girl came out of the knife fight that is South Carolina Republican politics. Shes tough. She represents everything we detest, but it doesnt mean people should not take her seriously.

Joel Maiola, a longtime New Hampshire Republican operative who was former Sen. Judd Greggs chief of staff, said Christie dropped out of the race just in time to give Haley momentum in Iowa and New Hampshire.

Haleys campaign just got a turbocharge.  She has run a perfect New Hampshire campaign, and now she is set up perfectly for South Carolina and beyond, Maiola said. This will very much allow her to go full steam into New Hampshire and the other early states.

Bannon said MAGA world concerns about Haley go even beyond New Hampshire.

You saw the host committee that had all the donors taking place in New York City. The date is the 30th of January. Thats a week after New Hampshire, he said. That means she knows that even if she doesnt win New Hampshire, shes got the biggest checkbooks in the Republican Party, and some of the Democratic Party, that are openly hosting a massive fundraiser for her to let her reload for South Carolina and Super Tuesday. Shes in this for the long term.
Authorities arrested an Ohio woman and charged her with theft after she allegedly lied about her child having cancer to collect thousands of dollars in donations, according to the Noble County Sheriffs Office.

Detectives arrested Pamela Reed, 41, of Pleasant City, Ohio, Monday after the sheriffs office and Noble County Childrens Services received a report of a potential theft by deception in connection to a local child publicly portrayed to be fighting cancer, a Wednesday news release said.

Several local organizations had participated in fundraising efforts and had made monetary contributions to help the family offset medical expenses, the release said.

After detectives and children services officials confirmed the child did not have cancer, Reed was arrested and transported to Noble County Jail, according to court documents.

Pam was just charged with these allegations, Matthew Mollica, Reeds attorney, said in a statement. I have not received any evidence from the government yet. We are in the process of conducting our own investigation. I look forward to our hearing on Tuesday, so we can gather more information on why the government is making these allegations.

The elementary school the 7-year-old attended raised concerns after Reed provided documentation to the school saying the child was diagnosed with cancer, according to a redacted affidavit from a Noble County police detective filed Wednesday in Noble County Court.

Reed informed the school the child was blind in her right eye and would be having a port implanted in the near future for her cancer treatments, the affidavit said.

The school expressed concerns after they conducted an eye exam on the child, according to the affidavit. The school also stated the child missed over 280 hours of school for this year already, the affidavit said.

A school administrator contacted a medical provider and confirmed the child did not have cancer or leukemia, and she never had cancer or leukemia, according to the court document and the Noble County sheriff in a phone call to CNN.

The provider also confirmed that the document Reed submitted stating the child had cancer was fraudulent, the affidavit said.

Reed posted numerous statements on Facebook about the child having cancer, according to the affidavit. It added that fundraisers occurred and donations were collected to assist in the childs cancer treatments.

Reed posted about her daughters alleged condition as recent as January 6 on a Facebook profile that the Noble County Sheriffs Office told CNN they believe is connected to the case.

When they told us this was going to be the biggest fight so far, we thought we were prepared, but nothing prepares a parent to see any of this, Reed said on her Facebook profile. Tuesday starts another 10 weeks of an even harder treatment and so many other medicines .no child should have to fight this hard for anything, us as parents are the ones who handle all the hard stuff.

A fundraising event to benefit Reeds daughter was held on October 21, according to a Facebook page that Reed used to update supporters on her childs alleged condition and that the sheriffs office also believes is connected to the case. The post alleged all proceeds were going to be used to benefit her daughters acute myeloid leukemia journey. The post has since been removed as of Thursday morning.

The Facebook page and Reeds Facebook profile also contain several images since 2018 that show Reeds daughter in a hospital allegedly for cancer treatment.

One organization reported they gave the Reed family around $8,000 to help with the expenses of cancer treatments for the child, the affidavit said.

Reed was interviewed and admitted during questioning that she had exaggerated and fabricated medical conditions to receive monetary donations from local organizations, according to the sheriffs news release.

Pamela first lied but then admitted the child did not have cancer and she posted those statements because she liked the support given as a result, the affidavit said.

The affidavit also said Reed admitted she had shaved the childs hair, and it was never because of cancer treatment. A photo Reed posted to her Facebook profile in 2022 shows her daughter with a shaven head and face mask.

Reed was charged with theft, by deception, a felony of the fourth degree. Noble County Court Judge Jennifer Arnold set her bond at $50,000, the sheriffs office said.

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A woman clears snow off a sidewalk in Des Moines, Iowa. (Abbie Parr/AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Much of the United States is bracing for more extreme winter weather, with a bomb cyclone and polar vortex set to wallop the Midwest, severe thunderstorms forecast in the South and snow expected along the East Coast.

Jay Bonafede, communications director for the American Red Cross, spoke to Yahoo News about how people should prepare for extreme winter weather.

Items to have ready in your home

You want to be prepared in case you cant get out or dont want to go out, Bonafede said, I think the most important thing is to have that food, water and medicine available before the storm in case the stores close or its unsafe for you to travel.

Bonafede suggested stocking up on the following items.

Non-perishable food: In the event of a power outage, food can be kept safe in the refrigerator for consumption for up to four hours, while keeping the door closed as much as possible. Food in the freezer can last for 24 to 48 hours, depending on how full the freezer is, according to foodsafety.gov.

Drinking water: Set aside at least one gallon of drinking water per person in the household, per day.

Medications: Its good to have a one-month supply on hand, if possible.

Blankets and warm clothing: Have on hand enough blankets and layers of loose-fitting, warm clothing for everyone in the household. This includes mittens, hats and coats.

Charged cellphones and electronic devices: With the possibility of power outages, you should have cellphones and other electronic devices charged, including battery-powered lanterns and flashlights.

Power and heat loss

If you lose power, you lose your ability to heat the house and that cold air is coming in. You need to stay warm, and you need to stay warm safely, Bonafede told Yahoo News. Here are some things the American Red Cross advises if you lose power and your main heat source:

Only use generators, grills and camp stoves that are placed outdoors and away from windows in order to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

Never use a cooking oven or stove to heat your home to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and home fires.

Use battery-powered lanterns or flashlights instead of candles due to the fire risk.

Close off any rooms you dont need.

Use care when using fireplaces and space heaters. Keep anything that could catch fire at least 3 feet away from the heat source.

Staying safe if you have to go outdoors

If you have to go outside, or if your house gets so cold that it becomes an issue inside the home, try and keep as much of your skin covered as you can, Bonafede said.

Wear layers of loose-fitting, warm clothing, a hat, and mittens snug at the wrist are better than gloves, he added. Wear a ski mask or a scarf to help cover your face and water-resistant boots, if possible, to keep your feet dry.

Avoid overexertion, which could bring on a heart attack or other serious medical condition.

Items youll need if youre stranded in your car

You want to be prepared in case you get stranded, and we've seen that a lot here in Buffalo, where maybe the New York State Thruway closes and you're stranded for a while in the car, Bonafede told Yahoo News. He recommends that those who live in areas where severe winter weather is a possibility have an emergency kit for the car.

This might be a backpack-sized bag that includes non-perishable canned food, high-energy snacks, drinking water, a first-aid kit, car cellphone chargers, blankets, extra dry clothes, and plastic bags for sanitation.

What to do if you do get stranded

Before heading out on a wintertime car trip, check weather reports for all areas of your travel route and tell someone of your plans ahead of time.

If the weather takes an unexpected turn and you get stranded, stay in your vehicle, Bonafede said, unless help is within, say, 100 yards of your vehicle.

Turn on your flashers, and hang a bright cloth on the antenna where it can be seen to let people know you have an issue.

Make sure the exhaust pipe of the vehicle is clear to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, and only run the engine for about 10 minutes every hour to heat up the vehicle.

What to know about carbon monoxide poisoning, hypothermia and frostbite

Carbon monoxide poisoning:

Just like gas-powered cars, gas-powered generators produce carbon monoxide, which is colorless and odorless, and is deadly when breathed in high enough concentrations.

If you feel sick, dizzy or weak, get fresh air immediately.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends calling 911 or a poison control center at 800-222-1222 if carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected.

Hypothermia:

Prolonged exposure to very low temperatures causes the body to lose heat faster than it can produce it, a potentially deadly condition known as hypothermia.

Shivering is the first sign of hypothermia, and can be followed by signs of confusion, drowsiness and slurred speech.

If any of those signs are present, seek emergency help right away and move to a warm place. Remove any wet clothing and slowly warm the body.

Frostbite:
By Guy Faulconbridge and Filipp Lebedev

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russia condemned the United States and Britain on Friday for military strikes on Yemen, which Moscow said amounted to an irresponsible adventure that risked sowing chaos across the entire Middle East.

The United States and Britain launched strikes from the air and sea against Houthi military targets in Yemen in response to the Iran-backed movement's attacks on ships in the Red Sea, a dramatic regional widening of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

But Russia, an ally of Iran and a partner of key Arab powers, called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Friday to discuss the issue.

"We strongly condemn these irresponsible actions by the United States and its allies," Maria Zakharova, Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman, told reporters.

"A large-scale military escalation in the Red Sea region could strike out the positive trends that have emerged recently in the Yemeni settlement process, as well as provoke a destabilisation of the situation throughout the Middle East."

Russia, which has been criticised for what the West says is an illegal war in Ukraine, said the attack on Yemen took place without any mandate from the United Nations and was thus an illegal "adventure" by the United States and its allies.

Russia said it shared the concerns of Saudi Arabia and others in the region over the strikes. Riyadh called for restraint and "avoiding escalation" after the strikes and said it was monitoring the situation with great concern.

"We share the concerns expressed by our regional partners, in particular from Saudi Arabia," Zakharova said.

Iran has also condemned the U.S.-led strikes as illegal and escalatory.

The U.S. said Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands supported the operation, and sought to present the strikes as part of an international effort to restore the free flow of trade in a key route between Europe and Asia that accounts for about 15% of the world's shipping traffic.

A spokesman for Yemen's Houthis said there was no justification for the U.S.-British attack and said the group will continue targeting ships heading towards Israel.

(Reporting Guy Faulconbridge in Moscow and Filipp Lebedev in Tbilisi; Editing by Alex Richardson)
By John Irish

PARIS (Reuters) -France's newly-appointed Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne is on his way to Ukraine, his first official trip, three diplomatic sources said on Friday, as Paris looks to reassure Kyiv of its support as the war with Russia nears its second anniversary.

The trip comes at a time when political infighting in the United States and European Union has held up two major packages of assistance for Ukraine.

"It's a positive signal that he has made Kyiv his priority so soon in taking his position," said one diplomat.

A second French diplomatic source said it was deemed important to maintain a trip initially planned under the previous minister to underscore Paris' commitment at a time when things were tougher for Ukraine.

Sejourne is due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Parliamentary speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk, two diplomats said.

Sejourne, 38, a European lawmaker, is a novice on the international diplomatic scene and was surprisingly appointed on Thursday to replace Catherine Colonna.

Unlike his predecessor, who had no real political weighting, Sejourne is close to President Emmanuel Macron.

He is one of the "Macron boys" who helped him win the presidency in 2017 and was leading the Renew group in the European Parliament and Macrons Renaissance party in France.

"I know what France means in the world and I know the power of diplomacy and negotiation, he said during the transfer of power with Colonna.

He said he would work for "an independent France in a powerful Europe" and planned to travel to Berlin and Warsaw in the coming days to strengthen ties between the three countries.

France is working to complete a bilateral security guarantee accord with Ukraine at the start of this year to help boost its finances and defences against Russia with a view to deterring Moscow from future aggression.

(Reporting by John Irish;Writing by Tassilo Hummel;Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta, Kirsten Donovan)
Steven Yeun took home the award for best actor in best limited series, anthology series or motion picture made for television at the 2024 Golden Globes, thanks to the series "Beef," and again at the Emmys.

During his Golden Globes acceptance speech Yeun spoke lovingly of his wife and the compassion he's been afforded.

Im just so thankful. Im just the recipient of a long line of compassion and love and protection and goodwill, so I appreciate this," he said. Joana, I love you. You are my strength.

Heres everything to know about Yeun and Pak's McCarys love story.

Steven Yeun and Joana Pak at the portrait booth at the 81st Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 7, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California. (Dan Doperalski / Golden Globes 2024 via Getty Images)

What is Steven Yeun and Joana Paks relationship story?

Pak, a photographer originally from Fayetteville, Arkansas, met Yeun while she was attending Columbia College in Chicago, according to an interview the pair did with Martha Stewart Weddings. At the time, Yeun was peforming with the Second City comedy theater, also based in Chicago.

The couple began officially dating in 2009, the same year that Yeun was cast in the pivotal role of Glenn on "The Walking Dead."

She walked into the bar where I was a really s---- bartender, and it was kismet, said Yeun.

Yeun once shared a mishap from their early days of dating. In an interview with GQ, Yeun said he "invited Jo out with two other friends who happened to be girls, which was the worst move of all time."

He said, Probably because I hadnt been dating in so long, and by that point I was just like, You know what? Im just going to not let her know that Im into her. I was playing dumb. Just lame-ass moves. Then we broke off on our own, and I saw her every day for the rest of the year.

While Steven relocated to Los Angeles for the hit series, their relationship took a long-distance turn. Pak tells Martha Stewart Weddings that Yeun "was based in Atlanta for half the year" during the beginning of their relationship.

"I was in Chicago at the time. We appeared to be everywhere," she says.

They married in 2016 at a wedding attended by the 'Walking Dead' cast

Despite the distance, their relationship prevailed and the pair were engaged by August 2015.

The couple wed in a private ceremony on December 3, 2016, and exchanged vows in front of 220 guests, including Yeun's castmates, Norman Reedus (Darly) and Andrew Lincoln (Rick), from the hit AMC zombie series.

The duo, who are currently living in Los Angeles, wanted a vibrant celebration that would honor their common Korean ancestry and symbolize their shared life together. The pair donned traditional Korean attire for their wedding.

The couple shares 2 kids

The couple announced the birth of their two children in now deleted Instagram posts, per People.

Joanna Pak has supported Steven Yeun at awards shows

While the couple has kept their relationship private, Pak has often been pictured attending Yeun's events over their eight-year marriage.

One notable appearance was when Pak stepped out at the Oscars in 2021 for her husband, who received a first-time nomination for Best Actor in "Minari."

Yeun was the first Asian American actor to receive an Academy Award nomination for best actor.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Republican parties in three battleground states are navigating turbulence that has many in the GOP concerned that the discord and dysfunction will jeopardize their candidates up and down the ballot in critical races this fall.

In Michigan, Nevada and Florida  three states that will feature competitive presidential and Senate contests  state parties have been gripped with leadership strife in recent weeks. In Florida, the GOP chairman was ousted after facing a rape accusation. In Nevada, the top two state party officials have been indicted for their alleged role as fake electors for former President Donald Trump after he lost the 2020 election there.

Nowhere has the chaos been more pronounced than Michigan, though, where rivalrous factions cant agree on whos in charge.

A large group of Michigan state GOP committee members voted last week to remove Kristina Karamo as chairwoman, asserting that she was leading the party toward bankruptcy and failing to live up to promises of transparency and reform. The partys No. 2 official then declared herself acting chair. Karamo rejected the vote, arguing that the process was illegitimate and a violation of state party bylaws. Karamo has called her own meeting for Saturday.

Im the chair of the Michigan Republican Party, and that will not change, Karamo said this week in an interview with NBC News. Now, per the bylaws, there is a process to remove people, and if that process is lawfully filed, then, yes, I will accept the results. But none of this has occurred.

Mike Detmer, who lost a state Senate primary in 2022 after earning Trumps endorsement, had a harsh assessment of the ongoing drama with Michigans state party.

Its a total clown show, Detmer said, adding that he left the GOP within the last few days to join the Constitution Party, though he plans to still vote for Republicans in upcoming elections.

Detmer thinks that while Karamo has made some goof-ups, perhaps, the battle raging at the state party would have taken place under any chair. Tensions between grassroots MAGA enthusiasts and longtime state GOP stalwarts have boiled over after widespread losses in the 2022 midterms, where the statewide Republican slate, which included Karamo, was wiped out.

The grassroots activists wanted nothing to do with the old guard, if you will, Detmer said. And the old guard wanted nothing to do with them. So now you have this terrible infighting. Its going to be a mess. Any candidate who gets through the primary really is going to be on their own, theyre not going to get a lot of the help and support that they may have wanted from the Michigan GOP because its in total disarray.

Were not planning on them being competent

Well-organized state parties rowing in the same direction can be invaluable to campaigns, taking the lead in raising money that helps promote candidates while otherwise serving as a centralized apparatus for voter turnout efforts.

Yet the instability in Michigan and other swing states hasnt unsettled every operative involved in efforts to flip or maintain Senate seats, win contested House races or boost the partys eventual presidential nominee.

Some Republicans say these issues are either quickly being resolved, on a path toward resolution or, in a worse-case scenario, nothing that a major influx of cash cant fix. In the case of Florida, the turmoil appears wrapped up with the selection of a new chair, while the battle in Michigan is sure to soon be resolved at the leadership level, these Republicans say.

In Nevada they may have some personal legal trouble but in terms of operating the state party, not sure [its] any more turmoil than usual for state parties, said one Republican who has worked in Nevada, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. The Republican added, "Ive seen firsthand that they never raise money and we just cleaned up well there last cycle. Plus [Nevada Gov. Joe] Lombardos folks are building a machine to replicate the [former Democratic Sen. Harry] Reid operation.

As one Republican aide working on Senate races said, should issues with state parties persist until the fall, there are workarounds for national committee money to flow into those states. In the recent past, this has included having national money run through a county-level GOP.

It will be useful to have a coherent Michigan GOP for organizing, but its not the end-all, be-all, this person, who was not authorized to speak publicly, said. There are ways around it. And all these groups are going to be extremely well-funded operations across the map.

But Gustavo Portela, a Republican strategist who works on races in Michigan and is a former state party official, said deep troubles that render a state party unreliable can be detrimental to the overall goal  electing Republicans.

It just means that theres going to be one group that was so substantially important absent from the table at the end of the day, said Portela, a Karamo critic. And that is going to force campaigns to spend more money, to raise more money, force the national party to then not be able to rely on a critical resource that was there previously.

Others involved in races on the ground in Michigan also find the uncertainty wildly unsettling.

Were basically just acting as if theres no state party, said a veteran Republican operative who works on races in Michigan. Were not planning on them being competent this year.

Bree Moeggenberg, a state committee member who opposes Karamo, agreed that the embattled chairs inability to unify the party could be costly in November.

This state could be make-it-or-break-it for the presidential election, Moeggenberg said. We need to be gaining voters  not pushing voters away, not telling them that they can go pound sand if they dont agree with her. That is not acceptable as a leader.

Turbulence in Florida and Nevada

Meanwhile, the Republican National Committee said Michigan, Florida and Nevada are a part of its 15-state buildout, meaning they will each see enhanced national staffing from the party that is focused on field operations, voter outreach, boosting mail-in voting and election integrity efforts.

In Florida, the state party was rocked by the scandal involving now former chairman Christian Ziegler, who is under investigation in Sarasota County for sexual battery, including rape, and allegations of illegally recording a sexual encounter without the womans permission. He has not been formally charged and maintains his innocence, but the Republican Party of Florida leadership voted to remove him from his post during an emergency meeting Monday in Tallahassee.

Floridas shift to the right in recent years, however, means Republicans in the state are likely to maintain control, at least in the near term. The GOP controls nearly every level of power in state government, and most notably last year flipped Democrats long-held voter registration advantage in the state. That followed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis landslide re-election in 2022.

In short, Florida Republicans arent sweating any electoral implications. The state, which is most likely to be contested during the presidential contest, features one of the only Senate races where Democrats can at least attempt to flip a GOP-held seat as Sen. Rick Scott seeks re-election.

David Johnson, a veteran Republican operative and former executive director of the Florida GOP, said he doesnt think the recent turmoil involving Ziegler will hurt the partys performance in the 2024 election cycle.

It will all be corrected in time with the support of state and national entities, Johnson said.

He said parties that undergo leadership turnover need to course correct before fundraising and necessarily voter programs are affected.

In Nevada, Republican primary campaigns have essentially conceded the states caucuses to Trump, with DeSantis allies claiming the officials who are now under indictment sought to rig the elections in his favor, with a now-former official with the pro-DeSantis super PAC Never Back Down going as far as calling state Chairman Michael McDonald a Trump puppet.

McDonald, who, along with Republican National Committeeman Jim DeGraffenreid, pleaded not guilty to the felony charges, pushed back strongly on that accusation at the time.

Next steps in Michigan

In Michigan, those behind the move to unseat Karamo assert that she and her allies are the ones circumventing the bylaws and that their vote last weekend was legitimate.

This is a prime example of how, yet again, they create their own rules and procedures that are not within their bylaws, Moeggenberg said. And also keep in mind, these are the same faces of election integrity. Its completely hypocritical.

Karamo lost a race for secretary of state in 2022, part of a Republican slate of candidates that contributed to the partys worst election cycle in Michigan in 40 years. A former community college instructor, Karamo gained a following as a prominent election denier after President Joe Biden won the state in 2020. She won the chairs race last year after railing against wealthy donors who for years had steered the state party with varying levels of electoral success.

But many activists quickly grew frustrated that Karamos vision of increasing grassroots fundraising showed no signs of materializing. They questioned her management and financial moves, from paying top-dollar for actor Jim Caviezel to headline a party function that used to draw top-tier presidential contenders to her handling of a party headquarters building.

Karamo called the push to remove her performative nonsense. She denied that the party was in danger of bankruptcy and accused her detractors of targeting her because she refuses to bend her knee to the political establishment.

You know, unfortunately, within the Republican Party, theres this quiet caste system, Karamo said. And if you dont come from the right rank, how dare you step out of your box?

Karamo said she had been in touch with RNC officials to keep them apprised of the situation. RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel is a past Michigan GOP chair.

The RNC, in a statement to NBC News, indicated that the national party would follow results from this weekends meeting.

State chairs and RNC members are chosen by the state Republican parties, RNC spokesperson Anna Kelly said. When the Michigan Republican Party sends us the information on their meeting over the weekend, we will review.

Jason Roe, who served as executive director of the Michigan GOP until he was forced out for saying the 2020 election wasnt stolen, but that Trump blew it, said that while there are workarounds for national Republicans to avoid dealing with dysfunctional state parties, its far from an ideal situation. And in Michigan, he says the fight may continue for a while longer.

We are now basically 10 months to the election, he said. And every week and every month this chaos continues is a setback for the candidates' campaigns.
The United States and Britain launched military strikes against the Houthi rebels in Yemen on Thursday, after weeks of mounting attacks by the Iran-backed militant group in the Red Sea.

The strikes, carried out from land and sea, threatened an expansion of the conflict in the Middle East beyond Israel's war in Gaza  an escalation the Biden administration and its allies have been working to avoid.

The Houthis, who say their actions are aimed at supporting Hamas, vowed retaliation for attacks they said had killed at least 5 fighters at multiple sites held by the rebels.

Follow live coverage here.

The U.S. and U.K. strikes targeted multiple locations with fighter jets and Tomahawks fired from Navy ships, officials said. The Air Force said that the strikes involved over 60 targets at 16 locations, and that over 100 precision-guided munitions of various types, were used.

The strikes were against command and control nodes, munitions depots, launching systems, production facilities, and air defense radar systems, U.S. Air Forces Central said in a statement.

The U.S. and British militaries bombed more than a dozen sites used by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen late on Thursday, in a massive retaliatory strike using warship- and submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets, U.S. officials said. (Sgt Lee Goddard / UK Ministry of Defense via AP)

President Joe Biden said the strikes, which were supported by Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands, targeted areas used by Houthi rebels to "endanger freedom of navigation in one of the worlds most vital waterways."

"Todays defensive action follows this extensive diplomatic campaign and Houthi rebels escalating attacks against commercial vessels," Biden said in a statement Thursday evening. "These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the worlds most critical commercial routes."

Biden also warned that he would "not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary."

The extent of the damage was unclear, but the Houthis said early Friday that 73 strikes across sites it controls in Yemen had killed at least five militants and injured six others. The Iran-backed rebels vowed attacks would not go unanswered and unpunished.

A Houthi leader confirmed that Yemen's capital, Sanaa, had been targeted.

"A brutal aggression against our country, for which they will pay absolutely," Nasr Aldeen Amer, vice president of the Houthi Media Authority, said Thursday. "Without hesitation, and we will not back down from our position in supporting the Palestinian people, whatever the cost.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak urged the Houthi rebels to cease their aggression.

Despite the repeated warnings from the international community, the Houthis have continued to carry out attacks in the Red Sea, he said in a statement Thursday confirming the strikes.

This cannot stand. The United Kingdom will always stand up for freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade, he said.

Sunak said the strikes by the U.S. and U.K. were limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence.

U.S. Central Command said earlier Thursday that the Iranian-backed Houthis had fired anti-ship ballistic missiles from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen into international shipping lanes in the Gulf of Aden.

No injuries or damage were reported, and a commercial vessel reported seeing the missile strike the water, the statement said. The attack was the groups 27th on international shipping since Nov. 19, Central Command said.

The Houthis, from Yemens northwestern Saada province, rose to power as Arab Spring protests swept the region in 2011.

Three years later  with support from Tehran  the Houthis took control of the countrys capital, prompting a wider conflict with Irans regional rival, Saudi Arabia, and a situation in Yemen that the United Nations described as the largest humanitarian crisis in the world.

Although the U.S., Britain and several other countries backed the Saudi-led war, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman wound down the military operation last year and entered peace talks with the Houthis.

An aircraft takes off to join the U.S.-led coalition to conduct air strikes against military targets in Yemen (US Central Command / via REUTERS)

After Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, the Houthis pledged support for the Palestinian militants and began attacking vessels in the Red Sea  despite demands from the U.S., France and other Western allies to halt the missile and drone attacks.

A spokesman for the Houthis has said they were targeting only ships with links to Israel  a claim that has been widely disputed  to pressure Israel into halting its war in Gaza.

In response, the U.S. and other countries dispatched warships to patrol the vital shipping corridor. U.S. helicopters fired on Houthis last week after they attacked a cargo ship.

During a visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the group would face consequences if the attacks continued but that his strong preference was for the group to get the message.
By Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali and Mohammed Ghobari

WASHINGTON/ADEN, Yemen (Reuters) -The United States and Britain launched strikes from the air and sea against Houthi military targets in Yemen in response to the movement's attacks on ships in the Red Sea, a dramatic regional widening of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

As witnesses in Yemen confirmed explosions throughout the country to Reuters, President Joe Biden cautioned in a statement late on Thursday he would not hesitate to take further action if needed.

"These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation," Biden said.

Britain's ministry of defence said in a statement that "early indications are that the Houthis' ability to threaten merchant shipping has taken a blow."

The Iran-backed Houthis say their attacks on shipping routes in the Red Sea are a show of support for the Palestinians and Hamas, the Islamist group that controls Gaza.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who is in hospital due to surgery complications, said in a statement that the strikes targeted Houthi capabilities including drones, ballistic and cruise missiles, costal radar and air surveillance.

A Houthi official confirmed "raids" in the capital Sanaa along with the cities of Saada and Dhamar as well as in Hodeidah governorate, calling them "American-Zionist-British aggression."

Witnesses told Reuters that the raids targeted a military base adjacent to Sanaa airport, a military site near Taiz airport, a Houthi naval base in Hodeidah and military sites in Hajjah governorate.

FEARS OF ESCALATION

The U.S. said Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands supported the operation, and sought to present the strikes as part of an international effort to restore the free flow of trade in a key route between Europe and Asia that accounts for about 15% of the world's shipping traffic.

But the strikes, the first on Yemeni territory since 2016, were also an undeniable demonstration of Washington's struggle contain the fallout Israel-Hamas war in the Middle East since its eruption in October. Although Washington said there was no intent to escalate tensions, the Houthis have vowed to retaliate to any attack.

"The concern is that this could escalate," said Andreas Krieg at King's College in London, warning of the risk that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates could also be drawn into the confrontation.

In a statement after the strikes, Saudi Arabia called for restraint and "avoiding escalation".

The United States also accused Iran of being involved operationally in the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, providing the military capabilities and intelligence to carry them out.

"We believe that they have been certainly involved in every phase of this," a senior U.S. official told reporters.The strikes were carried out by aircraft, ship and submarine. A different U.S. official said more than a dozen locations were targeted and the strikes were intended to weaken the Houthis' military capabilities, as opposed to being just symbolic.

"We were going after very specific capability in very specific locations with precision munitions," a U.S. military official said.

The Houthis, who control most of Yemen, defied a U.N. and other international calls to halt their missile and drone attacks on Red Sea shipping routes and warnings from the United States of consequences if they failed to do so.

The Houthi attacks have disrupted international commerce, forcing international shipping to take the long route around South Africa to avoid being struck. The increase in delivery costs is stoking fears it could trigger a fresh bout of global inflation.

Israel has launched a military assault that has killed more than 23,000 Palestinians in Gaza after Hamas' attack on Israel on Oct. 7, in which 1,200 people died and 240 were abducted.

ANTI-SHIP BALLISTIC MISSILES

Hours before the U.S. and British strikes in Yemen, the U.S. military said the Houthis fired an anti-ship ballistic missile into international shipping lanes in the Gulf of Aden, two days after the Houthis' largest attack to date.

On Jan. 9, U.S. and British naval forces shot down 21 Houthi drones and missiles fired in what the U.S. military described as a complex attack, language reminiscent of the way it once described Taliban or Islamic State attacks in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Biden, in his statement, said the Houthi's Jan. 9 attack directly targeted American ships.

Prominent Republicans in Congress welcomed the move, while some of Biden's Democrats expressed concern the U.S. could get entangled in another decades-long war.

"This strike was two months overdue, but it is a good first step toward restoring deterrence in the Red Sea," U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a statement.

The strikes followed other diplomatic and military steps that U.S. officials had hoped would halt the Houthi attacks without starting a fresh conflict.

In December, more than 20 countries agreed to participate in a defensive U.S.-led coalition, known as Operation Prosperity Guardian, safeguarding commercial traffic in the Red Sea. But the U.S. and British strikes are taking place outside that coalition.

"The response of the international community to these reckless attacks has been united and resolute," Biden said.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali in Washington; Additional reporting by Andrew Mills in Doha, Maher Hatem in Dubai, Jeff Mason, Kanishka Singh and Eric Beech in Washington; Editing by Don Durfee, Cynthia Osterman and Raju Gopalakrishnan)
WASHINGTON  Nikki Haley is taking the lead over Ron DeSantis in Iowa just a few days before the caucuses, a new poll finds.

But a Suffolk University poll, conducted Jan. 6-10 among 500 likely Republican caucusgoers, shows the former South Carolina governor and Florida governor both still trailing Donald Trump. The former president has maintained his position as a frontrunner throughout the race and 54% of voters say he's their first choice, according to the Suffolk poll.

Meanwhile, the poll found that 20% of voters said they would support Haley, 13% would support DeSantis and 6% would support businessman Vivek Ramaswamy.

Haley is performing strongly with moderate and liberal leaning independents, with 42% of support compared to Trumps 31%, according to the poll.

The poll has a margin of error of plus and minus 4.4 percentage points.

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley listens as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a Republican Presidential Primary Debate at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa hosted by CNN.

Multiple polls have shown DeSantis and Haley battling for second place in Iowa. In some instances, the Florida governor has bagged the spot over Haley; in others, both candidates come tied behind Trump.

Haley has also seen a surge in New Hampshire, the nations first in the primary state. The Saint Anselm College Survey Center on Thursday released a survey that found 31% of likely Republican primary voters would support her while 45% would back Trump.

But she still has a long way to go if she wants to clinch the Republican nomination from Trump. Some political analysts speculate that with former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie out of the race, Haley could shore up more support among voters.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nikki Haley takes the lead over Ron DeSantis in new Iowa poll
People hang out out in Precita Park in Bernal Heights. The districts population is the same as 10 years ago. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

Mrinal Mohit could have lived anywhere he wanted in San Francisco. But the former Facebook senior software engineer chose Bernal Heights for a few reasons. It was quiet, but close enough to more active neighborhoods like the Mission where he could easily meet up with friends. It was also close to the highway, so he could easily commute to work in the South Bay.

And there was another, less quantifiable aspect of Bernal Heights Mohit loved.

It has that community feel, the 28-year-old, who now works for a startup, told The Chronicle. There will be weekend barbecues. ... It definitely has a feeling that in this neighborhood a lot of people know each other.

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Its clear that Bernal Heights is a desirable neighborhood, for all these reasons and more. The Chronicles housing guide describes the neighborhood as a food lovers hub with a small-town feel. Redfin named it the hottest neighborhood in America in 2014.

So why isnt it growing?

Ramon Herrea flies a kite with his son Daniel Herrea, right, 11, both of San Francisco, at Bernal Heights Park in August 2021. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle A person walks away from Cafe and Grill in Bernal Heights in San Francisco. The neighborhood is also near the Mission District, which is known for its restaurants. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Bernal Heights consists almost entirely of single-family homes and theres been almost no new development of housing over the past decade. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle The parks of Bernal Heights offer spectacular views. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Painted artwork hangs on a boarded house on Precita Street in Bernal Heights. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Folks pass by Progressive Grounds Coffee House on Andover Street in Bernal Heights. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

Last week, the U.S. Census Bureau released its second batch of data from the 2020 decennial census, which included detailed population counts of cities down to the block level. The data shows that over the last decade, all of San Franciscos neighborhoods in the top half in income  those neighborhoods with median incomes over $125,000  saw at least a 5% growth of inhabitants. Except Bernal Heights. The neighborhood was one of just six S.F. neighborhoods that recorded fewer people in 2020, though it essentially stayed flat, dropping by just 12 people. (This is among the 39 neighborhoods defined by the San Francisco Planning Commission.)

Theres at least one obvious reason why Bernal Heights  which is bounded by Interstate 280, Highway 101, Cesar Chavez Street and San Jose Avenue, according to the Planning Commission  has not ballooned in size, and it will be familiar to anyone with a grasp of San Franciscos public policy: Since 2010, the neighborhood has constructed almost no new housing.

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But Bernal Heights situation is extreme even for San Francisco. In 2019, the planning district associated with the neighborhood created fewer net housing units than any of the citys 14 other planning districts except for South Central and Ingleside, according to a report by the San Francisco Planning Commission. And from 2011 through 2019, the district built zero new buildings with more than four housing units, according to that report.

An illustrative recent example: A project to create four new duplexes in the neighborhood was finally approved in late 2019  41 years after the developer, Patrick Quinlan, had originally purchased the property.

The demographics of the neighborhood stayed relatively constant over the decade. In 2020, about 45% of residents identified as non-Hispanic white, 26% as Hispanic, 18% as Asian, and about 3.5% as non-Hispanic Black. The Hispanic and Black populations of the neighborhood declined slightly from 2010 to 2020, while the share of Asian residents and those who identify as two or more races increased. The white population stayed about the same.

Pedestrians cross Folsom Street as they walk to Precita Park in Bernal Heights. The neighborhood has the feel of a small community. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

Danielle Lazier, a real estate agent who has sold more than 160 homes in Bernal Heights and who lived in the neighborhood for 11 years, said Bernal Heights consists of densely packed single-family homes on small lots. This layout creates a cozy, communal village feel, she told The Chronicle.

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The press that Bernal Heights got during shelter-in-place, little businesses popping up, community members helping each other, I think really (shows) that, she said.

However, the neighborhoods layout has also made it difficult to build new housing, particularly multifamily buildings  creating a shortage thats sent home prices soaring. Home values in Bernal Heights have grown by almost 240% since 2000, according to data from Zillow, making it one of the neighborhoods with the fastest appreciating real estate values in an already expensive city.

Part of the reason its so hard to build new homes in Bernal Heights is that the neighborhood has its own building code. The code, which aims to encourage development in context and scale with the established character of the neighborhood, prohibits buildings over 30 feet tall in most circumstances  making the construction of large apartments close to impossible.

It is fairly restrictive, Dan Sider, director of executive programs at the San Francisco Planning Department, told The Chronicle about Bernals building code. He added that the code includes restrictions on building depth and mass as well as height, and until recently required each new home to have a parking garage.

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These codes have essentially locked in Bernal Heights status quo of tightly packed, small single-family homes with some duplexes sprinkled in. This layout makes the neighborhood feel much denser than it is; multiple sources described Bernal as dense or tight, when in fact its not among the citys most dense neighborhoods.

Todd Lappin, a longtime resident of the neighborhood who used to run the neighborhood blog Bernalwood and now manages a neighborhood Facebook page, agreed that the neighborhoods housing layout may help explain its lack of growth. But he said thats probably not the only factor at play.

My hypothesis about the slight population decline in Bernal is that its about lower density within the existing housing that we have, he said.

Essentially, Lappin believes that over the last decade or so, older, larger families have been moving out more often. Younger adults, who tend to live alone or in smaller families  a couple with their first baby, say  have been disproportionately moving in.

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The data doesnt necessarily support this theory. While youths under 18 make up an increasingly small percentage of San Francisco, Bernal Heights actually gained youths as a share of its population since 2010. People under 18 now make up almost 17% of the neighborhoods population, up from about 16.6% in 2010.
Sandy, a golden retriever, takes several tours in the streets of the Zocalo in Mexico City in charge of her owner Paco, originally from the Tlatelolco area and who currently lives in Ecatepec, State of Mexico. The objective of these tours is for passers-by to get out of the routine and have a good time. (Photo by Gerardo Vieyra/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

When Kevin Bubolz embarks on transcontinental travel, man's best friend becomes man's best travel companion.

The pilot and entrepreneur's golden retriever, Ellie, appears to go everywhere with him, leading to a 2023 wrap-up featuring their best selfies together from all corners of the world last year which has, naturally, made the sweet pup viral.

In a video compilation offering background for each snapshot, Bubolz documented the moments leading up to each photo, plus the final product, starting in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., where he called the pup from down the sidewalk to take a selfie, leading her to bound down the bricks and jump onto his back.

"Smile!" he encouraged, leading her closed mouth to drop open into a content pant.

Her younger sister, Emma, knows the drill, too, joining the pair, plus his wife, Katie, for a family portrait in front of the Eiffel Tower for the next photo.

Bubolz showed off the impressive trick in Poland, Germany, and White Sands, New Mexico, too, where Ellie even wore a pair of protective goggles without complaint.

In the caption, Bubolz explained that they started training her to "smile" after realizing how photogenic she wasa perfect match to the family's mission to "advance the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of others" through Ellie's therapy training.

After serving in the military and seeing the impact of the "joy and happiness" that animals brought to his unit, he was determined to continue to do the same with his own dogs, and based on the comments, he's more than successful.

"How many of us are sitting on our couch or in public just smiling at our phones right now?" one asked.

"I dont like dogs but this video made me smile," another admitted, adding, "now I like dogs but only from phone."

"This video made me, as youd saysmi-yul!," someone else wrote.

"This was just happifying!! I couldnt quit smiling!!," another agreed.

Personally, we think "smile" should become an integral part of every dog training course!

Next: Dog Gently 'Sets Boundaries' for His Baby Sister Playing With His Toys
In central Madagascar, a soft chirp-like sound competed for attention in the noisy forest. The sound came from a silvery creature hiding in a spiky plant. When scientists tracked down the calling animal, they also discovered a new species.

Researchers ventured into the forests around Andasibe on several wildlife surveys in 2022, according to a study published Jan. 8 in the journal Zootaxa. They had a very specific goal in mind: survey the frogs living in screw pine trees.

Within the long, pointed leaves of screw pine trees, researchers found six frogs that did not match any known species, the study said. Taking a closer look at the animals, they realized theyd discovered a new species: Guibemantis rianasoa, or the beautiful waterfall frog.

Beautiful waterfall frogs are considered small, usually measuring less than an inch in length, researchers said. They have dull greenish bodies, slender limbs and silvery blotches on their sides.

Photos show two Guibemantis rianasoa perched on leaves. The frogs have golden eyes and blue-tinged legs that look almost like a starry galaxy design.

A Guibemantis rianasoa, or beautiful waterfall frog, perched on a plant.

Discover more new species

Thousands of new species are found each year. Here are three of our most eye-catching stories from the past week.

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Researchers said they named the new species after the Malagasy words riana, meaning waterfall, and soa, meaning beautiful, because its coloring looked like the colors of water reflecting forest vegetation.

Beautiful waterfall frogs live in the spiky leaves of screw pine trees and were regularly heard emitting a soft chirp-like call from the plants, the study said.

Miguel Vences, the studys lead co-author, told McClatchy News that co-authors Hugh Gabriel, an undergraduate student, and Andolalao Rakotoarison did an amazing job in the field amongst the super spiny leaves.

A Guibemantis rianasoa, or beautiful waterfall frog, perched on a plant.

Guibemantis rianasoa has only been found in two neighboring areas, Andasibe and Fierenana, the study said. These areas are about 60 miles east of Antananarivo, the capital city.

Researchers suggested that the new species went overlooked because of its size or, when encountered, misidentified as juvenile frogs of another known species.

The new species was identified by its coloring, habitat, size and call sound, the study said. DNA analysis found the new species had more than 5% genetic divergence from other species of frog.

The research team included Hugh Gabriel, Laila-Denise Rothe, Jorn Kohler, Sandratra Rakotomanga, Devin Edmonds, Pedro Galan, Frank Glaw, Richard M. Lehtinen, Andolalao Rakotoarison and Miguel Vences.

The researchers also discovered two more new species of frog, one with a golden brown color and one with orange-brown spots.

Metallic creature  with panther-like wing pattern  is new species from Morocco

Aggressive creature of the night found lurking on fences in China. Its a new species

Strange 8-eyed creature  a speedy hunter  found in India. Its a new species
WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear a case that considers whether municipal ordinances that bar homeless people from camping on public property violate constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment.

The justices will review an appeals court ruling, the only one of its kind, which found that ordinances in Grants Pass, Oregon, are prohibited under the Constitutions Eighth Amendment.

The ruling in question was issued by the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2022 and applies to all nine states within its jurisdiction, including California. Several of those states have large populations of homeless people.

Among those asking the Supreme Court to overturn the appeals court are local officials in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix and other cities.

The appeals court ruled 2-1 that Grants Pass, which is about 250 miles south of Portland, cannot enforce its anti-camping ordinances against homeless persons for the mere act of sleeping outside with rudimentary protection from the elements, or for sleeping in their car at night, when there is no other place in the city for them to go.

The decision only applies in situations in which homeless people are engaging in conduct necessary to protect themselves from the elements when there is no shelter space available, the court added.

The ruling was met with considerable criticism within the appeals court itself, with the entire bench deciding narrowly against reconsidering it in a 14-13 vote.

The decision was a dubious holding premised on a fanciful interpretation of the 8th Amendment, wrote one dissenter, Judge Diarmuid O'Scannlain. The ruling has the effect of paralyzing local communities from addressing the pressing issue of homelessness, and seizing policymaking authority that our federal system of government leaves to the democratic process, he added.

Lawyers for Grants Pass defended the citys actions, saying there is nothing cruel or unusual about a civil fine for violating commonplace restrictions on public camping.

Theane Evangelis, one of the citys lawyers, said in a statement that the appeals court ruling has contributed to the growing problem of encampments in cities across the West.

The ordinances in question bar sleeping or camping on publicly owned property including sidewalks, streets, bridges and city parks. Punishment can include fines of up to several hundred dollars and exclusion orders barring people from public property.

The case arose after a group of homeless people challenged the application of the ordinances. Lawyers for the plaintiffs said in court papers that the citys plan is to drive its homeless residents into neighboring jurisdictions by making it impossible for them to live in Grants Pass without facing civil and criminal penalties.

Homeless people are being punished for simply existing, the lawyers added.

Ed Johnson, a lawyer at the Oregon Law Center who represents the plaintiffs, said in a statement that nothing in the lower court ruling prevents cities from prohibiting encampments, it just addresses whether people can be punished for sleeping outside when they have no other options.

Nevertheless, some politicians and others are cynically and falsely blaming the judiciary for the homelessness crisis to distract the public and deflect blame for years of failed policies, he added.

The Supreme Court in 2019, before the appointment of Justice Amy Coney Barrett created a 6-3 conservative majority, declined to take up a similar case from Idaho in which the city of Boise was seeking to enforce a criminal prohibition against camping on public property.

In that case, the 9th Circuit ruled in 2018 that such prosecutions would violate the Eighth Amendment. In its 2022 ruling, the same court extended that reasoning to civil penalties, prompting the city to ask the Supreme Court to intervene.
Thailands new government is moving ahead to pass new legislation banning cannabis for recreational use in a major reversal 18 months after the country became the first in Asia to decriminalize the plant.

The relaxed laws saw a lucrative cannabis industry catering to locals and foreigners alike boom across the Southeast Asian nation, but a new conservative coalition government came to power late last year vowing to tighten the rules and only allow medical use.

A draft bill was released on Tuesday by Thailands health ministry outlining hefty fines or prison sentences of up to one year for offenders  or both. It also welcomed feedback from the public.

Cannabis and cannabis-related products will be limited to medical and health purposes only, the bill states, echoing Prime Minister Srettha Thavisins pledge in September that his new government will rectify laws on cannabis within the next six months.

Smoking marijuana in public remained illegal even under the relaxed laws, but the proposed new laws will ban advertising and marketing campaigns for cannabis buds and extracts, and other cannabis products.

An earlier draft bill failed to win parliamentary approval in November.

Thavisin has been vocal about banning recreational cannabis and stated in several media interviews that drug abuse is a big problem for Thailand.

We drafted this law to prohibit the wrong usage of cannabis, said the health minister Cholnan Srikaew, reported Reuters.

All recreational usage is wrong.

CNN has reached out to Thailands Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew for further comment about the new proposal.

A cannabis stall in Pattaya, Thailand, on Sunday, March 5, 2023. - Andre Malerba/Bloomberg/Getty images

Thailand became the first country in Asia to fully decriminalize cannabis in June 2022, a move years in the making and a rarity in a region where many countries give long jail terms and even death sentences for people convicted of marijuana possession, consumption or trafficking.

In nearby Hong Kong, even non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD) is outlawed.

Singapore maintains the death penalty for trafficking drugs, and residents traveling to Thailand are warned they could still be prosecuted on return if they smoke weed overseas.

Medical marijuana has been legal in Thailand since 2018, but decriminalization in 2022 took things a step further, making it no longer a crime to grow and trade marijuana and hemp products, or to use any parts of the plant to treat illnesses.

Since then, thousands of cannabis dispensaries have sprung up across Thailand, as well as other cannabis-themed businesses like weed cafes and hemp spas and beauty treatment. Cities like Chiang Mai and the capital Bangkok have even held weed festivals, and decriminalization has been a major draw for tourists.

But Anutin Charnvirakul, the former health minister who strongly lobbied for cannabis legalization in the country, previously told CNN that the intention was never to allow Thais and tourists to smoke weed recreationally in public.

Thailand will promote cannabis policies for medical purposes. There has never once been a moment that we would think about advocating people to use cannabis in terms of recreation  or use it in a way that it could irritate others, Anutin said.

We [have always] emphasized using cannabis extractions and raw materials for medical purposes and for health.

Pro-legislation advocates have argued that the cannabis boom across Thailand has helped many Thais, from farmers to small business owners and workers behind the counter.

Cannabis entrepreneurs previously told CNN that they were strongly against any legalization that would hurt the growing multi-billion dollar industry.

The Future Cannabis Network, an advocacy group in Thailand, expressed disappointment at the governments actions and stressed the importance of public involvement.

Kitty Chopaka, a Bangkok-based cannabis entrepreneur who has pushed for cannabis legalization for years, called it a knee jerk reaction from the government and said that it was not unexpected.

But no matter what happens with the incoming cannabis regulations, it is now too late for cannabis to go back to being classified as narcotics.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Citigroup (C) CEO Jane Fraser is betting a dramatic restructuring can revive the lender's stock price and remove decades of bloat. On Friday she disclosed how deep those cuts will go.

The New York bank said that it expects to eliminate 20,000 positions by 2026, which will save it $2.5 billion. It also intends to shed another 40,000 when it lists its Mexican consumer unit Banamex in an initial public offering.

That would leave Citigroup with 180,000 workers, which would likely make it the smallest of the big four banks in the US and reduce the overall size of its workforce by 25%. It ended 2023 with 240,000.

JPMorgan Chase (JPM) currently employs more than 300,000, while Bank of America (BAC) and Wells Fargo (WFC) have more than 200,000 employees apiece.

"Look, whenever an industry or company goes through these types of reductions, it's tough on morale," Citigroup CFO Mark Mason told reporters. "With that said, I would point to the fact that we've been very clear about the strategy of the firm and very clear about the momentum that we expect."

The disclosure came on a day when Citigroup reported a net loss of $1.8 billion in the fourth quarter resulting from an FDIC assessment of $1.7 billion and other charges and reserves it previously disclosed. Its stock was down 1% in morning trading.

CEO Jane Fraser called the results "very disappointing" but said "we made substantial progress simplifying Citi and executing our strategy in 2023." This year, she added, would be a "turning point."

Jane Fraser, CEO of Citigroup. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) (Tom Williams via Getty Images)

Fraser is trying to focus the company on serving big, multinational corporations, shed what isn't profitable, and operate more efficiently.

The job cuts are part of an internal restructuring that Fraser has called the "most consequential" change to how Citigroup operates in nearly two decades.

Citi has pulled back from consumer banking in various parts of the world, having sold off nine of those businesses with plans to exit a total of 14 across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Mexico.

It is also getting out of its US municipal bond business, dismantling yet another part of an empire amassed in the 1990s when Citigroup and its CEO Sandy Weill billed the bank as a "financial supermarket" that could offer any and all services needed by consumers, businesses, and governments.

Sanford Weill helped engineer the 1998 merger that cemented Citigroup as the world's largest financial services company. Here he is pictured on his way to a press conference to announce the deal. (James Leynse/Corbis via Getty Images) (James Leynse via Getty Images)

The high point of this model was an era-defining 1998 merger between Citicorp and Travelers that shattered a Depression-era division between retail banking and investment banking and cemented Citigroups status as the worlds largest financial institution.

In the decades since 1998, the colossus amassed by Weill proved to be too complex and unwieldy to manage effectively, and the 2008-2009 financial crisis dealt another blow to its sweeping ambitions. The company began to slowly unwind parts of the empire.

Fraser first revealed her reorganization plans last September. Instead of operating with two mega-divisions, she is splitting the bank into five separate units with leaders reporting directly to her. She made it clear this would mean fewer people.

"We'll be saying goodbye to some very talented and hard-working colleagues," Fraser wrote when she announced the moves in September.

The first layoffs began in November, affecting senior managers. Those cuts amounted to roughly 10% of senior manager roles, or approximately 300 managers, Bloomberg reported.

"Citi is, I'm delighted to say, finally simple," Fraser said on a Friday call with analysts.

David Hollerith is a senior reporter for Yahoo Finance covering banking, crypto, and other areas in finance.

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(Reuters) -Airlines in the United States canceled more than 2,000 flights on Friday after a massive winter storm knocked out power and affected businesses in 12 states ahead of a likely brutal freeze over the weekend.

A total of 2,058 flights were canceled and 5,846 flights were delayed as of 5.30 p.m. ET, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware.

Southwest Airlines led the list of cancellations with 401 flights, followed by SkyWest at 358.

"We expect some operational challenges due to the weather in the Midwest today and potentially tomorrow due to the winter weather in the region," Delta Air Lines said.

Southwest Airlines said in a travel advisory that some of its flights in Chicago, Detroit and Omaha could be impacted.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had on Thursday warned that clouds, snow and windforce could delay flights at certain airports.

United has scrapped 284 flights so far, with some cancellations extending to Saturday as it awaits regulatory nod to resume operating Boeing's 737 MAX 9 jets.

The carrier said in a statement that it was operating some planned flights by switching to other aircraft types.

The FAA had on Thursday launched a formal investigation on 737 MAX 9 after a cabin panel blew off an Alaska Airlines flight last week in mid-air, forcing an emergency landing.

(Reporting by Nathan Gomes in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Abhinav Parmar; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila, Arun Koyyur and Shounak Dasgupta)
The Iran-backed Houthi rebel movement vowed to continue attacking ships in the Red Sea on Friday, hours after the U.S. and U.K. carried out strikes targeting the group in Yemen in retaliation for stepped-up Houthi attacks on shipping in the vital Middle Eastern waterway. President Biden announced the U.S. and allied strikes in a statement Thursday night, which were conducted with assistance from Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands.

"These strikes are in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea  including the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history," Mr. Biden said, adding that he would "not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary."

Who are the Houthis and why are they attacking ships in the Red Sea?

A Houthi military spokesperson said Friday that the attacks  73 in all  left at least five people dead and wounded six others. In a statement issued later Friday, the Houthi movement's Supreme Political Council vowed to continue targeting ships in the strategic waterways, adding that "all American-British interests have become legitimate targets."

It again claimed the attacks on vessels were aimed at preventing the "transit of Israeli ships or those carrying goods to the occupied Palestinian ports," and said they would carry on "whatever the cost."

The Houthis added a warning to "all Arab regimes  especially neighboring countries," against supporting the strikes carried out by the U.S. and its partners.

In a videotaped address issued earlier, Houthi Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said the "American and British enemy bears full responsibility for its criminal aggression against our Yemeni people. This aggression will not go unanswered. The Yemeni armed forces will not hesitate to target sources of threat and all hostile targets  on land and at sea  in defense of Yemen, its sovereignty and independence."



Western officials declined to say exactly where or what the strikes hit, but U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement the strikes "targeted the Houthis' unmanned aerial vehicle, uncrewed surface vessel, land-attack cruise missile, and coastal radar and air surveillance capabilities."

Austin, who has been hospitalized because of an infection related to surgery to treat prostate cancer, monitored the operation in real time from the hospital, according to a U.S. defense official. The official said Austin was "actively involved" and spoke with the president twice in the past 72 hours leading up to the operation.

/ Credit: Getty

U.S. Central Command said in a statement Thursday night that it struck "over 60 targets at 16 Iranian-backed Houthi militant locations" and that its targets included "command and control nodes, munitions depots, launching systems, production facilities, and air defense radar systems."

A senior military official told reporters Thursday night the strikes were launched from air, surface, and sub-surface platforms. The U.S. and other countries had previously warned the Houthis of consequences should the attacks, which started shortly after the Israel-Hamas war began, continue.

In a joint statement, the U.S., U.K., Australia, Bahrain, Canada, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea, said the strikes were in response to "continued illegal, dangerous, and destabilizing Houthi attacks against vessels, including commercial shipping, transiting the Red Sea."

In this handout image provided by the U.K. Ministry of Defense, an RAF Typhoon fighter jet takes off from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus to join the U.S.-led coalition conducting airstrikes against Yemen's Houthi rebels, Jan. 11, 2024. / Credit: Handout/UK Ministry of Defense/Getty

"These precision strikes were intended to disrupt and degrade the capabilities the Houthis use to threaten global trade and the lives of international mariners in one of the world's most critical waterways," the statement said.

U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in a statement called the strikes "limited, necessary and proportionate" and said the Netherlands, Canada and Bahrain provided "non-operational support."

In a summary of what it called the "legal position" behind the British government's "lawfully taken" decision to take part, Sunak's office said Friday that the allies had "carefully identified targets in order to effectively downgrade the Houthi's capabilities and deter further attacks."

"It was necessary and proportionate to respond to attacks by the Houthis and this was the only feasible means available to deal with such attacks," it said. "The U.K. is permitted under international law to use force in such circumstances where acting in self-defense is the only feasible means to deal with an actual or imminent armed attack and where the force used is necessary and proportionate."

A congressional source familiar with the matter on Thursday told CBS News that "the Biden administration briefed congressional leaders today on the plans to strike Houthi rebel targets in Yemen."

A senior military official said that, as of Thursday night, the U.S. has not seen evidence that the Houthis had retaliated on any U.S., U.K., or other vessels in the Red Sea, but added they would not be surprised to see a response.

The Houthis launched one of the largest attacks in the Red Sea yet on Tuesday. Three U.S. destroyers along U.S. F-18s and a British warship shot down 18 drones and multiple missiles launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement.

Tuesday's "complex attack," as CENTCOM described it, occurred within a week of a joint statement from the U.S. and several other countries warning that the Houthis would face "consequences" if the attacks continued.

"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 released by the White House last Wednesday said.

A senior administration official told reporters Thursday night that Mr. Biden convened his national security team following Tuesday's attack, where he was presented with military response options. Mr. Biden directed Austin to carry out a response at the conclusion of that meeting, leading to Thursday's strike, the official said.

Since Nov. 19, there have been at least 27 attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, according to CENTCOM. The attacks have prompted several giant shipping companies to avoid the Suez Canal and transit around all of Africa instead.

In order to curb the impact on international trade, the U.S. along with several other countries launched a maritime task force "Operation Prosperity Guardian" to patrol the Red Sea. So far, the Houthis have not stopped their attacks.

The Biden administration has focused on preventing the Israel-Hamas conflict from turning into a wider regional war across the Middle East, but since the war started, Iranian-backed proxies have been launching attacks both in the Red Sea and against U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria.

The Pentagon has tried to retaliate against other Iranian-backed militias for the steady drumbeat of attacks in Iraq and Syria without risking escalation, but the attacks have continued. There have been at least 130 attacks by Iranian-backed militias on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria since October 17, including at least three since Monday.

Thursday's strike is the first time the U.S. has conducted strikes against the Houthis since the attacks began in November.

 CBS News' Tucker Reals and Kristin Brown contributed reporting.

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Houthis vow to continue Red Sea attacks after U.S.-led strikes

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The U.S. military has unleashed large-scale retaliatory airstrikes against multiple Houthi targets in Yemen following months of attacks by the Iranian-backed militants on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, a U.S. official said Thursday.

The official said that the strikes involved a mix of fighter jets and Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from Navy surface ships and a U.S. Navy submarine, according to two U.S. officials.

One of the officials identified the submarine as the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Florida, which was seen entering the Red Sea via the Suez Canal on Nov. 5, a move publicized by U.S. Central Command.

Another U.S. official confirmed that the United Kingdom also was using its military assets to launch airstrikes against Houthi targets.

U.S. President Joe Biden, who had been under pressure to respond, but hoping to avoid risking wider Middle East conflict, issued a statement Thursday calling the move a "defensive action" after extensive warnings.

"Today, at my direction, U.S. military forces -- together with the United Kingdom and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands -- successfully conducted strikes against a number of targets in Yemen used by Houthi rebels to endanger freedom of navigation in one of the world's most vital waterways," Biden said. "These strikes are in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea -- including the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history. These attacks have endangered U.S. personnel, civilian mariners, and our partners, jeopardized trade, and threatened freedom of navigation."

Biden monitored developments on the strikes from the West Wing of the White House on Thursday night and was briefed by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer, according to an administration official.

MORE: Biden administration faces growing pressure to strike back at Iranian-backed Houthis

PHOTO: USS Laboon Fires A Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images, FILE)

At least five people were killed and six others were wounded in the U.S.-U.K. airstrikes, according to Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree.

"The American and British enemy bears full responsibility for its criminal aggression against our Yemeni people, and it will not go unanswered and unpunished," Saree said in a statement Friday.

Saree described 73 strikes hitting five regions of Yemen under Houthi control. He did not elaborate on what the strikes targeted.

Saree also said the Houthis will continue to target Israeli ships and those heading toward Israel's ports passing through the Red Sea.

"This brutal aggression will not dissuade Yemen from its position of support and support for the oppression of the Palestinian people," he added.

The head of the Yemeni rebel group's supreme revolutionary committee, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, warned in a speech Friday that the "response will be greater than the response in the previous operation."

The U.S.-led retaliatory airstrikes came after Iran-backed Houthi rebels have repeatedly used drones and missiles to target commercial ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden in recent weeks, supposedly in support of Iran-backed Palestinian militant group Hamas in its war with Israel.

MORE: Israel-Gaza live updates

PHOTO: A locator map for Yemen with its capital, Sanaa. (AP)

On Thursday, the Pentagon disclosed that a Houthi missile had landed harmlessly in the Gulf of Aden after targeting a commercial vessel marking the 27th such attack since Nov. 19.

Last week, the U.S. and other nations released a joint statement warning that "the Houthis will bear the responsibility for the consequences should they continue to threaten lives, the global economy, or the free flow of commerce in the region's critical waterways."

But on Tuesday the Houthis ignored the warning by launching their biggest barrage yet as American and British destroyers, along with U.S. Navy jets, shot down 21 drones and missiles aimed at dozens of ships in the Red Sea.

Since then, senior U.S. officials had issued new warnings against the Houthis to stop with the attacks.

"The Houthis need to stop these attacks," John Kirby, coordinator for strategic communications at the National Security Council, told White House reporters on Thursday. "They will bear the consequences for any failure to do so."

However, Kirby said the U.S. was "not going to telegraph our punches one way or another here."

"Today's strikes targeted the Houthis' unmanned aerial vehicle, uncrewed surface vessel, land-attack cruise missile, and coastal radar and air surveillance capabilities," U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement Thursday night, issued from the hospital where he remains after complications from cancer treatment. "The United States maintains its right to self-defense and, if necessary, we will take follow-on actions to protect U.S. forces," he said.

MORE: US Navy and UK Royal Navy shoot down 18 Houthi drones and 3 missiles

PHOTO: Yemeni protestors loyal to the Houthi movement lift their rifles as they participate in a protest held against Israel's ongoing war on Gaza Blinken's warning of a military response to rebel attacks in the Red Sea on Jan. 11, 2024 in Sanaa, Yemen. (Mohammed Hamoud/Getty Images)

While Thursday's airstrikes were intended to lessen the Houthis' capability to go after ships in the Red Sea, the president will "not hesitate to direct further measures" if they continue, senior administration and senior military officials told reporters on a call Thursday night.

"This was a significant action and conducted with every objective and every expectation that will degrade in a significant way the Houthis' capability to launch exactly the sorts of attacks that they have conducted over the period of recent weeks," a senior administration official said.

"As to whether this will merely degrade or also deter -- I guess I can't do better than what the president has said, which is that he will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people in the free flow of international commerce as necessary," the official said.

"So this may well not be the last word on the topic. And when we have more to say and more to do, you will hear from us."

The senior officials declined to give specific details on how the large-scale attacks "degraded" the Houthis' capabilities but said generally they intended to disrupt the Houthis' missile, radar and UAV abilities.

"The capabilities that are essential to the Houthis campaign against commercial shipping in international waters," the senior administration official said.

Since the attack, the U.S. has not seen any "direct retaliatory action" from the Houthis, the senior military official said.

Earlier Thursday in London, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak convened a meeting of his top national security officials and members of Parliament were briefed leading to speculation that retaliatory strikes in Yemen were imminent.

The United Kingdom forms part of the 20 countries that make up the U.S.-led Operation Prosperity Guardian established in late December to defend commercial vessels from Houthi attacks as they transited the Red Sea.

MORE: Iranian navy seizes oil tanker in Gulf of Oman

PHOTO: An RAF Typhoon aircraft takes off to join the U.S.-led coalition from RAF Akrotiri to conduct air strikes against military targets in Yemen, in Cyprus, in this handout picture released on Jan. 12, 2024. (UK MOD Handout via Reuters)

Sunak also released a statement on Thursday's airstrikes.

"Despite the repeated warnings from the international community, the Houthis have continued to carry out attacks in the Red Sea, including against UK and US warships just this week," Sunak said. "This cannot stand. The United Kingdom will always stand up for freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade. We have therefore taken limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence."

The shipping route through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait into the Red Sea is a vital waterway through which 15% of the world's commerce transits.

The attacks had led some of the world's largest shipping companies to have their ships avoid the waterway and take the longer routes around Africa.

The Houthis have controlled parts of Yemen since 2014 and have demonstrated a willingness to expand their internal conflict beyond the country's borders.

In October 2016, Houthi radar sites were targeted by U.S. airstrikes following anti-ship missile attacks targeting a U.S. Navy destroyer sailing in international waters.

Thursday's strikes hit multiple targets, including in Yemen's capital of San'a.

"Our country was subjected to a massive aggressive attack by American and British ships, submarines, and warplanes, and America and Britain will undoubtedly have to prepare to pay a heavy price and bear all the dire consequences of this blatant aggression," Houthi Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein al-Ezzi posted on X Thursday night.

ABC News' Nasser Atta, Ahmed Baider and Justin Gomez contributed to this report.

US, UK launch large-scale retaliatory strikes against Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
The US and UK militaries launched strikes against Houthi targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen on Thursday, marking a significant response after the Biden administration and its allies warned that the Iran-backed militant group would bear the consequences of its attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

US President Joe Biden said he ordered the strikes in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea.

Today, at my direction, U.S. military forces  together with the United Kingdom and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlandssuccessfully conducted strikes against a number of targets in Yemen used by Houthi rebels to endanger freedom of navigation in one of the worlds most vital waterways, the president said in a statement released by the White House.

Biden added that he will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Friday the strikes were an act of self-defense, adding that the aim was to de-escalate tensions and to restore stability to the region.

US Air Forces Central Commander Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich initially said US and coalition forces struck over 60 targets with more than 100 precision-guided munitions at 16 Iranian-backed Houthi militant locations. The Houthi assets included command and control nodes, munitions, depots, launching systems, production facilities, and air defense radar systems, he added.

On Friday afternoon, Director of the Joint Staff Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims II said another 12 locations were also hit on Thursday after a near immediate decision following the initial strikes.

The strikes, which have been condemned by several leaders across the Middle East, killed five and wounded six others, according to the rebels military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, who said the airstrikes would not deter further Houthi attacks on shipping.

Multi-pronged operation

The US and UK strikes are a sign of the growing international alarm over the threat to one of the worlds most critical waterways. For weeks, the US had sought to avoid direct strikes on Yemen because of the risk of escalation in a region already simmering with tension as the Israel-Hamas war continues, but the ongoing Houthi attacks on international shipping compelled the coalition to act.

Though the US has carried out strikes against Iranian proxies in Iraq and Syria since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, this marks the first known strike against the Houthis in Yemen.

The strikes were from fighter jets and Tomahawk missiles. More than a dozen Houthi targets were fired on by missiles fired from air, surface, and sub platforms and were chosen for their ability to degrade the Houthis continued attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, a US official told CNN.

The USS Florida, a guided missile submarine that crossed into the Red Sea on November 23, was part of the attack on Yemen, according to a second US official.

The USS Philippine Sea guided missile cruiser and two Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers, the USS Gravely and the USS Mason, also took place, the official added on Friday.

The US also deployed 22 fixed wing aircraft  including F18s  from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier, the official said.

Four British Typhoon jets departed RAF Akrotiri, a major UK airbase in Cyprus, on Thursday evening local time, according to a British government official.

Two Voyager air-to-air refuelling tankers also comprised the mission, UK junior armed forces minister James Heappey told the BBC on Friday, adding that at least 14 targets were successfully hit.

They flew south, joined up with their US colleagues, and prosecuted two targets in Houth-controlled Yemen, both of which had been used for the launching of drone and missile attacks, Heappey added. There are no more UK convoys immediately planned, he said.

On Thursday, Rear-Admiral Emmanuel Slaars, joint commander of French forces in the Red Sea region, told journalists in Paris that French naval forces were patroling the waters where the Houthis operated.

Slaars said the French navy forces remain under national command and were not subordinated to the US. However, they are cooperating and sharing intelligence with the US.

A senior US military official told reporters on Thursday evening that he could not provide an exact percentage of Houthi assets that were destroyed in the strikes but that it was significant. He added that precision guided munitions were used to destroy the targets and also to minimize collateral damage.

We were absolutely not targeting civilian population centers. We were going after very specific capabilities, in very specific locations, with precision munitions, the official said.

A still from a video released by Houthi-run al-Masira TV allegedly shows the moment of the bombardment in Sanaa, Yemen. - Al-Masira TV

Regional divides

The Houthis  an Iran-backed Shia political and military organization that has been fighting a civil war in Yemen against a coalition backed by Saudi Arabia  have been launching drones and missiles at commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea for weeks, many of which have been intercepted and shot down by US Navy ships in the area.

The Houthis have said their bombardments are showing solidarity with the Palestinian people, after Israel launched an unrelenting military campaign on Gaza following Hamas October 7 terror attacks.

The Houthis have said they will only relent when Israel allows the entry of food and medicine into Gaza; its strikes could be intended to inflict economic pain on Israels allies in the hope they will pressure it to cease its military offensive.

Years of civil war has ravaged parts of Yemen, against the backdrop of a wider conflict between Houthi rebels and the Saudi-led coalition. In this image from December 5, 2017, Houthi fighters inspect the damage after a reported air strike carried out by Saudi-led forces on the presidential palace in the capital Sanaa. - Mohammed Huwais/AFP via Getty Images

Within Yemen, a yearslong conflict between Houthi forces and the Saudi-backed coalition has plunged the population into a devastating humanitarian crisis marked by famine, economic turmoil and extreme poverty.

Houthi forces stormed the capital Sanaa in 2014, and toppled the internationally recognized and Saudi-backed government, triggering a civil war. The conflict spiraled into a wider war in 2015 when a Saudi-led coalition intervened in an attempt to beat back the Houthis.

The conflict has killed up to 377,000 people, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reported in 2021. More than half of those died from indirect causes associated with the conflict, such as lack of food, water and healthcare.

Pro-Houthi demonstrators gathered in Sanaa on Friday, protesting against the US and UK airstrikes. Some chanted, God is great, death to America, death to Israel, curse the Jews, victory to Islam.

Houthi supporters rally in Sanaa on Friday, to denounce air strikes launched by the US and UK. - Khaled Abdullah/Reuters

Tuesday attacks were final straw

The Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping on Tuesday marked the final straw that culminated in Biden giving the green light for the US to move forward with Thursdays strikes, though preparations have been ongoing for some time, a senior US official told CNN.

The strikes come as Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin remains hospitalized following complications from a surgery for prostate cancer. A senior Defense official said Austin ordered and monitored the strikes in in real-time from the hospital with a full suite of secure communications.

Over the course of the past several weeks, Biden has weighed potential strikes against Houthi positions in Yemen against the prospect of an escalating crisis in the Middle East. His underlying hesitancy in ordering direct action has been the potential of getting drawn in more directly to an expanding conflict  a scenario US officials believe could ultimately be Irans objective.

But the White House had made clear the repeated Houthi attacks on international shipping lanes in the southern Red Sea were intolerable. The attacks have forced some of the worlds largest shipping companies to avoid the waterway, instead adding thousands of miles to international shipping routes by sailing around the continent of Africa.

Hours before the strike on Thursday, Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said Iran has a role to play in getting the Houthis to stop their reckless, dangerous, and illegal activity. If they did not, he said, there will be consequences.

The Houthis deputy foreign minister, Hussein al-Ezzi, claimed that Yemen was targeted in a massive aggressive assault.

In a speech Thursday, Houthi leader Abdul Malek Al-Houthi said that any US attack on Yemen  will not go unanswered, cryptically warning that the response will be much more than attacking US ships in the sea.

Houthi rebels military spokesperson Saree on Friday said they would continue their aggression against commercial ships in the Red Sea.

In a statement Friday on social media, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, the head of the groups Supreme Revolutionary Committee, said the airstrikes are barbaric, terrorist, and are a deliberate and unjustified aggression that reflects a brutal psychology.

Children receive free meals provided by a charitable kitchen in the Mseek area on March 23, 2022 in Sanaa. The civil war in Yemen has left 17 million people facing food insecurity, according to the World Food Programme. - Mohammed Hamoud/Getty Images

A senior US administration official signaled that there could be more action to come against the Houthis.

The Houthis fired at least one anti-ship ballistic missile towards a commercial vessel, Sims said on Friday.

The ballistic missile, fired Friday, did not hit any ships of any kind, Sims said, adding that he expected they were working through things on the ground and trying to determine what capabilities still exist for them. A US official said the missile was fired towards the M/T Khalissa in the Gulf of Aden.

I would expect that they will attempt some sort of retaliation. Quite honestly I would hope they wouldnt. And what I mean by that is, there are a number of actors here who have the ability and have influence with the Houthis who recognize that continued conflict is not  advantageous to them, Sims said. Iran would be one of them.

The hope would be that any real thought of retaliation is based on a clear understanding that we simply are not going to be messed with here, he added.

New explosions were heard in Yemens western port city of Hodeidah on Friday, a resident told CNN.

The airport in Hodeidah had been hit in the initial round of strikes early Friday morning. The resident provided CNN a video that showed smoke rising from the direction of the airport.

CNN has reached out to the US Department of Defense about the explosions, and whether there are new strikes in Yemen.

US warned of consequences

On Thursday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned while traveling in the region that if it doesnt stop, there will have to be consequences. And unfortunately, it hasnt stopped.

Blinken also said he doesnt believe the war in Gaza is escalating into a regional conflict, even as he warned of a lot of danger points. While in the region, Blinken visited Bahrain, home to the US Naval Forces Central Command and the Navys Fifth Fleet.

An important aspect of Blinkens trip to the Middle East was to tell regional leaders that if US takes military action against the Houthis, it should be seen as defensive, not escalatory, according to a senior State Department official.

On Wednesday, the United Nations Security Council passed a US- and Japan-led resolution condemning in the strongest terms the at least two dozen Houthi attacks on merchant and commercial vessels since November 19, 2023 and demanding that the Houthis immediately cease all such attacks. Eleven countries voted in favor of the resolution. Four abstained, including China and Russia. A Western diplomat told CNN that the US accommodated some of Chinas requests on the language of the resolution.

US strikes in Yemen are not unprecedented; according to the Council on Foreign Relations, the US has conducted nearly 400 airstrikes in Yemen since 2002.

In Yemen, officials say they are concerned at what a strike against the Houthis would portend for the region. Declassified US intelligence shows that Iran has been deeply involved in coordinating the Houthi attacks on commercial and merchant ships, including providing information about shipping vessels passing through the waterway.

Among the US concerns about taking direct action inside Yemen is also the risk of upsetting a carefully brokered truce in the war in Yemen between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, which a US official previously told CNN the Biden administration considers one of its most significant foreign policy achievements.

Some American officials feared a direct attack on the Houthis in Yemen would be precisely what the group craved: drawing the US into direct engagement with the Iranian proxy group and potentially committing its forces to a more prolonged conflict.

An RAF Typhoon aircraft takes off to join the US-led coalition from RAF Akrotiri to conduct air strikes against military targets in Yemen, aimed at the Iran-backed Houthi militia that has been targeting international shipping in the Red Sea, in Cyprus, in this handout picture released on January 12, 2024, local time. - UK MOD/Handout/Reuters

Concerns about a prolonged conflict

Still, Bidens attempts at deterrence had done little to prevent the Houthis from continuing their attacks on commercial and merchant ships transiting the Red Sea.

A significant turning point came around New Years, when US Navy helicopters shot and sank three Houthi boats in self-defense, killing those aboard. It was the first direct engagement between the US and Houthis since the start of the conflict, and prompted Biden to convene his national security team for a secure briefing call while he was on vacation in the US Virgin Islands.

That joint statement was issued on January 3, saying that 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.

While not describing the statement as a red line, Biden and his team recognized the language would essentially bind them to a more forceful response should the Houthi attacks continue, which many officials privately believed they would.

Just on Tuesday, the US Navy to shot down 21 missiles and drones fired by the Houthis; culminating on Thursday the fiercest response from the Biden administration since the salvos began.

There have been at least 27 Houthi attacks since November 19. As the US and its allies have been navigating the Houthis ongoing attacks, there have also been at least 131 attacks on US and coalition forces in Iraq and Syria since October 17, leading to several strikes on facilities linked to Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other proxy forces.

But many of the commercial vessels have had no connection to Israel. Vice Adm. Bradley Cooper, the commander of US Navy Central Command, said last week that the US assesses 55 nations have direct connections to the ships that have come under fire.

CNNs Samantha Waldenberg, Paul W. Murphy, Jonny Hallam, Amy Cassidy, Dalal Mawad and Catherine Nicholls contributed to this report.

CLARIFICATION: This story has been updated to clarify that the USS Florida is a guided-missile submarine.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

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I went snorkeling in Grenada to see Jason deCaires Taylor's newest sculptures. Jason deCaires Taylor @jasondecairestaylor

I went snorkeling in Grenada to see the world's first underwater sculpture park.

Jason deCaires Taylor's newest sculptures celebrate the Grenadian Spicemas festival.

The sculptures also serve as artificial reefs for marine life to cling to.

Art museums have never done much for me.

When I'm traveling, I'd much rather wander through a rainforest or rent a stand-up paddle board than analyze someone else's creative works.

Yet that's exactly what I found myself doing on my trip to the Caribbean.

The difference? Rather than standing in a stuffy, air-conditioned gallery, I was treading water while gazing down at Jason deCaires Taylor's newest masterpieces through a snorkel mask.

What makes the art so special is that witnessing it is an adventure in and of itself, whether you choose to scuba dive, snorkel, or gaze down from a glass-bottomed kayak.

Although Taylor's work can now be found worldwide in places like France, Mexico, and Australia, Grenada's underwater sculpture park was the first of its kind .

Here's what I saw on my snorkeling excursion to this awe-inspiring attraction.

My journey started at the docks in Grenadas capital.

We boarded the catamaran in St. George's, Grenada. Rebecca Strong

The underwater sculpture park can only be accessed by boat.

Several tour operators in Grenada offer trips to Molinere Bay, where the sculptures are located.

I took a catamaran  endearingly named Sky Flirt  with Wind and Sea Grenadines, which boarded in the colorful capital of Saint George's.

This excursion also included an authentic Grenadian lunch on board.

Getting out to the park in Molinere Bay entailed a short catamaran ride.

It took us 15 minutes to reach Molinere Bay via catamaran. Rebecca Strong

Molinere Bay is home to Grenada's famed underwater sculpture park  and it was only about a 15-minute catamaran ride to get there from the dock in St. George's.

Once there, it was time to get our snorkeling gear on.

Because this was my first time snorkeling, it took a few minutes to get my mask to fit comfortably.

The flippers were too big for my feet, but I'm a pretty good swimmer and knew I'd be wearing a life vest, so I opted to go without them.

Our tour operator told us we'd be able to see the sculptures from the water's surface and guided us off the boat.

I got to see Taylors newest collection, which was inspired by Grenadas Spicemas celebration.

Jason deCaires Taylor's newest sculptures celebrate the Grenadian Spicemas festival. Jason deCaires Taylor @jasondecairestaylor

Taylor's newest collection, "The Coral Carnival," was installed in October and added dozens of new sculptures to the already impressive exhibit, which originally opened in 2006.

"The Coral Carnival" celebrates Spicemas , an annual Grenadian festival comparable to Brazil's Carnival, and offers incredible insight into the country's local history and culture.

Each piece in the collection represents an iconic masquerader in the festival.

Taylor collaborated with several Grenadian artists  who won a local design competition  to help ensure the sculptures represented these characters accurately and authentically.

One that stood out to me was "Wild Indian," a character inspired by the Amerindian heritage of South American immigrants, who wears a feathered headdress, beaded jewelry, and face and body paint.

Some of the sculptures also have historical symbolism.

Jab Jab is a classic Spicemas masquerader. Jason deCaires Taylor @jasondecairestaylor

One classic  but often misunderstood  Spicemas masquerader is Jab Jab.

The name translates to "double devil" in French, and the character is meant to satirize the monstrous actions of slaveowners.

The character often wears or carries chains, which signify breaking free from the slavery of the island's past.

In Spicemas celebrations, people dressing as Jab Jab often paint themselves with black engine oil or molasses and wear devil horns as a powerful message of rebellion against oppression.

Local artists covered the sculpture of Jab Jab in pigments made from organic black squid ink.

The latest collection is a lot more colorful than his previous one.

Jason deCaires Taylor used natural pigments to add color to his sculptures. Jason deCaires Taylor @jasondecairestaylor

Taylor used natural pigments to add color to his latest batch of sculptures, which were previously all gray.

I also found that this made the newest sculptures more easily visible and recognizable from farther away.

The attention to detail is astonishing.

Fancy Mas is Spicemas' spectacular parade of masqueraders. Jason deCaires Taylor @jasondecairestaylor

Also known as Pretty Mas, Fancy Mas is Spicemas' spectacular parade of masqueraders.

This sculpture showcases how they're often adorned in eye-catching jewels, feathers, and sequins with intricate headpieces.

The sculptures have a larger eco-friendly purpose and serve as artificial reefs.

Jason deCaires Taylor's sculptures have become a shelter for coral polyps and other marine life. Jason deCaires Taylor @jasondecairestaylor

Taylor's sculptures aren't just stunning to look at  they also serve as artificial reefs for coral polyps and other marine life to cling to, find shelter, or hide from predators.

As an added benefit, the sculptures help to lure divers and tourists away from more sensitive reefs impacted by Hurricane Ivan.

After my trip, I have a newfound appreciation for art.

I enjoyed visiting Jason deCaires Taylor's underwater exhibit. Jason deCaires Taylor @jasondecairestaylor

Taylor's work completely transformed the way I view and admire art.

That's because his sculptures aren't just beautiful pieces to look at  they serve an ecological purpose while also offering incredible insight into Grenada's culture and traditions.

My next travel goal? Visiting one of Taylor's other underwater sculpture museums around the world.

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Yuan Yuan Tan in George Balanchines Serenade in 2000. Marty Sohl/San Francisco Ballet

San Francisco Ballet principal dancer Yuan Yuan Tan, an international star and an audience favorite for 29 seasons, will retire from the company next month.

Tans last performance will be as the dying courtesan Marguerite in Frederick Ashtons Marguerite and Armand on Feb. 14. She is also slated to dance the role she originated in former artistic director Helgi Tomassons 7 for Eight at the Ballets season-opening gala on Jan. 24, the company announced on Friday, Jan. 12.

To the San Francisco audiences over the last three decades, I express my sincere thanks, Tan said in a statement. Your belief in me has been a driving force, and I am grateful for the inspiration you have provided.

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Ballerina Yuan Yuan Tan and then-artistic director Helgi Tomasson in a rehearsal studio on Dec. 16, 2014. Brant Ward/The Chronicle

Born in Shanghai, Tan trained at the Shanghai Dancing School and at Stuttgart Ballets John Cranko School in Germany. She joined San Francisco Ballet as a soloist in 1995, shortly after an electrifying guest artist appearance. Tomasson promoted her to principal dancer less than two years later, making her the youngest-ever principal at the company as well as the first Chinese principal.

Tan won prestigious dance competitions as a teenager, taking the silver medal at the International Ballet Competition in Helsinki at the age of 15. Her long, delicate lines, unfurling physicality and ability to combine heartbreaking vulnerability with steely strength quickly endeared her to Bay Area audiences and landed her on the cover of Dance Magazine, which described her as the pinnacle of ballet beauty in 2013. So emblematic did Tan become of dance in San Francisco that she was awarded the Mayor of San Francisco Art Award twice, in 2018 and 2022.

Tans hero status in ballet even led to a Yuan Yuan Tan Barbie doll, created by Mattel as part of its Role Models collection in 2018.

San Francisco Ballet dancer Yuan Yuan Tan was honored with a Barbie Global Role Model doll in her likeness. Mattel

Tans lithe and pliant body, strong classical technique and cheerful but hardworking ethos in the studio made her a key inspiration to choreographers ranging from Mark Morris, who cast her in the title role for his full-length ballet Sylvia for its debut in 2004, to John Neumeier, who featured her as the equally fragile and frightening title character of The Little Mermaid, a role she recorded for a PBS Great Performances episode released in 2011.

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She was a special muse to resident choreographer Yuri Possokhov, who made an unforgettable role for her in his early career hit Magrittomania. In 2020, during the pandemic, Possokhov also choreographed and filmed a ballet featuring Tan and her mother, who encouraged Tan to accept a position in San Francisco when Tan was only 18 and knew almost no English.

Yuan Yuan Tan in John Neumeiers The Little Mermaid. Erik Tomasson/San Francisco Ballet

I didnt want to be a dancer, Tan told the Chronicle in 2020. My mom wanted me to. She auditioned when she was young, and she got in. But my grandfather didnt want her to dance. So Im just an only child that fulfilled her dream.

More Information Yuan Yuan Tans final performances: 7 for Eight at the San Francisco Ballet season-opening gala. 8 p.m. Jan. 24.  Marguerite and Armand as part of the British Icons program. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14. $29-$495. War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave., S.F. 415-865-2000. www.sfballet.org

Over her career, Tan has not only fulfilled that dream, but also served as a cultural ambassador. In 2002, she began to produce a performance titled Tan Yuan Yuan and Her Friends in China, a connection that led to San Francisco Ballets tours to China in 2009 and 2015. She established the Tan Yuan Yuan International Ballet Art Studio in partnership with the Shanghai Theater Academy in 2016.

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As I reflect on the years gone by and enter the next stage of my career, I am reminded of the importance of contributing to the growth and success of others and inspired to continue making a positive impact in ballet and beyond, she said.

Yuan Yuan Tan and Su Zhang in Yuri Possokhovs Dedicated To Erik Tomasson

Tans parents have lived with her, first in San Bruno and then in San Francisco, since the late 1990s. Last April, they walked her down the aisle to marry biotech worker Michael Tung.

The longest-dancing principal in San Francisco Ballets history, Tan received the companys inaugural Silver Artists Society award in 2022.

Yuan Yuan has made an extraordinary contribution to San Francisco Ballet and to the global community of artists, and has inspired generations of ballerinas and audience members, Ballet Artist Director Tamara Rojo said in a statement. I look forward to following her future endeavors.

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New York City  Last year, Mirian and Miguel, along with their 7-year-old son Jordan, traveled more than 3,000 miles from Ecuador to the U.S.-Mexico border.

They eventually landed in New York City, where Jordan started his journey through the education system at P.S. 51, an elementary school in Manhattan. Jordan is one of 34,000 migrant children who have enrolled in New York City Public Schools in the past 18 months, according to the district.

Jordan's first lesson came in teacher Liz Pearson's English as a New Language class.

"Some of them have, surprisingly, a lot of languages, or different languages, and some of them are starting at zero," Pearson said. "...(There's) a lot of smiling and laughing to make them feel comfortable."

An estimated 168,000 migrants have arrived in New York City in the past 18 months, according to city data, about one-third of whom are school-age children.

Border Patrol reported more than 225,000 migrants were taken into custody at the southern border in December, a monthly record for the agency.

New York City has struggled to handle the migrant influx, with Mayor Eric Adams calling on the Biden administration to provide the city with resources and assistance.

In an effort to stem the surge, Adams issued an executive order last month restricting the hours during which charter buses carrying asylum seekers from Texas can arrive in the city. Adams also filed a $708 million lawsuit last week against 17 charter bus companies which have been used by the state of Texas to transport migrants to New York City.

The city is facing an ENL teacher shortage that predates the migrant crisis. However, P.S. 51 Principal Stephanie Lukas says her school has enough space for the new arrivals.

"Where we are now is absolutely sustainable," Lukas said. "Absolutely. Could we double in numbers? Absolutely not. We just don't have the space."

Some lawmakers are worried about overcrowded classrooms, and the cost the migrant crisis could have on education.

For this young family, who asked that CBS News not use their last name over safety concerns, the move has not been easy.

"The hardest thing about school is that I do not understand them because they only speak English," Jordan said. "And I do not have any friends to play with."

"This is the first time I am hearing this, he had never told me this," Mirian told CBS News. "I always ask him how school was when he gets home, and he tells me fine. 'How are you doing?' 'I am fine,' he always tells me. He never tells me what I am hearing now."

Adding to the challenge was that the family had to vacate their shelter room earlier this month.

"Life is very hard here, it is not the way people said it was," Miguel said. "We came here and now we are suffering, especially us. They're making our kids suffer."

Unable to find work or a place to live, the family is starting over again in Minneapolis, hoping for another chance at the American dream.

Boeing CEO acknowledges mistake on Alaska Airlines 737

Hunter Biden leaves wild House committee meeting after surprise appearance

Hunter Biden makes surprise appearance at GOP-led House contempt hearing


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SF Sketchfest hosts events at the Castro Theatre and other venues throughout the city. Jakub Mosur Photography

Finally, San Franciscos favorite comedy festival is old enough to drink. To celebrate its 21st anniversary, SF Sketchfest has unleashed a 2024 schedule packed with legends, fresh faces and the delightfully unclassifiable.

Kicking off with a full slate of in-person events on Thursday, Jan. 18, this years installment will see more than 200 shows take place before concluding on Feb. 4. After eight years of showcasing in the now-shuttered PianoFight space on Taylor Street, 2024 will see the festival make a welcome return to the Marines Memorial Theatre.

In addition, a select group of this years shows, including performances from Eric Idle and Marc Maron, have the gravitas required as the final events scheduled to take place at the Castro Theatre before it closes for a year to undergo renovations. There are also big nights devoted to worthy titans of comedy, including tributes to Kyle MacLachlan (Twin Peaks), Bob Odenkirk (Mr. Show, Better Call Saul) and Amber Ruffin (The Amber Ruffin Show).

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Other marquee names on the lineup include Maria Bamford, Joel Kim Booster, Margaret Cho, David Cross, Dave Foley, Paul Giamatti, Tony Hale, Maggie Lawson, Ken Marino, Laraine Newman, Timothy Omundson, Adam Pally, Amy Schneider, Amber Tamblyn, Jennifer Tilly and many more.

Below are the Chronicles must-see highlights from the festivals packed 2024 schedule:

Kicking off the 21st annual SF Sketchfest on Thursday, Jan. 18, is a rare appearance from original Monty Python member Eric Idle. Paula Lobo/Getty Images

Eric Idle but Jeff B. Davis

Kicking off the 21st annual SF Sketchfest is a rare appearance from original Monty Python member Eric Idle, who will mark his first live North American show in seven years with a night of performance, music, conversation, and sketch work at the Castro Theatre alongside friend and collaborator Jeff B. Davis.

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7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18. Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St., S.F. $75-$95. www.sfsketchfest.com

Comedians David Wain, left, on drums, and Ken Marion Witness are scheduled to live out their dreams of being amateur musicians at SF Sketchfest 2024. John Bernstein

Middle Aged Dad Jam Band with Ken Marino and David Wain

Witness professional comedians live out their dreams of being amateur musicians as Ken Marino (Party Down) and David Wain (Wet Hot American Summer) conduct Weird Al Yankovic and a handful of other famous friends through a night of classic rock covers at Great American Music Hall. Guests include Nadia Quinn, Michaela Watkins and Jordan Katz.

8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20. Great American Music Hall, 859 OFarrell St., S.F. $45-$125. www.sfsketchfest.com

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Weird Al Yankovic is set to make a guest appearance in Triumph the Insult Comic Dogs Lets Make a Poop! show at SF Sketchfest 2024. Emma McIntyre/Getty Image

Triumph the Insult Comic Dogs Lets Make a Poop!

Voiced by Saturday Night Live legend Robert Smigel, Triumph the Insult Comic Dogs repeated appearances at SF Sketchfest never fail to bring the doghouse down. In this version, the foulmouthed canine puppet hosts a live edition of his titular quiz show podcast at the Castro Theatre, featuring Weird Al Yankovic and surprise guests. Warning: Songs may be sung.

8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21. Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St., S.F. $45-$65. www.sfsketchfest.com

Laci Mosleys podcast Scam Goddess examines all things fraudulent with a rotating cast of exceptionally funny friends. Join her at Cobbs Comedy Club for a live episode taping at SF Sketchfest 2024. Leon Bennett/Getty Images

Scam Goddess with Laci Mosley

Host Laci Mosleys podcast examines all things fraudulent with a rotating cast of her exceptionally funny friends. Join the Scam Goddess herself at Cobbs Comedy Club for a live episode taping featuring authentically funny guests Marie Faustin, Carl Tart and Demi Adejuyigbe.

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7 p.m. Jan. 21. Cobbs Comedy Club, 915 Columbus Ave., S.F. $25-$35. www.sfsketchfest.com

Paul Giamatti poses with the award for best performance by a male actor in a motion picture musical or comedy for his role in The Holdovers at the 2024 Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills. Gilbert Flores/Golden Globes

Paul Giamattis Chinwag with Stephen Asma

With Oscar buzz generating over his latest performance in Alexander Paynes The Holdovers, acclaimed actor Paul Giamatti plans to host a live taping of a podcast where deep, enriching conversation is the only goal. See Giamatti and Chinwag in the flesh at Marines Memorial Club as the Sideways star welcomes bestselling author and Columbia College Chicago professor of philosophy Stephen Asma.

1 p.m. Jan. 27. Marines Memorial Theatre, 609 Sutter St., S.F. $50-$95. www.sfsketchfest.com

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The Red Room Orchestra will pay tribute to Kyle MacLachlan at SF Sketchfest on Jan. 31. Sarahbeth Maney/The Chronicle 2020

Red Room Orchestra Tribute to Kyle MacLachlan

It would not be Sketchfest without an appearance (or two) from the Red Room Orchestra, so named in honor of David Lynchs cult classic Twin Peaks. Dreams apparently do come true, for Red Room is set to fete series star Kyle MacLachlan (Agent Cooper) with a special in-person musical tribute at Great American Music Hall. The event will also include an appearance from fellow castmate Carel Struycken (Giant, the Fireman), plus special guests Margaret Cho, Petra Haden and more.

8 p.m. Jan. 31. Great American Music Hall, 859 OFarrell St., S.F. $55-$125. www.sfsketchfest.com

The Fast and the Furious: A Musical Parody stars Matt OBrien and Brad Silnutzer, who will mount their high-octane satire at Chinatowns Great Star Theater. Matt Misisco

The Fast and the Furious: A Musical Parody

Sometimes the name says it all, but should clarification be required, this is indeed a fully realized musical experience unofficially devoted to the Vin Diesel The Fast and the Furious film franchise. Engines revved! After a sold-out run in Los Angeles, stars Matt OBrien and Brad Silnutzer, creator of the musical along with Joey Orton, will mount their high-octane satire for one night only at Chinatowns Great Star Theater.

7:30 p.m. Feb. 1. Great Star Theater, 636 Jackson St., S.F. $28-$38. www.sfsketchfest.com

Actor Michael Shannon and veteran musician Jason Narducy will cover R.E.M.s debut record (Murmur) and sophomore release (Reckoning) with a band of talented friends at SF Sketchfest 2024. Cameron Flaisch

Michael Shannon & Jason Narducy Play R.E.M.s Murmur

The Great American Music Hall is beginning to become a beacon for actors looking to live the rock star life. Following an appearance by Keanu Reeves Dogstar in December, the venue will now welcome Academy Award nominee Michael Shannon (The Shape of Water) and veteran musician Jason Narducy (Superchunk, Guided By Voices) for two consecutive evenings as they cover R.E.M.s debut record (Murmur) and sophomore release (Reckoning) with a band of talented friends.

Murmur 8 p.m. Feb. 1. $45-$50. Reckoning 8 p.m. Feb. 2. Great American Music Hall, 859 OFarrell St., S.F. $45-$50. www.sfsketchfest.com

Oakland-native comic Moshe Kasher returns to the Bay Area to celebrate the release of his forthcoming memoir, Subculture Vulture: A Memoir in Six Scenes, at SF Sketchfest. FilmMagic

Moshe Kashers Subculture Vulture: An Evening in Six Scenes

More Information SF Sketchfest 2024: Jan. 18-Feb. 4. Various venues in San Francisco. For a full schedule of events, including a list of select shows available to stream, plus ticket details, go to www.sfsketchfest.com

Oakland comic Moshe Kasher returns home with a book-launch event to celebrate the release of his forthcoming memoir, Subculture Vulture: A Memoir in Six Scenes. In honor of his books theme, Kasher has selected co-moderators for each of the six featured cultures  Alcoholics Anonymous, raves, comedy, Judaism, Burning Man and the deaf community  to join him for a lively panel, followed by a book signing. Guests include Ali Macofsky, Andie Grace, D.J. Demers, Guy Branum, Sunshine Jones and W. Kamau Bell.

7 p.m. Feb. 3. Brava Theater Center, 2781 24th St., S.F. $25-$35. Video stream available. www.sfsketchfest.com

Marc Maron, a pioneer of both alternative comedy and podcasting, will be at SF Sketchfest 2024. Elizabeth Viggiano

Marc Maron: All In

The significance of this event is twofold. First, its a chance to hear fresh material from Marc Maron, a pioneer of both the alternative comedy scene and the world of podcasting (WTF With Marc Maron). But in addition to hearing Marons newest jokes, the night also marks  at least as of now  the final event currently scheduled to take place at the Castro Theatre before it closes for a year to undergo renovations. Why cry when you can laugh, right?

8 p.m. Feb. 3. Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St., S.F. $49.50-$69.50. www.sfsketchfest.com
YEREVAN, JANUARY 12, ARMENPRESS. The United States and Britain launched strikes from the air and sea against Houthi military targets in Yemen in response to the movement's attacks on ships in the Red Sea, Reuters reports.

As witnesses in Yemen confirmed explosions throughout the country to Reuters, U.S. President Joe Biden cautioned in a statement late on Thursday he would not hesitate to take further action if needed.

"These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation," Biden said.

Britain's ministry of defence said in a statement that "early indications are that the Houthis' ability to threaten merchant shipping has taken a blow."

Iran, which supports the Houthis, strongly condemned the attacks. A spokesperson for the Houthis said there was no justification for the attacks and that the group will continue targeting ships heading towards Israel.

Russia said it had requested an urgent meeting of the U.N. Security Council to discuss the military strikes.

The Houthis say their attacks on shipping routes in the Red Sea are a show of support for the Palestinians and Hamas, the Islamist group that controls Gaza.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who is in hospital due to surgery complications, said in a statement that the strikes targeted Houthi capabilities including drones, ballistic and cruise missiles, costal radar and air surveillance.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 12, ARMENPRESS. Armenian and Azerbaijani authorities should ensure focus on human rights protection in their peace talks and establish strong human rights safeguards for all persons affected by the conflict, said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatovic, as she published her Observations following her visit to Armenia and Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh, from 16 to 23 October 2023.

It was the first time in decades that a human rights mission of this kind was able to visit the Karabakh region, Mijatovics office said in a press release.

The visit was prompted by the mass displacement of over 101,000 Karabakh Armenians who fled to Armenia in the space of only a few days at the end of September. It followed Azerbaijans military action on 19 and 20 September, its subsequent full control over the region and the prolonged disruption in the movement of people and access to essential goods, services and energy supplies experienced by Karabakh Armenians as a result of a nine-month blocking of the road along the Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan. In Armenia, the Commissioner spoke with Karabakh Armenians who had left and were staying in shelters provided by the authorities," the Commissioner's office said.

Mijatovic also visited Stepanakert, where she "witnessed empty streets, abandoned premises and almost no sign of the presence of civilians."

"On the basis of what she could hear and see, the Commissioner concluded that at the end of September 2023, Karabakh Armenians found themselves abandoned without any reliable security or protection guarantees by any party, and that, for them, leaving home was the only reasonable option available. While welcoming the efforts made by the Armenian authorities to provide all those in need who arrived from the Karabakh region with the first basic assistance, the Commissioner stressed that Karabakh Armenians who fled to Armenia, and in particular those belonging to vulnerable groups, should be guaranteed access to all necessary support in the immediate, medium and long term. Council of Europe member states should maintain a focus on providing financial support to ensure that the humanitarian needs of displaced persons and their host populations can be fully met, added the Commissioner. The Commissioner stressed that recently-displaced Karabakh Armenians in Armenia should be given the possibility of returning in safety and dignity  even if it seems hypothetical for most at the moment  including by finding flexible solutions, in particular as concerns their citizenship and legal status. Pending a possible return, ways should be promptly found, including by establishing security guarantees, for Karabakh Armenians to temporarily access their homes or places of habitual residence, and visit graveyards where loved ones are buried. It is incumbent on the Azerbaijani authorities to ensure that property left behind by Karabakh Armenians is protected from looting, theft or being taken over. The few ethnic Armenians who have stayed in the Karabakh region should also benefit from all human rights protection, including by having their freedom of movement secured."

The Commissioner also expressed hope that all internally displaced persons who so wish will be able to return as soon as possible in safety and dignity. "More generally, the Commissioner stressed that all persons displaced by the long-lasting conflict have the right to return to their homes or places of habitual residence voluntarily and under conditions of safety and dignity, regardless of whether they have been displaced internally or across borders, reads the press release issued by Mijatovic's office.

All allegations of breaches of international humanitarian law and serious human rights violations reported in relation to the conflict need to be effectively and promptly investigated, the perpetrators brought to justice and if found guilty after a fair, independent and impartial trial, sentenced and punished. This includes allegations relating to the circumstances of the blocking of the Lachin corridor, the mass displacement of Karabakh Armenians and the military operation of 19 to 20 September, said the Commissioner. She added that this must be done through a victim-centred approach that treats the victims and their families with sensitivity and compassion. A comprehensive approach to dealing with the past and addressing the serious human rights violations committed in the context of the conflict over the Karabakh region should also be put in place. Other human rights issues addressed in the Commissioners Observations include the need to protect people from mines and explosive remnants of war; the situation of persons detained in connection with the conflict, including the conditions of their detention and level of contact with their families; and the importance of clarifying the fate of missing persons throughout the region and to provide answers to their families. Lastly, the Commissioner called on the authorities in both countries to combat hate speech and promote mutual understanding and trust, including by involving civil society in establishing human rights-compliant memorialisation and reconciliation processes, the Commissioners office said in the press release.
Inaugurating the sea bridge, the PM said that the project was pending for several years under the UPA regime

Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated Atal Setu, the longest sea bridge in India. The 22-km long bridge will reduce the distance from Mumbai to Pune and Goa.

Inaugurating the sea bridge, the PM said that the project was pending for several years under the UPA regime. But it was accelerated by the BJP government, he said. Modi's guarantee begins where the expectation from others ends, he said.

Reminding the people regarding his guarantee, the Prime Minister said that they have delivered on their promises. I laid the foundation for the Atal Setu on 24 December 2016 and vowed that Bharat will change and grow, he said.

Modi slammed the previous governments for slow pace of progress on various development projects in the country. Without taking the name of the Congress, he also blamed the previous governments for not having good intentions to develop the country. He said the previous governments interest was to protect the interest of their family members.

Coming down heavily on the previous government, Modi said that they have developed infrastructure in the country with Niyat aur Nishtha (good "intention" and "dedication") for the countrymen.

The PM on Friday dedicated the 21.8 km Mumbai-Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), officially known as Atal Bihari Vajpayee Smruti Sewri Nhava Sheva Atal Setu around 4 pm and then travelled by the Atal Setu to Chirle and held a mini road show before reaching the dais of the venue of a public event at construction site of upcoming airport at Navi Mumbai. He also laid the foundation stone of multiple projects including road, rail, metro of over Rs 33,000 crore during his visit to Mumbai.

Addressing the public rally at the construction site of the upcoming Navi Mumbai Airport, the Prime Minister said, "Today is a historic day for Mumbai and Maharashtra, along with the resolution for 'Viksit Bharat'. Today, the nation has received Atal Setu, one of the longest sea bridges in the world.I dedicate Atal Setu to Mumbaikars and the nation bowing before Chhatrapati Shivaji, Mumba Devi and Siddhivinayak.

Comparing previous UPA government's works with his government, Modi said that Rs 12 Lakh crore had been invested in infrastructure projects of the country till 10 years before 2014, while Rs 44 lakh crore had been invested in infrastructure projects in the last 10 years.

He also said that the Bandra Worli Sea Link (BWSL) project is five times less than the Atal Setu project. In the previous government's regime, the BSWL project was completed in more than 10 years. Even the cost of the BSWL project had escalated five times. "This is how the previous government used to perform," he said. The Atal Setu project is not only going to provide facilities but also provide employment opportunities to 17,000 workers and 1,500 engineers.

In his 18 minute speech, he said that the government is working on two fronts. "On one hand, we are working to make the poor person's life better by running welfare schemes, on the other hand, multiple development projects are being executed across the country. We are operating the Atal pension scheme and also constructing the Atal Setu. We are running the Ayushman Bharat Scheme and also operating the Vande Bharat train...the country is witnessing all this because of our niyat and nishtha (good intention and dedication). Our government's intention is clean and our dedication is with countrymen and country. Jaisi niyat aur nishtha hoti hain, vaisi hi niti hoti hain (The intention and dedication decides the policy)....Those who have ruled the country for a long time. Their intention was always questionable. Their intention was only to come into power, to make their vote bank intact and fill up their coffers. Their dedication was not with the countrymen but to ensure the progress of their family members. Therefore, they did not think of developed India and modern infrastructure," Modi said.

Pointing out the corruption in previous governments, he said that ten years ago, there were discussions about scams of Lakh crores. But today, it is being discussed about the projects worth Rs thousand crores, This is our good governance resolution, which is reflected across the country, he said.

The PM said that women empowerment is the foremost guarantee of any double engine government in any state. They are going to make two crore women Lakhpati in the country. Coming forward with women and leading the movement for Viksit Bharat is very critical. Removal of every obstacle in the path of our mother and daughters and ensuring ease of life for them is a priority for our government, he added.

Modi said that Maharashtra will be a strong pillar of the developed country. "We will leave no stone unturned in their efforts for this," he said.

The Prime Minister also dedicated the phase 1 of the Surya regional bulk drinking water project to the Nation. He also flagged off Phase 2 of Uran-Kharkopar railway line and dedicated to Nation include a new suburban station Digha Gaon on the Thane-Vashi/Panvel Trans-harbour line and the new 6th Line between Khar Road & Goregaon railway station.

He also inaugurated Bharat Ratnam (Mega Common Facilitation Centre) for Gems and Jewellery sector at Santacruz Electronic Export Processing Zone- Special Economic Zone (SEEPZ SEZ) and New Enterprises & Services Tower (NEST)- 01 at SEEPZ- SEZ. The Prime Minister also launched Namo Mahila Shashaktikaran Abhiyaan, which aims to empower women in the state of Maharashtra by providing skill development training and exposure to entrepreneurship development.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister visited the Shree Kalaram Temple in Nashik district of north Maharashtra. Shree Kalaram Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Ram, is also where Dr BR Ambedkar and Sane Guruji had to stage protests stating that Ram belongs to them as well.

Post this, Modi also inaugurated the 27th National Youth Festival in Nashik district. He paid floral tributes to the portrait of Swami Vivekanand and Rajmata Jijau. He also witnessed a march past by the states team and a cultural program on the theme of Viksit Bharat @ 2047 - Yuva ke liye, Yuva ke dwara which included Rhythmic gymnastics, Mallakhamb, Yogasana and National Youth Festival song.

Addressing the youth festival in Nashik, the Prime Minister said, Today marks the occasion of Indias youth power and is dedicated to the great personality of Swami Vivekanand who filled the county with new energy and enthusiasm during the period of slavery. He also conveyed his best wishes to all youth on the occasion of National Youth Day which is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekanand. He also noted the birth anniversary of Rajmata Jijabai, the symbol of Indias women power and expressed gratitude for being present in Maharashtra on this occasion.
Many worried absence may cost party votes in LS elections

The Congress appears to be a divided house over attending the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22.( Representational Image)

New Delhi: The Congress appears to be a divided house over attending the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22. Despite the move by the partys top leaders to decline the invitation, some of the Congress leaders have decided to attend. Another section of senior leaders argues that the party has handed a stick to the BJP to flog the Congress. Sure enough, the BJP on Thursday stepped up its attack on the Congress, claiming that the Opposition partys decision to boycott has exposed its inherent opposition to Indias culture and Hindu religion.

Slamming the Congress decision to boycott the ceremony, the BJP pointed out that even Iqbal Ansari, the Muslim litigant in the land dispute case involving the temple and the Babri mosque, was extended an invitation, which he accepted.

The Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Wednesday respectfully declined the invitation to attend the Ram Temple consecration ceremony, accusing the BJP of making it into a political project for electoral gains.

However, the partys decision was questioned by some of its own leaders, including its senior leader from Gujarat Arjun Modhwadia, who said the party should have stayed away from taking such a political decision as Bhagwan Shri Ram is worshipped as God in India and it is a subject of trust and belief among the people of India.

Also, Himachal Pradesh PWD minister Vikramaditya Singh, son of late Congress stalwart Virbhadra Singh, has decided to go to Ayodhya despite the party's decision to decline the invite. Mr Singh, whose mother Pratibha Singh is the PCC chief in the state, said that the Ram Mandir is not a political issue and participating in the consecration ceremony will be a rare chance to be a part of history.

Hitting at the Opposition party over its decision, BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said due to its feelings of "jealousy, malice and inferiority complex" towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress had gone to the extent of opposing the country and is now opposing God.

The Ram temple in Ayodhya symbolises the highest values of Indian traditions and culture, Mr Trivedi said, but for the Congress and other Opposition parties with a similar mindset, extremist politics is more important, he alleged.

The BJP leader claimed that it has been the main Opposition party's tendency to create hurdles during historic moments for the country.

"Whenever the page of history turns, the Congress, instead of standing with it, has opted to boycott," he said, citing a host of events, including the inauguration of the new Parliament building, the enactment of the GST and presidential addresses to Parliament by Ram Nath Kovind and Droupadi Murmu.

People have also continued to keep the Congress away from power, but it is not getting any wiser, he said, adding that the party had an opportunity to redeem its past mistakes, but it has wasted the chance.

He also rejected the Congress' contention that the BJP and the RSS had appropriated the entire event, scheduled for January 22 in Ayodhya, saying there is no division among people in the temple. It should not be linked to any organisation or ideology, he said.

The BJP spokesperson wondered if the Congress still stands with the idea of rebuilding the mosque, which was torn down by a frenzied mob in Ayodhya in 1992.

Noting that the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was opposed to the association of President Rajendra Prasad and some leaders of the Congress with the rebuilding and inauguration of the Somnath temple, Mr Trivedi claimed the Congress is continuing with his legacy and has disowned the 'Ram Rajya' concept of Mahatma Gandhi.

Its government under Indira Gandhi had fired upon saints protesting against cow-slaughter and when its president was Sonia Gandhi Lord Ram was described as an imaginary figure, he added.

The temple is coming up after 500 years of struggle and has stirred national pride, he said.
Party sources on Thursday said the TMC does not see any meaning in holding a meeting with the Congress national alliance committee

West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee greets Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar during a joint press conference after opposition parties' meeting. RJD chief Lalu Prasad and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge are also seen. (PTI File Image)

New Delhi: As the Congress pushes ahead with its meetings on Lok Sabha seat-sharing with I.N.D.I.A. partners, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) said they are not keen on sending any representative for the talks as they have clearly spelled out their expectations.

Party sources on Thursday said the TMC does not see any meaning in holding a meeting with the Congress national alliance committee.

While the TMC acknowledged that it had spoken about leaving two seats to the ally, sources said the Congress has not communicated any number to the TMC amid speculation that the grand old party has demanded nine to 12 seats in the state.

Without spelling out their demands, sources said the Congress has told the TMC that the offer is too low and difficult to accept.

Trinamool sources said there was no point in a senior leader flying to Delhi to meet the panel and repeat the proposal and rationale to earmark just two out of the 42 seats in the state to the Congress

Sources explained that the Congress did not cross 5 per cent of votes in 39 seats in 2019 and that is the reality.

A senior TMC leader, however, said that the party is committed to the I.N.D.I.A. bloc but the Congress should acknowledge the ground reality in Bengal.

Trinamool sources said only party chief Mamata Banerjee can decide on increasing the number of seats for the Congress, indicating that the talks between the Congress and the TMC will now be held only at the highest level.

Sources also said the TMC has sought one Lok Sabha seat in Meghalaya and two in Assam in the Lok Sabha polls.

The TMC's argument is that it had a larger vote share than the Congress in Meghalaya in the last Assembly elections in the state.

In the last couple of days, the Congress has held several rounds of meetings with its allies.
Nitish tipped to be I.N.D.I.A. convener

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal CM and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar during the INDIA alliance meeting, at a hotel in Mumbai, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. (PTI File Image)

New Delhi: As seat-sharing discussions carry on amongst the INDIA bloc partners, leaders of the Opposition parties will meet virtually on Saturday morning. Insiders claim that JD(U) chief and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar might be declared as their INDIA blocs convenor.

Mr Kumars name was supposed to be proposed for the convenor position, however, this did not materialise. This meeting may witness the appointment of a convenor, as well as a spokesperson and a secretariat.

According to sources, the Bihar chief minister's greater focus on national politics benefits the RJDs interests in the state, hence, the party has reconsidered its earlier opposition to Mr Kumars nomination as INDIA block convenor.

Opposition leaders are also likely to discuss the progress made by their respective parties in terms of seat sharing.

The Congress has held meetings with Maharashtra partners Shiv Sena UBT, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi (VBA). It has also held meetings with the AAP in Delhi and Punjab. A meeting with Samajwadi Party (SP) and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) has also been held.

The Trinamul Congress has already stated that they have given their proposal to the Congress high command, so there is no need for a meeting. These have been preliminary meetings, a final figure will soon emerge.

As many as 28 Opposition parties have come together under the banner of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) to take on the BJP and defeat it in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

However, there are many issues which are yet to be resolved within the alliance, including that of appointing a convenor. Seat-sharing talks with members of the Opposition bloc have also not been fruitful so far due to claims and counter-claims on the seats.
Snorkeling Goals, Tourist Tiffs, and Aamir Khan's Wedding: A Captivating Start to 2024

For the first column of 2024, why not begin with a New Year resolution? I have resolved to learn how to snorkel. So have thousands of loyal Indian citizens. Poochho kyon??? As with much else in our lives, we seek inspiration from our great leader, whose recent snorkeling shot (looking hot!) in Lakshadweep went viral. If he can, we can, we told ourselves after hastily cancelling booking to the other destination. The one that is so badnaam right now, even Munni is blushing. Amazing, what a well-staged, well-timed photo-op can do! Prime Minister Narendra Modis snorkeling pin-up shot promoting Indias latest tourist spot garnered more social media likes within seconds than all the bikini bod Insta posts of loved-up Bollywood couples chilling in the Maldives. So loyal are we to our beloved leader, even diehard Maldives fans promptly turned their tanned backs (and toned derrieres) on their fave luxe resort in the azure waters of the Indian Ocean, and started raving about Lakshadweep. Most hadnt heard of the pristine tropical archipelago of 36 atolls and coral reefs, situated 406 km west of Kochi in Kerala. Very few were confident about the pronunciation (Dude Lakha-WHAT??). But it was suddenly cool to publicly declare undying love for a place with a population of 60K, which is not that easy to get to, and does not boast of sexy holiday options like the Maldives. Till last week, every celebrity worth his/her beach thong was busy bragging about a vaccy in Magical Maldives, flaunting the many, almost unimaginable luxuries available at snob resorts where prices range from Rs 40 lakhs a night per secluded villa, to a more affordable Rs 10 lakhs at less posh resorts -- the ones shunned by international billionaires, the Russian mafia and Chinese moneybags. Over two decades, the Maldives entrenched itself in the high-end tourist circuit favoured by the very rich, the very famous and the very desperate. With resorts this remote, the Maldives provided a safe, discreet haven for global rockstars to take a well-earned break from the hungry, prying eyes of the intrusive public and pesky papparazzi. What can possibly be considered more luxurious than sun-bathing naked on a deserted sand bank with nobody around save a few disinterested seagulls. chilled champagne and Beluga but an arms length away?

But wait the Maldives just blew it! The Maldives messed up big-time last week! How utterly stupid of the three bak-bak Maldives ministers to badmouth Indias Prime Minister? NaMo and his communications team can beat the best global marketers and ad gurus when it comes to optics. All the PM had to do was sit aaram se in a deck chair, staring thoughtfully at a dream-like, picture postcard perfect beach in Lakshadweep. Boom! War was instantly declared by those misguided Maldivian ministers, who felt threatened/insecure enough by the possibility of Indian tourists abandoning their country in favour of their very own island heaven. The consequences of their foolish outburst were swift and lethal. Mass cancellations and a boycott Maldives call snowballed across India, as leading movie stars handpicked by the PMs team raced to post pictures declaring Lakshadweep to be their favourite-est, most amazing holiday spot ever! Errr one of them (Ranveer Singh) must have been in such a hurry, he posted pictures of the Maldives by mistake! So what? His heart was beating for Lakshadweep, okay? The others had collective amnesia and obviously forgot about multiple posts over Xmas, that showed them frolicking in the lagoon around their Maldivian water villas, proving they are as shallow as the lagoon itself. But our Bipasha Basu is different. She went ahead and posted pics of her birthday break in the Maldives, at the height of the boycott calls. I love her for it. Why be a hypocrite and follow the herd? The trolls were less forgiving!

Well, new converts to Lakshadweep will have to wait till end-2026, when the Taj Group opens two properties in Suheli and Kadmat. The impatient hordes will have to opt for a less luxe experience, which remain pretty pricey nevertheless, starting at 18K a night for a cottage in Bangaram. The bigger question remains: Will a tourist exodus to these remote islands and atolls signal an eco-disaster down the line? I came across a telling BBC clip that exposed the untold story about the Maldives and showed gigantic islands of smouldering garbage, an ugly sight thats kept carefully away from the tourists gaze. The coral reefs there are fading rapidly, and a few have disappeared altogether. Tourists display zero sensitivity towards environmental issues and flagrantly ignore rules. Should we not be more concerned about the possible and permanent damage irresponsible tourists could inflict on Lakshadweep? Is it worth that monumental environmental cost -- just to score brownie points over the Maldives and teach them a lesson for the political choices that the nation is currently making? Let them pick China over India! If its Saudi Arabia or Qatar money and lifestyle the Maldivians want hey, its their country, their choice. Strategically, the Maldives is important to India. Lets work on strategy! Not wage a touristy war.

End note: I totally loved the blatant breaking of all desi shaadi rules by Aamir Khans daughter Ira, who married her love, fitness trainer Nupur Shikare, and showed the world how couples can script their own weddings, and to hell with convention. Fans were delighted when the bridegroom wore a ganji and bicycle shorts at his baraat and jogged to the wedding registration venue, where the simply dressed dulhan was waiting in Kolhapuri chappals. Go shower, she instructed her brand-new husband after the registration, and off he went with a big grin on his face. Then came a few yoga asanas, head stands and calisthenics on the morning of their traditional shaadi in Udaipur, with a pajama party for friends later, followed by a family singalong at which the father of the bride (superstar Aamir Khan) sang a medley with his ex-wife (Kiran Rao), as Reena Dutta, another ex-wife (the brides mother), clapped from the audience. A Christian wedding and some more festivities later, it was a wrap. But not before the father of the bride had shed copious tears. How unique and fun! Hope it sends out a powerful signal to celebs who waste zillions on OTT destination weddings. The Khans and Shikhares powerfully demonstrated how the only thing that counts -- or should -- is the couples happiness, along with mutual respect, understanding and deep love for your own. Bravo!
Franklins Teleme, a cult-favorite Bay Area cheese, is back in production. Elena Kadvany/The Chronicle

For four long years, one of the Bay Areas most in-demand and unusual cheeses was nowhere to be found.

Fans called Rainbow Grocery Cooperative in San Francisco and left their phone numbers with instructions to call as soon as it was back. They searched for substitutes, but nothing was the same. Desperate customers and distributors pestered the cheesemaker, Franklin Peluso, almost daily, and got an unsatisfying answer: He just doesnt make it anymore.

That is, until last year, when Franklins Teleme cheese made a miraculous comeback.

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Peluso, 78, and his son, Adam Peluso, quietly started making teleme cheese again. Word spread through a cheese whisper network about the return of the California cult classic, which was first reported by former Chronicle cheese columnist Janet Fletcher.

Its one of the most unique cheeses made in the country and its made right here in our backyard, said Rainbow Grocery cheesemonger Gordon Edgar, whos been eating Franklins Teleme since the 1990s. Its a cheese thats really worthy of attention.

Teleme is a stracchino-style cows milk cheese, with the oozing, luscious texture of brie and a trademark tangy flavor that deepens and shape-shifts as it ages. Instead of forming a rind, its dusted lightly with rice flour, an Italian tradition that prevents the whey from leaking out but doesnt get gummy. As it ages, the consistency turns delightfully runny; serve it room temperature in a bowl or else it will leak everywhere.

Teleme is incredibly versatile. It can anchor a charcuterie plate with meat and fruit, or be folded into polenta or dolloped onto pizza. One cheese expert described Franklins Teleme as supernaturally light and fudgy; another called it the cheese personality of the West.

Franklin's washed-rind teleme cheese, pictured in San Francisco in 2012. Craig Lee/Special to The Chronicle

The Peluso family has been making teleme for nearly a century. There is no written recipe, just muscle memory and instructions three generations of fathers have given to their sons. Today, Peluso and his son produce a couple thousand pounds a month completely by hand in Modesto. He said they are the only two people in the world who know how to make this recipe.

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Telemes origins are unknown, but its history in California stretches back to the 1920s, when a Greek family started making it at their Pleasanton cheese factory. According to local lore, they were trying to make feta but ended up with a creamier cheese. Around the same time, Pelusos grandfather, Giovanni, learned how to make teleme at a dairy factory run by Italian immigrants in Los Banos (Merced County). The Greek-influenced cheese had caught hold in the Bay Areas Italian community, so they decided to tweak the recipe to make it more like a soft, creamy stracchino-style cheese.

Giovanni Peluso made the first batch of this new teleme in 1927, according to the Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity. Eleven-pound wheels of teleme became staples in the Italian delis of San Franciscos North Beach neighborhood.

Teleme was a staple on the famed cheese cart at Michelin-starred restaurant Gary Danko in San Francisco a decade ago, said general manager Cole Mathers. As of two weeks ago, it is again roaming the dining room on the cart.

The Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity added Pelusos teleme to its Ark of Taste, which tracks high-quality, small-scale products across the world to draw attention to the risk that they might disappear within a few generations. Pelusos Mid-Coast Cheese Co. is the only remaining producer of traditional teleme, according to the organization.

As a high-quality product that reflects the immigrant history of the San Francisco Bay Area, traditional teleme is a vital counter to mass-produced industrial cheeses, and is worthy of protection, the foundation states.

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Franklin's Teleme cheese for sale at Berkeley Bowl West in Berkeley on Jan. 9, 2024. Elena Kadvany/The Chronicle

Two decades ago, Peluso moved to Maine and sold the Peluso Cheese Co. The new owner continued to make the cheese, but fans said it wasnt the same. (Its unclear whether Peluso Cheese still produces teleme; the company did not return phone calls, emails bounced and it no longer has an active website.)

Peluso, for his part, made teleme on the East Coast before returning to California. Then, in 2018, he lost his production space. His teleme disappeared.

San Francisco native Al Baldocchi grew up on baccala (salt cod) and polenta with teleme. Decades later, he thought often of the cheeses intoxicating texture and flavor (the secrets to which the Pelusos closely guard). Baldocchi was among the people who called Peluso when it was unavailable, asking when he might make it again.

Edgar of Rainbow Grocery was similarly dismayed. He had grown attached to the cheese, folding it into omelets with arugula or sneaking snacks from the wheel during lunch breaks at Rainbow Grocery.

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Its rich and buttery like a brie, but its also fresh and milky and sour like a fresh cheese, he said. The rice flour on the rind gives the rind a unique chewy texture.

When Rainbow Grocery finally had teleme in stock again late last year, people purchased entire 6-pound wheels, Edgar said. One person flew cross-country with a wheel to give to a friend for the holidays. Rainbow keeps a back stock of Franklins Teleme, Edgar said, but many stores run out quickly due to the limited production. Peluso said they hope to increase production and debut a truffle-flavored teleme soon. He may also revive a washed rind teleme from years ago. Adam Peluso, who first learned to make the cheese a decade ago, said his dream is to open his own factory devoted to making even more teleme.

Heres where to buy Franklins Teleme in the Bay Area (call ahead to confirm availability):

Berkeley Bowl, Berkeley

Rainbow Grocery, San Francisco

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Market Hall Foods, Oakland

Mollie Stones, multiple locations

Petaluma Market, Petaluma

Star Grocery, Berkeley

Lucca Deli, San Francisco

Sigonas Farmers Market, Palo Alto

Draegers Market, Menlo Park and San Mateo

The Cheese Board Collective, Berkeley

Oxbow Cheese & Wine Merchant, Napa

Lunardis Markets, multiple locations

Bianchinis Market, Portola Valley and San Carlos

Roberts Market, Portola Valley and Woodside

Zanottos, Sunnyvale

Molinari Delicatessen, San Francisco

Falletti Foods, San Francisco

Calabria Bros Deli, San Francisco
by Angeline Tan

A spokeswoman for Chinas Foreign Ministry confirmed reports that ethnic militias and the Myanmar army agreed to a truce in the north of the country. Singapore fined an arms dealer trying to take more than US$ 20,000 out of the country earned from brokering sales to Myanmars military. Singapore remains cautious about taking more action.

Singapore (AsiaNews)  A Myanmar arms dealer acting on behalf of the ruling military junta was fined for failing to declare that he was leaving Singapore with half a million dollars. Meanwhile, the three ethnic militias that launched an offensive against Myanmars regular army in the northern Shan State at the end of October have agreed to a ceasefire brokered by Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning and Myanmar authorities announced.

Kyaw Min Oo, 41, was arrested on 15 June 2023 along with two other Myanmar nationals, Wai Sar Tun and Win Myint, after Singapore police were alerted that they were trying to take ,000 out of the country. All three were convicted on 26 December 2023.

The Irrawaddy, a news website run by Myanmar exiles living in Thailand, first reported on Monday that Kyaw was an arms dealer working for the military regime. According to a report by UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar Tom Andrews, Wai was singled out as Kwais business partner in Myanmar.

Further reports note that Win headed five different companies that trade in spare parts for helicopters and aircraft, namely Asia Aviation Trading, Sky Avia Trading, Heli Asia Trading, Heli White Trading and Sky Union Trading, all registered between 2014 and 2017.

The United States, Canada, and the European Union have imposed sanctions on Kyaw Min Oo because he profits from the violence and suffering the military has inflicted on the people of Myanmar since the military coup, said Brian E. Nelson, US Undersecretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence.

Singapore fined Kyaw ,000, while the other two men were fined ,000 each.

In July 2023, Singapore's Foreign Minister, Vivian Balakrishnan, said that his government did not impose a general ban on trade with Myanmar so as not to exacerbate the suffering of the local population.

In Singapore, opposition parties called on the government to clarify its position after the publication of the UN report, which, among other things, pointed the finger at various Singapore-based entities for contributing to the flow of military supplies worth US$ 254 million to Myanmars generals.

The report also claims that Singapore banks have been used extensively by arms dealers, and that substantial reserves of Myanmar are suspected to be held in DBS Bank, UOB and OCBC Bank.

The city-state has taken several steps in recent months to block some of the activities reported, and Singapore's financial institutions have also imposed increased due diligence for Myanmar-related customers and transactions that present higher risks.

China has instead intervened in Myanmar's civil war. In the past two days, the Three Brotherhood Alliance of ethnic militias and Myanmars military held talks in Kunming, in Chinas Yunnan province, on the borders with Myanmar, leading to a ceasefire.

Ta'ang National Liberation Army has "agreed to reopen border trade" with China, said the groups spokesperson, Tar Bhone Kyaw. In fact, trade remains Chinas main interest.

Beijing so far has avoided direct involvement in the war, but it has supplied military equipment in the past few years to both Myanmars army and some militias that control the border.

Last week, ethnic militias part of the alliance recaptured some cities that had become hubs for cyber scam operations, setting off alarm bells in China, which does not want unrest along its borders.

Beijing had expressed "strong dissatisfaction" with Chinese nationals killed in the fighting and said it would take "all necessary measures" to protect its citizens.

As a result of Chinese mediation, The two sides agreed to an immediate ceasefire, to disengage military personnel and resolve relevant disputes and demands through peaceful negotiations," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning, speaking about the ceasefire.
Today's news: US military forces hit Houthi targets in Yemen; Health problems for the 79-year-old leader of the Communist Party of Vietnam; Netflix removed a film offensive to Hindus; In Papua New Guinea 14-day state of emergency announced, but calm has returned; In Kazakhstan, oil workers' strikes continued for a month.

MYANMAR

The alliance of ethnic militias that launched an offensive against Myanmar's coup army at the end of October has reportedly agreed a ceasefire with the military. This was announced to the Reuters agency by one of the leaders of one of the groups who asked to remain anonymous for safety. The agreement reached with the mediation of the Chinese envoy Deng Xi Jin would include the promise of the ethnic militias not to advance further in the reconquest of territories.

YEMEN

US and British forces have carried out aerial bombardments against Houthi targets in Yemen, in response to attacks by the pro-Iranian group on commercial ships in the Red Sea, US President Joe Biden said. More than 12 sites have been hit so far, including the capital Sanaa and the port of Hudaydah.

VIETNAM

The leader of the Vietnamese Communist Party, Nguyen Phu Trong, will not be able to welcome, for the second time in a week, the visit of a foreign political leader, in this case the President of Indonesia Joko Widodo, due to health problems. Trong, 79, who has led the party since 2011, is at the top of Vietnam's one-party political system, but has not appeared in public since December 26.

INDIA

Netflix has removed a film produced in Tamil Nadu due to an outcry on social media over a scene in which the daughter of a Hindu cleric is seen eating meat, when most Hindus are vegetarians. Annapoorani - The Goddess of Food was released in theaters in December but yesterday it was no longer available on the platform. Several members of extremist Hindu organizations said the film hurt "Hindu sentiments."

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Last night President James Marape declared a 14-day state of emergency in the capital of Port Moresby and suspended several civil servants, after a police strike resulted in rioting and looting. According to local residents the city has returned to a "new normal" today: "We expect the unlooted supermarkets to reopen today and I heard they have increased security," they added.

KAZAKHSTAN

The strike of workers of the oil company West Oil Software in the Mangistau region of Kazakhstan has continued for a month now, with hundreds of people remaining outside in front of the Zetybaj wells since 11 December, a situation deemed "explosive" by the trade unionists themselves recalling similar events in 2011, which ended in bloody clashes.

RUSSIA

The strike of workers of the oil company West Oil Software in the Mangistau region of Kazakhstan has continued for a month now, with hundreds of people remaining outside in front of the Zetybaj wells since 11 December, a situation deemed "explosive" by the trade unionists themselves recalling similar events in 2011, which ended in bloody clashes.
For US authorities, Iranian Christians are no longer eligible under a resettlement plan introduced last year. For advocacy groups, this is a controversial and "traumatic decision since the Islamic Republic remains a Country of Particular Concern in terms of religious freedom.

Istanbul (AsiaNews)  Washington has dealt a heavy blow to Iranian Christians languishing in a Turkish "limbo, waiting for resettlement to a third country in Europe, Canada, or preferably the United States, after fleeing prison and persecution by the Islamic Republic of Iran.

US authorities have ruled that they are no longer eligible for resettlement under the refugee sponsorship programme they launched last year.

The decision comes even though the US State Department has designated Iran as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for having engaged in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom.

The US State Department has regularly applied the CPC designation to Iran for its ongoing violations of religious freedom (FoRB), including against Christians, as recent cases of imprisonment and violations show.

Last year, Iranian Christian refugees, most of whom arrived in Turkey risking their lives along the way, were given new hope by the US resettlement programme.

One response to the complaints of advocacy groups and people involved in refugee resettlement can be found in Article18s report last June titled The Plight of Iranian Christians Claiming International Protection in Turkiye.

The study includes several critical parts that call for new resettlement opportunities and sponsorship programmes. Yet the US government chose to remove Turkey from its list of countries from which refugees can be resettled, dealing a blow to the many hundreds of refugees currently stranded in that country.

According to a well-established practice, Christians fleeing abuse and repression, or simply looking for a place to live their faith freely, apply for international protection and seek initial shelter in Turkey, registering as asylum seekers.

Once applications have been processed and applicants recognised as refugees, the latter can expect to receive support as part of a plan to resettle them to a third country.

However, not all applications are accepted, and even if successful, resettlement takes years. Meanwhile, most survive in precarious conditions, without work or income, risking deportation if Turkey terminates their residence permits.

Some of the Iranian Christian refugees in Turkey interviewed by Article18 have gone so far as to say that the news of their exclusion from the US sponsorship scheme was a more traumatic low even than their time of imprisonment in Iran, said Article18s director, Mansour Borji.

The Islamic Republic is among 12 countries in the world (a small fraction of the total) to get the CPC designation last week, along with Myanmar, China, Cuba, North Korea, Eritrea, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.

Mansour Borji goes on to say: So while we welcome the re-designation of Iran, rightly, as a Country of Particular Concern, because of its FoRB violations, we urge the US government, as recommended in our recently published report, to expedite the resettlement of these refugees, who are at risk of deportation and some of whom face prison sentences in Iran on account of their religious activities.

Five other countries  Algeria, Azerbaijan, the Central African Republic, Comoros, and Vietnam  were placed on a Special Watch List for engaging in or tolerating severe violations of religious freedom.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

The Armenian Foreign Minister has expressed satisfaction with the expansion of the Euma mission, which aims to protect the safety of the victims of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Azerbaijan has repeatedly objected to it, considering the presence of the Russian military sufficient. But for its future, Yerevan looks to Brussels much more than to Moscow.

Yerevan (AsiaNews) - According to what was declared during a briefing by Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, the civilian mission of European Union observers in Armenia has a "vital importance" for the security of the entire country, and especially on the borders with 'Azerbaijan. He expressed the Yerevan government's satisfaction with the EU's decision to expand the mission, increasing the number of its members and extending the period of its mandate.

The Euma mission began on 20 February 2023 in the face of the worsening of tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which then led to the occupation of Nagorno Karabakh, reintegrated into the Azerbaijani republic after a thirty-year war, and which reignited in parallel with the Russia's conflicts with Georgia and Ukraine.

It is precisely the passivity of Moscow's peacekeeping forces on the borders that pushed the Armenians to seek greater support from Europe, which decided to respond according to the principles of the Common Defense and Security Policy (CSDP) with a group of 138 observers to a two-year mission, which last December 11th were integrated with other members up to 209 people, adding another two years of field activities.

The operational center of the European mission is located in Ekhegnadzor, in the Armenian region of Bajots-Dzorsk, and another base is also active in Idzevan in the Tavus region. The aim of the initiative is to help stabilize the situation in the border areas of Armenia, to strengthen the trust and security of the people who have fallen victim in various ways to the conflict, especially the Armenian refugees who have abandoned Nagorno Karabakh, and also the search for conditions that favor the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan with the support of the EU.

Baku has repeatedly contested European support for Armenia, deeming the presence of the Russian military sufficient, which according to the Azeris should deal with the demilitarization of the area. The presence of Armenian armed forces, according to Azerbaijan, is the factor that prevents a rapid peace agreement from being reached, allowing for a shared demarcation of the borders.

The Russians want to appear neutral between the two contenders, effectively acting as a cover for Azerbaijan's military actions, but without exerting excessive pressure in turn on Armenia, not wanting to consider it "exiting" the historic post-Soviet alliances, granting it to European influence.

Mirzoyan instead insisted on the developments of Yerevan's collaboration with the EU, which include the implementation of several other projects. In his opinion, relations between Armenia and the European Union are in a phase of opening new long-term processes, and the topics to be discussed are accumulating on the negotiating tables.

Some projects depend on the already existing "comprehensive and expanded" Partnership Agreement, others are added even outside the approved document. The minister concluded by assuring that "despite all the challenges we are facing, Armenia continues on the path of broad democratic reforms, which bring us ever closer to Europe".

Mirzoyan's statements are echoed by the words of his Greek counterpart, Yorgos Gerapetritis, present in Yerevan representing the EU, according to whom these projects are very important not only for Armenia, but for the entire European Union, which considers the Caucasian country "an important part of Europe", and guaranteeing full support for the path undertaken.

A joint action recently developed is that of the so-called "Peace Crossroads", a functional plan to unblock communications and transport routes in all sensitive areas. The Armenian minister guarantees that Armenia "is unequivocally decided on the issue of re-establishing peace, despite obstacles, slowdowns and destructive attitudes, and we will achieve the goal as quickly as possible."
What Are the Benefits of a Polar Plunge? Heres What Experts Say

Plunging Into Icy Waters Can Have These 5 Health Benefits

LeBron James swears by an ice bath for recovery after a big game. Chris Hemsworth reportedly finishes his workouts with a cold plunge. Even David Beckham is a fan of immersing his body in frigid waters. In case you havent noticed, tons of people are turning to cryotherapy, aka cold therapy, in the pursuit of improved health.

One example of this is the ever-popular polar plunge. Also known as the polar bear plunge, its a group activity that entails jumping into an icy body of water in the dead of winter. Why would anyone do this, you ask? Well, there are lots of valid reasons.

The hashtag #polarplunge has already garnered 212 million views and counting. And while cold water immersion may be a somewhat new wellness craze, the truth is that people have been using this therapeutic technique for centuries. In fact, the Ancient Greeks used cold therapy for a number of benefits including relaxation and social interaction.

RELATED: What Is Cold Therapy? And What Are the Benefits?

Ready to take the plunge? Whether youre toying with the idea of signing up for a polar plunge, or youre just curious about what it can do for your health, read on for some expert advice and research-backed insight on this divisive trend.

What Is a Polar Plunge?

A polar plunge, also sometimes referred to as a polar bear plunge, is a winter event during which a group of participants jump into an icy ocean, lake, or river. Often  but not always  its used as a fundraising opportunity for charitable organizations.

Jeremie Walker, MD, a physician at Opt Health, says hes witnessed an uptick in questions from patients about cold exposure.

Polar plunges have gained popularity as people increasingly seek natural and holistic methods to enhance well-being, says Heather Sandison, a naturopathic doctor and founder of Marama.

The winter itinerary at Wise & Well  a luxury wellness retreat based in Wisconsin  often includes a polar plunge at the on-property lake. According to McKenzie Wisdom, Founder & CEO of Wise & Well, heres what that experience entails step by step:

A collective Wim Hof-style breathwork session

A 20-minute sauna detox in the cedar-clad, wood-burning sauna

A walk to the frozen lake for the invigorating polar plunge, during which a Wise & Well breathwork coach guides participants through the experience with controlled breathing and affirmations

Possible Health Benefits of a Polar Plunge

Theres a limited  but growing  body of research on how cold water immersion can improve health.

"What I love most about cold plunge therapy is the mental resilience and discipline it cultivates, says Wisdom. Enduring the discomfort of freezing ice water has significantly enhanced my stress tolerance for daily challenges. The post-plunge effects are remarkable  a sense of conquering the world, heightened focus, energy, and an unparalleled mood lift. Cold plunging boosts dopamine levels by 250%, providing sustained benefits for hours. As someone who struggles with ADHD, cold plunging has been a game changer for me, significantly improving my focus, mood, and productivity.

Not only that, but Wisdom notes that the polar plunge challenge fosters unforgettable memories with other participants while cultivating a sense of camaraderie.

Here are some potential perks of polar plunges with promising studies behind them.

Reduced Post-Workout Soreness

Studies have repeatedly shown that cold water immersion can reduce soreness after exercise and accelerate muscle recovery.

Note, however, that research has suggested that cryotherapy can only have a beneficial effect on inflammation if the water temperature is lower than 59 degrees Fahrenheit  as is the case for a polar plunge.

Researchers believe that cold water exposure has these effects because it decreases the circulating levels of creatine kinase, an enzyme associated with muscle soreness.

Enhanced Immune Function

Could polar plunges lead to fewer colds? Maybe.

There is minimal evidence that cold plunging may activate the immune system to a slight extent, but the jury is still out on to what extent, says Erin Stokes, a naturopathic doctor and MegaFood Medical Director.

A 2016 study found that when people took a 30-90 second cold rinse immediately following a hot shower, they experienced a 29% reduction in sickness absences from work.

Of course, thats only how many days they called out sick from work, not the actual days they felt ill. Still, other research papers have shown that cold water immersion may trigger an increase in white blood cell count  which then boosts your bodys ability to fight off infection.

Reduced Inflammation

Its well known that chronic inflammation is linked to a slew of diseases and conditions, from cancer and heart disease to diabetes, asthma, and Crohns disease.

Some studies show that cold water immersion can trigger the release of anti-inflammatory markers.

Researchers believe that this is because exposure to cold water causes an increased release of epinephrine (AKA adrenaline), which then dampens the bodys inflammatory response while increasing the production of natural chemicals that have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Improved Mood

Some people also choose to cold plunge because they say they feel a tangible mood boost from the experience, says Stokes.

Studies have shown that spending time in nature  and more specifically, open-water swimming  can have profound effects on mood and mental health at large. People have reported that open-water swimming can almost be a meditative experience, making them feel more in tune with their bodies, and even offering an opportunity for mindfulness.

One reason why a polar plunge may have a positive effect on your mood is that cold water immersion can cause a surge in dopamine, a chemical associated with feelings of pleasure and satisfaction.

For this reason, Walker recommends doing a polar plunge first thing in the morning to reap the potential mood-boosting benefits all day long.

RELATED: What It's Like to Try Whole-Body Cryotherapy

Better Stress Management

Youre probably well aware of the toll that stress can take on your body.

According to a 2018 study, cold water immersion increases blood flow to your brain while slowing down your heart rate, thereby better equipping your body to cope with stress. Another 2021 study revealed that winter sea bathing is linked to lower levels of stress.

RELATED: Benefits of Ice Baths for Muscle Recovery

Heres why: Cold water therapy can help to dampen your fight-of-flight system, also known as the stress response  training it to be less activated over time.

Possible Risks of Polar Plunge

Because research shows that cold water immersion can put quite a strain on your heart  making it work harder  its not recommended for anyone with a history of any heart conditions, or anyone with cardiac risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of heart disease.

According to Sandison, a polar plunge is also not advisable for anyone with neuropathy (nerve damage).

Cold water pulls heat away from the body 25 times faster than cold air. So, even if you dont have these particular health issues, there are other potential risks to know about, according to the National Weather Service. Those include hypothermia and cold shock  which can trigger hyperventilation and seizures. These risks increase the longer you stay in the water. So the best way to stay safe is to keep your polar plunge super short  ideally, just 1-2 minutes max.

Anyone who is considering cold plunging needs to talk with their doctor first, says Stokes. If your doctor does give you the green light for cold plunging, it's important to start slowly and never attempt a polar plunge alone.

Sandison recommends priming your body for a polar plunge by gradually increasing your cold exposure. For example, you might try taking cold showers or ice baths at home in the weeks leading up to your polar plunge so that its not as much of a shock to your system.

According to The American Heart Association, youre still at risk of hypothermia after you get out of the water  which is why its so important to change out of your wet clothes and warm up with a beverage or near a heater/fireplace as quickly as possible.

Where to Do a Polar Plunge

Each year, The Special Olympics hosts polar plunges all over the country. The best part is that by participating in these events, youre helping to support the athletes.

You can also find polar plunges at some wellness retreats. For example, Wise & Well, a luxury wellness retreat based in Wisconsin, typically includes a polar plunge in the winter retreat itinerary.

And if youre still struggling to find group opportunities for an icy dip, try just Googling polar plunge near me or polar plunge in [your city or state].

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The Detroit Auto Show reinvented itself in 2022 after a three-year hiatus. Uncle Sam offered the organizers a grant of $9 million to get things going again, and the Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) got to work.

MORE: Detroit Auto Show moves to January. Heres what organizers are saying about it: pic.twitter.com/eNQjmZIaQ1  Roop Raj (@rooprajfox2) January 11, 2024

The global health crisis really put a dent in many people's and companies' plans. That included automotive reunions, too. But the Detroit Auto Show (aka the North American International Auto Show) received a lifeline and sprouted back in action. Even President Joe Biden visited a few booths and checked out the Corvette Z06 (C8) and a Caddy While the 2022 edition was animated and interesting, last year's NAIAS was rather boring. Ford, GM, and Stellantis did all the heavy lifting. There was very little reaping done, even though many expected September to bring us at least a few interesting rides.Autumn harvesting is not happening in 2024 because Detroit Auto Show organizers decided to sow nothing in spring. The current plan is to ditch this year's edition. Fret not; something is coming in early 2025. The exhibition is returning to its roots.DADA representatives explained that the primary goal of the show is to "showcase" Detroit and the great automotive industry. A couple of months ago, some rumors said the idea of moving NAIAS in the summer was floating around, but a decision wasn't made.Now we know that the Detroit Auto Show is skipping 2024 and starting on January 10, 2025. Huntington Place in downtown Motown remains the place where all the fun will be. The show opens to the public on January 11, 2025.The first day of the event will be reserved for charity previews. Tickets are 20 times more expensive for those who want to experience the whole thing ahead of everybody else, but most of the raised money is used to support various charitable organizations, add to the Detroit Auto Dealers Association Charitable Foundation fund, or support hospitals.DADA says it took the decision to move NAIAS back to its traditional month after discussing it with "numerous partners." That might also underline that automakers aren't as ecstatic as they once were about spending money on physical exhibitions in an ever-increasing digitalized and interconnected world.With this announcement, we're looking at a very busy first month of 2025. CES, Tokyo Auto Salon, and the Detroit Auto Show are going to preview an interesting year for us. The fields of technology and car-making are more intertwined than ever. January could become the month that sets the tone for the rest of the year.Let's see what Frankfurt, Geneva, and Paris have in store for us this year. They should fill in the void left by America's most well-known auto show.
The automotive industry is currently enjoying a well-deserved rebirth. After more than a century of doing things pretty much the same way, electric drivetrains are here to reshape everything, from emission levels to the basic design of a car, which has remained unchanged, overall, for years.

Photo: Elysian

Photo: Elysian

The success electric batteries and motors have had in the auto world in such a short time has fueled the dream and imagination of other companies playing the transportation business game. The first to take note was the motorcycle industry, which quickly reacted with an avalanche of startups popping up all over the world.And then the aviation industry noticed the trend. It too relies on startups to get the electric revolution moving, although some of the major, established players (see Rolls-Royce ) are trying their luck as well.Unlike the automotive industry, where people seem to have settled on batteries and motors, aviation has a number of paths at its disposal on its road to cleaner aircraft operation. Because of the complexities of airplanes and the large fleets currently in operation, a sudden and complete switch to electric power is not possible.That's why the biggest players are eyeing alternative solutions, the most obvious being a switch to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and the less so a complete redesign of jet engines  an avenue researched by several groups, including NASA.Aviation startups do not have the constraints of larger airplane makers and operators. For them, stepping into this brave new world with an electric aircraft seems like the natural choice. And that's how we end up with wacky designs like those on the E9X: a rather conventional body, but no less than four propellers on each wing.The aircraft is the idea of a Dutch group called Elysian. Kind of a weird choice of name for a company that takes people to the sky in a metal cylinder. Or should we call it a bold choice?But I digress. The E9X is a brand-new aircraft, meaning it's not based on an existing platform like we so often see from aviation startups. It was designed from the ground up by the Dutch crew, which also claims lineage to Fokker , the legacy Dutch aircraft maker that closed its doors in the 1990s.It's meant to conduct flights on regional routes, so it's not exactly a very large plane. Whats special about it is that it will be powered entirely by electricity, and thats where the huge number of propellers comes in.You see, just like electric cars and motorcycles need a motor for each of the drive wheels, so do aircraft for propellers. A single motor to spin them all is not feasible, and fewer than eight for this kind of aircraft would not be enough to get the job done.That's because the aircraft is supposed to fly, with no less than 90 people onboard, for distances of up to 800 kilometers (almost 500 miles). The speed it can reach is not yet known, and neither are details about the power each motor is capable of developing.What's special about the plane is that it is being designed to use existing batteries, and not some that are yet to be developed. More to the point, batteries with an energy density of 360 Wh/kg should be more than enough to get the job done.For reference, there are batteries made right now that deliver more than that. The record belongs to one developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, which in the summer of last year achieved 711 Wh/kg, more than triple what Tesla batteries presently deliver.According to Elysian, with such a powertrain on, the aircraft should be five times more efficient per passenger when compared to planes that use SAF and even when stacked against upcoming hydrogen aircraft.The first flight of the electric passenger aircraft is scheduled for 2033, which is probably a realistic goal when trying to build something like this from scratch. Once this version gets going, a larger one, capable of reaching a distance of 1,000 km (621 miles), should be developed.Coincidentally, that distance is how much half of all the world's commercial flights cover. The Dutch company did some math and concluded the arrival of the longer-range E9X should shave 20 percent off the global CO2 emissions. Provided, of course, airlines will be on board with it, and buy it in bulk.Like many such innovative ideas coming from startups, the electric aircraft may never come to be flown in the real world. The company does have the backing of organizations that may ensure its success, including the University of Twente and the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft).Financial backing is ensured by Panta Holding, a group that does business not only in aviation, but also in real estate and hotels.
Keith Lee speaks onstage at VidCon Anaheim 2023. The influential TikTok food reviewer abruptly left the Bay Area sooner than planned. Unique Nicole/Getty Images 2023

When I heard famous TikTok food critic Keith Lee was coming to the Bay Area, I was excited to see what he tried and more importantly what he got right  turns out, not much.

Disappointingly, Lee abruptly ended his Bay Area food tour after posting just three video reviews. He cites several reasons for his early departure: a hospitalization due to a shellfish allergy, poor food quality, and shocking images of tents and burnt-up cars.

How could he get the Bay Area so wrong? I think I know.

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A week of sampling the Bay Areas food scene is like looking at a couple of stars and thinking youve taken in the entire universe. Its impossible to try everything, and Lee seemingly didnt try any food or dishes that the region excels at.

Lee, who has 15 million followers on TikTok, is known for sticking to places geared toward takeout and eating in his car. This is already a skewed metric. When you go the takeout route, youre making serious concessions on freshness.

Even still, why didnt he sample the great food groups of the Bay Area? A burrito is the ultimate portable food. Pizza here is phenomenal. A loaf of sourdough can change your life.

The issue may come from where hes sourcing his recommendations. A critics main power is discernment. In my experience, only a small percentage of what I sample is truly excellent. It takes real effort to find gems. Crowdsourced recommendations are like a scatter plot graph, except theres no way to establish a throughline.

Lee would have benefited from meeting with local journalists who have been covering the regions extensively. If he talked to us, we would have pointed him to Oaklands powerful regional Mexican taco scene, the soul food at Minnie Bells Soul Movement in Emeryville or one of many sensational Burmese spots. (The Chronicle reached out to Lee for an interview before he arrived but did not receive a response.)

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Before eating his first San Francisco meal, he engaged with common concerns like car break-ins, or bipping, and repeated the reductive Gotham City comparisons. While there are plenty of issues here, I think ultimately Lee is perpetuating the doom loop narrative by saying its not a place for tourists right now.

Theres also something odd about how Lee views criticism. From my perspective, it appears that he sees what he does as a form of altruism geared toward businesses instead of service to help his fans find good food.

Lee hopes to catapult lesser-known restaurants into the spotlight. The problem he ran into was that Bay Area locals show up for the places they love. Avoiding places with lines means he passed over the regions strengths. So he couldnt find something we didnt already know about and gave up.

Lee ends his video reviews by saying: I hope you reach your target audience, and, on occasion, giving the business owners a notably large tip. It appears that he sees his role as a critic as a charitable endeavor. I think its great that hes had tangible effects on peoples businesses; spots he highlighted were on local TV news as a result.

But its also created this lottery system, where businesses try to attract his attention in the hope that it might boost business. Here in San Francisco, after the son of a burger restaurant owner messaged Lee to recommend his dads business, according to the SF Standard, Lee went to try it. He didnt like it.

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So, respectfully, I dont think Lee understands the Bay Area. Hes entitled to his opinion, and were entitled to disagree, vehemently. We dont need him to tell us whats good.
The Mustang and four-cylinder engines go a long way back. Ford gifted the 1974 model year with the 2.3-liter Lima, which  in this application  produced 88 horsepower and 116 pound-feet (157 Nm).

Photo: Motive Video on YouTube

Fast forward to the 1984 model year, and the Lima returned with more power than ever before thanks to forced induction. The Mustang SVO was rated at 205 horsepower and 248 pound-feet (336 Nm) for 1985 and a half. The fourth and fifth generations didn't feature inline-four engines, but advancements in engine technology and increasingly draconic regulations forced the Dearborn-based automaker to consider a four-pot for the sixth-generation Mustang.Enter the 2.3-liter EcoBoost, a well-known lump that shares a cylinder block with the Mazda DISI Turbo. Internally referred to as the S550, the sixth-generation Mustang launched with 310 horsepower and 320 pound-feet (434 Nm) from the original version of the 2.3-liter EcoBoost.Jessie Ringley is the owner of the 2015 model in the video below, a highly modified fastback whose owner nicknamed the EcoBeast. Care to guess why? For starters, because it develops 800-odd horsepower at the wheels. That, in turn, means 200-plus horsepower for each and every cylinder.A lifelong four-cylinder turbo enthusiast, Jessie claims that his drag-prepped Mustang EcoBoost probably had five different engines over its lifetime. That's what happens when you push the limit over and over again, so much so that the EcoBeast is capable of clocking 8.5 seconds in the quarter-mile in its current form. More precisely, 8.584 seconds at a staggering 156.66 miles per hour. If you prefer metric, that speed converts to 252.11 kilometers per hour.Speaking to Motive Video, the owner talks about a plethora of mods, beginning with a Mazda block, a custom-built Kelford camshafts, and XDI direct injection. Beyond 800 to 900 horsepower, Jessie found out the hard way that Ford's block gives up the ghost along the exhaust side. The Japanese company uses a better material and better casting methods for its block, which is why the Mazda block can be easily taken to a Bugatti Veyron EB 16.4-shaming 1,200 horsepower. The Mazda block is stamped FoMoCo because Ford once owned 33.4 percent of Mazda.Gifted with skinnies up front and beefy drag radials for the rear, the EcoBeast is much obliged to take 60 pounds per square inch of boost. Custom-spec Mahle pistons, R&R aluminum connecting rods, a Mountune dry sump kit, a Magnus V5 cast aluminum intake manifold, and  get this  a stock crankshaft also need to be mentioned, along with a Precision Turbo 8085 Next Gen turbocharger. All that fury is channeled to the rear wheels by a 6R80 auto with a Circle D torque converter and a billet intermediate shaft.The car is running Ford Performance axles, an 8.8-inch rear end, 3.31 gearing, and nitrous oxide for good measure. Going forward, Jessie intends to switch to a compound setup comprising a twin-scroll 6870 high-pressure turbo and an 8685 low-pressure turbo. A billet block is on the horizon as well, with Jessie targeting 1,500 to 1,600 horsepower."With that, I want to go deep into the 7s and then start clawing my way toward the 6s," said the owner. "8s is fun, but it's slow to me. I got to get in the 7s and then I'll talk about maybe being fast."
Photo: Hyundai

You see, sometimes, show cars don't represent anything other than the design team's idea of what a future model or perhaps the future of the brand could be. In this case, however, the new Hyundai Ioniq 5 N NPX1 features a few add-ons that will be available to purchase from the N Performance parts catalog.Wait a minute, doesn't the Korean automaker already offer similar components on the i20 N, i30 N, and Elantra N? Why, they sure do. However, the components targeting the high-performance electric crossover are on the more dramatic side of things. All you have to do is look at the two images released by the company, and you will see what we mean.A quick comparison with the stock model reveals that the NPX1 Concept features a new front bumper with a generous air intake in the middle and two side vents. It also has some blades on the sides and a new apron. For a more dramatic stance, the manufacturer gave it fender flares and side skirt attachments, with the latter also featuring some blades at the rear.The updates out back are even more dramatic than the ones at the front. Here, Hyundai gave the zero-emission crossover a new bumper and a very aggressive diffuser with multi-fin styling and side blades. There is also fresh trim on the rear quarter panels, next to the taillamps, and a very large wing with N Performance logos that likely improves the car's downforce at high speeds.Do you find the wheels to be eye-catching? You should know that they are also part of the novelties. The lightweight hybrid carbon alloys have high-performance brake pads behind them. Hyundai has also given it a set of lowering springs for a lower ground clearance that improves the car's cornering abilities. The study has a satin black look with a few baby blue accents at the front and sides, and it seems ready to hit the racetrack.Though Hyundai may not have opened the doors of the Ioniq 5 N NPX1 Concept, it claims the interior features additional goodies. Here, the auto marque mentions stuff such as the racing bucket seats for the driver and front passenger and a lot of Alcantara upholstery. The components will be further refined by the time they go on sale later this year. As a result, you can expect the car manufacturer to release more details about them in the coming months.
Tesla is forced to shut down the Giga Berlin factory temporarily. The carmaker is the victim of the lack of components due to shifts in transport routes caused by the attacks on vessels in the Red Sea. Avoiding the area would add ten days more to the shipping and would raise the fuel bill by $1 million.

8 photos Photo: Tesla
SUV

EV

kW

kWh

Once heralded as the Japanese automaker that helped popularize mass-market, 'affordable' EVs, Nissan has been dragging its feet as of late in the battery-powered game with the same second-generation Leaf throbbing around from $28,140 on the US market but feeling two decades behind the looks and specification of the $39k Tesla Model 3. Luckily, they have finally started selling the delayed Ariya crossoveras their belated response to the world's best-selling car of 2023  the Tesla Model Y.Frankly, it will take a lot of effort to catch up to Tesla after, not long ago, Nissan was boasting about producing the world's best-selling, but at least the new Nismo EV flagship is a (small) step in the right direction. Meet the teased and intensely-spied 2024 Nissan Ariya Nismo , the zero-emissions high-performance version that is based on the Ariya e-4ORCE and will initially launch in Japan in spring. After that, we will probably see it in America, too, where it will try to fend off the excellent credentials of the Tesla Model Y Performance.With a new EV Nismo design language, the Ariya Nismo was conceived to deliver "extremely powerful yet smooth acceleration, exemplary handling, and stellar aerodynamic performance." The Nismo tuning includes 10% more power from the EV setup, tweaks to the acceleration curve, plus a new and exclusive Nismo driving mode. As a way to connect to the motorsport efforts, the soundtrack will be evocative of the Formula E series. There are also 20-inch alloy wheels to better showcase the Nismo version alongside the classic red details around the exterior.Also, some race-inspired technologies are used to improve aerodynamics, resulting in lower drag levels and higher downforce at superior speeds. Meanwhile, subtle cues differentiate the model from the rest of the pack, plus the easy giveaway of "specially designed Nismo seats and trim." There will be two models available from the onset  Nismo B6 e-4ORCE and B9 e-4ORCE. They are mostly identical, save for a few key differentiators  the peak output is 270and 560 Nm (362 hp and 413 lb-ft) for the first or 320 kW and 600 nm (429 hp and 443 lb-ft) for the second, while the batteries are 66and 91 kWh, respectively.Of course, it's still too early to talk about pricing. Also, Nissan refrained from presenting any performance figures at the 2024 Tokyo Auto Salon  we don't know the acceleration times or the top speeds, and we especially have no idea about the impact (if any) on the EV range.
The Italian Sea Group announced three new design concepts under the Admiral and Tecnomar brands last September at the Monaco Yacht Show 2023, but no profile images or details of the futuristic projects were revealed. Now, the Italian yachting giant is amending that by revealing the first renderings of those superyachts.

Photo: The Italian Sea Group

Photo: The Italian Sea Group

Photo: The Italian Sea Group

Developed by the yard's Centro Stile, the new concepts are said to reflect the style guidelines of the Group while also pushing the boundaries of yacht design with futuristic innovations.The largest of the three conceptual watercraft is the 164-foot (50-meter) Admiral Adventure, an explorer superyacht with "unusual and innovative" design and remarkable expedition capacities. While the company says the vessel respects all the stylistic elements of the Admiral brand, the yacht boasts a completely different aesthetic compared to the current explorer flagship, the 240-foot (73.2-meter) Planet Nine that was delivered in 2018.The new Admiral Adventure boasts a customizable aft deck area that comprises a panoramic pool and foldable wings meant to maximize the livable space on board.With a gross tonnage below the 499 GT threshold, the yacht boasts no less than six staterooms, including two guest cabins on the lower deck, three VIP cabins on the main deck, and the owner's cabin on the upper deck.Another distinctive feature is the bow section, which houses the master cabin. The owner will enjoy unobstructed views of the surrounding ocean thanks to large windows cantilevered onto the hull and will have direct access to a private outdoor area with a glass-bottomed swimming pool and sunpads.The yacht's sundeck, meanwhile, comprises the wheelhouse and the captain's cabin, plus a touch-and-go helipad.The other two projects revealed by TISG are designed under the Tecnomar brand and are equally impressive. The 132-foot (40-meter) Tecnomar Cat 133 FT is particularly intriguing and will surely incite conversations. It boasts a futuristic design with automotive influences evident in its soft, curved lines. It is said to borrow styling cues from the recently unveiled This Is It catamaran, and it also keeps up with current yacht design trends through its extensive use of glazing and abundance of outdoor spaces (exceeding 3,230 square feet/ 300 square meters).The most outstanding element of this multihull is the stern design, which leverages portions of the two hulls, two internal gunwales, and two foldable side doors to create an incredible swimming platform that reaches about 52 feet (16 meters) in width.There are no details on the yacht's accommodation capacity, but the Tecnomar Cat 133 FT is also an under-499 GT project. And since the yachting world is increasingly shifting toward green technology, the shipyard plans to integrate approximately 754 square feet (70 square meters) of solar panels on the catamaran's side arches and hardtop.Last but not least, the Tecnomar EVO 155 is a "strongly sporty" 155-foot (47-meter) project that joins the multi-model EVO series. Just like the previous two designs, this one also comes with innovative features, like a beach area with an oversized stern window and two folding doors that offer direct access to the sea and create a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces.In terms of accommodation, this yacht only has two guest cabins located below decks, plus two VIP suites and the master stateroom on the main deck. The focus of this design, however, is also on the outdoor spaces. As such, the sun deck features a large bar and sunbathing area with a swimming pool with panoramic views toward the stern. Another sunbathing and pool area can be found in the bow and can also be converted into a dining area, so guests will have plenty of opportunities to relax and socialize.Both Admiral and Tecnomar are known to deliver exceptional vessels characterized by luxury, quality, and innovative design, and the three new projects presented here are no exception. Talking about them, Giovanni Costantino, Founder and CEO of The Italian Sea Group , commented, "The launch of these three new projects gives us new stimuli and motivation to start 2024 with great enthusiasm. We have set ourselves even more challenging goals, and thanks to the validity of our strategies and the innovative projects we are developing, I am confident that the yachting world will continue to reward us."
GRMN

BEV

If you look from afar, Toyota  especially its Gazoo Racing specialist, has everything on display: from the little iQsupercharged to the massive Century GRMN. And there really is almost everything in between, like the old AE86 made modern as aConcept, the all-new refreshed GR Yaris plus countless other derivatives, and some mighty GR Corolla options.However, there's no GR Supra on the list, even though Lexus went as far as to include the GR Corolla inside its LBX Morizo RR Concept! Maybe Toyota didn't want to have people laugh about the controversial connection to the BMW Z4 and the fact that it's produced in Austria by Magna Steyr instead of at home in Japan by Toyota.Or perhaps the company was ashamed of its disappointing performance in America  even though it outsold its Nissan Z direct competitor , it still fared more than 45% worse compared to 2022. Anyway, nobody knows what happened internally and why Toyota refrained from having a cool GR Supra on display  but here's an example that would have looked at home at the 2024 Tokyo Auto Salon because it pays homage to the event's main focus  the world of tuning.Unfortunately, it's utterly wishful thinking because it stems from the imaginative realm of digital car content creators. More precisely, the automotive artist & designer better known as pistonzero across social media demonstrates his love for the BMW Z4 sibling in the best way possible  he envisions an Mk5 GR Supra that he would buy and drive on a daily basis.Apparently, the pixel master was put off by the front fascia of the fifth generation, so in order to like it even more, he ended up performing a subtle facelift (notice the angled bumper vent columns and the Supra script between the headlights. Naturally, this CGI expert's signature traits have a lot to do with the aftermarket culture and treated the GR Supra to his usual array of aerodynamic and technical enhancements.So, this is not only a 'facelifted' Supra, but it's also a Toyota that was slammed to the point of jeopardizing ants, fitted with lots of black aerodynamic elements, widened at the front and rear enough to make Liberty Walk or Rocket Bunney fans ecstatic, and also got slapped a pair of black or white Rotiform wheels. Naturally, he didn't forget about the cambered rear wheels, either! So, do you like it, or is the GR Supra's fate sealed as a potentially failed generation?
Waze is often a Godsend, helping drivers find a faster route to their destinations by looking at live traffic conditions. However, it's not always just milk and honey in the Waze world, as the downside is that the application sometimes sends traffic on small residential roads which serve as shortcuts to drivers' destinations.

It's what happens in Queens, where Waze keeps sending cars on the two-way Penelope Avenue as an alternative to the busy Juniper Valley Boulevard and Metropolitan Avenue.Waze's purpose is to find faster routes to destinations , so the application scans all nearby roads to check for traffic conditions. If it finds a route with lighter traffic, it configures navigation to include the road, without taking into account factors like how narrow a street is and whether it's a residential road. As long as it's open to public traffic, a street is included in the Waze database and can be used for navigation.Middle Village residents say Waze have been sending hordes of cars to the narrow Penelope Avenue, which is typically filled with parked cars in front of family homes.They petitioned local authorities to ask for a change which they believe could make a huge impact in the long term: change Penelope Avenue to a one-way road with traffic directed westbound towards Penelope Avenue.Authorities have already forwarded the request to the DOT, asking for Penelope Avenue to become a one-way street. In addition, they also want Waze to check the routing engine and no longer send heavy traffic to the road. The Google-owned company has yet to issue a statement.Applications like Waze, Google Maps, and Apple Maps have often been criticized for sending traffic down small residential roads where kids might play on the street and residents park their cars on both sides. Motorists typically follow the suggested routes to arrive at their destinations faster.Navigation apps have become must-have driving companions worldwide, with drivers often taking everything they say for granted. It's how some of them end up in life-threatening situations, away from paved roads and in the middle of nowhere. Not long ago, a dozen vehicles left the interstate to drive through the Nevada desert based on an alternative route suggested by Google Maps.The drivers eventually decided to turn back to the interstate when they noticed the road wasn't going anywhere, with some of the vehicles suffering damage that requesting towing. Google Maps promptly corrected the route by removing the road from its routing engine, so it's now telling people to use the interstate without suggesting the desert road as an alternative.Middle Village residents hope Waze will hear their call for auction, and the company will stop sending traffic down Penelope Avenue before the DOT converts it to a one-way road.
12 January 2024 21:38 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

Armenians' "rich and fruitful imagination" goes beyond the limits of the existing universe, through which a well-known habit of appropriating other people's ideas never ceases to amaze. "They are descendants of Noah and landed on Mount Ararat after the great flood; they say that they were there long before the flood."

The trouble is that when Azerbaijan first got acquainted with the concept of Armenians brought to the region by Tsarist Russia, no one imagined what an "amazing" ability they had. However, this skill began to be reflected not only on soft canvas and tabloids but even on stones in a very short time.

Indeed, Armenians are very skilled at forging an organisation or some historical facts to prove themselves to be descendants of Prophet Noah's son. For example, "The All-Armenian Union "Gardman-Shirvan-Nakhijevan" has stated on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence of "Nagorno-Karabakh." The statement of the Union recalls the days of the adoption of the declaration of state independence of "Nagorno-Karabakh," supposedly claiming that there are neither Garabagh nor Nakhchivan within Azerbaijan. There is no limit to Armenian fantasies, and it is said in their so-called statement that it was Azerbaijan that started a policy of discrimination against the Armenian people, which led to armed clashes and, as though, "the mass deportation of Armenian nationals".

In response to the "statement" by the Union of Armenians, let us recall an excerpt from an article in the newspaper Azerbaijan on September 25, 1918.

"When, with the departure of the Russian army, the ground was knocked out from under the feet of the Armenians, it seemed that the Dashnaks should have reconsidered their policy and their relations with the Muslims of Transcaucasia and tried to establish good-neighborly relations with them. Instead of that, the old policy continues. Armenian army units, instead of going to the front, are delayed in Erivan province. And in the province, hundreds of Muslim villages are destroyed by gunfire, and refugee Armenians are settled in the forcibly cleared territory. The huge Surmali district is cleansed of its Muslim population. The city of Nakhchivan is subjected to defeat."

Martian Armenians and all sorts of other Armenians probably exist in their imaginations and as a consequence of hallucinations in Armenians. It is commonplace for Armenians to assign Turkic lands with Turkic names and pass them off as their own, and why do Armenians face the problem of "the history of Armenians" and try to prove their rightness every time?

There is a remarkable story of how Armenians diligently create a whole story out of nothing. In an article in the magazine "Ogonyok" from 1982, there is a very amusing article where, in Odesa, near the Black Sea, KGB officers, in the course of searching for and catching a gang of murderers, came across Armenian scuba divers. These "masters of stoneworkers" (Armenian scuba divers) were diving deep under the water and, using their tools, left inscriptions in Armenian on the rocks and stones that surrounded the shore. These Armenian scuba divers were also members of the attack group that KGB officers were looking for.

"On the Odessa beach, children of rich people were kidnapped and strangled in the depths of the sea to get a ransom for their found corpses. The scheme was as follows: a child from a wealthy family was identified, and the murderous aqualungs pulled the children under the water and strangled them. The bodies were fixed in certain places under the water, and after receiving the ransom, these same divers allegedly found them and handed them over to their parents."

The criminal group was neutralised. All members of the gang turned out to be citizens of the Armenian SSR. The question that intrigued the KGB officers was, "Why would these criminals write Armenian inscriptions in the depths of the Black Sea?".

In the course of investigative measures, it was revealed that the Armenian gang was also engaged in falsifying history and geography. They did this so that years later "ancient" Armenian inscriptions would be found in the depths of the Black Sea, which, in their opinion, would prove that these territories belonged to "Greater Armenia".

As regards the "All-Armenian Association, "Gardman-Shirvan-Nakhijevan", when did they manage to appropriate Azerbaijan's Shirvan and Nakhchivan?

We know that the recent addition of Azerbaijan to the blacklist of countries on religious freedom by US Secretary of State Blinken is a consequence of the Armenian lobby's pressure on the US Senate and Congress. The reason for the joy of the "All Armenian Union" at this news and their reaction to this decision of the Secretary of State is an example of endless revenge and thirst for revenge. It is a pity that Armenians do not want to see the possibility of achieving peace in the South Caucasus, as well as the signing of a peace treaty with Azerbaijan. Fortunately, our neighbour is not yet claiming to master space.

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Abbas Ganbay is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @Noend33

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12 January 2024 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Nigar Hasanova Read more

Azerbaijan and Latvia, with a history of amicable relations, are fostering a comprehensive partnership. From economic collaborations to diplomatic ties, the nations are actively engaged in enhancing their relationship.

Diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Latvia were established on January 11, 1994, and have since flourished. Both countries maintain embassies in each other's territories, fostering political dialogues through reciprocal high-level visits. The second session of the strategic dialogue between Azerbaijan and Latvia this year underscores the commitment to political, economic, energy, transportation, and humanitarian cooperation. Discussions within international organizations and insights into the post-conflict period in the region were vital parts of the dialogue.

The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Latvia amounted to $27.1 million in 2021 and continued at $19 million in the first five months of 2022, indicating sustained economic engagement.

As of February 1, 2023, 59 Latvian-capital commercial structures operate in Azerbaijan. The value of trade soared by over 70%, reaching $46 million in 2022. Exports to Latvia, primarily from the non-oil sector, nearly tripled, emphasizing Latvia's significance in Azerbaijani non-oil product imports. Bilateral investments have flowed, with Latvia investing $151 million in Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan reciprocating with $166 million in Latvia.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Export and Investment Promotion Agency of Azerbaijan (AZPROMO) and Latvia's Investment and Development Agency. This agreement aims to bolster economic relations and implement joint investment projects, providing a framework for mutually beneficial initiatives.

Latvia also welcomed the gas deal signed between the European Union and Azerbaijan, aiming to deliver 20 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually to the EU by 2027. A historic decision by the Latvian government to cease the purchase and use of Russian natural gas from January 1, 2023, marks a significant milestone in strengthening Latvia's energy security and independence. The move reflects a commitment to finding alternative gas supplies to the EU and diversifying energy sources amid evolving geopolitical situations.

In terms of energy, Latvia envisions a robust partnership with Azerbaijan in the renewable energy sector, emphasizing a strategic focus on sustainable energy capacities, particularly wind and solar-based generation. The Latvian Foreign Ministry underscores the vast potential for collaboration in research, development, knowledge transfer, technological exchange, and solar installation development.

"We are happy that it was possible to arrange an in-person meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission after a longer break, in May 2022. During the meeting, the 8th Cooperation Protocol was signed, thus setting out a clear vision for the priority areas of cooperation. The previous meeting in Riga also provided the Azerbaijani delegation with the opportunity to have a true insight into the activities of Latvian companies, especially in areas such as green energy and renewable energy," the ministry said on second meeting of Intergovernmental Commission with Azerbaijan.

During this event Latvia expressed keen interest in Azerbaijan's reconstruction efforts in Garabagh. Latvian companies are exploring collaboration in construction, restoration, green energy zones, water and waste management, and infrastructure projects. The Latvian Cluster Cleantech Latvia is sharing practices in water, waste, air, and energy-efficient solutions. Prospects for cooperation in areas like ICT, smart energy, and green technologies are being actively explored.

President of Latvia, Egils Levits, also acknowledges Azerbaijan's pivotal role in EU energy security.

"In particular, I have to note Azerbaijan's role in the issue of energy supply. We will continue to take steps to develop ties between Latvia and Azerbaijan. The EU is looking for new suppliers to ensure energy security. Relations between the EU and Azerbaijan in this direction are at a high level," he said last year attending the 10th Global Baku Forum, themed The World of Today: Challenges and Hopes.

Latvia aligns its cooperation with Azerbaijan with a shared ambition across Europe to reduce harmful emissions and achieve a carbon-neutral macroeconomic output by 2050. The country has been actively decreasing its reliance on natural gas in the domestic energy mix, with biomass and hydroelectric plants emerging as key sources of renewable energy.

The envisioned collaboration in renewable energy signifies a forward-looking partnership between Latvia and Azerbaijan. The commitment to reducing emissions, embracing alternative energy sources, and ensuring energy security positions both countries on a path towards sustainable and resilient energy futures.

The 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Latvia was celebrated through an event at Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The exchange of congratulatory letters between the Foreign Ministers of both countries emphasized the enduring growth of diplomatic ties.

In conclusion, Azerbaijan and Latvia's evolving partnership during this 30 years exemplifies a dynamic and multifaceted relationship. From economic synergies to diplomatic milestones, the collaboration showcases the commitment of both nations to mutual growth and prosperity. The recent developments underscore the deepening ties and the shared vision for a prosperous future.

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12 January 2024 15:28 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Azerbaijan continues to take proper measures to improve the well-being of retirees and to increase the payment. As is known, in April 2023, the Azerbaijani government approved a decree that allowed the State Social Protection Fund (SSPF) to allocate its capital to investment. The decree enables the fund to broaden and diversify its income. The Fund performed proper actions in this direction as soon as the decree came into force, and it gave detailed information about the investment portfolio conducted last year on January 10, 2024.

SSPF noted that in 2023, the fund invested AZN1.5bn ($0.8bn) over a period of more than 5 months. Of which, AZN52.5mn ($30.9mn) was invested in bank deposits, and AZN997.5mn ($586,8mn) was invested in securities.

The positive aspects of this are that it reduces the dependence of that fund on the budget and somewhat lightens the social burden of the state. It also increases the role of the fund in increasing scholarships in the future.

SSPF added that the nominal return on investment was 6-7 percent, and the common rate of return was over 8 percent.

There is no doubt that enabling the SSPF to allocate its surplus capital to different sectors on purpose to gain income is one of the best measures for improving the well-being of retirees, and the positive impacts of the decision have already emerged. Of course, the incomes of investments, i.e., 6 and 8 percent, could be seen as low, but let us not forget that the report covered half a year, and good results in investment are generally gained in the long run. Besides, it was the first experience of the fund, and much better results will be gained in time.

Speaking to Azernews on the issue, economist Eyyub Karimli noted that despite it being a well-known practice in the world, it is new for Azerbaijan. He noted that retirement investment funds have a number of positive aspects.

First of all, it reduces the dependence of that fund on the budget. Secondly, it lightens the social burden of the state. It will also enable SSPF to increase retiree payments in the future, the economist said.

He also touched on the issue of the income of SSPF and noted that 68 percent of income per year is suitable, taking into account of current banking and financial sector in Azerbaijan. He recalled that today most of the banks prefer to offer 8 percent deposit interest.

In this case, I think that the annual income of SSPF is suitable for the conditions of Azerbaijan. However, it is also necessary to admit that this income can be further increased by diversifying the investment policy. SSPF will likely do so in the future. I should also mention that the state should also control this. Investments are not always successful. That's why I say that the implementation of all these processes under control allows for positive results.

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Qabil Ashirov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @g_Ashirov

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China builds ecological monitoring network to better protect lucid waters, lush mountains

14:40, January 12, 2024 By Kou Jiangze, Yao Xueqing, Li Maoying ( People's Daily

Early in the morning, Shen Wei arrived at the Gehu Lake, upstream of the Taihu Lake in east China's Jiangsu province, with a toolbox, to conduct routine water quality and aquatic organism monitoring. Meanwhile, Shen's colleagues were sampling water from the lake with a water collector for the monitoring of planktonic algae.

After the sampling was completed, Shen, deputy chief of the ecological department of the Changzhou Environmental Monitoring Center, which initiated a comprehensive ecological monitoring network for water bodies on the plains of Changzhou, returned to the lab with his colleagues and started analyzing samples.

Photo shows the second phase of a lake restoration project in Gehu Lake, Changzhou, east China's Jiangsu province. (People's Daily Online/Xu Congjun)

"We discovered Novaculina chinensis, a national second-class protected aquatic wild animal, and we have found it at multiple locations many times," said Shen. According to him, this indicated that the ecological condition of Gehu Lake was improving.

The monitoring of planktonic algae also had some positive findings - diatoms, the dominant species in the winter lake, were at normal levels and varieties.

Ecological monitoring is essential for obtaining an objective and accurate understanding of the ecological conditions in a given area, implementing scientific ecological protection and restoration measures, and evaluating their outcomes.

Recently, China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment, in collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, issued a work plan on national ecological quality supervision and monitoring for the 2023-2025 period.

According to the plan, China will set up a national ecological monitoring network and designate 55 sites as the first batch of national stations for monitoring ecological quality, including a station in Xishuangbanna, southwest China's Yunnan province, and the comprehensive ecological monitoring network for water bodies on the plains of Changzhou.

The first batch of national stations for monitoring ecological quality cover major ecosystem types such as forests, wetlands, grasslands, deserts, oceans, cities, and farmlands. They span across 44 key ecological conservation and regulatory areas in China, as well as other important ecological regions and urban clusters with frequent human activities.

A geological monitoring device enabled by the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System is installed in Nanmu township, Youyang Tujia and Miao autonomous county, southwest China's Chongqing municipality. (People's Daily Online/Qiu Hongbin)

Compared to environmental monitoring, ecological monitoring features richer content, more complex indicators, and more diverse methods.

"The national ecological monitoring network takes species diversity and habitats as its monitoring objects, with the goals of highlighting supervision, finding problems, and accumulating data. It focuses on the composition, structure, and functions of biological communities and species, enabling comprehensive monitoring of all types of ecosystems within a 100 km radius of each monitoring station," said Dong Mingli, an official with China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

In the Xishuangbanna national nature reserve in Yunnan, Yuan Shengdong and other scientific researchers from the Xishuangbanna tropical rainforest ecosystem station walked into the depths of the dense forest to carry out routine field monitoring at designated plots, including measuring, marking, sampling, and recording.

For most of the year, the staff at this station are out in the field. "We collect millions of monitoring data every year, including various types such as biology, meteorology, hydrology, and soil," said Yuan.

He further explained that studying the dynamics of tropical rainforests requires long-term data accumulation, as short-term observations do not yield immediate results. Therefore, researchers need to diligently work day by day to gather the necessary data for studying the changes in the rainforest ecosystem.

Dong said that the national ecological monitoring network takes monitoring stations as regional centers, monitoring plots as the primary objects, and ground mobile patrols as a supplement. Working in sync with remote sensing, it integrates satellite resources, manned and unmanned aerial vehicles, ground fixed and mobile patrol monitoring, and other observation methods to establish an integrated sky-ground ecological monitoring technology system, Dong explained.

Photo shows a digital information management platform that tracks and analyzes the environmental situation dynamically throughout the process in an AI laboratory in Beilun district, Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang province. (People's Daily Online/Jiang Xiaodong)

It is learned that satellite remote sensing monitoring boasts a wide coverage. It can monitor land surface changes promptly and discover ecological damages, serving as the primary means for ecological supervision.

Unmanned aerial vehicles are flexible and responsive. They can carry visible infrared sensors, hyperspectral sensors, LiDAR and other payloads to conduct on-site investigations and technical calibrations of damage clues and changes of ecological types in key areas. This provides data support for the verification of ecological damages and validation of remote sensing parameters.

Ground monitoring mainly utilizes video surveillance, patrols, plot monitoring and other means to conduct real-time monitoring of key sensitive areas and discover problems like human interference.

Ecological monitoring not only aims to present the current status and changes in regional ecological quality but also focuses on enhancing the ability to proactively detect ecological issues.

"For example, cyanobacterial bloom is a prominent issue in the treatment of the Taihu Lake. The monitoring station utilizes historical data to study the competitive growth mechanisms of aquatic plants and cyanobacteria, providing technical support for scientific and precise artificial restoration of the ecological environment," said Pan Chen, director of the Changzhou Environmental Monitoring Center.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
Volunteers donate blood at Stanford Blood Center. Bay Area blood banks are urging residents to donate amid what the American Red Cross is calling a national shortage emergency. Monica Doleshel-Aguirre/Stanford Blood Center

Bay Area blood banks are urging residents to donate blood amid what the American Red Cross is calling a national shortage emergency.

The number of Americans donating blood is at a 20-year low, the Red Cross said this week, and more than a third of the nations 59 community blood centers have only a one-day supply or less, according to Americas Blood Centers, the organization that represents 60% of the blood centers in the United States.

This shortfall is happening as the projected need for blood products  whole blood, platelets and plasma  is growing due to more demand for transfusions, said Harpreet Sandhu, CEO of Stanford Blood Center, one of the Bay Areas largest blood products providers.

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The need is definitely urgent, Sandhu said. We continue to compel our local community members to come out and donate.

Blood donations often dip to their lowest point in January because people are busy traveling for the holidays or sick with respiratory viruses, so giving blood tends to become a lower priority. High schools and colleges that hold blood drives are closed over the holidays. And ever since the COVID-19 pandemic began four years ago, fewer businesses have been hosting blood drives, another important source of donations.

We used to be able to go onto a tech companys campus and get great engagement and support for blood donations, Sandhu said. Now many of those folks are remote or hybrid and campuses no longer have the number of employees on any given day that we used to. A lot of those opportunities have shrunk or gone away altogether.

At the same time, local oncology and surgical programs are growing, thanks to advancements in early diagnosis and treatment  and those are the patients most likely to need transfusions as part of their care, Sandhu said.

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Stanford Blood Center, which provides blood to Stanford hospitals and the Palo Alto Veterans Affairs Medical Center, has about two to four days worth of blood supply but would like to boost it to the ideal range of five to seven days.

The nonprofit blood provider Vitalant, which supplies blood to 45 hospitals around the Bay Area, has a two-day supply, which is considered low but typical for this time of year, said Kevin Adler, a spokesman for Vitalants Bay Area operations. They are seeking to increase that to four days.

Vitalant is not yet in an emergency situation this winter, Adler said. However, to continue to meet patient needs we urgently need donors of all blood types, especially type O, to make an appointment to give in the days and weeks ahead.

Blood donations are coming in at a stable pace regionally, said Pooja Klebig, spokesperson for the American Red Cross in Northern California. But she similarly encouraged residents to continue giving blood because supply is shipped to other parts of the country where its needed.

Those interested in learning whether theyre eligible to donate or make an appointment can visit stanfordbloodcenter.org, www.vitalant.org or www.redcrossblood.org.
12 January 2024 17:08 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) exported 11.5 bln m of natural gas to Europe in 2023. This was stated by the TAP AG consortium, Azernews reports.

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The Polish Ambassador Rafa Poborski to Azerbaijan has visited the National History Museum.

As part of his visit, the ambassador discussed the historical heritage of Poland in Azerbaijan with museum director academician Naili Valikhanli, Azernews reports.

They touched upon the cultural and historical relations between the two countries, as well as cooperation projects with the Azerbaijani museum.

The Polish Ambassador also got acquainted with the House Museum of Azerbaijan's philanthropist, oil baron Haji Zeynalabdin Tagiyev.

The diplomat was also presented with publications based on valuable exhibits at the museum.

During the oil boom at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries in Azerbaijan, many local and foreign architects were actively involved in enriching the architectural appearance of Azerbaijan's capital.

Baku's main architects were the Poles Joseph Goslavsky, Kazimir Skurevic, Jozef Poszko, and Eugeniusz Skibinski.

Polish architects' masterpieces include the buildings of the former City Duma (now the building of the Baku Executive Power), the Tagiyev Palace (National History Museum), the Tagiyev Women's Muslim School (the Institute of Manuscripts), the Mukhtarov Palace (now the Palace of Happiness), Ismailia (now the building of the ANAS Praesidium), the House-Museum of Mstislav Rostropovich, and many other buildings.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr

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12 January 2024 15:34 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

The National Carpet Museum invites you to enjoy a new exhibition called "Our national heritage that has overcome time".

The opening ceremony will take place on January 12, Azernews reports.

During 20222023, up to 30 exhibits were restored by the Carpet and Decorative and Applied Arts` Conservation, Restoration, and Prophylactic Control Department.

Rare carpets, exquisite carpets, delicate embroidery, samples of national clothing and precious jewellery, art metal, and pottery from the 17th and 20th centuries, as well as the modern era, will be showcased at the exhibition.

Founded in 1967, the National Carpet Museum holds more than 14,000 exhibits of the finest Azerbaijani carpets.

Initiated by eminent carpet artist Latif Karimov, the museum is beautiful inside and out.

The museum's new building is designed in the form of a rolled carpet. Now, the museum hosts multiple events, including international symposiums, conferences, and various exhibitions.

In 2019, the museum received national status for its significant contribution to popularising and promoting Azerbaijani carpet weaving art.

In 2020, the Carpet Museum enriched its collection with a beautiful pile of carpets purchased by the Culture Ministry at the Sartirana Textile Show in Italy.

The 19th-century Guba carpet "Ugakh" was donated to the Carpet Museum, while the Garabagh carpet "Chelebi" enriched the collection of the museum's Shusha branch.

Moreover, the Carpet Museum won the Travellers' Choice Awards for the fourth time in a row last year.

The award proves once again that the professional activity of the National Carpet Museum is highly appreciated by visitors from all over the world.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr

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12 January 2024 17:41 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing today that no ethnic cleansing has been carried out against Garabagh residents of Armenian nationality, and if the Armenian side has evidence of ethnic cleansing against Armenians in Garabagh, let it present it, Azernews reports.

"I would like to provide some facts if there is any document of any international organisation that Yerevan considers authoritative. For example, the UN or some other organisation. If there is any document or statement that would testify that such 'ethnic cleansing' took place, please be kind enough to provide us with links to this document," she said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman adds that the statements of the Armenian authorities about the activities of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in the Garabagh region of Azerbaijan are descriptive.

"The Russian Federation considers the accusations of Armenian politicians against the Russian peacekeepers in Garabagh destructive; this is an attempt to manipulate the facts."

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12 January 2024 10:00 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, Special Coordinator for Refugees and Migrants in Europe Regina de Dominicis on 11 January, Azernews reports, the press service of the ministry.

The Foreign Ministry's press service reports that the meeting discussed the current agenda of cooperation between Azerbaijan and UNICEF and its prospects, as well as the current situation in the region.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov noted that since the first days of restoration of state independence Azerbaijan has established close cooperation with various UN specialised agencies, including UNICEF, and is successfully working together with relevant state structures to create better opportunities in the field of education and health care for children who became refugees and IDPs as a result of the Armenian occupation.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Minister informed the UNICEF Regional Director about the successful implementation of relevant programs and projects.

Regina de Dominicis was also informed in detail about the large-scale reconstruction and restoration works being carried out in the liberated territories to ensure the dignified return of the former IDPs to their native lands, as well as the fight against the mine threat.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov spoke about awareness-raising activities carried out within the framework of cooperation with UNICEF, especially in the area of mine action, and emphasised the importance of drawing the attention of the international community to this issue.

UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia Regina de Dominicis, in turn, noted that UNICEF is interested in continuing the current successful experience of cooperation with Azerbaijan. She stressed that various joint initiatives in the field of children's rights could be implemented within the framework of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will be held in Azerbaijan this year, and the World Urban Development Forum, which will be held in the country in 2026.

Regina de Dominicis said Azerbaijan's large-scale restoration and reconstruction work in the liberated territories in the post-war period is admirable, and added that UNICEF is ready to support the process of return of former IDPs.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov also spoke about the plans to prepare for COP29.

Other issues of mutual interest were also discussed at the meeting.

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12 January 2024 11:42 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

The Government of the Republic of Turkiye has ratified a grant agreement with the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

According to the information, Turkiye, represented by the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, will henceforth be referred to as the "grant recipient," and Azerbaijan, represented by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, will henceforth be referred to as the "grant recipient," and both parties will be referred to as "party/parties together".

According to the information, all payments and transactions under the grant will be exempt from all kinds of taxes, fees, and expenses.

The grant agreement is valid until December 31, 2025.

Some articles of the agreement:

The grant will be used to finance the Turkish-Azerbaijani International Forestry Training Centre and Nursery project.

Construction and consulting tenders will be conducted simultaneously.

The project buyer will inform the contractor and the consultant that the construction site is ready for construction and without any problems (electricity, infrastructure water supply, etc.) must be handed over.

Security of the construction site and workers will be provided by the grantee free of charge.

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12 January 2024 12:46 (UTC+04:00)

By Mazahir Afandiyev

The fight against climate change is one of the main areas described by the universal text "Sustainable Development Goals" (DIM), which was unanimously endorsed by the United Nations Member States in 2015.

The 21st session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Paris saw the approval of the global manifesto "Agenda 2030," which includes the idea of "Leaving no one behind." Therefore, the Paris Climate Agreement was signed at this session. Azerbaijan signed it on April 22, 2016, and the Milli Majlis approved it in October of the same year.

Global changes have generally been brought about by states and populations around the world, having had a remarkable impact on the global climate system since the 20th century. The impacts of climate change are being felt far and wide these days.

Large-scale efforts to address environmental issues and government initiatives to enhance the environment have long been crucial parts of Azerbaijan's strategy for sustainable development. The country's readiness for new challenges in the context of climate change has been under President Ilham Aliyev's specific oversight throughout the last 20 years in the context of sustainable reforms.

Ensuring environmental safety in accordance with the green development agenda, as well as natural resource protection at the national, international, and regional levels in coordination with this strategy, the application of scientifically based development principles, and economic decarbonisation are all aimed at ensuring the country's economic and human resource sustainability.

As part of the work, Azerbaijan named 2010 the "Year of Ecology," and in 2013, our country hosted a number of regional and international events in conjunction with the CIS's Year of Ecology. Furthermore, one of the objectives outlined in the document "Azerbaijan 2030: national priorities for socioeconomic development," which was signed on February 2, 2021, was to transform the country into one with a clean environment and "green growth."

Our country's remarkable victory in the 44-day Second Karabakh-Patriotic War in 2020 highlighted new challenges. Despite the environmental terror committed, particularly in liberated territories, work on mass reconstruction and the return of our internally displaced people to their homeland is being carried out using an environmentally friendly Smart Cities and Smart Villages approach, alternative energy sources, and green technologies.

Azerbaijan continues to work actively and successfully to localise global concerns. The Republic of Azerbaijan named 2024 the "Green World Solidarity Year" in order to build international solidarity in the global fight against climate change. This implies that, in addition to the work done thus far, the government accurately defines the work to be done and will continue to carry out careful coordination of aspects aimed at the future even better well-being of the Azerbaijani people.

The world community has attentively followed the rise of our country's authority in the international arena, its transformation into a significant actor in regional geopolitical processes, and the restoration of constitutional territorial integrity and sovereignty. It is natural that Azerbaijan will host the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) this year, having made further obligations in the field of South Caucasus security and environmental protection for the entire region.

"I still think that this is the world's number one international event, an international conference, and from the point of view of the attention of the world community, it is more prestigious than the UN General Assembly," President Ilham Aliyev said in connection with COP29. Although the modern, independent young Azerbaijani state already has sufficient experience in hosting major forums and events of global significance, updated technological capabilities, rapidly changing perspectives on the future, and the challenges of the fourth industrial revolution necessitate better preparation for this event. I am certain that by successfully hosting this renowned event at the highest level, Azerbaijan will gain the status of a 21st-century progressive state.

It is no surprise that Azerbaijan will host another prominent UN event in 2026, following CAP29. Considering the work done by Azerbaijan in the global arena, the decision to hold the 13th World Urban Planning Forum (WUF13) of the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) in Baku in 2026 was a correct assessment of world states and the international community.

"In any case, the hosting of these two events is a major development, and I am sure that both events will be held successfully and the visiting guests will see the realities of Azerbaijan." These comments of the president suggest that the contemporary Republic of Azerbaijan is striving for new goals in a new era.

Thus, all of our international successes and achievements are a clear indication of trust in President Ilham Aliyev's program of securing global peace and sustainable development.

Mazahir Afandiyev is a member of the Milli Majlis (the Azerbaijani Parliament).

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12 January 2024 16:48 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

Heads of religious confessions in Azerbaijan have condemned the decision of the US State Department to include Azerbaijan in the so-called "special watch list" on freedom of religion, Azernews reports.

Members of the Advisory Council of Denominational Leaders adopted a joint statement in which they expressed their strong protest against the destructive decision of the State Department based on the report of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).

"We consider such an approach unambiguously subjective and biased. The purpose of the statement is to present an objective position, taking into account the realities of Azerbaijan. At a time when we expect humanitarian and moral support from the international community in the issues related to the reconstruction of Garabagh and Eastern Zangazur liberated from occupation and the process of returning IDPs to their lands, we have to face such biased reports based on false and slanderous statements of revanchist Armenian circles," the statement reads.

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12 January 2024 14:41 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing today that the statements of the Armenian authorities regarding the activities of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in the Garabagh region of Azerbaijan are destructive, Azernews reports.

"We see these statements, we consider them destructive and, most importantly, inconsistent with reality. Strangely, they continue. We have a very trusting, good, and dense dialogue with our colleagues from the Armenian Foreign Ministry. We have repeatedly conveyed Russia's position on these statements, saying that they bring only new problems to bilateral relations," the official spokeswoman said.

Zakharova called the Armenian side's statements attempts to "fudge the facts for the sake of shirking responsibility."

According to her, such statements do not contribute either to the strengthening of the bilateral agenda or to the solution of regional problems.

"I don't know if this is favourable in Armenia to someone or if it is favourable abroad to Armenia to someone. It is difficult to say," Maria Zakharova noted.

The Russian side regrets that there was no proper reaction from the Armenian authorities to the holding of the neo-Nazi procession in Yerevan on January 1.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova also said today at a briefing on the holding of the neo-Nazi procession in Yerevan on January 1.

"We have seen the footage and perceived with deep concern the January 1 procession of a group of fascist youths in the centre of Yerevan. We are, of course, surprised that the Armenian law enforcement forces did nothing to prevent the gathering [of people] who demonstrated their orientation on camera in the presence of the media, raising their hands in a Nazi salute. Regrettably, the Armenian authorities and human rights structures did not react properly," Zakharova said.

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12 January 2024 23:55 (UTC+04:00)

Juventus players made it to the semi-finals of the Italian Cup, defeating Frosinone at home in the 1/4 final match, which became the 400th for Massimiliano Allegri at the head of the Turin team, Azernews reports.

The meeting, held in Turin on Thursday, ended with a score of 4:0 in favor of the hosts. Pole Arkadiusz Milik scored a hat-trick for the winners (11 - from the penalty spot, 38, 48 minutes), and another goal was scored by Kenan Yildiz (61).

Juventus will compete with Lazio in Rome to reach the final of the Italian Cup, and Atalanta and Fiorentina will play in the other semi-final.

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UCSF postdoctoral fellow Kailin Yin and Professor Nadia Roan, a senior investigator at Gladstone Institutes, co-wrote a study revealing differences in the tissues of coronavirus survivors who have long COVID and those who dont. Michael Short/Gladstone Institutes

A new analysis of blood samples from people with the vexing set of conditions known as long COVID lends fresh evidence to the idea that bits of the coronavirus can remain in the body wreaking havoc for years after infection, say researchers at UCSF and Gladstone Institutes in San Francisco.

Scientists around the world are in a race to figure out why millions of people suffer from persistent, debilitating symptoms after recovering from an acute COVID infection. Understanding the cause is key to developing treatment for the range of long COVID ailments, which often include slowed thinking, lung pain, heart problems and deep fatigue.

More on coronavirus: COVID-positive Californians now allowed to attend school, work

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Nearly 10% of adult COVID survivors report having long-term symptoms after their infection, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The study, published Thursday in Nature Immunology, examines the role of T cells in long COVID.

T cells coordinate the bodys immune response much as a conductor leads an orchestra, said Nadia Roan, the studys senior author.

But the study of 43 people who had COVID in 2020 reveals distinct differences among 16 who fully recovered and 27 with persistent symptoms, whose immunity orchestra is playing, in effect, off-key.

A striking finding we made was that while this T cell coordination was observed in those that successfully recovered from long COVID, as expected of normal, healthy individuals, it was lost in those with long COVID, Roan said.

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Instead of the antibodies working properly with the T cells, there was a disconnect  a lack of coordination between the two.

The antibody response was dis-coordinated from the T-cell response, Roan said.

The immune cells of those with continuing symptoms showed signs of chronic inflammation and an abnormally high movement of T cells into tissues, according to the study.

Its findings support growing evidence about the underlying contributors to long COVID in some individuals, including that pieces of the coronavirus never cleared from their body, said John Wherry of the University of Pennsylvania, an expert in T cell biology, and postdoctoral research fellow Mark Painter, who were not involved with the study.

In a joint statement about the new research, the Penn scientists said that the results of this small study are consistent with some people with long COVID experiencing ongoing immune activation against SARS-CoV-2, perhaps caused by persisting virus.

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The findings suggest a reason for this: Killer T cells  those responsible for clearing out coronavirus-infected cells  were repeatedly thwarted by the virus and became exhausted. The phenomenon of T cell exhaustion is well known in studies of HIV, Roan said.

Differences between the group with long COVID and those without it emerged clearly because the researchers studied pristine blood samples from participants who were neither vaccinated nor reinfected by the coronavirus within at least eight months  two conditions that might otherwise have muddied the measurements, they said.

The study provides evidence that long COVID is a tissue-based disease, meaning that the dysfunction is happening in different organ systems, said co-author Dr. Michael Peluso of UCSF, who runs UCSFs long COVID research program with Dr. Steven Deeks, who also contributed to the new study.

Ongoing fragments of the virus in the tissues are driving this, said Peluso, who is running a clinical trial at UCSF to test a treatment based on the idea that if you can knock out those viral fragments, you might make people with long COVID feel better.

Wherry and Painter, the Penn scientists who were not connected with the UCSF/Gladstone study, said the studys data provide some new pieces of the puzzle and that more data from larger studies is needed to further validate the overall conclusions.

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At the same time, the evidence for viral persistence is inspiring more research into treatments. The National Institutes of Health, through its huge COVID research effort known as RECOVER, or Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery, is conducting a study at 100 locations across the country, including UCSF, to see whether the antiviral drug Paxlovid can vanquish long COVID symptoms if participants take a three- to four-week course.

Some people will get the drug for just two weeks, and others will get only a sugar pill. No one will know who is in which group until the study ends.
12 January 2024 23:30 (UTC+04:00)

Sri Lanka is joining US-led operations to protect merchant ships from attacks by Houthi rebels in the Red Seac Azernews reports, citing foreign media outlets.

This was announced by the head of the Lankan state Ranil Wickramasinghe at a meeting in Colombo with ambassadors of Middle Eastern countries.

"Sri Lanka's joining actions to protect ships in the Red Sea from Houthi attacks does not mean military unification with any country, but is a step aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation," the Daily Mirror newspaper quoted the president as saying.

Wickramasinghe said that Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea have a negative impact on world trade, leading to higher prices on the global market.

"As a result, the consequences of this will affect Sri Lanka," he stressed.

According to him, Sri Lanka stands for a peaceful solution to the conflict between Israel and the radical Hamas movement.

"We remain firm in our support for the UN resolutions calling for an end to hostilities in the Gaza Strip," the president said.

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12 January 2024 22:50 (UTC+04:00)

The Calais Lace and Fashion Museum in France will host the Yuima Nakazato Beyond Couture exhibition from June 15, 2024 to January 5, 2025, which will demonstrate how the Japanese designer's work intersects with innovation, tradition and advanced technology, as well as how he develops sustainable fashion inspired by the work of the Japanese designer, Azernews reports.

The exhibition will feature more than 50 pieces of clothing from Nakazato's collections, created by him from 2016 to 2024.

In addition to clothes, the exhibition will include accessories, fashion sketches, technical drawings, fabric samples, fashion photos and videos explaining the creative process of creating collectible outfits. For example, the development of innovative fabrics and production processes.

Yuima Nakazato was born in Tokyo in 1985. In 2008, he graduated from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp (Belgium). The winner of many awards, including the Innovation Award in 2008 for his graduation collection, which introduced the origami technique into fashion. The avant-garde fashion designer presented his first collection in 2010. Since 2016, he has been showing his collections in Paris twice a year during Haute Couture Week, becoming only the second Japanese fashion designer after Hanae Mori to take part in the prestigious Paris event. He is known for his experiments in the use of recycled materials and 3-D printing to create clothes.

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12 January 2024 22:20 (UTC+04:00)

The Republic of Indonesia has applied to join the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and member countries will begin to consider it, Azernews reports, citing the Secretary General of the organization Mathias Cormann in an interview with Nikkei Asia.

"We are very pleased to receive an official request from Indonesia to start discussions on joining," he said, noting that Indonesia can make a great contribution to the work of the organization, as it plays a "very significant" role in the global economy and is an "important voice in Southeast Asia." Cormann did not provide details about the course of consideration of the Indonesian application.

So far, only two Asian countries are members of the OECD - South Korea and Japan. Indonesia may become the third Asian country to join the organization, which will contribute to the development of other economies in the region, the publication indicates. According to Cormann, Thailand is also actively discussing the possibility of joining the OECD, and several other Southeast Asian countries, such as Vietnam, Singapore and the Philippines, are working closely with the organization.

"I believe that Indonesia's commitment to meeting OECD standards in important areas of economic and social policy will have a very big impact on the entire Southeast Asian region," he added.

The OECD is an international economic organization of developed countries, whose goal is to formulate policies to improve economic well-being. The organization includes 38 States, which are mainly developed countries.

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12 January 2024 20:10 (UTC+04:00)

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will take part in the World Economic Forum in Davos, Azernews reports, citing the press service of the North Atlantic Alliance.

"On January 15, 16 and 17, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will participate in the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland," the statement said.

It clarifies that the Secretary General of the alliance will be present at the plenary session. "As part of the event, he will hold bilateral meetings with other international leaders," the press service added.

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12 January 2024 19:35 (UTC+04:00)

Former Vice President of the United States in the Bill Clinton administration Albert Gore and former Boeing CFO James Bell will leave the board of directors of Apple IT Corporation, Azernews reports, citing a press release published on the official website of the company.

As specified in the text, Gore, who has worked at the company since 2003, independently decided to leave the board of directors due to reaching the age of 75, which, according to Apple's internal rules, is the limit for members of the board of directors. James Bell, 75, who joined the company in 2015, also left the governing body.

Former president and chief Executive Officer of the American corporation The Aerospace Corporation, Wanda Austin (69 years old), will replace them. She has many years of experience in the field of technology, as well as in the field of innovation promotion and corporate strategy formation.

"I am honored to be a part of a company that is constantly empowering people all over the world," Austin commented on her nomination to the board of directors.

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12 January 2024 14:27 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

A panel session, "Opportunities and Challenges on the Eve of COP29: Expectations from the Tourism Industry," has been held as part of the Tourism Industry Entities Forum.

At a panel session moderated by journalist Ataya Alamdargiz, the Executive Director of the Azerbaijan Hotel Association, Gunay Saglam, stressed the importance of hosting COP 29 in Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

She emphasised that the event will play a key role in the promotion and further development of the country.

In his speech, chairman of the Azerbaijan Ecotourism Association Samir Dubandi noted that Azerbaijan has hosted numerous large-scale international events at a high level, adding that this year there are more expectations from the tourism field related to COP29.

"After the post-pandemic, recovery processes continue in a dynamic form. Holding the COP29 event in Azerbaijan, which is known as a highly developed country in the field of ecology, is a great success. For two weeks, Baku will be the centre of the world, and the city will welcome approximately 70-80 thousand foreign guests," said Samir Dubandi.

Chairman of the Health and Thermal Tourism Development Support Public Union, Ruslan Guliyev, said that holding COP29 will contribute to global security.

"As you know, Azerbaijan attaches great importance to green energy. We can observe this in Garabagh and Eastern Zangazur. Azerbaijan has the status of a stable island and country," he added.

Head of Turizm.az company Nasimi Karimov pointed out that during the two weeks of COP29, the guests are expected to visit different parts of Azerbaijan.

In the panel discussion, the questions of the participants were answered as well.

Around 1000 participants took part in the Tourism Industry Entities Forum, which discussed the results of the year for tourism industry entities and challenges on the eve of COP29.

The speakers pointed out the importance of choosing Azerbaijan as the host country for the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).

The event also featured the adoption of the declaration.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr

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A general view of Tule Lake, a Japanese internment camp in California, is seen in 1943. Associated Press 1943

Responding to Open Forum of Tamiko Nimura (America still doesnt know how to talk about the incarceration of Japanese Americans, Opinion, SFChronicle.com, Jan. 4): My wife and I have been to multiple locations of the various western camps and several camps in Canada, where the Canadian-Japanese were treated similarly, if not worse, if you can believe that.

Tule Lake was known for the disloyals as mentioned in the Open Forum. I was surprised by a failure to note that it became widely known by the camp prisoners that you could keep your family together by all answering no to both questions re: their loyalty  thus naming all your family as no-nos.

The consequence of this would be that all were sent to Tule Lake, thus keeping your family together. Otherwise you could be, and in many cases were, separated.

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So, the no-no answer was a survival method to protect your family, not a profession of disloyalty to the U.S., though thats how the government viewed the no-nos.

Ron Harrison, San Francisco





Teach about Tule Lake

Thank you for the editorial on the language of internment. I hope every eligible voter could read it, and pay attention to Donald Trumps plan to intern immigrants  again, without due process or any reasonable cause to do so  if he were reelected.

I worked years ago with a friend whose family was interned during the war; I would have been happier with the open forum if high school students had been asked if they had learned about that shameful part of our history.

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Trump  and his wannabes  want to exclude such truths from school history lessons. We need to remember it is up to us to protect ourselves from such treatment by insisting on the rule of law when we vote this year.

Pam Rolph, Pacific Grove, Monterey County



Peoples Park solution







Regarding UC Berkeley erects massive barricade of 160 shipping containers around Peoples Park, (East Bay, SFChronicle.com, Jan. 4): It seems to me that an approach to satisfying everyones needs, housing for students and preserving the park, is staring us right in the face. The 20-foot containers the university is placing around the park provide approximately 150 square feet of space. This is way more than the typical dorm room, which is plenty for at least two students.

On the high seas, these containers are stacked nine high. That would allow 720 containers providing housing for over 1,400 students (assuming just two to a container). Architecturally, this approach is at least as aesthetic as the existing high-rise dorms and many of the other buildings on campus (see Evans Hall for example).

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Even better it would create an enormous canvas for artists. Together with the park this could be magnificent.

David Posner, Napa

SB770 can help

Thank you, Dr. Renee Hsia, for enlightening readers with your Open Forum article on the detriment of private equity in our health care system (Anticompetitive behavior is rampant in health care. Its hurting consumers, Opinion, SFChronicle.com, Jan. 5).

The fact that the United States has a health care system set up as a commodity based on a for-profit motive is in itself appalling. An opportunity exists for California to turn away from runaway expenses, inequality, and inefficiencies caused by greed and turn to a unified, publicly financed, but still privately delivered, health care system via the recent passage of SB770.

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Findings of the Healthy California for All Commission, whose published conclusions were the impetus for SB770, estimate that California could save half a trillion dollars over a period of a decade with this simplified funding mechanism.

It is time for the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services to get to work so we can seek a waiver framework from the federal government that would allow us to advance this first step to health care justice.

William Tarran, Pacifica

Top-two voting tip

California has a top-two primary system for the U.S. Senate seat election. The two Senate candidates with the most votes on March 5 will go to the November 2024 ballot. If you have concerns about the impact of electing a Republican (Steve Garvey), vote for a Democratic candidate who has the resources, polling numbers and best chance to finish in the top two. Be strategic with your choice as keeping a Democratic Senate majority is so important  for a womans right to choose, for access to health care and to battle climate change.

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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?
Regulations surrounding how certified registered nurse anesthetists can practice have been a hot-button issue in healthcare for years  and continues to be a contested one in 2024.

Policies regarding how independently CRNAs can practice vary by state, although national policy changes have been proposed. In 2019, CMS passed a provision allowing CRNAs "to perform the anesthetic risk and evaluation on the patient they are anesthetizing" in ASCs, and it allows them to review and verify notes in patient medical records rather than having to re-document them.

A recent Medscape survey of advanced practice registered nurses found that 75% of CRNAs practiced independently in 2023, with no collaborating physician. The other 25% indicated that they practice under a collaborating physician or a practice agreement. In 2021, only 25% of CRNAs said they practice independently.

Worsening physician shortages have strained healthcare  particularly ASCs. More than 2,872 anesthesiologists left the workforce from 2021 to 2022, according to a report from Definitive Healthcare. And as labor and supply costs continue to rise, allowing CRNAs more practice flexibility has been proposed as a potential solution.

As of July, 23 states and Washington, D.C., allow CRNAs to practice without the direct supervision of a physician. A list of those states can be found here.

Below are 11 states where CRNA policy has changed in the last five years:

Alabama: In April 2022, Gov. Kay Ivey signed into law a provision that allows CRNAs to provide anesthesia services in coordination with a physician, podiatrist or dentist.

Alaska: In January 2022, the Alaska Board of Nursing adopted rules that eliminated the requirement for CRNAs and other advanced practice registered nurses to submit to the state "consultation and referral plans" to provide anesthesia services.

Colorado: Gov. Jared Polis sent a letter to CMS requesting the removal of supervision requirements for CRNAs in the state in October.

Delaware: In June, Delaware opted out of federal regulations requiring physician supervision of CRNAs.

Florida: In December, state lawmakers Rep. Mike Giallombardo and Sen. Blaise Ingoglia proposed legislation that would eliminate the current requirement for CRNAs to have a written supervisory agreement with a physician.

Maine: In April 2021, Gov. Janet Mills signed a law requiring payers to cover and reimburse certified registered nurse anesthetists. It also prohibited players from barring CRNAs from participating in provider networks.

Maryland: CRNA scope of practice in Maryland in June 2022 was expanded to include the ability to order and prescribe medications, including controlled substances.

Michigan: Michigan opted out of physician supervision requirement for CRNAs in May 2022.

Oklahoma: In May 2019, the state Legislature passed a bill allowing CRNAs to administer anesthesia in collaboration with rather than under the supervision of a physician.

Oregon: Oregon repealed "redundant provisions" and clarified guidelines for CRNAs practicing in the state with the passage of a bill in July. The bill reaffirms the Oregon State Board of Nursing's authority to establish CRNA scope of practice.

Wyoming: In May, Wyoming opted out of federal regulations that require physician supervision of CRNAs for hospitals with 25 licensed beds or fewer.
The Office of the Inspector General weighed in on whether a consultant providing gift cards to physicians for referrals is considered a kickback.

In a letter posted Jan. 3, the OIG said the situation did not violate the anti-kickback statute.

The OIG was responding to a letter from an unnamed source that provides consulting services to physician practices to support their businesses in a variety of ways, including identifying workflow issues, supporting digital transformation and data analytics, and more. Some of the services could result in higher Merit-Based Incentive Payment Systems reimbursement.

The practices pay the consultant a fee for services unrelated to reimbursement. The consultant gives customers recommending services to other physician practices a $25 gift card per recommendation, and if the referral turns into a new customer, the consultant provides another $50 gift card.

The consultant does not recommend customers purchase, lease or order items or services under a federal healthcare program.The consultant also doesn't have ownership or investment in other entities providing products or services paid for by the federal health program, according to the letter.

The OIG did state the opinion was applicable to the requestor, and would not be applied to any other request due to the individual circumstances.
The Hoover (Ala.) Health Care Authority has filed a certificate of need application with the state for a new ASC and medical diagnostic center and is calling on the community to help push for approval from Alabama's health, planning and development agency, according to a Jan. 11 report from the Hoover Sun.

Hoover officials have also created a petition for the state agency they are calling on community members to sign.

Healthcare Resources purchased the 91-acre campus in Hoover, Ala., in November. On Nov. 20, the Hoover city council voted 5-2 to make way for the new development, which is predicted to generate a $2.5 billion economic impact over the next 10 years. The council also granted $25.8 million in tax rebates for the project, along with up to $16 million in cash payments over the next 10 years to get the project started.

Before the center can open, under state CON law, the healthcare authority has to prove that a legitimate need exists for the center and that it will not create a duplication of services in the area.

The authority is asking the CON review board to review its application as quickly as possible "because [they] believe its urgent for the citizenry of Hoover to move forward," Colin Luke, an attorney for the Hoover Health Care Authority, told the Sun.

The Hoover Health Care Authority also intends for the ASC to partner with health programs at Jefferson State Community College and the Hoover school systems Riverchase Career Connection Center to offer healthcare education opportunities at the facility.








Bethlehem, Pa.-based St. Luke's University Health Network has acquired the site of the former Frederick's Flowers & Gifts in Hilltown Township, Pa., for $8.25 million and plans to convert the property into a medical office building, according to a Jan. 11 report from the Philadelphia Business Journal.

The 8.5-acre property will house physician practices and outpatient care services if approved by the township.

St. Luke's proposal calls to demolish the existing building and build a 40,000- to 50,000-square-foot space. During peak hours, the facility would house 20 physicians and 145 employees.
Grand Junction, Colo.-based Community Hospital is opening its $81 million James Pulsipher Regional Cancer Center and Monument View Medical Plaza to patients on Jan. 15.

Bringing additional space for patients and caregivers, the nearly 130,000-square-foot facility will not only feature the new cancer center, but cardiology, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, women's health, pulmonology and more service lines, according to a Jan. 6 Community Hospital press release shared with Becker's.

Of the project's total construction cost, nearly $60 million was sourced with local vendors, a spokesperson for the hospital told Becker's in a statement. Community Hospital broke ground on the facility in September 2021.

Community Hospital, part of Grand Junction-based Colorado West Healthcare System, is a 60-bed acute care hospital. A level 3 trauma center, the hospital offers full outpatient diagnostic services and inpatient care.
Epic's huge expansion in recent years could shift the 2024 presidential election, Bloomberg reported Jan. 12

The EHR vendor hired 3,000 new employees at its Verona, Wis., headquarters in 2023 and has expanded staffing there by 47% over the past five years, up to 12,750  many of them young, college-educated voters that lean Democrat, according to the story. That could make a difference in the battleground state that President Joe Biden won by just 20,682 votes in 2020.

"I call it the Epic effect," David Egan-Robertson, a demographer at University of Wisconsin-Madison, told the news outlet. The median age of its employees is 26, and many are recent college graduates, he said.

The EHR company also encourages its employees to engage in politics, the news outlet reported. Founder and CEO Judy Faulkner has been a big donor to the Democratic party.

"I think that's an important thing. My family was always politically active," Ms. Faulkner told Bloomberg. "It's important to do your duty and vote."

Brandon Maly, chair of the Republican Party of Dane County, told the news outlet he has trouble recruiting at local social events. "Everybody under 35 that raises their hand, they work at Epic," he said. "I don't know what we'd target them on at this point in time. Because they're economically well-off. They don't care about crime. I'm not sure what to get those individuals on."
Private equity firm Apollo Global Management's ownership of two large health systems  Louisville, Ky.-based ScionHealth and Brentwood, Tenn.-based Lifepoint Health  downgrades hospital services, hurts workers and puts patients at risk, according to a study published Jan. 11 by the Private Equity Stakeholder Project.

Since acquiring Lifepoint in 2018 and spinning off ScionHealth in 2021, Apollo has consolidated ownership of 220 hospitals in 36 states, with a workforce of about 75,000 employees. Many of the hospitals have experienced service cuts, layoffs, poor quality ratings and regulatory investigations, according to the report.

The report comes amid rising scrutiny of private equity hospital ownership.

In December, the Senate Budget Committee launched an investigation into the effects of private equity ownership on hospitals that specifically mentioned Apollo's ownership of Lifepoint. Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley and Rhode Island Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse requested "documents and detailed answers" about certain hospital transactions and the degree to which private equity firms are calling the shots at hospitals.

A Harvard Medical School-led study published Dec. 26 in JAMA also found that hospitals that are bought by private equity-backed companies are less safe for patients. On average, patients at private equity-purchased facilities had 25.4% more hospital-acquired conditions, according to the study.

"Apollo's purchase of these hospital systems follows a disturbing pattern of harm caused by the growing influence of private equity in the healthcare sector," PESP Healthcare Director Eileen O'Orady, said in a news release. "Private equity's utmost priority to maximize short-term profit over the long-term viability of the companies it controls leads to excessive debt, cost cutting, worse outcomes for patients and deteriorating working conditions for employees. Apollo's management of its hospitals seems to follow the usual playbook."

The study, "Apollo's Stranglehold on Hospitals Harms Patients and Healthcare Workers," was developed in conjunction with the American Federation of Teachers and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. Click here to access the full report.

Apollo, Lifepoint and ScionHealth did not respond to Becker's request for comment.
The New York State Nurses Association is asking New York City-based NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital to "immediately reconsider" the decision to shutter its midwifery services March 3.

Nurses, community members and elected officials gathered outside the hospital to voice their opinion after the service closure was announced, according to a Jan. 11 NYSNA press release.

"The closure of our services jeopardizes patient safety and exacerbates existing challenges. Let's unite to reverse this decision, safeguard lives, and prioritize the well-being of the women and families we serve," Ingrid Deler-Garcia, RN, a nurse midwife at NYP Allen Hospital, said in the release.

The decision to close the hospital's midwifery services is part of a plan to evolve its perinatal care model and care teams, a spokesperson for NewYork-Presbyterian told Becker's in a statement.

"This is part of a broader commitment and investment that will enhance perinatal services and the overall patient experience at NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital, now and into the future," the spokesperson said.

NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital, part of NewYork-Presbyterian, an integrated academic health system, is a 196-bed hospital that features services like cardiology, geriatric medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, general surgery, emergency medicine, orthopedics, family medicine, and more.
Albany, N.Y.-based St. Peter's Health Partners has submitted a closure plan for its Troy, N.Y.-based Samaritan Hospital's Burdett Birth Center to the state Department of Health.

The decision comes after St. Peter's received a cease-and-desist letter from the health department ordering against shutting down beds or services at the center.

The certificate of need and closure plan, dated Dec. 21, breaks down the challenges that the center has faced since its inception, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Declining births, low Medicaid payments, and declining referrals, continue to strain the Samaritan maternity service," Kim Baker, senior vice president of St. Peters Hospital and Samaritan Hospital, said in a letter attached to the closure plan. "In the recent past, Samaritan might have been able to continue to absorb such losses to preserve the service. But Samaritan and the rest of the health system operated by SPHP are experiencing significant post-COVID financial stress and can no longer absorb maternity service losses of this magnitude."

An ongoing healthcare worker shortage and operating losses were also listed as challenges in the plan, which saw the operation of Samaritan Hospital's 16-bed maternity unit total a $2.7 million loss in fiscal 2023.

"In 2023, Samaritan Hospital and its staff obstetricians had to redirect or transfer expectant mothers to other hospitals due to insufficient staffing at a rate of 46/month," Ms. Baker said in the letter. "By comparison, in 2022, the number of mothers redirected or transferred was only 23/month. In short, the rate of cases moved from Samaritan hospital has doubled."

The closure plan also features stakeholder feedback along with transition plans for maternity care.

"Samaritan/St. Peter's Health Partners will continue to provide 100% of the services to 100% of the patients we're currently serving. The only thing impacted by this decision is the delivery site; all our patients will continue to receive care without interruption," according to the plan.

The department is reviewing documentation from St. Peter's regarding its Burdett Center closure application and has no other updates at this time, a spokesperson for the department told Becker's in a statement.

"While the NYS Department of Health reviews our closure plan, we continue to have discussions with local leaders, government officials, and community members to clarify the work to be done moving forward," a spokesperson for St. Peter's said in a statement shared with Becker's. "Burdett has not been immune to the critical health care challenges hitting hospitals and birthing centers across the country. The situation has only grown more troubling as we enter 2024, with a nationwide shortage of nurses reaching crisis-level proportions."
Bob Egelko has been a reporter since June 1970. He spent 30 years with the Associated Press, covering news, politics and occasionally sports in Los Angeles, San Diego and Sacramento, and legal affairs in San Francisco from 1984 onward. He worked for the San Francisco Examiner for five months in 2000, then joined The Chronicle in November 2000.

His beat includes state and federal courts in California, the Supreme Court and the State Bar. He has a law degree from McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento and is a member of the bar. Coverage has included the passage of Proposition 13 in 1978, the appointment of Rose Bird to the state Supreme Court and her removal by the voters, the death penalty in California and the battles over gay rights and same-sex marriage.

He can be reached at begelko@sfchronicle.com.
Robert Pretzlaff, MD, has resigned from his role as vice president and chief medical officer of Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital in Valencia, Calif., according to a Jan. 11 report from The Santa Clarita Valley Signal.

In an interview with the news outlet, Dr. Pretzlaff said he is departing the role to be closer to family in Northern California and accepting a new CMO role where he will oversee two hospitals in Lodi and Stockton. He was hired as CMO of Henry Mayo in 2021 and was part of growth efforts related to primary care and surgical services.

Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital said in a statement to Becker's that a search is underway for a new CMO.

"Dr. Pretzlaff's efforts were instrumental as we navigate various COVID-19 regulations, and especially in enhancing our quality and infection prevention programs," the hospital said. "We wish him the very best in his future endeavors."

Dr. Pretzlaff previously served as regional CMO at Lumeris, a St. Louis-based healthcare consulting company. Before that, he was the chief physician executive and president of Dignity Health Medical Group in Nevada.
Natalie Mussi, the longtime CEO of HCA's Los Robles Regional Medical Center in Thousand Oaks, Calif., is leaving her post for a new opportunity with the for-profit hospital operator, the Ventura County Star reported Jan. 11.

Ms. Mussi will step down from her post March 1 to take on her new role as vice president of operations for Surgery Ventures, a national surgery center network owned by HCA. In her new role, she will oversee the group's markets in California and Nevada.

Ms. Mussi became the first female CEO of Los Robles Regional Medical Center in 2014, six years after being named COO. During her tenure, she oversaw the launch of the hospital's trauma center, a medical residency program and several expansion projects.

HCA said it has launched a national search for Ms. Mussi's replacement.

"Although the news is bittersweet for Team Los Robles, we are excited for this positive move for Natalie professionally that will allow her to utilize her leadership and expertise on a larger scale," an HCA spokesperson told Ventura County Star.
Kenneth Rose, president and CEO of Texas Health Hospital Mansfield, is leaving his post for a new opportunity at another AdventHealth-affiliated hospital, Texas Health Hospital Mansfield shared in a LinkedIn post on Jan. 11.

Mr. Rose will step down from his position to take his new role as president and CEO of UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook (Ill.). Texas Health Hospital Mansfield is operated as a joint venture between Arlington-based Texas Health Resources and Altamonte Springs, Fla.-based AdventHealth, while UChicago owns a controlling stake of the AdventHealth Bolingbrook facility.

"While we are sad to say goodbye, we also celebrate this moment as a sign of growth and progress," Texas Health Hospital Mansfield's post states. "Kenneth's departure is a reflection of the success achieved during his time in Mansfield, and we are blessed for the many connections he has made within this community. Rest assured we will continue to provide exceptional healthcare services to our patients and make a positive impact on the lives of those we serve."

Mr. Rose has helmed Texas Health Hospital Mansfield since June 2019, according to an AdventHealth news release. Before that, he served as vice president of ancillary services at Texas Health Huguley Hospital Fort Worth South.
One man was stabbed by another individual while in the waiting room at Syracuse, N.Y.-based Upstate University Hospital on Jan. 9, a hospital spokesperson told Becker's.

The incident occurred around 11:40 a.m. in the emergency department waiting room. The victim was a man who was there with his young child, an Onondaga County chief assistant district attorney told CNY Central. The man was stabbed numerous times in the abdomen by the suspect, identified as Sabier Young, 44.

The hospital was placed on lockdown during the incident, the hospital spokesperson told Becker's.

New York State University Police, public safety officers, an Onondaga County custody deputy and emergency department staff helped subdue the suspect, hospital officials said.

Mr. Young was apprehended by University Police. It is not known if the victim and suspect knew each other.

"There was no delay of treatment of patients and University Police remained on the scene to help streamline the check-in and triage process until the scene was secure," the hospital said.

The victim was treated and released from the hospital. University Police continue to investigate the matter.
Members of the Hawaii Nurses Association are set to begin a seven-day strike Jan. 21 at Honolulu-based Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children.

The union represents about 600 at Kapiolani, according to the Star Advertiser. Kapiolani is part of Hawaii Pacific Health.

Union members voted to authorize a strike on Jan. 5, according to the Star Advertiser. The union and hospital began negotiating a new labor contract in mid-September. Gidget Ruscetta, BSN, COO of Kapiolani, told Becker's that during negotiations, the hospital has proposed staffing guidelines "that allow us to adjust to the needs of our patients. We consistently evaluate how many patients we have and how sick they are. These guidelines give us the flexibility to bring in more nurses, when needed. In addition, our proposal also gives our nurses a more active role in staffing assignments and enforcement."

The union, which, according to the Star Advertiser, seeks to establish nurse-patient ratios, contends working conditions are worsening and that short staffing is forcing nurses to care for too many, too sick patients. It also contends nurses are being mandated to work overtime, sometimes clocking 16-hour shifts.

"This fight is about being able to take care of patients well, and give them the time and attention they need to heal," the Hawaii Nurses Association wrote on its Facebook page. "It's about leaving work feeling like you can still go back the next day. It's about dignity, for nurses and patients  for our whole community. It's time for a change in our healthcare system."

"Throughout the negotiations, Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children has addressed the priorities presented on behalf of our nurses with the intent of moving forward together," Ms. Ruscetta said. "Despite the union's decision to strike and refusal several times to negotiate with a federal mediator, we want to reassure the community that we will continue to serve our patients and their families. Kapiolani will be here to serve our community, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and we will never waver from that responsibility."
As the Biden administration calls on hospitals to do more to reduce sepsis deaths, Henry Ford Health in Jackson, Mich., has started involving its emergency department nurses more in detection practices, the American Medical Association reported Jan. 11.

Henry Ford clinicians recently presented their sepsis tactics in a CDC webinar series, which includes empowering nurses working in the ED to fast track the process of performing lactate tests. Too many lactates in the bloodstream can lead to sepsis and help be a way to detect the condition or patients who could develop it.

At Henry Ford, nurses in the ED can advance order a lactate and send it up to the lab. If the patient's screening is greater than 2 millimoles per liter, the bedside nurse will huddle with the attending physician.

Essential elements of successful sepsis protocols, according to Michael Fill, DO, an emergency physician with the health system, include:
A combination of artificial intelligence and image screening software used by a blogger allegedly found evidence of data manipulation across a range of research papers published by four experts at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston dating back to 1997.

Sholto David, a writer for the blog For Better Science, which is dedicated to highlighting research integrity, published the findings Jan. 2 which claims the data manipulation was from papers authored by Dana-Farber's President and CEO Laurie Glimcher, MD; Executive Vice President William Hahn, MD, PhD; Senior Vice President for Experimental Medicine Irene Ghobrial, MD; and Harvard Medical School professor Kenneth Anderson, MD.

The blog sharply criticizes the authors and dives into where the alleged manipulation of data occurred throughout several papers. He also sent the complaint directly to the cancer institute and affiliated Harvard Medical School, both of which confirmed receipt of it, The Harvard Crimson reported.

"Any concerns about errors made in publications that are brought to our attention are reviewed thoroughly and authors are supported in submitting corrections, if needed," a spokesperson from Dana-Farber told Becker's. "Dana-Farber is fully committed to rigorously maintaining the integrity of research under its oversight and has procedures in place to ensure that our researchers meet the highest ethical standards."

However, a data manipulation expert, Elisabeth Bik, told The Harvard Crimson that the concerns raised by the blogger were "spot on."

The allegations of manipulated data or falsified information in academic research fall just days after Harvard University President Claudine Gay, PhD, resigned amid social cultural situations as well as accusations of plagiarism in some of her past research.
Spine surgeon Michelle Welborn, MD, has spent years researching a collagen X biomarker that she hopes will change how physicians approach scoliosis care.

Dr. Welborn began working at Shriners Children's Portland in 2016 and is researching the biomarker with William Horton, MD. She spoke with Becker's about her work and what's ahead for her newly endowed professorship.

Note: This conversation was edited for clarity and length.

Question: What are the challenges with determining skeletal maturity in patients? Is there an age where this gets a little more difficult to figure out?

Dr. Michelle Welborn: Skeletal maturity is a rough estimate of how much longer somebody is going to grow for. The reason why we like skeletal maturity is because there are early bloomers and late bloomers. Theoretically, skeletal maturity helps us to differentiate between those kids that are going to be done growing at 10 versus those kids that are going to be done growing at 17. The problem is that skeletal maturity doesn't tell you how much they're going to grow. How much they are going to grow is growth potential. Currently, there's no way to tell what growth potential is. So, we extrapolate it based on the skeletal maturity, which is based on radiographs of our extremities. This presents an additional problem, as the growth of our spine doesn't happen at quite the same time as the growth of our limbs. Since we can't visualize the growth plates in the spine easily, that is our current gold standard. The combination of these means that there's a large error range because, while the time frames are similar, they're not the same.

Q: I assume this is where the collagen X biomarker comes in. Can you talk more about the process of finding this?

MW: Collagen X has been something that we've been pursuing here for 40 years. This is a huge effort that started with Mike Sussman, MD, who was just this incredible guy. Back in the early '80s, he, among other people, helped to delineate the structures of growth plate and the mechanism through how our bones get longer. That's important because our bones  even though the same building blocks are used  get wider through a different mechanism than how they get longer. The fact that they use the same building blocks in different ways is part of why figuring out growth potential has been so hard. And then he and William Horton, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, helped to delineate the structure of collagen X. This is important because collagen X is found anywhere where there is a cartilaginous model of bone or where soft bone is converted to hard. This model is used in processes where you need to grow bone quickly, like the growth plate or a healing fracture. These were monumental steps.

Using this in a clinical way was the challenge. We had an idea of what we wanted to use, but not how to use it clinically. But they needed some advances in technology before they were able to utilize this clinically.

After they identified collagen X, they needed to break it down with endogenous collagenase (enzymes found in our body) and see which of these degradation products could be found in the bloodstream. The amount of these products seen in the bloodstream basically indicate how fast we turn that soft bone into hard bone, or how fast we're growing. And it was basically at about that point where I started working here at Shriners. Shortly after that, we started our collagen X biomarker study that looked at the impact of growth on the progression of scoliosis.

Q: Can you talk about the actual application of this? How much have you applied all this knowledge in your practice?

MW: I have not applied it yet. And the reason is that anytime I do something that will directly affect patient care, I need to prove it beyond a shadow of a doubt. I can't say, "I think this is a better idea." I have to know it's a better idea, and to know it's a better idea takes years.

We have been working for about seven years now, following kids through their growth. We look at the radiographic measures of maturity, their anthropometrics (things like height, length, and weight and their biomarker levels). I have to follow kids through their entire growth spurt to see if what we're doing with collagen X is as good as what we have been currently doing. Only if I can show that it is as good, can we then start to apply it.

Q: What are your goals with the professorship? Are you planning more research and trials to bring this into mainstream spine care?

MW: That is exactly what the goals of this are. We just received a major grant as well, and while the exact amount of the grant is to be determined, it should hopefully be about $1 million. As part of the professorship and the grant, we've expanded this study to include genomics and AI. Our long-term goal is to incorporate this into mainstream spine care. But this is a slow process. So, for now we are working on being patient and making sure to hold our research up to the highest standards.

Q: Are there any other areas of spine that you're researching?

MW: Our biomarker study is just one of many research projects that we have been working on. In addition to our work on translational research and rare disorders, our team has done a lot of work on just trying to better understand indications for different procedures so that we can improve their safety and efficacy. These have included publications on magnetic growing rods, halo gravity traction and on vertebral body tethering. There are a lot of different procedures out there, and we see the incredible successes and we see the incredible failures. In order to improve the care of all kids, we need to try to better understand what contributed to those successes and what contributed to those failures.

I have a special place in my heart for all those kids struggling with rare diseases. We've recently published on osteogenesis imperfecta and myelomeningocele and I'm currently working on a study on neurofibromatosis. But these kids with rare bone and soft tissue disorders are some of the bravest, most amazing kids I've ever met. Anything that I can do to help to lift them up and make their lives a little bit better is worth it to me.
Earlier this week, Cincinnati-based Mercy Health announced plans to acquire Paducah-based Orthopedic Institute of Western Kentucky, but now, community members are raising concerns, according to a Jan. 11 report from NBC affiliate WPSD.

Previously, Mercy Health did not have an orthopedic practice, and the partnership will offer its patients access to a broader range of services including orthopedics, surgery, imaging, rehab and therapy.

Some patients of the orthopedic institute and of Louisville, Ky.-based Baptist Health expressed concerns for how this might change their access to care.

Currently, the institute's surgeons provide call coverage for Baptist Health orthopedic patients. Mercy Health and Baptist were both vying to acquire the practice, according to the report.

Mercy Health's Kentucky president, Michael Yungmann, told WPSD that not much is expected to change for any patients following the acquisition.

"The services should be relatively unchanged. I believe, if anything, we will have some locations for patients to be able to see care, perhaps, in even a more cost-effective location as well. Immediately we're committed to the orthopedic surgeons still providing call coverage for Baptist Health as well," he told WPSD.

He also said that Mercy aims to keep the entire Orthopedic Institute team on staff. The system has promised that all staffers will have their positions for at least 12 months while the practice is integrated.

"Ourselves and Baptist Health, we try to partner with certain areas in the community and we have during the seven years that I've been here, and I don't see that changing, you know. There will always be competition between the two. We're here to compete, but also there's a certain decency and fairness that we practice within that competition to make sure that, in the end, the community's needs are met," Mr. Yungmann said.

"Baptist Health Paducah is committed to providing our patients with quality care and services. The physicians with The Orthopedic Institute of Western Kentucky remain on the hospitals medical staff and will continue to operate at our hospital. Baptist Health Paducah will continue offering minimally invasive orthopedic surgeries, personalized therapy and rehab services, as well as emergency orthopedic and trauma care," Kenny Boyd, president of Baptist Health Paducah, told WPSD.
Spine and orthopedic device manufacturer and medtech company Medtronic plans to close more than five manufacturing sites and six distribution centers by the end of April, according to a Jan. 9 report from the Star Tribune.

The plans were shared by CEO Geoff Martha during a presentation at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on Jan. 8. The move is part of a restructuring effort to improve the company's profit margins, according to the report. The company has not disclosed which facilities will be impacted.

Medtronic has more than 95,000 employees globally, with 43% based in the U.S. or Puerto Rico.

Medtronic's spine and orthopedic line includes spine robotics systems, spinal cord neurostimulation systems and cervical arthroplasty devices.

A Medtronic spokesperson declined to confirm the report to Becker's.

"We have no specifics to share right now," a spokesperson told Becker's. "Consistent with operations best practices, we are always evaluating our manufacturing and distribution footprint for efficiencies that improve our performance."

It's also unclear how many jobs could be affected.
Protesters and counterprotesters face off outside the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco in August during a rally demanding the court overturn an injunction prohibiting the city from sweeping homeless encampments. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle 2023

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Friday to hear a case that could dramatically reshape how cities across the West respond to the homelessness crisis.

Gov. Gavin Newsom, governments in 20 other states and organizations of cities and counties had asked the court to review and overturn a September 2022 decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that prohibited local governments from sweeping homeless encampments unless shelter was available for the camps residents.

San Francisco and Mayor London Breed went further and asked the Supreme Court to take the unusual step of immediately reversing the appellate ruling, without the need for a hearing. The justices did not grant that request but agreed to hear arguments on the constitutional standards for local governments to remove people from camps and tents on public property. A ruling is due by the end of June.

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A federal magistrate had relied on the appeals court ruling for a December 2022 injunction that has limited removals of encampments in San Francisco.

San Franciscos compassionate efforts to address the homelessness crisis have been severely hamstrung by the 9th Circuit decision, City Attorney David Chius office told the court in October.

Encampments are dangerous, Newsoms lawyers wrote, and the 9th Circuit decision is preventing local governments from imposing common-sense time and place restrictions to keep streets safe and to move those experiencing homelessness into shelter.

Families can no longer walk the streets of Portland, San Francisco, and Seattle in safety, said lawyers for the 20 states, led by Idaho and Montana.

Newsom welcomed the courts announcement Friday.

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California has invested billions to address homelessness, but rulings from the bench have tied the hands of state and local governments to address this issue, the governor said in a statement. The Supreme Court can now correct course and end the costly delays from lawsuits that have plagued our efforts to clear encampments and deliver services to those in need.

But Ed Johnson of the Oregon Law Center, attorney for the homeless in Grants Pass, Ore., where the 9th Circuit case arose, said Friday the appeals courts ruling does not tie the governments hands and should be upheld.

The issue before the court is whether cities can punish homeless residents simply for existing without access to shelter, Johnson said. This case is not about a citys ability to regulate or prohibit encampments. That has always been permissible, is explicitly allowed under the 9th Circuits ruling, and is not at issue here. Nevertheless, some politicians and others are cynically and falsely blaming the judiciary for the homelessness crisis to distract the public and deflect blame for years of failed policies.

The case has become a rare instance in which officials across the political spectrum, from Newsom to conservative state senators in Arizona, are seeking the same outcome. In July, a bloc of the 9th Circuits conservative justices blasted the Grants Pass ruling, in a scathing missive widely seen as a signal to the Republican-dominated Supreme Court to take up the decision.

But representatives of the homeless in Grants Pass told the Supreme Court that the ruling allows cities to keep their streets safe and restrict encampments, as long as they do not force people to sleep outdoors with no shelter.

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The 9th Circuit merely recognized, based on longstanding legal precedent, that the Constitution bars the government from punishing people for universal biological necessities like sleeping and using a blanket to survive cold temperatures, attorney Kelsi Brown Corkran of the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection at Georgetown University said in a Dec. 6 filing.

Cities can still prohibit tents on public property and take other protective measures, Corkran said. She said Grants Pass has continued to actively dismantle encampments since the ruling, and San Francisco conducted a massive encampment sweep in November ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, or APEC.

Police Chief Bill Scott, however, told reporters before APEC that officers could clear some encampments but were not allowed to conduct all-out sweeps.

Breed told reporters Friday that we want to provide shelter to people. We want to provide help to people, and were going to continue to do that as this case plays itself out.

We have been, of course, very aggressive in getting people to commit to what were offering, especially because we dont want people living on our streets when we have an alternative, the mayor added. The things that play themselves out in the courts are going to play themselves out in the courts, and our goal is to continue to do the work that were doing regardless.

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The Grants Pass ruling was based on a decision by the 9th Circuit court in 2018, in a case from Boise, Idaho, that a city cannot impose criminal penalties for sleeping on a street or sidewalk when no shelters are available. The Supreme Court rejected an appeal of that ruling, making it a binding precedent for federal courts in nine Western states, including California.

The September 2022 decision specified that the homeless cannot be arrested or evicted from encampments unless a city has shelter beds for them. They can be removed only if they refuse an offer of available shelter that would meet their needs. U.S. Magistrate Donna Ryu cited that ruling in the December 2022 injunction prohibiting San Francisco from clearing most of its homeless encampments.

City officials said officers were citing or arresting residents of the encampments who had refused offers of shelter. But Ryu said San Franciscos shelters were full and had closed their waiting lists.

The Supreme Courts action came a day after a 9th Circuit panel, in a 2-1 ruling, rejected San Franciscos attempt to dissolve Ryus injunction. The court said the magistrates decision was based on evidence that the city used a set of laws and practices  to criminalize sitting, sleeping, or lying in public, arresting unhoused people who refused to leave and confiscating their belongings.

The San Francisco Coalition on Homelessness and civil rights groups contend the magistrates decision and the Grants Pass ruling protect the most vulnerable members of society without endangering the public.

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If a homeless person turns down the citys offer of an available shelter bed, that person can be evicted and arrested, said William Freeman, an American Civil Liberties Union attorney representing advocates for the homeless in San Francisco. Ryus order, based on the appeals courts legal standards, simply means that you cant lock people up or give them criminal records because they have no place to go, he told the Chronicle.

In San Franciscos Supreme Court filing, the city said it had spent $672 million in the past fiscal year on services for the homeless, but would need to spend an additional $1.45 billion, more than a third of its overall budget, to shelter its entire unhoused population.

The City cannot feasibly provide shelter for everyone, its lawyers told the court.

The case is Grants Pass v. Johnson, No. 23-175.
Here are 10 practices and health systems hiring spine and orthopedic surgeons.

Note: This is not an exhaustive list. This article was updated March 12.

Spine surgeons

Orthopedic Centers of Colorado in Englewood seeks a spine surgeon.

Wesley Healthcare in Wichita, Kan., seeks a spine surgeon.

Boston Medical Center is looking for a director of spine neurosurgery.

HCA Healthcare seeks a neurosurgeon for its Kissimmee, Fla., location.

Allegheny Health Network in Erie, Pa., seeks a spinal neurosurgeon.

Orthopedic surgeons

Alton (Ill.) Memorial Hospital seeks an orthopedic surgeon.

St. David's HealthCare in Austin, Texas, seeks a total joint surgeon.

Memorial Health Meadows Hospital in Vidalia, Ga., seeks an orthopedic surgeon.

Walker Baptist Medical Center in Jasper, Ala., seeks an orthopedic surgeon.

The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health seeks a foot and ankle surgeon.
Meat and dairy products from GB that are sold in Northern Ireland have been required to carry the labels as a result of the Windsor Framework. Pic posed

Shoppers have been left baffled by Not for EU stickers on goods in Great Britain, with many believing the products are of a lower standard thanks to Brexit.

Since last October, meat and dairy products from Great Britain that are sold in Northern Ireland have been required to carry the labels as a result of the Windsor Framework agreed by the UK and the EU.

The scheme will be rolled out across the UK this coming October, but some stores in GB have been using them already  leaving many shoppers confused.

The post-Brexit wording is designed to stop food products from GB that are sent to Northern Ireland ending up in European Union countries, such as the Republic of Ireland.

However, the labelling has left some shoppers questioning whether UK food items are of a lower standard than their EU counterparts.

One shopper wrote: My milk now says not for EU on it  can you confirm that this is just because of U.K. red tape and that it still complies with EU safety standards? Id hate to think its special Brexit milk thats not safe for Europeans.

Lets be honest about this, the Not For EU label on foods shows that Britain is the dirty man of Europe thanks to #Brexit. Your only upshot is a pint of wine! joked one social media profile.

Theyve spent decades complaining about the EU being over fussy on high food standards  now they label food in UK supermarkets as not for EU consumption, added another.

Its all connected to the red tape that has emerged due to Brexit and the Northern Ireland protocol. Due to differing food regulations between Great Britain and the EU, authorities had to think of a way of ensuring the passage of goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, but keeping them out of shops in the Irish Republic.

The result was the Windsor Framework, which established a green lane that could reduce red tape on products crossing the Irish Sea. This led to the agreement for Not for EU labelling.

Social media has since been alight with people questioning whether these food products are of a lower standard or fail to meet EU regulations. In reality, products with the Not for EU logo simply mean theyre meant to remain in the UK market, and it doesnt relate to standards at all. However, some shoppers are still a little uncertain.

Someone wrote: This all shows the wisdom of EU to insist on the not for EU label. It safeguards EU producers against GB competitors that can produce cheaper because of lower environmental and labour standards.

Another profile added: Whatever the facts of the matter, this Not for EU label will be widely read as Brexit dropping our food standards.

The labelling was introduced to meat and some dairy products in Northern Ireland in August 2023. However, it will be rolled out across the rest of the UK later this year.

Christopher Elliott of the Institute for Global Food Security at Queens University Belfast told Politico: Many consumers find food labels confusing enough without yet another additional layer of red tape.

Like many warned and the government denied, the implementation of so many aspects of Brexit has brought about additional regulatory burdens and costs for industry and ultimately increased costs and reduced choice for consumers.

The outworking of the Windsor Framework is another example where its lose-lose for all.
Comedian Anna Gildea: Tapping your phone to pay for things is a step too far for me
Gareth Graham, CEO of Belfast Commercial Funding and Adam Dickson, head of underwriting at Belfast Commercial Funding

A financing company co-founded by a well-known businessman has secured major funding to expand across Northern Ireland and into Ireland.

Belfast Commercial Funding (BCF), co-founded by Gareth Graham, son of bookmaker Sean Graham, has announced it has secured a major debt facility from regional private equity and infrastructure investment manager, Foresight Group.

In November Foresight announced it would be opening an office in Belfast after it launched a new 10m fund to invest in Northern Ireland.

Foresight said its NI fund would support smaller companies to achieve their growth ambitions, support their local economy, and deliver a positive social impact by creating high-quality jobs across Northern Ireland.

Mr Graham currently heads up BFC after working as a property developer for over three decades.

The Belfast-based business was founded in 2014 and offers secured loans of up to 5m to SMEs, property developers, homebuyers and agricultural businesses.

The alternative lending business plans to use the additional financing to grow its loan book and provide financing to borrowers across NI and the Republic.

Adam Dickson, head of underwriting at BCF, said: We are delighted to have secured this additional facility from Foresight, which significantly increases our lending capacity.

This additional line of funding will enable us to broaden our real estate offering and support more SMEs, house builders and entrepreneurs across the country.

He added: At a time when many businesses are experiencing difficulties in accessing funding from mainstream lenders, and new home completions are continuing to fall short of annual targets, BFC is working to address these issues.

Businesses require additional liquidity and we are excited to be working with Foresight. We believe their approach and principles to lending fit with our business. We look forward to supporting our existing customers and continuing to grow our customer base.

Dan Lawson, senior private debt manager at Foresight, said: We have ambitions to continue to grow our asset backed lending portfolio and we are delighted to be partnering with BCF.

The team is highly experienced and has built a successful business by providing flexible funding to an increasingly underserved market. We look forward to supporting the team in its next phase of growth.

Before launching its new fund last year, Foresight Group had already invested 30m in NI companies including Kingsbridge, Hospital Services and RGM Vent, helping create 600 new jobs.
The ITV drama Mr Bates vs the Post Office has renewed public interest in the case

Fujitsu, the company behind the flawed software at the heart of the Post Office Horizon IT scandal, has been awarded nearly 720m in NI government contracts since 2012, it has been revealed.
US comedian on his respect for Ballymena actor, shooting new film Lift in Belfast, and doing impromptu comedy shows in the city

Superstar comedian and actor Kevin Hart has revealed that he would happily give Ballymena actor Liam Neeson a run for his money when it comes to playing action movie heroes.

The award-winning American funnyman, who was in Belfast for several months in 2022 to shoot his new heist film Lift, plays against type in the entertaining Netflix crime caper and says he is keen to continue this new direction.

Lift centres on an international heist crew, led by Harts Cyrus Whitaker, who race to lift $500m in gold from a passenger plane at 40,000 feet.

The fast-paced action flick, directed by F. Gary Gray, features high-tech art thefts, cat-and-mouse chases through the canals of Venice, mid-air fights and shoot-outs, and high-energy action scenes.

Hart, who normally plays more comedic or hapless guy roles, told the Belfast Telegraph that he had enjoyed playing an action figure for a change and would love to join Neeson, who reinvented himself in recent years, in the action hero ranks.

Ive absolutely dreamed of doing this, said Hart.

This is one of those things that Ive worked really hard to get to this space and by that, I mean a leading man.

As a movie star you want to always switch it up wherever and whenever you can to put yourself in the position of being a conversation piece.

Going from stand-up comedy to comedy movies to action comedy to drama to now action thriller, those are really cool steps and I hope it continues in this direction.

Kevin Hart says 'Ive worked really hard to get to this space. Pic: Netflix

When asked if he was planning to take over from Neeson as the go-to guy for action films, Hart said: I hope so, that would be amazing. Well, I dont want to take over, Id just like to join him.

The globe-trotting film, which also stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Vincent DOnofrio, Ursula Corbero, Billy Magnussen, Jacob Batalon, Jean Reno and Sam Worthington, was filmed in several locations including Venice and Trieste in Italy, London and Belfast.

The citys Harbour Studios doubles up as the main production base and the place where many interior scenes were shot, such as Cyruss luxurious apartment and parts of the interior of the airplane.

Filming also took place at Loop Studios for the gimbal work and stealth jet cockpit as well as Titanic Studios.

Kevin Hart as Cyrus in Lift. Pic: Netflix

Belfasts famous Crown Bar doubles up as a bar in Belgium and other locations include Ulster University, Titanic Hotel, Ward Park, Bangor and Shackleton Barracks, Ballykelly.

Hart said he and the rest of the cast had loved their time in Northern Ireland, but while hed visited some amazing restaurants and pubs, most of his nightlife was based around stand-up comedy.

While in Belfast, Hart used the opportunity to develop his stand-up routines for an upcoming tour that year, doing around 40 shows in total.

The Central Intelligence and Fatherhood star said he missed doing stand-up during his time here so thought it would be a great chance to practise for his new tour, while checking out the Northern Irish comedy scene at the same time.

Filming in Belfast was amazing, mainly because of the warm welcome I received from the people, he said.

Not only did I shoot there but at the same time, I got to work on my comedy and develop what was to become my tour by performing in places like the Limelight and Laverys.

I was missing the stage and thought if I can find a place and go and do my thing, then that could be my nightlife instead of going out to pubs and clubs.

I did around 40 shows.

Kevin Hart and wife Eniko Hart in Belfast's The Kitchen Bar in 2021

On the local comedy scene, Hart said: I got to work with some Irish comedians who opened for me, a rotation of four to six of them, and they were great.

You cant come here and not show love for the people that built the comedy scene and getting to work with those guys was a big deal and I was really happy to do it.

Hart said he was impressed with the people, the production hub and the countryside and vowed to come back.

I loved it and it wont be my last time there, he said.

Im looking forward to coming back out and not just for the movies, but for stand-up as well. I have a big fan base there and I want to make sure I stayed tuned into that.

The 44-year-old also said that while he enjoyed the Northern Irish sense of humour, he wouldnt be including any new material about the place in his upcoming shows.

He described his time in Belfast as really chilled and said it was an amazing place to shoot movies, adding: I cant wait to come back.

Lift arrived on Netflix on Friday, January 12.
The best part of being a dad is "the hugs", actor Jamie Dornan has said.

In a video posted by Northern Ireland designer Jonathan Anderson, Jamie is seen wearing a leather jacket by Loewe - a luxury Spanish fashion house for whom he is the global brand ambassador and Anderson is creative director.

Dornan was asked: "What's the best part of being a daddy?"

He replies: "The hugs. Having three girls I'm getting lots and lots of hugs. That's the best part."

The 41-year-old, who currently stars in the BBC's The Tourist, shares three daughters - Dulcie, ten, Elva, seven, and four-year-old Alberta  with wife of 11 years, actress Amelia Warner.

https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.anderson/reel/C190eIXN0NQ/

Dornan tends to keep his personal private but recently gave a rare insight into parenting his daughters.

Speaking to the Sunday Times, he said he hopes his children will follow the creative path he took in life.

"I want to be someone they feel they can trust and say anything to," he said. "They seem to be very creative, cool, talented little people who are performers." He then joked: "Perfect little nepo babies!"

When he's not working, the Dornan family splits its time between homes in London, Portugal and west Ireland.

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While filming the first season of The Tourist, in which Dornan takes on the role of an amnesiac on the run, the actor travelled to Australia and stayed there for six months.

For the second season, the series relocated to Ireland - a decision Jamie admitted was down to him.

"I couldn't have done Australia again, if I'm being really truthful  just logistically for my family," he told the Independent. "We had a great time but I can't be doing that to my family every other year. It's not how I want to live my life."

Dornan makes no secret of his love for his family and in Instagram shared a picture of Amelia holding hands with their daughters while crossing the road. The post was to celebrate International Womens Day.

Dornan said in the caption: "I'm nothing but a pile of dust without this crew."
Two Belfast men have denied murder and conspiracy to murder after Irish gangland suspect Robbie Lawlor was shot dead.

Mr Lawlor  believed to be involved in organised crime in the Republic  was shot and killed outside Adrian Hollands house in Etna Drive, Ardoyne, north Belfast, almost four years ago.

Two men appeared at Belfast Crown Court today on charges arising from the fatal gun attack.

Patrick Teer (48) and 40-year-old Holland confirmed their identities to a court clerk and were jointly charged with murdering Mr Lawlor on April 4, 2020.

Teer, whose Belfast address is the subject of a reporting restriction, was then charged and when asked how he pleaded to murder, he replied: Not guilty.

The pair were also charged with, and denied, two further offences  namely conspiring to murder Mr Lawlor on dates between January 1 and April 5, 2020, and possessing a 9mm self-loading pistol with intent on a date between April 2 and 5, 2020

Both Holland and Teer denied the conspiracy to murder charge and the firearms offence.

After the pair entered not guilty pleas to all three charges levelled against them, Mr Justice O'Hara was told that a trial is expected to last up to eight weeks.

The senior Judge said he anticipated the hearing would be held in the autumn and whilst no date for trial was set today, he said he would review the case on Friday, March 8.

Following the arraignment, both Holland and Teer were released on continuing bail.
Two convicted murderers who went AWOL while on temporary jail release to "start a new life in the Republic of Ireland'' have been sentenced to six months in prison.

Stephen Henry Michael McParland and Alison Michelle McDonagh appeared at Belfast Crown Court to be arraigned on a single charge they each faced.

McParland (55), c/o of Maghaberry Prison, and Alison Michelle McDonagh (50), with an address at Hydebank Wood women's prison, pleaded guilty to being unlawfully at large from the prison estate on dates between January 21 and January 27 last year.

The court heard McParland was jailed for life in 1997 and he was told he would spend a minimum of 16 years behind bars before he was eligible to apply to the Parole Commissioners for release.

The conviction related to the murder of east Belfast man Gary Alexander McKimm following a row over 20.

A previous court was told he laughed and shouted Die, die, die, you b*****d while he kicked his helpless victim.

McDonagh was jailed for life and handed a minimum tariff of 12 years in 2006 for the murder of drinking friend George McDowell at a flat in the Rathcoole estate in Newtownabbey, Co Antrim.

McDonagh - who at the time of the conviction was known as Alison Michelle Martin - stabbed her 47-year-old victim in the neck after a row broke out.

On Friday prosecution barrister Natalie Pinkerton told the court that both defendants had been out on temporary release from prison on January 21, 2023 but failed to return.

A cross-border police manhunt was launched after the pair were spotted on CCTV at a train station in Belfast with a large number of bags and "boarded a train to Dublin''.

CCTV footage of McParland and McDonagh

"However, on January 26, 2023 they were returning to the jurisdiction on a train from Dublin to Belfast and were apprehended in Newry,'' said Ms Pinkerton.

"They have been back in custody since then and that period in custody would not be taken into account as a result of any sentence imposed today.

"Both defendants have been in custody longer than the minimum tariffs they received.''

Asked by Judge Mark Reel "what was this all about?'', defence barrister Stephen Toal for McParland described it as a "very, very strange case''.

"He was on the cusp of early release. At three previous parole hearings the word 'sabotage' was used by various panels who believed that he had become institutionalised (in prison),'' said Mr Toal.

"Each time he was just about to be released he did something minor that set back his whole release. So in this particular case it is very difficult to work out what he was doing other than that.

"They went to Dublin, they met the Guards (Gardai), an unconventional extradition took place were the Guards accompanied them on the train to Newry where they voluntarily got off, met the PSNI and were arrested.''

Asked by the judge "what the large amount of luggage was about?'', Mr Toal replied: "They had plans to start a new life together in the Republic of Ireland. He deeply regrets it.

"But it wasn't going to last too long. They had no recourse to funds and there were no state benefits available to them. It was always going to end up the way it ended.

"He will have to earn the trust of the prison authorities again and the Parole Commissioners won't release him immediately.''

Defence barrister Patrick McTaggart said McDonagh was approaching almost 20 years in prison and is "now seven years post tariff''.

"She was nine days shy of another Parole Commissioner's release when she went unlawfully at large and to say it was self-sabotage is pretty obvious,'' said Mr McTaggart.

Passing the six month sentence, Judge Reel said: "Release on licence from the prison estate is an important feature of the operation of the prison system.

"Prisoners who are released in such a fashion are released on trust and when that trust is breached by a prisoner there is an important public interest in ensuring that those who breach the terms of the release are appropriately punished.''
Former Sub-Postmaster Lee Williamson attends the Court of Appeal (PressEye)

A former Co Londonderry sub-postmaster caught up in the Horizon IT scandal has been given fresh hope in a legal battle to clear his name.

The Court of Appeal heard today that emergency new laws announced by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to exonerate hundreds of victims could mean Lee Williamson no longer has to pursue a fight to overturn his conviction for fraud.

His barrister, Michael Halleron, said: These proceedings may be academic, we dont know.

In 2014, Mr Williamson, 48, was convicted of fraud by false representation offences and given an 18-month suspended sentence.

It was claimed that he had stolen and falsified accounting records in his role running a Post Office in Portstewart.

Charges were brought against him after an audit uncovered an alleged shortfall of 17,000.

More than 700 sub-postmasters across the UK were prosecuted by the Post Office between 1999 and 2015 for similar accounting errors.

Criminal proceedings were based on data from the faulty Horizon software which made it appear money was missing from branches.

It has been described as one of the worst miscarriages of justice in British history.

The scandal was thrust back into the spotlight after ITV drama Mr Bates vs the Post Office sparked a public outcry and renewed pressure on the UK Government to intervene.

Earlier this week Mr Sunak pledged that new legislation will be rushed forward to exonerate and compensate victims.

But there is still uncertainty over how the legislation will be extended to Northern Ireland.

Meanwhile, Mr Williamson returned to court today for the latest stage in his ongoing challenge.

He is among a group of around 20 sub-postmasters from Northern Ireland who were prosecuted in Horizon cases.

Despite the possible implications of the Governments announcement, judges were told that his legal team is still getting ready to mount the appeal.

Mr Halleron said: The Prime Minister has indicated a certain approach in these Post Office cases to bring forward primary legislation.

We dont know what that will contain, and whether it will be relevant to this applicant.

To cover all eventualities we still have to prepare for a hearing.

The Post Office scandal: What is it and has anyone been held accountable?

The court also heard that more time was needed to search a new batch of Post Office material for any information relevant to Mr Williamson.

Referring to the UK Governments announcement, Counsel for the Public Prosecution Service pointed out that Northern Ireland has devolved justice powers.

That is something which will have to be taken into account as well, he said.

Following the update Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan listed the appeal for a further review in April.

By that stage we should know whats happening with this species of case, she predicted.

Speaking outside court, Mr Williamson said the latest developments in the scandal had triggered a rollercoaster of emotions.

I started this appeal process two years ago and if this new piece of legislation comes in and clears my name I will be satisfied, that was my first objective, he insisted.

His optimism was tempered, however, by concern over the ongoing inactivity at Stormont.

Theres hope for our situation in Northern Ireland, but if legislation is brought in we dont have a sitting government, he explained.

That could cause delay and thats why Im continuing with the appeal.

The former sub-postmaster also insisted he was wrongly put in a situation of having to prove his innocence.

The deck of cards was stacked in favour of the Post Office at all times, he claimed.

This past week has been a complete rollercoaster.

Even watching the drama docuseries takes you right back to the bad times of dealing with the shortage.

Youre trying to hold your emotions together so you dont break down in front of your family, thats where the anger comes in.

But it has to be tempered so you dont let it ruin your life.

His solicitor, Michael Madden, added: At the moment Mr Williamsons appeal is still live.

The hope is that it wont be required because the new legislation that has been announced will quash his conviction.
Revealed | Saga over final west Belfast bail address where Kevin Conway shot by notorious hitman

Police objected to numerous locations for Kevin Conway to live at before agreeing to west Belfast property. The alleged gangster was gunned down at the house on Tuesday night

Recap: Who was Kevin Conway ?

Allison Morris Fri 12 Jan 2024 at 07:50

Police objected to numerous bail addresses supplied by Kevin Conway before agreeing to the house in west Belfast where he was shot dead on Tuesday evening.
Tributes have been paid to Belfast man Robert McCorkindale after his death just a year after the loss of his daughter Stella-Lily to Step A infection.

Robert died on Monday, January 8  his 38th birthday.

It comes after his daughter, five-year-old Stella-Lily, became unwell in December 2022 and was taken to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. She was treated in intensive care but died on December 5.

Robert's death notice describes him as a devoted daddy to his late daughter and the beloved son of Lorraine and the late Roy and cherished brother of Cheryl and Daniel.

His funeral will take place next week.

On social media, Newhill FC said: "Newhill FC are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Robert McCorkindale.

"Roberts passing comes not long after the first anniversary of his daughter, Stella-Lilly. Our club offer our thoughts and prayers to his family and community, as well as Taylor, his family and our girls academy. RIP Robert."

Stella-Lily McCorkindale and her dad Robert

Read more The story of three siblings abandoned alone and their search for fourth foundling

The Shankill Somme Association said: "It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of one of our newest members, Robert McCorkindale. Robert joined the 1st Shankill Somme Association in 2023 and quickly became an integral part of our Somme family.

"His enthusiasm and dedication were evident to all, making him a well-liked and keen member of our association.

"Robert's absence leaves a profound void within our community, and he will be sorely missed by all members. At this very sad time, our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies extend to the McCorkindale family.

"May they find comfort in the knowledge that Robert's memory and contributions to our association will always be cherished and remembered. Lest We Forget."

Funeral of five-year-old Strep A victim takes place

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His funeral service will be held from his mothers home on Tuesday, January 16 at 10.30am and afterwards to Roselawn Crematorium for 12 noon.

Family flowers only are requested. "Will be sadly missed by his loving family circle," the notice continues.

"Death my friend, you have walked beside me my whole life, now its time to embrace you as a brother so you can take me home to my daughter."

In an interview with the Belfast Telegraph following his daughter's death, Robert said Stella-Lily was his blue-eyed girl. "We were best mates, we werent just father and daughter, we were everything to each other," he said.

He hit out at the emergency department for sending his daughter home with advice to drink Lucozade Sport. The Belfast Trust later said they were reviewing the care Stella-Lily received and said they would meet with the family.
The funeral of murder victim Kevin Conway will take place in his home town of Lurgan this weekend.

The 26-year-old, who was shot multiple times in west Belfast earlier this week, will be laid to rest on Sunday.

A Requiem Mass will take place in St Peters Church at 1.30pm before the loving daddy is buried in St Colman's Cemetery.

"Dearly beloved son of Bridie and the late Kevin and much loved brother of Lynsey, Victoria and Maria, a funeral notice states.

"And beloved partner of Katie and loving daddy of Kayla and Koen.

A Crimestoppers reward of up to 20,000 has been offered for information leading to the arrest and convictions of those responsible for the deadly gun attack which took place in the Greenan area at 9.30pm on Tuesday.

The victim had been on bail awaiting trial for the murder of Shane Whitla in Co Armagh last year.

PSNI Detective Inspector Gina Quinn said: Kevin was brutally murdered in his own home.

He was shot multiple times and was, sadly, pronounced dead at the scene.

This barbaric murder has left behind a loving family, who are absolutely heartbroken.

She added: In recent years there have been a number of other horrific murders involving firearms within the west Belfast community, and police are aware that they are still very much at the forefront of peoples minds.

I would ask the public to remember that behind each name, there are families and loved ones whose worlds have been torn apart.

We are committed to bringing those responsible for Kevins murder to justice, and I am reiterating our appeal for anyone with information to search your conscience.

Please do the right thing and get in touch.

I believe there are people out there who have information, but who may be too frightened to speak up.

I want to offer assurance that information can be passed to Crimestoppers with 100% anonymity, and I hope that the reward of up to 20,000 will encourage people to come forward.

A Crimestoppers spokesperson said: Our charity, which is independent of the police, is here for you 24/7 to pass on what you know whilst staying completely anonymous.

With Crimestoppers, computer IP addresses are never traced.

Telephone calls are never recorded, there is no caller line display and no 1471 facility.

The reward is only payable for information passed directly to Crimestoppers and not to the police.

Please ask for a reward code when speaking to our contact centre or when completing an anonymous online form via our website.

Thank you for your support.

The public can contact Crimestoppers online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or call the charitys 24/7 contact centre on 0800 555 111.

Conway had made several appearances in court charged with the murder of Whitla in Lurgan and had been granted bail.
The charge of murder against Kevin Conway will be formally dismissed next week, following his killing.

Conway (26) with an address in Deeny Drive, Lurgan, was shot dead on Tuesday at a property in the Greenan area of west Belfast.

He was one of three men charged in relation to the murder of Shane Whitla in Lurgan on January 12, 2023.

Conway was due to enter an application to amend/vary his bail conditions in Craigavon Magistrates Court today after it was held back for one week.

Speaking in court, Conways defence solicitor said his client was tragically murdered.

The Public Prosecution Service asked if the matter could be held for one week as there are steps we need to go through.

The judge agreed and held the case back to Friday, January 19, for a formal withdrawal of the murder charge.

Mr Whitla, a 39-year-old father-of-four, was gunned down in an alleyway off Woodville Street over an alleged drug debt to a notorious crime gang known as The Firm, which Conway was a senior member of.

Prosecutors claimed Conway set the victim up in phone calls which lured him to the scene of the execution-style shooting carried out by two other men.

When Conway originally applied to be released on bail, police objected to a number of bail addresses before agreeing to the house in west Belfast where he was shot dead.

During court hearings, it was said he was under threat and it is understood dissident republicans were thought to have been monitoring his movements.

When first arrested, Conway was told police would object to any address in the Lurgan, Portadown or Craigavon areas.

After providing at least four potential addresses of relatives, the property just off Shaws Road was agreed to.

Shane Whitla

Conway had originally been granted bail a month after Mr Whitlas murder and was living in Newry, but he breached his strict conditions by accessing the internet.

He was arrested, but officers allowed him to have a smoke at the front door.

Conway, who was shoeless, ran off. Despite a police chase, he was not apprehended.

Although a manhunt was launched, Conway evaded detection. He handed himself into police in Banbridge two days later.

While on remand in Maghaberry, sources say he spent the majority of time in solitary confinement for his own safety due to threats from rival drug gangs.

Conway successfully applied for bail again in July despite police objections.

It was then that he moved to west Belfast. His address was not made public due to threats to his life.
Detective Inspector Gina Quinn has made a new appeal for information over the murder of Kevin Conway in Belfast (Brian Lawless/PA)

A reward of up to 20,000 has been offered for information leading to the arrest and convictions of those who murdered Kevin Conway in Belfast.

Independent charity Crimestoppers has offered the reward after the 26-year-old was shot multiple times in his own home in the Greenan area of west Belfast on Tuesday at around 9.30pm.

The victim had been on bail awaiting trial for the murder of Shane Whitla in Co Armagh last year.

Making a new appeal in the case, PSNI Detective Inspector Gina Quinn said: Kevin was brutally murdered in his own home.

He was shot multiple times and was, sadly, pronounced dead at the scene.

This barbaric murder has left behind a loving family, who are absolutely heartbroken.

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She added: In recent years there have been a number of other horrific murders involving firearms within the west Belfast community, and police are aware that they are still very much at the forefront of peoples minds.

I would ask the public to remember that behind each name, there are families and loved ones whose worlds have been torn apart.

We are committed to bringing those responsible for Kevins murder to justice, and I am reiterating our appeal for anyone with information to search your conscience.

Please do the right thing and get in touch.

I believe there are people out there who have information, but who may be too frightened to speak up.

I want to offer assurance that information can be passed to Crimestoppers with 100% anonymity, and I hope that the reward of up to 20,000 will encourage people to come forward.

A police forensic officer at the scene in the Greenan area of west Belfast where Kevin Conway was shot dead (Brian Lawless/PA)

A Crimestoppers spokesperson said: Our charity, which is independent of the police, is here for you 24/7 to pass on what you know whilst staying completely anonymous.

With Crimestoppers, computer IP addresses are never traced.

Telephone calls are never recorded, there is no caller line display and no 1471 facility.

The reward is only payable for information passed directly to Crimestoppers and not to the police.

Please ask for a reward code when speaking to our contact centre or when completing an anonymous online form via our website.

Thank you for your support.

The public can contact Crimestoppers online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or call the charitys 24/7 contact centre on 0800 555 111.

Conway had made several appearances in court charged with the murder of Mr Whitla in Lurgan and had been granted bail.
A reward of up to 20,000 has been offered for information surrounding the murder of Kevin Conway.

It is being offered by the charity Crimestoppers for information which leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

Conway was murdered in the Greenan area of west Belfast on Tuesday at around 9.30pm.

The 26-year-old was on bail after being charged with the January 2023 murder of Shane Whitla in Lurgan, a shooting linked to an organised crime gang known as The Firm.

During court hearings in 2023 it was said that Conway was under threat.

Detective Inspector Gina Quinn said: Kevin was brutally murdered in his own home. He was shot multiple times and was, sadly, pronounced dead at the scene.

This barbaric murder has left behind a loving family, who are absolutely heartbroken.

Detective Inspector Quinn continued: In recent years there have been a number of other horrific murders involving firearms within the West Belfast community, and police are aware that they are still very much at the forefront of peoples minds. I would ask the public to remember that behind each name, there are families and loved ones whose worlds have been torn apart.

We are committed to bringing those responsible for Kevins murder to justice, and I am reiterating our appeal for anyone with information to search your conscience. Please do the right thing and get in touch.

I believe there are people out there who have information, but who may be too frightened to speak up. I want to offer assurance that information can be passed to Crimestoppers with 100% anonymity, and I hope that the reward of up to 20,000 will encourage people to come forward.

Recap: Who was Kevin Conway ?

A spokesperson for Crimestoppers explained: Our charity, which is independent of the police, is here for you 24/7 to pass on what you know whilst staying completely anonymous. With Crimestoppers, computer IP addresses are never traced. Telephone calls are never recorded, there is no caller line display and no 1471 facility.

The reward is only payable for information passed directly to Crimestoppers and not to the police. Please ask for a reward code when speaking to our Contact Centre or when completing an anonymous online form via our website. Thank you for your support.

Contact Crimestoppers online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or call the charitys 24/7 Contact Centre on 0800 555 111.

Alternatively, detectives can be contacted on 101; while information, including photos, CCTV and dash cam footage, can be provided to police through the Major Incident Public Portal at https://mipp.police.uk
Devolved government in Northern Ireland has been effectively collapsed for two years (Liam McBurney/PA)

Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill has told the DUP it is decision time after her party submitted a motion to recall Stormont ahead of mass strike action next week.

As reported earlier by the Belfast Telegraph, the SDLP and Alliance are expected to support a petition calling for the Assembly to sit on Wednesday.

Ms ONeill the action has been initiated to restore the Executive and urgently deliver a fair pay deal for public sector workers.

It is decision time for the DUP, she posted on X

"There can be no more delays or excuses.

Our public sector workers play a pivotal role right across our society, working in our hospitals, schools, on trains and buses, and within the civil service.

The DUP cannot continue to leave workers and families in the lurch any longer.

Tens of thousands of public sector workers, including healthcare staff, are set to take to picket lines across NI bringing the region to a standstill on January 18.

The recall motion entitled Public Sector Pay Settlements demands that workers receive fair pay deals.

We, the undersigned, give notice to the Speaker, under Standing Order 11, that the Assembly should meet urgently to elect a Speaker and Deputy Speakers; to appoint a First Minister and deputy First Minister and all other Executive Ministers; and to debate the following motion, it states.

"That this Assembly endorses the demand for fair pay settlements for public sector workers; urges the DUP to respect the democratic outcome of the May 2022 Assembly election; and emphasises the pressing need to urgently reinstate the Executive to tackle the unprecedented challenges confronting citizens and our public services, particularly the immediate matter of public sector pay."

The move will require the backing of 30 MLAs in order to succeed.

A spokesperson for the Alliance said the party will be discussing our approach to the the tabled recall motion over the weekend.

"Ideally, the DUP would be recalling the Assembly with the intention of re-establishing the institutions, so that we can move forward, get on with the job at hand, and start making the progress that Northern Ireland so desperately needs," it added.

Around 800 Education Authority employees in the Unite union confirmed they will take part in eight days of strike action which is set to further disrupt schools over the next three weeks.

Teachers have already voted to take part in the day of mass industrial action  they will now be joined by staff including those working in school bus transport, catering, administration and cleaning as well as classroom assistants.

Employers have now been notified of eight days of action, to take place Wednesday 17, Thursday 18 and Friday January 19 next week.

There will be further strike action on Wednesday January 24, Thursday 25 and Friday 26 and on two further days in February, on and Thursday February 1 and Friday February 2.

Workers are seeking the implementation of a negotiated pay and grading review to deliver equality and pay improvement, with the union saying the overwhelming majority of its members are currently paid under the NJC scale.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: The funding to deliver the pay and grading review is available but it is being withheld by the secretary of state for Northern Ireland. It is disgraceful that workers pay is being used as a political bargaining tool.

The school support staff have the full and continuing support of Unite in their struggle to improve pay and secure fairness.

Read more Eight days of strike action from EA employees to further disrupt schools

The Government has also told Sir Jeffrey Donaldson that it is time for him to step up and make a decision on restoring Stormont as Downing Streets patience with the DUP wears increasingly thin.

London had hoped that Sir Jeffrey would put a deal to his ruling party officer board last night which, if approved, would lead to the Assembly meeting early next week.

Next Thursday is the last day the Assembly can meet to elect a speaker and executive ministers.

The Secretary of State is then obliged to call an election to be held within 12 weeks if devolution is not restored.

However, Chris Heaton-Harris has ruled out calling calling a poll and will instead table emergency legislation to extend the deadline and enable him to set a budget.

Sources told this newspaper that if the deadline passed, Mr Heaton-Harris may disclose details of the very generous draft deal offered to the DUP in December.

MLAs may also face further cuts to their pay which has already been slashed by 27.5%.
Up to 5cm of snow expected to fallOngoing likelihood of disruption

A yellow weather warning for snow and ice has been issued in Northern Ireland.

The warning will come into effect between 3am on Monday and midnight that night and applies to all counties.

It's expected that showers, increasingly falling as snow, will bring widespread disruption.

The Met Office has warned roads and railways are likely to be affected, with risks of slips and falls on icy surfaces and some icy patches on untreated roads and pavements.

The warning said: "Brisk northerly winds will drive showers well inland across Northern Ireland on Monday, with these initially falling as snow over higher ground and sleet and rain elsewhere. However, as increasingly cold air spreads south, showers will fall as snow to all levels by late morning.

"Up to 5 cm of snow is likely over higher routes such as the Coleraine Mountain road and Glenshane Pass. At lower levels, a few cms can be expected, with northern counties expected to see the more frequent showers. Ice will be an additional hazard for all areas into the evening."

To prepare, forecasters advised to plan any driving routes, check for road closures and carry extra essentials in the car - such as an ice scraper and warning triangle.

The Met Office warned earlier this week that a northerly airflow will affect the UK from Sunday with snow showers focused around NI and northern areas of Scotland.

Deputy chief meteorologist David Hayter said there is an "ongoing likelihood" of disruption.

"While the initial snow risk from Sunday onwards is looking most likely to be coastal areas in the north of the UK, including North Sea and Irish Sea coasts, there's an ongoing likelihood of some disruptive snow through the middle to latter part of next week," he said.

"What we're keeping an eye on for this disruptive snow is where exactly this milder air from the southwest bumps into the cold air that will be in place over the UK.

"It's where these airmasses meet that there's a likelihood of some substantial snow for some places.

"At the moment, models are showing us a variety of options for exactly when and how this situation plays out and it's something we'll be able to add more details to in the coming days."

RAC Breakdown spokesperson Simon Williams advised drivers to pack warm clothes in the boot, and bring a power bank to keep their phones charged.

With an increasing risk of snow and ice at the start of next week we urge drivers to make sure they travel fully prepared, he said.

Having a few essential items in the boot no matter what distance youre going can make a massive difference in a breakdown situation in freezing conditions.

A warm, waterproof coat, sturdy footwear and gloves, along with a blanket and a power bank to keep your phone charged are vital.

While no one sets out to break down or get stuck in very cold, potentially snowy conditions, there are far too many instances where drivers have underestimated the severity of the conditions and found themselves in danger.

Its far better to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
Rigel Robinson, seen on the UC Berkeley campus on March 10, 2022, announced this week he was resigning his City Council seat and ending his run for mayor. Marissa Leshnov/Special to The Chronicle

Rigel Robinson was a rising star in Bay Area politics. At 22, he was the youngest person to be elected to the Berkeley City Council and now at 27 was a front-runner to become its youngest mayor this year. Attorney General Rob Bonta endorsed his bid.

But all that hope and promise ended this week. Robinson abruptly retired from politics and ended his mayoral campaign. He said he was burned out by the toxicity around him and the harassment from political opponents that he believed endangered the safety of himself and his family. Theyve followed him, told him to kill himself and taped threatening messages to his residence.

I have been in a perpetual state of stress and exhaustion for as long as I can remember, said Robinson, who has been pro-housing in traditionally NIMBY Berkeley, and supports a controversial plan to allow student housing in Berkeleys Peoples Park.

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His departure shows how toxic and dangerous our politics has become  even in cities that tout their inclusivity. The impact isnt hard to predict. If those on the fringes of our system can destroy a young person bursting with enthusiasm about public service, why would other young people sign up for that? Particularly young people of color, like Robinson, who is Korean American, given the dearth of diversity in politics.

The toxicity of political discourse is really concerning if young and dedicated people like Rigel decide to quit because they cant deal with death threats, harassment, Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin told me. We are losing a brilliant and dedicated leader, and someone who is the voice of students and the next generation.

But in a way, Arreguin wasnt surprised. He has walked a similar path. Elected to the City Council when he was 24, Arreguin said that he has also been the target of harassment and death threats. I even had to get a civil restraining order. This kind of threatening behavior is unacceptable and has no place in our civil society. (Robinson has not sought similar orders.)

Berkeley City Council Member Terry Taplin praised Robinson for his housing advocacy and the kindness with which youve led in a social media post on X and added: The harassment & abuse public servants face is real. This toxicity should never be normalized.

But it is.

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Political violence isnt new, it is just more culturally accepted  and it starts at the top and trickles down. We see it every day. Donald Trump threatening judges. The Jan. 6 insurrection. The uptick in bomb threats to public officials. The attack on Paul Pelosi. Threats at local school board meetings. Intimidation and doxxing of local poll workers. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland expressed concern this month about a deeply disturbing spike in threats against public officials over the past few months.

A national survey by the UC Davis Violence Prevention Research Program in September found that 33% of respondents agreed that violence is usually or always justified to advance at least one of 17 specific political objectives, such as preventing discrimination based on race or ethnicity, stopping an election from being stolen, or stopping voter fraud or intimidation.

This isnt what Robinson envisioned when he started getting politically active as a student at UC Berkeley, the school his great-grandmother graduated from nearly a century ago. He told me that he jokes he was bullied into running by his friends and fellow students.

But theres a lot of truth to that, Robinson said of his first campaign in 2018. It was an exciting moment. We built a real movement of students eager to expand the influence and representation of younger voices in our local government.

He was progressive, but his YIMBY attitude toward housing was unusual in traditionally NIMBY Berkeley. Yet that opposition began to thaw thanks in part to Robinson and others on the council. The city ended exclusionary zoning during his tenure, and its homeless population decreased.

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I think a lot of that has to do with the growing role of younger people and working families who feel a real urgency about the housing crisis, Robinson said. Theyre having a really hard time imagining themselves continuing to be residents of this beautiful city which prides itself on inclusivity and being welcoming. But we cant be a welcoming community when the median home price is $1.5 million. We cant be a sanctuary city when people cant afford rent.

But supporting more housing rubbed some people the wrong way. Even some of his fellow progressives.

Robinson said one of his political mentors told him that one of the most challenging things about doing the work of policymaking in a progressive community like ours is that your most ardent opponents on important issues are your natural allies  people with whom you share fundamental beliefs about the world.

Robinson said he doesnt regret taking any positions that put him at odds with some of the most vocal members of our community, but it affected my ability to feel steady and safe in a role that I have truly loved. It has been a recurring theme throughout my time on the council, he said.

He felt that from his earliest days on the campaign trail, when opponents would follow him and his supporters and yell at them. That intensified when he joined the council. While he loved the work, it was all-consuming. So much so that he has long joked with friends that I daydream about quitting this job almost every six hours. Frankly, they never thought I was serious, he said.

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Part of that intensity is because local politics is so intimate.

Were all neighbors at the end of the day. We all share the same spaces, the same grocery stores, Robinson said. It drives so much passion and goodwill that people bring to the city like this. But it can also make that much more intense and that much more inherently personal.

The debates about Peoples Park were especially difficult. Last week, crews barricaded the 2.3-acre park in Robinsons district in anticipation of the university constructing housing for 1,100 students and supportive dwellings for roughly 100 homeless people.

Robinson declined to go into specifics about the harassment aimed at him, nor would he say if it was from those who opposed housing on the site.

Harvey Smith, president of the Peoples Park Historic District Advocacy Group, said he doesnt know of any housing opponent who has harassed Robinson and called any such attacks disgusting.

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Even though I dont support Rigel or support his positions, Im not a proponent of doing stuff like that, Smith told me. I think there are other ways to have a discussion and to talk things through.

That said, Smith said, I dont consider him a progressive candidate for that district, so I dont bemoan him leaving. Youre on the Berkeley City Council. So, its like the old saying, If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen, and I guess maybe thats what hes done because he cited the harassment.

Robinson said his political opponents shouldnt interpret his departure to mean that they won. That hes become another victim to the hecklers veto that is turning local politics into pro wrestling.

If people feel like they won by my leaving, Robinson said, I sincerely hope they find the happiness thats missing in their lives.

He points to the changing attitude toward building housing in Berkeley as proof that his term on the council reshaped the city. And while he may be retired from elective office  a term he finds funny because Im like 12 years old, he isnt leaving policymaking. While in office, he received his graduate degree in public policy from UC Berkeley and will look for a policymaking job that is a little more behind the scenes.

But he is concerned that his departure may give young people pause about entering politics.

I absolutely have that fear, Robinson told me.

He urged young people not to give up, and said the changes in Berkeley would not have happened if not for the level of involvement of young people in our city and in our politics.
Crunch time: Sir Jeffrey told to step up and make a decision as Government turns the screw

DUP warned that patience is reaching an endSecretary of State may publish details of generous dealFurther reduction of MLAs salaries is under consideration

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson (left) is running out of time, according to the NI Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris (right)

Suzanne Breen Fri 12 Jan 2024 at 07:20

The Government has told Sir Jeffrey Donaldson that its time for him to step up and make a decision on restoring devolution as Downing Streets patience with the DUP wears increasingly thin.
The DUP should ask themselves why they are no longer the first party in Northern Ireland, the chair of Westminster's NI Affairs Committee has said.

Speaking to the Irish Times Sir Robert Buckland, a Conservative MP for South Swindon said the party should accept the "electoral maths" - that Sinn Fein is the largest party.

"We have to accept the electoral arithmetic. These are the facts, and you cant wish them away. If you want to change things, win elections, get more people to vote for your party, said Buckland, who has served in roles including Secretary of State for Wales, Solicitor General for England and Wales and Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor.

Instead of that, the DUP should ask themselves the fundamental question of why it is that they are no longer the first party. Thats the more relevant question.

Speaking to the BBC on Thursday evening, Buckland said he believed a return to "old-style direct rule of the past" was off the table.

He said direct rule would mean "triggering certain aspects of the Good Friday Agreement" and "involvement of the Irish government, ultimately".

"I think anybody who like many of us will have remembered and read and committed parts of the process of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement to memory, will know there is no going back to that previous dispensation, he added.

"That would be to upend 26 years of progress. And that is what is at stake here."

In November a report published by the committee argued the job titles of First and Deputy First Minister should change to Joint First Minister to drive home the message that the jobs are, and always have been, of equal rank.

In the interview with the Irish Times, Buckland said dislike for the idea of Sinn Fein deputy leader Michelle O'Neill as First Minister should "belong to history".

He added: This wasnt an attempt to try and undermine Sinn Fein. This was an attempt to try and accept the fact that the office is a joint office, he says.

Why are we worrying about titles? Why dont we just accept the fact its a partnership and treat it as such. Whether its DUP or Sinn Fein should matter little.

He said the DUP don't have the luxury for continued delays in the restoration of Stormont - nor does Northern Ireland.

"To govern is to choose. We have to accept the world as it is, not necessarily as we would like it to be. The electoral maths has produced two things. Sinn Fein is the largest party.

London has made a generous financial offer for the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly and a lot of good can be done with that.

In negotiations before Christmas, the government offered a 3.3bn financial package should government return to Stormont.

Describing the sum as expansive, Buckland goes on: I think its incumbent on the two big parties of Northern Ireland to step up to the plate.

The DUP should focus on what they can do with the money, rather than focusing on the EU-UK Brexit deal that no one in London, Brussels or Dublin wants to reopen, he said.

They need to worry about what they can control and focus on what the Assembly and the Executive should be doing. And its not the reworking of treaties, he says.

Instead, its the things that matter to their electors, whether health services and schools are operating, whether public transport is in a good state. Nobodys saying, least of all me as an avowed unionist, that their place in the union has changed, said Buckland, who campaigned in 2016 for the UK to remain in the European Union.

Brexit brought complications. It always was going to do so. The idea that the Irish border would be an exception to the hard edges of the EU single market was always an idle one."

Political paralysis here is being welcomed less and less in Westminster. Unionists must be conscious of changing opinions in Great Britain, he said. The danger always for Northern Ireland is not hostility [in Britain], but ignorance and indifference.

Thats not so much a West Tyrone question, but a West Swindon question. Why do we bother? Were funding it to the tune of 17/18 billion a year and all we get is grief, he said

The danger is the more insular NI politics becomes, the less relevant it is seen not just in Westminster, but by the public, he says.

That would be a very sad day for all of us.
DUP MP Sammy Wilson has hit out at the Conservative Party's Sir Robert Buckland (inset)

A DUP MP has accused a senior Conservative of being an arrogant little pipsqueak for warning that direct rule is unlikely if Stormont is not restored.

Sir Robert Buckland said that the DUPs failure to agree a deal that leads to power-sharing will likely lead to the "involvement of the Irish government".

The chair of the NI Affairs Committee at Westminster also called on Sir Jeffrey Donaldsons party to show courage and accept a 3.3bn financial package from the UK Government.

The comments provoked a strong reaction from East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson.

Sir Robert has shown himself to be an arrogant little pipsqueak with these remarks, he posted on X.

Is this what the Conservative and Unionist Party have been reduced to?

He ought to apologise for the damage he has done to his party and the standing of his own country.

Sir Robert Buckland

The DUP has previously said more work is needed for it to agree to form an Executive.

All five main parties here have been invited for one-to-one talks with the Secretary of State at Hillsborough Castle on Monday.

If there is no Assembly by Thursday night, Mr Heaton-Harris is legally obligated to call an election, although NIO sources have suggested this will be postponed.

New legislation will be needed to delay any fresh poll.

Sinn Fein is formally seeking to recall Stormont ahead of Thursdays mass strike action. The SDLP and Alliance are expected to support a petition calling for the Assembly to sit on Wednesday.

Speaking to BBC NI's The View, Sir Robert was asked about SDLP leader Colum Eastwoods warning that there cannot be a return to "direct rule or some form of Tory administration in the north".

Mr Eastwood has called for an "enhanced role for the Irish government".

The Tory MP said direct rule would ultimately mean "triggering certain aspects of the Good Friday Agreement" and "involvement of the Irish government.

"I think anybody who like many of us will have remembered and read and committed parts of the process of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement to memory, will know there is no going back to that previous dispensation, Sir Robert said.

"That would be to upend 26 years of progress. And that is what is at stake here."

Sir Robert denied that the government is using ongoing strikes in NI as a means to put pressure on the DUP and described the .3bn deal as generous  the offer includes 584m to fund public sector pay rises.

"I think on one level it's maybe a cynical view about how the UK government would view the valued contribution that public service workers make in Northern Ireland," he told The View.

"The reality is this facing all of us - all of us as elected politicians have responsibilities to face up to.

"Sometimes we have to make decisions that we don't particularly like, we don't live in a perfect world. The DUP are part of this imperfect world. There isn't a perfect solution for them.

"But there is a solution and a solution that can deliver for their constituents, many of whom are public sector workers, in a way that I think would redound to their credit."

Sir Robert said now is the time for leadership, for courage if you like - an overused word sometimes, but one that might apply in this case - to allow the executive to be formed as quickly as possible."

Read more Northern Ireland is approaching a tipping point and only one man can pull the lever

DUP deputy leader Gavin Robinson also criticised Sir Robert, claiming he is "wrong" and advising him to "focus on the restoration of Northern Ireland's place within the UK internal market rather than making hollow threats about joint authority".

"Sir Robert Buckland seems to be confused," Mr Robinson added.

"It's not often he is wrong but on this he is. The Republic of Ireland has no legal basis for governing Northern Ireland. Such a step would be a further breach of the Belfast and successor agreements."

Mr Robinson said it was the "arrangements flowing from the NI Protocol alone" that are preventing Stormont from being restored.

Meanwhile, TUV leader Jim Allister has sent an open letter to Sir Robert following the arrogant and offensive comments.

I found your remarks on BBC The View that it was time for intelligent and cerebral unionism supremely arrogant and offensive, it reads.

It is thinking unionists who repudiate the Protocol and refuse to give it the credibility of implementing it, because of its insidious assault on the very essence of unionism, namely the right to equal citizenship within our own country.

TUV leader Jim Allister

The North Antrim MLA said it is disappointing to hear Sir Robert boasting of your unionist credentials and then threatening the meddling of a foreign jurisdiction in the administration of this part of the United Kingdom.

"Surely, your unionism should make you a staunch opponent of such? he concluded.

I trust you might reflect on your advocacy of that which is consciously pushing Northern Ireland out of our union.

Sir Robert Buckland has been contacted for comment.
Translink backtracks on earlier suggestion that it had no input

Map from the Union Connectivity Review showing a strategic transport network for the whole UK.

The Governments funding allocations for rail projects have been slammed as totally unacceptable  after it ignored key recommendations to invest west of the Bann.

Transport is a devolved matter yet the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and Translink both indicated the Government had made decisions to prioritise rail projects on its own.

Translink has backtracked on an earlier suggestions that it had no say in the decision-making process, to now admitting that it engaged with the UK Department for Transport (DfT).

DfI also dodged responsibility saying it was not the decision maker in relation to any of these funding decisions.

It did not respond to follow-up questions asking whether its officials had advised the Government.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said: The British Governments approach to connectivity review funding is absolutely unacceptable.

Im working with Into the West and seeking urgent clarification from Ministers on the abject failure to include Derry in this process  it should never have happened.

The Foyle MP added: Ive written to the Transport Minister with a series of questions about why these decisions were made, why our city has been excluded and why the potential of rail connectivity in Derry is being ignored.

Translink and the Department for Infrastructure should be upfront about their engagement on this as well. People in Derry deserve answers and were going to get them.

Despite the UK Connectivity Review specifically mentioning Derry and Enniskillen, including illustrating the need for those connections on maps, almost 5m in funding went to projects in the east, while none went west.

Map from the Union Connectivity Review showing a strategic transport network for the whole UK.

A link that was not mentioned in the review, reinstating the Portadown to Armagh railway line, was allocated 800,000 for a feasibility study.

The rest of the money went to studies on the electrification of the railway in Northern Ireland from Belfast to the border and reopening the Antrim-Lisburn railway line, with an additional stop at Belfast International Airport.

Steve Bradley, chair of the Into the West rail lobby group, said: It's clear the Department for Transport in London was guided by Translink & Stormont's Department for Infrastructure (DFI) on what NI's UCR funding priorities should be.

There are multiple examples of how DfI and Translink's institutional bias against the west of NI has caused the region to miss investment or suffer poor service, & this is yet another one.

Revising its original response, a Translink spokesperson acknowledged that it engaged with the Department for Transport (DfT) to identify and consider a number of potential Union Connectivity studies.

A Translink statement added: DfT are responsible for directing on the eligibility of proposals within their guidelines and funding availability.
Unionists opposed to any DUP return to Stormont must have a candidate to vote for at the next election, the TUV has said.

While the party insisted it strongly supports unionist unity candidates in a number of named marginal seats, it also warned that hardline unionists views must be represented.

Some will interpret the carefully-worded statement  which was again critical of the Union-dismantling protocol  as hinting that anti-protocol candidates should stand.

It will also be seen as a challenge to wider unionism  including some in the DUP  to ensure they provide a voice for those still opposed to a Stormont return during the election campaign.

Earlier this month Prime Minister Rishi Sunak suggested there will be an election in the second half of this year, appearing to rule out a spring poll.

Northern Ireland has 18 MPs  eight DUP, seven Sinn Fein, two SDLP and one Alliance.

However, a number of seats, including Fermanagh-South Tyrone, were won at the 2019 general election with slim majorities, and the TUV has not stood in these areas to avoid splitting the pro-Union vote.

Fridays statement named a number of finely-balanced constituencies, but not East Belfast, which the DUPs deputy leader Gavin Robinson held on to last time with a sharply reduced majority of around 1,800.

Both prior and in the aftermath of the last local government election and Assembly election, concerns were raised  notably from the DUP  about the unionist vote being split, ultimately benefiting Sinn Fein. This was strongly refuted by TUV leader Jim Allister following the 2022 Assembly poll.

There hasnt been a fully functioning government at Stormont since Paul Givan resigned as First Minister as part of the DUPs protest over post-Brexit trading arrangements almost two years ago.

Before Christmas, a series of talks were held between the Stormont parties and the Government aimed at restoring power-sharing, with the Treasury offering a financial package of 3.3bn to support the return of the political institutions.

This sparked criticism from some quarters that there could be a DUP sellout, with Sir Jeffrey Donaldsons party accepting a return to Stormont without its demands regarding the protocol, which was amended by the Windsor Framework last year, being met.

While this has not happened to date, Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris has invited the parties to further talks at Hillsborough Castle on Monday.

Setting out the partys general election strategy, a TUV spokesperson said: At a meeting of TUV party officers the basis of the partys approach to the upcoming general election was agreed, embracing two fundamental tenets.

In seats presently held by non-unionists, particularly those which are winnable for unionism, such as North Down, Fermanagh and South Tyrone, South Belfast and North Belfast, TUV strongly supports an agreed single unionist candidate.

If there should be a return to Stormont to implement the union-dismantling protocol, with acceptance of EU law and the Irish Sea border, then unionists who disagree with such folly must have a candidate to vote for.

In the last general election, Fermanagh and South Tyrone had the smallest majority in the whole of the UK, with Sinn Feins Michelle Gildernew retaining her seat, coming in just 57 votes ahead of the UUP candidate Tom Elliott.

North Down and North Belfast were won by Alliance and Sinn Fein by less than 3,000 and 2,000 votes respectively, and the DUP would be targeting both.

The DUP could be vulnerable were the TUV to field a candidate in East Belfast. In the 2019 election, Mr Robinson held on to his seat but his majority (1,819) was well down on the 2017 election (8,474).

In the South Belfast constituency, there was a massive swing in the vote in 2019 compared to the previous poll in 2017.

The DUPs Emma Little-Pengelly won the seat in 2017 with 13,299 votes, with the SDLP incumbent coming in second with 11,303.

In 2019, the SDLPs Claire Hanna came out on top with 27,079 votes, compared to Ms Little-Pengellys 11,678  a swing of just over 31% from 2017.
The family of talented teacher and musician Ashling Murphy have marked the second anniversary of her murder by visiting the spot where her life was cruelly robbed from her.

Supported by a couple of hundred locals, they retraced her final steps as she exercised along the banks of the Grand Canal at Cappincur outside Tullamore in Co Offaly.

And in their promise to keep Ashlings name alive, they joined with other musicians to counter the cold with warmth, and the darkness with light.

Ashlings father Ray and sister Amy played mandolin and concertina with other members of her beloved Ceoltas group, keeping her memory very much alive.

Along with Ashlings mother Kathleen, brother Cathal, and boyfriend Ryan Casey, they gathered at the car park at Digby Bridge and then walked the short distance down to where Ashling was killed by Jozef Puska as dusk approached.

Ashling Murphy memorial walk Tullamore. Ashlings father Ray and boyfriend Ryan Casey with sister Amy as she carries a wreath along the banks of the Grand Canal to the spot where Ashling was murdered .

Then, at the murder scene which has now been turned into a memorial, the crowd joined them in a decade of the Rosary.

As the canal flowed silently behind them, the gathering listened intently and respectfully as Ray tuned his mandolin before playing Si Beag Si Mor. They joined in song to a rendition of the song Sweet 16 made famous by the Fureys, and then the uplifting ballad Trip To Durrow, the town where Ashling was a teacher, lifted a smile onto Ray Murphys face.

Afterwards, he thanked everyone for coming and for keeping Ashlings memory alive. Youre very nice for keeping Ashlings name out there, including with this, he said, indicating towards the musical instruments and the musicians.

After the walk, the principal of Scoil Naomh Colmcille in Durrow, James Hogan, said Ashling Murphy was a natural leader when she was alive, and continues to be an inspirational motivator despite the fact that she is no longer with us.

Here we are on the second anniversary of Ashling's passing. Its another sad and emotional day, but it's a day to remember her for who she was, and what she's left behind. And from a school point of view our mission is to keep her legacy going. Well always remember her every day, but this is the 12th of January and every year it will be a special day in our school, and in all the communities and elements that she was connected to, he said.

Ashling Murphy memorial walk Tullamore. Ashlings parents Ray and Kathleen, brother Cathal (left), sister Amy and Ashling's boyfriend Ryan Casey pictured at the memorial on the banks of the Grand Canal where Ashling was murdered . Photo: Gerry Mooney

In our school we remember her smile and personality, and she will always be remembered through the pictures we have of her.

We have launched our fiddle school which was one of her dreams. This year in memory of her we have 72 Children learning the fiddle. She was a natural leader when she was alive, and still is a leader and inspiration motivator, he added.

Speaking about the pupils that Ashling had taught, who were in first class at the time, teacher and colleague Ann Marie Gaughran said they were in school one day and the next day their teacher wasn't there.

"She was only with us for a short time but by God did she make her stand and her impact, and its so important that her legacy lives on and that we remember her with that beautiful smile, and the style, and everything that went with it.

She was just a wonderful person that had so many talents and so many gifts to share. The children all know that she inspired so many in the school, not just the class that she had. She inspired so many and continues to do so even though she's not here with us, she added, reflecting Mr Hogans view that Ashlings presence and influence is still felt.

To lose anyone in a family, or school or community or organisation, is hard, but when you lose somebody in traumatic circumstances, it's a different ball game. Nobody can prepare you for that, said Mr Hogan.

The parents and the community have been fantastic, and theyre grieving too, but we all rally through together and we have been through difficult times. There's floods of tears still coming, but we have to flip that into positives and just try and keep praising the youth for what they have and what they bring to our school.

Ashling was a great giver, she gave back to everyone so we're inspiring our kids to continue that legacy. It can be tough, Im not going to lie. It is tough, and days are up and days are down. The caption in our school is she will be our shining light forever, he added.

Now that the trial is over we can take Ashlings name back to her hometown or community or county and to her different organisations, and really, I suppose talk about her (as a person). Its all about her. We want to remember her in a positive light, Mr Hogan explained.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has told Iran to urge its allies to cease and desist after Britain joined the US in launching airstrikes against the Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Mr Shapps warned on Friday that the world is running out of patience with Tehrans destabilising activities, calling for it to be clearer with its many proxies in the Middle East.

Overnight on Thursday, the UK and the US bombed military facilities used by the Houthis in response to the militants attacks on ships in the Red Sea.

The Hamas-backing Houthis claim they are targeting vessels linked to Israel in one of the worlds busiest shipping routes over the war in Gaza.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak insisted Britain and the US acted in self-defence and that allies would not hesitate to ensure the safety of commercial shipping.

But some experts warned the strikes raised the risk of a wider conflict in the Middle East, as a group gathered outside the UK embassy in Tehran to burn the flags of Britain, the US and Israel.

The Houthis Supreme Political Council threatened in a statement that all American-British interests have become legitimate targets for the Yemeni armed forces.

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They called the airstrikes a direct and declared aggression against the Republic of Yemen and labelled the UK and the US aggressors.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations received a report of a missile attack 90 miles off the coast of Aden, Yemen, on Friday afternoon.

The Royal Navy initiative that provides information on security incidents to shipping operators said the missile landed between 400-500 metres away from the ship.

Followed by three craft, it was unclear what nationality the ship was flagged with. No injuries or damage were reported, as vessels were advised to transit with caution.

There were also reports of a suspicious approach by small boats south east of Aden.

(PA Graphics)

In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Mr Shapps said that Iran has an important part to play in de-escalating tensions.

Asked his message to Tehran, he said: You must get the Houthi rebels, others who are acting as proxies for you, Lebanese Hezbollah are obvious examples, (and) some in Iraq and Syria, you must get these different organisations to cease and desist because we are, the world is, running out of patience.

We see you, we see through what youre doing. We see how youre doing it, particularly the Houthi rebels, and no good can come from it.

He argued that the UK was acting in self-defence because of the threat to container ships and because of HMS Diamond being targeted by a drone last month.

Iran has an important part to play here and needs to understand that it needs to be clearer with its many proxies in the region that no good can come from this and everyone loses if they carry on going down this track, he said.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) was assessing what effect the strikes had on limiting the Houthis ability to carry out more raids.

Early on Saturday, the US struck another Houthi-controlled site in Yemen that they determined was putting commercial vessels in the Red Sea at risk.

US Central Command said the follow-on action against a Houthi radar site was conducted by the Navy destroyer USS Carney using Tomahawk land attack missiles.

Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron warned that allies would do what is necessary to protect maritime freedom of navigation and important maritime pathways.

He told NBC that the very clear message was that if you act in this way there arent just warnings there are consequences.

(PA Graphics)

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will make a statement to MPs on Monday about the strikes amid calls for greater consultation in Parliament.

Downing Street said that the strikes against the Houthis may not immediately make the Red Sea safer for commercial shipping, but in the longer term would have a positive effect.

A senior US military official said nearly 30 sites were struck in Yemen.

Four Royal Air Force jets struck two Houthi facilities involved in their targeting of HMS Diamond and US Navy vessels on Tuesday, the MoD said.
Around 100 subpostmasters in Scotland were convicted in the Horizon scandal (PA)

A date has been set for three Post Office subpostmasters convicted in Scotland to appeal over the Horizon scandal, as the situation was branded intolerable due to a lack of information on pardoning schemes.

Rab Thomson, Ravinder Naga and Aleid Kloosterhuis all launched bids to quash their convictions after being prosecuted for allegedly defrauding the Post Office.

Some of the allegations date back nearly 20 years.

Two other subpostmasters, Colin Smith and Judith Smith, had their convictions administratively quashed on Monday.

Around 100 subpostmasters in Scotland were convicted after they were wrongly accused of embezzling money in the Horizon scandal, and the countrys First Minister Humza Yousaf has pledged to get justice for those involved.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak this week announced legislation will be introduced to exonerate subpostmasters convicted in England and Wales as he vowed to get justice and compensation for victims.

Mr Yousaf said he will work with the UK Government to ensure victims north of the border are exonerated, and he welcomed a decision to overturn criminal convictions of all of those affected.

At the Appeal Court in Edinburgh on Friday, full appeal hearings were set for February 1 at the same court.

Mr Thomsons lawyer Wendy Culross told the court he is not interested in compensation and just wants to clear his name.

Rab Thomson is among those involved in the appeal case (Jane Barlow/PA)

Solicitor General Ruth Charteris said more than 700 documents were disclosed by the Post Office in one case in the past week.

Representing Aleid Kloosterhuis, Fred Mackintosh KC said the position is intolerable.

He said: These are exceptional circumstances, in the last 72 hours the political side of the constitution has reacted, perhaps it should have reacted earlier, it has taken a decision which might be described as courageous, but it still doesnt know what to do with appeals.

Parliament is placing subpostmasters in an intolerable position  if the choice is abandon appeal now or hope and wait, or run the risk of being excluded.

The appeals are in different categories.

There are now new features in the landscape.

He called for a delay, and said appeals should not be ventilated in public, until more information is known about pardons from the UK and Scottish governments.

Ms Culross, representing Mr Thomson, said the ordeal has been a nightmare and it is approaching 20 years since the first audit.

She said: We are shortly approaching on March 20 the 20th anniversary of the audit case in Mr Thomsons case

I have sat with Mr Thomson, he advises me he is focused only on clearing his name and not on any compensation scheme.

He is very clear compensation is not something he is interested at all, he simply wants to clear his name.

I find it hard to believe new information will now surface.

Ms Charteris described the situation as exceptional circumstances.

She said: In relation to Kloosterhuis, as always with these cases I understand there may well be reasons for that, the main problem is provision of documents by the Post Office  737 docs have been received in the past week which require to be organised and disclosed by the Crown.

Before any decision in her case is taken, particularly to oppose appeal, all available material must be scrutinised.

Judge Lady Dorrian said: The court has been doing its upmost to progress these appeals.

Mr Yousaf welcomed the decision to overturn criminal convictions of all of those affected south of the border and confirmed the same would be done in Scotland, in a letter to Mr Sunak this week.

He said it is right normal processes for appeals are set aside to ensure justice can now be delivered for those whose lives were greatly impacted by their wrongful conviction.

At First Ministers Questions on Thursday, Mr Yousaf said the quickest way may be to extend the Westminster legislation to include Scotland using a legislative consent motion, but he added the Scottish Government will be exploring all options.
The legal challenge brought by Mr Phillips was heard at the Royal Courts of Justice in London (Anthony Devlin/PA)

A British former civil servant described as a propagandist for Russia has lost a High Court bid to overturn financial sanctions imposed on him by the UK Government.

Graham Phillips, who is living in Ukraine, was made the subject of an asset freeze in July 2022 for supporting the countrys invasion by Russia and producing videos which glorified the conflict, a judge was told.

He took legal action against the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, arguing that the decision to sanction him should be quashed.

Lawyers for Mr Phillips argued at a hearing in London last month that he was unable to return to the UK and access any of his funds, making him effectively excommunicated from the British economy.

His legal team claimed that ministers had not accused Mr Phillips of any crime, of being part of Russian State apparatus, of advancing the Russian war effort in Ukraine, or of supporting the Russian economy.

Instead, they argued the grossly disproportionate sanction decision stems entirely from political opinions expressed on YouTube and social media to a primarily UK domestic audience.

The Government opposed the ex-civil servants legal challenge and said he was sanctioned for supporting the Russian war by producing and publishing propagandist video content which glorifies the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its atrocities, and promotes disinformation advanced by Russia as a justification for the invasion.

In a ruling on Friday, Mr Justice Johnson concluded that the sanctions were lawful and a proportionate interference with Mr Phillipss human rights alongside the legitimate aim of protecting the UKs national security.

The judge said Mr Phillips decided to set his face against an overwhelming international consensus, to align himself with Russias invasion of Ukraine, to travel to the frontline, and to help Russia fight its propaganda war.

He added: He has not shown any journalistic responsibility or ethics. His actions directly support Russia in its policies or actions that destabilise Ukraine.

There are good reasons to take a firm stand against that conduct so as to pursue the purpose of the (Russia sanctions regulations) and seek to encourage Russia to change its course.

A different judge, Mr Justice Swift, had originally presided over the case in November, but later ordered that it be re-heard by another judge.

Joshua Hitchens, representing Mr Phillips, said in written arguments for the new December hearing that the former civil servant was the first mono-British national to be sanctioned by the British Government.

He said the sanctions were an unlawful violation of Mr Phillipss rights and an effective exclusion of him from the UK.

The barrister said they had a wholly disproportionate effect on his family life, his ability to build and maintain relationships, and his ability to spend time with his elderly parents.

Mr Hitchens said it was the first example since the Civil War of the executive asserting a right to deprive someone of all of their possessions in response to lawful political speech.

He claimed that such a power would have a profound effect on the nature of our democracy, on the relationship between the citizen and the state and the protection which the law affords the lifeblood of our democracy, freedom of expression.

But Maya Lester KC, for the Government, said in written arguments that it was incorrect that Mr Phillips had been deprived of his possessions and of the capacity to meet his basic needs and excluded from the UK.

She said he retained his British citizenship and right to live in the UK, and that he could apply for licenses to spend money on his basic needs but had declined to do so.
The property at 906 Broadway St. in San Francisco has been sold for half of its pre-pandemic valuation. Google Street View

The historic Mission Revival-style church at 906 Broadway St. has been a parish catering to Spanish-speaking Catholics, a school serving Chinese-speaking kids, and  ever so briefly  a Hack Temple meant to attract true believers in San Franciscos then high-flying tech startup ecosystem.

Now the building in the citys upscale Russian Hill neighborhood is set for its next act. What it will be is anyones guess.

S.F. Bay Area property map: Here's who owns every building in the region

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The roughly 15,000-square-foot church and an adjacent co-living building at 908 Broadway St. were sold to a new owner after the properties were seized by their lender last year, according to a deed recorded with the city of San Francisco on Jan. 4. The unidentified buyer, listed as 908 Broadway LLC, is an investor who is not local and has no prior real estate holdings in San Francisco, but has historical experience with the buildings, according to an individual with knowledge of the deal.

Public records show that the properties traded for $3.4 million, which is roughly half of what their previous owner, Russian tech entrepreneur and venture capitalist Pavel Cherkashin, paid for them before the pandemic. Darren Kuiper and the investment services group at real estate brokerage Colliers facilitated the transaction, but declined comment.

While the unique landmark church property and neighboring rectory turned co-living building are in their own bucket, the pricing mirrors a recent trend in the city that has seen once high-value commercial buildings trade at a fraction of what they were worth pre-pandemic, particularly in the citys downtown core.

Both structures hit the market this past summer for $7 million, which is roughly what Cherkashin  a former Adobe and Microsoft executive who more recently founded GVA Capital and the San Francisco late-stage investment company Mindrock Capital  paid to acquire them in 2016.

At the time, Cherkashin shelled out more than three times as much as the properties previous owner paid for them in 2013.

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In 2017, Cherkashin told Business Insider that his plan was to carry on the buildings tradition of bringing diverse groups of people together. The churchs interior was heavily renovated and communal workspaces were added, and eventually hosted a series of events, including a TEDx talk and dance parties. The adjacent rectory was redeveloped into 17 co-living spaces.

But the startup accelerator concept failed as a business model, and Cherkashin tried to sell the properties by 2019 for $13 million.

By April 2020, Cherkashin had defaulted on a loan obtained from Lightstone Capital, according to a lawsuit filed by the lender in 2021. Cherkashin then doubled down on offloading the properties, cutting the asking price by nearly 50%, to no avail. Cherkashin missed an April 2021 deadline to cure the default, and the properties went into receivership in June of that year.

Last March, Lightstone Capital obtained ownership of 906-908 Broadway by way of a judicial foreclosure sale.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the UK the UK will always stand up for freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade (Justin Tallis/PA)

UK and US forces have bombed military facilities used by Houthi rebels in Yemen, with Rishi Sunak facing calls for greater consultation in Parliament on the military action amid concerns over escalation in the Middle East.

The Prime Minister said Britain has taken limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence after the Iranian-backed group attacked ships in the Red Sea.

The strikes on Thursday night were the first to be launched against the Houthi militants since they started targeting international shipping in the key international trade route.

The Ministry of Defence said four Royal Air Force jets struck two Houthi facilities involved in their targeting of HMS Diamond and US Navy vessels on Tuesday.

One was a site at Bani and the other the Abbs airfield, used to launch drones and cruise missiles.

The US Air Force said it struck more than 60 targets at 16 sites in Yemen.

The UK and US had non-operational support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands.

On Friday, Armed Forces Minister James Heappey played down concerns about the danger of escalation after criticism from Russia, which requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on the strikes.

There are fears over a dramatic regional widening of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and rising tensions with Iran, which backs the Houthis and has condemned the air strikes.

Saudi Arabia has expressed great concern over the situation and has called for restraint and avoiding escalation.

(PA Graphics)

Mr Heappey told BBC Breakfast: Clearly there is nervousness amongst those partners in the region that there could be some sort of escalation, but we were confident that these limited, proportionate, necessary strikes that went in last night were what was necessary to disrupt the Houthis ability to attack our warships that are protecting shipping in the southern Red Sea.

And clearly nobody should see this as part of anything bigger.

The minister also said the the Governments legal position is sound and that no more UK strikes are planned for the moment.

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Mr Sunak, early on Friday morning, said it cannot stand that the Houthis continued to carry out dangerous attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea despite repeated warnings from the international community.

The United Kingdom will always stand up for freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade.

The Prime Minister, who is making a surprise visit to Ukraine on Friday, held a full Cabinet call the previous evening in which ministers discussed the response to disruption on the key global shipping route.

In an unusual move, the Government briefed Sir Keir Starmer and shadow defence secretary John Healey after the call.

Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer called for a statement on the strikes in Parliament as soon as possible (Peter Byrne/PA)

Sir Keir on Friday expressed support for the action but called for Mr Sunak to make a statement to Parliament at the first opportunity.

With the Commons having finished business for the week and the Prime Minister having no plans to recall Parliament, the Labour leader accepted any statement to MPs was not likely to come before Monday.

I do want the Prime Minister obviously to make a statement to Parliament as soon as possible because the scope, nature and extent of the operation needs to be explained, Sir Keir said.

He said he also wanted a summary of the Governments legal position to be published.

Royal Navy destroyer HMS Diamond has destroyed multiple attack drones deployed by Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea, according to Defence Secretary Grant Shapps (MoD/PA Wire)

The Liberal Democrats demanded a vote on the matter, and the SNP said any military action should be scrutinised in the Commons.

Lib Dem foreign affairs spokesperson Layla Moran said MPs should not be silenced on the issue.

(PA Graphics)

Parliament should not be bypassed. Rishi Sunak must announce a retrospective vote in the House of Commons on these strikes, and recall Parliament this weekend, she said.

Parliament cannot be recalled without the Government asking the Commons Speaker to do so, and such requests are rare.

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Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn described the strikes as a reckless act of escalation and said it is utterly disgraceful that Parliament has not even been consulted.

The Houthis have claimed their attacks have been on Israel-linked shipping in the Red Sea in response to the countrys bombardment of Gaza since Hamas assault on Israel on October 7.

(PA Graphics)

The Ministry of Defence said early indications are the strikes dealt a blow to the Houthis ability to threaten merchant shipping in the Red Sea, through which some 15% of the worlds shipping passes.

But the militants said the strikes would not prevent them from continuing their attacks.

A high-ranking Houthi official, Ali al-Qahoum, posted on X: The battle will be bigger and beyond the imagination and expectation of the Americans and the British.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has defended the airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

UK and US forces have bombed military facilities used by Houthi rebels in Yemen, with Rishi Sunak saying Britain sent a strong signal that the militants attacks in the Red Sea cannot be carried out with impunity.

The air strikes have sparked concerns over a dramatic escalation of tensions in the Middle East.

Experts have warned there is certainly a risk of wider conflict in the region and that promised retaliation by the Iran-backed group could push Western powers into engaging beyond targeted and contained strikes.

The Prime Minister insisted the US and UK acted in self-defence and that allies would not hesitate to ensure the safety of commercial shipping.

Speaking during a visit to Ukraine, he told broadcasters there has been a significant increase in the number of Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea which put lives at risk, disrupted the global economy and destabilised the region.

Now its clear that that type of behaviour cant carry on. Thats why we joined with allies in issuing very public condemnation of this behaviour.

And its why I made the decision with allies to take what I believe to be necessary, proportionate and targeted action against military targets to degrade and disrupt Houthi capability. We wont hesitate to protect lives and ensure the safety of commercial shipping.

He added: We need to send a strong signal that this breach of international law is wrong. People cant act like this with impunity and thats why together with allies weve decided to take this action.

(PA Graphics)

Asked about fears of regional escalation, the Prime Minister insisted the aim was to de-escalate tensions and restore stability to the region, with allies having acted when calls for the Houthis to desist were disregarded.

He said: We have acted in self-defence. Its incumbent now on the Houthis to stop carrying out these attacks.

Mr Sunak is set to make a statement to MPs on Monday about the strikes against the Houthis amid calls for greater consultation in Parliament.

He played down concerns that MPs should have been consulted before the military action, saying he chaired Cobra and Cabinet meetings on Thursday and briefed Sir Keir Starmer and shadow defence secretary John Healey.

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Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said the strikes sent a message not just to the Houthis, but to Iran as well.

I think it was proportionate, it was legal, it was absolutely right to do. And I think it sends a very clear message to the Houthis, but also to Iran as well, he told NBC in an interview.

The UK Government will get assessments of the impact of the action later on Friday, Lord Cameron said.

Labour is fully supportive of the action needed to stop Houthi attacks, Sir Keir said.

Asked how concerned he was that MPs will currently not have the opportunity to debate the strikes until Monday, the Labour leader told broadcasters: I want the Prime Minister to make a statement as soon as possible, but the principle of taking action against the Houthi rebels is really important.

Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy was in Beirut calling for the cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel and the prevention of the conflict extending further into Lebanon.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said his party was minded to support the Governments military action, but believed in the principle of parliamentary consultation before such intervention is taken.

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said he was happy to facilitate a recall of Parliament at any time, but requests by the Government to do so are rare.

Downing Street said that the strikes against the Houthis may not immediately make the Red Sea safer for commercial shipping, but in the longer term would have a positive effect.

(PA Graphics)

The Government published a summary of its legal position following the strikes, saying military intervention was lawfully taken and this was the only feasible means available to deal with such attacks.

The strikes on Thursday night were the first to be launched against the militants since they started targeting vessels in the key international trade route, through which some 15% of the worlds shipping passes.

The Ministry of Defence said four Royal Air Force jets struck two Houthi facilities involved in their targeting of HMS Diamond and US Navy vessels on Tuesday.

One was a site at Bani and the other the Abbs airfield, used to launch drones and cruise missiles.

The US Air Force said it struck more than 60 targets at 16 sites in Yemen, including logistical hubs, air defence systems and munitions depots.

The UK and US had non-operational support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands.

The Houthis on Friday said the US-led operation resulted in at least five deaths and six injuries.

(PA Graphics)

A military spokesperson for the group warned the strikes will not go unpunished and will not deter the militia from supporting Hamas by targeting ships associated with Israel.

Intensified attacks by the Houthis could push Western allies into areas that theyre not going to feel very comfortable with, foreign policy expert Sophia Gaston said.

We are moving into a much riskier terrain because the United States and the United Kingdom certainly do not want to be in a situation where we are required to engage beyond a limited targeted strike capacity and certainly not one that may invite the participation of other regional powers, she told the PA news agency.

The head of foreign policy at the think tank Policy Exchange also said the existence of so many proxies for different states, such as the Houthis and Hezbollah for Iran, necessarily makes this a kind of tinderbox.

And I think there are a lot of these players who believe that the stakes at the moment are becoming existential.

So I think that always is a recipe for a higher risk of conflict.

Dr Tobias Borck, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) think tank, told PA that the threat of a wider regional war that has existed since Hamas deadly October 7 attack on Israel has not changed in light of the strikes.

However, escalation can happen as a result of accidents and miscalculation, or as a simple compounding of risk, a normalisation of an extremely high level of violence, he said.

An Iranian professor predicted there will definitely be escalation in the region.

Seyed Mohammad Marandi, of the University of Tehran, said that while Iran doesnt dictate terms to any of its allies, it would support them in backing the Houthis.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is welcomed by President Volodymyr Zelensky during a visit to the Presidential Palace in Kyiv (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Volodymyr Zelensky has hailed the UKs 2.5 billion military aid package for Ukraine, as Rishi Sunak promised to continue to stand with the country in its fight against Russia.

The Prime Minister travelled to Kyiv on Friday to unveil the new funding, becoming the first foreign leader to visit Ukraine this year.

With an increase of 200 million on the last two years, the military support comes at a crucial time for President Zelensky amid fears that interest is flagging among allies as the war drags on.

The two leaders also signed a new security agreement, committing the UK to provide swift and sustained assistance if Ukraine is ever attacked by Russia again.

In a speech alongside Mr Zelensky, the Prime Minister said the new security partnership will last a hundred years or more.

Be in no doubt: We are not walking away, ours is the unbreakable alliance, he said.

Mr Sunak arrived in Kyiv by train on Friday morning before visiting an apartment block in the capital badly damaged by debris from a Russian missile earlier this month.

Mr Zelensky hailed Mr Sunaks personal leadership and said the agreement would lay the groundwork for our further work with our other partners.

The UK is the first country to sign a final security agreement with Ukraine, after G7 countries agreed at last years Nato summit to sign bilateral security assurances with the country.

Mr Sunak told a press conference that our opponents around the world believe that we have neither the patience nor the resources for long wars.

He said: Ukraine is not alone, and Ukraine will never be alone. Putin might think that he can outlast us but he is wrong. We stand with you today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes.

Because this war is about Ukraines right to defend itself and to determine your own future and the Ukrainian peoples historic choice to be an independent democracy at the heart of Europe.

Your quest for freedom has inspired and moved the British people and for the free nations of the world aid to Ukraine is also an investment in our own collective security.

Because if Putin wins in Ukraine, he will not stop there, and our opponents around the world believe that we have neither the patience nor resources for long wars. So waver now and we embolden not just Putin, but his allies in North Korea, Iran and elsewhere.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, left, and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky signed a new security agreement (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Number 10 said the 2.5 billion in funding would cover long-range missiles, air defence, artillery ammunition and maritime security.

Around 200 million will also be spent on a push to procure and produce thousands of military drones, which the Government said was the largest delivery of drones to Ukraine from any nation.

Most are expected to be manufactured in the UK.

The meeting between the two leaders saw Mr Sunak awarded the Ukrainian order of freedom, an honour also bestowed on his predecessor Boris Johnson.

The UK has been among the most vocal backers of Ukraine since the war began, with Mr Zelensky visiting London early last year in a historic trip.

The Prime Minister, centre, was shown damaged buildings in Kyiv during his visit (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

The Ukraine leader has previously said that the country particularly needs air defence systems to fend off Russian aerial barrages.

More than 500 drones and missiles were fired between December 29 and January 2, according to officials in Kyiv.

But there have been concerns that global focus on the war has moved, as the crisis in the Middle East continues to escalate and concerns grow about the fate of civilians in Gaza.

The Prime Ministers visit came hours after UK and US forces launched strikes against targets used by Houthi rebels in Yemen in a bid to disrupt attacks on commercial shipping.

Mr Sunak met with Ukrainian emergency workers during the visit, with a further 18 million in aid also announced for the country.

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Funding and resources would also be provided for English language training in Ukraine, Number 10 said.

Labour backed the vital support for Ukraine, as Sir Keir Starmer urged the need for politicians to remain united on the issue.

I think its really important that we keep our focus on Ukraine, he said.

We have had cross-party support for Ukraine for a very long time and we need to maintain that in the face of Russian aggression that has been going on for a long time now, the Labour leader said.

Im supportive of what the Prime Minister is saying today and we will remain united across our political parties in defence of Ukraine against that aggression from Putin.
Sea Viper missiles are fired in the Red Sea from the HMS Diamond (Ministry of Defence/AP)

The US and British militaries bombed more than a dozen sites used by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen in a massive retaliatory strike using warship and submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets, American officials said.

The US air forces Middle East command said it hit more than 60 targets at 16 sites in Yemen, including command-and-control nodes, munitions depots, launching systems, production facilities and air defence radar systems.

US President Joe Biden said the strikes were meant to demonstrate that America and its allies will not tolerate the militant groups ceaseless attacks on the Red Sea.

And he said they only made the move after attempts at diplomatic negotiations and careful deliberation.

These strikes are in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea  including the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history, Mr Biden said in a statement.

(PA Graphics)

He noted the attacks endangered US personnel and civilian mariners and jeopardised trade and added: I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.

Associated Press (AP) journalists in Yemens capital, Sanaa, heard four explosions early on Friday local time.

Two residents of Hodieda, Amin Ali Saleh and Hani Ahmed, said they heard five strong explosions hitting the western port area of the city, which lies on the Red Sea and is the largest port city controlled by the Houthis.

Eyewitnesses who spoke with the AP also said they saw strikes in Taiz and Dhamar, cities south of Sanaa.

The strikes marked the first US military response to what has been a persistent campaign of drone and missile attacks on commercial ships since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.

And the co-ordinated military assault comes just a week after the White House and a host of partner nations issued a final warning to the Houthis to cease the attacks or face potential military action.

The officials described the strikes on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations. Members of Congress were briefed earlier on Thursday on the strike plans.

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The warning appeared to have had at least some short-lived impact, as attacks stopped for several days.

On Tuesday, however, the Houthi rebels fired their largest barrage of drones and missiles targeting shipping in the Red Sea, with US and British ships and American fighter jets responding by shooting down 18 drones, two cruise missiles and an anti-ship missile.

And on Thursday, the Houthis fired an anti-ship ballistic missile into the Gulf of Aden, which was seen by a commercial ship but did not hit the ship.

In a call with reporters, senior administration and military officials said that after Tuesdays attacks, Mr Biden convened his national security team and was presented with military options for a response.

He then directed defence secretary Lloyd Austin, who remains in hospital with complications from prostate cancer surgery, to carry out the retaliatory strikes.

In a separate statement, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the Royal Air Force carried out targeted strikes against military facilities used by the Houthis.

The Ministry of Defence said four fighter jets based in Cyprus took part in the strikes.

Noting the militants have carried out a series of dangerous attacks on shipping, he added: This cannot stand.

The operation room of HMS Diamond as Sea Viper missiles are prepared to be fired (Ministry of Defence via AP)

He said the UK took limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence, alongside the United States with non-operational support from the Netherlands, Canada and Bahrain against targets tied to these attacks, to degrade Houthi military capabilities and protect global shipping.

The governments of Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand and South Korea joined the US and UK in issuing a statement, saying that while the aim is to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea, the allies will not hesitate to defend lives and protect commerce in the critical waterway.

Russia, however, requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on the strikes. France, the current council president, said it will take place on Friday afternoon.

The rebels, who have carried out 27 attacks involving dozens of drones and missiles since November 19, had warned that any attack by American forces on its sites in Yemen will spark a fierce military response.

A high-ranking Houthi official, Ali al-Qahoum, vowed there would be retaliation.

The battle will be bigger  and beyond the imagination and expectation of the Americans and the British, he said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Al-Masirah, a Houthi-run satellite news channel, described strikes hitting the Al-Dailami Air Base north of Sanaa, the airport in the port city of the Hodeida, a camp east of Saada, the airport in the city of Taiz and an airport near Hajjah.

The Houthis later on Friday said the strikes killed five of their troops and wounded six.

A senior administration official said that while the US expects the strikes will degrade the Houthis capabilities, we would not be surprised to see some sort of response, although they have not seen anything yet.

Officials said the US used warplanes based on the navy aircraft carrier USS Dwight D Eisenhower and air force fighter jets, while the Tomahawk missiles were fired from navy destroyers and a submarine.

The Houthis say their assaults are aimed at stopping Israels war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. But their targets increasingly have little or no connection to Israel and imperil a crucial trade route linking Asia and the Middle East with Europe.

Meanwhile, the UN Security Council passed a resolution on Wednesday that demanded the Houthis immediately cease the attacks and implicitly condemned their weapons supplier, Iran. It was approved by a vote of 11-0 with four abstentions  by Russia, China, Algeria and Mozambique.

Britains participation in the strikes underscored the Biden administrations effort to use a broad international coalition to battle the Houthis, rather than appear to be going it alone. More than 20 nations are already participating in a US-led maritime mission to increase ship protection in the Red Sea.

US officials for weeks had declined to signal when international patience would run out and they would strike back at the Houthis, even as multiple commercial vessels were struck by missiles and drones, prompting companies to look at rerouting their ships.

On Wednesday, however, US officials again warned of consequences.

Im not going to telegraph or preview anything that might happen, secretary of state Antony Blinken told reporters during a stop in Bahrain.

He said the US made it clear that if this continues as it did yesterday, there will be consequences. And Im going to leave it at that.

The Biden administrations reluctance over the past several months to retaliate reflected political sensitivities and stemmed largely from broader worries about upending the shaky truce in Yemen and triggering a wider conflict in the region. The White House wants to preserve the truce and has been wary of taking action in Yemen that could open up another war front.

The impact on international shipping and the escalating attacks, however, triggered the coalition warning, which was signed by the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom.

Transit through the Red Sea, from the Suez Canal to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, is a crucial shipping lane for global commerce. About 12% of the worlds trade typically passes through the waterway that separates Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, including oil, natural gas, grain and everything from toys to electronics.

In response to the attacks, the US created a new maritime security mission, dubbed Operation Prosperity Guardian, to increase security in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Aden, with about 22 countries participating.

US warships, and those from other nations, have been routinely sailing back and forth through the narrow strait to provide protection for ships and to deter attacks. The coalition has also ramped up airborne surveillance.

The decision to set up the expanded patrol operation came after three commercial vessels were struck by missiles fired by Houthis in Yemen on December 3.

The Pentagon increased its military presence in the region after the October 7 Hamas attacks in Israel to deter Iran from widening the war into a regional conflict, including by the Houthis and Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria.
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The neon sign of the Palace Hotel, as seen from Market Street, will be getting an update in coming the weeks. SFNeon.org The Palace Hotels neon sign is being replaced with LED lights that will be able to broadcast in a variety of colors. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

The Palace Hotel has dominated the corner of San Franciscos Market and New Montgomery streets since 1873. Rebuilt after the 1906 earthquake, its a stately block topped, incongruously, by two roof-level neon signs that date back at least 60 years.

Now, those signs are cloaked in black netting  but theyre not coming down.

Instead, the clear tubes filled with neon gas are about to be replaced by neon-like LED lighting, a hotel spokesperson said this week. The idea apparently is to join the trend of buildings old and new that use eye-catching illumination to attract attention in the citys northeast corner.

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While some nights the block letters atop the seven-story masonry structure might strive to match the silvery tone of olden days, the use of LEDs will allow for shifting colors that at other times can take on a topic hue. In the event that the Golden State Warriors salvage their troubled season and enter the playoffs, for instance, the signs could glow in royal blue and yellow.

Netting surrounds the iconic neon signs of the Palace Hotel on Market Street San Francisco, California Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. The Palace Hotel's stately but poorly maintained rooftop neon signs are being replaced with new LED ones that will be able to broadcast in a variety of colors. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

There are two rooftop signs, one above the main entrance on New Montgomery Street and the other facing west down Market and Geary streets.

News that theyre being tweaked  not taken away  comes as a relief to Brian Boisson, a residential real estate agent who lives on the 12th floor of a nearby building and has watched the changes out his window.

When I saw the netting go up, it alarmed me, said Boisson, who grew up in the Bay Area when people entering the city from the Bay Bridge passed a neon pitch for Union 76 gasoline where the One Rincon towers now stand. The Palace signs are such a nice reminder of the past. Rooftop signs were fascinating to me as a kid.

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Neon remains an atmospheric presence in older San Francisco neighborhoods, but rarely at rooftop scale. Theres the star on the former Sir Francis Drake hotel that now bears the name Beacon Grand. The lettering atop the Huntington Hotel on Nob Hill is dark, because the hotel itself is closed.

The most obvious example, the historic Ghirardelli name that still sets the night ablaze above that retail-dining destination near Aquatic Park, received the LED treatment in 2020. Before that, it consisted of plain old lightbulbs.

Netting surrounds the iconic neon signs of the Palace Hotel on Market Street San Francisco, California Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. The Palace Hotel's stately but poorly maintained rooftop neon signs are being replaced with new LED ones that will be able to broadcast in a variety of colors. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

For Boisson, the presence of the two signs is what counts, not the specific means of illumination.

I think it would be kind of cool, actually, Boisson said of the potential for shifting colors that can also be seen deployed on such landmarks as City Hall and the Ferry Building.

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But swapping the real gas that glows in tubes for faux neon rankles Randall Ann Homan and Al Barna, authors of San Francisco Neon and the leaders of popular tours showing off the old-school treasures in several neighborhoods.

This is distressing. Were very skeptical, Homan said of the notion that newfangled LEDs can match the old-school allure of gauzy neon. The (changing) color thing is popular, but LEDs arent neon-like. 

Theyre also pained because the Palace Hotel is part of a triad of neon-accented buildings at the corner of New Montgomery and Stevenson streets. The Palace Garage down alley-like Stevenson includes jazzy red arrows. Around the corner is the House of Shields with its ornate blade sign, including Cocktails spelled out in cursive letters.

That alleys like a little neon museum, said Homan, who stops there with Barna on the pairs Financial District tour. Now that time has curated San Franciscos small collection (of neon signs), we need to keep what we have.

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The neon sign of the Palace Hotel as seen from Market Street. SFNeon.org

When the Palace signs finally flickered off is unclear; a hotel representatives only comment on the project Thursday was that the hotel signage is undergoing an exciting new upgrade that will be revealed in the spring. Even before the pandemic, though, the E on the east-facing sign above Market Street had gone dark.
Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo (left) and Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong shake hands during a welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, Jan. 12, 2024.

Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo and his Vietnamese counterpart agreed Friday to push toward concluding a substantive and effective Code of Conduct for the South China Sea amid rising tensions in the region.

Widodo was in Hanoi on the second leg of his tour to three Southeast Asian countries  the Philippines, Vietnam and Brunei  countries that have competing claims with Chinas in the waterway.

During their meeting, Jokowi and Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong discussed the strategic partnership between the two countries.

They reaffirmed the importance of peace, stability, safety, security, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea, said the government-run Voice of Vietnam (VOV), referring to the South China Sea by its Vietnamese name.

They pledged to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and push ahead with negotiations to reach a substantive, effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in line with international law, it said.

China and ASEAN agreed on a declaration of conduct in 2002, but progress on passing a binding code of conduct has been slow going amid an increasing risk of conflict.

Before arriving in Hanoi, Jokowi discussed the South China Sea with host Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and affirmed our insistence on the universality of UNCLOS, which sets out the legal framework that governs all activities in the oceans and in the seas, according to an official statement .

Manila has accused Beijing of escalating aggression in the waters under the Philippines jurisdiction, or the West Philippine Sea. China refuted the accusations and blamed the Philippines for provocation.

Maritime cooperation

In light of recent developments in the South China Sea, on Dec. 30, 2023, ASEAN foreign ministers issued a joint statement on maintaining and promoting stability in the maritime sphere in Southeast Asia, said Ristian Atriandi Supriyanto, lecturer on international relations at Universitas Indonesia.

Consistent with this joint statement, [during Jokowis visit] the two sides  Indonesia and Vietnam  will agree to avoid actions that may further complicate the situation, said Supriyanto, who is also a fellow at Forum Sinologi Indonesia, a research institution.

But much will depend on China which does not want any of the ASEAN claimants to base their actions only on UNCLOS, according to the academic.

From Beijings perspective, the only way to manage and settle the disputes is to negotiate with China directly. Anything else China sees as counterproductive, even provocative, he said.

Six parties  Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan and China  claim parts of the South China Sea. Beijings claim, the so-called nine-dash line, encircles almost 90% of the sea.

Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo (center) tours a military base in the Natuna islands, Jan. 8, 2020. [Indonesian Presidential Palace via AFP]

Indonesia is not a claimant in the broader sea but its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) claim overlaps with those of Malaysia and Vietnam, as well as with China.

Indonesia too is a little bit cautious in their approach to the whole dispute in the South China Sea, said Nguyen The Phuong, a Vietnamese security analyst.

They have strong material capabilities, as well as being seen as the de-facto leader of ASEAN, but not being one of the claimants make them hesitant to push hard on the issue, said Phuong, who is studying for a doctorate degree at UNSW Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy.

It doesnt mean Vietnam and Indonesia cant continue cooperation in maritime law enforcement in both bilateral and multilateral manners, he said.

The Vietnamese and Indonesian navies reached an agreement on joint training procedures in 2021 and the two countries coast guard forces at the end of 2022 also signed a memorandum of understanding on security cooperation.

Maybe there will be other agreements on defense cooperation, especially the defense industry, Phuong said.

Agreement on boundaries

In 2023, Indonesia as the rotating chairman organized a five-day ASEAN Solidarity Exercise (ASEX 23)  the groups first ever joint naval drills focusing on humanitarian disaster responses.

Ristian Atriandi Supriyanto from Universitas Indonesia, who proposed ASEAN coordinated patrols in the South China Sea, said the bloc needs novel initiatives when dealing with Chinas excessive claims.

The fact is that countries have tried for decades negotiating with China in vain, he said, China does not back down from its nine-dash line, which others including Vietnam and Indonesia, do not recognize.

Coordinated patrols can be one of those initiatives, which can start with two ASEAN countries, like Indonesia and Vietnam, before expanding it to others, Supriyanto told Radio Free Asia, a news service affiliated with BenarNews.

Vietnamese analyst Nguyen The Phuong cast doubt on the proposal.

Vietnam until now has been very reluctant on joining any joint patrol with other countries, so I dont think that approach would change anytime soon, he said, adding that the two countries could cooperate on other important issues such as fighting against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

On Friday, Jokowi and his Vietnamese host Thuong witnessed the signing of a memorandum on fisheries cooperation.

Vietnamese fishermen are detained by Indonesian authorities in Batam, Kepulauan Riau, for illegally fishing in Indonesian waters, March 4, 2020. [Teguh Prihatna/AFP]

Jakarta has long been complaining about illegal activities by Vietnamese fishing boats in the waters surrounding the Natuna Islands in the South China Sea where the two countries claims overlap.

In December 2022, after 12 years of negotiations, Indonesia and Vietnam reached an agreement on the boundaries of their exclusive economic zones. Yet the two countries are still in the process of finalizing the implementing arrangements and the agreed boundary demarcation has not been made public.

If the agreement is really final, then the two sides should publish the map, said Ristian Atriandi Supriyanto. I guess they have not published it due to concerns of provoking China like the Malaysia-Vietnam joint submission of continental shelf did in May 2009.

Just one day after the joint submission of Malaysia and Vietnam to the U.N., China filed a formal communication stating that the joint submission seriously infringed Chinas sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the South China Sea.

In this case, not publishing the map is one of the ways to avoid actions that may further complicate the situation, said the Indonesian scholar.

The way I see it, however, this plays directly into the Chinese playbook of keeping it low and subtle while Beijing persuades and pressures other claimants and non-claimants alike to accommodate its nine-dash line, he said.
People in New Taipei City hold Taiwanese flags during a Kuomintang party campaign rally ahead of the presidential election, Jan. 12, 2024.

Filipinos living in Taiwan say they are closely watching Saturdays presidential polls there, the results of which could impact the islands policies toward migrant workers and its already tense relations with next-door neighbor China.

Voters are to elect the successor to President Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwans first female president who is ending her second term, as well as members of parliament. Tsai, who is term-limited and cannot run again, belongs to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which emphasizes Taiwans autonomy.

Chinas communist government, which has never ruled the democratic island, views Taiwan as part of its territory.

Gilda Banugan, 40, a domestic helper for a Dutch family in Taipei, said the vote would have direct consequences on jobs and living conditions in Taiwan, home to about 150,000 Filipino migrant workers including many employed as maids or factory workers.

We are monitoring the election updates because we want to know if the candidates care about migrants, Banugan told BenarNews during a video interview on Thursday. We are worried the policy might change, that the new president will be anti-migrant, pro-employer or pro-broker.

Migrant groups have been pushing to include caregivers and domestic workers in Taiwans Labor Standards Act, the law that sets the minimum standards for working conditions and protects workers rights and interests, said Banugan, who hails from Davao city in the southern Philippines.

The Philippines is the third largest source of foreign workers in Taiwan, trailing other Southeast Asian countries Indonesia and Vietnam. Migrant workers from Southeast Asian countries make up 3% of the population.

In terms of domestic workers and caregivers, 180,000 Indonesians, 28,000 Filipinos and 28,000 Vietnamese live and work in Taiwan, according to labor ministry data.

There is no law that protects us domestic workers and caregivers. We are left on our own to negotiate with our employers, Banugan said, adding that many have complained of not having insurance and benefits or regular days off.

Filipinos working in the Taiwan fishing industry walk past boats at Suao harbor in YiIlan, Dec. 4, 2020. [Sam Yeh/AFP]

She said labor groups have called on the Taiwan government to remove the exploitative and problematic labor broker system, where foreign workers must pay fees, ranging from U.S. $2,000 to $6,000, to employment brokers in their countries. On top of those fees, the workers can be charged a recurring monthly fee of around $50.

Banugan said migrant groups were pushing for a program involving direct hiring between governments.

Hopefully whoever wins will listen to our side and abolish the broker system which is unfair and not transparent, she said.

The three candidates vying to succeed Tsai have offered differing proposals for dealing with migrant workers, according to Taiwans national news agency, the Central News Agency (CNA).

Ko Wen-je, the presidential candidate from the Taiwan Peoples Party, has vowed to create a national recruitment platform to make the introduction of migrant workers more open and transparent, the CNA report said.

Lai Ching-Te, who serves as Tsais vice president and is the Democratic Progressive Party nominee, said the government should first ensure fair wages of local labor before introducing foreign workers.

The third candidate, the Kuomintang Partys Hou Yu-ih, said he would create an outreach platform to engage with migrant workers, employers and brokers even as he is inclined to retain the broker system.

Other Filipino migrants expressed concern over the growing tension between China and Taiwan, especially around the election.

It did not help that days before Taiwan went to the polls, the defense ministry issued an urgent alert, in English and Chinese languages, to mobile phones across the islands 23 million people. The alert in English said missile flyover Taiwan airspace, be aware.

But the report turned out to be erroneous. The Chinese version of the alert used the term satellite, not missile. The defense ministry apologized an hour later but the panic had already spread.

Elanel Ordidor, 39, a caregiver in Yunlin County in southwest Taiwan, recalled her shock upon receiving the message.

I was so scared and shaking when I read it. But I had to control myself because I was taking care of Lola [grandmother or elderly woman], Ordidor told BenarNews in an interview. I thought, is war really happening?

Ordidor, who is from Zamboanga del Sur, also in the Philippine south, has been working in Taiwan for six years. She said she had witnessed her employers grandchildren actively campaigning for DPPs Lai, the anti-China candidate. She said they would drive around the countryside to give away campaign posters, masks and alcohol.

Philippine troops raise the national flag on Mavulis island in Batanes province, June 29, 2023. [Ezra Acayan/Pool via Reuters]

She hoped Lai would win because China is a bully, Ordidor said, citing Beijings harassment in the West Philippine Sea, the part of the disputed South China Sea within the Philippines exclusive economic zone.

I dont want a pro-China candidate to win. I am saying that not only as a Filipino worker here because I think China is not only harassing the Philippines and Taiwan, but also other countries as well, she said, without identifying those nations.

Ko and Hou are seen as more pro-China.

Neighbors

Meanwhile, the Philippines northernmost territory, the Batanes islands, are within 150 km (93 miles) of southeast Taiwans Orchid Island.

Batanes has seen a spike in foreign assistance in recent years from China and the United States while it has served as a venue for military drills between U.S. and Philippine troops.

Analysts have said the U.S. and China could seek to occupy Batanes if war were to break out in the Taiwan Strait.

China could seek to take control of Batanes and use it as a base for enclosing the Bashi Channel, the waterway between Batanes and Taiwan, with anti-ship and anti-air missile coverage, said Jay Batongbacal, director of the Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea at the University of the Philippines.

A Chinese invasion of Taiwan would require blockading and isolating [Batanes] from access by the U.S. and other allied forces. China will bombard Taiwanese defenses first before launching amphibious and air invasions, Batongbacal told BenarNews in June as he painted some possible scenarios.
Bennington, VT (05201)

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 28F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 50%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon said Thursday that San Francisco is in far worse shape than New York City. Jacquelyn Martin/Associated Press

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon is hosting the worlds biggest health care conference in San Francisco this week. But he isnt holding back when it comes to the citys problems.

San Francisco is in far worse shape than New York, Dimon said in an interview Thursday on Fox Business.

I think every city, like every country, should be thinking about what is it that makes an attractive city, you know, its parks, its art, but its definitely safety. Its jobs, its job creation, its the ability to have affordable housing, Dimon said. Any city who doesnt do a good job, it will lose its population  just tax more and more, it doesnt work.

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Governments got to listen to business.  Some of these great companies here, if they can grow jobs, its great for the city. But they need housing to bring in high-paying jobs, Dimon said.

Dimon said he was meeting with San Francisco city leaders for lunch to discuss the challenges.

JPMorgan, which is headquartered in New York and is the citys largest private employer, told the Chronicle that Dimon was referring to San Franciscos economy being much less diversified than New Yorks. The nations largest city has 10 times as many people as San Francisco and is the epicenter of many industries including finance, media and tourism.

New York has edged out San Francisco in many pandemic recovery metrics, including critical economic drivers like return to office and tourism.

Both cities had some of the biggest population drops in the country during the pandemic, according to census and state data. However, California officials said San Francisco began regaining population in 2021 after a major drop, suggesting the pandemic exodus was limited to one year.

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San Francisco has always been a dynamic place to do business. Its important to see the city thrive and were collaborating with our local peers to ensure the region grows as one of the worlds leading centers for innovation, JPMorgan spokesperson Peter Kelley said in a statement.

The banking giant increased its Bay Area presence with the acquisition of troubled First Republic Bank, as well as the opening of a new Palo Alto tech hub.

Health care conference attendees said Monday that they saw progress in the citys efforts to improve cleanliness and safety. Their opinions have heavy financial implications, with the conference generating an estimated $86 million in economic activity and $8 million in tax revenue in 2023.

The Mayor has worked aggressively to ramp up and expand the Citys public safety efforts over the last few years, including prioritizing a recovering economy and workforce. These  efforts have yielded significant progress and milestones, said Parisa Safarzadeh, a spokesperson for Mayor London Breed, adding that the conference is going really well  the City is full.

She said that twice as many drug dealers were arrested in 2023 compared with 2022 and there was a decline in car break-ins and retail theft during the holiday season.

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Though Fox Business cited a San Francisco crime surge, consistent with Fox News frequently negative coverage of San Francisco, 2023 police data shows that is false and the majority of reported incidents fell from the prior year.

Homicides were down slightly to 54 from 56 in the previous year, burglaries were down 7.4%, rape cases were down 15% and assaults were down 5.2%, though robberies were up 14%.

Dimon highlighted New Yorks financial challenges, with the city facing a deficit around $7 billion this year. San Francisco is looking at around $800 million in shortfalls over the next two fiscal years.

New Yorks got to worry about fiscal, Dimon said. You cant have a fiscal deficit that high where you think that constantly taxing individuals and companies more and more, where, you know, the bulk of the tax is paid by a handful of people, its driving people out.

New York Mayor Eric Adams has also been grappling with the migrant crisis and a federal corruption investigation over potential campaign donations from Turkey.
BENNINGTON  A routine weight of evidence hearing Friday afternoon for a defendant in a case of sexual assault during a massage at a historic Manchester resort blew up when the judge in the case did not admit several interviews with victims and a witness as evidence.

Magdy Mohamed, 55, of Southington, Conn., is charged with one count of sexual assault with no consent for allegedly assaulting a female victim who was a guest at the hotel in the fall of 2023. The victim, a resident of Weston, Conn., was receiving a massage while on a weekend getaway with her boyfriend during Octobers leaf-peeping season in Southern Vermont. Mohamed allegedly sexually assaulted the victim in a private spa room during an hour-long massage.

The weight of evidence hearing, usually a routine finding of facts to enable the judge to set bail and conditions for a defendant in a criminal case, took a sideways turn when defense attorney Anthony Falcone objected to the admission of the recordings due to the fact that Manchester Detective Abigail Hepburn failed to swear the victims in during their interviews, and that the recordings were not authenticated.

Falcone asked Judge Kerry McDonald-Cady not to admit the recordings flat-out on that basis. However, the judge, after listening to the recordings, did admit the interview with the actual victim in the charged offense, but only on the basis that it is used as a way for the court to judge bail considerations and not as evidence of a possible crime.

These statements are not considered sworn statements to the court, Judge McDonald-Cady said. At this point, the court could not consider the weight of evidence is great.

All of the other interview recordings were not admitted as they contained mostly hearsay and not direct knowledge of any crimes committed by Mohamed in this particular case.

A piece of evidence that was admitted by the judge was a prior felony conviction from February 2020 in Connecticut for a similar type of offense. Mohamed was still on parole in Connecticut when he was employed at the Equinox Resort and Spa as a masseur in October where the charged offense occurred.

According to filed paperwork in the Connecticut case, Mohamed was convicted in 2020 in Connecticut of sexually assaulting a 71-year-old female victim while he was a home health aide. In the course of caring for her ailing husband, the victim requested Mohamed make the husbands bed. When the victim sat on the bed after helping Mohamed with the sheets because her back hurt, Mohamed allegedly told her he was a massage therapist and began rubbing her shoulders. Soon after Mohamed sexually assaulted the victim as her ailing husband slept in an adjoining room.

According to a Manchester Police Department affidavit in the current case, the victim, a resident of Weston, Conn., was receiving a massage while on a weekend getaway with her boyfriend during Octobers leaf-peeping season in Southern Vermont. At the historic Manchester Center resort on Main Street, Mohamed allegedly sexually assaulted her in a private spa room.

According to the victims statement, Mohamed, a very large man, began to touch her inappropriately. When she confronted the masseur about his behavior, he did not say anything but continued his actions. The victim reported that she felt as if I couldnt move during the assault.

After the massage, the victim told police that there were a few other females who had also had a massage from the same masseuse who felt that he also touched them inappropriately. Police did not release the identity of any other possible victims.

The victim also told police that she spoke with two female employees at the hotel who confirmed that they were aware of the incidents and would follow up internally. The affidavit confirms that a manager at the spa terminated Mohamed two days later. The affidavit also confirmed that there had been six other complaints against Mohamed from both employees and guests that the resort management was aware of.

The Equinox Resort and Spa stated to police that Mohamed was hired on Oct. 3, 2023, and that he passed background and licensing checks before starting as a massage therapist. Mohamed began massaging clients on Oct. 6. The first complaint from a guest came 10 days later. Two others were filed with the hotel five days after the first complaint. According to the affidavit, the hotel blocked additional training for Mohamed. Other complaints came in soon after. Mohamed was terminated on Oct. 23.

Police arrested Mohamed after their investigation on Jan. 9 after he arrived at the Manchester Police Station to turn himself in. He is facing a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment if found guilty of the sexual assault. It is unclear whether there could be additional charges pending against Mohamed from other victims.

The hearing ended with a decision that the weight of evidence was not great. Judge McDonald-Cady allowed Mohameds son to testify on behalf of his father in the prolonged hearing due to ongoing interpreter issues. The son was asked whether he would be able to be responsible for reporting his father if he failed to adhere to any court orders of curfew or other conditions, to which he replied, yes.

The judge, after telling the court that the weight of evidence was not great, then listened as prosecutor Andrew Bevacqua asked that Mohamed, given that the weight of evidence was not great, be given a cash bail of $100,000, surrender his Egyptian passport, and that a 24-hour curfew be imposed due to the risk to the community.

Falcone then asked the judge to release Mohamed on an unsecured appearance bond due to the weight of evidence finding, and that he would be willing to be given a curfew. He also stated that Mohamed would voluntarily surrender his massage license.

It is unlikely that there is any danger to the community, Falcone said. It is extremely unlikely he will be in that kind of situation due to the fact that he will not be legally able to do so anymore.

Judge McDonald-Cady continued the hold without bail due, she said, to the perceived safety of the community and the risk of flight, as Mohamed is a resident of Connecticut and an Egyptian citizen. She announced that she will make a written decision by this coming Monday, even though it is a holiday.

As of press time there are no further hearings set on the official court schedule. Mohamed is currently being held at the Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility in Rutland as he awaits the judge's decision.
BENNINGTON  The defendant in an alleged aggravated sexual assault in September  that would have carried a possible life sentence  was found not guilty by a jury of six men and six women after a two-day trial and just over one hour of deliberations in Bennington Thursday.

Bryon Hudson, 51, was charged with one count of aggravated domestic assault for alleged multiple attacks on the victim in which he was accused of choking the victim twice in reaction to text messages and a photograph he discovered in the victims cellphone.

Hudson glanced up toward the ceiling and smiled after the jury forewoman read the verdict of not guilty just over one hour after receiving the case. The jury had the choice of three verdicts: guilty of the aggravated domestic felony assault, guilty of a lesser misdemeanor domestic assault charge, or not guilty of any crime. They voted to acquit Hudson of any crimes.

A November trial in the case ended in a mistrial after the victim testified that Hudson had just gotten out of jail. That statement was deemed prejudicial enough to end the trial. A new trial was immediately scheduled and began Wednesday.

The jury began deliberations at 3:17 p.m. after closing arguments and juror instructions concluded on the second day of the trial. Because Hudson has three prior felony convictions in Vermont on his record  he was eligible to be charged as a habitual offender, meaning he could have faced a life sentence if found guilty on a fourth felony charge.

The misdemeanor assault charge, an option for the jury, carried a possible maximum sentence of two years with no minimum sentence prescribed. The instructions also asked the jury  if they found him guilty, to specifically decide which of the two choking incidents they were convicting or acquitting Hudson of when they made their decision.

Hudson was arraigned on a violation of conditions charge soon after the verdict was read for a letter he sent to the victim before the trial began. He was given conditions of no contact with the victim as the new case moves forward. Hudson faces a possible six-months in jail for the violation as a misdemeanor offense if found guilty. He is still in Department of Corrections custody for a prior domestic assault case from 2019 against the same victim. It is unclear how much longer he has to serve in that case.

It was reported that Hudson was still under supervision in the 2019 case when he allegedly violated his parole in the 2023 case, prompting a renewal of his sentence. After the verdict, he was transported back to Marble Valley Correctional Facility in Rutland.

I am devastated, the alleged victim told the Banner after the verdict was read. I absolutely cannot understand how they came to that verdict. I feel like the process and the whole system let me down.

Prosecutor Andrew Bevacquas statement after the verdict was one of simple thanks to the jury.

We want to thank the jury for their time, he said.

When asked for comment soon after the verdict, Bryon Hudson declined.

On the first day of the trial, Hudson was offered and accepted a last-minute plea deal as the seated jury waited in a room just off the courtroom floor just before the trial got underway Wednesday morning.

The deal called for a 2-12-year sentence to serve, which would run consecutively with any remaining time from his prior felony conviction in 2020 on the aggravated domestic assault he pled guilty to. That new deal was nixed by Judge Kerry McDonald-Cady after the victim disagreed with the minimum sentence in the plea deal. The trial started immediately after the deal fell through.

According to a police affidavit and testimony from the victim at the trial, Hudson offered for the victim and her children to sleep over after they lost electricity at their residence on the night of Sept. 16, 2023.

As the children slept in the next room, Hudson, allegedly enraged by a photograph the victim had on her phone, attacked the victim by grabbing her neck with one hand, forcing her down on the bed, and covering her mouth with his other hand until she couldnt breathe. When the two young children heard the commotion, they entered the room, crying, and the attack ended.

The following day, the victim walked to a nearby store for coffee and doughnuts. When she returned, she was again attacked, with Hudson allegedly grabbing the victim from behind in a chokehold until the commotion woke the kids once again. The victim left the residence and reported the attack to police the next day.

The conditions of release violation charge does not trigger any habitual offender status as it is a misdemeanor.
ARLINGTON  Second Chance Animal Center in Arlington is looking for homes for a Guinea pig, two young kittens, and a cat with special needs. They do not need to go to a home together; in fact, they are all looking for their own separate forever homes.

Gigi is going to be a forever foster, said Sabrina LaCross, who works the front desk at the Animal Center.

That means that Gigi has special needs and her health care costs will be completely covered by Second Chance for the rest of her life.

She has kidney disease, so essentially shes going to be on meds and special food for the rest of her life  and were pretty much covering the expense of that by making her a forever foster. Shell have to come back for continuous blood work.

LaCross explained that the Second Chance Animal Center will be covering the cost of Gigis medical care, because of these special needs. Gigi, however, still needs a forever home.

Gigis gray fur is fluffy and thick, but she is surprisingly light weight. Her eyes are green, and she is about four years old.

Also, Otto needs a home, said LaCross. We have two Ottos right now.

The Otto that LaCross is referring to is a four-month-old domestic shorthair kitten with black fur with snow white feet and a few little other white markings.

I dont think Otto is considered a tuxedo because he doesnt have white right here, explained LaCross, picking Otto up, cuddling him, and indicating the markings just under his chin. But he is a precious little man.

Otto is a love bug and a cuddler, but he is also mischievous and curious. He scurried around the room, down the bench, under the racks and in and out of the open cages within the room Second Chance houses the cats. He isnt in one place for more than a second. Hes very busy.

Otto is the typical generic kitten. He likes to play. He likes to snuggle. Hes just the typical kitten.

He also loves to have his belly scratched.

Another kitten in need of adoption is Colby Jack. He is far more skittish and timid than Otto, but very sweet-natured. Colby Jack was spending his time skirting the edges of the room, hiding under the benches and cages, and watching Otto get into mischief.

Colby Jack, as you might have guessed from his name, is orange and white.

Second Chance also has a sweet little brown and white Guinea pig named Little Pig (also known as Peppa) and two rats.

The Guinea pig is ready for a home, but the pair of rats are still waiting for their examination. They should be ready for adoption soon.

Second Chance also has multiple dogs available for adoption, but most are larger in size. Three of those profiled in the past  Maple, Orion, and Hippo  are still available.

If interested in visiting or adopting Peppa the Guinea pig, Gigi, Otto, or Colby Jack, reach out to Second Chance Animal Center, located at 1779 VT Route 7A in Arlington, through their website at 2ndchanceanimalcenter.org or by phone at (802) 375-2898.

Check these past articles for previous profiles of pets at Second Chance that still need a home:
BENNINGTON  Testing of wells in southern sections of Bennington for PFAS contamination will be repeated and expanded, state Department of Environmental Conservation officials said.

Richard Spiese and Malayika Vincent, of the DECs Sites Management Section, said in a release that more than 100 drinking water wells tested in the fall will be retested, and outreach efforts are planned to conduct further tests throughout the area.

Initial test results for five of the family of hazardous industrial chemicals do not show any clear indication of the extent or density of this contamination, according to a DEC release, but it does confirm the presence of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in numerous wells in the southern Bennington area.

Based on the the first results, the SMS would like to resample homes from the fall 2023 event, in addition to expanding sampling again to additional wells in areas of Bennington, the officials said.

The initial sampling effort came in response to positive well test results in the Hickory Hill Road and Stonehedge Drive/Southshire Drive area (now referred to as the southern Bennington site), as part of sampling of 500 randomly selected private wells throughout Vermont.

Filtering, bottled water

Vincent, an environmental analyst with the DEC, said 17 wells were found have a PFAS level above 20 parts per trillion, which is the state advisory level for PFAS in drinking water; 13 were above 30 ppt and seven were above 40 ppt.

None were above 70 ppt, which is the federal drinking water advisory level for PFAS, although the federal Environmental Protection Agency is considering setting a new, lower level.

In addition, she said 11 point-of-entry treatment (POET) water filtering systems were or will be installed at homes with elevated PFAS levels and another six will receive a system if resampling confirms a level above 20 ppt.

The state, which is funding the filtering systems, also is providing bottled water for about 30 homes with levels above 15 ppt, she said, unless resampling over several testing rounds shows the level will not rise above 20 ppt.

Currently, the state has funds to provide bottled water, for the confirmation sampling, and potential installation of POETs, Vincent said. This is from legislation several years ago funding the sampling of the 500 random wells in the state testing for PFAS.

PFAS history

Bennington has had a troubled history concerning PFAS since hundreds of wells around two former Chemfab Corp. plants in town were identified in 2016-17 as contaminated. The principal source was determined by the DEC to be airborne contamination that had settled into groundwater feeding the wells.

In the newly identified zone of concern, Spiece said during a public information session in September that no definite potentially responsible party had been identified as the PFAS source.

The state is conducting studies to determine the source, if possible, but Spiece said there could be more than one source, as PFAS chemicals were widely used by a number of industries and business since the 1950s and there is a former town landfill that may contain buried PFAS chemicals.

In testing, the state tests for five common PFAS compounds  identified as PFHxS, PFHpA, PFOA, PFNA, and PFOS  and has set a drinking water advisory level of 20 parts per trillion.

PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) was the predominate contaminate found in the previous contamination zone around the two former factories. It was associated with Chemfab, which used liquid Teflon to coat fabrics such as fiberglass and then dried the material at high temperatures, producing exhaust that spread from the factory stacks, the DEC determined.

Drinking contaminated water is considered the predominant way people develop elevated and long-lasting levels of PFAS chemicals in their blood, which in the case of PFOA was associated through studies to kidney, testicular and other cancers, ulcerative colitis, thyroid diseases, pregnancy-induced hypertension and high cholesterol.

Zone of concern

In the recent round of testing, the identified zone expanded from the first test sites around Stonehedge Drive/Southshire Drive and Hickory Hill Road to other homes located between those areas.

The area of interest now is defined as south of Route 9 down to Coleville Road and Fuller Road, and from the Green Mountains west to Mount Anthony.

The DEC plans to send homeowners with wells in this area blank access agreements to be filled out, signed, and returned (either electronically or by mail) to the Site Management Section.

Access agreements will provide the state with both property access and the best contact information for officials to to coordinate with homeowners and residents.

The test results from the fall test results found multiple wells with some PFAS, some with amounts above the states 20 ppt advisory level and some with no PFAS detected.

Town response

In response to the earlier Chemfab related contamination, the state reached consent agreements with the party deemed responsible  Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, the final operators of the former factories  to fund town water line extensions to the affected properties and fund other contamination remediation.

Those agreements called for the multi-national company to provide more than $50 million to address the contamination.

Saint-Gobain also agreed to settlement of a class-action lawsuit in federal court, brought by Bennington-area property owners and residents, which provided $34.15 million in damages to the plaintiffs. That also included up to $6 million for a long-term medical monitoring program for those found to have elevated levels of PFOA in their blood.

Funding sought

The town has announced that a similar effort to expand the water system will be considered, and Bennington has applied for state funding to begin preliminary engineering assessment. Officials have said construction funding might also be available through the state.

Other possible responses, depending on the level of PFAS in a well, could include a permanent filtering unit in the home or business or drilling a new, deeper well to locate water clear of PFAS chemicals.
by M. K. Bhadrakumar





From the standpoint of affirming solidarity with the regime of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the October 7 attack, India has swung away to the far horizon and has unceremoniously dumped the US-Israeli axis, which provided beacon light to Delhis West Asian policies in the past few years.





From a strategic asset, Israel connection is becoming a liability for the Indian government. Delhi spurned Netanyahus repeated entreaties to brand Hamas as a terrorist organisation  by the way, India never pointed finger at Hamas for the October 7 attack. It has resumed the traditional stance of voting against Israel in the UN General Assembly resolutions on the Palestine problem. The Netanyahu-Modi pow-vows have become infrequent.





Britains HMS Diamond deploys missiles to attack Yemen





This is a far cry from the controversial gesture by PM Modi, during his historic five-day visit to Israel in 2017, to pay homage to the founding father of Zionism Theodor Herzl in Haifa . It is doubtful if any Indian prime minister would repeat Modis feat in future. With reasonable certainty, it can be said that future of Zionism in West Asia itself looks rather bleak.





Again, for reasons that remain obscure even today, India decided to be a strong votary of the ill-fated Abraham Accords that purportedly aimed at integrating Israel into the Arab fold but, in reality, to isolate Iran in its neighbourhood. Delhi never provided a rational explanation for such a dramatic shift in the traditional policy not to take sides in the intra-regional fratricidal strife in West Asia or the US hegemony in that region.





Delhi followed up by enthusiastically lining up with a surreal venture called I2U2 which brought together India and the UAE with the US and Israel as a condominium to promote the spirit of the Abraham Accords. In an extraordinary gesture, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar paid a 5-day visit to Israel to participate in I2U2.





Above all, Delhi which hosted the G20 Summit last year and was supposedly highlighting the rise of the Global South in the world order, instead ended up arranging photo-ops for the visiting US President who hijacked the event and instead catapulted a phoney, laughable idea as the main outcome of that historic event  the so-called India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC).





The US apparently incentivised Delhi by planting a patently absurd thought that IMEEC would toll the death knell for Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). China of course retaliated by just hoisting the BRI flag high all over the Maldives (population: 515,132in the 2022 census) on Indias soft underbelly from where it is visible all over the subcontinent day and night.





However, Indian diplomats are quick learners and course corrections come naturally to them. Delhi has understood that such absurdities in its West Asian policy will do no good and even counterproductive as it raises hackles in the Arab Street. Thus, Qatar ticked off India recently by ordering the 15 Indian schools in Doha that cater to the needs of the largely-Hindu 700000-strong Indian ex-patriate community to ignore Hindu holidays, especially Diwali.





Consistent with the championing of the Global South, India should have voiced support for South Africas brilliant initiative to petition the International Criminal Court (ICC) to bring Israel to justice for its war crimes in Gaza and West Bank. After all, South Africa was where Mahatma Gandhi finessed the concept of resistance to colonialism. But, alas, India lacked the courage of conviction and the moral fibre to do so.





Now, it is too much to expect the ICC to put Netanyahu in a cage and try him for his abominable criminal acts against humanity. But there is a strong likelihood that with tacit support of countries in the West, the ICC may come under compulsion to issue some sort of interim order apropos Israeli behaviour. And in the present surcharged atmosphere, that can prove to be a game changer.





All this makes Indias decision to stay clear of the US harebrained idea of disciplining Yemens Houthis becomes a sensible move. The drama unfolding in the Red Sea is incredibly complicated. One main vector there is about the phenomenon of the Houthi resistance as such.





An old friend and Beirut-based editor Sharmine Narwani twitted about the quagmire in the Red Sea that awaits the Anglo-American venture if the Biden administration presses ahead with the attack on Yemen:





I honestly question whether the US or UK have carefully considered #Yemens potential responses to this act of war. Ansarallah (Houthi) is an unusual member of the regions Axis of Resistance. It marches to its own tune and its mindset is entirely devoid of western narrative grooming. There is no guessing at the full spectrum of its retaliatory palette, but I would not want to be an American or Brit in the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, or any of the neighbouring waterways right now.





It may be that Washington misread the Russian and Chinese abstentions at the UNSC yesterday (on Red Sea). Or, perhaps Moscow and Beijing dangled that bait so the US would miscalculate this badly. The Americans are now militarily engaged, supplying, or bogged down on 5 separate fronts: Ukraine, Gaza-Israel, Yemen, Iraq, Syria. US adversaries can easily hold out until the fatigue sets in; they are nowhere near depleted.





Bottom line is I think the entire Global South is going to be wearing Abdul Malik al-Houthi t-shirts by springtime.





Indeed, it is such prescience that is often lacking in Indias West Asia strategy in the name of maritime security in the Indian Ocean. This is not a region for one-dimensional men. It has been a strategic mistake to be aligned to the US and its allies in the Indian Ocean. The erstwhile colonial powers are innovating Neo-mercantile mechanisms to transfer wealth to their metropolis. Why should Indians act as coolies?





Most important, India should be seized of the Renaissance that is sweeping through the Muslim countries in West Asia. It is epochal in its sweep and has cultural, political and economic dimensions  and will inevitably have far-reaching geopolitical significance. That is why, it becomes imperative that Delhi stops viewing the region though Netanyahus Zionist eyes and it is important to terminate its collaboration with the US and colonial powers such as France and the UK safeguard maritime security in the Indian Ocean.





India has no reason to have institutionalised partnerships with the US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT). In a conceivable future, the curtain could be descending on the western military bases in West Asia. Delhi should grasp the compelling reality that something fundamentally changed post-October 7 in the geopolitics of West Asia.





It is in sync with what Germans call the zeitgeist (spirit of the times) that Saudi Arabia is demanding that the security of the Red Sea is an international responsibility in cooperation with the riparian countries and UN support. Since 2018, Saudi Arabia has called for the establishment of a Council of States bordering the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden and in 2020, eight countries signed the Councils founding charter, who include, ironically, Yemen. Saudi Arabia plans to host a summit meeting of the Council of States.





The Anglo-American missile strike against Yemen should come as a rude awakening to India messaging that the very same western powers who are backing Israel are escalating the conflict in Gaza and transforming it as a regional conflict  all in the name of freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. Unsurprisingly, Saudi Arabia, the regional superpower with high stakes in the security of Red Sea, has called on the US to exercise restraint.





M. K. Bhadrakumar was a career diplomat by profession. Roughly half of the 3 decades of his diplomatic career was devoted to assignments on the territories of the former Soviet Union and to Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. Other overseas postings included South Korea, Sri Lanka, Germany, and Turkey. He writes mainly on Indian foreign policy and the affairs of the Middle East, Eurasia, Central Asia, South Asia and the Asia-Pacific.
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This Story in History is selected from the archives by Jeannie Maschino, The Berkshire Eagle.
BOSTON  Let the professionals decide whether books are appropriate for students and create a formal process through which opponents can raise concerns and seek a book's removal.

That's the goal of legislation under consideration in the Statehouse, which has the support of members of the Berkshire delegation, the American Civil Liberties Union, and a host of other groups across the state.

Professionals with their training, whether teacher or librarian, know how to make decisions about what books should be in libraries at the appropriate age level, and it shouldnt be personal or political beliefs guiding those decisions, said state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, D-Pittsfield, on Thursday.

Supporters of the legislation say that Massachusetts can rise above the moral panic gripping some parts of the nation, and set itself apart from a conservative movement targeting the existence of queer and Black narratives in schools. Locally, the proposals call to mind the recent police search of a Great Barrington middle school for a book.

The measure, An Act regarding free expression, was sponsored by Sen. Julian Cyr, D-Truro, and Rep. John Moran, D-Suffolk.

During a public hearing Wednesday in a joint session of the Legislatures Education Committee, Cyr and Moran brought books subject to recent complaints, including All Boys Arent Blue, by George M. Johnson, and "The Bluest Eye" by Nobel laureate Toni Morrison, as examples for the committee.

"Obviously, we need to have age-appropriate students reading these books and citizens reading these books. But this bill doesn't prevent that. If you want to individually have your child not read these books, that's fine," Moran said. "But parents don't have the right, or organizations, based on their political beliefs, don't have a right in the state of Massachusetts to prohibit entire populations from reading these books."

He added that having diverse books in school libraries helps schools be "a welcoming place for students to learn and explore."

But buy-in from the committee was not universal.

Rep. Kelly Pease, R-Westfield, argued that the book by Johnson, which discusses sexual consent and abuse as well as LGBTQ+ topics, is not appropriate for schools or "a regular library type of atmosphere."

'All Boys Arent Blue is like a pornographic book. We dont put Penthouse letters in schools, he said, referring to a magazine that publishes pornographic photos and racy letters from readers.

Presenters acknowledged that while the book may be more suitable for high school students, it shouldnt be up to politicians to decide whats available. And there should be a set process if a private citizen challenges decisions made by professionals.

We hire librarians that are state-certified and licensed, we should let them to do their job with their best discretion, and not allow politics to come into play at all, state Rep. Smitty Pignatelli, D-Lenox, a member of the committee, told The Eagle on Thursday.

Companion bill The Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development Committee is considering a companion bill regarding free expression that would prevent libraries from limiting material in certain cases. State Sen. Paul Mark, D-Becket, who chairs the committee, said it heard from library professionals who spoke to the importance of free speech and free expression in a learning environment and how that environment should not be subject to restrictions based on political motivations intended to have a chilling impact on what we are allowed to learn about.

The bill would restrict state funding in an effort to make sure schools follow the American Library Association Library Bill of Rights, which says, Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

Formal challenges to books or programming chosen by librarians and educators can still be issued to local school committees, at which point the committees would hold a thorough hearing examining the artistic, social and literary merit of the text. Not until a final decision is made can the book be removed.

This sort of specific process was missing from a recent incident in Great Barrington, that caught the attention of the ACLU and was on the minds of local legislators Thursday. Last month, Great Barrington police entered and searched a middle school classroom for a book, titled Gender Queer, based on an anonymous complaint that the book was obscene.

The police chief and schools superintendent have since apologized, but the ACLU has not let up in its criticism of the police and district attorneys response  it even cited the matter in a news release calling attention to Wednesdays hearing.

In December, police in Great Barrington searched a middle school classroom in response to an anonymous complaint about a book, prompting a letter from the ACLU and GLAD, the news release reads, referring to GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders. Both organizations previously urged school districts to protect students legal rights by rejecting calls to remove library books.

State Rep. John Barrett III, D-North Adams, called the bill a safeguard to prevent incidents like what happened in Great Barrington from happening.

In this day and age, these things have to be tightened up, Barrett said. These things were never thought of before. Because of the times that we live in and the political atmosphere thats out there, this is the best way for now, but I never thought wed reach this stage in our society.

State Sen. Paul Mark, D-Becket, said the Great Barrington case brings the fear of book bans closer to home and certainly led to me receiving additional calls in support of freedom of speech and expression.

Farley-Bouvier said the Great Barrington incident is a clear example of why we need to have clear standards on why a book would be removed.

All the legislators say there is momentum behind the bill and that it could pass, though Pignatelli said what happened in Great Barrington has no bearing on the bills forward progress.

He defended the police and DAs response in that case, but expressed his firm support for the bill, and said it could be a selling point for people to move to Massachusetts.

First it was womens health care, now we have another issue  book-banning, Pignatelli said. Were not going to do it in Massachusetts, so come here and live a free life.

Material from State House News Service was used in this report.
District Attorney Timothy J. Shugrue said in a statement he supports the ruling by the Supreme Judicial Court that adults under age 21 cannot be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole because it appropriately recognizes that emerging adults brains are still in development."
People attend a mass public prayer Jan. 10 calling for the hostages held in the Gaza Strip to be released in front of the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray, in Jerusalem's Old City, Israel.
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January 11, 2024: Russia is sending several of its latest self-propelled (SP) artillery systems, the 53-ton 2S35 Coalition-SV howitzer, to Ukraine. This new model is a major improvement over the 42-10n 2S19 Msta model currently in use. The 2S35 is the result of an R&D effort that lasted more than 20 years. It is not replacing the 2S19, which entered service in 1989 with over 1,100 produced by the time production ended in 2019. There are plenty of relatively new 2S19s for army artillery units. The 2S35 was originally supposed to be the final upgrade of the 2S19 but the improvements were so numerous and successful that an entirely new design, the 2S35, was the result. Both these SP systems use 152mm howitzers, which fire shells out to 40 kilometers in the 2S35. Using an extended range shell, the range is 80 kilometers using guided rounds. The 2S35 has an automated loading system that allows firing up to 16 rounds a minute. All systems are integrated and only three crew are needed to operate the system. As few as two men can operate the system but do it slower.

The 2S19 requires a crew of five, can only fire up to 8 rounds a minute and normal range is 24 kilometers with modified long range shells reaching out to 36 kilometers. The last few hundred 2S19s built had a number of improvements that improved rate of fire, range, and accuracy. The capabilities of the 2S19 are well known because this model has seen a lot of combat. The 2S35s sent to Ukraine will be the first of this model to operate in a combat zone. The Russians want to verify its theoretical performance as much as they can and gather data on what needs to be adjusted. Russia will eventually export the 2S35, including a version with a 155mm gun.

In Ukraine, both sides are using 2S19 systems. When the war began Ukraine had 40 2S19 systems and subsequently captured 41 from the Russian forces. In addition to some donated M109s, Ukraine also has received other SP models from NATO nations. All the NATO supplied SP systems use 155mm ammo. Ukrainians are using 22 American M-109A7 systems they received from Norway. The M-109 is a 1960s vintage 28-ton SP system armed with a 155mm gun that can fire shells out to 30 kilometers or 40 kilometers when using the Excalibur GPS guided shell. The M109A7 carries 36 rounds while the 2S19 carries 50 152mm rounds.

Twenty years ago, Russia, seeking export customers, began modifying Russian weapons to appeal to customers desiring Western grade systems. This included adapting Russian weapons to use Western ammunition and building their systems to NATO standards. For example, the Russian 2S19 self-propelled artillery system normally carries a 152mm howitzer, but Russia modified the 2S19 to a version that fires 155mm shells. The 2S19 was introduced in 1989, as a more robust version of the standard 2S3 self-propelled artillery.

The 2S3 itself was introduced in the early 1970s, a decade after the American M-109 self-propelled 155mm howitzer was put into service. The 2S3 was a direct response to the M-109. The two vehicles are very similar. The latest version of the 2S3, the 2S3M1 weighs 27.5 tons, compared to 24.5 tons for the M-109A1. The 2S3 has a crew of four, compared to six for the M109. Max road speed for the 2S3 is 60 kilometers an hour, compared to 50 for the M-109. The 2S3 also has lower ground pressure than the M-109, making it more mobile in mud, snow, and swampy terrain. The 2S3 also carries 46 rounds of ammunition with it, compared to 28 for the M-109. The 2S19 has all the basic characteristics of the 2S3 but has thicker armor and a crew of five. This is because it uses the same chassis as the T-72 tank. The engine is multi-fuel, and the fire control and loading system is superior to the 2S3. The 2S19M1 uses a 155mm NATO standard gun and is being offered to nations that want Western quality self-propelled artillery, but at about half the price.
This marks the 6th FDA clearance for Qures chest X-ray based solutions

Mumbai-based startup Qure.ai has announced its 13th US FDA clearance for its artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled solutions. Qures chest X-ray based qXR-LN uses artificial intelligence to identify and localise lung nodules, marking another significant milestone for the organisation, strengthening its standing as a pioneer in the realm of AI-powered advancements for plain film radiography and medical imaging.

This also marks the 6th FDA clearance for Qures chest X-ray based solutions. Notably, this is the only FDA-cleared solution for detecting and localising lung nodules utilising computer vision to have Radiologists, Pulmonologists and ER physicians as intended users.

The introduction of AI solutions, such as qXR-LN, presents a remarkable opportunity to cast a wider net to identify potentially malignant pulmonary nodules, thereby boosting the fight against lung cancer.

qXR for Lung Nodule (qXR  LN) is a cutting-edge computer-aided detection software designed to identify and highlight regions indicative of suspected pulmonary nodules ranging from 6 to 30 mm in size. Tailored for use in the incidental adult population, this innovative device is a game-changer in diagnostic technology. It can also serve as a crucial second reader for physicians, assisting in the review of frontal (AP/PA) chest radiographs of adults acquired on digital radiographic systems.
India needs a health insurance model that accords priority to preventive healthcare

In a transformative move, the Indian healthcare sector is urging comprehensive structural and fiscal reforms in the upcoming Interim Union Budget 2024-25. Even though it would be an Interim Budget, given the governments priority to healthcare, it is expected that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman would walk some extra mile concerning further strengthening the sector.

Being the backbone of the healthcare industry, hospitals are anticipating significant measures, including the establishment of a dedicated regulator and rationalisation of import duties on medical equipment.

The hospital sector, constituting 80% of the total healthcare market, seeks a booster dose through some specific structural and fiscal reforms including a push to Healthcare Insurance, Medical Travel Value, the establishment of a Regulator, Import Duty Rationalization on Medical Equipment, and Price Rationalisation.

Low penetration of Health insurance remains a major pain point. The sector would be expecting the widening of Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (PMJAY) on the one hand and a reduction of tax on healthcare insurance premiums on the other.

"India needs a health insurance model that prioritises preventive healthcare over procedures, and Narayana Health is well placed to achieve this goal with the support of the government, said Viren Shetty, Executive Vice Chairman of Narayana Health.

Sugandh Ahluwalia, Chief Strategy Officer, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, New Delhi, said, The hospital sector is in dire need of a dedicated regulator and it is widely admitted that the establishment of a Regulator, leveraging the expertise of organizations like the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH), can significantly streamline compliance and enhance transparency."

Union Budget should focus on further boosting research and development infrastructure and tax rationalization, gearing up for an aspirational $50 billion MedTech economy, expounded Prashant Arer, India Head, Enbio Group AG.

Dr Anand Bansal, Medical Director, Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, said, "Rational pricing is the key. Timely payments and transparent pricing are essential for hospitals to provide quality care. We look forward to clear guidelines from the government, addressing outstanding dues and revising rates under government schemes to ensure the viability of healthcare institutions."

Healthcare Expert Baldev Raj, Founder and Chief of Prius Healthcare said, The government needs more initiatives like Ayush Visa (Special Visa Scheme for foreigners) and Heal in India to make Indian healthcare and wellness a global phenomenon."

Overall, experts expect that the government will surely take some additional measures to create a new healthcare economy in the country.
FKA twigs' Calvin Klein image has been banned in the UK. Source: Calvin Klein.

The Avertising Standards Authority determined that the ad risked causing serious offense by objectifying women, emphasising the focus on the model's body rather than the advertised clothing. In the ruling, it said highlighting FKA twigs' physical features presented her as a stereotypical sexual object, leading the regulator to deem it irresponsible and likely to cause serious offense.

Double standards

In response to the ban, FKA twigs said she believes there are double standards.

"I do not see the stereotypical sexual object that they have labelled me. I see a beautiful strong woman of colour whose incredible body has overcome more pain than you can imagine.

"In light of reviewing other campaigns past and current of this nature, I cant help but feel there are some double standards here. so to be clearI am proud of my physicality and hold the art I create with my vessel to the standards of women like Josephine Baker, Eartha Kitt and Grace Jones who broke down barriers of what it looks like to be empowered and harness a unique embodied sensuality. thank you to Calvin Klein and Mert and Marcus who gave me a space to express myself exactly how I wanted to - I will not have my narrative changed," she said.

Not vulgar

Calvin Klein says the images are not vulgar but send out a message of empowerment.

The images were not vulgar and were of two confident and empowered women who had chosen to identify with the Calvin Klein brand, and the ads contained a progressive and enlightened message, it said in a statement.
Israels response to the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023 has crossed the line and breaches the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide also referred to as the Convention.

This is according to Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, who delivered his opening remarks at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Netherlands, on Thursday.

Madam President, in extending our hands across the miles to the people of Palestine, we do so in the full knowledge that we are part of a humanity that is at one. These were the words of President Nelson Mandela. This is the spirit in which South Africa acceded to the Convention, Lamola told the packed court on Thursday.

South Africa is currently on the floor in the ICJ in a legal battle against Israel, which is accused of genocide in Gaza.

South Africa approached the ICJ, under the Convention, for acts committed by Israel in its continued attack on Gaza that has claimed thousands of lives and injured many.

The Convention defines genocide as acts such as killings committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.

The Minister believes that the violence and destruction in Palestine and Israel did not begin on 7 October 2023.

The Palestinians have experienced systemic oppression and violence for the last 76 years, on 6 October 2023 and every day since October 7.

Meanwhile, he said that since 2005, Israel has continued to exercise control over the airspace, territorial waters, land crossings, water, electricity, civilian infrastructure and other key governmental functions.

Given that continuing effective control by Israel over the territory, Gaza is still considered by the international community to be under belligerent occupation by Israel.

In the same breath, he took the stand to condemn the targeting of civilians by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups and the taking of hostages in October last year.

That said, no armed attack on a States territory no matter how serious  even an attack involving atrocity crimes  can provide any justification for, or defence to, breaches of the Convention, whether as a matter of law or morality.

Israels response to the 7 October 2023 attack has crossed this line and gives rise to breaches of the Convention.

It is for this reason that he believes South Africa has a responsibility to prevent genocide as contained in Article 1 of the Convention.

He also welcomed Israels involvement with the case, to have the matter resolved by the court.

Legal counsel

South Africas case is presented by a team of six legal counsels, including Dr Adila Hassim, Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, Professor John Dugard, Blinne ni Ghralaigh, Max du Plessis, and Professor Vaughan Lowe.

Hassim accused Israel is committing acts of genocide during its war against the Hamas terror group in Gaza.

The advocate also showed the map of Gaza, describing it as one of the most densely populated places in the world and home to about 2.3 million Palestinians, almost half of them children.

She said Palestinians in Gaza are being killed by Israeli weaponry and bombs from the air, land and sea.

Israel deployed 6,000 bombs per week. At least 200 times, it has deployed 2,000-pound (907kg) bombs in southern Gaza, which it designated safe.

According to Hassim, more than 1,800 Palestinian families in Gaza have lost multiple family members.

Hundreds of multi-generational families have been wiped out with no remaining survivors  mothers, fathers, children, siblings, grandparents, aunts, cousins, often all killed together. This killing is nothing short of the destruction of Palestinian life.

It is inflicted deliberately, no one is spared, not even newborn babies. UN [United Nations] chiefs have described it as a graveyard for children.

Ngcukaitobi, who was the second lawyer to take the floor, said South Africa is not alone in drawing attention to Israels genocidal rhetoric against Palestinians in Gaza.

However, he said 15 UN special rapporteurs and 21 members of the UN working groups have warned that what is happening in Gaza reflects a genocide in the making.

Both South Africa and Israel are expected to lay bare their arguments during the two-day public hearing at the ICJ.

The arguments continue.
Update(1840) : Reuters and VOA are reporting that US and UK warplanes have begin striking Houthi targets in Yemen, in what marks the first major regional expansion of the Gaza war. According to Politico:

The U.S. and U.K, with support from Australia, the Netherlands, Bahrain, and Canada, conducted joint strikes tonight against Houthi targets in Yemen, per DOD official. Strikes involved U.S. aircraft, ships and submarines.

The Telegraph has also reported British fighters and ships are participating in the military action against the Houthis. There are incoming reports of large airstrikes in major Yemeni cities. Unverified videos have begun coming in via social media. The below video is unconfirmed at this early stage:

WATCH: U.S. and Britain carrying out airstrikes in Yemen pic.twitter.com/FrgFnMNvEy  BNO News (@BNONews) January 12, 2024

One Mideast correspondent remarks that "we have gone from US prioritizing an end to war in Yemen to US getting involved against rebels in control of Yemen. Regional ramifications of both Yemen and Gaza wars on full display, with heavy toll on trade, maritime navigation."

Al Arabiya has reported that there are Violent air strikes on the vicinity of Hodeidah city and Sanaa has also been bombed.

There are emerging reports that US bases in Iraq may be coming under attack. Also, the Houthis say they are hitting back against Western warships in the Red Sea.

Like pretty much all of America's last twenty something years of the 'war on terror,' Congress has been sidelined once again...

The President needs to come to Congress before launching a strike against the Houthis in Yemen and involving us in another middle east conflict. That is Article I of the Constitution. I will stand up for that regardless of whether a Democrat or Republican is in the White House.  Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) January 11, 2024

Meanwhile...

CNN host (and the wife of a Citigroup banker) @ErinBurnett is openly celebrating US strikes Yemen tonight



Finally! She exclaimed to guests, as US troops hunker down for World War III pic.twitter.com/vtrruYntRY  Anya Parampil (@anyaparampil) January 12, 2024

* * *

Update(1730ET) : It begins... and a White House statement is also expected imminently:

UKS SUNAK AUTHORIZES JOINT MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST HOUTHIS

And the Times (UK) reported an hour ago:

Britain expected to join U.S in carrying airstrikes on Houthi military positions in Yemen on Thursday night  Times

The Houthis have said they are not scared of US and UK threats. While the US does not confirm future military operations before they happen, Reuters has the following details from the British side:

Britain is expected to join the United States in conducting air strikes on military positions belonging to the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen "within hours", the political editor for the Times newspaper reported on Thursday. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Downing Street office did not respond to a request from Reuters for comment, while the Pentagon and the White House each declined to comment on the report.

An official in the military wing of Ansar Allah Houthis: American spy aircraft are currently flying south of the Red Sea  War Monitor (@WarMonitors) January 11, 2024

Western coalition fighter jets reportedly airborne...

US, UK strikes against Houthis seem imminent. Arabiya reporting on American, British fighter jets in Yemen airspace vicinity...  Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) January 11, 2024

* * *

Update(1710ET) : The administration is expected to imminently launch airstrikes against Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis following the repeat attacks on both commercial shipping and US and coalition warships in the Red Sea.

Breaking reports say strikes are expected "shortly" - however, there's been some confusion and contradictory statements over whether President Biden will given an address. Choreographed statements are expected from the UK and other international allies as well.

Yemeni military sources have warned that "Any attack carried out by the UK on Yemen, will be met with harsh & "painful strikes on all British bases, battleships, ships and navigation" a threat that's been extended to the US as well.

Nobody knows what the White House is doing, especially not the White House. https://t.co/eI2GmntH1o  zerohedge (@zerohedge) January 11, 2024

* * *

Chatter and rumors are growing on reports that the Western coalition is cobbling together a plan to go on the offensive against continuing Houthi attacks in the Red Sea... "If approved in the emergency UK cabinet meeting tonight, the military action will be in partnership with the US against Houthi forces in Yemen," journalist Halah Jaber, formerly of the Sunday Times, has reported on X.

Additionally, al-Arabiya has reported Thursday afternoon that the US military is "stepping up its contingency plans for a response to Yemen's Houthis in the near future" while also noting that Washington's "multiple warnings" have failed to stop the attacks.

#BREAKING Rishi Sunak is holding a full cabinet meeting at 7.45 this evening



Ministers believe its about UK and US military strikes against the Houthis in Yemen  War Monitor (@WarMonitors) January 11, 2024

So far there's been a lot of empty threats and posturing from Western defense leaders, but after at least 25 significant missile and drone attack incidents against commercial vessels and shipping lanes in the Red Sea, there's yet to be one instance of US or UK or other coalition warships hitting back directly against Houthi launch positions.

As predicted, the Iran-aligned Houthis have only grown bolder:

The leader of Yemens Houthi militia vowed on Thursday to intensify assaults on ships in the Red Sea, Bab El-Mandab, and the Gulf of Aden, only hours after the UN Security Council passed a resolution requesting the Houthis to stop their attacks.

The Houthis have boldly and proudly owned up to directly targeting at least one US Navy warship, and are now vowing more:

And he reiterated threats to attack US Navy vessels more forcefully if they targeted his forces. "The retaliation to any American strike will not only be at the level of the current operation, which included more than 24 drones and multiple missiles, but will be larger," Al-Houthi added.

The referenced Tuesday night attack was the biggest thus far of the war (since Oct.7), and the Houthis said they were specifically trying to hit a US warship amid the barrage of projectiles that also included drones.

Houthi spox, handout via Reuters

Meanwhile a fresh op-ed in The Guardian underscores that the Houthis have already called the West's bluff regarding to weakness that is 'Operation Prosperity Guardian':

But the risks of a Houthi drone getting through are potentially worse, spurring arguments in Washington that the US should take a more active approach. If we only sit there in a defensive posture, eventually one of these missiles or drones will get through and kill sailors, said Michael Allen, a former White House national security policy specialist.

The Houthis can continue bleeding Western navies given they use $20,000 drones to draw a response from $1 million anti-air interceptor missiles.

The Guardian underscores that for this reason it's "hard to see the emboldened Houthis stopping their campaign, given their access to relatively cheap missiles and drones and desire to show resistance to the west."
When the President does it, that means that it is not illegal.Richard Nixon

Many years ago, a newspaper headline asked the question: Whats the difference between a politician and a psychopath?

The answer, then and now, remains the same: None.

There is no difference between psychopaths and politicians.

Nor is there much of a difference between the havoc wreaked on innocent lives by uncaring, unfeeling, selfish, irresponsible, parasitic criminals and elected officials who lie to their constituents, trade political favors for campaign contributions, turn a blind eye to the wishes of the electorate, cheat taxpayers out of hard-earned dollars, favor the corporate elite, entrench the military industrial complex, and spare little thought for the impact their thoughtless actions and hastily passed legislation might have on defenseless citizens.

Psychopaths and politicians both have a tendency to be selfish, callous, remorseless users of others, irresponsible, pathological liars, glib, con artists, lacking in remorse and shallow.

Charismatic politicians, like criminal psychopaths, exhibit a failure to accept responsibility for their actions, have a high sense of self-worth, are chronically unstable, have socially deviant lifestyles, need constant stimulation, have parasitic lifestyles and possess unrealistic goals.

It doesnt matter whether youre talking about Democrats or Republicans.

Political psychopaths are all largely cut from the same pathological cloth, brimming with seemingly easy charm and boasting calculating minds. Such leaders eventually create pathocracies: totalitarian societies bent on power, control, and destruction of both freedom in general and those who exercise their freedoms.

Once psychopaths gain power, the result is usually some form of totalitarian government or a pathocracy. At that point, the government operates against the interests of its own people except for favoring certain groups, author James G. Long notes. We are currently witnessing deliberate polarizations of American citizens, illegal actions, and massive and needless acquisition of debt. This is typical of psychopathic systems, and very similar things happened in the Soviet Union as it overextended and collapsed.

In other words, electing a psychopath to public office is tantamount to national hara-kiri, the ritualized act of self-annihilation, self-destruction and suicide. It signals the demise of democratic government and lays the groundwork for a totalitarian regime that is legalistic, militaristic, inflexible, intolerant and inhuman.

Incredibly, despite clear evidence of the damage that has already been inflicted on our nation and its citizens by a psychopathic government, voters continue to elect psychopaths to positions of power and influence.

Indeed, a study from Southern Methodist University found that Washington, DCour nations capital and the seat of power for our so-called representativesranks highest on the list of regions that are populated by psychopaths.

According to investigative journalist Zack Beauchamp, In 2012, a group of psychologists evaluated every President from Washington to Bush II using psychopathy trait estimates derived from personality data completed by historical experts on each president. They found that presidents tended to have the psychopaths characteristic fearlessness and low anxiety levels  traits that appear to help Presidents, but also might cause them to make reckless decisions that hurt other peoples lives.

The willingness to prioritize power above all else, including the welfare of their fellow human beings, ruthlessness, callousness and an utter lack of conscience are among the defining traits of the sociopath.

When our own government no longer sees us as human beings with dignity and worth but as things to be manipulated, maneuvered, mined for data, manhandled by police, conned into believing it has our best interests at heart, mistreated, jailed if we dare step out of line, and then punished unjustly without remorseall the while refusing to own up to its failingswe are no longer operating under a constitutional republic.

Instead, what we are experiencing is a pathocracy: tyranny at the hands of a psychopathic government, which operates against the interests of its own people except for favoring certain groups.

Worse, psychopathology is not confined to those in high positions of government. It can spread like a virus among the populace. As an academic study into pathocracy concluded, [T]yranny does not flourish because perpetuators are helpless and ignorant of their actions. It flourishes because they actively identify with those who promote vicious acts as virtuous.

People dont simply line up and salute. It is through ones own personal identification with a given leader, party or social order that they become agents of good or evil.

Much depends on how leaders cultivate a sense of identification with their followers, says Professor Alex Haslam. I mean one pretty obvious thing is that leaders talk about we rather than I, and actually what leadership is about is cultivating this sense of shared identity about we-ness and then getting people to want to act in terms of that we-ness, to promote our collective interests. . . . [We] is the single word that has increased in the inaugural addresses over the last century . . . and the other one is America.

The goal of the modern corporate state is obvious: to promote, cultivate, and embed a sense of shared identification among its citizens. To this end, we the people have become we the police state.

We are fast becoming slaves in thrall to a faceless, nameless, bureaucratic totalitarian government machine that relentlessly erodes our freedoms through countless laws, statutes, and prohibitions.

Any resistance to such regimes depends on the strength of opinions in the minds of those who choose to fight back. What this means is that we the citizenry must be very careful that we are not manipulated into marching in lockstep with an oppressive regime.

Writing for ThinkProgress, Beauchamp suggests that one of the best cures to bad leaders may very well be political democracy.

But what does this really mean in practical terms?

It means holding politicians accountable for their actions and the actions of their staff using every available means at our disposal: through investigative journalism (what used to be referred to as the Fourth Estate) that enlightens and informs, through whistleblower complaints that expose corruption, through lawsuits that challenge misconduct, and through protests and mass political action that remind the powers-that-be that we the people are the ones that call the shots.

Remember, education precedes action. Citizens need to the do the hard work of educating themselves about what the government is doing and how to hold it accountable. Dont allow yourselves to exist exclusively in an echo chamber that is restricted to views with which you agree. Expose yourself to multiple media sources, independent and mainstream, and think for yourself.

For that matter, no matter what your political leanings might be, dont allow your partisan bias to trump the principles that serve as the basis for our constitutional republic. As Beauchamp notes, A system that actually holds people accountable to the broader conscience of society may be one of the best ways to keep conscienceless people in check.

That said, if we allow the ballot box to become our only means of pushing back against the police state, the battle is already lost.

Resistance will require a citizenry willing to be active at the local level.

Yet if you wait to act until the SWAT team is crashing through your door, until your name is placed on a terror watch list, until you are reported for such outlawed activities as collecting rainwater or letting your children play outside unsupervised, then it will be too late.

This much I know: we are not faceless numbers.

We are not cogs in the machine.

As I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries, we are not slaves.

We are human beings, and for the moment, we have the opportunity to remain freethat is, if we tirelessly advocate for our rights and resist at every turn attempts by the government to place us in chains.

The Founders understood that our freedoms do not flow from the government. They were not given to us only to be taken away by the will of the State. They are inherently ours. In the same way, the governments appointed purpose is not to threaten or undermine our freedoms, but to safeguard them.

Until we can get back to this way of thinking, until we can remind our fellow Americans what it really means to be free, and until we can stand firm in the face of threats to our freedoms, we will continue to be treated like slaves in thrall to a bureaucratic police state run by political psychopaths.

Source: http://tinyurl.com/3r4n5evz

ABOUT JOHN W. WHITEHEAD

Constitutional attorney and author John W. Whitehead is founder and president of The Rutherford Institute. His most recent books are the best-selling Battlefield America: The War on the American People, the award-winning A Government of Wolves: The Emerging American Police State, and a debut dystopian fiction novel, The Erik Blair Diaries. Whitehead can be contacted at staff@rutherford.org. Nisha Whitehead is the Executive Director of The Rutherford Institute. Information about The Rutherford Institute is available at www.rutherford.org.
January 12, 2024: Japan is the only foreign nation licensed to build Patriot air defense missiles for their own use. Now Japan is selling Japanese-built Patriot missiles to the United States so the Americans can rebuild their stockpiles after sending so many Patriot missiles to Ukraine. According to the post-World War II Japanese constitution, Japan has limited war making capabilities. In the last decade the rules were changed to make it easier for Japan to export weapons for allied nations that were not at war. This includes support equipment like replacement engines for jet aircraft as well as electronic equipment used in ships and aircraft. Japan is supplying Ukraine with all these items.

The U.S. and other NATO countries have been supplying Ukraine with weapons and this has included Patriot missile batteries. The Ukrainians have been firing a lot of Patriot missiles at Russian warplanes and that has prevented Russian warplanes from launching attacks on Ukraine while also shooting down several Russian combat aircraft.

Japan adopted the Patriot Missile systems in 1993 and eventually obtained permission to build Patriot missiles under license. Japan does this local production for several American weapons systems. The United States encourages this because Japan is willing and able to build Americans weapons under license. For the Americans, this provides a second source, besides the American manufacturer, for key weapons.

The Patriot missile exports to the United States was made possible by Japan adopting a record $56 billion 2024 defense budget.

This also enables Japan to continue maintaining and upgrading the Patriot systems it has built for their own use. For example, during the last decade Japan has been upgrading its 24 Patriot missile batteries and will have it completed in five or six years. The main improvement is to increase the range of the PAC-3 anti-missile missile to 30 kilometers. The upgrades are performed in Japan under license from the American manufacturer.

In 2007 Japan began expanding, redeploying, and upgrading its Patriot forces in response to the growing threat posed by North Korean ballistic missiles and nukes. This was trial and error at first. For example, Japan had to move one of its Patriot anti-missile launching sites because a 38 story building going up nearby threatened to become an obstacle if any missiles were fired. Initially Patriot anti-missile missile batteries were set up inside Tokyo. This had to be done because the anti-missile version of Patriot, the PAC 3, can only defend out to about twenty kilometers. These launching sites were considered emergency launching sites. The Patriot system is mobile and built to be moved quickly and set up in new locations.

Normally, Patriot, or any other type of anti-aircraft missile is positioned in a wide open space, to avoid missiles colliding with anything but their intended targets. Missiles are not really guided at take-off, just pointed in the general direction of the target. The guidance system kicks in within a few seconds, but by then the missile may have gone several kilometers. That's because the solid fuel rocket motor is basically a slow burning explosive. The fuel is often all gone very quickly.

Patriot missiles are also very noisy when they launch. Basically, it's a sudden, and very loud, explosion. If you are at home asleep when that happens, you will definitely wake up. This was the experience of civilians living within several kilometers of Patriot batteries in northern Saudi Arabia in 1991. The Japanese can live with the loud noise of a Patriot missile taking off, but not with the after-effects of said missile colliding with a nearby skyscraper. The Japanese solved the tall buildings problem by moving some batteries to high ground, usually in a park.

Each Patriot battery is manned by about a hundred troops, and each contains a radar and four launchers. A battery can fire two types of Patriot missile. The $3.3 million PAC 3 missile is smaller than the PAC 2 anti-aircraft version, thus a Patriot launcher can hold sixteen PAC 3 missiles, versus four PAC 2s. A PAC 2 missile weighs about a ton, a PAC 3 weighs about a third of that. The PAC 3 has a shorter range (about 30 kilometers) versus 160 kilometers for the PAC 2 anti-aircraft version used against low flying UAVs. Patriot can also take down cruise missiles or larger UAVs.
January 12, 2024: Before Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022, Ukraine wanted F-16s because it had done what it could with its MiG-29s, heavy combat losses meant replacements were needed, and Ukraine would prefer to have F-16s. So would Russia but Ukraine had a better chance of getting them. Both Russian and Ukrainian fighter pilots were familiar with the superiority of the F-16 over the MiG-29 and even its major upgrade, the MiG-35. For a few years after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, Russian and Ukrainian pilots had an opportunity to fly in an F-16. Western pilots had already done this with MiG-29s because some MiG-29 pilots defected to the West while flying their Mig-29s.

Since 1981 over 1,600 MiG29s have been produced and the aircraft is still produced in small quantities each year. Upgrades were added haphazardly and many of these did not work as intended. There was inadequate quality control and Russian manufacturers were not able to fix these problems. There was no uniformity in adding or maintaining upgrades. This resulted in a lot of MiG-29s with different capabilities. It was difficult just to keep track of which MiG-29 could do what and with what degree of consistency. There was also a problem with ergonomics, or ease of use. Ukrainian pilots who trained to use F-16s found the layout of the F-16 cockpit more efficiently organized and much easier to use.

MiG-29 were expensive to maintain and, without adequate maintenance, became dangerous to fly. Russian warplanes were never as durable and long-lasting as western models. Western aircraft were deigned to spend much more time in the air because western pilots received a lot more training.

Both the Ukrainian and Russian Air Forces had a difficult time recovering and rebuilding after the end of the Cold War. The Russian Air Force had over 10,000 military aircraft in 1991. The mighty Soviet Red Air Force instantly lost nearly half its strength because the 14 new states formed from the Soviet Union took possession of whatever warplanes were stationed within their borders. For both Russia and Ukraine, 1991 was followed by two decades of sharply lower defense budgets that cut maintenance and eliminated all but a few purchases of new aircraft.

There were efforts to refurbish older aircraft. After 2000 Russia steadily increased defense spending, but it was not enough. By 2015 Russia could only put into action about ten percent of the warplanes the Red Air Force could at its 1991 peak. To make matters worse, growing development problems with its new Su-57 stealth fighter meant that Russia had to depend even more on late Cold War designs which included the Su-27/30, MiG-29, and Su-25, plus some older heavy bomber and recon aircraft. Upgrades made to those aircraft since 1991 were mainly for export customers. Russian defense firms needed the cash, not another IOU from the Russian government.

Ukraine inherited 200 MiG-29s in 1991 but only kept about three dozen in service because of the high cost of maintenance. Despite that, after the Russian 2014 attack Ukraine began an upgrade program for its operational MiG-29s. The first of Ukraines MiG-29MU1 aircraft entered service in 2018 and, by the second time Russia invaded in February 2022, there were 18 MiG-29MU1s and one MiG-29MU2 with further enhancements available.

The air war over Ukraine was initially a tactical win for Ukraine, but that was costly, with 47 fighters or attack aircraft lost. Twenty of these were MiG-29s, four were Su-27 fighters and the rest were twelve Su-24 and Su-25 ground attack aircraft. Russia lost four Su-24s, 13 Su-25s, ten Su-34s, successor to the older Su-24 and one Su-35 (an upgraded Su-27). The Ukrainians prevented Russia from achieving air superiority and forced them to launch their airstrikes from inside Russia using air-to-ground missiles. Four of the new Su-57 stealth aircraft were also used for this and the Su-57s never entered Ukrainian air space.

Ukraine has been offered several dozen MiG-29s that were still in use, or in active storage, by NATO nations that were phasing out their MiG-29s for Western jets. Those transfers were initially stalled by disagreements within NATO about sending these MiGs or F-16s and A-10s to the Ukrainians. That hasnt prevented less visible assistance, like supplying Ukraine with MiG-29 spare parts as well as pilot transition training programs operated by American volunteers, some of them former F-16 and A-10 pilots, who know how to obtain unclassified manuals and equipment to create flight simulators adequate for pilot transition training. Programs like this have already succeeded for other types of Western weapons Ukraine wanted and anticipated getting them by selecting and training operators in advance.

Meanwhile Russia had given up on its Mig-29s, which it had been unable to upgrade successfully. There were many upgrades available and some of them did not work.

In 2019 Russia made a desperate effort to keep the venerable MIG company, founded in 1939 as MiG or Mikoyan and Gurevich Design Bureau, in business. This was done out of a combination of nostalgia, national pride, and practicality. That last item is all about maintaining competition, in the form of having at least two firms designing and producing fighter aircraft.

Nostalgia and national pride are also important because during the Cold War the MiG organization was the primary developer of fighter aircraft. During World War II MiG was one of three, Yakovlev, Lavochkin and MiG, developers of successful fighter aircraft. One of the earliest successes was the MiG-3 fighter. After the war, Yakovlev and Lavochkin moved on to other aerospace endeavors while the Sukhoi Design Bureau, which had worked on ground attack aircraft during the war, began developing jet fighters which were competition for MiG and eventually surpassed MiG by the 1990s.

After World War II MiG was famous for developing the first two generations of Russian jet fighters. This included the first successful Russian jet fighter, the MiG-15 and several subsequent improved versions like the MiG 17 and 1919. Then came the MiG-21, the most widely used jet fighter of the Cold War. In the 1960s the MiG-23/27 showed up, along with a lot of MiG design problems. Despite that MiG manufactured most Russian jet fighters during the Cold War. For over three decades, MiG has been losing its edge and by the end of the century was in danger of disappearing. This decline continued despite efforts to turn the quality problems around.

For example, in 2019 the Russian Air Force received the first two production models of the new MiG-35 fighter. Four more followed by the end of 2019. Air force tests under operational conditions were encouraging but there were no more orders. That was largely because no export customers for the MiG-35 could be found. Bad experiences with older MiG aircraft, even after 1991, had ruined MiGs reputation. For many potential export customers, the fact that the Russian Air Force did not order a lot of MiG-35s confirmed their fears.

The MiG-35 was designed to replace hundreds of Cold War era MiG-29s and Su-27s but the lack of export orders proved fatal to the independence of the MiG firm, which was now known as MAC, or Mikoyan Aircraft Corporation. Soon MiG became part of the UAC or United Aircraft Corporation, a state-owned firm that now controls nearly all Russian combat aircraft development and production. In June 2022 UAC dissolved its MAC division and the Mig-29/35 became just another product line, and one with no future.

The MiG-35 has been in development for nearly three decades because MiG was no longer the outstanding combat aircraft developer and manufacturer it was during the Cold War. Russia was trying to change that so that there would still be two organizations, MiG and Sukhoi developing and building fighters. The long gestation time for the MiG-35 is an example of the problems MiG has been having. The MiG-35 is basically a much-improved Cold War era MiG-29. The MiG-35 is a 29-ton, twin-engine fighter with a combat radius of 1,000 kilometers and can refuel in the air. It has an internal 30mm autocannon and nine hardpoints that can carry 6.5 tons of bombs and missiles. It has an AESA radar and a fire control system that can handle smart bombs and missiles. Max altitude is 19,000 meters and the MiG-35 can reach that altitude in about a minute. Max speed is 2,400 kilometers an hour at high altitude and 1,400 at sea level. It is a very maneuverable aircraft meant to provide superior performance in combat. Air force tests of these new capabilities against the latest Su-30 models revealed that the new MiG was not worth the expense.

The Russian air force was not optimistic about the MiG-35 because its experiences with new MiG aircraft in the previous decade were disappointing. For example, in January 2016 the air force received the last of 16 MiG-29SMT jet fighters it ordered in early 2014. The Russian Air Force paid $30 million for each of these MiGs but really didnt want them. The government insisted in order to keep the MAC from going bankrupt. That became a possibility in 2013 when it was revealed that Russia would not order 37 of MACs new, and still in development MiG-35 fighters. Because of development problems the MiG-35 was delayed from 2016 to 2018 and finally showed up in 2019. You could see where this was going. Cancellation of the billion-dollar MiG-35 order put MAC in a financial bind and the best solution seemed to be purchasing more of the existing MiG-29SMTs. The 22-ton MiG-29SMT is an upgrade of the original MiG-29 with improved avionics, a more powerful engine, and the ability to use smart bombs and missiles against ground targets. It could carry 4.5 tons of bombs and missiles. All that was not enough.

Meanwhile, MAC was running out of time, cash, and options. It had orders for some MiG-29Ks, for use on aircraft carriers and upgrades to Indian MiG-29s. Serbia was close to placing an order. MAC could not expect much more help from the government which was dealing with a major cash shortage as a result of record low oil prices and trade sanctions because of Russian aggression in Ukraine that began in 2014.

This was not the first time Russia purchased MiGs mainly for financial, not military reasons. In 2006 Russia agreed to buy 28 MiG-29 fighters to prevent the MAC from going bankrupt. That crisis was triggered when Algeria told Russia that it was canceling their 2007 $1.3 billion order for 28 MiG-29 fighters and returning the ones already delivered. Algeria insisted that there were quality issues and that some of the aircraft were assembled from old parts. The accusation turned out to be true and Russian prosecutors tried and convicted several MAC executives for passing off defective, or used, aircraft parts as new. Many of these parts made their way into MiG-29 jet fighters that were sold to Algeria.

The MiG-29 has been in service since the 1980s, but stocks of Cold War era spare parts were still around, and it was suspected in the Russian aviation community that some of these older parts were used to build the Algerian aircraft. These were supposed to be new aircraft but some of their components were definitely not. Some MiG employees were very unhappy with the corrupt practices involving aircraft parts. This sort of crime often extends to parts for airliners. The MiG employees felt personally responsible for any defective aircraft leaving their plant and didn't want to be flying in an airliner containing fraudulent parts either. Russian prosecutors, already involved in an anti-corruption program underway for several years, jumped on these allegations and quickly convicted senior executives who presided over widespread fraud in the aircraft components industry.

MiG hoped that the new MiG-35 would save the company. Described as the equivalent of the American F-35, the MiG-35 would be the low-end to the high-end Su-57, seen as the Russian F-22 stealth fighter. The Su-57 was no F-22, and the MiG-35 was no F-35. The MiG-35 is a considerably redesigned MiG-29. The MiG-35 was originally designed to carry a 30mm autocannon and up to five tons of bombs. The big selling point for the MiG-35 was its offensive and defensive electronics, as well as sensors for finding targets on land or sea. All this looked very impressive on paper, but the Russians have long had problems getting the performance to match promises. This is particularly the case with the advanced electronics of the MiG-35, which was running into problems because the competing F-35 electronics set a very high bar. The MiG-35 has little stealth capability and first flew in 2007. Russia had hoped to buy a hundred or so MiG-35s after 2016 but the reality of MiG-35s poor performance halted any purchase plans.

The MiG-29 entered Russian service in 1983. Some 1,600 MiG-29s were produced, with about 900 of them exported. The original MiG-29 was a 22-ton aircraft roughly comparable to the F-16, but it depends a lot on which version of either aircraft you are talking about. Russia is making a lot of money upgrading MiG-29s. Not just adding new electronics but also making the airframe more robust. The MiG-29 was originally rated at 2,500 total flight hours. At that time, the early 80s, Russia expected MiG-29s to fly about a hundred or so hours a year. Reality was different. India, for example, flew them at nearly twice that rate, as did Malaysia. Russia offered to upgrade the airframe so that the aircraft could fly up to 4,000 hours, with more life extension upgrades promised. This was not easy to do, as the MiG-29 had a history of unreliability and premature mechanical and electronic breakdowns. It was also more expensive to maintain than comparable Su-27/30 and foreign fighter jets.

Ukraine made the most it could out of its MiG-29s with its own upgrades. But early in the 2022 war Russian missiles damaged the Lviv facility, the only place equipped to carry out upgrades. Ukraine needed more fighters and, like most long-time MiG customers, wanted anything but more MiGs.


Admiral Fahad Abdullah S Al-Ghofaily (R), Chief of Staff, Royal Saudi Naval Forces, being presented a memento by Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, in New Delhi on Thursday, January 11, 2024. (Photo: Indian Navy)

NEW DELHI (PTI): Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar and Admiral Fahad Abdullah S Al-Ghofaily, Chief of Staff, Royal Saudi Naval Forces, have held discussions on collaborative mechanisms and measures to further strengthen navy-to-navy cooperation, officials said.



Admiral Al-Ghofaily is on a four-day official visit to India from January 10, the Defence Ministry said in a statement in Delhi.



"The visit is a testimony to the long-standing relationship between the navies of Saudi Arabia and India," it said.



Admiral Al-Ghofaily called on Admiral Kumar and "held discussions on collaborative mechanisms and measures to further strengthen navy-to-navy cooperation," the statement said.



He was received with a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the South Block Lawns of the Raisina Hills complex.



"The Indian Navy cooperates with Royal Saudi Naval Force through various initiatives, which include operational interactions such as bilateral naval exercise Al Mohed Al Hindi, training and other maritime avenues," the Ministry said.



Indian Navy ships have been regularly undertaking port calls at various ports of Saudi Arabia, it added.



"The Indian Navy has also been interacting with Royal Saudi Naval Force in various multilateral fora viz. IONS (Indian Ocean Naval Symposium), MILAN, CMF (Combined Maritime Forces) and DCoC-JA (Djibouti Code of Conduct - Jeddah Amendment), where both navies have been supporting each other to supplement maritime security in the region," the statement read.



The visit of Admiral Al-Ghofaily also includes interaction with the Chief of Defence Staff, Defence Secretary, Chief of Air Staff and Vice Chief of Army Staff in India, officials said.



During this visit, the Admiral would also visit Information Fusion Centre  Indian Ocean region (IFC-IOR) at Gurugram and Southern Naval Command in Kochi.



"The extant visit by the Chief of Staff, Royal Saudi Naval Forces is aimed to increase naval cooperation between the two navies and has renewed the sense of commitment of two friendly maritime neighbours to address shared maritime challenges in the IOR," it added.


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Kristen Stewart has said that Twilight is a gay movie as it is all about oppression and wanting whats going to destroy you.

The 33-year-old American actress portrayed Bella Swan in the Twilight film series, acting opposite Robert Pattinson who played her love interest, Edward Cullen.

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In an interview with US publication Variety, Stewart spoke about her sexuality as well as the queer undertones of the films, which follow her character Bella as she falls in love with a vampire.

Kristen Stewart at the 75th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France (Doug Peters/PA)

I can only see it now, she said.

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I dont think it necessarily started off that way, but I also think that the fact that I was there at all, it was percolating.

Its such a gay movie. I mean, Jesus Christ, Taylor (Lautner) and Rob and me, and its (desire) so hidden and not okay.

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I mean, a Mormon woman wrote this book.

Its all about oppression, about wanting whats going to destroy you.

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Thats a very Gothic, gay inclination that I love.

The Twilight saga, which comprises five films in total, is based on fantasy novels written by Stephenie Meyer  and the first film in the franchise was released in 2008.

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Stewart also spoke about the interactions she has had with fans since she has spoken publicly about her sexuality.

She said: Every single woman that Ive ever met in my whole life who ever kissed a girl in college is like, Yeah, I mean, me too.

Im constantly joking with my girlfriend.

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Ill be sitting there and be like Shes gay too. Everyones gay.

Stewart stars as Lou in the upcoming film Love Lies Bleeding, a romantic thriller in which her character falls for a bodybuilder called Jackie.

She also portrayed the late Diana, Princess of Wales in 2021 biopic Spencer, and has starred in films including 2014 drama Still Alice, and the 2019 reboot of Charlies Angels.
A doctor who has been accused of rape in a complaint to the Medical Council can only practise medicine on a restricted basis pending further order, the High Court has ruled.

Mr Justice Micheal O'Higgins refused a Medical Council application to suspend the doctor but imposed restrictions on how he works. The judge gave details of the case in a judgment given last October which was published on Friday.

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The judge said that in February last year, a woman, with whom the doctor had been in a five-year relationship, made several extremely serious allegations to the Medical Council against him.

The allegations included that he raped her at her home in December 2022 and attempted to rape her on two previous separate occasions.

She said they did not live together as he is married.

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She claimed she married him within the Islamic faith, and he ended the relationship abruptly in November 2022 by verbally divorcing her.

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She also claimed he twice forced her to take medication which induced abortions after she became pregnant.

She also said she obtained a three-year barring order against him, adding that gardai have opened a criminal investigation on foot of a statement she made to them.

Denial

The doctor, a GP who qualified abroad and subsequently registered in Ireland, denies all the allegations.

In a sworn statement, he denied he ever raped or attempted to rape the complainant.

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He said one of the only specific details provided by her in relation to the allegation of rape is that she recounted that she said they could not have sexual relations because they were no longer married. This was completely untrue in circumstances where they were never married to begin with, he said.

He admitted he was in an extramarital relationship with the complainant, which he described as a very difficult matter for both him and his wife, who he said is very supportive of him.

He and the complainant were never married, either civilly married or in accordance with the Islamic faith, he said. Marriage in the Islamic faith is required to be done in front of two witnesses and there were no such witnesses because it never happened, he added.

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In relation to the woman's claim that she obtained a barring order against him, he said he gave an undertaking to the District Court to stay away from her, not because he had done anything wrong but because he wanted nothing more to do with her.

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He also strongly denied the forced abortion claims, along with a number of other claims she made about his professional, financial and personal life.

Suspension

In seeking his suspension by the High Court, the Medical Council argued that in the course of his denials, the doctor made a series of demonstrably false statements, both to the council and in an affidavit.

These false statements concerned matters which are absolutely central to the woman's complaint, the extent of their relationship, his role as her treating doctor and his knowledge of her pregnancy, it was argued.

It was asserted that he had even admitted on affidavit to having deliberately attempted to mislead the Council on certain matters.

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The council contended it was in the public interest to suspend him from practice.

The doctor argued that, despite their serious nature, no criminal proceedings have been commenced by gardai.

He said he is willing to continue undertakings given to the council and the court to only see patients in the presence of medically-qualified female chaperones.

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Mr Justice O'Higgins said the doctor appeared to be in error in relation to the Garda investigation because the evidence was such an investigation had commenced, although no charges have been brought.

As a period of suspension would be likely to last a number of years, the judge said he had to weigh the financial hardship question in the scales as a factor tending against a suspension order.

The judge said he was satisfied that, at the very least, significant conditions should be put in place in relation to the doctor in order to ensure the protection of the public, so far as is possible.

He imposed restrictions, including that he is not to engage in the practice of medicine for more than six hours per week and not to examine female patients in the absence of a chaperon, pending the conclusion of the complaint.

He is also to provide the Medical Council with an update if he is charged with any offence in relation to the complainant, and not to contact her or any members of her family.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help.
A 150 million bypass project fast-tracked so that it would be ready ahead of the Ryder Cup in Adare, Co Limerick may not be finished in time for tournament.

In internal documents, the Department of Transport was warned that time was running out for the 7km road to be finished by the time the event takes place in September 2027.

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A letter from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) said there was no way the entire bypass scheme could be finished in time for the 2027 Ryder Cup.

However, TII chief executive Peter Walsh said there was a narrow window to partially complete it to help divert traffic from Adare.

His letter said: This is an ambitious target given the time remaining, and the work required, however not impossible if early approval to proceed is given, funding provided and resources provided.

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Mr Walsh said all state agencies working together would be essential if there was any hope of getting the partial bypass built before 2027.

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He also warned that risks could materialise during the planning and construction phase which would undermine delivery of the scheme before the Ryder Cup started.

Traffic management plan

Mr Walsh said the alternative was to put in place an enormous traffic management plan that would have to deal with an extra 17,000 vehicles passing through the town each day of the tournament.

A department submission for Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan detailed the importance of the bypass scheme, stating Adare was dogged by poor air quality, lengthy journey times, and damage to its tourism prospects.

It said having the full road in place prior to the Ryder Cup was unrealistic, but that a partial scheme could be built in time if it was approved.

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The submission said: Transport Infrastructure Ireland believes that while ambitious, it is possible to deliver this if early approval to proceed is given, and funding and resources are provided.

Mr Ryan was also told that if this first part of the project went ahead, the rest of it would also ultimately need to be built to align with the planning approvals [already] in place.

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The submission said more than a dozen State agencies would need to work in concert to deliver on the plan, including four government departments, the local authority, and the OPW.

Costs

On funding the scheme, which has since been given an allocation of 150 million, officials said it would be difficult to give an accurate estimate.

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Parts of the submission covering costs were redacted in files released under a Freedom of Information requst, but did say land acquisition would be required and that there were significant constraints on the budget for new roads in 2024 and 2025.

It said, if approved, both the department and TII would closely monitor the project to try and ensure it was completed before the Ryder Cup.

Asked about the records, the department said the road project would help remove traffic from Adare and alleviate a major bottleneck on the national road network.

In addition, this decision creates the possibility of delivering the bypass ahead of the Ryder Cup, which will be held at Adare Manor in September 2027.

If delivered before the Ryder Cup, the bypass could assist traffic management during this busy period. It is important to point out that there are risks which may materialise during construction which could slow delivery.
A fifth man has been arrested in connection with an incident at a restaurant in Blanchardstown, Dublin last month which resulted in the deaths of two men.

Gardai said they arrested a male in his teens who is currently being detained at a Garda Station in West Dublin.

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They said they are continuing to investigate all the circumstances surrounding the incident at a premises on Main Street, Blanchardstown at 8pm on Sunday, December 24th, 2023.

Two murder investigations are continuing following the incident at Browne's Steakhouse on Christmas Eve, during which gunmen entered the restaurant and fired shots, injuring Jason Hennessy Snr (48).

One of the suspected gunmen, Tristan Sherry (26), was subsequently allegedly assaulted. He sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr Hennessey was taken to hospital from the scene for treatment, but was pronounced dead last week.

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David Amah (18), of Hazel Grove, Portrane Road, Donabate, Dublin, and Michael Andrewcut (22), of Sheephill Avenue, Dublin 15, have been charged with Mr Sherry's murder.

A third man, Wayne Deegan (25), of Linnetsfield Avenue, Phibblestown, Dublin 15, has also been charged with producing a knife, assault causing harm to Mr Sherry, and violent disorder in connection to the incident.
A senior member of the Kinahan cartel, Declan 'Mr Nobody' Brady, has pleaded guilty to facilitating a criminal organisation in the murder of Noel 'Duck Egg' Kirwan, an innocent man who had no involvement in crime.

At a sitting of the Special Criminal Court on Friday Brady, who is in custody for other offences, pleaded guilty to the single charge against him. He will appear before the court again on Wednesday next week when a date will be set for his sentencing hearing.

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Brady's co-accused, Michael Crotty, was due to go on trial today, but his case was adjourned to Monday morning to allow Mr Crotty to consult with his lawyers.

Brady (56) was charged that between October 20, 2016 and December 22, 2016, within the State and with knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation did participate in, or contribute by activity, or by being reckless as to whether such participation or contribution could facilitate the commission by a criminal organisation or any of its members of a serious offence: to wit the murder of Christopher (aka Noel) Kirwan, contrary to Section 72 of the Criminal justice Act.

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Brady replied "guilty" to the charge. Evidence relating to Brady's involvement in the murder will be heard at a sentencing hearing, but a date has not yet been set.

Brady, of Wolstan Abbey, Celbridge, Co Kildare pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court in July 2019 to supervising a firearms arsenal including an assault rifle and thousands of rounds of ammunition that had been stashed in a Dublin business park. He was sentenced to 11.5 years in prison with the final year suspended for that offence.

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Ireland Suspected key Kinahan gangster extradited to UK Read More

While in prison in 2021 Brady pleaded guilty to laundering more than 400,000 in crime cash through multiple bank accounts in 2017.

Mr Crotty (40) of Sli Aonghusa, Aras na Ri, Cashel, Co Tipperary is also charged with facilitating Mr Kirwan's murder and has not yet been asked to enter a plea.

Mr Kirwan (62) was shot six times as he sat in his car on December 22, 2016 at St Ronan's Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.

During a hearing relating to a different person involved in the murder, the Special Criminal Court said it was "disturbing" that Mr Kirwan had apparently been shot for no reason other than that pictures of him had appeared in the media in the company of a man believed by members of the Kinahan cartel to have been involved in the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel in 2016.
Limerick student Sean O'Sullivan has been named as the winner of the 2024 BT Young Scientist.

The Fifth Year student from Colaiste Chiarain won with his project, VerifyMe: A new approach to authorship attribution in the post-ChatGPT era.

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The 17-year-old's project looked at the challenges posed by the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), which has created a need to discern material made by humans from that produced by AI.

Following his research on the topic, he developed a novel approach to authenticate material, by identifying stylistic differences to verify whether the creator was human or AI.

Congratulations to Sean O'Sullivan from Colaiste Chiarain in Limerick on his tremendous achievement of winning top prize at @BTYSTE tonight. His win is testament to his hard work and dedication and the unwavering support of his family, teachers and school. pic.twitter.com/JDcfqpb6mi Advertisement  Norma Foley T.D (@NormaFoleyTD1) January 12, 2024 Advertisement

The chair of the technology group judging panel, Leonard Hobbs, said: "The judges were hugely impressed by Seans innovative approach to addressing a problem that has only recently emerged and his programming skills in architecting a complex software solution."

Minister for Education Norma Foley presented the 7,500 top prize to O'Sullivan at the RDS on Friday evening.

The Minister commended Sean on his "tremendous achievement", which will now see him represent Ireland at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists in Katowice, Poland later this year.

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Marking the exhibition's 60th year, Ms Foley also paid tribute to its founders, Dr Tony Scott and Fr Tom Burke, "who had the vision and determination to first establish this event in Ireland back in 1963".

"The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition continues to demonstrate the breadth of whats possible in our world when open and inquiring minds ask questions and explore new opportunities and solutions," she said.

Sixth Year students from Loreto Secondary School in Balbriggan, Dublin, Abigail O'Brien-Murrya, Erica O'Brian-Murray and Olivia O'Shea (all 18), won the best group prize for their project on ash trees.

The exhibition continues at the RDS on Saturday, with tickets available online and at the venue.
A former leader of the Labour Party has said that a merger with the Social Democrats will ultimately happen.

Pat Rabbitte, who was leader of the Labour Party from 2002 until 2007, said that personalities were the obstacle to a merger, and there was no policy difference between them.

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The former climate and communications minister also said the claim that the Social Democrats would act differently in government compared to Labour was untested.

Labour leader Ivana Bacik has said a merger with the Social Democrats is possible, as she claimed there were no ideological differences between the two parties.

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said she believes Labours approach to government is not compatible with her party (PA)

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Her predecessor Alan Kelly also said a merger was a possibility, while the party leader between 2016 and 2020, Brendan Howlin, said the combination should happen.

However, Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said she believes Labours approach to government is not compatible with her party.

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After becoming leader in March last year, she said there would be no merger, adding she believed trust has been broken between people and the Labour Party.

Ms Cairns said while in government, Labour supported the privatisation of Bord Gais and penalised lone-parent families.

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Its all well and good to say: Oh they think they have the same policies as us, she said.

They dont have the same practices. Thats the overall difference between us.

The Social Democrats are on around 5 per cent based on opinion polls while Labour is on around 3 per cent.

Speaking on RTEs Drivetime on Thursday, Mr Rabbitte said: The social democratic space in Irish politics is already very small.

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Ultimately, of course, there will be a coming together, but the question is when.

Personalities and so on are the impediment rather than policy.

There is no policy difference and the insinuation that some of the Social Democrat personalities would do better in government after the financial crash is something that hasnt been tested.

He added that the merger would not happen before the next general election but that it would happen down the road, based on his observations.

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Mr Rabbitte was speaking after he was reappointed as the chairperson of Tusla, with his second term to conclude on December 30th, 2025.
MBABANE  Some parents have issued an online petition against a decision by SNAT to endorse LGBTQI+ community practices in schools.

The Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) made the statement in November last year. The parents said SNAT had suggested to them to accept the transgender regime.

The transgender regime is the stage where any individual is uncertain of their sexuality.The concerned parents argued that SNAT was promoting such practices among their children.

One of the concerned parents alleged that SNAT was in the process of introducing such a curriculum at primary school level. She alleged that the union wanted to teach their children, from the age of four, about transgender. She alleged that SNATs actions were against culture and religion and not aligned with marriage guidelines. She, however, acknowledged having such children in society, which she said, was a condition that needed to be addressed. The parent said that did not mean they should accept or endorse it.

Condition

People with such a condition need medical help. To me, transgender is something we copied from other countries, and now we want to instill it in our children. Such a practice is against our beliefs, said the parent. She said SNAT had no power to take decisions, pertaining to their children, on their behalf. The aggrieved woman said SNATs mandate was to look at the affairs of teachers, who formed part of the union and not that of learners. She then alleged that SNAT once highlighted that transgender children were being discriminated against by their peers at school. She wanted to know from the union, whether it was true that children with abnormal behaviours were going through any form of racial segregation.

According to me, gender is something private. SNAT needs to come clear to the public and explain where such children are experiencing discrimination. The parent, however, disputed that the transgender pupils had difficulties accessing basic services, like any other human being. I have not seen these children suffering discrimination, she said. She advised SNAT to engage parents when dealing with issues of their children, since they were an important stakeholder. She said parents had a huge role to play in the upbringing of their child.

Stakeholders

I also feel SNAT needs to engage other stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Education and Training, before taking any decision, she said. On the other hand, SNAT Secretary General (SG) Lot Vilakati acknowledged having seen the online petition. He, however, said they discovered that a majority of online petition drivers were foreigners. Vilakati said SNAT was governed by a constitution established in 2012. The union has two articles enshrined in the constitution. Article 6.4 says SNAT is going to combat discrimination, based on gender, social status, health, religion and political affiliation. Article 6.5 also says the union is going to combat sexual harassment of teachers and pupils, said Vilakati.

He further said:  Article 7.5 states that SNAT is guided by ideas of democracy, human rights, and social justice. It also states that SNAT is not going to interfere in personal affairs of each member and shall respect personal opinion and freedom of the individual, he said. The SNAT SG said they had a gender and human rights office, specifically on any form of gender issues, could it be pupils or teachers. He said parents were part of the office. He said they worked closely with parents on issues affecting pupils. According to Vilakati, a conference was held, where a decision was taken to endorse the establishment of a gender policy, as a way of addressing all gender related issues in the country.
A dental plate could have been "key" in identifying the body of a Stardust victim whose remains went unidentified for more than 25 years, an inquest has heard.

A review of the postmortem of Murtagh Murty Kavanagh, whose father passed away before his son's remains were identified using DNA, was heard by the jury on Thursday.

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However, on Friday afternoon Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane said the pathologist who performed the original autopsy in 1981 on which the expert witnesses had based their opinion evidence did not make reference in his report to "the fact of a dental plate having been removed.

Forensic pathologists Dr Richard Shepherd, Doctor Nat Carey and Doctor Benjamin Swift are providing reviews of the evidence into the causes of death of the 48 young people who lost their lives in the fire at the Artane disco in the early hours of Valentines Day 1981.

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Addressing the jury on Friday, Dr Cullinane said Bernard Condon SC, on behalf of the family, had posed questions during the review of Mr Kavanaghs postmortem in relation to the existence or otherwise of a dental plate and the witnesses had explained that they were unable to assist in this matter.

She informed the panel that depositions could today be read into the record which gave some more factual basis to the concerns that the family had about whether or not the late Murtagh Kavanagh had this dental plate in place.

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The jury heard the 1981 testimony of a sergeant based in Store Street Garda Station who said he was present at the city morgue when a pathologist took a top denture plate and a sample of dark-coloured clothing from a body. He said the property was placed in a plastic bag and labelled before it was passed on to a colleague.

Members of the jury, you will see that the autopsy was performed by the pathologist, and those were the documents on which the expert witnesses based their opinion evidence but [the pathologist] does not make reference in his report to the fact of a dental plate having been removed, Dr Cullinane said.

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In her pen portrait earlier this year, Mr Kavanaghs sister Terry Jones said her father had been asked for dental records for her brother, which could not be located, but had absolutely stressed to detectives that Murty had a partial dental plate due to a sporting incident.

No burial

She said the family had no private funeral or burial for Murty and did not know which coffin was his when they attended the mass and burials for the five unidentified people.

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Mr Kavanagh was one of five victims who was not formally identified until 2007 thanks to advances in DNA testing.

Mr Condon on Friday said Ms Jones had outlined in her pen portrait how her father had been truly broken by the events and would constantly refer to the partial dental plate and the fact that it was not used in identification.

In response to a question from counsel, Dr Shepherd said it was possible that a plate could form the basis of an identification.

There needs to be some records but if theyre not dental records they can be records of the laboratory where the plate was manufactured so it can be the key to establishing an identity if that previous information is still available to compare it with back in 1981, he said.

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Dr Carey also addressed counsel, telling him: The only thing I would say is that its apparent from the evidence that a view could be taken that he was the only one with a dental plate amongst those others. I think that would be a matter for the coroner to resolve really.

Dr Cullinane clarified that it would have been a matter for the coroner in 1981 to clarify.

Expressing his gratitude to the pathologists for answering his questions, Mr Condon said, unfortunately Mr Murtagh's father had died before the identification, and it had been a matter of importance to him.

Sisters

The inquest also heard how two sisters who died in the Stardust fire having made it to within feet of an exit door were subsequently identified by the jewellery they were wearing on the night.

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Mary (19) and Martina Keegan (16) had attended the disco with their sister Antoinette, who survived after she was pulled unconscious from the club.

The sisters were found alongside their friend Mary Kenny (19), who also perished in the blaze and who, the inquest heard today, was identified by her sister Carol through a ring she was wearing which her sister had purchased for her just weeks earlier.

Dr Shepherd told the jury at Dublin District Coroners Court that Martina Keegan attended the Stardust with her boyfriend David Morton (19), who also died in the fire, and her sister Antoinette.

The inquest continues next Tuesday.
Israel, accused of committing genocide against Palestinians, has insisted at the United Nations highest court that its war in Gaza is a legitimate defence of its people and that it was Hamas militants who were guilty of genocide.

Israel described the allegations levelled by South Africa as hypocritical and said one of the biggest cases ever to come before an international court reflected a world turned upside down.

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Israeli leaders defend their air and ground offensive in Gaza as a legitimate response to Hamass October 7th attack, when militants stormed through Israeli communities, killing some 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostage.

Israeli legal adviser Tal Becker told a packed auditorium at the ornate Palace of Peace in The Hague that the country is fighting a war it did not start and did not want.

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In these circumstances, there can hardly be a charge more false and more malevolent than the allegation against Israel of genocide, he added, noting that the horrible suffering of civilians in war was not enough to level that charge.

On Friday afternoon, Germany said it wants to intervene in the proceedings on Israels behalf, saying there was no basis whatsoever for an accusation of genocide against Israel.

Hamas terrorists brutally attacked, tortured, killed and kidnapped innocent people in Israel, German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said in a statement.

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Since then, Israel has been defending itself against the inhumane attack by Hamas.

He acknowledged that various countries view Israels actions in Gaza differently but that Germany expressly rejects the accusations of genocide.

Under the courts rules, if Germany files a declaration of intervention in the case, it will be able to make legal arguments on behalf of Israel.

Germanys support for Israel carries some symbolic significance given its Nazi history.

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Mr Hebestreit said Germany sees itself as particularly committed to the Convention against Genocide.

A battle-scarred home in Kibbutz Beeri, an Israeli communal farm on the Gaza border (Tsafrir Abayov/AP)

He added: We firmly oppose political instrumentalisation.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the announcement, saying the gesture touches all of Israels citizens.

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South African lawyers asked the court on Thursday to order an immediate halt to Israeli military operations in the besieged coastal territory that is home to 2.3 million Palestinians.

A decision on that request will probably take weeks, and the full case is likely to last years  and it is unclear if Israel would follow any court orders.

On Friday, Israel focused on the brutality of the October 7th attacks, presenting chilling video and audio to a hushed audience.

They tortured children in front of parents and parents in front of children, burned people, including infants, alive, and systematically raped and mutilated scores of women, men and children, Mr Becker said.

People stand by a banner outside the International Court of Justice (Patrick Post/AP)

South Africas request for an immediate halt to the Gaza fighting, he said, amounts to an attempt to prevent Israel from defending itself against that assault.

Even when acting in self-defence, countries are required by international law to follow the rules of war, and judges must decide if Israel has.

As two days of hearings ended on Friday, International Court of Justice (ICJ) president Joan E Donoghue said the court would rule on the request for urgent measures as soon as possible.

Israel often boycotts international tribunals and UN investigations, saying they are unfair and biased.

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But this time, Israeli leaders took the rare step of sending a high-level legal team  a sign of how seriously they regard the case and likely their fear that any court order to halt operations would be a major blow to the countrys international standing.

Still, Mr Becker dismissed the accusations as crude and attention-seeking.

Adviser to Israels Foreign Ministry Tal Becker attends a hearing at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands (Patrick Post/AP)

We live at a time when words are cheap in an age of social media and identity politics. The temptation to reach for the most outrageous term to vilify and demonise has become, for many, irresistible, he said.

In a statement from New York, Israels UN ambassador Gilad Erdan called the case a new moral low and said that by taking it on the UN and its institutions have become weapons in service of terrorist organisations.

Mr Becker said the charges Israel is facing should be levelled at Hamas, which seeks Israels destruction and which the US and Western allies consider a terrorist group.

If there have been acts that may be characterised as genocidal, then they have been perpetrated against Israel, he said.

More than 23,000 people in Gaza have been killed during Israels military campaign, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-run territory.

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That toll does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.

Palestinians wounded in an Israeli bombardment receive treatment at the hospital in Khan Younis refugee camp, southern Gaza Strip (Mohammed Dahman/AP)

Nearly 85% of Gazas people have been driven from their homes, a quarter of the enclaves residents face starvation, and much of northern Gaza has been reduced to rubble.

South Africa says this amounts to genocide and is part of decades of Israeli oppression of Palestinians.

The scale of destruction in Gaza, the targeting of family homes and civilians, the war being a war on children, all make clear that genocidal intent is both understood and has been put into practice. The articulated intent is the destruction of Palestinian life, said lawyer Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, adding that several leading politicians had made dehumanising comments about people in Gaza.

The Palestinian Authoritys foreign ministry welcomed the case, saying in a written statement that South Africa delivered unequivocal evidence that Israel is deliberately and systematically violating its obligations under the Genocide Convention.

Late on Thursday, the White House declined to comment on how it might respond if the ICJ determines Israel has committed genocide.

But National Security Council spokesman John Kirby offered a fulsome defence of Israel, calling the allegations of genocide unfounded.

Malcolm Shaw, an international law expert on Israels legal team, rejected the accusation of genocidal intent and called the remarks that Mr Ngcukaitobi referenced random quotes not in conformity with government policy.

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Malcolm Shaw, centre, at the International Court of Justice in The Hague (Patrick Post/AP)

Israel also says that it takes measures to protect civilians, such as issuing evacuation orders ahead of strikes.

It blames Hamas for the high civilian death toll, saying the group uses residential areas to stage attacks and for other military purposes.

Israels critics say that such measures have done little to prevent the high toll and that its bombings are so powerful that they often amount to indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks.

If the court issues an order to halt the fighting and Israel does not comply, it could face UN sanctions, although those may be blocked by a veto from the United States, Israels staunch ally.

The extraordinary case goes to the core of one of the worlds most intractable conflicts  and for the second day protesters rallied outside the court.

Pro-Israeli demonstrators set up a table near the court grounds for a Sabbath meal with empty seats, commemorating the hostages still being held by Hamas.

Pictures of hostages kidnapped during the October 7th Hamas attack in Israel are placed by a table set during a protest outside the International Court of Justice (Patrick Post/AP)

We want to symbolise the empty chairs, because we are missing them, said Nathan Bouscher, from the Centre for Information and Documentation on Israel.

Nearby, more than 100 pro-Palestinian protesters waved flags and shouted protests.

The case also strikes at the heart of both Israels and South Africas national identities.

Israel was founded as a Jewish state in the wake of the Nazis slaughter of six million Jews during the Second World War.

South Africas governing party, meanwhile, has long compared Israels policies in Gaza and the West Bank to its own history under the apartheid regime of white minority rule, which restricted most black people to homelands.

The world court, which rules on disputes between nations, has never judged a country to be responsible for genocide.

The closest it came was in 2007, when it ruled that Serbia violated the obligation to prevent genocide in the July 1995 massacre by Bosnian Serb forces of more than 8,000 Muslim men and boys in the Bosnian enclave of Srebrenica.
Rishi Sunak is making a surprise visit to Ukraine to meet Volodymyr Zelenskiy, as the UK announced it will provide 2.5 billion (2.9 billion) in military aid to the country over the coming year.

It comes as the Ukrainian president presses allies in the West to provide the country with more support to fight back against Russian forces, amid fears that interest in the war is flagging among allies as the war drags on.

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The crisis in the Middle East as Israel continues to bombard Gaza has also turned global attention away from the battle against Vladimir Putin.

The British prime minister stressed the UKs continued backing for Kyiv ahead of his meeting with president Zelenskiy, which comes hours after UK and US forces launched strikes against targets used by Houthi rebels in Yemen.

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Mr Sunak said: For two years, Ukraine has fought with great courage to repel a brutal Russian invasion. They are still fighting, unfaltering in their determination to defend their country and defend the principles of freedom and democracy.

I am here today with one message: the UK will also not falter. We will stand with Ukraine, in their darkest hours and in the better times to come.

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Mr Sunak made his first visit to Ukraine in November 2022, weeks after entering Number 10.

UK prime minister Rishi Sunak pictured during a meeting Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy at Chequers in Buckinghamshire (Carl Court/PA)

The UK has been among the most vocal backers of Ukraine, with Mr Zelenskiy visiting London early last year in a historic trip.

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The prime minister and Mr Zelenskiy will use the one-day visit to sign a new UK-Ukraine Agreement on Security Cooperation, after G7 countries agreed at last years Nato summit to sign bilateral security assurances with the country.

Number 10 said that the 2.5 billion in funding would cover long-range missiles, air defence, artillery ammunition and maritime security, with the support an increase of 200 million on the last two years.

Around 200 million will also be spent on a push to procure and produce thousands of military drones, which the UK government said was the largest delivery of drones to Ukraine from any nation.

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Most are expected to be manufactured in the UK.

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Mr Zelenskiy has said that Ukraine particularly needs air defence systems to fend off Russian aerial barrages. More than 500 drones and missiles were fired between December 29tth and January 2nd, according to officials in Kyiv.

The Ukrainian leader began the year with a visit to several Baltic states in a bid to drum up support.

Mr Sunak said that the UK recognises that Ukrainian security is our security.

Today we are going further  increasing our military aid, delivering thousands of cutting-edge drones, and signing a historic new Security Agreement to provide Ukraine with the assurances it needs for the long term.

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The prime minister will meet Ukrainian emergency workers during the visit, with Mr Sunak also expected to announce a further 18 million in aid.

Funding and resources will also be provided for English language training in the country, Number 10 said.

Shadow defence secretary John Healey gave Labours backing for the vital support for Ukraine.

The UK is united in support of Ukraine and against Russian aggression.

Labour fully backs this new military funding for Ukraine  and has been pushing ministers since the autumn to confirm 2024 military funding, he said a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Donald Trump appears headed to victory in Iowa, but the size of the win matters if the former US president wants to deliver a knockout blow to key rivals heading into Republican Party nominating contests in other states.

With three days to go until the party's first contest in Iowa, opinion polls indicate former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley is closing the gap with Mr Trump in New Hampshire, which holds its primary on January 23rd. Florida governor Ron DeSantis has slipped in New Hampshire polls, but is banking on a breakout performance in Iowa to revive his campaign.

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Mr Trump heads into the Iowa caucuses on Monday with outsized expectations. Political website FiveThirtyEight, which compiles an average of public opinion polls, pegs Mr Trump's support in Iowa at 52 per cent, more than 30 percentage points above Ms Haley or Mr DeSantis.

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Trump campaign advisers have sought to temper expectations by noting that the previous record win in a contested Republican caucus was Bob Dole's 12.8-point margin in 1988.

But four political analysts interviewed by Reuters said Mr Trump needs a more convincing victory closer to the 30 point-plus margin suggested by the polls to blunt Ms Haley's momentum.

Air of inevitability

Doug Heye, a Republican strategist, said Mr Trump needs to win by at least 15 to 20 percentage points or risk losing the air of inevitability, a situation that could allow Ms Haley or Mr DeSantis to pick up momentum at a critical juncture in the race.

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"That's a bare minimum for Trump. Anything below that shows - and will get blown up as - vulnerability," Mr Heye said.

Chris LaCivita, co-manager of the Trump campaign, said he was confident that the "intensity" of the former president's base would translate into a big win despite the cold gripping the Midwestern state. But he stopped short of predicting the kind of win suggested by the polls.

"A win's a win, but no one has ever won by more than... 12.8," Mr LaCivita told reporters on Thursday.

One wild card is turnout. Reflecting a worry that his supporters will stay home given his comfortable polling lead, Mr Trump has warned against complacency at recent rallies.

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Another risk for Mr Trump is a strong showing by Ms Haley, who has been rising in the polls. If she were to secure second place, it could establish her as the clear alternative to Mr Trump, giving her a boost in New Hampshire, analysts said.

Haley campaign spokesperson Olivia Perez-Cubas would not quantify how close they hoped to come to Mr Trump on Monday. "We will have a strong showing in Iowa and ride that momentum into New Hampshire," she said.

Two polls released this week showed Ms Haley cutting into Mr Trump's advantage in the New England state. A CNN poll conducted with the University of New Hampshire placed Mr Trump's lead at just 7 percentage points, while a separate survey by USA Today/Boston Globe/Suffolk University put him ahead by 20 points.

Rather than Dole's 1988 victory, Iowa State University professor David Peterson views the 1980 Democratic caucus, when then-president Jimmy Carter beat challenger senator Ted Kennedy by nearly 30 points as a better benchmark. Viewing Mr Trump similarly to an incumbent, Prof Peterson is expecting a 35-point win.

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"Given the strength of Christian conservatives in this state and his position in the party, 20 points would be underwhelming," Prof Peterson said. "Anything smaller than that I don't think is a knockout punch."

Poor predictor

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To be sure, Iowa has a mixed track record of predicting success in later states. In the eight contested caucuses between 1976 and 2016, only three Republican candidates who won Iowa became the party's eventual nominee.

In contrast to 2016, when Mr Trump was out-organised in Iowa and lost narrowly to senator Ted Cruz, the former president's campaign has built an expansive data mining and get-out-the-vote operation here.

No candidate has staked more on a strong result in Iowa than Mr DeSantis: He visited all 99 counties in the state, fiercely courted its socially conservative voters and secured its governor's backing.

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DeSantis associates acknowledge that a third-place finish in Iowa would likely doom his bid, given that he is polling well behind Ms Haley in New Hampshire and would struggle to beat her in her home state of South Carolina's primary on February 24th.

"Ron DeSantis is only focused on outworking and out-organizing the competition. We believe that Iowans will reward our approach," said Andrew Romeo, communications director for Mr DeSantis.

Iowa's 40 delegates to the Republican National Convention will be awarded on a proportional basis, compiled from the roughly 1,700 precincts set up in local schools, churches and community centres across the state.

Even if Ms Haley performs well in Iowa and goes on to win New Hampshire, Mr Trump should still be considered the favourite to win the nomination, said Kyle Kondik, an elections analyst at the University of Virginia Center for Politics, noting that Mr Trump is still far ahead of Ms Haley in South Carolina and other key states.
Suella Braverman has said she will vote against the UK governments Rwanda Bill next week if there are no improvements.

The sacked UK home secretary said she was trying to avoid a catastrophe of failing to deliver on this pledge ahead of the key vote next week.

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It comes as UK prime minister Rishi Sunak is braced for a showdown in the House of Commons over his Rwanda plan.

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Right wing Tory MPs are gearing up for a parliamentary battle after warning Mr Sunak his Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill will not work unless it is significantly beefed up.

Dozens are backing amendments to the proposed legislation aimed at effectively ignoring international law and severely limiting individual migrants ability to resist being put on a flight to Kigali.

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Former UK justice secretary Robert Buckland, part of One Nation group of centrist Tories, has also put forward a bid to remove clauses which declare Rwanda a safe country, disapply human rights laws and force courts to disregard some European Court of Human Rights rulings ahead of the Bill being scrutinised again by MPs on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Repeating her criticism of the Bill, Ms Braverman said it was fundamentally fatally flawed and the amendments were being tabled in a bid to fix it.

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In the interview with GB News, she said: What we want to see if we want to stop the boats is regular flights taking off to Rwanda with large numbers of passengers. A token flight with a handful of people on them on it is not going to stop the boats, we need an effective deterrent

Im only going to support a Bill that works. As currently drafted, this Bill does not work. And if there are no improvements to it, I will have to vote against it, Im afraid. Im sent to Parliament to vote for things, to be for things or to be against them, not to sit on the fence

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Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is braced for a Commons showdown over his Rwanda Bill (James Manning/PA)

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Its absolutely essential that we deliver on this pledge to stop the boats.

No Tories opposed the Bill in an earlier vote last month with rebels, including Ms Braverman, deciding to abstain.

She said there were more than 50 Conservative MPs who had publicly put their names to amendments and who share our concerns while also claiming there were a high number of ministers who had grave reservations about this Bill, adding: I actually havent spoken to many ministers who genuinely believe that this Bill is going to work.

Privately, under their breath they say to me, we know this Bill wont work.

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It was absolutely clear the Bill would not work, she said, adding: The governments own lawyers themselves have admitted that.

Robert Jenrick, who resigned as immigration minister over the Bill, also reiterated his position, telling the BBCs Newscast podcast: Its my strong view that this Bill doesnt work, it doesnt create that deterrent effect, and so we need to improve it.

Many politicians are too squeamish to tackle the subject of immigration and are worried about being accused of racism or of being uncompassionate which was letting the public down, he added.

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A view of small boat engines used to cross the Channel by people thought to be migrants at a warehouse facility in Dover, Kent (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Mr Sunak has said he would welcome bright ideas on how to improve the Bill, but has previously insisted it already strikes the right balance, with Downing Street saying all amendments would be considered.

It comes as MPs called on the government to allow a Commons debate on its accompanying treaty with Rwanda.

The UK's Home Affairs Committee said the agreement, signed by UK home secretary James Cleverly during a trip to the countrys capital Kigali last month, will be of significant legal and political importance and MPs should be given parliamentary time to reach a view on whether it should be ratified.

The fresh treaty was part of Mr Sunaks goal of making the plan to send migrants to Rwanda legally watertight after the UK's Supreme Court ruled the policy was unlawful.

It needs to be ratified by both the UK and Rwandan parliaments to make it internationally binding.

The scheme has cost 240 million so far, with a further 50 million committed for next year, but so far not a single asylum seeker has been sent to Rwanda due to the legal challenges.

In other developments, documents published in the run-up to the Commons vote contained an updated Home Office assessment which acknowledges that while Rwanda is now a relatively peaceful country with respect for the rule of law, there are nevertheless issues with its human rights record around political opposition to the current regime, dissent and free speech.

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Meanwhile, Burundi announced it was closing its border with Rwanda, suspending diplomatic ties and deporting its citizens as it accused its neighbour of backing rebel groups who have carried out attacks.

The Rwandan government has previously denied supporting the RED-Tabara, which Burundi considers a terror group.
Taiwan holds presidential and parliamentary elections on Saturday, which will be watched closely by neighbour China as it views the island as a Chinese province. Taiwan's government rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims.

The candidates

There are three candidates standing for the position of president. The current president, Tsai Ing-wen, is constitutionally barred from standing again after two terms in office.

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Lai Ching-Te

Lai Ching-te. Photo: Sam Yeh /AFP via Getty Images

Lai, also widely known by his English name William, is running for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Currently Taiwan's vice president, he is also the DPP's chairman.

Lai, whose father was a coal miner, has riled China for comments he made before standing for the presidency about being a "worker for Taiwan independence".

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He says he wants to maintain the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, not change Taiwan's formal name of the Republic of China, and will, like Tsai, not provoke or take risks. Lai and Tsai both reject China's sovereignty claims.

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Lai, along with Tsai, has repeatedly offered talks with China but has also been rebuffed, as Beijing views them both as separatists. Lai, 64, and Tsai say only Taiwan's people can decide their future.

Lai has deep experience in government, having previously served as a lawmaker, mayor of the southern city of Tainan and premier. His running mate is Hsiao Bi-khim, Taiwan's high-profile former de facto ambassador to the United States.

Hou Yu-Ih

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Hou Yu-ih. Photo: Annice Lyn/Getty Images

Hou, 66, is the candidate for Taiwan's main opposition party the Kuomintang (KMT), whose government fled to the island in 1949 after losing a civil war with Mao Zedong's Communists.

Hou is the mayor of Taipei's neighbouring city New Taipei, though he has taken a leave of absence to run for president. He was re-elected as the mayor in a landslide in 2022.

The KMT traditionally favours closer ties with China but strongly denies being pro-Beijing.

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Hou has said he will restart talks with Beijing, starting with lower level events like cultural exchanges, but rejects China's "one country, two systems" model of autonomy which Beijing hopes one day to get Taiwan to accept.

Hou, formerly Taiwan's top policeman, also says only the island's people can decide their future, and has pledged to keep boosting the island's defences and maintain good relations with the United States.

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He has lambasted Lai as a dangerous separatist and denounced what he says are smears from the DPP portraying him as a patsy of China's communist party.

Hou also supports the KMT's position that both Taiwan and China belong to one single China but each side can interpret what that means. He strongly opposes Taiwan independence.

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Hou's running mate is the fiery media personality Jaw Shaw-kong.

Ko Wen-Je

Ko Wen-je. Photo: Annice Lyn/Getty Images

Ko, a former Taipei mayor, is the candidate for the small Taiwan People's Party, which he founded in 2019.

Ko, a surgeon by training, has focused on bread and butter issues like the high cost of housing, which has won him a loyal base of young supporters, and has described himself as the only true change candidate.

Ko says his bottom line for dealing with China is that Taiwan's democracy and way of life has to be respected.

He had been talking to the KMT about a joint ticket to take on the DPP, but those talks collapsed in November in bitter disagreement.

Ko, 64, has chosen as his vice presidential candidate one of the party's lawmakers, Cynthia Wu, whose family is a major shareholder of conglomerate Shin Kong Group.

Taiwan's relations with China

China, which considers Taiwan merely a Chinese province and part of its territory despite the objections of the island's government, will be watching the outcome closely.

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Here are key facts on ties between Taiwan and China:

Politics

- China has claimed Taiwan through its "one China" policy since the Chinese civil war forced the defeated Kuomintang (KMT), or Nationalists, to flee to the island in 1949 and has vowed to bring it under Beijing's rule, by force if necessary.

- Taiwan's government says it is already a sovereign country, officially called the Republic of China, a position supported by the island's main opposition parties.

- Ties were badly strained when Chen Shui-bian from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was Taiwan president from 2000-2008 because of his independence rhetoric, even as he tried to maintain positive relations with Beijing.

- Relations warmed considerably after Ma Ying-jeou, from the KMT which favours close ties to China, took office as president in 2008 and then won re-election in 2012. Ma held a landmark meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Singapore in late 2015.

- In 2014, hundreds of students occupied Taiwan's parliament for weeks in protests nicknamed the Sunflower Movement. They demanded more transparency in trade pacts negotiated with China in the largest display of anti-China sentiment the island had seen in years.

- Since the DPP's Tsai Ing-wen became president in 2016, and won re-election in 2020 Taiwan-China ties have soured again, with China cutting off a formal dialogue mechanism, flying fighter jets around Taiwan, forcing foreign firms to refer to Taiwan as part of China on their websites, and whittling away at Taiwan's diplomatic allies.

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- Beijing believes Tsai wants to push Taiwan's independence, a red line for China. She says she wants to maintain the status quo, declaring neither Taiwan's formal independence nor seeking to join with China.

- Vice President Lai Ching-te is the DPP's presidential candidate. China also detests him as a separatist and has rebuffed multiple offers of talks.

- The KMT candidate Hou Yu-ih, mayor of Taipei's neighbouring city New Taipei, wants better ties with China to help boost Taiwan's economy, including pushing a trade services pact shelved in 2014 and restarting talks with Beijing.

- Former Taipei major Ko Wen-je of the small Taiwan People's Party is also running for the presidency.

Trade

- China is Taiwan's top trading partner, with trade totalling $224 billion (204 billion) in 2023. Taiwan runs a large trade surplus with China.

- China, with its 1.3 billion people and much cheaper costs, is also Taiwan's favourite investment destination with Taiwan companies investing over $100 billion there, private estimates show.

- Taiwan has been encouraging Taiwanese businesses back home and to shift investment to other countries like Vietnam and India to reduce the reliance on China.

Military

- China and Taiwan have nearly gone to war several times since 1949, and in August of 2022 and April of 2023 China staged large scale war games around the island in protest at stepped up US engagement with Taiwan.

- Taiwan says China runs a sophisticated online disinformation campaign to support China-friendly candidates.

- China has framed the elections as a choice between "peace and war", calling the ruling party dangerous separatists and urging Taiwanese to make the "right choice". It says allegations of election interference are DPP "dirty tricks".

- The United States, which has called for the vote to be free from "outside interference", is obliged to help Taiwan with the means to defend itself under the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act. China always reacts angrily to US arms sales to Taiwan and has repeatedly demanded they stop.
A father in the UK has said he was robbed of seeing his son grow up after the boy suffered extreme brutality in a frenzied attack by his mother and her ex-boyfriend.

Sam Phillips said his world stopped and would never be the same again when he learned of 18-month-old Alfie Phillips death in November 2020.

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Sian Hedges (27) and her former partner Jack Benham (35) were sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday to life imprisonment with minimum terms of 19 years and 23 years respectively for the whisky and cocaine-fuelled killing of Alfie.

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Alfie died with 70 injuries to his body after the cruel and brutal attack by Hedges and Benham in his caravan in Hernhill, Kent.

The little boy died with a myriad of bruises, broken ribs, arms and a leg, and traces of cocaine in his body, on November 28 2020, the court heard.

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On sentencing, Mr Justice Cavanagh detailed Alfies injuries from the vicious and brutal assaults including that he had been bitten and crushed, and had been assaulted by Benham in the days leading up to his murder.

Of the main attack, the judge said: It must have taken some considerable time to inflict these injuries on Alfie, and the pain and fear that he must have suffered is almost unimaginable.

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The pair were found guilty of Alfies murder after a nine-week trial where a unanimous verdict was reached in under 10 hours by the jury on November 30 2023.

Sian Hedges and former partner, Jack Benham, have been jailed for life for the murder of her 18-month old son Alfie Phillips (Kent Police/PA)

Hedges, of Yelverton, Devon, and Benham, of Hernhill, Kent, had denied harming Alfie, and instead tried to cover up their actions and blamed each other, the court heard.

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In a victim impact statement read in court, Alfies father Mr Phillips said: After the trial we still feel we deserve answers. I will never know the truth about what happened to my son.

I never got to hear him say his first proper words, I never got to have a conversation with him, I was robbed of the opportunity to see him grow up.

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In his sentencing remarks, Mr Justice Cavanagh said it was a great tragedy Alfie did not have the chance to enjoy a full and happy life.

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He said: He (Alfie) had a cheeky grin and was full of energy and life. He was into everything and interested in everything. He melted the hearts of everyone he met.

Alfie suffered 70 injuries to his body in the overnight attack by Hedges and Benham (CPS/PA)

Addressing the defendants, Mr Justice Cavanagh also said Alfies pain would have been heightened by the shock that the assaults were being carried out by his own mother and her boyfriend.

And referring to drugs and alcohol, the judge added: Indeed, it is impossible to avoid the conclusion that these terrible events would not have taken place were it not for the fact that you were taking crack cocaine or cocaine and that drugs had become the main focus of your lives.

During the trial, Benham admitted he and Hedges were drug addicts who would regularly do drugs around her son.

The father-of-two told the court they began their relationship in about September 2020 after meeting at a mutual friends house where they would buy drugs.

On the night before Alfie died, Benham said Hedges went to buy drugs from their friend and repay her a 400 debt, and also to get mixers and drinks for their evening together in the caravan.

Sam Phillips, the father of Alfie, spoke to the media outside Maidstone Crown Court, Kent (Gareth Fuller/PA)

During the sentencing, Mr Justice Cavanagh said he had no doubt Alfie had woken up during that evening and became an inconvenience and irritation.

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He said this angered the couple, particularly Benham, who was frustrated they could not get more drugs that night.

The judge said: You decided to teach him a lesson. The injuries were inflicted in an attempt to control, discipline, and punish this small child.

He described Benham as the prime mover in the attacks and said Hedges played a secondary role, telling her: You were at least to some extent a participant in the assaults  you certainly bit Alfie  and, furthermore, you encouraged and assisted Jack Benham in his assaults.

You were Alfies mother and he deserved your protection.

Both Hedges and Benhams sentences are minus 313 days already spent in custody on remand.

Speaking outside court on Friday, Mr Phillips said: They finally got what they deserved.

We have got the justice in our hearts. Justice has been done.

In a statement after the sentencing, Kent Polices senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Kathleen Way, said: Hedges and Benham inflicted unimaginable suffering on Alfie during a night of violence.

Throughout the investigation they refused to admit what they had done and chose to put the rest of Alfies family, who loved him dearly, through the ordeal of a trial. As a result they had to hear the grim catalogue of injuries and abuse he had suffered.

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This was a harrowing case for all those involved.

Speaking outside of court, DCI Way said some of the difficulties in the case were around the pathology, injuries, and the huge amount of time to understand what happened to Alfie.

She added: I think Alfie was fine when he went into that caravan.

Who did what to Alfie, we will never know.
Myanmars military has reached a ceasefire agreement with an alliance of ethnic minority guerrilla groups it has been battling in the countrys northeast.

The agreement was brokered at talks mediated by China on Wednesday and Thursday in Kunming, a Chinese provincial capital about 250 miles from the border with Myanmar, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Friday.

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China hopes the relevant parties in Myanmar can conscientiously implement the agreement, exercise maximum restraint toward each other and solve the issues through dialogue and consultations, she said at a daily briefing in Beijing.

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Major General Zaw Min Tun, the spokesman of Myanmars ruling military council, said in an audio note to journalists that the two sides had met in Kunming and after talks, agreed on a temporary ceasefire agreement.

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We will continue discussions. We will continue to work for the strengthening of the ceasefire. Mr Zaw Min Tun said.

A previous ceasefire pact, reached in mid-December, was not honoured by either side.

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Ms Mao said the military and Three Brotherhood Alliance  which comprises the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, the Taang National Liberation Army and the Arakan Army  agreed to an immediate ceasefire, the disengaging of military personnel and the settlement of their disputes through negotiations.

The two sides promised not to undermine the safety of Chinese people living in the border area and Chinese projects and personnel in Myanmar, she said.

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Independent Myanmar media and foreign media with Myanmar-language news services reported similar details, but there was no immediate direct word from the alliance about the ceasefire development.

The media reports said the military agreed to stop aerial bombing and artillery shelling in northern Shan state, which abuts China, and the Three Brotherhood Alliance agreed to halt its offensive and not seek to capture more towns and army encampments.

The reports said the ceasefire will not apply to fighting in other regions of Myanmar.

Myanmar has been wracked by violence that began after the army ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021.

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The Three Brotherhood Alliance launched an offensive against the military in October and took control of Laukkaing, a key city on the border with China, last week.

Their attacks have posed the greatest battlefield challenge to Myanmars military rulers since the army takeover.

Much of the fighting is along Myanmars border with China, blocking cross-border trade and threatening further political destabilisation of Myanmar, a strategic ally of China that is already tangled in civil war in many parts of the country.

China is concerned about the rising violence and the safety of Chinese citizens in northern Myanmar, China has also been cracking down on cyber-scam operations that have trafficked Chinese workers into Myanmar and forced them to work, including in Laukkaing.

The alliance has claimed widespread victories, including the seizure of more than 250 military posts, about a dozen towns and five major border crossing points controlling crucial trade with China.

Mr Zaw Min Tun said Myanmar and China will continue to negotiate reopening the border trading gates, which were closed after combat began and most or all of which are now in the hands of the Three Brotherhood Alliance.
US and UK forces have bombed more than a dozen sites used by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen in a massive retaliatory strike using warship-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets, US officials said.

The military targets included logistical hubs, air defence systems and weapons storage locations.

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Reports of explosions were made from the capital Sanaa and the Red Sea port of Hodieda.

The strikes marked the first US military response against the Houthis for what has been a persistent campaign of drone and missile attacks on commercial ships since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.

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The coordinated military assault comes just a week after the White House and a host of partner nations issued a final warning to the Houthis to cease the attacks or face potential military action.

The warning appeared to have had at least some short-lived impact, as attacks stopped for several days.

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On Tuesday, however, the Houthi rebels fired their largest-ever barrage of drones and missiles targeting shipping in the Red Sea, with US and British ships and American fighter jets responding by shooting down 18 drones, two cruise missiles and an anti-ship missile.

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On Thursday, the Houthis fired an anti-ship ballistic missile into the Gulf of Aden, which was seen by a commercial ship but did not hit it.

The rebels, who have carried out 27 attacks involving dozens of drones and missiles since November 19th, said on Thursday that any attack by American forces on its sites in Yemen will spark a fierce military response.

The groups supreme leader Abdel Malek al-Houthi warned on Thursday that any attack on its sites would spark a fierce military response.

He said: The response to any American attack will not only be at the level of the operation that was recently carried out with more than 24 drones and several missiles. It will be greater than that.
MBABANE  An officer from His Majestys Correctional Services (HMCS), who is based in Matsapha, has been arrested for allegedly raping his helper.

Machawe Mthethwa (38) of Makholweni is reported to have committed the offence in October last year at Mpholi in Manzini. It is alleged that the offence is accompanied by aggravating circumstances, in that he did not use protection and in the process, placed the complainant at risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections. Through this alleged unlawful act, the accused is said to have contravened the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act 15/2018. He, yesterday, moved an urgent bail application at the High Court, where he pleaded to be released as his continued incarceration might result in him losing his job.

The accused submitted that on around the month of January 2024, he was arrested by members of the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS), based in Manzini. He said upon his arrest, the police officers informed him that he had unlawful sexual intercourse with a 23-year-old woman. I deny such wrongdoing and I was surprised when the police arrested me. I have full confidence that I will be acquitted when the matter is tried, submitted the accused. Mthethwa stated that he was currently kept at Zakhele Correctional facility. He highlighted that his health condition was deteriorating and he was struggling to respire. The HMCS officer also claimed that he was a breadwinner, who looked after his father, two children and their mother, who was unemployed.

Job

I work as a warder under His Majestys Correctional Services, stationed in Matsapha. If the application takes its normal course, I will lose my job, contended Mthethwa. In motivating his bail application, the accused further brought it to the attention of the court that he had no property or other financial interest outside the Kingdom of Eswatini. He assured the court that in the event he was released on bail, he would not evade trial or interfere with any witnesses for the Crown. I reside at Zombodze and the complainant stays at Mpholi in the Manzini Region. I undertake not to interfere with her evidence and last to state that she is too far from where I stay, submitted the accused. His bail application was not opposed by the prosecution and this resulted in him being admitted to E15 000 bail. He was, however, ordered to pay E3 000 cash and provide surety for the balance.
The US Navy has warned American-flagged vessels to stay out of areas around Yemen in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden for the next 72 hours after the US and Britain launched multiple air strikes targeting Houthi rebels.

The warning in a notice to shippers came as Yemens Houthis vowed fierce retaliation for the US-led strikes, further raising the prospect of a wider conflict in a region already beset by Israels war in Gaza.

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US military and White House officials said they expected the Houthis to try to strike back.

And President Joe Biden warned on Friday that the group could face further strikes.

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The US-led bombardment  launched in response to a recent campaign of drone and missile attacks on commercial ships in the vital Red Sea  killed at least five people and wounded six, the Houthis said.

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The US said the strikes, in two waves, took aim at targets in 28 different locations across Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

We will make sure that we respond to the Houthis if they continue this outrageous behaviour along with our allies, Mr Biden told reporters during a stop in Emmaus, Pennsylvania.

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Asked if he believes the Houthis are a terrorist group, the president responded: I think they are.

The White House said in November that it was considering redesignating the Houthis as a terrorist organisation after they began their targeting of civilian vessels.

The Biden administration formally delisted the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organisation and specially designated global terrorists in 2021, undoing a move by President Donald Trump.

Lt Gen Douglas Sims, director of the Joint Staff, said that the new US strikes were largely in low-populated areas, and the number of those killed would not be high.

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He said the strikes hit weapons, radar and targeting sites, including in remote mountain areas.

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As the bombing lit the pre-dawn sky over multiple sites held by the Iranian-backed rebels, it forced the world to again focus on Yemens years-long war, which began when the Houthis seized the countrys capital.

Since November, the rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea, saying they were avenging Israels offensive in Gaza against Hamas.

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But they have frequently targeted vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, imperilling shipping in a key route for global trade and energy shipments.

The Houthis military spokesman, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, said in a recorded address that the strikes would not go unanswered or unpunished.

Representative Elissa Slotkin, a Michigan Democrat and former US intelligence official, welcomed the US strikes but expressed concern Iran was aiming to draw the US deeper into conflict.

We should be worried about regional escalation, Ms Slotkin wrote on X.

Iran uses groups like the Houthis to fight their battles, maintain plausible deniability and prevent a direct conflict with the U.S. or others.  It needs to stop, and my hope is theyve gotten the message.

The British militarys United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, which oversees Middle East waters, reported on Friday evening a new missile attack off Yemen.

It said the missile was fired towards a ship some 90 miles south-east of Aden, Yemen, while the ship was being followed by three small vessels.

The shipmaster reported missiles landing in the water 400 to 500 metres away, but they caused no injuries or damage, the organisation said.

Vessels are advised to transit with caution, it warned.

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Though the Biden administration and its allies have tried to calm tensions in the Middle East for weeks and prevent any wider conflict, the strikes threatened to ignite one.

Saudi Arabia  which supports the government-in-exile that the Houthis are fighting  quickly sought to distance itself from the attacks as it seeks to maintain a delicate detente with Iran and a ceasefire it has in Yemen.

(PA Graphics)

It remained unclear how extensive the damage was, though the Houthis said at least five sites, including airfields, had been attacked.

The White House said on Friday the US military was still assessing the extent to which the militants capabilities might have been degraded.

US Air Forces Central Command said the strikes focused on the Houthis command and control nodes, munition depots, launching systems, production facilities and air defence radar systems.

The strikes involved more than 150 precision-guided munitions, including air-launched missiles by F/A-18 Super Hornets based on the USS Dwight D Eisenhower, and Tomahawk missiles from the Navy destroyers USS Gravely and USS Mason, the Navy cruiser USS Philippine Sea, and a US submarine.

The United Kingdom said strikes hit a site in Bani allegedly used by the Houthis to launch drones and an airfield in Abbs used to launch cruise missiles and drones.

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Meanwhile, the US Treasury Department on Friday announced it imposed sanctions on two firms in Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates for allegedly shipping Iranian commodities on behalf of Iran-based Houthi financial facilitator Said al-Jamal.

Four vessels owned by the firms were also identified as blocked property.

In a separate development, Iran released footage of its seizure of an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman that had once been at the centre of a dispute between Tehran and Washington.

In the footage, a helicopter hovers over the deck of the St Nikolas.

Irans navy seized the vessel on Thursday.

The vessel had been known earlier as the Suez Rajan.

The US seized one million barrels of sanctioned Iranian oil off the vessel last year.

Hussein al-Ezzi, a Houthi official in their Foreign Ministry, said that America and Britain will undoubtedly have to prepare to pay a heavy price and bear all the dire consequences of this blatant aggression.

The Red Sea route is a crucial waterway, and attacks there have caused severe disruptions to global trade.

Benchmark Brent crude oil traded up some 4% on Friday at more than 80 dollars a barrel.

Tesla, meanwhile, said it would temporarily halt most production at its German factory because of attacks in the Red Sea.

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(PA Graphics)

Meanwhile, the US Navy acknowledged an attack days earlier on a ship in the far reaches of the Indian Ocean  an attack that may signal Irans willingness to strike vessels as part of a wider maritime campaign over the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Tehran on Thursday separately seized another tanker.

In Saada, the Houthis stronghold in north-west Yemen, hundreds gathered for a rally on Friday, denouncing the US and Israel.

Another drew thousands in Sanaa, the capital.

Houthis now control territory that is home to some two-thirds of Yemens population of 34 million.

War and misgovernment have made Yemen one of the poorest countries in the Arab world, and the World Food Programme considers the vast majority of Yemens people as food-insecure.

Yemen has been targeted by US military action over the last four American presidencies.

A campaign of drone strikes began under President George W Bush to target the local affiliate of al Qaida, attacks that have continued under the Biden administration.

Meanwhile, the US has launched raids and other military operations amid the ongoing war in Yemen.

That war began when the Houthis swept into Sanaa in 2014.

A Saudi-led coalition including the United Arab Emirates launched a war to back Yemens exiled government in 2015, quickly morphing the conflict into a regional confrontation as Iran backed the Houthis with weapons and other support.

The conflict, however, has slowed as the Houthis maintain their grip on the territory they hold.

In March, Saudi Arabia reached a Chinese-mediated deal to restart relations with Iran in the hopes of ultimately withdrawing from the war.

However, an overall deal has yet to be reached, likely sparking Saudi Arabias expression on Friday of great concern over the air strikes.

While the kingdom stresses the importance of preserving the security and stability of the Red Sea region  it calls for restraint and avoiding escalation, its Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Iran condemned the attack in a statement from Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani.

Arbitrary attacks will have no result other than fuelling insecurity and instability in the region, he said.

In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning called on nations not to escalate tensions in the Red Sea.

Explained How Yemeni Houthi rebel attacks on ships in the Re... Read More

And Russia on Friday condemned the strikes as illegitimate from the point of view of international law.

Oman, long a regional interlocutor for the US and the West with Iran, condemned the air strikes.

It called the attack a great concern while Israel continued its brutal war and siege of the Gaza Strip without accountability or punishment.
In New York City, where Calvin Klein is based, people have been going out of their way to see the labels latest underwear ad  a larger-than-life billboard that seems to paralyse them on the footpath.

The campaign, released on January 4, features Golden Globe winner Jeremy Allen White (Carmen Carmy Berzatto in FXs The Bear). It has triggered a storm on social media and anywhere else one cares to discuss it.

In other words, the campaign has been a resounding success.

Both Calvin Klein ads contain partial nudity. Only one was banned. Credit: Photos by Mert Alas for Calvin Klein

But White isnt the only Calvin Klein model to make headlines this week. British singer-songwriter FKA Twigs (Cellophane) appeared in an ad for the fashion line last year. Just like White, Twigs was very close to nude. Unlike White, her ad was recently banned by a UK regulator for presenting her as a stereotypical sexual object.
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 Former childhood ballerina Jill McAtamney was twice told she would never dance again: once aged 17, having ruptured a ligament playing netball, and then several decades later when she had both knees replaced. On both occasions, she proved the adage: Never stop a ballerina from proving a pointe to be correct. At the top of my to-do list post-surgery was I will dance again in some form, McAtamney said. Now every week, just like she did when she was a 10-year-old student of Queenslands Miss Gene Moggs School of Dance, the now 74-year-old laces her ballet shoes and heads to her Silver Swans dance class. Shes one of a growing number of over-55s returning to ballet after abandoning it for decades, or trying it for the first time. Jill McAtamney as a 10-year-old ballerina, and returning to the barre at 74. The Silver Swans is a Royal Academy of Dance-certified class for seniors all over Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Classes are taught by trained classical ballet teachers with an emphasis on teaching not only how to pirouette and plie, but improving mobility, balance, posture, co-ordination, energy levels, and memory for those whose French vocabulary needs a flex as much as their muscles.

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When a Silver Swans pilot program launched in 2017, Rachel Sheils, the owner of Melbournes Theatre de la Dance in Brighton, jumped at the chance to offer a weekly class. Since then, there has been so much interest she now offers four weekly classes taught by RAD-qualified Rosemary Beagley. Silver Swans ballet teacher Rosemary Beagley teaching Kay Murphy at Theatre De La Danse in Brighton. Credit: Paul Jeffers The ladies love it  it is a beautiful group of people  some of whom have significant age-related health issues including one who has dementia, Sheils said. For Blackrock ballerina Kay Murphy, 78, the Silver Swans have been a true lifesaver. Loading I lost my partner 10 years ago and was hospitalised as a circuit breaker because I was in a very dark place as I dont have much family. In hospital, one of the nurses handed me the local rag and I read about the Silver Swans and as a former ballet dancer joined the class at the age of 68. It has helped enormously, not just with suppleness and my osteoporosis ... I now have a ballet family, she said. In 2018-19, Dr Rachel Ward, a RAD-certified ballet teacher and the University of NSWs director of teaching in its School of Health Sciences, set up a 12-week study to examine the health benefits of ballet for over-50s.

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There were improvements in balance, strength, agility, bone strength and mood, she said. Since her study, Ward has taught Silver Swans classes in a studio in Danks Street, in the Sydney suburb of Waterloo to ballerinas aged from their mid-50s to 82. Silver Swans ballet students L-R: Kay Stevens, Yvonne Troedson and Francis Robie at Theatre De La Danse in Brighton. Credit: Paul Jeffers This is not tutus, pointe shoes and pink ballet tights ... were not aiming to produce the next principal dancer of the Australian Ballet, but I want people to understand the science-based evidence of the health benefits of ballet, she said. Ward, along with some 65-year-old dance students, featured in the 2023 ABC television program Keep on Dancing. Next week, some of her Silver Swans dancers will perform at the RAD biennial conference in Sydney from January 19 to 21. This is not tutus, pointe shoes and pink ballet tights ... were not aiming to produce the next principal dancer of the Australian Ballet. Dr Rachel Ward, Silver Swans teacher Jill McAtamney, one of Wards Sydney Silver Swans, will be one of them.

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It is so great to get back to the barre exercises and dance to beautiful music. I love how the French phrases  like arabesque, jete and pas de deux  filter back, and learning the routines is good for the memory, she said. Sydney Silver Swans, including dancer Justine Butler in pink, and Elizabeth Doley in red. Credit: Louise Kennerley Elizabeth Doley, a civil celebrant, had never had a dance class in her life until she started in one of Wards classes. Id always wanted to dance, but only had my first ballet class at the age of 75, she said. We love our Tuesday classes and Rachel ... for me personally, I know it has improved some health conditions, particularly my balance, I always had to hold on to the barre when I started, she said. Out with the tutus and tights - the Silver Swans adopt a more relaxed approach to later-life ballet. Credit: Paul Jeffers A cygnet at almost 60, and the youngest of Wards class, Justine Butler says she prefers ballet to the gym because of the social connections shes made since restarting a year ago, decades after she first took it up as a child in Canberra.

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Now that the sod has been turned, the whole operation should be up and running in around three years. But, says John, they were first approached to host a wind farm way back in 2007. It was finally approved by the NSW government in May 2021. Not a single other wind farm was approved by the NSW planning department until December last year, despite the avowed support of the industry by the current and previous state governments and the current federal government. The building of a port to support the development of a wind farm in Victoria clashed with the protection of Ramsar-listed wetlands. Meanwhile, community and political resistance to some renewable projects appears to be hardening in some areas. This resistance poses a particular threat to wind projects and the transmission lines needed to carry their power to cities because they impose themselves so obviously on the landscape. This week the project that is expected to be Australias first offshore wind farm, the Star of the South, planned to built off the Gippsland coast, hit troubled waters when its application to build a port, needed in turn to build and maintain the wind farm, was rejected by federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek on the grounds that it would damage a wetland that Australia is obliged to protect under an international treaty.

The decision prompted Victorias Climate Action and Energy Minister Lily DAmbrosio to call out her federal colleagues, who she blamed for failing to create a national plan to deploy renewables. Bowen has declined to respond in kind, saying only that the government would welcome a revised application. Either way, according to Star of the South chief executive Charles Rattray, the decision will not materially delay the project, but only because there is so much else to be done over so many years before construction can begin. Loading The studies it is conducting for environmental approvals include detailed analysis and monitoring of tide and sediment movements, seafloor plant and organisms, marine mammals such as turtles and whales. It has studied the movement of great white sharks and conducted surveys of fish and invertebrates. It has studied the movement, nesting and foraging of seabirds and shorebirds. It has studied soil and rock samples, studied wind and wave patterns and conducted seafloor LIDAR testing. All of this takes years to complete, says Rattray, but is crucial not only to securing approvals, but to gain and maintain the projects social license  the willingness of the community to accept the new industry.

Social license, he says, is one of the key risks that the industry is seeking to manage here and around the world. Wind energy is capital intensive, says Rattray. In order to secure finance, proponents must demonstrate they have the publics broad support so they can win over politicians who must develop the regulatory framework to allow them to operate. Capital markets want stability, and given that most of the world is chasing near-term emission reduction targets, they are happy to go to the jurisdictions where they can find it. Just as the wind industry is a global race for specialist parts and technology, expertise and infrastructure, it is competing for finance. Protests against wind farms off the south coast include those with genuine environmental concerns along with opponents to renewables. Credit: AAP At present, community groups  and political activists  are gearing up to fight proposed wind farms off the coast of NSW. Looking at the concerns raised on their social media feeds it appears clear that opponents include locals concerned about the impact on their environment as well as political and ideological actors opposed to renewable energy. So far, it is not yet clear how successful campaigns against on and offshore wind will be. Bowen has already approved two areas for offshore wind in NSW, but shrunk them and pushed their boundaries further away from the coast. A decision on a third zone off Illawarra is expected soon.

It is clear, though, that if Australia is to meet its renewable energy and emission targets, both onshore and offshore wind will be crucial. Australia has been a world leader in deploying solar, particularly on residential rooftops. As a result cheap and clean energy is flooding the market on bright days. Onshore wind will compliment that energy, providing power when the sun is not shining. Offshore wind will provide even more consistent power overnight. Loading According to an International Energy Agency report published this week the global deployment of renewables is happening at a staggering rate. Global renewable grew by 50 per cent in 2023. Last year China alone deployed as much solar as the entire world had the year before. It predicts that renewables will overtake coal as the worlds largest source of electricity by 2025. But when it comes to wind energy, Australia was one of the few countries where deployment predictions were downgraded by the IEA. Outside of China, onshore wind additions are not advancing considerably in other large markets such as India and Australia, and the forecast has been revised down for the ASEAN region, Africa and the Middle East due to slow project progress and ongoing policy uncertainties, said the report.
A multi-vehicle crash involving a truck and eight cars left several people injured and caused traffic chaos on one of Sydneys busiest roads on Friday.

Police arrived at the incident on Parramatta Road in Five Dock about 4.30pm to find a tanker truck and multiple damaged cars blocking the road.

The scene of the crash on Parramatta Road. Credit: Wolter Peeters

Parramatta Road was closed in both directions between Harris Road and Frederick Street until just before midnight as police and Transport for NSW urged motorists to avoid the area.

A male driver of one of the cars and a female passenger were taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital with serious injuries, a police spokesperson said.
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 Every morning, Gregory Liakatos drives to Eaton Mall in Oakleigh, in Melbournes south-east, where he sips Greek coffee and soaks up the scent of grilled gyros. Liakatos is in good company, surrounded by Greek migrants like him. They play cards on outdoor tables. They eat cake. Some rotate Greek worry beads, known as Komboloi, with their fingertips. Mostly, they chat about everything from their grandchildren to the motherland. Ive known him since he was eighteen months old, from back in the village, 79-year-old Liakatos says, pointing to his lifelong friend James Kaloumeris, who is sitting smiling at him from across the table. Like everybody, we came here many years ago on a promise. We were told we were coming to a very promised land. Liakatos spent 33 days travelling aboard a ship, called Patris, from Greece to Port Melbourne in 1960, as a 14-year-old boy. His family were crammed alongside thousands of other migrants. He was seasick, excited and anxious. But the riches of the promised land have been plenty.

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I meet a beautiful lady in 1966, the self-taught chef and grandfather says, proudly holding up a photo of his wife, Aspasia, on his smartphone. I worked hard, ran my own business. I have had a wonderful life. But Liakatos, who has lived in nearby Mount Waverley since 1972, senses great changes are on the horizon for Melbournes Greek heartland and the citys south-east. Liakatos says his generation, many of whom meet each day at Eaton Mall, are ageing. Older European migrants, who built modern Australia, are dying. The adult children of these migrants have left the nest, and are spread out all over Melbourne. New people and cultures are moving in ahead of a projected population boom and change will only accelerate from here. High-rise apartments will soon dot the skyline, a world away from the post-war migration of wide roads and modestly designed, flat-roofed houses that filled the tree-lined streets when Liakatos moved in. Gregory Liakatos shares a Greek coffee with lifelong friend James Kaloumeris at Eaton Mall in Oakleigh. Credit: Joe Armao However while much this pocket of Melbourne has changed over recent decades, it will pale in comparison to what is slated to happen next.

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The wider City of Monash area is set up to boom into an employment and population hub that  if it comes to pass  will rival Melbournes CBD today. Two things will drive that: first is the nearby Monash University precinct, which is already the busiest employment cluster outside Melbournes CBD. Home to the Monash Medical Centre, Childrens Hospital, Victorian Heart Hospital, the CSIRO, the Australian Synchrotron and a growing number of biotechnology companies and start-ups, the precinct is attracting highly skilled and highly paid professionals to the area, including many migrants. And second is the state Labor governments Suburban Rail Loop East, a 23-kilometre underground railway between Cheltenham and Box Hill. Three of the $34.5 billion projects six stations are within the City of Monash: at Clayton, Monash University and in Glen Waverley. Underpinning the project is a plan to decentralise Melbourne by creating new commercial and residential development around each station, shifting jobs away from the CBD and redirecting population growth away from the citys outer suburbs.

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The Suburban Rail Loop Authority has seized planning controls over large areas of these precincts and will rezone them to allow higher and denser development, including buildings of up to 20 storeys in parts of Clayton. The rail loop business case forecasts that Claytons population will more than double from around 22,000 today to 55,000 by 2056, while the number of jobs based there will grow from 21,000 to 57,500. That would make it a similar place to Collingwood today, in terms of population and jobs density. Nearby, around the new Monash station, the population will jump from about 14,000 to 30,500 by the middle of the century, and the number of jobs will skyrocket from 36,500 to 162,000. If those projections are correct, there will be as many jobs across the combined Clayton and Monash University precinct (219,500) as there are working in Melbournes CBD today. Vanilla Lounge owners Tia Spanos Tsonis (far right) with her two sisters. Credit: Joe Armao Tia Spanos Tsonis, one of the managers of family owned Greek patisserie and Mediterranean restaurant, Vanilla Lounge, said over the last 15 years Eaton Mall had shifted from being primarily Greek customers to a cultural melting pot of new residents and increasingly international tourists. Its become a destination, says Tsonis, the daughter of Greek migrants, whose family have been in hospitality for 50 years.

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Asked about the changes ahead for nearby Clayton, which is just a five-minute train ride away from Oakleigh, Tsonis says: Its fantastic. The more the merrier. But with this rise in population, we have to make sure we are able to accommodate the people moving [in] with the right infrastructure and support for local businesses. In the last 30 years, Liakatos has watched Eaton Mall shift around him, too. It has transformed from a couple of cafes and supermarkets, to a sprawling and thriving strip of al fresco Greek restaurants, grocers and delis, that fill him with nostalgia. Weve got lots of other nationalities coming in adding to the beauty of the place, he says. Things cant stay the same forever. This is life. Melbourne has to grow. A few kilometres away, Clayton Road provides a snapshot of the evolving cultural diversity of the area. Clayton has emerged as the Melbourne suburb with the highest percentage of overseas-born residents, outside of the CBD. This growth has been fuelled in part by high numbers of international students, but also a wave of skilled migrants, who are flocking to the medical, technology and research hub around Monash University. Census data shows that between 2011 and 2021, the City of Monashs population grew by 30,664 people or 19 per cent  just above the Victoria-wide growth of 18 per cent.

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A man who is believed to have connections to the Bandidos Outlaw Motorcycle Gang has been arrested and charged with a raft of offences by WA Police after taking them on a wild chase through Perths south eastern suburbs on Thursday afternoon.

Desmond Lee Kirk, 36, allegedly used a long arm gun to fire shots at police as they pursued him through Kelmscott in a stolen Mazda BT-50 just after 1pm.

He later allegedly fired shots through the vehicles back window at police who by then had pursued him to South West Highway.

Police released dramatic vision of the pursuit, which allegedly shows Kirk abandoning the Mazda on a North Dandalup road and stealing an Isuzu truck, before firing shots at a police helicopter tracking his movements.
Retailer and business groups have hit back against Opposition Leader Peter Duttons call to boycott Woolworths over its decision to stop stocking Australia Day-themed merchandise, saying he should not dictate what corporations should sell.

Farmers, meanwhile, said the Albanese government was failing in its pledge to ensure primary producers and households were not being ripped off by inflated supermarket prices, arguing the new inquiry led by former minister Craig Emerson lacked the necessary powers to expose potential price gouging.

Multinational discount supermarket chain Aldi confirmed on Friday that it will also stop selling Australia Day-themed merchandise after Duttons attack on Woolworths on Thursday for wading into social issues.

Australian Retailers Association chief executive Paul Zahra and the head of the Business Council of Australia, Bran Black, backed the supermarkets stance, saying what retailers sell is guided by historic sales information.
By the 2020 election, voters had a clear sense of what a Trump presidency looked like. The norm-busting. The rule-flouting. The threats to wipe entire countries off the map (although he did not start any wars). The adulation of authoritarians, such as Vladimir Putin. The self-satire of his appearance on the White House balcony after recovering from COVID-19, when he adopted the buffoonery of an American Il Duce.

Certainly, this election is markedly different than the previous two contests involving Donald Trump. In 2016, he was an unknown quantity, and for all his bluster and braggadocio, there was a sense that assuming the powers of the presidency would have a humbling effect. I believe that every man whoever occupied it, within his inner self, was humble enough to realise that no living mortal has ever possessed all the required qualifications, President Lyndon Johnson once observed. Trump, however, experienced the opposite of imposter syndrome. In his first television interview after taking office in 2017, he immediately compared himself to Abraham Lincoln.

Two years shy of its 250th birthday, America is about to face one of the most fateful decisions in its history. Presidential candidates quadrennially serve up the platitude that voters confront the most consequential choice of their lifetimes. But in 2024 its no drill. This truly is an epochal election. DEFCON 1 for democracy. A harbinger, feasibly, of an American form of dictatorship.

Still, voters in 2020 had little idea that January 6 was in the offing: an American insurrection incited by a sitting US president. Now, then, they are not only being asked to cast judgment on his four years in office, but also the four criminal indictments against him, two of which stem from his attempt to overturn the 2020 election.

So this year, the road to the White House will be more like a mammoth multi-lane freeway. Some paths will go through the traditional caucus and primary states, such as Iowa, which kicks off the Republican nominating process on Monday. Others will go through the courts. At various points these ribbons of highway will intersect. On the eve of Super Tuesday  a red letter day in the primary calendar when 15 states hold contests  Trumps trial for allegedly conspiring to defraud the United States in his bid to overturn the 2020 election is due to begin in Washington DC. If, as Trumps legal team hopes, those proceedings are delayed, they could well start in late-July, just after the Republican convention.

Each day, it seems, brings extra layers of legal complication. Two states, Colorado and Maine, are already trying to remove the former president from their primary ballots, citing a provision of the 14th Amendment ratified after the Civil War which was designed to disqualify from office candidates who supported the rebel confederacy. That has brought into early play the US Supreme Court, the countrys conservative-dominated constitutional adjudicator, which will consider the Colorado case in early February. Legally, then, we are already witnessing something of a demolition derby. It brings to mind the Florida pile-up in 2000, when right-wing justices appointed by Republican presidents ruled along nakedly partisan lines to hand George W. Bush victory. That ended up being a milestone in Americas democratic decline and the diminution of its rule of law. Dressed in their black jurist robes, it felt like the Supreme Courts conservative majority had pulled off an electoral heist.

Faced with the jailhouse rather than the White House, Trumps legal and political strategies have become entwined. His hope is to delay the trials against him until after the election. As president, his hand-picked attorney-general could instruct the Justice Department pursuing the federal cases against him to drop the charges. Alternatively, he could try to pardon himself, which would take us into a constitutional grey area. In Georgia, where he has been targeted by state prosecutors beyond the control of Washington and where presidential pardon powers do not apply, he would hope the convention that sitting presidents should not face trial while in office would be upheld.
The change came in response to S&P Global Ratings updated criteria for assessing insurers risk-based capital. The updated criteria had a positive effect on QBE LMI's solid capital adequacy, leading to an upgrade in its Financial Risk profile by S&P from Strong to Very Strong. With a stable ratings outlook, S&P expects QBE LMI to sustain very strong capital and sound earnings.
MBABANE  Prime Minister (PM) Russell Mmiso Dlamini says political stability may not be easy to achieve but it is attainable.

Dlamini said there were risks involved in attaining political stability. During a live interview with Eswatini Television senior editor John Molelekeng, on Wednesday, Dlamini said engagement with each other was the best option for maintaining peace, despite differences based on political affiliation. The PM was responding to a question on what he thought should be done to ensure that Eswatini continued to be a peaceful country.

He said it was important to allow people with different political views to state their case, without engaging in a fight. I believe that if you and I were to sit here and have a debate on which political system was the best, I would then have to explain the reasons for my conviction. After that, I need to give you the opportunity to state why you feel another system is better, he said. He said on merit, one might possibly win the debate, despite that some people may feel that such an individual did not make sense.

He said media platforms, such as Eswatini TV, could create a safe space for debates. I am saying a safe space because when the debates take place, some of the participants end up using vulgar language when they realise that they are losing, he said. He said during the debates; Let the best idea win. Dlamini said he believed that emaSwati had the best ideas due to the fact that this was one of the countries that had maintained its culture and traditions. We have the best ideas and ways of handling our issues. He further stated that financial stability was one way in which the country would come out of the challenges it faced.

Political analyst Mbho Shongwe says there is a difference between a debate and a dialogue. He was responding to Prime Minister (PM) Russell Mmiso Dlaminis assertion that having debates on certain political issues was one of the risks to be taken by any country to attain political stability. Shongwe said during debates, participants chose which side they wanted to support. He said this, at times, did not bear solutions. On the issue of dialogue, Shongwe said this was an essential means to address issues of national interest. On national interest issues, we only need a dialogue and not debates in order to formulate policies, government development, and how citizens must be governed. A dialogue must be open and not one-sided to avoid a situation in which the one with the upper hand would have the final say. This does not help anyone, but causes wars in most countries, said Shongwe.

He said the country needed a dialogue, following the June/July 2021 political unrest, where some people lost their lives and property. The dialogue was announced in 2021 after the tragedy by government. According to Shongwe, the dialogue would help in finding out the cause of the unrest, the people involved, or those who were responsible for the unrest. People died during the unrest. The government was present at that time, but we are not told exactly what happened. We are told that the unrest came as a result of terrorists, but we are not informed of who they are, Shongwe said. He said emaSwati were the ones in need of the dialogue. The dialogue is supposed to take place in a conducive environment, so that everyone can be free when making submissions. YemaSwati le dialogue, he said.

Policy

Also, former UNESWA political lecturer Professor Qambukusa Magagula said there was a boardroom debate, shaping the policy that was supposed to be developed. He said such a debate was not only held for fun, but to come up with solutions regarding issues revolving around the politics of that country. Regarding the political system, Magagula said there was a boardroom debate conducted by the government. He said in this kind of debate, the government had the final say, thus sidelining the views of the outsiders on the issues being addressed. Sometimes, the ruling government listens to the views of the other parties, but not to their satisfaction, he said. According to Magagula, any country not willing to have discussions was heading for disaster. Conversation is what builds any society. Kuyakhulunyiswana, he said.


Ijarah: Your generous aunt (the lender) buys the house and then leases it to you with the option to buy at the end of the lease. You pay monthly rent like you would for any apartment, and, at the end, you have the right to purchase the house outright if you wish.
A journalist and an indigenous affairs expert goes missing in Amazon. (Photo: Nathalia Segato/Unsplash)

In a groundbreaking revelation, archaeologists have uncovered an extensive network of ancient cities in the Amazon rainforest, shedding new light on the sophisticated urban planning and agricultural practices of pre-Hispanic societies. These findings, emerging from over two decades of research in the Upano Valley of Amazonian Ecuador, challenge long-standing perceptions of the Amazon as a pristine wilderness, revealing a rich tapestry of dense settlements and advanced civilizations.

The research team, composed of experts from France, Germany, Ecuador, and Puerto Rico, utilized light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology to penetrate the dense forest canopy, uncovering a complex network of cities, roads, plazas, and monumental platforms dating back 2,500 years. This discovery, detailed in the journal Science, marks the earliest and largest urban network found in the Amazon to date.

Lead study author Stephen Rostain, an archaeologist and director of Research at France's National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), described the discovery as "incredible," emphasizing the revolutionary implications it holds for our understanding of Amazonian history. "It's a complete revolution in our paradigm about the Amazon," Rostain stated, painting a picture of a bustling pre-Columbian Amazonia akin to "a nest of ants," bustling with activity.

The LiDAR data revealed over 6,000 platforms within a 600-square-kilometer area, indicating a highly structured and organized urban environment. These platforms, mostly rectangular and organized around a square plaza, suggest a complex societal structure with both residential and ceremonial buildings. The largest roads, up to 33 feet wide and stretching for miles, connected these clusters of settlements, which also included agricultural fields with drainage canals and extensive land cultivation.

This discovery parallels similar findings across the Americas, including in Panama, Guatemala, Belize, Brazil, and Mexico. Landscape archaeologist Carlos Morales-Aguilar, not involved in the study, hailed it as "groundbreaking," noting its significant contributions to our understanding of the cultural and environmental legacy of Indigenous societies in this region.

The Upano people, who inhabited these settlements between around 500 B.C. and 300 to 600 A.D., displayed remarkable engineering skills, building extensive networks of roads and earthen mounds without the use of stone. This feat, as noted by University of Exeter archaeologist Jose Iriarte, required an elaborate system of organized labor, rivaling the accomplishments of contemporaneous civilizations like the Roman Empire.

The Amazon has long been perceived as an untamed wilderness, sparsely populated by small groups of people. However, these recent discoveries paint a different picture, revealing a landscape marked by intricate rainforest societies with a diversity of settlements and lifestyles. As Rostain puts it, "We're just learning more about them."

The implications of these findings are far-reaching, offering new insights into the complexities of early societies in the Amazon and challenging preconceived notions about the region's historical and cultural development. This discovery not only enriches our understanding of the past but also underscores the importance of preserving the Amazon rainforest, a repository of human history and cultural heritage as much as it is a bastion of biodiversity.
UB student shines as future of AI at State of the State

Holliday Sims stands as she is introduced during Gov. Kathy Hochul's State of the State address.

I believe in an exciting possibility for a future where AI plays a pivotal role in fostering positive societal change and creating more equitable opportunities within education and beyond. 

Holliday Sims is a tireless advocate for reducing inequities in computer science education, especially barriers that Black women face.

At UB, she has spent the past four years learning how to tackle this problem using artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

The senior computer science majors commitment to using AI for social good is what led Gov. Kathy Hochul to invite Sims to her annual State of the State address in Albany, where the governor championed the creation of a $400 million state-of-the-art AI computing center called Empire AI.

Let me tell you what Holliday is doing, Hochul said Tuesday at the state Capitol. Shes conducted research on how AI can improve the child welfare system, and shes passionate about increasing Black womens participation in computer science.

When asked to stand by Hochul, the chamber responded with 20 seconds of applause for Sims, and Hochul concluded by saying that Holliday and scholars like her, and our universities, will help build this industry in the future.

Sims, who met Hochul after the speech, also met with SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr.; Merryl H. Tisch, chair of the SUNY Board of Trustees; and state Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes. She is from Delmar, just outside of Albany.
Reliance Industries Ltd, India's largest company, has launched the Graduate Engineer Trainee programme, aiming to hire graduate engineers across businesses - from petrochemicals to new energy.

Reliance has opened its entry-level recruitment drive for young engineers named the Graduate Engineer Trainee (GET) 2024 programme from all over India, with an aim to nurture young, high-potential engineering talent for key technical roles across business verticals, the firm said on its website.

This year, the application process has been taken online for the first time. Registration for the programme has started from January 11 and will remain open till January 19, the firm said on its website.

The online application process -- as opposed to the more commonly used campus recruitment process, wherein companies can visit only a few dozen institutes every year -- is launched with a view to offer equal opportunity to every young engineering student pan-India and democratise access to world-class training and employment opportunities in Reliance, particularly for youngsters from smaller towns and institutes beyond just the top 50 or 100.

This is in line with the recent success of ISRO and the feelings expressed by its Chairman S Somanath that India's talent resides in smaller cities and regional institutes.

Under this programme, Reliance is inviting online applications from B.Tech and B.E. graduates of the 2024 batch from various streams, namely chemical, electrical, mechanical, and instrumentation, from AICTE-approved institutes.

"Shortlisted students will go through the online assessment (cognitive test plus subject matter) between February 5 and 8," Reliance said, adding that shortlisted candidates will be called for personal interviews from February 23 to March 1 and final selection would happen by the end of March.

The graduate engineers are being sought across oil-to-chemicals business, oil and gas exploration and production, project management group, petrochemicals procurement and contracting, and new energy, it said.

"We invite outstanding professionals with the aspiration to touch the lives of millions of Indians to join us! Here is an opportunity for you to dream big, do big and be a part of our phenomenal growth story!" Reliance said.

The GET programme provides a launch pad for budding engineers by giving them training and exposure through a structured learning journey.

Reliance has created a dedicated website to share the eligibility criteria, and information on the entire process, and accept online registrations.

Eligibility is a minimum of 60 per cent or 6 CGPA across 10th, 12th, Diploma (if applicable) and a minimum aggregate of 60 per cent or more in engineering (up to 7th semester/graduation), it said, adding that eligible disciplines are chemical, mechanism, electrical and instrumentation engineering.
The only eyewitness in the Bilkis Bano case has said that the individuals convicted for the gruesome crime must be hanged or jailed for the remainder of their lives and only then would justice be served.

The eyewitness was seven when a mob attacked his cousin Bilkis Bano and other members of the minority community in Limkheda taluka of Gujarat's Dahod district and killed 14 of them during riots that erupted in 2002 after the Godhra train burning incident.

He is now 28 years old and lives in Ahmedabad with his wife and 5-year-old son.

I had endured the trauma of watching my loved ones being killed in front of my eyes. I still wake up in the night and scream as those moments haunt me even after all these years, he said.

On January 8 this year, the Supreme Court quashed the Gujarat government's decision, taken in August 2022, to prematurely release 11 convicts facing life term for the gang rape of Bilkis Bano and the murder of 14 persons.

I felt very hurt when they were set free. I am somewhat relieved now because they will be sent behind bars once again. My mother and my elder sister were among the 14 who were killed that day in front of my eyes," he said.

All the convicts must be either hanged for or they must be kept behind bars for the remainder of their lives. Only then justice will be served. These men must never be set free again, he asserted.

After the Godhra train burning incident on February 27, 2002, riots broke out in different parts of the state.

To save themselves, a group of 17 persons, mostly women and children, left Randhikpur village in Limkheda taluka of Dahod district and headed towards Devgadh Baria town via a forest, said a social activist who gave shelter to that boy.

Bilkis Bano along with this boy (eyewitness) and his mother and elder sister were also in that group, which was attacked by a mob on March 3. Of those 17, the mob killed 14, including an infant, and then gang-raped Bilkis. They also tried to kill Bilkis and this boy but they survived. A 4-year-old boy also survived the attack after the mob left thinking everyone was dead, said the activist seeking anonymity.

The boy spent some time in a relief camp in Godhra after the incident and was then shifted by him to a residential school in Kutch, said the activist who became his guardian and brought him up.

Since he was the only eyewitness, he testified before a special CBI court in 2005 in Mumbai. His testimony proved crucial because it matched the sequence of events narrated by complainant Bilkis Bano. He also identified four of the 11 accused during the hearing, the activist said.
However, a bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta said it will look into a batch of petitions challenging the new law and issued notice to the central government.

India's retail inflation rose to a four-month high of 5.69 per cent in December 2023 against 5.55 per cent in November. The retail inflation was at 5.72 per cent December last year. The rise in inflation was due to rising food prices. The food inflation came in at 9.53 per cent in December.Wipro reported a better-than-expected rise in third-quarter revenue on Friday on the back of improved deal execution. Revenue from operations fell 4.4% from the previous year to Rs 22,205 crore ($2.68 billion) for the three months to Dec 31, but beat analysts' average estimate of Rs 22,104 crore, according to LSEG data. Wipro posted third-quarter consolidated net profit at Rs 2,694 crore.The top court today refused to stay the new law that provides for appointment of the chief election commissioner (CEC) and election commissioners (ECs) by a panel excluding the Chief Justice of India (CJI).Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced today he has embarked on a special 11-day religious exercise ahead of the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22. In a message, PM Modi stated that he is fortunate that he will be a witness to the auspicious occasion.
The Supreme Court has granted Lok Sabha MP and Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nisith Pramanik's request for protection from arrest in connection with an attempt-to-murder case in West Bengal. The protection will remain until the Calcutta High Court reviews his petition.

Nisith Praminik, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP had approached the Supreme Court, challenging an order of the Jalpaiguri Circuit Bench of the Calcutta High Court. The order from January 4, had refused to grant him anticipatory bail in the case. The matter was initially to be heard next week, but was moved up to January 12.

Background on the attempt-to murder case

An attempt-to-murder case was registered against the minister of state in 2018, when a group opened fire on Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers during panchayat elections. During the violent outbreak, one person was allegedly shot and injured. The case against Pramanik was filed with Dinhata police station of Cooch Behar district of West Bengal for being involved in inciting the violence. At the time, Pramanik had been a member of the TMC party.

Pramanik has refuted allegations of orchestrating the violence.

In 2019, Pramanik joined the BJP party, contesting and securing the Cooch Behar Lok Sabha seat.

Union Minister of State Pramanik's plea

Senior Advocate PS Patwalia, on Thursday, argued before a bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal to grant the Union minister interim protection from arrest in West Bengal.

Advocate Patwalia explained that as a minister, Pramanik had to go to West Bengal and was worried about his safety and his imminent arrest. In March 2022, an arrest warrant for Pramanik was issued by a magistrate in the state. Additionally, as Pramanik switched parties, his lawyer argued that the Union minister's protection was a matter of great urgency, as the political environment in West Bengal was "volatile".

"He has a ministerial position. It becomes embarrassing if he is arrested," Pramanik's senior counsel added.

Representing the West Bengal government, Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan argued to the bench that there were 13 cases of attempt-to-murder and rioting pending against Pramanik and that he could have been arrested long back.

The Supreme Court granted Pramanik protection, noting the urgency of the plea, and ordered the West Bengal police not to take any coercive action against the Union Minister of State. The interim protection will be in place till January 22, when the high court will hear the case.

The Supreme Court added that it was not expressing any opinion on the merit of the attempt-to-murder case itself and left that in the hands of the Calcutta High Court.

(With agency inputs)
Guyana's Attorney General Anil Nandlall said on Thursday that Guyana's government has reassured neighbouring Venezuela there is no plan for the US to establish a military base in the South American country and that it has not made a formal request for one.

Nandlall spoke to The Associated Press days after Daniel P. Erikson, US deputy assistant secretary of defence for the Western Hemisphere, visited Guyana and one day after Guyanese officials announced they were seeking help from the US to improve its defence capabilities.

Nandlall and other officials in Guyana have sought to temper tensions with Venezuela over a disputed region known as Essequibo rich in oil and minerals that represents two-thirds of Guyana and that Venezuela claims as its own.

We have not been approached by the United States to establish a military base in Guyana, said Guyanese Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, adding that the government does not conduct public policy at press conferences.

Erikson visited just weeks after a long-standing dispute over Guyana's Essequibo region deepened, with Venezuela holding a referendum in December to claim sovereignty over the area.

Nandlall told the AP that Venezuelan President Nicols Maduro remains convinced that Guyana could host a US military base. He said Maduro raised the issue when he attended an emergency mediation meeting in St. Vincent last month to talk about the territorial dispute with Guyanese President Irfaan Ali.

(Ali) reiterated that this is not so, but we will encourage cooperation with our allies in defense of our territorial integrity and sovereignty, Nandlall said.

Guyana and Venezuela have agreed to refrain from using force, but the dispute continues, with Venezuela insisting that Essequibo was part of its territory during the Spanish colonial period, and that a 1966 agreement nullified a border drawn in 1899 by international arbitrators.
Russia said it had requested an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Friday to discuss military strikes on Yemen by the United States and Britain.



"Russia has requested an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council on January 12 in connection with the U.S. and UK strikes on Yemen," Russia's permanent mission to the United Nations said.



The United States and Britain launched strikes from the air and sea against Houthi military targets in Yemen in response to the movement's attacks on ships in the Red Sea, a dramatic regional widening of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.



A spokesman for Yemen's Houthis said there was no justification for the U.S.-British attack and said the Iran-backed group will continue targeting ships heading towards Israel.
Global tech corporation FPT affirms its position as a world-class technology enabler for complex business challenges and opportunities with long-term goals defined for 2024 onwards. FPT aims to achieve USD 5 billion in revenue from global IT services in 2030 and reach billion-dollar milestones from a single market, a single vertical industry, and a single contract.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240111379315/en/

From left to right: FPT Software Chairwoman Chu Thi Thanh Ha, FPT CEO Nguyen Van Khoa, FPT Software CEO Pham Minh Tuan (Photo: Business Wire)

On track with this direction, FPT recently became the first Vietnam-headquartered tech firm to surpass one billion USD in revenue from global IT services in 2023. The company embarked on the global expansion journey with the establishment of its subsidiary FPT Software in 1999. Since then, FPT has evolved from developing simple applications to implementing core IT services for its clients; transitioned from a services provider to a comprehensive solution provider; and progressed to higher stages in the technology value chain, with digital transformation and legacy modernization included in its offerings. To achieve its future goals, FPT will leverage its strengths in technical expertise and industry know-how, skilled IT talents, and the growing prominence of its home country Vietnam.

"In the past, FPT had to proactively seek partnerships, but now many big corporations are heading to Vietnam and FPT. Vietnam is rising as a new destination for global businesses. As Vietnams pioneering IT firm, we want to reach new heights in the semiconductor industry and artificial intelligence (AI). The future of Vietnam and the world will revolve around semiconductors and AI, said FPT Chairman Dr. Truong Gia Binh.

"At FPT Software, we believe that world-class stature is built from world-class people. Over the past 25 years, we have strengthened the company's foundation by fostering a one-team spirit, a lifelong learning culture, and a happy working environment. Moving forward, we will continue promoting the development of technology, creativity, domain expertise, and embrace culture and diversity for our workforce of 30,000 talented individuals to keep up with growing market demand and global standards," said FPT Software Chairwoman Chu Thi Thanh Ha.

"Entering the new era as a world-class company, FPT Software is well-positioned to accompany our clients in projects worth millions or billions of dollars. We are committed to developing our high quality global IT workforce to better serve businesses in high-growth fields such as automotive, healthcare, insurance, supply chain, finance, and utilities. We will also embed AI into all services and solutions to enhance agility, productivity, quality and accelerate delivery time for our clients worldwide, said FPT Software CEO Pham Minh Tuan.

With a track record of success and extensive experience gained over the years, FPT has established itself as a trusted partner to drive advancements in fast-growing fields. In 2023, FPT is one of three companies in Southeast Asia to join SAPs Regional Strategic Services Partner (RSSP) in the Asia Pacific and Japan region. With over 10 years of experience in automotive software, FPT has built a strong team of over 4,000 engineers and experts for this domain, serving more than 150 clients, including renowned global brands such as Honda, Hyundai, Volvo, VinFast, Ford, Yazaki, LG, Panasonic, NXP. In December 2023, the subsidiary FPT Automotive was officially launched in the United States, after maintaining a growth rate of 40% in recent years as a unit under FPT Software, contributing significantly to its achievement of one billion USD in revenue from the global IT services segment.

About FPT Corporation and FPT Software

FPT Corporation is a global technology corporation and a leader in consulting, providing, and deploying technology and telecommunications services and solutions.

FPT Software, a subsidiary of FPT Corporation, is a global technology and IT services provider headquartered in Vietnam, with $1 billion in revenue (2023) and over 30,000 employees in 30 countries.

The company champions complex business opportunities and challenges with its world-class services in Advanced Analytics, AI, Digital Platforms, Cloud, Hyperautomation, IoT, Low-code, and so on. It has partnered with over 1,000+ clients worldwide, 91 of which are Fortune Global 500 companies in Aviation, Automotive, Banking, Financial Services and Insurance, Healthcare, Logistics, Manufacturing, Utilities, and more. For more information, please visit https://fptsoftware.com/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240111379315/en/
Raychem RPG clears Pre-Qualification test for manufacturing 245KV cable in India 18 Mar 2024 | 8:38 PM New Delhi, Mar 18 (UNI) One of the longest surviving JV for about four decades, Raychem RPG, has achieved another milestone by completing the very stringent, yearlong Pre-Qualification (PQ) test protocols, at Central Power Research Institute (CPRI) for its 245KV cable accessories manufactured in India. see more..

Startup Founders meet to be held on March 23 18 Mar 2024 | 8:29 PM Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 18 (UNI) Founders of top startup ventures that flourished in Keralas robust ecosystem will share their experience and insights at the 17th edition of the Startup Founders Meet planned by Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) on March 23. see more..

Flipkart foundation, Kineer services partner for LGBTQ+ employment 18 Mar 2024 | 8:21 PM Mumbai, Mar 18 (UNI) Flipkart Foundation, the charitable arm of the Flipkart Group, has collaborated with Kineer Services, an organisation advocating for gender sensitization, to launch Trans-formation, an initiative aimed at uplifting the marginalised transgender community and other members of the LGBTQ+ spectrum. see more..

Godrej & Boyce and Thales forge strategic partnership for a sustainable future 18 Mar 2024 | 6:56 PM Kolkata, Mar 18 (UNI) In a landmark move towards a low-carbon future, Godrej Precision Engineering, a key player in the Godrej & Boyce manufacturing conglomerate, has entered into a letter of intent with Thales, a global technology leader in defence and security, aeronautics and space, and digital identity and security, agreeing to work together to tackle climate change in their respective value chains. see more..
New Delhi, Jan 12 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Friday refused to grant an immediate stay on the election panel legislation passed by Parliament last month but agreed to hear Congress leader Jaya Thakur's plea challenging the constitutionality of two sections of the law.

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta was hearing a writ petition filed by Thakur under Article 32 of the Constitution questioning the constitutionality of Sections 7 and 8 of the

Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023. The Act was signed into law last December by President Droupadi Murmu.

Under the Act, the name of the Chief Justice of India was dropped from a committee to appoint the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other election commissioners.

Senior Advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for Thakur, argued that this Act was a violation of the doctrine of the separation of powers which formed a basic structure of the Indian Constitution.

Justice Khanna asked the senior counsel to serve an advanced copy of the petition to the union government and election commission who are the respondents in the case.

Justice Khanna at the outset told the lawyer that they would not grant any stay. "We can't stay a statute like this. We will issue notice though," the judge added. The senior counsel then requested the court for a 'short date. The bench then agreed to post it to April for hearing.

The court directed, "Issue notice returnable in April 2024. Notices will be served by all modes including dasti."

The case pertains to a petition filed by Congress leader Jaya Thakur, the general secretary of the Madhya Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee, against the removal of the Chief Justice of India from the selection committee to appoint the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other election commissioners, through this legislative move,

Alleging that it is ultra vires Articles 14, 21, 50, and 324 of the Constitution since it violates the principles of free and fair election. She has also relied on the Supreme Court's March ruling in Anoop Baranwal case mandating the inclusion of the chief justice in the appointment process till Parliament enacted a law regulating it because of the need for an independent and unbiased selection panel.

The bench posted the matter to April for further hearing. UNI SNG SSP
Xinjiang to invest 8 bln yuan in rural road construction, rebuilding

Xinhua) 16:04, January 12, 2024

URUMQI, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region plans to invest 8 billion yuan (about 1.13 billion U.S. dollars) in rural road construction and rebuilding in 2024, the regional transportation department said.

This year, as China's largest provincial-level region in terms of landmass, Xinjiang aims to build or rebuild some 5,500 km of roads in the countryside to improve local transportation conditions further.

According to Li Xuedong, deputy director of the regional transportation department, Xinjiang has constructed and upgraded rural roads totaling 7,542 km in 2023.

The official added that a well-connected and widely-covered rural transportation network has been basically formed, with county seats and townships as hubs.

In 2024, Xinjiang plans to invest 68.5 billion yuan in road construction.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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Awards season is heating up, and big names attached to this years animated feature contenders are hitting the campaign trail to promote their films.

Sony Pictures Animations Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is one of the main frontrunners to take home this years animated feature Oscar, and celebrity super-producers and writers Chris Miller and Phil Lord recently stopped by Late Night with Seth Meyers to talk up their Spidey-sequel.

After rattling off a list of popular IPs that Miller and Lord have adapted as films in the past, such as Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, 21 Jump Street, Lego, and now Spider-Man, Meyers asked about their approach to handling material which already has a dedicated fanbase.

According to Lord:

We try not to play tight, right? The confidence that people have in that piece of IP should give us confidence to get nuts.

Miller added that working with an established IP is:

Like a Trojan Horse. You can sneak in something good because [fans] are like, Oh, its like, 21 Jump Street? What are they gonna do with that? If it seems like a bad idea, were interested.

Elaborating further, in a later answer about working as a duo, Miller explained:

We talk something through and we try and figure out what is there about it that can be interesting, or new, or fresh, or different. We dont wanna do something thats been done before. So, every time, were like, Whats the thing that no ones ever seen before? Thats the first thing. And when we find something that we dont know how to do, but we think would be interesting if pulled off, thats when we get excited enough to like, jump in on a project.

According to Lord, the partnership often creates results which are greater than the sums of their parts:

And I think we also understand that its not gonna be my idea, its not gonna be your idea, its gonna be some third thing that we come up with that we couldnt have thought up on our own.

The interview is short, but Miller and Lord manage to sneak in brief stories about how they became friends (Miller lit Lords girlfriends hair on fire in college), their early careers, and working with more than 1,000 artists on what they call the most ambitious animated film ever attempted.
Just over four years after purchasing Hilda and Peter Rabbit production house Silvergate Media for $195 million, Sony has written down value of the company by $50 million, and Silvergate co-founder William Astor has stepped down as the companys chair.

According to Deadline, which broke the valuation news, Sonys U.K. Parent company, Columbia Pictures Corporation, revealed the adjustment in its latest financial statement, covering the period from April 2022 to March 2023. Columbia Pictures Corporation posted revenues of 427 million ($544.8 million) during that time, an 8% decline from the previous year.

Astors departure was confirmed by Variety.

Silvergate Media, which was quietly rebranded as Sony Pictures Television  Kids in 2022, made and makes popular and successful kids programming, including the BAFTA-winning and Emmy-nominated Netflix series Hilda, which just aired its third and final season, and Nickelodeon and BBCs Daytime Emmy-winning series Peter Rabbit. The company also owns the Octonauts franchise.

Its not just Columbia and Sony that are suffering in the U.K. right now. The regions kids and family industry is in a slump as production costs are going up while tv viewership is dropping. Two years ago, the British government controversially axed the Young Audiences Content Fund, which provided funding for the development of kids content as well as up to half the production budgets of some projects. Since then, industry collective Animation UK has worked tirelessly to draft new legislation to make up for the loss.

The Childrens Media Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring U.K children have access to the best possible media, is similarly worried about funding issues and will host a summit in March to address those concerns as well as other key issues that will impact the future of kids content production in the U.K.
Few topics are as talked about in the artistic industries as the emergence of generative artificial intelligence, and the most common criticism of the rapidly evolving technology is that software is being trained using copyrighted materials without the consent of rightsholders.

In response to the increasingly contentious situation, a group of blockchain and AI experts in Japan has launched the Anime Chain Initiative, a preparatory committee that will develop and release a generative AI platform that exclusively uses opt-in data to train its software.

The groups goals are three-fold:

Create an environment that is safe and secure for creators and rightsholders: Only data which is provided by rightsholder will be used to train the AI, and all development will be recorded on the blockchain.

Only data which is provided by rightsholder will be used to train the AI, and all development will be recorded on the blockchain. Address the anime industrys labor shortage: Anime Chain aims to create tools that will allow artists to produce more work with less time and effort.

Anime Chain aims to create tools that will allow artists to produce more work with less time and effort. Maximize creators earnings: By logging everything on the blockchain, Anime Chain proposes to return earnings to the rightsholders of the training data based on the history of generation recorded on the blockchain.

According to Anime Chain organizers, authorities are not adequately addressing serious ethical and copyright issues associated with generative AI. They argue that by creating an opt-in generative AI system, artists can use the technology to enhance their work without risking others exploiting their original creations. To ensure the transparency and legitimacy of the generative AI, all training data will be logged and stored on the blockchain.

In a release, the organization explained that it hopes to work closely with the artistic community in developing its program:

The Anime Chain Initiative was born in response to the specific insights gathered from active professionals in the content industry. We plan to update the initiative based on feedback not only from industry professionals and related companies but also from creators and fans. We welcome your candid opinions to help realize a better vision. Please share your thoughts with us on X (formerly Twitter) using the hashtag #AnimeChain.

Anime Chains announcement also included a three-step roadmap of how the group intends to achieve its goals.

Step 1:

Create a cooperative framework involving the creator community and industry stakeholders.

Establish a guideline for the usage of content produced by generative AI.

Fundamental research in generative AI (images/videos/motion models).

Step 2:

Build a foundation model exclusively using opt-in material.

Begin providing a generative AI tool and managed GPU farm.

Produce our own work with generative AI, provide production support, and organize hackathons.

Utilize tokens or similar methods for OSS developers and content creators to circulate, return, and visualize value and provide financial support for development and production.

Step 3:

Construct a standalone blockchain.

Expand the content ecosystem.

Autonomous decentralization of the management organization.

Anime Chain committee members include Shuhei Mise (former Turingum K.K. CEO and Zeal Nova founder), Hajime Ataka (Tokyo Otaku Mode co-founder and executive vp), Naohito Tamaya (founder of Arriba Studio and Double Jump.Tokyo), Hironobu Ueno (Double Jump.Tokyo CEO), and Arai Mono (CTO and engineer of AIHub).

In the future, the group will seek participants from the anime industry and other related companies, both in Japan and abroad.

More information regarding the Anime Chain Initiative is included in an extensive FAQ and introductory article, available here.
A defiant Matteo Salvini, Italy's far-right deputy prime minister, defended his hard line against illegal migration in court on Friday, saying he had done a "useful service" in blocking migrants from disembarking at an Italian port in 2019.

Salvini, a partner in Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's coalition, is on trial on charges of deprivation of liberty and abuse of office for keeping 147 migrants at sea for several weeks on a ship operated by the Open Arms charity.

The August 2019 blockade, which occurred while Salvini was interior minister in a previous government, made global headlines and drew condemnation from humanitarian groups.

"What I did I did in full consciousness, I'm not inclined to offload my responsibility onto others. I believe I've done a useful service for the country," he told the court in Palermo, Sicily.

Salvini, also head of the League party, faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted in the trial, which began in October 2021.

A populist known for an "Italians first" policy, the 50-year-old has repeatedly used attacks against illegal immigration to boost his political capital.

In 2019, serving under prime minister Giuseppe Conte, he implemented a "closed ports" policy under which Italy refused entry to charity ships that rescue migrants stranded while crossing the Mediterranean.

He cast it as a tough measure against traffickers who operate boats between North Africa and Italy and Malta, the deadliest migrant crossing in the world.

In court Friday, Salvini read from a series of official emails and documents, seeking to demonstrate how the entire Conte government was behind the migration policy.

At the time of the blockade, the League leader had been trying to unseat Conte, triggering a crisis in which Salvini himself left the government weeks later.

Conte has previously testified in the trial that he tried to "exercise moral suasion" with Salvini, saying he considered that "the decision to keep them onboard had no legal basis".

- Dire conditions -

The ship was stuck at sea for nearly three weeks before the migrants were finally allowed to disembark on the island of Lampedusa following a court order.

Members of Open Arms have testified that the migrants' physical and mental well-being reached a crisis point.

Four desperate passengers jumped into the water as sanitary conditions onboard became dire, including a scabies outbreak.

Salvini testified that, at the time, he understood that "the situation was not at risk" onboard the ship.

And he claimed his policy delivered "results as never achieved before or since, not only in terms of fighting human trafficking but above all in terms of lives saved".

He told the court that migrant landings fell by 90 percent under the policy, introduced while Salvini was minister between mid-2018 and mid-2019, and that migrant deaths fell by half.

Interior ministry figures show that around 120,000 migrants arrived on Italy's shores in 2017, around 23,400 in 2018 and 11,500 in 2019.

But migrant flows are influenced by many factors, including the political situation in North African nations from where many boats set off.

Data from the UN's migration agency shows that 2,337 migrants died or went missing across the entire Mediterranean in 2018 -- not just in the waters off Italy -- compared to 1,885 in 2019, 1,449 in 2020 and 2,048 in 2021.

- European pressure -

Salvini has long complained that Italy takes in a disproportionate share of migrants compared to its European neighbours -- as has Meloni, who took office in October 2022.

Questioned Friday by lawyers for civil parties in the case, Salvini said the Conte government had a policy of allowing migrants to disembark only once Italy had a guarantee from other EU countries that they would accept them.

He said it "was a form of pressure" on European nations: "First the redistribution, then the landing, was absolutely the line of conduct of the government."

Salvini had faced a similar trial, accused of refusing to allow 116 migrants to disembark from an Italian coastguard boat in July 2019. But it was thrown out by a court in Catania in 2021.

Meloni, leader of the post-fascist Brothers of Italy party, has also vowed to stop the migrant boats.

She has limited the actions of charity ships by making them perform just one rescue at a time and often assigning far-away Italian ports for docking.

Last year more than 157,000 migrants landed on Italy's shores, up from 105,000 in 2022, official figures show.

ams/ar/js
IPIAC to build LC3 plant in Oman

12 January 2024

Kaolin Group International, together with its local partners in Oman, Middle East Calcined Clay (Me-CC), has awarded IPIAC the contract to manufacture and supply the first LC2/LC3 cementplant in Oman.



IPIAC is introducing this innovative technology in Oman, which will be the first country in the Middle East region to use calcined clays to reduce its clinker factor (to mitigate CO 2 emissions up to 40 per cent) in its cement and concrete production.



This project will also be the first one that applies a new concept of plant delivery and assembly that further reduces CO 2 emissions. All parts and equipment will be installed and assembled in flat rack containers, saving 70 per cent of logistic emissions, assembly time, energy and costs. This will be the first plug & clay concept for calcined clay to reduce the carbon footprint on every level, while producing superior quality cement and concrete as well as saving costs, claims IPIAC.

Previously, in 2018 IPIAC conceptualised and manufactured the first LC3 pilot plant in Cuba and later in 2020, the first greenfield LC2/ LC3 plant in the world was installed in Cote d'Ivoire, which was also the pioneer plant in Africa. It is currently installing a further calcined clay plant with the first retrofitted wet-process clinker kiln in Angola.

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The Whitfield County Board of Assessors has mailed personal property returns on around 7,000 personal property accounts. The last day to submit a timely return is Monday, April 1. A 10 percent penalty will be assessed on returns submitted after the April 1 deadline.Personal property in Georgia includes any furniture, fixtures, equipment, machinery and inventory used in the normal course of business. Returns also must be filed on aircraft and marine vessels. If you own furnished rental property, all appliances, furniture and fixtures should be returned.Personal property taxpayers can file their returns a variety of ways.The Assessors office encourages businesses, individuals and tax professionals to utilize the new E-Returns services, Taxscribe, to file returns. To utilize E-Returns, visit https://bpp.taxscribe.app/ga or www.whitfieldassessor.com and click on the Personal Property E-Returns icon found on the quick links menu. The Board of Assessors also accept returns in person and by mail.If you have questions about personal property returns, visit www.whitfieldassessor.com/personal-property-returns-faq or call the Board of Assessors office at 706-275-7410.
Albert Allan Cameron, a retired colonel with the U.S. Air Force and a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and loyal friend to many, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones at his home in Woodstock, Georgia at the age of 84.



With Rocky Top as his cell phone ringer, it was clear Allan loved his home state of Tennessee. He was born in Shelbyville, Tennessee, to Waymon and John Walter Cameron in 1939, After World War II, the Cameron family moved to Signal Mountain where Allan attended Signal Mountain Elementary School and Baylor School for Boys graduating in 1957. He attended the University of Tennessee and graduated from UTC. While in college, he was a proud member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity, following in his fathers footsteps.



After graduation, Allan accepted an active-duty commission with the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Colorado Springs, Colorado when he met his beloved wife, Sheila. They were an unlikely pair who somehow formed a union born from destiny. She was a reliable extravert from Southern California. He was the genteel Southern gentleman who, nevertheless, enthusiastically held his wifes drink while she danced on the table. Together they traveled the world making life-long friends and introducing their children to amazing people, experiences, and memories.



Allan was assigned to Strategic Air Command and was stationed at bases domestically and in Europe as well as served in Vietnam. While stationed at Youngstown Air Force Base, he was promoted Deputy Commander for Maintenance and due to his success, there was selected for the Wing position at Dobbins Air Force Base. Allans proud 32-year Air Force career concluded in Marietta, Ga., where he was assigned to the position of Wing Commander for Logistics and was twice deployed to the United Arab Emirates for Operations Desert Storm and Enduring Freedom.



A towering figure at 6 foot 3 inches tall with a baritone voice and an exacting work ethic, he commanded respect in any room he entered. However, his most prominent attribute was his boundless generosity and as military leader he was best known for the depth of concern he held for those under his command.



Like his wife, Allan loved having his home be a base for so many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and his beloved Colombian family. Family by heart is a strong statement that expresses his deep love for them.



He was thrilled when his daughters moved to Woodstock and loved dropping by to see them and his grand dogs. Dinners, whether by candlelight at the dining room table or at the kitchen island, were led by his standard prayer which always included bringing our troops home safe.



Allan is predeceased by his wife Sheila and his brother Ted.

He is survived by his beloved daughters, Shannon and Shea; son Sean (Connie); grandchildren Kyle (Kayla), Connor (Kelcy), Elizabeth and Colleen; great-grandchildren Hailee and Abigail; brother Harvey Cameron (Emily).



A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, Feb. 2, at 12:30 p.m. at Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home, 180 Church Street, Marietta, Ga. 30066.



Interment will follow service at 3 p.m. at the Georgia National Cemetery, 1080 Veterans Cemetery Road, Canton, Ga. 30114.



In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the Air Force Aid Society https://afas.org/
Police received several reports of a vehicle traveling north on I-75 in the southbound lanes. Police were quickly dispatched to the area in an attempt to intercept the vehicle and prevent an accident. Officers were able to stop the vehicle. Officers spoke with the driver who appeared lost. She didnt exhibit any signs of intoxication, impairment or medical condition and it appeared it was an honest mistake. Police determined that for the womans safety and safety of others it was best to transport her to her residence and park her car at Sportsman's Warehouse where it was locked and secured. The woman was transported to her residence.

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Police observed a silver Nissan sedan that continued to drive past their location. The sedan had what appeared to be illegal tint. Police stopped the vehicle for tint violation and made contact with the driver, who said he lived near the address the federal agents were at, and according to the agents, they believed he may be tied into the case they were working. The man was given a verbal warning for his tint.

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A man on Calhoun Avenue told police someone had stolen his Stihl brand leaf blower out of his yard. The leaf blower is estimated to be around $700. There is no suspect information and the man did not have the serial number then. The man will prosecute for the theft.

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Two employees of the Prime Storage facility, 816 Mountain Creek Road, told police a woman who rented space there had a Tracker 300 ATV, worth $5,000, on a trailer in the very back parking spot. Sometime overnight, someone cut through the fence at Prime Storage, unhooked the ATV from the trailer it was on, cut the ratchet strap attached to it, cut the boot off of the ATV tire and then somehow exited the facility with the ATV. The keys were not with the ATV. There are no cameras on the back side of the building. The ATV was entered into NCIC as stolen. There is no suspect information.

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A woman told police she was sitting at a red light at South Central Avenue when her vehicle was struck by a white van. She said the van took off going south on 23rd Street, but she was unable to get a tag from the vehicle. The woman said she could drive her vehicle and did not need a tow. She also did not need EMS.

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A woman on Emma Kate Drive told police someone was hitting her door for the past three days between 3-3:15 p.m. Police didn't observe any kick marks or damage to her front door. The woman said she needed a report in order for the Chattanooga Housing Authority to observe camera footage.

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A man on 6th Avenue told police there was a black male who took his gray bicycle (cost of $100) at 8:30 a.m. that day. He said this man has been around his house before trying to get some of his stuff. He said he does want to press charges if this man is found.

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A woman on Marylin Lane told police she was having car trouble and her car ignited into flames. Police observed the front end of her vehicle on fire. CFD responded and controlled the fire.

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Police responded to a possible disorder with a weapon on Walden Avenue. The caller said a man and woman were out arguing and the man possibly had a knife or a gun. Police arrived and spoke with the occupants at the address. A man told police, "My homeboy and girlfriend were arguing; however, they are gone." While en route officers saw a black SUV leaving the area. The officer asked the man if he knew what direction they went and he said no.

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A man who works maintenance for ICCM World Ministries at 5746 Marlin Road told police a homeless woman had attempted to camp inside the building. He said the woman needed to be trespassed from the location. Police spoke with the woman and explained she was no longer allowed on the property and, if she came back, she would be charged with trespassing.
Not since Prohibition, WWII, the recent banning of abortion by the United States Supreme Court, or the Biden/Trump scenario has there been such a political hot potato as a proposed joint bill filed in the Tennessee General Assembly in Nashville in the first week of January 2024.

Choo Choo City is proud that it has a booming pet (dogs, cats, snakes, gators, etc.) population that are allowed to freely roam the streets (on a leash), urinate, defecate, and the vast majority of time leave a momento of their visit. Unfortunately a shortage of litter bags from China has restricted the vast majority of considerate pet owners from picking up the residue of their little (and big) darlings.

Setting aside any minor concerns that may have increased the duties of the dedicated public works employees in Gig Citys new government funded Poop and Scoop division, a much more serious crisis has been created by the introduction of a non-pet-friendly piece of legislation.

Briefly stated the proposed law would prohibit emotional support animals (ESAs) that are not trained, or being trained, to perform tasks or work for a person with a disability from indoor areas of food service.

There have been historical accusations in the Choo Choo City's political past where not only deceased individuals were allowed to vote, but their favorite pets were also included on ballots under the family name.

Other alleged political acts of misconduct and violations of the sacred constitutional right to a fair election involved the the practice of purchasing a back tax lot for $100, creating residency rights to vote in a municipal election, and then registering 500 of your closest friends to become co owners on the same postage stamp size property.

Back to the public outcry that has just begun and it is anticipated that the impartial Secretary of State's Office is expected to monitor the situation closely to keep the Volunteer State from becoming involved in a test case before the Tennessee and United States Supreme Courts. A difference of opinions has already begun that may necessitate the American Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) initiate litigation to protect the rights of all critters, large or small, from being discriminated against with action by members of the Tennessee General Assembly.

(It is predicted that the duly elected members of the Hamilton County legislative delegation during the election year of 2024 will diligently seek a solution that will protect all of the constitutional rights of our two- and four-legged citizens in Nashville!)
Lookout Mountain, Ga. has a new Fire and Police chief. The city received a letter of resignation from former Chief Todd Gann last week. He had worked for the city 15 years as chief of the department. Mayor David Bennett began the January council meeting by thanking him for his service to the city and wishing the former chief well. Taylor Watson, council liaison with the Fire and Police department, said she is sad to lose him, though in his next job, he will have the opportunity for advancement.h the fire and Police department.

Dewayne Steele has been named the new chief of Fire and Police for Lookout Mountain, Ga. He began his career as a firefighter in Rossville, Ga. from 1974-1982. Among other experience qualifying him, he has been an officer with the Walker County Sheriffs Department as well as a jail administrator with the Walker County Detention facility with the rank of captain.

Councilman Kevin Leckenby, who is a volunteer firefighter with the city, said that this choice is a great direction to take. He said when Dewayne Steele first began working in the city he knew how to do it, and he is able to bounce between the volunteers and full-time employees. Chief Steele has been working in Lookout Mountain, Ga. on a part-time basis for the past two years, and Council member Watson said the council realized that there was no need to look further because someone already in the department had the experience and skills for the job.

After he was sworn in, Chief Steele said that he will be available to anyone who needs him, 24/7. He said he is looking forward to the new year and the new beginning.

The police commissioner said the city also has a new patrol officer. Wes Barrett, a retired air marshal. He will replace an officer who retired.

City Judge Buddy Presley received approval from the council to add an assistant judge. He recommended Phil Jacobs, a long-time resident of the city. He was unanimously approved on the condition that Mr. Jacobs is licensed to practice law in Georgia. He will serve as a back-up when Judge Presley is away.

Both leaf and brush collection by the Public Works department is continuing. Council member Leckenby, the liaison with the Public Works, said that picking up Christmas trees and storm debris is being added to the work load. For household garbage collection, he said it is very important that it is bagged to keep debris from being propelled when it is compacted. One crew member recently sustained an eye injury, which could have been prevented had it been bagged.

Cleaning out culverts is an ongoing issue, but the need to clear drainage along several city streets increased during the recent heavy rain. Residents should contact city hall if they notice a clogged culvert needing immediate attention. Public Works is prepared for the strong storm systems this week and next with the salt truck ready to go if needed. Reflectors will be placed along the yellow street lines to increase visibility, and a rubber blade has been put on the snow plow that should help prevent the reflectors being scraped off the roads said the councilman. Also, flowable fill is being considered to extend the life of the roadside edges on Rock City Trail. The dumpster will be available on the mountain next on Feb. 3.

City Manager Kenny Lee said that everyone calls it the Public Works department, but the name should be changed to the  Total Service department because there is nothing that they cannot do.

As of today, 95 percent of the new gas main throughout Lookout Mountain, Ga., has been installed and, after all hookups have been made, the remaining five percent of the main will be installed. Rock and weather have slowed down the project, and now the anticipated completion date is July 24. New gas lines are being extended in the area around Wood Nymph Trail and the work is extremely slow because it is mostly in rock. That part of the work should be completed by the end of November.

Progress is being made on the citys pump station repairs. Three engineering firms submitted bids for the sewer request for proposal and two local firms were interviewed. CTI was selected to engineer the sewer project, and drawing up a contract has begun. A grant for the sewer work, coming from the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission, will be presented to the city next Thursday at the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission council meeting.
Barbara Jean Laws Mullinax, age 77, passed away on January 8, 2024 while in hospice care. Her husband and children were at her bedside.

Barbara loved Jesus Christ and she gave her life to Him at age 38. She was changed from that point forward. Sharing the love of Jesus with all who crossed her path became her lifes joy. She was a talented teacher, uniquely gifted with the ability to connect with people and immediately pass on spiritual truths she learned, even as a new believer. Her life as a witness and teacher began with her four children and husband; each of them were first introduced to the gospel by Barbara through the work of the Holy Spirit. Her family teased her about being perpetually late, yet she had the ability to talk deeply with nearly anyone, regularly meeting people in the midst of their crises and encouraging them as though she was right on time for their divine appointment. Even at the end of her life, with her body so weak, God used her to love and serve others. Barbara treasured the verse in 2 Corinthians 12:9, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christs power may rest on me.

The most important person on earth to Barbara was her beloved husband, Larry Mullinax. Barbara and Larry met at Vanderbilt during freshman year. He was the love of her life and they married on June 11, 1967. They were married for 56 years. They grew up together, met Jesus together, laughed together, grew in their faith together and have ministered to their children and grandchildren together on a daily basis. Wanting to share the joy of following Christ with her children and grandchildren, Barbara made family time a priority. Ami and G-dad are what they are called by their 10 grandchildren, who kept their schedule full with countless performances, programs, recitals, and games.

Barbara was known for teaching the Bible and ministering to young mothers at First Presbyterian Church of Chattanooga. God gifted her with the ability to convey biblical truths and shepherd young moms. A mom with a newborn baby once asked her the secret to raising godly children. She told us that Barbara giggled and in all humility said, There is no secret. There is no formula. Just chase after Jesus and they will follow you. She will be remembered as someone who was open about her mistakes, pointed others to Jesus, prayed faithfully, and loved generously and unconditionally in response to Jesuss love for her.

She was born January 24, 1946 in Baltimore, Maryland to James and Anne Laws. She was preceded in death by her brother Bobby, her sister Joanne Chiglinsky (Joannes husband Mike), and her mother and father.

Barbara is survived by her devoted husband, Larry, her children: Lisanne Mullinax, Greg Mullinax (Clarice), Allison Jenson (Dave), and Angie Boone (Sam), and her ten grandchildren: Perrin and Rosamond Mullinax; Nathan, Elizabeth, William, Blaire and James Boone; and Norah, Callie and Eve Jenson; her brother Jerry Laws (Tricia) and their daughters Jennifer and Gretchen; her sisters children Brian, Katherine and Peter; her brother Jimmy (Jan) and their sons Michael and Jason.

The family will receive guests from 10-11:30 a.m. on January 27 at First Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga, TN. A celebration of life will follow from 11:30-12:30 and will be officiated by Jim Suddath.

In lieu of flowers, the best way to honor Barbara is to donate to Choices Pregnancy

Resource Center, a ministry that Barbara and Larry have enjoyed supporting for many years: https://engage.suran.com/choiceschatt/s/give/new-gift?slug=dec8e818d5894a4

Arrangements are by Hamilton Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 4506 Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN 37343.


Edward L. Shaw, 83, a resident of Birchwood, passed away Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at the family residence.

Ed was born in Rector, Arkansas and he was the son of the late Faye Pitts Shaw and Almond Shaw.

Ed has been a resident of Michigan and Florida. He has lived in Cleveland for the past 19 years. While in living in Michigan, Ed was the executive vice president of Stark and Company and the founder and president of Point of Sale In-Store Services.

Upon his salvation in 1987, God called him to become a missionary evangelist. Ed found joy as he fulfilled the Great Commission and ministered to the homeless at Mercy House in the Cass Corridor of Detroit, Agape Outreach Center in Lakeland, Fl. and Elrod Outreach Center in Cleveland, Tn. While ministering in these outreach locations, Ed developed discipleship programs, feeding programs and community outreach for all ages. In the past 13 years, God opened doors for Ed to minister in Uganda, Africa. His heart was moved by the genuine faith of the people of Uganda. He set up churches and help found Life in the Word Church in Kampala, Uganda. He and his fellow missionaries fed widows and orphans, set up feeding programs and assisted in setting up sustainable ways for the people of Uganda to receive consisted sources of food. He traveled from village to village preaching the goodness of the Lord, leading souls to Christ and worshiping with believers.

His life was consumed with sharing the gospel and leading people to salvation. Ed was devoted to early morning prayer and worship as he interceded for his 11 grandchildren and the needs of his friends and loved ones. He and Cindy also served together as chaplains for The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Rapid Response Team. Ed built his life on the foundation of the Word of God and encouraged others to do so as well. From the moment of salvation, Ed served the Lord with his whole heart. Ed was a member of the Church Alive Congregation here in Cleveland.
Hamilton County General Sessions Court Judge Alex McVeagh has officially qualified to run in the Republican primary election for Division III Circuit Court race in Hamilton County. Joining Judge McVeagh when filing his nominating petition at the Hamilton County Election Commission was former District 29 State Rep. Joan Carter, as well as his colleagues and supporters, Judge Gary Starnes and Judge Lila Statom.

"Today marks the next step in our race to be Hamilton Countys next Circuit Court Judge, said Judge McVeagh. I am humbled by the support we continue to receive across Hamilton County, including the recent endorsements from local law enforcement, firefighters and members of the judiciary.

Judge McVeagh continued, My campaign continues to focus on how my qualifications as a business litigator in Circuit Court, proven experience as a sitting judge for the past seven years, and my values and record as a Republican make me the best candidate in the race to be our next Circuit Court judge. I look forward to having more discussions with Republican voters in the coming months and working hard to earn their support and vote on March 5.

Early Voting for the Division III Circuit Court race starts on Wednesday, Feb. 14, and concludes on Tuesday, Feb. 27. Election Day for the Republican Primary is scheduled for Tuesday, March 5, with the General Election scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 1.




Polar Bears amble along the frigid expanse of Wrangel Island, Russia, in the giant-screen film The Arctic: Our Frozen Planet 3D. As the sea ice melts each summer, over 1,000 bears wait for the return of the sea ice on Wrangel, which is home to the largest concentration of Polar Bears on Earth. photo by BBC Studios Gentoo Penguins navigate snow drifts temporarily added to the Penguins Rock gallery as part of their daily enrichment. On land, Gentoos may seem awkward, but in the water, they are the fastest of all penguin species, capable of swimming through (and out of) the water at speeds in excess of 20 miles per hours. photo by Tennessee Aquarium Trailing bubbles, a Macaroni Penguin darts through the waters of the Penguins Rock gallery at the Tennessee Aquarium. The bubbles following in the wake of this diving bird are from air trapped in its dense layers of interlocking feathers, which keep it warm despite swimming in chilly 42-degree water. photo by Tennessee Aquarium Narwhals, also called unicorns of the sea, swim in frigid waters in the giant-screen film The Arctic: Our Frozen Planet 3D. Their tusk is in fact an overgrown tooth. photo by BBC Studios Walruses relax on a beach in Svalbard, Norway, in the giant-screen film The Arctic: Our Frozen Planet 3D. They huddle together in close, noisy quarters. photo by Barry Britton Previous Next

Its a rare privilege to visit the North or South Pole, but with a cold snap preparing to send the mercury into a nosedive next week, all Chattanoogans will need to do to sample the Arctic experience is crack open a window or step outside.



In the coming days, a meandering, southward bend of the polar jet stream is set to disrupt the polar vortex, the relatively stable pocket of cold air encircling the North Pole. This disturbance will send a mass of frigid air deep into the lower 48, affecting cities as far as south as Atlanta and Dallas.

The arrival of this Arctic visitor is projected to drop temperatures dozens of degrees below their seasonal average. For those who would prefer a more-comfortable way to experience life at the poles, however, the Tennessee Aquarium offers a climate-controlled alternative to braving the deep freeze.Just in time for the cold snap, the Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater today is beginning daily showings of an all-new giant-screen film, The Arctic: Our Frozen Planet 3D. This production by SK Films and BBC Earth whisks viewers to the lands above the Arctic Circle.Unlike its southerly continental counterpart, the area surrounding the North Pole is comprised of sea ice for most of the year, but viewers will find this sometimes-frozen ocean to be anything but lifeless. The film showcases a bevy of charismatic residents, from Polar Bears and roly-poly Harp Seal to spiral-tusked Narwhal and  shockingly  frozen Bumblebees that safely defrost when conditions warm.Most of the time, it can be easy to dismiss the Arctic and Antarctic as alien landscapes thousands of miles away with no connection to daily life in the Southeast. As the forthcoming polar surge demonstrates, however, global weather patterns have  as the name suggests  far-reaching impact.We often see changes happening in the polar regions and think Out of sight, out of mind. That doesnt affect me, but the Earths systems are connected, says Dr. Marshall Shepherd, a leading international expert whose research focuses on urban climate, hydrometeorological extremes, weather-climate risk, and innovative outreach strategies.The director of the University of Georgias Atmospheric Sciences Program, Dr. Shepherd visited the IMAX Theater on Thursday for a special post-film presentation and Q&A to celebrate the launch of The Arctic: Our Frozen Planet 3D.The fact that Chattanoogans soon will be breathing air that, just days ago, was supplying oxygen to Polar Bears and Harp Seals isnt surprising in the context of the interconnectedness of Earths many systems, Dr. Shepherd said.We know the Arctic region is warming faster than any other region on the planet, he says. That has impacts on things like our jet stream patterns, which can affect the weather in Chattanooga or Atlanta. There is a connection between where we live and the Arctic. The changes in the polar regions certainly impact Tennessee.Before or after screening The Arctic, guests can brave the brisk conditions to pay a visit to some of the Aquariums resident experts on life at the poles.In the Ocean Journey building, the Aquariums colony of Gentoo and Macaroni Penguins are accustomed to life in the frigid expanse of the Antarctic Peninsula and its outlying islands. Thanks to their dense, air-retaining layers of interlocking feathers and fatty blubber, penguins are able to stay warm  and even thrive  in water thats at or near-freezing temperature.One penguin can have 80 feathers per square inch, so on their entire body, were talking thousands and thousands of feathers, says Assistant Curator of Forests Loribeth Lee. All of these feathers combined keep them warm because feathers are great insulators.At the Aquarium, the residents of Penguins Rock are more than comfortable in temperatures that are maintained at about 42-43 degrees Fahrenheit, both above and below the water.Those conditions might not even come close to testing the penguins cold-weather adaptations, but in the coming days, even the inside of the gallery might seem comparatively balmy to the weather outside the Aquarium.On the other  warmer  side of the acrylic, guests can defrost and relax while taking in fascinating behaviors, including: Ecstatic displays: Macaroni Penguins bellow out while twisting their heads from side to side. Inside the exhibit, this sound is deafening but is thankfully much quieter from the visitor side of the gallery. Porpoising: Gentoos  the worlds fastest penguin species  can rocket through and, briefly, out of the water at speeds in excess of 20 miles per hour. These showy, rainbow-like arches above the surface allow them to take quick breaths while covering long distances quickly.

To view a screening schedule at the IMAX 3D Theater or purchase advance tickets for The Arctic: Our Frozen Planet 3D, visit tnaqua.org/imax.



Want to check in on the activity in the Penguins Rock gallery from home? View an always-live webcam of the Gentoo and Macaroni Penguins at tnaqua.org/live/penguins-rock/.

View the trailer to The Arctic: Our Frozen Planet 3D here.
The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission heard a report on the public input on the new deer and turkey management process and an invasive carp update among its business at its first 2024 meeting held on Friday.The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency held public meetings and solicited online input for comment on draft regulation packages related to the new deer and turkey management process. This new approach better utilizes science and improved data sources for setting annual hunting seasons from a set of pre-developed regulation packages.TWRA staff received over 10,000 public comments related to draft regulations and created a summary of those comments using AI to eliminate any staff bias.The input summaries were used to create the presented regulation packages to be considered annually in the new process. Mark McBride, TWRA assistant chief for Game Species Section, made the presentation.The TWRA will present its full recommendations for the 2024-25 hunting season at the March TFWC meeting. TheCommission will vote the proposals at the April meeting.Cole Harty, Aquatic Nuisance Species coordinator for the TWRA Fisheries Division, presented the update on invasive carp in the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers and Reelfoot Lake. Invasive carp refers to four species-silver, bighead, grass, and black carp. In addition to the current distribution of carp, the prevention and management actions being implemented by TWRA and partners were discussed.There are two major tools to prevent and control carp including removal and deterrents. Through the Tennessee Carp Harvest Incentive Program (TCHIP), 28 million pounds have been removed since September 2018. In fiscal year 2023, more than 8 million pounds were removed. Experimental deterrents are also showing approximately 50 percent effectiveness for preventing carp from traveling upstream.Dr. Brad Cohen, Tennessee Tech University, reported on the mallard telemetry research project, now beginning its fifth year on state and federal refuges in West Tennessee. The projects provide critical data on waterfowl migration and hunting pressure and reveals that waterfowl populations increase where there is less hunting pressure.TFWC Chairman Tommy Woods appointed Commissioner Hank Wright to serve as chairman for the 2024-25 TFWC Officer Nominating Committee which will also include commissioners Rhonda Moody and Brad Box. Vice chairman Jimmy Granbery will be the Legacy Award Committee chair, and Commissioners Stan Butt and Rhonda Moody will serve as committee members. The Legacy Award was founded in 2021 to recognize individuals who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to hunting, fishing and other outdoor lifestyles of Tennessee.
Find out what the Princess of Wales didn't get from Prince William on her birthday one year that had her very upset.

Prince Williams wife the Princess of Wales (formerly known as Kate Middleton) celebrates her birthday every year on Jan. 9.

In 2024 it was reported that although she celebrated quietly with their family in Windsor, William still made every effort to spoil her rotten. And while theres no doubt that Kate receives nice things from her husband, a royal author has revealed that one year the princess was left crushed and frustrated because of something he did.

Read on to find out what that was and why it left Kate feeling that way.

The reason Kate was left crushed one year on her birthday

Prince William and Kate Middleton walking together at the Central Flying School in Lincolnshire, England | POOL/Tim Graham Picture Library/Getty Images

Royal correspondent Katie Nicholl, who authored the book Kate: The Future Queen, relayed the story about why the princess was left crushed on her birthday back in 2008.

After completing his assignments with the Armed Forces, William was set to leave the Household Cavalry but decided to join the RAF. According to Nicholl, the princes decision was a surprise to not only his family but also his then-girlfriend.

With that single decision, Kates life was turned upside down. She had expected a [marriage] proposal once William had completed his military training. But instead, she was forced to accept that there would be no engagement any time soon. Kate would have to wait even longer, Nicholl wrote per Express. Kate supported his desires and ambitions, but privately she was crushed. William was asking her to be an army wife  without the nuptials. Her frustration was understandable.

For Kate, it was a step backward. It seemed that everyone was getting married except for her. As she neared her 27th birthday, Kates plan to be married with children by the time she was thirty was looking increasingly unlikely.

Kate finally got her wish when Prince William proposed

Prince William and Kate Middleton pose together for photographs after the Palace announced their engagement | Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Of course, two years later, the princess got her wish when William finally did pop the question.

The proposal took place during a trip to Kenya and the prince said he was able to surprise his longtime girlfriend with an overnight stay at a secluded cabin on the shores of Lake Rutundu. The lakeside setting served as the backdrop when he asked for her hand in marriage.

During a speech at Buckingham Palaces reception marking the U.K.-Africa Investment Summit, William told the audience why he chose that location to propose.

The African continent holds a very special place in my heart, he explained. It is the place my father took my brother and me shortly after our mother died. And when deciding where best to propose to Catherine, I could think of no more fitting place than Kenya to get down on one knee.

The now-Prince and Princess of Wales tied the knot on April 29, 2011, and have since welcomed three children together.
Individuals wishing to enter artwork must be over 18 years old, be a citizen of a federally recognized Native American tribe or nation, and complete all submission requirements no later than 5 p.m. CST on Feb. 23.
Jeannette Cooperman at The Common Reader:

Douglas Adams called him the greatest comic writer ever. Hilaire Belloc went so far as to pronounce him the best living writer of English, and rather than retract that excessive praise he explained it. P.G. Wodehouse had perfectly accomplished what he set out to do: create and sustain a world that would amuse us.

What really tore it for me, thoughafter managing to avoid reading Wodehouse for half a centurywas learning that the fiercely witty Christopher Hitchens held him in the highest esteem. Incidentally, both Hitchens and Salman Rushdie thought Wodehouse, that silly, fluffy, whimsical writer, had written the consummate anti-Nazi diatribe:

The trouble with you, Spode, is that just because you have succeeded in inducing a handful of half-wits to disfigure the London scene by going about in black shorts, you think youre someone. You hear them shouting, Heil, Spode! and you imagine it is the Voice of the People. That is where you make your bloomer. What the Voice of the People is saying is: Look at that frightful ass Spode swanking about in footer bags! Did you ever in your puff see such a perfect perisher?

Dated, you say? Edwardian prose that no longer holds up? Neil Gaiman would disagree. David Foster Wallace called Wodehouse timelessly funny. For Stephen Fry, he exhausts superlatives. John le Carre insisted that no library is complete without its well-thumbed copy of Right Ho, Jeeves.

More here.
The emergence of new evidence has further confirmed the theory that a shipwreck found off the coast of Rhode Island was the remains of a vessel called the HMS Endeavour, once captained by James Cook, who sailed around the world in the 1700s. Later on, the ship was renamed the Lord Sandwich.

In 1768, Cook began his historical voyage, setting sail from the British port of Plymouth to search for the Great Southern Land.

He traveled across the South Pacific and reached Australia in 1770, becoming the first European ship to make it to the continents east coast.

The Endeavour was deliberately sunk by British forces in 1778 during the Revolutionary War. In 1779, local tribespeople from Hawaii killed Captain Cook.

The claim of the discovery of Captain Cooks ship was first announced in February of 2022 by the Australian National Maritime Museum. The shape of the wreck and other structural details led them to the conclusion.

Some were skeptical about the museums declaration, but two new pieces of evidence have made experts more positive about the identification of the vessel.

At the shipwreck site in Rhode Islands Newport Harbor, archaeologists came across a pump well and a specific joint in the section of the ships bow.

According to the museum, the discovery of the pump well was significant in verifying the identity of the site. It allowed archaeologists to make comparisons between the pump well and the archival plans from when the ship was built.

Ultimately, they found that the position of the mechanism matched what was described in the drawings.

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As the white editors of Christianity Today surveyed Martin Luther King Jr.s nonviolent civil disobedience on behalf of civil rights in the summer of 1964, they were not impressed. For preachers to argue that civil disobedience is justified helps to encourage those who would resort to violence, CT declared that August.

A half century later, CT formally apologized for its opposition to King and the civil rights movement. By then, the magazine had published numerous pieces lauding King as an example of Christian love whose words and actions offered a needed call to repentance for white evangelicals.

But King remains an awkward figure for those of us who are both white and evangelicaltwo things that King was not. Many of us would like to herald him as a prophet, but when we do, we risk co-opting King for our own purposes rather than understanding him on his own terms.

White American evangelicals have typically reacted to King in one of three ways: (1) criticizing his Christian practice as heretical or hypocritical; (2) heralding him as a prophet of love whose teachings can heal our racial divisions and cleanse us of the sin of racism; or (3) highlighting his commitment to nonviolence and an alleged colorblind American ideal as an alternative to more militant forms of Black nationalism.

There is at least some truth in every one of these three reactions to Kingbut in each case, white evangelicals have frequently gone too far. In each case, we have too often tried to fit King into our own evangelical categories instead of understanding him on his own terms.

Kings non-evangelical Christian theology

King was not an evangelical. Evangelicals have traditionally seen the answer to the problem of sin primarily in individual conversion. This was the message of the 18th- and 19th-century revivalists, and it was the message of Billy Graham in the 20th century.

But King understood sin primarily in structural terms. From the time that he was first conscious of the world around him until the day he died, Kings life was shaped by the structural reality of racial segregationa legal, social, and cultural system that refused to treat him with full human dignity simply because of his skin color. King viewed his call to the ministry not primarily as a call to save souls for the afterlife but as a call to bring the kingdom of God to bear on an evil system that did not treat people as people.

The ultimate way to overcome evil was through the power of the crossbut not the cross of Christs judicial atonement, as white evangelicals believed, but the cross of collective unearned suffering. Nonviolent activism could expose the evils of structural injustice and bring about a national repentance as the broader public was moved by the sight of seeing oppressed people showing love toward their oppressors.

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King was neither the first nor the last to preach this message, but he was more effective than most, partly because his view of Christianity and American democracy appealed not only to African American Christians but also to many white liberals. Unlike the early 20th-century Black nationalist Marcus Garvey or Kings contemporary Malcolm X, King grounded his calls for racial justice in the nations founding documentsthe Declaration of Independences assertion that all men are created equal and the rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

He also grounded his principles of racial equality, human dignity, and nonviolent activism against injustice in the parts of the Bible that held the greatest appeal for white liberal Protestants: the Sermon on the Mount, the parable of the Good Samaritan, the Golden Rule, and the biblical prophetic tradition.

To many white liberal Christians, Kings message of love and justiceespecially backed by his willingness to go to jail and risk his life for his beliefsseemed to be a perfect reflection of the version of the social gospel and the tenets of American democracy that they already believed, even if they had sometimes applied these principles inconsistently on matters of race. They lauded King as a modern prophet and put him on the editorial masthead at The Christian Century, the leading liberal Protestant magazine of the time.

White evangelical Christians found Kings message far more objectionable. Kings views of the Bible, conversion, and the Atonement did not match their theology. Nor did his political views coincide with theirs. To most white evangelicals, international communism was one of the greatest threats to religious freedom, and they therefore supported the Vietnam War and Americas Cold War mission.

King, as a pacifist and Christian socialist who was often critical of the US government, opposed the Vietnam War and engaged in a campaign of nonviolent civil disobediencea campaign that Christianity Today and Billy Graham denounced. They believed it would potentially undermine Americas anti-communist mission and thought that it violated the New Testaments requirement for Christians to submit to governing authorities.

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White evangelical repentance

It took a long time after his death for most white evangelicals to fully make peace with King. In the late 1960s and 1970s, some young evangelical progressives who wanted to make racial reconciliation a central priority for the evangelical movement venerated King, but many conservative evangelicals ignored him. Not until the late 1980s did Christianity Today magazine begin regularly publishing hagiographic retrospectives on King.

When conservative evangelicals rediscovered King in the late 20th century, they began using his historical memory as a way to call white evangelicals to repentance for the sin of individual racism. The reason, they said, white evangelicals (including themselves) had opposed King in the 1960s was that theyd had racist attitudes. But in retrospect, they saw the light and realized that King was the true Christian while they themselves had been the Pharisaical sinners.

This repentance was undoubtedly genuine and sorely needed, but it was also based on at least a partial misunderstanding of King. His message was primarily social rather than individual, and his goal was to transform American democracy and lead African Americans to the promised landnot merely to heal white Christians hearts so that they could begin worshiping at multiracial churches.

Some of the white Christians who now lauded Kingsuch as Jerry Falwell, who in 1988 called King everybodys American heroalso supported then-president Ronald Reagans Cold War nuclear arms buildup and opposed the presidential campaign of Jesse Jackson, the civil rights leader who had been Kings associate. It is highly unlikely that King would have approved of these white evangelical political stances had he lived long enough to see them. And white evangelicals likely wouldve been far less approving of King were he still alive in the late 1980s and championing causes similar to the ones Jackson endorsed.

In attributing their prior rejection of King to past racist sins for which they had now repented, some of the white evangelicals who adopted King as a prophetic hero failed to fully grapple with the theological distance between Kings message and their own.

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It wasnt merely hatred of Black people or opposition to racial integration that had prompted evangelicals in the 1960s to repudiate King; it was profound differences in theological and political orientation. Those differences were as wide as ever in the 1980s and 1990s, but now that King was dead, it was easy for white evangelicals to ignore them.

The King that they now heralded was a mythical King who was far more evangelical and conservative than he ever had been in real life.

King as conservative hero

At the very moment that white evangelicals were beginning to rediscover King, many younger African Americans and white liberals were starting to distance themselves from him. The release of Spike Lees film Malcolm X in 1992 popularized Malcolms Black nationalism for a younger generation of African Americans who were tired of seeing white people herald Martin Luther King Jr. as an example of nonviolent Black passivity.

PBSs landmark documentary series Eyes on the Prize (1987) and Taylor Branchs Pulitzer Prizewinning book Parting the Waters: America in the King Years, 195463 (1988) represented the high-water mark for hagiographic treatments of King from American historians.

After the late 1980s, depictions of King became more critical, with historians much more likely to note his condescending (or even abusive) treatment of women and his conflicts with younger activists. These new histories suggested the most courageous people in the struggle were actually local activists such as Fannie Lou Hamer and Bob Moses or Black Power advocates like Stokely Carmichael.

In this context, white conservative evangelicals doubled down on their appropriation of King, lauding him not only as a believing Christian (in contrast to Black Power radicals who were not) but also as a colorblind conservative whose dream of a world where people will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character offered an implicit critique of affirmative action. The fact that the real King supported affirmative action and democratic socialism during the final years of his life was lost on those who understood King only through his I Have a Dream speech.

Understanding King today

As a white evangelical Christian who is also an academic historian, I face three questions as I think about King: (1) How should I understand King as a historical figure, in the context of his own time and place? (2) How should my understanding of King affect my own understanding of Christian theology and the Bible? and (3) How should my understanding of King and Christian theology affect my response to issues of racial justice today?

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The first question is the easiest to answer: King was a complicated figure, but it seems clear that his theological and political views differed substantially from those of white evangelicals both then or now. To understand Kings views, we have to understand the history of the Black social gospel, as theological historian Gary Dorrien has argued.

The second question is more uncomfortable: Does white evangelicalisms resistance to the ethics of King show that weve gotten our theology wrong, and should we therefore become converts to the Black social gospel?

We need to choose our Christian theology based on our understanding of biblical truth, not merely on our attraction to a particular way of life or our admiration of a Christian principle in action. But whenever we find evidence that our own theological tradition hasnt adequately rejected a given sin, like racism, we should identify the theological blind spots that kept our tradition from seeing that evil. We should adopt instead a theological corrective that includes not only our own understandings of the Bible but also whatever biblical truths we find in other Christian traditions, including Kings theology and the theology of other Black Christians.

Regardless of our understanding of King, we also need to answer the question of how we should respond to racial injustice todayand whether we should appeal to Kings words when we do so. Because its easy to quote King selectively or out of context, we need to be careful about using King to weigh in on current policy debates, especially if were tempted to use his words to argue against a particular form of Black activism.

At the same time, Kings example of active resistance to evil through nonviolent love is still just as inspirational as it was during his lifetimeit can still convict and inspire us, even if we might not agree with all his theological views. I appreciate the humility of the white Christians of the late 20th century who recognized that Kings attitudes were far more Christlike than theirs and who found in King an impetus to repent. Their historical understanding of King may have been incomplete in some cases, but their humility was laudable.

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And so, on this 95th anniversary of Kings birth, I think we need to approach King with a similar humility. We need to realize that his story is not our own, and his understanding of the Christian faith was probably different from ours. He was a man of both deep flaws and profound insights. He was not the only civil rights hero or even the best one.

But he was deeply engaged with the Christian message of justice and reconciliation, and there is much we have yet to learn from his life as it wasnot as we might wish or imagine it to be.

Daniel K. Williams teaches American history at Ashland University and is the author of The Politics of the Cross: A Christian Alternative to Partisanship.

[ This article is also available in Francais. ]
This week on The Bulletin, hosts Mike Cosper, Nicole Martin and editor in chief Russell Moore sit down with special guest Charles Camosy, Professor of Medical Humanities at the Creighton University School of Medicine, to talk about the popes latest condemnation of surrogacy and what it means to hold a pro-life ethic over and against consumerist culture. The episode continues with honest words about why we evangelicals need to sometimes critique our own and how politics muddies the gospel when it enters the pulpit. Listen for compelling, thought-provoking discussions that will expand your faith.



The Bulletin is a production of Christianity Today

Executive Producer: Erik Petrik

Producer: Clarissa Moll and Matt Stevens

Associate Producer: McKenzie Hill

Editing and Mix: TJ Hester

Music: Dan Phelps

Show Design: Bryan Todd

Graphic Design: Amy Jones

Social Media: Kate Lucky
Home News Many Americans say crime is increasing in their communities while FBI reports record drop

Data released by the FBI purportedly shows a potentially historic decrease in crime. But recent surveys suggest many Americans believe crime is worsening despite national data that critics believe is "deceptive."

The FBI released its third quarter of 2023 data last month, based on information received from 14,005 of 19,018 law enforcement agencies in the country. According to the data, violent crime dropped by 8%, while property crime fell by 6.3%, the lowest level since 1961.

Charles Stimson, deputy director of the conservative think tank Heritage Foundation's Edwin Meese III Center for Legal and Judicial Studies, told The Christian Post that the FBI data is "artfully deceptive."

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"Crime, especially violent crime, is demographically and geographically concentrated in the inner cities. There's no such thing as a national crime rate, and if there is, it doesn't really mean that much," he said.

Last Thursday, Rasmussen Reports published a poll that found 41% of American Adults say crime has increased in their community over the past year. Researchers polled 1,102 American adults from Dec. 26-28, 2023, with a margin of sampling error of +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence.

According to the findings, only 14% of American adults think that crime in their community has decreased, while 38% believe crime has stayed about the same over the past year. In a previous Rasmussen survey published two years ago, 45% of participants had said crime increased in their communities.

Stimson said the survey shows that crime is "geographically, demographically concentrated in the inner cities."

He said while it's important to assess national trends when analyzing crime data and that the national aggregate data released by the FBI showed a slight decrease, the expert asserts that crime has increased in several cities.

A Gallup poll of over 1,009 American adults released in December shows that 63% of Americans say the crime issue in the U.S. is either extremely or very serious, an increase from 54% in 2021. Meanwhile, 77% of respondents believe that the crime problem is worsening in the U.S.

As CBS News reported on Dec. 29, in cities like Chicago, for example, while some crimes decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, others, such as shootings and homicides, increased instead. After the pandemic subsided, certain crimes returned to pre-COVID-19 levels.

According to a CBS Chicago analysis of police data from Jan. 1 through Dec. 11, 2023, there were nearly 27,700 violent crimes in the city in 2023, a figure that hasn't been reached since 2011.

Stimson cited a November 2022 essay he wrote for The Heritage Foundation alongside policy experts Zach Smith and Kevin Dayaratna titled "The Blue City Murder Problem." The essay noted that of the 30 cities with the highest homicide rates, 27 have Democrat mayors.

The authors argue that policies like refusing to prosecute entire categories of misdemeanor crimes or restrictions on asking for bail to ensure the presence of a defendant at another court meeting have led to an increase in crime.

Criminologist Jeffy Asher, who also analyzed the FBI numbers, found that murder in the U.S. declined at one of the fastest rates ever recorded in 2023. He noted gun violence still appeared to be heavy, even in places showing rapid decline. However, he asserted that the overall trend was "extraordinarily positive and should be recognized as such."

Stimson contends that crime rates have been decreasing dramatically since 1992, following what he described as "massive crime tsunamis" that started in the 1960s and continued to build in the '70s before exploding in the '80s and peaking in 1992.

"But the next crime tsunami happened, starting in 2016, and it has been going up dramatically, especially in cities with the toxic trend of 'defund the police' and the election of rogue prosecutors," he said, citing Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx in Illinois as an example.
Home News Christian prison ministry canceled for conflicting with state's diversity values: lawsuit

A Christian instructor of a faith-based rehabilitation program intended for male inmates is challenging a Minnesota correctional facility's cancellation of the class over its complementarian teachings on marriage and gender.

Anthony Schmitt and his colleague, Bruce Robinson, taught a class called "The Quest for Authentic Manhood" from 2012 to 2023 at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in St. Cloud.

According to a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota on Monday, Schmitt received an email on July 2023 from DOC Assistant Commissioner Jolene Rebertus informing him that he could no longer teach the class following a review of the curriculum.

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"The program directly conflicts with the diversity, equity, and inclusivity values of the department by defining manhood, or the study of masculinity, through a biblical lens of what a 'real man looks like,'" Rebertus wrote, as quoted in court documents.

"Throughout all sessions reviewed, men were only identified as heterosexual, seeking ideal relationships and marriage with women," the email continued. "It is evident that throughout this curriculum, manhood can only be achieved through heterosexual relationships."

The lawsuit states that the DOC and Rebertus "shut down the Quest program because it teaches that men and women have complementarian roles in family and society, that men occupy a particular role in family and society, and that same-sex attraction does not require men or women to engage in same-sex relationships."

Rebertus, who is named as a defendant in the suit, also highlighted the program's depiction of the "ideal marriage core role" for a wife as a "helper" to her husband, who is the "head" of the household.

"While the teachings do describe the woman in this role as 'honorable,' the reinforced stereotypes and biases can be hurtful and downright dangerous for those participants who either committed acts of violence, domestic violence, or may be victims of violence by women," the DOC assistant commissioner stated.

Schmitt is being represented by the nonprofit law firm the Upper Midwest Law Center of Golden Valley, Minnesota, and co-counsel True North Legal of Saint Paul.

In a Monday statement, Schmitt emphasized the program's impact on over 1,000 male inmates who participated. According to the lawsuit, the class has always been voluntary for male inmates to attend.

"I have seen countless powerful testimonies and tears shed over the last decade because of the tremendous positive impact this program has had on inmates' lives," Schmitt said. "I was shocked and dismayed when the DOC suddenly canceled us, and I just want to be able to minister to these men, who so desperately need support and rehabilitation."

The lawsuit argues that Rebertus' "actions here are not neutral or generally applicable," stating that it directly targets Schmitt's religious beliefs. Schmitt is asking the court to order the defendants to reinstate the program.

The filing cites the Supreme Court's 2021 ruling in Fulton v. City of Philadelphia, where the high court unanimously held that the Philadelphia city government's refusal to work with a Catholic foster agency that doesn't place children in the homes of same-sex couples violated the First Amendment.

"Schmitt believes that through repentance and rehabilitation, any person, including those imprisoned for crimes committed, can live physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally healthy lives through the healing power of Christ, enabling successful assimilation back into their communities, leading to a stable, productive, God-honoring life that provides a mutual benefit to the individuals who have completed the program and the communities in which they live," the lawsuit stated.

A DOC spokesperson told media that it doesn't comment on pending litigation.
Home Opinion Honoring our Vietnam veterans

Tomorrow, Jan. 13, 2024, the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., is hosting A Celebration of Character and Courage to honor Vietnam veterans.

This event at 4 p.m. ET honoring all Vietnam War veterans declares that Commemorating their collective and individual service and the sacrifice of families and friends is a national imperative, as we strive to renew our nations commitment to its veterans, their families and a complete accounting for the 1,578 Americans still missing in action in the region.

The facts are that 3.4 million Americans served in Southeast Asia (in theater) in the '50s, '60s and '70s, and 5.6 million living veterans (30% of all veterans) served during the Vietnam War era. It is hard for many who lived through that period to conceive that the Vietnam War ended for America on March 29, 1973, when the U.S. Military Assistance Command was dissolved and Hanoi released the last of its acknowledged American prisoners of war.

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At that moment, South Vietnam was still a functioning country with its own government and armed forces. Tragically, after the Watergate scandal provided the Democrats with a veto-proof majority in both houses of Congress in the 1974 elections, the U.S. government, with a congressional override of President Fords veto, passed a military budget that effectively disarmed our former South Vietnamese allies (no ammo, spare parts, fuel, etc.) and they were overrun by the North Vietnamese on April 30, 1975.

Surely, at this point, all Americans can agree that fighting the Vietnam War was a mistake whether you were a hawk (and wanted to do what was necessary to win, failing to understand that the U.S. government was never going to make that deep a commitment), or whether you were a dove (and felt that America was on the wrong side defending against agrarian reformers and freedom fighters and it was none of our business).

Having made that acknowledgment, we should have long ago united as Americans to celebrate and honor our fellow countrymen who answered the nations call and were drafted or enlisted to fight for what their government told them was a just cause.

The Vietnam War ended up being a national heartbreak which caused far more suffering than it alleviated. Furthermore, the American people became distrustful of their own government in a way they never had before because all Americans felt they had been lied to and misled, whether they were conservative or liberal, hawk, dove, or indifferent.

This duplicity by the federal government caused a deep rift in the national psyche, a wound that has still not fully healed, especially for those tens of millions of Americans who lived through that national agony and lost loved ones to death, or severe physical and/or emotional damage.

58,281 Americans died in this conflict, and all our countrymen who served in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and the South China Sea were marked and changed by their experiences.

Most American deaths occurred in the years immediately following the dramatic escalation in American troop involvement after the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution in 1964. The American war deaths were: 1965 (1,928); 1966 (6,350); 1967 (11,363); 1968 (16,899); 1969 (11,780). So, of the 58,281 Americans KIA in Vietnam, 50,248 were killed between Jan. 1, 1965, and Dec. 31, 1969. These numbers explain why LBJ did not seek another term and Richard Nixon was elected president, promising to Vietnamize the war.

Of course, no one should forget that the Vietnamese suffered terribly, with at least 849,000 war dead in the North and at least 313,000 war dead in the South (not to mention noncombatant deaths of at least a million in each country).

The fact is our American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines fought bravely and well, never having lost a battle of battalion size or larger in the entire war.

Our nation let them down. We put them halfway around the world without sufficient support and backing at home to allow them to do the job they had been sent there to do. When they came home, they were too often vilified and shunned. It was, and is, a disgrace.

I thank God millions of our fellow countrymen have recognized their mistake and begun to honor and celebrate the heroism, dedication, devotion and bravery of our Vietnam veterans.

I acknowledge that this is personal to me. I was 18 and graduated high school in 1965, and those maximum casualty years included some of my boyhood friends and high school classmates. I attended a blue-collar high school and disproportionate percentages of our soldiers in Vietnam were drafted from the graduates of such high schools who were not getting collegiate deferments. Some of them did not make it home. I have thought about them over the years, dead before their 21st birthday, never becoming husbands, fathers, grandfathers. They sacrificed all their tomorrows because America asked them to, and we cannot dishonor their memory.

If you can, join me in watching the celebration at the National Cathedral (afa.org/events/cathedral). Resolve to express your gratitude to the Vietnam Veterans you know and their families and loved ones. I know from personal experience that it helps heal some deep wounds. I have made it a practice to express my gratitude to every Vietnam vet I encounter or can identify. They all seem very appreciative.

After I publicly acknowledged her husbands service in Vietnam, one wife wrote me and told me that I could not imagine how much she and her husband appreciated it. She said she had not seen her husband weep since he had returned from the war until he tried to explain to her how it felt finally to be honored and appreciated instead of shunned and mocked.

Lets redeem our nations honor by honoring these men and women publicly as often as we can. They deserve it.

Most of them are now in their 70s and 80s. Its still not too late, but the opportunity is closing.
Home News 'God resides in each of us': 4 highlights from Vivek Ramaswamy's Iowa town hall

Vivek Ramaswamy, a candidate for the Republican nomination for president, answered questions from voters in Des Moines, Iowa, during a town hall moderated by podcaster Tim Pool Wednesday night. The town hall took place five days before the Iowa caucuses that kick off the presidential nominating season.

The RealClearPolitics average of polling sampling the opinions of Iowa caucusgoers shows Ramaswamy in a distant fourth place, capturing 6.8% support. Former President Donald Trump remains the frontrunner at 53.6% followed by former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley at 17.2% and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at 15.2%.

DeSantis and Haley faced off in a debate on CNN at the same time while Trump participated in a town hall on Fox News. Ramaswamy did not meet the polling requirements for the debate while Trump declined to face off against his chief rivals for the fifth time in a row.

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During the event hosted by Pool, Ramaswamy answered questions about the role of religion in everyday life, school security, the legal challenges facing Trump and the value of requiring a civics test in order to vote.

Here are four highlights from Ramaswamys town hall.
Home News Christian teacher fired after street preaching arrest wins hefty settlement

A Christian teaching assistant in the United Kingdom who claimed he was fired for street preaching in his free time won the equivalent of a nearly $9,000 legal settlement in a case against his former employer.

Lawyers representing Andy Nix at the Christian Legal Centre announced Thursday that their client secured a 7,000 legal settlement with Temple Moor High School in Leeds. Nix says he was discriminated against for his Christian beliefs and fired for having preached in Leeds City Centre in July 2021.

Nix was arrested on July 6, 2021, after being on the scene in Leeds City Centre with Dave McConnell, another street preacher who had prompted police attention and physical backlash a month earlier from those who heard him preaching in opposition to LGBT ideology.

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Video footage showed McConnell repeatedly being abused by the crowd, who also reportedly stole some of his possessions. He was prosecuted and mandated to perform community service after being reported to the U.K.'s counterterrorism watchdog for calling a trans-identifying man in the crowd "gentleman," though a court later threw out the charges against him.

CLC noted at the time that the officer who arrested McConnell was sporting a pentagram tattoo.

On the day of Nix's arrest, his preaching prompted a negative response. He claimed that an officer attempted to wrestle away the cross he was carrying and give it to a bystander who had accosted him.

Nix's lawyers maintain that the only thing he said the day of his arrest in opposition to homosexuality was that "if you think all homosexuals are happy with their lives, then you are living in cloud cuckoo land."

Nix was arrested for an alleged public order offense and made to stay in a jail cell from 4 p.m. to 11 a.m. the next day. He told local media that officers banged on his door at 2 a.m. to question him, but he refused.

Police dropped all charges against Nix in August 2021, though he was reportedly dragged into a human resources meeting at Temple Moor High School in March 2022 after it emerged in local media that he intended to sue the police for wrongful arrest.

Matthew West, the school's headmaster, and another staff member reportedly grilled Nix about whether he attended a "rally" in Leeds City Centre and implied that Nix had been arrested for "homophobic remarks."

Nix maintained that he felt he was being pressured to renounce his Christian beliefs regarding sexuality and gender during the HR meeting. He said he was reportedly subject to complaints from pupils who claimed they did not feel safe with him working at their school.

West allegedly ordered Nix off the premises immediately, after which Nix filed a complaint with the U.K. Employment Tribunal alleging harassment and discrimination in violation of Article 9 of the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR).

Nix's lawyers say their client was directly discriminated against because of his protected Christian beliefs and that the reasons cited for his firing were based on "hearsay" evidence.

The teaching assistant has denied allegations that he said same-sex attracted people would "burn in Hell." CLC calls such allegations "maliciously alleged." Nix's legal team also argued that he never preached a message that could "reasonably be said" to cause students to "feel unsafe."

Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, called Nix's case "a clear example of employer overreach."

"The classroom and security of jobs cannot be weaponised against teaching staff who are Christians and publicly express their beliefs," Williams said.



"The idea that a Christian can be sacked because a pupil says they feel 'unsafe' over Christian preaching outside school is ludicrous and deeply concerning. We can't live in a world where the students call the shots and headteachers are forced to comply or be labelled bigoted."

Nix said in a statement that he was "shocked and amazed that the headteacher could do what he did."

"He made me feel like a criminal; his aim was to bully and humiliate me into renouncing my Christian activity," he said. "I believe if I had renounced it, I could have kept my job."

He has claimed that his sacking has hurt his ability to find other employment and has had a "considerable" impact on his life and finances. He argues the school "trampled over my freedom of expression and belief."

While he expressed satisfaction that they agreed to settle, Nix added that his situation is "a worrying sign if Christians are not allowed to debate, preach and express their faith in public without fear of losing their livelihoods."

"I unashamedly love Jesus, and my Christian faith is very important to me," Nix said. "I want others to know and understand this Good News and hope for their lives. I should not be treated like a criminal for doing this."

Nix said the way law enforcement has treated street preachers in Leeds in recent years is "appalling" and alleged a "two-tiered policing against Christian and conservative beliefs I believe has encouraged young people to believe street preachers are fair game who they can attack and discriminate against at will."



"The experience has, however, helped me grow in resilience and reminded of the cost involved in following Jesus Christ," he added.

The Christian Post has reached out to Temple Moor High School and will update this story if the school responds.
Home News Church offers prayers after officer takes his life in parking lot

Members of Redeemer Church in Manvel, Texas, will offer up special prayers Thursday for the family of Pasadena Police Department Officer Kerry Heiserman, who took his life in the church parking lot Monday shortly after learning that he was under investigation for invasive visual recording.

"Today, there's going to be a little bit of special emphasis on the community, and family, and they're just [going to do] a prayer walk around the church. We're going to include that in today's prayer meeting," Mary Lee Stagner, director of business and communication at Redeemer Church, told The Christian Post Thursday.

Officers with the Manvel Police Department were dispatched to the 1800 block of Morris Avenue to do a welfare check, according to a statement released by the Manvel Police Department on Facebook Monday.

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When they arrived on the scene, officers found Heiserman, 46, dead from a single gunshot wound.

Chad Rogers, a public information officer with Pearland police, told ABC 13 that Heiserman, a 21-year veteran of the force, learned earlier that morning that he was under investigation.

"So [Monday] morning, that was assigned to an investigator, and the investigator was attempting to make contact with [Heiserman] about the offense taking place here in the city of Pearland," Rogers said.

It was later reported by someone that Heiserman was suicidal, and officers were asked to do a welfare check. A Manvel police officer tracked the late officer's car to the church and approached him. Heiserman reportedly emerged from the vehicle and shot himself.

Under Texas law, invasive visual recording, which is a state felony, occurs when someone photographs or videotapes someone's intimate area without consent. The law applies to video recording in a bathroom or changing room or receiving sexually explicit videos or pictures and forwarding them to another person.

Pearland police told ABC 13 that Heiserman knew the person who filed the complaint against him, but no further details of the complaint were released.

"We are deeply saddened to report the loss of Officer Kerry Heiserman, who was found deceased yesterday. He was off duty at the time, and this tragic incident is being investigated by the Manvel Police Department," the Pasadena Police Department said in a statement to ABC 13.

"Any questions regarding the investigation may be directed to the Manvel Police Department. We offer our deepest condolences and heartfelt prayers to Kerry's family, friends, and colleagues. This sudden loss has devastated our entire department. We ask that you respect the privacy of his family and friends as we all navigate the difficult road ahead."

Texas Municipal Police Association field representative Leighton Guarnere posted on social media that Heiserman is "Gone way too soon."

"If you have things going south, please reach out. I have my phone with me almost 24/7," he wrote.

Guarnere declined to make further comments to CP.

When asked if the late officer had any previous connection to the church, Stagner told CP he didn't.

"He's never attended here; they're not part of the community, or the church or the [preschool] that's here," she said. "We just happened to be the parking lot that he turned into."

"We were not aware of that situation until the officers informed us what had happened," she said of Heiserman's suicide.

As soon as they realized what happened in their parking lot, Stagner said the church staff jumped into action.

"Within a couple minutes, we informed parents that we were going to close the school early. We had to dismiss. The students were our top priority as soon as we knew what had gone down. We worked on safely getting them [students] reunited with their parents," she said.

Reflecting further on the suicide, Stagner said she sees it as a symptom of the brokenness that exists in the world today.

"I think it's just evidence of the broken world that we live in, and the brokenness that exists in this world. We're so fortunate to have God's grace and God's mercy that this is not the final say, right? There's victory in Jesus," she insisted.

"It's hard. It's tragic. It's sad. We feel for his family, for his friends, for his community," Stagner added. "Our prayer team is praying over the family, praying over the space, this ground, this church, and our community."
Home News Florida drug trafficking rings busted; Over 3 kilos of fentanyl seized

Authorities arrested nearly a dozen people involved in two Central Florida drug trafficking rings following a multi-agency investigation that resulted in the seizure of several kilograms of cocaine and fentanyl.

Task force detectives with the Sheriff's Office Central Florida worked with federal, state and local law enforcement to arrest 10 men and one woman. Authorities conducted separate investigations into two drug trafficking rings  the Colon-Colon Drug Trafficking Organization and the Espinoza & Romero Central Florida Drug Trafficking Organization.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office announced Tuesday that officials seized a total of 14 kilograms of cocaine and 3.5 kilograms of bulk fentanyl and fentanyl pills, along with four firearms, a vehicle and $12,985.

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"I'm proud of our detectives and partner agencies who worked hard to remove 17.5 kilos of destructive drugs off the streets," Sheriff Grady Judd said in a statement.

"We are all working together to fight fentanyl, which is killing people by the thousands in the U.S. because of drug overdoses," the sheriff continued. "These drug traffickers are destroying lives, families and communities. These drugs go hand-in-hand with violence and misery in our communities."

The first investigation led to the arrest of five men. Undercover detectives suspected 56-year-old Pedro Luis "Bemba" Romero of Kissimmee was involved in selling cocaine.

Romero had a criminal history that included robbery, trafficking in cocaine, other narcotics violations related to MDMA and cocaine, and federal narcotic violations, which led to an 80-month incarceration in federal prison.

Detectives arranged to buy a kilo of cocaine from Romero in Haines City in November 2023, and Romero is said to have brought to the transaction his 44-year-old drug supplier, Maximo Espinosa of Kissimmee.

Investigators discovered that Espinosa was operating a drug trafficking organization between the northeast U.S., South Florida, Puerto Rico and Mexico that dealt with cocaine and fentanyl. According to the authorities, Espinosa had previously been arrested federally for armed trafficking in heroin.

The detectives set up other transactions, and during a December meeting, Espinosa provided an undercover detective with a sample of fentanyl before the detective purchased a kilogram of it from the drug trafficker.

During another transaction on Jan. 2, Espinosa showed the undercover detectives 10 kilograms of cocaine and two kilograms of fentanyl that he had in the trunk of his car. The sheriff's office, working alongside other agencies, later took Espinosa into custody, along with two other individuals in a separate vehicle involved in the transaction.

Authorities arrested the fentanyl suppliers, 35-year-old Pedro Mejia of West Palm Beach, and 22-year-old Pedro Olivares of Wimauma. A white BMW attempted to flee the scene, striking one of the undercover deputies in the leg, requiring the deputy to go to the hospital. Law enforcement officials tracked the vehicle and took the driver, 34-year-old Omar Veloz of West Palm Beach, into custody without further incident.

"Detectives believe Romero was in the area of the drug transaction and fled the area undetected," the Polk County Sheriff's Office's announcement reads. "Romero was later arrested by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and booked into the Polk County Jail."

Suspects Veloz, Mejia and Olivares were charged and booked into the Polk County Jail, according to the release, while Espinosa was taken into federal custody. Espinosa is facing charges of drug trafficking.

The second investigation resulted in the arrest of five men and one woman on Dec. 17. The suspects in the investigation are believed to have been part of a drug trafficking organization that sells cocaine, heroin and fentanyl.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are the most common drugs involved in overdose deaths. Illegally made fentanyl often comes in various forms, and it is available on the drug market, according to the CDC.

In a national survey of 1,000 likely U.S. voters conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC for Rasmussen Reports, 91% of participants said they believe the country's fentanyl issue is serious, with 73% describing it as a "very serious problem."

The survey was conducted by phone from Sept. 26 to Sept. 27, with a margin sampling of error of +/- 3 percentage points and a 95% confidence level.
Home News Judge orders school to reinstate Christian teachers who blew whistle on gender policy

A federal court ordered a school district in California to reinstate two Christian teachers placed on paid administrative leave last year after blowing the whistle on a district policy to hide students' gender transitions from their parents.

On Wednesday, Judge Roger Benitez of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California ruled that Elizabeth Mirabelli and Lori Ann West must be allowed to return to their jobs at Rincon Middle School in the San Diego-area Escondido Union School District (EUSD) next week, according to a court order reviewed by The Christian Post provided by the nonprofit Thomas More Society.

The Christian Post reached out to the EUSD and will update this story if the school district responds.

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"The Court Orders the School District to return Plaintiffs Elizabeth Mirabelli and Lori Ann West back to the classroom on Tuesday, January 16th of 2024, if they so choose," the order reads. "Both sides are expected to work in good faith going forward to resolve this matter. Plaintiffs' request for attorneys fees is denied."

Mirabelli and West filed a lawsuit against the school, the school district and the California Board of Education last April over its gender identity policies, which they allege mandate them to hide students' gender dysphoria from parents in violation of their Christian faith and First Amendment rights.

The policy to which they objected required "any district employee to whom a student's transgender or gender-nonconforming status is disclosed shall keep the student's information confidential."

Teachers were expected to use students' preferred names and pronouns in school, but to revert to their given names when speaking with their parents, according to the suit.

Mirabelli told Fox News Digital last year that she was alarmed to discover school officials were altering the names and genders of students at the middle school on official records without the knowledge or consent of their parents.

The two teachers had been barred from going to work since May after the two drew national attention for their lawsuit.

In December, attorney Paul Jonna sought civil contempt sanctions against the school for allegedly keeping his clients from safely returning to work, which he argued was in violation of a court order.

Benitez, a George W. Bush appointee, issued a preliminary injunction in September prohibiting EUSD from enforcing its gender policy against the two women while the case remained in litigation.

The women told CP in December that they wanted to return to the jobs they loved and had for decades at Rincon Middle School until becoming whistleblowers.

Mirabelli, who claimed the situation has been emotionally painful and involved being mistreated by coworkers, told CP at the time that "it's so difficult for me to be at odds with people who I care about. It's really tough for me."

"It makes me pretty upset," West told CP. "I love my job, and I want to go back. I felt like I never should have been put out of my job. And I want to go back more than anything."

West told the local FOX 5 affiliate in San Diego that she was "shocked" by the most recent ruling. "I'm still processing. I cannot believe it."

Jonna noted that while Benitez's order came in response to his request for civil contempt against the school, he was not surprised that the judge declined to hold them in contempt.

"Judges are typically reluctant to hold parties in contempt," Jonna told the outlet. "It's a pretty serious penalty, but what he did [...] I view it as a warning to them if they violate his orders again, it's going be much more serious."
Home News Ohio pastor arraigned after being charged for housing homeless at church

An Ohio pastor was arraigned in municipal court on Thursday after being slapped with 18 zoning law violation charges related to keeping his church open around the clock to house the homeless.

Pastor Chris Avell, who pastors the nondenominational Dad's Place in Bryan, which is a town of around 8,400 people about 50 miles southwest of Toledo, pleaded not guilty to the charges, his attorney told The Christian Post.

Yesterday, the city of Bryan, Ohio, arraigned Pastor Chris on criminal charges for having his church open 24/7," Jeremy Dys, senior counsel at First Liberty Institute, told CP. "He pled 'not guilty,' as any pastor should who is simply doing what churches throughout history have done: care for those who walk through their doors no matter the time of day."

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"We hope Mayor Carrie Schlade will drop all of these charges and begin talking with us about how Pastor Chris and Dads Place will continue to contribute to the wonderful community of Bryan," he added.

CP reached out for comment to Schlade and received a response from City Police Chief Gregory Ruskey, who forwarded a Dec. 13 press release from the police department explaining that the city's zoning and engineering department "received a complaint in regards to people living" at Dad's Place on Nov. 3.

A court filing states that because Dad's Place is zoned as Central Business, the building is prohibited from allowing people to eat, wash clothes, or sleep on the property.

The release signed by Ruskey cited legal precedent in state law "supporting [that] religious organizations cannot create homeless shelters within their property that violate local zoning codes."

Ruskey's statement also alleged that there were "numerous State Fire Code violations that the tenant and property owner were made aware of."

"A reasonable amount of time was given for both the tenant and property owner to fix the issues. Due to the safety of all involved the city moved forward with filing charges," the statement also said.

In an interview with The Village Voice, Avell pushed back against any claim that he is running a homeless shelter, explaining that his church has "put in things people can use, like a shower and a small ability to do laundry."

"Some who found this to be a home for them have stuck around," he said.

According to First Liberty Institute, Avell decided last March to keep his church open all the time because the neighboring local homeless shelter was often full, forcing some of the town's homeless to stay outside. He claimed his church has since been able to help at least 100 people who are struggling with homelessness.

The director of operations at the Sanctuary of Williams County Homeless Shelter supports what Avell's church is doing, according to First Liberty Institute.

"The city, churches and community in general should work together. We need to work together to help people in need," the director said. "There is nowhere else for these people in Williams County to go. We have to turn away around 600 people every year."

During a recent interview with Fox News about his situation, Avell grew emotional explaining what drives him to care for the homeless in his town.

"I was spiritually homeless, and God provided a home for me in Heaven," he said. "Hes put a burden on my heart for them. Many of these people have been rejected by their families and cast aside by their communities. So, if the church isnt willing to lay down her life for them, who will? This is what were called to do."

"And I can't help it because I believe this is the mission of the church to make disciples and this is how we do it by showing the love of Christ preaching the truth and laying down our lives in service and humility. As Christ laid down His life for us. That's what I believe," he added.

The visiting judge presiding over Avell's case ordered another hearing to be scheduled within 30-45 days, according to local WTVG.

A Go Fund Me fundraiser has been set up for those who want to support the church.
Home News Palestinian rioters vandalize Joshua's Altar, a sacred site for Jews and Christians

As the Israel-Hamas war continues, a historical site in the West Bank that is widely esteemed by Jews and Christians has been vandalized by a group of Palestinian protesters.

Known as Joshua's Altar and located on Mount Ebal, the sight was damaged last week by Palestinian protesters, who burned tires on the site's remains and spraypainted Palestinian flags and Arabic inscriptions onto its stone pieces, reports The Jerusalem Post.

Joshua's Altar has suffered other attacks in the last couple years amid a larger trend of orchestrated attacks on Israeli heritage sites.

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"Unfortunately, Jewish and Christian holy places are repeatedly targeted by Muslim settlers, such as the Tomb of Rachel near Bethlehem, the Tombs of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Sarah, Lea, and Rebecca in Hebron, the Tomb of Josef in Shechem (Nablus) and many others," the Rev. Petra Heldt, a leading Christian scholar who has resided in Israel for 40 years, told Fox News Digital.

"It is a consistent pattern that shows that there is a wish to eliminate the existence of Jewish and Christian history in Eretz Israel, the historic land of the Jewish people. Therefore, this holy place must be secured, like other holy places in Israel, from Palestinian vandalism."

Heldt believes it is "immediately necessary that the site should get proper protection from such vandalism."

"The altar goes back to the time of Joshua (1400 BC) who led the Jewish people from exile into the Promised Land," Heldt continued. "A permanent Jewish presence established on and around Mount Ebal will permanently secure that holy place for Jews and Christians."

Israeli activists with the Forum for the Struggle for Every Dunam have also called for a Jewish presence at the ancient historical site.

"Today, it is clearer than ever that only the fixed Jewish presence of a farm or town will guarantee there is really control over the site and prevent further damage or destruction of the altar," they stated, as reported by the Tazpit Press Service.

The Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7 following a surprise attack by Hamas, a terror group that has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007, on southern Israel that killed over 1,200, mostly civilians. Israel launched an offensive in Gaza with the aim of eradicating Hamas and securing the release of over 240 hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas.

Since the start of the war, the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry states that over 20,000 people have been killed in Gaza. The Hamas death toll numbers don't distinguish between combatants and civilians and don't distinguish people killed by Israel Defense Forces and those killed by Hamas or other Palestinian groups.

Since the start of the war, Jewish heritage sites and Holocaust monuments across the world have been vandalized.

In early November, the European Union condemned what it called a "spike of antisemitic incidents across Europe [which] has reached extraordinary levels in the last few days, reminiscent of some of the darkest times in history."

"We have seen a resurgence of antisemitic incidents and rhetoric in the European Union and worldwide: Molotov cocktails thrown on a synagogue in Germany, stars of David sprayed on residential buildings in France, a Jewish cemetery desecrated in Austria, Jewish stores and synagogues attacked in Spain, demonstrators chanting hate slogans against Jews," a Nov. 5 statement from the European Commission reads.

In late October, the European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage issued a statement condemning acts of vandalism that targeted Jewish heritage sites. Vandalism occurred at a historic synagogue in Izmir, Turkey, and the medieval synagogue and Jewish quarter of Besalu in Spain.

"AEPJ condemns these senseless acts of vandalism in the strongest terms," the AEPJ statement reads. "Such actions not only harm the local communities but also inflict severe damage on the national and international historical and artistic heritage. These historic sites serve as a crucial link to Europe's diverse cultural tapestry, and their preservation is essential for promoting understanding and dialogue."
Home News Parents outraged after NYC bars students from school to shelter nearly 2K migrants

Parents and local politicians expressed frustration after a New York City high school barred students from the school and ordered them to do remote learning so the building could serve as a temporary shelter for around 2,000 immigrants who crossed the U.S. southern border in recent months.

City officials moved thousands of migrants sheltering at Floyd Bennett Field in South Brooklyn to James Madison High School on Tuesday. They are being housed in the school's gym and auditorium.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams visited the school on Tuesday and tweeted the following day that "teams are doing a great job keeping asylum seekers safe and dry before they depart tomorrow morning."

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In response to the outrage over students being a lower priority than people who entered the U.S. illegally, officials decided to bus the migrants back to the field at 4:15 a.m. on Wednesday.

According to CBS New York, parents and community leaders protested outside the high school and condemned the decision to bar students from the school and move them to remote learning, with some parents calling it "inexcusable" after what students went through during COVID-19.

Amid the backlash, the school received a bomb threat and a number of hateful phone calls, which authorities are investigating as possible criminal offenses.

"They have to come up with another solution. They cannot do this to school kids," one resident said about the situation, as quoted by CBS2.

James Madison High School did not immediately respond to The Christian Post's request for comment.

In a statement published by The New York Post, one mother of a student at James Madison said it was "disgusting" and that it "should not be put on us taxpayers."

"I do believe they are putting the life of people who are here illegally and not documented over my life," the mother's daughter said, as quoted by The Post.

"I am a 15-year-old girl at the school who wants to get her education and better her life, and she can't come to school today because the day was interrupted by people who aren't supposed to be here."

City officials said they would not use James Madison as a migrant shelter again, according to CBS2.

New York City Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol said officials acted "out of an abundance of caution to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals working and living at the center."

Republican New York State Assemblyman Alec Brook-Krasny protested alongside parents on Wednesday, tweeting, "Our students will be our First Priority!"

"Today I stood alongside my colleagues in the Assembly, and concerned parents for a Rally outside of James Madison High School," he wrote.

"I have been very outspoken about placements of temporary migrant shelters in our communities and within our public schools. We are a compassionate and supportive city, but not one New Yorker believes this is a solution."

New York City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov told NewsNation that the James Madison High School situation was "a perfect example of what not to do."

The sheltering of migrants at Floyd Bennett Field has raised concerns, according to NewsNation, due to the area's susceptibility to flooding and fear that shelter tents cannot withstand heavy winds and rain.

"Obviously, parents and residents are concerned about what's going to happen next, if there's another flood  we're in the winter season, so anything could happen anytime," Vernikov said.

"How many more times are they going to evacuate? And where are they going to go? Are they going to keep using schools for this? These are all questions, legitimate questions that parents and residents have."
Home News Paul Osteen on mobilizing Christians 'lulled to sleep' through medical missions conference

Over the summer of 2023, Dr. Paul Osteen, a general and vascular surgeon, was working at the Mukinge Mission Hospital in Zambia when he encountered a young woman who, just two hours prior, gave birth to a baby born with her intestines outside her abdomen.

"We were able to operate on the baby, three different operations," Osteen recalled. "But, you have to protect the intestines and then eventually put the intestines back in. And even when you do that operationally many times, there's no nutrition over there. You can't give fancy IV nutrition like we can in the United States. So the likelihood of that child surviving is very low, but God was gracious."

"About three or four days after I closed the abdomen, the baby's little intestine started waking up; she was able to start taking milk. About three weeks later, this child was discharged to her village home with her mom. Mom was just absolutely ecstatic. Despite the odds being against this little child, God was gracious."

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According to Dr. Osteen, the older brother of Texas megachurch pastor Joel Osteen, this is just one story among many of how he saw God work in Zambia.

"In no way am I saying I'm the hero because that child should have died there, even with good surgical care," he said. "I liken it to putting your five loaves and two fish in Jesus' hands, and watch and see what He can do."

About 17 years ago, Osteen and his wife, Jennifer, embarked on a life-changing path, dedicating several months each year to serving in remote African regions to relieve missionary doctors and surgeons while they go on furlough.

The stark contrast between the scarcity of medical resources in places like Zambia and the abundance in Houston, Texas, led the couple to launch the Mobilizing Medical Missions (M3) Conference, an annual event held at Lakewood Church in Houston.

"I just felt like God put it on my heart: 'What if you connected the people that don't have access to healthcare with the people that can provide that and help with that?" Dr. Osteen, who also serves on the pastoral staff at Lakewood Church, for four to six months each year, explained.

The M3 Conference, to be held Feb. 16-17, has three main goals: connect people who want to help with opportunities to do so, inspire attendees by bringing in speakers actively involved in global health work and help people find their purpose in serving others.

"I think about all the different areas in the world that are just suffering right now, and I think God cares about those people," Osteen said. "As believers, we can be lulled to sleep by the numbers and by the sheer volume of the problems that are going on. Yet, we have to keep our hearts tender to say, 'Is there anything that I could do to help in those situations?' Because God cares about those people."

This year's conference, themed "The Least of These" based on Matthew 25, features speakers like Steven Foster, a missionary surgeon with 50 years of experience in Angola, Dr. Julie Rosa, Dr. Bob Paeglow, Dr. Larry Miller, Sasha Thew, Dr. Danny Joseph and nurse Erin Grim.

The event will host around 75 exhibitors from organizations worldwide that need volunteers, including medical professionals and others with various skills.

M3 is supporting the USA-Angola project, aiding Dr. Steven Foster's hospital in Angola. The project provides care to those who cannot afford it, including pregnant mothers and burn victims.

Osteen stressed that M3 is not just for medical professionals because it offers opportunities for anyone eager to contribute to global health initiatives. From infrastructure support to refugee care, the conference emphasizes there's a role for everyone in this mission.

"In the efforts of medical missions, one of the most needed things are people in IT, people that can repair vehicles, people that can help maintain hospitals, and that's not something that I know how to do," he said. "I know how to operate and take care of patients, but there are so many other infrastructure needs amongst these mission hospitals that people can be involved in."

"You can be involved in local missions; you don't have to go overseas," he added. "We have people that will talk about refugee care, dealing with human trafficking  there's something for everyone. You come and just let God speak to your heart because there's someplace that you can be involved, maybe here in Houston in your local area, and maybe around the world."

The M3 Conference has seen tangible results over the years, with numerous attendees now actively involved in medical missions worldwide. Dr. Osteen recounted, for example, the story of Dr. Danny Joseph, who, inspired by the conference, served in Nepal for two years.

Additionally, the conference has fostered collaboration among organizations working in the same regions, like Malawi, transforming potential competition into partnership.

"That's why we call it 'Mobilizing Medical Missions,' just getting people mobilized to take the next step," he said. "Some people come here and don't do anything; that's OK. God's still dealing with their heart. But other people, God puts it on their hearts to take that next step.

"That's what we always are hoping for, that you would do the next step that God has instructed you to do," Osteen continued. "It may be praying for 10 years before you do anything, or it may be immediately going, but we've seen actual fruit of people being mobilized to go out into the world and make a difference."
Home News South Africa accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza, demands UN court halt Israeli offensive

A two-day hearing at the International Court of Justice in the Hague concluded this week after South Africa accused Israel of genocide and demanded an immediate ceasefire of the country's military operations in Gaza, which began due to Hamas' Oct. 7 terrorist attack.

The ICJ is one of the principal judicial organs of the United Nations, and it deals with disputes between states. On Dec. 29, South Africa filed a case with the court alleging that Israel is carrying out a genocide in Gaza, as defined by the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

Hearings were held on Thursday and Friday. While it may take several years before the case concludes, the subject of the hearings was South Africa's request for provisional measures, which it asked the ICJ to issue "as a matter of extreme urgency."

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The measures requested include a call for Israel to suspend military operations in and against Gaza and, in accordance with the Genocide Convention, to which Israel and South Africa are signatories, to "take all reasonable measures within their power to prevent genocide."

South Africa accused Israel of "destroying Palestinian life in Gaza" through the destruction of universities, mosques, schools and other structures. South Africa also alleged that Israel is responsible for the deaths of over 21,000 Palestinians.

However, the accuracy of such numbers is difficult to determine, as the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry's death toll figures don't distinguish between civilian and combatant deaths. Those figures also don't differentiate between people killed by the Israeli military and those killed by Hamas or other Palestinian militants.

After Hamas terrorists invaded Israel on Oct. 7, slaughtering at least 1,200 people, primarily civilians, and seizing around 240 others as hostages, Israel declared itself in a state of war.

The Israel Defense Forces began airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, followed by the incursion of ground troops and armored vehicles. The purpose of the operation is to eradicate Hamas, a terror group that has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007, and secure the release of the hostages.

Another claim made by South Africa is that the "acts of genocide" should be placed in "the broader context of Israel's conduct towards Palestinians during its 75-year-long apartheid, its 56-year-long belligerent occupation of Palestinian territory and its 16-year-long blockade of Gaza."

Responding to the claims, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is fighting "terrorists" and "lies."

"Today, again, we saw an upside down world, in which the State of Israel is accused of genocide at a time when it is fighting genocide," Netanyahu said in a statement Thursday. "Israel is fighting against murderous terrorists who committed horrific crimes against humanity: They slaughtered, they raped, they burned, they dismembered, they beheaded  children, women, the elderly, young men and young women."

"South Africa's hypocrisy screams to the high Heavens," Netanyahu added. "Where was South Africa when millions of people were being murdered and uprooted from their homes in Syria and Yemen, by whom? By Hamas's partners. The world is upside down. Where were you?"

In comments emailed to The Christian Post, Jonathan Feldstein, an Orthodox Jew and Jewish nonprofit professional who regularly contributes to Christian news outlets, referred to the allegations of genocide against Israel as "baseless," highlighting the growing Palestinian Arab population.

As Feldstein noted, Gaza has 2 million residents, surpassing the total number from 1948, the year of Israel's founding. He stated that, excluding some 2 million Israeli-Arabs, the estimated Palestinian-Arab population is between 5 to 6 million.

"One would think that for a country which made the desert bloom, has innovated and contributed countless medical, technological, civil and cultural innovations to the world with such an unparalleled rate of success, if Israel had set out to conduct a genocide, it would be much more successful,'" he wrote. "The numbers alone prove how allegations of Israeli committing genocide would be considered the worst genocide ever, an abysmal failure."

Feldstein questioned why Hamas is not on trial, citing the terror group's charter, which explicitly calls for the destruction of Israel and Jews. In the revised charter, Hamas uses the mantra "from the river to the sea," which, as Feldstein and other critics contend, means to "free" the land of Jews.

The charter serves as a playbook, Feldstein stated, one that does not call for a peaceful coexistence but instead advocates for armed resistance. He contrasted this with Israel's founding document, which calls for "peace and good neighborliness."

"Officially, Israel is on trial at the ICJ. But the reality is that the world is on trial for even entertaining South Africa's specious claims. The ICJ can either redeem itself and reject South Africa's claims, or call into question its own credibility and that of the nations of the world which it represents," Feldstein wrote.

Balkees Jarrah, associate international justice director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement that "South Africa's case is about Israel's obligations under the Genocide Convention and puts its conduct in Gaza in sharp focus before the United Nations' highest judicial body."

"South Africa has asked the World Court to issue urgent measures to protect Palestinians in Gaza who face catastrophic living conditions as a result of war crimes carried out by Israeli authorities," Jarrah said.
Home News Finnish MP, bishop may be dragged before Supreme Court despite acquittals over 'hate speech' against LGBT pride

The state prosecutor in Finland is appealing the second unanimous acquittal of a Finnish parliamentarian and Lutheran bishop over "hate speech" charges related to their faith-based views on sexuality and gender.

Finnish MP Paivi Rasanen, who served as Finland's interior minister from 2011 to 2015, and Bishop Juhana Pohjola of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland could potentially be dragged into court again if the Supreme Court of Finland decides to hear the case, according to a press release from their lawyers at Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International.

The Helsinki Court of Appeal unanimously acquitted Rasanen and Pohjola in November, which followed a similar acquittal by the three-judge District Court of Helsinki in March 2022. The charges against Rasanen began with her 2019 tweet that referenced Bible verses to criticize the Finnish Lutheran Church's promotion of LGBT "pride month."

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She also expressed opposition to homosexuality on a radio show that year, and the investigation against her also dredged up a pamphlet she wrote in 2004 titled "Male and Female He Created Them: Homosexual relationships challenge the Christian concept of humanity."

Pohjola faced charges for having published Rasanen's pamphlet. The prosecutor is demanding the two face tens of thousands of Euros in fines and that their work be censored, according to ADF International.

When it first tossed out the hate crime charges in 2022, the District Court of Helsinki asserted that the government should not be weighing in on "biblical concepts," and the Helsinki Court of Appeal agreed, ruling last fall that it "has no reason, on the basis of the evidence received at the main hearing, to assess the case in any respect differently from the District Court."

When her case was before the court of appeal, the prosecutor took issue with Rasanen's description of homosexuality as "sin," and argued that while she is free to cite the Bible, "it is Rasanens interpretation and opinion about the Bible verses that are criminal."

Rasanen, who also led Finland's Christian Democratic Party from 2004 to 2015, is remaining defiant despite her ongoing court battles, which have dragged out for nearly half a decade.

"After my full exoneration in two courts, Im not afraid of a hearing before the Supreme Court," Rasanen said in a statement. "Even though I am fully aware that every trial carries risks, an acquittal from the Supreme Court would set an even stronger positive precedent for everyones right to free speech and religion."

"And if the Court decided to overturn the lower courts acquittals, I am ready to defend freedom of speech and religion as far as the European Court of Human Rights, if necessary," she added.

Rasanen's legal counsel is arguing that she is effectively being punished by the drawn-out legal process.

The states insistence on continuing this prosecution despite such a clear and unanimous ruling by both the Helsinki District Court and Court of Appeal is alarming," ADF International Executive Director Paul Coleman said in a statement.

"Dragging people through the courts for years, subjecting them to hour-long police interrogations, and wasting taxpayer money in order to police peoples deeply held beliefs has no place in a democratic society. As is so often the case in hate speech trials, the process has become of the punishment," he added.

When authorities first opened their investigation against her in 2019, Rasanen was subjected to 13 hours of interrogation over the course of several months before Finland's prosecutor general slapped her in April 2021 with three charges of "agitation against a minority group," according to ADF.

The charges fall under the umbrella of the "war crimes and crimes against humanity" section in Finnish law.

During an interview with The Christian Post shortly before her participation in the 2022 International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington, D.C., Rasanen noted free speech appears to be evaporating not just in Finland, but in most Western, post-Christian nations.

"We all are sinners and we need Jesus. But now, I think there is a heavy hatred against Christian values in our society," she told CP at the time. "If you speak about gender issues  that there are two genders or that marriage belongs to one woman and one man  it arouses hatred against you in our society."

Explaining how she "never thought" she would ever be prosecuted for expressing traditional Christian views of marriage and sexuality, she said, "Nothing has changed in my faith and in my conviction, but suddenly I was like a criminal because of this hate."

"The world has changed," she added. "I think that my conviction has not changed but the world has changed very [quickly] in Finland and I think that also in other Western countries, post-Christian countries."
Home News Trump blasts 'bedlam' of Biden admin., promises mass deportations at Iowa town hall Fmr. president dismisses rivals, says he already knows VP pick

Former President Donald Trump appeared on Fox News for the first time since 2022 for a town hall during which he expressed confidence that he will be chosen to run against President Joe Biden, whom he accused of unleashing "chaos."

Trump opened the town hall in Des Moines by indicating he believes that he will handily win the GOP primary, dismissing moderator Martha MacCallum's suggestion that former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley could give him a run for his money in New Hampshire.

Both Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who were engaged in a debate on CNN during Trump's town hall, trail Trump significantly in the polls. The former president garners 62% support among Republicans, while Haley sits at 11.4% and DeSantis at 11% as of Thursday, according to Real Clear Politics.

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"You have Democrats in New Hampshire and they vote, and you have independents in New Hampshire in large numbers and they vote," Trump said. "And I have polls that show me leading by a tremendous amount in New Hampshire, a lot in Iowa and nationwide, really by almost 60 points. So I'm not exactly worried about it."

Trump also seized the opportunity to blast Haley by commenting on former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's "hot mic" moment that leaked hours before. Christie, who suspended his campaign Wednesday, was caught saying that Haley is going to get "smoked" during the primary.

"I know [Haley] very well, and I happen to believe that Chris Christie is right," Trump said. "That's one of the few things he's been right about, actually."

Trump also spoke disparagingly of DeSantis, characterizing him as "disloyal" and claiming he would be "working in a pizza shop or perhaps a law firm" had he not supported his political career.

Trump went on to parry fears that he would bring "chaos" back to the White House by juxtaposing his administration, which he said prevailed against ISIS and saw no new wars, with the comparative chaos unleashed at home and abroad on Biden's watch.

"They have chaos at the border," Trump said. "They have chaos in the military, people are going woke. Look at today, with Hunter Biden going into Congress and just sitting down, and the bedlam that's been caused."

"Today you have chaos," he continued. "We have, I think, more with Joe Biden. He can't put two sentences together, and he's representing us on nuclear weapons with Putin and Xi and all of these very smart people."

He added that he believes much of the alleged chaos during his own administration was caused by Democrats going after him "constantly," an assertion that drew applause from the audience.

Trump also said he believes the invasions of Ukraine and Israel that have prompted two wars were able to happen because the world sees Biden as "weak," and he emphasized his belief that peace must be maintained through strength.

You know, they want to make it like a bad thing," he said of his ability to get along with leaders of nuclear powers. "It's a very good thing. But peace through strength. They didn't want to mess around. It would have never happened in Ukraine. Russia would have never gone in, would have never happened. The recent attack on Israel would have never happened."

Trump further warned that the border crisis has grown "unsustainable" under Biden and promised to launch mass deportations of illegal immigrants if elected.

We are going to have the largest deportation effort in the history of our country," he said. "We're bringing everybody back to where they came from. We have no choice."

Trump also said that sanctuary cities must be stopped, and explained how his native New York City especially has been feeling the brunt of the migrant crisis. He claimed Democratic New York City Mayor Eric Adams has grown "hostile to the administration" as his city has been overrun with illegal immigrants that are straining the city's resources.

Estimating that 15 million to 16 million illegal immigrants have surged into the country in recent years, Trump said "this country cannot sustain" such a number, and predicted that by the end of Biden's term that number will have swelled to 18 million, which he noted is larger than the populations of most states.

Trump also deflected criticism of his response to the COVID-19 pandemic, claiming that he sees himself as a "federalist" and allowed state governors to decide for themselves how best to respond. He further claimed that Dr. Anthony Fauci "was not a huge factor in my administration, he became a much bigger factor in Biden's administration."

Trump also boasted about his record on abortion and how Roe v. Wade was overturned because of judges he appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. He stopped short of endorsing a blanket ban on abortion, suggesting that supporting it in the cases of rape, incest, and the life of the mother might be a necessary "concession" for Republicans to make if they hope to maintain power.

He speculated that DeSantis, whose poll numbers he said indicate he will be out of the race "very soon," might have suffered because of the hardline stance he took on abortion by supporting a ban after six weeks, which Trump noted is before many women know they are pregnant.

"You have to win elections," he said. "Otherwise, youre going to be back where you were, and you cant let that ever happen again. You got to win elections."

Trump also hinted that he has already decided on his vice presidential choice, though he was unwilling to give a name. A campaign adviser reportedly downplayed Trump's apparent certainty, telling NBC News that "nothing is finalized" and that he will "announce his final pick when hes ready to."
Home Opinion Are we living in the End Times?

As a pastor, when I talk about the End Times, I know what some people think. Their minds conjure up images of wild-eyed fundamentalists huddled in a basement rearranging newspaper clippings to reveal when the world will end. Or they picture someone holding a sign that says The End Is Near! while shouting into a bullhorn on a street corner.

History is littered with cult leaders and charlatans who convinced others (and sometimes even themselves) that they had cracked the code and figured out when Jesus Christ will return. Time has shown that all of them were wrong.

The truth is, we dont know when the world will end. Jesus said, Of that day and hour no one knows (Matthew 24:36). Even when the apostles asked after His resurrection, Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel? Jesus replied, It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority (Acts 1:67).

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So why do I insist on asking, as I have in my new book, Are We Living in the End Times? And why do so many people have a sense that we might be? A recent study by Pew Research found that almost 40% of Americans believe the world will end soon. Everywhere we look, things seem to be spinning out of control. I believe this feeling of chaos is both a warning and a mercy: God is warning us that we need to be ready for the end to come at any time, and He is inviting us to be reconciled with Him today through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Though Jesus doesnt want us to speculate about the exact time He will come, He gave us guidance on how to discern when His return is approaching. The Bible compares the coming of the End Times to the birth of a baby. We dont know precisely when the baby will arrive, but we know the pangs of labor will intensify as the birth approaches.

The birth pangs that will precede the End Times, as identified by Jesus in Matthew 24, include widespread spiritual deception, international conflict, natural disasters, persecution of Christians, and apostasy from the Christian faith. Jesus wants us to watch for these signs so we can be on the alert and be ready (vv. 4244). And as we scroll through todays headlines, we see that the frequency and intensity of all these events have been ramping up in recent days.

Christians also know from the Bible that God has unfinished business with the nation of Israel. In Genesis 12:13, God made an eternal covenant with Israel about the land they would occupy, the nation they would become, and the blessing they would enjoy. This covenant has not yet been fully realized, but we know God is always faithful to fulfill His promises.

Jesus and His apostles made it clear that Israel is central to the events and purpose of the End Times. Thats why questions about the end of history inevitably arise whenever Israel faces existential threats, as they have in nearly every generation. The apostle Paul, himself a Jew, reminded the Romans that the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable (11:29).

We can be certain that God will do what He said. He will preserve those to whom He made His irrevocable promise. As Christians, we support Israel not only because of the justice of their cause but also because of our hope for their salvation. They are experiencing a partial hardening now (v. 25), but we believe many will come to know Jesus as Lord through the events of the End Times.

So, if youre not asking, Are we living in the End Times?  you should be. These increasingly extreme events are Gods way to get our attention. This world is temporary. Your life is brief. Consider who Jesus is. Consider your relationship with Him.

And if youve been curious about Are We Living in the End Times?  I believe we could be, sooner than you think.

Dr. Robert Jeffress is a best-selling author of 24 books, a nationally and internationally syndicated TV and radio host and the senior pastor of First Baptist Church Dallas, one of the largest and most influential churches in America. Pathway to Victory, Dr. Jeffress broadcast ministry, airs daily nationwide on more than 900 radio stations and is broadcast live to 195 countries. His newest book, A Place Called Heaven: 10 Surprising Truths About Your Eternal Home, will release September 2017. Dr. Jeffress serves on President Trumps Faith Advisory Council
Christian teaching assistant wins 7,000 payout over sacking for street preaching

A Christian teaching assistant who was sacked after street preaching has won a 7,000 settlement.

Andy Nix, 65, was sacked without notice by Temple Moor High School in Leeds after he took part in street preaching in the city centre in July 2021.

In March 2022, he was called to the headteacher's office and interrogated about his street preaching after some students complained that it made them feel "unsafe".

He was sacked on the spot and told to immediately leave the school premises.

With the help of the Christian Legal Centre (CLC), he took legal action against the school claiming harassment, discrimination and a breach of his right to freedom, thought and religion under Article 9 of the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR).

Following his dismissal, he lodged a claim against the school in the Employment Tribunal but the school has decided to settle the case and pay Mr Nix 7,000 in compensation instead of going to trial.

Welcoming the settlement, Mr Nix said he had been made to "feel like a criminal" for expressing his Christian beliefs.

"The school trampled over my freedom of expression and belief. I am pleased that they agreed to settle the case which I believe was a recognition of wrongdoing," he said.

"It is, however, a worrying sign if Christians are not allowed to debate, preach and express their faith in public without fear of losing their livelihoods.

"The impact on my life was considerable. I feared for the future, my family finances and it impacted the potential for me to get a permanent full-time role.

"I unashamedly love Jesus and my Christian faith is very important to me. I want others to know and understand this Good News and hope for their lives. I should not be treated like a criminal for doing this."

CLC chief executive Andrea Williams said that "more must be done to protect street preachers" and Christians who express their faith in public in their own time.

"This is a clear example of employer overreach. The classroom and security of jobs cannot be weaponised against teaching staff who are Christians and publicly express their beliefs," she said.

"The idea that a Christian can be sacked because a pupil says they feel 'unsafe' over Christian preaching outside school is ludicrous and deeply concerning.

"We can't live in a world where the students call the shots and headteachers are forced to comply or be labelled bigoted."
Kim Davis ordered to pay $260K for refusing to issue marriage license to gay couple: judge

(CP) 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.

"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."

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Most Northern Irish don't want sex ed resources to include abortion access

A public consultation in Northern Ireland has found widespread opposition to abortion access being included in sex education resources.

The consultation by the Department of Education in Northern Ireland sought responses to legislation on the right of parents to withdraw their children from sexual and reproductive health lessons covering prevention of early pregnancy and access to abortion.

Nearly three quarters (73%) of respondents expressed opposition to sex education resources covering access to abortion.

Guidance released by the Department of Education in Northern Ireland at the start of the new year confirmed that parents can withdraw their children from these lessons in years 8 to 11, as well as in year 12 if the child consents.

Parents can make a request in writing to withdraw their child and do not need to provide a reason.

The guidance also confirmed that teachers and pupils can discuss "moral, ethical and spiritual issues alongside the age-appropriate, comprehensive and scientifically accurate teaching and associated learning resources", and sex education covering abortion access can be taught in a manner "aligned with the ethos of the school".

The public consultation received over 13,000 responses, nearly half of which (47%) came from parents.

The vast majority of respondents (92%) also agreed that parents should be "informed about the specific nature and content" of sex education lessons.

Spokesperson for Right To Life UK, Catherine Robinson, said: "The overwhelming rejection of the teaching about access to abortion in Northern Ireland is consistent with what we already know: the people of Northern Ireland do not want abortion.

"The people of Northern Ireland made it clear that they did not want abortion introduced to Northern Ireland, but the UK Government ignored them and forced it on them.

"Now the UK Government is adding insult to injury and forcing schools throughout Northern Ireland to teach about abortion.

"This clear ideological teaching is in stark contrast to the historic culture in Northern Ireland where the rights of unborn children were recognised. A hundred thousand people are alive today in Northern Ireland because of their historic strong pro-life laws, laws that sadly no longer exist".

"However, it is important that parents can at least withdraw their children from years 8-11 from content that includes teaching about abortion."


Overwhelming majorities of executives around the world are planning to spend money on generative AI this year, but very few are truly ready for the technology, according to a survey released today by the Boston Consulting Group.

Fully 85% of the more than 1,400 executives surveyed for BCGs AI Radar report said that they were planning to invest in generative AI, but the report found that the technology faces a wide array of stumbling blocks at most organizations.

Nearly two-thirds (62%) said their firms were waiting to see how new regulations around AI use develop, while 74% said that substantive change management would be needed to help cope with the advent of generative AI. An average of 46% of the survey respondents workforces will need additional training, while almost 60% said that their C-suite had limited or no expertise with the technology.

According to BCGs report, comparatively few, just 19%, of executives are focusing on costs of use, which the researchers said has serious long-term implications, while most respondents said they were more focused on performance, quality, and data protection issues.

Vladimir Lukic, head of BCGs tech and digital advantage practice, said that, despite these clear stumbling blocks, the headlong rush to adopt generative AI is likely a good thing for a lot of businesses. In essence, he said, the headline-grabbing nature of the technology looks to be an effective catalyst, forcing organizations to confront and address technical and ethical issues around AI adoption.

Its just a wonderful catalyst to put the AI topics on the table, he said. It forces conversations like what kind of data stores do we have, and what can we really do with them?
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An MSF worker stands by a barbed wire fence during a medical consultation of the MSF mobile clinic in Horgos 2 border crossing area in Serbia.

Medecins Sans Frontieres, also known as Doctors without Borders (MSF), has for the first time opened a project working with people seeking asylum in the UK.

The project is being run in partnership with Doctors of the World UK, and is providing primary health care to men who are being held in a large-scale containment site in the former military barracks at RAF Wethersfield in Essex.

MSF, which usually operates in international warzones, has been assessing the physical and mental health needs of the residents since early September.

Whilst there is a medical centre providing primary healthcare onsite, the men weve spoken to tell us their specific health needs are not being met for various reasons, the charity said in a statement this week.

We are worried about the mens living conditions and how this will negatively impact their health and dignity.

This kind of work is at the core of MSF projects

MSF said the project was not a political publicity stunt and criticised the Home Office for its immigration policies.

This is a humanitarian response to medical needs in a group of vulnerable people who have been targeted by punitive anti-migration deterrence policies, it said.

This kind of work is at the core of MSF projects around the world and the principles and charters that guide us. These same commitments also require us to speak out about what we see and insist on political responsibility.

Alongside our medical work, we will continue to liaise directly with the government and bear witness to what we are seeing in the hope that the Home Office will drop its harmful policies.

Whilst there are approximately 650 men currently in Wethersfield, the Home Office intends to increase the number to 1,700 by this year, MSF states.

MSF describes Wethersfield as an extremely remote site, miles from any big town and cut off from community.

It is heavily surveilled with CCTV and security guards, surrounded by chain link fence and barbed wire. The site is perceived as a prison by the population, the charity said.

Javid Abdelmoneim, MSF project coordinator, said: We know from our work around the world that harsh deterrence policies, such as holding people seeking sanctuary in mass containment sites, is a recipe for disaster which ultimately costs lives. This has sadly come to pass on Bibby Stockholm.

Many of the men held in Wethersfield will likely have experienced violence, war, arbitrary detention and other trauma and will require tailored and specialised healthcare.

Simon Tyler, Doctors of the World UK executive director, said: A consequence of the broken asylum system is that we are now seeing people forced into containment sites that operate like open prisons.

These camps are not a sustainable solution for anyone there stuck in limbo, or the local communities.

But an efficient and safe process can exist to allow people to rebuild, be active, and look after their own health. Our medical team on the ground is supporting those affected access medical care as needed, with the welcomed collaboration of MSF.

Home Office: All residents at Wethersfield have access to medical support

A Home Office spokesperson said: We continue to meet our legal obligations and provide accommodation for asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute.

The accommodation provided meets all relevant housing and health and safety standards.

All residents at Wethersfield have access to medical support, including mental health support, and a 24/7 helpline provided by Migrant Help is available to raise any concerns.

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Sarah Hughes was 18 years old when she joined the charity sector as a social worker at her local Mind branch in Haringey, north London.

Last year, she became chief executive of Minds national charity, which oversees 108 local member organisations, develops and provides mental health services, and campaigns for policy change. It was a dream role for Hughes.

I have wanted to be Mind chief executive for 30 years, Hughes says. So, becoming Mind chief executive was probably one of the best moments of my life outside of having my children.

Growing up with two younger brothers, Hughes felt that leadership was her natural calling.

That sounds a little bit arrogant, she laughs. But Im a big sister, so it kind of adds up in a way.

I speak like Kat Slater from Eastenders

Hughes managed a series of community care centres from the age of 19 before becoming chief executive of Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire Mind, a role she held for over 12 years.

She then became CEO of national charity the Centre for Mental Health for six years before her recent move to Mind.

As a working-class woman from north London, Hughes has spoken before about her experience of classism in the charity sector.

She once recounted someone jumping out of their skin when she told them she was a CEO.

I look differently, Ive got tattoos, and I speak like Kat Slater from EastEnders. There are all sorts of things that have meant that Im not in the mould of what people might think of a charity chief executive.

She felt her class became more of an issue when she progressed into management roles in the charity sector.

Entering the sector at a point of service delivery meant she worked with lots of diverse people but the more senior you get, the harder it seems to be.

Working-class representation

While there are a lot of working-class people employed in the charity sector, they are less likely to see themselves reflected in leadership, she says.

Hughes recalls one fundraiser telling her that when they heard her accent, they were relieved to find someone like me.

I think that thats why it makes a difference because the majority of people that work in charities at different levels will be people that come from working-class backgrounds.

There are a lot of working-class people who work across the charity sector, but would they see themselves reflected in leadership? Not so much. But we are growing in number.

While diversity and representation in charity sector leadership is a known and discussed issue, the sector is not quite there yet in translating this into diverse leaders, she says.

It counts in terms of where youre educated. It counts, still, how you speak. All of those things in peoples minds make a difference. And I think it demands people like me and people from racialised communities to be given the chance to get these jobs and to do these roles.

That is slowly changing, but probably not as fast as people would like, and certainly not as fast as I would like, thats for sure.

Lived experience of mental illness

Hughess career has focused on mental health, but her other option was archaeology.

But when it came down to it, I was like, obviously, this is where Im meant to be. And its a calling, and its my lifes work.

Hughes says that like many people, she comes from a family where mental illness was a feature.

I come from a family of people who emigrated to England, so that experience of not being English, coming from racialised communities, that was a challenge. We experienced poverty and homelessness. So, mental illness was an experience we absolutely I absolutely knew firsthand. And so therefore, going into mental health felt like a natural evolution in my life.

Hughes says having lived experience in charity leadership makes the biggest difference as it is the filter through which you see everything.

So when Im making even the most difficult decisions, I am always thinking ultimately, what is the impact thats going to have on people experiencing mental illness today?

Subsidising statutory provision

Hughes says one of the main challenges facing many charities is having to deliver underfunded public contracts.

Weve been subsidising statutory provision and I think its catching up with us. And as health and care legislation changes, sadly, the third sector is still left out of the loop in terms of funding decisions and big strategic conversations about where resources should be spent.

I speak to local Minds all the time and spoke to a couple of colleagues this week, talking about just the incredibly frustrating way that commissioners are making decisions at the moment about contracts.

Hughes gives the example of some commissioners waiting until January to tell an organisation with a contract that ends in March whether it will be renewed or not.

Its not okay when those organisations are juggling a workforce, trying to balance the books and deliver services to people that need them, she says.

Hughes says another key issue for the sector is communicating the work that charities do, to funders, policy makers and the public.

Its still astonishing to me that some funders, certainly statutory funders, will not realise that some charities provide very community-based peer support activities, all the way up to hardcore clinical statutory services. Its still something thats not entirely understood by funders or the public sometimes.

I think we can struggle to convey our impact to the public. Are we a tea and sympathy body that is there to make things easier for people? Or are we there to advocate? And of course, were there to do both.

When asked how these challenges could be resolved, she says: Its about having longer investment. Its about being able to engage grassroots organisations and not leaving them out. Its having a seat at the table when decisions are being made.

In the integrated care system network across the country, how many charities in those systems would honestly say: Were included and we feel were part of this system? Im not sure were there yet. But the opportunity, if we were, would be revolutionary and transformative.

A busy first year

Hughes says since joining Mind, she has reviewed and refreshed the charitys strategy in response to the deepening mental health crisis in the UK.

We are focusing on social change and social impact. We want to make sure that everything we do is centred around people in communities. We want to really connect with our local Minds and our equity partners. And we want to accelerate and amplify our campaigns and our messaging, but we really want to be in coalition, in solidarity with others.

The charity ran a campaign called Raise the Standard about inpatient care, which Hughes says is nowhere near where it should be in 2023.

The charity has contributed to the Covid inquiry and launched a self-help programme in November, which 900 people accessed in 48 hours.

Weve also been working with our local Minds to build a new model for how we work together. So, its been a busy year.

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As 2024 dawns, were bringing you a new newsletter every Friday: The Scrum, a weekly column on the intersection of media and politics, written by Cameron Joseph, who has covered elections and the seat of power for outlets including VICE News, the New York Daily News, and The Hill. The rest of our newsletter schedule will remain unchanged. Read on for Camerons first dispatch. Jon Allsop

Welcome to the first edition of The Scrum. This is not going to be an insidery industry column. I dont have the sources, and frankly I dont care that much. Im also not some media heavyweight with experience running newsrooms and keen insight into the boardrooms of news companies, or a professor with vast classroom experience.

What I do bring is a lot of firsthand experience of what its like to actually cover modern politics. Ive spent fifteen years reporting on the chaotic, unpredictable, and alarming struggle for democracywhile trying to fight the herd mentality that develops when traveling in packs of reporters. Ive covered campaigns, Congress, and the White House; worked for strictly nonpartisan outlets (National Journal) and liberal ones (Talking Points Memo); and written for a Beltway-insider newspaper (The Hill), a punchy New York tabloid (the Daily News), and the digital side of a hipster TV operation (Vice News). Throughout my career, Ive tried as best I could to avoid easy narratives (especially ones that confirm my own biases or fall in my blind spots) and to cover people fairly and with compassionwhile pulling no punches.

Thats what Ive aimed for, anyway.

With this column, I plan to explore the tensions, problems, and clashes facing modern political journalism in a time of massive upheavalboth within the industry and in our broader politics. And Ill examine the efficacy of the rules and ethics that many reporters were taught growing up, at a time when those very rules are being challenged both by traditional business pressures and the criticisms of a younger generation.

Its going to be a long, wild, and likely bleak year in American politics. We reporters are stuck right in the middle, trying to figure out, in real time, what the hell is really going onand find ways to explain it to our audiences in the fairest, clearest ways possible. Im not going to pretend I have all the answers. Ill be here to try to make sense of it allfor you, and for myselfas election season officially kicks off in Iowa next week. I hope you hold me accountable.

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To kick things off, I talked to Tina Nguyen. Shes a national correspondent for Puck and an alumna of Politico and Vanity Fairand, before that, a slew of right-wing publications where she got her start in journalism. (Shes also my friend.) Her new book, The MAGA Diaries, chronicles her coming of age within the right-wing movement and the conservative media-industrial complex. Her time inside the movement gives her a unique perspective on the forces behind MAGAand intimate knowledge of many of the people now running the show. Our conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

The cover of Tina Nguyens new book, The MAGA Diaries. Courtesy photo.

CJ: We both happen to have gone to Claremont McKenna College, this little school in California that has been a breeding ground for conservatives. How did you wind up at Claremont?

TN: Frankly, I followed a boy therewhich is never quite the best reason to go to a college. But I also was a Founding Fathers geek growing up in high school. And the moment that you see a research institution on campus that promises to study the ideals of individual freedom in the modern world, and then you run into another institute that talks about preserving the American founding, and you realize, Oh my God, I could study this for a living and there are people who do this for a livingthats pretty cool.

Readers might know the boy you mentioned: Charles Johnson, who later emerged as one of the more notorious figures of the alt-right. In your book, you also write about one of your mentors, who helped to get you some of your first jobs in DCand later turned out to be palling around with white nationalists. And one of your first bosses, Tucker Carlson, turned out to bewell, the Tucker Carlson we know today. What was it like to see all of these figures from your early time in politics become the people theyre known as today?

Every single time I read something that one of those guys had done at some point, my first reaction was always, What the hell? Oh my God, why? And then you think about it, and youre like, Oh, this makes sense. And it all boils down to incentive.

I think that in the case of Charles and my mentor, John Elliott, these were views that theyd always held, but then found mechanisms and avenues within the conservative movement to make them mainstream, either through being a wild and crazy troll on the internet who had the patronage of people like Peter Thiel, or by working undercover using these mentorship networks to identify potential white nationalists and workshop ideas with them on how to publish white nationalist stuff in places like the Daily Caller, which in no universe would have ever explicitly courted white nationalists when I was there. And they wouldnt have gotten there if these networks of support hadnt existed to make them influential.

In the case of Tuckerthis is going to be a hot take, but I think the qualities that made him a really good magazine reporter do not make him a good pundit. He was always really interested in exploring the most crazy, bizarre little corners of American life. Tucker Carlson from back then one hundred percent would be talking to conspiracy theorists and eugenicists just to, like, understand what it is that made them tick. But in the medium of print, that comes across as way different than doing it on Fox News.

And [on top] of that was the very different level of scrutiny he received as a pundit who suddenly had all of these progressive groups and other journalists who were formerly in his community going, Oh my God, how dare you say these on television? I think it sort of drove him into being more MAGA. He was reacting to whatever hate and anger came his way.

And I know that kind of sounds a little hand-wavy and excuse-y to the CJR readership. But Ive seen this happen with so many other people in the conservative movement that it is not me trying to do Tucker Carlson a solid. It is an actual honest-to-goodness trend and hallmark of the movement.

So you think that Tucker Carlsons move politically, from this kind of mainstream-y, puckish libertarian to this fire-breathing nationalist, is authentic?

Absolutely. Tucker Carlson is definitely the kind of guy who would rather be in a basement livestreaming from a shitty iPhone than having an executive at Fox News telling him what to do. And thats something thats been consistent throughout his entire career.

I remember going into reporting on what Tucker was going to be doing after he got fired from Fox. And everyone I spoke to from the mainstream side was like, Hes probably just gonna, like, take this position of defiance in order to negotiate a better exit package from Fox. And I am going, Absolutely not. He will sacrifice $40 million in order to break that noncompete that told him to be silent for two years past the end of the 2024 election. Like, that is something Tucker absolutely would refuse to do. And you know what? Thats what happened.

At one point in the book, you describe your life as a very weird gray zone, as a reporter who covers the movement you came up in. Can you unpack why thats such a weird place to be?

It all boils down to loyalty, I thinkand gratitude. Theres no way Id be in the place I am right now if not for being part of the libertarian/conservative journalistic community, which gave me this insight into other aspects of conservatism that a lot of mainstream reporters just dont have.

Internally, I keep having this sense of Oh my God, Im betraying my college friend group and the people who mentored me and the people who did me all of these big solids in the past. If it werent for these networks, I wouldnt have gotten the job at the Daily Caller. Even [though] I got fired from the Daily Caller, if it hadnt been for Tucker being, like, a really nice person who gave me a recommendation for my next job, I wouldnt have ended up in New York, writing for Vanity Fair.

I dont think anyone who came up outside of that movement quite understands that internal tension. And honestly, if Im feeling like this as someone whos simply writing about the movement, I cannot imagine what it is like to be someone inside that movement who is unhappy with the way things are going but either cant get out or feels like if they leave, theyre junking twenty, thirty years of their entire lives.

The ethics of covering folks who you used to be friends with and work with is really interesting. How do you approach that, especially with folks who you didnt know previously who are now sources or subjects of your stories?

Its been an interesting process.

I think what helps get over that hump is the fact that my exit from the movement proper [in 2013] was way before any of this Trump stuff came into play and any of the ex-Republican-industrial complex sprang up.

I can go into reporting on this movement as someone who is like, Okay, no, I dont believe the things that you do, but I understand you and your world and your ideology much betterthan a historian or someone on the outside [would].

I have a problem with telling people things that I see, and they just try to convince me that the people Im reporting on are wrong. Im like, Are you kidding me? I am simply telling you whats happening. Why are you attacking me? Im not an advocate for the people I report on. Im just someone who understands what it is they live in and what they talk about.

What are some trends youre seeing now on the right that you think arent really being grasped by other so-called mainstream reporters?

This election [for many on the right] is not about election denialism. It is really about the fight against wokeism. I guess you could define that as efforts from elite institutions to create more equityin civic education, civic life, academia, corporate Americaat the expense of what Americans think is their ability and merit to get ahead. And one of the things Ive been running into that is met with either bafflement, verging on disdain, from mainstream reporters and progressives especially is the idea that there are more minorities supporting Trump this round than there were last time.

For folks who are not coming from this world, but are trying to cover this in a smart and real way, what do you advise them to do?

Read! Read, read, read, read, read. There are so many conservative blogs out there, so many conservative commentators. There are books about the conservative movement, but then there are people within the conservative movement who will just be, like, laying out reams and reams and reams of exactly what it is they believe. Go into reading all of this not with the Oh my God, how can they believe this? but with a Hmm, why do they believe this?



Other notable stories:

Finally, a programming note: This newsletter will be off Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. See you Tuesday.

ICYMI: When contempt of court is deserved

Cameron Joseph is a freelance political reporter with recent work in The Guardian, the Los Angeles Times, Rolling Stone, and Politico Magazine. A recipient of the 2023 National Press Foundation Dirksen Award for distinguished reporting of Congress and the 2020 National Press Club award for excellence in political journalism, he previously worked for VICE News, Talking Points Memo, the New York Daily News, The Hill and National Journal.
New York City housing is often jammed into tight spaces. Old houses are carved into several apartments. Not all of them are legal.

Alexi Home Designs property in the Bronx had two official residences on the main floor and an unofficial basement apartment below. When the company purchased a property insurance policy, only two apartments were listed on the application.

After a fire damaged the property, Union Mutual Fire Insurance Co. asserted that the unlisted third apartment gave it grounds to rescind the policy and not pay Alexis claim. A New York appellate court rejected that argument on Thursday, when it affirmed a decision by the Bronx Supreme Court that the insurance application was ambiguous and must be interpreted in favor of the policyholder.

The term apartment units was not defined in the relevant policies or elsewhere; and it is thus unclear whether the premium would have been higher if plaintiff had disclosed the presence of a walk-in basement apartment that was not listed on the certificate of occupancy, the decision by a panel of the First Department of the New York Appellate Division says.

Alexi Homes attorney, Craig A. Blumberg, said Union Mutuals ploy is a common strategy for insurers of New York properties. He said hes been practicing in the city for more than 30 years and has seen a fair share of similar cases  even at the appellate division level  decided in favor of insurers.

Its just a real easy way for insurance companies to get way with not paying claims here, he said.

Alexi Home filed a lawsuit alleging breach of contract after Union Mutual denied its claim. The insurer filed a counterclaim seeking a declaratory judgment that no coverage is owed because of the misrepresentations on Alexis Designs insurance application.

Blumberg said he didnt know who provided the information on the application, but they are almost always filled out by insurance agents. He said policyholders typically only report the legal dwelling units within their properties. And he said sometimes its difficult to discern what is an apartment and what is not. Tenants often sublet bedrooms within their apartments. Are those rooms separate apartment units?

Property owners often dont find out that they have what the insurer considers to a separate unit until after they file a claim.

The insurance companies will just read it the way they want to, Blumberg said. They see something that can be an extra apartment and then automatically, Well, thats another apartment, and they dont pay.

The appellate divisions opinion says case law has established that a misrepresentation on an insurance policy is material to a claim if the insurer can show that it would refused to issue a policy or charged a higher premium if the facts were known.

Union Mutual, however, had failed to show either was true. Even if it had proved that it would have charged more or refused to issue a policy to Alexis, the lack of any definition for the term apartment units in the insurance application rendered the term ambiguous, the opinion says.

The appellate panel noted that Union Mutual had sent a representative to inspect Alexi Homes property in 2016 and 2018 and renewed the policy after the inspections.

The panel affirmed the Bronx County Supreme Courts decision to dismiss Union Mutuals counterclaim and deny the insurers motion for summary judgment against Alexi Home.

Top photo: Aerial view of The Bronx in New York City.
The New York Times Co. sued Microsoft Corp. and OpenAI Inc. for using its content to help develop artificial intelligence services, in a sign of the increasingly fraught relationship between the media and a technology that could upend the news industry.

The technology firms relied on millions of copyrighted articles to train chatbots like OpenAIs ChatGPT and other AI features, allegedly causing billions of dollars in statutory and actual damages, according to a lawsuit filed in New York on Wednesday. The Times didnt specify its monetary demands.

OpenAI has faced criticism for scraping text widely from the web to train its popular chatbot since it debuted a year ago. While it has been sued by prominent authors, this is the first challenge to its practices by a major media organization. The startup has sought licensing deals with publishers, much like Alphabet Inc.s Google and Meta Platforms Inc.s Facebook have done in recent years. The Times lawsuit said the publisher reached out to Microsoft and OpenAI in April and couldnt reach an amicable solution.

We respect the rights of content creators and owners and are committed to working with them to ensure they benefit from AI technology and new revenue models, an OpenAI spokesperson said in a statement. Our ongoing conversations with the New York Times have been productive and moving forward constructively, so we are surprised and disappointed with this development. Microsoft declined to comment.

In July, OpenAI signed an agreement with the Associated Press to access some of the news agencys archives. OpenAI cut a three-year deal in December with Axel Springer SE to use the German media companys work for an undisclosed sum.

Were hopeful that we will find a mutually beneficial way to work together, as we are doing with many other publishers, OpenAIs spokesperson said Wednesday.

OpenAI has been the target of multiple lawsuits from content producers complaining that their work has been improperly used for AI training. The company faces class actions from cultural figures including comedian Sarah Silverman, Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin, and Pulitzer-winning author Michael Chabon.

The cases are still in their early stages and could take years to fully resolve. A judge in San Francisco earlier this month hinted at trimming Silvermans copyright lawsuit against OpenAI. The judge had already narrowed a similar Silverman suit against Meta.

New Financing

OpenAI is currently in talks with investors for new financing at a $100 billion valuation that would make it the second-most valuable US startup, Bloomberg News reported last week.

Microsoft is OpenAIs largest backer and has deployed the startups AI tools in several of its products. In the lawsuit, the New York Times alleged Microsoft copied the newspapers articles verbatim for its Bing search engine and used OpenAIs tech to boost its value by a trillion dollars.

Microsofts share price has risen 55% since ChatGPT debuted in November 2022, increasing its market capitalization to $2.8 trillion. Shares were little changed Wednesday, closing at $374.07 in New York.

If Microsoft and OpenAI want to use our work for commercial purposes, the law requires that they first obtain our permission, a New York Times spokesperson said in an emailed statement. They have not done so.

The case is The New York Times Co. v. Microsoft Corp., OpenAI Inc., S.D.N.Y, No. 1:23-cv-11195, 12/27/23.

(Updates with comment from OpenAI in fourth paragraph.)

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.
DOVER, Del. (AP)  A judge has rejected several claims lodged by Delawares attorney general in a lawsuit alleging that the fossil fuel industry has downplayed the risks of climate change. Tuesdays ruling significantly narrows the scope of the suit seeking to hold the industry liable for the effects of air pollution in the state.

Democratic Attorney General Kathleen Jennings filed the lawsuit in 2020, joining forces with a California law firm that has sued the oil industry on behalf of other state and local governments.

While refusing to dismiss come claims, Superior Court Judge Mary Johnston ruled, for example, that the federal Clean Air Act preempts the states claims seeking damages for injuries resulting from out-of-state or global greenhouse emissions and interstate pollution.

However, Johnston noted that the Clean Air Act doesnt preempt alleged claims and damages resulting from air pollution originating from sources within Delaware.

Air pollution prevention and control at the source is the primary responsibility of state and local governments, she wrote.

Theodore Boutrous Jr., an attorney representing Chevron Corp., said he was pleased that Johnston recognized that claims regarding out-of-state or global greenhouse emissions and interstate pollution are preempted by the Clean Air Act.

The global challenge of climate change requires a coordinated international policy response, not a series of baseless state and local lawsuits, Boutros said in a prepared statement.

The judge also said the state could pursue a general claim for environmental-based public nuisance and trespass for land that the state owns directly, but not for land the state holds in public trust.

That ruling cited a Delaware Supreme Court ruling last year in a lawsuit filed by Jennings against agricultural giant Monsanto over environmental damage from now-banned toxic chemicals known as PCBs.

Unlike contamination of land and water in Monsanto, damages caused by air pollution limited to state-owned property may be difficult to isolate and measure, the judge wrote. Nevertheless, that is an issue to be addressed at a later stage of the case.

Johnston also ruled that claims of greenwashing and misrepresentations by the defendants about fossil fuels effects on the climate must be dismissed, because the state failed to specifically identify alleged misrepresentations for each individual defendant. In dismissing the claims, the judge said she would give attorneys for the state a chance to amend the complaint to include particular allegations.

Johnston also ruled that claims made by Jennings office under the Delaware Consumer Fraud Act are barred by the passage of time because the five-year statute of limitations has expired.

Defendants have provided evidence showing that the general public had knowledge of or had access to information about the disputes, regarding the existence of climate change and effects, decades prior to the expiration of the five-year limitations period, Johnston wrote. This information and evidence is unrefuted by the state.

Johnston deferred a ruling regarding the American Petroleum Institutes argument that statements it has made relating to fossil fuels are protected by the First Amendment.

The state argues that API used deceptive campaigns to mislead the general public about hazards of fossil fuel consumption, and that the trade groups statements constitute commercial speech that is not protected by the First Amendment.

API contends that because it does not produce or sell any fossil fuel, its purpose was to comment on matters of public significance.

The issue of commercial speech, as opposed to misleading statements, involves a fact-intensive analysis, Johnston wrote. It is inappropriate for resolution on this motion to dismiss.

Ryan Meyers, API senior vice president and general counsel, said the organization was encouraged that the judge identified significant deficiencies in the states stale and baseless allegations.

This ongoing, coordinated campaign to wage politicized lawsuits against a foundational American industry and its workers is nothing more than a distraction from important national conversations and an enormous waste of taxpayer resources, Meyers said in a prepared statement. Climate policy is for Congress to debate and decide, not a patchwork of courts.

Mat Marshall, a spokesperson for Jennings, said her office was reviewing the ruling and analyzing next steps.

Were grateful that the court denied several Big Oil defendants efforts to evade accountability, he said.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  U.S.-led airstrikes on Yemens Houthi rebels in response to their attacks on Red Sea shipping pulled the worlds focus Friday back on the yearslong war raging there, even as tensions rise across a Middle East already torn by Israels war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The strikes killed at least five people and wounded six, the Houthis said, without elaborating on what was targeted.

As the bombing lit the predawn sky over multiple sites held by the Iranian-backed rebels, Saudi Arabia quickly sought to distance itself from the attacks as it seeks to maintain a delicate detente with Iran and a cease-fire in the Yemen war from which it hopes to finally withdraw.

The attack also threatened to ignite a regional conflict over Israels war on Hamas, which the Biden administration and its allies have been trying to calm for weeks.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy acknowledged an attack days earlier on a ship in the far reaches of the Indian Ocean  an attack that may signal Irans willingness to strike vessels as part of a wider maritime campaign over the Israel-Hamas conflict. Tehran on Thursday separately seized another tanker involved in an earlier crisis over America seizing oil targeted by international sanctions on the Islamic Republics nuclear program.

It remained unclear how extensive the damage from the U.S. strikes were, though the Houthis said at least five sites, including airfields, had been attacked. The United Kingdom described its strikes hitting a site in Bani allegedly used by the Houthis to launch drones and an airfield in Abbs used to launch cruise missiles and drones.

Hussein al-Ezzi, a Houthi official in their Foreign Ministry, acknowledged a massive, aggressive attack by American and British ships, submarines and warplanes.

America and Britain will undoubtedly have to prepare to pay a heavy price and bear all the dire consequences of this blatant aggression, al-Ezzi wrote online.

Mohammed Abdul-Salam, the Houthis chief negotiator and spokesperson, separately described the U.S. and Britain as having committed foolishness with this treacherous aggression.

They were wrong if they thought that they would deter Yemen from supporting Palestine and Gaza, he wrote online. Houthi targeting will continue to affect Israeli ships or those heading to the ports of occupied Palestine, he wrote.

Since the attacks began in November, however, the Houthis have begun targeting vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, imperiling shipping in a key route for global trade.

The Houthis military spokesman, Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, in a recorded address, said 73 strikes hit five regions of Yemen under their control, killing five and wounding six. He did not elaborate on who was killed.

The American and British enemy bears full responsibility for its criminal aggression against our Yemeni people, and it will not go unanswered and unpunished, Saree said.

In Saada, the Houthis stronghold in northwest Yemen, hundreds gathered for a rally Friday. The crowd shouted at times the Houthi slogan: God is the greatest; death to America; death to Israel; curse the Jews; victory to Islam.

Yemen has been targeted by U.S. military action over the last four American presidencies. A campaign of drone strikes began under President George W. Bush to target the local affiliate of al-Qaida, attacks that have continued under the Biden administration. Meanwhile, the U.S. has launched raids and other military operations amid the ongoing war in Yemen.

That war began when the Houthis swept into the capital, Sanaa, in 2014. A Saudi-led coalition including the United Arab Emirates launched a war to back Yemens exiled government in 2015, quickly morphing the conflict into a regional confrontation as Iran backed the Houthis with weapons and other support.

That war, however, has slowed as the Houthis maintain their grip on the territory they hold. The UAE even came under Houthi missile fire multiple times in 2022. After the Emirates left the war, Saudi Arabia reached a Chinese-mediated deal with Iran to ease tensions in hopes of finally withdrawing from the war.

However, an overall deal has yet to be reached, likely sparking Saudi Arabias expression Friday of great concern over the airstrikes.

While the kingdom stresses the importance of preserving the security and stability of the Red Sea region, ... it calls for restraint and avoiding escalation, its Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Iran, which has supplied weapons and aid to the Houthis, condemned the attack in a statement from Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani.

Arbitrary attacks will have no result other than fueling insecurity and instability in the region, he said.

The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, also backed by Iran and engaged in cross-border fire with Israel, criticized the strikes as showing America as being a full partner in catastrophes and massacres committed by the Zionist entity in Gaza. Hamas as well condemned the attack.

In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning called on nations not to escalate tensions in the Red Sea, asking all countries and parties to exercise restraint.

We hope that all parties concerned will play a constructive and responsible role in the security and stability of the Red Sea region, which is in the common interest of the international community, she said.

The Red Sea route is also crucial for energy shipments. Benchmark Brent crude traded up some 2.5% Friday at over $79 a barrel.

Meanwhile Friday, the U.S. Navy confirmed an attack days earlier near the coasts of India and Sri Lanka. The chemical tanker Pacific Gold was struck Jan. 4 by what the Navy called an Iranian one-way attack drone, causing some damage to the vessel but no injuries.

Irans actions are contrary to international law and threaten maritime security and stability, said Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, the head of the Navys Mideast-based 5th Fleet.

The Pacific Gold is managed by Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping, a company that is ultimately controlled by Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer. Eastern Pacific, as well as naval officials in India and Sri Lanka, had not responded to multiple requests for comment from The Associated Press over the attack. Eastern Pacific previously has been targeted in suspected Iranian attacks.

A private security official previously acknowledged to the AP that the attack took place. The attack had been first reported by the Lebanese broadcaster Al-Mayadeen, a channel politically affiliated with Hezbollah that has previously announced other Iran-linked attacks in the region. Iran itself has not acknowledged carrying out the attack.
Yemen's Houthi group says 5 killed, 6 injured in U.S.-Britain airstrikes

Xinhua) 16:59, January 12, 2024

SANAA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group said on Friday that five of its fighters were killed during the U.S.-Britain airstrikes before dawn, adding six others were injured.

It added that the airstrikes hit 73 targets across the areas the rebel group controls.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
US President Biden arrives to board Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on December 20, 2023, as he departs for Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

After having planted President Joe Biden's flag in South Carolina this week with a direct appeal to Black voters, his campaign will continue its ramp-up this month with visits by Biden to Nevada and Michigan, each home to important Democratic constituency groups he needs to firm up ahead of November.

It's a new phase of the campaign, advisers say, which reflects why Biden felt it was important to overhaul the Democrats' nominating calendar  to prioritize the party's more diverse coalition instead of predominantly white states like Iowa and New Hampshire, where Republicans are kicking off their fight.

"For these communities, the message that we have now is that, one, they are the ones that have the most at stake, and two, Joe Biden has done more for these communities than any other president or any other administration," Quentin Fulks, Biden's principal deputy campaign manager, said in an interview. "It would be foolish for us not to communicate with them out of the gate."

In doing so, though, Biden is also having to confront directly some of the biggest political challenges he faces within his party before he can broaden his focus to the general election.

Biden could be courting Latino voters in Nevada while simultaneously negotiating a border funding bill that includes stricter immigration policies that are opposed by Hispanic leaders. And the campaign concedes it needs to take a delicate approach in Michigan, as the state's sizable Arab American population has been critical of his staunch support for Israel.

Fulks said the campaign is ready to engage on those and other issues, both directly from Biden during his visits and through surrogates, direct communication and paid advertising.

"The president and our entire team understand that communities across the country  and in Michigan  are hurting. We can't take a single voter for granted," he said.

"Our style is that when people come to us on this, the president respects their passion," he added, pointing to how Biden addressed a protester during his South Carolina speech as an example.

Nevada holds its primary on Feb. 6, three days after South Carolina. Michigan comes next in the new Democratic calendar, on Feb. 27.

Going forward, the campaign intends to build on its core argument  that Americans' hard-fought freedoms are very much at stake in this election. "Freedom" was the first word Biden spoke in his re-election kickoff video in April and a theme of his speech Friday warning about Donald Trump's threat to democracy.

"Democracy means having the freedom to speak your mind, to be who you are, to be who you want to be," Biden said. "But if democracy falls, we'll lose that freedom."

Vice President Kamala Harris signaled during a trip to Atlanta on Tuesday how the campaign will broaden its freedom argument to key voting groups, saying there is a "full-on intent to attack fundamental freedoms and rights," like "the freedom to have access to the ballot  for women to make decisions about their own body, the freedom of people to love who they love openly and with pride, the freedom of people to be safe from gun violence."

Harris already this year has made a stop in Nevada to tout another powerful political coalition there  the Culinary Workers union, which represents casino workers and just successfully negotiated a new contract.

"The strength of working people is the backbone of the strength of our nation," she said there last week.

The Biden campaign has argued that as important as immigration is, public polling and its own research show the economy as the top concern of Latino voters. In Nevada, focusing on gun violence is also a top concern after the massacre outside Mandalay Bay casino in 2017, the country's deadliest mass shooting.

In Michigan, the campaign is also focusing on economic freedom and the dignity of work, Fulks said. Last year, Biden joined a United Auto Workers picket line as the union was engaged in negotiations with the Big Three automakers. The UAW, unlike many of the country's largest unions, has not yet endorsed Biden, showing that the campaign still has work to do.

The campaign has rejected the idea that Biden is focused on those base groups out of weakness. Fulks said it instead is "a sign of respect," taking a more holistic approach to them than Democrats have in the past  not just groups that are focuses of turnout efforts in the fall, but ones that need to be targets of persuasion efforts from Day 1.

In 2020, Biden carried both Nevada and Michigan, but by less than 3 percentage points. Only Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Arizona and Georgia were closer among states Biden carried.
Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Paramount's year-to-date stock performance.

Paramount : "That's like the balance sheet from hell. We love good balance sheets, don't like bad balance sheets. That's got a bad one."

Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Exelixis' year-to-date stock performance.

Exelixis : "I think that this is a good spec...I like speculation in areas where there could be something exciting, and the biotech world is just unbelievably exciting."

Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Uranium Energy's year-to-date stock performance.

Uranium Energy : "I'm reiterating UEC. Why? Because I want a pure play uranium company that's not losing money hand over fist and bleeding from the eyeballs."

Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Franco-Nevada's year-to-date stock performance.

Franco-Nevada : "I think it's a great diversified way to own gold. Now, I personally like Barrick Gold, but I think you're going to do fine with that. And yes, I will reveal, I like gold bullion."

Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Enbridge's year-to-date stock performance.

Enbridge : "I like the acquisition very much...Greg Ebel's doing a good job."

Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Ryanair's year-to-date stock performance.

Ryanair : "They're a very well-run company...I like the stock."

Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Plains' year-to-date stock performance.

Plains : "I would buy that for the dividend and then I would dump."

Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Dutch Bros' year-to-date stock performance.

Dutch Bros : "I have been a little let down by the Dutch Bros....They got to stop opening stores and catch their darn breath."

Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon United Natural Foods' year-to-date stock performance.

United Natural Foods : "It's not going to change its address anytime soon. Get the moving van."

watch now
U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping before a meeting during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders' week in Woodside, California, Nov. 15, 2023.

The Biden administration doubled down on its support for Taiwan's democratic process ahead of a presidential election on the island that will serve as a bellwether of mainland China's creeping influence over Taiwan, which China claims as its territory.

A senior Chinese liaison to Taiwan warned recently that Saturday's election would be a choice between "peace and war." Beijing has also cautioned Washington not to get involved.

The election results will have ripple effects on geopolitics and global trade. Depending on the outcome, they could also trigger an increase in Chinese military activity in and around the island.

The White House is preparing for several different outcomes.

"Anytime we're heading into a period of higher tension, there are of course always contingency conversations in the U.S. government," a senior administration official said late Wednesday on a briefing with reporters.

"I don't want to get into specifics on those, but of course, we have to be prepared and thinking through any eventuality ... ranging from no response to the higher end," the official said.

The White House insists that the United States does not endorse any of the top three candidates. This does not mean Washington is staying entirely on the sidelines, however.

An "unofficial delegation" of Americans will travel to Taiwan's capital, Taipei, immediately after the election to reinforce its partnership with the island "face-to-face," the senior administration official said. "It is no secret that Beijing has a view on the outcome of the election, and is trying to shape its course in various different ways."

Lai Ching-te, the candidate for the incumbent Democratic Progressive Party, is viewed as likely to maintain the status quo in relations with China and with the U.S., making him Beijing's least favorite choice.

Opposition candidate Hou Yu-ih has expressed openness to closer relations with mainland China.

A third candidate, retired surgeon Ko Wen-je, is a former mayor of Taipei who has positioned himself as a pragmatist and a moderate.

Taiwan has reported myriad attempts by the Chinese government to influence the election via disinformation campaigns, cyberattacks and economic coercion.

The cautiously defiant message from Washington on Taiwan follows two days of meetings Jan. 8-9 between the Pentagon and China's defense ministry.

Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer also met with his Chinese counterpart Wednesday to emphasize, among other issues, the U.S. commitment to "peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait."

These meetings build on President Joe Biden's November one-on-one with Chinese President Xi Jinping in San Francisco, which aimed to end the bitter freeze that has characterized recent U.S.-China relations.

At the November summit, Xi bluntly stated that he intends to reunify Taiwan with mainland China and will not rule out military force to do so.

At the meetings earlier this week, China demanded that the United States "stop arming Taiwan and oppose Taiwan's 'independence.'"

The U.S. regularly sends millions of dollars in defense aid to Taiwan, including a $300 million package in December that triggered Chinese sanctions against U.S. companies.

"Taiwan is a key part of global supply chains," the White House official said. "A disruption to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait would seriously damage the global economy."

China has maintained military pressure on the island with hovering satellites, military aircraft, ships and balloons. China also revoked tax concessions for certain imports to Taiwan, claiming the island had violated parts of its trade agreements, and extended a probe into those violations until Jan. 12, just a day before Taiwan's election.
A December report from real estate broker Realtor.com ranked the best U.S. cities to buy a house in 2024 based on expected price growth and sales.

The annual report analyzed the country's 100 largest metropolitan areas and the final result is a list with half of the top metros in California.

"These markets generally fall into two camps: affordable metros in the Midwest and Northeast, and high-priced Western metros," Hannah Jones, Realtor.com's Senior Economic Research Analyst, told Newsweek.

The Midwest and Northeast markets on the list are expected to stay popular this year because they offer more affordable options than other places in the U.S.

"These areas promise more bang for your buck and desirable quality of life amenities," Jones added. Though affordability is still an issue for many.

Realtor.com explains that while sales and prices are expected to increase from last year, they will remain below pre-pandemic levels.
The Biden administration announced on Friday it would soon begin forgiving the student loans of borrowers who have been in repayment for a decade or more and originally took out $12,000 or less.

To qualify for the relief, which could come as early as next month, borrowers will also need to be enrolled in the administration's new Saving on a Valuable Education, or SAVE, plan.

"Borrowers enrolled in SAVE who are eligible for early forgiveness will have their debts canceled immediately starting next month, with no action on their part," the U.S. Department of Education said.

The Department also said it was kicking off an outreach and email campaign to get as many eligible borrowers as possible to sign up for its SAVE plan, so that they may benefit from this relief, too. As of early January, 6.9 million borrowers were enrolled in what the administration has billed to student loan borrowers as "the most affordable repayment plan ever created."

"Today's announcement will help struggling borrowers who have been making loan payments for years, including many who never graduated from college," said Under Secretary James Kvaal in a statement. "Giving borrowers with smaller loans a faster path to being debt free will help many borrowers avoid financial distress and have peace of mind."

Under the SAVE plan, the usual timeline for student loan borrowers to get forgiveness is 20 years or 25 years. The 10-year period applies to those who took out $12,000 or less in undergraduate or graduate postsecondary studies.



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Hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman, who recently fought a high-profile battle against Harvard University, said Friday that he's starting an activist organization to fight antisemitism and reform higher education.

"It's going to be a 'think-and-do tank.' It's going to be an activist," Ackman said in an interview with CNBC's Andrew Ross Sorkin on "Squawk Box." "I'm standing up an organization very shortly to focus on precisely what's going on.  We're going to study these issues. And we're going to come up with solutions to problems and we're going to implement."

The Pershing Square Capital CEO was one of the loudest critics of Harvard, his alma mater, as well as the University of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, after Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel, charging their presidents with not taking a strong stance against antisemitism on campus.

Harvard president Claudine Gay later resigned following sharp criticism of her testimony before Congress in early December where she and other academic leaders were grilled over tolerance of antisemitism on campus. In addition, Gay faced accusations of plagiarism in her own published work.

Ackman's fight took a turn when online publication Business Insider posted a story that included similar accusations of plagiarism against his wife, Neri Oxman, who is an architect, designer and a former professor at MIT.

"It started with antisemitism on campus, and then I got concerned about governance at Harvard.  Then I have broader concerns about higher education generally," Ackman said. "I think these are very important issues. And these are issues that will require resources to be focused on."

Ackman, whose Pershing Square oversees nearly $15 billion in assets under management, said he's going to hire a CEO and put together a board of directors for the new organization.

"This kind of activism now requires a serious team," Ackman said. "We're going to go after these issues in a very aggressive way."



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The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission pushed for bitcoin exchange-traded funds to have a key difference from major stock funds, and that decision's effect on how the funds trade will only become clear over time.

The bitcoin funds that launched Thursday are using a share redemption process that turns the underlying crypto into cash. Most ETFs primarily use an in-kind redemption process, where the underlying asset does not have to be actually sold.

While the rules around share redemption do not directly affect the smaller trades that retail investors do in brokerage accounts, they come into play for the execution of larger trades made by institutions.

There is some concern that using the cash-only redemption model could make the plumbing of the ETFs less efficient.

"It could be that certain funds are capable of getting better execution prices than others. The other thing is that those trading costs, whether it be transaction costs or the market impact type costs that aren't necessarily quantifiable, those costs are now borne by investors," said Bryan Armour, director of passive strategies research for North America at Morningstar.

In-kind redemptions are typically used by major equity funds and, as crypto asset manager Grayscale pointed out in a presentation to the SEC, commodities funds. Using cash-only redemption could result in ETFs that have weaker liquidity and wider bid-ask spreads, Grayscale argued.

But Steven McClurg, chief investment officer at Valkyrie, said the situation may be more analogous to fixed income ETFs, where cash redemption is more common because the authorized market participants working with the funds may be more comfortable with that process.

"In this situation, there's a lot of APs that don't have the ability to transact in bitcoin. If it was an in-kind model, then it would throw a lot of advantage toward the APs that do have that ability.  We want as many market makers and authorized participants in these products as possible, because that makes for better markets," McClurg said.

From a regulatory perspective, the decision to only allow cash redemptions simplifies the chain of custody for bitcoin and removes broker-dealers from the process, said Jeremy Senderowicz, an attorney and shareholder at Vedder Price, a firm that specializes in ETFs.

SEC Chair Gary Gensler said in a statement Wednesday that broker-dealers are still expected to follow best interest regulations with regard to crypto products, a potential sign that the SEC is wary of those firms becoming directly involved with these funds.

The good news for investors is that the cash-redemption process should not change the tax treatment of the funds, even though cash redemptions are more generally associated with mutual funds than ETFs. Many investors and financial advisors choose to use ETFs because the funds give them more control over when to create tax events.

"These things are taxed as grantor trusts. Consensus is that when an AP is redeemed for cash, the tax consequences only accrue to that AP. So it is not like cash redemptions on mutual funds and regular 40-Act ETFs where, to the extent that it's a cash transaction, taxable income stemming from fund transactions is passed through to all the shareholders," Senderowicz said.



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Containers sit at the Yangshan Port in Shanghai, China, Aug. 6, 2019. Aly Song | Reuters

BEIJING  China's annual exports fell for the first time in seven years in 2023, even as shipments in December beat expectations, customs data showed Friday. Exports rose by 2.3% year on year in U.S. dollar terms last month, more than the 1.7% increase forecast by a Reuters poll. Imports rose by 0.2% in December from a year earlier in U.S. dollar terms. That's slightly less than the 0.3% increase expected by analysts polled by Reuters. But for 2023, exports fell 4.6%, the first such annual drop since a 7.7% decline in 2016, according to Wind Information. Imports dropped by 5.5% last year. Their last decline was in 2020, the year the Covid-19 pandemic began. China's trade with its major partners declined in 2023 as demand for Chinese goods fell amid slower global growth.

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The Association of Southeast Asian Nations was China's largest trading partner on a regional basis in 2023, followed by the European Union. By country, the U.S. remained China's largest trading partner. Russia was a rare bright spot, with China's exports to the country climbing nearly 47% in 2023, and imports rising almost 13%. "Chinese manufacturers anticipate production to rise over the course of 2024 amid forecasts of firmer global demand, higher client spending and new product investment," Caixin said in a release for its December manufacturing purchasing managers' index. The index showed mild improvement from November. "However, the degree of optimism softened from November and remained below the series average."

The report also noted a decline in the employment sub-index. "Firms often mentioned that they had opted not to replace voluntary leavers or trimmed headcounts as demand was more subdued than expected," Caixin said. "Our base case is for exports to rise 2% in 2024 after falling 5% [in 2023]. If exports slow more than expected, policymakers would turn more proactive in terms of domestic policy supports," Macquarie's Chief China Economist Larry Hu said in a Jan. 5 report. China's economy has seen a slower-than-expected recovery from the pandemic, but likely ended 2023 with around 5% growth. The National Bureau of Statistics is scheduled to release the official GDP numbers on Wednesday.

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"Weak domestic demand drives competitive firms in China to expand in the global market. This helps to contain inflation in the rest of the world," Zhiwei Zhang, president and chief economist at Pinpoint Asset Management, said in a note. "But exports as a pillar for growth in China is not strong enough to boost overall domestic demand," he said. "The support from fiscal policy expansion is critical." China, the world's largest oil importer, said its crude oil demand fell 7.7% in 2023. However, it fell less than the 8.1% drop in November.

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Imports of integrated circuits also picked up in December. China's exports in most product categories fell in 2023, with machinery, boats and home appliances among the few exceptions. Autos remained a bright spot, with exports surging by 69% in 2023 from a year ago, China customs data showed. That was a slightly slower pace than the 70.9% increase in the January 2023 to November period.
Chinese AR glasses and software company Rokid announced it raised $70 million in a funding round led by the government of Hefei city. Seen here, a demonstration for the company's augmented reality helmet.

BEIJING  Chinese augmented reality glasses and software company Rokid this week announced it raised 500 million yuan ($70 million) in a funding round led by the government of Hefei city.

Hefei, which has also backed electric car startup Nio, is a hub for autos and semiconductor manufacturing near Shanghai.

Augmented reality (AR) technology allows digital images to be imposed over the real world. Apple' s Vision Pro virtual reality headset, set for release on Feb. 2, also allows users to see the real world using what the company calls "spatial computing" technology.

Rokid sells AR glasses for consumers. But its deal with Hefei will focus on using AR for factories, Rokid founder and CEO Misa Zhu told CNBC in a phone interview Wednesday.

AR glasses can help with equipment safety checks, while reducing the time workers need to spend on training, he said, claiming Rokid already has more than 60% market share in industries such as energy in China.
Citigroup said it was cutting 10% of its workforce in a bid to help boost the embattled bank's results and stock price.

About 20,000 employees will be let go over the "medium term," New York-based Citigroup said Friday in a slideshow tied to fourth-quarter earnings. While it wasn't immediately clear how long that is, the bank has previously used that term to denote a three- to five-year period.

Citigroup had roughly 200,000 workers at the end of 2023, excluding Mexican operations that are in the process of being spun out, according to the presentation.

Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser announced a sweeping overhaul of the third-largest U.S. bank by assets in September. The company has been left behind by peers since the 2008 financial crisis as Fraser's predecessors couldn't get a handle on expenses and is the lowest valued among the six biggest U.S. banks.

In November, CNBC reported that managers and consultants involved in the effort  known internally by the code name "Project Bora Bora"  discussed job cuts of 10% in several major businesses.
Anheuser-Busch InBev has scored a sponsorship for the upcoming Olympic Games, making it the first beer brand to ever sponsor the event.

The International Olympic Committee announced its worldwide partnership with the world's biggest brewing company on Friday, saying the team-up will stretch from the upcoming Paris 2024 Summer games to Los Angeles 2028 Summer games.

The IOC specifically highlighted Corona Cero as the beer of choice for the partnership. Corona Cero, one of AB InBev's non-alcoholic beers, contains less than 0.5% alcohol by volume, according to the company's website.

"The low-alcohol space is a great opportunity," Doukeris told CNBC's Arabile Gumede on Friday.

Doukeris also noted that the beer industry has remained resilient amid global supply chain concerns. It has a "characteristic as a category that is incredible, which is beer is local," Doukeris said. "We source our ingredients locally, sometimes we grow our ingredients locally, from barley, hops ... sometimes the bottles, the cans, [are] local as well. Beer usually does not travel a lot because we have breweries in the local communities where we operate."

This partnership could be a comeback of sorts for AB InBev, which previously announced that it would be focusing its marketing efforts on sporting and music events.

That pivot came after the company faced backlash for its partnership with transgender influence Dylan Mulvaney, including conservative boycotts. Bud Light sales slumped in the wake of the protests, giving Modelo Especial center stage as the best-selling beer in the U.S. last May.

Disclosure: CNBC parent NBCUniversal owns NBC Sports and NBC Olympics. NBC Olympics is the U.S. broadcast rights holder to all Summer and Winter Games through 2032.
The Federal Aviation Administration on Friday said it will audit Boeing 's production line, a week after a door plug blew off an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9.

The agency said it is considering using "an independent third party" to oversee Boeing inspections and quality of its manufacturing.

The FAA grounded more than 170 Boeing 737 Max 9s, most of the world's fleet, after that incident. The agency said the audit applies to Boeing's production line for that plane model and its suppliers "to evaluate Boeing's compliance with its approved quality procedures."

"The results of the FAA's audit analysis will determine whether additional audits are necessary," said the agency.

The FAA said it will also evaluate risks around Boeing's ability to self-monitor quality control and other aspects of airplane production. The agency on Thursday announced an investigation into whether the manufacturer failed to ensure its planes were airworthy and conformed to their design.

"The grounding of the 737-9 and the multiple production-related issues identified in recent years require us to look at every option to reduce risk," FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said in a statement.

Boeing said in a statement it welcomes the FAA's announcement will "cooperate fully and transparently with our regulator. We support all actions that strengthen quality and safety and we are taking actions across our production system."

Earlier this week, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun told staff that the company acknowledges its "mistake" and said it would move past the incident, the latest defect and the most serious in recent years from Boeing.

No serious injuries were reported on the Alaska Airlines flight, and no one was seated next to the panel that blew out nor in the next seat over.

Still, the incident ramps up scrutiny on Boeing's quality problems and on regulators that oversee the industry.

"The FAA conducts final safety checks and issues airworthiness certificates for newly produced Boeing 737s," the agency said.



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Airlines canceled more than 3,000 U.S. flights Friday as they grappled with winter weather and the grounding of Boeing 737 Max 9 planes.

Storms in the Midwest helped drive more than 8,400 delays, with disruptions around Chicago and Detroit, major hubs for the largest U.S. carriers, according to flight-tracker FlightAware. Disruptions continued, with 1,700 cancellations and more than 700 delays as of Saturday morning.

About 40% of flights at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, a hub for United Airlines and American Airlines , were canceled after a snowstorm led to an over two-hour ground stop. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, a Delta Air Lines hub, had more than half of flights Friday either delayed or canceled due to the storms.

Southwest Airlines , which has a big operation out of Chicago Midway, canceled more than 400 flights, while over 1,500 were delayed.

United canceled about 10% of its mainline flights and delayed about 30%.

Last week, the Federal Aviation Administration grounded Boeing 737 Max 9s so the jets could undergo inspections after a door plug blew off an Alaska Airlines flight. That grounding has continued to disrupt travel for United and Alaska Airlines, the only U.S. airlines operating the aircraft.

Airlines are awaiting the FAA's approval of inspection instructions from Boeing. The FAA said late Friday that it needed more data on inspections before it could approve those directions.

"Upon a full review of the data the FAA will make a determination whether the instructions satisfy compliance with the highest standard of safety," the agency said.

Alaska Airlines said Friday that they would cancel all flights on the Max 9 through Sunday as it waits for documentation from Boeing and the FAA to begin inspections.

About 20% of Alaska's flights were canceled Friday and more than 10% were delayed, FlightAware data showed. Alaska said that between 110 and 150 flights per day would be impacted by the grounding of the Max 9.

United Airlines said it canceled flights scheduled to use a Max 9 through Tuesday. It has about 200 flights a day scheduled on the aircraft but it will use another plane for 30 of those flights.

"By canceling this far in advance, we're trying to create more certainty for our customers and more flexibility for our frontline teams to do their work," United said in a statement late Friday. "Those things will be especially important as we also manage disruptive winter weather throughout much of the country."
Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, is seen as he makes a surprise appearance at a House Oversight Committee markup and meeting to vote on whether to hold Biden in contempt of Congress for failing to respond to a request to testify to the House last month, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., January 10, 2024.

An attorney for Hunter Biden told two House Republican committee chairmen Friday that he will comply with subpoenas demanding his deposition if they issue a new one  a reversal of his prior demand that such testimony be given at a public hearing.

The chairmen later said that they would work with Biden to schedule a date for a private deposition as part of an ongoing impeachment probe of his father, President Joe Biden.

But until Hunter Biden confirms that date, they will move ahead with a plan to have the full House of Representatives vote late next week on a resolution holding him in contempt of Congress for defying prior subpoenas demanding his closed-door testimony.

"We will not tolerate any additional stunts or delay from Hunter Biden," said House Oversight Chair James Comer, R-Ky., and Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, in a joint statement.

"The American people will not tolerate, and the House will not provide, special treatment for the Biden family."

Hunter Biden's surprising offer to appear for a private deposition came two days after Comer and Jordan's panels passed resolutions urging the House to hold him in contempt.

Biden showed up at the Oversight Committee panel hours before the vote, silently staring down GOP lawmakers.

If Biden were to be found in contempt, the Department of Justice would consider whether to prosecute him for failing to comply with the prior subpoenas.

In his letter Friday, Biden's attorney Abbe Lowell told Comer and Jordan those subpoenas, issued in November, were legally invalid because they came before the House voted to formalize the impeachment inquiry.

But, "If you issue a new proper subpoena, now that there is a duly authorized impeachment inquiry, Mr. Biden will comply for a hearing or deposition," Lowell wrote.

"We will accept such a subpoena on Mr. Biden's behalf."

Lowell's offer came at the end of an eight-page letter criticizing the chairman for passing contempt resolutions despite Biden's insistence that he was willing to testify in public.

"You proceeded with a contempt process, erroneously claiming Mr. Biden was seeking 'special treatment,' despite Mr. Comer's repeated and public statements about witnesses' and Mr. Biden's ability to testify at a deposition or hearing at their choice," Lowell wrote.

Lowell has argued that a public hearing would prevent Republicans from taking Biden's testimony in private only to later distort or mischaracterize what he said in statements to the media or elsewhere.

The attorney told Comer and Jordan that he was writing the letter to "make you aware ... that your subpoenas were and are legally invalid and cannot form a legal basis to proceed with your misdirected and impermissible contempt resolution."

The impeachment probe centers on allegations that Joe Biden's family members, with the Democratic president's involvement, were corruptly exploiting his political status and power for personal financial gain.

The Bidens and the White House have rejected any suggestion of "influence peddling" and have denied wrongdoing.

Hunter Biden is currently facing criminal charges in two federal courts.

On Thursday, he pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles to nine criminal counts related to his failure to pay his income taxes on time. The judge in that case tentatively scheduled the trial to begin June 20.

Biden previously pleaded not guilty in Delaware federal court to charges related to having a handgun while being a drug user.
People take part in a protest in the streets of the Yemeni Red Sea city of Hudeida, to condemn the overnight US and British forces strikes on Huthi rebel-held cities, on January 12, 2024, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the militant Hamas group in Gaza. US and British forces struck rebel-held Yemen early on January 12, after weeks of disruptive attacks on Red Sea shipping by the Iran-backed Huthis who say they act in solidarity with Gaza.

A Houthi official pledged retaliation after the U.S. and U.K. launched strikes against the group's targets in Yemen, in response to a wave of maritime attacks that have destabilized traffic in key trade routes in the Red Sea.

"America and Britain will undoubtedly have to prepare to pay a heavy price and bear all the dire consequences of this blatant aggression," Houthi senior official Hussein al-Ezzi said in a Google-translated update on the X social media platform.

Other Houthi officials have slammed the attack as unjustified and "barbaric," threatening more targeting of Israeli ships or of vessels heading to the occupied Palestinian territories.

U.S. President Joe Biden announced the strikes late on Thursday, in an escalation of tensions that have been brewing in the Middle East since the Hamas terror attacks against Israel of Oct. 7 and the Israeli Defense Forces' ensuing campaign in the Gaza Strip.
Microsoft ended Friday's U.S. trading session as the most valuable publicly traded company, surpassing Apple after briefly topping the iPhone maker during intraday trading Thursday.

Shares of Microsoft climbed more than 3% for the week, bringing the company's market cap to $2.89 trillion, while Apple's stock dropped by over 3%, lowering its valuation to $2.87 trillion.

Redburn Atlantic Equities analyst James Cordwell downgraded Apple to neutral from buy on Wednesday, citing "little room for upside over the next few years" in iPhone growth and an "anticipated underwhelming March quarter."

Apple said Thursday that former Vice President Al Gore will retire from the company's board next month after serving as a director since 2003.

Microsoft, meanwhile, got a vote of confidence Thursday after discussing its artificial intelligence capabilities to developers at an event in San Francisco. Piper Sandler analysts told clients in a note that they were "encouraged by the momentum around the most mature AI products" and mentioned that GitHub website traffic has accelerated year over year for three months in a row. The analysts have the equivalent of a buy rating on Microsoft shares.

Apple had been the most valuable public company for over a year, following brief periods when that distinction was held by Saudi Aramco and Microsoft.

WATCH: The AI dark horse
An oil tanker anchored in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen's contested western province of Hodeida on July 15, 2023.

Oil prices rose after Britain and the United States carried out military strikes against targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, as tensions in the Red Sea mount further.

West Texas Intermediate and Brent futures spiked more than 4% Friday morning to hit their highest levels since Dec. 27. U.S. crude oil jumped to $75.25 a barrel while the global benchmark touched $80.75.

The benchmarks pulled back later in the session with U.S. crude settling at $72.68 a barrel and Brent settling at $78.29 a barrel.

"These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the world's most critical commercial routes," U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement Thursday evening.

While the U.S. has carried out strikes on Iranian proxies in Syria and Iraq since the outbreak of the Gaza war, this would be the first known strike against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen.
Silhouette of Permian Basin pumpjacks taken at dusk, north of Midland, Texas, U.S. in late 2019.

Oil prices rose more than 2% on Friday as the United States and Britain carried out strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen in retaliation for attacks by the Iran-backed group on shipping in the Red Sea starting from late last year.

Brent crude futures were up $1.81, or 2.3%, at $79.22 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were trading $1.80, or 2.5% higher, at $73.82 at 0154 GMT.

The U.S. and British strikes are one of the most dramatic demonstrations to date of the widening of the Israel-Hamas war in the Middle East since its eruption in October. Witnesses in Yemen confirmed explosions throughout the country.

U.S. President Joe Biden said the "targeted strikes" were a clear message that the United States and its partners will not tolerate attacks on its personnel or "allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation".

Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands supported the operation, he said.

The Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have disrupted international commerce on the key route between Europe and Asia, which accounts for about 15% of the world's shipping traffic.

Since October, Houthis have attacked commercial vessels in the Red Sea to show support for Palestinian militant group Hamas in its fight against Israel.

Shipping giant Maersk said on Thursday it will divert all vessels away from the Red Sea for the foreseeable future, warning customers of further disruptions.

The U.S.-led attacks also closely follow Iran's seizure on Thursday of a tanker with Iraqi crude destined for Turkey in retaliation for the confiscation last year of the same vessel and its oil by the United States. The White House has condemned the seizure.

The Houthi attacks have been concentrated on the Bab al-Mandab Strait to the southwest of the Arabian Peninsula. Iran's seizure was closer to the Strait of Hormuz between Oman and Iran.
U.S. military assistance to Ukraine has "ground to a halt," with Congress yet to authorize the emergency spending requested by President Joe Biden's administration in late October.

In a White House press briefing on Thursday, National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby said Washington had "issued the last drawdown package that we had funding to support."

"And that's why it's critical that Congress move on that national security supplemental request and we get more funding. The assistance that we provided has now ground to a halt," he said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday thanked Estonia and Latvia after meeting with leaders of the two Baltic nations to discuss further military aid and Ukraine's path toward EU and NATO membership.
Taiwan should plan to diversify its economy away from semiconductors, given the risk that China might develop the capacity to make its own chips, Paul Cavey, an economist at East Asia Econ, told CNBC.

"Politicians really should be discussing more on ... diversifying the economy away in terms of trying to encourage more industries to grow," Cavey said on CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia" Friday.

Taiwan's share of global semiconductor foundry capacity stood at about 46% as of 2023, followed by China (26%), South Korea (12%), the U.S. (6%), and Japan (2%), according to TrendForce.

Much of Taiwan's dominance can be attributed to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co or TSMC, the world's largest contract chip manufacturer that counts Apple and Nvidia among its biggest clients. TSMC produces the most advanced processors found in Apple's iPhones.

"40% of [Taiwan's] exports are now semiconductors. A lot of those are still going to China. And so if you have a situation where China does develop the capacity to make semiconductors itself, the impact on Taiwan's economy is going to be very large," Cavey told CNBC's Emily Tan.

Taiwan exported electronic integrated circuits, or chips, worth over $47 billion to China in 2023, according to preliminary trade data.

According to TSMC's third-quarter 2023 earnings report, China accounted for 12% of its net revenue in the third quarter of 2023, an increase from 8% in the same period a year ago. North America contributed 69% to the company's net revenue.

"Achilles heel is something which is the strength of Taiwan," said Cavey.
An Egyptian man sits and eats ice cream as he watches international cargo and tanker ships pass through the Suez canal

Several of the world's major tanker companies on Friday halted traffic toward the Red Sea after U.S. and British airstrikes on Iran-allied Houthi militants in Yemen.

Hafnia, Torm and Stena Bulk confirmed that they halted traffic toward the crucial trade gateway in response to an advisory from the Combined Maritime Forces, a multinational coalition led by the U.S.

The companies are among the world's largest operators of tankers for petroleum products such as gasoline, according to their websites. Stena Bulk also transports crude oil.

"Considering these developments and in alignment with expert recommendations, we have decided to immediately halt all ships heading toward or within the affected vicinity," Hafnia spokesperson Sheena Williamson-Holt told CNBC in statement.

The multinational coalition advised ships to avoid transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait for "several days," according to a statement from the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners.

"The situation is dynamic and ships should consider holding outside of the area while a period of taking stock of the situation is undertaken until daylight on Saturday 13 January," the tanker association said.

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait connects the Gulf of Aden with the Red Sea. Some 7 million barrels of crude oil and products transit the Red Sea daily, according the trade analytics firm Kpler.
Shares of Tesla closed down more than 3% Friday as the stock faced pressure from supply chain delays due to a crisis in the Red Sea, and after offering more price cuts on its vehicles in China. In the U.S., rising labor costs and a decision by rental car company Hertz to sell off a large portion of its electric vehicle fleet also added to Tesla's woes.

Reuters reported late Thursday that Tesla plans to suspend most production at its factory outside Berlin in Grunheide, Germany, from around Jan. 29 to Feb. 11 due to conflict in the Red Sea that has disrupted global trade.

The Iranian-backed Houthi militia group has been attacking cargo ships and merchant vessels in the Red Sea in response to the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. These attacks have drawn condemnation from leaders around the globe.

"The considerably longer transportation times are creating a gap in supply chains," Tesla told Reuters in a statement.

Analysts at Baird estimate Tesla produces between 5,000 vehicles and 7,000 vehicles per week at its German vehicle assembly plant, which would imply "a 10k-14K hit" to deliveries in its first quarter, according to a Thursday note.

The Baird analysts wrote that they are "wary" of further effects to Tesla's supply chain, and they are "closely monitoring" any effect on the company's shipping routes from China. "No delays have been cited, however, we speculate that disruptions in the Red Sea may lead to longer wait times as supply chains are rerouted," they wrote.

Analysts were also focused on Tesla's continuing price cuts including new discounts in China. Morgan Stanley analysts noted Model 3 and Model Y vehicles have been freshly discounted, though the cuts were "more moderate than the market had expected," according to a note Friday.

Price cuts over the past year have affected Tesla's ability to keep selling its fully electric vehicles in high volumes to rental car companies including Sixt and Hertz .

Hertz CEO Stephen Scherr said on CNBC's "Squawk on the Street" on Thursday that his company is taking 20,000 EVs out of its fleet, which was comprised mostly of Tesla vehicles.

Hertz is trying to "bring supply in line with demand" Scherr said, and "addressing a cost issue related to the EVs in the context of damage and damage costs" as well as depreciation in the value of the EVs.

Meanwhile, Tesla's business and reputation remains under pressure in Europe due to ongoing labor strikes in Sweden and throughout Scandinavia.

At its factories in the U.S., the EV maker is implementing pay rate increases for workers that kick in this month, a move seen as a tactic to stave off workers' wishes to unionize. The pay bumps follow historic wins by the United Auto Workers in 2023 with Tesla competitors in Detroit, and an announcement by UAW that it would aim to organize beyond the Big Three including at Tesla, Toyota and others.
There may be buying opportunities in a few stocks getting hit after making headlines this week. The relative strength indicator, which measures the magnitude and speed of price moves, is a popular metric used to evaluate whether shares are overbought or oversold. A stock with a 14-day RSI below 30 is considered oversold, suggesting that it could be a promising entry point for investors. Those with a 14-day RSI above 70 are considered overbought, signaling a possible selling opportunity. Tesla is nearing the oversold threshold with an RSI slightly above 32. Shares have fallen more than 6% since Monday, putting the electric vehicle maker on pace for its worst week since October. Part of the leg down came on Friday, as investors were spooked by supply chain delays and further price cuts. The company has seen timelines pushed due to the crisis in the Red Sea. Reuters reported late Thursday that the company has plans to suspend most production at its German factory for about two weeks because of the conflict. A decision by rental car company Hertz to sell a sizable portion of its Tesla fleet announced this week also hurt sentiment. Elsewhere, Morgan Stanley noted new discounts in China, while acknowledging that the price cuts were more modest than expected. Tesla shares have fallen more than 11% so far this year, giving up some gains after more than doubling in 2023. The average analyst surveyed by FactSet has a hold rating on the stock and expects shares to rise about 2% over the next year. Boeing also encroached on oversold territory with an RSI around 34 as investors ditched the stock after a door plug blowout during an Alaska Airlines flight last week raised broader industry alarm. Shares are poised to finish the week 12.2% lower, which would be its worst performance since May 2022. The Federal Aviation Administration ordered the temporary grounding of more than 170 Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft for inspections last weekend. Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun said this week that the company has acknowledged its mistake . Boeing stock has dropped more than 16% over the first two weeks of 2024, already relinquishing a sizable chunk of last year's 36.8% jump. But the average analyst sees a turnaround ahead, with an overweight rating and price target implying shares can rally nearly 25%, per FactSet. The full oversold list While many noteworthy S & P 500 stocks are on the verge of being oversold, just two actual have RSIs below 30: Baker Hughes and Bunge Global . Here's the full list of 10 stocks either at or near being oversold, compiled via CNBC Pro's screener tool: On the other end of the spectrum, Juniper Networks took the spot of most overbought in the broad index with an RSI of about 92.5. Traders have poured into the networking hardware stock this week, sending shares almost 28% higher. Hewlett Packard Enterprise announced a definitive agreement to acquire Juniper on Tuesday. The all-cash deal values shares at $40, which is 33.7% higher than where the stock closed last week. Pharmaceutical stock Vertex was the next most overbought with an RSI near 87. Shares advanced more than 4% this week. Vertex said on Tuesday that it received marketing authorization on a treatment for sickle-cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia in Saudi Arabia. The Middle Eastern country has the highest prevalence of these two illnesses in the world, according to a release from the company. Shares have jumped more than 6.5% in 2024, building on 2023's rally of more than 40%. But there may be a correction ahead, as the average analyst polled by FactSet, despite having an overweight rating, sees shares slipping around 3.5%. Here's the full list of overbought stocks: THE ABOVE CONTENT IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY . THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSITUTE FINANCIAL, INVESTMENT, TAX OR LEGAL ADVICE OR A RECOMMENDATION TO BUY ANY SECURITY OR OTHER FINANCIAL ASSET. THE CONTENT IS GENERAL IN NATURE AND DOES NOT REFLECT ANY INDIVIDUAL'S UNIQUE PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES. THE ABOVE CONTENT MIGHT NOT BE SUITABLE FOR YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES. BEFORE MAKING ANY FINANCIAL DECISIONS, YOU SHOULD STRONGLY CONSIDER SEEKING ADVICE FROM YOUR OWN FINANCIAL OR INVESTMENT ADVISOR. Click here for the full disclaimer.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump attends the closing arguments in the Trump Organization civil fraud trial at New York State Supreme Court in the Manhattan borough of New York City, U.S., January 11, 2024.

A New York judge on Friday ordered Donald Trump to pay The New York Times and three of its reporters nearly $400,000 to cover their legal costs for a lawsuit filed by the former president that was dismissed last year.

Trump sued the Times and the reporters over a 2018 investigation into his finances and taxes that was based in part on confidential tax records. The resulting series of articles won a Pulitzer Prize, the most prestigious award in American journalism, in the category of explanatory reporting.

Among those articles was one titled, "Trump Engaged in Suspect Tax Schemes as He Reaped Riches from His Father."

Times spokeswoman Danielle Rhoades Ha, in a statement to CNBC, said the order for legal costs issued in Manhattan Supreme Court "shows that the state's newly amended anti-SLAPP statute can be a powerful force for protecting press freedom."

"The court has sent a message to those who want to misuse the judicial system to try to silence journalists," said Rhoades Ha.

SLAPP is an acronym for "strategic lawsuit against public participation."

Trump's lawyer Alina Habba did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment, but in a statement to NBC News said, "We are disappointed that the NY Times is no longer in this matter."

Habba also told NBC that "we look forward to proceeding with our claims" in the lawsuit against Mary Trump, the estranged niece of the former president.

Trump's suit, which had sought $100 million in damages, accused the newspaper and reporters of engaging in what he called an "insidious plot" with Mary Trump, to obtain his tax records for the articles. The suit alleged the defendants had "a personal vendetta" against Trump.

Judge Robert Reed tossed out Trump's suit against the Times and its journalists in May, saying that his claims "fail as a matter of constitutional law."

"Courts have long recognized that reporters are entitled to engage in legal and ordinary news-gathering activities without fear of tort liability  as these actions are at the very core of protected first amendment activity," Reed wrote.

Reed's ruling in May included an order that Trump pay attorneys' fees and other legal costs of the Times and the trio of reporters: Susanne Craig, David Barstow and Russ Buettner.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits soldiers at the Kupiansk front line on Nov. 30, 2023, in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Ukrainian Presidency | Anadolu | Getty Images

Ukraine is set to pitch its peace plan for ending the war with Russia to allied national security advisors in Switzerland on Sunday, as officials gather in the ski resort of Davos ahead of the World Economic Forum. It's not the first time Ukraine has presented its 10-point "Peace Formula" but the hope in Kyiv is that, by winning over international partners to support its plan, pressure will be piled on Russia to concede to Kyiv's conditions for the cessation of hostilities. Russia has been absent from gatherings focused on the peace proposals and criticized recent talks in Malta in October, describing them as anti-Russian and counterproductive. Russia's ally China, seen to be one of the few countries that could influence Moscow's position on Ukraine, also skipped the talks. Whether the latest peace-focused summit can bear any fruit is uncertain. Political and military experts say that with the war in a very much active phase, and with neither side having the upper hand in the conflict, peace plans and future talks are "wishful thinking" at this time. "Some people are suggesting that we might have gotten to the point where there is no more that can be achieved on the battlefield and so the only option is to sit down and negotiate. I think that's wishful thinking," Sam Greene, a professor in Russian politics at King's College London, told CNBC. "It is true that the battlefield isn't moving very far in one direction or the other but the reality is that there's a lot going on on the battlefield that's keeping it exactly where it is ... There's a lot of fighting going on. That indicates that both sides feel there is more that they can achieve, and need to achieve, on the battlefield."

No sign of political resolution

The priorities in Ukraine's peace formula are the withdrawal of all Russian troops from its territory, and the complete restoration of its territorial integrity before Russia's invasion almost two years ago  and before its annexation of Crimea in 2014. The release of all Ukrainian prisoners, nuclear safety and food and energy security are also elements of the plan. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to use the backdrop of the annual economic forum in Davos to galvanize support for his peace formula as the war hurtles toward its second anniversary.

A Ukrainian tank destroyed by artillery shelling on Dec. 31, 2023, in Avdiivka, Ukraine. Pierre Crom | Getty Images News | Getty Images

Ukraine's Western partners have reaffirmed their support for Kyiv but the outlook for continuing military aid looks shaky in both the U.S. and Europe. The forthcoming U.S. presidential election could also change attitudes toward Ukraine and stymie funding. Concerns are growing over just how much more aid Ukraine will need to change the dial in the war after a highly anticipated counteroffensive failed to meet expectations. Fighting remains intense in southern and eastern Ukraine, where Russian units are deeply entrenched, preventing Ukraine's forces from making significant advances.

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Meanwhile, both sides continue to pursue offensive operations at a great cost to their personnel, with several hundred thousand troops on both sides estimated by U.S. intelligence to have been killed or wounded. Political and military experts stress that most wars end with some kind of diplomacy and negotiations, and an eventual political solution, whether the participants like it or not. They note that neither Russia nor Ukraine seems to be at a point where a political resolution is palatable, however. "You never want to go to the negotiation table without having the upper hand in a conflict," retired Army Lt. Gen. Stephen Twitty, former deputy commander of the U.S. European Command, told CNBC. "Because if you go with the upper hand, you're able to dictate and control what comes out of the negotiations. In this case, neither side has the upper hand." For Twitty, Ukraine's disappointing counteroffensive last summer was a missed opportunity. He noted that "had the Ukrainians breached the obstacle [defensive] belt and cut Russia's land bridge [to Crimea] over the summer, they would have definitely had the upper hand."

Russian President Vladimir Putin making a speech at the second Eurasian Economic Forum on May 24, 2023, in Moscow, Russia. Contributor | Getty Images

"The challenge for Ukraine is to make it seem like Russia cannot achieve its aims militarily and so it comes to any negotiations, if and when they happen, from a position of relative strength," Sam Cranny-Evans, defense analyst at the Royal United Services Institute defense think tank, told CNBC. "[But] if Putin feels like the Russian armed forces can still deliver the political goals that he's set, then there's not a lot of impetus to negotiate, or the mindset that he'll come to negotiations with will be very hard." CNBC has contacted the Kremlin for comment on this story and is awaiting a response.

'Red lines' firmly drawn

Both Russia and Ukraine have repeatedly said they want the war to end  but on their terms. Even the prospect of a ceasefire is a thorny subject, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warning Thursday that a ceasefire now would only give Russia the chance to regroup and replenish its units and weapons stocks. "Talking about a ceasefire in Ukraine, it would not constitute peace. It would not mean the war would stop. It also provides no opportunity for political dialogue," Zelenskyy said on a visit to Estonia. For its part, the Kremlin said in December that it saw no current basis for peace talks, and called Kyiv's peace plan an "absurd process" as it excluded Russia. Even if talks were to take place, the obstacles to peace are significant, with neither side willing to abandon so-called "red lines" made clear early on in the war during ill-fated peace talks brokered by Belarus and Turkey. Two years of brutal warfare and pseudo-political territorial consolidation by Russia since those early negotiations have hardened both sides' positions, with little room for compromise. One big stumbling block in any potential peace talks now is their respective positions on territorial integrity. Russia's self-declared "annexation" of four Ukrainian regions  Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson  in September 2022, and its subsequent "Russification" of those territories, makes it difficult to imagine Moscow relinquishing in any peace talks what it has proclaimed as "Russian territory."

Russia holds elections in illegally occupied parts of Ukraine, including Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. Anadolu Agency | Getty Images

For Ukraine, accepting the loss of those regions would be tantamount to a Russian victory, and an acceptance of the possibility that Russia could seize more of Ukraine in future. Geopolitical risk analyst and Europe, Russia & CIS expert Mario Bikarski, said "asking Ukraine to formally cede territory will be very politically unpopular, first of all Ukraine for obvious reasons, but also among Western countries, because that will undermine the fundamentals of international law." "It will be a really difficult thing to ask Ukraine to do because then you basically say that your own sovereignty can be subject to change under pressure. And that is I don't think this is something that many countries will want to do. It is a difficult situation," he said. "With the current circumstances, there is no workable solution in sight that can appeal to both sides."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, center, is escorted by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., left, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to his meeting on military aid with U.S. Senators in the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, December 12, 2023. Bill Clark | Cq-roll Call, Inc. | Getty Images
Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, left, and U.S. President Joe Biden speak at the start of the meeting of the North Atlantic Council (NAC) during the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, July 11, 2023.

The United States and the United Kingdom have "successfully conducted strikes" against Houthi targets in Yemen, President Joe Biden said late Thursday.

"Today, at my direction, U.S. military forces  together with the United Kingdom and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands  successfully conducted strikes against a number of targets in Yemen used by Houthi rebels to endanger freedom of navigation in one of the world's most vital waterways," Biden announced.

The Iran-backed Houthi militia group began their drone and missile attacks on shipping vessels and cargo ships traversing the Red Sea late last year, drawing global condemnation. The militants claim their attacks in the Red Sea are in response to the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.

According to the U.S. Central Command, the U.S. Air Force struck more than 60 targets across 16 Houthi militant locations in those strikes, launching more than 100 precision-guided munitions.

The strikes  which targeted radar systems, air defense systems, and missile launch sites  began on Thursday at 2.30 a.m. local time in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa.

The strikes were "in response to continued illegal, dangerous, and destabilizing Houthi attacks against vessels, including commercial shipping, transiting the Red Sea," according to a joint statement from the governments of Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, United Kingdom, and the United States.

Together with Greece, Singapore and Sri Lanka, the nations make up the Operation Prosperity Guardian, a coalition that was launched in December to combat Houthi attacks.

But not all of them participated in the operation: The United States and Great Britain were the only two militaries that carried out the latest strikes. A senior administration official declined to comment on why the rest of the coalition members did not take part.
In the wake of escalating tensions between India and the Maldives, a social media uproar has emerged under the hashtag #BoycottMaldives. This movement has led to a significant number of Indians cancelling their planned trips to the tropical paradise, citing concerns over alleged racism and a call to support domestic tourism.

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This scenario raises questions about the role of travel insurance in mitigating such losses.

Contrary to expectations, travel insurance may not provide the safety net some travellers hope for in the event of self-cancellations related to the #BoycottMaldives movement.

InsuranceDekho, a major travel insurance provider, announced an immediate suspension of travel insurance services for those planning trips to the Maldives.

In a statement, a spokesperson for InsuranceDekho expressed solidarity with fellow Indians, emphasising the importance of standing united and aligning with the country's interests. The company encouraged travellers to explore the diverse beauty of India, pointing to destinations like Lakshadweep.

Similar actions were reportedly taken by other insurers, with Square Insurance also ceasing the issuance of travel insurance for Maldives-bound travellers.

Amrish Dubey, Vice President of Travel Insurance at TATA AIG General Insurance, shed light on the insurance implications for those who decide to cancel their Maldives trips.

According to Dubey, self-cancellations are typically not covered by insurance policies.

While travel insurance does offer coverage for a wide range of cancellation reasons such as hospitalisation, injury, flight cancellations by airlines, and natural catastrophic events, it is unlikely to extend to self-cancellations for reasons related to the #BoycottMaldives campaign.

Dubey urged prospective policy buyers to thoroughly review policy documents and understand the coverage offered before making decisions. He emphasised that insurance claims for self-cancelled trips to the Maldives are unlikely to be admissible under standard policy terms.

ALSO READ | Israel begins work on desalination in Lakshadweep islands amid India-Maldives diplomatic row
The appointment of Wanda Austin to Apples board of directors is noteworthy. Not only does the move reflect Apples continued attempts toward diversity, but it also suggests the companys future plans.

The news, if you missed it, is that Apple nominated Austin, former president and CEO of The Aerospace Corporation, to its board. She will help occupy the seats left behind as existing board members Al Gore and James Bell retire as they turn 75 years old. (Austin is 69.)

Who is Wanda Austin?

Austin is a super high-powered woman with decades of science and technology experience, including work within the US space program. When she became CEO of The Aerospace Corporation, she was the first woman and first African American to take the role there.

She also sits on the boards of Chevron and Amgen and held a seat on the Virgin Galactic board until she vacated it Aug. 24, 2023. Austin is also interim President of the University of Southern California, which highlights these additional accomplishments:

She is internationally recognized for her work in aeronautics and systems engineering and holds an extensive number of industry awards.

She is co-founder of systems engineering and leadership development consultant MakingSpace.

She served on the President Barack Obamas Council of Advisors on Science and Technology until January 2017, advising in areas where an understanding of science, technology, and innovation was key to forming effective US policy.

She served on the Defense Policy Board, having previously served on the Defense Science Board and the NASA Advisory Council.

She is a leading advocate for STEM education.

What did Apple say?

Wanda has spent decades advancing technology on behalf of humanity, and were thrilled to welcome her to Apples board of directors, Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a statement. Shes an extraordinary leader, and her invaluable experience and expertise will support our mission of leaving the world better than we found it.

Like Apple, Ive always believed in the power of innovation to improve lives, support human potential, and shape a better future, said Austin. Im honored to join Apples board of directors, and I look forward to being part of a company thats always creating new ways to empower people all over the world.

What could it mean?

While it may seem a little tenuous, the connection between Apples new board member and the companys ongoing work in satellite communications may yet turn out to be significant. After all, war in Ukraine has absolutely shown the national security importance of reliable satellite communications. Thats also why Austins connections within US defense policy seem important.

Apples work with Global Star and its ongoing project to enable Emergency SOS by Satellite on iPhones has already required a huge (billion dollar) investment. SpaceX on Jan. 8 sent and received text messages via its satellites and T-Mobile  and decided to announce this with an image of two iPhones showing the message shared.

Apple already holds patents for satellite-based services of sundry kinds, so if it intends on extending its own service in similar fashion, there may be implications on national and international interests. At the same time, it's hard not to think that defense policy decision makers will yearn for a safe pair of hands to entrust with national communications interests as satellite comms evolves; perhaps Apple will become that entity with Austins help.

Plenty of synchronicity

Perhaps a little less out of this world, Austins experience and her proven ability in science, engineering, national policy, and STEM education all resonate with Apples existing projects, not least as a board room champion for the companys work to educate tomorrows software engineers.

In related news as Apple prepares for its Q1 '24 results on Feb. 1 and its annual investors meeting at the end of that month, the company revealed that Cook took home $63.2 million in 2023. Thats down $36 million on the previous year, but still around 400 times the salary of the average US Apple employee.

Please follow me on Mastodon, or join me in the AppleHolics bar & grill and Apple Discussions groups on MeWe.
Microsoft has eased us into the new new year with just 48 updates for the Windows, Office and .NET platforms. There were no zero-days for January, and no reports of publicly exposed vulnerabilities or exploited security issues.

Developers of complex, line-of-business applications might need to pay particular attention to how Microsoft has updated the Message Queue system. Printing has been patched and minor updates to bluetooth and Windows shell sub-systems (shortcuts and wallpaper) require some testing before deployment.

The team at Readiness has crafted a useful infographic that outlines the risks associated with each of the updates for this January release.

Known issues

Each month, Microsoft includes a list of known issues that relate to the operating system and platforms included in the latest update cycle.

Microsoft reported the following error message for all Windows 10/11 desktop platforms: Using the FixedDrivesEncryptionType or SystemDrivesEncryptionType policy settings in the BitLocker configuration service provider (CSP) node in mobile device management (MDM) apps might incorrectly show a 65000 error in the "Require Device Encryption" setting for some devices in your environment.

Given the importance of emojis in today's computing environment, Microsoft also has an issue with the color scale of certain 3D-like emoticons on all Windows builds. (As I am "color dumb," not sure if I should be  or .)

Major revisions

So were there major revisions among the January updates? There are two answers. The short answer is there do not appear to be any patches with significant revisions that require administrator attention this month.

The long answer: there may be an issue with the Microsoft update database and how data is presented and deployed. With each update cycle, the Readiness team employs an automated system to parse/process Microsoft updates and their associated manifests and payloads. Our system reported many changes, which after some time proved to be false alarms. (By large number of changes," we mean several thousand.) We double-checked  it is not us  it is the data. We'll see if the problem persists and update our systems/bulletins accordingly.

Mitigations and workarounds

Microsoft published the following vulnerability related mitigations for this month's release:

CVE-2024-21320: Windows Themes Spoofing Vulnerability. Microsoft advised that those who have disabled NTLM are not affected by this minor issue. If this vulnerability is a concern for your organization, apply the Restrict NTLM group policy.

Each month, the Readiness team detailed analyses the Patch Tuesday updates and provides detailed, actionable testing guidance. This guidance is based on assessing a large application portfolio and the patches' potential impact on the Windows platforms and application installations.

The following changes were included in this month's update and have not been raised as either elevated risk (of unexpected outcomes) and do not include functional changes:

Printing has been updated to prevent a remote code execution scenario. Printer redirection processes/configurations will need a test cycle.

Bluetooth system files have been updated on all currently supported Windows desktop builds. I have real trouble with Bluetooth testing as I find Bluetooth connectivity flaky at best. This month, test Bluetooth mice, keyboards, and your headsets.

Base log files (BLF) were a critical component of ransomware attacks throughout 2023 as attackers exploited vulnerabilities in the Windows Error Reporting and Log file system (WER). These (BLF) file types were updated this month, and a Windows Error Log Reporting file test will be required that includes file create, read, update, and delete operations.

Core components of the Microsoft Group Policy (GPO) administration tools have been updated, so GPO templates will require testing by administrators and more importantly, by delegated non-administrators.

There's another update to how Windows handles file compression. This time we should still expect to test file extraction, with less focus on file-level compression. We suggest using a command/batch file to run EXTRACT/Extrac32 on at least a few hundred small to mid-size files.

You will have to include a background image or "Wallpaper" test this month due to an update to Windows Shell. This is an easy one. Can I see my corporate wallpaper when I login? Yes? Happy days!

For developers: Microsoft made a major update on how Message Queuing (MSMQ) works in Windows desktops this month. One sub-component of the MSMQ feature deals with Remote Procedure Calls (RPC) commonly used in distributed applications. To test your distributed, MSMQ, and RPC-driven corporate apps (you know who you are) please ensure that the following component areas are included in your project test and release schedule:

Message Queue (MSMQ) Services .

MSMQ Active Directory Domain Services Integration.

MSMQ Triggers .

HTTP, Routing Service and Multicasting Support.

MSMQ DCOM Proxy.

Automated testing will help with these scenarios (especially a testing platform that offers a "delta" or comparison between builds). However, for your line-of-business applications, getting the application owner (doing UAT) to test and approve the results is still essential.

Windows lifecycle update

This section includes important changes to servicing (and most security updates) to Windows desktop and server platforms.

REMINDER: Home, Pro, Pro Education, and Pro for Workstation editions of Windows 11, version 21H2 reached end of service on Oct. 10, 2023.

Each month, we break down the update cycle into product families (as defined by Microsoft) with the following basic groupings:

Browsers (Microsoft IE and Edge).

Microsoft Windows (both desktop and server).

Microsoft Office.

Microsoft Exchange Server.

Microsoft Development platforms (NET Core, .NET Core and Chakra Core).

Adobe (or, if you get this far).

Browsers

Microsoft has released four very small updates to the Chromium project:

CVE-2024-0222: CVE-2024-0222 Use after free in ANGLE.

CVE-2024-0223: CVE-2024-0223 Heap buffer overflow in ANGLE.

CVE-2024-0224: CVE-2024-0224 Use after free in WebAudio.

CVE-2024-0225: CVE-2024-0225 Use after free in WebGPU.

We are pretty lucky, as these are very light-weight updates. Nothing compared to the urgency and difficulty we used to experience with updating Internet Explorer. Add these updates to your standard patch release schedule.

Windows

Microsoft released two critical updates and 38 patches rated important to the Windows platform that cover the following key components:

Windows Kerberos.

Windows Hyper-V.

Windows Error log and reporting.

Networking and Bluetooth.

Windows Shell and Active Directory Group Policy objects.

With only two patches (CVE-2024-20674 and CVE-2024-20700) rated critical and no reported zero-days, this is another relatively light month. Our focus for testing and deployment should be on administrator tasks (validating backups, telemetry, and log files) and some of the core internal features employed by developers for business logic driven distributed applications. Add this update to your standard Windows platform release schedule.

Microsoft Office

Microsoft released just two (CVE-2024-20677 and CVE-2024-21318) patches for Office and Microsoft SharePoint. These are low-impact updates that should not affect how Excel or Words handles numbers or formulas. Add these Office updates to your standard release schedule.

Microsoft Exchange Server

As in December, Microsoft did not release any updates for Microsoft Exchange Server. Don't get too comfortable. We think the February update is going to be a big one.

Microsoft development platforms

Microsoft released six updates affecting Microsoft .NET, Visual Studio, and the SQL Client feature. All updates are rated important. The SQL Client update (CVE-2024-0056) will require some attention. Scan your corporate Line of Business (LOB) or internal applications for .NET's System.Data.SqlClient dependencies. Once you have a prioritized application list, please add these updates to your standard developer release schedule.

Adobe Reader (if you get this far)

No updates from Adobe for Reader or Acrobat this month but Microsoft has released a single update to the third party database engine SQLite (CVE-2022-35737). This database engine update should really be included in the developer section, but strictly speaking it's an open source project supported by Microsoft. Given our research on last year's patch and update trends, we are expecting a larger-than-normal update package for February. Automated testing is going to be key, with AI (probably a "PatchGPT'') playing a large role in patch summaries, vulnerability assessments, and testing recommendations.
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In addition to its other pros and cons, some experts posit that believing superstitions can affect a person's mental well-being.

Whenever it's Friday the 13th, many people worldwide avoid their regular routines due to fear of bad luck. Airlines, airports, and buildings often omit the number 13. Over 80% of high-rises lack a 13th floor, and some hotels and hospitals skip room 13.

In the US and globally, billions are superstitious, with a quarter of US adults and 70 percent of students using charms. Chinese culture values red and the number 8 for luck, while Taiwanese shoppers pay more for "luckier" items. Despite knowing these beliefs are irrational, people still follow them. This raises questions about the psychological role of superstitions and their impact on mental well-being.

The Cons: Irrationality and "Acquiescence"

Superstitions are intriguing because people often believe in them despite knowing they're untrue. Jane Risen, a behavioral science professor at the University of Chicago Booth, employs the dual process model of cognition to explain this paradox. This model posits that humans can think both intuitively and rationally.

While rational thinking should correct errors, Risen suggests that people can recognize a superstition's irrationality but still act on it, a phenomenon she terms "acquiescence." This perspective challenges the traditional view of error detection leading to correction. Understanding these cognitive nuances sheds light on how superstitions persist despite our rational understanding of them.

Superstitions, however, aren't solely negative; they can provide psychological benefits. Understanding the complexities of how superstitions interact with our cognition sheds light on the intricacies of human behavior and decision-making.

The Pros: Ease From Anxiety and Safety

Superstitions can offer a sense of comfort and control, easing anxiety about the unknown. Passed down through generations, they stem from the ancestors' struggle to comprehend nature's forces. According to the International Journal of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, superstitions evolved to provide a false sense of control and reduce anxiety, thriving in times of insecurity.
You should avoid paying taxes whenever you can. Thats your right as a taxpayer. In fact, you might go further than that. You might flatly refuse to pay taxes. You might arm yourself with a bow and rob tax collectors, to return their ill-gotten gains to their original owners. You might sail to an island and declare it the Nation of Me, where youll be free, free to not pay taxes. Eventually, the authorities will apprehend you, or youll fall to your own folly. People will use your story as a cautionary tale.

Or maybe youll start a trend that will resonate through history, long after everyones forgotten exactly what motivated it.

5 Docking Dogs Tails Docking is the process by which you chop off a dogs tail. Its just a mean thing to do. Dogs love their tails. As evidence, consider how dogs with tails are often seen happily wagging their tails, while dogs without tails never wag their tails at all. Okay, we guess the case against docking isnt quite ironclad, and the process may involve merely shortening the tail rather than removing it, but some vets insist it is painful and offers no advantages. A fair number of countries outright ban the practice. Chopping off the balls offers a lot of advantages, say vets, but chopping at the tail does not. Still, a long tradition exists of docking dogs for cosmetic reasons. Elf/Wiki Commons A tailless dog is a sexy dog!  Pro-dockers An even longer tradition exists of docking the tails of working dogs for safety reasons. If you cut the tail of a dog that herds animals in a field, you reduce the chance that theyll injure their tail out there. And so, a docked dog became synonymous with a working dog. For that reason, back in the 18th century, England taxed you for a dog with a tail but not for one without. The dog without a tail was part of your business. Advertisement Everyone looking to skip on taxes now did the logical thing and cut off their dogs tails, whether the dogs needed it or not. As such, docking became standard and fashionable. People in the centuries that followed took to docking their dogs tails just because they now believed it looks better, which is insane. The longer the tail, the better  ask any dog, and theyll confirm this.

4 The Size of Bricks Also in the 18th century, American colonists waged a Revolutionary War, and this had a lasting impact on architecture. It also led to the formation of the United States, but mainly, it changed architecture. To refill the crowns coffers following the war, King George issued a new tax on bricks and tiles. Taxes had got him into this mess, and taxes would bring him out of it. Advertisement The tax was two-and-a-half shillings on every thousand bricks. Builders quickly realized that they could save on taxes by using fewer bricks, and they could accomplish this by making each brick bigger. The tax lasted till 1850, and you can now guess when a British building was constructed based on whether it contains a bunch of oversized bricks. MaltaGC/Wiki Commons Then bricks went small again, like God intended. Thats not the only example of everyone screwing with their buildings to get around property taxes. Buildings in Amsterdam are narrow, and youll hear locals say this was to circumvent a tax on buildings widths  but this seems to be a legend, as that style of building predates any tax like that. Advertisement For a better-documented case, we can return to England, to the 17th century this time. Back then, the country taxed buildings based on how many windows each had. People responded by boarding up their windows or making new buildings without windows at all. As a result, British people are pale and sickly, even today. Advertisement

3 ABBAs Costumes If we had to tell you one fact that dismantles ABBAs happy-go-lucky image, it would be that theyre the product of an Aryan eugenics plot. In 1935, Heinrich Himmler created the Lebesnborn program, in which Germans went to other countries and bred with local white women to strengthen the Aryan race. In Norway, one product of such a union was Anni-Frid Lyngstad, and like many such children after World War II, she became ostracized and fled the country. Anni-Frid went on to become one of the two As in ABBA. She also reunited with her Nazi father, thanks to a meeting set up by one of the Bs, her husband Benny. Advertisement If we had to tell you a second fact that dismantles ABBAs happy-go-lucky image, it would be about those wacky outfits they wore while performing. Theyd put on sequined jumpsuits, and it turns out they werent just trying to look cool. They were allowed to declare these clothes as business expenses if, and only if, these duds were so ridiculous that they could only work as costumes. VARA And you just assumed everyone in Sweden dressed like this. If this fact makes you now look at all jumpsuits skeptically, rest easy. Elvis, for example, didnt wear jumpsuits for tax reasons. He just wanted to move freely, without belt loops or shirttails getting snagged on anything. Either way, though, the choice was all about watching for loopholes. Advertisement

2 Converse Shoes If you buy a new pair of Converses, you may find the sole strangely fuzzy. The fuzz serves no obvious purpose. It doesnt look like itll make you run any better, and anyway, the felt is sure to rub off before long. Advertisement The issue is that footwear is classified according to whats stuck on the bottom. If the sole is covered in fabric (fabric needs to cover 50 percent or more of this surface), its subject to the same tariff as any house slipper. If the sole is bare rubber, its subject to a sneaker tariff, which can be 10 times the slipper one. Chris Evans/Flickr The tariffs are important to protect us from affordable sneakers. We hope the above photo lets you know what the fuzz looks like. Finding such photos is a challenge, as all searches for soles return highly sexualized photos of feet.
Because America loves lengthy historical biopics (as long as theyre peppered with giant explosions, nudity and Matt Damon yelling until his face looks like the Kool-Aid Man), Christopher Nolans blockbuster hit Oppenheimer is now the frontrunner to win Best Picture at this years Oscars. And Nolan himself may take home the Best Director trophy, barring some sort of upset and/or Bradley Cooper mugging the winner in the parking lot of the Dolby Theatre.

There seems to be a general cultural sense that Nolan is cinemas biggest self-serious stick in the mud; a humorless Brit whose personality is about as exciting as an H&R Block made of vanilla-flavored khakis. After all, why else would anybody believe that this guy literally banned chairs from his film sets (a rumor that was patently false).

It doesnt help that Nolans movies are largely devoid of humor. Not to mention the fact that he looks and sounds like the villain of an 80s ski resort comedy. But, it turns out, Nolan may actually be a pretty funny guy (insert BWAAAA sound effect here).

Recently, weve gotten several reminders that, despite his largely somber filmography, Nolan really does have a good sense of humor, such as his recent press interviews with Robert Downey Jr. (note also how both of them are comfortably sitting in chairs the entire time).

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Nolan also made headlines for his acceptance speech at the New York Film Critics Circle Awards, in which he told a genuinely funny story about taking a Peloton class, only to witness the instructor blasting his film Tenet. As Nolan quipped, When Rex Reed takes a shit on your film, he doesnt ask you to work out.

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Adding to his comedy cred, earlier this month, Nolan moderated the Q&A following a screening of Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdies acclaimed TV cringefest The Curse. While, sadly, there seems to be no video record of the event online, we can only assume that Nolan praised Fielder for his decision to use practical effects, and not CGI, for the scenes featuring his characters micropenis.

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Nolans comedy fandom goes even further, too; during a talk show appearance in 2012, Anne Hathaway revealed that Nolan would routinely quote MacGruber on set. While Nolan may have preferred to keep his love of the Saturday Night Live spin-off under wraps, he was forced to comment on the story, later admitting, Ive been outed in the past as a MacGruber fan, adding that some scenes had him howling uncontrollably. For all we know, the Oppenheimer directors interest in the mechanics of nuclear weapons may have begun with this movie in which Will Forte diffuses a bomb  and shoves celery up his butthole.

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You can understand why Nolan was reluctant to voice his adoration for the wildly goofy movie. Even Forte himself said that this news prompted him to revisit Nolans filmography and question it a little bit.

Meanwhile, director Jorma Taccone relentlessly pursued Nolan, trying to get him to either make a cameo, or direct an episode of the MacGruber series, but it wasnt to be. After inviting him to a script read-through, Taccone received the best fucking email back from Nolan, which read: Though I cant be there in person to watch you take the first step of your odyssey  know that my spirit soars with you, and whilst its perhaps unfair to add to the great sense of responsibility you must already feel, I am duty-bound to tell you  the world is waiting, the world is watching.

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Seemingly, Nolan is now a little more comfortable professing his love of broad comedy, just last year he randomly heaped praise upon Talladega Nights during an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, even mentioning it in the same breath as Stanley Kubrick, and quoting Ricky Bobby.

Hopefully this means that Nolan will one day give us the first $200 million, IMAX-shot fart joke.

You (yes, you) should follow JM on Twitter (if it still exists by the time youre reading this).
A TikTok comedian accidentally tricked Jesse Watters, Matt Walsh and rest of the conservative culture warriors into thinking they can bring feminists back to the patriarchy and into their beds by buying them a drink. No one make an Instagram video about how holding the door for a woman automatically gets you laid, or else the foyer of the Fox News building will be a bloodbath.

Madi Hart is a Los Angeles-based sketch and stand-up comic who regularly pokes fun at online gender discourse on her popular TikTok page. I know all that because, unlike Watters and the segment producers at Fox, I try to spend at least five seconds Googling a subject before speaking on it with authority, lest I look like an absolute buffoon in front of the entire internet. Last month, Hart posted an 86-second sketch on TikTok in which she claimed to have gone on a date with a guys guy who convinced her to abandon her soyboy, bisexual, leftist taste in lovers by making the bold and masculine move to pay for the date. In the video, Hart swoons with exaggerated infatuation while describing how her date gave her his credit card to buy them a round of drinks at a bar, closing the sketch with the blatantly sarcastic line, It might be time for me to get away from all these liberal snowflakes.

Harts sketch quickly blew up on the conservative side of social media with alt-right podcaster and provocateur Matt Walsh earnestly boosting the videos virality by claiming that the comedians testimonial is proof of feminisms failure. The sketch even made it onto Jesse Watters Primetime, where the watered-down Tucker Carlson clone used it as evidence that the death of masculinity gives conservative men an advantage in the dating pool, even when theyre courting feminists, because Fox News-watchers are the only manly alpha males who are man enough to pick up the tab.

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Hilariously, as Hart notes, the only reason she found out that she was Fox News anti-feminist icon was because Harts conservative father called her to congratulate her on the national media appearance and commend her for her choice in men. Additionally, Watters and his producers unintentionally outed Hart for her bisexuality to all her Republican relatives, making the segment one of the most magnificent closet-exits in the history of conservative journalism.

Any straight, bisexual or pansexual man who actually goes on dates understands that, even in hyper-woke liberal hellscapes like Los Angeles, paying for a drink in itself isnt enough to get a woman to go to bed with you, let alone to make her abandon her personal beliefs. Contrary to what the entire right-wing media apparently thinks, liberal men also like getting laid, so, if picking up the check was an automatic cheat code to dating success, no woman in California would ever pay for her own hard kombucha again.

If flashing some cash is all you need to do to sleep with someone who is diametrically opposed to your ideology, then there are 787 million reasons why Fox News is going to fuck Dominion.
Kevin Hart has a new heist movie out on Netflix called Lift, and Im sure that, at some point in it, his height will be the butt of a joke. At only 5-foot-2, it makes sense that Harts stature would be a regular source of comedy, but what if Hart decided he didnt want to be the shortest guy in nearly every room anymore? What if Hart got his hands on a DeLorean or one of those convoluted white Ant-Man suits from Avengers: Endgame and decided to travel back to a time when his height was the norm? After all, people used to be shorter than they are today, so there must have been a time in human history when Hart wouldnt have needed to look up to talk to someone else.

But exactly how far back would Hart have to go?

Its important to realize that our species didnt have one steady increase in height over time, explains Gert Stulp PhD, a professor of evolutionary biology at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. For example, the Dutch are the tallest people in the world, but this wasnt always the case. In 1850, they were fairly short, with an average of 5-foot-5. So even in 1850 in the Netherlands, Mr. Hart wouldnt be particularly tall; in fact, hed be well below average.

As for the U.S., Stulp says that in 1850, people were rather tall, making Hart even shorter by comparison.

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Given that wed need to travel back even further in time  and outside the range of Stulps expertise  he referred me to Dr. Jay Stock, a biological anthropologist at the University of Western Ontario. If we consider the pattern of human variation in size and shape through time, there are various points in history when a 5-foot-2 man would have approached the male average, he says. To find these times and places, youd generally have to go back to between 7,000 and 8,000 years ago in Northern Europe or in the Nile Valley.

That being said, and Im sorry to say this, Stock continues, but there is no time in human history when Kevin Hart would be considered tall.

Which, of course, might be the saddest Kevin Hart short joke of all.
William and Kate will be studying Queen Margrethe of Denmark's abdication, with the future King noting how the transfer to Frederik X involves little other than the signing of papers, the changing of royal standards and a proclamation.

For William, keen to downsize his own coronation, the relative simplicity may be appealing.

Kate, meanwhile, is said to be delighted that Crown Princess Mary is becoming Queen. She spent a lot of time in conversation with Mary at Royal Ascot when she visited in 2016.

They exchanged numbers. Will her low-key elevation help Kate to pick up tips for her own no-fuss crowning?

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and Queen Margrethe of Denmark visit Christian IX's Palace on February 23, 2022 in Copenhagen, Denmark

Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales attend a ceremonial welcome for the President and First Lady of South Korea on November 21, 2023 in London

Meanwhile, is William burnishing his bespoke wellies for this year's Glastonbury? Festival founder Michael Eavis, who thinks that William will present him with his New Year Honours knighthood, says: 'He's made a few mentions of wanting to come to the festival. So I'll probably take a couple of tickets in my pocket.'

Kirstie Allsopp, facing a backlash after calling for the building of detached houses to be banned as they 'waste space', rages at detractors: 'Yes, I do live in Devon in a huge 'detached' house, most Jacobean mansions are detached, you morons. In London I live in a block of flats, so shove that in your pipe and smoke it.' Deep breaths, dear!

Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer, presenters of Location, Location, Location (Undated)

Stephen Fry wants a ban on real fur in the King's Guard bearskin caps, declaring: 'Tradition is never an excuse for cruelty.'

What about geese, Stephen? According to the late gourmet Clement Freud, the well-nourished polymath waxed rapturously over foie gras. 'There was great excitement when I realised that this was not pate, but whole liver which melts in your mouth,' he mewled.

A honk in your shell-like Stephen: your chum the King has banned foie gras, described by animal rights campaigners as 'torture in a tin'.

Born almost a decade after his sister, Sir Michael Palin reveals his late mother always wanted another child despite his father's reservations. 'In the end, she made his mind up for him,' says Michael. 'She dispensed with some device she'd normally use. She said [to me], 'I can remember the night you were conceived. I can even tell you what was on top of the wardrobe'... this was just too much!'

Michael Palin reads a script with his late wife Helen Gibbins in London in February 1968

Enchanted by Mark Gatiss's portrayal of John Gielgud in The Motive And The Cue at London's Noel Coward theatre, Maureen Lipman was prevented by a jobsworth security woman from going backstage to 'genuflect to the cast'.

'She demanded my credentials and treated me like a terrorist,' Maureen tells The Spectator. 'I hear myself say, "I know how to go into a stage door  I'm a bloody Dame!"'

A new biography of Stanley Kubrick reveals that while making 2001: A Space Odyssey, he had doubts about the voice of the computer HAL 9000. He wanted to use Barbra Streisand, declaring her to be an 'exciting actress'. Would his favoured homicidal HAL have warbled The Way We Were as he tried to murder the crew?
Airstrikes on military facilities used by Houthi rebels in Yemen are sparking concerns today over a dramatic escalation of tensions in the Middle East.

The attacks by UK and US forces mean a promised retaliation by the group could push Western powers into engaging beyond a targeted and contained strike.

The strikes last night were the first to be launched against the militants since they started targeting international shipping in the key trade route of the Red Sea.

The Ministry of Defence said four Royal Air Force jets struck two Houthi facilities involved in their targeting of HMS Diamond and US Navy vessels on Tuesday.

The US Air Force said it struck more than 60 targets across 16 sites in Yemen, including logistical hubs, air defence systems and munitions depots.

Now military expert Justin Bronk has analysed how this will affect what he called an 'increasingly complex web of geopolitical relationships and confrontations'.

Mr Bronk, a senior research fellow at London's Royal United Services Institute, also warned that the airstrikes could be repeated if the Houthis do not back down.

Here is his full commentary on the latest situation  and what might happen next:

Justin Bronk, senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London

The confrontation between the Iranian-backed Houthis and the US-led coalition of countries trying to protect commercial shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden is the latest manifestation of an increasingly complex web of geopolitical relationships and confrontations that extend well beyond the Gulf region.

Iran backs the Houthis, and Russia and Iran have an increasingly close alliance over Ukraine, whilst China cautiously backs Iran in most confrontations with the US and its allies.

The Houthis have fought a long war with and regularly launch attacks on Saudi Arabia, but have recently been launching missiles against Israel over its war against Hamas in Gaza.

Saudi Arabia officially supports Palestinian interests, although it does have increasing relations with Israel behind closed doors.

Iran is the primary backer behind Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, whilst the US has deployed military forces to the Eastern Mediterranean to try and deter Hezbollah from getting involved in the Hamas-Israeli war whilst also attempting diplomatically to rein in excessive Israeli use of force against Gaza.

In Yemen itself, the Houthis have been armed and supported by Iran throughout the Yemeni civil war; which since direct intervention by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2015 has become a major proxy war between the two Gulf States and Iran.

Despite almost a decade of sometimes intensive air strikes, conventional military land operations and special forces operations, the Saudi-Emirati coalition has been unable to defeat the group.

Indeed, Houthi forces have increasingly gained the upper hand over the Republic of Yemen forces in military terms  controlling most of the North Western part of the country and making it easy for them to threaten shipping in the Red Sea.

The US and UK have strong diplomatic and defence ties to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and an adversarial relationship with Iran  primarily over its nuclear weapons programme, and more recently its decision to supply Russia with large quantities of weaponry for use against Ukraine.

In particular, Iranian has supplied thousands of one-way attack drones called Shahed-136 and 131 that have been used as cheap miniature cruise missiles to bombard Ukrainian infrastructure and to waste Ukrainian air defence ammunition to enable higher-tech Russian missiles to get through to their targets more easily.

It has also set up production facilities for artillery, mortar and rocket artillery ammunition for Russian forces; which provides an important secondary source for Russia's urgent efforts to increase defence production to make its war on Ukraine sustainable.

Therefore, the US, UK and other Western-aligned nations have a geopolitical interest in countering Iran's use of the Houthis as a proxy means of escalation without directly risking its own assets.

The US Navy has also been the de-facto guarantor of global sea lanes since the end of the Cold War, and a significant portion of global GDP depends on trade flowing smoothly through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.

Attacks on merchant shipping not only increases perception of direct risk, but it also dramatically increases the insurance premiums paid by shipping companies for transit of goods, which means that even a limited number of strikes can rapidly make large numbers of global trading relationships non-viable from an economic point of view.

Consequently, the US and UK both feel compelled to respond to ongoing Houthi attacks to try and put a stop to the behaviour.

One interesting relationship that so far has not come to the fore but might in future if escalation continues is that between China and Iran.

China is a key economic partner for Tehran, but the Chinese economy is extremely dependent on liquid natural gas and oil shipments from the Gulf that pass through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

Therefore, China may put decisive pressure on Iran to reign in Houthi attacks if the disruption to shipping becomes unacceptably costly for Beijing.

The overnight strikes by US Navy aircraft, Tomahawk land attack missiles from ships and Paveway IV bombs dropped by RAF Typhoons were an attempt to find a difficult balance in this geopolitical context.

They were aimed at military targets such as airfields, missile launch and storage sites and command facilities to try and materially degrade some Houthi anti-ship capabilities and thereby reduce the immediate threat to shipping.

More than this, however, they were intended to be a symbolic action to use precise strikes to re-establish deterrence and convince the Houthis that their ongoing attacks on shipping are not worth the cost they will incur.

The F/A-18E/F Super Hornets from the US Navy's carrier battle group and RAF Typhoons flying from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus are using weapons that are not hugely costly and are not facing serious defence systems, so strikes could be repeated in the short term if the Houthis do not immediately back down.

On the other hand, without a major war there is no chance that limited strikes by US and UK forces in the region could materially tip the balance of power against the Houthis.

With the war in Gaza, the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, worrying signs of potential aggression from Venezuela against Guyana, and tensions with the China and North Korea in the Indo-Pacific; there is little spare US capacity, let alone European, for a long large scale operation.

The fact that the group has its current capability despite almost a decade of large scale air, land and special forces operations by Saudi and Emirati forces is both a demonstration of how resilient the Houthi military posture is, and has also driven the group to disperse and conceal its assets.

A single set of US-led strikes also cannot prevent Iran from rapidly assisting with resupply of the components and systems needed to replace destroyed anti-ship assets.

Therefore, the strikes this week were likely deliberately calibrated to be small enough to avoid any perception that they were intended to have a larger strategic effect beyond a symbolic demonstration and degradation of anti-ship capabilities in the short term.
This Sunday will see Denmark welcome a new King and Queen - Crown Prince Frederik and his wife Crown Princess Mary.

The historic occasion, which follows Queen Margrethe's shock abdication on New Year's Eve, is sure to be an exciting event for the nation - but is set to be a much more stripped down transferrence of power compared to King Charles's ornate Coronation in May.

The day will kick off at around 1:35pm, with Frederik, 55, and Mary, 51, setting off in a car from Amalienborg to Christiansborg Palace, along with their son HRH Prince Christian.

Shortly after, Margrethe will follow, leaving from Christian IX's Palace in a carriage.

Both will pass through Frederiksgade, Bredgade, Kongens Nytorv, Holmens Canal and Prince Jrgen's Courtyard on the way.

At 2pm, there will be a Council of State at Christiansborg Palace, which Margrethe, Frederik, and Christian will take part in together with the Government and the Council of State secretary.

This is where the succession of the throne will happen, as Her Majesty The Queen will sign a declaration of her abdication.

Margrethe will then make her way back to Amalienborg, while Frederik and Mary will hold a formal reception for specially invited guests.

At 3pm, the couple will make a balcony appearance at Christiansborg Palace. The Prime Minister will then proclaim the King's accession to the throne.

After this, the newly crowned monarch will then speak and conclude with the motto.

It will be followed by an honourary cannon salute from the Sixtus Battery - a heritage site on Holmen, Copenhagen - and the Royal Standard will then be lowered at Christian IX's Palace (Margrethe's home) and reraised at Frederik VIII's Palace, where the new King and Queen are based.

Frederik and Mary will take a carriage from Christiansborg Palace back to Amalienborg, which will be escorted by a mounted squadron.

At 5pm, there will also be a transfer of the royal colours from Christian IX's Palace to Frederik VIII's Palace.

This Sunday will see Denmark welcome a new King and Queen as Crown Prince Frederik and his wife Crown Princess Mary. Pictured together in January

The historic occasion, which follows Queen Margrethe 's shock abdication on New Year's Eve, is sure to be an exciting event for the nation

It comes following reports that Prince Joachim, Frederik's younger brother, will attend the event solo to support his sibling, according to Hello!.

His wife, Princess Marie, and their two children, Count Henrik, 14, and Countess Athena of Monpezat, 11, will remain in Washington DC, where the family now live after Joachim became defence industry attache at the Embassy of Denmark.

A palace spokesperson said: 'Prince Joachim will be there, but the children go to school, there is no special reason,' before adding that Queen Margrethe's youngest son will leave Denmark the following day to return to his home in the US.

Tensions first arose in the Danish royal household after the monarch decided to strip four of her grandchildren of their HRH titles in 2022. She subsequently apologised about the timing of the announcement but stood by the move.

Joachim had spoken out against his mother's decision in the days that followed - claiming that his two children, Counts Nikolai, 24, and Felix, 21 - born from his first marriage to Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg - and Henrik and Athena, had been 'harmed' in the process.

Months later, the sixth-in-line to the throne admitted that 'communication was missing' within the Royal Family in the lead-up to the shock announcement.

Joachim told local news outlet B.T.: 'There is a lot to work on. Communication was what was missing. Now we have met and we are on the right track.'

The day will kick off at around 1:35pm, with Frederik, 55, and Mary, 51, setting off in a car from Amalienborg to Christiansborg Palace, along with their son HRH Prince Christian

It comes following reports that Prince Joachim , Frederik's younger brother, will attend the event solo to support his sibling, according to Hello!. Pictured: Counts Nikolai and Felix, Queen Margrethe, Princess Marie, Countess Athena, Prince Joachim and Count Henrik in April 2022

Shortly after his children were stripped of his titles, Joachim claimed that he had only been given five days notice before the news was made public.

Following the Queen's announcement, Joachim spoke to Danish publication Ekstra Bladet outside the Danish Embassy in Paris, where he lived with his French-born wife Princess Marie and his two youngest children, and said his four children had been 'hurt' by their grandmother's decision.

'I was given five days' notice to tell them. In May, I was presented with a plan which, by and large, was that when the children each turned 25, it would happen. Now I had only five days to tell them. Athena turns 11 in January,' he clarified at the time.

Speaking to B.T., Joachim and his second wife Marie also admitted their relationship with Prince Frederik and Princess Mary is 'complicated'.

Meanwhile, Joachim's ex-wife Alexandra said that her sons, Nikolai and Felix, had been left feeling 'ostracised' from the institution and the decision had come like a 'bolt out of the blue'.

The Royal Household released a further statement, saying: 'As the Queen stated yesterday, the decision has been a long time coming.

'We understand that there are many emotions at stake at the moment, but we hope that the Queen's wish to future-proof the Royal Household will be respected.'

It's been a tumultuous few years for the Danish royal family. Margarethe stepping down comes two months after photographs emerged of Crown Prince Frederik enjoying a night out with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova in Madrid in October.

The rumours began when Prince Frederik was photographed enjoying a night out in Spain with his friend Genoveva Casanova without his wife.

The family headed for a pre-Christmas break to Mary's native Australia, as well as visiting New Zealand.

Before the family's flight from New Zealand Princess Mary shared a cryptic post about loneliness and the need for positive human connection ahead of Christmas.

In the letter posted on the Mary Foundation website, the future queen reflected on the past year - and said she felt it was shorter than previous years.

'And at the same time, so much has happened that it is impossible to put it all into words,' she continued.

An excerpt shared on the official Instagram of the Danish Royal House had some speculating the princess was using her foundation to hint at the affair rumours.

'We need each other if we are to succeed.' And that's not only true in the working world and for those of us who are working to combat social isolation,' it read.

'This is true for all of us. Humans need humans.'

The post and powerful words were pictured alongside a gorgeous picture of the royal in the snow.

She wore a purple jacket beneath a warm woolen wrap and gave a soft smile toward the camera.

Princess Mary has shared a cryptic post about loneliness and the need for positive human connection ahead of Christmas

Her trip came after rumours of the prince having an affair with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova rocked the Danish Royal Household

'The Danish royal family are lucky to have you. I hope your husband realises he has embarrassed you and his children immeasurably. You will make a fine queen,' one fan commented.

Another wrote: 'I think this is a sad year for Mary, her husband's (alleged) betrayal and it's public. What a brave woman, she can handle anything. I just adore her.'

Some came to the defence of the royals calling for people to stop talking about the alleged affair.

There has been speculation that Queen Margrethe's abdication may have been driven to save the marriage of her son and Princess Mary in the wake of the alleged 'affair'.

Ms Casanova has denied allegations of any relationship with Frederik.

Royal commentator Phil Dampier told The Telegraph: 'It's possible that the Queen took this action because she would have been terrified of the marriage breaking up and the royal family losing Mary. It would have caused major problems.

'The Queen has always seen Mary as a tremendous asset.'

The Prince and his Australian Princess have been rocked by rumours of infidelity since November - placing their 'fairytale romance' under the microscope.

The news comes as it was revealed Princess Mary's father won't be in the crowd when she ascends to the Danish throne on Monday, January 14.

John Donaldson will sit out the history-making event in the comfort of his home in Australia.

The Royal House's head of communications, Lene Balleby, told local media the future Queen is close with her 82-year-old dad but he is unable to travel due to his age and health.

This is the second major event Mr Donaldson has had to skip in recent years: the last was Princess Isabella's Confirmation.

Princess Mary's maths teacher father John Donaldson won't be in the crowd when she ascends to the Danish throne on Monday, January 14

'Unfortunately, my father is not coming. He is getting to be an elderly gentleman and he is not well enough to take the long trip back to Denmark for a confirmation, but he is with us in our hearts,' Crown Princess Mary said at the time.

Mr Donaldson previously threw his full support behind his daughter - in her high profile role at court - and even lived in Denmark with his wife British author Susan Moody for a number of years.

He taught at both Aarhus and Copenhagen University and became renowned for wearing a kilt on special occasions such as the royal couple's wedding.

The Crown Princesses mother, Henrietta Donaldson, died from a heart condition in 1997 when Mary was just 25 years old.

This is the second major event Mr Donaldson has had to skip in recent years - the last was Princess Isabella's Confirmation

The Australian princess has been described as 'the real power behind the throne' and is loved by the Danish people.

She stood by Queen Margrethe during her controversial decision to stream line the monarch and take away Prince Joachim's children's royal titles.

The prince has revealed he will attend the event - however his wife and children will not.

Mary continued to hold her head high when her 'fairy tale relationship' with Prince Frederik was called into question after he was spotted on a night out with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova in Spain.
The home has been continuously occupied by only three families until 2019, when the last descendant

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A small town lawyer from West Virginia was in for an extraordinary surprise when he discovered a 253-year-old pre-Revolutionary War fort hidden inside the walls of his Monroe County plantation home.

John Bryan, 43, a self-described history buff and amateur archeologist, purchased the property in 2019 with a hunch that the large white clapboard farmhouse was built around an old log fort known as Byrnside's Fort.

'We had to buy the property first before being able to take a crowbar to it to see if the logs were inside the walls.'

It was originally built in 1770 by an early settler of Virginia named James Byrnside after his cabin was burned to the ground by Shawnee Indians on the same site in 1763.

The fort  which never came under attack during the Revolutionary War  has been occupied ever since by three families until 2019, when the last descendant passed away.

John Bryan, 43, discovered a 253-year-old pre-Revolutionary War fort hidden inside the walls of his plantation home in West Virginia

After investigating the property and researching old records, Bryan (an amateur historian), was convinced that the bones of a pre-Revolutionary War log fort was hidden beneath thick layers of plaster coating the walls, but he wasn't certain. 'We had to buy the property first before being able to take a crowbar to it to see if the logs were inside,' he said

The log fort was turned into a plantation home during the Civil War. The interior walls were covered with plaster, while the exterior was decorated with white siding. Above, is what the home looked like in 2019 before Bryan began extensive renovations

It is believed to be the only one left of its kind along the original Virginia frontier. 'Most, if not all, are nothing but stains in the ground (if archaeologists can even find them),' Bryan says.

'This one, you can see and touch all the original architectural features that nobody living has ever seen.'

After purchasing the home, Bryan began the painstaking process of removing the 1850s plaster to reveal the solid hand-hewn white oak logs of the fort.

In the process, he unearthed a priceless trove of artifacts belonging to the previous owners from a Civil War-era mourning dress, to 18th century Spanish silver coins, brass buttons from colonial coats, inscribed books from a Revolutionary War soldier garrisoned at the fort, World War I mementos, and hundreds of family photos and daguerreotypes.

Bryan's passion for pre-Revolutionary War history in the Greenbriar Valley of West Virginia is a hobby bordering on obsession.

'Tracking down the old forts can be very difficult,' he told DailyMail.com. 'Some of them are known, some of them are unknown. And you have to do some investigation work, look at the old handwritten deeds and compare sources and metal detectors to actually locate sites.'

He first discovered the fort in 2019 after a metal-detecting pal received permission for them to explore the old Byrnside plantation farm.

'There was an old lady who had lived there and was very private and didn't let anyone in.'

The fort has been occupied ever since 1770 until 2019, when the last descendant passed away. Above, the living room before Bryan began tearing out the walls

Bryan, a lawyer by trade, began the painstaking four-year renovation that saw him remove all the heavy plaster by hand. 'It was much it was a much bigger job than I even anticipated,' Bryan said. 'A whole lot of manual labor just getting the stuff down off the ceilings and walls. Above is a photograph of the hand-hewn oak logs that had been collecting dust since the 1850s until Bryan restored them to their former glory

Known as Byrnside Fort, the log structure was originally built in 1770 by James Byrnside, an early colonialist on the Virginia frontier. Its purpose was to serve as a safehouse from invading Native tribes. With scouts patrolling the mountain passes, a warning signal would be sent in the event of an impending attack, allowing locals enough time to get to their nearest fort. Above is a photo of the refurbished living room

The fort first came on Bryan's radar when a metal detecting friend invited him to explore the property after receiving permission from the owner. 'There was an old lady who had lived there and was very private and didn't let anyone in,' he said

The fort is believed to be the only one left of its kind along the original Virginia frontier. 'Most, if not all, are nothing but stains in the ground, if archaeologists can even find them,' Bryan (pictured standing) says

Bryan admits that he 'didn't really know the significance of the home' until he saw it up close. 'That's when I knew it was something special.'

Around that time, he learned that the farm was recently purchased by another lawyer, who was interested in farming the land but had no use for the house.

After investigating the property further, Bryan felt that it could be the location of a missing fort mentioned in various historical records. The three-foot thick walls also tipped him off.

He contacted the new owner, and negotiated 'a good deal' which saw him take over ownership of the home and five surrounding acres.

'There was no guarantee that there were any logs in there anymore, or, if there ever were in the first place,' he tells DailyMail.com. 'So we had to buy it first to find out.'

'We closed on the place and literally five minutes later I drove out there, got a crowbar and went upstairs to one of the bedrooms. Knocked my first hole in the plaster in the wall and uncovered the original logs.'

Thus Bryan began the four-year renovation that saw him remove all the heavy plaster that was installed when the fort turned into a large plantation home during the Civil War.

'It was much it was a much bigger job than I even anticipated,' said Bryan. 'A whole lot of manual labor just getting the stuff down off the ceilings and walls. It was a really big deal.'

Working on the weekends, Bryan slowly began to uncover the original log structure, and in the process he unearthed a trove of antique treasures from the former owners.

'Basically an entire family's belongings from the mid 19th century through 2016 were still in the house,' he told DailyMail.com.

He found generations of family photos, some dating back to pre-Civil War-era daguerreotypes (an early form of photography that used silver plates).

He also inherited an old upright piano that has sat in the same spot since 1896.

'The woman playing it in the old photo would have been a child at that time,' he said. 'Her daughter then lived her entire life in the house and was the last resident, also playing this piano in this room (parlor).'

In addition to pictures, Bryan found an old receipt for the piano, dated December 1, 1896, for $200 (roughly $7,500 in today's money).

'The family picked it up at a train station about 30 miles away, obviously transporting it the rest of the way by horse and carriage,' he explained.

During the renovation process, Bryan discovered a trove of antique treasures left behind in the home from the former owners. He found generations of family photos, some dating back to pre-Civil War-era daguerreotypes (pictured above)

After doing some investigation work, Bryan discovered that the Johnson family (pictured) purchased the home in 1869. They were a wealthy local family that became the first teachers in Monroe County, West Virginia. The home's last resident, Margaret Clark (who died in 2019), was a descendent of the Johnsons

In the yard, Bryan unearthed countless 18th century Spanish silver coins. These coins were the preferred money for early American settlers

Behind the house is a cave spring which is the primary water source for the property. While metal detecting around the cave, Bryan came across a Spanish silver coin from 1725 that was cut in half 'to make change'

While excavating other areas in the yard, Bryan uncovered other trinkets that included old confederate military buttons, equestrian items, almost 20 different knives, pre-Revolutionary War brass buttons, blacksmith forged nails, multiple padlocks and keys from the late 1700s

Some of the shoes found inside the house, including some military shoes and boots from the Civil War. Cavalry boots (above) were commonly cut down to be used as shoes

Another unique find in the house was an envelope that contained a key, inscribed with 'keys to Major Samuel Clarks sword case.'

'I completely ransacked the house looking for the sword, but the sword was nowhere to be found,' Bryan laughs.

Finally, as a long shot, he posted pictures of the keys on Facebook and somebody recognized it as the match a locked sword case hanging inside the local Masonic lodge.

'The encased sword had been screwed to the wall for as long as anyone there could remember But, nobody had ever known where the key was.'

'So they took it down for me and set it in the floor. I tried the key and voila, the damn thing opened right up.'

The sword was gifted to Major Clark for his efforts in the War of 1812. He was the third or fourth great grandfather of Byrnside Fort's last resident, Margaret Clark (died in 2019). At some point during her life, Margaret had donated it to the local Masons chapter, in honor of her ancestors that were Masons.

In the yard, Bryan unearthed countless objects using a metal detector including: old confederate military buttons, equestrian items, almost 20 different knives, pre-Revolutionary War brass buttons, blacksmith forged nails, multiple padlocks and keys from the late 1700s, and a handful of 18th century Spanish silver coins.

One item was a huge iron key forged by a blacksmith. After restoring it, Bryan discovered that it was the perfect fit for the 18th century door of plantation smokehouse also on the property.

A photograph of an unidentified man taken around the 1850s

The home also came with an old upright piano that has sat in the same spot since 1896. 'The woman playing it in the old photo would have been a child at that time,' he said. 'Her daughter then lived her entire life in the house and was the last resident, also playing this piano in this room (parlor)'

Bryan also found an old receipt for the piano in the house, dated December 1, 1896, for $200. 'The family picked it up at a train station about 30 miles away, obviously transporting it the rest of the way by horse and carriage,' he explained

Behind the house is a cave spring which is the primary water source for the property. While metal detecting around the cave, Bryan came across a Spanish silver coin from 1725 that was cut in half 'to make change.'

These coins were the preferred money for early American settlers.

In the attic, Bryan and his wife discovered a black silk Victorian-era mourning dress in addition to a 'day dress' used for chores - as well as a number of various mismatched shoes, a Victorian women's lace-up boot and a handful of Civil War cavalry boots.

Among the creepier items, they also found a trunk of old dolls that had 'melted from the heat over a long period of time.'

More baffling, was the collection of spent rifle balls in one specific location towards the edge of the yard. 'Maybe target practice, maybe a firefight?' Bryan guessed.

Bryan believes the spent ammunition might be remnants of a Shawnee attack in 1763, which saw the first cabin on the property burned to the ground in a firefight.

Before the Revolutionary War, the biggest threat to locals were Native war parties.

'There was no threat from the British, because we were still a colony,' Bryan explained.

An envelope containing 'keys to Major Samuel Clark's sword case' was found in the home, but Bryan was unable to find the sword. He posted a picture of the keys on Facebook and somebody recognized it as the match to a locked sword case hanging inside the local Masonic lodge

The encased sword had been screwed to the wall of a local Masonic lodge, but nobody could ever find the key. 'So they took it down for me and set it in the floor. I tried the key and voila, the damn thing opened right up,' Bryan said. The sword was gifted to Major Clark for his efforts in the War of 1812, he was a great-great grandfather of Byrnside's last resident Margaret Clark

The fort was originally built in 1770 as a communal safehouse for six local families to hideout from invading Natives.

They devised a system to have a fort about every nine miles while simultaneously scouting the mountain passes and rivers, Bryan explained. In the event of an impending attack, locals would have enough time to get to their nearest fort.

'Everyone was part of the militia just by virtue of being there, and being a male of certain age. And so they would just fund their own military and build their own log structures,' Bryan told DailyMail.com.

'Some of these old forts are mentioned in history, so I was trying to track them down. Some of them were unknown an a lot of these forts have been lost to history.

'It's just really neat because when you stand in the in the yard, you know people were living there when we were still a colony of England.

'The Declaration of Independence hadn't even been thought of at that point.'

An unidentified woman (presumably a member of the Johnson family) from the late 1800s

Blacksmith forged nails (left), padlocks from the late 1700s (bottom), various equestrian items, and 1780s 'Artois' brass shoe buckle (center) were among the many items dug up from the yard

The fort's namesake, James Byrnside, fought in the Battle of Point Pleasant, against a coalition of Native American tribes. It was the last battle fought as a British Colony, paving the way for locals to fight in the Revolutionary War that began in 1775.

After one particular surprise attack in 1763 which saw two Greenbriar families brutally slaughtered when they invited local tribesmen for dinner; West Virginia settlers vowed to do things differently when they rebuilt.

'They burned every cabin that was in the entire valley,' Bryan said. 'It was so bad that they waited seven years before any settlers came back.'

And thus, Byrnside Fort came into existence. The original structure was three stories, with a full basement built into the bedrock and a stockade wall.

Bryan said discovering evidence of a stockade was an 'ah ha moment' for him. 'The most unique and important thing I found is that the house itself formed part of the fort wall like a castle,' he said.

'Most of the time you're looking at stains in the ground and you wouldn't know the architectural details but here you can see exactly how they built the stockade.'

Using a metal detector, Bryan found an old blacksmith key (right), which turned out to be the key for the old smokehouse on the property (left). The door, he says, is from the 18th century

Eighteenth century padlocks, including one with a key (left) were also found buried in the yard (right)

Bryan's wife tried on the Civil War-era mourning dress discovered in the attic

In the lower left drawer of the book cabinet, Bryan found a World War I gas mask, a German binocular case filled with German infantry buttons, patches and war mementos belonging to the father of the elderly lady who last lived there

He explains that during the heavy years when Indian attacks were common, the group of colonialists would live communally in the fort.

'They would go out during the day under armed guard and farm, harvest their crops, do whatever they need to do and then come back to the fort to live communally at night,' Bryan said.

Bryan has spent countless hours investigating the history of the home's former residents.

The fort's first resident, James Byrnside, was, allegedly, not a nice man. He left his wife and son to live alone at the fort while he moved in with another woman.

Thomas Jefferson (then a lawyer practicing in Virginia) called Byrnside 'a great and notorious villain, obnoxious to everybody near him,' while representing a client who was suing him for slander.

The Byrnsides sold the farm in 1827 to a wealthy local named George Bierne, who was buying up a swaths of surrounding plantations.

Later, in 1855, Bierne's son Christopher would take over the plantation during the Civil War years. He was a bachelor and entrepreneur, and graduated from Yale where he was a member of the Skull and Crossbones Society.

Christopher was responsible for turning the log fort into a home with plaster walls, formal woodwork and a staircase.

Previous owners stand in front of the home during the late 1800s. Top, a current picture of the house, which was built around a pre-Revolutionary frontier fort from 1770. 'I believe it may be the only one left of its kind along the original Virginia frontier,' Bryan said

The 1840s book cabinet, filled with books from the previous family, was among the many antique pieces of furniture left in the house (left). One book from the late 1700s belonged to a Revolutionary War militia soldier who was garrisoned at this fort (right)

There's no known attack that occurred at Byrnside Fort during the Revolutionary War, but Bryan uncovered a handful of spent rifle balls in one specific location of the yard. Bryan believes they might be remnants of an Indian attack in 1762, when the first cabin was burned to the ground

Bryan believes that the unusually tall basement was used for military storage as several expeditions rendezvoused and departed from the fort. In the far back corner, he discovered scratched tally marks into the cut limestone but he's clueless as to what they could signify

Buttons found in the yard ranged from the 18th century through the Civil War era. The older Revolutionary War-era buttons are larger and made of brass, often seen on the lapels of colonial coats. 'As you get into the 1800s they began to import fancy commercial buttons from Europe that will have words on the back. We also found numerous military buttons from the Civil War,' Bryan said

During the Civil War, his plantation was used to provide crucial supplies (including bulk corn, beef, hay, and pork) for the Confederate war effort.

Bryan found old receipts in the National Archive records that amount to payments of $23,325.71 (more than $450,000 in today's money) to Christopher by the Confederate Army for supplies provided.

The home was sold to the Johnson family in 1869 and the family remained there for the next 150 years until their last descendant, Margaret Clark, who passed away in 2019.

'Much of their belongings remain in the home today,' Bryan says.

As of now, he has no plans for the fort's future, revealing: 'I was never going to live there. I just bought it for the historical significance and to save it.'

He tells DailyMail.com that it's a special place because it 'tells the story of America.'

'We have every generation that's American living at that house,' Bryan added.

'You have the pre-Revolutionary War era with these colonial land speculators who are looking to improve their life so they brave Indian threat to find fertile land, risking their lives to settle there before moving west.'
Aussie chef Curtis Stone claims McDonald's 'Double Big Mac' should be served with a health warning.

The celebrity chef - who is best known for sharing $10 meal ideas for Coles told TMZ the burger is a 'eat at your own risk' situation.

The 48-year-old said the burger - which has about 740 calories - may be built to help people deal with insane cravings but 'does more harm than good'.

'There's so much meat in this. It is like the big gulp of burgers,' he said.

'And when you stop and think about how much you need to consume it is totally out of whack.'

Aussie chef Curtis Stone claims McDonald's 'Double Big Mac' should be served with a health warning

The Double Big Mac is making its return to Maccas restaurants in the US for a limited time from January 24

The high-profile chef said he is 'all for being indulgent' but when he first saw the Double Big Mac going viral it his mind was blown.

'It should come with a health warning in my humble opinion,' he said.

His comments come after the burger, which was launched in Australia in March 2020, was previewed to the US market.

Fast food lovers were horrified by the burger which has four layers of meat, three buns and the restaurant's famous pickle sauce, labeling it 'obscene'.

It will be available throughout the US from January 24.

It was initially marketed as being 'double the fun' when it was launched in Australia but US foodies claim it should be tagged with 'double the chemicals' or 'double the calories'.

'Yes, because we need to get fatter thanks,' one person wrote on the restaurant's social media tease of the 'new' burger.

Another said: 'Are they going to call it the heart attack Mac?'

For others however, the excessive calorie count was the main selling point.

'I'm gonna eat one of those, then feel disgusting after, but I bet I'll enjoy every minute,' one person wrote on Facebook.

American diners on social media were divided on the burger because of its excessive calorie count while others could not wait to try it

Another said: 'McDonald's Double Big Mac coming soon to US restaurants. I dont normally do big Macs but yes please.'

Double Big Macs are already available in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the UK and Japan, but one diner could not help but notice one 'problem'.

'Still only one slice of cheese,' the man said with an eye roll emoji.

The price of Double Big Mac meals in the US has not yet been announced, but it could cost as much as $AU30.

American McDonald's prices rose 14 per cent in the third quarter of 2023 with one restaurant found charging $AU27 for a regular Big Mac combo meal in October.

The huge price was another sticking point for Mr Stone who said you can get a plate of food at a good restaurant for the same price.

McDonald's menus have 'double' options for most of its burgers, including the Double Quarter Pounder, Double McChicken and the Double Fillet-O-Fish.

The Double Big Mac was originally introduced in the US in 2020 for a limited time and was an immediate hit with customers.
Like many women who become the victims of romance scammers operating overseas, Sammie, 41, was going through a challenging time when she met a man who said he was a 45-year-old civil engineer called Rob.

He contacted her out of the blue via Instagram just as she was getting divorced. As the weeks passed, they began to grow closer.

After a while he told her how his sick father needed money for an operation, that his bank accounts had been frozen and that he needed help. Sammie sent him several thousand pounds and also bought Bitcoin for him  effectively laundering cash he sent her  only to discover the pictures he was using were all stolen and the identity a fabrication.

For many people reading stories like Sammie's, it's hard to comprehend why so many apparently sensible women send money to romance fraudsters.

'Normal' theft is where people have possessions taken from them and have no contact with the perpetrators, except if it involves violence or the threat of it.

Victims themselves often feel huge shame and embarrassment and don't tell anyone what's happened to them, not even their families (Stock image)

In romance fraud  where, in very basic terms, the perpetrator makes a fake online profile to lure someone into a relationship purely to steal from them  the victim willingly hands their money over.

The truth is, it's a very complex crime. Most of us don't look beyond that acquiescent handover of cash and as a result there's a lot less sympathy for victims, even when they've lost tens of thousands of pounds.

The victims themselves often feel huge shame and embarrassment and don't tell anyone what's happened to them, not even their families. Especially not their families.

Indeed, I firmly believe romance fraud is one of the most under-reported crimes in the country.

Officially, the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau received 8,036 reports of romance fraud in the last year, amounting to more than 92million lost, with an average loss per victim of 11,500.

But in my view these sorts of statistics are inaccurate  they should be much higher.

I know the huge toll it's taking on people. Bored during lockdown, I joined Twitter three years ago and immediately found my inbox crammed with messages from impossibly handsome men desperate to get to know me.

In idle moments, I'd string them along, sending more and more absurd responses to their requests, then post their replies online.

Gradually, I began to enjoy a minor social media fame, which led to many genuine victims of romance fraud messaging me directly and telling me their stories, often for the first time.

And what I discovered about the women at the centre of these heartbreaking stories, which I document in my book titled Keanu Reeves Is Not In Love With You (because scammers sometimes pose as celebrities), is that they're often intelligent and successful, but also, for one reason or another, particularly susceptible at the moment they're contacted.

Every single victim I spoke to had something going on in their lives that was affecting them emotionally in some way.

I spoke to one lady dealing with cancer, for example; one whose husband was dying; and one in the middle of an acrimonious divorce.

All sent money to the scammers out of kindness, wanting to help the person they thought they were in a relationship with and cared about. It's not weak or stupid to want to help the person you think is your partner.

These women understandably don't want to believe the evidence that, to friends and family, seems obvious proof of a scam.

They want the lovely soft pink of romance, not the horrid spiky brown of reality. It's why the victims are often accused of being in denial.

In fact, in so called 'follow-up scams', even when the fraudster has been unmasked, the victim will sometimes carry on messaging the perpetrator under his real name because they believe they are still in love with him.

These women want the lovely soft pink of romance, not the horrid spiky brown of reality (Stock image)

That was the case with Sammie. She eventually discovered that 'Rob' was a 20-year-old scammer from Nigeria. And, once she knew, she still wanted to talk to this young man who had captured her heart.

He told her his real name was Smith, and they both cried over the phone, with Sammie describing him as 'remorseful'. He set up a new account using his own photograph and they carried on messaging.

He told her he had used the money she had given him to get out of Nigeria and that he was now living in Cyprus, where he wanted to start college. He said he had fallen for her and couldn't bear the thought of leaving her.

Smith told her that, aside from the lies about the circumstances, when he talked to her as Rob, it was how he always felt as himself. She said: 'It was like having him back.'

After a few months, he started to ask her for money again. Sammie was angry and the relationship cooled, but a couple of weeks later he messaged her through Snapchat with a love heart  and she messaged straight back.

He didn't open the message and hasn't been in touch with her since.

I asked her: 'If he messaged you today would you forgive him?' She looked down, gave a small smile and said: 'I dunno.' Then she started crying and it was horrible to see.

Even when she knew who he was and what he did, she was still prepared to entertain the fact it was a relationship.

It's hard to know if Smith was part of an organised gang of scammers, but it seems likely.

While South East Asia is responsible for the most romance scams, Nigeria is the second most common place of origin.

In Nigeria, I've heard anecdotally that the scammers term the practice 'hunting for an old white', while in South East Asia, they're known as 'pig-butchering scams' because the fraudsters think of it like fattening up an animal before you slaughter it.

Pig-butchering scams are a cross between romance fraud and crypto currency fraud and are often highly technologically advanced.

The best way to protect yourself is to be aware of the scripts and tricks fraudsters use to reel in victims.

Many scammers seem to use a name comprised of two first names  for example, Mark Patrick, John William, Stephen Thomas  perhaps because they aren't familiar with Western surnames.

Then there is a fairly common list of stories a scammer will hit you with, including:

- He is a widow and lost his wife in a car crash or to cancer.

- His wife cheated and left him.

- He has a child who is currently at boarding school.

- He has a family member who needs an operation.

- He is extremely religious and 'God-fearing'.

- He is a soldier, medical professional or oil-rig worker.

As soon as you reply, he is likely to ask, 'Are you married with kids?' and he will express romantic feelings, even love, extremely quickly.

You'll be the most beautiful woman he's ever seen, the sort of woman he could really have a special connection with and so on.

Next he'll want to get you off the platform he contacted you on and onto a messaging app such as WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram, Skype or Google Chat as soon as possible.

The reason is simple  they can't be kicked off these in the same way they can a dating site, Twitter or Instagram. Plus, now they have your email address and phone number.

Eventually, inevitably, you will be spun a story and asked for money, probably via gift cards (you'll be asked to buy them, then scratch off the panel and send the code directly).

So far I've been asked for Amazon gift cards, iTunes vouchers, Google Play vouchers and Steam cards, which are used to buy video games but can be sold on.

But perhaps the best way to protect yourself is to acknowledge that, yes, it could happen to you. I believe that we all underestimate our susceptibility to fraud.

The women I spoke to weren't all naive or gullible; many were smart and switched on. Don't let your confidence be your downfall. Life is never a romcom  and if it seems as though someone online is offering you a happily ever after, be suspicious.

How one scammed woman got her 100,000 back

One January, Francesca had a couple of old friends round for dinner. Now that her children had grown up and left home, they said, she should be looking for a partner.

Francesca loved her life as it was  she had a great job and a lovely home  and didn't want to force the idea. But as the evening went on and the three of them drank more wine, her friends suggested they make a profile for her on a dating site, saying: 'What have you got to lose?'

Considering what was to happen later, these may well be some of the most ironic words ever spoken, Francesca told me.

The very next day she was contacted via the dating site by a man calling himself George Cooper. His profile seemed to mirror hers. Everything she liked, he liked. She said she looked at it and thought: 'Crikey. He's perfect.'

She responded and they started chatting through the site then, after two or three days, he suggested they move onto Viber, an instant messaging app similar to WhatsApp.

There is a fairly common list of stories a scammer will hit you with (Stock image)

He told her he was from New York and of Italian heritage, with a beautiful home, nice cars and a lovely lifestyle.

He said that his parents lived in New York in a very good care home, which he paid for. He worked for an oil company and was extremely senior on a rig in the Middle East.

Over the next few days, online and on the phone, he started what she called a 'massive charm offensive', regularly telling her what a beautiful and intelligent woman she was, and saying he was going to come to the UK for Valentine's Day.

Francesca was really excited, but the day before he was due to fly out, she received a message to say something had come up and he was needed on the rig.

Despite her disappointment, everything was still wonderful. George was well educated; they had very interesting discussions, they laughed and he made her feel good.

She told me: 'For three months my mind was completely taken over and I'd have done anything for that man. Anything to keep him happy. Anything at all.'

She did think it odd, she told me, that he always had to ring her and she could never ring him, but she put it down to the complexities and demands of life on an oil rig.

One day on the phone, he told her he had a problem  his account had been hacked and thus blocked by the bank.

He couldn't get into it and he was worried he'd miss a payment due to his parents' care home. When she asked what she could do, he started a new story.

He told her that he had a big trunk of money, in excess of 1 million, which was with a friend of his in Antwerp, Belgium.

Francesca thought this was peculiar, but heard him out.

He said he needed to get the trunk through customs and into the UK, then he could pay the money straight into the bank and sort his parents out.

Meanwhile, could she lend him something now, and he'd repay it later? He said that once it was all sorted, they could start a life together, which sounded wonderful to Francesca.

Eventually she agreed and transferred 2,000 to him, via an Antwerp bank account. A day or two later, however, he called and said he needed more money: in order to get the trunk back to the UK, he was going to have to use a diplomat, since a diplomat cannot be stopped at customs.

The best way to protect yourself is to be aware of the scripts and tricks fraudsters use to reel in victims (Stock image)

The chap he had found to help wanted 8,000 to do it.

When Francesca said she didn't have that much money, he asked her to borrow it. She really felt like she was in a partnership with this man and so she agreed.

Francesca borrowed the money from one of her friends, who specifically asked: 'It's not for this man you've met, is it?' Francesca said it wasn't; she only needed it for a couple of weeks then she'd pay it straight back.

Soon, of course, 'George' needed more  this time to pay for a 'diplomatic tag' for the trunk. Francesca borrowed 15,000 from another friend and sent it to him.

She knew at this stage that something was very wrong, but was so far into the thing, she felt she couldn't pull out if there was a chance of recouping her money.

Over the next few months, Francesca lost around three stone in weight through stress. She would come home from work and draw the curtains, turn the lights off and sit shaking in her bedroom.

A third friend, seeing how she was struggling, now offered to lend her a large sum of money, which Francesca gratefully accepted, but after a while the friend started messaging her saying she couldn't sleep at night because she hadn't told her husband about the loan. More and more payments went to George.

Now George messaged her to say he'd had a heart attack and was very ill. He was silent for around two weeks and she was beside herself with worry.

The next time he called, he made an extraordinary request: that she fly to Antwerp herself and give 10,000 in cash to a lawyer involved with getting the trunk out of Belgium.

Which is how this lovely middle-aged Englishwoman found herself carrying a large bag of cash on to an aeroplane and handing it over to a man, the 'lawyer', who called himself Damien.

As Francesca was telling me this, she said that even thinking about it ties her stomach in knots.

She was so terrified at the airport, she nearly passed out, but all the time George was on the phone to her, telling her how brilliantly she was doing.

Back in the UK, Francesca messaged George to say there was no reason at all why the trunk of money couldn't now be brought over to the UK, but the next day he told her he'd had another heart attack and had been airlifted to a hospital in Dubai.

Francesca then emailed the oil company to ask which hospital her partner was in.

The oil company came back and said there was no George Cooper working on any of their rigs.

At this point everything came crashing down. In all she had given more than 100,000 to 'George'.

Francesca ended up taking out a second mortgage on her house and withdrawing a significant lump sum from her pension to pay everyone back. Later, she contacted the UK's Action Fraud and the FBI in the U.S., both of which would do nothing, as they said they were inundated.

And yet there is a happy ending, of sorts. Francesca is the only victim of romance fraud I've ever spoken to who got her money back.

After a while thinking she was purely to blame, she began to feel that her bank should bear some responsibility too.

In the 20 years she'd been with them, she had never made large payments to anyone, let alone to foreign accounts.

The fact that suddenly vast sums of money were going overseas should have been picked up. Though the bank fobbed off her initial complaint, she is a bright, tenacious lady and she took it to a Financial Ombudsman, who upheld it.

As I was writing my book, I heard an update: the bank had reimbursed everything  and even paid her interest. I wish all victims could get this outcome.

Adapted from Keanu Reeves Is Not In Love With You by Becky Holmes (Unbound, 12.99).  Becky Holmes 2024.

To order a copy for 9.89 (offer valid to 23/01/24; UK P&P free on orders over 25) go to mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937.
They were left in stitches over the photographer's 'adorable' reaction

A young couple were left in hysterics after watching their proposal video back for the first time - a heartwarming clip that has since taken the internet by storm.

Slobodan Aleksic got down on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend Sandra Svard Mikic in Ubud, Bali, on December 5.

A local Balinese photographer captured the heartfelt moment and couldn't help but gasp and react joyously in real time as the special moment played out before him.

As he stood filming, the man can be heard wailing, 'ooh-ing' and congratulating the couple excitedly.

Slobodan Aleksic proposed to his girlfriend Sandra Svard Mikic in Bali A local Balinese photographer captured the heartfelt moment and couldn't help but voice his emotions

In the background of the clip, the man can be heard wailing and congratulating the couple. Sandra, an Account Manager from Stockholm, told FEMAIL she 'laughed so much' after watching the video back and thought it was 'adorable'

Sandra, an Account Manager from Stockholm, told FEMAIL she couldn't stop laughing after watching the video and thought the reaction was 'adorable'.

'I hadn't heard or noticed anything when he proposed, but when we saw the video and his joyful sounds made it extremely funny and brought immense joy,' she said.

'Witnessing his excitement when he learned we got engaged made the whole proposal even more special, and I felt the need to share this joy with friends, family, and even on TikTok.'

During the proposal Sandra was flooded with emotion and 'tears welled up in her eyes' because she didn't expect it.

And the location was lavish with a floral backdrop and jungle surroundings.

'Somewhere deep down, I had a gut feeling it might happen that evening, but the proposal atop a mountain in the jungle by an infinity pool far exceeded my expectations,' she said.

'I got a bit stressed and even forgot which hand the ring should be on - a typical Sandra move.'

During the proposal Sandra was flooded with emotion and 'tears welled up in her eyes' because she didn't expect it

'Somewhere deep down, I had a gut feeling it might happen that evening, but the proposal atop a mountain in the jungle by an infinity pool far exceeded my expectations,' she said

Over the footage Sandra wrote: 'My boyfriend proposed to me in Bali and our photographer was more choked than me.'

The pair have been together for two and a half years after Slobodan messaged Sandra on Instagram.

'Our first date turned into a 24-hour adventure in Stockholm. Already after 2-3 dates, I planned a surprise visit to Spain during his vacation,' she recalled.

'Nervously, I flew down after just four dates, and we met up in Palma, Spain. After spending a few days together, we officially declared ourselves a couple.'

Sandra said the best part about the proposal is the amount of effort and planning required.

'It's a testament to the love we have for each other, and it fills me with happiness. But the absolute best part (of being engaged) is taking the next step in life and being so ready for all the other travel adventures we're going to embark on together,' she added.

The pair have been together for two and a half years after Slobodan messaged Sandra on Instagram

The video has since caught the attention of the thousands and amassed more than 1.6million views.

'He was the main character in this engagement,' one person commented, another said: 'Omg I love this. His little woooo.'

'I would play this over speakers at my wedding,' a third admitted.

Someone else said: 'I love Balinese people - they're so romantic and nice.'

Another woman added: 'I have an exact same proposal video in Bali with my waitress making the cutest sound effects.'

'He sounds like Julian from Madagascar. So cute,' one more wrote.
China's Fengyun meteorological satellites contribute to global disaster prevention, mitigation

People's Daily Online) 13:52, January 12, 2024

Dubbed "the satellites closest to the people's daily lives, China's homegrown Fengyun meteorological satellites monitor meteorological conditions on the planet 24/7, making important contributions to global disaster prevention and mitigation efforts.

Since the launch of China's first meteorological satellite in 1988, the country has successfully sent 21 Fengyun meteorological satellites of two generations into space. Nine of them are currently in orbit, providing data and products for 129 countries and regions around the world.

A Long March-4B rocket carrying the Fengyun-3 07 satellite blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, April 16, 2023. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)

From simply "taking photos" of the atmosphere to "performing computed tomography (CT) scans" of the atmosphere, Fengyun satellites have evolved from lagging behind internationally to running alongside, and even leading the way in some areas.

China is the only country in the world that operates four near-Earth orbit meteorological satellites simultaneouslycovering dawn, morning, afternoon, and oblique orbits.

With multiple satellites in orbit conducting networked observations, the country's Fengyun meteorological satellites are able to provide three dimensional, quantitative, global, all-weather, all-day, hyper-spectral, and timely precision monitoring data. They have become the backbone of the global network of Earth observation satellites.

Fengyun satellites are widely applied in such fields as weather forecasting, climate prediction, natural disaster and environmental monitoring, scientific research, and various industries including meteorology, oceanography, agriculture, forestry, water conservancy, transportation, aviation and aerospace.

They have contributed significantly to disaster prevention, climate change response and sustainable economic and social development.

In July 2023, after Typhoon Doksuri was formed in the northwest Pacific Ocean, Fengyun satellites monitored the typhoon throughout its life cycle, providing strong support to decision making at thematic consultations on the typhoon and rainstorms, as well as the accurate monitoring of extremely heavy rainfall triggered by the typhoon.

In recent years, data obtained from instruments on the Fengyun meteorological satellites have been playing an increasingly important role in the data assimilation of the numerical weather prediction models of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), according to Niels Bormann, a Principal Scientist in the ECMWF Research Department.

In the past few years, Fengyun meteorological satellites have been used to monitor extreme drought events in Central Asia and facilitate studies on drought mechanisms, climate change and its impacts, identify affected areas, and then help these areas reduce adverse impacts and enhance climate resilience, said Sanjarbek Muratov, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) representative to Uzbekistan.

In November 2023, the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) launched the international version of FengYun Earth, a Fengyun meteorological satellite-based platform, to provide customized services to international users.

The platform satisfies the specific requirements of users by providing more than 100 products in five categories covering cloud pictures, key elements, disaster events, climate, and model verification.

In an effort to better serve international users, the CMA established an emergency support mechanism on disaster prevention and mitigation for international users of Fengyun satellites in April 2018. A total of 34 countries had registered for the mechanism by 2023.

Since 2023, Fengyun satellites have responded 28 times to global demands for emergency support services. They have observed tropical cyclones Lola and Mocha, providing meteorological support to countries like Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Bangladesh.

The satellites have also helped monitor concentrated ignition points of devastating forest fires from the northern coast of Algeria to northwest Tunisia, offering important assistance for the fire prevention and control efforts of local authorities.

Over the past five years, the CMA has trained more than 1,000 international users to better use the products of Fengyun meteorological satellites, and provided support for the application software for Fengyun satellites' remote sensing services, and held video consultations on relevant services and products for over 20 countries and regions more than 50 times, according to statistics from the CMA.

The "circle of friends' of Fengyun satellites will be further expanded through international cooperation and multilateral and bilateral exchanges, reliable sources said.

China's National Satellite Meteorological Center (NSMC) is going to deepen international market research for Fengyun satellites, actively take part in international exchanges with foreign counterparts, and enhance international cooperation with other operators of meteorological satellites, said Wang Jingsong, director general of the NSMC.

"We will work with our international peers to further advance sci-tech innovations for Fengyun satellites to better serve global disaster prevention and mitigation efforts, jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind, and contribute Chinese solutions to the goal of the sustainable development of human society," he noted.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
The wedding of Asia's most eligible bachelor entered its sixth day today, as Prince Abdul Mateen of Brunei's bride took part in the Berbedak Mandi ceremony.

Anisha Rosnah, 29, looked radiant in an elegant white lace gown for the spectacle, which took place at Istana Nurul Iman, ahead of their lavish ceremony in Bandar Seri Begawan.

The bride, who went to the University of Bath, wowed in a long-sleeved white gown with a lace-trimmed veil, which she paired with pearl earrings.

The couple were bathed in blessings by their nearest and dearest. Parents, siblings, and elders graced the momentous occasion.

Earlier in the day, Anisha donned a chic baju kurung by Teh Firdaus at the Khatam Quran session.

The wedding of Asia's most eligible bachelor entered its sixth day today, as Prince Abdul Mateen's bride Anisha Rosnah took part in the Berbedak Mandi ceremony

The beautiful bride looked elegant with her brunette locks swept back into a chic bun

Anisha appeared to join in with prayer among her friends and family during the ceremony

Prince Abdul Mateen enjoyed a royal powdering ceremony with bride Anisha Rosnah ahead of their wedding on Wednesday

Anisha wowed in a traditional gown and headpiece at the Powdering Ceremony

It has been reported that the couple have been dating for years and Anisha is the granddaughter of one of her soon-to-be father-in-law's closest advisers, Pehin Dato Isa.

The intricate white baju kurung was made of woven tenunan Brunei, a textile that's traditionally used for ceremonial costumes in royal events.

Yesterday, the prince enjoyed a royal powdering ceremony with his bride Anisha.

The Brunei royal, 32, looked vibrant in traditional clothes alongside his bride-to-be during the elaborate, centuries old ceremony at Istana Nurul Iman.

This ceremony is customary in Malaysia and Brunei and involves the bride and groom blessed by close family members.

The family apply paste to the hands of the couple and wish them a happy, fertile and wealthy married life.

The polo-playing prince was one of Asia's most eligible bachelors, before he met his fiancee, although little is known about how their relationship blossomed.

For the event, which is part of their ten-day wedding, the couple donned extraordinarily lavish coordinated red outfits.

This will be followed by a banquet on Sunday with royals from all over the world expected to attend.

Prince Mateen is the fourth son - and tenth child - of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, 77, and his former second wife Mariam Abdul Aziz, 67.

Hundreds of people were in attendance at the lavish Powdering Ceremony

The Brunei royal looked vibrant in traditional clothes during the elaborate, centuries old ceremony

Anisha Rosnah, 29, looked radiant in an elegant white lace gown for the spectacle, which took place at Istana Nurul Iman, ahead of their lavish ceremony in Bandar Seri Begawan

Prince Abdul Mateen sat in a lavish gold chair during the event

The family apply paste to the hands of the couple and wish them a happy, fertile and wealthy married life

Prince Abdul, left, sitting during his solemnisation at Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan

Prince Abdul (R) touching his forehead on his father's hand, Brunei's Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (second left) after his solemnisation

Abdul signing documents after his solemnisation at Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque

The couple were bathed in blessings by their nearest and dearest. Parents, siblings, and elders graced the momentous occasion

Anisha looked every inch the bride-to-be in a long-sleeved white gown with a lace-trimmed veil, which she paired with pearl earrings

Anisha kept her makeup neutral and added a slick of pink lipstick to enhance her stunning features

Anisha is an entrepreneur who runs a silk garment company and an exclusive holiday-planning startup.

It comes after Prince Abdul waved at crowds of adoring well-wishers who had gathered to get a glimpse of the prince yesterday.

On Thursday, the couple separately partook in male and female-only solemnisation ceremonies.

The solemnisation ceremony is performed by the groom and his family, while the bride is represented by the legal male representative or an elder.

During the ceremony, the groom vows to take the bride as his wife and take care of her in the presence of god and other witnesses.

Only one official photo of the couple has been released, which featured Anisha showing off her huge diamond engagement ring in a snap to mark the New Year.

Prince Mateen who is sixth in line to the throne, is a lot more open and actively engages with the public on Instagram, where he simply goes by the name of 'Mateen' - and boasts 2.4million followers.

Earlier in the day, Anisha donned a chic baju kurung by Teh Firdaus at the Khatam Quran session

The intricate white baju kurung was made of woven tenunan Brunei, a textile that's traditionally used for ceremonial costumes in royal events

Anisha looked sophisticated during the elaborate, centuries old ceremony at Istana Nurul Iman

This ceremony is customary in Malaysia and Brunei and involves the bride and groom being blessed by close family members

The polo-playing prince was one of Asia's most eligible bachelors, before he met his fiancee, although little is known about how their relationship blossomed

His lavish lifestyle is profoundly evident on the social media platform: superyachts, exotic pets, world-class hotels and private jets, intertwined with official royal engagements around the globe.

However, perhaps surprisingly, when the Prince was 24, GQ Thailand described him as 'a grounded man who doesn't like to flaunt his family's wealth'.

'He says thank you at the end of every sentence, and he makes no distinction of class or social status in his interactions with the people around him,' the publication added.

The interview highlighted that the Prince's charm captured attention more than his striking looks.

It also pointed out that Mateen was more focused on sharing his interests, and discussing family and friends, rather than the monarch's wealth.

Coincidentally, his father, the Sultan of Brunei, is one of the richest people in the world, having a net worth of over 24billion - thanks to crude oil and natural gas exports.

Prince Abdul Mateen headed to the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei on Thursday

He was joined by his father Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien, 77

Royal Brunei's Military Police fire gun salutes after Prince Abdul Mateen's solemnisation as part of the royal wedding

Prince Mateen, who was named one of Asias 50 most eligible bachelors by Tatler Magazine in 2016, obtained a Master of Arts in International Studies and Diplomacy from the University of London in 2016.

He currently serves as a helicopter pilot in the Royal Brunei Air Force, holding the rank of major.

Mateen has also showcased his passion for polo by representing Brunei at the South East Asian Games in 2017 and 2019.

The 32-year-old is an avid traveler, frequently posting pictures of exotic destinations for his Instagram audience. One photo captures him cradling a tiger cub on the beach.

He often accompanies his father on official visits, including the Coronation of King Charles II and Queen Camilla, held at Westminster Abbey on 6 May.

Earlier this month, the Sultan announced his son will marry Anisha Isa Kalebic in January 2024.

The couple have reportedly been dating for a number of years, having attended a number of events together, including the wedding of Mateens sister, Princess Azemah Nimatul Bolkiah, earlier this year.

Anisha, who is the granddaughter of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah's special advisor, Pehin Dato Isa, is said to be a thriving entrepreneur in Brunei.

To mark the New Year, Prince Abdul Mateen of Brunei shared an unseen photograph with his fiancee, Anisha Rosnah binti Adam

He was once declared one of Brunei's 'most eligible blue blood bachelors' by GQ Thailand - but Prince Abdul Mateen recently hit headlines after his New Year nuptials were revealed by his father, the Sultan

Mateen actively engages with the public on Instagram and boasts 2.4million followers

Prince Mateen serves as a helicopter pilot in the Royal Brunei Air Force, holding the rank of major

She founded the successful fashion brand Silk Collective, and co-owns a tourism enterprise, called Authentirary, with a close friend.

While it has not yet been confirmed, it is thought that the Prince and Princess of Wales, both 41, could attend the nuptials.

The Sultan and Queen of Brunei were notable guests at the wedding of William and Kate in 2011. Given this history, it's thought they will extend an invitation to the British royals for their son's special day.

Furthermore, both couples - along with Prince Mateen - attended the wedding of Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II and Rajwa Alseif in Jordan last June.

Other notable guests included Princess Beatrice, 34, and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 39.
Prince Harry's Living Legends of Aviation Award comes across as 'needy', Richard Eden has told Palace Confidential.

Speaking on the Mail+'s weekly talk show, the Daily Mail's Diary Editor said it's unclear why the Duke of Sussex, 39, is being honoured at this year's 21st Annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards in Beverley Hills.

'Frankly, I think it's a bit needy. Perhaps the organisers of these award ceremonies know that they will turn up if they give them an award, but there's something slightly pathetic,' Mr Eden said.

In conversation with the Daily Mail's Royal Editor at Large Richard Kay and show host Jo Elvin, Mr Eden added that he did a 'double take' when he heard the news of Harry's award.

While Harry 'knows how to fly a helicopter', for Mr Eden, it's 'not clear why he's being given this award' at this time.

Daily Mail's Diary Editor Richard Eden (pictured) believes that Prince Harry's latest aviation award is 'slightly pathetic'

Prince Harry undertook two tours of duty in Afghanistan as a forward air controller and an Apache helicopter pilot.

His work as a British Army veteran and pilot is set to be honoured at this year's 21st Annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards.

The decorated event - which will be hosted by John Travolta in Beverly Hills, California next Friday - will see the royal inducted alongside other aerospace icons including Fred George and Steve Hinton.

It is understood that his work with setting up the Invictus Games Foundation will also be celebrated, according to the awards' website. It is not clear whether Harry, or his wife Meghan Markle, 42, will attend the ceremony.

For Richard, the award is just the latest in a long list for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

He joked: 'The one great thing about Harry and Meghan moving to California is that they seem to be garlanded with awards, and every now and then, there's another one.'

Elsewhere on this week's episode, the royal experts discussed Princess Anne's tour of Sri Lanka, and commended the Princess Royal for carrying her own luggage off the plane.

'Isn't she terrific... that's typical Princess Anne, practical', said Richard Kay.

The Duke of Sussex is set to be honoured at this year's 21st Annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards. He is pictured above at the British controlled flight-line at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan's Helmand Province, where he was serving as an Apache Helicopter in 2013

It is unclear whether the royal will attend the glitzy Beverley Hills ceremony to pick up the awards. Harry is pictured above learning to fly the Squirrel helicopter at the Defence Helicopter Flying School in 2009

Princess Anne was welcomed to Sri Lanka with a dazzling performance by traditional dancers - and carried some of her bags off the plane.

The Princess Royal, 73, had a bag in each hand and a handbag as she walked down the plane's steps at Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake.

She's been joined by her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, 68, for a three-day visit celebrating the UK's ties with the South Asian Island.

The princess is visiting the country at the request of the Foreign Office and will begin a whistle-stop tour to mark the UK's bilateral relations with the nation, including a meeting later with President Ranil Wickremesinghe and First Lady Maithree Wickremesinghe.

Anne's practical approach to the trip impressed this week's Palace Confidential experts.

'It's a classic example of how she just wants to get on with the royal business without the flummery that other royals insist upon,' said Richard Kay.

Jo Elvin concluded: 'Long live Anne, don't mess with Anne is what I always say'.
Sean Bryan, 33, from Kilkenny, Ireland went on an unrestrained Guinness bout

A Guinness-loving bloke has claimed he down 81 pints in one weekend, and didn't even get a hangover.

Sean Bryan, 33, from Kilkenny, Ireland shared the details of his big weekend on Facebook.

While some praised him, others said it was 'dangerous' and branded him 'moronic' for 'risking his life'.

The man said he began drinking at 1pm on December 29 at his local boozer and continued over the next two days finishing his 81st pint at 9pm on New Year's Eve - before heading to bed before midnight.

Sean said he spent a staggering 400 euros (344) on beer across the three days and says Guinness is his favourite alcoholic beverage.

But after the 6ft 4in Guinness lover shared his achievements online, many social media users were unimpressed by his stunt due to the health risks and said he was 'stupid' the boast about it.

Sean Bryan, 33, drinking 81 pints of Guinness in just ONE weekend was branded 'stupid'

Hundreds Facebook users branded his behaviour as 'dangerous', while others said they wouldn't even drink that much booze in a month.

According to the NHS men and women are not advised to drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week on a regular basis.

This is the equivalent to six pints of average-strength beer or 10 small glasses of lower-strength wine and long-term alcohol misuse can result in a weakened immune system, high blood pressure, liver disease, and increase the chances of a stroke.

A pint of Guinness contains 210 calories and carries an alcohol unit count of 2.3 per pint.

In Sean's case, he was seen to guzzle down more than 17,000 liquid calories in three days, resulting in 186.3 alcohol units - more than 13 times the weekly maximum units recommendation.

Despite others raising safety concerns with the security shift worker's drinking, the 33-year-old said he doesn't count calories and believes his drinking session wasn't dangerous as it was a one off.

'I don't think it's dangerous to do on the odd occasion but if you were doing it week by week it would be,' he said.

'But as it was a one off and because it was Christmas, [it was okay] and I don't really ever count calories.

Sean was affected by some of the hurtful Facebook comments on his post which claimed he would be dead at the young age of 40

'I started drinking on Friday December 29th and I had my first Guinness at about 1pm in the local pub.

'I went home every night but [returned every day and] stayed in the pub over the weekend drinking.

'I managed to drink 81 pints of Guinness and this beat my last record of 78. It was not really a challenge I set myself, it just became a kick between friends.

'[Over the 81 pint Guinness weekend], I was just at the pub drinking with friends.

'I had my 81st pint on Sunday December 31st at 9pm and then I went home [from the pub] at 10pm, so I did not carry on drinking into the New Year. I didn't have a hangover but I was quite tired [after the weekend of drinking].

'An average pint of Guinness in a pub in Europe is about five euros and in total I spent about four hundred euros on pints of Guinness [over the three days].'

Sean said after completing his 81 pints stunt, his friends have now challenged him to drink 100 Guinnesses in three days but thankfully he is not about to try it as he believes this challenge might be impossible to complete.

Sean said: 'People in the comments were saying I would be dead before I was 40 and I was very unhealthy looking and I did take this a bit to heart.

'[Drinking the 81 Guinnesses] is over and done with now but I wouldn't want any young people reading this and thinking of me as a role model or anything like that.

'I just did it for a bit of crack. It was enjoyable to do at the time though and I think as a one off it's okay to do.

Guinness is an popular Irish dry stout that originated in a Dublin brewery in 1759

'On social media everyone has an opinion. That's the generation we're growing up in now and that's the way it is.'

After revealing his antics on social media, his post was inundated with more than 3,900 comments - many from those either criticising him for 'boasting' about it or raising concerns for his health.

One user said: 'Impressive*not.' A second user said: 'It's a stupid thing to be boasting about, whatever you may say about it.'

One user wrote: 'Stupidity at its finest boasting that they can drink themselves to death.

'I would have more respect for the chap if he had told everyone he has been sober for 81 days. Far more of an achievement.'

A fourth commented: 'Savage amount of stout - wouldn't even drink that much in a month.'

All dressed up! Although Sean embarked on a mad Guinness mission, he admitted he wouldn't want young people citing him as a role model

Sean followed up his original post a few days later, announcing that following the amount of 'abuse and health advice' he received in reaction to his claims, he was enjoying a shandy on his birthday instead.

Sean said: 'Considering the abuse and health advice I received from the many wonderful people and doctors and psychiatrists in this group on New Year's Eve I celebrated my birthday with a rock shandy but insisted on a Guinness glass.'

Alcohol Change UK said they were unable to comment on the specific incident, but issued the following guidance.

'The UK's Chief Medical Officers low-risk drinking guidelines recommend staying under 14 units a week (that's about six pints of normal strength beer or a bottle and a half of wine), and spreading your intake over three days or more with a few alcohol-free days too.

'Regularly drinking above the recommended low-risk guidelines can be harmful to our health'.

Drink Aware and Guinness were contacted for comment.
Queen Camilla has picked a racy novel that see the royal family get taken hostage to kickstart her book club.

The 76-year-old has been delving into her literary favourites in a new podcast series  The Queen's Reading Room.

And she's made quite a surprising choice with the first novel set to feature in her book club this year  The Lords' Day by English author Lord Michael Dobbs.

The thriller explores themes of love and devotion after the most powerful people in the country, including The Queen and the Prime Minister, are taken hostage at the State Opening of Parliament  an event Camilla has witnessed firsthand.

In conversation with The Telegraph, Lord Dobbs, known for writing House of Cards, revealed that he sent the novel to the royals on a whim, and in an 'unexpected' but 'wonderful' twist, it was announced on the Queen's book club line up weeks later.

Queen Camilla has selected a surprising novel for her book club, that was once accused of inspiring terrorist ideas

In 2007, The Lord's Day caused a stir for revealing faults in parliamentary security, which led Dobbs to be accused of lending ideas to terrorist organisations.

Fast forward some 16 years, and The Queen has recognised the book alongside national favourites by the likes of Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, and Ian McEwan.

Dobbs revealed that he sent a copy of his book to King and Queen via his publisher, 'I thought it would be rather fun,' he said.

And the result was remarkable.

In conversation about the Camilla's decision, Dobbs said: 'I think it shows how inclusive and open-minded she is. This isn't a fussy traditionalist; this is a Queen who has got her eyes open to the modern world.'

Her Majesty is a bookworm who has used her royal role to promote reading and help improve national literacy.

Her Instagram book club, which boasts 167,000 followers, was set up after she shared some of her lockdown reading favourites during the pandemic.

It has since become a charity and launched its own annual literary festival at Hampton Court Palace, which will be held again next year on June 8. Now, in a royal first, the Queen will share her own 'bookish treasures' in an eight-episode series.

The thriller was written by Lord Michael Dobbs (pictured) in 2007 - and he sent it to the royals for a bit of 'fun'

The novel explores themes of love and devotion after the most influential people in the country are taken hostage

What's the synopsis of the Lord's Day? The boundaries of parental love and filial devotion are explored to their breaking point in this unique and breathtaking thriller. Once a year, the Queen, the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the judges, the bishops, leaders spiritual and temporal, assemble in the House of Lords for the State Opening of Parliament. On this day, the Lords' Day, the gathering is still more impressive, for sitting beside his mother is the heir to the throne and up in the galleries are the sons of both the US President and the British Prime Minister. But they are all about to be taken hostage. The siege will lead some to selfless sacrifice, others to lose the respect of those they love most dearly... Advertisement

Camilla will present the show alongside a series of star guests including Dame Joanna Lumley, Sir Ian Rankin, David Baddiel, Elif Shafak and Countdown's Susie Dent.

It's hoped the podcast will create a space where book lovers  and those who wish to connect more with books  can hear straight from the mouths of literary heroes.

Chief executive of The Queen's Reading Room and podcast host Vicki Perrin said: 'There is nothing quite like a brilliant book recommendation from a friend; but it's even better when that person is one of your favourite authors or most admired persons.

'I hope that this podcast will inspire listeners to new literary adventures and help those wishing to love books a little more, find the books which set their imaginations alight.'

It comes after Camilla waded into the row over the decision to re-write some of Roald Dahl's most famous children's classics, urging authors to resist curbs on their 'freedom of expression'.

Speaking at a reception to mark the second anniversary of her popular online book club last year, Camilla told assembled writers: 'Please remain true to your calling, unimpeded by those who may wish to curb the freedom of your expression or impose limits on your imagination.'

The Queen has explored several of her favourite novels in her podcast The Queen's Reading Room

She looked up with a mischievous smile as she added: 'Enough said.'

Her comments were greeted by laughter and cheers of 'hear hear' by dozens of the literary world's famous figures including Simon Seabag Montefiore, Philippa Gregory, Ben Okri, Richard Osman, William Boyd, Philippa Gregory, Charlie Mackesy, Victoria Hislop and Sebastian Faulks.

The Queen Consort told those gathered: Let there be no squeaking like mice about your achievements, but only roaring like a pride of lions.

While she did not reference Roald Dahl directly it is understood that the current debate over the decision by publisher Puffin to employ sensitivity gurus to remove language they deem offensive in his works was very much in Camillas mind.

The row over woke revisionism has seen words like fat removed - August Gloop can only now be referred to as enormous - and Charlie and The Chocolate Factorys Oompa Loompas being made gender neutral.

Mrs Twit's 'fearful ugliness' has been chopped to 'ugliness' and Mrs Hoppy in Esio Trot is not an 'attractive middle-aged lady' but a 'kind middle-aged lady'.

Miss Trunchbull in Matilda, once a 'most formidable female', is now a 'most formidable woman', while her 'great horsey face' is now simply called 'her face'.

Fantastic Mr Fox's three sons have become daughters.

Passages not written by the late author, who died in 1990, have also been added by the publisher to complete their new editions.

In The Witches, a paragraph describing them as bald under their wigs is followed shortly by a new line: 'There are plenty of other reasons why women might wear wigs and there is certainly nothing wrong with that.'
King Felipe of Spain appeared in high spirits as he attended a ceremony with global ambassadors to accept their credential letters.

The Spanish head of state, 55, presided over the meeting without his wife, Queen Letizia, 51, who two days ago was spotted for the first time since her former brother-in-law revealed he was publishing a 'tell-all' book about bombshell claims they had an 'affair'.

The monarch's event took place at the Royal Palace in Madrid, and was attended by the ambassadors of North Macedonia and El Salvador among others.

Letters of Credence are documents which accredit a foreign ambassador as a representative and highest diplomatic authority of another country in Spain.

Felipe looked sharp in official robes, which featured a navy blue high-neck jacket and matching smart trousers.

King Felipe of Spain looked dapper in official robes as he attended a ceremony with global ambassadors to accept their credential letters

The garb came complete with a blue and red sash, as well as patterns of intricate gold detailing.

He teamed the outfit with his signature pair of black glossy tie-up leather loafers.

The king no doubt made a good impression on his cohorts, as evidenced by the smiling faces of guests who stood in the background.

The Letter of Credence presentation before the Head of State dates back to the 18th century, and has remained intact in its development to the present day.

The news comes as his wife Letizia put on a very confident display and betrayed no hint of worry as she arrived at the central headquarters of the Association for the Prevention, Reintegration and Care of Prostituted Women (APRAMP) in Madrid two days ago.

Letizia wowed in a smart pink tartan jumper paired with a stately black coat for the visit to the organisation, which protects sex workers in Spain.

She complemented the bright tones of her jumper with glowing make-up, adding a touch of blush on her cheeks and pink lip to match her attire.

The goal of the organisation is for victims of sexual exploitation and human trafficking recover their freedom and dignity and autonomy to begin a life outside of sex work.

The former journalist cheerfully waved and was all smiles as she was welcomed inside the building.

The monarch's event took place at the Royal Palace in Madrid, and was attended by the ambassadors of North Macedonia and El Salvador among others (pictured: King Felipe receives the credential letter from North Macedonia's ambassador Edmond Ademi)

Letters of Credence are documents which accredit a foreign ambassador as a representative and highest diplomatic authority of another country in Spain (pictured: King Felipe with El Salvador's ambassador Joaquin Alexander Maza Martelli)

The strong public appearance comes after her former brother-in-law revealed he is preparing to publish a book regarding his claims he had an affair with the Spanish Queen.

UK-based businessman Jaime del Burgo shocked the world in November by alleging he and Letizia were partners before he married her younger sibling Telma Ortiz, from whom he is now separated.

He went on to make the astonishing claim he and the former newsreader talked about starting their own family and a new life together in the States during a 'secret romance' while she was still with Spain's King Felipe.

Del Burgo made many of his allegations in an explosive book he contributed to which was published in November by royal expert Jaime Penafiel called 'Letizia y Yo' - English for 'Letizia and I'.

Two days ago Queen Letizia of Spain looked radiant as she was seen for the first time since her former brother-in-law revealed he is preparing to publish a 'tell-all' book

Letizia's former brother-in-law has revealed he is preparing to publish his own tell-all book

Now he has revealed he is preparing his own autobiographical book - 'Nothing More Than the Truth' - in a new hammer blow for the Spanish Royal Family which has reacted so far with silence.

The lawyer and entrepreneur said in a tweet: 'This week, 12co Books and 12co Libros were created to publish the autobiographical 'And Nothing But The Truth' in 2024.

'This way, we will control the complete process, editing, printing, and distribution.

'It will be accessible in ebook format for Apple and Kindle and on sale in the leading bookstores in Spain and Latin America, also in North America and some European countries.

'It will be translated into English, German, Italian and French.

'The physical book will incorporate a new system in the publishing sector to avoid plagiarism, copies, and leaks.'

He went on to add: 'The profits of And Nothing But the Truth will be transferred in their entirety to a Spanish charity company (to be announced).'
Auri Kananen spent three days scrubbing the home in Miami, Florida

An extreme cleaner has revealed the 'worst fridge' she has ever seen - and it was filled with four-year-old food and overflowing with critters.

Auri Kananen, 30, from Finland, spent three days scrubbing the house in Miami, Florida to help a mother and her 13-year-old daughter.

She said the fridge was stuffed with food that had been festering for four years and the kitchen was infested with cockroaches and spiders.

The house belonged to a 42-year-old mum who slept on a single sofa with her daughter because the other rooms were inaccessible due to the piles of rubbish.

Auri collected 203 big bags of trash while cleaning five rooms in the home and documented the process to her 10 million followers.

'Extreme cleaner' Auri Kananen spent three days cleaning a disgusting house in Miami, Florida

She described the 'worst fridge' she has ever seen, which was filled with years-old food and insects

Armed with a scraper, a toilet brush and oven cleaner, she managed to get rid of the grime in three days - transforming the family home.

The kind cleaner from Tampere, Finland, said: 'There was so much rotten food in there infested with cockroaches and spiders.

'The fridge was something out of this world, I have never seen something so dirtylicious.

'Other trash in the living room, girl's room and mum's room included dry trash, toys, food, packages and clothes.

'You couldn't see the bathroom floor.'

A video posted by Auri on her TikTok account @aurikatariina showed thick layers of rubbish lining the surfaces and floors, with critters littering the house.

By relentless scrubbing and polishing, Auri managed to transform the house into an unrecognisable state.

The self-professed 'Queen of Cleaning' travels the world tackling dirty homes for free - and earns money through social media ad revenue and sponsors.

The freezer was in a similar state and was lined with muck throughout

More bugs lurked behind the microwave and Auri said she had to 'clean round' them

Before and after! By relentless scrubbing and polishing, Auri managed to transform the house into an unrecognisable state

She says she hopes to show that 'cleaning can be fun' and says no mess is 'impossible' to tackle.

After Auri gutted the home, she said the mum and the daughter were incredibly grateful for her efforts.

Her cleaning made sure there was not a speck of dust in sight and the rooms were spotless enough that the family could hear an echo when speaking.

She said: 'At first, it felt like they didn't quite understand what we were doing.

'When the place started to look cleaner they were amazed.

'The mum thanked us so many times and finally, she came to hug me.

'The girl went to her room and was cheering because it echoed there - she was so happy about that.'

Auri started professionally cleaning in 2011, at the age of 16, and no longer charges her clients.

Her cleaning made sure there was not a speck of dust in sight and the rooms were spotless enough that the family could hear an echo when speaking

She worked for her family cleaning company for 10 years where she learned her trade using specialist products and techniques.

A year before she quit, in August 2020, she began creating cleaning content on Facebook, YouTube and TikTok - and followers started asking her to clean their homes.

She said she refuses to charge for her clients as some are struggling with their mental health and mobility and find it difficult to tidy up.

Auri made an estimated 433k from her cleaning business in 2022 - despite charging her clients nothing.

Her sponsors, including German brand Sini Cleaning, help boost her income, as well as flying her out to clients abroad.
The former TV star, 54, accompanied the caption with a picture of Jeff as a baby

She thanked him for 'giving her a reason to smile every single day' in the post

Jeff's bride-to-be celebrated with a touching message to him on her Instagram

Lauren Sanchez has shared an adorable throwback photo of her Amazon billionaire fiance, Jeff Bezos, along with a gushing tribute for his 60th birthday.

The businessman turned 60 years old on January 12, and his bride-to-be celebrated the milestone with a touching message to him on her Instagram.

The former TV star, 54, wrote about how Jeff's 'laughter fills their home,' and thanked him for 'giving her a reason to smile every single day' in the sweet post.

'Look who's turning 60,' she began. 'Happy birthday, baby. Today is another day where your laughter fills our home, and that smile of yours lights up every room.

Lauren Sanchez has shared an adorable throwback photo of her Amazon billionaire fiance, Jeff Bezos, along with a gushing tribute for his 60th birthday

The former TV star, 54, thanked Jeff for 'giving her a reason to smile every single day' in the sweet post. The couple are pictured in 2021

'Wishing you an abundance of simple joys and quiet moments of happiness. May this year be filled with everything you love, from peaceful mornings to joyous celebrations.

On her Instagram Stories, Lauren revealed that they were celebrating his birthday in Paris, France

'I hope each day brings you countless reasons to smile, just like you give me a reason to smile every single day. Love you, and happy birthday, my love.'

Along with her loving caption, Lauren shared an snap of Jeff as a toddler, taken on what appears to be his second birthday.

In the photo, young Jeff is sat at a kitchen table in front of a big chocolate cake that had two candles in it.

Little Jeff donned a red, white, and blue striped T-shirt and overalls, and munched on a piece of food.

On her Instagram Stories, Lauren revealed that they were celebrating his birthday in Paris, France.

She posted a pictured from their hotel room - which boasted a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower out the window.

In the corner, there were some white roses.

'Best morning with the birthday boy,' she captioned it.

Lauren herself recently celebrated a birthday recently. She turned 54 last month

For the occasion, she threw what looked to be an extravagant bash on Jeff's $500 million mega-yacht in St. Barts

Lauren - who got her pilot's license more than a decade ago and has called flying her 'calling' - is set to be honored at this year's 21st Annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards next week

The Living Legends of Aviation is bestowing her with its highest honor for vertical flight, the Elling Halvorson Vertical Flight Hall of Fame Award

Lauren herself recently celebrated a birthday recently. She turned 54 last month, and threw what looked to be an extravagant bash on Jeff's $500 million mega-yacht in St. Barts.

The journalist spent the evening partying alongside a slew of entrepreneurs and stars including Lydia Kives, who is the wife of talent agent and investor Michael Kives; This Is About Humanity co-founder Elsa Collins; celebrity beautician Jamie Sherrill and businesswoman Veronica Smiley Grazer.

Also in attendance was actress October Gonzalez, who is the wife of Lauren's ex Tony Gonzalez, and her sister, photographer Elena Sanchez Blair.

She looked stunning at the lavish event, donning a busty red gown that boasted a revealing cut-out right below her chest, a sheer section over her midriff, and a long, flowing skirt.

Lauren is set to be honored at this year's 21st Annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards next week.

The future Mrs. Bezos will be celebrated alongside several aerospace icons including Harrison Ford and Tom Cruise

She will be inducted next Friday alongside Fred George, Steve Hinton, and Prince Harry (seen in 2012) at the glitzy bash in Beverly Hills, California hosted by John Travolta

The future Mrs. Bezos, who got her pilot's license more than a decade ago and has called flying her 'calling,' will be celebrated alongside several aerospace icons including Harrison Ford and Tom Cruise.

The Living Legends of Aviation is bestowing her with its highest honor for vertical flight, the Elling Halvorson Vertical Flight Hall of Fame Award.

She will be inducted next Friday alongside Fred George, Steve Hinton, and Prince Harry at the glitzy bash in Beverly Hills, California hosted by John Travolta.

Lauren, who also founded the aerial film company Black Ops Aviation, has been hailed by the awards as a 'role model' and 'true inspiration' for women in the aviation industry.

While it's unclear when exactly they started dating, Lauren and Jeff's romance was first exposed by the National Enquirer in January 2019, while they were both married to other people.

Soon after it was revealed, the mogul divorced his wife of more than 25 years and the mother of his four children, Mackenzie Scott, while Lauren left her husband, Endeavor talent agency co-founder Patrick Whitesell.

While it's unclear when exactly they started dating, Lauren and Jeff's romance was first exposed in January 2019, while they were both married to other people

Soon after it was revealed, the mogul divorced his wife of more than 25 years, Mackenzie Scott (left), while Lauren left her husband, Patrick Whitesell (right)

They got engaged in early 2023, after the mogul popped the question on his yacht (seen) following a romantic dinner under the stars

The businessman - who is the third richest man in the world and has a reported net worth of $176 billion - and the journalist then made their first public appearance together in May of that year, and have been happily in love ever since.

They got engaged in early 2023, and Lauren opened up about the moment Jeff asked her to marry him to Vogue last month.

She recalled how Jeff popped the question on his yacht after they enjoyed a romantic dinner under the stars together.

She said Jeff concealed the huge diamond ring under her pillow, and that she almost 'blacked out' when she discovered it at the end of the evening just before they went to bed.

When asked about their upcoming nuptials, Lauren admitted that they were still in the early stages of planning the wedding, so they didn't have a lot figured out just yet.

'We're still thinking about the wedding and what it's going to be. Is it going to be big? Is it going to be overseas? We don't know yet,' she dished.
Count Nikolai of Denmark has shared a sweet update ahead of his grandmother Queen Margrethe's official abdication later this week.

The queen's eldest grandson, 24, who had his Prince title stripped in 2022, took to Instagram to share adorable throwback photos of his grandmother and late grandfather, Prince Henrik of Denmark, alongside a young Nikolai.

Nikolai, who is currently studying in Australia, won't be attending his uncle's crowning on Sunday.

Despite a royal row, where Nikolai and his siblings were all demoted, the dashing model appeared to have stayed on good terms with his grandmother, uncle and cousins.

Nikolai's cousin Prince Christian, 18, will become Crown Prince on Sunday, while his uncle will become King.

Count Nikolai took to Instagram to share adorable throwback photos of his grandmother and late grandfather, Prince Henrik of Denmark (Pictured: Count Nikolai alongside he grandmother Queen Margrethe and late grandfather Prince Henrik)

In this touching image, queen can be seen cradling a baby Nikolai while sporting the happiest of smiles

The royal is a student and model, currently working and living in Australia

In one of the touching photos - taken before Prince Henrik's death in 2018 - the Danish royal family can be seen in joyous spirits as they wave onward from the Palace balcony.

Captioned 'sweet memories', Nikolai also shared a close-up image of himself as a baby, while the queen cradled him closely and sported the happiest of smiles.

In a third photo, a slightly older Nikolai posed centre stage between his adoring grandparents, and donned a sharp black blazer with a sky blue dress shirt.

He beamed while waving from the palace balcony, clearly pleased to be standing amidst the two monarchs.

The post comes as Queen Margrethe announced her shock abdication last week, where she informed the nation that she would be officially descending the throne on January 14, marking the abrupt end of a 52-year monarchical legacy.

The royal, 83, rewrote history once again in September 2022, when she removed prince and princess as well as 'His/Her Highness' titles from her grandchildren Nikolai, Felix, 21, Henrik, 14, and Athena, 11, who are the children of her second son, Prince Joachim.

Queen Margrethe looked smart in a red dress jacket and monochrome frock, meanwhile her husband Prince Henrik looked dapper in a grey blazer, red and white striped shirt and a multicolour tie.

The royal made the sweet nod to his grandmother, perhaps showing staunch solidarity to her amid trying times.

The count, who recently launched a new Instagram account to promote his modelling career after being stripped of his 'HRH' status by his grandmother initially said he said he was sad, shocked and confused by her decision.

It's been a tumultuous year for the Danish Royal Family after the monarch controversially took the title from Prince Joachim's eldest son, as well as also taking the prince and princess titles from his younger children Athena, 11, Prince Felix, 20, and Prince Henrik, 13.

They are now Counts and Countess and referred to as Their Excellencies - and in January last year the Danish Royal Family updated their website to show the new status.

The Danish royal family can be seen in joyous spirits as they wave onward from the Palace balcony.

Queen Margrethe, Prince Henrik and the then-Prince Nikolai Of Denmark attend 60th birthday celebrations In Copenhagen. They appear on the balcony Of Amalienborg Palace

In her New Year's Eve broadcast, Queen Margrethe II stated: 'I have decided that now is the right time. On January 14, 2024, 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father, I will step down as Queen of Denmark'

The Queen insisted the move will be 'good for them in their future' and allow the children - who have maintained their positions in the line of succession - to 'shape their own lives without being limited by the special considerations and duties' that a formal affiliation with the Danish Royal Family involves.

Margrethe, famed for her chain-smoking as well as her flamboyant sense of style, will abdicate on January 14 and will be succeeded by her eldest son Crown Prince Frederik.

After taking over the throne in 1972, she became the longest-serving monarch in Europe following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.

In February, she underwent a successful back surgery.

It comes following reports that Prince Joachim , Frederik's younger brother, will attend the event solo to support his sibling, according to Hello!. Pictured: Counts Nikolai and Felix, Queen Margrethe, Princess Marie, Countess Athena, Prince Joachim and Count Henrik in April 2022

'The surgery naturally gave rise to thinking about the future - whether the time had come to leave the responsibility to the next generation,' she said during her New Year's Eve speech.

'I have decided that now is the right time. On January 14, 2024, 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father, I will step down as Queen of Denmark.

'I leave the throne to my son, Crown Prince Frederik.'

The Danish Royal Family has been rocked by rumours in recent weeks - after photographs emerged of Crown Prince Frederik enjoying a night out with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova in Madrid in October.

Despite the swirling rumours of the alleged 'affair', Crown Prince Frederik, 55, and his Australian-born wife Crown Princess Mary 51, made a show of unity as they headed into Aarhus cathedral on Sunday, December 24.

In Denmark, formal power resides with the elected parliament and its government. The monarch is expected to stay above partisan politics, representing the nation with traditional duties ranging from state visits to national day celebrations.

Born in 1940, Margrethe has throughout her life enjoyed broad support from Danes, who are fond of her tactful and yet creative personality.
He was once declared one of Asia's most eligible bachelors - but Prince Abdul Mateen of Brunei is now firmly off the market as he celebrates his 10-day wedding to Anisha Rosnah.

Looking effortlessly elegant, the bride, 29, stunned today in a white lace gown as she took part in the Berbedak Mandi ceremony which took place at Istana Nurul Iman, ahead of their lavish service in Bandar Seri Begawan.

The couple were bathed in blessings by their nearest and dearest. Parents, siblings, and elders graced the momentous occasion.

Although little is known about how their relationship blossomed, it's been reported that the pair have been dating for years, with Anisha's brother, Danial Isa Kelbic, a childhood friend of the Prince's.

The bride comes from a prestigious family background, with her grandfather Pehin Dato Isa having served as the Sultan of Bruneis special advisor.

He was once declared one of Asia 's most eligible bachelors - but Prince Abdul Mateen of Brunei is now firmly off the market as he celebrates his 10-day wedding to Anisha Rosnah (pictured)

He also held top government roles in Brunei during the 1960s and 1970s, including as the Deputy Attorney General and Deputy Chief Minister.

But rather than follow her grandfather's footsteps, Anisha, who studied at the University of Bath in the UK, is now a thriving entrepreneur in Brunei.

She founded the successful fashion brand Silk Collective, and co-owns a tourism enterprise, called Authentirary, with a close friend.

In her spare time, she reportedly used to run an Instagram page dedicated to food, where she would post her baking, cooking and eating adventures. However, the account hasn't been used since January 2022.

Despite her hectic schedule, Anisha and her prince also enjoy working out together, according to Hype MY.

Her brother, Danial, who has 59.8K followers on Instagram, appears to share a close friendship with Prince Mateen.

For the royal's birthday in 2013, Anisha's sibling seemingly posted a photograph of the three of them playing together as children, according to delighted fans on social media.

'Guess the feelings were never mutual haha.. Happy birthday bro!!' he captioned the snap, which showed Danial tightly hugging the reluctant prince.

To mark the New Year, Prince Mateen shared an unseen photograph with Anisha, pictured

Anisha's brother, Danial, who has 59.8K followers on Instagram, appears to share a close friendship with Prince Mateen. For the royal's birthday in 2013, Anisha's sibling seemingly posted a photo (pictured) of the three of them playing together as children, according to delighted fans on social media

Prince Mateen, who boasts 2.5million followers on his Instagram account, replied: 'Haha [thanks] dan.'

Anisha and her prince have reportedly been dating for a number of years, having attended a number of events together, including the wedding of Mateens sister, Princess Azemah Nimatul Bolkiah, in 2023.

And while her family background is prestigious, it likely doesn't compare to the household she's joining.

Its patriarch, the Sultan of Brunei, is one of the richest people in the world, having a net worth of over 24billion - thanks to crude oil and natural gas exports.

Yesterday, the prince, 32, who is the fourth son - and tenth child - of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, 77, and his former second wife Mariam Abdul Aziz, 67, enjoyed a royal powdering ceremony with his bride.

The Brunei royal looked vibrant in traditional clothes alongside Anisha during the elaborate, centuries old ceremony at Istana Nurul Iman.

This ceremony is customary in Malaysia and Brunei and involves the bride and groom being blessed by close family members.

The family apply paste to the hands of the couple and wishes them a happy, fertile and wealthy married life.

Looking effortlessly elegant, the bride, 29, stunned today in a white lace gown as she took part in the Berbedak Mandi ceremony which took place at Istana Nurul Iman, ahead of their lavish service in Bandar Seri Begawan

Prince Abdul Mateen enjoyed a royal powdering ceremony with bride Anisha Rosnah ahead of their wedding on Wednesday

Anisha wowed in a traditional gown and headpiece at The Powdering Ceremony

The polo-playing prince was one of Asia's most eligible bachelors before he met his fiancee, although little is known about how their relationship blossomed.

For the event, which is part of their 10 day wedding, the couple donned extraordinarily lavish coordinated red outfits.

This will be followed by a banquet on Sunday with royals from all over the world expected to attend.

The prince's lavish lifestyle is profoundly evident on Instagram: glimpses of superyachts, exotic pets, world-class hotels and private jets, intertwined with official royal engagements around the globe are posted on his page.

However, perhaps surprisingly, when the Prince was 24, GQ Thailand described him as 'a grounded man who doesn't like to flaunt his family's wealth.'

'He says thank you at the end of every sentence, and he makes no distinction of class or social status in his interactions with the people around him,' the publication added.

The interview highlighted that the Prince's charm captured attention more than his striking looks.

It also pointed out that Mateen was more focused on sharing his interests, and discussing family and friends, rather than the monarch's wealth.

Prince Mateen, who was named one of Asias 50 most eligible bachelors by Tatler Magazine in 2016, obtained a Master of Arts in International Studies and Diplomacy from the University of London in 2016.

He currently serves as a helicopter pilot in the Royal Brunei Air Force, holding the rank of major.

Mateen has also showcased his passion for polo by representing Brunei at the South East Asian Games in 2017 and 2019.

The 32-year-old is an avid traveller, frequently posting pictures of exotic destinations for his Instagram audience. One photo, in particular, captures him cradling a tiger cub on the beach.

He often accompanies his father on official visits, including the Coronation of King Charles II and Queen Camilla, held at Westminster Abbey on 6 May.
The soldiers took to the street of Copenhagen to prepare for the historic event

Danish troops have taken to the streets of Copenhagen to rehearse for the succession of Prince Frederik of Denmark.

The historic event, which follows Queen Margrethe's shock abdication on New Year's Eve, is an exciting event for the nation - but is set to be a much more stripped down transference of power compared to King Charles's ornate Coronation in May.

Danish troops took to the country's capital to prepare for the monumental occasion, which will take place on Sunday.

Soldiers braved the snowy conditions to prepare for the event, which involved taking horses out into the streets to see if they respond well.

'It's a big part of Denmark and it's a really important job to do... everything has to be perfect,' one soldier said.

Danish troops took to the streets of Copenhagen earlier today in preparation for Sunday's royal succession ceremony

The streets were filled with the sound of traditional trumpets as soldiers rode on horseback throughout the streets.

Elsewhere, soldiers completed last minute uniform checks to ensure each members was equipped with the correct items.

The day will kick off at around 1:35pm, with Frederik, 55, and Mary, 51, setting off in a car from Amalienborg to Christiansborg Palace, along with their son HRH Prince Christian.

Shortly after, Margrethe will follow, leaving from Christian IX's Palace in a carriage.

Both will pass through Frederiksgade, Bredgade, Kongens Nytorv, Holmens Canal and Prince Jrgen's Courtyard on the way.

At 2pm, there will be a Council of State at Christiansborg Palace, which Margrethe, Frederik, and Christian will take part in together with the Government and the Council of State secretary.

This is where the succession of the throne will happen, as Her Majesty The Queen will sign a declaration of her abdication.

Margrethe will then make her way back to Amalienborg, while Frederik and Mary will hold a formal reception for specially invited guests.

The event, which will take place on Sunday, follows Queen Magrethe's shock abdication on New Year's Eve

'It's a big part of Denmark and it's a really important job to do... everything has to be perfect,' one soldier (pictured) said

At 3pm, the couple will make a balcony appearance at Christiansborg Palace. The Prime Minister will then proclaim the King's accession to the throne.

After this, the newly crowned monarch will then speak and conclude with the motto.

It will be followed by an honourary cannon salute from the Sixtus Battery - a heritage site on Holmen, Copenhagen - and the Royal Standard will then be lowered at Christian IX's Palace (Margrethe's home) and reraised at Frederik VIII's Palace, where the new King and Queen are based.

Frederik and Mary will take a carriage from Christiansborg Palace back to Amalienborg, which will be escorted by a mounted squadron.

At 5pm, there will also be a transfer of the royal colours from Christian IX's Palace to Frederik VIII's Palace.

It comes following reports that Prince Joachim, Frederik's younger brother, will attend the event solo to support his sibling, according to Hello!.

His wife, Princess Marie, and their two children, Count Henrik, 14, and Countess Athena of Monpezat, 11, will remain in Washington DC, where the family now live after Joachim became defence industry attache at the Embassy of Denmark.

This Sunday will see Denmark welcome a new King and Queen as Crown Prince Frederik and his wife Crown Princess Mary. Pictured together in January

The historic occasion, which follows Queen Margrethe 's shock abdication on New Year's Eve, is sure to be an exciting event for the nation

A palace spokesperson said: 'Prince Joachim will be there, but the children go to school, there is no special reason,' before adding that Queen Margrethe's youngest son will leave Denmark the following day to return to his home in the US.

Tensions first arose in the Danish royal household after the monarch decided to strip four of her grandchildren of their HRH titles in 2022. She subsequently apologised about the timing of the announcement but stood by the move.

Joachim had spoken out against his mother's decision in the days that followed - claiming that his two children, Counts Nikolai, 24, and Felix, 21 - born from his first marriage to Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg - and Henrik and Athena, had been 'harmed' in the process.

Months later, the sixth-in-line to the throne admitted that 'communication was missing' within the Royal Family in the lead-up to the shock announcement.

Joachim told local news outlet B.T.: 'There is a lot to work on. Communication was what was missing. Now we have met and we are on the right track.'

The day will kick off at around 1:35pm, with Frederik, 55, and Mary, 51, setting off in a car from Amalienborg to Christiansborg Palace, along with their son HRH Prince Christian

It comes following reports that Prince Joachim , Frederik's younger brother, will attend the event solo to support his sibling, according to Hello!. Pictured: Counts Nikolai and Felix, Queen Margrethe, Princess Marie, Countess Athena, Prince Joachim and Count Henrik in April 2022

Shortly after his children were stripped of his titles, Joachim claimed that he had only been given five days notice before the news was made public.

Following the Queen's announcement, Joachim spoke to Danish publication Ekstra Bladet outside the Danish Embassy in Paris, where he lived with his French-born wife Princess Marie and his two youngest children, and said his four children had been 'hurt' by their grandmother's decision.

'I was given five days' notice to tell them. In May, I was presented with a plan which, by and large, was that when the children each turned 25, it would happen. Now I had only five days to tell them. Athena turns 11 in January,' he clarified at the time.

Speaking to B.T., Joachim and his second wife Marie also admitted their relationship with Prince Frederik and Princess Mary is 'complicated'.

Meanwhile, Joachim's ex-wife Alexandra said that her sons, Nikolai and Felix, had been left feeling 'ostracised' from the institution and the decision had come like a 'bolt out of the blue'.

The Royal Household released a further statement, saying: 'As the Queen stated yesterday, the decision has been a long time coming.

'We understand that there are many emotions at stake at the moment, but we hope that the Queen's wish to future-proof the Royal Household will be respected.'
Princess Mary's maths teacher father won't be in the crowd when she ascends to the Danish throne on Monday, January 14.

John Donaldson will sit out the history-making event in the comfort of his home in Australia.

The Royal House's head of communications, Lene Balleby, told local media the future Queen is close with her 82-year-old dad but he is unable to travel due to his age and health.

This is the second major event Mr Donaldson has had to skip in recent years: the last was Princess Isabella's Confirmation.

Princess Mary's maths teacher father John Donaldson won't be in the crowd when she ascends to the Danish throne on Monday, January 14

'Unfortunately, my father is not coming. He is getting to be an elderly gentleman and he is not well enough to take the long trip back to Denmark for a confirmation, but he is with us in our hearts,' Crown Princess Mary said at the time.

Mr Donaldson previously threw his full support behind his daughter - in her high profile role at court - and even lived in Denmark with his wife British author Susan Moody for a number of years.

He taught at both Aarhus and Copenhagen University and became renowned for wearing a kilt on special occasions such as the royal couple's wedding.

The Crown Princesses mother, Henrietta Donaldson, died from a heart condition in 1997 when Mary was just 25 years old.

This is the second major event Mr Donaldson has had to skip in recent years - the last was Princess Isabella's Confirmation

The Australian princess has been described as 'the real power behind the throne' and is loved by the Danish people.

She stood by Queen Margrethe during her controversial decision to stream line the monarch and take away Prince Joachim's children's royal titles.

The prince has revealed he will attend the event - however his wife and children will not.

Mary continued to hold her head high when her 'fairy tale relationship' with Prince Frederik was called into question after he was spotted on a night out with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova in Spain.
We expect to get colds over the winter, but this season it seems many people are really struggling to get rid of their sniffles.

Is there a particularly long-lasting virus circulating, are we just catching back-to-back bugs, or is this inability to shake off winter ailments simply a result of reduced immunity after the pandemic?

Ron Eccles, an emeritus biosciences professor at Cardiff University, and the former director of its Common Cold Centre, says winter is the most likely time of year for catching colds  especially as children have returned to school and nursery and viruses are spreading easily among them and then their parents.

'There are also more colds in winter, and the wet weather has kept us indoors and the damp has helped viruses survive better,' he adds. 'There are complaints about never-ending colds, and this may be due to multiple infections, or us being more run down and stressed at this time of year after festive excess.'

He points out that Covid is still around too, adding: 'If you're suffering from a stinking cold, it's better to keep away from anyone who could be immune-compromised as the other cold viruses can also cause serious disease in the vulnerable elderly.'

This shows the common symptoms (green tick), occasional and possible symptoms (orange circle) and the symptoms that never occur (red cross) with the common cold, flu and Covid

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Are colds really getting worse?

Jeremy Brown, a professor of respiratory infection at University College London (UCL), says there's no clear data on whether any long-lasting viruses are circulating, as very little information is collected about the duration of infectious symptoms.

He notes that some people's symptoms could be caused by Covid, adding: 'Covid is pretty indistinguishable from other respiratory viruses. It can make people feel pretty rotten  more so than standard cold viruses, but perhaps no more so than flu.'

The common symptoms of Covid haven't changed drastically  fever, sore throat, runny nose, cough and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhoea are all typical, and prolonged symptoms range from dizziness and breathlessness to changes in our senses of smell and taste.

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The pandemic may have played a part

Professor Brown says it is possible that viral infections have become worse or more prolonged after the pandemic, but he adds: 'There's been what seems like a bounce-back with frequency of infection with some respiratory viruses, although it's always hard to be sure as their incidence varies year to year anyway.

'This is not Covid impairing immunity, but lack of exposure to respiratory viruses weakening adaptive immunity to the viruses so they can more readily infect when they're circulating.'

Similarly, GP Dr Alisha Esmail says: 'One theory about lingering cold symptoms is the "post-Covid effect", in that we had less exposure to the classical winter viruses due to quarantining and isolating, and so we're catching up now on rebuilding our immune responses.

'Remember, viruses mutate and immune responses fade over time. Our individual immunity also has a huge number of factors  some within and some beyond our control.'

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics and UK Health Security Agency in December 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

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Could something else be going on?

Some people report having a long-lasting cough, dubbed the '100-day cough'. This is thought to actually be whooping cough in some cases.

Professor Brown explains: '100-day cough is classic whooping cough  it's exactly as it says, a dry cough that goes on for three months, but not really with sore throat, runny nose etc, just a cough.'

Dr Esmail explains that the most common cold viruses currently circulating are coronavirus, rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV, common in children), and para-influenza, but says: 'As far as we know, there are no new or particularly virulent viruses at play this winter, but all have different subtypes and can easily mutate, hence the possibility of catching them multiple times and in different ways.'

She says a typical cold usually lasts about seven to ten days, and the severity of symptoms can depend on the virus as well as the affected person's individual immune response. But if symptoms persist beyond three weeks, worsen suddenly, or you have a high fever or breathing trouble, a GP visit is a smart move.

'Resting, keeping well hydrated and using over-the-counter treatments could shorten its stay, but if you're still sniffling after three weeks, it's time to take some action,' she advises.

Also, if symptoms really do linger, Dr Esmail says there's a chance it might be connected to seasonal allergies, sinus infections, underlying wheeze (as with asthma) or even 'bacterial gate-crashers'  i.e. bacteria that have jumped on board, in which case, antibiotics may be needed (but these won't help if it's a virus).

Dr Esmail, who works at the London Gynaecology private clinic, says lack of sleep, poor nutrition and high stress levels can also prolong illness and weaken the immune system, and stresses that if symptoms persist for a long time, it's worth visiting your GP.
Surgeons had to remove a 3cm nail from a man's brain after he accidentally fired a nail gun through his eye.

Sharing gory details of the freak incident in a medical journal, doctors in Malaysia told how the unidentified 30-year-old temporarily lost his sight.

The man, who had been working on a construction site, was not wearing protective goggles while using the nail gun.

After the power tool jammed, he looked straight down the gun barrel to check it, then mistakenly discharged it.

It missed his left eyeball by millimetres but still penetrated the front section of his brain, fracturing his eye socket.

Miraculously, medics managed to remove the nail completely and said he was very lucky not to have suffered nerve damage or lost his eye.

Sharing gory details of the incident in a medical journal, medics in Malaysia told how the unidentified 30-year-old temporarily lost his sight. The man, who had been working on a construction site, had not been wearing protective goggles. After his nail gun jammed, he checked the gun barrel before mistakenly discharging the power tool

It missed his left eyeball by millimetres but still penetrated the frontal lobe of his brain, fracturing his eye socket. Medics, however, removed the nail completely. Experts said he was very lucky not to suffer nerve damage or lose his eye

Upon arrival at Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah in Alor Setar, on the west coast of the country, the man's eye was painful, bleeding and swollen.

He was immediately given a tetanus jab, antibiotics through a drip and anti-seizure medication.

Medics found extensive bleeding under the surface of and in the front chamber of the eye. He was also unable to see light through the left eye.

X-ray and CT scans of his skull showed the nail had penetrated the frontal lobe of the brain  an area vital for movement and language.

It had then caused bleeding, which had extended to neighbouring brain regions.

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Remarkably, it had missed vital arteries and nerves, preventing long-term nerve damage.

The man was rushed into emergency surgery, where medics successfully removed the nail in one piece, along with damaged tissue, stitched up the wound and repaired his eyelid.

The man spent five days in intensive care before he was discharged.

Writing in the journal Cureus, doctors said: 'He recovered well during his postoperative period with no neurological deficit.'

However, he was still unable to shut his eye properly a week after surgery and could not see light through the left eye.

Medics don't know how his recovery continued, as he returned to his unidentified home country for further care.

Injuries that penetrate the brain and eye are known medically as transorbital-penetrating intracranial injuries (TOPI).

Studies have shown the injury can prove fatal in a third of cases, even when timely surgery is performed, rising to more than half (53 per cent) when surgery is delayed.

While often life-threatening, many TOPI cases are preventable by through education and workplace safety measures.

The medics urged workers to wear proper PPE including safety goggles and helmets.

'Adequate personal protective equipment should be provided by the employers, as well as proper training and demonstration on safe handling of the tools for the workers in order to prevent work-related injuries,' they said.
A former Trump Administration medical advisor has claimed that long Covid is similar to HIV.

Dr Deborah Birx, who served as White House Coordinator from 2020-2021, claimed that, like HIV, Covid 'quietly destroyed' some people's immune systems even if they were asymptomatic, leaving them prone to health problems months and years later.

But the comments drew criticism from academics online, who accused her of downplaying the severity of HIV and overstating the damage of long Covid, which is widely thought to have been over-exaggerated.

In an interview with News Nation Wednesday, Dr Birx said 'the reason the comparison to HIV is important,' is because both are asymptomatic, adding: 'There's a lot of destruction that mild and moderate Covid can do that is unseen, just like HIV was destroying our immune system.

'And if you're diagnosed today, you can live a very normal lifespan, and people not only survive but thrive. We need to get to the point where people with long Covid... can not only survive but thrive.'

Dr Deborah Birx (pictured right), who served as the White House Coordinator under President Trump from 2020-2021, told News Nation: 'The reason the comparison to HIV is important is because HIV was also asymptomatic'

Dr Jay Bhattacharya, a medical professor at Stanford, called her comparison 'bad science' and slammed her as 'irresponsible.'

He wrote on Twitter: 'This is bad science communication that risks panicking the population over bad science.

'Covid is not HIV and the scientific evidence does not support that conclusion. It is very wrong to say that long Covid is similar to [the long-term consequences of] HIV.'

'It's irresponsible. Scientifically wrong and prone to cause panic in the mouth of the former White House Covid advisor,' Dr Bhattacharya added.

Unless a person is treated very soon after infection, inactive HIV can hide inside cells and can multiply once treatment stops.

HIV is grouped to the genus Lentivirus, whereas Covid belongs to the betacoronavirus genus.

If HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS, and without medication, people typically survive about three years.

An estimated 36.3 million people have died from AIDS-related illnesses since the start of the epidemic in 1981.

Roughly 1.2 million Americans have HIV, and while there is currently no cure, drugs reduce the amount of virus in the body by stopping it from replicating, meaning it cannot be transmitted to others and will not cause harm in the body.

Symptoms include fever and muscle pains, headache, sore throat, night sweats and diarrhea, but some can go a decade or more without symptoms.

Long Covid is defined as the continuation or development of new symptoms three months after initial Covid infection, with symptoms lasting at least two months with no other explanations.

Symptoms include chronic pain, brain fog, shortness of breath, chest pain and intense fatigue.

It is thought that long Covid is caused by persisting pieces of the Covid virus in the body which cause problems for years after infection.

Researchers at UCSF and Gladstone Institutes in San Francisco recently found new evidence to support this theory.

Long Covid is thought to affect between nine and 20 million Americans, but it is notoriously difficult to diagnose and, increasingly, scientists believe the estimates are too big.

Dr Birx told News Nation: 'We're learning now about mitochondria and viral impact and brain fog, and the changes in our neurons and the cells that nourish the neurons that really allow us to think and move, and we're learning that because of what long Covid has done.'

She said: 'The reason the comparison to HIV is important is because HIV was also asymptomatic. You couldn't see the virus through symptoms because people were infected for seven, eight, or nine years before they developed symptoms.

'But HIV quietly destroyed our immune system... We're learning now about mitochondria and viral impact and brain fog, and the changes in our neurons and the cells that nourish the neurons that really allow us to think and move, and we're learning that because of what long Covid has done.'

Researchers at UCSF studied 43 people who had Covid in 2020 and examined the differences between the 16 who fully recovered and the remaining 27 who have been left with persistent symptoms.

They looked at the role of the T-cells, which coordinate the body's immune response.

Nadia Roan, professor of urology at UCSF and the study's senior author, said: 'A striking finding we made was that while this T-cell coordination was observed in those that successfully recovered from long Covid, as expected of normal, healthy individuals, it was lost in those with long Covid.'

The researchers analyzed blood samples and found that instead of the antibodies working properly with the T-cells, there was a disconnect.

'The antibody response was discoordinated from the T-cell response,' Roan said.

In participants with ongoing symptoms, the immune cells showed signs of chronic inflammation and an unusually high movement of T-cells into tissues.

It is thought to be due to bits of Covid which never left the body.

Killer T-cells, which are in charge of clearing out cells infected with Covid, were consistently stopped by the virus and became worn out.

Dr Roan said the phenomenon of T-cell exhaustion is well-known in studies of HIV, too.
America's leading pediatricians have sparked controversy after suggesting that it is child abuse to deny gender-affirming care to minors.

The influential American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) said that withholding [gender-affirming care] is harmful to children and amounts to state-sanctioned medical neglect and emotional abuse.

The AAP made the claim in a consensus statement published in late December and the declaration was in response to a wave of age restrictions on puberty-blocking drugs and surgeries for children in Republican states.

While its views are not medically binding, the panel is made up of 70,000 of the country's top child doctors and its recommendations are considered the gold-standard.

But healthcare experts in other countries have called the AAP's comments unethical and irresponsible, focusing more on the politics of the moment than medicine.

views are not medically binding, the panel is made up of 70,000 of the country's top child doctors and its recommendations are considered the gold-standard

A growing number of states, primarily those led by Republicans, have introduced and enacted a flurry of bills restricting youth access to puberty blockers and hormones

The US has become an outlier among most Western countries when it comes to treating children suffering from gender dysphoria - with the UK, France, Sweden, and a host of other European countries all pausing puberty blocking drugs and surgeries in minors until more is known about their long-term mental and physical effects.

In the US, the issue has become a political lightning rod, with over a dozen Republican states limiting children's access to transition medicine and promising to punish doctors and patients who allow it.

Meanwhile, blue states have painted themselves as liberal bastions for LGBTQ individuals by requiring that insurers cover certain services and proving legal protection for people who travel from restrictive states for treatment that has been banned at home.

AAPs official journal Pediatrics that argued added that legislative efforts across the country to limit access to that care operate under the guise of protecting children.

In reality, they punish caregivers and physicians when they choose to support children.

'They deny children access to routine health care that has been shown to decrease dramatically high rates of suicide and depression for [transgender and gender diverse] youth.

The AAP has long been a defender of access to transition medicines and surgeries for young people, pointing to preliminary research that suggests in the short-term, it improves the mental health of trans children.

However, there are fears in the US and other countries that children with depression, eating disorders, and other mental conditions, as well as autism spectrum disorder, are being rushed into transition without digging deeper into psychological symptoms that could explain their feelings of mismatch between their bodies and their sense of self.

There has also been a wave of 'de-transitioners' in several Western countries who have come to regret their choice to transition in their younger years, believing doctors failed them by not challenging them as children, leaving them to suffer irreversible physical issues like trouble using the toilet, or having sex.

Bev Jackson, co-founder of the UK-based LGB Alliance, a charity that supports gays, lesbians, and bisexuals but opposes gender-affirming care told DailyMail.com: What worries us particularly is in the US its red states vs blue states.

Its become a highly politicized issue, and the idea of any medical issue becoming politicized is highly alarming because when youre treating patients, you should care only about the evidence base.

Jackson added: The worst thing is this is presented as progressive. [If I were an American] I would be a Democrat. But on this issue, the Democrats are very wrong.

As the US has become increasingly divided on the issue, the UK government paused all puberty blockers for children last year, saying more research is needed into the potential benefits and harms.

The move has not received significant backlash. It came after an explosive investigation into The Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) at Tavistock finding that health providers there were wrongly fast-tracking children into changing their gender  with the mental health and social reasons behind their wishes being overlooked.

Similar pauses have been imposed in Sweden, France, Finland, and Norway.

The issue of transgender children's access to healthcare has become a political lightning rod, deepening the divide that separates Democrats and Republicans

Stephanie Davies-Arai, Director of the UK-based campaign group Transgender Trend, told DailyMail.com: It is irresponsible for any health body to put out guidance on that basis. They cannot say with certainty that this approach is safe, yet they are issuing guidance.

We have to remember that this whole gender affirmative approach is not a clinically developed approach. The previous approach for children was waiting and giving some therapeutic help. It is case by case. And that approach was never found to cause harm. There werent risks with that approach.'

At least 22 Republican states have enacted restrictions on gender-affirming care for children, with supporters arguing that the objective is to protect children from irreversible medical intervention.

But blue states and cities have taken a hardline against those efforts, and trans rights have become a litmus test for US politicians seeking election in the fall.

Ms Davies-Arai said: Because its so politicized, if you question it, youre labeled as transphobic. So its not being looked at as a medical issue; its all political. When that happens, all medical ethics go out the window.

Unlike most European countries where universal healthcare is guaranteed thanks to taxpayer dollars, the US healthcare system is private and run primarily by insurance conglomerates such as Blue Cross Blue Shield and Elevance, which pass down costs to patients.

If they dont have an insurance policy requiring a monthly premium, they must foot the entire bill themselves.

Not all insurance will cover monthly puberty-blocking shots or hormone therapies, which can cost around $1,200 a pop, making the business of providing gender-affirming care highly lucrative.

Theres a lot of money to be made in the US on this, Ms Jackson said.

There is also evidence of children undergoing the transition process only to regret it when they get older.

Prisha Mosley, 24, started taking testosterone aged 17 and had her breasts removed the following year. She regrets her decisions and is raising money to pay for treatment to detransition

The young man, known only as Kobe, is pictured here on the left after he decided to stop transitioning and on the right after he made the decision, which he now regrets

Prisha Mosley, a 24-year-old from Michigan, started taking testosterone aged 17 and had her breasts removed the following year. She has come to regret her decision and is raising funds on GoFundMe to help cover the cost of the detransition process.

She discovered transgenderism online and started socially transitioning to being a boy aged 15, believing it would help her anorexia, anxiety, depression and other mental health issues.

Looking back, she says she and her family were emotionally manipulated by the gender specialist who approved her to see a doctor for hormones and a later surgeon for top surgery after only brief consultations.

Doctors may be able to reconstruct her breasts, but it's unclear whether she'll be able to conceive children. She has no sensation in her chest and suffers from vaginal atrophy and dryness, which makes intercourse painful.

A detransitioning woman from Maryland named Cassie who had a mastectomy at age 14 later said that therapists she met with beforehand insisted the surgery was the 'only solution' to her mental health issues - despite her also struggling with bipolar disorder, autism, and sexual assault trauma.

She also claimed that her doctor encouraged her to get the procedure done after only one visit and regretted the decision almost immediately after the surgery. She has branded it as 'medical malpractice' that professionals didn't take more time to go over the long-term effects and potential consequences beforehand.

Meanwhile, an American named Kobe who began puberty blockers at 13 and had his testicles removed at 19, said he bitterly regrets his decision to transition and was told to 'play the suicide card' by older trans people in order to receive treatment.

He now suffers from severe spinal pain he fears could be osteoporosis, with puberty blockers linked to bone injuries.

There are signs that the US is slowing down on its push to make transition medicine available to young adolescents just as the UKs National Health Service did following a review of Tavistock gender clinic that found children were being referred for medical treatment prematurely and in surging numbers.

Vanderbilt University froze all gender-affirming care for children in 2022 after a specialist at the hospital was found touting transition surgeries as huge money makers for their boss.

Between 2009 and 2019, the number of teens seeking transitional treatment increased 1,000 percent in biological males, and 4,400 percent in females.

In the US, the numbers of youths identifying as transgender has nearly doubled since 2017, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Ms Davies-Arai said: 'A child is on the path to being a lifelong medical patient. Whether they carry on or not, if they detransition, you cant just stop. You will still have to be monitored for life, and you still have to work out which hormones to take.'
Here in the Dark

by Alexis Soloski

(Raven Books 16.99, 256pp)

(Raven Books 16.99, 256pp)

This is a very clever book indeed. Soloski is herself a prize-winning theatre critic for the New York Times and the book is packed with gripping insider knowledge of the dark side of a critics life.

The main character, 30-year-old Vivian Parry, is a pill-popping, hard-drinking junior theatre critic. She is aiming for promotion and agrees to being interviewed by academic David Adler because it may help that promotion. But the interview throws up some disturbing secrets about Vivian, and then Adler goes missing.

Vivian gets mixed up in a real-life drama that forces her into the role of amateur sleuth among Russian mobsters and weird policemen. She is a terrifically compelling character, and Soloskis inventive take on the blurring of reality and art drives the riveting plot, leading beautifully to the books remarkable conclusion.

The Last Resort

by Heidi Perks

(Publisher 8.99, 368pp)

(Publisher 8.99, 368pp)

Erin and Will are having couples therapy to save their once-perfect marriage. But their marriage counsellor, Maggie, suddenly develops her own agenda when Erin mentions something from the couples past that touches on Maggies own private trauma. So whose side is Maggie on and what caused her trauma?

This story is multi-layered and tense, with a terrific beginning that sees Erin lying in hospital after being critically injured in a hit-and-run accident.

The smart psychological jeopardy is matched by the well-observed characters and a portrait of a modern marriage that will ring worrying bells with younger readers.

Some of the connections are a bit of a stretch but the plot delivers a carefully calibrated and very successful climax. Another winner from Perks who has quite the following now.

The Actor

by Chris Macdonald

(Michael Joseph 16.99, 384pp)

(Michael Joseph 16.99, 384pp)

Method actor Adam Sealey is finally close to winning an Oscar, having collaborated with his controversial former acting teacher, Jonathan Dors. But secrets involving Sealey decades ago at his old drama school are suddenly in danger of coming out, which could endanger his life-long dream.

From Daniel Day-Lewis onwards, there has been a distinct fascination with method acting, which involves excavating personal traumas and suffering to fully inhabit a role. This is brilliantly evoked here. There is an almost universal unpleasantness about the characters that is both repellent and totally compelling.

Macdonald (who apparently attended an acting school that closed after a review of its methods) has a real understanding of the actors mind. And perhaps more importantly, the moral ambivalence of us, the audience.

He has produced a quietly spectacular study of the actors world and a first-class thriller to boot.
The number of fixed-rate energy deals on the market is still low - and most work out as the most expensive way to power a home.

UK households are currently paying typical energy bills of 1,928 a year - the average amount paid for gas and electricity for a variable-rate deal limited by the Ofgem price cap.

The only hope of paying less than that is finding a cheaper fixed-rate deal, which were once the most common type of energy tariff but have now almost dried up.

Although fixed-rate energy deals are coming back, the latest figures from Ofgem and Cornwall Insight show that these tariffs remain scarce - and expensive.

Fix up: The number of fixed energy tariffs is slowly climbing, data shows

Figures on the number of fixed-rate deals are hard to come by.

But energy analysts at Cornwall Insight told This is Money there are currently just 27 such deals available for new and existing customers, with an additional five for existing customers only - a total of 32.

That is a small rise on the 28 fixes available in December 2023 (five for existing customers) and 26 in November 2023 (six for existing customers).

Most fixed-rate energy tariffs are also still expensive, offering little incentive for customers to leave variable-rate deals.

Ofgem said the average fixed rate energy deal cost exactly 100 a year more than a price-capped tariff in November 2023, according to its latest figures.

However, some energy fixes are cheaper than price-capped ones.

The cheapest fixed-rate tariff on the market now with no strings attached costs 1,804 a year, from Home Energy.

That is 104 a year cheaper than a price-capped deal, for average energy use.

The absolute cheapest fix is 1,757 a year, from Ovo, 171 a year cheaper than a price-capped tariff. However, this deal also requires customers to take out boiler cover through the energy firm.

Richard Neudegg, director of regulation at Uswitch, said: 'There are more fixed deals available now, than this time last year when there were barely any. Yet there is still significantly less than before the energy crisis, when the energy firms would often offer multiple fixed options.

'Some fixed deals are only available to existing customers but there are some open to new customers, which gives households looking for price certainty some choice over their energy tariff. More still needs to be done to encourage suppliers to bring attractive deals to the market.'

How can I tell if a fixed will save me money?

To work out if an energy deal - fixed or otherwise - is cheaper than you are paying now, compare the unit rate and standing charge with what you currently pay.

The average home is paying rates limited by the Ofgem price cap, which means 53p a day in electricity standing charges and 30p for gas, while electricity unit rates are 29p per kilowatt-hour (kWh) and 7p/kWh for gas.

The massive variable is what happens with the Ofgem price cap in the future. It might be possible to lock into a cheaper deal now, only to see the price cap fall significantly, leaving you overpaying.

When will cheaper energy deals come back?

It is unlikely that many more fixed rates will launch in the near future, or that they will be that cheap.

Cornwall Insight analyst James Mabey said: 'We do not expect there to be a substantial rise in fixed tariffs over the next few months.

'Despite wholesale prices easing relatively through the latter part of 2023, the Market Stabilisation Charge (MSC) is still in play, and has risen steadily since December, meaning there remains a financial risk for suppliers to offer fixed tariffs that are at a price position likely to significantly turn the dial.'

The MSC means no energy firm is likely to bring out fixed-rate deals that seriously undercut their rivals, as this would mean they gain customers but risk losing money by having to compensate their opponents if wholesale prices fall.

As the name suggests, the point of the MSC is that it stabilises the market by stopping one energy firm coming out with very cheap deal and causing the others to fail.

The MSC ends on 31 March 2024.

Another Ofgem policy that is holding back the launch of more fixed rates is the ban on acquisition-only tariffs (BAT), Mabey added.

This is an Ofgem policy which stops energy firms offering cheaper deals to new customers, unless they offer these prices to their current customers as well.

Like the MSC, Ofgem brought this policy in in April 2022 to stop one energy firm drastically undercutting its rivals at a time of great turmoil for energy firms.

Mabey said: 'Ofgem has confirmed that the MSC will expire on 31 March, while the future of the BAT remains unclear, with the regulator considering whether to extend the measure past 31 March.'

Neudegg added: 'The energy price cap for standard plans is predicted to fall in April, yet well need to wait until February for Ofgem to confirm.

'We would expect declining wholesale energy rates to also flow into more competitive pricing for fixed deals too, but there are regulations in place that are holding back competition.

'Ofgem needs to do more to encourage suppliers to offer competitively priced deals. We would like to see providers be innovative with their tariffs to create genuine points of difference to give consumers many more options.'

Why are there so few fixed-rate energy deals?

Energy companies have been slow to bring fixed-rate deals back onto the market.

The problem began when wholesale energy prices began spiking in late 2021. At the time, most households had fixed-rate tariffs, where they locked in to a unit rate and daily standing charge.

This applied regardless of how much their energy firm was buying gas and electricity for at the time - a delicate balance.

So when wholesale energy prices began to rocket this presented a big problem for gas and electricity firms, many of whom were stuck buying energy at far more than the price they were selling it for to consumers.

In response, many energy firms collapsed. At its peak the UK once had 70 different energy providers, in June 2018, but that has now fallen to 21, according to Ofgem figures.

Energy firms also began hiking the price of fixed-rate deals in August 2021, and by September 2022 there were no fixes available for new customers at all.

These fixed-rate deals began trickling back onto the market from June 2023, but have remained low in number and high in price.
Crispin Odey is understood to have pocketed almost 29million at his hedge fund last year before stepping down following sexual assault claims against him.

In the final set of accounts filed on Companies House, profits at Odey Asset Management more than tripled to 63.9million for the 12 months to April 5, up from 18.8million the year before.

Profits were distributed between 11 members but not split evenly  with one member, believed to be Odey, taking home 28.6million.

Odey stepped down in June after the Financial Times said it had spoken to 13 women who alleged that they were abused or harassed by the fund manager.

The women either worked for the asset manager or dealt with him in a professional capacity.

Profits: Crispin Odey stepped down at Odey Asset Management in June after the Financial Times said it had spoken to 13 women who alleged they were abused or harassed by him

Following the allegations it was decided in October that the fund would be wound down.

The alleged incidents are reported to have occurred between 1998 and 2021. Odey has denied all the allegations against him.

The Financial Conduct Authority is currently investigating Odey to see if he is fit and proper to work in financial services.

He has for years faced allegations of sexual misconduct, and in 2021 was found not guilty in a court case which accused him of indecent assault in 1998.

The accounts also show that Odey Asset Management funds under management grew to 3.5billion by April 5 last year, up from 3billion by the same point the previous year.

The firm was launched in 1991 and became one of the more successful hedge fund managers in London.

At its peak, Odey Asset Management had 11billion assets under management.
Challenge: Peter Ruis (pictured) will become John Lewis's executive director next week

John Lewis Partnership has brought Peter Ruis back to lead its department store business.

The ex-Jigsaw boss will become executive director from the start of next week. He returns to John Lewis, having held several roles there between 2005 and 2013.

He has since run Jigsaw, been managing director at Anthropologie and, most recently, chief of Canadian book and lifestyle retailer Indigo.

Ruis will take over from Naomi Simcock, who took on the interim job in February last year after the departure of previous boss Pippa Wicks, who stepped down amid reports of a culture clash at the top of the firm.

Simcock will now move to be the operations director.

Ruis will help drive a turnaround after John Lewis posted another loss in the first half of the latest financial year.
Tech giant Microsoft leapfrogged Apple to become the worlds largest listed company  worth close to 2.3trillion.

As the two battle it out in the race to develop Artificial Intelligence (AI), Microsoft rose around 1 per cent in early trading in New York.

With Apple dipping, it overtook the iPhone maker to become the most valuable company in the world by market capitalisation.

Microsoft is up sharply since last year thanks to its early lead in generative AI through investing in ChatGPT-maker OpenAI.

Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at AJ Bell, added: For years it was viewed by many investors as a bit of a tech dinosaur.

Tech leader: Microsoft is up sharply since last year thanks to its early lead in generative AI through investing in ChatGPT-maker OpenAI

Theres been an unmistakable sea change. Momentum and excitement have returned.

AI has set markets ablaze and with so many potential beneficiaries and opportunities, theres a lot of money to be made.

Back in London, the FTSE 100 fell 1 per cent, or 75.17 points, to 7576.59 and the FTSE 250 dipped 0.9 per cent, or 172.15 points, to 19,107.93.

Cyber security firm Darktrace rose 9 per cent, or 30.3p, to 365.9p after it hiked sales and earnings expectations and forecast strong demand for AI products.

The Cambridge firm said it was in a strong position to capitalise on its cyber security tools. It reported sales growth of 27 per cent for the six months to December 31.

The update comes as boss Poppy Gustafsson waits to be questioned in the US criminal trial of British entrepreneur Mike Lynch, who she worked with at software company Autonomy.

Lynch has been accused of falsely inflating the value of Autonomy before it was sold to US tech giant HP in 2012 for 8billion. He denies the allegations.

Stock Watch - Windward Windward soared after the maritime AI firm cashed in on demand for its services amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and Red Sea attacks. The group, which tracks vessels across oceans for customers like BP and Shell, expects to have increased revenues by 31 per cent to around 22million in 2023 and narrowed losses from 9.5million to about 4million,  comfortably ahead of forecasts. Shares listed at 155p in 2021, peaking at 220p soon after, and climbed 22 per cent, or 19.5p, to 108p yesterday.

Gustafsson may be quizzed over deals she was involved in while working in Autonomys finance department between 2009 and 2011, The Times reported. Lynchs trial is due to start on March 18.

Miner Anglo American rose 0.9 per cent, or 16.6p, to 1839.8p, buoyed by higher metal prices.

There are increasing reasons why now is a good time to investment in copper prices such as Antofagasta, according to analysts at RBC, who said it should benefit from limited supply pushing up prices. Antofagasta rose 0.3 per cent, or 5p, to 1588p.

Review website Trustpilot climbed to the top of mid-cap index following a bumper update.

The FTSE 250 firm expects revenues to be up by 17 per cent to 138million in 2023 with bookings rising 16 per cent to 153million.

It also launched a share buyback worth 20million. Shares jumped 12.3 per cent, or 17.9p, to 163.5p.

Exhibitions organiser Informa expects to make up to 965million profit this year, around 120million more than it made in 2023.

It has also agreed to merge its digital businesses with the US firm Tech Target. Shares slid 2.5 per cent, or 19.6p, to 765.6p.

Advertising giant WPP fell 4 per cent, or 30.4p, to 729p after analysts at UBS downgraded their rating on the stock over concerns that clients will continue to reduce spending on ads.

Property firms London Metric and LXi have agreed to merge in a tie-up that will see it become the UKs fourth-largest real estate investment trust.

London Metric rose 1.2 per cent, or 2.2p, to 186.3p while LXi was up 0.5 per cent, or 0.5p, to 103.5p.

Robert Walters  up 2.4 per cent, or 10p, to 420p  axed 220 roles between October and December as it saw its fees decline 10pc to 91.4million. But it expects to have made 20.5m of profit in 2023.

Estate agent Savills is pinning its hopes on business improving this year as market uncertainty fades. Shares increased 0.5 per cent, or 5p, to 981p.
A company planning to restore and open secret Second World War tunnels in central London is set to become the Citys first IPO of the year.

London Tunnels confirmed its intention to float on Friday, with plans to raise 30million at a valuation of 123million.

It has already raised 10million from private investors.

London Tunnels plans on creating a 'digital realm' in tunnels in central London

The company is looking to turn unused walkways and shelters used in WWII into an international tourist attraction.

Originally built in the early 1940s, the Kingsway Exchange Tunnels in central London were designed to shelter people during the Blitz.

It is also thought to have inspired Ian Flemings description of Q-Branch in James Bond.

CEO Angus Murray said: This unique set of tunnels, owned by a British company, built by the British Government, for the defence of Britain, that can further enhance Londons reputation as a leading tourist destination, should be listed in London. As a result we intend to announce our intention to float on the London Stock Exchange.

The Admission of The London Tunnels to the London Stock Exchange offers both UK and International investors a chance to support, while owning part of, this unique irreplaceable heritage and cultural attraction located in Central London.

We envisage the London Tunnels achieving the same iconic status in London as the London Eye.

The firm plans to create a digitally curated realm beneath London using immersive screens and interactive structures.

It also plans to transport visitors to iconic global landmarks such as the Amazon rainforest or the Great Wall of China.

Initially, however, the proceeds of the IPO will be used to secure planning permission for the project from Camden council.

London Tunnels told This is Money it expects to secure permission imminently.

Concept: London Tunnels envisages bar space

The firm then expects to welcome 2million visitors per year once it has launched, which is currently scheduled for 2027.

The tunnels, which extend beneath Holborn and Chancery Lane, will also be open in their current condition to small groups of visitors in the first three months of this year.

It follows similar developments across other parts of London, in Vauxhall, Shoreditch and Peckham, which have turned tunnels into bars and music venues.
It's ten thousand miles from Sydney to the Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen.

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark has certainly come a long way since she first met Crown Prince Frederik in the Slip Inn pub as the city staged the 2000 Olympics.

And the scale of her transformation will never be clearer than on Sunday. For, by the time evening falls, the princess will be Queen.

January 14 is when her 83-year-old mother-in-law Queen Margrethe steps down after 52 years on the throne, an abdication announced in a live television broadcast on New Year's Eve to the surprise of the Danish public.

Margrethe will replaced by her eldest son Frederik, with Mary as Queen Consort.

As Crown Princess, Mary already has all the fashions, stylists and accessories she could possibly need.

But this weekend, the Australian-born 'commoner' will be granted access to something else as well: a treasure chest of magnificent jewels to be worn by the queen. And only the queen!

Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark arrive at Amalienborg Palace for the traditional new year reception on January 1, 2024

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark attend a dinner hosted by Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands ahead of her abdication in favour of Crown Prince Willem Alexander at Rijksmuseum on April 29, 2013

Denmark's Queen Margrethe, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary greet the diplomatic corps on the occasion of the New Year at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen

The Crown Emerald Parure

The Danish Royal family is the only European royal family who can trace its lineage directly back to Gorm the Old and the first kings of their country.

Yet there hasn't been a coronation for more than 400 years and by the middle of the 18th century, there were no crown jewels.

That's when Queen Sophie Magdalen decided to rectify the situation, dictating in her will that her jewels must be passed down from queen to queen, bemoaning that:

'In this Royal House, there are so few jewels and not any crown jewels at all.'

Queen Margrethe of Denmark poses in the emerald parure for her 40th birthday

The Crown Emerald Necklace in detail

Exquisite craftsmanship close up

The parure includes matching diamond and emerald earrings

Queen Margrethe Of Denmark Attending A Reception At The Christiansborg Palace To Celebrate The Forthcoming Marriage Of Her Son

Sophie Magdalene of Brandenburg-Kulmbach, Queen of Denmark and Norway

The Crown Emerald Diadem

The brooch from the Crown Emerald Parure

Many of her original jewels were then redesigned in the 1840s by the German goldsmith C.M. Weisshaupt & Sons for Queen Caroline Amalie.

Probably the most important is the Crown Emerald Parure.

Created in 1840, it comprises of a diadem, a necklace, a brooch which can be taken apart and worn in several smaller pieces, and a pair of earrings - all set with brilliant diamonds and emeralds.

The largest emeralds were given to Queen Sophie Magdalene by her husband King Christian VI in 1723 to celebrate the birth of their first child, who became Frederick V.

It has frequently been worn by Queen Margrethe for State occasions, most particularly the New Year Reception.

The Crown Pearl and Ruby Parure

This 1842 parure is made up of some of the oldest of the Danish jewels.

It includes a large pearl necklace, pearl, ruby and diamond earrings and a large pearl, ruby and diamond brooch which can be taken apart and worn in different ways.

Queen Margrethe sometimes wore the brooch attached to the necklace. There are also two small locks that can be linked together.

The Crown Pearl and Ruby Parure set

The huge pearl, ruby and diamond earrings from the set

Queen Charlotte Amalie wearing a beautiful pearl necklace very similar to the pearls in the Crown Pearl and Ruby Parure

The large pearls in the necklace can possibly be traced back to Christian IV's daughter Leonora Christina Ulfeldt who is wearing a large pearl necklace in a 1647 portrait.

It is thought that when she was imprisoned for 22 years for supporting her husband, who was arrested for trying to poison the royal family, the pearls were passed to Queen Charlotte Amalie. She became queen in 1670.

According to Peter Kristiansen in his book Power, Splendour and Diamonds, the pearls could be Norwegian river pearls as Danish queens of the 1600s had exclusive rights to pearl fishing in Norway.

The Rose-Cut Diamond Parure

Again made in 1840 for Queen Caroline Amalie, this suite consists of a rose-cut diamond belt, which can be transformed into two necklaces, and a brooch which can be four smaller brooches.

This suite consists of a rose-cut diamond belt, which can be transformed into two necklaces

A close-up of the rose-cut diamond brooch

The brooch can be transformed into four smaller brooches.

Queen Caroline Amalie of Denmark

Queen Louise, mother of Queen Alexandra (wife and Queen Consort of Edward VII) and Empress Maria Feodorvna wore the belt on a number of occasions times.

The Brilliant Diamond Parure

This parure was created in 1840 by Weishaupt, for Queen Caroline to wear at the last Danish Coronation that year.

Wedding of Prince Frederik of Denmark and Mary Donaldson wearing the Brilliant Diamond Parure

A close up of the diamond parure

Part of the brilliant cut necklace. The parure also includes diamond earrings and a spectacular floral corsage

Newly married Crown Prince Frederik & Crown Princess Mary Of Denmark appear on the balcony of Amalienborg Palace, with Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik by their side

The sumptuous necklace is set with diamonds that had belonged to various Danish queens: Sophie Magdalene, Juliane Marie and Caroline Mathilde, as well as a princess: Charlotte Amalie.

According to the Royal Watcher blog, Queen Louise was able to take the necklace to London for the wedding of her grandson, the future George V.

The parure also includes diamond earrings and a spectacular floral corsage, the latter of which has yellow diamonds in the centre of several of the flowers.

It is made 'en tremblant' so the flowers move as the wearer walks.
A fisherman who illegally speared a blue groper during a family beach trip was booed by witnesses as he paraded its body along the sand, after he tried and failed to shove it in a Coles bag.

The 26-year-old, who has not been publicly identified, was fined $800 for killing the protected fish in the Oak Park rock pool - where spear fishing is banned - in Cronulla, in Sydney's south, on December 30.

Many locals believe the fish was a particularly friendly groper affectionately known as Gus, who had lived in the area for decades, but wildlife documentary maker David Ireland claimed it was not, as Gus was much larger with a scar near his tail.

A spokesperson from the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) said the spearfisherman showed 'significant remorse' for his actions during the interview with NSW Fisheries Officers.

However, local woman Natalie Williamson - who watched the scene unfold and called police - told Daily Mail Australia that he did not appear to be sorry for his actions at the time.

'He neglected to see any of the massive signs that says no spear fishing and when confronted by a locals within minutes of pulling the fish out,' she said.

The fisherman, who has not been publicly identified, killed the blue groper on December 30

Natalie Williamson's brother-in-law took a photo, above, showing the fisherman walking up the beach as his family leave up the stairs

'There was no remorse (at the time).'

EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: Shock twist in 'Gus the groper' saga as man who first tamed the beloved fish points out crucial detail in THAT shocking photo that changes everything Advertisement

'He was straight on the defence and spent ten minutes sitting on the rocks with it before trying to fit into a Coles bag, then couldnt, and walked back up the shore carrying it having everyone watch him.'

Ms Williamson said locals were booing him as he grabbed the fish by the gills and walked back up the beach.

He responded by swearing and calling onlookers 'rednecks'.

She acknowledged 'he may be remorseful now'.

Authorities were not able to locate the fish's remains. Ms Williamson believes he took it to the nearby park where several of his family members were sitting.

'The fish never went back in the ocean so they must have put it in their car as it was not found at their camp,' she said.

The spear fisher is pictured holding the dead fish by the gills with one hand, and his spear in the other

The man then walked the dead fish up the beach, while locals booed at him

The NSW Department of Primary Industries fined the man an additional $300 on top of the $500 police fine.

Spearing gropers carries a maximum $22,000 fine in NSW, but the spearfisherman will eventually pay just a fraction of that.

A DPI spokesman said the spear fisherman had shown regret after fisheries officers caught up with him.

'The person of interest showed significant remorse for their actions during the interview with NSW Fisheries Officers,' they added.

'It was the Person of Interest's first Fisheries offence.

'Fisheries Officers also provided the person of interest with education and awareness material to ensure they know and understand the rules of spearfishing.'

Do you know the man who speared the fish? Contact charlotte.karp@mailonline.com
Words including 'wokery' and 'safe word' have been enshrined in the Oxford English Dictionary in the latest update.

The dictionary's latest update includes more than 500 new and revised words, phrases and senses including psych, swear jar, and a host of words related to talking.

Generative artificial intelligence, talkboard and dumb phone are among the new technological words and phrases that have entered the Oxford English Dictionary (OED).

The OED is updated quarterly with new words to reflect changes in the way they are used and to include terms relating to new events and trends.

'Wokery' and 'wokeism' are among those in the December 2023 update - meaning 'progressive or left-wing' attitudes or practices.

Words including 'wokery' and 'safe word' have been enshrined in the Oxford English Dictionary in the latest update

The dictionary's latest update includes more than 500 new and revised words, phrases and senses including psych, swear jar, and a host of words related to talking

The term 'chumocracy' - defined as a 'culture characterised or dominated by influential networks of close friends' - was also included, and has often been applied to describe politics.

The phrase 'safe word' was also added, referring to a word or phrase chosen as a 'mutually agreed signal' to stop sexual activity.

Among the new additions to the OED is generative artificial intelligence or AI which describes 'a form of artificial intelligence designed to produce output, especially text or images, which were previously thought to require human intelligence'.

While this language has become more common of late, the dictionary says the earliest known use of the phrase dates back to the early 2000s.

Talkboard has also been added which relates to 'an online forum or chat room', as well as dumb phone, a phone which does not have smart technology.

It comes as some people are switching back or getting an additional basic mobile phones to help minimise their screen time.

As the new year is set to see a number of general elections across the world including in the UK, a few political terms have been entered including chumocracy.

The dictionary has defined the word as 'a government or the exercise of power characterised by the appointment of friends and associates to positions of authority, without proper regard to their qualifications or to due process'.

The Oxford English Dictionary is updated on a quarterly basis

Phrases related to profanity have also made an appearance as swear jar and swear box have made the latest update, as well as the quintessentially British expression to eff and blind.

Psych, used playfully when someone is playing a prank, has also been entered alongside -splain, following the rise of words such as mansplaining.

The dictionary has also revised some of its talk-related words with talkaholic, talkfest and the Talk all being entered.

To qualify for the list, the OED requires several independent examples of a word being used and evidence that it has been in use 'for a reasonable amount of time'.

The dictionary is updated on a quarterly basis, and the updates make up the third edition of the OED.

A statement from the OED said: 'The material added to the dictionary includes revised versions of existing entries (which replace the older versions), and new words and senses both within the alphabetical sequence of revised entries and also across the whole A to Z range.'
Connor Bowman, 30, has been charged with murder for allegedly poisoning his wife Betty Bowman, 32

The family of the woman allegedly killed with gout medication by her Mayo Clinic doctor husband knew about the couple's open marriage but say she started talking about divorce because he wouldn't own up to the other women he slept with.

Both Connor Bowman and his wife Betty agreed that they should see other people  on the one condition that they were open with each other about their partners, Betty's mother and sister told DailyMail.com in an exclusive interview.

'They did have an open relationship and they were both okay with that,' Betty's younger sister Brianna Stockemer said. 'But it was his lying.'

Connor Bowman alerted her family after his wife had been admitted to the hospital, then later joined them at her bedside offering comfort during her dying days, her family exclusively told DailyMail.com.

Bowman, 30, insisted to Betty's family that she was suffering from Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosi (HLH), a rare disease causing her organs to shut down.

The family had never heard of the condition but didn't think to ask questions, despite knowing that the couple's open marriage was deteriorating.

Betty, 32, an operating room pharmacist who worked with her husband at the world-class clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, died August 20 after a four-day hospital stay.

Her widower was arrested in October. Charges were upgraded to first-degree murder last week.

Investigators allege that Bowman, a poison control specialist, slipped a fatal dose of the gout medicine colchicine into Betty's smoothie

Betty's mother and sister sat down with DailyMail.com for an exclusive interview. They told DailyMail.com the details of the couple's open relationship describing their relationship as 'toxic' and her husband a 'narcissist' and a 'liar'

'Connor called me that first day and just said she's in the emergency room, that she's got diarrhea and stomach pains,' her mother Nancy Sponsel, 64, told DailyMail.com on Tuesday. 'That's when I first heard anything was even going on. He said the whole time, 'it's the HLH.'

'Betty was very healthy and didn't have any medical problems,' she added. 'We trusted him.'

Investigators allege that Bowman, a poison control specialist, slipped a fatal dose of the gout medicine colchicine into his wife's smoothie.

Betty's mother and sister were speaking out for the first time about the case this week, sitting down with DailyMail.com at a restaurant in the family's hometown of Wichita, Kansas.

They shared memories of a loving young woman stuck in a toxic relationship with a husband they described as a narcissist and a liar.

After eight years together and two years of marriage, Betty was contemplating divorce in the weeks leading up to her death, they said.

She said that the couple agreed to allow each other to see other people so long as they were open with each other, but that he would frequently lie about his whereabouts, telling his wife that he was at work when he was actually sleeping with another woman.

'He lied a lot, and Betty would give him a lot of chances to fix things,' said Brianna, 24. 'But he would just keep lying and play a lot of mental games. It was a typical narcissistic relationship where you have a nice person who will give you a lot of chances.'

Last April, Betty made what turned out to be her final solo visit to Wichita, flying in from Minnesota and surprising her mother by showing up to a dinner party hosted by Brianna.

'I walked into the kitchen, and Betty was hiding behind the refrigerator,' Nancy recalled. 'She was laughing and crying because at first, I was crying. Then we just came up and gave each other big hugs. '

Betty spent that weekend in a hospital, caring for her ailing grandmother, who died with her at her side.

'Betty touched her and said, 'She's gone,' Nancy recalled. 'That was a very special moment for us. We all remember how supportive Betty was at a time that was so rough for us.'

Betty, 32, an operating room pharmacist who worked with her husband at the world class clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, died August 20 after a four-day hospital stay

Bowman, who had recently finished Mayo Clinic's pharmacist residency program and is a poison control specialist, asked the medical examiner's office to cremate his wife's body 'immediately' following her death

Betty was admitted to the hospital in August and began to suffer from cardiac issues and organ failure. Her husband insisted she had a rare condition where white blood cells build up and damage organs

The next month, Betty supported her mother's decision to leave her own troubled marriage to Betty's dad.

'Betty helped us find stuff to help her move out, papers and financial information for us to be able to get the move done,' Brianna told DailyMail.com.

Betty's dad David Sponsel also could not believe his daughter was ill. 'She was a good, healthy woman,' he said

At the time, they knew about Betty's own struggles with Connor. Friends were urging her to divorce.

'There were a couple people that were trying to get her out, like trying to get the divorce to start,' her mom told DailyMail.com. 'They all knew she deserved better.

'But she was like me,' the mom continued. 'She always wanted to work things out.'

'Even growing up, she never yelled, never screamed, never got mad at anybody,' Nancy continued. 'She never talked negative about anyone. It's not surprising she never talked negative about Connor because that's what she does.'

Nancy and Brianna had been looking forward to traveling to Rochester for Labor Day weekend in September, with hopes of discussing Betty's marriage.

'We thought that maybe when we were going to come up in September, that at that point she might talk to us about it and let us know what's going on,' the mom told DailyMail.com.

But Nancy received the shocking phone call from Connor two weeks earlier, on August 16. He called back again later that night to say she'd been admitted to intensive care.

'We couldn't get a flight out, so we drove out that night,' the mom recalled of their nine-hour drive from Wichita. 'We drove most of the night and stopped at a hotel for a few hours.'

They walked into Betty's room that following morning.

'She was very weak, but she could talk,' Nancy told DailyMail.com. 'She had no energy, couldn't even get a drink by herself.

'I asked her how she was feeling, and she just said, "I don't feel right". That's all she would stay, so we had no idea what was going on,' the mom said.

Connor insisted she was suffering from HLH, an illness where white blood cells build up and cause internal damage.

'We researched it and it's like organs shut down, which is what hers were starting to do,' the mom said.

'Connor would come in and out while she was in ICU, including while we were in there,' she added. 'He would talk to her.'

During the interview, Betty's sister Brianna and her husband showed off tattoos on their arms they had made after her death, a cartoon image of Betty's beloved pet corgi Crumpet holding a syringe

Nancy recalled visiting her daughter in the hospital before her death. 'I just told her how much I loved her and I'm sorry she's sick and wish I could help,' she continued. 'But all she would ever say is she didn't feel right'

After her death, Betty's family attended a funeral service Connor arranged in Rochester. Her family held a Celebration of Life in Wichita on October 7, but he didn't show up. They shared with DailyMail.com a pamphlet from the celebration

Nancy said her daughter didn't recognize how sick she was.

'She'd ask, ''Why are you guys here?'' and I said, ''Well, because you're in ICU and we want to be there for you,'' the mom recalled. 'And she's like, I'm going to be fine.

'I'm sure she was scared, not knowing what was going on,' she added. 'But she knew I had a lot going on in my life, and she didn't want to worry me with stuff.'

'I just told her how much I loved her and I'm sorry she's sick and wish I could help,' she continued. 'But all she would ever say is she didn't feel right.'

She fed her daughter ice chips. About two dozen of Bettys' friends also came to visit, rotating into the room.

Betty's condition quickly deteriorated. On day three, she lost consciousness.

'There were points where we were trying to wake her up, but she wasn't conscious,' she said,.

After her death, Betty's family attended a funeral service Connor arranged in Rochester. Her family held a Celebration of Life in Wichita on October 7, but he didn't show up.

The pamphlet handed out to loved ones offered a tribute to a woman who 'grew up to have the most patience and love out of any one you would ever know.' The program also cited her marriage to Connor.

The 30-year-old was arrested two weeks later.

During the interview, Brianna and her husband showed off tattoos on their arms they had made after her death, a cartoon image of Betty's beloved pet corgi Crumpet holding a syringe.

'I love you so much, Betty,' Brianna's reads.

Friends described the 30-year-old widower as 'stoic and calm' and even 'happy or at least indifferent' in the days following his wife's death

Betty's mother Nancy told DailyMail.com, 'She never talked negative about anyone. It's not surprising she never talked negative about Connor because that's what she does'

The family told DailyMail.com that they've been directed not to discuss the investigation with the news media.

They were also reluctant to share much about Connor, other than to say they want him to face justice.

'The thing I remember the most from the detective is him saying that he wants justice for Betty,' Brianna said. 'What kind of goes through my mind when I panic is, we all just want justice for Betty.'

Bettys father, David Sponsel, who also lives in Wichita, told DailyMail.com he phoned the hospital after hearing shed been admitted.

I called up there and Connor answered it, recalled David, a 65-year-old retired electrician. And I says, Well hows Betty doing? And he says shes about 80 percent gone.

'Im going, What?, because she was a good healthy young woman.

A grand jury in Olmsted County, Minnesota, issued the indictment on January 5.

Investigators said Betty was considered a healthy person before her passing and had experienced no previous symptoms of the disease.

One day after her death, the Southeast Minnesota Medical Examiner's Office told the Rochester Police Department about a suspicious death and prevented a cremation from taking place.

Authorities said Bowman had asked the medical examiner's office for his wife to be 'cremated immediately' because her death was natural.

The 30-year-old also emailed death investigators asking if toxicology reports were more 'thorough' than what would typically be done at a hospital.

Bowman had recently finished Mayo Clinic's pharmacist residency and also worked as a poison control specialist.

A probable cause affidavit uncovered a relationship fraught with jealousy and turmoil.

One woman close to the couple said they had been 'talking about a divorce following infidelity and a deteriorating relationship.'

Bowman, who was in debt, also told a friend he was due for a $500,000 life insurance policy following her death.

Upon searching Bowman's home, investigators recovered a receipt for a $450,000 bank deposit.

Friends, many of whom were medical professionals themselves, are said to have suspected the 30-year-old may have had a role in his wife's death.

Investigators say Bowman used his Mayo Clinic email address to buy colchicine and that he used an online tool to calculate the lethal dosage for his wife's weight

Ten days before Betty's death, a friend reportedly tried a smoothie Bowman had made for his wife. It 'tasted very bad,' and the friend even joked that 'Connor must be trying to poison her.'

Betty quipped that she 'had considered it at the time and said she didn't think that would happen.' However, she chose not to drink the smoothie and threw it out, the affidavit said.

One of Betty's boyfriends told detectives she was so sick she 'could not sleep at all' after a night of drinking with her husband, four days before her death.

Investigators assert Bowman used his Mayo Clinic email address to buy colchicine and that he used an online tool to calculate the lethal dosage for his wife's weight.

After seizing Bowman's University of Kansas-issued laptop, cops found he had also purchased sodium nitrate, a chemical compound that lowers blood pressure.

Bowman ultimately tried to blame Betty for 'fraudulently' buying the colchicine under his name.

The 30-year-old's conduct attracted suspicion in the days following his wife's death.

Friends described his demeanor as 'stoic and calm' as he went out for drinks, appearing to be 'happy or at least indifferent' about his wife's passing.

If convicted on the first-degree murder charge, Bowman will be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

His next court date is scheduled for January 16.

Betty's best friend set up a GoFundMe account to help assist Nancy and her family with legal costs, transportation to Rochester, memorial costs and other related expenses.
Questions have been raised over whether sub-postmasters stand any real chance of getting compensation after a tax expert revealed one victim ended up claiming for just 15.75.

Expert Dan Neidle outlined nine ways the Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS) is 'designed to minimise payouts' through a 'complex' form the - mostly elderly - postmasters had to fill out by themselves.

Mr Neidle, who founded Tax Policy Associates, looked into the HSS after he read a MailOnline story that highlighted the plight of Francis Duff - who was forced to hand back 322,000 of his compensation.

The HSS was established to compensate the Post Office branch managers, who were not convicted of but were accused of theft, lost their jobs, threatened with prosecution and were forced to pay cash 'shortfalls' which in fact were entirely fictitious.

The main issue with the scheme is the 14-page form, which claimants are required to fill out themselves, which is so baffling that even Mr Neidle, who was a senior partner at one of the largest law firms in the world, would not complete without the help of a specialist.

Francis Duff, 80, was driven out of his business and forced to declare bankruptcy after he was persecuted for 'thieving' from his own till, when computer glitches were to blame

The main issue with the scheme is the 14-page form which is so baffling that even Mr Neidle would not complete without the help of a specialist

He was offered more than 330,000 from the flagship scheme to compensate postmasters, but is set to lose all but 8,000

The Post Office also used a strategy of intimidation into silence by warning postmasters they were legally not permitted to mention the terms of their compensation to anyone, Dan argued.

Dan Neidle told MailOnline whoever designed the process - in-house Post Office lawyers or an external legal firm - has 'serious questions' as to why they sent the form to 'vulnerable, unrepresented people'.

Here are the nine ways the HSS was designed to ensure victims got the smallest payouts possible, according to Dan Neidle:

1. The Post Office forces postmasters (mostly in their 70s and 80s) to fill in this form without any help.

The Post Office could have proactively investigated what had happened, identified and interviewed the people it wronged, and proposed full and fair compensation. It didn't.

2. Ensure the postmasters don't receive legal advice when they complete the form

The HSS claim form is in reality a complicated legal claim, and nobody should be completing it without detailed legal advice.

The form itself is fourteen pages, plus eligibility criteria, terms of reference, explanatory notes to the terms of reference, seven pages of consequential loss guidance, and six pages of Q&A. I was a senior partner in one of the largest law firms in the world, and I personally wouldn't complete the form myself  specialist advice is essential.

3. Write the form to prevent claims for damage to reputation

That complicated form seems designed to limit compensation to financial loss  principally loss of earnings, and the fake accounting 'shortfalls' which postmasters were required to repay the Post Office if they wanted to avoid prosecution.

Any lawyer  I think any right-minded person  would say that financial loss is the least of it. Stress, suffering, damage to reputation  all of these should be compensated for. But the form goes out of its way to stop this.

In response to this point, The Post Office told Dan the form 'does not misrepresent' the legal position of Postmasters who, they say, are 'able to tell the Post Office about any types of loss they have suffered'.

4. Write the form to minimise compensation for stress

The postmasters spent years and often decades crushed by the experience they'd been through. It's a level of stress and unhappiness that most of us can fortunately never imagine.

The courts often provide compensation for stress and related psychological injury. If you are wrongly arrested and spend a night in the cells, you'll receive several thousand pounds compensation. If you are sacked in an unfair or repressive manner, you will receive compensation. So how much compensation are the postmasters receiving for the stress that they suffered?

The Post Office's HSS claim form contains no indication that postmasters should be claiming for stress. There is one reference in the Q&A provided by the post office:

5. Write the form to prevent exemplary damages claims

When a wrongdoer causes harm intentionally, recklessly, or with gross negligence, then a court can award 'punitive' or 'exemplary' damages. This seems a model case where such damages would be awarded  so where on the HSS form is the box for a claimant to assert exemplary damages? Where is that mentioned in the Appendix?

Nowhere.

In response to this point, The Post Office said: 'Exemplary damages are considered by the Post Office in specific cases. It has provided these in addition to panel awards in some specific cases which involved malicious prosecution'.

Again, this doesn't address the point  the Post Office's own form, and (lack of) guidance means that unrepresented postmasters will not make these claims.

6. Intimidate postmasters into silence, to stop them discussing their settlement offers with each other, friends, family, or the media

Each postmaster receiving an HSS offer was warned by the Post Office that legally they were not permitted to mention the compensation terms to anyone.

This had consequences. They weren't able to compare compensation terms with each other.

They weren't able to speak to family or friends (who might have suggested they speak to a lawyer). And they weren't able to go public about the way they were being treated.

It's not true. Postmasters were completely free to show their offers to friends, family and the media.

The Post Office said: 'Whilst we do agree with your conclusions, we do not believe it's appropriate to enter into legal argument exchanges in responses for an article.

7. Run every possible argument to minimise payouts

The Post Office's litigation strategy in the 2010s was described by the Court of Appeal as evidencing a 'desire to take every point, regardless of quality or consequences'.

The Post Office has never apologised for that approach  and seems to be continuing it.

The Post Office responded: '[The] Post Office is committed to full, fair and final compensation'.

Mr Shiju, who was also a victim in the scandal, and his daughter Ashwarthy, said he tried to hang himself, and after he was forced from his post office, he was labelled a thief by locals who spat at him, attacked him in the street and called him 'p***'

Sathyan Shiju, from Barkingside, north-east London, claims he is owed more than 1million after he was pushed to the brink of suicide - but he has been offered just 12,424.66 in compensation

8. Provide a token amount to cover a lawyer reviewing the settlement

It's too late. The advice should have been right at the start, to enable the postmaster to construct their claim in a sensible manner, and work out how much tax is due.

And the Post Office is paying an amount which won't begin to pay for a lawyer actually looking at the fundamentals of the claim.

In a Freedom of Information Act response, the Post Office confirmed to me they have paid 1,924 HSS settlements totalling 62m, but in only 198 cases did they cover legal fees, amounting to 217k (i.e. an average of 1,100 each).

1,200 of legal advice (for the few people receiving it) would realistically cover a 'sense check' of whether the settlement terms themselves are reasonable. It will not cover an assessment of whether the right amount of compensation is being paid.

9. Dump the claimants into a complex tax position

The Post Office made no attempt to assist the postmasters tax position, and didnt adjust the compensation upwards to reflect tax. So postmasters ended up losing far too much of their compensation in tax  in some cases up to half.

And it left the postmasters to figure this out on their own. Out of 1,920 settlements, the Post Office paid for postmasters to receive tax advice on precisely two, and a miserly 500 apiece.

What should happen now?

The HSS compensation scheme isnt fit for purpose, and has become just one more entry in the sordid list of Post Office failures and obfuscations.

Ideally, it would be replaced, but its too late for that  out of 2,400 original applications only 23 are awaiting offers, and 200-300 have pending offers. Time is running out for many of the postmasters, and we cant have more months and years of delay.

So I would let the scheme let it run its course, but establish a quango empowered to review every single Post Office compensation payment, from all the different schemes/settlements, and make whatever additional payments to the postmasters as it thinks is fair and just under all the circumstances.

The usual paradigm of legal claims would be replaced with an informal inquisitorial process. It would, of course, be funded by the Post Office (although the Post Office is insolvent, and so ultimately every  would come from the Government).

That concludes Dan's arguments against the scheme.

A Post Office spokesperson responded to them with the following statement: 'We have openly and transparently published data on our website about the progress we have made regarding offers and payments to Postmasters that are part of the Horizon Shortfall Scheme.

'All 2,417 claimants have received an offer. Almost 108 million in offers have been made and almost 86 million has been paid to date.

'The scheme is open to late applicants and so far 228 settlement offers have been made. Offers are assessed by an independent panel.

'Simpler claims were resolved first and as the more complex cases have been settled, six figure payments have been made to eligible claimants.'
He was given a pardon by Dubai royals and is back in UK after serving five years

The journalist was jailed for 10 years but had his prison sentence cut to seven

Francis Matthew killed his wife Jane in 2017 during a bloody row over money

The brother of a woman bludgeoned to death by her husband in their Dubai home has lashed out after his sister's killer was freed from from his 'pathetically short' jail term two years early.

Killer Francis Matthew is back in the UK after receiving a pardon from Middle Eastern royalty for the slaughter of his 62-year-old wife Jane, who he battered to death with a hammer in July 2017.

The disgraced British journalist hit Mrs Matthew twice over the head after she called him a 'loser' in a row over money. He then tried to cover up his crime, blaming his wife of 30 years' death on a robbery gone wrong before later confessing to cops.

The ex-editor of Gulf News had initially been jailed for 10 years for manslaughter in 2018 with the charge later upgraded to a 15-year prison term for pre-meditated murder before being downgraded to seven years on appeal.

Now MailOnline can reveal the killer journalist is back in Britain having been freed after serving little more than five years behind bars - and has set up his own current affairs show on YouTube in a shameless bid to kick-start his career again.

The news has enraged Mrs Matthew's 'dismayed' brother, Peter Manning OBE, who said has 'nothing but contempt' for his sister's killer.

'After he brutally killed my sister by smashing her face in with a hammer, this guys excuse was she allegedly provoked him by calling him a loser,' Mr Manning, from Essex, told MailOnline.

Francis Matthew (left) was jailed for 10 years in 2018 for using a hammer to bludgeon his wife Jane (right) to death in their Dubai home

Jane was struck twice on the head in her bed at the couple's Dubai villa

Over the weekend shameless Matthew launched his own YouTube channel 'This Week In The Middle East' (he is pictured during his live stream event)

Peter Manning OBE (pictured), Jane's brother, has blasted the early release of his sister's killer and said he has 'nothing but contempt' for Matthew

'All I have to say about him is, if she did say that, and well never know, she was obviously understating things by some margin.

'I have nothing but contempt for him and all the sycophants who oddly support him, and that includes the anti-women legal system in the UAE that has let him out after a pathetically short sentence.'

READ MORE: Brother of British woman bludgeoned to death with hammer by husband in Dubai launches campaign as killer tries to get jail term cut to just THREE years Advertisement

Sources have told MailOnline Matthew was released from Dubai Central Prison by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as part of a tranche of 988 prisoners pardoned by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) president for the annual Eid Al Adha celebrations in June.

Over the weekend Matthew launched his own YouTube channel 'This Week In The Middle East', live streaming an interview on Sunday discussing everything from the Israel-Hamas war to oil prices.

It's not clear exactly when Matthew arrived back in the UK. However, sources close to him have claimed he is now living in the village of Bishop's Frome, Herefordshire.

Matthew flew into a violent rage on the morning of July 3, 2017 when his wife called him a 'loser' during a row over money, reportedly telling him: 'You should provide financially.'

The editor - who during his prominent role as editor-at-large with Gulf News was previously photographed mingling with Dubai royals - then grabbed a hammer and struck his wife twice over the head, leaving her in a pool of blood.

Matthew, then aged 61, tried to cover up his wife's slaughter making it look as if robbers broke into their three bedroom home and killed her before he went to work.

After finishing work, he called Dubai police to report Jean had been fatally assaulted by thieves, disposing of the bloodied hammer in a nearby rubbish bin, a UAE court previously heard, before he later admitting to killing his wife.

Matthew, who during his prominent role as editor-at-large with Gulf News was previously photographed mingling with Dubai royals. He was freed from jail following a royal pardon

Mrs Matthew was hit twice in the face by her husband who then tried to cover up the crime before later admitting killing his wife to police

Matthew tried to cover up his wife's slaughter making it look as if robbers broke into their three bedroom home and killed her before he went to work (Jane is pictured with a friend)

Mr Manning previously told MailOnline the couple were more than 200,000 in debt.

Matthew told police that his wife had pushed him during the argument before he then got a hammer and followed her into the bedroom.

He claimed he suffered from a 'moment of insanity' and struck his wife twice on the head as she lay in bed after she called him a 'loser' over their financial problems, according to a police report.

Matthew was jailed for 10 years in March 2018 - with the Jane's devastated family slamming the sentence, saying ' justice has not yet been done'

He had initially been charged with premeditated murder which could have seen him get the death penalty but judges changed the charge to 'beating which led to death', the Gulf News reported.

Matthew was jailed for 10 years in March 2018 - with the Jane's devastated family slamming the sentence, saying 'justice has not yet been done'.

They said in a statement: 'Jane was a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister and aunt.

'Losing her in such a brutal manner has left the family both bewildered and shocked.

'We feel that justice has not yet been done as we realise that the actual sentence served may be less than the ten year sentence.

'We hope that this sentence is changed on appeal.'

His time behind bars was upgraded a few months later to 15 years after an appeal saw his conviction upgraded from manslaughter to premeditated murder.

He then faced the possibility of the death penalty where the sole method of execution is by firing squad.

However, he made another appeal which was successful which meant that his sentence was reduced to seven years.

Matthew's lawyer Ali al-Shamsi had previously asked the court to reduce his client's sentence to two years in prison, saying evidence proves the crime was not premeditated and Matthew had no previous intent to kill.

Jane Matthew is pictured as a youngster. She had been married to her husband before he killed her in 2017

Matthew launched his own YouTube channel, reporting on Middle Eastern events, on Sunday

Matthew is pictured interviewing guest Edmund O'Sullivan during his first live-streamed show

Jane's brother, Mr Manning, has since accused Dubai's laws of being 'male-biased' and said his sister's voice was never going to be heard.

'Dubai judges clearly preferred to defend Francis's pride rather than Jane's life,' he said, adding: 'I saw Jane in the morgue and the wounds were horrendous. But the way it came across in court was that this was some sort of unintentional assault.

READ MORE: British newspaper editor convicted of killing his wife with a hammer in Dubai sees his sentence reduced to seven years after appeal Advertisement

'Jane's death was being portrayed as an argument that got out of hand and he was provoked.

'But even if he was provoked by the argument it does not justify what happened. By reducing the charge from murder to manslaughter the court is saying they understand what happened wasn't intentional.'

In a statement, Mrs Matthew's family continued: 'We believe the facts clearly demonstrate that this crime was a deliberate act. In the defendant's own version of events, he collected the murder weapon, a hammer, in the kitchen and carried it down two corridors of the house to the bedroom.

'There was time for him to consider his actions - instead he delivered two hammer blows to the front of Jane's head. He made no attempt to call an ambulance afterwards.

'We also know, contrary to the defence's argument, that Jane had been aware for months that the villa was due for demolition.

'The defendant has admitted that rows over money had occurred frequently for some time. Ongoing arguments, about money or a house, can arise in any marriage and cannot justify this killing.'

Matthew had edited the Gulf News between 1995 and 2005. He was still with the newspaper at the time of the killing.

News of the killing shocked staff at the influential English-language daily newspaper, where Matthew had worked for 22 years.

Him and Jane were well-known members of Dubais large British expat community.

Matthew was a part of the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club while his London-born wife taught at an English language school.

They had lived in the country for 30 years and were married in Chippenham, Wiltshire, in 1985.

While locked up, Matthew reportedly started up English classes teaching 40 inmates how to improve their language skills.

A spokesman for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office told MailOnline: 'We provided consular assistance to a British man in the UAE.'
He famously said that he had nothing to offer but 'blood, toil, tears and sweat'.

As Prime Minister during the Second World War, Sir Winston Churchill kept the nation's hopes alive amidst the threat of Nazi tyranny.

And, as a new display at the leader's former home is set to reveal, Sir Winston was repaid with spectacular tiers of his own in the years after victory was secured.

Chartwell in Kent will host a display of colourised pictures of the enormous birthday cakes that were made for Churchill by baker Maria Floris.

The Hungarian pastry chef, who worked from her shop in London's Soho, was also the favoured baker of the Royal Family.

The cake she made for Churchill on his 80th birthday, when he was nearing the end of his second stint as PM, was 40 inches high.

Baker Maria Floris poses with the enormous 100lb cake she made for Sir Winston Churchill on his 80th birthday in 1954. The photo is one of several colourised images of the wartime Prime Minister's birthday cakes which are set to go on display at Chartwell, his former home in Kent

The cake made for his 77th birthday was in the shape of a hat with feathers around the edges. It is seen being carried into Number 10 in 1951

As Prime Minister during the Second World War, Sir Winston Churchill kept the nation's hopes alive amidst the threat of Nazi tyranny. Above: Sir Winston and his wife Clementine post for fans outside his London home on his 81st birthday

It weighed more than 100lbs and the door of Number 10 Downing Street had to be measured to ensure it would fit through.

On the same day, November 30, a huge model cake was paraded on the roof of a car in front of crowds who had gathered to welcome Churchill on his return from the State Opening of Parliament.

The cake made for his 77th birthday was in the shape of a hat with feathers around the edges. It is seen being carried into Number 10 in 1951.

However, in 1963, the Daily Mail reported how the cake Ms Floris made for Sir Winston's 89th birthday had to be altered at the last minute after a mistake was spotted on a plaque which adorned it.

It bore a retelling of a line from one of Sir Winston's most famous speeches, where he paid tribute to the fighter pilots of the Royal Air Force.

It should have read: 'Never, in the fields of endeavour, has so much been owed by all mankind to one man.'

But endeavour had been spelled 'endeaver'.

The light fruit cake had an Anglo-American theme, with maps of Britain and the US joined by a bridge on top.

In 1963, the Daily Mail reported how the cake Ms Floris made for Sir Winston's 89th birthday had to be altered at the last minute after a mistake was spotted

The new display at Chartwell, titled Winston's Spectacular Cakes, will kick off events to mark the 150th anniversary of Sir Winston's birth.

The photos, from the TopFoto archive, were colourised by expert Tom Marshall in collaboration with the National Trust, which cares for Chartwell.

He said: 'The process is carried out digitally, using Adobe Photoshop, and each photo took between two and four hours to complete, painting digital colour layers over the monochrome photos.

'The shades of grey in the original photo determine how dark each colour should be, but not the colour itself, so the process is a combination of research and artistic license.

'When researching this project, I watched a lot of archive news footage, as most of Sir Winston Churchill's birthdays were well documented in the newsreels of the day.

'While these newsreels were in black and white, they did give me more angles of the cake decorations to work with and showed some details and context not initially obvious when viewing the black and white photos.'

After the Second World War, Sir Winston's birthday became a moment of great interest for both the press and the public.

Photographers would descend on his home to see the cakes, each of which were designed to showcase his career, achievements and interests in sponge and icing.

On Sir Winston's 80th birthday, a huge model cake was paraded on the roof of a car in front of crowds who had gathered to welcome Churchill on his return from the State Opening of Parliament

From the late-1950s, interest had grown to the extent that there was a special photo opportunity for press to take snaps of the cakes at the bakery, before they were dispatched ready to take centre stage on the big day.

Katherine Carter, Chartwell's Curator, said: 'Our new display shows the wonderful array of cakes inspired by Churchill's interests and achievements.

'They were a forerunner to our love of extravagant and themed bakes today.'

She added: 'It has been a delicious treat to research and curate this exhibition, and we look forward to our visitors joining in the celebrations at the start of this special birthday year, here at Churchill's family home.'

'Winston's Spectacular Cakes' is on display from January 13 to February 25, 2024, 10am to 4pm, at Chartwell and is included with normal admission.
Every major poll conducted this month in New Hampshire shows that Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley is poised to benefit now that former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has exited the presidential race.

On Wednesday night, Christie announced in New Hampshire that he was folding up his campaign.

Without saying names he sassed Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for refusing to fully reject former President Donald Trump, while backstage he was caught on hot mic saying that Haley would 'get smoked' by Trump and 'she's not up to this.'

Still, she stands to attract Christie's voters in the state that holds that nation's first presidential primary, eight days after the Iowa caucuses, and has changed the trajectory for candidates in past races.

With Christie's exit, Republican strategist Matthew Bartlett told The New York Times Thursday that Haley was obtaining 'the final puzzle piece,' after receiving prominent endorsements from conservative Don Bolduc, the GOP's failed 2022 New Hampshire Senate candidate and the more moderate Granite State Gov. Chris Sununu.

'If she were to win New Hampshire, or even if she were to come in a very close second, that will be a seismic shock in the Republican Party,' said Bartlett, a former Trump appointee who's not affiliated with any of the current 2024 campaigns.

Every major poll conducted this month in New Hampshire shows that Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley is poised to benefit now that former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has exited the presidential race

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie dropped out of the 2024 presidential race Wednesday night in New Hampshire (pictured). He dissed Haley on hot mic on his way out, though polls have showed she's the second place pick for about a half of his New Hampshire voters

The Real Clear Politics polling average currently has Trump with 43.3 percent support among New Hampshire voters, while Haley sits at 29 percent, a difference of 14.3 percent.

Christie had 12 percent support before he pulled the plug Wednesday.

When Christie supporters in New Hampshire were asked to name their second place pick, an Emerson College poll released Thursday found that 52 percent selected Haley.

Two surveys released Tuesday - the CNN/University of New Hampshire survey and the Suffolk University/USA Today/Boston Globe poll - both found that 48 percent of Christie's supporters had Haley as their second place choice.

If those trends hold, Haley would be around 8 points behind Trump in New Hampshire.

On Wednesday, Trump's pollster John McLaughlin predicted an 8 point loss for Haley in the Granite State.

He argued that in order to attract some of Christie's voters Haley would drift too far to the left and lose some of her current support.

'Christie's withdrawal to attract his voters will only pull Nikki Haley further to the left,' McLaughlin said. 'For this reason, in the 2-way New Hampshire ballot that would factor a Christie withdrawal, President Trump still wins - Trump 52%-44% Haley.'

McLaughlin's math didn't account for any momentum Haley gets, which could swing more undecided voters in her direction, something her surrogates are counting on.

'Here's what I've learned about the good folks of New Hampshire. They have an open mind until the election and many of those voters that were leaning toward Chris Christie, their No. 1 vote, Nikki Haley was always their second,' said former Rep. Will Hurd, a former 2024 hopeful who endorsed Haley as he exited the race.

He talked to reporters in the spin room after Wednesday night's GOP debate in Des Moines.

Hurd also said 'absolutely' that Haley had the momentum in the Granite State.

Additionally, 'undeclared' voters are able to vote in the state's January 23 primary, which could also give Haley a multi-point boost.
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China has built scale models of the US Navy's newest aircraft carrier and other warships in a remote desert to use as target practice for its 'carrier killer' missiles.

Satellite photos show the mockups of what appeared to be the brand-new USS Gerald R Ford carrier and American guided missile destroyers in the Taklamakan Desert.

The People's Liberation Army frequently uses the desolate landscape near Ruoqiang County in Xinjiang, a remote part northwest China, to test its ability to target American warships.

China's latest efforts, seen in images taken by Planet Labs on January 1, are more sophisticated and detailed than the handful of other times satellites spotted such exercises.

China has built scale models of the US Navy's newest aircraft carrier and other warships in a remote desert to use as target practice for its 'carrier killer' missiles

The Chinese mockups very closely matched the actual USS Gerald R Ford (pictured) - the positions of its four model catapults 'island', the command and control center of the carrier poking out from the deck, are all correct

Older images from July 28 showed work on the fake carrier started some time ago, with an outline in the sand clearly visible along with temporary targets of two much smaller aircraft carriers

The world's largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford steams alongside USNS Laramie (T-AO-203) during a fueling-at-sea in the eastern Mediterranean Sea

Inspection of the black, bottle-shaped silhouette sticking out from the sand showed an accurate representation of the Ford for China's missiles to target.

The structure is about 1,085ft long and the positions of its four model catapults 'island', the command and control center of the carrier poking out from the deck, are all correct.

Numerous masts are also dotted around the model, which often include radar reflectors that together mimic the radar signature of the ship the mockup is representing.

Using masts in this way means the Chinese don't have to construct a more complicated model of the ship for its ordinance to lock on to and 'sink'.

Older images from July 28 showed work on the fake carrier started some time ago, with an outline in the sand clearly visible along with temporary targets.

Two much smaller aircraft carrier mockups were visible within and just outside the marked area, which were removed after work on the full-size version began in November.

The same desert also has mockups of two Arleigh Burke class destroyers that the new photos showed were recently upgraded to be more detailed - this is one of them

The guided missile destroyers (pictured, the USS Arleigh Burke) are regularly deployed to East Asia and would be involved in any conflict over Taiwan or elsewhere in the South China Sea if one were to break out

USS Gerald R Ford, which cost about $18 billion to develop - including $4.7 billion for research and development and $12.8 billion in construction - can carry up to 90 aircraft, including the military's most advanced fighter jets.

The carrier, which is powered by two nuclear engines that can operate for 25 years without a refuel, is accompanied in the Mediterranean by a fleet which includes the USS Normandy guided missile cruiser and the USS Thomas Hudner guided missile destroyer.

Aircraft on board the carrier include F-35 stealth fighter jets, which cost around $100 million each and carry radar-guided missiles and laser-guided bombs, along with attack helicopters and tactical surveillance aircraft.

In total, about 7,500 personnel work across the carrier strike group.

The same desert also has mockups of two Arleigh Burke class destroyers that the new photos showed were recently upgraded to be more detailed.

The guided missile destroyers are regularly deployed to East Asia and would be involved in any conflict over Taiwan or elsewhere in the South China Sea if one were to break out.

China's new Ford model is just 2.8 miles from another full-size aircraft carrier mockup that was spotted in 2021 and matched the new American ship's profile, but wasn't as detailed.

Fake ships have been spotted in Chinese deserts as far back as 2013, though most of them were little more than concrete slabs matching the size and shape of the warships, without the masts.

China's new Ford model is just 2.8 miles from another full-size aircraft carrier mockup that was spotted in 2021 and matched the new American ship's profile, but wasn't as detailed

An older picture of one of the mocked up US Navy destroyers that was spotted in the same desert

The People's Liberation Army Rocket Force, of which China is particularly proud, also has the DF-26 missile system (pictured) which along with the DF-21 is likely to be what is tested on the mockups

The independent US Naval Institute said at the time that the mock-ups of US ships were part of a new target range developed by the People's Liberation Army.

Targets also included an aircraft carrier attached to a rail and designed for moving target practice, and a half-scale carrier model resembling the Nimitz class.

The images were captured by Colorado-based firm Maxar Technologies and supplied to analyst H I Sutton, otherwise known as Covert Shores, who identified the shape of the carrier as a Nimitz-class.

He estimated the length of the target to be around 568ft - half the size of a real-life Nimitz - and said it appears to be fixed into the ground.

The target is surrounded by tall poles which could be topped with high-speed cameras, sensors, or radar reflectors to gather data on missile tests.

It was not clear from the images how many details had been included, although USNI said in 2021 it identified features on the destroyer including funnels and weapons systems which reveal it is designed to mimic the Arleigh Burke-class.

China's massive military upgrade has emphasized countering the US and other countries' naval forces.

That has included the development of land, sea and air-launched missiles to deny access and possibly sink opposing vessels, expressed most emphatically by the land-based DF-21D ballistic missile known as the 'carrier killer'.

The People's Liberation Army Rocket Force, of which China is particularly proud, also has the DF-26 missile system which along with the DF-21 is likely to be what is tested on the mockups.

Targets also included an aircraft carrier attached to a rail and designed for moving target practice, and a half-scale carrier model resembling the Nimitz class

The mock-up appears to be a half-sized replica of a Nimitz-class carrier (file image) and is located in a sparse region with one facility located close by

The independent US Naval Institute said on its website that the mock-ups of US ships (pictured, a rail terminus and target storage) were part of a new target range developed by the People's Liberation Army

Beijing has constructed a mobile target in Ruoqiang, Xinjiang, satellite images dated Sunday show

China needs the missiles to be able to quickly recognize American aircraft carriers from other ships in their fleet and target them, and even specific parts of their infrastructure.

The missiles are fired high into the atmosphere before coming straight down on to their targets faster than the speed of sound.

This made them less vulnerable to countermeasures but only gave them seconds to lock on to targets.

The DF-26s are known as 'Guam killers' as they have enough range to hit US forces stationed on the Pacific island, but also as 'carrier killers' for the threat they posed to ships.

China increased its stockpile from 300 in 2021 to 500 in 2022.

Even with sophisticated models in the desert, China can't fully simulate an attack on an American warship due to them being moving targets loaded with countermeasures.

However, the mockups may also serve a similar purpose to military parades showing of the PLA's latest missile systems - acting as a deterrent against the US military.

China would know the models would be spotted by satellite, and let American leaders know its military was actively testing how to attack its warships.
Humza Yousaf made a humiliating U-turn on XL bully dogs yesterday, promising to ban them amid concerns about the numbers being brought to Scotland.

The First Minister said legislation would be introduced to replicate measures introduced by the UK Government south of the Border.

He said the move was necessary following a flow of XL bully dogs coming to Scotland in recent weeks.

But the Scottish Government has been criticised for initially resisting calls to

follow the UK Governments ban, which resulted in Scotland being seen as a safe haven for the dogs.

Humza Yousaf was accused of dawdling over a ban on XL bully dogs

Ministers also came under fire for ignoring warnings from the UK Government about the likely cross-Border problems if they failed to act.

The U-turn came just six days after Mr Yousaf said a ban was not required or needed given the strict regime we have in place.

At First Ministers Questions yesterday, Mr Yousaf said: What has become clear Im afraid in the last few weeks, is we have seen a flow of XL bully dogs coming to Scotland.

'As such, we will give further details to members of the Scottish parliament through a parliamentary statement if the parliamentary bureau agrees next week.

We will, in essence, replicate the legislation that is in England and Wales here in Scotland because ultimately... we have to respond to the situation as it currently stands and therefore we will do what we need to do to ensure public safety.

Community safety minister Siobhian Brown is due to give more details of the legislation in a statement to MSPs next week. Ms Brown previously shared a social media message from the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals which contained a picture of an XL bully dog alongside the text: Dangerous breed? Nope. Breed-specific legislation? Nope.

Conservative MSP Jamie Greene said it was a humiliating U-turn for Mr Yousaf and that the First Minister and his colleagues have wasted months playing political games and causing worry, only to now announce they will, rightly, replicate the UK Governments ban anyway.

Mr Greene added: Having picked a needless fight with the UK Government, the SNP appeared blindsided by these dogs being rehomed in Scotland when everyone else knew it would be the inevitable consequence of their actions.

SNP ministers stubborn refusal to back a sensible UK-wide policy only put lives at risk in Scotland.

He said Mr Yousaf has serious questions to answer over why this became a constitutional grievance and why he left it so late to take decisive action.

Mr Yousaf said the ban was necessary following a flow of XL bully dogs coming to Scotland in recent weeks

Scottish Labour justice spokesman Pauline McNeill said: The SNPs dawdling on this issue has wasted valuable time and risked making Scotland a safe haven for dangerous dogs.

Mr Yousaf denied his government had mishandled the issue, and claimed the UK Government announced its legislation without any consultation with the Scottish Government.

But it is understood that three separate letters were sent to SNP ministers by the UK Government ahead of its legislation coming into force.

In one of the letters, sent last month by animal welfare minister Robbie Douglas-Miller, he said he supported a co-ordinated approach across the UK.

He warned that it would be unlikely to be an offence if an XL bully dog owner travelled to Scotland from England to sell or transfer ownership of one of their animals.

He also said someone could travel to Scotland to abandon their dog without causing an offence.

Scottish Government officials were yesterday unable to say how many XL bullies have been moved to Scotland.

A spokesman for the First Minister said the legislation would mirror what has been done by the UK Government.
ITV last night hit back at Labour's plan to implement a 9pm watershed for junk food advertising on television, saying there is no evidence it will reduce obesity.

The broadcaster said the 'only certain outcome' of an ad ban would be to make it harder for commercial public service broadcasters to invest in content, including dramas.

Sir Keir Starmer yesterday warned that British children were now 'fatter than the French'.

He vowed to introduce a ban on junk food advertising on television before 9pm, while also banning paid-for advertising of less healthy foods on online media aimed at children.

But ITV hit back, telling the Mail: 'We have explained to successive governments that there is no evidence that a pre-9pm TV ad ban will reduce childhood obesity  95 per cent of all TV viewing before 9pm is by adults.

Sir Keir Starmer (pictured) yesterday warned that British children were now 'fatter than the French'

ITV is understood to have privately told ministers that a junk food ad ban would jeopardise the ability to make original dramas

'Despite huge declines in children's exposure to TV advertising over the past ten years, there has been no corresponding reduction in levels of childhood obesity, if anything the opposite.

'The only certain outcome of an ad ban is that it will take money away from the investment the commercial PSBs (public service broadcasters) make in content across the UK, especially drama which is increasingly expensive to produce.'

ITV is understood to have privately told ministers that a junk food ad ban would jeopardise the ability to make original dramas such as Mr Bates vs The Post Office.

It comes as Labour health spokesman Wes Streeting suggested the party could introduce a sugar tax once the cost of living crisis had eased.

A Conservative Party spokesman told the Mail: 'Labour's policy is a total mess. Having previously denied it, Wes Streeting has now opened the door to raiding Brits' pockets with a new sugar tax.'
The unbearable grief of losing a loved one is often described as being broken-hearted.

But Scots scientists have discovered that people are just as much at risk of dying of a broken heart as those who suffer a true heart attack.

Researchers at the University of Aberdeen say takotsubo cardiomyopathy  broken heart syndrome  affects around 70 people in Scotland every year.

The condition, which can be triggered by extreme emotional distress, causes the hearts left ventricle to grow larger, affecting its ability to pump blood.

Professor Dana Dawson, from the University of Aberdeens Cardiology and Cardiovascular Research unit, said: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy happens as a reaction to upsetting events such as the death of a family member, the ending of a relationship or illness, when distress signals travel from the brain to the heart.

Broken heart syndrome affects around 70 people in Scotland every year, according to researchers at the University of Aberdeen

But there is evidence it can be caused by other factors, including physical trauma or no incident at all. It can develop at any age, and typically affects more women than men. Symptoms can appear like a heart attack  including shortness of breath and chest pain.

The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, found medications usually prescribed for heart attack patients, such as statins, did not improve survival rates.

Researchers analysed Public Health Scotland data from 3,720 Scots, including 620 with takotsubo, between 2010 and 2017. They found 153 with the condition died over the five-year follow-up  higher than the mortality rate among the general population.

However, the condition is usually temporary and many people make a full recovery.

Professor Dawson said: Our data shows quite starkly that we are not treating this condition correctly.

'These patients have increased mortality compared to the general population, an increased vulnerability to developing heart conditions, and as much chance of dying from this as people who have heart attacks.

It is vital that we identify ways to treat this unique group of people, and that is what we plan to do as we continue our research.
Australians have exposed a major issue with a lot of the merchandise sold for our national holiday - the fact that it has mostly been made in China.

Debate has surrounded buying Australia Day-themed items and outfits for January 26 after major retailers like Woolworths, Kmart and Aldi all announced they wouldn't be stocking any merch.

Those who are still keen to celebrate the holiday have complained about not being able to find any items that were actually made on home soil.

'Love my Australia Day merchandise that's all made in China,' one person said on Facebook.

Australia Day items on sale at a Silly Solly's shop in Deception Bay, south east Queensland. Aussies have complained that many Australia Day merchandise sold in various stores have been made in China

'Show your Australianness by paying full retail on made in China items you get for 49c on wish,' joked another.

'Chinese must laugh at us we can't even make our own merchandise for our national day,' said another.

'Chinese made Australia Day merchandise. Nothing says Australia like cheap flags to show your patriotism,' one wrote.

One Coles shopper shared photos of some of the Australia Day-themed items on offer at the supermarket this week.

Aussies have questioned why people buy items that weren't made on home soil

While all had been designed in Australia, their labels showed that they had been made overseas.

A pair of blue thongs were made in China, a 'G'day mate' shirt was made in Bangladesh, and an Australian flag that attaches to cars was also manufactured in China.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Coles for comment.

The Reject Shop, as well as Coles, are also still offering merchandise for the national holiday.

One shopper shared a TikTok from inside the store this week which had a large array of Australian items up for grabs.

The items included Australia-themed flags, cups, sunglasses, tattoos, hats, umbrellas and bow ties.

It comes after Opposition leader Peter Dutton called for Aussies to boycott Woolworths after they announced they would not be selling any Australia Day related items.

Mr Dutton said that while it was up to customers to go into stores and buy merchandise, 'I think people should boycott Woolworths'.

One Coles shopper shared a photo of a 'G'day mate' t-shirt he'd seen at Coles that was made in Bangladesh

An Australia Day-themed bucket hat was designed in Australia but made in China

'Until we get common sense out of a company like Woolworths, I don't think they should be supported by the public,' Mr Dutton said.

Celebrating Australia Day has become a divisive issue in recent years particularly among younger generations.

A growing number of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians see January 26 - the day the first fleet of British ships landed - as Invasion Day.
Control of almost 10 per cent of Western Australia would be transferred to Aboriginal communities under a proposal by the state's Labor government.

The plan covers 22 million hectares of land and would provide the opportunity for home ownership in remote Indigenous settlements for the first time.

About 8.7 per cent of Western Australia is controlled by a statutory body called the Aboriginal Lands Trust which has managed the land for traditional owners since 1972.

The total area of the trust is bigger than most countries and slightly greater in size than Guyana on South America's North Atlantic Coast or Belarus in eastern Europe.

Control of almost ten per cent of Western Australia would be transferred to Aboriginal communities under a proposal by the state's Labor government. An Aboriginal protester is pictured at a Perth rally

There are an estimated 12,000 people living on the trust's estate in 142 permanent settlements, including 17 of the state's 20 biggest Indigenous communities.

The five largest of those communities are Bidyadanga in the Kimberley, Jigalong in the Pilbara, Kalumburu in the state's far north and Balgo and Warburton in the east. Each was previously a Christian mission.

The trust, which covers 301 parcels of land and includes 19 million hectares which require a permit to enter, was established when the church missions closed.

While the trust was set up to benefit the communities its tenure rules have stopped development, including tourism, and prevented Indigenous people from owning their own homes.

Premier Roger Cook's government is drafting a bill to transfer control of trust lands to those communities, which has been a bipartisan policy since the 1990s.

'It will simplify the process for many Aboriginal people in remote communities to do things they want to be doing like start a business, own a home and get a job,' a WA government spokesman told Daily Mail Australia.

About 8.7 per cent of Western Australia (shaded) is controlled by a statutory body called the Aboriginal Lands Trust which has managed the land for traditional owners since 1972

'It is an important step in the economic and social transformation of Aboriginal communities.

'It is an extremely complex process, and we expect that it will take a very long time to do this. No legislative change will happen this year.

'Consultation is ongoing, and we are looking forward to working closely with the community.'

The Australian newspaper reported there were concerns within the government that pushing the proposal too hard, too fast could lead to a backlash similar to the one which saw the state's Aboriginal heritage laws overturned.

In August last year the government was forced to axe controversial legislation which came into effect just five weeks earlier to prevent the destruction of sacred sites.

Mr Cook had acknowledged the overhauled Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 'went too far' after it sparked widespread public outrage.

There are an estimated 12,000 people living on the trust's estate in 142 permanent settlements, including Kalumburu in the state's far north

The laws included tougher penalties for damaging sites of traditional significance with many rivers, creeks and other tributaries considered ethnographic sites.

Confusion over the laws resulted in several major tree-planting events being cancelled in Perth following a demand by an Aboriginal corporation for a payment of $2.5million in exchange for their approval.

Mining giant Rio Tinto had ministerial approval in 2020 when it blew up the 46,000-year-old Juukan Gorge rock shelters, sparking global condemnation and devastating traditional owners.

The premier admitted his government's legislative response was 'wrong' and apologised for the 'stress, confusion and division' that had been caused.

Mr Cook denied he was pressured by federal government ministers to abandon the cultural heritage laws amid dwindling support for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

'I want to make this very clear, I have not had any communication with the prime minister's office or any federal members in relation to these laws,' he said.

The Voice was resoundingly rejected at a referendum on October 14. No state or territory was in favour of the Voice, with 60 per cent of Australians voting No.
Megyn Kelly slammed Hunter Biden's surprise appearance in Congress as a 'massive middle finger to everybody'

Megyn Kelly has hit out at Hunter Biden over his shock appearance in Congress to face Republicans threatening to hold him in contempt.

Former Fox News host Kelly, 53, slammed Hunter's move as a 'massive middle finger to everybody.'

'The first son and his attorneys sauntering in sitting down, "hey, we deserve to be here,"' she said on her SiriusXM podcast, The Megyn Kelly Show, on Wednesday.

The president's troubled son, 53, staged the stunt when he sat and listened as GOP Rep. Nancy Mace said he 'had no b***s' and 'should be in jail' for refusing to sit for a deposition behind closed doors.

He then got up and walked out after about 17 minutes as Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene started to question him over his business deals and the ongoing impeachment probe into his father, Joe Biden.

Megyn Kelly has hit out at Hunter Biden over his shock appearance in Congress to face Republicans threatening to hold him in contempt

The president's troubled son, 53, staged the stunt on Wednesday when he sat and listened as GOP Rep. Nancy Mace said he 'had no b***s' and 'should be in jail' for refusing to sit for a deposition behind closed doors

Kelly discussed the chaos that erupted in Congress when Hunter turned up announced.

'A short time ago Hunter Biden shows up unannounced on Capitol Hill crashing a house Committee hearing about holding him in contempt of congress,' she said.

'They waved their opportunity to appear at the subpoenaed deposition they wanted to take of him.

She added: 'South Carolina Republican Nancy Mace called him out and properly got called out herself.

'Woah, never heard anybody yell balls at a congressional hearing. I think it's a first.

'Just when you thought it could not get any more wild Georgia Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene started talking and Hunter got up and just walked on out.'

Kelly went on to further criticize Hunter for the stunt and claimed he can get away it it because he is a Biden.

'You see when you're a Biden you get to decide when you're going to show up in front of Congress and when you're not. It's up to you even if you have a subpoena,' she said.

'Even though Trump is being prosecuted right now by Jack Smith for defying a subpoena.

'But when you're Hunter Biden it's fine and even when they hold the hearing, figuring out whether you should be prosecuted for blowing off your subpoena, you can just wander in and wander out at leisure. It's great to be a Biden.'

Former Fox News host Kelly, 53, slammed Hunter's surprise appearance as a 'massive middle finger to everybody'

Hunter walked into the committee hearing room with his attorneys Abbe Lowell and Kevin Morris and sat down in the first row

Hunter Biden showed up on Capitol Hill at the start of a markup to hold him in contempt of Congress

Hunter was hit with a flurry of questions by reporters after he stormed out of the hearing - including being asked 'what kind' of crack he smokes and why he put his father Joe on speakerphone over 20 times to speak with his business pals.

He was also asked whether he was on crack while he crashed the GOP hearing.

'What kind of crack do you normally smoke Mr. Biden?' screamed one reporter - which he ignored - as his attorney Abbe Lowell delivered a short statement slamming Republicans and maintaining that Hunter is willing to testify publicly.

'What's your favorite kind of crack?' another reporter questioned.

Hunter caused a circus as cameras and reporters swarmed him for the very brief appearance amid the scandal over his shady foreign business deals.

Last week it was revealed Hunter is filming a top-secret documentary to set the record straight about his battle with addiction to crack cocaine and his financial woes.

Republicans started ripping Hunter for the 'made-for-TV publicity stunt.'

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo., wrote on X: 'The Congressional subpoena served to Hunter Biden was for a closed-door deposition, not a made-for-TV publicity stunt. These terms are not negotiable.'

GOP Whip Tom Emmer said 'another day, another ridiculous PR stunt by Hunter Biden.'

'If this is the Biden family's strategy to distract the American people from their disturbing pattern of corruption, it's a pointless one.'

Hunter walked into the committee hearing room with his attorneys Abbe Lowell and Kevin Morris and sat down in the first row, silently taking in the chaos that then unfolded in front of him as lawmakers grappled with the remarkable turn of events.

The top Democrat on the committee Jamie Raskin appeared to be aware that the president's son was going to disturb proceedings with his shock entry.

'Who bribed Hunter Biden to be here today?' asked Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C. 'You are the epitome of white privilege coming into the Oversight Committee spitting in our face, ignoring a congressional subpoena to be deposed.'

'You have no b***s to come up here,' she spewed. 'I think Hunter Biden should be arrested right here and right now,' Mace continued. 'I'm looking at you!'

'I believe that Hunter Biden should be held completely in contempt. I believe he should be hauled off to jail right now!' the fired up Republican congresswoman remarked.

Democrat Jared Moskowitz - who also seemed to be aware of the stunt - asked for a show of hands from the lawmakers on who wanted to hear from Hunter, since he was in front of them.

Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, departed a House Oversight Committee meeting at Capitol Hill

Hunter walked into the committee hearing room with his attorneys Abbe Lowell and Kevin Morris and sat down in the first row, silently taking in the chaos that then unfolded in front of him as lawmakers grappled with the remarkable turn of events

Hunter defied a subpoena last month requiring him to sit for a closed-door deposition as part of the GOP impeachment investigation into whether President Joe Biden was connected to or profited from his son's shady business deals

He put Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., on the spot, daring him to question Hunter since he came to the public hearing, and threatened to make the contempt vote 'bipartisan.'

'Listen, I'll make this bipartisan. I'll vote for the Hunter contempt today. You can get my vote. You can get my vote but I want you to show the American people that you're serious.' Moskowitz taunted before submitting subpoenas for Republicans who didn't comply with the January 6 Committee's requests for testimony.

Hunter then stormed out of the hearing room following Moskowitz's remarks, immediately after Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., started speaking, less than 30 minutes into the hearing.

'I think it's clear and obvious for everyone watching this hearing today that Hunter Biden is terrified of strong conservative Republican women because he can't even face my words as I was about to speak to him,' said Greene.

'What a coward,' she exclaimed.

Two top GOP-led committees are preparing to vote to hold Hunter in contempt of Congress after he defied a congressional subpoena for closed-door testimony.

Republicans say that his 'obstruction' of their impeachment investigation has forced them to take the president's son to court to compel his cooperation - or he will face up to a year in jail.

Hunter defied a subpoena last month requiring him to sit for a closed-door deposition as part of the GOP impeachment investigation into whether President Joe Biden was connected to or profited from his son's shady business deals.

Instead of showing up for his required testimony, Hunter appeared outside of the Capitol to deliver a dramatic tirade slamming 'shameless' Republicans, while saying he'd only testify in a public forum.
A second dead inmate in Alabama prisons had his remains reportedly returned to his family with missing organs.

Charles Edward Singleton, 74, who was being held at the Hamilton Aged and Infirmed Center when he died in November 2021, was returned to his family without all of his organs, including his brain.

Another inmate, Brandon Dotson, 43, who died at the Ventress Correctional Facility in Barbour County this November 2023 was sent back to his family without his heart.

Sigleton's family members were informed that their deceased relative had no organs in his body after a funeral director told them that it 'would be difficult to prepare his body for viewing' since it was in a 'noticeable state of decomposition' and 'advanced skin slippage,' according to WBMA.

The distraught family then requested that his organs be returned to the funeral home in Pell City by the University of Alabama-Birmingham's Department of Pathology, but have yet to receive them.

Charles Edward Singleton, 74, who was being held at the Hamilton Aged and Infirmed Center (pictured) when he died in November 2021, and was returned to his family without all of his organs, including his brain

Singleton's family were informed of his missing organs by the funeral director. University of Alabama, who handled the autopsy at Alabama State prison said that consent was required for his organs to be returned to his body

Brandon Dotson's family filed a lawsuit in December after the 43-year-old's dead body was returned to them without his heart

According to court documents, Singleton's loved ones were told that organs of the deceased are typically placed into a bag while the autopsy is performed, and are returned back to the body after.

'We do not comment on pending litigation. We only conduct autopsies with consent or authorization and follow standard procedures equitably for anyone consented to or authorized for an autopsy,' the University of Alabama told WBMA.

'In an autopsy, organs and tissues are removed to best determine the cause of death. Autopsy consent includes consent for final disposition of the organs and tissues; unless specifically requested, organs are not returned to the body,' the statement said.

Though Singleton died in custody in 2021, his family decided to come forward after they heard about Dotson's similar story.

It is unclear why Singleton was in prison and how long he spent behind bars.

Dotson's family from Tennessee sued the Alabama Department of Corrections in December after they claimed that his body was returned to them without a heart.

The inmate was incarcerated for 19 years as part of a 99-year sentence for a burglary and parole conviction in Lawrence County.

His apparent sudden death occurred on the same day he was set to be considered for parole.

Dotson's suit alleges wrongful death and cites the failure of prison officials at Ventress Correctional Facility (pictured) to safeguard Dotson, neglecting his medical needs and mishandling his remains

Dotson was found dead in November 2023 in the Ventress Correctional Facility in Barbour County after serving 19 years for a burglary and parole conviction in Lawrence County

According to a federal lawsuit against the Alabama Department of Corrections, Dotson's body was missing his heart and his corpse was so badly decomposed the family was unable to have an open-casket funeral.

The disturbing discovery was first noticed by an independent pathologist the family hired in Birmingham to determine his cause of death.

The pathologist noted 'the heart was missing from the chest cavity of Mr. Dotson's body' making it hard to determine how he died.

The suit alleges wrongful death and cites the failure of prison officials to safeguard Dotson, neglecting his medical needs, and mishandling his remains.

'The Alabama Department of Corrections  or an agent responsible for conducting the autopsy or transporting the body to his family  had, inexplicably and without the required permission from Mr. Dotson's next of kin, removed and retained Mr. Dotson's heart,' the complaint states.

The lawsuit, filed by Dotson's daughter Audrey Marie Dotson and his mother Audrey South, also contends that Dotson's body was not released to the family until five days after his death. An unspecified amount of money was also requested in the suit.

The family also revealed that when they observed Dotson's body they saw 'bruising on the back of his neck and excessive swelling across his head.'

'Defendants performed an autopsy on the deceased and removed the heart, thereby concealing the true cause of death. By taking this action, Defendants intentionally or recklessly destroyed or altered key evidence that deprived Plaintiff of the ability to determine how the deceased died through an independent autopsy,' the lawsuit states.

'The heart is a vital organ that would provide critical evidence in assessing the cause of death. Without the heart, Plaintiff cannot obtain an accurate and complete determination of the circumstances surrounding the deceased's death.'

Dotson family's attorney Lauren Faraino called it 'so grotesque and disrespectful and unacceptable' to take a vital organ from someone 'without the family knowing.'

The family believes the heart may have been given to the University of Alabama- Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine for medical research purposes by students.

When the family received their loved one's body, court fillings said it 'had not been properly stored and was severely decomposed' and had 'no choice but to hold a closed casket funeral service.'

The Datson lawsuit names ADOC Chief Deputy Commissioner of Corrections Greg Lovelace (left) and Ventress Correctional Facility Warden Karen Williams (right) as defendants

Dotson's corpse was so badly decomposed the family were unable to have an open casket funeral. They also believe that Dotson asked for help days before he died, saying that another inmate was targeting him for violence

Smith told the Moulton Advertiser: 'It was five days before the body was released. I got to see him on the sixth day but they didn't want me to see him because they wanted to do something to make him look a little better because it was horrific.'

'I wouldn't even say that was human, how bad my son looked.'

The family is now looking for answers and suggests that two possible scenarios might have occurred. One was that Dotson was subjected to violence within the facility, or he had access to drugs.

His mother and daughter filed the suit to 'seek the immediate return of Mr. Dotson's heart' so the vital organ 'may be examined by an autopsy pathologist and then properly cremated or interred.'

The lawsuit details how Dotson asked for help days before he died, saying that another inmate was targeting him for violence.

The suit also notes that severe overcrowding in Alabama prisons also led to a lack of inmate supervision.

It went on to detail that when Dotson's brother called the prison to retrieve his body, the warden 'expressed surprise,' adding many families do not collect inmates' bodies and sometimes aren't notified of their deaths.

The Dotson family's attorney Lauren Faraino called it 'so grotesque and disrespectful and unacceptable' to take a vital organ from someone 'without the family knowing'

The complaint named DOC Commissioner John Q. Hamm, DOC Chief Deputy Commissioner of Corrections Greg Lovelace, Ventress Correctional Facility Warden Karen Williams, Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences Director Angelo Della Manna, multiple unnamed prison employees, and the University of Alabama at-Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine as defendants.

In 2022, 260 inmates died in Alabama prison custody, according to the lawsuit. The figure is the highest in the department's history and the death rate in 2023 was similar.

A week before the lawsuit was filed, Alabama officials released statistics showing assaults in state prisons increased by more than 41 percent in 2023 compared to the previous year.

Of the 2,073 assaults, 1,578 of them were between inmates, and 495 of them were reported as inmate assaults on prison staff.

In September alone, there were 137 assaults between inmates and 42 inmate assaults on prison staff.
Female prison officers have been told they must carry out intimate body searches on transgender inmates who are biologically male under controversial new guidelines.

Teresa Medhurst, the chief executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), yesterday insisted she did not see the need for an opt out.

She was also unable to rule out a repeat of the Isla Bryson scandal which saw the double rapist housed in a female jail, instead insisting the new rules will make it highly, highly unlikely.

The prisons chief was speaking at Holyroods criminal justice committee ahead of the new policy on trans prisoners coming into effect on February 24.

Tory MSP Russell Findlay asked whether female staff could refuse to carry out intimate searches on male-bodied inmates or face disciplinary action if they refused.

Rapist Isla Bryson was sent to a womans prison

Ms Medhurst replied: Staff are not disciplined for any issues they raise in relation to searching. She added that a process allows staff to discuss any concerns with line managers.

Mr Findlay pressed her again and asked: So there is an opt out?

The prisons chief said: Its not... what I would say to you, Mr Findlay, is if there are concerns they are entitled to raise them and we will listen.

In 20 years of having transgender prisoners there has been nobody disciplined [for refusing a search].

The Scottish Conservative justice spokesman also raised concerns that violent trans prisoners will be housed in female prisons if they are deemed not to pose a risk to other inmates.

The policy says an individualised approach will be taken. Inmates will not be put in a female jail if it gives rise to unacceptable risks, with those convicted of murder, rape or sexual harassment not eligible except in exceptional circumstances.

Mr Findlay said: I would be struggling to understand in what circumstances somebody who has been convicted of a sex offence would be deemed not to be a risk to women.

Ms Medhurst said such a situation would be highly, highly unlikely.

She added: A transgender woman who has committed an offence of violence against women or girls will not be considered unless there are exceptional circumstances. But those exceptional circumstances would have to be very exceptional.

The policy review was ordered following the Bryson case last year.

Bryson was called Adam Graham and living as a man when he raped two women. After being jailed for eight years he was sent to a womans prison before a public outcry led to him being moved to a mens jail.

The revised guidelines also require staff and inmates to use preferred pronouns on human rights grounds. Defending the move at the committee yesterday, Justice Secretary Angela Constance said we endeavour to respect peoples identities.

But Mr Findlay said: This policy puts the rights of male-bodied trans prisoners above the welfare of vulnerable and voiceless women who have often suffered violence and trauma at the hands of men.

It is little more than a reheat of the previous policy which resulted in rapist Isla Bryson being sent to a womans prison.

The prison service was unable to confirm that its new policy could result in violent male-bodied criminals being sent into a womens prison  and would not say whether female staff could refuse to intimately search male-bodied inmates.
An ABC presenter who was unceremoniously dumped from the public broadcaster in the same month as Antoinette Lattouf has made a pointed remark about claims she was discriminated against due to her race.

Josh Szeps, a white, male radio broadcaster, announced his resignation on air in November and was due to work right up until Christmas Day.

But a rogue appearance by Szeps on Sky News with Sharri Markson prompted ABC Radio Sydney acting manager Mark Spurway to notify staff that his final day had been fast-tracked.

'Josh will not return to ABC Radio Sydney in 2024 and we wish him well on his many future endeavours,' the email read.

In a new statement shared to X on Friday, Szeps appeared to question suggestions the ABC had acted against Lattouf due to her race.

He wrote: 'If only there was evidence of some white male mistreated by the ABC for less of a reason in the exact same week.'

Josh Szeps, a white, male radio broadcaster, announced his resignation from the ABC on air in November and was due to work right up until Christmas Day

Szeps finished up at the ABC just days before Lattouf was dismissed on December 20, just three shifts into her contract filling in for Sarah Macdonald on ABC Sydney's Mornings radio show.

Lattouf has since launched legal action against the public broadcaster, accusing management of racial discrimination and unfair dismissal.

She alleges she was sacked because of her ethnicity and that the ABC systemically discriminates against employees with Arab or Muslim backgrounds.

Szeps vanished from the airwaves after he appeared alongside journalist Sharri Markson for her Sky show on December 14, discussing the public reaction to the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

In the segment, Szeps, whose grandparents are Holocaust survivors, discussed the line between pro-Palestinian support and anti-Semitism.

He was introduced as a 'former ABC host' despite technically still working for the broadcaster, serving out his notice period.

On Friday morning, Szeps reacted to the lawsuit with a statement of his own on X

Recently sacked ABC presenter Antoinette Lattouf has accused the national broadcaster of racial discrimination in an expanded claim filed with the Fair Work Commission

It is the first time Szeps has addressed his own falling out with the ABC.

It comes after Lattouf filed a Fair Work unlawful termination application which broadened out to include a claim of racial discrimination.

'Despite the ABC's rhetoric about diversity and inclusion, it is currently an unsafe workplace for journalists who are people of colour,' she said on Thursday.

Lattouf's original submission alleged she was fired after sharing an Instagram post from Human Rights Watch, which breached the broadcaster's social media policies.

It also alleged ABC managing director David Anderson had made the decision to terminate her employment.

Lattouf claims on her last day of work acting station manager Mark Spurway told her she was 'sounding great' and the Sydney Mornings audience was 'responding very well'.

She says an hour later she was called to a meeting with senior management and told her employment was being immediately terminated because she had shared a Human Rights Watch post.

That post alleged the Israeli government was using the starvation of Palestinians as a weapon in its war in Gaza, a claim also made on ABC news.

Lattouf says station staff were visibly emotional after her sacking which she alleges was leaked to the media and published within an hour.

On Thursday, Lattouf went further and said the ABC had taken action against her because of her Lebanese background.

'I will always advocate for a well-funded, fair, independent and representative ABC,' she said in a press release issued by law firm Maurice Blackburn. 'Our democracy is more enriched for it.

'This is why it is disheartening to not only witness the horrendous treatment of people of colour by the ABC over the years, but now to personally - and so publicly - feel its wrath.

'Despite the ABC's rhetoric about diversity and inclusion, it is currently an unsafe workplace for journalists who are people of colour.'

'I'm aware of several diverse journalists who have either resigned or are on the brink of resigning because they are unfairly scrutinised and dont believe their employer will back them and fear they will be next to be thrown under the bus.'

Employment lawyer Josh Bornstein said the ABC's treatment of Lattouf was 'a clear breach' of the Fair Work Act.

'The claim has now been amended to reflect that Antoinette Lattouf alleges that she was sacked by the ABC because she expressed a political opinion and also because of her race,' he said.

Mr Bornstein said that since the start of the latest conflict between Israel and Hamas 'it has become notorious in the media industry that Arab and Muslim journalists are being intimidated, censored and sacked'.

'In this case we will show that the ABC has not sacked white journalists for expressing political opinion, even where those journalists worked in news and current affairs,' he said.

Lattouf alleges she was sacked because of her ethnicity and that the ABC systemically discriminates against people of Arab or Muslim backgrounds

'Antoinette's role at the ABC was not a news or current affairs role.

'She shared four posts during her employment and was told that sharing the Human Rights Watch post was somehow a breach of the ABC's social media policy.

'Then she was suddenly and humiliatingly sacked.'

Mr Bornstein said Lattouf was seeking a 'detailed, public apology' and compensation for harm to her reputation and for humiliation and distress.

'In addition, Antoinette will seek an order that the ABC offer her a commensurate role back on air, as she is passionate about the importance of a representative public broadcaster,' he said.

'Finally, we are also seeking the imposition of penalties on the ABC to deter it from repeating this conduct.'

A spokesman for the ABC, which has not yet filed its response to Lattouf's claim, declined to comment.

Lattouf co-authored an article questioning the veracity of viral footage which showed pro-Palestine activists chanting 'gas the Jews' at the Sydney Opera House at a protest in October.

'Analysis of the Aust Jewish Association videos by fact checker RMIT CrossCheck found a number of signs that suggest audio was edited' she claimed.

Mr Bornstein said Lattouf was seeking a 'detailed, public apology' and compensation for harm to her reputation, and for humiliation and distress

In another post from November Lattouf wrote: 'We need a PERMANENT ceasefire and to address the ROOT of the problem - unlawful occupation of Palestine.'

In a video posted to Instagram in October, Lattouf attempted an analysis of the conflict between Israel and Palestine, and called both Hamas and the Israeli government 'extremists'.

Lattouf called for the mourning of all civilian life lost in the conflict and for the condemnation of anti-Arab and anti-Semitic rhetoric.

She then added: 'You can and should condemn illegal military occupation of Palestine that's been happening for 75 years'.

'You can and should remember human rights organisations internationally and in Israel have called the occupation "apartheid",' Lattouf said.

'You can and should speak out against the occupation of Palestine - because that is the root of all of this.'

A GoFundMe has since been set up by Lattouf's supporters to help fund her legal fees.
Meet Stephen Bradshaw, long-serving Post Office 'security manager' (hygienic term).

More than a decade ago, when managers developed the erroneous belief hundreds of sub-postmasters were on the nick, boot-boy Bradshaw was one of the charmers ordered to question suspects.

He accepted the task with nonchalant balefulness. Suspects were menaced in police-style interviews. Telephoned incessantly at home. Given a feathering, know what I mean. The process was 'not nice', admitted Mr Bradshaw.

Now a reversal of fortunes. Yesterday morning Mr Bradshaw found himself in the witness box at the Post Office-Horizon inquiry. What followed wasn't 'nice' in a legal sense. Actually, it was startling.

Mr Bradshaw bluntly declared that he signed an untrue witness statement whipped up for him by a press-relations man and by the Post Office's solicitors, Messrs Cartwright King. 'I'd have done whatever they requested,' explained Mr Bradshaw.

We learned that he failed to disclose doubts about the Horizon system, even when it was a legal duty to do so. He left suspects with the impression they were the only ones who had trouble with Horizon.

Stephen Bradshaw, a long-serving Post Office security manager, appears at the Inquiry

Bradshaw was one of the charmers ordered to question suspects accused of theft and fraud

He sexed up a corporate form in which he gave himself credit for getting a judge to put sub-postmasters on trial. 'There's always a flamboyant way of putting things across,' he said with a rub of the jaw. A flamboyant way of putting things across? Or a flamboyant way of having innocents thrown behind bars?

Scouser Bradshaw, a Pete Postlethwaite lookalike in black shirt and black tie, occupied a world quite unlike the bucolic idyll of Postman Pat. The inquiry is being held on the fifth floor of an office block on London's Aldwych, not far from the Royal Courts of Justice.

Mr Bradshaw was questioned by a youthful barrister, Julian Blake, playing the part of prosecutor.

Not that these are (yet) criminal proceedings. Centre-stage sat Sir Wyn Williams, an outwardly avuncular judge who runs an unpompous show. When he entered there was no usher's command (as at Lady Hallett's Covid Inquiry) to 'all rise'.

Sir Wyn opened proceedings by saying, in his Welsh lilt, that his wife was distressed by rumours the inquiry could drag on for another year. 'I was under severe pressure on that, I can tell you,' said the twinkly eyed beak.

Though Mr Bradshaw might seem a gritty customer, we were being led to imagine Lady Williams an altogether more terrifying proposition, an Echidna of the Valleys.

Sir Wyn's inquiry started months before ITV aired 'Mr Bates vs the Post Office'. With his jest he was perhaps trying to say he will not rush to judgment merely to assuage public anger inflamed by that TV drama; there are other, stronger reasons to crack on with his inquiry, and some of them were sitting among us.

At the start of the day I met Shazia Saddiq, 40, from Banbury, who once ran three Post Office branches before Mr Bradshaw invaded her life. 'He bombarded me with telephone calls, over 100 of them, tormented me, called me a b***h.'

'I'm a small cog in this,' claimed Mr Bradshaw. Speaking on oath, he insisted he had not heard, back in 2012, about problems with Horizon. 'I'm not technically minded'

Mrs Saddiq's husband Ishfaq nodded. 'He didn't realise the call was on speaker-phone, and I heard it.' Eloquent Mrs Saddiq lost her business and is now a payroll assistant.

'I'm a small cog in this,' claimed Mr Bradshaw. Speaking on oath, he insisted he had not heard, back in 2012, about problems with Horizon. 'I'm not technically minded.'

This, at least, was easy to believe. He was an unbookish specimen whose handwriting, seen in one evidence slide, was a mixture of capitals and lower-case letters.

A small cog? Maybe. But a willing, prickly cog who went vague when asked about his bonus arrangements. And what about the solicitors who exchanged emails with him and wrote the witness statement to which he so obediently added his thumbprint? Feed them to Lady Williams!

Mrs Siddiq watched it all from the front row. 'I tried to get him to meet me in the eye,' she said, 'but he just looked elsewhere'. His speciality.
A magistrate has applauded climate change activists who blocked Australia's busiest shipping port for over 30 hours as 'valuable contributors to society'.

Ninety-nine people faced Newcastle Local Court on Thursday after they were arrested and charged over a stunt at the Port of Newcastle on November 26.

Up to 3,000 Rising Tide protesters blocked Newcastle Harbour using kayaks and canoes to protest coal exports for more than 30 hours over two days.

Many defied police orders and lingered on the harbour after the authorised protest was scheduled to finish at 4 pm on Sunday, making it 'unsafe' for others.

Over 100 activists, aged between 15 and 97 years old, were arrested and charged with operating a vessel to interfere with others' use of the water.

On Thursday, Magistrate Stephen Olischlager declared the activists who had pleaded guilty would not be convicted or fined for their role in the blockade.

A magistrate has applauded climate change activists who blocked Australia's busiest shipping port for over 30 hours as 'valuable contributors to society'

School Strike 4 Climate and Rising Tide participated in the blockade at the Port of Newcastle

A sign on one of the participating kayaks read 'More Fossil Fuel'

'Offences of this nature are [often] committed by persons who are of good character,' he told the court.

'It is a strength of those characters, which on this occasion [means] these are matters that can be dealt with by not proceeding to conviction.'

However, police prosecutor Harry Hall disagreed.

He argued the activists should be convicted because the unauthorised part of the protest had made the harbour unsafe for other vessels.

'Entering a busy shipping lane places lives at risk,' Mr Hall said.

Police prosecutor Harry Hall argued the activists should be convicted because the unauthorised part of the protest had made the harbour unsafe for other vessels

Uniting Church minister Alan Stuart is helped by officers out of a canoe after paddling into a shipping lane to block the Port of Newcastle last November

Ninety-nine people faced Newcastle Local Court on Thursday after they were arrested and charged over a stunt at the Port of Newcastle on November 26

Mr Olischlager said those who had attended the blockade, which delayed a large vessel from leaving the port, had 'not been selfishly motivated'.

'[They are] valuable contributors to society, persons who are intelligent ... and making a real contribution to society,' he said.

Two protesters faced the same court in November and were charged $600 each.

The Port of Newcastle is the largest bulk shipping port on Australia's east coast and Australia's largest terminal for coal exports.

It exports more than 150 million tonnes of coal each year.

A magistrate said those who had attended the blockade, which delayed a large vessel from leaving the port, had 'not been selfishly motivated'

The Port of Newcastle is the largest bulk shipping port on Australia's east coast and Australia's largest terminal for coal exports

Rising Tide said in a statement it wanted to block 500,000 tonnes of coal from leaving the port during the blockade.

'On Sunday 26th November, 109 courageous and peaceful protestors were arrested from kayaks whilst blockading the world's largest coal port,' it said.

'The youngest were two 15-year-old school kids and the eldest was a 97-year-old Uniting Church Minister.

'The arrests followed a festive 30-hour police-approved flotilla blockade that involved approximately 3,000 people on water and land and a massive show of peoplepower that stopped at least half a million tonnes of coal from being exported!

'The arrests amplified the power of this action and made global headlines.'

Rising Tide is asking for donations to cover the cost of the fines incurred.
Jacinda Ardern's wedding prep has officially kicked off in a predictably Covid-safe manner.

The former New Zealand prime minister spent Friday morning primping and preening ahead of her long-awaited wedding to TV fisherman fiance Clarke Gayford at Craggy Range Winery tomorrow.

Jacinda, 43, was joined by her mother Laurrell Ardern and friends at Sen Nails & Beauty in the heart of Havelock North, in Hawkes Bay on the east coast of New Zealands North Island.

She did her best to disguise herself during her manicure  wearing a straw hat and a surgical facemask.

'Jacinda and her mother were the only two people in the whole salon wearing masks,' a witness who spotted the pair said.

'Clearly the pandemic isn't over for the Queen of lockdowns.'

Jacinda Ardern (pictured) spent Friday morning primping and preening ahead of her long-awaited wedding to TV fisherman fiance Clarke Gayford at Craggy Range Winery (pictured below) tomorrow

Jacinda Ardern and fiance, the high-profile Kiwi TV fisherman Clarke Gayford, are due to tie the knot this Saturday

Dressed in a casual black flowy dress, Ardern was later spied being escorted to a back exit of the salon before making a mad dash to an awaiting vehicle.

On Wednesday, Ardern reportedly held her hen's do with a dozen girlfriends at the nearby Hastings Distillers, a boutique bar known for its 'organic artisan spirits and liqueurs'.

The former New Zealand Prime Minister did her best to disguise herself during her manicure  wearing a straw hat and a surgical facemask (her mother Laurell is pictured right)

The stunning $25,000-per-night grounds of Craggy Range Winery where the former New Zealand prime minister will wed fiance Clarke Gayford on Saturday. A tent set up on site above

Ardern and a friend wore matching hats

The former Labour Party leader is set to tie the knot at the $25,000-a-night venue on Saturday.

She was forced to postpone her wedding in 2022 because her government put in place Covid-19 restrictions which reduced gathering sizes to 100.

In a bizarre twist, Ardern's longtime friend and fellow Labour Party MP Kieran McAnulty has also set this weekend aside to marry his fiancee Gia Garrick, former press secretary to prime ministers Ardern and Chris Hipkins.

According to a source, despite Mr McAnulty securing his wedding months date months in advance, many mutual friends have since accepted invites to Ardern and Mr Clarke's big day.

Mr McAnulty and Ms Garrick will say I do at Orua Sea Grotto overlooking Hot Water Beach in The Coromandel on Saturday.

Ardern, 42, has long been a fan of the Craggy Range Winery.

In 2020 she was pictured alongside the team of Michelin star chefs at the winery's two-hatted restaurant.

'Honoured to have had Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern dine with us last night,' the venue said in a photo caption.

'Thank you for coming and supporting Hawke's Bay!'

The globally renowned winery sits between the stunning Te Mata Peak and the Tukituki River, and was dubbed the world's most Instagrammable vineyard in 2021.

A marquee (pictured) has been set up at Craggy Range Winery for Jacinda Ardern's wedding

Craggy Range Winery sits between the stunning Te Mata Peak and the Tukituki River, and was dubbed the world's most Instagrammable vineyard in 2021 (pictured)

The picturesque venue provides on-site accommodation for up to 30 guests that must be booked when hosting weddings.

Nestled amongst vines, Craggy Range offers an impressive wedding package for couples including an intimate sit down function at the winery restaurant for 70.

Alternatively, they offer a marquee for large events, with a minimum spend of $25,000.

Ardern, 43, and Mr Gayford, 47, first met at an awards ceremony in 2012, but they did not begin dating until 2014 when Mr Gayford contacted the then-Labour politician about proposed legislation in 2013.

Before dating Ardern, Mr Gayford was famous in New Zealand, with various roles in the media as a radio host, DJ and presenter.

Mr Gayford is the current host of 'Fish of the Day,' a series dedicated fishing in the pacific ocean, as well as 'Moving Houses,' a show that revolves around the process of relocating houses.

The couple share a daughter, Neve, together who was born in 2018 while Ardern was in office.

New Zealand was swept up in 'Jacidamania' when Ms Adern was elected Prime Minister in October 20117 - the world's youngest leader was regularly mobbed for selfies wherever she went.

Two years later, the country was rocked by the worst terrorist attack it had ever seen when a white supremacist shooter stormed two mosques in Christchurch, killing 51 people.

Ardern, 42, has long been a fan of the vineyard, and in 2020 was pictured alongside the team of Michelin star chefs at the winery's two-hatted restaurant

In a bizarre twist, Ardern's longtime friend and fellow Labour Party MP Kieran McAnulty (right) has also set this weekend aside to marry his fiancee Gia Garrick

Ardern won praise around the world for her response, donning a hijab to meet survivors and victims' family members and toughening New Zealand's gun laws.

She drew global admiration for her response to Covid - summed up by her mantra of 'go hard and go early' - when she closed New Zealand's borders after just a 100 cases.

It meant the country could emerge seven weeks later to a level of freedom that was the envy of other nations around the world and also helped shepherd in a landslide victory for the Labour party in October 2020.

But her decision to implement repeated lockdowns in the second half of the pandemic was widely judged to have hurt small business owners and damaged the Kiwi economy.

Her pursuit of more progressive reforms, covering water, the health system, resource management and Maori rights, in recent years provoked wave upon wave of domestic opposition.

By the time she announced her shock resignation in January last year, her popularity had plummeted.

Upon her resignation, she claimed she 'no longer has enough in the tank' after her five-year term in office.

Then, she made light of the wedding debacle and included a special shout-out to her partner in the speech, telling him: 'And to Clarke: let's finally get married.'

'I am human. Politicians are human. We give all we can for as long as we can - and then it's time. And for me, it's time. I know what this job takes,' she said at the time.
A drunken man who bashed a Coles staffer at a loading dock in a horrific attack was trying to steal a box of coffee before he was confronted by the worker.

The terrifying incident happened when Evan Joel Roberts made his way into the dock at the Coles store in Mudgeeraba on the Gold Coast just after 5pm on April 12, 2023.

Shocking CCTV footage captured the moment the 20-year-old walked into the storage area before he attempted to steal a box of Nescafe Coffee.

A male staffer who was wearing a yellow hi-vis vest and dark clothing who appeared to be loading items in the corner spotted the thief before he rushed over to confront him.

Roberts then attacked the worker as the pair got into a scuffle before throwing several punches and kneeing his victim in the torso.

He then fled the scene without the box of coffee but came back moments later as the staffer was trying to close the roller door at the dock.

Roberts then punched the staffer three more times forcing the terrified employee to arm himself with a metal pole during the altercation.

The worker suffered minor facial injuries and was taken to Robina Hospital for treatment.

Roberts pleaded guilty in Southport Magistrate Court on Thursday on charges of assault, stealing and failing to appear.

Roberts threw several punches (pictured) at the Coles worker after he attempted to steal a box of Nescafe coffee before the staffer confronted Roberts forcing a scuffle to break out

The shocking incident happened at a loading dock at the Coles store in Mudgeeraba, south of the Gold Coast in April last year

He told the court he had been drinking heavily to help in cope with his mental health and relationship issues.

Roberts apologised for his actions against the worker, who it emerged was one of his former schoolmates.

'I am really sorry about the whole offence,' Roberts told the court.

'When I found out who it was, it hurt me a bit more, because I did have a connection with him throughout high school.'

Roberts said he is being treated for personality disorder and ADHD.

He has been placed on probation for six months with his conviction not recorded.
A teenage girl who mysteriously vanished from her home in the middle of the night left with only a few items stuffed into a backpack - and not a word about where she was going.

Sunnie Nguyen, a 'shy' 17-year-old who struggles with speaking English, is one of four exchange students who have mysteriously vanished from South Australia in recent weeks.

The Year 11 student from Vietnam, who has been missing for four days, had dinner with her host family at their South Plympton home, in Adelaide's inner south-west, around 7pm on Monday before retiring to her room.

But when her host-mother May Zervaas went to check her room around 11pm, Sunnie was gone - along with her backpack, laptop, a few important ID documents, and some clothes.

Her phone has also been switched off and her social media accounts have since been deleted.

Sunnie Nguyen, 17, (pictured) vanished from her host family's South Plympton home four days ago

'I have been sitting next to my phone all night anxiously waiting for a call,' Ms Zervaas' daughter Mary told Daily Mail Australia.

'We are very worried. Her English isnt very fluent and she usually relies on someone to translate. She is going to struggle alone.

'She had five bags here at home, but she only left with one. Her two pairs of shoes are gone, but her wardrobe and dresser still have her clothes in them.

'She has her important stuff like her laptop and passport, which we think she takes with her usually to use as a form of valid ID, and some clothes. But she left everything else here, including all of her medication - which is quite important.'

SA police are investigating the disappearance of four missing teenagers from overseas who have been reported missing since the beginning of December.

Daily Mail Australia understands each case is being treated as a separate matter and police do not believe they are linked.

'All lines of inquiries in the investigations indicate that some of these youths may have travelled interstate and still remain there,' a police spokesman said.

'There is nothing currently identified in any investigation that would indicate these youths are in immediate danger.

'SA Police are working with interstate policing counterparts to help locate these youths.'

Like many teenage girls, Sunnie - who is due to start Year 11 at Hamilton Secondary College this year - loves singing, dancing, spending time with friends, and - of course - pop star Taylor Swift.

Over the past six months she has lived with the Zervaas family, she has built a routine of going to school, returning home for dinner, then spending her evening laughing, dancing and making videos with the family's two other exchange students.

Mary said Sunnie, who still has three years left on her study visa, seemed happy and they do not believe she has run away because she got on well with the family.

Now, May, Mary, the two other girls, and Sunnie's bestfriend - who moved into the Zervaas' home on Thursday - are all devastated, shocked and confused by her disappearance as everything in her life seemed 'completely normal'.

There are growing fears for safety of several Vietnamese exchange students who have disappeared in recent weeks in South Australia. Pictured: Sunnie

TIMELINE OF EVENTS Monday January 8 7pm: Sunnie has dinner with her host family then retires to her room 11pm: May Zervaas notices Sunnie is missing after going to her room. She tries to call, but her phone is switched off and then realises her social media accounts have been deleted. 11:30pm: The Zervaas family call police to make a missing person's report Thursday January 11 SA Police reveal Sunnie is one of four Vietnamese exchange students who have vanished in recent weeks. Advertisement

Authorities are working to contact Sunnie's family in Vietnam, but have not been able to reach them so far, Mary said.

The Zervaas family have also been in contact with Sunnie's school friends, but she has not reached out to any of them since her phone was disconnected and Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok accounts shut down.

Mary said there were no signs of forced entry into the home and the rest of Sunnie's belongings, aside from the missing items, remain in her room untouched.

Sunnie has a bank account with access to money but the Zervaas family do not know if any withdrawals or transactions have been made since Monday.

At this stage, they do not know if Sunnie was friends or associated with the other students who also vanished.

A Vietnamese community leader in Adelaide said the missing students may have travelled interstate.

'I hope that this is a case of, because of school holidays, kids, 17 years old, want to get together to go somewhere and not (tell) anyone,' said Lien Nguyen-Navas of the Vietnamese Womens Association.

'I hope that was the case.'

Sunnie is described as 'very kind' but very shy

READ MORE: Why Chinese students in Australia are faking being KIDNAPPED with bizarre trend on the rise Advertisement

The Zervaas family hope if Sunnie sees this story, she will get into contact and let them know she is okay.

Mary said Sunnie has a 'very pure heart' and is 'kind' but they are extremely concerned for her welfare as she is super shy and has language difficulties.

'She has come out of her shell with the students here and with us, but when we go out in public, she is still gets other people to talk for her,' she said.

'When she first arrived, if she went out alone she would come home almost instantly because she couldnt speak English.

'We have tried our best to teach her English and encourage her talking in English at home. She has improved a lot but not enough to get by.'

Sunnie is known to frequent Adelaide's CBD, Marion, and South Plympton.

Anyone with information is urged to contact SA Police on 131 444 using report number 2400009568.
Goldfish are being banned as prizes are banned from fairgrounds across Wales - and the RSPCA wants rest of Britain to follow.

The fairground ban comes after the RSPCA campaigned for a ban in animals and fish being given as traditional prizes to save them from suffering.

It warned the goldfish are abused - and some are being dumped just minutes after being won on fairground attractions.

The charity said an outright Welsh government ban is needed to prevent the practice happening on private land.

RSPCA Cymru's Sioned Nikolic said: 'We know that this is something people care about, with many assuming it is already banned.

Goldfish are being banned as prizes are banned from fairgrounds across Wales - and the RSPCA now wants rest of Britain to follow (Stock image)

'We would ultimately like to see pets being given away as prizes banned outrightly by the Welsh government.'

All council in Wales have agreed to enforce the ban on live animals as prizes.

It came after one goldfish believed to be from a fun fair was found washed up on the Welsh coast in Prestatyn but was incredibly still alive.

Goldie the goldfish was found by beachgoer Nicola Panayi, 40, who spotted it on the shore as she took for a morning swim at the beach but has no idea where it came from.

She said: 'I think Goldie may have been washed up as the bag was covered in sand and we had just had a high tide, which was receding. I'm so happy it has found a lovely forever home.'

After she posted on Facebook she was inundated by posts from angry animal lovers shocked at the cruelty by whoever dumped it.

One woman said: 'This is disgraceful. How was anyone brought up to treat animals like this?'

Another added: 'This is dreadful, should have been banned long ago.'
A grand jury has declined to indict a woman in Ohio who was facing a criminal charge after she attempted to flush a fetus down the toilet when she suffered a miscarriage.

Brittany Watts, 34, was just over 22 weeks pregnant when she miscarried in the bathroom of her Warren home. It was her first pregnancy.

She was previously admitted twice to Mercy Health St. Joseph Warren Hospital when she experienced agonizing cramps and bleeding. But she left both times after waiting hours to see a doctor.

In September, police found the fetus lodged in the toilet after Watts allegedly tried to flush it. She was later arrested and charged with gross abuse of a corpse, a fifth-degree felony.

The Trumbull County prosecutor's office revealed Thursday that grand jurors declined to return an indictment against Watts.

A grand jury has declined to indict Ohio woman Brittany Watts (pictured) who was facing a criminal charge after she attempted to flush a fetus down the toilet when she suffered a miscarriage

Watts, 34, was just over 22 weeks pregnant when she miscarried in the bathroom of her Warren home in September. It was her first pregnancy

She was previously admitted twice to Mercy Health St. Joseph Warren Hospital (pictured) when she experienced agonizing cramps and bleeding, she left both times

The announcement that Watts would not be charged came hours before 150 of her supporters gathered on Warren's Courthouse Square for a 'We Stand With Brittany!' rally.

She expressed her heartfelt appreciation for the community's support.

'I want to thank my community  Warren. Warren, Ohio. I was born here. I was raised here. I graduated high school here, and I'm going to continue to stay here because I have to continue to fight,' Watts said.

Her lawyer said an outpouring of emails, letters, calls, donations and prayers from the public helped her client endure the ordeal of being charged with a crime punishable by up to a year in prison.

'No matter how shocking or disturbing it may sound when presented in a public forum, it is simply the devastating reality of miscarriage,' attorney Traci Timko said in a statement.

'While the last three months have been agonizing, we are incredibly grateful and relieved that justice was handed down by the grand jury today.'

Watts attempted to flush the toilet following the miscarriage but it overflowed.

She used a bucket to clean up and as she did not want anyone to know about the pregnancy, and then went to the salon for a hair appointment.

But the hairdresser was concerned and called her mother. Watts was taken to the hospital, where a nurse phoned 911.

According to transcripts, the nurse told a dispatcher that Watts was sent to the hospital earlier that week with bleeding and left against medical advice.

She came back in on Wednesday still bleeding and said, Maybe I do need to be seen. So we readmitted her and we were talking her through everything and she disappeared, the nurse said.

The Trumbull County prosecutor's office revealed on Thursday that grand jurors declined to return an indictment for against Watts. Pictured: The Trumbull County Courthouse

The announcement that Watts would not be charged came hours before 150 of her supporters gathered on Warren's Courthouse Square for a 'We Stand With Brittany!' rally

She said Watts admitted to placing the fetus in a bucket and putting it outside her home, and claimed that Watts told her she did not want the baby.

However, Warren police found the fetus still lodged in the toilet. Watts was later arrested and charged.

According to attorney Timko, who formerly served as the citys assistant law director, Watts was told that the fetus was not viable.

Its a lot of pain, its a lot of emotion, and she was terrified, Timko said of her client. There were so many things going on that she was trying to handle at one time.

Watts said she felt anger, scared, betrayed, confused, and nervous when she was arrested.

Every negative emotion you could conjure up in the English language, I felt it, she continued.

A preliminary hearing was held November 2 in Warren Municipal Court.

When Detective Nick Carney took the stand, he said Watts said she felt the baby come out and there was a big splash.

There were no injuries found on the fetus, according to a forensic pathologist, who testified that it died before passing through the birth canal.

The judge found probable cause to send the case to the Trumbull County Grand Jury for review.

Prosecutor Dennis Watkins previously released a memo saying his office is duty bound to follow Ohio law.

The state law contains stipulations for the misdemeanor offense of abuse of a corpse and the felony offense of gross abuse of a corpse.

Watts expressed her heartfelt thanks for the support of the community in an address at the event

In the 911 call, the nurse told dispatchers that Watts had been admitted to the hospital earlier that week and left 'against medical advice'

Friends of Watts created a GoFundMe to help cover her legal fees, writing: We must help Brittany as she endures and fights this injustice, and we must ensure that no woman will be victimized this way again.

The campaign raised over $200,000, more than double its goal.

Ohio's Senate Bill 27 makes it a first-degree misdemeanor for fetal remains to be disposed through any means other than cremation or interment.

But this law typically applies to healthcare settings like abortion clinics rather than a private residence.

The bill has proven to be contentious, and in February 2022, a federal judge blocked enforcement of the law after determining that it violated clinics and patients rights to due process and equal protection.

One year earlier, the law was blocked from taking effect when the Ohio Department of Health failed to provide necessary documents.
Post Office victims have branded the Government's new compensation scheme a 'cheap PR stunt' that could leave many fighting for years to get their money back.

Thousands of innocent branch managers were left destitute after being wrongly blamed for financial losses caused by the faulty Horizon computer system.

This week, Rishi Sunak said new legislation would give victims a 75,000 compensation settlement option. The 'fixed sum award' is available to sub-postmasters who were not convicted.

They have the option to take the money and close their case. But those owed more can reject the 75,000 and continue to pursue their larger claims through the Department for Business. Last night it was unclear how long that would take.

Victims fear the process will be long-winded, possibly taking years, as in many cases it involves analysing mountains of paperwork dating back years. For some, vital documents were confiscated by the Post Office and never returned.

Sarah Burgess-Boyde (pictured) was cleared of stealing 33,000 in 2011 but lost her savings over an alleged shortfall at her Newcastle branch

Former postmistress Shazia Saddiq (pictured) was sacked from her branch in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in October 2016 over an alleged shortfall of 40,000

Those affected added that victims with lower-value claims, such as those who may accept the 75,000 settlement, generally have simpler cases that are quicker to deal with anyway.

Downing Street has estimated around a third of the 555 victims who took the Post Office to court, led by postmaster Alan Bates, will accept the settlement.

But campaigner Chris Head, 36, who was never prosecuted but left more than 1million out of pocket, said the settlement would be suitable for fewer than 40 individuals. He said: 'The vast majority have claims larger than 75,000, some substantially more  It feels like they are trying to fob us off with a cheap PR stunt.' He said those who wish to push for more money are facing an 'extremely stressful' road ahead.

Former postmistress Shazia Saddiq was sacked from her branch in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in October 2016 over an alleged shortfall of 40,000.

She lost her home when she was a single mother to two young children and said they all had stones, eggs and flour thrown at them.

Ms Saddiq, 40, who was part of the Alan Bates-led legal action and has received small payments, vented her fury over the 75,000 offer.

In a message for postal service minister Kevin Hollinrake, she said: 'I will come and lock you out of your house and I will write you a cheque for 75,000, that's what I feel like.'

Sarah Burgess-Boyde was cleared of stealing 33,000 in 2011 but lost her savings over an alleged shortfall at her Newcastle branch. She told BBC Radio 4 yesterday: 'Many of us who weren't convicted have lost a great deal... they've offered us 75,000. That just doesn't cut it.'

Yesterday Downing Street acknowledged 75,000 would not be enough for a 'significant' number of victims but said they would be free to reject the offer and fight for more. The PM's spokesman said the Government hoped to resolve cases 'quickly'.

Postmasters convicted who have their convictions quashed have been offered interim payments of 163,000 and a settlement of up to 600,000  unless they choose to fight for more.
Residents in Jackson, Mississippi have been ordered to boil water after E.coli bacteria was found in the city's supply.

Mississippi health officials told residents to boil their tap water Thursday as the manager of Jackson's long-troubled water system disputed while calling it a devastating setback for rebuilding public trust.

The boil water notice, which officials also imposed in the Jackson suburb of Flowood, was issued just days before the expected arrival of a blast of cold weather that could further disrupt the local water infrastructure.

The bacterias presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal waste, the state health department said.

'This is tragic. This is setting us back maybe a year. Its taken everything we can do to get a few more people in this city to drink tap water and have trust in it,' Ted Henifin, Jackson's interim water manager said at a news conference.

FILE - Water flows from Charles McCaskill's home, Sept. 7, 2022, in south Jackson, Miss. tate health officials told residents in Mississippi's capital to boil their tap water Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, after traces of E. coli bacteria were found in the city's supply - a result the manager of Jackson's long-troubled water system disputed while calling it a devastating setback for rebuilding trust. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)

Residents of the two Mississippi cities were advised to boil their water for one minute before using it. The precaution will last at least two full days as officials collect new samples for testing.

Hefrin also said that state officials refused to validate the lab results before issuing the boil water notice, and suggested there may have been false positive tests. He went on to add that it was unlikely that samples from Jackson and Flowood would be contaminated at the same time since the cities water systems are not connected.

Officials at the state health departments lab dont believe there was any contamination of the samples and that the results are not false positives, the health department said in a news release.

A federal judge appointed Henifin in November 2022 to oversee reforms to Jackson's water system after infrastructure breakdowns during the late summer of that year caused many city residents to go days and weeks without safe running water.

Rebuilding trust in the water system after years of dysfunction has been a central goal of Henifin's tenure in Jackson, where many residents have grown accustomed to relying on bottled water during repeated boil water notices.

Henifin has focused on numerous improvement projects, such as fixing broken pipes and introducing a new proposal for how the city charges for water.

The boil water notices sent local officials scrambling to collect samples from 120 locations.

Henifin said he expected the advisory might not be lifted until Monday, the same day temperatures in the area are expected to drop to frigid lows as an 'arctic blast' moves across the state.

Cold snaps in 2021 and 2022 caused frozen pipes and drops in water pressure across Jackson.

Henifin said he expected city leaders to be prepared for the extreme weather. But Thursday's boil water notice could have far-reaching consequences, he said.

'We have made amazing progress, and to not have at least the benefit of a validation of the results really puts us back into that old school of Jackson fearing the drinking water,' Henifin said.
A man who was seen on camera crying after finding his 5-year-old son's dead body in 1989 has now been charged with murder 34 years later.

Victor Lee Turner, 69, and Megan R. Turner, 63, have been charged with murder in the death of 5-year-old Justin Turner, Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis said at a news conference Wednesday.

Investigators long thought a 5-year-old South Carolina boy found strangled in 1989 was killed by his father, Victor, and stepmother, Megan.

But it took 34 years of scientific advancement to link microscopic fibers found on the boy's shirt to a ligature that investigators located at the couple's home, a sheriff said.

The boy's body was found inside a cabinet in a camper behind the Turner home in March 1989.

'My boy is in there,' Victor said after finding the body and leaving the RV.

Victor Lee Turner (pictured left), a man who was seen on camera crying after finding his 5-year-old son's dead body in 1989, has now been charged with murder 34 years later. His wife Megan R. Turner (pictured right) was also charged with murder in connection with the boy's death

The Turners have been charged with murder in the death of 5-year-old Justin Turner

Victor is seen crying after finding the remains of Justin Tuner inside an RV on their South Carolina property in 1989

Investigators immediately thought the killing scene had been staged and caught the couple in lies, including that he had gotten on the school bus the morning he disappeared, Lewis said.

Megan Turner was charged with murder shortly after the boy's death, but prosecutors dropped the charge, with the condition that they could refile it if more evidence emerged.

Scientific advancements, combined with evidence collected in 1989, was the push needed, the sheriff said.

Tiny fibers from a ligature that investigators found at the home shortly after the boy's disappearance were found to match those found on the boy's shirt, sheriff's deputies said in the arrest warrants.

'That enabled us to tie in the murder weapon that we believe was used to strangle Justin to clothing and fabric on his clothing at the time of his death,' Lewis said.

Investigators suspected the Turners from the beginning, based not only on the ligature, but the couple's behavior.

Other possible evidence was that food from a dinner the family had eaten the night before Justin was reported missing was found during an autopsy to be only partially digested.

Investigators said that showed the boy was killed not long after he ate. The couple said the last time they saw Justin alive was the next morning as they got him ready for school - sparking a search for the youngster.

Victor Turner, seen in archival footage from 1989, was in tears when he discovered his son's dead body

An image of victim Justin Lee Turner is displayed during a news conference, Wednesday in Moncks Corner, South Carolina

The child's body was found two days after he was reported missing.

Just as a massive search was getting underway, Victor Turner entered the camper as a TV camera filmed him. Seconds later he said he found the body among the many cabinets and drawers in the camper, deputies said.

Turner didn't check to see if the boy was alive, instead backing out and saying someone had hurt him, according to the statement.

'He looked dead. I could feel something was wrong with him. I did not touch him,' Turner later told investigators.

Before the body was discovered, a witness said Turner asked a law enforcement official what might happen to a family member who had harmed the boy, deputies said.

Deputies said the couple do not have lawyers. They are being held without bail at the Berkeley County jail after being arrested at their home in Laurens County, about a three-hour drive away.

Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis announces the arrests of the father and stepmother of a 5-year-old boy killed in 1989

Images of Victor Lee Turner, 69, and Pamlea K. Turner, aka Megan Renee Turner, are displayed during a news conference

The sheriff said deputies gave them ample time to talk during the ride after reading them their rights, but they chose not to.

'I never got one phone call - one phone call - from his daddy or his stepmother. "What are y'all doing about my son's death?" Not one. What does that tell you?' Lewis said.

Several members of the boy's family were at the news conference, including Amy Parsons, who was eight years old when her cousin died.

She said while many of her relatives grieved and cried and demanded justice - including the boy's mother, who has since died - the Turners moved away and disconnected.

'Put these two people where they deserve to be because they walked for 34 years,' Parsons said. 'They had freedom for 34 years while our family suffered.'
Bombs from US and UK military aircraft rained down on Houthi occupied cities in Yemen last night in response to the rebels sustained attacks on shipping vessels in the Red Sea.

US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak both released statements moments after missiles blasted capital Sana'a, Hodeida and Saada.

Below are their statements in full.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

'The Royal Air Force has carried out targeted strikes against military facilities used by Houthi rebels in Yemen.

'In recent months, the Houthi militia have carried out a series of dangerous and destabilising attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea, threatening UK and other international ships, causing major disruption to a vital trade route and driving up commodity prices.

'Their reckless actions are risking lives at sea and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

'Despite the repeated warnings from the international community, the Houthis have continued to carry out attacks in the Red Sea, including against UK and US warships just this week.

'This cannot stand': Prime Minister Rishi Sunak released a statement following the airstrikes on Yemen cities

'This cannot stand.

'The United Kingdom will always stand up for freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade.

'We have therefore taken limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence, alongside the United States with non-operational support from the Netherlands, Canada and Bahrain against targets tied to these attacks, to degrade Houthi military capabilities and protect global shipping.

'The Royal Navy continues to patrol the Red Sea as part of the multinational Operation Prosperity Guardian to deter further Houthi aggression, and we urge them to cease their attacks and take steps to de-escalate.'

US President Joe Biden

'Today, at my direction, U.S. military forces -together with the United Kingdom and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands - successfully conducted strikes against a number of targets in Yemen used by Houthi rebels to endanger freedom of navigation in one of the world's most vital waterways.

'These strikes are in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea - including the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history.

'These attacks have endangered US personnel, civilian mariners, and our partners, jeopardized trade, and threatened freedom of navigation. More than 50 nations have been affected in 27 attacks on international commercial shipping.

US President Joe Biden said he would not 'hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people'

'Crews from more than 20 countries have been threatened or taken hostage in acts of piracy. More than 2,000 ships have been forced to divert thousands of miles to avoid the Red Sea - which can cause weeks of delays in product shipping times. And on January 9, Houthis launched their largest attack to date - directly targeting American ships.

'The response of the international community to these reckless attacks has been united and resolute.

'Last month, the United States launched Operation Prosperity Guardian - a coalition of more than 20 nations committed to defending international shipping and deterring Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.

'We also joined more than 40 nations in condemning Houthi threats. Last week, together with 13 allies and partners, we issued an unequivocal warning that Houthi rebels would bear the consequences if their attacks did not cease.

'And yesterday, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution demanding the Houthis end attacks on merchant and commercial vessels.

'Today's defensive action follows this extensive diplomatic campaign and Houthi rebels' escalating attacks against commercial vessels.

'These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the world's most critical commercial routes.

'I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.'
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt (pictured) has been urged to reintroduce the stamp duty rebate for homeowners who insulate their homes

Jeremy Hunt is facing fresh calls to introduce a stamp duty rebate for homeowners who insulate their property within two years of purchase.

In a bid to incentivise green improvements, MPs and think tanks are urging ministers to back a 'Rebate to Renovate' tax refund scheme.

A new report by the Better Homes Alliance, published today, found that many households are unlikely to cover the upfront costs of retrofitting - ranging between 8,000-12,000.

Yet research by the group found improving the energy efficiency of a home - from loft insulation to double glazing - could knock 348 a year off the average household's energy bill.

The alliance said the Government should take a lead in showing how fiscal incentives could help homeowners improve their homes and reduce carbon emissions - with MPs and officials considering the policy.

Polling suggests there is broad support for the idea, with six in ten people with a mortgage saying they would be likely to upgrade their properties if rewarded with a stamp duty rebate.

The number rises to nearly seven in ten if those improvements led to reductions in their energy bills.

Stamp duty calculator How much would you pay to move home? Work out whether you would end up with a bill running into tens of thousands. > Stamp duty calculator: The tax you pay to move home

Commenting on the research, senior Tory MP Damian Green said: 'Tackling housing affordability and climate change are both major challenges.

'As Conservatives we should look for solutions that incentivise rather than penalise individuals to upgrade the energy efficiency of their homes.'

Adam Hawksbee, deputy director at Onward, said: 'Homeowners want to make improvements to their properties but many people are unable to due to the significant costs involved.

'This is particularly true for people living in low value homes in poorer parts of the country.

'We need to find ways to incentivise, not penalise, people to retrofit their homes. That is why the government should consider the idea of a Rebate to Renovate, a practical solution which will help bring down energy bills and decarbonise our inefficient housing stock.'

Ryan Shorthouse, the executive chair of Bright Blue, added: 'We need stronger policies to ensure households retrofit their homes with the necessary energy efficiency measures and low-carbon technologies.

'It makes sense to have a strong incentive at the point of moving into a house, as this is the time that homeowners are most likely to be open to making major improvements.'

The proposal has previously been backed by Lloyds bank and the owner of B&Q.
Proponents say a ban could help cut down on pedestrian deaths that rose by almost a quarter in a year

If passed, the ban would come into effect for the Downtown, Midtown and Castleberry Hill areas

Officials in Atlanta have sparked fury by threatening to ban right turns at red stoplights.

The proposal is being weighed by the City Council for the Downtown, Midtown and Castleberry Hill areas. Supporters of the legislation say the neighborhoods draw heavy footfall thanks to popular cultural attractions and businesses.

It was put forward by councilman Jason Dozier, who has already secured the backing of ten other officials.

'We've seen a 50 percent increase in pedestrian deaths since 2020, and 38 pedestrians died on Atlanta's streets last year as a consequence,' Dozier told Fox News.

The Atlanta proposal follows steps taken by other cities across the nation, such as Washington, DC, and New York City, to ban right on red.

Officials in Atlanta are mulling over banning right turns at red stoplights in a move that has sparked fury among some residents

The proposals would affect the the Downtown, Midtown and Castleberry Hill areas

'When cars are allowed to turn at red lights, they typically creep into crosswalks, with drivers looking only for oncoming cars rather than pedestrians or cyclists.

'Even worse, vehicle sizes have ballooned over the last 20 years, so even if a driver were looking for a pedestrian, bigger blind spots and narrower sight lines make it difficult to see them.

'Crosswalks represent some of the very little space that our cities afford pedestrians, and this legislation attempts to protect that space.'

The number of pedestrian fatalities has increased by 23 percent between 2021 and 2022, according to transit safety group Propel ATL.

However, the proposal has not left everybody happy.

'I assume you will outlaw cars next. Probably a good next step since this will only make traffic worse,' one local fumed on social media.

'Please consider select hours, rather than a complete ban,' another implored. 'Castleberry is not excessively active during the week. Also, think about exceptions to event traffic patterns for residents in those neighborhoods.'

If the proposal passes, Atlanta will become the latest US city to ban 'right-on-red' turns, following the likes of Washington, DC, and Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The proposals have the backing of 11 of 16 Atlanta City Council members so far

Jason Dozier, who put forward the legislation, believes it could help cut down on the number of traffic accidents involving pedestrians

A ban in the nation's capital was passed last year and will come into effect in 2025. The maneuver has already been forbidden in New York City, where it is it is illegal to make a right turn when the traffic light is red, except at certain intersections in Staten Island

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's is also calling for 'restricting' right turns on red.

Leaders in San Francisco are also urging bans on right turns on red, while other large cities including Los Angeles, Seattle and Denver have looked into bans as well.

The true number of collisions caused by right turns on red nationally is not known.

However, supporters of the ban point to a 1994 report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to Congress which counted 558 injuries and four fatalities caused by right turns on red.

The report analyzed four years of crash data from Indiana, Maryland and Missouri and three years of data from Illinois.

'Even though we talk about this legislation in terms of motorists and pedestrians, this is a people-centered policy aimed at keeping people safe, particularly our most vulnerable residents,' Dozier said.

'People want to be where they feel safe, and something as simple as making it easier for families to cross the street goes a long way towards creating a culture and community centered on safety,' he explained.

'This is especially important for our local businesses as higher foot traffic leads to higher sales and revenues.

'Businesses thrive where people want to be. We saw this in real time during the pandemic as businesses moved dining areas out onto sidewalks or into reclaimed parking spaces. Walkability is not only good for people, but it's good for our local economies, and this legislation encourages that,' he said.

The Atlanta City Council Transportation Committee is set to vote on the proposal on Wednesday.
A farmer has refused an offer of 40,000 from the family of killed Muriel McKay to dig up his land to search for her body.

Mrs McKay, 55, was killed in a bungled kidnapping after being mistaken for Rupert Murdoch's wife in December 1969.

The final resting place of Mrs McKay has remained a mystery that has haunted her family for more than 50 years since she was kidnapped after being mistaken for the wife of the media tycoon Murdoch.

This week her heartbroken relatives offered Ian De Burgh Marsh, the owner of the farm in Stocking Pelham, Hertfordshire, $50,000 (the equivalent of about 40,000) to enable them to dig up his land after her killer claimed she was buried there.

According to The Times, Scotland Yard told the McKay family: 'We have had contact with the De Burgh family and the indication is that they will not accept your offer and would prefer contact to be via us.'

Muriel McKay, 55, was killed in a bungled kidnapping after being mistaken for Rupert Murdoch's wife in December 1969

Nizamodeen Hosein, 75, was jailed in 1970 and served 20 years for the murder of Mrs McKay. He last month gave a sworn affidavit in which he disclosed the location of the victim's body.

Mrs McKay was kidnapped by Hosein and his brother, Arthur, after being mistaken for the wife of Murdoch.

An earlier statement on behalf of Mr De Burgh Marsh said that he 'very much sympathises with the family and hopes they can find closure over this tragedy', adding: 'Mr Marsh is in regular conversation with the Metropolitan Police over this matter. He has at all times been fully co-operative with their investigation and every time the police have asked for access to his land, he has granted it to them.'

But Detective Superintendent Katherine Goodwin said Mr De Burgh Marsh would not accept the offer, adding: 'I still believe we are not yet in a position to apply for such a warrant.'

She added that Hosein's affidavit 'could not be relied upon in isolation' because he previously suggested another part of the farm was the location of the burial.

The family said they made the offer as they were desperate following what they said was inaction by the Metropolitan Police.

The family of Muriel McKay offered a farm owner 40,000 to dig up land where their relative is thought to be buried

Now Nizamodeen Hosein  known as Nizam  one of two men convicted in 1970 of her kidnap and death (pictured), has put his name to an astonishing legal document fully admitting his involvement for the first time

Ian and Caroline De Burgh Marsh bought the farm in 2007 for 2.2million and previously said they would only permit a search if the police forced them to do so.

After years of refusing to explain Mrs McKay's fate, Hosein has claimed she collapsed and died of a heart attack at the remote Hertfordshire farm where the brothers were holding her.

Hosein says he panicked and buried her body under a dung heap behind the farmhouse near the village of Stocking Pelham.

Scotland Yard detectives were unsuccessful after searching a small section of a field near the house in 2022 - but the family insists they dug in the wrong place.

Hosein says he is certain he will remember the spot where he buried Mrs McKay's body, even though the buildings, the farmyard and the fields have drastically changed since the kidnap in 1969.

Last year, Nizamodeen Hosein  known as Nizam  one of two men convicted in 1970 of her kidnap and death, put his name to an astonishing legal document fully admitting his involvement for the first time.

The nine-page affidavit  a legally binding document witnessed by solicitors  set out in painstaking detail the events of the night of December 29, 1969, when Mrs McKay, wife of News International executive Alick McKay, was ambushed on the doorstep of her home in Wimbledon, South-West London.

Scotland Yard detectives were unsuccessful after searching a small section of a field near the house in 2022

It identifies what Nizam insists is the exact location of her body at Rooks Farm, near the Hertfordshire village of Stocking Pelham, where she was taken after the bungled kidnapping.

Mrs McKay's grandson, property investor and inventor Mark Dyer, 59, said: 'This document has been 54 years in the making. It has taken Nizam more than half a century to admit his part in what happened, and now he has given this full admission it is an enormous step forward.'

Nizam, along with his brother Arthur, were imprisoned in 1970 for Mrs McKay's kidnap and murder. It was one of the first times a murder conviction was brought without a body, and both refused to admit their part in a crime which made headlines around the world.

But in recent months Nizam, deported to his native Trinidad in 1990 after 20 years in prison, has become more co-operative.

McKay's daughter Dianne, 83, told The Times 'time is running out for me to give my mother the burial she deserves'.

In a letter the family told the De Burgh Marshes yesterday: 'We have new information as to the exact location which has been provided by the perpetrator.

'We now wish to search a small, targeted and specific area with minimal police attendance. That way there will be no unnecessary searching.

'In October 2021, we decided to offer the perpetrator the sum of $50,000 under the terms of a settlement agreement in order that he provide us with information as to the whereabouts and the exact location of burial. He will not accept any of this money.

'As a family we now offer you this sum for any inconvenience caused and any legal fees incurred by a second search.'
Six Alaska Airlines passengers have sued Boeing after their horror flight where a door plug blew out at 16,000 feet, forcing a dramatic emergency landing in Oregon.

A family member of one of the passengers who was onboard Flight 1282 joined the class-action lawsuit in King County Superior Court in Seattle on Thursday.

The suit claims the passengers are owed compensation for injuries that were sustained during the incident.

'Although everyone is glad that the blowout occurred while the crew could still manage to land the aircraft safely, this nightmare experience has caused economic, physical and ongoing emotional consequences that have understandably deeply affected our clients, and is one more disturbing mark on the troubled 737-MAX series aircraft,' attorney Daniel Laurence who is representing the passengers said in a statement.

When asked about the lawsuit, Boeing told DailyMail.com: 'We have nothing to add.'

Six Alaska Airlines passengers have sued Boeing after their horror flight where a door plug blew out at 16,000ft, forcing a dramatic emergency landing in Oregon

The missing door panel was found on Sunday night in High school physics teacher Bob Sauer's back yard. It has since been taken back to a NTSB lab in Washington for further examination

The lawsuit comes after Alaska Airlines offered passengers a mere $1,500 for their experience in the flight.

It's unclear how much money the plaintiffs in the new class-action lawsuit are seeking.

In a previous statement, Boeing said it is 'committed to ensuring every Boeing airplane meets design specifications and the highest safety and quality standards.'

'We regret the impact this has had on our customers and their passengers,' Boeing said on Monday.

Boeing 737 Max 9 took off from Portland, Oregon, bound for California on Friday night, when just 20 minutes later its door 'plug' blew out at 16,000 feet and fell to the earth.

The plane was forced to make a harrowing emergency landing as passengers believed they were saying their final goodbyes to loved ones.

There were 171 passengers and six crew on board the flight when the part fell from the plane.

Federal officials spent days looking for the lost parts of the plane to help in their investigation. Authorities also ordered similar planes be grounded while they investigated.

The missing door plug was found by a Portland high school physics teacher Bob Sauer, 64, on Sunday night in his backyard, days after the incident.

Sauer said he took a flashlight to his tree-filled yard that night when he saw 'something gleaming white underneath the trees in the back that isn't normally there,' he told Reuters on Monday.

Alaska flight 1282 left Portland just after 5pm Friday when a window blew out at 16,000 feet and federal investigators are now trying to hunt down the missing piece

Bob Sauer found the missing door in his backyard and said that the tree it was caught in acted like an air bag and that he didn't think it was damaged from the fall

He had found the 26-by-46 inch, 63-pound panel known as a mid-cabin door plug that is used to replace an exit often installed on planes configured to carry more passengers.

The panel has been sent to an NTSB lab in Washington for further examination, the agency said.

Sauer, a science teacher at the Catlin Gabel School whose students had just been learning about the physics principles of impulse and momentum, said his trees had acted like an airbag.

'I don't think the door was damaged at all by the fall,' he said.

Sauer also said that he was out when the door plug would have landed so he didn't hear anything.

In a separate interview with Good Morning America, Sauer said that he was careful not to touch the plug before the NTSB arrived.

Investigators had originally asked for help finding the door plug after the incident, and said they believed it was in Cedar Hills - the location it was eventually found. Cedar Hills is located in Washington County, Oregon, which is about seven miles west of Portland.

The missing door was found around the same time Alaska Airlines announced it canceled 170 flights on Sunday and another 60 on Monday so investigators can inspect the aircraft.

It was later found that the aircraft was banned from long-distance flights over water after a cabin pressure warning light illuminated on three prior flights.

According to reports, pilots had noted that warning lights had flashed to indicate some loss of cabin pressure, but Alaska Airlines said they were written up and resolved 'per approved maintenance procedures,' according to the Seattle Times.

A photo shows the blown out area. It is offered as a door on the aircraft. Alaska chose not to take this option - although the frame of the prospective door was entirely ripped out by the fuselage failure

One of the missing cellphones was found by video game designer Sean Bates who said that he picked it up while out for a walk. The phone displayed an email with an Alaska Airlines baggage receipt on it

Federal investigators also said the in-flight voice recorder data has been lost as it was not reset within a two-hour window after the emergency landing.

Cockpit voice recorder's can be found on all aircrafts and is there to capture the flight crew's voices and all sounds in the cockpit.

According to the NTSB website, the device is capable of recording up to 25 hours and is re-set every two hours. Because the it was not re-set in time, it is unknown what was said at the time of the emergency.

National Transportation Safety Board investigators have hailed the miracle that all of the passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 737-9 Max survived.

Sunday was the first day that investigators fully examined the bizarre event that left one person with non-life-threatening injuries and forced Alaskan Airlines to ground dozens of its Boeing 737-9 MAX jets for urgent safety checks.

Several other airlines have also made the decision to ground aircrafts of that model as critics have pointed to other deadly crashes and system failures involving the type of jet in recent years.

Jennifer Homendy of the National Transportation Safety Board said the blow-out at 16,000ft was an 'accident, not an incident'

Its catastrophic failure depressurized the cabin, with the force of the air ripping the shirt off a young boy, whose mom was seen holding onto him. Passengers also watched as their phones were sucked out into the night sky.

One of the missing cellphones was found by video game designer Sean Bates who said that he picked it up while out for a walk. In a series of posts on X, Bates said that the intact iPhone was still in airplane mode and had half of its battery life left.

When Bates found the phone it displayed an email with an Alaska Airlines baggage receipt on it.

Bates added that when he contacted the National Transportation and Safety Bureau, he was told that it was the second such phone to have been found.

He went on to post pictures that showed the charger plug was still in the phone, indicating that it was yanked out.
The Metropolitan Police will cut the number of murder detectives working in London despite the homicide rate climbing rapidly, reports claim.

Top detectives will instead be deployed to reinforce teams working on other crimes such as burglary and assault, according to the The Telegraph.

Scotland Yard is still trying to plug recruitment gaps in the capital, police chief Sir Mark Rowley warning in September it was losing officers faster than it could recruit.

But investigators already under intense pressure warn they are at risk of 'burning out' if the plans go through, with the homicide rate remaining high into the new year.

A senior murder detective told The Telegraph: 'The officers are telling us they are in danger of burning out and yet the top brass are telling us we need to make efficiencies.

'The idea that there is any fat to trim within murder is crazy. If anything, we need more resources, not less.'

Murder rates have been falling overall, but detectives have battled to investigate a murder nearly every other day since the new year.

London's knife crime epidemic has also increased each year since Covid, with 13,503 incidents in the capital between July 2022 and July 2023, up 21 per cent year on year.

Then Asst. Commissioner Mark Rowley gives a statement on March 7, 2018 in Salisbury

A total of 106 people were murdered in London in 2022 - a recent low, but made more difficult by a shortfall in available investigators across the capital

The Met has been struggling to recruit for some months, Sir Mark Rowley last year blaming the Home Office for withholding granting access to additional funds.

The Commissioner, giving evidence to the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee, said: 'I'm really disappointed that government policy means that the approximately 60 million of funding for the officers that we didn't recruit has been withdrawn.

'I could use that money very effectively in growing police staff members to free officers up to go on the streets.

'We have the smallest proportion of police staff in the organisation of any police force in the country - that's something I've been concerned about since day one and we've got officers effectively doing support and resource functions instead because we don't have the staff.'

In August it was reported the government had withdrawn 31 million in recruitment funding from Scotland Yard in spite of warnings it was already anticipating a shortfall in staff of some 2,000 officers by 2024.

Ministers had set aside funding as part of a Tory manifesto pledge to recruit 20,000 new officers over a period of five years by March 2023, dubbed the Police Uplift Programme.

As the Met did not meet its recruitment targets, it was then hit with an compounded loss of 30.8 million earmarked as grant funding.

A spokesperson for mayor Sadiq Khan said at the time the decision was 'ill-judged' and 'deeply regrettable', as reported by the Evening Standard.

'Against the backdrop of devastating Government cuts, the Mayor is doing everything he can to support the Met to recruit and retain the best officers to serve London's communities,' said a spokesperson.

The Home Office defended the decision, a spokesperson saying the Met could expect 102mn more for the 2023-24 financial year than it received the year prior.

But by October, research showed the number of safer neighbourhood police officers in London had fallen by as much as 64 per cent since 2015 - a startling change in the number of officers dedicated to serving a specific community in the capital.

The decline was also much higher than the 27 per cent average decline across England and Wales, the BBC noted.

Sarah Olney, Lib Dem MP for Richmond Park, said the research showed 'the Met's frontline teams have been decimated over the past 8 years'.

'We've seen fewer and fewer police walking our streets, instead blue lights come screaming in whenever there's an incident. They're reacting to crime, not preventing it.

'Burglaries, muggings and car thefts aren't stopped by response units. It's the fear that an officer could be round the corner at any moment that deters crime.'

File photo of Metropolitan Police officer outside the Houses of Parliament on March 21, 2023

Full Fact noted that while the government had reached its target of recruiting 20,000 more officers in England and Wales by last year, it ignored a fall in the number of officers in the years prior to 2017.

'There are currently only around 3,5000 more officers than in 2010,' it concluded.

Sir Mark said last year the public view of the Met's culture may further hamper the ability to recruit amid high-profile cases involving former officers.

He acknowledged 'wider public sector issues' could also add to the difficulty.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has broken his silence after failing to disclose he was in the hospital to speak out as the United States rained bombs on Iran-backed targets across Yemen.

'In light of the illegal, dangerous, and destabilizing Iranian-backed Houthi attacks against U.S. and international vessels and commercial vessels from many countries lawfully transiting the Red Sea, today the militaries of the United States and the United Kingdom, with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands, conducted strikes against military targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen,' he said in a statement.

'This action is intended to disrupt and degrade the Houthis' capabilities to endanger mariners and threaten global trade in one of the world's most critical waterways. Today's coalition action sends a clear message to the Houthis that they will bear further costs if they do not end their illegal attacks,' Austin added.

Austin cited the 'more than two dozen attacks' made by the Houthis since November 19 and the need for a coalition to uphold the rules-based international order.

The Defense Secretary remains hospitalized after his ICU stint, a stay that was kept secret from the country and White House for days.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has broken his silence after failing to disclose he was in the hospital to speak out as the United States rained bombs on Iran-backed targets across Yemen

'We will not hesitate to defend our forces, the global economy, and the free flow of legitimate commerce in one of the world's vital waterways,' Austin said in the statement.

Austin was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on December 22 after 'consultation with his medical team' due to a prostate cancer diagnosis.

He then underwent a 'minimally invasive surgical procedure called a prostatectomy to treat and cure prostate cancer,' according to a statement from the hospital. His cancer was 'diagnosed early and his prognosis is excellent,' the statement said.

But he then suffered complications on January 1 that required an ambulance to take him back to the hospital. His complications included 'nausea with severe abdominal, leg and hip pain.'

The early diagnosis was a urinary tract infection but further examination showed Austin, 70, had a fluid build up in his abdomen that was impairing the function of his small intestines.

The infection was treated by a tube placed through is nose that went down to his stomach. It has cleared, the statement said, and Austin 'continues to make progress.'

He 'never lost consciousness and never underwent general anesthesia,' the statement said, although Austin did undergo anesthesia for the December 22 surgery.

Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks was given Austin's powers at that time but not told the reason.

Handout photo supplied by the UK Ministry of Defense showing a Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4 taking off from Royal Air Force Akrotiri to conduct strikes against military targets in Yemen

I have lost trust in Secretary Lloyd Austins leadership of the Defense Department due to the lack of transparency about his recent medical treatment and its impact on the continuity of the chain of command.  Congressman Chris Deluzio (@RepDeluzio) January 10, 2024

President Joe Biden was only informed on Tuesday that Austin had cancer.

Pentagon officials also didn't tell the White House for four days that Austin had returned to the hospital on Jan. 1 after experiencing severe pain. He was taken there by ambulance.

A Pentagon official blamed the communications breakdown on 'a screw up because of people being out of the office.'

Austin Chief of staff Kelly Magsamen had the flu and public affairs chief Chris Meagher was at doctors' appointments with his pregnant wife, who gave birth to their first child on Friday.

Biden announced the airstrikes on Thursday night against the Middle Eastern nation as missiles came from planes, destroyers and submarines. The attacks come in response to weeks of Houthi-led bombings on ships in the Red Sea - amid the conflict between Israel and Gaza.

US officials had warned there would be 'consequences' for the Houthi's attack on non-military ships in the Red Sea.

Explosions were reported in Sana'a, Hodeidah governorate, Saada, and Dhamar, Houthi officials confirmed. It's unclear the extent of the damage or any injuries.

Fighter jets, Navy destroyers, submarines and Tomahawk cruise missiles were all used in the blitz, according to NBC.

The US and UK, along with Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands, joined together for the attack.

'These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the worlds most critical commercial routes,' Biden said.

'I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.'

US and UK military forces have 'successfully' completed targeted strikes in Yemen used by Houthi to attack ships in the Red Sea

The bombardment came on Thursday night after the Houthi had blocked another shipping lane in the Gulf of Aden, the latest in a string of attacks against vessels in the area in recent months. Pictured: Houthi military helicopter flies over the Galaxy Leader cargo ship in the Red Sea in November.

Prior to the strike, terrorists in the region had warned of possible retaliation against US military targets if the bombing went ahead.

Shortly after the strike unverified reports of attacks on US bases in Iraq began to flood social media.

The bombardment came after the the U.S. military said the Houthis had had staged their 27th attack on shipping since November 19 earlier on Thursday, firing an anti-ship ballistic missile into international shipping lanes in the Gulf of Aden.

The US military strikes are the country's first on Yemen since 2016. President Biden said they had been ordered in response to 'unprecedented' attacks against maritime vessels.

'More than 50 nations have been affected in 27 attacks on international commercial shipping. Crews from more than 20 countries have been threatened or taken hostage in acts of piracy,' Biden said.

'More than 2,000 ships have been forced to divert thousands of miles to avoid the Red Seawhich can cause weeks of delays in product shipping times. And on January 9, Houthis launched their largest attack to datedirectly targeting American ships.'

He then added: 'Last week, together with 13 allies and partners, we issued an unequivocal warning that Houthi rebels would bear the consequences if their attacks did not cease. And yesterday, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution demanding the Houthis end attacks on merchant and commercial vessels.'
Anti-war protesters chanted and marched through New York City as US military airstrikes against the Houthi rained bombs in Yemen.

Demonstrators assembled in Times Square Thursday night, just hours after President Joe Biden confirmed the 'successful' bombardment of several Yemeni cities.

The coordinated strikes between the US, UK and other allied nations came after American officials warned of 'consequences' if the Iranian-backed rebels continued targeting ships in the Red Sea.

Shortly after the bombing started, Times Square became the site of an anti-war rally, with protesters demanding 'US out of the Middle East'. It appeared at least one person was detained by the police.

The popular landmark was occupied by demonstrators carrying Palestine flags and placards demanding the US stop bombing Yemen and end all aid to Israel.

Anti-war protesters took to Times Square in New York to stage a rally condemning the US airstrikes on Yemen designed to flush out Houthi rebels

Demonstrators gathered Thursday night just hours after President Joe Biden confirmed the strikes had begun

It appeared at least one person was detained by police during the protest

The strikes were ordered in response to escalating violence by the Houthi against ships in the Red Sea. The group claims its attacks are designed to help stop Israel's war on Gaza

Protesters marched from Times Square to Columbus Circle chanting, 'it is right to rebel, US UK got to hell' and 'We want justice you say "How?" Stop bombing Yemen now!'

One demonstrator with a megaphone told the crowd, 'the true face of Zionism and imperialism has showed its face once more' as she claimed the bombardment was for 'its own capital gains.'

Around a dozen sites were targeted in the military raids on Thursday, sparking fears of an escalation into a regional war.

Prior to the strikes, terrorist groups in the area had warned of retaliatory action against US military bases if the bombardment happened.

Biden said in a statement the attacks were a response to 'unprecedented' sieges on military vessels.

The military campaign saw the US and UK with support from Australia, Canada, Bahrain and the Netherlands, unleash bombs and missiles on the capital Sana'a, Hodeidah governorate, Saada, and Dhamar.

Earlier on Thursday, the Houthi carried out their 27th attack since November 19 according to the US Military, firing an anti-ship ballistic missile into international shipping lanes in the Gulf of Aden.

The Houthi claim their attacks are designed to stop Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip, but their targets are increasingly random.

Protesters marched and chanted, 'it is right to rebel, US UK got to hell' and 'We want justice you say "How?" Stop bombing Yemen now!'

The military campaign saw the US and UK with support from Australia, Canada, Bahrain and the Netherlands, unleash bombs and missiles on Yemen

Many fear the airstrikes could lead to an escalation resulting in an all-out war in the region after the Houthi issued a response condemning the US and UK's 'brutal aggression' and vowing to make the nations pay

The Houthi Media Authority vowed to make the US and its allies 'pay' following the strikes

Biden has already faced criticism for the decision from his own party, with representatives demanding to know why he did not appear before Congress prior to ordering the strikes

Various shipping lines have suspended operations, instead taking the longer journey around Africa.

In response to the strikes the Houthi Media Authority warned that the group 'will not back down' and pledged that the US 'will pay absolutely and without hesitation'.

President Biden also faced criticism from within his own ranks, with Democrat Congressman Ro Khanna slamming him for failing to appear before the house prior to executing the strikes.

'The President needs to come to Congress before launching a strike against the Houthis in Yemen and involving us in another Middle East conflict. That is Article I of the Constitution,' he said in a post on X.

'I will stand up for that regardless of whether a Democrat or Republican is in the White House.'
One unlucky protester was body slammed by a member of Ron DeSantis' security team at a campaign event in Ames, Iowa on Thursday.

The Florida Governor was faced with three separate protesters  all appearing to be involved in environmental activism.

Following the event, DeSantis told reporters that while he welcomes conversations, protesters will not be permitted to rush the stage where he is speaking.

Gov. DeSantis took several questions from the audience at the conclusion of his remarks during the campaign stop at a Jethro's BBQ restaurant just four days before the Iowa caucuses.

The first protester was a young man yelling about the dangers of fossil fuels.

'I know you have an agenda. Stop! Here we go,' DeSantis said as the demonstrator continued to shout as he was dragged out of the room by a member of the candidate's security team.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was met with protesters during three separate outbursts at a campaign stop in Ames, Iowa on Thursday evening. He pointed to one and said: 'I know you have an agenda. Stop!'

Members of DeSantis' security team escorted the protesters out of the room  and one unlucky demonstrator was body slammed by a member of security for the event

'This guy is like  he wants you to pay more for gas, more for energy, he wants rolling blackouts in this country,' DeSantis said to cheers from those there to support him. 'We're not going to let people like that win. We're going to make sure we're energy independent.'

The second outburst barely got off the ground before he was tackled to it.

The protester was with 'Sunrise Movement,' which is the same group that sent at least two activists to interrupt the Fox News town hall with DeSantis on Tuesday. But the protester was not the same as those present for the town hall.

The movement highlights on its website that its mission is to 'force the government to end the era of fossil fuel elites'.

'This is what's wrong with the college system right there. That's an Exhibit A,' DeSantis said in reference to the young demonstrators.

'And honestly, you know, it's like if you're going to do that  he was like stumbling around to get his flag out. Like he telegraphed that a mile away, anyone could have seen that,' DeSantis said after his security body slammed the protester before they could unfurl their banner.

The 2024 hopeful recollected of two nights prior: 'Some of these guys, they actually infiltrated  I did a town hall on Fox News  well I don't know if they infiltrated or they were welcomed to do that. But they were there. They tried to bum rush the stage there.'

DeSantis spoke to a packed room at Jethro's BBQ in Ames, Iowa on Thursday night with just four days until the Iowa caucuses on January 15

Not even minutes later, a third protester was forced out of the gathering room.

'No, no, no, we'll wait, we'll wait,' DeSantis said as members of the audience became increasingly agitated with the interruptions.

'You see that all the time,' the Governor noted. 'You see who they're spending money against. You see what they're doing with the media.'

'That's what I would say to Republican voters  who the media is going after, who the media doesn't want to be the candidate, that's the best endorsement that any Republican can ever have. So they're coming after me,' he concluded.

While the outburst were back-to-back-to-back, it's unclear whether the three protesters were part of the same group.

They did not demonstrate together and were not standing immediately beside each other at the campaign stop.
Lisa Wilkinson made TV chiefs re-edit her The Project interview with Brittany Higgins to make her look more caring and sympathetic, new court documents have revealed.

The newly-released files also reveal she almost blew her own exclusive by leaking a copy of the full script to the Sydney Morning Herald hours before the show aired.

Her bosses only intervened after show producer Laura Binnie emailed to ask if the blockbuster script was to be sent to Wilkinson's husband, SMH columnist Peter FitzSimons, or someone else on the newspaper.

She said she had bundled up the transcript and it was ready to send after stripping out all notes and edits but added: 'I don't know who this is to be sent to though.

'Is it Peter FitzSimons?'

Executive producer Chris Bendall vetoed the idea immediately and said: 'This is too much. Is Lisa suggesting we send them the whole thing?'

Lisa Wilkinson made TV chiefs re-edit her Project interview with Brittany Higgins to make her look more caring and sympathetic, new court documents have revealed

Lisa Wilkison asked bosses to re-edit the footage to portray her as more sympathetic by including shots of her asking Brittany Higgins if she was okay when she wept (pictured)

A tranche of hundreds of Ten's in-house emails reveal Wilkinson was worried she came across as too serious and uncaring in pre-broadcast versions of her interview with Ms Higgins

Angus Llewellyn, the producer who was grilled for two days in the witness box during Bruce Lehrmann's defamation action against Ten and Wilkinson, also ruled out allowing the leak.

'The SMH needs to wait and do their own thing separate to us,' he replied tersely in a tranche of hundreds of Ten's in-house emails, newly-released by the Federal Court.

'We need to run our story and not risk the SMH stuffing us up legally.'

The files also reveal Wilkinson was worried she came across as too serious and uncaring in pre-broadcast versions of her interview with Ms Higgins.

She asked bosses to re-edit the footage to portray her as more sympathetic and sensitive by including shots of her asking Ms Higgins if she was okay when she wept.

'Given how traumatised poor Brittany is, is there any chance we could drop [in] at least one of the moments where I asked her if she is OK?' Wilkinson begged Ten bosses.

'Maybe when she is crying and blows her nose?

'Otherwise, I do come across as pretty businesslike... particularly as a woman listening to another woman's deeply traumatic story.'

Wilkinson was worried she came across as too serious and uncaring in pre-broadcast versions of her interview with Ms Higgins

Mr Llewellyn ordered the inclusion in a follow-up email to editors on the Saturday before the broadcast aired just 48 hours later on Monday, February 15, 2021.

'Lisa would like one or two "Are you OK?" grabs in there when B[rittany] is crying,' he told them.

'Could we also add in a few shots of Lisa looking a bit caring, especially when B cries.

'Lisa is looking a little forensic all the time and I just want to add in some softer expressions.'

His notes from the time, also released by the court, reveal him reminding himself to 'Find caring looks...' with 'when she cries' circled.

Project producer Angus Llewellyn (pictured) was grilled for two days in the witness box during Bruce Lehrmann 's defamation action against Ten and Wilkinson

Angus Llewellyn's notes from the time, also released by the court, reveal him reminding himself to 'Find caring looks...' with 'when she cries' circled

Producers were also concerned Lisa Wilkinson looked 'very red' and 'quite hot' on camera during the interview and editors applied 'a filter' to fix it before the segment aired

Producers were also concerned Wilkinson looked 'very red' and 'quite hot' on camera during the interview and editors applied 'a filter' to fix it before the segment aired.

The file dump reveals TV bosses also kept Wilkinson in the dark about a key decision not to screen the interview on her Sunday Project show and hold it until Monday.

The decision was made in agreement with Ms Higgins and her partner David Sharaz as part of the couple's strategy to cause maximum political impact and to coincide with a print interview with news.com.au journalist Samantha Maiden.

But they didn't tell Wilkinson about that until the last possible moment as she was keen to use the interview to boost the reputation of her Sunday night show.

'Lisa still thinks we are looking at airing on Sunday,' Mr Llewellyn admitted in an email to bosses just six days before the broadcast.

'I've not mentioned Monday to her as such...'

Ten news editor Peter Meakin added: 'We all know Lisa had her heart set on Sunday.'

But producer Laura Binnie added in another email: 'We will need to manage her expectations.'

Ten bosses intervened when show producer Laura Binnie asked if the show script was to be sent to Lisa Wilkinson's husband, SMH columnist Peter FitzSimons, hours before the show aired

TV chiefs also kept Lisa Wilkinson in the dark about a decision to screen the interview on a Monday, not Sunday, in line with an agreement made with Brittany Higgins and her partner David Sharaz (pictured) as part of the couple's strategy to cause maximum political impact

Bruce Lehrmann launched the legal action against Ten and Lisa Wilkinson over Brittany Higgins' interview which publicly alleged for the first time that she was raped by 'a male colleague' in 2019, while she was a staffer at Parliament House

Mr Lehrmann launched the legal action against Ten and Wilkinson over Ms Higgins' interview which publicly alleged for the first time that she was raped by 'a male colleague' in 2019, while she was a staffer at Parliament House.

He was not named in the episode, but claimed friends and former colleagues were able to identify him as the alleged rapist. He strenuously denies raping Ms Higgins.

A criminal rape trial against Mr Lehrmann was abandoned in October 2022 because of juror misconduct, and all charges against him were dropped in December 2022 over concerns for Ms Higgins' mental health.

The defamation trial began in November 2023 and ran for three weeks, wrapping up before Christmas. Justice Michael Lee is expected to give his findings later this year.
Australia's mistreatment of refugees and asylum seekers as well as the over representation of Indigenous people in custody have been called out by an international human rights group.

Human Rights Watch declared Australia's reputation 'tarnished by some significant human rights concerns' despite being a vibrant democracy that largely protects civil and political rights.

'This includes the cruel treatment of refugees and asylum seekers as well as its failure to address systemic discrimination against First Nations people,' the group said in a global report released on Friday.

The organisation's Australia researcher Annabelle Hennessy criticised the federal government for continuing its more than decade-long offshore detention regime.

In September 2023, Australian authorities sent a group of 11 asylum seekers to detention on Nauru and another 12 people in November

At least 19 Indigenous people died in custody in 2023, including a 16-year-old boy who self-harmed

In September 2023, Australian authorities sent a group of 11 asylum seekers to detention on Nauru and another 12 people in November.

The human rights group - which was heavily bankrolled by financier George Soros - noted the government allocated $1.5billion over the next four years to maintain detaining asylum seekers outside of its territory.

Its report mentioned the defeat of the Indigenous Voice referendum, which would have enshrined a First Nations advisory body in the constitution.

'While this was unsuccessful in every state, Australia's state and federal governments remain obligated to uphold the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, which should remain a priority,' Human Rights Watch said.

The over representation of Indigenous people in the adult prison system, making up one-third of inmates despite only being three per cent of the population, was also called out.

At least 19 Indigenous people died in custody in 2023, including a 16-year-old who took his own life after being detained in prolonged solitary confinement in pre-trial detention.

Serious concerns about the treatment of children in custody and the use of chemical restraints in aged care were yet to be seriously addressed by the government, the group said.

Investigations into alleged war crimes committed by Australian troops in Afghanistan were described in the report as 'important developments for justice'.

Serious concerns about the treatment of children in custody and the use of chemical restraints in aged care were yet to be seriously addressed by the government, the group said

'The families of the victims have been waiting for over a decade for prompt and adequate compensation,' it said.

The suspension of Queensland's human rights laws to allow police to detain children indefinitely, royal commission findings into people with disabilities facing serious neglect and abuse, and a lack of concrete actions to tackle human rights abuses in China were also mentioned.

The report pointed to Australia remaining the only Western nation without a human rights law or constitutional charter.

The human rights group praised Australia for securing the release of journalist Cheng Lei from detention in China as well as democracy activist Chau Van Kham, who spent four years in a Vietnamese prison.

'The Australian government has had some achievements in 2023 advocating for human rights on the international stage but needs to do more, particularly in the Asia-Pacific,' the group said.

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Australia has joined the United States, the United Kingdom and a host of other countries to carry out air strikes against Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

The strikes, which included warship-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets, were launched in a bid to deter the Yemen-based militant group's string of attacks on commercial ships traversing the Red Sea, a major thoroughfare for global trade, which have escalated in recent months.

Successfully targeting more than a dozen sites, including training bases, as well as radar, missile and drone capabilities, the strikes were confirmed by a joint statement released on Friday (AEDT) by the Australian government, alongside other participating countries.

'In response to continued illegal, dangerous, and destabilising Houthi attacks against vessels, including commercial shipping, transiting the Red Sea, the armed forces of the United States and United Kingdom, with support from the Netherlands, Canada, Bahrain, and Australia, conducted joint strikes in accordance with the inherent right of individual and collective self-defence, consistent with the UN Charter, against a number of targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen,' the statement read.

Australia has joined allies the US and the UK to carry out strikes against a group of armed rebel who have attacked shipping vessels (pictured stock image) crucial to global trade

'These precision strikes were intended to disrupt and degrade the capabilities the Houthis use to threaten global trade and the lives of international mariners in one of the world's most critical waterways.

'Our aim remains to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea, but let our message be clear: We will not hesitate to defend lives and protect the free flow of commerce in one of the world's most critical waterways in the face of continued threats.'

Defence Minister Richard Marles said the ADF had performed a non-operational role in support of the air strikes.

'Our support has come in the form of personnel in the operational headquarters for this activity,' Mr Marles told reporters in Geelong.

'The actions that have been taken today, supported by Australia are about maintaining freedom of navigation on the high seas. They are about maintaining global trade that is completely central to Australia's national interest. This decision was not taken lightly.'

Defence Minister Richard Marles (pictured) said the move was necessary to protect Australia's national interest in ensuring the free movement of essential goods and commodities

However, when questioned over when the Albanese government was first informed by the US or UK about the decision to carry out the attacks, Marles said he would not divulge such information.

'We're obviously in close contact with our partners in the United States and the United Kingdom,' he said.

The strikes followed an escalation of attacks by the Houthi militants in recent days, however, the response is likely to stoke fears of a broader outbreak of conflict in the Middle East that could threaten trade and crude flows.

According to the US Central Command, the Houthi militants have launched 27 attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea since mid-November.

Oil prices jumped overnight, with West Texas Intermediate jumping as much as 2.4 per cent to $US74 a barrel, in response to the strikes.

Several shipping companies, including Maersk and BP, have diverted their vessels away from the area and have instead rerouted them around Africa due to the attacks.

In December, Australia denied a request from the Biden Administration to send a warship as part of international efforts to safeguard cargo from attacks by the rebels, with Australia instead opting to send up to six defence personnel to the US operation.

The Red Sea is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. It links the Mediterranean Sea and the Suez Canal to the Indian Ocean.

Australia have sent several defence force personnel to the Red Sea with the US military conducting operations in the area (stock image of a military vessel) to protect cargo ships

Multiple airstrikes (pictured) have been conducted on the Houthi rebels who have launched almost 30 attacks on ships transporting cargo

Houthi leader Abdul Qader al-Mortada confirmed the major attacks had taken place.

'American-Zionist-British aggression against Yemen launches several raids on the capital, Sanaa, Hudaydah governorate, Saada, and Dhamar,' he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The rebels have vowed to continue their attacks in response to the war in Gaza, and would specifically target Israeli-affiliated vessels.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese weighed into Iran's role in the conflict on Thursday, accusing the country of playing a 'destructive' role in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

'Iran should stop meddling and Iran is playing a very destructive role in the region,' he told reporters in Melbourne.

'Australia will continue to, through Penny Wong, make our position very clear. We want to make sure that there is not a widening of the conflict.'
A hero cop in Mississippi was shot and killed during a traffic stop outside a Dollar General by a man with a criminal history spanning three decades.

George County Sheriff's Deputy Jeremy Malone, 44, was killed around 5:15pm on January 4 outside of a Dollar General on US Highway 98 near Lucedale.

The suspect, Ricky Powell, 43, shot Malone as he approached his vehicle before he fled the scene. Cops later chased Powell as he drove through Greene County and into Perry County before they shot and killed the convict.

Malone was a husband to his wife Hilary for 13 year and a father to three daughters.

'He loved law enforcement, and he loved his wife and his girls. Our little county is devastated with the loss of Jeremy Malone. He will be missed, for sure,' Terry Rogers, a warden at a jail in George County, who also knew Malone for 15 years told WVUA.

George County Sheriff's Deputy Jeremy Malone was a husband to his wife Hilary for 13 year and a father to three daughters

Malone, 44, was killed outside of a Mississippi Dollar General on US Highway 98 around 5.15pm in Lucedale on January 4

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has taken over the case and the investigation is ongoing.

An outpour of support flooded social media as the small community mourned Malone's sudden death.

George County Sheriff Mitchell Mixon said Malone was 'larger than life' and that he centered his life around his family and his career.

Malone previously served in multiple law enforcement agencies across the state, including the Leakesville Police Department and the Jackson County Sheriff's Department.

Beaumont Mayor Scotty Dailey who graduated alongside Malone at Perry Central High School in 1988 told WDAM: 'If we played cops and robbers out on the playground, then we knew Jeremy was gonna be the cop because that was his whole life ambition, to be an officer.'

The suspect, Ricky Powell, 43, shot Malone as he approached his vehicle before he fled the scene. He had a lengthy criminal record

'Mississippi will always remember Deputy Malone. Our state remains deeply thankful for all of our law enforcement officers who bravely place their lives on the line every day in defense of our communities,' Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves said in an executive order.

A GoFundMe page was created in honor of Officer Malone and has set out to raise money for his family. It has raised more than $44,000 as of Friday.

First responders across the state also reached out to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation to assist Malone's family following his death. The foundation, which has set out to help 'America's heroes by providing mortgage-free homes' to the families of fallen first responders.

On Monday, the foundation announced that they paid off Malone's home, which the family had just purchased, according to WXXV.

A foundation called Tunnels to Towers announced that they paid off Malone's home, which the family had just purchased

Malone's patrol car has also been placed outside of the George County Sheriff's Office Memorial in honor of the fallen officer.

Funeral services for Malone will take place on Friday, with a procession to follow. He will then be buried at Tanners Cemetery in Halston.

'I feel that incident speaks for who Jeremy Malone truly is. He was the most selfless kind hearted man I have met in law enforcement,' Brandon Walley, an officer that worked alongside Malone said in a Facebook post.

'It was truly a honor to get to share that moment with him and I know The George County Sheirffs Office will never be the same without him asking me every weekend where we was gonna set up.'

Malone previously served in multiple law enforcement agencies across the state, including the Leakesville Police Department and the Jackson County Sheriff's Department.

Malone's patrol car has also been placed outside of the George County Sheriff's Office Memorial in honor of the fallen officer

Powell has a criminal history dating back to the 1990s, according to Fox 10.

He was arrested in Mobile County, Alabama, in 1998 at 18 years old and charged with burglary. He pleaded guilty and received a five-year sentence. All but seven months was suspended.

He was arrested in the same county in 2007 on a charge of possession of marijuana. Powell never showed up for the court hearing and the case was later moved to an administrative docket.

Powell was also charged in Mississippi and served time in the penitentiary for auto burglary and forgery. It's unclear how long he served and when exactly he was arrested on those charges.
Texas has a long standing independence movement - Texit - dating back to its struggle to break free from Mexico

The Texas Supreme Court has rejected calls to allow Texans to vote on whether the state should become independent.

The Texas Nationalist Movement had submitted a petition to the Republican party demanding the question be posed on the March primary ballot.

But it was rejected by Texas Republican Party Chair Matt Rinaldi, despite being well over the 97,709 signatures required to get a vote added. The petition was submitted with 139,456 signatures.

The rejection prompted the movement to file a case against the GOP, but it was almost immediately rejected by the state's supreme court.

'Well, we did everything we could but the Supreme Court of Texas screwed us,' Texas Nationalist Movement lawyer Paul M Davis wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Texas Supreme Court has rejected a petition for an independence referendum to be on the March primary ballot from the Texas Nationalist Movement

The Republican party had rejected the petition, despite it having above the number of signatories required to add the vote to the ballot, stating many were invalid signatures. That led to a legal challenge by the Texas Nationalist Movement. The state has long had cries of independence and often references the state's Battle of the Alamo.

'Didnt even want to look at the petition TNM submitted to Rinaldi to see if what we said was true. Just nope. No explanation. No nothing. This is what the Republican establishment thinks of Texians.

'You dont have the right to petition your government. Youre the wrong type of voter according to Matt Rinaldi. The establishment won today, but we are not going away.'

Rinaldi rejected the petition stating 'the vast majority of petition signatures were invalid', Newsweek reports.

He claimed some signatures were missing vital information such as addresses, dates of birth and voter registration numbers.

The Texas GOP also said the petition was 'untimely' and did not meet the threshold for the number of signatures submitted by hand.

The bid for secession is not the first and the state has long pushed an independent movement, called 'Texit' today. The independence movement started more than 150 years ago with a bid to break free from Mexican control when it was known as 'Tejas.'

A bitter struggle ensued including a huge battle at the Alamo in 1836, which saw up to 260 Texians killed while unsuccessfully trying to defend it. Around 1,600 Mexicans were also wounded or killed.

Despite the loss, 'Remember the Alamo' became a rallying cry for cessation, still in parlance as part of the Texit movement today.

Texas has a longstanding independence movement dating back to its struggle to break free from Mexico in the early 19th century. The Battle of the Alamo became a pivotal (rendered in this painting) moment in the movement's history

In 2022, Texas Republicans wanted to hold a referendum to decide whether or not the state should secede from the U.S.

The state eventually declared independence from Mexico in the same year as the Battle of the Alamo and became known as Texas.

It was a sovereign state for nine years before it was annexed by the United States in 1845. There have been multiple secession movements since then.

In 2022, Texas Republicans stated they wanted to decide whether or not the state should secede from the U.S. at their state convention.

Legally, Texas cannot secede from the union. There has been a myth that it can because of the way it was annexed but the Congressional order of annexation merely stated Texas could - at a future date - divide itself into five states. It says nothing about leaving the union.
A Navy helicopter with six people inside crashed into San Diego Bay following a routine training exercise on Thursday.

The MH-60R Seahawk entered the water just before 7pm PST near the San DiegoCoronado Bridge, a spokeswoman confirmed.

There were no fatalities in the crash and all six people on board the aircraft are undergoing medical evaluation.

The Coast Guard dispatched rescuers and another helicopter to help at the scene of the incident.

'Due to the nature of the training, a safety boat was on location and, with the assistance of Federal Fire, all six crew members survived and were promptly moved ashore,' a spokesman said.

File photo of a MH-60R SeaHawk helicopter

The MH-60R Seahawk was from Helicopter Maritime Strike squadron 41 and was taking part in routine training before it crashed.

Coronado Fire responded to a call on Strand Way and Guadalcanal in Coronado on the Silver Strand about the wrecked aircraft.

All six crew members survived the crash and 'were promptly moved ashore' with the help of the Federal Fire Department San Diego as there was a safety boat on location.

They are currently undergoing medical evaluation. The cause of the crash is being investigated by Navy officials.
Latest of many attacks in recent months on the island

A young girl has been hospitalised with severe injuries after she was attacked by a dingo on a popular Queensland holiday island.

The primary school-aged victim suffered 'significant' bites to her legs and buttocks while swimming at Hook Point on K'gari, formerly Fraser Island, at about 12.30pm on Friday.

Paramedics rushed the girl from the island to Inskip Point by barge before taking her to Gympie Hospital for treatment.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) rangers are now tasked with trying to identify the dingo involved.

This latest attack comes just one week after another girl, 7, was bitten on the thigh by a dingo on the island, who are known to loiter around campsites looking for food.

A primary school-aged girl suffered ' significant' dingo bites to her leg and buttocks at 12:30pm on Friday at Hook Point on K'gari in Queensland (stock picture)

This week's incident is the latest in a series of dingo attacks on K'gari that have shaken tourists in recent months.

In December, a young girl, five, was bitten on the thigh after running from a dingo near Wathumba beach.

The next day a boy was chased into the water by dingoes after he became scared and ran from the animal, which had lunged but did not make contact.

READ MORE: Woman bit on face by shark Advertisement

On August 10, two women were mauled by dingoes in seperate attacks within five minutes of each other.

The first woman was bitten at 11.45am nea popular swimming spot Eli Creek, on the island's east shore.

The second woman was attacked after another dingo wandered down the creek and approached her from behind.

In July a group of campers at Orchid Beach spent the night fending off dingoes near where a woman was viciously mauled while jogging just hours earlier.

The 20-strong group said they were forced to use poles 'every 10 minutes' to ward off dingoes which were searching for food in their camp.

Earlier in the month in yet another attack, Sarah Peet from Brisbane was dragged into the water by a pack of four dingoes at the same beach.

She was rescued when two strangers intervened and was taken to hospital by helicopter with numerous bites.

Tourists have bore witness to a spate of dingo attacks in recent months on the scenic island

Recently the state government announced $2million in funding for K'gari this financial year and another $3million annually after that.

The money will create jobs for an additional six Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) rangers, three specialist staff and four more Butchulla rangers.

Extra rangers on the island are expected to make enhanced management and monitoring of dingoes that exhibit threatening and high-risk behaviour easier.

QPWS is also distributing pamphlets with its 'Be dingo-safe!' education campaign at strategic locations on the island.

Tips on how to avoid dangerous confrontations with dingoes include to: stay within arm's reach of children, walk in groups, carry a stick, and camp in fenced areas.

Rangers also warn tourists to never run even if they feel threatened as running or jogging can trigger dingoes.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has used a 'burner' account on X to secretly post and re-post anti-Donald Trump content on the social media app ahead of her state's first-in-the-nation caucus, according to a report.

Reynolds, who endorsed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in the Republican primary, is not the first anti-Trump heavy hitter to get caught with a burner, after Mitt Romney's infamous 'Pierre Delecto' account was unearthed in 2019.

But, the Reynolds revelation came just four days before voters will begin to caucus for both candidates, as well as former South Carolina Governor and UN Ambassador Nikki Haley.

A re-post from the burner account - titled @Kimberl26890376 and using her name - which has since been suspended - showed a side-by-side photo of DeSantis with his family next to Trump at Mar-a-Lago with a group of young women.

'The contrast is overwhelming' wrote the original poster of the account, who has zero known ties to Reynolds other than his profile saying he is in favor of DeSantis.

The New York Times reported that the 'Kimberl' account belonged to the governor, with sources confirming she is behind it.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds (pictured left) has used a 'burner' account on X to secretly post and re-post anti-Donald Trump content on the social media app ahead of her state's first-in-the-nation caucus, according to a report

Another shared post accuses Trump of having 'no loyalty' to others despite demanding it to himself.

'Thats FEALTY. Which makes sense because these people want a king,' the post read.

Haley isn't spared by the burner account either, with one shared post from the DeSantis campaign calling her 'the liberal Democrat who is actively auditioning to be Trumps vice presidential running mate.'

The account posted supportive messages to DeSantis like 'Undeniable winner!', 'Leader!' and 'Followed through 100% on promises made!!' on her own.

The account had only 259 followers before it was removed and did not include any official reference to the governor but did have a photo of Reynolds as its profile picture.

Reynolds has yet to publicly comment, confirm or deny the account's existence.

Reynolds made the DeSantis endorsement in November and while she had harsh words for President Joe Biden, she was clear that she doesn't 'think [Trump] can win.'

She very much believes in DeSantis' electability despite trailing then and now in most primary polls by double digits.

Another shared post accuses Trump of having 'no loyalty' to others despite demanding it to himself.

'I believe he's the candidate that can win,' she told the Des Moines Register.

'And we also not only need somebody that can win, but we need somebody that has the skill and the resolve, which he clearly does, to reverse the madness that we see happening across this country.'

DeSantis sees the endorsement of Reynolds as a coup he hopes will take him past Trump.

Trump's campaign - who had previously snubbed a Reynolds-hosted event where she interviewed the candidates - quickly criticized her after the endorsement.

'Kim Reynolds apparently has begun her retirement tour early as she clearly does not have any ambition for higher office,' the Trump campaign said in an emailed statement.

'Earlier this year, she promised her constituents that she would remain neutral in the race, yet she has completely gone back on that promise. Regardless, her endorsement will not make any difference in this race.'

Trump also took to his Truth Social account to rip into Reynolds.

Reynolds made the announcement in November in a joint interview with DeSantis, taking a direct shot at President Joe Biden

Reynolds very much believes in DeSantis' electability despite trailing in most primary polls by double digits

'If and when Kim Reynolds of Iowa endorses Ron DeSanctimonious, who is absolutely dying in the polls both in Iowa and Nationwide, it will be the end of her political career in that MAGA would never support her again, just as MAGA will never support DeSanctimonious again,' he wrote.

'Two extremely disloyal people getting together is, however, a very beautiful thing to watch. They can now remain loyal to each other because nobody else wants them!!!'

He wrote in another Truth post that Reynolds had promised him she would remain neutral throughout the primary.

'She wanted to campaign with everyone. I told her that I should have "remained neutral" when she asked me to help her get elected, and that I didn't want or need her to campaign with me. I am now 41+Points up in Iowa!'

Iowa's governor typically stays neutral before the caucuses that kick off the Republicans' nomination calendar in January.
US officials previously seized oil on board the same vessel last year as part of sanctions over Tehran's nuclear program

Iran has seized an oil tanker heading for Turkey in retaliation for the 'theft' of its oil from the same vessel last year by the US, according to the country's state media.

Armed men stormed the Greek-owned, Marshall Islands-flagged St Nikolas off Oman Thursday and changed course towards Bandar-e Jask in Iran, according to a British navy agency.

The US slammed the 'unlawful seizure' and demanded Iran 'immediately release' the ship and its 19 crew.

Four or five 'unauthorized boarders are reported to be wearing military-style black uniforms with black masks,' the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations stated.

Communications have been lost with the vessel, which was carrying 18 Filipinos and one Greek crew member, the tanker's Greece-based management company Empire Navigation said.

Iran seized the St Nikolas oil tanker off Oman Thursday in retaliation to the 'theft' of its oil from the same vessel by the US last year, state media said

US officials previously seized 1million barrels of Iranian crude oil aboard the same vessel as part of sanctions against Tehran's nuclear program

A map showing the region around the Gulf of Oman where the oil tanker St Nikolas was seized by the Iranian navy

Iran's navy later confirmed it seized the ship, which was previously called Suez Rajan.

The vessel was embroiled in a yearlong dispute beginning in 2021 that ultimately saw the U.S. Justice Department take 1million barrels of Iranian crude oil on it amid sanctions over Tehran's nuclear program.

'The Navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran seized an American oil tanker in the waters of the Gulf of Oman in accordance with a court order,' the official IRNA news agency said.

The seizure was in retaliation for 'violation committed by the Suez Rajan ship... and the theft of Iranian oil by the United States', IRNA said.

Iran has responded with tit-for-tat measures in the past after seizures of Iranian oil shipments.

Crippling US sanctions, reimposed following Washington's 2018 withdrawal from a landmark nuclear deal, target Iranian oil and petrochemical sales in a bid to reduce Iran's energy exports.

'The Iranian government must immediately release the ship and its crew,' US State Department spokesman Vedant Patel told reporters.

'This unlawful seizure of a commercial vessel is just the latest behavior by Iran or enabled by Iran aimed at disrupting international commerce.'

Ambrey, a British maritime risk company, said the group which boarded the St Nikolas covered the ship's cameras. A security officer 'reported hearing unknown voices over the phone along with the master's voice', it added.

The vessel had been loaded with 145,000 tons of crude oil in Basra, Iraq and was destined for Aliaga in Turkey via the Suez Canal, Empire added.

The vessel had been loaded with 145,000 tons of crude oil in Basra, Iraq and was destined for Aliaga in Turkey via the Suez Canal

Iran said the ship is being 'transferred to the ports of the Islamic republic for delivery to the judicial authorities'

Ambrey said the recently renamed tanker was previously prosecuted and fined for carrying sanctioned Iranian oil, which was confiscated by US authorities.

IRNA, quoting the Iranian navy's public relations office, said the ship was 'being transferred to the ports of the Islamic republic for delivery to the judicial authorities'.

In September, the United States said it had seized the Suez Rajan and its cargo of 980,000 barrels of crude oil months earlier.

The US Department of Justice said at the time that the oil on the Greek-managed tanker was allegedly being sold by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to China.

Shortly after that seizure, Iran seized two tankers, the Marshall Islands-flagged Advantage Sweet as it sailed toward the United States in the Gulf of Oman, and then the Greek-owned Niovi, as it travelled from Dubai to Fujairah.

The Gulf of Oman, a key route for the oil industry that separates Oman and Iran, has witnessed a series of hijackings and attacks over the years, often involving Iran.

Shipping in the resource-rich region is also on heightened alert following weeks of drone and missile attacks in the Red Sea by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
The baby had ingested button-shaped batteries and medal screws, which showed up in her diapers, weeks before her death

Aleisia Lynnae Owens, her father's girlfriend, was arrested Thursday after police found she conducted online research on harmful substances for children

Iris Rita Alfera died on June 29 from acetone poisoning in New Castle, Pennsylvania

An 18-month-old child was poisoned to death after ingesting batteries and screws, and now the girlfriend of the baby's father has been arrested on homicide charges.

Aleisia Lynnae Owens, 20, was charged with three counts of homicide, five counts of aggravated assault and one count of endangering the welfare of children in connection to Iris Rita Alfera's death in Pennsylvania.

Iris was taken to the hospital on June 25 and was held in the PICU until she died on June 29.

During an investigation, New Castle police found Owens conducted extensive online research on harmful substances for children and it was later revealed the toddler died from acetone poisoning.

'Tell the world that monsters do exist,' Crystal Joseph, a relative of Iris, said on behalf of baby's grieving family.

Iris Rita Alfera died on June 29 after she ingested acetone that ran into her bloodstream, which lead to organ failure. The girlfriend of the 18-month-old's father is charged with homicide for the child's death

The baby's autopsy revealed she had traces of acetone in her blood at the time of her death, which led to organ failure, according to authorities. Iris is pictured with her biological mother

Aleidia Lynnae Owens, 20, was arrested Thursday for poisoning baby Iris in June, police said

The baby's autopsy revealed she had traces of acetone in her blood, which led to organ failure, according to authorities. Acetone is found in nail and varnish remover.

The New Castle Police Department also revealed that months before Iris's tragic death, she had ingested numerous 'water beads' which were later found, expanded in her digestive system. Water beads are made of silicone and are circular decorations kept in a jar.

The baby also ingested button-shaped batteries and metal screws, which showed up in her diapers, authorities said.

The items were all ingested between March 30 and April 1, according to WPIX, months before she died.

Police found that Owens had searched Google several times between February and June asking questions about children drinking acetone, poisonous beauty products, water beads near me, what happens if a baby swallows a batter button and medications that shouldn't be given to babies.

Owens was arrested on Thursday and filmed walking with police while in handcuffs.

The New Castle News reported as District Judge Richard A. Russo read Owens her charges, she sat 'dry-eyed and expressionless.'

Owens was taken to Lawrence County Jail and is being held without bond.

'We're happy that they've finally arrested her. That's the first step. It will be a long process in the court system,' the baby's grandfather Frank Alfera told New Castle News.

Police found that Owens had searched Google several times between February and June asking questions about children drinking acetone, poisonous beauty products, water beads near me, what happens if a baby swallows a batter button and medications that shouldn't be given to babies

Iris is pictured with her mother Emily Alfera who has continued to post heart-wrenching tributes to her 'sweet ray of sunshine and smiles' since her death

Iris lived with her mother and grandparents, while her father has visitation rights

Iris is seen being held by her father Bailey Jacoby who authorities said was not arrested in connection to the crime because 'at this time, there is no evidence at all, linking him or anyone else to the baby's death'

The baby's mother, Emily Alfera, has continued to post heart-wrenching tributes to her 'sweet ray of sunshine and smiles' since her death.

Iris lived with her mother and grandparents while her father, Bailey Jacoby, has visitation rights.

Alfera and Jacoby were together for approximately two years before they split. The father then lived with Owens for about a year before Iris was killed.

'I have no words for what has currently happened to my beautiful angel baby, never in my life I thought I would be saying goodbye to the biggest light in my life,' Emily posted on her Facebook a day after Iris died.

A separate Facebook page called Iris' angels was also created to honor of the baby and serves as a nonprofit organization.

Purple posters, sweatshirts, and bags have been made and plastered around Iris's hometown as her mother has gone on to raise awareness for child abuse.

A GoFundMe page was created when Iris was first taken to the hospital and has gone on to raise more than $17,000.

A group of friends and family that have supported Iris's mother after her child tragically died are seen circled around a pair of baby shoes in her honor

Owens was charged with three counts of homicide, five counts of aggravated assault and one count of endangering the welfare of children. She was taken to Lawrence County Jail and is being held without bond

Iris is pictured with her mother Emily who has created endless fundraisers for her child as she tries to raise awareness about visitation rights

Asia Madison Kerr, a friend of the mother, also posted a group tribute of family and friends as they honored the baby with white Nike sneakers with painted purple check marks and captioned it 'Iris's army.'

A small pair of baby sneakers with the same purple check mark were surrounded by a group of supporters, including Iris's mother.

Iris's father has not posted publicly on Facebook about his girlfriend's arrest or his daughter's death.

Police said that he was not arrested in connection to the heinous crime because 'at this time, there is no evidence at all, linking him or anyone else to the baby's death,' New Castle Chief Bobby Salem said.

'There was nothing throughout the investigation to show that he had any knowledge or involvement about what happened to the baby. He was questioned multiple times and was cooperative.'

State Attorney General Michelle Henry who handled the case said: 'It is hard to fathom someone taking deliberate steps to harm a completely helpless child, then mislead investigators about what happened.'

'My office will never stop working to hold individuals accountable who knowingly put the lives of others, especially vulnerable children, at risk.'
Keir Starmer today gave Labour's backing to military strikes in Yemen, overriding his own Hard left backbenchers.

The opposition leader said that Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping had to be 'dealt with' because they were putting shipping and lives at risk, in the wake of UK and US raids on the Arabian state.

It came as senior figures on the Labour left joined the Liberal Democrats in complaining that MPs should have been asked to approve the military action before it took place - slowing the process and removing any element of surprise.

The strikes were authorised by the Government following a Cabinet meeting yesterday evening and Rishi Sunak insisted the move was in 'self-defence' and said the UK will 'always stand up for freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade'.

Sir Keir, who was briefed by the PM last night was asked by BBC Radio 5 Live if the military action had his support.

'Yes it does ... clearly the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have to be dealt with, their attacks on commercial shipping, attacks on important trade routes and putting civilian lives at risk and therefore, we do support this action,' he said.

The Government has the authority to take military action without a debate in the Parliament but it is tradition to address parliament following military action. Parliament is not sitting today and MPs will not return until Monday afternoon unless there is an emergency recall.

Sir Keir told the BBC it was right that there was a debate 'at the first opportunity' and said he wanted to see the government's legal position. But he pointedly did not call for MPs to return immediately.

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who now sits as an independent, said the military strike was 'a reckless act of escalation that will only cause more death and suffering'.

And his supporters still inside the party echoed his position.

John McDonnell, the ex-shadow chancellor, said: 'There should be no military action without Parliamentary approval.

'If we have learnt anything in recent years its that military intervention in the Middle East always has dangerous and often unforeseen consequences. There is a risk of setting the region alight.'

And Coventry South MP Zarah Sultana added: 'Parliament must be recalled for a vote before British military action. Military interventions  as our leaders know all too well  can easily escalate, with devastating potential consequences. Democratic accountability demands that MPs have a say.'

It is understood the Prime Minister is not going to recall parliament.

Liberal Democrat defence spokeswoman Layla Moran called for a retrospective vote in the Commons on the strikes as well as a debate.

She told BBC Radio 4: 'We don't have enough information to say that definitively one way or another. I absolutely am against what the Houthi's are doing.

'[The] Treasury estimates it could affect our economy by 0.3 per cent. It sounds like a small number but we are also in a cost-of-living crisis.

'Absolutely, it needs to be stopped and I welcome the UN resolution that was passed yesterday.

'We need to be able to scrutinise those risks [of escalation] and I think there were some finely balanced judgements that were made and there is precedent also for Parliament to be able to have its say.

'What the Liberal Democrats are calling for is for a recall of Parliament immediately and a retrospective vote. We have had these before, particularly in Libya.'

When asked if there was any point in having a vote after the strikes have happened, the Lib Dems defence spokeswoman said there is a 'general principle' the Government must adhere to.

Liberal Democrat defence spokeswoman Layla Moran said a vote in Parliament would be 'vital' if Britain is poised to launch an attack

US and UK unleash major bombardment on Yemen: Fighter jets, Navy destroyers and submarines fire missiles on Houthi strongholds in retaliation for Red Sea tanker attacks

And, after the attack, Ms Moran said it was 'shameful' that Parliament was 'bypassed'

And, after the attack, Ms Moran said it was 'shameful' that Parliament was 'bypassed'.

The Liberal Democrats' demand was made before the UK and US strikes in against the Houthi rebels in Yemen.

She wrote on social media site X: 'Shameful. Parliament shouldn't ever be bypassed - and certainly not when it comes to military action'.

The SNP said any military action should be scrutinised in the Commons.

Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf said MPs must be given the chance to debate and scrutinise such a move.

Meanwhile, MP Claudia Webbe, who was expelled from Labour after being charged with the harassment of a woman, took to social media site X to denounce the strikes.

She wrote: Stop the war. Stop bombing Yemen. Recall Parliament now'.
The campaigners fighting Sadiq Khan's hated 12.50-a-day eco tax, who call themselves Blade Runners, have attacked another one of the scheme's enforcement cameras - and replaced it with a Christmas tree.

The CCTV camera on Erith Road, just off the Barnehurst Road roundabout in Bexleyheath, south-east London, was cut down recently.

Previously, a member of the infamous Blade Runners vowed to continue destroying the Ulez cameras - telling the Mayor of London: 'We won't stop until you stop. That's the bottom line.'

In an interview with Talk TV in November last year, the masked Blade Runner - who went by the name of Ben - claimed to have wrecked 150 of the traffic cameras since the scheme was expanded across the capital's boroughs on August 29.

 Slide me  The CCTV camera on Erith Road, just off the Barnehurst Road roundabout in Bexleyheath, south-east London, was cut down recently

The Ulez camera being installed on November 27 last year

After it was cut down, the Blade Runners stuck a Christmas tree in its base

The father-of-three, aged in his forties, said he goes out in the dead of night several days a week to carry out what he calls 'unpaid voluntary work'.

Ben claims he's behind a near total blackout of enforcement cameras in the Bromley area, one of the Greater London boroughs where the scheme has been extended.

He insists support among the public is widespread, with many hailing the group as heroes, adding: 'We are the voice of the people. You experienced the cheers against Ulez right there and then you can see we are reflecting the voice of the public.'

Ben has been a member of the group for several months and says membership is growing. He explained: 'It started off as a small group of people and it has gradually grown.

'Since the expansion went live on August 29, numbers have increased significantly. We're like a pack of lone wolves. We sometimes work together, we work in isolation, and we all have this common goal.'

He also said Mayor Sadiq Khan was targeting the most vulnerable people at the worst possible time as they struggled through a cost of living crisis, adding: 'The members of society that have less disposable income are hit the hardest because if they can't afford to change their vehicle, they'll be subject to that daily charge no matter what.

He claimed the Ulez network had been installed to 'catch everyone out'.

Ben said: 'It seems like the mayor's office and the Government are not doing anything for the people. Unfair is just sort of scratching the surface on how bad it is for them. It's terrible. It's completely unjust.'

The Ulez camera being erected at the junction of Erith Road and Barnehurst Road

In an interview with Talk TV in November last year, the masked Blade Runner - going by the name of Ben - claimed to have wrecked 150 of the traffic cameras since the scheme was expanded across the capital's boroughs on August 29

Ben, wearing a balaclava and hood, using an angle-grinder to cut down a Ulez camera mounted on a traffic light in just four seconds.

Asked if he could see any merit in the use of Ulez to tackle dangerously high air pollution levels, he said: 'If the figures and the statements that Sadiq Khan made were true then of course there would be merit, but he doesn't speak the truth about anything.'

Asked whether he saw anything wrong with being a vigilante, Ben replied: 'I never expected to be part of anything like this and taking these kind of steps. We don't disrupt the general public in their daily activities, we don't block roads, we don't glue ourselves to buildings, the floor - we target the camera network itself.

'I can see how it could be viewed as being incorrect, but lawful rebellion is totally OK in my book.'

He said he would go to prison for the cause, adding, 'It's a risk I'm prepared to take and do take.'

Ben revealed he had taken down more than 150 enforcement cameras alone, and vowed those numbers 'will continue to go up'.

Responding to the interview, London minister Paul Scully said: 'I can understand the frustration, but I can't condone the vandalism. You can't pick and choose the laws you want to adhere to.

'Nonetheless, Sadiq Khan has shown through all of this that he is just not listening.

'I've got one camera near to where I live that just points towards the entrance of the Royal Marsden cancer hospital.'

MailOnline has contacted the Metropolitan Police and Transport for London, which runs the camera network, for comment.
Rishi Sunak vowed to back Ukraine for 'as long as it takes' today as he visited Kyiv and committed 2.5billion of military support in the coming year.

The PM is set to hold talks with Volodomyr Zelensky and sign a new agreement on security cooperation during his surprise trip.

Posting an image on social media of himself in the country, Mr Sunak said: 'Our support cannot and will not falter. To all Ukrainians, Britain is with you  for as long as it takes.'

The trip comes just hours after Mr Sunak and the Cabinet signed off strikes on Houthi forces in Yemen that have been attacking the key Red Sea shipping route.

The pact lays out plans for intelligence sharing, cyber security, medical and military training, and defence industrial cooperation.

The pact also commits the UK to consult with Ukraine in the event it is ever attacked by Russia again, and to provide 'swift and sustained' support.

Mr Sunak said: 'For two years, Ukraine has fought with great courage to repel a brutal Russian invasion.

Rishi Sunak met firefighters in Kyiv this morning as he made his surprise visit

Mr Sunak was pictured walking around Kyiv after taking the train overnight

The PM vowed to back Ukraine for 'as long as it takes' today as he visited Kyiv and committed 2.5billion of military support in the coming year

Rishi Sunak on the train travelling to Ukraine this morning after signing off the strikes on Yemen overnight

'They are still fighting, unfaltering in their determination to defend their country and defend the principles of freedom and democracy.

'I am here today with one message: the UK will also not falter. We will stand with Ukraine, in their darkest hours and in the better times to come.

'The UK is already one of Ukraine's closest partners, because we recognise their security is our security. Today we are going further - increasing our military aid, delivering thousands of cutting-edge drones, and signing a historic new Security Agreement to provide Ukraine with the assurances it needs for the long term.'
Downing Street has rebuffed scathing criticism from Turkey that UK and US airstrikes on Houthi rebel targets in Yemen were causing a 'bloodbath' in the Red Sea amid fears the attacks could trigger the wider spread of violence in the Middle East.

British and American fighter jets and warships launched more than 100 precision missiles at over 60 targets in Houthi-held territory early this morning, with the strikes hitting an airbase, an airport and military camp.

Shocking images and footage in Yemen showed powerful explosions lighting up the night sky as UK and US armed forces released clips of their fighter jets taking off ahead of their bombing runs.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan furiously condemned the strikes in a statement this morning, accusing the UK and US of turning the Red Sea into a 'sea of blood'.

But a spokeswoman for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak bit back: 'We wouldn't agree with that. This was limited and targeted strikes in response to aggression

'We acted in self-defence in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter,' she concluded in a tight-lipped response.

Seeking to justify the strikes on rebel targets, Sunak this afternoon said of the Houthi attacks on Red Sea vessels: 'It's clear that type of behaviour can't carry on... it's why I made the decision with allies to take what I believe to be necessary, proportionate and targeted action against military targets to degrade and disrupt Houthi capability.'

The Prime Minister said the 'initial' indications were that the strikes had been successful and sent a 'strong message', but he warned: 'We will continue to monitor the situation,' amid expectations the Houthis could retaliate further.

NATO today sprang to the defence of its constituent members, declaring the US-led strikes were aimed at protecting shipping through the Red Sea and urged Iran to 'rein in its proxies'.

'These strikes were defensive, and designed to preserve freedom of navigation in one of the world's most vital waterways. The Houthi attacks must end,' Dylan White, a spokesman for the Western military alliance, said.

The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels vowed to respond to the attacks they claim have killed at least five fighters, with leaders saying the UK and US must 'prepare to pay a heavy price' for their 'blatant aggression'.

Footage taken from an RAF Typhoon PoOD over Yemen, showing a targeted strike

A missile is launched from a warship during the U.S.-led coalition operation against military targets in Yemen, aimed at the Iran-backed Houthi militia overnight

An RAF Typhoon aircraft takes off to join the US led coalition to conduct air strikes against military targets in Yemen

Supporters of the Houthi movement rally to denounce air strikes launched by the U.S. and Britain on Houthi targets, in Sanaa, Yemen, on Friday

People gather near burning Israeli and U.S. flags, as supporters of the Houthi movement rally to denounce air strikes launched by the U.S. and Britain on Houthi targets, in Sanaa, Yemen, on Friday

People gather near burning Israeli and U.S. flags, as supporters of the Houthi movement rally to denounce air strikes launched by the U.S. and Britain on Houthi targets, in Sanaa, Yemen, on Friday

A Yemeni youth holds a mockup rocket during a protest following US and British forces strikes, in the Huthi-controlled capital Sanaa on Friday

Huthi fighters brandish their weapons during a protest following US and British forces strikes, in the Huthi-controlled capital Sanaa on Friday

Britain and the United States pounded several targets in rebel-held Yemen overnight over a dramatic three-hour period. This graphic shows what the US-UK coalition used to carry out the strikes, and the timeline of the mission as according to official releases

And gun-wielding protesters today screamed 'America is the Devil' and trampled on flaming Israeli flags as tens of thousands of furious demonstrators packed the streets of Yemen and Iran following the air strikes.

Screaming Yemenis raised their guns in the air as Houthi leader Mohammen Ali al-Houthi told the crowd in the city of Sanaa that the strikes were 'terrorism' and 'the United States is the Devil'.

'We did not attack the shores of America, nor did we move in the American islands, nor did we attack them. Your strikes on our country are terrorism,' said Al-Houthi as he raised his gun in the air.

'They are terrorists and they are amazing at lying to the people of the world, but the awareness of the Yemeni people is a different awareness. Do you, Yemeni, think that America is defending itself or is it a terrorist?'

it comes as the group's spokesperson Mohammed al-Bukhaiti said the US and Britain had 'made a mistake launching the war in Yemen'. He added: 'Soon they will realise that the direct aggression against Yemen was the greatest folly in their history'.

Ali al-Qahoum, a high-ranking Houthi official, went further and said: 'The battle will be bigger... and beyond the imagination and expectation of the Americans and the British.'

Hussein al-Ezzi, a Houthi official in their Foreign Ministry, vowed: 'America and Britain will undoubtedly have to prepare to pay a heavy price and bear all the dire consequences of this blatant aggression'.

Britain and America launched strikes from the sea and air in response to months of disruptive attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea by the Houthis, with a coalition of nations including the UK and US forced to deploy warships to protect them.

Sunak said he believed the strikes will degrade the capability of the Iran-backed group.

'We've carried out a series of strikes together with allies, which will, we believe, degrade and disrupt the capability - the types of things that we've targeted - are launch sites for missiles and for drones,' Sunak told reporters during a visit to Ukraine.

'Initial indications are that those strikes have been successful... Our aim is very clear, it's to de-escalate tensions and restore stability to the region,' he added.

Downing Street's spokeswoman said of the strikes: 'In recent months the Houthi militia has carried out a series of dangerous and destabilising attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea, threatening the UK and other international nation's ships and causing major disruption to major trade routes.

'Their actions have been reckless, risked lives and also served to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. There have been repeated warnings from the international community and we have been very clear that that could not stand and that we would stand up for freedom of navigation. We acted accordingly.'

The Houthis have been attacking shipping at the mouth of the Red Sea - one of the world's busiest trade lanes - since October. The action is in support of Hamas terrorists who are fighting Israeli forces, they say.

More than a dozen sites were bombed by Western forces overnight in raids which included submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets.

The strikes hit Al-Dailami Air Base north of Sanaa, the airport in the port city of the Hodeida, a camp east of Saada, the airport in the city of Taiz and an airport near Hajjah, according to Al-Masirah news channel.

Four of Britain's RAF Typhoons used Paveway IV guided bombs to 'conduct precision strikes' on two targets that had been chosen to 'reduce the Houthis' capability to violate international law'. They were assisted by an RAF Voyager refuelling plane.

US defence secretary Lloyd Austin said the airstrikes also targeted sites associated with the Houthi's unmanned drone, ballistic and cruise missile, coastal radar and air surveillance capabilities.

Officials said the Houthi rebels, who have carried out a series of attacks in the Red Sea to disrupt shipping, had ignored a 'final warning' as Mr Sunak signed off on the raids during an emergency cabinet meeting last night.

Iran has been involved in 'every phase' of the Houthi attacks in recent months, a US official added.

Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, a member of the Houthi supreme political council, speaks while holding a gun, in Sanaa, Yemen, on Friday

Supporters of the Houthi movement rally to denounce air strikes launched by the U.S. and Britain on Houthi targets, in Sanaa, Yemen January 12, 2024

A person holds a photo of Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi during a protest against a multinational operation to safeguard Red Sea shipping following Houthi attacks and the subsequent US and UK airstrikes on Houthis military sites, in Sanaa, Yemen, 12 January 2024

People stage a demonstration against the US and UK airstrike on Yemen as they gather following the Friday prayers at Imam Khomeini Mosque in Tehran, Iran, on Friday

Marco Forgione, Director General of the Institute of Export and International Trade, told MailOnline that CPI inflation could rise by up to four per cent if the conflict continues

One of four RAF Typhoon aircraft returning to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus after joining the US-led coalition conducting air strikes against military targets in Yemen on Friday

An unverified image appeared to show the result and British and US airstrikes in Yemen tonight

A map of Yemen including the area that is controlled by the Houthi rebels

Newly recruited Houthi fighters hold up a weapons and chanting slogans in a ceremony at the end of their training in Sanaa, Yemen

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused the UK and US of turning the Red Sea into a 'sea of blood'

Russia, an ally of Iran and a partner of key Arab powers, called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Friday to discuss the attacks on the Houthis. 'We strongly condemn these irresponsible actions by the United States and its allies,' Maria Zakharova, Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman, told reporters (Putin is pictured)

The pre-dawn air strikes add to escalating fears of wider conflict in the region, where violence involving Tehran-aligned groups in Yemen as well as Lebanon, Iraq and Syria has surged since the Israel-Hamas war began in early October.

Sophia Gaston, head of foreign policy at the think tank Policy Exchange, said that Houthis could intensify their attacks on vessels in the Red Sea in response to the strikes, which could push the US and UK into 'areas that they're not going to feel very comfortable with'.

'Should the Houthis scale up their attacks and the aftermath of these strikes, I think we are going to get fairly quickly to a position where the Western powers could be pushed into areas that they're not going to feel very comfortable with.

'We are moving into a much riskier terrain because the United States and the United Kingdom certainly do not want to be in a situation where we are required to engage beyond a limited targeted strike capacity and certainly not one that may invite the participation of other regional powers.

On the risk of Tehran retaliating, Ms Gaston said she 'wouldn't imagine that Iran would be motivated to pursue an escalation directly with the United States', partly due to domestic concerns.

'A lot of this will really depend on the next steps that we seen from the Houthi militants and the choices that they make. The Houthis are supported by Iran, but they are also independent of Iran.'

She added: 'When you have a situation where you have multiple spheres of conflict concurrently, that becomes very difficult.

'And authoritarian powers are increasingly cooperating and coordinating and in alignment with one another. Even if they're pursuing different individual interests, they share a common interest in undermining Western hegemony and power and disrupting the international order... So I think this is a really dangerous moment.

'It does feel as though we are moving into an era in which the really hard choices that we have to make about our defence and security resources are moving from an abstract proposition into a very real decision that has to be made.'

Mohammed Abdul-Salam, the Houthis' chief negotiator and spokesperson, described the US and Britain as having 'committed foolishness with this treacherous aggression.'

'They were wrong if they thought that they would deter Yemen from supporting Palestine and Gaza,' he wrote online.

He said said 73 strikes had killed five of the group's fighters and wounded six others. The attacks would not go without 'punishment or retaliation' and the group will continue to target ships headed for Israel, added. .

Since the attacks began in November, however, the Houthis have begun targeting vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, imperiling shipping in a key route for global trade.

Separately, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, a member of the Houthi supreme political council, said today the strikes were 'barbaric'.

Hamas also warned today of 'repercussions' following the strikes on their allies.

'We vigorously condemn the flagrant American-British attack on Yemen. We hold them responsible for the repercussions on regional security,' Gaza rulers Hamas said on Telegram.

And an advisor to Iraq's prime minister, Fadi Al-Shammari, warned on Friday the West is expanding the conflict between Israel and Hamas and increasing tensions in the region.

Iran, which supports armed groups around the Middle East including both the Houthis and Hamas, also 'strongly condemned' the US and British attacks, describing them as 'illegal and escalatory'.

Meanwhile, Russia, an ally of Iran and a partner of key Arab powers, called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Friday to discuss the issue.

'We strongly condemn these irresponsible actions by the United States and its allies,' Maria Zakharova, Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman, told reporters.

'A large-scale military escalation in the Red Sea region could strike out the positive trends that have emerged recently in the Yemeni settlement process, as well as provoke a destabilisation of the situation throughout the Middle East.'

Russia, which has been criticised for what the West says is an illegal war in Ukraine, said the attack on Yemen took place without any mandate from the United Nations and was thus an illegal 'adventure' by the United States and its allies.

Meanwhile, Oman's Foreign Minister said the attacks went against the country's advice and 'will only add fuel to an extremely dangerous situation'.

In the wake of the widespread criticism, the British Government published a summary of its legal position over the strikes.

It states: 'Military intervention to strike carefully identified targets in order to effectively downgrade the Houthi's capabilities and deter further attacks was lawfully taken.

'It was necessary and proportionate to respond to attacks by the Houthis and this was the only feasible means available to deal with such attacks.'

It continues: 'The UK is permitted under international law to use force in such circumstances where acting in self-defence is the only feasible means to deal with an actual or imminent armed attack and where the force used is necessary and proportionate.

'The Government will notify the United Nations Security Council of the actions it has taken under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.'

An aircraft takes off to join the U.S.-led coalition to conduct air strikes against military targets in Yemen in a picture released on Friday

An RAF Typhoon aircraft takes off to join the U.S.-led coalition from RAF Akrotiri to conduct air strikes against military targets in Yemen in picture released on Friday

An aircraft takes off to join the U.S.-led coalition operation against military targets in Yemen on Thursday night

An RAF Typhoon aircraft returns to base at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, after striking targets in Yemen on Friday

Huthi fighters brandish their weapons during a march in solidarity with the Palestinian people in the Huthi-controlled capital Sanaa on January 11

Mr Sunak said in a statement: 'Despite the repeated warnings from the international community, the Houthis have continued to carry out attacks in the Red Sea, including against UK and US warships just this week.

'This cannot stand. The United Kingdom will always stand up for freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade.

'The Royal Navy continues to patrol the Red Sea as part of the multinational Operation Prosperity Guardian to deter further Houthi aggression, and we urge them to cease their attacks and take steps to de-escalate.'

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps added: 'The threat to innocent lives and global trade has become so great that this action was not only necessary, it was our duty to protect vessels & freedom of navigation.'

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said the strikes 'targeted sites associated with the Huthis' unmanned aerial vehicle, ballistic and cruise missile, and coastal radar and air surveillance capabilities'.

A joint statement by the United States, Britain, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand and South Korea said the 'aim remains to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea'.

'But let our message be clear: we will not hesitate to defend lives and protect the free flow of commerce in one of the world's most critical waterways in the face of continued threats,' it said.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Friday that Germany backs the United States-led strikes on Houthi targets in the Red Sea.

'The reaction has our political support,' Baerbock said from Kuala Lumpur after a meeting with Malaysia's Foreign Minister, Mohamad Hasan, according to the news agency dpa.

She criticized the Houthis for 'contributing to the destabilization of an already tense regional situation' with their attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea, calling on the group to 'stop these attacks immediately.'

On Friday, Armed Forces Minister James Heappey played down concerns about the danger of escalation after criticism from Russia, which requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on the strikes.

There are fears over a dramatic regional widening of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and rising tensions with Iran, which backs the Houthis and has condemned the air strikes.

Saudi Arabia has expressed 'great concern' over the situation and has called for 'restraint and avoiding escalation'.

Mr Heappey told BBC Breakfast: 'Clearly there is nervousness amongst those partners in the region that there could be some sort of escalation, but we were confident that these limited, proportionate, necessary strikes that went in last night were what was necessary to disrupt the Houthis' ability to attack our warships that are protecting shipping in the southern Red Sea.

'And clearly nobody should see this as part of anything bigger.'

The minister also said the the Government's 'legal position is sound' and that no more UK strikes are planned for the moment.

Mr Sunak, early on Friday morning, said it 'cannot stand' that the Houthis continued to carry out 'dangerous' attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea despite repeated warnings from the international community.

'The United Kingdom will always stand up for freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade.'

The Prime Minister, who is making a surprise visit to Ukraine on Friday, held a full Cabinet call the previous evening in which ministers discussed the response to disruption on the key global shipping route.

In an unusual move, the Government briefed Sir Keir Starmer and shadow defence secretary John Healey after the call.

Sir Keir on Friday expressed support for the action but called for Mr Sunak to make a statement to Parliament 'at the first opportunity'.

With the Commons having finished business for the week and the Prime Minister having no plans to recall Parliament, the Labour leader accepted any statement to MPs was not likely to come before Monday.

'I do want the Prime Minister obviously to make a statement to Parliament as soon as possible because the scope, nature and extent of the operation needs to be explained,' Sir Keir said.

He said he also wanted a summary of the Government's legal position to be published.

The Liberal Democrats demanded a vote on the matter, and the SNP said any military action should be scrutinised in the Commons.

Last night the RAF launched targeted strikes against Houthi military facilities in response to a series of attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea

The return of RAF Typhoon aircraft at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, after striking military targets in Yemen

One of four RAF Typhoon aircraft taking off from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus to join the US-led coalition conducting air strikes against military targets in Yemen last night

An RAF Voyager refuelling aircraft takes off to join the US led coalition to support air strikes against military targets in Yemen

'Parliament should not be bypassed. Rishi Sunak must announce a retrospective vote in the House of Commons on these strikes, and recall Parliament this weekend,' Lib Dem foreign affairs spokesperson Layla Moran said.

Parliament cannot be recalled without the Government asking the Commons Speaker to do so, and such requests are rare.

READ MORE: Yemen airstrikes could cause British supermarket prices to rise further, analysts fear with up to a third of cargo ships who normally use Red Sea already diverted Advertisement

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence said early indications are the strikes dealt a 'blow' to the Houthis' ability to threaten merchant shipping in the Red Sea, through which some 15% of the world's shipping passes.

In response, the Houthis said there was 'no justification' for the air strikes and warned that attacks on Israel-linked shipping would continue.

'We affirm that there is absolutely no justification for this aggression against Yemen, as there was no threat to international navigation in the Red and Arabian Seas, and the targeting was and will continue to affect Israeli ships or those heading to the ports of occupied Palestine,' Huthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam posted on X, formerly Twitter.

The Houthis have carried out a growing number of attacks on what they deem to be Israel-linked shipping in the key international trade route since the eruption of the war in Gaza sparked by Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7.

The United States and allies have deployed a naval task force to the area to protect ships, and US and British warships had shot down 21 drones and missiles on Tuesday to repel the biggest Houthi attack so far.

HMS Diamond, a 1billion Type 45 destroyer known as the jewel of the Royal Navy, shot down a series of drones fired by the rebels with a barrage of Sea Viper missiles - which travel three times the speed of sound. US fighter jets were also involved in that operation.

Dramatic pictures showed the moment the British Destroyer shot down the huge wave of missiles and drones fired by the Iranian-backed rebels.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps called Tuesday's Houthi attack 'the largest to date' and said the UK had taken action to 'protect innocent lives and the global economy'. He said none of HMS Diamond's crew had been injured.

The rebels say their assaults are aimed at stopping Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. But their targets are increasingly random, raising the risk of a US retaliatory strike on Yemen.

Personnel onboard HMS Diamond shoot down drones fired by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels on Tuesday

Personnel onboard HMS Diamond shoot down drones fired by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels on Tuesday

HMS Diamond, a 1billion Type 45 destroyer known as the jewel of the Royal Navy, shot down the targets with a barrage of sea viper missiles on Tuesday - which travel three times the speed of sound

The attacks are disrupting maritime trade through the Suez canal - a crucial route linking Europe with Asia and the Middle East - leading to delays and price rises for consumers.

The attacks on Tuesday by Houthi rebels were the last straw for Britain and the US, with the two nations launching a barrage of strikes at the Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, also backed by Iran and engaged in cross-border fire with Israel, criticised the strikes as showing America as being a 'full partner in catastrophes and massacres committed by the Zionist entity in Gaza.'

Yemen has been targeted by U.S. military action over the last four American presidencies.

A campaign of drone strikes began under President George W. Bush to target the local affiliate of al-Qaida, attacks that have continued under the Biden administration. Meanwhile, the US has launched raids and other military operations amid the ongoing war in Yemen.

That war began when the Houthis swept into the capital, Sanaa, in 2014. A Saudi-led coalition including the United Arab Emirates launched a war to back Yemen's exiled government in 2015, quickly morphing the conflict into a regional confrontation as Iran backed the Houthis with weapons and other support.

That war, however, has slowed as the Houthis maintain their grip on the territory they hold. The UAE even came under Houthi missile fire multiple times in 2022. After the Emirates left the war, Saudi Arabia reached a Chinese-mediated deal with Iran to ease tensions in hopes of finally withdrawing from the war.

However, an overall deal has yet to be reached, likely sparking Saudi Arabia's expression Friday of 'great concern' over the airstrikes.

'While the kingdom stresses the importance of preserving the security and stability of the Red Sea region, ... it calls for restraint and avoiding escalation,' its Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Iran, which has supplied weapons and aid to the Houthis, condemned the attack in a statement from Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani.

'Arbitrary attacks will have no result other than fueling insecurity and instability in the region,' he said.
Detectives are asking for leads to find the killer of a retired postmistress whose throat was slit before her body was torched - 11 years after they treated her death as an accident.

Police are now appealing again for any information in the hope they can solve the murder of 86-year-old pensioner Una Crown.

Officers were called to her home in Magazine Lane, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, after family members and a neighbour discovered the body of the woman on Sunday, January 13, 2013.

Mrs Crown was found lying in a pool of her blood and surrounded by burnt newspaper.

Her wedding ring, front door key, and 40 were missing.

Detectives are asking for leads to find the killer of a retired postmistress Una Crown, 86, whose throat was slit before her body was torched

The last image of Una Crown alive - CCTV taken at Wisbech Tesco on January 11 2013

Police initially thought she had accidentally set herself alight, and later said sorry after a post-mortem revealed she had died from stab wounds to her neck and chest.

READ MORE: Coroner slams bungling police who destroyed vital evidence at murder scene because they treated death of pensioner found with her throat slit and her body set on fire as an ACCIDENT Advertisement

Mrs Crown had been seen alive two days before and had spoken to a friend over the phone at about 5pm on the Saturday.

She also appeared in good spirits as she went shopping on the Friday - with CCTV capturing her leaving a store with her trolley.

Her death was initially treated as unexplained but, after a post-mortem examination concluded Mrs Crown died from stab wounds to her neck and chest, a murder investigation was launched.

Mrs Crown's clothing had been set alight, in an apparent attempt to disguise her injuries and destroy evidence, but the fire did not spread to the rest of the house.

Two attending police officers had initially concluded the death was not suspicious, thinking the pensioner had died from a heart attack after her clothing had accidentally caught fire due to a faulty hob ring which she had tried to put out with a tea towel.

They also believed the slits to her throat were caused by the pressure from a scarf as her body hit the floor.

The bungled initial investigation meant that family members were allowed back into the property and key evidence may have been destroyed.

Now, police say the case has never been closed and they are still hopeful they may receive some leads.

Una Crown's bungalow in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire

Detective Superintendent Iain Moor, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: 'It has now been 11 years since Mrs Crown's tragic death and we still seek justice for her family.

'Last year we appealed for help on national television with a reconstruction of events. It is incredibly positive we were able to reach such a large audience, but we continue to seek opportunities for new lines of enquiry.

'We also continue to re-appeal to the public for information and keep the case in people's minds.

'I am urging anyone who has information but has not yet come forward, to do the right thing and get in touch.

'Any information, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, may be key to solving this investigation and finally getting justice.'
Boohoo has admitted putting 'Made in the UK' labels on clothes that were made in South Asia - as the fast fashion firm considers closing its factory in Leicester.

The company removed the original labels on T-shirts and hoodies at the retailer's controversial factory at Thurmaston Lane in Leicester between January and October last year, a BBC investigation found.

The retailer admitted to the mislabeling which the broadcaster says affected up to one in 250 of their products - but called it an 'isolated incident' that came about because of 'human error'.

Panorama estimated hundreds of thousands of garments shipped from Pakistan and other countries in South Asia could have been affected.

It comes as Boohoo is considering closing its Leicester factory and relocating operations.

A spokesman for Boohoo said: 'This was an isolated incident, which impacted less than one per cent of the group's global garments intake.

The retailer admitted to the mislabeling - but called it an 'isolated incident' that came about because of 'human error'

The company removed the original labels on T-shirts and hoodies at the retailer's controversial factory at Thurmaston Lane in Leicester between January and October last year, a BBC investigation found

Boohoo said less than 100 employees at the Thurmaston Lane factory (pictured) may be impacted by the closure and it expects that 'some roles will be relocated'

Mahmud Kamani (pictured) is Boohoo Group co-founder and executive chairman

'These errors were found to be the result of human error and we have taken steps to ensure this does not happen again.'

Boohoo say that the clothes were printed on in Leicester, so some elements of the production process were made in the UK and customers could not see where they were produced when they were bought.

The company said fewer than 100 employees at the Thurmaston Lane factory may be affected by the closure and it expects 'some roles will be relocated'.

The clothing retailer said the plans to shut the site are not related to the findings of the Panorama investigation.

Instead, it said that due to 'significant investments' at its Sheffield and US distribution centres it must take steps to ensure it is a 'more efficient, productive and strengthened business'.

In November last year, a Panorama investigation claimed an undercover reporter working for the business found employees pressuring suppliers to reduce prices even after deals had been agreed and that Boohoo Group's Leicester factory had been subcontracting orders to Morocco.

Boohoo told MailOnline in response to the BBC Panorama programme it has not 'shied away from dealing with the problems of the past' and that it had made 'a number of improvements'.

Undercover BBC Panorama reporter Emma Lowther spent 10 weeks at the fashion retailer's headquarters in Manchester and found one staff member openly say they were lying to bag cheaper deals by going 'in low' during negotiations with suppliers and telling them they can get it cheaper elsewhere.

One senior manager struck an 'extraordinary deal' to get midi dresses made for 1.80 in Pakistan leaving another employee baffled.

A BBC Panorama undercover investigation Boohoo's Manchester headquarters discovered there was constant pressure to slash prices even after deals with suppliers had been struck

Undercover BBC Panorama reporter Emma Lowther (pictured) spent 10 weeks at the fashion retailer's headquarters in Manchester

'Well I actually don't know how he's doing it. He [the supplier] must be actually losing money it's so cheap, for a midi dress as well,' the staff member said.

READ MORE: Boohoo plans to close its Leicester factory just two years after it opened: Online fashion giant said 100 jobs would be affected by closure after BBC Panorama probe accused it of breaking promises to make its clothes fairly and ethically Advertisement

It is understood the order never proceeded and the dresses were not made.

While there was pressure to cut prices in order to save the company money and even amending prices after deals had been struck with stock already being made.

One supplier was left fuming when a 10 percent discount appeared on a deal they hadn't agreed to which would leave them out of pocket as they'd be working under cost.

During one staff meeting, the investigation found new orders were not allowed to be signed off until Boohoo's boss Mahmud Kamani had given his seal of approval.

Boohoo told MailOnline at the time: 'Boohoo has not shied away from dealing with the problems of the past and we have invested significant time, effort and resource into driving positive change across every aspect of our business and supply chain.

'We have made a number of improvements, including strengthening the ethical and compliance obligations on those wishing to supply Boohoo, regularly publishing our full list of approved global manufacturers, responsibly exiting from relationships with suppliers where standards are found to have fallen short, supplementing audit processes with regular unannounced checks and more.

'The action we've taken has already delivered significant change and we will continue to deliver on the commitments we've made.'

One staff member openly said they are lying to bag cheaper deals by going 'in low' during negotiations with suppliers and telling them they can get it cheaper elsewhere

One senior manager struck an 'extraordinary deal' to get midi dresses made for 1.80 in Pakistan leaving another employee baffled

While there was pressure to cut prices in order to save the company money and even amending prices after deals had been struck with stock already being made

City lawyers are now demanding compensation for shareholders in Boohoo, who suffered financial losses after the scale of the Leicester workshop scandal became known.

Although no official case has yet been filed, Boohoo has instructed lawyers at Herbert Smith Freehills to try and halt the pending litigation, the Telegraph reported.

Issues at Boohoo had been raised as early as 2017 by Channel 4, with the BBC and the Guardian reporting on specific problems in the chain's Leicester factories.

Last year, an undercover reporter for The Times made a series of disturbing claims about conditions at its warehouse in Burnley, with staff made to work in temperatures of up to 32C over 12-hour shifts where they are expected to collect 130 items an hour. Employees also made allegations of racism and sexual harassment.

Pictures from within the warehouse's long corridors lined with cardboard boxes revealed messages left by desperate staff, including 'prison' and 'do not work here'.

Justin Madders, Labour's shadow minister for employment rights and protections, described the claims at the time as 'shocking'.

'The government has repeatedly failed to deliver their promised Employment Bill to tackle conditions in warehouses run like Victorian workhouses,' he said.

Boohoo said it was taking 'every claim very seriously' but 'does not believe the picture painted is reflective of the working environment' at the warehouse.

Last year an undercover reporter for The Times made a series of disturbing claims about conditions at its warehouse in Burnley. A message reads 'do not work here'

Staff had left messages on the floor of the Boohoo warehouse in Burnley, including this one reading 'prison'

Some workers spoke about how others at the warehouse were suffering from ill health

A 100million lawsuit was reportedly being threatened by sovereign wealth funds, local councils and other investors, following the revelations in 2020 that staff were working in awful conditions at its workshops in Leicester and being paid just 4 per hour.

The company had hired Alison Levitt KC to carry out an independent review with a damning report concluding bosses at Boohoo had known about the issues over low pay and poor working conditions at their Leicester clothes factories for months.

The report concluded that the situation in Leicester was not allowed to worsen deliberately but was instead the result of 'weak corporate governance'. Levitt said that Boohoo had 'made a significant start on putting things right' and noted that there was no evidence that the company had committed any criminal offences.

Boohoo had promised to change its practices through its 'Agenda For Change' programme after the scandal was uncovered three years ago, which was branded a 'success' by retired High Court judge Sir Brian Leveson.

The company used to be worth in the region of 4billion but this has now shrunk to just 385million.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has married his partner, Oliver Mulherin, at a low-key ceremony in Hawaii.

Sam Altman confirmed his marriage to Mulherin after the pair's wedding photos surfaced on social media.

But who exactly is Sam Altman's husband Oliver Mulherin? How long have the pair been together?

Read on below for everything you need to know about their relationship.

Sam Altman and Oliver Mulherin attend A Year In TIME at The Plaza Hotel on December 12, 2023 in New York City

Altman and Mulherin attend the State Dinner hosted by President Biden for India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House in Washington, U.S., June 22, 2023

Who is Sam Altman's husband Oliver Mulherin?

Oliver Mulherin was born in Australia and completed a bachelor's in computer science from the University of Melbourne in 2016, according to his LinkedIn profile.

He is a software engineer by profession and worked at Meta - the parent company of Facebook and Instagram - in Menlo Park, California, from 2020 to 2022.

Mr Mulherin has additionally been employed by Broadwing and SPARK Neuro.

He also previously embarked on a number of AI projects from language detection to video games throughout his time at university in Australia.

According to the New York Times, Altman and Mulherin live together in San Francisco and frequent a a 25-year-old ranch that has been 'remodelled to look both folksy and contemporary' in Napa, California, for regular weekends away.

Altman also expressed his desire to have children with his husband in a previous interview with the New York Magazine in September 2023.

His marriage to Mulherin comes after the OpenAI CEO endured a turbulent period in November 2023, when he was dramatically ousted from the company and poached by Microsoft.

Following the announcement, ex-Twitch boss Emmett Shear was named as interim chief executive, sparking a staff mutiny that led to 'intense discussions' among bosses.

OpenAI was founded by Altman and ten others - including billionaire entrepreneur and X owner Elon Musk (pictured) - in 2015 and unveiled ChatGPT in 2022, which has received consistently mixed reviews from users

This resulted in Altman's re-appointment as CEO of OpenAI less than a week after his unexpected departure.

OpenAI was founded by Altman and ten others - including billionaire entrepreneur and X owner Elon Musk - in 2015 and unveiled ChatGPT in 2022, which has received consistently mixed reviews from users.

Aside from sparking worry amongst the public, this uncertainty was apparently also felt within OpenAI's six-person board.

Despite Elon Musk founding OpenAI with Altman the billionaire attempted to take control of the start-up in 2018, but saw his request rejected, forcing him to quit OpenAI and move on with his other business ventures.
A big freeze is predicted to hit Britain next week as 'disruptive' snow is set to fall in London - as temperatures could reach as cold as -5C.

The snow will mostly hit coastal areas in the north but there is a chance of snow falling in London. The worst snowfalls will come in the middle to latter parts of next week.

Snow was seen from County Durham to Kent and Cumbria to London last Monday as temperatures plunged to -7C (19F).

There is a cold weather health warning in place across England from yesterday to Thursday next week as the over 65s and those with health conditions have been warned of the risks the weather poses.

The Met Office said there is 'a likelihood of some substantial snow' but it remains unclear as to where it will fall.

Thick frost in Glen Nevis near Fort William after temperatures plummeted to -6 across the Highlands of Scotland this week

There is a cold weather health alert in place across England from yesterday to Thursday next week

Ben Nevis looms over the wreck of the Golden Harvest fishing boat on the banks of Loch Linnhe near Fort William in the western Scottish Highlands

A woman walks her dog through a churchyard at St Peter & St Paul's at Ash in Kenton on Monday

Cold Health Alerts issued by UK Health Security Agency Cold Health Alerts are running from January 11 to January 18 Yellow Cold Health Alert North West England

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Met Office deputy chief meteorologist David Hayter said: 'While the initial snow risk from Sunday onwards is looking most likely to be in coastal areas in the north of the UK, including North Sea and Irish Sea coasts, there is an ongoing likelihood of some disruptive snow through the middle to latter part of next week.

'What we're keeping an eye on for this disruptive snow is where exactly this milder air from the south west bumps into the cold air that will be in place over the UK.

'It is where these airmasses meet that there's a likelihood of some substantial snow for some places.

'At the moment, models are showing us a variety of options for exactly when and how this situation plays out and it's something we'll be able to add more details to in the coming days.'

Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, said: 'The temperatures we will see leading into the weekend can rapidly have a serious impact on the health of those over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions as it increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections.

'It is therefore vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours to ensure they are well prepared for the cold weather next week.'

RAC Breakdown spokesman Simon Williams said: 'With an increasing risk of snow and ice at the start of next week we urge drivers to make sure they travel fully prepared.

'Having a few essential items in the boot  no matter what distance you're going  can make a massive difference in a breakdown situation in freezing conditions.

Heavy snow falling at Edenbridge in Kent on Monday as the country faces severe weather

A man walks his dog through a snow flurry in Lenham, Kent, on Monday

Snow surrounds St Peter & St Paul's Church at Ash in Kent on Monday

Leeds Castle in Kent is covered in snow on Monday as the Met Office imposed an ice alert

'A warm, waterproof coat, sturdy footwear and gloves, along with a blanket and a power bank to keep your phone charged are vital.

'While no one sets out to breakdown or get stuck in very cold, potentially snowy conditions, there are far too many instances where drivers have underestimated the severity of the conditions and found themselves in danger. It's far better to prepare for the worse than hope for the best.'
A world-renowned classical music conductor has appeared in court over a child sex offence.

Jan Latham-Koenig, 70, spoke to confirm his name and address at Westminster Magistrates' Court this afternoon.

Judge Maria Karaiskos KC released Mr Latham-Koenig, of Pelham Crescent, South Kensington, on conditional bail and adjourned the case to February 9 at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

Mr Latham-Koenig was arrested at London's Victoria station on Wednesday following an investigation by detectives from the Metropolitan Police's Specialist Crime Command, the force said.

Conductor Jan Latham-Koenig leaves Westminster Magistrates' Court, central London, where he is charged with arranging or facilitating a child sex offence and sexual communication with a child

Mr Latham-Koenig was arrested at London's Victoria station on Wednesday following an investigation by detectives from the Metropolitan Police's Specialist Crime Command

He is alleged to have arranged or facilitated a child sex offence and sexual communication with a child.

Mr Latham-Koenig has conducted the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and all the BBC ensembles.

In Queen Elizabeths 2020 Birthday Honours list Latham-Koenig was appointed with an OBE for services to music and UK/Russia cultural relations.

As recently as June last year he was conducting a performance of Mahlers second symphony next month in Moscow

Jan Latham-Koenig, 70, has worked with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Philharmonic and BBC Symphony Orchestra

A Met spokesman said: 'A man has been charged with a child sexual offence following an investigation by detectives from the Mets Specialist Crime Command.

'Jan Latham-Koenig, 70, was arrested at London Victoria Train station on Wednesday January 10.

'He was charged the following day, Thursday, 11 January, with arranging/facilitating a child sexual offence and sexual communication with a child.

'Latham-Koenig is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on Friday, 12 January.'
A group of Jewish students have launched a lawsuit against Harvard University, accusing the Ivy League institution of enabling antisemitism and of enforcing selective anti discrimination policies.

In a complaint filed on Wednesday night, six students accused Harvard of selectively enforcing its anti-discrimination policies to avoid protecting Jewish students from harassment, ignoring their pleas for protection, and hiring professors who support anti-Jewish violence and spread anti-Semitic propaganda.

'Based on its track record, it is inconceivable that Harvard would allow any group other than Jews to be targeted for similar abuse or that it would permit, without response, students and professors to call for the annihilation of any country other than Israel,' the complaint said.

Harvard, the complaint said, treats Jews as 'unworthy of the respect and protection it affords other groups.'

The students are seeking an injunction to stop Harvard's alleged violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bars federal funds recipients from allowing discrimination based on race, religion and national origin.

Demonstrators are seen in Harvard on October 14. Former president Claudine Gay was criticized for being slow to condemn student justification of Hamas' terror attacks

They sued the Ivy League school eight days after Harvard president Claudine Gay resigned, under fire for her handling of antisemitism in the wake of Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. She also faced plagiarism allegations.

Harvard declined on Thursday to comment on the lawsuit, which was filed in Boston federal court.

The plaintiffs include Alexander Kestenbaum, who is a student at Harvard Divinity School; five unnamed students at Harvard's law and public health schools, and the nonprofit Students Against Antisemitism.

Other schools that have faced similar lawsuits include New York University, the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Pennsylvania.

Academic institutions around the world have been rocked by disputes over free speech and the right to protest since the Israel-Hamas war broke out in Gaza.

In November, the U.S. Department of Education opened a probe into Harvard's handling of antisemitism on campus, after starting probes at several other schools.

A House of Representatives panel is also examining Harvard's handling of antisemitism, demanding a slew of materials from interim President Alan Garber and Harvard Corp Senior Fellow Penny Pritzker.

According to the complaint, antisemitism is not new at Harvard, which was founded in 1636 and is among the world's most prestigious universities, but has swelled since Hamas' attack.

Former Harvard University President, Dr. Claudine Gay testifies at the House Committee on Education and the Workforce hearing on the rise in antisemitism on college campuses

Billionaire Bill Ackman sent a letter to his alma mater and accused Gay of 'doing more damage to Harvard's reputation than anyone in the university's history'

A conservative group, Accuracy in Media, has sent billboard trucks to call for Claudine Gay's firing around the Harvard campus

More than 30 student groups at the school signed a petition the day after the attack, blaming Israel.

The plaintiffs said Harvard took a day to respond, offering 'platitudes' but neither condemnation of the petition or Hamas, nor support for Jewish students.

But after a billboard truck drove around campus and identified members of groups backing the petition, Harvard responded forcefully, offering to protect those students from the 'repugnant assault on our community,' the complaint said.

Harvard's 'double standards' are unjustified, and it is no defense to sit idly and allow escalating 'Jew-bashing' so people could express themselves freely, the complaint said.

It said two of the law students, both 'visibly Jewish' based on their clothing, said they have been regularly stopped and targeted in the law school's student lounge, which Harvard has let anti-Jewish protesters take over and chant slogans such as 'glory to the martyrs.'

The complaint said Harvard's bias even extends to admissions, including an alleged 60% decline in the number of Jewish students, mirroring quotas the school had a century ago.

'Harvard, America's leading university, has become a bastion of rampant anti-Jewish hatred and harassment,' the complaint said.

The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages, and requirements that Harvard suspend or expel students who engage in antisemitism, and return donations conditioned on hiring anti-Semitic professors or promoting an anti-Semitic curriculum.

'It is clear that Harvard will not correct its deep-seated antisemitism problem voluntarily,' said the students' lawyer Marc Kasowitz, whose firm also filed the NYU and Penn lawsuits.

Gay resigned after being slow to condemn Hamas' attack, and botching her Dec. 5 Congressional testimony by failing to definitively say that calling for the genocide of Jews violated Harvard's code of conduct.

Penn's president also resigned after offering similar testimony at the same hearing.
An entire platoon of the Russian army fled their frontline trenches and tried to escape to Crimea as commanders threatened execution for deserters, Ukraine claims.

Oleksandr Shtupun, the spokesman for the Tavria Grouping of Troops, said that 'nearly 40 invaders' had 'recently' tried to escape to the peninsula, which has been occupied by Russia since 2014.

'I'm talking about an entire platoon of the Russian army. There were reports that they were being hunted down in an attempt to bring them back,' he told Espreso Tv, adding that the deserters were armed.

The military spokesperson also reportedly said that a recent cold snap and unsanitary conditions prompted a further 30 Russian soldiers to surrender in just a four-day period.

It comes as desertions among the Russian ranks have surged as the war in Ukraine approaches the two-year mark, with dire conditions and high casualty rates swelling discontent in Putin's army.

Russian conscripts pictured at a railway station in Sevastopol before leaving to serve in the war, Crimea, November 2022

Shtupun said that conscripts who lack training and experience on the battlefield are threatened with physical violence by commanders, including with execution, if they refuse to fight.

'This is how they stimulate invaders to execute assault missions,' he said.

'They put pressure on them both mentally and physically. The newly mobilized soldiers, who have just been deployed, have not yet seen those horrors and do not understand what is going on.

'That is why it's those who have already been on assault missions and somehow survived who refuse to go on another offensive as they are terrified of going there again.'

Last month, one charity said it had received more than 1,000 requests from Russian servicemen to help them evade fighting since April.

'A year has passed since the beginning of mobilization. If some people still had hopes that they could go home after a certain period of service, there are no such illusions now,' Sergei Krivenko, director of the 'Citizen. Army. Rights' human rights group, told The Moscow Times.

Ukrainian servicemen of the 128th separate mountain assault Transcarpathian brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine take part in tank drills in the Zaporizhzhia region,January 11, 2024

Ukrainian servicemen of the 128th separate mountain assault Transcarpathian brigade take part in tank drills in the Zaporizhzhia region, January 11, 2024

'Servicemen see that there is no rotation, that even seriously wounded men are sent back to the front after being hospitalized,' he added.

Lack of training has left Russian forces vulnerable and stirred anger among Putin's forces, with a video shared in November showing dozens complaining of a lack of experience with weapons before being sent to the front.

Russia's most significant effort to expand its manpower came with its full-scale mobilisation more than a year ago, which saw around 300,000 reservists conscripted.

As the war drags on, Putin's forces are seeing mounting casualties on the battlefield, with the UK warning last month that its casualty toll is set to top half a million by 2025 if fighting continues at its current rate.

The average daily number of Russia's troops injured or dead rose by almost 300 per day over the course of 2023 compared to 2022, according to UK Defence Intelligence.
Have YOU been blighted by 30ft poles?

Have YOU been blighted by 30ft poles?

Have YOU been blighted by 30ft poles?

Furious residents who used their cars to stop telecoms workmen from installing 500 ugly broadband poles in their town have been stunned to learn they were installed without permission.

Locals had vowed to boycott any internet provider who decides to use the 30ft high wooden 'eyesores', insisting cables should go underground instead.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council temporarily suspended work last November in Hedon, near Hull, while it investigated 'allegations of unsafe work activity'.

But now more broadband poles have appeared - one outside a resident's window - and Historic England has stepped into the row to reveal several poles breach Hedon's Scheduled Monument status.

The poles were erected as part of a government scheme to improve fibre broadband coverage - but Historic England said consent had not been granted ahead of the work.

Broadband operator MS3, the company that is putting up the poles to carry the broadband fibre optic cables, said it was now working on finding 'the most suitable location'.

Have YOU been blighted by 30ft-high poles? Email iwan.stone@mailonline.co.uk

500 poles were due to be installed in the East Yorkshire town, with a campaign group of residents who did their best to legally block workmen by parking cars tactically to stop them installing the poles

But now more broadband poles have appeared - one outside a resident's window - and Historic England has stepped into the row to reveal several poles breach Hedon's Scheduled Monument status. Pictured: A pole outside a resident's bedroom window

The poles were erected as part of a government scheme to improve fibre broadband coverage - but Historic England said consent had not been granted ahead of the work. Pictured: Hedon resident Julie Dervy

Locals had vowed to boycott any internet provider who decides to use the 30ft high wooden 'eyesores', insisting cables should go underground instead. Pictured: Hedon resident Carol Hunter

Last year, hundreds of people in Hedon protested against the installation of new telegraph poles in residential streets.

Changes to the law since April 2022 mean operators can erect poles without having to apply to councils for planning permission.

However, according to the Government, scheduled monument consent is needed to carry out work that would demolish, damage, remove, repair, alter or add to a scheduled monument.

Failure to obtain the consent from Historic England, on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, can be classed as a criminal offence.

Historic England said it had been made aware of the poles in Hedon late last year and work to put up more poles had been halted.

The scheduled area includes a pre-1979 housing estate and three of the poles had been erected without the necessary consent, the public body said.

Historic England said: 'Historic England is working with broadband contractors MS3 to understand the archaeological impact caused by the positioning of these poles.

'We are looking to relocate them outside of the scheduled area but if any of the additional poles can only be located within the scheduled area, we will work with MS3 to ensure the right permissions and mitigation is in place.'

East Riding of Yorkshire Council temporarily suspended work last November in Hedon, near Hull, while it investigated 'allegations of unsafe work activity'

Broadband operator MS3, responsible for the poles, said it was now working on finding 'the most suitable location'. Pictured: The police were called when poles were installed

Failure to obtain the consent from Historic England, on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, can be classed as a criminal offence

Last year, hundreds of people in Hedon protested against the installation of new telegraph poles in residential streets

500 poles were due to be installed in the East Yorkshire town, with a campaign group of residents who did their best to legally block workmen by parking cars tactically to stop them installing the poles.

After a brief break instigated by protesters complaining to the council, telecoms firm MS3 carried on.

Joyce Whittle, one of the action group organisers, estimated at least 50 poles had been erected by the start of December.

Locals were furious that MS3 were allowed to do so having given just 28 days notice.

People expressed surprise at the time that poles could be put up without firms having to go through the traditional planning process.

Julie Dervy, 60, who has lived in Hedon for forty years, is a member of the campaign group 'Hedon Says No to MS3 Telegraph Poles'.

In October she said: 'About six weeks ago we woke up to find notices from the council telling us we were going to have this happening here.

'There is already infrastructure underground for broadband. We don't want these eyesores on our streets.

'We have parked out cars to make it difficult for a big lorry to get down. Other cars and ambulances can get though.'

But Guy Miller, chief executive of MS3 Networks, said the poles were saving residents more than 1million per year.

He said the company was working with Historic England to ensure the most suitable location for the telegraph poles.

Meanwhile, local David Tucker has been stunned to find a pole has gone up right outside one of his front windows.

He commented: 'Great view out of our window now. They blocked a private road for over 30 minutes.

'The yellow cover was not pinned down and they think it is acceptable to leave the path covered in mud.

'Why do they think anyone is going to use them? We certainly won't be to save a couple of quid.'
A pie factory worker suffered gruesome injuries after getting caught inside a conveyor belt for an hour.

The 31-year-old worker at Outback Pie Company in Townsville was left with multiple fractures to his left arm after getting it caught around a tension roller, the Townsville Bulletin reported.

The staffer was cleaning the machinery on the underside of the conveyor in October 2020 when his sleeve became caught, dragging him in.

A Outback Pie Company factory worker suffered gruesome injuries after getting caught inside a conveyor belt for an hour

The 31-year-old worker at Outback Pie Company in Townsville was left with multiple fractures to his left arm after getting it caught around a tension roller

He required surgery and was in hospital for five days with injuries that left him unable to work for four months.

Magistrate Richard Lehmann found that the company - which makes 45,000 pies, sausage rolls and muffins a day - had a lack of safety measures.

The firm has since changed its safety rules meaning the conveyor belt has to be switched off before it is cleaned.

It pleaded guilty to failing to comply with its primary duty to ensure workers health and safety.

Outback Pie Company was fined $55,000 but a conviction was not recorded.
Former deputy premier of NSW John Barilaro and his girlfriend have been pictured living it up on a Bali holiday after his $715,000 defamation win in court.

Mr Barilaro, the ex-NSW Nationals leader, shared the snaps of himself dressed in a casually unbuttoned white shirt and former staffer-turned-lover Jennifer Lugsdin as they relaxed at day clubs and pools on the popular holiday island.

'Great start to 2024,' he captioned the pictures.

Mr Barilaro's 26-year marriage to ex-wife Deana ended in 2021. The couple have three daughters, one in primary school and two in their 20s.

The following year Mr Barilaro was awarded a huge payout from Google after he sued the YouTube owner along with content creator Jordan Shanks over videos titled 'Bruz' and 'Secret Dictatorship' published on his friendlyjordies channel in 2020.

Ex-NSW Nationals leader John Barilaro and girlfriend Jennifer Lungsdin are enjoying a Bali holiday after his controversial exit from politics

The pair enjoyed a swim at one of the Indonesian island's famous resorts

The MP settled his Federal Court case against Mr Shanks when he provided an apology and edited the videos.

Google had initially defended the case but later withdrew all defences and conceded the widely-viewed videos defamed Mr Barilaro.

Later that year, Mr Barilaro was handed a cushy $500,000 a year job based in New York on behalf of the NSW Government.

But the questionable appointment led to an inquiry which later revealed he had created the role while in government.

The episode caused further controversy when it was revealed the job had initially been given to a public servant and then taken away to give to Mr Barilaro.

The NSW corruption watchdog in 2023 cleared Mr Barilaro of any wrongdoing.

Mr Barilaro's marriage ended in 2021, he has two daughters in their 20s and a third primary school aged daughter, while Ms Lungsdin in also a mother to grown children

READ MORE: John Barilaro's girlfriend worked for agency who signed off on cushy New York job Advertisement

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Britain and the United States pounded several targets in rebel-held Yemen overnight over a dramatic three-hour period, after weeks of disruptive attacks on Red Sea shipping vessels by Iran-backed Houthi forces.

The strikes saw over 100 missiles launched at more than 60 targets across 16 locations in Yemen, including an airbase, airports and a military camp, officials said.

A salvo of missiles was launched by fighter jets, warships and a submarine in a retaliatory move targeting Houthi infrastructure across Yemen, in what represents a massive escalation in the Middle East.

The wheels of the UK attack were set in motion on Thursday morning, with reports that British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had held a COBRA meeting. At the same time, White House officials were briefing senior politicians on Capitol Hill on the strikes that were given the green-light by President Joe Biden earlier this week.

Meanwhile, four British fighter jets and a refuelling tanker lifted off from the Akrotiri air base in Cyprus and flew the 1,500 miles to join US coalition forces in carrying out the precision strikes across Yemen over a three-hour period.

As the jets soared towards Yemen, a cabinet meeting was held in London Thursday evening, while other key political figures - including Britain's opposition Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle - were also briefed.

The British jets struck first, blasting two different locations at around 11.30pm Thursday local time. Three hours later, the US missiles struck their targets.

Blaming the Houthis for ignoring 'repeated warnings', Sunak said in a statement the strikes were 'necessary and proportionate'. Biden called the US and British strikes a 'defensive action', adding he 'will not hesitate' to order further military action.

At least five people were killed in the strikes, the Houthis said.

Here, MailOnline looks at what we know about the timeline of the strikes...

Britain and the United States pounded several targets in rebel-held Yemen overnight over a dramatic three-hour period. This graphic shows what the US-UK coalition used to carry out the strikes, and the timeline of the mission as according to official releases

US and UK military forces have 'successfully' completed targeted strikes in Yemen used by Houthi to attack ships in the Red Sea

Thursday morning: Britain convenes COBRA meeting

Rishi Sunak is said to have called a COBRA meeting Thursday morning in which the prospect of strikes on Houthi rebel targets in Yemen was discussed, followed by a meeting of the National Security Council.

Four RAF Typhoons took off from the Akrotiri airbase in Cyrpus at 7:30pm local time (5:30pm GMT) carrying Paveway IV, 500 lbs, guided bombs.

While the planes were in the air, the Prime Minister shared a short call with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, in which the two leaders discussed 'the concerning rise in Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and the disruptive impact on global shipping, including through the Suez Canal,' according to a Downing Street statement.

Shortly after this call, Sunak held a Cabinet meeting at 7.45pm, with Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron seen arriving at Downing Street - confirming to reporters the nature of the meeting was foreign affairs-related.

It is understood that the Cabinet was informed in this meeting that a strike mission was underway, with RAF already jets en route to their targets.

The meeting concluded around 8.00pm, at which point - in an unusual move - shadow leader Sir Keir Starmer, shadow defence secretary John Healey were briefed - as was speaker of the house Lindsay Hoyle.

As Sunak was briefing officials in the UK on Thursday, Biden's administration was briefing senior Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill that the strikes were planned - a decision that generated bipartisan support.

Sunak held a Cabinet meeting at 7.45pm, with Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron seen arriving at Downing Street (pictured) - confirming to reporters the nature of the meeting was foreign affairs-related

8.30pm GMT: British Typhoon fighter jets strike Yemen

The UK's Typhoon jets are believed to have reached their targets in Yemen at 11.30pm local time (8.30pm GMT) - three hours after taking off from Cyprus and less than half an hour after Starmer, Healey and Hoyle were informed of the strikes.

The 1,500-mile flight from Cyprus to Yemen required the jets to refuel from an RAF Voyager tanker, which travelled with them.

The MoD said the strikes were carried out using 30,000 high-tech Paveway IV guided bombs, the RAF's go-to weapon, which is guided to its target by GPS.

Britain's air force has been using the missile in operations since 2008, previously deploying them to strike targets in Libya as well as ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria.

A MoD statement on the strikes, posted in the early hours of Friday morning, read: 'Four RAF Typhoon FGR4s, supported by a Voyager air refuelling tanker, used Paveway IV guided bombs to conduct precision strikes on two Houthi facilities.

'One was a site at Bani in north-western Yemen used to launch reconnaissance and attack drones. A number of buildings involved in drone operations were targeted by our aircraft.'

Footage taken from an RAF Typhoon PoOD over Yemen, showing a targeted strike

An RAF Typhoon aircraft takes off to join the US led coalition to conduct air strikes against military targets in Yemen

An RAF Voyager refuelling aircraft takes off to join the US led coalition to support air strikes against military targets in Yemen

A missile is launched from a warship during the U.S.-led coalition operation against military targets in Yemen, aimed at the Iran-backed Houthi militia overnight

'The other location struck by our aircraft was the airfield at Abbs. Intelligence has shown that it has been used to launch both cruise missiles and drones over the Red Sea. Several key targets at the airfield were identified and prosecuted by our aircraft,' the ministry's statement said.

The RAF aircraft arrived back in Cyprus at the Akrotiri air base around 3.30am local time (1.30am GMT), completing their 3,000-mile journey.

11.30pm GMT: US missiles pound Houthi targets

Meanwhile, US warships and jets struck some 60 different Houthi targets at 16 different locations in a much larger barrage of strikes said to have been conducted at roughly 2.30am local time (11.30pm GMT).

This strike came shortly after Houthis fired an anti-ship ballistic missile into the Gulf of Aden, which was not reported to have caused any damage to ships there.

READ MORE: Yemen airstrikes could cause British supermarket prices to rise further, analysts fear with up to a third of cargo ships who normally use Red Sea already diverted Advertisement

More than 15 F/A-18 Super Hornet jets were launched from the USS Eisenhower carrier, according to a Fox News report, along with an EA-18G Growler.

The Growler is a specialised version of the F/A-18F Super Hornet designed for electronic warfare and bombing capabilities.

A Submarine - believed to be the 560 ft-long USS Florida (SSGN-728) - and US navy destroyers also launched powerful Tomahawk cruise missiles.

The submarine carries over 150 crew and 154 BGM-109 Tomahawk missiles, each of which costs around $2 million to manufacture. Conventional Tomahawks carry 1,000lbs of high explosives and are also nuclear capable.

The USS Eisenhower carrier has been operating in the Red Sea in recent months as part of a coalition of Western naval forces to combat the threat posed by Hamas's Iran-backed allies, including the Houthis and Lebanon's Hezbollah group.

The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, along with the UK's HMS Diamond, were involved in shooting down Houthi missiles earlier this week.

'Over 100 precision-guided munitions of various types were used in the strikes,' US Air Force Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich said in a statement.

'These strikes were comprised of coalition air and maritime strike and support assets from across the region, including US Naval Forces Central Command aircraft and Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles launched from surface and sub-surface platforms.'

It is understood that the US strikes were authorised by Biden earlier this week, and that US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin gave the final go-ahead on Thursday from hospital where he is being treated.

Super Hornets from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) were deployed for use in the strikes, according to USNI News

At least one submarine, thought to be USS Florida (SSGN-728), was used in the attack. The vessel entered the Red Sea in November though its use has not been formally confirmed

HMS Diamond, a 1billion Type 45 destroyer known as the jewel of the Royal Navy, shot down missiles fired by Houthi rebels with a barrage of sea viper missiles earlier this week

The Houthis have carried out a growing number of attacks on what they deem to be Israel-linked shipping in the key international trade route since the eruption of the war in Gaza sparked by Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7.

The rebels have controlled a major part of Yemen since a civil war erupted there in 2014 and are part of the Iran-backed 'axis of resistance' arrayed against Israel.

The Houthis say their attacks aim to end the pounding Israeli air-and-ground offensive targeting the Gaza Strip amid that country's war on Hamas. But the links to the ships targeted in the rebel assaults have grown more tenuous.

The United States and its allies had issued a series of increasingly stern warnings to the Houthi to stop the shipping attacks, although Washington had been wary of inflaming regional tensions.

Washington set up an international coalition in December - dubbed Operation Prosperity Guardian - to protect maritime traffic in the area, through which 12 percent of world trade flows.

Twelve nations led by the United States warned the Houthis on January 3 of 'consequences' unless they immediately stopped attacks on commercial vessels.

On Tuesday, however, the Houthi launched what London called their most significant attack yet, with US and British forces shooting down 18 drones and three missiles.

The final straw for the Western allies appeared to come early Thursday when the US military said the Houthi fired an anti-ship ballistic missile into a shipping lane in the Gulf of Aden. It was the 27th attack on international shipping in the Red Sea since November 19, the US military said.

The intensifying attacks have caused shipping companies to divert around South Africa's Cape of Good Hope, sparking fears of a shock to the global economy.

Personnel onboard HMS Diamond shoot down drones fired by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels

Personnel onboard HMS Diamond shoot down drones fired by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels

The overnight attacks mark the first time strikes have been launched against the group since it started targeting international shipping in the Red Sea late last year.

The Ministry of Defence said coalition forces identified key facilities involved in Houthi targeting of HMS Diamond and US Navy vessels on Tuesday 'and agreed to conduct a carefully coordinated strike to reduce the Houthis' capability to violate international law in this manner'.

It added: 'In planning the strikes, particular care was taken to minimise any risks to civilians, and any such risks were mitigated further by the decision to conduct the strikes during the night.

'The detailed results of the strikes are being assessed, but early indications are that the Houthis' ability to threaten merchant shipping has taken a blow, and our commitment to protecting the sea-lanes, through which some 15% of the world's shipping passes and which is vital to the global economy, has been amply demonstrated.'

The Prime Minister said early on Friday morning: 'In recent months, the Houthi militia have carried out a series of dangerous and destabilising attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea, threatening UK and other international ships, causing major disruption to a vital trade route and driving up commodity prices.

'Their reckless actions are risking lives at sea and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

'Despite the repeated warnings from the international community, the Houthis have continued to carry out attacks in the Red Sea, including against UK and US warships just this week. This cannot stand. The United Kingdom will always stand up for freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade.

'We have therefore taken limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence, alongside the United States with non-operational support from the Netherlands, Canada and Bahrain against targets tied to these attacks, to degrade Houthi military capabilities and protect global shipping.'

'The Royal Navy continues to patrol the Red Sea as part of the multinational Operation Prosperity Guardian to deter further Houthi aggression, and we urge them to cease their attacks and take steps to de-escalate.'

Biden called the US and British strikes a 'defensive action' after the Red Sea attacks, adding he 'will not hesitate' to order further military action.

Houthi fighters brandish their weapons during a march in solidarity with the Palestinian people in the Houthi-controlled capital Sanaa on January 11

A map of Yemen including the area that is controlled by the Houthi rebels

'Today, at my direction, US military forces - together with the United Kingdom and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands - successfully conducted strikes against a number of targets in Yemen used by Houthi rebels to endanger freedom of navigation in one of the world's most vital waterways.'

Unverified images on social media, some of them purportedly of Al-Dailami airbase north of Sanaa, showed explosions lighting up the sky as loud bangs and the roar of planes sounded overhead.

Biden called the strikes a 'direct response' to the 'unprecedented' attacks by the Houthis, 'including the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history'.

'These attacks have endangered US personnel, civilian mariners, and our partners, jeopardized trade, and threatened freedom of navigation,' he said.

US Defence Secretary Austin said the strikes 'targeted sites associated with the Houthi' unmanned aerial vehicle, ballistic and cruise missile, and coastal radar and air surveillance capabilities'.

A joint statement by the United States, Britain, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand and South Korea said the 'aim remains to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea'.

'But let our message be clear: we will not hesitate to defend lives and protect the free flow of commerce in one of the world's most critical waterways in the face of continued threats,' it said.

The Houthi said there was 'no justification' for the air strikes and warned that attacks on Israel-linked shipping would continue.

'We affirm that there is absolutely no justification for this aggression against Yemen, as there was no threat to international navigation in the Red and Arabian Seas, and the targeting was and will continue to affect Israeli ships or those heading to the ports of occupied Palestine,' Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam said on X.

Yemen's neighbour Saudi Arabia, which is trying to end its involvement in a nine-year war with the Houthi, urged against escalation.

'The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is following with great concern the military operations,' a foreign ministry statement said.

It called for 'self-restraint and avoiding escalation'.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and US President Joe Biden, seen together in July, defended the strikes. Sunak said the strikes were 'necessary and proportionate'. Biden called the US and British strikes a 'defensive action', adding he 'will not hesitate' to order further military action

The Western strikes could risk turning an already-tense situation in the Middle East into a wider conflagration pitting the US and Israel against Iran and its proxies.

The Houthi rebels say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians in response to Israel's bombardment of Gaza after the October 7 attack, and have launched a series of drones and missiles towards Israel.

Israel has also been facing cross-border fire along its northern frontier from Iran-backed militants in Syria and Lebanon - particularly the Hamas-aligned Hezbollah - and has responded with strikes of its own in both countries.

US and allied forces in Iraq and Syria have also faced stepped-up attacks since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, with Washington responding to several by bombing the sites of pro-Iran groups.
Humza Yousaf will bid to use the next general election to create a 'Tory-free Scotland' as he launched the divided SNP's general election campaign today.

After a brutal year for the nationalists the First Minister will insist they can take the six Westminster seats held by Douglas Ross's party in 2019.

But ahead of the event in Glasgow later this morning he was accused of 'posturing' amid opinion polls which suggest the SNP is going to lose seats and may lose its crown as Scotland's largest party at Westminster.

At the last general election, the SNP won 48 out of 59 Scottish seats. But polling analysts have said it faces a challenge from Labour north of the border. In October the pro-independence party lost a by-election race in Rutherglen and Hamilton West, overturning a previous SNP majority of more than 5,000.

A Scottish resurgence is seen as key to Labour beating the Tories UK-wide and putting Sir Keir Starmer in No10.

Humza Yousaf will bid to use the next general election to create a 'Tory-free Scotland' as he launched the divided SNP's general election campaign today.

After a brutal year for the nationalists the First Minister will insist they can take the six Westminster seats held by Douglas Ross's party in 2019.

Scottish Labour Deputy Leader Jackie Baillie said: 'While the SNP is posturing about kicking the Tories out of Scotland, Labour is getting ready to kick them out of government.

'The SNP is desperately scrambling for relevance at the next election but voters face a straightforward choice - more chaos and decline with a Tory government or a fresh start with a Labour one.

'Only Labour can deliver the change Scotland needs - helping people with the cost-of-living crisis and restoring our public services.'

Mr Yousaf is expected to be joined by SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn and address an audience of party candidates, activists and supporters.

Last year, the SNP conference backed the First Minister's motion calling for immediate negotiations with Westminster 'to give democratic effect to Scotland becoming an independent country' if the party wins a majority of seats north of the border.

In his speech on Friday, Mr Yousaf will attack Brexit and its impact on the Scottish economy, saying only his party will ensure Scotland's voice is heard at Westminster.

Mr Yousaf is expected to say: 'The first step we take towards a brighter future must be to kick the Tories out.

'Let's be absolutely clear here: Rishi Sunak is finished. The Tories are done - thank goodness.

'The damage they have caused to Scotland is unforgivable and this year we must take the opportunity to kick them out of Scotland completely.

'The SNP is by far the best-placed party to do that.

'In every Tory-held seat in Scotland, we are the party in second place.

Scottish Labour Deputy Leader Jackie Baillie said: 'While the SNP is posturing about kicking the Tories out of Scotland, Labour is getting ready to kick them out of government.'

'Today I am setting an ambition for the SNP to wipe the Tories from Scotland's electoral map by winning all six of those Tory seats.

'That is a big ask, but I don't believe you go into elections unless you are willing to be ambitious.

'It's also the case that in more than half of the SNP-held seats, it is the Tories who are in second place.

'So, to people right across the country, our message will be very clear: vote SNP for a Tory-free Scotland.'

Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy said: 'The Scottish public are sick and tired of the independence-obsessed SNP ignoring their real priorities, such as the economy and Scotland's ailing public services, and trying to turn the next election into a de facto referendum on separation.

'Voters know that the only way to shift the focus on to the issues that matter to them - and shut the door on Humza Yousaf's independence plan for good - is to unseat SNP MPs.

'As Humza Yousaf points out, in swathes of constituencies across the country, only the Scottish Conservatives can do that.'
The Post Office tried to interfere with the ITV drama about the Horizon IT scandal, the show's producer has claimed.

Mr Bates vs The Post Office tells the story of the mass miscarriage of justice that engulfed hundreds of innocent sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses as a result of the faulty Horizon IT system and subsequent cover up.

The outrage generated by the show prompted the Government this week to announce legislation that will 'swiftly exonerate and compensate' victims who are yet to have their convictions overturned.

Between 1999 and 2015, the Post Office prosecuted more than 700 sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses based on incorrect information from the Horizon system.

Former postmaster Alan Bates led and won a legal battle after himself falling victim to the faults. His victory paved the way for dozens of convictions to be overturned.

Mr Bates vs The Post Office producer Patrick Spence said executives at the under-fire firm tried to get the show's script amended in exchange for their cooperation.

He told the Evening Standard: 'What they offered to do was to change our story to suit their purposes.

'They were obviously keen to change the narrative, but we had our facts and they couldn't stop us.'

The Post Office tried to interfere with the ITV drama about the Horizon IT scandal, the show's producer has claimed. Mr Bates vs The Post Office tells the story of the mass miscarriage of justice that engulfed hundreds of innocent sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses as a result of the faulty Horizon IT system and subsequent cover up

The script for the show relies on public documents and emails written by Post Office employees, including Paula Vennells, who was the firm's CEO until 2019.

This week she bowed to public pressure and announced she would give up her CBE following her role in the scandal.

Mr Spence said the Post Office was 'so litigious and ghastly' that show bosses 'couldn't take the risk of inventing anything for fear they would stop it being transmitted.'

The Post Office has been contacted for comment.

It comes after victims of the scandal branded the Government's new compensation scheme a 'cheap PR stunt'.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said this week that new legislation would give victims a 75,000 compensation settlement option.

The 'fixed sum award' is available to sub-postmasters who were not convicted.

They have the option to take the money and close their case. But those owed more can reject the 75,000 and continue to pursue their larger claims through the Department for Business. Last night it was unclear how long that would take.

Victims fear the process will be long-winded, possibly taking years, as in many cases it involves analysing mountains of paperwork dating back years.

For some, vital documents were confiscated by the Post Office and never returned.

Those affected added that victims with lower-value claims, such as those who may accept the 75,000 settlement, generally have simpler cases that are quicker to deal with anyway.

Downing Street has estimated around a third of the 555 victims who took the Post Office to court, led by postmaster Alan Bates, will accept the settlement.

Mr Bates vs The Post Office producer Patrick Spence (above) said executives at the under-fire firm tried to get the show's script amended in exchange for their cooperation

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 with theft, fraud and false accounting due to a faulty IT system

But campaigner Chris Head, 36, who was never prosecuted but left more than 1million out of pocket, said the settlement would be suitable for fewer than 40 individuals. He said: 'The vast majority have claims larger than 75,000, some substantially more  It feels like they are trying to fob us off with a cheap PR stunt.' He said those who wish to push for more money are facing an 'extremely stressful' road ahead.

Former postmistress Shazia Saddiq was sacked from her branch in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in October 2016 over an alleged shortfall of 40,000.

She lost her home when she was a single mother to two young children and said they all had stones, eggs and flour thrown at them.

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

Ms Saddiq, 40, who was part of the Alan Bates-led legal action and has received small payments, vented her fury over the 75,000 offer.

In a message for postal service minister Kevin Hollinrake, she said: 'I will come and lock you out of your house and I will write you a cheque for 75,000, that's what I feel like.'

Sarah Burgess-Boyde was cleared of stealing 33,000 in 2011 but lost her savings over an alleged shortfall at her Newcastle branch. She told BBC Radio 4 yesterday: 'Many of us who weren't convicted have lost a great deal... they've offered us 75,000. That just doesn't cut it.'

Postmasters convicted who have their convictions quashed have been offered interim payments of 163,000 and a settlement of up to 600,000  unless they choose to fight for more.
Another criminal mastermind known as 'The Savage' has broken out of prison in Ecuador as the country descends further into civil war between the army and warring gangs.

Fabricio Colon Pico escaped alongside 37 other inmates from the Riobamba jail in central Ecuador earlier this week after armed thugs stormed the prison and took guards and staff members hostage.

'The Savage' was arrested just last Thursday having been accused of plotting to kill Ecuador's Attorney General, Diana Salazar, and is already back on the streets following his jailbreak.

Pico is one of the top dogs of Ecuador's Los Lobos gang, affiliated with Albanian mobsters who help their South American colleagues to export drugs to West and North Africa, then on to Europe.

As with the other cartels, Los Lobos run drug trafficking operations, making much of their income by moving drugs purchased by Mexican cartels from groups in Colombia, then exporting the product from various ports on Ecuador's coastline.

But the group also controls much of the illegal mining sector in Ecuador, adding to their already vast wealth.

The Savage's jailbreak comes just days after the escape from prison of Jose Adolfo Macias, aka 'Fito' - leader of Ecuador's biggest gang Los Choneros - on Sunday.

Fabricio Colon Pico, aka 'The Savage', escaped alongside 37 other inmates from the Riobamba jail in central Ecuador earlier this week after armed thugs stormed the prison and took guards and staff members hostage.

Ecuadorian armed forces are trying to re-establish order in at least six jails where riots broke out earlier this week

A soldier frisks a man at a checkpoint, amid the ongoing wave of violence around the nation, in Guayaquil, Ecuador, January 11, 2024

Handout picture released by the Ecuadorean Armed Forces showing Adolfo Macias, aka Fito, leader of the Los Choneros criminal gang

Soldiers keep watch outside the Zonal 8 prison after Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa declared a 60-day state of emergency following the disappearance of Adolfo Macias, leader of the Los Choneros criminal gang, from the prison where he was serving a 34-year sentence, in Guayaquil, Ecuador, January 11, 2024

Since Monday, drug cartels have been waging a bloody campaign of kidnappings and attacks in response to a government crackdown on organised crime, prompting Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa to declare the country to be in a 'state of war.'

'Yield to evil: never!' the 36-year-old Noboa, in office since November, said in a video message broadcast on television Thursday. 'Fight tirelessly: always!'

Ecuador's armed forces are now engaged in a brutal standoff with the gangs, deploying more than 22,400 soldiers to put down a campaign of terror waged by gangs that has already claimed more than a dozen lives and seen prison staff tortured.

The gangs have also instigated numerous prison riots, set off explosions and torched cars in public places following their declaration of 'war'.

Groups like Los Lobos and Los Choneros coordinate closely with European crime syndicates like the Albanian mafia and Italy's feared 'Ndrangheta to export their product.

Albanian 'capos' and their henchmen tightly control each link in the trade chain from Ecuador to the end point - the 2bn cocaine market in virtually all the main city and suburban areas of Britain.

Albanians began arriving in Ecuador a decade ago, not long after then President Correa decided foreigners could stay for six months without a visa.

In effect, he was opening the doors to the Albanian traffickers - for whom it was too good an opportunity to turn down.

For many, day-to-day life in many cities including Esmeraldas and Guayaquil has become unbearable with protection rackets pushing many shops and companies out of business.

cuadorian armed forces are trying to re-establish order in at least six jails where riots broke out

Ecuador's President Noboa declared there was a major 'iinternal armed conflict' after violence spiralled earlier this week

Police present detainees in the case of TC Television raid on January 10, 2024 in Guayaquil, Ecuador

Now, with an armed presence on the streets, patrols by land, sea and air, random body and car searches, prison raids and the enforcement of a curfew, the government of President Noboa has vowed not to yield in its 'war' with 22 criminal gangs.

'They wanted to instil fear, but they aroused our ire,' Defence Minister Gian Carlo Loffredo said on social media.

'They believed they would subdue an entire country but forgot that the armed forces are trained for war.'

Criminal gangs in the country of about 17 million people are thought to have more than 20,000 members.

Police said the death toll rose to 16 late Wednesday with a 'terrorist' attack on a disco in the Amazon that claimed two lives and injured nine people.

Seven police personnel have been kidnapped in recent days, though only one remains in captivity.

On Tuesday, attackers wearing balaclavas stormed a state-owned TV station in the port city of Guayaquil, briefly taking staff members hostage and firing shots in dramatic scenes broadcast live before police arrived.

Thirteen assailants were arrested, many of them young teenagers.

This attack in particular gave rise to panic in the general population, with many people leaving work early, closing their businesses and running for the safety of home.

Public transport has been reduced to a trickle, schools and universities closed and people urged to work from home, as terrified citizens are bombarded with videos on social media of purported assassinations of members of the security forces.

Police have not confirmed any executions and insist the videos are part of a disinformation campaign.

A member of the Army's Elite Forces frisks a man during a patrol in the streets of Carapungo, a popular neighbourhood in northern Quito, on January 11, 2024

Police present detainees in the case of TC TelevisiAn on January 10, 2024 in Guayaquil

Ecuadorian police arrest several armed men who broke into the set of a public television channel

Video grab from live footage of Ecuadorean TC Television showing armed men wearing balaclavas bursting into the studio of public television station TC

Noboa has vowed not to bow before the violence, issuing orders to 'neutralise' the criminal groups responsible.

'We are in a state of war and we cannot give in to these terrorist groups,' Noboa told Radio Canela on Wednesday.

Hundreds of police and soldiers have been deployed in a manhunt for Fito, with more units now tasked with finding 'The Savage'.

The United Nations, United States, China and several other countries have expressed concern about the violence and offered support to Noboa.

As the drug mafia has found a foothold in Ecuador in recent years, the country's murder rate quadrupled from 2018 to 2022.

Last year was the worst yet, with 7,800 murders and a record 220 tons of drugs seized.

Much of the violence has been concentrated in prisons, where spectacularly brutal clashes between inmates have left more than 460 dead, many beheaded or burned alive since February 2021.
Fury as ex-GB News host seems to suggest Channel migrants should be bombed

Laurence Fox has incited fury after appearing to suggest Britain should bomb migrants in the English Channel next after successful airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The controversial former GB News host, 45, reacted to a post by Lord Cameron announcing 'targeted strikes' against the military targets in response to attacks in the Red Sea.

And apparently linking it to the small-boats crisis in the UK, he added to his followers on X, formerly Twitter: 'Now do the English Channel.'

It comes after a period in which embattled Fox was arrested and fired from his television spot, with a video showing Metropolitan Police officers searching his house.

The former actor was taken into custody after a video rant in which he is alleged to have encouraged others to damage Ulez cameras by threatening to cut them down with an angle grinder.

The controversial former GB News host, 45, reacted to a post by Lord Cameron announcing 'targeted strikes' against military targets in Yemen in response to attacks in the Red Sea

Laurence Fox - seen arriving at the Royal Courts Of Justice with girlfriend Elizabeth Barker - apparently linked it to the small-boats crisis in the UK, adding to his followers on X, formerly Twitter: 'Now do the English Channel'

An explosion in Yemen as the US and UK unleash a major bombardment on Houthi strongholds in retaliation for Red Sea tanker attacks

And in early October he was suspended from GB News after he made a series of remarks about political correspondent Ava Evans, which included asking: 'Who would want to s**g that?'

Furious social media users condemned Fox's comments about the Channel - with one asking if he was 'advocating... murder'.

One - Phil Gregson - condemned him, saying: 'Just to be clear (your tweet is a little vague - I would suggest deliberately), are you advocating the murder of those attempting to cross the channel?'

Another, called Sian, added: 'You realise that because of what has been happening in Yemen for years there are people that have to flee.

'People you now suggest are killed in the channel. Just think about that.

'Think, for once, about what you are saying. Words matter, from the safety of your home.'

And a third, Labour councillor Helen Cliff, pointed out the sheer impracticality of the comment - saying: 'You want to launch missiles in the English Channel... the busiest shipping lane in the world??

'I mean it's a take, for sure. Would certainly make an impact on the world stage...'

Furious social media users condemned Fox's comments - with one asking if he was 'advocating... murder'

This was one of four RAF Typhoons to take part in the airstrikes on Houthi rebels

British and American fighter jets and warships launched more than 100 precision missiles at over 60 targets in Houthi-held territory in Yemen last night, with the strikes hitting an airbase, an airport and military camp in a dramatic escalation of the war in the Middle East.

The strikes from the sea and air came in response to months of disruptive attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea by the Houthis, with a coalition of nations including the UK and US forced to deploy warships to protect them.

The Houthis, an armed movement that took control of most of Yemen over the past decade, have been attacking shipping at the mouth of the Red Sea - one of the world's busiest trade lanes - since October. The action is in support of Hamas terrorists who are fighting Israeli forces, they say.

More than a dozen sites were bombed by Western forces overnight in raids by fighter jets and submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles.

Responding to Fox's comments, other social-media users pointed out the difference between the rebels and unarmed migrants.

Shane Harris said: 'Rubber boats don't launch attack drones, they do have unarmed civilians on board.'

A second added: 'There is no war here, by the way.'

And another, John Caithness, slammed Fox as a 'nasty human being'.

In a further post, Fox attacked Rishi Sunak's commitment to Ukraine and Yemen as he said the Government 'wilfully refuse to control our borders'

Responding to Fox's comments, other social media users pointed out the difference between the rebels and unarmed migrants

READ MORE: Chaos at GB News as broadcaster sacks Laurence Fox and Calvin Robinson after they were suspended over actor's rant about Ava Evans Advertisement

In a further post, Fox attacked Rishi Sunak's commitment to Ukraine and Yemen as he said the Government 'wilfully refuse to control our borders'.

He continued: 'You can barely get a doctors appointment in this country, forget about cancer treatment.

'The government wilfully refuse to control our own borders whilst chucking untold billions so that another generation of Ukrainians can be sent to die in an unwinable war, with no stated military objective.

'Now weve been told by the Americans to join in escalating the global conflict by bombing Yemen because the incompetent war mongers in the White House lost the crucial value of deterrence with their shambolic withdrawal from Afghanistan.

'Is it too much to ask Rishi Sunak that you sort your own country out before bombing the hell out of someone else?

'Id quite like my children to live above ground when they grow up instead of in a nuclear bunker.'

The Reclaim Party leader claims Met Police officers confiscated his phone, as well as the iPads and phones of the two children, Winston and Eugene, he has with ex-wife Billie Piper.

Fox was seen leaving police custody last year with a book on Soviet forced-labour camps and told reporters he was told about his sacking from GB News by officers.

Fox speaks at a protest called by the far-Right group Turning Point UK against a 'Drag Queen Story Hour' event

Hitting out at the police, Fox released a statement yesterday claiming officers were 'malicious' to have taken his sons' devices.

Fox was arrested after appearing on a podcast with Maajid Nawaz - whose employment by radio station LBC ended abruptly last January after he was accused of spreading Covid conspiracy theories - in which he said he would encourage a group of anti-Ulez activists who call themselves Blade Runners to tear down 'every single camera' in a bid to 'encourage mass removal of the surveillance state'.

He added he was 'pretty close with several' Blade Runners - a secretive group behind acts of Ulez camera vandalism - and that he would be 'out there with my angle grinder'.

Between April and August last year, 510 cameras were stolen or vandalised, all before the expansion of the scheme to the whole of Greater London took effect.

It came after several difficult weeks for Fox after he made comments about Ms Evans on GB News, which included references to having sex with her and saw him brand her a 'little woman'.

He claimed his remarks were in response to comments made by Ms Evans on BBC's Politics Live, when she was accused of being dismissive about men's mental health issues.

She argued that the Government should introduce a mental health minister to the Cabinet - currently not a position - instead of adding a mental health minister specifically for men.

Ms Evans said Fox's comments were 'unforgivable' and that a responsible broadcaster should never have allowed the rant to go as far as it did.

He apologised to her, but denied his comments were misogynistic.
Tesla says it's temporarily halting most production at its German factory because of attacks in the Red Sea, a vital global shipping corridor.

The electric vehicle maker said in a statement Thursday night that its factory near Berlin, which makes Model Y vehicles and batteries, will pause from Jan. 29 to Feb. 11.

Its a fresh sign of how the hostilities in the Mideast are disrupting global manufacturing supply chains, with shipping companies reporting that theyre being forced to reroute vessels carrying goods and components on the longer route around the southern tip of Africa.

Tesla is the first company to reveal an interruption to output as a result of the new conflict. Analysts say the detour adds 10 days or more to the journey.

'The armed conflicts in the Red Sea and the associated shifts in transport routes between Europe and Asia via the Cape of Good Hope are also affecting production in Grunheide,' Tesla said. 'The significantly longer transport times create a gap in the supply chains.'

The factory shown on Friday morning, hours after the announcement of a shut down in production. The facility's parking lots appear largely empty

Model Y electric vehicles stand on a conveyor belt at the opening of the Tesla factory in Berlin Brandenburg in Gruenheide, Germany, Tuesday, March 22, 2022

The US led airstrikes on Thursday against Yemen's Houthi rebels in response to their attacks on Red Sea shipping,

Tesla said normal operations are expected to resume on Feb. 12. The factory in Grunheide, southeast of Berlin, is Tesla's first in Europe. It opened in 2022 and employs 11,000 workers.

Many companies, such as Ikea and Geely, China's second-largest car manufacturer, have warned of possible delays.

Analysts expect that other automakers could suffer fallout from the Red Sea conflict.

'Relying on so many key components from Asia, and specifically China, has been a potential weak spot in any automaker's supply chain,' said Sam Fiorani, vice president at AutoForecast Solutions which tracks automotive supply chains and production.

Tesla relies heavily on China for battery components, which need to be transported to Europe through the Red Sea, putting production constantly at risk,' he added.

'It can't be believed that they're alone, only the first to reflect the issue.'

Shipping giant Maersk said in a Friday statement that it is hopeful that the recent military intervention will allow Red Sea transit to return to normal.

'We hope that these interventions and a larger naval presence will eventually lead to a lowered threat environment allowing maritime commerce to transit through the Red Sea and once again return to using the Suez Canal as a gateway,' Maersk said.

Shipping companies have from the Red Sea around Africa's Cape of Good Hope after Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen stepped up attacks on vessels in the Gulf region to show their support for Palestinian Islamist group Hamas fighting Israel in Gaza.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk claps hands at the opening of the Tesla factory

In September, German news magazine Stern reported that emergency services were called to the Grunheide factory around 250 times in 2022 alone.

The Y-Model producing factory opened after more than two years of construction in March 2022. It employs 12,000 people and aims to produce 500,000 vehicles.

'This frequency of accidents at work is not normal. I am really concerned that at some point someone will be killed,' union spokesman Dirk Schulze told The Daily Telegraph.

In one instance, it's reported that a 110 pound crate fell on the head of a worker.

The disruption adds pressure on Tesla at a time when it is also fighting a labor dispute with Swedish trade union IF Metall over signing a collective bargaining agreement, sparking sympathy strikes from a host of unions across the Nordic region.

Unionized workers at Hydro Extrusions, a subsidiary of Norwegian aluminum and energy company Hydro, , stopped work on components for Tesla car products on Nov. 24. The workers are members of IF Metall.
Furious Houthi rebels today vowed to make the UK and US 'pay a heavy price' for bombing their territories in Yemen - but they would need to rely on a 'lucky strike' on coalition ships if they were to do any real damage, military experts have said.

British and American fighter jets and warships launched more than 100 missiles at over 60 targets in Houthi-held territory in Yemen, with the strikes hitting an airbase, airports and a military camp in a dramatic escalation of the war in the Middle East.

In response, Houthi rebel leaders have vowed to retaliate and warned the UK and US they must 'prepare to pay a heavy price' with their response set to 'be beyond the imagination' of the West.

Admiral Lord West, the former First Sea Lord, and Charlie Herbert, a former British Army General, told MailOnline that the rebels will only be capable of 'responding with more of the same' in terms of firing drones and missiles at ships.

But they say in reality, one has to be 'cynical' about the extent of damage Houthis can inflict on the allies and commercial ships in the region given the proven capabilities of UK and US' naval forces in shooting down missiles fired by the rebels.

This was exemplified on Tuesday when HMS Diamond and American warships shot down 21 drones and missiles fired by the Houthis in their biggest attack so far, Admiral Lord West said.

However, Alan Mendoza, the Executive Director of think tank Henry Jackson Society, says there is a chance that the rebels will inflict devastating damage and kill dozens from a 'lucky strike' using anti-ship ballistic missiles on vessels in the Red Sea.

Houthi fighters brandish their weapons during a march in solidarity with the Palestinian people in the Houthi-controlled capital Sanaa on January 11

A missile is launched from a warship during the U.S.-led coalition operation against military targets in Yemen, aimed at the Iran-backed Houthi militia overnight

An aircraft takes off to join the U.S.-led coalition to conduct air strikes against military targets in Yemen in a picture released on Friday

An RAF Typhoon aircraft takes off to join the US led coalition to conduct air strikes against military targets in Yemen

'Houthi attacks would be targeted at US and UK assets in the region, mainly naval based, although of course both countries also have static military bases that might be attacked,' Mendoza told MailOnline.

'As we saw this week though with the interdiction of Houthi drones and missiles by UK and US naval forces, our capabilities far outstrip theirs. Still, there is always the potential for damage from a lucky strike, or some form of different naval attack that has not been anticipated,' Mendoza said.

Admiral Lord West agrees and said: 'They might get lucky and hit one of the vessels in the Red Sea. If we hadn't shot down the missiles on Tuesday, hundreds would have been killed.'

The experts all say the Houthi rebels will now respond by launching more missiles at vessels sailing through the Red Sea, which could have more devastating repercussions for global trade.

Mendoza said: 'The biggest threat that the Houthis pose remains to shipping passing through one of the world's crucial trading areas. If they ramp up activities targeting ships passing into the Red Sea then that will have a dramatic effect on global trade, and might also lead to loss of life and environmental disasters.'

Charlie Herbert, a former British Army major general who served in Afghanistan, agrees.

'In retaliation, there's not much the Houthis can do apart from fire more drones against ships that are travelling across the Red Sea or hijack the vessels,' Herbert says.

'They will continue to do more of the same with more attacks. The US and UK have been left with little option to strike because we can't let Iran and its proxies shut down commercial shipping routes.'

William Freer, our Research Fellow in National Security at Geostrategy, said whilst there could be a case of a 'lucky strike' this is not likely against the allies' sophisticated air defences.

Freer said: 'The Houthis have vowed retaliation, they do have deep stockpiles of drones and missiles to launch more numerous attacks on civilian shipping (although we do not know how deep), but their weapons are unlikely to overwhelm the sophisticated air defences of British and American warships in the region.'

Lord Admiral West said if the rebels do fire more rockets at ships in the region, the UK and US must launch further attacks on Houthi-led territory in Yemen to destroy their capabilities.

'We should expand the locations we target,' Lord Admiral West said. 'It's a bit tit for tat, they should realise that what they are doing is wrong. Their grandstanding is popular in Yemen, but their attacks are not just on Israel but on world shipping.'

Last night the RAF launched targeted strikes against Houthi military facilities in response to a series of attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea

Footage taken from an RAF Typhoon PoOD over Yemen, showing a targeted strike

An unverified image appeared to show the result and British and US airstrikes in Yemen tonight

Meanwhile, Lord Admiral West said Houthi rebels could decide to launch terror attacks - but their position geographically would make this hard for them to conduct.

It comes as Downing Street today rebuffed scathing criticism from Turkey that UK and US airstrikes on Houthi rebel targets in Yemen were causing a 'bloodbath' in the Red Sea amid fears the attacks could trigger the wider spread of violence in the Middle East.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan furiously condemned the strikes in a statement this morning, accusing the UK and US of turning the Red Sea into a 'sea of blood'.

But a spokeswoman for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak bit back: 'We wouldn't agree with that. This was limited and targeted strikes in response to aggression.

'We acted in self-defence in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter,' she concluded in a tight-lipped response.

NATO today sprang to the defence of its constituent members, declaring the US-led strikes were aimed at protecting shipping through the Red Sea and urged Iran to 'rein in its proxies'.

'These strikes were defensive, and designed to preserve freedom of navigation in one of the world's most vital waterways. The Houthi attacks must end,' Dylan White, a spokesman for the Western military alliance, said.

Britain and America launched strikes from the sea and air in response to months of disruptive attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea by the Houthis, with a coalition of nations including the UK and US forced to deploy warships to protect them.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he believed the strikes will degrade the capability of the Iran-backed group.

'We've carried out a series of strikes together with allies, which will, we believe, degrade and disrupt the capability - the types of things that we've targeted - are launch sites for missiles and for drones,' Sunak told reporters during a visit to Ukraine.

'Initial indications are that those strikes have been successful... Our aim is very clear, it's to de-escalate tensions and restore stability to the region,' he added.

The Houthis have been attacking shipping at the mouth of the Red Sea - one of the world's busiest trade lanes - since October. The action is in support of Hamas terrorists who are fighting Israeli forces, they say.

More than a dozen sites were bombed by Western forces overnight in raids which included submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets.

The strikes hit Al-Dailami Air Base north of Sanaa, the airport in the port city of the Hodeida, a camp east of Saada, the airport in the city of Taiz and an airport near Hajjah, according to Al-Masirah news channel.

Four of Britain's RAF Typhoons used Paveway IV guided bombs to 'conduct precision strikes' on two targets that had been chosen to 'reduce the Houthis' capability to violate international law'. They were assisted by an RAF Voyager refuelling plane.

US defence secretary Lloyd Austin said the airstrikes also targeted sites associated with the Houthi's unmanned drone, ballistic and cruise missile, coastal radar and air surveillance capabilities.
Keir Starmer is facing a leftwing backlash against his support for air strikes in Yemen today.

The opposition leader was accused of backing an 'illegal war' after saying that Houthi missile and drone attacks on Red Sea shipping had to be 'dealt with' because they were putting shipping and lives at risk.

His words in the wake of UK and US raids on the Arabian state overnight led to a chorus of disapproval from the hard Left faction of his party, and ex-Labour MPs linked to former leader Jeremy Corbyn.

They demanded that MPs should be allowed to vote before the UK takes any military action, giving them a potential veto and tying the hands of prime ministers to act swiftly.

Diane Abbott, the former shadow home secretary who now sits as an independent, drew attention to one of Sir Keir's campaign pledges when he ran to replace Mr Corbyn.

'In 2020 Keir Starmer said no more illegal wars. He said that he would only back war if it was legal, had a viable objective and Parliament gave consent. The current military action on Yemen has none of these yet he supports it,' she said.

The Government has published a summary of its legal position following the military strikes on Houthi targets, saying it is 'permitted under international law to use force in such circumstances where acting in self-defence is the only feasible means to deal with an actual or imminent armed attack and where the force used is necessary and proportionate.'

Diane Abbott, the former shadow home secretary who now sits as an independent, drew attention to one of Sir Keir's campaign pledges when he ran to replace Mr Corbyn.

Mr Corbyn, also now an independent, said the military strike was 'a reckless act of escalation that will only cause more death and suffering'.

And his supporters still inside the party echoed his position. John McDonnell, the ex-shadow chancellor, said: 'There should be no military action without Parliamentary approval.

'If we have learnt anything in recent years its that military intervention in the Middle East always has dangerous and often unforeseen consequences. There is a risk of setting the region alight.'

And Coventry South MP Zarah Sultana added: 'Parliament must be recalled for a vote before British military action. Military interventions  as our leaders know all too well  can easily escalate, with devastating potential consequences. Democratic accountability demands that MPs have a say.'

The strikes were authorised by the Government following a Cabinet meeting yesterday evening and Rishi Sunak insisted the move was in 'self-defence' and said the UK will 'always stand up for freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade'.

Sir Keir, who was briefed by the PM last night was asked by BBC Radio 5 Live if the military action had his support.

'Yes it does ... clearly the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have to be dealt with, their attacks on commercial shipping, attacks on important trade routes and putting civilian lives at risk and therefore, we do support this action,' he said.

The Government has the authority to take military action without a debate in the Parliament but it is tradition to address parliament following military action. Parliament is not sitting today and MPs will not return until Monday afternoon unless there is an emergency recall.

Sir Keir told the BBC it was right that there was a debate 'at the first opportunity' and said he wanted to see the government's legal position. But he pointedly did not call for MPs to return immediately.

It is understood the Prime Minister is not going to recall parliament.

Liberal Democrat defence spokeswoman Layla Moran called for a retrospective vote in the Commons on the strikes as well as a debate.

She told BBC Radio 4: 'We don't have enough information to say that definitively one way or another. I absolutely am against what the Houthi's are doing.

'[The] Treasury estimates it could affect our economy by 0.3 per cent. It sounds like a small number but we are also in a cost-of-living crisis.

'Absolutely, it needs to be stopped and I welcome the UN resolution that was passed yesterday.

'We need to be able to scrutinise those risks [of escalation] and I think there were some finely balanced judgements that were made and there is precedent also for Parliament to be able to have its say.

'What the Liberal Democrats are calling for is for a recall of Parliament immediately and a retrospective vote. We have had these before, particularly in Libya.'

When asked if there was any point in having a vote after the strikes have happened, the Lib Dems defence spokeswoman said there is a 'general principle' the Government must adhere to.

Liberal Democrat defence spokeswoman Layla Moran said a vote in Parliament would be 'vital' if Britain is poised to launch an attack

US and UK unleash major bombardment on Yemen: Fighter jets, Navy destroyers and submarines fire missiles on Houthi strongholds in retaliation for Red Sea tanker attacks

And, after the attack, Ms Moran said it was 'shameful' that Parliament was 'bypassed'

And, after the attack, Ms Moran said it was 'shameful' that Parliament was 'bypassed'.

The Liberal Democrats' demand was made before the UK and US strikes in against the Houthi rebels in Yemen.

She wrote on social media site X: 'Shameful. Parliament shouldn't ever be bypassed - and certainly not when it comes to military action'.

The SNP said any military action should be scrutinised in the Commons.

Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf said MPs must be given the chance to debate and scrutinise such a move.

Meanwhile, MP Claudia Webbe, who was expelled from Labour after being charged with the harassment of a woman, took to social media site X to denounce the strikes.

She wrote: Stop the war. Stop bombing Yemen. Recall Parliament now'.
The organisers of Juicy Fest have apologised after its Auckland event led to a dozen arrests and an incident in which a gang member bit off part of another reveller's ear.

The RnB and Hip Hop music festival, which was in Melbourne on Friday night, had its Auckland leg on January 6 which promoter and founder Glenn Meikle said was marred by 'undesirables'.

Gang regalia such as patches were banned at the event but one partygoer said prevalent chanting and tattoos made it clear there was a gang presence which overshadowed the T-Pain and Ashanti headlined event.

The witness said one concertgoer had responded to a 'barking dog chant' by a nearby group by putting up his fist in a Black Power gesture, which is a prominent gang in New Zealand.

This resulted in one of the members of the other group to assaulting him, partially biting off his ear.

The organisers of Juicy Fest have apologised after the event, which is currently in Australia, turned wild in Auckland (pictured is headliner T-Pain)

The Auckland event resulted in 12 arrests and a man getting his ear bitten off during an altercation

The previous leg of the tour in Wellington experienced similar issues with crowds saying gang members had overrun the V-VIP (Very, Very Important Person) area.

'We can only apologise if a small number of undesirables ruined the experience for some and would hate for this to tarnish what was, for the most part, a positive event for most,' Mr Meikle said.

'Overall every Juicy Fest event has been a great day celebrating R&B & hip hop and we of course take learnings from each.'

Police arrest a reveller at Juicy Fest in New Zealand which partygoers claimed was overrun by gangs

One attendee at the Wellington event said fights were breaking out regularly and bouncers would 'leave them to it'.

He and his wife left the event early afte he was hit in the head by a full beer can somebody had thrown.

Police said six arrests were made at the Wellington event and 12 at the Auckland event.

St John Ambulance said their officers had treated 81 people at the Wellington event and 110 at the Auckland event for various issues.
Three British men have been arrested on Spain's Costa Blanca after a police chase that led to the seizure of more than 10 million of cocaine believed to have been smuggled into Europe from Ecuador.

The trio were held after one of the suspects rammed two police cars during a high-speed pursuit after the Brits took charge of a van containing 300 kilos of the class-A drug from two Albanian men who have also been arrested.

Two of the Brits were in the van and a third in a look-out car driven ahead of them to alert them about police roadblocks and other potential problems.

The arrests took place in a Carrefour hypermarket car park near the holiday resort of Denia and involved undercover officers from a specialist drugs and organised crime unit based in Valencia as well as local uniformed officers and the Civil Guard.

Local reports said the British man driving the van threw the ignition keys away to try in a desperate attempt to stop police opening the vehicle and discovering the drugs although they retrieved them following a short search.

Spanish police seized more than 10 million of cocaine believed to have been smuggled into Europe from Ecuador (file image)

The arrests took place on Tuesday afternoon and the suspects are expected to appear in court shortly.

Police have yet to make any official comment but are expected to do so after the court hearing, which will take place behind closed doors and is expected to lead to the suspects being remanded to a local prison pending an ongoing investigation.

The probe that resulted in Tuesday's arrests is being coordinated by an investigating judge in Lliria north-west of the Spanish east coast city of Valencia.

Undercover police reportedly watched the handover of the van containing the cocaine, by the two Albanian suspects to the British nationals, before following both sets of men.

The Brits in the van containing the drugs and the support vehicle drove south along the AP7 motorway towards an unknown destination.

Spanish news website Levante-EMV said they exited the motorway near Denia after detecting the police presence and the chase started which finished in the hypermarket car park.

The vehicles said to have been rammed by the suspects were badly damaged but there were no immediate reports of anyone being injured.

Several property searches took place on Wednesday in and around Lliria in the presence of the two Albanian suspects and their lawyers following the arrests.

The cocaine seized came from South America.

The arrests took place in a Carrefour hypermarket car park near the holiday resort of Denia, Costa Blanca (file image)

Although police have not confirmed whether it was smuggled out of Ecuador, Albanian organised crime gangs are known to have started establishing a foothold there since the 1990s and play a prominent role in the shipment of cocaine to Europe from Ecuador thanks to links with local gangs.

The huge upsurge in violence in the South American nation in recent years has been blamed on its increasing importance as the outlet route for cocaine produced mainly in Peru and Colombia.

Domestic drug gangs in Ecuador have allied with bloodthirsty Mexican cartels.

President Daniel Noboa decreed a state of emergency and introduced night-time curfews following the jail escape on Sunday of Jose Adolfo Matias alias Fito, the leader of the feared Los Choneros gang.

On Tuesday armed gangsters stormed an Ecuadorian TV station with guns and grenades before taking journalists and other workers hostage.

Police announced later the same day they had brought the drama to an end and arrested 13 suspects who will be prosecuted as terrorists.
A second London bus burst into flames this morning - completely destroying it less than 24 hours after an electric double decker exploded on the school run.

The hybrid vehicle caught fire in North Woolwich, East London, just before 7am today with onlookers shouting 'what the f***' as they were urged to 'move back'.

A video showed the bus ablaze before dawn at the junction of Factory Road and Store Road, while photographs taken later in daylight showed its burnt-out shell.

Firefighters confirmed no passengers were on the bus and there were no injuries, although it took around an hour to get the blaze under control. Crews set up an 80ft (25m) cordon at the scene and were investigating the cause this afternoon.

The bus involved in today's blaze was an Alexander Dennis Enviro400 hybrid that runs on diesel and electricity, with around 900 in use across 78 routes in London.

Only yesterday, a huge blast ripped the back off an Optare Metrodecker bus on route 200 in Wimbledon in south west London at 7.20am on its way to Raynes Park.

It came nearly two years after all Metrodeckers were temporarily taken out of service for safety checks in May 2022 when two were involved in a major fire at Potters Bar bus garage in Hertfordshire - before being returned to service only days later.

TODAY: Another London bus caught fire just before 7am in North Woolwich, East London

TODAY: The burnt out shell of the London bus in North Woolwich is pictured this morning

TODAY: The bus was completely destroyed by the blaze this morning in North Woolwich

Today, a London Fire Brigade spokesman told MailOnline: 'We were called at 6.49am to reports of a bus on fire on Factory Road in North Woolwich.

'No passengers were on the bus and there have been no reports of any injuries.

'Firefighters attended and brought the fire under control by 7.55am. One double-decker bus was destroyed by fire.

'A 25-metre (80ft) cordon is currently in place as a precaution. The cause of the fire is under investigation.'

Tom Cunnington, TfL's head of buses business development, told MailOnline: 'We are working with the operator, GoAhead, and the manufacturer, Alexander Dennis, to investigate the cause of this fire.

'London's bus network remains safe to use and we have no reason to suspect that this fire on a hybrid bus was linked to an earlier incident on an electric bus in Wimbledon.

'The bus was out of service when the fire happened and there are no reported injuries. TfL and the bus operators will not hesitate to take action if required to ensure the bus network remains safe.'

And a spokesman for Go-Ahead London told MailOnline: 'Go-Ahead London is urgently investigating a vehicle fire that took place today at approximately 6.40am on a double-deck diesel-hybrid bus in the Silvertown area.

'The bus was out of service and therefore carrying no passengers. Our driver safely exited the vehicle and is uninjured.

'We are grateful to the emergency services for their prompt response and are working with relevant authorities to establish the facts.'

YESTERDAY: An electric double decker burst into flames in Wimbledon, south west London

YESTERDAY: The smoldering bus with a charred back window in Wimbledon yesterday

Hybrid buses, which run on diesel and electricity, are said to produce 40 per cent less carbon dioxide emissions than regular buses.

The first one in London was introduced in 2007 on the 141 route between Palmers Green and London Bridge when Ken Livingstone was Mayor.

Today's blaze happened near two bus garages run by operator Go-Ahead London - its Silvertown site and another called Henley Road (North Woolwich).

TfL, which has about 1,000 electric buses across its network, said yesterday that it will not withdraw any Metrodeckers from service and has insisted they are safe.

However, the City Hall Conservatives have called on Mayor Sadiq Khan to remove all of them from the capital's roads until the cause of the Wimbledon fire is known.

More than 80 Metrodeckers operate on eight London routes around the capital - in addition to route 200, the others are routes 23, 28, 134, 295, 317, 626 and N28.

Mr Khan also faced calls to launch a 'full and urgent investigation' into the fire in Wimbledon as he ploughs ahead with his stated ambition to make the capital's entire bus fleet 'zero-emission' by 2034.

Yesterday's blaze was the latest example of safety faults with electric vehicles - the fastest growing cause of fires in the capital last year, according to the London Fire Brigade.

MAY 2022: Two Optare Metrodecker London electric buses were involved in a major fire at Potters Bar bus garage in Hertfordshire on May 22, 2022 - which destroyed six buses

In 2023 there were 150 e-bike fires in London, plus 28 e-scooter fires, which was 53 per cent more than in 2022.

The blaze in Potters Bar on May 22, 2022 saw a total of six buses burn and prompted other bus operators to move vehicles from alternative garages in London to serve the impacted routes after Metrodeckers were pulled by their manufacturer Switch Mobility for checks.

Metrodeckers were also withdrawn from York where they operated a park and ride route run by First after 21 vehicles were ordered in a 9.3million deal in 2020.

But the buses in London and York were all back on the road just days later, when TfL confirmed on June 1 that Switch Mobility had completed its 'thorough investigation' and had given assurances that every vehicle was 'safe to return to service'.

Electric buses have been running in London since 2014 when Boris Johnson was Mayor, and there are about 1,000 now operating across the capital.

TfL is urgently investigating yesterday's blaze with Switch Mobility and the route operator London General, saying: 'Safety is our top priority'.
A TikTok celebrity food critic has cut short his trip to the Bay Area due to 'shocking' safety concerns - as he claimed San Francisco and Oakland are filled with tents and burned-out cars.

Keith Lee, who has 15.6million followers on TikTok, announced on Thursday that he would be abandoning the anticipated trip, citing unsafe conditions and less-than-stellar food choices.

'The Bay Area food tour is officially over prematurely,' the content creator said before explaining the three major reasons behind his decision.

He added: 'I truly dont believe the Bay is a place for tourists right now the people of the Bay are just focused on surviving.... The amount of tents and living structures and burnt-out cars that we saw people living in was shocking to say the least.

'Just from the outside looking in, it dont seem like it was much city interference.'

Keith Lee, who has 15.6million followers on TikTok, announced on Thursday he would be abandoning his anticipated trip to the Bay Area

'The Bay Area food tour is officially over prematurely,' the content creator said before explaining the three major reasons behind his decision

The available food in the Bay Area was also not up to standard, Lee said, explaining that he went to six food spots he decided to not review because he had 'nothing constructive' to say.

He said: 'Ive always been big on honesty, Ive always been big on transparency, but Ive never been big on completely tearing down anybody, and I feel like those six videos were only doing that.'

Lee claimed if he can't post the videos, he would lose the money he invested on the trip.

Finally, Lee shared that he was hospitalized after suffering an allergic reaction to food he was served in the Bay Area. He claimed he asked the restaurant to clean the grill after cooking shellfish, but that he 'blew up like a balloon' after eating his meal.

Lee had previously claimed he was not concerned about his trip to the Bay Area, posting a TikTok where he shared social media comments showing people warning him about safety there.

'I go where I feel like I'm supposed to go, I go by faith and not by sight, and I heard a lot of people calling the Bay Gotham City, and the way my mind works, that's even more reason for me to go,' he said before the trip.

'Just from the outside looking in, it dont seem like it was much city interference,' Lee said

Lee shared that he was hospitalized after suffering an allergic reaction to food he was served in the Bay Area

'I was born and raised in inner city Detroit ... it taught me that the toughest situations reed the toughest people, so I'm still extremely excited too see what the Bay offers.'

The Bay Area has been on a downward spiral in recent years, with countless business shutting down.

Robberies in Oakland where a gun was used increased by 37 percent in 2023.

Moreover, burglaries were up 24 percent and motor vehicle theft surged by 45 percent - an all-time record for Oakland.

Last month, a businessman had both his businesses and his car broken into over the same week.

A recent report showed 95 retailers in downtown San Francisco have closed since the start of the Covid pandemic - a decline of more than 50 percent from 2019.

Office vacancy rates hit a record high of 34 per cent in September as shops were driven out of the downtown area by heightened crime and economists warn the city is spiraling into an 'urban doom loop'.

Looting specifically became a huge problem for the city while rampant theft caused the downfall of San Francisco's main shopping area - Union Square - and forced many major chains and local businesses to permanently close their doors.

Homeless encampments also represent a problem for the Bay Area, and last month a federal judge temporarily banned San Francisco from clearing them

The Bay Area has been on a downward spiral in recent years, with countless business shutting down

A recent report showed 95 retailers in downtown San Francisco have closed since the start of the Covid pandemic

Starbucks, Whole Foods, IKEA, Nordstrom and the Disney store have all shut some of their San Francisco locations as a result of the city's drastic surge in crime.

Homeless encampments are also a huge problem for the Bay Area. Last month a federal judge temporarily banned San Francisco from clearing them, saying the city violated its own policies by failing to offer other shelter.

The move came in a lawsuit filed on behalf of homeless plaintiffs that sought to stop San Francisco dismantling homeless encampments until it has thousands of additional shelter beds.

In a statement, Mayor London Breed decried the emergency order.

'Mayors cannot run cities this way,' she said. 'We already have too few tools to deal with the mental illness we see on our streets. Now we are being told not to use another tool that helps bring people indoors and keeps our neighborhoods safe and clean for our residents.'

Breed said many people encountered during the cleanups 'are refusing services or are already housed' and some use the encampments for 'drug dealing, human trafficking and other illegal activities.'

There are an estimated 7,800 homeless people in San Francisco.
A fraudster who made up to 1million selling dodgy TV boxes that allowed buyers to watch Sky and Virgin Media on the cheap has avoided jail.

Jordan Longbottom, 42, ran a 'successful' online business from his static caravan home, which advertised access to premium TV packages including Sky and Virgin Media for a fraction of the price advertised by the broadcasters themselves.

But the authorities became aware of the fraud and police arrested him after he stepped off the plane from a holiday in Florida.

Prosecutors at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court argued that the scheme brought in up to 1million.

But Longbottom argued they had 'overestimated' his takings, which he claimed were actually nearer 300,000.

Jordan Longbottom, 42, (pictured) ran a 'successful' online business from his static caravan home, which advertised access to premium TV packages including Sky and Virgin Media for a fraction of the price advertised by the broadcasters themselves

But Longbottom argued they had 'overestimated' his takings, which he claimed were actually nearer 300,000

The sentencing judge, Recorder Ciaran Rankin, ruled that the exact amount would not make a difference to the punishment handed down, as Longbottom narrowly avoided an immediate jail term.

Ali Alibhai, prosecuting, said Longbottom operated the fraud from August 2015 to May 2017 and sold the boxes to 'thousands' of customers, priced at between 100 and 175.

He advertised his products on Facebook, with one group operated by him on the social media site gaining 37,000 followers.

Longbottom also employed two paid members of staff to help with his business. The authorities became aware of his website and officers from Greater Manchester Police raided his home.

Longbottom was not present at the time, in January 2017, but was then arrested at Manchester Airport as he returned from the USA three months later.

Despite his arrest in March that year, he carried on with his business, although he claimed his involvement was reduced.

The case was eventually brought to court as part of a private prosecution by the Federation Against Copyright Theft.

Michael Balmer, mitigating, said there had been a 'significant delay' in the case being brought to court, with Longbottom first being summonsed in June 2022.

Ali Alibhai, prosecuting, said Longbottom operated the fraud from August 2015 to May 2017 and sold the boxes to 'thousands' of customers, priced at between 100 and 175

He appealed for Longbottom to be spared jail, noting recent issues with prison overcrowding. Mr Balmer added that the defendant was 'terrified' of being locked up.

Mr Balmer said: 'Courts are told daily, if not weekly, that immediate custody should be reserved for the most serious of cases. This isn't such a case.'

The judge ruled it was an 'exceptional' case, whereby he could impose a suspended prison sentence due to the delays in the case. He said it would have been likely that Longbottom would have been jailed if the case had been brought in a 'more timely fashion'.

Prosecutors said the delay had, in part, been caused by other casework being conducted by a small legal team.

Longbottom, of Abergele, north Wales, pleaded guilty to two offences under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, and one offence under the Fraud Act.

He was sentenced to one year and 10 months in prison, suspended for 24 months, and was ordered to carry out 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work.

Longbottom has narrowly avoided jail after pleading guilty to criminal offences at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court.

Recorder Rankin said: 'The man in the pub may think there are no real victims.' Referring to broadcasters, he added: 'They are each one of the victims, the other victims are perhaps the man beside the man in that pub, that's the man that pays the market rate for these services.

'The shortfall from these services may mean that they need to pay more.'
Three men were found dead in a home in Kansas City after one of their fiancee's was forced to break into the house after the owner refused to answer the door and did not answer her calls for two days.

Police said that the woman broke into the home through the basement, shortly afterwards, she discovered the body of one man on the back porch.

Two others were then found in the backyard of the home located in the quiet The Coves neighborhood. It's not clear which of the deceased bodies was her fiance.

Initially, investigators said that there are no obvious signs of foul play. The three men have been identified by friends and family on Facebook as Ricky Johnson, David Harrington and Clayton McGeeney. They were last seen on Sunday January 7th.

Fox Kansas City, citing family members related to the person who lived in the home, said that the three men, who are referred to as 'friends,' froze to death.

The bodies were found at this home, in The Coves section of Kansas City, late on Tuesday night

One deceased person was found in the back porch, two others were found in the backyard

The three victims have been named on social media as David Harrington, Clayton McGeeney and Ricky Johnson

Johnson, Harrington and McGeeney are all friends on Facebook. Friends said in various posts that they went to the home to watch the Kansas City Chiefs defeat the Los Angeles Charges on January 7.

It's unclear as to why their bodies were not discovered until late on January 9. DailyMail.com has reached out to the Kansas City Police Department for more information on the case.

'I'm racking my brain, but, I mean, things happen, but nothing like this,' resident Jane Scheckel, told KMBC. Scheckel said that she has lived in the community for 34 years.

'It's kind of disturbing. It makes you wonder what's going on,' Suzanne Reichert, another long-term resident said.

The neighbors said that the man who lived in his house was in late forties and that he has been renting it for the past six months. According to KMBC, the owner is from Denver.

'Not much goes on. It's pretty quiet. So, this is obviously a shock for any, any neighborhood, but especially ours,' Charlie Brook, 18, told the station.

While another neighbor, Tamara Ziegler, told KCTV that there was 'never anything unusual about that house.' Ziegler said that she didn't know if all of the victims lived in the home.

The house was last sold in February 2021, according to Zillow. It is a four bedroom, four bathroom house spread across nearly 3,000 feet. In July, it was listed for rent for five days before it was taken off the market.

The medical examiner will determine the causes of death in the case.

It's not clear for how long the bodies were outside for.

Kansas City is one of the many parts of the US that has been battered by extreme weather this week, including heavy snowfall, freezing rain and frigid temperatures.

The National Weather Service said that a foot of snow was dumped on Kansas City and
Downing Street says it will not recall MPs early over the Yemen military action despite calls for a retrospective vote on the airstrikes as soon as possible.

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said this morning he is 'happy to facilitate' a recall of Parliament 'at any time' amid calls for greater consultation of parliamentarians.

With the Commons having finished business for the week yesterday MPs will currently be unable to debate the strikes until Monday.

But a No10 spokeswoman today said that its current plan was for Rishi Sunak to give a statement in the Commons then. He is currently on a surprise trip to Ukraine.

Asked about calls from the Lib Dems and others for a vote, she added: 'There are no plans for that. The deployment of our armed forces is a prerogative power and there is no legal obligation to seek parliamentary approval.'

A No10 spokeswoman today said that its current plan was for Rishi Sunak to give a statement in the Commons then. He is currently on a surprise trip to Ukraine.

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said this morning he is 'happy to facilitate' a recall of Parliament 'at any time' amid calls for greater consultation of parliamentarians.

Humza Yousaf also made clear the House of Commons should have been recalled ahead of action being taken to 'allow for MPs to debate and scrutinise the UK Government's plans'.

British and American fighter jets and warships launched more than 100 precision missiles at over 60 targets in Houthi-held territory early this morning, with the strikes hitting an airbase, an airport and military camp.

Shocking images and footage in Yemen showed powerful explosions lighting up the night sky as UK and US armed forces released clips of their fighter jets taking off ahead of their bombing runs.

Seeking to justify the strikes on rebel targets, Sunak this afternoon said of the Houthi attacks on Red Sea vessels: 'It's clear that type of behaviour can't carry on... it's why I made the decision with allies to take what I believe to be necessary, proportionate and targeted action against military targets to degrade and disrupt Houthi capability.'

The Prime Minister said the 'initial' indications were that the strikes had been successful and sent a 'strong message', but he warned: 'We will continue to monitor the situation,' amid expectations the Houthis could retaliate further.

NATO today sprang to the defence of its constituent members, declaring the US-led strikes were aimed at protecting shipping through the Red Sea and urged Iran to 'rein in its proxies'.

Sir Lindsay said: 'I was invited to a meeting at the Cabinet Office last night to be briefed about the air strikes on Houthi rebel bases.

'I made representations to the Deputy Prime Minister about the need for the House to be informed at the earliest possible opportunity and that I would be happy to facilitate a recall at any time.'

Humza Yousaf also made clear the House of Commons should have been recalled ahead of action being taken to 'allow for MPs to debate and scrutinise the UK Government's plans'.

Speaking on Friday Mr Yousaf insisted that 'Houthi attacks in the Red Sea must stop' as he declared a UN Security Council resolution on this should be adhered to. But the Scottish First Minister said: 'Before action as serious as military intervention took place MPs, who have been elected of course to represent the people, should have had their say.'

The SNP leader continued: 'The UK, let's be honest about this, does not have a good track record when it comes to military intervention, particularly in the Middle East. That is why the House of Commons should have been recalled today, ahead of military action that was taken in order to allow for MPs to debate and scrutinise the UK Government's plans for military action.'
US joined forces with UK, Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands to carry out the blitz

Airstrikes in Yemen against several Houthi military targets on Thursday night

President Joe Biden is facing rage from the left for launching overnight airstrikes in Yemen without congressional approval.

It came as Turkey accused the US and UK of turning the Red Sea into a 'bloodbath' and there were growing fears of widespread escalating violence in the Middle East.

Democrats on Capitol Hill claim it was 'unconstitutional' for the president to order US fighter jets, destroyers and submarines to hit targets used by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

Biden was also lambasted by Donald Trump for 'dropping bombs all over the Middle East, AGAIN' instead of focusing on the migrant crisis at the US southern border.

The US used more than 100 precision missiles striking at around 2.30am local time on over 60 targets at 16 locations in the massive operation that led to powerful explosions lighting up the night sky in Yemen.

US and UK armed forces released clips of their fighter jets taking off ahead of their bombing runs.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan furiously condemned the strikes in a statement this morning, accusing the US and UK of turning the Red Sea into a 'sea of blood'. Iran and Russia also accused the West of 'illegal' and escalatory actions.

The Houthi rebels, who have been attacking international shipping in the Red Sea, vowed to make the allies behind the attacks 'pay a heavy price' for the 'blatant aggression' they claim has killed at least five fighters.

In Yemen there were mass protests in support of the rebel group in cities across the country, with tens of thousands of people taking to the streets chanting slogans and toting placards.

In Washington Democratic progressives on Capitol Hill, including members of the left-wing group known as The Squad, responded with fury because Biden didn't seek congressional approval first for the strikes.

The US used more than 100 precision missiles striking at around 2.30am local time on over 60 targets at 16 locations, according to the air force. Explosions were reported in Sana'a, Hodeidah governorate, Saada, and Dhamar, Houthi officials confirmed. It's unclear the extent of the damage or any injuries. Fighter jets, Navy destroyers, a submarine and Tomahawk cruise missiles were all used in the blitz. Sites including command and control nodes, munitions depots, launching systems, production facilities, and air defense radar systems were hit, according to officials. At least one submarine was deployed, the US would not confirm exactly which but Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Florida (SSGN-728) entered the Red Sea in November, USNI News reports. The vessel has capacity for 154 missiles. Super Hornets from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) were also deployed, along with Air Force strike fighters originating from a base in the Middle East and according to the outlet

An Royal Air Force Typhoon aircraft takes off to join the US led coalition to conduct air strikes against military targets in Yemen. On Thursday evening, four Royal Air Force Typhoons launched from Royal Air Force Akrotiri to conduct strikes against military targets in Yemen

Democratic members of Congress Rep. Ro Khanna (left) and Rep. Cori Bush (right) were among the lawmakers tearing into Biden for launching the airstrikes without congressional approval

'The President needs to come to Congress before launching a strike against the Houthis in Yemen and involving us in another middle east (sic) conflict,' California Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna said.

'For over a month, he consulted an international coalition to plan them, but never came to Congress to seek authorization as required by Article I of the Constitution.'

Article 1 of the Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war.

However, under the War Powers Act of 1973 the president is only required to inform Congress of military action within 48 hours.

Under that act, if Congress does not then declare war, the president must end the military action within 60 days, with another 30 days for withdrawal.

The White Houses and Congress have repeatedly argued over the parameters of the War Powers Act during military interventions overt the last 50 years.

Following the Yemen strikes Cori Bush, a Missouri Democrat and member of the progressive Squad, called the strikes 'illegal' and told Biden, 81, to 'stop the bombing and do better by us'.

'The people do not want more of our taxpayer dollars going to endless war and the killing of civilians,' she added.

Michigan Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib also called the operation 'unconstitutional' and said Americans are 'tired of endless war'.

She has previously accused Biden of supporting 'genocide' in Gaza with his backing of Israel's military offensive in the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack.

Oregon Rep. Val Hoyle added: 'These airstrikes have NOT been authorized by Congress.

'The Constitution is clear: Congress has the sole authority to authorize military involvement in overseas conflicts. Every president must first come to Congress and ask for military authorization, regardless of part.'

Head of the Congressional Progressive Caucus Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a Democrat from Washington, said the strikes were an 'unacceptable violation of the Constitution'.

'Article 1 requires that military action be authorized by Congress,' she added.

Michigan Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib also called the operation 'unconstitutional' and said Americans are 'tired of endless war'

Republicans including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said that the strikes were long overdue and a hopeful sign the Biden administration would take a more aggressive approach to Iran and in its proxies.

But Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social: 'So, let me get this straight. Were dropping bombs all over the Middle East, AGAIN (where I defeated ISIS!), and our Secretary of Defense, who just went missing for five days, is running the war from his laptop in a hospital room.

'Remember, this is the same gang that "surrendered in Afghanistan, where no one was held accountable or FIRED. It was the most embarrassing moment in the history of the United States.

'Now we have wars in Ukraine, Israel, and Yemen, but no war on our Southern Border. Oh, that makes a lot of sense. Crooked Joe Biden is the worst President in the history of the United States!'

Defending the White House's decision not to seek congressional approval a senior administration official said senior leaders on Capitol Hill had been notified.

That included the 'gang of 8' group of senior figures in Congress.

'Our military actions against the Houthis, as part of an international coalition, were fully consistent with international and domestic law,' the senior administration official said.

'The Justice Department has set out a longstanding test for the Presidents constitutional authority to direct the use of military force - there must be a significant national interest at stake, and the action must be below the threshold of war in the constitutional sense.'

'The facts here easily meet that test given the attacks we had endured from the Houthis and the limited nature of the coalition strikes.'

NATO declared the US-led strikes were aimed at protecting shipping through the Red Sea and urged Iran to 'rein in its proxies'.

'These strikes were defensive, and designed to preserve freedom of navigation in one of the world's most vital waterways. The Houthi attacks must end,' Dylan White, a spokesman for the Western military alliance, said.

The attacks come in response to months of Houthi-led bombings on ships in the Red Sea - amid the conflict between Israel and Gaza.

US officials had warned there would be 'consequences' for the Houthi's attack on non-military ships in the Red Sea.

Explosions were reported in Sana'a, Hodeidah governorate, Saada, and Dhamar, Houthi officials confirmed. It's unclear the extent of the damage or any injuries.

Super Hornets, Navy destroyers, and a submarine launched Tomahawk cruise missiles during the blitz.

Sites including command and control nodes, munitions depots, launching systems, production facilities, and air defense radar systems were hit, according to officials.

At least one submarine was deployed, the US would not confirm exactly which one but Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Florida (SSGN-728) entered the Red Sea in November, USNI News reports. The vessel has capacity for 154 missiles.

Super Hornets from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) were deployed, along with Air Force fighters originating from a base in the Middle East.

The US and UK, along with Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands, joined together for the attack.

'These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the worlds most critical commercial routes,' Biden said.

'I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.'

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also released a statement in the wake of the attacks. It was his first public comment since his health scandal saw him in the ICU of the hospital for prostate cancer treatment, without the White House knowing about his condition.

'This action is intended to disrupt and degrade the Houthis' capabilities to endanger mariners and threaten global trade in one of the world's most critical waterways. Today's coalition action sends a clear message to the Houthis that they will bear further costs if they do not end their illegal attacks,' Austin said.

US and UK military forces have 'successfully' completed targeted strikes in Yemen used by Houthi to attack ships in the Red Sea

Strikes were carried out on over 60 targets at 16 Iranian-backed Houthi militant locations, including command and control nodes, munitions depots, launching systems, production facilities, and air defense radar systems

Over 100 precision-guided munitions of various types were used in the blitz, which also included maritime support

Prior to the strike, terrorists in the region had warned of possible retaliation against US military targets if the bombing went ahead.

Shortly after the strike unverified reports of attacks on US bases in Iraq began to flood social media.

The bombardment came thirty minutes after the the U.S. military said the Houthis had had staged their 27th attack on shipping since November 19 earlier on Thursday, firing an anti-ship ballistic missile into international shipping lanes in the Gulf of Aden.

The US military strikes are the country's first on Yemen since 2016. President Biden said they had been ordered in response to 'unprecedented' attacks against maritime vessels.

'More than 50 nations have been affected in 27 attacks on international commercial shipping. Crews from more than 20 countries have been threatened or taken hostage in acts of piracy,' Biden said.

'More than 2,000 ships have been forced to divert thousands of miles to avoid the Red Seawhich can cause weeks of delays in product shipping times. And on January 9, Houthis launched their largest attack to datedirectly targeting American ships.'

He then added: 'Last week, together with 13 allies and partners, we issued an unequivocal warning that Houthi rebels would bear the consequences if their attacks did not cease. And yesterday, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution demanding the Houthis end attacks on merchant and commercial vessels.'

But he was criticized by those among his own party for failing to talk to Congress prior to ordering the attacks.

The bombardment came on Thursday night after the Houthi had blocked another shipping lane in the Gulf of Aden, the latest in a string of attacks against vessels in the area in recent months. Pictured: Houthi military helicopter flies over the Galaxy Leader cargo ship in the Red Sea in November

Super Hornets from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) were deployed for use in the strikes, according to USNI News

At least one submarine, thought to be USS Florida (SSGN-728), was used in the attack. The vessel entered the Red Sea in November though its use has not been formally confirmed

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also spoke out in the wake of the attack describing them as 'self-defense.'

'This cannot stand. The United Kingdom will always stand up for freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade,' Sunak said.

'The Royal Navy continues to patrol the Red Sea as part of the multinational Operation Prosperity Guardian to deter further Houthi aggression, and we urge them to cease their attacks and take steps to de-escalate.'

Houthi official Abdul Qader al-Mortada condemned latest allied strikes as 'American-Zionist-British aggression' in a post on X.

Vice President of the Houthi Media Authority Nasr Aldeen Amer also vowed that the Houthi would not retreat.

'A brutal aggression against our country, for which they [the attackers] will pay absolutely and without hesitation, and we will not back down from our position in supporting the Palestinian people, whatever the cost,' he said.

The rebels say their assaults are aimed at stopping Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. But their targets are increasingly random.

The Houthis, based in Yemen, have been firing rockets, drones and missiles north towards Israel, interrupting Red Sea shipping

US Air Force recon jets were spotted tracking over Saudia Arabia on Thursday night ahead of the strikes

Armed demonstrators take part in a solidarity rally with Gaza in the rebel-held Yemeni capital Sanaa. Antony Blinken warned of 'consequences' if the rebels do not stop attacking ships in the Red Sea, and called on Iran to end their support for the rebels

The Yemeni rebels are backed by Iran. They have stepped up attacks on international shipping since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel in what they say is an act of solidarity with Palestinians.

Various shipping lines have suspended operations, instead taking the longer journey around Africa.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken previously warned of 'consequences' if the Houthi do not stop attacking ships in the Red Sea, and called on Iran to end their support for the rebels.

'We've been clear with more than 20 other countries that if this continues as it did yesterday that there will be consequences,' he said on Wednesday.

When asked if there would be consequences for Iran, he added: 'We've also repeatedly tried to make clear to Iran as other countries have as well that the support hat they are providing to the Houthis needs to stop.

'It's not in their interests to see these conflicts escalated and we're not the only one who sent that message to Iran.

'These attacks have been aided and abetted by Iran with technology equipment and intelligence and they are having a real life impact on people.'

It comes at a fraught time for the US - as Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is reeling from his prostate cancer operation. He has been in hospital for over a week.

And by Thursday, British stealth jets and combat drones were being readied for the airstrike with warships moved into the Red Sea in recent days.
Fort Worth Zoo has announced its newest addition to their Predators of Asia & Africa lion habitat - an adorable lion cub named Moja.

Moja was born October 20 at 5:37 pm to proud mom, Saba, and dad, Jabulani, and weighed just 2.7 pounds when he was four days old.

The little lion is Saba's first cub and has already begun imitating predator-prey behaviors. like playing with his mother's tail, in the weeks since the zoo welcomed him.

Moja has yet to meet his father and the Texas zoo's other female lion, Abagabe.

However, the now-16-pound lion cub is still growing and will eventually be introduced to Jabulani when he's big enough for the zoo's habitat.

Moja was born October 20 at 5:37 pm to proud mom, Saba, and dad, Jabulani, and has not met his father no the other female lion,

Moja was born October 20 at 5:37 pm to proud mom, Saba, and dad, Jabulani, and has not met met his father or the other female lion, Abagabe

When Moja is big enough, he will become an official member of the zoo's Predators of Asia & Africa lion habitat with the three other lions at the location

Jabulani, Saba, and Abagabe, were born in a South African wildlife sanctuary in 2012 and began living at the Fort Worth Zoo later that year.

The African lions are part of the zoo's Predators of Asia & Africa habitat that opened on June 22, 2023.

Moja, the first lion cub born at the Fort Worth Zoo in nine years and the first to eventually be integreated into the habitat, has been carefully watched by keepers since his birth.

'Moja has been behind the scenes growing and bonding with Mom, while keepers have kept a close eye on his development and wellbeing,' the zoo said in a statement to NBC DFW.

'Keepers are here with the cub (and all of our animals) every day. We also have a continuous camera feed in the den right now that staff can access and view 24/7,' said Avery Elander of Fort Worth Zoo.

Saba has frequently been nursing, bathing, and playing with Moja and has even carried him around their enclosure.

It's still being determined exactly when Moja will join the habitat, but the zoo keepers want to make sure that he can handle the space and water features before he does.

'We typically like to wait until the cub is about 3 months old, so that he can easily move around on his own and communicate with the adult lions,' said Elander.

Moja may not be appearing to zoo-goers just yet, but users on Instagram are loving the photos and the video of him posted on their account.

Most social media users have responded positively to the new cub on Instagram and are excited to see Moja in person

Instagram users have called Moja 'cute' and 'adorable,' and one person was lucky to spot the cub by chance.

'Caught a little glimpse of him today in the side yard with keepers. He looks adorable!!!!,' the user wrote.

Others have called Moja's parents 'gorgeous' and were sad not to see the tiny cub in public.

Interestingly enough, hardly anyone commented on the fun fact revealed in the video caption: 'Moja (pronounced mow-jah) means one in Swahili.'
A weatherman was left shaken after witnessing thundersnow in Chicago while broadcasting live, as every state in the country is placed under weather warnings.

Broadcast meteorologist Jim Cantore was reporting on Storm Gerri when he witnessed the rare phenomenon.

Footage captured of Cantore show him excitedly exclaiming: 'Was that lightening? That was lightening. We had it. We just had it. Holy smoke. I saw it, holy smoke.'

Thundersnow happens when when snow falls as the main precipitation during a thunderstorm, as opposed to rain.

Cantore had been reporting on the hazardous weather that is currently hitting the Midwest.

THUNDERSNOW!!!



Thats one way to start a Friday morning.@JimCantore is live in Chicago as #Gerri begins to hit the region hard. pic.twitter.com/EpVCLJff7S  The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) January 12, 2024

Broadcast meteorologist Jim Cantore was reporting on Storm Gerri when he witnessed the rare phenomenon

Iowa Department of Administrative Services plows snow on top of the Capitol parking ramp as blizzard conditions hit Des Moines, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024

Multiple weather hazards are impacting the country with the National Weather Service (NWS) having now issued a weather alert for every state

Every state in the country has been issued with a weather warning, as the Midwest prepares to be hit with up to a foot of snow.

Multiple weather hazards are impacting the country with the National Weather Service (NWS) having now issued a weather alert for every state.

Blizzard, tornado, flood, avalanche and wind alerts have all been triggered, with one wind alert stretching nearly 2,000 miles from Texas to New England.

Heavy snow is currently spreading across the Midwest, with the NWS reporting that one to two inches has been falling every hour.

Forecasters have already warned that areas of Montana, particularly Lewistown and Havre, will see temperatures plunge to -48F due to extreme wind chill.

Gerri exited the Plains on Thursday and has started moving east and is becoming stronger, covering the Midwest in snow.

Footage has already emerged on social media showing snow blizzards in Illinois and Iowa.

The conditions across the country have placed 66 million people under winter weather alerts, stretching from Oregon to New York.

The National Weather Service in Des Moines warned: 'Travel is expected to become dangerous by Friday morning.

'Blowing snow is expected to significantly reduce visibility to near-whiteout conditions by midday Friday persisting into early Saturday.

'The cold wind chills as low as 10 to 20 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes and could be potentially life-threatening if stranded outside.'

The Iowa Department of Transportation's road conditions map showed that virtually every major highway and interstate was partially or completely covered

By Friday morning, road crews in Iowa and Nebraska were struggling to keep ahead of the fast-falling snow

A VERY active weather pattern, and EVERY state in the US has an active NWS Watch, Warning, or Advisory. Check https://t.co/VyWINDk3xP or follow your local NWS office at https://t.co/GWrG0hTRHN for details in your area. pic.twitter.com/xeFm4KAZ2O  National Weather Service (@NWS) January 12, 2024

It was 11 degrees below zero in Bismarck, North Dakota, on Friday morning, and forecasters warned the weekend will get even worse.

At higher elevations, heavy snow, high winds and white-out conditions were expected to envelop the Cascade Mountains and make travel 'very difficult to impossible,' the weather service said.

Fresh snow, measured in multiple feet in certain areas, already blanketed the Cascades earlier in the week.

By Friday morning, road crews in Iowa and Nebraska were struggling to keep ahead of the fast-falling snow.

The Iowa Department of Transportation's road conditions map showed that virtually every major highway and interstate was partially or completely covered.

The agency said driver visibility was 'near zero' in some places, and wind-fueled drifts were quickly erasing the work of plow drivers.

The Iowa State Patrol posted photos of an icy wreck. 'Please, dont put yourself or others in danger,' the agency wrote. 'The road conditions are extremely dangerous!'

The conditions across the country have placed 66 million people under winter weather alerts, stretching from Oregon to New York

THUNDERSNOW!!!



Thats one way to start a Friday morning.@JimCantore is live in Chicago as #Gerri begins to hit the region hard. pic.twitter.com/EpVCLJff7S  The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) January 12, 2024

The devastating images shared by the agency show a Buick with the passenger side of it caved in. The state patrol added that amazingly nobody was injured in the incident.

The weather has caused some disruption for Republican candidates campaigning ahead of Monday's Iowa caucuses.

Nikki Haleys campaign canceled three Friday events and said it would be hosting 'telephone town halls.' Ron DeSantis' campaign postponed events in Marshaltown and Clear Lake.

Areas of Alabama and Mississippi will also see an enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms and the possibility of tornadoes as Gerri moves east.

On Friday, a severe weather forecast from Mississippi to North Carolina was issued for damaging winds, tornadoes and flash flooding.

When the system finally clears up on Saturday, gusty winds will rush over the Great Lakes, bringing with it lake-effect snow in areas.

Are those snow boots or the other ones? Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is seen here on Friday tiptoeing through in the snow in Iowa ahead of Monday's caucuses.

The devastating images shared by the agency show a Buick with the passenger side of it caved in

The state patrol added that amazingly nobody was injured in the incident

Snow showers are also expected in the Northeast and northern New England.

Due to the weather, a total of 1,643 flights have already been cancelled and 1,238 flights were delayed as of Friday morning.

The Federal Aviation Administration had on Thursday warned that clouds, snow and windforce could delay flights at certain airports.

United Airlines Holdings led the list of cancellations with 238 flights followed by 215 flights by Southwest Airlines.

It has also canceled some flights through Saturday as it awaits regulatory approvals to resume operating Boeing's 737 MAX 9 jets in the country.

As well as grounded flights, website Poweroutage reported that there are currently are 96,000 people without power in Illinois.

A further 23,642 are also reported to have been plunged into darkness in the state of Wisconsin.

This latest storm comes after another massive storm that slammed much of the country earlier this week, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power.

That storm, which began on Monday, buried cities across the Midwest, stranding people on highways and killed five people.

A person clears snow from their car during a snowstorm in Des Moines Iowa on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024

In Wisconsin, one person was killed in a car crash due to poor road conditions during heavy snowfall on Tuesday morning.

While another crash killed a 35-year-old woman in Webber Township, Michigan, on Tuesday afternoon.

In Alabama, an 81-year-old woman was killed on Tuesday morning when a possible tornado blew her mobile home over multiple times while she was inside.

Another person died after severe weather damaged residences at a mobile home park in Claremont, North Carolina.

While in Jonesboro, Georgia, a tree collapsed onto the windshield of a car on Tuesday, killing the driver.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy had to declare a state of emergency ahead of the storm, with streets and roads flooded and rivers rising

New York City officials evacuated nearly 2,000 migrants housed at a sprawling tent complex before the storm hit amid fears it could collapse in high winds.

Photos showed the migrant families sleeping on the floor of a Brooklyn high school, whose students were forced to go remote on Wednesday as a result of the brief relocation.

In Vermont, the storm brought wind gusts of up to 70 mph and heavy, wet snow followed by rain, leaving nearly 30,000 homes without power Wednesday morning. Many schools were closed or had delayed openings.
Top 10 Chinese, global scientific advances for 2023 unveiled

Xinhua) 16:50, January 11, 2024

BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- China on Thursday unveiled a list of the country's and global top 10 scientific advances for 2023, respectively, which were selected by members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and members of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE).

Academicians from the CAS and CAE hold China's highest national academic titles in science and engineering.

On the national list, China's progress in space exploration stood out. Shenzhou-16 completed the first crewed mission of the application and development stage of China's space station.

The crew, which remained in orbit for 154 days, carried out a total of 70 space experiments in areas of aerospace medicine, life ecology, biotechnology, material science, fluid physics, fluid mechanics, and aerospace technology, as well as eight engineering studies involving human-factors, obtaining a wealth of experimental data.

China's Martian probe found clues about the geological and climate changes that the planet underwent about 400,000 years ago. The findings suggested that the southern Utopian Plain of the red planet probably experienced a change in climate marked by a wind direction change, coinciding with the end of the Mars ice age.

Also, the country's FAST telescope identified key evidence for the existence of nanohertz gravitational waves, which can help solve puzzles in supermassive black holes, the history of galaxy mergers, and the formation of large-scale structures in the universe.

Using the world's largest single-dish and most sensitive radio telescope, the scientists monitored 57-millisecond pulsars with regular cadence for 41 months and discovered quadrupole correlation signatures compatible with the prediction of nanohertz gravitational waves at a 4.6-sigma statistical confidence level.

To utilize more clean energy, China has made a milestone advance in its effort to build a solar power station in space to convert the sunlight in outer space into an electrical supply to drive the satellites in orbit or transmit power back to the Earth.

A Chinese research team has wrapped up the world's first full-chain, system-wide ground verification for space solar power stations, displaying multiple key know-how for the futuristic project known as Zhuri or chasing the sun.

China's home-grown nuclear power facilities also stole the limelight. The world's first fourth-generation nuclear power plant, China's Shidaowan high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) nuclear power plant, has officially gone into commercial operation.

The reactor can maintain a safe state and steer away from a meltdown or leak of radioactive materials. This capability is maintained even in the event of a complete loss of cooling capacity, without any intervention actions.

In the field of agriculture, a team in China found a key gene in a crop that might, via genetic engineering, substantially improve crop yields in alkaline soil.

The breakthrough in agriculture could increase the production of crops, including rice and maize, by at least 250 million tonnes should the newly identified gene be applied to 20 percent of global under-utilized saline and alkaline soil.

The construction of an 11,100-meter deep well for geological research, the world's fastest two-dimensional transistors with the lowest energy consumption, the first discovery of superconductivity near 80K in a nickelate, and the structural basis of mammal's odorant perception are also included in the country's scientific advances last year.

In the global landscape of breakthroughs, the launch of GPT-4 and AI-generated proteins highlighted the tech trend of artificial intelligence.

The mapping of insects' brains and cell types across the adult human brain, the world's first eye transplant surgery, and a draft human pangenome reference were selected into the world's advances in the field of biology.

The operation of the world's largest experimental nuclear fusion reactor, the smallest particle accelerator, the single-atom X-ray detection, and the energy supply to Earth from satellite ranked among the global top 10 in 2023.

This year's list is the 30th annual event of its kind. The event has gained widespread media attention at home and abroad and helps to promote the understanding of science and technology among the public.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Dramatic footage shows a fugitive lead authorities on a chase through semi-rural Perth suburbs before getting out and aiming a gun at the police helicopter.

Desmond Lee Kirk, 36, allegedly used a 'long arm' gun to fire shots at police as he drove a stolen Mazda BT-50 on Thursday afternoon.

The footage shows Kirk, who is understood to have connections to a WA bikie club, abandoning the ute before getting behind the wheel of a large Isuzu truck and continuing to lead police on a car chase, reports WA Today.

At one point the driver can be seen getting out of the vehicle and aiming the gun at the helicopter, with police alleging shots were fired.

Police allege Desmond Kirk (pictured) was behind the wheel of the SUV and truck as he led officers on a wild chase through Perth's semi-rural southern suburbs

Police brought an end to the chase when they performed a pit maneuver to run the truck off the road.

WA Police Commander Gordon Fairman said the footage gave the public 'a front-row seat to a critical incident'.

'It's one of the most dynamic and critical incidents that I have seen and the quality of the footage is outstanding,' he said.

The footage shows the driver aiming a 'long arm' gun at a police helicopter during the pursuit

Kirk was charged with 17 offences including stealing, breaching a violence restraining order and three counts of stealing a motor vehicle.

He was briefly treated for minor injuries at Royal Perth Hospital.

He appeared at Armadale Magistrates Court on Friday and police investigations into the case are ongoing.
Two Miami council members nearly brawled, screaming 'You're a liar' and 'You're a small little man' over a vote to extend the city attorney's contract at the first city commission meeting of 2024.

Commissioner Miguel Gabela, 59, jumped out of his seat and charged toward Commissioner Joe Carollo, 68, until a staff member rushed to hold him back, bringing the Thursday meeting to an abrupt end.

Gabela repeatedly said, 'You are a liar,' before standing up and rushing toward Carollo, seemingly ready for a confrontation.

Carollo responded, 'You are a small little man. You want to play Tony Soprano, but I'll play right back to you.'

The near-brawl on Thursday was sparked by a vote to extend City Attorney Victoria Mendez's contract for five months following a lawsuit alleging her and her husband of real estate fraud.

Two Miami council members nearly brawled, screaming 'You're a liar' and 'You're a small little man' over a vote to extend the city attorney's contract at the first city commission meeting of 2024

Commissioner Miguel Gabela (right), 59, jumped out of his seat and charged toward Commissioner Joe Carollo (left), 68, until a staff member rushed to hold him back, bringing the Thursday meeting to an abrupt end

Carollo said, 'You are a small little man. You want to play Tony Soprano, but I'll play right back to you'

Both Carollo and Gabela returned to their seats, but the altercation continued as Carollo pointed Gabela and called him 'a gangster'.

The former mayor of Miami said Gabella wanted to 'act like a thug' in an interview with NBC6 outside the city hall.

He said: 'He wants to act like a Tony Soprano. He blew his cork and came at me. I'm a senior citizen. I'm not gonna let a young man come and hit me while I'm sitting in a chair. Of course, I'm gonna stand up.'

Gabella, who was elected at the city commissioner in November last year, called Carollo 'a bully' after the meeting.

'Sometimes you have to stand up to bullies, but it was never my intention to do anything,' he said.

'I apologize if that's the way it seemed, but the man starts calling me a gangster. I am not a gangster. I am a law-abiding citizen and I'm a duly elected commissioner like himself and he needs to respect that so people can respect him,' he added.

He later told Miami Herald: 'I'm just saying, 'look man, if you want to have a fight outside, I'll go outside with you.''

Gabela added that Carollo 'doesn't like losing, and he's lost control of this commission.'

Carollo responded: 'If Mr. Gabela would have made it all the way here and he would have attacked me like he was going to, you bet your heart that I was going to defend myself.'

The near-brawl on Thursday was sparked by a vote to extend City Attorney Victoria Mendez's contract for five months following a lawsuit alleging her and her husband of real estate fraud

The decision came after Mendez and her husband, Carlos Morales (pictured), were sued in March for allegedly scheming to profit from properties belonging to poor people

Prior to the dramatic interaction between the two lawmakers, the commission voted 3-2 to extend Mendez's contract for five months instead of removing her immediately.

The decision came after Mendez and her husband, Carlos Morales, were sued in March for allegedly scheming to profit from properties belonging to poor people.

Jose Alvarez, 70, claimed the couple convinced him to sell his Havana home below market value because there were more than $270,000 fins for code violations.

But Morales later had all the violations wiped out by the code enforcement board using his political connections with city hall, the lawsuit alleges.

'The City waived $271,250.00 in fines for the property now owned by the City Attorney's husband after a one-minute explanation,' the lawsuit reads.

Mendez called the allegations 'patently false,' adding that it's 'really difficult and painful' for her and her family.

'They have tried to bully me into submission in order to not continue to do my job as the city attorney. I have never seen such an intentional scheme to thwart justice.' Mendez said in a statement last year.

Jose Alvarez, 70, claimed the couple convinced him to sell his Havana home (pictured) below market value because there were more than $270,000 fins for code violations

On Thursday, Carollo voted yes on the extended contract, saying, 'I dont think the city attorney has done anything wrong not to have extended her contract further'

An investigation by WLRN found Morales' company has been doing business with Miami-Dade Countys Guardianship Program for the past 12 years.

The Guardianship Program oversees the assets of vulnerable individuals and those with incapacities, selling them to assist in covering living expenses.

But the investigation found Morales' real estate company has gained profits from 14 sales with the program and he had six-figure code fines removed by the Miami Cod Enforcement Board.

On Thursday, Carollo voted yes on the extended contract, saying, 'I dont think the city attorney has done anything wrong not to have extended her contract further.' \

The newly elected Gabela and Damian Pardo voted against, expressing their hope for Mendez to resign immediately.
The start-up is backed by some of the richest Americans including Michael Dell, Subway heiress Elisabeth De Luca and owner of the Boston Celtics

The venture aims to lead to the discovery of new drugs that can be produced and sold quickly away from the constrictive paperwork of academia

Arena BioWorks, a $500 million biotechnology start-up, is proving a fresh headache for embattled Harvard as it lures away its top academics with seven-figure payouts.

The group's aim is to hire top scientists to develop their ideas away from the constrictive paperwork of academia, leading to the discovery of new drugs that can be produced and sold quickly.

Many breakthrough drug discoveries have happened on university campuses, and their sale has made millions for the institutions.

However, Arena BioWorks, named after the Teddy Roosevelt quote on valiant effort, wants to create a new model that would keep the profits private and financially benefit the scientists who make discoveries.

The start-up located in the Cambridge's biotech hub Kendall Square, not far from Harvard and MIT, is backed by some of the richest American families including Michael Dell of Dell Technologies, Subway heiress Elisabeth De Luca and Stephen Pagliuca, owner of the Boston Celtics.

Stuart Schreiber, (pictured), a longtime Harvard-affiliated chemical biologist quit to become Arena's lead scientist

J. Keith Joung (pictured) an academic who recently joined the start up from Massachusetts General Hospital

Arena is located in Cambridge's biotech hub Kendall Square not far from Harvard and MIT

'I'm not apologetic about being a capitalist, and that motivation from a team is not a bad thing,' said the technology magnate Dell.

The lure of huge payouts compared to the more modest incomes of academia, coupled with the loss of prestige from the recent antisemitism scandals on elite college campuses may prove a potent mix for those looking to jump ship.

J. Keith Joung, an academic who recently joined the start up from Massachusetts General Hospital, said the pay offered by his former employer was 'atrocious'.

'It used to be that it was considered a failure to go from academia to industry,' Dr. Joung, a pathologist who helped design the gene-editing tool CRISPR, told the New York Times.

'Now the model has flipped' he explained.

Another convert, Stuart Schreiber, a longtime Harvard-affiliated chemical biologist quit to become Arena's lead scientist.

Schreiber told the Times he grew tired of his more adventurous ideas rarely receiving backing.

'It got to the point where I realized the only way to get funding was to apply to study something that had already been done,' Dr. Schreiber said.

Subway heiress Elisabeth De Luca (pictured) is one of the billionaire backers of Arena BioWorks

Michael Dell of Dell Technologies (pictured) is one of the original backers of the venture

The loss of prestige from the recent antisemitism scandal at Harvard may prove part of the lure for top academics looking to jump ship

So far Schreiber has already helped attract nearly 100 researchers to the start-up.

The idea for Arena was spawned by some of its early backers at a mansion in Austin, Texas, in 2021.

Dell, Pagliuca and the early Facebook investor James W. Breyer complained to each other about the seemingly endless requests for money from collegiate fund-raisers.

Pagliuca had already donated hundreds of millions of dollars to his alma maters, Duke University and Harvard, largely earmarked for science.

He said he was left wondering what all that money had produced, save for his name on a few plaques outside various university buildings.

Over the next few months the early backers joined Boston venture capitalist and trained medical doctor, Thomas Cahill, to create a plan for an alternative model.

Cahill believed he would be able to source a range of frustrated scientists from universities as well as poach from other companies such as Pfizer in exchange for a hefty cut of the profits from any drugs they discovered.

Dr. Cahill said several scientists he hired had their university email access swiftly disabled and received stiff legal threats of retribution if they tried to recruit former colleagues.

Arena's billionaire backers will keep 30 percent of profits, with the remainder flowing to scientists and for overhead.

They have each put in $100 million and expect to double or triple their investment in later rounds.
Six Jewish students from Harvard University are suing the school, claiming it has become a 'bastion of antisemitism and hatred' with descriptions of how they have been bullied since the university's president Claudine Gay resigned.

The lawsuit, filed this week in Massachusetts, alleges that President Claudine Gay's congressional comments about campus antisemitism are just the tip of the iceberg of the school's problem.

Gay stepped down on January 2 after sparking fury and threats of a donor boycott with her remarks. By then, she had also been accused of plagiarism.

The school stood by her, refusing to accept that it had an antisemitism problem. In her resignation letter, Gay said she had been the victim of racist threats because she is a black woman.

The lawsuit, filed by student Alexander Kestenbaum (pictured) and five unnamed others from Students Against Antisemitism, describes how Gay's student supporters bullied them and other Jewish kids after her resignation.

The students say Harvard has demonstrated antisemitism for years, but that the events following the Hamas October 7 attack made it a more 'severe' issue

The lawsuit, filed by student Alexander Kestenbaum and five unnamed others from Students Against Antisemitism, describes how Gay's student supporters bullied them and other Jewish kids after her resignation.

In internal chat rooms, Jewish students were labeled 'pedo loving Zionists', according to the lawsuit.

Some pro-Palestine students said they also supported Hamas' attack and considered it a 'moment of decolonization.'

The students say the issue existed before Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, but became more 'severe' afterwards.

They are now asking for students who have threatened them to be expelled, and for anti-Israel professors to be fired.

They single out Professor Marshall Glanz who, they claim, told them they could not refer to Israel as a 'democracy' in a class project because it would 'offend other students'.

'Mobs of pro-Hamas students and faculty have marched by the hundreds through Harvards campus, shouting vile antisemitic slogans and calling for death to Jews and Israel.

Harvard President Claudine Gay resigned in January after being accused of plagiarism. It came out after her congressional testimony that was universally admonished

The students are calling for Professor Marshall Ganz to be fired. They say he stopped them from referring to Israel as a 'democracy' during a project

'Those mobs have occupied buildings, classrooms, libraries, student lounges, plazas, and study halls, often for days or weeks at a time, promoting violence against Jews and harassing and assaulting them on campus.

'Jewish students have been attacked on social media, and Harvard faculty members have promulgated antisemitism in their courses and dismissed and intimidated students who object.

'What is most striking about all of this is Harvards abject failure and refusal to lift a finger to stop and deter this outrageous antisemitic conduct and penalize the students and faculty who perpetrate it,' their attorneys said in their 79-page complaint.

The university's lawyers have not yet responded to the complaint.

Claudine Gay has been temporarily replaced by Provost Alan Garber. He was among Harvard faculty who supported Gay at the congressional hearing, and nodded as she delivered her remarks.
A black woman hired to investigate racial harassment after a 10-year-old student took her own life claims she too was discriminated against.

Joscelin Thomas was a coordinator at the Davis School District's equal opportunity office in northern Utah, reviewing complaints by students and parents.

She was part of a wave of new hires in 2022 after black student Izzy Tichenor killed herself due to relentless racist bullying from classmates - but now says she suffered racist bullying while trying to investigate the district's issues.

Other children regularly called Izzy the N-word, told her she was smelly, and teased her for being autistic, according to a lawsuit filed by the family.

The US Department of Justice in response to an investigation that found widespread racism ordered the district in a settlement agreement to create an office tasked with investigating and addressing reports of racial harassment.

Joscelin Thomas was a coordinator at the Davis School District's equal opportunity office in northern Utah, reviewing complaints by students and parents - but claims she became a victim too

But Thomas alleged in a federal lawsuit that district staff instead racially discriminated against her, filed false complaints, then pushed her out.

Her lawsuit claimed they treated her 'as if she were stupid,' accused her of having a substandard work ethic, and denied her training and mentorship opportunities that were offered to her white colleagues.

'From the beginning of her employment, Dr Thomas was treated differently than her lighter-skinned and non-black coworkers and was subject[ed] to a hostile work environment,' the complaint read.

The lawsuit names the school district, assistant superintendent Fidel Montero, HR director Suzi Jensen, and a third-party consultant, Heidi Alder, as defendants.

Thomas was among those tasked with investigating the anonymous reports, hired as a district coordinator with a team of more junior coordinators.

However, she was only given one subordinate while the other two district coordinators got two each, and was still handed a bigger workload.

She claimed they 'treated her as a subordinate, rather than a colleague' and regularly demanded she do grunt work for them.

Thomas was part of a wave of new hires in 2022 after black student Izzy Tichenor (pictured) killed herself due to relentless racist bullying from classmates

About a month into her employment, a colleague handed her a pile of garbage and ordered her to clean up the trash during what was supposed to be an opportunity for Thomas to network with other administrators, the complaint alleged.

The colleague became 'furious' when Thomas refused, the lawsuit alleged.

The lawsuit details how the same colleague interrupted a meeting with their boss to yell at her for something she didn't do.

Their boss, the director, had them attend mediation where the colleague 'acknowledged that she bossed Dr Thomas around when it was not her place to do so', the lawsuit explained.

The colleague also allegedly 'admitted to having a grudge against Dr Thomas, because she felt Dr Thomas did not have the same 'work ethic'.'

However, very little changed as a result of the medication, and Thomas' colleagues continued to 'blame her for things that were not her fault'.

Shocking racist abuse at Utah school district Thomas was hired in response to a 2021 federal investigation, which uncovered widespread racial harassment of Black and Asian American students in the district just north of Salt Lake City. Findings included hundreds of documented uses of the N-word and other derogatory epithets over a five years. The civil rights probe found that black students, who make up about 1 per cent of the district's 74,000 students, had been disciplined more harshly than their white peers for similar behavior. District officials admitted to federal investigators that years of discipline data demonstrated a trend of staff treating students of color differently than white students, but the district had done nothing to correct the disparities, federal investigators said. Several black students had also told investigators that their white peers referred to them as apes, made monkey noises at them in class and told them that their skin looked like dirt or feces. Inappropriate comments about slavery and lynching sometimes went unpunished, and black students recalled being told by their peers, 'Go pick cotton' and 'You are my slave.' Izzy's mother and sister visit her grave last year The district's racial issues came to a head just two weeks later when Isabella 'Izzy' Tichenor, a black and autistic fifth grader, died by suicide after her family said she was relentlessly bullied by her classmates at Foxboro Elementary School in North Salt Lake. The 10-year-old's parents blamed her death on what they called an inadequate response by school administrators, whom they said were aware of the bullying but did nothing to stop it. Tichenor, the only black student in her class, had kids regularly calling her the N-word, telling her she was smelly and teasing her for being autistic, according to a lawsuit filed by the family. District officials admitted last year that school staff had mistreated the girl and agreed to pay her family a $2 million settlement after initially defending how it handled the bullying allegations. They also announced a separate $200,000 settlement shared between three Black students who said they experienced daily racial harassment. The school district updated its harassment policy following the federal investigation and Tichenor's death, and it launched an anonymous online platform for any student, parent or staff member to report incidents of harassment or discrimination, the district said. Advertisement

Thomas, in her lawsuit, also alleged harassment by Alder, who was brought in as part of the agreement with the DoJ.

Alder's job was to review harassment policies and procedures, create employee training programs, monitor the district's progress, and make recommendations to help the it follow the agreement.

She was not supposed to be involved in cases, but Thomas claimed she changed the findings of an investigation she was sent for review last February.

A black child claimed a student teacher told them 'I don't call on monkeys, I call on students' when they raised their hand to answer a question, saying 'ooh, ooh, me, I know'.

Alder reversed the finding of the complaint's review, which said the student teacher violated the district's racial harassment policy, because she believed 'the black student made 'monkey-like noises'.

Later, Thomas' boss - who gave her 'consistently good feedback' - told her he received a 'letter of concern' from Alder.

The consultant accused her work of lacking 'the thoroughness needed to make reasonable conclusions' and of swearing in the office - which Thomas said was common among all the staff.

School district assistant superintendent Fidel Montero was a defendant in the lawsuit, which alleged he told Thomas she was being investigated for 'ethical, moral, or professional conduct' and her colleagues 'were feeling unsafe with her in the office',

Thomas said she scheduled a meeting a couple of months before her one-year contract ended on June 30 with Jensen to discuss the discrimination she had experienced.

Fifteen minutes before the meeting she was pulled into assistant superintendent Montero's office and placed her on administrative leave.

Montero told her she was being investigated for 'ethical, moral, or professional conduct' and her colleagues 'were feeling unsafe with her in the office', the lawsuit alleged.

He sent her a letter 10 days later claiming she made offensive remarks about her colleagues, which Thomas' lawsuit claimed 'were either entirely false or significantly misconstrued'.

Thomas tried to meet with HR director Suzi Jensen to discuss her alleged harassment

After two months on administrative leave, her contract expired and she never learned the result of the investigation.

The letter she was sent informing her that her contract would not be renewed called her 'Ms Thomas', ignoring her doctorate title.

'The district consistently refused to acknowledge Dr Thomas' academic achievements and undercut her qualifications by frequently failing to address her by her appropriate title,' the lawsuit alleged.

Thomas' attorney, Katie Panzer, said Thomas' experiences called into question whether the district made any real effort to change its culture.

'Our hope is that through our efforts to address the violation of Dr. Thomas' rights, the district will be forced to make systemic change,' she said.

'The district has an obligation to provide both students and employees a safe environment free from race discrimination. We would like to see them actually fulfill that obligation.'

The school district declined to comment on Thomas' allegations, citing the ongoing legal action.

'Davis School District administrators, teachers and staff stand firmly against any form of harassment or discrimination that affects a child's learning experience in our schools,' it said.

'Our primary duty and responsibility is to create a safe environment for every child, employee and patron.'
President Joe Biden announced on Friday that federal student loans will be wiped out for borrowers who received less than $12,000 and have been in repayment for the past decade.

Starting in February federal loan borrowers 'who took out less than $12,000 in loans and have been in repayment for 10 years will get their remaining student debt cancelled immediately,' Biden said in a statement.

The plan was originally set to begin in July but is going into effect six months earlier. applies to borrowers enrolled in the new income-driven repayment plan known as Saving on a Valuable Education plan (SAVE).

'This action will particularly help community college borrowers, low-income borrowers, and those struggling to repay their loans,' President Joe Biden said

'This action will particularly help community college borrowers, low-income borrowers, and those struggling to repay their loans,' Biden said in his statement.

'It's part of our ongoing efforts to act as quickly as possible to give more borrowers breathing room so they can get out from under the burden of student loan debt, move on with their lives and pursue their dreams.'

Biden announced the new repayment plan last year alongside a separate plan to cancel up to $20,000 in loans for millions of Americans. The Supreme Court struck down his plan for widespread forgiveness , but the repayment plan has so far escaped that level of legal scrutiny. Republicans in Congress tried unsuccessfully to block the new repayment plan through legislation and a resolution last year.

Many borrowers began repaying federal student loans in October after a pause of more than three years.

The SAVE plan offers far more generous terms than several other income-driven repayment plans that its meant to replace. Previous plans offered cancellation after 20 or 25 years of payments, while the new plan offers it in as little as 10. The new plan also lowers monthly payments for millions of borrowers.

There are 30 million people eligible for the SAVE plan, with 6.9 million currently enrolled, according to the White House.

Those who took out more than $12,000 will be eligible for cancellation but on a longer timeline. For each $1,000 borrowed beyond $12,000, it adds an additional year of payments on top of 10 years.

The maximum repayment period is capped at 20 years for those with only undergraduate loans and 25 years for those with any graduate school loans.

The Biden administration says next month's relief will particularly help Americans who attended community colleges, which generally cost less than four-year universities.

The plan aims to place community college students 'on a faster track to debt forgiveness than ever before,' Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said.

Counterintuitively, those with smaller student loan balances tend to struggle more. It's driven by millions of Americans who take out student loans but don't finish degrees, leaving them with the downside of debt without the upside of a higher income.

Republicans have railed against the new repayment plan, saying it helps wealthier Americans with college degrees at the expense of taxpayers who didn't attend college. Some say it's a backdoor attempt to make community college free, an idea that Biden campaigned on but that failed to win support in Congress.

There are 30 million people eligible for the SAVE plan, with 6.9 million currently enrolled

New loan forgiveness applies to those who took out less than $12,000 in loans and have been in repayment for 10 years

Starting next month, the Education Department says it will automatically wipe away balances for eligible borrowers enrolled in the SAVE plan. The department will email borrowers who might be eligible but have not enrolled.

Some of the plan's provisions took hold last summer - it prevents interest from snowballing as long as borrowers make monthly payments, and it makes more Americans eligible to get their monthly bill lowered to $0.

Other parts are scheduled to take effect in July, including a change to limit borrowers payments to 5% of their discretionary income, down from 10% in previous income-driven repayment plans.

The Biden administration is separately pursuing another plan for widespread cancellation.

After the Supreme Court rejected Biden's first plan, he asked the Education Department to try again under a different legal authority. The department has been working on a new proposal that would provide relief to targeted groups of borrowers.
The Federal Aviation Administration has announced it will audit Boeing and its suppliers' production line after the door of an Alaska Airlines aircraft blew off mid-air.

The agency will significantly increase oversight of Boeing, with the head of the FAA saying publicly that they believe there are 'other manufacturing problems' at the company.

It comes a day after the regulating agency announced an investigation into Boeing and said the near catastrophe should not have happened and 'cannot happen again.'

In its Thursday statement, the FAA said that it had informed Boeing it is conducting an investigation to determine if the aircraft maker failed 'to ensure completed products conformed to its approved design and were in a condition for safe operation.'

'The safety of the flying public, not speed, will determine the timeline for returning the Boeing 737-9 Max to service,' the FAA said.

The Federal Aviation Administration has announced it will audit Boeing and its suppliers' production line after the door of an Alaska Airlines aircraft blew off mid-air

It comes a day after the regulating agency announced an investigation into Boeing and said the near catastrophe should not have happened and 'cannot happen again'

The FAA added that the results of the audit 'will determine whether additional audits are necessary.'

'We will cooperate fully and transparently with the FAA and the NTSB on their investigations,' Boeing said in a statement.

The agency was previously slammed for letting Boeing conduct its own investigations after two deadly crashes involving Boeing's 737 Max 8.

It has now said it would reexamine its decision to delegate some responsibilities to Boeing and consider moving some functions under independent, third-party entities.

After last Friday's horrifying incident, the FAA grounded 171 Boeing jets installed with the same panel - most of which are operated by Alaska Airlines and United Airlines - pending safety inspections.

The Alaska Airlines aircraft, which had been in service for just eight weeks, took off from Portland, Oregon last Friday and was flying at 16,000 feet when the panel tore off the plane. Pilots returned the jet to Portland, with only minor injuries suffered by passengers.

An emergency exit used as a cabin window blew out of the Alaskan Airlines flight from Portland to California at 16,000 feet

The flight that was set out to arrive at Ontario International in California turned back around after the plug door came off on Friday night

Video game designer Sean Bates assumed the phone had been dropped by a jogger when he found by the side of a road in rural Washington State because it didn't have a scratch on it

Alaska Airlines and United Airlines both said they have found loose parts on multiple grounded aircraft during preliminary checks, raising new concerns about how Boeing's best-selling jet family is manufactured.

The two carriers have canceled hundreds of flights since Saturday with the MAX 9 planes grounded.

Earlier this week, in his first public acknowledgement of the disaster, Boing CEO Dave Calhoun admitted errors and told staff the company would ensure an accident like the mid-air Alaska Airlines panel blowout 'can never happen again.'

Calhoun said he had been 'shaken to the bone' by the accident.

The near-catastrophe comes just five years after the aircraft's 8 variant suffered two fatal crashes in 2017 and 2018 in Indonesia and Ethiopia, which killed more than 300 people.
Donald Trump criticized Joe Biden for 'dropping bombs' on the Middle East after he 'already defeated ISIS' and Lloyd Austin for 'running' the Yemen airstrikes from a 'laptop in a hospital room'.

The former president, 77, also asked why the same 'gang' who dealt with the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan are also focusing on Houthis rather than dealing with the Southern Border.

'So, let me get this straight. Were dropping bombs all over the Middle East, AGAIN (where I defeated ISIS!), and our Secretary of Defence, who just went missing for five days, is running the war from his laptop in a hospital room,' Trump posted on Truth Social on Friday.

Austin and the Pentagon are still facing criticism for not revealing that he was in intensive care or had been diagnosed with cancer to the White House or the public.

The Pentagon chief released a statement from Walted Reed Medical Center on Thursday night to warn the Houthis would face 'further costs' if they continued targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea.

'Remember, this is the same gang that surrendered in Afghanistan, where no one was held accountable or FIRED,' Trump added.

'It was the most embarrassing moment in the history of the United States. Now we have wars in Ukraine, Israel, and Yemen, but no war on our Southern Border. Oh, that makes a lot of sense. Crooked Joe Biden is the worst President in the history of the United States!'

Trump joined in the response as Democrats on Capitol Hill claimed it was 'unconstitutional' for Biden to order US fighter jets, destroyers and submarines to hit targets used by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

The US used more than 100 precision missiles striking at around 2.30am local time on over 60 targets at 16 locations in the massive operation that led to powerful explosions lighting up the night sky in Yemen.

The US used more than 100 precision missiles striking at around 2.30am local time on over 60 targets at 16 locations, according to the air force. Explosions were reported in Sana'a, Hodeidah governorate, Saada, and Dhamar, Houthi officials confirmed. It's unclear the extent of the damage or any injuries. Fighter jets, Navy destroyers, a submarine and Tomahawk cruise missiles were all used in the blitz. Sites including command and control nodes, munitions depots, launching systems, production facilities, and air defense radar systems were hit, according to officials. At least one submarine was deployed, the US would not confirm exactly which but Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Florida (SSGN-728) entered the Red Sea in November, USNI News reports. The vessel has capacity for 154 missiles. Super Hornets from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) were also deployed, along with Air Force strike fighters originating from a base in the Middle East and according to the outlet

Donald Trump criticized Joe Biden for 'dropping bombs' on the Middle East after he 'already defeated ISIS' and Lloyd Austin for 'running' the Yemen airstrikes from a 'laptop in a hospital room'.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan furiously condemned the strikes in a statement this morning, accusing the US and UK of turning the Red Sea into a 'sea of blood'. Iran and Russia also accused the West of 'illegal' and escalatory actions.

The Houthi rebels also vowed to make allies behind the attacks 'pay a heavy price' for the 'blatant aggression' they claim has killed at least five fighters.

And progressives on Capitol Hill, including members of The Squad, responded with fury, because Biden didn't seek their approval first.

'The President needs to come to Congress before launching a strike against the Houthis in Yemen and involving us in another middle east (sic) conflict,' California Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna said.

'Section 2C of the War Powers Act is clear: POTUS may only introduce the US into hostilities after Congressional authorization or in a national emergency when the U.S. is under imminent attack,' he added. 'Reporting is not a substitute. This is a retaliatory, offensive strike'.

Cori Bush, a Missouri Democrat and member of the progressive Squad, called the strikes 'illegal' and told Biden, 81, to 'stop the bombing and do better by us'.

'The people do not want more of our taxpayer dollars going to endless war and the killing of civilians,' she added.

Michigan Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib also called the operation 'unconstitutional' and said Americans are 'tired of endless war'.

She has previously accused Biden of supporting 'genocide' in Gaza with his backing of Israel's military offensive in the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack.

Oregon Rep. Val Hoyle added: 'These airstrikes have NOT been authorized by Congress.

'The Constitution is clear: Congress has the sole authority to authorize military involvement in overseas conflicts. Every president must first come to Congress and ask for military authorization, regardless of part.'

Head of the Congressional Progressive Caucus Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a Democrat from Washington, said the strikes were an 'unacceptable violation of the Constitution'.

'Article 1 requires that military action be authorized by Congress,' she added.

An Royal Air Force Typhoon aircraft takes off to join the US led coalition to conduct air strikes against military targets in Yemen. On Thursday evening, four Royal Air Force Typhoons launched from Royal Air Force Akrotiri to conduct strikes against military targets in Yemen

Democratic members of Congress Rep. Ro Khanna (left) and Rep. Cori Bush (right) were among the lawmakers tearing into Biden for launching the airstrikes without congressional approval

Michigan Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib also called the operation 'unconstitutional' and said Americans are 'tired of endless war'

Most Republicans, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, said that the strikes were long overdue and a hopeful sign the Biden administration would take a more aggressive approach to Iran and in its proxies.

The attacks come in response to months of Houthi-led bombings on ships in the Red Sea - amid the conflict between Israel and Gaza.

US officials had warned there would be 'consequences' for the Houthi's attack on non-military ships in the Red Sea.

Explosions were reported in Sana'a, Hodeidah governorate, Saada, and Dhamar, Houthi officials confirmed. It's unclear the extent of the damage or any injuries.

Super Hornets, Navy destroyers, and a submarine launched Tomahawk cruise missiles during the blitz.

Sites including command and control nodes, munitions depots, launching systems, production facilities, and air defense radar systems were hit, according to officials.

At least one submarine was deployed, the US would not confirm exactly which one but Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Florida (SSGN-728) entered the Red Sea in November, USNI News reports. The vessel has capacity for 154 missiles.

Super Hornets from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) were deployed, along with Air Force fighters originating from a base in the Middle East.

The US and UK, along with Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands, joined together for the attack.

'These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the worlds most critical commercial routes,' Biden said.

'I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.'

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also released a statement in the wake of the attacks. It was his first public comment since his health scandal saw him in the ICU of the hospital for prostate cancer treatment, without the White House knowing about his condition.

'This action is intended to disrupt and degrade the Houthis' capabilities to endanger mariners and threaten global trade in one of the world's most critical waterways. Today's coalition action sends a clear message to the Houthis that they will bear further costs if they do not end their illegal attacks,' Austin said.

US and UK military forces have 'successfully' completed targeted strikes in Yemen used by Houthi to attack ships in the Red Sea

Strikes were carried out on over 60 targets at 16 Iranian-backed Houthi militant locations, including command and control nodes, munitions depots, launching systems, production facilities, and air defense radar systems

Over 100 precision-guided munitions of various types were used in the blitz, which also included maritime support

Prior to the strike, terrorists in the region had warned of possible retaliation against US military targets if the bombing went ahead.

Shortly after the strike unverified reports of attacks on US bases in Iraq began to flood social media.

The bombardment came thirty minutes after the the U.S. military said the Houthis had had staged their 27th attack on shipping since November 19 earlier on Thursday, firing an anti-ship ballistic missile into international shipping lanes in the Gulf of Aden.

The US military strikes are the country's first on Yemen since 2016. President Biden said they had been ordered in response to 'unprecedented' attacks against maritime vessels.

'More than 50 nations have been affected in 27 attacks on international commercial shipping. Crews from more than 20 countries have been threatened or taken hostage in acts of piracy,' Biden said.

'More than 2,000 ships have been forced to divert thousands of miles to avoid the Red Seawhich can cause weeks of delays in product shipping times. And on January 9, Houthis launched their largest attack to datedirectly targeting American ships.'

He then added: 'Last week, together with 13 allies and partners, we issued an unequivocal warning that Houthi rebels would bear the consequences if their attacks did not cease. And yesterday, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution demanding the Houthis end attacks on merchant and commercial vessels.'

But he was criticized by those among his own party for failing to talk to Congress prior to ordering the attacks.

The bombardment came on Thursday night after the Houthi had blocked another shipping lane in the Gulf of Aden, the latest in a string of attacks against vessels in the area in recent months. Pictured: Houthi military helicopter flies over the Galaxy Leader cargo ship in the Red Sea in November

Super Hornets from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) were deployed for use in the strikes, according to USNI News

At least one submarine, thought to be USS Florida (SSGN-728), was used in the attack. The vessel entered the Red Sea in November though its use has not been formally confirmed

'The President needs to come to Congress before launching a strike against the Houthis in Yemen and involving us in another middle east conflict. That is Article I of the Constitution,' Rep. Ro Khanna said in a post on X.

'I will stand up for that regardless of whether a Democrat or Republican is in the White House.'

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also spoke out in the wake of the attack decribing them as 'self-defense.'

'This cannot stand. The United Kingdom will always stand up for freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade,' Sunak said.

'The Royal Navy continues to patrol the Red Sea as part of the multinational Operation Prosperity Guardian to deter further Houthi aggression, and we urge them to cease their attacks and take steps to de-escalate.'

Houthi official Abdul Qader al-Mortada condemned latest allied strikes as 'American-Zionist-British aggression' in a post on X.

Vice President of the Houthi Media Authority Nasr Aldeen Amer also vowed that the Houthi would not retreat.

'A brutal aggression against our country, for which they [the attackers] will pay absolutely and without hesitation, and we will not back down from our position in supporting the Palestinian people, whatever the cost,' he said.

The rebels say their assaults are aimed at stopping Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. But their targets are increasingly random.

The Houthis, based in Yemen, have been firing rockets, drones and missiles north towards Israel, interrupting Red Sea shipping

US Air Force recon jets were spotted tracking over Saudia Arabia on Thursday night ahead of the strikes

Armed demonstrators take part in a solidarity rally with Gaza in the rebel-held Yemeni capital Sanaa. Antony Blinken warned of 'consequences' if the rebels do not stop attacking ships in the Red Sea, and called on Iran to end their support for the rebels

The Yemeni rebels are backed by Iran. They have stepped up attacks on international shipping since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel in what they say is an act of solidarity with Palestinians.

Various shipping lines have suspended operations, instead taking the longer journey around Africa.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken previously warned of 'consequences' if the Houthi do not stop attacking ships in the Red Sea, and called on Iran to end their support for the rebels.

'We've been clear with more than 20 other countries that if this continues as it did yesterday that there will be consequences,' he said on Wednesday.

When asked if there would be consequences for Iran, he added: 'We've also repeatedly tried to make clear to Iran as other countries have as well that the support hat they are providing to the Houthis needs to stop.

'It's not in their interests to see these conflicts escalated and we're not the only one who sent that message to Iran.

'These attacks have been aided and abetted by Iran with technology equipment and intelligence and they are having a real life impact on people.'

It comes at a fraught time for the US - as Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is reeling from his prostate cancer operation. He has been in hospital for over a week.

And by Thursday, British stealth jets and combat drones were being readied for the airstrike with warships moved into the Red Sea in recent days.
The news that President Biden has launched airstrikes on Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen has divided Congress - though not along party lines.

Top Republicans, including Speaker Mike Johnson, claimed it was 'long overdue' and a number of moderate Democrats also praised the Biden administration's move.

'We must hope these operations indicate a true shift in the Biden Administration's approach to Iran and its proxies that are engaging in such evil and wreaking such havoc,' Johnson wrote on X.

However, isolationist Republicans and progressive Democrats were of a different mind.

'Biden's airstrikes in Yemen blatantly violate Article 1 of our Constitution. He can't unilaterally pull us into another war. Why does he want so many wars?,' Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., wrote on X.

'One [sic] again, President Biden acting without constitutional authority. Only Congress can authorize military action like this,' added Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.

Strikes were carried out on over 60 targets at 16 Iranian-backed Houthi militant locations, including command and control nodes, munitions depots, launching systems, production facilities, and air defense radar systems

New York Democrat Jamaal Bowman had a similar reaction: 'It is very concerning that war is expanding through this blatant violation of Article 1 of the Constitution. Unilateral presidential military action is dangerous no matter who is president.'

Biden announced the airstrikes on Thursday night against the Middle Eastern nation as missiles came from fighter jets, destroyers and a submarine.

The U.S. used more than 100 precision missiles striking at around 2.30am local time on over 60 targets at 16 locations, according to the Air Force.

People gather near burning Israeli and U.S. flags, as supporters of the Houthi movement rally to denounce air strikes launched by the U.S. and Britain on Houthi targets, in Sanaa, Yemen January 12, 2024

'We must hope these operations indicate a true shift in the Biden Administration's approach to Iran and its proxies that are engaging in such evil and wreaking such havoc,' Johnson wrote on X

The attacks come in response to months of Houthi-led bombings on ships in the Red Sea - amid the conflict between Israel and Gaza.

U.S. officials had warned there would be 'consequences' for the Houthi's attack on non-military ships in the Red Sea.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., was fighting mad about the strikes on X.

'The President must come to Congress for permission before going to war. Biden can not solely decide to bomb Yemen. And what is the condition of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin? Is he still laid up in the hospital?' she exclaimed on the social media platform.

'Biden admin wants to fund war in Ukraine, control the war in Israel, arm Taiwan and prep for war with China, and is now going to war in the Middle East???'

'I welcome the U.S. and coalition operations against the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists responsible for violently disrupting international commerce in the Red Sea and attacking American vessels,' Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said in a statement, calling the military action 'long overdue.'

'I am hopeful these operations mark an enduring shift in the Biden Administration's approach to Iran and its proxies. To restore deterrence and change Iran's calculus, Iranian leaders themselves must believe that they will pay a meaningful price unless they abandon their worldwide campaign of terror,' he added.

Rep. Michael McCaul, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said he was meeting with the joint chiefs of staff when the strikes were announced and praised the move.

"Im pleased the president, in coordination with our allies, finally took action against the Iran-backed Houthis following weeks of instability in the Red Sea. Tonight, with these strikes, we are beginning to restore deterrence. The administration must acknowledge it was a mistake to rescind the Houthis designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, and re-list them immediately," he said.

Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Va., vice chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, praised the strikes. 'It's about time  this is long overdue. I hope the Biden administration will finally shift their response strategy to Iran's acts of terror,' he wrote on X.

New Jersey Democrat Rep. Josh Gottheimer also commended the move: 'The Iranian-backed Houthis are terrorists with the sole objective of wreaking havoc, creating violence, and causing instability. Today's response is a clear message that the U.S. and our allies won't sit back while freedom is threatened.'

The U.S. and UK, along with Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands, joined together for the attack.

Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, a member of the Houthi supreme political council, speaks while holding a gun, as supporters of the Houthi movement rally to denounce air strikes launched by the U.S. and Britain on Houthi targets

A person holds a placard with a picture of Yemen's Houthi movement leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, as supporters of the Houthi movement rally to denounce air strikes launched by the U.S. and Britain

'These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the world's most critical commercial routes,' Biden said.

'I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.'

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also released a statement in the wake of the attacks. It was his first public comment since his health scandal saw him in the ICU of the hospital for prostate cancer treatment, without the White House knowing about his condition.

'This action is intended to disrupt and degrade the Houthis' capabilities to endanger mariners and threaten global trade in one of the world's most critical waterways. Today's coalition action sends a clear message to the Houthis that they will bear further costs if they do not end their illegal attacks,' Austin said.

MIKE JOHNSON

This action by U.S. and British forces is long overdue, and we must hope these operations indicate a true shift in the Biden Administration's approach to Iran and its proxies that are engaging in such evil and wreaking such havoc. They must understand there is a serious price to pay for their global acts of terror and their attacks on U.S. personnel and commercial vessels. America must always project strength, especially in these dangerous times.

BIGGS

Biden's airstrikes in Yemen blatantly violate Article 1 of our Constitution. He can't unilaterally pull us into another war. Why does he want so many wars?

ROSENDALE

Article 1, Section 8, Clause 11: 'The Congress shall have Power to declare War.' Lloyd Austin gave orders to attack another country from the hospital bed WITHOUT congressional approval! Congress must assert its rightful place as an equal branch of government.

ROB WITTMAN

It's about time  this is long overdue. I hope the Biden administration will finally shift their response strategy to Iran's acts of terror.

BOWMAN

It is very concerning that war is expanding through this blatant violation of Article 1 of the Constitution. Unilateral presidential military action is dangerous no matter who is president. It's why I've previously introduced bipartisan amendments to affirm Congress's role here.

MASSIE

The United States has been involved in hostilities in Yemen, in one form or another, for over 5 years now. The sad reality is Congress frequently refuses to assert its authority. Twice under Paul Ryan, the War Powers Act w.r.t. Yemen was subverted through parliamentary tricks.

RAND PAUL

One again, President Biden acting without constitutional authority. Only Congress can authorize military action like this.

AYANNA PRESSLEY

Unacceptable.

POTUS must get approval from Congress before authorizing military strikes in Yemen or any other country. The people do not want more endless wars.

NANCY MACE

This is where we should put party aside and stand for the oath we all took: Congress alone decides if we go to war. I join my colleagues on both sides insisting we follow the Constitution.

RO KHANNA

The President's strikes in Yemen are unconstitutional. For over a month, he consulted an international coalition to plan them, but never came to Congress to seek authorization as required by Article I of the Constitution. We need to listen to our Gulf allies, pursue de-escalation, and avoid getting into another Middle East war.

GOTTHEIMER

Following unprecedented attacks, the strikes carried out by the U.S. and our allies are necessary to protect our economy, national security, and key allies like Israel.

The Iranian-backed Houthis are terrorists with the sole objective of wreaking havoc, creating violence, and causing instability. Today's response is a clear message that the U.S. and our allies won't sit back while freedom is threatened.

MTG

The President must come to Congress for permission before going to war. Biden can not solely decide to bomb Yemen. And what is the condition of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin? Is he still laid up in the hospital? Biden admin wants to fund war in Ukraine, control the war in Israel, arm Taiwan and prep for war with China, and is now going to war in the Middle East??? All with a wide open border, millions invading, and millions of got aways?! This is insanely out of control!

TOM COTTON

https://twitter.com/SenTomCotton/status/1745637185712222319
Gun-wielding protesters today screamed 'America is the Devil' and trampled on flaming Israeli flags as tens of thousands of furious demonstrators packed the streets of Yemen and Iran after the UK and US launched airstrikes on Houthi targets.

British and American fighter jets and warships launched more than 100 precision missiles at over 60 targets in Houthi-held territory in Yemen early this morning in response to the rebels attacking merchant ships in the Red Sea for months.

But the Houthi rebels have now vowed to retaliate over the bombardment, with rebel leaders saying the UK and US must 'prepare to pay a heavy price' for their 'blatant' aggression amid fears the attacks could trigger a wider war in the Middle East.

Indeed, anger has spread across the region with hundreds of thousands of furious protesters descending onto streets in Yemen and Tehran chanting slogans calling the US 'the Devil' and burning Israeli and American flags.

Screaming Yemenis raised their guns in the air as Houthi leader Mohammen Ali al-Houthi told the crowd in the city of Sanna that the strikes were 'terrorism' and 'the United States is the Devil'.

'We did not attack the shores of America, nor did we move in the American islands, nor did we attack them. Your strikes on our country are terrorism,' said Al-Houthi as he raised his gun in the air.

'They are terrorists and they are amazing at lying to the people of the world, but the awareness of the Yemeni people is a different awareness. Do you, Yemeni, think that America is defending itself or is it a terrorist?'

It comes as Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan furiously condemned the strikes in a statement this morning, accusing the UK and US of turning the Red Sea into a 'sea of blood'.

But Downing Street rebuffed the criticism with a spokesperson for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak bit back: 'We wouldn't agree with that. This was limited and targeted strikes in response to aggression.

Supporters of the Houthi movement rally to denounce air strikes launched by the U.S. and Britain on Houthi targets, in Sanaa, Yemen, on Friday

People gather near burning Israeli and U.S. flags, as supporters of the Houthi movement rally to denounce air strikes launched by the U.S. and Britain on Houthi targets, in Sanaa, Yemen, on Friday

People gather near burning Israeli and U.S. flags, as supporters of the Houthi movement rally to denounce air strikes launched by the U.S. and Britain on Houthi targets, in Sanaa, Yemen, on Friday

A Yemeni youth holds a mockup rocket during a protest following US and British forces strikes, in the Huthi-controlled capital Sanaa on Friday

Huthi fighters brandish their weapons during a protest following US and British forces strikes, in the Huthi-controlled capital Sanaa on Friday

People stage a demonstration against the US and UK airstrike on Yemen as they gather following the Friday prayers at Imam Khomeini Mosque in Tehran, Iran, on Friday

Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, a member of the Houthi supreme political council, speaks while holding a gun, in Sanaa, Yemen, on Friday

A missile is launched from a warship during the U.S.-led coalition operation against military targets in Yemen, aimed at the Iran-backed Houthi militia overnight

An RAF Typhoon aircraft takes off to join the US led coalition to conduct air strikes against military targets in Yemen

Yemeni demonstrators brandish their weapons during a protest following US and British forces strikes, in the Huthi-controlled capital Sanaa on Friday

A person holds a placard with a picture of Yemen's Houthi movement leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi in Sanaa, Yemen, on Friday

Britain and the United States pounded several targets in rebel-held Yemen overnight over a dramatic three-hour period. This graphic shows what the US-UK coalition used to carry out the strikes, and the timeline of the mission as according to official releases

'We acted in self-defence in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter,' she concluded in a tight-lipped response.

Seeking to justify the strikes on rebel targets, Sunak this afternoon said of the Houthi attacks on Red Sea vessels: 'It's clear that type of behaviour can't carry on... it's why I made the decision with allies to take what I believe to be necessary, proportionate and targeted action against military targets to degrade and disrupt Houthi capability.'

The Prime Minister said the 'initial' indications were that the strikes had been successful and sent a 'strong message', but he warned: 'We will continue to monitor the situation,' amid expectations the Houthis could retaliate further.

NATO today sprang to the defence of its constituent members, declaring the US-led strikes were aimed at protecting shipping through the Red Sea and urged Iran to 'rein in its proxies'.

'These strikes were defensive, and designed to preserve freedom of navigation in one of the world's most vital waterways. The Houthi attacks must end,' Dylan White, a spokesman for the Western military alliance, said.

The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels vowed to respond to the attacks they claim have killed at least five fighters, with leaders saying the UK and US must 'prepare to pay a heavy price' for their 'blatant aggression'.

The group's spokesperson Mohammed al-Bukhaiti said the US and Britain had 'made a mistake launching the war in Yemen'. He added: 'Soon they will realise that the direct aggression against Yemen was the greatest folly in their history'.

Ali al-Qahoum, a high-ranking Houthi official, went further and said: 'The battle will be bigger... and beyond the imagination and expectation of the Americans and the British.'

Hussein al-Ezzi, a Houthi official in their Foreign Ministry, vowed: 'America and Britain will undoubtedly have to prepare to pay a heavy price and bear all the dire consequences of this blatant aggression'.

Britain and America launched strikes from the sea and air in response to months of disruptive attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea by the Houthis, with a coalition of nations including the UK and US forced to deploy warships to protect them.

Sunak said he believed the strikes will degrade the capability of the Iran-backed group.

Yemeni demonstrators shout slogans during a protest following US and British forces strikes, in the Huthi-controlled capital Sanaa on Friday

Huthi fighters hold Palestinian flags and brandish their weapons during a protest following US and British forces strikes, in the Huthi-controlled capital Sanaa on Friday

People burn Israeli and US flags during a protest against a multinational operation to safeguard Red Sea shipping following US and UK airstrikes on Houthis military sites, in Sana'a, Yemen, on Friday

Marco Forgione, Director General of the Institute of Export and International Trade, told MailOnline that CPI inflation could rise by up to four per cent if the conflict continues

Footage taken from an RAF Typhoon PoOD over Yemen, showing a targeted strike

An unverified image appeared to show the result and British and US airstrikes in Yemen tonight

Huge protests are seen in Yemen today

Iranians carry a Palestinian flag as they demonstrate in support of Yemen and Palestinians, following the Friday noon prayers in Tehran on Friday

Iranians demonstrate in support of Yemen and Palestinians, following the Friday noon prayers in Tehran on Friday

Houthi troopers stand guard during ceremony for fighters at the end of their training in Sanaa, Yemen

One of four RAF Typhoon aircraft returning to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus after joining the US-led coalition conducting air strikes against military targets in Yemen on Friday

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused the UK and US of turning the Red Sea into a 'sea of blood'

'We've carried out a series of strikes together with allies, which will, we believe, degrade and disrupt the capability - the types of things that we've targeted - are launch sites for missiles and for drones,' Sunak told reporters during a visit to Ukraine.

'Initial indications are that those strikes have been successful... Our aim is very clear, it's to de-escalate tensions and restore stability to the region,' he added.

Downing Street's spokeswoman said of the strikes: 'In recent months the Houthi militia has carried out a series of dangerous and destabilising attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea, threatening the UK and other international nation's ships and causing major disruption to major trade routes.

'Their actions have been reckless, risked lives and also served to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. There have been repeated warnings from the international community and we have been very clear that that could not stand and that we would stand up for freedom of navigation. We acted accordingly.'

The Houthis have been attacking shipping at the mouth of the Red Sea - one of the world's busiest trade lanes - since October. The action is in support of Hamas terrorists who are fighting Israeli forces, they say.

More than a dozen sites were bombed by Western forces overnight in raids which included submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets.

The strikes hit Al-Dailami Air Base north of Sanaa, the airport in the port city of the Hodeida, a camp east of Saada, the airport in the city of Taiz and an airport near Hajjah, according to Al-Masirah news channel.

Four of Britain's RAF Typhoons used Paveway IV guided bombs to 'conduct precision strikes' on two targets that had been chosen to 'reduce the Houthis' capability to violate international law'. They were assisted by an RAF Voyager refuelling plane.

US defence secretary Lloyd Austin said the airstrikes also targeted sites associated with the Houthi's unmanned drone, ballistic and cruise missile, coastal radar and air surveillance capabilities.

Officials said the Houthi rebels, who have carried out a series of attacks in the Red Sea to disrupt shipping, had ignored a 'final warning' as Mr Sunak signed off on the raids during an emergency cabinet meeting last night.

Iran has been involved in 'every phase' of the Houthi attacks in recent months, a US official added.

A map of Yemen including the area that is controlled by the Houthi rebels

A military aircraft takes off from the US and British naval fleet on Thursday night

Newly recruited Houthi fighters hold up a weapons and chanting slogans in a ceremony at the end of their training in Sanaa, Yemen

Russia, an ally of Iran and a partner of key Arab powers, called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Friday to discuss the attacks on the Houthis. 'We strongly condemn these irresponsible actions by the United States and its allies,' Maria Zakharova, Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman, told reporters (Putin is pictured)

The pre-dawn air strikes add to escalating fears of wider conflict in the region, where violence involving Tehran-aligned groups in Yemen as well as Lebanon, Iraq and Syria has surged since the Israel-Hamas war began in early October.

Sophia Gaston, head of foreign policy at the think tank Policy Exchange, said that Houthis could intensify their attacks on vessels in the Red Sea in response to the strikes, which could push the US and UK into 'areas that they're not going to feel very comfortable with'.

'Should the Houthis scale up their attacks and the aftermath of these strikes, I think we are going to get fairly quickly to a position where the Western powers could be pushed into areas that they're not going to feel very comfortable with.

'We are moving into a much riskier terrain because the United States and the United Kingdom certainly do not want to be in a situation where we are required to engage beyond a limited targeted strike capacity and certainly not one that may invite the participation of other regional powers.

On the risk of Tehran retaliating, Ms Gaston said she 'wouldn't imagine that Iran would be motivated to pursue an escalation directly with the United States', partly due to domestic concerns.

'A lot of this will really depend on the next steps that we seen from the Houthi militants and the choices that they make. The Houthis are supported by Iran, but they are also independent of Iran.'

She added: 'When you have a situation where you have multiple spheres of conflict concurrently, that becomes very difficult.

'And authoritarian powers are increasingly cooperating and coordinating and in alignment with one another. Even if they're pursuing different individual interests, they share a common interest in undermining Western hegemony and power and disrupting the international order... So I think this is a really dangerous moment.

'It does feel as though we are moving into an era in which the really hard choices that we have to make about our defence and security resources are moving from an abstract proposition into a very real decision that has to be made.'

Mohammed Abdul-Salam, the Houthis' chief negotiator and spokesperson, described the US and Britain as having 'committed foolishness with this treacherous aggression.'

'They were wrong if they thought that they would deter Yemen from supporting Palestine and Gaza,' he wrote online.

He said said 73 strikes had killed five of the group's fighters and wounded six others. The attacks would not go without 'punishment or retaliation' and the group will continue to target ships headed for Israel, added. .

Since the attacks began in November, however, the Houthis have begun targeting vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, imperiling shipping in a key route for global trade.

Separately, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, a member of the Houthi supreme political council, said today the strikes were 'barbaric'.

Hamas also warned today of 'repercussions' following the strikes on their allies.

'We vigorously condemn the flagrant American-British attack on Yemen. We hold them responsible for the repercussions on regional security,' Gaza rulers Hamas said on Telegram.

And an advisor to Iraq's prime minister, Fadi Al-Shammari, warned on Friday the West is expanding the conflict between Israel and Hamas and increasing tensions in the region.

Iran, which supports armed groups around the Middle East including both the Houthis and Hamas, also 'strongly condemned' the US and British attacks, describing them as 'illegal and escalatory'.

Meanwhile, Russia, an ally of Iran and a partner of key Arab powers, called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Friday to discuss the issue.

'We strongly condemn these irresponsible actions by the United States and its allies,' Maria Zakharova, Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman, told reporters.

'A large-scale military escalation in the Red Sea region could strike out the positive trends that have emerged recently in the Yemeni settlement process, as well as provoke a destabilisation of the situation throughout the Middle East.'

Russia, which has been criticised for what the West says is an illegal war in Ukraine, said the attack on Yemen took place without any mandate from the United Nations and was thus an illegal 'adventure' by the United States and its allies.

Meanwhile, Oman's Foreign Minister said the attacks went against the country's advice and 'will only add fuel to an extremely dangerous situation'.

In the wake of the widespread criticism, the British Government published a summary of its legal position over the strikes.

It states: 'Military intervention to strike carefully identified targets in order to effectively downgrade the Houthi's capabilities and deter further attacks was lawfully taken.

'It was necessary and proportionate to respond to attacks by the Houthis and this was the only feasible means available to deal with such attacks.'

It continues: 'The UK is permitted under international law to use force in such circumstances where acting in self-defence is the only feasible means to deal with an actual or imminent armed attack and where the force used is necessary and proportionate.

'The Government will notify the United Nations Security Council of the actions it has taken under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.'

An aircraft takes off to join the U.S.-led coalition to conduct air strikes against military targets in Yemen in a picture released on Friday

An RAF Typhoon aircraft takes off to join the U.S.-led coalition from RAF Akrotiri to conduct air strikes against military targets in Yemen in picture released on Friday

An aircraft takes off to join the U.S.-led coalition operation against military targets in Yemen on Thursday night

An RAF Typhoon aircraft returns to base at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, after striking targets in Yemen on Friday

Huthi fighters brandish their weapons during a march in solidarity with the Palestinian people in the Huthi-controlled capital Sanaa on January 11

Mr Sunak said in a statement: 'Despite the repeated warnings from the international community, the Houthis have continued to carry out attacks in the Red Sea, including against UK and US warships just this week.

'This cannot stand. The United Kingdom will always stand up for freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade.

'The Royal Navy continues to patrol the Red Sea as part of the multinational Operation Prosperity Guardian to deter further Houthi aggression, and we urge them to cease their attacks and take steps to de-escalate.'

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps added: 'The threat to innocent lives and global trade has become so great that this action was not only necessary, it was our duty to protect vessels & freedom of navigation.'

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said the strikes 'targeted sites associated with the Huthis' unmanned aerial vehicle, ballistic and cruise missile, and coastal radar and air surveillance capabilities'.

A joint statement by the United States, Britain, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand and South Korea said the 'aim remains to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea'.

'But let our message be clear: we will not hesitate to defend lives and protect the free flow of commerce in one of the world's most critical waterways in the face of continued threats,' it said.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Friday that Germany backs the United States-led strikes on Houthi targets in the Red Sea.

'The reaction has our political support,' Baerbock said from Kuala Lumpur after a meeting with Malaysia's Foreign Minister, Mohamad Hasan, according to the news agency dpa.

She criticized the Houthis for 'contributing to the destabilization of an already tense regional situation' with their attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea, calling on the group to 'stop these attacks immediately.'

On Friday, Armed Forces Minister James Heappey played down concerns about the danger of escalation after criticism from Russia, which requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on the strikes.

There are fears over a dramatic regional widening of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and rising tensions with Iran, which backs the Houthis and has condemned the air strikes.

Saudi Arabia has expressed 'great concern' over the situation and has called for 'restraint and avoiding escalation'.

Mr Heappey told BBC Breakfast: 'Clearly there is nervousness amongst those partners in the region that there could be some sort of escalation, but we were confident that these limited, proportionate, necessary strikes that went in last night were what was necessary to disrupt the Houthis' ability to attack our warships that are protecting shipping in the southern Red Sea.

'And clearly nobody should see this as part of anything bigger.'

The minister also said the the Government's 'legal position is sound' and that no more UK strikes are planned for the moment.

Mr Sunak, early on Friday morning, said it 'cannot stand' that the Houthis continued to carry out 'dangerous' attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea despite repeated warnings from the international community.

'The United Kingdom will always stand up for freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade.'

The Prime Minister, who is making a surprise visit to Ukraine on Friday, held a full Cabinet call the previous evening in which ministers discussed the response to disruption on the key global shipping route.

In an unusual move, the Government briefed Sir Keir Starmer and shadow defence secretary John Healey after the call.

Sir Keir on Friday expressed support for the action but called for Mr Sunak to make a statement to Parliament 'at the first opportunity'.

With the Commons having finished business for the week and the Prime Minister having no plans to recall Parliament, the Labour leader accepted any statement to MPs was not likely to come before Monday.

'I do want the Prime Minister obviously to make a statement to Parliament as soon as possible because the scope, nature and extent of the operation needs to be explained,' Sir Keir said.

He said he also wanted a summary of the Government's legal position to be published.

The Liberal Democrats demanded a vote on the matter, and the SNP said any military action should be scrutinised in the Commons.

Last night the RAF launched targeted strikes against Houthi military facilities in response to a series of attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea

The return of RAF Typhoon aircraft at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, after striking military targets in Yemen

One of four RAF Typhoon aircraft taking off from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus to join the US-led coalition conducting air strikes against military targets in Yemen last night

An RAF Voyager refuelling aircraft takes off to join the US led coalition to support air strikes against military targets in Yemen

'Parliament should not be bypassed. Rishi Sunak must announce a retrospective vote in the House of Commons on these strikes, and recall Parliament this weekend,' Lib Dem foreign affairs spokesperson Layla Moran said.

Parliament cannot be recalled without the Government asking the Commons Speaker to do so, and such requests are rare.

READ MORE: Yemen airstrikes could cause British supermarket prices to rise further, analysts fear with up to a third of cargo ships who normally use Red Sea already diverted Advertisement

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence said early indications are the strikes dealt a 'blow' to the Houthis' ability to threaten merchant shipping in the Red Sea, through which some 15% of the world's shipping passes.

In response, the Houthis said there was 'no justification' for the air strikes and warned that attacks on Israel-linked shipping would continue.

'We affirm that there is absolutely no justification for this aggression against Yemen, as there was no threat to international navigation in the Red and Arabian Seas, and the targeting was and will continue to affect Israeli ships or those heading to the ports of occupied Palestine,' Huthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam posted on X, formerly Twitter.

The Houthis have carried out a growing number of attacks on what they deem to be Israel-linked shipping in the key international trade route since the eruption of the war in Gaza sparked by Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7.

The United States and allies have deployed a naval task force to the area to protect ships, and US and British warships had shot down 21 drones and missiles on Tuesday to repel the biggest Houthi attack so far.

HMS Diamond, a 1billion Type 45 destroyer known as the jewel of the Royal Navy, shot down a series of drones fired by the rebels with a barrage of Sea Viper missiles - which travel three times the speed of sound. US fighter jets were also involved in that operation.

Dramatic pictures showed the moment the British Destroyer shot down the huge wave of missiles and drones fired by the Iranian-backed rebels.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps called Tuesday's Houthi attack 'the largest to date' and said the UK had taken action to 'protect innocent lives and the global economy'. He said none of HMS Diamond's crew had been injured.

The rebels say their assaults are aimed at stopping Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. But their targets are increasingly random, raising the risk of a US retaliatory strike on Yemen.

Personnel onboard HMS Diamond shoot down drones fired by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels on Tuesday

Personnel onboard HMS Diamond shoot down drones fired by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels on Tuesday

HMS Diamond, a 1billion Type 45 destroyer known as the jewel of the Royal Navy, shot down the targets with a barrage of sea viper missiles on Tuesday - which travel three times the speed of sound

The attacks are disrupting maritime trade through the Suez canal - a crucial route linking Europe with Asia and the Middle East - leading to delays and price rises for consumers.

The attacks on Tuesday by Houthi rebels were the last straw for Britain and the US, with the two nations launching a barrage of strikes at the Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, also backed by Iran and engaged in cross-border fire with Israel, criticised the strikes as showing America as being a 'full partner in catastrophes and massacres committed by the Zionist entity in Gaza.'

Yemen has been targeted by U.S. military action over the last four American presidencies.

A campaign of drone strikes began under President George W. Bush to target the local affiliate of al-Qaida, attacks that have continued under the Biden administration. Meanwhile, the US has launched raids and other military operations amid the ongoing war in Yemen.

That war began when the Houthis swept into the capital, Sanaa, in 2014. A Saudi-led coalition including the United Arab Emirates launched a war to back Yemen's exiled government in 2015, quickly morphing the conflict into a regional confrontation as Iran backed the Houthis with weapons and other support.

That war, however, has slowed as the Houthis maintain their grip on the territory they hold. The UAE even came under Houthi missile fire multiple times in 2022. After the Emirates left the war, Saudi Arabia reached a Chinese-mediated deal with Iran to ease tensions in hopes of finally withdrawing from the war.

However, an overall deal has yet to be reached, likely sparking Saudi Arabia's expression Friday of 'great concern' over the airstrikes.

'While the kingdom stresses the importance of preserving the security and stability of the Red Sea region, ... it calls for restraint and avoiding escalation,' its Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Iran, which has supplied weapons and aid to the Houthis, condemned the attack in a statement from Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani.

'Arbitrary attacks will have no result other than fueling insecurity and instability in the region,' he said.
New Mexico Rep. Stefani Lord has proposed a bill suggesting pedophiles should face the death penalty.

Rep. Lord says she was inspired to put forward the bill after the release of hundreds of Jeffrey Epstein documents that revealed the extent to which he abused girls on his Caribbean island, his ranch in her state and around the world.

'When I got elected, I was horrified that every time the legislature tried to pass a soft on crime bill, I would say, Well, can we exempt pedophiles and rapists? And every time the Democrats said no,' Lord told Fox News.

'I was horrified, so I went back and said, "You know what? There is no cure for pedophilia. There's no cure for these rapists.

'So we might as well do like Florida did and give them the death penalty.

Rep. Lord says she was inspired to put forward the bill after the release of hundreds of Jeffrey Epstein documents that revealed the extent to which he abused girls on his Caribbean island, his ranch in her state and around the world

Lord wants to broaden the eligibility of child sex victims from those under the age of 13 - the current age in New Mexico - to anyone under the age of 18

'There is no life. There's no option for life in prison. You rape a child that is under 18, then you get the death penalty,' she added.

Among those named in the Epstein documents was former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson.

An Epstein victim claims she was trafficked to Richardson - an allegation he strenuously denies.

Lord wants to broaden the eligibility of child sex victims from those under the age of 13 - the current age in New Mexico - to anyone under the age of 18.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed in a new law in May last year that makes capital punishment a possibility for convicted child rapists.

The first man facing the sentence is currently on trial.

The Epstein documents revealed allegations against Richardson and other prominent US politicians including former presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump.

All have denied the allegations and none have been arrested.

Ghislaine Maxwell is currently in prison serving a 20-year sentence.

Among those named in the Epstein documents was former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. He denies the claims
Most of Iowa was under a blizzard warning Friday, as the state contended with driving winds, accumulating snow, frigid temperatures  and assessments of how it will impact Monday's Iowa Caucuses.

Campaigns were already scrubbing events amid cancelled school classes, nixed commercial flights, temperatures in the low single digits and predicted weekend wind gusts of 30-40 miles per hour.

A Wind Chill Watch is in effect for the state from Saturday night through Tuesday afternoon, with predicted wind chills of 30 to 45 degrees below zero. The dangerous conditions could bring frostbite to exposed skin in just 10 minutes, KCCI reported.

The state offered safety warnings of where motorists could pull over from snowy highways to ride out a blizzard. A tractor trailer remained on its side on the shoulder of Interstate I-80 outside of Des Moines in a warning of potential hazards.

And temperatures were forecast to drop below zero on caucus night, when howling winds could make it the coldest caucus ever.

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who pulled up to second place in a new Iowa poll Thursday, scrapped her planned in-person campaign event set for Friday evening in Council Bluffs, where the temperature was just 5 degrees Friday.

Her campaign cited 'potentially dangerous weather conditions.'

Ron DeSantis braved cold temperatures and a dire forecast to meet with a conservative group in Ankeny, Iowa. Blizzard warnings cover the state and frigid temperatures are forecast for Monday

Rival Ron DeSantis, who is banking on a strong showing in Iowa, held one event Friday in Ankeny but nixed later ones. Donald Trump surrogate Kari Lake was still scheduled to hold an event for him Friday night. Trump left the state to attend his New York fraud trial Thursday, but is scheduled to rally his MAGA faithful at events Saturday and Sunday.

Ralph Reed of the Faith & Freedom Coalition is already looking at how the chilly weather will impact turnout in the state, but guessed hardy Iowans would show up even in uncomfortable conditions.

'Prior to these weather reports indicating this sort of polar vortex weather pattern that we're going to have, we had it projected in our model that somewhere between 200 to 220,000' caucusgoers, he said.

A blizzard and frigid temperatures are causing the cancellation of political events in the final days before the Iowa Caucuses

Wind chills were predicted to hit -45 degrees, as Iowans prepare to head to caucus sites on Monday

Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley scrubbed her Friday events, even as she has enjoyed a small surge in the polls

Watch out! Ron DeSantis cancelled his later events Friday. He and wife Casey DeSantis are relying on a ground operation in Iowa

Iowans are being warned they could face frostbite with as little of 10 minutes of skin exposure to the elements

DeSantis supporters brought signs to a CNN debate in Des Moines. But can he turn out his backers on caucus day?

A political yard sign for former President and current Republican candidate hopeful Donald Trump sits in the snowy shoulder along a road near Reasnor, Iowa. Trump's camp says his commited supporters will show up

Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy had scheduled multiple campaign events Friday. He campaigned in Cedar Rapids on Thursday

Iowa Department of Administrative Services plows snow on top of the Capitol parking ramp as blizzard conditions hit Des Moines, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024.

Thanks for the lift: DeSantis made it to his first event in Ankeny, but the super PAC Never Back Down cancelled later scheduled appearances

'If you ended up with high winds and it's snowing sideways, you know, maybe,' there would be an impact, he told reporters on a call Thursday.

But the veteran of caucuses going back to 1984 said Iowans take their role in the caucuses 'very seriously.'

'They play a cherished role in the selection of the president United States ... They'll meet these candidates multiple times ... I mean, if you've lived in Iowa for more than six months, there's nothing really particularly surprising about a cold snap.' He referenced a prediction that Trump supporters, who skew older, wouldn't turn out. 'I'm just not buying it,' he said.

Trump senior advisor Chris LaCivita said Trump's supporters are 'very committed' and would turn out not matter what.

'Nothing's changed,' he said Wednesday amid the dire forecast. 'The weather changes a little bit but I'm not joking when I say just wear a coat. I mean, you know, you're literally going to the caucus, you're walking, you're going. I mean, this is Iowa, they know how to handle the weather,' he said.

'We have a very committed group of voters who as the President said on numerous times, would walk over glass to vote for him. So we know the intensity favors us.'

Trailing in the polls, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy kept his political schedule Friday, wrapping his decision in the flag and taking a dig at his rivals as he has previously.

'George Washington braved the weather to cross the Delaware,' he posted on X Friday morning. 'Another snow day in Iowa, another day of events for us. First event starts in 1 hour. Well continue to every last one for as long as we can *physically* make it.'

Shovel ready: Residents of Des Moines were already digging out, but being advised not to travel

The state will be a the center of the action politically Monday as Donald Trump faces his rivals in the caucuses

Des Moines and other Iowa cities got slammed with snow, which continued to accumulate Friday

Iowans are experienced contending with snow, but wind chills will pose health hazards

It takes a village: The East Village neighborhood of Des Moines was able to keep streets passable, but people were being advised to avoid travel altogether

Then he cautioned: 'We honor the Iowa caucus process. I encourage everyone in these communities to be safe & respect their decisions today, as we continue to do our best to show up.'

Authorities were urging Iowans not to travel, and with up to a foot of snow predicted, there were warnings that gusty winds would continue to cause hazards by blowing fallen snow on Saturday.

Iowans weren't the only ones getting walloped by winter weather.

Every state in the country has been issued with a weather warning, as the Midwest prepares to be hit with up to a foot of snow.

Multiple weather hazards are impacting the country with the National Weather Service (NWS) having now issued a weather alert for every state.

Blizzard, tornado, flood, avalanche and wind alerts have all been triggered, with one wind alert stretching nearly 2,000 miles from Texas to New England.

Heavy snow is currently spreading across the Midwest, with the NWS reporting that one to two inches has been falling every hour.

Forecasters have already warned that areas of Montana, particularly Lewistown and Havre, will see temperatures plunge to -48F due to extreme wind chill.
Young Swedes are prepared to fight if needed following the country's Civil Defence minister urging people to 'prepare for war'.

Sweden has not been involved in hostilities for 210 years but Carl-Oskar Bohlin said earlier this week the population should join volunteer defence groups.

He told citizens to ask themselves 'who are you if war comes?' in a rousing speech which some have dismissed as scaremongering as the country prepares to join NATO.

Sweden has had partial conscription since 2017 for both men and women and MailOnline spoke to a group of young people in central Stockholm about the possibility of war with Vladimir Putin's Russia.

The country is expected to join NATO by the end of July and the government has pledged to meet the organisation's goal of 2 per cent GDP defence spending which is twice the usual amount.

Young Swedes are prepared to fight if needed following the country's Civil Defence minister urging people to 'prepare for war'. Pictured: A Swedish Combat Vehicle 9040A

Laura Matuzovic, (pictured) from Gnosjo, 17, told MailOnline 'if I have to protect my country then I will', despite the situation 'scaring me a bit'

Yngue Ericsson, (pictured) a 27-year-old carpenter, said: 'Of course I would be prepared to fight for my country  why wouldn't I?'

Although the majority dismissed the idea military conflict was around the corner, all said they would be prepared to fight and defend their country if needed.

Sandwich shopworker Lukas Stahl, 25, from Sormland, said: 'Personally, what the Minister said doesn't worry me greatly, I'm not easily scared, and I can't see any immediate threat.

'At the same time, I agree that we should be prepared as a country and we don't want to be caught sleeping but I'm not going to rush out and stock up on tinned food and batteries.

'I am prepared to fight for my country if needed and although I wasn't conscripted when I was younger I am ready to do my bit.

'In Sweden you can be called into service up until the age of 30 so I have five years left and I am more than willing to protect our people.

'Putin doesn't scare me and Ukraine is a different case from Sweden. I can't see Russia attacking us now as they have too many other things to worry about.'

Student Sonja Moberg, 19, from Stockholm said: 'Girls can get conscripted as well and I had my tests last year but I didn't get in, on medical reasons.

'In fairness, giving me a gun is probably not a good idea but I have lots of girl friends who were conscripted and they really enjoy it  one is a truck driver and she is having a great time.

Sonja Moberg, 19, (pictured) from Stockholm, won't be conscripted due to 'medical reasons' and added she is 'not worried that we will be attacked but I think it is a good idea to be ready'

Sandwich shopworker Lukas Stahl, 25, (pictured) from Sormland, said the Minister's warning 'doesn't worry me greatly'. He said he is 'not easily scared' and 'can't see any immediate threat'

Finnish soldiers perform war simulation exercises during the Baltic Operations NATO military drills (Baltops 22) on June 11, 2022 in the Stockholm archipelago

A soldier of the P18 Gotland Regiment of the Swedish Army camouflages an armoured vehicle during a field exercise near Visby on the Swedish island of Gotland on May 17, 2022

'I'm not worried that we will be attacked but I think it is a good idea to be ready, my father says we should be prepared and he's probably more concerned than I am.

'I can't see Russia attacking us militarily because they have another war in Ukraine on their hands, but I can see them maybe going for the infrastructure, power or the internet.'

Dino Fors, 19, who was working in a convenience store, told MailOnline: 'I'm not taking it too seriously. I really can't see a war happening but of course I am ready to fight if needed.

'I am the right age for conscription and the ideal candidate, but I haven't been selected yet, although some of my friends have.

'If I get called up then so be it, I will happily defend my country but like I say, I can't see it happening anytime soon, and anyway they have to get through Finland first.

'But I think Putin will be making a big mistake if he does attack Sweden as we have lots of powerful friends. I can't see us being the next on his list.'

Carpenter Yngue Ericsson, 27, said: 'Of course I would be prepared to fight for my country  why wouldn't I?

Swedish and Finnish tanks are seen during a military exercise called 'Cold Response 2022', gathering around 30,000 troops from NATO member countries plus Finland and Sweden, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Evenes, Norway, March 22, 2022

Swedish soldiers takes part in a military exercise called 'Cold Response 2022', gathering around 30,000 troops from NATO member countries plus Finland and Sweden, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Evenes, Norway, March 22, 2022

A member of the Swedish Army drives a tank as Swedish Army armoured vehicles and tanks participate in a military exercise called 'Cold Response 2022'

Swedish army members drive infantry fighting vehicles as part of military exercise called 'Cold Response 2022', gathering around 30,000 troops from NATO member countries plus Finland and Sweden, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Setermoen in the Arctic Circle

'It's good that we have been asked to be prepared and I think the fact we haven't had war for more than 200 years can make you feel complacent.

'You should fight if your freedom is threatened. Putin is just a bully and he deserves to be treated like one.

'If the Russians come here, we will send them back in boxes. They will not find Sweden an easy pushover.'

Student Axel Magnusson, 17, from Gnosjo, who was with friends at an Ikea outlet having lunch, also said he would be prepared to fight if needed.

He said: 'To be honest, they say this every couple of years, and they really ramped it up after Russia invaded Ukraine - but I would be willing to defend my country.

'I'm 18 next year so will have to go through the conscript tests and could be selected, so I know that I could be involved in any action.

'I really can't see anything happening though because we have strong allies who will defend us and if Russia attacked it would be making a mistake  other NATO members would help.'

Pal Laura Matuzovic, from Gnosjo, 17, said: 'I heard it and, like Axel says, we do hear this every year - and yes it scares me a little but I try to put it to the back of my mind.

Pictured left to right: Axel Magnusson, Laura Matuzovic, David Dujmovic and Benny Quan

Dino Fors, 19, (pictured) who works in a convenience store, told MailOnline: 'I'm not taking it too seriously. I really can't see a war happening but of course I am ready to fight if needed'

Student Axel Magnusson, 17, (pictured) from Gnosjo, who was with friends at an Ikea outlet having lunch, also said he would be prepared to fight if needed. He said: 'To be honest, they say this every couple of years, and they really ramped it up after Russia invaded Ukraine - but I would be willing to defend my country'

'When you turn 18 in Sweden then you are obliged to go through the military tests to see if you are conscripted and I'm ready to do that later this year. If I have to protect my country then I will.'

David Dujmovic, 17, also from Gnosjo, said: 'I think it has been hyped up a bit by the Minister and people will be panicking s a result, but I think we should be prepared.

'You just don't know what it going to happen and it's better to be ready then not ready if something awful happens.

'I can't see Russia invading Sweden, as we have lots of other countries to protect us and they would have to go through Finland first.

'Like the others here, I will be having the tests after my next birthday and if need be I will fight to protect my country. But I can't see it happening and don't see what Russia would gain from invading Sweden.'

Benny Quan, 17, was the only one to say he was afraid of Putin. He said: 'I do worry about it and all this talk about possible war scares me and my family.

'I try not to think about it but it's hard - it's always in the back of your mind - and I know next year I will have to do the military conscript tests.

'If I was chosen to fight then I suppose I would have to but I can't see my mum being very happy about it.'

The gunner on a camouflaged tracked carrier shoots his .50 machine gun during the Northern Wind exercise conducted by Swedish Army in cooperation with allied armies, in the north-eastern part of Sweden

Soldiers of the P18 Gotland Regiment of the Swedish Army camouflage their armoured vehicles during a field exercise near Visby on the Swedish island of Gotland on May 17, 2022

A soldier of the P18 Gotland Regiment of the Swedish Army walks past armoured vehicles during a field exercise near Visby on the Swedish island of Gotland on May 17, 2022

Officials say that around 28,000 youngsters will be conscripted into the Swedish military this year - more than usual as there is a shortfall in numbers.

Per Andersen Helseth, of the Swedish Duty and Examination Board, said it was the highest number sine conscription was reintroduced in 2017 and the government is also using TikTok to highlight enlisting.

Those that have completed conscription and been approved to fight could be deployed for any potential military conflict. Failing to report is punishable by up to four years in jail.

Papers for those born in 2006 will begin to be sent out in March and conscription will run until April 2025.
California's roads are set to face a funding shortfall, as revenue from gasoline taxes that fund transportation infrastructure dries up with the adoption of electric vehicles, according to a recent report.

The report from California's Legislative Analyst's Office projects the state's annual transportation revenues will plunge by $4.4 billion, or 31 percent, over the next decade as compared to current levels.

The decline includes a drop of $5 billion, or 64 percent, in gasoline excise tax collection, as well as a $710 million drop in diesel tax revenue, or a 20 percent decline.

Falling revenue from fuel taxes would be partially, but not fully, offset by a projected $1 billion increase in annual registration fees for batteryelectric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

California's roads are already among the worst in the nation, receiving a second-to-last 'D' rating from the American Society of Civil Engineers in 2022, beating out only Mississippi's D minus.

California's roads are set to face a funding shortfall, as revenue from gasoline taxes that fund transportation infrastructure dries up with the adoption of electric vehicles

Revenue from gas taxes would fall anyhow under the base case (red) but California's plans to crack down on combustion vehicles (blue) will accelerate the trend, according to a report

California's transportation funding issue is a preview of dilemma that many states will grapple with, as they encourage adoption of EVs to reduce carbon emissions and fight climate change.

Thanks to generous tax incentives for owners, California leads the nation in adoption of EVs, with 25 percent EV market share, according to data from the Alliance for Automotive Innovation.

In 2022, California regulators approved a measure backed by Governor Gavin Newsom that would effectively ban the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035.

The recent report said that measures such as that will accelerate the shortfall in transportation revenues.

'While we estimate total revenues would decline even under a baseline forecast due to ongoing increases in fuel efficiency and greater interest in [zero-emission vehicles], the state's recently adopted and planned policies will expedite these underlying trends significantly,' the report warns.

California has the highest gasoline excise tax in the nation, at 57.9 cents per gallon, on top of a 2.25 percent sales tax on fuel.

California's long-term gas tax dilemma comes as the state faces pressing budget shortfalls.

Revenue from fuel taxes and vehicle fees funds about a third of state spending on transportation, according to policy news site CalMatters.

'As the state tries to meet its ambitious climate goals through the adoption of zero emission vehicles, and greater fuel efficiency within conventional vehicles, the report finds that we'll see a decline in fuel tax revenues,' Frank Jimenez, a senior fiscal and policy analyst with the Legislative Analyst's Office, told the outlet.

California's long-term gas tax dilemma comes as the state faces pressing budget shortfalls.

Governor Newsom on Wednesday projected a nearly $38 billion deficit for the 2024-25 budget year.

That's down from the $68 billion that the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office predicted last month.

However, the shortfall is deep enough that it could delay a minimum wage increase for more than 400,000 health care workers and force spending cuts across various housing and climate programs.
A pilot safely landed a passenger plane after it was hit by a birrd, causing its wing and engine to bursts into flames.

T'way Air flight 216 was about to land at Incheon International Airport in South Korea on Wednesday night when fire began shooting from the starboard engine.

Horrifying video shot by a passenger shows how huge spouts of flames poured from the engine as the pilot struggled to control the Boeing 737-800 plane.

Footage captured from the ground showed flames shooting down the fuselage almost down to the plane's tail. The blaze was still raging when the plane made an emergency landing.

The budget airline plans to conduct a thorough inspection of the plane, which had been flying from Narita International Airport in Tokyo, Japan.

A Boeing 737-800 plane operated by T'way Air was about to land at Incheon International Airport in South Korea when flames began shooting from the starboard engine

Horrifying video shot by a passenger shows how huge spouts of flames poured from the engine as the pilot struggled to control the plane

The T'way Air flight was touching down at Incheon Airport around 9.28pm when a bird was sucked into one of its engines.

The pilot temporarily aborted the descent, before safely landing the plane about 13 minutes later, The Korea Herald reported.

Passengers later said that the fiercely burning engine could be smelt inside the plane. Other images show a gap where a panel had apparently been ripped off the wing and damage to the cockpit windscreen.

Officials said that no fire actually broke out and no injuries were reported by the 122 passengers onboard the aircraft.

Data collected by the Korea Airports Corporation and the International Airport reportedly revealed that there were 500 bird strikes in South Korea between 2019 and October 2023.

In six of the incidents, the plane involved had to return to the airport it had departed from.

Footage captured from the ground showed flames shooting down the fuselage almost down to the plane's tail. The blaze was still raging when the plane made an emergency landing

Passengers later said that the fiercely burning engine could be smelt inside the plane. Astonishingly the plane landed safely with nobody injured after a 13 minute descent

The bird strike comes amid news that Korean Air is expected to win EU antitrust approval to buy Asiana Airlines after the companies pledged to sell the latter's cargo unit and divest routes to four European cities.

Korean Air, South Korea's biggest carrier, in late 2020 said it planned to spend 1.8 trillion won (approx. 1.07billion) to become the top shareholder of indebted Asiana.

It submitted the remedy offer in November last year, with the proposed cargo business sale a significant departure from the usual airline remedies of airport slots and access to frequent flyer programmes.

T'way Air is expected to acquire Asiana's cargo business after EU competition officials made it clear that they would prefer an Asian, preferably a Korean rival, to be the buyer, sources familiar with the matter have said.

Insiders also revealed that the passenger routes to be divested are those to Barcelona, Frankfurt, Paris and Rome.

Korean Air is expected to win EU antitrust approval to buy Asiana Airlines. Budget carrier T'way Air (stock photo) is expected to acquire Asiana's cargo business

Korean Air said that after comprehensive discussions it had submitted remedies that can address the European Commission's concerns.

'We will continue our efforts to secure the approval from the EC and the remaining regulatory bodies,' it added. The Commission declined to comment.

The deal also needs approval from the United States and Japan. The UK competition watchdog cleared the deal last year after the carriers agreed to help Virgin Atlantic Airways develop air passenger and air cargo services on the London-Seoul route.
Rishi Sunak vowed Ukraine will 'never be alone' today as he visited Kyiv and committed 2.5billion of military support in the coming year.

The PM was honoured with the Order of Freedom by Volodomyr Zelensky at a press conference after the leaders signed a new security agreement.

The surprise trip came just hours after Mr Sunak and the Cabinet signed off strikes on Houthi forces in Yemen that have been attacking the key Red Sea shipping route.

Mr Zelensky presented Mr Sunak with the award to recognise his 'personal' contribution to the country's struggle against Russian aggression.

Thanking him for the honour, the premier said: 'Ukraine will never be alone...

'We stand with you today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes.'

The pact lays out plans for cooperation on intelligence, cyber security, medical and military training, and military equipment.

It also commits the UK to consult with Ukraine in the event it is ever attacked by Russia again, and to provide 'swift and sustained' support.

The PM was honoured with the Order of Freedom by Volodomyr Zelensky at a press conference after the leaders signed a new security agreement

Mr Zelensky presented Mr Sunak with the award to recognise his 'personal' contribution to the country's struggle against Russian aggression

Rishi Sunak met firefighters in Kyiv this morning as he made his surprise visit

Mr Sunak was pictured walking around Kyiv after taking the train overnight

The PM vowed to back Ukraine for 'as long as it takes' today as he visited Kyiv and committed 2.5billion of military support in the coming year

Rishi Sunak on the train travelling to Ukraine this morning after signing off the strikes on Yemen overnight

The Ukrainian President said through a translator: 'Dear Prime Minister, thank you for your personal leadership.'

He said the UK leading the way in entering into a security agreement with Kyiv 'lays the groundwork for our further work with our other partners'.

Mr Sunak said 'our opponents around the world believe that we have neither the patience nor the resources for long wars'.

He said: 'Ukraine is not alone, and Ukraine will never be alone. Putin might think that he can outlast us but he is wrong. We stand with you today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes.

'Because this war is about Ukraine's right to defend itself and to determine your own future and the Ukrainian people's historic choice to be an independent democracy at the heart of Europe.

'Your quest for freedom has inspired and moved the British people and for the free nations of the world, aid to Ukraine is also an investment in our own collective security.

'Because if Putin wins in Ukraine, he will not stop there, and our opponents around the world believe that we have neither the patience nor resources for long wars. So waver now and we emboldened not just Putin, but his allies in North Korea, Iran and elsewhere.

'That's why the United Kingdom and the free world will continue to stand with Ukraine, as we have since the very beginning of this war.'
A gun-obsessed Lidl worker who plotted Dunblane-style massacre at his old primary school has been jailed for life.

'Model' Lidl employee Reed Wischhusen, 32, was arrested by police after charging at them with a pistol at his home in the sleepy Somerset village of Wick St Lawrence in November 2022.

A search of his house revealed an 'armoury' of firearms, explosives and thousands of rounds of ammunition in his shed - as well as a chilling document on his computer setting out his 'revenge' plan.

Driven by a 'macabre interest' in killers such as Raoul Moat and Thomas Hamilton - who shot dead 16 pupils and a teacher at a school in Dunblane, Scotland, in 1996 - Wischhusen intended to visit carnage on several locations across the West Country.

He has been jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 12 years' imprisonment by a judge at Bristol Crown Court after being convicted of a string of weapons, ammunition and explosives charges.

'Model' Lidl employee Reed Wischhusen, 32, (pictured) was arrested by police after charging at them with a pistol at his home in the sleepy Somerset village of Wick St Lawrence in November 2022

A search of his house revealed an 'armoury' of firearms, explosives and thousands of rounds of ammunition in his shed - as well as a chilling document on his computer setting out his 'revenge' plan

His 'hitman-style attack' included a kill list of a dozen people, including primary school bullies, teachers he disliked and police staff who had denied him a firearms licence.

Such was the depth of his grudge, some of the targets on his list could barely remember Wischhusen from school when they were later contacted by police, it can now be revealed.

The gun nut's plot involved shooting several targets, disguised in a wig and make-up, before murdering teachers and throwing bombs at his old primary school in Weston-super-Mare and then attacking Avon and Somerset Police headquarters in Bristol.

'Revenge on my mind, it's a powerful motivator,' Wischhusen's document began.

But, on November 28 last year, five officers visited Wischhusen's home after receiving a chance tip-off about him converting blank firearms into lethal weapons.

The warehouse worker excused himself to go to the toilet, moments later sending the officers into panic when they heard the sound of a gun being cocked and fired.

Wischhusen had unsuccessfully tried to kill himself with a shot to the head only to emerge wielding his pistol and begin running down the stairs at two armed officers, who shot and apprehended him. The officers said they had feared for their life.

In victim impact statements read to the court, the officers who were confronted by Wischhusen spoke of how traumatic the incident had been for them.

'I struggle to get past the point of having shot someone,' one said.

'I have since been told that a trauma consultant where the male was treated said that the first aid care we gave, as well as a blood transfusion saved his life.'

Wischhusen smiled eerily at investigators during a police interview, while refusing to comment over his abhorrent plans

Reed Wischhusen, 32, (dressed in a police costume) has been has been jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 12 years' imprisonment after plotting a Dunblane-style massacre against school bullies and police with an arsenal of DIY firearms built in his shed

A colleague said: 'This whole incident feels like it has scared me and left me distressed.'

Another said they have recurring nightmares and fear they are going to be shot every time they go into a house.

'The overriding experience from this is how valuable your life is and how soon it can be over,' they said.

'This incident makes you realise how fragile life can be. It is something that will never leave me.'

The wannabe killer survived his injuries after four months in hospital and, In October 2023, was found guilty of a string of weapons offences by a jury at Bristol Crown Court.

Following a trial he was convicted of charges including possessing explosive substances with intent to endanger life, possessing a pistol with intent to endanger life and possessing ammunition with intent to endanger life.

In mitigation Adam Vaitilingam KC, defending, told the court Wischhusen was of previously good character and 'some ability'.

'It was a spur of the moment to take the gun and shoot himself and after that have it used so the officers would shoot him,' he said.

'He is a man of good character and a man of some ability and it is shame he was not able to put it into a more creative field having had rejections from jobs he applied for, including the Army.'

Passing sentence, Judge Picton said said Wischhusen was obsessed with firearms and explosives and only a life sentence was appropriate.

Pictured: The 'Revenge' document that was seized by police and read out in Bristol Crown Court

The pistol which Reed Wischhusen confronted police with at his home in Wick St Lawrence

'Your obsessions in this regard are long standing,' he said.

'I have do doubt that what you committed to writing in your journals - the evidence about which featured heavily in the trial - represented your true thoughts rather than being fantasy as you set out to persuade the jury.'

During his evidence, Wischhusen had tried to portray himself as a fantasist who was only interested in guns as a hobby and had no intention of trying to use them. He claimed he had run at police with the firearm so they would shoot him dead.

One of his viable guns was an antique bolt-action rifle from the 19th Century, while the pistol he tried to turn on himself was a blank-firing gun he had successfully converted in his dilapidated outhouse, using DIY guides from the internet.

He bizarrely claimed during evidence that he was 'going to make some mind-control substance and launch it at the police' using a rocket launcher, but abandoned the plan.

But prosecutors argued that the 'revenge' document had outlined his murderous intentions - and said he was 'building' the weaponry needed to turn it into a reality.

In it, he wrote that the first phase would be a 'hitman-style attack' where he would use a range of disguises to give him a 'more Arab look'.

He said he begin by using a 'converted pistol with a silencer' for the ten named victims.

He then outlined different scenarios for the next phase of his attack.

One included a 'diversion stage' where he would 'get back at the school, walk in and shoot a few teachers dead, and throw a pipe bomb or two to stir things up.'

Reed Wischhusen (right) appearing at Bristol Crown Court during one of the hearings of his trial

Pictured: Officers at Wischhusen's Somerset home on November 29 last year

Another scenario he wrote would involve triggering the fire alarm at Avon and Somerset Police HQ and 'plant pressure-cooker bombs at the fire assembly point and detonate them, then open fire at staff with submachine guns etc'.

He said he would then access the building with a stolen ID before setting up a gas explosion and then committing suicide with the shotgun.

He wrote: 'Hopefully the gas explosion would destroy a good chunk of the building just like the Oklahoma bombing in 1995 but a very mini version.'

Another scenario he wrote about was to 'ambush and kill (police) staff sitting outside' before going 'room to room shooting at office staff'.

He said he would then open fire out the windows and throw pipe bombs while 'remotely detonating the pressure-cooker bombs planted around the building' before taking his own life.

He wrote: 'This sounds the best one - a Columbine-style attack.'

He also documented the huge arsenal of weapons - including homemade guns and explosives and other equipment - he would use in the attacks.

In the document, he also wrote: 'Yes, revenge is on my mind it's a powerful motivator, be nice to get back at the people who caused me stress and worry over the years it's been eating away at my brain like cancer.'

The trial heard that alongside his firearms he also stored vast quantities of chemicals that could be used to create 'IEDs', a court heard.

Adam Vaitilingam KC, defending, tried to present Wischhusen's murderous plot as the 'fantasies of a man who, frankly, did not have much else going on'.

Yet jurors also heard that Wischhusen had been taking the homemade pistol to work in his jacket pocket for months, fully loaded.

Troublingly, he had even managed to get hold of an Avon and Somerset Police badge and took a picture of himself wearing a police uniform and posing with a gun.

Jonathan Rees KC, prosecuting, said Wischhusen 'fantasised about having his own gun for a long time and he made that fantasy a reality'.

'He fantasised about having a working sub-machine gun capable of lethal force for a long time - and he made that a reality,' he continued.

'He fantasised about having a working automatic handgun and he made that a reality - capable of lethal force and with live ammunition to go with it.

'Reed Wischhusen's fantasises are so inherently dangerous. Indulging in them itself was dangerous and put other people's lives in danger.'
Queen Elizabeth's last moments were recorded by her most senior member of staff in an extraordinary - and deeply moving - memo which can be revealed by the Daily Mail for the first time today.

Sir Edward Young, her devoted private secretary, who was at Balmoral when Her Late Majesty died on September 8 2022, noted: 'Very peaceful. In her sleep. Slipped away. Old age. She wouldn't have been aware of anything. No pain.'

The existence of the historic document, now lodged in the Royal Archives, has not been made public until now.

It forms part of a remarkable insider account of the late monarch's bravery, diligence and devotion to duty in her last hours contained in a fascinating new biography of the King, 'Charles III: New King, New Court. The Inside Story' by the Mail's esteemed royal writer Robert Hardman.

Queen Elizabeth's last moments were recorded by her most senior member of staff in an extraordinary - and deeply moving - memo which can be revealed by the Daily Mail for the first time today

Charles, who had gone out to gather mushrooms and clear his head after seeing his mother, received the news that she had died as he was driving back to Balmoral when his most senior aide took a call. Above: King Charles, then the Prince of Wales, boards a helicopter from Dumfries House to Balmoral on the morning of September 8, 2022

The book is being exclusively serialised over four days from tomorrow.

The biography also reveals how, shortly after Sir Edward wrote his note, a footman brought a locked red box of paperwork found at the late Queen's deathbed.

When it was opened, staff discovered two sealed letters: one to her son and heir, now King Charles III, and the other to Sir Edward himself.

While their contents are unlikely ever to be made public, the existence of the letters shows that Elizabeth, 96, quietly recognised her time on this earth was at an end.

The box also contained her final piece of paperwork and last royal order: her choice of candidates for the prestigious Order of Merit for 'exceptionally meritorious service' across the Commonwealth.

'Even on her deathbed, there had been work to do. And she had done it,' Hardman writes of her unparalleled devotion to duty.

Other astonishing revelations in today's extract reveal:

Prince William drives Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and Sophie, now Duchess of Edinburgh, into Balmoral on the day of the Queen's death

Prince Harry is seen on his way to Balmoral on the day of the Queen's death

Catherine, now Princess of Wales, leaves Windsor Castle on the day of the Queen's death. She did not travel to Balmoral

Despite fears for her health the late Queen's death was so sudden that Charles had to undertake a last-minute dash to Balmoral by helicopter, reading his 'London Bridge' notes [the long-arranged plan of action following her death] on the way. Staff didn't even have time to get his car ready to greet him.

The King and Queen Camilla spent an hour with Her Late Majesty privately before she died.

Princes Anne and the Queen's senior dresser and confidante, Angela Kelly, alternated at her bedside, along with the Rev Kenneth MacKenzie, a long-serving minister at nearby Crathie Kirk, who read to her from the Bible.

Charles called both of his sons personally, urging them to travel up to Scotland as soon as possible in order to say their goodbyes. At that point he believed the Queen still had days, not hours, to live

Charles, who had gone out to gather mushrooms and clear his head after seeing his mother, received the news that she had died as he was driving back to Balmoral when his most senior aide took a call. Charles pulled over and was addressed for the first time as 'Your Majesty' before calmly putting the car into gear and driving on.

When Charles called William via the palace switchboard to break the news to him he was forced to tell the operator simply 'it's me' as he suddenly realised he couldn't reveal that he was king, yet.

The King did try to repeatedly call his younger son to break the news to him personally, but Harry was already in the air and he could not get through.

Prince William gets off the plane in Aberdeen as members of the Royal Family gather at Balmoral on the day she died in September 2022

Sir Edward Young, her devoted private secretary, who was at Balmoral when Her Late Majesty died on September 8 2022, noted: 'Very peaceful. In her sleep. Slipped away. Old age. She wouldn't have been aware of anything. No pain'

Charles III: New King, New Court. The Inside Story is by the Mail's esteemed royal writer Robert Hardman

Charles III by Robert Hardman charts the dramatic story of transition at the very top, looking at at the challenges that have faced the new king in his first year on the throne including family dramas, political crises and questions about the future of the monarchy.

The book boasts unrivalled access to the Royal Family, their close friends, staff past and present, top politicians and previously unseen papers in the Royal Archives.

It also describes the vital role played by Queen Camilla, the King's relationships with Prince William and Prince Harry, his plans for reforming the monarchy and his evolving position on the world stage.
As he reached into his pocket to put on a mask once more to go into the Quironsalud Hospital Marbella, Javi Romero said he felt like he was a pawn in a political game.

Spain's left-wing minority coalition government brought back compulsory masks in hospitals and health centres on Wednesday to combat a flu epidemic and rising Covid-19 cases but the move has divided opinion.

'This is all about politics for me. The politicians tell us we must wear face masks and then they can just wash their hands when the rate of infections goes up and say, "We've done our job",' Mr Romero told Mailonline.

'I don't think the face masks do the job we're told they do. I didn't support the use of face masks when we had the Covid lockdown so I certainly don't agree with their reintroduction now, even if it is in just hospitals and health centres.'

For some, the compulsory return of face covering was an unwelcome reminder of the strict lockdown imposed by the Spanish government during the coronavirus pandemic which forced families to stay indoors for weeks.

Spain 's left-wing minority coalition government brought back compulsory masks in hospitals and health centres on Wednesday to combat a flu epidemic and rising Covid cases but the move has divided opinion. Pictured: Women wearing masks leave a health centre in Spain

FLASHBACK 2020: Medical workers wearing protective suits attend to COVID-19 coronavirus patients at the Intensive Unit Care of the Vall d'Hebron Hospital in Barcelona on April 6, 2020

Graph shows spike in hospital cases involving respiratory cases

However, others welcomed the move after flu and Covid cases had left hospitals and doctors' surgeries unable to cope with a rise in patients.

Grim television reports during Christmas showed patients queuing up to be treated in hospitals across the country.

The mandatory return of masks in hospitals and health centres, which was announced on Wednesday for a two-week period, has sparked a political row and split experts.

Some experts insisted it was an unneeded measure brought in by the new left-wing government which seemed like the work of a nanny state.

Two opinion polls found more people were against the decision to make masks obligatory than supported the measure.

Regional governments in Madrid and the Basque Country have opposed the move.

Spain's health minister Monica Garcia said it was a 'common-sense' measure while cases of flu and Covid were stubbornly high and with the return to school of millions of children on Monday.

'We are talking about putting on a mask when you enter a health centre and taking it off when you leave,' Health Minister Monica Garcia told Cadena Ser radio. 'I don't think it is any drama. It is a basic and simple measure of the first order.'

Covid cases were still rising in Spain, but the flu epidemic had reached its peak, the Spanish health ministry said on Thursday.

Covid cases rose by six per cent, to 98.8 cases per 100,000 in the first week of January, health ministry data showed. Hospitalisations for all respiratory viruses, particularly among the elderly, rose 9.1%, to 33.5 cases per 100,000.

Javi Romero: 'This is all about politics for me. The politicians tell us we must wear face masks and then they can just wash their hands when the rate of infections goes up'

Antonio Gomez: 'I don't think face masks work. I think it's fear that's driving this and probably the fact that someone's interested in face masks being sold again'

Nicolas Zagarra: 'I agree with face masks being reintroduced in hospitals. It's a place where there's a lot of contamination, not just flu and Covid but other viruses as well. The masks are uncomfortable, but I know people who have died of Covid and for me they can be the difference between someone living and dying if they're vulnerable and catch it'

Sophia Hardacre: 'I only found out today think it's a good thing they've been reintroduced. 'There's lots of viruses around now and I think making people wear them in places like hospitals means they're safer places. Wearing one doesn't bother me in the slightest'

Jenna Callaghan: 'I think it's good that face masks have been reintroduced in hospitals, especially because of the older people here'

The number of flu cases was 387 per 100,000 inhabitants in the first week of January, a fall of 10 per cent, according to health ministry figures.

Overall, the number of respiratory viruses was 935 per 100,000, a fall from 966 the week before.

Back at the Quironsalud Marbella Hospital, Spaniard Antonio Gomez, 36, from nearby Fuengirola, resented having to put a mask back on.

Mr Gomez, who had been visiting his partner in hospital, said: 'For me having to wear face masks again is stupidity.

'The government has said it's because respiratory illnesses like flu are going up but the flu rates always go up in winter so there's nothing new in that.

'I've spoken to doctors at the hospital today who also think it's stupid.

'I don't think face masks work. I think it's fear that's driving this and probably the fact that someone's interested in face masks being sold again.'

For Ugandan Oscar Kakemba, 33, it was an unwelcome reminder of what he had been through during lockdown.

'I'm not sure if you can print this but I think having to wear face masks anywhere is b***ocks,' he said as he left hospital with his Serbian wife Rebeca, 26.

'We only found out today and I was shocked.

'We went through Covid for three years, we were told we had to have vaccines to travel and now we're travelling again with no vaccines.

'I don't think masks are going to change anything. It's really annoying. All this makes me fear we're going to get told next there'll be another lockdown.'

Many patients at the hospital were British or Irish expats who were living in Spain.

Bea Talegon (pictured), 40, a journalist and political analyst, told Mailonline: 'Masks have not been shown to be efficient in containing the spread of respiratory viruses like Covid-19 and flu. 'I think that imposing a measure which does not have scientific support is a show of totalitarianism which happened during the pandemic'

Aitor Guisasola, 53, a lawyer from the Basque Country, said the way the government made mask wearing obligatory without passing a law showed lack of respect for the rule of law

Jenna Callaghan, 42, who comes from Ireland's second largest city of Cork but has been living in Spain for 19 years, said: 'I think it's good that face masks have been reintroduced in hospitals, especially because of the older people here.

'My mum had a fall during the night and I came here in the ambulance with her,' she told Mailonline. 'I've seen a lot of people coughing and spluttering since I've been here so I'm glad to see they're having to cover up.

'To be honest I'd agree with them having to be used in other small, confined areas where there's lots of people, public transport for one. But I wouldn't be in favour of them being used in schools with children having to put them on.'

Argentinian Nicolas Zagarra, 24, who has lived in Spain for four years and had accompanied his mum to hospital, said: 'I agree with face masks being reintroduced in hospitals. It's a place where there's a lot of contamination, not just flu and Covid but other viruses as well.

'The masks are uncomfortable, but I know people who have died of Covid and for me they can be the difference between someone living and dying if they're vulnerable and catch it.'

Younger people appeared to support compulsory mask wearing.

Angel Delgado, 21, a student of mechanical engineering from Galapagar, a town outside Madrid, disagreed, saying: 'I think making masks compulsory in hospitals or health centres is useful to stop the risk of infections in places like that.

'If they had made it compulsory in the street, I think that would have been too much because there is enough distance between people.'

Teenager Sophia Hardacre, born in Spain to an English mum and Spanish dad, said: 'I only found out today think it's a good thing they've been reintroduced.

'There's lots of viruses around now and I think making people wear them in places like hospitals means they're safer places.

'Wearing one doesn't bother me in the slightest. I don't find them uncomfortable.'

A woman wearing a face mask leaves a health center in Vigo, northwestern Spain, January 10

People wearing face masks as a precaution wait for a doctor appointment inside a hospital in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, January 8, 2024

Experts were split on whether masks were a good way to stop the spread of flu or Covid.

Rafael Toledo, an immunologist and professor at the University of Valencia, said individuals should take responsibility for protecting themselves.

'The mandatory nature of the mask does not seem correct to me. It seems to me that it is an individual protection measure and I think that we must leave a little space for individual responsibility and not try to collectivise individual measures,' he told El Confidencial, an online news site.

However, the Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine (SemFYC) backed the government's decision to make masks mandatory.

'In health centres throughout the country the use of masks should be mandatory again during the flu epidemic period,' said Jose Maria Molero, spokesman for the society's infectious diseases working group.

Regional authorities have considerable responsibility for health in Spain's devolved political system.

Some condemned the way the government had imposed the measure as 'totalitarian' after Spain's minority coalition government imposed the measure despite opposition from most of Spain's 17 autonomous regions.

The Basque Country in northwestern Spain and Madrid opposed the government's decision to order masks must be worn, contending it would not stop the spread of respiratory viruses which had already overrun health centres and hospitals.

Bea Talegon, 40, a journalist and political analyst, told Mailonline: 'Masks have not been shown to be efficient in containing the spread of respiratory viruses like Covid-19 and flu.

'I think that imposing a measure which does not have scientific support is a show of totalitarianism which happened during the pandemic.'

Aitor Guisasola, 53, a lawyer from the Basque Country, said the way the government made mask wearing obligatory without passing a law showed lack of respect for the rule of law.

'The government has not respected the rule of law but simply imposed this measure. They should have passed a law to do this. It is what had to happen during the pandemic,' he told Mailonline.

Women wearing face mask arrive at a health center in Vigo, northwestern Spain, on January 10, 2024

People wearing protective face masks leave a health center in Madrid, Spain, January 10, 2024

La Region, a regional newspaper in northern Spain, found 78% were against the measure, while 22% supported wearing masks in a survey published on Tuesday.

Diario Sur, a newspaper which covers the Costa del Sol, ran a survey on Monday which found that 55% were against the imposition of masks in hospitals and doctors' surgeries while 37% supported the measure.

Six regions have already introduced the measure and masks have been commonly used on streets and public transport and in health centres.

Among them is the Canary Islands, which sees hundreds of thousands of British holidaymakers visit every year.
Britain's deep freeze will intensify next week as four inches of snow falls in just a few hours and temperatures fall to -9C (16F) amid fears over major travel disruption.

Three separate periods of snow are predicted to fall - and the UK Health Security Agency has extended its cold health alert for all of England until next Thursday.

The first of the snow is due to arrive on Sunday, with up to 4in (10cm) affecting the North East and the North York Moors, as well as Scotland and Northern Ireland.

A second bout of snow will then move across northern England on Monday into Tuesday, falling as far south as the Peak District with accumulations of 1in (2.5cm).

Further snow is expected to follow in southern areas on Tuesday into Wednesday, moving eastwards from the South West with depths of up to 5cm (2in) expected.

After the snow, the Met Office forecasts milder and more unsettled conditions later next week - but cold air is poised to return again towards the end of the month.

People go for a walk on Wimbledon Common in South West London on another chilly day today

Flooding continues to hit Cookham Moor in Berkshire today after the Thames burst its banks

Thick frost in Glen Nevis near Fort William in Scotland yesterday as temperatures dropped

Met Office spokesman Dan Stroud said: 'There's potential for a significant area of snow to move eastwards across southern areas overnight on Tuesday into Wednesday.'

Carry extra items in case of breakdown, RAC tells motorists Motorists have been urged to carry extra items in case of breakdown, and ensure their vehicles are fit for the conditions when snow falls next week. RAC Breakdown spokesperson Simon Williams said: 'With an increasing risk of snow and ice at the start of next week we urge drivers to make sure they travel fully prepared. Having a few essential items in the boot - no matter what distance you're going - can make a massive difference in a breakdown situation in freezing conditions. 'A warm, waterproof coat, sturdy footwear and gloves, along with a blanket and a power bank to keep your phone charged are vital.' 'While no one sets out to breakdown or get stuck in very cold, potentially snowy conditions, there are far too many instances where drivers have underestimated the severity of the conditions and found themselves in danger. It's far better to prepare for the worse and hope for the best.' Amy Fellows, national network manager at National Highways added: 'Freezing conditions bring so many hazards such as snow and ice, so take every possible step to understand your journey in advance and allow lots of extra time when travelling to prepare for the unexpected.' She urged motorists to keep 'TRIP' in mind ahead of journeys  'Top-up: oil, water, screen wash; Rest: rest every two hours; Inspect: Inspect tyres and lights; and Prepare: check your route and the weather forecast'. Advertisement

He added that the very cold air arriving from Sunday is also due to bring severe frosts. Temperatures could fall to -5C (23F) in Wales and -4C (25F) in rural England.

Lows in Scotland could come close to those recorded earlier this week, when -11.1C (12.02F) was recorded at Aviemore early on Tuesday morning, the UK's coldest temperature of 2024 so far.

The coldest night of the winter so far was December 3, when Altnaharra in the Highlands reached -12.5C (9.5F).

Details of the 'potentially disruptive' conditions were confirmed by the Met Office this afternoon as it said a northerly airflow will bring cold Arctic air to the UK from Sunday onwards.

Severe weather warnings have been imposed for some areas on Sunday and Monday.

A yellow warning of snow and ice was issued for much of the north of Scotland, which run from 12am on Sunday until 11.59pm on Monday.

The warning spans Stonehaven and Aberdeen in the east to Skye and the Western Isles.

The Met Office warned travel disruption is possible with some roads and railways affected, and longer journey times by road, bus and train are likely.

It also warned of icy patches on roads, pavements and cycle paths, and said there is a small chance that power cuts will occur.

Mobile phone services may also be affected, and snow-covered roads may lead to stranded vehicles.

The Met Office has also issued a yellow weather warning of snow and ice for Northern Ireland early next week.

The warning comes into force on Monday at 3am and runs until 11.59pm on Monday.

While accumulations will vary, parts of northern Scotland could see around 10cm (4in) of snow over Sunday and Monday, and strong winds could result in drifting of lying snow in places.

There is even a chance some low-lying areas could see up to 10cm (4in) in a few hours.

Brisk northerly winds will drive showers inland across Northern Ireland on Monday, with these initially falling as snow over higher ground and sleet and rain elsewhere.

However, as increasingly cold air spreads south, showers will fall as snow to all levels during the day. Up to 5cm (2in) of snow is likely over higher routes with 2cm (0.8in) also expected at lower levels.

READ MORE Floods force hundreds of residents from their homes: Parts of Berkshire and Surrey remain underwater five days after last rainfall as level of River Thames stays high during Britain's deep freeze Advertisement

Into the middle of next week, with cold air firmly in place the chance of snow increases across many areas time.

Forecasters said that on Tuesday areas of snow could move inland over parts of Northern Ireland, southern Scotland and northern England  and into the south by Wednesday.

Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Chris Bulmer said today: 'Snow showers from Sunday onwards are most likely to move inland from coasts exposed to northerly winds.

'The focus of snow showers will be over northern Scotland, but parts of the North Sea and Irish Sea coasts may also see some snow at times.

'There are a couple of weather systems for Tuesday and Wednesday which we are keeping an eye on that bring the potential for disruptive snow for some regions.

'With cold air firmly in place, any weather systems that move across the country next week will bringing mainly snowfall inland. Models are currently showing us a variety of options for both systems and we'll be able to add more details to in the coming days.'

Before the heavy snow arrives, the UK is set for mostly dry and overcast but raw days with temperatures in single figures by day - made to feel colder by northerly winds.

Where breaks in the cloud have occurred, there have been spectacular sunrises and sunsets against the chilly skies.

WEDNESDAY - A motorist makes their way through County Durham in the snow at Killhope

TUESDAY - An aerial view over Wrotham in Kent as snow and ice remain following snowfall

MONDAY - Snow surrounding Leeds Castle near Maidstone in Kent amid severe weather

Cold health alerts, covering the whole of England, have been extended to last until Thursday by the UK Health Security Agency.

The alerts are used to warn the health and social care sector of likely extra demand and encourage people to take extra care of vulnerable relatives and friends.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said: 'The temperatures we will see leading into the weekend can rapidly have a serious impact on the health of those over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions as it increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections.

'It is therefore vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours to ensure they are well prepared for the cold weather next week.'

The possibility of heavy snow comes as flooding from Storm Henk more than a week ago continued to plague southern England.

Some 52 flood warnings remained in force across England this afternoon mostly covering Dorset, Wiltshire and the Thames Valley in Oxfordshire and Berkshire.

Areas still affected included Wraysbury in Berkshire, where hundreds of residents were evacuated earlier in the week as the River Thames burst its banks.

There were also 99 lower-level flood alerts still in place in England today.
Shocking footage captured the the terrifying moment a huge tornado slammed into a quaint South Carolina town on Tuesday.

The tornado, rated EF2 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, left devastating damage in Bamberg County in the southwestern part of the state, about 65 mile from Augusta, Georgia.

Images of the aftermath showed bricks and debris scattered across the street after two buildings were hit by the twister.

Bur representative Justin Bamberg, who is from Bamberg, said: 'One of the beauties of living in a small town when things like this happen is your going to see people with their trucks and gloves, chainsaws, and we're going to get through it'.

There were no injuries reported, the lawmaker added.

The tornado, rated EF2 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, left massive damage in Bamberg County

Images of the aftermath of the tornado showed downed trees and power lines in Bamberg, SC

Presidential candidate and former SC governor Nikki Haley, who grew up in the area also issued a statement following the tornado.

The Republican said: 'My heart breaks hearing about the storm damage in my sweet hometown of Bamberg, SC. The people of Bamberg are tough and resilient.

'They taught me the meaning of neighbors helping neighbors. I know with love and prayer, they will rebuild stronger than they were before.

Authorities said the twister's winds reached about 125 miles an hour and it grew to an estimated 400 yards wide.

There was also a EF1 tornado north of Lake Murray, which is around 24 miles northwest of Columbia, SC. That twister's winds reached between 86 and 110 miles an hour, as reported by WLTX.

Severe weather moved through the region on Tuesday, leaving flooding and damage in its path, with many towns reporting downed power lines and trees.

Fallen bricks line Main Highway a day after a tornado struck the town of Bamberg

Bricks are seen on the street of the town's downtown after two buildings were significantly damaged

Torrential rain, flooding and fierce winds stranded vehicles, shuttered schools and knocked out power to hundreds of thousands in the Northeast, the swan song of a bout of violent weather that battered most of the United States. Forecasters warned Wednesday that more misery was not far behind.

The storm hit the Northeast on Tuesday night and moved out Wednesday after toppling trees, downing power lines, and forcing water rescues on flooded or washed-out roads.

Wind gusts reached as high as 95 mph in Maine, and blustery weather continued Wednesday. Philadelphia, which sits on the Delaware River upstream from the Atlantic Ocean, experienced its highest storm surge on record.

In some parts of the Pacific Northwest and the Rockies, more than 2 feet of snow fell. Bone-chilling cold weather promised to follow in some areas, and an avalanche in California killed at least one person as a new storm rolled in.

Meanwhile hundreds of thousands of customers lost power at some point as storms swept the country. At least 250,000 customers remained without power Wednesday afternoon on both coasts and in parts of the Midwest, with New York and Pennsylvania leading the count, according to PowerOutage.us.

Nearly 700 flights were canceled across the country Wednesday, according to FlightAware.com.

Another storm could bring heavy rain and high winds to the Northeast from Friday night into Saturday, forecasters said.
SNP leader Humza Yousaf was accused of 'obsessing' over Scottish independence at the expense of problems facing its people today.

The First Minister vowed to continue for Scotland to leave the UK and rejoin the EU 'regardless' of how the party does at the next general election.

He made the remarks ahead of a speech today in which he said that Scotland had to quit 'broken, Brexit Britain' for its own good.

But his priorities were questioned after the speech, in which he mentioned independence and Brexit five times each, but the NHS only twice.

Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy said: 'It's clear that Humza Yousaf intends to spend from now until polling day sticking his fingers in his ears and repeating: 'Independence, independence, independence' in a desperate bid to shore up his feuding, scandal-ridden party's dwindling base.

'That shows the SNP's utter contempt for the Scottish public, who want and expect politicians to focus on what matters to them  including economic growth and public services.'

The First Minister vowed to continue for Scotland to leave the UK and rejoin the EU 'regardless' of how the party does at the next general election.

After a brutal year for the nationalists the First Minister will insist they can take the six Westminster seats held by Douglas Ross's party in 2019.

Pamela Nash, chief executive of Scotland in Union, said: 'This is further confirmation that the SNP plans to speak about independence and little else as we come into this General Election year.

'There are a range of challenges facing Scotland right now, most of which have been worsened by the SNP's lamentable 16 years in power. People want politicians to debate the things that really matter.

'Instead, Humza Yousaf intends to drive up grievance and spend the foreseeable future obsessing publicly about his desire to break up Britain.'

The SNP leader and Scottish First Minister was addressing comments made by his own senior MP Tommy Sheppard, who said independence will be hindered if the party fails to retain the majority of seats in Scotland.

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme, Mr Yousaf said: 'Tommy Sheppard is not wrong in saying, of course, that if the message in Scotland is that Scotland votes for Labour MPs, and if that is the message that Keir Starmer sees, then of course that will take our independence backwards.'

Asked directly if the debate on independence will stop if the party fails to win the most seats, Mr Yousaf said: 'No. The SNP will never stop campaigning for independence.

'It hasn't stopped campaigning in its almost 90 years of existence, and it will continue to campaign for independence regardless of what the election results are, regardless of how many seats we have in any Parliament.'

He acknowledged the independence movement will have a 'more difficult' challenge without SNP MPs at Westminster.

His party is looking to again win a majority of seats in Scotland, with the aim of giving 'democratic effect to Scotland becoming an independent country', he said.

The comments came as Mr Yousaf launched the SNP's general election campaign later on Friday, targeting all Conservative seats in Scotland.

After a brutal year for the nationalists the First Minister insisted the SNP can take the six Westminster seats held by Douglas Ross's party in 2019. Opinion polls suggest he will lose seats and the SNP may lose its crown as Scotland's largest party at Westminster.

At the last general election, the SNP won 48 out of 59 Scottish seats. But polling analysts have said it faces a challenge from Labour north of the border. In October the pro-independence party lost a by-election race in Rutherglen and Hamilton West, overturning a previous SNP majority of more than 5,000.

A Scottish resurgence is seen as key to Labour beating the Tories UK-wide and putting Sir Keir Starmer in No10.

Last year, the SNP conference backed the First Minister's motion calling for immediate negotiations with Westminster 'to give democratic effect to Scotland becoming an independent country' if the party wins a majority of seats north of the border.

In his speech on Friday, Mr Yousaf attacked Brexit and its impact on the Scottish economy, saying only his party will ensure Scotland's voice is heard at Westminster.

'Let us get out there and take our message to every doorstep, that there is a better alternative to the misery of broken, Brexit Britain,' he said.

'There is hope, as an independent nation, taking her rightful place in the European Union. So let us get out there and win this election - and make Scotland a better nation.'

Scottish Labour Deputy Leader Jackie Baillie said: 'While the SNP is posturing about kicking the Tories out of Scotland, Labour is getting ready to kick them out of government.'

Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy said: 'The Scottish public are sick and tired of the independence-obsessed SNP ignoring their real priorities, such as the economy and Scotland's ailing public services, and trying to turn the next election into a de facto referendum on separation.

'Voters know that the only way to shift the focus on to the issues that matter to them - and shut the door on Humza Yousaf's independence plan for good - is to unseat SNP MPs.

'As Humza Yousaf points out, in swathes of constituencies across the country, only the Scottish Conservatives can do that.'
Terrified victims have pleaded with a San Diego court panel to keep a serial sex attacker known as the 'Bolder than Most' rapist behind bars.

Notorious offender Alvin Ray Quarles, 57, was sentenced to 50 years in prison in 1989 for over a dozen horrific attacks on women on the West Coast, during which he often forced his victim's partners to witness the rapes at knifepoint.

Despite his vicious history, a judge this week granted his early release so long as appropriate housing can be found, sparking outrage among the community who argue Quarles remains a threat to public safety.

'This is a very dangerous person,' said Mary Taylor, one of the felon's victims. 'If the chance comes, he will take it.'

Notorious sex attacker Alvin Ray Quarles, 57, (pictured in 2018) may be set for an early release on his 50-year prison sentence

Dubbed the 'Bolder than Most' rapist, he terrified San Diego and targeted over a dozen women at knifepoint, often forcing their partners to watch. He is seen at his 1989 trial, where he pleaded guilty

Quarles has made several previous petitions for release, but was refused each time as judges ruled that his violent history made him a risk.

After his conditional release was decided this week, questions have been raised over whether the appropriate law for the release of sex offenders is being used with Quarles' case.

He is classified as a sexually violent predator (SVP), a designation reserved for less than 1 percent of California's sexual offender population who have been diagnosed with a mental disorder that makes them likely to re-offend, such as pedophilia.

At Quarles' most recent hearing, four psychiatrists ruled that he was ready for release, leading a prosecutor to cite old case law that said they are therefore unable challenge an SVP release, according to the San Diego Union Tribune.

While that ruling led Diego County Superior Court Judge David M. Gill to decide Quarles can be released from a state hospital, Deputy District Attorney Samantha Begovich quickly sought to overturn it as she argued the law had been misapplied.

'Mr. Quarles continues to be a danger,' Begovich said following the hearing on Thursday.

'From day one, there was a misperception as to what the legal requirements are... and those misperceptions had a cascading effect throughout the proceedings.'

Deputy District Attorney Samantha Begovich (pictured) petitioned to overturn Quarles' release, arguing he 'continues to be a danger'

She argued that Gill made his determination off the condition that approved SVPs are released to the 'least restrictive setting' for him to continue treatment.

In response, Quarles' attorney Euketa Oliver said Gill's decision was the difficult choice in the face of public pressure and it would have been easy for him to deny the release, as other judges have done in years past.

Oliver added that Quarles' release is conditional on finding appropriate housing, which would include security measures to keep him at arm's length from the public.

It may be several weeks for a board to rule on overturning the release, however the three-judge panel making the decision appeared to side with Begovich, with presiding Judge Richard Huffman saying this week that Quarles' record is 'one of the most horrendous I've seen.'

Cynthia Medina (pictured), another of Quarles' victims who was attacked when he forced himself into her hotel room with her boyfriend, said the prospect of his release 'angers' and 'scares' her

Several victims have called for their attacker to remain behind bars, including Mary Taylor (right), who insisted he is still a 'very dangerous person' and 'if the chance comes, he will take it'

With the serial rapist's release in limbo, his victims have spoken out to urge officials to keep their attacker in prison.

After Begovich's appeal on Thursday, Taylor said she had felt 'invalidated by the courts for 30-plus years' and that Quarles' shortened sentence and proposed release would be a miscarriage of justice.

'I have felt on several occasions that I was being assaulted again (by the courts)' she continued.

'Finally, someone understands that this is a very dangerous person... If the chance comes, he will take it.'

Cynthia Medina, another of Quarles' victims who was attacked when he forced himself into her hotel room with her boyfriend, said the prospect of his release has her concerned for more than just her own safety.

'It does not make you feel safe, that's for sure,' she told Fox5. 'It angers me, it scares me.'

'They told me I wouldnt have to worry about him in my lifetime, and you put your faith in that, and for the last 10 years Ive been trying to keep him from getting out.

'Its inevitable, but he got an extra 10 years because of us, so do I feel safe? No.'

'As his survivor, it doesnt make me feel very good at all but I kind of have to accept it because of the way the laws are.'

Quarles' release has raised questions over whether the appropriate law is being applied, as he may be released as a Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) only on the approval of psychiatrist testimony

The release comes at the same time as another controversial parolee, Alan James (pictured), a convicted child molester who previously re-offended

Quarles' proposed release has come at the same time as another controversial inmate's parole. Convicted child molester Alan James is set to be released in a similar housing program to Quarles.

James was initially convicted in 1981 for a lewd act against a child under 14, but was only sentenced to three years probation and 180 days in jail.

He then re-offended and was convicted five years later for multiple sex attacks against three children, including kidnapping for the purpose of child molest and unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor.

The felon served 25 years in prison before being committed to a state hospital for treatment in 2014. He had previously been released to a home in Jacumba, California in 2019, but violated the terms of his parole and was sent back to a state hospital in 2020.

He is now set to be released to supervised housing, and would be the seventh sexually violent predator (SVP) to be housed in San Diego County. If Quarles is released, he would become number eight.
A senior ally of President Vladimir Putin today made a thinly veiled threat of bombing Kyiv during Rishi Sunak's visit and warned Britain against ever deploying troops in Ukraine.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, made the comments in response to a visit by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to the Ukrainian capital to announce an increase in military funding.

Medvedev, whose frequent and harsh public statements diplomats say give an indication of hawkish thinking at the top of the Kremlin, said: 'British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrived in Kyiv to sign a historic security agreement.

'How would the Western public react to the fact that the British delegation came under fire from cluster munitions in the centre of Kyiv, as happened to the civilians of our [city] Belgorod?

He went on to warn that Moscow would regard any move by Britain to deploy a military contingent to Ukraine as a declaration of war against Russia.

'I hope that our eternal enemies - the arrogant British - understand that deploying an official military contingent to Ukraine would be a declaration of war against our country,' Medvedev wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak walks with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy during a visit to the Presidential Palace in Kyiv, Ukraine

Close Putin crony and former Russian president, Dmitry Medvedev

Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, left, hugs Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after signing documents in Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak with President Volodymyr Zelensky (right) at a signing ceremony during a visit to the Presidential Palace in Kyiv, Ukraine, to announce a major new package of 2.5 billion in military aid to the country over the coming year

Medvedev spoke seemingly to deter the West from supplying more weapons to Ukraine at a time when dissent is growing inside Russia, as hundreds of thousands of people have been cut off from power and heating in the coldest temperatures of the winter for weeks.

In the cluster bombing incident referred to by Medvedev on December 30, Russia said at least 20 people had been killed, including two children, and 111 injured in what it called an 'indiscriminate' Ukrainian strike using cluster bombs.

Belgorod, in southern Russia, is located close to the Ukrainian border and has been targeted by Ukrainian rockets and drones in recent months.

Ukrainian news outlet RBC-Ukraine quoted unnamed sources as saying Ukrainian forces had directed fire at military targets in Belgorod in response to the massive Russian bombardment of Ukrainian cities the previous day.

Medvedev cast himself as a liberal moderniser when he was president from 2008-2012, but now presents himself as one of the fiercest anti-Western Kremlin hawks.

The 58-year-old earlier raised the threat of nuclear war if Ukraine uses missiles supplied by NATO countries to strike targets inside Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky walks with Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (R) during a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Kyiv on January 12, 2024

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak attend a security accord signing ceremony, during a visit to Presidential Palace, in Kyiv, Ukraine, January 12, 2024

Putin is seen with Medvedev

Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (C) and Vice Chief of the Defence Staff Major General Gwyn Jenkins are escorted during a tour of damaged buidlings in Kyiv on January 12, 2024

'The history of recent intensive and effective strikes on enemy military facilities in Ukraine, which were carried out by the armed forces of the Russian Federation, confirms the successful and efficient work of our defence-industrial complex in 2023,' he said.

'In what was used, as we know, there were different carriers with different fillings, except for nuclear.yet.'

He warned of 'thick-headed warriors' in Ukraine who believed 'the best method of fighting Russia is to destroy our launchers throughout Russia with long-range missiles handed over by the West'.

Medvedev said: 'What does that mean? Only one thing - they risk running foul of clause 19 of the Fundamentals of Russia's State Nuclear Deterrence Policy.'

This covers 'aggression against the Russian Federation with the use of conventional weapons when the very existence of the state is endangered'.

Medvedev - whose finger was on the Russian atomic trigger when he was president between 2008 and 2012 - said: 'This is not a right of self-defence, but a direct and obvious justification for our use of nuclear weapons against such a state.

'All the successors of Hitler, Mussolini, Petain and the rest in present-day Europe who support the Nazis in Kyiv must remember this.'
Lib Dem leader Ed Davey squirmed pathetically today as he refused 10 times to apologise over the Post Office scandal.

Sir Ed desperately dodged as he was pressed over his handling of the outrage while minister for postal services in the coalition.

In a toe-curling ITV interview, the MP - who initially refused even to meet justice campaigner Alan Bates in 2010 - was challenged to 'draw a line' under days of ducking and diving by simply apologising.

But when he started his reply by saying 'of course I regret', reporter Paul Brand interrupted to insist: 'That's not an apology. Why don't you say ''I am sorry''?'

Sir Ed pressed on: I've said time and time again, that I deeply regret...'

However, the interviewer told him: 'That's not an apology Sir Ed.'

Ignoring the entreaty, the MP tried again with his argument that he had been 'lied to'.

Ed Davey desperately dodged as he was pressed over his handling of the outrage while minister for postal services in the coalition

The row over the Post Office scandal has been reignited by an ITV drama. Pictured, a general view of a Post Office branch in Weymouth

'I was lied to on an industrial scale. And, of course, I'm sure every other post office minister who was lied to regrets that they were part of this huge conspiracy that the Post Office perpetrated,' he said.

An increasingly exasperated Brand persisted: 'Why can't you say sorry?'

'It's the least they deserve. Look what they've been through,' he said. 'Just say sorry for your part in not having got to the answers.'

When Sir Ed repeated his stance about his 'heart going out' to those who had been caught up in the scandal, he was told: 'Not enough to say sorry?'

The Lib Dem leader insisted 'I deeply regret it took till 2019 and the High Court case until people got the truth', saying the focus now needs to be on 'getting that compensation quickly'.

He was then given 'one last chance to say sorry', but trotted out the same formulation about 'regretting what happened'.

In a final shot, Brand said: 'The postmasters don't deserve an apology?

However, Sir Ed responded: 'Postmasters deserve a huge amount. They deserve compensation. They deserve a huge apology from the Post Office, from Fujitsu and from all the people who led this conspiracy of lies against them and frankly the whole British public.'

Sir Ed served as minister for postal affairs in the Coalition government, but initially refused even to meet campaigning sub-postmaster Alan Bates (pictured with his wife) about 'flaws of the Horizon system'

Sir Ed served as minister for postal affairs in the Coalition government, but in May 2010 refused to meet postmaster Mr Bates about 'flaws of the Horizon system' arguing it would not 'serve any purpose'.

He eventually agreed to a meeting in the October of that year, with allies arguing he was the first minister to do so. Sir Ed insists he received categorical assurances that there were no problems with the systems.

The Lib Dems have dismissed suggestions that Sir Ed should follow in the footsteps of former Post Office chief Paula Vennells by returning his knighthood.

A Liberal Democrat spokesman said: 'Ed's heart goes out to the victims of this terrible miscarriage of justice.

'Like all ministers of all parties over the past two decades, Ed was lied to by the Post Office on an industrial scale. It is the Post Office which owes an apology to the victims for their appalling behaviour and the pain and suffering they caused.

'Ed's focus now is on getting justice and compensation as quickly as possible to all those affected.'
A deli owner from upstate New York is fed up of locals abducting his cat because they think it's a stray.

Daniel and Jen Chessare got their cat Phil less than a year ago and he has already been catnapped four times.

The Chessares are now pleading with locals to stop taking their cat, who enjoys a happy indoor/outdoor lifestyle.

Daniel owns Saratoga's Broadway Deli - and he took to the Facebook page for his company to send a message to residents of the area.

'Ive had outdoor cats my whole life and Ive never had so many women try and steal my cat. Just wandering around scooping up cats that have tags,' the post read - adding that the incidents are 'insane'.

A deli owner (pictured) from upstate New York is fed up of locals abducting his cat because they think it's a stray

Daniel and Jen Chessare got their cat Phil (pictured) less than a year ago and he has already been catnapped four times

Daniel owns Saratoga's Broadway Deli - and he took to the Facebook page for his company to send a message to residents of the area

His post about the catnapping incidents garnered heaps of support with nearly 200 reactions and 20 comments from people echoing the call for Phil to be left alone.

Daniel revealed he has another female cat who goes outside that has never been taken.

'They just cant mind their business,' said Daniel told the Daily Gazette.

'Literally, we looked out into the backyard the other day, and theres just a woman walking across our backyard holding our cat.

'When my wife opened up the door and was like, "Hello, what are you doing with our cat?" The woman was like, "Oh, he was just sitting in the woods, and he was cold."'

Phil wears a collar with the Chessares' phone number printed on it, but Daniel claims that in the most recent catnapping attempt - the woman didn't even try to call the owners before attempting to take off with the cat.

In a previous catnapping incident, someone posted on the Nextdoor app about finding Phil and many people told the woman that the cat she found was Phil, who belong to the Chessares.

However - the woman said she 'didn't believe' the cat was Phil and bizarrely gave him away to someone who lived in Schenectady.

'Luckily, we were able to get him back from that person in Schenectady,' Daniel said.

'On a third occasion, Jen came home just as another woman was grabbing the cat. The woman said she saw him walking down the street and lured him over with some food to see if he was OK. Jen told her Phil is an outdoor cat, and he was fine.'

His post on the deli's Facebook page about the catnapping incidents garnered heaps of support with nearly 200 reactions and 20 comments from people echoing the call for Phil to be left alone

Daniel revealed that when the Chesarre's first adopted Phil, he was a strictly indoor cat - but the feline enjoyed being outdoors so much that they decided to let him explore the outside world

Phil wears a collar with the Chessares' phone number printed on it, but Daniel claims that in the most recent catnapping attempt - the woman didn't even try to call the owners before attempting to take off with the cat

Daniel revealed that when the Chesarre's first adopted Phil, he was a strictly indoor cat - but the feline enjoyed being outdoors so much that they decided to let him explore the outside world.

Phil was rescued from a shelter after he had been found on the side of the road with his dead mother.

'We got him all of his shots and everything, so he can go indoor and outdoors. Ever since we started doing that, people have been trying to kidnap him. He doesnt look malnourished, or mangy. He looks like a perfectly normal cat. Hes just super friendly.'

'I get that some people might think that the cat escaped, and thats fine, just call the number on the tag,' Chessare said.

'Dont immediately bring him to the shelter, theres a phone number on him. I think some people believe too strongly in the cat distribution system. Just because you see a cat, it doesnt make it your cat now.'
Finding yourself named in a document dump involving the world's largest underaged sex ring, a dead pedophile billionaire, his convicted female accomplice, a disgraced Prince of England, and the conflicting statements of an alleged victim is without compare.

When I learned that I was included in the Epstein documents unsealed on Monday, my first response was disbelief.

Then again, of course this was going to happen. It was only a matter of time.

Much has been written in recent days about the documents concerning Sarah Ransome  who first approached me in 2016 with bombshell claims that she had videotapes of Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew and Richard Branson having sex with one of Jeffrey Epstein's 'girls'. Claims these men vehemently deny.

The truth is: a lot of what we have read is not fully accurate.

Yet I would never call Ransome a liar, either.

Finding yourself named in a document dump involving the world's largest underaged sex ring, a dead pedophile billionaire, his female accomplice, a disgraced Prince of England, and the conflicting statements of an alleged victim is without compare. (Pictured: Sarah Ransome).

When I learned that I was included in the Epstein documents unsealed on Monday, my first response was disbelief. Then again, of course this was going to happen. It was only a matter of time. (Pictured: Prince Andrew with Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell).

Much has been written in recent days about the documents concerning Sarah Ransome - who first approached me in 2016 with bombshell claims that she had videotapes of Bill Clinton , Prince Andrew and Richard Branson having sex with one of Jeffrey Epstein 's 'girls'. Claims these men vehemently deny. (Pictured: Epstein and Clinton).

Here's what really happened, and how I became part of this most extraordinary and unending story.

Back in 2016, I was one of the first journalists to write about Epstein's continued abuse of underage girls.

I was at the New York Post then, and the blockbuster writer James Patterson, along with co-authors John Connolly and Tim Malloy, had just published 'Filthy Rich: A Powerful Billionaire, the Sex Scandal That Undid Him, and All the Justice That Money Can Buy'.

Epstein was still alive, which made this book an even bigger deal.

Legally, it had to be bulletproof. Even an author as wealthy as Patterson doesn't want a libel suit brought by a super-connected billionaire.

Most damning and revelatory were the police reports contained in the book  interviews by Palm Beach police detectives with young girls and women alleging sexual abuse and human trafficking.

That Patterson got access to these and other documents tells us one thing: That the police investigating Epstein were so disgusted with the sweetheart deal he got in 2008 for raping girls as young as 14 that they seemingly briefed Patterson.

The book was a nuclear bomb, and I wrote as such. But as the weeks rolled on, I didn't see much coverage elsewhere. Why?

Perhaps because Epstein socialized with Bill Clinton and Donald Trump  who also denies all claims against him  and neither left nor right-wing media wanted to cast the worst possible aspersions on their guy.

Then Sarah Ransome got in touch with me after reading my article. She told me she, too, had been a victim of Epstein and his right-hand woman Ghislaine Maxwell.

Her emails to me were released on Monday as part of the demand by famed attorney Alan Dershowitz  who was part of Epstein's defense team in that first 2008 trial  that they be published.

Dershowitz himself had been fighting accusations that he had sex with some of Epstein's girls  claims that have since been retracted and that he has wholly denied, all the while trying to rope me in as one of his defenders. More on that in a bit.

Back in 2016, I was one of the first journalists to write about Epstein's continued abuse of underage girls. Sarah Ransome (pictured on Little St. James island) got in touch with me after reading an article I wrote. She told me she, too, had been a victim of Epstein and his right-hand woman Ghislaine Maxwell.

Ransome, as I remember, first reached out to me via email almost immediately after the article was published on Sunday, October 9, 2016.

It's a message I no longer have, and don't recall the exact date she sent it. But apparently she regretted her tone, because on Thursday, October 13, Ransome emailed me again:

'I apologize for my heated first email to you however when I came across your acticle [sic] in the NYC Post everything came flooding back. I would never dream of contacting anyone about this but something made me reach out to you.

'What they did was wrong and I have spent the last 10 years trying to forget what happened on that island. There are more girls Maureen. More then [sic] you can ever imagine. They're scared and so am I but Jeffery [sic], Clinton and Trump must pay for what they did to us as must the rest of the men that were involved in their seedy inner circle. We have to get the rest of the girls to come forward somehow?'

Her emotionality didn't put me off; in fact, it felt justified.

The Harvey Weinstein scandal was a year away from breaking. Victims of sexual violence, the kind of stuff Ransome was claiming, were still far too easy to brush off as unhinged fantasists or opportunists seeking payouts.

Here is a bit of what I initially reported, via Patterson's book, in the Post: A 14-year-old girl called 'Mary' told Palm Beach police that Epstein sexually assaulted her in his massage room.

A 16-year-old girl that Patterson calls 'Alison' told the same police department that Epstein raped her so violently that he tore out her hair, and that there had 'been nights that I walked out of there barely able to walk, um, from him being so rough'.

Alison then told police she couldn't come forward because she was sure Epstein would harm her, that she often heard him on the phone threatening to break people's legs or have them killed.

Through that lens, what Sarah Ransome claimed didn't sound crazy at all.

I replied to her email saying yes, I wanted to know more. After that, I spoke to her only over the phone. I didn't trust her not to take any written communications from me and somehow, in the future, try to use them against me if I couldn't independently verify her version of events.

But in her deposition, which was part of another document dump this week, Ransome says we only spoke once.

I recall that differently. I'm sure it was more than once, because she really, really wanted me to write about what she said happened to her and other girls.

Ransome, as I remember, first reached out to me via email. It's a message I no longer have, but apparently she regretted her tone because she emailed me again: 'I apologize for my heated first email to you however when I came across your acticle [sic] in the NYC Post everything came flooding back.' (Pictured: Epstein and Maxwell and Donald Trump and Melania).

She wrote: 'What they did was wrong and I have spent the last 10 years trying to forget what happened on that island. There are more girls Maureen. More then [sic] you can ever imagine. They're scared and so am I but Jeffery [sic], Clinton and Trump must pay for what they did to us.' (Pictured: Epstein and Maxwell with Clinton at the White House).

I told her that publishing her allegations required proof. Did she have photos, phone or flight records, friends or family members to whom she disclosed contemporaneously?

That's when Ransome told me she had a box, tucked away somewhere and maybe under her bed, containing those videotapes of these important men having forcible sex with trafficked young girls.

Show it to me, I said.

Here's what she wrote to me about that: 'Unfortunately, I cannot send you the footage but I can confirm that I do have footage in my possession. I have backed up the footage on several USB sticks and have securely sent them to various different locations throughout Europe with only one other person close to me, knowing where their locations are, just in case anything happens to me before the footage is released'.

I told her that I would fly anywhere she wished to view the footage for myself.

And that's when Ransome got squirrely. She was evasive. She had all these excuses as to why she couldn't meet and show me this ostensibly damning evidence, and that's when I backed off the story  something she has never admitted.

I believed there were no tapes. I never said that to her, but I felt sure.

Now: Does that mean I think Sarah Ransome is a complete and total liar?

No, I don't. Journalistically, yes, her story fell apart without strong proof. And it was such a consequential contradiction that I could never publish anything she said, even if she came back to me, because as a journalist I could never trust her again.

But as a human being?

I thought for sure that Ransome had been in Epstein's circle  and she had, there is proof  and that she had been victimized. She seemed profoundly broken, as any young girl or woman in that situation would have been. She seemed desperate for the media to pay attention, to listen to her, and perhaps she felt that only by making such a grandiose claim would she get that attention.

In short: I understood.

Smash cut to 2019: A New Yorker profile of Alan Dershowitz referenced Ransome's communications with me, though the magazine did not refer to me by name.

The key line: 'Ransome told me [the New Yorker writer] that she had invented the tapes to draw attention to Epstein's behavior, and to make him believe that she had evidence that would come out if he harmed me [meaning Ransome herself].'

I knew that the New Yorker investigation was in the works, because months before it ran I received a call out of the blue, from someone identifying themselves as a fact-checker with the magazine. I was part of a piece about Alan Dershowitz, the fact-checker said, and they wanted to know what I knew about Ransome.

Ransome got squirrely. She was evasive. She had all these excuses as to why she couldn't meet and show me her ostensibly damning evidence, and that's when I backed off the story -something she has never admitted. (Pictured: Clinton and Maxwell on Epstein's private jet).

Smash cut to 2019: A New Yorker profile of Alan Dershowitz (pictured) referenced Ransome's communications with me, though the magazine did not refer to me by name. I knew the piece was in the works, because months before it ran I received a call out of the blue, from someone identifying themselves as a fact-checker with the magazine.

I told them nothing. For one thing, if a reporter has questions about you, especially for a piece involving a global sex ring, they should call you themselves.

For another? Well, back in 2017 I had received another cold call  at home, on my cell  from none other than Alan Dershowitz.

This was intrusive. It's one thing for a stranger to call the newsroom and ask to be put through to you. It's another for that stranger to get a reporter's private information and try, as I felt Dershowitz was doing, to use the element of surprise to extract information.

I had no idea how he had my private number. Or how he knew that Ransome had recently been in touch with me.

That was a shock.

As any decent journalist is and should be, I am protective of my sources. Given the enormity of what she was alleging, I would have to be even more cautious with Ransome.

But Dershowitz was as dogged with me as he is against any opponent in court. He kept asking what Ransome had said to me, telling me he was completely innocent, and demanding why I wouldn't come forward and defend him?

I told Dershowitz that wasn't my job.

Also: I couldn't prove what Ransome was saying, but I couldn't disprove all of it either.

Thirdly: I didn't even know Alan Dershowitz! I still don't. I'm not going to be a character witness for a stranger. He should have had more sophistication than to ask.

Perhaps he felt that desperate, that cornered. That's the sympathetic reading.

I told Dershowitz I wasn't writing the story and that had to be good enough for him. And if it wasn't  frankly, I didn't care.

I thought that was the end of it, that surely Dershowitz had more pressing problems and more important people to nag, but he wouldn't stop. He kept trying to drag me into this mess, and when that fact-checker from the New Yorker called me two years later, I knew he would keep going until he exhausted himself.

Nor was I surprised, after backing off this story, to receive unhinged emails from Ransome.

Back in 2017 I had received another cold call from none other than Alan Dershowitz. He was as dogged with me as he is against any opponent in court. He kept asking what Ransome had said to me, telling me he was completely innocent, and demanding why I wouldn't come forward and defend him? I told him that wasn't my job.

It made sense. In her mind, I represented the media at large, and she took my refusal to continue as proof that nothing would ever happen to Epstein and the powerful men he procured young girls for.

Here is part of an email she sent days after she first reached out to me, dated Friday, October 21, 2016:

'I will make sure that everyone on [the] planet see's [sic] that footage and photo's [sic] and will release them to Wiki leaks by Sunday. I will take down Epstein and his bunch of f**k wit cronies myself!!!!!!!!! ... You've just lost your exclusive and I AM SUPER F**KED OFF NOW!!!!'

Saturday, October 22, 2016:

'I hope you go to sleep at night wondering just quite where you will end up after this life is finished. Don't believe me? I can prove that too. You don't know who I am and I am not going to go away until I have achieved my goals on getting the bad guys where they belong'.

Her emails didn't scare me; they saddened me. I believed her about 'the bad guys'. She was right about that.

This is why the Jeffrey Epstein scandal is the story that will never die: All these rich, powerful, connected men who flew the Lolita Express and visited Epstein's 'pedophile island', their names in flight logs and phone records, the photographs and a Palm Beach police investigation, Epstein's conviction for soliciting sex with an underage girl and Maxwell rotting in prison  and not one of these men has so much as been called in for questioning.

The news, last week, that the Met police are refusing to investigate Prince Andrew in light of all this new information. The photos of Bill Clinton on vacation in Mexico, laughing as these new documents broke, not a care in the world with his equally slithery pal Gavin Newsom.

If you were Sarah Ransome, you'd be angry too.

In her last email to me, sent that Sunday October 23, she wrote: 'I would like to retract everything I have said to you and walk away from this'.

She knew I was never going forward with her story. She knew I believed the box of sex tapes didn't exist. But I think she needed to feel power, and if writing an email claiming that the decision was hers, so be it.

This is why the Epstein scandal is the story that will never die: All these powerful men who flew the Lolita Express and visited Epstein's island - and not one of them has so much as been called in for questioning. The news, last week, that the Met police are refusing to investigate Prince Andrew in light of all this new information. The photos of Bill Clinton on vacation in Mexico, not a care in the world with his equally slithery pal Gavin Newsom (pictured).

'I shouldn't have contacted you and I'm sorry I wasted your time,' she wrote. 'I'm disappointed that you have made little contact or didn't do anything to help me but I understand your stance Prehaps [sic] if I was in your position I would have done the same?'

That concession told me she understood and maybe even suspected that not publishing her claims was actually, in the long run, good for her.

I learned something from her newly unsealed deposition this week. I had never known exactly what about my 2016 article had made Ransome want to reach out to me and I don't think I asked.

'The last sentence', she said in court at Ghislaine Maxwell's trial, 'one of the last sentences I remember was, will we ever know the true extent of Jeffrey Epstein's victims. And I wrote her after that because, well, it still continues, doesn't it?'

That is a true statement. It does still continue, and monsters still walk among us.
Hunter Biden caved and agreed to Republican demands for a closed-door deposition as the GOP moves forward with holding him in contempt following his shock made-for-TV appearance on Capitol Hill in blatant defiance of their subpoena.

His agreement is contingent upon the GOP sending a new subpoena for his testimony. The GOP's original subpoena came in November, before the House's December 13 vote to formally authorize the Biden impeachment inquiry.

'If you issue a new proper subpoena, now that there is a duly authorized impeachment inquiry, Mr. Biden will comply for a hearing or deposition,' Hunter's attorney Abbe Lowell wrote Friday in a letter to Republicans obtained by DailyMail.com.

Earlier Friday, Republicans announced they will hold a full House vote on contempt of Congress charges for Hunter Biden next week.

And despite Hunter's change of heart, Chairmen James Comer and Jim Jordan say they are still planning to 'move forward' with the contempt vote 'until such time that Hunter Biden confirms a date to appear for a private deposition in accordance with his legal obligation.'

'While we will work to schedule a deposition date, we will not tolerate any additional stunts or delay from Hunter Biden,' the top Republicans added.

House GOP Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., announced a vote will take place Wednesday

'Next week the House will vote to hold Hunter Biden in contempt of Congress for repeatedly defying subpoenas,' announced House GOP Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., who is currently battling cancer.

'Enough of his stunts. He doesn't get to play by a different set of rules. He's not above the law.'

The contempt articles - voted out of the Judiciary and Oversight committees earlier this week - will go to the House Rules Committee and finally to the House floor as early as Wednesday.

If that gets cleared, Hunter's case will be referred to the Biden-led Department of Justice for prosecution, which is unlikely. In addition to 12 months jail time, Hunter could be ordered to pay a fine of up to $100,000 if convicted.

Hunter Biden sparked utter chaos in Congress on Wednesday and was accused of a 'ridiculous PR stunt' by making a shock appearance to face Republicans threatening to hold him in contempt.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) and House Majority Leader Rep. Steve Scalise. Scalise is currently battling cancer

 Floor Vote Announcement: Next week the House will vote to hold Hunter Biden in contempt of Congress for repeatedly defying subpoenas.



Enough of his stunts. He doesn't get to play by a different set of rules. He's not above the law.  Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) January 12, 2024

The president's troubled son, 53, staged the spectacular stunt and sat and listened as GOP Rep. Nancy Mace said he 'had no b***s' and 'should be in jail' for refusing to sit for a deposition behind closed doors.

About 17 minutes later he got up and walked out as Marjorie Taylor Greene started to question him over his business deals and the ongoing impeachment probe into his father Joe.

He was hit with a flurry of questions by reporters after he stormed out - including being asked 'what kind' of crack he smokes and why he put his father Joe on speakerphone over 20 times to speak with his business pals.

He was also asked whether he was on crack while he crashed the GOP hearing.

'What kind of crack do you normally smoke Mr. Biden?' screamed one reporter - which he ignored - as his attorney Abbe Lowell delivered a short statement slamming Republicans and maintaining that Hunter is willing to testify publicly.

'What's your favorite kind of crack?' another reporter questioned.

Hunter caused a circus as cameras and reporters swarmed him for the very brief appearance amid the scandal over his shady foreign business deals.

Last week it was revealed Hunter is filming a top-secret documentary to set the record straight about his battle with addiction to crack cocaine and his financial woes.

Republicans started ripping Hunter for the 'made-for-TV publicity stunt.'

Hunter walked into the committee hearing room with his attorneys Abbe Lowell and Kevin Morris and sat down in the first row

Hunter Biden showed up on Capitol Hill at the start of a markup to hold him in contempt of Congress

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo., wrote on X: 'The Congressional subpoena served to Hunter Biden was for a closed-door deposition, not a made-for-TV publicity stunt. These terms are not negotiable.'

GOP Whip Tom Emmer said 'another day, another ridiculous PR stunt by Hunter Biden.'

'If this is the Biden family's strategy to distract the American people from their disturbing pattern of corruption, it's a pointless one.'

Hunter walked into the committee hearing room with his attorneys Abbe Lowell and Kevin Morris and sat down in the first row, silently taking in the chaos that then unfolded in front of him as lawmakers grappled with the remarkable turn of events.

The top Democrat on the committee Jamie Raskin appeared to be aware that the president's son was going to disturb proceedings with his shock entry.

'Who bribed Hunter Biden to be here today?' asked Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C. 'You are the epitome of white privilege coming into the Oversight Committee spitting in our face, ignoring a congressional subpoena to be deposed.'

'You have no b***s to come up here,' she spewed. 'I think Hunter Biden should be arrested right here and right now,' Mace continued. 'I'm looking at you!'

'I believe that Hunter Biden should be held completely in contempt. I believe he should be hauled off to jail right now!' the fired up Republican congresswoman remarked.

Democrat Jared Moskowitz - who also seemed to be aware of the stunt - asked for a show of hands from the lawmakers on who wanted to hear from Hunter, since he was in front of them.

He put Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., on the spot, daring him to question Hunter since he came to the public hearing, and threatened to make the contempt vote 'bipartisan.'

'Listen, I'll make this bipartisan. I'll vote for the Hunter contempt today. You can get my vote. You can get my vote but I want you to show the American people that you're serious.' Moskowitz taunted before submitting subpoenas for Republicans who didn't comply with the January 6 Committee's requests for testimony.

Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, departed a House Oversight Committee meeting at Capitol Hill

Hunter walked into the committee hearing room with his attorneys Abbe Lowell and Kevin Morris and sat down in the first row, silently taking in the chaos that then unfolded in front of him as lawmakers grappled with the remarkable turn of events

Hunter then stormed out of the hearing room following Moskowitz's remarks, immediately after Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., started speaking, less than 30 minutes into the hearing.

'I think it's clear and obvious for everyone watching this hearing today that Hunter Biden is terrified of strong conservative Republican women because he can't even face my words as I was about to speak to him,' said Greene.

'What a coward,' she exclaimed.

Two top GOP-led committees are preparing to vote to hold Hunter in contempt of Congress after he defied a congressional subpoena for closed-door testimony.

Republicans say that his 'obstruction' of their impeachment investigation has forced them to take the president's son to court to compel his cooperation - or he will face up to a year in jail.

Hunter defied a subpoena last month requiring him to sit for a closed-door deposition as part of the GOP impeachment investigation into whether President Joe Biden was connected to or profited from his son's shady business deals.

Instead of showing up for his required testimony, Hunter appeared outside of the Capitol to deliver a dramatic tirade slamming 'shameless' Republicans, while saying he'd only testify in a public forum.

The powerful House Oversight and Judiciary Committees kicked off dual hearings Wednesday. Both committees worked through a series of amendments and then voted on authorizing contempt charges for the president's son before the disturbance.

Hunter defied a subpoena last month requiring him to sit for a closed-door deposition as part of the GOP impeachment investigation into whether President Joe Biden was connected to or profited from his son's shady business deals

In addition to 12 months jail time, Hunter could be ordered to pay a fine of up to $100,000 if convicted

Lawmakers released the text of the contempt resolution Monday.

They wrote that Hunter's testimony is a 'critical component' of their impeachment inquiry into whether then-Vice President Joe 'abused his office' by engaging in 'schemes' with foreigners to enrich himself or his family.

Hunter's 'flagrant defiance' of the subpoenas is 'contemptuous' and he must be 'held accountable for his unlawful actions,' the resolution continues - calling his actions a 'criminal act.'

Top Democrat on the Oversight Committee Jamie Raskin said Monday that there is 'no precedent' for the House to hold 'a private citizen in contempt of Congress who has offered to testify in public, under oath, and on a day of the Committee's choosing.'

He went on to accuse Oversight Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., of wanting to 'keep up the carefully curated distortions, blatant lies, and laughable conspiracy theories that have marked this investigation.'

'However, the facts and the evidence all show no wrongdoing and no impeachable offense by President Biden,' the Democrat continued.

Two former Donald Trump aides Peter Navarro and Steve Bannon were held in contempt and ultimately prosecuted by Biden's DOJ for defying January 6 Committee subpoenas.

Bannon is currently appealing his four-month prison sentence and Navarro is expected to be sentenced later this week, and could face up to one year behind bars.

They both said that executive privilege protected them from having to comply with the congressional committee's demands.

Hunter Biden shockingly showed up Capitol Hill on the morning of his mandatory deposition to acknowledge 'mistakes' he made due to his crack cocaine addiction while blasting Republicans investigating him for 'turning his 'dad's love into darkness'

Republicans had announced they would begin moving forward with contempt last week.

'Hunter Biden blatantly defied two lawful subpoenas when he did not appear for his December deposition,' House Oversight Committee Republicans wrote on X Friday.

'Next week, we will consider a resolution and accompanying report to hold him in contempt of Congress for violating federal law,' the lawmakers said on Friday.

Republicans said that his 'obstruction' of their investigation has forced them to take the president's son to court to compel his cooperation - or he will face jail time.

GOP leadership held a vote to formalize their ongoing impeachment inquiry into Joe on December 13.

The 221-212 party-line vote opened the door for the GOP to get more evidence about schemes that have seen the Biden family get millions from countries including China, Ukraine and Romania.

And the Bidens will now have more of their bank records, mortgage details, emails, text messages and mobile phones subpoenaed, along with anything else Congress wants to see.

Hunter was subpoenaed by Republicans last month along with James Biden, the president's brother, and Biden family associate Rob Walker. Attorneys for James have been in touch with the committee and they are working on scheduling a time for his closed-door testimony.

Hunter Biden made a shock appearance on Capitol Hill where he defiantly declared that his father is innocent of corruption allegations and accused Republicans of being 'shameless' for trying to impeach him.

Hunter delivered an emotional public statement in which he tore into the 'unrelenting Trump attack machine' and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene for showing naked photos of him in Congress.

Hunter admitted making 'mistakes' in his life due to his crack cocaine addiction but went on to blast Republicans investigating him and accused them of 'turning my dad's love into darkness.'

The first son also said his father was 'not financially involved' in his controversial business dealings and that there was no evidence because it 'did not happen.'

Comer and Jordan questioned what Hunter meant when that his father was not 'financially' involved in his dealings.

'Exactly how was Joe Biden involved?' they questioned in the statement. 'Evidence shows Joe Biden met with Hunter's business associates and his name was at the center of the family business strategy.'

Republicans began the process of holding Hunter Biden in Contempt of Congress after he didn't show up for his impeachment probe deposition

Hunter said on December 13: 'I am here today to acknowledge I have made mistakes in my life. I'm also here today to correct how the MAGA right has portrayed me for political purposes.
London Bridge, the long-arranged plan that clicked into place when Queen Elizabeth died, was meticulous in its detail.

But even the most fastidious level of planning sometimes fails to address the practicalities of life.

Shortly after he was told of his mother's death, King Charles picked up the phone to ask the switchboard to put him through to Prince William to relay the sad news.

He suddenly realised that as the news of Queen Elizabeth's death had not been made public yet, he could not announce himself as king.

Charles thought on his feet and said: 'it's me'.

Fortunately the operator recognised his voice and put him through.

London Bridge, the long-arranged plan that clicked into place when Queen Elizabeth died, was meticulous in its detail. Above: King Charles at Aberdeen Airport the day after the Queen's death

The revelation is among a wealth of detail around the accession of the King in a compelling new biography, 'Charles III: New King, New Court. The Inside Story,' by the Daily Mail's esteemed royal expert, Robert Hardman.

It is being exclusively serialised in the Daily Mail starting on Saturday.

Charles, who had travelled at Balmoral from Dumfries House in Scotland when he learnt his mother's health was failing, spent an hour with Queen Elizabeth before she died, along with his wife, Camilla.

The then Prince of Wales then went out to gather mushrooms and clear his head along with his wife and three members of staff, allowing his sister, Princess Anne, and others to spend time with her.

He was driving back to the castle when he received the news that she had died when a member of staff called him 'Your Majesty' for the first time.

Hardman writes: 'There was no question of waiting for the car to pull up at Balmoral.

Shortly after he was told of his mother's death, King Charles picked up the phone to ask the switchboard to put him through to Prince William to relay the sad news

Queen Elizabeth II stands on the Buckingham Palace balcony during the Platinum Jubilee Pageant in July 2022

The Queen on September 6, 2022, when she welcomed new Prime Minister Liz Truss to Balmoral. She passed away two days later

'Imagine if there had been some accident or a hold-up along the way,' explains one senior official. 'It was essential that the new King was told before anyone else.'

'The Balmoral switchboard worked its way through a list of mobile phone numbers. Signals can be sketchy in rural Aberdeenshire and staff would usually have phones on silent while in attendance. Finally, one of the party felt their phone vibrating, recognised the number, answered and handed the phone to Sir Clive [Alderton, Charles' principal private secretary).

'He had to ask his boss to pull over and stop. Sir Edward Young [Queen Elizabeth's private secretary] was now on the other end of the phone. The new monarch knew exactly what was coming next.

'He had just turned off the B976 onto the back drive of the estate when, at the age of 73, he was addressed as 'Your Majesty' for the first time.. No further explanation was needed.

'We're nearly there,' the King replied softly. As the new Queen and the other occupants of the car immediately voiced their condolences, King Charles put the Land Rover in gear and drove on.'

The revelations form part of a fascinating new biography of the King, 'Charles III: New King, New Court. The Inside Story' by the Mail's esteemed royal writer Robert Hardman

The book also reveals how Princess Anne, looking visibly distressed, was offered a hug by a senior members of staff as she waited to greet her brother outside the castle.

She smiled wryly and said, in typical no-nonsense style: 'That is the last time that's going to happen.'

In a touching moment when he arrived at the castle, the new King put his arm around Sir Edward Young and offered his condolences to her most senior member of staff. 'I know how much you'll miss her and how loyal you were to her,' he said.

Adapted from Charles III by Robert Hardman, to be published by Macmillan on 18 January at 22.  Robert Hardman 2024. To order a copy for 17.60 (offer valid to 29/02/2024; UK P&P free on orders over 25) go to www.mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937.
Prince Harry was not told his sister-in-law had personally decided against travelling to Balmoral when the late Queen was dying, a fascinating new biography reveals.

While the royal had raged at his father on the September day in 2022 when Charles asked him to come alone to Scotland, leaving wife Meghan behind, he was apparently pacified by the news that Kate was not going too.

But what he didn't know, royal biographer Robert Hardman now reveals, is that the king hadn't actually asked Kate to stay away.

She had decided herself to remain at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor with her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

They were starting their new school, Lambrook, on September 8 and the Duchess of Cambridge she felt they needed one parent with them.

Prince Harry was not told his sister-in-law had personally decided against travelling to Balmoral when the late Queen was dying, a fascinating new biography reveals. Above: Catherine, the then Duchess of Cambridge, leaves Windsor Castle on September 9, 2022, the day after the Queen's death

Her husband, Prince William, was understandably racing up to Scotland to see his grandmother with the then Earl and Countess of Wessex and Duke of York.

'It was by luck rather than judgement, but it made it a lot easier to tell Harry that he was coming alone,' a royal aide says.

The book also notes that, 'like the late Duke of Edinburgh, she [Queen Elizabeth] did not like a queue of family well-wishers flocking to her bedside when ill'.

The revelation comes in a compelling new biography of the King, 'Charles III: New King, New Court. The Inside Story,' by the Daily Mail's esteemed royal expert, Robert Hardman.

The book is being serialised in the Mail over the next four days, starting on Saturday.

It details the dramatic story of the King's accession to the throne and boasts unrivalled access to the Royal Family, their close friends, staff past and present, top politicians and previously unseen papers in the Royal Archives which are kept under lock and key.

While Harry plays a notably small part in the wider story, the book does details how, as the later Queen's life slowly ebbed away, drama was brewing in the background.

As the Queen's life slowly ebbed away, a Harry-related drama was brewing in the background. Although he had apparently turned down an opportunity to visit his grandmother at Balmoral, the prince was in the UK with his wife Meghan when his father personally called him to break the news her health on was failing on September 8. Above: Harry on his way to Balmoral on the day of the Queen's death

The prince was in the UK with his wife Meghan when his father personally called him to break the news her health on was failing on September 8.

In his memoir, Spare, he claims he then texted his elder brother to ask about travel arrangements but William didn't reply.

'Clearly, Prince William did not regard this as the appropriate moment for the intensely difficult conversation he needed to have with his brother,' Daily Mail royal expert Robert Hardman writes dryly.

There was wariness, he says, about Harry's forthcoming biography and many in the family were still sore over the Sussexes' 'reckless betrayal' as regards their Oprah Winfrey interview.

'Some of the family were probably ready to give him a piece of their mind,' Hardman quotes a source saying.

Prince Harry and Meghan stand behind King Charles and Queen Camilla on the day of the Queen's funeral

King Charles, then the Prince of Wales, is seen with his mother the Queen and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on the Buckingham Palace balcony during Trooping the Colour in 2018

In normal circumstances senior royals wouldn't even discuss such logistics themselves. That would be left to their staff.

Kensington Palace say Harry's team - 'the Sussex camp' - 'had all the numbers' but no such call came.

Charles called Harry again. It is in this call, the prince later claimed, he was told to come without Meghan.

'We can easily image the dread with which the [then] Prince of Wales approached that call. The Sussexes' capacity for taking offence was well known and as everyone was conscious that any conversation could end up in the public domain - as, indeed, this one did three months later,' Hardman says dryly.

Harry raged at his father over Meghan, he later admitted, describing him in Spare as 'nonsensical and disrespectful'.

'I wasn't having it. Don't ever speak about my wife that way,' he wrote.

But Charles explained that he didn't want lots of people in the house and, besides, Harry's sister-in-law, the Duchess of Cambridge wasn't coming either.

'Then that's all you needed to say,' the prince wrote, apparently mollified by this.

But what he didn't know, Hardman reveals, is that the king hadn't asked Kate to stay away at all.

'She had certainly not been asked to stay away,' he writes.

'Rather, it was the start of a new term at a new school for George, Charlotte and Louis, and she had decided that one parent should be with them on such an important day.'

The Queen on September 6, 2022, when she welcomed new Prime Minister Liz Truss to Balmoral. She passed away two days later

The revelations form part of a fascinating new biography of the King, 'Charles III: New King, New Court. The Inside Story' by the Mail's esteemed royal writer Robert Hardman

He stresses at that stage no-one quite knew how bad the situation had become.

Harry also claimed in Spare that no-one that told him his grandmother had died and that he had to learn the news from a BBC breaking news alert on his phone as he touched down in Scotland that evening on a commercial flight.

'Not exactly,' write Hardman. 'A member of Palace staff says that the King had been urgently trying to make contact with his younger son. 'There were repeated attempts to get through to him but no calls were going through because Harry was airborne,' says the official.

Adapted from Charles III by Robert Hardman, to be published by Macmillan on 18 January at 22.  Robert Hardman 2024. To order a copy for 17.60 (offer valid to 29/02/2024; UK P&P free on orders over 25) go to www.mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937.
A rapist who attacked a woman as she lay asleep in her bed has been handed a determinate prison sentence of eight-years.

Adam Mohammed, aged 24 from Exeter, Devon, was found guilty of one count of rape following a trial at Exeter Crown Court in June 2023.

He was sentenced Friday January 12 to eight years in prison, of which he will serve two-thirds before being up for release on licence.

Restaurant worker Mohammed, originally from Sudan, says he came to the UK in 2016 because of ongoing conflict in his country.

Last year, he was granted final leave to remain in the UK by the Home Office, despite the charge against him.

But he may now face deportation after serving his sentence and will remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Adam Mohammed aged 24, was found guilty of raping a student in her bed in March 2021

During the trial, Exeter Crown Court heard how in March 2021 the victim, who was a student at the time, had been socialising with friends at her accommodation block on Exeter University campus.

Several people had joined the party, including three men who were unknown to the victim and to the rest of her friends.

At around midnight, the victim was put to bed by friends and her door was left unlocked so that friends could check in on her throughout the night.

At around 2am, the victim woke up in bed to find Mohammed raping her. She initially froze before pushing him away and fleeing to a friend's room for help.

Police were alerted and officers were immediately on the scene and searches were carried out. Extensive enquiries led to Mohammed's swift arrest, who was located within the University campus.

Mohammed denied the offence but was later charged with rape.

During the five-day trial in June 2023, the court heard from several witnesses. One witness stated that she had felt very uncomfortable in Mohammed's presence and had been 'creeped out' by him and the sexualised comments that he made throughout the night.

From forensic examination of the victim's clothes, DNA was linked to Mohammed.

He had stated that his DNA, which was found on the victim's underwear, had got there due to the group playing drinking games that evening, something the victim and the witnesses all refute.

The jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict, and Mohammed was convicted of one count of rape following a trial on June 8 last year

On sentencing, Judge Evans said: 'What is clear from the evidence is that on finding the victim alone and asleep in her bed, you moved her clothing and began raping her hoping that she would not wake, until in fact she did wake and once she had processed what you were doing to her, pushed you off and fled the room.

'Against your hopes the victim was robustly alert enough, despite the awful attack upon her, to recognise her attacker as someone she had seen during the party earlier and she gave your description to police when they arrived within an hour of the offence.'

Detective Constable Alex Powe, officer in the case, welcomed the sentence and said: 'It is clear that Mohammed took advantage of the victim while she was asleep.

'He will now serve a considerable amount of time in prison where he can no longer be a threat to women.

'I am incredibly grateful to the victim and her friends for the courage they have shown and their tenacity to bring this offender to justice.

'This investigation shows that we are committed to routing out predatory men.

'Our message is simple; there is no place to hide.

'We will do all that we can to seek out offenders and bring them before the courts.'

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Andy Hingston said: 'I would like to praise the actions of the victim and her friends, who have shown great courage throughout the trial.

'I would also like to praise the hard work and dedication shown by Detective Constable Alex Powe who has gone above and beyond to secure this conviction.

'The team arrested and charged the offender within 24-hours of the incident.

'I also extend my thanks to the Crown Prosecution Service for their work and collaboration on this case.

'Violence against women and girls is quite simply unacceptable, and as a society we will not tolerate it.

'We want to hear from anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault, we will listen to you and support you.'

T/Deputy Chief Constable Dave Thorne said: 'Bringing this offender to justice would not have happened without the bravery of the victim, in being willing to come forward and report such a traumatic crime to us. I would like to thank and commend her for being so brave.

'In addition, I would like to thank the investigation and prosecution teams for their determination and commitment to ensure this dangerous man was convicted and imprisoned.

'This should be a warning to other men who feel they can prey on vulnerable women. It is simply unacceptable.

'We will identify you and prosecute you if you choose to behave like this.'

A general view of Exeter University campus in 2012

A spokesperson for the University of Exeter said: 'We are appalled by the nature of this crime.

'The safety and wellbeing of everyone on our campuses is always our highest priority and our overriding concern has been, and remains, to provide support and assistance to those involved.

'While instances such as this are extremely rare in Exeter and nationwide, the University has a wide range of welfare services and procedures in place to support anyone who has been a victim of crime.'
Officials have begun to uncover horrifying information about the goings-on at a Colorado funeral home where nearly 200 decaying bodies were found.

Jon and Carie Hallford face 250 charges of forgery, theft, money laundering and abuse of a corpse after nearly 200 decaying bodies were discovered at their Return to Nature funeral home in Colorado Springs.

Police found 190 dead bodies abandoned in rooms where 'human decomposition fluids and insects lined the floors' after repeated complaints from neighbors about the 'dead animal smell' sitting over the area.

Investigation has revealed texts sent between both owners showing they were under growing financial pressures and feared that they would be caught.

Some of the messages showed that the pair had considered digging a big hole and treating the bodies with lye or setting them on fire.

Officials also found animal remains and bags of packaged concrete.

Jon and Carie Hallford face 250 charges of forgery, theft, money laundering and abuse of a corpse after nearly 200 decaying bodies were discovered at their Return to Nature funeral home in Colorado Springs.

Jon appeared before the court for a hearing last week where his bond amount was reduced from $2million cash only to a $100,000 cash surety bond

Carie appeared in court for a preliminary hearing yesterday and will appear again today

Jon appeared before the court for a hearing last week where his bond amount was reduced from $2 million cash only to a $100,000 cash surety bond.

The judge believed Jon would not threaten public safety if released and had no previous criminal history.

Carie appeared in court for a preliminary hearing yesterday and will appear again today.

The judge will consider a defense motion to prevent the release of the probable cause affidavit. Bond arguments will be heard on January 17th.

According to FBI agent Andrew Cohen, 23 of the bodies found had death dates from 2019, and 61 were from 2020.

The company's operating license expired in November last year but the state has little regulation of funeral homes with no routine inspections or qualification requirements

He said during a hearing: 'It looked like something you'd like to forget but can't.'

Cohen also showed pictures of the funeral home in court. He explained that the floor of the first room was originally a creme-white color, but it was brown in pictures because it was covered in human decomposition liquids.

He further said that police had to place cardboard on the floors to avoid slipping inside.

Bodies were stacked up on top of each other and some were not even in body bags, according to him.

Some of the bodies were partially covered with their head and feet exposed, others were found wrapped in plastic and duct tape and some were found in black plastic totes.

The firm owed more than $120,000 in unpaid bills by the time it was raided in October

The EPA has announced that the building will be demolished after fury from neighbors

At the hearing, text messages between the duo were also revealed, showing that Jon had begun worrying about getting caught back in 2020.

'My one and only focus is keeping us out of jail,' read one text message he allegedly wrote.

According to Kevin Clark, an investigator with the district attorney's office, Jon had texted Caire: 'Options: A, build a new machine ASAP. B, dig a big hole and use lye. Where? C, dig a small hole and build a large fire. Where? D, I go to prison, which is probably going to happen.'

It is still unclear what machine he was referring to.

In another text from last year, Jon began to describe what he wanted for dinner to Caire while being covered in 'people juice.'

'I want to take a shower as soon as I get back because while I was making the transfer, I got people juice on me. Want the double cheeseburger, lettuce, wrapped with everything minus tomatoes, please,' the text read.

The company opened for business in 2017 offering 'a natural way of caring for your loved one with minimal environmental impact.'

But by the time of the raid it owed more than $120,000 in unpaid bills and had been repeatedly taken to court over unpaid wages and disputes with local medical centers.

Fremont County Coroner Randy Keller said so far 110 of the decedents have been identified, but urged anyone who used Back to Nature funeral services between September 2019 and 2023 to get in touch

The company's operating license expired in November last year but the state has little regulation of funeral homes with no routine inspections or qualification requirements for operators.

'For four years, I've marched all over this country with this urn believing it to be my son,' said Crystina Page whose 20-year-old son, David, who was shot and killed by law enforcement in 2019.

'My son has been laying there rotting for four years. It's the most horrendous feeling I've ever had in my life.'

County coroners worked around the clock for a week in a bid to identify the bodies after the property was raided on October 4.

DNA testing had to be used on many due to the state of the bodies before they were returned to their families.

The FBI currently has a 'Seeking Victim Information in Return to Nature Funeral Home' questionnaire open on its website for families who believe someone they know is one of the 190 bodies found.
Two toddlers were gang-raped in a shopping center bathroom while their mothers believed their alleged pedophile co-worker was looking after them.

Arthur Hector Fernandez, 29, a shop worker at the Galleria mall in Houston, is accused of being the ringleader of at least seven men who abused the infants.

He then allegedly posted four videos he filmed of the horrific abuse of the two-year-old boys on evil corners of the dark web for fellow pedophiles.

That was his alleged undoing, as the videos were spotted by Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation, and the children's mothers identified him.

Fernandez allegedly gained access to the children because he worked with one of their mothers and next door to the other one.

The women were sometimes called in to work on their day off, or couldn't arrange or afford childcare, and trusted their friend Fernandez to watch them.

Arthur Hector Fernandez, 29, is accused of leading a gang of pedophiles who filmed themselves raping two toddlers in a Texas mall bathroom

Judge Andrew Edison took one look at a the 'overwhelming' and 'revolting' evidence and threw Fernandez in jail until his trial.

'I cannot allow (the) defendant to abuse any other minors, and there are no conditions or combination of conditions (of release) that can alleviate a danger to the community. This is not a close call,' he wrote in his order.

The evidence lays out in horrifying detail how four men repeatedly abused the boys, including one who was raped on a changing table.

One of the men even told the victim to 'shut the f**k up' as he struggled, and in another video an abuser called the boy 'you f**king s**t' and told him to 'cry like a little b***h'.

Fernandez is the only suspect charged in the case so far, and it is unclear if the other men in the video have been identified by police.

After the FBI was tipped off last month, agents had the grim task of painstakingly analyzing the footage for clues, and noticed one of the men's distinctive bracelets.

They tracked down one of the mothers after running the child's face through an open-source image search and showed her a 'sanitized' image of the jewelry.

She said she recognized the two silver bracelets - one a chain with a dolphin charm and the other a solid bead style - as regularly worn by Fernandez.

Investigators combed through Fernandez's Instagram page and found a photo of him allegedly wearing the same bracelets.

The mother told them Fernandez frequently wore white Converse All-Star shoes, just like the pair seen in one of the videos.

The attacks are said to have happened at Houston's Galleria Mall, where Fernandez worked in a kiosk

With her help, investigators identified the second child and his mother, whom they presented with the same evidence and she also identified Fernandez.

Both women said Fernandez sometimes watched their sons when they were forced to take them to work as they couldn't find or afford childcare.

The first mother said he pushed her child around the mall last summer when she was called into work last minute on her day off.

She sent the FBI a video she found of Fernandez walking out of the Galleria on May 6 last year wearing the same outfit as he allegedly was in one of the videos.

The second woman said Fernandez took her child around the mall near Christmas 2022, and took him trick-or-treating last year.

Police raided Fernandez's home and seized his computer, tablet, two phones, and a camera storage card, along with three pairs of white Converse All-Stars.

He was arrested on December 18 in Kingwood, Texas, and has been behind bars ever since.

FBI agent Torrence White, in announcing the charges against Fernandez, warned parents that predators were often someone they knew.

'The perpetrators of these crimes are family members, teachers, and members of the community. Oftentimes folks are looking for the monster in the white van, but often it's the person you know,' he said.

Houston's Galleria is the biggest mall in Texas and seventh largest in the US. It opened in 1969 and has 400 stores.
The family of an Israeli still being held hostage by Hamas has claimed that a Red Cross worker said they should focus on Gazans and not their missing loved-one.

Speaking to Jake Tapper on CNN, Doron Steinbrechers brother Dor said the Red Cross worker made the comment when his mother raised concerns about the 30-year-old' needing daily medication.

'She told them that my sister needs to get her medicine, and they told her we should care more about the Arab people on the other side,' Dor said, prompting Tapper to describe the claim as 'shocking.'

'My sister should take her medication on a daily basis. She probably hasnt taken it since Oct 7,' Dor said before acknowledging he does know know if Doron is still alive.

Dor added: 'All the hostages who came back, no one [has seen] her in Gaza. We didnt have any sign of life for her.'

Doron Steinbrechers brother Dor claimed the Red Cross worker made the comment as his mother raised concerns about the 30-year-old's needing daily medication

Doron, a nurse and veterinarian from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, called her mother as the attack unfolded and she hid under her bed in a safe room, before Hamas terrorists found her

Family of female hostage being held in Gaza says when parents told the Red Cross that she needed daily medication for her health, a Red Cross worker told them they should focus their concerns on Gazans. pic.twitter.com/utwMxLjuIc  Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) January 9, 2024

DailyMail.com has contacted the Red Cross for comment.

On Friday, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will send medicine to the hostages for the first time since the October 7 attacks, following talks between Mossad and Qatari officials.

Dor and Doron's parents Roni and Simons Steinbrecher previously claimed they had been reprimanded by the Red Cross after asking for their daughter's meds.

Roni said they told her: 'Think about the Palestinian side. It's hard for the Palestinians, they're being bombed.'

Doron, a nurse and veterinarian from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, called her mother as the attack unfolded. She was hiding under a bed in a safe room, before Hamas terrorists found her.

She is one of scores of elderly women, young mothers and frightened children who were taken and used as gambling chips to further the cause of a terror group that killed 1,300 Israelis on October 7, the single deadliest day in the Jewish nation's history.

The war has so far left at least 15,000 civilians in Gaza dead, according to figures deemed trustworthy by the UN.

With negotiations stalling following the collapsed ceasefire, dozens of Israelis remain captive in Gaza as the war rages on.

Israel's ambassador to the UN earlier this week begged the general assembly not to forget the young women held hostage by Hamas.

Gilad Erdan showed this newspaper's haunting images of four bloodied and bruised teenagers, taken hours after they were kidnapped, to the delegates in New York.

On Tuesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on Israel to work with moderate Palestinians and neighboring countries on plans for a postwar Gaza, saying they were willing to help rebuild and govern the territory but only if there is a 'pathway to a Palestinian state.'

Homes were left burnt after Hamas terrorists attacked Doran's kibbutz during the October 7th massacre

The war that has already killed at least 15,000 civilians in Gaza, according to figures deemed trustworthy by the UN

The US and Israel are united in the war against Hamas but sharply divided over Gazas future, with Washington and its Arab allies hoping to revive the long-moribund peace process, an idea that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and his coalition partners sharply oppose.

The war in Gaza is still raging, with no end in sight, and fueling a humanitarian catastrophe in the tiny coastal enclave.

The fighting has also stoked escalating violence between Israel and Lebanons Hezbollah militants that has raised fears of a wider conflict.

Speaking at a news conference after meeting with top Israeli leaders, Blinken said Israel 'must stop taking steps that undercut the Palestinians ability to govern themselves effectively.'

US officials have called for the Palestinian Authority, which currently administers parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, to take the reins in Gaza. Israeli leaders have rejected that idea but have not put forward a concrete plan beyond saying they will maintain open-ended military control over the territory.

Blinken has said that Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey agreed to begin planning for the reconstruction and governance of Gaza once the war ends.

The leaders of Jordan, Egypt and the Palestinian Authority are set to meet Wednesday in Jordans southern Red Sea city of Aqaba
Mysterious footage shows a group of UFOs flying above Philadelphia - with two of the crafts even strangely merging together.

A witness uploaded the bizarre video of the sighting on Reddit and described the large cluster of lights as 'spinning and darting back and forth.'

The user said the multicolored lights were flying 'very high' above Philadelphia.

Footage of the peculiar sighting was very shaky, which the witness said was because their wife couldn't stop the car, so the mysterious objects were unclear.

A different Reddit user joked 'next time you see UFO's in the sky, please, politely, tell your wife to STOP THE F***ING CAR!'

Mysterious footage shows a group of UFOs flying above Philadelphia - with two of the crafts even strangely merging together

A witness uploaded the bizarre video of the sighting on Reddit and described the large cluster of lights as 'spinning and darting back and forth'

The user said the multicolored lights were flying 'very high' above Philadelphia

Despite the shaky footage - the group of strange lights were obviously seen floating amid the bright blue sky in the middle of the day.

The Pennsylvania sighting comes amid a flurry of UFO sightings all over the country, and in the middle of a series of congress hearings about what the government knows about aliens.

On New Years Day conspiracy theorists claimed that there was an alien at a mall in Miami.

Eerie footage captured of Miami police's response to an incident on New Year's Day appeared to show an alien-type creature floating around.

It was widely shared by conspiracy theorists on social media who claimed a 10-foot-tall silhouette walking near cop cars was from another planet.

One user claimed a 'glowing figure' was walking through smoke during the chaotic scene.

Shocking recently-released UFO footage revealed a 'jellyfish' craft that isn't visible to the naked eye - which was allegedly buried by the intelligence community.

Leaked US military footage of a mysterious flying object was unveiled by expert Jeremy Corbell.

Two different angles of the aircraft show the mysterious entity as it flies over the land and water of a military base.

The UFO can only be seen on thermal camera and the object switches between black and white - indicating a change in temperature from hot to cold.

Corbell revealed that troops in 2018 were instructed to 'hunt it down'.

UFO sightings are also being reported internationally. Hikers in Brazil managed to get a video of two creatures they claimed are aliens.

Eyewitness Sara Dalete of Brasilia spotted the bizarre figures while she was with her family in Ilha do Mel.

Footage of the elongated 10-foot-tall figures has gone viral on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.

The mysterious figures stood on a hilltop that Dalete said 'wasn't possible to reach the top.'

Both of them were moving their arms quickly but remained standing on the hilltop during the entire video.

This is the first suspected sighting of aliens in Ilha do Mel in Brazil history.

The New York Times in 2020 exposed the Pentagon's ongoing U.F.O unit - where officials continue to study mysterious interactions between UFOs and military pilots.

Following the groundbreaking revelation - a House Oversight subcommittee held a hearing on UFOs in July 2023.

Three former military officials told congress in the hearing that the government knows much more about UFOs than they let on to the public.

During the hearing - a former intelligence officer suggested people have been murdered by the US government as part of the conspiracy to keep UFOs a secret in a bombshell hearing held by Congress.

David Grusch - a former high-ranking intelligence official - is one of three military whistleblowers who testified under oath that they had firsthand encounters or knowledge about secret government programs involving technology that is 'non-human.'

He claimed that the US has been in possession of UFOs since 'the 1930s' and has been secretly back-engineering them and carrying out a public disinformation campaign to prevent the details from leaking publicly.

At one point during the first-of-its-kind hearing, Representative Tim Burchett (R-Tenn) asked Grusch: 'Personally, have you heard anyone [has] been murdered?' Grausch said: 'I have to be careful answering that question. I directed people with that knowledge to the appropriate authorities.'

House Oversight Committee members are set to undergo a classified briefing on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), commonly known as UFOs, this week.

The covert meeting, shrouded in mystery, underscores a surging interest among lawmakers from both ends of the spectrum that are demanding increased government transparency on the extraterrestrial front.

The briefing, scheduled for Tuesday morning in the Office of House Security, will be conducted by the Office of Inspector General of the Intelligence Community, Thomas A. Monheim.
Michelle Troconis, the Venezuelan socialite accused of covering up the murder of Connecticut mother Jennifer Dulos, is in court again for the second day of her trial.

Troconis is accused of helping her boyfriend, Jennifer's estranged husband Fotis, in carrying out the killing and then covering it up.

Fotis killed himself in January 2020 while on bail. He had been charged with his wife's May 2019 killing but denied it.

Now, Troconis is facing up to 20 years in prison on charges of conspiracy to commit murder and evidence tampering. She maintains her innocence.

Michelle Troconis, 49, in court in Connecticut on Friday for the second day of her trial

Troconis listening to the court proceedings via a translator. The Venezuelan socialite denies the charges

Jennifer Farber Dulos vanished in May 2019. Her remains have never been found, but police believe she was murdered by her husband Fotis Dulos, and that his new girlfriend Michelle Troconis conspired with him to help him cover up the crime

Yesterday, the court was shown bodycam footage of police searching Jennifer's New Canaan home on the day she vanished.

They discovered what looked like blood on the grill of her Range Rover, and 'bloody footprints' on the floor.

'There appeared to be red blood on the front of the vehicle. A red mark on the grill of the vehicle.

'We looked at the vehicle, didn't observe any damage, we discussed it possibly could be a deer strike... there was no hair or damage indicating any such collision with a deer,' the officer giving evidence said.

Forensics teams later found huge patches of blood that someone had attempted to clean in the same garage.

The state claims Fotis lay in wait there for his wife and pounced on her when she returned from dropping their five kids off at school.

A 'red stain' on the grill of Jennifer Dulos' Range Rover on May 24, 2019, the day she vanished. Police searching the house said it stood out to them and did not appear to have been from a deer strike. The state alleges Fotis Dulos killed his wife either in the home or the garage, injuring her so badly that she bled profusely, and then removed her body

Jennifer's car was sitting in the house when police arrived. It was not the vehicle she used to drop off the kids earlier in the day - that car was later found discarded. The garage has a door that leads into the house

Troconis  who is accused of helping lover Fotis Dulos kill his wife in 2019  is currently free on a $2million bond and faces up to twenty years in prison if convicted

On Friday, the trial judge ruled that the alleged bloodstains will be shown to jurors.

Troconis' lawyers had tried to claim doing so was 'junk science' and no better than using a 'ouija board.'

Her attorney Jon Schoenhorn said there could be '50 or 100 things that also glow with a blacklight' including bleach, rust, paint and turpentine.

He is alleged to have beaten her to death, before dismembering her body and transporting it away from the scene.

Jennifer's remains were never found.

At the core of the prosecution's case is surveillance camera footage that shows Fotis and Michelle later that day, stopping at 30 different garbage cans.

Michelle insists she does not know what he was disposing of and never asked.

She is also accused of helping him concoct a fake alibi for the day of the killing.

Fotis and Jennifer were in the midst of an acrimonious divorce at the time of her death. They were not only arguing over finances, but were also battling over who would win custody of their children.

The children now live with Jennifer's mother in New York City.

The mother-to-five, who made her living as a writer for Patch.com, was last seen returning home at 8.05am on a neighbor's security camera.

She missed two doctor's appointments in New York City scheduled for later that day, and two of her friends, including her nanny Lauren Almeida, reported her missing after being unable to get in touch with her.

State police launched an investigation, starting with a search of her home where they found her blood splattered on the exterior of a Range Rover in her garage and on several surfaces in the kitchen.

Officials said there was evidence of an attempted cleanup, and the enormous amount of blood made it apparent Jennifer could not have survived.

She was going through a messy divorce with Fotis at the time, and arrest warrants show that he was also $7 million in debt while living with Troconis and her daughter in the Farmington, Connecticut home he once shared with his wife and children.

Troconis' trial continues.
Sam Altman, the high-profile chief executive of of OpenAI, has married his partner Oliver Mulherin at his '$43 million Hawaii estate.'

Stunning photos of the intimate ceremony in Kailua-Kona, on Hawaii Island were circulated on social media on Thursday. Altman confirmed the happy news to NBC.

The pictures show the loved-up pair all-in-white exchanging rings at the alter.

Another shows that couple stomping on a glass wrapped in a napkin, a traditional Jewish wedding tradition.

Altman, 38, hit headlines late last year after being turfed out of OpenAI, the company responsible for ChatGPT, only to be rehired days later after a staff revolt.

Sam Altman, (left) CEO of OpenAI, has married his partner Oliver Mulherin (right)

Sam Altman's $43 million estate in Kailua-Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaii

The CEO had previously kept a much lower profile but ramped up his public appearances last year, including testifying in congress about the future of AI.

The photographs circulated of the wedding circulated online were confirmed as authentic by Business Insider, and appear to have been screenshotted from Altman's private Instagram story.

Mulherin, is a software engineer by profession and previously worked at Meta.

He was born in Australia and completed a bachelor's in computer science from the University of Melbourne.

He also previously embarked on a number of AI projects from language detection to video games throughout his time at university in Australia.

According to the New York Times, Altman and Mulherin live together in San Francisco and frequent a a 25-year-old ranch that has been 'remodeled to look both folksy and contemporary' in Napa, California, for regular weekends away.

Altman also expressed his desire to have children with his husband in a previous interview with the New York Magazine in September 2023.

Altman, 38, hit the headlines late last year after being turfed out of OpenAI , the company responsible for ChatGPT , only to be rehired days later after a staff revolt

The couple have made high-profile public appearances together, including at a White House state dinner last year

The couple have made high-profile public appearances together, including at a White House state dinner last year.

Altman co-founded OpenAI as a nonprofit organization in 2015 with several tech billionaires, including Elon Musk.

In April, more than 25,000 people signed an open letter calling for a six-month pause in AI research.

At the time, Altman said he agreed with calls for caution, but he disagreed with the 'technical nuance' contained in the open letter. He did not sign it.

Reports have claimed that several employees wrote a letter to the OpenAI board before Altman was removed from OpenAI.

The letter is said to detail how Altman's company was working on new AI discoveries, one of which was named Q, that were dangerous, and serious risks were involved with commercializing technologies whose potential consequences the company did not firmly grasp.

Reuters reported that Q* is part of the reason Altman was fired from OpenAI, due to the new system's advanced abilities.

Sources said Q* was already acing math tests, while the last version of ChatGPT, GPT-4, still struggles with high school exams.

GPT-4 launched in March, giving it time to advance, while Q* has yet to be confirmed.

Sources also claimed Q* could use non-linear methods such as Tree-of-Thoughts, Monte-Carlo Tree Search (MCTS), Process-Supervised Reward Models (PRMs), and a learning algorithm.

However, OpenAI staff are said to believe that Q* could be the breakthrough that enables the development of AGI.

OpenAI has defined AGI as 'AI systems that are generally smarter than humans.'
Reading prison which captured the attention of Banksy and counted Oscar Wilde as a past inmate has been sold by the Ministry of Defence to an educational charity with links to China.

The jail where the celebrated Irish-born wit and playwright was imprisoned was closed in January 2014 and has remained empty ever since.

A campaign to turn the Grade II listed building into an arts and community centre was supported by celebrities including Stephen Fry, Kate Winslet and Dame Judi Dench.

The Ministry of Justice said the prison has been sold to the Ziran Education Foundation.

The foundation, giving a UK contact address in Poplar, London, said it is a non-profit organisation founded by Chinese billionaire Channing Bi 'and his partners with same values'. It added that it is 'dedicated to promoting a compassionate, peaceful, and sustainable world through education'.

In 2021 a portrait by the celebrated street artist Banksy appeared on the prison wall in Reading

The image shows a prisoner escaping on a rope made of bedsheets tied to a typewriter

Oscar Wilde (pictured) spent two years in the jail after being convicted in 1895 of gross indecency - effectively for being gay

'To achieve this goal, the organization focuses on several key areas of education such as teacher training programs, workshops, and active partnerships with existing schools.

'These programs are designed to provide educators with funding and resources they need to foster the development of emotional, social, and ethical intelligence in students and themselves.'

The MoJ said Ziran's plans for the site included an educational centre incorporating a museum and exhibition space.

Oscar Wilde spent two years in the jail after being convicted in 1895 of gross indecency - effectively for being gay.

He spent the last three years of his life in exile in France, where he composed his last work, The Ballad of Reading Gaol, describing an execution at the prison.

In 2021 a portrait by the celebrated street artist Banksy appeared on a prison wall.

The image showed a prisoner escaping on a rope made of bedsheets tied to a typewriter.

The artist later offered to support the campaign to create an arts hub at the site by selling the stencil he had used in order to match the jail's 10m asking price.

The MoJ said: 'The sale follows an extensive bidding and vetting process to guarantee best value for taxpayers' money while ensuring future planning applications acknowledge the historic nature of the site.

'The Ziran Education Foundation will now engage with Reading Borough Council on the use of the site as it will need to approve any development plans.

The Ministry of Justice said the prison has been sold to the Ziran Education Foundation

Oscar Wilde's health suffered in prison and continued to decline after his release

'Initial proposals included plans for an educational centre providing services to the local community, including a museum outlining the history of the prison and an exhibition space accessible to the public.'

Reading East Labour MP Matt Rodda's wanted it saved for public use.

Campaign group Save Reading Gaol, and celebrities including Oscar-winning Titanic actress Kate Winslet, who grew up in Reading, Stephen Fry, Natalie Dormer, Dame Judi Dench and Sir Kenneth Branagh, plus street artist Banksy, pressed for it to become a site for the arts and culture.

It's been claimed the empty prison costs more than 250,000 a year to maintain.

The jail officially closed in January 2014 after the last inmate left in November 2013. It was put up for sale by the MoJ in October 2019.

The idea for the building to be turned into a theatre and arts hub gained popularity after it was used for an arts exhibition in 2016.

Oscar Wilde's health suffered in prison and continued to decline after his release.

He spent the last three years of his life in exile in France, where he composed his last work The Ballad of Reading Gaol.

It was reported that the possible sale figure could be around 2.6 million.

Protective screens were placed on the wall of the prison after it was adorned with the graffiti of street artist Banksy.

The graffiti showed a prisoner - possibly resembling famous inmate Oscar Wilde - escaping on a rope made of bedsheets, tied to a typewriter.

Playwright and wit Wilde was held at the prison after his homosexual affair with Lord Alfred Douglas was exposed.

He penned the Ballad of Reading Gaol to reflect on the brutality of the Victorian penal system.

Reading council repeated its desire to buy the jail and transform it into 'a beacon of arts, heritage and culture' for the community.

Widely known as Reading Gaol, the Grade II-listed site was last used as a young offenders' institution.

The council's bid sought to put the historic prison as the centrepiece of a unique mixed use development including:

A heritage centre celebrating its history and archaeology

Space for theatre, dance, music, cinema and outdoor exhibitions

High quality and flexible public spaces

A creative innovation hub hosting affordable workspaces, events, workshops and exhibitions

A rooftop cafe

It would also have included a new residential quarter with energy efficient homes, including some affordable homes.
The Metropolitan Police and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) engaged in a bizarre online spat on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday after an officer was charged with assaulting a woman who was wrongly arrested for bus fare evasion.

PC Perry Lathwood, 49, was handed the charge after he 'beat' his victim during her arrest, leaving her with bruising, as reported by the IOPC. Footage of the incident between the officer and the woman, who was arrested in Whitehorse Road, Croydon, on July 21 2023, was shared widely on social media at the time.

On Friday, the IOPC finally shared on X that Lathwood will appear in court next month following the decision by the Crown Prosecution Service to charge him.

The Met's official account replied to share a statement from Chief Supt Andy Brittain, who is responsible for policing in Croydon: 'The news that an officer has been charged with assault will undoubtedly cause a great deal of concern.

'Officers know they must be able to justify their use of force. The Met has written to the IOPC seeking urgent clarity on the reasons for the charging decision.

'Criminal proceedings are now active and as a result I am unable to comment further on the case.'

Within less than an hour, the IOPC replied: 'Hi @metpoliceuk, as you know a decision on whether to charge someone with a crime, whether a police officer or a member of the public, is taken independently by the Crown Prosecution Service.'

The footage shows the mother being held by police officers as her young son hysterically cries in desperation

In response to the video at the time, the force had defended the officers' actions, stating that the woman was thought to have not paid her bus fare

Video from last summer showed the victim, who has not been named, being held back by Lathwood, an officer from the Met's Road Traffic Polcing Command, as her young son cries hysterically in desperation.

Passers-by in Croydon, south London, demand to know why the woman is being handcuffed, while a female officer attempts to calm the young boy down.

The woman was later released when it was confirmed that she had paid the fare.

At the time Metropolitan Police said in a statement: 'We are aware of a video circulating showing a female being handcuffed by police.

'Officers from the Roads and Transport Policing Command were conducting a joint revenue protection operation with Transport for London inspectors in Whitehorse Road, Croydon, on Friday July 21.

'One woman left the bus after not complying with a revenue inspector's request to check that she has paid her fare.

'When asked to stop by police she attempted to walk off and became abusive. As a result she was arrested on suspicion of fare evasion and detained.

'When it was later established that the woman had paid she was de-arrested and allowed to go on her way.

'The woman was with her child and we appreciate that the video and circumstances look concerning.

'However, it is a snapshot of a wider incident. The video from this incident and the officers' body worn video, which was active for a longer period than the social media clip, has been reviewed.

'Our officers regularly liaise with local community groups and forums and we will be discussing the matter with them and listening to their views.'

Lathwood will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on February 14

However, after an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) had been concluded in December, PC Perry Lathwood was charged with assault.

Lathwood will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on February 14.

Chief superintendent Andy Brittain, who is responsible for policing in Croydon, said: 'The news that an officer has been charged with assault will undoubtedly cause a great deal of concern.

'Officers know they must be able to justify their use of force.

The Metropolitan Police Service has written to the IOPC seeking urgent clarity on the reasons for the charging decision.'
Pip, Pam, Pepe, Pickle, Plum, and Paul - names given to the dogs by the group - were seen playing and exercising now that they have a second chance at life

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Just days ago, these young dogs were still in the clutches of one of America's worst dog breeders, crammed inside tiny cages without enough to eat or drink.

Now, they can look forward to a second chance at life after a daring rescue on January 9 by one of this country's top animal welfare groups, the Humane Society.

Pip, a yellow Labrador, was one of the nearly 100 canines saved from Missouri puppy farm owner Sandra Kozlowski after a judge ruled she had broken the Show Me state's anti-cruelty laws.

Puppy mills are farms where dogs are forced to breed in inhumane conditions until they are no longer physically capable of doing so, churning out puppies for profit.

Now safely out of harm's way, the docile four-month-old pup yawns and then dozes off in the arms of Ella Frank, the charity's anti-cruelty director who led the raid on the property.

Pip, a yellow Labrador, was one of the nearly 100 canines saved from evil Missouri puppy farm owner Sandra Kozlowski after a judge said she had broken the Show Me state's anti-cruelty laws

Plum, was crammed into 'wire-style crates' and weren't provided proper food, water, or sufficient exercise

Pepe was one of the 97 dogs that were rescued. Rescuers described the stench of 'urine and ammonia' that left their ' eyes watering as they seized the dogs from their abusive breeder

Volunteers at the Humane Society are pictured with the dogs, some of whom are still being nursed back to health and others that are up are adoption

Adorable Black Labrador puppy named Pickle is pictured playing outside. Most of the dogs, ranging from a few months to two years old, are still getting used to life on a leash

'Knowing that they lived their lives locked in cages, it is just heart-breaking,' she told DailyMail.com. 'And knowing that they will be getting a second chance to be a family pet is why we do what do.'

Frank described the stench of 'urine and ammonia' that left her fellow rescuers' eyes watering as they seized the dogs from their abusive breeder.

Pip, along with five other hounds that DailyMail.com met in the Cave State city of St Louis, will now wait patiently to be adopted by their next loving owners.

Their rescue came after Sandra Kozlowski was found guilty on January 4 of contempt of court after she ignored a 2019 legal diktat to improve conditions at her now notorious puppy 'factory'

Three dogs of the group of 97 English Labradors were already been snapped up on the morning that DailyMail.com came to meet the new arrivals.

The others must first be nursed back to health by staff at the non-profit's main refuge, entirely financed by donations, after surviving Kozlowski's 'house of horrors', and then neutered or spayed.

Laura Keller, the director of communications for the Humane Society of Missouri, said many of the dogs are being treated for yeast infections inside their ears, while some are being checked for any signs of tumors.

'A lot of the puppies were so embedded in their own feces and their urine that they had sores on their paws that required immediate medical attention to clear up any infections they had,' she told DailyMail.com.

Pip, Pam, Pepe, Pickle, Plum, and Paul - names given to them by the group - were never given the chance to exercise by their wicked former owner.

And most of them, ranging from a few months to two years old, are still getting used to life on a leash.

Still untrained, they tug uncontrollably at their handlers' leashes in excitement at being allowed out for an early morning walk as Pepe clutches his favorite squeaky toy, a rubber frog, in his mouth.

Their rescue came after Kozlowski was found guilty on January 4 of contempt of court after she ignored a 2019 legal diktat to improve conditions at her now notorious puppy 'factory'.

And her former customers told DailyMail.com that the 66-year-old divorcee was charging an eye-watering $5,000 for each Labrador that she sold from her squalid, money-spinning puppy mill.

It means the sick Cruella De Vil type businesswoman, who pumped out pups for profit with a flagrant disregard for their welfare, has taken a near $500,000 hit to the pocket.

Kozlowski, 66, was charging an eye-watering $5,000 for each Labrador that she sold from her squalid, money-spinning puppy mill

It means the sick Cruella De Vil-type businesswoman, who pumped out pups for profit with a flagrant disregard for their welfare, has taken a near $500,000 hit to the pocket

A total of 97 dogs were saved this week by the Human Society of Missouri from an unlicensed breeder, Sho-Me Labradors, in Phelps County

Kozlowski has also been cited frequently for refusing inspections of her breeding site (pictured) and during an inspection in August, approximately 20 violations were found

Kelly, who declines to give her full name, said that she bought her dog, who passed away before Christmas, from Kozlowski's Sho-Me Labrador farm.

'We couldn't see the conditions because whenever you visited you were always kept outside her house, which is a little bit suspicious in itself,' she said. 'My husband has already said that we won't be giving her another dime.'

Missouri officials had asked judges to take the animals away from evil Kozlowski over her repeated violations of the Animal Care Facilities Act.

Court documents show she illegally turned away state inspectors who tried to check on her dogs.

Missouri's Department of Agriculture, the body that regulates dog breeding in the Cave State, finally got access to her unlicensed puppy farm last August.

They said Kozlowski had been operating her shady business for the past two years without the proper permit.

Inspectors 'found approximately 20 violations (of local animal anti-cruelty laws), including large dogs kept in small, cramped wire crates without consistent access to water.'

Court documents seen by DailyMail.com show that she was hit with a suspended $5,000 fine in 2019.

It was that judgment that eventually led to more than 80 dogs removed from her care that year and the year after.

Yet the January 4 filing ordered Kozlowski to cough up the money immediately for failing to comply with that judgment from five years ago.

Judge William E. Hickle, appointed under Barack Obama, also banned her from owning more than 10 dogs at time.

She will also be prevented from holding a Missouri state commercial breeding license for the next ten years, preventing her from raking in the proceeds of her filthy trade.

He described how Kozlowski had crammed the animals into 'wire-style crates' and failed to provide them with proper food, water, or sufficient exercise.

She will now be forced, by court order, to allow three unannounced inspections of her kennels each year.

The docile four-month-old pup named Pip yawns and then dozes off in the arms of Ella Frank, the charity's anti-cruelty director who led the raid on the property

Pip, along with five other hounds that DailyMail.com met in the Cave State city of St Louis, will now wait patiently to be adopted by their next loving new owners

Chocolate Lab Plum is pictured. State law says that all breeders must offer their dogs 'adequate' food, housing, and water, as well as obtain a license and agree to regular inspections

'Too many helpless animals in Missouri continue to suffer at the hands of repeat offenders like Sandra Kozlowski,' HSMO president Kathy Warnick told DailyMail.com

Laura Keller (right), the director of communications for the Humane Society of Missouri, said many of the dogs are being treated for yeast infections inside their ears, while some are being checked for any signs of tumors

Volunteer Brandy Vincent is pictured with pup Prissy, who is one of 97 Labradors rescued from Sho-Me Labradors

Missouri, also known as the Show-Me State, has topped the animal welfare group's 'Horrible Hundred' ranking of puppy mills for the past 11 years, with the 66-year-old appearing on that blacklist for the past five.

There are as many as an additional 30 breeders, aside from Kozlowski, who featured in their 2023 report.

A 2011 state anti-canine cruelty law tightened the rules on how many dogs an individual breeder can keep at one time and laid out minimum requirements for housing them.

'Too many helpless animals in Missouri continue to suffer at the hands of repeat offenders like Sandra Kozlowski,' HSMO president Kathy Warnick told DailyMail.com.

'These bad breeds who trap helpless animals in a cycle of abuse and neglect need to be shut down permanently,' she added.

State law says that all breeders must offer their dogs 'adequate' food, housing, and water, as well as obtain a license and agree to regular inspections.

The conditions at Kozlowski's puppy farm have also sparked anger amongst members of the public across Missouri.

Sho-Me Labrador's Google page carries a series of damning reviews, including several that were posted months after news of the horrifying raid on the property.

One female visitor, identifying herself only as Sophia V, called the puppy mill 'one of the worst, most inhumane places I have ever witnessed.

'How can you live with yourself knowing you willingly abuse innocent animals for money and greed?' she wrote in September. 'There's a special place in hell for people like you.'
Three members of a body modification cult who removed the leg, penis and nipple of their ringleader known as The Eunuch Maker are facing jail.

Former nurse Nathaniel Arnold, 48, Jacob Crimi-Appleby, 23, and male prostitute Damien Byrnes, 36, all removed the body parts from now wheelchair bound Norwegian Marius Gustavson.

Gustavson, 46, led the body modification plot which made up to 200,000 by livestreaming procedures online.

Arnold, Crimi-Appleby and Brynes admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Crimi-Appleby froze Gustavsons leg causing it to require amputation, Brynes removed his penis with a vegetable knife, while Arnold was involved in the partial removal of his nipple.

Marius Gustavson (pictured) 46, led the body modification plot which made up to 200,000 by livestreaming procedures online

Arnold also admitted stealing Lidocaine while working as nurse at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital on 21 February 2019, and possession of extreme pornographic images.

The practice is linked to a subculture where men become nullos - short for genital nullification, by having their penis and testicles removed.

Prosecutor Caroline Carberry, KC, told the court Byrnes removed Gustavsons penis on 18 February 2017 at Gustavsons home in Grand Parade, Tottenham.

Byrnes had initially been hired by Gustavson for escort services and in December 2016 he agreed to remove his penis for a fee of 500, saying he was in debt.

Texting Gustavson, he said: I have no issue with it but wont you loose a lot of blood* like nearly die.

Gustavson then said: So plan Friday. I will be ready injected with local anaesthetic and banded to reduce bleeding.

Then u come in. Money on desk Im in bed legs tied. U make sure gag is secure and tie me down brutal. Then take the knife slice off nut sack. Then slice off. Then let me loose.

Byrnes told Gustavson he was actually kinda turned on a bit and requested a copy of the video that would be taken for himself.

He said: If something goes wrong during or after, just for assurance, you did it to yourself. Im not getting in trouble for this.

He said he would be wearing a balaclava so his face would not appear in the video.

But by 7 January 2017 Gustavson had reduced the fee to 50.

Byrnes said: Ive had enough man. Im cutting your c*ck and balls off for 50 sh*tty quid when I was led to believe its 500*.

Jacob Crimi-Appleby (pictured) froze Gustavsons leg causing it to require amputation

A week later he said: Todays the day man. Snip snip. Cmon I want 500. You want this. The investor wants to watch.

He then asked for 1,000 to have sex and then castrate Gustavson.

Gustavson replied that the procedure was a F*ING BIG THING and Byrnes criticised him for terrible excuses.

Ms Carberry said: For the next three weeks, there were discussions about the practicalities of the procedure, and whether they would have sex beforehand.

Mr Byrnes main concern was with money. On a number of occasions Gustavson arranged a date, only to back out shortly beforehand.

It is plain that this was a considerable source of frustration to Byrnes, who chased the money that he was owed and sent large numbers of messages about it.

On 16 February Gustavson told Byrnes he was cutting another person and Byrnes could be the sexy, kinky helper. He boasted he had done over 26 guys in total, 18 totally done.

On 18 February the procedure was recorded from two angles.

Ms Carberry said: Mr Gustavson sits naked on the left side of the bed with a tube inserted into his urethra.

Mr Brynes asks, how are you feeling? and Mr Gustavson replies that he didnt feel anything when I pushed in the needles. A reference to Mr Gustavson self-anaesthetising.

There is a discussion about Mr Gustavson being tied and gagged. Byrnes then straps him to the bed by his wrists and ankles. A band, designed to cut off the blood flow, is visible around the base of his penis.

Byrnes places a gag around Mr Gustavsons head and mouth and he kneels at the foot of the bed between Mr Gustavsons legs. He is wearing gloves and holding a red kitchen knife in his right hand.

Mr Gustavsons body is shaking and he is saying No, no. From other evidence it is very likely that this fear was part of an act for the camera.

Byrnes then removed the penis.

Ms Carberry said: Byrnes holds it and pulls the tube out of it and shows it to Mr Gustavson who, once ungagged, tells Mr Byrnes to place the severed penis on his belly, which he does.

Mr Byrnes then lifts the severed penis and holds it towards Mr Gustavsons face. Mr Gustavson licks the end of it and declares that it is awesome.

Gustavson said his wound looks okay-ish but his breathing becomes erratic and his right arm shakes and then his legs.

Mr Byrnes tells him to, Chill out. He then instructs Byrnes to get him a clamp from the top drawer which he does and he places it towards the stump of his severed penis.

Mr Byrnes is heard to say, Well thats one off the bucket list. I never expected that one.

Mr Gustavson doesnt answer and continues working at the wound site.

Mr Gustavson continues to work at the wound site and says, I so dont want to have to go to hospital. He tells Byrnes that he did a good job.

After Byrnes left, Gustavson called an ambulance and told the operator: I tried to do some surgery on my c*ck and that it was a little bit more than a circumcision.

Nathan Arnold (pictured) was involved in the partial removal of Gustavson's nipple

He was taken to the Whittington Hospital for treatment and treated for infection of the urethra.

After the procedure Gustavson did not pay Byrnes and he threatened to go to the police and tell them about Gustavson castrating a 16-year-old.

Gustavson said he would report Byrnes for threats, blackmail, and cutting off my c*ck.

He said he had checked that what he had done was legal with his solicitor but that what Byrnes did was illegal.

He also said police were aware of the euncuhmakers.com website.

Between 2016 and 2018 Gustavson sent Byrnes money on 27 occasions.

Byrnes told police Gustavson had advertised for someone to assist him in becoming a eunuch on GROWLR, a gay dating app for bears- a larger and hairy gay man.

He claimed he threw up on the way home after performing the procedure.

He cried when admitting he was a prostitute and said his motive had been purely financial.

The operations were uploaded to Gustavsons Eunuch Maker website which subscribers would pay to watch.

The conspiracy is said to have involved up to 29 extreme body modifications relating to 13 alleged victims who are being safeguarded by specialist detectives.

Crimi-Appleby, of Epsom, Surrey, Arnold, of South Kensington, and Byrnes, of Tottenham, admitted causing GBH with intent.

Gustavson, of Tottenham, north London, admits conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm, five counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and one count of possessing criminal property, namely money and will appear in court this afternoon.

He also admits making and distributing two indecent videos of a child between January 2017 and January 2020.

David Carruthers, 60, and Janus Atkin, 37, from South Wales, deny conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm.

Gustavsons alleged righthand man surgeon Peter Wates, 66, has admitted conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm.

He was said to have a major role as surgeon in a large number of procedures.

Romanian Ion Ciucur, 28, who works in a hotel in Gretna Green, Scotland, admits conspiracy to cause GBH with intent in relation to two modifications.

Ashley Williams, 31, has admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Atkin at his home in Newport, south Wales, on 7 November 2017.

German Stefan Scharf, 61, is charged with conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm.

He is accused of taking part in a single procedure by removing a testicle in an apartment in Camden in July 2019.

Gustavson, Scharf and Ciucur are remanded in custody with the others are on conditional bail, including curfew and residence.

Judge Mark Lucraft, KC, the Recorder of London, will sentence the trio later today.
Federal prosecutors will seek the death penalty against a white supremacist who killed 10 Black people at a Buffalo supermarket, they said in a court filing Friday.

Payton Gendron, 20, is already serving a sentence of life in prison with no chance of parole after he pleaded guilty to state charges of murder and hate-motivated domestic terrorism in the 2022 attack.

New York does not have capital punishment, but the Justice Department had the option of seeking the death penalty in a separate federal hate crimes case.

Gendron had promised to plead guilty in that case if prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty.

Payton Gendron, center, listens as he is sentenced to life in prison without parole for domestic terrorism motivated by hate and each of the 10 counts of first-degree murder, in an Erie County court room, in Buffalo, N.Y., Feb 15, 2023.

In a notice announcing the decision to seek the death penalty, Trini Ross, the U.S. attorney for western New York, wrote that Gendron had selected the supermarket 'in order to maximize the number of Black victims.'

The notice cited a rage of factors for the decision, including the substantial planning leading to the shooting and the decision to target at least one victim who was 'particularly vulnerable due to old age and infirmity.'

Attorney Terrence Connors, who represents the families of seven of the victims and two of those who were injured, told DailyMail.com they were happy with the decision.

'The families that we represent are relieved that a decision has been made that takes away some of the uncertainty of the future. They have very different feelings as to the outcome, but they are convinced the federal government will pursue all avenues of justice.

'Some want to see him spend the rest of his life in prison,' he said.

The Justice Department has made federal death penalty cases a rarity since the election of President Joe Biden, a Democrat who opposes capital punishment. This is the first time Attorney General Merrick Garland has authorized a new pursuit of the death penalty. Under his leadership, the Justice Department has permitted the continuation of two capital prosecutions and withdrawn from pursuing death in more than two dozen cases.

Garland instituted a moratorium on federal executions in 2021 pending a review of procedures. Although the moratorium does not prevent prosecutors from seeking death sentences, the Justice Department has done so sparingly.

It successfully sought the death penalty for a antisemitic gunman who murdered 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue, which had been authorized as a death penalty case before Garland became attorney general.. It also went ahead last year with an effort to get the death sentence against an Islamic extremist who killed eight people on a New York City bike path, though a lack of a unanimous jury meant that prosecution resulted in a life sentence.

FILE - Police secure an area around a supermarket where several people were killed in a shooting, May 14, 2022 in Buffalo, N.Y. Relatives of victims of a racist mass shooting at a Buffalo supermarket have been called to federal court Friday, Jan. 12, 2024 for a 'substantial update' in the legal case against Payton Gendron, their attorney said

The Justice Department has declined to pursue the death penalty in other mass killings. It passed on seeking the execution of a gunman who killed 23 people at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas.

On May 14, 2022, Gendron attacked shoppers and workers with a semi-automatic rifle at a Tops Friendly Market in Buffalo after driving more than 200 miles (320 kilometers) from his home in rural Conklin, New York.

He chose the business for its location in a predominantly Black neighborhood and livestreamed the massacre from a camera attached to his tactical helmet.

The dead, who ranged in age from 32 to 86, included eight customers, the store security guard and a church deacon who drove shoppers to and from the store with their groceries. Three people were wounded but survived.

The rifle Gendron fired was marked with racial slurs and phrases including 'The Great Replacement,' a reference to a conspiracy theory that theres a plot to diminish the influence of white people.
CCTV footage has revealed how a police officer attempted to evade capture after trying to kill his ex-partner by throttling her and putting a plastic bag over her head.

James Riley, 28, was jailed for 16 years today for attempted murder, after what a judge told him was a brutal and determined two-minute attempt on academic Ellie Moxhams life.

The former Lancashire Police officer flew into a 'jealous' rage on November 10, 2022, leaving Ms Moxham with a long-lasting brain injury from oxygen deprivation, Manchester Crown Court heard.

Ms Moxham, then aged 24, was persuaded to go to a Sigrid concert in Manchester which the former couple had booked some months earlier, and stay the night in a Premier Inn hotel.

Riley was hoping to rekindle their relationship, which began when they were both undergraduate students at Lancaster University years earlier, but attacked Ms Moxham with 'murderous intent', after she texted her new partner Alex Gough.

James Riley, 28, was jailed for 16 years today for attempted murder, after what a judge told him was a brutal and determined two-minute attempt on academic Ellie Moxhams life

After fleeing the Premier Inn, Riley spent 11 minutes on the phone to his parents  telling them Ive killed Ellie - before eventually calling an ambulance then fleeing the scene to save his own skin

CCTV footage revealed Riley's movements after the incident, highlighting his intention to evade capture by making two 250 cash transactions from different ATMs and getting rid of his mobile phone to ensure he could not be tracked

CCTV footage revealed Riley's movements after the incident, highlighting his intention to evade capture by making two 250 cash transactions from different ATMs and getting rid of his mobile phone to ensure he could not be tracked.

After fleeing the Premier Inn, Riley spent 11 minutes on the phone to his parents  telling them Ive killed Ellie - before eventually calling an ambulance then fleeing the scene to save his own skin.

Ms Moxham, who was a PhD student at Lancaster University, was initially put into an induced coma and spent a day in intensive care.

Alex Leach KC, prosecuting, said Riley flew into a rage after Ms Moxham exchanged text messages with her new partner.

It followed a history of jealousy, abuse or coercive behaviour, Mr Leach said.

Sentencing, Judge Patrick Field, KC, said: As a result of becoming consumed by an uncontrollable anger and a jealous rage, you attacked her with murderous intent.

James Riley (pictured) who has been jailed for 16 years after he pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to the attempted murder of his his ex-girlfriend

Ms Moxham (pictured) told of her anguish at how Riley had dragged out the court process, initially admitting causing grievous bodily harm with intent and only pleading guilty to attempted murder last November

Detective Sergeant Heidi Cullum, of Greater Manchester Police, said after the case: As a profession, were all hurt by Rileys actions

Ms Moxham, who is continuing her environmental studies PhD and is also a lecturer, read a victim impact statement from behind a curtain, telling how she is still suffering from the attack 14 months on.

She appeared tearful after addressing the court, when she said: The task of putting into words how that terrible night has impacted my life seems impossible.

The brain injury had left her with a cognitive fatigue which affects me daily, she recalled - having to take three naps a day, falling behind with her doctorate and having difficulties with her memory.

Ms Moxham told of her anguish at how Riley had dragged out the court process, initially admitting causing grievous bodily harm with intent and only pleading guilty to attempted murder last November.

She said that while Rileys position with Lancashire Constabulary meant it seemed he could be trusted, there had been intense manipulation throughout their relationship.

The court heard he took a possessive interest in her communications and Ms Moxham said he would berate her about cooking and the cleanliness of the house they bought together in Preston, Lancashire, in 2021, making her feel worthless.

Mr Leach, prosecuting, told how the attack happened soon after Riley and Ms Moxham entered the bedroom just after 11pm

Judge Field said Riley was acting to save his own skin by fleeing and abandoning Ellie, who the paramedic judged to have a life-threatening brain injury

Even after his arrest and while on remand, she said Riley used the house we owned together to subject me to financial abuse.

She had wanted to sell the house to obtain my share as soon as possible - but she said Rileys parents told her they would instead buy her out.

But this did not happen and, when Riley was later sacked and his pay stopped, she was left with responsibility for the mortgage, forcing her into debt and ruining her credit rating to the point she could not even take out a mobile phone contract.

Ms Moxham added when Rileys parents arranged for the contents to be sold, they took away furniture including a mirror given to her by her aunt which she had wanted to keep.

Although Ms Moxham cannot remember the attack, she has nightmares about being strangled, suffers anxiety and is undergoing therapy.

But she said that having continued her relationship with Mr Gough, a fellow Lancaster University academic, she is working to put the terrible events behind her and has had some of the best memories over the past year.

Mr Leach, prosecuting, told how the attack happened soon after Riley and Ms Moxham entered the bedroom just after 11pm.

Mr Leach went on: At 23.15, James Riley called his parents. His father answered and James Riley said: Ive killed Ellie and Im going to kill myself. I just wanted to say goodbye.

The court heard the call lasted 11 minutes, during which Rileys mother Karen called police.

Riley called an ambulance at 11.27pm, saying Ms Moxham was breathing raspily.

He left a towel holding the bedroom door open and fled, initially getting into his Ford Fiesta in the neighbouring car park but abandoning it after crashing.

Riley then took a taxi to his parents home in Bradford, West Yorkshire, where he arrived at around 4am. Once inside, his parents locked the doors and called the police but Riley locked himself in the bathroom, escaping through the window. Police found him in the vicinity.

Judge Field said Riley was acting to save his own skin by fleeing and abandoning Ellie, who the paramedic judged to have a life-threatening brain injury.

He added Riley is a dangerous individual who poses a risk to future partners.

David James, defending, admitted he acted in a cowardly way, recognised the harm caused and wanted to apologise to Ms Moxham and her family.

Detective Sergeant Heidi Cullum, of Greater Manchester Police, said after the case: As a profession, were all hurt by Rileys actions.
A New York City professor is at his wits' end after his car has been ravaged by flocks of rats on four separate occasions - despite trying everything to prevent the attacks.

Tom Marion, 62, is a theater professor at the City University of New York who has fallen victim to four invasions of his car, by rats.

'They will find you,' Marion warned. 'And they all know each other and they talk to each other.'

Marion has tried everything to stop the rats from targeting his car, including wrapping his wires in minty tape and pouring garlic-scented liquid on his engine.

The 62-year-old even parks in a different spot every single night to try and throw the rats off his trail, but nothing had worked.

A New York City professor is at his wits' end after his car has been ravaged by flocks of rats on four separate occasions - despite trying everything to prevent the attacks

Tom Marion, 62, is a theater professor at the City University of New York who has fallen victim to four invasions of his car, by rats

Marion has tried everything to stop the rats from targeting his car, including wrapping his wires in minty tape and pouring garlic-scented liquid on his engine

His first experience with a rat-attack came in late 2022.

At the time, Marion was parking his 2015 Toyota Prius C in an open-air car park in the East Harlem neighborhood where he lived.

The rats chewed through his car wires and the vehicle had to be towed - the entire ordeal wracked up a $1,000 bill.

After the first incident, the theater professor assumed it was an isolated incident - but just a short time later the rats struck again.

He then began to douse his car nightly with garlic-scented rodent repellent and 'really smelly' peppermint oil, Marion told the Wall Street Journal.

Marion also covered his engine with stainless steel wool after every drive because that was rumored to with the problem.

The next time his car died, Marion discovered a live-rat that was angrily squeaking beneath the hood of his car.

His next attempt at ditching the rats involved opting for open parking spots on the street instead of enclosed parking lots.

Despite the change in parking tactic - two weeks later his car died again as he was crossing the bridge into Queens.

This time it cost his insurance company another $1,200.

The 62-year-old even parks in a different spot every single night to try and throw the rats off his trail, but nothing had worked

The rats chewed through his car wires and the vehicle had to be towed - the entire ordeal wracked up a $1,000 bill

New York City is home to over two million rats - so it's no surprise that they've infiltrated people's vehicles. The rats took over the city during the COVID-19 pandemic and they have been raging nuisances ever since

Rats got braver during the pandemic, according to Jason Munshi-South, a biology professor at Fordham

Marion's final bid to get rid of the rats at long last was to straight up buy a new car. He swapped his Prius for a hybrid Ford Escape and luckily he hasn't seen the rats since.

New York City is home to over two million rats - so it's no surprise that they've infiltrated people's vehicles.

The rats took over the city during the COVID-19 pandemic and they have been raging nuisances ever since.

Rats making themselves at home under car hoods isn't a new concept for New Yorkers - but it has gotten far worse in the last two years, according to the city's auto body shops.

Body shops have seen a huge spike in the amount of drivers coming in with rodent-related issues.

Part of the reason for the climbing numbers could be because of the rise in New Yorkers who own cars since the pandemic when more city-dwellers invested in vehicles.

Rats got braver during the pandemic, according to Jason Munshi-South, a biology professor at Fordham.

While the rodents typically would stick close to their food sources - during the pandemic, as humans were out and about less, the rats took more risks with dashing for food from exposed trash areas.

While humans largely went back to their old habits after the pandemic, rats did not - and they have been causing chaos ever since.

In November rats were spotted roaming completely freely around a New York Chinese restaurant at night in grim footage.

Rats making themselves at home under car hoods isn't a new concept for New Yorkers - but it has gotten far worse in the last two years, according to the city's auto body shops

Body shops have seen a huge spike in the amount of drivers coming in with rodent-related issues. Part of the reason for the climbing numbers could be because of the rise in New Yorkers who own cars since the pandemic when more city-dwellers invested in vehicles

The video shot by a passerby shows at least three rodents at the Royal Queen eatery in Flushing, Queens.

Rats are seen sniffing around boxes as well as inside and on top of a hot food display counter of the Dim Sum restaurant.

Earlier this month a flock of rats were seen running out from under the blanket of a homeless person in a New York City subway station.

The disturbing footage was uploaded to TikTok by spooked spectators.
A dog owner whose out-of-control XL Bully left a schoolboy with horrific injuries has been jailed for 16 months.

Paula Jenkins, 43, blamed the animal's aggression on it witnessing domestic violence between her and a former partner, saying it was normally 'great around children'.

Syed Gardazee, 12, was mauled by the powerful dog Milo as he cycled near his home in Oldham, Greater Manchester, on October 22 last year, leaving him with 'potentially life-changing injuries'.

Neighbour Claudia Stoicu, 31, was also attacked after she went to the aid of the child.

Syed was rushed to hospital and spent more than three hours in surgery after the XL bully tore into his arms.

His family told how they feared their son was dead and would not be alive without help from neighbours.

Paula Jenkins, 43, has been jailed for 16 months and banned from owning a dog for five years. Her XL Bully Milo will be destroyed

Syed Gardazee was mauled by Milo (pictured) as he cycled near his home in Oldham, Greater Manchester

Syed Gardazee, 12, is seen in a Manchester hospital after being mauled by Milo

Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court heard how Syed cycled past the dog when it latched on his arm and pulled him off his bike.

Members of the public attempted to get the dog off him using brooms, a car tyre, metal poles and other items, the court heard, but it continued its attack.

Jenkins tried herself to get the animal off Syed, who was left with 'serious lacerations' to his arms, before it ran inside a nearby home.

She made attempts to restrain the dog before it ran off and attacked Ms Stoicu, who was bitten on the breast, torso, legs and arms, after dragging her to the ground.

Jenkins, of Oldham, pleaded guilty to two charges of owning a dog dangerously out of control when she appeared at Tameside Magistrates' Court in November.

She was today jailed for 16 months, banned from owning a dog for five years and her pet will be destroyed.

Speaking previously, she said she was sorry her dog had attacked two people. 'Of course, I regret what happened,' she said.

'But the circumstances behind it were really nasty.

'Milo has been like a baby to me and I was traumatised when I saw what he did to the boy.

Jenkins tried to get the animal off Syed, who was left with 'serious lacerations' to his arms, before it ran inside a nearby home

She was today jailed for 16 months, banned from owning a dog for five years and her dog will be destroyed

Syed's dad Ahmad Gardazee, 52, said his neighbours 'risked their lives' to stop the beast from carrying out further damage

'He's never been aggressive before and is normally a happy dog who's great around children.

'But I was with an abusive partner for five months and Milo witnessed all that. My ex was also cruel towards Milo.'

Speaking after the attack, Syed's dad Ahmad Gardazee, 52, said his neighbours 'risked their lives' to stop the beast from carrying out further damage.

'People were saying the boy was dead,' he said. 'But luckily, he survived.

'It was traumatic. It was really hard for me to kind of keep calm.

He added: 'I would like to thank my neighbours for the help they provided and the hospital.'

Ms Stoicu's family, who witnessed the attack, said Syed would have died had she not intervened after hearing his cries of help.

Her father, Londan Stoicu, said: 'The dog had hold of him and she tried to get its jaws open.

'The attack must have lasted around four or five minutes.

'Eventually, the dog stopped but then it started attacking her before running off.

'She says that if she hadn't gone to help the boy would have died because the dog was trying to bite his neck.'
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made a brief appearance Friday afternoon amid Iowa's blizzard in a bid to show that his 2024 presidential campaign is the most weather-resistant

DeSantis, his wife Casey, son Mason and Iowa's Gov. Kim Reynolds stopped by his campaign headquarters in Urbandale, Iowa, located just outside of Des Moines, for a meet-and-greet with campaign volunteers.

'We can handle the snow even though we're a Florida-based campaign,' DeSantis said. 'We've got people knocking on doors in the snow, we're out here doing events, we're not stopping.'

Less than 30 minutes before, DeSantis' Never Back Down super PAC announced that the rest of the governor's appearances Friday had been cancelled amid freezing temperatures, snow flurries and winds that have wreaked havoc across the state - three days before the Iowa caucuses.

DeSantis has run what should be a successful campaign in Iowa, traveling to all 99 counties and earning the endorsement of Reynolds, the state's popular Republican governor, but the latest Hawkeye State poll has him fighting for a distant second place against former U.N. Amb. Nikki Haley.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, his son Mason and wife Casey arrive to meet campaign volunteers in Urbandale, Iowa, located just outside of Des Moines. The impromptu appearance was scheduled after most of DeSantis' official campaign schedule was scrubbed due to the snow

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (center) waves to campaign volunteers and reporters alongside wife Casey and son Mason (center right) and Iowa's Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds (right), who endorsed DeSantis in November

Friday's Iowa State/Civiqs poll found that 55 percent of likely caucusgoers planned to support former President Donald Trump.

And then 14 percent said they'd back DeSantis and another 14 percent said they'd pick Haley when Republicans are gathered at caucus sites all across the state Monday night.

Bad weather has more of an impact on caucuses than primaries because voters have to physically be on-site to participate and can't vote absentee.

That has had the campaigns scrambling to make sure that their voters are energized and will show up, despite the current Des Moines weather forecast saying that the low on Monday will reach negative 17.

At the same time, Friday's snowfall marked the second time this week that campaign appearances had to be scrubbed due to dangerous driving conditions.

Haley announced Thursday night that all of her Friday campaign appearances would be virtual.

Her campaign cited 'potentially dangerous weather conditions.'

A new Iowa poll that was released Friday found that 55 percent of likely caucusgoers planned to support former President Donald Trump, while just 14 percent said they planned to vote DeSantis (pictured), the same percentage supporting former U.N. Amb. Nikki Haley

Reporters gaggle with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as he made a stop at his Urbandale, Iowa campaign headquarters to meet with volunteers. DeSantis had to scrap most of his Friday schedule, so made the Urbandale appearance instead

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis did make his planned campaign stop Friday morning in Ankeny (pictured), which is also located just outside of Des Moines, before the bad weather threw a wrench in the rest of his schedule

DeSantis made his first event Friday morning in Ankeny, which is also located just outside of Des Moines, Iowa's largest city and the state capital, but the rest of his schedule was scrapped by lunchtime.

He then made the appearance in Urbandale instead.

DeSantis said he decided to show up in the snow 'because we want to win.'

'We're here to get every vote we can. Leave nothing on the table,' he said. 'We're not going to rest between now and caucus night. Look the element - I'll brave whatever we need to do.'

'So if you have to go trudge through snow, to be able to earn the vote, you trudge through snow to be able to win the vote,' DeSantis continued.

Former President Donald Trump returned to Palm Beach Thursday night after spending time in court in New York City Thursday.

Friday's temperatures there were in the 80s.

He's set to return to Iowa Saturday for a series of weekend rallies.

His surrogate Kari Lake, the failed Arizona gubernatorial candidate who's now running for Senate, was scheduled to appear in Pella, Iowa Friday night.

Ralph Reed of the Faith & Freedom Coalition is already looking at how the chilly weather will impact turnout in the state, but guessed hardy Iowans would show up even in uncomfortable conditions.

'Prior to these weather reports indicating this sort of polar vortex weather pattern that we're going to have, we had it projected in our model that somewhere between 200 to 220,000' caucusgoers, he said.

A blizzard and frigid temperatures are causing the cancellation of political events in the final days before the Iowa Caucuses

Wind chills were predicted to hit -45 degrees, as Iowans prepare to head to caucus sites on Monday

Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley scrubbed her Friday events, even as she has enjoyed a small bump in the polls

Watch out! Ron DeSantis cancelled his later events Friday. He and wife Casey DeSantis are relying on a ground operation in Iowa

Iowans are being warned they could face frostbite with as little of 10 minutes of skin exposure to the elements

DeSantis supporters brought signs to a CNN debate in Des Moines. But can he turn out his backers on caucus day?

A political yard sign for former President and current Republican candidate hopeful Donald Trump sits in the snowy shoulder along a road near Reasnor, Iowa. Trump's camp says his commited supporters will show up

Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy had scheduled multiple campaign events Friday. He campaigned in Cedar Rapids on Thursday

Iowa Department of Administrative Services plows snow on top of the Capitol parking ramp as blizzard conditions hit Des Moines, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024.

Thanks for the lift: DeSantis made it to his first event in Ankeny, but the super PAC Never Back Down cancelled later scheduled appearances

'If you ended up with high winds and it's snowing sideways, you know, maybe,' there would be an impact, he told reporters on a call Thursday.

But the veteran of caucuses going back to 1984 said Iowans take their role in the caucuses 'very seriously.'

'They play a cherished role in the selection of the president United States ... They'll meet these candidates multiple times ... I mean, if you've lived in Iowa for more than six months, there's nothing really particularly surprising about a cold snap.' He referenced a prediction that Trump supporters, who skew older, wouldn't turn out. 'I'm just not buying it,' he said.

Trump senior advisor Chris LaCivita said Trump's supporters are 'very committed' and would turn out not matter what.

'Nothing's changed,' he said Wednesday amid the dire forecast. 'The weather changes a little bit but I'm not joking when I say just wear a coat. I mean, you know, you're literally going to the caucus, you're walking, you're going. I mean, this is Iowa, they know how to handle the weather,' he said.

'We have a very committed group of voters who as the President said on numerous times, would walk over glass to vote for him. So we know the intensity favors us.'

DeSantis made a similar argument Friday in Urbandale.

'I think our voters are people that are, by and large, committed caucusgoers,' he said. 'They've signed up with us, they're in it, they're going to turn out, I think we're confident in that.'

He added though that he believed overall turnout could be impacted calling the weather 'a major wildcard.'

Trailing in the polls, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy kept his political schedule Friday, wrapping his decision in the flag and taking a dig at his rivals as he has previously.

'George Washington braved the weather to cross the Delaware,' he posted on X Friday morning. 'Another snow day in Iowa, another day of events for us. First event starts in 1 hour. We'll continue to every last one for as long as we can *physically* make it.'

Shovel ready: Residents of Des Moines were already digging out, but being advised not to travel

The state will be a the center of the action politically Monday as Donald Trump faces his rivals in the caucuses

Des Moines and other Iowa cities got slammed with snow, which continued to accumulate Friday

Iowans are experienced contending with snow, but wind chills will pose health hazards

It takes a village: The East Village neighborhood of Des Moines was able to keep streets passable, but people were being advised to avoid travel altogether

Then he cautioned: 'We honor the Iowa caucus process. I encourage everyone in these communities to be safe & respect their decisions today, as we continue to do our best to show up.'

Authorities were urging Iowans not to travel, and with up to a foot of snow predicted, there were warnings that gusty winds would continue to cause hazards by blowing fallen snow on Saturday.

Iowans weren't the only ones getting walloped by winter weather.

Every state in the country has been issued with a weather warning, as the Midwest prepares to be hit with up to a foot of snow.

Multiple weather hazards are impacting the country with the National Weather Service having now issued a weather alert for every state.

Blizzard, tornado, flood, avalanche and wind alerts have all been triggered, with one wind alert stretching nearly 2,000 miles from Texas to New England.

Heavy snow is currently spreading across the Midwest, with the NWS reporting that one to two inches has been falling every hour.

Forecasters have already warned that areas of Montana, particularly Lewistown and Havre, will see temperatures plunge to -48F due to extreme wind chill.
President Joe Biden 'won't hesitate' to strike Yemen again if the Houthis keep attacking American troops, the White House said on Friday.

American and British troops launched multiple airstrikes targeting Houthi rebels around Yemen in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden on late Thursday night.

'These were all valid, legitimate military targets,' National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said in a press briefing where he also pushed back against lawmakers who said Congress should have been consulted and praised Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin for leading the strikes from his hospital bed.

President Joe Biden 'won't hesitate' to strike Yemen again if the Houthis keep attacking American troops, the White House said

'Were not interested in a war with Yemen  were not interested in a conflict of any kind,' he said but added that the president 'won't hesitate to take further action to protect our troops and our facilities and international commerce.'

Kirby also said the White House expects the Houthis to try to strike back.

'Nobody was pollyannish about the possibility that they might conduct some sort of retaliation,' he noted.

The U.S.-led bombardment - launched in response to a recent attacks on commercial ships in the vital Red Sea - killed at least five people and wounded six, the Houthis said. The U.S. said the strikes took aim at more than 60 targets in 16 different locations across Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who is in Walter Reed Medical Center following complications for surgery for prostrate cancer, participated in the planning and spoke to Biden on the phone from his hospital bed. Austin has been under fire for taking days to disclose his illness and the fact he was hospitalized.

Kirby praised Austin's performance.

'It was ... no different than it would be on any other given day, except that he was briefing the president on options and engaged in the discussions from the hospital. But he was fully engaged as he would be in any other event,' he said.

Meanwhile, Biden faced rage from the left for launching overnight airstrikes in Yemen without congressional approval.

It came as Turkey accused the US and UK of turning the Red Sea into a 'bloodbath' and there were growing fears of widespread escalating violence in the Middle East.

Democrats on Capitol Hill claim it was 'unconstitutional' for the president to order US fighter jets, destroyers and submarines to hit targets used by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

'We're very comfortable and confident in the legal authorities that the President exercise,' Kirby said in response to the criticism.

Biden was also lambasted by Donald Trump for 'dropping bombs all over the Middle East, AGAIN' instead of focusing on the migrant crisis at the US southern border.

The US used more than 100 precision missiles striking at around 2.30am local time on over 60 targets at 16 locations in the massive operation that led to powerful explosions lighting up the night sky in Yemen.

US and UK armed forces released clips of their fighter jets taking off ahead of their bombing runs.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan furiously condemned the strikes in a statement this morning, accusing the US and UK of turning the Red Sea into a 'sea of blood'. Iran and Russia also accused the West of 'illegal' and escalatory actions.

The Houthi rebels, who have been attacking international shipping in the Red Sea, vowed to make the allies behind the attacks 'pay a heavy price' for the 'blatant aggression' they claim has killed at least five fighters.

In Yemen there were mass protests in support of the rebel group in cities across the country, with tens of thousands of people taking to the streets chanting slogans and toting placards.

In Washington Democratic progressives on Capitol Hill, including members of the left-wing group known as The Squad, responded with fury because Biden didn't seek congressional approval first for the strikes.

The US used more than 100 precision missiles striking at around 2.30am local time on over 60 targets at 16 locations, according to the air force. Explosions were reported in Sana'a, Hodeidah governorate, Saada, and Dhamar, Houthi officials confirmed. It's unclear the extent of the damage or any injuries. Fighter jets, Navy destroyers, a submarine and Tomahawk cruise missiles were all used in the blitz. Sites including command and control nodes, munitions depots, launching systems, production facilities, and air defense radar systems were hit, according to officials. At least one submarine was deployed, the US would not confirm exactly which but Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Florida (SSGN-728) entered the Red Sea in November, USNI News reports. The vessel has capacity for 154 missiles. Super Hornets from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) were also deployed, along with Air Force strike fighters

An Royal Air Force Typhoon aircraft takes off to join the US led coalition to conduct air strikes against military targets in Yemen. On Thursday evening, four Royal Air Force Typhoons launched from Royal Air Force Akrotiri to conduct strikes against military targets in Yemen

Democratic members of Congress Rep. Ro Khanna (left) and Rep. Cori Bush (right) were among the lawmakers tearing into Biden for launching the airstrikes without congressional approval

'The President needs to come to Congress before launching a strike against the Houthis in Yemen and involving us in another middle east (sic) conflict,' California Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna said.

'For over a month, he consulted an international coalition to plan them, but never came to Congress to seek authorization as required by Article I of the Constitution.'

Article 1 of the Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war.

However, under the War Powers Act of 1973 the president is only required to inform Congress of military action within 48 hours.

Under that act, if Congress does not then declare war, the president must end the military action within 60 days, with another 30 days for withdrawal.

The White Houses and Congress have repeatedly argued over the parameters of the War Powers Act during military interventions overt the last 50 years.

Following the Yemen strikes Cori Bush, a Missouri Democrat and member of the progressive Squad, called the strikes 'illegal' and told Biden, 81, to 'stop the bombing and do better by us'.

'The people do not want more of our taxpayer dollars going to endless war and the killing of civilians,' she added.

Michigan Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib also called the operation 'unconstitutional' and said Americans are 'tired of endless war'.

She has previously accused Biden of supporting 'genocide' in Gaza with his backing of Israel's military offensive in the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack.

Oregon Rep. Val Hoyle added: 'These airstrikes have NOT been authorized by Congress.

'The Constitution is clear: Congress has the sole authority to authorize military involvement in overseas conflicts. Every president must first come to Congress and ask for military authorization, regardless of part.'

Head of the Congressional Progressive Caucus Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a Democrat from Washington, said the strikes were an 'unacceptable violation of the Constitution'.

'Article 1 requires that military action be authorized by Congress,' she added.

Republicans including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said that the strikes were long overdue and a hopeful sign the Biden administration would take a more aggressive approach to Iran and in its proxies.

But Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social: 'So, let me get this straight. Were dropping bombs all over the Middle East, AGAIN (where I defeated ISIS!), and our Secretary of Defense, who just went missing for five days, is running the war from his laptop in a hospital room.

'Remember, this is the same gang that "surrendered in Afghanistan, where no one was held accountable or FIRED. It was the most embarrassing moment in the history of the United States.

'Now we have wars in Ukraine, Israel, and Yemen, but no war on our Southern Border. Oh, that makes a lot of sense. Crooked Joe Biden is the worst President in the history of the United States!'

Michigan Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib also called the operation 'unconstitutional' and said Americans are 'tired of endless war'

US and UK military forces have 'successfully' completed targeted strikes in Yemen used by Houthi to attack ships in the Red Sea

Defending the White House's decision not to seek congressional approval a senior administration official said senior leaders on Capitol Hill had been notified.

That included the 'gang of 8' group of senior figures in Congress.

'Our military actions against the Houthis, as part of an international coalition, were fully consistent with international and domestic law,' the senior administration official said.

'The Justice Department has set out a longstanding test for the Presidents constitutional authority to direct the use of military force - there must be a significant national interest at stake, and the action must be below the threshold of war in the constitutional sense.'

'The facts here easily meet that test given the attacks we had endured from the Houthis and the limited nature of the coalition strikes.'

NATO declared the US-led strikes were aimed at protecting shipping through the Red Sea and urged Iran to 'rein in its proxies'.

'These strikes were defensive, and designed to preserve freedom of navigation in one of the world's most vital waterways. The Houthi attacks must end,' Dylan White, a spokesman for the Western military alliance, said.

The attacks come in response to months of Houthi-led bombings on ships in the Red Sea - amid the conflict between Israel and Gaza.

US officials had warned there would be 'consequences' for the Houthi's attack on non-military ships in the Red Sea.

Explosions were reported in Sana'a, Hodeidah governorate, Saada, and Dhamar, Houthi officials confirmed. It's unclear the extent of the damage or any injuries.

Super Hornets, Navy destroyers, and a submarine launched Tomahawk cruise missiles during the blitz.

Sites including command and control nodes, munitions depots, launching systems, production facilities, and air defense radar systems were hit, according to officials.

At least one submarine was deployed, the US would not confirm exactly which one but Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Florida (SSGN-728) entered the Red Sea in November, USNI News reports. The vessel has capacity for 154 missiles.

Super Hornets from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) were deployed, along with Air Force fighters originating from a base in the Middle East.

The US and UK, along with Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands, joined together for the attack.

'These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the worlds most critical commercial routes,' Biden said.

'I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.'

The bombardment came thirty minutes after the the U.S. military said the Houthis had had staged their 27th attack on shipping since November 19 earlier on Thursday, firing an anti-ship ballistic missile into international shipping lanes in the Gulf of Aden.

The US military strikes are the country's first on Yemen since 2016. President Biden said they had been ordered in response to 'unprecedented' attacks against maritime vessels.

'More than 50 nations have been affected in 27 attacks on international commercial shipping. Crews from more than 20 countries have been threatened or taken hostage in acts of piracy,' Biden said.

'More than 2,000 ships have been forced to divert thousands of miles to avoid the Red Seawhich can cause weeks of delays in product shipping times. And on January 9, Houthis launched their largest attack to datedirectly targeting American ships.'

He then added: 'Last week, together with 13 allies and partners, we issued an unequivocal warning that Houthi rebels would bear the consequences if their attacks did not cease. And yesterday, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution demanding the Houthis end attacks on merchant and commercial vessels.'
A Detroit man was arrested for asking two Spirit Airlines flight attendants to join the 'mile high club' after downing shots to calm his nerves before his first flight.

James Warren Finnister, 47, was relocated three times due to his disruptive and intimidating behaviors on a flight from Louisville, Kentucky, to Orlando, Florida, on Tuesday, according to a criminal complaint.

Finnister purportedly grabbed two female flight attendants, made his mile high club proposals, and even laid down on the floor before being moved for the third time during the flight.

The complaint also accuses him of yanking one of the flight attendants into his seat and asking questions about entering the aircraft cockpit, but Finnister said he couldn't recall any of these actions.

'I woke up to an FBI agent sitting next to me,' he said. 'I'm trying to get up, and he says, 'You need to sit down.' I said, 'What's up? What did I do?'' he recalled in an interview with the Daily Beast.

James Warren Finnister, 47, was arrested for allegedly asking two Spirit Airlines flight attendants to join the 'mile high club' after downing shots to calm his nerves before his first flight

Finnister was relocated three times due to his disruptive and intimidating behaviors on a flight from Louisville, Kentucky, to Orlando, Florida, on Tuesday, according to a criminal complaint

Authorities met Finnister at the gate at the Orlando International Airport, where he told police that he had consumed 'multiple alcoholic shots to calm his nerves prior to the flight, which he stated was his first,' the complaint reads.

He was arrested and faces federal charges that carries up to 20 years in jail for knowingly interfering with the performance of the duties of the flight crew.

After being released on bond on Wednesday night, Finnister dismissed the allegations as 'bogus' and asserted that he was asleep for most of the two-hour flight.

Finnister said he took a five-hour bus ride from Detroit, Michigan, to Louisville on Monday to see his cousin, and planned to take a flight to visit other family members.

The Tuesday morning flight was his first time flying and he felt 'extra geeked, kinda scared' about it, he said.

The 47-year-old decided to take some vodka shots before leaving his cousin's place to the airport.

'When I first walked in the plane, I made a joke - I said, 'This one of those mile high flights?' Finnister recalled.

'They laughed and sat me by the window, [because] it was my first time flying I was talking to a father and son next to me. We took off, I seen the clouds, and I fell asleep for two hours.'

'I asked about the cockpit, like, is this the cockpit up here? I never been on a plane, I wanted to have a look,' he said.

'And so they took me to jail. The charges are so bogus. It really ain't no charge,' he said, denying most allegations in the complaint.

In September 2023, Finnister was arrested for using weapons while intoxicated by Erie County Sheriff in Ohio

Finnister was arrested and faces federal charges that carries up to 20 years in jail for knowingly interfering with the performance of the duties of the flight crew.

Finnister purportedly grabbed two female flight attendants, made his mile high club proposals, and even laid down on the floor before being moved for the third time during the flight

According to federal prosecutors, 'Finnister was originally assigned to 18D, but never sat in that seat.'

'Approximately an hour into the flight, Finnister asked the lead flight attendant if she wanted to join the mile high club, the complaint states.

'At the time of this interaction with the lead flight attendant, Finnister was reassigned to 22A, which is a window seat.'

'During the second interaction with airlines personnel, Finnister intentionally grabbed a female aircraft flight attendant when Spirit Airlines Flight 693 was in flight, pulled her into his seat, and asked her if she wanted to join the mile high club."'

Although the flight attendant was able to free herself from his grip, the complaint alleges that Finnister's behaviors 'interfered her ability to perform her duties.'

The complaint continues: 'In addition to that question, Finnister also asked the flight attendant multiple questions about the aircraft cockpit, which alarmed her, including questions related to entering the aircraft cockpit.

'Finnister also laid down on the floor of the aircraft in front of his seat after being moved for a third time by flight attendants due to his disruptive, intimidating behaviors.

'The flight attendants were forced to stop service and pick Finnister off the floor,' the complaint reads.

Finnister was released pending trial, but he was ordered to not drink alcohol, submit regular drug testing, and restrict his travel in the state of Michigan and the Middle District of Florida.

In September 2023, Finnister was arrested for using weapons while intoxicated by Erie County Sheriff in Ohio.
Top Oversight Democrat Jamie Raskin sent a letter Friday demanding Donald Trump pay back the nearly $8 million he earned from foreign governments including China and Saudi Arabia while president.

Democrats on the committee released a report last week detailing the $7.8 million his properties and businesses took in from 20 foreign governments while he was in the White House.

Raskin called it a 'stunning violation' of the Constitution's emoluments clause, which prohibits sitting presidents from taking money from foreign states while in office.

'I also demand that you give Congress a full account of the money,' the Maryland Democrat wrote, since his party has not been able to subpoena any more of Trump's finance documents since Republicans took power.

'The Constitution makes clear that as President, 'without the Consent of Congress,' you were prohibited from accepting 'any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State,' Raskin said in the letter. 'You did not seek or obtain Congress's consent to keep any of the at least $7.8 million in foreign emoluments you raked in as President. As such, you violated the Constitution you were sworn to 'preserve, protect, and defend.''

Democrat Jamie Raskin sent a letter Friday demanding Donald Trump pay back the nearly $8 million he earned from foreign governments including China and Saudi Arabia while president

Foreign governments spent $7.8 million at Trump companies during his four year term, according to a report by House Democrats

The funds came through Trump Organization real estate holdings even at a time when Trump stepped back from management of his financial empire, which is now the subject of civil fraud trial in New York.

Trump defended the business deals during a Fox News town hall on Wednesday, when asked if he would divest from his company if elected president again.

'If I have a hotel and somebody comes in from China, that's a small amount of money,' Trump said. 'I was doing services for that. People were staying in these massive hotels, these beautiful hotels, and they stayed there and they paid. I don't get $8 million for doing nothing.'

Trump and members of his family called the report a 'joke' and said that Trump donated all profits he made from foreign governments while president to the Treasury.

Raskin said the emoluments clause does not only prohibit profits but prohibits taking any money at all from a foreign goverment while president.

'As the report explains, it is hard to imagine a more ludicrous and half-hearted approach to the categorical prohibition in the Constitution than The Trump Organization's 'voluntary donation' policy, which was grossly underinclusive in several other respects,' Raskin wrote. 'Your acceptance of foreign emoluments while in office was a stunning violation of the U.S. Constitution  and a profound betrayal of the interests of the United States and the trust of the American people. '

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.

China and Saudi Arabia topped the list

Many of the expenses came at Trump's former D.C. hotel

Of the $7.8 million total, $5.6 million came from China, according to the report.

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.

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.'

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.

Democrats also examined the Trump Tower property where Trump has a penthouse apartment

The report examined foreign expenses at Trump's former D.C. hotel

Investigators looked at Saudi government expenses, as well as those by China

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.'

'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:

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 Emoluments Clause 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.
Sam Haskell IV, the Hollywood super agent's son accused of killing his wife Mei and dismembering her body, pleaded not guilty Friday to murdering her and her parents.

Haskell, 35, was bare-chested at his arraignment in a downtown Los Angeles court, just as he was during his last appearance December 8 when  a sheriff's deputy explained to DailyMail.com  the light blue gown he was wearing to indicate he was on 'suicide and mental restriction' had worn Velcro straps, making it slip down to his waist.

On Friday, Haskell's attorney, Joseph Weimortz, objected to his client's half-naked appearance in court, calling it 'dehumanizing' and asking Judge Kimberley Baker Guillemet for him to be covered.

Having the top half of his heavily-tattooed body unclothed was 'no fault of Mr. Haskell,' said Weimortz, adding that 'he has given no indication that he intends to harm himself.'

The judge then ordered media photographers in court only to film Haskell 'from the neck up.'

Samuel Haskell appeared bare-chested at his arraignment in downtown Los Angeles where he pleaded not guilty. The judge ordered media photographers in court to only film Haskell 'from the neck up'

Body parts found in an Encino dumpster are confirmed as the remains of 37-year-old Mei Haskell (pictured)

Haskell, 35, is charged with the murder of his wife Mei, as well as her mother Yanking Wang, 64 and father, Gaoshan Li, 72, who are still missing

Haskell said nothing as attorney Weimortz answered 'Yes your honor' when LA Superior Court Judge Kimberley Baker Guillemet asked if his client was pleading not guilty to all three charges.'

The judge remanded him without bail back to downtown Men's Central Jail and scheduled a preliminary hearing on February 16.

Haskell, who could face the death penalty if convicted, was arrested after the headless torso of a woman  later identified as his Chinese-born wife Mei, 37  was found in a dumpster near his office in Encino, northwest of LA, last month.

He was charged with murdering Mei and also killing her mother Yanking Wang, 64 and father, Gaoshan Li, 72, who are both still missing.

Mei's friends have told DailyMail.com she had wanted to divorce Haskell for at least four years, but feared his powerful agent father would persuade courts to give him custody of their three sons, aged six, eight and 12.

Prosecutors allege that on the day following the murders, Haskell hired four day laborers to remove black trash bags from his LA area home.

One worker revealed that he was paid $500 to remove three large trash bags  adding that Haskell claimed they were filled with rocks before later pretending the body parts were 'Halloween props'.

'When we picked up the bags, we could tell they weren't rocks,' he said, noting that the bags were soft and soggy.'

He and his co-workers looked inside the bags and inside they saw 'body parts, a belly button.'

'I was astonished. Of course, I felt bad. We had been tricked,' he said.

Haskell also made a shirtless appearance when he was in court on December 8

A bag with a headless torso was found stuffed into a duffel bag and tossed into this dumpster behind Ventura Boulevard and Rubio Avenue, near a family-style restaurant, a hair salon and two banks

The judge remanded him without bail back to downtown Men's Central Jail and scheduled a preliminary hearing on February 16

The men then returned the bags and the money to Haskell's home, telling him they did not 'want to be involved.'

The workers went straight to law enforcement and informed the California Highway Patrol and the police.

Prosecutors said that later that day, Haskell 'was allegedly observed and photographed a short distance from his home disposing [of] a large trash bag into a dumpster in the 16000 block of Ventura Boulevard.'

Haskell is the son of Samuel Haskell III, a former executive vice-president and worldwide head of television for the talent agency William Morris Endeavor.

His clients included Dolly Parton, George Clooney, Kathie Lee Gifford, Whoopi Goldberg and King Charles's brother, Prince Edward. He quit in 2004, and went on to found Magnolia Hill Productions.

Haskell is the son of former top Hollywood agent Samuel Haskell III

Haskell senior was also CEO of the Miss America organization from 2015-17, but resigned after he was found to have criticized some of the contestants in private emails, ridiculing one for gaining weight and describing another as promiscuous.

Mei's friends have revealed the supposed fear she lived in for years given the family's connections.

'Mei first brought up a divorce when I was getting one in 2019,' one friend named Jenny exclusively told DailyMail.com. 'I told her she could do it, but she just felt like she couldn't risk losing her boys.'

'Mei felt trapped,' said longtime friend Jenny who would only give her first name in fear of retaliation from the prominent Haskell family.

'She said she couldn't leave because of the boys. She was afraid that her husband would take away the kids with the help of his very rich and influential father.'

'She said it wasn't happening. That there was no way she could get a divorce.

'Maybe she brought it up again and then he snapped.'

'There was also physical abuse,' added Jenny. 'She told me that he had hurt her. He had hit her.'

Jenny also claimed that Mei had told her that her husband did not get along with her parents who had moved into their home in Tarzana, 25 miles north of Los Angeles, about five years ago to help look after the couple's three young boys.

'She said he was rude to them and ignored them. That they made him angry,' one friend said.

'They couldn't speak English, but he made no effort to interact with them.

'When Mei's youngest son was born, her parents moved from China to help take care of the baby. They were very helpful with the kids.

'Mei doesn't have any other family here except for her parents.'

Mei's friends described her husband as 'weird'. 'He would make these sudden moves with his arms and just blurt things out,' one person, who did not want to be named, said.

LAPD officers are seen at the Haskell home in Tarzana in November as the search for more bodies continued. They also went to his office in Encino

'When I first met him, I immediately thought of Jeffrey Dahmer, that same creepy vibe. He would walk really fast with his head down, rarely looking up and never make eye contact.

'We are absolutely devastated. Mei was such a bright light and loved her kids so much. She wanted to create a wonderful world for them and she did.

'Mei was the one we would all go to if we needed help or advice. She was always there for us. She was always so positive. She never complained. Her boys were her everything and the boys loved her so much.'

Ironically, despite the horrific nature of the murders he's accused of, unearthed texts from six months ago seem to show Haskell couldn't stomach the sight of blood and gore.

In a text to his ex personal trainer Troy Piedade about the seeing the horror film, The Forever Purge, 'He didn't like the movie because of the dismembered bodies,' said Troy.

'He (Haskell) wrote: 'Fools really be getting chopped up in Mexico for real it's hard for me to enjoy a movie about it, I'm down with purge 2 anarchy.'

Piedade said he sensed something 'a bit off' with Haskell, whom he met nearly 15 years ago. He added that he felt Sam was 'very troubled' but did not think his former client could be a murderer.
More than 2,800 books, including at least eight encyclopedias, five dictionaries, and copies of The Guinness Book of World Records, were removed

The Escambia County School District in Florida removed dictionaries and encyclopedias from its school libraries

A Florida school district has pulled dictionaries off its libraries' shelves out of fears that students might look up words like 'sex' following Governor Ron DeSantis's restrictions on what can be taught in schools.

The Escambia County School District, located in the Florida panhandle, took down The American Heritage Children's Dictionary, Webster's Dictionary for Students, and Merriam-Webster's Elementary Dictionary, among other books.

School officials determined that these dictionaries and encyclopedias violated Florida law HB 1069, also known as the 'Don't Say Gay' bill, signed by DeSantis in 2022 to limit access to materials containing 'sexual conduct' in classrooms.

The school board implemented an emergency rule in June last year to review all library books after the bill was expanded to cover all public school students from kindergarten through graduating high school.

More than 2,800 books, including at least eight encyclopedias, five dictionaries, and copies of The Guinness Book of World Records, were removed.

The Escambia County School District has pulled dictionaries off its libraries' shelves out of fears that students might look up words like 'sex' following Governor Ron DeSantis 's restrictions on what can be taught in schools

Superintendent Keith Leonard said in June 2023 that the approach was 'necessitated by a danger to health, safety, and welfare'

Parents of students at Escambia schools took to the court on Wednesday, joining a lawsuit led by PEN America, a group advocating for freedom of speech.

U.S. District Judge Kent Wetherell ruled the federal lawsuit against the Escambia County school board to proceed and allow plaintiffs to pursue their claims under the First Amendment.

Katie Blankenship, director of PEN America's Florida chapter, said she's 'heartened' by the ruling and called for the books to be returned In a statement released after Wednesday's ruling.

'These books need to be returned to the shelves where they belong, and every day that students are refused access is a day they're not getting the high-quality education they deserve,' Blankenship said.

'School libraries are not state propaganda centers. They are meant to be sites of inquiry, where students can encounter a diverse range of ideas, gain access to information, and inspire discussion, debate, creativity, and critical thinking.'

'This case cuts to the heart of who we are as a country, and for the sake of our children and the future of our democracy, it's critical that we adhere to the language of the First Amendment and the precedents of our federal courts.'

'We will not stand by as these critical spaces are undermined by political agendas and censorship,' she added.

The Florida Freedom to Read Project, an organization challenging book bans, gained an access to the lists of removed books,

More than 2,800 books, including at least eight encyclopedias, five dictionaries, and copies of The Guinness Book of World Records, were removed

The school district also took down The American Heritage Children's Dictionary, Webster's Dictionary for Students, and Merriam-Webster's Elementary Dictionary, among other books.

Parents of students at Escambia schools took to the court on Wednesday, joining a lawsuit led by PEN America, a group advocating for freedom of speech

After the school started the materials review program last summer, many school libraries were closed at the beginning of the school year.

Less than 100 books have been reviewed so far, according to the lists.

Superintendent Keith Leonard said in June 2023 that the approach was 'necessitated by a danger to health, safety, and welfare.'

A spokesperson for Escambia County School District told The Messenger that the books had not been banned or removed.

'The 1000+ books they reference have not been banned or removed from the school district; rather, they have simply been pulled for further review to ensure compliance with the new legislation.'

They added: 'To suggest otherwise is disingenuous and counterproductive.'

Florida legislature passed an expanded version of so-called 'don't say gay' law in May 2023, restricting in-classroom instruction of gender identity and sexual orientation for all public school grade-levels.

Additionally, the law also makes the process easier for parents to make sure books they feel are inappropriate are taken off their children's bookshelves.

Governor Ron DeSantis signed the expanded version of HB 1069, also known as the 'Don't Say Gay' bill, in 2023 to limit access to materials containing 'sexual conduct' in classrooms

Any person can challenge a book for any reason within their county. Once a challenge is levied, the book in question must be pulled from the shelves during the review process, which could take weeks or months.

Not only does the law expand the current range of the ban from capping out at third graders to now including middle schoolers, it also restricts teachers from addressing students by the pronouns that don't align with the gender in which they were born.

While there is more flexibility with high schoolers, teachers and instructors for these grade levels are restricted to only discussing these topics in a manner that is 'age appropriate or developmentally appropriate' for their students.

'This bill promotes parental rights, transparency, and state standards in Florida schools. It requires that lessons for Florida's students are age-appropriate, focused on education, and free from sexualization and indoctrination,' Republican Florida State Rep. Adam Anderson previously stated regarding the impending law.

The original version of the Parental Rights in Education law signed last March sparked DeSantis' war with Walt Disney Co. after the CEO-at-the-time spoke out against the measure.

Since then, DeSantis has taken several moves to strip, what he calls, the 'corporate kingdom' of special privileges and tax-exemptions it was awarded with the development of the Reedy Creek Improvement District in 1967.
A New York State judge on Friday ordered Donald Trump to pay more than $392,000 to the New York Times over his failed lawsuit against the newspaper.

In 2021, the former president sued his niece Mary Trump, The New York Times and three of its reporters accusing them of breaching a confidentiality agreement related to his tax records.

He claimed they were part of an 'insidious plot' to get his tax returns.

The case was thrown out last year.

In a ruling on Friday, New York Supreme Court Justice Robert Reed said: 'Considering the complexity of the issues presented in this action, the number of causes of action, the experience, ability, and reputation of defendants' attorneys, the considerable amount in dispute, and the attorneys' success in dismissing the complaint against their defendants the court finds that $392,638 is a reasonable value for the legal services rendered.'

A New York State judge on Friday ordered Donald Trump to pay more than $392,000 to the New York Times over his failed lawsuit against the newspaper

The newspaper ran a series of articles based on Trump tax documents, winning a Pulitzer Prize

In his suit, Trump claimed that the Times convinced his niece to 'smuggle records out of her attorney's office and turn them over to The Times' despite her having signed a confidentiality agreement.

She signed the deal in 2001 after settling a contentious legal battle over the will of Frederick Trump - Donald's father and her grandfather.

Trump sought damages of at least $100 million.

It came after years of speculation about Trump's true wealth and amid concerns that he broke political norms by not publishing his tax returns during the 2016 presidential campaign. He claimed he could not because he was subject to an audit.

However, The Times was able to obtain some of his tax documents and ran a series of articles revealing what it said was the president's history of 'outright fraud.' The articles won a Pulitzer Prize in 2019.

That infuriated Trump who launched legal action.

His suit said: 'The defendants engaged in an insidious plot to obtain confidential and highly-sensitive records which they exploited for their own benefit and utilized as a means of falsely legitimizing their publicized works.

'The defendants actions were motivated by a personal vendetta and their desire to gain fame, notoriety, acclaim and a financial windfall and were further intended to advance their political agenda.'

The case was thrown out in May last year.

The former president claimed New York Times reporters were part of an 'insidious plot' with his niece Mary Trump (pictured) to obtain his tax records

'Courts have long recognized that reporters are entitled to engage in legal and ordinary news-gathering activities without fear of tort liability  as these actions are at the very core of protected first amendment activity,' Justice Reed wrote.

At the time, Charlie Stadtlander, a spokesperson for the Times, said the newspaper was 'pleased with the judge's decision'.

He added: 'It is an important precedent reaffirming that the press is protected when it engages in routine newsgathering to obtain information of vital importance to the public.'

And Mary Trump a podcast that she was proud of handing his financial records over to the paper.

'I'm actually really proud of that,' she said.
House Republicans have kicked off an investigation into the attorney hired by Georgia DA Fani Willis to go after Donald Trump who is now accused of having an affair with her.

The Judiciary Committee wrote a letter to attorney Nathan Wade requesting documents related to his work on the Trump indictment in Georgia, noting that he had been paid more than $650,000 - at a rate of $250 an hour - to work on the investigation and prosecution of Trump and other federal officials, according to a new court filing.

Wade was hired as an anti-corruption special prosecutor to investigate Trumps alleged election interference.

Wade had never previously handled a felony trial, according to the stunning new filing by Michael Roman, one of the former president's co-defendants in the 'fake electors scheme.'

Fulton DA Fani Willis (center) confers with lead prosecutors, Donald Wakeford (left) and Nathan Wade, during a hearing at the Fulton County Courthouse in Atlanta on Friday, July 1, 2022

The committee noted federal funds may have been used to pay Wade, granting them jurisdiction to investigate. It highlighted the 'enormous legal fees' Wade had billed the DA's office for, in one instance, on November 5, 2021, charging for 24 hours of legal work in one day, claiming to have worked all day and night on the prosecution.

The court document released Monday alleged that Willis and Wade had been in a romantic relationship that predates her hiring him on the case.

While not proven, Willis hiring her boyfriend despite him having little expertise to lead on the prosecution and both of them financially benefitting from the arrangement could prove to be a conflict of interest.

Roman is accused of taking part in the fake electors scheme, and is one of 18 people charged in George alongside Trump.

The filing said Wade was not qualified to serve as a court-appointed defense lawyer in the Trump case because needs to have tried 'at least two criminal trials of similar offenses,' per a 2022 document from the Fulton County Superior Court.

Earlier this week DailyMail.com reported Wade had two meetings at the Biden White House ahead of her prosecution of Trump.

A lawyer representing Michael Roman made the bombshell allegations about Wade, center, and Willis, right, in a filing and asked that charges be dismissed

Among the documents reviewed by DailyMail.com, were Wades invoices to the DA. Shockingly, they including one bill for an interview with DC/White House for eight hours on November 18 2022 and another for eight hours including conference with White House Counsel on May 23 2022.

The legal papers also claim that Willis was having an an ongoing, personal relationship with Wade  citing sources close to both the special prosecutor and the district attorney but doesn't provide documentary proof,

Roman claims the pair were in a relationship before Willis hired Wade, and that they traveled together to Napa Valley, Florida, and even on a Caribbean cruise.

The Judiciary Committee opened an investigation into the Fulton County DA in August, probing whether she improperly used federal funds for her state-level prosecution or coordinated with Bidens Justice Department.

Special prosecutor Nathan Wade leaves the office of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis at the Fulton County Government building on August 23, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. He is accused by a Trump co-defendant of having a personal relationship with Willis

Among the documents reviewed by DailyMail.com, were Wades invoices to the DA. Shockingly, they including one bill for an interview with DC /White House for eight hours on November 18 2022 and another for eight hours including conference with White House Counsel on May 23 2022.

Willis has previously denied coordinating with Special Counsel Jack Smiths office, or that her probe was politically motivated.

The filing makes reference to a sealed divorce filing for the married special prosecutor, but then goes on to make the claim based on other information.

It states that 'information obtained outside of court filings indicates that the district attorney and special prosecutor have traveled personally together to such places as Napa Valley, Florida and the Caribbean and the special prosecutor has purchased tickets for both of them to travel on both the Norwegian and Royal Carbibean cruise lines.

'Traveling together to such places as Washington, D.C. or New York City might make sense for work purposes in light of other pending litigation, but what work purpose could only be served by travel to this traditional vacation destinations?'

Roman was charged this summer with alleged crimes including taking part in a racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit forgery, and conspiracy to file false documents, all in connection with a scheme to submit fake Republican electors who would cast votes for Trump in place of electors to reflect Joe Biden's certified victory in the state.

Trump has been charged with 91 criminal offenses in four separate criminal cases, one being the election interference case in Fulton County, Ga., where was booked and arrested and had his famous mugshot.

A Manhattan grand jury has also charged Trump with falsifying business records and Smith, appointed special counsel by Attorney General Merrick Garland, has charged Trump over his handling of classified documents and separately over his attempt to overturn the 2020 election results.

The letter requested all communications between Wade and the Fulton County DA's office and special counsel Jack Smith, the White House Counsel's office, office of the president, Department of Justice and the January 6 Committee last Congress. It also requested all invoices, credit card statements and reimbursement requests to the Fulton County DA's office relating to the Trump investigation and all contracts and financial arrangements with the DA by January 26.
An oligarch's ex-wife who scooped Britain's biggest divorce settlement is suing her lawyers, hoping for up to 600million  more than she was originally awarded.

Tatiana Soroka claims Fiona Shackleton's firm, which secured her 453million victory against her Russian husband in 2016, has let her down by failing to help her seize her husband's superyacht Luna.

Built for former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, the ten-deck floating palace is the world's second-largest expedition yacht and has two helipads, a pool and mini submarine.

Papers lodged at the High Court by Ms Soroka's new lawyers claim Baroness Shackleton's firm, Payne Hicks Beach, acted 'negligently' by not alerting lawyers in Florida that Luna was moored in Miami and could be seized to help fulfil the settlement. But PHB insists Ms Soroka's claim is misconceived and says it remains proud of the deal it secured for her.

Ms Soroka's record 453million divorce payout was the latest in a string of triumphs for Baroness Shackleton, nicknamed 'Steel Magnolia' for her ruthless pursuit of her clients' interests.

Tatiana Soroka (right, then known as Tatiana Akhmedova) claims Fiona Shackleton's (left) firm let her down by failing to help her seize her husband's superyacht Luna

Farkhad Akhmedov (pictured) is the Russian billionaire at the centre of Britain's biggest divorce case

MV Luna is a 377ft superyacht that was originally built for Roman Abramovich before being bought by Farkhad Akhmedov in 2014

She represented King Charles and Sir Paul McCartney in their divorces, memorably having a jug of water poured over her by a furious Heather Mills when the former model was awarded just 24million of the 125million she had sought from the former Beatle.

But in Ms Soroka's case, matters soured after the settlement money failed to materialise from her ex-husband Farkhad Akhmedov, in spite of the oil and gas tycoon being ordered to pay up by a judge. Ms Soroka, 51, instructed PHB to chase billionaire Mr Akhmedov, 68, for the money.

Her legal claim, lodged last month, states that she spoke to Baroness Shackleton and another PHB solicitor on the phone in January 2017 and told them that her ex was in Miami and so was his 377ft yacht.

She asked them to 'explore options in Miami' for having the 'extremely valuable' Luna seized, given that its price had been put at around 200million, the court papers state.

In 2016 Ms Soroka secured an astounding 453million sum with the help of her formidable lawyer Fiona Shackleton (pictured)

The ten-deck floating palace is the world's second-largest expedition yacht and has two helipads, a pool and mini submarine

The vessel features two helipads, a huge swimming pool, and its own mini submarine, along with nine decks and space for 52 crew

But it is alleged that while PHB did contact a Florida lawyer to seek his advice, they 'wrongly and negligently' informed him 'that Farkhad had no assets in the USA, when in fact ... the Luna was docked in Miami'.

PHB ought to have informed the US lawyer that 'Farkhad therefore did have a (very valuable) asset in the USA', the claim states. In the end, the yacht was able to sail away without being impounded.

During her five-year quest to have her ex-husband's assets seized, Ms Soroka assembled teams of specialists including former members of the Royal Navy's elite Special Boat Service. Then, in July 2021, the couple announced they had come to a new private settlement, with Ms Soroka agreeing to take 100million in cash and 50million in artwork.

From that she had to pay 74.6million to her financial backers, Burford Capital, over the failed asset hunt. She is now claiming from PHB a sum 'significantly in excess of 10million'.

Ms Soroka, 51, instructed PHB to chase billionaire Mr Akhmedov, 68, for the money

Ms Soroka's record 453million divorce payout was the latest in a string of triumphs for Baroness Shackleton

Although the exact figure is not specified, her claim states that if PHB had acted differently, there was a 'very real likelihood' she would have received the 'full sum due' under the original divorce settlement, or a significant proportion of it, and 'now claims from PHB damages representing the value of that lost opportunity'.

A calculation by the Mail based on available figures suggests the maximum value of this 'lost opportunity' is 303million. Added to that the Burford 74.6million, and the interest she is claiming plus other costs, the total she is hoping to recoup appears close to 600million. Whether she would ever get that sum, or whether her claim is deemed to have merit, remains to be seen. The case is still at an early stage and has not gone to trial.

A spokesman for PHB said: 'Payne Hicks Beach remain proud of the result we achieved for Ms Soroka including the very significant award we obtained for her. A defence is being prepared which will set out the basis upon which we consider this claim to be legally and factually misconceived.'

It is understood PHB also disputes Ms Soroka's estimation of the sum she merits. Ms Soroka declined to comment.
President Joe Biden on Friday admonished Lloyd Austin for his lapse in judgment when the defense secretary chose not to reveal his hospitalization, but said he still has confidence in him.

While visiting small businesses in Allentown, Pa., Biden was asked if he has confidence in Austin, to which he responded: 'I do.' Asked if it was a lapse in judgment for Austin to not inform him of his hospitalization, Biden said: 'Yes.'

They were his first public comments on his defense secretary.

The Pentagon said on Friday that Ausin remains in Walter Reed Medical Center in 'good condition,/ that he has been in contact with senior staff and was 'actively engaged' in overseeing and directing the U.S. military's participation in strikes on Houthi targets.

President Joe Biden admonished Lloyd Austin for his lapse in judgment when the defense secretary chose not to reveal his hospitalization, but said he still has confidence in him

Biden previously has indicated he will stand by his defense secretary but White House officials agreed the situation was a head-scratcher. Austin finally announced on Tuesday he had prostrate cancer after originally refusing to say what he suffered from and facing days of questions about his hospitalization.

Austin and Biden spoke this week ahead of the U.S. and British airstrikes targeting Houthi rebels around Yemen in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden that took place on late Thursday night.

The president was not told for four days that his defense chief was in the hospital and learned about Austin's diagnosis the same day as the general public. The White House is conducting a review of the matter.

The Pentagon's inspecter general also will investigate the mishandling of Austin's secret hospitalization as the firestorm around the defense secretary continues.

Inspector General Robert Storch said his office would examine any breaches of protocol surrounding Austin's surgery for prostrate cancer, his rehospitalization for complications and the lack of disclosure to the White House and general public.

'The objective of the review is to examine the roles, processes, procedures, responsibilities, and actions related to the Secretary of Defense's hospitalization in December 2023-January 2024, and assess whether the DoD's policies and procedures are sufficient to ensure timely and appropriate notifications and the effective transition of authorities as may be warranted due to health-based or other unavailability of senior leadership,' Storch wrote in a memo to senior Defense Department officials.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, 70, was hospitalized on January 1, but the Pentagon waited three days to reveal the information. He is pictured December 20 in this most recent pic

Austin has faced a barrage of criticism from Republicans and Democrats alike for failing to disclose he was in the hospital while the country was facing national security situations in the Ukraine and Middle East. Some lawmakers have called for his resignation.

Officials have blamed the communications breakdown on key officials being out of the office. Austin Chief of staff Kelly Magsamen had the flu and public affairs chief Chris Meagher was at doctors' appointments with his pregnant wife, who gave birth to their first child on Friday.

Austin kept his original surgery on Dec. 22 a secret from President Biden and his administration. At the time Austin underwent anesthesia and was unconscious. Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks was given Austin's powers at that time but not told the reason.

But Pentagon officials also didn't tell the White House for four days that Austin had returned to the hospital on Jan. 1 after experiencing severe pain. He was taken there by ambulance.

Pentagon Inspector General Robert Storch is conducting an independent review of Lloyd Austin's hospitalization

Biden was told Austin had prostate cancer on Tuesday - the same day the public was informed, sparking more questions about the transparency of the administration and whether the public can trust their government.

'Nobody at the White House knew that Secretary Austin had prostate cancer until this morning and the President was informed immediately after we were,' White House spokesman John Kirby said at the daily press briefing.

Kirby got defensive as he was repeatedly queried about why the commander-in-chief didn't know the conditions or the where abouts of his top military officer.

'We all recognize that this didn't unfold the way it should, on so many levels, not just the notification process of the chain of command, but the transparency issue. We all recognize that. And I think we all want to make sure we learn from that,' Kirby said.

'It's certainly not good, which is why we want to learn from this and we want to make sure that it doesn't happen again.'

He also conceded: 'It is not optimal for a situation like this to go as long as it did without the commander-in-chief knowing about it or the national security adviser knowing about it, or frankly other leaders at the Department of Defense. It's not the way this is supposed to happen.'

President Joe Biden was informed about Lloyd Austin's cancer the same day the public was

Austin was hospitalized to be treated for prostate cancer, the Pentagon revealed on Tuesday after days of criticism for hiding the defense secretary's secret hospitalization. Biden was told by his chief of staff Jeffrey Zients.

'On Dec 22 after consultation with his medical team, he was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and underwent a minimally invasive surgical procedure called a prostatectomy to treat and cure prostate cancer,' the hospital said in a statement about Austin.

His cancer was 'diagnosed early and his prognosis is excellent.' But he also suffered complications on Jan. 1 that required an ambulance to take him to the hospital.

His complications included 'nausea with severe abdominal, leg and hip pain.' The early diagnosis was a urinary tract infection but further examination showed Austin, 70, had a fluid build up in his abdomen that was impairing the function of his small intestines.

The infection was treated by a tube placed through is nose that went down to his stomach. The infection has cleared, the statement said, and Austin 'continues to make progress.' He 'never lost consciousness and never underwent general anesthesia,' the statement said although it also said Austin underwent anesthesia for the Dec. 22 surgery.

The announcement came as more lawmakers began to question why Austin was hospitalized and why it took the Pentagon four days to inform President Biden and five days to inform the public. Senior administration and defense officials were not told for days about his hospitalization or his cancer.

White House spokesman John Kirby got defensive as he was repeatedly queried about why the commander-in-chief didn't know the conditions or the where abouts of his top military officer

About Prostate Cancer Secretary Austin was diagnosed in December when doctors noticed changes in routine blood tests. The tests looked for prostate specific antigens (PSA), which measures the amount of a protein linked to cancer. Austin, 70, was considered high risk for prostate cancer because of his age and the fact he is an African-American, who are more likely to develop the disease. Austin had part of his prostate gland removed via a procedure known as a prostatectomy - effectively cutting out the cancer before it can grow and spread. Doctors have given him an 'excellent' prognosis. Outcomes after prostate cancer surgery can vary - in some men the cancer never returns, while in up to one in four it does. In 2023, the American Cancer Society estimates there were 288,300 new cases of prostate cancer and 34,700 deaths. The cancer develops in the prostate gland - a part of the reproductive system in men. The walnut-sized gland is responsible for secreting fluid that keeps sperm healthy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 13 in 100 men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetimes. Risk factors include smoking, having obesity, sexually transmitted infections, genetics and exposure to Agent Orange, a chemical used during the Vietnam War. Early stages of prostate cancer rarely show symptoms, but as the disease progresses, people may develop frequent urination, weak urine flow, pain during urination, loss of bladder and bowel control, painful ejaculation and erectile dysfunction and pain in the low back, hips or chest. Advertisement

Eight in ten men and six in ten black men are diagnosised with prostate cancer every year. The risk grows for men as they age. It is the most common cancer among men in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The 5-year relative survival rate for prostate cancer in the United States is 97%.

Meanwhile, the White House on Tuesday ordered cabinet secretaries to keep it informed when they may not be able to perform their duties as the fallout from Austin's hospitalization continues.

White House Chief of Staff Jeffrey Zients, in a memo, directed cabinet officers to examine their policies for delegating authority when a secretary is out of commission and to send those procedures to the White House for review.

He also made clear that White House officials expected to be kept up to date about developments like major medical issues.

'Notify the Offices of Cabinet Affairs and White House Chief of Staff in the event of a delegation of authority or potential delegation,' Zients wrote in the memo, which was obtained by The New York Times. 'This notification should occur when agencies anticipate or are preparing for a delegation of authority and again when the delegation occurs.'

The Pengaton said on Tuesday it is correcting its procedures.

'The department is taking immediate steps to correct our notification procedures,' Pentagon press secretary Major General Patrick Ryder said at his briefing.

'Nothing is more important to the Secretary of Defense and the Department of Defense than the trust and confidence of the American people and the public we serve and will continue to work every day and work hard every day to earn and deserve that trust,' he said.

He noted the Pentagon was conducting an internal review of the matter.

'We want to make sure that notifications are happening in a timely way. And this way, as we've acknowledged, there were some shortfalls and so it's important that we go back and look at what those shortfalls work. What could have been done better and make sure that going forward. We're improving those processes,' he said.

'We're committed to making sure that we don't do this again. And then we do a better job next time.'

Secretary Austin was treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

'The department is taking immediate steps to correct our notification procedures,' Pentagon press secretary Major General Patrick Ryder said Tuesday

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin kept his hospitalization a secret for days; above he is seen with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in May

Zients also directed Cabinet officials to ensure power is transferred 'when a cabinet member is traveling to areas with limited or no access to communication, undergoing hospitalization or a medical procedure requiring general anesthesia, or otherwise in a circumstance when he or she may be unreachable.'

The memo was sent out as President Biden and his team continue to deal with the political headache left to them after Austin failed to inform them of his hospitalization until four days after it occurred.

Austin could have broken the law by failing to report his absence, the Pentagon has launched a full investigation into the matter and one Republican lawmaker filed articles of impeachment against the defense secretary.

And Pennsylvania Rep. Chris Deluzio on Wednesday became the first Democratic voice in Congress to call for Austin's resignation.

Austin remains at Walter Reed Medical Center but is out of the ICU and has retaken control of his authorities as the head of U.S. armed forces. The White House has said President Biden backs him but lawmakers in both parties are questioning the Pentagon's handling of the situation. The White House also had said they would be conducting a review of the situation.

Meanwhile on Tuesday, four Republican lawmakers who are former military pilots - August Pfluger, Mike Garcia, Scott Franklin and Jake Ellzey - called on Austin to resign, accusing him of a 'dereliction of duty.'

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin could have broken the law by failing to report his absence - he is seen above participating in the Virtual Red Sea Security Summit at NAVCENT headquarters in Manama, Bahrain, on December 19

Timeline on Lloyd Austin's illness Dec. 22: Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has procedure at Walter Reed Dec. 23: Austin returns home Dec. 27: President Biden leaves for St. Croix for New Year's vacation Jan. 1: Austin participates in national security phone call Jan. 1: Austin admitted to ICU Jan. 2: Austin top staffers informed of his hospitalization Jan. 2: Biden returns to White House Jan. 2: Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks takes some of Austin's duties Jan. 4: Biden and Hicks told Austin is in hospital Jan. 5: Congress informed Jan. 6: Biden and Austin speak via phone Jan. 9: Pentagon announces Austin was being treated for prostate cancer Advertisement

The Pentagon has said that it's still unclear when Austin will be released from the hospital but vowed to give daily updates until he is out.

Many officials remain uncleared for days about what elective procedure Austin went to the hospital for on December 22nd and what he suffered from in its after affects. It is unclear when President Biden was told.

As part of the fallout, Kelly Magsamen, Austin's chief of staff, ordered a 30-day investigation into the events surrounding Austin's hospitalization, the Pentagon announced late Monday night.

But the matter was not referred to the Defense Department inspector general's office for an independent review. It will be led by Jennifer Walsh, the Pentagon's director of administration and management.

Magsamen had been ill with the flu and was unaware that Austin had been hospitalized. Officials have cited her illness as one of the reasons the White House wasn't informed about the secretary's condition.

Austin's top staffers knew about his hospitalization on Jan. 2, the day after it occurred, however. Biden wasn't told until Jan. 4.

The review will establish a timeline of events beginning Jan. 1 when Austin was taken by ambulance to Walter Reed and examine how decisions were made about informing officials of his condition.

'This review will help to ensure clarity and transparency when a determination has been made that certain authorities have been transferred,' Magsamen wrote. 'And that proper and timely notification has been made to the President and White House and, as appropriate, the United States Congress and the American public.'

Kelly Magsamen (left), Lloyd Austin's chief of staff, ordered a 30-day investigation into the events surrounding the defense secretary's hospitalization

The White House announced President Biden backs Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (seen above with Biden and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas at the White House on August 30th)

Kirby pledged the White House would investigate the matter, looking at the 'process and procedure' regarding the location and health of senior officials after Biden was not told for four days that his defense secretary was in the hospital.

He said the administration would perform a 'hot wash,' which is a military term to describe an intense, quick review.

'As you might expect, we'll take a look at process and procedure here. And try to learn from this experience and if there's some changes that need to be made, in terms of process and procedure, we'll do that,' Kirby said.
France, Italy and Germany were accused last night of 'lacking the will to fight' after they refused to join Britain and America's defence of the Red Sea.

The UK and US launched air strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen on Thursday night following attacks on naval and commercial shipping vessels.

Germany, Denmark, The Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Korea and Bahrain signed a joint statement backing the US-UK strikes and warning of further action while the Dutch provided additional support.

However, Spain and Germany are among those remaining on the sidelines while the French navy focuses on providing support to French-flagged ships.

Last night, Rear Admiral Chris Parry, a former Royal Navy commander chided them for their inaction.

He said: 'The lack of political will and courage to deploy in the face of threats to the international rules based system shows, once again, that it is the same old story with Europe  craven appeasement and a policy of 'can't fight, won't fight'.'

Rear Admiral Chris Parry said Britain's European allies were 'lacking the will to fight'

Footage of RAF Typhoon striking military targets in Yemen on Thursday overnight

Arguably Spain was the worst offender. For centuries, its armada was the world's most feared maritime force  yet it has refused to defend any ships transiting the Red Sea.

In an apparent betrayal of its seafaring history, the country's defence minister Margarita Robles confirmed no Spanish ships will join the international security alliance against the Houthis.

Britain and the US are leading members of Operation Prosperity Guardian, made up of more than 20 nations committed to stopping the rocket and drone attacks. Remarkably, Ms Robles said Spain's refusal was based on a 'commitment to peace'.

She also confirmed Spain will decline any invitations to join a prospective European Union anti-piracy mission in the region.

She said: 'The EU could decide in a few days' time that there should be a (naval) mission.

'We do not yet know the scope if that mission is approved, but in the meantime, Spain's position, out of a sense of responsibility and a commitment to peace, is not to intervene in the Red Sea.'

Her comments suggested there could be further rifts among EU members over what course of action to take on the Israel-Hamas conflict.

She also added, cryptically, that 'every country has to give explanations for its actions'. This may have been a swipe at the UK and the US.

Much of the EU's trade to Asia transits through the Red Sea. France also fears its overseas territories in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific could be hurt by the disruption.

France confirmed yesterday its sailors will continue to chaperone commercial ships under its flag along endangered shipping lanes. However, their captains will not take orders from any foreign counterparts.

As a French naval official put it, they will cooperate with vessels belonging to Operation Prosperity Guardian, but there will be 'no subordination'.

Yesterday the country also refused to sign a statement supporting coalition strikes on the Houthis.

Rear Admiral Emmanuel Slaars, France's navy commander in the region, said Paris's current mandate did not extend to striking the group's military infrastructure directly.

Meanwhile Germany, which like Spain is not participating in a ship protection operations, said constitutional issues prevented its involvement.

Its constitution declares Germany can only join missions under the aegis of NATO or the EU  Operation Prosperity Guardian, the US led alliance in the Red Sea, is only a 'coalition of the willing'.

Last night, Germany said it was in close contact with its partners. A government official added the UK and US air strikes had not come as a surprise.

An aircraft takes off to join the U.S.-led coalition to conduct air strikes against military targets in Yemen in a picture released on Friday

One of four RAF Typhoon aircraft returning to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus after joining the US-led coalition conducting air strikes against military targets in Yemen on Friday

The airstrikes have provoked a strong reaction in Yemen, protestors seen demonstrating in Sanaa on January 12, 2024

A drone view as Houthi movement supporters rally to denounce air strikes launched by the U.S. and Britain on Houthi targets, in Sanaa, Yemen January 12, 2024

Julien Barnes-Dacey, director of the Middle East and North Africa programme at the European Council on Foreign Relations think tank, said France wanted to keep a 'degree of distance' from the airstrikes.

He said; 'The French fear getting pulled into American-Iran polarisation and conflict, which would reduce their own space for influence. We also saw this in recent years when Paris didn't join the US-led naval operation in the Persian Gulf.'
A Jewish man who lost family in the October 7 attacks was jeered at by protestors who made pig noises and pretend horns while at a San Francisco council meeting.

The incident occurred on January 8 at a San Francisco Board of Supervisors hearing scheduled the day before a vote on a resolution to call for a ceasefire in Gaza.

In a moving speech to the Board the man described how his first cousins were killed at Kibbutz Be'eri on October 7.

'This resolution does one thing, it fuels antisemitism and hatred, as exemplified in this room right now' the man tells the meeting.

Pro-Palestinian protesters could be seen making pretend horns with their hands and pig noises while the man spoke.

A Jewish man who lost family in the October 7 attacks was jeered at by protestors who made pig noises and pretend horns while at a San Francisco council meeting

The incident took place at San Francisco Board of Supervisors hearing over a vote on a resolution to call for a ceasefire in Gaza which passed, prompting celebration from Pro Palestine supporters

The man explained he had lost five members of his immediate family during the attack on the Kibbutz Be'eri, with two others taken hostage on October 7

'Listen, the pig noises and everything else is pure antisemitism,' he said while remaining calm.

'I have never, since I moved to San Francisco, seen this kind of hatred against a minority group ever,' he explained.

'A public demonstration of hate against a minority group.

'Just look at the behavior in this room and this is what it's like in the rest of the city.'

He added: 'My kids and I do not feel safe in San Francisco and this resolution simply does advertisement and PR around the world and in this country and in this city for that.'

'Five members of my immediate family that used to come and visit me in San Francisco, were murdered at Kibbutz Be'eri on October 7,' the man recalled.

'Two family members, my first cousins, were taken hostage.

'They were released in the second round of hostage releases,' he said.

The man said the proposed resolution fueled the kind of antisemitism and hatred displayed in the room

The October 7 attack left 1,140 dead and led to the capturing of more than 240 hostages

The next day, the Board of Supervisors voted 8-3 in favor of passing the resolution, Fox News reported.

In addition to calling for a cease-fire and specifically asking the Biden administration to do the same, the resolution also condemned antisemitic, anti-Palestinian, and Islamophobic language and attacks, Fox reported.

It also called for aid to be administered in Gaza and the release of hostages still held by Hamas.

Incidents of Islamophobia and antisemitism have shot up across the US in the wake of Hamas' devastating attack on Israel on October 7 last year.

The attacks left 1,140 dead and led to the capturing of more than 240 hostages.

At least 23,469 people, mostly women and children, have been killed in Israel's offensive, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.
Quaker Oats' December 15 recall is bigger than what consumers may have initially thought.

The company announced on Monday that it is officially recalling 24 more cereals, bars, and snack products because of possible salmonella contamination.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, symptoms of salmonella include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps that can begin six hours to six days after infection.

The press release states that consumers should 'check their pantries for any of the products listed,' which include several different chewy and granola bars and various types of cereal, and 'dispose of them.'

Quaker Oats announced on January 11 they would be adding 24 more products to their list of recalled items due to possible salmonella contamination

Nine Cap'n Crunch products are now on the recall list, including Capn Crunch OOPS! All Berries, Capn Crunch Cinnamon Crunch, and Capn Crunch Sea Berry Crunch cereals

All 24 products recalled this month are sold throughout the US, Puerto Rico, Guam, and Saipan.

Food not included in the recall include products like Quaker Oats, Quaker Grits, and Quaker Rice Snacks.

Consumers who own any of these recalled products should contact Quaker Consumer Relations or visit QuakerRecallUSA.com for more information.

The company is currently accepting requests for reimbursements on products.

All 24 products recalled this month are sold throughout the US, Puerto Rico, Guam, and Saipan. Food not included in the recall include products like Quaker Oats and Quaker Grits

Salmonella does not usually make food look, smell, or taste spoiled, and in some rare cases, the disease can be fatal.

Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness, including cancer patients and pregnant women.

Healthy adults, who suffer salmonella poisoning, may only be sick for four to seven days if symptoms are not as severe.

Consumers who own any of these recalled products should contact Quaker Consumer Relations or visit QuakerRecallUSA.com for more information
He also said they gave a warning to Iran

President Joe Biden said on Friday that the American airstrikes against the Houthi in Yemen were a success, adding that he's delivered a message to Iran with them.

'I don't think there's any civilian casualties  that's another reason why it's a success,' Biden told reporters traveling with him in Pennsylvania.

The White House has said the airstrikes in Yemen, most of which is controlled by the Houthis, were in retaliation for months of attacks by the movement on Red Sea shipping that the Iran-backed fighters cast as a response to the ongoing war in Gaza.

And when asked if he has a message for Iran, Biden said: 'I've already delivered the message to Iran.'

The president also noted Tehran 'doesn't want a war with us,' but said he is willing to bomb the Houthi again if they keep striking at American troops.

'We will make sure we respond to the Houthis if they countinue this outrageous behavior,' he said.

President Joe Biden said the American airstrikes against the Houthi in Yemen were a success

American and British troops launched multiple airstrikes targeting Houthi rebels around Yemen in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden on late Thursday night.

'These were all valid, legitimate military targets,' National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said in a press briefing where he also pushed back against lawmakers who said Congress should have been consulted and praised Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin for leading the strikes from his hospital bed.

'We're not interested in a war with Yemen  we're not interested in a conflict of any kind,' he said but added that the president 'won't hesitate to take further action to protect our troops and our facilities and international commerce.'

Kirby also said the White House expects the Houthis to try to strike back.

'Nobody was pollyannish about the possibility that they might conduct some sort of retaliation,' he noted.

The U.S.-led bombardment - launched in response to a recent attacks on commercial ships in the vital Red Sea - killed at least five people and wounded six, the Houthis said. The U.S. said the strikes took aim at more than 60 targets in 16 different locations across Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who is in Walter Reed Medical Center following complications for surgery for prostrate cancer, participated in the planning and spoke to Biden on the phone from his hospital bed. Austin has been under fire for taking days to disclose his illness and the fact he was hospitalized.

Kirby praised Austin's performance.

'It was ... no different than it would be on any other given day, except that he was briefing the president on options and engaged in the discussions from the hospital. But he was fully engaged as he would be in any other event,' he said.

Meanwhile, Biden faced rage from the left for launching overnight airstrikes in Yemen without congressional approval.

It came as Turkey accused the US and UK of turning the Red Sea into a 'bloodbath' and there were growing fears of widespread escalating violence in the Middle East.

Democrats on Capitol Hill claim it was 'unconstitutional' for the president to order US fighter jets, destroyers and submarines to hit targets used by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

'We're very comfortable and confident in the legal authorities that the President exercise,' Kirby said in response to the criticism.

Biden was also lambasted by Donald Trump for 'dropping bombs all over the Middle East, AGAIN' instead of focusing on the migrant crisis at the US southern border.

The US used more than 100 precision missiles striking at around 2.30am local time on over 60 targets at 16 locations in the massive operation that led to powerful explosions lighting up the night sky in Yemen.

US and UK armed forces released clips of their fighter jets taking off ahead of their bombing runs.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan furiously condemned the strikes in a statement this morning, accusing the US and UK of turning the Red Sea into a 'sea of blood'. Iran and Russia also accused the West of 'illegal' and escalatory actions.

The Houthi rebels, who have been attacking international shipping in the Red Sea, vowed to make the allies behind the attacks 'pay a heavy price' for the 'blatant aggression' they claim has killed at least five fighters.

In Yemen there were mass protests in support of the rebel group in cities across the country, with tens of thousands of people taking to the streets chanting slogans and toting placards.

In Washington Democratic progressives on Capitol Hill, including members of the left-wing group known as The Squad, responded with fury because Biden didn't seek congressional approval first for the strikes.

The US used more than 100 precision missiles striking at around 2.30am local time on over 60 targets at 16 locations, according to the air force. Explosions were reported in Sana'a, Hodeidah governorate, Saada, and Dhamar, Houthi officials confirmed. It's unclear the extent of the damage or any injuries. Fighter jets, Navy destroyers, a submarine and Tomahawk cruise missiles were all used in the blitz. Sites including command and control nodes, munitions depots, launching systems, production facilities, and air defense radar systems were hit, according to officials. At least one submarine was deployed, the US would not confirm exactly which but Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Florida (SSGN-728) entered the Red Sea in November, USNI News reports. The vessel has capacity for 154 missiles. Super Hornets from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) were also deployed, along with Air Force strike fighters

An Royal Air Force Typhoon aircraft takes off to join the US led coalition to conduct air strikes against military targets in Yemen. On Thursday evening, four Royal Air Force Typhoons launched from Royal Air Force Akrotiri to conduct strikes against military targets in Yemen

Democratic members of Congress Rep. Ro Khanna (left) and Rep. Cori Bush (right) were among the lawmakers tearing into Biden for launching the airstrikes without congressional approval

'The President needs to come to Congress before launching a strike against the Houthis in Yemen and involving us in another middle east (sic) conflict,' California Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna said.

'For over a month, he consulted an international coalition to plan them, but never came to Congress to seek authorization as required by Article I of the Constitution.'

Article 1 of the Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war.

However, under the War Powers Act of 1973 the president is only required to inform Congress of military action within 48 hours.

Under that act, if Congress does not then declare war, the president must end the military action within 60 days, with another 30 days for withdrawal.

The White Houses and Congress have repeatedly argued over the parameters of the War Powers Act during military interventions overt the last 50 years.

Following the Yemen strikes Cori Bush, a Missouri Democrat and member of the progressive Squad, called the strikes 'illegal' and told Biden, 81, to 'stop the bombing and do better by us'.

'The people do not want more of our taxpayer dollars going to endless war and the killing of civilians,' she added.

Michigan Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib also called the operation 'unconstitutional' and said Americans are 'tired of endless war'.

She has previously accused Biden of supporting 'genocide' in Gaza with his backing of Israel's military offensive in the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack.

Oregon Rep. Val Hoyle added: 'These airstrikes have NOT been authorized by Congress.

'The Constitution is clear: Congress has the sole authority to authorize military involvement in overseas conflicts. Every president must first come to Congress and ask for military authorization, regardless of part.'

Head of the Congressional Progressive Caucus Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a Democrat from Washington, said the strikes were an 'unacceptable violation of the Constitution'.

'Article 1 requires that military action be authorized by Congress,' she added.

Republicans including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said that the strikes were long overdue and a hopeful sign the Biden administration would take a more aggressive approach to Iran and in its proxies.

But Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social: 'So, let me get this straight. We're dropping bombs all over the Middle East, AGAIN (where I defeated ISIS!), and our Secretary of Defense, who just went missing for five days, is running the war from his laptop in a hospital room.

'Remember, this is the same gang that 'surrendered' in Afghanistan, where no one was held accountable or FIRED. It was the most embarrassing 'moment' in the history of the United States.

'Now we have wars in Ukraine, Israel, and Yemen, but no 'war' on our Southern Border. Oh, that makes a lot of sense. Crooked Joe Biden is the worst President in the history of the United States!'

Michigan Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib also called the operation 'unconstitutional' and said Americans are 'tired of endless war'

US and UK military forces have 'successfully' completed targeted strikes in Yemen used by Houthi to attack ships in the Red Sea

Defending the White House's decision not to seek congressional approval a senior administration official said senior leaders on Capitol Hill had been notified.

That included the 'gang of 8' group of senior figures in Congress.

'Our military actions against the Houthis, as part of an international coalition, were fully consistent with international and domestic law,' the senior administration official said.

'The Justice Department has set out a longstanding test for the President's constitutional authority to direct the use of military force - there must be a significant national interest at stake, and the action must be below the threshold of 'war' in the constitutional sense.'

'The facts here easily meet that test given the attacks we had endured from the Houthis and the limited nature of the coalition strikes.'

NATO declared the US-led strikes were aimed at protecting shipping through the Red Sea and urged Iran to 'rein in its proxies'.

'These strikes were defensive, and designed to preserve freedom of navigation in one of the world's most vital waterways. The Houthi attacks must end,' Dylan White, a spokesman for the Western military alliance, said.

The attacks come in response to months of Houthi-led bombings on ships in the Red Sea - amid the conflict between Israel and Gaza.

US officials had warned there would be 'consequences' for the Houthi's attack on non-military ships in the Red Sea.

Explosions were reported in Sana'a, Hodeidah governorate, Saada, and Dhamar, Houthi officials confirmed. It's unclear the extent of the damage or any injuries.

Super Hornets, Navy destroyers, and a submarine launched Tomahawk cruise missiles during the blitz.

Sites including command and control nodes, munitions depots, launching systems, production facilities, and air defense radar systems were hit, according to officials.

At least one submarine was deployed, the US would not confirm exactly which one but Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Florida (SSGN-728) entered the Red Sea in November, USNI News reports. The vessel has capacity for 154 missiles.

Super Hornets from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) were deployed, along with Air Force fighters originating from a base in the Middle East.

The US and UK, along with Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands, joined together for the attack.

'These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the world's most critical commercial routes,' Biden said.

'I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.'

The bombardment came thirty minutes after the the U.S. military said the Houthis had had staged their 27th attack on shipping since November 19 earlier on Thursday, firing an anti-ship ballistic missile into international shipping lanes in the Gulf of Aden.

The US military strikes are the country's first on Yemen since 2016. President Biden said they had been ordered in response to 'unprecedented' attacks against maritime vessels.

'More than 50 nations have been affected in 27 attacks on international commercial shipping. Crews from more than 20 countries have been threatened or taken hostage in acts of piracy,' Biden said.

'More than 2,000 ships have been forced to divert thousands of miles to avoid the Red Seawhich can cause weeks of delays in product shipping times. And on January 9, Houthis launched their largest attack to datedirectly targeting American ships.'

He then added: 'Last week, together with 13 allies and partners, we issued an unequivocal warning that Houthi rebels would bear the consequences if their attacks did not cease. And yesterday, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution demanding the Houthis end attacks on merchant and commercial vessels.'
The Oregon Supreme Court is staying out of the legal clash over whether Donald Trump can remain on the state's ballot for president, waiting for further action from the U.S. Supreme Court.

The state supreme court on Friday declined to wade into the legal chaos over whether Trump is disqualified from being president under a section of the 14th Amendment dealing with 'insurrection' until the U.S. Supreme Court rules on a similar case out of Colorado.

Collorado's Supreme Court issued a stunning ruling last month that kicked Trump off the ballot there, finding that Trump's role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol disqualified him from the presidency and that he directed an 'insurrection.'

Oregon was one of several states where liberal groups sued to remove Trump from the ballot under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, a Civil War-era provision that prohibits those who 'engaged in insurrection' from holding office.

It comes after Trump lawyer Alina Habba said she believes Justice Brett Kavanaugh will 'step up' and fight for the former president.

A spokesman for former US President Donald Trump called an Oregon Supreme Court decision the 'correct one' after it allowed him to stay on the state ballot for now pending a US Supreme Court review

The Colorado ruling is on hold until the U.S. Supreme Court hears an appeal by Trump. The nation's highest court has never ruled on Section 3, which fell into disuse after the 1870s, when most former Confederates were allowed back into government by congressional action.

The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling may decide the issue once and for all, but the Oregon court said that plaintiffs could try again there after the high court rules on the Colorado appeal. Until then, it declined to consider the lawsuit filed by five Oregon voters and organized by the liberal group Free Speech For The People.

Oregon Supreme Court's chief justice, Meagan Flynn wrote that the Supreme Court may resolve some of the disputed issues. If it leaves matters open, plaintiffs could file a new suit.

Chief Justice Meagan Flynn raised the possibility of further action if the Supreme Court leaves matters open

'Today's decision in Oregon was the correct one,' said Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung. 'President Trump urges the swift dismissal of all remaining, bad-faith, election interference 14th Amendment ballot challenges as they are un-Constitutional attempts by allies of Crooked Joe Biden to disenfranchise millions of American voters and deny them their right to vote for the candidate of their choice. President Trump will continue to fight these desperate shams, win in November and Make America Great Again,' he said.
Christine Dawood still can't quite believe that her husband of 20 years, Shahzada, and their precious son, Suleman, are no longer with her. It is now seven months since she last saw them climbing into the Titan submersible for, what she calls, 'the big one' in terms of this remarkable family's many adventures.

Last June, one hour and 45 minutes into the dive in the North Atlantic to view the wreck of the Titanic, off the coast of Newfoundland, the Titan lost communication with its support ship, the Polar Prince.

For four days, Christine and her daughter, Alina, who was then 17, waited aboard that ship for businessman and philanthropist Shahzada, 48, and 19-year-old Suleman to return to the surface.

They never did. Instead, they died on their ill-fated adventure with three other crew members, including Stockton Rush, the CEO of Titan owner OceanGate. 'The moment we knew they'd found debris and there were no survivors, Alina and I went on deck. Until that moment we'd had hope. We took some cushions with us and just sat there looking out at the ocean. We were both crying.

'I turned to her and said: 'I'm a widow now.' She said: 'Yes, and I'm a single child.' Then we cried even more.

Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman (pictured) died during a dive in the North Atlantic to view the wreck of the Titanic, off the coast of Newfoundland, in which their submersible Titan lost communication with its support ship

One hour and 45 minutes into the dive in the North Atlantic, off the coast of Newfoundland, the Titan lost communication with its support ship, the Polar Prince

Christine Dawood (pictured) still can't quite believe that her husband of 20 years, Shahzada, and their precious son, Suleman, are no longer with her

'Apart from a few business trips when Shahzada would go back to [his native] Pakistan, we did everything together.

'It's the waking up every morning that's . . . sometimes I still don't believe it. The possibility of it [Titan] imploding never crossed our minds. To lose a husband is terrible, but when you lose a child...'

She leans back and stares up at the ceiling.

'My son was an emergency C-section. I almost lost him. I just thought he was this angel who was gifted to me,' she says. 'Without modern medicine I would not have had him. He was an old soul - a people's person who made everyone feel special.

'I love being a mother. I have Alina, but I never wanted to be a single mother to an only child.

'No parent should have to grieve for their child. It's unnatural. All of a sudden your purpose, your identity, is ripped away from you.'

She looks at me with eyes that swim with sadness.

On Monday it would have been Suleman's 20th birthday. Christine has ordered some balloons because her son was 'always happy' when she bought them for him.

This year, though, there will be 'no Happy Birthday printed on the balloons  no name or numbers', she says. They will simply be filled with helium and allowed to float up into the glass atrium roof.

She'll mark her son's birthday remembering him and his father. She wants the world to remember them, too.

Mother Christine is seen with her son Suleman when he was a toddler, aged two

Christine is seen with her husband before his tragic death last year on a trip to see the Titanic

Debris from the Titan submersible, recovered from the ocean floor near the wreck of the Titanic, is unloaded from the ship Horizon Arctic at the Canadian Coast Guard pier in St. John's, Newfoundland

Safety concerns included lighting and handles bought from DIY shops and no international safety certificate

It is why she has decided to give her first in-depth interview since the tragedy. In those first days after the Titan imploded, Christine spoke briefly about her husband and son, but her grief was too raw to talk at length.

Today, the grief remains, of course, but somehow she can find traces of humour, too.

This warm family home in Surrey once rang with laughter. Her husband and daughter were, she tells me, two of a kind with huge brains and the ability to see 'the big picture', whereas she and Suleman were practical, solution-orientated souls.

She and her beloved son adored animals and would take their gentle Burmese mountain dog, Stig, on long walks together in the Surrey Hills, when they'd talk 'about anything and everything. He was one of the kindest people I've ever met, which with him being a teenager says a lot'.

Christine adds: 'He was very aware of the opportunities that his privilege gave him. In 2019 we took our children to Greenland because that's where the iceberg that sank the Titanic came from.'

She rolls her eyes in mock exasperation. It is warming to see her humour as she remembers happier times.

'My husband kept telling the children they were very privileged to see the glaciers. He said that in another five to ten years the place would have changed because of global warming. Suleman really took it to heart. He kept telling everyone that was a life-changing moment for him.

'He became more conscious about the environment and wanted to make a difference. He was passionate about wealth inequality and wanted to work towards a world where distribution of wealth was more balanced. I want the world to remember him like that.'

Suleman Dawood was just 19 when he went on the trip with his father to see the Titanic

It is now seven months since she last saw them climbing into the Titan submersible

Suleman, she tells me, was a 'very affectionate son' who was never too embarrassed to return his mother's kisses. When she dreams about him, as she often does, she still feels his hugs.

'We don't have graves for them,' she says. 'There were no bodies, but recently we [she, Alina and Shahzada's younger sister, Sabrina] went to Singapore. The sea was warm enough for us to walk in and I truly felt them around me. I thought: 'This is such a gift. I don't need a grave because every time I am in the ocean I will be able to connect with them because they are part of it.'

'We stood there with our skirts draped over our arms and cried for ten minutes straight. It was very, very cathartic. When I think of them now, they are just asleep down there [in the ocean].'

Suleman was at Strathclyde University in Glasgow, studying business analysis and human resources and intending to work with his father in the family business, when they boarded the Polar Prince to visit the wreck of the Titanic in the Titan submersible. They had been planning the trip since before Covid.

'We'd started talking about it in 2018,' says Christine. 'I was supposed to go with my husband but, because of the delay with Covid, Suleman turned 18 and he wanted to go.'

Again, there is a flash of humour as she explains. 'The idea of being in a small submersible going down and then up for eight hours was not necessarily my favourite thought.

Suleman is seen as a little boy. Suleman, Christine tells me, was a 'very affectionate son' who was never too embarrassed to return his mother's kisses

The company's Titan submersible. Rescuers were racing against time to find the missing submersible carrying five people

'I get bored on flights when you can at least watch movies. What do you do under the ocean going down for four hours in complete darkness? I mean, there's only so much you can talk about to a person.'

For all their adventures the Dawoods were, she says, 'not risk-taking types. We would not jump off bridges or out of planes. This [Titan] was out of our comfort zone. The Polar Prince was a rescue ship that had been retired, and I was very seasick.'

She falls silent for a moment. 'I hardly interacted with them [the night before] because I was throwing up so much. I went to bed pretty early.' The following morning, her husband was so excited, she says, he was 'literally glowing'.

Her son was thrilled, too, to be sharing this experience with his father. He'd decided to break the tedium of that four-hour journey into the deep by solving a Rubik's cube at 3,700 metres below the ocean surface.

Christine remembers Shahzada looking 'a bit like a swan out of water' as he stumbled about climbing into Titan. 'He was not elegant, but he was adorable,' she says.

Suleman was wearing his favourite red hoodie. 'He lived in it,' Christine remembers fondly. 'He wore it everywhere, even in the height of summer.

'In hindsight would I have wanted them not to go? Absolutely  but I can't really say I would have denied them an opportunity like that. If they had come back up and nothing had happened, it would have been quite a different story to tell.'

Christine is an extraordinary woman. She says: 'I am widowed and I lost a child and I'm not even 50. I'm 48.' But this is stated as a fact without self-pity.

She tells me that she grew up in the Alps near Munich, where the weather could change within an hour. 'You learn to accept there are some things beyond your control,' she says. 'If the snow's suddenly coming in, you can't change that from stubborn will. You have to accept it, live with it and adapt. I think that's helping me now.'

Christine remembers Shahzada looking 'a bit like a swan out of water' as he stumbled about climbing into Titan. 'He was not elegant, but he was adorable,' she says

Rescuers were scouring thousands of square miles in the remote North Atlantic for the missing submersible

Shahzada wasn't just Christine's husband but her best friend. They met at Reutlingen University in her native Germany. The son of a prominent Pakistani family, he was, she says, 'very different to anyone I'd known. He was the opposite of the blond, blue-eyed Germans. But I guess opposites attract.

'I saw a kindred spirit because our values were the same. Honesty was a big one. Being respectful of a higher power was also really important. As well as curiosity. We loved learning together.' Christine converted to Islam and, despite studying engineering, happily gave up her career to raise her children. 'I thought it was really important to give them the right values, especially in a fast world like ours,' she says.

'Because I was a stay-at-home mum I was also a supportive wife. When, all of sudden, that is ripped away from you . . .' She doesn't finish the sentence. There is no need. The huge loss she has suffered is everywhere.

The house is full of joyful family photographs: Suleman as a baby; Shahzada with Margaret Thatcher at his graduation from Buckingham University; her children with their cousins on a tractor on the family farm in Lahore.

I wonder if she feels anger towards OceanGate. After all, experts have since claimed CEO Stockton Rush ignored warnings that his vessel was unsafe.

'That's what you'd call complicated,' she says. 'There were a lot of people who showed us support during that time. So, anger at OceanGate? I don't know. But Stockton is not my favourite person in this mess.'

She adds: 'It's difficult because we don't know exactly what happened as the investigation is on-going. But I do feel angry.

'After the tragedy we couldn't come back home until October because we'd started renovating the house. We were staying with my in-laws, but eventually I said: 'We need the workers out of the house. I need my space . . . my sanity.'

'It was dark [when we returned]. I tried to switch on the light and the fuse blew. I lost it and swore at the whole world because I felt so alone. I thought: 'It's just me now. I am the only adult in the house.' '

Christine stops to offer me another cup of coffee. 'I guess there's still a lot to be grateful for,' she says. 'I love going out into the forest. I love nature and I have a lot of people around me who support me. I have a lot of love in my life  a lot of friendships.

'But I still can't go into Suleman's room. When the builders came in we packed up his room. His things are still in boxes I've never unpacked. I can't.'

She tries to muster a smile. 'Now 2024 is starting, who knows? 2023 was like this black hole, darkness . . . With the new year, maybe we can bring some light into the dark,' she muses.

'How that's going to look? I don't know yet.'
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott made explosive comments during a recent interview saying he hadn't order that illegal immigrants crossing into Texas, including women and children be gunned down, 'because of course, the Biden administration would charge us with murder.'

The Republican's shocking statement came during a Jan. 5 interview with conservative talk show host Dana Loesch, as Abbott bragged about his many efforts to secure the border.

'The only thing that we're not doing, is we're not shooting people who come across the border because, of course, the Biden Administration would charge us with murder,' Abbott stated.

Without batting an eyelash, Loesch did not challenge or follow up on Abbott's threat to kill migrants.

Instead, she immediately said, 'You can't even keep them detained.'

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said he hasn't ordered for migrants to be shot because the Biden Administration would charge state officials with murder during an interview on a conservative talk show

Texas soldiers, ordered to the border by Gov. Abbott, hold long guns near El Paso, Texas, as migrants entering the country tried to scale razor wire on Dec. 31

This is hateful, dangerous, sick rhetoric from a sitting governor @GovAbbott in the United States of America.



These are desperate men, women and children seeking asylum in America  just as people from Europe and every part of the world have done for generations. https://t.co/kiFRHp8E8f  Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) January 12, 2024

'This is hateful, dangerous, sick rhetoric from a sitting governor @GovAbbott in the United States of America,' Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro tweeted.

'These are desperate men, women and children seeking asylum in America  just as people from Europe and every part of the world have done for generations.'

Friday, Abbott appeared to walk back his comments, claiming that he was simply answering a question from the talk show host about what Texas could legally do to keep migrants out.

'I was asked to point out where the line is drawn about what would be illegal and I pointed out something that is obviously illegal,' Abbott explained.

Abbott's remark about shooting migrants came as he named his many controversial efforts to stop illegal immigrants from entering the country, called Operation Lone Star.

Launched by Abbott in March 2021, Operation Lone Star has including ordering Texas National Guard soldiers to the border, adding miles or razor wire to popular migrant crossing spots and installing a floating river barrier to keep migrants from swimming across the river that separates the US and Mexico.

Since launching Operation Lone Star, at least 4 million illegal immigrants have crossed into Texas, despite Abbott's efforts, according to figures by US Customs and Border Protection.

A group of migrants from Venezuela walk along the banks of the Rio Grande to surrender to U.S. Border Patrol after they entered Eagle Pass, Texas,

Immigrants from Venezuela walk past a pile of discarded migrant clothing after crossing the Rio Grande into the United States on January 08, 2024 in Eagle Pass, Texas. Immigrant crossings in the area have dipped dramatically since a major surge in the last months of 2023

Despite Abbott's claims that he's stopping illegal immigrants from entering the border, at least 4 million migrants have entered the state of Texas since 2021, according to federal statistics

Many of his efforts have either been struck down by federal courts or are currently being challenged due to their legality and on the grounds that individual states do not have the authority to enforce immigration law.

The courts have ruled that Abbott's buoys barrier had to be removed from river that serves as the international boundary.

Additionally, a newly filed lawsuit will determine if Abbott has the authority to order local police to arrest migrants and deport them, after he recently signed the controversial SB4 into law.

Abbott has also delighted in busing migrants from border towns in his state to sanctuary cities like New York and Chicago, which have now become overrun with migrants themselves.

As those northern cities have passed local ordinance to try to slow down the flow of Abbott's buses, the governor started flying migrants into those cities to skirt the busing regulations.

Neither Abbott's office or Loesch immediately responded to DailyMail.com's request for comment.
There are mornings when you can tell you're not feeling well just by looking in the mirror  but a new AI 'mirror' debuting this week at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) promises to tell you a whole lot more.

The product (effectively a 21.5-inch vertical tablet with a mounted camera) tracks over 100 health parameters by scanning blood flow under the surface of your face.

The device promises to detect signs of everything from high blood pressure, to fever symptoms, to depression or mental health risk, to 10-year stroke risk, to 'facial skin age.' But it can also warn you if it thinks you are about to die.

In a statement to DailyMail.com, a NuraLogix spokesperson noted that 'while Anura MagicMirror certainly detects the risk probability for said health conditions in the future, it doesnt give any certainty that you are guaranteed to get these conditions.'

'These health predictions are for people to improve their lifestyle choices to avoid possible consequences,' NuraLogix said.

One telemedicine expert praised the device as 'ideal for clinics, elder care homes.'

And the manufacturer hopes the device will help get people advanced warning for the 'proactive' medical attention they need, offering the device not just for homes, but retailers, gyms, schools, retirement homes, and pharmacies as well.

At the heart of the Anura MagicMirror is a powerful internal optical sensor which pools data for a cloud-based algorithm to analyze. The 21.5-inch vertical tablet with a mounted camera tracks over 100 health parameters by scanning blood flow just under the surface of your face's skin

The Anura MagicMirror promises to detect signs of everything from high blood pressure or possible fever symptoms, to depression or mental health risk, to 10-year stroke risk, to 'facial skin age.' But it can also warn you if it thinks you are about to die

READ MORE: Scientists invent doom calculator that can predict when you'll DIE and how much money you'll earn with 78% accuracy A new machine learning algorithm predicts personality traits, lifetime income, and even lifespan based upon the details of a person's life. Scientists say tools like this could easily be misused. Advertisement

At the heart of the new device, the Anura MagicMirror by NuraLogix, is a powerful internal optical sensor which pools data for a cloud-based algorithm to analyze.

The sensor, NuraLogix's patented Transdermal Optical Imaging (TOI) technology, uses a method already in use at hospitals, technically known as Photoplethysmography, to record changes in blood volume within the tiny 'microvascular' capillaries of facial tissue.

That blood-flow data is then sent to the company's DeepAffex 'Affective Ai' platform, which 'uses advanced signal processing and machine learning AI algorithms to calculate over 100 health parameters,' according to the company.

But, NuraLogix CEO Marzio Pozzuoli was quick to tell Wired at CES that MagicMirror's camera does not use any facial recognition technology.

Only blood flow data, Pozzuoli said, is sent to the cloud for AI analysis, while the video-feed that the device records to create your 'reflection' stays put locally.

Not everyone was relieved by these assurances, however, with a columnist for the Washington Times opining that, 'as with all-things-AI, the potential for harm is right around the corner from the intended good.'

Regardless, the NuraLogix CEO said he anticipates that the MagicMirror will start out as a product for business clients, installed in places like gyms, pharmacies, clinic waiting rooms, or even at construction sites where fast health assessments can mean life or death.

But, eventually, Pozzuoli hopes to see the MagicMirror become a common home healthcare appliance.

Only blood flow data, NuraLogix CEO Marzio Pozzuoli said, is sent to the cloud for AI analysis, while the video-feed that the device records to create your 'reflection' stays put locally

One telemedicine expert praised the device as 'ideal for clinics, elder care homes' in an X post

A sample of the Anura MagicMirror's promised health measurements Vitals/Physical Indexes Metabolic Health Risk Assessments Mental Health Blood Pressure T2 Diabetes Risk Assessment Mental Stress Cardiac Workload Cardiovascular Disease Risk (10 yr) Depression Health Risk Pulse Rate Heart Attack Risk (10 yr) Breathing Rate Stroke Risk (10 yr) Irregular Heart Rate Hypertension Risk Heart Rate Variability Hypercholesterolemia BMI Hypertriglyceridemia Body Shape Index Fatty Liver Disease Waist-to-Height Ratio Morning Fasting Blood Glucose Facial Skin Age Hemoglobin A1C

Pozzuoli, according to Wired, expects that a few measurements 'will be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration this year, with more to follow.'

For all the good it might one day do, however, the MagicMirror is not always polite and does not always adhere to social niceties.

One Sun reporter reviewing the product at CES complained: 'Highlights included the mirror telling me my 'facial skin age' is seven years older than I actually am.'

'It also told me I need to work on reducing my mental stress.'

And even the company's PR copy seems to acknowledge that MagicMirror's unsparing grim commentary, a la the evil Queen's magic mirror in Snow White, is part of the device's long-term commercial appeal.

('Mirror, Mirror On The Wall,' NuraLogix's press release jokes, 'Who Is The Healthiest Of Us All?')

According to the NuraLogix website, the MagicMirror is not yet available for retail, but 'Investigational Use Only.'

'The performance characteristics of this product,' the company said, 'have not been established.'
Forget cod and chips - if you've recently been to a UK chippie, you may have unknowingly eaten shark meat, scientists have revealed.

Despite a global push to curb the trade in shark fins, demand for shark meat has only grown, according to a new study.

The scientists say that shark is frequently sold as unlabelled 'mystery meat' in chip shops and restaurants around the world, including in Britain.

Researchers from Dalhousie University, Canada found that 80 million sharks were killed in 2019, up from 76 million in 2015.

Worryingly, of the sharks killed that year, 25 million were from species already threatened with extinction.

Forget cod and chips - if you've recently been to a UK chippie, you may have unknowingly eaten shark meat, scientists have revealed (stock image)

This map shows the frequency of shark mortality in waters across the globe. Darker red areas around South America, Europe, Indonesia, and parts of Africa show where shark fishing is most intense

Have bans on finning been effective? Between 2012 and 2019 there has been a tenfold increase on legislation on finning. Now, 70 per cent of maritime jurisdictions have some legislation on the practice. Shark mortality has fallen seven per cent in offshore fisheries, previously believed to be the biggest culprits. But mortality in coastal areas has increased four per cent. Total shark deaths in 2012: 76 million

Total shark deaths in 2019: 80 million

Total threatened species killed in 2019: 25 million Advertisement

In the study, the researchers tracked the fate of 1.1 billion sharks across 150 fishing countries between 2012 and 2019.

During this time, nearly 70 per cent of maritime jurisdictions introduced some form of legislation to protect sharks from fishing.

These measures have mainly been focused on curbing 'finning' where fishers cut the fins from live sharks before throwing them back in the water to drown or die of starvation.

Driven by a demand for shark fins, which are seen as a luxury food, this practice has pushed some shark species to the brink of extinction.

However, the study found that these regulations have failed to reduce the number of sharks killed each year.

Shark mortality in offshore fisheries decreased by seven per cent between 2012 and 2019.

However, in national coastal waters, where most sharks are now caught, deaths have increased by four per cent.

The deaths are clustered in a handful of regions such as the Coral Triangle which spans Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines.

The researchers found that six countries were responsible for half of all shark deaths, with Indonesia alone responsible for 19 per cent.

Dr Darcy Bradley, co-author of the paper, said: 'We found that despite myriad regulations intended to curb shark overfishing, the total number of sharks being killed by fisheries each year is not decreasing.

'If anything, it's slightly increasing.'

This map shows where endangered Hammerhead sharks are being caught. The red areas on the western coast of Africa reveal where fishing is most intense

Finning is a practice which cuts the fins of live sharks before dumping them overboard to slowly die of starvation or drowning. The fins are then dried under the sun in production centres like this one in Indonesia

This map shows areas where shark fishing is regulated. Dark blue shows a total prohibition on shark fishing, beige areas where the finning has been regulated, and red areas show places where there are no fishing regulations

The research suggests that regulations designed to curb finning have actually just incentivized fishers to find new ways to profit from shark catches.

No longer able to harvest just the fins, shark fishers have simply adapted to sell the entire carcass.

Demand for shark meat, cartilage, and oil has boomed as a result; driving an increased global trade in shark products.

According to WWF, the value of shark and ray meat market has ballooned from $1.5 billion (1.18bn) in 2012 to $2.6 (2.04bn) billion in 2019.

Co-author Leonardo Feitosa, a shark biologist from UC Santa Barbara, explained that this has led to shark meat being sold much more widely.

The researchers say that shark meat is being sold internationally as a cheap alternative to more expensive species (stock image)

Ms Feitosa says: 'We have seen the demand for shark fins decreasing and the demand for shark meat increasing, with Brazil and Italy being the main consumers.

'Because shark meat is a relatively cheap substitute for other types of fish, there is considerable mislabeling, making some consumers eat shark meat without their knowledge.'

Without being labelled as shark, the meat is sold into markets like the UK as a sort of 'mystery meat', often simply turned into fried 'fish'.

According to a study by Exeter University in 2019, 90 per cent of fish and chip takeaways in the South of England used shark meat without their customers' knowledge.

Scientists took 15 samples from sites along the south coast and found that 10 were spiny dogfish and the other five were starry smooth-hound.

Spiny dogfish is classified as endangered in Europe, and starry smooth-hound is also considered threatened.

Campaigners have called for clearer labelling of fish products as it emerged that these endangered species were being sold as rock salmon, rock eels and huss.

The global trade in shark from fisheries like one this in Japan to the rest of the world is still putting species at risk of extinction

The researchers say that the international trade in shark meat continues to be a significant threat to the survival of endangered species.

Lead researcher Dr Bois Worm says: 'Too many sharks are dying and this is especially worrisome for threatened species, such as hammerhead sharks.'

To cut down on the global trade in shark meat, the researchers say that more targeted measures and better enforcement are needed.

Some of the most effective efforts to reduce shark mortality were actually led by low-income countries with a high dependence on a healthy marine environment.

However, the researchers also note that countries with poorer democracy and oversight have struggled to bring down shark deaths.

The researchers hope to build on these local successes to bring in bans on indiscriminate fishing and requirements for fishers to release vulnerable species.
It's widely regarded as the 'King of the Dinosaurs'.

And now T.Rex's closest known relative has been discovered by paleontologists in New Mexico.

Researchers from the University of Bath have identified a newly discovered subspecies of tyrannosaur known as Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis.

The predator is older and more primitive than its better-known cousin, but just as big  roughly the size of a double-decker bus.

The finding reshapes scientists' understanding of how T. Rex might have first arrived in North America, by introducing its earliest known relative on the continent.

It's widely regarded as the 'King of the Dinosaurs'. And now T.Rex's closest known relative has been discovered by paleontologists in New Mexico

The findings are based on a partial skull collected years ago from western New Mexico and on display at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science (NMMNHS)

READ MORE: Meet the King and QUEEN of the dinosaurs! Skeletons of two T-Rexes go on display in a New Zealand museum The world-first pairing of male and female T-Rex skeletons will be on display for a few more days at the Auckland War Memorial Museum Advertisement

The findings are based on a partial skull collected years ago from western New Mexico and on display at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science (NMMNHS).

It shows that tyrannosaurus was in North America millions of years before palaeontologists previously thought.

Based on the location of other fossil finds that have previously been dated to between 66 and 75 million years ago, the researchers suggest T. mcraeensis may have lived between 71 and 73 million years ago  some five to seven million years before T. rex.

T. rex is so well-known, so it became possible to show the New Mexico tyrannosaur was something new.

Dr Nick Longrich, a co-author from the Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath, said: 'The differences are subtle, but that's typically the case in closely related species.

'Evolution slowly causes mutations to build up over millions of years, causing species to look subtly different over time.'

When then-student Sebastian Dalman began a restudy of a horned dinosaur, it forced a broader rethink of the dinosaurs from western New Mexico.

'I started working on this project in 2013 with co-author Steve Jasinski and soon we started to suspect we were onto something new,' he said.

A team of scientists from New Mexico, elsewhere in the USA, Canada, and Bath, in the UK, was assembled to study the animal, going through the skeleton bone by bone

The new dinosaur's fossilised partial skull was previously discovered at the Hall Lake Formation in New Mexico

WHAT WAS T. REX? Tyrannosaurus rex was a species of bird-like, meat-eating dinosaur. It lived between 6866 million years ago in what is now the western side of North America. They could reach up to 40 feet (12 metres) long and 12 feet (4 metres) tall. More than 50 fossilised specimens of T. Rex have been collected to date. The monstrous animal had one of the strongest bites in the animal kingdom. An artist's impression of T. Rex Advertisement

A team of scientists from New Mexico, elsewhere in the USA, Canada, and Bath, in the UK, was assembled to study the animal, going through the skeleton bone by bone.

They all found subtle differences in the shape of, and joins between, the skull bones of the specimen and the dozens of T. rex skeletons previously found.

The newly discovered dinosaur was roughly the same size as a T. rex, which measured up to 40 feet (12 metres) long and 12 feet (3.6 metres) high, and it also ate meat.

While the new discovery predates T. rex, subtle differences in the jaw bones make it unlikely it was a direct ancestor, the researchers said.

Experts suggest this raises the possibility there are still more new tyrannosaur discoveries to be made.

Dr Spencer Lucas, paleontology curator at NMMNHS, said: 'Once again, the extent and scientific importance of New Mexico's dinosaur fossils becomes clear  many new dinosaurs remain to be discovered in the state, both in the rocks and in museum drawers.'

According to the researchers, the new discovery expands our understanding of tyrannosaurs.

First, they suggest the apex predators lived in what is now the southern United States at least 72 million years ago, long before the first fossils of T. rex were found in the same region.

The new fossils also suggest larger, more heavily built, and more advanced species evolved in the southern United States, compared to the smaller and more primitive tyrannosaurs that inhabited Montana and Canada.

The findings are published in the Scientific Reports journal.
Forget relaxing lullabies - now you can sing yourself to sleep.

A gadget has been invented to turn users' own brainwaves into a symphony.

When played back before bed, it is claimed to vastly improve the quality of sleep.

The MyWaves device was invented by leading neuroscientist Dr Alain Destexhe after he discovered the strange phenomenon by accident.

Studies now suggest hearing the sound of your own brain activity  which is unique like a fingerprint  can improve the time spent in REM.

A gadget has been invented to turn users' own brainwaves into a symphony. When played back before bed, it is claimed to vastly improve the quality of sleep

This is an important part of the sleep cycle as it is when we process memories, develop our brains, and dream.

To work, users first need to spend one night with the MyWaves Pebble device attached to their forehead.

This then records the brain when in the deepest sleep and, in turn, is converted into three music tracks that mimic the waves.

Dr Destexhe said the mind was like an 'orchestra playing a thousand instruments' and the song created often became warm Blade Runner style symphonies.

For best results, the company recommends users listen to the music created by the device for at least 30 minutes every night before bed.

Unveiling the tech at this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, MyWaves are set to launch properly next month and will charge around 400 for the product.

To work, users first need to spend one night with the MyWaves Pebble device attached to their forehead

The device records the brain when in the deepest sleep and, in turn, is converted into three music tracks that mimic the waves

READ MORE: We trialed a dystopian helmet that monitors your BRAINWAVES while you drive - and barks at you if you're not paying attention! Before the driving simulation began, Macnica staff calibrated the EEG device to get a proper reading of my brainwaves Advertisement

Dr Destexhe, an internationally renowned neuroscientist who has studied sleep for 30 years at the prestigious Universite Paris-Saclay, said: 'We have a science-backed technology that basically uses your delta waves, which are linked in your brain to sleep, to tell you all the activities of your sleep, from deep sleep to rapid eye movement (REM).

'By selecting a very specific part of your [delta waves while you] sleep and turning it into music, we can produce music that triggers your brain to fall asleep quicker, longer and better.'

Dr Destexhe made the discovery by accident while on a flight listening to recordings of his own brainwaves for a research project.

Though usually unable to sleep on the plane, he fell asleep  and the same happened on the way back when he repeated the process.

On his return, he set up several trials to see it had a similar effect on other people.

The first was a blind test with his students, where he gave them six recordings  three of them from their brain and three from other people's.

He said: 'We asked them to try and to tell to tell them which ones they were finding more efficient in getting them to sleep and they clearly pointed to their own, even though they didn't know whose it was. I thought "wow!"'.

Several said they felt they were dreaming more, which Dr Destexhe said was a good thing because 'it indicates the sleep quality in general is better'.
Lawmakers say they are one step closer to the truth about humanity's place in the universe today after a top secret briefing on UFOs in Congress.

America's top spy watchdog met with members of the House Oversight committee on Capitol Hill today  a meeting previewed by DailyMail.com's anonymous intelligence community insider.

The meeting aimed to get to the bottom of last year's explosive charges alleging the existence of an illegal UFO crash retrieval program.

Those allegations, made by the formerly high-ranking US intelligence official David Grusch, accused the US military and its private contractors of covering up retrieved UFOs and alien 'beings,' plus retaliation campaigns to keep their secrets.

'We've now made, I would say, progress on some of the claims Mr. Grusch has made in his complaint,' Democratic Florida Congressman Jared Moskowitz told reporters.

'Based on what we heard,' Rep. Moskowitz said, 'many of Grusch claims have merit!'

America's top spy watchdog met with members of the House Oversight committee on Capitol Hill today (above). The meeting aimed to get to the bottom of last year's explosive charges alleging the existence of an illegal UFO crash retrieval program

UAP Classified Briefing @RepMoskowitz "This is the first time we kind of got a ruling on what the IG thinks of (Grusch's) claims." @NewsNation pic.twitter.com/vkiLdedVIU  Jordan Clifford (@JCliff_Scoops) January 12, 2024

Grusch's allegations were first made in detail via this classified formal complaint, a 'Disclosure of Urgent Concern(s); Complaint of Reprisal' filed to the office of the US Intelligence Community's Inspector General (IC IG) in May of 2022.

'I think this one [today's briefing] is going to lead to a lot of things,' Rep. Moskowitz said. 'There's a lot of new questions and a lot of new areas to ask and poke in.'

'I think everybody left there thinking and knowing that Grusch is legit,' said Republican Tennessee Congressman Tim Burchett, Rep. Moskowitz's colleague on the House Oversight Committee, which spearheaded today's secret UFO conclave.

Burchett added, 'if they didn't think that before.'

The Tennessee legislator, who has become a strong voice calling for transparency on what officials now call 'unidentified anomalous phenomena' or UAP, did retain some of his criticisms, telling reporters 'by design this issue is very compartmentalized.'

'We've now made, I would say, progress on some of the claims Mr. Grusch has made in his complaint,' Democratic Florida Congressman Jared Moskowitz told reporters. 'Based on what we heard,' Rep. Moskowitz said, 'many of Grusch claims have merit!'

'It's not about little green men in flying saucers,' Burchett said steps from a 'Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility' or SCIF where the classified meeting was held.

'The issue is tens of millions of dollars,' he emphasized, 'on an issue that we've been told does not exist since 1947.'

Rep. Moskowitz, who has joined Rep. Burchett and others in the House UAP Caucus on what has become an bipartisan effort to get to the truth on these airborne mysteries, also acknowledged continuing bottlenecks with over-classification.

'Well, obviously, look: the process is extremely frustrating,' Rep. Moskowitz told reporters assembled outside the SCIF.

'But actually this is the first real briefing that we've had,' the congressman said, 'the first time we kind of got a ruling on what the IG thinks of those [Grusch's] claims.'

'I think everybody left there thinking and knowing that Grusch is legit,' said Republican Tennessee Congressman Tim Burchett (left), Rep. Moskowitz's colleague on the House Oversight Committee, which spearheaded today's secret UFO conclave

'It's not about little green men in flying saucers,' Burchett said steps from a 'Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility' or SCIF (above) where the classified meeting was held

Republican Representative of Arizona Andy Biggs (above) arrives to attend today's closed-door intelligence briefing on unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP)

EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: Retired US Army Colonel says secret UFO projects should be made public by October 2030 - to beat America's rivals and get ahead of a 'catastrophic' leak The revelations came amid an invite-only UFO gathering at Stanford University. But, many speakers at the exclusive event expressed worry over the risk of social and economic upheaval. One former CIA scientist said that Washington insiders had deeply weighed both the positive and negative ramifications of declassifying America's top-secret UFO programs in 2004. They came to believe that the risks of UFO 'disclosure' were just too great. Advertisement

'So this meeting, unlike the one we had previously [with the Department of Defense's office of the Inspector General], this one actually 'moved the needle.''

Despite these promising statements of forward momentum, it is unclear whether or not members of House Oversight were actually permitted to review Grusch's official classified IC IG complaint, or what hard facts they learned behind closed doors.

Last week, a source with direct knowledge of standard operations inside the US Intelligence Community's Inspector General's office (IC IG) told DailyMail.com that a review of the complaint would be unlikely.

'I do not expect that to occur,' the source told DailyMail.com.

According to the DailyMail.com's well-placed US intelligence community source, IC IG would likely endeavor to satisfy lawmakers while telling them as little as possible.

'The IG, when he goes and briefs Oversight, his job, between you and I, is going to be to make them feel as though they're getting information,' this source said, 'and basically tell them nothing.'

This source believes Attorney Thomas Monheim, the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community, and his staff would be forced to juggle the expectations of multiple competing congressional committees.

'He's in charge of what he's going to tell them,' the source told DailyMail.com.

'I would be very shocked if they hear the same things the Intel committees heard,' the source elaborated, 'not because he doesn't want to tell them  because they're Congress.'

'But because HPSCI [the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence] and SSCI [the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence] have probably said to him, 'Hey! We are your committees of jurisdiction, not Oversight,'' so this source advised.

Nevertheless, Rep. Moskowitz presented a carefully worded comment on the progress made by the committee and the roadmap ahead in their quest for answers about the govenment's closely held, long-rumored UFO portfolio.

'Let me just give you a hypothetical, because I am not going to share anything from a classified briefing,' the Florida congressman began.

'If someone makes ten claims, and then someone says, 'Well, we didn't look into all ten, because they weren't all in the report. But, hey, we found these six very credible,'' Rep. Moskowitz said, 'well, then you'd wanna go attack those six.'
Its a long-standing rivalry for short-haul travellers - hop on a speedy plane or relax on a train?

And while most people have their preferences, in France, the rules have been changed to force the hand of those who prefer jet-setting to rail travel.

In May 2023 the French government banned any internal flight routes where an existing competing train route under two and a half hours is available, to reduce Frances aircraft emissions. The move irked airline officials and left Paris to Marseille one of the few remaining routes serviced by Air France and high-speed TGV trains.

This new rule  which quashed flight routes between Paris and Nantes, Lyon and Bordeaux  attracted the attention of the team at The Points Guy (TPG), which frequently stages high-speed races pitting a train against a plane to the same destination, to compare comfort, cost, and speed.

TPG decided to compare and contrast the experience of traversing Paris to Marseille by plane or by TGV  with the resulting video a fun look at the long-standing competition between flights and trains. The frantic 481-mile journey started on foot, with the two competitors departing from the famed Louvre Pyramid in Paris before wending their separate ways to Marseilles Old Port. Read on to see how they got on...

THE TRAIN

France has banned most short-haul internal flights where a competing train route under two and a half hours is available. So travel experts from The Points Guy decided to compare one of the few remaining internal competition routes - Paris to Marseille

TPG Editor at Large Nicky Kelvin (above) paid 151 for a business-premiere seat from Paris Gare de Lyon to Marseille

Travelling on the TGV InOui was Nicky Kelvin, Editor at Large for TPG, who paid 151 for a business-premiere seat from Paris Gare de Lyon to Marseille (penny-pinching travellers could opt for a less expensive economy ticket, of course).

The TGV high-speed train network has been operating for four decades and promises to punt you from Paris to Marseille at speeds of up to 199mph (320kph). The duration? A zippy three hours and 18 minutes.

So what were the upsides of his TGV experience?

Nicky told MailOnline Travel: The train station was very convenient for departing from central Paris and as it was a domestic train there were no security or immigration procedures so the boarding process couldnt have been easier.

The TGV high-speed train network has been operating for four decades

During the journey Nicky took himself to the dining carriage and treated himself to a train picnic: a croque monsieur, yoghurt, cookie and coffee, which came to approximately 15. But he had expected better hospitality for the price of his ticket

TGVs between Paris and Marseille reach speeds of up to 199mph (320kph). Nicky's train is pictured above

'The train itself was very comfortable. It was smooth and quiet with plenty of space to rest and work.

Any downsides?

Nicky said: 'The Metro in Paris was operating slowly on the morning I travelled. For those relying purely on public transport you may want or need to leave yourself with plenty of time, even though the departure train station is centrally located.'

During the journey Nicky took himself to the dining carriage and treated himself to a lavish train picnic: a croque monsieur, yoghurt, cookie and coffee, which came to approximately 15. But he had expected better hospitality.

He added: 'For the price of a first-class ticket you might have expected a full complimentary food and beverage service.'

THE PLANE

Racing for 'team plane' was TPG Senior Marketing Manager Liam Spencer. The aeronautical aficionado managed to catch his Air France flight from Paris Orly despite heading to the airport a mere hour before the plane was scheduled to depart

Flying start: Liam was delighted upon boarding to discover the seat beside him was unoccupied

'Team plane' for this venture was TPG Senior Marketing Manager Liam Spencer, with his economy ticket from Paris Orly Airport to Marseille Provence Airport setting him back 138.

He left his journey to Orly to the last minute, not setting off until an hour before his scheduled flight time.

An affirmed jet-setter who would always rather be up in the air than in a train carriage, Liam found multiple positives about his journey.

Liam told MailOnline Travel: As this was a domestic flight, I didnt have to go through passport security at either end of my journey.

This made the airport experience a lot smoother and meant I was able to make it from plane to taxi in just five minutes.

Liam's flight cost him 138, with the added bonus that he didn't have to go through passport control

Liam was impressed to be offered a small snack despite his air-time from Paris to Marseille only being one hour

I wasnt anticipating any kind of food and drink service on this one-hour flight, but after take-off I was given a complimentary cup of coffee and a biscuit.

This, along with the free seat next to me, meant it was a very pleasant short-haul experience.

However, he came a cropper in the race, ultimately losing to Nicky by 20 minutes.

He pinpointed the following downsides: My flight ended up taking off 30 minutes after the scheduled departure time. For such a short flight this was a disappointing delay, and ultimately meant I ended up losing the race.

'The taxi from Marseille Airport to the Old Port felt expensive at 50. Public transport would have been significantly cheaper, but I was aiming for speed over price on this occasion.'

For more from The Points Guy visit thepointsguy.com/uk-travel. To see the original video visit here.
READ MORE: Pilot reveals what REALLY goes on in the cockpit during turbulence

Does turbulence bring you terror?

Help, of sorts, is at hand, in the form of rankings that reveal the most turbulent airports and routes in the world, which at least arm nervous flyers with the knowledge of where to avoid.

The lists have been drawn up by turbulence forecast website turbli.com, which analysed over 150,000 long-haul and short-haul flight records from 2023 to identify the most turbulent flight routes last year - on average - and analysed 500 of the world's largest airports to discover which are the most jarring to fly into and out of.

It used eddy dissipation rates (EDR) to rank the routes. EDR measures the intensity of turbulence at a given spot - 0-20 is light, 20-40 is moderate, 40-80 severe, and 80-100 is extreme.

The 1,184-mile (1,905km) route from Santiago, Chile, to Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, was ranked as the most turbulent in the world, with an average EDR of 17.5. Second shakiest is the 210-mile short-haul jump from Almaty in Kazakhstan to its capital, Bishke (EDR 17.4).

Turbulence predictor website Turbli analysed over 150,000 flight records from 2023 to identify the most turbulent journeys, and the shakiest airports to land or depart from

MOST TURBULENT ROUTES 2023 OVERALL WORLDWIDE AND IN EUROPE, AMERICA AND OCEANIA 10 MOST TURBULENT ROUTES WORLDWIDE 1. Santiago (SCL) - Santa Cruz (VVI) 2. Almaty (ALA) - Bishkek (FRU) 3. Lanzhou (LHW) - Chengdu (CTU) 4. Centrair (NGO) - Sendai (SDJ) 5. Milan (MXP) - Geneva (GVA) 6. Lanzhou (LHW) - Xianyang (XIY) 7. Osaka (KIX) - Sendai (SDJ) 8. Xianyang (XIY) - Chengdu (CTU) 9. Xianyang (XIY) - Chongqing (CKG) 10. Milan (MXP) - Zurich (ZRH) 10 MOST TURBULENT ROUTES IN EUROPE 1. Milan (MXP) - Geneva (GVA) 2. Milan (MXP) - Zurich (ZRH) 3. Geneva (GVA) - Zurich (ZRH) 4. Marseille (MRS) - Zurich (ZRH) 5. Zgornji Brnik (LJU) - Zurich (ZRH) 6. Nice (NCE) - Basel (BSL) 7. Nice (NCE) - Zurich (ZRH) 8. Yerevan (EVN) - Tbilisi (TBS) 9. Basel (BSL) - Venezia (VCE) 10. Frankfurt am Main (FRA) - Caselle Torinese (TRN) 10 MOST TURBULENT ROUTES IN AMERICA 1. Nashville (BNA) - Raleigh/Durham (RDU) 2. Charlotte (CLT) - Pittsburgh (PIT) 3. Denver (DEN) - Puerto Vallarta (PVR) 4. New York (JFK) - Raleigh/Durham (RDU) 5. Warwick (PVD) - Syracuse (SYR) 6. Atlanta (ATL) - Dulles (IAD) 7. Pittsburgh (PIT) - Raleigh/Durham (RDU) 8. New York (LGA) - Portland (PWM) 9. Boston (BOS) - Syracuse (SYR) 10. Boston (BOS) - Philadelphia (PHL) 10 MOST TURBULENT ROUTES IN OCEANIA 1. Brisbane (BNE) - Sydney (SYD) 2. Port Vila (VLI) - Auckland (AKL) 3. Melbourne (MEL) - Sydney (SYD) 4. Port Vila (VLI) - Brisbane (BNE) 5. Port Vila (VLI) - Sydney (SYD) 6. Port Vila (VLI) - Melbourne (MEL) 7. Brisbane (BNE) - Melbourne (MEL) 8. Brisbane (BNE) - Adelaide (ADL) 9. Brisbane (BNE) - Darwin (DRW) 10. Auckland (AKL) - Christchurch (CHC) Source: turbli.com. Based on an analysis of 150,000 routes. Advertisement

The route from Santiago (above) in Chile to Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, was ranked as the most turbulent in the world

Six of the top ten rockiest rides across the globe are routes in Japan and China. Turbli attributes this to high jet-stream activity in these regions disrupting the air.

The worst turbulence in Europe overall was experienced on the 132-mile flight path from Milan to Geneva (EDR 16.3) - ranking as the fifth-most turbulent trajectory in the world overall.

Five of the top ten most turbulent routes in Europe took off or landed in Zurich, with mountain wave turbulence coming off the Swiss Alps likely responsible for its heavy presence on the list, according to Turbli.

The rest of the top 10 Europe ranking comprises Milan - Zurich (second); Geneva - Zurich (third); Marseille - Zurich (fourth); Zgornji Brnik - Zurich (fifth); Nice - Basel (sixth); Nice - Zurich (seventh); Yerevan - Tbilisi (eighth); Basel - Venezia (ninth), and Frankfurt am Main - Caselle Torinese (10th).

Routes across the USA were less turbulent than the worst European routes, with the most turbulent American leg the 441-mile flight from Nashville to Raleigh scoring an average EDR of 14.7. This wouldn't break the top ten on the European list.

The rest of the ranking for America comprises Charlotte - Pittsburgh (second); Denver - Puerto Vallarta (third); New York - Raleigh/Durham (fourth); Warwick - Syracuse (fifth); Atlanta - Dulles (sixth); Pittsburgh - Raleigh/Durham (seventh); New York - Portland (eighth); Boston - Syracuse (ninth); and Boston - Philadelphia (10th).

Down under the 450-mile flight from Brisbane to Sydney tops the Oceania table, with an average EDR of 15.3.

The rest of the top five for Oceania comprises Port Vila - Auckland (second); Melbourne - Sydney (third); Port Vila - Brisbane (fourth); and Port Vila - Sydney (fifth).

Not only is the route from Santiago in Chile to Viru Viru Airport in Bolivia the most turbulent, but Santiago has been ranked as the most turbulent airport in the world

Routes across the USA were less turbulent than the worst European routes, with the most turbulent American leg the 441-mile flight from Nashville to Raleigh in North Carolina scoring an average EDR of 14.7. This wouldn't break the top ten on the European list

MOST TURBULENT AIRPORTS 2023 OVERALL WORLDWIDE AND IN EUROPE, AMERICA AND OCEANIA 10 MOST TURBULENT AIRPORTS WORLDWIDE

1. Santiago (SCL) 2. Natori (SDJ) 3. Wellington (WLG) 4. Sapporo (CTS) 5. Osaka (KIX) 6. Bishkek (FRU) 7. Tokoname (NGO) 8. Lanzhou (LHW) 9. Tokyo (HND) 10. Christchurch (CHC) 10 MOST TURBULENT AIRPORTS IN EUROPE 1. Vienna (VIE) 2. Zurich (ZRH) 3. Marseille (MRS) 4. Geneva (GVA) 5. Zgornji Brnik (LJU) 6. Athens (ATH) 7. Stavanger (SVG) 8. Pisa (PSA) 9. Sochi (AER) 10. Bratislava (BTS) 10 MOST TURBULENT AIRPORTS IN NORTH AMERICA 1. Portland (PDX) 2. Denver (DEN) 3. Las Vegas (LAS) 4. Vancouver (YVR) 5. Salt Lake City (SLC) 6. Prince George (YXS) 7. Calgary (YYC) 8. Quebec (YQB) 9. Reno (RNO) 10. Seattle (SEA) 10 MOST TURBULENT AIRPORTS IN OCEANIA 1. Wellington (WLG) 2. Christchurch (CHC) 3. Melbourne (MEL) 4. Sydney (SYD) 5. Brisbane (BNE) 6. Adelaide (ADL) 7. Perth (PER) 8. Auckland (AKL) 9. Noumea (GEA) 10. Darwin (DRW) Source: turbli.com. Based on an analysis of 500 of the world's largest airports. Advertisement

The worst turbulence in Europe overall was experienced on the 132-mile flight path from Milan (above) to Geneva (EDR 16.3) - ranking as the fifth-most turbulent trajectory in the world overall

HOW DO PILOTS DEAL WITH TURBULENCE? A serving airline captain reveals four methods for dealing with turbulence: 1. Grin and bear it - the aircraft is more than capable of withstanding the loads associated with turbulence (although severe turbulence can be quite uncomfortable and best avoided for passenger comfort). 2. Try flying higher (if aircraft performance allows it) or lower (although this burns more fuel and might make things worse). 3. Fly at the aircraft turbulence penetration speed - generally a little slower than normal cruising speed 4. Turn to avoid the area of turbulence if its localised (such as near a thunderstorm). Advertisement

If you're particularly worried about a rough landing or take-off, Turbli has also pinpointed the most turbulent airports in the world.

Number one in the worldwide ranking is Santiago Chile, where the average EDR is 17.1. It attributes this meteorological phenomenon to the surrounding Andes causing mountain wave turbulence.

The rest of the top five in the bumpiest global airports ranking comprises Natori, Japan (second); Wellington (third); Sapporo, Japan (fourth), and Osaka (fifth).

In Europe, Vienna tops the table (EDR 14.8), followed by Zurich, Marseille and Geneva, while in the USA Portland proves the most shaky airstrip to take off from (EDR 15.2), followed by Denver (second); Las Vegas (third); Vancouver (fourth); Salt Lake City (fifth); Prince George (sixth); Calgary (seventh); Quebec (eighth); Reno (ninth); and Seattle (10th).

In the Southern Hemisphere, New Zealand's Wellington airport is the most turbulent in Oceania, scoring an EDR of 16.3.

Turbli's reporting is likely to prove increasingly relevant to jet-setters, as global warming has caused an increase in the severity of turbulence, according to scientists.

Research conducted by the University of Reading indicates that turbulence during flights is on the rise, with severe turbulence increasing by 55 per cent since 1979.

However, you can console yourself with the knowledge that although turbulence may be uncomfortable and scary, it is extremely unlikely to cause your plane to crash.

As a long-haul Dreamliner captain who spoke to MailOnline stated: 'In terms of what it might do to you, yes it's unpleasant, nobody likes being bounced up and down like that, or very few people do, but it's not unsafe... Aircraft like flying, they don't like falling out of the sky, and you've got to try pretty hard to make them do that.'

The 450-mile flight from Brisbane to Sydney tops the Oceania table for most turbulent routes

What can turbulence do to the airframe?

He said: 'Nothing. By the time airframe breaks up you'll be dead anyway.'

He revealed that pilots basically have four options for dealing with turbulence.

He said: 'You can grin and bear it - the aircraft is more than capable of withstanding the loads associated with turbulence - although severe turbulence can be quite uncomfortable and best avoided for passenger comfort. You can try flying higher - if aircraft performance allows it - or lower - although this burns more fuel and might make things worse.

'You can fly at the aircraft turbulence penetration speed - generally a little slower than normal cruising speed or turn to avoid the area of turbulence if its localised, such as near a thunderstorm.'
Martin Freeman showcased his new chiselled look as photos of Miller's Girl revealed the actor's new macho physique.

The Hobbit star, 52, who plays alongside Wednesday actress Jenna Ortega in the new comedy-drama, has transformed into a tenacious hunk.

He has a new look for fans in 2024, as his cream shirt leaves little to the imagination, as he shows off his buff biceps.

Martin, who plays the lead character, Jonathan Miller, is seen looking better than ever as he plays the role of a desirable teacher who gets involved in a situation involving a student.

A creative writing assignment entangles them in a complex relationship that blurs his and Jenna's supporting character's (Cairo Sweet) boundaries.

Martin Freeman, 52, showcased his new chiselled look and bulging biceps as photos of Miller's Girl revealed the actor's new macho physique

The Hobbit star who plays alongside Wednesday actress Jenna Ortega in the new comedy-drama, has transformed from shy halfling to tenacious hunk, (pictured at the Palm Springs Film Festival on Thursday)

The teacher is faced with pushing his talented student to limits and unlocking her remarkable writing capabilities.

He, a failed writer, finds himself in a less-than-desirable situation when the student harbours feelings for him, and he chooses to risk everything he spent his life working towards in the hope of seeing her succeed.

The film was written by Bartlett as a play in 2011 and featured on the 2016 Black List.

On Thursday, the star-studded cast attended the movie's film premier in Palm Springs Film Festival, which saw Jenna, 21, put on a busty display in a chic white Valentino mini dress.

Martin and Jenna were pictured chatting to one another on stage about the film release as hundreds gathered to support them and the cast's new hit.

Dagmara Dominczyk, Bashir Salahuddin, and Gideon Adlon were also in attendance.

The stars attended the premiere along with director-writer Jade Halley Bartlett, who's making her directorial debut with the film.

Jenna will not return for Scream VII due to the Wednesday filming schedule.

Martin plays the lead character, Jonathan Miller, is seen looking better than ever as he plays the role of a desirable teacher who gets involved in a situation involving a student

He, a failed writer, finds himself in a less-than-desirable situation when the student harbours feelings for him, and he chooses to risk everything he spent his life working towards in the hope of seeing her succeed

Deadline has reported that Jenna's departure from the Scream film was already in talks prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike.

The outlet reports that the script for the sequel has yet to be completed, and Ortega, 21, will be travelling to Ireland in April to film season two of the Netflix series on Wednesday.

That shoot is expected to extend into the summer.

She also stars in Beetlejuice 2, which is on the verge of wrapping after the Hollywood strikes interrupted shooting.

Deadline reports that her departure has nothing to do with co-star Melissa Barrera's recent firing over posts about the Israel-Hamas war or the rumours circulating online claiming Jenna had requested to be removed from her contract.

The movie will be released by Lionsgate in theaters on Friday, January 26 in the US.

There has yet to be a confirmed date for when the movie will hit UK screens.
Mitchel Taylor has revealed which of his co-stars he has had his eye on ahead of Love Island All Stars - and two of them are set to join him in the South African sun.

The former plumber, 27, made his first appearance on the ITV2 show just six months ago on season 10 of the competition.

Messy Mitch was initially coupled up with Molly Marsh, but their promising partnership was cut short when she caught the attention of bombshell Zachariah Noble.

He then went on a string of dates with Charlotte Sumner, Leah Taylor and Malissa Nicol.

But his prayers have been answered this season, as he said he would love to explore connections with Demi Jones, 25 and Georgia Harrison, 29.

Mitchel Taylor, 27, has revealed which of his co-stars he has had his eye on ahead of Love Island All Stars - two of them are set to join him in the South African sun

His prayers have been answered this season, as he said he would love to explore connections with Demi Jones, 25, and Georgia Harrison, 29

He told Mail Online: 'My first ever crush was Lucie Donlan, but she's engaged now, so that's probably never going to happen. And obviously Georgia Harrison, just her whole royal thing, I thought I'd get on with her fine.

'I met one girl at an event in Manchester in November called Demi Jones. I didn't watch her series, but I knew she was on it. We had a good five-minute conversation, and there was a bit of a decent vibe there.

'But the conversation ended early because Ella was with Demi that night. So obviously ever since I've left there, it's kind of stuck in the back of my head, but I never really approached anybody.'

The 2023 contestant, from Sheffield, was quickly dubbed Messy Mitch during his time on the show over his wandering eye and cringey antics.

He has revealed his desperately wants to 'fall in love' with 'no drama' but is conscious that the more mischievous side of his personality isn't something he can control.

He said: 'I'll be honest, with me saying we're not getting Messy Mitch, it's like a character I don't know I've got. It depends on what day of the week it is. If I wake up in a bad mood...I don't really have a choice.

'I think Messy Mitchel comes without me doing it. It's not like my alter ego or my super character or whatever you want to call it. I can't say yes or no if Messy Mitchel will come or not? I don't know.

The 2023 contestant was quickly dubbed Messy Mitch during his time on the show over his wandering eye and cringey antics. But the star revealed that his controversial, cheeky, chappy side is not something he can control

He desperately wants to 'fall in love' with 'no drama' but is conscious that the more mischievous side of his personality isn't something he can control

Mitch had his heart broken after love interest Molly (left) had her eye turned by his friend Zachariah Noble (right) - the two are still very much in love months on from leaving the villa. To avoid this devastating turn of events again, Mitch said he would not be wearing his heart on his sleeve

'I hope not. I hope to have a great time and no drama and have a happy ending and all that stuff.'

Learning from his past appearances, Mitch plans to be less open this time as he wants to avoid being hurt again.

Mitch had his heart broken after love interest Molly had her head turned by his friend Zachariah Noble - the two are still very much in love months after leaving the villa.

To avoid this turn of events again, Mitch said he would not be wearing his heart on his sleeve.

He told MailOnline: 'I'm not going to jump in with two feet like I did with Molly and get hurt. So I think ever since that one, my guard is up, I wasn't really being myself. I was being myself with my personality, but getting to know girls, I wasn't being full force.

'I think this time, hopefully, I come across a bit nicer and control my emotions a bit more. I do wear my heart on my sleeve, and that obviously can get me into trouble. So I think just to be a bit more composed, just try and live in the moment.'

Love Island: All Stars launches on Monday 15th January at 9pm on ITV1, ITV2, ITVX & STV
The actress is said to be 'taking time to process and heal' amid her heartbreak

Natalie Portman is preparing to file for divorce from Benjamin Millepied, despite trying to 'make it work' after her estranged spouse was accused of cheating with a climate activist 21 years his junior, insiders have claimed.

The Black Swan actress, 42, seemingly confirmed the end of her 11-year marriage to the choreographer, 46, this week during an interview with WSJ Magazine in which she failed to mention him, while disclosing that she lives in Paris with their two children.

The apparent admission came days after she flew solo at the Golden Globes, and just weeks after she was pictured once again without her wedding ring.

The actress has reportedly taken time to 'process and heal' and is trying to work out the best way to navigate a divorce for their children Aleph, 12, and daughter Amalia, six, before officially filing.

Natalie Portman is planning to file for divorce from her estranged husband, Benjamin Millepied, following last year's cheating allegations, an insider has claimed to DailyMail.com

The pair (pictured in 2022) met in 2009 on the set of her psychological horror Black Swan, for which he did the choreography. They married in 2012

'Natalie and Benjamin tried to make it work but she simply could not get past his cheating on her,' an insider told DailyMail.com exclusively.

'Divorce is in the works, but nothing has been filed as of yet. They are split, however, and she is living in Paris while Benjamin continues to work in the US.

'They are figuring out what is best for their children, as they both have so much love for them and are great parents.'

The insider added: 'Natalie needed time to process and heal and those around her know how strong of a woman she is and how dedicated to her causes she is, including women's empowerment.

'No woman should have to put up with a cheating spouse. She has been private about it because that is who she is.'

DailyMail.com has reached out to representatives for Natalie and Benjamin for comment.

Natalie and Benjamin's marriage was rocked by cheating allegations last year, when French outlet Voici released an explosive report, claiming he had an affair with 25-year-old climate activist Camille Etienne.

People magazine reported at the time that the romance with Camille was 'short-lived' - and that Benjamin was 'doing all he could' to get 'Natalie to forgive him and keep their family together.'

Natalie, 44, attended the 81st Golden Globes in Beverly Hills on Sunday without her husband

She told WSJ. Magazine that she resides in Paris with her two kids, with no mention of her allegedly unfaithful spouse

'He knows he made an enormous mistake and he is doing all he can to get Natalie to forgive him and keep their family together,' a source told the publication.

'Natalie is incredibly private and has no intention of playing this out in the media. Her biggest priority is protecting her children and their privacy.'

In early August, however, an insider told Us Weekly that the pair were separating after failing to repair their relationship amid the bombshell cheating allegations.

'After news of his affair came out, they've been trying to work on their marriage but are currently on the outs,' the source said at the time.

However, someone close to the mom-of-two told DailyMail.com days later that the reports of them ending their marriage were just 'rumors' and 'speculation' - and that no firm decision had been made.

They said that Natalie 'still doesn't know' if she wants to get a divorce, despite the rumors of his infidelity leaving her feeling 'powerless.'

According to an insider, Natalie and Benjamin are formulating a plan to best coparent their two children

Natalie and Benjamin stepped out together in Paris with their two children in September. They looked tense as they exited their apartment and escorted them to school

'[Natalie] hates that [Benjamin's] infidelity has made her feel powerless,' the source said at the time.

'She doesn't know if she can regain her power by staying with him or leaving him. It is really a struggle to have to continue to deal with it.'

But the source insisted that 'deep down,' Natalie and the French dancer are still 'really in love' and are trying to work through their problems.

The pair met in 2009 on the set of her psychological horror film Black Swan, for which he was the choreographer.

The now-estranged couple became engaged in 2010 and were married in 2012 at Big Sur, California.

Benjamin also worked on choreography for Natalie's dark musical drama film Vox Lux in 2018, in which she played a woman who survives a school shooting, only to become a pop star.
Holly Willoughby is reportedly in the running to host a new jungle-based show with Bear Grylls for Netflix.

The TV presenter, 42, has been approached about fronting the series which will see celebrity contestants pitted against survival expert Bear.

A source told The Sun: 'A group of celebrities will be put into a jungle where they will have to tackle a series of challenges.

'If they lose, they'll have to pit their wits against Bear, who will be hunting them down.

It's a really exciting concept and Bear is totally on board. Now they have Holly in their sights to host it.'

Holly Willoughby is reportedly in the running to host a new jungle-based show with Bear Grylls for Netflix

The TV presenter, 42, has been approached about fronting the series which will see celebrity contestants pitted against survival expert Bear

The insider added that Holly is open to offers but will be 'carefully cherry-picking' her next projects.

The show would be Holly's first major new gig since she stepped down from hosting This Morning in October.

The star is also no stranger to a jungle environment, having previously hosted a series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2018.

MailOnline has contacted representatives of Holly Willoughby for comment.

Holly is making her TV comeback on Sunday as she returns to host Dancing On Ice alongside new host Stephen Mulhern who has replaced Phillip Schofield.

MailOnline exclusively revealed that she will return to the skating competition when the series kicks off on January 14.

Dressed in a stunning 3,200 floor-length red Vivienne Westwood gown, Holly beamed as she poses alongside her new TV sidekick Stephen as she prepared for her comeback in photo's released this week.

The Mail on Sunday revealed she met Mulhern, 46, two weeks ago for the pictures to be taken  just days after she made her first public outing since early October when a former Essex security guard was charged with contacting a hitman in the US to kidnap and murder her.

Holly no stranger to a jungle environment, having previously hosted a series of I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2018 (pictured with Ant McPartlin)

It is understood that she and Mulhern did not meet the show's judges, including Olympic gold medallists Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, but instead had their own private shoot at a studio in London.

For Holly, it was normality returning to her life as she was joined by her stylist Danielle Whiteman, who carefully selected the 3,200 Vivienne Westwood gown.

One friend said: 'It was quite an emotional day, it felt like the beginnings of a routine after months of being at home and shutting herself off from the outside world.

'But Holly has always loved wearing dreamy, princess-style gowns on Dancing On Ice, it was always her time to get really dressed up.'

It was a doubly special reunion with Mulhern, ITV's popular and long-serving star who hosts the reboot of Deal Or No Deal and Catchphrase, because he was at her side when she got her first big break in TV almost 20 years ago.

The pair hosted ITV morning children's shows Ministry Of Mayhem and Holly & Stephen's Saturday Showdown when they were in their 20s and since then have had an unbreakable bond.

'It really made a difference to Holly's mindset to know that Stephen would be with her all of the way. It has really made her smile,' added the friend.

Holly is making her TV comeback on Sunday as she returns to host Dancing On Ice alongside new host Stephen Mulhern who has replaced Phillip Schofield

Stephen and Holly are pictured together in 2006 on CITV back at the start of their presenting careers

'When you have that much history with someone you feel safe. The last year has been a huge change for her.

'For years and years, Phil was with her and suddenly he was gone. To be working with Stephen again at such a poignant time in her career is special for Holly. Whether she went back to Dancing On Ice was a quandary for Holly, some gentle persuasion from Stephen definitely helped to seal the deal.'

Next Sunday at 6.30pm she will co-host the programme, whose stars include Eddie 'the Eagle' Edwards and former Brookside actress Claire Sweeney, from ITV's studio at the old RAF base in Bovingdon, Hertfordshire.

Holly signed the deal over Christmas and is said to be 'excited' about to getting back to work on the show that she hosted with her former friend Phillip for many years

It is a moment she has been mentally preparing herself for since making up her mind to return to the limelight over the Christmas period.

Friends of the mother-of-three say that she will not be addressing her alleged kidnap plot ordeal but is using the return of Dancing On Ice as an opportunity to move on with her life and try to forget the last three months of devastation  at least until the accused man's trial in June.

'It is unlikely she will acknowledge her time off at all. It will be a matter of it's business as usual,' says a source close to Holly.

Security at the studios has been so tight for many years, there is little more that ITV can do to improve it. So network chiefs are satisfied that it is 'super safe' for the star.
Khloe Kardashian preserved her modesty with a carefully placed apple covering her bare breast on the cover of the multi-platform music and culture magazine, tmrw.

In the striking image, the 39-year-old reality star oozed confidence as she put her ample assets on full display in a plunging black minidress with a racy slit up her side.

The mother-of-two, who sported a glamorous makeup look that enhanced her natural beauty, opted to style her golden locks into a chic slicked-back hairstyle.

Her satin ensemble was designed by Dolce & Gabbana and statement earrings from House of Emmanuele.

Khloe Kardashian preserved her modesty with a carefully placed apple covering her bare breast on the cover of the multi-platform music and culture magazine, tmrw

Another picture from the photo shoot showed the TV personality channeling the Bible's Eve as she took a bite into a piece of forbidden fruit

Another picture from the photo shoot showed the TV personality channeling the Bible's Eve as she took a bite into a piece of forbidden fruit.

The magazine, featuring Kardashian on the cover, will include a full in-depth conversation, photo shoot of the socialite rocking 10 'jaw-dropping' looks and 100+ pages dedicated to her.

Greg Swales served as the photographer and creative Director while Katie Mossman was responsible for styling the shoot.

Los Angeles-based makeup artist, Ash K Holm, hair stylist Irinel de Leon and manicurist Chaun Legend got Kardashian all glammed up.

Journalist, Juno Kelly, did the interview with Kardashian, who she described as 'being a generous, candid interviewee' on Instagram.

Kardashian's mother, Kris Jenner, reposted the cover image on her Instagram with the caption: 'wow  my @khloekardashian for @tmrwmag [rose emoji].'

Meanwhile, younger sister, Kylie Jenner, wrote under Kardashian's post: 'loooooove.'

During the accompanying interview, the Keeping Up with the Kardashians alum told the outlet: 'It's so powerful, the older you get, how secure and comfortable you get within your skin and with people.'

Kylie Jenner, wrote under Kardashian's post: 'loooooove'

Fans called the photo shoot 'stunning' and said the bombshell is 'just everything goals'

During the accompanying interview, the Keeping Up with the Kardashians alum told the outlet: 'It's so powerful, the older you get, how secure and comfortable you get within your skin and with people'

'I don't care who agrees with what I'm doing, you're just, you feel good,' she continued of getting older.

Still, Kardashian, who has been vocal her thirties being the 'worst decade ever,' admitted that she will 'be disappointed' if she gets 'any more s**t' in her forties.

In July, the Strong Looks Better Naked author declared on her Instagram Story that she 'cannot wait to be in' her forties, like sisters Kim and Kourtney Kardashian.

'I hate being in my 30s. I think it's the worst decade ever,' she wrote.

Her 30s have included their share of upsides, such as the arrival of her children True, five, and Tatum, but have also as well as the finalization of her divorce from Lamar Odom, who nearly died of an overdose in a brothel during their separation.

She subsequently had a rollercoaster onoff romance with Tristan Thompson, who fathered her two children, but was also serially unfaithful to her.
Kanye West's wife Bianca Censori departed from her usual risque style as she stepped out with the rapper in LA on Thursday - one day after it emerged he is being sued for assault and battery.

Bianca, 29, who West recently declared would be wearing less clothes than ever before in 2024, took the opposite style direction as she donned an extremely baggy leather coat, paired with a black fluffy hat.

She completed her ensemble with black stiletto heels and went make-up free.

West covered up in an oversize hoodie and baggy gray jeans for a day of shopping- amid his lawsuit.

The star is being sued for assault and battery by the man he allegedly punched outside a members-only club in downtown Los Angeles in January 2022.

Kanye West's wife Bianca Censori departed from her usual risque style as she stepped out with the rapper in LA on Thursday - one day after it emerged he is being sued for assault and battery

Bianca, 29, who West recently declared would be wearing less clothes than ever befo re in 2024, took the opposite style direction as she donned an extremely baggy leather coat, paired with a black fluffy hat

TMZ reports that the plaintiff - an autograph dealer who got into a confrontation with West outside the Soho House - alleged in court documents that West went haywire on him during the altercation.

He claimed West, 46, shouted 'I'm going to make a f***ing example of you', brought up his split from Kim Kardashian, and then struck him.

He claims he asked West to apologize, which the rapper shut down by allegedly replying, 'Apology for what?'

The artist then allegedly hit the fan several more times, 'severely injuring him' in the process.

Kanye was allegedly asked to stop hitting the man by a person with him, but the rapper instead began yelling at them and instructed them to 'go to the f***ing house and get my f***ing kids.'

The autograph seeker claims he is a victim of assault and battery and has endured emotional distress. He is suing Kanye for damages.

In addition, the man's wife is also suing West for loss of consortium.

West was investigated for criminal battery over the incident but ultimately no charges were filed.

The couple looked somber as they stepped out in chilly LA

She completed her ensemble with black stiletto heels and went make-up free

Biannca is known for her extremely racy dress sense

West covered up in an oversize hoodie and baggy gray jeans - amid his lawsuit

Kanye was seen heading to his car in California

The pair were seen shopping in West Hollywood

The couple drove off together after their day out

Bianca looked stylish as she strolled with West

West is being sued for assault and battery by the man he allegedly struck outside a members-only club in downtown Los Angeles in January 2022; pictured 2020

Shortly after the altercation, West admitted he did punch the autograph seeker in an interview with Hollywood Unlocked's Jason Lee.

West said he was outside the Soho Warehouse at 3 a.m. when a man who had been tailing him in recent days for autographs allegedly provoked him.

'I'm saying, ''You don't know what I'm dealing with right now,'' West said, referring to footage of him snapping at the unidentified man.

'I just finished these two songs, I came from the studio, and this dude, he just had this real attitude, like, ''What you gonna do? And see that?''

'Imma just tell you, that blue COVID mask ain't stop that knockout, you know what I'm saying?'

TMZ reports that the plaintiff - an autograph seeker who got into a confrontation with West outside the Soho House - alleged in court documents that West went haywire on him during the altercation; West pictured in 2019

He added that he was upset at the time with Kim Kardashian, who filed for a divorce and was dating Pete Davidson at the time, and at a cousin who failed to tell Kardashian that he wanted to visit one of their children at school.

'Security aint gonna get in between me and my children. And my children arent gonna be on TikTok without my permission,' Kanye said as he reiterated his message to Kardashian.

He also mentioned he was upset at her budding romance with Davidson.

'How are you going to blame me for acting out and kiss the dude your dating right in front of me. Everyones like, thats cool, and Im hearing that the new boyfriend is in the house that I cant even go to.'

West claims the man he punched was not a fan of his, but someone trying to make money by selling off autographs he got from the rapper.

'This is the same as the paparazzi, this is not a fan. This is someone who is using your image, who probably never listened to your songs.'

Dramatic footage of the aftermath of the incident shows West screaming, 'Get away from me' at his cousin, who was trying to calm him down while the autograph seeker lay on the floor, clutching his head in pain.

Witnesses told TMZ at the time that West punched the man once in the head and once in the neck, striking him down and causing the fan to hit his head on the sidewalk.

His cousin could be heard telling the rapper, 'I am your family,' as she tried to take his hand and get him to relax.

'No, get away from me! Ain't no hands, ain't no hands,' West yells.

'You were supposed to talk with her,' he adds, now revealing that he was angry at his cousin for not telling his then-estranged wife that he wanted to visit their child at school.

He ultimately blamed his cousin for his bad mood that caused him to erupt in anger following the altercation, which was caught on video by confused bystanders.

He said he ultimately admitted to the attack because he was tired of the media's portrayal of the incident and wanted to take control of the narrative.

'This is from the horse's mouth. I told you all before, y'all are not fit to be in charge of my narrative,' West told Lee.

'I told you before, I am taking my narrative. I am writing my narrative. Why don't you all go do something, you know what I mean, other than trying to bring somebody down.'
Emily Ratajkowski rocked sexy swimwear and an excess of blush for the 1980s-themed 'Cherry Twist' campaign for the energy drink Alani Nu, which launches next Monday.

The 32-year-old DNA Model's paid partnership for the premium wellness brand founded in 2018 by Katy Hearn came after similar campaigns with reality star-influencers Kim Kardashian and Addison Rae.

Emily showcased her phenomenal 5ft7in figure in a white cut-out one-piece and a high-cut pink one-piece for the shoot.

Ratajkowski also channeled The Go-Go's Beauty and the Beat album cover from 1981 wearing nothing more than white towels and well-placed tan lines.

Each 12 fl oz can of the carbonated water contains zero sugar, 15 calories, 200mg of caffeine, and a dash of vitamin B6 and B12.

Emily Ratajkowski rocked sexy swimwear and an excess of blush for the 1980s-themed 'Cherry Twist' campaign for the energy drink Alani Nu, which launches next Monday

Alani Nu costs $29.99 for a 12-pack and will be available at GNC, Kroger, Target, Walmart, Vitamin Shoppe, and more.

The High Low with EmRata podcaster also unveiled her glam Thursday for a Flowerbomb campaign with Viktor&Rolf Fragrances.

Emily flaunted her taut torso in a black cropped turtleneck and matching belted pencil skirt.

Hairstylist Jennifer Yepez coiffed Ratajkowski's brunette fringed mane and make-up artist Hung Vanngo fully contoured her complexion.

On March 8, the London-born SoCal native will celebrate the third birthday of her son Sylvester Apollo Bear from her four-year marriage to 'serial cheater' - Sebastian Bear-McClard - which ended in 2022.

Last year, the 36-year-old Independent Spirit Award-nominated producer faced sexual misconduct and grooming allegations from other actresses.

Emily has since enjoyed 'situationships' with French comedian Stephane Bak, Grammy winner Harry Styles, DJ Orazio Rispo, comedian Eric Andre, SNL alum Pete Davidson, artist Jack Greer, and Oscar winner Brad Pitt.

Ratajkowski also keeps busy running her seven-year-old bikini brand Inamorata with her BFF/co-founder Kat Mendenhall.

But The History of the World: Part II actress first found fame as a topless model in Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams' 2013 music video for Blurred Lines.

The 32-year-old DNA Model's paid partnership for the premium wellness brand founded in 2018 by Katy Hearn came after similar campaigns with reality star-influencers Kim Kardashian and Addison Rae

Emily showcased her phenomenal 5ft7in figure in a white cut-out one-piece and a high-cut pink one-piece for the shoot

Ratajkowski also channeled The Go-Go's Beauty and the Beat album cover from 1981 wearing nothing more than white towels and well-placed tan lines

Each 12 fl oz can of the glorified carbonated water contains zero sugar, 15 calories, 200mg of caffeine, and a dash of vitamin B6 and B12

Alani Nu costs $29.99 for a 12-pack and will be available at GNC, Kroger, Target, Walmart, Vitamin Shoppe, and more

The High Low with EmRata podcaster also unveiled her glam Thursday for a Flowerbomb campaign with Viktor&Rolf Fragrances

Emily flaunted her taut torso in a black cropped turtleneck and matching belted pencil skirt
T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach candidly chat about drinking too much amid a stressful and tumultuous 2023 on their Amy and T.J. podcast Thursday, as they've embarked on a Dry January.

Both Holmes, 46, and Robach, 50, said they are abstaining from alcohol throughout at least the year's first month.

They admitted to a significant increase in drinking last year amid the aftermath of their affair going public, during a time when both broadcast journalists were both wed to other people.

Holmes said that he'd 'easily go through 18 drinks' on a daily basis, adding detail to what he defines as a drink.

'The official guidelines say one drink is one beer or a five ounce glass of wine or one-and-a-half ounces of liquor,' the West Memphis, Arkansas native said.

T.J. Holmes, 46, and Amy Robach, 50, candidly chat about drinking too much amid a stressful and tumultuous 2023, on their Amy and T.J. podcast Thursday, as they've embarked on a Dry January. Pictured last month in NYC

Robach said the amount of alcohol she consumed was appalling, amid the stress emanating from the publicity affair, and personal and professional fallout thereafter, with both getting fired from their Good Morning America jobs in January 2023.

The St. Joseph, Michigan native said that 2023 for her was reminiscent of the early days of the coronavirus pandemic.

'I didn't have a job to go to and I was away from a lot of friends and family,' Robach said. 'What did I do? I drank a lot. A lot more than I ever have. I don't think I have ever gone a full day where I drink every single day and that was 2023 for me.'

Robach said that while she was consistently drinking, she wasn't 'getting wasted or drunk,' but rather aiming to change her mood as she forged through a difficult timeframe in her life.

'It was keeping a buzz going all day,' she said, 'or keeping a heightened state of mind during an anxious year.'

Holmes said facing unpleasant truths was an essential element to recognizing an issue that needs to be remedied.

'Part of this is we have to be honest,' he said. 'So we are going to be honest about our alcohol intake, why we do it and what that number actually is and what we are going to be doing about it.'

He added: 'I am certainly someone who right now and in years past needs to reexamine my relationship with alcohol. And that's what we are doing.

Holmes said that he'd 'easily go through 18 drinks' on a daily basis, adding detail to what he defines as a drink

He said, 'The official guidelines say one drink is one beer or a five ounce glass of wine or one-and-a-half ounces of liquor'

Robach said the amount of alcohol she consumed was appalling, amid the stress emanating from the publicity affair, and personal and professional fallout thereafter, with both getting fired from their Good Morning America jobs in January 2023

Holmes and Robach said they often began drinking after going on morning runs.

'I like to do my runs in the morning, but also something you got me into is a "run to fun" - when you finish your run you end up at the bar,' Holmes said. 'Now we will run at eight or nine in the morning and I come back and we have a beer.

'I put two beers in the freezer and let them get a little colder and we will have the beer. So you have the one and I end up with two. So here we are at 10 in the morning two drinks in. That is easy.'

Holmes said he and Robach would have a minimum of two drinks when they went for lunch.

'Now if we are not out and about for the day and we are just inside, I can easily have a drink in my hand from the afternoon until nine at night,' Holmes said. 'You do those numbers and that's a drink an hour for another eight hours - or even less - but that is another eight hours of a drink in hand plus the four I had during the day.'

Robach clarified, 'You aren't actually pouring 18 drinks - you are counting the liquor you pour into it.'

The couple launched their new podcasting endeavor this past November, in which they chat about their relationship and other personal issues.

Holmes said on the show's inaugural podcast: 'The best way to sum us up, Amy and T.J., is that we're the folks who lost the jobs we love because we love each other.

Robach said: 'I didn't have a job to go to and I was away from a lot of friends and family. What did I do? I drank a lot. A lot more than I ever have'

The couple was pictured last month in LA at the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball

'I'm in love with this woman and she's in love with me and we are planning a life together.'

Robach said of the current state of their relationship: 'Relationships are hard, they're messy, they're not perfect. We have fought for love, and I can say I have never been happier. I am with my best friend.'

In a twist amid the fallout of the relationship, Robach's ex-husband, Melrose Place star Andrew Shue, 56, was spotted dating Holmes' ex-wife Marilee Fiebig, 44, last month.
Katie Price has dodged a bankruptcy court hearing for the sixth time over her 3.2million debt repayment.

The former glamour model, 45, was due to appear at an insolvency court in London next month, but her case has now been adjourned until the end of April, reports The Sun.

Katie, who was once worth 45million, will battle to save her 2million Sussex home, which was nicknamed the 'Mucky Mansion' after it fell into a state of disrepair.

But over the past two years, Katie has been turning the vandalised and uninhabitable 19-room mansion back to its former glory after bagging a Channel 4 renovation show.

Her court hearing has been rescheduled multiple times in a bid to bring the insolvency case to an end.

Katie Price has dodged a bankruptcy court hearing for the sixth time over her 3.2million debt repayment. The star will be battling to save her 2million Mucky Mansion

In the wake of her lengthy monetary woes, the television personality will have to answer questions about her finances.

She was declared bankrupt in 2019 with debts of 3.2m from her failed company Jordan Trading Ltd, which was set up to oversee her perfume and cosmetics line.

Katie had been due to explain to a judge details of her income from her TV work, including a Channel 4 show documenting the renovation of her 2m country home.

Despite being bankrupt, she appears to be leading a lavish life, including exotic holidays with her on-off fiance Carl Woods.

She has avoided being grilled in person since November 2021. MailOnline has contacted her representatives for comment.

Katie appeared in an online hearing in September, but it was quickly adjourned due to 'members of public causing chaos'.

The Sun reported that she alleged she was 'scared and anxious' as screenshots of the hearing had been posted on 'tattle sites' - apparently a reference to gossip forums.

Cameras are not permitted in court hearings and screenshots of online hearings are banned. Those caught recording the hearings risk jail time.

The former glamour model, 45, was due to appear at an insolvency court in London next month, but her case has been adjourned until the end of April

The television personality will need to answer questions about her finances in the wake of her lengthy monetary woes

Katie, pictured in 2007, was once worth 45million but was declared bankrupt in 2019 with debts of 3.2m from her failed company Jordan Trading Ltd

Katie appeared in an online hearing in September, but it was quickly adjourned due to 'members of public causing chaos' after she reportedly claimed photos of the proceedings had been posted online

The Sun claimed Katie told the judge: 'Your picture has already been put on this tattle site and they are talking about it.

'My anxiety levels have gone up. There are people on here who shouldn't be on here. I'm just protecting you guys as well as myself.'

An attendee in the remote hearing revealed she was 'an interested member of the public' and insisted: 'I have not put [up] any screenshots.'

The Government states: 'Court and tribunal hearings in England and Wales usually take place in public. This means you can observe them whether youre a journalist, academic or member of the public.

'You cannot record, broadcast or take photos of any hearing, no matter how youre observing it. If they think its necessary for the proper administration of justice, a judge can decide to hold a hearing in private, with no observers allowed.'

When the woman claimed she had not taken screenshots, Katie stated: 'You are here to sl** me off. I'm scared to be on here because of these people. They are awful people. I get anxiety. I'm petrified.'

His Honour Judge Paul Greenwood demanded everybody leave the call on the grounds of 'losing control' of the hearing, and postponed it.

He said: 'I'm not entirely sure I can maintain control of the hearing or the dissemination of the hearing. I'm going to exclude everybody who is not party and hear this short directions hearing in private.

'I cannot be sure that the integrity of the hearing is not being affected by the broadcast. In order it should be capable of being conducted, I'm going to direct it is going to be in private. Everyone who is not party must leave the meeting.'

Last July, Katie hit back at trolls who questioned her over her bankruptcy, saying she still 'owns her 2.5million house' and stated: 'Never knock someone who is bankrupt, we all can go there but it doesn't mean that it is all bad.'

In 2021, the star was once again hit with a repossession order on the Mucky Mansion after failing to pay a 500,000 debt.
Dame Maureen Lipman has said Bafta should be renamed 'Dafta' over its approach to gender issues.

Last week it was revealed winners in acting categories can have their mask plaques and certificates changed from 'actor' or 'actress' to 'performer'.

While this year's awards did include traditional actor and actress categories, it is understood that gender-neutral categories have been discussed by the film and TV organisation.

Writing in The Spectator this week, Dame Maureen, 77, called people at Bafta 'numbskulls' and said she was 'proud' to be an actress.

When referring to herself as a 'drama queen' she added: 'Note, Bafta: a queen, not a royal non-binary'.

Maureen Lipman attends the 64th Women of the Year Lunch and Awards in London, 2019

Last week it was revealed winners in acting categories can have their mask plaques and certificates changed from 'actor' or 'actress' to 'performer' (File photo)

In her 'Diary' piece for the magazine, she said: 'Back home through the ghost of Storm Henk, I watch The Graduate from start to finish. Was there ever a better directed movie or, in Anne Bancroft, a sexier, darker, more restrained actress?

'Yes, you heard me: actress, you numbskulls at Bafta. Not a 'performer', as you now label us. Thanks, but I'm not a gymnast or a juggler - I'm an actress, and proud of it. Perhaps the organisation itself should be renamed Dafta?'

Last week it emerged in The Times that performers can have their award plaques and certificates reworded to use the word 'performer'.

Other awards ceremonies such as the Berlin Film Festival and the Brit Awards have used gender neutral categories.

But this has sparked concerns shortlists could end up being filled with men, which happened in the best artist category at last year's Brit Awards.

Some stars, such as The Crown's Emma Corrin, have called for best actor and best actress categories at major awards to be turned into a single category.
Matthew McConaughey made a fashion statement in a denim-on-denim look as he stepped out in New York City on Thursday.

The 54-year-old Hollywood heartthrob  who marked his daughter Vida's 14th birthday earlier this month  wore a shearling-lined jean jacket and matching trousers.

The Texas-bred actor went for a scruffy look with a full beard and his shaggy locks peeking out from underneath a quilted newsboy cap.

The father-of-three added a pair of lightly ombre-tinted aviator sunglasses and pale green shoes.

He carried a small cup in his hand while out and about by himself in the Big Apple.

Matthew McConaughey made a fashion statement in a denim-on-denim look as he stepped out in New York City on Thursday

The 54-year-old Hollywood heartthrob wore a shearling-lined jean jacket and matching trousers

It comes after Matthew wished his daughter a happy birthday on social media at the beginning of this month.

He included two beautiful photos of Vida that he snapped while spending time outdoors near his family's $6million Texas home.

The proud dad showed his 9.3 million followers a rare glimpse at his only daughter, who is the spitting image of her mother Camila Alves.

The two share the same button nose, brown eyes and dark, curly hair.

'To Vida, who never passed a flower she didn't pick, Happy Birthday,' the leading man wrote in the caption.

He added that the post was 'a day late because my mobile device flew out of my pocket on the roller coaster loop at her birthday yesterday!'

The celebration was held at Six Flags amusement park in San Antonio, Texas, according to Matthew and Camila's eldest son Levi, 15.

The teen shared a photo on social media of his little sister screaming with her hands in the air while riding a rollercoaster.

The Texas-bred actor went for a scruffy look with a full beard and his shaggy locks peeking out from underneath a quilted newsboy cap

He carried a small cup in his hand while out and about by himself in the Big Apple

Matthew and wife Camila Alves share Vida, Levi, and Livingston

'Waited to post because we spent yesterday doing one of my sister's favorite things!' the proud older sibling wrote online, adding, 'Happy 14th Vida!'

Along with Levi and Vida, Matthew and Camila also share 11-year-old son Livingston.

The pre-teen rang in his 11th birthday just days before Vida's, on Friday, December 29.

And Matthew made sure to honor his youngest child's special day with an Instagram post as well. 'Double one's, we love watching you grow,' the Dallas Buyer's Club star wrote. 'Thanks for puttin so many smiles on our faces. love, Papa's.'
Giovanni Pernice has received support from his Strictly co-stars Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse amid his feud with Amanda Abbington.

The actress, 51, is said to have claimed the show left her with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and has reportedly demanded recordings of their rehearsals to review.

It is reported Amanda has sought legal advice over the dancer's alleged behaviour towards her and believes video footage could 'back up' her claims.

Anton and Motsi, who are both on the Strictly judging panel, have shown their support for Giovanni by liking his recent Instagram post about his new fragrance VITA.

The dancer may have been alluding to the drama with his former Strictly partner Amanda in the cryptic message he wrote alongside the ad.

Giovanni Pernice has received support from his Strictly co-stars Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse amid his feud with Amanda Abbington

Anton (right) and Motsi (centre right), who are both on the Strictly judging panel, have shown their support for Giovanni by liking his recent Instagram post about his new fragrance VITA

He penned: 'My fragrance VITA (Italian for life) is just that, a celebration of life. Of positivity when there is obviously so much around us which can be a cause for the opposite.

'We are starting this journey with high hopes and ambitions, and with many more products in the pipeline.'

It comes after Giovanni thanked fans for their support amid reports of tension between him and Amanda.

The star spoke out about the claims as he shared a message on Instagram thanking his fans for their kind words of support.

He wrote: 'One week today we open 'LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU'. We're working hard but it is going to be epic.

'I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who has sent message of support of the last wee - I really truly appreciate it - thank you thank you thank you Gio.'

The dancer was inundated with kind messages, with one user writing: 'I think you're amazing and well done, stay strong and positive.'

Another wrote: 'Love you Gio, you're a professional dancer for Christ's sake, it's your job. Take no notice.'

The dancer may have been alluding to the drama with his former Strictly partner Amanda in the cryptic message he wrote alongside the ad

Anton and Motsi both liked Giovanni's cryptic post

Amanda is said to have claimed the show left her with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and has reportedly demanded recordings of their rehearsals to review

A third user added: 'We all love you, you keep being you, you beautiful man,' while a forth wrote: 'Keep shining Gio'.

According to Strictly insiders, Amanda called for cameras to be put up in rehearsal rooms as she became increasingly unhappy with Giovanni's attitude.

After her request, The Sun claims BBC bosses had a meeting with Giovanni over his conduct, but no action was taken.

A source told the publication: 'Some of the professionals and crew feel it needs to be dealt with and Giovanni shouldnt come back this year.

'The BBC are standing behind Giovanni and wont be pursuing an investigation, its a shock to some on the show who think something needs to be done about his behaviour.

'Amanda had a really tough time with him and she isnt the only one. Four more of his partners have either talked openly about how hard it was working with him or have made it clear in the industry.'

Amanda made a sudden departure from the last year's series, citing 'personal reasons'.

Giovanni spoke out about the claims as he shared a message on Instagram thanking his fans for their kind words of support

The dancer was inundated with kind messages, with one user writing: 'I think you're amazing and well done, stay strong and positive'

It was reported she had quit after clashing with Giovanni, but she dismissed claims of a fallout at the time.

Sources at the BBC are ready to fight the Sherlock actress over her claims the show had traumatised her, saying that  at the time  she told them she was quitting due to a different medical reason.

A source told the Mail: 'Amanda's reason for quitting Strictly was an entirely different one to her PTSD.

'She told production of a totally different medical condition and they [were] hugely supportive of her and did all they could to help.

'Nobody seems to quite understand what is going on here.'

It is understood that first BBC chiefs knew about her PTSD was late last year when they received a request for the tapes.

There is added confusion because Amanda quickly shot down suggestions  made before the show aired in September  that she and Giovanni had fallen out.

On Instagram, she dismissed the claims as 'bulls****' and told people to, 'Shut up, it's b******s.'

During broadcasts, she and the Italian dancer  who has worked on the show since 2015  were seen hugging and appearing to be friends.

It is claimed Amanda has sought legal advice over the dancer's alleged behaviour towards her and believes video footage could 'back up' her claims

It is not the first time Giovanni has had issues with his celebrity partners. In 2016, Laura Whitmore said: 'I'm still not ready to talk in-depth about my experience on the show'

Ranvir admitted that she had a 'total meltdown' during rehearsals with professional partner Giovanni (pictured together in 2020)

One Strictly source said: 'All you'd see at the studio were the pair of them hugging and kissing.'

It has reportedly taken months for Amanda to recover from her time on the programme and she has apparently needed therapy following the 'behaviour she was exposed to'.

A source told The Sun: 'Everyone else was having a fabulous time but she was really stressed by having to spend eight hours a day with Giovanni. She spent a lot of time crying and couldn't sleep or eat properly.'

The partners were said to have been at loggerheads for weeks during rehearsals, with the actress 'left shaken' by the professional dancer's 'militant and aggressive' training style.

Known to be a 'perfectionist', it is not the first time Giovanni has had issues with his celebrity partners.

In 2016, TV presenter Laura Whitmore said: 'I'm still not ready to talk in-depth about my experience on the show.

'I was placed with a dance partner I was extremely uncomfortable with and in the end I felt broken, I cried every day. And I was really broken, both mentally and physically, by the end.'

In 2020, Giovanni fell out with Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh as she admitted to having a 'total meltdown' in rehearsals with him.

The ITV presenter told her co-star Kate Garraway that she and the dancer had a '20-minute divorce' as things became tense in training.

She said gruelling rehearsals pushed her to walk out and take some time to gather herself after Giovanni 'put me in my place'.

Amanda has been contacted for comment. Giovanni declined to comment.
Princess Andre was seen arriving at PrettyLittleThing's Manchester HQ on Thursday morning ahead of a rumoured brand deal with the fashion retailer.

The daughter of Peter Andre and Katie Price, 16, wore a black vinyl puffer jacket and coordinating knit leggings from the brand.

She arrived in a distinctively branded pink and white Ranger Rover with unicorn motifs and the PrettyLittleThing logo that sparked speculation.

While the details of her visit are not public, her confident demeanour suggested that business was on the agenda.

As she stepped out of her eye-catching ride, it was clear that whatever the discussions inside, Princess was there to make a statement.

Princess Andre was seen arriving at PrettyLittleThing's Manchester HQ on Thursday morning ahead of a rumoured brand deal with the fashion retailer

The meeting comes as Princess celebrated a huge milestone in her career on Instagram as she reached 700,000 followers on TikTok.

She showed her delight as she bids to follow in her mum's footsteps in the celebrity spotlight.

Princess, whose posts have received 6.6M likes, wrote: '700K followers! I couldn't be more grateful thank you for everyone following and supporting love you all.'

The teenager has a similar amount of followers on Instagram but has quite away to go to catch her former glamour model mum Katie's 1.6million and 2.6million on Instagram and TikTok.

Last year Princess admitted she was left frustrated with a few of her exam grades as she opened her results letter in a Instagram Live video.

She explained: 'So basically, the way it works, a 4 is a pass and then below a 4 is a fail and a 9 is the highest you can get. I got a 3 in Business, a 3 in Drama, a 5 in English, a 6 in Fashion, a 4 in Music and a 3 in Geography and Maths.

'It's not bad, I'm annoyed at Maths because I have to re-take it.'

In October Katie, 45, revealed that she planned to turn oldest daughter Princess into a 'mini-me'.

The daughter of Peter Andre and Katie Price wore a black vinyl puffer jacket and coordinating knit leggings from the brand

She arrived in a distinctively branded pink and white Ranger Rover with unicorn motifs and the PrettyLittleThing logo that sparked speculation

While t he details of her visit are not public, her confident demeanour suggested that business was on the agenda

Katie, who began modelling in 1996, said she intends to use her knowledge and experience to protect Princess from the mistakes she made herself and guide her through the 'media circus'.

Princess has since admitted she is 'excited' about her next steps after leaving school with only three GCSEs.

In a Q&A, Princess - who is already signed to fashion brand PrettyLittleThing - told how she plans to do social media and beauty training.

When asked what her plans are, she replied: 'I'll be doing social media and private beauty training xx sooooo excited.'

The meeting comes as Princess celebrated a huge milestone in her career on Instagram as she reached 700,000 followers on TikTok
Hollywood is in mourning on Thursday with word that beloved makeup artist Reggie Wells has passed away at 76.

Wells was the personal makeup artist for Oprah Winfrey for over 30 years, with his hometown publication Baltimore Banner reporting he passed on Monday after a 'long illness.'

His longtime client of over 30 years - Oprah Winfrey - fondly remembered Wells in a statement, revealing, 'He always made me feel beautiful.'

His own Instagram announced Wells' death on Tuesday, revealing he was a, 'true pioneer in the world of makeup artistry.'

'His remarkable talent touched the faces of legends like Oprah, Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, and Beyonce,' the statement added.

Hollywood is in mourning on Thursday with word that beloved makeup artist Reggie Wells has passed away at 76

Wells was the personal makeup artist for Oprah Winfrey for over 30 years, with his hometown publication Baltimore Banner reporting he passed on Monday after a 'long illness'

His own Instagram announced Wells' death on Tuesday, revealing he was a, 'true pioneer in the world of makeup artistry'

'As a 2X Emmy Award-winning artist and author of "Face Painting: African American Beauty Techniques," Reggie not only adorned faces but left an indelible mark on the beauty industry,' the statement added.

'To us, he was a friend, a mentor, and Mary  a source of inspiration that will be dearly missed. May his legacy continue to shine through the countless memories he leaves behind,' the statement concluded.

Oprah revealed in a statement, 'Reggie Wells was an artist who used his palette of talent to create beauty no matter the canvas.'

'For many years he was my makeup artist. He called me and everyone he considered a friend Mary. He always made me feel beautiful,' she added.

'Ooh my, how wed laugh and laugh during the process. He was an astute observer of human behavior and could see humor in the most unlikely experiences,' she concluded.

Wells was born in Baltimore on December 2, 1947 and raised in Baltimore County by John Henry Wells, a bus driver, and Ada Wells, a nurse.

He graduated from Baltimore City College and the Maryland Institute College of Arts (MICA) in the mid-1970s before moving to New York City to pursue makeup as a career.

Wells started working at makeup counters in the city when he was discovered by a fashion editor and started working for Glamour, Life and Harper's Bazaar.

'As a 2X Emmy Award-winning artist and author of "Face Painting: African American Beauty Techniques," Reggie not only adorned faces but left an indelible mark on the beauty industry,' the statement added

'To us, he was a friend, a mentor, and Mary  a source of inspiration that will be dearly missed. May his legacy continue to shine through the countless memories he leaves behind,' the statement concluded

Wells was born in Baltimore on December 2, 1947 and raised in Baltimore County by John Henry Wells, a bus driver, and Ada Wells, a nurse

Cynthia Bailey remembers makeup artist Reggie Wells in an Instagram comment

Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams share their memories of Reggie Wells

It was when he started working for Essence, providing makeup for over 100 magazine covers, that Winfrey first took notice.

She hired him as her makeup artist in 1990, with Wells winning a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Makeup in 1995, also earning nominations in 1994, 2003, 2004 and 2006.

He also worked with stars such as Beyonce, Halle Berry and former first lady Michelle Obama, with Joan Rivers once saying his makeup was so good it made them look like they've had plastic surgery.

Long before makeup companies created makeup for Black women, Wells created custom makeup for Black women himself from foundations and powders for white skin tones.

After more than 30 years working for Oprah and others, he returned to his hometown of Baltimore to take care of his ailing father in 2016.

He is survived by sisters Priscilla Tingle, Patricia Banks and Orrie Wright, with funeral services pending.
Andrew Scott has called for the ban of the phrase 'openly gay' ahead of his latest film, a LGBTQ romantic fantasy.

The Fleabag actor, 47, who is gay, plays grieving screenwriter Adam alongside Normal People actor Paul Mescal, 27, in All Of Us Strangers, set to be released on January 26.

The film explores loneliness and grief but is also a love story between Adam and Paul's character Harry.

Ahead of the release, Andrew said he believes the expression 'openly gay' should be retired as he feels it has negative connotations.

'Im going to make a pitch for getting rid of the expression openly gay. Hear me out, its an expression that we actually only ever hear in the media. Youre never at a party and you say "this is my openly gay friend",' Andrew told The Hollywood Reporter.

Andrew Scott has been praised by fans as he called for the ban of the phrase 'openly gay' ahead of his latest film a LGBTQ romantic fantasy

The Irish actor, 47, plays grieving screenwriter Adam in All Of Us Strangers, in which he stars alongside Paul Mescal , 27

'Why do we put openly in front of that adjective? We dont say "youre openly Irish". You dont say "youre openly left handed." Theres something in it. Thats a little near (the word) shamelessly.

'Id nearly prefer shamelessly. Sometimes I just feel like if youve got to say it to understand it just say "out" possibly or, you know what, sometimes dont say anything at all. I just think it's time to park it'.

Fans took to X, formerly Twitter, to share their support about Andrew's call to retire the phrase.

One wrote: 'I agree with Andrew Scott. Lets stop saying openly gay when it comes to LGBTQ celebrities.'

Another said: 'I saw Andrew Scott make an excellent point about the term openly gay recently. Lets just stop using this expression.'

Andrew previously discussed his sexuality in a 2013 interview with The Independent, saying he didn't want to 'trade on it'.

He said: 'Mercifully, these days people don't see being gay as a character flaw.

'But nor is it a virtue, like kindness. Or a talent, like playing the banjo. It's just a fact.

'Of course, it's part of my make-up, but I don't want to trade on it. I am a private person; I think that's important if you're an actor.

Fans took to X, formerly Twitter, to share their support about Andrew's call to retire the phrase.

The film explores loneliness and grief but is also a love story between Adam and Paul's character Harry (pictured at the screening in Los Angeles in November)

'But there's a difference between privacy and secrecy, and I'm not a secretive person. Really I just want to get on with my job, which is to pretend to be lots of different people. Simple as that.'

In All of Us Strangers Paul and Andrew's character's are neighbours living in contemporary London, who become lovers after a chance encounter, but find themselves haunted by memories of the past.

It begins as writer Adam (Andrew) returns home one night and catches a glimpse of Harry (Paul) from the street below their high rise apartment block.

Harry then pays Adam a visit admitting that he saw him 'starring' from the street and had assumed he was single as he 'never sees him with anyone.'

But as romance blossoms between the pair Adam becomes increasingly preoccupied by memories of his past.

Adam returns to his childhood home where he discovers that his dead parents (Claire Foy and Jamie Bell) appear to be alive but have not aged a day in 30 years.

After welcoming their son back home, the family sit down for dinner together at the table.

The film is an adaptation of Taichi Yamadas 1987 Japanese psychological novel Strangers.
Elizabeth Olsen glammed up to attend the National Board of Review Awards Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street in Midtown Manhattan on Thursday.

The Emmy nominee - turning 35 next month - flaunted her tiny waist in a white cropped blazer over a corseted top, black-silk split maxi-skirt, and matching Louboutin platform heels selected by stylist Elizabeth Stewart.

Hairstylist Mark Townsend coiffed Elizabeth's ombre waves for the awards ceremony hosted by Morning Joe and Sunday Today anchor Willie Geist.

Make-up artist Mary Wiles brought out Olsen's beautiful blue eyes, bushy brows, and Hollywood smile.

Elizabeth Olsen glammed up to attend the National Board of Review Awards Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street in Midtown Manhattan on Thursday

And nail artist Thuy Nguyen painted the What If actress' vampy red manicure.

While seated inside the venue, Elizabeth enjoyed a reunion with her former co-star Zac Efron.

The acting pair both portrayed college students Zibby and Nat in Josh Radnor's 2012 rom-com Liberal Arts.

Olsen also mingled with Oscar winner Anne Hathaway, whom she has never worked with before.

There wasn't too much suspense at the event considering the National Board of Review had announced the winners back on December 6.

The New York non-profit organization - founded in 1909 - is made up of from a group of film enthusiasts, filmmakers, professionals, and academics.

Missing from the Sherman Oaks native's side on Thursday was her husband of two years, Robbie Arnett, whom she originally began dating in 2017.

Elizabeth and the 31-year-old musician have co-authored two children's books about overcoming anxiety - Hattie Harmony: Worry Detective in 2022 and Hattie Harmony: Opening Night in 2023.

The Emmy nominee - turning 35 next month - flaunted her tiny waist in a white cropped blazer over a corseted top, black-silk split maxi-skirt, and matching Louboutin platform heels selected by stylist Elizabeth Stewart

Hairstylist Mark Townsend coiffed Elizabeth's ombre waves for the awards ceremony hosted by Morning Joe and Sunday Today anchor Willie Geist

Make-up artist Mary Wiles brought out Olsen's beautiful blue eyes, bushy brows, and Hollywood smile

Nail artist Thuy Nguyen painted the What If actress' vampy red manicure

While seated inside the venue, Elizabeth enjoyed a reunion with her former co-star Zac Efron (R)

The acting pair both portrayed college students Zibby and Nat in Josh Radnor's 2012 rom-com Liberal Arts

Olsen also mingled with Oscar winner Anne Hathaway (L), whom she has never worked with before

There wasn't too much suspense at the event considering the National Board of Review had announced the winners back on December 6

The New York non-profit organization - founded in 1909 - is made up of from a group of film enthusiasts, filmmakers, professionals, and academics

Missing from the Sherman Oaks native's side on Thursday was her husband of two years, Robbie Arnett (L, pictured Sunday), whom she originally began dating in 2017

Elizabeth and the 31-year-old musician have co-authored two children's books about overcoming anxiety - Hattie Harmony: Worry Detective in 2022 and Hattie Harmony: Opening Night in 2023 (pictured June 18)

Olsen will next executive produce and play Christina in Azazel Jacobs's family drama His Three Daughters, which scored a $7M distribution deal with Netflix in October

Robbie hasn't released new music with his band Milo Greene since 2018.

Olsen will next executive produce and play Christina in Azazel Jacobs's family drama His Three Daughters, which scored a $7M distribution deal with Netflix in October.

The 101-minute movie - also starring Natasha Lyonne and Carrie Coon - scored a perfect 100% critic approval rating (out of 23 reviews) on Rotten Tomatoes after it premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9.

The Love & Death star certainly had a leg up in the industry considering she's the nepotistically-privileged younger sister of Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen.
Jason Momoa enjoyed a family night out with his two kids as they attended the screening of documentary Common Ground in Beverly Hills on Thursday.

The Aquaman star, 44, opted for a casual cool look in a yellow cardigan, cream pants and matching shoes for the event, which was held at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater.

His daughter Lola, 16, looked chic in a beige dress and cream coat, while her brother Nakoa-Wolf, 15, rocked a black jacket and jeans.

The outing comes after Jason settled his divorce with the children's mother, Lisa Bonet, 56, and agreed on joint physical and legal custody of the teens.

Earlier this week it was reported that Bonet filed documents to officially dissolve her and Momoa's marriage, two years after they announced their split.

Jason Momoa enjoyed a family night out with his two kids as they attended the screening of documentary Common Ground in Beverly Hills on Thursday

Momoa, 44, was joined by daughter Lola, 16, and son Nakoa-Wolf, 15, after settling his divorce with their mother, Lisa Bonet, 56, and agreeing on joint physical and legal custody of the teens

New court documents, obtained by The Blast, read: 'Based upon the division of assets and income as agreed by the parties in the (settlement), the parties shall share the living expenses of the minor children, and neither party shall pay child support to the other.'

The actor and his ex-wife both agreed that 'if the minor children, or either of them, are traveling or vacationing with one of the parties, that party shall be responsible for the children's expenses for such trips.'

The divorce was listed as 'uncontested' and both stars 'waived the right' to seek or receive spousal support from one another.

Their agreement comes after Bonet filed documents to officially dissolve her and Momoa's marriage, according to TMZ.

According to Bonet's filing, she and Jason have been separated since October of 2020.

Despite the alleged separation date in late 2020, it wasn't until January of 2022 that the acting couple announced that they were separating.

The pair met in 2005, and just two years later they welcomed their first child, Lola. A year later, their son Nakoa-Wolf was born.

While posing on the green carpet at Thursday's screening, Jason mingled with a number of stars including Laura Dern, 56.

The trio were spotted mingling with actress Demi Moore

Jason and his kids also posed with Ian Somerhalder and his wife Nikki Reed

They were seen goofing off on the green carpet

The Aquaman star opted for a casual cool look in a yellow cardigan, cream pants and matching shoes for the event, which was held at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater

He was seen posing with actress Laura Dern, 56, who looked chic in a plaid coat, white dress and black boots

She wore her blonde tresses in light waves

The Vampire Diaries star Ian, 45, looked handsome as ever in a black suit

Momoa was seen greeting Rick Clark

He posed with Clark and farmer Gabe Brown

Moore, 61, looked incredible as ever in a black tee tucked into a matching pencil skirt. She braved the chilly nighttime weather in a black leather jacket

Demi spruced up her look with gold hoops

The Indecent Proposal star accessorized with a black belt

Demi posed with Director Rebecca Tickell and her husband and co-director Josh Tickell

The pair were joined by their kids Jedi and Athena

Jason posed with Athena and Jedi

Common Ground is the sequel to documentary Kiss The Ground and joins celebrities in visiting farms all over the world, shedding light on the biodiversity of soil

Malin Akerman, 45, wowed in a delicate pale pink silk suit and silver boots, while Nikki, 35, cut a chic figure in a long black halterneck dress

She was seen mingling with English actor Jack Donnelly, 38, at the event

Nikki's dress was backless and showed off her tattoo

The Twilight star cozied up to her husband Ian

The actress was joined by her Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke, 68. Catherine looked chic in a green top, black pants and white scarf

Amanda Kloots, 41, put on a leggy display in black leather shorts and low-cut top

Frances Fisher, 71, kept warm in a black coat, jeans and boots

Cara Jade Myers, 39, showed off her sense of style in a unique black suit, while Jillian Dion wore a colorful dress

Rachelle Carson-Begley, 63, wore a vibrant green blazer and was joined by husband Ed Begley, Jr., 74

The actress looked chic in a plaid coat, white dress and black boots.

The Vampire Diaries star Ian Somerhalder, 45, looked handsome as ever in a black suit.

Demi Moore, 61, looked incredible as ever in a black tee tucked into a matching pencil skirt.

She braved the chilly nighttime weather in a black leather jacket.

The Indecent Proposal star completed the look with a pair of pointed-toe heels.

Cara Jade Myers, 39, showed off her sense of style in a unique black suit, while Jillian Dion wore a colorful dress.

Director Rebecca Tickell and her husband and co-director Josh Tickell were joined by their kids Jedi and Athena.

Malin Akerman, 45, wowed in a delicate pale pink silk suit and silver boots.

Malin was spotted striking a pose inside the event

The actor was seen making a funny face inside

He sported his signature scruffy beard

Jason caught up with Demi

Both him and Laura are featured in the documentary

Jason and Laura joined the filmmakers

Jason and the filmmakers posed with Students of Santa Monica who held up different environmentally friendly signs

The film is currently out in select theaters

The Swedish actress wore her blonde tresses lightly curled for the occasion.

She was seen mingling with English actor Jack Donnelly, 38, at the event.

Twilight's Nikki Reed, 35, cut a chic figure in a long black halterneck dress as she cozied up to her husband Ian.

Rachelle Carson-Begley, 63, wore a vibrant green blazer and was joined by husband Ed Begley, Jr., 74.

Amanda Kloots, 41, put on a leggy display in black leather shorts and low-cut top.

Frances Fisher, 71, kept warm in a black coat, jeans and boots.

Common Ground is the sequel to documentary Kiss The Ground and joins celebrities in visiting farms all over the world, shedding light on the biodiversity of soil.

It features the likes of Jason, Ian, and Dern and more. The film is currently out in select theaters.
Natalie Portman showed her estranged husband Benjamin Millepied what he's missing as she modeled a sexy little black revenge dress after seemingly confirming their split.

The 42-year-old Black Swan star  who is set to star in a new movie with John Krasinski  looked stunning in the racy number, which she wore for an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

The mother-of-two slipped her fit frame into the mini frock, which was designed with a sheer black bra teased underneath a strapless bodice.

Adding to the sensational new look, Portman wore a pair of black, open-toe high heel shoes.

She appears to have separated from her husband after stating in a Wall Street Journal interview that she lives in Paris with her two children and making no mention of Millepied, who was accused of infidelity in a bombshell report by Voici.

Natalie Portman showed her estranged husband Benjamin Millepied what he's missing as she modeled a sexy little black revenge dress after seemingly confirming their split

The 42-year-old Black Swan star looked stunning in the racy number, which she wore for an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live

Adding to the sensational new look, Portman wore a pair of black, open-toe high heel shoes

The Harvard graduate wore her lustrous light brown locks in a center part and sleek, ironed straight style.

Her face was fully made up in soft, flattering makeup that included peach-toned blush and moisturizing lip stain.

Natalie's nails were short and painted in a glossy red hue, matching her pedicured feet.

Outside of the Los Angeles studio, the silver screen siren took a moment to sign autographs for fans.

She graciously greeted her supporters, who had been waiting behind a fence for a glimpse at the star.

Ever since rumors erupted that Benjamin, 46, had an affair with a 25-year-old woman last year, both he and the Star Wars have stayed tight-lipped about the allegations.

In her latest interview, however, she may have subtly dropped a hint about the status of her 11-year marriage.

The WSJ profile was published just days after she made a solo appearance on the Golden Globes red carpet, where she was seen without her wedding ring.

She appears to have separated from her husband after stating in a Wall Street Journal interview that she lives in Paris with her two children and making no mention of Millepied, who was accused of infidelity in a bombshell report by Voici

The Harvard graduate wore her lustrous light brown locks in a center part and sleek, ironed straight style

Outside of the Los Angeles studio, the silver screen siren took a moment to sign autographs for fans

She graciously greeted her supporters, who had been waiting behind a fence for a glimpse at the star

According to the publication, their interviewer spoke to the movie star at her home in Paris, where it was reported she resides with her son Aleph, 12, and daughter Amalia, six.

Since the cheating allegations were made public, Natalie has regularly been seen without her wedding ring.

The last time she was spotted with it on her finger was in early June, days after the French choreographer's alleged infidelity was revealed.

At the time, Voici released an explosive report that claimed he had cheated on Natalie with a climate activist named Camille Etienne.

People later reported that his romance with Camille was 'short-lived' and is now 'over,' adding that Benjamin was 'doing all he could' to get 'Natalie to forgive him and keep their family together.'

Her face was fully made up in soft, flattering makeup that included peach-toned blush and moisturizing lip stain

Ever since rumors erupted that Benjamin, 46, had an affair with a 25-year-old woman last year, both he and the Star Wars have stayed tight-lipped about the allegations

Portman was escorted out of the Hollywood studio where Kimmel's late night show is filmed

The couple, who married in 2012, pictured in England in July 2022

'He knows he made an enormous mistake and he is doing all he can to get Natalie to forgive him and keep their family together,' a source told the publication.

'Natalie is incredibly private and has no intention of playing this out in the media. Her biggest priority is protecting her children and their privacy.'

In early August, however, an insider told Us Weekly that the pair were separating after failing to repair their relationship amid the bombshell cheating allegations.

'After news of his affair came out, theyve been trying to work on their marriage but are currently on the outs,' the source said.
Kaley Cuoco led the stars arriving at the Los Angeles screening of her new action-thriller Role Play on Thursday.

The 38-year-old mother-of-one, who appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live this week, was clad in a blue shirt dress covered in thin white stripes.

The look consisted of a long-sleeved, button-up shirt and coordinating skirt with a wrap-waist complete with a flower-like center-placed accoutrement.

The lengthy bottom half included a modest train detail and the shirt was tucked in.

The Flight Attendant actress pulled her long, honey-toned locks back into a sleek ponytail styled with a center part.

Kaley Cuoco led the stars arriving at the Los Angeles screening of her new action-thriller Role Play on Thursday

The 38-year-old mother-of-one, who appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live this week, was clad in a blue shirt dress covered in thin white stripes

The look consisted of a long-sleeved, button-up shirt and coordinating skirt with a wrap-waist complete with a flower-like center-placed accoutrement

She looked typically beautiful in a face of makeup that included blushed cheeks, light mascara, and a glossed rosy hue coated on her pout.

The Big Bang Theory alum added small gold hoop earrings, which matched the several rings worn throughout her fingers.

Joining her on the red carpet was her onscreen love interest David Oyelowo, who plays her husband in the Prime Video flick.

Oyelowo, 47, contrasted Kaley's cool-toned ensemble with his salmon-colored monochrome outfit.

The United Kingdom native was stylish in a suit with a matching button-up shirt that he tucked into his trousers.

The smart look was rounded out with a pair of white leather loafers and he was clean shaven for the star-studded affair.

Cuoco plays New Jersey wife and mom Emma, who is married to the character David, in Role Play.

The trailer for the feature, which premieres on Friday, January 12, was released in November.

The lengthy bottom half included a modest train detail and the shirt was tucked in

A casually dressed assistant helped the silver screen siren with the train of her dress while trailing behind her

Kaley posed with her co-star David Oyelowo, who plays her onscreen husband in the forthcoming movie

Also at the screening on Thursday evening in Los Angeles' Culver City neighborhood was 34-year-old actress Nicole Travolta.

She bared her belly, showing off a navel piercing, in a black pantsuit paired with a revealing bandeau top underneath her blazer.

Her loose-fitting trousers were low-waisted and the blonde beauty added a pair of open-toe white heels.

She rocked a glossy red manicure and flashed a smile for cameras while walking the step-and-repeat solo.

Travolta's shiny locks were parted in the middle as they flowed over her chest in loose, fluffy waves.

Model and TikTok influencer Ella Halikas was also present for the affair as she showed up in an eye-catching two-piece red co-ord.

Her taut tummy was exposed in a very low-cut, long-sleeved, ribbed top that hugged her curvy figure.

Matching it was a snug-fitting maxi skirt that cropped at her ankles, allowing her to reveal gold open-toe heels.

Also at the screening on Thursday evening in Los Angeles' Culver City neighborhood was 34-year-old actress Nicole Travolta

Model and TikTok influencer Ella Halikas was also present for the affair as she showed up in an eye-catching two-piece red co-ord

Actress Danielle Larracuente arrived in a royal purple and forest green color blocked ensemble

Actress Danielle Larracuente arrived in a royal purple and forest green color blocked ensemble.

She looked fierce as she teased her fit midriff in a crop top with a matching jacket, which were finished in a slight sheen.

The fashion-forward up and coming star added loose-fitting slacks that boasted a crease down the center.

Finally, her look was rounded out with a pair of pointy-toe white heels. She slicked her dark hair back with a precise center part.
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Her ex-husband recently debuted his surprise romance with Claudia Karvan during a PDA-filled date at Bondi Beach.

And Toni Collette, 51, proved that the best revenge is looking good as she took a dip in the ocean in Sydney on Thursday.

The Muriel's Wedding actress showed off her fit physique in a blue floral bikini.

Toni looked relaxed as she cooled off from Sydney's extreme humidity with her daughter Sage, 15.

Makeup free, Toni shielded her eyes with a pair of black designer sunglasses and had her blonde locks tied up in a high ponytail.

Toni Collette , 51, proved that the best revenge is looking good as she took a dip in the ocean in Sydney on Thursday, after her ex-husband debuted his relationship with actress Claudia Karvan

The Muriel's Wedding actress showed off her fit physique in a blue floral bikini

Also on display were several of Toni's tattoos, including a set of symbols on both forearms and cursive lettering on her left wrist.

Toni's homecoming comes after her ex-husband David debuted his new relationship with Bump actress Karvan, 52.

Photos taken in late November showed the couple enjoying a romantic surfing date at Bondi Beach - the same location where Dave previously debuted his relationship with his chiropractor ex, Shannon Egan.

Toni looked relaxed as she cooled off from Sydney's extreme humidity with her daughter Sage , 15

Claudia's last known romance was with ex-partner Jeremy Sparks, who she dated for 22 years before splitting in 2017.

Back in December 2022, Galafassi was photographed hugging and kissing Egan in the water and on the sand in front of other beachgoers at Manly Beach.

Daily Mail Australia contacted Toni's management about the photos, and hours later she announced the couple had split in a joint statement released on her newly reactivated Instagram account.

'It is with grace and gratitude that we announce we are divorcing,' the pair wrote.

The Aussie star cooled off from Sydney's extreme humidity

The acclaimed actress was spotted emerging from the water on a sweltering hot summer's day

Toni fixed her wet ponytail as she emerged from the sea

Also on display were several of Toni's tattoos, including a set of symbols on both forearms and cursive lettering on her left wrist

'We're united in our decision and part with continuing respect and care for each other.

'Our kids are of paramount importance to us and we will continue to thrive as a family, albeit a different shape. We're thankful for the space and love you grant us as we evolve and move through this transition peacefully. Big thanks.'

The pair met in 2002 at the launch of Galafassi's band's debut album Metal Detector in Sydney, and their second encounter came just a few days later at a house party.

They were married with Buddhist rituals on her property at Berry on the NSW south coast less than a year after they met, in January 2003.

Makeup free, Toni shielded her eyes with a pair of black designer sunglasses and had her blonde locks tied up in a high ponytail

Meanwhile in July 2023, following her split with her husband, Toni made headlines when she was spotted going for a swim with Australian actor and producer Christopher Simon, 60, on the Italian island of Ischia.

The pair were spotted enjoyed an afternoon by the sea, relaxing and chatting as they sat on deckchairs in their swimming costumes.

They looked to be in high spirits as they joked and laughed together beneath the European sun.

Toni and Christopher are long-time friends, have previously worked together on the 2015 comedy film Miss You Already - in which Toni starred while Christopher served as producer.

Christopher and Toni are also co-producers of film Mafia Mama, which was released earlier this year and features Toni in the leading role.

Toni's ex-husband Dave Galafassi debuted his new relationship with Claudia Karvan in November last year
Australian model Ashley Hart has celebrated the arrival of a baby boy with her partner, Marco Utah.

On Friday, Hart, 34, posted to Instagram to announce the news, however the actual birth took place on December 21.

She shared a series of images capturing moments from her home birthing experience, where the Australian-born model warmly welcomed her baby in a bath.

In the caption, the new mother wrote: 'When no words seem to match the magnitude of magic to honour your welcome and to simply utter your name or show your beautiful little face still feel so raw in intimacy.

'I'll keep your arrival announcement simple and let your pure divinity speak for itself.'

Model Ashley Hart (pictured) has welcomed a baby boy with her partner, Marco Utah

She continued, revealing the newborn's unusual name: 'Welcome "Priest Hart Chavira" to the world.'

Hart and Utah first announced they were pregnant in June in a video where they informed Marco's mother Deborah, hosting a gender reveal party for the new grandma's birthday.

In a heartwarming home video, Ashley showed off the surprise card she made for the 'grandmother-to-be' which included a picture of her ultrasound scan.

'You are the most amazing woman, mother and grandmother to be,' the letter read.

On Friday, Hart, 34, posted to Instagram to announce the news, however the actual birth took place on the 21st of December

She shared a series of images capturing moments from her home birthing experience, where the Australian-born model warmly welcomed her baby in a bath

In the caption to the post, she revealed the newborn's unusual name: 'Welcome "Priest Hart Chavira" to the world'

'Life continues to move faster than we can comprehend at the moment yet there is no one else in the world we could imagine being on this wondrous and wild journey with than each other,' Ashley's caption read alongside her video montage.

'The beautiful family we now officially share, and our dear amazing friends by our side. This baby boy is already so blessed and our hearts are full of immense gratitude and love.'

Ashley, whose sister is renowned model Jessica Hart, and Marco confirmed their relationship in August 2020 after a short fling with Brett Leve the year before following her divorce from Buck Palmer in 2017.
Emily Blunt looked sleek and chic on Thursday night as she arrived at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City.

The Devil Wears Prada star, 40, was there to make an appearance on the latest episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Flanked by security, Blunt strolled towards the studio entrance in a unique black blazer with an exposed back.

She went topless under the fitted suit jacket with shoulder pads and a front that tapered to a point.

The Oppenheimer star styled it with black wide-legged trousers that sat low on her hips.

Emily Blunt looked sleek and chic on Thursday night as she arrived at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City ahead of her appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Flanked by security, Blunt strolled towards the studio entrance in a unique black blazer with an exposed back

Blunt had on black sandals and wore her dirty blonde hair in a loose bun.

She was decked out in shiny gold jewelry, including a pair of diamond Tiffany & Co. Lock earrings.

As for makeup, the British actress had a luminous, flushed complexion complemented by a berry lip and just a swipe of shimmery gold shadow on her lids.

Blunt put on an animated display as she waved to fans and photographers ahead of the taping on Thursday night.

The sighting comes amid unfounded rumors that her marriage to The Office star John Krasinski is on the rocks.

The longtime couple sparked a debate on Sunday, after social media sleuths tried to decipher what Krasinski said to Blunt on the red carpet at the Golden Globes, with some believing he told her: 'I can't wait for a divorce.'

However, the pair 'are absolutely not talking about divorce' according to a source who spoke with Us Weekly.

'There are no issues with Emily and John,' the insider shared, adding, 'They think the rumors are funny and ridiculous.'

It comes after the truth behind Emily and John's exchange was revealed, with MailOnline's expert lip reader sharing what the couple really said to each other.

The expert shared that the pair appeared to note that photographers were 'waiting for them.'

She went topless under the fitted suit jacket with shoulder pads and a front that tapered to a point

Blunt had on black sandals and wore her dirty blonde hair in a loose bun

They explained that in the TikTok footage, Emily turned to John and said: 'It's a bit chilly John right,' before he laughed and said: 'Theyre waiting for us.'

As Emily added: 'Yeah,' John said to someone off-camera: 'You alright?'

The 10-second clip ended with Emily asking: 'Should we...'

Forensic lip reader Jeremy Freeman also confirmed to DailyMail.com that divorce wasn't mentioned by the actor.

This seems a far calmer exchange than the wild theories being circulated by fans, who were divided over whether John made an innocuous remark about the weather or if he was joking about marital trouble.

'I've watched this 500 times trying to convince myself he said something other than divorce,' one TikTok user wrote while others pointed out that the couple of 14 years were more likely to making a remark about the chilly weather and John was saying: 'I can't wait to get indoors.'

One TikTok user commented: 'Did he say I can't wait to divorce? And she said hey and he stated I'm serious.'

Another 'swears' John said 'divorce' but wants him to be saying 'get through this.'

Others pointed out though that any mention of 'divorce' could simply be a joke between the couple. 'He said divorce. But perhaps that's their brand of humor/flirting' commented one fan.

She went topless under the fitted suit jacket with shoulder pads and a front that tapered to a point

She was decked out in shiny gold jewelry, including a pair of diamond Tiffany & Co. Lock earrings

'Even if he did say that, maybe it was just a joke between them that went over all of our heads lol. Seems like the kind of joke he would make,' agreed another.

One fan commented: 'it kinda does look like he's saying it as a joke, Emily says something first so maybe he was just joking back.'

'Why would he say divorce with all those cameras and microphones on them?' pointed out others.

Another theory from fans is that the pair were talking about the very windy weather. One claimed John said: 'I can't wait to get indoors.'

Meanwhile, one TikTok user said Emily was clearly saying: 'It's actually kinda chilly right now' and her spouse replying: 'I can't wait to get indoors.'

Backing up the cold weather theory, many fans pointed to the fact that Emily was later seen wearing her husband's jacket.

The pair, who tied the knot with in 2010, share daughters Hazel, nine, and Violet, seven.

Despite appearing in numerous projects in 2023, Blunt recently revealed that she made the decision to step away from the camera this year to focus on motherhood.

Emily Blunt and John Krasinski are not having marriage 'issues' despite the recent viral Golden Globes video; Seen in 2023

The actress, 40, and the Office star, 44, sparked a debate on Sunday, after social media sleuths tried to decipher what Krasinski said to his wife on the red carpet, with some believing he told her: 'I can't wait for a divorce'

However, the couple 'are absolutely not talking about divorce' according to a source who spoke with Us Weekly; Seen in 2020

Emily explained on the Table For Two With Bruce Bozzi podcast, per The Hollywood Reporter, 'This year, I'm not working. I worked quite a bit last year and my oldest baby is 9, so we're in the last year of single digits.'

'And I just feel [like] there are cornerstones to their day that are so important when they're little. And it's, "Will you wake me up? Will you take me to school? Will you pick me up? Will you put me to bed?"'

'And I just need to be there for all of them for a good stretch. And I just felt that in my bones,' the actress added.

Over the years, Krasinski has showered his wife with plenty of praise in interviews.

'I wouldn't be anywhere in my life without her,' he told Parade in 2022.
Amy Sedaris took a dramatic tumble at the 2024 National Board of Review Awards Gala in New York on Thursday.

The actress and comedian, 62, was presenting Paul Giamatti with the Best Actor award for his role in The Holdovers, when she took a misstep in her black heels.

While walking away from the podium to let Giamatti make his speech, Sedaris stumbled and fell back on the floor.

Giamatti, 56, was pictured rushing to help her up, but it appears as though she chose to take a small break and remained on the floor as he went back to the podium.

It seems Amy was not seriously injured, as the mood remained lighthearted on the stage, with Giamatti pointing to her on the floor as he went on with his speech.

Amy Sedaris took a dramatic tumble at the 2024 National Board of Review Awards Gala in New York on Thursday

The actress and comedian, 62, was presenting Paul Giamatti with the Best Actor award for his role in The Holdovers, when she took a misstep in her black heels

While walking away from the podium to let Giamatti make his speech, Sedaris stumbled and fell back on the floor

The National Board of Review also shared an Instagram snap of the moment with a humorous caption, suggesting all was well with Amy after the tumble.

'NBR Best Actor winner Paul Giamatti literally floored presenter Amy Sedaris with his nuanced comic performance in Alexander Payne's THE HOLDOVERS!' the caption read.

The National Board of Review Awards Gala celebrates art in cinema.

Aside from Giamatti, their top honorees this year included Killers of the Flower Moon for Best Film, Martin Scorsese for Best Director, and Lily Gladstone for Best Actress.

Meanwhile Maestro star Bradley Cooper received the NBR Icon Award.

Earlier in the evening Amy was pictured on the red carpet, where she looked elegant in a blazer and chic black skirt.

Underneath she wore a red, white and black plaid top. Her blonde tresses were pinned up for a chic updo.

The star accessorized with pearl earrings, which matched the pearl details on her black heels.

Giamatti, 56, was pictured rushing to help her up, but it appears as though she chose to take a small break and remained on the floor as he went back to the podium

It seems Amy was not seriously injured, as the mood remained lighthearted on the stage, with Giamatti at one point pointing to her on the floor as he went on with his speech

The NBR shared an Instagram snap of the moment writing that Giamatti 'literally floored' Amy with 'his nuanced comic performance', suggesting all was well with Amy after her tumble

She was pictured speaking onstage before the mishap occured

Giamatti was honored for his role in The Holdovers, where he stars as a despised teacher at an all-boy boarding school. He's also received a Golden Globe for the performance

Meanwhile Paul looked handsome in a plaid grey suit.

He was accompanied by girlfriend Clara Wong for the night. Clara was a vision in an off-shoulder black satin gown.

It's not clear how long the pair have been dating, though they have worked together for years.

Clara has appeared in seven episodes of his Showtime series Billions, where she plays Troy, his dominatrix.

At last Sunday's Golden Globes Paul thanked her in his acceptance speech after winning Best Actor in a Motion Picture  Musical or Comedy.

'I want to say, I love my beautiful girlfriend Clara Wong. Why you bother with me, I dont know why,' he said.

The pair celebrated his big win by going straight from the ceremony to In-N-Out Burger for a burger and fries, with Giamatti's trophy at the table beside him.

Giamatti reportedly received applause from the other patrons upon arrival, as per Page Six.

'People clapped when he came in it was near UCLA, so there were a lot of college kids,' the insider added.

Earlier in the evening Amy was seen on the red carpet, where she looked elegant in a blazer and chic black skirt

Meanwhile Paul looked handsome in a plaid grey suit. He was accompanied by girlfriend Clara Wong for the night

Clara was a vision in an off-shoulder black satin gown

Daniel Day Lewis also took to the podium to speak on-stage at the National Board Of Review Awards Gala

Daniel cut a dapper figure in a red checkered shirt, styled with black trousers and a velvet jacket, as he posed with Martin Scorsese

Daniel and Martin were also seen smiling with Yancey Red Corn and William Belleau inside the event

Daniel caught up with actor Zac Efron, who looked equally suave in a blue velvet suit for the occasion

Daniel was sat at a table with Martin and Francesca Scorsese, and they were all seen chatting to Patti Smith

Singer and poet Patti put on an animated display as she caught up with the pair over dinner

Daniel was seen smiling for the cameras with Patti, who cut a stylish figure in a red patterned dress

The crowd, 'respectfully waited till he was done eating, and then asked him for pictures.'

Giamatti beat out Nicolas Cage for Dream Scenario, Timothee Chalamet for Wonka, Matt Damon for Air, Joaquin Phoenix for Beau Is Afraid and Jeffrey Wright for American Fiction.

It was his third Golden Globe win.

He previously won in 2011 for Barney's Version, and in 2009 for John Adams.

In the Holdovers he stars as a despised teacher at an all-boy boarding school who is forced to stay at the school over the winter break to supervise a student whose parents have opted not to spend the holidays with him.
Jenna Ortega wowed while attending the premiere of her upcoming film, Miller's Girl, at the Palm Springs International Film Festival on Thursday.

The Wednesday star, 21, put on a busty display in a chic white Valentino mini dress from the brand's Spring 2024 Collection.

The eye-catching mini featured two floral straps that highlighted her cleavage. The actress  who will not be returning to the Scream franchise  paired the ensemble with a white choker and white Christian Louboutin pumps.

Keeping up with the all-white theme, the star  who was born just miles away from Cathedral City, where the event took place, in Palm Desert  wore an elegant pearl bracelet on her wrist.

Earlier in the night Jenna also wore a sophisticated white coat to go with the dress, before taking it off for the red carpet.

Jenna Ortega wowed while attending a screening of Miller's Girl at the Palm Springs International Film Festival on Thursday

The Wednesday star, 21, put on a busty display in a chic white Valentino mini dress from the brand's Spring 2024 Collection

Ortega's raven tresses cascaded down in light waves, and she accentuated her features with just a touch of pink blush and lipstick.

Aside from Ortega, the film stars Martin Freeman, Dagmara Dominczyk, Bashir Salahuddin, and Gideon Adlon.

The stars attended the premiere along with director-writer Jade Halley Bartlett, who's making her directorial debut with the film.

Bartlett cut a stylish figure in a metallic black wrap-around gown with flowing sleeves.

Meanwhile Adlon, 26, put on a leggy display in a black mini dress and matching heels.

The film's leading man Martin, 52, looked dapper in a grey suit and colorful loafers.

Production designer Cheyenne Ford wowed in a lavender dress with a feather trim, as she posed alongside Daniel Whiteley.

In Miller's Girl Ortega stars as intelligent creative writing student Cairo Sweet, who harbors feelings for her teacher, and failed writer, Jonathan Miller (played by Martin Freeman).

The eye-catching mini featured two floral straps that highlighted her cleavage. The actress paired the ensemble with a white choker and white Christian Louboutin pumps

Earlier in the night Jenna also wore a sophisticated white coat to go with the dress, before taking it off for the red carpet

While at the premiere she posed with director-writer Jade Halley Bartlett, who's making her directorial debut with the film

The film was written by Bartlett as a play in 2011 and featured on the 2016 Black List

Bartlett cut a stylish figure in a metallic black wrap-around gown with flowing sleeves. Ortega's co-star Gideon Adlon, 26, put on a leggy display in a black mini dress

The film's leading man Martin Freeman, 52, looked dapper in a grey suit and colorful loafers

Production designer Cheyenne Ford wowed in a lavender dress with a feather trim, as she posed alongside Daniel Whiteley

The cast happily took snaps at the event; (L-R) Bashir Salahuddin, Bartlett, Ortega, producer Mary-Margaret Kunze, Freeman, and Adlon

(L-R) Producer James Weaver, Salahuddin, Bartlett, Ortega, Kunze, Freeman, Adlon and producer Josh Fagen

Ortega was pictured participating in a Q&A as she sat next to Martin

The actress spoke to the audience

A creative writing assignment entangles them in a complex relationship that sees their boundaries become blurred.

The film was written by Bartlett as a play in 2011 and featured on the 2016 Black List.

The movie will be released by Lionsgate in theaters on Friday, January 26th.

The new role comes following news that Ortega will not be returning for Scream VII due to Wednesday filming schedule.

Deadline has reported that Ortega's departure from the Scream film was already in talks prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike.

The outlet reports that the script for the sequel has yet to be complete and Ortega, 21, will be travelling to Ireland in April to film season two of the Netflix series Wednesday. That shoot is expected to extend into the summer.

She also stars in Beetlejuice 2, which is on the verge of wrapping after the Hollywood strikes interrupted shooting.

Deadline reports that her departure has nothing to do with co-star Melissa Barrera's recent firing over posts about the Israel-Hamas war or the rumors circulating online claiming Jenna had requested to be removed from her contract.

In Miller's Girl Ortega stars as creative writing student Cairo Sweet, who harbors feelings for her teacher, failed writer Jonathan Miller (played by Freeman); She is seen in a still

A creative writing assignment entangles them in a complex relationship that sees their boundaries become blurred

The film will be released by Lionsgate in theaters on Friday, January 26th

Jenna and Melissa played sisters Tara and Sam Carpenter in the horror franchise in 2022's Scream and 2023's Scream VI.

The Hollywood Reporter claims representatives for Jenna had told Spyglass Media, the production company behind Scream VII, that she did not plan to return to the franchise several months ago.

Melissa was fired from the upcoming Scream VII after sharing a series of pro-Palestine posts on her social media accounts.

Following Ortega's exit and Barrera's firing, director Christopher Landon also announced he would no longer be directing the next sequel in the famous franchise started by Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson.
Pierce Brosnan cut a suave figure as he headed out to run errands alongside his wife Keely Shaye Smith at Malibu's Country Mart on Thursday.

The actor, 70, looked smart in black trousers and a dark zip-up jumper, which he styled with a brown blazer and beige loafers.

He was joined by his author wife Keely, 60, who looked effortlessly stylish in black trousers and a white blouse.

She kept comfortable in a pair of black pumps and completed her look with a faux leather jacket and cat-eye sunglasses.

The couple appeared to be in good spirits as they smiled while running some errands at the shopping centre.

Pierce Brosnan cut a suave figure as he headed out to run errands alongside his wife Keely Shaye Smith at Malibu's Country Mart on Thursday

The actor, 70, looked smart in black trousers and a dark zip-up jumper, which he styled with a brown blazer and beige loafers

Pierce and Keely have been married for 22 years after tying the knot at Ballintubber Abbey in Ireland in 2001.

The pair first met in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, in 1994, three years after Pierce's first wife, Cassandra Harris, died in 1991 at the age of 43 from ovarian cancer.

The couple share have two sons, Dylan, 26, and Paris, 22, the youngest of the actor's five children.

He has previously said of Keely: 'I found a great woman in Keely Shaye. Not if I searched a million times over would I find one as good.'

Pierce also has a son Sean, 38, and an adopted son Chris, 49, as well as his late adopted daughter Charlotte with Cassandra.

Pierce adopted Cassandra's children, Chris and Charlotte, after their father, Dermot Harris, died in 1986.

Pierce's latest outing comes ahead of his scheduled appearance at Wyoming District Court to face charges of 'foot travel in a thermal area' and a 'closure violation' at Mammoth Hot Springs' terraces in Yellowstone National Park on November 1.

The James Bond star is alleged to have ventured off the permitted path and walked into 'delicate' and dangerous Mammoth Terraces hot spring tiers.

He has been cited twice over the alleged violations on November 1, and is scheduled to appear in court on January 23.

Pierce Brosnan has been hit with a court date for allegedly venturing off the permitted path and walking into 'delicate' and dangerous Mammoth Terraces hot spring tiers

The James Bond star is alleged to have ventured off the permitted path and walked into 'delicate' and dangerous Mammoth Terraces hot spring tiers

Federal rules stipulate visitors to national parks must stay on the designated walkways. Venturing off the boardwalk is punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $5,000.

Yellowstone National Park is located 60 miles south of the Yellowstone Film Ranch in Livingston, where Pierce has been shooting his role as Sheriff Gabriel Dove in Richard Gray's upcoming western The Unholy Trinity.

Pierce has also been joined on set for the 1870s-set Western by his son Paris Beckett Brosnan, 22, who plays a mystery role in the film.

DailyMail.com contacted Pierce's reps and Yellowstone Park Rangers for comment at the time.
Nikki Reed and husband Ian Somerhalder were among the stars to attend the special screening of Common Ground at Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Los Angeles on Thursday in Beverly Hills.

The new documentary film offers a 'groundbreaking look' into the global soil crisis and how regenerative farming is the solution, as reported by Sierra.

Directed by Josh and Rebecca Tickell, who co-wrote the documentary with Johnny O'Hara, Academy Award-winning actress Laura Dern narrates that action that must be taken to help save our planet and reverse the effects of climate change.

On this day, Reed looked both sexy and chic in a sleeveless black dress with matching pumps and a clutch purse when they hit the red carpet for the event.

She and Somerhalder had a whirlwind start to their romance.

Nikki Reed and husband Ian Somerhalder were among the stars to attend the special screening of Common Ground at Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Los Angeles on Thursday in Beverly Hills

The Twilight actress and The Vampire Diaries actor were first linked in 2014, and by 2015, they were married.

Her husband, 45, who's best known for his role on the hit series' Lost and The Vampire Diaries, was a perfect match with his wife in the fashion department dressed in a black suit with a white button-down and black boots.

Late last year, Reed took to Instagram to promote Common Ground  which she promises is 'so much more than a film.'

She continued: 'It is a promise to our children that we will show up for their future; that we care enough to keep fighting until we start to see the changes we know are necessary.'

Reed then explained why revamping architecture will help yield a 'healthier planet and healthier people.'

'We used to think we had to sacrifice profit in order to prioritize the health of the people and the integrity of our food system.

'But this film shows that this is no longer true. Farmers can actually make MORE money if they break away from government subsidies and the ties that connect them to the agrochemical industry, which in turn will yield healthier crops, healthier soil, a healthier planet and healthier people,' she wrote.

Along with Somerhalder and Reed, some of the other celebrities and high-profile people on hand to lend their support at the screening include Jason Momoa, Demi Moore, Malin Akerman, Jack Donnelly, Amy Smart, Alfonso Ribeiro, Angela Unkrich, Sal Masekela, Rachelle Carson-Begley, Ed Begley, Jr., along with Laura Dern and her daughter Jaya Harper.

Reed looked both sexy and chic in her sleeveless black dress and matching pumps

The Vampire Diaries star flaunted her bare back in her chic ensemble

Reed also struck a pose with screenwriter and director Catherine Hardwicke

Common Ground is anything but bleak, instead, with the help of narrator Dern, it offers much-needed 'hope at a time when environmental degradation, the climate crisis, the extinction crisis, and threats to our natural resources are driving cynicism among even the most optimistic.'

The film focuses on regenerative farming and putting it into practice, and all of the potential benefits, and even the long-term higher income for farmers, regenerative farming truly can have.

According to the Noble Research Institute, regenerative farming 'is the process of restoring degraded soils using practices like adaptive grazing, no-till planting, no or limited use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizer, which are based on ecological principles.'

One of the many goals of regenerative agriculture is to strive to work with nature rather than work against it.

The regenerative agriculture process is more than just being sustainable.

It's about reversing degradation and building up the soil to make it healthier than its current state.

Jason Momoa and Reed posed with the Aquaman star's kids Lola Iolani Momoa and Nakoa-Wolf Momoa, along with Somerhalder at the special LA special screening
Strictly Come Dancing star Bobby Brazier has declared pro partner Dianne Buswell 'the love of his life' after they reunited for tour rehearsals this week.

The EastEnders actor, 20, and the dancer, 34, got back to work after just missing out on the Glitterball Trophy to Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola in the previous series last December.

And the pair were spotted as they tucked into a take away together in the back of a chauffeur driven car while heading home from the dance studio on Thursday.

Dianne, who is dating YouTuber and former Strictly partner Joe Sugg, layered a black leather jacket over her work out gear while Bobby opted for a stylish trench coat.

The actor, who plays Freddie Slater in the BBC soap, made the revelation about his feelings on TikTok earlier in the day.

Strictly Come Dancing star Bobby Brazier, 20, has declared pro partner Dianne Buswell, 34, 'the love of his life' after they reunited for tour rehearsals on Thursday

The EastEnders actor and the dancer got back to work after just missing out on the Glitterball Trophy to Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola in the previous series last December.

While running to the shops he said: 'As you all know, Dianne is the love of my life. So, this morning I'm baking her some carrot muffins that she fancies.'

He then fed his creation to the dancer who declared them: 'Very very good!'.

The Strictly Come Dancing live UK tour begins its 30-date leg on January 19 in Birmingham and will travel around the country.

Celebrities including Angela Scanlon, Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Angela Rippon, Layton Williams, Annabel Croft, Bobby and Ellie will join the Strictly professional dancers on the tour across the UK.

Since the series ended, Dianne has revealed her surprising career plans as she said she has 'other ambitions'.

Speaking to Heat magazine, the Australian star revealed that she is keen to give acting ago.

She said: 'It'll be my eighth year of Strictly next year and I've been so lucky with all my partners. They've all brought something different, and you learn a lot from each person.

'But I have other ambitions, too. I've always wanted to dip into acting, so I'd like to try and explore that.'

The pair were spotted as they tucked into a take away together in the back of a chauffeur driven car while heading home from the dance studio

Dianne, who is dating YouTuber and former Strictly partner Joe Sugg, layered a black leather jacket over her work out gear while Bobby opted for a stylish trench coat

After a long day of dancing they called to grab a bite to eat

The actor, who plays Freddie Slater in the BBC soap, made the revelation about his feelings on TikTok earlier in the day

While running to the shops he said: 'As you all know, Dianne is the love of my life. So, this morning I'm baking her some carrot muffins that she fancies.'

Dianne is a woman of many talents, having transitioning to dancing from hairdressing while she also designs a casual clothing range, Buswellness.

If she returns to Strictly for the 2024 series, Dianne will be one of the longest-serving dancers on the BBC show.

In her first year back in 2017, Dianne was partnered with Reverend Richard Coles.

A year later, she was teamed with social media star Joe Sugg and the pair made it all the way to the final, while they also fell in love.

She has recently returned back to the UK after jetting off to her native Australia for Christmas, when she shared an array of sweet snaps with her boyfriend Joe.

Dianne travelled to her homeland of Australia to spend the whole of Christmas with her cancer-stricken father Mark and the rest of her family.

The Strictly Come Dancing live UK tour begins its 30-date leg on January 19 in Birmingham and will travel around the country

Celebrities including Angela Scanlon , Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Angela Rippon , Layton Williams , Annabel Croft, Bobby and Ellie will join the Strictly professional dancers on the tour across the UK

Bobby and Dianne picture don the show

She recently gave fans an update, sharing that her father started the third round of his chemotherapy treatment last week.

Enjoying some well-needed family time with Joe, 32, and family, Dianne shared photos from their swanky Christmas spread.

Joe and Dianne looked happier than ever as they posed cuddling up on the sand, enjoying the hot weather.

Captioning her post, she wrote: 'I feel so blessed to have all these people in my life. Sending you all a merry Christmas, I hope your day is filled with love and happiness.'
Sophie Hermann showed off her jaw-dropping physique in a sparkling gown as she attended the UK screening of Mean Girls at the Ham Yard Hotel in London on Thursday.

The Made In Chelsea star, 36, turned heads in the dazzling sequinned maxi dress, which perfectly hugged her toned figure.

The glamorous number featured straps and a busty neckline, as she gleamed under the spotlight striking a series of poses.

The German-born actress exuded fashion as she teamed her stylish ensemble with a silver sparkling clutch bag, and towered herself in a pair of matching strappy heels.

The Celebs Go Dating star added more bling to her ensemble with dainty diamond earrings, a silver necklace with a cross pendant, as well as matching rings and a bracelet.

Sophie Hermann showed off her jaw-dropping physique in a sparkling gown as she attended the UK screening of Mean Girls at the Ham Yard Hotel in London on Thursday

The Made In Chelsea star, 36, turned heads in the dazzling sequinned maxi dress, which perfectly hugged her toned figure

The glamorous number featured straps and a busty neckline, as she gleamed under the spotlight striking a series of poses

Sophie donned her golden locks in a high ponytail which cascaded graciously in a flawless blow-dry with a black bow, leaving two locks to frame her stunning looks.

She opted for a lightning make-up including rosy blush, eyeliner and a peachy lipstick.

The bombshell reboot of Mark Waters' Mean Girls hits the screens 20 years later, premiering in theatres on January 12 2024.

The TV star took to the glitzy red carpet to pose alongside entrepreneur and fashion guru Maja Malnar.

Maja, 30, embraced a Barbie-core look as she rocked a beaded fuchsia suit co-ord including blazer and elegant wide leg-trousers.

The Slovenia-born stunner boosted her flat midriff as she donned a matching skimpy bra underneath, and added soft pink pump heels.

As if her outfit couldn't be any more glamorous, she carried the essentials in a black mini bag with diamonds and pearls embellishments.

The multi-award-winning influencer wore her long honey locks loose in beach waves, and added dazzling earrings.

Maja sported a bronze palette and dark nude lipstick, while embracing Sophie for the camera.

The German-born actress exuded fashion as she teamed her stylish ensemble with a silver sparkling clutch bag, and towered herself in a pair of matching strappy heels

Sophie donned her golden locks in a high ponytail which cascaded graciously in a flawless blow-dry with a black bow, leaving two locks to frame her stunning looks

She opted for a lightning make-up including rosy blush, eyeliner and a peachy lipstick

The TV star took to the glitzy red carpet to pose alongside entrepreneur and fashion guru Maja Malnar

Maja, 30, embraced a Barbie-core look as she rocked a beaded fuchsia suit co-ord including blazer and elegant wide leg-trousers

The Slovenia-born stunner boosted her flat midriff as she donned a matching skimpy bra underneath, and added soft pink pump heels

The multi-award-winning influencer wore her long honey locks loose in beach waves, and added dazzling earrings

Behind the scenes of the star-studded screening, the duo posed up for Malibu Strawberry Rum - which sponsored the gala - while holding signs with some of the most famous Mean Girls quotes

The pair both rocked a gleaming tiara for the gorgeous shots, posing inside an all-pink venue completed with disco balls and balloons

The actress and Maja also stopped to pose outside of the event

Sophie turned the street into her personal catwalk

The bombshell reboot of Mark Waters' Mean Girls hits the screens 20 years later, premiering in theatres on January 12 2024 (pictured Renee Rapp, Angourie Rice, Avantika Vandanapu and Bebe Wood in the reboot)

The iconic teen comedy drama made history after coming out in April 2004 (pictured Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Lacey Chabert, Amanda Seyfried in the original movie)

Behind the scenes of the star-studded screening, the duo posed up for Malibu Strawberry Rum - which sponsored the gala - while holding signs with some of the most famous Mean Girls quotes.

The pair both rocked a gleaming tiara for the gorgeous shots, posing inside an all-pink venue completed with disco balls and balloons.

The actress and Maja also stopped to pose outside of the event, while Sophie turned the street into her personal catwalk.

The Made In Chelsea favourite wrapped up against the cold in a black fur crop jacket, flaunting a cheerful smile to the camera.

She lifted down her jacket exposing her shoulders as she gave a sultry look down the lenses before making her way out.
Their romance has gone from strength to strength since leaving the house.

And Big Brother stars Jordan Sangha and Henry Southan appeared to be more loved-up than ever as they headed out for lunch together in London on Wednesday.

The former lawyer, 26, cosied up to the food critic, 25, as they headed to the swanky Scott's eatery in Mayfair.

Jordan, who recently celebrated the New Year with Henry in Mallorca, beamed as he chatted to his boyfriend on their way to lunch together.

After meeting in the Big Brother house in October last year, the pair's friendship has blossomed into romance, with the pair already hinting at plans to move in together.

Big Brother stars Jordan Sangha and Henry Southan were more loved-up than ever as they headed out for lunch together in London on Wednesday

The lawyer cosied up to the food critic as they headed to the swanky Scott's eatery in Mayfair

On Saturday, Jordan took to Instagram to pay tribute to Henry while reflecting on his six-week stint in the house, and being crowned series champion.

He wrote: 'Almost two months have passed I do not think it healthy to dwell, but do think it healthy to reflect.

'I haven't a scandalous word to say about any of my fellow housemates. Good lot of people, at the end of the day.

'Never did I expect to open up somewhat about my late father or get into a hot tub (especially kissing therein) - thank goodness for my darling Henri Sourdough, who is my confidant. And I his, I quite hope. Well, I know.

'I went into the House on a whim and emerged a winner. Inexpensive therapy. Thank you to all who supported and voted for me along the way. As always, watch this space!'

While Henry showed his love for Jordan in the comments section of his post, he echoed his boyfriend's sentiment in an Instagram post hours later.

He said: 'I can't believe it's been 3 months since this moment when I entered through the front door of the most iconic house in Britain. It genuinely feels like a bit of a fever dream that I actually experienced all of that.

'Watching the launch back, I realise how well I hid my nerves on that stage - I was terrified.

On Saturday, Jordan took to Instagram to pay tribute to Henry while reflecting on his six-week stint in the house, and being crowned series champion

While Henry showed his love for Jordan in the comments section of his post, he echoed his boyfriend's sentiment in an Instagram post hours later

The couple celebrated the New Year together in Mallorca, after hitting back at claims their relationship was a 'showmance'

'Little did I know that I was about to form some wonderful connections, make the most incredible memories, and find a loving boyfriend along the way - it only took me 25 b****y years.

'If anyone is weighing up whether they should apply for this year, I'd suggest following your gut and going for it. As long as you stay true to yourself, it will be a very positive experience that I wouldn't change for the world x.'

The pair were previously forced to hit back at claims that their relationship was a 'showmance' after revealing they'd already declared their love for each other.

Speaking to The Sun, Jordan and Henry hinted that they've already discussed the prospect of moving in together, and previously said on social media they've planned something 'very special' to celebrate the New Year.

Asked whether they've said the famous 'L word,' Henry said: 'We were hesitant about using the L-word but when we get p***** we use it.'

Jordan added: 'We're very much in love. I mean I wish it was a showmance, but it's not.

'We have a private relationship together and then we also have a public relationship and we wanted to focus on our private relationship and we've sorted everything out.'
Zac Efron put on a brave face as he attended the National Board Of Review 2024 Awards Gala on Thursday after being snubbed at the SAG Awards.

The actor, 36, has earned rave reviews for his work as pro-wrestler Kevin Von Erich in the Iron Claw but was ignored in the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role category.

Despite the rebuff, Zac looked in good spirits as he attended the star-studded awards at Cipriani 42nd Street.

At the ceremony, he enjoyed a catch up with his Liberal Arts co-star Elizabeth Olsen, with the pair playfully posing for snaps.

The duo portrayed college students Zibby and Nat in Josh Radnor's 2012 rom-com.

Zac Efron put on a brave face as he attended the National Board Of Review 2024 Awards Gala on Thursday after being snubbed at the SAG Awards

At the ceremony, he enjoyed a catch up with his Liberal Arts co-star Elizabeth Olsen, with the pair playfully posing for snaps

Zac looked dapper at the gala as he sported a navy velvet blazer over a white top that he paired with charcoal trousers and patent brogues.

Elizabeth, 35, also looked incredible as she flaunted her tiny waist in a white cropped blazer over a corseted top, black-silk split maxi-skirt, and matching Louboutin platform heels.

The National Board of Review Awards Gala celebrates art in cinema and was hosted by Willie Geist.

Despite his SAG Awards snub, Zac was honoured at the gala as The Iron Claw won Best Ensemble.

Their top honorees this year included Killers of the Flower Moon for Best Film; Martin Scorsese for Best Director; Paul Giamatti for Best Actor for The Holdovers; and Lily Gladstone for Best Actress.

Maestro star Bradley Cooper received the NBR Icon Award.

Zac attended the event after he was one of the big names snubbed as the Screen Actors Guild 2024 award nominations were announced on Wednesday.

The SAG-AFTRA National Honors and Tributes Committee nominate and vote for the recipients of these awards.

Zac's snub means he is yet to be recognised by any of the major awards bodies this year for The Iron Claw, despite favourable reviews from critics.

Despite the SAG Awards rebuff, Zac looked in good spirits as he attended the star-studded awards at Cipriani 42nd Street

Zac looked dapper at the gala as he sported a navy velvet blazer over a white top that he paired with charcoal trousers and patent brogues

Elizabeth, 35, also looked incredible as she flaunted her tiny waist in a white cropped blazer over a corseted top, black-silk split maxi-skirt, and matching Louboutin platform heels

The Liberal Arts co-stars larked around as they posed for snaps with Maura Tierney - who stars in Zac's latest film The Iron Claw

Zac sweetly planted a kiss on his co-star as they posed with their award after winning Best Ensemble for The Iron Claw

The wrestling drama, which was created by Sean Durkin, centres around the real-life story of the Von Erich wrestling family.

The movie portrays the meteoric rise of Texan brothers, Kevin (Zac) and David (Harris Dickinson), and Kerry (Jeremy Allen White).

It details their crushing fall as they attempt to keep up with their father's - Fritz Von Erich's (Holt McCallany) and his unrealistic expectations.

But adapting to the role was not smooth sailing for Zac, who found it difficult to meet the role's physical demands.
English supermodel Kate Moss is set to turn 50 next week and as the celebratory milestone draws near Sophie Anderton has opened up the secret behind her longevity.

Fellow English model Sophie, 46, revealed just why she believes the down to earth girl from Croydon has remained loved and relevant in an ever evolving industry for so long.

Writing in The Sun, Sophie revealed that she first met Kate back when she was 18-years-old back in 1995, and was in complete awe of the model.

She explained that the star has always had a captivating quality: 'As she turns 50 next week, its still that natural poise and coolness that continues to capture everyones attention.'

She added: 'I believe one of the secrets behind Kates incredible longevity in the business is that people have always been intrigued by her.'

Model Sophie Anderton, 46, has detailed her admiration for Kate Moss as she revealed why the supermodel is still fabulous as at 50, (pictured Kate and Sophie for the Earls Court Motor Show alongside Jodie Kidd in 1999)

Sophie explained that the star has always had a captivating quality: 'As she turns 50 next week, its still that natural poise and coolness that continues to capture everyones attention' (Kate pictured in 2022)

Kate has been in the public eye since she was 14-years-old, yet despite a career spanning almost 40 years, the public rarely hear the star speak.

Sophie and Kate previously worked together back in 1999 for the Earls Court Motor Show alongside Jodie Kidd.

Recalling her experiences with the model, Sophie described Kate as reserved and cautious who chose not to use her voice as she knew that wasn't her job.

Armed with beauty, height and a strong work ethic, Sophie explained: 'She always had the whole package, and that is why clients and photographers all fell head over heels in love with her.'

Kate shot to fame in the nineties before the age of influencers and social media models that are constantly churned out today.

Finding success prior to that era, Sophie revealed that while Kate didn't flaunt her personality to the public, she still had plenty.

Instead of following trends and fads, Kate set them from her lemon drop Topshop dress to her 2001 pixie hair cut.

Sophie remarked that Kate has always stayed true to who she is, and now embodies a mature confidence as she approaches her 50th year.

Sophie, (pictured) revealed that she first met Kate back when she was 18-years-old back in 1995, and was in complete awe of the model

Sophie wrote: 'I believe one of the secrets behind Kates incredible longevity in the business is that people have always been intrigued by her'

Armed with beauty, height and a strong work ethic, Sophie explained: 'She always had the whole package, and that is why clients and photographers all fell head over heels in love with her' (pictured in 1997 at the Titanic Film premiere party)

Recalling her experiences with the model, Sophie described Kate as reserved and cautious who chose not to use her voice as she knew that wasn't her job

Leaving the raucous North London scene of her 20s and 30s firmly behind, Kate is now settled in a honey-coloured Grade II-listed mansion in the Cotswolds, and seems to be leaving the partying world behind.

In November last year the star was criticized for failing to appear at her own launch party to celebrate the launch of the new ANINE BING Kate Tote in London.

The supermodel was a surprising no-show at the cocktail party thrown with designer Annie Bing, an event attended by celebrity guests including Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Cat Deeley.

Kate should have been the star of the party as she marked her partnership with the American designer, who had flown over from Los Angeles for the event.

Speaking to The Sun, an source said: 'Annie and her team had pulled out all the stops for a mega-party to celebrate their partnership.

'But not long after the party started they were told Kate couldn't make it because she wasn't well.

'Lots of people were making jokes about her pulling a sickie, but it wasn't amusing for all the people who had gone to all that effort.'
Roxy Jacenko shared an update of her journey back to Australia on Friday.

Dressed in black fur coat, the PR maven, 43, took a selfie and notified her followers she would be offloading some of her wardrobe soon.

After leaving her new home in Singapore and arriving in Sydney, Roxy stopped in at Amy Jean Brow Agency for some eyebrow shaping.

She also stopped in to the Sydney office of her PR business, the Ministry of Talent, putting her feet up after a long day of traveling.

The influencer finished up at Icebergs Dining Room in Bondi, joined by her mother Doreen to see out her first day home.

Roxy Jacenko (pictured) has shared an update of her journey back to Australia on Friday

After leaving her new home in Singapore and arriving in Sydney, Roxy stopped in at Amy Jean Brow Agency for some eyebrow shaping

Last week, Roxy revealed she'll be returning to Australia to collect some high-end jewellery.

She took to Instagram to show off a bespoke, claw-set diamond necklace which was made for her by jeweller-to-the-stars Nicholas Haywood.

Nicholas Haywood has a range of ready-to-wear and custom designs, and according to the luxury Sydney jeweller, 'a piece of this quality stone, size, and custom nature' retails for upwards of $180,000.

In the Instagram post, Roxy shared a picture of the necklace being held up to the camera.

She also stopped in to the Sydney office of her PR business, the Ministry of Talent, putting her feet up after a long day of traveling

The influencer finished up at Icebergs Dining Room in Bondi, joined by her mother Doreen to see out her first day home

Over it, she wrote 'and my dream necklace is ready for collection. Nicholas Haywood Jewellery you have outdone yourself! Can't wait to get back to Australia to pick it up.'

The PR maven was recently on holiday with her husband Oliver Curtis and their two children in Thailand.

Roxy was staying at the Four Seasons Resort in Koh Samui, Thailand, a five-star luxury beach resort.

The family were in a villa that has a private pool and panoramic views of the beach, costing upwards of $4,000 per night.

Last week, Roxy revealed she'll be returning to Australia to collect some high-end jewellery

The PR maven was recently on holiday with her husband Oliver Curtis and their two children in Thailand

Roxy has been busy making a new life for herself in Singapore after packing up and moving her family to the Southeast Asian country in July.

The Sweaty Betty founder revealed back in June she was leaving Sydney to live with her husband in Singapore.

She admitted her life in the harbour city has a stark difference to her upcoming new life overseas.

'No one knows me there, no one has any preconceived idea of who or what I am, no one has any expectation, and best of all, no one actually cares!' she told the Sydney Morning Herald.
Dina Broadhurst has become a well-known artist, thanks in part to her nude self-portraits.

And on Friday, the socialite was showing off her famous figure as she enjoyed a wade in the water at Sydney's Rose Bay.

The 46-year-old combined a sporty grey crop top with a pair of bright blue bikini bottoms.

She appeared to have skipped the makeup, showing off her fresh faced beauty, and wore her caramel locks up in a ponytail.

The stunner carried her photo in her hand and pulled off her sunglasses as she played with her pup in the shallows.

Dina Broadhurst (pictured) has become a well-known artist, thanks in part to her nude self-portraits

On Friday, the socialite was showing off her famous figure as she enjoyed a wade in the water at Sydney's Rose Bay

The 46-year-old combined a sporty grey crop top with a pair of bright blue bikini bottoms

Dina maintains her fit figure through regular workout sessions with Pilates trainer to the stars Bernadette Fahey.

Earlier this month, Bernadette revealed the workout secrets behind some of Sydney's most high-powered socialites.

The founder of Body By Berner helps train Eastern Suburbs stars including Dina, stylist Jade Yarbrough and model Madeleine Holtznagel.

Bernadette told Daily Mail Australia, she begins her workout sessions with meditation and breath work.

She appeared to have skipped the makeup, showing off her fresh faced beauty, and wore her caramel locks up in a ponytail

The stunner carried her photo in her hand and pulled off her sunglasses as she played with her pup in the shallows

Dina maintains her fit figure through regular workout sessions with Pilates trainer to the stars Bernadette Fahey

Bernadette recently revealed the workout secrets behind some of Sydney's most high-powered socialites

The founder of Body By Berner helps train Eastern Suburbs stars including Dina, stylist Jade Yarbrough and model Madeleine Holtznagel

Bernadette told Daily Mail Australia, she begins her workout sessions with meditation and breath work

She then incorporates stretches to warm up the body before 'targeting muscles with small repetitive movements'

She then incorporates stretches to warm up the body before 'targeting muscles with small repetitive movements.'

Bernadette said she recommends planking as it 'works the full body', and 'lunges are a terrific way to sculpt the legs, work on balance and load up your glute muscles'.

She also revealed the easiest way to stay fit over the Christmas period is to do some star jumps to get the heart rate up for up to five minutes.

Dina's outing comes as the socialite was recently linked to millionaire property investor Tony Benjamin.

Bernadette said she recommends planking as it 'works the full body', and 'lunges are a terrific way to sculpt the legs, work on balance and load up your glute muscles'

She also revealed the easiest way to stay fit over the Christmas period is to do some star jumps to get the heart rate up for up to five minutes

Dina's outing comes as the socialite was recently linked to millionaire property investor Tony Benjamin

Back in October, she appeared to soft launch a new beau on Instagram by posting a very revealing beachside snap

The photo in question showed a bikini-clad Dina lying on a towel at a scenic beach

A mystery man's hands were seen caressing her back, however his face was notably cut off the frame

'Long weekend heat,' she wrote next to the photo and added a scorching sun emoji

In August, Dina was thrust into the headlines after she was spotted canoodling with Tony in the Eastern Suburbs

Back in October, she appeared to soft launch a new beau on Instagram by posting a very revealing beachside snap.

The photo in question showed a bikini-clad Dina lying on a towel at a scenic beach.

A mystery man's hands were seen caressing her back, however his face was notably cut off the frame.

'Long weekend heat,' she wrote next to the photo and added a scorching sun emoji.

The pair were photographed kissing during a stroll along the famous Bondi to Bronte walk

Tony is said to have previously been in a professional and romantic relationship with Potts Point jeweller Chrissi James

Well-placed eastern suburbs sources say silver-haired fox Tony has in the past been referred to as 'Mr Sexy Time' and has dated several local socialites over the years

Dina enjoyed a pensive moment as she looked out to sea

Her G-string bikini bottoms put her pert derriere on display

Dina was frequently distracted by her phone

In August, Dina was thrust into the headlines after she was spotted canoodling with Tony in the Eastern Suburbs.

The pair were photographed kissing during a stroll along the famous Bondi to Bronte walk.

Tony is said to have previously been in a professional and romantic relationship with Potts Point jeweller Chrissi James.

Well-placed eastern suburbs sources say silver-haired fox Tony has in the past been referred to as 'Mr Sexy Time' and has dated several local socialites over the years.
Sue Perkins and Anna Richardson have revealed that they didn't speak for a long time following their break-up.

The comedian, 54, and the TV presenter, 53, opened up on their split for the first time in a joint appearance on Anna's podcast It Can't Just Be Me.

The exes went their separate ways over Christmas 2020 after eight years together and have now discussed their transition from romance to friendship.

They admitted that at first they went through a period of no contact, and Sue told how they had to let go of the 'excruciatingly painful' issues they had during their relationship before they could become friends.

Speaking on the podcast, Anna said, 'We didn't speak,' to which Sue added, 'Yeah, for a long time.'

Sue Perkins and Anna Richardson have revealed they didn't speak for a long time following their break-up

Sue went on to explain how they managed to become friends after their break-up, saying they had to 'detonate the familiar' to rebuild their relationship as friends.

The former Great British Bake Off host also stressed the importance of not looking back on previous arguments and forgiving before moving forwards.

She said: 'You have to sort of detonate parts of the familiar in order to grow new things, different ways of being, which are born out of friendship. And also, you have to forgive what's been, don't do history lessons.

'Once you get that space, the history lessons stop. What I mean by history lessons is in a row you go from talking about the thing that's upsetting you in the moment to then tracking back through all the other things in your past, that has been points of inflammation.

'Our break and split and time apart and everything has meant that we no longer do history lessons. We can forgive and just go, it's all OK.'

Sue said the path to becoming friends was not all smooth sailing, but said they are now able to talk openly with each other about everything, including their dating lives.

She went on: 'I think a period of having no contact was good, and then slowly, voicing the things that had been excruciatingly painful and realising that they were never going to be solved, so let them go.

'If you hold on to those things that made you sad, made you angry, all we're going to do is replicate that, but in a non-sexual context. So both of us in our own way let stuff go, it helped of course that other things come in, other distractions.'

The exes (pictured in 2012) went their separate ways over Christmas 2020 after an eight years together and have now discussed their transition from being in a relationship to friendship

To which Anna said: 'That's certainly what I missed - the love but also the fun. When you've got that with somebody, when you go "do you know f**k it, let's let go of all that s**t", ultimately our very core is love. We understand each other.'

'All that love can be repurposed into a friendship, I really believe that,' Sue added.

After their split in Christmas 2020, news of their break-up went public in June 2021, when it was said that the couple went their separate ways with 'heavy hearts'.

MailOnline exclusively revealed at the time that nobody else was involved in Sue and Anna's decision to split.

A source said: 'The split is as amicable as these things can ever be. After so long together it wasn't an easy decision to make and they both did so with heavy hearts.

'But Sue and Anna are determined to remain friends and keep in touch. Nobody else is involved and now the pair are throwing themselves into work.'

It was reported that Anna had moved out of their shared 2million North London home to live in Staffordshire to be close to her mother, who is caring for her father who is suffering from dementia.

The couple allegedly parted ways after Sue's reluctance to start a family, with Anna previously revealing she had thought about adopting a child and felt that 'time is running out' for her to do so.

A friend of the former couple said at the time: 'It's really sad they've split, but it's been on the cards for a while. We know Anna was really keen to be a mother, but Sue just didn't feel it was the right time for her.

'She loves travelling and working on various projects and she appreciates that lifestyle and the responsibility of being a parent doesn't marry well.'

It was also claimed that Anna and Sue struggled to live together during lockdown given they are both 'workaholics' who are used to their independence.

Following their split, Anna admitted that 'you never get used to heartbreak' and said she was 'filled with dread' about the future.

In May 2022, she told OK! Magazine: 'I suppose I don't know whether you become more resilient as you get older, but heartbreak is still that mystery that needs to be solved, and how you get over it and become stronger.'

Sue told how they had to let go of the 'excruciatingly painful' issues they had during their relationship before they could become friends

After their split in Christmas 2020, news of their break-up went public in June 2021, when it was said that the couple went their separate ways with 'heavy hearts' (both pictured in 2018)

The pair first began dating in 2013 after meeting at a Halloween party following Anna's split from her partner of 18 years Charles Martin.

Speaking to The Telegraph in 2015, Anna explained she had known Sue for years, but it was a meeting her at a party after her separation from Charles, that made her realise she felt something more than just friendship.

She gushed: 'When I was invited to the party, I was told Sue would be going and I felt, what, a frisson? A spark of interest? And I thought: "Hmm, that's interesting". There was something in the air.

'It was an extraordinary night. I was dancing on the table. It felt like a defining moment in my life.'

She wasn't keen on giving herself a label in regards her sexuality at the time, after she had previously spent almost two decades with a man.

'For me, it's just a case of I am who I am. I'm not interested in being labelled gay or straight, my sexuality is fluid. I just happen to have fallen in love with a woman - simple as that,' she explained.
He's known for his love of dogs and Simon Cowell has added a new member to his ever growing four-legged family.

Taking to Instagram on Thursday the Britain's Got Talent judge shared a series of adorable snaps with his new German Shepherd Pebbles.

Simon looked lovingly at the new family member, pouting at the pooch as Pebbles stuck his tongue out for the snap.

He captioned the snap: 'Our family has had a new arrival ...her name is Pebbles'.

Pebbles is Simon's fifth dog, after already being a proud dog owner to Yorkshire terriers Squiddly and Diddly as well as his late mum's dog Freddy and Daisy, who he adopted in Barbados.

Simon Cowell, 64, shared adorable snaps with pooch Pebbles over on Instagram on Thursday as the dog lover announced the new addition to his family

Simon cuddled the German Shepherd as he captured Pebbles' adorable puppy dog eyes for the camera

Racing to the comments fans went wild for the new pooch as they fawned over Pebbles.

One wrote: 'Awww look at those eyes  Nothing better than a four legged addition to the family'.

A second wrote: 'Gosh your Mom would have adored her. Shes beautiful' and a third added: 'Congratulations- Pebbles hit the jackpot!'

Commenting on the change from Yorkshire terriers to a German Shepherd, another added: 'That's it now Simon, you will forever be a Shep person now as they are so addictive...I mean we have at least 80. Super Cute'.

In April 2022 Simon revealed he will leave a 'substantial amount' to various dogs shelters in his last will and testament, which is believed to be around 20million.

The star decided to draw up his last wishes after suffering a traumatic bike accident which left him with an injured arm.

The music mogul described the process as 'one of the most depressing things I've ever done, and one of the hardest', as he revealed that 'everything he cares about' will be covered in the will.

Talking of the morbid experience with The Sun, Simon shared: 'Unfortunately, you have to  and that day, when it comes, is like, 'Christ, I've now got to sit and talk about my death for the next few hours' It was dreadful. But the fact that I've done it now has given me peace of mind.'

Racing to the comments fans went wild for the new pooch as they fawned over Pebbles

Pebbles is Simon's fifth dog, after already being a proud dog owner to Yorkshire terriers Squiddly and Diddly as well as his late mum's dog Freddy and Daisy, who he adopted in Barbados (not pictured)

In April 2022 Simon revealed he will leave a 'substantial amount' to various dogs shelters in his last will and testament , which is believed to be around 20million

During the chat, he also revealed that he will leave a 'substantial amount', to dog charities - including Dogs Trust, K9 in Barbados, and London's Battersea Dogs Home.

Simon rescued Daisy when he came across the abandoned dog on one of his trips to Barbados back in 2018.

Simon hosts annual auctions from homeless dogs on the Caribbean island and fell in love with Daisy.

She was found abandoned along with her two puppies, but thanks to charity K9 Puppies, of which Simon is a patron, they were all nursed back to health.

Simon also revealed in the past that he hopes to clone his pet pooches, so strong is his love for them.

He revealed he plans to spend 180,000 to have them cloned by harvesting their genes through a South Korean company.

The star told The Sun on Sunday: 'I am 100 per cent cloning the dogs, all of them.Weve thoroughly looked into it, got all the details and I can prove to you Im going to clone them. There is documentation.

'I am doing it because I cannot bear the thought of them not being around.'

The dogs travel with Simon regularly as he works in both Los Angeles and London, as well as an annual trip to the Caribbean, and on the flight the dogs get their own squeaky toys to play with, and bespoke jum-bones.
Holly Willoughby has broken her silence on her TV comeback just days before she is set to return to screens on Dancing On Ice.

The TV presenter, 42, will make her on-screen return after a two-month hiatus on Sunday for the ITV skating competition's launch show alongside her new co-host Stephen Mulhern.

MailOnline exclusively revealed last month that Holly would be returning to the show after quitting This Morning following an alleged plot to kidnap and murder her.

Now, Holly has broken her silence on her TV comeback as she took to Instagram to share a new post as she gears up for her first show back.

She shared a photograph of the Dancing On Ice launch show script as she confirmed she was back at work and shared her excitement for the 2024 series.

Holly Willoughby has broken her silence after it was revealed she would be making her TV comeback on Dancing On Ice

After her two-month TV absence, Holly took to Instagram to share a photograph of the Dancing On Ice launch show script as she shared her exctiement for the 2024 series

Alongside the photograph, seemingly taken in her home, Holly penned: 'And so it begins,' alongside an emoji of an ice skate and a smiling face.

Holly will host the series alongside Stephen, who is taking Phillip Schofield's place after he was fired by ITV.

The cast united for a photocall event earlier this week as they took official shots and took part in interviews, but Holly wasn't in attendance.

The Mirror then reported that Holly - who was at last year's shoot - skipped the photocall to concentrate on rehearsals with her new co-host Stephen.

A source told the publication of this year's event: 'Holly doesn't want any distractions at the moment so she wasn't at the photoshoot.

'And for her it is more about rehearsals and getting the series off to a great start with a new co-host.

'She's putting all her energy into the show. Holly is a total professional and as always she will be putting her heart and soul into the series with Stephen.'

Though she wasn't at the group cast photocall, the first official photographs of new co-hosts Holly and Stephen have been revealed.

The TV presenter, 42, will make her on-screen return after a two-month hiatus on Sunday for the ITV skating competition's launch show alongside her new co-host Stephen Mulhern

MailOnline exclusively revealed last month that Holly would be returning to the show after quitting This Morning following an alleged plot to kidnap and murder her

The Mail on Sunday revealed that she met Stephen, 46, two weeks earlier for the pictures to be taken  just days after she made her first public outing since early October, when a former Essex security guard was charged with contacting a hitman in the US to kidnap and murder her.

It is understood that she and Stephen did not meet the show's judges, including Olympic gold medalists Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, but instead had their own private shoot at a studio in London.

One friend said: 'It was quite an emotional day, it felt like the beginnings of a routine after months of being at home and shutting herself off from the outside world.

'But Holly has always loved wearing dreamy, princess-style gowns on Dancing On Ice, it was always her time to get really dressed up.'

It was a doubly special reunion with Stephen, ITV's popular and long-serving star who hosts the reboot of Deal Or No Deal and Catchphrase, because he was at her side when she got her first big break in TV almost 20 years ago.

The pair hosted ITV morning children's shows Ministry Of Mayhem and Holly & Stephen's Saturday Showdown when they were in their 20s and since then have had an unbreakable bond.

Her new co-host Stephen was at her side when she got her big break in TV almost 20 years ago and they hosted children's show Holly & Stephen's Saturday Showdown together

Stephen is taking Phillip Schofield's place on Dancing On Ice, after he hosted the show with Holly before he was fired by ITV

'It really made a difference to Holly's mindset to know that Stephen would be with her all the way. It has really made her smile,' the friend added.

'For years and years, Phil was with her and suddenly he was gone. To be working with Stephen again at such a poignant time in her career is special for Holly.

'Whether going back to Dancing On Ice was a quandary for Holly, some gentle persuasion from Stephen definitely helped to seal the deal.'

On Sunday at 6.30pm, Holly will co-host the programme - whose stars include Love Island's Amber Davies, Eddie 'the Eagle' Edwards and former Brookside actress Claire Sweeney, from ITV's studio at the old RAF base in Bovingdon, Hertfordshire.
He's the Aussie heartthrob who has titillated audiences of the dark comedy Saltburn.

But Jacob Elordi could also be earning big bucks if he decided to become an influencer.

The 26-year-old actor, who plays the popular Felix Catton in the hit film released late last year, tops the list of a value analysis of the cast of Saltburn's Instagram pages.

Using influencer marketing calculators, Casino Alpha determined which stars had the highest follower boost after the movie's release, and how much they could earn per sponsored Instagram post.

With more than 13 million Instagram followers and an average of 626,176 likes per post, Elordi could earn an estimated AUD $63,000 per post.

Jacob Elordi could also be earning big bucks if he decided to become an influencer. The 26-year-old actor, who plays the popular Felix Catton in the hit film released late last year, tops the list of a value analysis of the cast of Saltburn's Instagram pages. Pictured

Aside from his involvement in Saltburn, the 26-year-old actor recently played the role of Elvis Presley in the biographical film Priscilla, released in January of this year.

Elordi first gained recognition for his performances in Netflix's The Kissing Booth trilogy and HBO's Euphoria.

Academy Award nominee Barry Keoghan is the second-highest-earning actor in the Saltburn ensemble.

The Irish actor, who portrays the unassuming but ultimately dangerous Oliver Quick, has the second-highest following of 1.6 million, enabling him to earn up to AUD $7700 per sponsored post.

According to an influencer analysis, Elordi could earn an estimated $63,000 per post. Pictured in Saltburn

Academy Award nominee Barry Keoghan (right) is the second-highest-earning actor in the Saltburn ensemble, with a following of 1.6 million, enabling him to earn up to AUD $7700 per sponsored post

Keoghan receives an average of 270,504 likes per Instagram post and has gained 493,584 followers in the last 30 days alone.

The third most influential cast member is Rosamund Pike, who plays the role of Felix's mother, Elspeth Catton.

The actress, who is known for her roles in Gone Girl and Jack Reacher, has amassed 1.1 million Instagram followers, and could earn an estimated AUD $5000 per sponsored post.

Tudor Turiceanu, Chief Editor for Casino Alpha, commented on the findings.

'Saltburn has become a viral sensation since its release, and these findings shed light on the cast members poised to benefit significantly from the movie's immense popularity,' he said.
Trey Songz has wowed crowds during his set at Juicy Fest Melbourne 2024.

The American rapper was in the middle of one of his biggest hits, Bottoms Up, at the Australian festival held at Melbourne Showgrounds, when he gave fans an eyeful.

Songz, real name Tremaine Aldon Neverson, was wearing a white tank top and apparently the Melbourne heat got to him.

Pausing during the performance, he first lifted his shirt to mop down his sweat, to cheers from the crowd.

Buoyed by the support, Songz grabbed the straps of the tank top and ripped it right off his body, leaving him shirtless.

Trey Songz (pictured) has wowed crowds during his set at Juicy Fest Melbourne 2024, ripping his shirt off in the middle of his hit song Bottoms Up,

Admirers of the Mr. Steal Your Girl hitmaker clearly liked what they saw, the audience erupting in cheers.

One fan was clearly delighted over the display and was seen shaking her sign which read, 'I love you endlessly, King Trey'.

Songz will next perform as part of Juicy Fest in Perth, Western Australia on January 14 before heading to the ACT on January 19 and Queensland on January 20.

The rapper signed his record deal with Atlantic back in 2003.

Songz, real name Tremaine Aldon Neverson, was wearing a white tank top and apparently the Melbourne heat got to him

Pausing during the performance, he first lifted his shirt to mop down his sweat, to cheers from the crowd

Buoyed by the support, Songz grabbed the straps of the tank top and ripped it right off his body, leaving him shirtless

It ultimately led to his debut studio album I Gotta Make It (2006), that featured the first single Gotta Make It featuring rapper Twista.

His follow-up album, Tre Day (2007), spawned his first top 20 single Can't Help But Wait.

In total, he has released eight studio albums albums over the years, including the most recent, Back Home (2020).
Tom Holland has denied Zendaya split rumors on Friday during an outing in Los Angeles.

The Spider-Man star was asked by TMZ if he and Zendaya were 'broken up' to which he simply said: 'No, absolutely not.'

Rumors of a potential split between Zendaya and Tom Holland have been on the rise in recent days after the Euphoria star unfollowed all accounts on her Instagram page.

Adding to the concern of fans is the fact that the Dune actress and the Spider-Man actor haven't been photographed together since October 25th.

At the time, the couple was grocery shopping in Los Angeles.

A source with direct knowledge says the acting couple were seen together as recently as New Year's Eve, according to TMZ.

Tom Holland has denied Zendaya split rumors on Friday during an outing in Los Angeles; seen in 2021 in LA

Despite the more recent reports of a public outing, split rumors continue to swirl after Zendaya unfollowed everyone on Instagram early this year

Zendaya was also seen stepping out in LA on Friday, opting to go on an errands run with her brother Austin.

On Wednesday, the two were finally spotted out and about  but separately. Zendaya, 27, was seen driving around Los Angeles with Austin in her passenger seat.

Meanwhile, the Spider-Man: Homecoming star, 27, was photographed arriving at West Hollywood celeb hot spot Members Club solo.

Just because they haven't been photographed together since October, doesn't necessarily mean they haven't been spending time together.

Whether or not they have broken up remains to be seen as they are keeping the status of their relationship quiet, even with friends.

The sightings of Zen and Tom separately come after the Dune actress unfollowed everyone on Instagram, even Tom.

She has 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.

'Challengers April 26th 'Wishing you all the most beautiful new year,' she wrote.

On Wednesday, they were spotted out and about  separately. The Euphoria star, 27, was seen driving around Los Angeles with a male friend in her passenger seat

Meanwhile, the Spiderman: Homecoming star, 27, was photographed arriving at West Hollywood celeb hot spot Members Club solo; pictured in 2021 in NYC

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

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 denied 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.'
Amanda Holden has jumped on the bandwagon of ditching the clean girl aesthetic for the mob-wife trend as she steps out of Heart FM's London studios on Friday.

Keeping up with the latest look, the radio presenter, 52, showcased her slender physique and toned midriff in a ribbed cherry-red two-piece co-ord from Omnes.

The media personality looked sensational as she paired the skirt and buttoned top with a calf-length hot red trench coat, which she had slung across her shoulders.

She sported a large bright red Birkin bag dupe.

Risen from TikTok's black hole of micro-trends, the mob wife aesthetic is replacing last year's clean aesthetic for a more flashy, garish vibe that is typically littered with designer logos, or in this case, dupes.

Amanda Holden has jumped on the bandwagon of ditching the clean girl aesthetic for the mob-wife trend as she steps out of Heart FM's London studios on Friday

Keeping up with the trends, the radio presenter, 52, showcased her slender physique in a ribbed cherry-red two-piece co-ord from Omnes with a matching coat and heels

Upping the glamour, Amanda donned a matching Von Cleef vintage Alhambra pendant necklace and bracelet worth 16,000.

Hiding away her eyes, the lady in red looked sensational in a pair of black Aspinal London sunglasses.

As she stepped out in London following her stint on Heart FM, Amanda beamed from cheek to cheek, letting her blonde locks flow freely in the wind.

Trailing behind was her radio co-host, Ashley Roberts, 42, who wore a more muted outfit as she stepped out in a beige and yellow ensemble.

The presenter sported an overly loud fashion choice as she donned a pyjama-like co-ord.

The mustard designer's two-piece was paired with brilliant white stilettoes showcasing her foot tattoo.

She finished her look a beige over-sized trench coat that was styled hanging off her shoulders as she stepped out of the studio.

The former Pussycat Doll brought the casual look together with her trusty Nano Neo Balenciaga bag and a pair of 90's inspired sunglasses.

The pair's outing comes after Amanda's return to chilly England after she worked on an exciting new project abroad on Friday.

In true mob-wife fashion, she sported a large bright red Epsom Birkin bag worth upward of 12,000. Upping the glamour, Amanda donned a matching Von Cleef vintage set

Trailing behind was her radio co-host, Ashley Roberts, 42, who wore a more muted outfit as she stepped out in a beige and yellow ensemble

The former Pussycat Doll sported an overly loud fashion choice as she donned a pyjama-like co-ord and an over-sized beige trench coat

Taking to Instagram, the presenter gave fans a glimpse at her getaway as she posed in a tiny two-piece while reading the social issues thriller American Dirt at a resort.

Putting her toned abs on display, the mother-of-two wowed in a paisley print blue bikini.

She paired the swimwear with oversized shades and a beach hat.

The TV personality accessorised the look with three simple gold bangles and a black pedicure.

She captioned the image: 'Little bit of sunshine #shoot for something lovely .. coming soon.'

The pair's outing comes after Amanda's return to chilly England after she worked on an exciting new project abroad on Friday
Zoe Ball and Jo Whiley were among stars paying tribute to Annie Nightingale following her death aged 83.

It was revealed on Friday that the legendary radio DJ died at home after a short illness, with her family paying tribute to a 'pioneer and inspiration to many'.

Ball - the first female host of the Radio 1 and Radio 2 breakfast shows for the BBC - was quick to praise Nightingale for being a 'trailblazer' for women in radio, admitting she was 'heartbroken' by the news.

She shared on X: 'Annie Nightingale... heartbroken to hear the news. The original trailblazer for us women in radio. She loved music like no other... and could out last any of us at the party.

'So grateful for all the love & support she offered me over the years. What a dame... rest well.'

Zoe Ball and Jo Whiley were among stars paying tribute to Annie Nightingale following her death aged 83 (Jo and Annie pictured together in 2015)

Zoe Ball - the first female host of the Radio 1 and Radio 2 breakfast shows for the BBC - was quick to praise Nightingale for being a 'trailblazer' for women in radio

It was revealed on Friday that legendary radio DJ Nightingale died at home after a short illness, with her family paying tribute to a 'pioneer and inspiration to many' (pictured in 2016)

BBC radio presenter Jo Whiley described Nightingale as 'the coolest woman who ever graced the airwaves'.

Sharing a black and white picture of Nightingale in a radio studio on X, Whiley wrote: 'The coolest woman who ever graced the airwaves.

'She blazed a trail for us all and never compromised. Her passion for music never diminished. Annie - My utmost respect and thanks for it all. Much love Jo.'

DJ and presenter Trevor Nelson, who started his broadcasting career in the 1980s and still presents on BBC Radio 1Xtra, said Nightingale, who was twice divorced, had made him 'feel like music broadcasting is for life'.

'Dear Annie, you were more than just a trailblazer for women on radio, you made me feel like music broadcasting is for life. Rave in peace,' he posted on X.

Greg James, the presenter of BBC flagship the Radio 1 Breakfast Show, said being in the presence of Nightingale was 'such a treat' and she will be missed 'so much'.

'Annie Nightingale's life and achievements were so extraordinary you couldn't possibly sum them up on here,' James posted on X.

'It was such a treat if you happened to be in the building at the same time as her.

'She was always so interested in what everyone else was up to. We're going to miss her so much. She was just absolutely amazing.'

A host of radio DJs reached out to offer their condolences and pay tribute

Former BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac praised her late colleague for changing 'the face and sound of British TV and Radio broadcasting forever' following her death.

The Dublin-born DJ and broadcaster, who real name is Annie Macmanus, posted a black-and-white photo of a young Nightingale to Instagram to pay tribute.

She wrote: 'What a devastating loss. Annie Nightingale was a trailblazer, spirited, adventurous, fearless, hilarious, smart, and so good at her job. This is the woman who changed the face and sound of British TV and Radio broadcasting forever. You can't underestimate it.

'Before Annie Nightingale came on Radio 1, it was legitimately believed by BBC bosses that people didn't want to hear women's voices on the radio. Radio DJs were seen as husband substitutes for the wives who listened at home. God forbid British women might want to listen to other women.'

Macmanus said Nightingale 'smashed through all the sexist stereotypes of what kind of broadcaster a woman should be' and continued on through until she was an older woman.

She added: 'She was always the epitome of 'cool', relentlessly curious and enthusiastic and hungry to learn. She always had the messiest desk in our office, the best outfits, and the most outrageous stories to tell. She was so sound!

'I hope stages and festivals and awards will be named in her honour for decades to come. Queen of breaks! Annie Nightingale, you absolute legend, may you always be 'on One'.'

BBC Radio 1 DJ Danny Howard, host of Radio 1's Dance Party, described Nightingale as an 'all time radio great' after her death aged 83.

'Very sad to hear the news of Annie Nightingale passing,' he posted on X.

'An all time radio great and an inspiration to many! I was in awe of her knowledge and passion for music, the way she talked about it and the stories she had!

'Such a kind soul and will be missed. Thank you Annie R.I.P.'

Nightingale being handed a Guinness World Record as the longest serving female broadcaster by Liam Gallagher, one of her favourite musicians

Glastonbury Festival co-organiser Emily Eavis has said Nightingale was 'an inspiration to so many women in music' and a 'lovely human being'.

'Goodbye dear Annie, a female trailblazer and true enthusiast,' Eavis posted on Instagram.

'Annie gave me so much support when I was in my twenties, I always felt so grateful to have such a strong woman encouraging me along the way and I'm sure she has done the same for many others like me.

'She was an inspiration to so many women in music, broadcasting and beyond and just a lovely human being.'

Nightingale was appointed an MBE for services to radio broadcasting in 2002, and in 2010 received a Guinness World Record as the longest serving female broadcaster at a ceremony attended by Liam Gallagher, one of her favourite musicians.

She is survived by two children - Alex and Lucy - who she shared with her first husband Gordon Thomas. She was later married to actor Tony 'Binky' Baker but the couple later divorced.

A family statement released on Friday said: 'Annie Nightingale MBE passed away yesterday at her home in London after a short illness.

'Annie was a pioneer, trailblazer and an inspiration to many. Her impulse to share that enthusiasm with audiences remains undimmed after six decades of broadcasting on BBC TV and radio globally.

'Never underestimate the role model she became. Breaking down doors by refusing to bow down to sexual prejudice and male fear gave encouragement to generations of your women who, like Annie, only wanted to tell you about an amazing tune they had just heard.

'Watching Annie do this on television in the 1970s, most famously as a presenter on the BBC music show The Old Grey Whistle Test or hearing her play the latest breakbeat techno on Radio One is testimony to someone who never stopped believing in the magic of rock 'n' roll.'

Nightingale reclines on her stereogram at her home in Brighton in a photo taken on December 14, 1964

The statement added that a celebration of her life will be taking place in the spring at a memorial service.

Nightingale first broadcast on the BBC in 1963 as a panelist on Juke Box Jury, before joining Radio 1 seven years later.

She remained the station's only female DJ until 1982, when Janice Long joined, and is credited with helping to pave the way for the likes of Sara Cox, Jo Whiley and Zoe Ball.

Up until recently she still hosted her show Annie Nightingale presents... on BBC Radio 1.
Olivia Wilde enjoyed a bit of late night pampering Thursday.

The actress, 39, who stepped out on a girls' night earlier in the week, stopped by for a manicure at the Bella Cures salon in the Studio City area of Los Angeles.

The Vinyl actress kept it casual in a fitted black Rolling Stones T-shirt and black yoga pants and sneakers.

The Don't Worry Darling director appeared to be makeup free and wore her brown hair in a bun kept in place by a gold hair clip.

She wore a beige fleece jacket in the chilly night air, but removed it so she could get her nails done.

Olivia Wilde, 39, headed out for a bit of late night pampering in Los Angeles Thursday

It must have felt nice for the busy mom of two to get some time for herself.

She shares son Otis, nine, and daughter Daisy, seven with her former fiance Jason Sudeikis, 48.

After an acrimonious split and lengthy custody battle, the two ironed out an agreement in September 2023.

They agreed to joint custody of their children, and the Ted Lasso star will pay $27,000 a month in child support.

In addition to acting and directing, Wilde has often found herself modeling for some of her favorite designers.

She has renewed her relationship with the celebrity-loved fashion brand La Ligne.

The fashionista, who was featured in the brand's first campaign in 2016, wore a series of looks that were taken from the La Ligne archive in honor of their seventh anniversary.

Wilde was styled by co-founder Macualay, with hair done by Edward Lampley and makeup by Hung Vango, the same creative team behind the brand's first shoot seven years ago.

The Vinyl actress kept it casual in a fitted black Rolling Stones T-shirt and black yoga pants and sneakers. She wore a beige fleece jacket in the chilly night air

The Don't Worry Darling director appeared to be makeup free and wore her brown hair in a bun kept in place by a gold hair clip

Wilde also posted a sampling of shoot to her Instagram page , writing in the caption, 'It's an honor to be in you.'

While some fans left her a string of fire emojis and hearts, one of the brand's founders also chimed in with a message.

'Who allowed you to take my breath away?' Howard wrote.

Over the years, the star has been spotted wearing the brand multiple times on different occasions.

Wilde has been getting things in shape for her next project.

It must have felt nice for the busy mom of two to get some time for herself. She shares son Otis, nine, and daughter Daisy, seven with her former fiance Jason Sudeikis, 48

Wilde has been getting things in shape for her next project. The Booksmart director has been signed to direct the Christmas film Naughty. The movie will be Margot Robbie, her husband Tom Ackerley and Josey McNamara are producing the film via their LuckyChap company

The Booksmart director has been signed to direct the Christmas film Naughty, according to Deadline

The Booksmart director has been signed to direct the Christmas film Naughty, according to Deadline.

The comedy from Cocaine Bear writer Jimmy Warden has been described as a Bridesmaids in the North Pole.

Per the outlet, the storyline will follow Mallory, who travels to the freezing extremes to convince Santa to testify at her upcoming divorce hearing from her 'gaslighting trash-bag ex' so she can keep custody of her young son.

Margot Robbie, her husband Tom Ackerley and Josey McNamara are producing the film via their LuckyChap company.
Idris Elba shared a kiss with his wife Sabrina as they attended the Gucci Ancora show during Milan Fashion Week on Friday.

The actor, 51, and the Canadian model, 35, put on a loved up display while posing for photos ahead of the brands Menswear Fall/Winter 2024-2025 catwalk.

Idris showed off his polished sense of style in a motif emblazoned trench coat with a pair of loose fitting jeans.

He topped off his look with some oversized sunglasses and patent boots and a brown leather belt.

Sabrina stunned in a backless crop top with multi-coloured embellishments and some bleached jeans.

Idris Elba, 51, shared a kiss with his wife Sabrina, 35, as they attended the Gucci Ancora show during Milan Fashion Week on Friday

The actor and the Canadian model put on a loved up display while posing for photos ahead of the brands Menswear Fall/Winter 2024-2025 catwalk

The model topped of her ensemble with a matching handbag and added some colour with a pair of burgundy stilettos.

Gucci's creative director Sabato De Sarno kicked off the highly-anticipated event with the Ancora campaign, his first mens show.

In November, designers at Gucci's fashion house in Rome went on strike, rallying against the company's decision to move its design office from the Italian capital to Milan.

Workers claim the decision to move 153 of 219 employees 400 miles north by March next year amounts to dismissal for many with ties to the city.

Protestors were seen outside their offices wielding banners that read: 'Gucci cuts but doesn't sew' and 'At Gucci, redundancy is fashionable'.

Around 50 took part in the four-hour strike on Monday, marking the first industrial action by creative professionals in Gucci's 102-year history.

Union reps claim Gucci's French owner, Kering, is restructuring to slash staff in a move that will inevitably push out those with responsibilities in the capital.

Gucci relayed the decision to unions back in October, saying it would look to move nearly 70 per cent of staff in Rome to Lombardy by March next year.

Idris showed off his polished sense of style in a motif emblazoned trench coat with a pair of loose fitting jeans

Sabrina stunned in a backless crop top with multi-coloured embellishments and some bleached jeans

The model topped of her ensemble with a matching handbag and added some colour with a pair of burgundy stilettos

Idris layered a plain T-shirt beneath his jacket

Kingsley Ben-Adir joined Idris on the front row

Elliot Page was also in attendance

Elliot was joined by Jes Tom at the event

But Labour union CGIL's regional office said Gucci's decision was not supported by objective reasons, making hard not to think the real goal was to cut staff.

They have urged the company to reconsider. Federica Ricci, the regional secretary at Filctem-CGIL, said: 'For us, this is a collective dismissal because not everyone has been offered the conditions to allow for a transfer, so many people will lose their jobs.'

Gucci disagreed, a spokesman urging telling Reuters the transfer 'does not involve any staff reductions'.

'With the relocation to Milan, the creative director and the different teams involved will have the opportunity to collaborate closely with the strategic functions of the company already based in the city, thus maximizing the necessary interactions and synergies', he added.

A trade union rep told Euro News they had struggled to communicate with Gucci to resolve the dispute.

Sabrina was seen departing the event wearing her husbands jacket

'We have tried to speak to Gucci's HR, but have not received any response,' one said.

'We've been living in anxiety for months after seeing estate agents and prospective buyers come to the Rome offices, but our fears were confirmed after the summer holidays,' an employee told the outlet.

'We were forced to relocate with no alternatives being provided for us here in Rome. I have built my life here and have bought my house  this leaves me in a very difficult position.'

Following the departure of creative director Alessandro Michele in 2022, Gucci owner Kering changed the label's top management, as it seeks to reignite sales momentum at its largest brand.
Julia Fox has made a career of wearing bizarre nearly naked outfits to shock people.

On Thursday evening, the Uncut Gems star did just that as she made another bold outfit choice attending Sotheby's Celebrates Visions of America event with the CFDA in New York City.

However, Fox not only braved the cold in a scantily-clad bizarre bridal-themed look with her G-String on show, but also braved a fashion critique from American Vogue editor Anna Wintour, who was also in attendance.

Although the pair were not pictured together, Fox, 33, was hard to miss in her outrageous attire.

Fox's wedding attire featured a ruffle that looked like it was cut from a petticoat, that also helped to cover her breasts.

Above that, she wore a cropped, white, sleeveless mock turtleneck.

Julia Fox has made a career of wearing bizarre nearly naked outfits to shock people

Her white skirt was pulled down to mid-thigh, fully exposing her black G-string.

White lace fingerless gloves and a sheer, head-covering veil completed her sartorial statement.

Her eye makeup was done in her typically dramatic way with eerie, ethereal white eyeshadow.

While Fox did not pose with Wintour  she did rub shoulders with model and photographer Richie Shazam, who has appeared in Vogue.

Fox discussed her edgy sense of style with The Cut in 2022, saying, 'My publicity team was] like, "Oh, theyre a little too editorial Its too sexy. Its too provocative. Its too out there,"' she said.

'I was just like, "Okay, I guess I just have to be more Hollywood and more bland." But f**k that narrative if I want to pop out and wear crazy shit  which is what I want to wear.'

American Vogue editor Anna Wintour was also in attendance, though it is unclear if the two crossed paths

In December, she spoke about her fashion sense with Charli XCX for Interview magazine, saying: 'I always loved clothes. I never had money for clothes so I would go to all these really nice stores on Fifth Avenue and steal gorgeous clothes.

'Then I would make them my own by cutting them up. I loved leotards and I loved performing. I was always putting on shows in my living roomId recruit my little brother and his best friend and make them perform with me. I was really tyrannical about my performances.'

She continued: 'I didnt even realize that theres this code when you become a celebrity or whatever, that it becomes a lot about whos dressing you. In the beginning, I was wearing the big brands, but then I was like, "Wait, this other stuffs more interesting."

'It wasnt me trying to snub the bigger brands. I didnt realize that thats not how the politics of it works. You have to wear the brands. Theres this weird unwritten thing. Then I just feel like they canceled me, but really I had canceled them first. And ultimately they just all end up copying me anyway,' she said.

A ruffle that looked like it was cut from a petticoat covered her breasts. Above that, she wore a cropped, white, sleeveless mock turtleneck

Her latest effort lives up to her personal challenge. The Uncut Gems actress, 33, wore a barely-there look that appeared to be inspired by a wedding dress

Her white skirt was pulled down to mid-thigh, fully exposing her black G-string (Pictured above with Richie Shazam)

Fox's debut memoir Down the Drain hit bookstores in October and has become a best-seller due in part to her wild sense of fashion and her relationship with Kanye West, 46.

The Guardian called her book a 'wild child memoir.'

'Only 50 pages in Julia Foxs memoir are devoted to recounting her two most high-profile roles  first, as the breakout actress in Uncut Gems and, later, as the girlfriend of Kanye West,' the brief blurb began.

'The other 260 is her gobsmacking life story, from growing up unsupervised in New York City through to the boyfriend on Rikers Island, her time working as a dominatrix and the heroin habit that almost killed her.'
Bobby Brazier put on an animated display as he posed in a new photoshoot for Dust magazine following his stint on Strictly Come Dancing.

The EastEnders star, 20, went shirtless for the photoshoot where he posed in a pair of denim shorts.

The actor struck a series of boisterous poses and also showed off an array of tattoos on his arms and abdomen.

For one snap, Bobby, who is signed to the agency Unsigned Models, sported a sleeveless bronze crop top along with a pair of dark brown shorts.

In another look, the soap star wore a pair of loose-fitting black trousers while doing a hand stand.

Bobby Brazier put on an animated display as he posed in a new photoshoot for Dust magazine following his stint on Strictly Come Dancing

The EastEnders star, 20, went shirtless for the photoshoot where he posed in a pair of denim shorts

Bobby, who is the son of Jeff Brazier and the late Jade Goody, also wore a white sleeveless shirt and a dark tie as he posed for a profile shot.

The shoot comes after Bobby declared pro partner Dianne Buswell 'the love of his life' after they reunited for tour rehearsals this week.

The EastEnders actor and the dancer, 34, got back to work after just missing out on the Glitterball Trophy to Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola in the previous series last December.

And the pair were spotted as they tucked into a take away together in the back of a chauffeur driven car while heading home from the dance studio on Thursday.

Dianne, who is dating YouTuber and former Strictly partner Joe Sugg, layered a black leather jacket over her work out gear while Bobby opted for a stylish trench coat.

The actor, who plays Freddie Slater in the BBC soap, made the revelation about his feelings on TikTok earlier in the day.

While running to the shops he said: 'As you all know, Dianne is the love of my life. So, this morning I'm baking her some carrot muffins that she fancies.'

He then fed his creation to the dancer who declared them: 'Very very good!'.

For one snap, Bobby sported a sleeveless bronze crop top along with a pair of dark brown shorts

The actor struck a series of boisterous poses and also showed off an array of tattoos on his arms and abdomen

In another look, the soap star wore a pair of loose-fitting black trousers while doing a hand stand

Bobby, who is the son of Jeff Brazier and the late Jade Goody, also wore a white sleeveless shirt and a dark tie as he posed for a profile shot

The shoot comes after Bobby declared pro partner Dianne Buswell 'the love of his life' after they reunited for tour rehearsals this week

The Strictly Come Dancing live UK tour begins its 30-date leg on January 19 in Birmingham and will travel around the country.

Celebrities including Angela Scanlon, Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Angela Rippon, Layton Williams, Annabel Croft, Bobby and Ellie will join the Strictly professional dancers on the tour across the UK.

Since the series ended, Dianne has revealed her surprising career plans as she said she has 'other ambitions'.

Speaking to Heat magazine, the Australian star revealed that she is keen to give acting ago.

She said: 'It'll be my eighth year of Strictly next year and I've been so lucky with all my partners. They've all brought something different, and you learn a lot from each person.

'But I have other ambitions, too. I've always wanted to dip into acting, so I'd like to try and explore that.'
Fans are giving rave reviews to Netflix's latest series, calling it 'beautiful and brilliant' and urging others to add the show to their own watch lists.

Adapted from Trent Daltons iconic novel, Boy Swallows Universe is an extraordinary tale that explores the trials and tribulations of two brothers who grow up in 1980s suburban Brisbane.

The seven part series was released in full on January 11, and plenty of the platform's subscribers have already binged their way through all seven-plus hours.

One wrote on X: Boy Swallows Universe - the Netflix drama is beautiful, brilliant and uplifting. Well done @TrentDalton and @johncolee - thank you.

A second gushed: 'I just binge-watched Boy Swallows Universe over two nights! I absolutely loved it, and I couldn't stop watching it. I felt a range of emotions. Love, pride, fear, laughter & tears, as I could relate to some of it. 10 out of 10. Congrats to the writer, producer and fabulous cast!'

Netflix's Boy Swallows Universe, a seven-episode miniseries, premiered on 11 January with streamers urging others to add it to their watch lists

Adapted from Trent Daltons iconic novel, it is an extraordinary tale that explores the trials and tribulations of two brothers who grow up in 1980s suburban Brisbane

Whilst a third penned: 'Boy swallows universe on Netflix is so Good'

Many gave it top marks of 10/10, with one viewer describing it as 'compulsory viewing'.

But it's not just X where people heaped praise. The drama series has received a 7.8 out of 10 on IMDB and an 89% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The series, based on the bestselling book, follows 13-year-old protagonist Eli who faces tough problems because of his mum's drug issues and his step-dad's involvement in drug dealing.

The story follows Eli as he grows up, where things start to look better in his later teenage years.

According to Netflix, the limited series portrays 'an epic coming-of-age story [] that blends the magic and innocence of youth with the brutal reality of the adult world'.

Staying true to its Aussie roots, the show features a talented cast of Australian actors, including Phoebe Tonkin playing the role of Frances Bell, Eli's mother.

Earlier this month, the stunning actress turned heads at the premiere in Brisbane.

And whilst many of the twists and turns of the show are fictional, the author Trent Dalton has spoken out on how he was inspired by some of his own childhood experiences.

Netflix fans have been going wild for the new drama series rated 89 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes and scoring 7.8 out of 10 on Rotten Tomatoes

The author of the best selling book has revealed how experiences from his childhood helped inspire characters and shape events

Talking to Townsville Bulletin the author recounted how he grew up with two unconventional male role models - his criminal stepfather, and their family friend Arthur 'Slim' Halliday, who was a convicted murderer and became known as The Houdini of Boggo Road.

He also told how his 'hero' mum inspired the character in the book.

He said: 'I dont have enough words in the book to go on about all the things my mum survived, things that other people would have succumbed to.

'My mum went away for two years just like Frankie Bell does in the book.

'Everything that happened in that passage in the book with the kid wanting to see his mum is pretty close to the bone for me.'
Fitness influencer Casey Batchelor showed off her incredible figure after gaining and losing a total of nine stone during her three pregnancies in three years.

The yoga expert, 39, glowed in a photo shoot in which she showed off her toned legs and abs in different bra sets.

Casey, who appeared on the thirteenth series of Celebrity Big Brother, shares three children with the very private Dane Goodson.

All girls, Casey's children were born back to back from 2019 to 2021 when she ruled out having any more.

She shares Florence, five, Sadie, four, and Daisy, two, with her businessman fiance of almost five years Dane, 34.

Casey Batchelor showed off her toned figure in lingerie after gaining and losing a total of nine stone following her three pregnancies

The yoga expert glowed in a photo shoot in which she showed off her toned legs and abs in different bra sets

Fitness influencer Casey is feeling back to her best and had a big smile on her face for her latest photoshoot

Casey has accumulated over 300,000 followers on Instagram and owns fitness and lifestyle platform Yoga Blitz.

On Sunday, she shared a post to he personal Instagram which featured a photo of herself looking heavier alongside one of her recently.

She captioned it: 'This is after x3 babies and 9 stone weight loss in total!

'My Yoga Fitness concept @yoginifiit has helped me after each pregnancy to get back into the best shape ever. Cant quite believe Ive lost 9 stone over three transformations!

'If you feel you need to get back to the best version of you then now is the perfect time. We have a special offer just throughout January where you get a rolling subscription of 3 months for the price of 2! And you can cancel at anytime btw.

'So if you want to kickstart your own transformation, or if you just want to be a fitter and stronger version of yourself.

'Then my YOGINI FiiT platform with hours of fat burning yoga and a delicious but nutritious meal plan is for you.

'CLICK the LINK in my BIO or head to www.Yoginifiit.com If you have any questions then feel free to send me DM @yoginifiit Casey xx'.

All girls, Casey's children were born back to back from 2019 to 2021 when she ruled out having any more

She shares Florence, five, Sadie, four, and Daisy, two, with her businessman fiance of almost five years Dane, 34

Casey has accumulated over 300,000 followers on Instagram and owns fitness and lifestyle platform Yoga Blitz

Casey and her daughters in matching pink jumpers pictured in late summer 2023 at the West Midland Safari Park

Casey pictured in 2020 with Dane who is very private, and is very rarely featured in Casey's social media posts

In the caption, Casey told her followers about her huge weight loss over the years with the help of her yoga app

When Casey welcomed her first last child Daisy in 2021, she shared a collage of all three of her daughters hands in birth order. A week later, she revealed that previous struggles to love her postpartum figure.

Taking to Instagram at the time, Casey wrote: 'Postpartum Body - I  You. It's taken me three pregnancies to fully appreciate the postpartum body, it's amazing, and I love it, you carried and grew my beautiful baby and I thank you for that.

'After my first pregnancy I didn't know what my postpartum body would be. I assumed I would go back to how I was before becoming pregnant, no one tells you really that you don't.

She continued: 'I had bad diastasis recti where I could sink my hand into stomach, and I cried thinking what has happened to my body and will I go back to how I was before. Of course in time I did but it was a huge shock.

'After my second pregnancy I had a c-section, and I was so swollen and bruised and had basically been cut in half. So recovering from that was different to the first pregnant so again a big shock.

'This time round, I know exactly what will happen and the appreciation I have for my body grows each time throughout my pregnancies and births. So I thank you postpartum body, you are never given enough love.

'And of course I have my @yogablitz plan which has worked for getting myself back into shape after each birth in a healthy and steady way at my own pace.

'And I can't wait to do it all again this time round. Starting with my postnatal plan as I'm qualified in postnatal yoga and then when I'm feeling ready onto my fat burning @yogablitz plans. 'Yoga is just so good for the soul as well as fitness.'

She began: 'This is after x3 babies and 9 stone weight loss in total! My Yoga Fitness concept @yoginifiit has helped me after each pregnancy to get back into the best shape ever

She continued: 'I cant quite believe Ive lost 9 stone over three transformations! If you feel you need to get back to the best version of you then now is the perfect time'

She revealed: 'We have a special offer just throughout January where you get a rolling subscription of 3 months for the price of 2! And you can cancel at anytime btw'

When Casey welcomed her first last child Daisy, she shared a collage of all three of her daughters hands in birth order

Casey starred in Celebrity Big Brother in 2014, alongside the likes of Dappy, Lee Ryan from the British boyband Blue, and legendary American boxer Evander Holyfield.

She finished in a respectable sixth place, with English stand-up comedian and actor Jim Davidson cinching the top spot.

Also an actress, Casey studied for a performing arts degree at Italia Conti Performing Arts School in London.

She has had small roles in Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban and Sharknado 5: Global Swarming.
Researchers said parents with multiple kids do not have enough attention to give

Only children are less likely to have mental health issues than kids with siblings

Scientists have long debated whether or not only children are more likely to be lonely, introverted, or socially anxious than kids in big families.

However, new research suggests that only children may have better mental health overall than their peers with siblings.

Researchers at Ohio State University compared the mental health of teenagers in the US to those in China, who tend to have fewer siblings.

The team found that US children with just one or no siblings displayed better mental health issues like anxiety and depression than those with multiple siblings.

Meanwhile, in China, teens with no siblings had the best mental health overall.

The findings directly conflict with previous studies, which have suggested that kids with siblings fare better.

A study using data from the US and China found that children with just one or no siblings had better mental health outcomes than kids from larger families

For example, a study published in the Journal of Family Issues suggested that kids who grow up without siblings have fewer social opportunities, which could stunt their mental health.

And a 2018 study from researchers in China said that male only children had more negative perceptions of themselves than other groups of kids.

Lead study author Dr Doug Downey said: 'Our results couldn't have been easily predicted before we did the study.'

'Other studies have shown that having more siblings is associated with some positive effects, so our results were not a given.'

For the new study, researchers looked at 9,400 eighth graders in China and 9,100 in the US. The children were about 14 years old on average.

On average, the kids in China had 0.7 fewer siblings than the typical American child.

The researchers noted that about one-third of kids in China are only children compared to 12.6 percent in the US. This is likely due to the country's One Child Policy, which was enacted from 1980 until 2016.

In both countries, the researchers asked the children a variety of questions about their mental health.

In China, teens with no siblings showed the best mental health. Meanwhile, in the US, those with either one or no siblings fared better than their peers from larger families.

Additionally, those with older siblings and siblings close in age had the worst mental health, especially when the siblings were born within one year of each other.

Dr Downey said this could be due to 'resource dilution.'

This theory suggests that parents have a limited amount of resources, and as they have more children, they can only focus on one child at a time.

'If you think of parental resources like a pie, one child means that they get all the pie  all the attention and resources of the parents,' Dr Downey said.

'But when you add more siblings, each child gets fewer resources and attention from the parents, and that may have an impact on their mental health.'

This could also lead siblings who are close in age to compete for the same resources.

Additionally, the researchers found that children with one or no siblings in both China and the US were more likely to be in a higher socioeconomic standing, which has long been shown to boost mental health.

'What we found is that when you add all the evidence up, the effect of siblings on mental health is more on the negative side than the positive side,' Dr Downey said.

However, he noted that one study limitation was that it didn't analyze the quality of the sibling relationships. He said it's likely that higher-quality sibling relationships would have more positive effects on mental health.

Though the findings go against long-standing negative perceptions of only children, some studies have shown similar results.

Past research from the UK of 17,000 kids, for example, found that children who were bullied by their siblings were more likely to suffer mental health issues as teenagers.

The new study was published last month in the Journal of Family Issues.
Airline said money made from its Amex partnership had also risen 11 percent

Delta made $2.04 billion in the last quarter of 2023, up from $828 million in 2022

Delta Air Lines almost tripled its profits last year as earnings were bolstered by its partnership with American Express - despite the firm stripping perks for members.

The carrier netted $2.04 billion in the final quarter of 2023, up from $828 million during the same period the year prior.

The numbers will no doubt leave a sour taste in the mouths of members who were furious this week after the airline started restricting access to its premium Sky Club airport lounges and making it harder for them to earn points.

For the entire year, Delta's revenue also rose by 15 percent to more than $58 billion.

In an earnings statement, Delta explained that its fourth-quarter profits were boosted by its partnership with American Express.

Delta Air Lines almost tripled its profits last year as earnings were bolstered by its partnership with American Express - despite the firm stripping perks for members

The carrier netted $2.04 billion in the final quarter of 2023, up from $828 million during the same period the year prior

Amex members are allowed certain perks when flying with Delta such as access to its Sky Club members. Cardholders pay a $695 annual fee for the privileges.

Delta confirmed that it netted $6.8 billion from the partnership in 2023, up by 22 percent from a year prior.

CEO Ed Bastian said: '2023 was a great year for Delta with industry-leading operational and financial performance.

'Our people and their commitment to deliver unmatched service excellence for our customers is at the foundation of Delta's success.'

But in gloomier news, Delta slashed its profit expectations for 2024 - causing its shares to tumble by around 8 percent as of Friday afternoon.

Aviation expert Kathleen Bangs told DailyMail.com that it was common for airlines to rely on their loyalty schemes for profit.

'What most people don't realize is most airlines make more money from their credit card programs than they do carrying people,' she said.

'Some commenters have said before that airlines are just banks that operate flights.'

It comes as airlines face increasing scrutiny over the convoluted rules surrounding their loyalty programs.

This week controversial changes to Delta's lounge access came into effect. Now, American Express Platinum cardholders who book basic economy tickets are barred from visiting Delta Sky Club airport lounges.

It has also overhauled its undergo its Medallion elite status requirements, making it harder for members to earn points.

Cardholder Veronica Reign was caught off guard by the new policies, and furiously shared her experience on TikTok just before boarding a Delta flight on Tuesday.

'Finally, I get an Amex Platinum card. I come to the Delta terminal,' she said. 'And as of January 1st, 2024, you cannot go into the Delta Sky Lounge with your Platinum Amex unless you are flying above basic economy.'

She added, 'I want to say to Delta and the Delta lounge that it's so disrespectful. Because we pay $700 f**king dollars a year for the Amex Platinum, and now I don't have access to the Delta lounge.'

It attracted a flurry of comments from other members who were not aware of the changes.

And late last year, transport officials launched a probe into frequent flyer programs across the industry after lawmakers sounded the alarm over their 'deceptive practices.'

This week controversial changes to Delta's lounge access came into effect. Now, despite paying a $695 annual fee for American Express Platinum perks, passengers booking basic economy tickets are now barred from visiting Delta Sky Club airport lounges

In October, Senate Judiciary Committee chair Dick Durbin, pictured, and Republican Senator Roger Marshall wrote to the Transportation Department and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to sound the alarm over frequent flyer programs

The Department of Transportation (DoT) said it was meeting with passenger airlines to discuss issues with loyalty programs such as the fact some charge customers to transfer points while others have changed rules to devalue points.

Frequent flyer programs are one of the most popular types of loyalty programs. Delta added 8.5 million to its scheme last year, after previously claiming it had more than 100 million members already.

But such rewards schemes have come under fire from US lawmakers who allege their rules can be unfair and deliberately opaque.

In October, Senate Judiciary Committee chair Dick Durbin and Republican Senator Roger Marshall wrote to the Transportation Department and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to sound the alarm over the issue.

They wrote: 'While these programs may have originated to incentivize and reward true 'frequent flyers,' they have evolved to include co-branded credit cards and now often significantly or exclusively focus on dollars spent using these co-branded credit cards.

'At the same time, there are troubling reports that airlines are engaged in unfair, abusive and deceptive practices with respect to these loyalty programs.

'For example, reports have suggested that airlines are changing point systems in ways that are unfair to consumers, including by devaluing points, meaning it takes more points than initially marketed to achieve those promised rewards.'

DailyMail.com reached out to Delta for comment.
Costco started requiring members to scan their cards to enter one of its warehouses in Issaquah, Washington - near to the company's headquarters

Costco has given a clue as to how it will crack down on customers sharing membership cards.

Staff at a warehouse in Washington - near its HQ - have started scanning shoppers' cards before they enter.

That pulls up a photo of the cardholder on a screen, which the worker at the entrance can compare with the person standing in front of them.

Normally shoppers simply flash their card at that employee, who may or may not choose to scrutinize the small photo printed on it.

The new system is thought to be a trial ahead of a potential broader rollout.

Pictured is the setup at the entrance of the Costco warehouse in Issaquah, Washington, that enables a store employee to view the photo associated with a membership card

An image posted to Reddit this week showed a Costco employee at the entrance to the warehouse in Issaquah, Washington, next to a sign that read: 'You will be asked to scan your membership card before entering the warehouse.'

The Issaquah location is close to Costco's Washington State headquarters and a warehouse where the company routinely trials different schemes, one local member claimed on Reddit.

Costco executives have in the past suggested the company is gearing up to crack down on membership card sharing, which can deal a significant blow to its revenue.

Costco charges either $60 or $120 annually for either basic or executive membership but is widely expected to raise fees soon. Official policy is that anyone with a card can bring two guests with them on each visit.

In any given year those fees generally make up more than half of its profits. It uses them to offset expenses and sell products at lower prices.

In June, Costco employees around the country started checking membership cards in the self-checkout lanes as it caught wind that cards were being shared.

'Since expanding our self-service checkout, we've noticed that nonmember shoppers have been using membership cards that do not belong to them,' its CFO Richard Galanti wrote in a statement at the time.

Costco membership fees usually account for more than half of the company's profits

Costco charges either $60 or $120 annually for basic and executive membership

'We don't feel it's right that nonmembers receive the same benefits and pricing as our members,' it read.

Galanti later told the Wall Street Journal that although only a small fraction of members attempt to share cards, Costco's sheer size means it can still cost them significantly.

'It's a really small percent of members who are doing it,' he said.

'But when you're dealing with millions of transactions, even a very small percentage is something you would want to correct.'

Nonetheless, the crackdown made headlines at the time and Galanti sought to temper some of the hysteria, saying: 'I think the story is bigger than the issue.'
Today, Jammu and Kashmir are on the fast track of development, with private investments flowing in, tourism booming and household income at an all-time high

Recently, the issue of abrogation of Article 370 in the state of Jammu and Kashmir has come into focus again due to the decision of the Supreme Court on the petition filed against the same; that the removal of Article 370 was constitutional and it cannot be reversed. It is noteworthy that on August 6, 2019, Article 370, a special provision for the state of Jammu and Kashmir, was abolished through a parliamentary resolution. Now that more than four years have passed since the abrogation of Article 370, it will also be important to understand what Article 370 meant for the economy and people of Jammu and Kashmir and how auspicious or inauspicious it was for them.

If we look at the GDP figures, we find that after the removal of Article 370, there has been an unprecedented increase in the GDP of the state. The Economic Survey of the year 2022-23 of the state of Jammu and Kashmir shows that during the year 2022-23, the GDP growth in the state was 8 per cent, while the growth rate of the entire India was recorded only at 7 per cent.

Talking about employment, the unemployment rate has decreased to 5.2 per cent, while the labour force participation rate has increased to 61.5 per cent, much better than the national average. The annual per capita income in Jammu and Kashmir has increased from Rs 1.2 lakh in 2019-20 to Rs 1.7 lakh in 2022-23. Although the per capita income shows significant growth, it is still below the national average of Rs 1.97 lakh. Although the share of agriculture and industry in GDP has declined by about 2 per cent between 2020-21 and 2022-23, this has been compensated by the services sector, which includes tourism. It is noteworthy that meanwhile, the contribution of the service sector to GDP has increased from 61.6 per cent to 63.6 per cent.

Meaning of abolition of Article 370

Historically, Article 370 was included in the Constitution of India as a short-term provision by Presidential order in 1954. Due to this section, constitutionally, the state of Jammu and Kashmir had a kind of autonomy. Many laws in the state of Jammu and Kashmir were different from the rest of India. For example, many types of taxes were not levied there.

Citizens of other parts of India couldnt buy land there. Not only this, the rules of succession there were also different from the rest of India, which were especially against women. At the same time, provisions like reservation, right to education and right to information were also not applicable there. Despite being a short-term provision, Article 370 could be removed only after nearly 70 years of the Constitution coming into force, due to reasons, which more political.

Development through tourism

After the removal of Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a remarkable boost in tourism, signifying improved peace and law enforcement. The Economic Survey of 2022-23 reveals a substantial rise in tourist numbers. In 2021, 1614 foreign and 664163 domestic tourists visited the Kashmir Valley, whereas in 2022, foreign tourists increased to 19947 and domestic tourists to 2288495. The enhanced law and order situation led to a 3.5 times surge in domestic tourists and a 13 times increase in foreign tourists (excluding Jammu). Including Amarnath pilgrims, a record-breaking 27 lakh tourists visited Kashmir, highlighting the Tourism Department's efforts to promote development through tourism schemes.

Increasing revenue

In any economy, whether it is the economy of a country or a state, apart from GDP and per capita income, economic growth is also reflected in revenue figures. If seen from this perspective, GST increased by 13.54 per cent in the nine months from April 2022 to January 2023. Growth in GST is expected to reach 18.14 per cent by the end of this financial year. Not only this, now the proportion of entities filing GST returns has reached 97 per cent and the number of entities filing returns in 2022-23 has increased by about 29 per cent.

Core sector growth

In the agricultural sector, the production of food grains increased by 12 per cent, the export of vegetables to other states and union territories increased by 30 per cent, the area under fruits increased by 2 per cent, production of fruits increased by 19.4 per cent in the year 2021-22. There was a growth in the export of fresh and dry fruits by 27.12 per cent in 2021-22 and the total exports were estimated at Rs 6369 crore. Similarly, a significant increase has also been recorded in the production of flowers. Today, Jammu and Kashmir has reached at fifth position in terms of income of agricultural households after Meghalaya, Punjab, Haryana and Arunachal Pradesh. Private investment is not only increasing but 208 small mining leases have also been made till the year 2020-21.

It is a matter of great joy that today when the whole world is moving towards battery-operated vehicles to avoid global warming and environmental crisis, the large reserves of Lithium recently found in Jammu and Kashmir is giving India a boost in the field of battery manufacturing.

(The writer is a professor, at PGDAV College, University of Delhi, views are personal)
The situation in Myanmar is in a flux. The Three Brotherhood Alliances offensive continues with its triumphant progress

It has been over two months since the Three Brotherhood Alliance (henceforth the Alliance) launched their co-ordinated military offensive against Myanmars ruling Junta on 27 October 2023. Comprising the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), active in the Kokang Special Region of northern Shan State, the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA), also active in the Shan State, and the Arakan Army (AA), based in the Rakhine State in the countrys western part, the Alliance has heaped defeat after defeat on the Sit-Tat, as Myanmars junta-controlled Army is called.

The Kokang, a media site affiliated with the MNDAA, quoted the latters chief, Peng Deren, as saying in his New Years speech that the alliance had seized over 250 military targets and five border crossings with China, and had taken about 1,000 prisoners of war. That he was not exaggerating is clear from the Alliances capture of the critically important city of Laukkaing, the capital of the Kokang Self-Administered Zone, geographically a part of the northern Shan State, on January 4, 2024, when the juntas forces, who had surrendered, were allowed to withdraw.

The fall of Laukkaing, one of the Sit-Tats seven Regional Operation Commands (ROCs), to the Alliance, has clearly been the juntas biggest defeat to date. A report by APs Grant Peck, datelined January 6, 2024, quoted a statement posted by the Alliance, as stating that 2,389 military personnelincluding six brigadier-generalsand their family members had surrendered by January 5 (Friday) and had been evacuated to safety. The pressure on the Sit-Tat is all the greater because the Alliance is not fighting alone. According to the website, The Irrawaddy, several resistance organisations including the Peoples Defence Force (PDF), the armed wing of the opposition National Unity Government (NUG), the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF), and one of the countrys most powerful armed ethnic organisations, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), are coordinating with the Alliances operation.

The Sit-Tat had been struggling on most fronts and had lost control over most parts of Myanmar even before the Alliance had launched its current offensive. A Briefing paper released on September 5, 2022, by the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar, a group of international experts supporting the countrys struggle for democracy, said that the junta had stable control over only 72 out of the countrys 330 townships, constituting just 17 per cent of Myanmars land area. The NUG and ethnic resistance organisations effectively controlled over 52 per cent of Myanmars territory and 23 per cent was contested.

The offensive had made things worse for the junta, whose effective military strength is far below what appears on paper. According to a piece by Ye Myo Hein (datelined May 4, 2023) featured by the United States Institute of Peace, it was found on the basis of extensive interviews with military deserters and defectors, analysis of internal military directives and meeting notes, historical records of troop movements and sizes, and casualty counts from primary conflict data and military hospital records, that the Sit-Tat, whose headcount, which was widely thought to total 300,000-400,000 before the coup, currently had a strength of about 150,000 personnel. Roughly 70,000 are combat soldiers. At least 21,000 service members have been lost through casualties, desertion and defection since the coup. At this troop level, the Sit-Tat is barely able to sustain itself as a fighting force, much less a government.

A report by Sui-lee Wee in The New York Times (datelined December 10, 2023), cites the Peoples Embrace, a group that supports defectors from Myanmars security forces, as saying that at least 4,500 soldiers had defected. It further states that Myanmars Defence Services Academy, the countrys equivalent of the United States well-known officers training facility at West Point, admitted 83 students this year [2023], far below the usual number of about 1,000attributing the observation to a lecturer at the academy who declined to be named for lack of authorisation to speak to journalists. The Sit-Tat is finding it increasingly difficult to get recruits and, according to several reports, resorting to abductions to fill its ranks.

The junta has tried to make up for its weakness on the ground by savage air strikes against three targetsthe Peoples Defence Force, the armies of the ethnic minority groups like the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF), and one of the countrys most powerful armed ethnic organisations, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), and the countrys civilian population. The severe reverses it has suffered on the ground indicate that the air attacks have had little impact militarily. The attacks on civilians, deliberately aimed at killing and injuring as many people as possible, and ensuring large-scale destruction of property, have clearly been aimed at punishing the people for overwhelmingly opposing the junta. While serving little military purpose, these are causing the peoples anger against the generals to soar.

The junta knows that it will be ousted and according to rumours, some generals are seeking peace with the opposition, even at the cost of defenestrating its head and the Sit-Tats chief, Min Aung Hlaing. According to a report in the Al Jazeera (January 4, 2024), Myanmarss Independence Day celebrations on January 4 this year, lacked their usual pomp, and Hlaing was notably absent from the proceedings.

(The writer is a consultant Editor with The Pioneer, views are personal)
The Maldives Government should realise that their economy is dependent on tourism and in the business of hospitality, one needs to be humble and not arrogant

For India, the Indian Ocean Region is a strategic space, since it provides for important trade routes and abundant resources. The Indian Ocean region provides the Indian defence forces with strategic depth and manoeuvrability too, making them capable of striking deep into Pakistan and China with stealth. So, India has long been wary of Chinese presence in the region and in countries like Sri Lanka and Maldives. The strategic importance of these countries can not be underplayed.

The President of Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu, is close to China since he oversaw key infrastructure projects backed by Beijing in Maldives back in the day. Since the time he was elected, there has been a deliberate distancing from India. There are many instances that point to that. The President has been pushing for the withdrawal of 77 Indian troops from Maldives who have been deployed there for humanitarian roles.

The government of Maldives is also reviewing 100-plus agreements between the two countries. Of which, it has already scrapped the hydrography agreement that allowed India to survey the territorial waters of the island nation. The President made his first foreign trip after being elected to Turkey, and at present, he is in China. This is a stark departure from the past, as traditionally the Presidents of this island nation have visited India on priority. Besides, the Vice President of Maldives has also been playing an active role at the China-sponsored Indian Ocean Forum. All these things hav acted as a catalyst for the current controversy and have made Indians feel bitter about the provocative remarks by some of the Maldives ministers.

Is the new Maldives government less liberal and more rigid towards India? Given that India is the third biggest trading partner of Maldives and ranks number one when it comes to tourism, the question that arises is if the time has come when India should leverage its position as a trading partner to set the strategic equation with Maldives right? These are the questions that have emerged out of the recent controversy that started from social media but is now having strategic undertones. These undertones are sure to reverberate in Beijing when President Muizzu is there. He is expecting to meet President Xi of China and a lot of business leaders, requesting them to invest in Maldive's infrastructure.

Maldives' government may have exaggerated the India card for negative sentiment votes and needs to understand the importance of synergy with India. Avoiding Chinese influence is crucial for regional strategic balance. Ministers' irresponsible comments rightly led to their suspension. India should focus on Lakshadweep's infrastructure, including fast ships, luxury hotels, and a sustainable ecosystem, outlining a vision plan for flourishing tourism.

Lakshadweep's unparalleled beauty deserves attention, but it must be coupled with a commitment to infrastructure development. Like Spiti and Kasauli in Himachal, sustaining tourist interest requires addressing water, electricity, and accommodation shortages. Implementing optical fibre network capability would enhance tourism and strategic potential. Encouraging destination weddings in Lakshadweep is a promising idea for affluent families. Maldive's government should realise that their economy is dependent on tourism and in the business of hospitality one needs to be humble and not arrogant. If their ministers keep on being arrogant, they may never recover from this hit on their tourism sector, no matter how many agreements they sign with China for infrastructure development. Maldives should realise that synergy between the two countries in various fields including tourism could further improve ties and also help travellers across the world. Cooperation and collaboration should be the way forward.

(The writer is expert on geopolitics and international Affairs. The views expressed are personal)
After world-fame celebrities like Dr Deepa Malik, Padma Shri, Khel Ratna Arjuna Awardee; Dr Bhavna Barmi who is an internationally acclaimed Clinical Psychologist, a public speaker, founder of Happiness Studio and Head Psychologist at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, it is now Bollywood actress Neha Dhupia who has joined Mothers Against Vaping, a united front of concerned mothers to combat the promotion of new-age tobacco devices such as e-cigarettes and vapes among kids and youth.

She said, "As a responsible mother, I wholeheartedly support the Mothers Against Vaping group and their cause. The issue is deeply alarming, and all mothers should be concerned as it directly impacts the health of our children.

"We, as mothers, must unite, raise our voices, and increase awareness against vaping and electronic cigarettes to ensure that such habits are completely eradicated from the lives of our children and youth."

The icons in their respective fields feel that despite a nationwide ban, international manufacturers are leaving no stone unturned to promote these devices with a specific focus on Indian children and youth as they desperately search for new markets against the backdrop of tightening regulations.

Dr Varuna Pathak, a former Professor of Gynaecology and Obstetrics at the Gandhi Medical College, Kamaljeet Kaur, a famous calligraphy artist, and Vaishali Sharma, founder of The Champa Tree are among those who have taken up the cause under the Mothers Against Vaping platform to save the kids from the menace.

"Such awareness campaigns are essential to counteract the deceptive marketing strategies employed by e-cigarette manufacturers to promote these new-age tobacco devices and heat-no-burn tobacco products.

"These devices, often adorned with eye-catching designs and flavoured with strawberry or bubble gum, have gained immense popularity among children. As digital natives, today's children and youth are quick to embrace new technologies, making them particularly susceptible to the allure of vaping.

"This trend poses a serious threat of addiction, as e-cigarettes and other new-age tobacco devices can serve as gateway devices for introducing users to harmful substances like cocaine and heroin," said a statement issued here.
A war of words has broken out between the ruling party at the Centre, the BJP, and the Opposition parties over the decline of the invitation to the Ram Temple consecration at Ayodhya by top leaders of the Congress and other Opposition members. While the Congress-led Opposition termed the Ayodhya ceremony a political one, the BJP called the Congress anti-Ram after the party declared that Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury would not be attending the ceremony in Ayodhya. The Left parties and the TMC have also declined to attend the ceremony, which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, top political functionaries, celebrities, industrialists, and a host of eminent personalities.

In a letter shared on its official handle on Wednesday, the Congress termed the mega consecration ceremony as an RSS/BJP event. Congress alleged that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the BJP have turned the temple in Ayodhya into a political project.

The BJP lashed out at the Congress, stating that the partys stand and its allies have regularly insulted Hindus and Sanatana Dharma. BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi recalled how the Congress boycotted the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building and the G20 Summit as well.

From 2004 to 2009, Congress boycotted Kargil Vijay Diwas. The party did not issue any statement for 10 days after the Pokhran nuclear test conducted in May 1998 under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayees government, Trivedi said.

A day after harsh criticism from the BJP, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday endorsed the Congress high commands decision not to attend the ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, saying the BJP has turned a religious event into a political affair. He also pointed out that four Shankaracharyas are reported to have boycotted the consecration of the temple in protest against the misuse of the Ram Mandir for politics. Siddaramaiahs comments turned the issue into a war of words as other BJP leaders also responded to the Karnataka CMs comments.

As the political war of words continued over invitations, TMC leader Derek OBrien on Thursday recalled West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees over a decade-old quote that religion is private, festivals are for everyone and said not a truer word has been spoken.

Religion is private, festivals are for everyone, Mamata Banerjee, 2011. Not a truer word spoken, OBrien said in a social media post.

The TMC leaders post came as the BJP has been criticising Opposition leaders for turning down the invitation to the consecration ceremony on January 22.

Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Wednesday respectfully declined the invitation to attend the consecration ceremony, with the party accusing the BJP of making it into a political project for electoral gains and asserting that religion is a personal matter.

Earlier, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury had also declined an invitation, with the Left party saying religion is a personal choice and should not be converted into an instrument of political gain. It is not clear if TMC chairperson Mamata Banerjee has received an invitation for the ceremony.

The Bengal CM had alleged on Tuesday that the BJP was indulging in a gimmick show through the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. The TMC supremo asserted that she does not support festivities that exclude other communities and does not believe in dividing masses on religious lines.

In similar remarks, Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav said, religion cannot be a part of politics and accused the BJP of hiding behind religion. When asked about attending the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple, he said, How can the BJP decide whom to invite and whom not? This does not mean a call from Lord Shri Ram; it is a call from the BJP.

BJP MP Harnath Singh Yadav said that Congress has opposed the Ram Janmabhoomi right from the beginning and left no stone unturned in putting all obstacles that it could. Karnataka BJP President CT Ravi said Congress has always been against Hindutva.

The Somnath Temple was reconstructed by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Babu Rajendra Prasad, and KM Munshi. Jawaharlal Nehru was the Prime Minister during that time. He didnt visit Somnath. So how can the present leadership of Congress go to Ayodhya?... First, they were lamenting that they did not receive an invitation, and when they did, they refused to accept it, said Ravi.

Ahead of the event, the volunteers of the RSS and its affiliates, including the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), have been reaching out to people across the country and inviting them to join the consecration ceremony by offering prayers at temples in their neighborhoods.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and more than 6,000 people are expected to attend the ceremony on January 22. The temple trust has also invited 4,000 seers from across the country and 50 guests from foreign countries.
The Odisha Government along with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) will organise the Enterprise, Odisha conference at Jharsuguda for three days from January 19.

Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena chaired a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the preparation of the 24th CII Conference to be held at the Exhibition Ground, Jharsuguda and the cooperation of the State Government. Earlier, the conference was being held in Bhubaneswar.

The main objective of the conference is to provide investment opportunities in industrial and allied sectors in Odisha, especially Jharsuguda and western Odisha, to provide business opportunities to micro, small and medium enterprises (MMMEs) and to connect them with large industrial units, promote women entrepreneurs and startups. Hundreds of companies, CEOs of industry bodies, chief experience officers (CXOs), purchasing managers and industry representatives from across the country and abroad are scheduled to attend the event.

CII Chairman Shashi Shekhar Mohanty made a special presentation on its preparation. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Ministers along with senior officials of the State administration, representatives of industry bodies have been requested to attend various days. District Collectors of various districts of western Odisha are also scheduled to attend.
Simulia BDO Bishwaranjan Mohanty was found hanging in his official residence in Baleswar district on Thursday. He had been appointed as the BDO of Simulia around two months ago.

Sources said Mohanty was found hanging in his official residence at Simulia under mysterious circumstances in the afternoon.

Mohanty had gone to his office in the morning and returned home around noon. Employees of the BDO office started searching for Mohanty after he skipped a scheduled official meeting through videoconference.

They broke open the door of the BDOs residence and found him hanging, sources said.

However, it was yet to be ascertained why Mohanty took the extreme step.
With the aim of increasing the attendance of children in schools, a unique initiative 'Whistle Blow, Increase Attendance' campaign was organized by the Education and Literacy Department in the state in all the schools of the district on Thursday from 08.30 am to 09.30 am and children coming to school were The picture or video of whistling was posted on social media by tagging it as: X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Ku app, Snapchat etc. In this mega campaign, the education department, enlightened people of the society, heads, school management committee members, citizens and public representatives etc. also participated in the program. Apart from these, members of Saraswati Vahini and members of Mata Samiti also participated in it. Regarding this, District Education Superintendent Aparupa Pal said that under this campaign, house captains and class monitors in the school every morning will whistle in their villages, towns and localities. Motivate children to go to school.
President Draupadi Murmu presented the Cleanest City Award for the year 2023 to Indore city at the Swachh Survekshan Award ceremony held at Bharata Mandapam in Delhi today. Indore has achieved this feat for the seventh consecutive time with 7-star rating as a garbage free city. Madhya Pradesh also bagged the second position in the category of cleanest states. Team Madhya Pradesh, under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, received the awards.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav congratulated the people of the state, public representatives and Swachhata Mitras for this achievement and thanked them for their cooperation. He said that the credit for Indore winning the cleanliness award for the seventh consecutive time goes to the able guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Chief Minister Yadav said that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, Madhya Pradesh will continue to contribute in realizing the Swachhata resolve and expressed the hope that the state will perform even better in the upcoming survey.

Due to conscious efforts made for cleanliness in the state, 7 cities have acquired Water Plus status, 361 cities have got ODF++, 3 cities have ODF+ and 7 cities have got ODF status. The state has one garbage free city with 7-star rating, one city with 5-star, 24 cities with 3-stars and 132 garbage free cities with 1-star rating.

Bhopal city has acquired the fifth position in the list of clean cities with 5 star rating in Garbage Free City. Budhni has bagged the award for cleanest city of West Zone among cities with population of 15,000 to 20,000 in the state.

Among the cities with population less than one lakh, Naurozabad and Amarkantak have got the first and second position in the fast moving city category. Mhow has acquired the title of Cleanest Cantonment Board.

Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, State Urban Development and Housing Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, Minister of State Pratima Bagri, Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava and Indore MP Shankar Lalwani were also present in the programme.
Ahead of Republic Day celebrations, the Delhi Police has heightened vigil and arrested six people along with 12 pistols and 75 live cartridges in separate operations this week, officials said on Friday.

The force has deployed a large number of personnel and is carrying out round-the-clock patrolling and vehicle checking. The special cell of the force has been carrying out drives against arms trafficking ahead of Republic Day celebrations.

In a special drive, the special cell three firearms suppliers, including a former state-level athlete, and seized 12 semi-automatic pistols from their possession.

We received secret information that a member of a Madhya Pradesh-based firearms dealer, Pushpendra Singh, would come to Kalindi Kunj Road on January 7 to deliver firearms to his associates, Special Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) HGS Dhaliwal said.

The police laid a trap and arrested Singh and two others -- Naeem and Manish Bhati -- who had come to receive the consignments. We recovered a total of 12 pistols from them. It was revealed that Singh was a state-level athlete and participated in an event at the junior level in 2015, the police officer said.

In another operation, the Delhi Police arrested 22-year-old Ehti Sham-ul, a resident of Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh, during a vehicle check near the ITO bridge on Wednesday. He was carrying 45 live cartridges that have been seized, the police said.

In a separate operation conducted by the north district police, two criminals were nabbed when they were receiving 12 pistols and 30 live cartridges from an arms smuggler from Meerut region. However, the smuggler who was delivering the consignment fled from the spot.

A senior police officer said the seizure of 75 live cartridges and 24 pistols just before the Republic Day parade is a matter of concern.

More than 8,000 personnel, including senior police officers, are keeping strict vigil everyday ahead of Republic Day. To ensure prompt and effective response, in case of any sabotage or exigency, the police are conducting mock drills on a regular basis, the officer said.
Deputy Inspector General, Super Centre, CRPF warehouse,S.D. Pandey conducted annual inspection of 172 battalion, D/172 battalion CRPF and visited to Kulli Camp under Bhandaria police station and companies of F/172 battalion CRPF situated at Budha Pahad, which is considered to be the stronghold of Naxalites.

During the inspection, he assessed the camp security, interactied with the local villagers, providing medical facilities from time to time for their better health, in 'Public Welfare Center' Kulli. Under this, he praised the Muft School (free school) being run by 172 battalion CRPF at a fortified place at Budha Pahar for the education of small children of the local villagers. He inquired about the well-being of the children taking education and took stock of their education system. In view of the winter season, the DIG distributed woolen clothes including full sweaters, caps and also distributed chocolates, straws etc. to the children and spent the afternoon with the soldiers.

He gave the message to the people that 172 battalion CRPF has established an unforgettable record by setting up a camp on Budha Pahad, which will always be remembered as a story of pride in the history of CRPF. He gave the message of always being alert and standing firm without laxity in one's duty and discipline so that the record of CRPF continues to be established by strengthening India's internal security system.

During the time, Commandant of 172 Battalion N.K. Singh, 2nd Commanding Officer Agarendra Kumar Singh, 2nd Commanding Officer Kuldeep Kumar, RPCO Neeraj Kumar, Assistant Commandant Kaish Prakash, Assistant Commandant M.H. Gautam and other soldiers were present.
A group of journalists from Manipur on Wednesday met Professor (Dr.) Ajai Singh, Executive Director of AIIMS Bhopal and got information about the various schemes running in AIIMS Bhopal and the medical facilities available.

Talking to a group of journalists, Professor (Dr) Ajai Singh said that AIIMS Bhopal has been successful in generating confidence among the people during the last 16-17 months.

Due to which the patients coming to OPD have increased from 60 thousand to 95 thousand, 56%, the patients admitted to IPD have increased from 32 thousand to 51 thousand, 58%.

At the same time, emergency cases have unexpectedly increased by 170% from 3500 to 9300. Similarly, the number of beneficiaries of Ayushman Bharat Scheme has increased by 53% to 13337. AIIMS Bhopal ranks third in the country in the field of digitalization. So far 141713 IDs have been linked to Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.

AIIMS Bhopal has been declared as a Center of Excellence for Rare Diseases by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Facilities for patients will be expanded in the coming days.

In which establishment of Transplant Centre, Kidney and Liver Transplant, Gamma Knife facility, Apex Pediatric Centre, Transgender Clinic etc. are prominent. The team of journalists from Manipur included Ms. PH Kenny, S. Bimala, KH Nomita, Arish and Prem Kumar.

The journalists saw the management of the entire hospital and also talked to the patients and got information about the facilities they were getting. Expressing happiness over the facilities being provided to the patients, the journalists also thanked Professor (Dr) Ajai Singh, Executive Director of AIIMS Bhopal for interacting with them.
Preparing for the upcoming parliamentary elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party is set to work on a comprehensive plan to secure all 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh.

From Lucknow to Ayodhya, the national leadership of the BJP convened a series of meetings to discuss innovative strategies and outline a roadmap for the 2024 elections.

These extensive deliberations not only addressed the 16 seats the party lost in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections but also formulated fresh plans for each of the 80 Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttar Pradesh.

The BJP is poised to introduce cutting-edge strategies, focusing on direct engagement with the common people, reinforcing booth-level activities, and expanding its outreach across the state.

A crucial aspect of the BJPs strategy is establishing direct contacts and dialogues with people at every doorstep. Party workers and officials have been entrusted with the responsibility of reaching out to every household and discussing the achievements of the Narendra Modi government at the Centre and the governance of Yogi Adityanath in the state. Additionally, conversations will highlight the Uttar Pradesh governments initiatives against criminal elements and the mafia.

The BJPs emphasis on booth-level activities takes centre stage in its pursuit of victory in all 80 Lok Sabha constituencies in UP. Party officials, down to the booth level, have been assigned the role of Panna Pramukh or booth coordinators. This strategic move aims to counter opposition alliances, such as those formed by Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and Congress, by focusing on winning at each individual booth.

The party has initiated the booth empowerment campaign, involving extensive wall writing and the construction of sturdy structures to fortify each booth. These booth committees will not only handle organisational public relations but also motivate voters to exercise their franchise.

BJP state president Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary expressed the partys unwavering commitment to secure 100 per cent participation from Uttar Pradesh in electing the BJP for the third consecutive time under Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership.

Under the Gaon Chalo campaign, the BJP aims to connect not only with urban centres but also with rural areas. Officials will engage in beneficiary contact to discuss Central government schemes and showcase the governments resolute decisions, such as the abrogation of Article 370, 35A, and surgical strikes. The campaign involves party officials spending nights in villages and participating in dialogues at the local chaupals (community spaces).

In line with strategies employed in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, the BJP plans to divide Lok Sabha constituencies in UP into 20 clusters, each comprising four seats. A three-member team comprising a prominent leader, a national or state-level official, and a former district president or local organisation office-bearer will oversee each cluster. Their role will be to coordinate national office-bearers and align programmes effectively.

Recognising the importance of new voters, the BJP is placing special focus on attracting and engaging this demographic. Party office-bearers, including Vistaraks, have been assigned responsibilities up to the booth level to connect with the new voters. Additionally, youth conferences in every assembly, outreach programmes in college campuses and hostels are planned to attract more than 18 lakh new voters in the state. The partys comprehensive strategy reflects a commitment to securing a resounding victory in Uttar Pradesh in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
The Uttar Pradesh Madarsa Board has requested the state government to suspend the investigation against the aided and unaided madrasas by the Minority Welfare department.

Boards Chairman Iftikhar Ahmed Javed has written a letter to Minority Affairs Minister Dharmpal Singh to issue directions to the department for suspending the investigation as the annual examinations of madrasa students were commencing from February 13.

Iftikhar Ahmed Javed said here on Friday that this issue was brought to the notice of the minister and he had issued verbal orders for suspending the inquiry.

Demanding written orders from the minister, Javed said despite the verbal orders by the minister there was no let up and the department had stepped up the speed of the inquiry.

He said the management and teachers of madrasas busy in preparing for the annual examinations were summoned by the officials of the department to seek different information.

He said since 2017, three inquiries had been conducted by the state government into the affairs of the aided and unaided madrasas and all relevant information relating to them was available on the portal. He said in the interest of the students, the inquiry should be conducted after the examinations conclude.

Meanwhile, the UP Madarsa Board has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting him for the extension of the Madrasa Modernisation Scheme and release of funds for payment of the salaries of madrasa teachers.

Javed said the state government had stopped paying additional money to the Madarsa Board. On January 8, J Reebha, Director, UP Minorities Welfare and Waqf department, had directed all district minority officers to stop payment. The honorarium or additional money was being paid to madrasa teachers under the Centrally-sponsored Madrasa Modernisation Scheme from 2016.

The teachers allege that they have not been paid salaries since 2017. They say they are dependent on the additional money they have been getting since 2016.

Under the Madrasa Modernisation Scheme, modern teachers who are graduates get Rs 6,000 a month and those who are post-graduates are paid Rs 12,000. Instead of salaries, these teachers have been receiving the additional money  Rs 2,000 and Rs 3,000 for graduate and post-graduate teachers respectively  that was announced by the state government in 2016.

There are over 21,000 modern teachers posted in 7,442 recognised madrasas running across the state.
The police have started investigating the foreign funding taking place in the children's hostel located on Bhopal-Indore road from where the girls were found missing.

Scrutinizing the audit report of the organization help of a CA is also being taken. The statements of the employees living in the hostel will also be recorded. The district administration team is also getting the illegal portion of the hostel measured to raze it.

SP Pramod Kumar Sinha said that the audit records of Aanchal Girls Hostel are being scrutinized in the case of foreign funding. The statements of other employees living there will be recorded. The investigation so far has revealed that the senior girls studying here started teaching other junior girls. Apart from Anil Mathew, the role of anyone else is not clear at the moment. The matter is being investigated on all aspects.

Plants and other items are kept in the premises where the Children's Home was operated.

Plants and other items are kept in the premises where the Children's Home was operated.

The chairman of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and a team from the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) had inspected the children's home in Tara Sewaniya village, about 20 km from the district headquarters, on Friday.

After looking at the register of the centre, it was found that out of 68 inmates, 26 girls were missing. After this, the first FIR was lodged by District Program Officer Ramgopal Yadav against Father Anil Mathew for allegedly running the center illegally at Parawalia police station on Saturday night.

The father was initially charged under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. After investigation, the police added sections under Violation of Madhya Pradesh Religious Freedom Act, 2021 in this case.
Looking at the growing unemployment and huge migration on the one side and rapid privatisation of different sectors on the other, Odisha can grow by encouraging its marginalised sections to business sector for self- employment. Business is one of the largest sectors of self -employment in our economy, but for many historical reasons and continued discriminatory social and religious practices, apart from lack of access to financial institutions in the absence of an inclusive financial policy, a number of social groups are excluded from the sector, especially the marginalised sections.

The SCs and STs were historically denied rights over land, education, capital, and access to business. The business sector is the monopoly of a few dominant classes. Access to credit is an important economic right of every individual, without which economic development, especially self-employment and entrepreneurial promotion, is not possible. Unfortunately, the financial policies of the Government for the last 75 years have failed to ensure the inclusion of a majority of social segments into business. This has reflected in asset and income inequality among social groups in the country.

While aspiring to be a world economic leader and to see a developed India in 2047, it is equally important to create equal opportunities for all sections to grow in business. For that reason, it is highly necessary to provide affirmative action in business also. The Government is facilitating corporations and in the same way, it must help the MSME sector to grow and make special provisions for the excluded social groups. Their rights over the resources of the country must be recognized, and their active participation in nation-building must be recognised by the economic policy of the Government.

In terms of financial services, Odisha is very poor, with a limited number of bank branches providing banking services to all. There is little effort by the State to promote financial literacy among the marginalised sections. It has been observed that most banks are violating Reserve Bank of India guidelines and credit policies while dealing with the marginalised section borrowers. Bank officials are discriminating against the SC and ST customers in a number of ways. The subsidy money provided by the Government through banks is not reaching to the beneficiaries on time.

The lopsided development of the past few decades has already resulted in growing impoverishment among people dependent on the primary sector, such as land, forest and water-based activities for livelihood. It has triggered the issues of distressed migration, unemployment, and chronic poverty. Business, mining, and industries in the State have created jobless growth, and whatever income and employment opportunities have been created, it is being monopolized by a few privileged sections without having a fair share for the marginalised. The nature of unemployment and access to employment varies from region to region and also differs among economic classes and social groups of the State because of huge regional, social, caste, and gender disparities.

The State Government reported in 2019 in the Assembly that 1, 31,000 Government jobs were vacant in the State. The 2011 Census on households with salaried jobs says only 0.20 percent of SC and 0.12 percent of ST households in the State have salaried jobs in the private sector. The self-employment initiative has emerged as one of the major options to counter growing huge unemployment while improving the marginalised sections participation in business. It is expected that the Government of Odisha will make available adequate finance capital to upcoming entrepreneurs by taking a proactive role. Unfortunately, the financial institutions dedicated to this purpose lack the resources to meet the challenges.

The Constitution of India has made provisions for the holistic development of the marginalised sections, such as SCs, STs, OBCs, minorities, and others, due to their historical, social, educational and economic backwardness. Reservation apart, there are exclusive oeganisations for SCs, STs, OBCs, and minorities, with paid-up capital for economic activities, targeting the generation of self-employment among these social groups. These institutions include the National Scheduled Castes Financial Development Corporation (1989), National Safai Karmachari Financial Development Corporation (1997), National Scheduled Tribe Financial Development Corporation (1989), National Backward Classes Finance Development Corporation (1992), and National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (1994). These institutions have been mobilising finance from the Government and private sources and operating through State channelizing agencies to finance various activities, such as business, trade, transport , microfinance and most importantly, professional job-oriented education at low interest. The Central and State Governments have also made provisions for reservations in public contracts, departmental purchases, dealership and distributorship, and have set up venture capitals to promote business among these social groups. The institutions have been operating through State channelizing agencies for almost the last three decades without an effective impact on the lives of the marginalised sections.

In the context of inclusive development of Odisha, the obvious question is how effectively these institutions are functioning in the State. Their annual reports have projected very poor performance. Ideally, the State should utilise all available Central schemes under these institutions, but in reality, the State has failed to implement the schemes for the benefit of the poorer sections. Many States, such as Kerala, TN, and Nagaland have more channelizing agencies, and several others have exclusive financial agencies for specific social groups, but Odisha has no such arrangement.

Unfortunately, Odishas routing agencies have been almost ineffective in terms of allocation of matching funds and reaching out to the targeted beneficiaries of the schemes.
In a bid to bolster tourism and catalyse economic development in the state, the Uttar Pradesh government has announced a decision aimed at incentivising the hospitality industry. The government plans to significantly reduce property tax rates for hotels, thereby granting them industry status.

The decision, approved by the cabinet through circulation, is expected to spur the growth in the tourism sector and stimulate the opening of new hotels.

At present, hotels face a burden with a six-time higher property tax rates compared to residential buildings. After the governments intervention, the property tax levied on hotels will now be reduced to three times of the residential property tax rate. The Urban Development department proposed this alteration, seeking to provide relief to the hotel industry and encourage its expansion. The move aligns with the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Policy 2022, which conferred industry status on hotels.

Differentiated house tax rates exist for hotels based on their star ratings. Hotels below four stars are charged five times the residential property tax, while those rated four stars and above face six-fold tax. Additionally, hotels offering bar facilities, irrespective of their star category, are subject to six times the residential property tax rate. The reduction in house tax is exclusively designed to foster the growth of registered hotels and promote the overall hospitality business in the state. Unregistered hotels, not recognised by the Tourism department, will not benefit from the tax exemption.

In the financial year 2022-23, hotels in 17 municipal corporations across the state contributed Rs 48.36 crore as property taxes. While the reduction in property tax rates may result in a slight decrease in municipal corporation revenues, officials believe that the surge in the hotel industry will ultimately lead to increased property tax collections.

In another significant move, the Uttar Pradesh government has facilitated a more investor-friendly environment by approving benefits for those who applied under the 2017 policy. Under the Uttar Pradesh Industrial Promotion and Employment Promotion Policy 2022, investors from the previous policy will enjoy advantages, making the investment landscape more accessible in the state. The cabinets approval of this proposal signals the governments commitment to supporting existing investors and streamlining the transition to the new policy.

Furthermore, amendments to the Uttar Pradesh Public Works Department Assistant Engineer Service Rules have been implemented, changing the recruitment process for engineers. The revised rules now stipulate that 50 per cent of positions will be filled through promotion, the remaining 50 per cent being filled through direct recruitment. The quota for BTech promotion from electrical mechanics has been eliminated, simplifying the recruitment process.

The state government is also investing in infrastructure projects to enhance the quality of life of its residents and visitors. A new water treatment plant, costing Rs 365.89 crore will be set up in Ayodhya under Amrit Yojana-2. This initiative aims at providing pure drinking water to residents and pilgrims visiting the holy city.

To address security concerns, the government has approved the purchase of six anti-drone systems to safeguard highly sensitive locations, including Raj Bhavan, Vidhan Bhavan, Lok Bhavan, chief ministers residence in Ayodhya, Kashi, Mathura, Gorakhpur and Lucknow. Additionally, two armored vehicles (Mahindra Marx Man) will be procured to enhance the security of Lok Bhavan and Vidhan Bhavan.

The cabinet has also sanctioned the expansion of the Gorakhpur-Maharajganj road to four lanes and the construction of a four-lane rail over bridge near Nakaha Jungle-Gorakhpur railway station, both totaling more than Rs 200 crore.

Moreover, the governments commitment to urban development includes the approval of Rs 495.23 crore for the renovation of Godhaiya drain and Ramgarh pond in Gorakhpur. This project aims to mitigate waterlogging issues in the region and improve overall sanitation.

In a move to uplift educational institutions, 150 government industrial training institutes (ITIs) and Regional Staff Training and Research Centre in Aliganj, Lucknow, are being upgraded with the help of Tata Technology Limited. The government has approved the installation of vinyl flooring in these institutions to protect against dampness and enhance construction quality.
World Book Day is a significant event celebrated around the globe that encourages people of all ages to delve into the magical world of literature. It serves as a reminder of the importance of reading and promotes a love for books. One of the highlights of World Book Day is the opportunity to dress up as iconic literary characters. This article will delve into the history and significance of World Book Day, explore the impact of literary characters on society, provide costume ideas inspired by iconic literary characters, and offer tips for creating your own literary character costume. Join us as we embark on an exciting journey into the world of literature and costume inspiration.

Understanding the Importance of World Book Day

World Book Day, celebrated on April 23rd each year, is a celebration of books, authors, and reading. It is a day to rekindle the love for literature and to encourage people of all ages to explore the wonders of the written word. This global event fosters a sense of community among book lovers and opens doors to new literary experiences.

On this special day, libraries, schools, and bookstores around the world come alive with various activities and events. From book fairs and storytelling sessions to author talks and book signings, World Book Day offers a plethora of opportunities for individuals to engage with literature in unique and exciting ways.

One of the key aspects that makes World Book Day so significant is its ability to promote literacy and education. By emphasizing the importance of reading, this event aims to improve literacy rates and encourage lifelong learning. It serves as a reminder that books have the power to transform lives, broaden horizons, and inspire individuals to reach their full potential.

The History of World Book Day

World Book Day has its roots in Catalonia, Spain, where it was first celebrated on April 23rd, 1923, in honor of Miguel de Cervantes, William Shakespeare, and the Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, all of whom passed away on that date. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared April 23rd as the International Day of the Book, which eventually led to the establishment of World Book Day.

Since its inception, World Book Day has gained international recognition and has become a platform for promoting cultural diversity, multilingualism, and the protection of intellectual property. It serves as a reminder of the rich literary heritage that exists across different cultures and languages, and encourages individuals to explore and appreciate the works of authors from around the world.

Each year, World Book Day is celebrated with a specific theme, highlighting different aspects of literature and reading. These themes range from promoting indigenous literature and fostering gender equality in literature to encouraging environmental awareness through books. By focusing on these themes, World Book Day aims to create a deeper understanding of the role that books play in shaping society and addressing global issues.

The Significance of Dressing Up on World Book Day

Dressing up as beloved literary characters adds an element of excitement to World Book Day celebrations. It allows individuals to immerse themselves in their favorite stories and becomes a visual representation of their passion for reading. Moreover, dressing up sparks creativity, ignites imagination, and encourages conversation among participants, fostering an engaging atmosphere centered around the magic of literature.

When people dress up as characters from books, it not only showcases their love for literature but also serves as a form of self-expression. It allows individuals to step into the shoes of their favorite characters, embody their traits, and experience the world through their eyes. This act of transformation can be empowering and liberating, as it breaks down barriers and encourages individuals to embrace their imagination.

Furthermore, dressing up on World Book Day provides an opportunity for individuals to discover new books and authors. Seeing others dressed as characters from lesser-known works can pique curiosity and inspire individuals to explore new literary realms. It promotes a sense of inclusivity, as people from different backgrounds and age groups come together to celebrate their shared love for books.

World Book Day is not just a celebration of books; it is a celebration of the power of words and the impact they have on individuals and societies. It serves as a reminder of the importance of reading and encourages people to embrace the magic of literature. So, whether you choose to dress up as your favorite character or simply curl up with a good book, World Book Day offers a chance to embark on a literary adventure that will stay with you long after the day is over.

Exploring Iconic Literary Characters

Literary characters have the power to captivate readers and leave a lasting impact on society. They embody traits, values, and experiences that resonate with readers across generations. Lets delve into the influence and timelessness of classic literary characters.

The Impact of Literary Characters on Society

Characters like Sherlock Holmes, Hamlet, Jane Eyre, and Jay Gatsby have become cultural icons, often embodying larger social themes. They have the ability to challenge societal norms, inspire change, and provide readers with a sense of escapism. These characters serve as a reflection of human nature, allowing readers to connect with their emotions, struggles, and aspirations.

For example, Sherlock Holmes, the brilliant detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, has had a profound impact on the genre of mystery and crime fiction. With his sharp intellect, keen observation skills, and deductive reasoning, Holmes has become the archetype of the detective figure. His influence can be seen in countless detective stories, films, and television series that have followed in his footsteps.

Similarly, Hamlet, the tragic hero of William Shakespeares play, has left an indelible mark on literature and theater. Hamlets internal struggle, his contemplation of lifes meaning, and his famous soliloquies have made him a symbol of existential angst. His character has been analyzed and interpreted by scholars and actors for centuries, exploring themes of revenge, madness, and the complexity of human nature.

Jane Eyre, the protagonist of Charlotte Brontes novel, is a character who defied societal expectations for women in the Victorian era. With her strong-willed nature, intelligence, and desire for independence, Jane Eyre challenged the traditional role of women as passive and submissive. Her story continues to inspire readers, particularly women, to pursue their own ambitions and assert their individuality.

Lastly, Jay Gatsby, the enigmatic millionaire from F. Scott Fitzgeralds novel, The Great Gatsby, represents the American Dream and the pursuit of wealth and social status. Gatsbys tragic story serves as a cautionary tale about the emptiness of materialism and the illusion of the American Dream. His character resonates with readers, reminding them of the dangers of unchecked ambition and the importance of genuine human connections.

The Timelessness of Classic Literary Characters

Classic literary characters stand the test of time, transcending the era in which they were created. Characters like Romeo and Juliet, Elizabeth Bennet, and Captain Ahab continue to resonate with readers today, reaffirming the power of storytelling. These characters remain relevant because of the universal themes they explore, such as love, ambition, and the human condition.

Romeo and Juliet, the star-crossed lovers from William Shakespeares tragedy, have become synonymous with passionate and forbidden love. Their story of young love torn apart by feuding families has been adapted into numerous plays, films, and even modern retellings. The themes of love, fate, and the destructive power of hatred continue to captivate audiences, reminding them of the enduring power of love and the consequences of unchecked prejudice.

Elizabeth Bennet, the spirited heroine of Jane Austens novel, Pride and Prejudice, challenges societal expectations of women in the early 19th century. With her wit, intelligence, and refusal to conform to societal norms, Elizabeth Bennet has become an iconic character in literature. Her journey of self-discovery and her refusal to settle for a loveless marriage continue to inspire readers, particularly women, to prioritize their own happiness and independence.

Captain Ahab, the obsessed captain in Herman Melvilles novel, Moby-Dick, represents the destructive power of obsession and the human desire for revenge. Ahabs relentless pursuit of the white whale, Moby Dick, serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the consequences of harboring grudges. His character continues to resonate with readers, reminding them of the importance of balance and the perils of allowing ones obsessions to consume them.

Classic literary characters have a profound impact on society and stand the test of time due to their ability to embody larger social themes and explore universal human experiences. Whether they challenge societal norms, inspire change, or provide readers with a sense of escapism, these characters continue to captivate readers across generations, reminding us of the power of storytelling and the enduring relevance of literature.

Costume Ideas Inspired by Iconic Literary Characters

Now that we understand the significance of literary characters, lets delve into some costume ideas that pay homage to them. Whether youre an ardent fan of classic novels or prefer contemporary literature, theres a literary character costume waiting to be brought to life.

Creating a Costume from Classic Novels

Classic novels offer a treasure trove of iconic characters to draw inspiration from. Whether you choose to don the attire of the sophisticated Jay Gatsby, the enigmatic Mr. Darcy, or the adventurous Alice from Wonderland, there is no shortage of options. Dive into the pages of your favorite classics and let your imagination run wild.

Modern Literary Characters for Costume Inspiration

Contemporary literature also presents an array of vibrant and memorable characters to draw inspiration from. You can become the witty and resourceful Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter series, the daring Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games, or the mysterious Lisbeth Salander from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. These modern-day heroines and heroes allow for a unique and contemporary twist to your literary character costume.

Tips for Creating Your Literary Character Costume

Creating your own literary character costume can be a fun and rewarding experience. Here are some tips and tricks to help you bring your beloved character to life:

DIY Costume Tips and Tricks

Embrace your creative side by opting for a DIY costume. Research your character carefully, paying attention to their distinctive features and clothing style. Utilize thrift stores, your own wardrobe, and basic sewing skills to create an authentic and cost-effective costume. Dont forget to add signature props or accessories to complete the look!

Incorporating Literary Elements into Your Costume

To truly capture the essence of your chosen character, consider incorporating elements from their literary world into your costume. For instance, if youre dressing up as Sherlock Holmes, carry a magnifying glass or wear a deerstalker hat. These small details can make all the difference and enhance the overall impact of your costume.

Making World Book Day a Learning Experience

While dressing up on World Book Day is undoubtedly enjoyable, it is essential to recognize the educational benefits that this celebration offers.

The Educational Benefits of Dressing as a Literary Character

By dressing up as a favorite literary character, individuals have the opportunity to delve deeper into the authors intent, the storys themes, and the characters role within the narrative. This exploration fosters a deeper appreciation for literature, encouraging readers to analyze and interpret the text in a meaningful way.

Encouraging Reading Through World Book Day Activities

In addition to dressing up, World Book Day activities often include book fairs, storytelling sessions, and author visits. These activities promote the pleasure of reading and motivate individuals to explore new books and authors. World Book Day is not just about dressing up as beloved characters; it is about creating a love for reading that extends far beyond the event itself.

World Book Day provides a unique opportunity to celebrate literature, ignite imagination, and indulge in the transformative power of storytelling. Whether you choose to become a classic literary character or embrace a modern-day hero, let your costume inspire others to embark on their own literary adventures. Lets make every day a book day!
Cast: Mahesh Babu, Sreeleela, Prakash Raj, Ramya Krishna, Rao Ramesh, Vennela Kishore and Jayaram

Director: Trivikram Srinivas

Superstar Mahesh Babu's much awaited Sankranthi release, Guntur Kaaram, directed by Trivikram Srinivas is out in theatres. Let's find out if the movie is worth watching.

Guntur Kaaram

The film begins with goons led by Jagapathi Babu and Sunil, placing bombs to blast a chilli yard belonging to Jayaram and Ramya Krishnas family in Guntur. In the ensuing clash, their kin Raghu Babu kills Sunil while Ramya Krishna leaves the house leaving her 10-year-old son (Mahesh Babu). The hero grows up under the upbringing of his aunt (Easwari Rao) and runs the yard with his men.

One day, he is invited to Hyderabad by a veteran politician (Prakash Raj) and he goes there hoping to meet his mother (Ramya) who is now a state minister. But he is disappointed and returns home, while Prakash Rajs lawyer (Murali Sharma) is entrusted with the job of getting a few papers signed by Mahesh Babu. Meanwhile, Mahesh falls in love with pretty Sreeleela, daughter of Murali Sharma and she reciprocates. Will he able win the love of his mother and girlfriend, check out in theatres.

Mahesh Babu looks handsome and energetic and pulls off a self-piteous role with ease. However, he has fully banked on his dancing over other things to keep his fans and audience engaged throughout the film. He shines bright and tries to salvage a poor-etched plot but in vain. Less said that better about Sreeleelas role which is ill-defined. She looks gorgeous and dances well but ends up being a mere glam prop in the film. Prakash Raj proves his mettle as evil politician, while Ramya Krishna, Jayaram, Murali Sharma fit the bill.

Director Trivikram Srinivas has to give up his stale formula of sending the hero into a big family and then make him resolve their woes. He has to think out of the box since new-age directors are breathing down his neck.

Of course, he had an illustrious career with sensational hits but when it comes to Mahesh Babu, he is falling short of expectations and takes us back to dreadful Khaleja days. We really don't know why it happens, barring the actor-director well-made Athadu in 2005.

Mahesh tries to salvage this rudderless family drama Guntur Kaaram with his dancing skills and with his sharp comic and sarcastic one-liners. He surely bent his back to perform some intricate and racy dance movements and matched steps with dancing sensation Sreeleela. Their foot-tapping number Kurchi Madatha Petti peps up the dull proceedings and is going to burst music charts in the days to come. Of course, he flexes his muscles and makes mincemeat of his opponents, albeit with a tinge of comedy.

However, director Trivikram Srinvas fails to come up with a solid script to justify the larger-than-life image of Mahesh Babu. If the director thought that the story of a son craving for the love for his estranged mother (Ramya Krishna) is good enough to keep the audience glued to their seats, he would realize his folly sooner than later. Even the love story between Mahesh Babu and Sreeleela looks more contrived than realistic as the girl goes to heros house to make him sign a few papers by seducing him a bit.

No doubt, Ramya Krishna has a strong reason to stay away from her doting son and goes to the extent of marrying another person, but it doesn't evoke necessary sympathy for mother-son plot as it is relegated to climax portions. Mahesh Babu totally trusted director Trivikram Srinivas to dish out a family drama by blending action and dances in equal measure. But the wafer-thin plot, reminding us of Atharinitiki Dharedi where the hero arrives to win the love and confidence of his estranged aunty, looks pale in comparison to Pawan Kalyans blockbuster.

Rating: 2/5
Hyderabad: Police sources have reported the discovery of a handwritten note among the belongings of the Bengaluru CEO, Suchana Seth, who is allegedly involved in the murder of her four-year-old son. While the precise contents of the note have not been disclosed by the police, sources indicate that Suchana Seth penned down details of her strained relationship with her estranged husband.

Suchana Seth, a 39-year-old AI ethics expert and data scientist, stands accused of murdering her son in a Goa hotel room amidst a bitter custody battle with her husband. In response to the ongoing investigation, she has displayed no cooperation or remorse, according to police sources. The handwritten note, crafted on tissue paper with an eyeliner, has been dispatched to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for examination by a handwriting expert.

The note alludes to Suchana Seth's troubled relationship with her husband Venkat Raman and her dissatisfaction with the court order permitting Raman to meet their child. Police sources suggest that the note provides insights into Suchana Seth's mental state.

Suchana Seth, the CEO of 'The Mindful AI Lab,' checked into a Candolim apartment on January 6 and remained there until January 8. Allegedly, she killed her son in the apartment, concealed the body in a bag, and transported it to Karnataka in a taxi on Monday. The apartment staff discovered blood stains on a towel when cleaning the room, promptly alerting the police about the suspicious circumstances.

It's worth noting that Suchana Seth's professional background, as outlined on her LinkedIn profile, emphasizes her role as an AI ethics expert and data scientist with over 12 years of experience in guiding data science teams and scaling machine learning solutions at start-ups and industry research labs.

The investigation continues, with Suchana Seth set to undergo both a medical examination and a psychological evaluation as authorities delve into the tragic events surrounding the murder of her young son.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday declined to stay a recently-enacted law that allows the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and election commissioners by a panel excluding the Chief Justice of India.

The Court agreed to examine a batch of petitions challenging the new Act and issued a notice to the Centre.

A bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta instructed senior advocate Vikas Singh, representing Congress leader Jaya Thakur, who sought a stay on the new law, to serve a copy of the petition to the Centres counsel.

Singh argued, Please stay this law. This is against the separation of powers. In response, the bench stated, No, without hearing the other side, we cant. We will issue a notice.

Amid a political controversy over excluding the CJI from a panel empowered to choose the CECs and ECs, several petitions have been filed in the apex court. Advocate Gopal Singh has also moved the top court, seeking the quashing of the new law that grants the Centre sweeping powers for appointments to the poll body.

Singh's plea seeks the apex courts direction to implement an independent and transparent system of selection, constituting a neutral and independent selection committee for the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and election commissioners.

The new law specifies, The Chief Election Commissioner and other election commissioners shall be appointed by the President on the recommendation of a selection committee consisting of  (a) the Prime Minister  chairperson; (b) the Leader of Opposition in the House of the People  member; (c) a Union Cabinet minister to be nominated by the Prime Minister  member.

The Opposition has accused the Centre of defying the Supreme Court by excluding the CJI from the selection panel. In its March 2023 order, the Supreme Court had stated that the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and the CJI would jointly pick the CEC and the ECs.
Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy left for Delhi on Friday to meet the high command against the backdrop of the January 29 elections to two seats in the Legislative Council from the MLA quota and the appointment of chairpersons for state-run corporations.

The last date for filing nominations for the MLC elections is January 18. The Chief Minister will leave for Davos and London on January 15.

Revanth Reddy will meet AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and K.C. Venugopal with regard to the MLC elections and the corporation appointments.

It is learnt that Revanth Reddy has proposed the names of G. Chinna Reddy, Addanki Dayakar and B. Mahesh Kumar Goud and has asked the party high command to choose two of them.

Revanth Reddy is also likely to discuss nominations for the two MLC posts that are vacant under the Governor's quota. He has reportedly proposed the names of TJS president Prof. M. Kodandaram and educationist Zafar Javeed, who runs the Sultan-ul-Uloom Education Society.

The EC has decided to hold elections separately for the two MLA-quota Legislative Council seats. The victory of the candidates fielded by the Congress, with 65 MLAs in the Assembly including a CPI legislator, is a foregone conclusion.

The election is likely to be unanimous as the main opposition BRS, which has 39 MLAs, is not keen on contesting the elections as it lacks the numbers to win even one seat.

At Davos, Revanth Reddy will take part in the annual meeting of World Economic Forum (WEF) from January 15 to 19, where he is likely to meet global business leaders and seek investments into Telangana state.

Later, he will visit London to study how River Thames was developed as a tourism hub, which he intends to replicate in Telangana by undertaking the Musi Riverfront development programme.
Hyderabad: IT minister D. Sridhar Babu said that the state government was coming up with an action plan to establish skill centres in every district and a skill university in each of the ten erstwhile districts to impart job skills to students to make them more employable.

He said that the government would shortly issue job notifications to fill two lakh vacancies in government departments besides making efforts to create lakhs of jobs in the private sector by encouraging investments in IT, ITes, industries and allied sectors.

Sridhar Babu informed that a special course on artificial intelligence (AI) would be introduced at the under-graduate level. Appealing to the youth to evolve a positive attitude, the minister announced that job melas would be conducted in all district headquarters on a regular basis.

"Skill universities will be established for facilitating the launch of new industries, besides ensuring requisite skilled manpower for the units. Telangana will be leading in skilled manpower in the next five years," he said.

sridhar Babu was speaking after launching 'job mela' in the office of the director and commissioner (youth services) commemorating the National Youth Day here on Friday.

He paid floral tributes to Swami Vivekananda on the occasion of his birth anniversary.

The state government would take effective measures to curb drug menace and help youth, particularly in rural areas, to have a bright future, he said.
VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has advised the officials to visit every house to create awareness about the Jagananna Suraksha phase-2 and the YSR Aarogyasri health programmes, to map every house and update the data for every six months.

The Chief Minister directed the health department officials to launch a massive public awareness campaign about the YSR Aarogyasri scheme to create awareness among people on availing free medical treatment.

At a review meeting held here on Friday, the Chief Minister asked the officials to ensure that everyone availed free Aarogyasri medical services and complete the distribution of Aarogyasri cards as per the schedule.

Taking stock of the progress of the second phase of the Jagananna Aarogya Suraksha camps, he stressed on the importance of preventive healthcare. It is necessary for everyone to know how to approach the network hospitals of Aarogyasri and avail free medical treatment up to '25 lakh for each beneficiary.

The Chief Minister said, Aarogya Suraksha camps should be held in saturation mode every six months, covering each and every house in all villages. These camps should be recording the details like the number of patients, the data of diabetic and BP patients and their treatment. The records should be updated periodically.

Perfect mapping of the details of the sick should be done by conducting reconfirmation diagnostic tests on those identified for various ailments in primary investigation and extending medical care to those who didnt receive the Aarogyasri Cards for any reason. It is necessary to handhold the patients.

While focusing on public awareness, officials should take the camps seriously and conduct diagnostic tests repeatedly if necessary.

The Chief Minister said the village secretariat should be taken as a unit for conducting the Aarogya Suraksha camps with the involvement of family doctors.

Necessary orientation should be given to the staff at the village level, he said, adding that senior officials should periodically monitor the progress of Aarogya Suraksha camps to ensure their success.

The officials informed the Chief Minister that 4,27,910 persons received OP medical treatment in 1338 Aarogya Suraksha camps so far in the second phase. A total of 5,76,493 persons were found to be in need of eyeglasses.

They said that distribution of eye glasses has been completed by up to 67 per cent and the rest would be distributed soon.

The officials also explained about the status of new medical colleges and said that the mental care hospital at Visakhapatnam, the CT scan centres and the regional drug stores in Vijayawada and Tirupati, the PG Mens hostel in the S.V. Medical College in Tirupati, the burns ward in the GGH at Anantapur, the state cancer institute in Kurnool, the examination hall in GMC, Kurnool, and the 12 SNCUs (special newborn care units) and five NICU (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) centres in various government hospitals were ready for inauguration.

The Chief Minister asked them to focus on the necessary equipment in the new medical colleges.

Health minister Vidadala Rajani, chief secretary K.S. Jawahara Reddy, Special CS Krishna Babu, health secretary Manjula Hosamni and its director J. Nivas were among the officials present
Hyderabad: The United States and Britain conducted military strikes in Yemen against Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in response to the group's attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, escalating tensions in the region. US President Joe Biden emphasized that the strikes aimed to deter Houthi attacks on commercial ships, describing them as "unprecedented." The Houthis, labeling the strikes as "barbaric," pledged to continue targeting ships heading towards Israel.

At least five sites, including airfields and airports, were reportedly targeted in the strikes, impacting locations like the al-Dailami air base, the airport in Hodeidah, a camp east of Saada, the airport in Taiz, and an airport near Hajjah. The extent of damage and casualties remains unclear. This marks the first military intervention by the US in Yemen since 2016 and the first response to drone and missile attacks on ships since Israel's war on Gaza in October.

The Houthi movement, controlling much of Yemen, strongly supports Hamas in its conflict with Israel. The Palestinian group holds the US and the UK responsible for the regional security impact of the strikes. The UK justified the strikes as "necessary and proportionate," with early indications suggesting a blow to the Houthis' ability to threaten merchant shipping.

The US, UK, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands presented the operation as an international effort to restore free trade flow in a vital route between Europe and Asia. Iran condemned the attacks, and Russia requested a UN Security Council meeting.

Saudi Arabia called for restraint, and a joint statement from several countries aimed to de-escalate tensions in the Red Sea while emphasizing a commitment to defending lives and ensuring commerce's free flow.
Anheuser-Busch InBev is a multinational brewing company and one of the largest beer producers in the world. Headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, the company operates in over 50 countries and has a vast portfolio of well-known beer brands. Anheuser-Busch InBev's mission is to be the best beer company, bringing people together for a better world by brewing great-tasting, high-quality beers.

With a rich history dating back to 1366, Anheuser-Busch InBev has established a strong presence in the global beer market. The company operates numerous breweries and has many products, including popular brands such as Budweiser, Stella Artois, Corona, Beck's, and Michelob Ultra. Anheuser-Busch InBev serves a diverse target market, catering to beer enthusiasts across different demographics and geographies.

The company's key customers include distributors, retailers, and consumers worldwide. Its broad product portfolio allows it to meet various consumer preferences and market demands. Anheuser-Busch InBev's commitment to quality and innovation has garnered recognition and numerous awards over the years, solidifying its position as an industry leader.

Anheuser-Busch InBev's management team consists of experienced leaders who bring diverse expertise to the company. The Chief Executive Officer of Anheuser-Busch InBev is Michel Doukeris, who assumed the role in 2021. He has a strong background in the consumer packaged goods industry, previously serving as the President of AB InBev's North America zone.

Anheuser-Busch InBev has delivered strong results in recent years. However, the company has recently struggled with negative press and investor sentiment. The company maintains healthy profit margins, showcasing its ability to generate value for its shareholders. Anheuser-Busch InBev also pays a dividend which is excellent for investors looking for passive income. This demonstrates the company's commitment to returning value to its shareholders.

Anheuser-Busch InBev's stock performance has experienced highs and lows over the past year. Anheuser-Busch InBev's valuation metrics, such as price-to-earnings or price-to-book ratio, should be analyzed in relation to other companies in the brewing industry.

Anheuser-Busch InBev operates in the highly competitive brewing industry. Intense competition, evolving consumer preferences, and regulatory challenges characterize the industry. Despite these factors, Anheuser-Busch InBev has established itself as a dominant player with a solid competitive advantage.

The company's global presence and diverse portfolio of brands give it a significant edge in the market. Anheuser-Busch InBev has successfully built a strong brand image and customer loyalty through effective marketing campaigns and sponsorships of major sporting events. These initiatives help the company stay top-of-mind for consumers and drive product demand.

Anheuser-Busch InBev faces competition from global and local players in its operating markets. Major competitors include companies like Heineken, Molson Coors, and Constellation Brands. To maintain its competitive position, Anheuser-Busch InBev focuses on product innovation, expanding its brand portfolio, and leveraging its global distribution network.

It is worth noting that the brewing industry is subject to regulatory and political factors that can impact operations. This includes regulations related to alcohol advertising, labeling, taxation, and changes in consumer preferences toward healthier alternatives. Anheuser-Busch InBev actively monitors and adapts to these regulatory and industry trends to mitigate potential risks.

Anheuser-Busch InBev has several growth opportunities to capitalize on in the coming years. One significant avenue is the expansion into new markets. Emerging economies present the untapped potential for the company to introduce its brands to a growing middle class with increasing disposable income. Anheuser-Busch InBev can further expand its market share by tailoring its products to suit local preferences and investing in distribution networks.

In addition to geographic expansion, Anheuser-Busch InBev can focus on product innovation to meet evolving consumer preferences. The growing demand for low-alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages presents an opportunity for the company to diversify its portfolio and capture a broader customer base. Anheuser-Busch InBev has already made strides in this area by launching products like Budweiser Zero and Michelob Ultra Pure Gold.

While Anheuser-Busch InBev has demonstrated resilience and growth, it also faces various risks and challenges. Changes in consumer preferences and the shift towards healthier lifestyles pose a risk to the company's traditional beer offerings. Anheuser-Busch InBev must proactively address this by diversifying its product portfolio and investing in low-alcohol and non-alcoholic alternatives.

Regulatory changes can also impact the company's operations and profitability. Stricter regulations on alcohol advertising and labeling, increased taxes, or limitations on distribution can hinder market growth and increase costs. Anheuser-Busch InBev must closely monitor and adapt to these regulatory changes to mitigate their impact.

Competition remains a significant challenge. The brewing industry is highly competitive, with global and local players vying for market share. Anheuser-Busch InBev must continue to innovate, invest in marketing and strengthen its relationships with distributors to maintain its competitive edge.

To manage these risks, Anheuser-Busch InBev has implemented robust risk management strategies. This includes closely monitoring consumer trends, diversifying its product portfolio, maintaining strong relationships with regulators and policymakers, and conducting thorough market research. By staying agile and adaptable, the company can navigate potential challenges and seize opportunities in the market.
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Zijin Mining Group Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration, mining, processing, refining, and sale of gold, non-ferrous metals, and other mineral resources in Mainland China and internationally. It primarily produces gold bullion; gold, copper, zinc, lead, tungsten, and iron ore concentrates; and copper cathodes, zinc bullion, sulphuric acid, copperplate, silver, iron, etc., as well as molybdenum, cobalt, tin, coal, lithium, platinum, and palladium. The company is also involved in the trading, investment, financing, asset management, transfer, and bond issuance activities; entrusted management and operation of non-security equity investments and equity investment funds; provision of trade agency, investment management, and consultancy services; wholesale of metals and ores; metallurgical engineering technology research services; import and export of goods or technologies; mining technology development; and import and export agent services. In addition, it engages in the technical services for geological exploration and mining; development of motor transportation; tourism and hotel investment activities; testing and examination activities; gold transaction agency business; and mining pit design and research activities. Further, the company is involved in the production of dust removing and auxiliary equipment, desulphurisation and denitrification construction projects, soil restoration, and other services; and air pollution control, water pollution control, solid waste treatment, refuse-incineration power generation, hazardous waste disposal, and other businesses, as well as invests in securities. The company was formerly known as Fujian Zijin Mining Industry Company Limited and changed its name to Zijin Mining Group Company Limited in June 2004. Zijin Mining Group Company Limited was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Longyan, the People's Republic of China.
Author and Irish Labour historian, Dr Emmet O'Connor will give a talk on his new book, 'Rotten Prod: The Unlikely Career Of Dongaree Baird' at the upcoming Derry Radical Bookfair.

The event takes place on Saturday, January 27, at 1.00pm, in Pilots Row Community Centre in Rossville Street. It will be introduced by Niall McCarroll, Chairperson of the Derry Trades Council and followed by a Q&A session.

Dr O'Connor's book concerns James 'Dongaree' Baird, a boilermaker in Harland and Wolff's shipyard, who was one of hundreds of 'rotten Prods', and thousands of Catholics, driven from their place of work by loyalists in 1920.

The expulsions marked the end of Belfast's 'two red years', distinguished by the massive engineering strike in 1919 and the municipal elections in 1920, in which Baird was elected to Belfast Corporation.

According to Dr O'Connor, Baird's case offers a rare insight into the city's brief radicalisation, the mentality of Protestant workers who opposed the partition of Ireland, and the reasons why loyalists targeted Labour as their most insidious enemy.

He said: "As a leader of the expelled workers, Baird spoke to the Irish and British TUCs, but Irish Labour had no practical policy on the North and British trade unions feared that confronting loyalists would lose them members.

"Subsequently, Baird worked for the National Sailors' and Firemen's Union and the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union, when he led the farm labourers of Waterford in an epic strike against wage cuts and was nearly elected to Dail Eireann.

"In 1927 he and his family emigrated to Brisbane, Queensland, where his daughters Nora and Helene were decorated by the Australian government for services to music in schools. A compelling account of a rotten Prod and a Labour hero."






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Derry Magistrate's Court heard today how when police approached a car as they believed the driver looked 'very young' a 16-year-old youth in the driver's seat told them he had just had a joint.

The youth was appearing before the court for driving offences and an officer said police attention was drawn to the car by the age of the driver and the fact that the tyres were defective.

When asked about the tyres the youth said 'What is it to me I am only 16'.

The officer said that there were problems in that the youth was from outside the jurisdiction, there was no bail address and the defendant had no money.

Defence counsel Dean Mooney said that the defendant was from Dublin and himself and a friend had 'gone for a drive'.

He said there had been no issues with the driving itself and the main issue was the age.

District Judge Barney McElholm sent the case to be dealt with by the youth court.
A man has been given a suspended sentence at Derry Magistrates Court charged with assaulting police and criminal damage.

Connlan Boyle (19) of Carrabane Walk in Derry admitted on April 29 last year, assaulting the officers after police were called to a domestic incident. Boyle was said to have smashed windows, mirrors and photographs.

Upon arrival, police attempted to help Boyle stand up, after which he began to attack them, punching one female officer and causing a laceration that required stitches.

Boyle, who had no previous criminal record, was then transferred to the Strand Road police station where he asked for a glass of water. He subsequently threw the water over an officer.

Upon being placed in a cell, Boyle attempted to strangle himself, leading to a Sergeant entering the cell to prevent him causing harm to himself. Boyle spat in the face of the sergeant.

The court heard that Boyle was drunk at the time of the incident, having drank a bottle of vodka with a friend that day.

Defence Barrister Stephen Chapman said that Boyle 'accepts his behaviour was outrageous' and that he was 'embarrassed' by his behaviour.

He added that he took full responsibility for what happened.

District Judge Barney McElhom called the offences 'extremely serious', sentencing him to ten months in custody, suspended for three years, telling Boyle that, if he were to offend again, he would 'serve every day' of the sentence.
GenAIEdu 2024, the second national conference on Generative Artificial Intelligence in Education, will explore the future of education in a world rapidly adapting to Generative Artificial Intelligence at Ulster Universitys Derry campus.

The summit will bring together world-leading researchers, educators, students and industry professionals, to understand how generative AI will challenge the way we learn, teach and assess.

At GenAiEdu 2024 there will be lots of new activities and events including a hackathon exploring AI and Assessment and a practitioner showcase where local teachers and educators will showcase best practice in the use of AI in the classroom to improve AI literacy and future proof employability prospects for the region.

Confirmed to speak are some of the leading voices in generative AI and education:

 Professor Mike Sharples, Open University

 Microsoft Education Ireland, Hugh Meenagh

 Co-lead at the National Centre for AI/JISC, Sue Attewell. JISC is the UK digital, data and technology agency focused on tertiary education, research and innovation

 Advance HEs Assistant Director of Knowledge and Innovation, Dr Charles Knight

 CS Founder, Martin Neale  ICS was the UK's first Microsoft AI Inner Circle Partner

 Kings College Lead for Programme, Module and Assessment Design, Dr Martin Compton

 As well as researchers from Ulster University, University College Cork, University College Dublin, University of Leeds and Imperial College London.

The focus of the conference will be on universities and teachers working together to prepare the region for the transformational change that AI is going to drive rapidly over the next few years.

It will explore new technologies that are currently available, those that are in development and to be released imminently, their potential impact on the sector and the practicalities and challenges of a rollout of an AI in educational settings.

The three-day conference will take place on Ulster Universitys Derry campus from 22-24 January 2024, and will be hosted by the School of Computing, Engineering, and Intelligent Systems. It will see a host of keynotes, talks, discussion panels and hands on workshops, demonstrations and networking events with leading academics, researchers and industry experts in this area.

Sue Attewell, Co-lead of the JISC National Centre for AI in tertiary education said: "Generative AI is more than just a tool: it's a catalyst for transformative change, bringing innovative practices to the forefront and urging us to rethink and update our educational approaches.

As AI continues to reshape education and the workplace, adapting to its rapid evolution is crucial in preparing students for an AI-integrated future and GenAIEdu is a great platform where we in the industry, can share ideas and best practice."

Visiting Professor John Anderson, Independent Chair of the Innovation Forum said of the inaugural conference: The first GenAIEdu inspired attendees: as a direct result of this event, the Innovation Forum (which promotes and evaluates the innovative use of digital technologies in school classrooms) joined with the Education Authoritys EdIS (Education Information Solutions) Programme and the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment to plan a similar event for school leaders: a really successful AI in Education conference.

Given the astonishing speed of change with GenAI more events are planned for school leaders; entirely due to the initial stimulus provided by GenAIEdu.

Professor Colin Turner, Pro Vice Chancellor & Executive Dean of Faculty of Computing, Engineering & the Built Environment, Ulster University added: The first GenAIEdu conference brought to the fore the real and immediate impact of generative AI and how it is going to fundamentally change what schools and Universities (and other industries) currently do.

It kickstarted the conversation and had a region wide impact as John outlines above. The pace of new technology development and adoption is ramping up and AI offers extraordinary  and somewhat unexplored - opportunities and challenges for transformation in education.

Hosting this event we are facilitating conversations which will help educators to understand the possibilities and pitfalls and navigate them carefully.

Click HERE for more details on registration and the conference agenda.

The National Conference on Generative Artificial Intelligence in Education is funded by the Garfield Weston Trust and delivered in partnership with Visit Derry.
A suspect in the murder of a GAA official in 1997 is believed to be a serving member of the Royal Irish Regiment, a lawyer has told a court.

A barrister for the family of Sean Brown has urged a coroner to roll back widespread redactions in sensitive evidence files about the killing, describing the current situation as akin to looking for the light switch in a dark room.

Mr Brown, 61, was abducted and killed by loyalists as he locked the gates at Bellaghy Wolfe Tones Club in Co Londonderry in May 1997.

No one has been convicted of his murder.

His inquest began last year and is scheduled to resume in March.

However, ahead of that, sensitive material relating to the murder must be security-vetted and distributed to the legal parties involved.

Belfast High Court was told on Friday that the long-delayed public interest immunity (PII) hearing in the case would begin next Wednesday.

Members of the Brown family, including his widow Bridie, were in court.

Barrister for the Brown family, Des Fahy KC, drew attention to widespread redactions in the security documents which will be considered by coroner Mr Justice Kinney.

He told the court: The PII process for the next of kin is something akin to looking for the light switch in a dark room.

The extent of the redactions that we have seen in the papers provided already make it very difficult for us to ascertain the import and the significance of those documents.

It is self-evident that we are not privy to the rationale for the extensive redactions that have been made and that we rely on the assessment and the judgment of the coroner and his legal team in determining which, if any, of those redactions are to be rolled back.

In bald terms, our over-arching submission is that they should be rolled back given the detrimental impact these redactions are having on our capacity to prepare for the resumption of the inquest.

The barrister addressed particular references within the evidence files.

He said: The first is in relation to a person who is designated as Suspect 15 and who is described in an unredacted section as believed to be a serving member of the Royal Irish Regiment.

This is wholly new information to the next of kin and the potential impact of such information is obvious to everyone involved in this inquest.

The vast majority of the rest of that document is redacted.

The second is in relation to a person who has been designated as Suspect 2 and, again, in an unredacted section it has been described that he or she held a personal protection weapon and was visited regularly at home by a policeman.

There are clear inferences from the next of kins point of view as to the circumstances in which a person, never mind a suspect, would legally hold a personal protection weapon.

This again is new information but there is no other detail attendant to it.

Mr Fahy then addressed security services documentation within the evidence files to be considered.

He said: It indicates that two named suspects were stopped by the RUC in Randalstown a day or two days before the murder of Mr Brown and their details were taken.

The car which they were driving is also a car which is considered to be relevant in the investigation in relation to the murder.

We are bewildered that the security services document and statement we have seen is redacted to the extent that it is; but even the portions that arent redacted, a security services operative says he does not know who the officers were to whom he spoke, he does not know if the information was disseminated upwards in the RUC and does not concede to having any notes in relation to these interactions.

We find that incredible.

The significance of an interaction with two suspects in the Randalstown area a number of days before the murder is of huge potential significance to the Brown family.

If the security services documentation is to be considered in the PII process next week we would ask that particular attention be given to the purported redactions within the statement that we have seen from the security services officer and as much attention and as much effort is given to the roll back of redactions because otherwise the significance of that document is not going to play out in full when the inquest resumes.

The barrister concluded: To a very large extent we have to place our trust and faith in the process to achieve the meaningful inquest the Brown family both desire and deserve.

Mr Justice Kinney said it would be for him to decide which parts of the sensitive documents should be redacted.

He said: The next step is the long overdue commencement of the PII process when I will have an opportunity to consider the redactions, the omissions, the obscuring of information that is in the documents to determine the full extent of what should be redacted and obscured.

We will explore all matters properly and appropriately and I will arrive at a decision as to what should properly be presented as part of the inquest process.
The Met Office has warned of disruptive snow with an arctic airmass set to bring cold air to the UK next week.

Deputy chief meteorologist David Hayter said a northerly airflow will bring arctic air to the UK from Sunday, with snow showers focused around Northern Ireland and northern areas of Scotland.

The Met Office has issued a further yellow warning of showers, increasingly falling as snow, bringing some disruption to parts of Northern Ireland from Monday.

The warning, which was issued on Friday morning, covers all of Northern Ireland, with northern counties expected to see the more frequent showers, from 3.00am on Monday.

The forecaster says brisk northerly winds will drive showers well inland across Northern Ireland on Monday, with these initially falling as snow over higher ground and sleet and rain elsewhere

However, as increasingly cold air spreads south, showers will fall as snow to all levels by late morning. Up to 5cm of snow is likely over higher routes such as the Coleraine Mountain road and Glenshane Pass.

At lower levels, a few cms can be expected, with northern counties expected to see the more frequent showers. Ice will be an additional hazard for all areas into the evening.

RAC Breakdown said travel plans could be affected, with drivers advised to be prepared in the event of a breakdown during the cold weather.

RAC Breakdown spokesperson Simon Williams advised drivers to pack warm clothes in the boot, and bring a power bank to keep their phones charged.

With an increasing risk of snow and ice at the start of next week we urge drivers to make sure they travel fully prepared, he said.

 Yellow weather warning issued 



Snow and ice across Northern Ireland



Monday 0300  2359



Latest info https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs



Stay #WeatherAware pic.twitter.com/4US3PUV8h5  Met Office (@metoffice) January 12, 2024

Having a few essential items in the boot no matter what distance youre going can make a massive difference in a breakdown situation in freezing conditions.

A warm, waterproof coat, sturdy footwear and gloves, along with a blanket and a power bank to keep your phone charged are vital.

While no one sets out to break down or get stuck in very cold, potentially snowy conditions, there are far too many instances where drivers have underestimated the severity of the conditions and found themselves in danger.

Its far better to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
5G use grew worldwide in 2023 despite dismal smartphone market

In 2023 the global economic outlook was uncertain the technology industry is mostly in a downturn with AI representing the only industry not undergoing a downturn,

Despite the pervasively gloomy outlook, the number of 5G users continued to grow against the trend. 5G's growth surpassed previous expectations.

Chou weighs in

David Chou, GM of Ericsson Taiwan, stated that the growth in global 5G users in 2023 was primarily driven by users' strong demand for high-performance mobile networks. Among them, India stands out as the region with the most significant growth.

According to the latest Ericsson Mobile Trend Report, the number of new 5G users in 2023 was around 610 million, a significant growth of 63% compared to 2022 and exceeding initial expectations by approximately 100 million. The total 5G user count worldwide is set to surpass 1.6 billion.

5G resilience

Despite economic challenges and geopolitical uncertainties in some markets, the growth of 5G users showed resilience.

Chou noted that the growth situation of 5G indicates signs of a smartphone recovery. In the third quarter of 2023, global smartphone shipments only saw a 1% YoY decrease.

Since the commercialization of 5G, over 1,000 smartphone models have been launched. In 2023 alone more than 240 models were launched.

In 2023, 5G smartphones accounted for 62% of smartphone shipments. This was up from 57% in 2022.

Over the six years from the end of 2023 to the end of 2029, the global 5G user count is estimated to increase from 1.6 billion to 5.3 billion. This represents a growth rate of over 330%.

North America leads 5G penetration

By the end of 2029, North America and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are projected to achieve a 92% 5G penetration rate. This is the highest globally, followed by Western Europe.

The 5G penetration rate in the Northeast Asia market, including Taiwan, is expected to reach nearly 80%. The region would therefore sit in the upper echelon of 5G penetration globally.

Regarding mobile network data, Chou pointed out that while data volume continued to rise in 2023, the growth rate is slowing down due to the already high base. 5G accounted for 25% of mobile data traffic in 2023.

Notably, the average monthly data usage in 2023 was 21GB globally. However, India, whose 5G commercialization only started in October 2022, saw its average monthly data usage reach 31GB with estimations reaching 75GB for 2029.

Chou explained that the three driving factors for mobile network usage are smartphones, network quality, and content. If all three are present, it will accelerate the development of mobile communication, with India serving as a prime example.

Room for improvement

As for areas where 5G still needs to improve in the future, VP and CTO of Ericsson Taiwan Dan Yao pointed to indoor coverage and mid-frequency deployment. As 80% of the traffic occurs indoors, there is a growing demand for expanding 5G mid-frequency coverage indoors and outdoors to ensure a smooth 5G connectivity experience for users.

Mid-frequency bands in 5G offer both large capacity and good coverage. This makes them an ideal choice for providing a comprehensive 5G experience.

Currently, the mid-frequency band's population coverage rate worldwide is set to exceed 30%, a significant increase from 10% in 2022. The main driving forces behind this are large-scale deployments in India and various deployments in Europe.

Yao pointed out that users spend 90% of their time indoors, and indoor traffic demand per user is 1.5 to 2 times higher than outdoor demand. To achieve an ideal indoor network performance, key locations need to consider comprehensive network deployment plans, including small base stations, to improve coverage and capacity, thereby increasing user satisfaction.

Overall, global 5G development continues to thrive. It has enjoyed growth in both penetration rates and usage volume.

Both device and content developments corresponding to 5G network deployment need to keep up to continue the progress. Fortunately, both aspects seem to be on the right track based on the current situation.
Panasonic will finalize location for third US plant in FY24

Panasonic's battery company plans to build its third factory in the US. While it terminated a battery project in Oklahoma last month, Panasonic Energy said it was not because of the soft demand. Executives said at CES 2024 that the company will finalize the third battery plant in the fiscal year 2024, which ends on March 31, 2025.

In 2013, Panasonic built an EV battery factory in Nevada with Tesla. In 2022, the Japan-based company decided to construct its second US plant in Kansas, targeting mass production in fiscal 2024. Reuters reported that the two plants will create an annual production capacity of 80GWh.

Panasonic Energy aims to grow its total capacity to 200GWh by March 2031 to remain a major player in EV batteries. Therefore, the company must construct more facilities.

Oklahoma seemed to be a promising candidate for Panasonic after the company signed an agreement with the state government regarding investment rebates in April 2023. However, Panasonic announced in December that it would no longer pursue the project without specifying why. Rumors arose that the termination resulted from the slow demand for EVs.

According to Nikkei, Allan Swan, president of Panasonic Energy of North America, said at CES 2024 that the company will not decide the new plant's location in the coming months but is expected to reveal it in fiscal 2024.

Panasonic had planned to finalize the location by March 2024.

Swan said the company has to build more factories to supply Tesla. He also denied that Panasonic gave up the Oklahoma project due to soft battery demand. The president emphasized that demand for Panasonic batteries does not slow.

A Panasonic executive said the company terminated the plan for Oklahoma because it was considering prioritizing new customers other than Tesla. Panasonic Energy is trying to diversify its customer base to reduce reliance on Tesla. The battery company has been in touch with Mazda and other carmakers.

The US EV policy will also affect battery makers' investment plans. Yuki Kusumi, Panasonic Group president and CEO, said at CES that although Panasonic can estimate demand for EVs toward 2030, the results of the US presidential election in November will create uncertainty. He was worried that the next US president would change the country's EV policy.

Kusumi said Panasonic will not build new battery plants if EV customers do not commit to a certain amount of battery procurement. He did not specify details for the third US plant, only saying the company has yet to finalize the project.
Orbiting success: TASA incubator's mission to propel innovation in Taiwan's space industry and ecosystem

The Taiwan Space Agency (TASA) is set to inaugurate an incubation center in the latter half of this year. The center aims to offer technical support and access to Taiwan's manufacturing supply chain. Its primary goal is to attract domestic and international startups in the space industry, encouraging them to establish and flourish in Taiwan. Wu Jong-shinn, the Director-General of TASA, emphasized the robust capabilities of Taiwanese companies in the satellite industry, particularly in ground equipment. Discussions are underway between significant satellite operators and Taiwan's industry suppliers for potential collaborative ventures.

Taiwan boasts an exceptional environment conducive to various industries, including ICT and precision machinery. TASA plans to take on a more proactive role this year in nurturing innovation. "We encourage the development of internal spin-offs and external collaborations with companies seeking to leverage TASA's outstanding software, hardware, and environmental testing resources. These resources encompass cutting-edge facilities for space-related testing, offering valuable experiences and insights into space environments and design. By facilitating exchanges between TASA's technical teams and innovative startups, we aim to catalyze fruitful collaborations between emerging companies and the diverse industries associated with TASA," said Wu.

The TASA incubator aims to harness the organization's wealth of experience and resources. It extends a strategic invitation to both burgeoning startups in the space-related sector and subsidiaries emerging from well-established enterprises, encouraging their active involvement in innovative industry guidance. This avant-garde incubator is a catalyst, providing indispensable resources, including specialized expertise, advanced equipment, a skilled workforce, and fundraising consultations. Its overarching goal is to propel these entities through the intricate phases of product development, rigorous testing, credible validation, and effective promotional strategies within the dynamic landscape of the space industry.

Distinguished by its commitment to delivering unparalleled satellite integration services, the incubator plays a pivotal role in talent cultivation within the space industry. It not only advocates for cross-disciplinary collaboration and integration within the realm of the space industry but also forges robust partnerships with prominent international space organizations and institutions. This concerted effort aims to attract diverse collaborative partners, facilitate seamless expansion into global markets, and ultimately foster a thriving ecosystem for burgeoning space startups.

The ecosystem encompasses key enterprises, research institutions, international resources, talent, and government departments that collaboratively support comprehensive guidance for entrepreneurs. "We assist companies in regularly organizing technical and product presentations, utilizing information from our technology and research support to align with talent and skills. Our matchmaking events, forums, seminars, and overseas business opportunity information sessions further enhance collaboration and participation in domestic and international expos," said Dr. Chen Way-Jin Department Director of Space Technology Application at TASA. Moreover, the organization provides services such as satellite assembly, integration, testing, and electronic component radiation testing.

Venture capital firms actively seek investments in space-related products, and TASA plays a pivotal role in elucidating and promoting these products. This expedites understanding by venture capitalists, potentially resulting in increased funding for the domestic space industry.
Subscriber content preview

SEATTLE  An apartment building at 1421 Second Ave. N. sold for almost $4.4 million, according to King County records.

The seller was 1421 on Queen Anne LLC, which acquired the property in late 2019 for just under $4 million. It then had 11 units, and another has since been added.





. . .
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SEATTLE  An apartment building at 601 E. Roy St. sold for almost $2.7 million, according to King County records.

The seller was East Roy LLC, a family group that acquired the property in 2002 for nearly $1.1 million.





. . .
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By JOCELYN NOVECK

AP National Writer

Angourie Rice is the new Cady, the Lindsay Lohan role, a home-schooled math whiz who arrives in suburban Chicago straight from Kenya, where her mother was doing zoological research, into the snake pit of high school.





The first Mean Girls, that compulsively watchable high-school based social satire by Tina Fey, came out in 2004. The Broadway musical opened in 2018. Now it's 2024, and we have a screen adaptation of the theater adaptation. How long will this reconfiguring go on? Is there a limit?





. . .
The family of an Offaly toddler has expressed their gratitude as a campaign to raise funds for a life-changing operation abroad surpassed its 330,000 target.

Joey Conway's mother, Natalie, organised a GoFundMe fundraiser following his diagnosis of Non-cirrhotic Portal Hypertension, which reportedly has life threatening symptoms and a risk of death of 40% on a first episode of bleeding.

A five hour surgery - called Meso Rex Shunt/Bypass - which can give two year old Joey his life back is available in Chicago in the US, and requires the family to stay anywhere between 8-12 weeks from pre-op to post-op.

This comes at a cost of 330,000.

Thankfully, due to the generosity of Offaly people and the wider community, the fundraiser has now reached 331,621 and is no longer accepting donations.

In a video posted after reaching the fundraiser target, Natalie said, "This will give our little man a chance, which is all we wanted to do as parents and give him the best chance of living a full life, a full healthy life."

She and Joey's father thanked Offaly GAA, Michael Duignan, Shane Lowry, and all who helped with the fundraiser and its momentum.

She said, "You're all part of this journey from the start and we want you to keep with us, we want to bring you to Chicago with us and keep you all updated in the future, what the future holds for Joey when we can get the date booked. Thank you everyone, it means a lot."

Joey's father added: "I also want to say that for this to happen we had a group of people who came together to help us, friends and family; Gillian, Aisling, Colm, Attracta, Johno, and very importantly, a man that's really helped us who we had no real affiliation to before we started this process, a man called Bryan Breen deserves a massive mention.

"This wouldn't have happened without him, and as Natalie said, we can't wait to get to Chicago in 2024. Thanks very much from the bottom of our hearts."

Without the US surgery, Joey would have to rely on the only treatment available to him in Ireland, which involves undergoing general anaesthetic and endoscopy to band varices 3-4 times per year.

According to Natalie, this treatment would fix some problems but it would not improve his other symptoms, such as an enlarged spleen and urine retention.

The family were under time pressure to raise the needed funds for the US surgery as Joey - who has had two bouts of sepsis in his young life - is only a good candidate so long as he doesn't have a bleeding episode.

When the fundraiser went live, Natalie said, "As parents we are constantly living on the edge in fear of 'Is he going to cough up blood? Or is this the nappy that will have the blood in it? We hear him coughing in bed, we check straight away to see if there is blood on the sheets. Or is he having too much fun laughing and shouting, will this make him bleed?'

"Trying to keep him safe from infections, making decisions to go out as a family or go to play centres, going swimming, all these 'normal' experiences we have to second guess and analyse the situation."

She said, "The best outcome of the surgery is to operate on a system that has not had any bleeding yet i.e. a system that is not under too much pressure. And we are against the clock because the sooner we get this done for Joey we immediately eliminate the threat to his life of bleeding or another septic event.

"He won't be held back in his development and catch up where he has missed. His spleen will go back to a normal size, where his white blood cells and platelets will go back to normal levels, which his risk of serious infections will reduce and allow him to fight infection normally."
A teenager has become the fifth person to be arrested in connection with an investigation into two killings following a shooting on Christmas Eve in Blanchardstown.

Tristan Sherry, the suspected gunman, was killed in the attack at Brownes Steakhouse in Blanchardstown at around 8pm on December 24.

Three men have been charged in relation to the attack on Mr Sherry.

Last week, David Amah, 18, with an address in Hazel Grove, Portrane Road, Donabate, was charged with the murder of Mr Sherry.

Wayne Deegan, 25, with an address in Linnetsfield Avenue, Phibblestown, was charged with assault causing harm to Mr Sherry, producing a knife in a way likely to intimidate or injure, and committing violent disorder.

At the end of December, 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.

Jason Hennessy Snr, who suffered multiple gunshot wounds in the initial gun attack, died on Thursday, January 4.

A second murder investigation has been launched following his death.

On Wednesday morning, gardai arrested a man under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939.

The man, who was the fourth person arrested in the investigation into the two deaths, was released without charge and a file was prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

On Friday morning, gardai arrested a teenage male as part of the investigation.

He is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a garda station in west Dublin.
Academic staff at the countrys technological universities (TUs) are to be balloted for industrial action which could see lecturers striking over a dispute with the Department of Higher Education.

The Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) said it will ballot more than 4,600 members in the TU sector next week over what it describes as non-adherence by management to a collective agreement which concerned the establishment of TUs.

The Department of Higher Education said the dispute centres on the Governments decision to create a senior management team in TUs that reflects their position in the third-level sector.

However, while the TUI acknowledged that there was a problem to do with a pay difference between managerial grades at TU Dublin and posts at other TUs, it said the dispute is about protecting parity of esteem across the sector.

In 2017, TUI members in the sector voted to accept the collective agreement but the unions leadership now says the Department has deliberately and consistently frustrated the proper functioning of industrial relations mechanisms at third level.

The union said the agreement provided for retention of the sector and for prior meaningful communication, consultation and negotiation with the TUI on relevant matters.

The union said the Department has allowed for the creation of new roles without negotiation with TUI.

It said the deal also specifically provides for a national review of lecturing.

TUI president David Waters accused the department of a cynical attempt to dismantle parity of esteem across the sector by not adhering to the agreement.

He said there was an attempt to force through a desire to have each TU free to operate separately, without regard or recourse to national negotiation.

There must be parity of esteem across the sector and in this regard any regional variations in terms of pay and conditions are unacceptable, he said.

Mr Waters said the TUI is determined that the TU sector will continue to have nationally agreed terms and conditions for all the grades represented by the union as well as any proposed new grades.

The Department does not accept it has breached the May 2017 or any other agreement, according to a spokesman.

It said it has engaged consistently with the TUI on the reform of the TU sector through the appropriate forums.

The spokesman added: The Department has not received any formal notification or explanation of the TUIs particular concerns, and this is extremely disappointing.

Speaking to RTE radio, higher education minister Simon Harris said: I look forward to them issuing the grounds of their concern to my Department in writing, so that we can immediately engage in relation to this matter, I think thats an important way to engage in industrial relations.

My understanding is this relates to a very small number of managerial posts in our technological universities and I think engagement with my Department will be very helpful.

TUI general secretary Michael Gillespie said the union had outlined its concerns to the Department before Christmas and that the union is now waiting for the result of the ballot.

Mr Gillespie said the dispute is about protecting a successful sector and preserving the academic strength and regional focus of TUs.

Results of the ballot on industrial action, up to and including strike action, are expected next week.
The Farmers Alliance is to have its application to become a political party in Ireland approved.

It means the party will be able to stand candidates in Irelands Dail, local and European Parliament elections.

The group will only become Irelands 29th political party after a 21-day appeal period lapses or after the outcome of any appeals.

The Electoral Commissions chief executive Art OLeary is to approve the new partys application, as Irelands Registrar of Political Parties.

The formal notification published on Friday in the official Irish State gazette, Iris Oifigiuil, lists the partys address in Redcastle, Co Donegal.

The formation of the party follows on the path of similar farming activists in Europe.

In the Netherlands, the pro-farmer party, the Farmers Citizens Movement, known by its Dutch acronym BBB, shocked the political establishment by winning provincial elections in March last year.

Its Dutch-Irish leader Caroline van der Plas addressed the Farmers Alliance movement in Athlone last April.
Above: Representing Louth at Showcase 2024 are local makers Caoilfionn Murphy OHanlon of Cushla of Gullion, Fiona Lynch of Almond Rose Designs and Caroline Duffy of Caroline Duffy Designs. They are proudly supported by Local Enterprise Office Louth, represented here by Sarah Mallon. Photo: Jenny Callanan Photography

Showcase 2024 at the RDS, from 21-23 January, is where Louth's finest creative entrepreneurs are making big waves. This year's contingent from Louth are truly showcasing local talent and Irish creativity, bringing a vibrant mix of tradition and innovation.

Sarah Mallon from Local Enterprise Office Louth explains: "Showcase is a fantastic opportunity for local creatives to get in front of global buyers. We all know that people buy from people, and Showcase provides the chance for makers to meet buyers face to face, forge relationships and talk about their products.

"We are delighted to support three incredible makers as they step onto a global stage, highlighting their talent and Louth's creative gems.

Showcase - Irelands Creative Expo is now the foremost place for retailers to discover unique, design-led fashion and knitwear, jewellery, craft, gift and interiors. The event showcases the very best emerging, homegrown creative talent. Attendance is free, but for trade only.

New to Showcase 2024 is Fiona Lynch of Almond Rose Design, with a really innovative and creative new product offering. Celebrating the way that animals communicate with humans on a daily basis,

Fiona has created a large range of pet cards to celebrate the big (and little) occasions in life. All cards are designed in-house, printed in Ireland on sustainably sourced card paper with eco-friendly inks.

A visit to Fionas website almondrosedesigns.ie will reveal cards for every occasion including Good Luck, Get Well, Love, Sympathy, Wedding cards and much more, theres even pet cards as Gaeilge!

Visual artist Caoilfionn Murphy OHanlon, of Cushla of Gullion, creates stunning wall art and home accessories from her base in Dundalk. Founded in 2014, textile artist Caoilfionn is inspired by the land, legends and lore of her surroundings.

Her quirky, nostalgic and vibrant prints, gifts and homewares bring the rugged Irish Landscape into homes across Ireland and the world. Cushla Of Gullion's stunning work has been exhibited and exported internationally and is designed and made in Ireland. Visit cushlaofgullion.com to see her work.

Caroline Duffy of Caroline Duffy Designs is showcasing her stunning hand printed floral artwork at Showcase for the second year running.

Her collection includes a range of striking art, prints, silk dresses, kimonos, scarves and woven blankets. Her signature style is instantly recognisable and has garnered significant media and buyer interest in the past year. View her collection on carolineduffydesigns.com

Sarah Mallon concludes Showcase 2024 is not just a display of products; it's where creativity, sustainability, beautiful materials and incredible makers come together to remind Irish and international buyers how local talent can make a global splash.

"Visitors will find unique, handcrafted Irish products, each with its own story. From exquisite jewellery to bespoke textiles, and so much more, Showcase 2024 is the highlight of the year in Ireland's craft sector and we are thrilled to offer three local makers the chance to be part of it.
The Townhouse Restaurant in Dundalk will be in the Marshes on Saturday 20th January with a stall to sell tickets and display all of the amazing prizes available as part of their Do It For Daithi raffle.

The stall will be open between 10-5pm and the draw will take place the next day on the Sunday 21st with the winner announced via their social media pages

Little Daithi spent the first 14 months of his life in hospital. He was originally in Temple Street and after five months was transferred to Crumlin Children's hospital.

Four days before Christmas last year, Daithi was diagnosed with Wiedemann Steiner syndrome. Only in the last few weeks has Daithi been able to come home with the help of the Jack and Jill foundation & Home care package.

Daithi has a urostomy, his right kidney doesn't work & his left is in failure. Daithi is constantly nauseous, he gets dehydrated dangerously quickly. So when Daithi is having a bad day he's unable to progress developmentally, this with his low muscle tone & developmental delay makes things challenging for him. Daithi also uses a CPAP mask for his breathing.

One day when he is more medically stable his family hope to take him to Texas to Kinactive Kids Kamp for specialist Physical therapy.

In an extraordinary display of generosity and community spirit, over 3000 worth of products have been contributed by independently owned Dundalk businesses.

This includes a heartfelt donation from Ryan O'Kanea signed Dundalk FC Jersey with a rallying cry of 'C'mon the town!'

The team at the Townhouse reached out to more than 40 locally owned businesses in Dundalk, they say the response was overwhelming.

Each business willingly offered what they could, showcasing the incredible strength of our Dundalk.

With a 20 ticket you could win everything, ranging from a coffee machine and gym membership to vouchers for cafes, beauticians, clothes shops, and an array of quintessentially Dundalk items like McCormick's Red Pudding, Home Bakery Pink Slices, Sing Li Curry Sauce, a bag of spuds, and even a bar taba true reflection of the town.

You can also buy your tickets from The Townhouse or via the QR code below:
A new inquest has been ordered into the death of a woman who was killed during a robbery at a Post Office in Co Tyrone in 1983.

Bridget Foster, 80, a mother of five, was shot dead by a stray RUC bullet following a shoot-out between police and masked men who were carrying out the robbery in Pomeroy.

Attorney General Dame Brenda King has written to the presiding coroner in Northern Ireland Mr Justice Michael Humphreys, ordering that a new inquest should examine the death, following representations from legal firm KRW Law.

However, under the provisions of the Governments contentious new legacy laws, the inquest will not be able to take place before a guillotine date for cases which have not reached a point of verdict, May 1.

In her letter to the coroner the attorney general said she was taking account of new information provided by former RUC officer Colin Keys, who was directly involved in the incident.

Mr Keys and another officer had opened fire after shots were fired at them by the robbers.

In 2022, Mr Keys, who has since died, was awarded substantial damages by a Belfast court as part of a negligence case taken against the PSNI, after he said he had been left devastated at the thought that he might have killed the elderly woman.

He was later informed that forensics had established that another officer fired the fatal round.

The attorney general said that in the legal proceedings, Mr Keys had alleged that the RUC was aware of the Pomeroy robbery in advance but took no action to prevent it in order to protect an IRA informer.

The Foster family have also launched civil proceedings against the police and a complaint has been made to the Police Ombudsman.

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, which gained royal assent last year, will halt all legacy inquests which have not reached a point of verdict by May 1.

A number of Troubles victims have launched legal action against the new laws and the Irish Government has announced it is to challenge the Act in the European Court of Human Rights.

Kevin Winters of KRW Law welcomed the decision to grant a new inquest in the Foster case.

But he added: As this is a Troubles-related incident there is currently no prospect of the inquest ever taking place.

The Legacy Act prevents the next of kin of Mrs Foster from having access to justice.

However, the recent announcement of an interstate challenge by the Irish Government against the UK offers much needed hope to the hundreds of other similarly affected conflict related next of kin and survivors.

The Irish intervention couldnt be more timely. It provides a much-needed incentive for families to persist on engagement in legacy legal agitation.

Mrs Fosters grandson Mark Foster said his grandmothers death was needless and avoidable.

He said: We have received no meaningful apology from anyone.

This has dragged on now over 40 years. When are we going to get justice? When are questions going to be answered?
An Irish human rights lawyer, working to put a stop to the Israeli genocide of the Palestinian people, has received praise online for her strong-willed words.

South Africa has brought Israel to court in the Netherlands city of The Hague, alleging the country is committing genocide towards Palestinians.

The case has been ongoing since October, with Israel responding by saying the charges against them are lies, based on hypocrisy.

This case, which has attracted much global attention, has seen an Irish lawyer representing South Africa widely praised online.

London-based human rights barrister, Blinne Ni Ghralaigh, famously said that this is "the first genocide in history where its victims are broadcasting their own destruction in real time in the desperate, so far vain hope that the world might do something.

The comment comes as South Africa asks the International Court of Justice to order the suspension of Israel's military campaign in Gaza.

The international community continues to fail the Palestinian people, despite the overt dehumanising, genocidal rhetoric by Israeli governmental and military officials, matched by the Israeli armys actions on the ground, Ms Ni Ghralaigh said.

Her closing remarks on behalf of South Africa saw Ms Ni Ghralaigh cite statistics of the large death toll and destruction, saying: Each day, 247 Palestinians are being killed and are at risk of being killed each day, literally, blown to pieces.

They include 48 mothers, two every hour, and over 117 children, leading UNICEF to call Israel's actions a war on children... With over 10 Palestinian children having one or both legs amputated, many without anaesthetics.

Entire multigenerational families will be obliterated and yet more Palestinian children will become WCNSF; Wounded Child No Surviving Family; the terrible new acronym, born out of Israel's genocidal assault of the Palestinian population in Gaza.
WHEN Joan Coughlan happened to spot a message on Facebook requesting a lift to Cork hospital, she and her partner Martin OToole decided to sign up as Volunteer Drivers for a vital group.

They joined Cancer Connect, a free, flexible transport service to hospitals, offered throughout Cork county.

Volunteering for the driver service a couple of days a month is the best idea, says Joan, of Shanagarry.

All you need is a road-worthy, insured car and a current driving licence.

Four or five hours a day in a month is not a huge commitment and we are flexible, added Joan. There is no pressure.

Cancer Connect is an invaluable service for people who might not have someone to take them to appointments for their cancer-related treatments.

The volunteer drivers are given good notice.

An email goes out a week ahead of appointments, says Joan. And we respond depending on our availability. Were usually asked to do about two drives a month.

Joan and Martin make themselves known.

We introduce ourselves to the passenger the day before so they are at ease and can put a face on someone.

She is no stranger to the Cork hospital routes. Cancer is an illness that has affected every home in the country at some time.

My mother, Nora, had to go for radiotherapy treatment for throat cancer five days for five weeks duration, says Joan. I had young children at the time, but duty called.

At the time, it was difficult enough to do the journeys to the hospital. I was fortunate that my work accommodated time out when I needed it and then I could get organised at home.

Radiotherapy appointments for CUH and Bon Secours are scheduled on a regular timetable stating departure and arrival times.

Passengers requiring chemotherapy, or attending related appointments such as consultant visits, scans, blood tests, wig clinics, etc., are organised on a one-to-one basis. Appointment times vary. Passengers may require a family member to travel too which is facilitated and encouraged.

On rare occasions, all might not go according to plan.

It is devastating for someone going for cancer treatment to be told the day before that it has been cancelled, says Joan. It is awful for both the patient and the driver. That seldom happens these days, but it has been known to happen and it throws people who may be already anxious. It is vital to be on time and be at the hospital to collect the patient on time.

Volunteer Drivers are tasked with collecting passengers from home or a scheduled pick-up point. Each driver brings their passenger to the door of the hospital, waits in Cork, and brings them home after the appointment. While the role is solely driving, the volunteers offer much more in terms of comfort and support.

Joan and Martin are both sociable people.

We like to put people at ease on the journey to the hospital, says Joan. We like to think we can lighten their day and put them at ease.

We try and be as pleasant as we can, and we are able to sense if our passengers want to chat or not. Sometimes, the passenger can be quieter on the way home depending on the treatment. It varies. Often, they may be tired or lack energy after treatments.

Joan and Martin are sensitive to passengers.

In the months we have been Volunteer Drivers, we get on well with everybody, said Joan.

We often go for lunch near Wilton while the patient is attending their appointment.

Time is of the essence, and we are asked to be on time and not keep the person waiting.

Joan and Martin both take their roles very seriously.

Id like to think that we can support somebody in trouble, says Joan.

She thinks positively.

You think how lucky you are, says Joan. I am able. I have the ability and we are flexible to take on the Volunteer Driver role. We are available for someone who needs a bit of help. It is a simple thing that means so much.

Being driven from door to door is a luxury.

Joan laughs.

Yes, we can do that for people and hopefully take the strain off them. Often, families are under ferocious pressure to help out, or to be available when necessary. The question of how will we get there (to the hospital), is solved by the Cancer Connect service. The stress of attending appointments for cancer treatment is lifted and that is huge. People are so grateful.

Joan remembers the first person she drove to the hospital for cancer treatment.

He is now in Marymount Hospice, says Joan. I am so glad for the few times I drove him to Cork and lightened his burden.

What areas do Joan and Martin serve?

We typically service Youghal, Killeagh, Castlemartyr, and Midleton, says Joan. But if we are needed to go elsewhere and we are available, then we can slot in.

With Cancer Connect, people come first.

It has always been important that the service meets the requirements of local people, says Neilie OLeary, Chairperson of Cancer Connect.

We were able to co-ordinate a transport system to fit the person travelling from Allihies, Midleton, Rockchapel or Clonakilty. Transport must be a smooth part of each persons cancer journey and we have built an approach that can be flexible and one to one where needed.

At its core, Cancer Connect is a voluntary service, adds Neilie. From the Board to the drivers to the fundraisers, each person contributes to the organisation. The blend of skills create a community amenity that is so vital to Cork.

Cancer Connect depends on the generosity of the public.

The Board, together with the management, continues to work toward securing funding. We see a future where the Government supports Cancer Connect alongside the community, both contributing for the longevity of the service for as long as it is needed.

Fundraisers have kept Cancer Connect viable. With no State funding committed, the income derived from calendar sales, coffee mornings, and the hundreds of other events and donations have kept coordination and delivery of the transport possible.

We always need drivers, says Helen ODriscoll, manager of Cancer Connect. Every year we have new passengers. Im sure anyone reading this about Cancer Connect will realise what a good thing volunteering is.

Helen says Voluntary Drivers are the backbone of Cancer Connect.

There are currently 420 on the team, who drive their community to and from cancer treatments daily. The impact these volunteers are making is extraordinary, says Helen. Ensuring people get to and from treatment in a kind, supportive, stress- free and safe manner is vital. The service is getting busier as the years go on. The more passengers that require transport, the more volunteers are needed.

The people in Cork have always responded. We hope that in 2024 theyll continue to do so, and well build our volunteer team significantly across the country. Volunteering to drive their own car, one day a month is all we ask.

Meanwhile, Joan and Martin continue to be in the driving seat.

We like to think that we are there for people who may be going on a horrendous journey and that we can ease their burden even a little bit.

To volunteer to drive, ro donate or for further details, email:info@cancerconnect.ie

www.cancerconnect.ie and 021-2038525
MORE than 600 jobs were created in Cork by Enterprise Ireland client companies in 2023, bringing to 25,769 the total number employed in the county by firms supported by the agency.

The Government agency, which develops Irish business globally, released the figures in its end-of-year statement. There was an overall increase of 614, equating to 2% of jobs in Cork, out of 15,530 jobs created in Enterprise Ireland-supported businesses across the country during the year.

Taking into account job losses last year, the growth translates into a net jobs gain of 5,011, during what Enterprise Ireland described as a very challenging year for business. 68% of the new jobs created in 2023 were outside Dublin.

Enterprise, Trade, and Employment Minister Simon Coveney said it was positive to see the companies supported by the agency recording jobs growth for the third year in succession.

2023 was a particularly challenging year for exporting Irish businesses, with rising input costs, high interest rates, and international instability among the challenging issues that impacted business performance, Mr Coveney said.

Government is determined to help business face these challenges and continue to create high-quality employment across every region in Ireland.

Enterprise Irelands Martin Corkery, the agencys regional director for the South/South East, said the 2% increase in jobs in Cork in 2023 represented strong growth.

Irish export-focused companies are continuing to create quality employment across Ireland, despite a challenging business environment, Mr Corkery said.

Employment in companies supported by Enterprise Ireland is at its highest-ever level, at 225,000 people, with 66% of the new jobs outside the Dublin region.

This is a testament to the hard work of our client companies, who are hungry to achieve greater scale and expand their global footprint, Mr Corkery said.

Each of Enterprise Irelands three main sectoral divisions recorded jobs growth, with food and sustainability employing 66,047 people (+3%), industrial and life sciences employing 93,652 (+2%), and technology and services employing 65,796 people (+2%).

Strong employment growth was reported in specific sub-sectors, such as: Climate, sustainability and agri-tech (7%); dairy, drinks and food (5%); life sciences (4%); high-tech housing and construction (3%). Digital technology and fintech sectors continued to grow at a moderate 2%, despite technology industry headwinds, with international education and educational technology reporting 5% employment growth.
Four men have been charged following an early morning garda raid in Charleville as part of an investigation into violent disorder in the town.

The men appeared before Judge Colm Roberts at Midleton District Court facing charges including possession of a slash hook and criminal damage.

Some 60 gardai were involved in a raid and searched seven homes after an alleged family feud in Charleville escalated over the Christmas period.

John Meehan, 23, of 7 Corrin View, Ballyhea, Charleville, was charged with possession of a slash hook and criminal damage.

On January 8, at Batt Donegan Place, Charleville, Mr Meehan was charged with having a slash hook with a sharply pointed blade contrary to Section 9(1) and (7) of the Offensive Weapons Act.

He was also charged with criminal damage, having allegedly damaged a front door and window of the house on that date and at that address, contrary to Section 2(1) of the Criminal Damage Act 1991.

Bail was refused and Mr Meehan was remanded in custody to appear before Mallow District Court via videolink on January 16.

Mark ONeill, 43, of 46 Batt Donegan Place, Charleville, Co Cork, was charged with criminal damage on January 4, at Ballysallagh, Charleville. He allegedly damaged a rear passenger side window of a Toyota Avensis car.

Davey ONeill, 19, of 46 Batt Donegan Place, Charleville, was charged with damaging property on January 3 at Ballysallagh, Charleville.

A brown Nissan Qashqai vehicle was allegedly damaged, contrary to Section 2(1) of the Criminal Damage Act.

He was also charged with making a threat to man at Goughs Pub, Main St, Charleville, intending to cause fear, a threat would be carried out to damage property, contrary to Section 3 of the Criminal Damage Act 1991.

Sonny ONeill, 45, of 16 St Brendans Drive, Charleville, was also charged with criminal damage.

It was alleged that Mr ONeill damaged the bumper of a womans Toyota Avensis car with a slash hook.

The three ONeill men were released on bail until January 23 when they are due to appear in Mallow District Court for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
A 44-year-old woman staggered into the main garda station in Cork city at Christmas and demanded that gardai give her a lift home.

Marguerite Wiseman of Cois Abhainn of Lower Glanmire Road, Cork, told gardai she did not want to walk home.

That was at around 9pm two days before Christmas.

Now at Cork District Court, Ms Wiseman has pleaded guilty to being so intoxicated that she was a danger to herself or others.

Sergeant John Kelleher said that on the night of her arrival at Anglesea Street garda station on December 23 2023 she was highly intoxicated.

Eddie Burke, defence solicitor, said the defendant had a lot of difficulties in her past but was generally doing better at the moment.

Judge Mary Dorgan said:

I am aware her circumstances are extremely difficult.

The judge limited the fine to one of 50 and gave her six months to pay.

Ms Wiseman pleaded guilty to a charge of being so intoxicated that she was a danger to herself or others on the night last month.
Tech giant Apple has been given the go-ahead for an extension to an existing building at its European headquarters on Corks northside.

Last September, Apple Operations International Limited lodged an application with Cork City Council seeking permission for the demolition of part of an existing warehousing building and the construction of a new extension to that building at its site in Hollymount Industrial Estate in Hollyhill.

The proposed use of the new extension, the application said, includes warehouse space and a central food processing unit with staff facilities and office space at mezzanine level.

It said that proposed site development works would include the construction of a new substation building, a new vehicular gate and a new pedestrian access from Harbour View Rd.

Planners in Cork City Council sought further information before making a decision on the application.

In that request, the council queried several matters including whether the proposed demolition of part of the existing warehousing building was justified, asking in the interest of sustainability, if the existing structure could be retained and retrofitted for the new use proposed.

The response stated that Apple had been advised that the works that would be needed to retain the existing structure would not be a sustainable option.

Cork City Council have now approved the proposed development subject to 14 conditions, the details of which have not yet been published.
A 34-year-old man accused of carrying out an aggravated burglary at a house in his neighbourhood last September was remanded in custody until January 24.

Judge Mary Dorgan made that order on the application of Sergeant John Kelleher in the case against Keith Coleman of 7 St Finbarrs Road, Cork, who is charged with burglary.

Sgt Kelleher said at Cork District Court that directions were awaited from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Mr Coleman is accused of taking 270 cash and a packet of razors on September 19 2023 during the alleged aggravated burglary at another property on St Finbarrs Road.
Businesses are "crying out for help", a local councillor has said, as calls have been made for immediate action from Government following the news that yet another Cork city restaurant has closed its doors.

Around 20 jobs are understood to have been lost as Nash 19, which was founded by Claire Nash and located on Princes Street, ceases trading.

Labour Party councillor John Maher has called on the Government to intervene and accept that small and medium businesses are suffering and closing.

"It's 12 days into 2024 and we have seen several shops, cafes and restaurants close," Mr Maher said.

"Our city centre has been particularly hit, with the closure of Twilight [newsagents], Tung Sing and now Nash 19.

"Government ministers must liaise with business owners and other stakeholders and offer incentives to help businesses survive during this difficult time.

"I have asked that Cork City Council introduce reduced parking fees for people who use the city during the morning times and for enforcement of bus lanes and private car ban to increase and allow public transport work more efficiently.

"The government must wake up and smell the coffee and help businesses that are crying out for help."

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Ms Nash said: It is difficult to blame anyone or anything in particular, but the cost of doing business is unmeasurable, it is out of control and it has led me to the end of the road.

Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, Adrian Cummins, CEO of the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) said: "Shocked and saddened by the news @Nash19Cork, a Cork institution is closing.

"Huge supporter of local food producers.

"If a long standing business like this is closing, what hope for the rest of the sector.

"Government needs to take immediate action."

In recent days and weeks in Cork a number of businesses have closed or have announced imminent closures.

Tung Sing Chinese Restaurant cited increasing operating expenses as the reason behind the decision to close. Pigalle gastro-pub also closed, as did Twilight newsagents.

Meanwhile, The Baldy Barber told The Echo 15,000 would be needed to keep his business going and he planned to close and sell. Revenue at his barbershop dropped by 40% last year.
An 18-year-old man has been denied bail after he was charged in connection with offences which allegedly occurred as part of an ongoing and escalating feud between two rival families in Charleville, Co Cork.

Paddy ODriscoll of Rosewood Drive, Charleville appeared before Fermoy District Court in Co Cork today where he was charged with causing criminal damage to a door and window at the home of Mark ONeill at Batt Donegan Place, Charleville on January 8. He was also charged with possession of a slash hook on the same date.

Det Garda Gary Costelloe gave evidence of arrest charge and caution. He told Judge Alec Gabbett that Mr ODriscoll was arrested yesterday and detained at Mallow Garda Station. The accused made no reply when he was charged with two offences at 9.27pm yesterday.

Det Garda Costelloe said that gardai were objecting to bail arising out of the gravity of the charges. He claimed that Mr ODriscoll has been involved in an ongoing feud between his relatives and the ONeill family of Charleville.

He expressed concern in relation to a possible escalation in levels of aggression between the families and said that multiple incidents had already occurred. Det Garda Costelloe said he feared that the granting of bail would allow the accused to get involved in possible intimidation of eyewitnesses in the case.

Judge Gabbett asked if witness intimidation was beyond a possibility. Det Garda Costelloe replied that it was likely.

I believe it (intimidation) is likely. This incident stems from an ongoing feud. I believe there will be intimidation of witnesses.

Mr ODriscoll went in to the witness box and gave an undertaking to abide by any bail conditions set down by the court.

Ill make it my business to be in for my curfew and to sign on (at the garda station).

Defence solicitor Matthew Bermingham said that it was his understanding that the feud between the families had come to an end.

Det Garda Costelloe said that he highly doubted that a resolution had been reached.

I have been dealing with this matter for many years. I find it hard to believe that it has come to an end.

Mr Bermingham told the court that his client was living with his parents. Judge Gabbett remanded Mr ODriscoll in custody until January 19 next. Certain matters will be clarified before the accused is before the court again in Fermoy later this month.

Four men appeared in court yesterday

Meanwhile, yesterday four men appeared in Midleton District Court charged with damaging houses and cars following a garda probe into the same family feud.

Det Garda Costelloe expressed concern that the dispute would escalate and that further offences would be carried out. He spoke of his fears relating to the situation as he objected to the granting of bail to John Meehan (23) whose mother has a maiden name of O'Driscoll.

He claimed that Mr Meehan of Corrin View, Ballyhea, Co Cork was involved in the feud between the two families. Det Garda Costelloe said the feud had involved multiple incidents of criminal damage.

The level of violence has escalated and there is a risk of somebody suffering serious bodily harm if it continues.

Mr Meehan was charged with causing criminal damage to a door and window of the house of Mr Mark O'Neill at Batt Donegan Place, Charleville on January 8. He was also charged with possession of a slash hook on the same date.

Defence solicitor, Charlie OConnor said that his client vehemently denied any involvement in a feud. He also denied having any role in alleged offences.

However, Det Garda Costelloe said that gardai were objecting to bail arising out of the gravity of the charge and the strength of the evidence in the case.

Mr Meehan insisted that he had "nothing at all to do with it [the alleged offences]. However, Judge Colm Roberts said he was satisfied that garda concerns about an intensification of the feud were well grounded.

He remanded Mr Meehan in custody to appear at Mallow District Court on January 16.

Meanwhile, Sonny ONeill of St Brendans Drive, Charleville and Mark ONeill of Batt Donegan Place, Charleville were each charged with causing criminal damage to a car at Ballysalagh in Charleville on January 4.

Det Garda Paul OShea said Sonny ONeill (45) made no reply to the charge when it was put to him after caution. Det Garda Brendan Dunne said Mark ONeill (43) insisted that It never happened when the charge was put to him after caution.

Mark ONeills teenage son Davey of Batt Donegan Place was charged with causing criminal damage to a car at Ballysallagh on January 3. He was also charged with making a threat at Goughs Pub, Main Street Charleville.

Garda Tracey Gleeson gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution in relation to Davey ONeill. She said that the 19-year-old made no reply to either charge when they were put to him following a caution.

Judge Roberts granted Sonny ONeill bail with stringent conditions attached. Mr O'Neill was ordered to sign on daily at Charleville Garda Station, abide by a curfew and to have no contact direct or indirect with the injured party in the case. He was also ordered to stay off social media, to maintain his sobriety and to be available to gardai around the clock on his mobile phone.

Judge Roberts also granted Mark ONeill and Davey ONeill bail on similar conditions. He remanded the three O'Neill men to appear at Mallow District Court on January 23rd next.
A 42-year-old Cork man who was arrested in Cork city centre on Christmas week verbally abused the officer saying, F*** you. I will get you in court, you f***ing mog.

Now at Cork District Court, Ian OSullivan of Cork Simon Community has been sentenced to four months in jail by Judge Mary Dorgan after pleading guilty to various counts.

The judge said the threatening comments were unedifying to say the least - very inappropriate.

Defence solicitor, Joseph Cuddigan, said, He has an alcohol problem. He is making efforts to deal with it. But he is put out the door of Cork prison, (on his release he has) no fixed abode, the inevitable occurs and he takes a drink for comfort and we are back at square one.

There is no half-way house for when a person gets out of custody. Once again he tries to remain sober. But the odds are stacked against the poor man. If he got the proper support structure he would try to remain sober.

Mr OSullivan pleaded guilty to several public order and related charges arising out of a number of incidents in Cork city last month.

At 9.20 pm on December 20 2023 the defendant was observed at the soup kitchen on Patricks Street. He started throwing food items in the direction of staff members, causing annoyance and interfering with them. He was drunk and a danger to himself or others at the time.

Garda Vincent McCarthy, observed the accused with the five Lynx gift sets the following day in Cork City centre and entering a restaurant asking staff if they wanted to buy them.

When he left this premises he was approached by Garda McCarthy and could not account for the purchase of the items.

This was also the occasion where the accused was threatening and abusive. He was arrested and charged with being threatening and abusive and being drunk and a source of danger to himself or others, and with handling stolen property.

As well as the total jail term of four months, the defendant was given a concurrent five-month term with the last month suspended.

Judge Dorgan said, I will suspend the last month of that five months on condition that he enters a probation bond to abide by all their requirements and to attend for alcohol rehabilitation.
THE closure of one of the citys most iconic eateries has left shockwaves rippling through Corks business community.

Nash 19, on Princes St, is the latest Cork business to have announced its closure in recent days.

President of the Cork Business Association, Kevin Herlihy, who also runs several Centra stores in Cork, described the development as a devastating blow.

The cost of doing business in Cork city has gone through the roof, especially when you consider energy costs, he said.

The Government needs to start listening to us. Minimum wage has gone from 11.30 to 12.70, and weve had to embrace that, but the Government is throwing everything at small- to medium-sized businesses. Changes are going to have to be made and potentially more support given to businesses to enable them to survive.

The news follows several similar announcements this month.

Cork citys oldest barbershop, The Baldy Barber, announced its closure after 87 years in business and Twilight News has closed at three locations in the city after 12 years. Pigalle on Barrack St announced its closure on the same day as Tung Sing, one of the citys first Chinese restaurants, which had been in business for 60 years.

Mr Herlihy said he felt very hurt for Nash 19 proprietor Claire Nash who he said has been a great ambassador for Cork.

We are shocked and absolutely saddened to hear of the closure of Nash 19, he said.

Nash 19 restaurant and food shop on Princes Street, Cork has ceased trading with immediate effect, with the loss of 20 jobs. Pic Larry Cummins

Claire Nash has been a driving force in business and the city for 33 years and will be sorely missed. I am personally very hurt for her that this has happened, but unfortunately this is part of trying to do business in Ireland at this stage. She has been a stalworth in the Cork Business Association for the last 35 years, and we are heartbroken and devastated that she has to close.

I hope that she will bounce back with something else in the future because she is a great ambassador and such an asset to Cork.

In an interview with the Irish Examiner, Ms Nash said she was devastated to have to pull the plug on her business.

I just cant believe that it has come to this, she said. It is difficult to blame anyone or anything in particular, but the cost of doing business is unmeasurable, it is out of control, and it has led me to the end of the road.

Mr Herlihy spoke of the positive impact Claire Nash had on Cork city.

We can see the impact she had through the wonderful events she organised such as Corks Long Table event. Claire brings so much to Cork city.

He said he hoped that other businesses will be able to survive the tumultuous period.

It can be really difficult to see so many businesses closing down, he said.

However, its not all doom and gloom, and there is hope. For every business that closes, there are still places opening.

Tributes paid to Claire Nash

Independent councillor Kieran McCarthy, Lord Mayor of Cork, said he was also very sad to hear that Nash 19 had closed, and paid tribute to Claire Nash as a fantastic retail small-medium enterprise developer.

#GotCork V saddened to see Nash 19 close; City Council perspective remains that SMEs need greater protection from continuing rising costs at national level; there are many cost reduction levers that only central government can move; many thanks Nash 19 for everything #weareCork https://t.co/ExqKMDuhFj  Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Kieran McCarthy (@cllrkmac) January 12, 2024

"She was certainly one of the key people on the street with others who turned around Princes St over the last few years, and not just her own premises but the street itself during covid to make it an eat on the street experience, said Cllr McCarthy.

The Lord Mayor said that sections of the Cork economy were doing well, but acknowledged that other sections were struggling.

Tributes have been paid to Claire Nash of Nash 19.

Reading the press releases of the three businesses that closed in the last week and a half, they mentioned energy and wages in their statements, so thats something that has to be looked at, he said, adding that it was a matter for the Government.

He said that a general majority in the city council was in favour of the minimum wage being as close as possible to a living wage because the cost of living was affecting everyone.

The general sentiment in the council is that the Cork economy is doing well  before Christmas you could barely move on some of our streets, the businesses were very well supported in town, people were coming out the doors in restaurants and shops, he said, adding that the opening of the Arc Cinema on North Main St in December indicated a high level of confidence in the local economy by investors.

'An institution'

Enterprise Minister and Cork TD Simon Coveney described the development as very sad news.

Very sad news. Nash 19 has been an institution in Cork for many years.

I spoke with Claire this morning to discuss the factors leading to this difficult decision.

https://t.co/CiuavRe0nn  Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) January 12, 2024

In a post on X, he wrote: Nash 19 has been an institution in Cork for many years. I spoke with Claire this morning to discuss the factors leading to this difficult decision.

Restaurant Association of Ireland chief executive Adrian Cummins also took to social media to highlight his concern over the closure.

If a long-standing business like this is closing, what hope for the rest of the sector, he wrote on X. Government needs to take immediate action.

Shocked and saddened by the news @Nash19Cork , a Cork institution is closing.



Huge supporter of local food producers.



If a long standing business like this is closing, what hope for the rest of the sector.



Government needs to take immediate action https://t.co/0o13H7d14Z https://t.co/WzcoRitqIf  Adrian Cummins  (@adriancummins) January 12, 2024

Sinn Fein TD for Cork South-Central Donnchadh O Laoghaire said the latest closures raise serious questions regarding the hospitality sector across the State, and in Cork specifically.

I am very disappointed at the news of the closure of Nash 19, he said.

My first thoughts are with the staff and their families, this will be an enormous blow to them. I hope that all involved are now supported by the relevant authorities and receive their full entitlements. My office can be contacted by any member of staff who needs assistance.

Nash 19 was a very well-established brand. I know Claire Nash and her team worked extremely hard to ensure a high-quality experience, and it was very well-regarded.

This comes hot on the heels of the closure of Tung Sing in the city centre, another iconic city-centre restaurant in the city for decades. These are huge losses to the city, and it raises serious questions regarding the hospitality sector across the State and in Cork specifically as well.

Calls for Government intervention

Labour Party councillor John Maher has called on the Government to intervene and accept that small- and medium-sized businesses are suffering and closing.

Its 12 days into 2024, and we have seen several shops, cafes, and restaurants close, said Mr Maher.

Our city centre has been particularly hit, with the closure of Twilight [newsagents], Tung Sing, and now Nash 19.

Government ministers must liaise with business owners and other stakeholders and offer incentives to help businesses survive during this difficult time.

I have asked that Cork City Council introduce reduced parking fees for people who use the city during the morning times and for enforcement of bus lanes and private car ban to increase and allow public transport work more efficiently.

The Government must wake up and smell the coffee and help businesses that are crying out for help.

The Cork Business Association (CBA) has also called for some form of Government intervention in response to the escalating challenges that are being faced by small businesses.

Dave OBrien, finance spokesperson for CBA and tax partner with Quintas, said that the CBA is dedicated to working closely with political representatives to develop strategies and policies aimed at safeguarding the interests of small businesses, and that the CBA remains resolute in its commitment to supporting the small business community during these challenging times.

By fostering open communication with Government officials and advocating for practical solutions, the CBA will ensure that our communitys voice is heard, and drive to mitigate the adverse effects of economic hardships on Cork businesses, he said.
A fifth year student in Limericks Colaiste Chiarain has won the overall prize in the BT Young Scientist Exhibition with a project to devise a new solution to settling issues regarding authorship in the post Chat GPT era, while a fourth-year student in Bandon Grammar School was awarded the runner up individual award for a project about the challenges facing Junior Cycle maths students who have dyslexia.

Sean OSullivan was presented with the BT Young Scientist trophy and a cheque for 7,500 by Education Minister Norma Foley at the award ceremony on Friday evening.

The Limerick student becomes the 60th bearer of the coveted Young Scientist title and will now represent Ireland at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists which is to take place later this year in the European City for Science 2024, Katowice in Poland.

Minister Foley described Seans win as a testament to his hard work and dedication and the unwavering support of his family, teachers and school.

The chairman of the Technology Group Judging Panel, Leonard Hobbs said the adjudicators were hugely impressed by Seans innovative approach to addressing a problem that had only recently emerged and his programming skills in architecting a complex software solution.

Recognition for Cork student

Philippa McIntosh, a sixteen-year-old fourth-year student in Bandon Grammar School, the school attended by Corks last overall winner, Gregory Tarr in 2021, was the winner of the runner-up individual award.

Philippa has conducted a very rigorous research project and has clearly shown that the phrasing of questions on the Junior Certificate higher level maths exams means that students who are actually good at maths but experience reading challenges, may be disadvantaged by over-complex wording, said Dr. Sinead Smyth, the head of the Social and Behavioural Individual Judging Panel.

This important finding should be taken on board in curriculum design and assessment.

Shay Walsh, Managing Director BT Ireland and Minister for Education Norma Foley TD present the Runner Up Individual Award to Philippa McIntosh from Bandon Grammar School Co Cork for her project 'Beyond numbers: The textual challenge of Junior Cycle maths for Dyslexic Students' at the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2024. Fennell Photography 2023

Best group

Dublin students, Abigail OBrien Murray, Erica OBrien Murray and Olivia OShea from Loreto Secondary School in Balbriggan won first prize for best group with the runner-up spot going to Tralee sisters Ciara and Saoirse Murphy from the Presentation Secondary School.

The winners of the group prize in Balbriggan presented a project entitled Let's Save the Common Ash, a project which won the group runner-up award in 2023 and this years updated presentation went one better.

These young scientists carried out several large and robust experiments, involving both lab and field testing, said Dr. Richard OHanlon, a judge on the Group Biological and Ecological Panel.

Building on work they presented in the 2023 BTYSTE, they found that their treatments had the ability to reduce disease by more than 80%.

This work is an important step towards developing a pathway to save our trees.

The runner-up group project by the Murphy sisters from Tralee was described as an exciting and impactful project with real potential to save lives and lead to earlier treatments by the chairman of the adjudicating panel in the Health and Wellbeing group category.

The project was entitled AID-CARE-TREAT (ACT), an immediate, accessible, technological aid to assist in medical emergencies, supported by a comprehensive repository of medical information.

BT Ireland Managing Director Shay Walsh said he had been lucky enough to be involved in the exhibition for almost quarter of a century since BT first custodians. Being able to see first-hand the creativity and innovation of Irelands future leaders has been a real privilege, he said.
CORKONIANS up to the age of 25 can now avail of a 50% discount on buses and trains as part of measures to improve access to public transport.

Fianna Fail TD for Cork North West Aindrias Moynihan welcomed the decision which is set to positively impact adults up to the age of 25.

The extension was announced under the commuter discount scheme in Budget 2024 delivered by Finance Minister Michael McGrath.

Mr Moynihan reiterated the importance of the recent announcement for the young people of Cork.

We are seeing more and more people use public transport, and this extension means that more younger people who rely on public transport to get to and from college, training, work, sport facilities, or simply meeting up with friends can now do so for cheaper, he said.

Thanks to the effective management of the public finances, we have been able to extend the 50% discount for holders of Young Adult cards up to a persons 26th birthday.

This extension is also in addition to the retention for 2024 of the existing 20% discount for all passengers, first introduced in 2022.

Fianna Fail spokesperson for transport, Cork East TD James OConnor, also welcomed the news.

It is hugely welcome that 24-and 25-year-olds can now travel half price, said Mr OConnor.

An increasing number of young people are choosing to travel by public transport to get to and from college, training, work, and meeting friends.

This must be encouraged, and Fianna Fail is committed to making it easier and more cost-efficient for people to use public transport.

However, we also need to make sure that capacity is increased also to keep up with increased demand, because at present many local buses in Cork are at full capacity at peak times.
James Cox

There is "no betting" that Simon Harris will be the next leader of Fine Gael, most likely after the next general election, according to former minister for agriculture Ivan Yates.

He has launched a new podcast, 'Path to Power', along with journalist Matt Cooper, with the pair reuniting after hosting the Tonight Show together between 2017 and 2020.

Mr Yates told BreakingNews.ie: "The context is that 2024, these 52 episodes we're committed to, will give a front row seat to what promises to be a historic year in Irish politics.

"Building since 2020, we've had no election in four years - no general election, no European election, no local election - and I think that looking at polls, looking at the change zeitgeist, which is a constant factor in politics; whether it's Barack Obama, Tony Blair or whoever.

"I think that we're on the cusp of a very significant year whereby a younger generation a younger generation again have a lot to say about the way they feel left out of the system; in terms of unaffordable homes, not having the pension prospects their parents had. I sense an intergenerational, attritional situation, whereby young people under 40 will vote differently to their parents over 55.

"My own particular experience of 20 years campaigning in politics, and 12 years of being a pundit and in the media, is very timely. It's my subject of choice in terms of inhaling politics and also working with Matt again. We are different, we have different outlooks in so far as he is a journalist, I'm not. He is quite woke, whereas I see myself as being a pundit, relying on my intuition, instinct and my experience.

"Two factors: we are of a maturity where we can take what we talk about very seriously, but not take ourselves seriously. We can argue about politics without cancelling each other, we can actually have arguments as opposed to debates, because we worked over three years together. I think we're robust enough to make it very interesting, it won't be conventional."

While Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has insisted the Coalition government is not planning for a 2024 general election, TDs and senators reportedly think it is only a matter of timing.

The next general election has to be held by March 2025, but it is widely expected it will be called some time in 2024.

Mr Yates believes Sinn Fein will claim "a minimum of 52 seats and a maximum of 72 seats".

However, Mr Yates predicted a number of issues Sinn Fein will face in taking power. He cited their changing stance on migration as an area where they may struggle.

"We have seen Sinn Fein ameliorating their success in the polls from 34 per cent to 27 per cent. I think this can be directly attributed to them being out of step with the migration issue, and amongst their own supporters being too much seen as part of the political consensus.

"I actually see steps being taken by Mary Lou [McDonald] to reverse engines on that and take yet another more populist approach. Micheal [Martin] and Leo [Varadkar] have both been taoiseach. She has never been a minister, so there will be a lot of hurdles for Sinn Fein and Mary Lou.

"Some things will come under scrutiny like never before. Therefore, it will be interesting to see how she rides those storms that are inevitably ahead.

"In the last six weeks, there has been a definite pivot by Mary Lou McDonald in interviews she has given... firstly saying we should allow people to be in favour of tighter vetting, not labelling them racist or far-right. Then she took steps to appeal to people who feel outside of the political pale because of their views.

"I think the migration issue is a bit of a problem for Sinn Fein in so far as they have to ride both horses. They have to be ambiguous on the issue. The people who want controls on migration are most likely to be working class people who instinctively vote Sinn Fein. I don't think problems arising from migration are in middle class areas where Fine Gael may get more votes.

"It's a real problem for Sinn Fein as opposed to an opportunity for them, and the fact they're shifting their views on that shows it."

Ivan Yates believes Sinn Fein will claim "a minimum of 52 seats and a maximum of 72 seats" in the next general election.

On the migration issue, Mr Yates feels there is an urban-rural divide.

"I would point to Killarney as an example. It is not a bastion of the far-right, it is not inherently racist because it lives off of foreign tourists coming to stay there, it lives off of people getting work permits to work there. They have taken in 4,500 Ukrainian refugees, and they have 700 international protection applicants. When you see a silent protest by the people of Killarney, who would innately be conservative, I think it is time to look at what is happening and look at the practicalities of taking in tens of thousands of people on top of those here already.

"Ireland is no different to Italy, the Netherlands, France. There is increasingly going to be a view at ballot boxes that open borders is not a sustainable policy given global conflict, global warming, and that Europe cannot take on board all the world's migrants.

"An unspoken reassessment of that is taking place in pubs, family homes. People who I know offered to take in Ukrainians in February 2022, they now think enough is enough.

"I would certainly draw the line at criminal damage, those who are prepared to indulge in criminal damage. I don't think there is any public support for that... the rioters, the incident in Galway, that's not where middle Ireland is, but I don't think they agree with the government's position that this is our humanitarian obligation, period. That doesn't mean, at the same time, that middle Ireland is not disgusted at people burning Luas trams, pubs or hotels."

He said government formation will be difficult for Sinn Fein, as they may have to consider a coalition with Fianna Fail if they can not come to an agreement with Independents or TDs from the likes of the Social Democrats or People Before Profit.

"If they're on the low 60s they will have to embrace Fianna Fail or Fine Gael. There are a couple of factors there... one is, if it's not a rotating Taoiseach scenario, there is a real danger, for Fianna Fail in particular. If they become the mudguard of a Sinn Fein government. During the election, Fianna Fail can argue they are the alternative to a left-wing government by offering to talk to Sinn Fein.

Ivan Yates believes the next election will be difficult for his former party.

"I think Fine Gael will just want to rejuvenate themselves in opposition. Like Fianna Fail in 2011, I think they could do worse than their lowest watermark of 18.7 per cent in 2002. Speaking to Fine Gael TDs, they don't think they have 20 per cent, and are nervous about their own seats.

"The number of retirements in Fine Gael, as happened with the Labour Party previously, will have a very big impact because if you voted for Brendan Howlin, Richard Bruton, Charlie Flanagan, Michael Creed and his father before him, there's no guarantee a shiny new Fine Gael councillor will get those votes.

"Younger TDs like John Paul Phelan, Joe McHugh, Brendan Griffin, are not bona fide retirements going for the travel pass, they are people opting out of politics who have maybe lost the faith and want to do something else with their lives, which is absolutely valid.

"It will leave a residual problem for Fine Gael."

Meanwhile, the former Fine Gael minister thinks there will be a shake-up in the leadership in both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail after the next election.

He feels Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris will be the next leader of his former party.

I think that there is no betting that Simon Harris will be the next leader of Fine Gael.

"I think that there is no betting that Simon Harris will be the next leader of Fine Gael. I think he would rather take on the party in opposition with Sinn Fein in government. He would see it as fertile ground for the party to grow its identity, its brand and its base in the middle class, self-employed, and business communities, to get a solid party of 40 to 50 seats going forward.

"I think he toyed with the idea of taking on Leo before and thought the better of it. Let's be clear, Leo is no longer the future. I don't say that out of any dislike or disrespect for him. Everybody reaches a point in their political career where they were once the future and are no longer the future and Leo has reached that point.

"In terms of a competitor to Harris, who wants it and has the best CV, connections and network inside and outside the party, Helen McEntee has gone backwards with her term in justice. I think she's a nice person but lacks authority and that's not what's required in a minister for justice or party leader.

"I think Jenniffer Carroll MacNeill will be the likely opponent for Simon Harris.

"Observing Leo, and his talent and CV, I think he's already auditioning for an internationalist job... be it UN, EU or WHO. I think looking at his passion and interests in his second term as Taoiseach, the things he gets most exercised about are on the international stage. One of the most pro-Ukraine leaders, the most collegiate in welcoming refugees per head of our population, and also I think he's made noises that haven't been as pro-Israel as others."

On Fianna Fail, Mr Yates feels the possible coalition with Sinn Fein will be the final straw for Micheal Martin, who he backed for a bid for the presidency in 2025.

"Martin has been a TD since '87 and a minister on and off since '97, he saved the party from a near-death experience, has done his bit. By not going for the EU Commission job, which would have been an appropriate culmination of his career moving from foreign affairs, I think he wants to be the next president in 2025.

"I don't see him leading Fianna Fail after the election into a government with Sinn Fein. That would be a break point for him personally, but it wouldn't be for his party. If you go through the ministers and junior ministers, you will find that they drew the conclusion of why they did worse in 2020 than 2016, is confidence-and-supply went on too long. They were joint at the hip with Fine Gael and weren't able to oppose the outgoing government as they would have liked to.

"I think they've come to the conclusion at corporate level that they are a party of government, not opposition. They have come to the conclusion at an individual level that they've only been ministers for a short time.

"If Fine Gael and Fianna Fail lose power it will be a milestone moment, there won't be a need for a push or an ambush. I think both Micheal and Leo will say they've done their bit, highlight their achievements and say they're proud of them.

"I think Micheal will focus on the presidency, I think Michael McGrath most likely will be the new leader. There will be a contest and I would see it between him, Darragh O'Brien and Jack Chambers, as of now, and this could change, but McGrath is best placed.

"My sense of both is that the fallout of the election rather than internal rows will dictate events."

Sources have indicated the most likely date for a general election is November 2024, not long after the next budget, which the Government hope will give them a boost.

However, Mr Yates feels a surprise election in June, even before the local and European elections (June 6th to 9th) could be the Government's best chance at stopping Sinn Fein sweeping into power.

"The assumption is this government has a sporting chance of being re-elected. When they get back to party politics, campaigning and elections on their own identity as opposed to running the country, they will trade on their record, but I see a divergence in Fine Gael and Fianna Fail's interests after the next election and I actually don't think you can count the sum of the parts as they may be moving in opposite directions.

"Sinn Fein left 12 seats behind them, they had enough votes for 50 seats, they got 37 or whatever, didn't run enough candidates, and I think their strategy is to go from 78 council seats to something like 240 council seats and use those poll-topping candidates in the autumn to win Dail seats.

"If the government outmanoeuvre them by holding the election before the local elections, you've a difficult situation. Your councillor base, a new tentative base, which election will they go for. They can't go for both?

"The perfect scenario for Sinn Fein is a general election some months after the local elections, in which case they will have built up momentum, a candidate infrastructure, but they'll be able to have a narrative of saying that the government is a lame duck administration, clinging onto power. I think Fine Gael strategists should see that and actually would prefer an early election.

"However, I think Fianna Fail and the Green Party will want to stay in office for as long as possible, and in fairness to them, they have a signed deal for five budgets.

"You think something will crop up to change your luck. Enda Kenny made a huge mistake in not going earlier than 2016. He was persuaded to stay, and it's clear to me that the economy, the presentation of the government's record in office in terms of employment, public finances, would look best in June.

"If I was Leo, I would prevail with my colleagues in the mutual self-interest of going then to stop the juggernaut of Sinn Fein."

The first two episodes of Path to Power are available on all major audio platforms, with new episodes being released on Fridays.
Tom Tuite

A man accused of attacking gunman Tristan Sherry in a Dublin restaurant where he suffered fatal injuries on Christmas Eve has claimed he acted in self-defence, a court has heard.

Mr Sherry (26) was killed following a shooting at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on December 24th, during which Jason Hennessy Snr (48) was wounded.

Mr Sherry alleged fired shots in the restaurant while Mr Hennessy was having a meal with family and friends. Mr Sherry was then attacked, and was pronounced dead at the scene. Two men have earlier been charged with murdering Mr Sherry.

Mr Hennessy was taken to hospital for treatment, but died on January 4th.

Wayne Deegan appeared before Judge Alan Mitchell at Cloverhill District Court on Friday charged in relation to the incident.

Mr Deegan (25), of Linnetsfield Avenue, Phibblestown, Dublin 15, was charged with producing a knife as a weapon during an offence, assault causing harm to Tristan Sherry, and violent disorder by using or threatening to use violence with David Amah and Michael Andrecut, which would cause another person present to fear for their safety, at Browne's Steakhouse on December 24th.

He did not apply for bail after being charged last week and applied to be released on "stringent" terms when his case was called at Cloverhill District Court on Friday.

Detective Garda Sean Kelly objected, citing the seriousness of the offence and witnesses intimidation concerns.

He said it was alleged that Mr Deegan was a member of a group in the restaurant when two gunmen entered and opened fire on a male.

One fled but the other, Mr Sherry, was grabbed and suffered injuries, the court heard.

The court was told a firearm was picked up by another male and there was a sustained attack for five minutes by a number of people on Mr Sherry who was on the ground.

It was alleged that Mr Deegan kicked Mr Sherry in the head several times.

Threat

The detective said other customers were in the restaurant at the time, adding the accused could be a risk to those witnesses and the second gunman.

However, the judge said the evidence was not specific enough.

The garda agreed with defence solicitor Sandra Frayne that the case was based on CCTV evidence and that the accused claimed he acted in self-defence. He confirmed there was no evidence that he had made a threat to anyone.

Ms Frayne submitted that Mr Deegan did not have a history of violence, suggesting it was unnecessary to refuse bail. She added the case had a devastating effect on her client and his family.

Ms Frayne told the court her client was in receipt of disability allowance, adding that he is on medication which he has to take daily.

She claimed there is no evidence he would commit a further offence, or fail to turn up to court, adding he would abide by stringent bail conditions.

While the judge accepted defence submissions on several points, and ruled against some of the objections to bail, he held that the garda had established grounds to deny the application.

He remanded Mr Deegan in custody to appear again on January 26th.

He said it was more likely the case would be dealt with in a higher court and noted gardai must obtain directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Co-defendants David Amah (18), of Hazel Grove, Portrane Road, Donabate, Dublin, and Michael Andrecut (22), of Sheephill Avenue, Dublin 15, have been charged with murdering Mr Sherry.

The pair have been remanded in custody and are due back in court later this month.

Earlier this week, an 18-year-old man was arrested and later released, with a file to be sent to the DPP.

A fifth male, aged in his teens, was arrested on Friday and has been detained for questioning.
Rebecca Black and Jonathan McCambridge, PA

A bid is under way to have the Stormont Assembly recalled next week.

Sinn Fein is attempting to bring the recall on Wednesday  the day before trade unions are planning one of the largest public sector strikes Northern Ireland has seen in recent history.

Thursday is also the deadline for UK Northern Ireland secretary Chris Heaton-Harris to call fresh Assembly elections if devolved government in Northern Ireland has not been restored.

UK Northern Ireland secretary Chris Heaton-Harris (James Manning/PA)

The Assembly has been effectively collapsed for almost two years. The DUP is refusing to participate until unionist concerns around post-Brexit trading arrangements are addressed.

The recall motion will require the backing of 30 MLAs to succeed.

It urges that the Assembly meets urgently to elect a Speaker and Deputy Speakers, appoint ministers and back a motion which endorses fair pay settlements for public sector workers.

It also calls for the DUP to respect the democratic outcome of the May 2022 Assembly election in which Sinn Fein made history by becoming the first nationalist or republican party to top the Stormont poll, entitling it to nominate a First Minister.

Finally, it emphasises the pressing need to urgently reinstate the Executive to tackle the unprecedented challenges confronting citizens and our public services, particularly the immediate matter of public sector pay.

The DUP has insisted it will not end its blockade until it secures legislative assurances from the UK government on Northern Irelands trading position within the UK.

Mr Heaton-Harris has said his talks with the DUP over the Windsor Framework have concluded, although leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has insisted engagement is continuing.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson (Liam McBurney/PA)

Mr Heaton-Harris has invited the main Stormont parties to take part in bilateral talks at Hillsborough Castle on Monday about the Stormont stalemate.

Earlier, DUP MP Gavin Robinson insisted there is no legal basis for joint authority rule in Northern Ireland if devolved government is not restored.

Mr Robinson was reacting after Conservative MP and chair of the UK's Northern Ireland Affairs Committee Sir Robert Buckland said any alternative to the DUP agreeing a deal to restore the Stormont Executive would likely mean the involvement of the Irish Government.

The DUP deputy leader accused Mr Buckland of making hollow threats.

During an appearance on the BBCs The View programme, Mr Buckland said that a return to direct rule for Northern Ireland would mean triggering certain aspects of the Good Friday Agreement and involvement of the Irish Government, ultimately.

Asked if old-style direct rule of the past was off the table, he responded: I think so.

Mr Robinson responded: Sir Robert Buckland seems to be confused. Its not often he is wrong, but on this he is.

The Republic of Ireland has no legal basis for governing Northern Ireland.

Such a step would be a further breach of the Belfast and successor agreements.

He added: It is the arrangements flowing from the Northern Ireland Protocol alone that are stopping the formation of an Executive.

We are focused on getting this right and restoring the balance. We will not be distracted by Sir Roberts confused viewpoint.

Rather than issue hollow threats about some version of joint authority, Sir Robert and his colleagues would be better to focus on restoring Northern Irelands place within the UK internal market.

Replacing the protocol with arrangements that unionists, as well as nationalists, can support will provide a solid foundation for the restoration of devolution on a cross-community basis.

Previous talks between Mr Heaton-Harris and the main Stormont parties over a 3.3 billion financial package to accompany the return of devolution broke up at Hillsborough Castle in December without any agreement to restore the Assembly and Executive.

The package would include money to make an outstanding pay award to public sector workers.

With their pay demands still unmet, unions are planning a major strike across Northern Ireland on January 18th.

Sir Robert Buckland is chair of the UK's Northern Ireland Affairs Committee at Westminster (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Mr Buckland denied that the UK government was using the strikes in Northern Ireland as a means to pressure the DUP into a deal.

He said: I think on one level its maybe a cynical view about how the UK government would view the valued contribution that public service workers make in Northern Ireland.

The reality is this facing all of us  all of us as elected politicians have responsibilities to face up to.

Sometimes we have to make decisions that we dont particularly like, we dont live in a perfect world.

The DUP are part of this imperfect world. There isnt a perfect solution for them.

But there is a solution and a solution that can deliver for their constituents, many of whom are public sector workers, in a way that I think would redound to their credit.

Thats why I think now is the time for leadership, for courage if you like  an overused word sometimes, but one that might apply in this case  to allow the Executive to be formed as quickly as possible.
Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions.

A group of tourists on a rafting excursion on the Snake River near Jackson, Wyoming. Along the way are numerous eagles and wildlife such as elk. Teacherdad48 / iStock Editorial / Getty Images Plus

In 1968, the U.S. government passed the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, designating the first eight free-flowing rivers as protected  the Rio Grande, Rogue, Clearwater, St. Croix, Eleven Point, Idahos Salmon and Wolf Rivers.

Today, there are 226 wild and scenic rivers and streams covering more than 13,4000 miles in the national Wild and Scenic Rivers System. In partnership with the public, the U.S. Forest Service works to protect the water quality and free flowing nature of these waterways, as well as safeguard them from development, overuse and other destructive impacts.

Here are some of the countrys most spectacular wild and scenic rivers you might want to explore on your next outdoor adventure.

Snake River, Wyoming, Idaho & Washington

Whitewater rafting on the Snake River near Jackson, Wyoming. christiannafzger / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Designated as a Wild and Scenic River in 2009, the Snake River flows 1,078 miles through the mountains, valleys and grasslands of Washington, Idaho and Wyoming, where it originates. It flows through Yellowstone National Park, as well as the cities of Idaho Falls, Twin Falls, Boise, Jackson and Lewiston, with spectacular views from the Hells Canyon gorge.

While cruising my motorcycle down through the Hells Canyon area of the Snake River on a hot summer day, I literally felt like I was being poured into one of the most memorable and vivid displays of natures beauty that I can remember. The canyon walls, steep elevation changes and the winding road itself made for a magnificent and memorable experience, and I remember thinking to myself as I roared down the road, This is exactly why I ride, Harley rider and nature enthusiast Patrick Roat told EcoWatch.

The Snake River empties into the Columbia River  which forms the border of Oregon and Washington  and is its largest tributary. While it was once the spawning grounds of over two million wild steelhead and salmon, these species are now threatened or extinct in the Snake River and its tributaries. Their biggest threat are four dams  built in the 1960s and 70s  upstream of the lower 48 states biggest freshwater salmon habitat.

A federal court-ordered review was done by the government in 2016 of whether to keep the outdated dams in place, and the decision was to keep them intact.

As scientists, tribes, and fishermen all warned, these four dams decimated the Snake Rivers salmon and steelhead. The four dams transformed the Lower Snake River into a series of warm, shallow lakes where predators, dam turbines, and hot water kill too many migrating salmon, Columbia Riverkeeper wrote.

The lives of Snake River steelhead and salmon begin in the mountains of Washington, Oregon and Idaho, before the young fish head to the ocean. They spend several years there before traveling the more than 900 miles to the Salmon Rivers headwaters in Idaho. There they spawn at the highest elevations of any steelhead or salmon on Earth.

The Snake cuts through my hometown of Idaho Falls. I love that river and the falls  once natural but now a source of hydroelectricity. I remember Terry Tempest Williams saying something about how the kind of water we grow up around profoundly affects us, imprints itself upon us. She was talking about the Great Salt Lake, but I was thinking while she was talking about my Snake. I grew up admiring that river but also fearing her, like a wild and strong mother. She mesmerized me and terrified me. On the surface the Snake is so seemingly placid, but shes also fast. And underneath, there is so much happening because of the rocky river bottom, the pull of the undertows, writer and teacher Carissa Neff told EcoWatch.

When visiting the Snake River region, you can expect to see plenty of wildlife, including moose, elk, pronghorn, mountain goats, American beavers, North American river otters, marmots and coyotes. Approximately 300 bird species grace the skies of the area around the river, from eagles and osprey to the great gray owl, peregrine falcon, calliope hummingbird and trumpeter swan.

There are a variety of campgrounds along the river, including the Miracle and Banbury Hot Springs, which feature geothermal hot springs, a massage center and kayak rentals.

Rogue River, Oregon

Juliana Statius Muller rowing a purple whitewater cataraft on the Rogue River. John Jones

At 215 miles long, the lower portion of Oregons Rogue River was one of the original Wild and Scenic Rivers Act designations of 1968. The wild and scenic Lower Rogue River runs 84 miles from the Applegate River mouth  about six miles from Grants Pass  to the Lobster Creek Bridge.

The Rogue originates in the Cascades on Mt. Mazamas western slopes  not far from Crater Lake National Park  before emptying into the Pacific at Gold Beach. The river is famous for its whitewater rafting and salmon and steelhead runs.

A war between white settlers who had come to the region during the Gold Rush and members of the Takelma, Athabaskan and Oregon Shasta Native American Tribes resulted in Tribal members being forced from their land onto reservations in 1856. Their descendants are members of todays Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and Siletz.

In addition to Chinook and coho salmon, green sturgeon, steelhead and cutthroat trout, the Rogue is home to Roosevelt elk, black bears, otters, black-tailed deer, American beaver, ospreys, green herons, great blue herons, red-winged blackbirds, Stellers jays, woodpeckers, Canada geese, kingfishers and bald eagles.

Among the many hiking options along the river, the 40-mile Rogue River National Recreation Trail will take you along its wild and scenic section from Grave Creek to Big Bend. Along the trail you will have opportunities to encounter spectacular waterfalls, wildlife, wildflowers and historical sites.

Other trails along the Rogue River include the 1.1-mile Redwood Nature Trail loop that begins near Brookings, Oregon; the 9.5-mile Wagner Butte Trail  an out-and-back hike near Ashland; and the moderately difficult 0.8-mile out-and-back National Falls Creek Trail near Prospect, Oregon.

The Wild Rogue Wilderness canyon that surrounds the river gives watershed protection for its wild and scenic portion, which features vertical cliffs with sharp-edged ridges. Here youll find striking geological formations, old-growth forests and pristine meadows with wildflowers like redwood sorrel, wild ginger, mock orange and red flowering currant.

The Rogue River in Oregon. alacatr / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Large cedar, Shasta red fir and white fir trees hug the upper portion of the river, while broadleaf evergreens, a variety of conifers and deciduous trees grow further downstream. The whole Rogue River canyon is populated by enormous Douglas fir, ponderosa pine, Jeffrey pine, oak, manzanita and madrone trees.

Another of the many wonderful things about the wild and scenic section of the Rogue River is that  in addition to many unmarked, established campsites  camping is allowed anywhere along the river that is physically suitable for your group, according to the Bureau of Land Management.

Around the second half of October each year, the Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue River might include some fun Halloween surprises  in the form of cute miniature pumpkins. The pumpkins start appearing on mid-channel rocks on both sides of the river between Alameda campground and Foster Bar. I have yet to see who places the pumpkins, but it is really fun to see a little pumpkin on a rock in the middle of a rapid, right where you need to make a move with your oars, adventurer Sarah Strock told EcoWatch.

McKenzie River, Oregon

The McKenzie River in Willamette National Forest, Oregon. Prisma by Dukas / Universal Images Group via Getty Images

My favorite river in Oregon, the stunning McKenzie River was given wild and scenic status in 1988. It originates in the Central Cascade Mountains at Clear Lake, flowing southwest through Willamette National Forest.

The cool, clear McKenzie runs beneath cedar, pine and maple trees. And on sunny days, the dappled river flows over the millennia of cobbles and hardened lava of the ancient riverbed.

The upper portion of the McKenzie River Basin was shaped by volcanic activity and lava flows that formed waterfalls, pools and whitewater. Clear Lake was carved out by a basaltic lava flow, and lava flows also created the rivers Koosah and Sahalie waterfalls. These aspects of the river provide magnificent views for hiking and kayaking, as well as extraordinary whitewater rafting.

The McKenzie is home to a host of fish species, including wild spring Chinook salmon and native rainbow, cutthroat and bull trout.

The McKenzie River National Recreation Trail offers 26 miles of spectacular easy level hiking for all ages and recreational opportunities along the river, including 11 trailheads, campgrounds and views of Tamolitch, Koosah and Sahalie Falls.

Close to the McKenzie River National Recreation Trail is the McKenzie Bridge Campground, which offers 20 campsites tucked beneath western red cedar and Douglas-fir trees, all with river access.

Klamath River, Oregon & California

Tourists paddle along the Klamath River in traditional canoes handcrafted from redwood trees. Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times

Another magical Western U.S. waterway  added to the National Wild & Scenic Rivers System in 1981  is the Klamath River. The 257-mile blue-green river originates on a plateau in South-Central Oregon, east of the Cascades. Underground springs swell from cracks in the volcanic rock, feeding the river. Other sources include the Williamson, Sprague, Wood and Sycan rivers, Upper Klamath Lake and the regions wetlands and marshes.

The Klamath River Basin stretches through parts of six Oregon and California counties and has been the territory of several Native American Tribes  including the Shasta, Hupa, Klamath, Yurok and Karuk  for thousands of years. The rivers once-plentiful salmon were harvested by the Tribes sustainably using weirs.

There are currently dams on the Klamath River that block salmon habitat and create water quality issues, but they are scheduled to be removed, and one has already been taken down. In addition to coho and Chinook salmon, the glittering river supports populations of steelhead trout whose populations have been cut by approximately 95 percent.

Four dams along the Klamath River, which runs from Oregon into northwestern California, are scheduled to be removed in 2023 and 2024  Copco No. 1, Copco No. 2, Iron Gate, and JC Boyle. These dams total 400 vertical feet and choke fish passage along hundreds of miles of waterways, making this a historic opportunity and one of the largest dam removal projects to date. And construction has started! the American Rivers said.

Some of the more than 430 species of wildlife  including 263 types of birds  who call the Klamath River Basin home include elk, antelope, pronghorn, black bears, cougars, mule deer and river otters. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as the states of California and Oregon, have designated dozens of these species at risk or of concern due to shrinking populations and habitat loss. As the largest freshwater wetlands found west of the Mississippi, the basin is essential for the regions fish and wildlife.

The Klamath River rushes through several wilderness areas and national forests on its journey west and south, including Klamath National Forest in Oregon and Six Rivers National Forest in California.

This wild and scenic river has hundreds of trail miles to hike  including the nine-mile Klamath River Trail loop and the Pacific Crest Trail, which crosses the river near the town of Seiad Valley, California  as well as five wilderness areas nearby.
ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. (Jan. 12, 2024) - Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) Student Government Association (SGA) President JayQuahn Blackledge, 21, knows a bit more about Martin Luther King Jr. now than he did growing up.

I now know about the people he surrounded himself with and that he found it very important to be with like minded people, he said. With people who think like you, its easier to carry out your vision because they carry the same vision that you do.

Thats a pressing thought as Blackledge and his Viking classmates gear up for a rally and march to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., on Monday, Jan. 15. The meet up begins at 11 a.m. at Roebuck Stadium. Following the rally, the march begins at noon to the Elizbeth City Municipal Building, 306 E. Colonial Ave. to be followed by a full program at 1 p.m.

ECSU student leaders, sororities, fraternities, and campus organizations are spearheading the event and welcome the Elizabeth City community to attend. Togetherness is key to continuing the message and motives of King, Blackledge said.

This event shows the importance of (students) honoring those we came before us and the legacy they left. We have to make sure we still fight for the same rights they fought for, he said.

Marcus Bass, executive director of the North Carolina Black Alliance is the programs guest speaker. Blackledge, Mister ECSU Jared Bell, and Miss ECSU Jordan Thornton will also offer remarks.

In the event of inclement weather, the event will take place at Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church, 507 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.

Bria Vaughan, assistant director of fraternity and sorority life and student organizations, said having young people lead these types of efforts ensure theyre tapped into their history and todays times.

We always encourage our students to be engaged, she said. We want them on the frontlines of civic engagement.

___

Who: ECSU Students and Public

What: Martin Luther King Jr. Rally and March

When: Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, 11 a.m.

Where: Roebuck Stadium, 1704 Weeksville Rd.

Who: ECSU Students and Public

What: Martin Luther King Jr. Program

When: Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, 1 p.m.

Where: Elizabeth City Municipal Building, 306 E. Colonial Ave.
(Photo: Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines)Philippines Catholic Bishops on January 20, 2015. Cardinal Luis Tagle is seated in the center.

Philippine bishops say many voices must be heard in addressing the growing problem of climate change, citing the country's vulnerability to environmental catastrophes after Pope Francis' latest encyclical.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines on July 21 called for working together to implement efforts that could mitigate the impact of climate change in the disaster-prone country.

"Climate change has brought about suffering for nations, communities and peoples," said CBCP president Archbishop Socrates Villegas. "When they who are in need cry out, it is not an option to respond. It is an obligation."

"Advocacy of Church communities on behalf of the common good should influence policy makers and translate itself into community action as well," Villegas said.

He pointed out that citizens must work together with the government and other organizations to achieve the common goal of dealing with the concern.

The bishops issued the statement ahead of the upcoming summit in Paris aimed at tackling climate change.

They issued a reminder for developments to translate into tangible actions which can help improve the lives of the poor and the marginalized.

With climate change "social justice" issue, any decision reached must consider the common good of the generations to come.

"All persons of goodwill must train their eyes on Paris," Villegas said. "Caring about climate change and its deleterious and devastating effects on all ... is our way of attending to the needs of the least of our brothers and sisters; it is how, today, we must wash each others' feet," he said.

Caritas Internationalis president Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle encouraged people to take up the cudgels for the environment by working together to improve its worsening state.

"We must 'give, and not simply give up.' We are called to free ourselves from all that is heavy and negative and wasteful and to enter into dialogue with our global family," he wrote in a reflection on Francis' encyclical.

Tagle, also the Manila archbishop, pointed out that the Pope "reminds us to replace consumption with a sense of sacrifice, greed with generosity and wastefulness with a spirit of sharing."
And yes, there were still plenty of weird new gadgets.

Just as we expected, AI was the running theme throughout CES 2024. In this episode, Devindra and Producer Ben Ellman chat with co-host Cherlynn Low, whos on the ground in Las Vegas with the Engadget team. We dive into AI coming to almost every product category, new standalone AI hardware, and a surprising amount of shush tech. In geekier news, we dive into Microns new RAM format for laptops, which has the potential to reshape the notebook industry, and discuss why we all may want a rolling house robot like Samsungs Ballie. And on a sad note, we chat about the wave of tech layoffs from Google, Amazon and others.

Listen below or subscribe on your podcast app of choice. If you've got suggestions or topics you'd like covered on the show, be sure to email us or drop a note in the comments! And be sure to check out our other podcast, Engadget News!

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Topics

Transparent OLED TVs, assistive gloves, and a Sony car: Whats hot at CES with Cherlynn Low  1:09

AMD and Intel announce new chips  28:22

Microns replacement for SODIMM laptop RAM is a bigger deal than you think  38:01

Humane and Rabbit show off standalone AI devices  45:49

New gaming laptops from ASUS, Alienware, and Razer  53:36

Samsungs Ballie robot could be a great multimedia companion for kids  1:00:54

Layoffs at Amazon: Twitch to lay off 35% of its workforce  1:16:50

Google lays off several hundred workers in an effort to reorganize hardware divisions  1:18:14

Pop culture picks  1:22:09

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Credits

Hosts: Cherlynn Low and Devindra Hardawar

Producer: Ben Ellman

Music: Dale North and Terrence O'Brien

We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.

This article contains affiliate links; if you click such a link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission.
It's been a while since we saw over-the-air wireless charging demos from the likes of Oppo and Xiaomi, so CES 2024 caught us by surprise when we came across a new one from another Chinese mobile brand, Infinix. This "AirCharge" tech uses low-frequency magnetic resonance to deliver up to 7.5W of power wirelessly, and this works across a distance of up to 20cm (7.87 inches)  doubling that of Oppo's previous demo  and at angles of up to 60 degrees. To be specific, you get somewhere between 1W and 5W over a distance of 10cm (3.94 inches) to 20cm for a single device.

Infinix believes that this use case is ideal for users who want to keep their phones charged while gaming or watching videos, without having a cable getting in the way of either hand. With this improved charging distance, you can also install the AirCharge pad to underneath a table, and then you'll have yourself a stealthy charging area. Before that, though, Infinix will need to figure out a way to avoid accidentally heating up metallic objects nearby. There are foreign object detection methods for existing "2D" wireless charging solutions, but it's more complex when the charging space goes from "2D" to "3D."

Another safety measure to keep in mind is for the case of a sudden drop in distance between the phone and the charging pad  it's not good to abruptly crank up the voltage on a device like that. As such, Infinix has already implemented (and patented) an over-voltage protection circuit on both ends of the chain. The company doesn't have a time frame for launching AirCharge on a mass production device just yet, but it hopes to eventually use this tech to push for an industrial standard on over-the-air wireless charging.

Photo by Richard Lai / Engadget

Infinix also showed off its "E-Color Shift Technology," which uses E Ink's Prism 3 to let you change the color patterns on the back of your phone. This feature supports eight basic colors, which are then expanded by multiple levels of shades, and this can be implemented onto a pattern with over 100 customizable areas. As is the case with conventional E Ink displays, once this Prism 3 panel has been refreshed, the new color pattern remains without consuming power.

Once the company figures out how to tackle the challenges related to thermal performance and thickness, it hopes to bring this funky feature to consumer devices within a year or two. By which point, you'll be able to customize the color pattern through an app  which we didn't get to see, as our demo used dummy phones instead. Even Lenovo is considering this display tech for decorating its laptop lids.

Last but not least, Infinix teased its "Extreme-Temp Battery" tech for users who have to brave the cold. While conventional lithium ion batteries will have their capacities drastically reduced or even get damaged in low temperatures, Infinix's solid state battery will continue to operate even at a temperature as low as -40C or -40F. Similarly, when measured at -20C or -4F, Infinix's solution will apparently have a 50- to 300-percent boost in endurance time compared to others. We may see this battery tech on an Infinix phone as soon as the second half of 2025.

Update, January 14 2024, 3:46AM ET: This story has been updated with the correct power output of AirCharge.

We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.
Realme, a sister brand of Oppo and OnePlus, made its CES debut this year in Las Vegas by unveiling a new mid-range phone with a photography twist. The Realme 12 Pro+, due to launch later this month, is apparently the first in its price segment to not only offer a 3x periscope telephoto lens with optical stabilization, but also one with a relatively larger sensor to improve low-light performance. The candybar is the work of Swiss luxury watch designer Ollivier Saveo, complete with a golden fluted bezel surrounding a stunning polished sunburst dial, garnished with a 3D jubilee bracelet over vegan leather  in blue or white.

The periscope zoom camera here is powered by a 64-megapixel OmniVision OV64B, which comes in at half an inch large. Realme says compared to the 3x zoom camera on the iPhone 15 Pro (12 megapixels) and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (10 megapixels), the Realme 12 Pro+'s sensor is at least over 2.6 times as large, thus enabling over 1.8 times the amount of light it takes in. In other words, telephoto cameras don't get much love on mainstream flagship phones. The comparison photos we saw at the launch event were very convincing, with Realme's preserving an impressive amount of detail even at full crop, but we'll obviously wait for our own hands-on later.

realme 12 Pro+ realme 12 Pro+

With such improvements, this mid-range phone can stick to its periscope camera even in darker environments, while other phones with conventional 3x telephoto cameras (read: smaller sensors) would automatically switch to its main camera and rely on digital zoom instead. But of course, there's still a limit as to how dark this camera can handle; you'll want a flagship-level 3x periscope zoom camera with an even bigger sensor for something more impressive, namely the 1/1.56-inch sensor on the likes of Realme's GT5 Pro, Oppo's Find X7 Ultra and apparently the OnePlus 12 as well.

The Realme 12 Pro+ also packs a decent 50-megapixel main camera, which features a 1/1.56-inch Sony IMX890 sensor (as seen on the OnePlus 11), f/1.8 aperture and optical stabilization. This phone also packs a 0.6x ultra-wide camera, though Realme stopped short at sharing further information. Likewise, the Chinese brand wouldn't share which Qualcomm mid-range processor is powering this device, but it's custom made to enable Realme's "MasterShot Algorithm" computational photography capabilities here. This is what enables RAW processing which, until now, is largely exclusive to flagship smartphones, meaning even mid-range devices will be able to leverage more editing options in the near future.

Photo by Richard Lai / Engadget

The rest of the Realme 12 Pro+  including the remaining specs and pricing  is still under wraps. Even though the brand isn't present in most locations of our readership, Realme's aggressive growth in recent years should be influential enough to set a benchmark for mid-range phones of 2024. Perhaps this will also put pressure on the likes of Apple and Samsung to vastly improve essential features on their own flagships.

We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.
Invoxia showed off the Minitailz tracker at CES 2024 this week, which it claims can save the lives of both dogs and cats.

Nowadays, there are already plenty of choices when it comes to pet trackers, and some can even monitor heart rate, but apparently none could detect atrial fibrillation (AFib) until now. At CES 2024 in Las Vegas, GPS tracker specialist Invoxia unveiled the Minitailz, the world's first pet tracker that can keep an eye out for early heart disease symptoms on your cats or dogs. Together with other vital stats and activity log, the companion app then uses conversational generative AI to generate easy-to-read reports on your pets.

According to the French company, Minitailz is able to track respiratory and heart vitals with an accuracy of 97 to 99 percent, thanks to its advanced biometric sensors combined with AI. Using deep learning algorithms, the set of data is then used to spot digital biomarkers that indicate stress, aging and pathologies. The device can also differentiate the types of movements, such as walks, runs and zoomies, as well as alerting you when your pets wander beyond your preset geofences.

Photo by Richard Lai / Engadget

The Minitailz module houses a built-in SIM card for LTE-M connectivity, which enables real-time tracking in conjunction with GPS. This can be attached to any pet collar, which is an advantage over many competing devices that are stuck inside a physical neckband, according to Invoxia.

The Minitailz is already available for dogs via Invoxia's website for $99, followed by a cat version due in March for the same price. You'll also need to buy a subscription starting from $8.30 per month.

We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.
Enclosure or Disclosure?

With various changes in the production, representation, distribution, and reception of Indian films both within the country and across the world in contemporary times, Dalit representation in popular media is a major topic of interest in the academic as well as non-academic spheres such as popular and social media. Moreover, the increase in the number of films which explicitly discuss Dalit lives on screen and the presence of Dalit film-makers in various film industries in India recently have led to a resurgent academic interest in Dalits and cinema. First, the engaging academic discussions in Dalit representation and presence in Indian cinema, especially in the last decade, which go beyond the usual tropes of oppression and humiliation, shifted the gear of representational discourse on Dalits and cinema (Margaret 2013; Wankhede 2013; Yengde 2018; Edachira 2020). Second, the strong presence of anti-caste filmmakers in Indian cinema and their involvement with production (especially Pa Ranjith) pushes one to look at the changes in Dalit representation on and off the screen.1 Third, in a highly mediatised contemporary world, the way oppressed groups such as Dalits use media for emancipatory purposes prompts one to examine the discourse on Dalit representation not only through the content of the films but also through the formal and technical aspects of films.

In this context, Dhananjay Rais Contested Representation: Dalits, Popular Hindi Cinema, and Public Sphere raises some significant questions on Dalit representation in popular Hindi films with a special focus on social language and the public sphere. Among a short list of edited volumes and article-length scholarship that has dealt with representational aspects of Dalits and Hindi cinema, the book under review is, perhaps, one of the initial book-length attempts that discusses various issues concerning Dalit representation. Surprisingly, it adopts a flashback mode to discuss the contested representation of Dalits in Hindi cinema, moving away from many of its present concerns.
The Zambian experience suggests that the prevailing international financial architecture aims to get bilateral creditors, in this case principally China, to carry the burden of a restructuring process which protects the interests of, and even favours, private creditors who leveraged cheap capital and rushed into the less developed country market in search of high yields.

The fact that the prevailing international financial architecture (IFA) is not fit for the purpose of ensuring fairness and stability in global economic relationships was once again revealed when Zambias strenuous efforts to resolve its external debt crisis fell apart recently. Zambia, in November 2020, was the first country to default on external debt payments after the pandemic. Following that, the government of Zambia began negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to discuss and accept conditions and a programme that the latter defined as necessary for a successful process of restructuring. The perception was, and is, that once an IMF-designed restructuring process is accepted by the debtor government and put in place, all creditors would fall in line.

Eligible to be considered under the G20s Common Framework for Debt Treatment, Zambia was the first country that chose to opt for the route in which the restructuring of debt from creditors, along the lines laid out in a debt sustainability analysis (DSA) from the IMF, would reflect comparable or equal treatment of different creditors. This required obtaining financing assurances from the bilateral creditors to obtain emergency credit from the IMF, negotiating a detailed restructuring deal with these bilateral creditors that met the IMFs DSA standards, and then making private creditors accept a comparable restructuring arrangement. The fact that this process, which took almost three years after the initial default to complete, fell apart, points to the inadequacy of the IFA to resolve one of the most pressing challenges facing the international community today.
The 17th International Conference on Surface X-ray and Neutron Scattering (SXNS17) will be held at the EPN campus in Grenoble, France, hosting the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) and the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) from July 15 -18, 2024.
Friday, January 12, 2024

Tax filing can be a perplexing time for many Americans, and sometimes, despite your best efforts, mistakes happen. If youve filed your taxes and then realized you made a mistake, dont fear. The good news is that the Internal Revenue Service has a solution  the IRS Form 1040-X. In this guide, well walk you through what Form 1040-X is, when to use it, and how to fill it out.

Correcting Tax Mistakes with IRS Form 1040-X

Form 1040-X, also known as the Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, allows you to fix errors or omissions on a previously filed tax return. Whether you forgot to report income, missed out on valuable tax credits, or made other oversights, Form 1040-X has your back. Its important to note that this form is specifically designed for individual taxpayers, not businesses.

When to Use IRS Form 1040-X

Life is unpredictable, and mistakes happen. If you submitted your tax return but later discovered errors that affect your taxes, consider filing Form 1040-X. Keep in mind that you have three years from the date you filed your original return or within two years from the date you paid the tax, whichever is later, to submit Form 1040-X.

Common scenarios where you might need to use the amended return include:

Correcting Filing Status: If you initially filed as single but got married or experienced another change in filing status, youll need to use Form 1040-X to make this correction.

Income Adjustments: If you forget to report additional income sources or maybe you received a W-2 or 1099 after filing your original return, use Form 1040-X to include any missing income.

Claiming Missed Credits: If you missed out on tax credits, like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Child Tax Credit, Form 1040-X lets you claim these valuable benefits.

Deduction Updates: If you forget to include deductions on your original return, Form 1040x allows you to make changes and potentially increase your refund.

Step-by-Step Guide to Correcting Mistakes

Filling out the 1040-X might sound intimidating, but its a straightforward process. Heres a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the form with ease:

Step 1: Obtain a Copy of Your Original Return

Before diving into Form 1040-X, make sure you have a copy of your original tax return. Youll need this document to reference the information you initially reported.

Step 2: Download Form 1040x

Visit the official IRS website to download a copy of Form 1040-X. Take your time to read the instructions and gather the necessary supporting documents.

Step 3: Complete the Form

Carefully fill out the necessary sections of Form 1040-X. Indicate the changes you are making and provide the corrected figures. Double-check your math to ensure accuracy.

Step 4: Attach Supporting Documents

Depending on the nature of your changes, you may need to attach supporting documents. This could include additional forms, schedules, or any documentation that backs up your amended tax return.

Step 5: Submit the Form

Once completed, you can e-file your Form 1040-X using tax filing software or mail it to the address specified in the instructions. Be sure to keep a copy of the amended return and any supporting documents for your records.

Common FAQs About Form 1040x:

How Long Do I Have to Amend My Return?

You generally have three years from the date you filed your original return or within two years of paying the tax, whichever is later. However, certain situations may allow for additional time, so its essential to check the specific guidelines.

Will Amending My Return Trigger an Audit?

While the fear of an audit is natural, the act of amending your return does not automatically trigger one. However, you need to ensure that the changes you make are accurate and well-documented to avoid any potential issues.

Can I e-file Form 1040-X?

Yes, you can now electronically file amended returns for tax year 2020 and later Forms 1040 and 1040-SR. However, if youre amending a prior years return that was originally filed on paper, the amended return must also be filed on paper.

How Long Does It Take for the IRS to Process Form 1040-X?

Amended returns generally take longer to process than regular returns. The IRS advises allowing up to 20 weeks for them to complete the review and provide an updated status.

Can I Track the Status of My Amended Return?

Yes, you can! The Wheres My Amended Return? tool on the IRS website allows you to track the progress of your Form 1040-X. Be sure to wait at least three weeks after mailing before checking.

Get Expert Help In Amending Your Return

Amending your tax return need not be a stressful ordeal. With IRS Form 1040-X in hand and a clear understanding of the process, you can correct errors with confidence. Remember, everyone makes mistakes, and the IRS understands that. Whether you missed reporting income or claimed an inaccurate deduction, this form allows you to set things right.

Remember, its okay to seek assistance from tax professionals if needed. If you find yourself stuck or confused, our team at Tax Samaritan is here for you. Visit our website www.taxsamaritan.com to learn how we can assist you with Form 1040-X.
Northern Ireland's Department of Agriculture (DAERA) has been told to fix their IT systems 'urgently' as issues are preventing farmers from completing essential forms.

The Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) said it had received 'many complaints from frustrated members' warning that DAERAs IT system was 'not working to full capacity'.

This was preventing farmers and agriculture agents from completing essential forms, the union said.

It has called for farmers in the province to be given extensions and flexibility for any impending deadlines.

"This level of service is completely unacceptable," said UFU president David Brown, adding that the issue was creating additional stress and pressure for farmers.

DAERA continually expects farmers to work to deadlines, and yet, if the farmer narrowly misses the timescale, they are hit with heavy penalties regardless of the reason why.

DAERA have spent millions on this system and yet it is still not fit for purpose."

IT issues have been reported surrounding Northern Ireland's Food Animal Information System (NIFAIS) since its implementation several months ago.

Marts are also having difficulties with the new IT system, with delays in entering cattle information into the system still ongoing for many.

The UFU has demanded a full explanation on the timescale for getting these IT problems and what procedures DAERA will implement.

Mr Brown urged farmers experiencing issues to visit their local DAERA direct office and 'demand solutions and better IT service'.

He said: "Our members have been extremely patient and have done their best to tolerate what could once be called teething problems, but we have long past that point.

"Many farmers received out of office emails when they enquired about the issues which is unacceptable considering how important the online information is to meeting deadlines set by DAERA.
Scottish sheep farmers are being invited to join a webinar addressing issues that have faced the 2023 lamb crop, including high worm burdens and feed costs.

SAC Consulting, part of Scotlands Rural College (SRUC), will hold the online webinar on 18 January following a year which led many lambs to underperform.

An especially high parasite burden, the quality and price of feedstuffs and the ongoing wet weather are seen as key factors in many lambs struggling to thrive as they would usually.

SAC Consulting's webinar will discuss information for producers who faced these challenges in 2023.

The aim is to help them to enhance efficiency and production before taking them to market over the coming weeks and months.

Kirsten Williams, senior sheep consultant at SAC Consulting, said experts will offer guidance to producers in maximising the potential from the 2023 lambs.

Its just been one of those years with numerous challenges, she said, When it comes to parasites, a large part of the problem has been the weather pattern.

"The warm and moist weather we have experienced in Scotland has provided ideal conditions for a continuous worm cycle.

"It has also contributed to the high number of cases of fly strike, which has set many lambs back in their growth.

Producers looking to reduce input costs may have delayed introducing concentrate feed, or tried cheaper food sources, she noted.

This has resulted in nutritional requirements not being quite as balanced as they might have otherwise.

Some farmers will have either planned to keep lambs later or purchased long keep lambs to finish for the Ramadan and Easter markets in late March or early April, which will be here before we know it," Ms Williams explained.

"Ensuring lambs are growing on for this requires really good health and nutrition, and we hope the experts we have speaking at this webinar will help farmers to put that into place.

The free webinar, entitled Lamb Finishing, starts on 18 January at 7.30pm. Prior registration is necessary.
Getting Around

We love getting the most bang for our buck, and were sure you do too. And, of course, we want to truly experience each country were travelling to. These tips and tricks will let you get under the skin of the destination, while saving you a few euros.If you plan to travel by train when in, look for heavily-discounted orange tickets on DSB.dk (above). These are limited in number and available two months ahead of travel, so make sure to plan well in advance to get these.In, a budget-friendly way to get around is by carpooling. The locals usually use a service such as BlaBlaCar.Available in Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense and Aalborg, a green kayak trip is a cool and free way to explore these cities infrom the water. All you have to do is help collect litter from the waterways along the way.If you plan to go the ferry way around, sign up for the loyalty cards in advance so you get ticket discounts and reward points.In Dublin,, buy a Leap Visitor Card, which offers unlimited travel on the buses, trams (Luas) and city trains (DART). No deposit is required, and you will find the 72-hour card at 16.00 excellent paisa vasooli.Get aroundby train (car rental is very, very pricey), but buy your tickets online  they can be as much as double the price at the stations.



Getting A Bite

In France, a quick bite is best found in a local bakery (boulangerie).



Also in France, buy a bottle of wine and drink it in a park rather than a bar. Keep in mind that, while it is not illegal to drink in a public space in France, you have to drink responsibly.



One of the most budget-friendly eats in Denmark is a cheese roll (boller med ost). Ask for one at any bakery, even if they are not on the menu.



If you plan to self cater during your vacation in France, look for  or ask about  seasonal fruits, vegetables and seafood. These are great value for your money.



Dont bother ordering  and paying for  desserts in the north of Greece. Most restaurants will serve you a small sweet treat on the house.



If youre drinking in a bar serving the triple distilled liquor tsipuro in Greece, you most likely will be served a small plate of savoury snacks with each shot.









In Ireland, download the restaurant app Early Table, which can help you score up to 50 % off on food bills if you are okay with dining during off-peak periods, which also helps restaurants function at quiet times.



In, download the restaurant app Early Table, which can help you score up to 50 % off on food bills if you are okay with dining during off-peak periods, which also helps restaurants function at quiet times.

In Italy, it is cheaper to drink your coffee standing at the bar than sitting at a table.





Also, in Italy, most public toilets come at a price so combine a coffee break at a cafe with a loo stop.



In Spain, you will be charged extra to eat at any outdoor table on a terraza (outdoor terrace); eat inside the restaurant instead.



In Portugal, most restaurants will offer a fixed menu deal (menu do dia) or a daily dish (prato do dia) at less than 10. In Spain, the weekday menu del dia is a fixed price three-course meal with drinks, bread, coffee and dessert for anything from 8 to 17.



In Portugal and Spain, it is worth keeping in mind that the bread and olives on the table might not be free; ask your server before tucking in.



Getting Into The Water

Every city in Denmark has an open-air floating harbour swimming pool that is free to use. Just take along a swimsuit and a towel.



Only organised beaches (ones with amenities) in Greece require you to pay for a beach chair and sun umbrella; you can lay your towel down anywhere on an unorganised beach.







In Italy, ask locals for their recommendation of public beaches, where you will not have to pay  unlike in privatised beaches.



Images: Shutterstock



Also Read: Get A Birds Eye View of Tigers At Pench




China's total foreign trade in goods expanded by 0.2 per cent year on year (YoY) in yuan terms last year, according to official data.

The country's foreign trade was worth 41.76 trillion yuan ($5.87 trillion) last year, according to the general administration of customs.

China's total foreign trade in goods expanded by 0.2 per cent year on year (YoY) in yuan terms last year, according to official data. The country's foreign trade was worth 41.76 trillion yuan ($5.87 trillion) last year. Exports grew by 0.6 per cent YoY to 23.77 trillion yuan, while imports dropped by 0.3 per cent YoY to 17.99 trillion yuan.

Exports grew by 0.6 per cent YoY to 23.77 trillion yuan, while imports dropped by 0.3 per cent YoY to 17.99 trillion yuan, a state-controlled media outlet reported.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
US container import volume increased by 0.4 per cent in December last year from November to 2,107,012 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), according to the January Global Shipping Report for logistics and supply chain professionals released by Descartes SystemsGroup, which offers cloud-based logistics and supply chain solutions.

Versus December 2022, TEU volume was higher by 9.2 per cent, and up 10.6 per cent from pre-pandemic December 2019. The growth in import volume for all of 2023 is within 4.6 per cent of the same period in 2019, but down 11.7 per cent versus 2022.

US container import volume rose by 0.4 per cent in December last year from November to 2,107,012 TEUs, the January Global Shipping Report released by Descartes SystemsGroup showed. The Panama Canal drought did not appear to affect US container import volume at East and Gulf Coast ports in December, but port delay times rose, particularly at Gulf Coast ports.

The slight aggregate increase masks counter intuitive swings in volume at West, East and Gulf Coast ports. The top East and Gulf Coast ports saw increases, while the top West Coast ports saw decreases.

The Panama Canal drought did not appear to affect US container import volume at East and Gulf Coast ports in December, but port delay times increased, particularly at Gulf Coast ports.

The Middle East shipping attacks escalated in December, but container import volumes do not appear to have been affected in December.

The January update of the logistics metrics Descartes is tracking shows container import volume consistent with seasonal import patterns, but indicates that global supply chain performance will be under pressure in 2024 because of the conditions at the Panama and Suez canals and upcoming labour negotiations.

For the top 10 ports, overall US container import volume in December last year was up slightly by 5,415 TEUs versus November.

Chinese imports in December 2023 increased by 0.6 per cent over November to 788,089 TEUs, but they were still down by 21.5 per cent from the August 2022 high. China represented 37.4 per cent of the total US container imports in December, an increase of 0.1 per cent from November, still down by 4.1 per cent from the high of 41.5 per cent in February 2022.

For the top 10 countries of origin, US container import volume in December last year increased by 0.5 per cent (8,179 TEUs) from the previous month, with South Korea having the greatest volume increase (6,414 TEUs) and India (minus 7,806 TEUs) having the largest volume decrease.

Panamas drought continues and shipping volume through the Panama Canal remains depressed. While November had a large drop, December Gulf Coast container volumes recovered significantly.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
The Dutch manufacturing industry experienced a notable 10 per cent decrease in average daily output in November 2023 compared to the same month in 2022, according to the latest data from Statistics Netherlands (CBS). This trend of year-on-year (YoY) contraction in output has been consistent in the preceding months of 2023, with most industries producing less than in the previous year.

After adjusting for seasonal effects and working-day patterns, the manufacturing output in November 2023 fell by 0.8 per cent from October, reaching its lowest level in three years.

In December 2023, Dutch manufacturers' sentiment turned more negative compared to the previous month. The primary concerns among manufacturers were regarding order positions and the expected output over the next three months, indicating a cautious outlook for the industry's future., as per CBS.

In November 2023, Netherlands' manufacturing industry saw a 10 per cent YoY decrease in output, the lowest in three years, as per CBS. Adjusted output fell 0.8 per cent from October. Dutch manufacturers' sentiment worsened in December, with concerns about orders and future output. Similarly, Germany's manufacturing output dropped 4.5 per cent YoY.

Germany, a key market for the Dutch manufacturing industry, also reported a downturn in its manufacturing output. According to Eurostat, German entrepreneurs were slightly less negative in December than in November. However, data from Destatis revealed that the calendar-adjusted output of the German manufacturing industry in November was down by 4.5 per cent YoY, and it also fell by 0.4 per cent relative to October.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DP)
The World Bank's latest Global Economic Prospects report paints a bleak picture for the global economy as the world approach the mid-2020s, forecasting the slowest half-decade of GDP growth in the last 30 years. Despite a lower risk of global recession, primarily due to the robust US economy, rising geopolitical tensions pose new short-term risks.

The medium-term outlook is particularly grim for many developing nations, hindered by slower growth in major economies, sluggish global trade, and the tightest financial conditions in recent history.

World Bank forecasts slowest global GDP growth in 3 decades, with a deceleration for the third consecutive year to 2.4 per cent in 2024. Developing nations face bleak prospects due to slower major economy growth, weak global trade, and tight financial conditions. Over 40 per cent in low-income countries will be poorer than pre-COVID levels by end of 2024.

Projected global growth is expected to decelerate for the third consecutive year, from 2.6 per cent in the previous year to 2.4 per cent in 2024. This figure falls almost three-quarters of a percentage point below the average of the 2010s. Developing economies are likely to see growth rates of just 3.9 per cent, over one percentage point below their previous decade's average. Low-income countries are set to experience a modest 5.5 per cent growth, weaker than anticipated. By the end of 2024, approximately one in four people in developing countries and 40 per cent in low-income countries will be poorer than before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Indermit Gill, chief economist and senior vice president of the World Bank Group, stressed the need for significant policy changes. "Without major adjustments, the 2020s could be remembered as a decade of missed opportunities," he remarked. High debt levels and limited access to food are trapping many developing countries in poverty. Gill calls for immediate action to bolster investment and strengthen fiscal policies.

To address climate change and achieve key global development goals by 2030, developing countries must substantially increase their investments, estimated at about $2.4 trillion annually. However, without a comprehensive policy approach, such an increase appears unlikely. Per capita investment growth in these economies is forecasted to average just 3.7 per cent between 2023 and 2024, barely half the rate of the previous two decades.

The World Bank report provides the first global analysis of what is required to generate a sustained investment boom. It shows that developing economies can achieve significant economic benefits by maintaining per capita investment growth of at least 4 per cent over six years or more. Such booms can accelerate convergence with advanced economies, reduce poverty more rapidly, and significantly increase productivity growth.

Ayhan Kose, deputy chief economist and director of the Prospects Group at the World Bank, highlights the transformative potential of investment booms. "To ignite these booms, developing economies need comprehensive policy packages focusing on fiscal and monetary reforms, trade expansion, investment climate improvements, and institutional quality enhancement," Kose stated. He emphasised that these steps are challenging but achievable, as evidenced by past successes in many developing economies.

The report also addresses the issues faced by commodity-exporting developing countries, which often experience intensified boom-and-bust cycles due to government fiscal policies. It suggests that these countries could improve their growth prospects by adopting more disciplined fiscal frameworks, flexible exchange-rate regimes, and open international capital movement policies. Additionally, building sovereign-wealth funds and emergency reserves could provide crucial support during economic downturns.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)
critic's rating: 4.0/5

Trailer : Merry Christmas

Maria (Katrina Kaif) is a bored housewife living in Colaba, who is forced to make merry on Christmas in the company of her young daughter, who is mute, as her husband is engaged elsewhere. She meets a stranger, Albert (Vijay Sethupathi) by chance. He's an architect who has returned from Dubai after a spell. They watch a movie together, then he walks her home. They have a drink or two, then she walks him home, where they dance. Before things can get more intimate, she backs off. He however, walks her back home, only to find the dead body of her husband. He practically runs off then, leaving her to fend for herself. Things take a turn when he sees her fainting in a church after a while. Shes helped by a good Samaritan (Sanjay Kapoor) and Albert also tags along. The same things happen, only there's no body in the apartment. An intrigued Albert sticks around, and what follows is a set of twists and turns which are more bizarre than he could have imagined.The film is based on the French novel Le Monte-charge, written by Frederick Dard. A film, directed by Marcel Bluwal, based on the book, and carrying the same title, was released in 1962. It's basically a two character psychological drama, a sort of cat and mouse game between the two leads. The other characters do matter, but they only enter the fray during the second half. Who they are and what they do would be a spoiler. The complex screenplay flows at its own pace. One can say that the film is a slow burner. But don't let the lack of pace fool you. Take your eyes off and you might miss a crucial point. It's going to be one of those films which you want to watch a second time just to savour the details more.The taut screenplay is complemented by some witty dialogue. When asked what he wants to drink, Albert says anything fermented, except dosa batter, would be fine. The editing and camerawork, sound design and background score too are on point. The film pays homage to Shakti Samanta but the real homage is to Alfred Hitchcock. Listen closely, and the background score feels like a medley of what RD Burman used to deliver in his prime. Composer Pritam and lyricist Varun Grover have combined to give songs which are christmassy and hummable at the same time. Mumbai residents would have a good time spotting familiar Colaba landmarks.Director Sriram Raghavan took a bold risk casting Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi together. While Sethupathi is known for his knockout performances, Katrina is known more for her item numbers than her acting chops. In Zero, Aanand L Rai took the same gamble and it paid off. And here, perhaps in her first full-fledged dramatic role, Katrina has shown she can stand and deliver, given she gets a competent director who respects her talent and doesn't just see her as a PYT. Vijay Sethupathi gives another solid performance. He's understated throughout, graciously letting his female co-star hog the limelight. Your heart goes out to him all the same. And at the end, where he doesn't use dialogue but his eyes, his expressions say it all, is a masterclass in acting. All the pathos of the moment is felt without a word being spoken.The other players, be they Radhika Apte, Vinay Pathak or Sanjay Kapoor, all have done their jobs competently.It's a noir film but unlike noir films, besides the darkness of the soul, it also showcases the triumph of human spirit and compassion  something that's intrinsic to Christmas. It's a dark comedy that will make you smile and scratch your head at the same time.
Ayalaan Overseas Review: Sivakarthikeyan is back on the silver screen in the much-anticipated alien sci-fi film, 'Ayalaan,' which finally graced theatres on January 12th.

Showtime #Ayalaan



Very normal silent intro for SK.

Good set up so far ! pic.twitter.com/BpHq7EKhZ6  Nishant Rajarajan (@Srinishant23) January 12, 2024

The makers of the film released the theatrical trailer on January 5th, as part of their consistent efforts to keep fans engaged with updates on 'Ayalaan.' The trailer has set the stage for an extraterrestrial extravaganza, promising an experience that transcends imagination. The Tamil version of the trailer was unveiled on SunTV's YouTube channel, while the Telugu version can be found on SonyMusicSouth's YouTube platform. This science fiction drama reportedly includes over 1000 VFX frames, featuring a central comic alien character.

Ayalaan Premise

An extraterrestrial being arrives on Earth and forms a connection with a group of humans. However, a team of antagonistic scientists endeavours to obstruct its interaction.

"Ayalaan": A Family-Friendly Extraterrestrial Adventure For Pongal Festivities

In recent updates from Tamil Cinema Ulagam (Malaysia), it has been reported that the highly anticipated film "Ayalaan" has been censored with a P12 rating in Malaysia. Described as a perfect family entertainer, it is recommended for viewing with kids during the festive season of Pongal.

Meanwhile, according to a post by Movies Singapore, the movie has received a "12A" rating from the BBFC. The consumer advice notes moderate violence, threats, and bloody images. The Tamil-language sci-fi adventure is highlighted for its balance of action, comedy, and fantasy elements. The storyline revolves around an alien explorer who must rely on an unlikely group of humans to protect it from ruthless scientists, creating an engaging and diverse cinematic experience for the audience.

Ayalaan Cast And Crew

Directed by Ravikumar, 'Ayalaan' stars Sivakarthikeyan and Rakul Preet Singh in the lead roles, with a talented supporting cast including Sharad Kelkar, Isha Koppikar, Bhanupriya, Yogi Babu, Karunakaran, Bala Saravanan, and more.

The film is a joint production by KJR Studios and 24 AM Studios and boasts a musical score by the legendary AR Rahman, cinematography handled by Nirav Shah, and editing executed by Ruben. 'Ayalaan' is set to hit screens in multiple languages, making it accessible to a diverse audience given its broad appeal as a science fiction drama.

The release of "Ayalaan" is highly anticipated, promising an entertaining cinematic experience for all film enthusiasts. Stay tuned for insightful reviews as audiences share their thoughts on this alien sci-fi movie movie.
Bigg Boss 17 TRP: Love or hate but you cannot debate that Abhishek Kumar has been ruling the roost. In the initial days, viewers believed that he would secure a spot in the grand finale and emerge as one of the runner-ups. However, the tide has changed.

ABHISHEK KUMAR-ISHA MALVIYA FIGHT

Ardent fans of the reality show strongly believe that Abhishek Kumar will beat Munawar Faruqui and Ankita Lokhande to win the winner's trophy of Bigg Boss 17. The young lad has changed the waves by becoming the most popular BB 17 contestant on social media.

Abhishek Kumar's fight with Isha Malviya became the talk of the town. Things got ugly when the Udaariyaan actress dragged his parents and his mental health in their argument. From claiming that he broke TV set to accusing him of slapping her on New Year eve, she levelled several allegations against her.

SAMARTH SLAP INCIDENT

Samarth continued to poke Abhishek by throwing a quilt on him and stuffing tissue in his mouth. Abhishek lost his calm when he put the tissue in his mouth and ended up slapping him. After the slap incident, the housemates said that they didn't feel safe inside the BB 17 house.

Bigg Boss gave special power to Ankita Lokhande as she was the captain of the house, asking her to determine Abhishek's fate. The Pavitra Rishta actress decided to evict him for breaking an important rule of the show.

In a shocking development, Abhishek got eliminated from Bigg Boss season 17. However, Salman Khan brought him back by slamming Isha and Samarth for provoking him. He asked the housemates to vote if Abhishek deserved to return to the show. As he received a good share of votes, the Bekaboo actor made a comeback to the BB 17 house.

BIGG BOSS 17 TRP WEEK 1, 2024: ABHISHEK-SAMARTH'S SLAPGATE INCREASES TRP

Guess what? The slap incident has increased the ratings of Bigg Boss 17. Salman Khan's show witnessed a rise numbers, securing a spot in the list of top ten shows in week 1, as per BARC TRP ratings.

It seems the drama worked in favour of the show as the ratings saw a good growth in the first week of 2024.

Keep watching this space for more updates.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 11, 2024) - Trojan Gold Inc. (CSE: TGII) ("Trojan" or the "Company") wishes to announce that further to its press release on August 28, 2023 Trojan Gold Inc. Signs a Non-Binding Letter of Intent with Tashota Resources Inc. (newsfilecorp.com), whereby the Company announced that it had signed a non-binding letter of intent with private company Tashota Resources Inc. ("Tashota"), to purchase certain mineral claims of Tashota (details of the proposed transaction were outlined in the August 28, 2023 press release), the Company has made the determination not proceed with the letter of intent and the Company and Tashota have moved into discussions with respect to the terms of a potential business combination.

As part of these discussions, it is intended that Trojan and Tashota will enter into a definitive agreement to complete a business combination by way of a share exchange, merger, amalgamation, arrangement, or other similar form of transaction (collectively, the foregoing with any related transaction, the "Transaction") which would result in Tashota becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Trojan.

The final structure of the Transaction is subject to receipt by the parties of tax, corporate, and securities law advice, as well as the receipt of all necessary approvals (including but not limited to all necessary regulatory and board of directors approvals, as well as approval of the shareholders if applicable) and will be agreed to pursuant to definitive transaction documents expected to be executed in the short term.

Additional details with respect to the Transaction will be provided in due course.

Charles Elbourne is a director and officer of each of Trojan and Tashota, and Rodney Barber is a director of each of Trojan and Tashota. As a result, the Transaction, if completed, will constitute a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions.

About Tashota Resources Inc.

Tashota Resources Inc. is a Prospect Generator junior resource Exploration Company currently focused on defining and monetizing the mineral deposits on its multiple properties in historically prolific gold camps in Northern Ontario. Tashota has property interests comprising nearly 93,000 acres. Of particular interest to Trojan is Tashota's Beardmore-Geraldton Gold Camp property (the "BGP"). Located in Northwestern Ontario, the BGP (9,328 acres) under option is primarily a gold prospect and consists of:

The Paulpic (or Adair) Gold Deposit, which contains a NI43-101 compliant inferred mineral resource of 68,900 ounces of gold, contained in 2,144,300 tonnes, with an average gold grade of .8.24 grams per tonne (Hunt, 2013) which is the most substantial mineral deposit known to date on the property.

The Wascanna Shaft, which was the subject of underground development between 1917 and 1937. Subsequent work performed in 2013-2014, included 10 diamond drill holes near the shaft which produced 9 holes with visible gold. The average for drill hole W13-02 was 8.226 g/t Au over 8.70 metres, including 3.90 metres averaging 15.675 g/t Au, including 1.35 metres averaging 31.283 g/t Au, including 0.45 metres of 55.346 g/t Au(Ministry of Mines assessment file 20000014778 - Bowdidge, 2014).

At the Wascanna mine site, development rock from underground work in the 1930's was piled beside the Wascanna shaft (the "Wascanna stockpile"). The Wascanna stockpile has been estimated to contain approximately 8,000 tonnes of broken rock, based on a differential GPS survey. The average of 44 randomly selected samples of material from the stockpile (with high assays capped at 20 g/t Au) was 4.01 g/t Au (reported by Peter Bevan in 2010). These samples were taken from the surface of the stockpile and should not be considered representative of the entire stockpile.

Technical Information

The scientific and technical content of this press release has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Collin Bowdidge, P. Geo. for Trojan Gold, who is a "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Dr. Bowdidge is a consultant who is considered independent.

References:

Bowdidge, C., 2014: Report on 2013 Diamond Drilling, Wascanna Shaft gold Prospect, Metcalf lake Area, NTS42L/04.

Hunt, David, 2013: Technical Report and Polygonal Resource Estimate on the Paulpic Deposit of the Tashota Property, Gzowski and Oboshkegan Townships and Metcalf Lake and Willet Lake Areas, Thunder Bay Mining Division, Ontario, NTS 42E/13, 42L/4 for Markinch Resources Inc and Advantel Minerals Canada Ltd.

About Trojan Gold Inc.

Trojan is an active Ontario-based prospect generator junior exploration company, led by a team of professionals having exploration, engineering, project financing and permitting experience. Trojan has accumulated land positions in the Hemlo Gold Camp and Shebandowan Greenstone Belt which in management's view represent mineral exploration potential. For further information on the Company, please visit www.trojangold.com. Trojan is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol (CSE: TGII) and the OTC PINK Market under the ticker symbol TRJGF.

For further information, please contact:

Charles J. Elbourne, President & CEO

Trojan Gold Inc.

82 Richmond St. East, Suite 401

Toronto, Ontario M5C 1P1

Telephone: 416-315-6490

Email: elbourne007@gmail.com

Website: www.trojangold.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by words or phrases such as "may", "will", "expect", "likely", "should", "would", "plan", "anticipate", "intend", "potential", "proposed", "estimate", "believe" or the negative of these terms, or other similar words, expressions, and grammatical variations thereof, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" happen, or by discussions of strategy. Forward-looking information contained in this press releases includes, but is not limited: matters relating to the proposed Transaction described in this press release, including the potential alternatives for the structure of such Transaction and the entering into of a definitive agreement evidencing the final terms and structure of the Transaction; and to future exploration potential and success of exploration activities on the Company's mineral properties.

Where the Company expresses or implies an expectation or belief as to future events or results, such expectation or belief is based on assumptions made in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. Such assumptions include, without limitation, that: the Company will receive all necessary approvals to complete the Transaction on the terms as currently contemplated or at all; the Company and Tashota will be able to agree on definitive terms relating to the proposed Transaction; and sufficient capital, personnel and other resources will be available to the Company that will allow it to undertake exploration activities on its properties.

However, forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed, projected, or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, but are not limited to: the risk that the Company and Tashota will not be able to come to reach an agreement on the terms of the proposed Transaction; the risk that the Company and/or Tashota will not receive all necessary approvals relating to the proposed Transaction; the potential for the proposed Transaction to not be completed for reasons outlined above or due to other factors; the impact of the recovery post COVID-19 pandemic, including but not limited to its impact on precious metals and the mining industry generally; the Company not having access to the resources it needs in order to carry out its proposed exploration activities as currently contemplated or at all; risks and uncertainties inherent to any junior mining company; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; future gold and other metal prices; accidents, labour disputes and shortages; environmental risks; and other risks relating to mining industry, including the risks set out in the Company's public disclosure documents that can be found on its profile page at www.sedarplus.ca.

Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements and the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained herein are made as at the date hereof and are based on the beliefs, estimates, expectations, and opinions of management on such date. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any such forward-looking statements or any forward-looking statements contained in any other documents whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except as required under applicable securities law. Readers are cautioned to consider these and other factors, uncertainties, and potential events carefully and not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/194018

SOURCE: Trojan Gold Inc.
HAIYANG, Shandong, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- China on Thursday sent a sea-launched Gravity-1 (YL-1) carrier rocket into space, sending three satellites into the planned orbit.

The Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center launched the commercial rocket from waters off the coast of Haiyang, east China's Shandong Province, at 1:30 p.m. (Beijing Time).

It was the first flight mission of the YL-1 commercial carrier rocket.




DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2024 / Tonic3 has hired John A. Shahin as its Chief Revenue Officer effective Jan. 8, 2024, as it seeks to continue its accelerated growth in delivering digital transformation solutions to enterprise clients.





Tonic3 Chief Revenue Officer John A. Shahin





Shahin's expertise in enterprise revenue and go-to-market strategies has played a pivotal role in the growth and transformation of multiple financial and technology companies. His early achievements include launching and leading key banking programs at Citigroup. Throughout his recent career, Shahin has demonstrated expertise in the technology sector, building successful growth teams for SaaS platforms and technology services. His 25+ years of experience spans from working with multinational conglomerates to startups, delivering for both Fortune 500 and emerging technology companies.

"I'm excited to join Tonic3, a leading company at the forefront of innovation. The opportunity to work alongside a remarkable team driving not only the creation of advanced technologies but also transforming the digital world is inspiring. I'm eager to apply my experience and skills to foster significant growth and guide a team committed to excellence," said Shahin.

Tonic3's CEO Joe Edwards also expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "John is an accomplished executive leader who has built revenue organizations from a handful of people to 350+ representatives. His expertise in go-to-market strategies and team development within both services and technology will help us continue to shape an exciting future for our company."

Shahin assumes leadership of an international team where he plans to apply his management philosophy of cultivating winning cultures and leading high-performing teams while leveraging his strong analytical, creative, and communication skills.

About Tonic3

Tonic3 partners with enterprise technology leaders to reimagine and create digital transformations that provide a competitive edge in a fast-changing world. Our solutions scale from project work to managed services and blend nearshore capabilities with U.S. teams. We have headquarters in Dallas and Buenos Aires, and over 80 full-time employees working with clients ranging from Fortune 100 to funded startups. For more information, please visit www.tonic3.com or follow company news on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/tonic3/.

Contacts

151 W. WALTERS ST

LEWISVILLE, TX 75057

214.774.2390

sales@tonic3.com

Contact Information

Alejandra Sanchez

Head of Customer Success

alejandra.sanchez@tonic3.com

214.774.2390

Joe Edwards

CEO

joe.edwards@tonic3.com

214.774.2390

SOURCE: Tonic3

View the original press release on newswire.com.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 11, 2024) - Atacama Copper Corporation (TSXV: ACOP) ("Atacama Copper" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that further to its press releases dated October 26, 2023, December 15, 2023 and December 20, 2023, the Company has closed the second tranche of its previously announced brokered private placement (the "Concurrent Financing") for an additional 30,782,634 subscription receipts of the Company ("Subscription Receipts") at a price of $0.18 per Subscription Receipt for gross proceeds under the second tranche of approximately $5,500,000 and aggregate gross proceeds under the Concurrent Financing of approximately $12,400,000.

The Company is also pleased to announce the closing of the non-brokered private placement (the "Bridge Financing") of 555,556 common shares of the Company ("Common Shares"), at a price of $0.18 per Common Share for aggregate gross process of $100,000. Together with the proceeds from the Bridge Financing, the total gross proceeds raised in connection with the Proposed Transaction (as defined below) is approximately $12,500,000. As a result of the closing of the second tranche of the Concurrent Financing, the Company has now satisfied the concurrent financing condition in connection with the Amalgamation (as defined below). Unless otherwise stated, all amounts referred to herein are in Canadian dollars.

Summary of the Concurrent Financing

Pursuant to the terms of an agency agreement between the Company, TCP1, Cormark Securities Inc. and Stifel Canada, as co-lead agents (the "Agents"), under the second tranche of the Concurrent Financing, the Company issued an aggregate of 30,782,634 Subscription Receipts at a price of $0.18 per Subscription Receipt. The second tranche of the Concurrent Financing was completed in connection with previously announced business combination and reverse takeover transaction of the Company, pursuant to which the Company will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of TCP1 in exchange for common shares of the Company (the "Proposed Transaction"). The Company, upon completion of the Proposed Transaction (referred to herein as the "Resulting Issuer"), is expected to continue trading on the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") as a tier 1 mining issuer under its current symbol "ACOP".

In accordance with the terms and conditions of the subscription receipt agreement entered into among the Company, the Agents and TSX Trust Company, as escrow agent (the "Subscription Receipt Agreement"), each Subscription Receipt will automatically convert into one pre-Consolidation (as defined herein) common share of the Resulting Issuer ("Resulting Issuer Shares") upon the completion or satisfaction of certain escrow release conditions, including, among other things, the receipt of all necessary corporate, regulatory, shareholder and other approvals or consents necessary in connection with the Proposed Transaction and the completion or satisfaction of all of the conditions precedent to the Proposed Transaction, substantially in accordance with the definitive agreement entered into in connection therewith, other than the Consolidation and the amalgamation of TCP1 and 1000723052 Ontario Corporation (the "Amalgamation"), to the satisfaction of the Agents (collectively, the "Escrow Release Conditions"), provided that the Escrow Release Conditions are satisfied or waived prior to 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on March 31, 2024 (the "Escrow Release Deadline"). Immediately following the release of the Escrowed Funds (as defined below) and the conversion of the Subscription Receipts into Resulting Issuer Shares, the Company intends to complete a consolidation of the issued and outstanding Resulting Issuer Shares on the basis of one post-Consolidation common share for each six (6) pre-Consolidation common shares (the "Consolidation") and complete the Amalgamation, all in accordance with the terms of the Proposed Transaction.

In the event that the Escrow Release Conditions have not been satisfied or waived (to the extent such waiver is permitted) prior to the Escrow Release Deadline or if the Company announces to the public that it does not intend to satisfy the Escrow Release Conditions, or that the Proposed Transaction has been terminated, the aggregate issue price of the Subscription Receipts together with any earned interest shall be returned to the applicable holders of the Subscription Receipts (net of any applicable withholding taxes), and such Subscription Receipts shall be automatically cancelled and be of no further force and effect.

In consideration of the Agents' services rendered in connection with the second tranche of the Concurrent Financing, the Agents shall be entitled to a cash commission of $176,455.09, being a cash commission equal to 6.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds from the sale of the Subscription Receipts (the "Agents' Commission"). Calculation of the Agents' Commission excludes (i) the sale of 7,250,000 Subscription Receipts to a certain purchaser, for which no cash commission was paid to the Agents; and (ii) sales to purchasers on a president's list, in respect of which a 3.0% cash commission was paid to the Agents (the "Excluded Sales"). As additional compensation, the Agents were issued 980,306 compensation warrants (the "Compensation Warrants") exercisable to acquire 980,306 Resulting Issuer Shares, being that number of Resulting Issuer Shares as is equal to 6.0% of the aggregate number of Subscription Receipts issued pursuant to the second tranche of the Concurrent Financing, other than the Excluded Sales. Each Compensation Warrant shall be exercisable at a price of $0.18 per Resulting Issuer Share (prior to giving effect to the Consolidation) for a period of 24 months following the completion of the Proposed Transaction. The gross proceeds of the second tranche of the Concurrent Financing (including, for certainty, the Agents' Commission) less certain expenses paid to the Agents (the "Escrowed Funds") have been placed into escrow and, upon completion or satisfaction of the Escrow Release Conditions in accordance with the Subscription Receipt Agreement, the Agents' Commission and the remaining Escrowed Funds, together with any earned interest, will be released to the Agents and the Company, respectively.

The Subscription Receipts sold under the Concurrent Financing will be subject to a restricted hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws. The Resulting Issuer Shares issuable on conversion of the Subscription Receipts in connection with the Proposed Transaction will not be subject to a restricted hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws. The Concurrent Financing remains subject to the approval of the TSXV.

The net proceeds of the Concurrent Financing will be used to advance exploration programs across the combined portfolio, with particular focus on Cristina and Yecora, and for general corporate purposes.

The securities offered in the Concurrent Financing have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Summary of the Non-Brokered Financing

The Bridge Financing was completed in connection with the Proposed Transaction which is expected to result in the reverse takeover of the Company as contemplated by TSXV Policy 5.2 ("Policy 5.2"). Further details regarding the Proposed Transaction were previously announced by Atacama Copper on October 26, 2023, December 15, 2023 and December 20, 2023.

An aggregate of 555,556 Common Shares were issued pursuant to the Bridge Financing. In accordance with Policy 5.2, the proceeds of the Bridge Financing will be used specifically for purposes of funding the costs associated with completing the Proposed Transaction. No commission, finder's fee or similar payment (whether in the form of cash, securities or an interest in assets) will be paid by the Company in connection with the Bridge Financing.

Further Information

Completion of the Proposed Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, acceptance of TSXV and if applicable pursuant to the requirements of TSXV, disinterested shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Proposed Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Proposed Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the filing statement to be prepared in connection with the Proposed Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Proposed Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative.

The TSXV has in no way passed upon the merits of the Proposed Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

About Atacama Copper Corporation

Atacama Copper is a resource company focusing on acquiring, exploring, and developing base and precious metals properties in the Americas. It is committed to advancing the exploration and development of its Placeton/Caballo Muerto copper project in Chile while looking to increase its asset portfolio through the acquisition and development of other high-value exploration, development, and production opportunities. Atacama's Placeton/Caballo Muerto project hosts several porphyry copper targets situated between the giant Relincho and El Morro/La Fortuna copper-gold deposits of the Nueva Union joint venture between Teck and Newmont Mining.

Additional Information - Please Contact

For more information, please contact:

Tim Warman

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Atacama Copper Corporation

Email: info@atacamacopper.ca

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the successful completion of the Proposed Transaction; the trading of the Resulting Issuer Shares upon completion of the Proposed Transaction; and the use of proceeds from the Concurrent Financing. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: failure to satisfy or waive all applicable conditions to the completion of the Proposed Transaction (including receipt of all necessary shareholder, stock exchange and regulatory approvals or consents, and the absence of material changes with respect to the parties and their respective businesses); the synergies expected from the Proposed Transaction not being realized; business integration risks; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; fluctuations in spot and forward prices of gold, silver, base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar to Chilean Peso exchange rate); change in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations pressures, cave-ins and flooding); inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of and increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); and title to properties.

There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Atacama Copper disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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 news release.

Not for distribution to United States news wire services or for dissemination in the United States.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/194032

SOURCE: Atacama Copper Corporation
PHUKET, Thailand, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mr. Apichart Chutrakul, Chief Executive Officer of Sansiri Public Company Limited (SIRI), Thailand's most trusted full-service real estate developer, revealed that Sansiri has designated Phuket as a strategic location where it targets to launch 16 new projects worth a combined 15 billion bahtduring the next five years.

"These new investment projects will reaffirm Sansiri's position as a pioneer and leading developer in Phuket, adding its total investments in this world-class tourism city to 36 billion baht by 2027." he said.

Reaffirming its commitment to serve both local and international customers in this burgeoning tourism and commercial island over a long term, Sansiri is establishing a new regional headquarters in Phuket this year to allow customers to experience its "YOU-Centric" brand philosophy as well as providing excellent after-sale services.

Recently selected as "theMost Valuable Real Estate Brand 2023" - a recognition granted to the brand in the real estate category that has the highest future value as of 2023 - Sansiri is expanding vigorously both in Thailand and abroad. With a workforce of over 4,000 employees, Sansiri has built more than 400 projects with over 5 million sq.m. throughout Thailand and a residential building in London during its 40-year history, all with a strong emphasis on design and livability.

In Phuket, Sansiri has solidified its 15-year track record, boasting a portfolio of 21 projects valued at 21 billion Baht, including prominent developments such as Baan Mai Khao Phuket, THE BASE Central Phuket, and THE DECK Patong exemplifying Sansiri' s unwavering commitment to excellence in project development.

"Sansiri believes in constructing lives, not just buildings. Through our innovative products, after-sales, and concierge services, We offers our residents more than just a home, but a "way of life", he said.

Besides being a burgeoning tourism destination, Phuket is also a key economic and investment city of Thailand. The activities of investors from Asia and Europe who seek to invest in real estate have been increasing every year in Phuket. Thanks to its strong brand and quality projects, Sansiri projects have been warmly welcomed by investors. Its recently-launched THE BASE Bukit Phuket development project, of which sold out 80% of selling units. Sansiri's other condominium projects also enjoy a very high occupancy rate. As for the overall picture of the low-rise segment, such as pool villa projects, good response has been received from foreign clients.

To facilitate the further growth of Phuket, the government has earmarked investment projects worth a total of 148 billion baht to urgently develop transportation systems in the province. These included the expansion of Phuket Airport and other planned road and rail transportation investments. Recently, the government, and involved public and private agencies have also jointly launched the "Phuket Crime Free" scheme as an initiative to safeguard international tourists.

"Because of all these attributes and initiatives, Phuket is set to witness an exponential growth phase. As a long-term investor in the province, Sansiri is ready to support the growth of the city through our long-term strategic investment plan. We are discussing with our business partners and local entrepreneurs to seek further investment opportunities and jointly develop projects for benefits of all stakeholders and the society," said Apichart.

For agents or real estate brokers who are interested to join forces and to grow together with Sansiri, please submit your application at internationalbuyers@sansiri.com

For updates and interesting information on Sansiri:

Facebook: Sansiri PLC

Instagram: @sansiriplc

X: @sansiriplc

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/sansiri-thailands-most-trusted-full-service-real-estate-developer-announces-strategy-of-launching-16-projectsworth-15-billion-baht-in-phuket-over-5-years-302033371.html
Tron DAO

TRON 2023: Key Developments and Collaborative Milestones



12-Jan-2024 / 06:47 CET/CEST

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





NEWS RELEASE BY TRON DAO

Geneva, Switzerland | January 11, 2024 01:22 PM Eastern Standard Time

Geneva, Switzerland, January 11, 2024 - TRON achieved a series of developments and collaborations that have enhanced its position in the Web3 space. The following are highlights from the year 2023.

Network Growth and Stablecoin Dominance

The TRON network has seen proper growth, with a 54% increase in accounts, now exceeding 204 million. The total transaction volume reached over $10 trillion, and Total Value Locked (TVL) achieved a global ranking of second, reaching $8.14 billion, according to DefiLlama . The ascent of TRON-based stablecoins-such as USDT, TUSD, USDC, USDD, and USDJ-have amounted to $50 billion in value, and has helped grow the DeFi landscape.

Significant Collaborations

Strategic collaborations have been at the forefront of TRON's achievements. TRON supported the launch of the Dominica Metaverse Bound Token (DMBT) by DMC Labs, as part of the Dominica Metaverse program endorsed by the Dominica government. Additionally, TRON joined the Japan Cryptoasset Business Association (JCBA) representing its commitment to further exploring the Japanese market. Furthermore, integrations with Google Cloud's BigQuery and Huawei's Web 3.0 Node Engine Service have expanded TRON's network capabilities.

HackaTRON and TRON Builder Tour

Starting with HackaTRON Season 4, in collaboration with HTX, it engaged over 625 participants and 172 projects, resulting in 30 judge-voted and 30 community-voted winners across DeFi, Web3, NFT, GameFi, Builder, and Eco-Friendly tracks. Season 5, in collaboration with BitTorrent Chain (BTTC) and HTX, attracted over 3,500 participants and more than 2,000 projects. This season witnessed 25 judge-voted qualifiers and 25 community-voted winners in Web3, DeFi, Artistry, Builder, and AI tracks. 2023 HackaTRON S4 and S5 boasted a substantial prize pool of up to $1,000,000* in total.

Alongside, the TRON Builder Tour (TBT) was hosted in various stops, such as Stanford, Princeton, New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, and Barcelona. Notably, the Princeton stop had nearly 100 participants and a prize pool of up to $8,000*. In each city, the tour united blockchain enthusiasts, developers, and students, fostering a learning and networking environment.

Note: All prizes were issued in USDD, not USD, restrictions applied.

Ecosystem Initiatives

Another major milestone reached in the year 2023 by TRON was the inauguration of the $100 million AI Development Fund, showcasing TRON's initiative to blend artificial intelligence with blockchain technology. Another initiative created was the TRON Climate Initiative which further underscored TRON's commitment to sustainability.

Event Participation

TRON participated in events like Consensus 2023, Token2049 and Binance Blockchain Week. TRON achieved the "Best Layer 1 of the Year' award during the Blockchain Life 2023 event in Dubai, a nod to their robust infrastructure.

As 2023 comes to a close, TRON's journey through the year stands as a testament to its growing influence in the Web3 space. The past year has stood as a testament to the strength of TRON developers, users, and community members.

About TRON DAO

TRON DAO is a community-governed DAO dedicated to accelerating the decentralization of the internet via blockchain technology and dApps.

Founded in September 2017 by H.E. Justin Sun, the TRON network has continued to deliver impressive achievements since MainNet launch in May 2018. July 2018 also marked the ecosystem integration of BitTorrent, a pioneer in decentralized Web3 services boasting over 100 million monthly active users. The TRON network has gained incredible traction in recent years. As of January 2024, it has over 206.07 million total user accounts on the blockchain, more than 6.99 billion total transactions, and over $21.37 billion in total value locked (TVL), as reported on TRONSCAN.

In addition, TRON hosts the largest circulating supply of USD Tether (USDT) stablecoin across the globe, overtaking USDT on Ethereum since April 2021. The TRON network completed full decentralization in December 2021 and is now a community-governed DAO. Most recently in October 2022, TRON was designated as the national blockchain for the Commonwealth of Dominica, which marks the first time a major public blockchain partnered with a sovereign nation to develop its national blockchain infrastructure. On top of the government's endorsement to issue Dominica Coin ("DMC"), a blockchain-based fan token to help promote Dominica's global fanfare, seven existing TRON-based tokens - TRX, BTT, NFT, JST, USDD, USDT, TUSD, have been granted statutory status as authorized digital currency and medium of exchange in the country.

TRONNetwork | TRONDAO | Twitter | YouTube | Telegram | Discord | Reddit | GitHub | Medium | Forum

Media Contact

Hayward Wong

press@tron.network

Contact Details

Hayward Wong

press@tron.network

Company Website

https://trondao.org/

TRON DAO Media Channels

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Dissemination of a CORPORATE NEWS, transmitted by EQS Group.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.




The implementation of this agreement would lead to a significant extension of the maturity date of each of three tranches of the loan Extension of the maturity date of the first tranche of the loan (for an amount, in principal and interest, of approximately 15 million) to July 31, 2026 Extension of the maturity date of the two other tranches to August 2027 and October 2028, respectively

An equitization of the loan would reduce repayments in cash and therefore optimize the Company's cash Equitization of the first tranche of the loan via the set-up of a trust ( fiducie-gestion ): issuance of warrants to the trustee thus enabling it to subscribe to Company's shares, which would then be sold on the market, with the net proceeds being used to repay this tranche 1 Similar equitization of the second and third tranches, unless the EIB decides not to do it

The signing of the final contract relating to this agreement in principle could take place by the end of the first quarter of 2024

Regulatory News:

CARMAT (FR0010907956, ALCAR, eligible for PEA-PME equity saving plans), designer and developer of the world's most advanced total artificial heart, aiming to provide a therapeutic alternative for people suffering from advanced biventricular heart failure (the "Company" or "CARMAT"), today announces that it has reached an agreement in principle with the European Investment Bank (EIB) on the terms of repayment of the loan entered into with the latter in December 2018, to extend its repayment schedule and limit the cash flows associated with its repayment.

This agreement in principle covers all three tranches of the loan and, should it be implemented, would allow CARMAT, to avoid having to repay this loan before July 31, 20262. As a reminder, the first tranche of the loan (total amount of c. 15 million3 in principal and interest) was initially due to be repaid on January 31, 2024, and the second and third tranches in 2025 and 2026, respectively.

This agreement in principle is not binding, its implementation requiring the negotiation and execution of a final agreement by the parties. This execution is subject to final approval by the EIB, and to reaching a rescheduling agreement regarding the State-Guaranteed Loans entered into by the Company with BNP Paribas and Bpifrance, for a total of 10 million in principal (the "Conditions Precedent"). The Company hopes to transform this agreement in principle into a final agreement by the end of the first quarter of 2024, it being specified that in order to facilitate these discussions the Company has been granted a standstill regarding the principal of these loans by the EIB, BNP Paribas and Bpifrance until February 22, 2024.

Given this agreement and its cash position, the Company can finance its activities, according to its current business plan, until the end of January 2024.

As a reminder, in this respect the Company estimates its financing needs to approximately 50 million until the end of 20244. The Company is therefore continuing to work very actively on other initiatives to, in the very short term, strengthen its capital and alleviate its cash constraints, and thus be in a position to continue its activities beyond the end of January 2024.

Stephane Piat, Chief Executive Officer of CARMAT, comments: "This agreement in principle with the EIB on new repayment terms for the loan is a positive signal for the Company.

Subject to the fulfilment of the conditions precedent, this agreement will enable us to avoid any repayment under this loan, at least until July 31, 2026, and to dedicate our financial resources to our growth over the next few years. I would like to thank the EIB for its commitment by our side, which it has renewed today.

The Company's management and teams are more determined than ever to continue moving forward to make Aeson the reference therapy for advanced biventricular heart failure, to enable CARMAT to become the leader in this segment, and to offer a solution to the very large number of patients who are currently at a therapeutic impasse

Agreement in principle with the EIB on new terms for the repayment of its loan

The envisaged new terms for the loan repayment

Under the terms of a contract entered into on December 17, 2018, the Company took out a loan with the EIB for 30 million paid in 3 tranches of 10 million on January 31, 2019 (the "first tranche"), May 4, 2020 (the "second tranche") and October 29, 2021 (the "third tranche" and, with the other tranches, the "tranches"), each Tranche (principal plus accrued interest) to be repaid 5 years after the Company received it5

Under the terms of an agreement in principle reached with the EIB, and subject to the lifting of the aforementioned Conditions Precedent, the maturity of the various tranches of the loan entered into with the EIB would be extended as follows:

Tranche 1: maturity extended from January 31, 2024, to July 31, 2026

- Tranche 2: maturity extended from May 4, 2025, to August 4, 2027

- Tranche 3: maturity extended from October 29, 2026, to October 29, 2028

The amounts borrowed would continue to bear interest until their new maturity dates at fixed rates indicated in the initial contract. Moreover, the initial royalty agreement associated with this loan would be modified to begin with respect to 2024 sales and for a duration of 15 years (versus a duration of 13 years in the initial contract).

The other terms and conditions of the loan would remain, in substance, unchanged (this would notably be the case regarding the events of default or regarding early repayment clauses). The loan would remain unsecured.

Given this agreement, the amounts (principal and interest) payable at maturity date regarding each of the tranches would be approximately 18 million at the end of July 2026 for the first tranche, 17 million in early August 2027 for the second tranche and 13 million at the end of October 2028 for the third tranche (namely an aggregate of 48m, including principal and interests, to be reimbursed).

However, in order to reduce the cash payments due with respect to the EIB loan, an equitization operation would be launched with the EIB6 to enable the loan to be gradually transformed into CARMAT shares in accordance with the terms detailed below in the paragraph entitled "Terms of the equitization of the EIB loan". It is specified that if, on the new maturity date for each tranche, this equitization did not enable the EIB to be repaid in full (principal plus interest) for that tranche, the balance would be repaid by CARMAT to the EIB on that date from its own cash resources.

Based on the number of CARMAT shares traded on Euronext Growth in 2023, the expected duration of the equitization of the first tranche (i.e. 27 months) and assuming a CARMAT share price of 6.707, the Company anticipates that the entirety of this tranche would be equitized by July 31, 2026, and thus that the amount it would need to pay the EIB in cash to reimburse this tranche in full would be nil8. Regarding the second and the third tranche, the maturity dates being further away and the equitization periods being potentially shorter (around 12 and 15 months, respectively), the degree of certainty regarding the portion of each tranche that could be equitized is lower. However, the Company thinks that it is reasonable to estimate based on the same assumptions that the second and third tranches of the loan could be equitized for up to 10 and 13 million respectively, so that the Company would only have to pay in cash approximately 7 million9 with respect to the second tranche in August 2027 and less than 1 million with respect to the third tranche in October 2028. It should however be noted, that the EIB could unilaterally decide in due time not to proceed with the equitization of the second and/or third tranches: in such a case, the Company would have to repay in cash to the EIB the total amount of each tranche (i.e. around 18 million for the second tranche and 13 million for the third tranche), at the new maturity date of each of these tranches.

Envisaged terms of the equitization of the loan

According to the agreement in principle reached between the Company and the EIB's teams, an equitization operation of the first tranche of the loan10 would be launched to enable the loan to be gradually transformed into CARMAT shares under the terms described below via a trust (fiducie-gestion) created for the requirements of this operation and managed by a trustee independent of either the Company or the EIB (the "trust"). This equitization would successively cover the three tranches of the loan, but the EIB could unilaterally decide in due time not to proceed with the equitization of the second and/or third tranches, of which the market would be informed.

The EIB would transfer its receivable (principal plus interests) with respect to the first tranche of the loan to the Trust11. For technical reasons, this receivable would immediately be assigned by the Trust to the Company to enable the latter to extinguish it by confusion of the qualities of creditor and debtor. This assignment of the receivable to the Company would not be the subject of a payment in cash, but would give rise to the creation of a vendor loan (credit-vendeur) on the Company to the benefit of the trustee, acting on behalf of the trust (the "vendor loan").

The trustee, acting on behalf of the trust, would gradually transform the above receivable into CARMAT shares by exercising the warrants (the "Warrants") issued to it by the Company for free, which could only be exercised via the offsetting of the receivable12. The shares thus issued for each exercise would then be gradually divested on the market taking into consideration market volumes13; and the net proceeds of their divestment would then be paid by the trust to the EIB until the sums due to it with respect to the first tranche had been fully repaid.

Should the net proceeds of these share divestments not enable the EIB to be fully repaid with respect to this tranche by July 31, 2026 (the new maturity date for the first tranche), the Company would repay the balance due from its cash resources on that date14. A partial repayment of the sum due to the EIB by the Company with respect to the first tranche would therefore be possible.

A mechanism identical to that used for the first tranche would then be put in place for equitizing the second and third tranches of the loan, unless the EIB decided to waive it, which the market would be informed of.

Envisaged terms of the issue and exercise of the Warrants and divestment of the underlying CARMAT shares

The Company would, on the day of the implementation of the equitization, issue, for free and with shareholders' preferential subscription rights waived, a certain number of warrants to the trustee, acting on behalf of the Trust15

Each Warrant would give the holder the right to subscribe to one Company share at an exercise price at least equal to the lowest volume-weighted average daily share price over the trading sessions during which the Trust would not have sold its Company shares among the last fifteen consecutive trading sessions immediately preceding their exercise date. Any warrants not exercised would become null and void once the receivables to be equitized were fully repaid to the EIB. The Warrants would not be admitted to trading on the Euronext Growth market in Paris, nor on any other financial market.

In substance, the trustee acting on behalf of the Trust would be responsible for:

exercising the Warrants in strict accordance with the terms laid out in the Trust agreement and paying their exercise price by set-off against the receivable the trustee, acting on behalf of the Trust, holds against the Company with respect to the Vendor Loan; then

progressively divesting, on the market, the new shares resulting from the exercise of the Warrants, mainly taking into consideration market volumes. The objective of the broker appointed to do this would be to divest a daily volume of shares limited to 12.5%16 of the daily volume of CARMAT shares traded.

The new shares issued through the exercise of the Warrants would carry dividend rights. They would benefit from the same rights as those attached to the Company's existing ordinary shares and would be admitted to trading on the Euronext Growth market in Paris on the same listing line as existing CARMAT shares under ISIN code FR0010907956.

The trustee would pay the EIB every two months until each tranche's new maturity date (i.e. July 31, 2026 for the first tranche, for example) or, should this date come first, until the date on which all the sums due to the EIB with respect to the First Tranche were paid the net proceeds of the divestment on the market of the Company shares issued upon exercise of the Warrants.

Dilution associated with the envisaged Equitization

Purely for indicative purposes, assuming (i) the warrants were exercised on the basis of an exercise price equal to the lowest average volume-weighted Company share price observed over the last fifteen trading sessions prior to December 31, 2023 (i.e. 5.77 euros), and (ii) that the underlying shares are sold at the closing price of the Company's shares on the day before that date, 2.7 million warrants would have to be exercised in order to repay in full the sums owed to the EIB under the first tranche (namely 18m), resulting in dilution of 11% for shareholders (and 7.2 million warrants would have to be exercised (i.e. dilution of 29%) in order to repay in full the sums owed to the EIB under the three tranches, namely 48m). For information purposes only, assuming (i) that the BSAs are exercised on the basis of a theoretical exercise price equal to half of the aforementioned exercise price (i.e. 2.89 euros) and (ii) that the underlying shares are sold at the closing price of the Company's shares on the day before that same date, 5,4 million warrants would have to be exercised in order to repay in full the sums owed to the EIB under the first tranche (namely 18m), resulting in dilution of 22% for shareholders (and 14.4 million warrants would have to be exercised (i.e. dilution of 58%) in order to repay in full the sums owed to the EIB under the three tranches, namely 48m). This dilution example does not in any way prejudge the final number of shares to be issued, nor their exercise or divestment price, which would be set depending on the prevailing share price at the time of the exercising of the Warrants and the divestment of the underlying shares.

Costs associated with the envisaged Equitization

The Company expects the costs associated with the Equitization operation to be in line with market practice for capital increases by listed companies in France, it being specified that the Trustee would not receive any variable remuneration.

Conflicts of interest

The implementation of the Equitization would not create, to the best of the Company's knowledge, any conflicts of interest for its executives and corporate officers.

Prospectus

The Equitization would not be subject to a prospectus requiring an approval from the French Financial Market Authority (AMF).

This press release does not constitute a prospectus within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and of the Council of June 14, 2017, as amended, nor an offer to the public.

Name: CARMAT

ISIN code: FR0010907956

Ticker: ALCAR

Disclaimer

This press release and the information contained herein do not constitute an offer to sell or subscribe to, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe to, shares in CARMAT (the "Company") in any country. This press release may contain forward-looking statements that relate to the Company's objectives and prospects. Such forward-looking statements are based solely on the current expectations and assumptions of the Company's management and involve risk and uncertainties including, without limitation, the Company's ability to successfully implement its strategy, the rate of development of CARMAT's production and sales, the pace and results of ongoing and future clinical trials, new products or technological developments introduced by competitors, changes in regulations and risks associated with growth management. The Company's objectives as mentioned in this press release may not be achieved for any of these reasons or due to other risks and uncertainties.

The significant and specific risks pertaining to the Company are those described in the Universal Registration Document ("Document d'Enregistrement Universel") filed with the Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF, the French stock market authorities) under number D. 23-0323. Readers' attention is drawn in particular to the financing risk of the Company, whose cash runway currently extends until end-January 2024. Readers and investors' attention is also drawn to the fact that other risks, unknown or not deemed to be significant or specific, may or could exist.

Aeson is an active implantable medical device commercially available in the European Union and other countries that recognize CE marking. The Aeson total artificial heart is intended to replace the ventricles of the native heart and is indicated as a bridge to transplant in patients suffering from end-stage biventricular heart failure (INTERMACS classes 1-4) who are not amenable to maximal medical therapy or a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and are likely to undergo a heart transplant within 180 days of the device being implanted. The decision to implant and the surgical procedure must be carried out by healthcare professionals trained by the manufacturer. The documentation (clinician manual, patient manual and alarm booklet) should be read carefully to understand the characteristics of Aeson and information necessary for patient selection and the proper use of Aeson (contraindications, precautions, side effects). In the United States, Aeson is currently exclusively available within the framework of an Early Feasibility Study authorized by the Food Drug Administration (FDA).

________________________________

1 In the event that the net proceeds from the sale of shares would not enable the EIB to be fully repaid on the new maturity date of the first tranche, the Company would repay the balance in cash on that date.

2 Except in the event of default or early repayment, where the dates remain unchanged.

3 Principal of 10m and interests of around 5m

4 To this amount, would have to be added 15m for the first tranche of the EIB loan if the agreement in principle was not implemented, notably due to the non-fulfillment of a condition precedent.

5 See the Company's 2022 Universal Document (Section 3.1.7) for further details on the characteristics of this loan.

6 The equitization would cover both the loan's principal and interests, so that the Company once the equitization is launched for a tranche would not have to pay anything with respect to that tranche before its new maturity date (except in the event of default or early repayment, for which the dates remain unchanged).

7 Corresponding to CARMAT's share price on December 31, 2023.

8 Readers' attention is drawn to the fact that this figure could vary significantly, notably depending on changes in CARMAT's share price and the number of CARMAT shares traded on the market.

9 Readers' attention is drawn to the fact that this figure could vary significantly, notably depending on changes in CARMAT's share price and the number of CARMAT shares traded on the market.

10 The equitization would concern both the loan's principal and its interest, so that the Company once the equitization is launched for one tranche would not have to pay anything with respect to that tranche before its new maturity date (except in the event of default or early repayment, for which the dates remain unchanged).

11 It is envisaged that this transfer would take place at the time of, or soon after, the contractualization of the agreement between the EIB and CARMAT.

12 Please note that the exercise of the warrants would not result in any funds being received by the Company as the exercise price of the warrants would be settled by offsetting the receivable that the trustee, acting on behalf of the trust, has on the Company with respect to the Vendor-Loan.

13 The broker who would be appointed for this purpose would, in particular, aim to sell a daily volume of sales that the Company estimates would be limited to 12.5% of the daily volume of CARMAT shares traded. The broker would be asked to execute orders according to the best execution policy ("careful order"), with the aim of getting as close as possible to the VWAP of the day.

14 Within this framework, the Company would grant, to the benefit of the EIB, an autonomous first-call guarantee should it not have repaid, by the date specified in the EIB Loan contract, the sums due with respect to the First Tranche. Conversely, it should be noted that the exercise of the warrants and sale of the underlying shares would be interrupted should all the sums due with respect to the First Tranche have been repaid to the EIB.

15 Regarding the first tranche of the EIB loan, this issue would be based on the delegation of powers granted by the Shareholders' Meeting of January 5, 2024, under the terms of its eleventh resolution. It is specified that additional warrants could be issued by the Company for the Trustee, acting on behalf of the Trust, at a later date should the initial number of warrants issued not be sufficient to fully implement the Equitization.

16 The percentage is not defined in the agreement in principle between the EIB and CARMAT; it will be the subject of a discussion as part of the contractualization of this agreement but base on its discussions with the EIB the Company does not expect this figure to exceed 12.5%.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240111373699/en/

Contacts:

CARMAT

Stephane Piat

Chief Executive Officer



Pascale d'Arbonneau

Chief Financial Officer

Tel.: +33 1 39 45 64 50

contact@carmatsas.com



Alize RP

Press Relations



Caroline Carmagnol

Tel.: +33 6 64 18 99 59

carmat@alizerp.com



NewCap

Financial Communication

& Investor Relations



Dusan Oresansky

Quentin Masse

Tel.: +33 1 44 71 94 92

carmat@newcap.eu
OSLO, Norway, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BlueNord ASA ("BlueNord" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a Final Investment Decision ("FID") on the Harald East Middle Jurassic well ("HEMJ"), expected to be spudded during the summer of 2024.

The HEMJ well will be drilled in the Harald East area, located close to the Norwegian border and the gas is exported through the Tyra East facilities. In a success case, the well could deliver production by end of 2024. The expected gain from the well is up to 8 mmboe net to BlueNord of which ca 80% is gas. This well is drilled into the Jurassic with good reservoir properties, however with a wide range of subsurface outcomes with respect to volume.

The cost of the well is ca USD 28 million net to BlueNord, and with an attractive unit development cost. The concept for hook-up and potential life extension of Harald will be decided after the well has been drilled.

"I am delighted to announce another Final Investment Decision in the DUC drilling sequence. The Harald East Middle Jurassic well will be drilled through the chalk reservoir and into the Jurassic reservoir which has excellent reservoir properties. We look forward to getting the results and to add to the production through the new Tyra facilities by the end of the year," said Marianne Eide, Chief Operating Officer in BlueNord.

This information is subject to disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

Contact:

Cathrine Torgersen, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer

Phone: +47 915 28 501

Email: cathrine.torgersen@bluenord.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bluenord-fid-taken-on-new-well-expected-to-increase-production-302033417.html
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2024 / Victory Battery Metals Corp. (CSE:VR)(FWB:VR6)(OTC PINK:VRCFF) ("Victory" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has extended the expiry date of an aggregate of 11,160,611 previously issued warrants (the "Warrants") for an additional two years. All warrants are on post consolidated basis.

The Warrants were originally issued November 7, 2022, with an original expiry date of November 7, 2024. The 887,222 Warrants entitle the holder to purchase a common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.45.

The Warrants were originally issued February 13, 2023, with an original expiry date of February 13, 2025. The 1,866,667 Warrants entitle the holder to purchase a common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.45.

The Warrants were originally issued February 16, 2023 with an original expiry date of February 16, 2025. The 1,634,667 Warrants entitle the holder to purchase a common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.36.

The Warrants were originally issued February 22, 2023 with an original expiry date of February 22, 2025. The 2,879,834 Warrants entitle the holder to purchase a common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.36.

The Warrants were originally issued March 10, 2023 with an original expiry date of March 10, 2025. The 1,596,667 Warrants entitle the holder to purchase a common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.45.

The Warrants were originally issued May 26, 2023 with an original expiry date of May 26, 2025. The 2,000,000 Warrants entitle the holder to purchase a common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.21. s

The Company is also announcing that above-noted Warrants are being repriced to $0.05.

Each whole Warrant will now entitle the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.05. The Warrants will also contain an acceleration clause, in that if the shares trade at or more than $0.065 for a 10 day period, the expiry date shall terminate upon 30 days notice.

The extension and repricing are subject to approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange.

About Victory Battery Metals

Victory is a publicly traded diversified investment corporation with mineral interests in North America. The Company's head office is located at 1780-355 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6C 2C8, and its Common Shares are currently listed on the CSE.

Contact Information

For further information, please contact:

Mark Ireton, President

Phone: +1 (236) 317-2822 or toll-free +1 (855) 665-GOLD (4653)

E-mail: info@victorybatterymetals.com

www.victorybatterymetals.com

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

SOURCE: Victory Battery Metals Corp.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Spotlight on international trends for the dolce foodservice world expo.

1,200 exhibitor brands from 35 countries, 500 buyers and delegations anticipated from 83 countries (mainly Germany, Spain, France, USA, Canada, India and China).

RIMINI, Italy, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- From 20-24 January at Rimini Expo Centre, innovative ideas in the industry will take the stage at Sigep-The Dolce World Expo (45th edition), the international artisan gelato, pastry, bakery and coffee trade show organized by IEG - Italian Exhibition Group. "The Vision Plaza - announces Corrado Peraboni, CEO of IEG - will host key dolce foodservice speakers on excellence in innovation, globally trending topics and scenarios, including Circana, US leading advisor on consumer behaviour. According to their reports, "out-of-home" consumption in Europe is up +12% on 2022, with dolce bakery products alone accounting for 11.4 billion".

Tens of thousands of operators from all over the world are expected at Sigep 2024, including 500 top buyers from 83 countries in collaboration with ITA-Italian Trade Agency and the IEG regional advisor network. Among the 1,200brands confirmed, the foreign share is close to 18%, representing 35 countries.

Major upswing in delegations from all over the world: the main US restaurant chains, Van Leeuwen IceCream and manufacturer, Brothers Desserts in the gelato sector, Papa Murphy, Blaze Pizza or Toppers for the world of pizza, and coffee brands like Spot Coffee, as well as Rush Bowls Franchising LLC and Maxwell-McKenney.

The Singapore delegation with representatives of the Restaurant Association and Singapore Tourism Board; Abrasorvetes - gelato makers association from Brazil; IILA-Italian Latin American Institute with representatives of coffee and cocoa producing countries; UNIDO operators from Kurdistan and Iran. French delegations from the Confederation glaciers, patissiers, chocolatiers de France and Universite Regionale des Metiers et de l'Artisanat des Pays de la Loire, from Argentina the Afadhya artisan ice cream makers association, from Serbia a delegation of bakers and pastry chefs coordinated by the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Macau Associacao de Chocolate, from Chinese Taipei the Taiwan Chefs Association, from Chile Indupan, the bakers' association. Others from the bakery sector include, Ceoppan, the Spanish Confederation of Bakeries, Pastry and Related Products, Peru bakers from the Nova Escuela training school, Swiss representatives of Richemont Fachschule Switzerland school, and others from Richemont Club China. And this year's newcomer, a delegation from the World Association of Chefs Societies, a global network of chef associations.

PRESS CONTACT SIGEP ITALIAN EXHIBITION GROUP

head of media relation & corporate communication: Elisabetta Vitali, press office manager: Marco Forcellini,

international press office coordinator: Silvia Giorgi; media@iegexpo.it - + () 39 0541 744814

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2260872/4491138/Italian_Exhibition_Group_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/italy-sigep-2024-the-future-of-dolce-worldwide-302033065.html


EQS Newswire / 12/01/2024 / 17:11 UTC+8

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Posts 46.1% Growth in Retail Sales Value In 3QFY2024, Driven by Steady Progress of Ongoing Transformation

Results Highlights The Group's Retail Sales Value ("RSV") registered growth of 46.1% during 3QFY2024. This was driven by Hong Kong and Macau of China and other markets which was up 70.8%, thanks to the continued recovery of inbound tourism and our annual sale in December. Mainland China (the "Mainland") RSV increased by 42.2%, supported by the strong festive demand and a steady ramp up of our new stores. In Hong Kong and Macau, with an average daily customer traffic increased by over 50% year-on-year, Same Store Sales ("SSS") increased 66.6% during the Quarter. In Mainland China, SSS increased by 22.7% during the Quarter and almost 50% in December. Bolstered by our global diamond campaigns and annual sale, RSV of Wonderful Life Collection in the Mainland was double that of 3QFY2023. Our newly launched

Chow Tai Fook Dancing Lily Collection was also well received by our customers in both the Mainland and Hong Kong and Macau. Strength in gold products continued given its nature of value preservation and defensiveness and increasing popularity among younger consumers. Some of our key and exclusive collections such as HUA Collection and ING Collection captured robust market demand, registering RSV growth in excess of 50% and 40% respectively during the Quarter.



Since November, we have progressively rolled out the change from weight-based pricing to fixed pricing for selective gold jewellery products. We have observed positive and encouraging responses from the market with strong growth recorded in December.



As we transition to a new phase of higher value growth and with our brand revamp set to be unveiled in April 2024, our focus remains steadfast on executing our five strategic priorities to drive a sustained enhancement in earnings quality. KEY OPERATIONAL DATA For the three months ended 31 December 2023 (% change compared to the same period last year) Group Retail Sales Value(1) growth +46.1% Mainland China Hong Kong & Macau of China and other markets RSV growth +42.2% +70.8% Contribution to Group RSV 84.2% 15.8% Mainland China Hong Kong & Macau of China Same Store Sales(2) growth +22.7% +66.6% SSS volume growth +17.5% +49.8% SSSG by product - Gem-set, Platinum and K-gold jewellery -1.9% +4.3% - Gold jewellery and products +32.5% +104.3%

(1) "Retail Sales Value" measures the sales at the ending price (VAT inclusive, if any), in respective functional currencies, of products sold to customers in the POS network and other channels. (2) "Same Store Sales" for the Third Quarter is the RSV from the self-operated POS of

CHOW TAI FOOK JEWELLERY existing as at 31 December 2023 and which have been opened prior to 1 April 2022. RSV from franchised POS and other channels are not included. (Hong Kong, China, 12 January 2024) Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited ("Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group", the "Group" or the "Company"; SEHK stock code: 1929), today announces certain unaudited key operational data of the Group for the three months ended 31 December 2023 (the "Third Quarter", or the "Quarter" or "3QFY2024"). Robust RSV and SSS Growth Driven by Festive Demand During 3QFY2024, both Mainland China and Hong Kong and Macau benefitted from strong festive demand. The Group's RSV registered a robust growth of 46.1% during the Quarter. This was driven by Hong Kong and Macau of China and other markets, which was up 70.8%, thanks to the continued recovery of inbound tourism and our annual sale in December. For the first nine months of FY2024, our RSV in Hong Kong and Macau was about 70% of the corresponding FY2019 levels. In Mainland China, the annual sale also commenced in late December to capture growth momentum ahead of the Chinese New Year celebrations. During the Quarter, RSV of the Mainland increased by 42.2%, supported by the strong festive demand. In particular, on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, RSV in the Mainland more than doubled year-on-year. In other markets, an increase in tourism also drove robust RSV growth of 168.6%, especially for Singapore, Malaysia, and duty-free shops in the Mainland. We will continue to evaluate and explore opportunities in markets with strong retail demand. The Same Store Sales Growth ("SSSG") in both markets demonstrated a positive trend. In the Mainland, SSS recorded growth of 22.7% during the Quarter. In particular, SSSG reached almost 50% in December, with positive SSSG observed across all product categories. In Hong Kong and Macau, the continued recovery of inbound tourism and our annual sale were supportive to our business and SSS increased by 66.6%. SSSG grew by 58.8% and 100.7% for Hong Kong and Macau respectively. The encouraging growth was supported by the sustained return of Mainland tourists, coupled with our annual sale during the Quarter. The average daily customer traffic at our stores in Hong Kong and Macau increased by over 50% year-on-year during the Quarter. We continued to enhance digital customer engagement and bolster our online presence through targeted digital marketing initiatives. E-commerce's contribution in Mainland China edged up to 6.4% in RSV and 14.3% in volume in the Quarter. Encouraging Performance of our Featured Diamond Collections For our gem-set business, we kicked off our global diamond campaign in September 2023 with a positive reception. We brought the "Beyond Time" diamond exhibition to Beijing in December, following its successful debut in Hong Kong. These diamond campaigns were designed and aimed at effectively raising consumers' awareness and enhancing their desirability for gem-set jewellery. Quality gem-set jewellery continued to be favoured by consumers, as illustrated by the strong performance of the Wonderful Life Collection in the Mainland, which doubled its RSV in 3QFY2023 year-on-year. Our newly launched Chow Tai Fook Dancing Lily Collection was well received by our customers in the Mainland and Hong Kong and Macau. These underpinned our confidence in the long-term prospects of diamond jewellery. In the Mainland, SSS of the gem-set, platinum and k-gold jewellery category slightly declined by 1.9% during the Quarter yet on a monthly basis, it turned positive since November. Mainland RSV for this category grew 7.0% during the Quarter. In Hong Kong and Macau, SSS increased by 4.3% during the Quarter. In the Mainland, the Same Store Average Selling Price ("ASP") of gem-set jewellery was steady at HK$8,100 (3QFY2023: HK$8,200), while that of Hong Kong and Macau increased to HK$17,400 (3QFY2023: HK$15,100). Sustained Momentum of Consumer Spending on Gold Jewellery and Products Strength in gold products continued given its nature of value preservation and defensiveness under the current macro environment and its increasing popularity among youngsters. The solid demand in key collections such as HUA Collection and ING Collection drove sustained strength in gold jewellery and products in both markets. These collections registered RSV growth in excess of 50% and 40% respectively during the Quarter. In the Mainland, SSS for gold jewellery and products rose 32.5% during the Quarter. ASP was resilient at HK$5,600 (3QFY2023: HK$5,100). In Hong Kong and Macau, SSS of this product category surged by 104.3%, benefitting from the Mainland tourist influx and festive demand. Its ASP also ascended to HK$8,100 (3QFY2023: HK$6,600). In the near term, we expect Chinese consumers to continue showing a strong preference for quality gold jewellery differentiated by exquisite craftsmanship. To capture the demand by our younger consumers, we are progressively leveraging our extensive R&D and IP in product design to incorporate rich Chinese cultural elements in some of our collections. Since November, we have progressively rolled out the change from weight-based pricing to fixed pricing for selective gold jewellery products. We observed positive and encouraging responses from the market with strong growth recorded in December. Given the current growth trajectory validated by market feedback, we recognise the potential to grow contributions more substantially. We will take a calibrated approach with our allocation of resources to plan for growth as we execute our strategic priority of product optimisation. As 2024 marks the Year of Dragon in the Lunar calendar, this typically translates to a good year for jewellery consumption, particularly around CNY. We will be launching our new HUA Collection featuring the Dragon later this month to seize the CNY sales opportunity. Sustaining Our Growth Trajectory Through Execution of Five Strategic Priorities and Brand Revamp Despite the prevailing market uncertainties, we are firmly focused on a bottom-up approach in diligently executing the planned initiatives under our five strategic priorities to sustain our growth trajectory. As we transition to a new phase of higher value growth and with our brand revamp set to be unveiled in April 2024, our focus remains steadfast on executing our five strategic priorities to drive a sustained enhancement in earnings quality. We recognise the fluidity of the market and continue to stay nimble and pay close attention to consumers' spending to calibrate our growth strategy accordingly.

### Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited



Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited (the "Group"; SEHK stock code: 1929) was listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong in December 2011. The Group's vision is to become the most trusted jewellery group in the world. Founded in 1929, the Group's iconic brand "CHOW TAI FOOK" is widely recognised for its trustworthiness and authenticity, and is renowned for its product design, quality and value. A long-standing commitment to innovation and craftsmanship has contributed to the Group's success, along with that of its iconic retail brand, and has been embodied in its rich heritage. Underpinning this success are our long-held core values of "Sincerity  Eternity". The Group's differentiation strategy continues to make inroads into diverse customer segments by catering to a bespoke experience for different lifestyles and personalities, as well as customers' different life stages. Offering a wide variety of products, services and channels, the Group's brand portfolio comprises the CHOW TAI FOOK flagship brand with curated retail experiences, and other individual brands including HEARTS ON FIRE, ENZO, SOINLOVE and MONOLOGUE. The Group's commitment to sustainable growth is anchored in its customer-centric focus and strategies, which are in place to promote long-term innovation in business, in people and in culture. Another asset underpinning sustainable growth is a sophisticated and agile business model. This supports the Group by fostering excellence and extending opportunities along the entire value chain to communities and industry partners across the world. With an extensive retail network in China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, the United States and Canada, as well as a fast-growing smart retail business, the Group is implementing effective online-to-offline ("O2O") strategies to succeed in today's omni-channel retail environment. ________________________________________________________________________________ Media Enquiries: Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited

Haide Ng Senior Manager, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications Tel: (852) 3115 4402 Email: haideng@chowtaifook.com Acky Chan Senior Manager, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications Tel: (852) 3115 4403 Email: ackychan@chowtaifook.com



File: Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Posts 46.1% Growth in Retail Sales Value In 3QFY2024, Driven by Steady Progress of Ongoing Transformation



12/01/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



Media archive at www.todayir.com


The representative office will offer faster, more efficient services to its customers based in the GCC region

DUBAI, UAE, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Max Life Insurance Company Ltd. ("Max Life"/"Company") expands its presence in the Middle East with the opening of its first representative office in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The office will assess opportunities to fulfill the emergent needs of its customer base in the UAE.

The new onshore office strengthens Max Life's presence in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) zone and helps cater to the servicing needs of the region's customer segment. With this presence, Max Life aims to provide the same level of compassion, affinity, and customer delight to their customers based in the UAE, at par with the Indian market.

Prashant Tripathy, CEO and Managing Director, Max Life said,"We are very excited to open our first representative office in the Middle East and are confident that this will enhance life insurance awareness for our customers in alignment with their financial and protection needs. With our presence in Dubai, we are not only extending our reach to the Gulf region and enhancing our brand awareness, but also bridging the geographical gap to ensure that our NRI customers experience a seamless approach in meeting their life goals."

As a brand of choice, Max Life has consistently established a strong market presence since its inception. Max Life has grown at a 5-year Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13% on Individual New Business. The Company's Asset under Management (AUM) stands at Rs. 1.23 lac crore and have grown at a CAGR of 19% over the last five years*. In a business of trust, Max Life prioritizes prompt and hassle-free settlement of death claims, as exemplified by a Claims Paid ratio of 99.51% in FY23.

For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.maxlifeinsurance.com.

*As per Public Disclosures

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/max-life-establishes-presence-in-the-united-arab-emirates-uae-302033522.html


EQS-Media / 12.01.2024 / 11:25 CET/CEST



Marley Spoon Group SE ("Marley Spoon" or the "Company"), a leading global subscription-based meal kit provider for home cooking, will release its quarterly results for the period ending 31 December 2023 as well as preliminary full year 2023 results, on Tuesday 30 January 2024.

Investors are invited to join a conference call on Tuesday, 30 January 2024, at 10.00 am (CET) hosted by Marley Spoon Founder & CEO, Fabian Siegel, and CFO, Jennifer Bernstein who will provide an update on the Company's performance.

To pre-register for the call, please follow this link:

https://montegaconnect.de/event/lnbl2goibp7go3z5igng99dmf1gc4dft



About Marley Spoon Group SE

Marley Spoon Group SE, through its majority shareholding in Marley Spoon SE, is a global direct-to-consumer (DTC) meal-kit company. Our Vision is to "Build a better everyday, just for you, just right". We started Marley Spoon in 2014 to help our customers to cook for their families and deal with their busy lives. We also felt there should be a more sustainable way to cook at home, reducing food waste that traditional supermarket supply chains generate. Marley Spoon currently operates various brands in three regions: Australia, the United States, and Europe (Austria, Belgium, German, and the Netherlands). Our meal-kit brands, Marley Spoon, Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon, and Dinnerly, bring pre-portioned fresh ingredients with tasty and simple recipes and other eating solutions reliably to our customers every week. Our customers just decide what to eat, when to eat, and leave behind the hassle of grocery shopping. Chefgood is our direct-to-consumer ready-to-heat (RTH) service that offers premium-priced, high-quality, healthy, and nutritious RTH meals and eating solutions for our wellness and health-focused customers.

Marley Spoon's company culture is defined by autonomy, transparency and accountability. We are driven by our purpose, we are ambitious, and overall we believe in principles over policies. We are proud to have an international, diverse team with a balanced team-member gender ratio, and we continually strive to build the best team.

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LONDON, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SunExpress was conferred the 'Fastest Growing Airline Brand, Germany and Turkey' for 2023 at the prestigious Global Brand Awards.

The Prestigious Global Brand Awards , an annual event by Global Brands Magazine (GBM) based in England, strives to honour worldwide brands that distinguish themselves across diverse industries while ensuring that readers are up-to-date on pivotal trends in the realm of branding. Global Brands Magazine undertook a thorough evaluation encompassing various criteria, such as Growth in passenger numbers, expansion of routes, fleet expansion, financial performance, innovation and many more. SunExpress stands out prominently for its innovative approach, contributing to its rapid growth. Therefore, SunExpress well deserves Global Brands Magazine's recognition.

Commenting on winning the award, Jay Reddy, Director, Global Brands Magazine, said, "We extend our heartfelt congratulations to SunExpress for achieving the prestigious title of the Fastest-growing Airline Brand in Turkey and Germany. SunExpress's unwavering commitment to innovation, coupled with an exceptional approach in the industry, has propelled its remarkable growth. This award is a testament to SunExpress's dedication to excellence, and they truly deserve this honor."

Commenting on winning the award, Benedikt Sieweke, Chief Marketing Officer, SunExpress, said, "We use cross-media and cross-device communication to not only gather valuable smart data but also boost our marketing performance significantly while using our resources efficiently. We are proud to be awarded the Global Brand Award not only in one, but two markets, Germany and Turkiye, for this approach and our brand performance. Our focus will remain firmly on uncovering and seizing new market potentials in the future. AI will play a bigger role than ever in making our customer communication faster, better, and more efficient."

ABOUT SUNEXPRESS

SunExpress was founded in 1989 as a joint venture between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines and is one of the leading providers of leisure flights to Turkey. With its modern Boeing 737 fleet, the airline currently serves a route network of around 60 international destinations on a total of 175 routes. The airline has been combining Turkish hospitality with German precision for more than 30 years and welcomes more than 11 million passengers on board its aircraft every year. SunExpress is a strong partner of Turkish tourism and has received several awards for the service and comfort on board its flights. The carrier, which has been named "Best Leisure Airline in Europe" by Skytrax, scores with a good price-performance ratio and a wide range of innovations and digital services. Further information can be found at www.sunexpress.com

ABOUT GLOBAL BRANDS MAGAZINE (ENGLAND)

Global Brands Magazine (GBM) has been at the forefront, bringing news, views and opinions on brands shaping the future of their industry. The UK-based magazine provides its readers with the latest news and information on 'best-in-class brands across the globe. Each year, GBM develops awards for companies that stand out, have a unique vision, exceptional service, innovative solutions and consumer-centric products among their industry leaders. The Magazine has over 8.5 million visitors and 15 million page views per month, making it one of the best online magazines. The Magazine also maintains a strong presence on social media, with over 20k+ Facebook likes, 10k+ Instagram followers, 25k+ Twitter followers, and 3k+ LinkedIn followers.

ABOUT THE GLOBAL BRAND AWARDS

Global Brand Awards honours brands for their excellence in performance and rewards companies across different sectors for the quality of their services. The Brand Awards highlight the accomplishments of organisations that have performed remarkably well in finance, education, hospitality, automotive, lifestyle, education, real estate, technology, and others. Global Brand Awards recognise vital players who progress towards excellence by providing a platform to acknowledge their efforts. In addition, GBM strives to create awareness concerning the significance of such organisations and rewards them for their notable efforts with the ultimate global recognition. We are excited to announce the highly anticipated awards ceremony, which will take place at The Athenee Hotel in the heart of Bangkok, Thailand, in May 2024. To learn more about the awards, please visit the Brand Awards Winners section on the GBM website.

To nominate your company or business leader for the Global Brand Awards 2023, please click on the following link:

https://www.globalbrandsmagazine.com/nomination-form/

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Regulatory News:

UK's largest waste collection fleet operator, Veolia (Paris:VIE) plans to electrify its entire vehicle lineup in the country by 2040

This transformation would enable the company to provide 200 MW of flexible power capacity daily

At its "Deep Dive Energy" event in London, Veolia unveiled a world-first vehicle-to-grid (V2G) innovation that will enable waste collection trucks to power UK homes by feeding back stored energy from their batteries to the grid.

UK's largest waste collection fleet operator, Veolia plans to electrify all of its 1,800 RCV's in the country by 2040. This transformation will enable the company to provide to the grid around 200 MW of flexible power capacity daily, an equivalent of the evening peak energy demand of over 150,000 homes, supporting the country's energy security.

With electricity demand in the UK expected to double by 2050 and Government's targets to decarbonise the National Grid by 2035, batteries have a role to play as they can not only recharge from the electrical grid, but they can also feed back stored energy from their batteries to the grid thanks to V2G. This can provide energy during peak demand periods, contribute to grid stability by regulating frequency and voltage, and even store excess renewable energy for later use.

Veolia has taken the potential of this technology to a new level by applying it to collection vehicles, which are ideally suited to V2G as their batteries are six times larger than those in an average car, and the fleet is usually parked at peak energy consumption times for the National Grid.

The first phase of the trial performed by Veolia has been successfully completed, enabling 110 KW of energy to be charged and discharged from two specially designed bi-directional vehicles, enough to supply power to 110 households for over two hours during peak evening hours. Veolia now plans to expand the trial and test it out on the streets, using Westminster council collection vehicles to pilot the innovation.

In addition, Veolia will maximize the use of local decarbonizing energy from its waste-to-energy plants to power its vehicles, creating a perfect circular loop. This will include the Landmann Way vehicle depot in North London, powered by low-carbon electricity from the SELCHP plant.

Estelle Brachlianoff, CEO of Veolia, said: "We need to innovate in local decarbonizing energy and transform our traditional approaches to take advantage of untapped sources. This requires a change of mindset and a collective willingness to rethink the way we produce, distribute and consume energy. The success of the V2G demonstration illustrates this perfectly. By enabling electric vehicles to become active players in the power grid, we are harnessing their potential to balance energy supply and demand, reduce carbon emissions and promote renewable energy".

Gavin Graveson, Senior Executive Vice President Veolia Northern Europe Zone said: "Flexibility is the key to super-charging the UK's energy security and the transition to a smarter and more sustainable market. We have to adapt to increasing energy demand and adopt smarter energy systems to bring resilient, dependable and low carbon energy to our homes and businesses. Flexibility innovations like this one have the potential to revolutionise the way we manage our energy usage and represent a huge opportunity to cut costs and carbon".

For this project Veolia has partnered with electric vehicle charger manufacturer, Turbo Power Systems (TPS), vehicle repower experts Magnetic Systems Technology (Magtec) and EV charge point management software provider Fuuse, with support from technology provider, Advantics.

Veolia has a strong history of innovation in developing local decarbonizing energy solutions for the benefit of local communities and industries. The Group operates 10 Energy Recovery Facilities in the UK. These facilities take around 2.3 million tonnes of non-recyclable waste and transform this into electricity for over 400,000 homes, and this combined generating capacity of 180MWe takes pressure off the stretched UK electrical grid and effectively avoids using fossil fuels for generation. Some of these facilities also produce heating for communities through district heating networks, by using combined heat and power technology.

ABOUT VEOLIA

Veolia Group aims to become the benchmark company for ecological transformation. Present on five continents with nearly 213,000 employees, the Group designs and deploys useful, practical solutions for the management of water, waste and energy that are contributing to a radical turnaround of the current situation. Through its three complementary activities, Veolia helps to develop access to resources, to preserve available resources and to renew them. In 2022, the Veolia group provided 111 million inhabitants with drinking water and 97 million with sanitation, produced nearly 44 million megawatt hours and recovered 61 million tonnes of waste. Veolia Environnement (Paris Euronext: VIE) achieved consolidated revenue of 42.885 billions euros in 2022.

www.veolia.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240112953008/en/

Contacts:

VEOLIA

GROUP MEDIA RELATIONS

Laurent Obadia Evgeniya Mazalova

Anna Beaubatie Aurelien Sarrosquy

Tel.+ 33 (0) 1 85 57 86 25

presse.groupe@veolia.com

VEOLIA UK

Florence Almond

Tel: +44 7721 238278

florence.almond@veolia.com
Construction culminated with completion of the 37,000-sq.-ft. Enclave Event Center

TAMPA, FL / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2024 / The Motor Enclave will host its official ribbon cutting and grand opening today, unveiling the centerpiece of the project, a 37,000-sq.-ft. state-of-the-art Event Center. This comes after just over two years of construction over the entire project, which includes 300+ luxury private garages, a 1.6-mile Formula 1-style Performance Driving Circuit, a 100-acre Off-Road Experience, a 2-acre Vehicle Dynamics Pad and much more. In addition to being the largest facility of its kind in the United States, The Motor Enclave is officially the largest private garage community in the world.

The Motor Enclave Event Center

An exclusive invite list of over 500 people, including investors, private garage owners and local dignitaries will be on hand to witness the ribbon cutting. Confirmed speakers include Hillsborough County Commission Board Chairman Ken Hagan, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, and Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister.

The Enclave Event Center was designed to be the premiere event venue in Tampa Bay with a capacity of 1,200 seated, and upwards of 1,800 theatre style. The venue has a multitude of event spaces perfect for small corporate retreats, team-building events for 50-300, and large-scale corporate/charity events of 1,000+ guests. The catering kitchen, the largest in the region, will be managed by Puff N' Stuff Catering, who will provide an innovative onsite food and drink program on an exclusive basis. Event add-ons include exhilarating driving experiences for guests, putting The Motor Enclave in a class of its own.

"I wanted to create the ultimate event venue in Tampa Bay," said Brad Oleshansky, Founder and CEO of The Motor Enclave. "We spent years preparing for this project in the midst of Covid-19 and its unpredictable supply chain hurdles. However, after nearly four years of development, we're finally at the finish line. With our track operations already in full swing, this is the final component in creating the ultimate event venue for corporate events, team building, off-sites, board meetings, weddings, conventions, and more. We couldn't have done this without the hard work of our design and construction teams, hundreds of skilled trades and our partners Pirelli, Morgan Automotive Group, CITY Furniture, and Puff N' Stuff Catering."

About The Motor Enclave

The Motor Enclave is the premier developer of experiential motorsports venues in North America. Our 200-acre development in Tampa, Florida, includes a 1.6-mile Hermann Tilke-designed driving circuit, a 2-acre vehicle dynamics pad, a 100-acre off-road experience with miles of purpose-built trails, a 37,000-square-foot corporate event center and the largest private garage community in the world with more than 300 privately owned luxury garages. Every adrenaline-filled detail has been designed and engineered around delivering memorable experiences to our owners/members, corporate clients and the general public. Complete details can be found at www.themotorenclave.com

Contact Information

Hank Johnson

Marketing Manager

hank@themotorenclave.com

864-918-1802

Brad Oleshansky

CEO

brad@themotorenclave.com

Chas Ostezan

CRO

chas@themotorenclave.com

248-878-3651

SOURCE: The Motor Enclave

View the original press release on newswire.com.
Highlights

Samsung SDI to invest US$18.5 million and acquire approximately 15.6 million shares of Canada Nickel, becomes an 8.7% shareholder

Samsung SDI granted the right to purchase a 10% equity interest in the Crawford project for US$100.5 million upon a final construction decision

Samsung SDI will be granted certain offtake rights to the Crawford project's nickel-cobalt products subject to the completion of the 10% equity investment in the Crawford project

TORONTO, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Canada Nickel Company Inc. ("Canada Nickel" or the "Company") (TSXV: CNC) (OTCQX: CNIKF) is pleased to announce that the Company has entered today into a Subscription Agreement with Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. ("Samsung SDI") to make a US$18.5 million investment in Canada Nickel at a price of C$1.57 per Common Share. Upon closing of the private placement contemplated in the Subscription Agreement, Samsung SDI will own approximately 15.6 million shares of the common shares of Canada Nickel, representing approximately 8.7% of the Company's issued and outstanding shares on a non-diluted basis.

"We are very pleased to welcome Samsung SDI as an investor and project partner with Canada Nickel," said Mark Selby, CEO of Canada Nickel. "As we advance the Crawford Nickel Sulphide Project, it is critical to form long-term partnerships with companies that truly understand how crucial this production is for electric vehicle supply chains across North America and Europe . As one of the world's leading electric vehicle battery manufacturers, Samsung SDI not only understands our vital role in these supply chains, but also believes in Canada Nickel's vision for responsible, large scale, net-zero carbon nickel production. Together, our companies are paving the way for a more sustainable future."

"We are pleased to partner with Canada Nickel through this opportunity," said Ikhyeon Kim, Executive Vice President of Samsung SDI. "We look forward to working with Canada Nickel to contribute to the growing battery manufacturing industry through this partnership."

Samsung SDI is a manufacturer of rechargeable batteries for the IT industry, automobiles, and energy storage systems ("ESS"), as well as cutting-edge materials used to produce semiconductors and displays. Samsung SDI's executive managers and staff members focus efforts to develop the next generation's growth drivers in order to secure Samsung SDI's place as a creative leader in the energy and materials industry.

Subscription Agreement and Investor Rights Agreement

The Subscription Agreement and the Investor Rights Agreement contain certain customary terms and conditions. Samsung SDI will have a pro rata right in any future issuance of Common Shares or any securities that are or may become convertible, exchangeable or exercisable into Common Shares to maintain its shareholding as long as it holds 7.5% or more of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company.

Project Investment and Offtake Rights

At closing of the private placement, Canada Nickel will grant to Samsung the right to purchase a 10% equity interest in the Crawford project for US$100.5 million, exercisable upon a final construction decision. By exercising this right, Samsung SDI will have the right to 10% of the nickel-cobalt production from the Crawford project over the life of mine and the right to an additional 20% of Crawford's nickel-cobalt production for 15 years extendable by mutual agreement. The offtake rights will be based on mutually agreed terms.

The closing of the private placement and related agreements is subject to customary closing conditions including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange and is targeted to close on or about January 31, 2024 .

Advisors

Cutfield Freeman, Deutsche Bank, Harp Capital, and Scotiabank acted as financial advisors to Canada Nickel.

Canada Nickel Company Inc. is advancing the next generation of nickel-sulphide projects to deliver nickel required to feed the high growth electric vehicle and stainless steel markets. Canada Nickel Company has applied in multiple jurisdictions to trademark the terms NetZero Nickel, NetZero Cobalt and NetZero Iron and is pursuing the development of processes to allow the production of net zero carbon nickel, cobalt, and iron products. Canada Nickel provides investors with leverage to nickel in low political risk jurisdictions. Canada Nickel is currently anchored by its 100% owned flagship Crawford Nickel-Cobalt Sulphide Project in the heart of the prolific Timmins - Cochrane mining camp. For more information, please visit www.canadanickel.com.

For further information, please contact:

Mark Selby, CEO

Phone: 647-256-1954

Email: [email protected]

Cautionary Note and Statement Concerning Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains certain information that may constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward looking information includes, but is not limited to, the potential of Crawford; potential size of carbon storage facilities and ability to be a net negative carbon footprint; mineral resource estimates and mineral reserve estimates; ability to realize on projected economic estimates, including EBITDA, NPV, IRR, all-in sustaining costs, free cash flow and C1 cash costs; scale, capital costs, operating costs and life of mine projections; potential to commercialize the IPT Carbonation process; timing of receipt of permits and commencement of construction and initial production; eligibility for Canadian federal refundable tax credits; the ability to sell marketable materials; strategic plans, including future exploration and development results; and corporate and technical objectives. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon several assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could affect the outcome include, among others: future prices and the supply of metals, the future demand for metals, the results of drilling, inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the property, environmental liabilities (known and unknown), general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, results of exploration programs, risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, failure to obtain regulatory or shareholder approvals, and the impact of COVID-19 related disruptions in relation to the Company's business operations including upon its employees, suppliers, facilities and other stakeholders. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. All forward-looking information contained in this press release is given as of the date hereof and is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management as at the date hereof. Canada Nickel disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Canada Nickel Company Inc.
SHANGHAI, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Noah Holdings Limited (the "Company," or "Noah") (NYSE: NOAH and HKEX: 6686), a leading wealth management service provider in China offering comprehensive global investment and asset allocation advisory services primarily for high-net-worth investors, today provides further update on the status of the legal proceedings related to certain credit funds managed by Shanghai Gopher Asset Management Co., Ltd. (the "Shanghai Gopher").

As the Company previously disclosed on June 21, June 29 and July 6, 2022 and August 25, 2020, certain credit funds (the "Camsing Credit Funds") managed by Shanghai Gopher had invested in supply chain account receivables (the "Camsing Accounts Receivables") with respect to the sale of computer, consumer electronics and communication products by affiliates (the "Sellers") of Camsing International Holding Limited (the "Camsing") as underlying investable assets to a buyer (the "Buyer"). Certain companies and individuals in connection with such supply chain account receivables were later suspected to commit fraudulent activities (the "Camsing Incident"). Shanghai Gopher reported such suspected fraudulent activities to relevant PRC governmental authorities, initiated legal proceedings against the Sellers, the Buyer and relevant guarantors, and has been assisting the PRC governmental authorities with their investigations in connection with the Camsing Incident.

On November 1, 2022, the Shanghai No.2 Intermediate People's Court issued an initial judgment on the criminal case of the Camsing Incident, pursuant to which the controlling shareholder of the Camsing was convicted of contract fraud and other crimes and sentenced to life imprisonment, the treasurer of the Camsing was convicted of contract fraud and other crimes and sentenced to 17 years and six months imprisonment, and other defendants in the criminal proceeding were respectively convicted of contract fraud and sentenced to imprisonment for a definite term.

On January 5, 2024, the Shanghai High People's Court dismissed the appeals filed by the controlling shareholder of the Camsing and other defendants in the criminal proceeding and upheld the judgment of the first instance, which ruling has become final.

The Company believes that the results of the criminal proceeding would not have any material adverse effect on its business, results of operations or reputation. The Company will continue to closely monitor and evaluate any future development of the legal proceedings in connection with the Camsing Incident and promptly inform investors of any updates as appropriate.

ABOUT NOAH HOLDINGS LIMITED

Noah Holdings Limited (NYSE: NOAH and HKEX:6686) is a leading and pioneer wealth management service provider in China offering comprehensive one-stop advisory services on global investment and asset allocation primarily for high net worth investors. Noah is a Cayman Islands holding company and carries on business in Hong Kong as Noah Holdings Private Wealth and Asset Management Limited. In the first nine months of 2023, Noah distributed RMB57.5 billion ( US$7.9 billion ) of investment products. Through Gopher Asset Management, Noah had assets under management of RMB154.9 billion ( US$21.2 billion ) as of September 30, 2023 .

Noah's wealth management business primarily distributes private equity, private secondary, mutual fund and other products denominated in RMB and other currencies. Noah's network covers major cities in mainland China, as well as offices in Hong Kong ( China ), Taiwan ( China ), New York, Silicon Valley and Singapore . A total of 1,408 relationship managers across 59 cities provide customized financial solutions for clients through this network, and meet their international investment needs. The Company's wealth management business had 452,222 registered clients as of September 30, 2023 . Through Gopher Asset Management, Noah manages private equity, public securities, real estate, multi-strategy and other investments denominated in RMB and other currencies. The Company also provides other services.

For more information, please visit Noah at ir.noahgroup.com.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "confident" and similar statements. Noah may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual reports to shareholders, in announcements, circulars or other publications made on the website of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "Hong Kong Stock Exchange"), in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Noah's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. These statements include, but are not limited to, estimates regarding the sufficiency of Noah's cash and cash equivalents and liquidity risk. A number of factors could cause Noah's actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: its goals and strategies; its future business development, financial condition and results of operations; the expected growth of the wealth management and asset management market in China and internationally; its expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of the products it distributes; investment risks associated with investment products distributed to Noah's investors, including the risk of default by counterparties or loss of value due to market or business conditions or misconduct by counterparties; its expectations regarding keeping and strengthening its relationships with key clients; relevant government policies and regulations relating to its industries; its ability to attract and retain qualified employees; its ability to stay abreast of market trends and technological advances; its plans to invest in research and development to enhance its product choices and service offerings; competition in its industries in China and internationally; general economic and business conditions globally and in China ; and its ability to effectively protect its intellectual property rights and not to infringe on the intellectual property rights of others. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Noah's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and Noah does not undertake any obligation to update any such information, including forward-looking statements, as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under the applicable law.

SOURCE Noah Holdings Limited
Acquisition of landmark Central London hotel portfolio

LONDON, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Starwood Capital Group ("Starwood Capital"), a global private investment firm with a primary focus on real estate, announced today that a controlled affiliate has acquired a portfolio of 10 hotels from Edwardian Group for an undisclosed sum via an off-market transaction.

The portfolio comprises 10 hotels with 2,053 rooms. Edwardian Group will continue to own and operate The Londoner and its two Radisson Collection hotels, The May Fair and The Edwardian Manchester, following closing of the transaction.

Alongside the acquisition, Starwood Capital and Edwardian Group intend to collaborate on future opportunities together. As part of this relationship, Edwardian Group will continue to operate the portfolio on a transitional basis while Starwood Capital plans its future investment into the hotels.

The acquisition adds to Starwood Capital's existing portfolio of European hotel investments, which following the transaction will comprise 47 hotels / c.10,000 rooms across Europe.

Tim Abram, Managing Director at Starwood Capital, said: "We are delighted to have had the opportunity to acquire this one-of-a-kind portfolio of Central London freehold hotels. London is one of the world's most sought-after hotel markets, and this portfolio enables to us gain exposure on a unique scale to London. We plan to invest significant capex during our ownership into further enhancing the hotels."

Inderneel Singh, CEO of Edwardian Group, said: "Following the successful development of The Londoner and a period of strong trading across the portfolio, the sale represents an opportunity to refocus the group and position it for the next chapter of growth."

"Our three landmark properties - The Londoner, The May Fair Hotel, and The Edwardian Manchester - each mark our continued commitment to invest in and deliver distinctive experiences for guests in high-end, purpose-built, city-centre hotels."

JLL provided real estate advisory services and Baker McKenzie provided legal services to Edwardian Group for the sale. Paul Hastings (Europe) LLP acted for Starwood Capital on the acquisition.

List of Hotels

Radisson Blu Edwardian Hampshire Hotel

Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street Hotel

Radisson Blu Edwardian Bloomsbury Street Hotel

Radisson Blu Edwardian Berkshire Hotel

Radisson Blu Edwardian Kenilworth Hotel

Radisson Blu Edwardian Grafton Hotel

Radisson Blu Edwardian Vanderbilt Hotel

Radisson Blu Edwardian New Providence Wharf Hotel

Radisson Blu Edwardian Heathrow Hotel & Conference Centre

Radisson Blu Edwardian Sussex Hotel

About Starwood Capital

Starwood Capital Group is a private investment firm with a core focus on global real estate. The Firm and its affiliates maintain 16 offices in seven countries around the world, and currently have over 5,000 employees. Since its inception in 1991, Starwood Capital Group has raised over $75 billion of capital, and currently has approximately $115 billion of assets under management. Through a series of comingled opportunity funds and Starwood Real Estate Income Trust, Inc. (SREIT), a non-listed REIT, the Firm has invested in virtually every category of real estate on a global basis, opportunistically shifting asset classes, geographies and positions in the capital stack as it perceives risk/reward dynamics to be evolving. Starwood Capital also manages Starwood Property Trust (NYSE: STWD), the largest commercial mortgage real estate investment trust in the United States, which has successfully deployed over $91 billion of capital since inception and manages a portfolio of $27 billion across debt and equity investments. Over the past 31 years, Starwood Capital Group and its affiliates have successfully executed an investment strategy that involves building enterprises in both the private and public markets. Additional information can be found at starwoodcapital.com.

About Edwardian Group

Edwardian Hotels London is one of the UK's leading privately owned hotel groups, which has been operating and developing its hospitality portfolio since Jasminder Singh OBE began his career within the hospitality industry in 1977; forming the beginnings of what would become Edwardian Hotels London.

The Londoner, Edwardian Hotels London's latest opening in London's Leicester Square, is the world's first super boutique hotel and incorporates 350 bedrooms and suites, six concept eateries and bars, The Residence, The Retreat, private screening rooms, seven inspiring meeting spaces and a stunning ballroom for 850 guests. The Londoner is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts' prestigious Legend Collection.

Edwardian Hotels London also owns and operates The May Fair, and The Edwardian Manchester, both part of premium lifestyle brand Radisson Collection, and a range of luxury restaurant and bar brands, including the award-winning bars and restaurants; May Fair Kitchen, Peter Street Kitchen and May Fair Bar.

Media Contact for Starwood Capital:

Emma Prenn-Vasilakis

H/Advisors Abernathy

(212) 371-5999

emma.prenn-vasilakis@h-advisors.global

Media Contacts for Edwardian Group:

Alex Simmons, alex.simmons@edelmansmithfield.com / +44 7970 174353

James Geddes, james.geddes@edelmansmithfield.com / +44 7811 752279

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EQS Newswire / 12/01/2024 / 13:30 CET/CEST

NANNING, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 12 January 2024 - With the barrier gate for customs release lifted, 6 tonnes of blended yarn was imported tariff-free to China through Dongxing, a border city in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.



The yarn was produced in a Vietnamese production line of the cotton yarn production giant Texhong International Group Limited and will be further processed to produce fabrics in China.



Chen Yingjian, a business manager of the company in charge of cargo imports in Dongxing, said the company has benefited from the preferential tariff policies under the China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) implemented in 2010, while the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has further lowered their duty costs.



Among all the goods for which the company declared duty with Dongxing Customs, the value of those that were granted tax breaks amounted to 2.5 million U.S. dollars in the first eight months this year, according to Chen.



Connected by both land and sea, China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have enjoyed ever-growing trade ties over the years, with the CAFTA and the RCEP helping cut trade costs and boost supply chain construction between China and ASEAN.



The RCEP is comprised of 15 members - the 10 ASEAN member states, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. The RCEP was signed in November 2020 and went into effect on Jan. 1, 2022, with the aim of gradually eliminating tariffs on over 90 percent of goods traded among its members.



Official data shows that the bilateral trade volume between China and ASEAN had increased from about 100 billion U.S. dollars in 2004 to 975.34 billion U.S. dollars in 2022. China has been ASEAN's largest trading partner for 14 consecutive years, while ASEAN has been China's largest trading partner for three consecutive years.



As of July, two-way investments topped 380 billion U.S. dollars, while more than 6,500 enterprises with direct investment from China had been established in ASEAN.



The China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO), a key platform to promote and facilitate the flow of goods between China and ASEAN, has witnessed Vietnamese durian, Thai mangosteen and Indonesian coffee becoming sought-after items among Chinese consumers over the past 20 years.



Benjamas Tanvetyanont, Thai consul-general in Guangxi's regional capital of Nanning, said the CAEXPO serves as a huge boost for the building of CAFTA and the implementation of RCEP, broadening the space for regional economic cooperation and injecting great impetus into regional prosperity and stability.



"As the dividends from the RCEP continue to emerge, the construction of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area is forging ahead, which will cement the roles of China and ASEAN as each other's largest trading partner," said China's Vice Minister of Commerce Li Fei.



The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

News Source: Media OutReach

12/01/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



Media archive at www.todayir.com


Supply chain spare capacity rose in Europe, Asia and North America in December as slack reaches its greatest level since July 2023.

Notably, excess capacity at Asia's suppliers rises to a level not seen since June 2020, suggesting a manufacturing recovery is still some way off

Input demand dropped more sharply in North America, which had been relatively resilient, driven by producers of intermediate and capital goods

Recessionary conditions persist in Europe, with purchasers at the region's manufacturers cutting back at a pace rarely surpassed in two decades of data

CLARK, N.J., Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The GEP Global Supply Chain Volatility Index - a leading indicator tracking demand conditions, shortages, transportation costs, inventories and backlogs based on a monthly survey of 27,000 businesses - showed global supply chain capacity going underutilized to the greatest extent since July at the end of 2023, with the index falling to -0.44 in December, from -0.34 in November. This marked the ninth successive month of spare capacity across global supply chains, with slack at producers at one of the highest levels since COVID-19 shutdowns in early 2020.

Overall, demand for raw materials, commodities and components was at its most subdued since the start of 2023, boding ill for near-term global production levels. Our data revealed a persistence of recessionary conditions in Europe, with purchasing at the region's manufacturers falling at a pace rarely surpassed in two decades of data.

Order books for suppliers to North America and Asia, two parts of the globe that fared much more robustly than elsewhere last year, also deteriorated in December, showing fresh signs of weakness in major economies. Notably, Asian supply chains were the most underutilized in three-and-a-half years, with manufacturing industries in the region's major economies such as Japan, South Korea and Malaysia seeing a worsening. However, slack in North America's supply chains remained far less widespread than mid-2023's zenith.

In addition to soft supplier order books, the subdued current state of the global manufacturing industry was also highlighted by historically low reports of item shortages and backlogs, suggesting excess global supply levels, which will put further downward pressure on the prices of goods.

"Rising spare capacity at suppliers worldwide means that the end to the global manufacturing recession is still some way off," explained David Doran, vice president, consulting, GEP. "Moreover, orders at intermediate and capital goods manufacturers are still slowing, which indicates stronger headwinds ahead, providing companies with greater leverage to drive down prices in 2024."

DECEMBER 2023 KEY FINDINGS

DEMAND: The downturn in demand for raw materials, components and commodities worsened in December. Purchasing cutbacks were at the strongest seen since the beginning of 2023 as orders from clients in North America and Asia slumped. Demand weakness remained its most apparent in Europe, however.





The downturn in demand for raw materials, components and commodities worsened in December. Purchasing cutbacks were at the strongest seen since the beginning of 2023 as orders from clients in North America and Asia slumped. Demand weakness remained its most apparent in Europe, however. INVENTORIES : Reports of safety stockpiling due to price or supply concerns held steady at its long-term average, showing little appetite among businesses to hold excess in their inventories.





: Reports of safety stockpiling due to price or supply concerns held steady at its long-term average, showing little appetite among businesses to hold excess in their inventories. MATERIAL SHORTAGES: Reports of item shortages are at their lowest level since January 2020.





Reports of item shortages are at their lowest level since January 2020. LABOR SHORTAGES: The number of companies experiencing backlog accumulation due to a lack of staff fell further in December, indicating that workforce capacity is not restricting suppliers.





The number of companies experiencing backlog accumulation due to a lack of staff fell further in December, indicating that workforce capacity is not restricting suppliers. TRANSPORTATION: Global transportation costs are running below their long-term average and dipped to a five-month low in December.

REGIONAL SUPPLY CHAIN VOLATILITY

NORTH AMERICA: The index fell to -0.39, from -0.21, its lowest level since August, but still well below its recent bottom of -0.85 in June.

EUROPE: The index fell to -0.92, from -0.85, its lowest in three months and consistent with severe fragility within the region's manufacturing sector.

U.K.: After rising to -0.58 in November, its highest since April, the index dropped to -1.05 in December, its lowest since April 2020, thereby highlighting considerable weakness across U.K. manufacturing.

ASIA: The index fell to -0.42, from -0.24, its lowest level in the post-pandemic era and pointing to growing signs of weakness within the globe's key hub for goods production.

For more information, visit www.gep.com/volatility

Note: Full historical data dating back to January 2005 is available for subscription. Please contact economics@spglobal.com.

The next release of the GEP Global Supply Chain Volatility Index will be 8 a.m. ET, February 13, 2024.

About the GEP Global Supply Chain Volatility Index

The GEP Global Supply Chain Volatility Index is produced by S&P Global and GEP. It is derived from S&P Global's PMI surveys, sent to companies in over 40 countries, totaling around 27,000 companies. The headline figure is a weighted sum of six sub-indices derived from PMI data, PMI Comments Trackers and PMI Commodity Price & Supply Indicators compiled by S&P Global.

A value above 0 indicates that supply chain capacity is being stretched and supply chain volatility is increasing. The further above 0, the greater the extent to which capacity is being stretched.

A value below 0 indicates that supply chain capacity is being underutilized, reducing supply chain volatility. The further below 0, the greater the extent to which capacity is being underutilized.

A Supply Chain Volatility Index is also published at a regional level for Europe, Asia, North America and the U.K. For more information about the methodology, click here.

About GEP

GEP delivers AI-powered procurement and supply chain solutions that help global enterprises become more agile and resilient, operate more efficiently and effectively, gain competitive advantage, boost profitability and increase shareholder value.

Fresh thinking, innovative products, unrivaled domain expertise, smart, passionate people - this is how GEP SOFTWARE, GEP STRATEGY and GEP MANAGED SERVICES together deliver procurement and supply chain solutions of unprecedented scale, power and effectiveness. Our customers are the world's best companies, including more than 550 Fortune 500 and Global 2000 industry leaders who rely on GEP to meet ambitious strategic, financial and operational goals.

A leader in multiple Gartner Magic Quadrants, GEP's cloud-native software and digital business platforms consistently win awards and recognition from industry analysts, research firms and media outlets, including Gartner, Forrester, IDC, ISG, and Spend Matters.

GEP is also regularly ranked a top procurement and supply chain consulting and strategy firm, and a leading managed services provider by ALM, Everest Group, NelsonHall, IDC, ISG and HFS, among others. Headquartered in Clark, New Jersey, GEP has offices and operations centers across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. To learn more, visit www.gep.com.

About S&P Global

S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) S&P Global provides essential intelligence. We enable governments, businesses and individuals with the right data, expertise and connected technology so that they can make decisions with conviction. From helping our customers assess new investments to guiding them through ESG and energy transition across supply chains, we unlock new opportunities, solve challenges and accelerate progress for the world. We are widely sought after by many of the world's leading organizations to provide credit ratings, benchmarks, analytics and workflow solutions in the global capital, commodity and automotive markets. With every one of our offerings, we help the world's leading organizations plan for tomorrow, today.

Disclaimer

The intellectual property rights to the data provided herein are owned by or licensed to S&P Global and/or its affiliates. Any unauthorised use, including but not limited to copying, distributing, transmitting or otherwise of any data appearing is not permitted without S&P Global's prior consent. S&P Global shall not have any liability, duty or obligation for or relating to the content or information ("Data") contained herein, any errors, inaccuracies, omissions or delays in the Data, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. In no event shall S&P Global be liable for any special, incidental, or consequential damages, arising out of the use of the Data. Purchasing Managers' Index and PMI are either trade marks or registered trade marks of S&P Global Inc or licensed to S&P Global Inc and/or its affiliates.

This Content was published by S&P Global Market Intelligence and not by S&P Global Ratings, which is a separately managed division of S&P Global. Reproduction of any information, data or material, including ratings ("Content") in any form is prohibited except with the prior written permission of the relevant party. Such party, its affiliates and suppliers ("Content Providers") do not guarantee the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, timeliness or availability of any Content and are not responsible for any errors or omissions (negligent or otherwise), regardless of the cause, or for the results obtained from the use of such Content. In no event shall Content Providers be liable for any damages, costs, expenses, legal fees, or losses (including lost income or lost profit and opportunity costs) in connection with any use of the Content.

Media Contacts

Derek Creevey

Director, Public Relations

GEP

Phone: +1 732-382-6565

Email: derek.creevey@gep.com





















Joe Hayes

Principal Economist

S&P Global Market Intelligence

T: +44-1344-328-099

joe.hayes@spglobal.com

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/demand-for-commodities-raw-materials-and-components-at-its-softest-in-nearly-a-year-signaling-persistent-weakness-in-the-global-economy-gep-global-supply-chain-volatility-index-302033040.html
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2024 / Pegasus Resources Inc. (TSXV:PEGA)(FRA:0QS0)(OTC PINK:SLTFF) (the "Company" or "Pegasus") a uranium-focused company in the resource exploration sector, proudly looks back on a year of accomplishments and sets the stage for an even more promising future in 2024. Under the leadership of CEO Christian Timmins and the Pegasus team, the Company has embraced a strategic vision that has significantly impacted its operational efficiency, financial sustainability, and regional positioning.

Highlights of 2023:

Cost-Cutting Measures and Investor Confidence: Christian Timmins, the new CEO, implemented effective cost-cutting measures, enhancing financial efficiency and boosting investor awareness and sentiment, laying a solid foundation for Pegasus' future endeavours. Permits for Pine Channel: Pegasus obtained crucial permits for the Athabasca Basin property, Pine Channel. This achievement opens doors to valuable exploration opportunities, showcasing our commitment to responsible resource development. Strategic Land Expansion: Recognizing growth potential, Christian Timmins and the Company seized an opportunity to stake additional land at our 100% owned Energy Sands project in Utah. This strategic move increased our land package by 160%, solidifying our position in the USA uranium sector. Golden Project Success: A comprehensive work program at the Golden project in British Columbia yielded substantial results, expanding our understanding of the property and securing its good standing until fall 2025. Christian's leadership has played a pivotal role in the success of this initiative.

Looking Ahead to 2024:

As Pegasus enters 2024, we stand poised to capitalize on the growing demand for uranium, especially in the USA. The recent announcement by the Department of Energy (DOE) regarding a final request for proposals (RFP) for uranium enrichment services and USA-sourced uranium supplies aligns with our commitment to exploring and discovering a commercial domestic supply of uranium for the North American markets.

Our primary focus for the first half of 2024 is propelling our Utah-based past-producing Energy Sands project to drill-ready status by the end of Q2. The Company will kick off the new year with a comprehensive mapping and sampling program, with this data being used to delineate drill targets leading up to drill permit application. This strategic move aligns with the DOE's emphasis on domestically sourced uranium, positioning Pegasus as a key contributor to the burgeoning uranium market.

Acknowledging challenges posed by unusually warm weather in Saskatchewan, we have postponed a proposed drill program on the Pine Channel property. Instead, we are actively exploring a geophysical program to deepen our understanding of Pine Channel, ensuring the property's good standing and demonstrating our commitment to responsible resource management.

While the Golden project is not the current top priority, its potential is recognized, and we are evaluating the feasibility of a follow-up initiative as budgets allow.

Pegasus remains agile in the dynamic resource sector, committed to navigating challenges while seizing strategic opportunities. We express gratitude to our investors for their ongoing support and confidence as we embark on this exciting journey in 2024.

Clarification: December 28, 2023, news release. Finder's warrant terms: For 103,031 finders' warrants, each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share at the price of 20 cents per share warrant for a period of two years from the date of issuance. For 60,900 finders' warrants, each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share at the price of 28 cents per share warrant for a period of two years from the date of issuance.

About Pegasus Resources Inc.

Pegasus Resources Inc. is a diversified Junior Canadian Mineral Exploration Company with a primary focus on uranium, with exposure to gold and base metal properties in North America. The Company is also actively pursuing the right opportunity in other resources to enhance shareholder value. For additional information, please visit the Company at www.pegasusresourcesinc.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors:

Christian Timmins President,

CEO and Director Pegasus Resources Inc.

700 - 838 West Hastings Street

Vancouver, BC V6C 0A6

PH: 1-403-597-3410

X: https://twitter.com/MrChris_Timmins

X: https://twitter.com/pegasusresinc

E: info@pegasusresourcesinc.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements included in this announcement, including statements concerning the Company's plans, intentions, and expectations, which are not historical in nature are intended to be, and are hereby identified as, "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements may be identified by words including "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "expects" and similar expressions. The Company cautions readers that forward-looking statements, including without limitation those relating to the Company's future operations and business prospects, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements.

SOURCE: Pegasus Resources Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2024) - Founders Metals Inc. (TSXV: FDR) (OTCQX: FDMIF) (FSE: 9DL0) ("Founders" or the "Company") announces the start of its 2024 drilling campaign and provides drill core assay results from the Antino Gold Project in southeastern Suriname. The Company reports a high-grade gold interval* of 10.0 metres (m) of 24.61 grams per tonne (g/t) gold (Au) from resource infill/expansion-type drilling conducted in late 2023 within the Froyo Gold Zone. Founders is fully funded for an initial 2024 drill program of up to 30,000 m.

Highlights:

Drillhole 23FR036B* intercepts 10.0 m of 24.61 g/t Au from 182 m down hole

from 182 m down hole Drillhole 23FR035 intercepts 15.0 m of 1.72 g/t Au from 164 m down hole

Both Company-owned diamond drills are fully operational with planning underway for the addition of a third drill





Figure 1: Froyo Gold Zone plan map

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7574/194051_2c3c06471472b95c_001full.jpg

Colin Padget, CEO and President of Founders Metals stated, "We are pleased to announce that our two company-owned diamond drills are now fully operational for 2024, enhancing our drilling efficiency and capacity. With our exploration program accelerating, we're happy to maintain fast lab turnaround times and anticipate a steady news flow of drill results every two to three weeks. The pending results from hole 45 are particularly exciting as, from visual observation, we expect them to contribute substantially to the parallel gold zone within the Froyo Gold Zone, further underlining our project's potential."





Figure 2. Map of the Antino Gold Project concession area showing gold concentrations from historical auger sampling. Most of the property remains unexplored.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7574/194051_2c3c06471472b95c_002full.jpg

Founders' 2024 drilling program is underway, deploying its two diamond drills for an extensive 30,000-metre campaign at the Antino Gold Project. The program focuses on expansion and resource definition within the Froyo Gold Zone coupled with exploration across previously uncharted concessions areas. This strategy aims to fortify the potential future resource base at Froyo and capitalize on the project's broader untapped potential. Initial drilling at Froyo focuses on the recently announced parallel gold zone (Figure 1), with drilling underway that tests this new zone further to depth and along strike.

Founders Metals will present at the Metals Investor Forum in Vancouver on January 19th & 20th and welcomes visitors to its booth during the event.

About Founders Metals Inc.

Founders Metals is a Canadian exploration company operating in North and South America. The Company is focused on acquiring and advancing gold projects in the South American Guiana Shield. Its flagship project is the 20,000-ha Antino Gold Project in Suriname. Exploration work on the project includes over 30,000 m of historical drilling, 35,000 gold-in-soil auger samples, property-wide aeromagnetic survey data, and a 2022 LiDAR survey. Antino is the most advanced gold exploration project in Suriname; within an area where historical surface/alluvial gold mining has produced over 500,000 gold ounces to date1.

1 2022 Technical Report - Antino Project; Suriname, South America. K. Raffle, BSc, P. Geo & Rock Lefrancois, BSc, P.Geo.

Quality Assurance and Control

*Reported intervals are core length and estimated to represent 85% or more of the true width based on current drill data. Intervals are calculated using 5 m minimum widths, up to 5 m internal dilution, and a 0.3 g/t Au cut-off grade. Gold assays are uncapped in interval calculations as drilling is insufficient to determine capping levels for higher-grade gold intercepts.

Results from samples were analyzed at FILAB Suriname, a Bureau Veritas Certified Laboratory in Paramaribo, Suriname (a commercial certified laboratory under ISO 9001:2015). Samples are crushed to 75% passing 2.35 mm screen, riffle split (700 g) and pulverized to 85% passing 88 m. Samples were analyzed using a 50 g fire assay (50 g aliquot) with an Atomic Absorption (AA) finish. For samples that return assay values over 10.0 grams per tonne (g/t), another cut was taken from the original pulp and fire assayed with a gravimetric finish. Founders Metals inserts blanks and certified reference standards in the sample sequence for quality control. External QA-QC checks are performed at ALS Global Laboratories (Geochemistry Division) in Vancouver, Canada (an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited facility). A secure chain of custody is maintained in transporting and storing of all samples. Drill intervals with visible gold are assayed using metallic screening. Rock chip samples from outcrop/bedrock are selective by nature and may not be representative of the mineralization hosted on the project.

Qualified Persons

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Michael Dufresne, M.Sc., P.Geol., P.Geo., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,

Per: "Colin Padget"

Colin Padget

President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director

Founders Metals Contact Information

Dave Burwell, Manager, Investor Relations

Tel: 403 410 7907 | daveb@fdrmetals.com

Nick Stajduhar, Director

Tel: 780 701 3216 | nicks@fdrmetals.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Company's recently completed financings and the future or prospects of the Company. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the 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 state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to business, market, and economic risks, uncertainties, and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, other factors may cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors in the Company's most recent annual management discussion and analysis. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

All material information on Founders Metals can be found at www.sedarplus.ca.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/194051

SOURCE: Founders Metals Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2024) - iMining Technologies Inc. (TSXV: IMIN) ("iMining"), a leading publicly listed technology company, is thrilled to announce that its subsidiary, AiMining Technologies Inc. (the "Company" or "AiMining"), has been accepted into the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub program. This prestigious recognition provides AiMining with a host of technical benefits and business resources, including Azure credits, access to OpenAI GPT-4, the Azure Technical Advisory, and more.

AiMining's acceptance into the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub program is a testament to the Company's commitment to driving innovation in AI technology and its dedication to responsible AI practices. With this recognition, AiMining will have access to Azure Support, Azure pairing sessions for technical guidance, and GPT-4 through the Azure OpenAI Service.

The Azure Technical Advisory will provide 1:1 guidance to help AiMining hit its next development milestone, while the Microsoft Expert Network will offer insights on product roadmaps and business plans. Additionally, AiMining will have access to state-of-the-art tools to infuse responsible AI practices throughout its development lifecycle.

Khurram Shroff, CEO of iMining Technologies Inc., the parent company of AiMining Technologies Inc., emphasized the significance of this recognition, stating, "Microsoft has acknowledged the dedication to responsible AI practices and innovation in AI technology demonstrated by our subsidiary, AiMining Technologies Inc. We are enthusiastic about utilizing the advantages of this recognition to further our mission of creating AI solutions that empower humanity and contribute to positive social impact. We extend our thanks to Microsoft for this recognition and support."

AiMining's participation in the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub program is a strategic move to explore collaborative opportunities within the global technology landscape. The Company's senior management team will actively engage in the program's resources, events, and training to help the development team stay empowered and well-informed of the latest trends and discussions in the AI space.

The theme of the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub program, "Empowering Startups to Change the World," aligns with AiMining's strategic vision. The program will provide AiMining with the technology, guidance, and resources needed to help the subsidiary succeed in its mission to build responsible AI solutions for the future.

About iMining Technologies Inc.

iMining Technologies Inc. is a publicly listed technology company which together with its subsidiaries acquires, builds, and manages future technology companies in Canada. The Company's industry specific technology businesses provide specialized and innovative solutions in future technologies and serves private sector markets. iMining Technologies Inc. is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

About AiMining Technologies Inc.

AiMining Technologies Inc., a subsidiary of iMining Technologies Inc., is a start-up that stands at the forefront of Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovation. Comprising a dedicated applied research lab focused on collaboration with esteemed institutions and a commercialization program geared towards market engagement, AiMining seamlessly integrates into iMining's technology portfolio and is committed to advancing responsible AI development.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Signed "Khurram Shroff"

Khurram Shroff, President & CEO

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, please contact:

iMining Corporate Offices:

Saleem Moosa, CFO and Director

Email: investor@imining.com

Telephone: 1-604-602-4935

Toll Free: 1-866-602-4935

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/194029

SOURCE: iMining Technologies Inc.
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Asset management major BlackRock, Inc. (BLK) Friday announced that it has agreed to acquire Global Infrastructure Partners or GIP for a total cash consideration of $3 billion and around $12 million worth of BlackRock common stock. BlackRock said it believes the acquisition to be complementary and hopes to deliver holistic infrastructure expertise across equity, debt, and solutions to its clients. GIP is an infrastructure investor and has over $100 billion in assets under management including over 40 portfolio companies that generate more than $75 billion in annual revenue. Under the agreement terms, the stock consideration which is around 30 percent of the whole transaction will be deferred and is expected to be issued in approximately five years. The cash consideration of the deal is to be funded by additional debt. BlackRock anticipates the deal to be modestly accretive to its adjusted earnings per share and operating margin in the first full year after the close of the transaction. The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of 2024. In pre-market activity, BlackRock shares are trading at $788.50, down 0.90% on the New York Stock Exchange. Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Leader in the prime segment of the Parisian commercial real estate market, Societe Fonciere Lyonnaise stands out for the quality of its property portfolio, which is valued at 7.9 billion and is focused on the Central Business District of Paris (cloud.paris, Edouard VII, Washington Plaza, etc.), and for the quality of its client portfolio, which is composed of prestigious companies. As France's oldest property company, SFL demonstrates year after year an unwavering commitment to its strategy focused on creating a high value in use for users and, ultimately, substantial appraisal values for its properties. With its sights firmly set on the future, SFL is committed to sustainable real estate with the aim of building the city of tomorrow and helping to reduce carbon emissions in its sector.

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2024 / Pampa Metals Corp. ("Pampa Metals" or the "Company") (CSE:PM)(FSE:FIRA)(OTCQB:PMMCF) is pleased to advise that it has finalized the follow-up diamond drill program designed to demonstrate Piuquenes Central's potential to host an orebody of 1,000 m depth and 300 - 500 m diameter.

Follow-Up Diamond Drill Program

Following the optioning of the Piuquenes Porphyry Copper-Gold Project (refer 30 November 2023 News Release), on-site preparatory works for a ~2,500m follow-up diamond drill program to test the depth and lateral extension of known mineralization at Piuquenes Central began on 20 December 2023.

This follow-up program of up to 4 drill holes, including two priority drillholes of ~850 - 900 m depth, will commence in mid-January 2024 and is summarized as follows:

 Hole 1 (REC-01) (refer figure 1) is orientated along a northeast-southwest geological section, proximate to the historical P8A (Inmet) and PIU16-DDH01 (Anglo) drillholes and designed to extend the depth of known mineralization at the southwestern edge of Piuquenes Central porphyry.

 Hole 2 (REC-02) (refer figure 2) is orientated along an east-west section, proximate to the historical P4 and P2 drillholes (Inmet) and designed to test the lateral extension of the mineralized body, primarily along the western edge of the Piuquenes Central porphyry.

 A 3rd and possibly a 4th hole will focus on extending known depth to the northeast and southeast edges of the Piuquenes Central mineral body and seek to validate a potential mineral column of 1,000 m depth and 300 - 500 m diameter.

Joseph van den Elsen, the Company's President and CEO, stated: "We are very pleased to have been able to swiftly identify and secure the Piuquenes copper-gold porphyry project and immediately mobilize on the first of an aggressive, multi-campaign exploration program testing its exceptional potential. We look forward to driving significant shareholder value over the short, medium, and long-term as we first test the depth and lateral extension of the reported high-grade intervals of open mineralization (558.2 m @ 0.38% Cu, 0.42 g/t Au & 2.4 g/t Ag (0.73% CuEq)* incl. 130 m @ 0.81% Cu, 0.6 g/t Au & 4 g/t Ag (1.31 % CuEq)* - refer 5 December 2023 News Release) at Piuquenes Central, and thereafter Piuquenes East and other targets from our growing pipeline."

Figures 1 & 2: Piuquenes Central Schematic Cross Sections





The latest Company Presentation can be accessed at https://pampametals.com/investor/.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Joseph van den Elsen | President & CEO

INVESTORS CONTACT

Joseph van den Elsen | President & CEO

Joseph@pampametals.com

ABOUT PAMPA METALS

Pampa Metals is a post-discovery copper-gold-molybdenum porphyry exploration company listed on the Canadian Stock Exchange (CSE:PM), Frankfurt (FSE:FIRA), and OTC (OTCQB:PMMCD) exchanges.

In November 2023, the Company announced it had entered into an Option and Joint Venture Agreement for the acquisition of an 80% interest in the Piuquenes Copper-Gold Porphyry Project in San Juan Province, Argentina.

Historical intervals of significant copper and gold mineralization at Piuquenes Central (refer 5 December 2023 News Release) include:

413.5 m (167-580.5 m) @ 0.47% Cu and 0.52 g/t Au (0.87% CuEq)*; and

558.2 m (362-920.2 m EOH) @ 0.38% Cu, 0.42 g/t Au and 2.4 g/t Ag (0.73% CuEq)*

including 130 m (362-492 m) @ 0.81% Cu, 0.6 g/t Au and 4 g/t Ag (1.31 % CuEq)*

Qualified Person

Technical information in this news release has been approved by Mario Orrego G. Mr. Orrego G. is a Geologist, a Registered Member of the Chilean Mining Commission and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Orrego G. is a consultant to the Company.

* %CuEq values are calculated based on copper and gold metal prices: Cu = US$3.20/lb, Au = US$1,700/oz and Ag = US$ 20/oz. The formula utilized to calculate %CuEq is: Cu Eq Grade (%) = Cu Head Grade (%) + [(Au Head Grade (g/t) / 31.104) * (Au Price (US$/oz) / Cu Price (US$/lb) / 22.04) + [(Ag Head Grade (g/t) / 31.104) * (Ag Price (US$/oz) / Cu Price (US$/lb) / 22.0.

Neither the CSE nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT

This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical fact, that address events or developments that Pampa Metals expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will" or "may" occur. These statements are subject to various risks. Although Pampa Metals believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guaranteeing of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements.

SOURCE: Pampa Metals Corp.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Dassault Aviation receives an order for

42 Rafales for the French Air and Space Force

Saint-Cloud, France, January 12, 2024 - At the end of December 2023, the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA) awarded Dassault Aviation an order for 42 Rafale combat aircraft, known as "tranche 5", for the French Air Force (AAE).

"On behalf of Dassault Aviation and the 400 companies involved in the Rafale program, I would like to thank the Ministry for the Armed Forces, the DGA and the AAE for their renewed confidence. We are ready and determined to use our skills as prime contractor and complex systems integrator to serve the sovereignty of our nation. This military industrial sovereignty is an exception in Europe. It guarantees the superiority of our combat aviation. It is also an asset for diplomatic influence and an economic strength in export trade", says Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation.

The Rafale is a technical, operational and commercial success which continues to position France at a world-class level in combat aircraft.

The Rafale has been designed to evolve by successive standards, in order to adapt the latest technologies to user needs. Standard 4, focusing particularly on connectivity, is under development. Standard 5, which is currently preparing for launch, will bring new capabilities in collaborative combat.

The Rafale is a success in the export market, with seven customer countries to date. The order book, plus the new "tranche 5" contract, secure production activity for the next ten years.

* * *

ABOUT THE RAFALE:

The Rafale is the world's only fully "omni-role" aircraft and can be operated from a land base or an aircraft carrier, and can carry 1.5 times its own weight in weapons and fuel. It was designed to perform all combat aviation missions:

air-to-air intercept and combat with a 30mm gun, Mica IR/EM missiles and Meteor long-range missiles

with a 30mm gun, Mica IR/EM missiles and Meteor long-range missiles close air support (CAS) with a 30mm gun, GBU laser-guided bombs and AASM GPS-guided bombs

with a 30mm gun, GBU laser-guided bombs and AASM GPS-guided bombs deep strikes with Scalp/Storm Shadow cruise missiles

with Scalp/Storm Shadow cruise missiles anti-ship attack with Exocet AM39 Block 2 missiles and other air-to-surface weapons

with Exocet AM39 Block 2 missiles and other air-to-surface weapons real-time tactical and strategic reconnaissance with the Areos pod

with the Areos pod in-flight refueling from one Rafale to another ("buddy-buddy")

from one Rafale to another ("buddy-buddy") nuclear deterrence (France only) with the ASMP-A missile





The Rafale entered service with the French Navy in 2004 and the French Air Force in 2006, gradually replacing the previous generations of seven types of combat aircraft. It has proven itself in combat in various theaters: Afghanistan, Libya, Mali, Iraq, and Syria.

To date, France has placed orders for five tranches of Rafales as follows: 13 Rafales in 1993; 48 in 1999; 59 in 2004; 60 in 2009; and 42 in 2023. In 2021, France placed a special order for 12 Rafale fighters to replace the 12 aircraft transferred to Greece. French orders therefore total 234 Rafale aircraft.

Total export orders currently stand at 261 Rafales (new aircraft):

- Egypt: 55

- Qatar: 36

- India: 36

- Greece: 12

- United Arab Emirates: 80

- Indonesia: 42 (including 18 for 2024)

In addition, Greece and Croatia have each acquired 12 Rafales from the French Air Force.

ABOUT DASSAULT AVIATION:

With over 10,000 military and civil aircraft

PRESS CONTACTS:

Corporate Communications

Stephane Fort : +33

Mathieu Durand : +33

HD photos: mediaprophoto.dassault-aviation.com

HD videos: mediaprovideo.dassault-aviation.com

Attachment


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced $623 million in grants to help build out an electric vehicle (EV) charging network across the United States.



The Biden Administration aims to build out a made-in-America national network of EV chargers, including at least 500,000 publicly available chargers by 2030.



The Department of Transportation said the grants, under the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program, will fund 47 EV charging and alternative-fueling infrastructure projects in 22 states and Puerto Rico, including construction of approximately 7,500 EV charging ports.



'America led the arrival of the automotive era, and now we have a chance to lead the world in the EV revolution-securing jobs, savings, and benefits for Americans in the process,' said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. 'This funding will help ensure that EV chargers are accessible, reliable, and convenient for American drivers, while creating jobs in charger manufacturing, installation, and maintenance for American workers.'



As part of Thursday's announcements, the Federal Highway Administration is awarding $311 million to 36 'community' projects, including two Indian Tribes in Alaska and Arizona. These projects invest in EV charging and hydrogen fueling infrastructure in urban and rural communities, including at convenient and high-use locations like schools, parks, libraries, multi-family housing, and more.



Another $312 million in funding will go to 11 'corridor' recipients whose projects are located along roadways designated as Alternative Fuel Corridors. These projects will fill gaps in the core national charging and alternative-fueling network.



Project selections in this round of grants include $10 million to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to build EV charging stations for residents in multi-family housing in disadvantaged communities and rural areas; $15 million to the Maryland Clean Energy Center to build 87 electric vehicle charging stations in urban, suburban and low- and moderate-income communities across the state; $70 million to the North Central Texas Council of Governments to build up to five hydrogen fueling stations for medium- and heavy-duty freight trucks in Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio; $15 million to the County of Contra Costa in California to build a total of 52 fast chargers and 60 Level 2 chargers at 15 branch locations of the county's library system; $15 million to Energy Northwest, a joint operating agency in Washington State, to install 40 fast chargers and 12 Level 2 chargers across western Washington State and northern Oregon; and $12 million to the City of Mesa, Arizona, to build 48 electric vehicle chargers.



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CHICAGO, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The drylab photo printing market is expected to reach USD 0.4 billion by 2029 from USD 0.3 billion in 2024, at a CAGR of 5.4% during the 2024-2029 period according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Various companies are investing in drylab photo printing, which gives an opportunity for growth in the drylab photo printing market. The drylab photo printing market is in the development phase at present, with the presence of multiple players offering drylab photo printers. Asia Pacific is likely to contribute significantly to the growth of the drylab photo printing market. Similarly, Europe, North America, and RoW regions are expected to be the growing market for the forecasted period.

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Drylab Photo Printing Market Report Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2024 $ 0.3 billion Estimated Value by 2029 $ 0.4 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 5.4% Market Size Available for 2020-2029 Forecast Period 2024-2029 Forecast Units Value (USD Million/Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Offering, Connectivity, Print Width, End-user, and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World Key Market Challenge Competition from Online Services Key Market Opportunities Growing demand for sustainable systems for high quality photographic printing Key Market Drivers Advancements in printing technology



The wired segment holds the largest market share of connectivity in the drylab photo printing market during the forecast period.

Connected via physical cables, dry lab photo printers generate high-quality photo prints from digital files using diverse technologies like dye-sublimation, silver halide, and inkjet. The resulting prints are comparable to those from traditional wet labs. Wired dry lab photo printers, typically faster and more cost-effective than traditional wet labs, eliminate the need for hazardous chemicals. These printers establish connections with PCs or laptops through USB (Universal Serial Bus) cables, often featuring standard USB connectivity and the option for LAN integration at a nominal cost. Utilizing a wired LAN connection enables printers to be shared over a more robust and stable connection compared to Wi-Fi, reducing the risk of issues like network disconnection during printing.

Wired connectivity printers excel in handling large data volumes with faster printing speeds. Installation is generally straightforward, often allowing the PC's operating system to detect and install drivers for seamless setup automatically. Furthermore, wired printers can be shared across a network, facilitating print requests from multiple users. It's important to note that if the PC linked to the printer powers down, other users lose their connection. For swift access by multiple users, a direct connection to the network is essential. Additionally, connecting a network printer mandates software installation on each computer before it can commence printing.

Above 6 inches, print width of drylab photo printing to register the highest CAGR between 2024- 2029.

Above 6 inches print width unlocks the potential for generating large-format prints, including panoramic images, posters, and banners. This specialized printing category serves as a catalyst for artists, photographers, and individuals alike, providing an unprecedented avenue for self-expression. The utilization of high-resolution technology guarantees remarkable clarity and vivid colors, even when applied to monumental scales. Innovative materials such as textured papers and metallic finishes introduce additional layers of depth and personality to the visual narrative. The accessibility of on-demand platforms further democratizes this transformative process, enabling users to upload their files seamlessly and receive their personalized masterpieces delivered directly to their doorstep. This evolution in printing technology not only caters to artistic visionaries but also fulfills the desires of individuals seeking to bring their unique perspectives to life on a grand scale.

The increasing adoption of drylab photo printing technology by photo labs and retailers is growing the market demand.

The photo printing industry has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, driven by the rapid advancement of digital photography and the increasing demand for instant gratification. Traditional chemical-based photo printing methods, which have been the industry standard for many years, are now being challenged by a newer, more efficient technology known as drylab photo printing. Unlike traditional wet processing methods that involve various chemicals and complex procedures, drylab printing relies on digital technology and dry toner or ink, reducing operational costs for photo labs and retailers. This cost efficiency can be particularly appealing for businesses looking to streamline their processes and improve profit margins.

Additionally, drylab technology offers greater flexibility and speed in photo printing. Digital files can be easily transferred and processed, allowing for quicker turnaround times. This is especially important in today's fast-paced consumer environment, where customers often expect rapid service and delivery.

The environmental benefits of drylab printing also contribute to its increasing adoption. Traditional wet processing methods involve the use of chemicals, water, and energy, leading to environmental concerns and increased waste. In contrast, drylab printing generates less waste and has a lower environmental impact, aligning with the growing emphasis on sustainability in various industries.

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The drylab photo printing market for the Asia Pacific region to register the highest CAGR between 2024 and 2029.

The analysis of the drylab photo printing industry in the Asia Pacific region, encompassing China, Japan, South Korea, India, and the Rest of Asia Pacific, reveals a significant growth trajectory, projecting the highest Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) during the forecast period. This robust expansion is primarily attributed to the region's dynamic economic growth and a substantial surge in construction and industrial activities across key Asian countries.

The adoption of drylab photo printing technology in the Asia Pacific region is driven by its myriad advantages over traditional film printing methods. These benefits include faster printing speeds, improved print quality and resolution, and greater flexibility in terms of print sizes and finishes. The market in the Asia Pacific is marked by the presence of several key players offering drylab photo printing solutions, such as Seiko Epson Corp (Japan), Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (Japan), FUJIFILM Corporation (Japan), Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd. (Japan), HiTi Digital, Inc. (Taiwan), Canon Inc. (Japan), Sinfonia Technology Co., Ltd. (Japan), Citizen Systems Japan Co., Ltd. (Japan), Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Japan), and Ricoh (Japan).

The proliferation of these companies in the Asia Pacific drylab printing market underscores the region's increasing recognition of the technological advancements and superior benefits of drylab photo printing. As economic growth and industrial activities continue to escalate, the market is poised for sustained expansion, making it an attractive prospect for businesses operating in the drylab printing sector.

Key Players

The report profiles major players in the drylab photo printing companies are Seiko Epson Corporation (Japan), Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (Japan), FUJIFILM Corporation (Japan), Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd. (Japan), Kodak Alaris Inc. (UK), HiTi Digital, Inc. (Taiwan), Canon Inc. (Japan), HP Development Company, L.P. (US), Sinfonia Technology Co., Ltd. (Japan), Citizen Systems Japan Co., Ltd. (Japan), Polaroid Corporation (US), Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Japan), and Ricoh (Japan).

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BANGALORE, India, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Marketing Analytics Software - Global Market Insights and Sales Trends 2024 is Segmented by Type (Local Deployment, Cloud Deployment), by Application (Large Enterprises, Medium-Sized and Small Enterprises).

The Global Marketing Analytics Software Market size is expected to reach USD 6236.8 Million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 11.1% from 2023 to 2029.

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Major Factors Driving the Growth of Marketing Analytics Software Market

In order to successfully navigate the ever-changing retail and eCommerce scene and to sustainably expand these industries, marketing analytics software's capacity to deliver real-time data, enable targeted campaigns, and quantify the impact of marketing activities is essential.

A combination of factors is driving the market for marketing analytics software to rise. Advanced analytics tools are in high demand due to the growing importance of data-driven decision-making in contemporary companies and the changing expectations and behavior of consumers.

The combination of machine learning and artificial intelligence improves prediction abilities, tackling the intricacy of multichannel marketing. With client acquisition expenses on the rise, businesses are concentrating on loyalty and retention and using marketing analytics to better understand and serve their customers' preferences. Organizations use analytics to differentiate themselves in the market in a competitive setting.

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TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF MARKETING ANALYTICS SOFTWARE MARKET

The need to use data-driven insights to make strategic decisions is what is driving the increasing use of marketing analytics software in the retail and e-commerce industries. Businesses use analytics technologies to understand consumer behaviors, optimize online and offline marketing efforts, personalize customer experiences, and improve overall operational efficiency as these industries grow more competitive and digitally focused.

Organizations are putting an unprecedented focus on data-driven decision-making processes in the modern corporate environment. This change is mostly due to marketing analytics software, which allows companies to glean insightful information from enormous databases. Demand for sophisticated analytics solutions is only going to increase as more businesses realize how important it is to make well-informed decisions. Consumer behavior is continually changing due to a variety of variables, including changes in the economy, demography, and technology.

The industry has undergone a transformation with the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into marketing analytics software. By improving predictive analytics, these technologies help companies anticipate trends, target marketing efforts, and allocate resources as efficiently as possible. Marketing analytics solutions' value proposition grows along with the capabilities of AI and ML.

The emergence of several digital platforms has led to complexity in marketing, as companies now interact with clients via social media, email, mobile applications, and websites, among other channels. A thorough knowledge of the customer journey and the ability to implement more successful multichannel strategies are made possible by marketing analytics software, which offers a consolidated perspective of performance across many channels.

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MARKETING ANALYTICS SOFTWARE MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS

In a market where competition is fierce, businesses look for methods to set themselves apart from rivals. By giving insights into market trends, rival activity, and chances for differentiation, marketing analytics software gives a competitive edge. Companies who use analytics to their advantage may create more focused and successful marketing strategies.

Businesses may detect new trends, react swiftly to client requests, and adjust to shifting market dynamics with the help of real-time information provided by marketing analytics software. In today's corporate environment, the need for such agility is a major factor driving the rise of marketing analytics software.

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2024) - Dryden Gold Corp. (TSXV: DRY) ("Dryden Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update for its 2023 and 2024 exploration program. The Company would also like to welcome Mr. Rob McEwen to its growing shareholder base. Mr. McEwen was a lead order in the Company's recent RTO financing (the "Financing") and currently holds 5.01% of Dryden Gold's common shares on a fully diluted basis. For complete details of the Financing see the Company's press release of January 4, 2024, and filed on SEDAR+.

As the founder and former Chairman of Goldcorp, Mr. McEwen operated the Red Lake Mine in Ontario and discovered the prolific high-grade zone (HGZ). The Red Lake mining district has produced over 26 million ounces of gold through 2020. Currently, Mr. McEwen is the Executive Chairman and Chief Owner of McEwen Mining Inc. He commented on his Dryden Gold investment, "I am very familiar with Dryden Gold's property and have always felt it had high-grade potential and was under-explored. Goldcorp, now Newmont Corporation (NYSE: NEM) held the patented claims for many years and I was disappointed to see it sold without ever being drilled by Goldcorp".

"We are honored to have Mr. McEwen as a significant shareholder, as he is very experienced in orogenic gold systems from his past success in Red Lake. Our technical team looks forward to Mr. McEwen's input as we develop our strategic land package in the Dryden District," stated Maura Kolb, the President and Head of Exploration for the Company.

Exploration Update

Dryden Gold initiated an exploration drilling campaign at the Gold Rock Camp in November 2023. The ongoing program consists of four distinct phases. This phased approach enables an integrated geological approach and the insights gained from each phase of the program are worked into the subsequent phases, enhancing the understanding and targeting strategy. Dryden has accomplished approximately half of the anticipated 3,000-meter drill program during November and December. Up to this point, a total of 13 holes have been drilled, accounting for 1,613 meters in total depth. Assays from these holes are pending.

In November, the initial drilling phase concentrated on extending the known strike along the northeast portion of the Big Master vein system. This vein system has a history of shallow mining dating back to the early 1900's and has undergone exploration by Dryden's predecessors. These initial five holes were strategically designed to test the areas beneath mapped and chip-sampled veins that had never undergone drill testing before.

In December's drilling phase, the primary objective was to enhance our comprehension of the orientation of high-grade mineralization in the Big Master vein system. In 2011, the property yielded its highest-grade historic intercept, recording a grade of 3,497 g/t Au over 8.45 meters including, within the vein itself, 53,700 g/t Au over 0.55 meters. For more information, refer to the Assessment Report filed with the Ontario Mining Ministry by Manitou Gold Inc. on the Kenwest Property-2011 and 2012 Diamond Drill Program (January 2013) found here.

The working hypothesis suggests that the high-grade mineralization aligns with the steep plunge of either the intersection lineation of fault structures or the regional folding. To validate this theory, the geology team conducted drilling along this steep plunge projection, adjacent to the previously drilled high-grade mineralization.

In 2024, the January drill phase will center on testing the Elora vein trend. This trend notably encompasses two historic mines dating back to the turn of the century. Previous drilling conducted during the 1980s and 1990s rendered promising results. The upcoming drill program aims to test the southward extension of this vein trend. This drill phase involves both infilling the existing trend and further extending its reach along the strike.

The Company has prepared and filed a technical report in respect of the Dryden Gold Properties titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report Dryden Gold Project" and dated effective September 6, 2023, prepared for the Company by Calvin Church, P.Geo, a copy of which can also be found under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

Qualified Person

The technical disclosure in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Maura J. Kolb, M.Sc., P.Geo., President of Dryden Gold and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators.

ABOUT DRYDEN GOLD CORP.

Dryden Gold Corp. is an exploration company focused on the discovery of high-grade gold mineralization listed on the TSX Venture Exchange ("DRY"). The Company has a strong management team and Board of Directors comprised of experienced individuals with a track record of building shareholder value through property acquisition & consolidation, exploration success and merger & acquisitions. Dryden Gold controls a 100% interest in a dominate strategic land position in the Dryden District of Northwestern Ontario. Dryden Gold's property package includes historic gold mines but has seen limited modern exploration. The property hosts high-grade gold mineralization over 50km of potential strike length along the Manitou-Dinorwic deformation zone. The property has excellent infrastructure, enjoys First Nations support and proximity to an experienced mining workforce.

For more information go to our website https://drydengold.com/media/

CONTACT INFORMATION



Trey Wasser CEO

Email: twasser@drydengold.com

Phone: 940-368-8337

Maura Kolb, M.Sc.. P. Geo., President

Email: mjkolb@drydengold.com

Phone: 807-632-2368

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.

Further details of the Amalgamation, the Listing and the business plan will be included in subsequent news releases and disclosure documents to be filed by Dryden Gold Corp.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the terms and conditions of the Amalgamation; the terms and conditions of the Financing; use of proceeds from the Financing; future development plans; and the business and operations of Dryden Gold. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in Dryden Gold's and the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and Dryden Gold and the Company do not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from Dryden Gold's and the Company's expectations or projections.

UNITED STATES ADVISORY. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), have been offered and sold outside the United States to eligible investors pursuant to Regulation S promulgated under the U.S. Securities Act, and may not be offered, sold, or resold in the United States or to, or for the account of or benefit of, a U.S. Person (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the United States Securities Act) unless the securities are registered under the U.S. Securities Act, or an exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act is available. Hedging transactions involving the securities must not be conducted unless in accordance with the U.S. Securities Act. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in the state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Not for distribution to United States news wire services or for dissemination in the United States.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/194056

SOURCE: Dryden Gold Corp.
Detroit, Michigan--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2024) - Dunamis Charge, Inc., an emerging manufacturer of intelligent electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions, today announced it has entered into a strategic alliance with EcoG, a global tech leader specializing in DC charging stations, to accelerate the manufacturing and deployment schedule of its DC fast charging stations. By combining the expertise and resources of EcoG with the local manufacturing and engineering capabilities of Dunamis Charge, this alliance will be able to fully capitalize on the booming market for DC fast charging stations.

Dunamis Charge's CEO Natalie King with Michigan's Lt. Governor Gilchrist

and EcoG's CEO Joerg Huer at CES 24 Show in Las Vegas Earlier this Week

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9972/194035_56928c3d84c478b4_002full.jpg

"Today's alliance with EcoG will enable us to offer new EV charging technology to the U.S. market that until now has only been accessible by the more mature European marketplace," said Natalie King, Founder and CEO of Dunamis Charge, Inc. "It is also a monumental step towards accelerating the production and inclusive deployment of our DC fast charging infrastructure, benefiting communities across the United States by stimulating economic development and job creation."

"EcoG's commitment to innovation and excellence in the field of EV charging technology positions it as a formidable force in the industry and its continued growth and strategic partnerships are testament to its unwavering dedication to advancing the world of electric vehicles," said Joerg Heuer, CEO of EcoG. "Our strategic alliance with Dunamis Charge should accelerate our joint efforts to create an EV charging infrastructure in the United States while enhancing the EV charging experience by leveraging our joint strengths in technology, sustainability, and customer-centric services," concluded Mr. Heuer.

EcoG is seeking to expand rapidly in the United States after solidifying its leadership position in the European market for EV charging technology, boasting a commanding market share of over 15%. This growth has been remarkable, with EcoG expanding at a rate four times faster than the overall market in the previous year. Clientele such as industry behemoth Siemens and one of the world's largest service station equipment suppliers attest to the trust and reputation that EcoG has earned. To fuel its expansion efforts, EcoG recently secured an investment of approximately $6.5 million to support its mission to further enhance its presence and impact in the American EV charging infrastructure sector.

About Dunamis Charge, Inc.

Headquartered and expertly crafted in Detroit, the city that put the world on wheels, Dunamis Charge combines top-notch, safe, and reliable hardware and software solutions to deliver the smoothest EV charging experience. We connect and communicate with our users in a precise and straightforward manner, ensuring the most efficient electric vehicle charge that saves both time and money. Our management team boasts decades of expertise in clean energy and engineering, which enables us to perfect our holistic design and provide round-the-clock customer support and maintenance services, making the transition to EVs much easier. Please visit our corporate website at www.dunamischarge.com for additional information. To be added to the Company's email list for future updates, please click here.

About EcoG

EcoG is the European market leader in operating systems for fast charging stations, equipping over 30 different production lines of more than 15 manufacturers today, along with 60 system partners such as Infineon. This includes DC wallbox models enabling bidirectional charging. EcoG is a German-American technology company founded in 2017. Specialized in reference designs, charging controllers, and control software, EcoG enables large manufacturers to bring products to market quickly and easily. As a co-author of the application guideline of the industry standard ISO-15118-20 and spokesperson for CharIN, EcoG has pioneered bidirectional charging, successfully testing it with various automotive manufacturers to ensure interoperability between infrastructure and vehicles.

# # #

Media Contacts

At Dunamis Charge, Inc.

+1 248-327-0257

At EcoG

Mirjam Laubenbacher

Head of Communications

mirjam@ecog.io

+49 151 28209346

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/194035

SOURCE: Dunamis Charge, Inc.
Originally published on Rayonier.com

WILDLIGHT, FL / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2024 / Rayonier Inc. (NYSE:RYN) announced its commitment to The Climate Pledge, reinforcing our dedication to a sustainable and environmentally responsible future.

The Climate Pledge encourages businesses worldwide to take immediate and impactful action to combat climate change. By signing The Climate Pledge, Rayonier joins a growing community of over 460 companies that are committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement's target.

As part of our commitment to The Climate Pledge, Rayonier will:

Measure and report: We will continue to measure our carbon emissions accurately and transparently, ensuring that we have a clear understanding of our environmental impact. Reduce carbon emissions: We will implement decarbonization strategies through real business changes and innovations to reduce carbon emissions across our supply chain and operations. Offset remaining emissions: Where necessary, we will neutralize any remaining emissions with additional, quantifiable, real, permanent and socially beneficial offsets.

Rayonier will continue to communicate its carbon footprint within its annual Sustainability and Carbon reports.

"Rayonier becoming a signatory to The Climate Pledge is consistent with our goal of supporting a more sustainable future," said David Nunes, CEO. "We are proud to join other organizations from across the globe in the effort to accelerate responsible climate action, and we are committed to reducing our carbon emissions."

"We intend to refine our existing processes and embrace new technologies to reduce emissions across our operations as we pursue a goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2040," said Doug Long, Executive Vice President and Chief Resource Officer. "As we transition to a low-carbon economy, we also anticipate that credible offsets will play a critical role in achieving a net-zero future. Rayonier looks forward to working with various stakeholders to provide high-quality offsets and other land-based solutions to combat the negative impacts of climate change."

More information on Rayonier's sustainability initiatives can be found on the Company's Sustainability web page.

About The Climate Pledge

The Climate Pledge is a commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. It brings the world's top companies together to accelerate joint action, cross-sector collaboration, and responsible change. For more information, visit www.theclimatepledge.com.

About Rayonier

Rayonier is a leading timberland real estate investment trust with assets located in some of the most productive softwood timber growing regions in the United States and New Zealand. As of September 30, 2023, Rayonier owned or leased under long-term agreements approximately 2.8 million acres of timberlands located in the U.S. South (1.90 million acres), U.S. Pacific Northwest (474,000 acres) and New Zealand (419,000 acres). More information is available at www.rayonier.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240109758864/en/.

Investors: Collin Mings, investorrelations@rayonier.com, 904-357-9100

Media: Alejandro Barbero, alejandro.barbero@rayonier.com

Source: Rayonier Inc.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Rayonier on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Rayonier

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/rayonier

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Rayonier

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, January 12

For immediate release

12 January 2024

FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC

(the "Company")

MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES

The Company announces that it has today purchased 119,894 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 838.29 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 27,150,398; 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 197,840,905.

The figure of 197,840,905 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
Cintas is committed to ensuring disability inclusion, and its partnership with Project SEARCH is a key component in achieving this goal.

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2024 / Diverse life experiences and unique perspectives collectively shape our identity at Cintas. Part of that identity includes creating a work environment that is inclusive and accessible to individuals with disabilities.

A shining example of this can be found at Cintas' Rental location in Little Rock, Arkansas. For the past eight years, this location has partnered with a local program called Project SEARCH, an innovative job-training initiative for young adults with developmental disabilities.

"I remembered first hearing about Project SEARCH during a meeting, and I was very interested in this program they were developing," said Tanner Chapman, Senior Human Resources Manager at Cintas. "After learning more about them and their goals, we thought this could be a perfect opportunity to find future employee-partners who would be perfect at Cintas."

The program, which is supported by Arkansas Rehabilitation Services (ARS), helps its clients complete three internships at local businesses with the goal of learning and gaining new skills for future employment. Once they complete the program, Project SEARCH helps them find employment with businesses in the community like Cintas.

"The benefit of Project SEARCH is being able to have staff and education available to help our clients advocate for themselves," said Emily Speer, Job Developer with Project SEARCH. "Having someone there to support them helps boost their morale and leads to someone who wants to come to work and be there every day."

The Little Rock location has had tremendous success with Project SEARCH, as their location has had zero turnover among Project SEARCH hires over the past five years.

"Our relationship with Project SEARCH has been fantastic," said Mathew Hoppis, General Manager of Cintas' Little Rock Rental location. "It's a true partnership that has allowed our location to benefit from great hiring results, but the best part is seeing these employee-partners maximize their full potential and be successful."

Clara Taylor, a Business Engagement Representative for ARS, notes that working with Cintas has been tremendous because of the available resources Cintas has for its employee-partners and the ability to be open-minded.

"It's been one of the best partnerships I've had with any of the businesses we work with," said Taylor. "Cintas has been open, present and constantly communicating back and forth on information they'd like to learn."

But at the heart of this relationship are the talented employee-partners from Project SEARCH who come to work at Cintas. These employee-partners help contribute to Cintas' success by being put in positions that play towards their strengths so they can excel, be empowered and maximize their full potential.

One of the ways Cintas does this is by accommodating employee-partners and their needs to make sure they are put in the best position to succeed.

Leyla B., a deaf partner who is a Folder at Cintas, says one of the things she loves about this company is its willingness to accommodate and work with her on her school schedule.

"At first, I was working full-time and was also a full-time student, but I felt overwhelmed and stressed," said Leyla. "I asked my boss about transferring to part-time hours and they were willing to find a way to make that work. Now, I don't feel overwhelmed and stressed and I can still work at Cintas while pursuing an education."

Another example is Marshall N. who is a Line Leader at the Towel Table. Marshall has a herniated disk that makes it difficult to work in certain positions. He was able to work through an accommodation process that allowed him to find a position that was safe for his back and allowed him to maximize his talents.

"The accommodation process was super helpful," said Marshall. "I like the people that I'm around and the environment, so I'm glad they were willing to help me with this."

Employee-partners hired from Project SEARCH also mentioned how working for Cintas has helped them feel empowered and gain a sense of independence.

For Spencer C., a Loader at Cintas, developing this independence has helped him make improvements in his life, including supporting his parents in making an upgrade in their home.

"Working at Cintas has helped me make more improvements in my life, as far as developing myself and just trying to always look for ways to improve," said Spencer. "Because of this job, I was able to help my parents pay for a new washer and dryer."

Carson P., a Garment Sorter at Cintas, says it's about being trusted to do his job responsibilities and empowering him outside of work.

"I've felt more independent because I am trusted to do my job at Cintas," said Carson. "It's helped me feel empowered here and outside of work."

For these reasons, many of the employee-partners hope that they can inspire people who are a part of Project SEARCH to come join them and experience the spirit of Cintas.

"What I like about Cintas is the love that goes around the building, the teamwork and the respect everyone has for one another," said Paris R., a loader at Cintas. "No matter what problems may occur, we always find a way through it."

"I hope to inspire other people from Project SEARCH to come here," said Gerald T., a Garment Sorter at Cintas. "Working at Cintas has made me feel more social."

This partnership in Little Rock serves as a great example of the impact that can be made in the communities Cintas serves and the opportunities it presents.

"My hope is we continue to expand this relationship not just in Little Rock, but across all of our Cintas locations," said Hoppis. "It's a great opportunity for us to engage with these organizations and identify employee-partners who can be successful at Cintas."

Identifying these employee-partners and embracing their talents helps Cintas diversify its perspectives, create a stronger culture and mirror the communities it serves.

"We look at disabilities not as a defining characteristic but as a source of strength and diversity," said Hoppis. "As we continue to view it from this perspective, we are accomplishing our principal objective. When we can find collaborative engagement and long-term retention of our employee-partners, we see these partners be extremely successful and that's what it's all about."

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Cintas on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Cintas

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cintas

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Cintas

View the original press release on accesswire.com


SEATTLE (dpa-AFX) - Amazon (AMZN) owned live streaming site, Twitch's CEO Dan Clancy announced on a blog post that the company is cutting down the workforce by 35%, which accounts for approximately 500 employees, claiming that business isn't 'profitable at this point'.



Clancy wrote in the post that, 'As you all know, we have worked hard over the last year to run our business as sustainably as possible. Unfortunately, we still have work to do to rightsize our company.' He added that in order to sustain the business it is important to not lose money.



The post further stated that Twitch employees in the U.S., Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and Singapore will receive an email from Clancy notifying them that they will no longer be a part of the company.



The chief executive explained that, 'As with many other companies in the tech space, we are now sizing our organization based upon the current scale of our business and conservative predictions of how we expect to grow in the future.'



Last year, the company had laid off over 400 employees citing that it will help the company to cope with the impact of 'current macroeconomic environment'.



Clancy stated that the company's parent company, Amazon has been extremely supportive even though Twitch has been struggling to make profit. According to a Fortune report, the company had been unprofitable since the last nine years.



The San Francisco-based company also announced last year that it will exit South Korea's market in February 2024. Clancy explained that the decision was made because even after taking several cost-cutting measures, operating in the country was 'prohibitively expensive'.



The live-streaming site had recently changed its policy about splitting subscription revenue with streamers. Earlier, it allowed streamers to keep 70% of the revenue but later the company cut the share down to 50% of the revenue.



Clancy clarified that the step was taken because 'the cost of retaining those streamers would have been far more than the revenue generated from them.'



Twitch, which was founded in 2011, was bought by Amazon in 2014 for $970 million.



Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Video-Workshop: Das kleine Einmaleins der Charttechnik In diesem kostenlosen Video-Workshop von Stefan Klotter lernen Sie alles uber Charttechnik. Lassen Sie sich diesen kostenfreien Workshop nicht entgehen! Hier klicken
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said that after a preliminary investigation of the side effects of popular diabetes and weight loss drugs including Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, no evidence linked with suicidal thoughts or actions was found. However, the agency added that its officials will continue to look into the matter as they can't definitively rule out the possibility that 'a small risk may exist'. The FDA instructed the patients who are currently taking the alleged drugs to report any concerns to their healthcare providers. The agency had undertaken the investigation after its FDA Adverse Event Reporting System or FAERS received complaints mainly regarding alopecia or hair loss, aspiration or accidentally breathing in things like food or liquid, and suicidal thoughts in people using these medications. Some other complaints claimed that the drugs could cause stomach paralysis, pancreatitis and bowel obstructions in rare cases. The drugs approved for weight loss and diabetes are known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. They include semaglutide generic name for Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy, liraglutide generic name for Saxenda and Victoza, and tirzepatide generic name for Mounjaro and Zepbound. Pharmaceutical companies like Novo Nordisk (NVO) and Eli Lilly (LLY) who manufacture GLP-1 medications stated that they are working with the FDA to monitor patient safety. Last year, the European Medicines Agency had probed about suicidal and self-harm thoughts in people taking GLP-1 drugs. They haven't released their findings yet. The American Society of Anesthesiologists warned the patients in June last year, to stop taking GLP-1 medications at least one week before elective surgeries, as it may cause vomiting during the surgery. Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2024 / CNH recently participated in the EU Agri-Food Days, an event promoted by the European Commission Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development in Brussels.

The annual event stimulates discourse on trends, policies, and the future impact of the digitalization of agriculture and rural areas, drawing a diverse range of stakeholders.

Gianluca Feligini, the Head of Precision Technology for CNH EMEA, represented both CNH and CEMA at the EU-Agri Digital Conference themed "Digitalization for Sustainability". He illustrated how CNH's precision technology solutions portfolio enhance farmers' efficiency and sustainability.

The conference served as a valuable platform to emphasize diverse perspectives to institutional stakeholders. Participants addressed the latest advancements in precision agriculture and technology to institutional stakeholders, elaborating on artificial intelligence, digital platforms for more connected operation, and alternative propulsion.

CNH's participation in the conference demonstrates the company's commitment to sustainability in agriculture.

CNH's participation in the conference demonstrates the company's commitment to sustainability in agriculture

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from CNH Industrial on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: CNH Industrial

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cnh-industrial

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: CNH Industrial

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Safe Software, a Surrey, British Columbia, Canada-based enterprise integration company that provides a support for spatial data, received a strategic growth investment from JMI Equity.

The amount of the deal was not disclosed.

The company intends to use the investment to expand client growth in the enterprise sector.

Led by Don Murray, Safe Software provides solutions that empower people and enterprises to unlock the full potential of their information, including spatial data. It is the creator of FME, an enterprise integration platform with comprehensive support for spatial data, whether challenges have to do with spatial data, big data, stream processing, cloud migration, or business intelligence. The FME platform has built-in support for thousands of systems as well as 800+ out-of-the-box transformers allowing users to build and automate custom integration workflows without having to code. Over 20,000 organizations worldwide use FME technology for their enterprise integration solutions. Through Safe Softwares international partner network, FME is used in 120+ countries around the world and has been localized into multiple languages.

Don Murray will continue to lead the business as CEO and the rest of the leadership team will remain in their current roles. The company anticipates no updates to its day-to-day operations and will remain focused on serving clients globally.

FinSMEs

12/01/2024
Captain Millers progression from a simple young man to a man ridden with guilt and desperation, the cause and effect of his decisions, and its impact on his family, friends and community is a well-rounded story

Director: Arun Matheswaran

Cast: Dhanush, Shiva Rajkumar, Priyanka Mohan, Sandeep Kishan, John Kokken

What really happens when colonial oppression meets caste oppression in the backdrop of a freedom fight? I believe this is the most appropriate one-liner for Dhanush-starrer Captain Miller, directed by Arun Matheswaran. You see, the colonial occupation by the Britishers that almost lasted a span of a century is not one-dimensional. There is of course the obvious foreign country occupation, which oppressed the population of the country as a whole. People of higher class, especially the monarchs of different regions who allied with this power was given certain privileges. This, of course, did not extend to the common folks.

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The film is set at a time when certain castes were forced to serve the local leader of higher caste, or higher power. Untouchability was not eradicated at this time. To add to the complexity of this is the womens rights. Sure, women from privileged background did have certain leeway, however, the Dalit women, or women belonging to the native tribal groups didnt have the same leeway. In addition to this, there is also patriarchy within the Dalit group as well.

It reads so complicated on paper. The layers and the arcs required of different characters to bring these nuances to life on screen are not simple. In fact, the director must draw a fine balance between all of these different perspectives to war without romanticising colonial occupation, or glorifying unnecessary violence. I was a tad bit doubtful if this film can really achieve this seamless coming together of very important themes in a war film about fight for freedom in India. However, I am glad my doubts were proved unnecessary.

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Every minute of the film threw at me a moment that struck hard. Not to dramatise the effect of the film, but with the current world political climate, and the happenings within the country, Captain Miller is bold.

In what is one of the many powerful dialogues in the film, a character says with respect to faith and caste, Its not peoples faith that is a problem, it is when this faith interferes with our life that it is a problem.

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The dialogues do not seek spotlight with the support of melodramatics, no. It moves with subtlety until unknowingly it is stuck in your throat like that fishbone that you struggle to spit or swallow.

One of the central themes of the film is to underline the fact that freedom means different thing to different sections of people. Inclusive feminism, feminism from the perspective of the privileged, from the perspective of men who lean left politically, and more is also included in the film. Again, this is not a in your face portrayal. It exists within the film, breathes with its character. Love here is not forced, but felt. It is the same for anger, guilt and desperation. Especially the rage. The more Dhanush as Eesan is oppressed, the stronger he suppresses. So when rage makes an appearance, it is not to be taken lightly. In fact, this unadulterated rage is something that affects one mentally.

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At what point do you put your foot down and say enough is enough. What is an acceptable bottom line before an oppressed community revolts in want, or more accurately, in need of freedom? Captain Miller, takes the audience on a journey through its titular character to answer these questions, and to draw a fine line between revolting against oppression, and mindless violence.

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It is easy to get carried away while portraying violence, as most of the whistle-worthy moments in action films are all about blazing guns and punches that crunches bones. In Captain Miller, the loudest cheers come when the oppressors  both the white variety and the savarna variety  are taken down a notch at the hands of either Eesan or his brother Sengolan (Shiva Rajkumar).

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Captain Millers progression from a simple young man to a man ridden with guilt and desperation, the cause and effect of his decisions, and its impact on his family, friends and community is a well-rounded story. Similar to Saani Kaayidham and Rocky, the visuals of Captain Miller are sharp, and extremely supporting of the narrative. Equally important to propel the story forward are the songs, each of it speaking of heartbreak, rebellion and revolution.

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The reason Captain Miller mainly worked for me is because of how the film lets the audience decide what you want to take away from Esans life. What I took away from it is, We were born here, we were raised here, and we will die here.

Rating: 4 (out of 5 stars)

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Captain Miller is playing in cinemas

Priyanka Sundar is a film journalist who covers films and series of different languages with a special focus on identity and gender politics.

Read all the Latest News , Trending News , Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram .
This is a bridge not just of steel and concrete, but of possibilities. It unlocks new horizons for Mumbai and India, paving the way for economic growth and a brighter future, said senior IAS officer Sanjay Khandare, who helmed the Mumbai Trans Harbour link project for four years

Adding one more monumental marvel to Indias infrastructure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) today.

This 21.8-kilometre-long sea-link connects Mumbai to Navi Mumbai, running from Sewri in Mumbai to Nhava Sheva in the Raigad region. Commencing operations from 13 January, Indias longest bridge, officially named the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu Sea link , strategically links crucial locations to address Mumbais persistent traffic issues. It is said to reduce travel time between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai to around 20 minutes from about two hours.

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Bridge of possibilities

It is a moment to cherish, said senior IAS officer Sanjay Khandare, who helmed the project for four years.

Khandare, a 1996 batch IAS officer of Maharashtra cadre, was in charge of the ambitious project, then known as Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, for four years till February 2020, as the then Additional Metropolitan Commissioner of Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

This is a bridge not just of steel and concrete, but of possibilities. It unlocks new horizons for Mumbai and India, paving the way for economic growth and a brighter future, Khandare, who is now Principal Secretary, Water Supply and Sanitation Department of the state government, told PTI.

I feel very satisfied that I could contribute substantially in the implementation right from approvals, particularly those pertaining to environment and forest departments, as the bridge passes through a very eco-sensitive area having mangroves, a flamingo sanctuary and an important installation like BARC, Khandare said.

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The senior bureaucrat said work in the initial stages of the project involved dealing with undersea crude lines, land acquisition at both the ends of the sea link, engineering designs and also tendering and execution processes.

Daily usage of 70,000 vehicles is expected

Atal Setu has been constructed at a total cost of Rs 17,840 crore. It is a six-lane bridge having about 16.5 km length over sea and about 5.5 km on land.

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The prime ministers mission is to improve peoples comfort of movement by improving urban transport infrastructure and connectivity, and the bridge is in line with this vision.

It will enable speedier access to Mumbai International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport, as well as shorter travel times between Mumbai and Pune, Goa, and South India. According to the announcement, it will also increase connectivity between Mumbai Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port.

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Aside from its immediate impact, the bridge helps to cut the distance between the Mumbai and Pune Motorways and acts as an important link to the under-construction Navi Mumbai International Airport. According to ANI, projections forecast a daily usage of 70,000 vehicles on the bridge.

Boost for markets

The Atal Setu is expected to boost the Navi Mumbai property markets since the connectivity will result in an increase in real estate activity, demand, and prices. The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link is revolutionary! As a proud Mumbai developer, I see this technical marvel altering our citys connectivity and real estate landscape. With travel times reduced to 20 minutes between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, places such as Panvel and Ulwe would experience rapid growth.

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We expect a surge in demand for homes driven by professionals looking for affordable luxury close to prime business hubs, Manju Yagnik, Vice Chairperson of Nahar Group and Senior Vice President of NAREDCO- Maharashtra, told LiveMint.

According to experts, the entire regions property market will benefit, but the influence will be seen most strongly in micromarkets such as Panvel, Ulwe, and Dronagiri, which will have direct access to the bridge. According to them, various factors, including increased connectivity, are projected to drive up property values in Navi Mumbai over the next three years, reports Money Control.

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With inputs from PTI
Bruneis Prince Abdul Mateen was one of Asias most eligible bachelors. Not anymore though. The 32-year-old hot prince has married his non-royal fiancee, 29-year-old Yang Mulia Anisha Rosnah

Bruneis royal wedding is the talk of the town. Prince Abdul Mateen, one of Asias most eligible bachelors, is now off the market. The 32-year-old prince of the oil-rich sultanate married his commoner (non-royal) fiancee Yang Mulia Anisha Rosnah Isa-Kalebic, 29, Thursday (11 January) as part of a grandiose 10-day celebration that began on 7 January.

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The male-only Islamic marriage ceremony took place inside the gold-domed Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in Bruneis capital Bandar Seri Begawan.

Lets take a closer look at the royal couple and their love story.

Who are Prince Abdul Mateen and Anisha Rosnah?

Prince Abdul Mateen is the fourth son and 10th child of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, worlds longest-reigning monarch and one of richest royals globally with an estimated net worth of nearly $28 billion.

The prince is a social media sensation with a massive following of 2.5 million on Instagram.

Mateen is sixth in line to the throne which he is unlikely to ever ascend. He is a trained helicopter pilot and major in the Royal Brunei Air Force, as per UAE newspaper The National. He graduated as an officer cadet in Britains Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, as per AFP.

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Prince Mateen has drawn comparisons with Britains Prince Harry and was previously dubbed the hot royal. He represented Brunei in polo at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, reported AFP.

The young royal is often spotted with his father abroad on official royal engagements. Prince Mateen and the sultan of the Southeast Asia nation attended the coronation of Britains King Charles and Queen Camilla in London in May last year, and Queen Elizabeths funeral in 2022. The duo also marked their presence in Jordan for the royal wedding of Crown Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa, according to People magazine.

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Rosnah is the granddaughter of one of the Sultans special advisors, Pehin Dato Isa, who is the founding chairman of Royal Brunei Airlines, as per Time magazine.

She reportedly runs a fashion brand called Silk Collective and is a co-owner of a tourism company called Authentirary. Rosnah has an interest in cooking, as per the South China Morning Post (SCMP).

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The royal love story

Not much is known about the love story of the royal couple. It is believed the two have been dating for years. Their engagement was announced in October 2023 by the sultan.

According to Singaporean online magazine 8Days, the couple enjoys working out.

The pair were seen together at the wedding ceremonies of Mateens sisters Princess Azemah Nimatul Bolkiah last year and Princess Fadzilah in 2022, reported Time magazine.

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Asias eligible bachelor is off the market

Prince Mateens Instagram reflects the popularity of the young royal. From playing polo and posing in military uniform to flaunting his six-pack abs, the princes Insta account has turned him into a public relations asset for the Brunei royal family, according to AFP.

A pre-wedding picture of Mateen and his then-fiancee, Rosnah, was shared on his Instagram account on 31 December. The bride can be seen donning a cream pantsuit and showing off a large diamond engagement ring. Her partner chose an open-neck white shirt under a dark, double-breasted blazer.

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Prince Mateen would be what I describe as an important youth change-maker in Brunei society, Mustafa Izzuddin, a visiting professor of international relations at the Islamic University of Indonesia, told AFP.

You can call him a cultural Instagrammer because he is adept at connecting with the younger folk, he added.

The current generation has different interests, values and preferences.

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Brunei royal wedding

The all-male wedding ceremony on Thursday was attended by Prince Mateens father, Sultan Bolkiah, relatives, some ministers and government officials. Dressed in traditional white wedding attire embellished with diamond-shaped motifs and a matching headpiece, the prince affirmed Akad Nikah or marriage solemnisation, as per The National.

After a 17-gun salute, Mateen went to his father and held his hand as the sultan recited a prayer for the royal couple, reported AFP. The prince then bowed and touched his fathers hand with his forehead.

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The prince left the mosque in a luxury saloon and waved to onlookers who were waiting to catch a glimpse of the groom.

A powdering ceremony was held on Wednesday in which the close family members applied powder paste to the hands of the groom and bride-to-be.

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Celebrations for the royal wedding will culminate with a grand ceremony in the 1,788-room palace on Sunday. International royalty, including Britains Prince and Princess of Wales as well as Jordans Crown Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa, along with political leaders are likely to attend the event, reported AFP.

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Several Bruneians are expected to line the streets on Sunday to catch a glimpse of the newly-weds as they take part in an elaborate procession.

With inputs from agencies
The US and British forces struck 60 targets across 16 Houthi locations in Yemen in response to attacks on vessels in the Red Sea. Experts say the Houthis have been stockpiling weapons with help from Iran since taking Sanaa in 2014

After the US and UK launched military strikes against the Houthi rebels, the Iran-backed militia has vowed to hit back.

The US and UK said the strikes were in response to the Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and the objective was to degrade the Houthi military.

A US official said the strikes were executed via aircraft, ship and submarine.

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But what do we know about the strikes? And what about the Houthis arsenal?

Lets take a closer look:

What do we know about the strikes?

The US and British forces struck 60 targets at 16 Houthi locations.

As per The Guardian command and control nodes, munitions depots, launching systems, production facilities, and air defence radar systems were targeted.

The Houthis claimed they had suffered 72 strikes.

The US said it used over 100 precision-guided munitions including Tomahawk land-to-air missiles.

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Witnesses told Reuters that the raids on Thursday targeted a military base adjacent to Sanaa airport, a military site near Taiz airport, a Houthi naval base in Hodeidah and military sites in Hajjah governorate.

The UK said it hit Bani  a location from where reconnaissance and attack drones were sent up and the Abs airfield.

Sunak said the UK acted in self-defence after their ships were targeted.

Weve seen a significant increase in the number of Houthi attacks thats putting innocent lives at risk. Its disrupting the global economy, and its also destabilising the region, Sunak was quoted as saying by the BBC.

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And its why I made the decision with allies to take what I believe to be necessary, proportionate and targeted action against military targets, to degrade and disrupt Houthi capability.

Its clear that this type of behaviour cant be met without a response, we need to send a strong signal that this breach of international law is wrong, he added.

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The outlet quoted armed forces minister as saying no further air strikes were immediately planned.

Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer has also supported the strikes.

Clearly the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have to be dealt with, Starmier told BBC Radio 5 Live.

Ex-British Army chief Lord Dannatt said the US and UK have a duty to protect vessels in the Red Sea and international commerce.

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One has to hope that this is calculated measured intelligence-led activity, which will have an effect quite quickly and restore international shipping to be able to use the Red Sea as opposed to going around the very expensive Cape of Good Hope route.

What about the Houthi arsenal?

The rebels have quite a stockpile of weapons.

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The group has focused on building up their capabilities since they took Yemens capital of Sanaa in 2014.

Experts say the Houthis have ballistic and cruise missiles and drones  much of it made with help from Iran.

The Houthis ballistic Typhoon missile is a repurposed version of Irans Qadr missile.

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Fabian Hinz of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said it has a range of 1,600 to 1,900 kilometres

It is very inaccurate, at least in the version theyve shown us, but it should be able to reach Israel, Hinz said.

In 2016, Iran was able to hit targets at a distance of 1,400 kilometres with the Qadr missile.

The Houthis revealed their weapons just weeks before 7 October attack, said Mohammed Albasha, senior Middle East analyst for the US-based Navanti Group.

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Hinz added that the Houthis also possess Irans Quds cruise missile  some of which can reach Israel.

The Houthis in 2022 claimed to have struck oil facilities in Abu Dhabi using these weapons.

The guided missiles made a journey of more than 1,126 kilometres from northern Yemen.

The Houthis also used the Quds 2 missile in 2020 to strike facilities in Saudi Arabia.

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While Saudi Arabia and the United States have claimed Iran giving the Houthis weapons, Iran continues to deny this accusation.

The Houthis claim to make their own drones.

However, experts say these comprise electrical components smuggled from Iran.

The Houthis also have the Iranian Shahed-136 drones.

Russia is currently using these drones  which have a range of 2,000 kilometres  in the Ukraine war.

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The Houthis also have the Samad-3 drone.

We dont know the exact range, but it should be about 1,600 kilometres, Hinz added.

These drones have been used to target the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

The Samad-3 can be fitted with 18 kilogrammes of explosives, according to rebel media sources and analysts.

The Houthis drones use GPS guidance and fly autonomously along pre-programmed waypoints towards their targets, experts from the Center for Strategic and International Studies wrote in a 2020 report.

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The Houthis say their attacks are in support of Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist group that controls Gaza. Israel has launched a military assault that has killed more than 23,000 Palestinians in Gaza after Hamas attack on Israel.

The Houthi have attacked 27 ships to date, disrupting international commerce on the key route between Europe and Asia that accounts for about 15 per cent of the worlds shipping traffic.

The US military said on Thursday that the Houthis fired an anti-ship ballistic missile into international shipping lanes in the Gulf of Aden, the 27th attack by the group since 19 November.

The overnight strikes in Yemen came just days after the Houthis largest attack to date on 9 January in the Red Sea, which forced the US and British naval forces to shoot down 21 Houthi drones and missiles fired towards the southern Red Sea. The U.S. military described it as a complex attack.

Biden, in his statement, said the Houthis directly targeted American ships.

In December, more than 20 countries agreed to participate in a US-led coalition, known as Operation Prosperity Guardian, safeguarding commercial traffic in the Red Sea. However, the U.S. and British strikes are taking place outside that defensive coalition.

Biden said Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands supported the operation.

The response of the international community to these reckless attacks has been united and resolute, Biden said in a statement.

With inputs from agencies
In the case of Bengaluru CEO Suchana Seth, who has been accused of killing her four-year-old son, cops have discovered a crumpled note written with eyeliner. Authorities say she has written about her relationship with her estranged husband, showing her mental state, which could serve as motive

Days after Bengaluru CEO Suchana Seth was arrested for allegedly murdering her four-year-old son, new details are emerging in the case, providing clues as to why she may have perpetrated the heinous crime.

Suchana Seth , the 39-year-old AI ethics expert and CEO of The Mindful AI Lab in Bengaluru, was arrested on Monday night in Karnatakas Chitradurga district after she fled from Goa in a cab with her sons body in a bag.

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The Goa Police has now revealed that they have found a crumpled note, which could serve as a vital clue in the murder as it offers an insight into Seths mental state at the time.

What does the note reveal? What else have we learnt of the case so far?

A note written with eyeliner

As investigations continue into the murder of the four-year-old son of Suchana Seth  she has earlier denied committing the murder , authorities have found a crumpled note, revealing a six-line message, within the suitcase containing the lifeless body of the minor.

The note written with eyeliner, according to authorities, has revealed Seths mental state at the time, alluding she didnt want custody of her son to go to her estranged husband  Venkatraman PR.

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Sources that are aware of the investigations told the media that the note hinted at Seths estranged ties with her husband, and she was unhappy with the court order allowing Raman to meet the child. Court and my (estranged) husband pressurising me to give custody of my son, and I cannot take it anymore, reads the note, according to a report by the Times of India. My ex-husband is violent he used to teach bad manners to (my) son. I dont want to give even a days custody to the father.

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The investigators has sealed the letter and sent it to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for examination by a handwriting expert. At the same time, they have also taken samples of Seths handwriting.

Officials believe the note could prove to be a crucial piece of evidence as it could help ascertain the Seths state of mind and motivations. An officer told the Times of India, The note we have attached is a crucial piece of evidence in the case, establishing her mental condition. The issue of custody of her son must have been at the back of her mind for many days, triggering the drastic step.

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Sons face reminder Seth of husband

Apart from the discovery of the note, new details have also emerged in the killing of the four-year-old.

It has been reported that Seth had allegedly told her friends and family that her son resembled her estranged husband and always reminded her of their troubled relationship.

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As per investigations, her estranged husband Raman had called her up and had told her he wanted to meet their son (in accordance with the court order). However, Seth was doing all she could to avoid the meeting.

Recreating the crime scene

The authorities will today (12 January) return to the service apartment named Sol Banyan Grande in North Goas Candolim to recreate the crime. Investigations so far have shown that she checked into the apartment on 6 January and stayed there until 8 January.

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It is believed that she killed her son there, with the post-mortem report saying that the four-year-old was smothered by a pillow. The cops had earlier found two Benadryl cough syrup bottles in the room, suggesting that she may have administered the syrup to the child to kill him. The cops say that she then stuffed his body into a bag and took it back to Karnataka in a taxi on Monday.

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When the apartment staff went to clean the room, they found blood stains on a towel. The staff immediately informed the police and told them that she carried an unusually heavy bag, and her son was not seen with her.

Cab driver reveals more

The cab driver that Suchana Seth used to travel from Goa to Karnataka has also provided hints on the CEOs state of mind at that time. Ray John, the taxi driver, said that Seth was calm and didnt utter a single word during the entire trip that lasted more than 10 hours.

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John revealed that it was the staff at the service apartment who booked him. When I reached the service apartment, she (Seth) asked me to carry her bag from the reception to the taxi. It was heavy.

I asked her whether we could remove some belongings from the bag to make it lighter. But she refused. We had to drag the bag to the boot of the car.

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The driver said that the only time she spoke was when she asked him to get a bottle of water when they reached Bicholim town in North Goa. He also told News18 that when he pulled into the police station that she showed no signs of distress and didnt give any reaction.

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Notably, once inside the police station, policewomen opened Seths red bag and beneath a pile of three-four clothing items, saw the hand of the dead child. Suchana Seth reportedly did not react even when her sons body was discovered in her red bag.

Four-year-old laid to rest

Earlier on Wednesday, the four-year-son was laid to rest at a burial ground in Bengalurus Rajajinagar. The final rites were conducted by Seths husband.

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Seths husband, Venkatraman, who was in Indonesia flew down to Bengaluru and then travelled to Chitradurga where the boys body was kept. After he arrived, the police completed the formalities and released the minors body for the last rites.

Meanwhile, people who know Suchana Seth have expressed shock over allegations that she allegedly killed her son. Her neighbour, told Times Now, that Seth was a loving mother and she couldnt even imagine her slapping her son. For her, the allegations of murder against Seth seemed stranger than fiction.

With inputs from agencies
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman married his partner, Oliver Mulherin in a lowkey beach wedding, according to reports. Mulherin is an Australian software engineer, who graduated from the University of Melbourne with a degree in computer science. He keeps a low profile in public

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman exchanged vows with his longtime partner, Oliver Mulherin, in an intimate seaside ceremony.

The low-key wedding was held in Hawaii, close to the 38-year-old tech entrepreneurs home on the island, according to multiple media reports.

Following a slew of pictures of the OpenAI CEO and Mulherins wedding on social media on Thursday, when people began to question if they were real, the couples marriage was officially confirmed to NBC News.

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The photos show the San Francisco couple, dressed in crisp white button-down shirts and single orchid boutonnieres, standing under a bamboo chuppah in the tropical place, and about a dozen guests in attendance at a tropical beach.

In one picture, Sam places a ring on Mulherins left hand while Altmans brother Jack Altman, the cofounder and executive chair of the software business Lattice, looks on in his role as an officiant.

Heres all we know about his husband.

Who is Oliver Mulherin?

Altman, a native of the St. Louis region, spent years avoiding the limelight while he gained prominence in the tech sector as the CEO of Y Combinator, a renowned investment and startup incubator.

Sam Altman just got married today.



Congratulations  pic.twitter.com/kbUvGbLHOa  Barsee  (@heyBarsee) January 11, 2024

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Nonetheless, he has increased his public appearances and media exposure as CEO of OpenAI, including testifying before Congress. In 2023, TIME magazine even named him CEO of the Year.

There is a lot of information about Altman, but not much is known about Mulherin or their relationship.

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Mulherin is an Australian software engineer, who completed his Bachelors in computer science from the University of Melbourne in 2016.

He worked with Meta in Menlo Park, California, from August 2020 to November 2022. He was also employed by Broadwing and SPARK Neuro, as per NDTV.

Times Now reports that Mulherin or Ollie as Altman calls him, has worked on several AI projects at the university, with a focus on games and language detection. But his area of expertise is the Internet of Things (IoT), and in 2018 he joined the open-source coding group IOTA Foundation.

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How long have they been together?

A state dinner held by US President Joe Biden at the White House for Prime Minister Narendra Modi was one of the couples first public appearances, which took place in June last year. Power couples Sundar and Anjali Pichai and Satya and Anu Nadella were also present at the dinner.

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Other than that, though, Mulherin seems content to stay out of the spotlight. He has less than 600 followers on his private Instagram account.

In a candid September interview with New York Magazine, Altman revealed that he and Mulherin live in a Russian Hill residence in San Francisco during the week, but they take weekend getaways to a newly renovated, 25-year-old house on a private ranch in Napa Valley, California.

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He added that while he is vegan, his partner is not.

The couple also mentioned how eager they were to begin a family shortly.

Altman disclosed to the New Yorker that he had a nine-year relationship with Nick Sivo before meeting Mulherin. According to Times Now, they first met at Stanford University and started dating in their sophomore year.

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Together, they co-founded a start-up called Loopt. In 2004, however, the couple broke up after they sold the company in 2012, New York Magazine reported.

Altman on the workfront

Sam Altman has rapidly gained recognition as CEO of OpenAI, the artificial intelligence startup behind ChatGPT, which is an advanced chatbot that upended Silicon Valley a year ago and encouraged tech businesses big and small to divert their resources into competing AI initiatives.

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The GPT Store, which is like an app shop for AI apps, was launched by OpenAI on Wednesday.

In 2015, Altman and several tech giants, including Elon Musk, co-founded the company as a nonprofit organisation. He has led OpenAI to become one of the most popular startups in the world in his capacity as CEO.

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In a struggle for the companys leadership, the board of OpenAI briefly ousted him in November of last year, but following an intense debate in the boardroom, he returned as CEO four days later.

With inputs from agencies
PM Narendra Modi has inaugurated the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Indias longest sea-bridge. It will reduce travel time between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, but there are rules to be followed. Two-wheelers and buses wont be permitted. Also, commuters will have to pay Rs 250 for a one-way journey

Connectivity in India has just improved nearly 22 times over, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), officially called Atal Setu Nhava Sheva Sea Link. The longest sea bridge in India, the project will significantly shorten travel time between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, becoming a huge boon for commuters.

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The 21.8-km-long Mumbai Trans Harbour Link bridge, with six lanes, has been constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 17,840 crore. Following its inauguration on Friday (12 January) at the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it will be thrown open to the public on Saturday morning.

Named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the bridge is also expected to reduce the travel time from Mumbai to Pune, Goa, and South India.

If you want to travel on this bridge, heres what you need to know  from which vehicles are allowed to the toll costs and much more.

Vehicles allowed and not allowed on MTHL

Four-wheelers, including cars, taxis, light motor vehicles, minibuses, and two-axle buses will be allowed to ply on the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, which will cut travel time from the current two hours to around 20 minutes.

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However, the Mumbai Traffic Police has said that certain vehicles wont be allowed on the new bridge that goes from Sewri in Mumbai and concludes at Nhava Sheva in Uran taluka in Raigad district. This includes motorcycles, moped, three-wheeler tempo, auto rickshaws, tractors, tractors with unladen trolleys, animal-drawn vehicles, and slow-moving vehicles.

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Entry of the following vehicles: Motor Cycle, Moped, 3 Wheeler Tempo, Auto Rickshaw, Tractor, Tractor With unladen trolley, Animal Drawn Vehicles & Slow Moving Vehicle will not be allowed on MTHL.#MumbaiTransHarbourLink #MTHL #AtalSetu #MTPTrafficUpdates pic.twitter.com/GZ0YKU3o9e  Mumbai Traffic Police (@MTPHereToHelp) January 11, 2024

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These vehicles will have to take the Mumbai Port-Sewri Exit (Exit 1C) and use the MBPT Road near Gadi Adda for further movement.

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It is yet to be decided if buses will be allowed on the bridge. Municipal Commissioner Rajesh Narvekar told The Indian Express that given its length, its usefulness for bus passengers was being looked into. The absence of bus stops along the bridge has also contributed to the uncertainty about bus services.

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The authorities have also set speed limits for vehicles on the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link. The maximum speed limit for four-wheelers has been set at 100 kmph. This will drop to 40 kmph during the ascent and descent of the bridge, aiming to ensure safety and prevent disruptions.

The maximum speed limit for vehicles to drive on the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu (MTHL) Flyover Bridge will be 100 KMPH.



While during the ascend and descend of the flyover bridge, the speed limit will be 40 KMPH.#MumbaiTransHarbourLink #MTHL #AtalSetu pic.twitter.com/XrScPTs4rs  Mumbai Traffic Police (@MTPHereToHelp) January 11, 2024

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Toll for MTHL

The toll for the Sewri-Shivaji Nagar (Ulwe) stretch has been fixed at Rs200 and Rs 50 for the 2.5 km Shivai Nagar-Gavhan stretch. For a return trip, the toll has been fixed at Rs 300.

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Special features of the MTHL

The MTHL is among the worlds longest sea-bridges. It features a six-lane sea link, with 16.50 kilometres constructed over the sea and 5.5 kilometres on land, making it a remarkable engineering feat.

Construction on this project began in 2017 and initially was expected to be completed in four-and-a-half years time. However, COVID-19 pandemic and technical issues pushed the opening by a bit. However, its important to note that the MTHL was envisioned around 30 years ago, with the aim of speeding up travel between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.

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According to Sanjay Mukherjee, the metropolitan commissioner of Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), the steel used for the construction of the bridge is 17 times that of the Eiffel Tower and equivalent to the weight of 500 Boeing aeroplanes. The structural steel used is four times that of the Howrah Bridge. The concrete used is six times that of the Statue of Liberty in the US, he said.

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Earlier, Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde had said that the MTHL would prove to be a game-changer for speedy development. The MTHL links Navi Mumbai, Raigad and other cities which would result in in attracting new development projects and big corporations to his area, and the entire region will progress and prosper, said Shinde.

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Traffic snarls on both sides of the Mumbai Harbour would be history as vehicles will zip through the bridge in barely 20 minutes without affecting the environment or the Ramesar Site flamingo sanctuary below it, he added.

While this project is being hailed for improving connectivity, there are some who question the cost of the toll. The Rs 250 toll for a one-way crossing of the Trans Harbour Link is deemed to be high. In contrast, the Bandra-Worli Sea Link has a toll of Rs 85 for a one-way trip and Rs 127 for a return journey.

With inputs from agencies
On 22 January, the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya will have a grand opening with the pran pratishtha ceremony. This Hindu ritual is important, as it is the moment when the deity is brought to life and can be prayed to

We are days away from the historic Ram Mandir launch in Ayodhya, which is scheduled for 22 January. On this day, the idol of Lord Ram Lalla will be installed at the temple after the consecration ceremony.

And ahead of D-Day, which will see several VVIPs and celebrities from across the world in attendance, preparations are in full swing. On Tuesday (9 January), Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath inspected the temple site.

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However, what exactly is a pran pratishtha ceremony? Why is such a ritual performed? We get you these answers and more.

What is pran pratishtha?

Pran pratishtha is a sacred Hindu ritual, which is performed to invoke a deity into an idol, making it sacred or divine. The term pran translates to life whereas pratishtha means establishment. Hence pran pratishtha means establishing of the life force or bringing the deity to life.

Once the pran pratishtha is completed, the idol turns into a deity, which, in turn, can accept prayers and grant boons to worshippers.

What are the rituals before the pran pratishtha?

To bring the deity to life, several rituals need to be followed. According to experts, the number of steps involved depends on the scale of the ceremony.

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For the Ram Mandir, the temple trust  Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra  said that the consecration ceremony would be preceded by seven days of ritual starting on 16 January. On the first day, the priests will begin with touching the Saryu river embankment, starting Vishnu Puja and conducting Gau Dan.

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On 17 January, the selected Ram Lalla idol will be taken on a shobha yatra. It is here that the idol will be cheered by onlookers, transferring their devotion into it. In the following days, other pujas will be carried out, including the nav grah shanti hawan, which is performed to please all the planets.

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On 20 January, the temples sanctum sanctorum will be washed with the waters from the Saryu river, followed by the washing of Ram Lallas throne.

How is the pran pratishtha ceremony conducted?

On the day of the pran pratishtha ceremony, the idol is first brought to the temple. Until then, it is submerged in various materials  water and grain.

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On being brought to the temple, the idol is then bathed in milk and various fragrances are applied. It is then placed in the sanctum sanctorum and placed in the eastward direction. According to Hindu customs, all idols should face the east, as it is said to have positive energy, and also the sun rises in that direction.

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After installing it in the right place, the priests start singing the hymns and mantras and performing rituals.

The final stage is the opening of the statues eyes and this ceremony is nuanced. According to an Indian Express report, the ceremony includes the application of anjan  similar to kohli  around the deitys eyes, with a gold needle. This process is carried out from behind, as it is believed that if one looks into Gods eyes the moment they open, their brilliance can be too much to take.

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Once this is done, the idol is believed to have been brought to life and can be prayed to.

How long does the pran pratishtha last?

It is said that once the pran pratishtha is completed, it remains for eternity.

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Whats special about D-Day?

In light of this historic day and anticipating huge crowds, the state of Uttar Pradesh has announced a holiday for all schools and colleges. Moreover, Chief Minister Adityanath said that there would be no sale of liquor across the state on 22 January.

All government buildings will also bedecked on the day and a firework show has also been planned for that day.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the consecration of the Ram Mandnir in Ayodhya. Invitation cards for the ceremony have been sent out to over 7,000 guests , including 3,000 VVIPs, including priests, donors, and several politicians.

In the meantime, the temple is also getting ready for the big moment. A 620 kg bell, originating from Tamil Nadu, has been installed at the religious site earlier last week and on Tuesday, the first swarn dwar (golden door) was installed. Reports say that as many as 13 golden doors would be installed in the Ram Temple within the next three days.

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The Ram Mandir, constructed in the traditional Nagara style , is a three-storied shrine, measuring 380 feet in length (east-west direction), 250 feet in width, and 161 feet in height. It has a total of 392 pillars and 44 doors. It features five Mandaps (halls)  Nritya Mandap, Rang Mandap, Sabha Mandap, Prarthna and Kirtan Mandaps.

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With inputs from agencies
All four Shankaracharyas or pontiffs of significant Hindu shrines will not be present during the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on 22 January. According to the religious leaders, it is against Hindu customs to place Lord Ram idols in the temple before its construction is complete

The Ram Temple in Ayodhya is all set for the grand consecration ceremony on 22 January.

Invitations have been sent to celebrities, industrialists, political leaders, sportspersons as well as seers, scholars, and prominent personalities from various fields.

All four Shankaracharyas, or pontiffs of significant Hindu shrines, will not be present during the main inauguration ceremony, though.

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The decision was confirmed by Swami Avimukhteshwaranand Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of Jyotish Peeth in Uttarakhand.

However, why are they missing this historic event? Lets take a closer look.

About shashtras

The four main temples, known as peeths, which are located in Joshimath, Uttarakhand; Dwarka, Gujarat; Puri, Odisha; and Sringeri, Karnataka, are led by the Shankaracharyas.

They reportedly announced earlier that they would not be attending the ceremony, claiming a disregard for religious scriptures.

The Hindu religious gurus, according to Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, will not attend the grand event because it is against Sanatan Dharma, according to The Telegraph.

He clarified that it was against Hindu custom to place Lord Ram idols before the temples construction was finished.

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It is a Shankaracharyas duty to follow the rituals of the shastras and ensure that they are followed. And here, the shastras are being ignored. The biggest problem is that the consecration is being done when the temple is incomplete, The Quint quoted him as saying.

All four Shankaracharya's are not attending 22nd January event.



Why???

Listen to Swami Avimukteshwaranand Ji pic.twitter.com/PWnmgUuwrj  Swati Dixit  (@vibewidyou) January 10, 2024

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There was no need for such hurry, he said, as per The Telegraph.

There was plenty of time to complete Pran Pratishtha, or the consecration rite, once the Ram temple was constructed, according to Swami Avimukteshwaranand.

He stated that opening a temple that was not yet finished was a poor idea.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the chief guest of the pran pratishtha ceremony , to which thousands of people have been invited. UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is in charge of organising the long-awaited inauguration, while PM Modi is scheduled to speak at the grand event.

The question of religious affairs

The Puri Gowardhanpeeth Shankaracharya, Swami Nishchalanand Saraswati, had said a few days ago that he would not be attending the event due to its violation of the scriptures.

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He warned that improperly performed ceremonies could bring bad omens upon the idol, citing the Skanda Purana to highlight the potential negative outcomes, as reported by News9.

The Quint reports that on 4 January, a video of Swami Nischalanand surfaced wherein he accused PM Modi of interfering in religious affairs.

As per the report, the Govardhan Mutt head was heard saying in the video, What will I do there? While Modiji inaugurates and touches the idol, will I stand there and clap? I dont want a position. I already have the biggest one. I dont need credit. But what will Shankaracharyas do there (at the consecration)?

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If the PM is performing the pooja should I just be there to clap in the audience, I am a dignified person.

Swami Nishchalanand Saraswati - Shankaracharya of Govardhan Math, when asked why is he not going to Ayodhya for inauguration of Ram Mandir. pic.twitter.com/36NFQ4urMx  Priyamwada (@PriaINC) January 8, 2024

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According to Wion News, in a separate interview, he also questioned why so many politicians were invited since it is the responsibility of priests and sadhus to consecrate Lord Rams idol.

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Its because of the upcoming general elections that the event is being made so splendid. Its not appropriate said he in Raipur on Friday.

Not against PM Modi

Even though the religious leaders can be viewed as anti-Modi for their choice, Swami Avimukteshwaranand added that they have no personal grudges against anyone.

We are not anti-Modi but at the same time, we also cant go against our Dharma Shashtra, said Avimukhteswaranand, according to The Telegraph.

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The Congress criticism

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came under fire by the Congress on Thursday over the reported refusal of the Shankaracharyas to attend the Ram temple event. The Congress claimed that the party in power was launching the under-construction place of worship in anticipation of the general elections that are scheduled for April or May.

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According to Hindustan Times, Congress leader Alka Lamba said, Ask them (BJP), why are the Shankaracharyas not going (to attend the pran pratishtha ceremony). They said that the construction of Ram Mandir is incomplete, why are the BJP and PM in a hurry? Inaugurating the temple while it is under construction and politicising it; it is evident because elections are nearing.

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The grand-old party said on Wednesday that Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, three of its leaders, would not be attending the event since the BJP is attempting to use it as an opportunity for politics.

Religion is a personal matter. But the RSS/BJP have long made a political project of the temple in Ayodhya. The inauguration of the incomplete temple by the leaders of the BJP and the RSS has been obviously brought forward for electoral gain, the Congress said in a statement.

The BJP referred to the Congress as anti-Hindu in response to the criticism.

Likewise, several Opposition leaders, including West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and CPI(M) party secretary Sitaram Yechury, have declined to attend the holy event in Ayodhya.

Ayodhya and politics

A member of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) who works in Karsewakpurams office claims that Ayodhya has been the centre of politics since ancient times.

Sharad Sharma, who joined the VHP in the mid-1980s when the temple movement was gaining ground, told The Quint, It was for political reasons only that Lord Ram was exiled. The movement for the Ram temple was powered by the saints and seers, along with the Sangh Parivar which also includes the BJP. The BJP by virtue of being a political party, had its limitations, and yet, if you think of it, the temple is being built in Ayodhya today only because of the efforts of the BJP.

In addition, Sharma asserted that, contrary to what the Shankaracharyas and other political parties state, the consecration has no political purpose.

He told the outlet, We have the utmost respect for the Shankaracharyas. But can someone tell me why 4,000 are saints coming to Ayodhya from all across the country for the consecration if there is no religious meaning to it?

With inputs from agencies
South Africa asked the International Court of Justice to order Israel to immediately stop the war in Gaza, alleging it has violated the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. But is the courts decision final?

Israel is defending itself in the United Nations highest court. The allegations include that the West Asian country is committing genocide with its military campaign in Gaza.

South Africa, who brought the case against Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 29 December, asked the ICJ to order Israel to immediately stop the war, alleging it has violated the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, which was drawn up in the aftermath of World War II and the Holocaust.

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The convention defines genocide as acts such as killings committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.

The International Court of Justice will ultimately decide whether Israel is committing genocide or not, which might take years. However, it must first determine whether it has jurisdiction in this case and if the claimed activities are covered by the 1948 Convention.

South Africa has also sought interim relief for Palestinians, asking the ICJ to force Israel to immediately cease all military operations in Gaza as a stopgap measure. The court is expected to rule in a matter of weeks.

While the courts decisions are legally binding, there is no means for them to be enforced. Nonetheless, its opinions are taken seriously by the UN and other international organisations.

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Israel is due to respond today (12 January).

Here are some details on the case and its ramifications.

What is South Africas argument?

South Africas 84-page filing says Israels actions are genocidal in character because they are intended to bring about the destruction of a substantial part of the Palestinians in Gaza.

It asks the ICJ for a series of legally binding rulings declaring that Israel is breaching its obligations under the Genocide Convention, and ordering Israel to cease hostilities, offer reparations, and provide for the reconstruction of all it has destroyed in Gaza.

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The filing argues that genocidal acts include killing Palestinians, causing serious mental and bodily harm, and deliberately inflicting conditions meant to bring about their physical destruction as a group. And it says Israeli officials have expressed genocidal intent.

During opening arguments, South African lawyers said the latest war is part of decades of Israeli oppression of Palestinians.

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Many South Africans, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, compare Israels policies regarding Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank with South Africas past apartheid regime of racial segregation. Israel rejects such allegations.

What was Israels response?

Israel, which was founded in the aftermath of the Holocaust, has denounced the genocide claim. The Foreign Ministry said South Africas case lacks legal foundation and constitutes a despicable and contemptuous exploitation of the court.

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Eylon Levy, an official in the Israeli prime ministers office, accused South Africa of giving political and legal cover to the 7 October attack by Hamas that left some 1,200 people in southern Israel dead and triggered Israels campaign.

Levy said Israels legal team would dispel South Africas absurd blood libel.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to press ahead with the war until Hamas is crushed and the more than 100 Israeli hostages still held by the militant group in Gaza are freed. Hes said that could take several months.

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How did Israel react to earlier ICJ proceedings?

Israel did not attend hearings in 2004 when the ICJ discussed an advisory opinion on the legality of Israels barrier wall. The court issued a non-binding opinion that the wall was contrary to international law. Israel sent a written statement telling the court it did not consider it had jurisdiction.

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Israel also refused to cooperate with an investigation after the 2008-09 Gaza war, a UN investigation into the 2014 Gaza war, and the ongoing Human Rights Council investigation into alleged abuses against Palestinians.

Israel is not a member of another Hague-based court, the International Criminal Court. Other countries that are not ICC members include major global powers the United States, China and Russia.

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What happens next?

South Africas filing includes a request for the court to urgently issue legally binding interim orders for Israel to immediately suspend its military operations in and against Gaza.

Such orders, known as provisional measures, would remain while the case progresses. Theyre legally binding but not always followed. In 2022, in a genocide case filed by Ukraine against Russia, the court ordered Moscow to immediately suspend its invasion, but the order was ignored.

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The court is the highest judicial body of the United Nations but it does not have a police force to implement its rulings. If a nation believes another member has failed to comply with an ICJ order, it can report that to the Security Council.

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The 15-member council is the UNs most powerful body, charged with maintaining international peace and security. Its tools range from sanctions to authorising military action, but all actions require support from at least nine council nations and no veto by a permanent member  the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France.

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The court is holding public hearings Thursday and Friday, and lawyers representing South Africa and Israel can make arguments. A panel of 15 judges drawn from around the world plus one each nominated by Israel and South Africa could take days or weeks to issue a decision on preliminary measures.

The court will then enter a lengthy process of considering the full case.

Israel could challenge the jurisdiction and seek to have the case thrown out before lawyers start arguing. Other countries that have signed the genocide convention could also apply to make submissions.

Is the court hearing similar cases?

Two other genocide cases are on the courts docket. The case filed by Ukraine shortly after Russias invasion accuses Moscow of launching the military operation based on trumped-up claims of genocide and accuses Russia of planning acts of genocide in Ukraine.

Another involves Gambia, on behalf of Muslim nations, accusing Myanmar of genocide against the Rohingya Muslim minority.

In a past case brought by Bosnia, the court in 2007 ruled that Serbia violated the obligation to prevent genocide  in respect of the genocide that occurred in Srebrenica in July 1995. The court declined to order Serbia to pay compensation. Croatia also sued Serbia in 2015, but the world court ruled that Serbia didnt breach the convention in that case.

ICJ or ICC?

The Hague calls itself the international city of peace and justice. It is home not only to the ICJ, but also the International Criminal Court. The two courts have different mandates.

The ICJ, which first sat in 1946, adjudicates cases between nations, often border disputes or disagreements over the interpretation of international treaties.

The ICC was launched in 2002 with the lofty goal of ending global impunity for atrocities. It seeks to hold individuals criminally responsible for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The ICC has an ongoing investigation into the Israel-Palestinian conflict, dating back to the last war in Gaza. So far, it has not issued any arrest warrants. Israel says the ICC has no jurisdiction because Palestinians do not belong to an independent sovereign state.

ICC prosecutor Karim Khan says an investigation into possible crimes by Hamas militants and Israeli forces is a priority. The court could charge political and military leaders.

Palestinian foreign affairs minister Riyad al-Maliki has said the Palestinian Authority would not interfere with an ICC investigation into Hamas 7 October attacks. We cannot say Investigate here, dont investigate there, al-Maliki said.

The ICC last year issued an arrest warrant for Russian president Vladimir Putin accusing him of personal responsibility for abductions of children from Ukraine.

What about past UN cases?

Two now-defunct UN tribunals also held landmark genocide trials.

The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia convicted a series of high-ranking Bosnian Serbs, including former President Radovan Karadzic and his military chief General Ratko Mladic, for their roles in the July 1995 massacre of more than 8,000 men and boys in the Bosnian town of Srebrenica.

Karadzic and Mladic were given life sentences.

The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda convicted a string of leaders involved in the African nations 1994 genocide when some 800,000 people, mainly ethnic Tutsis, were slaughtered.

With inputs from AP
The Iranian Navy has seized a Greek-operated oil tanker, St. Nikolas, with a crew of 19 off the coast of Oman. The taking of the ship was in retaliation to Washington confiscating it last October. The act comes as Houthis continue to attack vessels in the Red Sea

The high seas have become the new place where conflicts are being fought. As the United States and the United Kingdom launch strikes at sites linked to Iran-backed Houthis, the Iranian navy has seized an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman.

The US, unsurprisingly, has condemned the seizure of the tanker and called for the immediate release of the ship and its crew.

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The latest incident raises concerns that Iran could threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, the worlds most important oil chokepoint, and add to tensions about freedom of navigation owing to the repeated Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea.

We take a closer look at Irans seizure of the tanker and the impact of such a move.

Irans seizes Greek tanker

On Thursday (11 January), Iran boarded and seized a Greek-operated oil tanker, the St. Nikolas, off the coast of Oman. The tanker was travelling through the Strait of Hormuz on its way to Turkey when the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported hearing unknown voices on board.

It was later confirmed by Iranian news agency IRNA that the navy had seized the ship.

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According to British maritime security company Ambrey, the incident took place at 3.30 am GMT when several armed men boarded the ship around 50 nautical miles east of Sohar in Oman, and then headed towards Bandar-e-Jask in Iran.

The company managing the tanker, Empire Navigation, later said that it was loaded with 145,000 tonnes of crude oil and had 18 Filipinos and one Greek citizen as crew. The vessel had loaded the previous days in Basra (in Iraq) a cargo of about 145,000 metric tonnes of crude oil destined for Aliaga (in Turkey), via the Suez Canal, Empire added. The cargo belonged to Tupras, a Turkish oil group.

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Retaliation for theft of Iranian oil

But why did Iran seize a Greek-operated tanker? Tehran has claimed that the action was retaliation for America stealing Iranian oil.

The ship, previously known as the Suez Rajan, was at the centre of a Tehran-Washington dispute. In September 2023, the United States had said that it had seized the Suez Rajan and its cargo of 980,000 barrels of crude oil.

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At the time, the US Department of Justice had said that the oil on board was allegedly being sold by Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to China. And then sold the oil at an auction and profits were earmarked as compensation for American victims of terrorism.

US condemns Iran

Washington has called out Iran for the wrongful seizure of the tanker and called for the release of its crew.

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On 11 January, the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (IRIN) unlawfully seized the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker St. Nikolas while the vessel was transiting the international waters of the Gulf of Oman en route to Aliaga, Turkey, the US Naval Forces Central Command said in a statement.

Irans actions are contrary to international law and threaten maritime security and stability, said Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, the commander of US Naval Forces Central Command and Commander US 5th Fleet.

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Tensions in the high seas

Conflict has flared up on the high seas in recent times; theres been a series of attacks in the Red Sea with Iran-backed Houthis targeting commercial vessels on the high-traffic trade route. The Houthis have said that they are carrying out their attacks in retaliation for Israels war in the Gaza Strip.

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According to a Financial Times report, Houthi rebels in Yemen have launched more than 25 attacks on commercial shipping in the southern Red Sea since November, prompting threats of a military response by western powers.

Seizing tankers is a go-to Iranian move to demonstrate their capabilities and to create problems, Tobias Borck, senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute think-tank in London, told the Financial Times. Iran is showing that [the Houthis> are part of a bigger [regional> problem. It adds another layer of complexity.

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Earlier on Wednesday, the Houthis fired their largest-ever barrage of drones and missiles targeting shipping in the Red Sea, resulting in the US and UK shooting down their projectiles. Fortunately there were no casualties.

The British firm Ambrey had said that the assault had taken place off the Yemeni port cities of Hodeida and Mokha. In the Hodeida attack, Ambrey said ships described over radio seeing missiles and drones, with US-allied warships in the area urging vessels to proceed at maximum speed.

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Off Mokha, ships saw missiles fired, a drone in the air and small vessels trailing them, Ambrey said early Wednesday.

And in reaction, the US and the UK carried out retaliatory strikes on Friday (12 January) on an airbase, airports and a military camp, linked to the Houthis. US president Joe Biden called the strikes a defensive action and said he will not hesitate to order further military action if needed.

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Today, at my direction, US military forces  together with the United Kingdom and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands  successfully conducted strikes against a number of targets in Yemen used by Houthi rebels to endanger freedom of navigation in one of the worlds most vital waterways, Biden said in a statement.

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He called the strikes a direct response to unprecedented attacks by the Houthis, including the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history. These attacks have endangered US personnel, civilian mariners, and our partners, jeopardised trade, and threatened freedom of navigation, he said.

UK prime minister Rishi Sunak also made a statement following the strike, calling them necessary and proportionate. Despite the repeated warnings from the international community, the Houthis have continued to carry out attacks in the Red Sea.

We have therefore taken limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence, alongside the United States to degrade Houthi military capabilities and protect global shipping, he said.

With inputs from agencies
The US and the UK have carried out airstrikes against targets controlled by the Houthis in Yemen. This was in response to attacks on ships in the Red Sea by the Iran-backed group. But will the rebels step back after Joe Bidens move?

The tensions in West Asia are escalating. The United States and its allies are now in the thick of things. The US and Britain launched airstrikes against sites in Yemen controlled by the Houthis. This is the first strike on the country since the Iran-backed militia started targeting international shipping in the Red Sea last year.

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There were several explosions throughout Yemen as multiple Houthi targets were hit. The response comes after the US and its allies warned the rebel group of the consequences if they did not stop the drone and missile attacks on commercial shipping.

US president Joe Biden said that the strikes against the Houthis were defensive. Today, at my direction, US military forcestogether with the United Kingdom and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlandssuccessfully conducted strikes against a number of targets in Yemen used by Houthi rebels to endanger freedom of navigation in one of the worlds most vital waterways, the president said in a statement released by the White House.

He also warned of further measures if the Iran-backed rebels keep attacking ships.

We take a look at why the Houthis started attacking ships in the Red Sea and what the response from the US and its allies means for the region where the Israel-Hamas war continues to rage on.

Why are Houthi rebels attacking ships in the Red Sea?

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The Houthis are an armed group from the Zaidis, a sub-sect of Yemens Shia Muslim minority. They now control most of Yemen. They consider Iran an ally and are suspected of receiving weapons from it Saudi Arabia is their common enemy.

The rebel group has been carrying out sporadic attacks on ships in the region over time but the strikes increased since the start of the Israel-Hamas war . The militant group declared their support for Hamas , saying that they would target any ship travelling to Israel. But few of their targets have had direct links to the Jewish nation.

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The attacks by the Houthi rebels further spiked after an explosion on 17 October at a Gaza hospital that killed and injured many. After the blast, an intense militant campaign started against US bases in Iraq and Syria and on several commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea.

The attacks have affected commercial ships and forced international shipping companies to divert their vessels around the Cape of Good Hope.

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The Houthis defied calls by the United Nations and other international groups to halt their missile and drone attacks on Red Sea shipping routes. Even warnings from the United States of consequences have been ignored.

The group has attacked 27 ships so far, disrupting international commerce on the key route between Europe and Asia that accounts for about 15 per cent of the worlds shipping traffic, reports Reuters.

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Why have the US, its allies launched strikes against Houthis?

While the US carried out airstrikes on Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria that have targeted American troops in 130 attacks since 17 October, until Thursday the military had not yet retaliated against the Houthis.

That reluctance reflects political sensitivities and stems largely from broader Biden administration concerns about upending the shaky truce in Yemen between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia and triggering a wider conflict in the region. The White House wants to preserve the truce and is wary of taking action that could open up another war front, reports AP.

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After previous warnings, the US and its allies struck against sites linked to the Houthi movement in Yemen.

A Houthi official confirmed raids in the capital Sanaa along with the cities of Saada and Dhamar as well as in the Hodeidah governorate, calling them American-Zionist-British aggression, reports Reuters.

An American official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the strikes were being carried out by aircraft, ship and submarine. The official said more than a dozen locations were targeted and the strikes were intended to weaken the Houthis military capabilities and were not just symbolic.

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Also read: How US and UK foiled largest Houthi attack in Red Sea

These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation, President Biden said in a statement.

The airstrikes were necessary and proportionate, UK prime minister Rishi Sunak said. Despite the repeated warnings from the international community, the Houthis have continued to carry out attacks in the Red Sea, Sunak said in a statement. We have therefore taken limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence, alongside the United States to degrade Houthi military capabilities and protect global shipping.

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Will the US, the UK strikes stop further Red Sea attacks?

Houthi forces launched retaliatory attacks on US and UK warships in the Red Sea after the assault by the US and its partners, a senior member of the group claimed early Friday, reports CNN.

The Houthi deputy foreign minister Hussein Al-Ezzi warned that the US and Britain would face severe repercussions for what he termed a blatant act of aggression. Our country was subjected to a massive aggressive attack by American and British ships, submarines, and warplanes, and America and Britain will undoubtedly have to prepare to pay a heavy price and bear all the dire consequences of this blatant aggression, he said.

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Could the strikes lead to a wider conflict in West Asia?

The strikes are an indication of growing international concern over the threat to one of the most critical water routes in the world.

The Red Sea is used to transport 15 per cent of the worlds shipping traffic and most of the worlds oil and gas comes from the region. The Houthi attacks have hit trade flow and if the crisis continues, the rise in the cost of oils and goods is likely to affect consumers .

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Also read: How Houthi attacks in the Red Sea could affect everyday life

The US and the allies hope that the overnight airstrikes will dissuade them from attacks on global shipping. But it seems unlikely.

The Houthis, armed, trained and provided with intelligence by Iran, have been sounding increasingly defiant. They have managed to successfully portray themselves as defenders of Hamas and the Palestinians and an adversary of Israel - something that plays well with popular Arab opinion, given the Israeli decimation of so much of Gaza. This is not a stance they will give up lightly, writes BBCs security correspondent Frank Gardner.

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Irans foreign ministry has condemned the strikes as a clear violation of Yemens sovereignty and territorial integrity" and a violation of international laws. The attacks will have no result other than fuelling insecurity and instability in the region, the ministrys spokesman Nasser Kanani said.

Saudi Arabia, a close US military partner which is in a truce with the Houthis following years of war, expressed deep concern over the security situation in the Red Sea and urged restraint, reports CNN.

The environment in West Asia is volatile. The retaliation to the strikes and a wider regional conflict is a real possibility.

With inputs from agencies
Justice Ijazul Ahsan, who was in line to take over as Pakistans chief justice, and Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi stepped down this week. Experts say power plays are occurring behind the scenes and that the countrys Supreme Court has been split into two camps since May 2019

Pakistans top court is in crisis.

Two Supreme Court judges including one who was in line to be Chief Justice of Pakistan resigned on Wednesday and Thursday.

The developments come in the backdrop of Pakistan preparing to hold its general elections in February.

But what happened? And what do we know about their resignations?

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Lets take a closer look:

What happened?

Justice Ijazul Ahsan, the second most senior judge on the Pakistan Supreme Court, stepped down on Thursday.

Ahsan was slated to be the next Chief Justice of the Pakistan Supreme Court.

As per The Print, Ahsan was to take over from Qazi Faez Isa who is set to retire in October.

Ahsan, in his resignation letter to President Arif Alvi, said he no longer wished to remain in his position.

Therefore, I, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, resign as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan in terms of Article 206(1) of the Constitution with immediate effect, Ahsan wrote.

He added that he had the honour and privilege of serving as a Judge of the Lahore High Court, the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court and a Judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

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Ahsans resignation came on the heels of top court judge Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi stepping down on Wednesday.

On Thursday, President Alvi accepted Justice Naqvis resignation.

According to The Tribune, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah will now take over as Pakistans chief justice.

What do we know about their resignations?

We dont know the reason behind the resignations. But speculation is rife.

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As per The Tribune, the Pakistani Supreme Court has been divided into two camps since a presidential reference was filed against Justice Qazi Faez Isa in May 2019.

Naqvi who was facing a Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) inquiry over allegations of misconduct and decided to step down.

As per Dawn, the Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a plea from Naqvi to halt proceedings.

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Naqvi is under the scanner for having wealth beyond his means.

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Interestingly, Justice Ahsan was also part of the five-member SJC but had refused to join other members of the council on 22 November, 2023, in the issuance of a fresh show-cause notice to Justice Naqvi.

As per Dawn, Ahsan on Tuesday said he was sorrowful about the hasty proceedings. He added that debate and discussion were non-existent during council proceedings.

Thus Nov 22, 2023 proceedings when the second show-cause notice was issued against Justice Naqvi were completely devoid of any discussion or deliberation whatsoever, Ahsan wrote.

Ahsan was also part of the five-member bench that had disqualified former premier Nawaz Sharif in the high-profile Panamagate case in 2017.

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He was appointed as the monitoring judge to supervise and monitor the implementation of the Panamagate case verdict that resulted in conviction of Sharif in two cases of corruption.

The development also comes in the aftermath of the apex court voiding the lifetime ban on Sharif, as per The Print.

As per The Tribune, Ahsan was close to three former Supreme Court Justices Saqib Nisar, Gulzar Ahmed, and Umar Ata Bandial.

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He is also considered by some to be a pro-PTI judge.

Ahsan was seemingly miffed at the workings of the apex court after retirement of Bandial.

He spoke against live streaming proceedings and wrote a dissent from the majority opinion on the adoption of the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act, 2023.

Ahsan also was against a committee formed to give advice with regard to changing the procedure to appoint higher court judges.

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The newspaper said a misconduct complaint against Ahsan was thought to be looming.

Ahsan also gave some controversial and high-profile verdicts.

Sad day for Supreme Court

Speaking to Dawn, lawyer Rida Hosain said Ahsan was part of the bench that struck down military trials of civilians as unconstitutional.

The decision was historic, brave, and a victory for fundamental rights, she said. She also pointed out that Ahsan was on the bench that ordered provincial polls to be held on time. In both cases, in the face of immense pressure, the Supreme Court including Justice Ahsan did its job.

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Differences with certain decisions of Justice Ahsan notwithstanding, today is a sad day for our Supreme Court, she said.

Abdul Moiz Jaferii, another lawyer, said while Naqvis resignation was expected Justice Ahsans was not.

He (Naqvi) had cut a deal with the last set of people who ran Pakistan and had benefitted both in terms of power and material. He added that the new big boys didnt like his past loyalties which he stuck to, so the charges magically appeared with evidence like they had against Justice Isa.

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Jaferii said Naqvi the charges against Naqvi are serious.

His audio leaks with political figures, him being talked about between Parvez Elahi and his lawyer were all clear signs of how people were out to get him.

Jaferii, speaking on Ahsans resignation, said there is much more here than met the eye.

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The simplest explanation is that Justice Ahsan couldnt handle the heat. There was something he was afraid would come up, which he had until now been able to manage because he had someone more senior than himself to hide behind.

The Tribune quoted advocate Faisal Siddiqi as saying a purge in the apex court is underway.

This is, in essence, PCO [Provisional Constitutional Order> by other means. The ultimate objective is to silence dissenting judicial voices. Have no doubt, no judge is safe now, Siddiqi added.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz information secretary Marriyum Aurangzeb questioned the resignation of Justices Ahsan and Naqvi.

Do they believe that resigning from the highest court will absolve them of injustices done by them? Aurangzeb said.

He alleged that the two judges had done injustice to the people of the country and pointed out that if an elected prime minister could undergo scrutiny, it was only fair for any individual, including a Supreme Court judge, to face accountability.

With inputs from agencies
Mamata Banerjee on Thursday slammed the central government for not paying heed to the long-standing demand for renaming West Bengal to Bangla. She said West Bengal officials have to wait until the end of meetings with representatives of other states due to roll call going alphabetically

Mamata Banerjee is yet again pushing for West Bengal to be renamed Bangla.

Banerjee on Thursday in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed the central government for not paying heed to the long-standing demand for renaming West Bengal to Bangla.

She also asked him to order the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to make Bengali accepted as a classical language at the earliest.

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But what reasons did Mamata give for renaming the state? And why did she cite alphabetical order?

Lets take a closer look:

Mamata, speaking at a press conference, said, We had passed it (proposal of changing the states name to Bangla) twice in the Assembly and clarified all their confusions. But yet we were not given the name. If Bombay can be Mumbai, Orissa can be Odisha, why are we not allowed the new name? Bengals importance is being reduced.

She added that officials from her state have to wait until the end of meetings with representatives of other states to speak as the roll call goes alphabetically.

Mamata also claimed it would help children from her state when they go for competitions, as per News18.

If our states name is changed to Bangla, our children who participate in various competitions and go for studies will get priority. In every meeting, we are forced to wait till the end. W, X, Y, Z. The importance of Bangla has been reduced, Mamata said.

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She added that the word West was unneeded when it comes to Bengal.

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We dont think there is no need to divide when the name of the state is Bangla. Pakistan has a province named Punjab. India too has a state named Punjab. If Bangladesh can stay Bangladesh internationally, why cant West Bengal be changed to Bangla, she added.

Banerjee in September 2023 had taken aim at the Centre over the issue.

She said the the renaming would take place when the BJP is ousted from power.

We wanted our state to be named Bangla instead of West Bengal. When there can be two Punjabs, why not two Bangla? Today, you are in power; you didnt do it. But when you are overthrown, we will rename the state, she said.

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A piece in The Print noted that the first name change was proposed by the erstwhile Left Front government in 1999.

But opinions were divided on whether it should be named Paschim Bangla, or Bangla. The state governments demand was never followed up with any seriousness, the piece noted.

As per News18, the TMC government in 2011 asked the Centre to change West Bengas name to Paschim Banga or Paschim Bango.

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However, the Centre rejected this proposition.

But the TMC didnt give up.

It continued to push for the name change and even passed resolutions proposing the name be changed to Bongo and Bangla.

The Print piece noted the flaw in Mamatas argument is obvious as the two states just above West Bengal, Uttarakhand and UP, have never brought up the issue.

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Congress leader Professor Om Prakash Mishra told Outlook, This is an exercise in relative futility. The argument that because the name comes at the bottom of the list so the funds get distributed defies logic because there are allocations for particular states. However since the house has passed the proposal, having debated the issue, it cannot be negated.

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Mamata pushes for Gangasagar Mela as national fair

The chief minister has also asked Modi to designate the Gangasagar Mela a national fair.

The state has reportedly spent Rs 250 crore on the fair this year and anticipates more than 10 million people to attend.

We have sent letters about Gangasagar Mela earlier and we are sending a letter today as well. We have spent 250 crores this time as well. We are happy that Kumbha Mela has got national fair acknowledgement. Kumbha Mela is not held every year, but Ganga Sagar is held every year, Mamata was quoted as saying by NDTV.

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She compared the Gangasagar Mela to the Kumbh Mela.

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Ganga Sagar is located at an island in Sundarban. Every year more than one crore people have to cross the waters to reach Ganga Sagar. How are we behind?If they can get this achnowlegement, why will Bangla be deprived of having Ganga Sagar Mela acknowledged as a national fair?

Last year around 80 lakh people came for the Mela. This year, as there is no Kumbha Mela this time, more than one crore people might be coming, she said.

The Gangasagar Mela is celebrated every year on Makar Sankranti while a Mela of this magnitude such as Kumbh Mela is held at one location every 12 years and otherwise every four years The Gangsagar Mela has served as a milestone of faith to followers of Hinduism. The event has deep mythological and astrological significances, with the Mela itself together with Kapil Muni and the Sagar Island having been mentioned in the ancient Indian epics such as the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and Kalidasas Raghuvamsham, Banerjee wrote as per Indian Express.

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Hence, considering the uniqueness, significance, magnitude and spiritual depth associated with the Gangasagar Mela, I would earnestly appeal to you to kindly consider to declare Gangasagar Mela a National Fair and to kindly take some time out of your busy schedule to make a visit to Gangasagar Mela, she added.

Mamata previously demanded the designation for the Gangasagar Mela in 2021, as per NDTV.

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Classify Bengali as classical language

Mamata in her letter said Bengali is the second most spoken language in India and the 7th most spoken language in the world.

She wrote there are already six officially recognised classical languages  Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia.

Banerjee attached the summary of a scholarly work undertaken by the state government, which dated the origin of the Bengali language to the 3rd or 4th Century BCE.

This will very briefly state the substance of our contention and submit how Bengali eminently qualifies to be classified as a Classical Language by the Ministry of Home Affairs, she wrote to the Prime Minister.

I take this opportunity to present before you a summary of a scholarly work undertaken by us in four volumes, which dates the origin of Bangla/Bengali language to the 3rd-4th BCE. In sum, the research shows that our language is a classical language with roots in antiquity, and we seek its recognition as such, she wrote as per Indian Express.

Apart from being the national language of Bangladesh, Bengali is an official language of West Bengal, she said adding that it is the second most spoken language in India as well as the 7th most spoken language in the world.

Bengalis have a rich heritage and culture dating back to prehistoric times, she said.

The chief minister also referred to the languages rich historical evolution encompassing both oral and written traditions.

She also cited the evidence - from archaeological findings, inscriptions, references in ancient Sanskrit and Pali texts, and a substantial body of pre-seventh-century Bengali literature underpins its classical heritage.

I would be grateful if you kindly issue necessary instructions to the MHA so that the claim of Bengali language as a classical language is accepted at the earliest, she concluded.

Later speaking to reporters, Banerjee, blamed the the erstwhile Left Front government, without naming it, for not taking up the matter of the Bengali language with the Centre.

We should have got it long back, but its because of our idiocy, we did not get it. Because those who were here (in power in Bengal) before us never thought in this manner. They were more interested in doing politics," she said.

Banerjee said that she was also sending four volumes of the research works to the MHA.

We have constituted teams of officials and scholars to carry out this research. Bengali could have got the classical status long back. It has a history of 2,500 years. Once granted the status, it will make Bengali one of the worlds most important languages, she stressed.

With inputs from agencies
The debris of IAF An-32 was searched by an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) designed for deep-sea exploration

The debris of the Indian Air Forces An-32 aircraft that went missing over the Bay of Bengal on 22 July, 2016 was discovered 310 kilometres off the Chennai coast.

The Ministry of Defence, Friday said, the debris of IAF An-32 was searched by an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) designed for deep-sea exploration.

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The National Institute of Ocean Technology which functions under the aegis of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, had recently deployed an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) with deep sea exploration capability at the last known location of the missing An-32. This search was conducted at a depth of 3400 m using multiple payloads, including a multi-beam SONAR (Sound Navigation and Ranging), synthetic aperture SONAR and high resolution photography, the Defence Ministry said.

Analysis of search images had indicated the presence of debris of a crashed aircraft on the sea bed approximately, 140 nautical miles (approx. 310 Km) from the Chennai coast, it further said.

The search images were scrutinised and found to be conforming with an An-32 aircraft, the ministry said, adding that the discovery at the probable crash site, with no other recorded history of any other missing aircraft report in the same area, points to the debris as possibly belonging to the crashed IAF An-32 (K-2743).

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Story of missing IAF An-32 over Bay of Bengal

In July 2016, An-32 with 29 onboard went missing over the Bay of Bengal. That plane was never found and all in the aircraft were presumed dead in the September of the same year.

The plane took off from Chennai around 8 am on 22 July and was supposed to land at INS Utkrosh, an Indian naval air station, in Port Blair, but minutes after the takeoff, the aircraft lost all contact and disappeared off radars while it was over the Bay of Bengal.

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The disappearance of the aircraft promoted the armed forces to launch what later became Indias largest search and rescue mission. At one stage, there were 28 ships and a submarine deployed in the hunt for the missing plane.

The aircraft was a twin-engine turboprop, medium tactical transport aircraft of Russian origin with a crew of five and capacity to carry 39 paratroopers or max load of 6.7 tonnes. It had a maximum cruise speed of 530 km/hr.

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The An-32, also known as the Sutlej in the IAF, was reportedly the workhorse of the transport fleet that travels far off bases such as Leh, to deliver much-needed supplies to the army outposts in the area.
The Akash weapon system is also one of the indigenous defence systems that have bagged orders from international customers. It is also being constantly upgraded by the DRDO scientists involved in it and they may get more orders from Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a successful flight test of the New Generation AKASH (AKASH-NG) missile. The test, carried out at 10:30 AM from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha, targeted a high-speed unmanned aerial target at a very low altitude.

According to the Ministry of Defence, during the flight test, the target was successfully intercepted by the weapon system and destroyed. It has validated the functioning of the complete weapon system consisting of the missile with an indigenously developed radio frequency seeker, launcher, multi-function radar and command, control and communication system, it said.

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The systems performance was also validated through the data captured by several radars, telemetry and electro-optical tracking systems deployed by ITR, Chandipur.

The flight test was witnessed by senior officials from DRDO, the Indian Air Force (IAF), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). The AKASH-NG system is a state-of-the-art missile system capable of intercepting high-speed, agile aerial threats. The successful flight test has paved the way for User trials.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has complimented the DRDO, IAF, PSUs and industry for the flight test.The successful development of the system will further enhance the air defence capabilities of the country, he said.

The Akash missile is a Defence Research and Development Organization-developed system and has been in service for over a decade now, with multiple advanced versions of the missile under development by the Akash Team. There are also countries in the Middle East that have shown interest in the capabilities of the Akash weapon system and its recent capability demonstrations in trials.

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The Akash Weapon System is indigenously designed and developed by the DRDO and produced by defence public sector units along with other industries.

Akash has been deployed by the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army for the last decade. The current firing was done from the system, which was ordered in September 2019 as a repeat order from the IAF.

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The Akash weapon system is also one of the indigenous defence systems that have bagged orders from international customers. It is also being constantly upgraded by the DRDO scientists involved in it and they may get more orders from Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

With inputs from ANI.
If a train ticket to a destination costs Rs 100, Indian Railway is charging only Rs 45. It is giving Rs 55 concession, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said

The Indian Railways is already offering 55 per cent concession on train fares to every train passengers, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said.

The minister remarks were made amid demands to restore pre-COVID-19 train fare concessions for senior citizens and media persons.

The Indian Railway is already offering 55 per cent concession on train fares to every train passenger, Vaishnaw said, without giving any direct reply on the restoration of concessions.

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He further said, If a train ticket to a destination costs Rs 100, Railway is charging only Rs 45. It is giving Rs 55 concession.

The questions were asked by the minister when he was in Ahmedabad to review the progress of the ongoing bullet train project among other things.

Train fare concessions

Before COVID-19 induced lockdown were imposed in March 2020, the Indian Railways offered 50 per cent concession on train fares to senior citizens and government-accredited journalists.

Train services across India were completely shut down during the COVID-19 lockdown. However, when it resumed full-fledged in June 2022, the Railway Ministry didnt restore these concessions and since then the issue has been raised on various platforms, including in both the houses of parliament.

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Vaishnaw maintained a similar stand in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on various occasions when questioned by many fellow parliamentarians.

Earlier, responding to an RTI application filed by Madhya Pradesh-based Chandra Shekhar Gaur, the Indian Railways said it earned about Rs 2,242 crore from approximately 15 crore senior citizens in the financial year 2022-23.

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With inputs from PTI
Foreigners cannot claim right to reside and settle in India, observed the Delhi High Court, saying their fundamental rights are limited to protection of life and liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

We may also note that foreign national cannot claim that he has the right to reside and settle in India in terms of Article 19 (1) (e) of the Constitution of India, said a division bench of Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Manoj Jain.

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Fundamental right of any such foreigner or suspected foreigner is limited to the one declared under Article 21 of Constitution of India, that is, fundamental right of life and liberty and there is nothing which may suggest that his liberty has been curtailed in an illegal or unlawful manner, the court said.

With this observation, the Delhi High Court dismissed a habeas corpus plea claiming that a Bangladeshi national, named Azal Chakma, was illegal and without authority in India. The petition was moved by the mans uncle.

In the plea, it was alleged that Chakma is Indian citizenship by birth and had his initial education in Gomati in Tripura and later in Shillong, Meghalaya.

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For the unversed, a habeas corpus petition is filed seeking direction to produce a person who is missing or has been illegally detained.

Chakma was apprehended at the Delhis Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in October 2022 during immigration clearance when he was attempting to depart for Dhaka (Bangladeshs capital) using a fraudulently obtained Indian passport.

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It was being alleged that Chakma entered India illegally through porous border and managed to obtain Indian documents in fraudulent and dishonest manner.

However, the authorities claimed after scrutiny it transpired that Chakma had been visiting India till 2016 on the basis of multiple Indian visas on a passport issued to him by Bangladesh.

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They also claimed he had left India on a Bangladeshi passport in June 2016 and it was not known how he subsequently sneaked into India.

Chakmas passport was revoked by the Indian authorities in June 2023.

The Delhi court said, as per Chakmas own admission before the Bangladeshi authorities, when he had applied for visa for India in 2010-2011, he claimed to be a Bangladeshi national by birth.

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The judicial body further said no plausible response was given regarding the said documents and the passport issued to Chakma by the Bangladeshi authorities and that how and when he entered India after he had gone to Dhaka on the basis of Bangladeshi passport.

It further said Chakma himself is to be blamed for his miseries as he has failed to explain as to how he came to India when he had left the country on a Bangladeshi passport.

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It is not a case of preventive detention. His movements have been restricted in accordance with law so that he can be deported back, the court said.

Chakmas movements were restricted under the provisions of the Foreigners Act and the High Commission of Bangladesh has already issued travel documents for his repatriation. He will be deported as soon as the authorities get a confirmed air ticket for him from the Embassy of Bangladesh, the court was informed.

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With inputs from agencies
In the last 24 hours, India recorded 609 new cases of COVID-19. According to the latest report by the Union health ministry, the country now has 3,368 active coronavirus cases

As many as 971 cases of COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1 have been reported in 16 states of India till 11 January.

Madhya Pradesh, on Thursday, reported first case of JN.1. A 33-year-old woman from Indore, who was tested positive with the COVID-19 sub-variant on 12 December after returning from Maldives, is said to be cured now and is in home isolation.

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Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) nodal officer Amit Malakar said the patient had mild symptoms, and one of her family members also tested positive. Her sample was sent for genome sequencing to AIIMS-Bhopal.

We have received the report of only one sample, Malakar added.

According to data compiled by Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) Karnataka has reported maximum number of JN.1 cases, followed by Maharashtra, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Goa.

Cases of JN.1 COVID-19 sub-variant have also been reported from Telangana, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Haryana, Odisha, West Bengal and Uttarakhand.

India COVID-19 update

According to a report by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), on Friday morning, India recorded 609 new cases of COVID-19 in a 24-hour period.

There are now 3,368 active COVID-19 cases in India.

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The virus has claimed lives of six more people in a span of 24 hours, three from West Bengal, two from Kerala, and one from Karnataka. The countrys death toll due to COVID-19 has now increased to 5,33,412.

With inputs from agencies
The Congress, by boycotting the Ram Mandir ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22, has squandered a great opportunity to align itself with Indias civilisational core, thus setting the course for its further marginalisation

The Congress leadership will boycott the Ram Mandirs Pran Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22. The Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust had invited Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury for the event. The party leadership, after deliberating over the issue for over a week, has finally decided to officially give it a miss.

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The Congress leadership believes that while religion is a personal matter, the January 22 ceremony is a BJP-RSS event.

Interestingly, when one looks at the Congress history, its stand on matters of religion has largely been opportunistic, if not dubious. From overturning the Supreme Courts Shah Bano judgement to providing Haj subsidy, disbursing monthly salaries to Muslim clerics, and legitimising the Islamist endeavour to turn the entire country into a Waqf land through the Waqf Act of 1995, the party has often been seen to be hand in glove with fundamentalist elements.

The grand old partys role in controlling and misappropriating Hindu temples in the name of their management too calls its secular bluff. Though other political parties have hardly fared any better on the issue, the role of Congress, being in power for the longest time, gets magnified the most. If Anand Ranganathans book Hindus in Hindu Rashtra is to be believed, Governments of just 10 states control more than 1,10,000 temples. Of these, the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government, of which the Congress is an alliance partner in the state, alone controls 36,425 temples and 56 mutts. For Karnataka, a state again run by the Congress, the figure is 34,563!

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So much for the Congress religion is personal remark!

One could still have forgiven the party for its endeavour to take away temple freedom, had it helped the cause of the nation. According to TR Ramesh, who has been fighting for temple liberation in Tamil Nadu for decades now, the Tamil Nadu government, which should be earning a minimum of Rs 6,000 crore per annum from the 2.44 crore square feet of temple land it controls, earns a mere Rs 58 crore. This is not even 1 per cent of the income it should be earning from the acquired temple land in Tamil Nadu!

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As for the January 22 ceremony being a BJP-RSS event, it is far from true. The Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which is organising the Pran Pratishtha event, was set up by the Union government on the orders of the Supreme Court. The grand temple is also being constructed on donations from Hindus, and not public funds.

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This brings us to the larger question: Why is the Congress leadership uncomfortable with the idea of visiting the Ram temple in Ayodhya? Here, it needs to be reiterated that its not the party per se but its dynastic leadership, the Gandhi-Nehru to be precise, that has been uncomfortable with the Ram Mandir. Today, when Sonia Gandhi and her son, Rahul, showcase their distrust for the Ram temple, they simply betray the Nehruvian misgivings about temples in general, and the Ram temple in particular.

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On December 26, 1949, three days after when an idol of Ram Lalla had mysteriously appeared at the then disputed Ramjanmabhoomi site, Nehru sent a telegram to then chief minister GB Pant, saying he was disturbed at developments at Ayodhya. He also sent a letter a few months later, accusing the District Officer in Fyzabad of taking no steps to prevent this happening.

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However, it is the Somnath saga that truly exposes the anti-temple Nehruvian mindset. Its well-known how Nehru had accused KM Munshi of stocking Hindu revivalism when the latter pushed for the reconstruction-cum-renovation of the Somnath temple. What is not quite known is that the idea to reconstruct the Somnath temple had the Cabinet approval; Nehru, in fact, had presided over the cabinet meeting in which this decision was taken. He, however, took a U-turn after the death of Sardar Patel on 15 December 1950. Mahatma Gandhi, the other votary of Somnath temple, was already dead by then.

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After Patels death, Nehru became increasingly hostile not just to the temple project, but also to cabinet colleagues, especially Munshi and VN Gadgil, who were associated with the Somnath temple project. It was at that moment that Nehru wrote the Hindu revivalism letter to munshi, saying: I dont like your trying to restore Somnath. It is Hindu revivalism.

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To this Munshi replied, on April 24, 1951, strongly rebutting Nehrus claims. The letter, which is now available in Munshis book Pilgrimage to Freedom, reads thus:

On 13 December 1947, the Standing Committee of the W.M.P. Ministry accepted (VN) Gadgils proposal that the Government of India should reconstruct the temple in the original form and develop roughly one square mile of the surrounding area At the time, the decision of the Government was that the W.M.P. Ministry should reconstruct the old shrines and they were doing so in the case of certain Muslim shrines and mosques.

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The Government of India, thereafter, deputed Government architects to visit Prabhas and prepare a report for the reconstruction of the temple.

When the whole scheme was discussed by Sardar with Bapu, he stated that it was alright except that the funds necessary for re-constructing the temple should come from the public. Gadgil also saw Bapu and Bapu gave him the same advice. Thereafter, the idea that the Government of India should finance the reconstruction of the temple was given up

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As you will see, the Government of India not only took the initial decision to reconstruct the temple, but formulated and set the scheme going; alongside creating the agency for its further implementation. This will clearly indicate to you the extent of association the Government of India has with the scheme

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Yesterday, you referred to Hindu revivalism. It is my faith in our past which has given me the strength to work in the present and look forward to our future.

The Congress distrust for temples, especially the Ram Mandir, is thus age-old but one confined largely to the Gandhi-Nehru family. The Congress, in that way, seems to be a victim of its own dynastism which has pushed it to take an anti-temple posturing even when most of its members have largely been sympathetic to the issue. It happened in the 1950s when soon after Patels death the Congress was totally hijacked by Nehru and his acolytes. Its happening today as well, seven decades down the line, when the mother-son duo of the family decides to push the party to extreme left, reportedly on the advice of a communist leader whose name invokes both Ram and Sita.

Be that as it may, the decision to boycott the Ram Mandir ceremony on January 22 will count among the most indiscreet and ill-advised decisions of the Congress leadership in recent times. It was a great chance for the party to do away with its anti-Hindu image. Ram is the sublime manifestation of the idea of civilisational Bharat. The Congress, by refusing to resort to course correction, has squandered a great opportunity to align itself with this countrys civilisational core, thus setting the course for its further marginalisation  politically and otherwise.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost_s views._

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As the richer and more influential part of the Islamic world reforms, the excitable hinterland of relatively newer converts is bound to follow

Samuel Huntingtons prophecy of a clash of civilisations is playing out in strange ways. In the Islamic world, we now have a clash within a civilisation.

The Arab world, where the source code of Islam was written, is in the crosscurrents of change, brought about by technology and shifting economic realities. Saudi Arabia under Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and the United Arab Emirates led by Mohammed bin Zayed (MBZ)  aged 38 and 62 respectively  are leading the transformation.

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The Persian world led by Iran, which is also the main seat of Shia Islam, has seen bloody convulsions of a revolution against orthodoxy led by its brave and angry scarf-flinging women. It all started there with the killing of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini by the Ayatollah regimes morality police for not wearing hijab.

Increasingly, several regressive and violent tenets and practices of Islam have been unable to withstand the sharp light of technology, especially the internet. Millions of Muslim youth have been disillusioned the world over by the incompatibility of the teachings of the Quran or the Hadiths with modern concepts like gender equality, sexual choice, accepting differences of opinion, reforms in punishment, food without cruelty and environmentalism. Their faith has failed to offer them any new ideas, innovations, or solutions which do not involve violence.

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Coupled with it looms the inevitability of the end of oil on the global economic horizon. Big Arab states like Saudi, UAE, Kuwait and Oman have been smart to preempt it and open up culturally, start freeing its societies from orthodoxy, and invite the world to come and do business. MBS dreams of making the Arab world the new Europe in a couple of decades.

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But these startling and overdue reforms in the Islamic world have ironically started facing a bitter challenge from the places where Arabs and Persians had spread the faith chiefly by the sword. These are Islams poorer catchment areas like the Indian subcontinent or sub-Saharan Africa and their diaspora, where the faithful are keen to prove they are more Muslim than the Arabs.

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Two recent events have brought Islams internal conflict out in the open, especially on social media.

First is the Gaza war. While the rest of the Muslim world promptly sported the Palestinian flag on their Twitter or Instagram profiles and got on to fierce keyboard activism against Israel and trying to whitewash Hamass barbaric crimes, the entire Arab world including Egypt and Jordan refused to accept even a single Palestinian refugee trying to flee the conflict. The Arabs are pragmatic. They realise that the Palestinians who voted in a terror organisation like Hamas in Gaza could be bad news if allowed inside their homes. They have even secretly or tacitly approved Israels pounding of Hamas targets in Gaza and the West Bank.

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While making perfunctory noises in the UN or the International Court of Justice, Saudi wants to sign the Abraham Accords with Israel, a treaty which promises lasting peace and prosperity in the Middle East.

This pragmatism of the Arabs has been met with intransigence and rage from their country cousins in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and elsewhere. Pro-Palestinian Muslim social media handles have seethed over the aloofness of the Gulf states.

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The second instance was the visit by Indian Union minister Smriti Irani to the Islamic holy city of Medina. She met the local priests and politicians modestly dressed in an Indian sari, but refused to cover her head or wear an abaya. The Saudis were cool about it.

But the Muslim internet erupted with anger. How could she be allowed in one of Islams holiest sites? Why did she not cover her head?

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What is a Hindu politician from India doing in Medina? Let alone a BJP politician which is known for promoting Hindutva ideology?



The Prophet  explicitly forbade the presence of idol worshippers in the Hejaz region.



The Two Holy Cities are for Muslims alone. No one else. https://t.co/DPWBYNnEhu  OJ Smoke (@OJ_Smoke_) January 8, 2024

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Saudi Twitter reacted with casual disdain. Several accounts snubbed the overzealous and advised them not to stretch and meddle with their national affairs. They showed the neo-converts their place. (Interestingly, Muslim men from the Indian subcontinent who had gone to Syria and Iraq to fight for ISIS came back and complained that their Arab masters only used them for menial work like cooking, washing utensils or cleaning toilets.)

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Some Indians, Pakistanis, Turks and other nationalities think that we are infidels and they are the real Muslims! We, the Arabs, taught them Islam, opened their countries, brought them Islam, and brought them out of darkness into the light, thanks to Allah! Just imagine that you https://t.co/XctKhntewY  Sara (@s95_na) January 11, 2024

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These cultural clashes point to a possible inflection point in Islam. It could finally be reforming. Saudi Arabia has ordered the compilation of one Hadith from the many additions made long after their Prophet Mohammeds death, weeding out violent and problematic references which extremists gratuitously use.

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Indonesias biggest Muslim organisation Nahdlatul Ulama has called for a ban on the word kafir or infidel to describe non-Muslims.

Egypt has banned face veil or niqab in schools.

A massive Hindu temple of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) will be inaugurated next month in UAEs Abu Dhabi, the city that also hosts the countrys largest masjid, the Grand Mosque.

These developments were once unthinkable. To think that these would pass without outrage is foolish.

But as the richer and more influential part of the Islamic world reforms, the excitable hinterland of relatively newer converts is bound to follow.

The author is contributing editor, Firstpost. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

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Recently, an international NGO focused on safeguarding the right to freedom of information released its Freedom of Press Index. As per the report China is the largest prison for journalists in the world, with about 121 journalists facing detention in China as of 2023. Media freedom in China, moreover, comes under the category of very serious situation, standing at 179th position out of 180 countries, according to 2023 index. The communist country, known for its autocratic system of rule, controls (and funds) most of its media, which functions as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)s mouthpiece and spreads propaganda to ensure the pro-government narrative is inculcated among Chinese citizens. Needless to say, media is under strict state surveillance and censorship, whereby journalists found to report on information deemed by the CCP to be sensitive face censorship, harassment, coercion and intimidation.

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The level of media scrutiny and repression has intensified with Xi Jinping assuming leadership in 2012, paving the way to a culture of fear whereby free access to information is prohibited and reporting of information critical of Beijings narrative is considered as a crime. For journalists to have their press card renewed, they are required to download  Study Xi, Strengthen the Country _, a propaganda application that also collects users personal data._ With the heightened prioritising of national security, attack on journalists, of both national and international media outlets witnessed since 2012, are justified by Beijings authorities. These journalists, before being formally arrested, face prolonged detention whereby they face torture such as solitary confinement. Journalists reporting on sensitive issues, or journalists belonging to minority groups such as Uyghurs , are subjected to imprisonment and harsher punishments on charges of espionage, subversion, provoking trouble and threatening national security.

Hong Kong, a former British colony, used to be the hub of vibrant and independent journalism for both national and international media outlets until its handover to China in 1997. Since then, most media outlets came under Chinese government control that has only tightened its grip over the years. Media in Hong Kong gradually became part of two different groupspro-establishment/ pro-China and pro-democracy/ independent with international media outlets majorly falling in the latter category. An extradition bill imposed on Hong Kong by the Chinese government sparked major protests (known as democracy protests) in the region in June 2019 which eventually took the shape of violent unrest.

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The bill believed to risk Hong Kongs residents, particularly journalists, activists lawyers and human rights defenders, exposure to justice system of mainland China, was later withdrawn in the face of protests. However, just a few months after the protests started, Beijing imposed a new draconian National Security Law (NSL) that came into effect in Hong Kong in June 2020 deemed as necessary to secure the long-term stability and prosperity of Hong Kong, essentially eradicating Hong Kongs semi-autonomy as a region. Since the imposition of NSL, Hong Kongs only public broadcaster Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK ), founded in 1928 and known for its fearless investigation and editorial independence, was placed under pro-Chinese government management leading to senior staff quitting and sacking a renowned journalist who criticized CCP policies. RTHK now censors any programmes that is critical of China. The law, applicable to both permanent as well as non-permanent Hong Kong residents and even those outside the region, is said to target activities deemed criminal such as subversion, secession, collusion with foreign forces and with severe penalties such as life imprisonment. Like many Chinese legislations, the devil is in its ambiguous framing as to what constitutes violation of the law, a perfect tool to implement state hegemony over dissidents.

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One of the main targets of Chinas attempt at aggressive control over Hong Kong is the regions journalists and media, that has seen a drastic shift since the 2019 protests. A look at Reporters Without Borders reports on Hong Kongs Freedom of Press Index since the 2019 protests reveals shocking data of its steep decline under CCP regime.

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It would be wrong to assume that this is a recent phenomenon. Hong Kongs press freedom decline coupled with the targeting of journalists by Chinese authorities has been ongoing since its taking over of the region in 1997. The Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA), in its annual reports, has been vocal about Hong Kongs traditional media under rising censorship (and self-censorship), control and pressure to comply with Beijing and pro-Chinese factions, and the simultaneous attacks on journalists since 2014 , noting that Hong Kongs Freedom of Press has been in free fall since 1997. The 2019 protests, however, witnessed the violence against journalists in Hong Kong turning into a systemic attempt to discourage reporting on the protests. The arrest of journalist Choy Yuk-ling for reporting on alleged police misconduct in the 2019 protest or journalist Tang Cheuk-yus arrest and being sentenced to 15 months of imprisonment under charge of possession of offensive weapons while covering news of one of the protests, are among the many cases of deliberate attempt at media suppression to discourage journalists from reporting on protests.

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The situation took a turn for the worse in 2021 when Hong Kongs two major independent (and pro-democracy) news outlets, Apple Daily and Stand News, were forced to shut down and cease its operations, followed by police raids at their offices, seizure of assets and arrests of some of their journalists, a major assault on the regions media freedom. Patrick Lam, Stand News chief editor and Jimmy Lai, founder of Apple Daily, among other staff, were also arrested under colonial-era sedition and endangering national security charges, while the raids and asset seize were carried out under the new National Security Law. Even more local independent media outlets such as Citizens News and Mad Dog Daily took the decision to close down facing a deteriorating environment of media freedom in the region that has increased safety concerns for journalists and reporters. This year also saw a new wave of attacks on journalists via arrests and prolonged detention under the new national security crimes.

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It is because of Beijing-backed systemic targeting of media outlets and journalists that a recent study revealed the growing exodus of journalists from Hong Kong or those associated with Hong Kong media. Over 1,000 journalists are reported to have lost their jobs as a result of the media crackdown. It is now recognised worldwide that China has violated international norms in its dealing with Hong Kong, and further resorted to repressive measures to withhold right to information worldwide and media freedom needed for effective journalism, completely turning Hong Kongs once vibrant media environment into a degrading state of journalism that is supposed to only follow and report Beijings narrative. According to a survey by Hong Kongs Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC) in 2021, 84 per cent said that the situation of general working environment for journalists had deteriorated since the introduction of the National Security Law. Systemically, and forcefully, Beijing is wholeheartedly attempting to implement its one China policy by extending its ruthless justice system to Hong Kong, through its onslaught on journalists and media outlets. With Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lais trail ongoing, the whole world is watching the fate of journalism (and democracy) in Hong Kong.

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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._

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No one wants to be the bad cop against the Houthis. They fear it will be seen as anti-Palestine

The Red Sea, or, one should say, the Houthi backwaters, has been the surprise package of Israels war. Iran is not doing anything. Hezbollah is not retaliating, but Yemens Houthis are doing a lot. These are ragtag militants fighting a civil war. But how are they holding global trade hostage? It is because the world is divided. While most countries agree the attacks should stop, they wont say it out loud.

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The UN Security Council passed a new resolution on Wednesday, which demanded an immediate end to Houthi attacks. As many as 11 members backed the resolution, and the remaining four  Russia, China, Algeria and Mozambique  abstained.

I would like to once again underscore that this resolution cannot be seen as legitimising the actions in the Red Sea of the so-called coalition made up of the US and its allies, said Vasily Nebenzya, Russian Federations permanent representative to the UN.

The draft resolution remains ambiguous on several key issues, which makes us worry that it might not be able to achieve the intended effect or even lead to negative consequences, said Zhang Jun, Chinas permanent representative to the UN.

Here is the problem: They wont send warships, nor would they condemn Houthis or back a resolution, but they wont veto it either.

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It means no one wants to be the bad cop against the Houthis. They fear it will be seen as anti-Palestine because the Houthis claim to be fighting for Palestine. Its not just Russia and China; Arab countries are also guilty here, especially Jordan and Egypt.

Egypt earns around nine billion dollars annually from the Suez Canal. It is a mainstay of their economy. If ships dont use the Red Sea, Egypt will lose that money.

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Same with Jordan, the Red Sea is vital for their trade; it carries 33 percent of their imports and 54 percent of their exports.

Yet both countries are silent; they would much rather suffer losses than speak out, so the Houthis simply carry on. Even the military muscle hasnt scared them. India leads the list; the navy has deployed 10 warships in the Red Sea plus the Arabian Sea region.

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The US has deployed three; the UK has also deployed three; Sri Lanka is planning to send one; France, Italy, and Spain have one each; and Pakistan has two or three. Put together, around 23 warships are in the region.

But the Houthis dont care. On Tuesday, they took things up a notch; some 21 drones were fired at vessels in the Red Sea. It was the largest Houthi attack yet. Thankfully, none of them hit their target. They were shot down by US and UK warships.

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But you cant shoot down every drone, nor can you escort every ship, so what more can these countries do? Well, some experts say, hit back. Dont just defend ships, but go on the offensive. Both the US and the UK have now hinted at that.

Weve warned them. We put ships in the Red Sea. Theyve got a choice to make. And the right choice is to stop these attacks. And as I said again, Ill say three times now, theyll bear the consequences for failure to do so, said National Security Spokesperson John Kirby.

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So we call on Tehran, but also directly on the Houthis; this absolutely must stop. There will be consequences if it doesnt. And they have, Im afraid, failed to heed the warnings issued on the 3rd of January, said British Defence Minister Grant Shapps.

But threats alone may not work. Minor reprisals wont deter the Houthis; we have already seen that. Last month, the UK sank three Houthi boats; they also killed 10 of their fighters. But days later, the Houthis were back. So small responses wont work, and for big responses, there is no appetite. If you launch a major attack on the Houthis, it could trigger a wider war, and Hezbollah or Iran may join in. So, maybe good old diplomacy is the solution.

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Iran has close ties with the Houthi rebels. Most of their weapons come from Iran, including some of the drones they are firing into the Red Sea. So why not pressure Tehran to rein them in? Its the logical solution, but for that, we need to be on the same page.

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You cant be half-hearted like China, Russia and the Arab World. You must admit, it is a global problem. Some 12 percent of global trade passes via the Red Sea. So it is not a regional issue but a global one.

The author is an academic and policy professional based out of offices in Haryana and Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost_s views._

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Maldives is already sinking under Chinese debt. Male owes China more than 1.3 billion dollars, and that is 20 percent of its total debt

China is now hosting Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, who is on a five-day state visit there. Wednesday was Muizzus big day in Beijing. First was his visit to the Communist Party Museum, where Muizzu looked thoroughly floored. He got a video tour of Chinese history. He tried his hand at a simulator and finally signed the visitors log.

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Next was the main event: Muizzus date with Xi Jinping. Muizzu and the first lady got a ceremonial welcome at the Great Hall of People. He inspected a guard of honour. He got a 21-gun salute. Then he got down to business.

Im undertaking this visit to your beautiful country with seven ministers of my cabinet as a clear demonstration of my strong commitment and desire to reinvigorate the Maldives long-standing friendship with the government and the people of China and to discuss ways of expanding it for the benefit of our people and our two countries," said the Maldivian President.

This is a classic Chinese strategy: Give your guest a tour, show off your impressive infrastructure, and then hold bilateral talks. The idea is simple: By the time you get down to business, you are overawed and already impressed by Chinas might. Then, its Xi Jinpings turn to put the finishing touches.

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Under the new situation, relations between China and the Maldives are facing a historical opportunity to build on what has been achieved and chart the way forward.

Xi thinks it is a historical opportunity for him, and yes, indeed, it is, but for the Maldives? Perhaps not really. This is a country already sinking under Chinese debt. Male owes China more than 1.3 billion dollars, and that is 20 percent of its total debt.

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So, logically, what should Muizzu do? He should stay away from Chinese loans and investments, and thats what the World Bank told them last year. But Muizzu is doing the opposite. He has signed 20 agreements with China, which cover a number of sectors and industries like tourism, disaster management, the blue economy, and the digital economy. Of course, infrastructure is on the table. Muizzu and Xi agreed to accelerate a number of projects under the Belt and Road Initiative. They also elevated the ties to a new level  Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership.

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But the question is: Why? China has a history of debt traps. Maldives already owes them 20 percent of its debt. So why go back for seconds? To understand that, we need to look at President Muizzu.

In 2012, he became the Maldives Housing and Infrastructure Minister and held that position until 2018. At that time, China invested a lot of money  around 138 million dollars.

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In 2015, China won the contract to upgrade an airport  Velana International Airport  at the cost of 373 million dollars. In 2016, another project was awarded to build a bridge between three Maldivian islands, costing 63 million dollars. It was first called the China-Maldives friendship bridge and later renamed Sina-Male bridge. So thats three major projects in five years. And Mohamed Muizzu was the infrastructure minister during this time.

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So clearly, he has dealt with Beijing in the past, and chances are, those contacts remain.

The President of BUCG International  Beijing Urban Construction Group, Mr. CHANG Yongchun has paid a courtesy call on H.E. President Dr @MMuizzu. Senior representatives of BUCG also participated in the meeting, which was centred on avenues of cooperation in development. pic.twitter.com/0JJbtGV9Pf  The President's Office (@presidencymv) January 11, 2024

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Muizzu had a meeting with Chang Yong Chun, president of Beijing Urban Construction Group. Theyve built some iconic structures in the Chinese capital, like the 2008 Olympics venues. But they have also built a seaplane terminal at the Velana airport in the Maldives. Again, the project was given when Muizzu was the Infrastructure Minister.

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He has kept those contacts alive. In 2022, Muizzu addressed some Communist Party officials at an online event. Our partys return would script a further chapter of strong ties between our two countries, said Muizzu.

So the love for China isnt new. It has been part of Muizzus career, but to bring China in, he had to push India out. So he made New Delhi the enemy with blatant misinformation, and we are not saying this.

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European election observers had visited the Maldives during the elections. They spent around 11 weeks there. Now, they have submitted a report to the EU. The report says: The campaign included anti-Indian sentiments, based on fears of Indian influences and anxiety regarding the presence of Indian military personnel inside the country. This theme was subject to multiple online disinformation attempts." In simpler words, it means fake news.

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Muizzu drummed up fears of Indian influence in the Maldives. He radicalised his supporters, and now he is cosying up to Beijing. This raises multiple questions about the president. Is he Chinas man in Male? Did he get help from China during the elections? He wouldnt be the first. Reports say: China funded Mahinda Rajapaksas election campaign in Sri Lanka.

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So Beijing has a history of doing this. China also has a history of cutting and running. Muizzu should be mindful of that. If not, he could be the next victim.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost_s views._

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While India has initiated steps to modernise its air force, bureaucratic hurdles and delays in acquisition processes have impeded progress

China has initiated what can be considered a new security challenge, bringing the prospect of an arms race closer to home. The focus of concern revolves around Chinas commitment to supply Pakistan with advanced 5th generation stealth fighter jets, specifically the J-31 Gyr-Falcon. This move raises questions about the balance of power in the region and its potential implications for India.

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Understanding 5th Generation aircraft

A 5th generation aircraft, such as the J-31 Gyr-Falcon, represents the pinnacle of modern aviation technology. It is characterised by advanced features including the ability to evade detection, operate at supersonic speeds and possess enhanced stealth capabilities making it a formidable asset in aerial warfare.

Chinas J-31 Gyr-Falcon

Chinas development of the J-31 Gyr-Falcon, a 5th generation fighter, is a cause for concern for India. The aircrafts primary strength lies in its stealth capabilities, allowing it to disappear from radar detectiona feature that could provide Pakistan with a significant advantage in terms of aerial superiority.

Pakistan has expressed its intent to replace its American F-16 fleet with the J-31 Gyr-Falcon as announced by its air force chief. The acquisition of these advanced fighter jets could potentially shift the balance of power in the region giving Pakistan a strategic edge.

Challenges and uncertainties

Despite the enthusiasm surrounding Pakistans pursuit of the J-31, uncertainties remain. The aircraft is still in development, and neither China nor any other nation has operational units. The prospect of a land-based version for Pakistan also remains unclear.

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Speculation surrounds the J-31, suggesting that China may have obtained blueprints for the American F-35, resulting in a design resembling the renowned US fighter. The lack of comprehensive information about the J-31 adds an element of mystery to its true capabilities.

Indias response

India, faced with the prospect of an advanced Chinese-Pakistani alliance, finds itself in a precarious situation. The Indian Air Force, currently operating below its sanctioned strength, requires crucial upgrades to match potential threats. With an aging fleet, the urgency to modernise is evident.

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In response to the evolving security landscape, India has taken steps to address its air forces limitations. Orders for 83 Tejas MK1A jets have been placed, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2024. Additionally, plans to acquire over 100 multi-role fighter aircraft, similar to the Rafale, are in progress.

Challenges ahead

While India has initiated steps to modernise its air force, bureaucratic hurdles and delays in acquisition processes have impeded progress. The need for urgency is emphasized not only due to potential threats from Pakistan but also in response to Chinas expanding military capabilities.

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The evolving dynamics in the region with China supplying advanced fighter jets to Pakistan underscore the importance of Indias military preparedness. The strategic balance is at stake requiring India to expedite its modernisation efforts to match the capabilities of its neighbours and maintain regional security.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

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As the New Hampshire primary on 23 January approaches, all eyes are on Nikki Haley

In the midst of an election year in America, all eyes are once again turning towards the potential rematch between former president Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden. However, a surprising challenger has emerged in the form of Nikki Haley, introducing a new dynamic to the Republican primary race.

Current landscape

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As the Republican pool witnesses various contenders like Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy and even Mike Pence, none seem to stand up against the formidable presence of Donald Trump. The former president continues to maintain a clear lead within his party and among the general public, leading in both states and polls across the nation.

Despite Trumps consistent lead, an unexpected shift is occurring in New Hampshire, where Trumps once substantial lead has diminished to single digits. The contender causing this shift is none other than Nikki Haley, making her a wildcard candidate with a noteworthy surge in the polls.

Nikki Haleys background

Nikki Haley, born Nimrata Nikki Randhawa in South Carolina to Indian immigrants, boasts an impressive political career. Rising through the ranks from state legislature to serving as the Governor of South Carolina and later as the US Ambassador to the United Nations, Haley became the first Indian American to be on a presidential cabinet.

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In New Hampshire, Trump polls at 39 per cent, while Nikki Haley is hot on his heels at 32 per cent. This unexpected competition has brought attention to Haleys campaign leading to questions about her potential to challenge Trump on a larger scale.

Nikki Haleys campaign is fuelled by a message of ending national self-loathing and restoring love for America.

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And when I become president, we will end this national self-loathing thats taking over our country, where people say Americas bad or Americas rotten or Americas racist. We will go back to where we say we love America, said Haley.

As a candidate, she needs three crucial elements: money, media focus and momentum. With the first two secured, winning New Hampshire could provide the momentum she needs to challenge Trump on a national scale.

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Trumps response and attacks

Recognising the potential threat, Donald Trump has intensified his attacks on Haley in recent weeks. Questioning the citizenship status of her parents and portraying her as a globalist, Trump aims to discredit Haley and maintain his dominance within the Republican Party.

Nikki Haley has been in the pocket of the open borders establishment donors her entire career. And shes a globalist, you know, she likes the globe. I like America first. The people in this room like America first, said Trump.

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Haleys unique appeal

Unlike Trumps anti-immigration stance, Haley represents a more establishment Republican view. She aligns with conservative values, supporting tax cuts and reduced government spending. However, her moderate approach, especially on issues like abortion could make her more appealing to a broader range of voters.

Haleys pragmatic and middle-ground approach positions her as an alternative for voters who may find neither Biden nor Trump appealing. Her relative youth and moderation could make her the go-to candidate for swing voters looking for a more balanced option.

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It is the right thing that unelected justices no longer decide this, and its in the hands of the people. I appreciate that Texas went more on the pro-life side, but as we go through this  listen, my heart broke for her because I had trouble having my children. These  the states are now going to have to look at these because what we dont want to see is a woman with a rare condition having to carry a baby until term, said Haley

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As the New Hampshire primary on 23 January approaches, all eyes are on Nikki Haley. If she manages to secure a victory, it could reshape the Republican presidential race, challenging the notion that Trump is unbeatable. Haleys unique appeal and moderate stance may offer a compelling alternative for voters seeking change, setting the stage for a potentially historic battle for the Republican nomination.

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Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

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Despite the global fascination with sleep tracking and the emphasis on getting adequate rest, many individuals are still grappling with fatigue

Do you find yourself feeling constantly tired, regardless of the amount of sleep you get or the caffeine you consume? Are you struggling with sleep-related issues while juggling a hectic lifestyle? In a world where fatigue has become a widespread concern, its crucial to delve deeper into the complexities of exhaustion and the role that sleep plays in our overall well-being.

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An intriguing phenomenon emerged a few years ago when a tweet addressing perpetual fatigue went viral resonating with thousands of individuals. However, this tweet is not an isolated case. Numerous posts on social media platforms confirm that people worldwide are experiencing fatigue despite their attempts to combat it through increased sleep. This begs the question: Is the solution to fatigue solely found in more sleep?

Sleep paradox

Despite the global fascination with sleep tracking and the emphasis on getting adequate rest, many individuals are still grappling with fatigue. The assumption that more sleep equates to less fatigue is challenged by the fact that some of the most sleep-savvy nations, like New Zealand, still rank among the most tired populations. This raises the question: Is there more to combating fatigue than simply getting more sleep?

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To understand the intricate relationship between sleep and fatigue, its essential to recognise that sleep and rest are not synonymous. A glance at global sleep patterns reveals that, despite getting sufficient sleep, individuals may still experience overwhelming fatigue. The focus should shift from the quantity of sleep to the quality and variety of rest individuals receive.

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Five types of fatigue

Scientists have identified five major ways people experience fatigue and each type necessitates a distinct approach to rest. Physical fatigue, mental fatigue, emotional fatigue, social fatigue and sensory fatigue all demand unique forms of rejuvenation. Recognising these differences can lead to more targeted and effective strategies for combating exhaustion.

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Rest is not a one-size-fits-all solution and understanding the nuances of each type of fatigue is crucial. Whether its engaging in low-yield activities to alleviate mental fatigue, confronting emotions to combat emotional fatigue or finding moments of silence to address sensory overload, rest comes in various forms. By recognising and addressing specific sources of fatigue, individuals can tailor their restorative practices to their unique needs.

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In a culture that values immediate responsiveness and constant productivity, the concept of rest often takes a backseat. We live in a world where screens dominate our attention and the idea of waiting patiently seems foreign. The result is a society suffering from a rest deficit, impacting both physical and mental health.

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Power of rest

Rest is not a luxury. It is a vital component of maintaining overall health. It allows the body to recover, boosts the immune system, prevents injuries and enhances cognitive functions. Despite the cultural push for constant activity, understanding the power of rest is essential for achieving a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

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In a world that glorifies constant achievement and productivity, its crucial to recognise the importance of rest in maintaining overall well-being. Rest is not a sign of weakness but a fundamental aspect of self-care. By understanding the various forms of fatigue and tailoring restorative practices accordingly, individuals can break free from the cycle of chronic exhaustion and embrace a healthier, more balanced life. Its time to prioritise rest and redefine our approach to living in a high-paced world.

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Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

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Apple will only ship a very limited number of its upcoming mixed reality headsets, the Apple Vision Pro when it launches. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo estimates that Apple plans to produce 60,000 to 80,000 units for the first shipment, because of which, it will be sold out in minutes

Apples new wearable computer, the Apple Vision Pro, might sell out quickly after its release next month, according to an analyst. The company recently shared that the headset will be in US stores on February 2, following a two-week preordering period.

The pricey mixed reality device will operate on a new system called visionOS, designed for immersive experiences on the Apple Vision Pro.

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Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo estimates that Apple plans to produce 60,000 to 80,000 units for the initial shipment of the Apple Vision Pro. Due to the limited supply, Kuo predicts a rapid sell-out shortly after the devices launch on February 2.

Although the Vision Pro has a high price tag of $3,499 in the US, Kuo notes that Apple hasnt clearly defined the products purpose and main uses.

The device was briefly showcased at WWDC 2023, demonstrating capabilities like viewing photos, making FaceTime calls, watching movies, working, and browsing the Internet.

According to Kuo, Apples innovative technology using sensors and cameras during the presentation gave users the impression they could control the user interface with their mind. This, along with the loyalty of heavy Apple product users, could contribute to a quick sell-out after the release.

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The Apple Vision Pro, revealed at WWDC 2023, features high-resolution dual Micro-OLED displays supporting augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) content. It includes Apples EyeSight technology for a visual representation of the wearers eyes in AR mode.

The Vision Pro runs on Apples M2 chip with a new R1 chip based on the second-generation M-series processor, incorporating five sensors, 12 cameras, and six microphones.

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For spectacle wearers, optional Zeiss optical inserts are available. However, theres no official word from Apple about plans to release the headset in other markets, including India.

(With inputs from agencies)
Bitcoin ETFs had a blast. US investors traded about $4.6 billion worth of shares in volume. Despite the euphoria surrounding the ETF approval, there is ongoing scepticism about the role of cryptocurrencies in traditional investment portfolios

US-listed bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) witnessed a remarkable debut with approximately $4.6 billion worth of shares traded on the first day of trading, as reported by LSEG data.

Eleven spot bitcoin ETFs, including offerings from major players like BlackRocks iShares Bitcoin Trust, Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, and ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF, began trading, marking a significant moment for the cryptocurrency industry.

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Grayscale, BlackRock, and Fidelity dominated trading volumes on the launch day, according to data from the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG). The green light from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for these products came on Wednesday, following years of regulatory deliberation.

While the new ETFs enjoyed strong initial trading, industry experts caution that the competition for market share is a longer-term race. The SECs approval of these ETFs has triggered intense competition among issuers, leading some to slash fees below the industry standard.

SEC Chair Gary Gensler emphasized that the approval did not constitute an endorsement of Bitcoin, referring to it as a speculative, volatile asset. Nevertheless, the ETF launches coincided with a surge in bitcoin prices, reaching its highest level since December 2021.

The regulatory approval has sparked a race for market share among issuers, with some reducing fees significantly below industry standards even before the launch. The fees for the new bitcoin ETFs range from 0.2 per cent to 1.5 per cent, with issuers offering fee waivers for a specified period or asset volume.

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Analysts have varying estimates for the potential inflows into spot bitcoin ETFs, with Bernstein suggesting gradual growth to surpass $10 billion in 2024, while Standard Chartered analysts believe these ETFs could attract $50 billion to $100 billion in 2023 alone.

While the ETFs began trading with enthusiasm, some analysts caution that the broader investment community still perceives cryptocurrencies as risky. The overall sentiment remains cautious, with institutions like Vanguard stating they have no plans to offer these products to their brokerage clients.

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Despite the euphoria surrounding the ETF approval, there is ongoing scepticism about the role of cryptocurrencies in traditional investment portfolios. Goldman Sachs, for example, expressed a view that cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin have no place in an investment portfolio.

(With inputs from agencies)
Apple is shaking up its board in a massive manner. Two longstanding directors, Al Gore and James Bell are leaving the board. Aerospace Corp. CEO Wanda Austin are set to join soon

In a significant board reshuffling, tech giant Apple has announced the retirement of two longstanding directors, Al Gore and James Bell, marking one of the most substantial shake-ups in years, as per a Bloomberg report.

Former Aerospace Corp. Chief Executive Officer Wanda Austin is set to join the board, as revealed in an announcement made by the company on Thursday.

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The decision to retire Gore and Bell is in line with Apples policy, which prevents directors from standing for reelection after the age of 75.

Both Bell, a former Boeing Co. executive who joined the board in 2015, and former US Vice President Gore, who has served as a director for over two decades, are 75 years old.

This board upheaval is an unusual occurrence for Apple, as it typically experiences minimal retirements at a time. Gore holds the distinction of being the longest-serving member, having joined in 2003 when co-founder Steve Jobs was at the helm, and the iconic iPhone had not yet been introduced.

The new nominee, Wanda Austin, formerly the CEO of Aerospace Corp., is recognized for her significant track record in advancing innovation and shaping corporate strategy.

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Despite her background in space exploration, an area outside Apples direct involvement, Austin is poised for election at the companys annual shareholder meeting on February 28.

Contrary to the age policy, another director, Ronald Sugar, is not stepping down at the age of 76.

Apple explained that Sugars retention is in consideration of recent transitions in board composition and the value of retaining directors with deep insights into the company.

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While Apple disclosed the latest compensation details for CEO Tim Cook and other executives, Cooks target pay for 2023 decreased to $49 million from the $99 million received in 2022. However, his total compensation for 2023 reached $63.2 million, with significant contributions from stock awards. For 2024, Cooks target compensation from equity is set to increase to $50 million.

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Other top executives at Apple, including the CFO, head of retail, general counsel, and COO, maintained a compensation level of approximately $27 million each in 2023.

In a filing, Apple urged shareholders to vote in favour of the board members and executive compensation. The company also advised investors to reject a proposal calling for a report on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) within the company.

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Apple argued that the proposed reports scope was overly broad and could potentially reveal strategic plans and initiatives that may harm the companys competitive position. This comes as Apple is reportedly gearing up to unveil a range of AI-based tools for the iPhone and other devices in June, as reported by Bloomberg News.

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(With inputs from agencies)
At its peak during the session, Microsofts value reached $2.903 trillion, with a 2% surge. As of writing this article, Apple closed at $2.89 trillion, whereas Microsoft closed at $2.86 trillion

In a significant market development on Thursday, Microsoft briefly surpassed Apple to become the worlds most valuable company for the first time since 2021.

This shift occurred as Apples shares faced a lacklustre start to the year, fueled by growing concerns about weakening demand for its products.

At its peak during the session, the companys value reached $2.903 trillion, with a 2 per cent surge. As of writing this article, Apple closed at $2.89 trillion, whereas Microsoft closed at $2.86 trillion.

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The ongoing rivalry between Microsoft and Apple for the top spot has been a recurring theme over the years.

Analyst Gil Luria from D.A. Davidson noted, It was inevitable that Microsoft would overtake Apple since Microsoft is growing faster and has more to benefit from the generative AI revolution.

Microsofts substantial share growth is attributed to its early lead in generative artificial intelligence, primarily driven by its investment in OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT.

Microsofts integration of OpenAIs technology into its suite of productivity software played a crucial role in revitalizing its cloud-computing business during the July-September quarter.

In contrast, Apple grappled with diminishing demand, particularly for its flagship product, the iPhone, in the face of economic challenges in China and intensified competition from Huawei.

Redburn Atlantic, in a client note on Wednesday, downgraded Apples shares to neutral, expressing concerns about China being a potential drag on performance in the coming years.

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At least three analysts covering Apple have lowered their ratings since the start of 2024.

As of the latest close, Apples shares have declined by 3.3 per cent in January, while Microsoft has seen a 1.8 per cent increase.

Both companies exhibit relatively high share price-to-earnings (PE) ratios, with Apple trading at a forward PE of 28 (above its 10-year average of 19) and Microsoft at around 31 times forward earnings (surpassing its 10-year average of 24).

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Currently, Wall Street displays a more positive outlook on Microsoft, with no sell ratings and approximately 90 per cent of brokerages recommending the purchase of Microsoft stock.

Apple, which reached a market capitalization peak of $3.081 trillion on Dec. 14, concluded the previous year with a 48 per cent gain, slightly trailing behind Microsofts 57 per cent rise. Microsoft has intermittently claimed the lead over Apple as the most valuable company since 2018, with brief instances in 2021 during concerns about COVID-related supply chain shortages impacting Apples stock price.

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(With inputs from agencies)
Tesla is finding it really difficult to get a break in its Chinese market these days. In order to keep its competitive edge in the Chinese Luxury EV market, Eon Musks EV company has been forced to slash prices some of its most popular cars

Tesla has implemented price cuts of up to 6 per cent on its Shanghai-manufactured vehicles as it seeks to maintain its dominant position in the premium segment of the worlds largest electric vehicle (EV) market. The reduction in prices applies to the entry-level version of the Model 3 and the starting price of the Model Y, as per a report by Reuters.

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Specifically, the starting price of the Model 3 has been reduced from 261,400 yuan to 245,900 yuan, while the Model Y now starts at 258,900 yuan, down from 266,400 yuan. Tesla also lowered the price of the dual-motor version of the Model 3 by 3.9 per cent to 285,900 yuan and offered a 2.1 per cent discount on the dual-motor Model Y, now priced at 299,900 yuan.

These adjustments follow Teslas month-on-month sales growth of 15.7 per cent to 75,805 units in mainland China in December, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association. The price cuts are seen as a strategic move to fend off competition from Chinese domestic EV manufacturers who have been introducing new intelligent electric cars.

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Tesla delivered 603,664 EVs manufactured at its Shanghai Gigafactory to Chinese buyers in 2023, marking a 37.3 per cent increase from the previous year. The growth rate closely mirrors the 37 per cent sales rise recorded in 2022, where approximately 440,000 vehicles were delivered.

Despite its strong market presence, Teslas closest competitor in the premium EV segment, Li Auto, delivered about 376,000 cars in 2023. Tesla adjusts prices regularly based on production costs, with this being the first reduction since August 2023. The Shanghai Gigafactory, Teslas largest production hub globally, has an annual capacity of around 1 million units.

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Apart from catering to mainland customers, the Shanghai factory shipped 344,078 vehicles to markets such as Japan and Germany in 2023, reflecting a 26.9 per cent year-on-year increase. The Chinese EV market experienced a 37 per cent surge in sales last year, with total deliveries of pure EVs and plug-in hybrids reaching 8.9 million units. China presently contributes about 60 per cent to global EV sales.

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(With inputs from agencies)
North American AI studios like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Cohere met representatives of Tsinghua University and other Chinese state-backed institutions in a secret meeting in Geneva in July and October of 2023 to discuss the safe development of more advanced AI technology

In a rare display of collaboration between Chinese and American tech companies, leading artificial intelligence (AI) companies OpenAI, Anthropic, and Cohere have reportedly participated in clandestine diplomatic talks with Chinese AI experts, as per a report by the Financial Times.

The meetings, which occurred in Geneva in July and October of 2023 aimed to address shared concerns about the potential spread of misinformation and threats to social cohesion posed by powerful AI technology.

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Insiders with direct knowledge revealed that scientists and policy experts from North American AI groups engaged in discussions with representatives from Tsinghua University and other Chinese state-backed institutions during the two Geneva meetings.

The focus of the talks was to explore the risks associated with emerging AI technology and foster investments in AI safety research. The ultimate objective was to establish a scientific pathway for the safe development of more advanced AI technology.

Participants emphasized the necessity for international standards on AI safety and alignment, highlighting the importance of agreement among key actors to facilitate broader consensus. These previously undisclosed talks mark a notable instance of Sino-US cooperation in the realm of cutting-edge technologies, especially amid the ongoing competition for supremacy in AI and quantum computing.

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The Geneva meetings, facilitated by the private mediation organization Shaikh Group, received support from the White House, as well as UK and Chinese government officials, according to an anonymous negotiator present at the discussions.

The Chinese embassy in the UK expressed support for efforts to discuss AI governance and cooperation on global AI governance frameworks, norms, and standards.

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The talks, which included technical cooperation and policy proposals, contributed to discussions at the UN Security Council meeting on AI in July 2023 and the UKs AI summit in November of the same year.

Plans for future discussions are underway, focusing on scientific and technical proposals to align AI systems with legal codes, societal norms, and values.

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Notably, major Chinese AI companies such as ByteDance, Tencent, and Baidu did not participate, and Google DeepMind, while briefed on the talks, did not attend.

Calls for cooperation between leading powers in addressing the challenges and risks associated with AI have been on the rise, with Chinese scientists and Western academics signing a statement in November advocating for tighter controls and international regulations on advanced AI systems. OpenAI, Anthropic, Cohere, and Tsinghua University declined to comment on their participation in the discussions.

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(With inputs from agencies)
The research claims that the only nation where women are officially prohibited from attending school is Afghanistan. The Taliban has been enforcing more oppressive policies in 2023. These include quelling protests by women, arbitrary detention and disappearance of some women after detention

According to a recent study by Human Rights Watch, the Taliban has increased their efforts to repress human rights in Afghanistan, particularly those of women.

Human Rights Watch Executive Director Tirana Hassan said in this study that 2023 was a year marked by numerous war crimes and violations of human rights all around the world. She also noted hopeful indicators, suggesting that there might be an alternative course. She pleaded with the Taliban to honor their pledges on human rights.

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The research claims that the only nation in the world where women are officially prohibited from attending school is Afghanistan. According to the report, the Taliban has been enforcing more oppressive policies in 2023. These policies include quelling protests by women, arbitrarily detaining female activists, and the disappearance of some women after being detained.

According to Human Rights Watch, many Afghan women have lost their means of subsistence as a result of the restriction on women working. According to a report by Khaama Press, it linked certain aspects of Afghanistans economic problems to the limitations imposed on womens employment.

Human Rights Watch highlighted the need for humanitarian aid in Afghanistan, stating that the countrys almost two-thirds of the population are in need of it because of the countrys economic struggles.

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Human Rights Watch reported on the disappearance of Afghan security forces and former government officials, as well as on revenge killings.

Human Rights Watch has also called attention to the ongoing repression of civil society, especially among Afghan women, the widespread censorship of Afghan media, and the imprisonment of Afghan journalists.

Human Rights Watch claims that the main causes of Afghanistans rising poverty are the Talibans hold over the country, international sanctions, and several years of drought.

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According to Human Rights Watch, ISIS is still attacking civilians, mainly the Shia minority and the Hazara people.

The Taliban has prohibited Afghani females from attending schools past the sixth grade for more than two years, and they have made no progress in reestablishing girls education in the nation.

The Taliban have imposed limitations on women through a number of decrees since taking control of Afghanistan. In the nation ripped apart by conflict, women and girls lack access to public places, jobs, and even education.

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(With agency inputs)
China has not declared its favored candidate in public, but it has urged Taiwanese voters to make the right choice after labeling a DPP vote as risky and endangering cross-Strait harmony. Despite its denials, the KMT has historically supported tight relations with China

According to two senior government officials, Taiwans administration anticipates that China would try to exert pressure on its future president following Saturdays elections by, among other things, conducting military drills close to the island this spring.

According to Taiwanese officials who briefed reporters under condition of anonymity, Beijings military and economic pressure on Taiwans future leader is certain to rise regardless of which candidate wins the election.

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Under the watchful eye of a more assertive China, which has declared the election a choice between peace and war, Taiwan will cast ballots to choose a new parliament and president.

China and the Kuomintang (KMT), Taiwans main opposition party, issued a warning on Thursday over the threat to peace that Lai Ching-te, the presidential candidate of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), would represent if he is elected. If elected, Lai has promised to work toward peace and communicate with China.

According to one official with knowledge of Taiwans security preparations, Beijing is likely to exert great pressure in an attempt to sway the incoming presidents inauguration speech on May 20, which is anticipated to set the tone for the new administrations China policy.

Despite the adamant protests of the Taipei government, China maintains that democratically run Taiwan is its territory and has never given up using force to annex the island.

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According to the official, who cited Taiwans security assessment, Beijing is expected to conduct maneuvers close to Taiwan after March owing to better weather and sea conditions, even though extensive military exercises are unlikely to take place right after the vote.

Washington and its allies, as well as the people in the region, are keenly monitoring the possibility of increased tensions over Taiwan, particularly in light of Chinas two large war drills that were held close to the island in April of last year and August of 2022.

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Speaking under anonymity because they were not permitted to address the media, two Western security officials predicted that China would use force after the election, though they did not think it would be as extensive as the previous time.

According to the Taiwanese official, Beijing may decide to curtail any military demonstrations in the upcoming months due to many factors, such as bettering relations between the United States and China.

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The relationship between the US and China reached all-time lows last year, but after meeting in November and agreeing to reestablish military-to-military contacts, top US and Chinese officials have arranged meetings.

China is likely to refer to the newly elected government as a minority government if the winning party is unable to secure a legislative majority, according to Taiwanese officials.

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China has not declared its favored candidate in public, but it has urged Taiwanese voters to make the right choice after labeling a DPP vote as risky and endangering cross-Strait harmony. Despite its denials, the KMT has historically supported tight relations with China.

The defense ministry of Taiwan reported on Friday that it had seen five Chinese balloons flying over the Taiwan Strait in the previous 24 hours, one of which had crossed the island. This is just the most recent in a string of balloons of this type that the government claims it has seen in the previous month.

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Chinas balloon flights, allegations by its official media, and threats of more economic penalties, among other activities, have all been regarded by Taiwan as psychological warfare against the people of the island before to the vote.

(With agency inputs)
At least 200 million will be spent on a major push to rapidly procure and produce thousands of military drones for Ukraine, including surveillance, long-range strike and sea drones.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is scheduled to visit Kyiv on Friday to unveil a significant new package of support for Ukraine, along with a boost in military funding for the current financial year to 2.5 billion ($3.2 billion), as stated by his office.

This funding marks a 200 million increase over the past two years and guarantees the most extensive commitment of drones to date, according to a statement. Additionally, Sunak is expected to sign a historic security cooperation pact with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during the visit.

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The totemic agreement should be the first step towards an unshakeable hundred-year partnership, said Sunaks Downing Street office.

The extra funding will be targeted at areas including long-range missiles, air defence, artillery ammunition and maritime security, it added.

At least 200 million will be spent on a major push to rapidly procure and produce thousands of military drones for Ukraine, including surveillance, long-range strike and sea drones.

Sunak is also due to meet emergency workers responding to the aftermath of Russian air strikes.

For two years, Ukraine has fought with great courage to repel a brutal Russian invasion, Sunak said ahead of the visit.

They are still fighting, unfaltering in their determination to defend their country and defend the principles of freedom and democracy.

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I am here today with one message: the UK will also not falter. We will stand with Ukraine, in their darkest hours and in the better times to come, he added.

The latest commitment takes the UKs support for Ukraines war efforts to almost 12 billion, with Storm Shadow cruise missiles and a squadron of Challenger 2 tanks among the equipment supplied to Kyiv.

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British Foreign Secretary David Cameron in November vowed to maintain military support for Ukraine during a surprise visit to Kyiv.

The visit by former prime minister Cameron came as Zelensky said the flow of vital artillery ammunition from Western allies had dropped since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas in October.

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We will continue to give you the moral support, diplomatic support, the economic support, but above all, the military support, that you need not just this year, and next year, but for however long it takes, Cameron said during a meeting with Zelensky.

A top Ukrainian commander recently described the war as a stalemate with no clear sign of a breakthrough on the frontlines.

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With inputs from AFP.
Democracy in Maldives is relatively young, in their teens, and it is a question of lack of understanding of the situation as well as the realities of bilateral relations between the two countries, which has triggered this crisis, Former Indian High Commissioner to Maldives DM Mulay said

Former Indian High Commissioner to Maldives Dnyaneshwar Manohar Mulay has said that China-backed Islamic conservative faction coming to power in the Indian Ocean Island is responsible for the rapid decline in India-Maldives ties.

Democracy in Maldives is relatively young, in their teens, and it is a question of lack of understanding of the situation as well as the realities of bilateral relations between the two countries, which has triggered this crisis, Hindustan Times report quoted Mulay as saying.

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Just a month after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the newly elected Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, relations between the once-close allies have taken a sharp downturn. The immediate trigger was a series of tweets from three Maldivian ministers criticising PM Modi. They accused him of prioritising the promotion of the Lakshadweep islands during his recent visit, allegedly at the expense of Maldives, and expressed concern about Indias close ties with Israel.

Furthermore, the ministers made disparaging remarks about Indians. Although the tweets have been removed, the ministers have been suspended, and the Maldivian government has distanced itself from their statements, the impact on the diplomatic ties between the two nations is already evident.

Mulay blamed China for playing a significant role in polluting the minds of the islands population and providing all the assistance to the conservative elements in the country.

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Whenever such developments happen, it is the result of some people, who have been polluting the minds of the island population there and China has played a significant role in doing this. It has been providing all the assistance to the conservative elements in the Maldives and the current regime in Maldives is pro-development but also very conservative, Mulay told Hindustan Times.

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There is an Islamic tilt to their policies and that is why the first visit of President Muizzu was to Turkey and it is unfortunate that the second visit was to China. It is an indication of what the new regime prefers, he added.

Mulay highlighted that President Muizzu aligns with former Maldives President Abdullah Yameen, a prominent anti-India hardliner who held office from 2013 to 2018. Yameen faced a five-year jail term and a USD 5 million fine in 2019 for embezzling USD 1 million in state funds.

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During Yameens presidency, he laid the groundwork for the Chinese debt trap in 2015 and spearheaded the India Out campaign. President Muizzu currently pursues this campaign, advocating for the withdrawal of Indias 70 soldiers, who operate India-sponsored radars and surveillance aircraft in the island nation.

The former High Commissioner emphasized Indias extensive involvement in the Maldives, spanning areas such as healthcare, education, credit facilities, defense agreements, and various other aspects of bilateral cooperation.

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Mulay expressed the belief that once the situation stabilises, Maldivians will recognise the challenges in managing their domestic issues, addressing concerns related to climate change, and fulfilling day-to-day requirements. India has played a crucial role in supporting the Maldives since around 1976, going out of its way to provide assistance.

He noted that certain segments of the Maldivian population are already expressing concerns, understanding that India serves as the primary responder during times of crisis for the island nation.

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The tourism industry has voiced its fears, as have the others, Mulay said.

Asked if China could grab the space if India vacated it in a country regarded as a long-term close ally, Mulay told _Hindustan Times, _I am sure things would improve, but I will give it another six months to see how things shape up.

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In November 1988, Indian troops famously intervened to thwart a coup attempt in the island nation. The attempt was carried out by a group of Maldivians and assisted by armed mercenaries of a Tamil secessionist organisation from Sri Lanka, the Peoples Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE), to overthrow the government.

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In the counter-offensive called Operation Cactus, India had thwarted the move, earning it a lot of goodwill.

With inputs from agencies
Chinas youth unemployment rate reached a record 21.3% in June 2023. Beijing also had to deal with a financial burden on local governments, a real estate market crisis, and the threat of declining global demand for goods during the year

Chinas exports fell by 4.6 percent to $3.38 trillion in 2023 from $3.59 trillion in 2022, according to data that Chinas customs administration, the General Administration of Customs, released on Friday. Its exports have decreased for the first time in the previous seven years.

Chinas annual total imports decreased to $2.5 trillion in 2023 from 2022, a 5.5% decrease. In 2022, the overall value of imports amounted at $2.7 trillion, the paper added.

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The information was released just a few weeks after Chinese President Xi Jinping acknowledged on New Years Eve that the countrys economy is experiencing challenges due to slowing growth and unemployment.

Chinas youth unemployment rate reached a record 21.3% in June 2023. Beijing also had to deal with a financial burden on local governments, a real estate market crisis, and the threat of declining global demand for goods during the year.

The World Bank released its Global Economic Prospect report on Tuesday, stating that the half-decade between 2020 and 24 is expected to be the lowest in 30 years.

In 2023, Chinas exports to the US, the EU, ASEAN nations, and Japan all fell. Chinese exports to the US experienced the sharpest decrease, down 13.1% in 2023 compared to 2022.

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Chinas total exports to the US were valued at $581.7 billion in 2022 and $581.7 billion in 2023.

Beijings total exports to the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) decreased by 5% in 2023 to $523.67 billion from $567.28 billion in 2022, while its exports to Germany decreased by 13% to $100.5 billion in 2023 from $116.2 billion in 2022.

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The ten countries of ASEAN, which are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, are intended to foster economic and security cooperation.

Chinas exports to Russia, on the other hand, increased by 46.9%, the biggest percentage gain for the year. The total value of exports to Russia was $76.1 billion in 2022 and increased to $110.97 billion in 2023. Chinas exports to India increased by 0.8 percent in the period from January to December 2023.

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The Chinese government passed a law on foreign relations on July 1, 2023, which gives it the authority to impose trade restrictions for the sake of internal interests, sovereignty, and national security.

Regarding rare earth elements (REEs), China holds a monopoly. The Lanthanide series comprises 15 elements in the periodic table that are essential to developing technology for both military and civilian use. Additionally, it has a history of using leverage as a weapon to force a particular result.
The Chinese Peoples Liberation Army remains on high alert at all times and will take all necessary measures to resolutely crush any form of Taiwan independence separatist plots and firmly defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang said

Tens of thousands are expected to gather on Friday for final rallies in Taiwan ahead of crucial presidential and parliamentary polls even as Chinas defense ministry issued a warning, stating its intention to smash any Taiwan independence plots.

Taiwan, an island neighboring China, has witnessed democratic success since its inaugural direct presidential election in 1996, marking the end of a lengthy struggle against authoritarian rule and martial law.

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The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), advocating for Taiwans distinct identity and rejecting Chinas territorial claims, aims for a third term with its candidate, Vice President Lai Ching-te.

China, maintaining its stance on the potential use of force to bring Taiwan under its control, portrays the elections as a decisive moment between peace and war. The DPP is labeled as dangerous separatists, with China urging Taiwanese to make the right choice.

In response, the DPP rejects Chinas sovereignty claims, emphasising that only the people of Taiwan can determine their future. Despite repeated calls for talks from Vice President Lai, China has consistently criticised him in the lead-up to Saturdays election.

Regarding Taiwans efforts to upgrade F-16 fighter jets and acquire more from the United States, Chinas defense ministry stated on Friday that even with such weapon purchases, the DPP cannot stop the trend of complete reunification of the motherland.

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The Chinese Peoples Liberation Army remains on high alert at all times and will take all necessary measures to resolutely crush any form of Taiwan independence separatist plots and firmly defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, Reuters quoted ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang as saying.

Lai says he is committed to preserving peace across the Taiwan Strait, but has accused China of seeking to interfere in the vote by spreading disinformation and putting further military and economic pressure on the island which Beijing views as sacred Chinese territory.

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China looms large

Lai is facing two opponents for the presidency  Hou Yu-ih of Taiwans largest opposition party the Kuomintang (KMT) and former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je of the small Taiwan Peoples Party (TPP), only founded in 2019.

No matter who wins, China looms in the background.

Taiwans government believes China is likely to attempt to put pressure on its incoming president after the island votes, including staging military manoeuvres near the island this spring, two senior government officials said.

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Hou wants to re-start engagement with China, beginning with people-to-people exchanges, and has, like China, accused Lai of supporting Taiwans formal independence. Lai says Hou is pro-Beijing, which Hou rejects.

The KMT and TPP say Taiwan needs a change of government after eight years of DPP rule, though an effort by the two parties late last year to form a joint ticket to take on the DPP collapsed in acrimony.

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The DPP and KMT will both hold their final rallies Friday evening in Taipeis neighbouring New Taipei, while the TPP has the prime spot in central Taipei near the presidential office. Tens of thousands are expected to attend each event.

The DPP and KMT alike face a formidable challenge from the TPP, seeking to break the mould of two-party politics.

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This political status quo has led to an increasing wave of people hoping for reform. It has also pushed the TPP, which represents Taiwans third force, on to the stage of Taiwans politics, Reuters quoted TPPs Ko as saying to foreign reporters in Taipei on Friday.

Ko has won a passionate support base, especially among young voters, for focusing on bread and butter issues like the high cost of housing. He also wants to re-engage China, but insists that cannot come at the expense of protecting Taiwans democracy and way of life.

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We are not afraid of China, said tech worker Charlie Lee, 61. We already have a very strong democratic identity and will fight to the end.

Polls open at 8.00 a.m. (0000 GMT) and close at 4.00 p.m. (0800 GMT), with ballot counting by hand starting almost at once. There is no electronic, absentee, proxy or early voting.

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The result should be clear by late evening Saturday when the losers concede and the winner gives a victory speech.

Tsai is constitutionally barred from standing again after two terms in office.

For an in-depth look at the election listen now to a special edition of the Reuters World News podcast.

With inputs from agencies
Brent crude futures were up $3.16, or 4.1%, at $80.57 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures climbed $3.05, or 4.2%, to $75.07.

The overnight air and sea strikes by the United States and Britain on Houthi targets in Yemen have diverted course of oil tankers from the Red Sea which has now resulted to surge of 4 per cent in crude oil prices on Friday.

Brent crude futures were up $3.16, or 4.1 per cent, at $80.57 a barrel at 1124 GMT (around 4:30 pm IST), while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures climbed $3.05, or 4.2 per cent, to $75.07.

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Both benchmarks were on path for a second straight weekly rise.

After the US and UK strikes, market concerns have risen with investors expecting that the Israel-Hamas war may widen into a broader conflict in West Asia, affecting oil supplies from the region, especially those moving through the critical Strait of Hormuz.

If a large part of Strait of Hormuz flows were to be halted, it would present up to three times the impact of the 1970s oil price shocks and over double the impact of the Ukraine war on gas markets, atop already fragile supply chains and stock levels, Reuters quoted Saul Kavonic, an energy analyst at MST Marquee, as saying.

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More than 20 million barrels of oil move through the Strait of Hormuz each day which is equivalent to around 20 per cent of global consumption, the report quoted ING analysts saying.

Will not tolerate attacks

US President Joe Biden said the targeted strikes in Yemen were a clear message that the United States and its partners will not tolerate attacks on its personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation.

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Houthi vows to continue

A spokesperson of Houthis said the group will continue to target shipping heading towards Israel.

Attacks by the Houthis in the Red Sea have disrupted international commerce on a route between Europe and Asia which accounts for about 15 per cent of the worlds shipping traffic.

The Houthis have attacked commercial vessels in the Red Sea to show support for Palestinian terrorist group Hamas in its fight against Israel.

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Saudi Arabia calls for restraint

Saudi Arabia, which is one of the top oil exporter and regional power, has called for restraint and avoiding escalation. The country said it was monitoring the situation with great concern.

Vessels being rapidly diverted

Shipping giant Maersk (MAERSKb.CO) and others have been diverting vessels away from the Red Sea, warning customers of further disruptions.

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The overnight attacks by the US follow Irans seizure on Thursday of a tanker carrying Iraqi crude destined for Turkey south of the Strait of Hormuz.

With inputs from Reuters
South Africa, which launched the action in December at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), urged justices on Thursday to impose emergency measures directing Israel to cease the attack immediately

On Friday, Israel will answer to South Africas allegations before the United Nations highest court that its military operation in Gaza is a state-led genocide campaign aimed at wiping out the Palestinian people.

South Africa, which launched the action in December at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), urged justices on Thursday to impose emergency measures directing Israel to cease the attack immediately.

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It said that Israels aerial and military onslaught, which has destroyed most of the tiny coastal enclave and killed more than 23,000 people, was intended to bring about the destruction of the population of Gaza.

Israel dismissed the claims of genocide as unfounded, claiming that South Africa was serving as a spokesperson for Hamas, which it regards as a terrorist outfit striving to destroy the Jewish state. It claimed that its force was targeting Hamas militants rather than Palestinian civilians.

After a cross-border raid by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7, Israeli sources reported 1,200 people were murdered, mostly civilians, and 240 were held captive and returned to Gaza.

The 1948 Genocide Convention, enacted in the wake of the mass murder of Jews in the Nazi Holocaust, defines genocide as acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.

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Since Israeli forces launched their offensive, nearly all of Gazas 2.3 million people have been driven from their homes at least once, causing a humanitarian catastrophe.

Post-apartheid South Africa has long advocated the Palestinian cause, a relationship forged when the African National Congress struggle against white-minority rule was cheered on by Yasser Arafats Palestine Liberation Organisation.

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The court is expected to rule on possible emergency measures later this month, but will not rule at that time on the genocide allegations - those proceedings could take years.

The ICJs decisions are final and without appeal - but the court has no way to enforce them.
The sanctum sanctorum of the Ram Temple will see the enthronement of Ram Lalla at noon on January 22 by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) veteran LK Advani stated on Friday, before of the grand Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Temple in Uttar Pradesh, that Lord Ram had chosen Prime Minister Narendra Modi, one of his devotees, to build a grand temple in Ayodhya since fate had decreed it would happen.

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LK Advani gave credit to Lord Rams followers for building the Ayodhya temple.

Recalling the moments of his historic Rath Yatra, initiated 33 years ago on September 25, 1990, the BJP veteran said, At the time when we started the yatra, we were not aware that this would turn into a nationwide movement. During the yatra, PM Modi was my companion. Although he was not very famous then, but at that time itself, Lord Ram had chosen his devotee (Modi) to construct the temple.

Advani called the Ayodhya movement a pivotal point in his political career. It was a journey that led him to re-discover India and, in the process, re-understand himself.

At the time of the Rath Yatra, there were many experiences that influenced my life. From a remote village, unknown villagers overwhelmed with emotion would come to me after seeing the chariot. They would praise Lord Ram. After witnessing these moments, I realised that many people in this country dream of the Ram temple. On January 22, not only the prestige of the Ram Temple but also the faith of these villagers will be restored, he said.

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At that time, I felt that destiny had decided that one day a grand temple of Lord Ram would be built in Ayodhya; now its only a matter of time, he added.

Leading the Yatra, the veteran BJP leader also paid tribute to the late former prime minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

During the Yatra, I realised that I was just a charioteer. The main messenger of the Rath Yatra was the chariot itself because it carried the message of restoring the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, he added.

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Advani further hoped that the Ram Temple would assist people in incorporating Lord Rams teachings into their daily lives.

Advani is scheduled to attend the Pran Pratistha event at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22.

On January 22, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to witness the installation of the Ram Lalla deity at the magnificent shrine.

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Saints from different traditions have also been invited to the January 22 Pran Pratistha celebration.

According to representatives of the temple, the event will take place over seven days beginning on January 16. The Ram Temple Pran Pratishtha, which is scheduled for January 22, is rapidly approaching and is expected to attract dignitaries and individuals from many backgrounds.

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The sanctum sanctorum of the Ram Temple will see the enthronement of Ram Lalla at noon on January 22 by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.

Beginning one week prior to the major celebration on January 16, Vedic rites will be performed for Ram Lallas Pran-Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya.

On January 22, Lakshmi Kant Dixit, a priest from Varanasi, will conduct the principal ceremonies of the Ram Lalla event. The Amrit Mahotsav will be celebrated in Ayodhya from January 14 to January 22. For the Indian people, Ayodhyathe birthplace of Lord Ramahas enormous spiritual, historical, and cultural significance.

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(With agency inputs)
Conflict has raged in Myanmars northern Shan state since October, when the alliance of ethnic minority groups launched an offensive against the junta

According to some of the parties involved, a rebel group in northern Myanmar has reached a truce with the governing military during discussions mediated by China. This comes after months of planning an attack that threatened to erode the juntas hold on power.

Since late October, the military, which deposed an elected government in 2021, has been engaged in combat with a coalition of forces from ethnic minorities seeking to oust it from control of their territories. There has been a lot of bloodshed, especially along Chinas northern border.

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The united offensive, supported by a parallel pro-democracy, civilian-led administration, has presented the junta with its greatest military test since the coup and alarmed China with the prospect of interruptions to border trade and an inflow of refugees.

A leader of one of the rebel groups, TNLA, told Reuters on Friday that the Three Brotherhood Alliance and the military agreed to a cease fire without advancing further. He declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter.

From the (alliance) side, the agreement is to refrain from offensive attacks on enemy camps or towns. From the military side, the agreement is not to engage in attacks through airstrikes, bombardment, or heavy weapons, he said.

Conflict has raged in Myanmars northern Shan state since October, when the alliance of ethnic minority groups launched an offensive against the junta.

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The alliance has seized several towns and border hubs vital for trade with China.

With the help of Chinas facilitation, there was a meeting in (the southern Chinese city) Kunming. We have reached a ceasefire agreement, junta spokesperson Zaw Min Tun told AFP.

Tar Bhone Kyaw of the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA)  one member of the alliance  said they had agreed to reopen border trade with China. China also announced the ceasefire Friday.

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Chinas foreign ministry said on Friday peace talks were held in the Chinese city of Kunming on Jan 10-11, where the two sides agreed to immediately cease fire and stop the war.

Both parties also pledged not to harm residents at the Chinese border, said foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning.

China hopes that all parties concerned in Myanmar will earnestly implement the ceasefire agreement already reached and exercise maximum restraint, she said.

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Beijing had also said last month the parties had agreed on a temporary ceasefire and to maintain dialogue.

But fighting continued in northern Shan State and other regions in the country, with the rebels taking control of a key commercial town, Laukkai, on the Chinese border last week.

More than 300,000 people have been displaced due to the recent violence, and more than 2 million overall since the coup, according to the United Nations.

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The conflict has also seen Myanmar police and military personnel surrender to rebel groups or flee across borders into India.

A spokesperson for Myanmars junta did not respond to a request for comment.

The two other groups in the rebel alliance, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Arakan Army (AA), did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the talks.
The emergence of AI has given rise to a number of worries, such as the worry that technology may be used to subvert democracy, intensify fraud, or cause job losses, among other negative effects

The head of ChatGPT and the office of Republican US House Speaker Mike Johnson met with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on Capitol Hill on Thursday, where they talked about the dangers of artificial intelligence.

Why it is important

Republicans dominate the House and Democrats hold a majority in the Senate, but despite pressure from the administration of Democratic US President Joe Biden, lawmakers have not made much progress in enacting meaningful AI legislation.

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The emergence of AI has given rise to a number of worries, such as the worry that technology may be used to subvert democracy, intensify fraud, or cause job losses, among other negative effects. Legislators in Europe are creating AI legislation, putting them ahead of those in the United States.

Key quotes

The two met on Thursday to discuss the promise and risks of AI and other technologies. The Speaker believes that Congress should encourage innovation, help maintain our competitive edge, and stay mindful of potential risks, Johnsons office said in a statement.

Altman told reporters they discussed trying to balance this sort of tremendous upside and figure out how to mitigate the risk of AI, adding he was excited to see what the legislative process will do.

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Context

Microsoft-backed OpenAI was founded as an open-source nonprofit, before co-founder Altman pivoted to a capped-profit structure in 2019.

In November, Altman said Microsoft would take a non-voting, observer position on the companys board.

OpenAI ousted Altman on Nov. 17 without any detailed cause, setting off alarm bells among investors and employees. He was reinstated days later with the promise of a new board.

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In October, Biden signed an executive order requiring developers of AI systems that pose risks to US national security, economy and public safety to share results of safety tests with the federal government. The order goes beyond voluntary commitments AI companies had made this year.
The BYC also highlighted violent incidents that happened in Balochistan, such as the discovery of peoples deformed remains after they were made to vanish. They said that these crimes were committed by Pakistani forces and death squads

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), which is leading the protest in Islamabad, has requested foreign assistance out of fear of state-sponsored violence.

The Balochistan Post claims that the leaders of the BYC asserted that a sit-in organized by the government, comprising individuals allegedly affiliated with state-sponsored death squads, is resisting their protest.

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They asserted that the goal of these squad members is to intimidate the protesters, highlighting the psychological repercussions on the sit-in participants and the need for counseling.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday at the Islamabad Press Club, the 48th day of their protest against the genocide in Balochistan, the organizations leaders discussed the struggles they had to endure.

In the meantime, the BYC also highlighted violent incidents that happened in Balochistan, such as the discovery of peoples deformed remains after they were made to vanish. They said that these crimes were committed by Pakistani forces and death squads.

The committee expressed worry for the safety of the Islamabad residents as well as the sit-in participants, pointing out that the military was stationed close to their protest camp there.

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The BYC reports that about 500 families have taken part in the demonstration.

The organization thanked the people for their support in the area. The BYC detailed a wider trend of protests in Balochistan that were anti-Baloch genocide. They claim that the state is controlling their situation rather than solving their issues, citing arrests and information gathered upon their arrival in Islamabad.

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They used the arrests of Zaheer Baloch and other colleagues as evidence of what they call lawlessness.

The committee disclosed the existence of more FIRs, some of which accused demonstrators of sedition. Additionally, they said that threats had been made against activists and journalists who covered their demonstrations.

The BYC claims that a well-known Pashtun and supporter of their cause, Manzoor Pashteen, is allegedly being held in home confinement. The BYC revealed recent kidnappings in Balochistan, especially those of political activists from Taunsa Sharif.

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Despite court restrictions, the BYC also voiced complaints about the lack of amenities at their camp. They voiced concerns about state surveillance and intimidation and requested that international human rights organizations monitor the issue.

(With agency inputs)
Amid the ongoing military operations in Gaza, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday said that the most effective way for Israel to improve regional relations and marginalise Iran is to reach an agreement on a Palestinian state to resolve the conflict, according to a report

Amid the ongoing military operations in Gaza, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday said that the most effective way for Israel to improve regional relations and marginalise Iran is to reach an agreement on a Palestinian state to resolve the conflict, according to The Jerusalem Post report.

Addressing the media in Egyptian capital, Cairo, as he wrapped up a week-long trip that also included visits with top officials in Turkey, Greece, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Israel, the West Bank, and Bahrain, Blinken said, One can have an integrated region with Israel - integrated with security assurances and commitments from regional countries, as well as from the United States - and a Palestinian state, or one can continue to see the terrorism, the nihilism, the destruction by Hamas, by the Houthis, by Hezbollah -all backed by Iran.

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If you build that integration, if you bring Israel in, if you make the necessary commitments to security, and you move down the path to a Palestinian state, thats the single best way to isolate, to marginalise Iran and the proxies, Blinken added.

He said that this is the the path America fully intend to pursue with its diplomacy in the weeks and months ahead.

The choice between these two paths is clear to many leaders in the region. Its also the path that we fully intend to pursue with American diplomacy in the weeks and months ahead, Blinken said.

During his trip, Blinken focussed on the details specific to the war on Hamas, which broke out after terrorists crossed over into southern Israel from Gaza on October 7, last year, killing an estimated 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and sneaking back with about 250 hostages, The Jerusalem Post reported.

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Blinken backed Israels military campaign to oust Hamas from Gaza and emphasised the significance of ensuring its security.

He also emphasised the importance of freeing the hostages and spoke of the US work on that effort with Egypt and Qatar, which are mediating release efforts.

Blinken, however, also took issue with the high fatality count in Gaza, based on Hamas assertions that over 23,000 Palestinians have been killed in the ongoing military operations.

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The fatality count, however, was quoted by Hamas-run Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between terrorists and civilians killed.

Israel has asserted that it has killed more than 8,000 Hamas combatants in Gaza.

With inputs from agencies
The US government responded by objecting to the defense materials being provided and by stating that the information would only be made available when Gupta appeared in court in New York and was charged with the case

A US court has turned down a request for defense materials by Indian national Nikhil Gupta, the main accused in an alleged plot to assassinate Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Pannu on American soil.

In a ruling on Thursday, United States District Judge Victor Marrero rejected a request for discovery materials in the case made by Guptas legal representative.

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In an indictment that was made public in November of last year, federal prosecutors in this country accused 52-year-old Gupta of conspiring with an Indian government employee to carry out the abortive plan to assassinate dual US and Canadian citizen Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a separatist from Khalistani, on US soil.

On June 30, 2023, Gupta was detained in Prague, Czech Republic, and is still detained there. The US government is pursuing his extradition to America.

In a ruling on Thursday, United States District Judge Victor Marrero rejected a request for discovery materials in the case made by Guptas legal representative.

In an indictment that was made public in November of last year, federal prosecutors in this country accused 52-year-old Gupta of conspiring with an Indian government employee to carry out the abortive plan to assassinate dual US and Canadian citizen Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a separatist from Khalistani, on US soil.

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On June 30, 2023, Gupta was detained in Prague, Czech Republic, and is still detained there. The US government is pursuing his extradition to America.

Marrero stated in his order that the governments contention that Gupta does not currently have a right to discovery has convinced the court.

He referred to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 16.1, which states that the attorney for the government and the defendants attorney must confer and try to agree on a timetable and procedures for pretrial disclosure under Rule 16 no later than 14 days following the arraignment. Gupta has not produced any evidence, according to Marreros decision, indicating that a defendant is entitled to discovery prior to arraignment.

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Gupta has not yet been arraigned in this case, and the government is currently seeking Guptas extradition from the Czech Republic to the United States, Marrero said.

Prepared to produce discovery promptly upon the defendants appearance in this District and arraignment on this case, the government has told the court, he continued.

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Accordingly, Guptas motion is denied, Marreros order said.

In a Motion to Compel Production of Discovery, filed on January 4 in the US District Court, Southern District of New York, Guptas legal representative Jeff Chabrowe asked the court to order federal prosecutors to produce the defence materials relevant to its ability to defend the instant charges.

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The US government responded by objecting to the defense materials being provided and by stating that the information would only be made available when Gupta appeared in court in New York and was charged with the case.

The government respectfully submits this letter in opposition to defendant Nikhil Guptas motion to compel discovery during the pendency of his extradition proceedings in the Czech Republic, federal prosecutors had said in their response which was filed on Wednesday.

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According to them, the government is prepared to produce discovery promptly upon the defendants appearance in this District and arraignment on this case, in accordance with federal standards of criminal process. But before then, the defendant claims he has no right to discovery and that the court has no valid cause to provide it.

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US Attorney Damian Williams responded on behalf of the government, stating that Gupta has not yet established any legal claim or basis for discovery.

The government stands ready to provide discovery to him, like any other criminal defendant, promptly upon his appearance and arraignment in this District. His motion to compel discovery should be denied, Williams had said.

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(With agency inputs)
(Rwandan President) Paul Kagame is a bad neighbour  We have suspended all relations with him until he comes to his senses. He is harboring criminals who are destabilising Burundi, said Internal Affairs Minister Martin Niteretse

The Minister of Internal Affairs in Burundi on Thursday declared the suspension of diplomatic relations with Rwanda and said that the country has decided to close its border and expel Rwandan citizens.

The minister asserted that these measures were taken in response to allegations of Rwandas support for a rebel group responsible for attacks on Burundi.

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(Rwandan President) Paul Kagame is a bad neighbour  We have suspended all relations with him until he comes to his senses. He is harboring criminals who are destabilising Burundi, Associated Press quoted Internal Affairs Minister Martin Niteretse as saying while meeting with security officials in Kayanza province near the Rwandan border.

The minister said Burundis government had started deporting Rwandan nationals.

All the borders are closed. We dont need Rwandans here, and even those who were on our territory, we chased them out, he said.

Relations were severed following a recent address by Burundis President Evariste Ndayishimiye, wherein he accused Rwanda of supporting Burundian rebels identified as RED-Tabara, a group designated as a terrorist organization by Burundi. These rebels asserted responsibility for a December 22 attack, claiming the lives of 10 security officials according to their account, while the government reported 20 casualties, primarily civilians.

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Yolande Makolo, the spokesperson for the Rwandan government, expressed in a statement that Burundis decision is regrettable and goes against the principles of regional cooperation set by the East African Community. Rwanda has consistently refuted allegations of supporting the rebels.

On Thursday, a Burundian manager for a bus company said police were turning back their vehicles coming from Rwanda at the Gasenyi-Nemba border crossing. The manager spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.

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Reverien Burikukiye, who distributes food products between the two countries, said several Rwandans who use the Ruhwa border crossing were blocked while trying to return home, along with Burundians who had gone to a market in Rwanda.

We are neighbors, our only concern is to live in harmony with the Rwandans," Burikukiye said. If the leaders have differences, let them resolve them without making us suffer.

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This is not the first time Burundi has closed its border with Rwanda. It closed them in 2015 during political violence in Burundi that followed the disputed reelection of then-President Pierre Nkurunziza. Burundian authorities accused Rwanda of supporting the protesters and welcoming the perpetrators of a failed coup. The border reopened in 2022.

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The RED-Tabara rebel group first appeared in 2011 and has been accused of a string of attacks in Burundi since 2015. It is believed to be based in eastern Congo.

With inputs from agencies
It seems that we are being strangled and pressured from every side, but still, we are the largest economy in Europe, TASS quoted Putin as saying at a meeting with entrepreneurs active in Russias Far East

President Vladimir Putin has said that Russia has achieved the status of Europes leading economy and ranks fifth globally in terms of purchasing power parity, according to Russian media outlet TASS.

He emphasised that Russia now holds the position of the largest economy in Europe, surpassing the entire continent in purchasing power parity.

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It seems that we are being strangled and pressured from every side, but still, we are the largest economy in Europe, TASS quoted Putin as saying at a meeting with entrepreneurs active in Russias Far East.

We left Germany behind and climbed to fifth in the world (in terms of GDP at purchasing power parity): China, the US, India, Japan and Russia. We are number one in Europe, he added.

The Russian President, however, underlined that the country still needs to work harder for the per capita indicator.

We have left all of Europe behind in terms of purchasing power parity but as for the per capita indicator, we need to work harder. There is still work to be done, TASS quoted him as saying.

According to CNN, ever since the commencement of the conflict, Russia has faced challenges in accessing a significant portion of its foreign exchange reserves, which are held by its central bank.

These reserves were frozen in the West as part of sanctions imposed due to Russias invasion of Ukraine. The Russian central bank asserted at that time that the swift depletion of the surplus played a role in the decline of the ruble.

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By 2023, the currency had experienced a depreciation of over 30 per cent, reported CNN.

In a veiled attack on the US and other Western countries, the Kremlin, in October last year, had said that the Russian economy has adapted well to the Western sanctions and Moscow doesnt fear more such action.

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Russia has been living under a sanctions regime for quite a long time, for decades, and we have sufficiently adapted to it, so such time horizons as five to 10 years do not scare us, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters then, according to Al Jazeera.

Kremlin further said that the sanctions have boosted its domestic economy and industrial production.

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The Russia-Ukraine war started on February 24, 2022. A day after, the European Union introduced wide-ranging sanctions intended to send a clear signal to Moscow that there would be severe consequences for the war.

The bloc has imposed 11 sanctions packages to date and last week said it would work to shut down loopholes in the existing measures. EU officials have suggested the sanctions could remain in place for years, Al Jazeera reported.

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Meanwhile, the Western countries and Kyiv allege that Moscow is engaged in an unprovoked war of aggression in Ukraine. On the other hand, Moscow accuses Western powers of using Ukraine to try to weaken and undermine Russias own security.

With inputs from agencies
Former South African president Jacob Zuma and another former high-ranking official of the ruling party, Ace Magashule, who are both embroiled in corruption scandals, have forged a political alliance

South Africas ex-president Jacob Zuma and graft-tainted former top ruling party official Ace Magashule on Friday announced a political alliance ahead of elections, in a blow to the embattled African National Congress.

Zuma, aged 81, and Magashule, a former ANC secretary-general and a close ally, revealed their intention to unveil joint plans for their political collaboration.

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Despite facing corruption allegations that led to their dismissal from prominent positions, both individuals have established separate political parties in anticipation of the general elections scheduled between May and August this year.

The Magashule Zuma United Front will mark a departure from traditional politics towards a more inclusive, people-centric approach, AFP quoted Magashules party, the African Congress for Transformation (ACT), as saying in a statement.

The move could further dilute support for the ANC, which is struggling in the polls and could see its share of the vote drop below 50 percent for the first time since the advent of democracy in 1994.

Based on the current political climate, the announcement could be detrimental for the ANC because they dont have much time left until elections, Hlengiwe Ndlovu, a lecturer at the Wits School of Governance in Johannesburg told AFP.

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Despite the two leaders being scandal-tainted we know that the voters in poor communities dont really care.

Last month, Zuma drove a new split in the ANC, vowing to campaign and vote for the radical new Umkhonto We Sizwe (MK) party, or Spear of the Nation, named after the ANCs old military wing.

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The former head of state, who has never hidden his bitterness at the way he was pushed out of office, pointedly told a press conference it would be a betrayal to campaign for the ANC under his successor, President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Magashule, 64, was kicked out of the ANC last year over graft accusations but remains popular with parts of the left-leaning electorate. He formed the ACT in August.

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Author and political analyst Leslie Dikeni said the new alliance was further evidence of deep rifts within the ruling party.

But doubts remain over whether it would pose any serious threat to the ANC, Dikeni added.

In power for three decades, the ANC has had its once-stellar standing mauled by allegations of corruption and mismanagement, amid a weak economy hampered by power cuts, high unemployment and rampant crime.

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This event promises to be a crucial moment in shaping the political landscape, heralding a new era of collaboration and change, the ACT said of its new alliance.

With inputs from agencies
The administration of President Daniel Noboa has promised not to back down in its war with 22 criminal gangs, putting armed officers on the streets, conducting air, sea, and land patrols, conducting arbitrary searches of people and their vehicles, raiding prisons, and enforcing curfews

The Ecuadorian military, which has been fighting organised crime for the past 16 years, sent more than 22,400 soldiers on Thursday in an attempt to put an end to the gangs terror campaign, which has taken 16 lives.

The administration of President Daniel Noboa has promised not to back down in its war with 22 criminal gangs, putting armed officers on the streets, conducting air, sea, and land patrols, conducting arbitrary searches of people and their vehicles, raiding prisons, and enforcing curfews.

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They wanted to instill fear, but they aroused our ire, Defense Minister Gian Carlo Loffredo said on social media.

They believed they would subdue an entire country but forgot that the armed forces are trained for war.

Since Monday, drug cartels have been waging a bloody campaign of kidnappings and attacks in response to a government crackdown on organized crime, prompting Noboa to declare the country to be in a state of war.

Yield to evil: never! the 36-year-old Noboa, in office since November, said in a video message broadcast on television Thursday. Fight tirelessly: always!

The US State Department said Thursday that a top US military officer and senior officials will travel to Ecuador in the coming weeks to bolster Noboas fight.

The small South American country has been plunged into crisis after years of growing control by transnational cartels that use its ports to ship cocaine to the United States and Europe.

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Criminal gangs in the country of about 17 million people are thought to have more than 20,000 members.

The latest outburst of violence was sparked by the discovery Sunday of the prison escape of one of the countrys most powerful narco bosses, Jose Adolfo Macias, known by the alias Fito.

On Monday, Noboa imposed a state of emergency and nighttime curfew, but the gangs hit back with a declaration of war  threatening to execute civilians and security forces.

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They have instigated numerous prison riots, set off explosions and torched cars in public places.

By Thursday, gang members were holding 178 guards and administrative personnel hostage at several penitentiaries, according to the SNAI prison authority, which also reported ongoing riots and inmates shooting at members of the armed forces.

Police said the death toll rose to 16 late Wednesday with a terrorist attack on a discotheque in the Amazon that claimed two lives and injured nine people.

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Seven police personnel have been kidnapped in recent days, though only one remains in captivity.

Criminals time is up

On Tuesday, attackers wearing balaclavas stormed a state-owned TV station in the port city of Guayaquil, briefly taking staff hostage and firing shots in dramatic scenes broadcast live before police arrived.

Thirteen assailants were arrested, many of them teenagers.

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This attack in particular gave rise to panic, with many people leaving work early and running for the safety of home.

On Thursday, many shops and businesses in Ecuadors main cities remained shuttered.

We are afraid, afraid that when least expected, they (the gangsters) will do the same thing again, Ines Macas, a 69-year-old homemaker in Quito, told AFP.

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Public transport was reduced to a trickle, schools and universities closed and people urged to work from home.

Terrified citizens are bombarded on a near daily basis with videos on social media of purported assassinations of members of the security forces.

Police have not confirmed any executions and insist the videos are part of a disinformation campaign.

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Murder rate

Hundreds of police and soldiers have been deployed in a manhunt for Fito.

Officials have said another narco boss  Los Lobos leader Fabricio Colon Pico  also escaped following his arrest last Friday for alleged involvement in a plot to assassinate Ecuadors attorney general.

Along with the United States, the United Nations as well as China have expressed concern and offered support to Noboa.

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As the drug mafia has found a foothold in Ecuador in recent years, the countrys murder rate quadrupled from 2018 to 2022.

Last year was the worst yet, with 7,800 murders and a record 220 tons of drugs seized.
The US on Thursday released its first National Industrial Defence Strategy, acknowledging that a declining industrial base, supply-chain constraints and the outflow of weapons to Ukraine have left America vulnerable as firms supplying the Pentagon face mounting frustration over its lumbering pace

A senior US defence department official on Thursday issued a warning emphasising the urgent need for reform within the extensive Pentagon system if the US aims to effectively address the pacing challenge posed by Beijing.

The organisation is known for its lengthy decision-making processes, sluggish weapons development, and a tendency to over-design items that could be produced more cost-effectively by private companies.

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According to a South China Morning Post report, the US on Thursday released its first National Industrial Defence Strategy, acknowledging that a declining industrial base, supply-chain constraints and the outflow of weapons to Ukraine have left America vulnerable as companies supplying the Pentagon face mounting frustration over its lumbering pace.

We know that its not easy always to work with the Department of Defence. Many of you in the audience tell me that regularly, South China Morning Post quoted Laura Taylor-Kale, the US assistant secretary of defence for industrial base policy, a newly created position, as saying.

Well, were here. So what is it that we need in order to move forward? What is it that we need in order to be able to really build the industrial ecosystem that we need, that our warfighters need, in order to meet the pacing threats and current challenges?" Taylor-Kale asked.

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According to the report, Taylor-Kale noted that various factors have prompted Washington to recognise the vulnerability of its military logistics system.

These factors encompass the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, Chinas dominant role in lithium processing crucial for electric vehicles and green technologies, and Beijings recent imposition of export restrictions on gallium and germanium, essential components in numerous electronics. Additionally, the stockpiled weapons dispatched to Ukraine in response to Russias invasion will require several years to replenish.

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Meanwhile, the US lags behind in the development of highly maneuverable hypersonic weapons, which both Beijing and Moscow have already deployed.

As many of us have analysed the Chinese industrial base, the USs pacing threat, the main global competitor, it is moving swiftly, building weapons systems in preparation for a possible war with the United States," Seth Jones of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think tank, told South China Morning Post.

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So the defence industrial base is an essential aspect of deterrence as much as it is for warfighting, Jones added.

The strategy also recommended that the Pentagon team up with Indo-Pacific allies and partners to counter China, as Washington has done with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and others to assist Ukraine.

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We cant afford to wait. We have seen over the last few years, the importance of why we need resilient supply chains, said Taylor-Kale.

The importance is not just for us domestically, but also for our close allies and partners, she added. We think that the time for action is now.

The comprehensive 60-page report extensively covered fundamental principles and general concepts, deliberately lacking specific details. Taylor-Kale emphasized that this approach was intentional, providing a broad framework applicable to evolving theaters and weapons systems in the future.

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While uncertainties about the exact specifications, such as battery types, persist, the report asserted the certainty of the continued importance of critical minerals like lithium and strategic materials.

In addition, the Pentagon advocated for increased production, investment, and capacity, as well as enhanced stockpiling. Collaboration with allies, particularly within the Aukus alliance (comprising Australia, Britain, and the US), was highlighted. The overarching goal is to bolster weapons production and facilitate seamless integration of various weapons systems, ranging from artillery and cyber tools to hypersonic weapons.

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The report underscored the imperative of collaborating closely with allies to increase weapons production internationally. It recommended the pursuit of this objective through the establishment, growth, and maintenance of multiple redundant production lines across a consortium of like-minded nations.

Meanwhile, the Chinese embassy in Washington slammed the reports focus on China.

The China-related content of the National Defense Industrial Strategy hypes up major-power competition, zero-sum game," South China Morning Post quoted spokesman Liu Pengyu as saying. It aims to smear China with its Cold-War mentality. The sole purpose is to contain and suppress Chinas development and maintain the US hegemony. China deplores and rejects this, added Liu.

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With inputs from agencies
The UK PM reportedly pledged an additional GBP 18 million in help for Ukraine, bringing the total amount donated to around GBP 340 million

On Friday, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made an unexpected trip to Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, after announcing GBP 2.5 billion in military funding for 20242025a GBP 200 million increase over the previous two yearsto the nation embroiled in conflict with Russia.

A historic UK-Ukraine Agreement on Security Cooperation was signed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Sunak. This agreement was meant to mark the start of what Downing Street called a unshakeable 100-year partnership with Ukraine.

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According to the agreement, the UK will consult with Ukraine in the event that Russia attacks it once more and will offer swift and sustained defense aid.

I am here today with one message: the UK will also not falter. We will stand with Ukraine, in their darkest hours and in the better times to come, Sunak told the media in Kyiv.

For two years, Ukraine has fought with great courage to repel a brutal Russian invasion. They are still fighting, unfaltering in their determination to defend their country and defend the principles of freedom and democracy, he added.

The UK is already one of Ukraines closest partners, because we recognise their security is our security. Today we are going further  increasing our military aid, delivering thousands of cutting-edge drones, and signing a historic new security agreement to provide Ukraine with the assurances it needs for the long term.

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At least GBP 200 million of the GBP 2.5 billion set up for 20242025 will go toward a significant initiative to quickly acquire and build thousands of military drones for Ukraine, including naval, long-range, and surveillance drones.

According to the British government, the technology will provide Ukraine with state-of-the-art, combat-proven capability to protect its civilians and take aim at the Russian forces advancing on land and water.

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The Ministry of Defence is working with international partners to considerably increase the number of drones provided for Ukraines defense, with the majority of the drones being made in the UK.

Sunak visited emergency personnel in Kyiv who were dealing with the fallout from Russian airstrikes.

The UK PM reportedly pledged an additional GBP 18 million in help for Ukraine, bringing the total amount donated to around GBP 340 million, according to 10 Downing Street. A portion of the money will help humanitarian aid organizations like the UN and Red Cross operate on the front lines, while GBP 8 million will be used to protect Ukraines energy infrastructure from more Russian assaults.

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In an effort to strengthen diplomatic relations and economic competitiveness, the Ukrainian government has proposed legislation to support English in Ukraine. According to the most recent announcement, the UK would pay for Ukrainians of all ages to take online English classes in addition to offering resources and teacher training.

The UK government said Fridays visit built on months of direct diplomacy between Sunak and Zelenskyy, as well as a world-leading record of UK military, diplomatic and economic support for Ukraine during the ongoing crisis with Russia.

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(With agency inputs)
The purpose of the strikes, according to President Joe Biden, was to show that the US and its allies will not tolerate the terrorist groups ongoing attacks on the Red Sea

In a huge retaliation assault involving fighter planes and Tomahawk missiles launched from warships and submarines, the US and British forces targeted over a dozen locations in Yemen that are utilised by the Houthis, who are backed by Iran, on Thursday, according to US authorities. According to them, the military objectives included places for storing and launching weapons, air defence systems, and logistics centres.

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The purpose of the strikes, according to President Joe Biden, was to show that the US and its allies will not tolerate the terrorist groups ongoing attacks on the Red Sea. He said that only after trying to reach a diplomatic agreement and giving it considerable thought did they decide to act.

These strikes are in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea  including the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history, Biden said in a statement. He noted the attacks endangered US personnel, civilian mariners and jeopardized trade, and he added, I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.

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Associated Press journalists in Yemens capital, Sanaa, heard four explosions early Friday local time. Amin Ali Saleh and Hani Ahmed, two Hodieda residents, claimed they heard five powerful explosions impact the citys western port sector, which is located on the Red Sea and is the Houthis major port city. Residents of Taiz, a southern city near the Red Sea, reported hearing explosions as well.

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The strikes were the first US military reaction to a campaign of drone and missile assaults on commercial ships that has been ongoing since the commencement of the Israel-Hamas conflict. And the concerted military assault comes just a week after the White House and a number of partner countries issued a last warning to the Houthis to stop attacking or face military action. Under the condition of anonymity, the officials discussed military activities when describing the strikes. Congressmen were informed on the strike preparations earlier on Thursday.

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Attacks ceased for many days, suggesting that the warning had at least some temporary effect. However, US and British ships, as well as American fighter planes, responded to the Houthi rebels Tuesday largest-ever onslaught of drones and missiles aimed at commerce in the Red Sea by shooting down 18 drones, two cruise missiles, and one anti-ship missile. Additionally, a commercial ship saw the Houthis launch an anti-ship ballistic missile into the Gulf of Aden on Thursday, but the ship was not struck.

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In a call with reporters, senior administration and military officials said that after the Tuesday attacks, Biden convened his national security team and was presented with military options for a response. He then directed Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to carry out the retaliatory strikes.

In a separate statement, U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the Royal Air Force carried out targeted strikes against military facilities used by the Houthis. The Defense Ministry said four fighter jets based in Cyprus took part in the strikes.

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Noting the militants have carried out a series of dangerous attacks on shipping, he added, This cannot stand. He said the U.K. took limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defense, alongside the United States with non-operational support from the Netherlands, Canada and Bahrain against targets tied to these attacks, to degrade Houthi military capabilities and protect global shipping.

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And the governments of Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand and South Korea joined the US and U.K. in issuing a statement saying that while the aim is to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea, the allies wont hesitate to defend lives and protect commerce in the critical waterway.

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The rebels, who have carried out 27 attacks involving dozens of drones and missiles just since Nov. 19, had warned that any attack by American forces on its sites in Yemen will spark a fierce military response.

A high-ranking Houthi official, Ali al-Qahoum, vowed there would be retaliation. The battle will be bigger. and beyond the imagination and expectation of the Americans and the British, he said in a post on X.

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Al-Masirah, a Houthi-run satellite news channel, described strikes hitting the Al-Dailami Air Base north of Sanaa, the airport in the port city of the Hodeida, a camp east of Saada, the airport in the city of Taiz and an airport near Hajjah. And eyewitnesses who spoke with The Associated Press said they saw strikes in four areas, including Dhamar, Hodeida, Sanaa and Taiz.

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The Houthis did not immediately offer any damage or casualty information.

A senior administration official said that while the US expects the strikes will degrade the Houthis capabilities, we would not be surprised to see some sort of response, although they havent seen anything yet.

The Houthis say their assaults are aimed at stopping Israels war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. But their targets increasingly have little or no connection to Israel and imperil a crucial trade route linking Asia and the Middle East with Europe.

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Meanwhile, the U.N. Security Council passed a resolution Wednesday that demanded the Houthis immediately cease the attacks and implicitly condemned their weapons supplier, Iran. It was approved by a vote of 11-0 with four abstentions  by Russia, China, Algeria and Mozambique.

Britains participation in the strikes underscored the Biden administrations effort to use a broad international coalition to battle the Houthis, rather than appear to be going it alone. More than 20 nations are already participating in a US-led maritime mission to increase ship protection in the Red Sea.

US officials for weeks had declined to signal when international patience would run out and they would strike back at the Houthis, even as multiple commercial vessels were struck by missiles and drones, prompting companies to look at rerouting their ships.

On Wednesday, however, US officials again warned of consequences.

Im not going to telegraph or preview anything that might happen, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters during a stop in Bahrain. He said the US has made clear that if this continues as it did yesterday, there will be consequences. And Im going to leave it at that.

The Biden administrations reluctance over the past several months to retaliate reflected political sensitivities and stemmed largely from broader worries about upending the shaky truce in Yemen and triggering a wider conflict in the region. The White House wants to preserve the truce and has been wary of taking action in Yemen that could open up another war front.

The impact on international shipping and the escalating attacks, however, triggered the coalition warning, which was signed by the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom. Separately, the US called on the United Nations Security Council to take action against the Houthis and warned their financier Iran that it has a choice to make about continuing to provide support to the rebels.

Transit through the Red Sea, from the Suez Canal to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, is a crucial shipping lane for global commerce. About 12% of the worlds trade typically passes through the waterway that separates Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, including oil, natural gas, grain and everything from toys to electronics.

In response to the attacks, the US created a new maritime security mission, dubbed Operation Prosperity Guardian, to increase security in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Aden, with about 22 countries are participating. US warships, and those from other nations, have been routinely sailing back and forth through the narrow strait to provide protection for ships and to deter attacks. The coalition has also ramped up airborne surveillance.

The decision to set up the expanded patrol operation came after three commercial vessels were struck by missiles fired by Houthis in Yemen on Dec. 3.

The Pentagon increased its military presence in the region after the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks in Israel to deter Iran from widening the war into a regional conflict, including by the Houthis and Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria.
Some air travelers have added plane model to their list of criteria along with price and amenities when booking a trip

A recent midair cabin blowout of a new Alaska Airlines-operated Boeing jet has instilled immense fear among travelers, so much so that they have started checking the model of an aircraft before booking the flights.

A report by Reuters cited Booking Holdings-owned Kayak saying it has seen a spike in the use of a filter on its website that enables travelers to screen by plane model following 5 January, 2024 incident.

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Last Friday, when the 737 MAX 9 jetliner departed in Portland, Ore., a door plug  an exit sealed with a panel rather than used as a door  blew out about halfway down the fuselage of the aircraft. That left a gaping hole directly next to a row of seats. No one was sitting right next to the missing door plug.

Oxygen masks dropped from above, forcing pilots to turn back and land safely the aircraft with all 171 passengers and six crew members on board.

Since the incident, the US regulators have grounded 171 737 MAX 9 planes for safety checks while Alaska and United Airlines, which together have 70 per cent of the 737 MAX 9 fleet, have canceled hundreds of flights.

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Fear among travelers

As per the report, Kayak has shifted the filter up on its website to make it more prominent and added the ability to check specifically for the 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 models.

Internova Travel Group, which represents more than 100,000 travel advisors worldwide, has also said that it has seen more queries about plane models.

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The consumer who is aware of the situation is asking our agents, is this an impacted plane? Reuters quoted Peter Vlitas, an executive at the company, as saying.

When the MAX 9 jet resumes service, he said Internova agents will inform customers which model plane they will be booked on to regain client confidence.

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This week saw many travelers rearranging flights after cancellations by United and Alaska, said Paul Charles, chief executive of the travel consultancy PC Agency.

Some travelers have gone an extra mile to add plane model to their list of criteria along with price and amenities when booking a trip.

This incident has made us realise that there is another step that we need to add to our checklist while booking a flight, said Chaitra Yangandul, a Washington DC-based travel content creator.

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Not all have shown concern

Passengers had not shown any concern about flying on Boeing 737 aircraft since the grounding, said Ryanair Chief Executive Michael OLeary.

Europes largest airline by passenger numbers is one of Boeings largest customers and operates different variants of the 737 MAX from the type that has been grounded.

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We see no indication of any passenger concern  not one passenger, emphasised OLeary, adding that the biggest threat to the MAX came when it was grounded for nearly two years in 2019 following two crashes.

The UKs travel agent trade body - Association of British Travel Agents, or ABTA - said it has not received any calls from members of the public or travel agency members about the issue.

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A few other travel companies including Tripadvisor said it was too soon to track a major shift in booking or travel habits.

With inputs from Reuters
The UN Security Council passed a resolution demanding an immediate cessation of ship attacks in the Red Sea in response to the increasing attacks. But Mozambique, Algeria, China, and Russia chose not to participate in the vote

The strikes by the United States and Britain against Houthi military targets in Yemen has led to a dramatic regional widening of the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and has drawn sharp reactions from several nations.

The Iran-backed militia threatened both countries with dire consequences just hours after the US and British armies in Yemen started airstrikes in Houthi-controlled portions of the country in an attempt to thwart attacks on ships in the Red Sea.

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Member of the Houthi Supreme Political Council Mohammed Ali al-Houthi called the strikes on Yemen barbaric, and Hussein al-Ezzi, the Houthi deputy foreign minister, issued a dire warning, describing the action as a blatant act of aggression and threatening serious repercussions for both the US and Britain. International criticism has also been sparked by the strikes; Russia claimed that the action showed a complete disregard for international law.

Meanwhile, in response to the recent strikes in Yemen by the United States and the United Kingdom, Russia has asked for an urgent UN Security Council meeting. The US, UK, and other nations launched strikes against sites utilized by the Houthi rebels in Yemen, which prompted the conference, which is set for January 12.

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The strikes were described as appropriate and essential acts of self-defense by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. He underlined how crucial it is to protect trade freedom and the right of navigation. Sunak voiced worry about the Houthis ongoing strikes in the Red Sea, citing recent episodes involving US and UK vessels.

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The UN Security Council passed a resolution demanding an immediate cessation of ship attacks in the Red Sea in response to the increasing attacks. But Mozambique, Algeria, China, and Russia chose not to participate in the vote. These attacks were started by the Houthi rebels as payback for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They promised to keep up their attacks and block Israeli-affiliated ships passage until the Palestine crisis was resolved.

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The US government initiated Operation Prosperity Guardian to safeguard ship safety and preserve navigation in the Red Sea. The goal of this operation is to thwart the Houthi onslaught, which since mid-November has targeted more than 20 ships including commercial carriers.
The project to construct the 25-ton Zorawar light tank, which can move quickly and easily through the steep hilly terrain, is being worked on by DRDO and L&T. The project would be carried out as part of the Made in India campaign

The Zorawar light tank is currently undergoing development trials, and by April of this year, the DRDO hopes to turn it over to the Indian Army for additional testing.

Work on the light tank with its new engine has begun at the facilities of our development/production partner. By April of this year, the tank is anticipated to be handed over to the Indian Army after being towed for more than 100 kilometers, defense officials told the media.

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The Indian Army has instructed DRDO, in collaboration with Larsen and Toubro, to produce and supply 59 Zorawar light tanks.

In a separate project, the Indian Army will organize a competition to purchase 295 more Zorawar light tanks, for which six to seven companies are submitting their light tank offerings.

The Indian Army, which collaborates with private companies to develop cutting-edge weaponry, is completely supporting the massive initiative.

The Indian Army is working on the Zorawar light tank project to increase its maneuverability and mobility in the Ladakh region, where the Chinese have also deployed a significant number of light tanks, according to them.

Similar capabilities were suggested by the Indian Army as a means of countering Chinese threats. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) recently gave the project the go-ahead.

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The project to construct the 25-ton Zorawar light tank, which can move quickly and easily through the steep hilly terrain, is being worked on by DRDO and L&T. The project would be carried out as part of the Made in India campaign.

(With agency inputs)
*Propelled by a surge in the exports of new energy vehicles, China's auto exports surged to a record high of 4.91 million vehicles in 2023.

*Total auto sales in China topped 30.09 million units in 2023, while output exceeded 30.16 million units.

* China's thriving auto exports is backed by its vast and burgeoning domestic market, the government's push for low-carbon development, an increasingly modern industrial system, and mature industrial chains.

BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- China's auto exports surged 57.9 percent year on year to a record high of 4.91 million vehicles in 2023 as the country's automakers expanded their presence overseas, data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) showed Thursday.

This figure marks another significant increase after the country exported 3.11 million vehicles in 2022 and 2.02 million in 2021.

The massive growth was propelled by a surge in the exports of new energy vehicles (NEVs), which soared 77.6 percent to more than 1.2 million units last year. Exports of pure electric vehicles expanded by 80.9 percent while that of hybrid ones increased by 47.8 percent year on year.

Total auto sales surged 12 percent year on year to top 30.09 million units in 2023, while output exceeded 30.16 million units, up 11.6 percent compared with the 2022 level, CAAM data revealed.

In 2023, production and sales of NEVs exceeded 9.58 million and 9.49 million units, surging 35.8 percent and 37.9 percent year on year, respectively. The market share of NEVs stood at 31.6 percent.

GREATER GLOBAL RECOGNITION

"The rapid expansion of China's auto sector is delivering improvement to both performance and quality of its products, which are gradually being recognized and accepted by global consumers," said Shu Jueting, a spokesperson with China's commerce ministry, when commenting on the growth of China's auto exports Thursday.

Western and Southern European and Southeast Asian markets are China's major auto export destinations, particularly Belgium, Spain, the United Kingdom and Thailand, according to Cui Dongshu, secretary general of the China Passenger Car Association.

While export volume rose sharply, the average price of automobiles exported last year also increased to 19,000 U.S. dollars, up from 16,000 dollars in 2021, Cui revealed.

"Made-in-China vehicles have not only expanded their reach, but are also improving in quality and gaining greater market recognition," Cui said.

"Before you had to push consumers to buy Chinese cars because people were not familiar with them, but now there are people coming to ask for such brands," said Richard Van Der Engle, owner of a car dealership that sells MG models of China's SAIC in New Zealand.

"New Zealanders have high expectations in terms of the technology available in their cars," he said.

AUTO MANUFACTURING STRENGTH

China's BYD, which overtook Tesla last quarter as the world's leading seller of pure electric vehicles, saw its exports grow by about 334 percent to over 240,000 units in 2023. The company has sold its products to more than 70 countries and regions on six continents.

Foreign automakers in China are also increasing exports to the global market. Ford China announced in December 2023 that it had shipped over 100,000 vehicles manufactured in China overseas, recording a historic high.

China's thriving auto exports, especially NEV sales in overseas markets, is backed by its vast and burgeoning domestic market, the government's push for low-carbon development, an increasingly modern industrial system, and mature industrial chains.

Shenzhen-based BYD has benefited from technical advancement in this southern tech hub, which boasts a variety of manufacturers producing products ranging from battery packs to charging piles, as well as internet and artificial intelligence companies that are making inroads into the intelligent driving sector.

In the Yangtze River Delta, a major automobile production base in China, an NEV rolls off the production lines every 10 seconds. With chips and software sourced from Shanghai, batteries produced in Jiangsu, and die-casting machines from Zhejiang, an NEV factory in the delta region can acquire all necessary auto parts within a four-hour drive.

"After a long period of 'accumulation,' auto exports in China have entered a stage of explosive growth," said Cui Dongshu, who believes that there is huge development scope for NEVs and domestic brands.

UPBEAT PROSPECTS AHEAD

Looking ahead, Chen Shihua, deputy secretary-general of the CAAM, said that with the overall economy continuing to recover, China's auto market is likely to maintain sound momentum this year.

The CAAM said it expects China's NEV sales to reach 11.5 million units in 2024, while total auto exports are tipped to hit 5.5 million units.

"The year 2024 could be a crucial year for China's NEV industry in terms of enlarging its presence in the global arena and being a driving force for economic and social development," said Zhang Yongwei, vice president of electric vehicle industry think tank China EV100.

The stronger global presence of Chinese automobiles will change the landscape of the world's auto industry, according to Zhang, who predicted that China's auto exports, combined with vehicles produced in overseas branches of Chinese companies, will top 10 million in 2030, of which 50 percent will be NEVs.

(Video reporters: Ding Ting, Zhou Rui; Video editors: Zhang Yueyuan, Zhu Jianhui, Zheng Xin, Hong Ling)




"Private investment announcements have been made in recent months, not only in mining, but also in transportation, real estate, manufacturing, and energy, among others sectors," the government official said.





"Peru is once again becoming a center of attraction for investments that had not been seen. For example, assembly plants are returning, and that is very good news that has gone unnoticed, since cars will be assembled again in our country. There are enormous opportunities to develop maquilas and other productive sectors, but that requires a lot of work," he added.





the role of the central government is to create the best conditions for investments and prosperity. During the Chancay-Callao Port Hub forum on Thursday, Contreras affirmed that there are evident signs of private investment recovery, including mining projects that are being reactivated, which is why





"We need to work on simplifying processes, reducing paperwork, and optimizing regulations in general. We have the framework, because 13 legislative decrees were approved last year, which will help accelerate public and private investment," he said.





Public investment





The minister highlighted that public investment played a key role in 2023 to cushion the negative effect of internal and external shocks.





"This is the first time that public investment has grown around 9% in a year in which regional and local authorities changed. We did not see this in 2019, nor in 2015, nor in 2011, which was basically due to the boost by the national government," Contreras explained.





"There was also an effort from regional governments, which we must recognize. The 'Con Punche Gerentes' (Managers with Strength) strategy of providing highly specialized managers in regions has borne fruit," he added.





Likewise, the Cabinet member noted that the national government has created the first securitization trust in the history of Peru, which will allow the development of Lima and Callao Metro Lines 3 and 4.





"Moreover, we are now working on creating a securitization trust for megaprojects at the national level. State ministries, in coordination with regional governments, are working on the construction of those portfolios," he reported.





(END) CNA/RMB/MVB
Ministerio Publico solicita 34 anos de prision contra Pedro Castillo Terrones por los delitos de rebelion, abuso de autoridad y grave perturbacion a la tranquilidad publica.



El expresidente es acusado de perpetrar el golpe de estado el pasado 7 de diciembre de 2022. pic.twitter.com/hX19oLktNQ
?? El ministro del Interior, Victor Torres Falcon, ha dispuesto el envio inmediato de un contingente de la Direccion de Operaciones Especiales (Diroes) de la @PoliciaPeru para reforzar la seguridad en la linea de frontera con #Ecuador.#PorUnPaisSeguro ???????? pic.twitter.com/zNajfL527T
??El B.A.P. Union, Embajada itinerante del Peru, arribo a Niza, Francia! Nuestra Embajada y Consulados en ese pais recibieron a este buque y a su tripulacion, dandoles una calida bienvenida que fue seguida por medios de prensa ????. Mas informacion ?? https://t.co/r7qnRjp8Ga pic.twitter.com/sPGCMv52V5
Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2024.
CHRISTINE GALLAGHER/Special to the Sentinel

Venice was unlike any place Christine Gallagher had previously visited. During a recent trip to Italy, she was able to take in the beauty of Venice and experience its wonderful foods.
The first 10 gray wolves released into Colorado in a reintroduction program are still in Colorado and all are doing well, a state wildlife official said Thursday.

Theyre still alive and as of today weve had no reports of depredation of livestock by the wolves, Reid DeWalt, a Colorado Parks and Wildlife assistant director, told the agencys commission.

Were grateful for that, that theyre doing so well, DeWalt said.

Both he and agency Director Jeff Davis at a commission meeting this week also apologized for some things they said Parks and Wildlife could have done better in its initial reintroduction effort.

For those things that didnt go exactly right I apologize, DeWalt said.

One thing the agency is hearing is a desire from ranchers and others to be better informed about the location of wolves. DeWalt said Parks and Wildlife is hoping to soon begin providing on its website information on where animals are generally located, with a sensitivity toward still protecting the wolves.

We know theres a lot of requests for that, he said.

The animals are fitted with collars with technology to help track their location, but DeWalt said it doesnt show where they are at a specific moment, but rather where they have been.

The agency captured and relocated 10 wolves from Oregon in its first wolf releases, after a 2020 voter-approved measure required restoration of gray wolves into the state. It has faced questions, including from some state lawmakers, for choosing some wolves from packs with a history of livestock depredation in Oregon, but says it is following its wolf restoration and management plan and the advice of an expert group by not having chosen animals from chronically depredating packs or ones with a recent history of depredation.

DeWalt said animals were selected with a full knowledge of their history, Parks and Wildlife isnt trying to hide anything, and if the agency was in a position to revisit its selection today he would say it would select the same animals.

I think the major thing that we would do differently would be to communicate that more clearly as to why those decisions were made, and were working on that into the future, he said.

Parks and Wildlife hopes to introduce up to five more wolves this year, assuming it can find a source for them. So far the only jurisdiction that has been willing to give it wolves is Oregon, which agreed to offer up to 10. Parks and Wildlife also plans to introduce more wolves over a few more years.

The agency has faced questions over its failure to notify area ranchers and local or state officials before making the first wolf releases in Grand and Summit counties. Although Gov. Jared Polis and some wolf reintroduction advocates were present at the first release, Commissioner Marie Haskett said at the commissions meeting this week that commissioners, who long had worked on reintroduction, werent notified or invited, and others who worked countless hours on reintroduction werent invited to subsequent releases. Even Grand County Commissioner Merrit Linke, who was part of the expert advisory group, wasnt invited, while certain other members of that group were, she said.

She said that CPW has taken a huge hit with the public because of these political actions.

Parks and Wildlife limited attendance at the first wolf release of five wolves for what it said was the safety of the wolves and agency staff, and its releases of the remaining five wolves were performed quietly and announced afterward. Commission Chair Dallas May said this week it was his understanding the releases were to occur without much fanfare and without telling the public exactly when releases would occur, to allow for the best chance for success.

I was not surprised that it was done quietly and I am somewhat surprised that some people are offended that they werent standing there watching the wolves when they were being released because I think that would only have been a detriment to both sides, he said.

Commissioner Duke Phillips voiced disappointment about not hearing until the next day in a media report that wolves had been released, after having worked on the reintroduction plan for 16 months.

It kind of cut. It hurt to be so invested in something and have such a feeling about a plan that we put forward, to find out the day after it already happened, he said.

He said he cant imagine what livestock producers and other people in the release area were feeling, and thinks how the release was handled in terms of communications and transparency drove a big wedge in what already is an urban/rural divide in views on wolf reintroduction.

Davis apologized to the commissioners in response to the concerns raised about notification and lack of transparency, just as he said he has apologized to the state legislature. He also said he wanted to make clear that agency staff did their jobs well.

My apology comes from me because the area that has the most impact was the ball that I dropped and so I apologize to all of you for the notification and the transparency pieces, he said.

Commissioner Jay Tutchton told Davis its important not to lose sight of that big picture, with Colorado being the first state to ever reintroduce a large carnivore. Parks and Wildlife successfully followed the rule of law and complied with the will of voters, all with Davis coming in midstream as the new director last year, and it successfully completed the challenging task of safely capturing, transporting and release wolves, he said.

It was a historic achievement. Dont lose sight of that, he said.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 12, ARMENPRESS. The U.S. supports a durable and dignified peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James OBrien has said.

We support a peace agreement, a durable and dignified peace, between Azerbaijan and Armenia, OBrien said at an online press briefing. And on this, a couple points. Were very encouraged that they continue to have a robust agenda bilaterally and address the issues that remain between them. There are more to work through, and to the extent we can be helpful as they do, were happy to support. We have very full relationships with both countries that range across economic, security, and political ties and we would like to see them both benefit from a peace arrangement, and well be working to that end in whatever way is most acceptable.

He went on to laud Armenias reform agenda.

I think this is another great opportunity for both governments to deliver more for their people. The reform agenda in Armenia is very impressive. Azerbaijan has elections coming up and I know can talk about the role that it wants to play in regional economic development, and I think a peace arrangement would only contribute to those plans. Now, we would like to be able to discuss all the issues we have on the agenda with both countries, from our concerns about some people in detention to bilateral issues, and well have a very full agenda as we go forward. But its all under the umbrella of encouraging a lasting, durable, dignified peace between the two countries, James OBrien said.
Turkey's anti-Mossad operation 'seriously surprised' Israel, Erdogan boasts

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 11 January 2024 9:18 AM

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has boasted about the recent detention of individuals suspected of spying for Israel's Mossad by the country's intelligence service, saying the operation has "seriously surprised" Tel Aviv.

Erdogan made the remarks during a speech marking the 97th anniversary of the establishment of Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) in the capital Ankara on Wednesday, referring to the detention of 34 suspects in a coordinated operation in Istanbul and seven other provinces earlier this month.

"Our [intelligence] service, which unearthed the spy network [for Israel] in our country, has given the best response to those threatening us," Erdogan said.

"Of course [the operation] seriously surprised Israel. But wait, these are the first steps. You will get to know Turkey very well," he added, hinting that new counterespionage operations against alleged Israeli spy networks could be underway.

On January 2, the Turkish police detained 34 people on charges of espionage for Israel's Mossad spy agency, weeks after the Tel Aviv regime threatened to target members of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas living abroad, including in Turkey.

The arrests came a month after Israel's Kan news network aired a recording in which Ronen Bar, the head of Israel's internal spy agency - known as Shin Bet - said Tel Aviv was determined to kill Hamas leaders "in every location" around the world.

At the time, Erdogan warned Israel of a "heavy price" if the Tel Aviv regime carried out its plot to target members of Hamas on Turkish soil.

On Friday, a Turkish court ruled that 15 of the suspects detained earlier in the month on charges of espionage activities for Mossad would remain in custody.

Of the 34 suspects, 26 were referred to the court with a request to be arrested for "political or military espionage."

Eight suspects were also reportedly handed over to the provincial immigration department for deportation.

Turkish police have previously broken up spy networks targeting Palestinians living in the country.

Back in July, Turkish authorities said they had uncovered and disrupted a vast "ghost" Mossad spy network centered in Istanbul, following months of surveillance.

The substantial efforts by Turkey's MIT exposed 56 operatives allegedly spying on non-Turkish citizens in Turkey in the service of Mossad.

Also in May, Turkish media outlets reported that local authorities had managed to arrest 11 people suspected of being part of a Mossad-led network.

Turkey also broke Mossad-aligned spy rings in 2021 and 2022.

Erdogan has been vocal in denouncing Israel's relentless strikes on Gaza and has already said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will eventually be "tried as a war criminal."

Turkey and Israel have maintained some form of diplomatic ties, as both sides took a step towards normalizing their relations by reappointing ambassadors after years of tension. However, the current Gaza war has deteriorated their bilateral relations significantly.

Israel launched the war on Gaza on October 7 after Hamas waged the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity in response to the Israeli regime's decades-long suppression and devastation against Palestinians.

Since the start of the aggression, the Tel Aviv regime has killed 23,210 Palestinians, most of them women and children, and injured some 59,167 others.

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US Working on Creating Fifth Column in Russia, Intel Chief Warns

Sputnik News

20240111

The Foreign Intelligence Service reported that the US plans to recruit Russian graduates of exchange programs to create a fifth column to fill the void that the previous opposition left when they had exited Russia and interfere in the presidential elections scheduled for March.

The United States intends to beef up its meddling efforts using Russian graduates of American exchange programs to interfere in the Russian presidential elections, the press office of the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) reported, citing the director of the service, Sergei Naryshkin.

"Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Director Sergey Naryshkin stated that, based on the information received by the Service, as the Russian presidential elections approach, US security agencies are devising increasingly sophisticated methods of illegal interference in the democratic procedures. Washington plans to step up efforts with Russians who are graduates of American exchange programs," the statement says.

The US believes that Russian scholarship holders of American programs could potentially become the backbone of this fifth column with "proper handling", Naryshkin maintained.

"According to the State Department's calculations, the number of Russian scholarship holders of American educational and cultural programs, such as Access, Advance, FLEX, Fulbright, Global UGRAD, Summer Work and Travel, and others, exceeds 80,000 people. With 'proper handling,' as the Americans believe, they can replace the unsystematic opposition that has fled to the West en masse and become the core element of the fifth column," the statement continued.

The agency also noted that Washington seeks to get Russian scholarship holders involved in hammering out new sanction schemes to pressure Russia.

"Washington is escalating efforts to restore contacts with these citizens, establishing confidential communication with them. The plan involves actively engaging former scholarship recipients in a political struggle against the Russian authorities. A program for such an endeavor is already in the works, including training sessions in neighboring countries. The main emphasis will be on teaching participants methods of fueling interethnic and social discord, interfering in elections, and discrediting the leadership of the Russian Federation on social media. Special attention at meetings will be given to refining secure communication with American 'case managers.' Washington also hopes to involve scholarship recipients in the preparation of new mechanisms for sanctions pressure on Russia," the statement said.

The Foreign Intelligence Service emphasized that in the run-up to the Russian presidential elections, the US is seizing every opportunity to stir up the situation in the country. "Apparently, in the not-so-far-off future, the State Department will take on the alumni of Anglo-American daycare centers and schools," the statement concluded.

A Sputnik

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Statement on 2023 Democratic Republic of Congo presidential elections

Global Affairs Canada

Statement

January 11, 2024 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement on the results of the presidential election in the Democratic Republic of Congo:

"On behalf of the Government of Canada, I congratulate President Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo on his re-election and the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo for a peaceful election, despite the difficulties encountered.

"Canada encourages the Independent National Election Commission to consider the recommendations of the electoral observation missions and to apply the lessons learned from this electoral process to future electoral cycles.

"Canada also encourages all those involved to work constructively, in alignment with human rights, to enable the Congolese people to build a strong and healthy democracy.

"For over 60 years, Canada and the Democratic Republic of Congo have enjoyed a solid bilateral relationship. Today, nearly 35,000 Congolese-Canadians call Canada home, and enrich our country's culture and diversity with their contributions.

"Canada and the Democratic Republic of Congo are strong partners in the pursuit of peace, security, and stability. Whether bilaterally or in the multilateral sphere, we are contributing to international efforts to promote stability and peace. And through our Feminist International Assistance Policy, Canada is working with partners to help the Democratic Republic of Congo promote gender equality, bolster inclusive governance and child protections, and improve health care, including sexual and reproductive health and rights.

"The Government of Canada looks forward to continuing to work with President Tshisekedi to further collaboration and strengthening ties between our two countries. As partners in international organizations, including the United Nations, the World Trade Organization and La Francophonie, Canada and the Democratic Republic of Congo will continue to work together to bolster trade, create opportunities and economic growth and address the greatest challenges of our time, such as fighting climate change and promoting peace in the face of global instability."

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January 11, 2024

Release

Readout of Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Daniel Erikson Visit to Guyana, Suriname

Department of Defense Spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Devin T. Robinson provided the following readout:

From January 8-9, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Mr. Daniel Erikson, visited Guyana. He met with Guyana's national security leaders including President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Mark Phillips, National Security Advisor Gerry Gouveia, and Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force Brigadier General Omar Khan. In these meetings, DASD Erikson underscored the Department's commitment to strengthening U.S.-Guyana defense cooperation. He reaffirmed the United States' unwavering support for Guyana's sovereignty and the U.S. government's support for a peaceful resolution of the dispute regarding the land boundary between Venezuela and Guyana that respects Guyana's territorial integrity. DASD Erikson also highlighted Guyana's growing international leadership role, including its terms as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

On January 9, DASD Erikson met with Secretary-General Carla Barnett of CARICOM to discuss the Department's substantial engagement in the Caribbean to address regional defense and security challenges. He discussed the Department's initiatives to promote climate resilience, deepen security cooperation, and address insecurity in Haiti. He underscored the importance of continued partnership and collaboration to strengthen U.S.-Caribbean mechanisms to improve regional security.

On January 10, DASD Erikson visited Suriname. He had meetings with President Chandrikapersad Santokhi, Foreign Minister Albert Ramdin, Minister of Defense Krishnakoemari Mathoera, and Commander of Suriname's Armed Forces Colonel Werner Kioe A Sen. DASD Erikson discussed the U.S.-Suriname defense partnership and efforts to deepen and expand cooperation, based on a foundation of shared values, democratic institutions, and mutual support. He welcomed Suriname's reaffirmation of its commitment to information sharing agreements to address illicit trafficking and integrate Suriname into regional security coordination mechanisms.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3643507/

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January 11, 2024

By C. Todd Lopez , DOD News

Inspector General Initiates Review of DOD Procedures Following Austin Hospitalization

The Defense Department's inspector general yesterday sent a memorandum announcing a review examining the roles, processes, procedures, responsibilities and actions related to the secretary of defense's recent hospitalization.

"[The review will] assess whether the DOD's policies and procedures are sufficient to ensure timely and appropriate notifications and the effective transition of authorities as may be warranted due to health-based or other unavailability of senior leadership," the memorandum said.

During a briefing today, Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said the department welcomes the review and will cooperate with the IG to ensure its success.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, in late December for surgery to treat prostate cancer. He returned home the following day.

On Monday of last week, the secretary was again admitted to Walter Reed with complications related to that earlier surgery. Those complications included nausea, along with abdominal, hip and leg pain. In response to those complications, Austin underwent additional treatment at Walter Reed, and he remains there recovering from those additional procedures.

After Austin's admission to Walter Reed last week, the Defense Department failed to properly notify appropriate parties, including President Joe Biden, about the secretary's condition.

In addition to the inspector general review, the secretary's chief of staff directed the DOD's director of administration and management to conduct a 30-day review of the department's notification process for assumption of functions and duties of the secretary of defense.

"While [there are] understandably many outstanding questions, it's also important to allow both of these reviews to run their course so that we can assure a full accounting of the facts and importantly to ensure that we can most effectively improve processes and procedures as necessary, as well as meet the standards of transparency expected by the American public, Congress and the news media," Ryder said.

Ryder also told reporters that while certain notifications hadn't been made while Austin was in the hospital, the Defense Department's command and control was not at risk.

"This is an important point, that during this situation at no time was there a gap in command and control for the Department of Defense," he said. "At all times, national security was in good hands and either the secretary or the deputy defense secretary were at the helm."

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China abstains UNSC resolution over Red Sea crisis, concerned over 'fueling tensions'

Global Times

By Zhang Han Published: Jan 11, 2024 08:16 PM

China, along with Algeria, Mozambique and Russia, abstained on a US-backed UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution demanding Houthi militia stop attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, which was adopted on Wednesday with 11 voting for and zero against.

Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN, explained China's abstention as certain revisions proposed by UNSC members were not incorporated into the text.

Defeated amendments included adding "the text's provisions should not be seen to create precedent or new norms of international law," changes to language regarding the defense of vessels and contents relating to the conflict in the Gaza Strip, according to a press release by the UN.

The text remains ambiguous on several key issues and Zhang expressed concern that the resolution might not achieve its intended effect, or might even lead to negative consequences and further escalate regional tensions.

Stating that his delegation therefore had to abstain, Zhang called on the Houthi militia to abide by the resolution and on relevant parties to play a constructive role to ease tensions in the Red Sea.

Liu Zhongmin, a professor at the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University, told the Globala Times on Thursday that a major flaw of the resolution lay in the fact that it treated the Red Sea crisis as a separate issue while it was obviously a spillover of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Targeting Houthi militia without substantial efforts to de-escalate the Gaza war is like putting the cart before the horse, he said.

The US formed a so-called international coalition in December 2023 to deal with Houthi attacks and the fighting has been escalating. On Tuesday, US Central Command said the US and British navies downed 21 missiles and drones launched by Houthi forces, according to media reports.

In response to the UN resolution, the head of Yemen's Houthi supreme revolutionary committee, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, said on Thursday that what armed forces in Yemen were doing comes within the framework of legitimate defense, and that any action they confront will be met with a reaction.

Liu raised concerns that the US and its coalition may use the resolution to justify expanded strikes on Houthi group. The US may not intend to get deeply involved in the Red Sea crisis as it is not "cost-efficient," but its approach is aggravating tensions.

The prolonged Gaza war has led to not only the Red Sea crisis but also an Israel-Lebanon conflict at the borders, among other regional sporadic conflicts.

Liu said US pressure on Houthi group and diplomatic posturing to media in the Gaza war without substantial efforts will only cause the intertwined conflicts in the region to last longer and become more complicated.

If the situation continues, the entire Middle East will ultimately face a dire security prospect and likely spikes in extremism and terrorism, Liu warned.

Given these longer-term prospects and the immediate impact on energy prices and global trade, it is ridiculous to claim China is benefiting from Middle East instability when it is the US that is trying to reaffirm its hegemony in the region, analysts said.

China has had a consistent stance that related parties should act with restraint and capable powers should play constructive roles rather than fan the flames, they said.

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Foreign and security policy issues on the agenda when Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom welcomed Japanese counterpart Yoko Kamikawa to Stockholm

Government Offices of Sweden

11 January 2024

Bilateral issues, foreign and security policy developments in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region, and the situation in the Middle East were on the agenda when Mr Billstrom received Japan's Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoko Kamikawa in Stockholm on 10 January.

"Japan and Sweden share the view that security in Europe and in the Indo-Pacific region are closely linked. The two countries are like-minded in defending the international world order and condemning Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In light of the geopolitical developments, close cooperation between our countries is particularly important," says Mr Billstrom.

Sweden and Japan have long enjoyed excellent relations and it is a priority for the entire Swedish Government to deepen them. The cooperation is based on common values and support for democracy and the rules-based world order. This includes extensive exchange in areas such as trade and investment, security and defence policy, research, culture and multilateral issues. Japan is Sweden's second-largest trade partner in Asia, and Japanese investments in Sweden have increased in recent years.

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Hezbollah carries out rocket attacks against northern Palestine

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 11, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Zionist media has said that Kiryat Shmona, in northern parts of the occupied lands, has been hit by 20 rockets.

Lebanon's Hezbollah has confirmed that it has carried out rocket attacks against the city, stressing that the Lebanese Islamic Resistance is ready to give immediate response to any attack from the Zionist Army.

Hours earlier, two Lebanese health workers were killed in a Zionist attack on a medical center in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah said that this crime had occurred in line with Tel Aviv's aggressive and terrorist policies.

9341**2050

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YEREVAN, JANUARY 12, ARMENPRESS. The Margara border crossing checkpoint in the Armenian-Turkish border is ready for use after a major renovation, the Deputy Chairman of the State Revenue Committee of Armenia Karen Tamazyan has said.

All infrastructures in terms of technical customs equipment, passport control, and for the border guards, are ready for duly implementation of the passenger service, he said.

Turkey shut down its border with Armenia in 1993.

In 2021, Armenia and Turkey announced readiness to normalize ties. In 2022, the two countries agreed to open the land border for citizens of third countries and diplomatic passport holders. The agreement is yet to be implemented.

In October 2023, Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan said he hoped the border would be opened soon.
Ansarallah says will continue to target Zionist-linked vessels

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 11, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Abdel-Malek al-Houthi, the Leader of Yemen's Ansarallah, has reacted to the approval of a US-pushed resolution against Ansarallah in the UN Security Council and said that the group will continue its attacks against the Zionist-linked vessels.

Noting that liberating the Palestinian land is the legitimate right of its real owners (the people of Palestine), he said that the stance of Western governments against the situation going on in Gaza is shameful.

The Palestinian people are entitled to stand up to oppression and free their homeland, al-Houthi said.

He stressed that the Zionists have committed the worst crimes against the Palestinian people over the past 75 years and the Palestinian October 7 operation against the Zionist occupiers was a reaction to these crimes.

9341**2050

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Islamic Jihad Movement condemns UNSC resolution against Ansarallah

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 11, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Palestine's Islamic Jihad Movement has strongly condemned the approval of a US-pushed resolution against Yemen's Ansarallah in the UN Security Council.

In a statement on Thursday, the Islamic Jihad Movement said that the UNSC approves a resolution against Ansarallah while it does not order a stop to the Zionist massacre in Gaza Strip.

It said that the "unfair resolution" was a green light to the Zionist genocide.

The resolution is another evidence that the UN Security Council is one of the tools of the superpowers to distort realities, legitimize Western crimes, and exert pressure on people who press for their rights, the statement added.

9341**2050

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Iran advises ICJ to adopt fair approach in Zionist regime's genocide case

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 11, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani has urged the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to take a fair approach in addressing a lawsuit filed by South Africa and some countries against the Zionist regime on atrocities committed against the Gazan people.

Kanaani made the remarks on Thursday in the Tehran International Media Summit; Media Alliance Against Terrorism, adding the Zionist regime has martyred over 25,000 Palestinians recently.

Today, the Zionist regime is unquestionably more helpless than ever, while the Palestinian nation is more determined, he underlined.

He added that the Axis of Resistance is stronger and more united than ever, while the backers of the faze Zionist regime, including the American regime, are more disgraceful than ever.

It is the United States that has spent all its political, media, legal and military efforts in favor of the Zionist regime to prevent the collapse of the Zionist regime, Kanaani underscored.

Five visits by the US secretary of state to the occupied territories, the presence of the US secretary of defense and senior US commanders in Tel Aviv brainstorming rooms, the continuous sending of ammunition to the Israeli regime, the use of vetoes in favor of the regime, backing the regime in the Red Sea, the efforts to establish a maritime coalition in support of the regime, and the violation of humanitarian, moral and legal humanitarian principles show that the US is an all-out advocate of the war in Gaza, he added.

Elsewhere in his remarks, he said that the root cause of the crisis in the occupied territories lies in the 75-year occupation of the Zionist regime.

The main cause of the Al-Aqsa Storm Operation is the desecration of Islamic sanctities and the continuous attacks on the Al-Aqsa mosque, he further noted.

Earlier on December 30, 2023, South Africa filed a genocide case against the Zionist regime at the ICJ over the occupying entity's relentless bombardment of the Gaza Strip.

The filing asked the ICJ to issue an urgent order declaring that the regime was in breach of its obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention over its brutal war on Gaza.

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Hezbollah targets Israeli spy equipment on Lebanon's border

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 11, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Lebanon's resistance movement Hezbollah has targeted the Zionist regime's espionage equipment at the sites of the Israeli army on the Lebanese border with the occupied territories.

Hezbollah released footage of its latest retaliatory action in support of the Palestinian nation on Thursday, showing it has destroyed the Zionist spy equipment in the bases of Hudab Al-Bastan and Hanita on the Lebanese border.

In a related development, the movement announced Tuesday that it had targeted the headquarters of the northern region of the Zionist army in the city of Safad (Dadu base) and the Zionist Maliki base on the border between Lebanon and occupied Palestine.

Ever since Operation Al-Aqsa Storm broke out on October 7, 2023, Hezbollah has been conducting daily and intense operations against the Zionist regime's targets within Palestinian territory in a bid to ease the pressure on the resistance in Gaza.

7129**4354

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Hamas urges ICJ to act independently on Zionist regime's genocide case

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 11, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has called on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) not to be influenced by US pressure in dealing with a case on the crimes committed by the Zionist regime in Gaza.

The ICJ is to begin a hearing on Thursday over a genocide case against the Israeli regime brought by South Africa over the attacks on the Gaza Strip.

Oral proceedings are set to take place on Thursday and Friday in the Netherlands.

The case says the Israeli regime has committed "genocidal acts" against Palestinians in Gaza.

In the application to the court, South Africa called Israeli moves in Gaza since October 7, 2023, "genocidal in character because they are intended to bring about the destruction of a substantial part of the Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group."

Earlier on December 30, 2023, South Africa filed a genocide case against the Zionist regime at the ICJ over the occupying entity's relentless bombardment of the Gaza Strip.

The filing asked the ICJ to issue an urgent order declaring that the regime was in breach of its obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention over its brutal war on Gaza.

It also asked the court to issue short-term measures ordering the Zionist regime to stop its war on Gaza, which it said were "necessary in this case to protect against further, severe and irreparable harm to the rights of the Palestinian people."

7129**4354

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Yemen blasts UNSC resolution on Red Sea operations as 'political game'

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 11, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The spokesman for Yemen's Ansarullah movement Muhammad Abdul-Salam has denounced the UN Security Council resolution against its operations in the Red Sea as a "political game".

Abdul-Salam said early on Thursday local time that it is the United States itself that violates international law throughout the world, Yemeni media Al-Masirah reported.

The Yemeni official's reaction came immediately after the Security Council adopted a resolution against Anarullah amid tensions in the Red Sea without addressing US support for the Zionist regime's deadly war on Gaza as the root cause of the situation.

In another reaction, Muhammad Ali al-Houthi, a member of the Supreme Political Council of Yemen said "We call on Israel to immediately stop all attacks that disrupt the lives of the people of Gaza and undermine the rights, freedoms and peace and security of the region."

What the Yemeni armed forces carry out is within the framework of legitimate defense, he underlined.

Resolution 2722, proposed by the United States and Japan, gained 11 votes in favor and none against.

Four countries, namely China, Russia, Algeria and Mozambique, abstained. Russia and China did not veto the resolution.

7129**4354

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UNSC passes US-proposed resolution against Ansarullah amid Red Sea tensions

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 11, 2024

New York, IRNA -- The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has adopted a resolution against Yemen's Anarullah resistance movement amid tensions in the Red Sea without addressing US support for the Zionist regime's deadly war on Gaza as the root cause of the situation.

Resolution 2722, proposed by the United States and Japan, gained 11 votes in favor and none against.

Four countries, namely China, Russia, Algeria and Mozambique, abstained. Russia and China did not veto the resolution.

Russia first proposed three amendments to the draft text but all were dismissed, paving the way for a vote on the draft resolution.

In reaction to the resolution, Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said that it was important to recognize the "direct consequences" of the occupying regime's "very violent military operations" that have lasted for more than three months in Gaza to correct the situation in the Red Sea.

Earlier on January 6, the Yemeni Parliament emphasized that Washington and its allies were responsible for the militarization of the Red Sea, saying that the Yemeni military attaches importance to the safety of maritime traffic in the region.

7129**4354

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US misleading world with false claim about threats to int'l shipping: Ansarullah spox

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 11, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Spokesman of Yemen's Ansarullah Movement, Mohammed Abdul-Salam, has urged the countries around the world on Wednesday night not to fall into a deceptive claim of the United States about the existence of threats to international shipping.

Abdul-Salam reiterated Ansarullah's and the Yemeni army's pledge that the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea are safe for international shipping except for Israeli or Israeli-bound vessels, Yemeni Al-Maseera TV quoted him as saying.

"The Americans should stop misleading the world about the existence of danger and threats to shipping in these two seas", he said. "We ask all countries to be careful not to fall into the US trap, whose goal is to militarize the Red Sea to serve the Israeli interest and encourage the regime to continue its brutal aggression against the Gaza Strip".

The Ansarullah spokesman noted, however, that the Yemeni armed forces will continue to target Israeli ships or those heading to Israeli ports in the occupied Palestinian territories until the Zionist regime ends its genocidal war and blockade of Gaza.

Ansarullah has categorically censured the Israeli aggression against the besieged territory that has claimed tens of thousands of innocent lives and "destroyed everything in Gaza."

During the past weeks, the Yemeni army has targeted over two dozen Israeli-bound commercial vessels and oil tankers in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab strait in support of the Palestinians in Gaza. The Yemeni army has already defied US threats, saying such attack will continue as long as the Zionist regime keeps spilling the blood of the Palestinians.

The United States claims that it has created a naval coalition to counter the operations of the Yemeni army in the Red Sea, but France, Spain, and Italy have refused to hand over their warships to the command of the United States by confirming their withdrawal from this coalition.

Despite massive patrolling of American warplanes and helicopters in the region, the US has failed to counter Yemeni attacks on Israeli-linked ships, prompting many shipping firms to reroute their vessels around Africa to reach their destinations.

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Statement by PM Netanyahu

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

The 37th Government

11.01.2024

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today:

"We are fighting terrorists, and we are fighting lies.

Today, again, we saw an upside down world, in which the State of Israel is accused of genocide at a time when it is fighting genocide.

Israel is fighting against murderous terrorists who committed horrific crimes against humanity: They slaughtered, they raped, they burned, they dismembered, they beheaded - children, women, the elderly, young men and young women.

A terrorist organization carried out the worst crime against the Jewish People since the Holocaust, and now someone comes to defend it in the name of the Holocaust. What brazen gall. The world is upside down.

And the IDF, the most moral army in the world, which does everything to avoid harming non-combatants, stands accused - by the representatives of these monsters - of genocide.

South Africa's hypocrisy screams to the high Heavens.

Where was South Africa when millions of people were being murdered and uprooted from their homes in Syria and Yemen, by whom? By Hamas's partners. The world is upside down. Where were you?

We know where we are. We will continue to fight the terrorists. We will continue to refute the lies. We will continue to uphold our just right to defend ourselves and to ensure our future - until total victory."

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UN-contracted helicopter captured by Al-Shabab militants in central Somalia

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 16:24, January 11, 2024

MOGADISHU, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- A UN-contracted helicopter with nine passengers was seized by Al-Shabab militants Wednesday after an emergency landing due to technical reasons in the group-controlled territory in central Somalia, the mission confirmed.

Sources said Al-Shabab had captured the helicopter, and are holding at least six hostages, while two others escaped and one was reportedly killed.

The UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) confirmed on Wednesday evening that the helicopter was conducting an air medical evacuation in the Galguduud region when the incident occurred.

"The UN is in the process of gathering all relevant information. Response efforts are underway. More information will be shared when it becomes available," UNSOM said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

The sources said the aircraft was carrying weapons at the time of the emergency landing.

The United Nations has temporarily suspended flights in the vicinity until further notice.

Al-Shabab militants occupied Mogadishu in 2009 and were driven out by Somali government forces backed by the African Union in 2011, but are still capable of holding foreign hostages and conducting attacks against government buildings, hotels, restaurants, and other public places.

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YEREVAN, 12 JANUARY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 12 January, USD exchange rate up by 0.34 drams to 405.35 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 0.03 drams to 444.18 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.04 drams to 4.60 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 0.71 drams to 516.98 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 52.78 drams to 26444.50 drams. Silver price up by 1.09 drams to 300.13 drams.
Philippine senator criticizes U.S. military's fuel transfer into Philippines

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 15:11, January 11, 2024

MANILA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Philippine Senator Imee Marcos has demanded an explanation from the government and military for the shipment of millions of gallons of fuel by the U.S. Navy to Subic Bay in the Southeast Asian country.

In a statement published Wednesday evening, citing data from several international shipping trackers, Marcos said the oil cargo was loaded at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on the U.S.-registered tanker Yosemite Trader on Dec. 20 and remained some 50 km west of Subic Bay as of Wednesday morning.

The United States Embassy in the Philippines on Thursday confirmed that the U.S. military transferred fuel to Subic Bay from the U.S. military storage facility at Red Hill, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Marcos, who chairs the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, criticized the "inexplicable silence" of both the Philippine and U.S. governments before the shipment, accusing the government and the U.S. of depriving the Filipino people of the right to know.

"(Storing massive fuel) is not just an issue of foreign policy but of Philippine sovereignty, even environmental safety. The government better have a clear explanation for this," Marcos said.

The Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in Hawaii, a giant military fuel storage facility, was operated by the U.S. Navy and designed to support U.S. military operations in the Pacific.

The U.S. Navy has admitted that the World War II-era storage facility experienced two leaks in 2021, one in May and one in November, that spilled more than 30,000 gallons of fuel, contaminating drinking water on the island of Oahu, reportedly sickening thousands of people.

In November 2022, an estimated 1,300 gallons of aqueous film forming foam, which is used in firefighting and slow to degrade in the environment, spilled in the facility, triggering an ongoing water contamination crisis jeopardizing nearby communities.

The Red Hill facility is in the process of being defueled and closed. The U.S. Navy is hoping to finish defueling by 2024 and permanently close the facility by 2027.

Some Philippine activist groups for peace also questioned the military fuel transfer, labeling it as "war fuel".

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UNGA convenes meeting following U.S. veto on Gaza in Security Council

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 14:55, January 11, 2024

UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The UN General Assembly (UNGA) on Tuesday convened to discuss the United States' use of its veto power in the Security Council the previous month.

UNGA President Dennis Francis emphasized that "saving civilian lives" should be the foremost priority in Gaza.

UNGA Vice President Cheikh Niang of Senegal, wielding the gavel in the General Assembly Hall and acting as deputy for Francis, delivered a statement on his behalf.

Francis urged all warring parties in Gaza to "fully implement" the council resolution as well as the UNGA resolution of Dec. 12 calling for a ceasefire, arising from the UNGA's reconvened Emergency Special Session.

On protecting civilians, Francis urged all member states "to keep this shared goal to the forefront during today's debate."

In the wake of the Ukraine crisis in early 2022, the UNGA adopted a resolution designed to foster greater cooperation with the Security Council.

The resolution stipulates that whenever a veto is exercised in the Security Council, it automatically initiates a meeting and debate in the General Assembly to examine and deliberate on the action.

The veto is a special voting power held by the permanent member states on the council, whereby if any one of the five -- China, France, Russia, Britain and the United States -- casts a negative vote, the resolution or decision automatically fails.

The UNGA resolution which introduced this extra scrutiny calls on the UNGA president to convene a formal debate within 10 working days, so that the 193 members of the wider body can have their say.

The intention behind it is to give UN member states the chance to make recommendations, which could include the use of armed forces, to maintain or restore peace and security on the ground.

Tuesday's meeting came on the heels of the U.S. vetoing on a Russian amendment prior to the successful passing of last month's council resolution on Gaza.

The Security Council on Dec. 22 passed a key resolution, emphasizing the immediate acceleration of aid deliveries to the distressed civilians in Gaza, but without the original call for an "urgent suspension of hostilities" between Israel and Hamas.

Riyad Mansour, permanent observer of the Observer State of Palestine to the UN, said that he was standing before the UNGA "representing a people being slaughtered, with families killed in their entirety, men and women shot in the streets, thousands abducted, tortured and humiliated, children killed, amputated, orphaned -- scarred for life."

He said "no people" should have to endure such violence and it must stop.

No one can understand that the Security Council is still being prevented from calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, he added, while 153 states in the General Assembly have called for just that, along with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Israel's assault is without precedent in modern history, he said, calling it "a war of atrocities." During these last 90 days, 11 Palestinians have been killed every hour, including seven women and children, he told the UNGA.

Anna Evstigneeva, deputy permanent representative of Russia to the UN, said that Washington had been guilty of playing an "unscrupulous game" to protect Israel's actions in Gaza, when it used the veto in the Security Council on Dec. 22.

She said the real aim of the U.S. veto was to push through its aim of giving Israel free rein, and "deliberately undermine multilateral efforts under the auspices of the UN to serve its own geopolitical interests in the Middle East."

Evstigneeva said that "the sad result" of this is that over the past three months of escalation in Gaza, the council has only been able to adopt "toothless" resolutions.

A clear demand from the Security Council for a full ceasefire remains an imperative, she said. Without it, implementing the council's decisions in Gaza "is just not possible."

She said the spiral of continuing violence is "clearly catastrophic" and will continue until the root causes of the conflict are properly addressed, through a two-state solution.

Under current conditions, "our shared goal is to assist the parties in establishing the negotiation process." A "collective diplomatic mechanism" is required and one of the most pressing tasks is the restoration of Palestinian unity," she added.

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Yemen's Houthi group says targeting U.S. ship in Red Sea

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 13:56, January 11, 2024

SANAA, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group announced on Wednesday that it has launched "a large batch" of drones and missiles toward a U.S. navy vessel in the Red Sea, which was "assisting" Israel.

In a statement, the group's military spokesman Yahya Sarea said that the group's fighters launched a large number of "ballistic and naval missiles and drones" toward a U.S. ship, adding the attack was a "preliminary response" to the U.S. sinking of Houthi ships on the Red Sea on Dec. 31, 2023.

Earlier in the day, residents of Yemen's Red Sea port city Hodeidah reported seeing numerous drones and missiles lighting up the night sky, heading toward the direction of the Red Sea.

Explosions and fireballs were also heard and seen throughout the night, causing panic among the residents in Hodeidah, eyewitnesses told Xinhua.

The U.S. Central Command confirmed the incident, stating that 18 drones, two anti-ship cruise missiles, and one anti-ship ballistic missile were launched from Houthi-controlled territory.

The drones and missiles "targeted international shipping lanes in the southern Red Sea, where dozens of merchant vessels were transiting," the U.S. Central Command said in a statement.

It added that through a combined effort by U.S. and British naval forces, all 21 projectiles were intercepted and neutralized.

There were no injuries or damage reported yet.

This is the 26th Houthi attack on commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea since Nov. 19, according to U.S. Central Command.

The Houthi group has escalated their attacks on Israel-linked ships since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7 to protest Israel's offensive in Gaza.

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Philippine, German Foreign Ministers Affirm Commitment to Peace and Development, Climate Policy and Rules-Based International Order

Republic of the Philippines - Department of Foreign Affairs

MANILA, 11 January 2024 -- Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo met with German Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Manila today. The visit marks the first visit by a German Federal Foreign Minister to the Philippines in over a decade.

Key discussions revolved around political and economic relations, with focus on Germany's peace initiatives and development cooperation with the Philippines, and the two countries' shared dedication to the rules-based international order.

The two top diplomats explored avenues to boost bilateral trade, promote investments, and foster maritime cooperation. Labor cooperation was also discussed during the meeting, with specific focus on the placement of skilled Filipino workers and other professionals to live and work in Germany.

They exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues, encompassing climate policy, human rights, strategic partnerships, and security concerns around the world. On the issue of the South China Sea / West Philippine Sea, Secretary Manalo thanked Foreign Minister Baerbock for Germany's unflinching support for international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the final and legally-binding 2016 Arbitral Award.

The meeting culminated in a reaffirmed vision for enhanced cooperation as the two countries celebrate the 70thanniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year. END

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Hamas thanks South Africa for filing anti-Israeli genocide case at ICJ

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 11 January 2024 9:07 PM

The Palestinian resistance movement of Hamas expresses gratitude towards South Africa for the latter's taking legal proceedings against the Israeli regime over Tel Aviv's ongoing genocidal war against the Gaza Strip.

Izzat al-Rishq, a member of Hamas' Political Bureau, made the remarks on Thursday when the International Court of Justice (ICJ) held its first hearing in the case that was lodged by Pretoria with the tribunal in late December.

Rishq said the evidence that Pretoria had presented at the court "proved to the entire world that the Zionist regime had resorted to mass killings and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people in Gaza."

"Once again, South Africa proved the authenticity of its principled position of support for the Palestinian nation," the Hamas official stated.

Pretoria, he added, "proved that it is against the Zionist regime's savage crimes against our nation and its legitimate rights."

The Israeli regime launched the war on October 7 in response to an operation conducted by Gaza's resistance groups.

Since the start of the United States-backed offensive, the regime has killed at least 23,210 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured more than 59,167 others. Thousands more are also missing and presumed dead under the rubble.

South Africa stipulated at the hearing that Israel's response to the October 7 operation had breached the United Nations Genocide Convention, presenting evidence of genocidal brutality being perpetrated by the regime in Gaza.

Taking the floor, Adila Hassim, the advocate representing South Africa's case, noted that the regime had "deployed 6,000 bombs per week" throughout the offensive.

"At least 200 times, it has deployed 2,000-pound (907-kilogram) bombs in southern Gaza, which it [had] designated [as] safe," she added. "No one is spared. Not even newborns. UN chiefs have described it as a graveyard for children."

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France says not part of US-led anti-Yemen coalition, focuses on own ships

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 11 January 2024 7:21 PM

A top French commander says the naval forces are accompanying ships with French interests through the Red Sea, as Yemeni armed forces continue to target vessels bound for the occupied Palestinian territories.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Rear-Admiral Emmanuel Slaars said the French forces remained entirely under French control. He said France's current mandate did not include directly striking Yemeni armed forces.

"We regularly escort French-flagged ships or with French interests in the Red Sea. We accompany them all along their crossing," Slaars stated.

The commander, however, said France was also working closely with the United States in the area by exchanging information.

The French Defense Ministry recently announced it supported efforts to secure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and said it already operated in the region. However, it said its ships would stay under French command and did not say if it would deploy more naval forces.

Yemen has already warned it will prevent the passage of all ships in the Red Sea bound to the occupied territories and has dismissed plans to build a US-led coalition against the Yemeni forces.

In a major setback to the US-led coalition in the Red Sea to protect passage of Israeli-owned and Israel-bound merchant vessels, France, Spain, and Italy have officially withdrawn from the alliance. The trio explicitly stated their commitment to operating exclusively under the command of international bodies such as the United Nations, NATO, or the European Union, choosing not to align with the United States.

Yemen has vowed retaliation in the wake of the killing of 10 Yemeni naval personnel in late December, when the US Navy sunk three of speedboats of Ansarullah.

The leader of Yemen's Ansarullah movement, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, has made it clear all other ships except those bounded for occupied Palestinian territories are safe as long as their countries were not part of or planned to join the US-led anti-Yemen coalition.

Reports revealed that Israeli shipping companies have already decided to reroute their vessels in fear of attacks by Yemeni forces.

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Sheikh Hasina sworn in as Bangladesh PM for fifth term

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 11 January 2024 6:04 PM

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was sworn in for a fifth term after her party, Awami League won a landslide victory in the general election boycotted by the opposition.

Hasina, 76, who will serve her fourth consecutive term as the 12th prime minister, got her oath ceremony administered by President Mohammad Shahabuddin, which was attended by politicians, foreign diplomats, civil society figures and senior civil and military officials at Bangabhaban presidential palace.

"I am, Sheikh Hasina, taking oath...that I will discharge my duties faithfully as the prime minister of the government as per the law," Hasina said during her oath-taking ceremony which was broadcast live on television.

Her 36-member cabinet was also sworn into office during the ceremony, but the names circulated by the cabinet office showed around 15 ministers from the previous cabinet were dropped but most senior ministers retained their positions.

The Awami League secured an overwhelming three-fourths of elected seats (223 seats out of 300) in parliament, while the remaining seats were filled by allied parties and independent candidates.

The polling witnessed the absence of ex-prime minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP); after their demand for Hasina to step down and allow a neutral authority to oversee the January 7 polls was rejected by Hasina.

The opposition also described the elections as a "sham" designed to entrench Hasina in power.

Hasina said she did not need to prove the credibility of the election to anyone. "What is important is if the people of Bangladesh will accept this election."

Both Hasina and her adversaries have levied allegations against their opponents for attempting to instigate disorder and aggression to impede political harmony and endanger the nascent democracy of the nation, which is home to a population of 170 million individuals.

The daughter of Bangladesh's founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Hasina has been ruling the strategically located South Asian nation since 2009.

Bangladesh, once engulfed by grinding poverty, has upheld office throughout the speedy economic growth in Bangladesh and is among the world's longest-serving female heads of government.

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Yemen's Ansarullah leader: No potential US attack will go unpunished

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 11 January 2024 5:47 PM

The leader of Yemen's Ansarullah movement, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, has warned of a "big" response to the United States and its allies if they proceed with any military attack against his country.

Houthi said in a televised speech on Thursday any such response would be bigger than the recent strike in which Yemeni drones and missiles targeted US and British ships.

"We'll confront the American aggression," Houthi said in a televised speech on Thursday. "Any American attack won't go unpunished."

"Any American attack will not remain without a response. The response will be greater than the attack that was carried out with twenty drones and a number of missiles."

Yemen has vowed retaliation in the wake of the killing of 10 Yemeni naval personnel in late December, when the US Navy sunk three of speedboats of Ansarullah.

"We are more determined to target ships linked to Israel, and we will not back down from that."

The Houthi leader made clear all other ships except those bounded for occupied Palestinian territories are safe as long as their countries were not part of or planned to join a US-led anti-Yemen coalition.

Peace talks with Saudi Arabia

Earlier, Mohammed Abdulsalam, the chief Ansarullah negotiator, said Yemen's attacks in the Red Sea on commercial ships heading to Israeli ports do not threaten the country's peace talks with Saudi Arabia.

The peace process is underway between Yemen and Saudi Arabia, with the mediation of Oman and the United Nations. Ansarullah has praised Oman for efforts to close the gaps between the Yemeni resistance and Saudi Arabia.

The Yemeni negotiator also slammed the United States for its all-support for the Israeli regime.

"The one who is dragging the region into a wider war is the one who allows the continuation of the aggression and the siege that continues for more than 100 days in the Gaza Strip," he said in reference to Washington and its backing of Israel.

Yemen is after a ceasefire in Gaza, and lifting the Israeli siege as well as moving towards peace and dialogue, the Yemeni negotiator said.

US-allied Persian Gulf Arab states, including Saudi Arabia, have also been pressing Washington for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

During recent months, Yemen's Armed Forces have been staging missile and drone attacks against vessels heading to Israeli ports in support of the war-hit Palestinians in Gaza.

Yemen has already warned it will prevent the passage of all ships in the Red Sea bound to the occupied territories and has dismissed plans to build a US-led coalition against the Yemeni forces.

The Yemeni military recently engaged directly with the US navy in the Red Sea. It said on Wednesday the forces had fired a barrage of rockets, drones and cruise missiles targeting a US ship in a "preliminary response" to a recent deadly attack by the US that sank three boats and killed nearly a dozen people off the coast of Yemen.

As Israel's most dedicated and age-old ally, the US has torpedoed the prospect of cessation of the Israeli onslaught on Gaza by stonewalling ratification of all United Nations Security Council resolutions that called for a permanent ceasefire.

Washington has also supplied the regime with more than 10,000 tons of advanced weaponry since the onset of hostilities in early October.

Yemen on Thursday also condemned as a "political game" a resolution adopted by the United Nations Security Council on naval operations in the Red Sea, saying the US is the side that is violating international law. In an X post, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, head of Yemen's Supreme Revolutionary Committee, said the actions of the Yemeni armed forces in support of the Gaza Strip fall within the framework of legitimate defense.

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has said Yemeni strikes against ships heading to the occupied Palestinian territories send a message to the West that they should either work to stop Israel's atrocities or expect the crisis to expand across the region.



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Iran strongly backs 'courageous action' of South Africa against Israel at ICC

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 11 January 2024 5:04 PM

Iran has strongly supported the "courageous" move of the South African government against Israel which faced accusations at the World Court of genocide in its war on Gaza brought by Pretoria.

"The disgust and hatred toward the animalistic behavior of Netanyahu and the terrorist army of the Zionist regime in committing genocide and war crimes against the Palestinians cannot be washed away in the public opinion of the world under any title or logic," Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian wrote on X.

"And now everyone is waiting for the immediate and decisive decision of the international justice to stop the killing machine of the Zionists," he added.

On the first of two days of hearings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Thursday, South Africa accused Israel of carrying out a genocide, saying the invasion aimed to bring about "the destruction of the population" of Gaza.

Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, advocate of the High Court of South Africa, told the court that the "intent to destroy Gaza has been nurtured at the highest level", demanding that the UN's top court order an emergency suspension of the devastating campaign in the Palestinian enclave.

"We strongly support the courageous action of the South African government against the apartheid and child-killing regime before the International Court of Justice (citing the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide)," Amir-Abdollahian wrote.

The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, or the Genocide Convention, is an international treaty that criminalizes genocide and obligates state parties to pursue the enforcement of its prohibition.





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State of emergency declared in Papua New Guinea after 16 killed in riots

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 11 January 2024 3:13 PM

Papua New Guinea's prime minister has declared a 14-day state of emergency in the capital, Port Moresby after 16 people were killed in riots in the Pacific island nation.

On Thursday, Prime Minister James Marape, who suspended the chief of police along with top government officials in the finance and treasury departments, announced that more than a thousand soldiers were on standby "to step in wherever necessary."

"There was evidence of organized rioting that took place," Marape told reporters, adding that the review would ensure "we secure democracy, we secure rule of law."

The violence erupted in the capital Port Moresby on Wednesday, following a police and public sector walkout over an unexplained pay cut.

The government attributed it to an administrative error and vehemently denied the imposition of a new tax.

A televised footage displayed numerous individuals on the streets Port Moresby, while many of them were observed transporting objects that appeared to be pilfered possessions, all while the urban atmosphere became engulfed in a thick haze of dark smoke.

Officials said that police personnel of 180 were being moved to Port Moresby from regional areas to regain control.

"We have seen an unprecedented level of strife in our city, something that has never happened before in the history of our city and our country," said the capital's district governor Powes Parkop.

"Some people sadly lost their life today," he added.

According to the police, the riots led to the fatalities of eight people in Port Moresby and seven people in Lae.

Marape said on Thursday that Port Moresby was under "stress and duress" but that things were calming down.

The United States embassy in Port Moresby said police had returned to work, but that tensions remained high.

"The relative calm can change at a moment's notice," it said in a statement, adding it had received reports of violence in several other areas of the country.

The Chinese ministry of foreign affairs, while complaining to Papua New Guinea's government, reported that several Chinese citizens sustained minor injuries, while Chinese-owned stores were targeted with acts of vandalism and looting.

"We remind Chinese nationals in PNG to pay close attention to the changing security situation on the ground," ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Thursday.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the country's high commission was monitoring the situation.

"We continue to urge calm at this difficult time. We haven't had any requests from the PNG government at this time but ... our friends in Papua New Guinea, we have a great relationship with them," Albanese was quoted as saying.

Situated approximately 160 kilometers away from the northernmost point of Australia, has witnessed a surge in instances of violent crime within the past year.

These occurrences can be attributed to the escalating expenses of livelihood and the prevalent issue of high unemployment, which have caused tensions to rise.

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YEREVAN, JANUARY 12, ARMENPRESS: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Greece to Armenia Christos Sofianopoulos presented his credentials to the President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan.

Vahagn Khachaturyan congratulated the newly appointed ambassador on assuming the post and expressed hope that Christos Sofianopoulos will make maximum efforts to further expand and develop the cooperation between the two countries, the Presidential Office said.

President Khachaturyan praised Armenian-Greek relations based on close historical friendship and solidarity, noting that there is a multi-sector bilateral agenda and effective political dialogue between the two countries.

"Greece has always been by our side in difficult moments, and on behalf of myself and the Armenian people, I express gratitude for the support shown by the Greek government and authorities in these difficult times for our country," the President said.



Ambassador Sofianopoulos for his part expressed his gratitude for the reception and underscored his willingness to make efforts to strengthen and develop cooperation between the two countries.

During the meeting, the South Caucasus regional realities and recent developments, as well as the existing security challenges and ways to overcome them were discussed.

President Vahagn Khachaturyan emphasized Armenia's commitment to normalizing relations with the neighbours and achieving stable, lasting peace within the framework of international legal norms, respecting the territorial integrity of nations and upholding the fundamental principles of sovereignty.

Both sides underscored the significance of resolving issues through peaceful negotiations and the exclusion of military threats.

During the meeting, issues related to multi-layered interaction between Armenia and Greece were also discussed.

The significance of enhancing efforts for fully realization of the potential for expanding economic cooperation between the two countries, especially in the field of high technologies, was emphasized in the course of the meeting.

The President conveyed gratitude to the government and authorities of Greece for the humanitarian support provided by the Greek side to the forcibly displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh.

The importance of a high level of political dialogue between Armenia and Greece, as well as the close cooperation within the European Union and other international platforms was emphasized at the meeting.

Armenia's reforms and principled approaches aimed at fortifying democracy and establishing democratic institutions were also touched upon.
Iran urges ICJ not to give in to US pressures, treat charges against Israel impartially

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 11 January 2024 11:29 AM

Iran has urged the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to treat the charges brought against the Israeli regime by South Africa "impartially" and not to give in to US pressures.

"We hope and want the International Court of Justice to impartially investigate the complaint of South Africa and some other governments against the Zionist regime regarding the crime against the people of Gaza and not to give in to the political and non-political pressures of the US," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani said Thursday.

He said the Israeli regime and the US are trying to fulfill their goals in the political and media field due to their failure in the Gaza battlefield but the Palestinian nation is more conscious than to let their wishes come true.

Kan'ani also said that one of the most important achievements of Operation Al-Aqsa Storm was the fall of the US-Israel media empire in creating a globally fake narrative in favor of the Israeli regime, changing the place of the oppressed with the oppressors.

"Undoubtedly, the future belongs to Palestine and the Palestinian nation," Kan'ani stressed, adding that Washington's efforts in implementing US-Zionist political plans will lead to failure.

He further emphasized that killing more than 110 journalists during the nearly past hundred days in Gaza indicates Israel's fear of the truth being revealed.

'Israel more desperate than ever'

Also in his remarks, Kan'ani said that more than three months into the Gaza war, "the Zionist regime is more desperate than ever and the Palestinian nation is stronger and more steadfast than before."

"Today, the Axis of Resistance is more coherent, resilient and united than ever, and the supporters of the fake Zionist regime, including the US regime, are more disgraced than before," he added.

The spokesman also noted that the United States is not merely a part of the Gaza war, but rather, it is the entirety of it from the beginning to the end.

"It is the US that is making all political, media, legal and military efforts to prevent the real collapse of the Zionist regime. After Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, the US regime spent its little credibility on the Zionist regime, and today it is considered the loser of the war."

Root cause of Operation Al-Aqsa Storm

He further explained that the US is worried about the Israeli regime's status but the root cause of Operation Al-Aqsa Storm lies in 75 years of Israeli occupation of Palestine.

"Insulting religious and Islamic sanctities by the Israeli regime and the continuous attack on the Al-Aqsa Mosque are the main cause of Operation Al-Aqsa Storm," he added.

Kan'ani described another reason behind Operation Al-Aqsa Storm as the continuous violation of human rights and internationally recognized rights by the Israeli regime with US full support has caused the recent operation.

"Operation Al-Aqsa Storm uncovered the real face of the Zionist regime and human rights advocates for the whole world and also changed the strategic balance in favor of Palestine," he said.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Iranian Foreign Ministry voiced its support for South Africa's decision to file a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

The statement called for the international community's strong support in order to hold the perpetrators of Gaza crimes to account and expressed its support for resistance as a liberation move and legitimate right recognized by international law for the Palestinian nation in the struggle against occupation.

South Africa filed the lawsuit against Israel at the end of December, after nearly three months of Israeli aggression against Palestinians in Gaza and the first session of the hearing was held Thursday and the next hearing session will be held on Friday.

Since the start of the aggression, Israel has killed more than 23,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children. Over 59,000 Palestinians have also been wounded.

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South Africa says Israel's response to Hamas operation breached Genocide Convention

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 11 January 2024 11:00 AM

South Africa says Israel's response to the offensive launched by the Palestinian Hamas resistance group on October 7 had breached the Genocide Convention, as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague holds a hearing against Israel for Gaza's "genocide" case.

At the top UN court in The Hague on Thursday, South Africa said Israel had breached the UN Genocide Convention by imposing a brutal war on the densely-populated Gaza Strip for more than two months, stressing that the Hamas attack could not justify such military incursion on the besieged Palestinian enclave.

Late last month, Pretoria, in an 84-page suit filed against Israel at the ICJ, asked the top court to urgently declare that the Tel Aviv regime has breached its responsibilities under international law since it launched an ongoing war on the impoverished coastal sliver.

South Africa detailed evidence of brutality being perpetrated in Gaza, making the African nation the first to file a lawsuit against the occupying regime at the ICJ, appealing to the court to force the regime to "immediately suspend" its war on Gaza.

"No armed attack on a state territory no matter how serious... can provide justification for or defend breaches of the convention," said Ronald Lamola, South Africa's justice minister, during his opening statement in the case at the ICJ.

"Israel's response to the October 7 attack has crossed this line and given rise to the breaches of the convention," he stressed, setting out South Africa's case at the top court.

"The Palestinians have experienced systematic oppression and violence for the last 76 years, on October 6, 2023, and every day since October 7, 2023. In the Gaza Strip, at least since 2004, Israel continues to exercise control over the airspace, territorial waters, land crossings, water, electricity, and civilian infrastructure, as well as key government functions," Lamola added.

South Africa, when faced with such evidence of genocide in Gaza, firmly decided to initiate this case in an attempt to prevent such crimes in the Palestinian enclave as contained in Article 1 of the Convention, the South African justice minister further said at the court.

After Lamola, Adila Hassim, who is an advocate representing South Africa's case, took the floor.

"South Africa contends that Israel has transgressed Article 2 of the convention by committing actions that fall within the definition of genocide. The actions show systematic patterns of conduct from which genocide can be inferred," she said.

Hassim went on to say that the "first genocidal act is mass killing of Palestinians in Gaza."

"Israel deployed 6,000 bombs per week. At least 200 times, it has deployed 2,000-pound (907kg) bombs in southern Gaza, which it designated safe. No one is spared. Not even newborns. UN chiefs have described it as a graveyard for children," she added.

Other representatives of the South African nation one after the other presented the case against Israel at the top UN court.

"Israel's political leaders, military commanders and persons holding official positions have systematically and in explicit terms declared their genocidal intent. These statements are then repeated by soldiers on the ground in Gaza as they engage in the destruction of Palestinians and the physical infrastructure of Gaza," said South African lawyer Tembeka Ngcukaitobi.

While lawyers inside the ICJ are making the case against Israel, a large number of pro-Palestinian demonstrators had gathered outside the building, demanding justice and a quick end to the brutal war.

The third representative of South Africa at the ICJ was Vusimuzi Madonsela, who told the court that Pretoria had come forward "to prevent genocide and to do so in the discharge of the international obligation that rests on South Africa and all other states under the convention."

"The consequences of not indicating clear and specific provisional measures and not taking steps to intervene while Israel disregards its international obligations before our eyes would, we fear, be very grave indeed," he added.

After South Africa's representatives concluded their arguments, ICJ President Joan Donoghue announced that the sitting was adjourned and that the court would meet again tomorrow to hear Israel's oral arguments.

As it is an urgent procedure, the top UN court could rule in a matter of weeks.

The Israeli regime waged the war on Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian Hamas resistance group carried out the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity in response to the Israeli regime's atrocities against Palestinians.

Since the start of the US-backed offensive, the Israeli regime has killed at least 23,210 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured more than 59,167 others. Thousands more are also missing and presumed dead under the rubble.

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Hezbollah targets Israeli military bases, destroys spying items

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 11 January 2024 8:49 AM

The Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah has targeted two Israeli military bases near Lebanon's border, destroying spying equipment stationed there.

Hezbollah released a video on Thursday that showed attacks on surveillance items inside Hadb al-Bustan and Hanita bases in the occupied territories.

Earlier, Hashim Safi al-Din, head of Hezbollah's Executive Council, had warned that the resistance group will target any base that poses a danger to Lebanon and its people.

Hezbollah and Israel have been exchanging fire since early October, shortly after the regime launched its genocidal war on the Gaza Strip following a surprise operation by the Palestinian Hamas resistance movement.

Hezbollah's constant rocket fire has prompted tens of thousands of Israeli settlers to flee from northern areas of the occupied territories.

Hezbollah has vowed to keep up its retaliatory operations as long as the usurping entity sustains its warfare against besieged Gaza.

The Israeli aggression against Gaza has so far killed at least 23,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured over 59,000 others.

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Israeli strike on Khan Younis house kills seven ahead of ICJ's genocide hearing

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 11 January 2024 8:34 AM

Israel has bombarded the southern and central Gaza Strip overnight, killing and wounding dozens of Palestinians, as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is to hold hearings in a case filed by South Africa over the regime's genocidal onslaught on Gaza.

The official Palestinian WAFA news agency reported on Thursday that seven people were killed and 25 others injured in an Israeli attack on a residence in Khan Younis city in southern Gaza.

The Israeli forces bombed a house belonging to the Abu Namous family in the "al-Maskar" area, west of Khan Younis, according to local sources, adding that women and children were among the casualties.

Also, the Israeli bombing of a residential building near al-Aqsa Martyrs' Hospital in Deir el-Balah, in central Gaza, killed at least eight people, according to medical sources. The building was a center for evacuees taking shelter inside.

Gaza's Government Media Office says 40 have been killed and wounded in the attack.

Moreover, Israeli recent strikes in Rafah have killed 12 Palestinians, including four children.

Israel has heavily bombarded southern Gaza, despite its status as a so-called "safe" section of the territory currently sheltering thousands of displaced Palestinians.

The latest attacks come as Israel has intensified bombing and ground incursions in central and southern Gaza, with at least 147 people killed in the past day.

The UN Human Rights Office in Occupied Palestinian Territory, in a statement, said it is deeply concerned that Israeli forces "have placed civilian lives at serious risk by ordering residents from various parts of Middle Gaza to relocate to Deir el-Balah - while continuing to conduct air strikes on the city."

Israel's new crime comes as the International Court of Justice is set to start hearing South Africa's case for urgent provisional measures on Israel's genocide in Gaza.

The two sessions of the hearing were initially scheduled for two hours on Thursday and Friday morning, but "have been extended by one hour, further to a request from Israel," the ICJ said on Wednesday.

South Africa filed the lawsuit against Israel at the end of December, after nearly three months of Israeli aggression against Palestinians in Gaza.

The application said Israeli attacks breach the UN's Genocide Convention, and urged the court to "order Israel to cease killing and causing serious mental and bodily harm to Palestinian people in Gaza."

Iran, many other countries, and the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) have already expressed support for the case.

Since the start of the aggression, Israel has killed more than 23,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children. Nearly 59,000 Palestinians have also been wounded.

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'Political game': Yemen slams UN Security Council resolution on Red Sea operations

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 11 January 2024 6:52 AM

Yemen has condemned as a "political game" a resolution adopted by the United Nations Security Council on naval operations in the Red Sea, saying the US is the side that is violating international law.

In an X post on Thursday, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, head of Yemen's Supreme Revolutionary Committee, emphasized that the actions of the Yemeni armed forces in support of the Gaza Strip fall within the framework of legitimate defense.

The remarks came hours after the Security Council approved a resolution, backed by the US and Japan, which demanded an immediate end to attacks by Yemeni forces on Israeli-owned or Israeli-bound ships in the Red Sea.

The resolution, passed 11-0 with four abstentions, also called on Yemen to release the Galaxy Leader, an Israeli-linked cargo ship that was confiscated on November 19.

"We inform the people of the world that the decision adopted regarding the security of navigation in the Red Sea is a political game, and that the United States is the one violating international law," Houthi said.

Any act the Yemeni armed forces face "will have a reaction, and any state that attacks bears the responsibility for aggression and the protection of the usurping entity which commits massacres under American and British protection," he warned.

Houthi also urged the Security Council to immediately release 2.3 million people from the "Israeli-American siege" on Gaza.

'Unjust resolution comes amid UN failure to stop Gaza war'

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Mujahideen resistance movement condemned the Security Council resolution and said that the Yemeni operations are aimed at reducing oppression against the people of Gaza and ending the Israeli genocide.

"This unjust resolution comes amidst the Council's inability to issue a resolution condemning the brutal war against the Palestinian people in Gaza due to American hegemony, confirming the international system's failure to protect human rights," it said in a statement.

Israel waged the genocidal war on Gaza on October 7 following a historic operation by the Palestinian Hamas resistance group against the occupying entity. The US has offered untrammeled support for Israel during the devastating onslaught.

In solidarity with the Palestinians in blockaded Gaza, the Yemeni armed forces have targeted ships in the Red Sea with owners linked to Israel or those going to and from ports in the occupied territories.

In response, the US has formed a multinational military coalition against Yemeni forces in the Red Sea and endangered maritime navigation in the strategic waterway.

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Jan. 10: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 11 January 2024 6:05 AM

By Press TV Website Staff

Resistance groups in Palestine and across the region continue their operations against Israel and its Western backers amid the regime's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, which has claimed the lives of more than 23,000 Palestinians, mostly children and women.

The operations carried out by the Palestinian and regional resistance groups on Wednesday, January 10, are as follows:

Qassam Brigades' operations on Jan. 10:

Bombed a gathering of infiltrating Israeli soldiers in the city of Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip, with mortar shells.

Lured an Israeli force into one of the tunnels of al-Qassam in the Sheikh Radwan area and engaged them in a tight ambush.

Engaged in clashes with Israeli regime forces while they were infiltrating northwest of the Gaza Strip.

Engaged in clashes with Israeli regime soldiers and vehicles in the axes of Gaza City.

Seized an Israeli spy drone in the city of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip.

Al-Quds Brigade's operations on Jan. 10:

Targeted Israeli military concentrations with a barrage of 60-caliber regular mortar shells in Khan Yunis city, southern Gaza.

Bombed a position of Israeli regime soldiers with a barrage of mortar shells south of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City.

Targeted a Merkava tank of the Israeli military with an RPG shell north of the Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip.

Ambushed an Israeli infantry force east of Gaza and detonated a minefield, resulting in deaths and injuries of regime forces.

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade's operations on Jan. 10:

Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces on the al-Maghazi axis in central Gaza, resulting in a number of casualties.

Al-Nasser Salah Al-Din Brigades' operations on Jan. 10:

Targeted a gathering of Israeli military vehicles and soldiers in the northern Gaza Strip with 60mm caliber mortar shells.

Bombed the occupied settlement of "Sderot" with a barrage of rockets.

Martyr Omar al-Qasim Forces' operations on Jan. 10:

Fired mortar shells northwest of Bureij camp at Israeli military vehicles penetrating the area in the Salah al-Din axis.

Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces in the Khan Younis and Joret al-Lout areas, inflicting heavy casualties.

Mujahideen Brigades' operations on Jan. 10:

Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli soldiers in several areas in central Gaza.

Hezbollah's operations on Jan. 10:

Eastern sector:

At around 15:55 local time, the al-Marj site was targeted with appropriate weapons.

Western sector:

At around 16:45 local time, the al-Jardah site was targeted with a missile.

Iraqi resistance's operations on Jan. 10:

Targeted the US occupation base in the Conoco field deep in Syria with a volley of rockets.

Attacked the US occupation base near Erbil Airport in northern Iraq with a barrage of drones.

Attacked with appropriate weapons the US occupation base "Hemo", west of Qamishli Airport in Syria, causing widespread damage.

Yemeni military's operations on Jan. 10:

The naval, missile and unmanned air force of the Yemeni military carried out a joint operation with a large number of ballistic and naval missiles and drones, targeting an American ship that was providing support to the Zionist entity, the Yemeni military said in a statement.

The operation came as a preliminary response to the attack on our Yemeni naval forces by the American enemy forces, it added, warning that they will not hesitate in "dealing appropriately with all hostile threats within the right of legitimate defense of our country, our people, and our nation."

"The Yemeni armed forces continue to prevent Israeli ships or those heading to the ports of occupied Palestine from navigating in the Arab and Red Seas until the aggression stops and the siege on our steadfast brothers in the Gaza Strip is lifted."

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American bases hit in Iraq, Syria in protest at Israel's US-backed war on Gaza

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 11 January 2024 3:04 AM

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq says its fighters have struck two American bases in the Arab country and neighboring Syria in protest at the Israeli regime's ongoing United States-backed war on the Gaza Strip.

The resistance, an umbrella group of Iraqi anti-terror movements, announced the strikes in separate statements on Wednesday.

One strike featured a "drone" attack against "the [US] occupation base" near the Erbil International Airport in the northern Iraqi Kurdistan region.

Using "appropriate weapons," the resistance, meanwhile, hit another "American occupation base," titled as Hemo, which is located west of the Qamishli Airport in the northeastern Syrian province of al-Hasakah.

The resistance said the strikes had taken place "in response to the massacres of the Zionist entity against our people in Gaza."

At least 23,357 Palestinians, most of them women and children, have been killed, and 59,410 others injured during the war, which the regime launched following an operation staged by the coastal sliver's resistance movements.

The United States, Israel's biggest ally, has been providing the regime with unbridled military support since the onset of the war, arming Tel Aviv with more than 10,000 tons of military hardware.

Washington has also torpedoed the prospect of cessation of the Israeli aggression by stonewalling ratification of all United Nations Security Council resolutions that have called for realization of a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

The Iraqi resistance also said it conducted the strikes "in continuation of our path in resisting the American occupation forces in Iraq and the region."

Baghdad says it seeks to end the presence of the US-led military coalition in the country permanently.

The coalition rolled into Iraq and Syria in 2014 under the pretext of fighting the Takfiri terrorist group of Daesh. It retains its presence there, although, the Arab countries and their allies defeated the terror outfit in late 2017.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani recently said his government planned to set up a committee to arrange the ouster of US forces.

The statements by the Islamic Resistance finally confirmed that it would continue "striking the enemy's strongholds," adding, "We promise you more to come."

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'Double standards' on rights is doing damage, report says

Diplomacy that sacrifices human rights in the short-term is contributing to instability, Human Rights Watch says

By Alex Willemyns for RFA 2024.01.11 -- The disregard of human rights by many governments in pursuit of short-term strategic goals is "emboldening" abusive regimes around the world and contributing to global instability in the long term, this year's annual world report by Human Rights Watch says.

Released on Thursday at a press conference in New York, the 2024 report says many governments that could "play a role in helping to improve human rights" instead "frequently adopt double standards" and thereby undermine the role of human rights in foreign policy.

This inconsistency "weakens the belief in the universality of human rights and the legitimacy of the laws designed to protect them," the report says, and "chips away at trust" in global rights institutions.

It points to countries "vocal in condemning Israeli government war crimes against civilians in Gaza but silent about Chinese government crimes against humanity in Xinjiang" or that "demand international prosecution for Russian war crimes in Ukraine while undermining accountability for past U.S. abuses in Afghanistan."

The double standards "embolden human rights abusers," said HRW Executive Director Tirana Hassan at the press conference on Thursday, adding that the selective sacrifice of rights concerns by governments was "picking up momentum" at the worst possible time.

"It sends a message that some lives are worth more than others, and that narrative is being seized on by nefarious actors," Hassan said. "In particular, we see that China and Russia are using this narrative to tear apart the fragile human rights system and weaken the system."

"We need to see in 2024 ... an end to the kind of selective outrage that we're seeing, and a more consistent approach," she said.

Trade-offs

Governments across the world are criticized in the 2024 report for ignoring human rights to achieve short-term their foreign policy objectives. But it saves some of the most jarring criticism for countries silent on abuses in China in exchange for access to its largesse.

"Trade-offs on human rights in the name of politics are clear when many governments fail to speak out about the Chinese government's intensifying repression, the arbitrary detention of human rights defenders, and its tightening control over civil society, media, and the internet, especially in Xinjiang and Tibet," the report says.

China's treatment of the Uyghur minority in the country's far-west, it adds, constitutes crimes against humanity, "yet many governments, including in predominantly Muslim countries, stay silent."

But it does not shy away from direct criticism of the West.

U.S. President Joe Biden, who came to office pledging a foreign policy that focuses on human rights, "has shown little appetite to hold responsible human rights abusers who are key to his domestic agenda or are seen as bulwarks to China," the report says.

Hassan noted on Thursday that countries like Saudi Arabia, India and Egypt, for instance, "have violated the rights of their people on a massive scale, yet have deepened their ties with the United States."

"Leaders of Vietnam, the Philippines and India, and other nations the U.S. wants as counterweights to China, have been feted at the White House despite horrendous human rights records at home," she said.

The same double standards were apparent, Hassan said, "in the European Union's efforts to circumvent its human rights obligations to asylum seekers and migrants - especially those from Africa and the Middle East, striking deals with abusive governments like Libya, Turkey and Tunisia to keep migrants out of the European bloc."

Long-term instability

The report notes that the increased willingness of normally rights-supporting countries to seek "short-term, politically expedient 'solutions'" to foreign-policy problems is diluting rights norms that are "beneficial for security, trade, energy, and migration in the long term."

"Choosing transactional diplomacy carries a human cost that is paid not only within, but increasingly beyond, borders," it says, because sustained rights abuses are often precursors to greater instability.

John Sifton, the head of Asia advocacy at HRW, said an example was China's use of its influence "to undermine efforts to investigate and seek justice for human rights" in abusive regimes like North Korea and Myanmar, allowing both states to grow into regional problems.

He said Beijing undermined efforts at the U.N. Human Rights Council to seek justice on North Korea and Myanmar" and had stopped measures aimed at accountability against both regimes in the U.N. Security Council, leaving the world unable to deal with either state.

"They've sought to strip funding from key U.N. mechanisms set up to investigate and seek accountability for abuses in countries around the world," he said. "They've failed in some of these respects, but they too often succeed. And that's a record that deserves attention as well."

By contrast, a world where rights were more universally applied by governments would place a stronger spotlight on any abusers and encourage more "thriving, peaceful and inclusive societies," said Lama Fakih, the head of HRW's Middle East and North Africa division.

"It can take courage to act in defense of human rights, but the alternative is to brave the trajectory of selective or noncompliance with these principles," Fakih said. "If we've learned anything in 2023, it is just how devastating that trajectory is."

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.

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Lao officials consider assigning prosecutors in Golden Triangle SEZ

The special economic zone in the country's north has earned a reputation as a haven for criminal activity.

By RFA Lao 2024.01.11 -- The Lao government is planning to establish a prosecutor's office in the lawless Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone amid concerns over nearly non-existent oversight that Lao authorities have over the zones, which have become a magnet for scam-related businesses and human trafficking.

Officials from the Office of Supreme People's Prosecutor met on Jan. 5 to discuss logistics, according to a member of the zone's management board, who like other sources in this report requested anonymity for safety reasons.

"The upper-level authorities are doing all the planning and research about setting up the prosecutor's office," the member said. "We can't tell you when, what day or what month exactly the office will be established. We're waiting for the decision."

The Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, or SEZ, was established in 2007 in the northern province of Bokeo on a 3,000-hectare (7,400-acre) concession along the Mekong River where Laos, Myanmar and Thailand meet.

It's become a gambling and tourism hub catering to Chinese citizens where investors - exempt from most national-level economic regulations - have built hotels, restaurants, casinos, a hospital, markets and factories.

But it has also earned a reputation as a haven for criminal activities, including prostitution and drug trafficking.

Impoverished young people from Laos and neighboring countries have told Radio Free Asia they were lured to the area with the promise of a lucrative job but were then held against their will in casinos by trafficking rings that exploit them under threat of violence.

Last month, the body of a 24-year-old woman was found floating in the Mekong River several kilometers downriver from the Golden Triangle SEZ. Police in Bokeo Province's Ton Pheung District said surveillance video showed her climbing into a car in front of a nightclub in the zone five days earlier.

In August, a report from the International Crisis Group called for a "coordinated regional approach" - including through law enforcement and governance - to combat the outsized impact illicit businesses have in the Golden Triangle SEZ and across the river at another special economic zone in Myanmar's Shan state.

Insufficient oversight

Lao authorities currently do not have the right to enter special economic zones to conduct investigations.

But in June, the Golden Triangle SEZ management board handed oversight of a detention and rehabilitation center located inside the zone to Bokeo provincial police.

Government officials have acknowledged that oversight of the Golden Triangle SEZ and the country's 20 other zones has been inadequate and has left the impression that Chinese investors in Laos have unfair advantages.

However, National Assembly lawmakers in November rejected a draft law that sought to exert greater government control over the zones, saying they felt it wasn't specific enough.

Last week's meeting about establishing a prosecutor's office was attended by several officials from the Bokeo Province prosecutor's office, one official told RFA.

"We're not ready to give you any more details," the official said. "You better wait for the official statement."

A newly established prosecutor's office in the SEZ could be susceptible to bribery by those suspected of committing crimes, a Bokeo lawyer told RFA. It would probably be easier - and more effective - to just empower provincial prosecutors to handle criminal cases that originate in the zone.

"Setting up an office inside the SEZ might not be easy because the SEZ is controlled by the Chinese," he said. "It might also be difficult to staff the office."

Translated by Max Avary. Edited by Matt Reed 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.

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U.S. Condemns 'Unlawful' Seizure Of Oil Tanker By Iranian Navy In Gulf Of Oman

By RFE/RL's Radio Farda January 11, 2024

The United States on January 11 condemned Iran's seizure of an oil tanker off the coast of Oman and called for the immediate release of the ship and its crew.

"This unlawful seizure of a commercial vessel is just the latest behavior by Iran or enabled by Iran aimed at disrupting international commerce," State Department deputy spokesman Vedant Patel told reporters at a briefing. The U.S. will continue to consult with regional partners about appropriate steps to hold Iran accountable, he added.

The seizure of the Marshall Islands-flagged St. Nikolas coincides with weeks of attacks by Iran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen who have targeted Red Sea shipping routes.

Iranian state media said earlier that the ship was seized close to the Strait of Hormuz between Oman and Iran under an Iranian judicial order.

Iran's navy seized the ship to retaliate for the "theft" of its oil from the same tanker last year by the United States, state media said.

"The Navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran seized an American oil tanker in the waters of the Gulf of Oman in accordance with a court order," the official IRNA news agency said. It was unclear why the tanker was described as American.

The seizure was in retaliation for a "violation committed by the Suez Rajan ship...and the theft of Iranian oil by the United States," IRNA said.

The private online tracking service TankerTrackers said the St. Nikolas was previously seized by the United States because it was breaking international sanctions by transporting Iranian oil. The cargo was eventually offloaded before the ship, which was called Suez Rajan at the time, was released.

In July 2023, Iran threatened retaliation over the U.S. seizure of the Suez Rajan, heightening tensions between Washington and Tehran.

The St. Nikolas was reportedly carrying Iraqi oil from the port of Basra in Iraq to an oil refinery in Turkey when it was seized. It has a crew of 18 Filipino nationals and one Greek national, according to the tanker's Greece-based management company, Empire Navigation.

The U.K.-based maritime security company Ambrey said the vessel was boarded by about six "unauthorized" people who were armed and wearing black military uniforms. Ambrey said the group covered the ship's cameras, and communications with the vessel have since been lost.

Iran has been reeling from crippling U.S. sanctions targeting Iran's oil exports restored after the United States unilaterally withdrew in 2018 from the Iran nuclear deal.

Tehran has been amassing a "dark fleet" of oil tankers to circumvent the sanctions and offload contraband Iranian oil that helps keep Iran's economy afloat.

With reporting by AFP and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-seizes-oil-tanker-oman- gulf-sanctions-nikolas/32770424.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.

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GLOBALink | China's entry facilitation measures welcomed by foreign nationals Pub Date:24-01-12 09:50 Source:Xinhua China's measures to facilitate the entry of foreign personnel have been welcomed by the majority of foreign individuals and enterprises, according to a press conference held by China's State Council Information Office. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Editor:Qin Shuying

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YEREVAN, JANUARY 12, ARMENPRESS: Ambassador of Armenia to the Netherlands Viktor Biyagov paid a courtesy visit to the International Criminal Court and had meetings with P. Hofmanski, President, K. Khan, Prosecutor and O. Zavala, Registrar of the Court, the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Netherlands said.

The interlocutors congratulated the Ambassador on his appointment and welcomed Armenia's accession to the Court.

It was underlined that ratification of the Rome Statute by Armenia is of utmost importance for the universalization of the international criminal justice system and fight against impunity.

The effective implementation of the Rome Statute by Armenia, cooperation with the Court, as well as possible capacity building programs were discussed.
Serbia's Vucic Weighs A Return To Military Conscription, Stirring Anger To His Left And Right

By Mila Manojlovic, Andy Heil January 11, 2024

When Serbian officials announced a fresh proposal over the holidays for a return to compulsory military service, it was hardly an ambush. In fact, the conscription debate has never really disappeared here in the most populous of the post-Yugoslav republics.

Plans for its reintroduction have cropped up every few years since its abolition in 2011, including after a high-profile Defense Ministry study in 2016 and again at President Aleksandar Vucic's urging in 2018 and 2022.

Now, with Vucic's tacit portrayals of an endangered "new Serbian world" that is held at arm's length by the West, the Defense Ministry announced on January 4 that the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces had formally proposed to Vucic a return to conscription after more than a decade as an all-volunteer army.

While Vucic soft-pedaled, vowing to "look into modernizing" the laws on military service, he punctuated it with a warning that Serbia "would be trampled like a cockroach" without a suitably strong army. Despite that, official talk of conscription runs the risk of further alienating government critics who have accused Vucic and his national populist party of seeking to divert attention away from more important issues.

"It's an understatement to say that I was shocked," Stefan Ardalic, an economics student in the central city of Kragujevac, modern Serbia's first capital and home to a leading arms manufacturer, said "because I think it's completely unnecessary at the moment." Instead, he suggested that Serbia invest in schools and hospitals. And like many of the young people who spoke to RFE/RL's Balkan Service about the prospect, Ardalic doesn't seem to want any part of a mandatory stint in the army.

But it's the friendly fire from right-wingers who are normally unfazed by calls to nationalism in the rough-and-tumble Balkans that's surprising. This week, they joined the chorus of criticism normally dominated by Serbians like Ardalic, who resent the fact that the cost of introducing conscription might have an negative impact on education and health-care budgets.

The Military Union of Serbia (VSS), an association that claims to represent nearly half of all Serbia's current servicepeople and many veterans of Balkan wars, welcomed the recognition of any shortcomings in the military but suggested the new push to reinstate conscription was a "cheap" effort to distract the public and score points on the right.

Its president, right-wing gadfly Novica Antic, also questioned the timing of the January 4 announcement of a scheme that would require a whole series of legislative amendments, with a new parliament not yet in session and the government technically a caretaker one.

"I think it's just a matter of politicking and collecting cheap political points, or maybe even diverting attention from some important topic that is burdening our country at the moment," Antic told RFE/RL's Balkan Service. He has spent years campaigning publicly for improved efforts to fill what he says is an annual shortfall of about 10,000 new recruits and has called for more effective leadership of the military, a position that has angered the Defense Ministry in the past.

Antic has long argued that the solution doesn't lie in forced service but rather in better pay and better working conditions in the military.

"If the position of the army were improved to make [military service] more popular in order to fill our units, we wouldn't need to restore military service like this," Antic said.

Cost Of Conscription

The specifics of the General Staff's latest recommendations have not been disclosed, aside from the assertion that it follows "a detailed consideration of the general security situation and contemporary challenges faced by Serbia as a militarily neutral country." Its aim, defense officials said, is "rejuvenation and improvement" of recruitment and training of "active and reserve forces."

There were no details on how much it might cost, and the Defense Ministry did not respond to RFE/RL's question as to whether such spending was factored into the 2024 budget. The Defense Ministry's own estimate of the cost of conscription back in 2016 was 600 million euros ($658 million). Vucic suggested in 2018 that it would cost 90-130 million euros, or up to one-tenth of the Defense Ministry and military's combined 2024 budget of 1.3 billion euros.

There is no publicly available figure on the total number of active soldiers in Serbia's army and air forces combined. But unofficial estimates put it at between 22,000 and 25,000, including more than 10,000 officers and noncommissioned officers.

Women do currently serve in Serbia's army, but officials made no mention of whether they would be included in a draft. Previous statements have suggested that, while women are free to volunteer for military duty, conscription would be limited to men.

There are around 430,000 men between the ages of 18 and 30 in Serbia, according to the latest census, in a population of nearly 6.7 million. About 1.8 million more men are physically fit and under the cutoff age of 50 for military service.

Defense Minister Milos Vucevic told TV Pink on January 4 that the prospective return of mandatory military service is merely "to protect the country," and "doesn't mean that we are preparing for conflict or that war is on the horizon." He said the conscription would last up to four months.

Three days later, President Vucic quibbled about the details, saying any mandatory service could be shorter, "if it lasts at all," and adding that Serbia's army was "a hundred times stronger than 10 years ago." But he nevertheless argued for strengthening the military -- "without the army we would be trampled like a cockroach" -- and said he was "looking into" the General Staff's proposal.

Vucic has previously characterized military service as a crucial formative experience that teaches "men...maturity [and] what patriotism is, what work is, [and] what obligations are."

Concerns Abound

At least a dozen European states still require military service, including Austria, Denmark, Finland, Russia, and Ukraine. Georgia, Lithuania, and Sweden have all abandoned and then reintroduced conscription.

Most of the young people asked by RFE/RL about the prospect said they didn't think a return to conscription was imminent. "Whoever wants to go voluntarily, feel free to go," Djordje Zlatkovic, a Serbian medical student, said. "I think this is just diverting the public's attention from more important topics."

Serbia doesn't belong to any military alliance, although it has been a participant in NATO's Partnership for Peace program since 2006 despite lingering bitterness over that transatlantic alliance's 78-day bombardment of rump Yugoslavia in 1999. More than two decades on and with EU membership a declared goal, Serbia's national defense and security strategies adopted by parliament most recently in 2019 reiterated the country's military neutrality, and officials have said repeatedly that Belgrade has no intention of joining NATO.

In a response to RFE/RL's Balkan Service, the NATO Military Liaison Office in Belgrade said any potential return to compulsory military service was up to Serbian authorities. It said "NATO will continue to support Serbia's efforts to modernize its armed forces" within the partnership and stressed it fully respects Serbia's neutrality.

But Vucic has relied increasingly on advanced Russian military weaponry and even intelligence, as relations are strained along Serbia's border with its partly recognized former province Kosovo. That approach -- along with his refusal to join EU condemnations and sanctions on Russia since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine began 22 months ago -- has underscored concerns that the Serbian president is being coddled by the West at its peril.

Vucic, who climbed the political ranks as a Serb nationalist under Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic in the 1990s, claimed a fresh mandate for his ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) after official results of national, regional, and local elections last month showed mostly lopsided victories for the SNS, although Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe observers warned of "unjust conditions" and opposition leaders have alleged widescale fraud. The president clearly is eager to put some of last year's turbulence behind him, when a newly unified opposition emerged after twin mass shootings rekindled anti-government protests.

Nikola Lunic, a retired navy captain and former defense attache in London who helped formulate defense strategy for Serbia's military, said the General Staff "repeats periodically" its push for conscription. "But as a rule, without detailed explanation, analysis, and consequences," he added.

He told RFE/RL that it "only indicates that the Serbian Army is facing accumulated problems of filling units, which further implies that the current management is unable to solve it."

Lunic, now executive director of the Belgrade-based Council for Strategic Policy, called general military service "a thing of the past," because modern security threats and technology require professional soldiers.

Asked about the message it sends to Serbs and the region, he said that increasing Serbia's military capabilities through a wider contingent of recruits "will without a doubt draw attention in the region and in Europe, and perhaps the reaction of a similar response."

"Tensions in a region with an unfinished history are always problematic," Lunic said, "and now this move would further undermine the potential for trust."

Written by Andy Heil based on reporting by RFE/RL Balkan Service correspondent Mila Manojlovic

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/serbia-conscription-vucic- anger-modernizing-military/32770746.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.

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U.S. Says It Has Accepted Kosovo's Request To Purchase Javelin Anti-Tank Missiles

By RFE/RL's Balkan Service January 11, 2024

The United States has accepted a request from Kosovo for the purchase of Javelin anti-tank missiles despite opposition from neighboring Serbia.

U.S. Ambassador to Serbia Christopher Hill said in a statement on January 11 that the request will be sent to Congress to begin the official procedure for completing the purchase.

Hill made the announcement after a meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic during which the current tense relations between Belgrade and Pristina were discussed.

"This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security of the United States by improving the security of a European partner which is an important force for political and economic stability in Europe," the Defense Security Cooperation Agency of the Defense Department said in a news release.

The estimated cost of the Javelin missiles and related equipment is $75 million, the agency said, adding that Kosovo will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.

Vucic said the news was a "great disappointment," but that Serbia, together with the United States, will work to ensure continued solid Serbian-American relations.

"For us, it is very important that peace in the region is not broken and that Serbia continues to act responsibly and contribute to stability in the Balkans," Vucic said.

Kosovo's Defense Ministry told RFE/RL that the purchase of Javelin missiles and some other modern weapons systems is planned within the framework of increasing the military capacities of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF).

Liridona Gashi, a political adviser to Kosovar Defense Minister Ejup Maqedonci, said that the KSF is raising its military capacities and within this context a military agreement has been signed between Kosovo and the United States.

The European Union has mediated talks since 2013 aimed at normalizing relations between Kosovo and Serbia, which share a 366-kilometer border. But lingering resentments have persisted since Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008 -- a move that Belgrade has refused to recognize -- and officials on both sides have been reluctant to abandon nationalist rhetoric in pursuit of a breakthrough.

Ethnic cleansing and other atrocities during fighting in the 1990s left many areas ethnically homogeneous, although ethnic Serbs predominate in northern Kosovo and ethnic Albanians are a majority in a few communities in southern Serbia. Belgrade refuses to recognize an independent Kosovo.

The United States has steadily supported the KSF and its 3,400-strong corps, which was turned into a regular army in December 2018, although its name has not been changed to armed forces as planned.

Pristina has set membership in the NATO military alliance as a policy goal, but has been warned by several countries, including the United States, that it must implement a peace deal with Serbia to move forward.

Further complicating the process, Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008, is not recognized as a state by four NATO members: Romania, Spain, Greece, and Slovakia.



Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kosovo-javelin-missiles-purchase-us- accepts/32770635.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.

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US Recognizes Gaza Facing Real Food Security Issues - White House

Sputnik News

20240111

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The United States acknowledges that Gaza residents are suffering from real food security issues amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, White House Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said on Thursday.

"We recognize that there are real food security issues in Gaza, a hundred percent. And that's why food has really been one of the main staples of the humanitarian assistance that we have been trying to get in: food, water, medicine. But food is certainly right at the top of that list," Kirby said during a press conference.

The official stated that the US is grateful to the Israeli government for opening the Karem Shalom border crossing but said that the amount of humanitarian supplies crossing into Gaza is still not enough.

"There are not enough trucks getting in. We're not satisfied with the level right now ... at the maximum on a given day, I think we've been able to reach around 200," Kirby said, noting that it was much less than previously.

The US knows that "there's many people suffering in Gaza, not just from hunger but other needs, and we're going to do everything we can to alleviate that," he added.

On October 7, Palestinian movement Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel from the Gaza Strip, while its fighters breached the border, opening fire on 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 began a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. Over 23,000 people have since been killed in Gaza in Israeli strikes, local authorities said.

In a statement marking the three-month anniversary of the war, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths said that "famine is around the corner" as Gazans are "facing the highest levels of food insecurity ever recorded."

 Sputnik

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Top UN Court Opens Hearings on South Africa's Gaza Genocide Claims Against Israel

Sputnik News

20240111

THE HAGUE (Sputnik) - The top United Nations court opened two days of public hearings on Thursday to look into South Africa's allegations that the Israeli military has been committing genocide in Gaza, a Sputnik correspondent reported.

Judge Joan Donoghue, the president of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), is presiding over a 15-judge panel convening at the Peace Palace in The Hague. The court has been asked to issue provisional measures to protect Palestinians in Gaza and to ensure Israel's compliance with the 1948 Genocide Convention.

South African lawyers were the first to speak at the hearing, with Israeli lawyers scheduled to take the floor on Friday.

South Africa brought the claim of Israel's genocidal intent in Gaza before the ICJ on December 29 in response to the surging civilian death toll in the besieged Palestinian enclave. It seeks to prove that Israel's military campaign is genocidal in nature and targets Gazans as a part of the broader Palestinian national, racial and ethnic group.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said the South African case had no factual basis and that Pretoria was collaborating with "terrorists."

A number of countries, including Turkey, Malaysia, Venezuela, Brazil and Iran, supported South Africa's case against Israel. The US Department of State, referring to the lawsuit, said it saw no evidence of genocide in the Gaza Strip.

 Sputnik

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Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Egyptian President El-Sisi

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

January 11, 2024

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with President Abdel Fatteh El-Sisi today in Cairo. Secretary Blinken expressed appreciation for Egypt's partnership in assisting the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza. Secretary Blinken and President El-Sisi discussed ongoing efforts to secure the release of all remaining hostages. The Secretary reiterated U.S. commitment to ensuring Palestinians in Gaza are not forcibly displaced and to achieving regional peace that ensures Israel's security and advances the establishment of a Palestinian state. The Secretary emphasized the importance of deterring Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea and preventing the conflict from spreading in the region.

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Secretary Blinken's Remarks to the Press

US Department of State

Remarks to the Press

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Cairo, Egypt

January 11, 2024

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Hello, everyone. So we've just completed our tenth stop in seven days in the region. And as we have everywhere throughout this trip, we've been focused on a number of key objectives. First, preventing the conflict from spreading; second, getting more humanitarian assistance in to people who need it; three, increasing protection for civilians; four, getting hostages out; and finally, continuing to support Israel in its efforts to make sure that October 7th can never happen again, and so that this conflict can end.

We also had conversations about the day after the conflict ends, doing the work necessary to prepare for that, as well as for long-term, enduring security. And I have to say what was different about this trip is that on our previous trips here, I think there was a reluctance to talk about some of the day-after issues and long-term stability and security on a regional basis, but now we're finding that our partners are very focused on that and wanting to engage on those questions. So this was a big part of our conversation as well. They're also clearly prepared to take steps, to do things, to make commitments necessary both for Gaza's future and for long-term peace and security in the region.

We come away with a number of concrete steps forward. First, an agreement by Israel to have the United Nations send an assessment team to the north of Gaza to look at the conditions that would be necessary to start to get people moving back to the north. Second, we have a commitment from the Palestinian Authority to pursue meaningful reform. Third, we're also, as - just literally as we're here, we have the Security Council at the United Nations pronouncing itself on the ongoing Houthi aggression - that's been a danger to shipping in the Red Sea and that poses a threat to countries around the world - and with U.S. leadership, a strong Security Council resolution that is insistent that these actions stop. And finally, as I said, an agreement among countries in the region, among our Arab partners, to work together and to coordinate our efforts for the way forward, both for Gaza itself as well as for longer-term peace and stability in the region.

In a way, the very challenge of this moment, because things are so difficult, I think that's actually only reinforced the commitment of countries to work to find a real resolution and one that puts us on a longer-term path to genuine peace and stability. And that path is clearly there, it's possible, and we can see it. And it involves - there's a path that brings Israel's needs and desires for integration in the region and genuine security with, as well, Palestinian aspirations for a state of their own. And I think what we're finding, especially from all of our conversations on this trip, that you have to do both and you have to do it with regional coordination and a regional approach. You can't have one without the other, and you can't have either without a regional commitment to advancing on both tracks. And that, I think, is what we can see and what we have.

Now, none of this is easy, to say the least, after so many years. None of this will happen overnight. But there is a greater willingness now of countries to make the hard decisions and do what's necessary to advance on that track. And I think you can really see two very stark alternatives for the region. One is an alternative where you have an integrated region with Israel - integrated - with security assurances and commitments from regional countries, and as well from the United States - and a Palestinian state. These are a pathway to get to that state. The other path is to continue to see the terrorism, the nihilism, the destruction by Hamas, by the Houthis, by Hizballah - all backed by Iran.

If you pursue the first path, if you build that integration, if you bring Israel in, if you make the necessary commitments to security, and you move down the path to a Palestinian state, that's the single best way to isolate, to marginalize Iran and the proxies that are making so much trouble for us and for pretty much everyone else in the region. And I think that vision is very clear to many of the leaders that we talked to in the region. Again, a lot of hard decisions required, a lot of work required, but there is a pathway forward and it's one that we fully intend to pursue with American diplomacy in the weeks and months ahead.

Happy to take some questions.

MR MILLER: John.

QUESTION: Thank you, Mr. Secretary. You said the change won't happen overnight, and you've emphasized that Israel has a right to defend herself, to ensure its security. But after four trips here to the region, coupled with the reality that the conflict is escalating, are you concerned that your effort to seek a diplomatic resolution is falling flat? What remains the biggest challenge as you look back on the past week and think about your conversations with all the world leaders here in the region?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: So first, I don't think the conflict is escalating. There are lots of danger points; we're trying to deal with each of them. Lebanon, where we want to make sure, through diplomacy, that we can create enough security and a strong sense of security so that people in Israel who have been forced from their home can move back, people in southern Lebanon who have been forced from their homes can move back. And we're working aggressively on that with diplomacy, and Israel strongly supports that, and I think no one wants to see escalation there. Israel doesn't; Lebanon doesn't. I actually don't think Hizballah does. So we're working on that.

The Red Sea - we want to avoid escalation there. Unfortunately, the Houthis continue, day after day, to attack shipping. So the international community has been very clear about the need for this to stop. The Security Council has pronounced itself. We have a number of countries that have made clear that, if it doesn't stop, there'll have to be consequences, and unfortunately it hasn't stopped. But we want to make sure that it does, and we're prepared to do that. Third, we've been working very hard to try to make sure that the West Bank does not explode, catch on fire. We're very focused on that.

And then finally, Gaza itself. Yes, it's imperative that Israel do everything it can to ensure that October 7th doesn't happen again, but we also want to see this conflict come to an end - and until it does, to make sure that humanitarian assistance goes up for people who need it and civilian protection also increases. We've made, I think, progress on those fronts. At the same time, Israel has demobilized a significant number of forces, starting in the north, so that process has begun. And we'll be working on that in the days and months ahead.

So we're - we're doing everything we can with very strong regional support, again, to make sure that this doesn't spread, that there can't be a repeat of October 7th, but also that this conflict comes to an end.

MR MILLER: Ed.

QUESTION: Thanks. I'll follow up on John's questions. You've talked a lot on this trip about the post-war scenario that you're trying to plan out here. But at the same time, the tempo of military operations in Gaza is still very high, even though Israel has withdrawn strong some troops. Civilian casualties are still occurring every day. It seems like, from our perspective, that you're not pushing as hard on that front anymore and you're not willing to place conditions on weapons transfers to Israel. So people would say that you've kind of given up on mitigating civilian casualties and are instead focusing on the long term.

And then the second question. On the long-term issues, you talk about that partners in this region are willing to engage on the post-war scenario. Our impression is that the Israeli leaders themselves are less willing to engage on that right now because they're focused on this war and on a military security solution rather than a political solution. So how do you address that?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: So first, of course, Israel's focused in the immediate on Gaza, on trying to make sure that, as I said, October 7th can't happen again. That's their immediate focus. But this will come to an end, and when it does, I think you'll also see the focus on what has to happen after - what has to happen after for Gaza, but also what has to happen after, in a much broader sense, to make sure that October 7th doesn't happen again. Because there's not only a military piece to that equation - there's a critical political piece. And that's exactly what we've been talking about.

From Israel's perspective, if you can have a future where they're integrated into the region, relations are normalized with other countries, where they have the necessary assurances, commitments, guarantees for their security - that's a very attractive pathway. But it's also clear that that requires a pathway to a Palestinian state. We've heard that from every single country in the region.

So these two things are tied together. Israel's integration, its security, pathway to a Palestinian state - that is the equation, and it's done and it has to be done on a regional basis with regional commitments, all of which, I believe, countries are prepared to make. And it's also the best way to address the most fundamental security concern that Israel and many others have, which are the actions that Iran and its proxies are taking. That's the single best way - this integration, security, a Palestinian state - to isolate and marginalize Iran and the kinds of actions it's taking through its proxies. I think that vision is clear and - but for us to move on it, for it to really get started, the conflict in Gaza has to end. That's critical. And that is, of course, what Israel is focused on right now.

In terms of civilian protections and casualties, no, we are intensely focused on that, just as we're intensely focused on increasing humanitarian assistance. And we've said and we've been very clear that it's imperative that more be done, that Israel do more to protect civilians even as it's working to ensure that October 7th doesn't happen again. We're very focused on this. We're focused on it in very practical ways in terms of the advice that we're providing. But it is vital that, as long as this is going on, every effort be made to make sure that civilians who are caught in a crossfire of Hamas's making don't continue to suffer, and we'll keep that focus.

Thanks, everyone.

QUESTION: Any agreement with Sisi at all?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thanks, everyone.

QUESTION: Thank you.

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The security situation across the Sahel is deteriorating: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on West Africa.

11 January 2024

Thank you, President. I'm grateful to SRSG Simao and Dr Theroux-Benoni for their briefings this morning. Let me make four points on security, democracy, climate change, and humanitarian need.

First, as we've heard, security across the Sahel is deteriorating. The UK is particularly concerned about the situation in Mali, where UNOWAS has a crucial role to play after MINUSMA's withdrawal. We encourage UNOWAS, through its good offices, to help bring all signatories to the 2015 Algiers Accords back to the negotiating table.

The UK welcomes ECOWAS contributions to regional security and supports the potential of the Accra Initiative. We also stand ready to support the region and the UN for the upcoming Africa Counter Terrorism Summit. We reiterate that the region's security challenges are only exacerbated by the destabilising chaos of Russian mercenary group Wagner.

Second, democracy is under pressure. Timelines for the restoration of constitutional governments in Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea continue to slip. We echo ECOWAS' calls for a return to constitutional order, and we encourage recommitment to transition timetables. We call on Niger to agree a transition timeline with ECOWAS.

The United Kingdom congratulates Liberia for its recent peaceful transfer of power, and welcomes the Peacebuilding Commission's role supporting this process. We urge redoubled efforts on UNOWAS' regional work to prevent election-related tensions.

Third, the Security Council has recognised the adverse effects of climate change on security and stability in the region. We welcome UNOWAS' work in the climate-security nexus. The UK is supporting work in the region to build the resilience of those most vulnerable to climate change.

Fourth, the humanitarian situation remains dire. Since 2019, UK aid has supported over 15 million in the Sahel with life-saving assistance, but humanitarian needs are still going unmet. We call on all actors to ensure safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance.

In closing, President, in light of the regional challenges we've all set out here today, we should recommit to even closer work with UNOWAS and the regional organisations. We join others in calling for a presidential statement of the Council to reflect this commitment.

I thank you.

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Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York

11 January 2024

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's noon briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

** Gaza

All right. Let's start off with our usual updates from Gaza.

Our humanitarian colleagues say that between 1 January and 10 January, only 3 out of the 21 planned aid deliveries of food, medicine, water and other life-saving supplies to the north of Wadi Gaza were able to proceed. These included multiple planned missions to provide medical supplies to Gaza City and fuel to water and sanitation facilities in Gaza City and the north, and those were denied by the Israeli authorities.

The UN's ability to respond to extensive needs in the northern part of Gaza is being curtailed by recurring denials of access for aid deliveries and lack of coordinated safe access by the Israeli authorities. These denials and severe access constraints are paralysing the ability of humanitarian partners to respond meaningfully, consistently and at scale.

Overall, the rate of access seen in January so far presents a significant deterioration when compared to the rate of access in December of last year, where more than 70 per cent of planned UN missions to the north were coordinated and undertaken. The rate for 1 January and 10 January is about 14 per cent.

Every day that we are unable to provide assistance results in the loss of lives and suffering for hundreds of thousands of people who remain in northern Gaza.

Yesterday, our Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, said in a social media post that "the health sector in Gaza is being slowly choked off as hospitals continue to come under fire. And what happens when the health system collapses? Pregnant mothers can't deliver their babies safely. Children can't get vaccines. The sick and wounded can't get treatment. People die. And this war needs to end," Mr. Griffiths said. He also mourned yesterday the loss of the four members of the Palestine Red Crescent ambulance crews, who were killed while on duty in Gaza.

He said that the rules of war are clear and that parties must protect civilians, including, of course, humanitarian workers.

** Lebanon

Staying in the region: The Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, is continuing his visit to Lebanon and the Middle East.

This morning, he arrived at the headquarters of the UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL), and that headquarters is in Naqoura. He is meeting with the Mission's leadership and peacekeeping personnel to express his solidarity and support for their work in very challenging circumstances.

Mr. Lacroix was in Beirut over the past two days, where he met with senior Lebanese political and military leadership, as well as the diplomatic community.

He reiterated the importance of de-escalation and stressed the need for all sides to reaffirm their commitment to Security Council resolution 1701. We will continue to update you on his activities tomorrow, he remains in the south.

** Senior Personnel Appointment

Just also staying on peacekeeping, today the Secretary-General is appointing Major General Cheryl Pearce of Australia as Deputy Military Adviser for Peacekeeping Operations.

Major General Pearce succeeds Major General Maureen Patricia O'Brien of Ireland, to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for her service and her leadership.

Currently serving as the Deputy Chief of the Army of the Australian Defence Force, Major General Pearce brings to this position more than 35 years of military experience, and we very much welcome her.

** Ukraine

Moving to Ukraine, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) tells us that as another wave of attacks hit the country yesterday, we and our partners continue to support those civilians suffering the consequences of these widespread attacks.

In the Sumy Region in northern Ukraine, humanitarians provided assistance to dozens of people whose homes were damaged in an attack on Tuesday. This included supplies to cover damaged roofs and windows, psychosocial services and legal support to obtain compensation for repairs.

In the Kharkiv region, several civilians were reportedly killed or injured; that's according to what regional authorities are telling us. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities said that attacks in the Donetsk Region in the east and the Kherson Region in the south of the country injured several civilians and damaged more than a dozen houses, education facilities and other buildings.

An attack earlier this week in central Ukraine reportedly left nearly 18,000 people without power in Kryvyi Rih City in the Dnipro Region, this after an energy facility broke down. Electricity and water supplies have been partially recovered today, but repairs are continuing.

** Security Council

Back here in the Security Council this morning, the head of our political mission for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Leonardo Santos Simao, said that over the past six months, the situation in the region has been marked by contrasting developments.

On one hand, he said, significant progress has been made in consolidating democracy in some parts of the region, while on the other hand, the security situation and governance challenges remain a major concern.

In the Sahel, Mr. Simao said that the unconstitutional change of government in Niger created a belt of military-led governments, adding to the substantial governance, humanitarian and security challenges that we have been facing in that region.

Turning to Mali, he said that discussions with Malian authorities are currently ongoing towards a mutual understanding of his office's role there, especially as it relates to residual political issues. The UN, he added, remains committed to delivering for the people.

Mr. Simao will be available to talk to you at the Security Council stakeout after he briefs the Security Council and after consultations.

Also, please note that this afternoon, there will be an open meeting on Colombia. The Secretary-General Special Representative for Colombia, Ruiz Massieu, will be briefing but he will do that via videoconference technology.

** Mali

Staying in the region of Mali, our humanitarian partners tell us that aid agencies working through the UN response plan were able to reach more than 1.8 million people across the country in 2023.

This was despite several challenges, quite a lot, including escalating insecurity in some parts of the country late last year.

We and our partners are committed to staying and delivering principled assistance and protection services in Mali, working with national authorities, Malian organizations and local communities.

But, our colleagues say, to keep the response going, agencies urgently need support for critical enabling services  such as logistics, mine action and security. In some locations, these services were of course being provided previously in part by the UN peacekeeping mission  MINUSMA.

Agencies also need full funding for the humanitarian response itself.

This year's response plan for Mali, which will be launched at the end of this month and is expected to require $700 million for the year  a 10 per cent decrease from 2023  which reflects a more prioritized focus on the country's most severe needs.

While humanitarian aid remains essential, more is needed to address the challenges faced by people in Mali. We continue to emphasize the need to maintain development assistance, as well as social cohesion programmes, to help communities move forward and to avoid further increases in humanitarian needs in the future.

** Afghanistan

Also on Afghanistan, the UN Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) expressed today its deep concern over the recent arbitrary arrests and detentions of women and girls by the de facto authorities because of their alleged non-compliance with the hijab decree.

The UN Mission said it is looking into allegations of incommunicado detention and ill-treatment, and it is discussing these issues with the de facto authorities themselves. The Mission also called for the immediate release of those detained.

If you recall, in May [2022] the Secretary-General expressed his alarm when the Taliban announced that women must cover their faces in public and leave home only in cases of necessity. And we will keep echoing these concerns and engaging with the authorities on those.

** Honour Roll

Finally, one more member of the Honour Roll. If I give you a letter and a digit, will you figure it out? I will give you the number 8 and the letter K. [crowd responds: "Kuwait!"] I don't think I can make it any simpler for you, James. Go ahead.

** Questions and Answers

Question : Okay. Can I start by asking about... I know it's not something you'll talk about the legal merits, but the International Court of Justice (ICJ) this morning, an important organ of the UN, had an important case. Did the Secretary-General get up and watch?

Spokesman : The Secretary-General is obviously following the proceedings. But I think the most important thing to say is that the International Court of Justice is independent. The Secretary-General has full respect for the independence of the Court, its proceedings, and its decisions.

Question : So, what are the obligations of UN Member States if the Court, which it will, will come to a finding at the end of this? What are the obligations of Members if, for example, the Court comes up with provisional measures? Are Member States obliged to follow those? And are members of the Security Council obliged to take action following the decisions?

Spokesman : I can't predict what decisions will or will not be taken, and I think all obligations are included in the Statute of the Court and is not for me to comment.

Question : And can I ask you for two quick updates?

Spokesman : Yes, sir.

One, the people being held hostage after helicopter, you rightly, you gave us a very limited statement and said because of the delicacy of the situation. But I wondered if you could give us any update at all, including numbers, which we didn't have before? And secondly, any updates on the movements of Sigrid Kaag, her visit to D.C. and who she's been meeting?

Spokesman : Okay. Sigrid Kaag, my understanding will be in D.C. tomorrow. Once her appointments are set, we will share those with you. Also, you did not ask me, but others had asked me in the past: She received a visa to visit Israel, which is good news. Once that travel to the region is clear. I will tell you. And I completely forgot your other question.

Question : It's about the hostages.

Spokesman : Oh, on Somalia, the situation, I think, remains very delicate, to say the least, so I have nothing to share with you. Edith?

Question : Thank you, Steph. Two questions. First, following up on the efforts by the UN and its partners to deliver to Northern Gaza, can you tell us what kind of discussions and how high level they are between the UN officials and Israel to try and get this aid into the north?

Spokesman : Well, I mean, there are operational discussions that go on every day, mostly, and our main operational partner is COGAT, which is a part of the Israeli security apparatus that deals with us on these issues, whether it's in the West Bank or in Gaza. Obviously, at senior-more levels, the broader issue of access is constantly raised and that will be one of, obviously, one of Ms. Kaag's issues. But on a daily basis, there are constant contacts on an operational level.

Question : And was there a reason given by the Israelis for the denial of...?

Spokesman : I don't have that level of granularity. I'll see what I can get for you.

Question : And on a completely different issue, does the Secretary-General have any comment on Iran's seizure of an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman?

Spokesman : We hope... we are obviously following this; we hope this issue gets resolved as quickly as possible. I think there are enough challenges currently ongoing for international maritime traffic in the region and also for any potential escalation of the situation. Evelyn then Dezhi.

Question : Thank you, Stephane. Do you have the numbers of how many people were displaced in Israel and Lebanon on their common border?

Spokesman : I have numbers for Lebanon, because we obviously have a humanitarian presence in Lebanon. Those numbers were shared by the IOM (International Organization for Migration) about four or five days ago; whether I can recall those numbers in my brain, I will share those with you. On Israel, I mean, we operate on a humanitarian presence when we are requested. We don't have a humanitarian presence in Israel, but it is clear that because of the fighting, civilians have been displaced from their homes, from their places of business in northern Israel in rather large numbers.

Question : And on Mali, you mentioned protection services. What kind of protection without peacekeepers?

Spokesman : No. This is... "protection services" is a general term that we use whenever we have internally displaced people or refugees to ensure that they have access to services, whether it's protection on sexual violence. It does not imply armed protection. Dezhi?

Question : So, my most important questions has been asked by Edie. So let me ask you two follow-ups.

Spokesman : That's often everyone's case.

Question : Yes, so the first one, do you have some updates on yesterday? My question on the UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) teacher's group celebrating Hamas attack?

Spokesman : I gave you the information I had. I would encourage you to follow up directly with UNRWA.

Question : Okay. And second, do you have any update on the UN efforts to release the hostages kept by Hamas?

Spokesman : No. The Secretary-General continues his own advocacy in contacts that he's had, and we're very well aware that we're coming up, I think, tomorrow on the 100-day mark which, again, we reiterate our call for their immediate and unconditional release and also for the Red Cross to be able to have access to them, which as far as I know has not yet been the case.

Question : Yesterday, the Security Council passed the... adopted the resolution on the Red Sea region. Now after the Hamas attack, there has been three resolutions in that region, I think. The first two, I don't know how's the execution of the resolution. What do you expect the third one? I mean, the one yesterday that passed, would be abide by the parties... [cross talk]

Spokesman : With every resolution passed by the Security Council, our expectations are that Member States and all concerned parties would abide by them.

Correspondent : We all, we all feel like it's law binding resolutions by this Security Council, but now it seems like nobody's really follow those resolutions.

Spokesman : That sounds like an observation. [laughter]

Correspondent : Yeah.

Spokesman : Stefano, then James.

Question : Yeah. Actually, it's a follow-up on that, on that resolution just voted. Does the Secretary-General think that this resolution allows eventually those, I don't know, United States or other countries to respond to an attack by the Houthis, also in attacking in that territory, Yemen?

Spokesman : I mean, we would not want to see any kinetic movement that would lead to a further deterioration of the situation and also would have even a negative impact on the efforts and the positive efforts that we have seen from Hans Grundberg recently.

Question : And then, I'll always follow up: On that report of a UN Watch on UNRWA, I just asked to Human Rights Watch what they thought, an assessment or what they thought on that report; and they say they don't think it is worth anything because they don't have proof, so things like that. Anyway, they didn't have anything too good to say about the report. Yesterday, you said I think if I heard well, you said that you are concerned. I mean, the UN is concerned?

Spokesman : I said what I said, I mean, neither of us can remember what I said yesterday clearly. But what I'd say is that any allegations are looked into... I mean, UN Watch has a track record, and I think from our end, it speaks for itself. But, obviously, any allegations are looked into. Ibtisam, then James, and then I think we'll go to Mr. Simao, who's waiting for you downstairs or down for the stakeout. Ibtisam, please?

Question : Just a quick follow-up on Ms. Kaag's visit to Israel and the visa that she got; is she also going to Gaza on that trip?

Spokesman : I don't know what her... on what all her travels will be, but obviously, the whole, the idea is that it she will go at some point to Gaza. I mean, I raised the issue of visas for Israel because it's been a question that has been raised in this room quite a few times. We also know we have, again, to use that term, there's a track record of issues with visas. So, I just wanted to make it clear, because there had been questions about whether Israel is cooperating, and the message I've been sending out for the last few days is our understanding is that there will be full cooperation, and the issuance of that visa is a visible demonstration of that. So, I just wanted to get out. It doesn't... of course, she will visit the whole region, and her mandate is focused on Gaza. So, at some point, she will obviously be going to Gaza.

Question : Yeah. No. But my question is also in the context of what you said, because she needs the Israeli approval to enter Gaza?

Spokesman : So, that's part of the overall cooperation package, which we hope will continue to move positively. Mr. Bays?

Question : A follow-up before my question. Given the immense media interest in her job, would it be possible to ask that a team of reporters were able to follow her, particularly if she goes to Gaza, if you can try and get that permission as well for us? Okay. So as a general principle, when you look at the work of senior UN officials, particularly those who deal with human rights, how important is public diplomacy and advocacy in their jobs?

Spokesman : For some reason, I have a feeling it's a trick question. [laughter] Whatever I say here will be used against me. I stand here in front of you every day. Public diplomacy, communication is very important.

Question : That's important for officials dealing with human rights, as well?

Spokesman : It's important for everyone. Now, obviously, there are people who have specific mandates, who are focused on working on reports that need to be issued every half-year, every year, every quarter, and they may feel that they're mandate is best fulfilled by not being too visible in the preparation of reports.

Question : So, that is how you explain, is it, the complete missing in action of Virginia Gamba, the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict? And we have had now three months in which well over a thousand children have died, many more bodies of children almost certainly lying under the rubble. It's the largest number of children by far since that job was created, and she's put out one statement in three months. [cross talk]

Spokesman : I'm fully aware of the situation. I speak about the situation every day. I give you these heart-crushing numbers every day. Ms. Gamba's mandate is to produce reports on children in armed conflict. Those reports, as you know, are very exhaustive. [cross talk] Just please let me finish. She produces very exhaustive reports, which do make headlines and she's here with you. The fact that you may not see her does not mean she's missing in action.

Question : The job. She has employed a spokesman. I mean, and she doesn't speak. I mean, I don't understand what she is doing. It seems like dereliction of duty. It seems like she's missing in action. Is the Secretary-General happy with her performance? [cross talk]

Spokesman : I would not describe it that way; he has full confidence in her performance.

Question : And I'm not taking on Ms. Gamba. I could ask you similar questions about the senior adviser on genocide.

Spokesman : I understand your observations. And I bid you adieu.

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Gaza: South Africa levels accusations of 'genocidal conduct' against Israel at world court

11 January 2024 - South Africa addressed the UN's highest court on Thursday in a bid to end the mass killing of civilians in Gaza, accusing Israel of carrying out genocide against Palestinians there - a claim that Israel has strongly denied as "baseless".

The development came amid the ongoing and massive Israeli bombardment across the Gaza Strip in response to Hamas-led terror attacks on 7 October that left some 1,200 Israeli and foreign nationals dead in southern Israel and some 250 taken hostage.

Laying out their case, the South African legal team told the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague that Israel had demonstrated a "pattern of genocidal conduct" since launching its full-scale war in Gaza, the 365 square kilometre strip of land it has occupied since 1967.

"This killing is nothing short of destruction of Palestinian life. It is inflicted deliberately, no-one is spared, not even newborn babies," the court heard.

Unprecedented violence

Israel's actions had subjected the 2.3 million people of Gaza to an unprecedented level of attacks from the air, land and sea, resulting in the deaths of thousands of civilians and the destruction of homes and essential public infrastructure, insisted Adila Hassim.

Israel had also prevented sufficient humanitarian aid from reaching those in need and created the risk of death by starvation and disease because of the impossibility of providing assistance "while bombs fall", the South Africa lawyer alleged.

"Palestinians in Gaza are subject to relentless bombing wherever they go," Ms. Hassim told the court, adding that so many people had been killed that they were often buried unidentified in mass graves. An additional 60,000 Palestinians had been wounded and maimed, she noted.

"They are killed in their homes, in places where they seek shelter, in hospitals, in schools, in mosques, in churches, and as they tried to find food and water for their families. They have been killed if they have failed to evacuate the places to which they have fled and even if they attempted to flee along Israeli-declared safe routes."

As part of its claim against Israel, South Africa alleges that 6,000 bombs hit Gaza in the first week of the Israeli response to the Hamas-led attacks. This included the use of 2,000-pound bombs at least 200 times "in southern areas of the Strip that were designated as safe", and in the north, where refugee camps were located, Ms. Hassim said.

These weapons were "some of the biggest and most destructive bombs available", she maintained, adding that genocides "are never declared in advance, but this court has the benefit of the past 13 weeks of evidence that shows incontrovertibly a pattern of conduct and related intention that justifies a plausible claim of genocidal acts".

Convention's obligations

It was because of these actions that Israel had contravened the Genocide Convention, the ICJ judges later heard, in reference to the global treaty inked by Members of the United Nations after the Second World War to prevent crimes against humanity.

The Convention was "dedicated to saving humanity", insisted John Dugard, also representing South Africa, and all countries that had signed up to the Convention "are obliged not only to desist from genocidal acts but also to prevent them", he maintained.

The hearing continues on Friday with the Israeli presentation.

Rights chief Turk rejects 'blood libel'

In a related development, the UN's top human rights official has defended criticism of the invasion of Gaza, saying that it is "not antisemitic" to call out "gross violations" of international humanitarian law.

Writing in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz on Wednesday, Volker Turk once again strongly condemned "the shocking cruelty of the attack launched from Gaza by Hamas and other armed groups on October 7".

The massacres that ensued created "intense and continuing trauma" across Israel", the UN rights chief continued, before insisting that the country's "campaign of overwhelming force" had been "tainted by grave breaches of international law".

Rocket fire from Gaza into Israel has also continued, Mr. Turk noted, before expressing regret that some Israeli officials had tried to discredit his Office's concerns by claiming that they constitute "blood libel".

"It is not a blood libel to deplore the failure to hold to account Israeli soldiers and armed settlers who have killed hundreds of Palestinians in the West Bank since October 7, or the prolongation of a war whose conduct has raised grave international humanitarian and human rights law concerns," the UN rights chief stressed.

Diplomacy continues in New York

And diplomats at UN Headquarters in New York continue to seek more consensus over the Israel-Palestine crisis, passing a resolution in the Security Council Thursday night aimed at containing the spillover from the Gaza war.

Ambassadors demanded that Houthi rebels on the Red Sea coast of Yemen end their attacks on international shipping, which the rebels say are in support of Palestinians and Hamas militants.

And on Friday afternoon, a meeting of the Security Council is due to take place to discuss concerns over the potential forcible displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, at the request of new Council member, Algeria.

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World News in Brief: Deep concern over Afghan arrests, UN commits to stay and deliver in Mali, new migrant support plan

11 January 2024 - The UN mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said on Thursday that it is "deeply concerned" over a recent spate of arbitrary arrests and detentions of women and girls by Taliban officials for alleged non-compliance with the Islamic dress code.

Since 1 January, in Kabul and Daykundi provinces, UNAMA has documented a series of hijab decree enforcement campaigns by the de facto Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, aided by Taliban police units.

In the capital, Kabul, large numbers of women and girls have been warned and detained, said the mission in a press statement. Some have also been detained in Nili City in Daykundi province.

UNAMA is looking into allegations of ill treatment and detention. Religious and ethnic minority communities also appear to be disproportionately impacted by the clamp down.

To secure release, a mahram, or male guardian, has been required to sign a letter guaranteeing future compliance or else face punishment, and it's alleged that payments have sometimes been demanded, UNAMA reported.

'Demeaning'

"Enforcement measures involving physical violence are especially demeaning and dangerous for Afghan women and girls," said Roza Otunbayeva, Special Representative of the Secretary General and head of UNAMA.

"Detentions carry an enormous stigma that put Afghan women at even greater risk," Ms. Otunbayeva said. "They also destroy public trust."

UNAMA has discussed these issues with the de facto authorities and calls for the immediate release of those detained.

Greater funding needed for Malians following UN mission's withdrawal

Although UN agencies were able to reach more than 1.8 million people in Mali last year, more funding and commitment to long-term development is needed following the drawdown of the UN mission at the end of December, according to UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

Briefing reporters in New York on Thursday, he stressed that the UN and partners were "committed to staying and delivering principled assistance and protection services" despite the gap left by the end of the peacekeeping mission at the request of Mali's military authorities.

He said the UN would continue working with national authorities, Malian organizations and local communities, "but to keep the response going, agencies urgently need support for critical enabling services such as logistics, mine action and security".

"In some locations, these services were of course being provided previously in part by the UN peacekeeping mission," he added.

He noted that nearly two million Malians had received assistance last year despite the already "escalating insecurity" in parts of the country, much of which is plagued by armed extremists following more than a decade of unrest and political upheaval.

Agencies also need full funding for this year's humanitarian response, Mr. Dujarric said. The full response plan will be launched at the end of this month and is expected to require $700 million through 2024 - a 10 per cent decrease from 2023 - "which reflects a more prioritized focus on the country's most severe needs", he said.

While humanitarian aid remains essential, more will be needed to address future challenges, including development assistance and social cohesion programmes, he said.

UN launches plan to save migrant lives, promote legal pathways

A lack of safe and legal pathways for migrants has left many vulnerable to abuse and deadly assault, according to the UN migration agency (IOM), which launched a new strategy on Thursday designed to assist them.

Speaking at the launch, IOM Director General Amy Pope insisted that it was crucially important to reduce the risks and impacts of climate change, which has become "the top driver" of migration.

Conflict and growing inequality have also increased migration pressures today, said Ms. Pope, who was speaking from N'Djamena in Chad. It's there that many of the seven million people displaced by violence in neighbouring Sudan have now settled.

IOM said in a statement that its strategic plan is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and that the agency is using innovation and technology "to help migrants, their families, communities, and societies flourish".

"There is not a corner of the globe that is not touched by, or is in some way invested in, the issue of migration," the IOM chief said.

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YEREVAN, JANUARY 12, ARMENPRESS: Armenia's Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has congratulated Cho Tae-Yul on his appointment as Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea.

"I send my congratulations to H.E. Mr. CHO TAE-YUL on appointment as FM of Republic of Korea and best wishes for successful tenure. I look forward to working together to further deepen Armenian-Korean political dialogue, advance joint agenda and cooperation in multilateral fora," Mirzoyan said in a post on X.
UNRWA

11 Jan 2024

Key Points

The Gaza Strip

As of 8 January, nearly 1.4 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are sheltering in 154 UNRWA facilities across all five governorates of the Gaza Strip, including 160,000 in the north and Gaza City, and nearly 400,000 are in close vicinity of these installations and receiving assistance from UNRWA. A total of 1.78 million* IDPs are receiving assistance from UNRWA.

Since 7 October 2023, up to 1.9 million people (or over 85 per cent of the population) have been displaced across the Gaza Strip, some multiple times. Families are forced to move repeatedly in search of safety.

As of 10 January 2024, the total number of UNRWA colleagues killed since the beginning of hostilities is 146.

* This includes nearly 160,000 IDPs in north Gaza and Gaza City governorates as of 12 October. UNRWA's ability to provide humanitarian support and update data in the above areas is severely restricted. The hostilities, Israeli Forces' evacuation orders and the constant search for safer places meant that people are displaced multiple times. UNRWA shelters often provide assistance to registered Palestine Refugees and other members of the community. There are instances where total numbers could be duplicated due to overlapping registrations, this is why we use "estimates" for these figures.

The West Bank, including East Jerusalem

Between 9 and 10 January, the following Israeli Security Forces (ISF) search and arrest operations occurred: 9 January:

Search and arrest operations in Tulkarm city, Tulkarm refugee camp and Nur Shams refugee camp in northern West Bank continued. Nine Palestinians were reportedly injured in Tulkarm refugee camp due to ISF drone firing a missile.

Search and arrest operation in Askar Camp, northern West Bank. Five Palestinians, including a child, were injured during the operation. ISF reportedly blew up a house and detained one Palestinian.

There were reports of search and arrest operations in several villages north, east and south of Jenin city, northern West Bank. ISF reportedly entered with bulldozers and damaged public infrastructure as well as private property. Reportedly, there was an exchange of fire between Palestinians and ISF in Jenin. Further violence was reported the next day as Palestinians reportedly threw pipe bombs and six Palestinians were detained.

Search and arrest operation in Qalqiliya, northern West Bank, where four Palestinians were detained.

A Palestinian allegedly attempted to stab ISF soldiers at a checkpoint in the central West Bank. ISF shot and killed the Palestinian. A PRCS ambulance was preparing to transfer the body of the Palestinian to a hospital in Ramallah, when ISF intercepted the ambulance and took the body. ISF then closed all checkpoints and entrances to villages north of Ramallah.
Military Sealift Command Chartered Ships Arrive at Halfway Points in Journey to McMurdo Station Antarctica in Support of Operation Deep Freeze 2024

US Navy

11 January 2024

From Sarah Cannon

MCMURDO STATION, Antarctica -- Two Military Sealift Command chartered ships have arrived at the halfway points in their journeys to journey to McMurdo Station, Antarctica and their support of the annual resupply mission to McMurdo Station, Antarctica; Operation Deep Freeze 2024.

MV Ocean Gladiator has arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand. Their journey began in Port Hueneme, Calif., where they conducted a loadout of 407 pieces of cargo, consisting of containers filled with mechanical parts, vehicles, construction materials, office supplies and electronics equipment, and mobile office units; supplies needed for the year's survival at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. The loadout was coordinated by Military Sealift Command Pacific and members of MSC's Expeditionary Port Unit 114.

While New Zealand, Ocean Gladiator will load additional cargo, and will then depart for the ice-pier at McMurdo Station, where members of Navy Cargo Handling Battalion ONE will conduct the offload. Before departing McMurdo station, Ocean Gladiator will be loaded with ice core samples that will be stored on the ship in sub-zero freezer containers. The ice core samples will be delivered to the United States for scientific study. In addition, retrograde cargo will be loaded onto the ship for transportation off the continent. These include trash and recyclable materials for disposal and equipment no longer required on the station.

Tanker ship MT Acadia Trader has arrived in Pago Pago, American Samoa. The ship's journey began at the British Petroleum Refinery, Cherry Point, in Ferndale, Wash., where the ship was loaded with over 7 million gallons of a special blend of diesel fuel mixed specifically for Antarctica called AN8; 1.5 million gallons of aviation fuel; and 155 thousand gallons of gasoline; 100 percent of the fuel needed for two years at the remote outpost. Acadia Trader will follow Ocean Gladiator at the McMurdo Station ice-pier.

Operation Deep Freeze is a joint service, on-going Defense Support to Civilian Authorities activity in support of the National Science Foundation (NSF), lead agency for the United States Antarctic Program. Mission support consists of active duty, Guard and Reserve personnel from the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Army, and Coast Guard as well as Department of Defense civilians and attached non-DOD civilians. ODF operates from two primary locations situated at Christchurch, New Zealand and McMurdo Station, Antarctica. An MSC-chartered cargo ship and tanker have made the challenging voyage to Antarctica every year since the station and its resupply mission were established in 1955.

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USS Bataan, USS Carter Hall and 26th MEU(SOC) Arrive in Piraeus, Greece

US Navy

11 January 2024

From Chief Mass Communication Specialist Eva-Marie Ramsaran

MEDITERRANEAN SEA -- The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), Harpers Ferry-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50), and embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)) arrived in Piraeus, Greece, Jan. 11, 2024, for a regularly scheduled port visit after supporting operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations since early August.

Piraeus, Greece marks the first port visit during the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group's (ARG) deployment to the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) area of responsibility. Sailors and Marines will have the opportunity to explore Piraeus and partake in Grecian history, cuisine, and cultural excursions.

"I can't say enough great things about the hard work and dedication shown by the entire Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) team throughout the deployment," said Amphibious Squadron 8 Commodore Capt. Martin Robertson. "We are excited for the opportunity to visit Greece, and are grateful to our Greek Allies for supporting this visit."

For most Sailors and Marines, this will be their first time visiting the cities of Piraeus and Athens with tours offered by the ship's Morale, Welfare and Recreation committee.

"Engineering has been working hard during this deployment and I'm ready to get some much needed liberty in port," said Electrician's Mate 3rd Class Rahmhere Jones Ingalls. "I can't wait to do some sightseeing in Piraeus and Athens, learn about the culture, and try Greek food."

While in the vicinity of Greece, the Bataan ARG and 26th MEU(SOC) are also participating in Exercise "Odyssey Encore," alongside the 32nd Hellenic Marine Brigade, to showcase the operational capabilities of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force.

Bataan, Carter Hall and 26th MEU(SOC) reintegrated with the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19). The separation and re-aggregation of the Bataan ARG highlighted the U.S. Navy's inherent flexibility to conduct operations whenever and wherever we choose, giving our nation and Allies deterrence and defense options, as well as reinforces the strong bond between the United States and Greece.

The ARG/MEU team will continue to support its NATO Allies by conducting routine operations, participating in training exercises, and supporting NATO priorities.

Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command areas of responsibility. U.S. 6th Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.

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SECNAV Del Toro Delivers Remarks at the United States Naval Academy Change of Command

US Navy

Annapolis, MD

Speech by Carlos Del Toro

Presented on 11 January 2024

Date Published 11 January 2024

Good afternoon, everyone! It is wonderful to be here with you here at the United States Naval Academy for this special moment for our Academy, our Navy and Marine Corps, and indeed our Nation.

Governor Moore, Lieutenant Governor Miller, and Mayor Buckley, thank you for your leadership of the great State of Maryland and the City of Annapolis, as well as your continued partnership in support of a strong Navy and Marine Corps. Secretary Dalton, Secretary Braithwaite, it is an honor to have you both of you with us this afternoon. Welcome back to the Yard. Admiral Franchetti, Lieutenant General Glynn, distinguished guests, members of the Academy's Board of Visitors, USNA alumni, faculty, and staff, and friends and families of Vice Admiral Davids and Rear Admiral Kacher, welcome, and thank you for joining us for today'sceremony.

For over 178 years, this institution has graduated the leaders our Nation required, from Admirals and Generals, leaders in industry, members of Congress, to a President of the United States.Today, we are gathered here in Memorial Hall to celebrate the transfer of responsibility between two of our Fleet's great leadersand products of AnnapolisRear Admiral Fred Kacher, USNA Class of 1990, and Vice Admiral Yvette Davids, USNA Class of 1989. Since 1845, the United States Naval Academy has prepared men and women from all walks of life to lead our Sailors and Marinesboth in times of peace and times of war.

As many in this room know, the mission of USNA is "to develop Midshipmen morally, mentally and physically and to imbue them with the highest ideals of duty, honor and loyalty in order to graduate leaders who are dedicated to a career of naval service and have potential for future development in mind and character to assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship, and government." To ensure this happens, the Secretary of the Navy is charged with nominating a career naval officer with strong leadership credentials to be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate to guide this institution.

As a member of USNA's great class of 1983, I know just how much impact the Superintendent can have on the 4,500 Midshipmen under their leadership, and can tell you that, without a doubt, my SuperintendentVice Admiral William P. Lawrencehad a tremendous influence on how I have approached leadership roles over the last 40 years.

The Superintendent is indeed more than just a president of a collegethey are a leader, a mentor, a role model for everyone stationed here on the yardfrom the most junior Sailor and Midshipmen to the senior-most faculty members and military officers.

Their vision, their decisions, their conduct shapes the future leaders of our Fleet and our Force, ensuring that this institution graduates men and women of honor, of courage, and of commitment to our national security to ensure the United States of America remains a beacon of hope and prosperity.

Rear Admiral Kacher, thank you for serving as Superintendent of our alma mater over the last five months, taking over in August from my friend and Academy classmate, Vice Admiral Sean Buck.

You superbly led the Naval Academy during a period of uncertainty in our Flag Officer ranks, ensuring that the Senate confirmation holds did not become a distraction from the important work of developing our next generation of naval leaders.

You, your wife Pam, and your family continued to welcome our alumni home with open arms during class weekends, and you undoubtedly advanced this school's strong sense of community during your tenure.

Your impact on the Academy, especially our Midshipmen, is evident.

As you return to Japan to assume command of the U.S. Seventh Fleet in support of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, I am pleased to announce that, from this day forward, you will enshrined in our alma mater's history as the 64th Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy.

This recognition is well-earned, and I cannot thank you enough for charting a course that will support your relief's future success.

We look forward to your continued mentorship of these Midshipmen once they commission and are under your command throughout the Fleet.

And now, ladies and gentlemen, it is my distinct honor to welcome our 65th Superintendent, Vice Admiral Yvette Davids, her husband Rear Admiral Keith DavidsUSNA Class of 1990, and their sons Kai and Kiernan, back home to the Yard. While I am proud of each and every Admiral and General whose nominations I present to Secretary Austin and President Biden for consideration to assume greater positions of responsibility, I am especially proud of being afforded the opportunity to nominate Vice Admiral Davids for Superintendent.

During my Plebe Year from 1979 to 1980, my Firsties included the first group of women who were admitted to the United States Naval Academy.

My classmates and I watched them train, overcome adversity, and succeed in achieving their goal of becoming officers in the United States Navy and Marine Corps.

They proved to the nay-sayers that they were even more qualified to graduate from this school and serve our Nation.

They were the women in the arena that President Teddy Roosevelt talks about, they were warriors, and they blazed a trail that thousands of women have followed at this school as Midshipmen, and as officers leading our Sailors and Marines around the globe.

Vice Admiral Davidswho followed closely in their footstepshas demonstrated her ability to successfully lead Sailors at the ship, carrier strike group, and most recently, force levels of command.

She is indeed representative of everything that makes America special. Regardless of our race, our gender, where we came from or who we loveour nation, these United States, will provide opportunities to excel to those who work for it, and in our Navy, to those who prove themselves to be the strongest link in the chain.

Vice Admiral Davids, your career has led you to this moment, and I could not be more excited for you to lead this school that we both love so much.

Admiral Franchetti and I are confident that you are the right person to command the Naval Academy at this pivotal moment in our Nation's history, and we are standing by to support you in any way that we can.

Again, it is an honor to be with you all this afternoon. To the Kacher family, we wish you fair winds and following seas as you embark on your journey to Japan, and to the Davids family, again, welcome home to Annapolis.

May God bless our Sailors, Marines, Civilians, Midshipmen, and their families. Thank you.

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Israel Conducts Air, Ground Attacks in Central, Southern Gaza

By VOA News January 11, 2024

Israel's military on Thursday carried out air and ground attacks in the central and southern Gaza Strip, while the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry said Israeli attacks overnight killed dozens of people.

The Gaza health ministry said the more than 60 dead included people killed in Israeli airstrikes on Khan Younis, the southern city that is the second-largest in the Gaza Strip.

Later Thursday, the Palestinian Red Crescent humanitarian group said nine people were killed in an Israeli bombardment on a house in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

The Israeli military also led journalists on a tour of an underground tunnel in Khan Younis where it said there was evidence that hostages had been present.

Israel did not identify any of the hostages or give information about their fate, saying that the evidence it discovered included DNA.

Hamas killed about 1,200 people in its October 7 attack on Israel and captured 240 hostages, about half of whom have since been released.

The Gaza health ministry says Israel's counteroffensive has killed more than 23,300 Palestinians. Vast swaths of Gaza have been left in rubble and 85% of its population of 2.3 million displaced.

Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca on Thursday said nearly 200 Gazan evacuees had arrived in Turkey.

The 85 patients and 106 companions were part of a seventh round of evacuations, Koca said, adding that patients would receive medical treatment in the capital, Ankara.

"Our efforts in Gaza, where the health system has collapsed, will continue," Koca said in a post on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Wednesday that aid agencies are facing "nearly insurmountable challenges" in delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza.

"We have the supplies, the teams and the plans in place. What we don't have is access," Tedros said as he called for Israel's help in facilitating requests to make aid deliveries.

The White House echoed those concerns Thursday, with White House national security spokesperson John Kirby affirming that not enough aid trucks were getting into Gaza.

"There's a lot of hunger and starvation in Gaza," he said.

Some material for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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Blinken Wraps Up Latest Middle East Tour, Says Gaza Conflict Has to End

By Nike Ching January 11, 2024

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday Israel working with Arab neighbors in the Middle East region to pave the way for a Palestinian state is the most effective way to isolate Iran.

Before leaving Cairo, where he held talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, Blinken said, "There's a path that brings Israel's needs and desires for integration in the region and genuine security with, as well, Palestinian aspirations for a state of their own."

"That's the single best way - this integration, security, a Palestinian state - to isolate and marginalize Iran and the kinds of actions it's taking through its proxies," Blinken said. "I think that vision is clear but for us to move on it, for it to really get started, the conflict in Gaza has to end. That's critical."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has firmly rejected the two-state solution.

Cairo was the 10th and final stop on Blinken's seven-day diplomatic mission, focused on containing the Gaza war, increasing humanitarian assistance, ensuring the protection of civilians, and securing the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas militants.

Earlier on Thursday, Blinken expressed appreciation for Egypt's partnership in assisting the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza.

"Secretary Blinken and President El Sissi discussed ongoing efforts to secure the release of all remaining hostages. The secretary reiterated U.S. commitment to ensuring Palestinians in Gaza are not forcibly displaced and to achieving regional peace that ensures Israel's security and advances the establishment of a Palestinian state," according to the State Department.

Egypt played a key role in mediating an earlier temporary cease-fire during which Hamas released more than 100 hostages and Israel released 240 Palestinian prisoners. Egypt is trying to revive hostage negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

Retired General Kenneth "Frank" McKenzie, former commander of U.S. Central Command, expressed pessimism during a webinar on Wednesday.

"I think it's going to be very hard to get the remaining hostages back. ... They're the last thing Hamas has," he said. "I am not optimistic that we're going to get a lot of these hostages back."

Thursday's talks in Cairo come a day after Blinken met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank, and Abbas held subsequent talks with Sissi and Jordan's King Abdullah II.

The Jordanian, Egyptian and Palestinian leaders issued a joint statement calling for the international community to maintain pressure for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and for the protection of Palestinian civilians. The leaders also highlighted the need for displaced Palestinians to be able to return to their homes in Gaza, and they rejected any attempt by Israel to reoccupy parts of the territory after the war.

Netanyahu said during televised remarks late Wednesday that Israel "has no intention of permanently occupying Gaza or displacing its civilian population."

"Israel is fighting Hamas terrorists, not the Palestinian population, and we are doing so in full compliance with international law," he said.

Israel has agreed to allow a United Nations mission to evaluate the situation in war-ravaged northern Gaza for the safe return of displaced Palestinians.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said Wednesday that the mission is "contingent on security guarantees" from Israel.

The U.N. hopes to carry it out as soon as possible, as it is critical to a planned increase in humanitarian aid for northern Gaza.

Diplomats said Israel has invited U.N. Security Council members to visit the country later this month.

A U.N. special envoy is also set to conduct a mission to Israel and the West Bank at the end of January to gather information on sexual violence against hostages, reportedly committed by Hamas militants during the October 7 attacks in southern Israel, and the aftermath.

More than 85% of Palestinians have been displaced across the Gaza Strip since October 7, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

Red Sea attacks

Blinken on Wednesday warned of "consequences" after Yemen-based Houthi rebels launched their largest yet aerial attack on the Red Sea.

"We had the biggest attack  UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles] missiles  just yesterday," Blinken told reporters at Bahrain International Airport in Manama on Wednesday. "These attacks have been aided and abetted by Iran with technology, equipment, intelligence, information, and they are having a real-life impact on people."

More than 20 countries, including Bahrain, have pledged to preserve freedom of navigation and freedom of shipping in the Red Sea, Blinken said after holding talks with Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

"If these attacks continue as they did yesterday, there will be consequences," Blinken added. He urged Iran to stop its assistance to Houthis but declined to elaborate on what specific consequences there would be.

On Wednesday, the U.N. Security Council adopted a U.S.-drafted resolution condemning and demanding an end to Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea.

The Iran-backed Houthis said the attacks target ships affiliated with or bound for Israel, and that they are acting in solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Gaza health officials say more than 23,400 Palestinians, a large percentage of them women and children, have been killed in Israel's military offensive in the Gaza Strip.

Israel began its military campaign to wipe out Hamas after Hamas fighters crossed into southern Israel in October. Israel said about 1,200 people were killed and about 240 captives taken in the terror attack.

Some material for this report came from Reuters, Agence France-Presse and The Associated Press.

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US Envoy Expresses Hope for End to Hostilities Along Israel-Lebanon Border

By VOA News January 11, 2024

A U.S. envoy said Thursday he was hopeful of a diplomatic solution to end the three-month conflict along the border between Israel and Lebanon after meeting with Lebanese officials in Beirut.

The envoy, Amos Hochstein, met for hours with Lebanon's caretaker prime minister, foreign minister, army commander and speaker of parliament. He later told reporters, "I firmly believe that the people of Lebanon do not want to see an escalation of the current crisis to further conflict."

"We need to find a diplomatic solution that will allow for the Lebanese people to return to their homes in south Lebanon ... as the people of Israel need to be able to return to their homes in their north," Hochstein said.

The Israeli military and Hezbollah militants, for decades designated a terrorist group by the United States, have traded frequent attacks since Hamas launched an assault on southern Israel on October 7.

Israeli shelling has killed at least 25 Lebanese civilians and 140 fighters from Iran-backed Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, while at least nine Israeli troops and four civilians have been killed in northern Israel.

Hochstein went to Israel last week for talks on the fighting, which U.S. officials fear could become a second Mideast flashpoint beyond Israel's war with Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.

"I'm hopeful that we can continue to work on this effort to arrive together, all of us, on both sides of the border, with a solution that will allow for all people in Lebanon and Israel to live with guaranteed security and return to a better future," Hochstein said.

He said the U.S. "would like to see a diplomatic solution," and "it is our job to get one."

Israel has said it is giving diplomacy a chance to halt the conflict and so Hezbollah will pull back from the border. Israel has warned that its army will otherwise take action to achieve these aims.

Hezbollah has said it does not seek to initiate a wider war, but that it would not hold back if Israel waged a broader assault on Lebanon.

Lebanon's caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, has said his country is ready for talks on long-term stability on its southern border with Israel.

Some material in this report came from Reuters and Agence France-Presse.

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Saudi Arabia: Normalized Ties With Israel Come Only With Palestinian State

By Dale Gavlak January 11, 2024

A Saudi ambassador said this week that his country will normalize relations with Israel only if there is a two-state solution between the Israelis and Palestinians.

Analysts say a chief goal of U.S. President Joe Biden's administration has been the normalization of ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia, after Israel established ties with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain in 2020 as part of the Abraham Accords.

Saudi Ambassador to Britain Prince Khalid bin Bandar told BBC Radio 4 that the kingdom has wanted peace with Israel since the Arab peace initiative of 2002 but not at "the cost of the Palestinian people."

"We've been at this for a long time and willing to accept Israel for a long time," he said, but "we can't live with Israel without a Palestinian state."

Before the Gaza war, Bandar said, the Saudis "were close to normalization, therefore close to a Palestinian state," emphasizing that "one doesn't come without the other."

Analyst Nicholas Heras of the Washington-based New Lines Institute said, "The Saudi price [for recognition] has risen."

The question is: Will Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanayhu accept the establishment of a Palestinian state?

Heras said that Saudi youth make up a big part of de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman's constituency, and that youth have been strong supporters of the Palestinian cause.

"It's very clear now that there's incredible frustration in the Gulf, including among the Emiratis, Bahrainis and others, with Netanyahu himself," Heras said. "They had cut a deal. The Abraham Accords is an example of taking a risk on Netanyahu, and they are now feeling the chance they took may have been the wrong one."

Heras said the far-right policies adopted by the Netanyahu coalition, such as "doubling down on the idea that there won't ever be a Palestinian state, talk about expanding settlements in the West Bank [and] creating new settlements in Gaza," are causing anxiety not only among Arab states but in Washington, too.

Writing on the Axios web news site, Israeli journalist Barak Ravid said, "The demands from Saudi Arabia align with those from the Biden administration," citing discussions U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had with Israeli leaders this week.

Ravid wrote that Blinken also made it clear "Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries won't get involved in day-after solutions for Gaza  mainly reconstruction  without a path to a future Palestinian state."

"If Netanyahu gets on board, he could potentially get a historic peace deal under his name," Ravid wrote. "But if he doesn't, he is likely to be left on his own to take care of the crisis in Gaza."

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Human Rights Watch Accuses Israel of War Crimes, Criticizes 'Selective Outrage' of Allies

By Henry Ridgwell January 11, 2024

In its annual report published Thursday, New York-based Human Rights Watch accuses Israel of war crimes and says many governments were expressing "selective outrage" over atrocities committed in the conflict in Gaza.

The report analyses the human rights situation in nearly 100 countries over the past 12 months, describing 2023 as a "formidable year" for human rights suppression and wartime atrocities.

Report describes 'selective outrage'

Israel has said Hamas-led militants tortured and killed 1,200 people in their cross-border attack on October 7, including dozens of women and children.

"The October 7 attacks by Hamas-led fighters on Israel were a terrifying assault on civilians... Many countries quickly and justifiably condemned these horrific acts," the HRW report says. "Israel's government responded by cutting water and electricity to Gaza's 2.3 million civilians and blocking the entry of all but a trickle of fuel, food, and humanitarian aid - a form of collective punishment that is a war crime. The Israeli military ordered more than a million people in Gaza to evacuate their homes and bombarded densely populated areas with heavy weapons, killing thousands of civilians."

The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza has said more than 23,000 people have been killed by Israeli forces since October 7  an estimated 70% of them women and children.

Human Rights Watch says the response from Israel's Western allies amounted to "selective outrage." "Many of the governments that condemned Hamas' war crimes have been reserved in responding to those by the Israeli government," says the report.

Lama Fakih, the Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch and co-author of the report, told VOA that the entire system of human rights is being undermined.

"What we are calling for is a principled commitment to upholding human rights, no matter who the perpetrator is and no matter who the victim is," Fakih said.

The report warns that governments, such as Russia and China, are seeking to "weaponize this weakened legitimacy to reshape the rules-based order to strip it of human rights values and undermine the system that could hold them to account for their countless abuses."

Israel seeks 'no unintended consequences'

Israel has strongly rejected suggestions that it has committed war crimes in Gaza.

While meeting U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Israel is doing its "...utmost, under extremely complicated circumstances on the ground, to make sure that there will be no unintended consequences and no civilian casualties."

"We are alerting, we are calling, we are showing, we are sending leaflets, we are using all the means that international law enables us to move out people, so that we can unravel this huge city of terror underneath, in people's homes, living rooms, bedrooms, mosques, and shops and schools," Herzog told reporters.

Toll 'too high,' says Blinken

In recent weeks, Washington has increasingly urged Israel to make greater efforts to protect Palestinian civilians.

"We know that facing an enemy that embeds itself among civilians, who hides in and fires from schools, from hospitals makes this incredibly challenging. But the daily toll on civilians in Gaza, particularly on children, is far too high," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters in Tel Aviv.

In the days following its attack on southern Israel, Hamas denied it was targeting civilians.

"We abide to Islamic ethics and morals and we were never thinking to attack civilians. But I think it is open confrontation now... our fight is with the soldiers and settlers and against the occupation," Hamas spokesman Ghazi Hamad told Britain's Channel 4 News on October 7.

However, Israel has shown extensive evidence that Hamas militants deliberately tortured, raped and killed civilians, including women and children, in the October attack. More than 100 Israeli hostages are still being held by Hamas in Gaza.

Report notes 'tremendous human suffering'

The report says 2023 was marked by "tremendous human suffering" in many parts of the world.

Russia's war on Ukraine continued to take a devastating toll. "Throughout the year, Russian forces committed war crimes and other atrocities in Ukraine. They carried out indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks that killed and severely injured civilians and destroyed vital infrastructure and objects of cultural and historical significance," says the report.

The report also highlights the suffering caused by conflict in Sudan, where an internal power struggle "unleashed fighting that resulted in massive abuses against civilians, notably in the Darfur region."

The report says gross human rights abuses continue unabated in Myanmar, where the military junta continues its deadly campaign against ethnic minority groups.

In the Sahel region, Human Rights Watch says militant groups and counterterrorist forces regularly commit atrocities.

Additionally, the report highlights the persecution of women under Taliban rule in Afghanistan.

HRW also accuses several countries, including India, Rwanda and China, of targeting their nationals living abroad  often political dissidents  or their families back home.

HRW praises defenders of rights

Human Rights Watch praises institutions that have stood up for human rights, such as the International Criminal Court issuing an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin over accusations that Moscow is forcibly transferring Ukrainian children to its territory.

It also highlights a September ruling by Brazil's Supreme Court upholding Indigenous peoples' rights to their traditional lands.

"These victories highlight the tremendous power of independent, rights-respecting and inclusive institutions and of civil society to challenge those who wield political power to serve the public interest and chart a rights-respecting path forward," says the report.

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UN Decries Taliban Crackdown on Women for Alleged Dress Code Violations

By Ayaz Gul January 11, 2024

The United Nations said Thursday it was deeply concerned about recent arrests and detentions of women and girls by Afghanistan's Taliban authorities for alleged non-compliance with Islamic dress code.

The U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) warned in a statement that the crackdown is "pushing women into even greater isolation" and called for the immediate release of those detained.

The UNAMA says it has documented "a series of hijab decree enforcement campaigns" in the capital, Kabul, and central Daykundi province, where "large numbers of women and girls have been warned and detained."

The Taliban's Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice and police have been carrying out the crackdown. The UNAMA said that it was investigating claims of "ill-treatment of women" and allegations that payments have been demanded in exchange for release.

"Enforcement measures involving physical violence are especially demeaning and dangerous for Afghan women and girls," said Roza Otunbayeva, the head of the U.N. mission. "Detentions carry an enormous stigma that puts Afghan women at even greater risk. They also destroy public trust."

Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban chief spokesman, rejected the U.N. findings as "propaganda and far from reality."

"The concern of the UNAMA about the mistreatment of women in Afghanistan regarding their hijab is incorrect," Mujahid said in an English language statement on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"Afghan women wear hijab on their own [accord]. Neither they have been forced to do so, nor the ministry of vice and virtue mistreated them," he wrote.

The Taliban seized power in August 2021 and have since imposed their strict interpretation of Islamic law, placing sweeping restrictions on women's access to education and public life.

Women are barred from attending secondary schools and universities and working with government and non-government organizations. They cannot undertake long road trips, or leave the country unless accompanied by a close male relative, nor are they allowed to visit public parks and gyms.

The Islamist group had imposed similar restrictions on women during their previous government in Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001. Only three countries, including neighboring Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, had recognized the Taliban government at the time.

No foreign country has formally recognized the current Taliban administration, called the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, primarily over its harsh treatment of women and other human rights concerns.

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Zakharova: Russian peacekeepers criticism in Armenia does not contribute to anything 13:25, 12.01.2024 Region:Armenia, Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Russia Theme: Politics We see these statements, and consider them destructive and untrue. Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FA), announced this at Fridays press briefing, commenting on the statements by Armenian politicians that the Russian peacekeepers failed in their obligations in Karabakh and allowed ethnic cleansing of its Armenian population, news.am informs.

January 12, 2024, 14:30 Zakharova: Russian peacekeepers criticism in Armenia does not contribute to anything

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 12 , ARTSAKHPRESS: We see these statements, and consider them destructive and untrue. Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FA), announced this at Fridays press briefing, commenting on the statements by Armenian politicians that the Russian peacekeepers failed in their obligations in Karabakh and allowed ethnic cleansing of its Armenian population.

"It is strange that they continue. We have established a very reliable, good, close dialogue with the colleagues of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia. We have repeatedly explained Russia's position regarding these statements, and said that they only bring new problems in bilateral relations and, of course, do not contribute to anythingneither to the strengthening of the bilateral agenda, nor to regional problems. But, unfortunately, it apparently benefits someone out there. I don't know if this is beneficial to someone in Armenia, whether it is beneficial to Armenia abroad, it is difficult to say. We believe that these are attempts to falsify the facts to avoid responsibility. I cannot evaluate it in any other way," said the official representative of the Russian MFA.

As evidence, Zakharova cited the Russian Federation Council decision which states that the Russian peacekeeping force is being sent to the region to maintain the ceasefire agreements, as well as to avoid mass deaths of civilians and considerable damage to civilian facilities in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Didn't any of this come to fruition? If anyone has the conscience, or in the absence of it, the audacity, to say that some of this has not been implemented, bring the facts, put the arguments on the table because there are none, except for hysteria and insults. What was written in the document was done, it became possible to prevent what this document was dedicated to," added the official representative of the Russian MFA.
Readout of Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer's Meeting with United Nations Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza Sigrid Kaag

January 11, 2024

Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer met today with United Nations Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza Sigrid Kaag. Mr. Finer underscored strong U.S. support for Ms. Kaag in her new role. Mr. Finer and Ms. Kaag discussed mutual efforts to increase the amount of humanitarian assistance reaching civilians in Gaza, as well as steps that can more sustainably meet the needs of Gazan civilians in the longer term. Mr. Finer met earlier this week, on January 9, with UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo to discuss U.S.-UN coordination on Gaza, including supporting Ms. Kaag's efforts and the next steps ahead.

###

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Blinken wraps up Mideast tour with talks in Egypt on Gaza crisis

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 09:13, January 12, 2024

CAIRO, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks on Thursday with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi in the Egyptian capital of Cairo as he wraps up his Mideast tour over the ongoing Israeli escalation in the Gaza Strip.

During the talks, Sisi updated Blinken with "the Egyptian efforts to communicate with all parties to reach an immediate ceasefire in Gaza," as well as to ensure sufficient flow of humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave, said the Egyptian presidency in a statement.

The Egyptian president underlined the need to end "the humanitarian plight in Gaza," and the necessity of reaching a just and comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian issue, according to the statement.

The top U.S. diplomat expressed Washington's appreciation of Cairo's efforts to consolidate peace and stability in the region, while Sisi stressed Egypt's keenness to continue coordination with the United States to maintain regional security and stability.

Sisi and Blinken also "affirmed their categorical rejection of the principle or attempts to displace Palestinians from their lands, and their commitment to the two-state solution as the basis for achieving stability in the region," said the Egyptian presidency.

The two sides agreed to maintain intensive consultations and make peacemaking efforts to contain the situation and prevent the expansion of the conflict.

It is Blinken's fourth Mideast tour since Israel started its massive military campaign against Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023, in response to a surprise attack launched by Hamas on southern Israel.

He started the regional tour last week and visited Trkiye, Greece, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Israel, the West Bank, Bahrain, and finally Egypt.

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Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 23,469: ministry

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 08:10, January 12, 2024

GAZA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 23,469, the Gaza-based Health Ministry said on Thursday.

The Ministry Spokesperson Ashraf al-Qedra said in a press statement that the Israeli army killed 112 Palestinians and wounded 194 others during the past 24 hours.

Al-Qedra added that since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict, 59,604 Palestinians were wounded as a result of Israeli attacks, among whom 6,200 were in urgent need to receive treatment outside Gaza.

"The situation in hospitals in the southern Gaza Strip is extremely catastrophic as a result of overcrowding with the wounded and tens of thousands of displaced people," he noted.

Al-Qedra called on UN institutions to intervene urgently "to provide water, food and shelter to the displaced before a catastrophe occurs, the consequences of which cannot be tolerated."

According to Palestinian security sources, intense Israeli bombardment from the air, land and sea continued in most parts of the Gaza Strip, especially in the governorates of Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis.

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Air strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen

On 11 January, Royal Air Force aircraft joined coalition forces in striking a number of facilities used by the Houthi rebel faction in Yemen to attack shipping in the southern Red Sea.

12 January 2024

The Royal Navy destroyer HMS Diamond has already been active alongside US and French warships in defending vital international shipping lanes against Houthi drones and missiles. Given the persistence of the Houthis in threatening merchant ships, several of which have already suffered damage, and the deliberate targeting of HMS Diamond and US Navy vessels on 9 January, coalition forces identified key facilities involved in these attacks, and agreed to conduct a carefully coordinated strike to reduce the Houthis' capability to violate international law in this manner.

Four RAF Typhoon FGR4s, supported by a Voyager air refuelling tanker therefore used Paveway IV guided bombs to conduct precision strikes on two of these Houthi facilities. One was a site at Bani in north-western Yemen used to launch reconnaissance and attack drones. A number of buildings involved in drone operations were targeted by our aircraft.

The other location struck by our aircraft was the airfield at Abbs. Intelligence has shown that it has been used to launch both cruise missiles and drones over the Red Sea. Several key targets at the airfield were identified and prosecuted by our aircraft.

In planning the strikes, particular care was taken to minimise any risks to civilians, and any such risks were mitigated further by the decision to conduct the strikes during the night. The detailed results of the strikes are being assessed, but early indications are that the Houthis' ability to threaten merchant shipping has taken a blow, and our commitment to protecting the sea-lanes, through which some 15% of the world's shipping passes and which is vital to the global economy, has been amply demonstrated.

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US, Britain Blast Dozens of Houthi Targets in Yemen in Retaliatory Strikes

By Carla Babb, Jeff Seldin January 12, 2024

The United States, Britain and a handful of other allies answered dozens of Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden with a series of powerful airstrikes designed to severely degrade the Iranian-backed group's capabilities.

U.S. Central Command late Thursday said the series of strikes hit more than 60 targets at 16 locations in Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen, including command and control nodes, munitions depots, launching systems, and production facilities.

"We hit them pretty hard, pretty good," a U.S. defense official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss details of the operation, told VOA, adding the strikes also targeted Houthi radar installations and air defense systems which did not fire back.

The U.S. and British strikes, carried out with the help of Australia, Canada, the Netherlands and Bahrain, were launched from fighter jets, surface vessels and submarines, the defense official said.

The U.S. alone, dropped more than 100 precision guided munitions on the Houthi installations, officials said, with the naval vessels and submarines firing Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles to take out the intended targets.

The official also said the targets were chosen both because of their threat to shipping and the lack of a civilian presence.

In a statement from the White House late Thursday, U.S. President Joe Biden called the strikes a "direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks" on international shipping, saying they were necessary after attempts at diplomacy were ignored.

"These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the world's most critical commercial routes," Biden said. "I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary."

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak likewise condemned the Houthi attacks as destabilizing, confirming the participation of British fighter jets in Thursday's strikes.

"Their reckless actions are risking lives at sea and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Yemen," Sunak said in a statement. "This cannot stand."

It is the first time Houthi targets inside Yemen have been struck since the militants began attacking ships in the Red Sea following Hamas' assault on Israel on October 7.

U.S. officials late Thursday were still studying the impact of the strikes against the Houthis, but an initial assessment suggested the damage to Houthi capabilities is "significant."

"We were going after very specific capability in very specific locations with precision munitions," said a senior U.S. military official, who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss the operation.

"This was a significant action," added a senior U.S. administration official. "[We have] every expectation that it will degrade in a significant way, the Houthis, a capability to launch exactly the sorts of attacks that they have conducted over the period of recent weeks."

There have been 27 attacks launched from Houthi-held areas of Yemen since mid-November, impacting citizens, cargo and vessels from more than 50 countries, according to the U.S.

U.S. officials said in one instance last month, U.S. defensive action prevented a Houthi attack from hitting and likely sinking a commercial ship full of jet fuel.

The most recent Houthi attack, involving the launch of an anti-ship ballistic missile, took place earlier Thursday. The missile landed in the Gulf of Aden near a commercial vessel, causing no injuries or damage.

On Tuesday, U.S. Central Command, which oversees U.S. forces in the Middle East and South Asia, said the Houthis launched a complex attack using 18 one-way attack drones, two cruise missiles and one ballistic missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward Red Sea shipping lanes where dozens of merchant vessels were transiting.

U.S. combat jets, along with U.S. and British military vessels, responded by shooting down the drones and missiles, averting any damage to ships or injuries to their crews in the area.

The senior U.S. administration official said it was Tuesday's massive attack by the Houthis that prompted Biden to order Thursday strikes.

Before the U.S. and British-led strikes late Thursday, multiple U.S. officials warned both the Houthis and Iran against what they described as reckless and illegal behavior.

"There will be consequences," Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder said Thursday in response to a question from VOA.

"The Houthis are funded, trained, equipped by Iran to a large degree. And, so, we know that Iran has a role to play in terms of helping to cease this reckless, dangerous and illegal activity," he said.

Last week, the United States and 12 allies issued a statement warning the Houthis of unspecified consequences if their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea continued.

"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 included Britain, Australia, Canada, Germany and Japan.

The statement followed the launch in mid-December of Operation Prosperity Guardian by the United States, Britain and nearly 20 other countries to protect ships from Houthi attacks.

Since the launch of Prosperity Guardian, at least 1,500 vessels have passed safely through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.

The commander of U.S. Navy operations in the Middle East last week called it "the largest surface and air presence in the southern Red Sea in years."

The U.N. Security Council issued its own resolution Wednesday, calling on the Houthis to stop the attacks immediately.

There are questions, however, as to whether the statements, backed now by the U.S. and British strikes against the Houthis, will do anything to deter Tehran.

"Iran has the luxury of really fighting a, what I would call, a hidden-hand operation with very few Iranians on the ground," the former commander of U.S. Central Command, retired General Kenneth "Frank" McKenzie, told a webinar on Wednesday.

"They're choking world shipping in the Bab el-Mandeb [Strait] at a very low, very low price for Iran," he said.

But McKenzie argued that even if Iran continues to encourage the Houthis, the risk of a wider regional escalation is slim.

"I do not believe the escalation ladder leads out of Yemen. I believe it stays in Yemen," he said. "And I believe Iran will leave their partners down there, their proxies down there, to their fate."

U.S. officials said while they were bracing for the Houthis to try to mount some sort of response to the strikes, a slew of initial claims of attacks late Thursday appeared to be nothing more than disinformation.

This is not the first time the U.S. military has targeted Houthi launch sites in Yemen in response to militant attacks against vessels in nearby waters. In October 2016, the American destroyer USS Nitze launched Tomahawk cruise missiles at three radar sites along Yemen's Red Sea coast in order to degrade the Houthi's ability to track and target ships.

Ostap Yarysh with VOA's Ukrainian Service contributed to this report.

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Operation Iron Swords - Day 97 - 11 January 2024

The United States and Britain have begun launching strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. A US official told Reuters, "Strikes against the Houthis are carried out by planes, ships and submarines." This is the first time that attacks have been carried out against the Iran-allied group since it began targeting ships in the Red Sea late last year.

A Houthi official confirmed that "hostile raids" had occurred on Sana'a, while witnesses told the agency that they heard "3 explosions in Sana'a," and sources reported hearing explosions in the city of Hodeidah. John Kirby, spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said earlier Thursday: "The Houthis must stop these attacks... and they will bear the consequences of not doing so."

Sanaa warned that the United States and any other party that gets involved in an aggression on the country would "regret their action," reaffirming that Yemen will not allow "anyone to prevent it" from "carrying out its humanitarian, ethical and religious duty toward Gaza" and will continue with its ban decision "no matter the challenges."

Yemen will not suffice with its initial response to the American aggression on promising further action, Sayyed Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said. The Yemeni leader warned countries around the world from joining in on the US-led Naval coalition and "Operation Prosperity Guardian". The leader of the Yemeni Ansar Allah movement, said that the country will exert all efforts to confront the US aggression on Yemen, adding that no American violation will be left with no response. He urged nations to safeguard themselves and not be drawn into the US-led coalition while addressing Arab and Islamic nations specifically. "Let the Americans and the British implicate themselves alone," Sayyed al-Houthi stated.

Singling out Bahrain, the leader lambasted its government's participation in the US-led coalition, stressing that such actions have proved that its ruling family are "slaves" to "Zionism," pointing to their embarrassing record in this regard. However, he emphasized that such actions do not represent the oppressed Bahraini people.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak held a video meeting with members of the Cabinet during which they discussed the Western coalitions possible response to the actions of Ansar Allah in the Red Sea. Times journalist Stephen Swinford said on the X platform that the topic of the meeting was expected to be "British and American military strikes against the Houthis in Yemen." He pointed out that the British Air Force and Navy could participate in the operation. He added that on the morning of January 11, a meeting of the government's emergency committee "Cobra" was held, and later a meeting of the British National Security Council was held. He added: "Events seem to be developing rapidly."

The Wall Street Journal said that the Middle East is preparing for US-led coalition strikes on Houthi sites after the group defied an ultimatum to stop its attacks on ships in the Red Sea. The American newspaper reported that Western diplomats told naval executives that the targets would likely include missile launch sites, drones, radars and weapons depots around the Yemeni cities of Hodeidah and Hajjah. Infrastructure in the capital, Sanaa, is also on the list of potential targets, the executives said.

In early November 2023, the United Nations said that the Houthis' new naval presence on Kamaran Island near Hodeidah and an offshore base in the Zubair Archipelago posed a threat to international shipping. An American defense official and a person close to the Houthis said that Ansar Allah forces had transferred some weapons and equipment and fortified others in anticipation of a strike from the United States and its allies. The person close to the Houthis reported that the latter stored their missiles in bunkers built by former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh in Sanaa, a densely populated area.

The American newspaper explained that there are also indications that the Houthis and their Iranian allies are preparing for escalation, noting that the Behshad, an Iranian spy ship, has left the Red Sea and is now on its way to the port of Bandar Abbas in Iran. Security officials said earlier that the Behshad ship was likely to be targeted for its role in helping the Houthis in their attacks on ships in the Red Sea, according to their claim. The newspaper indicated that the Iranians provided intelligence information about ships linked to Israel sailing outside Turkey, according to a person close to the Houthis.

The newspaper says, "If a coalition attack occurs Thursday night into Friday, it will be one week after the United States, Britain and major allies issued what officials described as a final warning to the Yemeni Houthi group to stop its attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea." Western security officials and advisors previously stated that the Biden administration and the US-led coalition have so far been reluctant to respond too forcefully to the Houthis for fear that they will spark a war in the region. US defense officials said the coalition-led strike plan aims to solve the problem by limiting Houthi attacks in the Red Sea without provoking more conflicts in an already volatile region. The Houthis had carried out at least 26 attacks on commercial ships since mid-November, according to US Central Command, which oversees US military operations in the Middle East. From December 16 to January 4, the US Navy said it shot down 61 missiles and drones, while 1,500 commercial ships safely crossed the Red Sea.

Yesterday, the United Nations Security Council approved a a US-proposed resolution calling on the Houthis to immediately cease all attacks that impede global trade, navigational rights and freedoms , as well as regional peace. The resolution, presented by the United States and Japan, was approved by a vote of 11 votes to 0, and Russia, China, and Algeria abstained. Mozambique abstained from voting.

Today, hearings began at the International Court of Justice in The Hague , Netherlands, in a lawsuit filed by South Africa against Israel on December 29, on charges of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip, demanding an end to the Israeli war on Gaza. In the 84-page lawsuit, South Africa states that Israel failed to provide basic food, water, medicine, fuel, shelter and other humanitarian assistance to the residents of the Strip.

South Africa bases its claim on the fact that thousands of Palestinians were killed, displaced en masse, and their homes were destroyed, in addition to the inflammatory statements made by a number of Israeli officials, which portray the Palestinians as subhuman and that they must be subjected to collective punishment, which represents genocide and evidence of the intention to commit it.

The president of the court, American Judge Joan Donoghue, read out a list of procedural issues that the court will take in considering the case, with the participation of two judges from South Africa and Israel, in order to ensure integrity and transparency, as she put it. Although the rulings of the International Court of Justice are final and not subject to appeal, there is no way to implement them or oblige them to be respected, but issuing a ruling against Israel would set a legal precedent, deepen Israels isolation, and harm its reputation internationally.

This is the first time that Israel has accepted to appear before the International Court of Justice after it refused in 2004 to attend litigation proceedings regarding the procedures of the apartheid wall in the West Bank , and then ignored the final ruling, citing its lack of recognition of the courts authority.

According to media reports, the South African side is represented in the case by lawyers led by South African international law professor John Dugard, while the Israeli side will be represented by British lawyer Malcolm Shaw.

In accordance with the precautionary measures, the court should first consider whether it has jurisdiction to hear the case, and whether the actions of which Israel is accused violate the Genocide Convention. The first part of the case focuses on an urgent request from South Africa to the International Court of Justice to order the Israeli army to immediately leave the Gaza Strip and stop the indiscriminate bombing of civilians there. This request is considered exceptional, given that the rules of operation of the International Court of Justice allow states to demand that interim measures be taken before the start of consideration of the case if one of the parties believes that the violations that formed the basis for consideration of the case still exist, as is the case in Gaza.

The court, composed of 17 judges - including two judges representing South Africa and Israel - will consider the accusation that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza and set the dates for the start of the trial, as well as the dates for deciding on the temporary (emergency) measures requested by South Africa in order to protect the Palestinians in Gaza, including the cessation of operations. Military and allowing the "forced" return of displaced persons and the immediate entry of humanitarian aid.

If the request is approved, the International Court of Justice could issue an order within weeks. In Ukraine v. Russia, the International Court of Justice responded to Kiev's requests for an emergency order against the "invasion" of Moscow in less than 3 weeks. On March 16, 2022, the court ordered Russia to immediately suspend military operations.

Michael Baker, a professor at Trinity College in Dublin, believes that the specificity of the issue raised by South Africa makes the matter difficult. He explains, "The case of Ukraine is different because the two parties are the parties involved in the conflict. While Hamas is not a party to the case, the International Court of Justice may be reluctant to say that Israel must stop its actions, while it cannot ask Hamas to do the same." himself," adding that the court may instead ask Tel Aviv to show more restraint.

Observers expect that it will take several years to issue a full ruling, in which the court will determine whether Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. An example of this is taken from a case filed by Gambia against Myanmar in 2019 due to its military campaign against Rohingya refugees, which the trial is still continuing, more than 4 years after it began.

Operational Update

The Izz al-Din al -Qassam Brigades - the military wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) - announced that its fighters, in conjunction with the Al-Quds Brigades - the military wing of the Islamic Jihad Movement - were able to target an enemy command room with heavy-caliber mortar shells east of the city of Khan Yunis. Al-Qassam explained that its fighters were able to target an Israeli foot force stationed in a house, killing and wounding its members.

Al-Qassam also announced the targeting of 8 Israeli vehicles, including two Merkava tanks, a bulldozer, and a troop carrier, and the destruction of one of them, in areas east of Khan Yunis and east of the Nuseirat camp. Also in Khan Yunis, Al-Qassam fighters were able to target an Israeli special force holed up in a building, with an Al-Yassin 105 shell, and clashed with it with machine guns, killing and wounding its members.

The Al-Quds Brigades announced the bombing of a gathering of occupation soldiers with mortar shells in the vicinity of Bani Suhaila, east of Khan Yunis. The brigades said, "its fighters targeted an Israeli Merkava tank with a Tandom shell, in the Jabalia al-Balad area, north of the Gaza Strip." They also took control of an Israeli Skylark drone in Jabalia.

Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said that army forces in the cities of Al-Maghazi and Khan Yunis killed 18 militants during their military operations in the region. The military spokesman confirmed that 300 tunnel openings were found in Khan Yunis, and that dozens of tunnels were also destroyed.

Israeli forces repositioned themselves from south of Deir al-Balah to north of Khan Yunis after fierce battles with resistance factions, and were subjected to a barrage of mortar shells.

Israeli Army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevy said that the fighting in Gaza is very complex due to several factors. Among them: the high readiness of those he described as enemies, and Halevy described the deaths and injuries resulting from the explosion of an ammunition truck as a bad event.

As part of another operation in the Al Ma'azi area, fighters of the Yeftah Brigade (11) identified eight terrorists moving towards a school used for terrorist activities and eliminated them through sniper fire. In Khan Yunis, the fire assembly of the Givati Brigade combat team identified three terrorists coming out of a building where weapons were located, and in cooperation with the fighters, directed the Air Force aircraft assembly that attacked them and eliminated them.

The fire assembly of the commando formation detected two terrorists placing a bomb on the ground, and by targeting an aircraft, the terrorists were eliminated. Later, the fire assembly detected two more terrorists entering the building, when one of them went up on the roof to observe our forces. The two terrorists were killed by a fighter jet.

The fighters of the 4th Brigade Combat Team fighting in Khan Yunis closed a rapid circle and attacked terrorist infrastructures from which anti-tank missiles were detected firing at the brigade's forces shortly before.

Observers from Unit 636 in the evening identified two suspects in the area of the Bekaa and Emekim Brigade in possession of 49 pistols and an M-16 rifle. Fighters of the Methylene Unit from the Iosh Police Force, the IDF reserve forces from Battalion 5035 and the YTR unit were prepared for this in the last two weeks, using intelligence information from the Yehuda Defense Force and the Shin Bet.

Soldiers of the IDF, the Shin Bet, the Mageb and Mesada worked tonight to arrest 24 wanted persons throughout Judea and Samaria and in the Bekaa and Emekim Brigade.

In the city of Ramallah, in the Binyamin Brigade, the fighters targeted the home of another terrorist from the attack that happened earlier this week near the British police intersection. In the village of Kiryot in the area of the brigade, the fighters arrested a senior activist in the student cell of Hamas. In the village of Anbata in Menasha, the fighters arrested two wanted men and located military equipment and explosives that were destroyed.

The IDF attacked a series of targets of the Hezbollah terrorist organization in Lebanon using air force fighter jets and artillery fire. Among the targets attacked were military buildings, a military position and terrorist infrastructure of the organization. In addition, the IDF attacked several areas in Lebanon with artillery fire. Following the warnings in the areas of Kiryat Shmona and Margaliot, about 10 launches were detected that crossed Lebanese territory, three of which were intercepted. Also, a number of launches were detected during the day towards the territory of the State of Israel, the IDF attacked the sources of the fire.

The Lebanese Hezbollah announced that it bombed Kiryat Shmona with dozens of missiles in response to the Israeli attacks, which today, Thursday, killed medics in a health authority affiliated with the party, at a time when the American envoy Amos Hockstein was holding discussions in Beirut during which he called for calm.

Hezbollah said that it targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers at the Tal Shaar site with missile weapons and achieved direct hits. It also targeted with missiles Israeli enemy soldiers in the vicinity of the Birkat Risha site and caused deaths and injuries among their ranks, according to the party. Earlier, Hezbollah said - in a statement - that it bombed Kiryat Shmona in the Upper Galilee, near the border with Lebanon, with dozens of missiles "in response to Zionist attacks on civilians."

On the other hand, Israeli media reported that 30 rockets and shells were fired from Lebanon towards towns in the Upper Galilee, including Kiryat Shmona. Since this morning, the party announced a series of operations against Israeli positions and soldiers' concentrations, which it said left people dead and wounded. The party explained that its fighters targeted Israeli soldiers with missiles in the vicinity of Al-Tihat Hill and Jabal Nadhar, killing and wounding them. The party also targeted the Ramta site in the occupied Shebaa Farms and the Al-Malikiyah site, confirming direct casualties. Al Jazeera's correspondent reported that missiles were launched from southern Lebanon towards Kiryat Shmona, Margaliot and Metulla in the Upper Galilee, where sirens sounded.

Hezbollah announced that Israel targeted a civil defense center affiliated with the Islamic Health Authority in the town of Hanin, southern Lebanon, killing two people and wounding a number of people who were in the center. The party added - in a statement - that what happened was a blatant attack on a center that serves Lebanese citizens, provides relief, and provides care to the wounded and wounded as a result of the ongoing Israeli aggression against our country and our people.The Islamic Health Authority said that the Israeli raid also destroyed an ambulance.

Al Jazeera's correspondent said, "Israeli artillery bombed the vicinity of the towns of Hula, Markab, Mays al-Jabal, Blida, Aitaroun, Maroun al-Ras, and Yaroun in the eastern and central sectors of the border region."

US Special Envoy Amos Hockstein held discussions with Lebanese officials in Beirut, during which he called for action to avoid the situation on the border deteriorating to the worst. Hockstein stated, "We prefer a diplomatic solution, and I believe that Lebanon and Israel want that." During his meeting with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib, the American envoy stressed the necessity of working to calm the situation in southern Lebanon, even if it is not possible to reach a final solution agreement at the present time. Hockstein called for working to reach a "temporary compromise, so that things do not deteriorate for the worse," according to a statement issued by Mikati's office.

For his part, Mikati stressed "the priority of a ceasefire in Gaza, and stopping the Israeli attacks on Lebanon, and the repeated violations of Lebanese sovereignty."

Bloomberg said that the European Union is studying the possibility of launching a new naval operation in the Red Sea to re-establish security and freedom of navigation as Houthi attacks continue despite Washingtons warnings. The agency quoted sources familiar with the discussions as saying, European Union member states will discuss the plan this week to determine whether there is a desire on the part of the countries to cover the costs and provide ships for the new operation.

The sources added that it is possible that the European Union will put the final touches on the plans as soon as the foreign ministers meeting is held in Brussels on January 22. Bloomberg reported that it is still unclear how the European Union process will complete the current mission led by the United States, which it called Guardian of Prosperity and joined by many European Union countries, including France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain. Two sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that Germany is among the member states willing to participate in the new EU mission.

On the other hand, the agency says that EU member states must still precisely define the mandate of the new operation and the areas covered by it. The agency added that the European Union is looking to expand the scope of the current mission, which is Operation Atalanta, which aims to prevent Somali pirate attacks carried out by a Spanish warship.

It indicates that Spain prevented the expansion of the current mission because it believes that it has nothing to do with the conflict in the Red Sea. According to Bloomberg, the European Union is also considering taking punitive measures against Hamas leaders and Israeli settlers in response to the violence resulting from the war between Israel and Hamas, steps that would bring the European Union into line with the steps already taken by the United States. The agency confirmed that the European Union had not finalized these plans yet.

A new analysis of satellite images conducted by Al Jazeera Network in cooperation with specialists, based on images from the 1 Sentinel satellite, showed the expansion of the total destruction of buildings and facilities in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the Israeli war on the seventh of last October. The percentage of destruction reached approximately 44% of the total buildings and facilities in the Gaza Strip as of January 4th, while the percentage was 35% at the beginning of the truce. This percentage does not include the number of buildings that were partially damaged by the bombing.

Khan Yunis governorate, south of the Gaza Strip, was the most destroyed governorate after the truce, as Israeli air and ground attacks were concentrated on it. According to an analysis of photos taken on January 4, the percentage of destroyed buildings in the governorate increased to 37%, after it was approximately 22% before the truce. The total number of completely destroyed buildings in Khan Yunis reached approximately 28 thousand buildings, while the total number of destroyed buildings in the Gaza Strip increased to about 118 thousand buildings after it was 95 thousand buildings before the truce.

The percentage of destroyed buildings in the Gaza and northern governorates reached 68%, and in the central governorate, the percentage of destruction in the city of Deir al-Balah rose to 26%. High-quality satellite images show widespread destruction in the Central Governorate, including the Bureij camp, where the destruction rate exceeded 65%, as these areas are the epicenter of bombing and ground battles after the truce.

Al Jazeera's analysis shows the Israeli destruction of approximately 20 medical facilities, 75 educational facilities, and 127 mosques. These are preliminary numbers for only the damage that appeared in the images analyzed and do not represent the final numbers for these facilities. Since last October 7, the Israeli army has been waging a devastating war on Gaza, which as of Wednesday has left 23,357 martyrs and 59,410 wounded, most of them children and women, massive destruction of infrastructure and an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, according to the Gaza Strip authorities and the United Nations.

The suffering of the displaced is worsening in various areas of the Gaza Strip, after the heavy rains that fell flooded the tents that were randomly erected in unprepared and unequipped areas.

With tensions escalating on the fastest and least expensive maritime shipping route between Asia and Europe, the West's options for responding to Yemeni rebel attacks in the Red Sea appear limited, according to experts who confirm that a military option against the Houthis in Yemen may not lead to the desired results.

Following the deployment of American, British, and French warships in the region, the United States hastened to form a naval coalition that includes more than 20 countries to protect shipping traffic, while Western countries intensified their warnings to the Yemeni rebels supported by Iran, without specifying the nature of their possible steps.

Western media, including the New York Times , reported that the United States and its allies are studying how to confront the attacks. Military officials said that the Biden administration and a number of international allies reported last week that they would hold the Houthis responsible for the attacks, a warning indicating that the government may be considering launching retaliatory strikes on Houthi territory in Yemen.

For its part, the British Broadcasting Corporation " BBC " reported , that the United States and the United Kingdom hinted that they might take military action against the Houthi rebels in Yemen, after they repelled, on Tuesday evening, the largest attack so far on shipping in the Red Sea. In the same context, The Telegraph newspaper reported that Britain was considering, on Wednesday, launching strikes on ground targets in Yemen, in response to the attacks.

Over the past seven weeks, the Houthis had launched more than 25 attacks targeting commercial ships they suspect of being linked to Israel or heading to Israeli ports, near the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait at the southern end of the Red Sea, in solidarity with the Gaza Strip, which has been witnessing a war with Israel since October 7.

Houthi attacks are impeding navigation in the Red Sea, through which 12 percent of global trade passes, according to the International Chamber of Shipping. It caused a doubling of the cost of transportation, as a result of at least 18 shipping companies changing the route of their ships around South Africa, according to the United Nations.

This situation prompted the United States in December to form an international maritime coalition under its leadership, which would conduct patrols in the Red Sea to protect maritime traffic from Houthi attacks.

Thomas Juneau, associate professor at the Canadian University of Ottawa for Public and International Affairs, considers the maritime alliance the best of the bad options at this stage. Director of the Arabian Peninsula Affairs Department at the Middle East Institute, Gerald Feierstein, believes that "the best option is to continue defensive operations... until the end of the conflict in Gaza."

During a press conference in Manama, Bahrain, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken refused to specify what measures might be forthcoming. What I can tell you is that, as we have made clear, and as many other countries have made clear, there will be consequences for the Houthis actions, he said.

British Defense Minister Grant Shapps sent a similar message, hinting at further measures, saying in statements to British media: This cannot continue and cannot be allowed to continue. If this does not stop, action will be taken. So I'm afraid the simplest thing would be to say, "Watch this space."

For his part, General Charles Brown Jr., Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, discussed, on Wednesday, with his British counterpart, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the Houthis ongoing illegal attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, according to a statement from General Browns spokesman. The toughening of the tone towards the Houthis opened the way for speculation about the possibility of launching strikes against them.

However, researcher Feierstein, a former US ambassador to Yemen, said in his interview with Agence France-Presse that offensive military operations in Yemen will lead to adverse results. He notes that the Houthis "believe that an open conflict with the United States in support of the Palestinians will gain them internal support and strengthen their image as an essential element in the axis of resistance" led by Iran in the region.

Juneau agrees, explaining that limited air strikes against Houthi military sites will not cause significant damage but will significantly support the Houthis rhetoric of resistance to the United States and Israel. As for the possibility of launching large-scale strikes, Juneau believes that it would cause greater damage but could plunge the United States into a new, costly conflict.

The non-resident Yemeni researcher at the Chatham House Institute, Farea Al-Muslimi, told the newspaper that a military strike on the Houthis would not be useful, noting that Yemen is geographically huge and the Houthis have rather strong military capabilities.

The New York Times reported that the United States has, so far, refrained from striking Houthi bases in Yemen, because it does not want to undermine the fragile truce in the civil war in Yemen. In Saudi Arabia, Blinken raised the issue of Houthi attacks during his meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday. He said that Washington wants the Houthis to receive a message that "this must stop." The issue is particularly sensitive for Saudi Arabia, which has been conducting intermittent negotiations with the Houthis for months to put the Yemen war on the path to a solution.

Saudi Arabia, which is among the countries overlooking the Red Sea, remained silent about the Houthi attacks on ships and did not join the maritime coalition led by Washington.

Feierstein says that the Saudis do not want their hostile stance toward the attacks to undermine their talks with the Houthis or push them to launch a new round of attacks... against Saudi targets. Feierstein believes that Washington "understands the Saudi position and will not expect Riyadh to join" the maritime coalition.

Karim Bitar, professor of international relations at Saint Joseph University in Beirut, believes that the military option will remain on the table as a last resort. He pointed out that, in the meantime, the Americans are using to deter the Houthis "channels of communication through other regional powers, specifically the Sultanate of Oman," which plays the role of mediator in the Yemeni conflict. Feierstein asserts that the Omanis are "reluctant to put pressure on the Houthis now, because they do not want to be seen as supporting Israeli operations in Gaza."

But Bitar believes that "the bitter truth is that the threat to freedom of navigation and international trade in the Red Sea is more important to the international community than the killing of more than 20,000 people in Gaza."

Maps

All maps are lies. But it is impossible to comprehend the war in Gaza without reference to maps, otherwise the entire conflict is reduced to an endless series of meaningless acts of random violence and the suffering of civilians. The first characteristic of guerrilla warfare is the loss of a front line. Evidently, different mappers have different ideas of how to depict the war in Gaza, notably those that seek to depict Israeli progress in the ground campaign. Part of the problem is latency. The news that forms the basis of the maps takes time to filter out to mappers, and the cartographers take time in crafting their maps, and it takes time to curate them. These processes are uneven among mappers, so their maps may differ in detail. Probably there is some ideological bias, or at least thematic apperception, which is understandable in wartime. It may come as no surprise that al-Jazeera maps depict rather less Israeli territorial progress than other sources. Finally, there remains the epistemological question of just exactly what are the colored in areas depicting. Naively, this might be understood as areas of Israeli control, that are no longer contested by the HAMAS. Or possibly these are areas of Israeli presence, in many of which the possibility of an RPG-wielding HAMAS militant popping out of a tunnel unexpectedly remains a live possibility. With the "zero-range" combat characterized by small unit tactics on both sides, maps may be prey to a fallacy of misplaced concreteness.

Bystanders

South Africa's legal team expects a decision from the International Court of Justice to halt Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip ; He believes that it is difficult for the court to overcome the legal facts that were presented, which prove the existence of prior intent to genocide , according to what Lieutenant General spokesman Zein Dango said.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Dango confirmed that the team presented a detailed case, and included several matters, including the existence of genocide, adding, "We supported this matter with legal texts, and made it clear that the prior intention of genocide existed." According to the spokesman, the legal team accurately explained the importance of the presence of annihilatory intent among the Israeli leadership, starting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, passing through the army commanders, and ending with the soldiers.

The team also stated "the necessity of issuing the decision it requests to bring aid in urgently," according to Dango, who explained that the team "is moving in accordance with the law, and it is difficult for its case not to receive the green light from the court in view of similar previous cases."

If South Africa's request is rejected, "there will be political reasons, but the team does not believe that, because it made clear the importance of this issue on the future of international law and the court itself if it does not issue a decision in our favor," according to the spokesman. However, if the court approves the request, Israel and those who support it will be required to immediately stop their attacks on the residents of the Gaza Strip. Because they respect the law, Dango says.

The issuance of a court decision will be an important step to restore peace to the residents of the Gaza Strip, obtain some justice for the Palestinian people, and lay the foundations for negotiation in order to find a just solution to the Palestine issue, which is what we request, according to the spokesman for the legal team.

The team bases its case mainly on the presence of elements of genocide, especially prior intent stipulated in the Convention on the Prevention of Genocide, according to Dango, who added, "This is something we proved today, and it will be difficult for judges to ignore this evidence." He expressed his confidence that the court's judges will utilize their professional capabilities and experienced lawyers, and that they will adhere to objectivity, noting that two members of the judiciary took an oath to be objective, which reinforces the team's belief that the decision will be legal and not political, he said.

Regarding the Israeli position in the court, Dango said that they may try to focus on matters such as those that Netanyahu spoke about today, but he believes that the court will not ignore all the evidence presented to it of the existence of genocide, and engage in political conversations. He concluded that Israel may be trying to use politics as a tool in this trial.

Dango said that the legal team is highly efficient, noting that it includes experts and judges from South Africa and others based in Britain. He explained that the issue still concerns South Africa, but he expected more countries to join, especially the countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation , the Arab League , and Cuba.

Arab experts and analysts said that Israel's habit of not being held accountable has made it lose its nerve due to the lawsuit filed against it by South Africa at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, and that it fears that merely opening the discussion about its crimes in the Gaza Strip will expose and expose it. The International Court of Justice adjourned its first session after hearing South Africa's plea against Israel on charges of committing genocide against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

According to the lawyer and expert in international law, Dr. Saad Jabbar, Israel is accustomed to not accepting any external censorship or criticism of it, and is accustomed to protection by major powers, in addition to that it has always used the Jewish Holocaust to show that the Jews are the only victims in the world, and therefore it resorts to To what he called the low and uncivilized method of insulting the judges of the International Court of Justice, which was formed in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, its body is elected by the international community, and its judges are known for their legal competence and professional conscience.

Jabbar pointed out that the Israelis are insulting the International Court of Justice and its body, even though the Convention against Mass Crimes was established and formulated as an embodiment of the Jewish victims during World War II, and that the international community wanted at the time to avoid a repeat of what happened to them.

Israeli signed the Convention voluntarily, thus accepting the jurisdiction of the court. Jabbar described what is happening in the Gaza Strip today as "a new Holocaust, which he said is not far from the Holocaust of the Jews, even if the numbers are different." The expert added, "Although Israel will attempt in its plea tomorrow, Friday, before the International Court of Justice to evade the facts and irrefutable evidence regarding the crimes it is committing in the Gaza Strip, the court will rule based on what it hears from the defense of both parties."

Jabbar stressed that South Africa formed a team consisting of the most senior jurists in international law, and that the performance carried out by the defense team today was a coordinated work that relied excellently on legal support and legal interpretations, and on sufficient information to present a solid file regarding this stage of the trial. Saad Jabbar expected that the International Court of Justice would rule in the first stage in favor of South Africa, because it had committed - as he said - to objectivity and professionalism.

For his part, the Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative, Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi, described what is happening at the International Court of Justice as extremely important, because merely discussing the issue of Israeli crimes in the Gaza Strip would open the door to completely exposing Israel. Barghouthi added that if the court took a precautionary decision to stop the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian Strip, this would be a major achievement, noting that all the elements are available to condemn and expose the occupation.

Barghouti believed that what was happening was the beginning of the end of what he described as an arrogant regime outside international law and all international norms. He considered that the sweeping Israeli attack on South Africa reflects what he called the low intellectual level of Israeli politicians. He pointed out that Israel was considered the biggest ally of the apartheid regime in South Africa, and was conducting nuclear tests with it.

Barghouti went on to confirm that Israel - which feels that it is above international law and above accountability thanks to American protection - is being put to the test today, for the second time, after the Palestinians won in 2004 at the International Court of Justice a decision condemning settlements and the modern separation wall, in addition to its concern and fear of the step that... South Africa decided to do so because it felt it had failed and that it might be defeated in the International Court of Justice.

Amnesty International said the International Court of Justice hearings into Israel's violations of the Genocide Convention are a necessary step to help protect Palestinian civilians. According to the organization, the deliberations can help protect Palestinian civilians, end the humanitarian catastrophe in the occupied Gaza Strip , and provide a glimmer of hope for achieving international justice.

The organization said that although it did not reach the conclusion that the situation in Gaza amounts to genocide, there are worrying indicators and warnings given the massive amount of death and destruction, as more than 23,000 Palestinians were killed within 3 and over months, and 10,000 others went missing. Under the rubble, they too were likely killed, in addition to the horrific surge in racist rhetoric that dehumanizes Palestinians by some Israeli government and military officials.

Axis of Resistance

The Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) said that "the administration of the Gaza Strip is a Palestinian national matter, and we will not allow the Israeli occupation and its supporters to interfere, or impose guardianship over us". The movement added in a statement that the Palestinian factions affirm their unified national position, that there is no agreement or exchange of prisoners except with a comprehensive cessation of the aggression against our people in Gaza.

Hamas also announced its full support for the efforts made to provide relief to the Palestinian people and alleviate their suffering, expressing its readiness to cooperate and partner with the relevant government agencies and institutions, within the framework of strengthening the steadfastness of the Palestinians and protecting the internal front from the plans of the Israeli occupation.

The head of Hamas's political department abroad, Sami Abu Zuhri, accused the United States of making contacts to prevent other countries from filing claims against Israel, similar to those filed by South Africa before the International Court of Justice. Abu Zuhri said in a press conference held in Istanbul , The court began its sessions today, and we, as Palestinians, are counting on it, and we hope that it will issue a decision criminalizing the occupation and issue a decision to stop the war.

Abu Zuhri stressed that what is happening in Gaza is a real, unprecedented war of genocide, carried out by the Israeli occupation with the support and partnership of Western countries. He continued, "60% of the homes and infrastructure were completely destroyed, and more than 30,000 people were martyred, including 23,000 who arrived in hospitals, and the rest are under rubble and rubble."

He also stressed the ability of the Palestinian resistance to withstand no matter how long the fighting lasts, noting that it has "enough weapons to continue despite the siege." On the other hand, Abu Zuhri called for the continuation of providing relief and humanitarian support, support activities and events in Turkish cities, and the continuation of the boycott campaign.

The leader of the Ansar Allah group ( Houthis ) , Abdul-Malik al-Houthi , said that any American attack on the groups members in the Red Sea will not remain without a response, stressing that the position of Washington and London will not prevent the group from continuing to stop Israeli crimes, as he put it.

He added that any such response would be greater than the recent response, in which the group's drones and missiles targeted an American ship in the Red Sea. He went on to say, "We are more determined to target ships linked to Israel, and we will not back down from that." He continued, "The Israeli enemy insists on committing crimes, imposing a siege, and practicing starvation against the Palestinian people." The Houthi group had previously vowed that any American coalition in the Red Sea would not provide security for Israeli ships.

Sayyed al-Houthi stated that the Israeli entity, over the course of 75 years, excelled in committing the worst atrocities against the Palestinian people. He added that targeting one of the holiest Islamic sanctities, the al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied al-Quds comes in the context of Israeli hostility towards our Islam and the Ummah, adding that the practices of settlers who have invaded the courtyards of the mosque are "abhorrent."

Sayyed al-Houthi condemned the ongoing Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip for the past 97 days, noting the scale of the oppression endured by the Palestinian people for decades, as the occupation continues to impose a severe blockade on the Palestinian population, in the Gaza Strip.

On Sanaa's support to Palestine, the leader revealed that thousands of Yemenis have joined popular mobilization forces in most provinces. At the same time, he pointed to the mass protests held in the al-Sabeen Square in Sanaa, which continue to amass greater numbers, especially after the US launched its attack on the Yemeni Navy.

In this context, Sayyed al-Houthi called for a "million-man march" on Friday in al-Sabeen Square and other provinces, replicating what has become a normal weekly occurrence in Yemen.

The Yemeni Armed Forces will keep targeting Israeli-linked and Israel-bound vessels in support of the people of Gaza, the spokesman for the countrys Ansarullah popular resistance movement said. Mohammed Abdul Salam made the remark in a statement, vowing that any party opposing the Yemeni Armed Forces anti-Israeli naval operations in support of the Gaza Strip will face a response.

Allied for Democracy

"These days, it is important to remember that we are fighting a just war like no other - a war that the enemy started by choice and knowingly, when he committed crimes against humanity and brutal acts that have not been seen in the Western world for decades," said the IDF spokesman in his statement this evening , "We will continue to update you on all The information and in a continuous manner, even if I will not do so from now on in a daily statement, I will continue to appear here once every two or three days, update and answer any question. When required, I will stand up immediately."

In recent months, IDF fighters have been operating throughout the Gaza Strip with the aim of uncovering and destroying hundreds of kilometers of terrorist tunnels built by the terrorist organization Hamas. These tunnels are long and branching underground infrastructures, which the terrorist organization Hamas uses to transport weapons and terrorists, along with the removal of terrorist funds and many intelligence materials.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken arrived in the Egyptian capital to hold talks with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi about the repercussions of the Gaza war, in his last stop on his tour of the region aimed at what was called preventing the expansion of the war. Earlier, the American minister said that he was discussing with Doha and Cairo ways to conclude a deal between the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) and Israel, especially after their efforts to reach a temporary truce on November 24, which lasted a week.

Blinken visited several countries in the region before his visit to Israel, including Qatar, Turkey, Greece, the Emirates and Saudi Arabia, and he also met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank. The US Secretary of State said that he discussed with Abbas yesterday the importance of reforming the Palestinian Authority, its policies and its governance, so that it can effectively assume its responsibility in Gaza.

At the conclusion of his discussions in Tel Aviv, Blinken announced the agreement with Israel to send a UN mission to northern Gaza for what is called an assessment of the situation regarding the return of the displaced, stressing that Washington wants the war to end as soon as possible. The American Minister also assured Israel that it is not possible to eliminate the Hamas movement, but he stressed the need for Israel to achieve its goal in the war so that what happened on October 7 of last year would not be repeated, as he put it.

Blinken stressed - during his visit to the region - that the United States focus revolves around steps towards a sustainable, peaceful and secure future for all, while emphasizing the necessity of avoiding a larger conflict in the region. He pointed to the necessity of establishing a Palestinian state, stressing his country's "rejection" of displacing Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. However, Israeli officials opposed Blinken's demands, especially regarding changing the method of warfare in Gaza and handing over tax money to the Palestinian Authority.

Human Rights Watch in its World Report 2024 asserted that the Biden administration's supply of arms to "Israel" violated domestic laws and policies in the United States, noting that the breach effectively violated international law.

"President Biden strongly criticized the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7 that resulted in the killing of hundreds of Israeli and other civilians. He committed increased support for Israel's defense beyond already approved annual military aid," the report stated. "Such security assistance and arms transfers violated US domestic laws and policies that condition US military aid on ensuring partners are not in violation of international law."

Following the October 7 attack, the Biden administration sought an additional $14.3 billion for arms to "Israel," supplementing the yearly $3.8 billion in military aid provided by the US, as highlighted by HRW. From October 7 until mid-December last year, 244 US transport planes and 20 ships delivered over 10,000 tons of armaments and military equipment to "Israel", according to the Israeli Channel 12.

The US has either transferred or expressed intent to transfer various weapons, including small-diameter bombs, Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kits, 155mm artillery shells, and 1 million rounds of ammunition. Notably, shipments of small arms were suspended due to concerns about potential redirection to settlers involved in violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

Butcher's Bill / Oasis of Martyrs

Palestinian armed group Hamas launched thousands of missiles at Israel and deployed its militants to infiltrate Jewish settlements near the countrys border with Gaza on 07 October 2023. The 1,200 Israelis killed on the first day would be the equivalent of 36,000 Americans killed in an attack, as a proportion to Israels population of 9.3 million people (compared to 332 million in the USA). Israeli President Isaac Herzog stated: Not since the Holocaust have so many Jews been killed in one day". PM Netanyahu stated "On October 7th, Hamas murdered 1,400 Israelis. Maybe more. This is in a country of fewer than 10 million people. This would be equivalent to over 50,000 Americans murdered in a single day. Thats twenty 9/11s. That is why October 7th is another day that will live in infamy."

It is the second largest loss inflicted on the Israeli forces after the 1973 war, as the Palestinian resistance killed more than 1,200, wounded more than 5,132 others, and captured more than 250, most of them military personnel, some of whom were high-ranking officers in the army.

The HAMAS Ministry of Health in the besieged sector announced that the number of victims of the Israeli operation its beginning had risen to about 23,469 dead [down from 23,840 martyrs three days prior], and the killing of nearly 10,000 Palestinian children and 6,600 women killed. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.

The number wounded was 59,410 [down from 59,600 the previosu day]. The Palestinian Government Media Office in Gaza had said much earlier that the number of missing people had risen to more than 7,500, including including 4,700 children and women, and this number had not changes in recent weeks.

The IDF intensified its military operations in the West Bank, and increased the pace of incursions and raids into cities, towns, and camps, resulting in the martyrdom of 342 Palestinians, the injury of about 3,950, and the arrest of 5,780, according to official HAMAS sources.

More than 130 Hezbollah fighters were killed in Lebanon during exchanges of bombing operations with Israel.

Israel revised down the death toll from the October Hamas attacks in southern Israel from 1,400 to 1,200. IDF had said previously it was holding 1,500 bodies of terrorists, a total that now would increas to about 1,700.

The officially announced number of deaths among the Israeli army since the start of the ground incursion on October 27th to 192, and 520 deaths since the Al-Aqsa Flood operation on the 7th of the same month. Among them are 56 with the rank of platoon commander, 43 with the rank of company commander, 9 with the rank of battalion commander, and 5 with the rank of brigade commander. These officers constitute 23% of the total deaths of the Israeli army in the war on Gaza.

Israeli media reported that 27% of the Israeli military casualties in the war were officers. In detail, the media highlighted that three brigade commanders, four battalion commanders, and other senior officers have been killed in the war so far.

The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation reported that 29 of the army's deaths were caused by "friendly fire" and operational incidents since the start of the ground war in Gaza, late last October. The Israeli authority explained that "18 army soldiers were killed by friendly fire, two were killed as a result of gunfire (without explanation), and 9 Israeli soldiers were killed in ammunition, weapons, or run-over accidents." The Jerusalem Post newspaper revealed that 15 soldiers were killed in the Strip without their bodies being found.

According to some reports statistics indicate that 20% of the Israeli losses were due to friendly fire. Because the nature of the battle has become completely different from what was expected, and it lacks a front line.

According to the latest data published by the army, the number of wounded soldiers and officers has risen to 1,042 since the start of its ground attack on Gaza on October 27, including 228 seriously wounded, while the total number has reached 2,438 wounded since the outbreak of the war on the 7th of October.

The Israeli army reported that 2,438 soldiers - including 355 seriously injured - have been injured since the beginning of the war on Gaza, including earlier reports of 576 moderate, and 1,161 minor. The number of wounded since the start of the ground operation in the Gaza Strip on October 27 had risen to 1,042.

At least 12,957 Israelis were injured, according to i24 TV.

Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper had reported that 5,000 soldiers had been wounded since the beginning of the war on October 7, and that the Ministry of Defense had recognized 2,000 soldiers as disabled so far.

An estimate by the Israeli Ministry of Defense expected that the number of soldiers with disabilities in the war taking place in the Gaza Strip since October 7 of last year would reach 12,500 soldiers. The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth said that the Soldiers' Rehabilitation Department of the Ministry of Defense has dealt with 3,400 soldiers who were classified as disabled in the army since last October 7.

The Israeli army revealed that about 9,000 of its soldiers have received psychological assistance since the beginning of the war on the Gaza Strip on October 7, and about a quarter of them have not returned to combat. This came according to a new statement revealed by the Army Medical Corps, according to Channel 12 and the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth. According to the statement, nearly 9,000 soldiers have applied for psychological assistance since the beginning of the war, and approximately a quarter of them have not returned to combat.

The statement continued, "In total, about 13,000 regular and reserve soldiers required accompaniment or medical treatment at some level during the fighting, and thousands of them were injured in the battles."

Al Jazeera military and strategic expert Major General Fayez Al-Duwairi expressed his conviction that the numbers of dead and wounded announced by Israel cannot represent the truth, due to a discrepancy between the Israeli armys data and the Walla website, which is close to the army itself.

Hostages

Israel had previously estimated there were 116 living hostages in Palestinian custody. Israel declared 20 out of 136 people in Gaza captivity dead in absentia, after announcing its forces had recovered the bodies of two hostages. Israel considers those still held by Hamas to be hostages regardless of whether they are dead or alive.

Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy earlier had told reporters that Hamas still held 137 captives. The resistance released 10 Israeli detainees, 4 Thais and 2 Russian women, who were released outside the agreement. Over the course of 6 days, Israel has received 102 detainees, women and children, including 78 Israelis, in exchange for the release of 234 Palestinian prisoners, women and children.

Eylon Levy, the Israeli government spokesperson, told reporters 01 December 2023:

Hamas still held 137 hostages from the October attacks, in addition to four others who went missing before the war

The hostages include two children aged four and 10 months, who, Hamas now claims, are dead

117 male hostages are still kept in Gaza, including the two children, as well as 20 females

126 hostages are Israelis, and 11 others are foreign nationals

Foreign nationals are eight Thais, one Nepalese, one Tanzanian and one French Mexican citizen

Ten of the remaining hostages are 75 and older.

There are seven missing people since the October 7 attack

Hamas had released 110 hostages so far  86 Israelis and 24 foreign nationals.

Some of the rest are soldiers, seized when Hamas raided military bases in Israel. They may end up being held the longest. The Israeli military had not specified how many soldiers were captured, nor their ranks.

According to some estimates, Hamas was initially holding nearly 210 of the 240 hostages, while Palestinian Islamic Jihad was holding the remaining 30. About 40 Israelis remained missing. More than 40 hostages taken from Israel into Gaza on October 7th are not currently in the custody of Hamas, the group responsible for the attack, according to a CNN report based on a diplomatic source briefed on the negotiations, CNN's prior reports had indicated that an estimated 40 to 50 hostages were held by Palestinian Islamic Jihad or other unidentified groups or individuals.

Abu Ubaida, the spokesperson for the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, said on Hamas telegram account that 23 bodies of the 60 missing Israel hostages were trapped under the rubble. It seems that we will never be able to reach them due to the continued brutal aggression of the occupation against Gaza, he said.

The Palestinian Prisoners' Club revealed that about 11,000 arrests were carried out by the Israeli army during the year 2023 in the West Bank , including occupied Jerusalem , in addition to arrests from the Gaza Strip before the seventh of last October. The Prisoners' Club explained that arrests after the 7th of October amounted to more than 5,755, in contrast to the detainees in Gaza after the 7th of the same month. The Prisoners' Club stated that cases of arrest among women amounted to (300), and this toll includes women from the occupied interior detained after October 7, while the number of cases of children reached 1,085.

Israel said on 09 January 2024 that, since the beginning of the war, approximately 2,650 wanted persons have been arrested throughout the Judea and Samaria Division and the Bekaa and Valleys Division, approximately 1,300 of whom are affiliated with Hamas. On 08 January 2024 it was reported that more than 1,350 wanted persons had been arrested throughout the Judea and Samaria Division and the Bekaa and Valleys Division, more than 870 of whom are associated with the terrorist organization Hamas.

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Russo-Ukraine War - 11 January 2024 - Day 686

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 Ukraine is currently experiencing a cold snap, with temperatures struggling to rise above freezing over the next week leading to lower ground temperatures.

As the ground freezes, the conditions for cross-country movementwill almost certainly improve throughout January and into February before thawing in March. The thaw will then lead to a corresponding deterioration in conditions for cross-country movement.

Coupled with the freezing temperatures is an increase in snow cover throughout Ukraine. Snow depth is likely to be a limiting factor for manoeuvrability.

The worsening conditions will be compounded by shorteneddaylight hours making operating conditions difficult for both sides, which will have to rely on cold weather and night-vision equipment to operate.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of January 11, there were 56x combat engagements. Russian forces launched a total of 3x air strikes, carried out 16x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the Russian attacks have resulted in civilian casualties and injuries. Private residential and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed and damaged.

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. More than 20x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Klyusy, Leonivka, Hrem'yach (Chernihiv oblast), Holyshivs'ke, Sadky, Zapsillya, Stepok, Yizdets'ke (Sumy oblast), Vovchans'k, Bochkove, Budarky (Kharkiv oblast).

Kup'yans'k axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 2x attacks in the vicinity of Syn'kivka (Kharkiv oblast), where the Russian occupiers made unsuccessful attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Dvorichna, Syn'kivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast).

Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 6x assaults near Makiivka (Luhansk oblast) and east of Terny (Donetsk oblast), where the Russian occupiers made attempts to improve their tactical situation. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 15x 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 1x attack in the vicinity of Klishchiivka (Donetsk oblast). More than 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Vasyukivka, Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, Andriivka, New York (Donetsk oblast).

Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 9x Russian attacks near Novobakhmutivka, Stepove, Avdiivka, and 16x more attacks in the vicinities of Pervomais'ke and Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast), where Russian forces made unsuccessful attempts to improve their tactical situation. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 15x settlements, including Novokalynove, Berdychi, Avdiivka, Vodyane, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast).

Mar'inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back Russian forces in the vicinities of Heorhiivka, Mar'inka and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). In that area, Russian forces made 10x attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. The settlements of Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Maksymil'yanivka, Mar'inka, Novomykhailivka, Kostyantynivka were under artillery and mortar fire of the Russian occupiers.

Shakhtars'ke axis: Russian forces conducted no offensives. The adversary fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Urozhaine, Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast).

Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 2x assaults west of Verbove (Zaporizhzhia oblast). In that area Russian forces made unsuccessful attempts to regain lost ground. Around 20x settlements, including Levadne, Malynivka Hulyaipole, P'yatykhatky, Kam'yans'ke (Zaporizhzhia oblast), came under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: Russian forces fired artillery at the city of Kherson, the settlements of Beryslav, Stanislav (Kherson oblast), as well as Solonchaky (Mykolaiv oblast). Also, Russian forces launched MLRS strikes in the vicinities of the settlements of Tyahynka, Ivanivka, Krynky, Veletens'ke (Kherson oblast).

Russian forces do not abandon their intention to drive Ukrainian units out of their footholds on the left bank of the Dnipro. Thus, during the day, Russian forces made 3x unsuccessful assaults. The Ukrainian troops are holding the line and keep inflicting significant losses on the Russian enemy.

During the day of January 11, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 2x concentrations of Russian troops.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 2x concentrations of troops, weapons, and military equipment, 1x command post, 1x ammunition depot 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 aviation and artillery repelled four counter-attacks launched assault groups of the AFU 32nd Mechanised Brigade close to Sinkovka (Kharkov region).

In addition, strikes were delivered at clusters of manpower and hardware of the AFU 25th airborne and 95th air assault brigades close to Berestovoye (Kharkov region) and Terny (Donetsk People's Republic).

Up to 85 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, one Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery system have been eliminated.

In Krasny Liman direction, the Tsentr Group of Forces supported by helicopters, artillery, and heavy flamethrower systems inflicted losses on clusters of manpower and hardware near Serebryansky forestry.

The enemy losses amounted to up to 160 Ukrainian troops, four motor vehicles, as well as one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 22nd, 42nd, and 93th mechanised brigades near Andreyevka and Kleshcheyevka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The total enemy losses in this direction for the day amounted to almost 260 servicemen, two armoured personnel carriers, 15 motor vehicles, as well as D-20 and Msta-B howitzers.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces supported by aviation, artillery, and heavy flamethrowers repelled two attacks launched by units of AFU 72nd mechanised and 58th motorised infantry brigades close to Novomikhailovka and Pavlovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

Up to 145 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, and two Akatsiya self-propelled artillery systems have been eliminated in this direction during the day.

In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery inflicted losses on clusters of manpower and hardware of the 33rd Mechanised Brigade near Rabotino and Verbovoye (Zaporozhye region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 30 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, and three motor vehicles.

In Kherson direction, up to 30 Ukrainian troops, four motor vehicles, as well as one D-20 gun have been neutralised.

Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Group of Forces have engaged two ammunition depots, 119 AFU artillery units, manpower and hardware in 126 areas during the day.

Twenty-nine Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been shot down by anti-aircraft defence forces near Belogorovka, Verkhnekamenka (Lugansk People's Republic), Spornoye, Maryinka (Donetsk People's Republic), Kamenka-Dnepropetrovskaya (Zaporozhye region). One HIMARS MLRS projectile was intercepted.

In total, 567 airplanes and 265 helicopters, 10,609 unmanned aerial vehicles, 447 air defence missile systems, 14,563 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 1,202 combat vehicles equipped with MRLS, 7,692 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 17,310 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.





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Man Who Carried Out Machete Attack on NYPD Officers in Times Square on NYE 2022 Pleads Guilty to Terrorism Charges

Thursday, January 11, 2024

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

Trevor Bickford Traveled to the Times Square New Year's Eve Celebration in 2022 for the Purpose of Killing U.S. Officials in the Name of Radical Islamic Jihad and Used a Machete-Style Knife to Attack Three NYPD Officers Working in Coordination with Federal Authorities to Protect the New Year's Eve Event

Trevor Bickford, 20, of Wells, Maine, today pleaded guilty to multiple counts of attempting to kill officers and employees of the U.S. government and persons assisting them based on his jihadist attack using a machete-style knife against three New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers in Times Square on New Year's Eve, Dec. 31, 2022.

"Last New Year's Eve, Trevor Bickford attacked courageous NYPD officers protecting those celebrating in Times Square as part of his effort, as he later told law enforcement, to commit jihad in New York City," said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. "Today's guilty plea should serve as a warning: terrorists who target and attack law enforcement and endanger the American people will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law."

"The defendant in this case, motivated by violent extremist views, traveled to New York City for the sole purpose of committing acts of violence and attacked three police officers causing serious injuries," said FBI Director Christopher Wray. "Police officers bravely protect the American people and attacks against them cannot be tolerated. The FBI will work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable all those who engage in acts of terrorism."

"As he admitted in court today, Trevor Bickford attempted to murder three NYPD officers while they were on duty protecting the thousands of civilians who flocked to Times Square just over a year ago to celebrate the New Year with friends and family," said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York. "Bickford targeted the iconic yearly celebration to carry out brazen acts of violence and hatred in the name of jihad. Bickford, as with countless others who have carried out acts of terrorism in support of misguided ideologies, is now going to spend lengthy time exactly where he deserves - in federal prison."

According to court documents, in December 2022, Bickford, a U.S. citizen and resident of Maine, traveled from Maine to New York City to, in his own words, wage jihad and kill as many of his targets as possible. After considering his options, researching his target location, and settling on his plan of attack, he packed a large machete-like blade and went to one of the most densely populated areas in the United States at one of the most densely populated times possible: Times Square on New Year's Eve. Bickford then chose to ambush three NYPD officers, declared "Allahu Akbar," an Arabic phrase meaning "God is great" that other radical Islamic extremists have similarly proclaimed while carrying out terrorist attacks, and attacked them with his blade, seriously injuring all three officers. One of the officers managed to shoot Bickford in the shoulder, halting his violent rampage. Bickford later declared that he carried out his attack to wage jihad and admitted that his goal was to kill as many military-aged men who worked for the U.S. government as he could before himself becoming a martyr. The machete-style knife with a blade over a foot long that Bickford used to carry out his jihadist attack is shown below:

Bickford spent months consuming materials espousing radical Islamic ideology a including materials promoting the Taliban and reflecting the teachings of Sheikh Abu Muhammad Al-Maqdisi, a prominent radical Islamic cleric who was a spiritual mentor of al Qaeda a and contemplating ways to wage jihad. As he immersed himself deeper into this propaganda, Bickford devoted himself to violent Islamic extremism and pursuit of the jihad that he would eventually unleash in the heart of New York City. In the months leading up to his attack, Bickford focused on traveling overseas to support the Taliban in Afghanistan or elsewhere. He planned to ally himself with the Taliban to fight against governments that, in his view, oppress Muslims, and to wage jihad against officials of governments that he believes are anti-Muslim, including the U.S. Government. Ultimately, Bickford decided that he would not travel overseas and instead turned his attention to an attack in the United States. After months of radicalization, this decision resulted in Bickford perpetrating his attack in Times Square on New Year's Eve just over a year ago. Near the scene of the attack, law enforcement recovered a book from Bickford's backpack with the following passage highlighted: "Fight in the Name of Allah and in the Cause of Allah. Fight against those who do not believe in Allah. Wage a holy war."

Bickford pleaded guilty to three counts of attempted murder of officers and employees of the U.S. government and persons assisting them, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and three counts of assault of officers and employees of the U.S. government and persons assisting them, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The charges carry an aggregate potential sentence of 120 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI's New York Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew J.C. Hellman, Sarah L. Kushner, and Kaylan E. Lasky for the Southern District of New York and Trial Attorney D. Andrew Sigler of the National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.

Topics: Counterterrorism

National Security

Components: Office of the Attorney General

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

National Security Division (NSD)

USAO - New York, Southern

Press Release Number: 24-37

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Sinovac reportedly halts COVID-19 vaccine production

Global Times

By GT staff reporters Published: Jan 11, 2024 09:06 PM

Sinovac Biotech, one of the major inactivated vaccine manufactures in China, has reportedly halted COVID-19 vaccine production. The company did not confirm the news but industry observers believe it is a response to falling market demand.

A circulated document from Sinovac Life Sciences Co., Ltd titled "Scheme for Suspending Performance Bonuses for COVID-19 Projects" indicated that the company completely halted their production of COVID-19 vaccines, with vaccine products no longer on sale, according to Jimu News, a media outlet affiliated with Hubei Daily.

Sinovac Life Sciences is a subsidiary of Sinovac Biotech Ltd, one of the main inactivated vaccine manufactures in China. The document said that the company has decided to stop issuing performance bonuses for employees involved in the COVID-19 project starting from January 2024.

Citing one staff member from the product consultation hotline of Sinovac Biotech, Jimu News confirmed that the company's COVID-19 vaccine has indeed been discontinued. The report quoted the staff member as saying that if there is a need for the product, individuals would have to inquire with the local disease control center about its availability.

The news ignited a storm of discussions online, some of which was linked to the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. Sinovac Biotech has not responded to an interview request from the Global Times as of press time.

Sinovac Biotech's decision to suspend production of their COVID-19 vaccines is a response to what is believed to be falling market demand, and there is no need for undue alarm or exaggeration, Shao Yiming, an immunologist at the China CDC, also one of the chief medical advisors for the research and development of Chinese COVID-19 vaccines, told the Global Times on Thursday.

During the early phase of the COVID-19 epidemic, Sinovac was one of the few vaccine manufacturers approved for emergency use in the market. However, the country has now approved over 10 vaccine technologies, providing people with more choices. On top of that, the decline in demand for COVID-19 vaccinations, as a result of the strong immunity barrier established against the virus in the country, has also contributed to the suspension of production, Shao pointed out.

The Global Times learnt from several immunologists that citing Sinovac's business activity to suspend vaccines productions to question efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine and safety of inactivated vaccines makes no sense.

The suspension of producing COVID-19 vaccines was not isolated to Sinovac Biotech, according to media reports. For example, on July 19, 2023, Stemirna Therapeutics, which was among domestic vaccine manufacturers racing to develop mRNA in China, suspended its trial operation due to "lack of demand." All of this happened just two and a half years after it obtained clinical approval for the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine in January 2021.

The current dominant JN.1 strain possesses a high transmission capability and the ability to evade the immune system, which implies that the effectiveness of first-generation vaccines based on the original strain may diminish. Vaccine manufacturers are under significant pressure to keep pace with virus mutations and ensure the efficacy of vaccines. It is possible for the vaccine to become outdated even before it is commercially available, a Beijing-based immunologist who preferred to remain anonymous told the Global Times.

In response to the fast mutation of the coronavirus, and the decrease in neutralizing antibody titers and protection rates against variant strains by the first-generation vaccines, at least five COVID-19 vaccines were approved for emergency use in December, 2023, media reports showed.

Meanwhile, the National Administration of Disease Control and Prevention had also strongly encouraged residents to receive jabs containing the XBB variant antigen component, especially for this year's autumn and winter seasons.

The key purpose of COVID-19 vaccine is to protect against death and severe illness, not infection. Significant evidence has demonstrated inactivated vaccine has been approved effective and relatively less serious adverse reactions, Shao noted. "It is meaningless to attack inactivated vaccines."

A study of the University of Hong Kong in 2022 revealed that three shots of CoronaVac offered approximately 98 percent protection against death or severe illness in people aged 60 and above in the city.

The latest report by Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention showed that throughout December 2023, a total of 3,779 locally transmitted cases of COVID-19 with valid genomic sequences were reported in the Chinese mainland. All cases were identified as Omicron variant, covering 72 evolutionary branches. The predominant variant was the XBB, with the top three being XBB.1.9 and its sub-branches, XBB.1.16 and its sub-branches, and XBB.1.22 and its sub-branches.

During the period, a total of 88 new severe cases and 11 deaths were reported. Among the deaths, two cases were caused by respiratory failure due to COVID-19 infection, and nine cases were due to the combination of underlying diseases and COVID-19 infection, according to China CDC.

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China eyes launching low-cost cargo spacecraft for space station through commercial rocket

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Jan 12, 2024 11:22 AM

Commercial aerospace company CAS Space and the Chinese Academy of Sciences Microsatellite Innovation Research Institute have confirmed a plan that the low-cost cargo spacecraft product developed by the Microsatellite Innovation Institute will be launched by the company's Kinetica 2 liquid carrier rocket and will undergo the first flight mission in 2025 for comprehensive on-orbit assessment and verification, the Global Times learned from the company on Friday.

The first flight can also carry low-orbit internet constellation satellites.

To further reduce the cost of transporting cargo to the space station and enhance the flexibility of cargo transportation, the China Manned Space Agency issued in May 2023 the call for proposals for the overall plan of the low-cost cargo transportation system for the Chinese space station.

The CAS Space and the Microsatellite Innovation Institute jointly conducted ship-rocket integration verification and key technology research. Its design of an integrated "Ship-Rocket-Cargo" space-to-ground transportation system utilizes a low-cost cargo spacecraft and the Long March 2 liquid carrier rocket to provide a solution.

The proposal successfully won the qualification bidding organized by the China Manned Space Agency and entered the detailed design phase.

Kinetica 2 is a medium-sized liquid carrier rocket independently developed by CAS Space. Inheriting the technology of its previous generation of rocket, Kinetica 2 adopted a CBC (Common Booster Core) configuration, with a common core diameter of 3.35 meters, a total length of 53 meters, a takeoff mass of 628 tons, and a takeoff thrust of 766 tons.

The rocket has a SSO (single sign-on) payload capacity of 7.8 tons and a LEO (low Earth orbit) payload capacity of 12 tons. It has the capability to launch satellites into sun-synchronous orbit, low Earth orbit, and transfer orbit. With its large carrying capacity and low cost, it can be the main rocket for China's low-cost cargo spacecraft, satellite internet networking, space science satellite launches, and deep space exploration missions.

The three core requirements of the cargo transportation system for the Chinese space station are high payload, high efficiency, and low cost. The research team, through the "Ship-Rocket-Cargo" plan to meet these requirements, focused on key technologies such as low-orbit batch production design, multi-method weight reduction and quality assurance, high-intelligence assistance in packaging, and fully digitalized design. The solution has flexible configuration, high efficiency, and cargo transportation guarantee, resulting in five features: ultra-cost effective, ultra-fast, ultra-load capacity, ultra-safe, and ultra-comfortable.

The planned Kinetica 2 launch is the first time that a Chinese commercial aerospace company participates in the development and launch of the low-cost cargo transportation project for the Chinese space station. This mission is of great significance in enhancing China's aerospace sector's innovation vitality and market competitiveness.

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A Woolworths worker has revealed he's already been confronted by disgruntled shoppers seeking Australia Day paraphernalia  and believes the behaviour will only get worse in the lead-up to January 26.

The supermarket giant announced earlier this week that its stores  as well as Big W outlets  will not be selling Australia Day merchandise, citing a decline in demand as the reason. Aldi has since announced it will follow Woolworths' decision.

Not selling it gets a lot of people asking questions and they're getting frustrated, the employee told Yahoo News Australia on Friday, admitting he fears the move will make [shoppers] very angry and lead to an increase in abuse that has soared in recent years amid the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis. Some days are good, some are not, most days are not  most days you dont know whats going to happen when you show up.

A Woolworths employee told Yahoo he has already had 'angry' customers confront him over the decision to remove Australia Day items. Source: Brent Lewin/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The Woolies staffer claimed he had been instructed to send customers to Big W where they have a small range" of Australia Day products  mainly flags. In some rural areas, stores can be located an hour apart, so customers don't appear to be taking the advice well, he told Yahoo.

People are getting angry about it because its a lot more trouble [to go to], he said. Regional areas are affected the most. Woolworths told Yahoo News Australia "there is no excuse for abuse or aggression towards our team". We take any incident of this nature seriously.Australian flags are sold within BIG W all year round, we dont have any additional themed merchandise available to purchase in-store in our supermarkets or BIG W ahead of Australia Day.

Fury over Peter Dutton's Woolworths boycott call

While the supermarket's decision to not stock Australia Day items has reignited concerns over the increasing level of abuse staffers are copping in stores, cabinet minister Murray Watt believes staff will likely be fearing their jobs could be at risk if a widespread boycott of the supermarket, as instructed by Opposition leader Peter Dutton, was to materialise.

Story continues

This is the consequences of Peter Dutton and his constant desire to divide and be negative, is that he is prepared to put the jobs of 200,000 workers at risk at Woolies, just to score a cheap political point, he told ABC Breakfast on Friday.

His priority is starting another culture war about the kind of thongs and flags that supermarkets sell. I think it shows that he is really out of touch with what Australians really care about when it comes to supermarkets, and thats the prices they are paying at the checkout.

Our government is focused on supermarket prices.



Peter Dutton is focused on the thongs supermarkets sell. pic.twitter.com/diIkj1uLZJ  Senator Murray Watt (@MurrayWatt) January 11, 2024

'Dutton's comments will put workers at risk'

A spokesperson for the Retail and Fast Food Workers Union told Yahoo News Australia it is concerned Duttons insensitive and divisive comments will put workers at risk.

The populist commentary of Dutton is unsurprising and must be rejected in no uncertain terms. It is remarkable that during a cost-of-living crisis, when retail workers are facing daily harassment, intimidation, assaults and threats, Dutton would engage in such rhetoric.

Dutton had nothing to say when workers were striking over poverty wages, unsafe workplaces and insecure jobs and when the community was boycotting Woolworths at Christmas over price gouging. His priorities are clearly division and media stunts.

The RFFU said it has long campaigned for there to be no sale of nationalistic memorabilia celebrating 'Invasion Day' as it undermines the wellbeing and safety of First Nations workers in retail.

Australia Day has become a controversial issue as more Australians understand the pain it brings to members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Source: Chris Hopkins/Getty Images

Coles vows to keep selling Australia Day merchandise

January 26 has become the subject of increasing condemnation as more Australians understand the pain it brings to members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, who are reminded of the generations of colonial oppression that began when the English First Fleet raised their flag at Sydney Cove in 1788.

In recent years, Invasion or Survival Day rallies have been strongly attended across all capital cities, though many Australians continue to enjoy festivities away from the protests.

Woolworths move came after department store Kmart announced last year it would no longer sell Australia Day products in an effort to be inclusive and respectful. However, a spokesperson from rival supermarket Coles says the company will continue lining its shelves with Australia Day merchandise.

With AAP

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Readout of Secretary Raimondo's Meeting with Minister of Commerce of China Wang Wentao

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, January 11, 2024

Office of Public Affairs

publicaffairs@doc.gov

Last night, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo held a call with Minister of Commerce of the People's Republic of China (PRC) Wang Wentao. Following up on their last meeting in November 2023 during the APEC Leaders Summit in California, Secretary Raimondo and Minister Wang emphasized the importance of leveraging the working group that the U.S. Department of Commerce and the PRC's Ministry of Commerce established to address commercial issues of concern. In addition, the two discussed plans for an in-person meeting of the working group. Secretary Raimondo also reiterated that national security is not negotiable and emphasized that the United States Government's "small yard, high fence" approach is not about containing China's economic development. Rather, it aims to safeguard our national security and values without unduly limiting trade and investment.

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Chinese FM continues traditional 'new year visit' to Africa to boost regional security and cooperation

Global Times

By GT staff reporters Published: Jan 11, 2024 08:41 PM

Continuing a tradition that has lasted for 34 years, China's foreign minister has once again chosen Africa as the first foreign visit destination for the new year, and this time the visit will cover two countries in North Africa - Egypt and Tunisia - and two in West Africa - Togo, and Cote d'Ivoire - per the announcement of the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Thursday.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's first overseas trip in 2024 will take place between January 13 to 18 at the invitation of the four African countries, Mao Ning, the spokesperson, said on Thursday.

After his visit to Africa, Wang will visit Brazil and Jamaica from January 18 to 22, Mao said.

Experts said this year's visit to the four countries highlighted China's heightened attention to the security situation in North Africa against the background of a potential spillover of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as China's willingness to cooperate with African countries despite its level of development.

Mao noted that Wang's visit has carried on a fine tradition that has been kept for the past 34 years. The trip aims to promote the implementation of the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Leaders' Dialogue, and coordinate with African countries on a new session of FOCAC to be held this year.

At last year's FOCAC, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed three new cooperation initiatives to support Africa's industrialization, agricultural modernization, and talent development, which received an enthusiastic response from his African counterparts, Mao said.

The tradition of the Chinese Foreign Minister's annual first trip to Africa has highlighted China's emphasis on consolidating friendship with Africa. The relationship sets an example of what can truly be called "the establishment of a community with a shared future," Song Wei, a professor from the School of International Relations at Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times on Thursday.

For the North Africa leg, the visit to Egypt highlights China's welcoming gesture to its officially joining the BRICS family. BRICS inducted five new countries in January and they are Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Iran, and Ethiopia.

Choosing to visit North Africa also reflects China's heightened concern over the security situation in the Middle East and the Red Sea, Song said.

As tensions in the region continue to grow, it has threatened the safe passage of an important lifeline for the international economy, and risks a conflict spillover. "The current situation is extremely dangerous from both a political and economic perspective," Song said. "At such a point, Wang's arrival brings the hope of coordinating relations among regional powers, trying to resolve conflicts and restore stability to the world economy and politics."

For West Africa, there were several instances of turmoil and conflicts last year, including military coups. And compared to other regions in Africa, West Africa faces more severe development challenges, so Wang's visit to this region highlighted China's emphasis on security and stability in the continent, experts said.

Cote d'Ivoire has relatively higher development levels in the continent, while Togo ranks as among one of the poorest countries in Africa, reflecting China's overall focus on Africa's development, Song noted.

Wang Youming, director of the Institute of Developing Countries at the China Institute of International Studies in Beijing, said China-Latin America relations have steadily progressed in the past few years, with a significant increase in trade volume, thanks to the structural advantage of a mutually beneficial economic complementarity.

Despite recent political changes in Latin America, with at least five general elections coming up this year including in Mexico and Uruguay, there will be little impact on China-Latin America relations whichever ruling party wins, whether left-wing or right-wing, Wang Youming told the Global Times on Thursday. This is because as an important trading partner, China plays a crucial role in helping them overcome economic challenges.

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PLA Navy warships practice defense against low, slow and small aerial targets

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun Published: Jan 11, 2024 09:28 PM

Warships of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy recently held an exercise in which they practiced defense against low, slow and small aerial targets, which experts said on Thursday pose a significant threat in modern warfare.

A destroyer detachment affiliated with the navy of the PLA Southern Theater Command recently organized multiple types of warships including a Type 055 large destroyer and a Type 052D destroyer to form a group and conducted the first maritime exercise of the year, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Wednesday.

Incorporating some of the latest scientific research achievements, the round-the-clock drill completed combat-oriented special exercises, including live-fire gun shooting, maneuvering in formation and maritime replenishment, CCTV reported.

Upon arriving at the designated mission area, the radar system on board the Type 055 large destroyer Yan'an detected multiple waves of low and slow flying targets approaching. The vessels closely coordinated, changed positions, formed an air defense formation and shot down the targets with close-in weapon systems, the report said.

"Our exercise mainly focused on low, slow and small aerial targets, particularly defense against targets flying close to sea surface," Yan Zhenzhou, a crew member on board the Yan'an, said in the CCTV reported.

Another crew member on board the large destroyer, Zhu Chentian, said that the exercise was confrontational without a preset schedule or scenario, and the warship group had to rely on its own reconnaissance and surveillance equipment in spotting incoming low, slow and small aerial targets, analyze the situation and deal with emergencies.

"For the next step, we will boost cooperation with relevant research teams, and further test the warship group's joint operational capability while building realistic combat scenarios," Zhu said.

Low, slow and small aircraft, often in the form of drones and loitering munitions, have become widely used in recent conflicts around the world, making them some of the most dangerous emerging threats in modern warfare, a Chinese military expert told the Global Times on Thursday.

Given their nature of being low, slow and small, these kinds of aircraft are difficult to detect by traditional radars, and will be more difficult at sea because of sea clutters and noises, the expert said.

The exercise showed that PLA Navy warships are capable of spotting, tracking and intercepting low, slow and small targets, the expert said.

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China and Maldives to strengthen BRI cooperation, transform isle industries

Global Times

By Chu Daye Published: Jan 11, 2024 09:00 PM

As the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) construction has brought tangible benefits to the people of Maldives, the Chinese business community on the island nation and Chinese experts said that the next decade will see more fruitful cooperation results, thanks to elevated ties between the two countries.

China and Maldives elevated bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership on Wednesday during the visit of President of the Republic of Maldives Mohamed Muizzu.

The two countries signed cooperation documents on the advance of the high-quality construction of the BRI, on economic growth and disaster prevention, on green technology, infrastructure, people's livelihoods, marine development and digitalization.

Great cooperation

China and Maldives will expand cooperation on marine ecological and environmental protection, as well as strengthen people-to-people exchanges.

Chinese experts said that the two countries, having established friendly relations during the past Maritime Silk Road partnership and having undertaken very productive BRI cooperation in recent years, stand to scale new heights in a wide range of fields, including infrastructure, agriculture and more.

In the past few years, infrastructure has been at the forefront of the joint construction of the BRI between China and Maldives.

The Maldives-China Friendship Bridge, a dream project to local residents over half a century, has become a symbol for the friendliness between the two countries, which has changed the daily lives of Maldivians.

Many Western companies had reportedly studied the project for years, but construction never started due to technological and funding difficulties, but Chinese firms eventually completed the project, leveraging a number of technological breakthroughs and low interests loans.

"In the past five years, the bridge has carried over 100 million passenger visits, promoting the flow of personnel and materials between the isles," a manager with Chinese infrastructure giant CCCC told the Global Times on Thursday.

A pizza shop on the Male Island launched a cross-island takeaway service. Delivery boys ride across the bridge to deliver fresh pizza. Crossing the bridges takes just 10 minutes. Before, it was hours of waiting for a shuttle ferry.

"In addition to rising convenience, the bridge has made living in the isles better. Now traffic lights have been erected on the Male Island, and the project helped create jobs for locals," the manager said. "New bus services were opened along with the bridge and nowadays the number of bus lines passing over the bridge has grown to five, and the number of buses in Maldives has increased to 17 from nine in 2018."

Further cooperation with China, which will make the Maldivian economy more diversified and resilient, represents a key step in the country's effort to revitalize tourism to reach pre-pandemic levels, experts noted.

China had remained the largest source of tourist arrivals in Maldives for years before the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, nearly 300,000 Chinese tourists visited Maldives, accounting for 17 percent of total tourist arrivals that year.

Prospering tourism

Zhou Rong, a senior researcher at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China, told the Global Times on Thursday that each country has its unique natural endowments and Maldives won't be like Sri Lanka in becoming a key shipping hub, but Maldives could be a beacon demonstrating the vibrancy of people-to-people exchanges.

China's commitment to support more Maldivian students to study in China and add more direct flights to the island country will greatly promote exchanges between the two peoples, the expert noted.

While there is increasing willingness by the Maldivian side to scale up tourist inflow from China, experts noted that the travel habits and preferences of Chinese tourists have changed during the pandemic.

"As concrete work is implemented at the working level, it is expected that the Chinese side and the Maldivian side could work out ways to better attract Chinese tourists in the post-pandemic era," Zhou said.

The cooperation is illustrated in the joint statement including disaster prevention, green development and digital cooperation, which will also act to improve the quality of the travel experience of Chinese tourists, Chinese experts said.

"When Maldives can show the world its resorts are disaster-proof, its islands will become more attractive by tapping into new technologies such as fast mobile telecom connections," Zhou said.

Experts dismissed the "debt trap" narrative fabricated by some Western media and noted that China-Maldives trade and investment cooperation has withstood West's verbal attacks.

"These people showed their 'care' for local residents' well-being. But when COVID-19 pandemic struck, they turned away from Maldives at the very time when local people needed their help most," Zhou said.

In the first 11 months of 2023, China-Maldives bilateral trade soared 75.2 percent to reach $700 million, a spokesperson with China's Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday. The ministry will promote bilateral cooperation as agreed and bring the cooperation level to a new high.

Mao Bao, president of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Maldives, noted that agricultural cooperation, as mentioned in the joint statement, would be of particular significance.

"We aim to encourage Chinese enterprises to vigorously promote the development of agricultural and industrial-park projects, and strive to help Maldives complete and operate at least one industrial park project in two years," Mao told the Global Times on Thursday.

"The park will engage in the farming of relatively scarce produce, such as onions, cabbage and other vegetables and fruits. Moreover, we aim to realize large-scale aqua farming of tuna and freshwater fisheries, helping Maldives achieve self-sufficiency in food cultivation," Mao said.

The project will hold significance for the isle country to ensure its food security and avoid a recurrence of the food crisis that broke out during the pandemic, Mao said.

About 80 percent of the food in the Maldives needs to be imported from abroad and paid for in US dollars.

"Looking ahead, we could expect the farm project could rival the bridge project in its excellence and social benefits to be brought to the Maldivian society," Mao said.

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on January 11, 2024

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

2024-01-11 22:18

At the invitation of Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum Klaus Schwab, President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd, and Taoiseach of Ireland Leo Varadkar, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council will attend the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2024 and pay an official visit to Switzerland and Ireland from January 14 to 17.

Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi will visit Egypt, Tunisia, Togo and CAte d'Ivoire at their invitation from January 13 to 18. This is the 34th consecutive year that Africa has been the destination of Chinese foreign ministers' annual first overseas visit. Foreign Minister Wang Yi will then go on to visit Brazil and Jamaica at their invitation from January 18 to 22.

Xinhua News Agency: You just announced that Premier Li Qiang will be attending the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2024. Can you share with us more details on his program and China's hopes for the meeting in Davos?

Mao Ning: Premier Li Qiang will attend the opening plenary of the annual meeting. As one of the world leaders invited to the occasion, he will deliver a special address.

The theme of this year's annual meeting is "Rebuilding Trust". In a world fraught with uncertainties and struggling to find drivers for growth, we look to increase exchanges and communication and enhance mutual understanding and trust with other parties to the forum to contribute our part to better global economic recovery and governance and joint response to challenges.

China Daily: Can you brief us on the program of Premier Li Qiang's visit to Switzerland and Ireland? What's China's expectation for the visit and how does China view its relations with Switzerland and Ireland?

Mao Ning: During Premier Li Qiang's visit to Switzerland, he will hold talks with President Viola Amherd of the Swiss Confederation and other members of the Federal Council to exchange views on China-Switzerland relations, mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields and international and regional issues.

In the past 74 years since China and Switzerland established diplomatic ties, our bilateral relations have enjoyed sound growth. Our two countries established innovative strategic partnership in 2016. In early 2017, President Xi Jinping paid a successful state visit to Switzerland. The two sides reached important common understandings on cooperation, providing strategic guidance for the growth of China-Switzerland relations. Bilateral cooperation in trade, finance, innovation, people-to-people and cultural exchanges and other fields is built on a strong foundation and enjoys enormous potential.

Premier Li Qiang's visit to Switzerland will kick off high-level exchanges between China and Europe in 2024. We hope that this visit will further drive the implementation of the important common understandings between the two countries' leaders, maintain close high-level exchanges, enhance political mutual trust, strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation, jointly support free trade and multilateralism to add new dimensions to the China-Switzerland innovative strategic partnership.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of China-Ireland diplomatic relations. The China-Ireland strategic partnership for mutually beneficial cooperation has grown steadily, with frequent interactions at various levels and deepening cooperation in trade and investment, green development, culture, education and other fields. During Premier Li's visit, the two sides will have in-depth communication over implementing the common understandings between the two countries' presidents, cementing political mutual trust and deepening cooperation in various sectors. China looks to work with Ireland for greater progress in China-Ireland relations and new contribution to the sound and steady growth of China-Europe relations.

CCTV: What is the significance of Foreign Minister Wang Yi's annual first visit to Africa this year? What's the consideration for visiting Brazil and Jamaica after visiting Africa? What does China hope to achieve through this trip?

Mao Ning: Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to four African countries will mark the 34th year for the Chinese foreign minister to make Africa his first overseas destination at the start of the year. At the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue last year, President Xi Jinping made three proposals to support Africa's industrialization, agricultural modernization and talent development, which were well-received by Africa. This year, FOCAC will meet again. Egypt, Tunisia, Togo and CAte d'Ivoire are all China's friendly cooperation partners. The purpose of Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit is to implement the follow-ups of the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue, compare notes with the African side on the 2024 FOCAC, carry forward the traditional China-Africa friendship and consolidate the momentum of China-Africa solidarity and cooperation.a

Brazil and Jamaica are China's important cooperation partners in Latin America and the Caribbean. We enjoy a deep traditional friendship and engage in fruitful cooperation in trade, people-to-people exchanges and other fields. We share identical or similar positions on many regional and international issues. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Brazil and the 5th anniversary of the China-Jamaica strategic partnership. We will take this opportunity to further cement the foundation of political mutual trust, deepen mutually beneficial and friendly cooperation across the board and enhance communication and coordination on major international and regional issues for sustained and substantive growth of China's relations with Brazil, Jamaica, and Latin America and the Caribbean as a whole.a

China Review News: Ethiopia and Somaliland signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU). It is reported that Ethiopia has given formal recognition to the Republic of Somaliland in the MoU, which raised controversy in the Horn of Africa. What is your comment on that?

Mao Ning: China stands for upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and supports countries in safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity. Somaliland is part of Somalia. China supports the Federal Government of Somalia in safeguarding national unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Meanwhile, we hope that regional countries will handle regional affairs well through diplomatic dialogue and achieve common development by having friendly cooperation.

AFP: China's Embassy in Papua New Guinea has lodged representations with the Papua government and warned its citizens there to take security precautions. Can the Foreign Ministry confirm were there any Chinese citizens been killed or injured in the violence there? And can you maybe speak a little bit more about the extensive damage to Chinese businesses and institutions as far as it is known?

Mao Ning: On January 10, shops were looted and two Chinese nationals had minor injuries during the riots in the capital Port Moresby of Papua New Guinea. Upon learning the news, the Foreign Ministry directed the Chinese Embassy in Papua New Guinea to immediately activate the consular emergency response mechanism. The Embassy made strong dAmarches to the government of Papua New Guinea and asked for swift and effective measures to keep Chinese nationals and institutions safe in the affected area. The Embassy has also been advising Chinese nationals through multiple channels on how to keep themselves safe.

We would like to remind Chinese nationals in Papua New Guinea to closely follow the local security situation, stay away from the affected area, take safety precautions, and stay safe. We advise Chinese nationals to contact the police immediately and our Embassy for help in case of emergencies, or they may dial the MFA Global Emergency Call Center for Consular Protection and Services. The MFA and the Chinese Embassy in Papua New Guinea will provide timely consular protection and assistance to Chinese citizens and institutions in the affected areas.

Shenzhen TV: Bloomberg reported that China last year elevated the way it described ties with 17 countries and territories, most of them from the developing world. The article says that China seeks to rally the Global South; While Washington has built a diplomacy strategy dependent on coalitions of mostly rich allies, Beijing is doing the opposite, wooing developing countries that make up the majority of the world's population. What is your comment?

Mao Ning: On fostering external relations with other countries, China respects all countries as equals. We believe that each and every country should have its place in the international system and can play its due role. The future of the world should be decided and made by all countries.

In the just concluded 2023, China has deepened and expanded global partnerships featuring equality, openness and cooperation. China has had a growing network of friends, made more and more new friends, and strengthened ties with old ones. This is because China develops relations with countries on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. This also reflects China's enhanced internationalainfluence and greater moral appeal. This is fundamentally different form certain countries' practice of forming exclusive circles and seeking selfish geopolitical interests.

As a developing country, China is naturally a member of the Global South. China has invariably stood in solidarity with fellow developing countries through thick and thin and safeguarded the shared interests of developing countries. China's solidarity and cooperation with other developing countries is not about wooing or rivaling anyone, but about safeguarding world peace, promoting global development, and upholding international order.

We will continue to put the development of China in the global context and aligns the interests of the Chinese people with the interests of people across the world. We will work with all countries to meet challenges and create a better and brighter future for the world.

AFP: The Taiwan Affairs Office has said the election candidate Lai Ching-te poses a severe danger to cross-Strait ties. We haven't noticed any similar comments regarding other election candidates, and in addition, the Taiwan Affairs Office also urged voters in Taiwan to make the correct choice. What candidate does the mainland want to see win the election? Do China's comments represent interference in Taiwan's democratic processes?a

Mao Ning: This question is not related to China's foreign affairs. I'd refer you to the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council regarding your question.aa

Beijing Youth Daily: It's reported that Argentina's Foreign Minister Diana Mondino met with Miao-hung Hsie, representative of the "Taipei economic and cultural office in Argentina", on December 26, 2023. Sources said that this marks the first time for Argentina's Foreign Minister to set aside the one-China principle and have "inter-governmental" relations with Taiwan. What's China's comment?

Mao Ning: I noted relevant reports. Argentina has clarified to China that what you said is just hyping-up and reiterated that the government of Argentina values its relationship with China and will stay committed to the one-China principle. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Argentina also made clarifications to local media outlets. I'd like to stress that Taiwan is part of China and upholding the one-China principle is widely held consensus of the international community. Over the past five decades and more since China and Argentina established diplomatic ties, successive Argentinian administrations have upheld the one-China principle. China stands ready to work with Argentina to deepen our political mutual trust and advance the steady growth of China-Argentina comprehensive strategic partnership.

China News Service: It's reported that ROK President Yoon Suk-yeol has signed the appointment on October 10 which made Cho Tae-yul the new Foreign Minister. What is your comment? Did China send a congratulatory message?

Mao Ning: China has noted the reports. Foreign Minister Wang Yi has sent Mr. Cho Tae-yul a congratulatory message. China and the ROK are each other's important close neighbors and strategic cooperative partners. Maintaining the sound and steady growth of bilateral relations is in the common interest of the two countries and this is the goal that requires constant efforts from both sides. We hope that Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul will make strong efforts towards this end.

AFP: Can the Chinese side provide any more details of the agreement that it signed with the Maldives? And there were some deals signed yesterday, including on climate, agriculture and infrastructure. Could the Foreign Ministry give an idea of the total value of these deals?

Mao Ning: We appreciate your interest in the Maldivian President's state visit to China. We've released the readout and I have no additional information to offer.

Associated Press of Pakistan: In Pakistan, a large number of projects have been successfully completed under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Do you have any details to share with us here?

Mao Ning: The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is an important pioneering project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). With the concerted efforts of the two sides, the CPEC has achieved some early harvests in transport infrastructure, energy, Gwadar Port, and other areas, giving a strong boost to economic and social development and regional connectivity in Pakistan and providing important support for building an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era.a

China stands ready to work with Pakistan to implement the common understandings between the leaders of the two countries. With a high-standard, people-centered and sustainable approach, we can jointly develop the CPEC for growth, better life, innovation, green development, and openness, upgrade it and better boost the two countries' development to the benefit of the two peoples.a

Reuters: I have two questions on the elections in Taiwan. First, US officials said yesterday that the White House will send an unofficial delegation to Taiwan after the elections. What's China's comment? Second, the US yesterday said that any interference in Taiwan elections should be opposed. Reports say this is a warning for China. What's the Foreign Ministry's response?

Mao Ning: There is only one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. China firmly opposes the US having any form of official contact with the Taiwan region. The US needs to earnestly abide by the one-China principle and stipulations of the three China-US joint communiquAs, prudently and properly handle Taiwan-related issues, stop official contact with the Taiwan region and stop sending wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces. The US must not interfere in the elections in the Taiwan region in any form, or do anything harmful to China-US relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

On your second question, the Taiwan question is China's internal affairs. Elections in the Taiwan region are purely China's internal affairs that brook no external interference. China deplores and strongly opposes the US' unwarranted comments on Taiwan's elections. I need to stress that the Taiwan question is at the very core of China's core interests and is the first red line that must not be crossed in China-US relations. We urge the US to abide by the one-China principle and stipulations of the three China-US joint communiquAs, honor the commitment made by US leaders, stop interfering in elections in the Taiwan region in any form and stop sending wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces. China will take resolute and strong measures to safeguard its sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.

Antara News: Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi in Manila said Indonesia was ready to work with other ASEAN members, including the Philippines to finalize a long-delayed Code of Conduct for the South China Sea. While for years, ASEAN and also China have been trying to set up a framework to negotiate the Code of Conduct, but the progress has been slow. How optimistic is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China for the new phase of the negotiations regarding the South China Sea?

Mao Ning: China and ASEAN countries are working toward the adoption of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC), which is an important measure in implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). The consultations on the COC are going smoothly. The second reading has been completed and the third reading has commenced. Parties have adopted guidelines to accelerate consultations on the COC. The issue of the South China Sea is highly complex and faces external interference. We hope ASEAN countries will work with us toward the set target and speed up consultations for the early adoption of the COC.a

AFP: President Xi Jinping had a video meeting with the President of Finland Sauli NiinistA. The Finnish readout of the meeting said that the two sides discussed a gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea that Finland believes was damaged by a Chinese ship, but the Chinese readout didn't seem to contain that information. So can the Foreign Ministry please explain the discrepancy between the readouts and also provide further details about what has been said about the pipeline?

Mao Ning: We've released the readout on President Xi Jinping's virtual meeting with the Finnish President. I have no additional information to offer. China attaches great importance to protecting the safety and security of undersea infrastructure. China maintains communication and cooperation with Finland and other parties concerned.a

Bloomberg: The German Foreign Minister was quoted today saying that they were concerned about the situation in the South China Sea and they're committed to rules-based international order, pointing out Chinese actions, and the recent clashes between Chinese and Filipino vessels in the area. Do you have any comment on what she said?

Mao Ning: China's position on the South China Sea issue is clear and consistent. We are committed to properly handling disputes through dialogue and consultation with countries concerned, and would like to work with ASEAN countries to safeguard peace and stability in the region. That being said, China will firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. No non-regional country has the right to interfere in the maritime disputes between China and the Philippines.

Bloomberg: The National Security Council spokesperson was quoted in the FT article, saying that there's a clear precedent for sending former senior officials to Taiwan after the election, that this is consistent with the US one-China policy and consistent with the status-quo, and that as its time is after the election, it means it's not endorsing one candidate or another candidate. Do you reject the assertion that this is consistent with the status-quo? And do you think that even though there is a precedent for this meeting, it should not take place?

Mao Ning: China firmly opposes the US having any form of official contact with the Taiwan region. We ask the US to earnestly abide by the one-China principle and stipulations of the three China-US joint communiquAs and prudently and properly handle Taiwan-related issues. The US must not interfere in elections in the Taiwan region in any form, and it must not send wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces in any form.

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Chinese controls 'more efficient' as country marks 30 years online

Early hopes that widespread public internet access would make censorship harder are dashed with the advent of AI.

By Qiao Qinen for RFA Mandarin 2024.01.11 -- Three decades after internet access first became available in China, the country has more than a billion people online, with a thriving e-commerce sector and several massively popular homegrown social media platforms.

But despite early hopes that widespread public internet access would make censorship and political control by the ruling Chinese Communist Party harder and harder to enforce, the authorities have spent the past 30 years developing ever more effective ways to monitor and censor everything Chinese citizens do online.

Since Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping took power in 2012, he has turned China into a high-tech surveillance state in which online anonymity is all but impossible, and the tools used to circumvent the Great Firewall of censorship have been outlawed, analysts told Radio Free Asia in recent interviews.

"Everything has become more repressive, including the internet," Joshua Kurlantzick, senior fellow for Southeast Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, told RFA Mandarin. "There's been a crackdown on using remote access, there's much more surveillance - there's much more surveillance on WeChat."

The list of potential legal offenses that users behind the Great Firewall can commit online is long, and ranges from insulting revolutionary heroes and the official version of China's recent history, its flag and national emblems, subverting or inciting others to subvert state power by calling for democratic governance or greater official accountability, and the catch-all criminal charge for perceived troublemakers, "picking quarrels and stirring up trouble."

Users can't depict "Winnie the Pooh" in any form. Xi Jinping is particularly sensitive to any form of satire, and Chinese censorship has spread as far as YouTube, which has taken down channels belonging to overseas satirists engaged in "Xi-bashing."

There are even plans to ban "hurting the feelings of the Chinese people," which could include designing clothing that looks like a Japanese army uniform from World War II, or making memes referencing the malaise of young people by calling them "the last generation."

In November, food blogger Wang Gang was forced to apologize for "insulting" late supreme leader Mao Zedong after he posted a video about egg fried rice on the Oct. 24 birthday of Mao's son Mao Anying, who died in a U.S. bombing raid during the Korean War (1950-1953). Urban legend says the enemy was attracted by smoke from a fire he kindled to cook up egg fried rice for dinner.

Wang's accounts on Weibo, WeChat, Bilibili, Douyin and other platforms have been suspended since the apology.

Crackdown on Internet personalities

In May 2023, Beijing police launched an investigation into stand-up comedian Li Haoshi, who goes by the stage name House, after he sparked public ire with a joke that some said likened feral dogs to People's Liberation Army soldiers. Li has been banned from performing in public since.

"There's a much more crackdown on internet personalities, much less freedom to say anything, even veiled things," said Kurlantzick. "Xi Jinping has reinserted the party into all sorts of places ... into people's lives in a way that didn't really exist in the 1990s."

While the internet has never been totally free in China, and online censorship has always been there, the authorities have now perfected their system of blocks and filters that severely limits what users in China can see or do online in the absence of circumvention technology.

And even the use of virtual private networks, or VPNs, to get around the Great Firewall has been banned, on pain of jail sentences for some.

"There are ways to get around it for Chinese people who are sophisticated with the internet, but that's risky," Kurlantzick said. "It's much more dangerous, and it's harder to do than in the past."

Back-end capabilities

According to Suzanne Aldrich, an engineer who helps U.S. companies operate websites in China, that's because China has continued to develop its massive back-end capabilities over the past few decades.

"China has continued to tighten and crack down and grow more efficient around how various unapproved works are viewed in China," she said. "In particular, I have noticed that there is an increase of blocking of property when there is a particular political event occurring in China."

"When the party is meeting or is having some kind of a special meeting, that's when we would notice that you're more likely to have a website in China get blocked and that might be due to content that is considered controversial or antagonistic to the party," Aldrich said.

While it's possible for websites to obtain a license to prevent government blocking, such licenses are hard to come by and can still be revoked at any time by the authorities, she said.

That could happen if a website published specific items that the Chinese government doesn't like, or if they don't use vendors and services approved by the Chinese state, she said.

"We've seen that specific works when published on a website over time, will trigger what I assume are some kind of alert or ... mechanism on the side of the authorities for them to basically put a block on that content ... and perhaps even the whole website, if it's considered something that they don't want to have viewable by people in China," Aldrich said.

"If you want to publish your website in China, you might be needing to utilize completely different tooling and different vendors for things like advertising and SEO," she said.

Getting around censorship

In the early days of the Great Firewall, activists had a number of ways to get around censorship, including using homophones - words that sounded similar to banned keywords and wouldn't be picked up by automatic blocks and filters.

During the aughts, the "Grass Mud Horse," which sounds like a common Chinese expletive but with different tones, came to symbolize users' creativity in evading censors.

Now, even images and homophones are grist to the Great Firewall's mill.

Pentagon official Lt. Cmdr. Jordan Foley, who has lived in China three times in recent decades, including on a one-to-one naval exchange with the PLA Navy, said artificial intelligence in China is far faster and more efficient than it was just 10 years ago.

"A lot of times images were being passed online that were missed in searches because they weren't text, they weren't characters," he said.

"But now AI [artificial intelligence] is trained so well and so efficiently where it's now picking up those secretly coded images that were so vital to the Chinese netizens' [coded] language."

"AI has now made that censorship job easier for the [Chinese Communist Party]," said Foley, who emphasized that his views are personal, and do not reflect official policy, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

He said China's insistence on data localization - the storage of Chinese users' data inside China's borders by foreign service providers - had likely contributed to the training of censors' AI systems.

Takedown requests

Meanwhile, foreign service providers have been quick to jump when issued with takedown requests from app stores and websites.

"During the Hong Kong protests [in 2019] Apple was told by the Chinese government what apps to take down and they willingly did," Foley said. "They did it from a national security ... standpoint in the Chinese government."

"The Chinese people deserve more and they deserve better," he said. "They deserve the freedoms that we all enjoy."

Whether this level of censorship can continue indefinitely to keep a lid on widespread public anger during an economic downturn is another question.

"There's a point where I don't think the Communist Party with any level of censorship is going to be able to control a disgruntled population of almost 1.4 billion people," Foley said.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Roseanne Gerin.

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.

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VOA Exclusive: Blinken to Meet Chinese Foreign Minister Candidate Before Taiwan Election

By Nike Ching January 11, 2024

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken plans to meet with Liu Jianchao, a veteran Chinese diplomat and a top contender to be China's next foreign minister, in Washington on Friday, a day before Taiwan's elections, as the United States continues to caution China against using the elections as a pretext for instability.

Communication between the world's two largest economies will continue after Taiwan's presidential and legislative elections on Saturday, as senior officials from the United States and China are slated to attend next week's World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

On Friday, Blinken will hold talks at the U.S. State Department with Liu, who heads the Chinese Communist Party's international department responsible for maintaining relations with foreign political parties.

"Liu is a trusted member of Chinese President Xi Jinping's inner circles of advisers. He is a leading candidate for foreign minister," according to former CIA top China analyst Dennis Wilder, now a professor at Georgetown University.

Wilder told VOA on Thursday that Liu's visit is "designed in part to make sure Washington and Beijing understand each other before the new Taiwan leader is elected."

Daniel Kritenbrink, the State Department's top diplomat on East Asian and Pacific affairs, will join the hourlong meeting, according to people familiar with the planning.

"Liu has taken on a more active diplomatic role and has been performing tasks typically handled by China's foreign minister," said Chechuan Lee, a research fellow at the Taipei-based quasi-official Institute for National Defense and Security Research.

Lee told VOA that "it is not unimaginable" that Liu could be selected as China's next top diplomat, and his meetings in Washington this week with senior U.S. officials may be paving the way for his next position.

Next week, Blinken and Chinese Premier Li Qiang will attend the annual economic meetings at the Swiss mountain resort.

The State Department said in a statement that Blinken would discuss issues of global concern, including the U.S. commitment to the rules-based international order, while attending meetings in the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Blinken's talks with Chinese officials are described as ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication, responsibly manage differences between the two nations and address a host of issues. These include global and regional security concerns such as tensions on the South China Sea. Taiwan will also be among the topics.

Washington has voiced its opposition to "outside interference or malign influence" in Taiwan's elections.

On Thursday, State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said the U.S. has "a deep confidence in Taiwan's democratic process and believe it is for Taiwan voters to decide their next leader, free from outside interference."

The winner of Taiwan's presidential election will be inaugurated on May 20. The transition period in the upcoming months is seen as sensitive in cross-strait relations.

A senior U.S. administration official told reporters late Wednesday that Beijing would be "the provocateur" if it chose to respond to Taiwan's election results with additional military pressure or coercion.

"Throughout this election and transition period, we will ensure that channels of communication remain open with Beijing, including diplomatic and the recently reopened military-to-military channels, in keeping with past precedent and our unofficial relationship with Taiwan," said the U.S. official.

A number of meetings

This week, U.S. and Chinese officials are holding numerous meetings. The U.S. principal deputy national security adviser, Jon Finer, held lengthy talks with Liu on Wednesday.

The White House said the two sides discussed the ongoing implementation of key outcomes from last November's summit between U.S. President Joe Biden and Xi, challenges in the Middle East and Russia's war against Ukraine. Finer stressed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the South China Sea.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas held virtual talks on Wednesday with Chinese Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong, discussing the combating of the illicit flow of synthetic drugs.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo also held a call with China's Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao late Wednesday to follow up on leveraging the working group that the two sides have established to address commercial issues of concern.

Science and technology agreement

At the State Department, officials from the two countries discussed the extension of the U.S.-China Science and Technology Agreement, or STA, which is due to expire next month. Officials will meet again during the week of January 22 to discuss the extension.

Late last August, Washington agreed to extend the agreement with China for six months. The short-term extension came as several Republican congressional members voiced concern that China has previously leveraged the agreement to advance its military objectives and may continue to do so.

At that time, the State Department stated the brief extension would maintain the STA's validity while the U.S. negotiated with China to amend and strengthen the agreement.

A call for reciprocity

Some former U.S. officials are skeptical about whether frequent talks can fundamentally change Beijing's behaviors, which are deemed as harming Washington's national interests. They also advocate for reciprocity.

"Every time a People's Republic of China emissary is allowed to address the American people, an American emissary needs to be able to directly address the Chinese people. If the PRC won't accept this, then we are foolish to keep giving people like Liu direct access," said David Stilwell, a former assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs.

Liu delivered a speech on Tuesday during an event hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations.

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Decline in China-Canada relations caused by Canada's perception deviation; Canada should interpret China's policies rationally: Chinese top diplomat

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Jan 12, 2024 10:13 AM

The root reason behind the decline in China-Canada relations in recent years is the serious deviation of Canada's perception of China. It is hoped that Canada can objectively, rationally, and correctly interpret China's domestic and foreign policies, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday in a phone call with Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, at the latter's request.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that both countries are with important influence in the Asia-Pacific region. China and Canada have neither historical disputes nor realistic conflicts of interests, and share many common interests and enjoy complementary advantages, said Wang.

The current challenging situation between China and Canada relations is not what China hopes to see, nor is it caused by China, while China is open to maintain contact and dialogue with Canada, Wang said.

China neither exports ideology nor challenges the international order, but has consistently upheld the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, the international system with the UN at its core and the international order based on international law. China must firmly safeguard its own sovereignty, security and development interests and will never allow the Chinese people to be deprived of their legitimate rights to development, Wang said.

The differences in social systems and ideologies between China and Canada stem from their respective histories, cultures, national conditions and the choices made by their people. The two countries should respect each other, engage in dialogue on an equal footing, increase trust, dispel misgivings and strengthen communication responsibly and constructively, so as not to let differences dominate bilateral relations, Wang noted.

Canada should earnestly implement its commitment to the one-China policy, preserve the political foundation of China-Canada relations, and not send any wrong signal to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, Wang said.

China will continue to expand high-level opening-up. As promoters and beneficiaries of free trade, both China and Canada should jointly resist the politicization and use of pan-security on economic issues, while creating a fair, just, and non-discriminatory environment for business development, Wang noted.

Healthy and stable Canada-China relations serve the fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples, Joly said. Despite the difficulties in bilateral relations, Canada is willing to bring bilateral relations back onto the right track with a more open, practical and constructive attitude, Joly said.

Canada is willing to strengthen communication and dialogue with China, promoting personnel exchanges, deepening economic and trade cooperation, and maintaining close coordination and cooperation on environmental protection, biodiversity and international and regional issues, according to Joly.

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N Korea erases 'one people' notion with South, opens door for nuclear use

Pyongyang used to describe the nuclear arsenal as the 'treasure of Koreans,' hinting non-use against the South.

By Lee Jeong-Ho for RFA 2024.01.10 -- North Korea has eliminated the idea of "one people" shared with South Korea from its media outlets, defining the South as a separate entity rather than the "same Koreans," a shift experts said could rationalize the use of nuclear weapons in future conflicts with Seoul.

North Korea's leading propaganda website DPRK Today has removed its "reunification" section, as confirmed Thursday. Earlier this week, the section was still accessible. The website is operated under the supervision of North Korea's United Front Department, with the primary aim of disseminating Pyongyang's favored vision of reunification with the South.

The erased section had displayed the history of every inter-Korean agreement, ranging from the July 4 Joint Statement in 1972 to the latest September 19 Pyongyang Joint Declaration in 2018.

It also contained details on North Korea's reunification policy, advocating for the reunification under a federal structure based on the "one nation, two systems" principle, wherein the governments of both countries retain sovereignty over their respective regions.

Last week, North Korea also removed the reunification section from other propaganda platforms, including the Uriminzokkiri.

Such moves came after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un expressed his intention to discard the idea of "one people" shared with the South during the major policy meeting held last year.

"Reflecting on the long history of inter-Korean relations, our conclusion is that unification can never be achieved with South Korea," said Kim, according to the North's official Korean Central News Agency on Dec. 31, as North Korea wrapped up its Central Committee Plenary Meeting of the Workers' Party Korea.

South Korea's reunification policy "starkly contrast with our nation's unification policy based on the principles of one people, one state, two systems," he added, noting that he would start treating the North's relations with the South as a state-to-state relations and that he no longer views the South as the same Koreans.

In a separate report on Jan. 1, KCNA also reported that North Korea's 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 Kim's orders to restructure organizations involved in South Korean affairs.

Since then, North Korea's state-run media outlets have been consistently calling South Korea by its formal name "Republic of Korea." Pyongyang had rarely referred to the South as the ROK, typically calling it as "Namjoseon," which means "South of North Korea" in Korean. This terminology implied, albeit rhetorically, that both were parts of the same nation.

Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul who had advised South Korean administrations, said the move may harbor dual implications.

"Previously, North Korea described its nuclear arsenal as the 'treasure of the entire Korean people,' subtly implying that they were not intended for use against the South," said Yang.

"However, recent developments indicate a shift in this stance. As North Korea no longer views the South as part of the same people and nation, it raises the possibility that the North might consider using its nuclear weapons against the South," he added.

In fact, on Wednesday, Kim has declared that South Korea is now officially Pyongyang's "principal enemy," openly stating his readiness for war.

"Another goal could be Pyongyang's effort to lessen its reliance on the South and highlight its self-reliance to the domestic audience," Yang said.

"North Korea may aim to delay addressing unification issues and justify the enhancement of its nuclear capability. Additionally, this strategy could be viewed as a means to reinforce regime unity domestically by fostering anti-South sentiment among its population."

Edited by Taejun Kang and Mike Firn.

Copyright 1998-2016, 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.

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Press Statement of DPRK Permanent Representative to UN

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, January 12 (KCNA) -- Kim Song, permanent representative of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to the United Nations, Thursday issued the following press statement:

The UNSC meeting on the Ukrainian issue held on January 10 serves as an occasion of showing once again that the U.S. is just an incurable cancer-like entity undermining the root of international peace and security contrary to the purpose and principle of the UN Charter.

The U.S. act for illegalizing the legitimate relations between independent sovereign states is an illegal act quite contrary to the purpose of the UN Charter on developing friendly relations between states on the basis of the respect of the principle of equality and the right to self-determination of the people and a total denial of international law.

The Ukrainian situation was created by the confrontation policy of the U.S. to infringe upon the reasonable and just security interests of Russia and push forward the advance of NATO to the East step by step from A to Z. Therefore, Washington can never evade its responsibility.

The U.S. pulled up the DPRK which has nothing to do with the discussion of agenda items. This is the vivid reflection of their plight in the tight corner and only reveals its insufficient might and means in the strategic confrontation with Russia.

The DPRK does not feel the need to comment on every U.S. groundless accusation.

The U.S. had better know who its rival is before pulling up others and ponder over the consequences to be entailed by it, rather than the immediate gain. -0-

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A beach was swamped with 30,000 tropical fish after the Great Barrier Reef was hit by severe weather. Locals reported the bodies quickly disappeared under tonnes of mud and debris as flooding continued to swell the nearby Daintree River after ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper passed nearby.

Around 30 to 40 species including brilliantly-coloured coral trout and wrasses, as well as eels, were photographed decaying close to seabirds and dead terrestrial animals including echidnas and bandicoots.

Sharks and rays were not found amongst the dead, indicating they may be more resilient to storms than other fish. Local fisheries bycatch expert Nigel Brothers conducted the survey with his partner in December and revealed his findings this week.

The fish presumably succumbed to the huge amount of fresh water flushing over the reef. Also, the ocean turned a really filthy black-brown colour for as far as you could see, so maybe the sediment load added to the problems, he told Yahoo News Australia.

Nigel Brothers (left) estimates between 10,000 and 30,000 coral reef fish were dumped on a 10km stretch of Wonga Beach. Source: Supplied

Brothers survey of the once idyllic Wonga Beach was undertaken after Jasper triggered widespread flooding which dumped mud and debris onto the sand. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMA) confirmed with Yahoo News Australia some parts of the reef were largely untouched but others had been damaged by waves.

The first of the dead coral reef fish arrived on December 16 and the peak of the kills occurred on December 19 and 20. Brothers estimates there were between 10,000 and 30,000 dead fish on a 10km stretch of Wonga Beach.

Erosion from the runoff dissected the sand along the beach, and extreme amounts of sediment swamped the sand, making access hard and leaving the area largely isolated. Ongoing unstable weather conditions around the site, and the stench of rotting fish, made survey work uncomfortable.

It was still very eerie and gloomy and threatening looking, and raining quite heavily, Brothers said. It was a matter of having to do it really quickly. The fish kill was quickly being buried by the massive amount of sediment that was coming out of rivers, including the mighty Daintree. It was intense at times and difficult to cover.

Story continues

Conservationists urge Albanese government to strengthen nature protection

Australian research this week revealed extreme weather events are no longer isolated "freak" incidents and are now part of a global pattern. Although cyclones are not becoming more frequent, but their severity is worsening and this is fuelled by rising global temperatures  2023 was the hottest year since 1850.

Responding to Brothers survey, the Australian Conservation Foundation's nature campaigner Peta Bulling warned extreme weather events are increasing the pressure on native species. She called on the Albanese government to help wildlife by strengthening the countrys nature protection laws.

Wildlife in Australia is already under pressure from land clearing and invasive species; we have the highest rate of deforestation in the developed world, and the highest rate of mammal extinction in the world. More frequent and extreme weather events, driven by climate change, increase that pressure, Bulling said.

Between 30 and 40 species of fish were discovered dead on Wonga Beach. Source: Supplied

Coral trout were among the first fish to be discovered dead on Wonga Beach. Source: Getty/Supplied

Cylone has 'patchy' impact on Great Barrier Reef

Brothers' survey was limited to Wonga Beach so it is unclear how extensive the damage to the reef was after Jasper hit. The GBRMA said limited surveys conducted between Cairns and Cape Tribulation indicate the impact was "patchy".

Some isolated and minor coral bleaching was also seen at some reefs, likely resulting from freshwater inflow from flooding, it said. Floodwaters entering the Reef can cause stress to inshore ecosystems, and prolonged exposure can lead to death in some species.

Echidna, hawks and seabirds were among the dead and dying creatures Nigel Brothers (right) spotted on Wonga Beach. Source: Supplied

Thousands of native pigeon chicks believed dead

Specialising in the impact commercial fishing has on albatross and petrels, Brothers works regularly with Humane Society International on conservation efforts.

The cyclone coincided with the breeding season of 80,000 Torresian Imperial Pigeons and this led him to fear all of this years eggs and chicks could have been killed. Concerned about the regions wildlife, Brothers worked to rescue seabirds that had been left disorientated on the beach.

Theyd been winging north up the coast, battling to get out of the firing line and work their way back to breeding islands which Id imagine would be chaos. Sadly the ones incapable of outrunning the conditions started lobbing onto the beach in an exhausted state, he said.

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VISIT BY ADMIRAL FAHAD ABDULLAH S AL-GHOFAILY, CHIEF OF STAFF ROYAL SAUDI NAVAL FORCES TO INDIA

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

Posted On: 11 JAN 2024 5:06PM by PIB Delhi

Admiral Fahad Abdullah S Al-Ghofaily, Chief of Staff, Royal Saudi Naval Forces is on a four day official visit to India from 10 - 13 Jan 24. The visit is a testimony to the longstanding relationship between the navies of Saudi Arabia and India.

Admiral Fahad Abdullah S Al-Ghofaily called on Adm R Hari Kumar, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy on 11 Jan 24 at New Delhi and held discussions on collaborative mechanisms and measures to further strengthen Navy to Navy cooperation. He was received with a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the South Block Lawns.

Indian Navy cooperates with Royal Saudi Naval Force through various initiatives, which include operational interactions such as bilateral naval exercise Al Mohed Al Hindi, training and other maritime avenues. Indian Navy ships have been regularly undertaking port calls at various ports of Saudi Arabia. Indian Navy has also been interacting with Royal Saudi Naval Force in various multilateral fora viz. IONS (Indian Ocean Naval Symposium), MILAN, CMF (Combined Maritime Forces) and DCoC-JA (Djibouti Code of Conduct - Jeddah Amendment), where both navies have been supporting each other to supplement maritime security in the region.

The visit of Admiral Fahad Abdullah S Al-Ghofaily includes interaction with the Chief of Defence Staff, Defence Secretary, Chief of Air Staff and Vice Chief of Army Staff.

During this visit, Admiral Fahad Abdullah S Al-Ghofaily would also visit IFC-IOR at Gurugram and Southern Naval Command at Kochi.

The extant visit by the Chief of Staff, Royal Saudi Naval Forces is aimed to increase naval cooperation between the two navies and has renewed the sense of commitment of two friendly maritime neighbours to address shared maritime challenges in the IOR.

*******

VM/JSN



(Release ID: 1995227)

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Raksha Mantri calls on UK Prime Minister in London

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

UK & other like-minded countries should work with India for strengthening a peaceful & stable global rules-based order: Shri Rajnath Singh

Keen to bolster the defence & security pillar of UK-India ties: Mr Rishi Sunak

Posted On: 11 JAN 2024 9:05AM by PIB Delhi

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh called on the Prime Minister of United Kingdom Mr Rishi Sunak at 10 Downing Street, London on January 10, 2024. The meeting was warm and cordial. The Raksha Mantri highlighted that both nations have made significant strides in moulding and recrafting the historic ties into a modern, multifaceted and mutually beneficial partnership, under the direction of the leaders of both the countries.

Shri Rajnath Singh recalled the recent enhancement in bilateral defence engagement, spanning joint exercises, training, capability building, increased interoperability, military-to-military ties especially in the maritime domain. He emphasised the ongoing efforts to enhance defence industrial cooperation, including in the technology domain. He briefed Mr Rishi Sunak about his positive interactions with the UK defence industry and the new positive energy in the bilateral defence relationship.

The Raksha Mantri stated that the UK and other like-minded countries should work with India for strengthening a peaceful and stable global rules-based order, including through partnering India in its inexorable rise, which can be strengthened, reinforced and speeded up with friendly collaboration.

Shri Rajnath Singh further stated that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is leading the quest of 1.4 billion Indians towards the national objective of becoming a developed country by mid-21st century. Prime Minister Modi's efforts have borne remarkable fruits, growth is sustainably on the upswing, poverty has been reduced drastically, and a business friendly architecture has been put in place. At the international level, the Government of India is ready to partner with friends like the UK to strengthen the rule-based world order.

Prime Minister Sunak fully agreed with the Raksha Mantri on the need for UK and India to work in the domains of trade, defence and technology. In particular, he expressed hope that the ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations could be brought to a successful conclusion soon. He also underlined his keenness, and that of his Government, to strengthen the defence and security pillar of the bilateral relationship, including through Government backing for stronger business and technology partnerships with Indian counterpart entities.

Shri Rajnath Singh gifted a Ram Darbar statue to the UK PM during the meeting, which was also attended by UK NSA Sir Tim Barrow.

The Raksha Mantri also met with the UK's Foreign Minister Lord David Cameron at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The Ministers appreciated the new momentum and direction of the India-UK partnership, symbolised by intense engagements at various levels.

Shri Rajnath Singh outlined his goal of integrating defence industries of both countries including through supply chain integration to build resilience. He also emphasised the importance of bilateral start-up level interaction, and identification and discussion of joint projects which India and UK could implement together.

Foreign Secretary Cameron reiterated the UK government's desire to collaborate with India in the defence areas, particularly in the field of defence industrial collaboration, as one of the means by which the UK hopes to strengthen the support for a rule-based international order.

Later, the Raksha Mantri interacted with the Indian community at India House, London. Over 160 prominent persons of Indian origin attended the interaction. A number of Indian military ex-servicemen, including few family members of World War II veterans were also present.

******

ABB/Savvy



(Release ID: 1995032)

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Secretary Blinken's Call with Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

January 11, 2024

The following is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. The Secretary and External Affairs Minister discussed the United States and India's shared concerns over reckless Houthi attacks in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, which threaten the free flow of commerce, endanger innocent mariners, and violate international law. The Secretary emphasized the Red Sea is a major commercial corridor that facilitates international trade and welcomed increased cooperation with India in defending freedom of navigation in the region. The Secretary and External Affairs Minister discussed the Israel-Hamas conflict, efforts to prevent the conflict's escalation and increase the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza. The Secretary also discussed Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

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Iran Intelligence Ministry: 35 elements linked to Kerman terror attack arrested

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 11, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The Iranian Ministry of Intelligence has announced that it identified and arrested 35 perpetrators and supporters of the Kerman terrorist attack.

In a statement on Thursday, the ministry said that the 35 individuals were arrested in the Iranian provinces of Kerman, Sistan and Baluchestan, Khorasan Razavi, Isfahan, Tehran and West Azerbaijan.

Several other elements linked to the twin suicide bombings have been identified overseas, it said, adding that the forces are taking necessary actions to arrest them.

The attacks took place on January 3, on the anniversary of the assassination of Iran's anti-terror icon Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, who was martyred in a US drone strike in Iraq in 2020.

Two explosions ripped through a route leading to the top general's resting place as people had gathered for his martyrdom anniversary. So far, 93 people have been confirmed dead, with 284 others getting injured.

The Daesh terror group claimed responsibility for the attacks which have drawn international condemnation from across the world.

7129**4354

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Iran's Navy seizes US oil tanker 'in retaliation' with court order

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 11 January 2024 1:06 PM

The Navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran has announced the seizure of an American oil tanker with a court order in the Sea of Oman.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) identified the tanker Marshall Islands-flagged St Nikolas, saying it was boarded at about 7:30 am (0330 GMT) off Sohar in Oman and changed course towards Bandar-e-Jask in Iran.

Ambrey, a British maritime risk company, said the recently renamed tanker was previously prosecuted and fined for carrying Iranian oil, which was confiscated by US authorities.

"Iran has previously taken action against those it has accused of cooperating with the US," it added.

The vessel had been loaded with 145,000 tonnes of crude oil in Basra, Iraq and was destined for Aliaga in Turkey via the Suez Canal, the tanker's Greece-based management company Empire Navigation said.

"Following the violation of the Suez Rajan in April and the theft of Iranian oil by the United States, the oil tanker renamed St Nicholas was seized in retaliation this morning by the court order and the approval of the Ports and Shipping Organization by the strategic Navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army and transferred to Iranian ports," Iran's Fars news agency reported.

The tanker, it said, had stolen the cargo of oil belonging to the Islamic Republic of Iran under the direction of the United States and transferred it to the country's ports and put it at the disposal of American authorities.

Last August, the US Navy unloaded a tanker of stolen Iranian oil worth around $56 million off the Texas port, despite warnings from Iran and after American oil firms had resisted the temptation of touching the 800,000-barrel tanker for fear of Iranian retaliation in the Persian Gulf waters.

The decision came as Iran was marking the 70th anniversary of the CIA-engineered military coup against Iran's then-PM Mohammad Mosaddeq.

The Marshall Islands-flagged Suez Rajan tanker carrying Iranian oil was illegally seized by Washington in April 2023 under the guise of "a sanctions-enforcement operation" and guided toward the Texas port.

It came days after a group of US senators and House representatives, at the behest of the Israeli lobby in Washington, began mounting pressure on the Joe Biden administration to unload the tanker, without considering its possible repercussions.

It was not the first time the US had resorted to the unconventional step of seizing a sovereign country's cargo in international waters.

In May 2022, the US seized a Russia-operated ship, the Pegas, carrying Iranian oil off the shore of Karystos near Greece to dispatch the oil cargo to the US but the Greek court ruled against the move.

In February 2021, Washington seized a tanker carrying Iranian oil off the coast of the Emirati city of Fujairah and sold more than a million barrels of oil confiscated from it for $110 million, or $55 a barrel.

The Unite States has also regularly stolen Syrian oil in recent years under the guise of anti-terror operations in the Arab country. In August 2022, the Syrian oil ministry accused the US and its mercenaries of stealing 66,000 barrels of oil per day, accounting for almost 80 percent of the country's oil production.

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Iran's Intelligence Ministry: 35 arrested over Kerman terrorist attack

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 11 January 2024 8:26 AM

Iran's Intelligence Ministry says 35 individuals have been arrested over involvement in the recent terrorist bombings in the southeastern city of Kerman.

The ministry, in its second statement on the incident on Thursday, said its forces are proceeding with a process to identify the perpetrators and masterminds of the twin suicide bombings as well as the people related to Takfiri terrorists inside and outside the country.

"So far, 35 people have been detained in the provinces of Kerman, Sistan and Baluchestan, Khorasan Razavi, Esfahan, Tehran and West Azarbaijan," it explained.

It added that a number of the criminals involved in the tragedy have been also identified abroad and serious efforts are underway to pursue them.

The terrorist bombings, which were claimed by the Daesh (ISIS) terrorist group, occurred on January 3 near the burial site of Iran's iconic anti-terror commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani during a ceremony marking the fourth anniversary of his martyrdom. The blasts left at least 94 people dead.

It is the ministry's duty and it reserves the right to prosecute and bring to justice the criminals and all the agents outside the country who played a role in the massacring of dozens of innocent people in the terrorist blasts, said the statement.

It also emphasized that the ministry would not rest until the full realization of its goals.

According to the results obtained so far, the mastermind and main supporter of the criminal operation in question was a Tajik person, under the alias Abdullah Tajiki, the statement read.

He illegally entered the country through southeastern borders, along with a woman and a child, on December 19 and was transferred to Kerman, it said.

It also noted that in addition to directing the operation, Tajiki was an expert in making handmade bombs. After combining various explosive and electric detonators and producing the bombs, he left the country two days before the tragic incident.

Iran's Intelligence Ministry identified the second Kerman terrorist suspect as a 24-year-old Israeli with Tajik citizenship, named Bazirov, and said he joined Daesh after becoming acquainted with the terrorist group via Telegram social platform.

The ministry added that important clues have been found about the identity of the second suspect which would be revealed after completion of information.

The statement gave further details about the day of the attack, saying at 13:03 and 13:14 local time, the suspects went separately to the place where the ceremony was scheduled to be held.

It emphasized that the main goal of the terrorists was to detonate General Soleimani's tomb but they changed their plan after witnessing strong and multi-layered security measures and the deployment of police forces and equipment.

They then decided to implement their evil plan in relatively distant places, it noted.

According to the ministry, the first terrorist detonated his explosive vest at 14:55 local time around 700 meters away from General Soleimani's tomb and the second terrorist detonated his vest at 15:15 around 1,000 meters away.

Iran has pledged a fitting, harsh response to the perpetrators of the attack, vowing the deadly crime will not go unpunished.

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Iranian Navy Detains US Oil Tanker in Gulf of Oman

Sputnik News

20240111

TEHRAN (Sputnik) - On Thursday, a US oil tanker, previously caught in a regional standoff between Iran and US, was reportedly boarded by a group of armed individuals off the coast of Oman and appeared to have changed course toward Iran.

Iran's naval forces on Thursday detained a US oil tanker in the waters of the Gulf of Oman, Iran's Tasnim news agency reported. According to Tasnim, the tanker was detained by court order.

The vessel was once involved in a dispute with the US Justice Department that saw a million barrels of Iranian crude oil seized.

UKTMO (United Kingdom Marine Trade Operations), which provides warnings to sailors in the Middle East, previously reported "of vessel being boarded by 4-5 armed unauthorized persons" who are "wearing military style black uniforms with black masks".

A Sputnik

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Japan begins work for U.S. base relocation in Okinawa despite local opposition

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 13:47, January 11, 2024

TOKYO, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Japanese government on Wednesday began ground improvement work for the relocation of a key U.S. military base within Okinawa prefecture after overriding the local government's objection, regardless of the opinions of local residents.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told a press conference that the commencement marks the start of work, likely to take more than nine years, to reinforce the undersea soft ground at the relocation site for U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma air base.

The ground improvement is necessary to carry out landfill work that is part of the project to relocate the Futenma base from a crowded residential district in Ginowan to the less populated Henoko coastal area of Nago, which is also in Okinawa.

Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki told reporters on Wednesday that this is something the government is doing for its own convenience, and it is extremely regrettable.

On Dec. 28, 2023, the Japanese government gave the green light to the plan on behalf of the Okinawa government, taking an unprecedented step of overriding the prefectural government's objection.

The approval marked the central government's first-ever proxy execution of a local government administrative task under the local autonomy law, according to media reports.

Okinawa, which hosts 70 percent of all the U.S. military bases in Japan, has long opposed the base transfer within the southern island prefecture, seeking instead to move the base out of the prefecture altogether.

In September 2023, Tamaki told a United Nations Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva that the concentration of U.S. military bases in Okinawa threatens peace, noting that the Japanese government is forcibly filling in precious sea areas to build the new U.S. military base.

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Over 20 face life sentences following Myanmar junta terrorism charges

The accused include one former junta township administrator and one civil society leader, locals said.

By RFA Burmese 2024.01.11 -- More than 20 people could face life in prison after junta officials charged them under Myanmar's counter-terrorism laws, residents told Radio Free Asia.

All the detained civilians are from Mon state's Thanbyuzayat township, where they were charged with allegedly supporting resistance groups, known as People's Defense Forces. Among the charged locals is Aung Ko Ko, a former Thanbyuzayat township deputy chief of a local junta-run administration department, locals said Wednesday.

More than 20 people were charged under Sections 50 and 52 of the country's counter-terrorism laws for financing terrorism and intentions to commit terrorism on Monday, residents said. The charges come with the possibility of being sentenced to life in prison. The cases were filed at Thanbyuzayat Police Station, they added.

Officials arrested Aung Ko Ko on Dec. 18 for allegedly leaking information to the country's civilian shadow National Unity Government and to People's Defense Forces. Local residents were subsequently arrested, a Thanbyuzayat resident who wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals told RFA.

"Businessmen were also arrested for allegedly supporting People's Defense Forces after Aung Ko Ko's arrest," he said. "I knew that they were filed under Section 50j and 52a on Jan. 8, almost three weeks after [their arrest]."

Residents have remained in police custody following their arrests on Dec. 18. Among the arrested businessmen are Than Zaw, Aung Myint, Pe Myint, Chan Mon, Mya Than, and Min Min.

In late December, junta troops arrested Saw Su Su Htwe, chairwomen of social assistance group Shin Than Chin Twel Let in Mon's Thaton township, residents said. Family members have not been able to contact her.

RFA has not been able to independently confirm these claims or the charges she is being held on.

Calls by RFA to Mon state's junta representative Aung Myat Kyaw Sein to confirm details about the charges went unanswered on Wednesday.

As of Wednesday, almost 900 people have been arrested in Mon state following the country's 2021 coup, according to data from the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn.

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.

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Violence By Islamist Militants Haunts Pakistani Elections In Restive Province

By Abubakar Siddique, Umar Daraz Wazir, Ishtiaq Mehsud January 11, 2024

Former lawmaker Mohsin Dawar recalls the moment a hail of bullets hit his Toyota Land Cruiser as he campaigned for upcoming parliamentary elections in Pakistan.

Dawar was attacked on January 3 as he approached the village of Tappi in North Waziristan, a mountainous district in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.

The attackers fled after his supporters returned fire. His armored-plated SUV kept him safe.

Dawar, who leads the secular National Democratic Movement political party, says he was attacked again on his way home from Tappi.

"The militants appear to enjoy a lot of space," he said. "We can't determine whether [they want] to delay elections or scrap the process."

Dawar argues that Pakistan desperately needs the February 8 elections to end uncertainty amid the severe political and economic crises the South Asian nation of 220 million people is facing.

But he adds that it is "tough to campaign in these conditions."

Dawar was actually fortunate to survive the attacks on him, as others in North Waziristan have not been as lucky.

On January 10, Malik Kaleem Dawar (no relation to Mohsin Dawar), a provincial candidate and two of his supporters were killed in an attack in Tappi.

Elsewhere in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, another candidate survived roadside bombs as Islamist militants continue to try to disrupt those campaigning for the elections. Civilians, police, and soldiers are killed in almost daily clashes with militants across the province, which is home to 35 million people.

Experts say candidates and political leaders remain under severe threat in the province, which was the epicenter of Pakistan's domestic war on terrorism between 2003 and 2014.

More than 80,000 residents of the predominantly ethnic Pashtun-populated region were killed and more than 6 million displaced in the fighting during that time.

Since the Taliban's return to power in August 2021, its ideological and organizational ally, the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has increasingly expanded its campaign of violence. It is seeking to return to the former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa strongholds it controlled before 2014.

Smaller and newly emerging Islamist militant groups also frequently claim responsibility for attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which further complicates the security picture in the run-up to the vote.

In South Waziristan, which abuts North Waziristan, Ayaz Wazir is campaigning on the secular Awami National Party (ANP) platform. He says the lack of access to the Internet prevents him from reaching his potential voters remotely.

"Campaigning in person is very risky amid frequent terrorist attacks," he told RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal. "One has to risk one's life to campaign in this environment."

Mounting Security Fears

Since 2007, hundreds of ANP leaders and supporters have been killed in attacks by the TTP during parliamentary election campaigns.

Ihsanullah Tipu Mehsud, director of news at the Khorasan Diary, a website tracking militant groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan, says that security fears are mounting in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the crucial weeks before the vote.

He says officials and observers are worried about what might happen when political parties start holding large, noisy campaign rallies that typically mark the election season.

"Fear and threats are so pervasive that it is preventing senior politicians from holding rallies," Mehsud adds.

In addition to the TTP, Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) and new murky groups have emerged as a significant threat to the elections. For nearly a year, the Tehrik-e Jihad Pakistan, a lesser-known militant group, has claimed responsibility for deadly attacks on security forces.

"All these entities can target candidates who had opposed them in the past or continue to do so," Mehsud said.

He adds that an indication of the presence and influence wielded by militants in the province is how some groups are trying to extort money from candidates in exchange for them not being attacked.

"Direct and indirect threats from various militant groups are front and center across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa," Mehsud said.

Islamist political parties -- previously immune from attack by the Islamist militants -- have become their main target in the province.

On January 3, Qari Khairullah, a candidate of Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), the largest Islamist political party, survived a roadside bomb attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's northern Bajaur district.

That came just three days after the convoy of JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman was shot at in Dera Ismail Khan, a southern district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The IS-K claimed in July to have carried out a devastating attack on a JUI-F rally in Bajaur. At least 56 people were killed and hundreds more injured in one of the deadliest attacks ever on Pakistani political parties.

"Our supporters are being threatened to keep them away from our rallies," Rehman told Pakistan's private Geo News TV.

He argued that, while militant attacks plagued elections in 2008 and 2013, these incidents didn't threaten the overall political process.

"We need an election, but we also need a conducive environment for [holding] elections," he said.

Rehman is visiting Taliban-ruled Afghanistan in an apparent bid to improve tense relations between the Taliban and its erstwhile ally Pakistan, where many are wondering whether the Taliban can persuade the TTP to refrain from attacking politicians and campaign rallies.

On January 11, Pakistani Information Minister Murtaza Solangi told journalists that the constitution requires the caretaker government to support the Election Commission to hold free, fair, and transparent elections.

"We will meet all the demands of the Election Commission regarding security," he said, adding that the security threats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa "are real, which the government is seeking to address."

Attacks by the Taliban and other Islamist militants had a significant impact on three previous elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Days before voting in July 2018, a suicide bomber killed senior ANP leader Haroon Bilour and scores of his supporters in Peshawar, the provincial capital.

In 2013, the TTP warned people to avoid three secular parties: the ANP, the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement. Scores of ANP supporters and candidates were killed in the run-up to the elections in daily TTP attacks across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

On December 27, 2007, former Pakistani Prime Minister and PPP leader Benazir Bhutto was killed just days ahead of the January 2008 parliamentary elections. The PPP won the vote.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-parliamentary- elections-khyber-patunkhwa-unrest/32770575.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.

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A rough sleeper "absolutely adored" by his local community has been forcibly evicted by an inner city council from the only place "he's felt safe"  where he had resided for four months.

It's prompted an outcry from furious locals who described the move as "disgusting", and say "the system is broken". Adam, understood to be in his 50s, has been homeless for some four years and, for the past four months, taken residence in the vicinity around Marrickville station.

According to local woman Ash Clancy, who befriended Adam and has developed a close relationship with him, he is well-known and much-loved by those in the area.

Adam was been sleeping rough near Marrickville station for months, before he was forcibly removed by council. Source: Supplied.

Community outraged by council's 'traumatising' act

Clancy says Adam, who lives with poor mental health in addition to a number of general health issues, spends his days chatting to cafe owners and locals, and even frequently cleans up the area  "something that council should be doing, but don't". She said he's very tidy, "folds up his belongings nicely" and isn't a bother to passersby  far from it.

Despite him being a much-loved occupant of the space, earlier this week Adam was given written notice and just days to leave  eventually being removed by officials from the Inner West Council. Now forced to reside in a nearby park  where he expects he'll also soon be removed from  Adam has been left with very few places to turn. Clancy says at the station, she and other locals were able to ensure his safety and monitor his health, assisting him where they can and taking him to doctors appointments.

Rough sleeper left with nowhere to turn as city's housing crisis escalates

Though the council did propose a handful of "solutions" to Adam's situation when moving him on, Clancy, a social worker, said virtually all of them are unachievable. Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, the Marrickville woman said Adam is "understandably distraught".

Story continues

Adam's now been forced to take up residence in a nearby park. Source: Supplied.

"Adam has been sleeping outside my house [in the station precinct] for probably about four months now," she told Yahoo, adding that he had previously been "kicked out" of another nearby park.

"He doesn't have a phone, if he does get a phone it gets stolen, so housing can't contact him and he doesn't get housing. It's like it's a vicious cycle. Then when he does engage with services, he gets kicked out of that spot and then the service can't find him again, because he has to move.

"Where I live, there's a post office, there's a whole bunch of cafes and shops [where people] absolutely adore him. Everyone in my building adores him. He probably cleans up the area more than the council do to be honest with you."

Marrickville woman Ash Clancy said she's outraged and disappointed by the council's 'traumatising' decision. Source: Supplied.

'System broken', Sydney woman says

Clancy said on Wednesday, council came "and stuck up that notice and said mate, you've got to move  you're being a nuisance". Two days later, Adam was gone.

"[They said] 'anything that's considered rubbish needs to be eradicated from the area by tomorrow. If not, we'll come down with the police'," she recalled.

"The notice that they gave him I found absolutely hilarious because I'm a social worker and the services that they did recommend that they put on this bit of paper, I've tried to refer him to those services for months  they're either at capacity, or he doesn't meet their criteria."

One such service recommended by the council was a women's shelter for domestic violence survivors, another had an eight-year waiting list. Many won't take Adam because he has no phone or phone number, resulting in technical difficulties logging him into systems.

"So for a lot of services  and I know how ridiculous this sounds  but if you don't have a phone or a fixed address, a lot of services won't take you," Clancy explained. "And that comes back to government funding, and the way that funding gets allocated.

The eviction has left Adam 'distraught' and with few places to turn. Source: Supplied.

'What about actual issues?'

"Organisations, the way they report, they have to report 'we've serviced this many clients this year'  if they don't have a fixed address or a phone number to prove that client was there, they can't log it, so they can't get funding for it. So they won't engage with those people."

Pulling one of the council workers aside the day of Adam's eviction, Clancy said she told the staffer "what you've actually done is really f***king traumatic".

"What about like actual issues that are actually affecting people in the Inner West? You think they'd be a little bit more progressive as well," she said. "[Adam] has got a whole bunch of mental health stuff going on. He has physical health stuff going on. He has a cracked rib. He's got circulation issues in his leg. He can't move any faster and quicker. It's 1000 degrees out here. And they go, 'oh, boy, he's just got to go'.

Adam is loved by the local Marrickville community and spends much of his time cleaning and tidying the space. Pictured here is local man Joey, a friend who is trying assist Adam. Source: Supplied.

Clancy has implored the council to do better, and pointed to nearby Woolloomooloo, in the city's inner-east, where she says the City of Sydney "actually supports the large homeless community there".

"They are welcomed by locals and they're not moved on by the council. The council actually sends support services down and actually addresses [their needs]," she said. Inner West Council has been contacted by Yahoo News Australia for comment.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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Secretary Blinken's Call with Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Cho

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

January 11, 2024

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul. Secretary Blinken congratulated Foreign Minister Cho on assuming his new role and reaffirmed the vital importance of the ironclad U.S.-ROK alliance in promoting peace, security, and prosperity around the world. Secretary Blinken thanked Foreign Minister Cho for the ROK signing the January 9 joint statement condemning Russia's use of ballistic missiles from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) against Ukraine. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Cho also agreed to continue working together to address the complex and evolving security challenges posed by the DPRK, as well to support peace and stability in the Tawain Strait and the South China Sea. Secretary Blinken also congratulated the ROK on its position as a non-permanent member on the UN Security Council.

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Finland's eastern border to remain closed

Finnish Government

Government Communications Department

Ministry of the Interior

11.1.2024

Press release

The Government has decided that the border crossing points on the land border between Finland and Russia will remain closed until 11 February 2024. It will not be possible to submit applications for international protection at any border crossing points on the land border between Finland and Russia. The Government decided on the matter in its session on 11 January 2024.

On 14 December 2023, the Government decided to temporarily close the border crossing points on Finland's eastern border for one month and to centralise the submission of applications for international protection. This was to stop instrumentalised migration at Finland's eastern border.

"Based on information gathered by the authorities, it is very likely that Russia's hybrid influence activities will resume and expand as we saw earlier. We therefore consider it necessary to keep the eastern border closed," says Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen.

The risk that instrumentalised migration will resume at the eastern border poses a serious threat to national security and public order in Finland. According to the authorities, it is clear that the Russian authorities or other actors have been facilitating instrumentalised migration. This phenomenon also involves international crime.

Based on information provided by the authorities, there are still migrants in the neighbouring area waiting for the eastern border to open. There are also more people in the migrants' countries of origin who wish to migrate to Finland.

The Government will regularly assess the content and scope of the decision as the situation develops in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior and other public authorities. The decision will be repealed or amended if it is no longer necessary to prevent a serious threat to national security or public order. The Ministry of the Interior is also examining alternative ways to put an end to the phenomenon.

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Russia warns of risk of nuclear response if Ukraine hits missile launch sites

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 11 January 2024 5:39 PM

The deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, has warned of a nuclear response in case Ukraine hits Russia's missile launch sites.

On Thursday the former Russian president warned that any Ukrainian attacks on missile launch sites inside Russia with arms supplied by the United States and its allies would risk a nuclear response from Moscow.

Medvedev said that some Ukrainian military commanders were considering hitting missile launch sites inside Russia with Western-supplied long-range missiles.

"What does this mean? It means only one thing - they risk running into the action of paragraph 19 of the fundamentals of Russia's state policy in the field of nuclear deterrence. This should be remembered," Medvedev said.

The deputy chairman did not disclose more details of the alleged Ukrainian plan.

As per paragraph 19 of Russia's 2020 nuclear doctrine, the conditions under which a Russian President would consider using a nuclear weapon are: as a response to an attack using nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction, or to the use of conventional weapons against Russia " if the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Russian Federation are under threat."

Medvedev made specific mention of point "g" of paragraph nineteen which deals with the nuclear response to a conventional weapons attack.

Russia has accused the US of undermining the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons through its support of Ukrainian forces in its conflict with Russia.

On December 28, the United States announced its latest arms package worth up to $250 million for Ukraine.

Kiev has accepted that Ukraine is a great "testing ground" for the military industry of the West, which is constantly pouring advanced arms and military equipment into the country despite repeated warnings by Russia that such a flow of arms will only prolong the war.

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Taking Action in Response to DPRK-Russia Ballistic Missile Transfers and Testing

US Department of State

Press Statement

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

January 11, 2024

The Department of State is imposing sanctions on three Russian entities and one individual involved in the transfer and testing of Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) ballistic missiles for Russia's use against Ukraine.

The DPRK's transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia supports Russia's war of aggression, increases the suffering of the Ukrainian people, and undermines the global nonproliferation regime. The United States continues to closely monitor any Russian-provided support to the DPRK in return for these weapons and will use all available tools to designate and expose individuals and entities involved in arms transfers between the DPRK and Russia. We will not hesitate to take further actions.

The Department of State sanctions were taken pursuant to Executive Order 14024 "Blocking Property With Respect To Specified Harmful Foreign Activities of the Government of the Russian Federation." For more information on today's actions, please see the Department of State's fact sheet.

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China launches 2 more rockets Thursday; no threat to Taiwan: MND

ROC Central News Agency

01/11/2024 04:10 PM

Taipei, Jan. 11 (CNA) China on Thursday launched another two rockets, which were carrying satellites, but neither of them passed near Taiwan and therefore did not pose any threat to the country, according to Taiwan's defense ministry.

In a statement, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said it had learned earlier that China was preparing to launch an unknown number of rockets from its Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at around 11:50 a.m. Thursday and from a location at sea near Shandong Province at about 1:30 p.m. the same day.

The ministry said one rocket was eventually launched from each site, with the first one flying over the Indian Ocean, and the other one passing over the East China Sea and the West Pacific region. The two rockets were carrying satellites and posed no threat to Taiwan's national security, as their trajectories were far away from the country, the MND said.

The MND did not provide any further information, saying only that it had been closely monitoring the rocket launches and was keeping the Taiwanese public informed.

The ministry issued the statement two days after a similar rocket launch by China triggered a public nationwide alert in Taiwan for the first time. The carrier rocket was launched from China's Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province at around 3:03 p.m. Tuesday.

As the rocket passed over Chenzhou in China's Hunan Province, however, it began to diverge from the trajectory forecast by The United States' Federal Aviation Agency, and it took a path towards Taiwan, the ministry said.

Due to the divergence and the risk of possible damage on the ground in Taiwan, the country's Air Force Combatant Command made a decision to send out an alert on the Public Warning System (PWS).

The nationwide alert, delivered mainly to mobile phones, caused some confusion, as the bilingual message said in English "Missile flyover Taiwan airspace, be aware," while the Chinese-language part of the message said it was a "satellite."

The MND later issued a public apology, saying it was a translation error, as the English wording used in the emergency text message had not been properly updated.

On Thursday, Chinese state media reported on the latest rocket launches, saying that close to noon a Kuaizhou-1A carrier rocket took off, carrying the new Tianxing-1 02 satellite, which will be used mainly for space environment research.

The second launch was the maiden flight of the new all-solid-motor Gravity1 rocket, which was commissioned by the Shandong-based commercial aerospace enterprise Orienspace Technology, and it took off from a platform in the Yellow Sea, near Haiyang port, the reports said.

(By Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/pc

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U.S. lawmakers introduce resolution commending Taiwan ahead of elections

ROC Central News Agency

01/11/2024 02:24 PM

Washington, Jan. 10 (CNA) Dozens of lawmakers in the United States House of Representatives introduced a bipartisan resolution Wednesday commending Taiwan for its commitment to democratic elections and institutions in the face of ongoing threats from China before election day on Jan. 13.

The resolution is led by Democrat Gerry Connolly and Ami Bera, and Republican Mario Diaz-Balart and Andy Barr, co-chairs of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus. It is sponsored by at least 35 representatives.

The House regards the democracy of Taiwan as a great strategic strength for the free world and an indispensable component of contemporary U.S.-Taiwan relations and remains concerned about China's interference in Taiwan's 2024 elections, according to the resolution.

The House is committed to continuing a strong partnership with Taiwan across diplomatic, information, military, economic, and cultural domains, regardless of the outcome of the upcoming elections, the resolution stated.

In a statement, Connolly said it was imperative that the U.S. stands in total solidarity with Taiwan and its commitment to democracy.

"In the face of relentless threats and intimidation from the People's Republic of China, Taiwan's leadership as a global leader in public health, advanced manufacturing, and democratic governance underscore the importance of protecting democratic institutions and rejecting authoritarianism at home and abroad," he said.

Meanwhile, Rep. Michael McCaul, one of the co-sponsors and chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, stated that as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) ramps up disinformation about Taiwan, "democracies around the world must support Taiwan's democratic process."

"This resolution affirms Congress' support of Taiwan as a beacon of democracy in the Indo-Pacific and the Taiwanese people's wishes," he added.

An identical resolution led by Republican Senator Dan Sullivan and Democratic Senator Tim Kaine is set to be introduced in the Senate on Thursday and has at least 35 sponsors.

In a statement, Sullivan said it's a "volatile and potentially dangerous time," and that between the Jan. 13 elections and the inauguration in May, the U.S. needs to show steady, unwavering commitment and resolve in support of Taiwan's democracy and to enhance cross-strait deterrence.

Sullivan stated that Taiwan is considered one of the freest countries in the world and that every Taiwan election threatens the central premise of the CCP.

"Millions of Chinese on the mainland will be watching Taiwan's upcoming election and asking the question, 'Why can't we do that?'" Sullivan said, adding that this was "a giant vulnerability for Xi Jinping."

Meanwhile, Kaine stated that Taiwan is a thriving democracy and one of the U.S. closest partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

In light of Taiwan's upcoming elections, the U.S. should "stand strong" in support of Taiwan's democratic institutions, and it's important that the Taiwanese people know that they have U.S. support, Kaine said.

The resolution sends a clear message that any interference by the CCP in the 2024 elections will not be tolerated, and reaffirms the U.S. commitment to a continuing partnership with a free and democratic Taiwan, Kaine added.

(By Chiang Chin-yeh and Evelyn Yang)

Enditem/ASG

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Overseas Chinese influencers decry ex-President Ma's cross-strait stance

ROC Central News Agency

01/11/2024 11:01 PM

Taipei, Jan. 11 (CNA) Former president Ma Ying-jeou's () recent controversial take on navigating the relationship between Taiwan and China was a focal point during a forum in Taipei on Thursday that featured an election observer group comprised of media personalities.

The forum, held by the Taipei Trust in Democracy Association, was attended by a group of prominent Chinese-speaking vloggers and influencers who post political content and are critical of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The privately-run association founded by former Want Daily President Huang Ching-lung () states on its website that it works to study cross-strait issues and offer unbiased and practical suggestions.

Among those in attendance was U.S.-based vlogger Zhang Tianliang (), who questioned Ma's claim in an interview with Deutsche Welle (DW) that the United States would "try everything to avoid directly" getting involved in a conflict with China if the latter invaded Taiwan.

"That's totally wrong," Zhang told the forum. "The United States, whether it be for self-interest, for maintaining the world order established after World War II, or for maintaining its supply chains worldwide, would definitely protect Taiwan, make no mistake about it," Zhang said.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the forum, Hong Kong electronics entrepreneur-turned-political activist Elmer Yuen () said Ma was a "fool" for telling DW something as nonsensical as "you have to" trust Chinese leader Xi Jinping () when it comes to cross-strait relations.

"If you deal with the CCP, you will get ripped off, because everything you've agreed upon, they will simply ignore," he said, citing the Sino-British Joint Declaration signed between the United Kingdom and China in 1984 that stated Hong Kong would retain 50 years of self-governance under a "one country, two systems" framework after its handover to China in 1997.

China on July 1, 2017, unilaterally voided the document, saying it was a "historical document" that no longer had practical significance.

"That's why Hong Kong no longer has a future," he said.

In his video uploaded Thursday morning before the forum, vlogger Tang Jingyuan () took issue with Ma's comments that Taiwan should also focus on peaceful dialogue with China rather than on solely building up its military capacity.

In the interview with DW, the former president said Taiwan's current spending on defense, which makes up about 2.5 percent of its GDP, would have been sufficient and could even have been reduced if a working communication mechanism had existed between the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Beijing.

Ma was also dismissive of the DPP administration's extension of conscription to 12 months, arguing that four months would have been sufficient if the two sides of the Taiwan Strait had the potential to resolve issues through dialogue.

Asked by CNA to elaborate on his views, Tang said peace should not come at the expense of freedom.

"Although Chinese people largely live a comfortable life - after all, China is the second largest economy in the world - they have no freedom. The economy seems quite good. But they have no freedom, and that life is exactly the life that the CCP envisions for Taiwanese people."

In choosing the future direction of their country, the first consideration for Taiwanese should not be how likely a war is to break out, but whether there will continue to be freedom, Tang said.

"If a bully is sharpening his knife and ready to plunder your property and occupy your home, you don't have a choice," he said.

United Microelectronics Corporation founder Robert Tsao (), who was invited to the forum as a speaker, slammed Ma for suggesting that peace depended on the goodwill of Xi.

"Taiwan is like no other democracy. It is faced with an autocratic strong power, which thinks all day long about how to upend its government," Tsao said.

He urged the Taiwanese people to be mindful of Chinese attempts to infiltrate Taiwan culturally and ethnically, influence it economically, and intimidate it militarily.

He described the presidential and legislative elections on Saturday as a war between a young democracy and an autocracy that is constantly running a "united front" campaign against the former.

"We can't afford to take any chances in the face of the evil communist party," he said of the upcoming elections.

(By Sean Lin)

Enditem/kb

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KMT presidential nominee Hou rules out unification talks with China

ROC Central News Agency

01/11/2024 01:28 PM

Taipei, Jan. 11 (CNA) Kuomintang (KMT) presidential nominee Hou Yu-ih () on Thursday ruled out holding talks with Beijing over unification between Taiwan and China if elected president.

Hou made the remarks in response to a question raised at a pre-election press event in Taipei by a New York Times reporter, who asked the KMT nominee if he would be willing to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping (), and, if so, what would be discussed.

While Hou did not directly answer the first question, he did state that he would "not touch [with China] on the unification issue during my presidency."

Hou said that things had changed since the administration of former KMT President Ma Ying-jeou (), who held a historic meeting with Xi in Singapore near the end of his presidency in November 2015.

The meeting between Ma and Xi was the first between political leaders on both sides of the Taiwan Strait since 1949, the year when large-scale fighting in the Chinese Civil War ended.

Hou said that repeating such high-level exchanges was "impossible" due to the deterioration in relations with Beijing under Taiwan's current Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government.

Despite appearing to rule out meeting with Xi, Hou did say that he would seek to resume dialogue with China via existing channels to de-escalate tensions.

In addition to using Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation and China's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits as semi-official conduits, Hou proposed enhancing economic, religious and academic exchanges with China and using this as a springboard toward high-level official interactions.

Hou added that he held a different view on a number of key issues with Ma, adding that he would not have "unrealistic expectations" of China.

The KMT candidate then reiterated his stance that Taiwan needs to be prepared militarily to serve as strong deterrence so that Taipei could have the leverage to enter negotiations with Beijing.

Hou's remarks came after Ma stirred controversy in an interview with Deutsche Welle published Wednesday, in which he discussed his views on cross-strait relations.

Speaking in English, the 73-year-old Ma noted that unification with China was, constitutionally speaking, a possibility for Taiwan.

"Unification is something that our constitution says. So, it's actually acceptable to Taiwan, but it has to be done peacefully and through a democratic process," Ma said.

"If that can be done [in such a manner] the chances are people in Taiwan may be interested in accepting that [unification]," he said.

Ma also described the notion Taiwan should spend enough on its military so that it could hold off a Chinese attack until the United States or Japan could assist as "too optimistic."

"No matter how much you defend yourself, you can never fight a war with the mainland. You can never win, they [China] are too large, too much stronger than us," Ma said.

Ma said Taiwan should use nonmilitary means to reduce tensions with China, adding that this was something people on both sides of the strait were in favor of.

"If you've always believed in a strong defense, it's all right. But in that situation [for Taiwan] it would be very dangerous to our people."

Asked whether this displayed a "defeatist" attitude, Ma said deterrence was a challenging endeavor, adding that Taiwan "should not place all our faith in defense."

"We have to use peaceful means," Ma said.

Meanwhile, when asked if Xi was to be trusted, Ma said that as far as cross-strait relations were concerned, "you have to."

Ma's comments, made just three days before Taiwan's presidential and legislative elections, drew a rebuke from the DPP, which accused the former president of a "despicable" attempt to mislead foreign media about the public consensus on cross-strait relations in Taiwan.

At a press conference Wednesday, DPP spokeswoman Tai Wei-shan () described Ma's views as a "departure from reality" that differed sharply from those held by the Taiwanese society.

(By Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/ASG

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4 Kaohsiung ward chiefs indicted over involvement in China trip

ROC Central News Agency

01/11/2024 11:31 PM

Taipei, Jan. 11 (CNA) Prosecutors on Thursday indicted four ward chiefs in Kaohsiung for their alleged involvement in a recent Beijing trip subsidized in part by the Chinese government.

According to the Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office, a ward chief identified by his last name Chen (e), organized and led a tour group of 31 people, including several Kaohsiung ward chiefs and local residents, to Beijing in September last year.

The six-day trip, which came at the request of a local Chinese government official who handles Taiwan affairs, cost NT$17,500 (US$563) per person covering the expense of their ticket, with all other expenses in China, including transportation, food, and accommodation, covered by the host, prosecutors said.

While there, Chen and several of the office's Chinese officials made statements including "both sides of the strait belong to one family" and that a "certain political party" in Taiwan should be removed from power.

The Chinese officials and Chen also suggested that the visitors should vote for a "certain political party" in Taiwan's upcoming Jan. 13 presidential and legislative elections, prosecutors said.

Raids were carried out at different locations in Kaohsiung on Dec, 20, during which several people, including Chen, were questioned over their involvement in the case.

The Kaohsiung prosecutors' office said Chen was indicted for alleged contraventions of the Anti-Infiltration Act, the Public Officials Election And Recall Act, and the Presidential and Vice Presidential Election and Recall Act.

Meanwhile, three other Kaohsiung ward chiefs were charged with "Offenses of Interference with Voting" under the Criminal Code for their involvement in the trip.

Elsewhere on Thursday, a woman surnamed Lin who previously ran as a candidate for Chiayi City Councilor was indicted for organizing a recent trip to China at the request of the Zhejiang Provincial People's Government Taiwan Affairs Office.

Based on a document released by the Chiayi District Prosecutors Office, the 54-year-old Lin was also indicted for suspected violations of the election law.

(By Lin Chiao-lien, Huang Kuo-fang and Ko Lin)

Enditem/kb

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China to US: Stop sending wrong signals to 'Taiwan independence' separatists

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 11 January 2024 6:44 AM

China has reiterated its firm opposition to any official contact between the United States and the Chinese Taipei, urging Washington to stop sending wrong signals to separatist forces in the self-ruled island.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a regular press conference on Wednesday, a day after Taiwan's de facto ambassador to the US met with Mike Johnson, speaker of the US House of Representatives.

"There is only one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. China firmly opposes the US having any form of official contact with the Taiwan region," Ning said.

She went on to say that the US "needs to earnestly abide by the one-China principle and stipulations of the three China-US joint communiquAs, prudently and properly handle Taiwan-related issues, and stop official contact with the Taiwan region."

The Chinese spokesperson further called on the US to stop sending wrong signals to the so-called "independence" forces of Taiwan and refrain from interfering in the self-governed island's elections.

Ning also stressed that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities' attempt to solicit support from the US and other countries for "Taiwan independence" will not succeed.

China has sovereignty over the Chinese Taipei, and under the "One China" policy, almost all world countries recognize that sovereignty. The US, too, recognizes the Chinese sovereignty over the island but has long courted Taipei in an attempt to unnerve Beijing.

The Chinese government strongly opposes other countries pursuing official and diplomatic ties with the Chinese Taipei and has consistently warned the US and other states against engaging with the self-proclaimed government in Taipei.

The latest development comes just days ahead of Chinese Taipei's crucial general elections, which could push the wayward island politically closer to or farther from Beijing.

Taiwan DDP presidential candidate 'dangerous': China

Meanwhile, China has warned of the "extreme danger" of Taiwan's ruling party presidential candidate Lai Ching-te, saying he would further promote separatist activities if he comes to power.

Chen Binhua, a spokesman for China's Taiwan Affairs Office under the State Council, made the remarks in a statement on Thursday, adding that Beijing hopes that the majority of Taiwanese "make the right choice" ahead of crucial elections.

"I sincerely hope the majority of Taiwan compatriots recognize the extreme harm of the DPP's 'Taiwan independence' line and the extreme danger of Lai Ching-te's triggering of cross-Strait confrontation and conflict, and to make the right choice at the crossroads of cross-Strait relations," he said.

On January 13, Taiwan will hold presidential and parliamentary elections.

Tsai Ing-wen, who is the president of Taiwan, comes from the DPP. By tradition, the DPP advocates independence for the island. Taipei claims the island is under constant military threat from China. Beijing dismisses that allegation.

The threat perceived by Taiwan has become a pretext for Tsai to purchase weapons from the United States, the island's largest arms supplier, only to infuriate Beijing.

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I love January in upstate New York. Daylight length is getting longer, little by little, each day that passes. Winter temperatures are setting in, and the nighttime temperatures are creeping lower, making for a comfortable nights sleep under the blankets. My favorite January chores involve preparing for our backyard maple syrup season. Its time to plan for tapping our maple trees, collecting the sap, boiling the sap down and finishing it into pure, New York state, homegrown maple syrup!

We dont have a lot of maple trees, so our operation is very small. At first, I didnt think we had enough trees to make our own syrup. But after learning about the process to make our own maple syrup, my wife and I set a goal of making 1 quart of maple syrup from our own trees. A quart of maple syrup sells for about $25, and we would attempt to break even on the costs compared to the value. I was willing to go into the hole a few dollars to pay for the bragging rights of telling my brothers that I made my own maple syrup. The look of jealousy on your siblings' faces cannot be undervalued!

It takes about 40 gallons of maple tree sap to make 1 gallon of pure maple syrup. Or, it takes about 10 gallons (two buckets) to make one quart. However, the exact amount of sap needed depends on the sugar content of the sap when it comes out of the tree. Every tree will have different levels of sugar in their sap. For example, sugar content for maple trees can range from 1% to 5%, but its normal to see around 2%. (The units of measure most often used for syrup density are called Brix. One unit of Brix is equal to about 1% sugar content.) With 2% sugar content in sap, you can produce 1 gallon of syrup from 43 gallons of sap.

Maple syrup can be produced from other maple trees, too, not just sugar maples. Maple trees in New York state that can produce maple syrup include the red maple (Acer rubrum), silver maple (Acer saccharinum) and the box elder (Acer negundo). Box elder is not like the other maples because it has a compound leaf (more than one leaflet per stem) compared to the other maples listed above. They have simple leaves, meaning there is one leaflet per stem, which is what most people think of when envisioning a maple leaf one stem and one leaflet.

The major problem I incur when producing my own maple syrup is a condition called analysis paralysis." Thats when I over-analyze what I am going to do this year to be more efficient at producing maple syrup. Its a real problem. When I first started producing maple syrup, I used only a turkey fryer propane burner and a large pot to evaporate the water from the sap. It was super easy. As the sap boiled, and the steam carried water out of the concentration, I would add a little more sap from my collection bucket. Then, when the sap level in the pot was low, and the mixture looked a dark tint of brown, I would take the rest inside the kitchen, and finish it in the house. Now, several years later, we have a more complicated process to collect and boil the sap, but I am still finishing in the kitchen. Last year, we produced about four gallons. This year, my wife, two sons and I are going to tap red maples in addition to our sugar maples, and I am hoping we produce six gallons of maple syrup.

There is a lot to learn when it comes to maple syruping, but you can choose to keep the process very simple. You only need some maple trees, a collection system, a way to boil the sap and a candy thermometer. If you are interested to learn about tapping a few trees in your backyard to make some backyard maple syrup, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County will host a Backyard Maple Syrup Workshop from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 27, at the Scipio Center Volunteer Fire Department, 3550 Route 34, Scipio Center. The registration fee to attend this workshop is $10 per person and includes doughnuts and coffee. Participants will learn how to identify maple trees and review the process to make maple syrup, including tapping trees, collecting sap and processing sap into syrup, along with learning how to access educational resources available through the Cornell Maple Program. To register, visit ccecayuga.org.
US, S Korea vow to cooperate on Taiwan as election nears

Both stressed that their partnership is to promote 'peace, security, and prosperity around the world.'

By Lee Jeong-Ho for RFA 2024.01.11 -- The United States and South Korea have reaffirmed their commitment to work together in maintaining stability in the Taiwan Strait, as cross-strait tensions show signs of escalation in light of the upcoming presidential election in the self-governing island on Saturday.

The U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and his new South Korean counterpart Cho Tae-yul had a call Thursday and agreed to address global challenges including the Taiwan matter, according to a State Department statement released later in the day.

Blinken and Cho agreed to cooperate in supporting "peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea," the State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in the statement.

Blinken and the new South Korean foreign minister Cho, who will officially be sworn in on Friday, also emphasized that their partnership was now a global alliance that carries "vital importance" in promoting "peace, security, and prosperity around the world," the statement read.

Expanding the operational theater of the U.S.-South Korea alliance "around the world" implies that South Korean forces are to be engaged in matters beyond the Korean peninsula, a step that Seoul has long been cautious about due to threats from North Korea.

However, the use of this term has become more frequent since the tenure of former President Moon Jae-in, and further articulated under the current President Yoon Suk Yeol who places a stronger emphasis on its partnership with Washington.

This shift was notably marked in November when the defense ministers of both nations agreed to evolve their military alliance into a global partnership, an expansion aimed at addressing not just threats from North Korea but also broader challenges that affect regional and global peace.

The latest statement from Washington and Seoul came days before Taiwan's Presidential election on Saturday. The results of this election could influence Taiwan's future interactions with the U.S. and China, potentially impacting regional security and political dynamics.

Over the past eight years, while Taiwan has been governed by the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Beijing has notably escalated its military posturing against Taipei, marked by increased military exercises in the Taiwan Strait.

With the DPP candidate Lai Ching-te leading in major polls, concerns over the possibility of military conflict are growing, fuelled by Beijing's consistent stance that it does not rule out the use of force to achieve reunification.

Maintaining peace in Taiwan has become a critical issue for South Korea.

In the event of a war between China and Taiwan, South Korea's GDP is expected to suffer the second largest decline following Taiwan, according to a Bloomberg Economics calculation released Tuesday. South Korea's GDP is projected to decrease by 23.3%, following Taiwan, which could see a reduction of 40%.

The economic damage to South Korea is greater than that projected for China, a primary participant in the conflict, where the economic damage is estimated to be a GDP shrink of 16.7%.

With the economic projection indicating severe damage to South Korea's economy, Seoul has recently become more outspoken on the Taiwan issue.

South Korea - along with the U.S. and Japan - convened its first trilateral Indo-Pacific dialogue in Washington last week, and released a joint statement defending freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific. The three "opposed any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion anywhere in the waters of the Indo-Pacific," the statement said.

The three "reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as indispensable to security and prosperity in the international community," it added.

On Monday, China's foreign ministry strongly criticized the joint statement, labeling it interference in Beijing's internal affairs.

Yoon in April also made comments about Taiwan in an interview with Reuters, saying that the situation in the Taiwan Strait was now a "global issue."

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.

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Background Press Call by a Senior Administration Official on Taiwan Elections

January 11, 2024

National Security Council

Via Teleconference

6:46 P.M. EST

MODERATOR: Hi there. Good evening, everybody. And I know a few folks maybe heard us having a little chatter here before the kickoff of the call. So, just wanted to say that this call is going to be held under embargo until the close of the call. The call is going to be on background, attributable to senior administration officials.

For awareness but not for reporting, joining us on the call today is [senior administration official].

And with that, I will hand it over to her for some quick remarks, and then we'll open it up to questions.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Great, thank you so much. And, all, thanks so much for joining tonight. You heard me trying to figure out how to approach a few things ahead of time, so don't often get the sausage but sometimes you do.

It's been a few months since we've held a backgrounder on Taiwan issues. And with the elections coming up on January 13th, we thought it was timely to do.

I'll give just a brief laydown and then pause for questions at the end. And hopefully we can wrap this up. [Moderator], what do we have a about half an hour or so?

MODERATOR: Yep, just about.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Great. Sounds good.

So, on January 13th, Taiwan will hold presidential and legislative elections following a transition period. The Taiwan president-elect will be inaugurated on May 20th. This election marks the island's fourth transition between democratically elected administrations since fully democratic elections were first held in 1996.

The United States has full confidence in Taiwan's democratic processes, and there is strong bipartisan support for its free and fair elections.

Taiwan is a model for democracy not only in the region but also globally. We oppose any outside interference or influence in Taiwan's elections.

Of course, the United States does not take sides in these elections, does not have a favored or preferred candidate. Regardless of whom is elected, our policy toward Taiwan will remain the same, and our strong unofficial relationship will also continue.

The United States and China of course have had differences on cross-Strait issues, but over the last 40 years we have managed these differences.

When President Biden met with President Xi in San Francisco this past November, he made clear that U.S. policy toward Taiwan has not and will not change. He reiterated that we are committed to our longstanding One China policy which is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the Three Joint CommuniquAs, and the Six Assurances.

He indicated that we oppose any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side. We do not support Taiwan independence. We support cross-Strait dialogue, and we expect cross-Strait differences to be resolved by peaceful means, free from coercion, in a manner that is acceptable to the people on both sides of the Strait. We do not take a position on the ultimate resolution of cross-Strait differences, provided they are resolved peacefully.

I'm not going to speculate on what the PRC reaction will be to the elections or their outcome, but will note that the election is part of a normal, routine democratic process. Beijing will be the provocateur should it choose to respond with additional military pressure or coercion.

Of course, peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is critical to countries and economies around the globe. Taiwan is a key part of global supply chains, and by some estimates, about half of all global trade flows through the Taiwan Strait.

For all these reasons, a disruption to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait would seriously damage the global economy, and the spillover would affect all economies around the world.

Throughout this election and transition period, we will ensure channels of communication are open with Beijing, both diplomatic and the recently reopened mil-mil channels. In keeping with past precedent and our unofficial relationship with Taiwan, we will also ensure AIT and the AIT chair are in close touch with Taiwan interlocutors to reinforce both our support for Taiwan's democratic processes and also our strong commitment to peace, stability, and the status quo. There should be no unilateral changes by either side to the status quo.

We also intend to send an unofficial delegation after the Taiwan election. We're not in a position to confirm the timing of the delegation or the participants, in part because contrary to press reports, some of this is still being decided. We will have more to share in the coming days.

But I did want to provide some context about these types of delegations and the frequency with which we have used them not just in this administration, but other administrations in the past.

First, given our unofficial relationship with Taiwan, we often send these high-level unofficial delegations of former government officials to Taipei. We have a decades-long tradition of doing so; this is nothing new.

In the last 20 years, we have sent former Cabinet secretaries, former deputy secretaries of state, former national security advisors, former assistant secretaries, former members of Congress, former governors, former chairmen of the Joint Chiefs, and even former White House chiefs of staff.

In fact, President Biden has sent an unofficial delegation twice before of former U.S. government officials in April of 2021 and February of 2022. In those instances, one was post-U.S. inauguration. In April '21, two former deputy secretaries joined. We have also a and I think former members of Congress as well. Neither of these, over the past several years, were viewed as escalatory by the PRC.

So, sending delegations is well within precedent. It is, of course, consistent with our One China policy, consistent with the status quo, and timed after the election to ensure that we are not endorsing one candidate or one party over the other.

Second, we also have a longstanding precedent for sending former senior USG officials with the AIT chair to Taiwan, after the Taiwan elections. And this has been ongoing, again, for about 20 years, back to 2000. We're going to maintain that precedent after this election too.

In 2016, we sent former Deputy Secretary Bill Burns and the AIT chair to Taipei to meet with the incoming team and the losing candidates.

I will pause there perhaps.

And again, I think the point I want to convey in this backgrounder is, first, I think elections, normal process ongoing for some time. We're not expecting at this point or predicting what will happen or what the PRC response will be. But the point being here, we're focused on peace, stability, and status quo, and talking via our normal channels of communication with both Beijing and Taipei through types of del- a unofficial delegations like the one we will be sending post-election, as well as via AIT and the AIT chair.

So, I'll pause there and welcome any questions. Over to you.

MODERATOR: With that, we'll defer to the conference room folks to give instructions on how to ask questions, and we'll start calling them.

First, we'll go to Trevor Hunnicutt with Reuters.

Q Hey, thanks for doing the call. Two related questions. You know, it's been pretty well documented that Beijing is doing its part to interfere in these elections. Is the Biden administration doing enough to help Taiwan defend against that kind of interference? And, two, are you concerned that a future administration in Taipei will pause or reverse asymmetric defense preparations? Thank you.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Thanks. I think on the interference question, we've been pretty clear in our communications with Beijing, and publicly for that matter, that any form of interference coercion we have serious concerns about. It is interfering with the legitimate democratic political processes, and it certainly would paint Beijing as a provocateur in this election.

On the question about defense, you know, as part of our unofficial relationship with Taiwan, or unofficial partnership with Taiwan, AIT, of course, has been in regular touch with all of the candidates. And I think our expectation is that the strong partnership that we have would endure both on security assistance issues but also on economic, trade, people-to-people, and all that whole list of pieces or parts of the relationship.

But again, I think, you know, before we have a president in place, or president-elect, I don't want to speculate beyond that. But I would say, overall, our expectation is that our unofficial relationship would continue to be strong in all the dimension of security assistance, people-to-people, economic, and trade.

MODERATOR: Next, we're going to go to Nick Schifrin with PBS.

Q Thanks for doing this. Can you just say on that first point: You know, the Taiwanese are very specific in the kinds of interference that they say are already happening a cyberattacks, economic coercion, and some others. Can you say whether the U.S. believes Beijing is already committing those actions that Taiwan accuses them of, is already trying to influence the election?

And in terms of after the election, the delegations that you spoke about, the precedent is not only to go to Taipei but also send a delegation to Beijing. Even if you can't detail the people, can you confirm that the delegation a that a delegation would go to Beijing after the election, along the lines of precedent that the U.S has sent in the past after Taiwanese elections? Thanks.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Great, thanks. On the first one, I think, you know, we'll continue to use the channels of communication that we have with Beijing and that have been effective through various periods of higher tension over the last year.

On the question of interference or influence, you know, obviously, this is something we're watching quite closely. We're in touch via AIT with Taipei on this, on what they're seeing, what they're concerned about.

The point I want to emphasize and I think it's important to convey is we have complete confidence in Taiwan's democratic processes. We're not concerned that this is going to impact the election outcome. And they've been extremely diligent and careful about pointing out where there's disinformation, pointing out where there's misinformation, you know, different attempts Beijing or Beijing's proxies may be making in this space.

I mean, it is no secret, I think, that Beijing has views on the outcome of the elections and is trying to shape and coerce in various different ways.

But what I want to convey here is that we are confident in Taiwan's democratic election processes.

Q And then, the delegation to Beijing?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Yeah, I think on that a that was my first answer. I think we'll use the channels of communication that we have used in other times with Beijing. I think how we do that and the manner in which we do that is different according a you know, it changes over time. So we have not always sent a delegation to Beijing. And I'll leave it there for the time being.

MODERATOR: Next, we're going to go to Demetri with the FT.

Q Thanks. Without asking you to confirm the names of the high-level former officials going to Taipei, can you give us an understanding of what they're actually going there to do?

And then, separately, in the meetings today in the White House, did Liu Jianchao make clear what China would like Taiwan a the Taiwanese election victor to say and also what they would like them not to say in their victory acceptance speech?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Thanks, Demetri. On the purpose of the unofficial delegation, you know, the way these have been used in the past is to ensure that we are communicating clearly to both the president-elect, but also the other candidates as well, about the importance of strong unofficial partnership, being clear about what the U.S. One China policy is and what it is not.

And given, you know, the uniqueness of this unofficial relationship, doing that face-to-face via these unofficial delegations is really the most effective way to do it. It's exactly the type of engagement that contributes to peace and stability, in our view. And it's also just critical to manage cross-Strait tensions and cross-Strait issues in this way. That direct a there's really no replacement for that direct communication. And that's what we're trying to get at through this unofficial delegation.

As to the Liu Jianchao meeting, I won't go into specifics of what was raised, but I think what we heard from him a it's worth keeping in mind, you know, he's not an MFA official. He's from sort of a different part of the institution than we normally a than normally travels.

So a but even given that, I'd say the conversation was quite consistent with what we have heard in other senior-level engagements about PRC concerns about this election, about the sensitive period ahead. Nothing in there would surprise you or be different than what, you know, President Biden heard from President Xi and we read out in the post-Woodside meetings.

MODERATOR: Next, we're going to go to Charles Hutzler.

Q Hi, thanks for doing this. I just wanted to follow up on Demetri's questions. I mean, first of all, on this message that Beijing should not interfere, that no one should interfere in Taiwan's election, can you sort of catalog when that message has been delivered to Beijing most recently? Has it been delivered publicly? And, as well, what's delivered to Liu Jianchao?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Thanks for the question, Charles. Yeah, I think in terms of the concerns about a or, you know, underscoring the need to ensure there's no interference, that's a message we've consistently delivered, I say, in about every high-level engagement over the last six months or so, if not before.

So, certainly in the Woodside summit, that was a message that was clearly delivered. In National Security Advisor Sullivan's meetings with Wang Yi, that certainly has been something that we have conveyed as well, and as well through the channel we have here with Ambassador Xie Feng.

So this is a consistent message that the U.S. is sending to PRC interlocutors, including with Liu Jianchao.

MODERATOR: Next, we'll go to Shaun Tandon with AFP.

Q Hey there. Thanks for this call. Could I extend a little bit on the question that Nick asked, talking about the actions that China has already taken? Do you see this as consistent with what China has done in previous Taiwanese elections or anything different?

And in terms a of course, there's the military talks this week, the mil-to-mil at the Pentagon. Do you think that affected at all the equation in terms of what you expect in terms of behavior from China?

And just briefly, trade. There, of course, were trade talks with Taiwan in the past year. Do you expect this to go full speed ahead with the new administration, no matter who it is? Or are you waiting to see a new administration form? Thanks.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Thanks for that. On coercion or shaping and influencing, I think this has been a longstanding practice of Beijing. I think what we're seeing is consistent with what we have seen in the past, without commenting on specifics, of course. But I think, you know, there's a pattern of behavior we have seen here that is fairly consistent.

On trade, you know, I think trade issues, of course a or the trade relationship with Taiwan is important. We have worked hard, and I think we're all proud of the 21st century trade initiative in Phase One that was signed last year. Our intent is to continue moving forward on Phase Two as well, but I don't have any details for you on when. I simply don't have that at my fingertips. But I would not expect that is something that would slow down dependent on the results of the election. I think that's something there is bipartisan support for in Taipei as well.

MODERATOR: And our last question is going to go to Morgan Chalfant with Semafor.

Q Thanks so much for doing this. I know you won't get into predictions about a Chinese reaction, but can you talk about how the U.S. is preparing for a potential Chinese military reaction? And how worried are you about, you know, a provocative reaction disrupting some of the progress that the U.S. and China has made over the last couple of months?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: You know, I think anytime we're heading into a period of higher tension, there are, of course, always contingency conversations in the U.S. government that is part of prudential planning. I don't want to get into specifics on those, but of course we have to be prepared and thinking through any eventuality, ranging from, you know, no response to higher end.

Sorry, and the second part of your question?

Q I was just wondering how worried you are about, you know, a provocative response disrupting some of the progress that the U.S. and China has made over the last couple of months.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Yeah, no, it's a good question, but I think it's putting the frame of Taiwan elections and cross-Strait issues in a context that I don't think is the right context.

The health of the U.S.-China relationship I don't think you can view as a derivative of cross-Strait tensions. I mean, we are deeply engaged in diplomacy with China to try to manage difficult situations. Our expectation is not that China is going to change its cross-Strait policy, it's how do we manage this difficult time and try to avoid unintended conflict, ensure our intent is clear, and ensure that we are in communications. And that's precisely what we're doing through this period of diplomacy over the last, you know, year or so.

MODERATOR: You know what, we've actually got time for one more. Let's go to Kevin Collier with NBC.

Q Hi, thanks for that. Can you articulate a I understand that there are, you know, different groups that have made allegations of information operations and election interference that China has used to target Taiwan, but what is the NSC's understanding of that issue? What has China done?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: You know, I think it's a Taiwan is pretty advanced in being able to pinpoint and identify what's going on in their own system. So I think rather than looking at us as the source for this, I would look to Taiwan as the source and look at their announcements, look at what they've put out there in open source on this.

I think broadly speaking, you know, we've seen a and it is not surprising we have seen a Chinese att- a or Beijing's attempts to try to shape the information environment, try to put economic pressure on the island through announcements of tariff changes that we've seen over the last couple of weeks.

So, again, none of this is surprising to me. And I think Taiwan is quite good in this space in calling it out for what it is. And I would point to them as the source of that information.

MODERATOR: All right, that concludes this evening's call. Thank you all, and we should follow up shortly with a transcript.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Thanks so much, folks. Look forward to continuing the conversation.

7:08 P.M. EST

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China urges U.S. to stop interfering in elections in Taiwan region

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 08:05, January 12, 2024

BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Thursday said that the elections in the Taiwan region are purely China's internal affairs, which brook no external interference, and China urges the U.S. side to stop interfering in elections in the Taiwan region in any form.

Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a daily press briefing when answering a relevant query.

Mao said there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. China firmly opposes the United States having any form of official contact with the Taiwan region.

The United States needs to earnestly abide by the one-China principle and stipulations of the three China-U.S. joint communiques, prudently and properly handle Taiwan-related issues, stop official contact with the Taiwan region, and stop sending wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, she said.

The United States must not interfere in the elections in the Taiwan region in any form, or do anything harmful to China-U.S. relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, she said.

The Taiwan question is China's internal affairs. Elections in the Taiwan region are purely China's internal affairs that brook no external interference, said Mao, noting that China deplores and strongly opposes the U.S.' unwarranted comments on Taiwan's elections.

Mao stressed that the Taiwan question is the very core of China's core interests and is the first red line that must not be crossed in China-U.S. relations.

China urges the United States to abide by the one-China principle and stipulations of the three China-U.S. joint communiques, honor the commitment made by U.S. leaders, stop interfering in elections in the Taiwan region in any form and stop sending wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, said the spokesperson.

She added China will take resolute and strong measures to safeguard its sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.

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PM call with President al-Sisi of Egypt: 11 January 2024

The Prime Minister spoke to Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi this afternoon.

11 January 2024

The Prime Minister spoke to Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi this afternoon.

They discussed the concerning rise in Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and the disruptive impact on global shipping, including through the Suez Canal.

The Prime Minister said the UK would continue to take action to defend freedom of navigation and protect lives at sea.

The Prime Minister thanked President Sisi for his continued support on the humanitarian and diplomatic effort in Gaza, including on joint work to secure the release of British hostages and those with links to the UK.

They agreed on the importance of significantly scaling up the aid reaching Palestinians in Gaza to prevent a worsening humanitarian crisis. The Prime Minister said the UK was urging Israel to open more land crossings and to allow in far greater quantities of aid, up to 500 trucks a day.

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Scholz: Europe is committed to Ukraine and liberty

Germany - Federal Government

On the occasion of the inaugural visit of Luxembourg's Prime Minister Frieden, Federal Chancellor Scholz highlighted the excellent relations between the two countries. He called upon the European partners to intensify their commitment to providing military support to Ukraine, pointing out that Germany planned to contribute aid worth more than 7 billion euros in 2024.

Monday, 8 January 2024

Not only are Germany and Luxembourg founding members of and partners in the European Union, they are also NATO partners and have long been dedicated to promoting prosperity and peace in Europe and beyond. "Our two states are linked by a close and trusting partnership," said Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz during the inaugural visit of Luxembourg's new Prime Minister Luc Frieden at the Chancellery in Berlin.

Luc Frieden was born in Esch an der Alzette in 1963. As Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the 60-year-old has led his country's government since 17 November 2023.

Scholz described the bilateral relations between Germany and Luxembourg as excellent, adding that this applied in particular to cross-border collaboration between Luxembourg, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland. "We will intensify this cooperation further," the Federal Chancellor announced.

Ukraine: unwavering support

During their talks at the Chancellery, Scholz and Frieden discussed a wide range of topics. In the area of international policy, they focussed on Ukraine. The country had been heroically defending itself against Russia's merciless attacks for almost two years now, Scholz said.

Massive air attacks on Ukrainian cities continued even over Christmas. The Chancellor stressed that these showed that Russia's President Putin was fiercely determined not to let up on his assault on Ukraine in violation of international law. "This is why we will also continue our support for Ukraine with unwavering intensity," he said.

Germany is Ukraine's strongest supporter after the USA

Scholz said that Germany was meanwhile Ukraine's strongest supporter after the USA: "For this year alone we have arranged for weapons and military material worth more than seven billion euros to be delivered to Ukraine."

Germany was a leading supporter in the critical area of air defence, said Scholz, mentioning the Gepard, Patriot, Iris-T and the Skynex systems. This support was supplemented by humanitarian and financial aid worth billions, as well as political support for Ukraine, he explained.

Appealing to all partners to increase their contributions

"Important as our contribution from Germany may be, it will not suffice to ensure long-term security for Ukraine," Federal Chancellor Scholz said. "This is why I am calling on our allies in the European Union to also intensify their efforts to support Ukraine," he went on, pointing out that the arms deliveries for Ukraine planned by the majority of EU member states were not enough.

Scholz called for a detailed summary of the specific contributions each European partner will be making to support Ukraine this year to be presented in time for the European Council meeting on 1 February at the very latest. "Europe must demonstrate that we are standing closely by Ukraine's side and are committed to international law, and European values. We will continue to support Ukraine for as long as necessary," Federal Chancellor Scholz stressed.

Gaza: protecting the civilian population

Scholz also mentioned the conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East, saying that Israel was forced to exercise its right to defend itself within the framework of humanitarian international law.

The Federal Chancellor pointed out that the humanitarian supply situation in Palestinian areas was precarious, and that warnings issued by international aid organisations had to be acknowledged. "The Israeli government must do all it can to ensure that the civilian population in Gaza is protected more effectively in this conflict, and that access for humanitarian aid is improved considerably," Scholz demanded.

Hamas leaders must surrender

The war could end immediately, Scholz explained, listing the requirements for this: Hamas had to end its anti-human activities, the two million inhabitants of Gaza had to be released from their captivity, and the leaders had to surrender.

Scholz appealed to Iran to refrain from fuelling the conflict further. The Hezbollah missile strikes and the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea posed "a severe threat to international safety," he said.

Europe needs reforms to allow for expansiong

In the area of European policy, the Federal Chancellor referred to the resolution to take up accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, as well as to grant Georgia candidate status. "Those are historic steps. The future of these countries is in the EU," he said, adding that the same was true for the Western Balkan states.

Scholz explained that an expansion of the EU would be a success if it made the EU stronger. "This requires more than just reforms," he said, pointing out that the EU also had to prepare itself for these countries' accession.

It was key in this context, Scholz explained, that the EU had to develop pragmatic joint solutions for current issues. He mentioned the agreement concerning the Common European Asylum System that had been reached just before Christmas as a positive example: "Following a long struggle, we found a sound solution to combat irregular migration - and came to a definite agreement."

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Foreign Minister Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's comment on the Copenhagen-format meeting in Davos on Ukraine

10 January 2024 22:21

16-10-01-2024

On January 14, Davos, Switzerland, will be hosting the fourth Copenhagen-format meeting on Ukraine. Its organisers - Kiev and Bern, formerly a neutral party - have invited representatives from over 70 countries and international organisations to attend the event. It goes without saying that the Kiev regime, together with the Group of Seven members, will once again use deceit in order to persuade the countries of the Global South and East to support the would-be peaceful proposals stemming from the so-called Zelensky formula, an infamously odious framework.

The Foreign Ministry has consistently criticised the Zelensky formula and the Copenhagen-format meetings designed to promote it for their shortcomings, hypocrisy and lack of connection to reality.

First, the Zelensky formula consists of a series of ultimatums targeting Russia. They are trying to force us to withdraw from the liberated territories and abandon Russians who voted to reunite with their homeland. This would amount to handing them over to the vicious Ukrainian nationalists. They want to hold a tribunal over our country and confiscate assets that belong to us from the Western banks where they are deposited. Ultimatums of this kind cannot serve as a foundation for launching talks. The Zelensky formula also contains provisions dealing with nuclear, food, energy and environmental security, but they are all Kiev's concoctions designed to mislead the target audience.

Second, Ukraine has enacted a legal ban on holding talks with the Russian leadership. As long as this ban remains in place, discussing any proposals will not yield tangible results. In April 2022, Kiev followed Western orders and withdrew from negotiations with Russia. However, our country has never rejected any means for achieving a political and diplomatic settlement of the Ukraine crisis.

Third, discussing a settlement in Ukraine without involving Russia is senseless.

Fourth, Kiev has been pushing the ultimatums contained in the Zelensky formula as the only possible solution with no room for alternatives. This position has been supported by the West. In doing so, Kiev and its masters have monopolised the right to put forward peace initiatives, effectively blocking all reasonable ideas from other countries, primarily from the Global South and East. The agenda of the Copenhagen-format meetings does not include any other initiatives.

Fifth, Zelensky has been bombing civilian sites with cluster munitions in Belgorod, Donetsk and other Russian cities, intentionally killing civilians, all while preparing the Davos meeting to discuss the prospects of a peace settlement. This puts the hypocrisy of his regime in full view. As for the West, it has been supplying ammunitions to Kiev, including cluster and depleted uranium bombs, and delivering more weapons, which does nothing but escalate hostilities and prolong the conflict. The aggressive rhetoric with calls to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia continues unabated.

All of this demonstrates the true intentions of the leadership in Kiev, Washington, London and Brussels. They have not altered their approaches in any meaningful way and continue thinking in terms of war with the long-term objective of destroying everything Russian, perpetuating the civilisational confrontation with Russia and undermining its legitimate interests in the field of global peace and security. They will use the Davos meeting to once again use falsehoods and blackmail in order to win the support of the Global South and East.

We are convinced that our partners in Asia, Africa and Latin America fully understand the reality of the situation and will not allow themselves to be drawn into openly anti-Russian initiatives.



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Peace formula: National security advisers discuss in Davos principles for lasting peace in Ukraine

Swiss Government

Bern, 11.01.2024 -- On 14 January 2024, Switzerland and Ukraine will host the fourth national security advisers' (NSA) meeting in Davos within the framework of the Ukrainian peace formula. The aim of the conference, to be co-chaired by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, is to finalise the talks at the level of national security advisers on principles for a lasting and just peace in Ukraine. These principles should form the basis for the next stages of the peace process. Switzerland is making an important contribution to this through the conference in Davos.

Over 80 delegations will take part in the NSA meeting in Davos this coming Sunday. The focus will be on the peace formula that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy launched at the end of 2022. This formula comprises ten principles for lasting peace in Ukraine.

These principles were discussed in ten working groups at NSA level within the framework of the peace formula. Switzerland is involved in particular in the working groups on nuclear safety, food security and confirmation of the war's end. Following up on the first three NSA meetings in Copenhagen (25 June 2023), Jeddah (5/6 August 2023) and Malta (28 October 2023), the fourth meeting in Davos will see the results of the working groups presented and the next steps discussed. Mr Cassis and Mr Yermak will be the co-chairs of this event, at which the talks at the level of national security advisers are to be concluded and next steps discussed.

Switzerland welcomes the initiative as it does any endeavour that can serve as a basis for a negotiation process towards lasting peace. By hosting the fourth NSA meeting, which also includes panel discussions on food security and humanitarian aspects, Switzerland is underscoring the importance of dialogue in the search for a lasting and just peace in Ukraine.

The event in Davos complements the Confederation's other measures to assist the people affected by the war in Ukraine. These measures range from concrete action such as humanitarian aid and humanitarian demining to participation in the recovery process, which was launched with broad political support at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Lugano in July 2022.

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Tsahkna to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba: we will stand together until Ukraine's victory

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

11.01.2024

Today 11 January, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna met with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba in Tallinn to discuss Ukraine's accession into the European Union, using frozen assets for reconstruction in Ukraine, the country's path towards NATO membership and Ukraine's peace formula.

Tsahkna recognised the decision of the European Union late last year to launch accession negotiations with Ukraine. "It is the start of a long process and Estonia is ready to share its experiences to offer practical support to Ukraine's European integration. Ukraine belongs in the family of European countries and it is currently fighting for the freedom of us all," Tsahkna told his colleague.

The meeting also covered Ukraine's NATO membership. "We are working tirelessly to make sure that NATO's July summit in Washington brings Ukraine even closer to NATO," Tsahkna said.

Tsahkna also briefed Kuleba on Estonia's plan to use frozen Russian assets. "I hope that the bill, which I submitted to the government and which is currently in the parliament, is adopted as quickly as possible and we can start using frozen assets to repair the war damage in Ukraine," Tsahkna said.

Tsahkna reaffirmed Estonia's support for Ukraine's 10-point peace formula. Estonia is ready to co-chair the working group focused on restoring Ukraine's territorial integrity and upholding international law.

Foreign Minister Tsahkna promised Estonia would be unwavering in its long-term support to Ukraine, both in terms of military aid and reconstruction. Estonia will also continue its efforts to raise the cost of the aggression for Russia, including by imposing additional sanctions, using frozen assets for the benefit of Ukraine and holding Russia's leadership to account.

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Krisjanis Karins and Dmytro Kuleba sign a Latvia-Ukraine Agreement on Technical and Financial Cooperation

Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

11.01.2024

On 11 January 2024, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Krisjanis Karins, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, in the presence of the Prime Minister of Latvia, Evika Silina, and the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, signed an Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on Technical and Financial Cooperation (hereinafter - the agreement).

"Latvia strongly supports Ukraine in its fight against the Russian aggression. Today's agreement is yet another step towards closer cooperation, making it easier to provide assistance in rebuilding Ukraine's civilian infrastructure and supporting its people," Krisjanis Karins underlined.

The agreement is to establish a legal framework for the implementation of Latvia's development cooperation programmes and reconstruction projects in Ukraine, as well as facilitating the provision of technical and financial assistance to Ukraine. Any goods and services imported under the technical and financial assistance projects will be exempt from tax. Experts from the Latvian side will benefit from facilitations during their stay in Ukraine.

Background information

Latvia has been involved in the reconstruction of Ukraine since 2022 and has been restoring social infrastructure and housing and providing psychological support to war-affected women. Latvia will also engage in the reconstruction of Ukraine in the coming years.



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Minister Sikorski meets U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine's Economic Recovery

Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Republic of Poland

11.01.2024

Today's meeting with Penny Pritzker is one of many intensive diplomatic contacts between Poland and the US, the aim of which is to strengthen cooperation and mobilise means and resources to provide military, economic, and humanitarian aid for Ukraine.

During the meeting, Special Representative Pritzker appreciated Poland's activity on behalf of Ukraine, including military assistance and political support. The US diplomat also highlighted the Polish society's impressive engagement and the public authorities' actions to provide Ukraine with multifaceted support and help Ukrainian refugees in Poland. Minister Sikorski, on the other hand, underlined the crucial importance of US military support for Ukraine, which is fighting the Russian aggressor, while recalling the unprecedented scale of military and economic assistance provided by the EU and its member states.

The two diplomats agreed that it is in the interest of the Western countries not only to maintain current military and financial assistance for Ukraine, but also to increase it.

In response to the US side's interest in the truckers' protest at the Polish border, Minister RadosAaw Sikorski referred to his recent visit to Kyiv and noted that he was accompanied by representatives of the ministries of infrastructure and agriculture. He stressed that tensions in relations between the two countries are being addressed by means of the ongoing dialogue on a political and expert level.

Both sides noted that actions and initiatives launched by international partners, such as at the G7 forum or in the framework of international organisations including the EU, are essential for Ukraine's economic support and reconstruction process. In this context, Minister Sikorski recalled that Poland is one of the leading donors for Ukraine and remains active in multilateral formats dedicated to that country. RadosAaw Sikorski also noted that the reconstruction of Ukraine and its future EU membership are closely related. The efforts invested in its reconstruction should help Kyiv meet the accession process goals swiftly and efficiently. Poland is willing to share its experience in this area.

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A wind storm packing gusts of nearly 60 mph damaged a recreation center and the police station's roof while causing more than 14,000 NYSEG customers to lose power in the Auburn area.

Auburn City Manager Jeff Dygert provided an update on the storm response at the City Council meeting Thursday. That included news on two city buildings that were damaged in the storm.

A wall at the Casey Park Recreation Center was blown out in the storm, but crews quickly repaired the damage. There was also minor damage to the police station's roof, according to Dygert.

Other city facilities were inspected after the storm. No other damage was reported.

As the city's cleanup began this week, crews have already removed more than 100 tons of tree debris, Dygert said. The high winds downed trees, ripped off branches and left other debris on streets across the city.

A special pickup has been announced by the city to collect tree branches, brush and other debris. That will begin at 7 a.m. Saturday.

Numerous city departments were involved in the aftermath of the storm. Dygert said the Auburn Fire Department responded to 122 storm-related emergency calls, such as electrical issues and fires, on Wednesday. The Auburn Police Department dealt with cars damaged by falling trees.

Other city staff, namely the codes department, were involved in evaluating structures that were damaged by trees.

Meanwhile, the city also assisted residents affected by power outages. At its peak, according to Dygert, the storm caused 14,211 NYSEG customers to lose power in the city of Auburn and surrounding towns.

NYSEG has said that most residents would have power restored by Friday evening. As of 8 a.m. Friday, the company's website listed 48 customers without power in Cayuga County.

With numerous power outages in the city, Dygert said NYSEG had 250 line crews already assigned to Auburn. More personnel was sent to assist with the storm response, including additional line crews, tree crews and support staff.

Another storm could hit the Auburn area this weekend. Dygert said a majority of those resources will remain in the city.

In other news:

 City Council heard a presentation from a Micron employee about the company's plans for central New York.

Joe Nehme, senior manager of external affairs for Micron, provided details about the 2.4 million-square-foot facility that will be built in neighboring Onondaga County. The company hopes to break ground once environmental reviews are completed this year.

Nehme took questions from councilors and other stakeholders about how Auburn and Cayuga County will factor into Micron's vision.

Two potential opportunities for Cayuga County are to host a supply-chain business that will support Micron and to serve as a home for some of the 9,000 employees who will work at the massive chipfab.

Gallery: Wind storm damage in Auburn
Amid public censure, Ukraine MPs shelve bill to mobilize more troops to fight Russians

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 11 January 2024 4:42 PM

Ukrainian lawmakers have thrown out a controversial bill aimed at drafting more soldiers amid fierce criticism from the public.

Last month, the government of President Volodymyr Zelensky brought the bill to parliament, according to which tougher penalties will be handed down against draft dodgers and the age of military service will be lowered from 27 to 25.

The contested bill came to parliament days after Zelensky said the military wanted to mobilize up to half a million people to fight against the 600,000 or so Russian troops deployed in Ukraine.

"Some provisions directly violate human rights, some are not optimally formulated," said ruling party leader David Arakhamia following a closed-door meeting with military leaders on Thursday.

Although the bill reduces compulsory wartime service from an unlimited period to 36 months, its other proposals have been deeply divisive in war-weary Ukraine, which counts around 850,000 soldiers among its ranks.

"We understand the request of the military command and are ready to meet it. But not all the rules can be supported," Arakhamia further said, adding that the bill had been returned to the government.

Aside from being in need of fresh forces to replace the lost ones, Ukraine is also desperately in need of more arms and financial support from its Western allies, as Russia keeps boosting deployments on the frontlines.

"In short, there will be no developments under the law on mobilization, neither today, nor tomorrow, nor in the near future," said Yaroslav Zheleznyak, an opposition lawmaker from the pro-EU liberal Holos party.

Separately on Thursday, Zelensky, who is in Estonia for a visit, acknowledged at a press conference that military-aged Ukrainian men had illegally left the country to evade army service. "If they are of mobilization age, then they should help Ukraine. And they should be in Ukraine."

Only Russia will benefit from truce: Zelensky

During his tour of the Baltic region, Zelensky said in the Estonian capital Tallinn on Thursday that any ceasefire now would not lead to political dialog and that any pause in the current war would only benefit Moscow, which, according to him, will regroup and boost its supply of munitions "and we will not risk."

"The pause would not lead to an end of the war. It would not lead to political dialog with Russia or someone else... And thank god this is all decided in Ukraine and there will be no pauses to benefit Russia."

Zelensky hopes to push back against fatigue among Kiev's Western allies by paying visits to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, which are among his staunchest supporters in the European Union and NATO.

His trips to the three Baltic countries are also aimed at securing more financial and military aid, and discuss Ukraine's bids to join the US-led military alliance and the European bloc.

Zelensky claimed Russia was facing a "deficit" of munitions and purportedly struggling to rebuild its elite troops, which, according to him, was influencing its battlefield behavior.

Since the beginning of the war in February 2022, Moscow has repeatedly warned Western leaders against the continued supply of weapons and munitions to Ukraine, pointing out that such measures will not stop Russian troops from defending its objectives and that arming Kiev would only prolong the war.

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Russia Wants Small Tactical Victories Ahead Of March Election, Zelenskiy Says On Last Day Of Baltic Tour

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service January 11, 2024

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russia plans to launch an offensive in Ukraine ahead of the presidential election in March in hopes of achieving "some small tactical victories" before launching "something global or massive afterward."

Speaking on January 11 in Riga on the last stop of a tour of the Baltic states, he added that the situation on the front line is "very complicated" and again said that Ukrainian forces lack weapons.

Zelenskiy told reporters that after the election in which President Vladimir Putin is expected to win another term in office Russia will undertake military action on a larger scale.

He said later on X, formerly Twitter, that he met with Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina in Riga and discussed "further military aid to Ukraine and tangible actions to advance Ukraine's path to EU and NATO membership."

Speaking earlier in Estonia, Zelenskiy rejected the possibility of a cease-fire with Russia, saying it would not lead to substantive progress in the war and only favor Moscow by giving it time to boost supplies to its military as the conflict nears its two-year anniversary.

"A pause on the Ukrainian battlefield will not mean a pause in the war," the Ukrainian leader said in Estonia's capital, Tallinn, on January 11 during a tour of the three Baltic nations.

"Give Russia two to three years and it will simply run us over. We wouldn't take that risk.... There will be no pauses in favor of Russia," he said. "A pause would play into [Russia's] hands.... It might crush us afterward."

Zelenskiy has pleaded with Ukraine's allies to keep supplying it with weapons amid signs of donor fatigue in some countries and as Russia turns to countries such as Iran and North Korea for munitions.

NATO allies meeting in Brussels on January 10 tried to allay Kyiv's concerns over supplies, saying they will continue to provide Ukraine with major military, economic, and humanitarian aid. NATO allies have outlined plans to provide "billions of euros of further capabilities" in 2024 to Ukraine, the alliance said in a statement.

But in Washington, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said U.S. assistance for Ukraine has "ground to a halt," though lawmakers continue negotiating a deal that would tie the release of the aid to U.S. border security.

Meanwhile, Latvia and Estonia announced aid packages during Zelenskiy's visits to their capitals.

Latvia will provide Ukraine with a new package of military aid, President Edgars Rinkevics said after meeting with Zelenskiy in Riga.

"Today I informed the president of Ukraine about the next package of aid, which includes howitzers, ammunition, anti-tank weapons, antiaircraft missiles, mortars, all-terrain vehicles, hand grenades, helicopters, drones, generators, means of communication, equipment," Rinkevics said, speaking at a joint press conference with Zelenskiy.

Estonian President Alar Karis said earlier after his meeting with Zelenskiy that his country will provide 1.2 billion euros ($1.31 billion) in aid to Ukraine until 2027.

"Ukraine needs more and better weapons," Karis said at a joint news conference with Zelenskiy.

"The capabilities of the EU military industry must be increased so that Ukraine gets what it needs, not tomorrow, but today. We should not place any restrictions on the supply of weapons to Ukraine," he added.

Ukraine has been subjected to several massive waves of Russian missile and drone strikes since the start of the year that have caused civilian deaths and material damage.

In the latest such attack, a hotel in downtown Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, was struck by Russian missiles overnight on January 11. The strike injured 13 people, including Turkish journalists staying at the hotel, Kharkiv regional police chief Volodymyr Tymoshko said.

The General Staff of the Ukrainian military said on January 11 that 56 combat clashes took place at the front during the day. The operational situation in the northern directions did not change significantly, and the formation of Russian offensive groups was not detected.

With reporting by AFP and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/zelenskiy-ukraine-estonia-baltics- visit-russia-war-aid-blitz/32769882.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.

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Ukrainian Deputies Withdraw Draft Mobilization Bill, But Defense Minister Says New Version Already Prepared

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service January 11, 2024

A draft bill on tightening Ukraine's mobilization rules has been withdrawn from parliament, but a new version is ready for the government to review, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said on January 11.

The bill would enable Kyiv to mobilize more people as it seeks to boost its defenses with the war against Russia's full-scale invasion approaching the two-year mark.

The initial draft intended to increase the pressure on conscripted men to register for military service and introduce a series of tight sanctions for those who flout the mobilization law. It also included a lowering in the reservist age from 27 to 25, which would have given the army access to a larger cohort.

The parliamentary committee for security and defense had been reviewing the draft for days before it was withdrawn.

"Our team has already prepared a new version of the draft law taking into account all the proposals agreed in the working order with the members of parliament at the meetings of the committee," Umerov said on Facebook.

The ministry is ready to submit the draft for the government's approval in the near future, he said, adding that the military needs it "as soon as possible."

Parliamentary speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk earlier cited "a joint decision" between parliamentary, government representatives, and military commanders that the bill would be reworked.

The draft law, submitted by the government in late December, immediately drew criticism from the public and politicians.

Some parts of the draft measure "directly violate human rights and others are not optimally formulated," Davyd Arakhamia, parliamentary group leader of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's Servant of the People party, said on Telegram.

Other lawmakers and analysts said that some of its provisions violated the constitution and carried corruption risks.

Umerov said it was "unacceptable in wartime" that mobilization, military registration, and rotations, were being politicized and stalled.

The draft law must be passed in several readings and then signed by Zelenskiy, who said last month that, in light of the ongoing fighting and losses, the military had proposed mobilizing 450,000-500,000 more people.

Ukraine barred men between the ages of 18 and 60 from leaving the country, but tens of thousands of conscripts have crossed the border illegally or gone abroad using forged documents.

With reporting by Reuters and dpa

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-mobilization-bill-withdrawn- umerov/32770768.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.

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Russia Says It Shot Down Drones Over Its Territory; Kharkiv Hotel Hit By Missiles

By Current Time, RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service January 11, 2024

Russia's Defense Ministry says four Ukrainian drones were intercepted and destroyed over the territory of the Rostov, Tula, and Kaluga regions.

Kaluga Governor Vladislav Shapsha said one drone exploded above a pumping station in Kaluga, damaging the building but causing no fire.

Russia's Emergencies Ministry also said that two large-scale fires broke out in the Moscow region.

It said rescue workers were at work in the village of Obukhovo near Moscow, where a production facility and an administrative building were burning.

The ministry said there were no casualties.

Meanwhile, a Russian missile strike on a hotel in downtown Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, has injured 11 people, including Turkish journalists staying at the hotel, regional Governor Oleh Synyehubov said early on January 11.

Synyehubov said that one of those injured was in serious condition.

More than 30 civilians were inside the hotel at the time of the attack, Synyehubov said on Telegram.

Ukraine's emergency services said those hurt in the strike were "hotel staff and guests, one of whom is a foreign journalist," without giving details.

Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said no military personnel were staying at the hotel.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-drones-fire- moscow-war-kharkiv/32769736.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.

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Ukraine Claims to Hold Talks With NATO on Using Alliance Ships to 'Protect' Black Sea Routes

Sputnik News

20240111

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukraine is holding talks with its Western partners on the deployment of NATO ships to guard temporary corridors in the Black Sea, Commander of the Ukrainian Navy Oleksiy Neizhpapa said.

Asked whether the ships would be Romanian or Turkish, he refused to give details, adding that it was a political issue.

"Such negotiations are underway, including on engagement of NATO vessels in ensuring the safety of civilian shipping in Ukrainian ports. And when they [agreements] will be implement, and whether they will be at all, there is no information now. I personally asked my partners about this," Neizhpapa shared in an interview with the local newspaper newspaper out Thursday.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered by Turkiye and the United Nations and signed in July 2022, which provided for a humanitarian corridor to allow safe maritime exports of Ukrainian and Russian agricultural products and fertilizers, expired on July 18, 2023, after Russia refused to extend its participation, citing persistent violations of the package deal's component to facilitate Russian grain and fertilizer exports.

The Russian Defense Ministry said in July that following the closure of the maritime humanitarian corridor, all ships sailing in the Black Sea to Ukrainian ports are considered potential carriers of military cargo and are considered to be involved in the conflict on the side of Kiev.

In August, the Ukrainian Navy announced the opening of temporary corridors for merchant ships sailing to or from the ports of Chernomorsk, Odessa, and Yuzhnoye.

In the summer of 2023, Russia suspended its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, saying it enriched Western countries instead of helping the poorest nations. Moscow vowed to continue supplying grain to countries in the Global South. The Russian Foreign Ministry then warned that Moscow could no longer guarantee the safety of navigation through the northwestern Black Sea. The Russian Defense Ministry, for its part, warned that after the grain deal expires, all vessels in Black Sea waters bound for Ukrainian ports would be considered possible carriers of military equipment for the Kiev regime.

A Sputnik

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Russian Air Defenses Intercepted Ukrainian Drones Over Three Regions

Sputnik News

20240111

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukraine tried to attack Russia's Rostov, Tula and Kaluga regions with drones, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

"On January 11, at about 04:30 a.m. Moscow time, an attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out a terrorist attack by aircraft-type UAVs on facilities on the territory of the Russian Federation was stopped. Air defense systems on duty intercepted three Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles over the territory of the Rostov, Tula and Kaluga regions," the ministry said on Telegram.

A drone has exploded over a technical structure of a pumping station on the outskirts of the Russian city of Kaluga, having damaged it, Kaluga Region Governor Vladislav Shapsha said Thursday.

"This morning on the outskirts of Kaluga, a drone explosion occurred over a technical structure of a pumping station. The building was damaged as a result of the explosion. There are no casualties nor fire," Shapsha said on Telegram, adding that relevant services were working on site.

Ukraine has been sending drones and missiles into the Russian territory since it launched a counteroffensive in early June. The United Nations said in August, following a botched drone strike on Moscow, that it did not want to see any targeting of civilian infrastructure.

A Sputnik

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Italy's Parliament Approves Resolution to Continue Military Aid to Ukraine - Reports

Sputnik News

20240111

ROME (Sputnik) - A resolution for Italy to continue to provide military aid to Ukraine was passed in both houses of parliament on Wednesday, Italian askanews news agency reported.

The resolution was passed in a 190-49 vote with 60 abstentions in the lower house and in a 103-24 vote with 27 abstentions in Senate, the askanews news agency reported.

The resolution reportedly calls on the Italian government to "support, in accordance with its commitments and what will be further agreed within NATO and the EU, as well as in international forums of which Italy is part, the state authorities of Ukraine, including via the transfer of materials as well as military and other equipment."

At the same time, the Chamber of Deputies rejected the resolution to stop arms supplies to Ukraine, which was submitted by the opposition Five Star Movement and the Greens and Left Alliance, askanews said.

"Just a few months ago, PM [Giorgia] Meloni was betting on defeating Russia, which we never did, because we believe that supporting this military escalation leaves no way out of this situation... Instead, the result is that we have the government that continues to obey Washington's orders and instructions and passively submit to this warmongering logic of military escalation, which bears no fruit other than more deaths and destruction," Giuseppe Conte, former prime minister of Italy and the leader of the Five Star Movement, told journalists after the vote in the parliament.

Italy adopted eight packages of military aid for Ukraine, the last of which was approved in December. The sixth package, adopted in early 2023, included air defense systems, mainly the advanced Samp-T anti-aircraft complex. However, the list of weapons supplied by Italy to Ukraine is mostly classified.

The US-led West has been supplying the Kiev regime with various types of weapon systems, including air defense missiles, multiple launch rocket systems, tanks, self-propelled artillery and anti-aircraft guns since Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. The Kremlin has consistently warned against further arms deliveries to Kiev, saying they would be regarded as a legitimate military target.

A Sputnik

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President: The results of the Ukraine - NATO Council demonstrate the effectiveness of this instrument of interaction with partners

President of Ukraine

11 January 2024 - 22:45

The results of the Ukraine - NATO Council demonstrate the effectiveness of this instrument of interaction, which allows us to improve communication between partner countries in addressing important issues for our state. This was emphasized by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview with the media in Riga.

"The Ukraine - NATO Council is functioning, it is a very good tool that has been launched after the Vilnius Summit. We used this tool, and I saw how quickly we can organize partners, meet at the level of defense ministers, at the level of foreign ministers, etc." Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The President also emphasized that work had begun on security commitments in accordance with the Joint Declaration of the Group of Seven and Ukraine adopted in Vilnius.

"We have started work on security commitments. It is not easy, but I think that in the near future we will be able to demonstrate to the public - not only to the Ukrainian public - the first draft. Not all of it, because there are classified, non-public norms, but we will be able to share some generic points. I think the assessment will be positive," the Head of State said.

He noted that security commitments include not only the provision of weapons, but also financial, IT and cyber support, and are a step on Ukraine's path to a security alliance.

"However, we would like to see a real step from NATO countries that brings Ukraine closer to the Alliance. To avoid stagnation. We want this to be a successful and powerful summit (NATO Summit in Washington - Ed.), so that NATO countries show that they are not afraid of Russia," Volodymyr Zelenskyy added.

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President of Ukraine had a meeting with the Prime Minister of Latvia

President of Ukraine

11 January 2024 - 22:13

During his official visit to the Republic of Latvia, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Prime Minister of Latvia Evika SiliAa.

The Head of State thanked Evika SiliAa for the consistent and comprehensive support for our country by the government and citizens of Latvia in the wake of full-scale aggression of Russia.

"Thank you for the very warm attitude towards our people from the first days of this war. I would like to thank you for the military aid packages, in particular for the decision on another large package. This is a very important decision for us now, when we need it. Thank you for the humanitarian aid for Ukrainians," he said.

The interlocutors discussed ways to strengthen the Ukrainian army and continue military and technical assistance to Ukraine, including Latvia's readiness to be one of the leaders of the drone coalition.

During the meeting, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Evika SiliAa discussed concrete steps to support Ukraine on its path to EU and NATO membership and cooperation on international platforms. The President noted the important and effective role of Latvia in this process.

The parties also noted Ukraine's progress in implementing important reforms that are necessary, in particular, for our country's European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

The two sides emphasized the need to start consultations with a view to concluding a bilateral agreement on security commitments between Ukraine and Latvia.

The President noted that Latvia's decision to confiscate Russian state property is an important precedent and example on the European continent.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Evika SiliAa also discussed joint work to step up sanctions pressure on Russia at both European and national levels.

The Head of State expressed special gratitude to the Prime Minister of Latvia for the assistance in the restoration of Ukraine and readiness to continue implementing projects to restore social infrastructure in Chernihiv region.

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President met with the Speaker of the Saeima in Riga

President of Ukraine

11 January 2024 - 21:32

During his official visit to the Republic of Latvia, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Speaker of the Saeima Daiga MieriAa, Deputy Speakers, chairmen of the Saeima committees and members of the Latvia-Ukraine interparliamentary friendship group.

The President noted Latvia's significant defense and financial assistance, willingness to support Ukraine until it defeats the aggressor, including readiness to be a co-leader in the drone coalition.

"I thank you and all the people of Latvia for remaining people with strong values," he said.

The President noted that Latvia's decision to confiscate the property of the Russian aggressor is an important precedent.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy commended Latvia's accession to the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, support for the establishment of a special international tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine and the creation of the International Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.

The President praised the effective measures taken by Latvia to ensure compliance with sanctions and the introduction of new sanctions restrictions against the aggressor state - Russia.

The parties discussed concrete steps to assist Ukraine on its path to full membership in the EU and NATO.

The importance of the functioning of the "grain corridor" was emphasized, which is extremely important for ensuring global food security.

The participants of the meeting also discussed strengthening cooperation between Ukraine and Latvia at the parliamentary level.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that this is his second visit to Latvia, but his first visit took place before the full-scale invasion of Russia, and it was a different reality and a different period in history.

"However there is absolutely no difference in the attitude of your society. You have always supported us, our territorial integrity and sovereignty, our difficult path to the European Union and NATO. Latvia has always been on our side - on the side of justice and truth," the President emphasized.

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Beijing (Gasgoo)- On January 11, Changan Automobiles dedicated new energy vehicle brand DEEPAL released the official images of its inaugural hardcore off-road vehicle model, officially named as the G318.



Photo credit: DEEPAL

According to details in the official images, the DEEPAL G318 showcases a classic boxy design, exuding a robust and adventurous aesthetic. The square-shaped front, seamlessly integrating the front bumper and grille, features distinctive C-shaped LED daytime running lights, adding a touch of modern technology.

The side profile of the DEEPAL G318 adopts the current trend of concealed door handles, coupled with pronounced wheel arch lines, emphasizing its rugged style while elevating its overall contemporary appeal.

Photo credit: DEEPAL

At the rear, the vehicle boasts the iconic externally-mounted spare tire characteristic of hardcore off-road models. The design of the tailgate handle suggests a side-opening configuration, and the "C" shaped taillights complement the front headlamp design cohesively.

Regarding its powertrain, preliminary information suggests the G318 might house DEEPALs proprietary Super Range Extending Technology with dual electric motors for four-wheel drive. Noteworthy features include the ability to turn on the spot, achieve an exceptionally tight turning radius through reverse rotation of the rear wheels, and come equipped with towing capabilities.
In Europe, we need more productive work from our defense sectors to be self-sufficient in our defense - Volodymyr Zelenskyy, following the meeting with Edgars Rinkevics

President of Ukraine

11 January 2024 - 20:29

During his official visit to Latvia, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President of Latvia Edgars Rinkevics.

The Head of State expressed gratitude to Latvia on behalf of all Ukrainians who defend our country and work for it.

"Latvia is among the countries that have been supporting Ukraine since the first days of the full-scale war. Mr. President, I am grateful for your personal efforts at this time. I am also grateful to your team, the entire political class, and the entire Latvian society. We appreciate that your principled position is always with Ukraine. Both in the EU institutions, NATO and other international organizations," the President of Ukraine said during a meeting with media representatives following the negotiations with Edgars Rinkevics in Riga.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also thanked for the new defense package for Ukraine, which was discussed in detail during the meeting.

"Thank you for your clear understanding that the strength of our warriors, the strength of our positions, our Ukrainian future is the strength that guarantees the independence of not only Ukraine, but also the independence of many in Europe, the independence of your state. That is why it is so important for us, for Latvia, and for all our partners to continue working in the most coordinated, effective way possible, and with maximum effort to defeat Russia," the Head of State noted.

During the meeting in Riga, the two leaders also discussed the action plan for the current year. The President of Ukraine informed Edgars Rinkevics about the situation on the battlefield, the key needs of the Defense Forces, as well as the plans of the Russian occupiers.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also said that representatives of the defense sectors of Ukraine and Latvia are signing new cooperation agreements. According to him, this year Ukraine will make every effort together with all partners to create a new arsenal of Europe - production cooperation of a level that will ensure the prevention of Russian aggression.

"We in Europe - from west to east, from north to south - need much more productive work from the defense sectors of our states. Europe must learn to be self-sufficient in its defense," the President emphasized.

"Russia understands strength only. And we all need that kind of strength in Europe," he added.

The two leaders also discussed further joint efforts regarding the sanctions pressure on the Russian Federation and those who help it circumvent restrictions. They also emphasized the importance of ensuring Europe's consolidated position on refusal to buy Russian energy resources.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Edgars Rinkevics for the law that ensures a fair position on Russian property. Russian assets must be used for defense against Russian aggression, he emphasized.

The Head of State also noted the support of Latvia and President Edgars Rinkevics personally for Ukraine's integration into the European Union. Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed hope for the equally strong support for Ukraine's future membership in NATO.

The President of Latvia, for his part, reaffirmed continued support for Ukraine on its European and Euro-Atlantic path.

"It's time to change the emphasis. We have been talking about our support for Ukraine for as long as it takes. But the main political signal should state that we support and will continue to support Ukraine until its ultimate victory over Russian imperialism," said Edgars Rinkevics.

He noted that Latvia will continue to provide assistance to Ukraine, in particular through a new defense package. In addition, Latvia has initiated the creation of a coalition of drones for Ukraine in the Ramstein negotiation format. Also, according to the President of Latvia, his country will consider purchasing ammunition for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Edgars Rinkevics emphasized that Latvia plans to develop a mechanism for using Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine and will continue cooperation on matters related to the international tribunal for Russia's war crimes and the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children.

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Memorandum of Cooperation in the Defense Industry was signed in the presence of Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Kaja Kallas

President of Ukraine

11 January 2024 - 17:02

In Tallinn, in the presence of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of the Republic of Estonia Kaja Kallas, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine and the Estonian Defense and Aerospace Industry Association.

The Memorandum aims to support and develop partnerships between the defense industries of Ukraine and Estonia, in particular in the area of defense innovation. This includes the R&D and production of autonomous systems, electronic warfare equipment, and integrated solutions. The parties will work to ensure the technological superiority of the Ukrainian army in the war for freedom and independence. Cooperation and the launch of joint production in Ukraine are expected to create opportunities for the Ukrainian and Estonian defense industries to meet the needs of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in the most effective way.

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We must win this battle, as it determines the global attitude toward freedom - speech by the President of Ukraine at a special plenary session of the Riigikogu

President of Ukraine

11 January 2024 - 15:43

Mr. Speaker!

Ladies and gentlemen, members of the Parliament!

Mr. President!

Madam Prime Minister!

Members of the Government!

Thank you for the cordial reception and for your unwavering attention to Ukraine.

Dear ladies and gentlemen!

Dear Estonian people!

I am pleased to have the opportunity to thank you personally today for being on the side of freedom. And not just on the side of Ukraine's freedom.

It is very symbolic, from the perspective of both Estonian and Ukrainian history, how the day of February 24 is now filled with meanings. It is on this day that Estonia celebrates and will always celebrate the restoration of its state independence. And it was on February 24 that the current rulers of Russia attempted to restore their old empire, whether Soviet or Russian, or some hybrid empire. Attempted - by attacking Ukraine. We did not falter on February 24. All of us. Our people. Our friends. The entire free world.

Ukraine decided then that we would fight. Kaitsetahe. The free nations of the world backed us up. Some did it immediately, like Estonia, and I am grateful to you for that, others joined in later, and we appreciate that too. Now, the majority of the world is one way or another on the side of Ukraine, international law, and against Russian genocidal aggression.

February 24 could have changed the history of our Ukrainian nation, our region, and our entire Europe into a new enslavement. But history took a turn toward far greater freedom than we all had, toward far greater independence than we could have expected at the time, toward far greater European strength than anyone could have predicted. It happened due to courage. Due to solidarity. Due to the choice in favor of freedom - our common choice.

And I thank you, Estonia, I thank every single one of you personally for making that choice. The choice in favor of freedom.

We must win the battle that is now underway. We must win it not only because it is a battle for our lives - the lives of the Ukrainian people, our cities, our communities, which Russia is turning into ruins. We must win this battle not only because it decides the fate of our state and all the countries and nations that have to border Russia. This battle determines the global attitude toward freedom now, after us, and after our children and grandchildren.

Freedom must be able to prevail in confrontations unleashed by tyranny. That is why this war that Russia has unleashed against Ukraine matters not only for us and not only for our continent, but for all nations that value their freedom or dream of becoming free. Tyranny must lose. Tyranny must be the loser. Always. Always. This is what we must leave as our main political legacy - we, all the states that value independence, all the nations that do not want their children to be the property of dictators, all the leaders who want to be on the bright side of history. And that is why everyone is important in this battle. Not only those with extensive military experience or large arsenals. Not only those who are among the world's top leaders in terms of various indicators of their power. Every nation is important. Every brave soul, every sincere heart, every bright mind is important. Everyone who can mobilize their humanity. Not because it yields immediate benefits, but because it's the right thing to do. It is right when freedom and humanity prevail. They must prevail!

Ladies and gentlemen!

Dear Estonia!

I thank you all for standing with us. Thank you for each package of support for our warriors and all Ukrainian people. Thank you for the weapons you have provided. Thank you for your initiatives that really influence the overall European course. Thank you for your determination in putting pressure on Russia - and in making the aggressor really feel that it is he who will suffer the most from the aggression - this criminal, this murderer, this terrorist, and not those whose lives Putin has decided to destroy. We must continue to put pressure on him. Everyone in Europe. Everyone in the free world. Every sanctions circumvention scheme that Russia uses must be blocked. Every asset that Moscow or those associated with it have tried to conceal in global jurisdictions must be frozen and used to defend against Russian aggression and help rebuild after this war.

Every defense enterprise that is currently in place or that can be established in Europe to help Europe defend its freedom must operate at full capacity. This is a common, vital interest of every European nation. Europe needs its own defense capabilities for its security. Guaranteed security. Ukraine has already reached dozens of agreements with various countries and companies on joint defense production - I invite you to join this cooperation. Estonia has already made significant progress in the development of digital technologies and advanced systems of governance and corporate work - we must share this experience with others in Europe and the world. And we must always keep in mind and always uphold the fundamental European truth - Europe will only endure if it is a continent of unity. Unity, not strife. Unity, not national egoism. Unity, not clashing ambitions. Over these two years, we have all demonstrated the highest level of unity. And I am grateful to you for the way you defend this unity. The way you defend common interests. And the way you help our European and Euro-Atlantic integration in particular. And the way you help our people, Ukrainians - this is also a manifestation of unity, a manifestation of true Europeanness - our people who sought refuge from the war and found it in Estonia. I am grateful to you for this warmth, for your solidarity with us and, of course, for choosing independence on February 24. Thank you.

When I was on my way to your parliament today, Madam Prime Minister presented me with this sweatshirt. She said that the meaning of this word - kaitsetahe - united you all, many Estonians. And what is written here is what is engraved in the hearts of many Ukrainians - the will to defend. Kaitsetahe. And I'm sure that the day will come when we will all be united by another meaning - vAidutahe - the will to win.

And we will congratulate each other on the victory. On winning this war against Russia. Together. Always together.

Glory to Ukraine!

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President of Ukraine met with the Prime Minister of Estonia in Tallinn

President of Ukraine

11 January 2024 - 14:56

During his official visit to the Republic of Estonia, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas.

The Head of State thanked Kaja Kallas and the Estonian government for supporting Ukraine, providing comprehensive military, financial and humanitarian assistance and standing in solidarity with Ukraine in the fight against the Russian aggressor.

"We are going through this together and we feel your support on the battlefield as well. We are grateful for all the defense packages and for advocating for our future membership in the European Union. This also gives strength to our warriors and all civilians. Your voice is also heard loudly in support of Ukraine's future in NATO," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a press conference following the negotiations with Kaja Kallas in Tallinn.

The Head of State commended Estonia's willingness to continue military and financial assistance to our country in the coming years in the framework of the "Strategy of Victory of Ukraine".

"I appreciate your plans to allocate a certain part of your budget to maintain the defense capabilities of our country and our people. I believe this is an example of a proper, robust financial platform," he said.

"As you said, freedom must be better armed than tyranny. That is why Estonia has decided to provide long-term support: 0.25% of our GDP, a transfer over the next four years. This money will go to Ukraine as military aid. We hope this will serve as an example for everyone else to follow," said Kaja Kallas.

The leaders discussed other important Estonian initiatives to support Ukraine's defense, including the creation of an artillery coalition, an IT coalition, and the launch of the Tallinn Mechanism to bolster Ukraine's cybersecurity.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also expressed hope for active support from Estonian business in enhancing Ukraine's defense capabilities, in particular in the production of UAVs for the needs of our country.

The parties noted the start of negotiations on a bilateral agreement on security commitments that our country seeks to obtain before joining NATO.

The parties agreed to continue joint efforts to bring Ukraine closer to NATO membership and EU membership after the start of the relevant negotiations in December 2023.

The President emphasized the importance of Estonia's full support in unblocking the decision to provide a50 billion of assistance to Ukraine from the European Union.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Estonia for its leadership in the confiscation of Russian assets for the needs of Ukraine, as well as the development of a national compensation mechanism.

According to Kaja Kallas, the partners are currently working on the use of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's recovery and on holding Russia accountable.

In addition, the parties noted Estonia's leadership and practical role in the reconstruction and economic recovery of Ukraine without waiting for the end of the war, patronage over Zhytomyr region, and implementation of specific projects.

"We are also grateful to Estonia for the medical rehabilitation and prosthetics for our defenders, for the transfer of the fourth military mobile hospital to Ukraine. Such actions save lives," the President of Ukraine emphasized.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy following the meeting with President Alar Karis: Estonia supports Ukraine in all elements of defense, all elements of resilience

President of Ukraine

11 January 2024 - 13:46

During his official visit to Estonia, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President of the Republic of Estonia Alar Karis.

The Head of State thanked the Estonian society for its unwavering attention to Ukraine, support for the Ukrainian people and the Defense Forces.

"Estonia has already provided our country and our warriors with 17 defense support packages. You have shown leadership by offering the whole of Europe cooperation in supplying our artillery - a coalition of shells. We also appreciate the fact that you have chosen a very thorough, long-term approach to financial support for Ukraine and set a four-year volume of assistance for our country," the President of Ukraine said during a meeting with media representatives following the negotiations with Alar Karis in Tallinn.

According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Estonia's position on Ukraine's European and Euro-Atlantic integration is absolutely principled.

"I am grateful for Estonia's strong and tangible support for our country in opening negotiations on joining the European Union, as well as for our further cooperation with NATO and the obvious prospect of Ukraine becoming a full member of the Alliance," he emphasized.

During the negotiations in both narrow and extended formats, the leaders of Ukraine and Estonia discussed cooperation at the level of European institutions and the potential of the two countries in Europe.

They also talked about holding Russia accountable for the war and all manifestations of terror.

"This also means full accountability of the aggressor state. Russia must pay the full price for this aggression. Its assets and the assets of all persons associated with the aggressor state must be found, frozen and, ultimately, confiscated in favor of protection against Russian aggression and assistance to all those in Ukraine affected by the war," the Head of State said.

According to him, when Russia is held accountable for its war politically, legally, and financially, it will be an important contribution to the global defense of peace and a cautionary tale for other potential aggressors.

"I would like to note your personal efforts in this case, Mr. President - in protecting justice and the idea of full accountability of the Russian Federation. I know that Estonia is currently preparing a law on Russian assets, and Ukraine will be grateful for the effectiveness of this law," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The Presidents of Ukraine and Estonia also discussed in detail the situation on the battlefield and the war prospects of the Ukrainian state.

"All of you are well aware of the complexity and cruelty of this war. And it is really very important that Estonia supports us in all elements of defense, in all elements of our Ukrainian resilience, in everything we can and will do to defeat the enemy," the Head of State said.

The President also noted Estonian assistance in the treatment and medical rehabilitation of Ukrainian soldiers.

For his part, Alar Karis said that he awards all Ukrainian warriors with the Order of the Eagle Cross, I class, and handed the award to Supreme Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The President of Estonia emphasized that the outcome of the war unleashed by Russia depends on the ability of partners to stand in solidarity and guarantee long-term support for Ukraine.

"Estonia's long-term contribution from the beginning of this full-scale war until 2027 will amount to a1.2 billion. Ukraine needs more and better weapons. We must ramp up military production within the EU to ensure that Ukraine gets everything it needs. In the period 2024-2027, we will allocate 0.25% of our GDP annually to Ukraine's defense, and we encourage everyone else to also provide as much assistance to Ukraine as they can," said Alar Karis.

He emphasized that Estonia will support Ukraine for as long as it takes. The President of the Republic of Estonia added that his country acceded to the Joint Declaration of the Group of Seven adopted in Vilnius.

Alar Karis expressed his belief that there should be no restrictions on the supply of weapons to Ukraine to defend against the aggressor.

According to him, Russia must feel the effects of sanctions, be politically isolated, and pay for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

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Russian Presidential Hopeful Calls Ukraine War 'Big Mistake' by Putin

By VOA News January 11, 2024

A Russian politician hoping to run against President Vladimir Putin in the country's upcoming presidential election characterized the Kremlin's decision to go to war against Ukraine as a "big mistake" on Thursday when he spoke with the wives of soldiers.

Boris Nadezhdin told the soldiers' wives that the war was "a big mistake by Putin, of course, and the consequences will be very grave."

Soldiers at the front were "fulfilling their debt, really spilling their blood there and risking their life a we want them simply to come back," he said.

Nadezhdin represents the center-right party Civic Initiative, which has no seats in parliament. He is trying to gather 100,000 signatures from people across the country to run against Putin, who has led Russia for more than two decades.

Putin is all but guaranteed to win reelection in March.

In the Latvian capital of Riga on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Moscow's plan was to make tactical advances on the battlefield ahead of the presidential election and that Russia would then take larger military action.

The comments came during Zelenskyy's last stop on a tour of the three Baltic nations.

Earlier on Thursday, during his visit to Estonia, Zelenskyy said a pause in Russia's war against Ukraine would only benefit Russia by allowing it to boost its supply of munitions and "run us over."

"A pause on the battlefield on the territory of Ukraine is not a pause in war. It is not the end of war," Zelenskyy said. "It doesn't lead to political dialogue with the Russian Federation or with someone else. This pause will only benefit the Russian Federation."

Zelenskyy's regional tour also included a stop in Lithuania.

The Ukrainian leader said Wednesday in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, that his country's forces have shown the world that Russia's military can be stopped, but said the Kyiv government badly needs Western allies to send it more air defense systems to shoot down an increased barrage of incoming Russian drones and missiles.

He acknowledged, however, that the stockpiles are low in countries that could assist Ukraine.

"Warehouses are empty," Zelenskyy said. "And there are many challenges to world defense."

In the United States, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby on Thursday said U.S. assistance for Ukraine's war effort has stopped amid ongoing negotiations in Washington over an aid package.

"The assistance that we provided has now ground to a halt," Kirby said.

Although U.S. aid to Ukraine has stopped for the time being, the U.S. State Department on Thursday imposed sanctions over the transfer of North Korean ballistic missiles to Russia for use in its war against Ukraine, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

"We will not hesitate to take further actions," Blinken said in a statement announcing the sanctions against three Russian entities and one individual.

North Korea's "transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia supports Russia's war of aggression, increases the suffering of the Ukrainian people, and undermines the global nonproliferation regime," Blinken said.

As the war nears its two-year mark, Ukraine has said it is hoping to ramp up development of its domestic defense industry and work on joint projects with foreign governments to manufacture more ammunition and weapons.

Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia are among Ukraine's staunchest political, financial and military supporters, and some in the Baltics worry they could be Moscow's next target.

The three countries were seized and annexed by Josef Stalin during World War II before regaining independence with the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. They joined NATO in 2004, placing themselves under the military protection of the United States and its Western allies.

"Democratic countries have done a lot to help Ukraine, but we need to do more together so that Ukraine wins and the aggressor loses," Estonian President Alar Karis said in a statement.

"Then there is the hope that this will remain the last military aggression in Europe, where someone wants to dictate to their neighbor with missiles, drones and cannons what political choices can be made," he said.

As the Ukraine-Russia war drags on, Western military supplies to Ukraine have tailed off. In the United States, President Joe Biden's request for more Ukraine aid is stalled in Congress, while Europe's March pledge to provide 1 million artillery shells within 12 months has fallen short, with only about 300,000 delivered so far.

Some material in this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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Newark, Jan. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Brainy Insights estimates that the USD 146.72 billion in 2022 global oncology/cancer drugs market will reach USD 311.81 billion by 2032. Continued progress in genomics and biomarker discovery offers opportunities for precision medicine in oncology. Identifying specific genetic alterations and molecular markers can guide the development of targeted therapies tailored to individual patient profiles. Furthermore, CAR-T cell therapies have shown promise in treating certain hematologic malignancies. Opportunities lie in expanding the application of CAR-T cell therapies to other types of cancers and improving their safety and efficacy. Additionally, advancements in liquid biopsy technologies provide opportunities for non-invasive cancer diagnostics. Liquid biopsies enable the detection of circulating tumour DNA, RNA, and proteins, offering the potential for early cancer detection and monitoring treatment responses. Gene and cell therapies, including gene editing techniques like CRISPR, also present opportunities for developing innovative cancer treatments. Modifying genes or cells to target cancer-specific abnormalities may open new avenues for personalized therapies. Besides, nanotechnology offers opportunities to enhance drug delivery systems, improving the targeted delivery of cancer drugs and reducing side effects. Nano-sized drug carriers can enhance drug bioavailability and distribution to cancer cells.



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Key Insight of the global Oncology/Cancer Drugs market



Asia Pacific is expected to witness the highest market growth over the forecast period.



The region is home to a large and rapidly ageing population. Ageing is a main threat to cancer, and as the population ages, there is a growing majority of cancer cases, necessitating the use of cancer drugs. In addition, economic growth in countries like China, India, and others in the region has led to increased healthcare spending. Rising incomes and government initiatives contribute to improved access to advanced cancer treatments. Many nations in the Asia Pacific region are investing in developing healthcare infrastructure, including establishing specialized cancer treatment centres. Improved infrastructure enhances access to oncology drugs and treatments. Moreover, governments across the region are implementing initiatives to address the growing burden of cancer. Increased funding for cancer research, awareness programs, and treatment accessibility supports market growth. Further, the pharmaceutical industry in Asia Pacific is rapidly expanding, with a focus on research and development. Drug discovery and development investments contribute to the availability of a diverse range of oncology drugs. Besides, there is a growing adoption of targeted therapies and personalized medicine in the Asia Pacific region. Advances in genomics and molecular diagnostics contribute to developing more effective and targeted cancer treatments.



In 2022, the targeted therapy segment held the largest market share at 53.24% and a market revenue of 78.11 billion.



The drug class type segment is divided into chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy and others. In 2022, the targeted therapy segment held the largest market share at 53.24% and a market revenue of 78.11 billion.



In 2022, the breast cancer segment dominated the market with the largest share of 24.36% and revenue of 35.74 billion.



The indication segment includes breast cancer, bladder cancer, colorectal cancer, head & neck cancer, lungs cancer, liver cancer, prostate cancer and others. In 2022, the breast cancer segment dominated the market with the largest share of 24.36% and revenue of 35.74 billion.



In 2022, the injectable segment dominated the market with the largest share of 62.44% and revenue of 91.61 billion.



The dosage form segment is classified into injectable, liquid and solid. In 2022, the injectable segment dominated the market with the largest share of 62.44% and revenue of 91.61 billion.



In 2022, the hospital pharmacies segment dominated the market with the largest share of 41.85% and revenue of 61.40 billion.



The distribution channel segment is split into hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies and online pharmacies. In 2022, the nature language processing segment dominated the market with the largest share of 41.85% and revenue of 61.40 billion.



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Advancement in market



In November 2023: The US has approved AstraZeneca's Truqap (capivasertib) when used in combination with Faslodex (fulvestrant) for the treatment of adult patients diagnosed with HR-positive, HER2-negative, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. This approval is specifically for individuals with one or more biomarker alterations, including Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), AKT Serine/Threonine Kinase 1 (AKT1) or phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA).



In November 2023: Astellas Pharma Inc. has declared that, through a U.S. subsidiary, Astellas is set to acquire Propella under a merger agreement. Propella, a renowned biopharmaceutical company, has utilized an exclusively owned proprietary platform that integrates medicinal chemistry with lymphatic targeting to develop novel oncology drugs.



Market Dynamics



Driver: government initiatives and funding.



Governments worldwide play a pivotal role in advancing cancer care through supportive initiatives, which include establishing national cancer control programs, public awareness campaigns, and initiatives to enhance cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment. These efforts form facilitative circumstances for the growth of the oncology drugs market. Governments and private and philanthropic organizations allocate substantial funding for cancer research. Research grants, fellowships, and institutional support contribute to discovering novel therapeutic targets, innovative drug development, and advancements in cancer treatment strategies. Increased funding fosters a robust pipeline of potential oncology drugs. Furthermore, regulatory agencies like the FDA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) provide incentives and streamlined pathways for developing and approving oncology drugs. Fast-track designations, priority review processes, and orphan drug status are regulatory incentives encouraging pharmaceutical companies to invest in cancer drug development.



Restraint: Limited efficacy in some cancers.



Some cancers possess inherent characteristics that make them resistant to traditional therapies, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. This resistance can be attributed to the specific biology of the cancer cells, including mutations or alterations that render them less susceptible to standard therapeutic approaches. Tumours often exhibit heterogeneity, meaning that different subpopulations of cancer cells within the same tumour may have distinct molecular profiles. This diversity makes it challenging to target all cancer cells effectively with a single therapy, leading to treatment resistance. In addition, cancer cells can evolve, acquiring new mutations or genetic alterations that confer resistance to previously effective treatments. Despite ongoing therapeutic interventions, this adaptive capability allows cancer cells to survive and proliferate.



Opportunity: Orphan drugs and rare cancers.



Rare cancers often lack specific treatment options due to a limited understanding of the diseases and fewer research initiatives compared to more common cancers. Developing orphan drugs for these rare cancers provides an opportunity to meet significant unmet medical needs, offering hope to patients with few or no treatment alternatives. Additionally, regulatory agencies, such as the FDA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA), provide orphan drug designation to drugs for treating rare diseases or conditions. Companies developing orphan drugs receive market exclusivity for a specified period, protecting them from competition and allowing for a more favourable market position. Orphan drug designation often comes with extended periods of patent protection. This additional protection provides companies a longer period during which they can exclusively market and sell the orphan drug, allowing them to recoup development costs and potentially generate greater returns on investment.



Challenge: Diversity in patient populations.



Genetic diversity plays a crucial role in how individuals respond to cancer drugs. Genetic variations can impact drug metabolism, efficacy, and toxicity. Different ethnic groups may exhibit variations in drug-metabolizing enzymes, drug transporters, and drug targets, influencing the overall pharmacogenomics of cancer treatments. Furthermore, pharmacogenetic differences between ethnic groups can result in varied drug responses. Polymorphisms in genes accountable for drug disposition and metabolism may affect the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of cancer drugs, influencing both efficacy and adverse effects. Historically, clinical trials investigating cancer drugs have often underrepresented certain ethnic and racial groups. This lack of diversity in trial populations limits the generalizability of study findings and may lead to an incomplete understanding of how drugs perform in diverse patient cohorts.



Some of the major players operating in the global Oncology/Cancer Drugs market are:



 AbbVie Inc.

 AstraZeneca PLC

 ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

 Amgen Inc.

 Astellas Pharma Inc.

 Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH

 Bayer Healthcare AG

 Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

 CELGENE Corporation

 Eli Lilly and Company

 GlaxoSmithKline

 Genentech, Inc.

 Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.

 Johnson & Johnson

 Merck & Co.

 Novartis

 Pfizer

 Sanofi

 Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries



Key Segments cover in the market:



By Drug Class Type



 Chemotherapy

 Hormonal Therapy

 Immunotherapy

 Targeted Therapy

 Others



By Indication



 Breast Cancer

 Bladder Cancer

 Colorectal Cancer

 Head & Neck Cancer

 Lungs Cancer

 Liver Cancer

 Prostate Cancer

 Others



By Dosage Form



 Injectable

 Liquid

 Solid



By Distribution Channel



 Hospital Pharmacies

 Retail Pharmacies

 Online Pharmacies



By Region



 North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico)

 Europe (Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe)

 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Rest of APAC)

 South America (Brazil and the Rest of South America)

 The Middle East and Africa (UAE, South Africa, Rest of MEA)



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About the report:



The market is analyzed based on value (USD Billion). All the segments have been analyzed worldwide, regional, and country basis. The study includes the analysis of more than 30 countries for each part. The report analyses driving factors, opportunities, restraints, and challenges to gain critical market insight. The study includes Porter's five forces model, attractiveness analysis, Product analysis, supply, and demand analysis, competitor position grid analysis, distribution, and marketing channels analysis.



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Dallas, Jan. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a compelling new blog post, John Helms, a Dallas-based criminal defense attorney with extensive experience in federal law, addresses the often-misunderstood process of drug quantity determination in federal drug cases. His insights reveal the intricacies and significant repercussions this determination has on sentencing outcomes.

The blog, titled "Federal Drug Cases: Determining a Defendants Drug Quantity," offers an in-depth look at the legal nuances involved in these high-stakes cases. Helms discusses how defendants can be held accountable for quantities exceeding what they're caught with and explains the critical role of evidence like wiretaps or witness statements in establishing drug amounts.

Helms' expertise, drawn from his tenure as a federal prosecutor and defense attorney, illuminates the challenges and strategies involved in these cases. He delves into the process of converting seized cash into drug quantities and highlights how a defendant's drug quantity can encompass drugs distributed by others.

The blog also touches upon the specific rules and legal frameworks that govern the determination of drug quantities in federal courts. It provides an overview of the potential defenses available to those facing charges where drug quantity is a pivotal factor.

With this publication, Dallas criminal defense lawyer John Helms aims to educate and inform both legal professionals and the public on the nuances of federal drug law. His insights are particularly valuable for defendants and attorneys navigating the complex landscape of federal drug cases.

The blog post is available for reading on the John Helms Attorney website, providing an invaluable resource for those seeking a deeper understanding of federal drug case proceedings and their implications.

About John Helms:

John Helms is a distinguished criminal defense attorney in Dallas, Texas, with a rich background as a former federal prosecutor. His practice focuses on providing robust defense in federal and state courts, leveraging his extensive experience and deep understanding of the law to advocate for his clients.

Contact Information:

Media contact: William Perras

T: 214-666-8010

W: https://johnhelms.attorney/
DENVER, Jan. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ONEflight International, a leader in the private jet travel industry, proudly announces its achievement of operational excellence through the validation of its Safety Management System (SMS) to an SMS Level 2 by WYVERN , a global authority in aviation safety and risk management.



The recognition follows a comprehensive on-site audit conducted by WYVERN, which thoroughly assessed ONEflight International's commitment to the highest safety standards and operational efficiency.

We are pleased to report that ONEflight International has successfully demonstrated compliance with the stringent WYVERN SMS Standard, earning them the esteemed SMS Level 2 certification.

We extend our sincere congratulations to ONEflight International for this remarkable achievement. The SMS Level 2 certification reflects the company's unwavering dedication to safety and operational excellence.

ONEflight International has demonstrated a commitment to the highest industry standards, setting an example for the entire aviation community," said Andrew Day, Senior Vice President, Operations at WYVERN.

"We are honored to receive the SMS Level 2 certification from WYVERN, a globally recognized authority in aviation safety. This achievement is a testament to our team's dedication to upholding the highest standards in safety and operational excellence," said Ferren Rajput, CEO at ONEflight International.

ONEflight International remains committed to providing its members with the utmost attention to safety, and the SMS Level 2 certification reinforces their position as a leader in the private aviation industry.

About ONEflight International: ONEflight International is a global private aviation company revolutionizing the luxury private jet travel industry since the companys founding in 2010. It is the fastest growing market leader developing and implementing technological solutions for non-commercial air travel through BAJit , its proprietary online Book a Jet platform. With over 700 world-class selected aircraft charter operator partnerships and a network of 7,000 private jets worldwide, ONEflight empowers members to seamlessly search, select and book a private flight with access to a fleet of diverse aircraft at their disposal and excellent customer service from booking to disembarking.

ONEflight firmly believes you dont need to OWN, you just need to FLY .

Visit ONEflight.net for more information.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Dave Rajyagor

VP Strategic Initiatives

ONEflight International

DaveRajyagor@oneflight.net

720-575-4303

About WYVERN: WYVERN is a global leader in aviation safety and risk management, providing services that help organizations achieve the highest standards of safety and operational excellence. With a focus on the aviation industry, WYVERN offers comprehensive safety audits, risk assessments, and certification services, empowering aviation professionals to enhance safety protocols and elevate operational performance.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d717d740-4622-4bb8-94f7-435200bf712b
Nanterre, 12 January 2024

VINCI to build electrical infrastructure in Senegal

1,350 km of transmission lines and 8 very-high-voltage transformer stations

Three years of works

A 200 million contract

VINCI Energies and Senelec have signed a 200 million contract to build an array of electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure. French authorities will contribute to the project's financing.

The works will last three years and employ a total of more than 1,000 people. They involve building 1,350 km of high-voltage and very-high-voltage overhead and underground transmission lines to connect several thousand homes. They also involve building eight very-high-voltage transformer stations. The grid management system will moreover be enhanced, for example with the addition of an interface to remotely manage operations and detect defects in the overhead and underground power lines.

The local teams will receive training and know-how, with support from VINCI Energies French and Moroccan subsidiaries.

This project is part of a wider programme to expand Senegal's transmission and distribution grid, with a view to efficiently and sustainably strengthening the country's energy capacity by 2026 and to move towards universal access to electricity.

About VINCI

VINCI is a global player in concessions, energy and construction, employing more than 272,000 people in more than 120 countries. We design, finance, build and operate infrastructure and facilities that help improve daily life and mobility for all. Because we believe in all-round performance, we are committed to operating in an environmentally, socially responsible and ethical manner. And because our projects are in the public interest, we consider that reaching out to all our stakeholders and engaging in dialogue with them is essential in the conduct of our business activities. Based on that approach, VINCIs ambition is to create long-term value for its customers, shareholders, employees, partners and society in general. www.vinci.com





This press release is an official information document of the VINCI Group.

PRESS CONTACT

VINCI Press Department

Tel: +33 (0)1 57 98 62 88

media.relations@vinci.com





Attachment
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Chinese power and energy storage battery supplier CALB Co., Ltd. ("CALB") and Zhongcheng Dayou Industry Group Co., Ltd. ("Zhongcheng Dayou") signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Shenzhen on January 11, according to CALB's press release.

According to the agreement, the two parties will collaborate primarily in areas such as independent energy storage on the grid side, industrial and commercial energy storage, and integrated projects involving solar storage and ultra-fast charging. This collaboration aims to synergize resources, elevate technological capabilities, and enhance the level of green development.

Photo credit: CALB

Zhongcheng Dayou, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the state-owned Zhongting Holding Group Co., Ltd., aligns closely with national strategies, strategically focusing on various regions, including the Pearl River Delta, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. The group is dedicated to becoming a leader in the new energy ecosystem, supporting the implementation of dual-carbon goals, accelerating the transformation of the energy system, and comprehensively deploying energy storage markets on both the "user side" and the "grid side" nationwide. It promotes the "county-wide integration of photovoltaic, energy storage, and ultra-fast charging" model, aiming to establish a national demonstration county for carbon neutrality.

CALB, with years of dedicated focus on the energy storage market, boasts leading technology and product capabilities. It possesses extensive experience in energy storage market applications and serves as a key player in national energy storage demonstration projects. The company strategically positions itself in various application scenarios, including new energy-enabled power generation, grid integration, and end-user applications. CALB has established long-term strategic partnerships with industry-leading enterprises in wind power, photovoltaics, and the national power grid. It has achieved comprehensive coverage in diverse application scenarios such as offshore islands, remote plateaus, high-altitude and low-pressure environments, setting numerous domestic records in total installed capacity.
Westford,USA, Jan. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global Automotive Ignition Coil market size is expected to reach USD 14.76 billion by 2030 and exhibit a CAGR of 3.8% in the forecast period (20232030), according to Skyquest's latest research report. The increasing demand for vehicles, especially passenger cars, the growth of the automotive aftermarket industry, the need for fuel-efficient and low-emission vehicles, technological advancements in ignition systems, and the expansion of the global automotive industry are fueling the market's growth.

According to SkyQuest's latest global research of the Automotive Ignition Coil market, the increasing adoption of lightweight materials for improved efficiency and reduced emissions, the shift towards electric and hybrid vehicles, the development of high-energy ignition coils for enhanced engine performance, and the integration of advanced electronic components for ignition system control are the trends that aid in the market's growth.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Automotive Ignition Coil Market"

Pages - 157

Tables - 89

Figures -76

An automotive ignition coil is a transformer that converts the 12-volt battery voltage to a high voltage of up to 30,000 volts. This high voltage is needed to create the spark that ignites the air-fuel mixture in the engine's combustion chambers.

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Prominent Players in Automotive Ignition Coil Market

Denso Corporation

Robert Bosch GmbH

Hitachi Automotive Systems Ltd.

Hella GmbH & Co. KGaA

Diamond Electric Holdings Co. Ltd.

NGK SPARK PLUG Co. Ltd.

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

BorgWarner Inc.

Eldor Corporation

Furuhashi Auto Electric Parts Co. Ltd.

Taiwan Ignition System Co. Ltd.

Valeo SA

Federal-Mogul Corporation

Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.

Delphi Automotive Systems

Continental AG

Magneti Marelli S.p.A.

Delphi Technologies

IAC Group

Marelli Holdings Co., Ltd.

ASMO

ZF Friedrichshafen AG

Report Scope & Segmentation:

Attributes



Details



Forecast Period



2023-2030 Market Size in 2022



10.95 Billion 2030 Value Projection



14.76 Billion CAGR 3.8% Segments Covered















Vehicle Type passenger cars, commercial vehicles (including light commercial vehicles and heavy commercial vehicles), and two-wheelers



Ignition Channel pencil ignition coils, canister ignition coils, electronic ignition coils, and others



Sales Channel OEMs and aftermarkets











Regions Covered







North America (US, Canada), Europe (Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe), Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, Rest of Asia-Pacific), Latin America (Brazil, Rest of Latin America), Middle East & Africa (South Africa, GCC Countries, Rest of MEA)

Coil-on-Plug Ignition Coil Demand to Grow Substantially in the Forecast Period

Coil-on-Plug Ignition Coils dominate the global online market as they are known for their advanced technology and design, which allows for efficient ignition and precise timing of the spark in each cylinder. COP ignition coils offer improved engine performance, including better fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and increased power output. These benefits are highly desirable for both manufacturers and consumers.

Browse summary of the report and Complete Table of Contents (ToC):

https://www.skyquestt.com/report/automotive-ignition-coil-market

Passenger Cars are the Leading Application Segment

In terms of application, passenger cars are the leading segment as it is a significant portion of the automotive market, with a large number of units produced and sold globally. This high market volume drives the demand for automotive ignition coils. Consumer preferences for passenger cars often emphasize factors like engine performance, fuel efficiency, and reduced emissions. High-quality ignition coils are essential for achieving these goals.

Asia Pacific is the leading Market Due to the Technological Advancements

Region-wise, Asia Pacific is one of the largest growing markets with a huge emphasis on technological advancements. The region has a high production and consumption of automobiles, especially in countries like China, Japan, and South Korea. Asia-Pacific's robust automotive manufacturing industry and growing consumer demand were key drivers.

A recent report thoroughly analyzes the major players operating within the Automotive Ignition Coil 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 Automotive Ignition Coil.

Speak to Analyst for your custom requirements:

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Key Developments in Automotive Ignition Coil Market

Diamond Electric Holdings Co. Ltd (Diamond Electric HD) made an announcement regarding the dissolution and liquidation of its subsidiary in Thailand, Diamond Electric (Thailand) Co. Ltd. The reason behind this decision is the consolidation of automotive ignition coil production into Diamond Electric Asia Pacific Co. Ltd, which already handles the same products in the eastern region of Thailand.

Key Questions Answered in Automotive Ignition Coil 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 Head Up Display Market

Global Air Conditioning Market

Global Automotive Data Cables Market

Global Motor Control Centers Market

Global Automotive Radar Market

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Dublin, Jan. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells: Global Markets 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

A groundbreaking research publication providing an in-depth overview and forecasts for the global market of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) has now been released. Offering invaluable insights into an expanding field, this report emphasizes the significant strides and market projections from 2023 to 2028 in iPSC applications and technologies.

With 34 data tables and a detailed narrative, the report analyzes the iPSC industry, assessing the compound annual growth rates and market dynamics that shape its trajectory. It methodically examines revenue growth prospects and explicates a market share analysis dissected by reprogramming method, application, derived tissue cell type, species, product function, end use, and geographic region.

Given the crucial influence of regulatory environments on the markets expansion, the report meticulously evaluates these aspects to aid stakeholders in navigating this complex landscape. It goes further to spotlight the ongoing R&D efforts in the iPSC segment, highlighting new developments, pipeline products, and the fervent research activity that is propelling the industry forward.

Industry Growth Drivers & Restraints

The report also discusses the driving forces enhancing the markets growth, identifying novel opportunities within the iPSC sector. Conversely, it addresses limiting factors, providing a balanced overview of challenges faced in the industry. The publication demonstrates how these dynamics impact future market trends and sales projections for iPSC research and clinical applications.

Focused Market Segments

In the context of emerging trends, the report pays particular attention to the application of iPSCs within drug discovery and development. It exhibits the use of iPSC technology in diverse processes such as pharmacotoxicity screening, lead generation, and 3D disease modeling. Additionally, it delves into the competitive landscape, presenting a market share analysis of leading suppliers and manufacturers based on product types and geography. A comprehensive patent analysis and research funding examination are also included to forecast the direction of growth and innovation in the iPSC market.

Covering four main geographic regions  The U.S., Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World (RoW), the report delineates the specificity of induced pluripotent stem cells across these territories, offering nuanced insights into regional market behavior and opportunities.

With an impressive compilation of data and strategic analysis, this report serves as an authoritative source for stakeholders, investors, and industry specialists involved in the iPSC market. It stands as a vital resource to comprehend current market trends, fostering informed decision-making, and spurring further advancements in the field of regenerative medicine and beyond.

Global Market Trends and Revenue Data

Key Manufacturer Profiles

Research and Development Activity in the iPSC Segment

Detailed Market Share Analysis

For those engaged with the realm of induced pluripotent stem cells, this report offers a comprehensive review of the market, while projecting future industry developments poised to shape the landscape through 2028.

Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 121 Forecast Period 2023 - 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $3.4 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $5.2 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 9.1% Regions Covered Global

Key Topics Covered:





Chapter 1 Introduction

Chapter 2 Summary and Highlights

Chapter 3 Market Overview

Pluripotency Factors

Research and Therapeutic Significance

Chapter 4 Market Dynamics

Market Drivers Growing Research and Development in iPSCs Increased Investment in the Biotechnology Industry Rising Prevalence of Chronic Diseases Use of iPSCs in Precision Medicine



Chapter 5 Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Applications

Academic Research

Pharmaco-toxicological Screening

Drug Discovery and Development

Disease Modeling

Tissue Engineering

Cell Therapy

Emerging Technologies

Chapter 6 Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Market Segmentation and Forecast

Market Overview

Generation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Application-based Market Overview

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Product Market

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Tissue Cell Market

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Their Derivative Cell Market, by Species

Major Suppliers and Manufacturers of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Products

Market for Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Cells, by Application

Market for Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells, by Product Function

Market for Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells, by End Use

Chapter 7 Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Research Application Market

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Research Product Types

Major Players

Major Commercial Entities

Major Noncommercial Organizations

Market Shares and Projections

Chapter 8 Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Contract Service Market

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Contract Service Types

Major Players

Market Shares and Projections

Chapter 9 Clinical Application Market Trend Analysis

Clinical Trials

Age-related Macular Degeneration

Ischemic Heart Disease

Parkinson's Disease

Graft-versus-host Disease (GvHD)

Spinal Cord Injuries

Corneal Repair

Cancer

Driving Forces

Limiting Factors

Technologies

Regulations

Market Acceptance

Clinical Efficiency

Chapter 10 Competitive Landscape

Mergers and Acquisitions

Strategic Alliances

Companies Mentioned

Addgene

Allele Biotechnology And Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Alstem

Applied Biological Materials

Applied Stemcell Inc.

ATCC

Axol Bioscience Ltd.

Bio-Techne Corp.

Bluerock Therapeutics

Bristol Myers Squibb

Cell Signaling Technology

Corning Inc.

Creative Bioarray

Fate Therapeutics

Fujifilm Cellular Dynamics

Genecopoeia Inc.

Gentarget Inc.

ID Pharma Co. Ltd.

Invivogen

Lonza Group Ltd.

Megakaryon Corp.

Merck

Ncardia

Newcells Biotech

Peprotech Inc.

Plasticell Ltd.

Promega Corp.

Promocell

Qiagen

Reprocell Inc.

Sciencell Research Laboratories

Stemcell Technologies

System Biosciences Inc.

Takara Bio USA

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Waisman Biomanufacturing



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/159yr8

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
TORONTO, Jan. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Interior design firm LIV Design Studio is thrilled to announce their return to IDS with The Art of Outdoor Living booth at IDS Toronto 2024. Following the success of the multi-disciplinary design firms 2022 Student Design Challenge and the corresponding booth at IDS Vancouver, LIV Design Studio seeks to provide another innovative trade show experience through cutting-edge technology while once again giving a platform to Canadian interior design students.

Much like the previous iteration, which was hailed as one of the most popular booths at IDS Vancouver 2022, this booth will house the works of three finalists from LIV Design Studios 2023 Student Design Challenge: Emily Peterson from BCIT, Cali Pitcher from Georgian College, and Saiqa Javid Shaikh from LaSalle College Vancouver. This challenge received over 30 submissions from Canadian interior design students and recent graduates, who were tasked with creating a 188 sq. ft. patio design for all-season use. These three finalists, selected by our panel of judges, will have their designs showcased in augmented reality at this collaborative booth  with final placements to be revealed on January 21st at the Cosentino Stage at IDS Toronto 2024. Attendees will also have the opportunity to vote for their favourite design to determine the Peoples Choice Award winner, who will receive a $1,000 cash prize.

LIV Design Studio looks forward to reinforcing their presence in Toronto, building off the success of multi-residential projects for Concord Adex and in the Concord CityPlace community. The design firm also has a longstanding history with IDS, having previously designed the VIP Lounge at IDS Vancouver 2019, The Future of Work: A Virtual Experience booth at IDS Vancouver 2022, and the Secret Bar at IDS Toronto 2023. The Vancouver-based design firm looks forward to continuing this partnership, putting their TECH/DESIGN/CULTURE ethos into practice while continuing to bring unique new experiences to a Toronto audience through the creative use of AR technology.

About the booth

As IDS celebrates their 25th anniversary with this years event, LIV Design Studios The Art of Outdoor Living booth is a testament to both the great Canadian outdoors and the future of interior design. A true collaborative effort, this project will see contributions from the entire LIV Design Studio team, as well as from student designers themselves. The physical space will be designed by LIVs own interior designers to house an immersive augmented-reality experience that will rely on hyper realistic 3D models created by our in-house CG team, based on students designs.

After careful consideration of how to best represent the hard work of these talented student designers, the LIV Design Studio team chose augmented reality due to the limitless possibilities for creativity, interactivity and further innovation. After debuting their AR experience at IDS Vancouver 2022, the firms team immediately started thinking about how this immersive project could be scaled and replicated for central Canadian and east coast audiences at IDS Toronto.

The Art of Outdoor Living will be a 1,000 sq. ft. booth consisting of three 188 sq. ft. micro-spaces to house students AR designs. Attendees at IDS Toronto will be able to interact with these micro-spaces in augmented reality and vote to determine the winner of the Peoples Choice Award using QR codes placed at the booths exit.

LIVs Student Design Challenge

The second iteration of LIV Design Studios Student Design Challenge again celebrates the work of up-and-coming interior designers, this time from across Canada, providing an opportunity for students to present their work in AR to the Canadian interior design community. Tasked with bringing to life their vision of a multi-residential patio space, entrants will present a concept and design for a 188 sq. ft. patio space that allows for several different uses throughout the year.

Finalists will be chosen by a panel of industry leaders from among a wide pool of candidates that includes students and recent graduates from registered interior design programs across the country. LIV Design Studios in-house CG team will be transforming finalists design renderings into hyper-realistic 3D models, which can be viewed in dedicated AR portals. During IDS Toronto 2024, attendees will be able to view and vote to determine the Peoples Choice Award winner, with a panel of judges determining final placement. A grand prize of $8,000, courtesy of GROHE, will be awarded to the first-place winner, with second place receiving $4,000 from Vicostone, $2,000 for third place from M R Evans & Metro Wallcoverings, and a $1,000 Peoples Choice Prize from Shaw Contract.

LIV Design Studio would like to thank our generous sponsors for their help in bringing both the Student Design Challenge and The Art of Outdoor Living booth to life. Cash prizes come courtesy of GROHE, Vicostone, M R Evans, Metro Wallcoverings, and Shaw Contract. The Art of Outdoor Living is sponsored by Concord Pacific, with furniture provided by Vicostone and RODA, and lighting from Diffusion Lighting by RJCross.

For more information about The Art of Outdoor Living booth and LIVs Student Design Challenge, please visit our website at liv.ca/student-challenge / .

Please refer to this link for visual assets: http://bit.ly/3tSNNVV
Dallas, TX, Jan. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SitePro Rentals announced the opening of a new branch in Haltom City, Texas. The 12,500 square foot facility on three acres will service customers in the greater Fort Worth area. The new location will be managed by Grady White.

This branch will help us connect our branch network in North Texas and even further establish our presence in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, allowing us to share fleet more efficiently and better serve contractors and construction professionals in DFW, said John Hiatt, Chief Operating Officer of SitePro.

Located at 5701 Denton Highway in Haltom City (76148), this site will be the 16th location opened by SitePro since its founding in 2021. Further growth is on the horizon notes Tim Rule, SitePro President, Were committed to being the friendly, local rental pros of choice for DFW area customers. With Haltom City, and an additional rental branch location in Aubrey, Texas opening in just a matter of weeks, SitePro is demonstrating our commitment to customers in this fast-growing market. Those interested in learning more about SitePro Rentals locations, rental fleet, and best-in-class rental experience can do so by visiting SiteProRentals.com or by calling (972) RENT-NOW.

About SitePro Rentals

SitePro Rentalsa wholly-owned subsidiary of Sammons Industrial and part of the Sammons Enterprises family of employee-owned companiesspecializes in rental of construction and industrial equipment. SitePro serves a broad variety of customers, including commercial contractors, facility managers, and other construction and industrial professionals in Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, Tennessee and surrounding areas. Founded in 2021, SitePro is No. 64 on the RER 100.

For more information, please visit www.SiteProRentals.com.

Attachments
Dublin, Jan. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Europe Assessment of Stealth Fighter and Bomber Market: Analysis and Forecast, 2025-2035" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



Introduction to Europe Assessment of Stealth Fighter and Bomber Market







The Europe assessment of stealth fighter and bomber market will grow from $225.0 million in 2025 to $714.0 million by 2035, at a CAGR of 12.24% during the forecast period 2025-2035.

Stealth technology is a critical element for securing national boundaries and maintaining dominance in global airspace in an ever-changing defensive landscape. Stealth bombers are meant to be multirole, allowing them to conduct a variety of missions. Next-generation stealth bomber aircraft are adaptable assets that can adapt to new threats and operational objectives, from strategic nuclear deterrent and long-range attack missions to electronic warfare and information collection.

Furthermore, stealth bombers like the B-21 Raider play an important role in modern air forces due to their ability to engage ground units, undertake reconnaissance flights, execute clandestine intelligence missions, and disrupt enemy radar systems. Their unique capacity to perform these operations in enemy airspace while minimizing the danger of detection emphasizes their strategic significance.



Market Introduction



The analysis of the stealth fighter and bomber market encompasses a full examination of the industry, which includes established titans such as Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, as well as rising start-ups attempting to make their mark in this technologically advanced field. This market is focused on the development and deployment of advanced stealth bomber and fighter aircraft, demonstrating the advancement of military aviation technology.

As countries around the world invest in cutting-edge defense capabilities, the race to develop the most sophisticated and stealthy bombers has heated up. This market highlights the key competitors, technological breakthroughs, market trends, and strategic efforts that are shaping the evaluation of the stealth fighter and bomber market landscape. In terms of technology, the market is seeing major developments in radar-evading materials and designs, as well as thrust vectoring for improved performance.

How can this report add value to an organization?



Product/Innovation Strategy: The study provides the reader with a detailed understanding of the assessment of stealth fighter and bomber market by application on the basis of application (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare (EW) and precision strike).



Growth/Marketing Strategy: The Europe assessment of stealth fighter and bomber market has seen major development by key players operating in the market, such as business expansion, partnership, collaboration, and joint venture. The favored strategy for the companies has been merger and acquisition to strengthen their position in the assessment of stealth fighter and bomber market. For instance, in January 2023, Germany made a substantial financial commitment to the FCAS program, allocating approximately $43 billion. This funding underscores the nation's dedication to the development of a sixth-generation platform that would redefine air dominance. The next-generation fighter (NGF) is poised to be the centerpiece of FCAS, equipped with a new engine, advanced armament systems, cutting-edge stealth technology, enhanced sensors, and the capability to communicate seamlessly with unmanned aircraft. Moreover, it will be a vital component of the air-combat cloud network.



Methodology: The research methodology design adopted for this specific study includes a mix of data collected from primary and secondary data sources. Both primary resources (key players, market leaders, and in-house experts) and secondary research (a host of paid and unpaid databases), along with analytical tools, are employed to build the predictive and forecast models.



Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 82 Forecast Period 2025 - 2035 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2025 $225 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2035 $714 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 12.2% Regions Covered Europe

Key Topics Covered:



1 Market

1.1 Industry Outlook

1.1.1 Next-Generation Stealth Bomber Aircraft: Overview

1.2 Use Cases for Long-Range Strike Bombers

1.2.1 Unparalleled Options Offered by Long-Range Strike Bombers

1.2.2 Advantages of the B-21 as Lead Component of a Long-Range Strike Bomber

1.3 Requirement to Increase the Number of Long-Range Strike Bombers for Meeting the Critical Operational Demands

1.3.1 Scaling Bomber Force to Handle a Significant Conflict with China

1.3.2 Determining the Optimal Size of the Bomber Force for Effective Deterrence Against a Secondary Aggressor

1.3.3 Determining the Appropriate Scale for Nuclear Deterrence

1.4 Ongoing Programs

1.4.1 Future Combat Air System (FCAS)

1.4.2 Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD)

1.4.3 F-X Program

1.4.4 Global Combat Air Program (GCAP)

1.4.5 TF-X Kaan Fifth-Generation Fighter Jet Program

1.5 Current and Emerging Technological Trends

1.5.1 Use of Advance Material in Next-Generation Stealth Bombers

1.5.2 Advancement in Components

1.5.3 Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Stealth Technology

1.6 Supply Chain Analysis

1.7 Business Dynamics

1.7.1 Business Drivers

1.7.1.1 Need for Increased Range and Mission Persistence

1.7.1.1.1 Need for Increased Capacity to Engage Moving Targets at Scale

1.7.2 Business Challenges

1.7.2.1 Cost Effectiveness of Next-Generation Stealth Bombers

1.7.2.2 Complex Maintenance Requirements

1.7.3 Business Opportunities

1.7.3.1 Meeting Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) Requirements



2 Europe

2.1 Assessment of Stealth Fighter and Bomber Market (by Region)

2.2 Europe

2.2.1 Market

2.2.1.1 Key Manufacturers and Suppliers in Europe

2.2.1.2 Business Drivers

2.2.1.3 Business Challenges

2.2.2 Application

2.2.2.1 Europe Assessment of Stealth Fighter and Bomber Market (by Application), Volume and Value Data

2.2.3 Europe (by Country)

2.2.3.1 Russia

2.2.3.1.1 Market

2.2.3.1.1.1 Key Players in Russia

2.2.3.1.2 Application

2.2.3.1.2.1 Russia Assessment of Stealth Fighter and Bomber Market (by Application), Volume and Value Data

2.2.3.2 U.K.

2.2.3.2.1 Market

2.2.3.2.1.1 Key Players in the U.K.

2.2.3.3 Germany

2.2.3.3.1 Market

2.2.3.3.1.1 Key Players in Germany

2.2.3.4 France

2.2.3.4.1 Market

2.2.3.4.1.1 Key Players in France

2.2.3.5 Italy

2.2.3.5.1 Market

2.2.3.5.1.1 Key Player in Italy

2.2.3.6 Turkiye

2.2.3.6.1 Market

2.2.3.6.1.1 Key Players in Turkiye



3 Market - Key Company Participants

3.1 Key Participants



4 Research Methodology



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/r94cww

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
Highlights:



Application for 5-year Multi-Year Area-Based (MYAB) permit for diamond drilling on up to 50 sites in the southern portion of the Princeton Project (the Property)

Proposed 10 drill sites to test multiple targets along 3.3 km of Trojan-Condor corridor for Year 1

Ground-based induced polarization (IP) proposed on several additional targets in north and south portions of Property





VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- COLLECTIVE METALS INC. (CSE: COMT | OTC: CLLMF | FSE: TO1) (the Company or Collective) has submitted three Notices of Work to the South-Central B.C. regional office of the Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Innovation (EMLI), located in Kamloops. The applications are for 5-year MYABs and include up to 50 diamond drill sites over the five years, 50 line-km of IP on the north portion of the Property, and 50 line-km on the south portion of the Property. The applications include plans for a comprehensive exploration program in 2024 including up to ten (10) diamond drill sites along the Trojan-Condor corridor and 21 line-km of ground-based IP at several outboard targets to follow up on 2023 surface geochemical programs (Figure 1).



Year one drilling is proposed along a 3.3-km strike length of the Trojan-Condor corridor in areas where previous exploration trails and forestry roads provide easy access and opportunity for minimal ground disturbance. The exploration model for the area comprises a buried copper  gold porphyry associated with Triassic diorite intrusions analogous to the Copper Mountain Mine deposits approximately 10 km to east. Several compelling geophysical and geochemical targets exist along the corridor, where outcrop is scarce due to a veneer  blanket of glacial till and outwash deposits (please see Company News Release dated Oct. 24, 2023). Drill targets will be refined over the winter months as results of the 2023 soil sampling program are synthesized with historic compilation work, re-processed geophysical datasets, and developing geological knowledge.

In addition to a diamond drilling program, the Company has applied to conduct up to 100 line-km of IP (over 5 years) at the Fourteen Mile, Lamont Ridge, Coalmont Road, and Findlay targets. Fourteen Mile is an approximately 900 x 1800 m area with previously mapped Iron Carbonate-Silica alteration, sporadic Potassic anomalies and a small exposure of diorite1. High-quality sieved roadside sediment samples collected by the previous operator yielded highly anomalous copper (up to 500 ppm) 2. Lamont Ridge is a historic target area with several altered and pyrite-bearing outcrops, sporadic potassic radiometric anomalies, and weakly to moderately elevated copper in rock samples (517.8 ppm Cu) 3. Findlay is a small (400 x 500 m) area overlying a diorite stock at the south end of the Upper Triassic Rice Stock and a corresponding magnetic high which has historically yielded moderately anomalous Cu in sediment and a rock sample of pyritic diorite returned >300 ppm Cu2. The Coalmont Road target lies along the highway at the north edge of the Rice Stock where a strong bright orange gossan is intermittently exposed over 5 km with associated structures. These outboard targets all returned multi-element soil geochemical anomalies in the 2023 Phase II soil sampling program, which will be discussed in the coming weeks.





Figure 1 - Princeton Project Proposed Year 1 Work Program Including Proposed Diamond Drill Hole Locations

References

Saleken, L.W., 2013. Compilation Assessment Report on the Tulameen Project Mineral Property, Similkameen Mining Division, BC Geological Survey Assessment Report 33626a. Zastavnikovich, S., 2012. Geochemical Rock, Sediment, and Soil Sampling Report on the Tulameen Project Mineral Property, Similkameen Mining Division, BC Geological Survey Assessment Report 33626b. Saleken, L.W., 2011. Compilation Assessment Report on the Tulameen Project Mineral Property, Similkameen Mining Division, BC Geological Survey Assessment Report 32268a.





Marketing

The Company also announces that it entered into an agreement on January 11, 2024 (the Agreement) with RMK Marketing Inc. (RMK) (address: 41 Lana Terrace, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, L5A 3B2; email: Roberto@rmkmarketing.ca) to provide marketing services for a term of 6 months, commencing January 29, 2024 (the Term).

RMK is an independent company which will, as appropriate, provide project management and consulting for an online marketing campaign, coordinate marketing actions, maintain and optimize AdWords campaigns, adapt AdWords bidding strategies, optimize AdWords ads and create and optimize landing pages (the Services). The promotional activity will occur by email, Facebook, and Google.

Under the terms of the Agreement, the Company will compensate RMK CAD $250,000. The Company will not issue any securities to RMK as compensation for the Services. As of the date hereof, to the Companys knowledge, RMK (including its directors and officers) does not own any securities of the Company and has an arms length relationship with the Company.

Qualified Person

This news release has been reviewed and approved by Rick Walker, P. Geo., who is acting as the Companys Qualified Person for the Property, in accordance with regulations under NI 43-101.

The information disclosed is not necessarily indicative of mineralization on the Property.

About Collective Metals:

Collective Metals Inc. (CSE: COMT | OTC: CLLMF | FSE: TO1) is a resource exploration company specializing in precious metals exploration in North America. The Companys flagship property is the Princeton Project, located in south-central British Columbia, Canada, approximately 10 km west of the currently producing Copper Mountain Mine. The Princeton Project consists of 29 mineral tenures totaling approximately 28,560 ha (70,570 acres) in a well-documented and prolific copper-gold porphyry belt and is easily accessible by road, located immediately west of Highway 3.

The Companys Landings Lake Lithium Project is located in northwestern Ontario where numerous lithium deposits have been delineated to host significant reserves of Li 2 O. The Landings Lake Lithium Project is located 53 km east of Ear Falls, Ontario and covers 3,146 hectares. The Whitemud Project, with several identified pegmatite outcrops, neighbours the Landings Lake Project and consists of 381 single cell mining claims totaling 7,775 hectares.

Social Media

ON BEHALF OF COLLECTIVE METALS INC.

Christopher Huggins

Chief Executive Officer

T: 604-968-4844

E: chris@collectivemetalsinc.com

Forward Looking Information

Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, including with respect to future plans, and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including but not limited to, business, economic and capital market conditions, the ability to manage operating expenses, and dependence on key personnel. Forward looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements respecting further exploration work on the Property in the future and statements with respect to the provision of the Services by RMK ; completion of the Report. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, anticipated costs, and the ability to achieve goals. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, the continued availability of capital and financing, litigation, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, loss of key employees and consultants, and general economic, market or business conditions. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/52b7b395-1ae3-4217-9c53-bebb71a411cb
Naples Florida, Jan. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Music Licensing, Inc. (OTC: SONG), a leading player in the music industry, announced today that on January 11, 2024, at 4:12 PM EST, the company was contacted by another publicly traded entity expressing interest in the potential acquisition of its wholly-owned subsidiary, "Pro Music Rights."

While Music Licensing, Inc. is not actively seeking the sale of "Pro Music Rights," the company remains open to exploring opportunities that align with its strategic objectives. In response to the inquiry, Music Licensing, Inc. informed the contacting party that discussions would be contingent upon the execution of a Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).

"At Music Licensing, Inc., we continuously evaluate opportunities that can enhance shareholder value," said Jake P. Noch, CEO of Music Licensing, Inc. "While we are not actively pursuing the sale of 'Pro Music Rights,' we are committed to considering any offers that align with our business goals and add significant value to our shareholders."

In the event that concrete offers are presented, the matter will be subjected to thorough scrutiny by Music Licensing, Inc.'s Board of Directors. Any potential sale would also require approval or denial from the Board and, subsequently, undergo a shareholder vote before reaching finalization.

It's important to note that this is a preliminary stage of discussion, and Music Licensing, Inc. emphasizes that there is a high likelihood that no further developments may arise from these initial talks. The company remains focused on its commitment to delivering value to its stakeholders and maintaining transparency throughout any potential negotiations.

About Music Licensing, Inc. (OTC: SONG) ( ProMusicRights.com )

Music Licensing, Inc. (OTC: SONG), also known as Pro Music Rights, is the 5th public performance rights organization (PRO) to be formed in the United States. Its licensees include notable companies such as TikTok, iHeart Media, Triller, Napster, 7Digital, Vevo, and many others. Pro Music Rights holds an estimated market share of 7.4% in the United States, representing over 2,500,000 works that feature notable artists such as A$AP Rocky, Wiz Khalifa, Pharrell, Young Jeezy, Juelz Santana, Lil Yachty, MoneyBagg Yo, Larry June, Trae Pound, Sause Walka, Trae Tha Truth, Sosamann, Soulja Boy, Lex Luger, Trauma Tone, Lud Foe, SlowBucks, Gunplay, OG Maco, Rich The Kid, Fat Trel, Young Scooter, Nipsey Hussle, Famous Dex, Boosie Badazz, Shy Glizzy, 2 Chainz, Migos, Gucci Mane, Young Dolph, Trinidad James, Chingy, Lil Gnar, 3OhBlack, Curren$y, Fall Out Boy, Money Man, Dej Loaf, Lil Uzi Vert, and countless others, as well as Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) Created Music. Additionally, Music Licensing, Inc. (OTC: SONG) owns royalty stakes in musical works by artists such as Elton John, Lil Nas X, Miley Cyrus, Lil Wayne, XXXTentacion, Halsey, and numerous others.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Investors are cautioned that, all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, the ability of Music Licensing, Inc. & Pro Music Rights, Inc. to accomplish its stated plan of business. Music Licensing, Inc. & Pro Music Rights, Inc. believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate, and therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this press release will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by Pro Music Rights, Inc., Music Licensing, Inc., or any other person.

Non-Legal Advice Disclosure:

This press release does not constitute legal advice, and readers are advised to seek legal counsel for any legal matters or questions related to the content herein.

Non-Investment Advice Disclosure:

This communication is intended solely for informational purposes and does not in any way imply or constitute a recommendation or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any securities, commodities, bonds, options, derivatives, or any other investment products. Any decisions related to investments should be made after thorough research and consultation with a qualified financial advisor or professional. We assume no liability for any actions taken or not taken based on the information provided in this communication

Contact: investors@ProMusicRights.com

SOURCE: Music Licensing, Inc.
Westford,USA, Jan. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to SkyQuest, proliferation of e-commerce and the widespread adoption of mobile payment methods are driving the demand for Payment as a Service solutions. As consumers increasingly shop online and use smartphones for transactions, businesses are compelled to offer secure and convenient payment options. This driver is powered by the need for companies to cater to changing consumer preferences and provide seamless payment experiences, resulting in a surge in the adoption of PaaS to accommodate these evolving payment methods.

Browse in-depth TOC on the "Payment As A Service Market"

Pages - 157

Tables - 88

Figures  76

The growing emphasis on payment security and regulatory compliance is a critical driver for the Payment as a Service market. With rising cybersecurity threats and stringent data protection regulations, businesses are turning to PaaS providers to ensure the secure handling of sensitive financial data. These solutions offer robust security features, including encryption, tokenization, and fraud detection, helping organizations meet compliance requirements while safeguarding their customers' payment information.

Get a sample copy of this report:

https://www.skyquestt.com/sample-request/payment-as-a-service-market

Prominent Players in the Payment As A Service Market

Adyen NV (Netherlands)

Alipay (China)

Amazon Pay (US)

Apple Pay (US)

Braintree (US)

Checkout.com (UK)

Fiserv, Inc. (US)

Global Payments Inc. (US)

Google Pay (US)

Ingenico Group (France)

Klarna (Sweden)

Mastercard Inc. (US)

PayPal Holdings, Inc. (US)

PayU (Netherlands)

Square, Inc. (US)

Stripe Inc. (US)

Tencent Holdings Limited (China)

Verifone Systems, Inc. (US)

Visa Inc. (US)

Worldpay Inc. (UK)

Platform Segment is Expected to Grow the Market Due to Flexibility and Scalability

The platform segment in the global Payment as a Service market is experiencing rapid growth due to its flexibility and scalability. Companies increasingly rely on PaaS platforms that provide modular, customizable solutions for payment processing. This allows businesses to tailor their payment infrastructure to specific requirements while reducing development time and costs. The platform segment's growth is fueled by its ability to adapt to evolving market dynamics and support innovative payment methods, making it an attractive choice for businesses seeking agility in the ever-changing payments landscape.

Asia Pacific stands out as a dominant region in the global Payment as a Service (PaaS) market due to its dynamic economies, rapid urbanization, and burgeoning e-commerce ecosystem. The region's expanding middle class and smartphone penetration have fueled a surge in digital payments and online shopping. As a result, businesses in Asia Pacific are increasingly adopting PaaS solutions to accommodate these changing payment preferences and drive financial inclusion. The region's dominance is further reinforced by proactive government initiatives to promote digital payments and enhance financial infrastructure.

Browse summary of the report and Complete Table of Contents (ToC):

https://www.skyquestt.com/report/payment-as-a-service-market

Services Segment is Expected to Dominate the Market Due to Growing Demand for Payment Processing

Services have established themselves as the dominant segment in the global Payment as a Service (PaaS) market. This dominance is attributed to the growing demand for payment processing, gateway integration, fraud prevention, and subscription management services. Businesses seek comprehensive PaaS solutions that can handle the complexities of payment transactions, customer support, and compliance management. As a result, service providers offering end-to-end payment solutions are thriving in the market, catering to the diverse needs of businesses across industries.

Regional markets in the Latin America is emerging as a fast-growing region in the global Payment as a Service market. This growth is driven by a rising middle class, increasing internet penetration, and a growing appetite for digital payments. Businesses in the region are recognizing the need to modernize their payment infrastructure to cater to a tech-savvy consumer base. Additionally, government policies aimed at promoting financial technology and digital inclusion are contributing to the rapid adoption of PaaS solutions in Latin America, making it a promising market for expansion and innovation.

A comprehensive analysis of the major players in the payment as a service market has been recently conducted in a report. The report encompasses various aspects, including collaborations, mergers, innovative business policies, and strategies, providing valuable insights into key trends and breakthroughs in the market. Furthermore, the report scrutinizes the market share of the top segments and presents a detailed geographic analysis. Lastly, the report highlights the major players in the industry and their endeavors to develop innovative solutions to cater to the growing demand.

Key Developments in the Payment As A Service Market

In November 2022, Adyen, a prominent global financial technology platform, revealed that it had been selected as an additional payment processing partner by Instacart, a leading grocery technology company in North America.

In October 2022, Ingenico, a key player in payments acceptance technology, and Live Payments, a renowned payment service provider in Australia, formed a strategic partnership to deliver seamless and convenient payment and commerce solutions to retailers and taxis. Ingenico planned to introduce its AXIUM range of Android Smart POS across Australia through Live Payments.

Speak to Analyst for your custom requirements:

https://www.skyquestt.com/speak-with-analyst/payment-as-a-service-market

Key Questions Answered in Payment As A Service Market Report

What specific growth drivers are projected to impact the market during the forecast period?

List the top companies in the market and explain how they have achieved their positions of influence.

In what ways do regional trends and patterns differ within the global market, and how these differences shape the market's future growth?

Related Reports in SkyQuests Library:

Global Mobile Banking Market

Global Factoring Services Market

Global Peer to Peer Lending Market

Global Angle Sensor Market

Global Credit Card Market

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Global Solvent Market


Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dr. William Ruto, President of Kenya has appointed Professor Patrick Verkooijen, CEO of the Global Center on Adaptation, as Chancellor of the University of Nairobi. He will formally take up the role on 1st February 2024. Professor Verkooijen is the Universitys first Chancellor from overseas.

Leveraging his extensive global network of thought leaders and applying his deep expertise in educational development, climate adaptation and the green economy, Professor Verkooijen will aim to realize the Universitys full potential as a centre of excellence and pathfinder for Africas journey to sustainable prosperity.

Commenting on the announcement, the president said: I am thrilled that Professor Verkooijen will be leading the nations premier educational institution. He brings unrivalled experience in key areas and leadership in confronting critical issues that define the most important challenges for states, societies, economies and institutions of our time. I trust that Professor Verkoojien will prove invaluable in the task ahead of all of us: today Africas agenda must be the actualisation of its tremendous promise as the home of the largest population of the worlds youngest and brightest citizens, and the green continent of the future. Human capital is our greatest resource. This generation of young people deserves the opportunity to realize its dreams, and education is a cornerstone of the resilient future that we all aspire to, and are actively building. Professor Verkooijen has a proven track record in many domains, not least in the hundreds of thousands of new jobs that adaptation and other positive climate action initiatives have already created in Africa. We know where our destination lies and I have confidence that he will be a steadfast navigator in our journey into the future we want.

Professor Patrick Verkooijen said It is an extraordinary honour to be appointed by the President to join the University of Nairobi as Chancellor. I am acutely aware of the burden of responsibility this seat carries with it. The University is an academic powerhouse, a glittering thread in the tapestry of Kenyan society. I am inspired not only by the universitys commitment to excellence but also by the passion of its staff and community for tackling the continents most pressing issues and challenges. The scale and urgency of these challenges, foremost among which is the climate emergency, requires all of us to harness resources for the public good and to realize the opportunities they provide for economic growth and sustainable jobs creation. I am determined that the University of Nairobi will continue to be an outstanding exemplar of this goal. The University of Nairobi is and will be, during my watch, the pre-eminent incubator for African talent.

Professor Amukowa Anangwe, Chair of the University of Nairobi said: It is great to have Professor Patrick Verkooijen as the new Chancellor of the University of Nairobi. He brings on board solid experience that should take the university to the next level in its quest to become a world-class institution. To be able to achieve such a status there is need for a new mindset to embrace international partnerships for the greater good of scholarship. The university community looks forward to realizing that ambition.

Professor Stephen Kiama, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nairobi said: I want to thank Professor Verkooijen for accepting to serve as the Chancellor of the University of Nairobi. The University is privileged to have a person of his stature as the head of the institution. I look forward to working with him to make the University of Nairobi globally competitive to meet the demands of the new age. I also want to thank His Excellency the President of the Republic of Kenya Dr. William Ruto, whos also our alumni, for honoring the University with such a strategic appointment. A great gift for the new year.

Professor Patrick Verkooijens appointment as Chancellor of the University of Nairobi has been well received globally.

Ban Ki-moon, 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations said: For more than two decades Professor Verkooijen has been on the frontline of the fight against climate breakdown. I have seen at first hand on many occasions his Herculean dedication to the mission of building a sustainable and resilient future. The University of Nairobi is a proud and successful institution which will go from strength to strength with Professor Verkooijen at its helm.

Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group said: Professor Verkooijen has worked relentlessly to support the African continent adapt to the growing impacts of climate change. He has brought tremendous creative leadership to bear on some of the continents most pressing challenges. His knowledge, experience and passion for sustainability and capacity building will help transform lives and the environment through qualitative, inspiring, and relevant real world education.

Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund said: I have worked with Professor Verkooijen over many years and know that he will bring to this exciting new role all the passion, drive and leadership for which he is already well known. Above all, Patrick connects with young people; his input will help to inspire the next generation of Kenyan leaders in many fields to go on to do great things for Kenya.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-general of the World Trade Organization said: Professor Verkooijen is a well known international figure, trusted for delivering on sustainability issues especially creating opportunities for developing countries to handle the challenges of climate change. He is innovative, energetic and intellectually strong. I have no doubt that he will bring his enormous talents to bear in a manner that advances the interests of the University of Nairobi

Additional Background

Professor Patrick Verkooijen is CEO of the Global Center on Adaptation, the foremost international organization dedicated to the challenge of adapting our world to the global climate emergency. As founding CEO of the GCA, Professor Verkooijen has built a global organization supporting active adaptation projects in over 30 countries.

He is one of the architects of the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program, the worlds largest climate adaptation programme of its kind which has already shaped over $6 billion of resilient investments on the worlds most climate-vulnerable continent in just three years.

Working with heads of state and government from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas, Professor Verkooijen has convened multiple summits to advance the cause of climate adaptation. He also managed the Global Commission on Adaptation chaired by Ban Ki-moon and co-led by Kristalina Georgieva and Bill Gates which led to widespread awareness of the benefits of climate adaptation.

He was the driving force behind the first ever Climate Adaptation Summit, hosted by the Netherlands in January 2021 with the participation of the newly appointed U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry. This led to the creation of the annual Africa Adaptation Summit held in Rotterdam every September with the participation of Heads of State and global leaders and the Africa Climate Summit held in Nairobi in September 2023.

Professor Verkooijen also spearheaded the Groningen Science Declaration which saw five Nobel Laureates and over 3,000 global scientists call on world leaders, decision- makers and investors to overhaul the way we understand, plan and invest for a changing climate.

Professor Verkooijen has extensive leadership experience in higher education. He was appointed as the Distinguished Chair of The Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies by the University of Nairobi in September 2022. He was also awarded a Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa, of the University of Nairobi in recognition of his long career and achievements in championing climate action globally and shaping bold action at scale in Africa.

He also serves as Ban Ki-moon Chair on Climate Adaptation Governance at the University of Groningen and was the Professor of Practice of Sustainable Development Diplomacy at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University from 2012 to 2018.

A Dutch national, he holds a PhD from Wageningen University, an MPA from Harvard, a masters in philosophy from the University of Amsterdam, and an environmental engineering degree from the University of Utrecht Applied Sciences.

Prior to founding the Global Center on Adaptation, Professor Verkooijen served as the World Bank Group Special Representative on Climate Change, and previously as its head of climate-smart agriculture. In these roles he established the Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition, the worlds largest coalition for putting a price on carbon; organized more than 10 IMF-World Bank Climate Ministerials for ministers of finance and planning, and set up the $1.6 billion Forest Investment Program, the largest indigenous people and local communities grant mechanism in the world at that time.

He was Special Advisor to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Sudan, Research Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School, and a Senior Advisor at the economic affairs, nature and agriculture ministry of the Netherlands.

Attachment
Dassault Aviation receives an order for

42 Rafales for the French Air and Space Force

Saint-Cloud, France, January 12, 2024  At the end of December 2023, the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA) awarded Dassault Aviation an order for 42 Rafale combat aircraft, known as tranche 5, for the French Air Force (AAE).

On behalf of Dassault Aviation and the 400 companies involved in the Rafale program, I would like to thank the Ministry for the Armed Forces, the DGA and the AAE for their renewed confidence. We are ready and determined to use our skills as prime contractor and complex systems integrator to serve the sovereignty of our nation. This military industrial sovereignty is an exception in Europe. It guarantees the superiority of our combat aviation. It is also an asset for diplomatic influence and an economic strength in export trade, says Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation.

The Rafale is a technical, operational and commercial success which continues to position France at a world-class level in combat aircraft.

The Rafale has been designed to evolve by successive standards, in order to adapt the latest technologies to user needs. Standard 4, focusing particularly on connectivity, is under development. Standard 5, which is currently preparing for launch, will bring new capabilities in collaborative combat.

The Rafale is a success in the export market, with seven customer countries to date. The order book, plus the new tranche 5 contract, secure production activity for the next ten years.

* * *

ABOUT THE RAFALE:

The Rafale is the worlds only fully omni-role aircraft and can be operated from a land base or an aircraft carrier, and can carry 1.5 times its own weight in weapons and fuel. It was designed to perform all combat aviation missions:

air-to-air intercept and combat with a 30mm gun, Mica IR/EM missiles and Meteor long-range missiles

with a 30mm gun, Mica IR/EM missiles and Meteor long-range missiles close air support (CAS) with a 30mm gun, GBU laser-guided bombs and AASM GPS-guided bombs

with a 30mm gun, GBU laser-guided bombs and AASM GPS-guided bombs deep strikes with Scalp/Storm Shadow cruise missiles

with Scalp/Storm Shadow cruise missiles anti-ship attack with Exocet AM39 Block 2 missiles and other air-to-surface weapons

with Exocet AM39 Block 2 missiles and other air-to-surface weapons real-time tactical and strategic reconnaissance with the Areos pod

with the Areos pod in-flight refueling from one Rafale to another (buddy-buddy)

from one Rafale to another (buddy-buddy) nuclear deterrence (France only) with the ASMP-A missile





The Rafale entered service with the French Navy in 2004 and the French Air Force in 2006, gradually replacing the previous generations of seven types of combat aircraft. It has proven itself in combat in various theaters: Afghanistan, Libya, Mali, Iraq, and Syria.

To date, France has placed orders for five tranches of Rafales as follows: 13 Rafales in 1993; 48 in 1999; 59 in 2004; 60 in 2009; and 42 in 2023. In 2021, France placed a special order for 12 Rafale fighters to replace the 12 aircraft transferred to Greece. French orders therefore total 234 Rafale aircraft.

Total export orders currently stand at 261 Rafales (new aircraft):

- Egypt: 55

- Qatar: 36

- India: 36

- Greece: 12

- United Arab Emirates: 80

- Indonesia: 42 (including 18 for 2024)

In addition, Greece and Croatia have each acquired 12 Rafales from the French Air Force.

ABOUT DASSAULT AVIATION:

With over 10,000 military and civil aircraft (including 2,700 Falcons) delivered in more than 90 countries over the last century, Dassault Aviation has built up expertise recognized worldwide in the design, development, sale and support of all types of aircraft, ranging from the Rafale fighter, to the high-end Falcon family of business jets, military drones and space systems. In 2022, Dassault Aviation reported revenues of 6.9 billion. The company has 12,700 employees. dassault-aviation.com

PRESS CONTACTS:

Corporate Communications

Stephane Fort : +33 (0)1 47 11 86 90 - stephane.fort@dassault-aviation.com

Mathieu Durand : +33 (0)1 47 11 85 88 - mathieu.durand@dassault-aviation.com

HD photos: mediaprophoto.dassault-aviation.com

HD videos: mediaprovideo.dassault-aviation.com

Attachment
 Read the full article on Motorious

Was it actually an accident?

Dead from injuries sustained in a car crash after the close of WWII, General George S. Patton, Jr. left in his wake a tremendous legacy. While some have mourned what was a tragic loss at the time, others over the decades have theorized Pattons death was anything but an accident.

Known for his aggressive nature just as much as his many battlefield victories, General George S. Patton was like a giant among men. He was one of the few allied generals who had combat experience commanding tanks during WWI, making him invaluable during the North Africa campaign. Later, he embarrassed many of his peers in Sicily, Italy by winning the race to Messina against the British Eighth Army.

In what might seem a little too coincidental, Patton was exposed for allegedly slapping and dressing down soldiers in a field hospital since they claimed to be suffering from battle fatigue. The press wanted Pattons blood and they were able to get some worked up enough to call for him to be relieved of duty. However, General Dwight D. Eisenhower and General George C. Marshall stepped in, likely realizing Patton was too valuable to the war effort.

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After spending some time in England, Patton was key to Operation FORTITUDE, the ruse invasion staged in Pas-de-Calais, France. German commanders were so fearful of Pattons abilities and so convinced he was leading the real invasion that they maintained troops in Pas-de-Calais even after D-Day.

One of Pattons most famous act of heroics was during the Battle of the Bulge when he led parts of the U.S. Third Army in a counterattack, saving the hopelessly besieged 101st Airborne Division. This endeared him even more to soldiers and the public in general.

On December 9, 1945, Patton was still stationed in Germany when he accepted an invitation from his chief of staff, Major General Hobart Gay, to go pheasant hunting near the base. Originally, Patton was sitting in the front seat of the Cadillac which was being driven by Private H.L. Woodring, his favorite chauffeur. However, when the general noticed the hunting guides dog was riding in an open-top jeep, he asked for the party to pull over and had the dog sit in the front of the car so it could warm up. Patton moved to the backseat. Sadly, the good deed would not go unpunished.

Story continues

While traveling over a railroad crossing, the Cadillac collided with the passenger side of a U.S. Army truck which was turning left. Some claim the limousine Patton was riding in was traveling at a relatively low speed. Others say Private Woodring was going too fast for conditions. During the accident, Patton struck his head on the glass partition in front of him. That impact resulted in a compression fracture and dislocation of the cervical third and fourth vertebrae as well as cervical spinal cord injury. He was paralyzed from the neck down. A mere 12 days later, on December 21, one of the greatest generals the United States Army has ever known passed away from his injuries.

Fueling speculation that the accident with the U.S. Army truck was in truth not an accident but instead was a coordinated assassination was the fact Patton rubbed Russian officers the wrong way in many social and diplomatic relations. He also had been talking about the prospects of invading Russia, saying they were obviously inferior to Americans and would fold in no time. Many in the upper ranks of the U.S. Military didnt like such a proposition, a feeling which was shared by much of Washington, D.C. and other powers that be of the time. Some believe it was Stalin who had Patton killed because he feared the man could pull off an invasion successfully. Others claim it was the CIA, others in the US government, actors in the British government, or even Allied leaders working with Stalin to get rid of Patton.

Patton also was vocal in post-war Germany about the denazification process and other moves with the government. Eisenhower removed him as the U.S. commander in Bavaria for the politically unwise statements and was transferred to the 15th Army Group, his final post.

The only four star general to be buried at an American Battle Monuments Commission cemetery, Patton was laid to rest alongside his men at Luxembourg American Cemetery, per his request. Just like in his life, in death the general was a man of the people. Beloved by his soldiers and a good portion of the public, its entirely possible others saw him as too big of a threat, especially since there was no longer a worldwide war to be fought.

Sources: American Battle Monuments Commission, Mountain Democrat, Warfare History Network, History.com

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Dublin, Jan. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Ferro Manganese Market - Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2018-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The Global Ferro Manganese market stands at a pivotal juncture, reflecting the dynamic interplay of diverse factors that shape the steel industry, construction, automotive manufacturing, and beyond. This robust market is characterized by steady growth, propelled by its indispensable role in enhancing the properties of steel and stainless steel alloys. From strengthening infrastructure to facilitating the expansion of renewable energy, Ferro Manganese is a linchpin of modern industrial progress.







The Ferro Manganese market is propelled by several compelling drivers. Foremost among these is the expanding steel industry, which relies heavily on Ferro Manganese as a vital alloying element. Steel, known for its versatility and strength, underpins numerous industries. As the global population burgeons and urbanization continues, the demand for steel intensifies, spurring growth in the Ferro Manganese market. Infrastructure development projects, ranging from transportation networks to skyscrapers, further amplify this demand. Emerging economies, in particular, have become focal points of infrastructure development, elevating Ferro Manganese's significance.



The automotive industry, a bastion of innovation and sustainability, presents another significant driver. Ferro Manganese, especially High Carbon Ferro Manganese (HC FeMn), plays an essential role in manufacturing high-strength steel grades vital for vehicle frames and components. With the proliferation of electric vehicles (EVs), the automotive sector is transforming, emphasizing the need for specialty steel alloys, where Ferro Manganese shines. As the automotive industry adapts to meet stringent safety and performance standards, Ferro Manganese remains an essential ingredient.



Stainless steel production, marked by its corrosion resistance and durability, is another driving force. Ferro Manganese, notably Low Carbon Ferro Manganese (LC FeMn), contributes significantly to the production of stainless steel. Industries such as construction, healthcare, and food processing rely on stainless steel, bolstering the demand for Ferro Manganese. The food and beverage industry, driven by hygiene considerations, gravitates toward stainless steel equipment and containers, further fueling Ferro Manganese's role in these applications.



The renewable energy sector, notably wind energy, emerges as a promising driver. Wind turbines, critical components of wind energy production, demand specialized steel alloys to endure the rigors of wind farms. Ferro Manganese, integrated into these specialty steel alloys, contributes to the strength and resilience of wind turbine components. As nations embrace renewable energy to curb carbon emissions, investments in wind energy infrastructure will continue to drive the Ferro Manganese market.



Globalization and supply chain integration stand as transformative drivers. Leading Ferro Manganese producers have strategically positioned themselves to cater to global demand, creating integrated supply chains that ensure consistent and reliable supply. This globalization of the Ferro Manganese market facilitates the seamless flow of this essential alloying element to industries worldwide, reflecting the industry's adaptability to meet diverse demands and geographic dispersion.



While the Ferro Manganese market is marked by growth and dynamism, it is not without its share of challenges. Foremost among these is the volatility in manganese ore prices and supply uncertainties. Manganese ore serves as the primary raw material for Ferro Manganese production, and price fluctuations stemming from supply-demand imbalances, geopolitical developments, and changes in mining regulations can create cost management challenges. Additionally, supply uncertainties, arising from factors like mine closures and transportation disruptions, can disrupt the flow of manganese ore, leading to production delays and cost overruns.



Environmental regulations and sustainability pressures represent another critical challenge. Governments worldwide are imposing stringent environmental standards and emissions reduction targets. Traditional Ferro Manganese production processes are energy-intensive and associated with carbon emissions, making adherence to environmental mandates challenging. Transitioning to greener technologies necessitates significant investments and operational adjustments, impacting the cost structure of Ferro Manganese production.



Competitive dynamics pose challenges, with established manufacturers and new entrants vying for market share. Intense competition can exert downward pressure on prices, affecting profitability. To remain competitive, companies must continuously optimize production processes, reduce costs, and enhance product quality. Differentiation strategies, such as offering specialty Ferro Manganese alloys, can mitigate price-driven competition.



Technological and innovation challenges are persistent, demanding ongoing investment in research and development. While advancements in smelting technologies, automation, and process control enhance production efficiency, staying at the forefront of innovation requires substantial financial commitments. Additionally, optimizing energy usage and reducing carbon emissions, while crucial for sustainability, can pose technical complexities and cost challenges.



The Ferro Manganese market is sensitive to global economic factors and market cycles. Economic downturns, fluctuations in industrial activity, or market cycles can impact demand, affecting profitability. Market cycles, marked by periods of oversupply and undersupply, disrupt pricing stability and can lead to production constraints or missed opportunities.



Key Market Drivers

Expanding Steel Industry and Infrastructure Development

Growing Automotive Industry and Specialty Steel Demand

Thriving Stainless Steel Production

Renewable Energy Infrastructure and Wind Turbine Manufacturing

Globalization and Supply Chain Integration

Key Market Challenges

Volatile Manganese Ore Prices and Supply Uncertainties

Environmental Regulations and Sustainability Pressures

Competitive Global Market Dynamics

Technological and Innovation Challenges

Global Economic Factors and Market Cycles

Key Market Trends

Shifting Production Centers and Raw Material Sourcing

Environmental Sustainability and Green Production

Technological Advancements in Ferro Manganese Production

Fluctuations in Manganese Ore Prices

Growing Demand for High Carbon Ferro Manganese (HC FeMn)

Segmental Insights

Application Insights



Carbon Steel segment dominates in the global ferro manganese market in 2022. This preeminence is a testament to the indispensable role that Carbon Steel plays across numerous industries and its enduring demand as a cornerstone material for construction, manufacturing, and infrastructure development.



Carbon Steel's dominance in the Ferro Manganese market is rooted in its inherent strength and versatility. Carbon Steel is known for its remarkable durability and robustness, making it the material of choice for a wide range of applications. Its superior mechanical properties, including high tensile strength and resistance to wear and abrasion, make it an indispensable component in various industries, from construction to automotive manufacturing.



One of the primary drivers of Carbon Steel's dominance is its pivotal role in the construction and infrastructure sectors. Carbon Steel is used extensively in the construction of buildings, bridges, roads, and other critical infrastructure projects. Its strength and load-bearing capacity ensure the longevity and structural integrity of these vital constructions. As the global population continues to urbanize and cities expand, the demand for Carbon Steel in construction remains robust, further cementing its dominance.



Grade Insights



High Carbon segment dominates in the global Ferro Manganese market in 2022. The steel industry is the bedrock of HC FeMn's dominance. Steelmakers around the world rely on HC FeMn as a critical alloying agent to enhance the properties of steel. It imparts desirable characteristics such as increased strength, durability, and resistance to corrosion. As the global steel industry continues to grow and diversify, the demand for HC FeMn remains consistently high, establishing it as an irreplaceable component of modern steel production.



One of the primary reasons for the preference of HC FeMn is its superior alloying properties. It contains a higher percentage of manganese (typically 70-80%) and carbon (6-8%) compared to other ferroalloys. This unique composition makes it exceptionally effective at deoxidizing and desulfurizing molten steel, ensuring the final product meets stringent quality standards. HC FeMn's ability to refine steel and remove impurities solidifies its dominance in the industry.



The ongoing development of global infrastructure, particularly in emerging economies, has fueled the demand for steel and, consequently, HC FeMn. As nations invest in building modern infrastructure, including bridges, highways, and buildings, the requirement for high-quality steel remains paramount. HC FeMn's role in ensuring the strength and longevity of these structures is instrumental, making it indispensable in the construction and infrastructure sectors.



Regional Insights



Asia-Pacific dominates the global ferro manganese market in 2022. One of the primary reasons for the Asia-Pacific's dominance in the Ferro Manganese market is the region's abundant manganese ore reserves. Countries like India, China, and South Korea boast extensive deposits of manganese ore, a critical raw material for Ferro Manganese production. The ready availability of this resource provides a significant advantage in terms of cost-effectiveness and supply security. The robustness of the steel industry in the Asia-Pacific region has played a pivotal role in its dominance of the Ferro Manganese market. China, in particular, is home to the world's largest steel production capacity. Ferro Manganese is an essential alloy in steelmaking, as it imparts desirable properties such as increased strength, durability, and resistance to corrosion. The Asia-Pacific's thriving steel industry drives substantial demand for Ferro Manganese, underlining the region's pivotal role in global Ferro Manganese consumption.



Moreover, the Asia-Pacific region has experienced rapid industrialization and infrastructure development over the past few decades. This development has led to increased construction and manufacturing activities, further fueling the demand for steel and, consequently, Ferro Manganese. As countries in the region continue to urbanize and modernize, the need for steel and Ferro Manganese remains on a steep upward trajectory.

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Ferro Manganese Market.

Key Market Players

Nippon Denko Corporation

Sakura Ferroalloys SDN. BHD.

South32 Limited

Assmang Limited

Ferroglobe PLC

Satka Metallurgical Mill

Autlan S.A.B. de C.V.

OM Sarawak SDN. BHD.

KG DongBu Steel Co. Ltd.

Vale S.A.

Report Scope



In this report, the Global Ferro Manganese Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:



Ferro Manganese Market, by Grade:

High Carbon

Refined

Ferro Manganese Market, by Application:

Carbon Steel

Stainless Steel

Alloy Steel

Cast Iron

Ferro Manganese Market, by Production Method:

Metallurgy

Chemical Industry

Steel Industry

Ferro Manganese Market, by Region:

North America

Europe

South America

Asia-Pacific

Middle East & Africa

Key Attributes

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 188 Forecast Period 2022-2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2022 $70.24 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $93.04 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 4.6% Regions Covered Global

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/e1dqg3

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Attachment
ST. JOHNS, Newfoundland and Labrador, Jan. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vulcan Minerals Inc. (the Company - Vulcan TSX-V: VUL), announces impressive copper - gold assay results from the McNeily drill program carried out in late 2023 as part of the Companys Colchester project in central Newfoundland. Highlights are as follows:



15 meters of 1.21% copper and 0.51 grams per tonne gold including 6.75 meters of 2.38% copper and 1.01 grams per tonne gold in CL-23-13

13.5 meters of 1.51% copper and 0.95 grams per tonne gold including 7.5 meters of 2.49% copper and 1.55 grams per tonne gold in CL-23-14

A total of 1001 meters (m) were drilled over 6 holes within mafic volcanic rock sequences in the McNeily area. Stringer, disseminated and locally semi - massive sulfide zones were encountered containing chalcopyrite with variable associations of pyrite, pyrrhotite and minor sphalerite. Mineralization is associated with chalcopyrite within sheared and chloritized mafic volcanic rocks. Quartz and quartz/carbonate veining is locally developed.

McNeily Zone

CL-23-13

Hole CL-23-13 was collared approximately 75 m south of CL-21-01 (Vulcan 2021 drill hole) and was drilled to a depth of 143.0 m. Notable intersections include 15.0 m of 1.21% Cu and 0.51 g/t Au from 8.0 m to 23.0 m including 6.75 m of 2.38 % Cu and 1.01 g/t Au from 11.0 m to 17.75 m. Within this interval one 1.5 m sample assayed 3.23% Cu and 1.15 g/t Au from 12.5 m to 14.0 m.

HOLE ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Type Cu % Au g/t CL-23-13 8 23 15 Composite 1.21 0.51 Including 11 17.75 6.75 Composite 2.38 1.01 And 12.5 14 1.5 Sample 3.23 1.15

CL-23-14

Hole CL-23-14 was collared approximately 50 metres north of CL-23-13 and was drilled to a depth of 131.0 m. Mineralization consists of disseminated and coarse stringer chalcopyrite and pyrite. Results include 26.0 m of 0.72% Cu and 0.9 g/t Au from 0 to 26.0 m including 4.5 m of 1.25% Cu and 0.19 g/t Au from 9.5 m to 14.0 m. The main mineralized interval in CL-23-14 includes 13.5 m of 1.51% Cu and 0.95 g/t Au from 48.5 m to 62.0 m including 7.5 m of 2.49% Cu and 1.55 g/t Au. One 1.5 m sample from 53.0 m to 54.5 m returned 4.85 % Cu and 3.56 g/t Au.

HOLE ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Type Cu % Au g/t CL-23-14 0 26 26 Composite 0.72 0.09 Including 9.5 14 4.5 Composite 1.25 0.19 CL-23-14 33.5 41 7.5 Composite 0.03 0.91 Including 38 39.5 1.5 Sample 0.04 2.08 CL-23-14 48.5 62 13.5 Composite 1.51 0.95 Including 48.5 56 7.5 Composite 2.49 1.55 And 53 54.5 1.5 Sample 4.85 3.56



CL-23-09

Hole CL-23-09 was drilled to a depth of 209 m approximately 25 m across strike from a trenched area where the McNeily zone is exposed. Chalcopyrite is present as narrow stringers and disseminations. Notable intersections include 6.5 m of 0.45% Cu and 0.95 g/t Au from 24.0 m to 30.5 m including 2.5 m of 0.90% Cu and 1.94 g/t Au from 24.0 m to 26.5 m.

HOLE ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Type Cu % Au g/t CL-23-09 24 30.5 6.5 Composite 0.45 0.95 Including 24 26.5 2.5 Composite 0.90 1.94



CL-23-10

Stepping out 50 m southwest of CL-23-09, this hole was drilled to 161 m to test mineralization at depth beneath an exposed trench.

The main mineralized zone includes 5.0 m of 0.4% Cu from 35.0 to 40.0 m. A 1.8 m sample includes 2.71 g/t Au from 128 m to 129.8 m.

HOLE ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Type Cu % Au g/t CL-23-10 35 40 5 Composite 0.40 0.08 CL-23-10 128 129.8 1.8 Sample 0.06 2.71

CL-23-11

Hole CL-23-11 was collared 50 m southwest of CL-23-10 and drilled to a depth of 150 m. This hole was intended to test the extension of mineralization along strike of the exposed trench mineralization at McNeily. Results include 9.0 m of 0.73% Cu from 62 to 71 m including 3.5 m of 1.22% Cu from 63.0 to 66.5m.

HOLE ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Type Cu % Au g/t CL-23-11 13.5 17.5 4 Composite 0.32 0.60 Including 15.5 17 1.5 Composite 0.62 1.13 And 15.5 16 0.5 Sample 0.89 2.84 CL-23-11 62 71 9 Composite 0.73 0.24 including 63 66.5 3.5 Composite 1.22 0.24 And 64.15 64.65 0.5 Sample 2.81 0.46 CL-23-11 79.7 82 2.3 Composite 0.61 0.16

CL-23-12

Hole CL-23-12 was drilled 90 m southeast of CL-23-11 and 40 m southeast of CL-21-01. This hole was drilled towards the northwest to scissor hole CL-21-01 (14 meters of 2.31% Cu within a wider zone of 28 meters of 1.58% Cu). CL-23-12 was abandoned at 22 m due to hole conditions. Chalcopyrite occurs as coarse stringers and veinlets. Results include 0.87% Cu and 0.33 g/t Au over 5.5 m from 5 m to 10.5 m including 2.53% Cu and 0.70 g/t Au over 1.5 m from 5.5 m to 7.0 m. A 10 m interval from 12.0 m to 22.0 m includes 0.89 % Cu and 0.23 g/t Au including 2.80% Cu and 0.86 g/t Au over 1.5 m from 12.5 m to 14.0 m.

HOLE ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Type Cu % Au g/t CL-23-12 5 10.5 5.5 Composite 0.87 0.33 Including 5.5 7 1.5 Composite 2.53 0.70 And 6 6.5 0.5 Sample 4.19 1.26 CL-23-12 12 22 10 Composite 0.89 0.23 Including 12.5 14 1.5 Composite 2.80 0.86 And 12.5 13 0.5 Sample 5.19 2.13

CL-23-12A

Hole CL-23-12A was drilled approximately 5 m northeast CL-23-12. It was drilled to 185.0 meters. Mineralization includes 0.26% Cu and 0.19 g/t Au over 7.5 m from 12.5 m to 20.0 m, 0.35% Cu over 4.5 m from 24.5 m to 29.0 m and 0.23% Cu over 10.5 m from 98.0 m to 108.5 m.

HOLE ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Type Cu % Au g/t CL-23-12A 12.5 20 7.5 Composite 0.26 0.19 CL-23-12A 24.5 29 4.5 Composite 0.35 0.03 CL-23-12A 89 92 3 Composite 0.37 0.04 CL-23-12A 98 108.5 10.5 Composite 0.23 0.03

Notes:

True widths are uncertain and more drilling is required to ascertain proper orientation of the mineralized zones. The tables summarize composited assay intervals described for the reported holes. These intervals are length-weighted averages of core-thickness intervals. Only assayed intervals were included in the composites. A total of 614 samples were cut and submitted for assay. Significant assays are reported herein, remaining samples represent lower grade envelopes around the mineralized zones and samples without significant mineralization taken for stratigraphic-calibration purposes.

Drill Hole Coordinates:

HOLE ID East North Elevation Azimuth Dip Length CL-23-09 566050 5498271 191 120 -65 209 CL-23-10 566003 5498238 180 120 -65 161 CL-23-11 565967 5498200 172 120 -65 150 CL-23-12 566056 5498166 173 300 -65 22 CL-23-12A 566049 5498176 176 300 -65 185 CL-23-13 566038 5498111 168 300 -60 143 CL-23-14 566023 5498158 166 120 -60 131

Coordinates are UTM NAD83 Zone 21

The drill program was successful in delineating and extending the McNeily zone to the south.

President Patrick Laracy notes The McNeily zone is proving to have continuity along strike, though structurally we expect minor lateral offsets. As such we are evaluating the need for further geophysics to prioritize drill targets for 2024. The high-grade copper with appreciable gold credits warrants further delineation towards adding tonnage to the overall Colchester project.

The Colchester project is part of the larger Springdale property which hosts numerous historic copper and gold deposits and showings, none of which have been adequately explored with the benefit of modern digital geophysical and geological modelling. These prospects occur within close proximity to each other and provide excellent advanced exploration targets towards resource definition. The Springdale property is road accessible and near significant mining services.

A review of the relevant data with maps is available in the corporate presentation at the companys website landing page, www.vulcanminerals.ca . Drill location maps are available here.

Quality Control:

Vulcan used SGS Natural Resources (SGS) for all sample assaying in this drilling program. SGS Natural Resources analytical laboratories operate under a Quality Management System that complies with ISO/IEC 17025. Vulcan employed SGS four-acid digestion / ICP-OES multi-element analysis package grouped with 30 g, fire assay, AAS finish for gold. A four-acid digestion / ICP-OES ore-grade analysis package is utilized for base metals assaying greater than detection limits. Vulcan employed the use of standard reference materials for quality control at a rate of 5% of total samples. SGS undertakes their own internal coarse and pulp duplicate analysis to ensure proper sample preparation and equipment calibration. Preliminary inspection of these control samples shows them to be within the expected limits.

About Vulcan

Vulcan Minerals is a precious and base metals exploration company based in St. Johns Newfoundland. The company has strategic land positions in multiple active Newfoundland gold and base metal exploration and development belts. It also holds approximately 30.5 % of the shares in Atlas Salt Inc. (TSXV: SALT). Atlas Salt is an industrial minerals company that is currently developing the Great Atlantic Salt deposit in western Newfoundland.

Patrick J. Laracy P.Geo., President is the qualified person responsible for the technical contents of this news release as defined in National Instrument 43-101.

We seek safe harbour.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider, (as the term is defined in the Policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This press release includes certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, statements relating to the future operating or financial performance of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as expects, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates, potential, possible, and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results will, may, could, or should occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this press release relate to, among other things: completion, delivery and timing of the referenced exploration program and assumptions related thereto. Actual future results may differ materially. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the respective parties, are inherently subject to significant business, technical, economic, and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the timing, completion and delivery of the referenced assessments and analysis. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these times. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

For information please contact:

Patrick J. Laracy, P.Geo.

President

(709) 754-3186

info@vulcanminerals.ca

www.vulcanminerals.ca
Johnston, Rhode Island , Jan. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ocean State Optical is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its new, state-of-the-art lens manufacturing facility in Johnston, Rhode Island. As an independent wholesale optical lab, Ocean State Optical specializes in advanced lens designs, providing the highest quality in surfacing, finishing, and Anti-Reflective (AR) technology for wholesale optical products.



Ocean State Optical

"Our mission is not just about what we do, but why we do it," says the Ocean State Optical Owner and President, Tony Masi. "We are dedicated to manufacturing the highest quality lenses with consistent turn times, exceptional customer service, and a steadfast commitment to keeping all production in-house. We're passionate about utilizing the latest technologies and techniques to create lenses that offer the best possible vision products for our customers."

The new facility boasts the latest in AR technology, featuring cutting-edge anti-reflective coatings and technologies. These advancements not only enhance the aesthetic appearance of eyeglasses but also significantly improve vision and reduce eye strain.

As an independent lab, Ocean State Optical prides itself on quick turnaround times, ensuring that customers receive their products promptly and efficiently. The team of skilled professionals is committed to providing personalized service and support, tailoring each product to meet the unique needs of every customer.

Ocean State Optical carries top optical brands such as Hoya, IOT, Visionease, Younger, CV Optics, Eyenavision, Chemistrie Clips, known for their specialty sunglass clips custom made to suit individual preferences, and most recently added Shamir Optical Products to their line up.

"We strive to exceed our customers' expectations every time, delivering exceptional quality and value," adds Mr. Masi. "At Ocean State Optical, it's not just about creating lenses; it's about providing the best customer experience possible."

The grand opening event was held on October 3, 2023, at the new facility in Johnston, Rhode Island. Attendees had the opportunity to tour the lab, meet with the Ocean State Optical Team, and learn more about the advanced technologies and services offered. The event was well attended by leading optical products representatives as well as Opticians and other optical technicians who also received ABO credits for their participation in the presentation. The Ocean State Optical website offers easy online wholesale optical products ordering through the top preferred portals such as; VISIONWEB, EYEFINITY, and SPECCHECK.

For more information, or to begin ordering wholesale optical products through their online portals, visit https://oceanstateoptical.com/.

###

Media Contact

Tony Masi, President

Ocean State Optical

100 Federal Way, Johnston, Rhode Island 02919

Ph: 401-424-9411

Email: tnm@oceanstateoptical.com





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Wilmington, Delaware, United States, Jan. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Transparency Market Research Inc. - The global human papillomavirus vaccine market was projected to attain US$ 4 billion in 2022. It is anticipated to garner a 9.4% CAGR from 2023 to 2031 and by 2031, the market is likely to attain US$ 9.1 billion by 2031.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a widespread virus that affects many different regions of the body. Over two hundred viruses make up the HPV category, of which over forty types are transmitted during intercourse. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as HPV that affect the genitalia are often spread through physical contact.

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Throughout the forecast period, a rise in government efforts is anticipated to support the size of the global market for human papillomavirus vaccines. The creation of new compounds that target HPV presents market participants with profitable potential. To get a larger market share, manufacturers are heavily investing in the creation of novel HPV vaccinations for all age groups.

Key Findings of the Market Report

To stop the spread of the human papillomavirus, governments everywhere are launching a number of campaigns and efforts for the creation and distribution of HPV vaccinations.

Global distribution of HPV vaccinations as well as screening and immunization programs are funded by both private and public entities.

According to a January 2023 Vaccines Journal article, Switzerland completely funds the HPV vaccination for girls between the ages of 15 and 26 and for boys between the ages of 11 and 14.

Market Trends for Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Market

The most prevalent sexually transmitted infection (STI) globally is HPV. It is believed that 80% of those who engage in sexual activity have had HPV infection at some point in their life. Over the course of the projection period, an increase in the incidence of HPV-related illnesses such as vaginal, anal, and cervical cancer is anticipated to support demand for the human papillomavirus vaccines globally.

Cervical cancer is the second most common disease among Indian women, and the second most common among women aged 15 to 44, according to the HPV and Related Cancers report 2023. According to the same source, India diagnoses 123,907 women with cervical cancer annually.

Global Market for Human Papillomavirus Vaccine: Regional Outlook

Various reasons are propelling the growth of human papillomavirus vaccine throughout the region. These are:

In terms of global market share for human papillomavirus vaccines in 2022, North America held the majority of the share. This is attributed to the population's increased incidence of cervical cancer and other HPV-related malignancies as well as the enhanced healthcare infrastructure.

In the United States, 9,440 new cases of anal cancer were discovered in 2022, according to research released by the American Cancer Society. Furthermore, 1,450 Canadian women had a cervical cancer diagnosis in 2022, according to the Canadian Cancer Society.

An article in the Human Vaccine and Immunotherapeutic Journal from February 2023 states that HPV vaccinations in the United States can begin as early as age nine and continue until age 26.

Approximately 77% of teens, aged 13 to 17 have gotten one or more doses of the HPV vaccination, with roughly 62% completing the whole series. The human papillomavirus vaccine market is anticipated to develop significantly in the area due to significant coverage for the HPV vaccination and early screening programs.

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Global Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Market: Key Players

The primary objective of major companies is to enhance the efficiency of the adult human papillomavirus vaccination by investing in research and development and launching new products.

These firms are pursuing profitable revenue prospects by staying up to date with the newest developments in the human papillomavirus vaccine industry. The following companies are well-known participants in the global human papillomavirus vaccine market:

Merck & Co. Inc.

GlaxoSmithKline plc

Sanofi

AstraZeneca

Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd.

Xiame Innovax Biotech CO. LTD.

General Incorporated Foundation

Chemo-Sero-Therapeutic Research Institute (Kaketsuken)

Bharat Biotech

Some key developments by the players in this market are:

To begin a cervical cancer screening program in India, Roche Diagnostics India and the Cancer Awareness Prevention and Early Detection Trust (CAPED) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in March 2023.

Health Canada approved the expanded use of GARDASIL 9 (Human Papillomavirus 9-valent Vaccine, Recombinant) in April 2022 for people 9 to 45 years old in order to protect against infection with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58. Merck Canada received this approval.

Global Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Market Segmentation

Valence

Bivalent

Quadrivalent and Nonavalent

Indication

Cervical Cancer

Anal Cancer

Vaginal Cancer

Penile Cancer

Vulvar Cancer

Oropharyngeal Cancer

Genital Warts

Others

Distribution Channel

Physicians

Wholesalers

Physician Distributors

Government Entities

Public and Private Alliances

Region

North America

Latin America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Middle East & Africa

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More Trending Report by Transparency Market Research:

Vaccines Market - The global vaccines market was estimated at a value of US$ 119.1 billion in 2022. It is anticipated to register a 4.2% CAGR from 2022 to 2031 and by 2031, the market is likely to attain US$ 99.3 billion by 2031.

Neurotoxin Market - The global neurotoxin market stood at US$ 7.78 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach US$ 13.3 billion in 2031. The global neurotoxin market is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 6.8% between 2023 and 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.

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NEW YORK, NY, Jan. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lay3rs Team, a pioneering startup at the forefront of 3D environment reconstruction technology, has successfully concluded the pooling phase for its groundbreaking project  the digital twin of Pharaoh Tutankhamun's tomb. This monumental achievement, fueled by a community contribution of 566,135.57 PLAY tokens, sets the stage for the next phase of development, promising immersive cultural experiences and substantial commercial potential.

Tutankhamun: A Golden Treasure Trove with Proven Commercial Might

The allure of King Tut transcends time and borders. Past exhibitions featuring his treasures have generated millions of dollars, solidifying the global fascination with this ancient Egyptian king. The 1976-79 "Treasures of Tutankhamun" exhibition amassed an estimated $5.43 million in attendance revenue, while the highly anticipated 2019-2021 tour attracted over 2 million visitors and generated substantial income across continents.

Beyond Revenue: Preserving History and Democratizing Access

Lay3rs Team's digital twin goes beyond mere financial potential. It promises to revolutionize cultural preservation and accessibility. Using their AI-powered Zigg-E technology, Lay3rs Team will meticulously recreate 9 world-famous objects from Tutankhamuns Tomb meticulous detail, offering unmatched virtual exploration for anyone with an internet connection. This groundbreaking project will democratize access to this historical marvel, fostering cultural understanding and appreciation for generations to come.

Through Lay3rs Team connections in the virtual reality community, one of their core member learned about an external company's desire to create a virtual reality museum exhibition on Tutankhamun. Unfortunately, this seemed unfeasible due to the inaccessibility of the tomb. Complicating matters further, the geopolitical situation in Egypt had been challenging, especially during the recent election period.

Through diligent efforts, Lay3rs Team uncovered information about a past exhibition and reached out to the company responsible for the program book. Remarkably, this company still held the rights to the photography of the tomb's artifacts and expressed a willingness to collaborate on creating digital twins of these items.

Investing in the Future: Join the Build3rs Community

The pooling phase may be complete, but the journey is far from over. Lay3rs Team is now poised for the critical build phase, focusing on data validation, minting dataset tokens, and ultimately, bringing the digital twin to life.

After build phase it is time for Distribution & Sale. This stage marks the culmination of the digital twin's journey, where its intricate details and rich data are transformed into valuable assets. These assets, known as "exports," are then distributed and sold, generating income for all who contributed to the project's success, including contributors, data providers, supported causes, project managers, and the Build3rs platform itself.

By joining the Build3rs community, you become an active participant in this pioneering endeavour. You gain access to exclusive updates, opportunities to contribute, and the potential to share in the future rewards generated by the digital twin's commercialization.

More Than a Project, a Legacy

Lay3rs Team's digital twin of Pharaoh Tutankhamun's tomb isn't just about technology or profit. It's about preserving history, democratizing access, and igniting imaginations worldwide. This is your chance to be a part of something truly remarkable. Join the Build3rs community today and invest in the future of cultural exploration and appreciation.

Related Links

Platform: https://build3rs.io/

X (former Twitter): https://twitter.com/Lay3rsXR

Medium: https://medium.com/@Lay3rsXR

Discord: https://discord.com/invite/6H8MKMsBbV

Telegram announcement channel: https://t.me/lay3rs_announcements

Telegram discussion group: https://t.me/lay3rs_official

Media contact

Brand: Lay3rs

Email: contact@lay3rs.io

Website: https://lay3rs.io/

SOURCE: Lay3rs
Dublin, Jan. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Europe Wind-assisted Propulsion Market: Analysis and Forecast, 2023-2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Europe wind-assisted propulsion market (excluding U.K.) is projected to reach $8.29 billion by 2032 from $35.6 million in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 83.22% during the forecast period 2023-2032. Wind-assisted propulsion is listed as a "energy harvesting" technique in energy efficiency indexes due to its use of wind to directly increase thrust. Nonetheless, operational costs are still vulnerable to weather-related fluctuations. However, the benefits of sailing can be enhanced by using weather routing algorithms, which can chart ideal routes tailored to specific vessels. Nonetheless, widespread adoption of wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPSs) confronts significant challenges, including the critical need for reliable and efficient technologies that can operate well in a variety of weather circumstances.







While wind propulsion systems have the potential to become more cost-effective in the future, they are now significant investments. The lack of a standardized strategy to designing, building, and integrating wind-assisted propulsion systems on board vessels makes achieving economies of scale and consistent production necessary to minimize costs difficult. Wind-assisted propulsion systems are predicted to grow in popularity over the next decade as a replacement for fuels such as green methanol, biofuels, green hydrogen, and others.

Sea shipping is the principal way of delivering products throughout the world and is a cornerstone of global trade. The marine industry, on the other hand, has long been recognized as a significant contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, owing to the usage of fossil fuels for propulsion. The maritime sector is undergoing a fundamental shift as a result of the pressing need to battle climate change and cut carbon emissions. Wind energy, as harnessed by novel technology like as kite propulsion systems and other wind-assisted solutions, is poised to play a critical role in assisting the marine shipping industry in meeting its ambitious GHG emission reduction targets. The maritime sector can considerably improve its sustainability and minimize its carbon footprint by harnessing the unlimited and pure power of the wind.

Market Segmentation:



Segmentation 1: by Application

Cargo Ships

Tankers

Car Carriers/Ro-Ro Vessels

Container Ships

General Cargo Vessels

Passenger Ships

Fishing Vessels

Bulk Carriers

Segmentation 2: by Technology

Towing Kites

Sails

Soft-Wing Sails

Hard-Wing Sails

Flettner Rotors

Suction Wings

Others

Segmentation 3: by Installation Type

Retrofit

New Installation

Segmentation 4: by Vessel Type

Wind-Assisted Motor Vessels

Purely Wind Vessels

Segmentation 5: by Country

Germany

Greece

France

Norway

Finland

Rest-of-Europe

Key Market Players



Some of the prominent producers of wind-assisted propulsion are:

Econowind

Airseas

Norsepower

bound4blue

Business Dynamics

Business Drivers Increasing Need for Reducing GHG Emissions Rise in Sea Trade

Business Challenges High Installation Cost of Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems Technical Challenges Resisting the Adoption of Wind-Assisted Propulsion

Business Strategies Product and Market Developments Corporate Strategies Mergers and Acquisitions, Partnerships, and Joint Ventures

Business Opportunities Increasing Preference for Environmental-Friendly Shipping Services Offsetting High Cost of Fossil and Green Fuels



Key Attributes

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 116 Forecast Period 2023-2032 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $35.6 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2032 $8.29 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 83.2% Regions Covered Europe

Full List of Companies Mentioned

Norsepower

bound4blue

Econowind

Anemoi Marine Technologies Ltd.

Airseas

GT Green Technologies

DNV GL

OCEANBIRD

Becker Marine Systems

SkySails Marine

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/hs8xiy

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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Falls Church, Va., Jan. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Community Associations Institute (CAI), the leading international advocate for condominiums, homeowners associations, and housing cooperatives, applauds New Jersey lawmakers for passing comprehensive and meaningful condominium safety measures to support the 1.5 million residents living in the states community associations.



On Jan. 8, Gov. Phil Murphy (D) signed S2760/A4384, a new law that codifies additional procedures for inspecting, evaluating, and maintaining the structural integrity of certain residential housing structures across state. Over the past two years, CAIs New Jersey Legislative Action Committee spearheaded the legislation, which includes a framework largely based on CAIs Condominium Safety Public Policy Report recommendations. CAI worked closely with state Sens. Troy Singleton (D) and Linda Greenstein (D) and Assembly members Yvonne Lopez (D) and Benjie Wimberly (D).

The law represents a transformational sea change in the lives of New Jerseys community associations. In addition to protecting residents living in mid- and high-rise buildings, it will, over time, end the trauma associated with special assessments. Its a shock for governing boards and owners when there arent enough reserve funds available to pay for much needed common element repairs and replacements, says J. David Ramsey, an attorney with Becker law firm in Morristown, N.J., a fellow in CAIs College of Community Association Lawyers, and a CAI past president.

The law amends New Jerseys Uniform Construction Code Act to ensure periodic inspections for certain new and existing condominiums and cooperatives; it also mandates a structural inspection report as part of the Planned Real Estate Full Disclosure registration process. The New Jersey Planned Real Estate Act also is amended to require standards for the periodic completion of capital reserve studies.

New Jersey has taken a tremendous step toward preventing the human tragedy that occurred in Surfside, Fla., says Ed San George, PCAM, president of INTEGRA Management in Mount Arlington, N.J. As buildings age, inevitable deterioration occurs. When proper inspections and maintenance of structural components are delayed, costs can be extensive.

Since the tragic partial collapse of Champlain Towers South Condominium in Surfside, Fla., in June 2021 that claimed 98 lives, CAI has been committed to making sure such an event never happens again. Over the past two-and-a-half years, CAI and its affiliate, the Foundation for Community Association Research, have developed the Condominium Safety Public Policy Report, updated Reserve Study Standards, and Best Practices: Community Association Maintenance.

The legislation in New Jersey is based on these efforts and could not have happened without them. I am proud to be a part of this vision and to watch as it helps communities remain both structurally safe and financially secure across the country, says Mitchell Frumkin, PE, RS, president of Kipcon engineering in North Brunswick, N.J., and a CAI past president.

Three statesCalifornia, Florida, and New Jerseyand municipalities including Denver and Seattle now have building inspection laws. Facade inspection ordinances are on record in more than 12 major cities including Boston, Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia.

Additionally, reserve studies or a reserve schedule for condominium associations are required in the following 12 states: California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Maryland, Nevada, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, and Washington State. Reserve funding for condominium associations is required in the following 12 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, and Oregon.

We are very pleased that New Jersey policymakers passed this comprehensive legislation that will make certain that no matter where a condominium or cooperative is located in the state, they will be periodically inspected with information shared with unit owners, local building officials, and prospective buyers, says Dawn M. Bauman, CAE, CAI's chief strategy officer.

CAI will continue working with policymakers to support condominium communities as they navigate these new requirements. In addition, CAI will use the legislation now adopted in Florida and New Jersey as model language for other states as they consider adopting similar measures.

For more information, access CAI's condo safety resources at www.condosafety.com.

###

Media Contact:

Daniel Brannigan

Senior Director of Publishing

dbrannigan@caionline.org | (703) 970-9233

About Community Associations Institute

Since 1973, Community Associations Institute (CAI) has been the leading provider of resources and information for homeowners, volunteer board leaders, professional managers, and business professionals in the more than 358,000 homeowners associations, condominiums, and housing cooperatives in the United States and millions of communities worldwide. With more than 45,000 members, CAI works in partnership with 36 legislative action committees and 64 affiliated chapters within the U.S., Canada, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates as well as with housing leaders in several other countries, including Australia, Spain, and the United Kingdom. A global nonprofit 501(c)(6) organization, CAI is the foremost authority in community association management, governance, education, and advocacy. Our mission is to inspire professionalism, effective leadership, and responsible citizenshipideals reflected in community associations that are preferred places to call home. Visit us at www.caionline.org, and follow us on Twitter and Facebook @CAISocial.
SOCIETE GENERALE: NUMBER OF SHARES COMPOSING CURRENT SHARE CAPITAL AND TOTAL NUMBER OF VOTING RIGHTS AS OF 31/12/2023

Regulated Information

Paris, 12 January 2024

Information about the total number of voting rights and shares pursuant to Article L.233-8 II of the French Commercial Code and Article 223-16 of the AMF General Regulations.

Date Number of shares composing current share capital Total number of

voting rights 31 December 2023 802,979,942



Gross: 877,042,414





Press contact:

Jean-Baptiste Froville_+33 1 58 98 68 00_ jean-baptiste.froville@socgen.com

Fanny Rouby_+33 1 57 29 11 12_ fanny.rouby@socgen.com

Societe Generale

Societe Generale is a top tier European Bank with 117,000 employees serving 25 million clients in more than 60 countries across the world. We have been supporting the development of our economies for nearly 160 years, providing our corporate, institutional, and individual clients with a wide array of value-added advisory and financial solutions. Our long-lasting and trusted relationships with the clients, our cutting-edge expertise, our unique innovation, our ESG capabilities and leading franchises are part of our DNA and serve our most essential objective - to deliver sustainable value creation for all our stakeholders.



The Group runs three complementary sets of businesses, embedding ESG offerings for all its clients:

French Retail, Private Banking and Insurance , with leading retail bank SG and insurance franchise, premium private banking services, and the leading digital Bank BoursoBank.

, with leading retail bank SG and insurance franchise, premium private banking services, and the leading digital Bank BoursoBank. Global Banking and Investor Solutions , a top tier wholesale bank offering tailored-made solutions with distinctive global leadership in Equity Derivatives, Structured Finance and ESG.

, a top tier wholesale bank offering tailored-made solutions with distinctive global leadership in Equity Derivatives, Structured Finance and ESG. International Retail, Mobility & Leasing Services, comprising well-established universal banks (in Czech Republic, Romania and several African countries), Ayvens (the new ALD I LeasePlan brand), a global player in sustainable mobility, as well as specialized financing activities.





Committed to building together with its clients a better and sustainable future, Societe Generale aims to be a leading partner in the environmental transition and sustainability overall. The Group is included in the principal socially responsible investment indices: DJSI (Europe), FTSE4Good (Global and Europe), Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, Refinitiv Diversity and Inclusion Index, Euronext Vigeo (Europe and Eurozone), STOXX Global ESG Leaders indexes, and the MSCI Low Carbon Leaders Index (World and Europe).

In case of doubt regarding the authenticity of this press release, please go to the end of the Group News page on societegenerale.com website where official Press Releases sent by Societe Generale can be certified using blockchain technology. A link will allow you to check the documents legitimacy directly on the web page.

For more information, you can follow us on Twitter/X @societegenerale or visit our website societegenerale.com .

Attachment
Horsham Township, Jan. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Horsham Township, Pennsylvania -

Medical Optometry America (MOA), Pennsylvanias leader in medical, non-surgical eye care, is committed to educating the public about the importance of early detection and prevention of all forms of eye disease. In recognition of January as Glaucoma Awareness Month, MOA is proud to share its comprehensive approach to combating glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible vision loss and blindness.

"We understand how difficult it can be to detect glaucoma, particularly in its earliest stages said Dr. Justin Sherman, O.D., F.A.A.O., Medical Director at MOAs Eye Health Center in Horsham, PA. "We have advanced our mission by adopting cutting-edge diagnostic equipment, capable of detecting even the most subtle sign of disease. The issue for many patients is that diseases like glaucoma are out of sight, out of mind. We want to make as many people as possible aware of glaucoma, so they have the knowledge they need to protect themselves.

Glaucoma, often referred to as the "silent thief of sight," typically shows no early symptoms and can lead to devastating vision loss or blindness if left untreated. Because patients have no symptoms in the early disease process, around half of all individuals with glaucoma dont realize they have it, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Millions of Americans have already developed glaucoma but dont yet realize their sight is in danger. Fortunately, it is possible to diagnose and treat glaucoma before it causes permanent vision damage.

Age and genetics are significant factors for glaucoma risk. Individuals over the age of 40 are more vulnerable and should have their eyes screened for glaucoma regularly. Glaucoma also has a strong genetic component, and individuals with any family history of the condition have a higher risk of developing this eye disease.

Also at increased risk are individuals living with conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, as well as those who are nearsighted or who have experienced severe eye injuries at some point in their life. African Americans and Afro-Caribbeans [DJS1] are at higher risk as well. The CDC cites this group as 6-8 times more likely to develop glaucoma.

"Something as simple as knowing your family's eye health history can save your sight," said Dr. Christopher Kuc, O.D., F.A.A.O., the Medical Director of MOAs Newton Square, PA office. We have the means to detect and treat glaucoma, but patients need first to understand everyone is at risk for developing glaucoma and any individual may have genetics or medical history that significantly increases their risk. Patients need to discuss the genetic risk factors with their families, because they are at risk, too.

MOA serves the public as a leader in glaucoma diagnosis and management. Their Chief Medical Officer, Jim Thimons, O.D., F.A.A.O., is the founder and Chairman of the National Glaucoma Society. He was also involved in the early development of the Falck Medical Multi-Function Applanation Tonometer (FMAT1), a cutting-edge tool developed specifically for the early detection and management of glaucoma.

Glaucoma is generally related to an increase in pressure around the optic nerve which causes damage to its ability to communicate images to the brain. FMAT1 is used to assess key factors related to both pressure and the flow of fluid in the eye, both of which are critical in diagnosing and treating the disease. Combined with the full array of state-of-the-art glaucoma technology, MOA clinicians are at the forefront of modern glaucoma care. MOA invites the community to join the fight against glaucoma by scheduling an annual eye physical, investigating their familys medical history, and learning more about risk factors. Schedule an Annual Eye Physical to learn more from MOAs glaucoma experts.

About Medical Optometry America

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3vMIjCp6Xs

With three Eye Health Centers serving the Montgomery, Delaware, Chester, and Bucks county areas, Medical Optometry America provides high-quality, non-surgical eye care. Their Eye Health Centers offer more than what youd expect from the typical eye doctor: beginning with a comprehensive ocular health assessment, their expert team provides customized treatment plans that take the patients conditions, symptoms, and lifestyle into account. To MOA, quality medical eye care is achieved by enhancing the entire continuum of care, and that is only possible by spending genuine, one-on-one time with patients and asking the right questions. When it comes to closing the care gap in eye health, especially for serious eye conditions like glaucoma, MOA has a highly trained team of eye doctors people can trust. To learn more, visit www.MOAeyes.com/.

###

For more information about Medical Optometry America - Horsham, contact the company here:



Medical Optometry America - Horsham

Judy Chang Cody

(610) 477-7479

Horsham@MOAeyes.com

303 Horsham Rd # G, Horsham, PA 19044
Gaithersburg, Gaithersburg, Jan. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gaithersburg, Maryland, positioned at the heart of Washington D.C.'s financial district, serves as the backdrop for the remarkable endeavors of Christian Durand. President of Christian Durand Insurance Agency Inc, stands as a trailblazing force, orchestrating a transformative narrative that extends its influence not only across the state of Maryland but resonates far beyond, within the expansive realm of the insurance and financial services sector..

Originating from Cote d'Ivoire, Christian embodies the American Dream, showcasing the power of perseverance, innovation, and an entrepreneurial spirit. With a decade-long banking foundation in the early 2000s, he gained insights into market dynamics and customer relationships, laying the groundwork for his transformative journey in entrepreneurship.

The pivotal moment arrived when Christian discerned an underserved requirement within the insurance landscape of the DC metro area. Opting for a strategic shift, he initiated an entrepreneurial odyssey, leveraging his banking expertise to redefine the benchmarks of success within the insurance sector. The inception of Christian Durand Insurance Agency Inc not only signaled an introduction but also charted a unique course in the realm of insurance.

Guided by Christian's vision, the agency has become a pivotal player in the local insurance market, boasting two thriving agencies. Characterized by repeatable processes, tailored services, and an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction, his business model has set a new industry standard. Over the past decade, the agencies have not only experienced remarkable revenue growth but have also become synonymous with trust, reliability, and unparalleled service.

Christian's success isn't confined to statistics; it is deeply rooted in his unique journey. As a living embodiment of the American Dream, he stands as an inspiration for budding entrepreneurs, especially those with immigrant backgrounds, urging the next generation to dream big and work tirelessly. More than just a prosperous entrepreneur, Christian Durand assumes the role of a transformative leader catalyzing change within the industry. His methodology not only adeptly navigates challenges but actively propels a transformational journey within the sector.

Guided by Christian's leadership, the agency emerges as a significant participant in the regional insurance market, proudly housing two flourishing branches. His business approach, characterized by replicable procedures, customized offerings, and an unyielding dedication to customer contentment, establishes a fresh benchmark within the sector. Throughout the last ten years, these agencies have not merely undergone substantial revenue expansion but have also become synonymous with trust, dependability, and unmatched service.

For more information about Christian Durand Insurance Agency Inc, please visit christiandurand.com.





About Christian Durand Insurance Agency Inc:

Christian Durand Insurance Agency Inc, founded by Christian Durand, is a leading player in the insurance industry in Maryland. With a focus on bespoke services, repeatable processes, and an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction, the agency has become synonymous with trust, reliability, and unparalleled service.

Contact Information:

Company Name: Christian Durand Insurance Agency Inc

Web URL: christiandurand.com

Company Email: christian@christiandurand.com

Founder: Christian Durand

Contact Number: (301) 208-1100

City: Gaithersburg

State: Maryland

Country: United States
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Do you think it sounds better than the Shelby GT350?

It used to be that flat-plane crank engines were a thing you only found on exotic European cars like Ferraris. They make a pretty unique sound some would describe as unearthly. While theres far more than just that to attract someone to the Shelby GT350, it does make the muscle car sound distinct. This video showing off a 1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z at Autox Goodguys 37th American Car Show held in Pleasanton, California last year is intriguing because it helps highlight the fact you dont have to be a Ford guy to enjoy the sounds and performance benefits of a flat-plane crank V8.

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That LS7 comes from a Corvette Z06, which even if it werent modified would make this IROC-Z quite potent. This build was done by none other than Detroit Speed and is a breath of fresh air. The LS7 has been de-stroked and has the flat-plane crank installed, which you can hear loud and clear once the muscle car starts whipping through the autocross course.

Not only do flat-plane crank V8s sound cool, they offer some performance benefits. The configuration allows for greater airflow. That in turn means more horsepower, something we all love. It also translates into higher revs. For example, Fords Voodoo V8 can go all the way to 8,250 rpm before the fuel cuts off. Compare that to 7,000 rpm for the Coyote, which is the basis of the Voodoo, and you can see the difference.

With this LS7 it can apparently rev all the way to 8,500 rpm. Does that make it better than the Voodoo? We dont have horsepower or torque specs, but anticipate it would be markedly better than in the Corvette Z06 which donated the engine.

YouTuber Internal Combustion says this IROC-Z sounds better than the Shelby GT350. We think Ford fans might take exception to that declaration, but the GM crowd likely agrees. Perhaps we should ask all the Mopar fans to weigh in on this one since they dont have a horse in this race.

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NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, continues to investigate potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) resulting from allegations that Cummins may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Cummins securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=21566 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.

WHAT IS THIS ABOUT: On December 22, 2023, the United States Department of Justice issued a press release entitled Attorney General Merrick Garland Statement on the Agreement in Principle with Cummins to Settle Alleged Installation of Illegal Defeat Devices in Engines. It stated, in pertinent part, [e]ngine manufacturer Cummins Inc. today 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.

On this news, Cummins stock price fell $7.01 per share, or 2.87%, to close at $236.99 per share on December 22, 2023.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

-------------------------------

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

lrosen@rosenlegal.com

pkim@rosenlegal.com

cases@rosenlegal.com

www.rosenlegal.com
CRANBURY, N.J., Jan. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dvm360, the leading multimedia provider of animal health care communications, education and research for veterinary professionals, is excited to announce that the Fetch conference will be coming to Nashville from May 1718, 2024. The conference will take place at the Music City Center where attendees will have the opportunity to earn continuing education (CE) credits while interacting and networking with peers, friends and faculty.



For decades, Fetch conferences have been a cornerstone of the veterinary community, offering unparalleled CE experiences. Their innovative approach to veterinary education is designed to address current industry challenges and propel the veterinary community toward a future of continual growth. The Nashville conference highlights dvm360s commitment to expand its CE offerings to new locations around the country. Through a curated blend of educational sessions, networking opportunities and industry showcases, attendees and exhibitors can expect nothing short of excellence.

I am immensely proud to witness the expansion of Fetch conferences to new horizons, said Mike Hennessy Jr., president and CEO of MJH Life Sciences. This strategic move signifies a significant stride in our commitment to fulfilling promises and advancing excellence in veterinary education.

As an innovator in veterinary education, dvm360 has tailored its events to serve todays veterinary professionals. These conferences are more than just events; theyre dynamic platforms that empower us with the latest advancements, innovative solutions and the camaraderie of a thriving veterinary community, said Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, and chief veterinary officer of dvm360. The expansion to a new location in Nashville is incredibly exciting, as it not only brings world-class education closer to professionals, but also opens doors to networking and collaboration in a vibrant setting.

Veterinary professionals attending this conference can expect a program featuring keynote speakers, 120+ workshops, immersive training sessions and the opportunity to learn and network with likeminded peers and prominent faculty.

We are proud to usher in a new chapter of growth and collaboration within the veterinary community, said John Hydrusko, vice president of dvm360 and Fetch. Our vision is clear  to create transformative moments for every attendee  and the exciting journey to Nashville is a significant milestone in fulfilling that vision.

To learn more about the conference and to register, please visit here.

About dvm360

Founded more than 50 years ago, dvm360 is the leading multimedia provider of animal health care communications, education and research for veterinary professionals. We engage audiences with top-of-the-line, in-depth digital and print news, medical information and veterinary resources focusing on every aspect of a veterinary professionals life. With our online learning platform, dvm360 Flex, we also deliver a 360-degree solution for continuing education  print, digital, in-person and on-demand. Dvm360 is a brand of MJH Life Sciences, the largest privately held, independent, full-service medical media company in North America. MJH Life Sciences is dedicated to delivering trusted health care news across multiple channels.

Media Contact:

Julia Paradizova

MJH Life Sciences

jparadizova@mjhlifesciences.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c17749c0-35b7-4d44-8b8f-fa4b230c24af
VANCOUVER, BC, AND HOUSTON, Jan. 11, 2024 /CNW/ - International Battery Metals Ltd. (the "Company") (CSE: IBAT), is pleased to announce the signing of a term sheet for deployment of our modular direct lithium extraction plant (the "MDLE Plant") with a customer (the "Customer") in the western United States. Our MDLE Plant utilizes our proprietary selective absorption media minimizing the use of chemicals, reducing by-product waste, and recovering over 98% of our process water. The Customer is a significant producer of metals and minerals including the production of battery grade lithium carbonate. Pursuant to the terms sheet, IBAT will immediately begin mobilizing the MDLE Plant to the Customer's site where it will be integrated into existing production facilities. The initial targeted production, following commissioning, is approximately 4,000 metric tons per annum of lithium carbonate with the goal of increasing this production to over 8,000 metric tons per annum by optimizing the MDLE Plant. The integrated system will represent the first commercial direct lithium extraction operation to go online in North America.

The term sheet provides for mobilization fees and cost sharing arrangements for the commissioning and optimization of the MDLE Plant. Once the MDLE Plant completes the initial commissioning, the term sheet also provides that IBAT will be entitled to monthly equipment rentals and royalties based on the volumes produced and the realized sales value of the lithium carbonate. Additionally, the Customer will have certain options to purchase the MDLE Plant while IBAT will retain all the technology rights, the royalties, and be the exclusive supplier of the absorption media to the Customer.

"Our MDLE Plant is the industry leading direct lithium extraction technology available today. We are very excited for this opportunity to reach full commercialization and look forward to future developments with our outstanding Customer," commented John Burba, Founder and Chief Technology Officer.

"We are very pleased with achieving this significant milestone for IBAT. The opportunity to integrate our MDLE Plant with a Customer who has existing production facilities is an outstanding outcome, accelerating the full commercialization of our technology and achieving meaningful product revenues" Garry Flowers, Co-Chief Executive Officer added.

Michel Libor, Co-Chief Executive Officer further commented, "Accomplishing first commercial revenue is a major milestone for any company. The business and operational benefits that we expect will flow to us from the transaction contemplated by this term sheet is a credit to the IBAT team and their perseverance. This is an exciting opportunity to launch our commercial operations and begin growing the Company."

The MDLE Plant uses IBAT's proprietary selective absorption lithium media to extract lithium from brine fluids. The MDLE Plant was originally constructed in Lake Charles, Louisiana where it was extensively tested and received independent third-party validation of its operational performance. The modular design of the MDLE Plant will allow it to be mobilized to the Customer's facilities. Once the MDLE Plant is operational, the MDLE Plant will be optimized to increase its production capacity. This optimization will consist of adding additional extraction modules, containing IBAT's proprietary selective absorption lithium media, and increasing certain valves and pumps to accommodate additional flow of brines.

About International Battery Metals Ltd.

The Company's direct lithium extraction technology is based on proprietary lithium extraction housed in patented extraction towers that are enclosed in a modular, shippable platform able to be loaded and brought into production within 10 days of arrival on a customer site. Utilizing the patented technology, the Company's focus has been on advanced extraction of lithium chloride from ground water salt brine deposits and returning the same water to the subsurface aquifer from which it is extracted. The Company's unique patented technology ensures faster delivery of lithium chloride while ensuring minimal environmental impact.

Garry Flowers, Co-CEO

Libor Michel, Co-CEO

Securities Law Disclaimers

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.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Forward?looking Statements

This release may contain statements within the meaning of safe harbour provisions as defined under securities laws and regulations.

This news release contains assumptions, estimates, and other forward-looking statements regarding future events.

These forward-looking statements related certain of the plans and objectives of the Company, including the transaction, operations and business contemplated by the term sheet summarized above. In particular, the Company cannot assure you that the parties will enter into the definitive documents for the term sheet or that the business and operations contemplated by the term sheet will be profitable for the Company or will realize the benefits the Company anticipates. The use of any of the words "will", "expected", "view", "believes" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by forward-looking information as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Additional information regarding risks and uncertainties of the Company's business are contained in the Company's public filings which are available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The statement made in this press release is made as of the date hereof. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be expressly required by applicable securities laws.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/international-battery-metals-ltd-announces-the-signing-of-a-term-sheet-for-our-modular-direct-lithium-extraction-plant-with-a-customer-302033162.html

SOURCE International Battery Metals Ltd.
VANCOUVER, Jan. 11, 2024 - Ameriwest Lithium Inc. (the "Company" or "Ameriwest") (CSE: AWLI) (OTC: AWLIF) (FSE: 5HV0) is pleased to report that, through its wholly owned subsidiary Oakley Ventures USA Corp. (Oakley), it has successfully negotiated Surface Use Agreements (SUAs) with the ranchers that have grazing rights overlapping its Arizona State Mineral Exploration Permits and nearby private surface lands at its Thompson Valley Project ("TV Project"), Arizona. This is a major milestone in acquiring approvals necessary for a Phase 1 drilling program at the TV Project.



The SUAs provide for:

Use of the private gate and road entering the western TV Project lands for full access to that property as well as the northern TV Project lands on top of the mesa. The SUAs also provide access across private lands entering the southern TV Project lands.

Approval for access to drill on the private lands where Oakley has Federal lode mining claims. This is important, as it negates the requirement for BLM approval of a Plan of Operations to explore and drill on these 33 claims, greatly shortening the permitting process.

The SUAs include the provisions for:

A written plan for review and approval by the ranchers, with approval to not be unreasonably withheld.

Payment to the ranchers for land disturbance for building roads, trenches, and drill pads on a per length or per pad basis.

Ability to block off some lands from cattle grazing, such as for mining operations, with payment to the ranchers on a per area per month basis.

Accessing of water rights.

Expansion or contraction of the lands covered as Oakley's mineral rights change.



Oakley has also advanced its Right-of-Way (ROW) application with Arizona State to cross the adjacent Lyles Mineral Lease to enable access to the eastern area of the property, as follows:

The ROW was surveyed, and exhibits prepared and provided to the Arizona State Land Department (ASLD). ASLD accepted the exhibits as being suitable.

An archaeology report was completed and submitted to the Arizona State Museum (ASM) for review, and an area of cultural importance on a section of the eastern ROW crossing an area of known cultural resources.

Native plant surveys were completed.



The Geologic Field Operations Plan (GFOP) submitted to ASLD in September should be nearing approval. The archaeology and native plant surveys, as well as information on the SUA's were submitted to ASLD as part of this review. Discussions with ASLD are ongoing to mitigate the concern identified by the ASM, on the basis that it was a previously used legacy road in the area. It is anticipated that the GFOP will be approved early in 2024.

Figure 1

Mineral Rights, Thompson Valley Property, AZ





The Company's current focus is concentrated on securing funding to facilitate this year's recommended Phase 1 drilling program at the TV Project. Objectives of the program are outlined below:

Obtain representative cuttings samples for laboratory analysis and prove the presence of significant lithium concentrations.

Determine the depth of the potential lithium deposit by drilling to basement rock.

Begin to define the dimensions of the potential lithium deposit with the longer term goal of defining a lithium resource.



Note that no mineral resources or reserves have yet been defined at the Thompson Valley Project that meet National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) Standards for Disclosure for Mineral Projects or Canadian Institute of Mining (CIM) Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Reserves.

To achieve these objectives of its drilling program, Oakley plans to use dual-wall reverse circulation (RC) drilling with air, as this will provide uncontaminated samples from depth. It is planned to drill in 9 to 11 locations in the western area, as shown on Figure 1. Thirty locations are being permitted to allow follow-up drilling in both the western and eastern areas, subject to exploration success and funding. Target depths are +/-300 ft, based on satellite-based remote sensing for the presence of lithium.

Drilling quotations are being obtained from five different companies of which two are located in Arizona and three in Nevada.

Additional permits expected to be required upon approval of the GFOP include:

Notice of Intent to Clear Land, submitted to the Arizona Department of Agriculture (ADA).

Exhibit C: Checklist - Vegetation on State Trust Land, submitted to ASLD Natural Resources Division.

Notice of Intent to Drill and Abandon an Exploration / Specialty Well submitted to Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR).

Construction Activity General Permit (CGP) for stormwater discharge.

Upon completion of the necessary permits and financing activities, Ameriwest plans to move forward with Phase 1 drilling at the TV Project. Timing is dependent on these activities.

Qualified Person Statement

David Watkinson, P.Eng., a non-independent qualified person under the NI 43-101 Instrument, has reviewed and approved the technical content of this news release. Mr. Watkinson is President and CEO of Ameriwest.

About Ameriwest Lithium Inc.

Ameriwest Lithium Inc. is a Canadian-based exploration company focused on identifying strategic lithium mineral projects for exploration and resource development. The Company is currently exploring its 9,400-acre Thompson Valley property in Arizona. In addition, it is one of the largest lithium land holders in Nevada exploring its 15,300-acre Railroad Valley property, 22,200-acre Edwards Creek Valley property, 5,800-acre Little Smoky Valley property and 7,600-acre Deer Musk East property. These include three lithium brine properties and two lithium clay properties.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Dave Watkinson

Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please contact:

Ameriwest Lithium Inc.

Investor Relations

416 918-6785



The Canadian Securities Exchange has not in any way passed upon the merits of the matters referenced herein and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forward?looking information. Forward?looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "intend", "should", and similar expressions. Forward?looking information involves 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 information. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward?looking information as a result of regulatory decisions, competitive factors in the industries in which the Company operates, prevailing economic conditions, changes to the Company's strategic growth plans, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward?looking information 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. Any forward?looking information contained in this news release represents the Company's expectations as of the date hereof, and is subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward?looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities legislation.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/85c89ea9-4761-4fb7-9d8a-84eebecb5650
VANCOUVER, Jan. 12, 2024 - Vortex Energy Corp. (CSE: VRTX | OTC: VTECF | FRA: AA3) ("Vortex" or the "Company") announces the voting results from its Annual General and Special Meeting of shareholders held on January 11, 2024 (the "Meeting"). A total of 24,260,177 (representing 34.21% of the issued and outstanding common shares) were represented at the Meeting.

The three nominees listed in the management information circular with respect to the Meeting were elected as directors of the Company. Shareholders also approved the Company's equity incentive plan and the amendment of the quorum requirement in the Company's articles to require two shareholders who hold at least 5% of the issued shares entitled to be vote at a meeting to be present at a shareholders' meeting in order for there to be a quorum at such meeting. Detailed results of the votes on the matters put before the Meeting are set out below:

Number of Directors

To set the number of directors for the ensuing year at three:

Votes For % For Votes Against % Against 21,846,797 90.054 2,412,879 9.946 %

Election of Directors

To elect the following persons to serve as directors of the Company for the ensuing year:

Nominee Votes For % For Votes Withheld % Withheld Paul Sparkes 18,445,716 89.584 % 2,144,750 10.416 Eli Dusenbury 18,457,469 89.641 % 2,132,997 10.359 David Bowen 20,572,496 99.913 17,970 0.087 %

Re-appointment of the Auditor

To re-appoint Baker Tilly WM LLP as the Company's auditor for the ensuing year at remuneration to be fixed by the directors:

Votes For % For Votes Withheld % Withheld 24,224,088 99.853 35,589 0.147 %

Approval of Compensation Plan

To authorize, approve, ratify and confirm the Company's equity compensation plan and the unallocated entitlements issuable thereunder and permit the Company to grant options, restricted share units and deferred share units under the Company's equity compensation plan until January 11, 2027:

Votes For % For Votes Against % Against 18,379,255 89.261 2,211,211 10.739

Approval of Amendment to Articles

To approve a special resolution to amend the quorum requirement in the Company's articles to require a quorum for the transaction of business at shareholder meetings of two shareholders who, in the aggregate, hold at least 5% of the issued shares entitled to be voted at the meeting and are present in person or represented by proxy.

Votes For % For Votes Against % Against 20,475,025 99.439 115,441 0.561

About Vortex Energy Corp.

Vortex Energy Corp. is an exploration stage company engaged principally in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in North America. The company is currently advancing its Robinson River Salt Project comprised of a total of 942 claims covering 23,500 hectares located approximately 35 linear kms south of the town of Stephenville in the Province of Newfoundland & Labrador. The Robinson River Salt Project is prospective for both salt and hydrogen salt cavern storage. The company is actively evaluating technologies to efficiently store hydrogen or energy in salt caverns. Vortex Energy Corp. also holds the Fire Eye Project, which is located in the Wollaston Domain of northern Saskatchewan, Canada.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Paul Sparkes

Chief Executive Officer, Director

+1 (778) 819-0164

info@vortexenergycorp.com

The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the contents of this ?press release.?
VANCOUVER, Jan. 12, 2024 - Soma Gold Corp. (TSXV: SOMA) (WKN: A2P4DU) (OTC: SMAGF) (the "Company" or "Soma") is pleased to announce that the Company will begin trading today on the OTCQX Best Market under the symbol "SMAGF", having graduated from the OTCQB Venture Market. U.S. investors can find current financial disclosures and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the Company on www.otcmarkets.com.

The OTCQX Market is designed for established, investor-focused U.S. and international companies. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best-practice corporate governance, and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws. Graduating to the OTCQX Market from the OTCQB Market marks an important milestone for companies, enabling them to demonstrate their qualifications and build visibility among U.S. investors.

"We are delighted to have met the stringent requirements set by the OTCQX Market, reflecting our dedication to upholding the highest standards of corporate governance and financial reporting." Said Geoff Hampson, Executive Chairman of Soma Gold Corp. "This achievement is a testament to the hard work and resilience of our team, and we believe it will further solidify Soma's position as a trusted investment opportunity." He further states, "The move to the OTCQX Market is a crucial step in our ongoing development to foster increased confidence among current and prospective investors. We remain committed to creating value as we continue to grow and expand our operations and presence in the market."

ABOUT SOMA GOLD

Soma Gold Corp. (TSXV: SOMA) is a mining company focused on gold production and exploration. The Company owns two adjacent mining properties in Antioquia, Colombia, with a combined milling capacity of 675 tpd. (Permitted for 1,400 tpd). The El Bagre Mill is currently operating and producing. Internally generated funds are being used to finance a regional exploration program.

With a strong commitment to sustainability and community engagement, Soma Gold Corp. is dedicated to achieving excellence in all aspects of its operations.

The Company also owns an exploration property near Tucuma, Para State, Brazil, that is currently under option to Ero Copper Corp.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Javier Cordova Unda"

Chief Executive Officer and President

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

All statements, analysis and other information contained in this press release about anticipated future events or results constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results of operations to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at the date the statements are made. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements even if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable laws. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Soma Gold Corp.
Vancouver, January 12, 2024 - Tincorp Metals Inc. (TSXV: TIN) (OTCQX: TINFF) ("Tincorp" or the "Company") today announces that Gordon Neal has resigned as Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Company with immediate effect. The Board of Directors of the Company thanks Mr. Neal for his valuable contributions to the Company over the years and wishes him the best in his future endeavours.

The Company has appointed Victor Feng as Vice President Corporate Development and as the Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Company until a permanent candidate is identified. Mr. Feng previously managed the Company's investor relations and corporate development activities.

Tincorp's Board of Directors will initiate a comprehensive search for a permanent CEO to lead the Company's next phase of growth and development.

About Tincorp

Tincorp Metals Inc. is a mineral exploration company focusing on tin projects in Bolivia and a gold project near Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada. The Company has signed agreements to acquire a 100% interest in the Porvenir Project and SF Tin Project, which are 70 km southeast of Oruro, Bolivia. The Company's 100% owned Skukum Gold Project is approximately 84 km south of Whitehorse by road. An independent mineral resource estimate update in respect of the Skukum Gold Project was completed in October 2022.

On Behalf of Tincorp Metals Inc.

Victor Feng, Interim CEO

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations, Tincorp Metals Inc.

Phone: +1 (604)-336-5919

Email: info@tincorp.com

www.tincorp.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 news release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collective, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the search for a permanent CEO are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by words or phrases such as "expects", "is expected", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "estimates", "assumes", "intends", "strategies", "targets", "goals", "forecasts", "objectives", "budgets", "schedules", "potential" or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions, assumptions, factors and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this news release or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law.

Additional information in relation to the Company, including the Company's most recent annual information form, can be obtained under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.tincorp.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/194180
Lexus

The Lexus LBX is a baby crossover that is not sold in America, and likely isnt missed either given it uses a hybrid three-cylinder and front-wheel drive, sitting on the same architecture as the Toyota Yaris hatchback. Lexus unveiled a far more interesting version at the Tokyo Auto Salon on Friday though, but only as a concept: the LBX Morizo RR.

Lexus

The LBX Morizo uses the same engine that is fitted to the existing GR Corolla and the GR Yaris that is sold outside the U.S.: a 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder that produces a claimed 300 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The Lexus sends drive to each corner through an electronically controlled all-wheel drive system (presumably with the same torque-biasing abilities as in the GR Corolla), as well as a new eight-speed automatic gearbox. The last detail is a clear distinction from the manual-only GR Corolla, although likely not for long as Toyota has just confirmed the GR Yaris is also going to be offered with the option of an eight-speed auto alongside the existing six-speed stick.

Lexus

Lexus hasnt quoted any weight or performance numbers for the LBX Morizo, but as it is shorter than the GR Corolla and more powerful than the GR Yaris, we can safely assume that any production version would be at least as quick as its Toyota sisters, likely meaning a 0-60 mph time in just under five seconds. Nor is there confirmation that a production version will follow, although the concept certainly looks ready to hit the streets. Sadly for us, even if it does make that leap it seems unlikely we would get the Morizo in the U.S. given the basic LBX isnt sold here.

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But the project certainly has friends in high places. Its name reflects the involvement of Akio Toyoda, Toyotas former CEO and now the corporations chairman. Toyoda has raced under the pseudonym Morizo, and since stepping down from overall control of the company has taken on a development role. He has been the driving force behind the creation of the GR-branded Toyota road cars, and it looks as if he now wants to produce Lexus versions too. If the production LBX Morizo happens, maybe some U.S.-market Lexus models will get to follow it.

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Gene Haas assures team is not for sale

The unexpected departure of Gunther Steiner from Haas F1 Team caught everyone by surprise and coming immediately after it was revealed Simone Resta had also left the American team, vaccating the position of Technical Director, indicates quite a lot was going on under the surface in Gene Haas team.

Gene Haas, Chinese GP 2019

 RV Press

The fact Steiner was given  or wasnt willing to give  the opportunity to send a farewel message in the teams official press release points to this divorce being anything but consensual and it wouldnt be a surprise to find out, in a few weeks or months, that the Italian and his former boss are heading to court to discuss the terms of their abrupt separation.

Given the teams philosophy of running with a comparatively small human and physical structure, outsourcing the design, development and building of its cars to Ferrari and Dallara, has failed to bring consistent results, it seems clear to everyone that either Gene Haas changes the approach, invests heavily in infrastructure and personnel and follows the same path Williams is threading now, or results wont change much, not matter how much better new Team Principal Ayao Komatsu may be at using the current resources.

Which is why quite a few good sources believe Haas is simply getting ready to sell his team, having parted ways with the two highest paid members of his stuff. A plan the American entrepreneur denies, in a rare interview with Formula 1s official website.

Haas made it clear that, "I didnt get into F1 to sell, I did it because I wanted to race and Guenther had the same perspective. Were not here to cash out, we want to race and be competitive. If you look at any team, historically, they have had a lot of good years and a lot of bad years.

It's not a secret that Haas was made an offer by Andretti Global, who is having a lot of trouble getting its future Formula 1 entry approved by Liberty Media and the existing ten teams and wanted to resort to buying the Americans entry, but wouldnt need the deal with Dallara to design and produce its own cars. But Gene Haas was also approached by anumber of investors, he revealed, explaining why he turned down their offers: We have had outside investors come in, and they want to talk to us. They expect a 15% rate of return every year: 'Give me a 15% rate of return and I have a couple of hundred million dollars Ill give you!' They have high expectations, they have all kinds of rules.

What their job is, they want to buy into you, and five years later they want to make a 100 million dollars profit. Quite frankly, I dont need that kind of oversight, from people who come in with 200 million dollars - its not enough to entice me to do that.
Pat McAfee and Stephen A. Smith

Once upon a time, when Jemele Hill called Donald Trump a white supremacist on Twitter, ESPN forced the anchor to apologize.

One month later, when Hill criticized Jerry Jones for his stance on players protesting racial injustice, the network suspended her for violating its social media guidelines.

For many decades, ESPN prided itself on never allowing any individual talent to outshine the brand. Even Dan Patrick and Keith Olbermann were once reprimanded for displaying too much humor on SportsCenter. They were ordered to slow down the jokes, and quit calling their version of SportsCenter The Big Show.

But now, we are in a new media age. The middle class has been willowed out in Bristol, replaced with high-priced superstars such as Stephen A. Smith and Pat McAfee.

And they dont answer to anybody, because they dont just outshine the brand.

Theyre bigger than the entire company.

McAfee literally answers to nobody, considering he enjoys full creative control of his show. The ex-Colts punter built his program into a powerhouse long before joining Disney, and didnt want to relinquish the reins.

If ESPN wanted McAfee, they would be the ones forced to make concessions. McAfee went on to ink a five-year, $85 million deal with the network just as it was completing a gruesome round of layoffs.

ESPN was counting on McAfee to attract younger viewers, and figured any resulting difficulties would be worth it. But its apparent not everybody in the company agrees. The New York Post published a story last week detailing McAfees lackluster TV ratings, right on the heels of Aaron Rodgers falsely implying on ESPNs airwaves that Jimmy Kimmel was on the Jeffrey Epstein list.

Kimmel, one of the biggest stars at Disney, threatened to sue Rodgers for defamation.

McAfee, in turn, threatened ESPN management. He blamed Norby Williamson for the unflattering Post story, calling the longtime exec a rat.

There are folks actively trying to sabotage us from within ESPN, said McAfee. More specifically, I believe Norby Williamson is the guy attempting to sabotage our program.

Full clip of Pat McAfee accusing ESPN Head of Event and Studio Production Norby Williamson of sabotage pic.twitter.com/sMFpa0Qk7q  Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 5, 2024

ESPN responded with a Friday afternoon statement extolling McAfee for his success. He wasnt disciplined for his attack on Williamson.

When McAfee returned to the air Monday, he expressed no remorse.

Pat McAfee dont take back anything he said about Norby Williamson, but insists his relationship with ESPN is strong pic.twitter.com/U3YZe37O6n  Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 8, 2024

McAfees relationship with ESPN is unprecedented, and the fallout from his unhinged interviews with Rogers proves it. Hill said last week theres no bigger sin in the Disney ecosystem than host-on-host crime or talent-on-talent crime.

But McAfee is beyond the ecosystem. He has nothing to fear.

As Dan Le Batard put it, McAfee isnt some some scared insecure journalist in the vanity business whos interested in respecting authority. Hes a media mogul whos already fabulously wealthy.

His career wont end when his deal with ESPN inevitably falls apart. In fact, a messy divorce would probably only add to his cache.

Le Batard is an example of that, albeit on a slightly smaller scale. When he left ESPN, he inked a $50 million contract deal with DraftKings while building his own company, Meadowlark Media. ESPN is no longer the gatekeeper.

The same dynamics apply to Smith, whos spent the last week attacking Jason Whitlock for calming he didnt write his autobiography, among other insults.

Smith responded briefly on First Take before delving into an epic 40-minute attack on Whitlock on his independent podcast. While Smith says he notified his bosses at ESPN, he certainly wasnt asking for permission.

On his podcast, Smith said Whitlock is worse than a white supremacist. He is the worst, most despicable, lying, no-good, fat-a human being I have ever known in my life, bellowed Smith.

Whitlock, a disgraced troll who now rails against womens suffrage, is feasting off the attention. Smiths rant undoubtedly perpetuated the news cycle.

ESPN management probably doesnt love that. But what are they gonna do, harangue Smith during a conference call? Now earning roughly $12 million annually, Smith led First Take to new viewership heights in 2023. Without him, ESPNs signature debate show would crumble.

ESPN is now beholden to the talent, and not the other way around. Its not a secret the network wants to head towards a subscription-based model, which means ESPN needs to fill its lineup with stars. In that spirit, the Pat McAfee Show is doing exactly what ESPN wants.

When Rodgers is on, McAfee often surpasses 100,000 live concurrent viewers on his YouTube channel, which is huge for any livestream. Its easy to imagine ESPN one day using McAfees exclusive content as a way to drive people to its streaming service.

A similar plan could also take hold with Smith.

Back when cable ruled, ESPN enjoyed a captive audience. Now, that viewership is splintered.

To pull in eyeballs, ESPN correctly realized the shackles need to be removed from its biggest stars. The brand may be splintered in the process, but thats a price worth paying.

At least, thats whats been determined  for now.
Xem them

...

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The people behind NordVPN are launching a global eSIM service, called Saily. It will provide eSIMs to all users without the limitation of their own carrier, provided their smartphones support the feature.

The service is still in beta and you can sign up for early access. The app will be officially launched later this year.

According to Vykintas Maknickas, Head of product strategy at Nord Security, Saily will ensure users don't need to use public Wi-Fi networks that they are not comfortable with. Customers will be able to choose from "hundreds of countries and dozens of plans" to get a deal on mobile data.

eSIM cards are used mainly by travelers and people working remotely to decrease roaming charges. According to Nord Security, some people also need a cheap data package in their own country after a prepaid plan runs out.

The new Saily app should compete with Airalo, a service downloaded over 5 million times on Google Play and App Store. It provides virtual SIM cards for all regions of the world with data packages at competitive prices.

There's also the convenience of not needing to purchase a SIM card in a new country in a foreign language with a different currency.

Source
A cadre of 30 men and women graduated as Guam Department of Corrections officers at a ceremony Friday at the LeoPalace Resort.

The newly pinned officers recently completed a 12-week training course, learning the basic tools needed to keep order at Guams only corrections facility. Some graduates will start working as early as Sunday, said Captain Joey Pocaigue, who holds multiple leadership titles at DOC including head instructor for the recent graduates.

Im sure these guys will do great in their careers, so dismissing them, its a proud moment for me, said Pocaigue. These guys have come a long way together and theyre gonna bring a lot to the table. And theyre young, some of them are young. And there are other features.

The graduates represent several nationalities and many of them are bilingual. Besides several from Guam, graduates also hail from the Federated States of Micronesia, Jamaica, Hawaii, Philippines and Korea.

Ive trained like 12 cycles and each cycle is unique but this one is very complex. Thats gonna help with our growing population in the facility, because now we have individuals who understand that language and maybe they guide us on these individuals of that nationality, said Pocaigue.

Pocaigue, as well as DOC Director Fred Bordallo and class commander Nathaniel Paul C. Charfauros thanked and congratulated the family and friends of the new officers, and said they would need even more support and patience for the officers entrusted with keeping Guam safe.

Acting Gov. Joshua Tenorio said he was proud of Guams newest public servants.

I pray and expect that you will carry the highest integrity to the Department of Corrections, all while providing much relief and assistance to our officers already on the force. Each of you will play a role in the corrections of citizens who are worthy of rejoining society in a law-abiding way, Tenorio said.

Pocaigue said the newest officers will be tested from the start, which for some could be as early as Sunday. He guessed that there were almost 900 current inmates at a facility built to house 500.

The graduates will be a welcome relief to the existing corrections officers and staff, which have been working 12-hour shifts up to six days per week. The new officers will be assigned 12-hour shifts from the start, said Pocaigue, which might give some existing officers a chance at two, maybe even three days off.

The senior corrections officers will also give extra attention to their new co-workers, and help guide them on the job, said Pocaigue.

Ideally, Pocaigue said DOC should have a staff of about 300. The starting pay for a Corrections Officer I is about $33,000 base pay per year, not including other factors such as hazard, recruitment incentive and overtime adjustments.
Editors note: This story has been updated to reflect statements made by Adelup Spokesperson Krystal Paco-San Agustin.

A Facebook page offering to help Guam residents obtain a drivers license or pass a driving exam is not a legitimate government service, according to the Office of the Governor.

Titled Guam DMV online service, the page features photos of a DMV Express counter and other photos of a drivers license office front which do not appear to be on island. Also posted are pictures of what appear to be real Guam drivers licenses with expiration dates from several years ago.

The page was not a function of the Office of the Governor of Guam or the Guam Department of Revenue and Taxation, Adelup spokesperson Krystal Paco-San Agustin said.

Its unclear whether any legitimate private service is offered by the account.

The page appears to have become active around October 2023, and one of its posts has hundreds of likes, a dozen shares, and over one hundred comments from the profiles of what look like local residents.

Hello! Are you too busy to get your license established (?) Have you been going for the exams but cant pass, or are you not up to standards? We are here to help you get your drivers license without any difficulty, one post from the page states.

Residents are encouraged to send the page a direct message, and a phone number with a Texas area code is listed on the site.

Attorney General Doug Moylan said he would need to have the matter looked into when asked whether his office was aware of the use of expired Guam drivers licenses on the page, or if it was something that should be reported to the FBI.
A special election for Sinajana vice mayor will be held on March 9, after formal approval from the Guam Election Commission Friday night.

The special election will fill the vacancy left by the late Sinajana vice mayor, Rudy Don Iriarte, who passed on Jan. 3 after a valiant battle with diabetes.

Sinajana has 1,603 registered voters, based on GEC data as of Dec. 25.

The central village has a healthy voter turnout during elections.

GEC Chairman Jerry Crisostomo and the rest of the commissioners, during their special board meeting, approved the conduct of the special election for Sinajana vice mayor from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 9, but the polling place has not been determined yet.

The commissioners also approved the candidate packet and the timeline.

While not discussed at the meeting, the conduct of the Sinajana vice mayor special election is expected to cost about $25,000.

Maria Pangelinan, GEC executive director, said the commission will send a letter to Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero on Jan. 16, formally asking her for a proclamation on the special election.

The same day, candidate packets will be made available.

That means those interested in running for Sinajana vice mayor can start gathering petition signatures until they get 100, and then file their candidacy with GEC.

The deadline to file candidacy is Feb. 8, or 30 days before the special election.

Precinct officials for the special election will be paid $350 each, based on discussions at the GEC meeting.

1 potential candidate so far

Sinajana Mayor Robert Hofmann said the Democratic Party will field Karl Sotto as their candidate for Sinajana vice mayor.

Sotto, of the Gadi, Bonu family, is a small business owner and is currently a program coordinator/staff for the Bureau of Womens Affairs.

Hes a respected member of our community. Hes respectful, he is resourceful, hes a music director here (at the Sinajana) parish, and a long time volunteer for our community activities and events, Hofmann said. We like that he wants to carry and continue Vice Mayor Rudys legacy.

The mayor, also a Democrat, said Sotto has the support of many in the community.

Guam law requires a special election to be held on a Saturday on or about 60 days after a vacancy occurs in an office of the vice mayor, when vacancy exists 240 days or more prior to the date of the next general election for vice mayors.

Iriarte passed more than 300 days before the Nov. 5 general elections.

Eliminating the position

Meanwhile, Sen. William Parkinson introduced a bill seeking to eliminate the Sinajana vice mayors position, citing the promotion of efficiency and effectiveness in local government.

Iriarte, while still alive, was already advocating for the removal of his position, owing to Sinajanas population that has shrunk to only 2,611 as of the 2020 Census.

Other villages with much bigger populations of 6,000 to 7,000 have been operating without vice mayors.

Hofmann on Friday night said the potential candidate, Sotto, also supports the idea of the elimination of the Sinajana vice mayor position.

So the fact that he can also advocate for that shows hes in it for the service to our wonderful community, the mayor said.

At the GEC meeting Friday night, some commissioners asked what impact Parkinsons bill would have on the ongoing preparations for the special election.

Counsel Vince Camacho and other commissioners said the law requires a special election, unless the law tells GEC otherwise.

So if Parkinsons bill gets passed and enacted into law before March 9, then GEC will cancel the special election since the position of a Sinajana vice mayor was already eliminated by law.

Pangelinan said GEC has been invited to testify on the bill during a public hearing at the Legislature at 9 a.m. on Jan. 18.
In response to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases within the community, Guam Regional Medical City will reinstate a temporary mask mandate and limited visitation effective Jan. 15 to Feb. 16.

This mandate may be extended based on developments in the facility and our community, a release from the hospital states.

Mandatory mask usage will apply to all individuals entering GRMC. Masks must be tightly fitted, covering both the nose and mouth completely with no gaps. Security personnel will provide face masks to visitors and patients upon entering. Those with respiratory symptoms or fever will not be permitted to enter the hospital, the release states.

Visitors for the following patient care areas are limited to one visitor per patient:

Med-Telemetry

Med-Surgical

Emergency Department

Comfort Care patients are limited to five visitors at a time.

Intensive Care Unit patients are permitted two visitors during the hours of 9 a.m.  10 a.m., 10 a.m.  11 a.m., 1 p.m.  2 p.m., 2 p.m.  3 p.m., 8 p.m.  9 p.m. No switching.

Outpatient appointments and procedures are permitted one companion.

Morgue viewings will continue to have no visitation limit for two hours.

GRMC strongly encourages the practice of proper hygiene practices, social distancing, and vigilance in preventing the spread of COVID-19. We thank the community for their cooperation as we implement these safety measures for our patients, visitors, and staff, the release states.

GMH

The GRMC announcement comes after the islands public hospital, Guam Memorial Hospital, also reinstated a temporary mask mandate in clinical patient areas.

With seven patients and 48 staff members testing positive for COVID-19, the Guam Memorial Hospital has now implemented mask use.

The hospital mask mandate will be in place until Jan. 23, but will be extended if required, according to GMH. It applies to everyone entering patient care areas, regardless of vaccination status.

This includes the Emergency Room, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Med-Surg and Med-Tele wards, Surgical Unit and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), and all outpatient clinics including Rehabilitation.

Mandatory mask use will also be required in the Pediatrics/PICU unit and the Maternal Child Health department, including the Neonatal/Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Obstetrics, and Labor & Delivery.

Masks must be medical-grade, well-fitted KN/N95-type masks. Security will provide instructions and KN95 masks for all visitors and watchers who will enter patient care areas.

Everyone entering the hospital will be required to answer a series of questions to determine if they have recently had COVID-19 or been exposed.

Anyone with COVID-related symptoms will not be allowed to enter the hospital. Mask use in nonpatient care areas is highly encouraged, especially if one has a high risk of exposure or infection.
Ongoing construction at the Guam Museum should wrap up by March, but it is just the beginning of an estimated $4.1 million worth of post-Typhoon Mawar repairs that need to be done to get the facility back into full working order, according to Department of CHamoru Affairs President Melvin Won Pat-Borja.

Tourists, school kids and history buffs would have walked up the front steps of the Senator Antonio M. Palomo Guam Museum and CHamoru Education Facility in Hagatna in recent weeks, only to be disappointed by the locked doors.

The museum will open its rotating first-floor exhibit and event bookings once current construction is done, but major repairs are needed to the larger, permanent exhibit area that acts as the museums centerpiece on the upper floor.

Most of the ongoing work, which is visible from the street, was already needed before Mawar hit last May, according to Won Pat Borja: leaks caused by the museums arch, bad seals on upper floor windows, and water blasting.

He said drainage and heat damage werent properly accounted in the building design, and awnings will have to be installed to keep water from pooling around the structure.

A major air-conditioner replacement contract also will be awarded soon, after extended electrical and cooling issues. Total pre-Mawar repairs are well-below $1 million, according to Won Pat-Borja.

The museum first opened its doors less than a decade ago, in November of 2016, after a projected $27 million build. Construction was beset with several delays, and questions about the final costs of the project, Pacific Daily News files show.

Major damage

But the big-ticket item is typhoon damage to the facilitys crown jewel, the 6,200 square foot, state-of-the-art permanent exhibition on the second floor that showcases what the museum touts as the most complete display of Guams history.

A $4.1 million typhoon damage claim was made with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the museum is waiting on final approval to start bidding out repairs. But the work isnt expected to be done overnight.

The water damage was extensive, Won Pat-Borja said. Were gonna have to strip and replace tons of carpet.

Pre-existing issues with the AC unit at the museum, and inconsistent power supply, have made the issue worse.

The permanent exhibit titled, The Journey of the CHamoru People, has been long shut down due to humidity concerns.

A number of huts inside the exhibit, made with real nipa palm leaves, were torn down after growing mold and will need to be rebuilt.

The whole rear wall of the exhibit will also have to be torn out and rebuilt, according to the CHamoru Affairs president.

Thankfully, no artifacts were damaged, he said.

But many of the display cases were molded over, and valuable historical pieces have been relegated to storage.

You cant always see the mold spores, so we know that theres areas that will have mold that we cannot see, he said.

Reopening the permanent exhibit, its going to depend on our ability to source an appropriate vendor that can actually do that work. A lot of this is like specialized work, like the large-scale prints that span whole sections of the wall in some areas, he said.

Beyond the exhibit, doors all over the museum will have to be repaired and changed, adding more to the final bill.

A quote for professional mold removal alone came in at $70,000.

Were trying to maintain, were trying to get through all of this. Typhoon recovery is ongoing, man. Its been a challenge for us, overall, Won Pat-Borja said.

Still going

Won Pat-Borja said the museum is still looking ahead to work with the community, and already has a few rotating exhibits lined up once the present construction is wrapped.

First on the roster is a pelagic exhibit, showcasing deep ocean life, and AK Guam wants to book the space for their 110th anniversary exhibit.

After that, the U.S. National Park Service wants to collaborate with them on an exhibition for the 80th anniversary of Guams Liberation Day.

Operations hours will likely return to 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday.

We want to do Saturday hours, but its tough with the limited staff that we got, Won Pat-Borja said, though he does plan to ask lawmakers for the budget to increase staffing hours.

Hours at the museum have been reduced since it first opened in 2016, initially running 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays through Sundays, according to PDN files.

Staff often have to volunteer their time to work night-time events, like weddings and corporate gigs, which take time away from regular operation hours.

Its a tough set up, and not ideal, Won Pat-Borja said, but its necessary evil, because thats how we pay the bills.

Whether they get the support to increase operations will be up to lawmakers during the upcoming budget cycle, he added.
Stefan Keanu Camacho remains confined at the Department of Corrections pending his trial or ability to post bail, according to documents filed at the Superior Court of Guam.

The Attorney Generals office asked that Camacho be held until trial and recommended a bail amount of $2 million. Judge Benjamin Sison set bail at $1 million cash and court records indicate he was confined at DOC following his magistrates hearing on Thursday.

Camacho is believed to be the getaway driver in a January 4 incident that left a 60-year-old Korean tourist dead and another suspect, Keoki Junior Santos, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Camacho faces charges of aggravated murder and robbery, among other charges. He faces life in prison if found guilty.

Camachos next hearing is scheduled for 4 p.m. Jan. 19.

Details

Camacho explained that the crime was preceded by a $100 gambling loss, according to a magistrates complaint filed in Superior Court.

Camacho, 26, and Santos, 28, borrowed and lost the money, they decided to snatch someones purse and drove around the Tumon area looking for a tourist to rob, according to the complaint.

Camacho told police he warned Santos not to shoot anyone if they committed a robbery.

Driving from the Beach Bar, they found Hea Jun Hwang, 60, and his wife walking back from Tao Tao Tasi show.

Camacho told police Santos pointed a gun at the woman and demanded her purse. After a struggle between Hwang and Santos, the gun went off, killing Hwang.

Camacho and Santos each took $75 from the robbery, and they discarded the purse, bank cards and other items when they were driving, according to the complaint.

Camacho later led investigators to the discarded items.

After the shooting, Camacho spray-painted his vehicle rims to throw off investigators, but a tip and surveillance footage led police to Camacho and Santos, who were both from Yona.

Camacho was located in a game room, and when police approached Santos while he was inside a parked vehicle in Yona, he shot and killed himself.

Santos was attending drug court for a 2021 methamphetamine case, according to court documents, but Camacho has no previous convictions listed.

Facing life sentence

Camacho was charged Thursday with complicity to commit murder and complicity to commit robbery, both as first-degree felonies with a special allegation of vulnerable victim enhancement, and theft of property and destroying evidence as misdemeanors.

He is facing a sentence of life in prison plus 77 years if convicted, according to charging documents.

Guam vacation

The Korean couple was vacationing on Guam to celebrate their retirement.

On the night of Jan. 4, an SUV approached them from behind while they were walking from Gun Beach to The Tsubaki Tower hotel. A passenger exited the vehicle brandishing a firearm, and demanded the couples belongings. A struggle ensued and the husband was shot in the stomach. He died at the Guam Regional Medical City Friday morning.

An autopsy was performed last Friday, and the chief medical examiner, Dr. Jeffrey Nine, determined that the death was homicide and that Hwang died from a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Nine told police he believes the fatal injury was caused by a 9mm bullet.

According to the complaint, police found a 9mm bullet where Hwang was shot, and police determined it could be fired from a 9mmBeretta handgun.

Police found a silver 9mmBeretta handgun with Santos the night he was located in Yona on Jan. 9. Police earlier said Santos died from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot.

Acting Gov. Joshua Tenorio on Wednesday said justice will prevail in the fatal shooting of the tourist.
Billings Career Center high school students and teacher Mike Wagoner gift four-year-old Calliope Lindau with a customized ride-on car that will work with her mobility disability. Each year, program leaders Eric Anderson and Mike Wagoner help students in the Career Center's Go Baby Go class envision, design, and build drivable electric cars for students with developmental disabilities. The class gives high school students the chance to engage with real-world engineering problems and help special needs students in the Billings community.




Haiti - Insecurity : Open threats against the company Sunrise Airways





The company Sunrise Airways published a management note, reporting threats from the CASEC representative of Fond Fred (Cayes) against the airline.



Note from Sunrise Airways directorate :



"The Haitian airline Sunrise Airways wishes to inform the public that Maisonneuve Kendrick Smay, a representative of the Council of Administration of Communal Sections (CASEC) of the 2nd section Fond Fred (commune of Les Cayes), made threats in Creole opened against Sunrise Airways :



"Se konpayi k'ap finanse gang pou Matisan ka toujou bloke pou yo ka kontinye ap vann biye byen che, nou pral pran de mesi pou mete konpayi Sunrise Airways an difikilte." (the company which finances the gang so that Martissant can still be blocked so that they can continue to sell expensive tickets, we will take measures to put the company Sunrise Airways in difficulty.



The Sunrise Airways company, which provides the connection between the capital and the southern metropolis, vigorously protests against these denigrating, defamatory, slanderous and misleading comments which affect the credibility of the company and endanger its aircraft, passengers and employees.



It deplores the consequences that could possibly result from these irresponsible and malicious comments from this individual.



Sunrise Airways reserves the right to take legal action to initiate both criminal and civil action against CASEC Maisonneuve Kendrick Smay for legal consequences.



The Direectorate

Thursday January 11, 2024 



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Agriculture : 70% organic dark chocolate from Haiti finalist at the Good Food Awards 2024





Bixby Chocolate is delighted to announce that its 70% organic dark chocolate bar from Haiti has been selected as a finalist in the prestigious Good Food Awards 2024.



"We are honored to be recognized as a finalist for the 2024 Good Food Awards, said Kate McAleer, owner of Bixby Chocolate. "Our Haiti 70% Organic Dark Chocolate bar represents our commitment to making high-quality chocolate from ethically sourced ingredients."



Haiti's 70% Organic Dark Chocolate Bar is made from organically grown cocoa beans sourced directly from Haiti. The bar features a rich and complex flavor profile with fruity notes and a smooth finish, providing chocolate lovers with an exquisite taste experience.



The Good Food Awards 2024 celebrate not only exceptional flavors, but also the efforts of companies that prioritize sustainability, ethical sourcing and social responsibility in their production processes.



The winners of the Good Food Awards 2024 will be announced during a virtual ceremony on January 20, 2024.



For more information on Bixby Chocolate visit : www.bixbychocolate.com



HL/ HaitiFree






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





Jeremie paralyzed at Guy Philippe's call

Thursday January 11, 2024 in Jeremie, responding to Guy Philipe's call, the population took to the streets to demand the resignation of Prime Minister a.i. Ariel Henry and his allies in the Government. Barricades were erected in various places in the city by demonstrators that closed the doors of some public offices. School and commercial activities were paralyzed. The Haitian National Police had to use tear gas to disperse the demonstrators.



The Justice of the Peace of Martissant kidnapped

Thursday January 12, 2024, armed individuals kidnapped, in Martissant, the Justice of the Peace of the Carrefour jurisdiction, Me Jean Frantz Ducasse.



2010 Earthquake : Commemoration at the National Palace

As part of the commemoration of the 14th anniversary of the earthquake of January 12, 2010, Prime Minister a.i. Ariel Henry, in the presence of senior officials of the public administration and representatives of the diplomatic corps, during a ceremony in the courtyard of the Palace National at 4:00 p.m. will pay tribute to the memory of those who left us in 2010.



"The revolution" by Guy Philippe does not rule out any option

Jean Hilaire Lundi Roday, Spokesperson for the political consortium "National Awakening for the Sovereignty of Haiti" led Jeantel Joseph, which supports "the revolution" of Guy Philippe, indicated that no options were ruled out including the taking of the power by arms to overthrow Ariel Henry... A shocking declaration which forced the consortium to specify in a press release that it supported the words of its Spokesperson but "rejected all possibilities of a bloodbath in this popular revolution."



Delmas 31 : Road rehabilitation work in Cite Okay

Delmas Town Hall started work on rehabilitating the roads from Cite Okay to Delmas 31 on Thursday January 11, 2024.



Jacmel Carnival:

Jacmel has been in the middle of a pre-carnival period since January 7, a period which will end with Carnival 2024 on February 14, 2024, which this year will take place around the theme "Pandan nap danse, ann planifye yon nouvelle ayiti".



2010 Earthquake : Thoughts from BINUH

"January 12, 2010, is a date that remains in our hearts and minds. We do not forget all the victims of the devastating earthquake that killed and injured hundreds of thousands of people in Haiti, including 102 colleagues and friends within the United Nations," United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH)



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Federal mine regulators tell Montana that the state risks losing control of coal mine permitting if it proceeds with laws passed in 2019 and 2021.

At issue are laws that softened cleanup bonding requirements. State lawmakers in 2021 made it possible for mining companies to request that mine acres and bond amounts be released years before full reclamation was complete. Records show Westmoreland Rosebud Mining LLC has requested at least $2.58 million in partial reclamation bonding be returned in the years following the 2021 change to the law.

In an August letter to the Montanas Department of Environmental Quality, the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement said it was concerned that the state was waiving the right to withhold bonding until the reclamation was done to Montanas satisfaction. Republican legislators in 2021 had removed language requiring that the state hold onto bonds until regulators were satisfied the cleanup was accomplished.

In other words, if the permittee submits a bond release application package, Montana could potentially lose the ability to deny the bond release package or portions thereof, if Montana determines that the reclamation covered by the bond or portion of the bond hasnt been accomplished, wrote Jeffrey Fleischman, Chief of OSMREs Denver Field Division, Casper Area Office.

Other concerning changes to state law involved how a mining companys information might be updated or approved following a bankruptcy. Three coal mining companies with Montana interests have gone bankrupt since 2018. Two have gone out of business.

Those changes to the Montana Strip and Underground Mine Reclamation Act set the Montana bar lower than the federal standard, something states cannot do without forfeiting primacy over mining matters.

State law can be tougher than the federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, but not weaker. If the state law is weaker than federal law, then the state cannot take the lead in mine regulation.

The letter from OSMREs Fleischman became known this week in material submitted by DEQ to Montanas Environmental Quality Council, which meets Jan. 18.

Moira Davin, a DEQ spokesperson, told Lee Montana newspapers that the state continues to observe federal mining law. When contacted by Fleischman, DEQ explained that it didnt have the authority to amend the work of the Montana Legislature. And, because the Legislature meets every other year, there was no way Montanas new policy could be brought into compliance quickly. Legislators didnt condition the laws enactment on complying with federal mining policy.

DEQ has not delayed or postponed processing bond releases due to this legislation, Davin said in an email. DEQ has only processed bond releases according to the approved OSMRE program.

The federal caution that Montanas new laws could disqualify the state from keeping its regulatory lead, comes as conservation groups ask OSMRE to take control. But the federal government has declined to end the primacy granted to Montana decades ago.

Coal mining lobbyists and state legislators backing the changes in 2021 framed the amendments as good for private landowners who had signed development agreements with mining companies. Releasing acres from the bonding program early would hasten the wait for landowners, who could resume surface control of the mined area.

One of the directives within coal mine reclamation, in fact all mining in Montana, is to return the lands back to beneficial use for the end uses as quickly as possible, said Sen. Jason Small, R-Busby, when introducing the law changes to senators in 2021. The bond release stands in the way of timely release of lands back to productive agricultural use, we can improve that process with this bill.

In addition to requesting the early release of $2.5 million in bonding, Westmoreland requested the release of 1,780 acres spread across three different development areas of its Rosebud Mine. The southeast Montana mine provides fuel exclusively to neighboring Colstrip Power Plant.

Westmoreland lobbyist Darrell James told lawmakers that waiting until a project is mined out and completely reclaimed to release land meant that landowners could wait decades to retake control of their property. He didnt think the federal government wanted DEQ to hold onto the land until it was fully mined and reclaimed.

We asked landowners to lease their lands for what turns out to be several decades, so we can mine the coal underneath their hay fields, or their grazing pastures, James said. And we could feasibly return that land within about 15 years, post mining, if not for the way DEQ is administering the rule.

The risk of releasing bond money and land early, before reclamation is complete, was that Montana taxpayers would be stuck with the bill should reclamation turn out more complicated than originally expected, or that runoff from released lands continue to do harm, warned Derf Johnson, of the Montana Environmental Information Center.

We need to talk about making sure these mined-out lands are reclaimed, so that a decade from now, were not back in this committee hearing about how were going to pay to ultimately to reclaim this damaged land so that we can satisfy the constitutional requirements that are guaranteed to all of us, Johnson said.
Osmo Soininvaara (Greens) and 31 of his colleagues argue in their initiative that increasing housing in the area is a means to revitalise the area in the face of rising remote work, growth of e-commerce, completion of new shopping centres, scattering of nightlife activity and disappearance of visitors from China and Russia.

COUNCILLORS at the City of Helsinki are urging bureaucrats to take determined action to increase housing in the downtown area and its immediate vicinity, reports Helsingin Sanomat.

Residential is the only type of floor space that has not seen a decline in demand, they wrote according to the newspaper.

Officials at the City of Helsinki highlighted in their response that the city has looked into the possibility of increasing the number of jobs and residential units downtown, but also pledged to be more open to proposals to convert buildings to new uses.

They identified rejuvenating the number of visitors, demand for services and overall vitality of the downtown area as their primary objective.

The Helsinki City Board will discuss the initiative in its meeting in mid-January. The final decision will be made by the city council.

Concerns about the appeal and vitality of the city centre have lingered for some time, with many pointing to the effects of hybrid and remote work on the utilisation rate and vacancy rate of office space and demand for services.

While Mayor Juhana Vartiainen (NCP) has proposed that converting office space to residential units be made easier, the city has traditionally been lukewarm about the idea of increasing the number of downtown residents. Instead, it has viewed the area primarily as a concentration of offices and services.

It appears that the stance has not changed dramatically, according to Helsingin Sanomat.

Downtown Helsinki and its nearby areas are indeed a substantial concentration of jobs. Depending on the geographical definition, the downtown area has roughly 100,000 jobs compared to the roughly 250,000 in the entire city centre. Officials have also pointed to market studies suggesting that office space in the centre continues to appeal strongly to companies.

Southern Helsinki lost around 250,000 square metres of operational floor space to conversions in 20152021. Simultaneously supplemental construction and zoning conversions increased housing and accommodation in the area.

Roughly 2,500 permanent residents are living in the over 40 converted buildings in the city centre. Although the residents increase demand for nearby services, the decline in jobs caused by the conversions can have the opposite effect, the officials noted.

New residential projects in the centre have also been hindered by the lack of space for the public services the residents would need, such as kindergartens and schools.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
The call for action follows South Africa's late December announcement that it would bring Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague for genocide actions in Gaza.

Nearly six thousand Finns have signed an urgent petition urging the Finnish government to support South Africa's challenge against Israel for alleged genocide in Gaza. The petition, initiated by Sumud - Finnish Palestine Network ry, was delivered to Finland's UN representative Elina Kalkku , Prime Minister Petteri Orpo , and Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen .

A hearing on the matter is scheduled for January 1112. The petitioners are advocating for Finland to issue a declaration of intervention in support of the South African challenge.

By making this declaration, Finland would contribute to the investigation of the genocide against Palestinians and the prosecution of those responsible. This move is seen as a historic opportunity for Finland to fulfill its international legal obligations to halt ongoing war crimes committed by Israel and demand accountability for the perpetrators.

The panel of 15 judges of the International Court of Justice is expected to decide on provisional measures, such as demanding a halt to Israeli strikes on Gaza, in the weeks following the hearing. However, a final decision on the genocide accusation could take years.

The petition, launched on January 5 on Adressit.com, garnered 5,981 verified signatures by January 10. It was drafted by Sumud ry and ICAHD Finland ry, and only signatures verified through the organizers' website were accepted.

In a recent interview with Helsingin Sanomat, Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen affirmed Finland's foreign and security policy in the Middle East is based on human rights, democracy, the rule of law, and equality. She emphasized Finland's strong support for the international criminal court and stated unequivocally that Finland is prepared to condemn crimes that "partly even fulfill worse" criteria.

HT
Edwards's bill targets protesters blocking roads

U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards introduced a bill this week that would make it a federal crime to intentionally obstruct, delay or affect commerce by blocking a public road or highway.

The Safe and Open Streets Act is a direct response to the radical acts of obstruction from pro-Palestine and pro-Hamas protestors who have intentionally blocked roads and subverted commerce in North Carolina and across the country, Edwards' office said in news release. Recent protests in Americas major cities, including Washington, New York City and Chicago, have blocked drivers from using highways and roadways paid for by tax dollars. The legislation would penalize those who purposely block roads by imposing fines and up to five years of imprisonment upon conviction.

"In Western North Carolina, weve seen radical protestors block roads and stop the flow of daily commerce, presenting both a tremendous nuisance and inherent danger to drivers," Edwards said. "Protestors do not own the roads, and their tactics are endangering the safety and livelihoods of our citizens. These protestors reckless actions can place lives at risk in an emergency and should be a federal crime. The Safe and Open Streets Act will help prevent incidents like the recent one in Durham, as well as those a few years ago in Asheville, from happening again in North Carolina and elsewhere.

Fellow North Carolina congressmen David Rouzer and Richard Hudson are co-leading the bill with Edwards, while Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) are sponsoring a Senate bill.
State sets hearing on Clear Creek sewer plant

Map shows 6.9 miles of new sewer line running from the WNC Justice Academy (upper right) to a new wastewater treatment on Clear Creek near Fruitland Road (lower left). [CDM-SMITH ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION]

Its speak up now or forever hold your peace time for those who have questions about or are opposed to a new sewer plant on Clear Creek that could ignite development in Edneyville.

The state Department of Environmental Quality will hold a public hearing on Feb. 5 at North Henderson High School to hear from the public on the proposed wastewater treatment near Fruitland Road.

Henderson County and its consulting engineers are seeking the states approval to build a plant treating 200,000 gallons a day, with a planned expansion up to 500,000 gallons, fed by 6.9 miles of new sewer line. The treatment plant would cover around a half-acre of a 15-acre site at the confluence of Clear Creek and Laurel Branch. Once on line, the new public sewer would treat wastewater currently being discharged into creeks or streams by older facilities, including ones at the WNC Justice Academy, Edneyville Elementary School, Blacksmith Run and Camp Judea. In addition, its expected that some homeowners and businesses on septic systems would tie into the new public sewer. The project, estimated to cost $21 million, is funded by a state grant and $12.7 million in American Rescue Plan money.

The state has already issued a draft permit, which County Commissioner Bill Lapsley reads as a near-certain signal that the regulators will follow through and issue the permit for construction.

Thats 99.9 percent sure the states going to issue the permit, he said. Theyve reviewed all of the application details and they put out a public notice saying that theyre going to issue the permit and if anybody has any objections, speak up now or forever hold your peace.

Even so, an attorney for MountainTrue, which works to protect air and water quality and preserve sensitive land, and the Southern Environmental Law Center argues in a nine-page objection to the permit that a new sewer plant would further impair Clear Creek, be less cost-effective than piping wastewater to Hendersonvilles existing sewer plant, encourage urban sprawl and threaten the rural character of the apple country.

We appreciate efforts to improve water quality in the French Broad River watershed but for the reasons explained above, DEQ cannot permit the discharge from a new WWTP as proposed, Patrick Hunter, senior attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center, wrote as he concluded his 4,665-word argument urging state water quality regulators to deny the permit. We additionally underscore the need to consider the growth-inducing effect of constructing a new sewer line and ensuring any new sewer system is paired with land-use regulations to preserve the rural and agricultural nature of Edneyville.

The case for and against the plant

Here are the main arguments Hunter makes in his letter opposing the treatment plant and comments from Lapsley, who spent 40 years as a civil engineer and was the chief engineer for some 25 treatment plants approved by the state.

Hunter asserted that the state should not approve the new discharge unless it required the applicant to measure Total Maximum Daily Load.

First, we are opposed to a new wastewater discharge to Clear Creek because the creek is already impaired and, without a Total Maximum Daily Load in place, there is no assurance that the new discharge will not deepen the existing impairment, he said. For multiple reasons explained below, this violates the Clean Water Act.

Lapsley said: The state apparently disagrees with that. I agree with the state. The first point is the quality of the water thats produced by the treatment plants is higher quality than the wastewater discharged by other package plants or septic tanks in the Clear Creek watershed. And because the new discharge point is miles further downstream than existing discharge points, he said, the treated water will be more diluted. The creek is not going to be as impaired as it is today. Even though were gonna be adding more, were adding a better quality of treatment and adding it to a larger stream so I would argue that it will be cleaner.

New plant v. using citys plant

Connection to the existing wastewater treatment plant operated by the City of Hendersonville, rather than construction of an entirely new county-operated wastewater treatment plant, will lead to better environmental protections and cost savings in the long term, Hunter said. This is the most environmentally sound and cost-effective treatment option Additionally, it is unclear why taxpayers should be forced to fund construction and operation of a new WWTP when an existing WWTP presumably also constructed and operated with public funds is capable of handling the wastewater associated with sewer expansion in Edneyville.

Lapsley conceded that tying into Hendersonvilles sewer plant would be a reasonable option but for the cost.

Its debatable whether its ecologically better but the argument that its cheaper  we had to present that argument in the permit application, he said. Its cheaper to do what were doing. Would I like to see it work with the city of Hendersonville? I probably would, but its not economically the best and I dont think the argument that theyre polluting the (Clear Creek) stream is a viable argument.

Inviting urban sprawl

While we recognize that replacing failing wastewater treatment plants and septic systems with connections to sewer systems can lead to improvements in water quality, any extension of a sewer line in the Edneyville community risks disrupting the areas pristine character by facilitating urban sprawl, Hunter wrote. Consistent with the preferences of the community as we understand them, we are opposed to this type of development in this area. To protect the rural and agricultural character of the community, any sewer extension should be paired with appropriate land use regulations.

Lapsley and other commissioners have emphasized a point that Hunter concedes: replacing smaller, outdated treatment plants and failing septic systems with public sewer will make upstream Clear Creek tributaries cleaner.

As for urban sprawl, Thats a debatable point, Lapsley said. There are some people in Edneyville that would agree with that  that dont want to see a single new house built out there. And there are others that would like to see economic development out there. Will putting sewer out there encourage development? I suppose it would but what guides that is the zoning.

If the county commissioners zone to limit density then that argument goes away. If the county commissioners zone it for massive industrial sites and apartment houses then I agree with their argument that the new sewer plant would result in sprawl, he said. So it comes down to what the commissioners do as we complete the comprehensive plan. Its what we as a commission do with updating the zoning map to match up with the future land-use plan. Thats the key.

* * * * *

The N.C. Division of Water Resources public hearing on the Clear Creek wastewater treatment plant permit is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 5 at the North Henderson High School auditorium, 35 Fruitland Road. Speaker registration opens at 5:30 p.m. Written comments will also be accepted through 5 p.m. Feb. 6. Mail comments to Wastewater Permitting; Attn: Henderson County-Clear Creek WWTP Permit; 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C., 27699-1617. Comments must be postmarked no later than Feb. 6. Public comments may be submitted by email to publiccomments@deq.nc.gov. Include Clear Creek WWTP in the email subject line. Comments will be accepted via email until 5 p.m. Feb. 6.
WORK on a new veterinary surgery near Sonning Common has finally begun.

Sarah Moffat bought the former Reformation pub in Horsepond Road, Gallowstree Common, last year with the aim of converting it into a clinic for cats and dogs called Cherry Orchard Vets.

Pub company Brakspear, which owns the site, has been granted planning permission for change of use and to build two new houses on either side of the pub, which closed in August 2020.

Mrs Moffat, who lives in Kennylands Road, Sonning Common, said that buying the building from Brakspear took her longer than expected but she hopes to open the clinic in the spring.

She said: We are so excited to now have the building and to move forward.

The work will take place in two stages, beginning with converting the interior.

Mrs Moffat, who has been a vet for more than 20 years, plans to put in two consultation rooms, an open reception area with separate sections for cats and dogs, a theatre, dental and X-ray rooms, dog and cat wards, a staff room and an office. She has planning permission to build an extension at the back of the building in case she needs more space.

Construction workers have started working on the building, taking out the bar, kitchen equipment, tiles and the fake beams installed in the pub in order to raise the ceiling for the reception area.

One chimney is to be taken out and the building stripped down in order to replumb and wire it. New windows are to be installed to replace the wooden ones, which are rotting.

Outside, overgrown bushes have been trimmed back.

Mrs Moffat had been looking for a place of her own to have a practice for more than six years.

For the past year, she has been doing locum work for other veterinary practices and covering shifts at an independent practice in Wokingham.

She has also been meeting with other people in the veterinary profession to help her prepare to run her own surgery.

She plans to hire five staff to begin with, including another vet and reception and administrative staff. She says a veterinary clinic will be a valuable asset to the community.

Mrs Moffat said: There are very few vet practices around. In Henley you have a practice and theres one in Caversham and a branch in Sonning Common, then further afield.

There are not many commercial properties available to use as a vets with car parking.

The fact the building was available for commercial use already was hugely important and it is good that we will be able to have a nice car park outside the building.

Lots of people travel along the road so its great visibility too.

I have spent 18 years in Sonning Common. We have a lovely community and to bring in an independent vet to this area, rather than vets bought by corporate entities, has a really positive feel.

I have been a vet for more than 20 years and I am really passionate about it. Part of my love is getting to know my clients and their pets, from puppies and kittens right through to adults. Thats really important for me.

Mrs Moffat lives with her husband Ian Hasler, a former police officer, and their six-year-old son, Henry, who attends Sonning Common Primary School. She owns two Labradors, four chickens, a retired horse and two cats.

She grew up in Wargrave and attended the Piggott School in the village before going to Cambridge University, graduating in 2002.

She worked for Active Vet Care in Oakley Road, Caversham Heights, for five years and was clinical director when it became Oakley Veterinary Clinic before leaving in 2016 to work freelance and work on starting her own practice.

In 2018 she tried to buy MS Vets in Green Lane, Sonning Common, but was outbid and it is now Sonning Common Vets.

She contacted Brakspear when she saw the Reformation advertised and they submitted a planning application together.

Kidmore End Parish Council tried several times to have the pub listed as an asset of community value but failed due to a lack of evidence about social events taking place there.

Some villagers were upset at the loss of the pub and the prospect of new housing.

Mrs Moffat said: I appreciate the community is sad to lose a pub but when they did the viability report they found 39 other pubs within the vicinity.
When Lily Gladstone made history Sunday evening, becoming the first Native American to win best actress in a motion picture drama, Indigenous people nationwide celebrated while simultaneously trying to figure out who beaded her black-and-white earrings.

The answer is Lenise Omeasoo, Montana-based Ermineskin Cree and Blackfeet artist.

When Gladstone reached out a few weeks ago, Omeasoo said she knew she had the perfect earrings to match her style.

The earrings, like many of Omeasoos pieces, can be worn in several ways  as a rectangular stud or with a dangling butterfly attachment. At the Golden Globe Awards, Gladstone wore the top post of the earring set, showing a black-and-white mirrored Blackfeet design framed by pink and gold glass beads.

Omeasoo said she was honored Gladstone wore her work, adding that the earrings perfectly complemented Gladstones Bulgari diamond necklace and white Valentino dress.

Im incredibly proud of my fellow Blackfeet sister, Omeasoo said.

Since Gladstones historic win, Omeasoo said shes received overwhelming support for her company, Antelope Women Designs.

The amount of followers and fans that are sharing the work makes me feel very inspired, she said. I plan to take this energy and create something with it.

In her publicity for Killers of the Flower Moon, Gladstone has intentionally uplifted the work of local Native artists.

On the cover of British Vogue last September, Gladstone wore a large Apsaalooke-style breast plate with vintage brass beads and pink conch pearls by Crow artist Elias Jade NotAfraid. Another photo in the spread shows Blackfeet artist John Pepions Butterfly Dreams blanket. The blanket, made of cotton, is inspired by butterfly images often painted on tipis or found in the beadwork of Blackfeet people.

Find Lenise Omeasoos work on Facebook at AntelopeWomenDesigns or Instagram at Antelope_Women_Designs.
The Liberty Memorial Building on the state Capitol grounds in Bismarck is closed until further notice due to a water main break, according to the North Dakota Office of Management and Budget.

The broken water main caused a leak in the basement of the building which houses the North Dakota State Library. No library materials were damaged, according to OMB. The building also houses the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Central Office.

The pipe serving that area of the Capitol grounds is brittle due to age, and Facility Management had planned to replace it this spring, OMB said.

State Library staff are available for general inquiries at 701-328-2492 or ndsladmn@nd.gov, and for Patron Services at 701-328-4622 or statelib@nd.gov. Parks and Recreation is available for contact through Strategic Communications Chief Kristin Byram, at 701-328-5358 or kcbyram@nd.gov.
We all have heard about Kundli Doshas before, and they can seem ominous and universal. People often feel a lot of fear around them. But once you understand them, the fear of the unknown disappears. Instead, you're left with knowledge about how to deal with them. Let's read about what Kundli Doshas are, look at the various types, and most importantly, find out how to address these Doshas if they show up in your Kundli. Let's read about what Kundli Doshas are, look at the various types, and most importantly, find out how to address these Doshas if they show up in your Kundli.(HT File)

What is a Kundli Dosh?

A Kundli Dosh is when the planets in your birth chart are not arranged favourably. Your birth chart, also known as Janam Kundli in Hindi, shows where the planets were when you were born. To create an accurate Kundli, we need your date, time, and place of birth.

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By examining your birth chart, we can predict the good and challenging times you might face. A dosha happens due to this analysis, and it's associated with specific planets and their positions in your birth chart. Are you curious about what these arrangements and positions are?

What are the types of Kundli Dosh and its Remedies?

In Vedic astrology, kundli doshas can challenge your life or hinder your path to success. They may bring about various difficulties. The positive aspect, however, is that astrology teaches us how to eliminate or reduce their effects through effective remedies. This article will discuss the types of doshas in Kundli and their associated remedies.

Mangal Dosha:

Caused of Dosha: Placement of Mars in Specific Houses

You've probably heard a lot about Mangal Dosha. According to Vedic astrology, this kundli dosha, occurs when Mars is not in a favourable position in your Kundli. It's also known as Kuja Dosha or Manglik Dosh.

Mangal Dosha happens when the planet Mars is in the ascendant or 1st house, 4th house, 7th house, 8th house, and 12th house. In some South Indian charts, astrologers also consider Mars in the 2nd house as a factor for Mangal Dosha. This dosha is believed to have a significant impact on married life, causing imbalance and challenges for the couple. According to Hindu beliefs, a person with mangal dosha should marry a banana tree instead of a human to remove the dosh.

Kaal Sarp Dosha:

Caused of Dosha: Placement of Planets Between Rahu & Ketu

Another well-known Dosha is Kaal Sarp Dosha, and it's notorious for bringing struggles into a person's life. It's considered one of the most challenging Kundli Doshas to have in Vedic astrology. Kaal Sarp Dosha occurs when all the planets in your birth chart are positioned between Rahu and Ketu.

For instance, if your Kundli has Rahu in Aries and Ketu in Scorpio, and the remaining planets are between Taurus and Libra, then all the planets fall under the arc of Rahu and Ketu. This alignment is believed to lead to a series of failures and misfortunes in one's life.

Nadi Dosha:

Caused of Dosha: Difference in the 'Nadi' in a Potential Couple

Nadi Dosha is another consideration in Vedic astrology, specifically in the process of Patrika matching before marriage. Nadi is one of the aspects matched in the Ashtakoota method. There are three subtypes of Nadi, namely Aadi, Madhya, and Antya. This factor holds great significance in Guna Milan, accounting for 8 Guna out of the perfect score of 36.

When two individuals have the same Nadi in their Natal Charts, it is termed as Nadi Dosha. In Vedic astrology, Nadi represents aspects related to children, health, and genes. Consequently, a Nadi Dosha is believed to bring about issues related to children in the lives of the couple.

Pitru Dosha:

Caused of Dosha: The Placement of the Sun/Moon concerning Rahu/Ketu

Pitru Dosha is identified by the positions of Saturn and Rahu in the Kundli, along with the Sun or the Moon. This dosha is often linked to the karmic debt of your ancestors, involving their past misdeeds, unsettled souls, or wrong actions in their previous lives.

In Vedic astrology, Pitru Dosha is believed to bring suffering into one's life, causing problems ranging from personal issues to disruptions in relationships with family and society. Pitru Dosha is formed when the Sun or Moon is in conjunction or aspect to Rahu or Ketu in your birth chart. It becomes even more impactful if this conjunction happens in the 1st, 5th, 8th, or 9th house of the Kundli.

Guru Chandal Dosh:

Caused Dosha: Placement of Jupiter with Rahu/Ketu

While Guru, or Jupiter, is often seen as wise and powerful, its combination with Rahu and Ketu isn't as favourable. Despite being a planet associated with wisdom, education, justice, and dharma, when Jupiter is conjoined with Rahu or Ketu in your birth chart, it can bring challenges into your life.

This combination of Jupiter and Rahu is believed to bring about the most adversities. When combined with the sun and Mars, Rahu can create Surya Chandal Dosh and Mangal Chandal Dosh. However, Guru Chandal Dosha is particularly notorious for causing instability in one's life. The conjunction of Jupiter and Rahu/Ketu tends to overshadow the positive effects of Jupiter, hindering aspects like wealth, education, and optimism in the native's life.

Gandmool Dosh:

Caused of Dosha: Nakshatras Ruled by Mercury and Ketu

A bit different from the doshas we discussed earlier, Gandmool Dosha is linked to the Nakshatra or Birth Star in which you were born. This dosha occurs when a person is born in Nakshatras ruled by Ketu and Mercury. Surprisingly, almost one in every five individuals in the world is affected by this dosha, as it is relevant for 6 out of the 27 Nakshatras.

The Nakshatras associated with Gandmool Dosha are Ashwin, Ashlesha, Magha, Jyestha, Moola, and Revati. If you are born under these Nakshatras, Gandmool Dosha is considered effective. The most noticeable impact of this dosha tends to be misfortunes experienced by the closest family members of the individual, particularly the parents.

Shani Dosh:

Caused of Dosha: Placement of Saturn in Kundali

Shani Dosh is one of the most commonly heard kundli doshas in Vedic astrology. This Dosha might sound like a daunting Kundali Dosh, but the positions and transits of Saturn in a birth chart are not always harmful. There's no need to fear the mighty Saturn without reason.

Shani Dosha comes in many forms like Sade Saati, Shani Dhaiya (Mini Panoti), and during the Mahadasha of Shani. However, this dosha only brings adversities if Saturn is malefic in your Kundli. If Saturn is in the right house, acts as a Yoga Karak, and is exalted in your chart, it is unlikely to bring about the negative effects of Shani Dosha. However, if a malefic Saturn transits over the 1st, 2nd, and 12th houses, it has the potential to cause severe challenges for the natives.

Shrapit Dosh:

Caused of Dosha: Placement of Saturn and Rahu

The term 'Shrapit' literally means a person who is 'cursed' for their actions in a past life. Shrapit Dosh is a Kundli Dosh created by the conjunction of Saturn and Rahu in a single house in your Kundli. It is said to bring a series of obstacles in a native's life, causing delays in achieving deserved success.

The involvement of Saturn sheds light on why it is called Shrapit Dosh, as Saturn/Shani is considered the planet of 'Karma' and karmic debts. Even if Saturn aspects Rahu in your birth chart, the negative effects of Shrapit Dosh may still influence you.

Chandra Dosh:

Caused of Dosha: Placement of Moon concerning Rahu/Ketu

Chandra Dosh is created when the Moon in your birth chart is in conjunction with or aspected by the malefic planets Rahu and Ketu. Specifically, the Moon's conjunction with Rahu or aspect to Rahu, or Moon's conjunction with Ketu, is responsible for Chandra Dosh.

This Dosh is believed to be effective when the Moon and Sun are conjoined in a birth chart. This dosha brings unwanted thoughts, pessimism, and depression, among other hardships, to the natives. Consulting an astrologer and wearing a Pearl may be recommended to help fend off the ill effects of Chandra Dosh.

Kemadruma Dosh:

Caused of Dosha: Placement of Moon in a Kundali

Kemadruma Kundli Dosh is another Dosha that arises from the placement of the Moon in your birth chart. In a birth chart or Janam Kundli, which has 12 houses, Kemadruma Dosh occurs when both houses surrounding the Moon are vacant. If the house before and after the Moon is empty, Kemadruma Dosh is formed. Alternatively, you can say that Kemadruma Dosh is present when the 2nd and 12th houses from the Moon are vacant.

Similar to Shani Dosha, Kemadruma Dosh has two aspects, and an experienced astrologer can guide you on whether Kemadruma Dosh is likely to bring misfortune into your life or not.
The manipulation and improvement of digital images through a variety of techniques and software is known as image editing. Despite its potential challenges and time requirements, many individuals seek AI tools to aid in this process. These tools, which utilize artificial intelligence to automatically or semi-automatically execute image editing tasks, are becoming increasingly popular. This piece will explore the capabilities of AI image tools, their usage, and recommend the top 5 AI image tools for experimentation.

What can AI image tools do?

AI image tools offer a wide range of capabilities that surpass or outperform those of conventional image editing software, accomplishing tasks more efficiently and effectively. These tools commonly include the following features:

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Image enhancement:

AI image tools can enhance images by modifying various parameters like brightness, contrast, color, sharpness, and noise. Additionally, these tools can also add filters and effects to photos in order to generate diverse styles and moods.

Image restoration:

Artificial intelligence image processing tools are capable of repairing and enhancing images that have been damaged or deteriorated, such as by eliminating scratches, dust, stains, and imperfections. Additionally, these tools can also reconstruct missing or corrupted portions of images through the application of inpainting or super-resolution methods.

Image manipulation:

Artificial intelligence image manipulation tools have the capability to alter images through addition, deletion, or substitution of elements. These tools can also manipulate images by adjusting their size, cropping them, rotating them, distorting them, and more. Furthermore, AI image tools are able to generate lifelike or fantastical images through the use of generative adversarial networks (GANs) or style transfer methods. Additionally, these tools can modify image backgrounds by employing segmentation or matting techniques.

Image analysis:

Artificial intelligence image processing software utilizes computer algorithms and advanced machine learning methods to analyze and derive valuable insights from images. This technology enables the identification of objects, faces, text, scenes, emotions, and more within images. Additionally, AI image tools are capable of assessing, comparing, and categorizing images according to a range of criteria.

Top 5 AI tools for image editing you should use

ZMO.AI

1. ZMO.AI: The Ultimate AI Image Generator And Editor For Users

Are you in need of a powerful tool that uses AI to transform text or image prompts into realistic, artistic, or anime images? Do you desire the ability to alter backgrounds, eliminate objects, produce models, and enhance portraits with the help of AI technology? If so, consider giving ZMO.AI a try - it's an exceptional AI-powered platform for image editing and generation. ZMO.AI is an online platform that harnesses the capabilities of artificial intelligence to provide a diverse range of tools for image manipulation and creation. With ZMO.AI, you can produce captivating images using over 30 different styles including realistic, anime, manga, cartoon, and more. Additionally, ZMO.AI allows you to manipulate your images by utilizing functions like background alteration, object removal, model generation, and portrait enhancement.

Features of ZMO.AI

ZMO.AI's AI Background Changer effortlessly produces lifelike, professional-grade backgrounds that seamlessly align with the lighting of the primary subject, ultimately enhancing conversion rates. Users have access to a wide array of background options, including nature, urban landscapes, indoor settings, outdoor scenes, and beyond. This innovative feature falls under the realm of AI image tools.

ZMO.AI's AI Model image generator allows you to swiftly showcase your product on a variety of digital models that accurately represent your brand's aesthetic. This process takes mere minutes, rather than the traditional weeks, providing a realistic portrayal of your products across a diverse range of ethnicities.

ZMO.AI offers a user-friendly AI Anime Generator that can produce anime, manga, and cartoon characters at no cost. With over 30 styles available, including cute, cool, fantasy, and horror, users can effortlessly create striking images.

ZMO.AI's AI Portrait app produces impeccable portraits, ensuring flawless results. With ZMO.AI, you can enhance skin texture, enhance eye brightness, whiten teeth, and much more for a stunning finish.

ZMO.AI's AI Image Editor offers innovative editing features to enhance your images. With ZMO.AI, you can easily apply AI effects, cutouts, stickers, overlays, and various other creative elements to your photos.

2. Canva

Canva, a widely-used AI design platform, enables users to produce eye-catching graphics, logos, posters, and other visual content. Additionally, it offers photo editing capabilities with filters, stickers, text options, and more. Canva provides free access to a vast collection of templates and resources; however, it may lack certain advanced features found in other AI tools.

Features

Canva provides a wide array of more than 250,000 free templates to cater to various needs, including posters, resumes, logos, documents, whiteboards, presentations, social videos, prints, websites, Instagram posts, brochures, and more. The platform features a user-friendly drag-and-drop editor that makes designing easy and enjoyable by allowing users to effortlessly add and manipulate elements like photos, icons, shapes, and text. Additionally, users have access to a vast library of over 100 million free photos as well as icons, stickers, illustrations and more. Canva also offers over 700 fonts for use or the option to upload custom fonts. Collaboration is made simple with the ability to work with others on designs and share them via social media or email. Furthermore Canva provides the option to transform designs into physical products such as photo albums or T-shirts with free delivery right to your doorstep.

3. Luminar Neo

Luminar Neo, a fantastic photo editing software, employs generative AI to improve, revive, and change your images with innovative tools and features. It is compatible with both Windows and macOS, and can also be used as a plugin for Photoshop and Lightroom. With access to a diverse array of presets, layers, masking, and more, Luminar Neo is user-friendly and does not require any technical expertise. Simply select a photo from your device, camera, or online sources and apply one of the AI-powered tools or effects. Additionally, you have the option to personalize the parameters or settings of the tool or effect according to your preferences and requirements.

Features

Luminar Neo's AI capabilities offer a range of photo enhancement features, including automatic adjustments to brightness, contrast, color, sharpness, and noise with just one click. It can also restore damaged or degraded photos by eliminating scratches, dust, stains, and blemishes. Furthermore, Luminar Neo has the ability to transform images by adding or removing elements and adjusting size, cropping, rotation, and warping. Additionally, the software utilizes computer vision and machine learning techniques to extract valuable information from photos such as object recognition, facial recognition, text analysis, scene identification, and emotion detection.

4. Lensa

Lensa, a mobile application, utilizes artificial intelligence to improve, retouch, and modify selfies and portraits. It is compatible with both iOS and Android platforms, offering a range of tools, filters, and effects. Lensa serves as a creative tool for enhancing images, featuring unique filters that instantly enhance photos with just one click. Additionally, it provides easy-to-use presets for altering the mood of your photos.

Features

AI enhancement: Lensa has the capability to instantly improve your selfies and portraits with a single click, making adjustments to parameters like brightness, contrast, color, sharpness, and noise. AI retouch: Lensa is able to correct any imperfections and flaws in your selfies and portraits by smoothing skin, enhancing eyes, whitening teeth, and eliminating blemishes. AI transformation: Lensa can alter or adjust your selfies and portraits by adding, removing, or substituting elements.

5. Pixlr

Pixlr offers a delightful photo editing experience akin to playing in a virtual playground. Its user-friendly interface and multitude of impressive features enable you to effortlessly enhance your images. With the ability to apply entertaining filters, experiment with vibrant colors, and even draw directly on your photos, Pixlr is an ideal choice for those seeking to infuse creativity into their pictures while enjoying the process.

Features

Pixlr offers a range of AI features to enhance your photos, including applying effects like sketch, cartoon, oil painting, and watercolor. It also provides an AI cutout tool for easily removing objects or people from your images. Additionally, Pixlr allows you to add AI stickers such as emojis, animals, and flowers, along with AI overlays like bokeh, light leaks, and glitter. Moreover, the platform offers AI design tools for creating impressive graphics, logos, posters using thousands of free templates, photos, fonts and more.

AI image tools are powerful software applications designed to assist in a variety of image editing and creation tasks. Through the use of artificial intelligence, they can improve, reconstruct, alter, and analyze images. Additionally, these tools are capable of producing lifelike, artistic, and anime-style images based on either text or image prompts. They boast user-friendly interfaces, swift responsiveness, and a wide array of features and styles. However, not all AI image tools are equally effective; some may suffer from issues such as bugs, glitches, limitations, or expenses.

This is why ZMO.AI is recommended as the premier AI image tool for editing and generating images. It provides an extensive selection of tools for producing captivating images in over 30 styles including realistic, anime, manga, cartooning styles. Furthermore, it offers functionalities like background alteration, object removal, model creation capabilities and portrait enhancement features. ZMO.AI serves as the ultimate AI art generator for creators seeking to unleash their creativity and imagination. Experience ZMO.AI today to witness its capabilities firsthand!

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Have your articles or assignments faced rejection because they were flagged as AI-generated? Whether you employed AI for partial assistance, completed the entire work with high-quality results, or didn't use AI at all, this challenge tends to arise from time to time.

In such instances, you might prefer not to rewrite the content but seek ways to make it undetectable by AI detectors. How can you achieve this? The answer is simple  use an undetectable AI writer.

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Undetectable AI tools aim to rewrite AI-generated text into content that mimics authentic human writing, so no AI checker or AI detector can spot it. In this guide, lets shine a light on ten of the very best undetectable AI writers you can use today.

1. Bypass AI  Best Undetectable AI Tool for Humanizing AI Text

2. Bypass GPT  Best Undetectable AI Tool for High-Quality Output

3. Humbot  Best AI Humanizer for Beginners to Get 100% Human Score

4. HIX Bypass  Best Undetectable AI Tool for Performance

5. Undetectable AI  Best Undetectable AI Writer for Error-Free Writing

6. AI Undetectable  Best Undetectable AI Writing Tool for Adjustable Options

7. WriteHuman  Best AI Humanizer for Mobile-Friendly

8. StealthGPT  Best Undetectable AI Writing Tool for Hardcore Use

9. GPTinf  Best Undetectable AI Tool for Casual Use

10. Smodin  Best AI Detection Remover for Different Languages

Bypass AI  Best Undetectable AI Tool for Humanizing AI Text

Bypass AI

If you're seeking a reliable solution to consistently and successfully bypass AI detectors, Bypass AI is absolutely worth a try. Powered by advanced humanization technology, this tool offers some of the best humanization potential of any undetectable AI writer and AI humanizer. Its capable of taking bland, boring, robotic text and making it sound far more human.

Bypass AI can bypass almost any AI detector, from GPTZero to Originality.ai. Its versatility extends across various content types, ranging from simple blog posts to intricate essays. This makes it a valuable tool for students to enhance their writing.

Bypass AI can bypass almost any AI detector, from GPTZero to Originality.ai.

Bypass AI also has the benefit of retaining a texts original meaning and message. This is something that a lot of other undetectable AI writer platforms struggle with. Their humanization process may compromise the text's flow and purpose. But you wont have to worry about that with Bypass AI. It can help you avoid AI detectors without detracting from your content.

Pricing

Free to use. Premium plan available from $4.90 per month.

Features

Bypasses any AI detection tools available

Simple one-click humanization of any AI-written text

Able to retain the texts original meaning and message

Has a built-in AI detector to confirm the efficiency of the output content

Utilizes the leading humanization technology to enhance the human-written content

Cons

Only works with pasted text for now, not uploaded files

BypassGPT  Best Undetectable AI Tool for High-Quality Output

BypassGPT

When it comes to bypassing AI detection, Bypass GPT is one of the best options available. Introduced earlier in 2023, this undetectable AI writer has rapidly become a leading light for bloggers, students, writers, and businesses across the globe.

It offers fast, top-quality content protection, and its more than capable of getting past all the big AI detection tools. From Turnitin to Content at Scale, BypassGPT consistently outsmarts every AI writing detector, thanks to its ingenious technology.

Trained by professional human writers, it adeptly identifies AI-generated content's telltale signs and swiftly humanizes the text within seconds. Additionally, it enhances the overall readability and quality of the content by removing the odd expression and grammatical errors.

Pricing

Free to use. Premium plan available from $10 per month.

Features

Efficiently makes any AI text undetectable by all AI checkers

Some of the best humanization technology in the business

Produces authentic, human-like content in both long and short-form

Flexible payment plans to suit individuals and businesses with varying budgets

Cons

Free version only works with short texts

Humbot  Best AI Humanizer for Beginners to Get 100% Human Score

If you're looking to remove AI detection from an essay or any text but unsure which tool to use, Humbot is an excellent choice for newcomers and those new to AI. Designed with beginners in mind, Humbot distinguishes itself among AI humanizers with its simple and streamlined interface.

Its got a sleek, attractive design that helps new users feel comfortable right away, and its so straightforward to work with  simply enter the text and click the button. From there, Humbot does all the hard work for you. It will check for AI and remove the most prominent signs to humanize AI text immediately.

Thanks to its clever, high-end tech, you can count on this AI content bypass tool to cope with various content types. AI-generated blogs, articles, and assignments are all easy to bypass any AI checker with the help of Humbot.

Pricing

Free to use. Premium plans are available from $5 per month.

Features

An easy-to-use, beginner-friendly interface

Three different input methods for your convenience

Industry-leading humanization technology

Cons

Not much of a customer support service at present

HIX Bypass  Best Undetectable AI Tool for Performance

HIX Bypass is another undetectable AI tool, capable of generating truly undetectable AI content for blogging, marketing, essays, and more. This tool immediately has an extra level of authority when compared to many others, as its made by the industrys top AI writing platform: HIX.AI.

The developers of HIX.AI introduced new algorithms and humanization technology to address AI detection challenges, resulting in the creation of HIX Bypass. This impressive piece of tech is more than capable of getting around even the best AI text detector technology. For example, ZeroGPT, Sapling, and Scribbr.

HIX Bypass boasts a comprehensive feature set, supporting over 40 languages to make AI text undetectable not only in English but also in Spanish, Chinese, Russian, and more. Notably, it also excels in retaining crucial keywords in the input content, contributing to improved SEO performance.

Pricing

Free to use. Premium from $6.99 per month.

Features

Developed by a trusted brand in the AI writing world

Industry-leading humanization technology

Makes AI content undetectable through all AI detectors

Works in dozens of languages, as well as English

Delivers keyword-rich content that ranks higher

Cons

Doesn't offer any customization options

Undetectable AI  Best Undetectable AI Writer for Error-Free Writing

While some undetectable AI writers exhibit mistakes, punctuation issues, or require extensive edits, Undetectable AI doesnt. In fact, its great at making consistent, high-quality, error-free, human-like content you can use without any edits.

A lot of content creators and freelance writers are using Undetectable AI, and its not hard to see why. It was trained specifically to defeat almost all detector tools on the market. Whether youre up against Winston AI, Crossplag, or Copyleaks, you can count on this tool to deliver.

Undetectable AI also has fair pricing for professional users, as well as a handy free-to-use mode that lets you humanize small pieces of text without paying a thing. Its easy to use, reliable, and consistent  in short, its everything you could want from an undetectable AI writer.

Pricing

Free to use. Premium plans are available from $5 per month.

Features

Very efficient at creating quality humanized content

Proven to bypass most AI detection platforms

A simple one-click process to humanize AI text with ease

An ideal, affordable choice for beginners and experienced users alike

Cons

Could benefit from some more advanced features in the future

AI Undetectable  Best Undetectable AI Writing Tool for Adjustable Options

AI Undetectable is another highly-rated undetectable AI writer you can use to humanize AI text and improve writing quality. It supports multiple features, allowing users to enhance the content automatically and adjust word count as well as readability levels to meet different standards.

With the capability to bypass AI detectors effectively, it accommodates various languages in addition to English. However, its pricing system, requiring users to purchase one-off word packs, can become costly, especially for large amounts of text.

Pricing

Free to try. Users can also purchase premium word packs, starting at $5.99 for 10,000 words.

Features

Offers a range of adjustable filters and features

Can increase word count and improve text quality

Varying readability levels

Cons

Can be quite pricey to pay for the word packs

WriteHuman  Best AI Humanizer for Mobile-Friendly

If youve been seeking to bypass AI detection through mobile phones, WriteHuman can help. This handy undetectable AI writer works equally well on small devices, like tablets and phones, as it does on bigger screens. More importantly, it offers reliable humanization technology to improve your AI-generated content in a flash.

Still technically in the beta phase of development, WriteHuman is a work-in-progress, but its already quite a powerful tool. Testing shows that this AI writer can help you bypass a lot of the big AI-generated text detector platforms, like Copyleaks and ZeroGPT.

Pricing

Free to try. Three premium plans are available, beginning at $6.80 per month, if you pay annually.

Features

Quite affordable pricing plans

Impressive abilities to bypass AI detection

Works nicely on mobile devices and small screens

Cons

Lacks advanced features

StealthGPT  Best Undetectable AI Writing Tool for Hardcore Use

While many other undetectable AI writers are aimed at casual or semi-regular use, StealthGPT is much more of a professional tool. With this tool, you can generate up to a million words a month, making it an appealing choice for businesses who need to humanize large amounts of AI content to avoid penalties.

StealthGPT has been proven to beat Turnitin, GPTZero, and other popular AI checkers. In terms of speed, too, StealthGPT stands out from the pack. It can process request to humanize AI text in a fraction of a second, creating hundreds or thousands of words in no time.

Pricing

Three premium plans starting from $14.99 per month when paying monthly or $99.99 a year if you pay annually.

Features

Super-fast processing times

High word limits for business users

Can bypass a lot of major AI detectors

Cons

More expensive than most tools

Too much for casual users

GPTinf  Best Undetectable AI Tool for Casual Use

While some undetectable AI writers cater to professional complexity, GPTinf takes a simpler approach. With no elaborate filters or features, GPTinf is straightforward and barebones. All you have to do is paste your text and let it handle the rest.

It wont always work quite as well as certain other writers, but its fast, simple, and can be enough to get your text past the likes of Zero GPT and Copyleaks. It also has a nifty Freeze-list tool, which lets you choose certain words or phrases to maintain in your text  this is useful for SEO purposes, or to retain the original meaning of your content.

Pricing

Free trial is available, with premium plans starting at $12 per month.

Features

Very sleek and simple interface

Quick and easy to use

Helpful freeze-list option to keep certain keywords or phrases

Cons

Too basic for professional use

Smodin  Best AI Detection Remover for Different Languages

Smodin, acknowledging an 85% consistency rating on its homepage, is not flawless but proves to be a decent option for bypassing AI checkers in various languages. It offers versatility with support for both file uploads and pasted text, allowing users to directly upload documents or PDF files for humanization.

Moreover, Smodin provides adjustable purposes, including "AI Detection" for bypassing AI detectors, as well as "Experimental" and "Uniqueness" functions for other text adjustments.

Pricing

Free plan is available. Premium plans start from $8 per month.

Features

Capable of humanizing content in multiple languages

Supports file uploads to bypass AI detection

Three adjustable purposes to play around with

Cons

Only has an 85% success rate

Avoid AI Detection With the Best Undetectable AI Writing Tools

There are plenty of reasons why you want to bypass AI detection. You might be a student, eager to avoid any penalties for using AI writers in your essays. Alternatively, you could be running a business and looking to get the best SEO scores for your blog posts and articles.

Either way, its important to use the right undetectable AI writing tool to get past any AI content detector. And as this guide has shown, there are several super undetectable AI options out there. So, the next time you need to bypass AI detection, give one of these undetectable AI writers a try.

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.
Amid major speculations surrounding the announcement of a new Tesla plant in Gujarat during the ongoing Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024, government officials confirmed that Elon Musk will not be in attendance of the event. Tesla CEO Elon Musk did not attend the Vibrant Gujarat Summit (Reuters)(REUTERS)

Managing Director of Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation Rahul Gupta confirmed on Wednesday that Tesla founder Elon Musk will not come to Gujarat for the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, but his company is welcome to make investments in the state.

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A state government official told PTI, "Musk is not expected. If he were to come, would he not attend the inaugural session? Will he be attending the seminars on day 2 and day 3?"

Speculations of Musk coming to India in January were rife after the state government of Gujarat had said in December that they are "very hopeful" that Tesla will set up a plant in the state, in the midst of the growing electric vehicle market.

Gujarat government officials had said that Musk is looking at Gujarat as his "first choice" to enter the Indian market with Tesla. Government spokesperson Rushikesh Patel said in December, "Gujarat has been on his mind ever since he began a survey in India to find a suitable location to set up the plant."

What's on cards for Tesla in India?

Elon Musk, the founder and chief of world's biggest electric car producer Tesla, had expressed last year that he has plans to visit India in 2024, likely to expand the business of his companies in the country.

Sources quoted by the Times of India said that Tesla is in touch with Centre to explore setting up a plant in Gujarat soon. The state of Gujarat has been a frontrunner when it comes to setting up a Tesla plant, especially since it has emerged as an automobile hub for brands like Tata, Ford and Suzuki.

Elon Musk had met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the latter's visit to the United Stated in June 2023, holding discussions about setting up an electric car factory in India. Tesla had also previously talked about investing up to $2 billion in India to set up an EV factory.

The main obstacle to cross for a potential partnership between Tesla and the Indian government is the 15% to 20% concession sought by the car company on import duties of cars for at least the first two years.
Edtech firm Byju's, once India's most valuable startup at $22 billion, has seen a massive (95%) drop in its valuation, and is now worth $1 billion, TechCrunch has reported. The valuation is as of October 2023 (Representational Image)

As per the report, asset manager BlackRock, at the end of October 2023, valued its shares in Byju's at $209.6 apiece, translating to a valuation of $1 billion, as against a peak of $4660 apiece in 2022, which translated to $22 billion. The asset manager owns a stake of less than 1% in the Bengaluru-based company.

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BlackRock, like other mutual fund investors, makes multiple disclosures about its portfolio in a year, without, however, explaining the rationale behind worth valuation adjustments. Also, this is not the first time when the asset manager has slashed the worth of its holdings in the embattled edtech major.

Additionally, BlackRock is not the only investor that has severely downgraded their valuation of the startup, though this is, by far, the most drastic adjustment of the Byju Raveendran and Divya Gokulnath-founded company. Prosus, which has a stake of around 9%, said late last year that its estimation of the unicorn stood at sub $3 billion.

The downgrade marks a stunning reversal of fortune for Byju's, which spent more than $2.5 billion in 2021 and 2022, acquiring more than half a dozen firms globally. Byju's, which has been backed by Peak XV Partners, Lightspeed, UBS, and Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, has raised over $5 billion across equity and debt, in the past decade.
The alleged gangrape incident in Karnataka's Haveri has ignited a war of words between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, with leaders from the saffron group alleging that the grand old party is silent looking at the religion of the accused. BJP Leader Shehzad Poonawalla.(ANI)

The incident occurred in Haveri's Hangal on Thursday when a group of men allegedly barged into a hotel room occupied by an interfaith couple and thrashed them in yet another case of moral policing. However, things took a darker turn when several media outlets reported that the woman in the couple was also gangraped by the group of assaulters.

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ALSO READ | Group of men barge into hotel room, thrash interfaith couple in Karnataka; 3 arrested

This spurred a political slugfest in the southern state, with BJP leaders demanding strict action against the perpetrators. In this light, senior leader Shehzad Poonawalla said, In Karnataka, the shocking moral policing incident involving 7 men has now taken a more serious proportion. Not only did these men barge into the room of an interfaith couple, assault them, beat up the young Muslim woman, dragged her out, and made a video out of it, but the woman has now complained that she has been gang raped.

"This is the level of law and order in Karnataka. But the voluble and loud Priyanka Vadra, Rahul Gandhi, Congress ecosystem, and spokespersons, all of them are maintaining pin drop silence. Why is it because Karnataka is Congress-ruled or because of the religion of the accused, based on which they will selectively express outreach and selectively remain silent?" He told news agency ANI.

ALSO READ | No law and order in Karnataka: BJP slams Congress govt on Haveri moral policing issue

Other senior leaders from the BJP including CT Ravi, R Ashoka, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and former CM Basavaraj Bommai have spoken out on the issue so far. The accused in the case have been identified as Aftab Makabul, Madarsab Mohammad, Samiulla and three others.

Earlier, Haveri SP Anshu Kumar had said that the victims statement has been recorded and that three of the seven accused have been arrested by the police. "One is in the hospital. The other 3 are on the run. We will arrest the remaining accused as well. We weren't told about rape earlier. We came to know about this only through media report about the video by the woman. We have booked a case under the appropriate section, investigation is ongoing," he said.

(With inputs from ANI)
A woman returning to Pakistan from India gave birth to a baby girl in Ludhiana on Friday. The woman, identified as Mehwish, 32, had experienced labour pains while traveling to the Attari railway station on the Chhattisgarh Express train, prompting an unscheduled halt in Ludhiana. (HT Photo)

The woman, identified as Mehwish, 32, had experienced labour pains while traveling to the Attari railway station on the Chhattisgarh Express train, prompting an unscheduled halt in Ludhiana.

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She was rushed to Lord Mahavira Civil Hospital, where she delivered a baby girl. In honour of the extraordinary conditions of the birth, Mehwish said she would name her daughter Sarhad.

Mehwish, originally from Agra, had tied the knot with Shoib, a resident of Karachi, Pakistan, in 2017. The couple has two other daughters.

Also read: Anju, who went to Pakistan to meet Facebook friend, returns

Accompanying Mehwish on her journey to the Attari Border was her brother, Jibran Khan.

Khan explained that his sister had arrived in India two months ago. We wanted the delivery to take place in Pakistan to avoid complications with regards to the babys nationality certificate. But we had been facing some difficulties in acquiring the visa, which finally came through close to the due date.

Senior medical officer, Dr Mandeep Kaur, confirmed that the mother and the newborn are in good health. Subsequently, Mehwish and her baby returned to Agra.
Delhi continues to grapple with harsh weather conditions as cold wave keeps prevailing in the national capital on Friday, January. Delhi and NCR cities woke up to poor visibility due to dense fog and 'poor' air quality, leading to several trains being delayed. Cold wave and dense fog prevails in Delhi (Photo by Parveen Kumar/Hindustan Times)

As many as 23 trains to Delhi have been delayed on Friday by one to six hours due to weather-related conditions in the national capital. Poor visibility and air quality index has caused these trains to run late, said the railways.

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The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday reported zero visibility near the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport early in the morning due to "very dense fog conditions." Earlier, the weather department had said that dense fog will prevail in Delhi NCR for the next three days.

As per AccuWeather, Delhi recorded a temperature of 6 degrees Celsius on Friday morning at 7 am. The temperature is expected to rise to around 18 degrees Celsius during the afternoon, with severe cold wave conditions likely to subside.

"Cold day" to "severe cold day" conditions were recorded across many northern states in India, including Delhi, Haryana, and parts of Uttar Pradesh, during the last week of December 2023, with gradual relief from the biting cold.

A 'cold day' is recorded when the minimum temperature is less than or equal to 10 degrees Celsius, while a 'severe cold day' is when the maximum temperature is around 6.5 notches below normal.

Low visibility, 23 trains delayed in Delhi

Due to poor visibility and declining air quality in the national capital, as many as 23 trains heading to Delhi were delayed on Friday, January 12, by one to six hours. These trains include the Varanasi-Delhi Vande Bharat Express and Rajendranagar-New Delhi Rajdhani Express.

The air quality index in several parts of Delhi, such as Patparganj and Mathura Road, was recorded at over 350 (very poor), while the AQI in NCR cities like Noida was recorded at around 327 at 8 am today.
A teenager from Kotputli near Jaipur has accused her father and 14 others of allegedly raping her over the last six years, deputy police superintendent Madan Lal said on Friday. The complainant was earlier unable to lodge a case on her own in the absence of support. (Getty Images)

Lal cited the teenagers complaint and said she alleged her father first raped her when she was 12 before forcing her into sexual relations with the other 14 of his money lenders as he was unable to repay debt. He added the father was drunk when he assaulted her. Later, he also threatened his daughter and wife that he would kill them if they reported the matter. The girls mother hence asked her to stay silent, said Lal.

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Lal said the complainant was unable to lodge a case on her own in the absence of support and that she also feared her father. She decided to file the complaint on her own when she turned 18 a few days ago.

Police have filed a case against the 15 accused under the Indian Penal Codes Sections 376 (rape), 376 D (gang rape) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

Lal said police were questioning the accused. A medical examination was also conducted. The perpetrators would be nabbed after her statement is recorded in a court.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is carrying out raids at the premises of West Bengal minister and Trinamool Congress leader Sujit Bose in the state capital, Kolkata, in connection with the alleged civic body recruitment scam. The development comes as the central agency conducts search and seizure in parts of Kolkata and its fringes in connection with its ongoing probe into the alleged recruitment scam in state-run schools in West Bengal. ED officials enter premises of Sujit Bose.(ANI)

Among other senior TMC leaders, houses of party spokesperson Tapas Roy and former North Dum Dum Municipality chairman Subodh Chakraborty are also being searched by the central agency.

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On December 28 last year, the probe agency carried out simultaneous raids at nine different places in the city in its bid to probe the school recruitment scam case. Offices and residents of different people were raided in the capital city's Burrabazar area, Kakurgachi and EM Bypass.

The minister of state's fire and emergency services was summoned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) last year in connection with alleged irregularities in recruitment in the state's municipalities.

However, Bose claimed that he did not receive any summons notice from the CBI and assured while addressing a presser that he'd appear before the probe agency if he received any notice. He further alleged a political conspiracy to target him.

The Bengal minister was earlier the vice-chairman of South Dum Dum Municipality from 2010 to 2021, when around 250 people were recruited to the civic body allegedly in an unscrupulous manner.

The CBI and ED had earlier informed the Calcutta high court about a link between the cases related to the civic body recruitment scam and the West Bengal school recruitment scam.
LUCKNOW: Motorcycle stunts by the Indian Armys Daredevils and a fly-past display by aviation units await the audience at the 76th Army Day Parade, being held for the first time in Lucknow, under the aegis of Central Command on January 15, informed Parade Commander Major General Salil Seth at a press conference held here on Friday. Parade Commander and General Commanding Officer of MUPSA Maj Gen Salil Seth at a press briefing. (HT Photo)

This year, the Army Day Parade will witness six marching contingents, five regimental brass bands and five regimental pipe band displays. Whats more, the marching contingents will be judged with the help of AI (artificial intelligence) technology, which can assess the technique and form of these contingents from video, said the Parade Commander and General Commanding Officer of MUPSA (Madhya Uttar Pradesh Sub Area) at this briefing.

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Also read: Terrorists open fire on army vehicle in J&K's Poonch, Army launches search operation

Seth informed 1,800 public passes have been distributed amongst Lucknowites, and parade rehearsals have already drawn 6,600 people in the past few days. The Shaurya Sandhya event planned after the Army Day Parade the same day will be graced by defence minister Rajnath Singh. It is estimated to have nearly 5,000 people in the audience.

We have invited people from all walks of life, including teachers and students from schools and colleges as well as NCC cadets etc, he said.

The Shaurya Sandhya will showcase various forms of martial arts, a motorcycle display by the Daredevils and tent-pegging by Remount Veterinary Corps Centre & College, combat displays, and fly-past by ALH, ALH  WSI, Cheetah, Microlight, Sukhoi & Kiran aircraft.

Also read: All stakeholders agreed on Agnipath scheme, says Army chief

Another attraction ahead of Army Day Parade will be the Army Band Symphony being organised at Ambedkar Memorial Park on January 14, which will involve a performance by the military brass bands. The symphony will be attended by defence minister Rajnath Singh, UP governor Anandiben Patel and over 7,000 civilians.

The Veterans Day event the same day will have the deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak felicitating the veterans and Veer Naris of Gallantry Award Winners. A Swagat Samaroh is being organised at the Army Commanders residence for all those being awarded on Army Day, which will also be attended by chief minister Yogi Adityanath.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), the country's longest bridge, in Maharashtra. Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu. (PTI)

Follow Atal Setu inauguration LIVE Updates

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The six-lane, 21.8-km-long sea bridge is developed at a cost of 18,000 crore, which originates from Sewri in Mumbai and terminates at Nhava Sheva in Uran taluka in Raigad district. Out of the total stretch, 16.5 km is above the sea, and the remaining 5.5 km is on land.

MTHL has been named as Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewari-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu after former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The sea bridge has shortened the distance between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai to just 20 minutes which earlier took 2 hours. Travellers will be charged 250 for a one-way toll for the bridge. The charges for the return journey and frequent commuters will vary.

What's allowed?

The maximum speed limit for four-wheelers on the MTHL will be 100 kmph while on the ascent and descent of the bridge, the speed will be restricted to 40 kmph.

What's not allowed?

Meanwhile, the motorbikes, auto rickshaws and tractors are not allowed on the sea bridge. There will also be no entry for vehicles like mopeds, three-wheelers, animal-drawn vehicles and slow-moving vehicles, the police said.

Multi-axle heavy vehicles, trucks and buses heading towards Mumbai won't have an entry on the Eastern Freeway but will take the Mumbai Port-Sewri Exit (Exit 1C) and use the MBPT Road near 'Gadi Adda' for further movement.

On an average, 70,000 vehicles are expected to ply on the sea bridge. According to traffic projections made by the MMRDA in their study, by 2032, over 1.33 lakh vehicles are expected to use the Sewri-Shivaji

In December 2016, PM Modi laid the foundation stone of the bridge.

Read here: 'Modi won't go to Manipur': Sena MP's dig at PM over Kalaram Temple visit

The construction of the bridge began in 2018. While it was expected to be open to the public in 4.5 years, the project was delayed by eight months due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Earlier today, PM Modi emphasised the significance of India's youth, which is leading the country's development in every field. Inaugurating the 27th National Youth Festival at Tapovan Ground in Maharashtra's Nashik today, PM Modi urged the youth of India to use local products and avoid drugs.

PM Modi was on a day visit to Maharashtra.
The soil of Ram Janmabhoomi will be presented to guests at the Pran Pratishtha (consecration) ceremony by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Kshetra Trust even as copies of Gita Presss publication Ayodhya Darshan reached the temple town in a special vehicle named Pushpak Viman on Friday evening for distribution among the invitees at the January 22 event. 09 July 1992 - Ayodhya Start of Construction Work - HT File Photo by Rajiv Gupta. Hindu groups formed a committee in 1984 to lead the construction of a Ram temple at the Janmabhoomi site and the movement gathered momentum under BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani. In 1989, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) laid the foundation of a Ram temple on the land next to the Babri Masjid. (HT File Photo)

This soil was excavated during the digging of the foundation for the Ram temple.

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The guests, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, arriving at the event will also be given a picture of the Ram temple.

Two boxes will be presented to the guests, one containing prasad (a 100-gram motichoor laddoo made from ghee obtained from cows milk and a sacred tulsi or basil leaf) and the other with the Ram Janmabhoomi soil, Saryu river water packed in a bottle and religious books provided by Gita Press of Gorakhpur, a Trust member said.

Eminent personalities from different fields, including saints from various traditions of the country, will attend the consecration ceremony and the Trust is making grand preparations to welcome them.

Meanwhile, Gita Press manager Lalmani Tiwari said 10,000 copies of Ayodhya Darshan and copies of the Ramcharitmanas would be distributed to the invitees.

Ayodhya Darshan consists of a brief history of Ayodhya, the significance of pilgrimage to the temple town along with information about religious places like Hanuman Garhi and Hanuman Bagh, Tiwari said.

Ayodhya Darshan would also provide information about dharamshalas, hotels, train and bus services, he added.

On July 7 last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited the Gita Press for the closing ceremony of its centenary celebrations in Gorakhpur. He had also met Gita Press delegates at the inauguration of the Maharishi Valmiki International airport in Ayodhya on December 30.

In June, a jury headed by the Prime Minister chose the Gita Press for the Gandhi Peace Prize-2021 for outstanding contribution towards social, economic and political transformation through non-violent and other Gandhian methods.

In December, the Prime Minister gave his consent for a Gita Press outlet on the premises of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, according to officials of the Gorakhpur-based publisher.
The rare Baikal Teal (Sibirionetta formosa), also known as the bimaculate duck, has been sighted on the outskirts of Manipurs capital Imphal after 109 years at the Lamphelpat wetland during this winter migratory bird season. Baikal Teal at the Lamphelpat wetland in Manipur. (Photo by Lawrence Irom)

A team from the Wildlife Explorers Manipur (WEM) sighted the duck with a striking head pattern during a seasonal avian monitoring exercise at Lamphelpat wetland on Wednesday (January 10).

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The team which recently conducted the first Amur falcon census in Manipur, captured the lone species of this duck, known as Surit-man in Manipuri (Meiteilon) that breeds in Eastern Russia and winters in East Asia, on their cameras.

There are only two instances of shooting records of this species in the state  first on 16 March 1913 and second on 28 November 1915 by JC Higgins, later identified by Bombay Natural History Society. There are no other records from the state since then and therefore, this sighting is significant and remarkable, WEM secretary E Premjit, who is also a member of the Indian Bird Conservation Network (IBCN), said.

Baikal Teal has made its way through the Asian flyway to reach Lamphelpat wetland, which is beyond the geographical range of its migration, and they may be in these areas as passage for short time, according to state coordinator RK Birjit of IBCN Manipur. That is why the species can be seen rarely here, he said.

Another aspect of a few handful sightings recorded in Manipur could be related to extreme weather and climate change in its breeding ground in Siberia, Russia as well as its stopover sites and choosing a marginal habitat, he added.

Baikal Teal is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, though it was classified as Vulnerable before 2011 due to hunting and destruction of its wintering wetland habitats, adds the functionary of WEM which had been conducting regular bird census at the state wetlands since its establishment in 2018.

At the Lamphelpat wetland, the team had also photographed the Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata), critically endangered Baers pochard, near-threatened Ferrugenous pochard, the vulnerable Common pochard, etc., in the recent past. Even a female Baikal Teal was once photographed near Imphal sometime back, but it was unreported.

Considering this aspect, the Lamphelpat wetland could be become an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) in the near future if the agreed criteria is fulfilled, feels Kh Brajeshkumar of WEM.

Coincidentally, the state government is currently undertaking a wetland rejuvenating initiative at Lamphelpat by cleaning and revitalising its ecosystem.
Earlier this week, when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed a chargesheet in an investigation referred to as the land for job scam, the Rashtriya Janata Dals (RJD) first family  former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife and former Bihar CM Rabri Devi, as well as two daughters, Misa Bharti and Hema Yadav  were once reminded that their political star was on the back foot. The RJD reacted strongly, calling the chargesheet a political vendetta against families of opposition parties. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has already filed a chargesheet against RJD chief Lalu Prasad, younger son and deputy CM Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and others in July 2023.

With the Lok Sabha polls later this year, RJD leaders, including Tejashwi, are putting on a brave face. They call these chargesheets an act of desperation of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government to silence opposition parties ahead of the crucial general polls.

The ED, CBI and Income Tax are now in a hyperactive mode. This will all happen till the polls as it is a ploy to divert attention, said Manoj Jha, the RJD MP and spokesperson, a few days ago. The most recent chargesheet, filed against Rabri and Lalus two daughters, was politically motivated he said, and accused the Centre of not sparing even the daughters of opposition leaders. The RJD, which is part of the opposition Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc, may well make these chargesheets a poll agenda.

Background

In his heydays, RJD chief Lalu Prasad used to boast how all fingers of his hands and toes in his legs had cylindrical markings resembling chakras which was indicative of a divine message that he will rule for 20 years. The humble man from a village in Phulwaria, Gopalganj rose to power in the 1990s and stayed in power till 1997. His wife was CM from 1997 till.

The last two decades were marred with charges of scams. It began in 1996, the year after Prasad had scripted history by winning a majority on his own in the assembly polls  an election known for the reforms enacted by the then Election Commissioner T N Seshan.

Known as an astute politician and kingmaker, Lalu played a key role in the appointment of prime ministers in the United Front government of 1996 and 97.

He was first accused in the first fodder scam that pertained to the fraudulent withdrawals of money from treasuries.

There are six fodder scams in which the RJD chief is co-accused. 950 crore was reportedly withdrawn fraudulently from different treasuries of undivided Bihar (the state got bifurcated in 2000 with the formation of Jharkhand) by generating fake bills to the animal husbandry department. He has been convicted in five, and the trial in the six is still ongoing.

Lalu was first convicted on September 30, 2013, and awarded five years in jail for the fraudulent withdrawal of 37.7 crore from the Chaibasa treasury. The conviction barred Yadav from contesting elections for 11 years. In 2017, Lalu was convicted for fraudulent withdrawal of over 89 lakh from Deoghar treasury and sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison. He was granted bail in July 2021 after completing half the sentence. In 2018, Lalu was pronounced guilty of the illegal withdrawal of 33.13 crore from the Chaibasa treasury, and awarded five years of imprisonment. The same year, he was found guilty in his fourth fodder scam case pertaining to the fraudulent withdrawal of 3.76 crore from the Dumka treasury. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison while the special court (CBI) also imposed a fine of 60 lakh. In 2022, a special CBI court announced a five-year jail sentence and 60 lakh fine for illegal withdrawals worth 139.5 crore from the Doranda treasury. He was granted bail in both cases.

The sixth case pertains to an alleged fraudulent withdrawal of 46.98 lakh from the Bhagalpur treasury. According to the FIR, Lalu Prasad passed the files of forged bills of 47 lakh in his capacity as state finance minister despite being informed about the sanctioned budget of 1 lakh to purchase veterinary medicines. The charge sheet was submitted in 2003. In March 2012, the special CBI court framed the charges.

Lalu is currently out on bail.

The CBI's case against Yadav

The scam pertains to allegations that the RJD chief and his family members received land parcels in lieu of grants of group D jobs in the Indian Railway during Lalu Prasads stint as railway minister between 2004 and 2009 during the UPA-1 government.

The case surfaced around 2008 when the JD(U)  then a constituent of the NDA in Bihar  levelled the allegations against Prasad. A CBI probe was ordered and the agency filed a chargesheet against Lalu, Rabri Devi, eldest daughter Misa Bharti, also an MP and 15 others. The second charge sheet was filed in July 2023 against Lalu, Rabri, younger son Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and 14 others.

In it, the CBI claimed that 12 candidates from Patna were appointed to Group D posts in various zones including Mumbai, Jabalpur, Kolkata, Jaipur and Hajipur. Land parcels were sold either directly or through their family members and relatives, to Lalu Prasads family members.

During the period 2007-08, when he was Union minister of railways, with the intent to acquire the land parcels situated in Village Mahuabagh, Patna and Village Kunjwa, Patna which were situated adjacent to the land parcels already owned by his family members, entered into criminal conspiracy with his wife Rabri Devi, daughter Misa Bharati, officers of central railways and others and in pursuance thereto irregular appointments of candidates were made in Central railway, violating the laid down norms of Indian railways for recruitment, CBI stated.

As quid pro quo, the candidates directly or through their immediate relatives/family members, sold land to the family members of Lalu Yadav at highly discounted rates up to 1/4th to 1/5th of the prevailing market rates, the charge sheet stated.

Reports said the CBI has estimated that Lalu's family acquired over 1 lakh sq ft of land for 26 lakh while the circle rate at the time puts the lands cumulative value at more than 4.39 crore.

Based on the CBI case, the ED started conducting a money-laundering probe in the land for job scams. The ED claimed it had detected proceeds of crime (PoC) worth 600 crore in the land-for-jobs case. It alleged that Lalu's family purchased land parcels at 3.75 lakh to 13 lakh, far below the existing rates.

The ED filed charge sheets against Rabri Devi, daughters Misa and Hema, as well as four more on January 9.

The RJD chief and his family members are facing yet another charge of corruption in the IRCTC scam case that pertains to the alleged transfer of prime land in Patna against transfers of operation-maintenance contracts of two hotels belonging to the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) in Ranchi and Puri to a private el company called Sujata Hotels owned by Vinay and Vijay Kochar.

The contracts were provided for 1.5 crore paid to a benami company called Delight Marketing Company, which was eventually transferred to Rabri Devi and Tejashwi, the allegations state. The CBI has filed the case against Lalu, Rabri, Tejashwi, and Sarla Gupta (wife of former Union minister Premchand Gupta) among others.

The CBI filed a charge sheet in the case in 2018 under charges of criminal conspiracy (120-B), cheating (420) under IPC and corruption. Lalu, Rabri and Tejashwi have received bail in this case.

In 1998, a disproportionate assets ( DA) case was registered against Lalu and Rabri by the CBI and the Income Tax department during the course of the investigations into the fodder scam cases. The case pertained to charges of Lalu amassing 46 lakh from government treasuries. Both Lalu and Rabri were acquitted in the case by a lower court in 2007.

Responses

After the EDs chargesheet earlier this week, Manoj Jha, RJD spokesperson, said the case was fictitious while claiming that the Indian Railways and the CBI had found no substance in the allegations. Jha said that the FIRs related to the case were filed in 2008 in several places, and subsequently, the CBI filed closure reports as nothing substantive was found in the charges. Jha alleged that the case was reopened under the direction of two people in 2021.

The opposition BJP has been vocal against the RJD and accused it of patronising corruption. Referring to the chargesheet against Rabri Devi and her daughters, BJP MP and senior leader Sushil Kumar Modi said the RJD spokesperson should explain why a certain Hridyanand Choudhary (one of the persons who got a railway job) transferred land free of cost to Hema Yadav. Why was land received by Rabri Devi and Hema Yadav as gifts? Modi claimed.
His fingerprints are all over the Century Code, especially in the tax area, but in other places, too, But you know what, there's a lot of legislators that are still there today, both in the House and the Senate, that remember some of his principles.

-- Former state Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner, R-Dickinson, who served in the Legislature for two decades with former state Sen. Dwight Cook, R-Mandan, who died on Sunday at age 72. Cook represented District 34 in the Senate for six terms.

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"I could never repay them enough for doing such a brave deed. That was way above and beyond the call of duty."

-- Sandy Kuch, handler of Bella, a 6 -year-old corgi-red heeler cross who fell into open water at the McDowell Dam Recreation Area and was rescued by Burleigh County Sheriff's Department Patrol Deputy Brandon Bellerud and good Samaritan Brad Kline.

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North Dakotans have had to wait far too long for accountability. The waste, fraud and abuse that has become rampant in Bismarck show us how entrenched cronyism is in our capital. The NDGOP has completely lost any moral standing it had with voters."

-- North Dakota Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn, after state Rep. Jason Dockter, R-Bismarck, pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge accusing him of voting on legislation that provided money to private property in which he had a financial interest.

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"Cold in North Dakota in January isn't overly strange."

-- Josh Adam, meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Bismarck, noting that this week's cold snap isn't out of the ordinary.

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Right now, the wait times are several minutes -- two to three minutes. The phones are definitely ringing, but were processing people efficiently. And I think the initial rush will subside.

-- State Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus, detailing a high volume of applications for a newly available property tax credit.

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"The addition of daily service on Allegiant into Phoenix-Mesa is a true testament to the community's demand for flights to this region."

-- Bismarck City Commissioner Greg Zenker, after Allegiant Air announced daily nonstop flights between Bismarck and Phoenix, rather than just four times a week, starting in mid-February.

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This online option gives people the opportunity to make a reservation at their convenience. It is the latest example of our efforts to use technology to provide better customer service while also improving operational efficiency at the park district.

-- Kevin Klipfel, executive director of the Bismarck Parks and Recreation District, which has launched online reservations for indoor and outdoor park shelters, as well as for birthday parties at the Bismarck State College Aquatic & Wellness Center.

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The map that will be used in 2024 is the same Voting Right Act-compliant map the tribes originally recommended to the Redistricting Committee and the full Legislature during the 2021 redistricting process. The time has come for the Legislature and the secretary of state to stop spending taxpayer dollars litigating against fair maps in North Dakota."

-- Plaintiffs' attorney Tim Purdon, after a federal judge ordered a new joint North Dakota legislative district for two Native American tribes that successfully argued a map created through redistricting in 2021 violated the Voting Rights Act by diluting their voting strength.

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"As citizens, we have a responsibility to one another to vet the candidates running for the highest office in the land -- March 4 is our chance to say who that person should be."

-- Robert Harms, chair of the North Dakota Republican Party's Presidential Caucus Committee, after the party announced that eight candidates have qualified for the state GOP's 2024 Presidential Caucus to be held in two months.
During the investigation into the murder of Sharad Mohol, it has come to light that the six accused attempted to kill the gangster on December 15, said police. On January 5, Sharad Mohol was gunned down by three assailants-- Sahil Polekar (20), Vitthal Gandale (34), and Namdeo Kangude (35) near his residence in the Sutardara area, Kothrud. (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO)

The accused had gathered at his residence in Kothrud with the intention of killing him, but due to the unexpected presence of several other gang members around Mohol, they postponed their plan.

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Later, on January 5, Mohol was gunned down by three assailants-- Sahil Polekar (20), Vitthal Gandale (34), and Namdeo Kangude (35) near his residence in the Sutardara area, Kothrud.

Other accused arrested in the case include Amit alis Amar Maruti Kangude (24), Chandrakant Shahu Shelke (22), Vinayak Santosh Gavahankar (20). Also, Ravindra Vasantaro Pawar (40), and Sanjay Rambhau Udan (43), who are practising lawyers at Shivajinagar court and members of the Pune district bar council have been arrested in the case.

A senior police officer requesting anonymity said, The six accused had gathered to kill Mohol on December 15, but due to the presence of a large number of gang members around Mohol at his residence they decided to postpone the plan.

According to him, the accused had hatched Mohols murder plan long ago because they had purchased four firearms out of which three were seized by the police.

The accused deliberately shot dead Mohol under CCTVs in order to create terror among the locality.

Assistant commissioner of police (ACP) Sunil Tambe, said Accused shot dead Mohol under CCTVs so that they can create terror and fear in the society.
Private, unaided schools in Delhi are set to release fist lists for pre-school or Nursery, pre-primary or Kindergarten and Class 1 admissions today, January 1. Parents and guardians will be able to check the Delhi Nursery admission 2024-25 first merit lists on the official websites of the schools. Delhi Nursery admission 2024 first merit list live updates. Delhi Nursery admission 2024-25: Private schools to release first list today(HT file)

The release date of the first merit list was mentioned in the admission schedule released by the Directorate of Education (DoE), Delhi.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

As per the admission notice, resolution of queries of parents regarding the allotment of points to their wards will be done via written/email/verbal interaction between January 13 and 22.

The second list of Delhi Nursery admission is scheduled to be released on January 29 and if required, subsequent admission lists will be released on February 2. The admission process of nursery classes in Delhi for the 2024-25 academic year will get over on March 8.

For further details, parents can visit the edudel.nic.in website.

Delhi Nursery, KG, Class 1 admission 2024-25: Schedule, notification.

Children who are not more than three years of age as on March 31, 2024 are eligible for admission to the Nursery Class. For KG, the upper age limit is four years and for Class 1, the age limit is five years, the Delhi DoE had informed.

The directorate allowed schools to collect only 25 as a non-refundable admission registration fee and said that the purchase of prospectus is optional.

In all private and unaided schools, 25 per cent of seats in these classes are reserved for EWS and DG category applicants. The admission for EWS/DG/CWSN category seats are done through a separate process.
The Directorate of Education, Delhi, has announced that private, undaided schools of the national capital will release the Delhi Nursery Admission 2024 first merit list today, January 12, 2024. The first merit list will be released for admission to pre-school (Nursery), pre- primary (KG) and Class 1. Parents and guardians can check the first admission list on the official school websites....Read More

All the schools will upload the criteria along with the related points for admission and will declare the first list of shortlisted candidates along with the points earned by them as per their criteria tomorrow, January 12, 2024.

The resolution of queries of parents, if any (by written/ email/ verbal interaction) regarding allotment of points to their wards for the first list will be done from January 13 to January 22, 2024.

Follow the blog for the latest updates on the first merit list, direct link and other details.
Bihar School Examination Board is going to release dummy admit cards for the Bihar State Teacher Eligibility Test (STET) 2024 today, January 12. Candidates who have applied for the examination can go to the website bsebstet2024.com and download it. Bihar STET 2024 dummy admit card today (Unsplash)

After the dummy admit card is released, candidates will get a window up to January 17 during which they can make corrections to their application forms. After that, the admit card, which will be required on the exam day, will be released.

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The portal will be open from 12-01-2024 to 17-01-2024 for correcting the errors committed while filling the application form and downloading the dummy admit card. All the candidates are informed to make appropriate corrections of the errors committed while filling their application forms within the above mentioned time. This will be the last opportunity for amendment, after this no request for amendment will be considered' reads the official website, reads an official notification. `

Bihar BSEB STET 2024:How to download admit card

Gi to the official website of BSEB at bsebstet.com.

On the homepage open the admit card link

Key in your login credentials

Submit and download the dummy admit card.

For more details, candidates can visit the official website at bsebstet.com.
The Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) has informed in an official notification that it will be conducting the Combined Competitive Preliminary Examination 2023 for the subsequent screening of candidates for the Main Examination. APSC to conduct Combined Competitive Prelim Exams 2023. (Representative image)

As per the APSC notification, the tentative date for the preliminary examination, as notified by the commission is March 17, whereas the main examination is likely to be held between June and July this year. The exact date will however be informed in due course.

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Candidates can submit the applications online from 12 PM, January 17, to February 6, till 5 PM. The last date of payment is February 8 till 5 PM.

Also read: RPSC recruitment 2024: Apply for 200 Asst Professor posts from January 22

ELIGIBILITY:

The candidate must be an Indian citizen.

The candidate should not be less than 21 years and more than 38 years of age (the upper age limit is relaxable for various categories). The age limit of the candidates will be calculated based on the Matriculation /HSLC Admit Card/Certificate issued by a recognized Board/Council only.

The candidate must hold a Degree from any of the Universities incorporated by an Act of Central or State Legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament or declared to be deemed as a University under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 or possess such qualification as may be declared equivalent by the Government.

A candidate should be able to speak Assamese or other official languages or associate official languages of the State or any of the tribal languages of the State.

A candidate should be registered in a District Employment Office of Assam.

(A candidate must be an original inhabitant of Assam.

Candidates must possess the prescribed qualification on the date of submission of their applications.

Ex-Servicemen candidates would be required to submit the Ex-Servicemen Identity Card issued by the Zila Sainik Welfare Office and Discharge Book.

Candidates have to submit a declaration regarding "The Small Family Norms in Form-A at the time of applying for the Preliminary Examination.

Also read: FMGE December 2023 admit cards releasing on January 15

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CANDIDATES

In the notification, the APSC has advised candidates to carefully read the eligibility criteria before and ensure they meet all the required points. It further stated that the admission to all the stages of examination will purely be provisional subject to satisfying the prescribed eligibility conditions. The commission said that the issuance of e-Admit cards will not imply that a candidature has been cleared. The APSC said that the verification of eligibility conditions is taken up concerning original documents only after the candidate qualifies for the interview round.

The commission further stated that if on verification at any time before or after the Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Personality Test (Interview), it is found that candidates do not fulfill any of the eligibility conditions, their candidature for the examination will be canceled.

Candidates should carefully decide about their choice of center for the Examination while submitting the Application Form. Any candidate appearing at a center other than the one indicated by the Commission in the admit card, he/she will not be allowed to sit in the examination.

Furthermore, those candidates who are already in Government Service or those serving in Public Enterprises must submit an undertaking that they have informed in writing to their Head of Office/Department about applying for the Examination at the time of the Interview. In case a communication is received from their employer by the Commission withholding permission to the candidates applying to appear at the examination, their applications will be liable to be rejected and subsequently canceled, informed the Commission.

CENTRES FOR PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION:

The centers for the Combined Competitive (Preliminary) Examination are Amingaon, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Biswanath Chariali, Dhemaji, Dhubri, Dibrugarh, Diphu, Goalpara, Golaghat, Guwahati, Haflong, Hamren, Hatsingimari, Hojal, Jorhat. Kajalgaon, Karimganj, Kokrajhar, Majuli, Mangaldol, Morigaon, Mushalpur, Nagaon, Nalbari, North Lakhimpur, Silchar, Sivasagar, Sonari, Tezpur, Tinsukia and Udalguri.

(For more information, visit the official website of the APSC)
Get ready for another dive into the demonic realm with Blue Exorcist: Shimane Illuminati Saga Episode 2 also known as Blue Exorcist Season 3. After an explosive first episode, Rin Okumura and his pals are gearing up for more supernatural adventures. Let's break down everything you need to know! Rin's journey in Blue Exorcist Season 3 Episode 2 will bring intense battles, intriguing revelations, and the ongoing threat of demons.(X)

Blue Exorcist Season 3 Episode 2 release date and time:

Blue Exorcist Season 3 Episode 2 is hitting screens on January 14, 2023, at 12:30 AM. Make sure to catch the action as soon as it drops on Crunchyroll.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Blue Exorcist Season 3 Episode 2 release time in different time zones:

10:30 AM Pacific Time (PT)

12:30 PM Central Time (CT)

1:30 PM Eastern Time (ET)

7:30 PM Central European Time (CEST)

11:00 PM Indian Standard Time (IST)

Where to watch Blue Exorcist Season 3 Episode 2:

Exorcise those demons exclusively on Crunchyroll. Join the anime adventure with English subtitles, and keep an eye out for the English dub release in the future.

Season 3 kicked off with a bang! Rin dealt with a demon-seeing classmate, leading to a mission to exorcise a malicious spirit. As demons become more visible to humans, Rin's journey is set for challenges beyond the Impure King.

What to expect from Blue Exorcist Season 3 Episode 2:

Episode 2 promises more excitement as Rin navigates his dual identity. Look forward to intense battles, intriguing revelations, and the ever-present threat that demons pose to the human world.

Also Read | Winter 2024 anime season - All anime releases of January and where to watch them

What Blue Exorcist anime about:

If you don't know what Blue Exorcist is about, here the official crunchyroll description, "Rin and his friends successfully defeated the Impure King after his revival in Kyoto and have returned to their daily lives at True Cross Academy. However, the Knights of the True Cross begin receiving an increasing number of consultations about demons as a wave of strange events begins to spread across the world. Meanwhile, Rin and the other Exwires work to solve the mysterious phenomenon plaguing the school. But as the True Cross Academy Festival is in full swing, Lucifer, the King of Light and Commander-in- Chief of the Illuminati, suddenly appears. Lucifer declares war on the Knights of the True Cross  to resurrect the demon god Satan and rejoin the realm of humans, Assiah, and the realm of demons, Gehenna, as one. And to do so, he states that Izumo is necessary for a certain 'plan.'"
Merry Christmas movie review: A thriller. A murder mystery. A suspense drama. A twisted tale of love. Writer-director Sriram Raghavan, five years since his last directorial Andhadhun, once again displays a spectacular example of what brilliant writing looks like. His latest outing, Merry Christmas, isn't just about the unusual pairing of two very distinct actors - Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi. The film goes far and beyond, entering unchartered territories and immerses you in a world of deception, death and darkness. Also read: Katrina Kaif, Vijay Sethupathi's Merry Christmas release pushed Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi in Merry Christmas

Unlike most films of today's times where narrative and the build up is often hurried and patchy, Merry Christmas is a slow burn. With its gripping and intriguing storyline, it keeps you hooked for most part. Are there some dull moments? Perhaps. Is it boring? Not at all. Merry Christmas is the kind of cinema that makes you sit back, absorb, soak in and analyse it deeply.

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Merry Christmas is devoid of thrill

Based on Frederic Dards Le Monte-charge, the film doesn't boast of a complex screenplay, instead it's quite smooth and easygoing. The twists and turns roll out as the story unfolds but they're nothing so over-the-top and lacks the wow factor. While in Andhadhun each reveal made you stand up and take notice, Merry Christmas slightly underplays it in that department.

It has its own high points but they're devoid of the thrill element that Raghavan is known to bring to the table. I wasn't shocked or amused. A revelation happened and that's about it. It doesn't register in a manner that you're left awestruck. The climax sequence lasts for some 30 minutes and is nail-biting, but the ending - indeed an experimental one - could have been better, both in terms of writing and storytelling. Nevertheless, it does leave you thinking, interpreting it in your own way and eager to discuss it with a friend later.

Merry Christmas plot

Merry Christmas narrates the story of a fateful night of Christmas eve where Albert (Vijay Sethupathi) has come back to Mumbai from Dubai, or so he claims, and realises that his mother is no more. Taking a stroll in the city of Bombay (now Mumbai), he goes to treat himself at a lavish restaurant. There, his path crosses Maria's (Katrina), who has been stood up by her date because she brought her daughter along. They exchange quick glances, and meet again inside a theatre. One thing leads to another and Albert ends in Maria's old-fashioned apartment, only to later find himself caught up in a crime scene. He can escape any moment, but he decides to stay and help Maria figure out things.

This delirious romance in a murder mystery sets the tone for Raghavan's Merry Christmas and serves several delectable moments. Firstly, the impromptu dance sequence featuring Vijay and Katrina at her house on the Christmas Eve is just so well performed. They dance their hearts out and make you laugh with their moves. Don't miss the surroundings in this scene - the green wallpaper, red curtains, dim lighting and the Christmas tree all lit-up. Merry Christmas heavily rides on its lighting and background score (by Daniel B George) to emphasise on important sequences, and build the tension.

I loved the close-up shots of props used that stay pivotal to the storyline throughout - the mixer grinder and the spectacles in the opening shot, the origami, the teddy bear, the buttons in the lift, fish in the aquarium and the bird in the cage. Other than the leading and supporting cast, Raghavan users all these elements as important characters in his storytelling.

Also, pay attention to how Raghavan uses references to classic films and veterans. The cinema ticket that comes with a photo of yesteryear superstar Rajesh Khanna. A cutout of Amitabh Bachchan in the background from his angry young man days. There's also the song Jab Andhera Hota Hai Aadhi Raat Ke Baad from the 1973 film Raja Rani, that's played in the background in one of the important scenes. Such nostalgia!

Dialogues aren't extraordinary, actors are

The story, co-written by Raghavan along with Arjit Biswas, Pooja Ladha Surti and Anukriti Pandey, doesn't meander, and swiftly moves from one end to another. The dialogues aren't anything extraordinary, but the subtle humour surely is. Especially when Vijay delivers some of the funniest one-liners with a poker face, it leaves you with a smile. Albert reminds me of the Professor from much popular Spanish series Money Heist who became a rage in India during the pandemic. He talks less, barely smiles but when he let's his hair down, he's the most fun person you'd have come across. And of course, they both love origami. Vijay delivers a standout performance, so flawless that you can't figure if he was actually playing the character or just being himself. After the villain in Jawan, seeing him in this mellowed avatar is quite refreshing.

Katrina is class apart. Her expressions, body language and a restrained act never let her overpower the character. Though her emotional scenes looked a bit sketchy, but in rest of the portions, she manages to create the desired mystery around her character. I loved that Raghavan hasn't tried to make his characters look extra flamboyant or sensuous. There's a simplicity which you can sense - both in the character sketches and the narrative.

Actors Sanjay Kapoor, Tinnu Anand, Vinay Pathak, Ashwini Kalsekar and Pratima Kazmi have small yet important roles in the plot, and they all lend a great support to Raghavan's mystery universe. And don't forget to watch out for Radhika Apte's exactly 2-minute cameo that's worth a special mention.

Final thoughts

I wouldn't say Merry Christmas is predictable but if you're extremely alert, follow the cues and pick nuances, there are quite a few easy giveaways about the big reveal. Also, don't expect an overtly mind-boggling climax. It's out-of-the-box, yes. Or rather experimental, but it underwhelms. I expected more there. Not that it needed to be explanatory but something was amiss.

Watch this Vijay Sethupathi and Katrina Kaif-starrer to appreciate good cinema, brilliant writing and enjoy an engaging watch that keep you on the edge on your seat, but you won't really jump out of it on any big reveal or the climax. Yet, it's Sriram Raghavan's cinematic world, and is a must watch, even if for one time.

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Priyanka Chopra cannot stop laughing as her daughter Malti Marie Chopra Jonas has now learned the art of taking selfies. The one-year-old has learned how to click pictures of herself on phone, and mom Priyanka's reaction is relatable. Malti's selfies have made their way to Priyanka's Instagram Stories. Also read: Priyanka Chopra gives glimpse of daughter Malti Marie singing while trying to sail a yacht with Nick Jonas Priyanka Chopra posted selfies of daughter Malti.

Priyanka Chopra's daughter

The multiple selfies show glimpses of Malti Marie while travelling in a car. Only half of her face with her pigtails was seen in the photos. The blurry but cute photos are grabbing fans' attention.

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Fans react to Malti selfies

Priyanka wrote, She took a few selfies, followed by laughing face emojis on Instagram Stories. Reacting to them, a person wrote in the comments section of an Instagram post share on a fan page, She's a selfies queen just like her beautiful mama. Another wrote, She has Nick Jonas' eyebrow shape." One more commented, She is a very clever little girl indeed.

Priyanka Chopra's family

Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas' daughter Malti Marie Chopra Jonas, will be turning two on January 15. She is their first child, and was born via surrogacy. They had announced their daughter's arrival in a joint statement via Instagram last year. It read, We are overjoyed to confirm that we have welcomed a baby via surrogate.

Priyanka had revealed the emotional reason behind Malti Marie Chopra Jonas' name. Malti is the middle name of her mother, Dr Madhu Chopra, while Marie is the middle name of Nick's mother, Denise Jonas. Priyanka and Nick avoided sharing pictures of their daughter and showing her face initially until January last year. The Quantico actor took Malti along to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where Nick and his brothers Joe and Kevin got a star in their honour.

Priyanka, Nick and Malti were recently in Mexico, where they celebrated the New Year. Sharing the pictures, Priyanka said, Took some time to feed my soul. 2023 had me spent.. maybe I still am. Heres to a 2024 highlighted by peace, respite, family, love, joy and community. Hold your loved ones close. We are very lucky if we can. Happy new year. She will be next seen in Heads of State.

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ABC disclosed on Thursday that the medical drama, set to premiere on February 20, will conclude with its impending seventh season. Co-showrunners David Shore and Liz Friedman, along with executive producer Erin Gunn, expressed their sentiments in a statement, that read, "The Good Doctor has been a unique and extraordinary opportunity, but the time has come to bid farewell." A still from The Good Doctor(Instagram/thegooddoctorabc)

Highmore, taking on the dual roles of lead actor and executive producer, expressed gratitude for his journey on the beloved series in a personal statement.

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"Portraying Dr. Shaun Murphy has been an extraordinary privilege and one of the most fulfilling experiences in my life," he enthused. I extend my heartfelt thanks to David, Liz, and Erin, along with the incredibly talentedand delightfulcast, writers, and crew who brought this show to life. It's our profound care that brought us to this point.

An Unforgettable Chapter in ABC's Lineup

Debuting on ABC in 2013, The Good Doctor revolves around Dr. Shaun Murphy, portrayed by Highmorea young and talented surgeon with autismnavigating his career at the fictional San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital.

The series has maintained a steady viewership for the network across its six previous seasons. In the last year, according to Nielsen's seven-day ratings from 2022 to 2023, the medical drama garnered an average of 6.24 million viewers. Additionally, the show's streaming performance contributed to a 30 to 40 percent increase in viewership within seven days, enhancing the network's overall audience.

An All-Star Ensemble

The show is an adaptation of a 2013 South Korean series and features an ensemble cast including Freddie Highmore, Christina Chang, Richard Schiff, Will Yun Lee, Fiona Gubelmann, Paige Spara, Noah Galvin, and Bria Samone Henderson.

Disney Television Group president Craig Erwich shared his sentiments, commending the success of the drama on ABC. Under the creative guidance of David Shore and Liz Friedman, and bolstered by Freddie Highmore's compelling portrayal, 'The Good Doctor' has not only captivated audiences but also fostered a profound connection with Dr. Shaun Murphy and the team at San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital,.
Julia Roberts is one of the most beloved stars of Hollywood, having starred in a number of memorable films including Runaway Bride, Pretty Woman, Notting Hill, and My Best Friend's Wedding among others. In a new interview for British Vogue with her Noting Hill director Richard Curtis, the actor shared that she has consciously chosen not to do nude scenes in her films. (Also read: Kristen Stewart says Twilight is such a gay movie) Julia Roberts talked about her choice of not saying yes to nude scenes.(AFP)

What Julia Roberts said

Speaking with Richard Curtis for British Vogue, Julia was asked whether she ever thought of representation in her career. She said in response, "I think it would be more to the point that the things I choose not to do are representative of me. You know, not to be criticizing others choices, but for me to not take off my clothes in a movie or be vulnerable in physical ways is a choice that I guess I make for myself. But in effect, Im choosing not to do something as opposed to choosing to do something.

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On being in the public eye now

In the same interview, the actor also added how it is more difficult for a young actor to start their journey in the show business now. "I dont know if its better, because its not my experience, but it just seems very different. And in a way, it seems so cluttered. There are so many elements to being famous now, it just seems exhausting. Whereas I feel like, and again this is just my perception, because I dont really know  Im not a young person starting out in show business in the 21st century  but it seems to me that it was: you meet people, you read for parts, you try to get jobs, you get a job, you try to do a good job, and from that job, you might meet some new people who might suggest you to some other people and then you might get another job and you might get paid a little bit more for that job, and it might be a little bit of a better job. It kind of just made this sort of structural sense, and now it just seems more chaotic. Theres more elements, theres more noise, theres more outlets, theres more stuff," she added.

Julia was recently seen opposite Ethan Hawke and Mahershala Ali in the Netflix original movie Leave the World Behind. The film released on Netflix last month.

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About four decades ago, Chinese Communist Party officials scoured the world for best practices, which they cautiously piloted to create the economic miracle that their country showcases today. These days, though, the Communist Party champions Chinese solutions, and not just for China but also for the rest of the world. Xi Jinping, who is widely expected to receive an unusual third term at the helm of the worlds most populous country, embodies a far more confident China that has begun to portray itself as an alternative to the West.

Creating a Chinese version of the World Bank, Mr. Xi inaugurated the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Instead of the American dream, he speaks of the Chinese dream, which describes the collective pride that people feel when they overcome a century of disorder and colonial humiliation to reclaim their status as a great power. Gaining control over territories viewed as lost, including Taiwan, is considered key to the Chinese dream. So is ensuring that China, not the United States, calls the shots in Asia and beyond. Mr. Xi launched Chinas first aircraft carrier and its first foreign military base, in Djibouti.

While Mr. Xis China undoubtedly presents the most serious challenge to U.S. global leadership in my lifetime, it also gives Americans a chance to learn from the successes and failures of a radically different system. I asked half a dozen scholars who study China what lessons Americans should draw from Mr. Xis tenure so far. Heres a summary of what they told me.

Invisible Infrastructure Is the Most Important Kind

In the absence of elections, Communist Party officials in China rise up the ranks based on how well they deliver on the partys priorities, at least in theory. For years, the top priority was economic growth. Local officials plowed money into the highways, ports and power plants that manufacturers needed, turning China into the worlds factory. Under Mr. Xi, government priorities have shifted toward self-sufficiency and the use of industrial robots, something that Chinese leaders believe is critical to escaping the middle-income trap, in which a country can no longer compete in low-wage manufacturing because of rising wages but has not yet made the leap to the value-added products of high-income countries.
Kristen Stewart shot to stardom with her turn as Bella Swan in the Twilight series. The actor, speaking to Variety in a new interview, opened up about coming out as gay in 2017 at SNL and the reaction that has followed her being on the public radar. (Also read: SAG Awards 2024 nominations: From Leonardo DiCaprio to Penelope Cruz, the biggest snubs and surprises) Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart starred together in Twilight.

Kristen talks about her self-consciousness in the early years

Kristen shared how self-conscious she had become as a public figure, when there was a constant sense of curiosity with her relationship to Robert Pattinson. The actor shared that she was inspired by Jodie Foster's performance in Panic Room, which was helmed by David Fincher. It helped her understand what lay beyond her self-consciousness when people sensed that she was queer. "Everyone was like, Come on, this is such a trip, dude. You need to just remember.' I was already going like, Dont f**k with me. I was gay.

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Kristen talks about Twilight

Talking about her experience working in the Twilight movies, Kristen shared how the movies-although invariably heterosexual in nature- had its own layer of queer awakening attached to them. I can only see it now. I dont think it necessarily started off that way, but I also think that the fact that I was there at all, it was percolating. Its such a gay movie. I mean, Jesus Christ, Taylor [Lautner] and Rob and me, and its so hidden and not OK. I mean, a Mormon woman wrote this book. Its all about oppression, about wanting whats going to destroy you. Thats a very Gothic, gay inclination that I love, she added.

Kristen received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress for her work in Spencer. The actor is already gearing up to attend the 40th Sundance Film Festival, where she will be awarded with the Visionary Award. Two of her films- Love Me, and Love Lies Bleeding will premiere at the festival this month.

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Sofia Vergara, a Columbian-American actor who's made a name for herself in Hollywood, was recently demeaned by a Spanish reporter for her diction in English. However, the Modern Family actor was quick to clap back at him. (Also Read: Joe Manganiello makes red carpet debut with Caitlin OConnor after divorce from Sofia Vergara) Sofia Vergara is a four-time Golden Globe-nominated actor(Reuters/ Mike Blake)

What did the reporter mock her for?

Earlier this week, Sofia appeared on the Spanish talk show El Hormiguero, hosted by Pablo Motos. As she described her experience in filming ABC's popular mockumentary show Modern Family for 11 seasons between 2009 and 2020, Pablo mockingly asked her to repeat how she pronounced the name of her show.

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What was Sofia's response?

Sofia snapped back promptly and said, I say it wrong? Oh, because you speak better English than me? Ah. When Pablo continued to grin, she continued, How many Emmy nominations do you have in the United States? How many times did they nominate you at the Golden Globes?

Sofia's past experience with Ellen DeGeneres

Previously, Sofia Vergara stepped up to defend comedian Ellen DeGeneres amid intense drama surrounding the talk show host, including accusations that she made fun of the Colombian star's accent during a 2015 episode.

During the discussion, the daytime host pointed out the America's Got Talent judge's English while asking why producers gave her such a complicated copy to read. Many fans took this as Ellen mocking Sofia's accent, leading the television star to defend Ellen, saying she was in on the joke.

Sofia had tweeted alongside the viral clip in question, "Two comedians having fun with each other to entertain. I was never a victim guys, I was always in on the joke."

About Sofia Vergara

Sofia is a four-time Golden Globe and Emmy Award-nominated actor for her memorable role of Gloria in Modern Family.

She recently parted ways with husband and fellow actor Joe Manganiello after seven years of marriage. "We have made the difficult decision to divorce. 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," they said in a joint statement.

Sofia has a son named Manolo, 31, with first husband Joe Gonzalez. Before marrying Manganiello, she was engaged to businessman Nick Loeb.

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Making a science fiction Tamil film, and that too featuring an alien, is no easy task. However, for director Ravikumar  who gave the us the hit futuristic film, Netru Indri Naalai Ayalaan seems like a cakewalk. Also read: Sivakarthikeyans Ayalaan makers come to Dil Rajus defense post the films postponement in Telugu Ayalaan movie review: The Tamil science fiction film is directed by R Ravikumar and features Sivakarthikeyan.

The plot

Starring Sivakarthikeyan, Ayalaan revolves around the story of an alien that lands on Earth and a young man it befriends. When the alien (voiced by actor Siddharth)  named Tattoo by Sivakarthikeyan and his friends Yogi Babu and Karunakaran  lands on Earth, it ends up getting caught by the wrong people. How Tattoo manages to return home and how it forms a bond with the hero (Sivakarthikeyan) and his somewhat crazy posse of friends to save the planet is what this film is about.

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VFX play major role in Ayalaan

In order to make this sci-fi alien flick appealing to the Tamil audience, director Ravikumar has added all the commercial elements required. There is song-and-dance, comedy, emotions, romance and a villain in the form of a corporate entity developing a device called Spark.

VFX play a major role in the film and they turned out quite well, unlike some earlier films we have seen. The alien also feels more human thanks to its believable lines and Siddharths voice modulation. However, despite all the sci-fi elements, the storyline is somewhat cliched and a few scenes seem disjointed.

The alien is as much a hero as Sivakarthikeyan

Isha Koppikar and Sharad Kelkar essay negative roles in the film, while Rakul Preet Singh plays Sivakarthikeyans love interest. They are all apt for their roles. Yogi Babu and Karunakaran add the comic factor in this flick.

For Sivakarthikeyan, this role would have been a breeze as it has shades of fun and is emotional. Lets not forget the alien, who is as much a hero as Sivakarthikeyan in this film.

Ayalaan may have been delayed a few years but it will still appeal to adults - and kids - looking for a place to while away some good time.

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Dhanush always has the ability to surprise you with every film of his not just through his performance but his choice of stories as well. Captain Miller sees the Tamil star teaming up with Arun Matheshwaran in the directors third film. Captain Miller movie review: Dhanush in a still from the movie.

What is the plot?

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The movie is set in pre-Independence India during British rule and as it begins, we see Analeesan aka Issa aka Captain Millers (Dhanush) mother narrating the story of their 600-year-old local Shiva temple where Ayyanar Koranars statue was secretly buried. She narrates how the lands around the temple were gifted to the local tribals when the temple was built but they were not allowed entry into it by the kings ruling the area because of caste and social discrimination.

Issa idles away in the village after his mother dies while his elder brother Sengola (Shiva Rajkimar) is part of the Independence movement. It is when he gets into a confrontation with the villagers and they ask to leave, that Issa decides to join the British-India army to gain respect.

Though Sengola dissuades him from this, Issa goes ahead and his fate changes. Christened Miller by the British army, Issa is part of the battalion that indulges in a horrendous attack against local protesters. Traumatised, Issa quits the army and turns into the revolutionary, Captain Miller. What happened to Issa? What is his motivation? Who and what is he fighting for?

The inspired atmosphere

Director Arun Matheswarans films feature violence as a strong element and Captain Miller, too, has its share of killings and fights given its setting of pre-Independence India and theme of social injustice and fight for freedom. There are many Tarantino-esque shades interspersed throughout the film - for instance, the film is divided into chapters; the sword fight in the second half reminds us of Kill Bill; and there is a look and feel of a Western in numerous scenes. The character arc of Issa and how he changes from a village tribal to a feared revolutionary has been well-etched out by the director, as is the story.

While in the first half of the film we see Issa change for selfish reasons, it is in the second where he truly finds a larger purpose and pursues his goal aggressively for the sake of his village. Matheshwaran has a distinct narrative style, and his writing and screenplay are not rushed. But this slows down the film, especially in the first half. In the second half, the pace really picks up and Captain Miller charges on, all guns blazing.

Captain Dhanush

When it comes to performances, Captain Miller is a Dhanush film all the way. The Tamil stars ability to hold the audiences attention is well-known and he doesnt disappoint as Issa aka Captain Miller. The actor has lived the role one must say. Though Shiva Rajkumars role may be a cameo, it is a superb one and he makes quite an impact in it. Priyanka Mohans role is not a major one and she doesnt have too much to do but it helps carry the story forward.

With regard to the technical aspects, music director GV Prakash Kumars BGM and Killer Killer song really elevate the film and this is one of the highlights of the movie. Combining different music styles keeping in tune with the directors style of filmmaking, GV has more than delivered on this project. Siddhartha Nunis cinematography is another plus as well.

The bottomline is that Captain Miller is a highly-engaging - but different - must-watch film this Sankranti. Interestingly, the movie ends with a sure hint of a sequel in the works.
Dhanush's Captain Miller was released on Friday ahead of Pongal 2024. The action film marks the first collaboration between Dhanush and director Arun Matheswaran. Set in British India, the film features Dhanush as Captain Miller, an outlaw who engages in bloody heists. Despite other Tamil and Telugu releases on Friday, many have watched the film on its opening day and have taken to X (formerly Twitter) to share their Captain Miller reviews. Also read: Captain Miller review: Dhanush, Arun Matheshwaran bring a well-crafted revolutionary tale Dhanush's Captain Miller is set in the pre-Independence era.

Twitter reviews Captain Miller

An X user wrote, "Just Watched Captain Miller... wow what a movie. Bunked my classes for the movie..." Another said, "Captain Miller entry, BGM, grandier visuals and as usual super performer Dhanush. Slowly setting the pace in second half. If the streak continues  blockbuster on the cards."

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An X user also tweeted, Easily the best of Dhanush. Amazing direction by Arun Matheswaran; scintillating music and pre-Independence sets were top notch and technically well-made.

Interval chase sequence was too good

A tweet also read, "Captain Miller is a really good movie. Must watch. Another gem from Tamil cinema. A very good story, screenplay, action packed movie of Dhanush. This will be Dhanush's biggest movie of his career." Sharing a glimpse of the film playing on the big screen, a person tweeted, "Solid story and conflicts; characters are well established; good dialogues and great visuals. Interval chase sequence was too good, on par with Hollywood standards, ends with a little twist. So far so good!"

However, one X user had this to say about Captain Miller, 2024 started with the worst US premiere experience for Captain MilIer. Poor storytelling  no impact, miserably failed. Nothing interesting. Most hyped and overrated director of Kollywood. Dhanush  never ever compare this guy with Vetrimaaran (Tamil film director).

More about Captain Miller

Helmed by Arun Matheswaran, Captain Miller features Dhanush and Priyanka Arul Mohan in lead roles. Sundeep Kishan and John Kokken also play pivotal roles in the film. Veteran Kannada actor Shivarajkumar plays Dhanushs elder brother in Captain Miller. GV Prakash has scored the film's music.

When asked about the idea behind Captain Miller, filmmaker Arun Matheswaran told The Hindu in a recent interview, "This is a story about the oppressed fighting for freedom. My uncle was in the Army and the idea originated from everything he told me when I was a child. I have also taken some inspiration from the events that happened in the 1980s during the Sri Lankan Civil War. I worked out a story based on all of that, but materialising that script in that original form wasnt possible; many producers were apprehensive because it was based on the Sri Lankan War. I had to let that story rest for over two years, and then I thought of basing it on the British Army to make it more acceptable."

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Namrata Shirodkar is an excited wife today as her husband and Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu's new movie, Guntur Kaaram, releases in theatres ahead of Pongal. The actor shared her excitement on social media with a picture and pep talk to Mahesh Babu. (Also Read: Guntur Kaaram star Mahesh Babu to fans: You are my parents, my everything from now on) Namrata Shirodkar posts a stylish picture of Mahesh Babu

Namrata's post

Namrata took to her Instagram handle on Thursday evening and shared a still of Mahesh Babu, looking stylish in what seems to be a new picture. He's wearing a blue-tshirt, a white hoodie, and dark sunglasses. Celebrity hairstylist Aalim Hakim, who has done Mahesh's hair in the picture, left three fire emojis on Namrata's post. Namrata's caption stated, Lets rock it MB! (black hearts emojis) #gunturkaaram (red chilli emoji).

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About Guntur Kaaram

Guntur Kaaram is helmed by Trivikram Srinivas. Previously, the actor and the director collaborated for blockbuster hits Athadu and Khaleja. After a long wait of 12 years, the duo is all set to reunite once again for a big-budget project.

The film is touted to be an action drama, which stars apart from Mahesh Babu, Sreeleela, Meenakshi Chaudhary, Jagapathi Babu, Ramya Krishnan, Jayaram, Prakashraj, and Sunil.

In May, Mahesh Babu paid tribute to his father and actor Krishna on his birth anniversary by sharing the title and teaser of the movie. The film was tentatively titled SSMB28.

In the video, Mahesh Babu gets into action with a stick in his hand, as everyone is waiting for him at Mirchi Yard. "Endi Atta Soosthunnav... Beedi 3D Lo Kanabaduthundaa..." thunders Mahesh Babu, as he leans on the ground and lights a beedi with two matchsticks.

The remaining scenes demonstrate Guntur Kaaram's enduring appeal to a wide audience by providing a peek at its fiery lead character, who is properly described by the slogan "highly inflammable."

The teaser ended by paying homage to legendary actor Krishna. Last week, the trailer showcased Mahesh Babu as Ramana, who delivers dialogues and throws punches with ease. The trailer additionally indicated that Ramana's connection with his family would be emotionally charged in the film.

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Looking for a love story that will make you swoon, cry, and laugh all at the same time? Then look no further than Hulu's extensive selection of Korean dramas. With so many great options to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. But don't worry, we have got you covered. From the suspenseful thriller Flower of Evil to the heartwarming medical drama Doctor Romantic, these K-dramas have something for everyone. Explore the world of classics with Song Joong Ki and Song Hye Kyos Descendants of the sun to the trailblazer of romance K-drama Whats wrong with secretary Kim. Grab your snacks, settle in, and get ready to fall in love with these amazing Korean dramas. romance K-dramas on HULU: Twenty-Five Twenty-One to Call it Love, more(TVN, SBS)

Romance K-dramas on HULU

Also read: Who Is MatPat? YouTuber exits game theorists: Age, wife, net worth, children, and more

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Call it Love

After her father passes away, humble Sim Woo Joo struggles with an intense feeling of loss. Adding to her distress, her father's girlfriend evicts her from their home. In search of solace, she joins forces with the girlfriend's lonely son, and together they embark on a plan for revenge to address the injustice they've experienced.

The official synopsis reads, A woman thinks of revenge after her life halts at crossroads but instead starts empathizing with her mark. It's a melodrama of love, forgiveness, empathy and tragedies.

Twenty-Five Twenty-One

Take a trip back to the late 1990s with this heartwarming story about growing up during the financial crisis in South Korea. Na Hee Do(Kim Tae Ri), an emerging athlete, and Baek Yi Jin (Nam Joo Hyuk), a top student facing family struggles, build a strong connection that grows from childhood friendship to teenage love. Follow their journey as they chase their dreams and face challenges, while Na Hee Do becomes a star athlete, Baek Yi Jin becomes a top reporter. The ending leaves viewers on a bittersweet note.

Also read: Netflix US February 2024 releases: UFO-inspired The Last Prophet to Love is Blind Season 6 and more

Flower of Evil

Get ready for a suspenseful ride in this intense psychological drama. Baek Hee Sung, a seemingly perfect husband and dad, hides a dark secret from his past involving suspicion and murder. His wife, Detective Cha Ji Won, driven by justice, starts to doubt everything she believed about her husband.

Kiss Sixth Sense

As per the official synopsis, Ye Sol can see the future when she kisses someone. One day she accidentally kissed her boss Cha Min Hoo and saw that in the future they were lying in the same bed.Drawn together by an unstoppable force, they embark on a journey of love and introspection, digging into the secrets of their relationship and questioning the laws of fate.

Uncontrollably fond

Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions with this tearjerking melodrama. Jun Young (Kim Woo Bin), a top celebrity, and No Eul (Bae Suzy), a documentary filmmaker who happens to be his first love, reunite after years apart. However, their newfound happiness is marred by Jun-young's terminal illness, forcing them to confront their feelings and stay close to each other.

Big Mouth

Big Mouth is a legal drama with dark comedy, suspenseful thriller and romance. Park Chang Ho (Lee Jong Suk), known as Big Mouth, gets caught up in a serious plot involving corruption, drug cartels, and influential people. To keep his family and wife safe he goes to great extent.

While You were sleeping

Hong Joo (Bae Suzy), a woman with the ability to see premonitions through her dreams, encounters Jung Jae (Lee Jong Suk), a passionate prosecutor determined to prevent her visions from becoming reality. They join forces to change their futures and stand up for what's right. Along the way, love blossoms amid close calls and shared dreams.

Descendants of the Sun

The infamous Song-Song couple Song Joong KI and Song Hye Kyo take centre stage in this evergreen K-drama. Captain Yoo Si Jin, a special forces officer, and Dr. Kang Mo Yeon, a talented surgeon, find themselves working side-by-side in a war-torn country. The K-drama is one of the widely acclaimed show and often credited with bringing Hallyu wave to the doorsteps.

Whats wrong with secretary Kim

Get ready for some sizzling office romance with this hilarious comedy. A rich CEO plated by Park Seo Joon has his world turned upside down when his perfect secretary, Kim Mi So played by Park Min Young announces her sudden resignation. Determined to win her back he goes through multiple stages of emotions.

Rain or Shine

One of the most underrated K-drama available on Hulu and Netflix. Rain or Shine also known as Something in the rain is the heartwarming tale of two building collapse survivors. The official synopsis of the show reads, Two survivors of a building collapse discover support and love in each other as they overcome the pain of loss and reconstruct a hopeful future.
Welcome back to the World Weekly where we discuss some of the biggest international news stories from the week. Hamas members carry the coffin of Saleh Arouri, one of the top Hamas commanders, who was killed in an apparent Israeli strike Tuesday, during his funeral in Beirut, Lebanon, on Thursday. (AP) Tensions in the Middle East The situation remains tense in the Middle East, where an action-packed week raised fears of a wider conflagration. A strike inside Lebanon widely assumed to have been carried out by Israel killed a top Hamas leader  Saleh al-Arouri  on Tuesday. On Thursday, 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, 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. Houthi rebels have been firing on ships in the Red Sea in avowed solidarity with Gaza. Plus, Iran was hit on Wednesday by one of the deadliest attacks since its 1979 Islamic revolution, with twin blasts killing at least 84 people gathered to commemorate slain Revolutionary Guards general Qassem Soleimani. Tehran initially blamed Israel and the United States, although the Islamic State group later claimed responsibility and US officials rejected any US or Israeli role. And, in Baghdad on Thursday, a US airstrike on the headquarters of an Iran-backed militia killed a high-ranking commander, identified as Abu Taqwa, with the Popular Mobilization Force (PMF). A US defense official said Taqwa was targeted because he was actively involved in attacks on US personnel. An 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. The primary mission of the US-led coalition is to fight the Islamic State, the group that said it was behind Wednesday's bombing in Iran. For Gaza, where Israel's retaliation against the Hamas group's October 7 attack has now killed more than 22,000 people, Israel's defense minister on Thursday laid out his vision for the next phase of the war, describing how Israeli forces would shift to an apparently scaled-down  new combat approach in northern part of the territory, while continuing to fight Hamas in the south of the territory for as long as necessary". Details of the plan were vague at a time when much of northern Gaza, which troops invaded two months ago, has been flattened beyond recognition. Some 85% of Gazas 2.3 million people have been driven from their homes and squeezed into smaller slivers of the territory. Israel's siege of the territory has caused a humanitarian crisis, with a quarter of the population starving because not enough supplies are entering, according to the United Nations. Concerns were also raised after a Times of Israel report, citing a senior official, suggested Israel was in talks with Congo and other nations to relocate Gazans from the territory. The US state department on Tuesday also slammed recent statements from Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir that advocated for the resettlement of Palestinians outside of Gaza, calling the rhetoric "inflammatory and irresponsible". Finance minister Smotrich, one of the senior figures in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition, had called on Sunday for Palestinian residents of Gaza to leave the besieged enclave  a possible violation of international law  making way for Israelis who could "make the desert bloom". Why it matters: Fears have grown that the conflict between Israel and Hamas could spread with the German foreign ministry spokesman Sebastian Fischer on Friday the risk of escalation was "very real". 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. It was in this light that US secretary of state Antony Blinken left for his fourth trip to the Middle East since the October 7 attack on Israel, as part of US efforts to counter growing risks of a broader regional conflict. The top US diplomat will travel to Turkey, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Israel, with a visit to the West Bank and an additional stop in Greece. As on his previous whirlwind Middle East trips since the war broke out, Blinken will push Arab nations to use their influence on Iran, Hamas and other groups in the region to prevent a wider war and help free hostages. South Korean marine's K1E1 tank fires during a military drill on Yeonpyeong Island, South Korea, on Friday. (via Reuters) Escalations in the Korean peninsula Across the world, tensions also escalated in the Korean peninsula on Friday after North and South Korea carried out rival military exercises. South Korea said North Korea fired more than 200 rounds in the waters north of their western sea boundary on Friday morning. It was North Koreas first front-line maritime firing exercise in about a year. South Korea's joint chiefs of staff spokesperson Lee Sung Joon told a televised briefing that the Norths artillery firing was an act of provocation that threatens peace and heightens tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Lee said South Korea suffered no damage. In a corresponding step, South Korea's defense ministry said it had its troops on two border islands fire artillery rounds south of the sea boundary later on Friday. Local media said South Korea fired 400 rounds. A defense ministry statement said the military will maintain a firm readiness to strongly punish any provocations by North Korea. North Korea's military later said that its firing drills were a sort of natural countermeasure against the South's other military drills earlier this week. It said the military gangsters" of South Korea must not shift blame for tensions to the North. If the enemies commit an act which may be regarded as a provocation under the pretext of so-called counteraction, the (North) Korean People's Army will show tough counteraction on an unprecedented level, the Korean People's Army's general staff said in a statement. Ahead of the South Korean drills on Friday, authorities blared broadcasts via street loudspeakers and sent text messages to residents on the five major border islands, asking them to evacuate to safe places. They worried North Korea could conduct a new round of firing training in response but lifted the evacuation order a few hours later as they detected no suspicious activities by the North's military, according to local officials. Why it matters: The Koreas poorly marked western sea boundary witnessed bloody naval clashes in 1999, 2002 and 2009. The Norths alleged torpedoing of a South Korean warship killed 46 South Korean sailors in March 2010, and the Norths artillery bombardment of Yeonpyeong Island  one of the five border islands where the evacuation order was issued on Friday  killed four South Koreans in November 2010. The 2018 agreement  reached during a short-lived era of reconciliation between the two Koreas, requires them to halt live-fire exercises and aerial surveillance in buffer and no-fly zones established along their border. But the deal is in danger of collapsing after both Koreas took steps to breach the accord amid bickering over the Norths first successful military spy satellite launch in November. South Korea resumed front-line aerial surveillance in protest at the Norths satellite launch. North Korea responded that it would deploy powerful weapons at the border and wont abide by the 2018 deal any longer. South Korea later accused North Korea of restoring front-line guard posts that it had dismantled under the 2018 deal. South Korea has previously accused North Korea of having already breached the deal numerous times with firing drills at the buffer zones, including one as recently as December 2022 off the Korean Peninsulas east coast. North Korea is now in the stage of finding a justification for provocation after scrapping the 2018 military agreement, said Lee Sang Sook, a research professor at the Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security. There is a possibility for North Korea to ramp up provocation steadily, so big and small provocations along the western sea boundary and the land border are expected this year. Relations between the two Koreas are currently at one of their lowest points in decades, after Kim enshrined the country's status as a nuclear power into the constitution while test-firing several advanced ICBMs. At Pyongyang's year-end policy meetings, Kim warned of a nuclear attack on the South and called for a build-up of the country's military arsenal ahead of armed conflict that he warned could "break out any time". In an effort to deter Pyongyang, Washington deployed a nuclear-powered submarine in the South Korean port city of Busan late last year and flew its long-range bombers in drills with Seoul and Tokyo. (This report was put together using Agencies) That's all for this week, folx. If you have any suggestions, feedback, or questions, please write to me at sanya.mathur@hindustantimes.com Trending news this week Eye on Bangladesh: What polls mean for India, region

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. Our minds are blank: how earthquake resilient Japan fails its ageing rural communities

Older people living in isolated places and outdated homes face enormous danger when disaster strikes Guatemalas baby brokers: how thousands of children were stolen for adoption

From the 1960s, baby brokers persuaded often Indigenous Mayan women to give up newborns while kidnappers disappeared babies. Now, international adoption is being called out as a way of covering up war crimes
Hes Instagrams recent fave English teacher. He vouches for a distinct American accent and is hurtling towards a million followers. Meet Dhiraj Takri, a 21-year-old from Odisha, who has become a social media sensation as users from across the country are sharing his reels where he is seen teaching spoken English in a near-perfect American accent. But what really will surprise you is that Takri himself has never received any formal education and actually failed [his] class 12 exams. Dhiraj Tikra has so far amassed 920k followers on Instagram.(Photo: Instagram)

Takri shares how he began learning the language in 2019 and started working on getting the right American accent about two years later, ie in 2021. I wanted to sing the Christian songs at my church (sic), he recalls, adding, I wanted to be able to understand native English speakers. I did not want my accent to hold me back... Now, I create content that is helping people learn the language with a native accent via memes and movie clips in a unique desi style where people can have fun!

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The content creator initially did face his share of trolling. He recalls, When I first started uploading videos in August 2023, I would get comments calling me chapri and whatnot. But it has changed now. There are hardly any negative comments now. The internet has become a kinder place, perhaps because people can relate to my humble background.

But such hardships only made him stronger, as Takri feel proud today for having made it even with limited resources. I am the third of five children in my family. Earlier, my mother used to sell bangles to support us but my eldest brother runs the household now. All of them are very happy for me and enjoy my videos, he gushes, adding I am going to continue teaching and bettering my accent because right now, its a mix of Indian, British and American accents. I am a melting pot of accents!

For more, follow @htcity.delhijunction
The historical moment (inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya) has transformed into a global event. Groups, individuals, society welfare associations in various parts of the world are doing their bit to express their happiness. Here's a line up of the most interesting events: A group in Paris is organising a Rath Yatra on 21 January

Ram Rath Yatra in Paris

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Celebrating the glory of Shri Rama, a Hindu group in the country is organising Ram Rath Yatra on 21st January. It will begin from Place de La Chapelle around 12.30pm and culminate at Place de Trocadero around 3pm. An invitation has been designed and shared with the people to join the gracious occasion.

Car Rally in the USA

Members of the Hindu American community organised a huge car rally across Houston recently. Stopping at 11 temples along the way, they sang bhajans and chanted slogans of 'Jai Shri Ram'. Carrying saffron banners, almost 500 enthusiastic riders covered the distance holding an image of the Ram temple, the Indian flag and the US flag. 216 cars formed a 3-mile-long line along with eight police officers on bikes. Temples across States will also organise a week long celebration to celebrate the grand inauguration of the Ram Mandir

Live Telecast in New York Times Square

According to multiple reports, the much-awaited consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla will not just be livestreamed in various India embassies overseas but also at the Times Square. Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi will address all the devotees of Bhagwan Ram in the country and abroad.
Security forces found the bodies of three men in Manipurs Churachandpur district on Thursday morning with Manipur police confirming that they were among the four people reported missing after a gunfight at a nearby buffer zone a day earlier. Manipur has been in the throes of ethnic violence since early May last year. (PTI)

The post-mortem examination of the three bodies is yet to be conducted, but prima facie it appeared that the three sustained gunshot wounds and one of them also had stab wounds on the neck, said an official, requesting anonymity. The bodies are currently at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal.

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The army and Assam Rifles are helping in the search for the fourth person. The bodies of the three men were found in the jungles of Haothak Tampha Kunao in Churachandpur at around 10am on Thursday, said the official quoted above.

Manipur police, in a post on X , confirmed that the three bodies were among the four men who were reported missing on January 10. Security forces are carrying out hectic efforts to search for the other missing person and to flush out armed miscreants from the area, a post from Manipur polices official account said on Thursday night.

Read | On proposal to delist Kukis from ST list, Centre seeks Manipur govt's reply

The recovery of the bodies marks the bloodiest day in the strife-torn state since January 1, when four members of the Meitei Pangal community were gunned down. At least 201 people have now died in the ethnic clashes that began between the dominant Meiteis and the tribal Kukis in May last year, but which have seen a surge in recent weeks with more communities getting caught in the crossfire.

The four men  Ahanthem Dara (55), Thoudam Ibomcha (53), his son Thoudam Anand (27) and Oinam Romen (45)  were reported missing after residents of Bishnupur heard loud bangs of bombs and bullets being fired from the hills near Haotak Phailen village at around 3pm on Wednesday.

The Meiteis live largely in the plains of Imphal Valley while the Kukis predominantly live in the hills. As a fallout of the long-running hostilities, both communities have withdrawn to their respective strongholds.

In response, security forces have created buffer zones at different border districts, which have also been divided on ethnic lines. Bishnupur district is home to the Meiteis, while Kuki tribals dominate Churachandpur.

Security forces have set up camps and are posted on the highway to ensure that the groups remain separated, do not enter each others districts, and trigger violence. But many times, militants from both groups use the hills and jungle area to cross into the other districts and attack each other, according to security officials.

Also Read | Manipur govt declines permission for ground to launch Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra

The sweeping ethnic violence has also led to the creation of community-based armed village defence volunteers, underling how faultlines have deepened beyond the Meitei -Kuki divide, pitting different communities and groups against each other.

Romen worked as a tractor driver for farmers in his village, Imbocha weaved bamboo cages for birds and chicken, while his son Anand worked at a brick kiln, Romens 28-year-old niece Mongpham Mayum Nanao said. The fourth person, Dara who is yet to be traced, was a farmer, Nanao added.

Residents of Terakhong village, where the four lived, said they were unarmed villagers, who were shot dead for going near another village to collect firewood.

Nanao said that for the past few days, villagers were collecting dry wood from the foothills near the buffer zone. A bundle of wood in the market costs at least 100. So, every winter, we go to the foothills to collect wood. My uncle and other villagers thought it was safe to go to the foothills so they left the village at around 1.30pm, Nanao said.

The village, Haotak Phailen, from where the bullets were fired is visible from our village, Terakhong, she added.

Prem Meitei, a local of Terakhong, said that at around 3pm he, along with other villagers, heard sounds of bombs exploding and gunshots from the foothills.

Because of the cold, people go to the hills to collect firewood. There were no residents in the village across Churachandpur, so villagers thought it was safe to go near the foothill. But about two hours after they had left, we all heard sounds of bombs and gunshots from the village. The villagers got together and started checking if people had returned. It was then that we realised that four villagers from Terkahong were missing. The elders in our village informed the BSF security post there. This is how police were alerted, Prem Meitei said.

Until late on Wednesday night, joint teams of the army, Assam Rifles and state police were searching for the four men. The search operation was called off at around midnight and resumed early on Thursday morning. Security force officials said that the bodies of the three were found in the hills, about a kilometre away from where they may have been shot dead.

A second police officer aware of the probe details said that prima facie, it appeared that the four men were killed when they entered near the border of Kuki village (Haotek Phailen).

Residents of this Kuki village fled their houses during the ethnic clashes. It looks like some village volunteers were still guarding this village or came here after learning that Meitei people were vising the foothills of this village to collect wood. The volunteers may have resorted to firing on seeing the four Meitei men near a Kuki village. Investigation is on, the officer added.

Ginza Vualzong, spokesperson of Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum(ITLF), an umbrella body of Kuki groups in Churachandpur, rejected the allegation.  I do not condone the killing but this is war time in Manipur. Many innocents are killed in the conflict. Knowing the conflict is going on, it would be wise and safe for everyone not to cross each others territory, he said.
The Agnipath scheme for short-term induction of soldiers was finalised after extensive consultations, army chief General Manoj Pande said on Thursday, in comments that come weeks after his predecessor General Manoj Mukund Naravane created a stir by revealing that the Agnipath scheme caught the army by surprise and was a bolt out of the blue for the air force and the navy. Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande addresses the annual press conference, ahead of Army Day in New Delhi on January 11.(PTI)

It will be unfair for me to say anything on the comments by my predecessor, Pande said during his customary annual media briefing ahead of the Army Day on January 15. But I just wish to reiterate here that the final framework, structure of the Agnipath scheme came about after an iterative process, after consultations. It took into account whatever issues we had to put across, he said in response to a question on Naravanes take on the scheme.

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Naravanes remarks on the scheme figured in the recently published excerpts of his yet-to-be released autobiography titled Four Stars of Destiny. The excerpts of the memoirs, reviewed by news agency PTI, revealed that Naravane sounded out the Prime Minister about the tour of duty scheme for the short-term induction of soldiers in the army in early 2020, but months later the PMO came out with a formulation with a wider scope to include all the three services. He has written in the book that the armys initial view was that 75% of the personnel to be recruited could be retained while 25% should be released.

Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande addressed the annual press conference, ahead of Army Day in New Delhi on January 11.(HT graphics)

On Thursday, Pande also added that the army has received positive feedback on Agniveers, as soldiers recruited under the Agnipath model are termed.

From here on we need to move forward and like I said the acceptability, the positivity, the ownership (of the scheme) ...The integration of the Agniveers in the units is happening well, Pande said.

The Agnipath model marked a major departure from the militarys decades-old recruitment system that was discontinued when the government announced the new scheme in June 2022. It seeks to recruit soldiers for only four years, with a provision to retain 25% of them in regular service.

There are a few challenges in terms of training, but most of these are at the tactical level, Pande said.

These entail tweaking of our policies in terms of how you deal with the limited training period.... or, harmonising the physical and firing standards between the Agniveers and the regular soldiers. These issues are more in the realm of management... pay and allowances..., and as we move forward, we are picking these issues up based on the feedback, the army chief added.

Also Read | Increased deployment in Rajouri-Poonch; LAC situation stable yet sensitive: Army chief

Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year described the Agnipath scheme as a transformative policy that would be a game-changer in strengthening the military and making it ready for future challenges, while stressing that Agniveers recruited under the new model will make the armed forces more youthful and tech-savvy.

India, on June 14, 2022, announced the Agnipath scheme replacing the legacy system to lower the age profile of the armed forces, ensure a fitter military and create a technically skilled war fighting force capable of meeting future challenges. It sparked widespread protests and forced a concerted outreach by the government to scotch apprehensions about the scheme.

Agniveers will draw an annual salary of 4.76 lakh in the first year of service and 6.92 lakh in the fourth, will get a non-contributory insurance cover of 48 lakh, and an additional ex gratia payment of 44 lakh for death attributable to service. Those released after four years will get 11.71 lakh as Seva Nidhi severance package, including 5.02 lakh contributed by them during their service. They will also have job quotas in different government organisations, paramilitary forces and other departments.

Naravane has written in his memoirs that the government was proposing a salary of 20,000 (a month) for Agniveers in the first year of service.

Also Read | Indian Army would rather open fire than: General Naravane warns Chinese troops

This was just not acceptable. Here, we were talking about a trained soldier who was expected to lay down his life for the country. Surely a soldier could not be compared with a daily wage labourer? Based on our very strong recommendations, this was later raised to 30,000 per month, he has written.

The Agnipath scheme is still work in progress, said former Northern Army commander Lieutenant General DS Hooda (retd).

Lessons will be learned along the way. These would be taken into consideration as the scheme moves forward and the government should be open to certain modifications, he added.
The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has remained an institution of national importance even without a minority tag, the Supreme Court observed on Thursday, adding the brand name is what really matters for the people. The Supreme Court bench was responding to the submissions made by advocate Shadan Farasat on behalf of one of the petitioners in the batch of cases, led by AMU, seeking minority status under the Indian Constitution. (ANI)

On the third consecutive day of the hearing related to AMUs minority status, the bench, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, asked one of the petitioners arguing in favour of the universitys minority status to justify why the tag was important when the institution has done well otherwise too.

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Over the last 100 years, without the minority institution status, it (AMU) has continued to be an institution of national importance...Will it really matter for the people whether it remains a minority institution or not? Its only the brand name  AMU, the bench, which also comprised justices Sanjiv Khanna, Surya Kant, JB Pardiwala, Dipankar Datta, Manoj Misra and Satish Chandra Sharma, remarked.

The bench was responding to the submissions made by advocate Shadan Farasat on behalf of one of the petitioners in the batch of cases, led by AMU, seeking minority status under the Indian Constitution. If declared a minority institution, AMU need not reserve seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, other backward classes (OBC) and economically weaker sections (EWS).

Farasat, appearing for petitioner Hazi Muqeet Ali Qureshi, emphasised in the course of his arguments that if AMU ceases to be a minority institution, it will hamper the higher education for Muslim women in India.

Its a fact in the community that it sends their children, especially women, to AMU because of its minority status. The court has to take into account some social realities. Minority status of AMU and education for Muslim women have gone hand in hand, according to Farasat, who said that the 1967 judgment of the Supreme Court in the Azeez Basha case was wrong.

The 1967 judgment by a five-judge bench ruled against the minority status of AMU, holding that the university was neither established nor administered by a Muslim minority, and therefore, it cannot enjoy protection for minorities to administer educational institutions under Article 30(1) of the Constitution.

Responding, the court asked Farasat how the seven-judge benchs decision to ultimately overturn Basha or declaring AMU a minority institution impacts the universitys status. How does it matter if we are not with you on Basha? Without the minority tag, the institution has continued to remain an institution of national importance, it said.

Farasat replied that since the matter remained pending before the top court at different stages since 1967, there has always been a stay on AMUs status except to the aspect of reservation. Owing to the status quo orders of the apex court, AMU has continued as a minority institution for all practical purposes, said Farasat, adding AMU will lose its minority status for the first time if the seven-judge bench were to affirm the 1967 Basha judgment.

To this, the bench told Farasat that his submissions may have a counterpoint. It is not purely a legal argument, it said.

The central government sought to overturn the top courts 1967 Basha verdict by passing amendments to the AMU Act in 1981. The Allahabad high court, however, junked these amendments in 2006, leading to AMU and the then United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government to challenge it before the Supreme Court. In 2016, in a reversal of the previous stand, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, however, sought to withdraw the Centres appeal, maintaining that AMU is not a minority institution and that the Basha judgment was correct.

At one point, the bench on Thursday said that the correctness of the Supreme Courts view in 1967 in denying AMU a minority status is going to be the core issue for determination.

If Basha was wrongly decided, it will mean denial of minority status was wrong. So, if we conclude Basha was wrongly decided, the very basis of the high court judgment (in 2006) goes because the high court said Parliament could not have overruled Basha through the 1981 amendments. So, thats the core issue, observed the bench.

It further said that the bench may not go strictly by the facts of the present case to lay down broad principles on when an institution can be declared a minority institution under the Indian Constitution.

Perhaps, it will be inappropriate for us to look at the facts in deciding the character of a minority institution. Like in the present case, who gave how much land etc. may not matter...Its a Constitutional court sitting in a combination of seven judges. There is always a temptation to resolve a dispute for all times to come but we should be careful about doing that in a combination of seven in this matter, observed the bench.

Called upon to interpret the terms establish and administer under Article 30 that defines a minority institution, the court further said at one stage of the hearing that the Constitutional provision does not mandate that administration has to be by minority itself.

What Article 30 contemplates and recognises is the right, mainly the right of choice, the discretion given to minorities to administer in a manner which they deem appropriate...The essential element of Article 30 is the conferment of choice on the minority it cannot be read in the reverse to impose an embargo on, it added.

The court will resume its hearing in the matter on January 23.

Through the written submissions of solicitor general (SG) Tushar Mehta, the Centre on Tuesday told the court that its decision in 2016 to withdraw its support for minority status to AMU was based on constitutional considerations alone because the erstwhile UPA governments stand to legally fight for it was against public interest and contrary to the public policy of reservation for marginalised sections.
Raipur: Anti-Maoist operations in Chhattisgarh have increased since November 2023, and it were the highest in November and December last year, according to state police data. (Representative Photo)

The police data accessed by HT shows that there were only four anti-Maoist operations in July and August, which dropped to two in September and October. However, the number increased to 12 in November, and nine operations were conducted in December 2023.

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In 2021, four operations each were conducted in November and December. Between July and December 2022, 29 anti-Maoist operations were conducted, and in 2021 the number was 26.

According to the officials aware of the matter, the highest number of Maoists arrested in a month in 2023 was in December when 59 ultras were arrested by the security forces and prior to this, it was in July when 15 rebels were arrested. In all, 173 Maoists were arrested between July and December 2023, while 12 were killed in gunfights with the security forces.

Also Read: Chhattisgarh : Six-month old girl killed in Bastar crossfire

In 2022, 16 Maoists were gunned down, and in 2021, 23 Maoists were killed in the same period by the security forces, the data shows. The number of Maoists who surrendered between July and December in the last two years declined from 324 in 2021 to 128 Maoists in 2022.

However, the increase in operations also means more civilian killings in November and December. Maoists allegedly killed 12 civilians in November last year, two were killed in September whereas no civilians were killed in October. A total of 17 civilians were allegedly killed by Maoists between July and December in the past year, according to the data. In the same period in 2022, 15 civilians were killed.

A senior paramilitary officer aware of the operations said the operations have been intensified in Maoist-affected areas, especially the Bastar region, following the instruction given by Union home minister Amit Shah to wipe them out in the next two years.

Shah, while addressing a gathering in Chhattisgarh in October last year stated that Left-wing extremism in India is in its last phase and will be completely eradicated within the next two years.

More troops of security forces will be deployed in Bastar in the coming months and emphasised anti-Maoist operations will increase post-Lok Sabha Elections in 2024, the officer said.

A second security officer posted in Chhattisgarh said that in the first week of December, two meetings were done by Chhattisgarhs top police officers  one in Jagdalpur and another in Narayanpur  and instructions were issued to launch quality operations in the core area of Maoist-affected districts.

We are getting more sophisticated equipment to launch big operations in Bastar region in coming months, the second official quoted above said.

An officer posted with the para-military force in Bastar said there is a clear direction from the home ministry to intensify anti-Maoist operations. Earlier, we were doing much. Now, we are planning for big operations against Maoists, he said.

Another officer posted in the Bastar region said now with the change of government in Chhattisgarh, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) trounced the Congress in the December 3 election results, there will be synergy between the Central and state government security forces.

Also Read: Modi wont go to Manipur: Sena MPs dig at PM over Kalaram Temple visit

Earlier, there were some conflicts between central and state governments. Now with the same party at the Centre and the state, this will not be an issue, the officer said.

Inspector general of police (IGP), Bastar range, Sunderaj P, said the fight against Maoists in Bastar is in its decisive phase.

The solution for the 56-year-old left extremism challenge has entered into its final and decisive phase. In the last couple of decades, Bastar police, local administration and the security forces deployed in Bastar have slowly but steadily made significant inroads into the erstwhile Maoist stronghold areas, he said.

No more large-scale recruitments are taking place in the Maoist camps anymore and instead many cadres are either surrendering or getting arrested, the IG said, In these prevailing circumstances, we are hopeful of bringing an end to the Naxal menace sooner than expected, he added.

Ajay Chandrakar, chief spokesperson of the BJP, said, We are ideologically against the Maoists and we were always aggressive in anti-naxal operations. We will increase the operations and will fight the final battle against the Maoists.

The BJP was in power for 15 years before but they were never able to make any policy for eradication of Maoists from Bastar. It was the Congress which reduced Maoists presence to two districts only, Congress spokesperson RP Singh said.
Silchar: Assams Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve has witnessed a 27% increase in the arrival of winter-migratory birds in 2022-23, officials said on Friday. The count was revealed during the fifth bird census conducted by the park authorities. The bird census was conducted on 10th January 2024 atAssams Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (HT Photo)

The director of Assams Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, Sonali Ghosh, said the census began earlier this week and was conducted on 115 waterbodies spread across the Kaziranga Tiger Reserve and surrounding areas.

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The census revealed the presence of 84,839 birds which is a 27% increase since the last count (66,776 in 2021-22). This places Kaziranga among the top five in terms of presence of resident and winter-migratory birds in the country, Ghosh said.

The reserve extends over 1,302 square kilometres with a significant area of over 50% of the landmass under grasslands interspersed with water bodies.

With its unique terrestrial and aquatic habitats, Kaziranga is one of the finest protected areas in the world. This is home to the big-five mammals and it is a popular destination for birders owing to a very high diversity of over 500 bird species, Ghosh said.

She said that in the first census conducted in 2018-19, the count was 10,412 and in the fifth census, the count has reached 84,939, which shows an 814% increase. This is second in India after Chilka, which counts around 10 lakh birds every year.

The migrant birds come here from Russia in November and stay here till February. They are feeling safer in our area now. The protective measures taken by the government and drives against encroachments are some of the reasons behind this, she said.

The bird census was conducted on 10th January 2024 as a single-day exercise adopted an improvised methodology by involving a large number of bird experts as enumerators and they were supported by forest frontline staff, volunteers from more than 30 educational institutions, NGOs and other organisations making this one of the largest citizen science movement of the country in recent years.

As per the census, the eastern Assam wildlife division, comprising mostly of the Kaziranga National Park area recorded the presence of several unique species of birds. Bar-headed geese are the highest among them. 13,084 bar-headed geese were seen in Sohola Beel. Laokhowa and Burhachapori witnessed 8,960 Northern pintails. In the Bishwanath wildlife division, 2,727 migrant birds were noticed followed by Dipora  2,520.

The Kaziranga-Hukuma beel in Biswanath recorded 3,049 birds while the Joysagar Doloni in Kaliabor recorded 1,765 birds. Other notable wetlands adjoining the Tiger Reserve that recorded significant bird presence were Gonak beel (973), Sahala beel (424) and Sisubari beel (348), the report suggests.

Ghosh said that the critical avian inhabitants of Kaziranga include the Bengal florican, Swamp Francolin and various species of raptors, vultures, and waterfowl. 

Along with Manas and Orang national parks, Kaziranga has a large population of critically endangered species of birds. As per the recent E-Bird Database, 603 bird species have been recorded in and around Kaziranga and surrounding areas, she said.

Ghosh said that the Bombay Natural History Society and BirdLife International have recognised Kaziranga as an important bird area for its unique ecological significance. Along with the main channel of the River Brahmaputra, Dhansiri, Difloo and Laokhowa Suti rivers provide a unique habitat for both resident and migratory birds, she said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the Atal Setu, India's longest sea bridge, is a glimpse of what a developed India is going to look like. The PM's comments come shortly after he inaugurated the bridge in Navi Mumbai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses during the inauguration and foundation stone laying ceremony of various developmental works in the state, in Navi Mumbai(PTI)

In a developed India, there will be facilities for all, there will be prosperity for all, there will be speed and there will be progress. In developed India, distances will be reduced and every corner of the country will be connected. Be it life or livelihood, everything will go on continuously, without interruption. This is the message of Atal Setu, PM Modi said while addressing a public event.

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PM Modi also thanked Japan for its help and support towards the construction of the bridge. Notably, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has provided an Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan for the ambitious infrastructure project.

On this occasion, I would like to remember Shinzo Abe (former Japanese prime minister who was assassinated in 2022), with whom I first deliberated on the creation of this bridge. Several developmental projects were inaugurated when Maharashtra, for the first time, got the double-engine government. The Atal Setu is a result of combined efforts of the Central and State governments, Modi said.

PM Modi's dig at Congress

PM Modi, during his address, also took a dig at the former UPA government saying, The people who ruled for decades did not care about the country's time and tax money, hence in the earlier era, no project either got off the ground and remained pending for decades.

The planning of Atal Setu was also going on many years ago but we got the good fortune to complete itToday, on the one hand, there are mega-campaigns to improve the lives of the poor, while on the other hand, mega-projects are going on in every corner of the country, the PM added.

About the Atal Setu

PM Modi on Friday inaugurated India's longest sea bridge, known as Atal Bihari Vajpayee Trans Harbour Link, or Atal Setu, in Navi Mumbai. The bridge is a six-lane, 21.8-km-long bridge built at a cost of over 18,000 crore. It originates from Sewri in Mumbai and terminates at Nhava Sheva in Uran taluka in Raigad district.

The bridge is said to provide faster connectivity to Mumbai International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport and also reduce travel time from Mumbai to Pune, Goa, and South India. It will also improve connectivity between Mumbai Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to launch the country's longest bridge, built over the Thane Creek in the Arabian Sea, connecting Mumbai to Navi Mumbai and dramatically reducing travel time. The 21.8-km Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, officially named Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, will launch today around 3:30 pm. Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu ahead of its inauguration in Maharashtra.(PTI)

The six-lane bridge has a 16.5 km stretch over the sea and about 5.5 km on land. The conceptualisation of this bridge was made six decades ago with the aim of connecting Mumbai's Sewri to Raigad's Chirle.

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Travel time to cut short below 20 minutes
The CEO of Bengaluru-based The Mindful AI Lab, Suchana Seth, who has been arrested on the charges of murdering her four-year-old son in a service apartment in Goa was taken to the apartment on Friday by the police for recreating the crime scene, which is a vital part of any crime investigation. Suchana Seth has not admitted to having murdered her son and stuck to her version that she found him dead in the morning. Suchana has not yet given any satisfactory answer as to why she hid the body in the suitcase. Bengaluru AI startup CEO Suchana Seth being taken to Goa apartment where she allegedly killed her 4-year-old son.

Bengaluru CEO suffocates son to death: Here are the top 10 developments

1. A note has been found in Suchana Seth's luggage in which she expressed her frustration over the custody battle over her son. In five sentences hastily written in English, she jotted down her thoughts that she would not allow her son's custody to anyone. Cops said the note was probably written when she killed her son.

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2. Cops are treating this note as a vital clue to the motive of the murder most foul. Apart from this, the other clues are the bottles of cough syrup, blood stains on the sheets in their hotel room etc.

3. Police said Suchana Seth has not been cooperating in the investigation process.

4. Since her arrest, Suchana has undergone a medical test and psychological test as per protocol. The police have 90 days to file the chargesheet in the case.

5. Suchana booked the service apartment from January 6 to January 10. But on January 7, she wanted to check out citing some urgent work in Bengaluru and asked the hotel to arrange a cab. Suchana Seth left the apartment alone on January 7 night.

6. The hotel staff found bloodstains inside Suchana's room which corroborated the police's claim that after killing her son, Suchana wanted to end her life by slitting her wrist.

7. On January 8, when the cab in which Suchana was travelling was in Karnataka, the cab driver was contacted by the police and thus the crime was revealed.

8. Police said the body of the 4-year-old was hidden under toys and only after the intervention of female cops, the body was found. Suchana Seth confirmed that it was her son. Earlier, she told police that her son was in Goa with her friend.

9. The four-year-old was cremated by his father who came from Indonesia after receiving the news.

10. Suchana Seth and her estranged husband PR Venkatraman were involved in a nasty court battle over the custody of the son.
Boeings newest widebody aircraft 777-9 will be showcased at the Wings India air show in Hyderabad next week for the first time, the aircraft manufacturer said on Friday. Boeing said that it will also showcase the 777X passenger interior in the air show. (File photo)

Air India will receive 10 777-9s, as part of the carriers order placed in 2023, Boeing said, a statement from Boeing read.

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However, no timelines have been mentioned.

It added that the aircraft will be showcased in the Wings India Air show which will be held in Hyderabad in the coming week.

The Wings India is one of the Asias biggest civil aviation air show organised by the civil aviation ministry and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI).

Boeing said that the 777-9 flight test airplane is expected to arrive in Hyderabad on January 16 and will be on static display from January 18 and 19.

Also Read: Air India deploys new Boeing 777 aircraft to all 3 US destinations from Mumbai

Based on the most successful twin-aisle airplane ever, the 777, and with advanced technologies from the 787 Dreamliner family, the 777-9 will be the worlds largest and most efficient twin-engine jet, a statement by Boeing read.

Air India will receive 10 777-9s, as part of the carriers substantial order placed in 2023, aimed at bolstering its fleet strategy and meeting the growing demand for international air travel in the rapidly expanding South Asian market, Boeing said.

The aircraft manufacturer said that it has booked more than 450 orders for the 777X family, which includes the 777-8 and 777-9 passenger models and 777-8 Freighter.

Our dedication to bolstering Indias civil aviation growth remains unwavering, providing efficient aircraft, top-notch services, and innovative solutions in line with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision, Salil Gupte, president, Boeing India said.

Boeing said that it will also showcase the 777X passenger interior in the air show.
The Calcutta high court on Thursday issued an interim stay on a first information report (FIR) registered by the West Bengal police against Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials, who conducted a search at the house of a Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader in Sandeshkhali on January 5. A vehicle belonging to the ED team was also attacked. (ANI)

The single bench of Justice Rajasekhar Mantha put an interim stay on the FIR till March 31. The court will again hear the matter on January 22, a lawyer aware of the matter said, declining to be named.

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The order came a day after the federal agency moved the court praying for quashing of the FIR lodged against its officials at the Nazat police station in North 24 Parganas district, stating that false allegations have been levelled against them.

ED has said that its three officials were injured, and their mobile phones, laptops and wallets allegedly looted on January 5 when they went to Sandeshkhali to search the premises of Shajahan Sheikh, a block-level leader of the ruling TMC, in connection with the multi-crore ration distribution scam in the eastern state.

The agency also said that Sheikh is absconding and a look-out circular (LC) against him has been issued, alerting all land, air and sea ports to stop his exit from the country.

The federal agency has lodged a complaint at the Nazat police station in connection with the assault. The state police, meanwhile, also registered an FIR against the ED team based on a complaint lodged by Didar Baksh Molla, the caretaker of TMC leaders house, who accused the ED officials of theft and misbehaving with women when they went to raid Sheikhs house on January 5.

In the FIR, registered on January 7, the police have slapped sections 354 (assault on woman to outrage modesty), 447 (criminal trespass) and 379 (theft) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against the agency officials.

No arrest has been made in any of the FIRs till Thursday, police officers said.

The issue has triggered a political row in the state, with the opposition Bharataiya Janata Party (BJP) lashing at the state government over the attack on the ED team, while the ruling TMC blaming the federal agency of harassing non-BJP leaders.

On Thursday, BJP workers demonstrated near Nazat police station against alleged police inaction in apprehending Sheikh. The BJP workers led by state party chief Sukanta Majumdar marched about a kilometre to the police station and squatted before the barricade when they were stopped. Later, a five-member BJP delegation went inside the police station and submitted a memorandum to the officer present there demanding Sheikhs arrest at the earliest.

Six days have passed since the audacious attack on the ED officials who went to Sahajahan Sheikhs residence to unravel the mystery of his illegally amassed wealth and the money trail. The attack on the central agencys investigators was pre-planned by him. He is still eluding the agency with active support from the ruling party, Majumdar told reporters. We demand a specific time frame by the police for Shiekhs arrest.

Hitting back, TMC lawmaker Santanu Sen said: Every citizen knows how central agencies such as ED and CBI [Central Bureau of Investigation] are being used against non-BJP parties to harass them. We saw how ED officials went to the village and provoked local residents. When police started investigation, they refused to cooperate. On the orders of the BJP, they are trying to malign the TMC and are trying to create a confusion and lawlessness.
Savad was arrested in the case by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday. HT Image

Recounting his first encounter with Savad at a shrine in Ullal in Karnataka, the father-in-law said at that time he identified himself as Shajahan and said he was from a humble family in Kannur district in Kerala. Savad had made a lasting impression, said the Kasaragod resident.

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Claiming that he is poor, the man said as Savad did seek any dowry, he married off one of his four daughters in 2016 to Savad.

During the marriage too, Savad had told local mosque authorities that his name was Shajahan, his father-in-law said.

Following the wedding, Savad spent a month at "my house before moving into a rented accommodation in Kannur district", he said.

Known for his transient lifestyle, Savad reportedly changed jobs and avoided settling in one place for a long period. He had two children, one aged four years and the other nine months, and resided in a rented house in Mattannur in Kannur district for over a year.

In the guise of a carpenter, the accused introduced himself to his neighbours as Shajahan, maintaining a discreet profile and refraining from close interactions with locals.

Savad, who had been on the run for the past 13 years, carried a reward of 10 lakh.

The NIA has revealed that the accused was involved in severing the palm of T J Joseph, allegedly in response to the professor ridiculing Prophet Mohammed in a Malayalam question paper for the internal examination of B.Com students at Newman College in Idukki district's Thodupuzha.

Nineteen accused have so far been convicted for various offences under Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in the case.

Of them, three have been convicted for life and 10 others sent to eight years imprisonment.

The accused in the case were either leaders, activists or members of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) and the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI). They were actively involved in the criminal conspiracy relating to the lethal attack on Professor Joseph at Muvattupuzha.

The accused had carried out the barbaric daylight attack on the professor in the presence of his family members on July 4, 2010, when he was returning from church after the Sunday morning mass. They had also hurled a bomb to spread terror among the people before escaping from the spot.
Congress leader Pawan Khera on Friday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of politicising the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at Ram Temple in Ayodhya, referring to the recent refusals by four Shankaracharyas (pontiffs of Hindu shrines) from attending the consecration ceremony on January 22. Supriya Shrinate and Pawan Khera address a press conference at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi on Friday. (ANI Photo)

There are rules and regulations for the consecration of any temple. There are religious scriptures. Shankaracharyas of all the four peeths have clearly said that an incomplete temple cannot be consecrated. In such a situation, if this programme is not religious, it is clearly political, Khera said.

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In this entire event, faith, religion, and policy cannot be seen. Only politics is visible here How can we watch a political game be played with our God and faith for one mans political spectacle? It is not acceptable that people of a political party are sitting as middlemen between me and my Godyou are positioning yourself as a contractor of my religion and there is no bigger sin than this, the Congress leader said while addressing the media at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi.

Further, he asked, Is Gods temple visited by invitation? Will a political party decide which category of person will visit the temple on which date? Will a political party decide when I go to meet my God? No person can invite anyone to the temple and neither does he have the power to stop anyone from going to the temple.

Khera said the BJP has picked the date of the consecration based on the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, and not by almanacs.

Are you above God, above Shankaracharya? You are above the Hindu religion. In your entire cabinet, you will be seen alone. You will control the Election Commission. You will control the media. You will control the CAG. Now you will control religion also? Khera said, targetting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Congress spokesperson and former journalist Supriya Shrinate, also present at the media interaction, stressed that religion is a matter of personal choice and hence should not be politicised.

The BJP-manufactured hate and anger has reached extreme limits in the last 48 hours. Whatever religion is, its a matter of personal belief. So, when religion is a matter of personal choice, why is the matter being politicised so much? Religious rituals, their methods should be done by the people who are familiar with it, she said.

Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary have declined the invitation to attend the consecration ceremony.

Lord Ram is worshipped by millions in our country and religion is a personal matter, the party said in its statement.
New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Karan Singh on Friday said after the Supreme Court allowed the construction of Ram Temple at Ayodhya's disputed site, there shouldn't be any hesitation in attending the consecration ceremony on January 22. His remark came days after his party refused to attend the grand event saying the BJP is trying to score electoral gains with the ceremony. Veteran Congress leader Karan Singh(PTI file photo)

Singh, a towering Congress leader in Jammu and Kashmir, however, said he wouldn't be able to attend the event because of his advanced stage and medical reasons.In a statement, Singh said a billion Hindus around the globe will celebrate the ceremony.Singh said he is a Raghuvanshi and had donated 11 lakh for the construction of the temple.

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"As a Raghuvanshi myself, and having made a modest personal donation of 11 lakh towards the construction, it would have been a great pleasure to attend. Regretfully, nearing 93, it will not be possible for me to do so on medical grounds," he said in the statement.

Singh, the son of erstwhile king of Kashmir Hari Singh, said he would organise a special celebration on the occasion of the ceremony.

"Our family Dharmarth Trust (J&K) is organising a special celebration on this occasion at our famous Sri Raghunath Temple in Jammu, and we are also doing so on a smaller scale at our Shri Ram Mandir on Lodhi Road," he said.

Also read: Congress questions BJP on Ram Mandir event date after shankaracharya criticism

The Congress on Wednesday said its leaders -- Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury-- had respectfully declined the invitation to attend the Ram temple consecration event as the BJP was making the temple its political project.

The Congress today said its leaders might visit the temple whenever they want.

"There are no restrictions on anyone. There was a personal invitation and massive politicisation of the event was seen. We have refused to go on January 22. We are free to go anytime," Supriya Srinate said.

Earlier this week, Gujarat Congress leader Arjun Modhwadia said his party shouldn't have taken the position on Ram Temple.

"Lord Shri Ram is a respected god. It is a matter of faith for the countrymen. The Congress should have stayed away from taking such political decisions," he wrote in Hindi on X.

With inputs from agencies
New Delhi: The Congress on Friday called the Ram Temple event in Ayodhya an "out and out political" event. The party, which has refused to attend the consecration ceremony on January 22, claimed the BJP is opening an incomplete temple to score political brownie points in view of the general elections later this year. Congress leaders Supriya Shrinate and Pawan Khera addressing a press conference, at AICC headquarters. (ANI)

Referring to Jyotir Mutt head shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati's refusal to attend the grand ceremony, Congress leader Pawan Khera alleged that the installation of Lord Ram's idols isn't being held in accordance with religious procedures.

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He claimed all four shankaracharyas (religious leaders) have said the consecration ceremony cannot be performed in an incomplete temple.

"Why will I tolerate workers of a political party becoming middlemen between me and my God?" he was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

Pawan Khera said the Congress party leaders will visit the Ram Temple in Ayodhya later.

"The first question is does one go to God's temple after an invitation. Be it a temple, church or mosque, will we wait for an invitation. Who will decide on what date and which section of people will go? Will a political party decide?" he said, per PTI.

"There is no dharma and 'aastha' (faith), there is only politics in this (event)," Khera added.

He claimed the religious leaders wanted to hold the ceremony on Ram Navami, reported the agency.

Also read: 'Not anti-Modi but...': Seer says 4 shankaracharyas not to attend Ram Mandir event

"We want to know how the date for it was decided. Tareekh ka chunaav nahi hua hai, chunaav dekh kar tareekh tae ki hai (The date has been selected keeping elections in mind)," he said.

"For one person's political tamasha, we cannot allow... (anyone to play) with our 'aastha' and God," he added.

The shankaracharya claimed he and three more religious leaders won't attend the event because it is being held in the under-construction temple.

"What is the reason for not going? Not because of any aversion or hatred, but because its shankaracharyas duty to follow shastra-vidhi (rituals of the shastras) and ensure that they are followed. And here, shastra-vidhi is being ignored. The biggest problem is that the pran pratishtha (consecration) is being done when the temple is still incomplete, he said, per The Print. And if we say this, we are called anti-Modi. What is anti-Modi here".

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate said the party's UP unit will visit the temple on January 15.

"There are no restrictions on anyone. There was a personal invitation and massive politicisation of the event was seen. We have refused to go on January 22. We are free to go anytime," she added.

Also read: On shankaracharya's criticism of Mandir event, Cong's 'why in hurry' query to PM

BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the decision to not visit Ayodhya for the January 22 event, displayed the Congress's arrogance.

This is just their arrogance. There is nothing new in it. They boycotted Parliament, Constitution, Democracy. People have also decided to boycott them and that is why they are in such a situation. They are frustrated that the matter, which they kept delaying by creating several hurdles, has now been resolved peacefully and amicably, he said.

Meanwhile, the Vishva Hindu Parishad said apart from the Jyotir Peeth's head, all shankaracharyas have expressed joy over the event.

"Ram Lalla is to be settled on the ground floor, which is complete... A 'muhurat' (auspicious time) has been decided at 12.20 pm. The Pranpratishtha is going to take place in a complete temple with all rituals... I have never seen such a reason to decline the invitation stating that the temple is incomplete except from the Head of Jyotir Peeth. Three shankaracharyas have expressed joy at the completion of the temple and welcomed the Pran Pratishtha," VHP international working president Alok Kumar told ANI.

With inputs from PTI, ANI
The debris of an Indian Air Force AN-32 transport aircraft, which plunged into the Bay of Bengal almost eight years ago with 29 people on board, has possibly been located at a depth of 3,400 metres in the sea, the defence ministry announced on Friday. Twenty-nine personnel were on board the aircraft. (File photo)

The aircraft went missing while flying from Chennai to Port Blair on July 22, 2016. Massive search and rescue operations were launched but without any outcome: neither debris nor survivors were found.

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The likely breakthrough came after the National Institute of Ocean Technology, which comes under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, recently deployed an autonomous underwater vehicle with deep sea exploration capability at the last known location of the missing plane, the defence ministry said in a statement.

Also Read: Massive search Ops on to locate missing AN-32 aircraft

This search was conducted at a depth of 3,400 m using multiple payloads, including a multi-beam sonar (sound navigation and ranging), synthetic aperture sonar and high-resolution photography. Analysis of the search images had indicated the presence of debris of a crashed aircraft on the seabed around 140 nautical miles (310 km) from the Chennai coast, it said.

The images from the seabed were scrutinised and found to be conforming with an AN-32 aircraft.

This discovery at the probable crash site, with no other recorded history of any other missing aircraft report in the same area, points to the debris as possibly belonging to the crashed IAF AN-32 (K-2743).

The aircraft, which disappeared over the Bay of Bengal, took off from Tambaram in Chennai at 8:30am. The plane was flying 12 air force personnel, one each from the army, navy and coast guard and eight civilians, some of them family members of soldiers. It also had a crew of six.

The plane made its last radio contact at 8:46 am and was last seen on the radar at 9:12am when it was 151 nautical miles east of Chennai. It was due to arrive at Port Blair, about 1400 km away, at 11:45am. The aircraft was at a height of 23,000 feet and losing altitude when it lost contact with ground control.

P-8I surveillance aircraft, Dorniers, helicopters and several frontline warships were involved in the search and rescue around 200 nautical miles east of Chennai.

The AN-32 is a Soviet-origin military transport aircraft that has been in service with IAF since 1984. The aircraft can fly for up to four hours without refuelling. The air force has a fleet of around 100 AN-32s. The planes have been upgraded and modernised with advanced avionics, communications systems, landing aids, and better seats.

The one that crashed in the Bay of Bengal was overhauled and upgraded at the IAFs 1 Base Repair Depot in Kanpur in September 2015. It had flown 279 hours after being upgraded.
The debris of the Indian Air Forces An-32 aircraft that went missing over the Bay of Bengal in 2016 with 29 people onboard has been found after seven years, the union ministry of defence said on Friday. According to an official statement, an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), deployed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology, was used to locate the missing aircraft on the sea bed approximately 310 kilometers from the Chennai coast. The debris of the Indian Air Forces An-32 aircraft that went missing over the Bay of Bengal in 2016 with 29 people onboard has been found.(Twitter)

The search was conducted at a depth of 3,400 meters using several payloads, including a multi-beam SONAR (Sound Navigation and Ranging), synthetic aperture SONAR, and high-resolution photography, the defence ministry said.

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The search images were scrutinised and found to be conforming with an An-32 aircraft. This discovery at the probable crash site, with no other recorded history of any other missing aircraft report in the same area, points to the debris as possibly belonging to the crashed IAF An-32 (K-2743), the official statement read.

The IAF's An-32 twin-engine aircraft mysteriously disappeared over the Bay of Bengal on July 22, 2016. The aircraft took off from the Tambaram Air Force Station in Chennai at around 8:30 am and was due to arrive at Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands around midday. However, the authorities lost radar contact with the aircraft at around 9:12 am when the plane was about 280 kilometers east of Chennai.

There were 29 people onboard the aircraft including - six crew members, 11 IAF personnel, two Indian Army soldiers - one each from the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard, and eight defence civilians working with the Naval Armament Depot.

The search and rescue operation for the aircraft became one of India's largest search operations with the Indian Army soldiers using a submarine, surface vessels, and several aircraft to locate the plane. While on August 1, 2016, it was confirmed that the aircraft had no underwater locator beacon, the rescue mission was called off on September 15, 2016, with all the people onboard presumed dead.
The government will lay down rules on deepfakes by notifying amendments to the IT Rules in the next seven to 10 days, minister of state for electronics and information technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar told social media companies on Thursday, citing their purported lack of action on such content, a person aware of the matter said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed concern over misuse of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to create deepfakes. (File)

The meeting, attended by representatives from Meta, Google/YouTube, ShareChat, Snap and Jio, along with officials from multiple ministries and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), was called to discuss deepfakes, a problem the administration has lately become sensitive about, especially since the Prime Minister brought it up in November.

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Chandrasekhar, according to a person aware of the discussions who asked not to be named, referred to three meetings held between the ministry and the industry between late November and early December, two advisories and two letters sent by the government to improve action on such content when asked by a Meta representative whether there will be any public consultation before the notification.

HT reported on January 6 the three main amendments related to deepfakes that the ministry of electronics and information technology (Meity) was considering. These include proposed amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 that will define deepfakes, expand the definition of a grievance, and make it obligatory for all intermediaries to remind users of disallowed content under rule 3(1)(b) every 15 days in clear and precise language.

Also Read | Remove misinfo, deepfakes: MeitY to intermediaries

In addition, HT has learnt, that Chandrasekhar wants the IT Rules to define misinformation as well.

The meeting was attended by chairperson of the NCPCR Priyank Kanoongo, who has separately summoned YouTubes head of government affairs and public policy in India, Mira Chatt, over trending online challenges on YouTube that portray potentially indecent acts involving mothers and sons.

During the meeting on Friday, Kanoongo told the social media companies that they should promote positive content that is child-friendly and does not cause distraction. He told the companies not to tell NCPCR to advertise to raise awareness on these harms since NCPCR does not have money, the person cited above said.

The meeting was attended by multiple officials from Meity, NCPCR and the ministry of women and child development.

The question of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on social media services too came up and Chandrasekhar said the ministry is contemplating introducing a bystander clause to the IT Rules, under which these digital companies will have to help users file FIRs against illegal content.

A representative from ShareChat said that this was not financially feasible as it would divert time, human and financial resources towards this.

A representative from YouTube told Chandrasekhar that the video sharing platform was already in compliance and were reporting CSAM to the relevant authorities. Chandrasekhar said the steps were not enough, and they would have to file FIRs as well. Kanoongo said that there was a provision to that effect under POCSO as well but HT could not ascertain which provision that was.

Representatives from Meta and YouTube did not respond to requests for a comment till the time of going to print.

In the past, the junior IT minister has spoken about plans where the government could help affected users file police cases. After the November 24 meeting, Chandrasekhar told reporters: A Rule 7 officer has been nominated and the process to invoke Rule 7 will be done whenever platforms are non-compliant with the rules. And that will open up for those who are aggrieved by this [and can] file FIRs and Meity will assist with a platform that will help the users very easily notify Meity about violations of Rule 3(1)(b). Meity will design a mechanism to help with FIR filing in a smooth manner, he said.

After the first meeting on the issue on November 23, Union IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had said that the government would bring in a new regulation to deal with deepfakes and synthetic content online even if the form of the regulation at that time was undetermined.

A day later, Chandrasekhar told the intermediaries that while the extant laws are enough to deal with the issue of deepfakes, the government does not want to foreclose the possibility of a new regulation, if the need arises.
India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Friday conducted a successful flight test of the New Generation AKASH (AKASH-NG) missile. The test was done at 10:30 AM from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha, against a high-speed unmanned aerial target at very low altitude. The AKASH-NG missile system is state-of-the-art and possesses capability of intercepting high-speed, agile aerial threats. It has a range of around 80 km. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducts a flight test of the New Generation AKASH (AKASH-NG) missile from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha(PTI)

The official account of DRDO on X(formerly Twitter) shared a video of the missile test and captioned it as: "Next Generation Akash missile successfully flight tested from ITR , Chandipur off the coast of Odisha today at 10:30hrs against a high speed unmanned aerial target at very low altitude."

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The Ministry of Defence announced the successful functioning of the complete weapon system."It has validated the functioning of the complete weapon system consisting of the missile with an indigenously developed radio frequency seeker, launcher, multi-function radar and command, control and communication system," said the Ministry of Defence as quoted by news agency ANI.

ALSO READ| Atal Setu: All you need to know about India's longest sea bridge

During the flight test, senior officers from DRDO, the Indian Air Force (IAF), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) were present.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the flight test and highlighted its significance in boosting India's defence. "The successful development of the system will further enhance the air defence capabilities of the country, he said.

About India's Akash Weapon System

The Akash Weapon System has been indigenously designed and developed by the DRDO and produced by defence public sector units along with other industries. Multiple advanced versions of the missile are under development by the team.

The weapon system has received orders at the international level. Also countries in the Middle East have shown interest in it.
An incident of firing has been reported in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, which prompted the security forces to launch an search operation, officials said on Friday. Security personnel search the area in the Poonch sector (File)

According to the reports, the firing incident has been reported at Dhara Dhullian area in Lower Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch.

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Reports claimed that the firing was aimed at a cavalcade of vehicles of the security forces and the terrorists may have escaped after the initial exchange of gunfire. No injuries have been reported so far.

"At around 1800 today, a security forces convoy of vehicles was fired upon by suspected terrorists from a jungle near Krishna Ghati (in) Poonch sector. No casualties to own troops. Joint search operations by Jammu and Kashmir Police and Indian Army in progress," the Army said.

A defence spokesperson said details of the incident were being ascertained.

The incident comes days after terrorists had ambushed two army vehicles in Dhatyar Morh of Surankote in December, which had left four soldiers dead and three injured.

The Peoples Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF), an offshoot of the Jaish-e-Mohammad had claimed the responsibility of the December attack.

The incident was reported after Northern Army Commander reviewed the anti-terror operational plan for the year 2024 in light of the prevailing security situation in Jammu region.

Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi reviewed the plan and outlined the strategy to neutralise the terrorists, officials said.

All the stakeholders assured to work in synergy to achieve the desired outcome, eradicating roots of terrorism in the PoonchRajouri region. This was the fourth high-level review meeting in the line in wake of the situations arising in Rajouri-Poonch region.

Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande also emphasised on the security situation in the Rajouri-Poonch region.

He said that the situation in Rajouri-Poonch region is a matter of "concern" and enhancing deployment of troops, boosting intelligence apparatus and reaching out to local people are part of measures being initiated to contain terrorist activities in the area.

The Army Chief said there has been an increase in terrorist activities in Rajouri-Poonch region in the last five-six months.

"In the last five to six months, in Rajouri and Poonch, there has been an increase in terrorism. Terrorism in that area was eradicated in 2003 and peace was there till 2017-18," he said.

Nineteen soldiers were killed in four attacks by the terrorists in Rajouri and Poonch in 2023. However, the security forces have also encountered over 30 terrorists in the two districts both on the LoC and the hinterland.

On Thursday, the CRPF recovered four improvised explosive devices (IEDs) fitted in tiffin boxes and about two dozen bullets of AK series assault rifles in Rajouri district, while a day before, security forces seized narcotics weighing 2.5 kg from a forward village near the LoC in Poonch.

(With bureau, agency inputs)
NEW DELHI: NEW DELHI: The Indian astronauts who will be travelling to space on the Indian Space Research Organisations (Isro) Gaganyaan spacecraft will likely wear Russian-made spacesuits, despite speculation that the indigenously made Intra Vehicular Activity (IVA) suits may be used. Isro chairman S Somanath said earlier this month that 2024 will be the year for Gaganyaan (FILE/REPRESENTATIVE IMAGE)

Documents reviewed by HT show that while the space agency has nearly completed work on its IVA suits, developed by the Vikram Sarabhai Space, the Gaganyaan mission  which is Indias first manned spaceflight  will see Isro sticking to Plan A of suiting up the three Indian astronauts in Russian spacesuits.

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Considering the programmatic requirements and to doubly ensure the crew safety, it is planned to induct Russian space suits for the (Gaganyaan) mission, one of the documents said.

Isro chairman S Somanath said earlier this month that 2024 will be the year for Gaganyaan. The coming months will see several rounds of tests and technology demonstrations for the mission, which aims to demonstrate Isros human spaceflight capability by launching a crew of three members to an orbit of 400km for a three-day mission and bringing them back safely.

Leading up to the actual manned mission, the space agency will be conducting several rounds of tests. After the TV-D1 test flight demonstration, which was carried out in October last year, the space agency will also be carrying out a test flight with a robot, Vyomitra, a humanoid astronaut, and an unmanned flight before the manned mission, possibly scheduled for 2025, according to officials from the department of space.

Last year, the space agency completed some key trials related to the mission. On February 7, Isro, along with the Indian Navy carried out the initial recovery trials of crew module in the Water Survival Test Facility (WSTF) of the Indian Navy in Kochi. The trials were part of the preparation for crew module recovery operations, Isro also tested the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS) on July 19 at the Isro Propulsion Complex (IPRC) in Mahendragiri. On October 21, the agency conducted the first developmental flight of test vehicle (TV-D1) with the in-flight abort demonstration of the crew escape system (CES).

Isro scientists confirmed that the three astronaut designates have already been to Russia for their suit trials.

On September 3 (2023), Indian cosmonauts who have been training for a spaceflight in Russia under the contract of Glavkosmos, visited Zvezda, where their anthropometric parameters were measured for the subsequent production of spacesuits, Glavkosmos, a subsidiary of the Roscosmos, the Russian space agency said in a statement last year.

Isro scientists that HT spoke to, however, said that this was not a confirmation that the final choice would definitely be the Russian-made suits.
External affairs minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and US secretary of state Antony Blinken discussed the shared concerns over the reckless Houthi attacks in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, US state department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Thursday. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and India's external affairs minister S Jaishankar.(X / @DrSJaishankar)

The reckless nature of these attacks, threatening the free flow of commerce, endangering innocent mariners, and violating international law, formed a crucial part of the dialogue, according to a US state department readout.

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The Secretary emphasized the Red Sea is a major commercial corridor that facilitates international trade and welcomed increased cooperation with India in defending freedom of navigation in the region, Miller said.

Beyond maritime security, the talks also addressed the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Both leaders discussed concerted efforts to prevent the conflict's escalation and explored avenues to enhance the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.

A good discussion this evening with my friend US state secretary Antony Blinken, Jaishankar said in a social media post on X.

Our conversation focused on maritime security challenges, especially the Red Sea region. Appreciated his insights on ongoing situation in West Asia, including Gaza, he added.

"Exchanged perspectives on developments pertaining to the Ukraine conflict."

The discussions took place amid a massive retaliatory strike by the US and British militaries targeting a dozen sites used by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen. The military targets included logistical hubs, air defense systems and weapons storage locations, reported Associated Press quoting several US officials.

The strikes marked the first U.S. military response to what has been a persistent campaign of drone and missile attacks on commercial ships since the start of the Israel-Hamas.
In the wake of Israel's war on Hamas in Gaza and persistent attacks by Shia Houthi militia on commercial shipping in Red and Arabian Seas, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is bound for Iran in a couple of days to engage the leadership in mitigating global concerns in the Middle-East region. External affairs minister S Jaishankar with Iran President Ebrahim Raisi.

Minister Jaishankars visit to meet Iranian leadership comes after US-UK forces attacked Houthi military positions on Thursday night in South Yemen including drone, missile, and radar sites which were used to target commercial shipping in the Red Sea and off the Gulf of Aden. The EAM also spoke to US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken last night over the escalating situation in the Middle East and the missile threat it poses to the global economy. Jaishankar was in Russia for five days over the year-end and was part of Prime Minister Narendra Modis delegation during the meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayaed al Nahyan on the sidelines of the Vibrant Gujarat summit on January 10. India has kept in touch with Middle-East powers over the unfolding crisis including key players like Saudi Arabia.

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It is understood that during his visit EAM Jaishankar will meet his counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahain and will also try to call on Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. The talks are expected to be candid as India is concerned both over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza as well as Houthi attacks on commercial ships like MV Chem Pluto off the Indian coast using loitering ammunition and long-range drones like Shahed 136.

While the two sides are expecting frank views on how to contain the fall-out of the Israel war on Hamas in Gaza, India has made it very clear that the Palestinian cause does not in any way justify the October 7 massacre in South Israel by Hamas terrorists. The conversation with Iranian leadership and their views will be constructive as Tehran is the force behind the Houthis, Hamas, Hezbollah and Kaitab Hezbollah in the region.

Although the focus of Jaishankars brief trip will be on the escalating crisis in the Middle East, he will also discuss the North-South Trade Corridor that goes via Chabahar port in Iran and the security situation in the Caucuses with the ongoing Azerbaijan-Armenian conflict.

India supports the two-state solution ending the Israel-Palestine conflict but is opposed to the use of terrorism for political objectives. It is against uncalled-for Houthi attacks on commercial shipping and has made it evident but sending no less than five warships into the region. While India has taken on Somalian pirates off the Gulf of Aden, it is also a key stakeholder in building infrastructure in the Middle East including the path-breaking Middle-East Economic Corridor.
New Delhi: India and the US on Friday discussed ways to boost bilateral trade amid volatile global geopolitical scenario and further deepen economic cooperation between the two countries during visiting United States Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tais meetings with external affairs minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi on Friday. EAM S Jaishankar (left) met with US trade representative Katherine Tai in New Delhi on Friday (Twitter/@DrSJaishankar)

Delighted to meet USTR @AmbassadorTai today in Delhi. Appreciate the tremendous progress in our bilateral trade in recent years. Also value @USTradeReps perspective on challenges to the international economy, Jaishankar said in a post on X.

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Tai also attended the 14th ministerial-level meeting of the India-US Trade Policy Forum (TPF), which she co-chaired along with commerce minister Goyal.

Honble Commerce & Industry Minister, Shri @PiyushGoyal met US #Trade Representative, @AmbassadorTai today at Vanijya Bhawan. During the session, HCIM [Honble Commerce and Industry Minister] and USTR discussed a range of measures to Strengthen #Economic Cooperation between #India & the USA, commerce ministry said in a social media post.

In one post, Goyal said, Amidst productive deliberations, both sides reiterated their commitment to enhance trade & investment ties for adding further momentum to the growing India-US partnership.

HT on Friday reported that besides enhancing trade between the two countries to its true potential, India was interested in resolving five immediate issues  marine exports, business visas, social security, access to Indian pharmaceutical products, and exports of table grapes and mangoes at the fourteenth TPF. Tai is visiting New Delhi from January 12-14.

Restoration of the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) that the Trump administration (45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021, Donald Trump) had withdrawn in 2019 and securing the Trade Agreements Act (TAA)-designated country status are other larger issues for New Delhi.

The GSP is a trade program that provides nonreciprocal, duty- free treatment for certain US imports.

Indias status as one of the TAA-designated countries would help Indian businesses sell their products to the US government, but such deals are often based on overall negotiations and reciprocity.

The US may press India to reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers to allow American agricultural products and raise the issue of trade deficit, HT reported on Wednesday. Officials, who asked not to be named, said trade between India and the US must be equitable but cannot be on an equal basis as one is a highly developed economy and the other is a developing country.

Under Ambassador Tai and minister Goyals leadership, the Trade Policy Forum has helped remove trade barriers and facilitate cooperation on key issues, the office of USTR said in a statement on January 5.

According to it, Tai will discuss a broad set of issues to enhance the resiliency of the trade relationship, including agriculture, industrial products, services, and the protection of intellectual property, among other topics.

Tai is also meeting civil society representatives, business leaders, and stakeholders on January 13 to discuss the Biden-Harris Administrations engagement and commitment to fostering closer ties between the two countries.
Savad, the prime accused in the 2010 professor palm-chopping case, who was hiding from the law for 13 years, acquired a false identity, got married, and had two children, investigators said on Thursday, a day after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested him from Kannur district. On July 4, 2010, TJ Joseph, a former head of Malayalam department of Newman College in Thodupuzha in Idukki district, was attacked by a group of PFI workers in Muvattupuzha in Ernakulam district.(File)

Savad, from Ashamannur in Ernakulam district, allegedly used a hatchet to chop off the palm of Malayalam professor TJ Joseph in July 2010. He went missing after the incident. He was picked up by NIA sleuths in the early hours of Wednesday from a rented home in Beram ward of Mattannur municipality.

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Officials aware of the investigation said that he was working as a carpenter in Beram and was known to locals and neighbours as Shahjahan. He lived with his wife, from Majeshwaram in neighbouring Kasaragod district, and two children. There was a reward of 10 lakh for information leading to his arrest.

Of the 42 accused who faced trial, 19 were convicted for various offences in connection with the case.

Also Read | Three get life term in Kerala professors palm chopping case

On Thursday, Abdul Rehman, Savads father-in-law, said that he did not know his daughters husband was a man on the run, and came to know only through TV news channels.

I didnt know about his involvement [in the case] at all. I came to know about it when it flashed on TV channels. Thats when my daughter told my wife about his arrest, said Rehman, who lives in Majeshwaram on the Kerala-Karnataka border.

He said that he came in touch with Savad in 2016 at a dargah in Ullal, a town in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka close to the Kerala border.

He introduced himself as Shahjahan and said he lived in Valapattanam in Kannur district. After we became familiar over time, we spoke about him marrying my daughter. He told us that he didnt have any family or friends and that he lived alone. We didnt think to investigate his background at the time, said Rehman, adding that the wedding took place in 2016.

When probed further, he said that he had given all the information to the investigators. Please ask them, dont trouble us. Savads wife was not available for comment.

An officer at Mattannur police station who did not want to be named said Savad lived with his family in Beram for at least 11 months, before which he was in Valapattanam and Vilakkode, both in Kannur district, for varying periods.

A team of our special branch is investigating how he managed to live here under a false identity for so many years and who helped him, said the officer.

While Savad has been remanded in judicial custody till January 22, NIA is probing the alleged involvement of Popular Front of India and Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) leaders in helping Savad find a job and a home over these years. The agency has reportedly confiscated a phone and a SIM card used by the accused from his rented home which will help reveal the role of others in the case.

Investigators said Savad was on their radar after they were tipped off about his presence in Beram.

Joseph, the Malayalam professor whose palm was chopped off for allegedly insulting Prophet Mohammed in an internal exam question paper, said that the real conspirators who planned the attack on him and sent the men, including Savad, for the job, have still not been caught.

(Police) define him as the first accused, but in my heart, he or the men who attacked me that day are not the key accused. I believe that the people who conspired against me and sent these men to attack me are the real accused. They have not been included in this case. They are still hidden from plain sight, he said.

As long as they are not caught, such criminal and terrorist activities will continue to happen, the professor said.
Speaking about the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple consecration ceremony, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stalwart Lal Krishna Advani has said that the inauguration of the temple was a "fulfillment of a divine dream" as the destiny had decided that a grand temple of Lord Ram will be built in Ayodhya and it chose Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this. Lal Krishna Advani(File)

Read here: Modi to undertake set of rituals ahead of Ram Temple consecration

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In his article 'Ram Mandir Nirman, Ek Divya Swapna Ki Purti', which will be published in a special edition of Rashtradharma, a76-year-old Hindi literature magazine, Advani observed that PM Modi was with him throughout the Rath Yatra.

"He was not very famous then. But at that very time Lord Ram had chosen his devotee (Modi) to rebuild his temple," news agency PTI reported citing a source quoting the BJP veteran.

"At that time I felt that destiny had decided that one day a grand temple of Shri Ram would definitely be built in Ayodhya. Well, now it's only a matter of time," he added.

Advani also stated that when the pran-prathistha ceremony would take place, PM Modi would be representing every citizen of the country.

"When Narendra Modi consecrates the (Lord Ram's idol at the) temple, he will represent every citizen of our India. I pray that this temple inspires all Indians to adopt the qualities of Shri Ram," Advani said.

In his article, he mentioned about the 'Ram Rath Yatra' which he took out 33 years ago for Ram Janmabhoomi temple construction from Gujarat's Somnath on September 25, 1990, and culminated with the demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992.

"Today the Rath Yatra completed 33 years. When we started the Rath Yatra on the morning of September 25, 1990, we did not know that the faith in Lord Ram with which we were starting this Yatra would take the form of a movement in the country," he said.

"A few days after the Rath Yatra started, I realised that I was just a charioteer. The main messenger of the Rath Yatra was the chariot itself and was worthy of worship because it was going to Shri Ram's birthplace Ayodhya to fulfill the sacred purpose of building the temple," he added.

Read here: Who are 4 Shankaracharyas refusing to attend Ram Mandir event on Jan 22?

The Rath Yatra which Advani co-led with BJP veteran Murali Manohar Joshi, snowballed into communal violence across parts of north India.

The BJP veteran further said that during the 'Rath Yatra', he encountered many instances which influenced his life. He also believed that the movement was the "most decisive and transformative event" in his political journey as it allowed him to re-discover India and, in the process, re-understand himself.

"During the Rath Yatra, there were many experiences which influenced my life. Unknown people from remote villages would come to me overwhelmed with emotion after seeing the chariot. They would do 'pranam', chant Lord Ram's name and leave.

"This was a message that there were many people who dreamt of the Ram temple... With the consecration of the temple on January 22, the suppressed desires of those villagers will also stand fulfilled," he added.

A copy of the special edition of the magazine with Advani's article will be distributed among all those who will attend the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya.

The preparations are in full swing for the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla in the newly built Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya on January 22. Vishva Hindu Parishad has invited the 96-year-old BJP stalwart to attend the consecration ceremony in the temple town.

Read here: BJP's Lal Krishna Advani to attend Ram Temple consecration ceremony: VHP

The Ram Mandir, constructed in the traditional Nagara style, is a three-storied shrine, measuring 380 feet in length (east-west direction), 250 feet in width, and 161 feet in height. It has a total of 392 pillars and 44 doors. It features five Mandaps (halls) -- Nritya Mandap, Rang Mandap, Sabha Mandap, Prarthna and Kirtan Mandap.

(With inputs from PTI)
Guwahati: The newly formed Zoram Peoples Movement (ZPM) government in Mizoram has constituted a committee to discuss the ongoing boundary dispute with Assam, officials disclosed on Friday. Chief minister of Mizoram Lalduhoma. (PTI)

Resolving the decades old border differences with Assam was one of the promises made by the new government, which assumed office in November last year under chief minister Lalduhoma.

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The committee will be headed by home minister Sapdanga and have environment, forest and climate change minister Lalthansanga as vice-chairman and home commissioner and secretary H Lalengmawia as member secretary.

A notification in this regard was issued on January 3 following an approval from the state cabinet on December 20. With this, the earlier committee, which was formed in 2021 by the previous Mizo National Front (MNF) government, stand dissolved.

Other members of the committee include advisor to the chief minister (political) Lalmuanpuia Punte, chief secretary Renu Sharma, Director General of Police (DGP) Anil Shukla, and Joseph K Lalfakzuala, an assistant professor at the state-run T Romana College.

The notification, which HT has seen, mentions that there will be one member each from Bharatiya Janata Party, Congress, Mizo National Front (MNF), Zoram Peoples Movement (ZPM) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the committee.

Prominent civil society groups and NGOs of the state, NGO Coordination Committee, Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA), Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), Mizoram Upa Pawl (MUP) or Mizoram Elders Association, Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP) or Mizo Women Federation, Mizo Students Union (MSU) and Joint Action Committee on Inner Line Reserve Forest Demand will also have one representative each in the committee.

The chairman (Sapdanga) may invite any person to the meeting as he consider necessary, the notification issued by H Lalengmawia, commissioner and secretary (home), read.

According to officials in Aizawl, CM Lalduhoma and his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma was expected to meet later this month during the plenary session of North Eastern Council (NEC) to be held in Shillong on January 19 where they were likely to discuss the border issue.

Mizoram shares a 164.6 km inter- state border with Assam. The border dispute between the two states is a long-standing issue. Mizoram was part of Assam until 1972, when it was carved out as a union territory.

Also Read: Mizoram, Assam agree to maintain cordial relations between police forces

The border dispute mainly came out of two colonial notifications- the inner line reserved forest notified under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) in 1875 and the boundary indicated in Survey of Indias map in 1933.

While Mizoram claimed the 509 square miles stretch of the inner line reserved forest as its actual boundary, Assam said the 1933 boundary is its constitutional boundary.

The border has witnessed skirmishes especially since 1994 and it has become frequent since 2018. More than 60 people were injured when functionaries of Mizorams apex student body- Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) clashed with Assam police at Zophai in the disputed area near Bairabi town in Kolasib district in March 2018.

The border dispute between the two neighbouring states turned ugly in July, 2021 when police forces of the two states exchanged fire on the disputed area near Vairengte village on the National Highway-306 leading to the death of six policemen and a civilian from Assam.

Around 60 people had also been injured in the violent clash, which was followed by a blockade organised by residents of Assams Laipur village on NH-306, the lifeline of Mizoram for nearly a month. Tension was defused later with the intervention of the Centre and when both states agreed to hold talks.

The two states have held several rounds of talks since then and agreed to maintain peace along the boundary and resolve the dispute through dialogue. There is no ground demarcation of boundaries between the two states.

(HT has reached out to Mizoram home minister Sapdanga for his comments on the development. Story will be updated once his views are available.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday offered prayers at Shree Kalaram temple on the banks of Godavari in Maharashtras Nashik days before the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22. Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Shree Kalaram Mandir in Nashik. (ANI)

Shree Kalaram Temple was built in 1782 at the site of an old wooden structure where Lord Ram is believed to have lived during exile. It is also known for BR Ambedkars protest in March 1930 seeking entry for Dalits into the shrine.

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Modi first conducted a jal pujan at the Godavari river before arriving at the Shree Kalaram Temple, where he performed aarti. Later addressing a gathering in Nashik, Modi said, Various great personalities of India are connected to Maharashtra. Lord Ram spent a lot of time in Nashik, the land of Panchavati. Today, I bow to this land and salute with reverence.

In a post on X, Modi said, At the Shree Kalaram Temple, I had the profound experience of hearing verses from the Bhavarth Ramayana written in Marathi by Sant Eknath Ji, eloquently narrating Prabhu Shri Rams triumphant return to Ayodhya. This recitation, resonating with devotion and history, was a very special experience.

Modi also cleaned the premises of the temple as a part of his call to keep religious places clean. I called for carrying out cleanliness drive at temples and other religious places. Today I got the opportunity to offer prayers and clean the Shree Kalaram Temple premises. He reiterated the call for the drive ahead of the Ram Temple consecration.

Modis initial plan did not include a visit to Shree Kalaram Temple. Former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray has said he will offer prayers there on January 22 when Ayodhya Ram Temple will be consecrated.

Sanjay Raut, a leader of Shiv Senas Thackeray faction, said Modis initial plans did not include a Kalaram Temple visit. But as Shiv Sena has announced we will do Puja in Kalaram Mandir on January 22, they also planned Modis visit.

Modi also held a road show ahead of attending a festival on the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekanand. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, his deputies Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar were among those who accompanied him.

Modi called on eradicating all forms of dynasty politics. He added that youth participation in politics will dilute dynasty politics. First-time voters can bring new energy and strength to our democracy. He said India is among the top five economies of the world and added that youth power is behind this. India is among the top three start-up systems in the world. India is making innovations. India is filing record patents...
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Friday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Nashik's Kalaram Temple saying that the latter's visit to the shrine was earlier not included in the schedule but later listed after Uddhav Thackeray announced to visit there on January 22 on the occasion of Ram Lalla consecration ceremony in Ayodhya. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut(HT_PRINT)

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"Narendra Modi is in Nashik today. His initial plans didn't include a Kalaram Temple visit. But as Shivsena has announced, we will do Pooja in Kalaram Temple on January 2. So they planned PM's visit to Kalaram Temple," news agency ANI quoted Raut as saying.

Taking a jibe at PM Modi for not visiting Manipur hit by ethnic clashes since May last year, Raut said Uddhav Sena is planning a visit to Manipur's Ram Temple adding that PM Modi may follow suit and solve the issues there.

"We are planning to go to Ayodhya after January 22 and a Ram temple of Manipur also. We hope that after we visit Manipur, the PM will also visit Manipur and solve its problems too where he is not going despite so many issues awaiting his attention," he added.

The Sena MP further questioned the alleged delay in the operation of the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link or the Atal Setu, which PM Modi is set to inaugurate today.

"The inauguration of this bridge (Atal Setu) was pending for a long time. The Prime Minister does not get time until the elections come," Raut said.

"We had asked this question again and again. If the work is completed and the PM does not have time, then you open it for the public. But BJP has a role when the PM does not have time, no scheme is for the people," he added.

PM Modi is on a visit to Maharashtra on Friday where he would dedicate the projects worth over 30,000 crore. He inaugurated and addressed the 27th National Youth Festival in Nashik on the occasion of Swami Vivekanand Jayanti and offered prayers at the Kalaram Mandir.

In Mumbai, he will inaugurate the Sheva Atal Setu connecting Sewri in Mumbai and Nhava Sheva of Uran taluka in Raigad district, built at a cost of about 17,840 crore

During the event, PM Modi will also dedicate about ,2000 crore railway projects to the nation. He will also launch Namo Mahila Shashaktikaran Abhiyaan which aims to empower women in the state by providing skill development training and exposure to entrepreneurship development.

(With inputs from ANI)
Punjab has touted the fact that the number of farm fires came down from 49,922 in 2022 to 36,623 last year, a fall of 26% in a pollution source blamed for the national capitals poor air in October and November, but it now emerges that stubble on 19 lakh hectares was burnt in 2023, an increase of 26% over the stubble on 15 lakh hectares burnt in 2022. District teams douse a fire in a paddy field in Mansa in Punjab in November. (HT Photo)

That area also corresponds to two-thirds of the area of paddy (rice) in the state.

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The data, made available by the states own remote sensing centre highlights the apathy with which administrators, both in the state and the Centre, have approached the problem. To be sure, Delhis air quality is bad around the year, but stubble fires, mostly from Punjab  Haryana and Uttar Pradesh also contribute a bit  are a major source of pollutants in October and November.

There is no doubt about the fact that the trend is very worrisome, and Punjabs prestige is also at stake. So we need to take serious steps, said KAP Sinha, special chief secretary rank Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer who heads the states agriculture department, while addressing a day-long workshop on Wednesday to discuss steps to curb stubble burning.

He added that the agriculture department and other state entities would not wait until the middle of the year to start preparations, but start this month itself. Sinha said the process to supply subsidized machines to farmers for in-situ (mixing stubble into the soil) management of crop residue management will start immediately.

The director of the state remote sensing centre Dr. B. Pateriya added that the solution requires technological advancements and a strong political will. Farmers constitute a strong political lobby and the Aam Aadmi Party, which runs Delhi, and which was extremely critical of Punjabs handling of the stubble fires in the past, has effected a U-turn after it came to power in the state.

Pateriya stood by the data that showed an increase in the area of fires: One can camouflage the number of fires but satellite reads the area burnt accurately, so is the story of fall in number of cases and increase in the area, he added, pointing out that a satellite imaging system cannot be cheated.

There are several reasons why Punjabs farmers prefer to burn the stubble. The dependance on mechanised harvesting means fields are left with a stubble which is easily, inexpensively, and quickly removed by burning. Speed is important because the gap between the harvest of paddy and the planting of wheat is slim  in turn an effect of a water conservation law that dictates when the paddy crop can be planted. Then, theres the issue of availability of machines that can deal with the stubble, and the expertise to use them.

Bhartiya Kisan Union president Balbir Singh Rajewal claimed farmers are a soft target, and insisted that industry and vehicular traffic cause more pollution. He accepted that burning should stop, while demanding that the farmers are already in distress and they need support from the government beyond the supply of subsidised machines.

About 20 million tonne of paddy straw is generated in the paddy harvest season, which also includes 3.3 million tonne stubble of the premium aromatic basmati variety. Out of the total paddy straw, the state government manages around 11.5 million tonne through various in-situ management measures and 4.67 million tonne by the ex-situ (evacuating stubble from the fields) method.

In 2018, with the intervention of the Prime Ministers Office, a scheme for the supply of subsidized machines to manage stubble was launched. Till 2022 a total of 1,370 crore was given to farmers for purchase of machines; in all 1.17 lakh machines were acquired. In 2023, the Centre sanctioned 350 crore , and the state had to 140 crore.
From the skies, the 21.8-kilometre-long sea-link appears like an umbilical cord that binds the island city of Mumbai to the hinterland  which is apt, for if all goes to plan, the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) or the Atal Setu, to be declared open by Prime Minister Modi on Friday, will help birth a Third Mumbai. A night view of the MTHL- Mumbai Trans Harbour Link Road.(Satish Bate/ Hindustan Times)

The countrys financial capital, home to the largest number of billionaires in India, the creative heart of its soft power, has long been served poorly in terms of infrastructure. For Mumbais over 21 million residents, the lack of available land  the citys area of 468 sq km translates into a density of 50,000 people per square kilometre  has meant that the only thing Maximum about the City is the pressure it puts people under.

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In 1965, two architects, Charles Correa and Pravina Mehta, and Shirish Patel, an engineer by training and an urban planner at heart, wrote a paper in an issue of MARG magazine proposing the idea of a New Bombay, east of the existing one. While New Bombay did eventually come up  the birthing was mired in bureaucratic delays and corruption  their proposal to build a road and rail bridge over the sea from Sewri in the island city to Nhava Sheva where the Jawaharlal Nehru Port would come up, remained on paper. Now, 59 years on, that connector has finally arrived, albeit in a snazzier and different form.

A massive makeover

Mumbai is in the midst of a $30-billion makeover, and if the city appears like a giant construction site its because of the staggering scale of the reimagining of its colonial infrastructure. MTHL is a key piece of that effort. Theres also the 360-kilometre-long metro being built, as also the coastal road that serves as a parallel artery hugging the coast along the citys north-south axis. But equally ambitious, given the linear geography of the city, is the plan to create a circular east-west connectivity. In addition to the projects mentioned above, there is a road connector underway between Worli in the south west of the city to Sewri on the eastern seafront from where MTHL starts. Theres also a tunnel being built which will connect Marine Drive to the Eastern Freeway at the point where MTHL begins. Finally, at the other end of MTHL, in Navi Mumbai across the sea, there is the proposed Chirle-Palaspe which will lead motorists directly to Mumbais second international airport which is under construction and also join it to the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. Currently, it takes 30 minutes to reach the expressway; the Chirle-Palaspe connector will bring that time down to 5 minutes.

A look a the the key features of the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link.(HT graphics)

If these projects are indeed ready by next year as expected, they will cool some of the heartburn in Mumbai over losing the competitive edge to GIFT City in Gandhinagar or even Chennai and Bengaluru. There is now the potential to create Maharashtras own golden triangle connecting Mumbai-Pune-Nashik which is the states industrial and prosperous belt, says AV Shenoy, transport expert and member of the Mumbai Mobility Forum. Improving connectivity between key economic zones such as the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, the JNPT Port, as also the Mumbai-Goa highway can open up new market and opportunities for Mumbai, says Sanjay Sharma, chief financial officer, Tata Projects which developed one section of MTHL.

MTHL cuts down travel time between Ulwe in Navi Mumbai to South Mumbai from the 2 hours it takes at present to half hour, opening up the real estate market east of Mumbai, just across 16.5km stretch of the sea. The state government has planned the Third Mumbai at the Ulwe end of Indias longest sea-bridge. This will be developed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA). Part of the mandate is to create a second business hub such as the Bandra-Kurla Complex that houses the headquarters of big banks, on a greenfield 150-hectare plot at Kharghar in Navi Mumbai. Towns in Raigad district such as Ulwe, Pen, Panvel, Uran, Karjat and Alibaug which have emerged as Mumbais Hamptons since the pandemic, are all part of the envisaged Third Mumbai.

Third Mumbai

A gung-ho Devendra Fadnavis, Maharashtras deputy chief minister, believes that the creation of Third Mumbai facilitated by MTHL can scale up Mumbais economy from the existing $140 billion to $250 billion. From residential projects (luxury and affordable), commercial complexes, data centres, hubs for MNCs and banks, and financial companies to large knowledge parks, Third Mumbai will have everything, says an MMRDA official. A New Town Development Authority (NTDA) is being formed to plan and oversee the development of 323 sq km. Around 200 villages, including 80-90 of them under the Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA) will be a part of NTDA.

Also Read | Atal Setu: All you need to know about India's longest sea bridge

Third Mumbai will also become the new playground for two of Indias wealthiest men. While Mukesh Ambani already owns a 500-acre complex in Navi Mumbai and possibly other land parcels, Gautam Adani is developing the Navi Mumbai international airport which is part of the 14,300 crore Navi Mumbai Influence Notified Area spread over 370 sq km. In Mumbai, of course, while Ambani controls large parts of the Bandra-Kurla Complex, Adani has now taken over the ambitious Dharavi Redevelopment Project, less than 5km east of BKC.

But its not just Ambani and Adani who stand to benefit. Leading developer Niranjan Hiranandani, managing director of the Hiranandani Group, who foresaw Mumbais northward growth more than 25 years ago when he built integrated townships in Powai and Thane, was one of the early movers buying large land parcels in Navi Mumbai and Raigad. This includes 500 acres in Panvel and 250 acres in Nagaon and Alibaug. When MTHL finally opens after it was first mooted 18 years ago, it will be another I told you so moment for him.

Hiranandani, recently re-elected as chairman of National Real Estate Development Council, says the sea span will be a gamechanger for Mumbais economic growth. I believe it will lead to a quantum leap in the next five years for real estate and it is unparalleled, he says comparing the effects of MTHL to what one expressway did for Delhi connecting it to Gurgaon in Haryana and Noida and beyond in Uttar Pradesh, spurring growth in the NCR. Hiranandanis acquisition encouraged other developers including Godrej, the Wadhwa group and Adani Realty to acquire 100 acre-plus land parcels in that belt.

Hiranandani cites the example of China to explain the multiplier effect of a housing boom on economy. China witnessed double digit growth for 10-15 years where they were focused on infrastructure, manufacturing and housing. But, today, while infrastructure and manufacturing continue to do well in China, housing has collapsed plunging their GDP to less than 4%. The construction sector remains the second largest employment generator after agriculture in India.

But, challenges remain

Pankaj Kapoor, managing director, Liases Foras, the only non-broking real estate research firm in India, has a word of caution though. Planning authorities should not play the landlord who want to monetise the land. The reason that the creation of New Bombay in the 70s and the 80s did not ease the pressure on Mumbai was because the planning authority CIDCO chose to monetise the land banks which kept the prices up. The government should allow market forces to play.

A recent report by Colliers, MMR Infrastructure Upgrading Real Estate, projected nearly 9 million sq ft of new office supply opening at the Navi Mumbai end of MTHL over the next three years, largely driven by IT, while on the Mumbai end Worli and Lower Parel in central Mumbai are likely to see 5 million sq ft of new office supply in the same time period.

This is first time in decades that the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) is undergoing a transformative infrastructure upgrade liberating it from the growth limitations that comes from the virtue of being a linear city, said Vimal Nadar, senior director, research, Colliers.

Urban planners HT spoke to repeatedly flagged two concerns: Better and affordable public transport and access to affordable housing to make a real transformation in the city. The government needs to primarily focus on affordable housing and commercial development around MTHL and prevent land sharks and large developers from jacking up land prices. The government also needs to promote public transportation like AC buses on MTHL, says Ashok Datar, economist and transport expert. At present the one-way toll on MTHL is 250 for all private vehicles.

Shirish Patel, one of the three original proponents of New Bombay rues that MTHL has come 50 years too late.

Patel says Growing eastwards would have helped decongest Mumbai. That was the whole idea of proposing the Sewri-Nhava Sheva link, but the government and policy makers allowed growth to move northwards alone. The builders had a self-interest expanding the city northwards, in keeping Mumbais land in short supply and profit from its high prices. They feared that eastward growth would open up land and prices could fall in Mumbai.

The engineer who recently co-authored a comprehensive book, 6 Metros comparing urban planning in New York, London, Hong Kong, Tokyo with Mumbai and New Delhi, strongly advocates that MTHL should integrate public transport so that it goes beyond becoming a showpiece road for Mumbais car owners.

Public transport should be allowed at lower tariffs to truly make this an infrastructure for the common man. In many cities, public transport is free but here we expect it to be financially viable by itself. Thats always a mistake. Public transport is a supporting service that helps development and not a money-making endeavour on its own.
The ambitious Navi Mumbai International Airport is set to commence operations by end of this year, informs the Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Jyotiraditya Scindia. Scindia speaking at the formal function of AAR-Indamer while inaugurating the MRO in Nagpur on Friday(Sunny Shende/HT)

During his visit to Nagpur on Friday to inaugurate the AAR-Indamer Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility at the MIHAN SEZ, Scindia also outlined plans for at least 10 major cities in the country to have a minimum of two airports each within the next 10-15 years.

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Officially named the DB Patil International Airport, the Navi Mumbai International Airport is under construction in Ulwe, Navi Mumbai, in the Raigad district. Once completed, it will serve as the second airport for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region alongside the existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The ground breaking ceremony for the airport took place on February 18, 2018, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiling the foundation plaque.

The greenfield airport is being developed in three phases, with the initial phase capable of handling 2.5 crore passengers per annum. The final phase, scheduled for completion by 2032, will have the capacity to accommodate over 9-crore passengers and handle 25 lakh tonnes of cargo annually.

Interacting with media persons, Scindia stated, The Navi Mumbai International Airport will commence operations in November or December this year. The inaugural flight is expected to land during this period, marking a significant milestone in the development of Navi Mumbai." He emphasized that the airport would contribute to the substantial growth of Navi Mumbai and its neighbouring area, particularly the Konkan region.

He also highlighted the realization of long-awaited dreams, such as the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mumbai on Friday.

Scindia mentioned the establishment of several new airports across the country to enhance connectivity. Looking ahead, he projected that within the next 10 to 15 years, at least 10 cities in India would boast two airports each. The Union Minister announced plans to inspect airports in Kolhapur, Pune, and Navi Mumbai later in the day and on Saturday.

Earlier in the day, Scindia inaugurated the AAR-Indamer MRO, a joint venture between AAR, a prominent USA-based MRO, and Indamer Technics Private Limited. This MRO facility aims to provide world-class maintenance services for aircraft fleets operating in India and the surrounding region.
 Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann has absolved senior Indian Administrative Service officer and the states former chief secretary Anirudh Tiwari of any wrong doing, who was among the officials indicted by a Supreme Court- appointed committee looking into the breach of Prime Minister Narendra Modis security during a visit to the state on January 5, 2022, according to official documents seen by HT. A panel headed by retired Supreme Court justice Indu Malhotra had indicted Tiwari for not deputing any officer to travel with the Prime Ministers motorcade (HT)

The Union government is awaiting a report on action taken against erring officials, and Union home secretary Rajiv Bhalla, has already sent three reminders to the Punjab government. The Punjab government has thus far acted only against seven state-cadre police officials, who have been suspended.

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Also read: Punjab suspends 7 cops, files charge sheet over breach in Modis security

The breach took place when the Charanjit Singh Channi-led Congress government was governing the state.

Former chief secretary Vijay Kumar Jaunja, in response to the Centres reminder sent a four-page note to the CM for action against Tiwari in May, HT learns. HT also learns that in May, an officer posted in the chief ministers office, sought a reply from Tiwari, who passed the buck to the Punjab Police, and said that the chief secretarys office does not keep a blue book which lays down the protocol for visits by the Prime Minister and other dignitaries.

A panel headed by retired Supreme Court justice Indu Malhotra had indicted Tiwari for not deputing any officer to travel with the Prime Ministers motorcade. He was the officer responsible for coordinating with the central government for the visit of the Prime Minister. In his testimony, Tiwari said that Husan Lal, the then principal secretary to the CM, was to join the convoy of the PM as a nominee of the chief secretary, but tested positive for Covid-19 and thus could not accompany the PM.

The chief secretary could have easily deputed a senior officer from the civil administration to accompany the PM at Bathinda, since it was known on January 4 itself that the PS to the CM would not be travelling with the entourage. It is pertinent to mention that divisional commissioner RK Kaushik was present at the Bathinda airport, and could have easily been deputed to accompany the PM, particularly since no operational duty was assigned to him, the committees report said.

Also read: Government dismisses Punjab CM Mann's 'discrimination' claim over tableau rejection

It added that the chief secretary convened a meeting on December 29, 2021 on the visit but that there was no other meeting convened by him to ensure that all agencies concerned with the visit were co-ordinating with each other, and were implementing the decisions taken in the first co-ordination meeting. Post the visit, as per the blue book, it is mandatory for the chief secretary to convene a co-ordination meeting to assess the adequacy of the arrangements made, and suggest improvement for the future visit. This was also not done in this case, the report said.

In response to these observations, Tiwari said that the blue book is always in the custody of the security agencies and no copy is with either the office of chief secretary or the general administration department.

Further, he added that the blue book clearly places responsibility for implementation of its provisions on the DGP, inspector general of police, assistant by IG and DIG of (CID/Intelligence/security). There is no mention in any of the rules in the blue book that chief secretary must appoint a nominee to accompany the PM, he said, adding that even the general administration department even didnt ask him to do so.

The observations of the committee were therefore entirely misplaced, he added. He also added that after the breach, he has overseen three successful visits by the PM to the state state.

Absolving the IAS officer, the CM observed in documents seen by HT that as regards, the observations made by the inquiry committee, I have gone through the explanation submitted by officer. He has submitted that he has done all necessary preparatory groundwork. With regard to not deputing a nominee in the convoy (who actually has no security related responsibility), was a systematic error, which has since been rectified and a new robust SOP for the PM Visit has been put in place, and thereafter many visits of PM have been conducted flawlessly. As such, no further action is required to be taken against Anirudh Tiwari.

The CM also observed that it may be ensured in the future that all VIP and VVIPs visits are conducted strictly as per the blue book, relevant Act and rules and the instructions issued by government from time to time.

HT tried to reach out to chief ministers office for remarks on the issue but did not get any response.

Tiwari did not respond to calls and texts from HT seeking comment. HT was the first to report the findings submitted by the five-member committee led by retired justice Indu Malhotra.

The report was submitted to the apex court and the Union government on August 25 last year. In September, the latter forwarded it to the state government.

The Supreme Court ordered the inquiry after the convoy of PM Modi was stranded for half an hour on a flyover when he was travelling by road from Bathinda airport to Ferozepur on January 5, 2022. A belligerent crowd of about 300 protesters gathered at the end of the flyover, prompting the special protection group, which guards the Prime Minister, to halt the convoy and head back to the airport.

The report indicted Punjab police brass for its casual and negligent attitude, and referred to the incident as a colossal failure in planning and coordination.
India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, is set to visit Iran amid rising tensions in the Middle East. Jaishankar's visit to Tehran assumes significance as it comes amidst US and UK forces attacking Houthi rebels in Yemen in retaliation for their attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea. The visit also followed after US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken dialled Jaishankar to discuss the Iran-backed Houthi crisis. Hindustan Times' Executive Editor Shishir Gupta decodes the high-stakes visit of an Indian foreign minister to Iran in the midst of the global crisis. Watch! S Jaishankar (PTI file photo)

The visit of S Jaishankar is very critical as far as the current crisis of the middle-east is concerned. If you look at the build up of the entire visit, first of all, the possibility is that the external affairs minister is visiting Iran for a brief visit on coming Sunday. He undertook this visit after he spoke to the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken last night. Yesterday night, the US and UK forces attacked the Houthi rebel positions in South Yemen. So it is a critical mission and it comes at a time when actually the entire middle-east is flaring up. There is this war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. There are also these Houthi missile and drone attacks on ships. Yesterday, the Iranians commandeered a tanker off the Gulf of Oman. The situation is flared up, the visit is a key visit. The position that India takes matters.

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Iran is a key player behind Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthis. Iran is the Shia shoulder of Islam. Iran has been backing all these groups. The Indian context is that India is very clear that while it is supportive of the Palestinian cause, it doesn't anyway justify the October 7 massacre. India wants a two-state solution, and it wants the war not to flare up.

The Houthi militia is a Shia militia, which is backed by Iran. It has been using Kamikaze drones, missiles and all sorts of weapons against commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea. On December 23rd, it was Iranian Shadab ammunition that targeted a tanker called MV Camp Plato off the coast of Dwarka.

So the Indian concerns are that the war be stopped and the Houthi attacks must stop.

The attack is of concern to India because the MV Camp Plato attack took place 210 miles off the coast of Dwarka and the missile was a Kamikaze drone. We are not clear whether it was Iran or Houthis. This particular drone was a long range drone. It struck a ship close to the Indian coast. It affects the maritime security of India.

India is very focused when it comes to the turmoil in the middle-east. That is why it has deployed no less than 10 warships in the region to ensure that the sea lanes of communications are protected.
A five-sentence handwritten note in English, ostensibly scribbled by 39-year-old startup founder Suchana Seth, who allegedly smothered her four-year-old son in a Goa hotel room, and found by police, might hold the key to unlocking the motive behind the grisly crime that has shocked the country, investigators said on Thursday. Suchana Seth is accused of killing her 4-year-old son. (ANI)

Seth -- the CEO of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) firm in Bengaluru -- allegedly stashed her sons body in the trunk of a taxi she hired to escape from Goa to Bengaluru before being arrested in a dramatic operation spanning two states on Monday afternoon.

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The handwritten note was found in one of the bags carried by Seth in the taxi and was scribbled on tissue paper using eyeliner, possibly in a hurry, said a police officer familiar with the investigation.

The note was later shredded and crumpled.

The pieces of the tissue were found in her luggage bag and our forensic team has recovered it and painfully pieced it together, said the officer quoted above, requesting anonymity.

The note indicates that the accused didnt want her son to go with the father and offers insights into her state of mind, this officer said, adding that it may have been written at the time she allegedly killed her child.

The note is very cryptic and is a crucial piece of evidence that reveals her state of mind and possibly the motive behind the crime, the officer added.

He declined to reveal the exact words contained in the note.

This is the first time that police have found any piece of evidence that potentially points to the motive that allegedly drove Seth to kill her child. In interrogation so far, she has not spoken about the reasons behind the alleged crime, police said.

Seth, who founded the Bengaluru-based firm The Mindful AI in 2020 after stints at Harvard University and Raman Research Institute, is currently in lock-up in Calangute police station after being booked under sections 302 (murder) and 201(destruction of evidence) of the Indian Penal Code, and section 8 of the Goa Childrens Act (Child Abuse and Trafficking).

She gave her handwriting sample to the police on Thursday. According to officers interrogating her, Seth is yet to confess to the crime and has instead maintained that she woke up to find her son dead, and had no idea how he died.

Seth checked into the Sol Banyan Resort in Goas Candolim on January 6 along with her four-year-old son. She was to stay there until January 10 but abruptly checked out on January 8, insisting that she wanted to go back to Bengaluru by road despite hotel staff explaining that a flight would be quicker and cheaper. She paid 30,000 for a taxi and left the hotel at 1am.

At3pmonJanuary 9, Seth was nabbed in Karnatakas Chitrdadurga district, around 160km from Bengaluru, after a dramatic operation that involved Goa police officers contacting the driver of the Toyota Innova she had hurriedly arranged, speaking to him in Konkani, and telling him to drive to the nearest police station, after they had been tipped off by hotel staff who had spotted bloodstains in the room.

Police now say that she smothered the boy with a pillow after possibly drugging him with cough syrup. She was also locked in an acrimonious divorce and custody battle with her estranged husband and this may have been at the heart of the murder, police said.

Investigators say Seth was disturbed by an order by a Bengaluru family court in November 2023 that said that her husband PR Venkat Raman could meet her son every Sunday between 10 am and 4 pm. Seth had previously alleged before the court that she and her son were both victims of physical abuse at the hands of the husband, a charge he denied.

Seth met her lawyers on Thursday and was taken for a routine medical check up to the Candolim primary health centre.

HT also perused a copy of the first information report -- registered at the Calangute Police Station -- which said that Seth was booked for murder and fleeing the hotel with the body.

Seth was taking parental therapy in Bengaluru and was in touch with clients, her doctor and therapist in the days preceding the alleged crime, said investigators. Police spoke to those with whom she was in contact and said they recalled nothing unusual during their interactions.
West Bengal police on Friday arrested two persons in connection with the attack on an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team during a raid at the house of Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader in the state's Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district last week. Security personnel stand guard at the site where vehicles of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) team were attacked during a raid in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali(ANI)

The arrested, identified as Mehaboob Mollah and Sukomal Sardar, were produced before a court and were sent to three-day police custody, the police added.

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The police identified them after examining the footage of the attack. "Based on various video footage, today we have arrested the two persons," Basirhat SP Joby Thomas told news agency PTI.

Probe agency earlier this week claimed that the state police lodged an FIR under bailable and non-scheduled offences in the assault incident and had not provided a copy of the complaint to the ED.

However, the police lodged a suo motu case against the ED officers, on the charges of molestation, forcible entrance and theft.

Meanwhile, TMC Leader Shahjahan Sheikh's family filed a complaint alleging that the ED raided their residence without prior notice and broke locks to gain entry. Meanwhile, the probe agency issued a lookout notice for Sheikh as there are apprehensions that he might flee the country following the assault incident. It also lodged a complaint against Sheikh and his supporters for assaulting its officers.

Several members of the probe agency were attacked and its vehicles were damaged in Sandeshkhali on January 5 when it arrived to raid the house of TMC leaders Shahjahan Sheikh and Shankar Adhya, and their relatives in connection with the alleged ration scam.

A huge number of TMC members and supporters gheraoed the ED officials upon their arrival and were roughed up. The officers were forced to leave their damaged vehicles behind and take autorickshaws and two-wheelers to safety. Three ED officials were injured in the attack.

Sheikh, considered a close aide of state minister Jyotipriyo Mallick who was arrested in connection with the multi-crore ration distribution scam, is still on the run.

The ED claimed that the magnitude of the ration distribution scam was "enormous" and proceeds of crime transferred by a suspect amount to 9,000-10,000 crore, out of which 2,000 crore are "suspected to be transferred to Dubai either directly or through Bangladesh.

(With inputs from agencies)
The Supreme Court on Friday granted Union minister Nisith Pramanik protection from arrest in a 2018 attempt-to-murder case in West Bengal and requested the circuit bench of the Calcutta high court to take up his bail plea expected to come up on January 22. The bench said no coercive action shall be taken against him till the high court takes up the matter. (HT file photo)

A bench of justices Bela M Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal said, No coercive steps shall be taken (against the petitioner) till the matter is heard by the high court.

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The Court was dealing with an anticipatory bail plea filed by Pramanik who challenged a January 4 high court order refusing to grant him protection from arrest.

The top court had on Thursday issued notice on the petition and sought a response from the West Bengal government.

Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan appeared for the state and informed the Court that he had instructions to state that no coercive steps will be taken by the police till the case is heard on January 22.

However, Pramaniks lawyers sought the undertaking to be recorded in the order.

Senior advocate PS Patwalia who represented the minister said, He holds the position of a Union minister. It will be very embarrassing if he is arrested. He has to keep visiting West Bengal and he is afraid he will be arrested.

Also Read:SC seeks Bengal govts response to Union minister Pramaniks anticipatory bail plea

Sankaranarayanan said, There are 13 cases against him. He could be arrested in any case. The petitioner could have approached the HC chief justice and mentioned it. But they have chosen to come directly to this Court. This order granting protection should not impede the high court from applying its mind.

The bench clarified, We clarify we have not expressed any view on merits. The high court may decide the case on merits.

Pramanik, who is member of Parliament from Cooch Behar in West Bengal is a minister of state in two ministries  home affairs and youth affairs & sports.

He approached the HC challenging the March 5, 2023, arrest warrant which is conducting trial in the 2018 case.

He informed the top court that the HC had adjourned the matter thrice and on January 4, no interim relief was granted while posting the matter for hearing to January 22.

Patwalia said, I am willing to go before the HC on January 22, but I need to be protected till then.

On Thursday, the senior counsel stated, Situation in West Bengal is very volatile. This is a political case since I have shifted from Trinamool Congress (ruling party in the state) to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). I am not named in the charge sheet and have not been called once since the complaint was filed in August 2018.

The Court in its order further stated, Let the matter (bail plea of Pramanik) be listed before the circuit bench at Jalpaiguri, if not already listed, on January 22. We request that the same day, the application be disposed.

The state accepted that the petitioner had a right to be heard after the Court remarked, This case is of 2018 and on three occasions, the matter has been adjourned by the high court.

The present complaint where Pramanik is one of the 36 persons named as accused by the WB police related to an attempt to murder of one Fajlu Munshi, a resident of Cooch Behar.

It was alleged that some men tried to restrain him on a public street and when he raised an alarm, two persons came to his help following which the accused persons fired shots at them.

A case was lodged at Dinhata police station under attempt to murder (Section 307), causing grievous hurt (Section 326), wrongful restraint (Section 341) and criminal conspiracy (Section 120B) under the Indian Penal Code and other provisions of Arms Act.

In his petition filed through advocate Siddhesh Shirish Kotwal, Pramanik said, The liberty of the petitioner is at risk due to the apprehension of arrest and the order (of HC) has put a mechanical hindrance to the petitioners chance of seeking protection for his personal liberty.

The petition stated that the charge sheet submitted in October 2022 made no reference to guilt of the petitioner in the alleged crime.

Despite having no material to charge the petitioner for the offences mentioned in the charge-sheet, the state investigating agency straight away requested for issuance of an arrest warrant to secure his attendance.

The minister further questioned the arrest warrant that was issued without resorting to summons or bailable warrants to secure presence of the accused.

The plea alleged that the unjustified action of the investigating agency clearly indicated that the purpose of getting an arrest warrant issued was to attack Pramaniks liberty and to humiliate him in the public eye.
The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed the Punjab governments appeal against a judgment quashing a first information report (FIR) against Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal for allegedly violating orders passed by a public servant and committing an offence under the Epidemic Diseases Act, wondering if the criminal case against the leader was staged. The benchs order recorded that no case for interference in the high court order was made out. (File photo)

A bench of justices AS Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan questioned the Punjab government for moving in appeal against the August 2023 high court judgment, emphasising that no case was made out to launch criminal prosecution against Badal.

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Where are the ingredients of the FIR made out in this case? And this case was initiated on the basis of a complaint by a private mining company. Why has the state come in appeal before us? Is it all staged? the bench asked the state government counsel, Rooh-E-Hina Dua.

Responding, Dua said that the issue whether offences were made out on the basis of the allegations were the subject matter of trial but the high court itself conducted a mini-trial while quashing the FIR against Badal.

Also Read: What weight given to reports against genetically modified organisms: SC to Centre

The court, however, remained unimpressed, noting it was not a case where the state government should have come in appeal. Look at the sections in the FIR. where is the evidence to show section 270 of IPC (malignant acts that can lead to the spread of diseases dangerous to life)? Or (Section) 341 (wrongful restraint)? Clearly, no such offences are made out, it said.

The benchs order recorded that no case for interference in the high court order was made out and therefore, the state governments appeal was dismissed.

The June 2021 FIR by the mining company alleged that Badal and other SAD members had threatened their staff and employees and obstructed and interfered in their legal mining operations and desilting sites in Wazir Bhullar village in Amritsar district. It added that Badal and his supporters were not wearing masks while the Covid raged on, thereby also violating the provisions of the Epidemic Diseases Act.

Seeking quashing of the FIR before the high court, Badal contended that the FIR was politically motivated and even if all the allegations were taken on their face value, no case was made out to launch prosecution and that the state wanted to prosecute him for ulterior motives.

The high court, in August 2023, nixed the FIR underlining there was no evidence on record to corroborate any of the offences mentioned in the FIR. In a democratic country, if a well-established political person, on hearing serious complaints regarding any public issue, decides to verify the same by visiting the spot itself, it cannot be said that he intended to violate any promulgation issued by any government under Section 3 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 or Disaster Management Act, 2006, the high court added.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday reserved orders on the proposed tiger safari plan at the Jim Corbett national park, observing that the Centre ought to have adopted a cautious approach in granting approval to the project. The Supreme Court observed that no animal from the zoo would be permitted to be brought into the wild but only injured, old, orphaned or man-eater tigers (Sanjay Shukla/HTFILE PHOTO)

A bench headed by justice BR Gavai also underlined that captive animals from the zoo cannot be permitted to be brought into the wild in the name of tiger safari and told the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) that its 2019 guidelines on tiger safari permitting this need tweaking.

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Also Read: Cannot permit zoo in a national park, says SC on proposed tiger safari at Corbett

Your 2019 guidelines on tiger safari may require some tweaking, said the bench, also comprising justices PK Mishra and Sandeep Mehta, on the 2019 guidelines that provided for tiger safaris at buffer or fringe areas of national parks to reduce the pressure of tourists visiting core and critical areas of tiger habitats.

The court was hearing a petition filed by environment activist and lawyer Gaurav Bansal that challenged the Uttarakhand governments proposal to have a tiger safari, a specialised zoo with caged animals, at the national park. The court appointed advocate K Parmeshwar as amicus curiae to understand if such a facility could be introduced within a national park or sanctuary.

According to the plan, the safari envisaged animals from the zoo to be brought into the wild and kept in cages for purposes of tourism. The Centre justified its in-principle approval of the plan in 2014, reasoning that such a specialised zoo was not new and cited examples of Bannerghata biological park at Bengaluru.

During the proceedings in the top court, senior advocate ANS Nadkarni appearing for the state government told the court that the direction to move a proposal came from the Centre and it had received approval from the Central Zoo Authority and the forest clearance from ministry of environment, forests and climate change (MoEFCC).

Gaurav Bansal told the court that the original plan proposed the safari at Kanvashram. The present safari site at Pakhrau got in-principle approval from the authorities, including NTCA without a site visit.

Bansal also showed a report by the states chief wildlife warden in July 2020 which said, prima facie, this place is not suitable for tiger safari, as it was an area used by tigers and would affect the tiger habitat, which was contrary to NTCA guidelines.

The bench said, The MoEFCC should be taking a cautious approach by taking NTCA on board. The MoEFCC is a superior body to NTCA and it grants permission along with approval from central zoo authority (CZA).

The court maintained that no animal from the zoo would be permitted to be brought into the wild. Only injured, old or orphaned animals or man-eater tigers involved in man-animal conflict could be rescued and rehabilitated.

The bench said: Whatever is to be done now has to be done for the future. Let us not get into a blame game and find a solution instead. We will try to do something for the future as it is not that the Uttarakhand government did something grossly wrong as both CZA and MoEFCC being the highest authorities gave approvals.

The court also examined maps produced by the state government to show that Pakhrau was situated on the edge of the Corbett tiger reserve. The bench said, It is not as if they are proposing a site in the midst of the forest as we find it is on the edge with resorts on one side.

The tiger safari planned at Pakhrau is on land measuring 106 hectares. The state government informed the court that this area constituted only 0.082% of the total area at Corbett and 0.22% of the buffer area of the tiger reserve. The project started with all requisite approvals from the NTCA in 2015, the CZA in 2019 and the forest clearances from the MoEFCC in October 2020 and September 2021.
The Supreme Court on Friday sought the Centres response to a suit filed by the Kerala government in December last year against the Union government for imposing limits on the states borrowing capacity. (Representative Photo)

The state had challenged a March 2023 order of the Union finance ministry reducing the states borrowing limit stating that the Centre has lowered the borrowing limit of the state, which can potentially lead to a grave financial crisis.

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A bench of justices Surya Kant and KV Viswanathan issued notice on the suit to the Centre through the office of the attorney general and agreed to examine the interim application of the state government which said, As of October 31, 2023, a sum of Rs.26,226 crore is imminently and urgently required to avert the impending grave financial crisis caused by the Unions orders.

Also Read: SC grants protection from arrest to Union minister Nisith Pramanik in 2018 case

The Court further posted the for January 25 to consider the states urgent requirement for a sum of Rs.26,226 crore to meet its welfare obligations including pension and dearness allowance.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal appearing along with advocate CK Sasi for the Kerala government said, Ultimately, this matter has to go to a constitution bench.

The suit challenged two letters issued by the Union finance ministry (public finance-state division) on March 27 and August 11 last year and amendments made to Section 4 of the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003 in March 2018 for imposing a net borrowing ceiling (NBC) on the state by limiting borrowings from all sources, including open market borrowings. It further reduced the NBC by including some aspects under borrowing which are not contemplated under the Constitutional scheme.

Despite the exclusivity of the power of the state, and the framework already laid down through the exercise of such power, the orders and amendment create unconstitutional limits and impediments on the state to borrow and regulate its own finances, therefore violating the provisions and principles of fiscal federalism under the Constitution, the state in its suit said.

Prior to these changes, the borrowing limits were regulated under the Kerala Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2003. The state said, The defendant (Centre) has encroached into the legislative domain of the plaintiff state as public debt of the state is an item exclusively in the State List in the Seventh Schedule under Article 246 of the Constitution...The actions of the defendant fall foul of and violate the federal structure of the Constitution.

It added, The present suit squarely raises a dispute as to the right, power and authority of the Union government to interfere with the exclusive, autonomous and plenary powers of the state to regulate its own finances under several provisions of the Constitution.

Also Read: Supreme Court refuses to stay new law on appointment of CEC, ECs

As a consequence of the orders passed by the Centre, the state submitted that it was not able to fulfil the commitments in its annual budgets, resulting in huge arrears by way of welfare schemes to the people of the state particularly the poor and the vulnerable, various beneficiary groups, the employees of the state government, its pensioners and dues to its state-owned enterprises.

In a detailed break-up of the funds immediately required by the state, the application filed along with the suit pointed out that the chunk of dues of nearly Rs.8,000 crore is towards dearness allowance dues for state employees, pay revision arrears of Rs.4,000 crore, and pension dues of Rs.2,790 crore among other heads of outstanding payments.

The state is legitimately apprehensive that its treasury operations will be halted or starkly curtailed, the suit said, pointing out that the state has suffered a cumulative expenditure loss or resource deficiency of over Rs.1.07 lakh crore during 2016- 2023 on account of the amendment introduced by Centre.

This is a dire situation looming ahead, the immediate consequences to the state will be catastrophic...If the damage is not prevented, the state, with its meagre resources, will not be able to recover from this for decades, the state added.
Goa: The taxi driver who drove Suchana Seth  Bengaluru CEO accused of murdering her son  from Goa to Karnataka has revealed shocking details of his 10-hour-long journey. He told the media that the accused remained silent throughout the journey. She had asked him to carry her 'heavy' bag from her service apartment in Goa to the cab and refused to take items out to make it lighter when he requested. Suchana Seth, the Bengaluru CEO accused of murdering her own son.

After being alerted by the service apartment's staff, the Goa police contacted Ray John, who diverted his cab to a police station in Karnataka. The police found her son's body inside the bag.

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"When I reached the service apartment, she (Seth) asked me to carry her bag from the reception to the taxi. It was heavy. I asked her whether we could remove some belongings from the bag to make it lighter. But she refused. We had to drag the bag to the boot of the car, the cab driver told PTI.

Also read: Bengaluru CEO's crumpled note written with eyeliner shows custody battle frustration: Cops

John said there was a huge traffic jam at Chorla ghat section on the Karnataka-Goa border. He told her it would take six hours to clear the road and that they should head to the airport. "But she insisted on continuing by road, said the driver, stressing that he felt something was off.

As he received the call from the Goa police, he started searching for a police station on Google Maps.

The Calangute police told me to search for a nearby police station and take her there. I tried searching on Google Maps and GPS but didnt find any. I even looked for cops at toll plazas but there were none, he said.

He knew he would have to trick her into believing nothing was amiss. To buy more time, he stopped by a roadside restaurant. He found out that a police station was just 500 metres away.

We were one and a half hours away from Bengaluru. I drove to the Aiyamangala police station (in Chitradurga district of Karnataka), while a Calangute police official remained on line with me on the phone, he said.

Also read: Bengaluru CEO Suchana Seth messaged husband before killing her son: Details

The police inspector came out 15 minutes later. Suchana Seth, however, remained calm and kept sitting in the car, he said.

The police searched her bag and found the childs body in it.

"When police asked her whether it was her son. She calmly said yes, he added.

She was arrested and handed over to the Goa police.

Suchana Seth, the CEO of startup Mindful AI Lab, had come to the service apartment in Goa on January 6 with her son. On January 8, she claimed her son was staying with a relative. She asked for a cab to go to Bengaluru from Goa. The staff later alerted the police after they found blood spots in the apartment.

The postmortem of the deceased revealed the boy was smothered by either a pillow or a cloth. The police also found two cough syrup bottles that could have been used to make the victim unconscious.

With inputs from PTI
For the third time in row, a sessions court here on Friday dismissed the bail petition filed by Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji, arrested by the ED last year in money laundering case. Senthil Balaji(ANI)

Principal Sessions Judge S Alli dismissed the bail petition of the DMK leader on the ground that there was no change of circumstances in the case.

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Balaji was arrested on June 14, 2023 by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money laundering case linked to a cash-for-jobs scam when he was the Transport Minister during an earlier AIADMK regime. Soon after his arrest, he underwent a bypass surgery at a private hospital in the city. Later, the ED took him into custody for interrogation and following that he was remanded in judicial custody. His remand has been periodically extended by the court. In August, the central agency had filed a 3000-page chargesheet against Balaji. The Madras High Court had on October 19 dismissed a bail petition filed by him.

His earlier bail applications were dismissed twice by the PSJ.
NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Friday refused to entertain a plea to stop the Odisha government from using the election symbol of the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in advertisements about welfare schemes. The Delhi high court said the petitioner could approach the Orissa high court since everything in context of the petition happened in Odisha (FILE PHOTO)

That is the story in each state. It is not unique to one state. It is happening everywhere, a bench comprising acting chief justice Manmohan and justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora told Jatin Mohanty, general secretary of the Odisha unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party, who petitioned the high court on the advertisements.

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The bench, however, allowed Mohanty to file the petition before the Orissa high court, saying the cause of action had arisen in Orissa and the states high court would be the proper forum to deal with the issue.

Go there. Raise it over there. Everything happened in Odisha. Advertisements were done in Odisha. This court is overburdened. We cannot do it in this manner. They will decide, not us, the court said.

In his petition, Mohanty also sought directions to the Election Commission of India to take action against the BJD, saying the Odisha government had spent 378 crore on advertisements in the last five years to promote the ruling party. In many of them, he said, the BJDs party symbol, Conch, was used.

The plea also sought directions to prohibit the Orissa government from issuing any more advertisements of state welfare scheme using the BJDs symbol Conch.
The Supreme Court on Thursday approved the Shimla development plan 2041 that is aimed at regulating construction activities in Himachal Pradeshs capital city, terming it prima facie sustainable even as the court underlined the need to balance development with ecological concerns. The Supreme Court judgment further highlighted the need for sustainable development by balancing between environmental protection and developmental activities (ANI)

A bench headed by justice Bhushan R Gavi set aside the previous orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), holding that the entire developmental activities cannot be brought to a standstill by staying the development plan, which has been finalised after taking recourse to the statutory provisions and undergoing the procedural rigours.

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It can be seen that while preparing the development plan, due care has been taken to ensure that environmental aspects are taken care of. Upon its prima facie consideration, we have come to a view that there are sufficient safeguards to balance the need for development while taking care of and addressing environmental and ecological concerns, said the bench, also comprising justice Aravind Kumar.

Permitting the Himachal Pradesh government to proceed with the implementation of the development plan, the top court underlined that the development plan was finalised after undergoing the rigorous processes, including that of inviting objections and suggestions at two stages and granting hearing to such representations.

To be sure, the bench clarified that its prima facie view on the validity of the plan may not be construed as giving imprimatur to all its provisions, adding it is always open for the litigants to raise a specific challenge to any independent provision before the appropriate forum if the impugned provision is claimed to be detrimental to the environment or ecology.

The judgment further highlighted the need for sustainable development by balancing between environmental protection and developmental activities. While ensuring the developmental activities so as to meet the demands of growing population, it is also necessary that the issues with regard to environmental and ecological protection are addressed, held the court. It stressed that both the right to clean environment and the right to development were components of Article 21 (right to live with dignity) and therefore, it was pivotal to strike a balance between the two.

The judgment comes as a shot in the arm for the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government, which had finalised the new plan in June 2023 and strongly defended it in the top court. Though the court in May last year allowed the government to publish the development plan, it stopped fresh construction based on the draft plan until its final word in the matter.

The bench quashed a series of NGT orders since 2017 that restrained the state government from going ahead with its development plan and issued a slew of directions while noting that unplanned and indiscriminate development in the core, non-core, green and rural areas within the Shimla planning area had given rise to serious environmental and ecological concerns.

The Shimla development plan was approved in February 2022 by the then BJP-led state government, but it did not materialise owing to the NGTs stay orders in May that year. The tribunal termed it illegal and in conflict with earlier orders passed in 2017 to regulate haphazard constructions in Shimla.

On Thursday, the bench noted that NGT had in effect directed the state government and its authorities to frame a development plan in a particular manner, but it was clearly an attempt to encroach upon the field reserved for the competent authorities to enact a piece of delegated legislation.

It is a different matter for judiciary to examine as to whether a particular piece of legislation stands the scrutiny of law within the limited grounds of judicial review available. However, giving a direction or advisory sermons to the executive in respect of the sphere which is exclusively within the domain of the executive or the legislature would neither be legal nor proper, the bench held, pointing out that the Himachal Pradesh Town & Country Planning Act authorises the state government and its authorities to frame a development plan.

The NGT could not have imposed fetters on such powers and directed it to exercise its powers in a particular manner, said the court, adding the tribunal acted without jurisdiction when it issued the directions regarding the proposed plan.

The plan, named Vision 2041, included construction provisions in 17 green belts with certain restrictions and in the core area where construction was earlier banned by the NGT. Detailed guidelines regarding the number of storeys, parking, attic and height of the structures were also mentioned, adding that felling trees would not be permitted in green areas.

The government has already decided to declare the attic as a habitable area and increase its height to 3.5 metres. Construction of one storey with a habitable attic would be permissible in 17 green belts, two storeys with a habitable attic and parking in core areas and three storeys with parking and a habitable attic in non-core areas would be permissible.

A total of 22,450 hectares were taken into account for revision and formulation of the development plan, which included the Municipal Corporation of Shimla, special area development authorities of Kufri, Shoghi and Ghanahatti and additional Shimla planning area besides villages.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the controversy over Congress boycotting the Ram Temple consecration event on January 22 is nothing but BJP's conspiracy as the party already explained its stand that the intention is not to hurt any religious sentiment but to reject the BJP/RSS event aimed at political dividend. Mallikarjun Kharge said the Congress is not hurting any sentiment but opposing the BJP/RSS event.

Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury won't attend the event, the Congress said issuing a statement triggering a major controversy as the BJP stepped up attack on the Congress calling them anti-Hindu. While Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said they should not have been invited in the first place, and attending the event could have reduced their earlier sin, BJP leaders shared a photo of Rahul Gandhi visiting Babur Tomb in Kabul in 2005 and said Congress's hatred is only for the Hindus. Some Congress leaders too said the leadership should have attended the event.

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The BJP on Friday shared a video saying Congress's tradition has always been to oppose Lord Ram. The Congress, in retaliation, asked why the BJP was not questioning the four Shankaracharyas who won't be attending the event.

Uttar Pradesh Congress committee leaders will visit the temple on January 15, the Congress said. "The first question is does one go to God's temple after an invitation? Be it a temple, church or mosque, will we wait for an invitation? Who will decide on what date and which section of people will go? Will a political party decide? We want to know how the date for it was decided. Tareekh ka chunaav nahi hua hai, chunaav dekh kar tareekh tae ki hai (The date has been selected keeping elections in mind)" Congress leader Pawan Khera said.

Four Shankaracharyas have decided to stay away from the pran pratishtha ceremony, though two of them supported the event. Shankaracharya of Shringeri Peeth Swami Bharati Teertj and Shankaracharya of Dwarka Peerh Swami Sadananda Saraswati said the inauguration of the Ram Temple on January 22 will be a matter of joy for the followers of Sanatan Dharma.

Shankaracharya of Puri Nischalananda Saraswati earlier said he would not attend the ceremony and he was conscious of the dignity of his position. "The country's Prime Minister will reside in the sanctum sanctorum, touch the idol, and perform the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony. This has been given a political hue, if there is to be the Pran Pratishta of Lord Rama, it should be according to scriptural guidelines. I won't oppose it, nor will I attend. I have taken my stance. Let's not mix half-truths and half-lies; everything should align with scriptural knowledge," Nischalananda said.

Shankaracharya Avimukteshwarananda of Jyotir Math, Uttarakhand said the construction was not yet complete
El Nino is expected to reach peak intensity during January or February before its hold tapers off, experts from Copernicus Climate Change Service have said. El Nino has a high correlation with warmer summers and weaker monsoon rains in India. (File photo)

However, experts said that El Ninos impact on ocean and surface temperatures are expected to last for some time.

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The EU climate monitor confirmed on Tuesday that 2023 was the warmest calendar year in global temperature data records going back to 1850.

Last year had a global-average temperature of 14.98C, 0.17C higher than the previous highest annual value in 2016 and 1.48C warmer than the 1850-1900 pre-industrial level. But it is too early to say whether global average temperatures will be lower in 2024 compared to 2023, scientists said, adding that sea surface temperatures are expected to record extremely high temperatures at least until March.

We are close to an El Nino peak now. We are expecting a rapid decline in El Nino conditions to ENSO neutral by spring of 2024, said Samantha Burgess, deputy director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) during a press conference on Tuesday.

Equatorial sea surface temperatures (SSTs) are above average across the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. The tropical Pacific atmospheric anomalies are consistent with El Nino. El Nino is expected to continue through the Northern Hemisphere winter, with a transition to ENSO-neutral favored during April-June 2024 (60% chance), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said on January 8.

Since March 2023, positive sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the eastern Pacific Ocean gradually expanded and shifted westward.

In October and November 2023, SST anomalies increased in the central and east-central Pacific.

Since early December, the positive SST anomalies have persisted. In the far eastern Pacific, positive SST anomalies have been gradually weakening, NOAA said.

Also Read:Preparing for a warmer world

We expect the current El Nino to peak this month or next but there is a lag in impact on current temperatures. The first quarter of 2024 will likely continue the trend of the past year in terms of temperatures. For ocean temperatures, they are likely to continue to increase till March. Though we can expect that impacts of El Nino will dissipate later this year, we are uncertain how ocean temperatures will evolve, Burgess added.

Its also important to note that El Nino has a minor impact on record temperatures rising globally.

We had two days in November when it exceeded the 2C threshold over pre-industrial levels. El Nino is part of the story but a major contribution to such warming is from concentration of greenhouse gas emissions. El Nino developed and built around the world but there is only a small contribution from the current El Nino event. 2023 would have been an exceptional year even without El Nino. Record ocean temperatures have been recorded since April so warming started well before El Nino developed, Burgess said.

Copernicus experts said initial forecasts suggest the first two months of 2024 are likely to record unusually warm temperatures bringing the past 12 months mean to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels.

More immediate is the possibility that the twelve consecutive months ending in January and/or February 2024 will exceed the 1.5C level according to ERA5, as January and February 2023 were not especially warm months, Copernicus said on Tuesday.

El Nino occurs on average every two to seven years, and typically lasts nine to 12 months. It is a naturally occurring climate pattern associated with warming of the ocean surface in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. El Nino has a high correlation with warmer summers and weaker monsoon rains in India.

On whether it was expected that 2023 will be the warmest year, Copernicus said Yes and No Yes, in the sense that a year as warm as 2023 was seen as being inevitable in due course due to a combination of continued climate warming and an occurrence of El Nino, but also no because there were additional unforeseen factors - some of which are still under scientific investigation - that contributed to the extremity of global temperatures in 2023. Forecasts from ten climate prediction centres were indicating late in 2022 that there was only a very low probability that the annual temperature for 2023 would be as high as it was.

Burgess said it needs to be investigated whether 2023 was a tipping point.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inspected the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), the country's longest bridge, in Maharashtra. PM Modi at Atal Setu(X/@narendramodi)

Earlier in the day, he inaugurated the sea-bridge saying that it is a glimpse of what a developed India is going to look like.

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In a developed India, there will be facilities for all, there will be prosperity for all, there will be speed and there will be progress. In developed India, distances will be reduced and every corner of the country will be connected. Be it life or livelihood, everything will go on continuously, without interruption. This is the message of Atal Setu, PM Modi said while addressing a public event.

MTHL has been named as Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewari-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu after former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The six-lane, 21.8-km-long sea bridge connects Sewri in Mumbai to Nhava Sheva in Uran taluka in Raigad district. Out of the total stretch, 16.5 km is above the sea, and the remaining 5.5 km is on land.

The Mumbai Trans Harbour link, developed at a cost of 18,000 crore, is constructed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). The bridge will be opened for motorists on Saturday.

The sea bridge has shortened the distance between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai to just 20 minutes which earlier took 2 hours.

On an average, 70,000 vehicles are expected to ply on the sea bridge. According to traffic projections made by the MMRDA in their study, by 2032, over 1.33 lakh vehicles are expected to use the Sewri-Shivaji.

In December 2016, PM Modi laid the foundation stone of the bridge.

PM Modi was on a day trip to Maharashtra. Apart from MTHL, he laid the foundation stone of underground road tunnel connecting Orange Gate with Marine Drive, virtually inaugurated Bharat Ratnam mega common facility for gems and jewellery industry and New Enterprises and Services Tower at Seepz SEZ and launched sixth line of Khar-Goregaon suburban train route.

He also dedicated first line of Navi Mumbai metro line and Digha Gaon railway station in Navi Mumbai and Surya dam phase 1. He also launched Namo Mahila Sakshamikaran Abhiyaan of state government.
The Madras high court has said that merely watching child pornography is not an offence under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act and the Information and Technology Act, 2000, as it quashed the case against a 28-year-old who was charged with downloading and watching pornographic content involving children. The HC said the petitioner cannot be booked under Section 67-B of the IT Act as the videos were neither published nor transmitted to others (Representative photo)

Justice Anand Venkatesh said a child or children must have been used for pornography purposes to attract charges under the Pocso Act.

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To make out an offence under Section 14(1) of the Pocso Act, a child or children must have been used for pornography purposes. Even assuming that the accused person had watched child pornography video, that strictly will not fall within the scope of Section 14(1) of Protection of Child from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, the court said in its January 11 order.

In January 2020, petitioner S Harish was booked under the two acts based on a letter received by the additional deputy commissioner of police (crime against women and children). His mobile phone was seized as part of the investigation. The forensic science department submitted a report to police identifying two files that contained child pornography content. In his petition, the 28-year-old said that while he regularly watched pornography, he did not view child pornographic content.

Also read: 3 arrested for uploading 18-year-olds intimate audition tape on porn site

Since he has not used a child or children for pornographic purposes, at best, it can only be construed as a moral decay on the part of the accused person, the court said.

Section 14 of the Pocso Act prescribes punishment for using a child for pornographic purposes.

Whoever, uses a child or children for pornographic purposes shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than five years and shall also be liable to fine, the section says.

The HC said the petitioner cannot be booked under Section 67-B of the IT Act as the videos were neither published nor transmitted to others.

Also read: No relief to woman booked for watching porn, indulging in sexual acts with lover in front of children

In order to constitute an offence under Section 67-B of Information Technology Act, 2000, the accused person must have published, transmitted, created material depicting children in sexual explicit act or conduct. A careful reading of this provision does not make watching a child pornography, per se, an offence under Section 67-B of Information Technology Act, 2000, the high court said.

Section 67-B of the IT Act prescribes punishment for publishing or transmitting of material depicting children in sexually explicit act, etc., in electronic form.
The Supreme Court on Friday sought a response from the Madhya Pradesh high court administration on the latters recommendation terminating the services of six women civil judges in June 2023 for poor performance, initiating proceedings on its own motion (suo motu). Three of them wrote to the Supreme Court in December, contending that they have been terminated from service in the initial phases of their career (HT File Photo)

A bench of justices BV Nagarathna and Sanjay Karol also issued notices to the six officers and fixed the next hearing on February 2. In its brief order, the court noted that three of these former judges have already approached the Madhya Pradesh high court against their termination, but the matter was yet to be taken up.

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Also read: CJI Chandrachud seeks report on allegations of sexual harassment by UP judge after she seeks permission to end life

Since the Honble the Chief Justice of India has directed registration of the suo motu proceedings in respect of all six officers, notices must be issued to all six. Issue notice to these officers as well as the registrar general of the Madhya Pradesh high court, returnable in three weeks, the court said in its order.

During the brief hearing, the court heard advocate Gaurav Agarwal, who was appointed as an amicus curiae to assist it. Agarwal pointed out that the bench may have to seek assessment records of other 300-odd judicial officers who were confirmed by the high court administration last year. A comparative analysis will have to be done. My understanding is that a judicial officer on probation is usually abosrbed as permanent judges after serving for more than four years in service.

At this point, justice Karol recalled how he had convinced the Patna high court administration to relax the norms so that all probationary judicial officers could be made permanent after they had served a particular period as judges and their performance met the relaxed norms.

All read: Justice Nagarathna calls for a more inclusive, diverse Indian judiciary

The services of six women civil judges were terminated in June 2023 after the administrative committee and full court meeting of the Madhya Pradesh high court found their performance during the probation period unsatisfactory. Upon the recommendation of the high court, the state law department issued their termination orders.

The women judges whose services were terminated are: Sarita Chaudhary (posted at Umaria), Rachna Atulkar Joshi (posted at Rewa), Priya Sharma (posted at Indore), Sonakshi Joshi (posted at Morena), Aditi Kumar Sharma (posted at Tikamgarh) and Jyoti Barkhade (posted at Timarni).

Three of them wrote to the Supreme Court in December, contending that they have been terminated from service in the initial phases of their career despite the fact that the quantitative assessment of their work could not be carried out fairly on account of outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. The assessment, in so far as disposal was concerned, the judicial offices said, could not be the yardstick to terminate their services when the courts were forced to work in a limited manner due to the pandemic. Another officer separately moved an impleadment plea in the suo motu matter.
Since the turn of the decade, a thought has been pirouetting around Siddhesh Gautams head. He has wanted to build an art magazine dedicated to portraying the kinds of people and communities that are invisibilised.

Having been part of the mainstream art community for close to a decade, the Delhi-based artist says he is familiar with the bindi-and-mooch aesthetic that dominates the countrys booming art market, which is essentially a pastiche of the lives and cultures of privileged, urban communities and their understanding of the country and the world.

I was feeling the void of a proper magazine that covers all kinds of art, including the variety of lives of marginalised communities. A critical art magazine that talks about all the things that this country is made up of, including caste, gender, marginalisation, and the kinds of everyday struggles that form the majority of our lives, says Gautam, 32.

For three years, he stumbled about as people in the mainstream offered tepid words of encouragement but little material support.

Finally, last year, he decided to take the plunge. He has since founded All That Blue, with Bhumika Saraswati (a Delhi-based filmmaker), Jaisingh Nageswaran (a Chennai-based artist), Shrujana Shridhar (a Mumbai-based illustrator) and Anurag Banerjee (a Mumbai-based photographer) as co-editors of the inaugural edition. Out in April, it will bring together essays, photography, illustrations and poetry in a volume that the editors hope will stand apart for rawness, grit and diversity of perspectives. The plan is to finance the first edition themselves, then rely on pre-orders.

Indias art market is booming. Every year since 2020, new records have been set at international auction, by towering figures such as Amrita Sher-Gil, FN Souza and VS Gaitonde. International platforms, from the Venice Biennale to Documenta, are inviting young Indians to showcase their work.

But artists from marginalised communities form only a minuscule segment of this market, and often complain that they struggle to find a toehold in a world still heavily defined by personal connections and artistic pedigree. Work themed on critical ideas such as anti-caste resistance and the rights of sexual minorities, meanwhile, is still perceived as niche practice; the kind of art that can complement the mainstream, but not dominate within it.

It is such ideas that All That Blue hopes to challenge.

Inspiring the co-editors was a trove of anti-caste literature, but Saraswati says they were aware of the dearth of more visual mediums. We recognise the lack of a visual-first print space, especially for those who communicate primarily through visuals. All That Blue strives to provide a platform for such visually driven stories, allowing them to speak in their own language, she says.

In the process of creating the magazine, there were several entries from various places, showcasing new voices  artists working in mediums of visual art and literature, Nageswaran adds. It was inspiring to witness their work. I believe that through these art forms, we will edge towards a new world.

Among the 20-odd works that the editors will showcase in the inaugural edition is a visual essay by Delhi University professor Jenny Rowena and her collaborator Thoufeeq on Hany Babu, the anti-caste academic who is currently in jail in connection with the 2018 Bhima Koregaon case. Haunting images by Chennai-based photographer Arun Vijai Mathavan that will pull the curtain back on the people, often Dalit sanitation workers, who conduct post-mortem procedures in government hospitals. A surrealist interpretation by Maharashtrian artist Ajay Doke, of famed anti-caste spaces such as the Deeksha Bhoomi Buddhist stupa in Nagpur, where millions gather every year in remembrance of BR Ambedkars landmark conversion to Buddhism. And Pakistani artist Shehzil Maliks illustrations of the Aurat March, the thousands-strong demonstrations for womens rights in Pakistan that have been held annually since 2018.

So blue here doesnt only refer to caste, it means everything under the blue sky, all stories that were hitherto neglected, across countries and boundaries. Until we start taking ourselves seriously, no one else will, Gautam says. In the 21st century, doing this involves documenting only things that are published are taken seriously. If thats what the zamana (era) requires, that is what we will do.
A marble map of ancient Rome, that hasn't been put on public view for almost 100 years, is getting its very own museum within sight of the Colosseum. A cameraperson shoots the Colosseum inside a Roman marble map created by order of Emperor Septimius Severus, in the Forma Urbis museum during the opening of the new Celio Antiquarium, near the Colosseum in Rome, Italy. Colosseum's neighbour: Exclusive museum to showcase long-hidden marble map of ancient Rome (Photo by REUTERS/Remo Casilli)

The Museum of the Forma Urbis, enclosed within a new archaeological park on one of Rome's famous seven hills opens on Friday -- the latest offering from a city that is eager to broaden its attraction for growing hordes of tourists.

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"This is a beautiful day. We are opening an archaeological park in an extraordinary part of the city and a new museum showcasing a masterpiece which has not been visible for about a century," said Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri.

"We want a city where the museums and the streets are linked, and where people, while walking around, can fully appreciate and enjoy the beauty, but also better understand how our city has been transformed."

The Forma Urbis was a monumental, highly detailed marble map of ancient Rome carved during the reign of the Emperor Septimius Severus between 203 and 211 AD, engraved onto 150 separate slabs and measuring 18 by 13 metres (60 by 43 feet).

It was displayed on a wall in the ancient city, but over the centuries it gradually disintegrated, with locals using some slabs for new buildings.

During excavations in 1562, fragments were recovered and scholars estimate around 10% of the whole has survived, including sections showing the Colosseum and Circus Maximus, as well as floor plans of baths, temples and private houses.

The huge carving has proved a valuable resource for understanding the layout of ancient Rome, but all the remaining pieces have not been shown together since 1924.

In its new, innovative setting, the fragments have been laid out on a reproduction of a famous map of Rome created in the 18th century by the surveyor Giovanni Battista Nolli, who is credited with making the first accurate street plan of Rome.

The marble chunks lie on top of the Nolli map, showing their relation to the developing Renaissance city.

Outside the museum, in the open-air park on the side of the Caelian Hill, archaeologists have out laid out walkways lined with ancient Roman grave markers and marble columns found in excavations around the city in recent decades.

"The Caelian Hill, one of the seven hills of ancient Rome, has remained in the shadows, unknown and inaccessible for a very long time. Today, we are finally giving it back to the city," said Claudio Parisi Presicce, who oversees Rome's cultural heritage.

"The hill has a special importance because it is what unites the monumental area of the Imperial Forums, the Roman forum, the Colosseum and the area of the Appia Antica," he said.

The 5-million-euro ($5.5 million) project is part of a broader refurbishment of Rome, which has seen a tourism boom since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic and is expected to be submerged by visitors in the 2025 Roman Catholic Holy Year.

($1 = 0.9136 euros)
I am a reasonably frequent international traveller, but contrary to what many people will tell you about their own travels, I have rarely had a problem with customs in India. This could be because I dont shop very much abroad.

Customs officers no longer waste time on passengers bringing in foreign foods and green vegetables. (ADOBESTOCK)
Makar Sankranti is celebrated every year to mark the beginning of the harvest season and sun's transit to the Capricorn, signalling advent of warmer days and end of bitter cold. The days start to get longer after Makar Sankranti and this period of Uttarayan lasts for around six months. Sankranti means movement of the sun and Makar Sankranti is the most important of all 12 Sankrantis that fall in a year. (Also read | Makar Sankranti 2024 date and time: Is Makar Sankranti on January 14 and January 15? Check correct date, significance) The period marks the beginning of sun's journey towards north and signifies warmer and auspicious times ahead. (Freepik)

The harvest festival is celebrated with much enthusiasm across the country though its rituals and name vary. Pousha Sankranti in West Bengal, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Bihu in Assam, Uttarayan in Gujarat, Lohri in Punjab, Magh Bihu in Assam the festivities extend all over India.

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Makar Sankranti is the time when people get rid of the old things in their house and buy new things, hoping the entire year is full of success, good luck and prosperity. The festivities begin with cleaning of houses and early morning bath followed by decking up in traditional clothes. Lord Indra, the God of rains and Lord Surya, both are worshipped on this day to seek blessings for a great harvest and happiness in the coming year.

From flying kites to eating khichdi or dahi-chooda, Makar Sankranti is a day filled with fun activities and relishing traditional food. Foods made with rice, jaggery, sugarcane, sesame seeds, maize, peanuts among others are made. Gud Ki Chikki, popcorn, Til Kut, khichdi, undhiyu, and gud kheer, are some of the foods that are traditionally consumed during the festival.

Makar Sankranti 2024 date

Makar Sankranti usually falls on January 14 every year, but as per drikpanchang, this year the festival is being observed on January 15, a day before Lohri festivities on January 14.

Makar Sankranti 2024 history and significance

The history of Makar Sankranti dates back to ancient times considering the significance of agriculture in the country. The period marks the beginning of sun's journey towards north and signifies warmer and auspicious times ahead. Hindus also take a holy dip in rivers like Ganga and Yamuna during this time and once in 12 years, kumbh mela is organised.

In the Hindu religion, it is believed that the one who dies during the auspicious period of Uttarayan gets salvation from the cycle of death and birth. It is said that Bhishma Pitamah was mortally wounded during the epic battle of Kurukshetra and courtesy the boon granted by his father, he could choose the moment of his death and delayed his last moments on the earth to a couple of days so that he could die during the period of Uttarayan.

The festival of Makar Sankranti is also associated with the birth of the deity 'Narashansa', the first preceptor of righteousness in Kaliyuga and a predecessor to Kalki, the final avatar of Lord Vishnu.

Makar Sankranti is also celebrated as the day of triumph of good over evil as Lord Vishnu defeated the demon Sankarasura on this day.

Makar Sankranti 2024 celebrations

The festival of Makar Sankranti is celebrated with much fanfare and in certain parts of the country the festivities last for 2-4 days. From lighting of bonfire to preparation of rice and sugarcane dishes to participation in music and dance activities, there are certain rituals associated with the festival that are common among many cultures.

In Gujarat, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Uttarayan with the tradition of kite-flying considered the most prominent of all. People can be spotted on their terraces participating in kite-flying contests and sky resembles a huge canvas painted with breathtaking and colourful kites.

In Punjab, a bonfire is lit to beat the cold and mark the Lohri celebrations. The festivities further warm up hearts as friends and family come together for exchanging gifts and enjoy gajaks, peanut, revdi and popcorn while singing folk song of Sundari Mundari Ho.

Pongal in South India is celebrated over a period of four days where people clean their houses thoroughly and decorate them with beautiful pookalam designs and burn unwanted things at house in the bonfire as a custom of Bhogi Mantalu, thereafter participating in Pongal Panai, wherein the family members cook rice, milk and jaggery in an earthen pot and let it overflow - a ritual that signifies abundance and prosperity.

There are many such rituals and celebrations across the country to celebrate this beautiful harvest festival that promises warmer and happier days ahead.
Almost 300,000 people died during pregnancy or childbirth in 2020. That includes the US, where maternal death rates are up. But India's MMR is down. Pregnancy means new life to most of us  and a unique experience every time, bringing your baby into this world. But in all too many cases, pregnancy also means the end of a life. In late February 2023, the United Nations released a new report on maternal mortality around the world. The report described how one woman dies every two minutes due to child birthor complications experienced in pregnancy. Maternal mortality has decreased significantly in India over the past 20 years.(Anupam Nath/AP/picture alliance)

"Pregnancy is tragically still a shockingly dangerous experience for millions around the world," said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO). In the year 2000, the global maternal mortality rate (MMR) stood at 339. That means that 339 pregnant people of child-bearing age died per 100,000 live births. In 2020, the global MMR was 223.

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But according to the UN report, most countries around the globe have failed to lower their maternal mortality rate (MMR) significantly in that 20-year period. The UN report says there had been a small decrease between the years 2000 and 2015, but that since 2016 the global maternal mortality rate has stagnated. And that is unacceptable, said Jenny Cresswell, a scientist at the WHO and co-author of the report.

"Stagnation is absolutely not good enough," Cresswell told DW. "The Sustainable Development Goal [SDG] target is to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030. We are currently far off-track to meet this target."

The US: An increasing maternal mortality rate

In some countries, including developed ones like the US, the maternal mortality rate has been rising for years. At more than 23, the US has by far the highest MMR of all industrialized countries. The rate increased by roughly 78% between 2000 and 2020. With low total numbers, even minor changes make for a high increase in the percentage of a number. But that doesn't change the fact that the number of pregnant people who die during pregnancy, childbirth or shortly thereafter, has been rising for decades in one of the richest countries in the world.

What is going wrong in the US?

It is not easy to explain why the MMR is going up in the US said Munira Gunja, a senior researcher with the Commonwealth Fund, a foundation that supports independent research on health care issues in the US. Gunja said that a number of factors may be contributing to the situation, including "a lot of underlying health conditions [that] have been on the rise for years now."

Then there is the fact that many Americans do not have health insurance and can not afford to visit their doctor. The cost of health services has gone up as well. And there is a shortage of midwives who can help people through their pregnancies. "The rate at which people in the US skip [medical] care is dramatically higher compared to other developed countries," Gunja said. It all comes together to contribute to "this unacceptable maternal mortality rate," Gunja said.

But that is not all. The MMR among Black Americans is about three times higher than among white Americans. That stark difference is due to "structural racism," Gunja said. "[Black Americans] are at a disadvantage from the start: Where they live, their education level, their jobs and salary. And when they see a doctor, they are often faced with direct racism."

Changing health care on multiple levels

Gunja said it would make a big difference already if there were more active midwives in the US. Midwives can build a close relationship with the pregnant person, take care of them at home and check in during the post-partum period, too  which is when half of all maternal deaths in the US occur. But things may also need to change on clinical and on policy levels. On the clinical level, healthcare professionals need to spot the warning signs right before, during and after a baby is delivered, said Usha Ranji, associate director for women's health policy at the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonprofit organization focusing on health issues in the US.

"Some of the factors contributing to maternal deaths were hemorrhaging during and after delivery as well as sepsis [blood poisoning], eclampsia and pre-eclampsia [seizures during childbirth]," said Ranji. When these things go unnoticed, they can be deadly.

Ranji said training among doctors and nurses was improving, those who worked in labor and delivery, and that there was a lot more emphasis on listening and better communication with the patients. On the policy level, Ranji said it is crucial to get everyone on health insurance because 10% of women of childbearing age are still uninsured in the US and, as a result, less likely to seek and receive the medical care they need. "It's important to get people into care well before they're pregnant," to make sure they're in overall good health, Ranji said. "But it's hard to get into care when you don't have health insurance."

India: On the way to a success story

The UN report says South Asia is one of the few world regions where the maternal mortality rate is decreasing. And India has seen the biggest improvement in its MMR. Maternal mortality fell in India by more than 73% between the years 2000 and 2020. In 2020, India's MMR was at 103 nationwide. That is still a lot higher than the MMR in the US. But while maternal mortality in the US increased at an annual rate of 2.88% from 2000 to 2020, it fell at an annual rate of 6.64% in India during the same time period.

Rajib Dasgupta, a professor at the Centre of Social Medicine and Community Health at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, said India had started to see the benefits of a more liberalized and growing economy in the past two decades. "There has been an overall decline in absolute poverty, a sustained increase in key determinants such as women's education and income, and a growing infrastructure," said Dasgupta.

These social factors all contribute significantly to improving maternal health and preventing deaths during and after pregnancy, according to the UN report. Countries in South Asia that have seen their MMR decrease over the past 20 years "have made good progress in terms of economic development, increasing female education and other important areas that all play a role," Cresswell told DW. "They have demonstrated sustained political commitment to increasing womens access to quality maternity services."

Tackling the disparity between Indian states

But the experts say India needs more political commitment to spread these improvements across the country. "To make it to the SDG target [a maternal mortality rate below 70], the inequity between the Indian states should receive more attention," Dasgupta said. A number of Indian states have achieved the SDG target. The state of Kerala's MMR is 19. It is not the lowest rate in India, but it is a lower MMR than that in the United States.

At the other end of the spectrum is the state of Assam, with a maternal mortality rate of 195, more than 10 times higher than Kerala's MMR. But even in Assam things are moving in the right direction. Down to Earth, an Indian magazine on environmental and development policy, reported at the end of 2022 that Assam's MMR was 237 between 2014 and 2016. That shows a drop of more than 40 deaths in pregnancy per 100,000 live births.

India is on the right path, said Dasgupta  it has invested in medical infrastructure and increased the number of medical personnel across the country and now "it is the time to build upon this strength."
On January 3, the Supreme Court (SC) disposed of four writ petitions filed in the wake of two reports (by Hindenburg Research and Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project) that raised multiple allegations against the Adani group of companies. Following the judgment, a statement was issued on behalf of the Adani group, claiming that its position has been vindicated. Whether this is an accurate claim is a matter for another day. However, while answering the questions raised in the writ petitions, the judgment has given rise to a few other issues that need to be discussed.

The contentions in the petitions centred around the alleged dilatoriness and the absence of competence of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to deal with the issues that the research reports had raised. The first question that needs to be discussed is whether the SC should have entertained these four petitions/PILs, considering that a number of its previous judgments had taken the position that the SC should refrain from substituting its own wisdom for that of SEBI. Regrettably, that is what the Court has ended up doing by constituting a six-member expert committee, to work alongside SEBI, to ascertain the factual position, and to prescribe corrective measures where necessary. At more than one place in the judgment, the Court has commented on the wide regulatory and adjudicatory powers, coupled with expertise and information gathering mechanisms, that imprint SEBIs decisions, with a degree of credibility. Having discussed the previous judgements of the Court, the present Bench has laid down five principles which should guide judicial review of decisions and actions taken by a statutory body tasked with the responsibility of regulation. The first principle is reproduced below: Courts do not and cannot act as appellate authorities examining the correctness, suitability, and appropriateness of a policy, nor are courts advisors to expert regulatory agencies on matters of policy, which they are entitled to formulate.

This being the position of law, established even before the current writ petitions were filed, the question arises whether there was a need to review the existing regulatory mechanisms in the financial sector to ensure that they are strengthened with a view to protect Indian investors from market volatility. Should these matters not have been left to SEBI to address as SEBI thought fit? The reference to protect Indian investors is also not clear since there are non-Indian investors who invest in the Indian markets, and are entitled to the same degree of protection. The Preamble to the SEBI Act speaks in terms of the protection of investors and does not distinguish between Indian investors and others.

Paragraph 4 of the judgment refers to the order dated March 2, 2023, in which the Court took note of the loss of investor wealth in the aftermath of the report by Hindenburg Research and recognised the dire need to protect Indian investors from unanticipated volatility in the market. The loss of investor wealth, as referred to in the order, is also not clear. Whenever there is a decline in share prices, investors suffer a notional loss. This translates into an actual loss only when investors sell shares at depressed prices. Information in the public domain indicates that only one Indian mutual fund had any holdings in the shares of the Adani entities, which fell precipitously, following the Hindenburg report. The number of individual retail investors was also not very large. There is no evidence to show that they panicked and sold their holdings. There is notional loss or notional gain whenever the shares of one or more companies move significantly in either direction. This has not had a broad-based impact on the market, as would appear from SEBIs submission, endorsed by the Court, that the Indian securities market showed resilience and the impact of the fluctuations in the Adani stocks was not deleterious to the economic ecosystem as a whole. The judgment further observes that the volatility in the Adani stocks in the aftermath of the Hindenburg report was stabilised due to market forces and mitigatory measures. While the shares of the group fluctuated, it did not pose any systemic market-level risk.

The Court had also expressed concern about the phenomena of short selling and its possible destabilising influence on the market. However, following SEBIs submissions, the Court has noted that short selling is a desirable and essential feature to provide liquidity and to help price correction in overvalued stocks and hence, short selling is recognised as a legitimate investment activity by securities market regulators in most countries. The judgment also takes note of the position that the International Organisation of Securities Commission recommends that short selling be regulated but not prohibited with an aim to increase transparency. Notwithstanding all of these valid observations, the Court has directed that the loss that has been sustained by Indian investors, as a result of the volatility caused by the short positions taken by Hindenburg Research, and other entities acting in consort with Hindenburg Research, should be probed. Assuming that this is a course worth embarking on, it might be asked, with due respect, whether the notional loss suffered by investors in respect of their holdings in other companies should also be probed to assess causation.

The apex court had clarified that the expert committee and SEBI would work in collaboration with each other. If SEBI is to be viewed as a statutory body, with powers conferred on it to discharge its responsibilities, there does not seem to be any requirement for an expert body to work alongside SEBI. There should be no reluctance in allowing SEBI to do its job unhindered by non-statutory bodies working alongside SEBI, especially when the Court is clear in its observation that the judgement of a statutory regulator should not be questioned unless there is a violation of the fundamental rights of the citizens, an inconsistency with the provisions of the Constitution, an inconsistency with a statutory provision or existence of manifest arbitrariness. The Court has correctly observed that the legality of the policy, and not the wisdom or the soundness of the policy, is the subject of judicial review.

A few words about the expert committee might be in order. The six persons who originally comprised the expert committee (with one of them having been elevated subsequently to judgeship) are persons of eminence. However, eminence does not always translate to expertise, and in the present case, the existence of relevant expertise in all members is a rebuttable presumption.

In sum, it is submitted with utmost respect that the Court should not have entertained the PILs. Having admitted the petitions, the setting up of an expert committee could have been avoided. It is hoped that persons who are upset by a significant fall in share prices (no one seems to worry about a significant rise) should not treat the apex court as the first port of call.

M Damodaran is chairperson, Excellence Enablers and former chairperson, SEBI, UTI and IDBI. The views expressed are personal
Taiwan, living under the shadow of its estranged sibling, the Communist behemoth China, goes to election today to elect its president, vice-president (VP) and members of the Legislative Yuan (Parliament). The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) first won office in 2000 defeating the pro-Beijing Kuomintang (KMT) party that had ruled Taiwan for more than 50 years. The KMT regained power when Ma Ying-jeou was elected president only for the DPP to wrest back office in 2016 when Tsai Ing-wen won the presidential election. Tsai was re-elected in the 2020 election, which was held in the backdrop of Beijings clampdown on the democracy movement in Hong Kong, an issue that had significant resonance in Taiwan.

This time, Taiwan is witnessing a triangular contest involving the DPP candidate William Lai, who is also the outgoing VP, Hou Yu-ih of the KMT, and the Taiwan Peoples Party candidate and former mayor of Taipei, Ko Wen-je. The contest is reportedly very close though many predict that the DPP candidate will scrape through. The election to the Legislative Yuan is equally important. If William Lai wins the presidential race, but the DPP fails to secure a majority in the Legislative Yuan, it may lead to a legislative logjam.

The major issue in the election is the approach of the presidential candidates to the Communist regime in Beijing. During its tenure in office, the KMT had reached out to Beijing: President Ma signed the Economic Framework Agreement (ECFA) in 2010 and, later, met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Singapore on the margins of the 2015 APEC summit. However, the outgoing president, Tsai Ying-wen has made cross-Strait relations contingent on democracy and Beijing respecting Taiwans sovereignty. Sensing the mood of the people, the KMT has recalibrated its stance towards communist China. Leader of the KMT, Johnny Chiang recently said in Taipei that he was in no rush to travel to Beijing to meet President Xi. He also said that Chinas offer of one country, two systems, as adopted in Hong Kong, has no market on the island, where people like their freedom.

The consolidation and deepening of electoral democracy in Taiwan has been an anathema to the Communist regime in Beijing. This remarkable political transformation in Taipei is considered to be an even greater achievement than the much-acclaimed Taiwanese economic miracle.

It has been the avowed objective of China to reunite Taiwan with the mainland through whichever means it takes  military and economic coercion, intimidation, cyber warfare, blockade of the Taiwan Strait, cajoling through united front tactics, informational warfare, and grey zone tactics. China, which is already the second largest economy in the world, has already added Hong Kong and Macao to its economic and territorial heft. Unification with Taiwan will enable Beijing to further strengthen its economy and challenge the supremacy of the United States. Taiwan is the leader in the semiconductor industry and the Taiwan Strait is critical to the Indo-Pacific. Incorporating Taiwan into its regime of influence will enable Beijing to have complete sway over the Indo-Pacific. Whichever party or group of parties wins the elections, the island nation will try to preserve and protect its hard-earned freedom, independence and democracy.

This is why the elections in Taipei are significant.

Rup Narayan Das is a former Taiwan fellow at the National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan, and a former senior fellow at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. The views expressed are personal
Al Gore, former US Vice President will be retiring from Apple's Board of Directors, because he's too old to be renominated, Bloomberg reported. James Bell, former CFO of The Boeing Company, is also stepping down due to age, both being 75. Former US Vice President Al Gore (REUTERS)

On Thursday, the company made the announcement, citing a policy where directors do not seek reelection after reaching the age of 75. This shake-up is atypical for Apple's board, which typically experiences minimal retirements at any given time, according to the report.

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Gore, the longest-serving member since his joining in 2003, during Steve Jobs' CEO tenure and before the iPhone's existence, is leaving a notable legacy.

Apple CEO Tim Cook acknowledged Gore's substantial contributions, from unwavering support for user privacy to unparalleled knowledge in environmental and climate issues. Al has contributed an incredible amount to our work  from his unconditional support for protecting our users privacy, to his incomparable knowledge of environment and climate issues, Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a statement.

Jamess dedication has been extraordinary, and were thankful for the important perspectives and deep expertise hes offered on audit, finance, and so much more over the years, he added.

To fill the void, Apple nominated Wanda Austin, former president and CEO of The Aerospace Corporation, known for advocating STEM education. Wanda has spent decades advancing technology on behalf of humanity, and were thrilled to welcome her to Apples board of directors, CNN quoted Apple CEO Tim Cook in a statement on Thursday, saying.

Who is Wanda Austin?

Austin, the newly proposed nominee, possesses a notable history of driving innovation and influencing corporate strategy, as stated by Apple. While she has been a prominent supporter of US space exploration initiatives, a field not directly linked to Apple's activities, her election to the board will be subject to approval at the company's annual shareholder meeting on Febraury 28.

Wanda Austin(Bloomberg)

What about others ?

Despite the age policy, another director, Ronald Sugar, will turn 76 this year and is not scheduled to step down from the board. Apple explained that Sugar is staying on in consideration of the significant recent transitions in board composition and the value of retaining directors who have developed deep insights into the company during their tenure.

Considering Apple's justification for retaining Sugar, it remains uncertain whether the policy will be applicable to Chairman Arthur Levinson, who will turn 75 next year.

(With Bloomberg inputs)
The word clock strikes January 12th, and it's time to sharpen your wits! The New York Times Connections unleashes four cryptic enigmas, each holding clues cloaked like undercover agents. Can you decipher the hidden whispers and unlock the wordplay treasures within? Embark on this linguistic espionage mission and awaken your inner sleuth! Or, bypass the suspense and peek at the answers if you're feeling audacious. Can you crack today's NYT Connections? (New York Times)

ALSO READ| Connections NYT hints and answers for January 11, 2024

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Connections Today Hints for January 12

Yellow: Wanna discuss?

Green: Steps of life

Blue: Related to four-wheelers

Purple: Homophones

If you know what we are talking about, minimize this page and try to solve your puzzle.

Connections Today: These are categories

Yellow: TOPIC OF DISCUSSION

Green: SECTION OF ONE'S LIFE

Blue: PARTS OF A CAR, INFORMALLY

Purple: COLOR HOMOPHONES

Blow the trumpets before we reveal the answer.

Connections Today: Answer for January 12

Here is the #213 Connections' answer-

TOPIC OF DISCUSSION: ISSUE, MATTER, POINT, SUBJECT

SECTION OF ONE'S LIFE: CHAPTER, PERIOD, PHASE, STAGE

PARTS OF A CAR, INFORMALLY: DASH, SHOCK, TANK, WHEEL

COLOR HOMOPHONES: BLEW, CHORAL, READ, ROWS

If you are not able to crack todays Connections puzzle, dont be disheartened. Tomorrow brings a new set of words for you to explore and unravel.

How to play NYT Connections

Step through a curtain of sixteen cryptic clues, each a portal to a veiled theme. In Connections, navigate cunning wordplay like a seasoned sorcerer, unravelling the puzzle's tapestry thread by thread. Feel the thrill of deduction blooming, the satisfaction of meaning revealed.

What is NYT Connections?

Beyond the crossword summit lies a labyrinth of whispers - The New York Times' Connections. Mastermind Wyna Liu invites you to descend into four cryptic chambers, each echoing with a veiled theme. Unravel clues like silken threads, untangling the tapestry of wordplay. Dance solo or weave strategies together - this daily cerebral odyssey awaits your wit. Dare to unlock the secrets hidden within?
Resso, TikTok parent ByteDance's music streaming service, will not be available in India from January 31. Speaking to Moneycontrol, a ByteDance spokesperson attributed the tech giant's decision to local market conditions. Representational Image

We can no longer continue to serve users of Resso in India. We have therefore decided to shut it down along with its associated operations on January 31. Users will be offered a refund of their remaining subscription fees, the spokesperson said.

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As per the report, the Beijing-based company's move comes after the music service was taken down by Apple and Google from their respective app stores in India, following an order by the government there. The two companies removed the app in the middle of December last year, it added.

ByteDance launched Resso in India, Indonesia, and Brazil, in March 2020. In June that year, however, the Indian government banned a number of Chinese apps (including TikTok) on grounds of national security; a few other apps from the company's native country too were prohibited subsequently.

Resso, however, managed to escape the bans, and, as of May 2023, had more than 250 million downloads in what is now the world's most populous nation, since its launch there.

ByteDance bringing TikTok Music to India?

ByteDance is not planning to bring TikTok Music to India, the report further said, adding that this is likely because TikTok Music has the same app publisher as TikTok. Resso, on the other hand, was published by Moon Video Inc., which is based in the British Virgin Islands.

The Chinese giant introduced TikTok Music in Brazil and Indonesia in July 2023, and followed this up by shutting down Resso in these two markets, on September 5. The service has since been expanded to countries like Australia, Mexico, and Singapore.
Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) attended Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit (VGGS) 2024 in Gandhinagar. As he entered the the event, a man called out to him and caught him off guard, resulting in a viral reaction from the billionaire. Mukesh Ambani entering a building at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit. (X/@bijjuu11)

The video was shared on X by the user @bijjuu11. It shows Mukesh Ambani walking in a building when someone from the crowd shouts 'Mukesh kaka'. To this, he immediately turns around to see the person and flashes him a big smile. (Also Read: Vibrant Gujarat 2024: Mukesh Ambani lists RIL's 5 major commitments for state. These are)

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In the caption of the post, @bijjuu11 wrote, "Someone called 'Mukesh Kaka' and a typical Gujarati always smiles."

Watch the video here:

This post was shared on January 11. Since being posted, it has gained more than three lakh views, and the numbers are still increasing. The share also has more than 12,000 views. Many even flocked to the comments section of the post and shared their reactions. (Also Read: Vibrant Gujarat: Ambani says Reliance to help prepare for Indias Olympics bid)

Check out what people said about it here:

An individual wrote, "Mukesh Ambani bahut acche insan hai bahut humble hai bahut sweet hai (Mukesh Ambani is a very nice person. He is very humble, very sweet."

A second commented, "Just our Gujju things."

"Oh my God, such a typical Gujju type smile there," commented a third.

A fourth said, "Such a lovely person."

Many others reacted to the clip using laughing emojis.
In the midst of the rise in Houthi attacks on cargo ships across the Red Sea, many vessels are now using their signals to indicate that they have links to China in an effort to avoid a hijack attempt by the Iran-backed rebel group. Members of the Yemeni Coast Guard affiliated with the Houthi group patrol Red Sea (AFP)(AFP)

Being the latest unusual measure taken to try and avoid attack by Houthi militants in the Red Sea, at lease five ships venturing through the Red Sea all Chinese crew or something similar in a field that would normally contain its destination.

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While two of the ships signaling 'Chinese crew' are currently in the Red Sea, two more have navigated the risky waterway and are now sailing to Asia. A fifth appears to be heading toward the Gulf of Aden.

The fears of exporters and cargo ship crews remain heightened as Red Sea witnesses a surge in Houthi attacks and hijacking attempts. The Yemen rebel group is attacking merchant vessels in a show of solidarity for Hamas during the ongoing war with Gaza.

While Houthis maintain that they are only targeting merchant ships with an Israel link, several vessels with no discernable Israeli link or crew members have been under attack. The result of these attacks is being witnessed through the decrease in global exports and surge in oil prices in the West.

Suez Canal transits have plunged, falling to the lowest level since the waterway was blocked by a giant container ship in 2021, as many ships choose to avoid the Red Sea and instead sail thousands of miles around Africa to deliver their goods.

US-UK launch military airstrike against Houthis

After the rapid surge in Houthi attacks across the Red Sea, the United States and United Kingdom launched a joint airstrike against Houthi rebel targets in Yemen. The same was confirmed by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Friday.

Rishi Sunak said that the Royal Air Force conducted targeted strikes against military facilities used by Houthi rebels in Yemen, calling it "limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence."

The US and UK military forces - with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands - targeted Houthi rebels through a series of strikes on Thursday as a retaliation against attacks on the Red Sea. Sunak said that the Royal Navy is continuing to patrol the Red Sea in order to push back against Houthi aggression.

(With inputs from Bloomberg)
US President Joe Biden on Friday confirmed that US and UK military forces, with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands, conducted successful strikes against key targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. Biden said that the strikes were aimed at countering the Houthi rebels' actions, which have posed a significant threat to freedom of navigation in the strategically crucial Red Sea. Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, left, and U.S. President Joe Biden.(AP)

These strikes are in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Seaincluding the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history, he said in a statement.

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The strikes marked the first US military response to what has been a persistent campaign of drone and missile attacks on commercial ships since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. The coordinated military assault comes just a week after the White House and a host of partner nations issued a final warning to the Houthis to cease the attacks or face potential military action.

Biden highlighted that over 50 nations have been affected by 27 attacks on international commercial shipping, with crews from more than 20 countries facing threats or being taken hostage in acts of piracy. More than 2,000 ships have been forced to divert thousands of miles to avoid the Red Sea, resulting in significant delays in product shipping times.

These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the worlds most critical commercial routes, Biden said.

I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also confirmed the retaliatory strikes in a separate statement, calling them "necessary and proportionate".

"Despite the repeated warnings from the international community, the Houthis have continued to carry out attacks in the Red Sea," Sunak said. We have therefore taken limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence, alongside the United States... to degrade Houthi military capabilities and protect global shipping.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  California's budget deficit is not as bad as previously thought, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday, but it's deep enough that it could delay a minimum wage increase for more than 400,000 health care workers and force spending cuts across various housing and climate programs. HT Image

Most of Newsom's time in office has been defined by big spending increases made possible by unprecedented budget surpluses. But the past two years have saddled him with a pair of multi-billion dollar deficits, a less-welcome position for a governor seen as a potential Democratic presidential candidate.

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Newsom vowed not to roll back his previous major spending commitments  including free kindergarten for all 4-year-olds and free health insurance for all low-income adults regardless of their immigration status. But he wants the Legislature to consider delaying a planned minimum wage increase for health care workers in years when there isnt enough money in the budget to pay for it  something Newsom said lawmakers agreed to in advance before he signed the law last year.

Newsom stopped short of calling Californias budget deficit a crisis. But his plan to cover the deficit includes pulling more than $13 billion from the states reserves  an action that will require him to declare a fiscal emergency. His plan includes $8.5 billion in spending cuts, with about half of those cuts spread across various housing and climate programs.

The rest of the deficit comes from a combination of delays, deferrals, borrowing and shifting expenses to other funds.

The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office predicted last month that California's budget deficit would be $68 billion  a staggering number that would have been a record-high shortfall for a state known for its progressive tax structure that makes it prone to wild swings in revenue. But Newsom said the deficit is actually $37.9 billion  a shortfall that, while still steep, is much easier to manage for a state with revenues expected to exceed $291 billion.

We are just a little less pessimistic than they are about the next year, Newsom said about the differing numbers.

Legislative Analyst Gabriel Petek said he thought Newsom's estimates were reasonable but added, They fall on the optimistic side of what we consider most plausible.

Newsom signed a law last year to gradually raise the minimum wage for health care workers to $25 per hour. The first increase was set to take effect this summer. Newsom said he did not expect a big fight to potentially delay that increase, noting that all parties had committed to it prior to Newsom signing the law.

David Huerta, president of the Service Employees International Union California  the union that represents health care workers who would benefit from the minimum wage increase  said in a statement that the union applauded Newsom's budget proposal and looks forward to working with the Administration and the Legislature to ensure that these critically needed workforce investments are implemented.

Californias economy is so big that if it were a country, it would be the fifth largest in the world. But the states budget is notoriously volatile. Just 1% of California's total tax returns  about 180,000  accounted for half of the state's income tax revenue in 2021. Those rich people had insanely good years after the pandemic, earning $349 billion in capital gains income that resulted in $36 billion in taxes for the state.

By 2022, taxes from capital gains had declined to $15 billion. Overall, state tax collections are $42.9 billion below projections.

Newsom says this revenue decline does not mean the state is entering a recession. Instead, he said it is a return to normal following the pandemic, when consumer spending soared and generated billions of dollars of unexpected revenue for the state.

This is a story of correction, a story of normalization after a period of a tremendous amount of distortion, Newsom said.

Newsom wants to spend $126.8 billion on public schools  about $2.4 billion less than last year. But the cut could have been far worse. A voter-approved law guarantees the state will spend a certain amount on public schools each year. Because of the state's revenue declines, Newsom said that guarantee has fallen by more than $11 billion over the past three years.

But instead of cutting the public education budget by that much, Newsom is using money from a special savings account for public schools that voters approved in 2014 to make up the difference.

There are no deferrals, there are no claw backs of money school districts have already gotten, and not a single cut to ongoing permanent programs, said Kevin Gordon, a veteran lobbyist who represents public school districts. It just validates the governor's huge commitment to public education. There's a lot of grateful school districts out there today.

State Sen. Roger Niello, a Republican representing Fair Oaks and vice-chair of the Senate budget committee, said he is concerned about the amount of spending Newsom wants to delay rather than looking for more places to make cuts. Newsom proposed to delay, but not cancel, $5.1 billion in spending for a variety of programs including facilities for preschool and public transit.

A real risk of not developing a sustainable spending plan is that the budget makes commitments that maybe it cant follow up on if we do have severe continued deficits, he said.

___

Associated Press reporter Sophie Austin contributed to this report.
NEW DELHI: Further gains by Myanmars anti-junta groups in recent weeks, including resistance fighters overrunning 440 military posts, have added to worries about the fragile security situation in the neighbouring country impacting Indias strategic northeastern region, people familiar with the matter said. Three powerful anti-junta groups hat launched an offensive against the military last October agreed to a temporary ceasefire in areas on the border with China on Thursday night (AFP FILE PHOTO)

Three powerful anti-junta groups  Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), Arakan Army and Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA)  that launched an offensive against the military last October agreed to a temporary ceasefire in areas on the border with China on Thursday night, but there will be no halt in operations in other parts of Myanmar, the people said on condition of anonymity.

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The truce was finalised in talks held at Kunming during January 10-11 between the groups known as the Three Brotherhood Alliance and representatives of Myanmars State Administration Council (SAC). This was the third round of China-brokered dialogue since December and another truce last month collapsed within days.

The temporary ceasefire will be limited to Myanmars Shan state bordering China and will have no impact in other areas such as Rakhine state and Sagaing region, which are located close to the border with India and have witnessed intense fighting in recent weeks, the people said.

There was no immediate response from Indian officials to the latest developments in Myanmar.

Earlier this week, about 700 Myanmar military personnel, including officers, surrendered to the Arakan Army in Rakhine state, the people said. This followed the surrender of nearly 2,500 military personnel and their families at Laukkai in Shan state early in January. Nearly 230 officers, including six brigadier generals and three colonels, were among those who surrendered in Laukkai.

In addition to capturing vast swathes of territory, the resistance forces have taken control of more than 30 important towns, including 16 in Shan state, seven in Chin state and four in Sagaing region.

The anti-junta forces have also retained control of Rihkhawdar, located a short distance from Zokhawthar town in Mizoram and home to one of only two official land border crossing points with India, and Khampat, a key town located 50 km from the second border crossing point between Tamu in Myanmar and Moreh in Manipur, the people said.

The fighting in areas close to the border with India has heightened concerns that militant groups from the northeast with bases in Myanmars Sagaing region may attempt to sneak back into the country, the people said. Besides Kuki and Meitei militant groups, the United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I), which is opposed to peace talks, has bases in Myanmar.

Hundreds of Myanmarese civilians and troops have sought refuge in Manipur and Mizoram in recent weeks, and 416 soldiers were subsequently repatriated.

Indian Army chief Gen Manoj Pande alluded to these concerns at a news conference on Thursday, saying the Indian side is closely watching the situation along the border and has strengthened its posture by deploying close to 20 Assam Rifles battalions.

Policy-makers in New Delhi are also keeping a close watch on Chinas role in brokering talks between the Three Brotherhood Alliance and SAC, a move that will only enhance Beijings influence in Myanmar. Chinas special envoy for Myanmar, Deng Xijun, facilitated the talks in Kunming and witnessed the finalisation of the ceasefire on Thursday.

Chinas former envoy to India, Sun Weidong, now a vice foreign minister, too has played a key role in Beijings efforts to end fighting in Shan state. These efforts, the people said, were primarily focused on resumption of border trade and protection of Chinese nationals and investments in infrastructure projects.

Toe Kyaw Hlaing, a councillor of the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC), an advisory body to Myanmars government in exile, said the world community has no comprehensive approach towards Myanmar at a time when its focus remains on conflicts in Ukraine and Israel.

India is very important for Myanmar and can play an important role, but it needs to understand the situation correctly and it should have a smart strategy. Instead of a one-sided relationship with the SAC it should reach out to the National Unity Government (NUG) and other stakeholders, Hlaing said.

Another person close to the NUG or government-in-exile, who declined to be identified, said India shouldnt see the situation in Myanmar only in the context of China and should focus on the situation on the ground and the reasons for which the people are fighting the junta.

India informed Myanmar of its security concerns, especially refugee flows, during foreign office consultations in New Delhi in December. At the time, the external affairs ministry spokesperson had said the Indian side has backed a peaceful resolution and a return to democracy as the way forward in Myanmar.
The rapid decline in ties between India and the Maldives is the result of an Islamic conservative faction coming to power in the Indian Ocean Island, says a former top Indian diplomat. Chinese President Xi Jinping with Maldives' President Mohamed Muizzu, in Beijing,(PTI)

"Democracy in Maldives is relatively young, in their teens, and it is a question of lack of understanding of the situation as well as the realities of bilateral relations between the two countries, which has triggered this crisis, said Dnyaneshwar Manohar Mulay, a former Indian High Commissioner to Maldives.

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Just a month after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the newly elected Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, relations between the two former allies have gone into a tailspin. The immediate provocation came from tweets by three Maldivian ministers, attacking the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, for promoting the Lakshadweep islands during his recent sojourn there at the perceived cost to the Maldives and for Indias close ties with Israel.

The ministers also made derogatory remarks about Indians. The tweets have been deleted, the Ministers suspended, and the Maldivian government has distanced itself from them, but the damage has been done.

According to former High Commissioner Mulay, whenever such developments happen, it is the result of some people, who have been polluting the minds of the island population there and China has played a significant role in doing this. It has been providing all the assistance to the conservative elements in the Maldives and the current regime in Maldives is pro-development but also very conservative.

He added: There is an Islamic tilt to their policies and that is why the first visit of President Muizzu was to Turkey and it is unfortunate that the second visit was to China. It is an indication of what the new regime prefers.

Mulay pointed out that President Muizzu is a follower of former Maldives President, Abdullah Yameen, a known anti-India hardliner, who was President between 2013  2018. Yameen was sentenced to five years in jail and fined USD 5 million in 2019 for embezzling USD 1 million in state funds.

As President of the Maldives, Yameen had laid the foundation for the Chinese debt trap in 2015 and led the `India Out campaign, currently being pursued by President Muizzu, who wants Indias 70 soldiers in the island nations out. These personnel operate India-sponsored radars and surveillance aircraft.

Indian involvement in the Maldives is long, extending from hospitals, education, credit facilities, defence agreements, and many other areas of bilateral cooperation, the former High Commissioner told this reporter.

In Mulays view, however, when things settle down, Maldivians would realise that it would be very difficult to navigate through their domestic issues; issues related to climate change and day-to-day requirements. Maldives is extremely dependent on India and New Delhi has been providing all this, by going out of its way for decades now, since about 1976.

He said that sections of the Maldives population are already voicing their fears, knowing that India is the first responder during its time of crisis. The tourism industry has voiced its fears, as have the others, the former High Commissioner said.

Asked if China could grab the space if India vacated it in a country regarded as a long-term close ally, Mulay said: I am sure things would improve, but I will give it another six months to see how things shape up.

In November 1988, Indian troops famously intervened to thwart a coup attempt in the island nation. The attempt was carried out by a group of Maldivians and assisted by armed mercenaries of a Tamil secessionist organisation from Sri Lanka, the Peoples Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE), to overthrow the government. In the counter-offensive called Operation Cactus, India had thwarted the move, earning it a lot of goodwill.

Ranjit Bhushan is a senior journalist.
Israel will on Friday hit back at what it describes as "atrocious" allegations it is committing "genocide" in Gaza, in a closely watched landmark case before the UN's top court. A view shows damaged buildings in Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas(REUTERS)

South Africa has launched an emergency case at the International Court of Justice arguing that Israel stands in breach of the UN Genocide Convention, signed in 1948 in the wake of the Holocaust.

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Pretoria wants judges to force Israel to "immediately" stop the Gaza campaign launched after the devastating October 7 Hamas attacks, which left 1,140 dead, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.

Israel has responded with a relentless military campaign that has killed at least 23,469 people, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.

Israel and its ally the United States have dismissed the case as groundless and vowed a robust defence at the Peace Palace in The Hague, which houses the ICJ.

"No, South Africa, it is not we who have come to perpetrate genocide, it is Hamas," said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the run-up to the hearings.

"We will continue our defensive war, the justice and morality of which is without peer," he added.

In Washington, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the South African case was "unfounded".

"In fact, it is those who are violently attacking Israel who continue to openly call for the annihilation of Israel and the mass murder of Jews," said Miller.

The ICJ will likely rule within a matter of weeks on South Africa's request. Its rulings are final and legally binding but it has little power to enforce them.

A month after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the ICJ ordered a halt to the military operation -- to no avail.

Crossed the line

For this emergency proceeding, the court will not rule on the fundamentals of the case -- whether Israel is actually committing genocide -- but on whether the rights of Gazans to exist are at risk.

South Africa can bring an ICJ case against Israel as both countries have signed the Genocide Convention.

Justice Minister Ronald Lamola told the court on Thursday that Israel had "crossed the line" and was in breach of the Convention.

He said that even the brutality of the Hamas attack could not justify this.

"Genocides are never declared in advance," said Adila Hassim, a top lawyer for South Africa.

"But this court has the benefit of the past 13 weeks of evidence that shows incontrovertibly a pattern of conduct and related intention that justifies a plausible claim of genocidal acts."

The ruling African National Congress (ANC) has long been a firm supporter of the Palestinian cause, often linking it to its own struggle against the white-minority government, which had cooperative relations with Israel.

Anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela famously said South Africa's freedom would be "incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians".

Addressing the ICJ on Thursday, lawyer for South Africa Blinne Ni Ghralaigh said international justice itself was on the line.

"Some might say that the very reputation of international law, its ability and will to bind and protect all peoples equally, hangs in the balance," she told the court.

But Israel described South Africa as the "legal arm" of Hamas and said Pretoria's case was "one of the greatest shows of hypocrisy in history".
Nandlall spoke to The Associated Press days after Daniel P. Erikson, US deputy assistant secretary of defence for the Western Hemisphere, visited Guyana and one day after Guyanese officials announced they were seeking help from the US to improve its defence capabilities. HT Image

Nandlall and other officials in Guyana have sought to temper tensions with Venezuela over a disputed region known as Essequibo rich in oil and minerals that represents two-thirds of Guyana and that Venezuela claims as its own.

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We have not been approached by the United States to establish a military base in Guyana, said Guyanese Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, adding that the government does not conduct public policy at press conferences.

Erikson visited just weeks after a long-standing dispute over Guyana's Essequibo region deepened, with Venezuela holding a referendum in December to claim sovereignty over the area.

Nandlall told the AP that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro remains convinced that Guyana could host a US military base. He said Maduro raised the issue when he attended an emergency mediation meeting in St. Vincent last month to talk about the territorial dispute with Guyanese President Irfaan Ali.

(Ali) reiterated that this is not so, but we will encourage cooperation with our allies in defense of our territorial integrity and sovereignty, Nandlall said.

Guyana and Venezuela have agreed to refrain from using force, but the dispute continues, with Venezuela insisting that Essequibo was part of its territory during the Spanish colonial period, and that a 1966 agreement nullified a border drawn in 1899 by international arbitrators. (AP)

GRS GRS
Israel has made an arrangement with Qatar that will allow the delivery of medicines to hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, the Israeli prime minister's office said on Friday. People attend a rally for the release of the hostages kidnapped by Hamas at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza near the UN Headquarters on January 12, 2024 in New York City.(Getty Images via AFP)

The medications would be given to the hostages "in the next few days," the office said in a statement.

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The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents the families of hostages, said it would demand "visual proof" the medications had reached the hostages.

"After 98 days in Hamas tunnels, all hostages face immediate mortal danger and need life-saving medicines," a statement from the forum said. "In addition to medicines, the hostages require also extensive medical treatment."

Also read- Despair in Gaza: Fighting intensifies despite Israel's promise to scale down war

Many of the hostages are elderly and have chronic illnesses that require daily medications. Their families have petitioned the International Committee of the Red Cross to visit the hostages to deliver medicine and inspect their conditions. The Red Cross has said Hamas has denied it access.

More than 100 hostages remain in Gaza after an Oct. 7 rampage by militants from Hamas who killed 1,200 people and took 240 people hostage, according to Israel's tally. Israel has since laid waste to the Palestinian enclave in a campaign to eliminate Hamas.

In a deal brokered by Qatar and the United States that allowed for a brief truce in November, Hamas freed almost half the hostages in return for the release by Israel of scores of Palestinian detainees, as well as an increase in humanitarian aid shipments to Gaza.

Released hostages have described dire conditions in Hamas captivity, including torture, sexual assault and lack of vital medicines.
Jordan said on Friday Israeli "war crimes" against Palestinians were to blame for heightened regional tension and violence in the Red Sea which it said threatened to ignite a wider war in the Middle East. Israeli security forces patrol the streets of Jerusalem's Old City(AFP)

Israel, which since October has been fighting Hamas in the Gaza Strip, has denied allegations that it has committed war crimes.

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In comments after the United States and Britain launched strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen in response to the movement's attacks on ships in the Red Sea, Jordanian Foreign Minster Ayman Safadi said the international community ha failed to act to stop Israeli "aggression" against Palestinians which was endangering the region's security.

"The Israeli aggression on Gaza and its continued committing of war crimes against the Palestinian people and violating international law with impunity are responsible for the rising tensions witnessed in the region," Safadi said in remarks carried by state media.

The stability of the region and its security were closely tied, Safadi said.

"The international community is at a humanitarian, moral, legal and security crossroads. Either it shoulders its responsibilities and ends Israel's arrogant aggression and protect civilians, or allows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his extremist ministers to drag us to a regional war that threatens world peace," Safadi said.

He said Israel was pushing the region towards more conflict "by continuing its aggression and its attempt to open new fronts," and that Israeli military actions against civilians in Gaza met the legal definition of genocide.

Israel on Friday rejected as "grossly distorted" accusations brought by South Africa at the U.N.'s top court that its military operation in Gaza was a state-led genocide campaign against the Palestinian population.

It has said its forces abide by international law while fighting Palestinian militants in Gaza who operate in densely populated civilian areas.
BOSTON (AP)  Several Jewish students have filed a lawsuit against Harvard University, accusing it of becoming a bastion of rampant anti-Jewish hatred and harassment. Students walk through a gate at Harvard University. (AP Photo/Michael Casey, File)(AP)

The lawsuit filed Wednesday mirrors others filed since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, including against The Art Institute of Chicago, New York University and the University of Pennsylvania.

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In the Harvard lawsuit, the plaintiffs include members of the Students Against Antisemitism, Inc. They accuse Harvard of violating Jewish students' civil rights and allege that the university tolerated Jewish students being harassed, assaulted and intimidated  behavior that has intensified since the Oct. 7 attack.

"Mobs of pro-Hamas students and faculty have marched by the hundreds through Harvards campus, shouting vile antisemitic slogans and calling for death to Jews and Israel," according to the lawsuit. Those mobs have occupied buildings, classrooms, libraries, student lounges, plazas, and study halls, often for days or weeks at a time, promoting violence against Jews.

It was unclear what the reference to mobs in the lawsuit refers to, but the university has been rattled by protests since the Oct. 7 attack. At one point, pro-Palestinian students occupied a campus building for 24 hours.

Marc Kasowitz, a partner at the law firm that brought the suit, Kasowitz Benson Torres, said in a statement that the litigation was necessary because Harvard would not correct its deep-seated antisemitism problem voluntarily."

Harvard must be forced to protect its Jewish students and stop applying a double standard when it comes to anti-Jewish bigotry, he added.

A spokesman for Harvard said the school doesn't comment on pending litigation. About a dozen students are potentially facing disciplinary charges for violations of protest rules related to pro-Palestinian activities, but the spokesman said the school couldn't comment on their cases.

Fallout from the Israel-Hamas war has roiled campuses across the U.S. and reignited a debate over free speech. College leaders have struggled to define the line where political speech crosses into harassment and discrimination, with Jewish and Arab students raising concerns that their schools are doing too little to protect them.

The issue took center stage in December when the presidents of Harvard, Penn and MIT testified at a congressional hearing on campus antisemitism. Asked by Republican lawmakers whether calls for the genocide of Jews would violate campus policies, the presidents offered lawyerly answers and declined to say unequivocally that it was prohibited speech.

Their answers prompted weeks of backlash from donors and alumni, ultimately leading to the resignation of Liz Magill at Penn and Claudine Gay at Harvard.

Hamass Oct. 7 attacks killed 1,200 people in Israel, mainly civilians, and abducted around 250 others, nearly half of whom were released during a weeklong cease-fire in November.

Since the war began, Israels assault in Gaza has killed more than 23,200 Palestinians, roughly 1% of the territorys population, and more than 58,000 people have been wounded, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza. About two-thirds of the dead are women or children.

The U.S. Department of Education has repeatedly warned colleges that they are required to fight antisemitism and Islamophobia on their campuses or risk losing federal money. Cardona said the agency has opened more than 40 investigations at colleges and universities in response to complaints of antisemitism and Islamophobia since the Oct. 7 attacks, including at Harvard, Stanford and MIT.

No student should feel unsafe on campus, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona told The Associated Press on Wednesday after he met with students. The Office for Civil Rights takes these cases very seriously. They investigate harassment, or violations for antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Arab sentiment. We take that role very seriously. If any student on campus feels that any protest or messaging makes them feel unsafe, we ask for an investigation.

In November, Gay issued a memo laying out plans to address antisemitism on campus.

The university said it was starting a process to examine how antisemitism manifests within our community" and developing a plan to address it. It also is implementing a program to educate students and faculty about antisemitism and redoubling our efforts to make students aware that appropriate avenues exist to report feelings of fear or incidents causing harm including an anonymous hotline for bias incidents.
NEW YORK (AP)  A Maine man pleaded guilty on Thursday to attempted murder charges, admitting he tried to kill three New York Police Department officers when he attacked them with a machete near Times Square on New Years Eve a year ago. HT Image

Trevor Bickford, 20, of Wells, Maine, entered the plea in Manhattan federal court to three attempted murder charges and three charges of assaulting U.S. employees or officers. Together, the charges carry a potential penalty of up to 120 years in prison.

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Sentencing is set for April 11.

On Dec. 31, 2022, I attempted to kill three NYPD officers with a knife while they were working in Manhattan, Bickford said after he was asked to describe his crimes. I know what I did was wrong and I'm sorry.

Authorities have said the officers were injured when they were attacked by Bickford on the edge of the high-security zone where revelers were screened before entering the blocks around Times Square. The attack occurred about two hours before the new year began.

Bickford shouted Allahu akbar  the Arabic phrase for God is great  before striking the officers in the head with the machete and trying to grab an officers gun, authorities said. One officer suffered a fractured skull.

All three officers were injured in the attack. Bickford was shot in the shoulder by police and taken to a hospital. Authorities say he had studied radical Islamic ideology and decided to wage jihad against U.S. officials.

During the plea proceeding, Judge P. Kevin Castel questioned Bickford, who confirmed that it was true that he was pleading guilty without any kind of agreement with prosecutors.

At the outset of the hearing, Bickford said he was taking three medications for treatment of schizoaffective disorder.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Kushner told the judge that evidence in the case included the foot-long (30-centimeter) machete as well as post-arrest statements in which Bickford left no doubt that he attacked the officers because they were military-age men.

The officers, she said, were part of a joint task force of city and federal officers assigned to protect the city on New Year's Eve.

She said Bickford had intended to kill as many as possible of the men in uniform that he came across.

Kushner said he had intended to die a martyr in the attack and believed it was unsuccessful because nobody died.

The prosecutor said Bickford had originally intended to go overseas and fight alongside terrorists there but eventually decided to carry out an attack in the United States instead. She said he told investigators that he had walked around Times Square before the attack, trying to figure out the right time to kill.

After the plea, Bickford was returned to a federal facility, the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. He still faces state charges in connection with the attack.
New York, Jan 11 (AP) A Maine man pleaded guilty on Thursday to attempted murder charges, admitting he tried to kill three New York Police Department officers when he attacked them with a machete near Times Square on New Year's Eve a year ago. HT Image

Trevor Bickford, 20, of Wells, Maine, entered the plea in Manhattan federal court to three attempted murder charges and three charges of assaulting US employees or officers. Together, the charges carry a potential penalty of up to 120 years in prison.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Sentencing is set for April 11.

On December 31, 2022, I attempted to kill three NYPD officers with a knife while they were working in Manhattan, Bickford said after he was asked to describe his crimes. I know what I did was wrong and I'm sorry.

Authorities have said the officers were injured when they were attacked by Bickford on the edge of the high-security zone where revellers were screened before entering the blocks around Times Square. The attack occurred about two hours before the new year began.

Bickford shouted Allahu akbar  the Arabic phrase for God is great  before striking the officers in the head with the machete and trying to grab an officer's gun, authorities said. One officer suffered a fractured skull.

All three officers were injured in the attack. Bickford was shot in the shoulder by police and taken to a hospital. Authorities say he had studied radical Islamic ideology and decided to wage jihad against US officials.

During the plea proceeding, Judge P. Kevin Castel questioned Bickford, who confirmed that it was true that he was pleading guilty without any kind of agreement with prosecutors.

At the outset of the hearing, Bickford said he was taking three medications for treatment of schizoaffective disorder.

Assistant US Attorney Sarah Kushner told the judge that evidence in the case included the foot-long (30-centimeter) machete as well as post-arrest statements in which Bickford left no doubt that he attacked the officers because they were military-age men.

The officers, she said, were part of a joint task force of city and federal officers assigned to protect the city on New Year's Eve.

She said Bickford had intended to kill as many as possible of the men in uniform that he came across.

Kushner said he had intended to die a martyr in the attack and believed it was unsuccessful because nobody died.

The prosecutor said Bickford had originally intended to go overseas and fight alongside terrorists there but eventually decided to carry out an attack in the United States instead. She said he told investigators that he had walked around Times Square before the attack, trying to figure out the right time to kill.

After the plea, Bickford was returned to a federal facility, the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. He still faces state charges in connection with the attack. (AP) GRS GRS
Yemen's neighbour Saudi Arabia has urged for restraint after the United States and Britain launched airstrikes at sites linked to the Houthi movement in Yemen, reported news agency Reuters. In this image provided by the UK Ministry of Defence taken on Thursday Jan. 11, 2024 shows an RAF Typhoon aircraft taking off from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, for a mission to strike targets in Yemen. The US and British militaries bombed more than a dozen sites used by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen late on Thursday.(AP)

Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry stated that they were closely monitoring the situation with "great concern". Notably, the country has been engaging in peace talks with Yemen's Houthis.

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"The kingdom emphasizes the importance of maintaining the security and stability of the Red Sea region, as the freedom of navigation in it is an international demand," the ministry added.

ALSO READ| Israeli 'war crimes' responsible for regional tensions: Jordan

On Friday, US President Joe Biden confirmed that the US and the UK military conducted strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands. He highlighted that the military action is aimed at preventing Houthi rebels from carrying out hijacks, attacks etc. in the Red Sea region. Notably, the rebels have been adversely affecting navigation of ships in the Red Sea.

These strikes are in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Seaincluding the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history, Biden said in a statement.

Why Houthis have been attacking ships in the Red Sea

Yemen's Houthi militants which control much of the country are supporting Gaza's Hamas group in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. In its bid to affect shipments to Israel, the group has been attacking vessels linked to Israel or bound for Israeli ports.

Due to Houthi's terrorist attacks using drones, missiles etc., shipping operations of several commercial companies have been adversely affected in the Red Sea.

US president Biden claimed that over 50 countries have been affected by 27 attacks on international commercial shipping in the Red Sea. More than 2000 ships have been forced to divert thousands of miles to avoid the region, resulting in significant delays in product shipping times.
African Catholic bishops said on Thursday the Vatican's recent approval of blessings for same-sex couples was not appropriate on the continent because it contradicted "the cultural ethos of African communities". TOPSHOT - Worshippers of the Legio Maria African Church Mission walk in a procession on their way to their Christmas Eve vigil mass in a remote area near Ugunja, on December 24, 2023. Legio Maria is an African independent religious movement that developed gradually and eventually separated from the Roman Catholic Church in the 1960s. The religious movement was initiated by repeated appearances of a mystic woman delivering messages about the incarnation of the Son of God as a black man. (Photo by LUIS TATO / AFP)(AFP)

Homosexuality is still illegal in many religiously conservative African countries and many have a history of stigma and repression, sometimes encouraged by conservative Muslims and Christians.

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Last month, the Catholic Church said priests could bless "irregular" and same-sex couples under certain circumstances, in a decision seen by conservatives as backtracking on gay marriage and homosexuality, which the Church opposes.

"The Church's doctrine on Christian marriage and sexuality remains unchanged," the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) said in a statement from Ghana's capital Accra.

"For this reason, we, the African Bishops, do not consider it appropriate for Africa to bless homosexual unions or same-sex couples."

SECAM represents Catholic bishops across the continent.

The statement said that giving the blessings would cause "confusion and would be in direct contradiction to the cultural ethos of African communities".

- 'Against God's law' -

The Vatican last week sought to clarify the document published in December, denying it strayed from doctrine while urging "prudence" in certain countries.

The clarification by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith came after an outcry by certain bishops, particularly in Africa.

The original document had cautioned that priests could only perform blessings for same-sex couples, divorcees, or unmarried couples in "non-ritualised" contexts, and never in relation to weddings or civil unions.

Initial opposition to the Vatican's recent move has been particularly strong in Malawi, Nigeria and Zambia, as well as in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

"We cannot hide the risk of confusion and scandal that the blessing of same-sex couples could generate within our local church," Ivory Coast archbishops and bishops said last month.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria also said there could be no possibility of the Church blessing same-sex activities or union in the country.

"That would go against God's law, the teachings of Church, the laws of our nation and the cultural sensibilities of our people," it said in a December statement.

Since his election in 2013, 87-year-old Pope Francis has sought to open the doors of the Church to all its faithful, including the LGBTQ community.

But his efforts have met with strong resistance among the traditional and conservative fringe.

Around 30 African countries currently ban homosexuality, according to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association or ILGA.

Uganda, Mauritania and several northern Nigerian states punish same-sex relations extremely harshly, with those accused possibly facing the death penalty.

South Africa is the only nation on the African continent to allow gay marriage, which it legalised in 2006.

Gay sex has been decriminalised in only a handful of countries: Cape Verde, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Mozambique, and the Seychelles, according to ILGA.
In the ongoing lavish 10-day event, Brunei's Prince Abdul Mateen, known as Asia's most eligible bachelor, married his fiancee inside the gold-domed Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in the country's capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. The solemnising ceremony following the opulent wedding took place on Thursday, officially legalising Prince Mateen and 29-year-old commoner (who belongs to a non-royal family) Anisha Rosnah Isa-Kalebic. The grandiose royal nuptial event will end on January 16. Brunei's Prince Abdul Mateen (L) marries Anisha Rosnah Isa-Kalebic (R)(Instagram/Prince Mateen)

The 32-year-old prince is known for his prowess in polo; he is also a trained helicopter pilot and often termed hot, sexy, and related qualifiers; he also enjoys a strength of over 2.5 million Instagram followers.

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The royal family of Brunei has net worth of around $28 billion, making Prince Mateen's father, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, one of the world's richest royals.

Being sixth in the line, Prince Mateen is unlikely to ascend the throne. However, the huge following on social media due to his matinee idol looks made him one of the highest-profile members of the royal family.

Mateen's wife Isa-Kalebic, is the granddaughter of the Sultan's special advisor and the founding chairperson of Royal Brunei Airlines. Isa-Kalebic reportedly runs a fashion brand called Silk Collective.

Prince Mateen and Isa-Kalebic reportedly dated for years before their engagement was announced last year in October.

Celebrations for the royal wedding reach their climax on Sunday with a glittering ceremony in the 1,788-room palace and an elaborate procession.

The guest list is expected to include international royalty and political leaders.

(With inputs from AFP)
Pope Francis' health issues continue to affect his religious duties. On Friday, the religious leader complained of "a touch of bronchitis" and couldn't complete his address to a group of French religious communications experts at the Vatican, reported news agency Reuters. Pope Francis meets participants to the symposium "Universite des Communicants en Eglise" at the Vatican(via REUTERS)

Francis interrupted his welcome message while meeting the participants of the symposium "Universite des Communicants en Eglise" organised by the French Bishops' Conference.

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"I would like to read all the speech, but there is a problem, I have a touch of bronchitis," said the pope.

However, before his voice issue, he had delivered speeches while meeting other people. He addressed meetings with young professionals and a committee promoting relations between the Catholic, Orthodox and Oriental churches.

ALSO READ| Monitoring with great concern: Saudi Arabia reacts to US air strikes in Yemen

Pope's health issues in recent times

In November last year, the pope suffered a lung infection due to which he had to cancel a planned trip to the COP28 climate summit in Dubai. In the leading weeks in the Vatican, his speeches were read by his aides.

Francis recovered after receiving treatment including antibiotic therapy. Due to inflammation of his lungs, he had suffered breathing difficulties.

In June, the pope spent nine days in hospital after having surgery on an abdominal hernia. Notably, Francis is 87 years old and a part of one of his lungs was removed when he was a young man in his native country Argentina.
The United States and the United Kingdom will have to pay a heavy price and bear all the dire consequences, deputy foreign minister of the rebel group Houthi-led Yemen, Hussein al-Ezzi, said, as cited by CNN, in response to the targeted strikes by both the American and British militaries. Huthi-affiliated Yemeni fighters stand guard in front of a banner.(AFP)

"Our country was subjected to a massive aggressive attack by American and British ships, submarines, and warplanes, and America and Britain will undoubtedly have to prepare to pay a heavy price and bear all the dire consequences of this blatant aggression," al-Ezzi said.

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Abdul Salam Jahaf, a senior Houthi member, said the Iran-backed group had initiated retaliatory assaults on the US and UK warships deployed in the Red Sea.

Both US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, in a clear message against the rebel group's attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, which forms a crucial part of trade between the West and the East, said the strikes on Houthis was to ensure freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade and safeguard military, civilian marines and partners in the region.

"Today, at my direction, US military forces--together with the United Kingdom and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands--successfully conducted strikes against a number of targets in Yemen used by Houthi rebels to endanger freedom of navigation in one of the world's most vital waterways," the US President said in a statement.

Member of Houthi's supreme political council, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, said the US-UK strikes on Yemen were barbaric. Meanwhile, Iran condemned the attack and termed it a breach of international laws.

"We strongly condemn the military attacks carried out this morning by the United States and the United Kingdom on several cities in YemenWe consider it a clear violation of Yemen's sovereignty and territorial integrity and a breach of international laws, regulations, and rights," Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said in a statement.

The Houthi group launched a mix of several drone and missile attacks on Israel since the war against Gaza started and vowed not to stop attacking the country until it ends the hostilities in the Palestinian enclave.

They also started attacking commercial vehicles in the Red Sea, which the rebel group claimed to inflict strain on Israel and its allies, as the narrow stretch of waterways, which runs through the Bal-el-Mandeb strait near Southern Yemen, serves as a crucial aspect of global trade.
In a significant policy shift, Thailand is considering new legislation aimed at curbing recreational cannabis consumption, following its landmark decision to decriminalize the plant in 2022. The draft bill, published by the health ministry on Tuesday, seeks to outlaw the recreational use of cannabis, restricting its consumption exclusively to medical and health-related purposes, reported Bloomberg. The bill wouldnt return the plants classification to that of a narcotic.(AP / File)

The proposed legislation will reverse the measures implemented by a previous government in June 2022, which led to the proliferation of marijuana-related businesses nationwide. The proposed bill includes fines of up to 60,000 baht ($1,720) for individuals using cannabis for recreational purposes, with stricter penalties for those involved in its sale.

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The surge in cannabis shops and cafes, particularly in tourist areas and business districts, raised concerns, prompting the current government to address the issue.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who assumed office after the national election in May 2023, pledged during his campaign to limit marijuana use due to the perceived risks of addiction.

The legislation calls for tightened licensing rules on cannabis-related activities, requiring current businesses to obtain new licenses or permits or face significant penalties.

Despite the proposed restrictions, the bill does not reclassify cannabis as a narcotic. However, it poses challenges for existing businesses in the cannabis industry, ranging from growers to dispensaries, potentially threatening their existence.

Cannabis products, according to the current law, must contain no more than 0.2% tetrahydrocannabinol  the psychoactive compound that provides a high sensation.

Cannabis advocates and entrepreneurs in Thailand expressed concerns about the potential impact on the industry, noting the need for adjustments to comply with the evolving regulations, according to the Bloomberg report.

The transitory period for previously-illegal businesses to come above ground is nearing an end. They will need to make adjustments or risk jail, Bloomberg quoted Chokwan Kitty Chopaka, a Thai cannabis advocate and entrepreneur, as saying. Or they will go underground, where its not any better.

The draft legislation is currently open for public and industry feedback until January 23, allowing stakeholders to voice their opinions before potential changes are made. The health ministry will then submit the final proposal to the Cabinet, which will, in turn, send it to Parliament for approval.

(With inputs from Bloomberg)
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced Friday a new multibillion-dollar aid package for Ukraine during a surprise visit to Kyiv, where he vowed British support for a decade. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) and Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak shake hands at the end of a press conference.(AFP)

The pledge came at a crucial time for Ukraine as its allies in Brussels and Washington struggle to secure funding while Russia bolsters its weapon stockpiles and the ranks of its armed forces.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the "unprecedented" 10-year security cooperation agreement as well as the 2.5 billion ($3.2 billion) in new military aid earmarked for 2024.

"Today marks a watershed moment in European history," Zelensky told reporters at a joint appearance with Sunak in Kyiv.

The aid includes a wide range of arms and ammunition that are running in short supply in Ukraine -- like artillery shells and drones -- nearly two years into the grinding war.

Sunak urged other Western countries to double-down on their Ukraine support.

"If Putin wins in Ukraine, he will not stop there, and our opponents around the world believe that we have neither the patience nor resources for long wars -- so waver now and we embolden not just Putin but his allies in North Korea, Iran and elsewhere," he said.

'Embolden' Putin

The UK package will include "more air defence equipment, more anti-tank weapons, more long-range missiles, thousands of rounds more of ammunition and artillery shells," Sunak added.

London will also train "thousands more Ukrainian servicemen," he said, and allocate 200 million to build thousands more drones -- "the single largest package of drones given to Ukraine by any nation."

The aid came as Ukraine has warned it is in dire need of air defence capabilities to fend off increased aerial attacks.

Sunak said the security package would "form the core" of London's alliance with Ukraine for "100 years or more".

He also said the UK believed that Ukraine should be in NATO at a time when Kyiv has expressed frustration that it has not received sufficient security guarantees from the US-led defence alliance.

"You belong in NATO and NATO will be stronger with you," Sunak said.

Zelensky said that if Ukraine had been given security guarantees -- like the 10-year pledge of support -- after the breakup of the Soviet Union, "there would have been no Russian aggression at all".

Sunak had earlier said his trip was intended to "send a strong signal of support to the Ukrainian people", adding that Putin "needs to recognise we're not going anywhere".

'Great courage'

The British leader's visit came as Ukraine authorities said Russian shelling killed two people in the southern city of Kherson.

"A woman died on the spot," said Kherson's regional head Oleksandr Prokudin, adding that a "burnt body was also found in a car".

Sunak met with emergency service workers in Kyiv responding to the aftermath of Russian air strikes, which have intensified since late December, and praised Ukrainian "courage."

The latest commitment takes the UK's overall support for Ukraine's war efforts to nearly 12 billion.

British equipment already supplied to Kyiv includes Storm Shadow cruise missiles and a squadron of Challenger 2 tanks.

UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron had also vowed to maintain military support for Ukraine, during an unannounced visit to Kyiv in November.

Zelensky said at the time that the flow of artillery ammunition from Western allies had dropped since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas in October.

A top Ukrainian commander recently described the war as a stalemate, with no clear sign of a breakthrough on the front lines.
US First Lady Jill Biden slammed Republican attacks on her troubled son Hunter and blasted Donald Trump as a threat to democracy as she came out swinging for her husband's reelection campaign Thursday. HT Image

"I think what they are doing to Hunter is cruel," Jill Biden told MSNBC's "Morning Joe" talk show in a rare public defense of Hunter. "And I'm really proud of how Hunter has rebuilt his life after addiction."

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The 72-year-old teacher has been taking an increasingly prominent and vocal role in her husband's campaign for a second term, in which he faces a likely rematch with Trump.

But it remains unusual for her to touch on personal matters like Hunter Biden, who has been targeted by Republicans over his drug problems and legal woes as they try to inflict damage on the Democratic president ahead of November's vote.

The interview aired a day after a chaotic Congressional hearing during which one Republican lawmaker showed explicit pictures of Hunter Biden and another accused him of having "no balls."

"You know, I love my son. And it's hurt my grandchildren, and that's what I'm so concerned about that. It's affecting their lives as well," she said of the Republican attacks.

Hunter Biden also faces federal tax charges, for which he was due to appear in court in Los Angeles on Thursday, and gun charges.

He made a surprise appearance Wednesday on Capitol Hill as two Republican-led House committees gathered to debate contempt resolutions, after he defied their subpoenas for closed-door testimony.

Joe Biden has always strongly defended his only surviving son, whose mother and sister died in a car crash when Hunter was a toddler -- Biden later married Jill.

Hunter Biden's older brother Beau died of brain cancer in 2015.

Jill Biden laughed when asked about Republicans who branded them a "Biden crime family" during the hearing.

"Look at what the other side, the extremists, have turned this country into. I mean, we would never see things like that, say, 10 years ago," she said.

The US first lady then strongly defended her husband against concerns over his age -- he is already America's oldest ever president and would be 86 at the end of a second term.

Polls show it is a major concern with voters, with recent surveys putting Biden neck-and-neck with or behind Trump.

"I see his vigor, I see his energy, I see his passion every single day," she said.

"I say his age is an asset -- he's wise. He has experience. He knows every leader on the world stage. He's lived history. He knows history."

Jill Biden went on to criticize Trump, particularly for describing as "hostages" the rioters who have been jailed for the January 6, 2021 assault on the US Capitol by Trump supporters trying to overturn Biden's election.

"He doesn't call them what they were -- insurrectionists, dangerous extremists," she said in the interview with "Morning Joe" co-host Mika Brzezinski.

"That makes me want to be in the fight even more because we have to win... we cannot let go of our democracy."

The choice of Brzezinski also sent a message as Trump repeatedly targeted the journalist while in office, describing her as "Crazy Mika" and spreading a false conspiracy theory about her co-host Joe Scarborough, whom he dubbed "Psycho Joe."

dk/sst
The New York civil fraud trial of former President Donald Trump came to a close on Thursday, with both sides making their final arguments before Judge Arthur Engoron, who will decide the case by January 31st. TOPSHOT - Former US President Donald Trump sits in New York State Supreme Court during the civil fraud trial against the Trump Organization, in New York City on January 11, 2024. (Photo by Seth Wenig / POOL / AFP)(AFP)

The state attorney generals office accused Trump of inflating his net worth by over a billion dollars in a fraudulent scheme to obtain more loans and benefits, while Trump insisted he was innocent and attacked the judge and the attorney general.

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The trial, which began on Oct. 2 and ended in mid-December, is a bench trial with no jury. It could result in Trump paying up to $370 million in damages and being permanently barred from the New York real estate industry where he built his reputation.

Trump surprised the court by requesting to speak for a few minutes during his lawyers closing arguments, claiming he was the most affected person in the case. His lawyer, Chris Kise, had made a similar request in an email on Wednesday, but the judge had denied it after Kise and Trump refused to avoid personal attacks in their statement.

ALSO READ| Donald Trump not allowed to make any closing statement at New York fraud trial, says judge

Im an innocent man

The judge reluctantly agreed to let Trump speak for up to five minutes on Thursday, but told him to focus on the facts of the case. Trump ignored the judges advice and started speaking without consent.

We have a situation where Im an innocent man, Trump said to the judge. They should pay me for what Ive gone through.

This is not consumer fraud, Trump continued. This is no fraud. It is a fraud on me.

Trump also hurled insults at the judge and the attorney general, Letitia James, who was present in the court.

I know this is boring to you. I know you have your own agenda, Trump said angrily to the judge at one point, while sitting at the defense table. He suggested James hates him and doesnt want him to get elected, and called the case a persecution. The judge warned Kise to please control your client.

Mr. Donald Trump violated the law

James, who spoke to reporters after the proceedings, said the case has never been about politics.

This case is about the facts and the law, and Mr. Donald Trump violated the law, she said.

The lawyers from the AGs office, Kevin Wallace and Andrew Amer, presented evidence that Trumps financial statements were false every year between 2011 and 2021 by over a billion dollars. Wallace said the trial was about what did the defendants know and when did they know it? and whether they acted with intent when they manipulated their annual financial statements as part of a conspiracy.

ALSO READ| Jeffrey Epstein list: Trump claps back at allegations after docs release, says 'I was never...'

Did they know it? And the answer is yes, Wallace said.

Amer gave several examples of what he called intentional fraud.

The former President also claimed his Trump Tower triplex apartment was three times its size, and estimated value, and Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg signed off on a financial statement that continued to value the apartment at over $300 million even after hed been alerted it was 10,000 square feet instead of 30,000.

That screams of an intent to defraud, Amer said.

Trump did not stay for the closing arguments from the AGs office. He held a press conference at the same time at his nearby 40 Wall St. property. He told reporters there that James is a political hack and weve proven the case so conclusively.
Workers at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum are scheduled to vote Jan. 25 on whether to unionize, according to the National Labor Relations Board.

Buffalo AKG Art Museum workers seek union vote AKG Workers United has filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to hold an election. The bargaining unit would represent about 75 employees in visitor experience, food and beverage and facilities.

I am hopeful that we will win the election, and that the win in our departments inspires other departments across the museum to organize and join our unit, Jasper Beckstein, a visitor experience shift lead, said in a statement. We are all still Team AKG, and we are all working hard every day to make the Buffalo AKG the most welcoming, inspiring and transformative museum for our community and the world.

Jillian Jones, the museums deputy director, said of the upcoming vote: As we have said from the outset, we support the right of our employees to decide whether or not they would like to be represented by a union. Regardless of the decision, we are committed to continuing to work collaboratively to support all of our Buffalo AKG team.

The organizing campaign comes after the Buffalo AKG reopened in 2023, following a $200 million renovation and expansion that has drawn raves and crowds. Jeffrey Gundlach, a billionaire who donated $65 million toward the project, caused a stir last month with social media posts about unionists descending on the museum and warning that a higher cost structure could force the museum to close. Gundlach later deleted those posts and said he has no say over the museums operations.

Buffalo AKG workers launch organizing effort The workers are seeking to join the Workers United union, said Casey Moore, a union spokesperson.

Before filing the petition for an election, AKG Workers United members initially hoped the museum would voluntarily recognize the union or agree to terms of an election without the NLRBs involvement  which would have enabled security guards to be part of the bargaining unit  but they accused museum officials of stalling that process. Museum officials denied that claim, saying they were in the midst of drafting an election agreement when AKG Workers filed its petition for an election with the NLRB.

AKG Workers United has also filed unfair labor practice charges against the museum, accusing museum officials of increased surveillance of workers and tightening enforcement of workplace rules since the campaign was launched. Museum officials have denied putting such pressure on the employees.
A shocking child sexual abuse case has come to light in Texas, where a man has been arrested for allegedly filming himself and six other men gang-raping two toddlers in a public restroom of a busy shopping mall. The suspect, Arthur Hector Fernandez III is a former employee of Galleria. (Stock image)(HT-Print)

The FBI announced this week that they received videos of the horrific crimes from the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE), which discovered them on the dark web. The videos show the abuse of two children, aged 2 and 3, in the restroom of the Houston Galleria, one of the most famous malls in Texas.

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The accused, 29-year-old Arthur Hector Fernandez III, faces charges related to the sexual exploitation of children, as reported by KRIV. He was a former employee at the Galleria, where he allegedly lured the children and their families.

ALSO READ| Powerful cross-country winter storm sweeps across US, bringing blizzard conditions and severe weather chaos

According to the report, one of the videos shows a male child lying on a changing table in a restroom stall while an unidentified man assaults him and Fernandez records the act with his phone.

Another child, a female, is seen in three other videos provided by ACCCE to the FBI. She is also on a changing table in one of the videos, where multiple men take turns raping her. Fernandez is among the perpetrators in at least two of the videos, authorities say.

Suspect exploited the parents work schedules to rape their children: FBI

The FBI said they were able to identify Fernandez through the clothing and accessories he and the children wore in the videos. They contacted the relatives of the two toddlers, who recognized the items and confirmed that Fernandez was a friend of theirs.

A relative of the first child told the FBI that they had to work on an unscheduled day and had no babysitter for their child. They brought the child to their workplace, where Fernandez volunteered to look after him. That was the only time the child was alone with Fernandez, according to court documents.

The documents state that this incident occurred on May 6 and that it likely happened at a restroom in the Galleria, which has public restrooms, private stalls, and changing tables.

A relative of the second child said they faced a similar situation when they took their child to work. Fernandez offered to babysit her, saying he would walk her around the mall and keep her entertained.

ALSO READ| Donald Trump cries, 'This is no fraud, it's a fraud on me' in New York fraud trial after judge allows him to speak

The relative also said that Fernandez watched their child two more times without them once in December 2022 and then on Oct. 31, when he took her trick-or-treating.

The FBI said they found evidence linking Fernandez to the crimes at his residence. They said they saw a pair of white, low-top Converse All-Star shoes on the floor in one of the videos, and they found three pairs of the same shoes at his address. They also seized several electronic devices that could contain sexual abuse material.
US President Joe Biden came under fire from fellow Democrats for launching airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen without Congressional approval. He was also slammed on social media with several users picking up an old tweet panning his promise to not go back to endless wars. Biden is being panned for his promise to use the "military responsibility"

The US and the UK launched more than 60 strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen early on Friday to stop the Iran-backed groups shipping attacks in the Red Sea.

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For social media users though, Bidens action was time to re-up an old post where during a debate he had promised to use military power responsibly.

He had written: As President, I will use military power responsibly and as a last resort. We will not go back to forever wars in the Middle East. #DemDebate

A user wrote: Narrator: "He did in fact, go back to endless wars."

Another user wrote: Then please stop giving my tax dollars to Israel! You are funding a forever war against Palestine. WWII ended in 1945. Havent we worked through our American guilt for not taking Jewish refugees during the war? We dont owe Israel anything. Sanctions, not cash, for them

A third pointed out: "I will become a dictator and not ask Congress for approval. Even my own party is calling me out." " Can I have my ice cream now that I violated the Constitution?"

The attacks against Yemen came after a series of drone and missile attacks on Iranian-backed Houthis against shipping vessels in the Red Sea.

Rep Ro Khanna wrote: The President needs to come to Congress before launching a strike against the Houthis in Yemen and involving us in another middle east (sic) conflict. That is Article I of the Constitution. I will stand up for that regardless of whether a Democrat or Republican is in the White House.

Rep Val Hoyle also had the same view and wrote: These airstrikes have NOT been authorized by Congress. The Constitution is clear: Congress has the sole authority to authorize military involvement in overseas conflicts. Every president must first come to Congress and ask for military authorization, regardless of party.

Rashida Talib also criticised the President saying: POTUS is violating Article I of the Constitution by carrying out airstrikes in Yemen without congressional approval. The American people are tired of endless war.

On the other hand, several Republicans and Democrats congratulations Biden. Senate Minority Leader and Republican Mitch McConnel said: I welcome the U.S. and coalition operations against the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists responsible for violently disrupting international commerce in the Red Sea and attacking American vessels. President Bidens decision to use military force against these Iranian proxies is overdue. The United States and our allies must leave no room to doubt that the days of unanswered terrorist aggression are over.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said: This action by U.S. and British forces is long overdue, and we must hope these operations indicate a true shift in the Biden Administrations approach to Iran and its proxies that are engaging in such evil and wreaking such havoc. They must understand there is a serious price to pay for their global acts of terror and their attacks on U.S. personnel and commercial vessels. America must always project strength, especially in these dangerous times.

A US official said earlier: The United States carries a special, historic obligation to help protect and defend these arteries of global trade and commerce. And this action falls directly in line with that tradition. That is clearly reflected in both our national security strategy and the national defense strategy. It is a key conviction of the president and it is a commitment that we are prepared to uphold.
Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, entered a not-guilty plea to federal tax charges on Thursday in a Los Angeles court. He is facing nine counts of tax offences, three of which are felonies that could land him in prison for up to 17 years if convicted. Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in Los Angeles. President Joe Biden's son pleaded not guilty Thursday to federal tax charges filed after the collapse of a plea deal that could have spared him the spectacle of a criminal trial during the 2024 campaign. (Bill Robles via AP)(AP)

According to the indictment, which spans 56 pages, Biden engaged in a four-year scheme to not pay at least $1.4m in self-assessed federal taxes he owed for tax years 2016 through 2019. It also alleged that Biden spent millions of dollars on an extravagant lifestyle rather than paying his tax bills.

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The arraignment drew a large crowd of media and spectators outside the Los Angeles federal courthouse on Thursday afternoon. Many reporters and TV crews lined up on the sidewalk, hoping to catch a glimpse of Hunter. Some bystanders also stopped to watch the spectacle, recording it with their phones.

ALSO READ| Hunter Biden expected to plead not guilty in Los Angeles hearing on federal tax charges

A man with a loudspeaker was heard chanting USA and Hunter Bidens laptop for hours. The day before, Biden made a surprise appearance at a House hearing in Washington, where Republican lawmakers tried to hold him in contempt of Congress for failing to comply with a subpoena to testify. Democrats noted that Hunter Biden had offered to testify in public.

Hunter's legal dilemma intensifies

The California court proceeding was more formal than the previous days political drama. Hunter, dressed in a navy blue suit, listened to the full details of his tax charges before formally entering his plea. The court also discussed the upcoming court dates and filing deadlines.

The first son did not speak to the media waiting outside the courthouse and left in a federal vehicle through a back exit.

Bidens lawyer, Abbe Lowell, has previously stated that his client has settled his tax debts and is being targeted because of his family name.

ALSO READ| Nancy Mace slams Hunter Biden's sudden Capitol arrival as 'white privilege'

In addition to the tax case, Hunter is also fighting a separate case in Delaware. He is accused of illegally obtaining and possessing a revolver by lying about his drug use on a form. He was addicted to crack cocaine at the time. He has pleaded not guilty to that charge as well.

The trial for Hunters tax case is tentatively scheduled for 20 June by Judge Mark Scarsi.
Several anti-war protesters gathered late on Thursday outside the White House and Times Square, New York City, to voice their opposition to the airstrikes launched by the US and the UK against Houthi military targets in Yemen, stressing that the action threatened to escalate the conflict in Gaza. Demonstrators at Times Square and White House raised slogans such as "hands off the Middle East," "hands off Yemen," and "hands off Gaza".(X)

Protests on Thursday were coordinated, among other organisations, by the alliance known as ANSWER, which stands for "Act Now to Stop War and End Racism."

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According to the group's post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the strikes in Yemen represent a "major escalation" that could spark a wider regional conflict.

"Stop the US-led bombing of Yemen! The Biden admin is threatening to unleash a regional war w/ this retaliation against Yemens solidarity w/ Palestine. Anti-war activists are mobilizing at the White House TONIGHT to protest this major escalation," the post reads.

Also Read: Explained: Who are Houthis of Yemen and why are they attacking ships in Red Sea?

While the demonstrators at Times Square raised slogans such as "hands off the Middle East," "hands off Yemen," and "hands off Gaza", Palestinian flags were waved by the protesters outside the White House, and they held placards reading, Free Palestine, Let Yemen Live and stop bombing Yemen.

The US launched the airstrikes against Yemen after a string of drone and missile strikes on commercial ships in the Red Sea by the Iranian-backed Houthis.

The United States carries a special, historic obligation to help protect and defend these arteries of global trade and commerce, a senior US administration official told reporters on Thursday.

And this action falls directly in line with that tradition. That is clearly reflected in both our national security strategy and the national defense strategy. It is a key conviction of the president and it is a commitment that we are prepared to uphold.

Biden faces flak over strikes in Yemen without Congress approval

Several Democrats, including Indian American lawmaker Ro Khanna, came down heavily on US President Joe Biden for carrying out airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen without receiving consent from the Congress. They called the action unconstitutional, stressing that it could lead to a wider Middle East conflict.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Khanna slammed Biden, stating that this action could drag us in another middle east conflict. He called on the White House to work with Congress before continuing these airstrikes in Yemen.

The President needs to come to Congress before launching a strike against the Houthis in Yemen and involving us in another middle east conflict, he wrote on X. That is Article I of the Constitution. I will stand up for that regardless of whether a Democrat or Republican is in the White House.

Section 2C of the War Powers Act is clear: POTUS may only introduce the US into hostilities after Congressional authorization or in a national emergency when the U.S. is under imminent attack, the California Democrat said. Reporting is not a substitute. This is a retaliatory, offensive strike.

Supporting Khanna, Representative Val Hoyle stated that these airstrikes have not been authorised by Congress. The Constitution is clear: Congress has the sole authority to authorize military involvement in overseas conflicts. Every president must first come to Congress and ask for military authorization, regardless of party, Hoyle wrote on X.

The United States cannot risk getting entangled into another decades-long conflict without Congressional authorization. The White House must work with Congress before continuing these airstrikes in Yemen, said Wisconsin Democrat Mark Pocan.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), the head of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, termed the US- and UK-led bombing campaign as an unacceptable violation of the Constitution.

Houthis vows revenge against US and UK

The airstrikes were called by the US administration and authorised by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, reported Bloomberg.

After the airstrikes, the Houthis have vowed revenge, saying America and Britain will have to prepare to pay a heavy price".

"Our country was subjected to a massive aggressive attack by American and British ships, submarines and warplanes," Houthi Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein Al-Ezzi said, as per official media reports.

"America and Britain will have to prepare to pay a heavy price and bear all the dire consequences of this blatant aggression," he added.
Launching a scathing attack against Republican Presidential hopeful Nikki Haley, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul said he admires a couple of the GOP presidential contenders, but he is adamant about one thing that he is never Nikki. U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (Getty Images via AFP)

The leading libertarian in Congress and a Republican, Paul, accused former South Carolina governor Haley of advocating "endless wars" and unrestricted funding for Ukraine and other nations. He also launched a website slamming her policy positions.

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I am #NeverNikki and I hope you will be too, Paul, who advocates reducing government expenditures overall and foreign aid, wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

He further slammed Haley for disagreeing with then US President Donald Trumps decision to pull American troops out of Syria and Afghanistan and defending continued US presence in both the countries.

The people who like the stuff that I've been doing need to be aware, said Paul, adding that I don't want her (Nikki) to gain any traction without people knowing fully about her record.

In an interview on Friday morning, Paul stated that there was a "possibility" that he might run advertisements or go door-to-door against Haley, reported Politico.

I do like a lot of the aspects of at least three people on the Republican side as well as Bobby Kennedy. I'm absolutely dead certain Nikki Haley would be wrong for our country, Paul said. And I do have some voice. I want to make sure my voice is heard.

Also Read: Nikki Haley's open challenge to Trump, doesn't want him barred from 2024 ballot

Will Paul endorse Trump or Robert F. Kennedy Jr.?

Paul's stance comes a day after he teased an election announcement ahead of the Iowa caucuses, hinting that he would back Trump or independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in the presidential race.

He, however, emphasised that he liked aspects of the campaign run by Florida governor Ron DeSantis and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy.

Ive stayed out of the Republican Presidential Primary so far  but Ive seen enough. Thats why tomorrow morning I will have something important to say. Dont miss it! Paul wrote on X on Thursday afternoon, urging his followers to tune in tomorrow morning.

Responding to Paul's announcement, the account Republicans Against Trump on X wrote, Let me guess: you will endorse the president who added $8 trillion to the national debt, more than any president in 4 years in history.

Paul is a former contender of Trump. But he has supported Trump's campaign in 2016 and even endorsed him in 2020.

Trump, who is currently leading most polls in the GOP primary, has at least 19 endorsements from US senators, The Hill reported. However, his rivals -- Haley and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis -- do not have any endorsements from the Senate.

Meanwhile, Haley has significantly narrowed the gap with Trump in the Republican primary race in New Hampshire, according to latest CNN Poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire. Trump has maintained a lead with 39% support among likely Republican primary voters, while Haley trails at 32%. Other candidates, such as former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, lag behind with 12% and 8% respectively.
An Oregon man lost his life in police custody after he was discharged by Providence Milwaukie Hospital's doctors who claimed there was no medical reason for him to be there anymore. Milwaukie Police was summoned when DesCamps refused to leave the hospital after the staff discharged him from the emergency room.(Milwaukie Police /YouTube)

The newly released footage shows how police officers got frustrated with the hospital emergency staff who insisted on discharging 26-year-old Jean DesCamps as he appeared to be extremely ill.

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Their mindset there is he is just another tweaker. It does not matter if they are another f---n tweaker, one officer is heard saying following an unsuccessful attempt at CPR.

Milwaukie Police was summoned when DesCamps refused to leave the hospital after the staff discharged him from the emergency room.

The bodycam footage shows that DesCamps was drooling and groaning when officers arrived at the hospital. He remained silent when cops called his name or gave him instructions.

Police made the two hours of footage public after thoroughly reviewing it. However, they hid the identity of those who weren't involved because a large portion of it was shot in the emergency room.

DesCamps was playing possum and faking his symptoms: Hospital staff

The video showed a chronology of the police's discomfort and frustration with the medical staff's continuous insistence that there was no medical issue with the patient.

There is no medical reason for him to be here anymore, and its all behavioral, one staff member can be heard telling officers in the clip.

A physician said DesCamps was playing possum and faking his symptoms, suggesting that the cops should just drop him off at a bus stop, the DAs memo said.

After consulting with a supervisor, police were unable to decide where to send DesCamps and ultimately opted to take him to Unity Center for Behavioral Health. They affixed handcuffs to his limp wrists and gently placed him in a wheelchair

DesCamps wasn't breathing when the officers reached there. In the wee hours of December 13, 2023, he was declared dead.

Ive been saying for years, its a matter of time before they refuse to do care and make us do something, one officer tells an ambulance medic in the footage.

That guy does not need to be dead right now. Their mindset there is, Oh, its just another tweaker.

DesCamps' death was ruled to be the result of a drug overdose by the State Medical Examiner's Office.

The police officers were found not guilty of any crimes related to his death, the DA's office said.

Milwaukie Police Department and Providence issue statement

Providence issued a statement after the video was released stating, In this case, we fell short of our goal of providing safe, reliable, compassionate care to our patient. The Milwaukie Police Department video is difficult to watch, and Providence is committed to doing all we can to learn from this and improve our response to our most vulnerable patients.

In a statement, Milwaukie Police said: Through our initial and ongoing review, we see every indication that our Officers were trying to improve Mr. Descamps situation by getting him additional care and treatment.

Meanwhile, the Oregon Health Authority confirmed to Fox 12 Investigates that they had started a probe into the death. On Dec. 19, Oregon Health Authoritys Health Care Regulation and Quality Improvement Section initiated an investigation of Providence Milwaukie Medical Center under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) following a Dec. 12, 2023, incident involving a patient in the hospitals emergency department. The investigation is not yet completed but the hospital was notified of an Immediate Jeopardy situation, the said in a statement.
Taking a dig at US President Joe Biden, Donald Trump dubbed the White House a "senior living" facility where "residents feel like presidents". Ex-US President Donald Trump and US President Joe Biden(AFP)

On his Instagram handle on Thursday (local time), Trump, who is leading the 2024 GOP presidential race, shared a 30-second clip, featuring unpleasant shots of Biden, with a gentle voiceover in the style of retirement living TV commercials. In the video, the US President can be seen enjoying pizza, ice-creams and outdoor activities.

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Our vibrant facility offers delightful activities and outings, around-the-clock professional care and exquisite house-made meals, the narrator explains.

"White House senior living, where residents feel like presidents," it concludes.

Also Read: Biden slams Trump as sick, loser echoing Nazi Germany as campaign turns virulent

The video posted by Trump on his Instagram page has garnered 207,407 likes and it is now also doing round on X (formerly Twitter).

Here's how Internet reacts

Several X users have called the video "absolutely hysterical", adding that "Joe Biden cant go to Aldi grocery store on his own but thankfully he lives at White House Senior living".

Its time to end White House Senior Living, another user said.

WHITE HOUSE Senior living. Our residents feel good within the walls of the White House nursing home! Life is in full swing, a lot of different activities, trips to nature. 24-hour professional care and exclusive home cooking." White House nursing home  feel like a president!" one more X user wrote.

Trump mocks Biden for being lost and confused on stage

Last year, Trump has mocked Bidens frequent blunders and mishaps on stage during a speech at the California Republican Party convention.

The ex-US President questioned 80-year-old president's mental and physical fitness to serve another term as president. He said that Biden often appeared lost and confused in public, failing to find his way off the stage after delivering speeches.

Trump even imitated Bidens awkward stage exits by pretending to be disoriented and unable to locate the stairs behind the podium. He spun around in circles, walked up to the wall, and threw his hands up in despair, as the crowd laughed and cheered.

Where the hell am I? Trump exclaimed.

Ive never seen this stupid stage before. Ive never seen it. But if I walk left theres a stair and if I walk right theres a stair, he added.
Several Democrats, including Indian American lawmaker Ro Khanna, came down heavily on US President Joe Biden for carrying out airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen without receiving consent from the Congress. They called the action unconstitutional, stressing that it could lead to a wider Middle East conflict. US President Joe Biden (AP)

The US launched the airstrikes against Yemen after a string of drone and missile strikes on commercial ships in the Red Sea by the Iranian-backed Houthis.

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The United States carries a special, historic obligation to help protect and defend these arteries of global trade and commerce, a senior US administration official told reporters on Thursday.

And this action falls directly in line with that tradition. That is clearly reflected in both our national security strategy and the national defense strategy. It is a key conviction of the president and it is a commitment that we are prepared to uphold.

Also Read: Explained: Who are Houthis of Yemen and why are they attacking ships in Red Sea?

This is a retaliatory, offensive strike

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Khanna slammed Biden, stating that this action could drag us in another middle east conflict. He called on the White House to work with Congress before continuing these airstrikes in Yemen.

The President needs to come to Congress before launching a strike against the Houthis in Yemen and involving us in another middle east conflict, he wrote on X. That is Article I of the Constitution. I will stand up for that regardless of whether a Democrat or Republican is in the White House.

Section 2C of the War Powers Act is clear: POTUS may only introduce the US into hostilities after Congressional authorization or in a national emergency when the U.S. is under imminent attack, the California Democrat said. Reporting is not a substitute. This is a retaliatory, offensive strike.

Supporting Khanna, Representative Val Hoyle stated that these airstrikes have not been authorised by Congress. The Constitution is clear: Congress has the sole authority to authorize military involvement in overseas conflicts. Every president must first come to Congress and ask for military authorization, regardless of party, Hoyle wrote on X.

The United States cannot risk getting entangled into another decades-long conflict without Congressional authorization. The White House must work with Congress before continuing these airstrikes in Yemen, said Wisconsin Democrat Mark Pocan.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), the head of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, termed the US- and UK-led bombing campaign as an unacceptable violation of the Constitution.

GOP lawmaker Nancy Mace also chimed in and argued, This is where we should put party aside and stand for the oath we all took: Congress alone decides if we go to war. I join my colleagues on both sides insisting we follow the Constitution.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), who has earlier accused Biden of supporting genocide against Palestinians, also denounced the Yemen offensive.

The American people are tired of endless war, she wrote on X, calling the airstrikes unconstitutional.

'US and UK will pay a heavy price', warns Houthi official

The airstrikes were intended to hit at a source of the militant groups attacks and came after the Biden administration warned there would be consequences for the barrage of drones and anti-ship missiles that had targeted ships in the vital trade waterway.

The airstrikes were called by the US administration and authorised by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, reported Bloomberg.

After the airstrikes, the Houthis have vowed revenge, saying America and Britain will have to prepare to pay a heavy price".

"Our country was subjected to a massive aggressive attack by American and British ships, submarines and warplanes," Houthi Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein Al-Ezzi said, as per official media reports.

"America and Britain will have to prepare to pay a heavy price and bear all the dire consequences of this blatant aggression," he added.
All crew members survived after a US Navy helicopter crashed in Southern California on Thursday night, a military spokesperson confirmed. The inquiry into the cause of US helicopter crash cause is still ongoing.(AP (representative))

According to Navy Cmdr. Beth Teach, a spokesman for the Naval Air Force Pacific Fleet, the MH-60R Seahawk hit the waters of San Diego Bay around 6:40 pm as it was performing routine training exercise.

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All six crew members survived the crash.

Due to the nature of the training, a safety boat was on location and, with the assistance of Federal Fire, all six crew members survived and were promptly moved ashore, Teach said as per Fox 5 San Diego.

All personnel are undergoing medical evaluation at this time.

Also Read: US Navy sailor sentenced to over 2 years in prison for accepting bribes from Chinese officer

Cause of US Navy helicopter crash remains under investigation

The severity of the crew members' injuries was not immediately known. According to Navy officials, none of them suffered serious or potentially fatal injuries.

Personnel from the Fire Department and the US Coast Guard arrived at the crash scene at Coronado, which is located across an inlet from San Diego.

The inquiry into the cause of the crash is still ongoing.

The aircraft belonged to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 41, Navy said.

According to its website, the fleet squadron is stationed at Naval Air Station North Island on the Coronado peninsula and trains air personnel on the MH-60R Seahawk.

The primary helicopter used by the Navy for anti-submarine warfare is the MH-60R Seahawk. It can also carry out a broad range of missions, such as search and rescue and reconnaissance.
The US has resumed importing oil from Russia for the first time in more than a year, despite the ongoing sanctions imposed on Moscow over its military intervention in Ukraine, according to a Sputnik Globe report. US resumes Russian Oil amidst global scrutiny. A logo of Russian Lukoil oil company is seen.(Reuters)

According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), the US imported 36,800 barrels of Russian oil in October and 9,900 barrels in November, worth $2.7 million and $749,500, respectively. The imports were made possible by specific licenses granted by the US Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which oversees the enforcement of sanctions.

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The EIA data also revealed that the US paid a premium for the Russian oil, as one barrel cost $74 in October and $76 in November, well above the price cap of $60 per barrel set by the US and its allies in 2022. The price cap was part of a coordinated effort by the US, the G7 countries, the EU, Switzerland, and Australia to reduce Russias income from oil exports, as a response to its annexation of Crimea and support for separatists in eastern Ukraine.

ALSO READ| FBI arrests Texas man for filming child gang-rape in mall restroom

The US banned the import of oil, gas, and other energy resources from Russia in March 2022, along with other sanctions targeting Russian individuals, entities, and sectors. However, the OFAC has the authority to issue licenses for certain transactions that are otherwise prohibited by the sanctions, on a case-by-case basis.

The reasons behind the US decision to resume importing Russian oil are unclear, but some experts have speculated that it could be related to the global energy crisis, the geopolitical tensions with China, or the diplomatic efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict.

What Twitter has to say on US' move

X(formerly Twitter) sparked a lively debate, with some expressing surprise, skepticism, or criticism of the US move, and others offering their own interpretations or opinions on the implications of the US-Russia oil trade.

One user posted, This is a betrayal of Ukraine and a capitulation to Putin. The US should stand firm on the sanctions and support the democratic aspirations of the Ukrainian people.

ALSO READ| Hunter Biden pleads not guilty in Los Angeles hearing on federal tax charges

Another user replied, This is a pragmatic move by the US to secure its energy needs and diversify its sources. The sanctions are still in place, and the US is still committed to the Minsk agreements. The US is not abandoning Ukraine, but trying to find a peaceful solution to the crisis.

Another one wrote, This is a smart move by the US to weaken Chinas leverage over Russia. The US is offering Russia a way out of its isolation and dependence on China, and creating an incentive for Russia to cooperate on other issues, such as Iran, North Korea, and climate change.
A longtime trustee with the Buffalo and Erie County Library system was forced to resign from the library board last month after a series of events sparked by his objection to a drag queen reading to children in the Central Library during Pride Month.

Frank Gist, a retired Buffalo firefighter and bail bondsman, not only objected to the story time event in June, but wrote three columns in the Buffalo Criterion, an African American weekly newspaper, that criticized the event as an abomination that was grooming and mentally molesting children. He ripped the library leadership team as promoting LGBTQ propaganda.

From books to backlash: How drag queens got dragged into politics Drag has been dragged through the mud  cast in a false light by right-wing activists and politicians over "sexualization" or "grooming" of kids.

Gists comments were met with backlash, with library leaders and LGBTQ advocates describing them as vicious, homophobic and chauvinistic.

This Buffalo controversy has unfolded at a time when libraries across the country have found themselves in the crosshairs of a larger culture clash between those who believe that library content and events should be available and inclusive, and those who believe they should exclude topics that appear to promote or normalize gay and transgender topics.

Events associated with drag queen story time, in which men dressed in flamboyant female attire and makeup read stories to children, have faced heated protests. In New York State alone, a Warren County public library was forced to close in September after fallout from a planned drag queen story time prompted staff and board resignations. A Drag Story Hour planned for a Brooklyn public library that month was also forced to move after a bomb threat was called into the library.

Gist said he has felt dismissed as a Black man who believes that having drag queens read to children is wrong and exploitive.

I think it cheapens the whole library system, Gist said.

Video: Frank Gist objects to Pride Month event at July library board meeting.

Other library officials have accused Gist of engaging in a long pattern of demeaning behavior, and abandoning the library systems mission of providing materials and programming that reflect the entire community.

Anyone should be able to come to the library, and if they dont see something that reflects who they are, were not doing our job, Library Director John Spears said.

Board Chairwoman Kimberly Johnson said the issue with Gist was not just his disapproval of a single event, but his ongoing, written attacks and past treatment of library staff.

He just continued to go down this rabbit hole, and he wasnt going to stop, Johnson said.

Drag queen story time

The source of Gists initial outrage came from a June 24 event developed by Buffalo Common Council Member Mitch Nowakowski for Pride Month. He hosted a two-hour event at the Central Library called Taking Pride in Our Story.

Nowakowski and library officials said the goal of the event was to celebrate diversity and inclusivity and to let children know that no matter how different or left out they may feel, there is space for them in the community.

Four childrens picture books were read, including the book We Move Together, which includes children who use wheelchairs and walking aides; The Day You Begin, which explores how children who feel like outsiders find ways to belong despite diverse backgrounds; My City Speaks, which features a visually impaired girl describing the sounds of her city; and Harriet Gets Carried Away, about the adventures of a girl carried off by penguins as she prepares for her birthday party. In the book, it is clear the girl has two dads, but that is not the focus of the story.

Readers included Nowakowski, who is gay, two people with disabilities and a drag queen  one of two present. The event included a book giveaway, free ice cream, hula hoops and button makers, Nowakowski said.

The message was to reinforce to children that they are normal, accepted and loved, regardless of who they are, said Nowakowski, who estimated that about 50 adults and children attended.

Its a public library, he said. Everybody deserves to have their stories told and reflected.

Gist told The Buffalo News he was unaware that anyone other than drag queens read to the children and did not know what the books were about.

Library officials said they have hosted similar programs on and off since 2017, and it was never an issue before now. Gist said this was news to him.

He was alerted to the event promoted on the Central Librarys social media while he was out of town and said he was shocked to see images of two Black men in drag, one of whom was dressed like a princess and reading to young children. He said there was no educational value in having children read to by transgender men.

I think its an abomination, and Im not going to bite my tongue about it, he said at the Library Boards meeting in July.

Johnson engaged in a sharp exchange with him, which lasted about 10 minutes. Gist told The Buffalo News that he felt as though he was getting dressed down for expressing his opinion. Other board members either said they had no problem with the event or offered no opinion.

Johnson, who is Black and had several private conversations with Gist, said Gists experience as a Black man should not be overlooked. But she said it was clear he was frustrated at the lack of agreement from board members and chose to subsequently write a series of increasingly spiteful columns that denigrated the library leadership and espoused views that were contrary to the librarys mission.

Video: Administrator Judy Fachko objects to Gist's comments at September meeting.

Judy Fachko, the librarys assistant deputy director for human resources, spoke out against Gists comments at a September board meeting.

Controversial columns

Conservative book ban push fuels library exodus from national association that stands up for books More libraries are cutting ties with the American Library Association as the professional group stands up for books some say children shouldn't have access to because of their content.

Gist suffered a stroke after the July board meeting, but began publishing his objections to the library event as a Buffalo Criterion columnist in October.

His first column, titled, Drag Queen Dilemma Part 1 said he didnt believe there was value to having drag queens read to children, that it was messing with childrens minds for carnal reasons.

I was even more exasperated as a Black man to see the emasculation of Black males in the minds of poor children with no positive role models in their lives, he wrote.

While he believes homosexuals were born that way, he wrote, he now questions that in light of the increasing number of young people who identify as being part of the LGBTQ+ community as a fun time fad like tattoos.

His following Part 2 column in early November took issue with Johnson asking him whether he read books to his children, saying that is not the equivalent to being read to by a grown queer man dressed up in a dress with heavy makeup and wig, and fake boobs. He also criticized a newer board member who interjected her white privilege when she said Gists position did not reflect the position of the board as a whole.

That board member was Christine Bartholomew, law professor and vice dean for academic affairs at the University at Buffalo School of Law. She said the obligation for library trustees is to ensure the libraries are for everyone, including members of diverse communities. She also said it is the way his objections unfolded that upset other members of the board.

Its one thing to have a dialogue about an event at a library, she told The Buffalo News. Its another thing to have articles written in the tenor of the nature that Frank adopted in those articles.

Gist said many people he has spoken with feel as he does and dont believe a public library should host drag queen events or circulate LGBTQ-related material that could be considered pornographic.

Spears, the library director, said the kind of rhetoric used by Gist in his columns has been used to hurt libraries across the country.

Its the kind of thing that leads to book bannings, he said. Its the kind of thing that has led to the doxxing of librarians. Its led to resignations. Its led to vandalism against libraries.

The last straw

After the second column ran and the library board met again in November, Spears read a letter signed by the library systems seven top administrators stating that Gists latest comments not only ran in direct opposition to the library systems mission, but that Gists behavior was part of a long pattern of his demeaning treatment of both administrators and board members, particularly women.

Gist, who wasnt present at the November meeting, said he never read the letter, but denied the accusations.

Video: Library Director John Spears reads letter regarding Gist to the board.

Board members discussed having Gist removed from the board. Gist held one of four seats with expired terms because Mayor Byron Brown has failed to appoint or reappoint board trustees in recent years.

When Gist learned of plans to oust him, he wrote his third Criterion column in early December in which he disparaged the board chairwoman and described some past board members as straight up undercover white supremacists. Aside from describing the June story time event as mentally molesting children, and event supporters as morally bankrupt, he said he learned from a TikTok video that the + sign in LGBTQ+ is code language for an organization that supports men having sex with boys.

The plus sign is actually an umbrella symbol that refer to other sexual orientations and gender orientations not covered by other LGBTQ letters (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning).

Nowakowski wrote his own reaction column in the Criterion, calling Gists views disgusting, morally repugnant, wrong, and quite frankly dangerous to LGBTQ people. He criticized Gists language as wrongly associating the entire gay community with pedophilia.

Library board members and elected officials contacted Brown about Gists position as library trustee. Gist had stated in his third column that he and the mayor had been friends for more than 35 years, that Brown would not remove him from the board, and that he would never voluntarily resign.

However, Gist told The News that Brown later reached out to him, and it became clear that resignation was his only option.

Gist wrote a final, front-page apology column on the library issue in mid-December. He extended an apology to the LGBTQ community and supporters, and to the library board and director for bringing a negative light to the greatest library system in the country.

He told The Buffalo News that accusations that he dislikes gay people are absolutely wrong, that he is not homophobic and that he wrote the apology column because it became clear he hurt a lot of readers feelings. Gist said he has nothing against Spears, a highly qualified library director, but he still believes Spears is promoting an LGBTQ+ agenda in the library system because Spears is a gay man.

Spears said his only agenda is the agenda that all library advocates share  that patrons have the freedom to explore all the content the library system offers, regardless of whether someone else may find it offensive. That includes a family-friendly Pride Month story time event.

If people dont think we should be doing this, what I would ask those people to do is take a look at what we offer, he said. And if they dont see anything that represents them, if they dont see anything that appeals to them, let us know, because we will fix that.
The US government on Thursday denied involvement in an American company's activities in the Central African Republic that have been seen as potentially challenging Russia's Wagner mercenaries for influence. HT Image

Bancroft Global Development late last month told AFP that it had "agreed on a framework to discuss possible future activities" in the troubled country but denied having sent personnel.

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The State Department, spokesman Vedant Patel said Thursday, has not sent any "green light" to Bancroft.

"The State Department was not involved in the reported decision of Bancroft Global Development to establish a reported presence in CAR, nor has the State Department sought the involvement of any private military company in CAR," Patel told reporters.

He said the United States more broadly sought a "prosperous Central African Republic that respects human rights and the rule of law."

The Central African Republic has said it is trying to diversify relations. Wagner has been heavily involved in the country and other conflict-ridden African states such as Mali, where the Russian-led mercenaries have supported security forces and been accused of rights violations.

Wagner faces restructuring by Moscow after it grew so powerful that it mounted a mutiny inside Russia last year, with the group's leader Yevgeny Prigozhin killed in a suspicious plane crash two months later.

US private security companies often have ties with the government, with the State Department a top funder of Bancroft and former US troops providing staff, but the relationships are unofficial with the firms not working under government control.

Bancroft, headquartered in Washington, was founded to clear landmines before turning into a wider private security company, with a longstanding presence in training forces in troubled Somalia.

sct/caw
The United States and the United Kingdom joined forces to launch a retaliatory attack against Iran-based rebel group Houthis in Yemen shortly after the group claimed responsibility for a string of attacks against cargo ships and vessels travelling through the Red Sea. Iran based Houthis have taken responsibility of hijacking ships on the Red Sea, REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah(REUTERS)

The airstrikes by US and UK, aimed at destroying Houthi bases in Yemen, has further escalated the conflicts in the area in the midst of the Israel-Hamas war.

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A US official, who asked not to be identified before a formal announcement, confirmed the strikes. Heavy explosions were reported in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa and the port city of Al Hudaydah.

The airstrikes were intended to hit at a source of the militant groups attacks and came after the Biden administration warned there would be consequences for the barrage of drones and anti-ship missiles that had targeted ships in the vital trade waterway.

The airstrikes led by the US took place mere hours after Secretary of State Anthony Blinken completed a multi-nation trip across the Middle East on Thursday, aimed at getting support for more aggressive action toward the Houthis, as he insisted there will have to be consequences if the attacks at sea persisted.

The attacks against cargo ships in the Red Sea have disrupted the import-export chain in multiple countries, with the oil prices taking a hit in the process.

The airstrikes were called by the US administration and authorised by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, reported Bloomberg. This comes after West Texas Intermediate rallied as much as 1.6% at the open to trade above $73 a barrel.

Houthi rebel attacks on the Red Sea

The Iran-based rebel group claimed responsibility for multiple hijackings and attacks on vessels and cargo ships travelling through the Red Sea, belonging to countries that have an Israel link.

Showing solidarity with its ally Hamas in Palestine, the Houthis said that they will continue to target Israeli-linked or Israel-bound vessels in protest against the ongoing war on Gaza. However, some of the vessels hijacked had no discernable link to Israel.

The attack against Houthi rebels came after Iran's Navy on Thursday captured an oil tanker off the coast of Oman. That incident brings Iran more directly into the shipping turmoil thats gripped the Middle East.

The attacks on Red Sea have seriously impacted the supply chain and oil prices for many countries, prompting strong action by US and UK.

(With inputs from Bloomberg)
Hafiz Abdul Salam Bhuttavi, a founding member of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) and deputy to Hafiz Saeed, has been confirmed dead by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). He was one of the key masterminds in the ghastly 26/11 Mumbai attacks in which more than 150 people were killed. Abdul Salam Bhuttavi died of a heart attack in a jail in Sheikhupura in Pakistans Punjab province. (HT)

Bhuttavi died of cardiac arrest in Muridke city of Pakistan on May 29, 2023, while serving his sentence in Pakistan jail, the UNSC said.

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LeTs front organisations had issued a video in May last year purportedly showing the funeral of 78-year-old Bhuttavi that was held at the terror groups markaz or centre at Muridke.

The UNSC also updated that Hafiz Saeed, the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack mastermind, is currently in the custody of Pakistan serving a 78-year imprisonment sentence since February 12, 2020.

Who is Hafiz Abdul Salam Bhuttavi?

Bhuttavi was the deputy of 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed and served as the acting emir of LeT on multiple occasions when Saeed was detained. He played a key role in the planning of the Mumbai attacks, which resulted in over 150 casualties. He helped prepare the operatives for the November 2008 terrorist assault in Mumbai by delivering lectures on the merits of martyrdom operations.

Bhuttavi was also responsible for LeT's madrassa network and served as a preeminent scholar, instructing leaders and members while issuing fatwas authorizing operations. In mid-2002, he was tasked with establishing LeT's organizational base in Lahore.

Bhuttavi was designated as a terrorist by the UNSC in 2012 for being associated with al-Qaeda for participating in the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing, or perpetrating of acts or activities by LeT.

"Hafiz Abdul Salam Bhuttavi was listed on 14 March 2012 pursuant to paragraph 4 of resolution 1989 (2011) as being associated with Al-Qaida for "participating in the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing, or perpetrating of acts or activities by, in conjunction with, under the name of, on behalf of, or in support of" or "otherwise supporting acts and activities of" Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (QDe.118)," the UNSC stated.

Following Hafiz Saeed's arrest, Bhuttavi managed the group's day-to-day functions, making independent decisions.
The Buffalo Niagara Partnerships policy priorities for the new year include everything from tapping into the immigrant workforce, to promoting innovation, to keeping energy affordable.

The advocacy agenda introduced Thursday by the regions largest business group touches on issues affected by all levels of government. Heres a look at some of them:

What's in store for 2024? Employers size up the challenges Local employers have a lot on their minds heading into 2024. Participants in a Buffalo Niagara Partnership panel earlier this month talked about headwinds and tailwinds as the new year approaches.

Immigration. The Partnership supports refugee resettlement in Buffalo, and calls for reducing the waiting time for asylum seekers to obtain work permits to 30 days from the current 180 days.

Some employers struggling to find workers have said theyve found success in drawing from the regions refugee population. Advocates for refugees, such as resettlement agencies, are trying to connect them with job opportunities.

The Partnership also backs reforming the federal H-1B visa program, changes that would increase the number of visas issued each year and allow Buffalo to compete for top talent.

Through H-1B, foreign workers receive temporary visas to work in the United States, with sponsorship by an employer. Some employers want to see an increase in the number of H-1B visas issued each year. Critics of the program argue that it can take away job opportunities from U.S. citizens.

Tech hub partners in Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse team up for $75M funding push Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse realized their best shot at getting designated as a federal tech hub was by working together. When it comes to chasing economic development, it's a different tack for them.

Innovation. The Partnership is supporting the joint bid by Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse to win up to $75 million in tech hub funding from the federal government through a competitive process. The goal is to promote development of the semiconductor sector.

Among other economic development priorities, the Partnership supports more state funding for the FAST-NY program, which aims to get more shovel-ready sites prepared to host large-scale economic development projects. Business recruiters say that without such sites, they risk losing prospects. Gov. Kathy Hochul supports additional funding for the program, but has not announced a dollar amount.

Buffalo Niagara Partnership focusing on unemployment insurance costs, energy plan The Buffalo Niagara Partnership has laid out its legislative priorities for the coming year, highlighting topics such as workforce development, the state's energy roadmap and the need to promote private investment.

Natural gas. The Partnership is opposing proposals that would ban natural gas in existing buildings, and supports repealing the ban  which is gradually being rolled out  on natural gas hookups and equipment in newly constructed buildings.

Environmental groups have backed plans favoring the use of electricity over fossil fuels for heating and in appliances to combat the effects of climate change. That approach, as outlined in the states climate law, will require the state to ramp up its capacity to produce and transmit electricity.

The Partnership says it supports developing renewable energy generation and transmission infrastructure to meet the states targets while insulating consumers from associated costs.

Exchange programs offer Buffalo-area business leaders a valuable forum Content by Buffalo-Niagara Partnership. The Exchange Programs provide industry exclusive mastermind groups, where WNY professionals collaborate to tackle challenges, strategize and thrive personally and professionally.

Regional projects. The Partnership is also backing three regional priority projects.

These projects represent opportunities to invest in initiatives aimed at stimulating our economy, putting people to work, and strengthening the regions tax base, the Partnership said.

Rail relocation in Renaissance Commerce Park in Lackawanna. Moving a rail yard would enable Erie County to acquire an additional 35 acres of land formerly associated with Bethlehem Steel, opening up that land for development.

Moving a rail yard would enable Erie County to acquire an additional 35 acres of land formerly associated with Bethlehem Steel, opening up that land for development. City of Buffalo public works campus. The city intends to centralize its Department of Public Works operations at one campus. It is expected to cost the city $5 million to $6 million to acquire the land, and an additional $55 million to $60 million to build the campus.

The city intends to centralize its Department of Public Works operations at one campus. It is expected to cost the city $5 million to $6 million to acquire the land, and an additional $55 million to $60 million to build the campus. Niagara County business park. The county is continuing efforts to build a 60-acre business park on county-owned land in the Town of Cambria.
Allison Brashears odds of growing up to be a doctor were pretty high. Her father was a lung doctor and her mother was a marriage and family therapist, so she often heard conversations about patient care in their Indiana home.

I grew up hearing about how important it was for patients to be involved in their own care, Brashear said. In school, I decided that I wanted to be a doctor who interacted with patients to keep them healthy throughout their lives.

Brashear ended up surpassing the odds by going into neurology, a medical field thats still 60% male. Two years ago, she became the first woman dean of the University at Buffalos Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at a time when only 24% of medical school deans are women.

At UB, Brashear also serves as vice president for health science, which includes not only Jacobs but UBs School of Dental Medicine, School of Nursing, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the School of Public Health and Health Professions.

She says the job fits perfectly with her goal of patient care, which has expanded beyond individual care to include entire populations  especially those that have been denied health care due to race and economic status.

Brashear said she sought the job at Jacobs after two years as dean at the University of California  Davis School of Medicine because she and her husband wanted to move East to be close to their two adult children.

But she said what clinched the move to Buffalo were three goals she shares with UB  expanding research opportunities, filling gaps in care for disadvantaged communities and diversifying the face of medicine by recruiting more students and faculty from underrepresented groups.

My job is to help keep people in Buffalo and the region healthy by training great doctors, having great, impactful research and providing great care so that everyone can thrive in our community, she said.

Focus on research

One of UBs biggest goals is to become a Top 25 public research university, and Brashear has the chops to lead medical research at Jacobs.

After graduating from DePauw University in Indiana with a bachelors in chemistry, she went to the University of Indiana Medical School. By her third year she wanted to pursue neurology, but hesitated because of her dads opinion that Neurologists dont cure anything, she said.

During her residency in internal medicine at IU, she cared for the first HIV patient to be intubated at Indiana University Health Center in the mid-1980s. She said the process of helping that patient go from life support to recovering all his faculties underscored the role of neurological processes in every health function, she said.

She switched back to neurology via a two-year internship at Indiana that led to 14 years as a practicing neurologist, educator and researcher who has made major contributions to treatment for some rare but extremely debilitating conditions.

Her research on a rare involuntary movement disorder prevalent in one Indiana family led her to become an expert in the condition  called Rapid-onset Dystonia-Parkinsonism  and the genetic mutation that causes it and other rare neurological disorders.

Brashear has received continuous National Institutes of Health funding for her research since 2008. Shes also in the medical history books for leading a study that showed botulinum toxin  aka Botox  could relieve muscle spasms in stroke patients, a discovery that changed how spasticity and dystonia are treated.

After Indiana, she spent another 14 years as a neurologist, professor and researcher at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in North Carolina, then served two years as dean at UC Davis before coming to UB.

Her standing as a researcher meshes with UBs goal to double its federal research funding in the next five years. This past year, UB Jacobs reached $74 million in research awards  a fifth of UBs total research expenditures  with 177 new grants.

Brashear recently hired Dr. Marc Halterman, former chair of neurology at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, as her new senior associate dean and executive director for UB Jacobs Office of Research.

Halterman is in the process of recruiting 13 new NIH investigators who are bringing their research labs to UB Jacobs, Brashear said. She used a line from Staples to describe Haltermans role: to create an Easy button for all of our new and existing investigators, which means facilitating applications for new and renewable grants, as well as having an entire team that is out there to find new opportunities to collaborate on research both inside and outside of UB, she said.

She also wants to expand clinical trials to include more local and diverse patients. UB currently has more than 300 such trials, presenting opportunities for just about any patient to participate in studies that further scientific discovery and allow patients to benefit from new medicines and treatments being developed for a wide range of diseases, she said.

Expanding diversity and access

As was the case at Indiana, most of UB Jacobs faculty members practice at area hospitals and health centers including ECMC, Kaleida Health, Catholic Health and the Veterans Administration.

UBMD Physicians Group, the practice affiliated with the Jacobs School, has launched UBMD Primary Care, which combines UBMD Family Medicine and the Division of Internal Medicine-Pediatrics of UBMD Internal Medicine to offer every facet of preventive care as the largest medical group in Western New York, Brashear said.

She said UBMD includes all of Jacobs 635 physicians, who care for some 500,000 patients with nearly 850,000 office visits a year.

More often than not, when you walk into ECMC youre going to run into a faculty member of the Jacobs School, she said. If you go to the emergency room, youre going to be treated by a faculty member of the Jacobs School. About 70% of Western New York physicians are alumni of the school. So the school is really interwoven into the fabric of the community.

That means efforts to recruit more diverse faculty and students will have big ripple effects, including more role models of color to inspire students to go into medicine and more doctors of color that patients from diverse backgrounds will relate to and trust, Brashear said.

She said UB Jacobs is building a core group of specialists to treat pediatric obesity and plans to invest $4 million this year to aging research as part of Hochuls new state Master Plan for Aging. Both initiatives will address health disparities in Black and brown communities, which have higher rates of childhood obesity and diabetes as well as shorter lifespans than white communities.

Brashear has hired 100 new faculty in the last 18 months, many from diverse backgrounds and research perspectives. She also recently promoted two key staff members, Dr. Leslie Bisson as associate dean of clinical transformation and Dr. Fred D. Archer as associate dean for admissions.

She said Bisson will be in charge of transforming UBMD Primary Care and the future of clinical medicine at UB, while Archer is tasked with increasing diversity among students.

UB Jacobs student body includes 845 residents and fellows, 720 medical students and 1,127 undergrads, students. Brashear said 23% identify as members of underrepresented minorities, and that will increase.

Brashear said UBs most visible commitment to the entire community was relocating the medical school from its South Campus to Buffalos downtown Medical Campus five years ago.

She said the move has inspired other providers like Best Self Behavioral Health to have more of a presence downtown. It also allowed UB to open its doors to a wider and more diverse community with events like its LBGTQIA+ Inclusivity in Health conference and its annual fall Igniting Hope conference, whose 2023 theme was Building a Healthy, Just Community for All.

I want the community to see the medical school as one of their resources, Brashear said. I want them to feel that the medical school is really here to partner in their journey toward health.
Hilton Nanjing Niushoushan Celebrates Its Grand Opening.

Leading global hospitality company Hilton (NYSE: HLT) has announced the grand opening of its landmark 600th hotel in the Greater China region, Hilton Nanjing Niushoushan. This milestone signifies Hilton's robust presence in Greater China, boasting 600 hotels in operation across over 200 destinations and 10 distinct brands, each tailored to meet the diverse needs of travelers.

A Blend of Sophistication and Nature: Hilton's Debut in Nanjing Niushoushan

Nestled within the picturesque Niushou Mountain cultural tourism zone, Hilton Nanjing Niushoushan perfectly blends the natural environment with exceptional hospitality. The hotel is a masterpiece of design, harmoniously integrating refined oriental aesthetics with modern architecture. Each of the 381 guest rooms offers spacious comfort and private balconies to admire the varying seasonal landscapes of Niushou Mountain. The hotel's serene atmosphere, inspired by traditional Chinese study and tea rooms, promises guests a tranquil and enriching stay. Featuring an energizing reception lobby, a 1,350-square-meter pillarless banquet hall, an expansive indoor kids' club, and diverse dining options, the hotel offers not only comprehensive amenities but a dynamic stay that unlocks the best of the scenic destination.
Valencia Hotel Collection (VHC) proudly announces the promotion of Roy Kretschmer to the position of Chief Operating Officer - Valencia Hospitality Group. This move comes in light of Kretschmer's exceptional two-decade tenure with the brand, marked by a proven track record of successful hotel openings, prestigious awards, and exhibiting admirable leadership.

Previously serving as VHC's Executive Vice President of Operations, Kretschmer will continue to spearhead initiatives to optimize business operations and collaborate closely with department heads and supervisors, Kretschmer is dedicated to enhancing the day-to-day efficiency of each property within the Valencia Hotel Collection. Part of the larger Valencia Hotel Group, Roy will support VHC by introducing the portfolio to new markets as well as expanding its property management services.

Kretschmer joined Valencia Hotel Collection in 2001, as Hotel Valencia Riverwalk's opening General Manager. A testament to his exceptional leadership, the property was featured in Conde Nast Traveler's list of the World's Top 100 New Hotels just one year after opening. Over the next decade, Kretschmer worked alongside CEO Doyle Graham Jr. to develop the company's robust portfolio of distinctive hotels from the ground up, spanning from San Jose, California, to College Station, Lubbock, Irving, and Austin, Texas.

Doyle credits Roy's forward-thinking and dedication to the brand for much of its continued success over the past two decades. Together, their collaborative efforts have not only solidified the brand's excellence but have also played a pivotal role in shaping the overall trajectory of parent company, Valencia Hotel Group, as a whole. With a shared passion for innovation, Doyle and Roy continue to chart a course for the next years to come, anticipating additional development that promises to further elevate Valencia Hotel Group and Valencia Hotel Collection's presence in the industry.

During his time at VHC, Kretschmer has helped the portfolio usher in numerous prestigious awards, including a U.S. News & World Report's Best Hotels in the USA, AAA's Four Diamond Award, and Conde Nast Traveler's Reader's Choice Awards, along with many other impressive accolades. Under his dynamic leadership, the brand has affirmed its record of excellence in the hospitality industry, positioning VHC as a leading independent hospitality group in Texas.

Kretschmer brings with him over thirty years of experience in the luxury, lifestyle, and boutique markets, hailing from the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, La Mansion Del Rio Hotel, and the Omni Houston Hotel. He graduated from the Honors Program of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from their renowned College of Hotel Administration.

View Roy Kretschmer's LinkedIn Profile

Roy Kretschmer is a graduate of UNLV in Las Vegas, Nevada - United States
Saudi Arabias sprawling deserts, cities, and coastlines will soon play host to five Aman hotels

Our property in Riyadh celebrates the capitals urban culture, while our project alongside the UNESCO Heritage Site of Hegra and our tented camp in AlUla offer a deeper exploration of the Kingdom, CEO Vladislav Doronin said in a rare interview

LONDON - Aman, a name whispered in the circles of the rich and famous, is one of the worlds most exclusive hotel groups, renowned for its near telepathic service and ultra-luxurious properties tucked in some of the globes most stunning locations.

The brand has drawn legions of celebrity fans paying thousands of dollars a night just to experience its hospitality, from Kim Kardashian to Kylie Jenner, Justin Bieber to Ivanka Trump, Ariana Grande to Brad Pitt.

Read the full article at arabnews.com
As we say farewell to 2023 and head into 2024, the wellness industry is booming. The Global Wellness Institutes Susie Ellis said in this months Spotlight interview, Wellness is one of the great economic growth stories of the last few years. It has grown 12% annually since the pandemic year of 2020, and the GWI predicts that it will hit $8.5 trillion in 2027. Those are huge numbers, she added. For more about what Susie Ellis and the GWI are looking forward to in 2024, read her interview.

As a final wrap up, we also asked a number of other industry thought leaders what theyre looking forward to in 2024. From the expansion of biophilic design and touchless wellness to sustainability and a focus on mental wellness, heres what they had to say.

What spa & wellness leaders are looking forward to in 2024

Viviane Garcia-Tunon, Global Vice President of Wellbeing, Auberge Resorts Collection (From her Spa Executive cover Spotlight interview, November 2023)

I eagerly anticipate the prospect of fostering sustainable growth within our industry, characterized by a deliberate shift away from cookie-cutter spa concepts that often lead to confusion and the dilution of distinct therapies.

As we venture into 2024, my vision is one of abundant education and meticulously curated, personalized experiences that revolve around individualized wellness journeys. I envision wellness as a dynamic force, extending its reach into every facet of our lives  from the way we come together in communities to our work environments, our physical activities, and the daily priorities we set.

Verena Lasvigne-Fox, Founder, VLF Spa Consulting

The hospitality and wellness industry is on the cusp of exciting trends that will shape both the guest experience and the world at large. I am particularly excited to see sustainability and eco-friendliness taking center stage in design and operations, with an eye toward creating experiences that are both impactful and planet-friendly. The future of spa & wellness design is set to incorporate more natural elements and biophilic design to create a closer connection to nature and emphasize local, authentic experiences.

The introduction of touchless wellness solutions, meanwhile, is just at the beginning of new and innovative spa treatments and services that will be available in more and more locations to wellness-seeking guests.

This year we will also continue to see wellness offerings extending beyond traditional spa and fitness amenities, with a growing focus on mental and emotional well-being, including mindfulness and meditation practices. And the introduction of technology and digital experiences will offer guests greater customization and personalization through available data. Its wonderful to see whats to come in 2024 and beyond for our industry!

Catherine Strange Warren, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Arch Amenities Group

Im looking forward to more wellness retreats and immersive experiences providing a complete escape from daily life. And happy to see spas recognizing the importance of mental health and stress management, and incorporating therapies and treatments that specifically target stress reduction, anxiety management, and overall mental well-being.

Im enjoying seeing technology being integrated into spa experiences to enhance guest comfort and convenience, including the use of digital booking systems, virtual consultations, and innovative treatments that incorporate advanced technologies like LED light therapy and cryotherapy.

And Im excited about trends that reflect a shift towards holistic well-being, with travelers seeking experiences that prioritize mental health, nature immersion, personalization, sustainability, and inclusivity. These developments indicate a growing awareness and prioritization of wellness in travel experiences.

Roger Sholanki, CEO, Book4Time

Its no coincidence that the revenue growth of the wellness industry has been accompanied by an increased use of technology. Data is doing amazing things, providing insight into all facets of operations and highlighting new opportunities for revenue generation, from yield management and customer relationship management to segmentation and diversifying streams. Im looking forward to seeing where this is going to take us in the next year.

This astronomical growth of hospitality wellness is exhilarating, and I also cant wait to see how hotels, resorts, and spas are harnessing this interest to expand their innovative wellness and activity offerings. Were seeing expansions in wellness travel experiences, as hotels and resorts continue to find creative and brilliant ways to delight guests with new ideas that combine technology and innovation with traditional practices and healing modalities.

Lynne McNees, President, International Spa Association

After consecutive record-breaking revenue years, we are beyond excited to see the spa industrys performance data in the 2024 ISPA U.S. Spa Industry Study conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers. Those invaluable statistics will be unveiled at the 2024 ISPA Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. The continued growth in innovative partnerships and the elevated role of spa leaders within the hospitality industry are trends that continue to push our dynamic industry forward. It is rare to have such a sizable professional community that values cohesive, strategic partnerships over competitive maneuvers. Always a good reminder that a rising tide raises all ships.

Ingrid Middaugh, Vice President of Operations, Trilogy Spa Holdings

Red Light Therapy. Its not new, but there is more and more research that has been done to back the benefits of its use. I think the red-light tools are becoming more advanced, and results driven. Any service that has research to back up its benefits is exciting. Red light therapy is used to promote healthy aging, reduce inflammation, treat stretch marks and wrinkles and repair muscle tissues. Who doesnt have one or two of those issues?

Spa Executive is published by Book4Time, the leader in guest management, revenue and mobile solutions for the most exclusive spas, hotels, and resorts around the globe. Learn more at book4time.com.

About Book4Time

Book4Time is the leading cloud-based spa and ancillary revenue management software for the world's top hotels and resorts, used by more Forbes 5-Star resorts than any other vendor. Book4Time manages the end-to-end guest experience for hotels, resorts and clubs in over 100 countries worldwide and is the preferred solution for some of the world's largest and most prestigious hospitality brands including Marriott, Accor, Hilton, Hyatt and Four Seasons.

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WASHINGTON -

Due to slow recovery and declining U.S. global travel market share, U.S. Travel Association commissioned Euromonitor International to assess the competitiveness of the U.S. relative to other top countries for global travel.

relative to other top countries for global travel. The U.S. ranked 17th out of 18 countries analyzed, stemming from decades of underinvestment and a lack of focus and coordination from the federal government.

analyzed, stemming from decades of underinvestment and a lack of focus and coordination from the federal government. Inefficiencies in the U.S. travel system threaten the economy. One example: The U.S. risks losing 39 million visitors and $150 billion in spending over the next 10 years due to excessive visitor visa wait times (Tourism Economics).

in spending over the next 10 years due to excessive visitor visa wait times (Tourism Economics). U.S. Travel launched a Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel, comprised of former government officials and private-sector executives, to develop a vision and policy roadmap to modernize the travel experience and increase U.S. competitiveness.

U.S. Travel Association today released a study that found the United States ranks 17th out of 18 top travel markets in terms of global competitiveness, according to Euromonitor International. Decades of underinvestment and a lack of focus and coordination from federal policymakers caused the U.S. to fall behind, while other countries actively apply robust strategies to increase travel and grow economic output.

U.S. officials cannot ignore the bold, decisive steps other nations are taking to advance and modernize their travel economies. The United States should aspire to lead the way into a new era of seamless and secure travel and capitalize on the many opportunities to grow this critical sector. U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman

 Source: U.S. Travel Association

U.S. Travel commissioned the study to better understand the slow recovery of international inbound travel to the U.S. and how the country can more effectively compete for global travelers in the coming decade.

While the U.S. is still the most desired destination for global travelers, it slid to third in total visitation (behind Spain and France). In 2023, it is estimated that the United States welcomed nearly 67 million international visitorsdown from 79 million visitors in 2019 and only 84% recovered from pre-pandemic levels, which is far behind other competitors recovery rates.

U.S. global market share for long-haul travel declined from 5.4% in 2019 to 5.3% in 2023.

 Source: U.S. Travel Association

 Source: U.S. Travel Association

KEY FINDINGS

The study assessed 18 top countries for global travel (including the United States) across four weighted categories: 1) National Leadership, 2) Brand & Product, 3) Identity, Security & Facilitation and 4) Travel & Connectivity. The U.S. notably underperformed in the categories of National Leadership and Identity, Security & Facilitation.

 Source: U.S. Travel Association

National Leadership

The U.S. ranked last in terms of government leadership on travel-related issues and the strength of its national travel strategy. Most top markets have a minister of tourism; the U.S. has an Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism position, but the role has not yet been filled or fully funded by Congress. The U.S. has few specific federal policies and little funding to increase inbound visitation.

Other countries like Canada have robust national strategies to boost travel spending, improve visitor experiences and highlight lesser-known destinations through key partnerships.

The U.S. scored highly in the travel promotion category thanks in part to the effectiveness of Brand USA and robust emergency funding provided by Congress in 2022.

Brand & Product

The U.S. is a highly desired destination, with diverse products and a strong brand identity among international travelers. The World Economic Forum Safety and Security Pillarwhich considers various factors such as the prevalence of violence and crimewas used to rank the safety category, placing the U.S. toward the bottom.

Identity, Security & Facilitation

Excessive visitor visa interview wait times, which approach an average of 400 days in top source markets, placed the U.S. last in this critical category. The U.S. also ranks unfavorably in terms of the number of countries it permits for visa-free travel, granting the privilege to only 42 nationsfar behind the U.K., which allows 102 countries visa-free travel.

The U.S. ranked in the middle of the pack on biometric security screening capabilities, with only 36% of U.S. international airports employing both biometric entry and exit systems. The technology is severely underutilized compared to other nations, despite the fact that a majority of Americans are comfortable with biometric screening if it results in a more efficient air travel experience.

Lengthy Customs wait times upon arrival into the United States, combined with an outdated domestic airport security screening process for many travelers, further resulted in poor rankings for security and facilitation. Meanwhile, there are clear examples of other countries evolving their security screening processeslike leveraging technology to remove liquid bans on flightsto be more efficient and globally competitive.

Travel & Connectivity

The U.S. ranks at the top of the global air connectivity network, serving as a major world hub for direct and connecting flights.

ECONOMIC IMPACT

There is serious economic risk in failing to address inadequacies across the U.S. travel system. According to an analysis by Tourism Economics:

When a new daily international flight (Boeing 787-10) cannot be accommodated due to Customs and Border Protection staffing shortages, the U.S. economy loses up to $227 million per year.

per year. The inefficient aviation security screening process could deter American travelers from as many as three million domestic trips this year, resulting in spending losses of $7.4 billion .

. The U.S. risks losing 39 million visitors and $150 billion in spending over the next 10 years due to excessive visitor visa wait times.

However, there are opportunities to facilitate growth.

In 2024, the U.S. could gain 2.4 million more visitors if the market were unconstrained by visa wait times.

more visitors if the market were unconstrained by visa wait times. Expanding the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is also a significant tool in boosting competitiveness. The five countries added to the program from 2008 to 2014 experienced a 52% gain in visitation to the U.S. over the first three years. Visits to the U.S. from South Korea increased by 60% by its third year in the VWP and visits from Slovakia surged 70% over the first three years in the program.



SEAMLESS AND SECURE TRAVEL COMMISSION

In conjunction with the new Euromonitor analysis, U.S. Travel today launched a solutions-oriented Seamless and Secure Travel Commission, chaired by former Acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Kevin McAleenan.

The commissioncomprised of former government officials and private sector expertsis tasked with creating a vision and making policy recommendations to modernize the travel experience, increase U.S. competitiveness and facilitate growth. The commission plans to release its policy recommendations in autumn 2024.

Confirmed commission members (as of January 11):

Kevin McAleenan , Former Acting Secretary of Homeland Security; Former Commissioner & Deputy Commissioner, U.S. Customs & Border Protection

, Former Acting Secretary of Homeland Security; Former Commissioner & Deputy Commissioner, U.S. Customs & Border Protection Shawn Kinder , Global Corporate Development and Strategy Director, Ferrovial Airports

, Global Corporate Development and Strategy Director, Ferrovial Airports Stewart Baker , Former General Counsel, National Security Agency; Former Assistant Secretary for Policy, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

, Former General Counsel, National Security Agency; Former Assistant Secretary for Policy, U.S. Department of Homeland Security John Pistole , Former Administrator, Transportation Security Administration

, Former Administrator, Transportation Security Administration Lucy Chadwick , Former Director General, International, Security & Environment Group, U.K. Department for Transport

, Former Director General, International, Security & Environment Group, U.K. Department for Transport Patty Cogswell , Former Deputy Administrator, Transportation Security Administration

, Former Deputy Administrator, Transportation Security Administration John Sanders , Former Acting Commissioner & Chief Operating Officer, U.S. Customs & Border Protection; Former Assistant Administrator, Chief Technology Officer, Transportation Security Administration

, Former Acting Commissioner & Chief Operating Officer, U.S. Customs & Border Protection; Former Assistant Administrator, Chief Technology Officer, Transportation Security Administration Martha Barcena Coqui , Former Mexican Ambassador to the United States

, Former Mexican Ambassador to the United States Michael Huerta , Former Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration

, Former Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration Seth Stodder , Former Assistant Secretary for Borders, Immigration & Trade Policy, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

, Former Assistant Secretary for Borders, Immigration & Trade Policy, U.S. Department of Homeland Security John Holland Kaye, Former CEO of Heathrow Airport

The U.S. can no longer sit out of the race to modernize travel, said Freeman. Todays situation is decades in the making. It is time the U.S. government collectively gets serious about establishing a metrics-based plan to claim our spot as the top destination in the world, which will pay dividends for decades to come.

Summary report here.

Full report here.

About U.S. Travel Association

U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing the $1.2 trillion travel industry, an essential contributor to our nation's economy and success. U.S. Travel produces programs and insights and advocates for policies to increase travel to and within the United States. Visit ustravel.org for information and recovery-related data.

Greg Staley

U.S. Travel Association
Man OTrees Inc., a defunct Western New York company that fraudulently obtained government contracts worth millions of dollars through a minority contracting scheme, has been fined $200,000 in a mail fraud prosecution.

Presidents of the two companies involved in the scheme also were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard Arcara to pay $5,000 fines and put on probation for one year for their convictions on misdemeanor bank larceny charges.

The sentencings on Dec. 20 ended a seven-year-long effort by federal authorities to prosecute Man OTrees President David Pfeiffer and Thomas Colton, president of Sue-Perior Concrete and Paving, who had been initially indicted on 13 felonies by a federal grand jury investigating minority contracting fraud.

Man OTrees pleaded guilty to a felony conspiracy to commit mail fraud charge, admitting it conspired with Sue-Perior to obtain $3.5 million in government contracts from 2009 to 2013 by falsely claiming that Sue-Perior qualified as an independent minority-owned business that employed its own workforce and was capable of performing work on contracts.

But Man OTrees president Pfeiffer was a part-owner of Sue-Perior; Man OTrees knew that Sue-Perior shared an office with Man OTrees in West Seneca and had no independent workforce; and Man OTrees employees were the ones who performed the labor on contracts that Sue-Perior was supposedly completing.

Man OTrees admitted that it defrauded the U.S. Department of Transportation, the state Department of Transportation, the City of Niagara Falls, the Buffalo Urban Development Corp. and the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority.

Sentencing guidelines called for Man OTrees to be fined $2.8 million to $5.6 million, but prosecutors agreed the company was unable to pay that amount.

The U.S. Attorneys Office agreed to dismiss nine felony counts of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and mail fraud against the two men, as well as four felony charges against Pfeiffer of making false statements to a financial institution.

Man OTrees went out of business in 2013, according to The Buffalo News archives.
Plans for lyf to grow European footprint with expansion into new cities in UK and Germany

lyf expands brand presence in Singapore, bringing total tally to four lyf properties in the country

Extends reach into city hotels with lyf in Australia, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia

Plans to open first resort property with lyf Canggu, Bali

UK  The Ascott Limited (Ascott), a lodging business unit wholly owned by CapitaLand Investment (CLI), today announced the expansion of its award-winning lyf (pronounced life) brand with eight new property signings, expanding into new resort and city destinations such as Bali, Penang, Sydney and Frankfurt. From a bold vision that took root during its inception as a co-living brand, lyf (or live your freedom) is riding high on the growing demand for experience-led social living. It has now broadened into a multifaceted hospitality experience with flexible typologies, ranging from co-living accommodation and city hotels to full-service resorts. The brand is currently present in 21 cities across the world, with over 5,500 units both operating and in the pipeline.

Tailored for the next-generation traveller including digital nomads, technopreneurs, creatives and self-starters, lyf offers a stay experience that transcends the conventional. Whether it is a short visit, an extended stay, or a desire for a permanent address, lyf aims to establish itself as the trusted accommodation brand that connects guests with the city, its people, and its culture. Fuelled by the global success of the brand, lyf will continue to deliver its hallmark, experience-led social living concept to its growing legion of brand loyalists.

In a world where travel is not just about reaching a destination but immersing oneself in the heartbeat of a city, lyf stands at the forefront of a new era in hospitality. lyf was first created for the next-generation traveller and has gained strong traction since its debut with lyf Funan Singapore in 2019. There is tremendous potential for us to further scale lyf across more hospitality asset classes, whether as a full-service hotel or resort, especially with the growth pace we have seen over the year. With more than 30 lyf properties both in operation and under development, Ascott will bring lyf to even more destinations in the year ahead, as we work towards our target of 150 properties with over 30,000 units by 2030. Kevin Goh, Chief Executive Officer for Ascott and CLI Lodging

Travellers evolving preferences for distinctive experiences have opened doors for us to adapt our brands strategically in response to consumer demand across different geographical markets. Ascott operates with a flex-hybrid model that gives opportunistic agility across our serviced residences, co-living properties and hotels. With the ability to scale operations across our spread of accommodation offerings, we are able to tailor and enhance our brands relevance and appeal in diverse locations. Our ambition for lyf, alongside our other brands, is to expand horizons, pushing boundaries across geographies while deepening our local presence in current and new locations, added Goh.

With these eight new lyf properties that total close to 1,500 units, Ascott achieved a signing pace that has almost doubled that in 2022. These include lyf Frankfurt in Germany; lyf Bugis Singapore; lyf Brickfields Kuala Lumpur and lyf Georgetown Penang in Malaysia; lyf Canggu Bali in Indonesia; lyf on Sussex Sydney in Australia and lyf Shibuya Tokyo in Japan; as well as an additional property in Shanghai, China. A showcase of lyfs brand presence taking flight globally, these properties are scheduled to open over the next four years.

The lyf brand has captured the attention of the market with its dynamic designs, flexible spaces and well-curated programming with the community at its core. Owners and investors alike have seen the resilience and continued demand for experience-led social living that lyf has been synonymous with, an accommodation trend that has been made more pronounced post-pandemic and we believe is here to stay. lyf is thus well-positioned to cater to this growing interest, availing a brand that is not just conversion-friendly for owners, but also meets the increasing needs of travellers who are seeking the best of all worlds where they are able to mix privacy with social living, combining a space to work, stay and play. The brands growth momentum is stronger than ever, and plans are underway to launch across additional key destinations including that in the United Kingdom. Serena Lim, Chief Growth Officer, Ascott

Ascott saw a record number of lyf property openings in 2023, almost doubling that of 2022. These include lyf Schonbrunn Vienna in Austria most recently, that marked the debut of the brand in Europe; lyf Dayanta Xian in China, lyf Ginza Tokyo in Japan, lyf Chinatown Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and lyf Malate Manila in the Philippines.

Featured prominently in these properties are intuitively designed communal spaces that include coworking lounge Connect, gymnasium Burn, laundrette Wash & Hang and social kitchen Bond. Bringing these spaces to life is a suite of programmes that are curated by each propertys Ambassador of Buzz, where these activations serve to build meaningful guest engagement, delivering lyfs hallmark concept of experience-led social living.

In line with the brands growth strategy, Adeline Phua has been appointed Managing lyf Partner to lead and propel the next phase of development and growth of lyf, reporting to Serena Lim. As Managing lyf Partner, Adeline directs the strategic growth of the lyf brand globally. Adeline has close to 20 years of global experience in hospitality strategy, planning, development, investment and asset management.

About The Ascott Limited

Since pioneering Asia Pacific's first international-class serviced residence with the opening of The Ascott Singapore in 1984, Ascott has grown to be a trusted hospitality company with more than 940 properties globally. Headquartered in Singapore, Ascott's presence extends across more than 220 cities in over 40 countries in Asia Pacific, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the USA.

Ascott's diversified accommodation offerings span serviced residences, co-living properties, hotels and independent senior living apartments, as well as student accommodation and rental housing. Its award-winning hospitality brands include Ascott, Citadines, lyf, Oakwood, Quest, Somerset, The Crest Collection, The Unlimited Collection, Preference, Fox, Harris, POP!, Vertu and Yello; and it has a brand partnership with Domitys. Through Ascott Star Rewards (ASR), Ascott's loyalty programme, members enjoy exclusive privileges and offers at participating properties.

A wholly owned business unit of CapitaLand Investment Limited, Ascott is a leading vertically-integrated lodging operator. Harnessing its extensive network of third-party owners and in-market expertise, Ascott grows fee-related earnings through its hospitality management and investment management capabilities. Ascott also expands its funds under management by growing its sponsored CapitaLand Ascott Trust and private funds.

For more information on Ascott's industry record of 40 years and its sustainability programme, please visit www.discoverasr.com/the-ascott-limited. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.

Headquartered and listed in Singapore, CapitaLand Investment Limited (CLI) is a leading global real estate investment manager (REIM) with a strong Asia foothold. As at 30 September 2023, CLI had S$133 billion of real estate assets under management, and S$90 billion of real estate funds under management (FUM) held via six listed real estate investment trusts and business trusts, and more than 30 private vehicles across Asia Pacific, Europe and USA. Its diversified real estate asset classes cover retail, office, lodging, business parks, industrial, logistics and data centres.

CLI aims to scale its FUM and fee-related earnings through fund management, lodging management and its full stack of operating capabilities, and maintain effective capital management. As the investment management arm of CapitaLand Group, CLI has access to the development capabilities of and pipeline investment opportunities from CapitaLand's development arm.

As a responsible company, CLI places sustainability at the core of what it does and has committed to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions for scope 1 and 2 by 2050. CLI contributes to the environmental and social well-being of the communities where it operates, as it delivers long-term economic value to its stakeholders.

Visit http://www.capitalandinvest.com/ for more information.

Joan Tan

Assistant Vice President, Corporate Communications

+65 6713 2864

The Ascott Limited
Soho House & Co Inc. is a global membership platform of physical and digital spaces that connects a vibrant, diverse, and international group of members. These members use the Soho House & Co platform to work, socialize, connect, create, and flourish all over the world. We began with the opening of the first Soho House in 1995 and remain the only company to have scaled a private membership network with a global presence. Members around the world engage with Soho House & Co through our international collection of 41 Soho Houses, 9 Soho Works, The Ned in London, New York, and Doha, Scorpios Beach Club in Mykonos, Soho Home  our homeware and interior design brand  Soho Skin - our skincare brand and our digital channels. The LINE and Saguaro hotels in North America also form part of Soho House & Cos broader portfolio.
Hotelogix Appoints Atyaf Al-Mestakbel in Saudi Arabia As Its Reseller Partner

Hotelogix, a globally leading cloud-based hospitality technology provider, has announced that Atyaf Al-Mestakbel has joined hands as its reseller partner in Saudi Arabia. This partnership aims to help hotels across the Kingdom easily access Hotelogix's all-in-one, full-stack hospitality solutions, including Hotel Property Management System (Hotel PMS), Channel Manager, Booking Engine, Revenue Management System, etc, to drive growth and revenue.

Headquartered in Jeddah, Atyaf Al-Mestakbel is a leading provider of hospitality solutions in Saudi Arabia. The company has a strong presence in the hospitality industry and is well-known for its excellent customer support and service.

Expressing his views, Raid Abdullah, CEO of Atyaf Al-Mestakbel, said, "Cloud adoption among Saudi Arabia hotels is steadily growing as they have understood that on-premises solutions no longer support their growth plan. Hotelogix has already made its mark in the Saudi hospitality industry, and through this partnership, we intend to steer the industry's migration towards the cloud."

Saudi Arabia is currently leading the race in hotel construction activity in the Middle East and Africa region. Under Vision 2030, the nation will have around 300,000+ hotel rooms by 2030. Additionally, the government's cloud-first policy will expedite the industry's cloud adoption rate in the coming years.

Speaking about this development, Sivaprasad Gangadharan, Chief Sales Officer at Hotelogix, said, "Saudi Arabia is an important market for us. Our partnership with Atyaf Al-Mestakbel demonstrates our commitment to helping hotels in this region with our best-in-class cloud solutions for improved operations, enhanced guest experience, and increased revenue."

About Hotelogix

Hotelogix is a globally leading cloud-based hospitality technology solutions provider of industry-first Multi-property Management System, Hotel PMS and Mobile PMS App for independent and hotel groups. We have the remarkable feat of implementing the most extensive multi-property deployment of 50000+ rooms across 500+ properties under a single group. Through our distribution brand AxisRooms, we also offer Channel Manager and Revenue Management solutions. We have earned the trust of 5000+ hotels in 100+ countries, including South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, LATAM, Europe and North America. We have been instrumental in driving their growth while helping them sell more rooms at the optimum rate and serving guests better.

Contact

Debi Prasad Sarangi

Ph: +91 9986496849

Email: debiprasad.sarangi@hotelogix.com
New York, Istanbul and Dubai were the most popular holiday destinations for UK travellers in 2023

New York, Istanbul and Dubai were the most popular holiday destinations for UK travellers

Skyscanner reveals the cheapest flight, hotel stay and car rental destinations from the UK for 2023

New York, Istanbul and Dubai were the most popular holiday destinations for UK travellers

From an AI inspired tool, new languages and accessibility improvements to bringing back the much-loved Cheapest Month with new features and introducing true total cost display, Skyscanner has evolved in 2023 to help global travellers find their perfect flight, hotel and car hire

Skyscanner reflects on a year of helping more travellers than ever explore the world and shares a wrap up of how the UK travelled in 2023.

Top spots for UK travellers in 2023

Global travel marketplace Skyscanner reflects on a year of helping more travellers than ever explore the world and shares a wrap up of how the UK travelled in 2023.

New York claims its spot as the most popular destination in 2023. From bagging a bagel and wandering the streets to slurping soup dumplings in Chinatown and scaling Summit One Vanderbilt to soak up the skyline, UK travellers loved to visit the city that never sleeps.

Istanbul was the second most popular destination for UK travellers this year, its celebrated culinary scene turning heads and winning hearts in 2023.

Cheapest flights, hotels & car hire of 2023 revealed

This year, more and more UK travellers opted for alternative, budget-friendly European cities that still deliver on culture and cuisine. According to Skyscanner data, Vigo was the cheapest flight destination of them all with return flights costing just 61/pp on average in 2023. Boasting some of Spains best crowd-free beaches and world-class seafood, not to mention the short 2-hour flight from London, Vigo is the unsung Spanish city offering travellers great value for money. Whats more, as announced in Skyscanners Travel Trends 2024 report, Vigo is the top trending destination for UK travellers in 2024 with the highest year-on-year increase in searches.

As revealed in our infographic, Skyscanner has also identified the cheapest destination to book per month for UK travellers throughout 2023, as well as the cheapest three-star hotel stay and city to hire a car in 2023:

After analysing prices across thousands of destinations globally, Dengkil in Malaysia is revealed as the cheapest city for a three-star hotel stay, for those travelling from the UK. A mere 20 minutes from Kuala Lumpur, Dengkil offers the best of both worlds affordability and proximity to the lively capital.

Bucharest comes out on top as the city with the cheapest car hire offering, with UK travellers paying only 13/day on average. Bucharest is an excellent starting point to embark on a Romanian road trip, complete with medieval villages, Gothic castles and the Carpathian Mountains.

Skyscanners trends expert Laura Lindsay shares, Looking back on the year of travel shows how the UK has embraced the freedoms of international travel despite the pinch on purse strings. We see how this traveller behaviour correlates with the emerging trends for 2024. Our latest Travel Trends 2024 report highlights how value will remain a key consideration, but not at the expense of cultural exploration, travellers are simply being savvier with how they travel.

Next year will see UK travellers planning trips to smaller, lesser-known cities, particularly in Europe, with Vigo coming out as the top trending destination for 2024. We also predict Faro in Portugal to be a great-value destination for UK travellers in 2024, with flights having dropped by almost a quarter over the past 12 months.

2024 will also see UK travellers heading abroad to see their favourite artists play, with a third of fans saying they would travel to short-haul destinations to hear their favourite tracks live, while 8% would commit to long-haul travel.
Chicago, IL (60637)

Today

On and off snow flurries are possible along with variably cloudy skies. Temps nearly steady in the mid to upper 30s. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low 29F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph.
Hudson, NY (12534)

Today

Cloudy. High near 45F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Considerable clouds this evening. Some decrease in clouds late. A few flurries are possible. Low 31F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Clark Art Open on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  The Clark Art Institute is open from 10 am5 pm on Monday, Jan. 15 in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Admission is free for all through March 2024.

Visitors can view the pair of exhibitions "50 Years and Forward: Works on Paper Acquisitions" in the Clark Center lower level and "50 Years and Forward: British Prints and Drawings Acquisitions" in the Eugene V. Thaw Gallery for Works on Paper.

These exhibitions mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Manton Research Center with a choice selection of prints, drawings, and photographs acquired since 1973.

Also on view is "Elizabeth Atterbury: Oracle Bones," an installation in public spaces in the Manton Research Center and Clark Center lower level.
The Justice Department will seek the death penalty for the white supremacist who killed 10 Black people in the racist Buffalo mass shooting at a Tops grocery store if he is convicted of federal charges.

Relatives of the victims were told about Attorney General Merrick Garlands decision in a private meeting with prosecutors on Friday morning at the federal courthouse in Buffalo.

At the same time, prosecutors filed a document with the court that said: The United States of America, pursuant to 18 U.S.C.  3593(a), notifies the Court and Defendant PAYTON GENDRON that the United States believes the circumstances in Counts 11-20 of the Indictment, Dkt. 6, are such that, in the event of a conviction, a sentence of death is justified under 18 U.S.C.  3591-98, and that the United States will seek the sentence of death for these offenses: Use and Discharge of a Firearm to Commit Murder During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence, 18 U.S.C.  924 and (j).

Gendron, now 20, admitted in his writings before the May 14, 2022, attack that he picked the Tops store on Jefferson Avenue as the site because it was located in a neighborhood with a high percentage of Black residents, and he wanted to kill as many Black people as he could.

The then-18-year-old college student drove more than 200 miles from his parents home in Conklin to carry out his assault, armed with an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, body armor and a helmet-mounted camera he used to livestream the murders.

In addition to killing 10, Gendron wounded three other people at the store.

This is the first new case in which the Biden administration has sought the death penalty. It had inherited other death penalty cases.

In their notice of intent to seek the death penalty, prosecutors cited a handful of aggravating factors, including that Gendron actions were racially-motivated killings, showing his expressed bias, hatred, and contempt toward Black persons.

Other factors cited were: Multiple killings and attempted killings; killing several victims who were particularly vulnerable due to old age and infirmity; substantial planning and premeditation; grave risk of death to others; committing acts of violence to incite violent action by others; and selecting the Tops Market on the East Side to maximize the number of Black victims.

Relatives react

Mark Talley, whose 62-year-old mother, Geraldine Talley, was killed by Gendron, said Friday after meeting with prosecutors, He does deserve to die. But I want something worse than that.

Talley told reporters outside the courthouse that he understood the death penalty decision but would have preferred to see Gendron tortured for the rest of his life in a state prison surrounded by people who want to kill him on a daily basis or trapped in solitary confinement.

The death penalty announcement provided little relief for the anguish of losing his mother to a domestic terrorist and white supremacist, he added.

Theres no such thing as healing when you see your mother die 15 times, he said.

Other family members of shooting victims said they were disappointed because they believe the decision now means the case will likely drag on indefinitely due to multiple appeals.

It could go on forever. Hes a young man. For my familys sake, I wanted them to have closure, said Michelle Fryson, whose cousin Marcus Morrison and aunt Pearl Young were among those fatally gunned down. To never have closure, to always be in this circus is exhausting and exasperating.

Frederick Morrison said he will continue to be there for his brother Marcus by attending Gendrons federal trial.

I got to be there, he said.

But Morrison said he and others opposed the death penalty in this case because they wanted Gendron to be locked up for life.

It aint no personal belief against the death penalty, its just that that would have been a quick, easy way out. You done killed 10 people with no emotions ... You just got away with murder, 10 lives, Morrison said. I think you should just rot in jail.

Pamela Pritchett, the daughter of Young, said no matter how the Justice Department proceeded, it wasnt going to help her healing process.

If they would have said death penalty, as they did, or they would have said life, for me, and my prayer for all of us, I think all of us will say the same thing: We just want healing. And in order to have healing thats something we work on for ourselves, and thats my prayer for everybody, said Pritchett.

Attorneys Ben Crump, Terry Connors and Fu Zimmermann, who represent several of the victims and families, said in a joint statement that todays decision provided a measure of closure for their clients.

They have been pleading for full justice for nearly two years, and today they are one step closer. We thank the DOJ for its diligence and for fighting for those whose lives were so tragically affected by this atrocity, the statement said.

John Elmore, an attorney representing three of the families who lost loved ones in the mass shooting, has previously told The News that his clients have a range of feelings about whether Gendron should face the death penalty. Some feel strongly that he should, Elmore said, while others are satisfied knowing he would never walk free again.

Serving 10 life prison sentences

Gendron, who pleaded guilty to 10 counts of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree attempted murder, among other charges, in New York State court, has already been sentenced for those crimes to life in prison without parole.

There is no death penalty sentence in New Yorks state courts.

But he is still facing 27 federal charges  including 10 counts of committing hate crimes that resulted in death  that could result in a death sentence.

His public defense lawyers have said that Gendron would plead guilty to all 27 federal charges, resulting in multiple federal life sentences if prosecutors did not seek capital punishment.

There will be no motions, Assistant Federal Public Defender Sonya A. Zoghlin told U.S. District Judge Lawrence Vilardo at an Aug. 2 hearing. There will be a plea and a sentence of life without parole.

Gendrons public defense lawyers presented mitigating evidence to the U.S. Attorney Generals Office on Sept. 18 to try to persuade the office not to seek the death penalty against Gendron.

Garland had expressed opposition to the death penalty in the past.

A 2021 moratorium he issued as attorney general on carrying out federal executions remains.

Across the country, federal prosecutors proceeded to trial on two death penalty cases that Garland inherited, according to the Washington Post, but the attorney general opted not to seek capital punishment in 32 other cases filed before he took office.

A federal jury in August sentenced to death Robert Bowers, the gunman who killed 11 worshippers and wounded six others at a Pittsburgh synagogue in 2018, making him the first to be sentenced to federal capital punishment under the Biden administration.

Last March, a jury in Manhattan could not reach a unanimous decision on the death penalty in the case involving Sayfullo Saipov, an ISIS-inspired attacker convicted of killing eight people by driving a rented truck along a Manhattan bike path. So he was sentenced to eight consecutive life sentences.

Unlike Bowers and Saipov, who lacked remorse, Gendron has apologized for killing his victims.

I cannot express how much I regret all the decisions I made leading up to my actions on May 14th. I did a terrible thing that day, Gendron said last February at his sentencing in state court. I shot and killed people because they were Black. Looking back now, I cant believe I actually did it. I believed what I read online and acted out of hate. And now I cant take it back.

During a brief court proceeding Friday, Vilardo adjourned further proceedings in the Gendron case until Feb. 2 to give prosecutors and defense lawyers time to confer on pretrial motions ahead of a scheduling order.

Gendron has generally not appeared in federal court for his proceedings, and he wasnt in the courthouse Friday.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Tripi asked that Gendron begin appearing in court, and Vilardo said there will come a point in the near future hell need to be here.

Were gong to want him here sooner than later, the judge said.
Clarksburg Has Finance Committee in Place After 2 Years

CLARKSBURG, Mass.  The town finally has a Finance Committee in place after nearly two years.

Moderator Ronald Boucher informed the Select Board on Thursday that he had appointed Carla Fosser and Charles "Chuck" Lewitt for terms ending on Jan. 11 in 2025 and 2026, respectively.

"They play a very, very important role here in the town," said Boucher, whose position is authorized to appoint the three-person committee. "I understand the Select Board can oversee [the finances] but really those guys are the checks and balances to make sure we're set up correctly and moving forward."

He expected to have a third person soon to fill out the committee and would update the board when that happened.

The town's had difficulty filling out the Finance Committee for some time and, at one point, there was only one person. No one has been on the committee in nearly a year.

Boucher, also a member of the Planning Board, said that board was interested in taking up the task of updating the master plan, which dates back to 1965.

"We'll get the wheels spinning on that," he said, and planners also want to take a crack at the bylaws, which he didn't believe had been updated in 54 years.

Chair Robert Norcross acknowledged that it was long past time for an update.

"Why they go on for years is because it's a big task," he said, adding a prior attempt at the master plan "sort of fizzled."

Boucher agreed, "you have to start it and follow it through."

In other business, Town Administrator Carl McKinney said 13 potential vendors had attended the site visit on Jan. 4 for the school roof. The town has put out a request for proposals for replacing the 25,000 square-foot roof on Clarksburg School and installing solar racking. Bids are due on Jan. 30.

Town officials have been trying to get the release of $500,000 earmarked for the roof nearly six years ago and are now concerned that amount won't cover the cost. Once bids are in, they're hoping state Sen. Paul Mark can advocate for them at the State House.

"I worry this might be the time they start tightening up," said Norcross, pointing to the governor's decision to make $375 million in cuts in the face of revenue shortfalls. "The money may not be available in the coming years."

McKinney said he'd spoken Wednesday with Anne Gobi, director of rural affairs for the Executive Office of Economic Development, about raising the state cap on capital grants.

Right now the top threshold for culverts is $400,000 and for MassWorks projects $1 million. He anticipated the town's next culvert project at $500,000.

"We don't have the capacity in the town for any overage," he said, adding that Gobi indicated the state was reviewing the adequacy of the upper limits of the grants.

Norcross said he had also met with North Adams Mayor Jennifer Macksey and the city's Commissioner of Public Services Timothy Lescarbeau about infrastructure issues near the city line the town is hoping to address along with the possibility of joint projects.

"The big thing was communications and to make sure each of us knew what the other was doing and there's no conflicts," he said.

The board also signed a new agreement for the regional veterans services officer who works out of North Adams. McKinney reported that piping has been installed for the community sign at Town Hall and is awaiting electrical hookup. The sign, officials recently learned, is one-sided not two. McKinney said a two-sided sign was in the $6,000s while the current one was $3,400. The town had a $3,000 grant for it.
One of the first actions the new Hamburg Town Board took this week was to add a flagpole or poles outside Town Hall on South Park Avenue.

The flagpole became an issue last June, when, in observance of Pride Month, the town hoisted a Pride flag below the American flag, displacing the POW/MIA flag and angering veterans.

A veteran approached Supervisor Randy Hoak, expressing concern that the POW/MIA flag was missing.

Hoak said the 72-year-old veteran used great profanity and slapped his arm outside Town Hall. The supervisor called police, who charged the veteran with harassment. The charges were dropped by Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn, whose office took over the prosecution when the town prosecutor recused himself.

Flynns office determined that the alleged actions of the veteran did not rise to the level of a harassment violation and the case against him could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

Hoak said last year the POW/MIA flag was taken down because it was frayed. Several days after the incident, a POW/MIA flag was returned to the pole, with the Pride flag flying below it.

Ten days after the incident, Councilwoman Beth Farrell Lorentz proposed installing an additional flagpole and having the town devise a policy for the use of the pole. The other four members of the Town Board, all Democrats, did not second her motion and there was no discussion or vote on it.

Fast forward six months. Farrell Lorentz proposed a nearly identical resolution during the boards reorganization meeting Monday night. She had the support of the two newest members of the board, Daniel Kozub and Frank Bogulski, both veterans.

It just it shocked me that nobody would second it, Kozub said. Nobody cares if anybody is gay or straight anything, it has nothing to do with that.

Hoak said the renovation and enlargement of the parking lot in front of Town Hall this year is to include three flagpoles. The parking will be enlarged and handicapped parking will be closer to the town clerks office, he said.

The construction project is slated for the spring and summer.

Hoak suggested the board wait for that project to be completed, but he joined all board members in voting for Farrell Lorentzs resolution to add a flagpole. The board is to develop a policy on the use of the auxiliary pole or poles.
A winter storm with strong winds and heavy lake-effect snow will hit Western New York this weekend with possible blizzard conditions, the National Weather Service said.

The weather service issued a winter storm warning from 10 a.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Monday for Erie, Genesee and Wyoming counties.

Forecasters expect winds to gust as high as 65 mph. One to 3 feet of snow is expected to accumulate where the most persistent lake-snow bands fall.

Strong winds will cause significant blowing and drifting snow, reducing visibility to near zero at times. Travel is strongly discouraged, the weather service said in its warning.

The winds also may cause extensive damage to trees.

The strongest winds will be Saturday into Sunday, according to the weather service.

The @NWSBUFFALO team has advised us the storm will not be like the December 2022 Blizzard, but will be a significant weather event, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz posted on X, formerly Twitter. The snow fall rates are manageable for @ErieCountyDPW but the wind will create localized whiteout conditions, making travel difficult.

A similar warning was enacted for Niagara and Orleans counties, especially the southern portions of them, from 10 a.m. Saturday to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Heavy lake effect snow bands with gusty winds will occur east of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario Saturday through Sunday night. The snow bands will oscillate north to south, impacting the Buffalo and Watertown Metros. Travel will be difficult to near impossible within snow bands. pic.twitter.com/nwgMRaNH9P  NWS Buffalo (@NWSBUFFALO) January 12, 2024

The main difference for Niagara and Orleans will be snow accumulation: 5 to 10 inches are expected in the most persistent bands.

The heaviest snow will fall in narrow bands, so anyone driving should be prepared for rapidly changing conditions and visibilities, the weather service said.

One-hundred members of the New York National Guard, along with 25 vehicles, were being deployed to Western New York, Gov. Kathy Hochuls office said.

The City of Buffalo will close Bird Island Pier, Broderick Park, Erie Basin Marina and Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park  all waterfront parks  at 3:30 p.m. Friday due to the weather. Also, digital message boards will be implemented at three locations in the city, warning motorists about high winds and blowing snow.

A ban on empty trucks, tractor-trailers and tandem trucks will go into effect at 9 a.m. Saturday on some area highways. Those highways are:

Mainline Thruway/Interstate-90 from Pennsylvania line to Exit 46/I-390/Rochester.

I-190 from I-90 to Exit 17/River Road (everything south of the South Grand Island Bridges).

I-190 from Exit 22/Niagara Falls Boulevard to Lewiston-Queenston Bridge (everything north of the North Grand Island Bridges).

I-290.

I-990.

Kensington Expressway/Route 33.

Buffalo Skyway/Route 5.

Route 219.

Route 400.

I-86 in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties.

The National Weather Service also issued a lakeshore flood warning for Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties from 7 a.m. Saturday until 4 a.m. Sunday.

A period of gusty southeast winds will blow through Western New York areas late Friday afternoon into the night, before developing into widespread whipping southwest winds through the weekend.

The shift in the wind direction will lead to a lake seiche on Lake Erie resulting in flooding of roadways in adjoining areas. Canalside will be the most impacted, while flooding is possible at Sunset Beach, Route 5 in Hamburg, Crooked Brook Drive, Lakefront Boulevard and Dunkirk City Pier. The breakwall at Dunkirk might suffer minor damage, while Cayuga Island along the Niagara River is also expected to experience some minor flooding.

We are asking members of the community to take the storm seriously, Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown said during a news conference Friday. This will be the first serious storm of our winter season.

News Staff Reporters Debadrita Sur and Deidre Williams contributed to this report.
Discover the heartfelt stories of Filipinos in 2023, as they share their most cherished memories captured through vivo smartphones. From new releases like the vivo V29 5G and vivo Y36 to earlier models, these devices have become storytellers of Filipinos' lives.

Immortalizing Holiday celebrations with loved ones

Ella Tamayo from Pasig City used her vivo V29 5G to capture the joy of welcoming 2024 with loved ones on New Year's Eve. The vivid snapshot made that moment unforgettable.

Jergens Alvarez from Laguna also shared a photo taken during Noche Buena, when she felt thankful for being at home for Christmas.

Jay Ilagan from Laguna chose the vivo Y36 to capture the essence of family bonding during New Year's Eve. The vivo Y36 perfectly preserved the togetherness of that special moment.

In 2023, vivo introduced cutting-edge smartphones, including the vivo V29 5G and vivo Y36.

These devices, equipped with advanced camera features, proved instrumental in preserving the most cherished moments for users like Ella and Jay.

Timeless memories with earlier vivo models

Even with earlier vivo models, users created lasting memories. Jonas Apatan used the vivo V21e to take a photo during their first Luzon trip as a family, emphasizing the enduring quality of vivo phones.

Jose Ma. Enriquez, using the vivo Y95, immortalized his Christmas decorations, showcasing how vivo phones document personal achievements and creative endeavors.

"I just love this photo because I was able to decorate our home with my best handmade Christmas decorations," Jose shared.

Chadz Antonio, a #vivo4Christmas Instagram winner, shared his extraordinary Christmas journey to Siquijor Island with the vivo V15 Pro. The device not only captured his moments but also inspired him to blend work and travel, making 2023 an unforgettable adventure.

Chadz said, "This trip made me eager to explore more in 2024, learn about new cultures, try different foods, and keep this incredible journey going. Remembering this adventure fills me with joy, and I'm thankful to vivo V15 Pro for capturing these priceless moments that mean so much to me."

vivo smartphones are truly enablers of cherished memories. As Filipinos continue to use vivo to capture and share their special moments, these devices play a vital role in preserving the essence of their lives.

Explore, capture, and relive  vivo ensures that every moment becomes a memorable story. Get the latest vivo vivo V29 Series 5G or a budget-friendly Y Series phone on vivo website, Shopee, Lazada, TikTok, or vivo concept stores, kiosks, and dealers nationwide.




realme officially announced at its 2024 media preview event in Las Vegas that the realme 12 Pro Series will include a flagship periscope telephoto lens. The event attendees got a firsthand look at the upcoming realme 12 Pro Series as the fastest-growing smartphone brand in the globe showcased its advanced periscope telephoto technology and luxury watch design, with some suggesting it could be the leading imaging phone in its category.

realme joined Qualcomm at CES 2024 to introduce its periscope technology

Following the recently issued open letter from realme's founder and CEO, Sky Li, announcing that 2024 will be the year of rebranding, the company also unveiled its new slogan: Make it real. This media event marked realme's initial official communication following its rebranding. As the slogan repositions realme as a tech brand that better understands young users, the realme number series is also set to be positioned as the future of Next-gen Imaging.

Empowering Young Users with Next-gen Imaging Through The Flagship Periscope Telephoto Lens

According to research done by realme, there is a forthcoming preference among young users for telephoto lenses with 3X zoom or more, rather than just 2X. To enable high zoom levels in slim phones, a periscope telephoto is the sole viable choice.

While this technology calls for high costs and technical challenges usually reserved for flagship smartphones, realme is committed to bridge this gap by making flagship-exclusive periscope telephoto technology that is available to a wider audience of young users.

In line with this, realme has developed a proprietary periscope telephoto formula to ensure top-quality imaging under various conditions, first introduced in the realme GT5 Pro launched globally in November 2023. This formula has positioned the realme GT5's telephoto performance at the forefront of the industry. The upcoming realme 12 Pro Series will adopt the same approach, integrating a leading sensor size, a high-performance platform, and an advanced algorithm to achieve superior imaging performance.

The Next-gen Telephoto and Sensor: Best Periscope In The Segment

realme 12 Pro Series enhances night shot clarity and stability while minimizing flare and ghosting. This is achieved through a unique combination of prism tilt OIS, Sub-Wavelength Structure Coating, and a Wave Pattern Lens Shade. These technologies were introduced in the GT5 Pro. Additionally, the realme 12 Pro Series leads its class in telephoto capabilities, offering up to 120X digital zoom. It will also feature a 3X Portrait Mode with a 71mm golden portrait focal length, creating a naturally shallow depth of field perfect for portraits.

In terms of sensor, the realme 12 Pro Series boasts the segment's largest periscope telephoto sensor. It features the OV64B flagship sensor that outshines competitors and matches other top-tier flagships. With a 1/2-inch size, it's over twice as large as the telephoto sensor in the iPhone 15 Pro. Thanks to its larger aperture and light intake, the realme 12 Pro Series' telephoto lens is nearly three times more light-sensitive than that of the iPhone 15 Pro.

The Next-gen Lossless Zoom: Flagship Full-Focal-Length Lossless Zoom Imaging Capability

realme 12 Pro Series comes with Sony IMX890 OIS main camera which enhances night-time photography with its 1/1.56'' large sensor, a 24mm equivalent focal length, and a wide f/1.8 Aperture. With OIS support, it excels in providing stable video recording and optimizing the success rate of photos. Moreover, the realme 12 Pro Series is equipped with a periscope telephoto and ultra wide-angle camera to offer lossless zoom at 0.6x, 1x, 2x, 3x, 5x, providing a full-focal-length lossless zoom photographic experience comparable to that of a flagship device.

The Next-gen Algorithm: Exclusive Customization of The MasterShot Algorithm

In collaboration with Qualcomm, realme has enhanced its image processing with the MasterShot Algorithm. The realme 12 Pro Series is the first and only device in its segment to process RAW domains, ensuring top clarity, dynamic range, and realism in cinematic portraits The next-generation omni-focal MasterShot Algorithm is a flagship-level architecture that offers the industry's most advanced computational photography. It integrates the LightFusion Engine for enhanced clarity and tone, plus the NightEye Engine for superior night photography. The Series also allows effortless capture of striking portraits with its unique movie portrait filter.

Partnered with The International Luxury Watch Designer to Create Luxury Watch Design

Along with the flagship image, realme also has collaborated with Ollivier Saveo, the international luxury watch design master, to create luxury watch design for the realme 12 Pro Series. This aims to offer young people Next-gen Imaging experiences and stylishly designed products.

Renowned for his leadership in high-end watch and jewelry groups, Ollivier Saveo has previously collaborated with prestigious Swiss watch brands, including Rolex, Roger Dubuis, Piaget, Breitling, and Quentin. His expertise has played a pivotal role in the creation of luxury watch design that elevates the realme 12 Pro Series to new heights of sophistication.

Taking inspiration from classic luxury watches, realme and Ollivier Saveo embarked on a journey to deconstruct their design and craftsmanship. This resulted in the infusion of refined elements into the industrial design of the realme 12 Pro Series, redefining the concept of luxury watch design.

Golden Fluted Bezel: Crafted using CNC machine cutting, the Golden Fluted Bezel achieves a 360 luxury watch level precision texture with 300 meticulously designed metal lines.

Crafted using CNC machine cutting, the Golden Fluted Bezel achieves a 360 luxury watch level precision texture with 300 meticulously designed metal lines. Polished Sunburst Dial: The Polished Sunburst Dial showcases a light cone texture and gradient UV texture seamlessly blended to present over 500 sunburst patterns interwoven with light and shadow.

The Polished Sunburst Dial showcases a light cone texture and gradient UV texture seamlessly blended to present over 500 sunburst patterns interwoven with light and shadow. Premium Vegan Leather: The use of the latest silicone materials results in a silky feel and dirt-resistant Premium Vegan Leather, combining high-end aesthetics with practicality.

The use of the latest silicone materials results in a silky feel and dirt-resistant Premium Vegan Leather, combining high-end aesthetics with practicality. 3D Jubilee Bracelet: Featuring three-dimensional rhomboid precision splicing, the 3D Jubilee Bracelet creates a metallic strap texture that adds a touch of luxury to the realme 12 Pro Series.

The realme 12 Pro Series is set to launch globally in January. However, realme has yet to announce its arrival to the Philippines. Make sure to follow realme PH Facebook page at facebook.com/realmePhilippines or visit the official realme website at www.realme.com/ph/ to learn more.
Huawei Philippines is set to be an industry trailblazer once again through the upcoming releases of its latest portable products, the HUAWEI MatePad Pro 13.2-inch, MateBook D 16 2024,FreeClip Earbuds and HUAWEI WATCH GT 4 Light Gold Version. Championing seamless multitasking, stunning visuals, and unparalleled productivity.

The HUAWEI MatePad Pro 13.2-inch: The Best of Both Worlds

Bringing together a balance of work and creativity features, the HUAWEI MatePad Pro HUAWEIs MatePad Pro 13.2-inch is its thinnest and lightest yet. It features Huawei X-True 13.2-inch is the quintessential productivity booster. Featuring a 94% screen-to-body ratio, it is both sleek and powerful.

Along with the tablets flexible OLED display, it also boasts a maximum brightness of 1,000 nits and an ultra-high contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1. The flexible OLED display adjusts automatically for changes in brightness, contrast, and color based on the surrounding environment, allowing users to create and work under any lighting conditions. The HUAWEI MatePad Pro 13.2-inch tablet also supports 88W wired HUAWEI SuperCharge, meaning it can reach 85% charge in just 40 minutes and 100% charge in just 65 minutes.

For a next-level viewing experience, the MatePad Pro 13.2 inch is also equipped with an anti-burn screen algorithm, doubling display lifespan and eliminating pattern issues that can occur at large viewing angles.

Binging on a series or working overtime? Those using the tablet for a longer period can rest easy as the HUAWEI MatePad Pro 13.2-inch is certified by TUV Rheinland, the most comprehensive standard for eye protection in mobile devices.

Quality of life additions to the product, such as the 3rd generation Huawei M-Pencil, Smart Magnetic Keyboard, and Huawei Sound, further enhance the HUAWEI MatePad Pro 13.2-inch's capabilities, making it a versatile companion for both work and play. It also supports various applications tailored for office work, note taking, ideation and creative tasks. Tools like Canva, TikTok, CapCut, and Mojing Paint are meant to encourage the users creativity, while Zoom, Huawei Notes, and Evernote for productivity.

The HUAWEI MatePad Pro 13.2-inch also carries Huaweis PC-level WPS Office, a digital software that is similar to MS Office, Adobe Acrobat, and ChatGPT - combined all in one powerful app. With its PC-level interface, the WPS Office provides complete functions and a user-friendly layout, making for a better and efficient professional office setup. Paired with the Magnetic Keyboard with touchpad, it allows for an easier time dragging, selecting, and editing content.

For creatives, the tablet can be paired with Huaweis 3rd generation M-Pencil powered by NearLink. Through this technology, the HUAWEI M-Pencil gives users an improved writing experience with minimal delay, added precision, and adaptive pressure. The low latency dynamic between the HUAWEI M-Pencil and the tablet makes sure there's virtually no delay between your strokes and the digital output. This means that lines appear in real-time, capturing the spontaneity and nuance of your natural writing or drawing style.

That's the promise the HUAWEI MatePad Pro 13.2-inch deliversuninterrupted creative enjoyment, reaching peak performance wherever you are.

HUAWEI MateBook D 16 2024: The High Performing Laptop Fit for Everyday Needs

Celebrated globally for its performance, utility, and design, the HUAWEI MateBook D 16 2024, with its sleek design and metal body for enhanced durability, stands as a true embodiment of Huawei's commitment to excellence.

With dual eye protection certification, the MateBook D 16 2024 prioritizes user comfort, making it an ideal choice for less eye strain, and compared to other laptops in the market, the MateBook D 16 2024 is built with an easy-to-carry, portable design. This laptop stands out with its 16-inch eye comfort FullView display, providing an immersive visual experience while maintaining a sleek 17mm in thickness. Users can adapt their viewing experience with different angles thanks to its flexible 180% degree hinge. Moreover, the laptop's 16:10 golden aspect ratio and 90% high-to-screen body ratio further enhance the visual aesthetics, providing a perfect blend of form and function.

As the first laptop to be the recipient of SGS Switzerlands 5-star Wi-Fi signal capability certification, the MateBook D 16 2024 sets a new benchmark. This certification is credited to the HUAWEI Metaline Antenna, which ensures optimal Wi-Fi connectivity even at a remarkable distance of up to 270m, increasing signal conversion efficiency by 70%. In the same network environment, both uplink and downlink signals are improved by 3.5dB each.

The MateBook D 16 2024 comes with a pre-installed WPS Office, which is exclusive for models sold in the APAC Region. The all-in-one office suite harnesses an AI writer that lets you summarize text easily, or start ideas on the spot. It also has a built-in PDF reader that lets you dissect text with an AI chatbot as you browse through your PDFs contents.

The WPS AI seamlessly integrates with your existing WPS Office suite, allowing you to harness its capabilities within your workflow.

Under the hood, the HUAWEI MateBook D 16 2024 boasts cutting-edge technology, featuring the high-performance Intel Core i9 processor processors, and Intel Iris Xe Graphics graphics. This ensures that whether you're crunching numbers, editing creative projects, or enjoying graphics-intensive games, the laptop delivers a performance that exceeds expectations. The HUAWEI MateBook D 16 2024 runs on a 56Wh or a 70Wh battery capacity, resulting in an ultra long battery life. Whether you're conquering a day of work or indulging in a light gaming session, this laptop is designed to reliably keep pace.

The MateBook D 16 2024 also introduces smart conference features, integrating an AI camera, and AI sound effects to the user experience. Sound TrueVoice, a cutting-edge technology software, enables remote sound pick-up and AI noise cancellation, enhancing the overall conference experience for users. For enhanced efficiency, the laptop features a numeric keypad with 1.5mm high key travel, and physical shortcut keys, ensuring that users can navigate and input data with precision and speed, making it an ideal choice for a wide range of tasks.

With design, in silver mystic color; performance, delivered by Windows 11; and portability at its disposal, the HUAWEI MateBook D 16 2024 will be offering a wide range of services for different consumers. In line with this, Huawei Philippines will not just bring in the i9 variant of the HUAWEI MateBook D 16 2024, but will also provide i5 16GB/1T, i5/16GB/512MB and i5 8GB/512MB alternatives.

All variants come with a Gift Package that includes:

HUAWEI Freebuds SE worth PHP 2,499

Microsoft Office 365 Personal 2021 valued at PHP 3,499

Backpack valued at PHP 1,890

Gift box valued at PHP 1,999

Excited to grab one for yourself? Get them starting January 19, 2024 at the nearest HUAWEI Experience Store, Lazada, Shopee and HUAWEI Online Store.

HUAWEI FreeClip: All-day listening with Leakproof and Boundless Audio

Featuring an innovative C-bridge Design and air conduction audio technology, the HUAWEI FreeClip earbuds offer a comfortable and immersive listening experience. With an impressive 36-hour battery life with a fully charged charging case, it becomes your partner for everyday listening. Made more durable with IP54-level water and dust resistance. Its customizable multi-touch Gesture Control, helps users conveniently control music playback or pick up a call without having to fumble for the controls on a smartphone.

A stylish clip-on earring design, and an industry-first automatic left-right ear recognition technology, the FreeClip Earbuds seamlessly blend fashion, comfort, and intelligent functionality. Whether you're in the office, at the gym, or on a jog, the FreeClip Earbuds provide leakproof sound technology and AI call noise reduction, promising the best of everyday listening.

Experience Being the Best with the HUAWEI MatePad Pro 13.2-inch, HUAWEI MateBook D 16 2024, and FreeClip Coming to Stores Soon!

Unleash Your Inner Artist with GoPaint

Injecting inspiration into the art of creating, HUAWEI also opens the call for artists to pick up their brush through the HUAWEI GoPaint Worldwide Creating Activity, which will reward the best entries with a creation fund of up to $5,000, fuelling a wave of creatives and innovators to imagine art, work, and play with Huawei. The competition is open to all from January 5 to February 29, 2024. Explore the possibilities of art with GoPaint and Huaweis latest products.

Unleash your artist, see more of GoPaint and get inspired to create.

To learn more about the products, visit Huawei Store, and official stores on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok.
Driven by the Asia Pacifics (APAC) rapid digitalization movement and known geopolitical frictions, experts at Kaspersky predict the upcoming cybersecurity threat landscape in the region this year.

Global cybersecurity company reveals that, in particular, the dangers of phishing, scams, data breaches, and geo politically-motivated cyberattacks are seen to continue targeting organizations and individuals from the region.

Asia Pacifics digital economy continues to grow exponentially and is expected to keep its momentum in the next five years. With digitalization efforts including adoption of technologies like digital payments, Super Apps, IoT, smart cities, and now generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity will be key to ensuring the resilience of the regions overall defenses against potentially damaging cyberattacks, says Vitaly Kamluk, Head of Research Center for Asia Pacific, Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT) at Kaspersky.

When it comes to sophisticated Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), we have seen that cyber espionage remains to be the main objective of Asian groups. We expect this trend to continue in 2024 due to the existing geopolitical tensions in the region, Kamluk adds.

Kasperskys GReAT researchers have also specified the key cyberthreat predictions in 2024 for the key countries and territories in APAC.

South East Asia (Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia)

The scale of scam in Southeast Asia

According to a report by the UN, hundreds of thousands of people from Southeast Asia (SEA) were recruited to join online-scam operations such as romance-investment scams, crypto fraud, money laundering and illegal gambling. Recruitment to these criminal operations are mostly done via advertised professional roles such as programmers, marketers or human resource specialists, through what appear to be legitimate and even elaborate procedures.

Increased usage and trust in digital payment methods, lack of regulations protecting the rights of users online and large numbers of people forced into joining online-scam operations add complexity to this major issue in SEA and in resolving it.

Law enforcement is working on many of those cases, involving scam and phishing attacks and we have seen successful operations in 2023, such as a joint operation of Australian Federal Police (AFP), and United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Malaysian Police which led to the arrest of 8 individuals behind a syndicate running a phishing-as-a-service campaign online, says Kamluk.

Nevertheless, we think that the scale of online scam and phishing attacks in Southeast Asia will only continue growing in the coming years due to technical and legal illiteracy of many people involved in such attacks from operators to victims, he adds.

Singapore

Major technology safety and security highlights in Singapore in 2023 were related to data breaches and outages.

Financial service outages

In October 2023, DBS, one of the largest Singapore banks, experienced an operational failure due to datacenter outage, which resulted in 2.5 million failed transactions. Although, the reason for failure was not to be associated with a cyberattack at the time, given a prior history of outages, it will have implications on the bank's strategies and priorities among which shall be increased reliability and safety of the services. As reported by the media, Citibank operations were also affected. While we embrace attention to improving the reliability and security of the infrastructure, it's still the time of changes, which always opens a window of opportunities for the attackers.

DDoS attacks

Another highlight was related to web service outages of several public hospitals and polyclinics due to a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack: the attackers flooded servers with internet traffic to prevent users from accessing online services. The disruption did not result in a compromise of data or internal networks according to publicly known information. This incident tells us that while the websites demonstrated resilience against potential compromises, they were unfortunately unprepared to a DDoS attack.

Website defacements

A number of Singapore websites suffered from politically motivated defacement attacks in late 2023. Those attacks affected a historical temple website, a retirement info website, a tourism agency and other businesses located in Singapore.

The bottom line is that the trend for future attacks in Singapore will likely be related to denial of service attacks, politically motivated compromises, defacements, and data leaks. Targeted ransomware threat is still real too, but will adopt the newest trend of pressuring the victim through regulator complaints, explains Kamluk.

South Korea

Prominent political event and cybersecurity threats

In the upcoming year of 2024, South Korea is poised to hold a significant general election. Historically, major political events such as this have consistently attracted the attention of threat actors, who view them as prime opportunities for launching direct cyberattacks with the intent of disrupting the political proceedings. Furthermore, these threat actors often employ sophisticated social engineering techniques to achieve their goals. Thus, it is our firm belief that this impending major event will serve as a catalyst, intensifying the frequency and complexity of cyberattacks.

Customized Cyber Threats Targeting the Local IT Environment

Over the past several years, alleged state-sponsored threat actors have systematically infiltrated numerous entities within South Korea, employing widely adopted software solutions that are integral to the country's IT infrastructure. These adversaries adeptly exploited vulnerabilities specific to the local, well-known software and IT ecosystem, thereby facilitating the successful dissemination of their malicious software to their unsuspecting targets. This nefarious activity wreaked havoc across various industries, causing extensive damage.

As we look ahead to the year 2024, it is evident that these customized threats, meticulously tailored to exploit South Korea's unique software landscape and IT environment, are poised to persist and pose an ongoing challenge, adds Kamluk.

China

Telecom fraud activity will decrease, but phishing attacks may increase

In the past year, the Chinese government has been trying to find ways and even seek international cooperation to combat telecom fraud. In this high-pressure environment, the telecom fraud groups, known to be located in northern Myanmar, may soon collapse.

However, Kaspersky researchers still have seen a wave of phishing attacks from unidentified groups over the past year launching frantic QR code phishing attacks on Chinese citizens, targeting personal credit card information. This groups operations do not appear to be affected by the situation in northern Myanmar, and based on Kaspersky statistics and observed behavioral patterns, attacks may peak again at the end of the year and early next year.

APT attacks on high profile targets will become increasingly active

Earlier this year, Chinese authorities reported cyberattacks on various national institutions and organizations. The CVERC reported isolating a spyware artifact named Second Date. This advanced cyber-espionage tool can fully control targeted network devices and enable prolonged data theft.

Targets that were compromised include a university developing military-industrial projects and government departments that maintain basic geographic data. In addition, Kaspersky have also noticed that some long-term active APT organizations have launched APT attacks against Chinese nuclear energy companies and unknown targets.

Given Chinas geopolitical prominence, Kaspersky experts expect that the number of APT attacks targeting the country will only increase in the future.

India

India has been traditionally suffering from a number of low skill but high scale scam and fraud cases. Typical threats include the following:

Illegal or fake digital loan apps

Income tax refund services

Real estate fraud

Investment scam

Ponzi schemes online

Job fraud

Sextortion

The rise of technologies and digitalization of the Indian economy, such as increased use of the sophisticated Unified Payments Interface (UPI), the software from the National Payments Corporation of India, will lead to a wave of related scams. Another opportunity for scammers is the ever-rising popularity of cryptocurrencies, which may lead to a new generation of scam apps, explains Kamluk.

Also, a growing popularity of micro-loan apps has resulted in new schemes to target users in India through unexpected inflated premiums and personal threats.

In addition, with Indias move towards smart cities, IoT vulnerabilities pose serious security challenges for the country.

For organizations in APAC, Kaspersky shares the tips below to keep safe from these upcoming threats in 2024:
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Russian tourists reportedly going on a ski trip to North Korea will be the first international travelers to visit the country since its borders closed in 2020 amid the global pandemic lockdown.

The report, published Wednesday by the Russian state-run Tass news agency, underscores deepening cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. It also follows the meeting last September between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin at a cosmodrome in Russias Far East.

Tass did not specify a timeframe but the report brough some surprise to Asia observers who had expected the first post-pandemic tourists to North Korea to come from China, the Norths biggest diplomatic ally and economic pipeline.

According to Tass, an unspecified number of tourists from Russia's far eastern region of Primorye will first fly to the North Korean capital of Pyongyang, where they will visit monuments such as the Tower of Juche Idea, named after the Norths guiding philosophy of juche or self-reliance.

The tourists will then travel on to the Norths Masik Pass on the east coast, where the countrys most modern ski resort is located, Tass said. It said the trip was arranged under an agreement reached between Oleg Kozhemyako, governor of the Primorye region, and North Korean authorities.

Kozhemyako traveled to Pyongyang in December for talks on boosting economic ties as part of a flurry of bilateral exchanges since the Kim-Putin summit. Ahead of the trip, he told Russian media he expected to discuss tourism, agriculture and trade cooperation.

The Kim-Putin summit deepened outside belief that North Korea is supplying conventional arms to Russia for its war in Ukraine, in return for high-tech Russian weapons technologies.

The White House said last week that it has evidence Russia fired additional North Korea-provided missiles at Ukraine. The United States, South Korea, Japan and others issued a joint statement condemning the missies transfer.

North Korea and Russia are locked in separate confrontations with the United States and its allies  North Korea for its advancing nuclear program and Russia for its protracted war with Ukraine.

North Korea has been slowly easing pandemic-era curbs and opening its international borders as part of its efforts to revive its economy devastated by the lockdown and persistent U.S.-led sanctions. Its reputation also suffered a blow in August 2022, when Pyongyang made a highly dubious claim that it had beaten a domestic COVID-19 outbreak.

For North Korea, tourism is the easiest way to earn foreign currency under the international sanctions regime, said Koh Yu-hwan, former president of Seouls Korea Institute for National Unification.

Koh said he expects Pyongyang to eventually also open North Korea to Chinese tourists.

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said "visitors from Russia are unlikely to be as financially lucrative for North Korea as the return of more numerous visitors from China.

But the domestic political risk is relatively low while providing symbolism of revitalized relations with Moscow in line with Pyongyangs current geopolitical narrative, he added.
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Myanmars military and ethnic rebel groups have agreed to a China-brokered ceasefire after more than two months of intense fighting in the countrys northeast.

Beijing on Friday said the Myanmar military has agreed to stop aerial bombing and artillery shelling in the northern Shan state, while the alliance of rebel forces agreed to halt its offensive and not seek to capture more towns and army encampments.

The ceasefire would not apply to fighting in other regions of Myanmar, according to local reports.

The Myanmar military  led by General Min Aung Hlaing  has been facing its biggest challenge from an alliance of armed ethnic groups since wresting power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in a 2021 coup.

The ceasefire is not expected to have any immediate bearing on the fate of Ms Suu Kyi or other political prisoners, thousands of whom remain behind bars despite an amnesty earlier this month.

The Three Brotherhood Alliance  which comprises the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance army, the Taang National Liberation army and the Arakan Army  intensified its attacks on the military in late October with the launch of Operation 1027 in junta-controlled areas.

In particular, there has been aggressive fighting in Shan state along the northern border with China.

The truce agreement was mediated by China with talks on Wednesday and Thursday in Kunming, a Chinese provincial capital about 250 miles from the border with Myanmar, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said.

China hopes the relevant parties in Myanmar can conscientiously implement the agreement, exercise maximum restraint toward each other and solve the issues through dialogue and consultations, she said at a briefing in Beijing.

Major General Zaw Min Tun, the spokesperson of Myanmars ruling military council, said the two sides had met in Kunming and after talks, agreed on a temporary ceasefire agreement.

We will continue discussions. We will continue to work for the strengthening of the ceasefire, Maj Gen Zaw Min Tun said.

A previous ceasefire pact reached in mid-December was not honoured by either side.

According to Chinas spokesperson the military and the brotherhood agreed to an immediate ceasefire, the disengaging of military personnel and the settlement of their disputes through negotiations.

The two sides promised not to undermine the safety of Chinese people living in the border area and Chinese projects and personnel in Myanmar, Ms Ning said.

The rebel forces did not immediately confirm the ceasefire.

Since the 2021 coup, the country has been embroiled in a bloody civil war that saw the junta crushing the rebels with both arbitrary detention and brute violence.

The brotherhoods attack on the military has posed the greatest battlefield challenge to Myanmars junta rulers since the army takeover.

The alliance has claimed widespread victories, including the seizure of more than 250 military posts, about a dozen towns and five major border crossing points controlling crucial trade with China.

Maj Gen Zaw Min Tun said Myanmar and China will continue to negotiate reopening the border trading gates, which were closed after combat began and are now in the hands of the Three Brotherhood Alliance.

Additional reporting by agencies
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The chief executive of an embattled water company has apologised to customers after it transported millions of litres of raw sewage through a coastal town in tankers before disposing of it at an overflowing pumping station.

Up to 250 journeys were made every day by tanks moving sewage through Exmouth (Escape)

South West Water (SWW) is facing the anger of residents of Exmouth, east Devon, who say the companys deplorable actions led to the overspilling of more raw sewage into the sea just a short distance from the towns popular sandy beach.

The situation in the seaside resort triggered an investigation by the Environment Agency, which also warned swimmers not to go into the sea until 8 January.

Trucks moved millions of litres of sewage through Exmouth as a result of the burst pipe (Escape)

Geoff Crawford, the founder of End Sewage Convoys and Pollution Exmouth (Escape), said the water company had put its financial interests ahead of the environment, and had left the town on edge over sewage pollution.

He added: People werent aware of the problem, but then the convoy of tankers moving raw sewage through the town really brought it home, then there was the notification of overspilling into the sea and the closure of the beach.

There is a general anxiety across the town. Its clear sewage was sent to an overflowing pumping station and dumped into the sea.

Susan Davy, chief executive of the company, told a special meeting with councillors and other angry locals on Thursday evening: Its my job to ensure we walk in the shoes of our customers, and for the residents in and around Exmouth we havent done that, and Im sorry.

Thats not to say that my team and I dont care  we do. But its right that I take responsibility and accountability for South West Waters actions. For disturbing the community and having an impact on the environment Im truly sorry.

A South West Water map of the local area and tanker routes (South West Water)

One resident claimed there had been an unprecedented number of reports of people and dogs falling ill since the spills.

Dan Wilson, a town and district councillor, said after years of failure by South West Water, if he had been in charge, he would resign.

Asked whether she would stand down, Ms Davy said she was confident the company had the right team in place, after managers outlined plans for 38m of investment in infrastructure over the coming years.

SWW has already faced criticism for pollution during a drive by the government to cut the number of illegal spills. It was fined 2.15 million last year for issues across Devon and Cornwall.

Last week, John Halsall, chief operating officer of the firm, issued a heartfelt apology to residents in a video posted on the companys website, but denied the company had caused environmental impact by sending sewage to an overflowing pumping station.

The issue began when flooding on 30 December forced the transportation of waste in tankers from a Phear Park Pumping Station to Maer Road Pumping Station.

The lorries had previously been taking the waste to Maer Lane Sewage Treatment Works due to a burst in a pipe linking the sites.

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But the flooding, plus a promise not to send tankers through a village, led to the decision to use Maer Road Pumping Station as the destination for up to 240 sewage-filled vehicle journeys a day.

Only after a brief period of time, according to Mr Halsall, said to be four days, did the company redirect the lorries back to the treatment works.

Mr Halsall said: In the end we had to say, and apologise to local [village] residents and say weve got no choice, we just need to tanker through the village and thats what happened.

But for the campaigners in Exmouth, that decision came too late after, they say, more sewage was added to the overflow coming from Maer Road Pumping Station into the sea.

The burst pipe which caused the problem and resulted in tankers being used to transport sewage (Escape)

Mr Halsall told the meeting he offered a sincere apology for the disruption. I know exactly what it feels like - Ive seen the tankers and the mess.

When the rising main burst, it was pouring with rain and we were up against it. Im genuinely sorry for the tankering and the first burst.

He said pollution from the first burst did affect beaches but it was less clear whether the second one caused material pollution, saying the company had chosen the least worst option.

Asked whether in hindsight the decision was wrong, he said he was not sure they would do anything differently.

There were no visible indicators the main was vulnerable to bursting or required replacement, he said.

At the start of January, the Environment Agency told the BBC that SWW informed it that for operational reasons they were having to tanker waste to another pumping station that was already overflowing.

In a statement to The Independent, a spokesperson said: South West Water has now resolved the issue and their pumping station is back in operation. We take all pollution incidents extremely seriously and are currently investigating this case.

Mr Crawford, who swims in the sea of Exmouth to help with anxiety, said data published online by SWW showed waste overflowed from Maer Road Pumping Station for several days during the tanker deliveries. The current reading shows the last overflow was for 10 minutes on 5 January.

He said: We are trying to capitalise on this to push SWW to make the necessary improvements to its network to ensure this never happens again.

Water quality at Exmouth is classed as excellent by the Environment Agency, but readings are from summer months (PA)

In the video message, Mr Halsall said the use of tankers was to reduce the environmental impact caused by the burst pipe.

He added: On no occasion have we created additional environmental impact as a result of the tankering.

Now, in the spirit of transparency, have the bursts caused environmental impact? Unfortunately, yes they have... as soon as we started tanking the environmental impact stopped.

An SWW spokesperson told The Independent that an installed temporary pipe meant tankers were no longer needed to move sewage across the town.

They added: We would like to again thank local residents for their continued patience whilst the works are taking place and we are sorry for any inconvenience this has caused.
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Anna Wintour has sent fans into a frenzy with an iconic Devil Wears Prada joke as Anne Hathaway made a surprise appearance at a Broadway show.

On 10 January, Wintour and Hathaway both made an unexpected cameo in Gutenberg! The Musical!, which stars Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells as two composers, Bud and Doug, who are looking to take their musical to Broadway. At the end of each performance in the James Earl Jones Theater, a celebrity usually walks onto the stage to portray a Broadway producer, who gives Bud and Doug their contract.

In the video posted by the shows Instagram, Hathaway and Wintour could be seen in black outfits and hats that read producer, before they exchanged a hug on the stage. As the show was coming to an end, the duo went on to do their brief scene, with the Princess Diaries star praising the main characters work.

Oh Bud, Doug, this show is fantastic, she said, after receiving applause from the audience. We dont need to hear another note!

Wintour then chimed in by describing her title and indicating what Hathaways job was, with a subtle reference to the actors role as a magazine editors assistant in The Devil Wears Prada.

Im a very famous Broadway producer, and this is my assistant, she said, gesturing towards Hathaway. In response, Hathaway was seen shaking her head and looking down at the floor, to show her producer hat, before asking the fashion designer: Still? The crowd then burst into laughter and applause, after hearing Hathaways response to Wintours remark.

Wintour then proceeded the bit by noting that she was holding Bud and Dougs Broadway contact in [her] hands, which prompted applause from the audience.

Wintours joke was a nod to Hathaways Devil Wears Prada role as Andy Sachs, who was the co-assistant to prestigious magazine editor Miranda Priestly, played by Meryl Streep. The role of Miranda Priestly is believed to be partially inspired by Wintour and her career in the fashion industry.

In the comments of the Instagram video, many fans expressed their amusement over Wintours joke and its reference to Hathaways iconic movie character.

And this is my assistant truly, truly took me out, one wrote, while actor Tracie Thoms quipped: I told her to quit 18 years agoShe didnt listen.

A third wrote: This is my assistant ICONIC ICONIC ICONIC.

Other fans went on to express how happy Wintour and Hathaway appeared to be on stage, with one commenting: My favourite part about all of these videos is how genuinely elated and tickled they both are. Like, thats not acting, thats just them.

This isnt the first time that Wintour and Hathaway had a mini-reunion. In October 2022, the One Day star sat next to the US Vogue editor-in-chief at the Michael Kors show during New York Fashion Week. At the time, fans even praised Hathaway for embracing the style of Andy Sachs, as she was wearing a black turtleneck with a brown crocodile skirt and a matching jacket. Her hair was styled in a ponytail and she had a full eye-skimming fringe, similar to how her character had it in the 2006 film.

Weeks later, Hathaway revealed that she actually didnt intend to dress like her Devil Wears Prada character at the fashion show.

It was kind of nuts wasnt it, she said, referring to the reaction to her outfit. It was by accident. I was supposed to wear something else. The shoes didnt fit, this was the other outfit that came.

However, she then explained that when her stylist put her hair up in a high ponytail, with her bangs in front of her face, she ultimately realised how much she resembled Andy.

And then my hairstylist, who was so lovely and I had never worked with him before, just said: Oh I know what to do, Hathaway recalled. And he threw my hair up in a ponytail. And I looked in the mirror and I thought: Oh thats funny, I wonder if anybody will notice.
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Armie Hammers alleged fiancee, Marina Gris, has announced that theyve broken up, only months after sharing they were engaged.

Gris took to her Instagram Story on 11 January to reveal that she and the actor had split, specifying that theyve been broken up for quite some time. The news comes after she seemingly claimed that she was engaged in October, as she showcased a picture of a ring on her finger as Hammer was holding her hand.

Its with a reflective heart that I announced the end of my journey with Armie, she wrote. A chapter thats been deeply personal and warmly significant in my life and closed a month ago.

She told her followers that before they send her another unpleasant message, shes been aware of the conversations and stories circulating around about Hammer, who was accused of rape and abuse in 2021. In May 2023, the Los Angeles County DAs office announced that he will not face sexual assault charges, following the lengthy investigation of the rape allegations from a woman named Effie.

Gris continued her post by claiming that the conversations about Hammer were not the cause of their breakup, before expressing that shes speaking about their relationship from her own perspective.

Its important for me to state that my personal experiences with Armie were positive and in no way reflective of these allegations, she wrote. I speak only from my perspective and my experiences and am not responsible for any of his past, current, and future relationships. Our relationship was a space where I felt deeply appreciated, supported, loved, and understood.

(@marinagris/Instagra)

After alleging that she knows the Call Me By Your Name actor as a gentleman in every sense of the word, she opened up about how they mutually decided to split after the engagement.

Our decision to get married and plans for a future together were rooted in strength, encouragement, and deep mutual care, she added. The decision to part ways, though tough, was carried out with grace and respect, marking a beautiful end to our shared journey.

Gris concluded her post by acknowledging her gratitude for her relationship, before she wished all the best Hammer.

I am grateful to this relationship for the love and support I received, but now its a closed chapter, she added. As I wish Armie happiness and fulfillment, I hold onto our memories with fondness, including the laughter and lighter-hearted moments we shared.

She ended the post with: Be happy, shawty.

In October 2023, Gris first took to Instagram to share a picture of her ring on her finger, seemingly announcing that Hammer had proposed and shed said yes. I said What is it, silly question day, American? she wrote in the caption.

Weeks before that, she also appeared to celebrate her engagement by posting a bouquet of flowers and a note, which read: We are doing this forever. In the caption at the time, she went on to express her love and appreciation for her then-fiancee, before celebrating their engagement.

There are no words to describe how much I love you and how much you mean to me and how happy you make me! I cant believe youre real, she wrote in the caption. Im sure I made you up in my head. Youre the most amazing human Ive ever met and that has ever existed. No matter how much I say I love you, I always love you more than that. And yes. Were doing this. Forever.

Before the reported relationship with Gris, Hammer was married to Elizabeth Chambers for 10 years. While they announced their split in 2020, Us Weekly reported that they settled their divorce in June 2023, with Hammer agreeing to pay Chambers $1,500 per month for child support for their two children: Harper, eight, and Ford, six.

Gris and Hammers breakup also comes months after it was revealed that he will not be facing the sexual assault charges after a lengthy investigation. Back in 2021, Los Angeles police began a thorough review into claims made by a woman, identified as Effie, accusing the actor of raping and abusing her in 2017. Hammer has maintained his innocence throughout, vehemently denying the allegations.

In May 2023, the Los Angeles DAs office said it could not prove rape allegations beyond a reasonable doubt due to the complexity of the relationship between Hammer and his accuser.

Sexual assault cases are often difficult to prove, which is why we assign our most experienced prosecutors to review them, Tiffiny Blacknell, Director of the Bureau of Communications, said in a statement. In this case, those prosecutors conducted an extremely thorough review, but determined that at this time, there is insufficient evidence to charge Mr. Hammer with a crime.

Hammer addressed the decision by prosecutors in a statement of his own, saying: I am very grateful to the District Attorney for conducting a thorough investigation and coming to the conclusion that I have stood by this entire time, that no crime was committed. I look forward to beginning what will be a long, difficult process of putting my life back together now that my name is cleared.

The Independent has contacted a representative for Hammer for comment.
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A man has filed a lawsuit over negative posts shared about dating him in the Are We Dating the Same Guy? Facebook group.

Nikko DAmbrosio, who filed the lawsuit on 11 January in the District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, claimed in the lawsuit that he had been the subject of defamation, doxxing, and privacy invasion, and that the statements in the Facebook group have affected his reputation, according to court documents obtained by Today.

DAmbrosio is suing 27 women, one man, Meta, and other social media companies for over $75,000 in damages.

The popular Are We Dating the Same Guy? Facebook group allows members to check whether the person theyre interested in is already dating someone else. As the Facebook group has grown and spawned local chapters, from New York City to Chicago, some women have used the group to ask for what are essentially user reviews of the men they are considering dating, often alongside a screengrab of a dating app profile.

The Chicago subgroup, which has more than 80,000 members, describes itself as a place for women to protect, support, and empower other women and not judging men.

In the complaint, DAmbrosio alleged that the defendants had posted provably false and defamatory statements about their dating experiences with him. He claimed that posts in the group led to personal humiliation, mental anguish and suffering, emotional distress, stress, anxiety and unspecified lost earnings.

According to the lawsuit, DAmbrosio claimed that one woman allegedly posted a photo of him in the group. The complaint included screenshots of multiple Facebook users inquiring if there was any tea or red flags they should know about Nikko, 32.

He stated that several women in the comments referred to him as a psycho and very clingy, with one accusing him of ghosting her after they slept together. He reportedly contacted the defendants around 15 December 2023 to ask that statements made about him be removed from the group, but the post was removed and later uploaded again anonymously.

The Chicago man also alleged that thousands of men have been potentially defamed and that statements made by the Facebook group anonymously dox, defame, and attack the moral character of men theyve met online.

Thousands of men have been potentially defamed by members of the group via these online publications, and remain entirely unaware of the attacks on their character as a result of the social media groups private status and heavily moderated members list, the suit stated.

DAmbrosio is seeking compensatory damages, punitive damages and compensation for his attorneys fees.

In a statement to CBS, his attorneys denied that DAmbrosio sent the messages to the women named in the suit. Weve been working on this for several months. Weve tried everything but sue these people. We tried sending them registered letters, sending them cease-and-desist letters - to no avail, said attorney Daniel Nikolic. Ultimately, we had to go take this recourse because our hand was forced, and it wouldnt take down these posts.

Our clients a victim. Hes a victim on this matter, said attorney Marc Trent. We want to stop there from being additional victims in the future.

The Independent has contacted Meta for comment.
Parts of the northtowns closest to Lake Erie, where a winter storm warning is in effect until 1 p.m., could see an additional 3 to 6 inches today that taper off this afternoon.

A narrow snow band hugging the shoreline may also drop slight accumulations of snow this morning from Buffalo to Blasdell.

But don't expect snow to hinder Josh Allen's passes at today's Bills game. Except for possible light flurries, little or no accumulation is expected in Orchard Park or anywhere else south of the city.

Think of it as a temporary snow reprieve.

The next round of heavy lake effect snow is set to impact areas east and northeast of Lakes Erie and Ontario later today through Thursday. Localized event total snowfall amounts of 1-2 feet plus will impact similar areas that just received heavy snow from the recent storm. pic.twitter.com/EFjXmEv44X  NWS Buffalo (@NWSBUFFALO) January 16, 2024

Tuesday to Thursday

A winter storm watch starts at 10 a.m. Tuesday, when 8 to 16 inches of lake-effect snow are expected to land on Erie, Wyoming and Genesee counties through Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

A widespread, light snow is expected to begin late Monday and deposit 1 to 2 inches over much of Western New York by morning.

Don't expect a break soon from the ice-cold temperatures that continue to grip Western New York, as well as much of the United States.

High temperatures are expected to be in the upper teens to low 20s across the region today through Wednesday, with the wind chill factor making it feel much colder, meteorologist Heather Kenyon said.

"It's going to remain cold with less wind than the last few days but the wind chill will still be in the single digits," Kenyon said.

The southtowns beginning Tuesday are expected to feel the brunt of the cold, with the wind chill making it feel even colder as snow blows and drifts.

The meteorologist had some advice today, while there is a temporary lull in snow for most of Western New York:

"During this break through tonight, it's a good time to make sure your outside pipes are clear and to shovel the paths around your house so it doesn't harden before the new snow drops," Kenyon said.

Breezy winds of 30 to 35 mph will accompany the lake-effect snow on Wednesday, according to the weather service. That means whiteout conditions will be possible within the snowbands.
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Mark Zuckerberg has perplexed the internet with his out of touch cattle ranch on his Hawaii estate.

On 10 January, the Meta billionaire posted on Instagram a picture of himself solely eating a medium rare steak from his Koolau ranch on his $100m-valued, 1,400-acre Kauai compound. There, Zuckerberg reportedly farms wagyu and Angus cattle  both of which produce some of the most expensive, sought-after beef in the world.

He wrote in the caption, Started raising cattle at [the] Koolau ranch on Kauai, and my goal is to create some of the highest quality beef in the world.

Each cow eats 5,000-10,000lbs of food each year, so thats a lot of acres of macadamia trees, he continued. My daughters help plant the mac trees and take care of our different animals. Were still early in the journey and its fun improving on it every season. Of all my projects, this is the most delicious.

On X, the social media platform owned by rival Elon Musk, many mocked Zuckerbergs new career as a cattle farmer.

Proud of you, man, journalist Andrew Greenberg wrote. You really fulfilled that dream of putting food in your mouth in the manner that causes the most climate change possible for a human being.

Unsurprisingly, Shalin Gala from animal rights group PETA condemned Zuckerberg, writing: Mark, the Dark Ages called and it wants you back. Meanwhile, critic @coloradotravis added, The absolute stones it must take post Im growing a macadamia orchard to feed my artisan wagyu during an era of rising populism.

This is some classic rich people s***, one person wrote, while another commented: Does money truly disconnect peoples brains from recognizing human and environmental destruction?

According to an investigation by Wired, the billionaires cattle are fed macadamia nuts and beer produced within the property. Zuckerbergs beer strategy is in line with tactics some cattle farmers  specifically those that farm Kobe cattle reportedly use to give to stimulate their animals appetites, although the practice is reportedly uncommon.

Raising cattle on water-intensive macadamia nuts and beer is just a billionaires strange sideshow, Mitch Jones, a policy director at Food & Water Watch, told the outlet. We need real agriculture reform to address the inequities in our food system and the reality of a warming climate.

Jones added, We need to promote the viability of small and medium-sized farms that work to feed everyone, not just wealthy celebrities.

This isnt the first time Zuckerberg has come under fire for his Koolau Ranch compound, with him initially criticised for purchasing the land in 2014. At the time, many critics pointed out that the billionaires purchases came at the expense of the local Kauian community, who were reportedly pressured by Zuckerberg to sell him acres of their ancestral land. In 2017, the Facebook founder ultimately apologized in an op-ed published in the local Kauai newspaper.
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Paris Hilton has responded to the backlash thats erupted over the number of blankets in her sons crib.

On 9 January, the socialite took to her Instagram and TikTok, revealing an intimate moment between her and her almost one-year-old son, Phoenix, and her eight-week-old daughter, London. Hilton and her husband, Carter Reum, welcomed Pheonix at the beginning of 2023 via surrogate. Then, in November, the happy couple announced the birth of London, who was born via surrogate, too.

In the poignant social media post, both children were seen napping soundly next to each other in the same room.

She turns to London and remarks: Oh, the princess.

While the footage was meant to be heartening, a few eagle-eyed TikTok users expressed concern over the state of Pheonixs crib. One wrote: Paris I love this so much! Be sure to check on safe sleep practices for your sweet little babies.

Rather than responding with anger, Hilton thanked her distressed followers for their advice.

Next to a red heart emoji, the A-lister said: Thank you for letting me know.

Recently, Hilton admitted she waited to tell her mother, Kathy, about Phoenix.

My life has been so public, so out there. I just didnt want my child being put out into the world without me being in control, she said in season two of Paris in Love. Im really happy I did it that way, just for Carter and I to have that journey together without the outside world chirping in.

Though Hiltons tried to protect her children by delaying the announcements of their births, since telling the world, shes been more willing to share sweet moments with them.

On 10 January, the reality star posted a funny video of Pheonix standing by a trashcan. Her on-screen caption read: Me telling my friend not to go back to their toxic ex.

In the background, Hilton can be heard calling Pheonixs name as he repeated no after her. Leave the trash in the past, she wrote.

Fans couldnt contain their excitement over seeing her baby using a walker. An enamored fan commented: Omg he has gotten so tall look at him just standing like the little gentleman.

Hes so tall and absolutely perfect. Thank you for sharing him growing up with us, another said.

A third added: When he said no back hes doing so well.

My little Angel baby, Paris responded to one remark.
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Prince Joachim of Denmark is set to attend his mother Queen Margrethe IIs abdication without his wife and children nearly two years after they were stripped of their royal titles.

"Prince Joachim will be there, but the children go to school, there is no special reason," a palace spokesperson told Hello Magazine.

On Sunday, Denmark will welcome a new King and Queen as Crown Prince Frederik and his wife Crown Princess Mary ascend the throne. However, despite the accession not every Danish Royal Family will be in attendance.

Last year, Prince Joachim and Princess Marie relocated to the United States, just nine months after The Queen reportedly stripped the princes four children Nikolai, Felix, Henrik and Athena of their His/Her Heighness royal titles.

Queen Margrethes second son shares Count Henrik and Countess Athena with Marie, and his older sons Count Felix and Count Nikolai with his first wife, Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg.

Prince Felix, Princess Marie, Prince Joachim, Princess Athena, Prince Henrik and Prince Nikolai (Ritzau Scanpix)

At the time Queen Margrethe apologised to the members of her family who were left saddened by her decision.

In recent days, there have been strong reactions to my decision about the future use of titles for Prince Joachims four children. That affects me, of course, she wrote.

My decision has been a long time coming. With my 50 years on the throne, it is natural both to look back and to look ahead. It is my duty and my desire as Queen to ensure that the monarchy always shapes itself in keeping with the times.

Sometimes, this means that difficult decisions must be made, and it will always be difficult to find the right moment.

Prince Joachim, Princess Marie and Alexandra all spoke out after Queen Margrethe, 83, announced the title switch in September 2022.

Speaking to Danish newspaper B.T. after the announcement, the Prince said: To tell my children that on New Years their identity will be taken from them. I am very, very sorry to see them uncomprehending about what is happening over their heads.

Queen Margrethe, however, maintained that the plans that had been in motion for a while and said the move (effective on 1 January 2023), was made in the best interests of her grandchildren.

Denmarks Queen Margrethe II waves from the balcony during celebrations for her 83rd birthday (Ritzau Scanpix)

The Danish monarch will be stepping down as Queen on Sunday after 52 years on the throne.

Announcing her shock abdication during her 2023 New Years Eve address she said: I have decided that now is the right time.

On 14th January, 2024  52 years after I succeeded my beloved father  I will step down as Queen of Denmark. I will hand over the throne to my son Crown Prince Frederik.

Queen Margrethe will be succeeded by her son, Crown Prince Frederik, on 14 January.
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An Oklahoma mother complained about parents who brought their children with them to an upscale restaurant while she was trying to enjoy a night out with her husband.

In a viral TikTok video, Kelsey Davis (@kd81322) filmed herself trying to enjoy her date night at Nolas Creole & Cocktails in Tulsa but found that her experience was dampened by loud children arguing and playing on iPads.

Can you hear that? Its a table of children across from us arguing, Davis complained as she ate her meal, exasperated. And one of them has their tablet on volume 97.

By the time she got her $140 check, Davis was angry and fuming. People, leave your kids at home or get a babysitter, Davis said. Dont take them because I want a good night with my husband. And I just feel exhausted from that date night. So thanks for that.

A mother of five, Davis said she was excited to spend some quality time with her husband, only to have that precious time interrupted by a group of unruly children. After years of wanting to try the menu at Nola, she explained to Today that she was excited to finally have gotten a table.

The food was amazing, but it was such a stressful experience because of that one awful family, Davis explained. They were loud and obnoxious, and had absolutely no regard for other diners. The kids, they werent toddlers by the way, were yelling and whooping and hollering and the parents were completely ignoring them.

She told the outlet that all four of the children - who she estimated were between the ages of 9 to 12 - had their iPads blaring.

Why werent they wearing headphones? Davis asked rhetorically. This wasnt McDonalds. It was a nice Cajun restaurant. People need to teach their kids how to act in public.

Since the video was posted on 30 December, it has garnered over 60,000 views on the platform, with some agreeing with Davis that parents shouldnt bring their children along to a fancy restaurant if theyre going to be nuisances.

I agree!!! one person wrote. Love kids, but if they cant be quiet, please dont take them to fine dining! And please dont take them on four-plus hour flights!

Girl. I get it, another person added. In fact, when me and the hubs go to dinner and are seated next to kids we ask to be sat somewhere else.

If parents would discipline their children and teach them how to be civil little humans and prepare them for the real world, instead of letting an iPad raise them we wouldnt be having this problem, someone commented.

Meanwhile, others were more empathetic towards the parents who brought their children, saying that parenting can be difficult and they should be cut some slack and compassion.

Not everyone has childcare, one person commented. Kids have a right to be anywhere you do. Some may say youre annoying for recording yourself at dinner. BE KIND.

Honestly this is one I dont agree with, another wrote. Some people dont trust babysitters or have family close by to watch them. Children exist and deserve to go.

Davis video isnt the first to address the issue of iPad children on TikTok, with the divisive topic causing a heated debate across the platform. Many have criticised millennial parents for allowing their children to have more screentime and many of their criticisms arent unfounded. According to a 2023 Japanese study, researchers found that toddlers who were exposed to more screentime at one year old were more likely to indicate developmental delays in communication and problem-solving as they grew older.
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On Monday, 19 February, the US will honour Presidents Day.

Every year, millions of Americans have the day off to celebrate the achievements of the countrys past leaders. Originally, the third Monday in February was meant to solely recognise just one - George Washington. In the 1880s, Presidents Day was known to be the birthday (12 February) of the first president of the United States. Yet, over time, a widespread appreciation for the countrys many vanguards was adopted.

When Congress deliberated the Uniform Monday Holiday Bill in 1968, the name switch from Washingtons Birthday to Presidents Day was discussed. The motivation behind the new title was to recognise Abraham Lincolns 22 February birthday as well. However, the moniker change wasnt accepted by the masses until 1971.

Though the law recognises specific federal holidays, this does not mean that individuals working for private businesses are required to have work off.

From Veterans Day to Christmas, here are the dates of the 2024 federal holidays.

New Years Day: Monday, January 1

Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.: Monday, January 15

Presidents Day: Monday, February 19

Memorial Day: Monday, May 27

Juneteenth National Independence Day: Wednesday, June 19

Independence Day: Thursday, July 4

Labor Day: Monday, September 2

Indigenous Peoples Day (also observed as Columbus Day): Monday, October 14

Veterans Day: Monday, November 11

Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 28

Christmas Day: Wednesday, December 25

Other important days to note:

Valentines Day: Wednesday, February 14

St Patricks Day: Sunday, March 17

Good Friday: Friday, March 29

Easter: Sunday, March 31

Passover: Monday, April 22
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Former Suriname dictator Desi Bouterse, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison last month for the killings of 15 political opponents, has vanished after not turning himself in to authorities on Friday as planned.

His wife, Ingrid Bouterse-Waldring, told reporters that she did not know where he was and firmly stated, He's not going to jail!"

I havent seen or spoken to him for a few days, she said as she lashed out at judicial authorities for the conviction, claiming it was politically motivated.

Meanwhile, dozens of backers of Bouterse and the National Democratic Party he chairs arrived at his house to show their support as some yelled at journalists and played loud music, prompting government officials to tighten security measures.

All necessary steps will be taken to ensure that the safety of both those involved and the wider society is guaranteed, the government said in a statement.

Spokesman Ricardo Panka said the party disagrees with the sentencing and noted that Bouterse will remain as chairman. But he said the crowd was ordered to remain calm.

We are not going to create an angry mob to go against the authorities, he said.

Bouterse was sentenced on Dec. 20 after being found guilty in the 1982 killings, ending a historic 16-year legal process. He had previously been sentenced in 2019 and 2021 but appealed both rulings.

A new team of lawyers filed an appeal Monday against the sentencing on grounds that an amnesty law Bouterse unsuccessfully tried to push through more than a decade ago would apply, but Surinames attorney general rejected the move on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, authorities ordered Bouterse and four others convicted in the case to report to various prisons by Friday. Only three have done so.

Bouterse led a bloodless coup to become dictator from 1980 to 1987. During that time, he and two dozen other suspects were accused of executing prominent people including lawyers, journalists and a university professor at a colonial fortress in the capital of Paramaribo.

Bouterse has accepted political responsibility for the 1982 killings but insists he was not present.

He was later democratically elected as president from 2010 to 2020.

____

Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
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Watch a view over the Israel-Gaza border on Friday (12 January) as the UK and US launched scores of airstrikes against targets linked to Iran-backed Houthi rebel group in Yemen.

Rishi Sunak and US President Joe Biden both issued statements in which they condemned the reckless actions of the Houthi group that has targeted dozens of international cargo ships in the Red Sea, a major artery of world commerce, since the start of Israels war with Hamas in Gaza.

Huge explosions were seen in Yemeni cities including Sanaa and Hodeidah in the early hours of Friday, with the US military saying 60 strikes were launched against 16 sites linked to the Houthis military operations.
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U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is visiting Kyiv on Friday to announce a new package of support, including an increase in military funding, a statement from his office said.

Sunak is expected to announce an increase in military funding for Ukraine for the next financial year to 2.5 billion pounds ($3.2 billion), the statement said.

Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are expected to also sign an agreement on security cooperation, which includes intelligence sharing, cybersecurity and medical and military training.
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A woman has pleaded not guilty to killing an 11-year-old girl after allegedly using a poisonous substance to tackle bedbugs in her flat.

At an Old Bailey hearing on Friday, Jesmin Akter, 33, denied charges of manslaughter and importing a regulated substance.

On November 26 2021, the defendant allegedly imported a regulated substance, namely aluminium phosphide, from Italy without a licence.

She allegedly scattered pellets of the substance  which is a regulated poison  around her flat in Shadwell, east London, to tackle a bedbug problem that was rife in her block of flats.

The aluminium phosphide is alleged to have been activated by moisture to create the dangerous gas phosphine which travelled to the flat of an 11-year-old girl.

The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, died in hospital on December 11 2021.

Akter, who is on bail, faces a three-week trial from July 1 at the Old Bailey with a further hearing on April 19.
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The family of a dogwalker killed in a horror smash alongside her beloved pets have demanded justice for their loved one.

Laura Sone-Demetrious, 28, was struck by a car as she reportedly used a pedestrian crossing over the busy dual carriageway on her regular evening dog walk.

Both her pets were killed in the same collision on the Great Cambridge Road in Enfield at 7.45pm on Tuesday.

The crossing joining a park with a path through allotments that Ms Sone-Demetrious was walking her dogs along (file photo) (Barney Davis)

A 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of a collision.

Detectives investigating the death are looking for a red Audi who left the scene before emergency services arrived.

Ms Sone-Demetriouss grieving sister Gina, who launched a GoFundMe looking to raise 10,000 for her funeral costs.

She told The Independent: Laura was my oldest sister. She meant the world to me. Laura was an angel in disguise. She was a very bubbly, outgoing and caring young lady.

She used to dance with or even without music.

She danced with her dogs and even spoke to them as if they were human. She was loved by many, she was a family lady. Its just very tragic how she passed.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-laura-maria-sonedemetrious?utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_cp%2Bshare-sheet

Her father Peter wrote on Facebook: This is the most unhappy day of my life, very early this morning I was awoken by a phone call from my youngest daughter to tell me, my oldest daughter has been run over and killed. I keep hoping she will call again and say she didnt mean it.

Her mother Georgina, wrote on Facebook: Thanks everyone for your support at our time of loss and please help the police with their investigation.

Her cousin Chris Chaplin told The Independent the Arsenal fan who had worked in Tottenham Stadium was a great mum and cousin.

In 2017, Nilgun Akgun, 44, was killed as she tried to cross the same junction on the A10 (Barney Davis)

After the crash, a neighbour saw flashing lights and came out of her house to see Ms Sone-Demetrious lying on the floor.

I came rushing out and saw the first dog, she said. That was the moment I lost it I couldnt stop crying. I saw her body and then we walked past the other dog. They were giving her CPR. I cant forget it.

One was an American bulldog but not too large the other was smaller but not too fluffy. I dont want my daughter to know what happened I told her the dogs just run away.

There are lots of accidents happening. People race up and down around here. I would support anything that will make that crossing safer maybe a bridge or tunnel. We dont want this to keep happening. I cant forget that scene I cant sleep at night.

In 2017, Nilgun Akgun, 44, was killed as she tried to cross the same junction on the A10.

The nursery teacher, who taught at Edmontons Wilbury Primary School, had been making her way to see family in the area - known for its large Turkish community.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: Despite the efforts of paramedics and police, a 28-year-old woman was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Officers have informed her next of kin and they are being supported by specially trained officers.

The teenage driver has been bailed to return on a date in mid-February pending further enquiries.

The Serious Collision Investigation Unit is asking anyone with dash cam footage, or who witnessed the incident, to make contact on 020 8597 4874 or via 101/ post @MetCC quoting reference CAD 5858/09Jan.
Covid continues to have its way. Nearly four years after its catastrophic appearance, its influence remains obvious  less potent, to be sure, but still inflicting misery. Beyond its elemental impacts of illness and death, its subterranean repercussions include the pending loss of funding that was meant to help institutions cope with the violent disruptions of the pandemic. Thats a big obstacle for Buffalo Public Schools.

Leaders there are confronting the difficult task of absorbing a $90 million loss without laying off workers or, in doing so, undermining the education of students they are constitutionally mandated to serve. As in many city school districts around New York, Buffalos students broadly fall short of academic standards. Already under duress, their well-being has to be the driver of policy.

Its often a mistake to use one-shot funding to pay for continuing expenses. That may not be the case in this instance, given the earthquake that Covid-19 caused to education, but that doesnt change the fact that this federal funding stream is drying up. Its a really critical time, said Superintendent Tonja M. Williams. Cuts are coming.

Buffalo school officials are trying to protect 314 employees hired using two federal pots of pandemic money, the American Rescue Plan and the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief fund. Those workers include teachers, some administrators and support staff such as school psychologists, social workers and mental health counselors, all of which are critical to Buffalo. So are security officers, for reasons that should, at this point, be self-evident.

Mental health counselors are also essential, given the broadly reported strains tearing at young people across the country. Some of those stresses fermented during the isolation of the pandemic, which also led to learning loss. The frequent brutality of social media is also a cause for rising mental health issues among the young. It was, and remains, unrelenting.

Were doing everything in our power to avoid layoffs, Buffalo Schools Chief Financial Officer Jim Barnes told the School Board at a recent work session.

Some strategies include factoring in savings from expected retirements, which typically run around 300 a year. Other possibilities are leaving vacant positions open  theres already a hiring freeze  and reworking after-school programs and summer school.

Still, as Rich Nigro, the new president of the Buffalo Teachers Federation, observed, all carry potential consequences. While he is pleased that the district is attempting to avoid direct layoffs, teachers are inevitably concerned, about their own jobs but also about the indirect consequences of even less drastic measures.

Its reduction through attrition, Nigro said. Youre still losing support for students.

Its possible more help might be available, as the State Legislature prepares to review Gov. Kathy Hochuls soon-to-be-released budget proposal for 2024-25. At a minimum, Albany needs to recognize the increasing need for security and mental health care, the latter of which Hochul championed during Tuesdays State of the State address.

Albany cant do it alone across all of the states 700-plus school districts, of course, but it can be a partner as the tail end of a destructive pandemic takes what we can only hope is a final swipe at New Yorks 2.4 million students.

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.
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A Lidl worker who dressed as a fake policeman with a plan to attack police headquarters, who plotted to shoot former teachers and ex-schoolmates, has been jailed for life.

Reed Wischhusen, 32, had hoped to shoot police at point blank range at the Avon and Somerset Constabulary headquarters in Portishead and had compiled a list of targets that included a school.

Jurors heard he had a macabre interest in the Dunblane gunman Thomas Hamilton and Raoul Moat and US mass killers, and had built firearms and explosives to carry out a hitman-style attack on his former school and his former bullies.

He had also written down his warped plans in a document he dubbed revenge, which totalled 1,700 words and detailed three potential attacks.

Gunman Reed Wischhusen has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 12 years (Avon and Somerset Police/PA Wire)

To carry out his plans he collected an armoury of homemade weapons including pistols, sub-machine guns and a shotgun, as well as ammunition, bombs, grenades and poison.

Wischhusens plans were only stopped when uniformed officers visited the home he shared with his father in Wick Road, Wick St Lawrence, Somerset in November last year, having received a tip-off that he was purchasing blank ammunition.

Described as a real house of horrors, officers were confronted with a chaotic Wischhusen who attempted to shoot himself in the head with a concealed pistol in his bathroom, before running downstairs with the gun to confront armed officers.

Fearing they were going to be killed, the defendant was shot twice by officers and he spent several months recovering in hospital.

In victim impact statements read to the court, the officers who were confronted by Wischhusen spoke of how traumatic the incident had been for them.

One said they have recurring nightmares and fear they are going to be shot every time they go into a house.

Wischhusen attempted to shoot himself when officers visited his home (Avon and Somerset Police/PA Wire)

The overriding experience from this is how valuable your life is and how soon it can be over, they said.

This incident makes you realise how fragile life can be. It is something that will never leave me.

When searching his property, police found equipment in his outhouse to manufacture the pistols, sub-machine guns, ammunition and explosives.

In the introduction to his revenge document, he said: Yes, revenge is on my mind its a powerful motivator, be nice to get back at the people who caused me stress and worry over the years its been eating away at my brain like cancer.

Phase one was to kill 10 people, including ex-classmates, teachers and police staff, using a converted pistol with a silencer, while wearing disguised clothing and a wig.

He planned to spare two police staff so they would feel survivors guilt, citing Dunblane killer Hamilton as inspiration.

He would then walk into his old school, Priory School in Worle, to shoot and kill teachers and throw pipe bombs before evading police.

Reed Wischhusen smiles as he describes gun as pride and joy' (Avon and Somerset Constabulary / SWNS)

The plan would culminate in an attack on Avon and Somerset Polices headquarters, where he would either plant and detonate pressure cooker bombs before opening fire on staff with sub-machine guns or ambush officers and enter the building to let off explosives.

Jurors were told that he planned to then kill himself, and had signed off his plans by saying he had become radicalised this way before becoming a member of the National Rifle Association in the US.

This would make national news, even international as a endowment life member of the NRA they be possibly blamed for radicalizing me, he said. But Ive been like this way before I became an NRA member.

But granted homemade guns dont count it be brilliant it get every bit of anti-gun democrat milf going. That alone would be so cathartic!

It has to happen, regardless.

Body cam footage issued by Avon and Somerset Police of officers searching his property (Avon and Somerset Police/PA Wire)

Wischhusen had denied the plot and said it was all fantasy and he never had any intention of harming anyone.

Describing his writings, he told jurors: It was a psychological release and feelings like I am getting back at people.

Following a trial, his denials were rejected and he was found guilty of having an explosive substance with intent to endanger life, possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, possessing ammunition with intent to endanger life and possessing a prohibited firearm without a certificate.

He had previously admitted possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, possessing a prohibited firearm and possessing ammunition without a firearm certificate.

Judge Martin Picton had directed the jury to find the defendant guilty of an eighth charge of having an explosive substance.

He had acquired a number of weapons and explosives to assist him with his planned attack (Avon and Somerset Police/PA Wire)

He has now been ordered to serve a minimum of 12 years imprisonment by a judge at Bristol Crown Court after being convicted of a string of weapons, ammunition and explosives charges.

Andrew Pritchard, from the Crown Prosecution Service South West, said: It is clear Wischhusen took a macabre interest in mass shootings and, had he not been stopped, had the means to enact his deadly plan with terrible consequences.

His intention was to send a brutal and violent message to those he felt had wronged him throughout his life, from school bullies, to police staff who had refused him firearms licences, to his bosses at work.

Throughout this trial, he attempted to paint the picture that he was a tinkerer with a vague interest in weapons and explosives.

This picture was rejected by the jury and I would like to take the opportunity to thank the prosecution teams efforts in unpicking Wischhusens account.
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A mother has shared her agony after a body has been found in the search for a missing woman, who disappeared near Wrexham three weeks ago.

Lucy Charles, 39, had last been seen walking past a pub on Station Road in Bangor-on-Dee at 5.34pm, with CCTV released by police showing a woman wearing a hi-viz jacket.

North Wales Police confirmed the body of a woman had been discovered in the River Dee during a search by local officers and the North West Underwater Search Team.

Writing on social media, her mother Vicky Charles said: I wanted to tell all my family before this got out but looks like I was too late. Unfortunately they have found a body which is most likely Lucy I cant tell you how heartbroken I am.

She had last been seen walking past the Royal Oak pub in Bangor-on-Dee (North Wales Police)

Chief Inspector Stephen Roberts said: Formal identification is yet to take place, but Lucys family have been informed, and are being supported by specialist officers.

The local Coroner has also been informed.

My thoughts are with Lucys family and friends at this difficult time.

The force had released images of her last known movements, and said they were increasingly concerned for her welfare.

Last week, police confirmed they had found personal items belonging to Ms Charles on the banks of the River Dee, with mountain rescue teams, the fire service and the police helicopter involved in the search.
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The Met Office has warned that disruptive snow could blanket parts of Britain this weekend as it issues warnings for an Arctic airmass that will sweep across the country.

The forecaster said a northerly airflow will bring cold Arctic air from Sunday and into early next week, with snow showers focused across northern areas of Scotland and Northern Ireland. The yellow warning states up to 10cm of snow could fall in just a few hours on Monday alone, and it has the potential to disrupt travel, cause injuries on ice and power cuts.

Temperatures across the country are set to drop over the weekend and into next week, with sub-zero lows of -2C on Tuesday.

A northerly airflow will bring arctic air to the UK from Sunday, with snow showers focused around Northern Ireland and northern areas of Scotland (PA Wire)

RAC Breakdown said travel plans could be affected, with drivers advised to be prepared in the event of a breakdown during the snow and icy conditions.

The warning will come into place for northern Scotland at 12am on Sunday followed by another in Northern Ireland 24 hours later. Both will remain in place until 11:59pm on Monday.

The Met Offices Monday warning for Scotland states: Frequent snow showers will continue to affect northern Scotland through Monday. A spell of strong northerly winds affecting the Northern Isles and northeast Scotland during the day will also result in drifting of lying snow in places.

Whilst accumulations will vary due to the nature of showers, 2-5 cm of snow is expected in many places. Where showers become more organised, there is a chance some low-lying areas could see 10 cm in a few hours.

Mondays weather warnings cover Scotland and Northern Ireland but it will be cold across the UK (Met Office )

Upto 5cm of snow is expected in Northern Island as the Met Office warned: Brisk northerly winds will drive showers well inland across Northern Ireland on Monday, with these initially falling as snow over higher ground and sleet and rain elsewhere.

However, as increasingly cold air spreads south, showers will fall as snow to all levels by late morning. Up to 5 cm of snow is likely over higher routes such as the Coleraine Mountain road and Glenshane Pass.

At lower levels, a few cms can be expected, with northern counties expected to see the more frequent showers. Ice will be an additional hazard for all areas into the evening.

Deputy chief meteorologist David Hayter said a northerly airflow will bring arctic air to the UK from Sunday, with snow showers focused around Northern Ireland and northern areas of Scotland.

Met Office weather forecast for Tuesday 16 January as temperatures plunge below zero (Met Office)

While the initial snow risk from Sunday onwards is looking most likely to be coastal areas in the north of the UK, including North Sea and Irish Sea coasts, theres an ongoing likelihood of some disruptive snow through the middle to latter part of next week, Mr Hayter said.

What were keeping an eye on for this disruptive snow is where exactly this milder air from the southwest bumps into the cold air that will be in place over the UK.

Its where these airmasses meet that theres a likelihood of some substantial snow for some places.

At the moment, models are showing us a variety of options for exactly when and how this situation plays out and its something well be able to add more details to in the coming days.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has a cold-health alert in force, warning of the weathers potential to have a significant impact on the health and social care sector.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA said it was vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours.

The temperatures we will see leading into the weekend can rapidly have a serious impact on the health of those over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions as it increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections, he said.

RAC Breakdown spokesperson Simon Williams said: With an increasing risk of snow and ice at the start of next week we urge drivers to make sure they travel fully prepared. Having a few essential items in the boot  no matter what distance youre going  can make a massive difference in a breakdown situation in freezing conditions. A warm, waterproof coat, sturdy footwear and gloves, along with a blanket and a power bank to keep your phone charged are vital.

While no one sets out to breakdown or get stuck in very cold, potentially snowy conditions, there are far too many instances where drivers have underestimated the severity of the conditions and found themselves in danger. Its far better to prepare for the worse and hope for the best.
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Brexit is set to leave Britains economy 311bn worse off by the middle of the next decade, a damning new report by top economists has found.

The scathing study by Cambridge Econometrics found that the decision to leave the EU had already cost the UK 140bn.

The shock findings put the scale of the damage far higher than previous warnings by independent economists that Brexit caused a 33bn loss to the economy.

The new report warned that Britain will continue to have lower investment, weaker trade and fewer jobs in the decade ahead as a consequence of being outside the bloc.

The Cambridge study  commissioned by London mayor Sadiq Khan  said the country will have three million fewer jobs by 2035 than if it had stayed inside the EU.

And the economists estimated that Brexit will be responsible for a mammoth 10 per cent hit to Britains gross value added (GVA)  the overall value of goods and services  by the same date.

Using data Office for Budget of Responsibility data and forecasts based on the organisations data, the report predicts that the UKs GVA will hit 2,771bn by 2035.

But this is 311bn lower than the 3,082bn GVA figure the nation would have reached without deciding to leave the EU.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said report showed Brexit isnt working (PA)

The economists worked to isolate the Brexit effect from other factors such as Covid and the Ukraine war in its modelling.

They found Britain will have 32 per cent lower investment, 16 per cent lower imports and 5 per cent lower exports by the middle of the next decade than without Brexit.

The study also found that Brexit would further widen the productivity gap between the capital and the rest of the country.

Shyamoli Patel, principal economist at Cambridge Econometrics, said: Our study reveals that Londons economy would have grown faster if Brexit hadnt taken place.

Looking ahead, we project that Brexit will continue to have an impact on the UK and London economies in the medium term.

A majority of voters believe Brexit has damaged the economy (PA)

The Labour mayor of London said the findings showed it was now obvious that Brexit isnt working.

In speech at Mansion House on Thursday evening, he said: The cost of Brexit crisis can only be solved if we take a mature approach and if we are open to improving our trading arrangements with our European neighbours.

Mr Khan  who has called for a debate on re-joining the EU single market  added: I agree with the shadow foreign secretary [David Lammy], who has said we urgently need to build a closer relationship with the EU.

However, Labour has insisted it will keep Britain out of the single market and customs union if it wins power at the 2024 general election.

Leader Sir Keir Starmer has offered a vague promise to seek a new veterinary agreement to ease current trade friction, and examine Boris Johnsons trade deal when it comes up for review in 2025.

The most recent Opinium poll showed that more than 60 per cent of voters feel Brexit had been bad for prices in the shops, and 53 per cent said it had hampered the UKs ability to control immigration.
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Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has joined the South African government at The Hague in pushing its case accusing Israel of genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Mr Corbyn is standing in support of South Africa at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for the hearings  arguing that the countrys case was very strong.

Speaking after the first days hearing in the Netherlands court, Mr Corbyn said the South African delegations presentation was brilliantly prepared and brilliantly put forward.

Mr Corbyn told Al-Jazeera that the South Africans had argued that Israel was in breach of the convention on genocide and had embarked on collective punishment of the people of Gaza.

He said: Nobody can call the killing of all these thousands of people and destruction of 70 per cent of all the housing in Gaza a proportionate response  it is an attack on the entire Palestinian population.

The ex-Labour leader said he hoped the case at the Hague would make an incremental difference in winning international support for Gaza.

He added: If we just walk by on the other and ignore what is happening to the Palestinian people then we become complicit  Is the world going to do nothing about it but continue to supply arms to Israel? Or say this has got to stop?

Jeremy Corbyn outside ICJ at The Hague (AP)

The South African delegation has said that senior political figures from progressive political parties and movements across the globe  including Mr Corbyn  were supporting its case.

But the left-wing former Labour leader was the only foreign political figure named in the countrys statement on the case. South African minister of justice Ronald Lamola said the country was encouraged by leaders of the world who have not blunted their consciousness.

Earlier this week, Mr Corbyn stood in the Commons called on Rishi Sunaks government to at least support South Africas process.

He told MPs that many people are very pleased that the government of South Africa has taken an initiative  in order to hold Israel to account for the deaths of so many wholly innocent people in Gaza.

In November, Mr Corbyn finally described Hamas as a terrorist group after repeatedly avoiding the term  as he wrote an article accusing the Israeli army of being guilty of acts of terror too.

Palestinian supporters outside The Hague court in the Netherlands (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Mr Corbyn remains a Labour member, but sits as an independent MP after he was suspended over his failure to offer an appropriate response to the damning report on antisemitism in the party under his leadership.

The ex-leader has strongly suggested he would run against Labour as an independent at the general election  saying he had no intention of stopping representing Islington North.

The two-day case at The Hague continues on Friday. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has that South Africas genocide case against Israel in Gaza amounted to hypocrisy and lies. And Israels president Isaac Herzog called the ICJ case atrocious and preposterous.

At a press conference with US secretary of state Antony Blinken this week, Mr Herzog said: Actually, our enemies, Hamas, in their charter, call for the destruction of our nation, the State of Israel  the only nation-state of the Jewish people.

Foreign secretary David Cameron has said earlier this week that he is worried that Israel may have acted in breach of international law in the Middle East conflict.

Lord Cameron said that he of course has concerns about the crisis in Gaza but that it is not his job to make a legal adjudication.
Britains decision to take military action against Houthi forces in Yemen is one that is fraught with geopolitical, moral and legal arguments. Perhaps the most immediate is whether the government is required to seek prior parliamentary approval for such action. After all, the lives of British service personnel  and possibly, ultimately, of British civilians  are at stake.

Rishi Sunak called a cabinet meeting, and he also briefed the Labour leader, Keir Starmer; the shadow defence secretary, John Healey; and the House of Commons speaker, Lindsay Hoyle  but that was the limit of his consultations. (Presumably Sunak also briefed the King.) Other opposition figures were excluded from the process. The Liberal Democrats, Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru are demanding that parliament  on recess until Monday  be recalled immediately, and Hoyle indicated he would assist with that. No 10, however, says there will be no retrospective vote on the airstrikes. The question of the role of the Commons in approving acts of war, therefore, remains live.
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Houthi rebels in Yemen have warned the West to expect bloody retaliation after a series of UK and US-led airstrikes against them, amid fears of dramatically escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Rishi Sunak said the action showed that the militants attacks on ships in the Red Sea could not be carried out with impunity, while foreign secretary Lord Cameron said they sent a very clear message to their backers, Iran.

British and American forces hit 60 targets in 16 locations in the early hours, taking out command centres and drone and missile sites. In response, the Houthis promised reprisals and said that UK and US interests were now legitimate targets.

It came as:

Iran described the overnight strikes as a clear violation of Yemens sovereignty

Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan accused the US and the UK of trying to turn the Red Sea into a sea of blood

General Sir Richard Barrons, a former chief of joint operations who served in Afghanistan, said the West should expect a defiant response

Experts warned the move had put the both the US and UK on riskier terrain

A fresh missile attack against a vessel was reported on Friday evening, with British maritime security firm Ambrey saying Houthi militants mistakenly targeted a tanker carrying Russian oil

Rishi Sunak during a visit to Ukraine, hours after the overnight strikes in Yemen (AFP via Getty Images)

The Hamas-backing Houthis claim they are targeting vessels linked to Israel in one of the worlds busiest shipping routes, because of the war in Gaza. As the world waited for the Houthi response, a defiant Mr Sunak, speaking during a visit to Ukraine, did not rule out further military action in Yemen, saying attacks on ships cant be met without a response.

Downing Street denied the UK was at war with the Iran-backed group and said the strikes, targeting military facilities used by rebels, had been proportionate and carried out in self-defence.

President Joe Biden, who green-lit the attacks on Tuesday, has also said he would not hesitate to take further action if necessary.

Houthi rebels said the strikes killed at least five people and wounded six, and would not go unanswered and unpunished. Turkey also criticised the US and the UK, accusing them of trying to turn the Red Sea into a sea of blood, while the strikes were also condemned by Russia.

At home, Labour leader Keir Starmer backed the government, but demanded a statement to MPs at the first opportunity.

However, a political row erupted over the PMs failure to seek the approval of parliament for the strikes  despite briefing the Labour leader ahead of time and holding a late-night cabinet meeting.

People take to the streets of the Yemeni Red Sea city of Hudeida, to condemn the overnight attacks (AFP via Getty Images)

The Lib Dems foreign affairs spokesperson, Layla Moran, said it was shameful for Mr Sunak to bypass parliament. No 10 said MPs would not get a retrospective vote, but did not rule out further strikes.

Meanwhile, General Sir Richard Barrons said the UK must be prepared to attack Yemen again as he warned the West should expect a defiant response, which will most likely include at least some further attacks to show the rebels are not defeated. He added: Things might then settle down.

That view was echoed by former defence secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind who told The Independent he believed there would be further strikes.

The Houthis will want to prove we cannot be deterred, he said. So I will be very surprised if theres not at least one further incident. It might not even be immediate, it might be in a weeks time or 10 days. Or it might be in the next 48 hours. When it does happen there will be a further American strike. And then there wont be any more after that, at least for some period of time.

Former British military intelligence officer Philip Ingram warned the critical period was the next 12 to 48 hours, to see how the Houthis respond.

He said British military vessels could be swarmed by drones, adding that while he was confident there was the manpower to shoot them down, its (still) hugely dangerous. And nothing is 100 per cent. That means theres always a percentage chance that something will get through.

And Major General Tim Cross, who served in Iraq, the Balkans and Northern Ireland, warned it would be a natural tactic for the Houthis to try to swarm a warship with drones.

An RAF Typhoon returning to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus after joining the US-led coalition conducting airstrikes against military targets in Yemen (PA Media)

We know from experience in places like Ukraine that if you send enough drones then there are chances of a small number getting through  90 per cent can be shot down, but the rest may get through, he told The Independent. A small drone wouldnt sink a ship, but it can cause damage, and will be a great propaganda victory for the Houthis.

But Lord West, the chief of UK naval staff from 2002 to 2006, played down the chances of a wider escalation with Iran. I think the strikes will make Iran think, Oh hang on  they do take it seriously. I dont believe it will escalate, he said.

He warned, however, that Mr Sunak would have to be prepared to strike again if necessary. What do we do if they [the Houthis] do the next attacks? Do we up the ante? Thats the next difficult decision. If they keep attacking innocent merchant ships and our warships then I think we will have to do something.

Sophia Gaston, head of foreign policy at the think tank Policy Exchange, also warned of a wider conflict in the region following the strikes.

Houthi supporters rally after U.S. and Britain carry out strikes in Yemen (via Reuters)

She added that retaliation in the form of intensified attacks on ships in the Red Sea could push the US and UK into areas that theyre not going to feel very comfortable with.

We are moving into a much riskier terrain because the US and the UK certainly do not want to be in a situation where we are required to engage beyond a limited targeted strike capacity and certainly not one that may invite the participation of other regional powers, she said.

She added that the existence of so many proxies for different states, such as the Houthis and Hezbollah for Iran, necessarily makes this a kind of tinderbox. And I think there are a lot of these players who believe that the stakes at the moment are becoming existential. So I think that always is a recipe for a higher risk of conflict.

Backing Mr Sunaks airstrikes, former prime minister Boris Johnson stressed that what happens in Yemen affects us all, with disruption to shipping routes adding to everyday costs in the west.

The spate of Houthi attacks on shipping, if it continues, has the potential to do incalculable damage to the world economy  and to the UK, he said in his Daily Mail column on Friday. The madness of the Houthis will ultimately affect you  your mortgage, your cost of living; and we cannot allow them to continue as they are.

Lord Ricketts, who served as the UKs first national security adviser, warned that the conflict in the Red Sea was already having a major disruptive effect on this big maritime artery which carries 20 per cent of all the worlds container traffic, as well as a lot of oil and gas exports.

Huge explosions were seen in Yemeni cities in the early hours of Friday.

The Ministry of Defence said four Royal Air Force jets struck two Houthi facilities involved in their targeting of HMS Diamond and US Navy vessels on Tuesday.

One was a site at Bani and the other the Abbs airfield, used to launch drones and cruise missiles.

Dr Tobias Borck, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) think tank, said the threat of a wider regional war had existed since Hamass deadly 7 October attack on Israel.

However, escalation can happen as a result of accidents and miscalculation, or as a simple compounding of risk, a normalisation of an extremely high level of violence, he said.
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Rishi Sunak has said strikes on targets linked to Houthi rebels in Yemen were self-defence to protect shipping lanes, as the PM faces a backlash over his decision not to consult parliament.

Labour leader Keir Starmer has said he supports the strikes  but demanded a Commons statement at the first opportunity and a summary of the governments legal position today.

A political row has erupted over the PMs failure to seek approval of parliament for the strikes  despite briefing the Labour leader ahead of time and holding a late-night cabinet meeting.

The Lib Dems foreign affairs spokeswoman Layla Moran said it was shameful for Mr Sunak to bypass parliament. The SNP and some Labour MPs have also demanded the recall of the Commons.

Overnight the RAF launched strikes against military facilities used by Houthis rebels in Yemen, the PM confirmed, saying the UK will always stand up for freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade.

It follows weeks of warnings to the group since it started targeting shipping in the Red Sea late last year. Mr Sunak said the Iran-backed rebels reckless actions were risking lives at sea.

A joint statement from countries including the UK and the US said the action had been taken in accordance with the inherent right of individual and collective self-defence.

RAF launches targeted strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen, Rishi Sunak confirmed (Ministry of Defence/PA)

The PM said: Despite the repeated warnings from the international community, the Houthis have continued to carry out attacks in the Red Sea, including against UK and US warships just this week.

The Tory leader said the Houthis actions cannot stand, and that his government had decided to take limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence alongside the US.

The PM also said the targets hit were tied to the Houthis recent attacks and were aimed at degrading Houthi military capabilities and protect global shipping.

Mr Sunaks armed forces minister James Heappey played down concerns about the danger of escalation in the Middle East after criticism from Russia.

The defence minister told BBC Breakfast that allegations of escalation from the Kremlin always ring hollow. But he conceded that there could be nervousness in the region.

Sunak is under pressure to set out justification for strikes and plan of action (AP)

Mr Sunak told his cabinet on Thursday evening that he was preparing to launch strikes, and  in an unusual move  the government also briefed Sir Keir and shadow defence secretary John Healey.

Sir Keir said Labour was supporting the targeted strikes, but called for a statement in parliament at the first opportunity.

The Labour leader told BBC Radio 5 Live: Clearly the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have to be dealt with, their attacks on commercial shipping, attacks on important trade routes and putting civilian lives at risk and therefore, we do support this action.

But Sir Keir said Mr Sunaks government must now set out the justification, to set out the limits and scope of the operation.

The Labour leader also said he wanted to see a summary of the governments legal position published as soon as possible, and I would hope that that can be published today.

Keir Starmer was given briefing on strikes by government on Thursday night (PA Wire)

Labours shadow defence secretary offered support for the government in striking without the approval of parliament. Mr Healey told Sky News: We accept that the timing was not in the hands of the UK government.

Other opposition parties expressed their frustration. The Lib Dems Ms Moran said a vote in parliament should be vital for any attack, while SNP leader Humza Yousaf said MPs must be given the chance to scrutinise such a move.

The Commons Speaker cannot recall parliament without being asked to do so by the government, and Mr Sunak is not expected to make such a request.

UK and US air strikes on Houthis rebel groups in Yemen successful, says Heappey

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said four Royal Air Force jets struck two Houthi facilities involved in their targeting of HMS Diamond and US Navy vessels on Tuesday. One was a site at Bani and the other the Abbs airfield, used to launch drones and cruise missiles.

The US Air Force said it struck more than 60 targets at 16 sites in Yemen. The UK and US had non-operational support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands.

The MoD said early indications are the strikes dealt a blow to the Houthis ability to threaten merchant shipping in the Red Sea. But the militants said the strikes would not prevent them from continuing their attacks.

The government is thought to fear the British economy could shrink in the face of ongoing attacks in the Red Sea, through which some 15 per cent of the worlds shipping passes.

The Treasury has modelled scenarios, such as crude oil prices increasing by more than $10 a barrel and a 25 per cent rise in natural gas, according to the BBC.

Lord Ricketts, who served as the UKs first national security adviser, said strikes against the rebels were necessary and inevitable after demands and warnings were ignored by the Houthis.

He told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: I think the final straw was that very complex and dangerous attack on the naval task force itself a couple of nights ago, I think at that point they couldnt allow this to continue.

Lord Ricketts warned that the conflict in the Red Sea was already having a major disruptive effect on this big maritime artery which carries 20% of all the worlds container traffic, as well as a lot of oil and gas exports.
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Scotlands first minister, Humza Yousaf, is expected to urge Scotland to vote for the Scottish National Party in order to kick the Tories out, as his party prepares to launch its 2024 general election campaign.

In a speech on Friday, Mr Yousaf will say that Rishi Sunak is finished and will implore voters across Scotland to take the opportunity to kick them out of Scotland completely as the damage they have caused to Scotland is unforgiveable.

He will call upon the Scottish electorate to vote for the SNP, explaining that his party is best placed to remove the Conservatives as the SNP is currently second in every Tory-held seat across Scotland.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has said that voting Labour offers the best chance of a Conservative wipeout (PA)

Mr Yousafs speech comes just days after a rival speech from the leader of Scottish Labour, Anas Sarwar, who opted for a similar message and urged supporters of Scottish independence to defect from the SNP and lend their vote to Labour in order to vote the Conservatives out, exhorting them to unite to change the country.

The last time Scotland saw a Conservative wipeout was during the 1997 election, when all of the Scottish Conservative MPs lost their seats to Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the SNP.

In 2005, the Conservatives managed to claw back one Scottish constituency when David Mundell won the seat of Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale and was made shadow secretary of state for Scotland by the then Conservative leader, David Cameron.

So low was the number of Scottish Conservatives in the early 2000s that in 2010, Mr Mundell became the butt of the infamous joke that there are more pandas in Scotland than Scottish MPs after Edinburgh Zoo gained two giant pandas.

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross will leave Westminster at the next election (PA)

Now, some are predicting that the Conservatives could suffer a similar defeat in Scotland, following their poor performance in opinion polls and the resignation of both the leader of the Scottish Tories, Douglas Ross, and the current Scottish secretary Alister Jack, both of whom are set to stand down at the end of the current parliament.

Mr Sunak has, however, strongly rebuffed the suggestion that his party will see enormous losses in Scotland, and told journalists in December that he was very confident about his partys prospects north of the Scottish border.

Meanwhile, the Labour Party may be quietly confident about its chances in Scotland, following the Labour gain of an SNP seat at the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election in October last year.

Labour saw a seismic 20 per cent swing in its vote share, which led polling guru Michael Thrasher to suggest that if the result were replicated in a 2024 general election, it could equate to a 42-seat gain by Labour in Scotland.

Scotland is expected to be a key battleground at the next election, with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer having remarked that the route to a Labour election win at the next general election runs through Scotland.
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Suella Braverman has threatened to vote against Rishi Sunaks Rwanda Bill next week unless he commits to toughening up the flagship legislation.

The former home secretary issued the warming to the PM this afternoon, claiming the current version of the much-maligned Bill does not work and that if there were no improvements she would oppose it in the Commons.

She told GB news that the British people are fed up with the boats and fed up with broken promises and that this is the last chance for the government to get it right.

She said: What my objective is, is to deliver a bill that works. And its far better to defeat this bill, because it doesnt work, and start again with a new bill that will work than proceed on a false premise, than proceed on a basis that amounts to something that wont stop the boats.

Robert Jenrick has tabled an amendment to Rishi Sunaks Rwanda Bill which has over 50 Conservative backers (PA Media)

We may all feel a temporary sense of achievement by passing a bill but in a few months time when we see that plane grounded on the tarmac, when were failing to remove people to Rwanda, when we are clogged up in the courts - it will be very, very disappointing and people will ask us rightly, what did you do to try and avoid that catastrophe?

Thats what Im trying to do now. Im trying to avoid a catastrophe of failing to deliver on this pledge.

Braverman joins over 50 over Conservative MPs who are poised to back amendments to the legislation that will strengthen the legislation.

The amendments put forward by Braverman would attempt to argue that rule 39 orders from the European Court are not binding, meaning that ministers can direct flights to take off even if the European Court says they shouldnt.

She said that this move would act as an effective deterrent to the small boats crisis.

Sunak has publicly said that he welcomes suggestions from his colleagues on how to strengthen the Rwanda plan, but the government is set to encounter a major roadblock as two opposing sides of the Conservative party are set to fundamentally disagree on major aspects of the Bill.

The Rwanda policy has thus far proved to be one of the most contentious policies of Sunaks premiership, with his own Immigration Secretary and close ally, Robert Jenrick, resigning from his government over the bills proposed direction.

Jenrick is now leading on a major amendment to the Bill which would stop the European Court of Human Rights from overriding ministerial decisions.

Rival Tory factions will hash it out on Tuesday next week as the party grapples with the Rwanda plan (PA Wire)

But an opposing group of Conservative MPs - known as the One Nation Caucus - have deemed the amendments fundamentally unconservative, as former Cabinet minister Robert Buckland has declared publicly that the group will not back the amendments.

Braverman told GB news that the legislation in its current form was fundamentally flawed, so she is backing Jenricks amendments which she says will dramatically reduce the ability of people to thwart their removal through the courts.

She also warned that dozens of ministers have grave reservations about the bill and did not refute suggestions that some may resign as a result, although she acknowledged that it is a very personal decision.
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Rishi Sunak visited Ukraine on Friday to meet Volodymyr Zelensky as the UK announced it will provide 2.5bn in military aid to the country over the coming year.

It comes just hours after the prime minister authorised RAF strikes against Houthi rebel targets in Yemen, as Britain joined the US in Red Sea military action.

Mr Sunak told his cabinet about the strikes on Thursday evening. But a row has erupted over the PMs failure to seek approval of parliament, with the Liberal Democrats, the SNP and some Labour MPs demanding the recall of the Commons.

The PM and Mr Zelensky signed a new security treaty on Friday, the first of the G7 countries who agreed at last years Nato summit to agree stronger bilateral assurances with the country.

This is not simply a declaration, Mr Zelenskiy wrote on social media platform X. His chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said the agreement set out the support that London would continue to provide, including intelligence sharing, medical and military training, and defence industrial cooperation.

Mr Zelensky also awarded Mr Sunak the Ukrainian order of freedom  given to Boris Johnson in 2022  in recognising the PMs contribution to fighting for the countrys territorial integrity.

No 10 said that the 2.5bn funding was the single biggest package given to Ukraine since the Russian invasion, and would cover long-range missiles, air defence, artillery ammunition and maritime security.

Volodymyr Zelensky and Rishi Sunak in Kyiv on Friday (PA)

Mr Sunak claimed that the new security pact with Ukraine will last 100 years or more. The PM said it promises that if Russia ever invades again the UK will come to your aid with swift and sustained security assurance.

Speaking at a joint press conference, the Tory leader said: Ukraine is not alone, and Ukraine will never be alone. Putin might think he can outlast us, but he is wrong. We stand with you today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes.

The Ukrainian president thanked Mr Sunaks personal leadership and said the new security agreement with Britain lays the groundwork for our further work with our other partners.

The Ukraine visit came as Mr Zelensky pushes allies in the West to give his country more support to fight back against Russian forces, amid fears interest in the war is flagging because of the crisis in the Middle East.

Sunak is shown damaged buildings in Kyiv ahead of his meeting with Zelensky (PA)

Around 200m of the money from the UK will be spent on drones, most of which are expected to be manufactured in the UK. Funding will also be provided for English language training in the country, No 10 said. The PM, who met Ukrainian emergency workers during the visit, also announced a further 18m in aid.

The Ukrainian leader has begun the year with a visit to several Baltic states in a bid to drum up support. Mr Zelensky has said that Ukraine needs more air defence systems to fend off Russian aerial barrages, after more than 500 drones and missiles were fired over new year.

Mr Sunak stressed the UKs continued backing for Kyiv, and said the 2.5bn package would provide Ukraine with the assurances it needs for the long term. It represents an increase of 200m in British support on the sums given in the last two years.

Rishi Sunak with the Ukrainian flag as he talks to members of the public in Kyiv (PA)

Mr Sunak made his first visit to Ukraine in November 2022, weeks after entering No 10. The UK has been among the most vocal backers of Ukraine, with Mr Zelensky visiting London last year.

Labour backed the vital support package for Ukraine, as Sir Keir Starmer urged the need for politicians to remain united on the issue.

We have had cross-party support for Ukraine for a very long time and we need to maintain that in the face of Russian aggression that has been going on for a long time now, he said.

It comes amid concerns about the impact of Houthi rebel attacks on ships in the Red Sea  and the UKs decision to join US strikes in Yemen. Mr Sunak said the move was self-defence aimed at protecting international shipping lanes.

The Tory leader said the Houthis attacks on ships in the Red Sea cannot stand, and that his government had decided to take limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence alongside the US.

The Labour leader has said he supports the strikes  but demanded a Commons statement at the first opportunity and a summary of the governments legal position today.

Sir Keir said Mr Sunaks government must now set out the justification, to set out the limits and scope of the operation.

Layla Moran, foreign affairs spokesperson for the Lib Dems, said it was shameful for Mr Sunak to bypass parliament. The SNP and some Labour MPs have also demanded the recall of the Commons.

Air strike in Yemen, as Sunak justifies decision to target Houthi rebels (Sky News)

The Sunak government is thought to fear the British economy could shrink in the face of the ongoing conflict in the Red Sea.

The Treasury has modelled scenarios, such as crude oil prices increasing by more than $10 a barrel and a 25 per cent rise in natural gas, according to the BBC.

Mr Sunaks armed forces minister James Heappey played down concerns about the danger of a wider escalation in the Middle East after criticism from Russia.

The defence minister told BBC Breakfast that allegations of escalation from the Kremlin always ring hollow. But he conceded that there could be nervousness in the region.
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Amid chaos over a panel flying off a Boeing 737 Max 9 airplane mid-flight, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it plans to increase oversight of the production and manufacturing of the aircraft.

Last week, a panel of the plane  called a door plug  flew off in the middle of an Alaska Airlines flight forcing the passenger jet to make an emergency landing. Though none of the passengers or crew aboard the plane were injured, videos and photos from the incident sparked fear in thousands of other people about riding the aircraft.

Following the incident, the FAA immediately launched an investigation into Boeing and grounded all 171 Boeing 737-9 Max planes. But now, the FAA is promising to take significant actions to review the production and manufacturing of Boeing.

This will include an audit of the production line and its supplies, increased monitoring of in-service events and assessments of safety risks around delegated authority and quality oversight.

The new oversight arrives as passengers share fears for plane stability.

Just this week, an Airbus plane operated by United Airlines made a precautionary premature landing after the flight crew noticed an issue with the planes door indicator light. United Airlines told The Independent that the issue was addressed and took off later. The FAA is also investigating that possible issue.

United Airlines made a precautionary premature landing after the flight crew noticed an issue with the planes door indicator light (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

It is time to reexamine the delegation of authority and assess any associated safety risks, Mike Whitaker, the FAA administrator said in a press release statement.

"The grounding of the 737-9 and the multiple production-related issues identified in recent years require us to look at every option to reduce risk, he added.

In 2018, a Lion Air flight carrying 189 people crashed into the Java Sea minutes after takeoff, killing all people aboard. A similar incident occurred in 2019 when an Ethiopian Airlines flight carrying 157 people crashed. Both deadly flights were on Boeing 737 Max planes. Preliminary investigations determined software pushed the planes nose down.

Mr Whitaker added that the agency was looking into the possibility of implementing a third party to oversee Boeings inspections and quality system.
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When Jennifer Dulos mysteriously vanished in Connecticut over four years ago in the midst of a custody dispute with her estranged husband Fotis Dulos, her five children were left behind.

By January 2020, their father was also gone, having died by suicide three weeks after being charged with murder in Jennifers disappearance and death.

Within just eight months, the children  who were ranging in age from 8-13 at the time  had lost both parents. They were taken in by their grandmother, Jennifers mother, Gloria Farber, who lived in New York City at the time.

Ms Farber was granted custody of all five children, which included two sets of twins, in November 2019. At the time, they were living on Fifth Avenue in New York City. A family statement released at the time stated that they were safe and surrounded by love and support.

Jennifer was last seen dropping off her children at the New Canaan Country Day School on 24 May 2019. She was reported missing later that day after she failed to show up for appointments and stopped returning calls and texts. Her 2017 Chevrolet Suburban was later found at a park near her home.

Police believe Fotis was lying in wait for her when she returned home from dropping their children off at school. Her body has never been found but she has since been officially declared dead.

Jennifer Dulos was last seen dropping off her children at school on 24 May 2019 (New Canaan Police Department)

Fotis died by suicide in 2020 after being charged with murder. He continued to claim his innocence  even in a suicide note left behind  with his attorney bizarrely claiming Jennifer staged her own disappearance in a Gone Girl-style plot.

A family spokesperson, who issued a statement at the time, confirmed that the children, the three boys and two girls, had visited their father in the hospital before he died.

Five children have lost both parents in the span of eight months, the family spokesperson wrote in a statement at the time.

Our top priorities are ensuring their well-being and protecting their privacy. Understandably, they wished to say goodbye to their father, which we arranged with the assistance of hospital personnel.

Fotis died by suicide in 2020 after being charged with murder (AP)

In August 2023, Ms Farber, now 88, filed a petition to the Darien-New Canaan Probate Court to declare Jennifer dead in order to protect the children, NBC Connecticut reported.

The Dulos children, now ranging in age from 13-17, have been in their grandmothers care since the day of Jennifers disappearance.

Ms Farbers attorney Richard Weinstein said in a statement this week that the petition was filed to protect the children.

As long as Jennifers status was undecided, then the children could not inherit from her or from her mother, he said.

We were concerned, obviously, with Mrs. Farber being 88 years of age, needing to wait the seven years.

Search of Connecticut park where Jennifer Dulos car was found

According to Jennifers will, all of her assets will be left to the children now that shes officially declared dead. The will was signed on 26 April 2017, two months before she filed for divorce from her husband Fotis.

At the time Jennifer went missing, Fotis was living with his girlfriend Michelle Troconis in Farmington.

Ms Troconis was accused of helping Fotis  her then-boyfriend  cover up the murder, with prosecutors saying surveillance footage captured the couple disposing of trash bags containing Jennifers blood and DNA.

She was charged with conspiracy to commit murder, tampering with physical evidence and hindering prosecution.

On 1 March, a jury found Ms Troconis guilty on all charges.

Ms Troconis in court at the start of her trial in January. She is accused of helping Fotis  her then-boyfriend  cover up the murder of Jennifer Dulos (AP)

The family and friends of Jennifer released a statement ahead of Ms Troconis trial.

As this trial begins, it is crucial to remember who is at the center: Jennifer, whose five children have lost their mother and, as an eventuality, both parents, the statement reads.

Jennifers family and loved ones have lost a loving daughter, sister, cousin, and lifelong friend. We do not seek closure, as nothing can bring Jennifer back. Our hope is that this trial provides for accountability and answers.

As this trial gets underway, we ask that you prioritize and respect the privacy of Jennifers family and loved ones.
 Close Michelle Troconis defended by her family at Jennifer Dulos murder conspiracy trial

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Michelle Troconis is facing trial in Stamford, Connecticut for her alleged role in helping her lover Fotis Dulos conceal the murder of his estranged wife and mother of his five children, Jennifer Dulos.

At the time of her disappearance in May 2019, Jennifer  whose remains have never been found  was in the midst of a bitter divorce and custody battle with Dulos. Investigators believe Fotis killed her in the garage of her home and that Ms Troconis, Fotis then-girlfriend, helped him cover up the murder.

On Thursday, Ms Troconis broke down in tears in the courtroom as jurors were shown her first interview with police following Jennifers disappearance.

In the footage, she is heard claiming that she and Dulos were staying together that morning, and that he woke up in her presence and got in the shower with her.

Earlier in the week, jurors saw a bloodstained long-sleeve, striped Vineyard Vines shirt that Jennifer is believed to have been wearing on the day she was killed.

Fotis killed himself in 2020 after being charged with murder.

Ms Troconis is charged with conspiracy to murder, tampering with evidence and hindering prosecution.

Warning: Graphic images
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A Tennessee school board member tied to the conservative group Moms for Liberty was arrested after allegedly shoplifting from Target on seven different occasions.

Keri Blair, 43, was arrested on 5 January for property theft charges after purportedly skip-scanning items at Target self-checkout stations seven different times between 25 November and 20 December, a Collierville Police spokesperson said.

The allegedly stolen items amounted to $728.61, the spokesperson added.

Blair had served as part of the Collierville School Board, but resigned following the charges against her, citing personal, family reasons.

Jennifer Martin, chair of the Shelby County chapter of Moms for Liberty, said the group did not officially endorse Blair in the 2022 race for the Collierville School Board seat, but she did receive financial contributions from Patricia Woodward, the treasurer of the local Moms for Liberty chapter, according to Newsweek.

The right-wing group endorsed more than 270 candidates nationwide for school board elections in 2022, notably in states like Florida, in an effort to overhaul education infrastructure across the country and restrict access to books, classroom materials and honest discussions of race, racism, LGBT+ people and gender and sexuality in the classroom.

The groups success dwindled in 2023 elections however when the majority of the more than 130 candidates the group endorsed lost their seats.

During the 2022 elections, Blair promoted herself as a staunch conservative despite the Collierville School Board elections being non-partisan.

Keri Blair (Collierville Police Department TN)

When I started it was Oh, its too right. Its too conservative. But as I talked to people and was out in the communitya lot of it was staying true to the things I started and set out from the community, she told the Daily Memphian after winning the election.

Following her resignation, School Board Chairman Wright Cox expressed his thanks to Blair for her service to the community and her commitment to public education.

He did not mention the charges against her.

Her replacement will be selected by the Collierville Board of Mayor and Aldermen and will serve until the elections on 5 November.

Moms for Liberty co-founder, Tiffany Justice, previously said the group is looking to expand its efforts to elect school board candidates in 2024.

She said the group will use its political action committee to engage in school board races nationwide. It also will start endorsing at the state board level and elected superintendents, she said, suggesting school board elections will remain some of the most contentious political fights this year.

Moms for Liberty emerged from right-wing outrage during the Covid-19 pandemic as schools shifted to remote learning and implemented public health guidance like mask requirements.

The group, which has attracted support from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and other Republican officials who have focused on culture war flashpoints, has since grown its membership to roughly 100,000 people in more than 250 chapters in 42 states.

Last year, the group was designated an anti-government extremist organisation by the Southern Poverty Law Center for allegedly harassing community members, advancing anti-LGBTQ+ misinformation and fighting to scrub diverse and inclusive material from lesson plans.

The group also helped facilitate efforts last year to encourage boycotts of Target for purportedly pushing pro-LGBTQ propaganda by selling tuck-friendly swimsuits for adults as part of their 2023 Pride Season collection, leading to the company taking a small hit in its share price between May and June. However, the company later rebounded with a 7.46 percent increase to end the year.

Moms for Liberty has also called teachers unions terrorist organisations, offered so-called bounties for reporting teachers who allegedly discuss divisive topics in schools, attacked The Trevor Project for supporting young LGBT+ people at risk of suicide, and has launched a barrage of book challenges.
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An Ohio woman has been arrested after she allegedly faked her daughters cancer diagnosis in order to rake in $8,000 in donations.

Pamela Reed is accused of providing documentation to her daughters school alleging that the seven-year-old had cancer, according to partially redacted court documents.

The 41-year-old also allegedly told educators that her daughter, whose name was not revealed in the court documents, was blind in her right eye and would be having a port implanted in the near future for her cancer treatments, the documents state.

Reed is also believed to have posted numerous statements on Facebook about [her daughter] having cancer.

In a post on Facebook, the Noble County Sheriffs Office said several local organisations participated in fund raising efforts and had made monetary contributions to help the family offset medical expenses.

The post added that Reed received a donation of approximately $8,000 from one local organisation to aid in the cancer treatment expenses.

Pamela Reed, 41, who was arrested for allegedly faking her daughters cancer diagnosis (Noble County Sheriff's Office/Facebook)

Reed was questioned by authorities after her daughters school, Shenandoah Elementary School, became suspicious about her claims following an eye exam that was conducted on the seven-year-old child.

Court documents also state the school became concerned because the girl had missed over 280 hours of school for this year already.

A school administrator then contacted a health care provider, who confirmed the child did not have and never had cancer or leukaemia, leading the school to contact the sheriffs office and Noble County Childrens Services.

Reed was questioned by authorities on 8 January, according to the documents, at which point she allegedly admitted that her daughter did not have cancer and that she had altered documents from a provider to say her daughter had leukaemia, which she then sent to the school.

She also allegedly admitted that she shaved her daughters hair and that the girls hair wasnt short due to cancer treatments, according to the court documents.

She also stated that she posted that her daughter had cancer online because she liked the support given as a result.

Ms Reed was arrested and charged with theft by deception. She is being held at Noble County Jail and could face up to 18 months in prison if convicted.

According to court documents, she has another 10-year-old daughter, who was removed from her home along with her sister over concerns for their safety. The documents did not state where the children currently are.

We are extremely proud of the Childrens Services staff along with law enforcement collaborative efforts to quickly act for [the] safety of these children, Sheriff Jason Mackie and Misty Wells, director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, said in a joint statement posted to Facebook.

Child abuse and neglect isnt always cut and dry, cookie cutter scenarios. If you as a professional or as a member of our community feel like something just isnt quite right, dont hesitate, make the report. The grit and devotion of this team is inspiring, the statement continued.

The arrest comes after Gypsy Rose Blanchard was released from prison in December, eight and a half years after she persuaded her then-boyfriend to kill her mother Clauddine Dee Dee Blanchard in a desperate bid to be free of her.

For years, her mother had forced her to pretend that she was suffering from leukaemia, muscular dystrophy and other serious illnesses.
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Two inmates who passed away while in Alabama prisons allegedly had their bodies returned to their families with missing hearts or other organs, a lawsuit claims.

Brandon Clay Dotson, 43, died in an Alabama prison in November. While his body was returned to his family, it was allegedly decomposing and with his heart missing, court documents obtained by The Independent revealed.

This case comes years after a similar situation happened to Charlene Drake, when her father, Charles Edward Singleton, was returned home after passing away in the Alabama prison system without any of his internal organs, including his brain.

The Dotson family decided to file a federal lawsuit against the Alabama Department of Corrections and other parties to try and find out why his remains came back without his heart and to have it returned to them.

The family wrote in the lawsuit that his missing heart was the result of appalling misconduct [that] is nothing short of grave robbery and mutilation.

Yet no one seems to know how his heart mysteriously vanished. On 5 January, the court tried to decipher where it could have gone, yet no one turned up any answers within the three-hour hearing, according to local outlet AL.com.

Five witnesses - a warden, commissioner and deputy chief commissioner of Alabamas corrections department, director of Alabamas forensic sciences department and the head of autopsies at UAB - all said that they didnt know where the missing heart could be.

Lawyers from the prison system said that when Dotsons remains left the facility, his heart was inside his body and that they did not have it, the outlet said.

The discovery came about when Dotsons family hired a second pathologist to do another autopsy on his body after they believed that there was foul play involved in his death.

When the pathologist started to have a look at the remains, he discovered the heart was missing.

The lawsuit suggested that the medical school at the University of Alabama was the possible intended recipient of Dotsons heart, also named in the suit.

However, attorneys for the university reportedly said that was a bald speculation and wrote in the court filings that the university did not perform the autopsy nor did they receive any of Dotsons organs.

It was reportedly learned during a testimony that Dotsons autopsy was allegedly performed by the Alabama Department of Forensics, AL.com claimed.

Yet the director of the state forensic department, Angelo Della Manna, said he had not reviewed Dotsons particular case, so could not answer specific questions.

Mr Della Manna did say, however, that in a standard autopsy, organs are tested to determine a cause of death but are then returned to a biohazard bag and put back in the body.

Organs are sometimes sent off for further testing, but Mr Della Manna said that would be in Dotsons case file and autopsy report - which the judge ordered the state to send to her.

Last week, an affidavit was also sent to the court in support of the Dotson case, where the daughter of another deceased Alabama inmate, Charles Edward Singleton, 74, was returned with his internal organs missing, including his brain, according to CNN.

Singleton died in November 2021, and when his remains were transported to the funeral home, the director told his daughter, It would be difficult to prepare his body for viewing, as his body was already in a noticeable state of decomposition, added that his organs were missing too.

The Alabama Department of Corrections told CNN it does not comment on pending litigation, nor does it authorise or perform autopsies.

Once an inmate dies, the body is transported to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences or UAB (the University of Alabama at Birmingham) for autopsy, depending on several factors, including but not limited to region and whether the death is unlawful, suspicious, or unnatural, the department said in a statement to CNN.

Alicia Rohan, University of Alabama at Birminghams director of external public relations, also told the outlet the university does not comment on pending litigation.

We only conduct autopsies with consent or authorisation and follow standard procedures equitably for anyone consented to or authorised for an autopsy, MsRohan said.

In an autopsy, organs and tissues are removed to best determine the cause of death. Autopsy consent includes consent for final disposition of the organs and tissues; unless specifically requested, organs are not returned to the body.

The Independent has contacted the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, the Alabama Department of Corrections and the University of Alabama for comment.
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The small town of Limon on the eastern Colorado plains was slowly creeping back to post-holiday life on the third day of 2024, exactly one week after controversial Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert announced shed be switching from the states 3rd congressional district to this one, the 4th  hundreds of miles from her hometown and the communities she currently represents.

The swap made big news in political circles and on social media, the latest in a long list of headlines grabbed by the 37-year-old new grandmother. But in Limons hair salon, the lunch cafe, the quilting store  mention of the fiery Republicans name elicited blank stares. A flicker of recognition ran across one womans face as she handled fabric in the 2,000-person enclave.

Didnt she used to run over there? the Limon resident said, using a colloquial term for the other side of Colorado; then, upon hearing Boebert had joined the race in the Republican primary, she snorted: At least shes not a Democrat.

That derision of the left is a hallmark of the region Boebert hopes to represent, a congressional district even more favourable to Republicans than her current one; the GOP candidate is all but guaranteed to take the seat in CD4. But the area is also filled with ultra-conservatives as averse to outlandish behaviour as they are to brash outsiders; locals tend to talk in terms of here or there, with Boebert decidedly hailing from the latter.

Lauren Boebert was removed from a September Beetlejuice performance at a Denver theater after vaping and groping her date  an Aspen Democrat  four months after announcing that she was divorcing her husband, with whom the 37-year-old shares four boys and a grandchild (9News)

CD4 is heavily rural and agricultural, with the majority of hard-working voters most immediately concerned with the day-to-day and the hyper-local  not dramatics emanating from Washington DC. (The capital and its lawmakers, in general, are not too popular around here.) Many still dont have computers in Limon, about halfway between Denver and the Kansas border, and fibre-optic internet remains a work in progress. The incumbent, Republican Rep. Ken Buck, announced in November that he would not seek a sixth term, citing his exhaustion with insidious narratives that breed widespread cynicism and erode Americans confidence in the rule of law.

Too many Republican leaders are lying to America, claiming that the 2020 election was stolen, describing Jan. 6 as an unguided tour of the Capitol and asserting that the ensuing prosecutions are a weaponization of our justice system, Buck said.

Lauren Boebert makes anti-hijab comment against Ilhan Omar

Now hes watching as one of the partys biggest MAGA provocateurs vies for his home seat.

But more than a half-dozen other Republicans are competing for the primary in CD4, a few giving Boeberts gun-toting image a run for its money  with deeper local roots and no accompanying baggage. Boeberts abandonment of decorum at the 2022 State of the Union, berating the President as he spoke and turning her back on the Cabinet, turned off some straight-laced Republicans; exponentially more shook their heads when the sitting congresswoman was thrown out of a Denver performance of Beetlejuice in September for vaping, groping her date and generally misbehaving. She made news yet again for all the wrong reasons this past weekend when police were called during a public altercation with the ex-husband she recently divorced  and his arrest on Tuesday on six charges in their home county kept the drama in the headlines.

None of it jibes well with her purported promotion of Christianity and conservative family values.

I wont vote for her because of who she is and what she has done, Randy Wallace, an unaffiliated voter, tells The Independent from behind the counter of his antique store in Elizabeth  216 miles from the town where Boebert raised her boys.

He, too, had not yet realized Boebert was switching districts to represent the eastern parts of the state  a move Boebert made as her Democratic challenger, to whom she lost by only 546 votes in the last election, continues a well-funded and celebrity-endorsed campaign for the CD3 seat.

That Democrat, Adam Frisch, gloated that Boebert was running scared following her announcement; many members of her own party  and potential constituents  cried foul.

The town of Limon, like much of CD4, is comprised of ultra-conservative voters and 2nd amendment advocates, which should align with Boeberts platform, but many voters disapprove of her antics or are wholly unfamiliar with her candidacy and track record (Sheila Flynn)

Its just very obvious that shes not moving here because her kids going to college or for a real reason, one Republican party officer within CD4 tells The Independent. Were not fans of people that seek power for powers sake  theres already a lot of candidates that we had [in the constituency] for a very long time that are well qualified. And then this just naked power-seeking behaviour to save the seat, because she gave away a plus-nine Republican seat, doesnt really sit well. You might be shocked at how many people are not happy about it  a lot of people tell me they think its very selfish.

Particularly unhappy about it are the Republicans whod already thrown their hats into the ring.

The first thing that came to mind was carpetbagger  100 per cent shes a carpetbagger, State Rep. Richard Holtorf tells The Independent. (He introduces himself as the most qualified and the best candidate and the rowdiest, most raucous of all; I dont mince words  Im a cowboy and cattleman and I shoot straight, walk straight and talk straight.)

The next thing that came to mind is: Shes a deserter. Shes deserting her people out of political expediency, Holtorf says.

Kyle Saunders, a political science professor at Colorado State University, acknowledges the carpetbagger narrative and the baggage that Boebert comes with from Beetlejuice but points out there are these other things that shes bringing with her.

She also has name recognition, which is both a positive and a negative in this case, Mr Saunders tells The Independent. She has campaign finance experience. She has run a campaign successfully in a constituency as large as a congressional district, which none of her competitors have.

There are these advantages that she comes in with, he says. Now whether or not shes able to persuade the Republican primary voters that she is going to represent their district better than any of her competitors, when those competitors are from that district, especially remains to be seen.

Limon native Catherine Thurston points out that even the liberals have guns in rural CD4  but theyre also wary of outsiders and outlandish tactics; on the other hand, she points out that the constituency embraced Trumps style (Limon native Catherine Thurston points out that even the liberals have guns in rural CD4  but theyre also wary of outsiders and outlandish tactics; on the other hand, she points out that the constituency embraced Trumps style)

One place Boebert certainly didnt seem to have name recognition was Limon, where the local paper refrains from printing political news and where residents look askance at anyone doing anything outrageous, according to Catherine Thurston, the business manager of The Limon Leader and a native of the town.

People around here used to make a deal on a handshake, Thurston tells The Independent. If youre not going to spend time talking face-to-face with people out here, youre probably not going to get the vote.

Back in CD3, Frischs campaign has made a point of wooing voters unhappy with Boeberts perceived lack of attention to local issues and preference for national headlines (and controversy.)

Thurston says she believes Boebetts reception locally was going to be pretty cool, adding: I think that she will not get a big warm welcome from the folks out here.

Holtorf, despite being one of Boeberts rivals, summed up the impressions of many Republicans familiar with Boeberts personal and legislative track record.

She started out doing really well, but she got a little out of line and started losing a level of professionalism that I think she needed to hold, he tells The Independent. And shes done some good things in Washington DC, but  theres certain very disruptive things shes done that are unprofessional and should not be done, particularly the outcries during the State of the [Union] speech  you just dont do that. That kind of high school banter is totally unprofessional at that level.

Thats one issue. But the real issue I have is when you come home to your home state and then you start doing very disrespectful things, he says, referring to Boeberts ejection from Beetlejuice.

You have to hold yourself to a higher standard, he says.

The congresswomans shenanigans will be easy fodder during the race, Saunders points out.

You can imagine the campaign ads that her opponents are going to run, he says Its going to be dark, grainy footage of her in the theatre: Lauren Boebert does not represent the 4th Congressional District of Colorado  doesnt represent the values.

I mean, thats whats coming.

Colorado State Rep. Richard Holtorf, a Republican running against Boebert in CD4, describes himself as a cowboy and a cattleman and says of the sitting congresswomans high school banter is totally unprofessional' (Colorado General Assembly)

Thurston, in Limon, acknowledges that Boeberts behaviours are a little questionable but, there again, I mean, so are Trumps.

The 45th President was hugely popular in Lincoln County, and much of CD4 is MAGA territory  so any endorsement from Trump could significantly impact Boeberts chances, Saunders says.

Lets say Trump is the Republican nominee and endorses Lauren Boebert, he tells The Independent. All it takes is one mention, and all the free media that Donald Trump gets, all of a sudden Lauren Boebert gets. I dont know that thats going to happen, but thats a scenario that seems plausible.

Many within her party, though, remain hugely nervous about just what impact her entry will have on the race and wider Republican efforts.

Colorado House Minority Leader Mike Lynch, who announced his CD4 campaign the week after Boebert, told the Denver Post her bid for the 4th was unfortunate because of the political theatre she brings to the race.

He told the paper he was shocked that anyone would have the hubris to make such a move. To assume that the state needs her so bad that shed switch her constituent bases was shocking.

The Republican party official whod derided Boeberts naked power-seeking is also very concerned that there will be significant down-ballot consequences  and that she will drive Democratic turnout that could affect other races and potentially even the CD4 race. It could also drive unaffiliateds to the primary to vote against her.

The official continues: More experienced activists are very concerned about the impact someone so polarizing could have on down-ballot, closer races throughout CD4  especially in places starting to lean more democratic like Douglas County, populated more densely with metro-area and suburban voters.

Colorado Minority Leader and Republican State Rep. Mike Lynch announced his CD4 campaign one week after Boebert, telling the Denver Post he was shocked that anyone would have the hubris to make the constituency switch that she chose  also bemoaning the political theater she brings' (Colorado General Assembly)

The Colorado Democratic Party, meanwhile, has been organizing in CD4 since before Lauren Boebert announced for this race, chairperson Shad Murib tells The Independent.

We actually had some really interesting success flipping all three Douglas County School Board seats to the Democrats, he points out, adding: Were not leaving anything on the table; my motto is that the next frontier of Colorado politics is local, and we compete everywhere, whether its a safe seat or not.

Labelling Boebert a walking eye-roll for most people, he said that constituency residents who are working hard, who are providing Americas food, whether its beef or something else, they expect someone who can actually get work done  not someone whos a showboater.

And so I think the most common phrase that we hear is that shes a coward, that shes most interested in her social media accounts and not actually getting things done, he tells The Independent. And thats from Republicans and unaffiliated to Democrats.

There are also, of course, Boeberts ardent supporters. At a Republican town hall in Parker last week  held in an event room at a sleek, multi-million-dollar county library with plenty of fast wifi, unlike Limon  the first question asked was what the state representative planned to do about radical gun reform being pushed in the Colorado legislature. Boeberts brashness and platforms  and gun-themed family Christmas cards  resonate deeply in a region where the 2nd amendment is sacrosanct. (Back in Limon, according to Thurston, even the liberals out here have their guns.)

She wants to stay in the fight; she wants to stay in the legislature, and I want her to stay there, one well-dressed Republican town hall attendee tells The Independent, asking to be referred to as a senior citizen.

Before switching to CD4, Boebert narrowly scraped to victory with 546 votes in the 2022 election against Aspen Democrat Adam Frisch  who launched another well-funded and dogged campaign to unseat her (AFP via Getty Images)

Referencing Boeberts Beetlejuice incident down at the auditorium, she says: Im giving her grace, because she is going through a tough divorce, and the husband admitted it was his fault.

She believes her controversy was kind of a setup, reasoning that people, when theyre under stress and theyre in the public eye  who had the camera right on her? It was kind of amazing that that was all videoed and to show out to the public and it was all to destroy her.

One thing is certain: The race, with Boebert and a cast of cowboy-hat-clad characters, will not be boring. And its ramping up fast; the primary is in June.

Candidate Jerry Sonnenberg, the Logan County commissioner whos served in both the state house and senate, graciously applauds the excitement about somebody new carrying the message in the 4th.

Hes a fourth-generation farmer and rancher and, unlike Boebert, hails from the constituency  calling himself a working stiff  I drive an eight-year-old pickup with 235,000 miles on it. Im one of those blue-collar working stiffs, and I think that makes me a better voice, because I know exactly what theyre going through and the struggles that those other families in the district are going through.

The crowded Republican ticket, he says, makes the race better  and it makes it tougher for candidates.

Of Boeberts constituency switch, he says: I welcome her to the fourth district.

I look forward to representing her as her congressman, quite frankly.
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A Navyhelicopter with six crew members on board crashed into San Diego Bay on Thursday, according to officials.

The MH-60R helicopter was on a routine training mission in California when it crashed into the water in Coronado, close to San Diego, at around 6.40pm local time, Naval Air Station North Island spokesperson Commander Beth Teach said in a statement.

Fire Department personnel and the US Coast Guard responded to the crash site and rescued all six people on board, bringing them ashore by safety boat, she said.

All crew members survived the crash with Navy officials confirming that none suffered any critical or life-threatening injuries.

Due to the nature of the training, a safety boat was on location and, with the assistance of Federal Fire, all six crew members survived and were promptly moved ashore, Commander Teach said in the statement.

All personnel are undergoing medical evaluation at this time, the statement continued. An investigation has been initiated to determine the cause of the crash.

The MH-60R is known as a Sea Hawk helicopter, and is used for anti-submarine and surface warfare, according to the Navys website.

It can also perform a wide variety of missions, including reconnaissance and search-and-rescue operations.

A Navy helicopter with six crew members on board crashed into San Diego Bay on Thursday, officials said (DVIDS)

It is not the first time a US Army helicopter has crashed in recent months.

In November, five Army aviation special operations forces were killed when their helicopter experienced an in-flight emergency during aerial refueling training, causing it to crash into the Mediterranean sea.

The same month, a US Navy spy plane crashed into an environmentally sensitive bay off the Hawaiian island of Oahu after ploughing off the runway at a US Marine Corps base.

There were no fatalities that time, but the Navy is still attempting to remove the aircraft from a bed of coral and sand.

The cause of the crash remains unclear and an investigation is underway.
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The Texas Supreme Court has declined to hear a case brought by a separatist group seeking the states independence from the United States.

The decision came after the states Republican Party turned down a petition to include a vote for the states independence on an upcoming election ballot.

The state supreme court did not provide a reason as to why it declined to hear the case.

Well, we did everything we could but the Supreme Court of Texas screwed us, Paul M Davis, an attorney representing the Texas Nationalist Movement  the group that filed the complaint  said in a statement posted to X. The establishment won today, but we are not going away.

In emergency court documents filed this week against Matthew Rinaldi, chair of the states Republican Party, attorneys for the organisation argued that the state needed to approve the request in a timely manner for it to appear on the ballot.

The election petition was signed by 139,000 residents, while the organisation said it only needed around 97,000 to be considered.

Mr Rinaldi previously rejected the proposal on two grounds: That the petition was not filed on time and the signatures were invalid because they were electronic. He also added that some of them were missing key information, including addresses and country of registration.

In a written statement to Newsweek, Mr Rinaldi said, We are thankful the Texas Supreme Court swiftly rejected the Texas Nationalist Movements petition to allow electronic signatures gathered on the internet to be used for petitions, voter registrations and mail-in ballots.

As we said, and as it took the Supreme Court less than a day to determine, the Republican Party of Texas complied with clear Texas law in rejecting TNMs internet petition.

In 2023, Bryan Slaton, a Republican state legislator introduced a bill calling for a vote on succession dubbed the Texas Independence Referendum Act but it died the same year.
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President Joe Biden has come under fire from some lawmakers for failing to consult Congress before the US, together with the UK, carried out scores of airstrikes against Houthi rebel fighters in Yemen in retaliation against attacks in the Red Sea.

Massive explosions were seen in Yemeni cities, including Sanaa and Hodeidah, in the early hours of Friday morning, with the US military saying 60 strikes were launched against 16 sites linked to the Houthis military operations.

The US launched Operation Prosperity Guardian three weeks ago, a concerted effort to safeguard shipping along one of the worlds most vital waterways for international trade.

President Biden said in a statement on Thursday night: These strikes are in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea  including the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history.

These attacks have endangered US personnel, civilian mariners, and our partners, jeopardised trade, and threatened freedom of navigation.

He noted that ships from 50 different nations had been affected in 27 recent attacks on commercial shipping along the route, with crews from 20 nations threatened or taken hostage by pirates and more than 2,000 freighters forced to change course.

He continued: These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the worlds most critical commercial routes. I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.

But his actions have already drawn Hands off Yemen protesters to the White House and Times Square in New York City and attracted immediate criticism from both sides of the political aisle.

Mr Bidens fellow Democrats Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Rashida Tlaib, Cori Bush, Barbara Lee, Mark Pocan and Val Hoyle have voiced objections to the presidents alleged failure to honour his constitutional obligations to brief the House and Senate before he took action.

This is an unacceptable violation of the Constitution, Ms Jayapal wrote on X. Article I requires that military action be authorised by Congress.

Mr Khanna cited the same article in his own post, declaring: The President needs to come to Congress before launching a strike against the Houthis in Yemen and involving us in another middle east conflict.

That is Article I of the Constitution. I will stand up for that regardless of whether a Democrat or Republican is in the White House.

While both are correct, Article II of the Constitution also empowers the president, as commander-in-chief, to direct the use of military force to protect the nation from an attack or threat of imminent attack and to protect important national interests.

For example, this rule was used by his predecessor Donald Trump to justify the ordering of the assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani without forewarning Congress back in January 2020.

Both Ms Tlaib and Ms Bush warned the president that the American people has no desire to see its tax dollars spent on endless war, with the latter adding that she considers the airstrikes illegal. Stop the bombing and do better by us, she said to Mr Biden.

Less surprisingly, a number of Republicans also joined in attacking the president, with Marjorie Taylor Greene, Mike Lee, Matt Gaetz, Nancy Mace and Thomas Massie all speaking out.

Characteristically, Ms Greene wasted little time in pivoting to hysteria and conspiracy theorising, writing on X: Biden can not solely decide to bomb Yemen. And what is the condition of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin? Is he still laid up in the hospital?

Biden admin wants to fund war in Ukraine, control the war in Israel, arm Taiwan and prep for war with China, and is now going to war in the Middle East??? All with a wide open border, millions invading, and millions of got aways?! This is insanely out of control!

Mr Lee meanwhile expressed his agreement with Mr Khanna, adding: The Constitution matters, regardless of party affiliation.

Ms Mace also called for bipartisan unity, writing: This is where we should put party aside and stand for the oath we all took: Congress alone decides if we go to war. I join my colleagues on both sides insisting we follow the Constitution.

But several senior Republicans praised the presidents actions.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Mike Johnson have both welcomed the move against the rebels, as have GOP Senators Tom Cotton, Roger Wicker, Todd Young and Susan Collins.

This article was amended on the day of publication. It had previously inaccurately included Jason Crow in a list of Democrats who had criticised Joe Biden for not briefing the House and Senate before taking action.
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Donald Trump lashed out at his likely 2024 general election opponent President Joe Biden after US and UK forces struck Houthi rebels in Yemen.

So, let me get this straight, the former president began in a post on Truth Social on Friday morning. Were dropping bombs all over the Middle East, AGAIN (where I defeated ISIS!), and our Secretary of Defence, who just went missing for five days, is running the war from his laptop in a hospital room.

Secretary of defence Lloyd Austin has been criticised after spending days in hospital being treated for prostate cancer and being slow to notify the administration and the public.

Remember, this is the same gang that surrendered in Afghanistan, where no one was held accountable or FIRED, Mr Trump claimed. It was the most embarrassing moment in the history of the United States. Now we have wars in Ukraine, Israel, and Yemen, but no war on our Southern Border. Oh, that makes a lot of sense. Crooked Joe Biden is the worst President in the history of the United States!

Both Mr Biden and Rishi Sunak, the UK prime minister, have not ruled out further action against the Houthi rebels if deemed necessary. The rebels have warned of reprisal actions, saying that the strikes that they say killed five and wounded six would not go unanswered and unpunished.

Its clear that this type of behaviour cant be met without a response, Mr Sunak said. We need to send a strong signal that this breach of international law is wrong. People cant act like this with impunity and thats why together with allies weve decided to take this action.

The strikes came after the group launched its 26th attack on international shipping in the Red Sea since 19 November.

The armed group are supported by Iran and controls large parts of Yemen following nearly a decade of war against a coalition supported by the West and led by Saudi Arabia.

The group has taken its name from founder Hussein al-Houthi. The civil war began after he was killed by the Yemeni military in 2004. They have claimed that their attacks on international shipping are an attempt to stop Israels war against Hamas in Gaza, saying after Israels response to the 7 October Hamas attack that they would target all ships heading to Israel.

Several shipping companies have resorted to taking the massively longer route around the African continent instead of taking the Red Sea route via the Gulf of Aden to reach the Suez Canal.
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Donald Trump appeared to endorse the idea that he should have immunity from ordering the assassination of political opponents, which was put forward by his lawyers earlier this week.

During arguments in a Washington DC courtroom on Tuesday, Trump attorney D John Sauer, was questioned on whether, hypothetically, a president could order the killing of a rival by the US military and be immune from any legal consequences.

Mr Saur said that prosecution would only be allowed following impeachment and a conviction by the Senate.

He was then pressed by Judge Florence Pan, who said: I asked you a yes or no question. Could a president who ordered SEAL Team 6 to assassinate a political rival ... would he be subject to criminal prosecution?

Qualified yes  if he is impeached and convicted first, replied Mr Saur.

Courtroom sketch of former president Donald Trump (REUTERS)

James Pearce, the Assistant Special Counsel who argued the case for the US government, said Mr Sauers comments suggested an extraordinarily frightening future because his view would place presidents largely outside and above the law.

On Thursday Mr Trump was asked whether he agreed with his lawyers stance on prosecution for such crimes.

On immunity [its] very simple, he said at a press conference on Thursday amid his ongoing civil fraud trial in New York.

If a president of the United States does not have immunity, hell be totally ineffective because he wont be able to do anything because it will mean hell be prosecuted, strongly prosecuted perhaps, as soon as he leaves office by the opposing party.

So a president of the United States, Im not talking just me, has to have immunity.

Nikki Haley mocked Mr Trumps presidential immunity legal defence as ridiculous during Wednesday nights Republican debate in Iowa.

No, thats ridiculous. Thats absolutely ridiculous, said Ms Haley. You cant go and kill a political rival and then claim, you know, immunity from a president. I think we have to start doing things that are right.
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Donald Trump Jr has been named a possible defendant in the bankruptcy case against Miles Guo, a Chinese billionaire with ties to the right.

Mr Guo  who is also known as Guo Wengui, Ho Wan Kwok, Miles Guo, and Miles Kwok  filed for bankruptcy in February 2022, after a judge ordered him to pay $134m in fines after violating a court order relating to his yacht.

The powerful businessman has previously had financial ties to other big-name conservatives, including Steve Bannon.

In a court filing on Wednesday, which was obtained by the Daily Beast, Mr Trump was seen on a list of possible defendants in the case.

Former Trump White House adviser Peter Navarro also appeared on the list.

It was not immediately clear why they were listed as possible defendants, and neither immediately responded to a request for comment.

Legal experts told the Daily Beast being included on this list does not necessarily mean they are accused of any crimes.

Theyre in such a vague state right now, some of them might just be people who just have knowledge of things, said attorney Neil Crane. The people on this list are going to include people who have information, people who could potentially have assets, people who potentially could have received assets they shouldnt have.

Mr Trump and Mr Navarro are reportedly only two names in a sprawling 25-page list of possible defendants.

Eventually there are going to be allegations against some of these entities or people, Crane said. You find these people, and if you think they did something wrong, you file whats called an adversary proceeding.

Mr Guo is currently awaiting trial on an alleged $1bn fraud conspiracy. He has pleaded not guilty to 11 charges, including wire fraud, securities fraud, bank fraud and money laundering
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Ahead of the start of the E Jean Carroll civil trial against Donald Trump, lawyers for Ms Carroll are asking the New York City judge overseeing the case to prevent the former president from disputing the facts of the case to the jury.

If Mr Trump appears at this trial, whether as a witness or otherwise, his recent statements and behavior strongly suggest that he will seek to sow chaos, Roberta Kaplan, an attorney for Ms Carroll said in a filing on Friday.

Citing Mr Trumps tangent from closing arguments in his civil fraud trial, Ms Kaplan told Judge Lewis Kaplan that should Mr Trump be given time to speak freely he would possibly speak on inadmissible, prejudicial or otherwise improper information.

The case, which is set to begin on Tuesday, is to determine how much Mr Trump owes Ms Carroll in damages for defaming her in 2019 after she came forward with accusations of rape.

It is related to the other defamation case that went to trial last year in which a jury determined the former president was liable for sexual abuse and defamation when he made statements denying he assaulted her in 2022. The jury awarded Ms Carroll $5 million in damages for that.

Former US President Donald Trump speaks to the press as he departs the New York State Supreme Court during the civil fraud trial against the Trump Organization, in New York City on January 11, 2024 (AFP via Getty Images)

But despite the jurys findings, Mr Trump has continued to deny knowing Ms Carroll, defended himself against accusations that he sexually abused and defamed her and suggested Ms Carroll had ulterior motives in filing her lawsuit against him.

Even on Thursday, the former president told reporters he planned to attend the trial to explain I dont know who the hell [Ms Carroll] is.

Already, Judge Kaplan has warned Mr Trumps lawyers they cannot present legal arguments that contradict the jurys finding of sexual abuse and defamation; But Ms Carrolls lawyer is asking Judge Kaplan to take it a step further by placing measures to prevent Mr Trump from speaking challenges to the jury.

The measure includes asking Mr Trump to swear under oath in open court, but without the presence of the jury, that he understands the facts of the case: he sexually assaulted Ms Carroll, spoke falsely with actual malice and lied when accusing her of fabricating her account.

E Jean Carroll lawyers warn Trump wants to sow chaos ahead of trial ((AFP/Getty))

Ms Kaplan is asking that anything Mr Trump would testify about be provided in advance of his testimony.

Should he not do so, Ms Kaplan suggested the court could hold Mr Trump or his counsel in contempt, issue punitive fines or prevent Mr Trump from testifying further.

She warned Judge Kaplan that the former president may well perceive a benefit in seeking to poison these proceedings despite the jury being only asked to determine the amount in damages.
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Watch as Ron DeSantis campaigns in Iowa on Friday 12 January.

The Florida governor went up against fellow Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley in the final debate ahead of the caucus on Wednesday evening.

Ms Haley repeatedly called Mr DeSantis a liar while both candidates criticised the former president and frontrunner Donald Trump.

In response, the once-promising governor who had hoped his hard-right policies on everything from abortion to restricting how gender and sexuality are taught in schools would bolster him in the heavily church-going Iowa, elected to regularly attack Ms Haley.

As Republicans, you need somebody that is going to be in there and fight for you and Nikki Haley, anytime the going gets tough, anytime people come down, she caves, Mr DeSantis said.

Mr DeSantis, who has the endorsement of Iowas governor Kim Reynolds and who has visited all 99 counties in the state, also criticised Ms Haleys numerous gaffes.
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Hunter Bidens daughter Naomi has accused Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of lying after she said Mr Biden fled the scene of a House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing to hold him in contempt once she started speaking the truth about him.

The son of president Joe Biden appeared unannounced at the committee briefly on Wednesday as Republicans and Democrats on the panel battled over whether they should advance a resolution to hold him in contempt of Congress over his defiance of a December subpoena for a hearing about his fathers involvement in his foreign business dealings.

Mr Biden sat in the room for a short period before abruptly leaving with his entourage as Marjorie Taylor Greene began speaking.

As he walked out, Ms Greene began shouting at the youngest son of the president, calling him a coward.

Hunter Biden is terrified of strong Conservative Republican women, she remarked.

She later continued her criticism of Mr Biden on X, claiming he fled the scene as she began speaking the truth about him.

WOW  Hunter Biden fled the scene when I started exposing the truth behind the Biden Crime Family, Ms Greene posted on X. Too bad his daddy cant save him this time. We have mountains of evidence of Biden family corruption and foreign influence peddling and there will be accountability for these crimes.

Hunter Biden, President Joe Biden's son, accompanied by his attorney Abbe Lowell, left, talks to reporters as they leave a House Oversight Committee hearing as Republicans are taking the first step toward holding him in contempt of Congress (AP)

But on Thursday, Mr Bidens daughter Naomi defended her father, hitting back at the Georgia congresswoman and accusing her of lying.

Actually, it appears everyone fled the scene when she started lying, Naomi Biden wrote on X.

This is not the first time Ms Greene has feuded with Hunter Biden. Last year she sparked outrage when she held up pictures of the presidents son naked during a congressional hearing.

At Wednesdays hearing, Rep. Nancy Mace called Mr Bidens appearance a political stunt, saying he should be hauled off to jail right now for defying Congress.

You are the epitome of white privilege. Coming in to the Oversight Committee, spitting in our face, ignoring a congressional subpoena to be deposed. What are you afraid of? You have no balls to come up here, Ms Mace said.

I think that Hunter Biden should be arrested right here, right now, and go straight to jail, she added.

Marjorie Taylor Greene (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Both Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jasmine Crockett called out Mace after her white privilege comment.

I just want to run it back through to the very beginning, because this is something that I just cant get over. I just can get over the gentlelady from South Carolina talking about white privilege, Crockett said later in the hearing. It was a spit in the face, at least of mine as a Black woman, for you to talk about what white privilege looks like, especially from that side of the aisle.

Yall dont know what white privilege looks like, she said.

Meanwhile, in an interview that aired on Thursday on MSNBCs Morning Joe, first lady Jill Biden was asked how she is coping with Republicans accusations against her family, notably Hunter.

I think what they are doing to Hunter is cruel, and Im really proud of how Hunter has rebuilt his life after addiction, the first lady said. I love my son, and its hurt my grandchildren.
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The attorney for President Joe Bidens son, Hunter Biden, says his client will appear for a public hearing or deposition if presented with legally valid subpoenas issued as part of the Houses impeachment inquiry into the elder Mr Biden, according to a letter reviewed by The Independent.

In the letter, which was sent to House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer and House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan on Friday, Bidens attorney Abbe Lowell said that the November subpoenas previously served on his client have no validity because they were issued before the full House of Representatives voted to authorise an impeachment inquiry into President Biden.

Mr Lowell, a former counsel to the House of Representatives, cited a 2020 Office of Legal Counsel opinion issued during the then-Democratic-led Houses impeachment probe into former president Donald Trump, which stated that the chamber must provide express authorization before any committee may exercise compulsory powers in an impeachment investigation.

He warned Mr Comer and Mr Jordan that their effort to have the full House approve a contempt citation against his client wont hold water because the House had not yet approved the impeachment probe when his client was served with the subpoenas at issue.

He also pointed out that both GOP representatives had cried foul when the House investigated Mr Trump and issued subpoenas to White House aides before formally approving that inquiry.

I write to make you aware (if you are not already) that your subpoenas were and are legally invalid and cannot form a legal basis to proceed with your misdirected and impermissible contempt resolution, Mr Lowell wrote. And you two, of all people, should know that is the case.

The move comes after the younger Biden appeared at a House Oversight Committee hearing unannounced on Wednesday as Republicans teed up the markup of legislation to hold Mr Biden in contempt of Congress.

At the time, Mr Lowell told reporters that his client was fully willing to appear in a public setting, rather than in a closed-door session that would allow the GOP to withhold a full transcript of his testimony from the public, and cited multiple instances in which Mr Comer had publicly said that Mr Biden could choose the format to testify in front of the committee.

You proceeded with a contempt process, erroneously claiming Mr Biden was seeking special treatment, despite Mr Comers repeated and public statements about witnesses and Mr Bidens ability to testify at a deposition or hearing at their choice, Mr Lowell wrote.

Republicans had hoped to have Mr Biden give evidence in their long-running inquiry into what they describe as improper conduct on behalf of the president during his tenure as vice president. But Mr Lowell called out the GOP for not making known the reasons behind their refusal to grant Mr Biden a public forum.

You have not explained why you are not interested in transparency and having the American people witness the full and complete testimony of Mr Biden at a public hearing, he wrote, adding later that because the House has voted to open an impeachment inquiry, Mr Biden would be willing to testify under certain circumstances.

If you issue a new proper subpoena, now that there is a duly authorized impeachment inquiry, Mr Biden will comply for a hearing or deposition. We will accept such a subpoena on Mr Bidens behalf, he said, though he added in a footnoted caveat that the deposition format he would likely agree to is a hybrid public format suggested by Maryland Representative Glenn Ivey on 10 January.

In a statement, the Oversight panels ranking member, Representative Jamie Raskin, said Mr Lowells offer means Hunter Biden is now offering the GOP exactly what they have been demanding this week during their contempt proceedings.

It is time for Chairs Comer and Jordan to call off this truly absurd and wasteful contempt proceeding and finally take yes for an answer, which Chair Jordan already said he would certainly do, he said.
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Its finally here: the first test of the Republican primary field at the hands of voters.

Four prominent Republican candidates have charged into the Buckeye state hoping for different outcomes. Donald Trump, the frontrunner, wants a convincing victory to signal to voters (and donors) that the race is all but wrapped up. Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis are hoping for shock successes that will give them the momentum needed to overtake Mr Trump in later states, such as New Hampshire. And Vivek Ramaswamy is hoping for a shot of adrenaline in the heart of his struggling campaign following an unceremonious exclusion from the debate stage lineup.

Chris Christie, seeing himself wholly uncompetitive in the first contest of 2024  and losing ground in New Hampshire  has thrown in the towel.

Political analysts hoping for clues about the trajectory of the rest of the primary, and most crucially an answer to the question of whether anyone has a chance at beating Mr Trump, are also looking at Iowa closely. Mondays results will likely determine the fate of several candidates, while also providing a window for speculation about the general election.

Heres what The Independent is keeping an eye on over the weekend:

The Haley surge  is it real?

This is Nikki Haleys moment, and she knows it. After months of focusing much of her efforts in the relatively friendlier territory of New Hampshire, the former governor and ambassador embarked on a last minute Iowa barnstorm these past few weeks as polling suddenly showed her closing the gap and even possibly overtaking second-place Ron DeSantis across Iowa. That leaves two potential boons for her campaign on the table: a boost of momentum that could carry her into New Hampshire, where she is polling competitively against Mr Trump, and the other prospect of dealing an early deathblow to the DeSantis campaign.

The collapse of her greatest rival among the Trump-alternatives could significantly benefit Ms Haleys bid. It could also backfire, though, if more of Mr DeSantiss supporters decide to come home to Donald Trump following his downfall.

Donald Trump  can he win it all?

Its not just Nikki Haleys moment. This should be Donald Trumps moment, too.

Iowa is ideal ground for the former president as he seeks to wrap up the nominating contest and convince fellow Republicans to throw in the towel. To do that, he needs a victory in Iowa  a convincing one, something to the tune of 15-plus points. Anything less guarantees that this primary will be dragged out for at least another month, as he heads into a barnburner against Ms Haley in New Hampshire.

That kind of result is almost just as unlikely as Ms Haley or Mr DeSantis pulling off a surprise first-place showing, though not quite. One thing is for sure, though; the argument for him to hide from debates with his opponents becomes much thinner if he does not win by at least a comfortable margin.

The weather  will it matter?

Putting too much stock into weather-related phenomena having a noticeable effect on election results is usually just asking for embarrassment. But this year may be an exception: forecast for Monday is for brutally cold temperatures, including a wind chill far below zero. In a year when voter enthusiasm is thought to already be in short supply, blizzard-esque conditions could actually come into play in some small way  quite possibly affecting the candidate whose voters presume that he will win, Donald Trump.

Vivek Ramaswamy  will he drop out?

Mr Ramaswamy, the right-wing gadfly playing for the 4chan-adjacent wing of the Republican Party, has thrown everything hes got into Iowa. Even as snowy conditions grew more severe throughout the week, the struggling Ramaswamy campaign attempted to continue a late-game push for voters across the state, leading at one point to his vehicle being trapped on an unplowed road. He even appeared virtually at one event, an aide positioning a tablet on her lap while the GOP candidate delivered his message.

A disappointing performance for Mr Ramaswamy on Monday will almost certainly put a nail in his coffin. Whether he continues on as the lowest-performing candidate now seemingly unable to qualify for the debate stage appears to be in question.

Iowa officials  will they screw up?

The big headlines out of Iowa in 2020 were not centred around any one candidate. Instead they focused on an unprecedented technology failure that delayed the results of the Iowa caucus and plunged the state into recounts for days. Eventually, Pete Buttigieg came out ahead in the Democratic contest in terms of delegates, while Bernie Sanders won the popular vote. But the damage was done; the Democratic Party has abandoned the state as its choice for the partys first-in-the-nation contest.

Now, the stage is set for the state to either redeem itself in the eyes of national political experts or further throw its political relevancy into question. A second cycle in a row plagued by technological screwups or good, old-fashioned human error could result in the GOP shaking up its primary and caucus calendar too.

That decision would torpedo Iowas prominence in the primary calendar and would have noticeable effects on the states media and tourism economies, too.
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A Republican lawmaker was called out for an interview with a CNN host that viewers branded misogynistic.

In a contentious interview with CNNs Kate Bolduan, Kentucky Rep Thomas Massie mocked the female anchor and appeared to denigrate her intelligence.

Bolduan asked Mr Massie  who was recently the sole congressman to vote against a resolution that reaffirms the State of Israels right to exist  why he did so. After Bolduan began reading off the title of the resolution, Massie cut her off.

Congratulations, he said. Youre able to read the name of the resolution.

Bolduan visibly bristled and responded to the dig. Ooh, Congressman  I dont think youre trying to question my intelligence, now are you?

Yeah the white, southern, male misogyny and condescension might play in some places, but keep dishing it out so we can keep winning elections. pic.twitter.com/J0RFhV1Vyk  Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) January 12, 2024

No, Im just saying, you didnt have time to prepare for this like I did, he replied.

Do you mean the two pages that I read in two minutes this morning? she asked, holding up a highlighted printout of the resolution.

Ms Massie laughed. You took two minutes, he said. Good for you! You took two minutes.

Viewers criticized the lawmaker for the interview. Whats wild is Massie has no idea how terrible he comes off in the exchange, regardless of viewpoint, tweeted Alyssa Farah Griffin, co-host of The View and a former Trump White House staffer.

What a condescending jerk Massie is, tweeted former Illinois GOP Rep. Joe Walsh. Good job @KateBolduan for standing up to him. And doing it professionally. Well done.

Mr Massie, who has recently been stumping for Republican presidential candidate Gov. Ron DeSantis, said he voted no on the resolution because he believed it equates anti-Zionism with antisemitism.

Antisemitism is deplorable, but expanding it to include criticism of Israel is not helpful, Massie wrote in a tweet about the resolution in November.

In December, the politician was accused of antisemitism over a meme he posted on Twitter. In the image, which was a meme featuring Drake, Massie insinuated Congress cared more about Zionism than it did American patriotism.

Rep. Massie, youre a sitting Member of Congress, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer tweeted . This is antisemitic, disgusting, dangerous, and exactly the type of thing I was talking about in my Senate address. Take this down.
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Donald Trump may remain on Oregons presidential primary ballot  for now  after the states supreme court said they would not take up a challenge to his eligibility.

Following in the footsteps of the Michigan Supreme Court, justices on the Oregon Supreme Court said they would not pick up the petition seeking to remove Mr Trump from the primary ballot under Section Three of the 14th Amendment  known as the insurrection clause but left the door open to revisit the issue after the US Supreme Court rules on the matter.

The justices said in a filing that the petition was denied without prejudice to their ability to file a new petition seeking resolution of any issue that may remain following a decision by the United States Supreme Court.

In doing so, Oregon becomes the latest state to decline to rule on a series of challenges brought by voters to prevent the former president from appearing on primary ballots by claiming he violated the constitution due to his actions on January 6, 2021.

Five registered voters in Oregon, represented by the Free Speech For People, asked the Oregon Supreme Court to intervene in December after Oregeons Secretary of State, LaVonne Griffin-Valade, declined to disqualify Mr Trump from the primary ballot.

Ms Griffin-Valade, as well as the Oregon Solicitor General, said the states secretary did not have the authority to determine the qualifications of a primary candidate and is only responsible for placing the major-party presidential candidates recognized in national news media on the ballot.

She said the question around Mr Trumps eligibility under Section Three of the 14th Amendment would have to be determined by convention delegates or the courts.

Free Speech For People disagreed with the argument and asked the Oregon Supreme Court to step in, saying the state secretary had the authority, citing a previous case where a gubernatorial candidate was disqualified due to residency issues.

In his brief to the state supreme court, Mr Trumps lawyer said plainly that no Oregon law allowed the Oregon Secretary of State the authority or obligation to determine the qualifications or remove a major political partys nominee. They made no mention of the Section Three argument.

The argument around Mr Trumps eligibility under Section Three of the 14th Amendment is currently in the hands of the US Supreme Court, which will hear arguments on the ballot in Colorado on February 8.

Colorado became the first state to disqualify Mr Trump in December. Maines Secretary of State made a similar decision shortly after, which Mr Trump quickly appealed to the Maine Superior Court.
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CNN urged their viewers to brace yourself as they conducted a lengthy fact check into Donald Trumps long and breathless rant in a Manhattan courtroom after his attorneys delivered closing arguments in his civil fraud case.

An angry Mr Trump lashed out at the months-long fraud case against him, at which New York state prosecutors are seeking more than $370m in damages and for him to be banned from owning property in the state.

Mr Trump clashed with judge Arthur Engoron, who at one point asked the former presidents attorney to please control his client as he claimed he did nothing wrong and painted himself as the victim of political persecution who should be owed money for the litigation against him.

After airing footage of Mr Trump speaking, CNN anchor Brianna Keilar and co-host Boris Sanchez dug into the details of his conspiracy-laden speech point by point.

Mr Trump, in his speech, claimed that New York Attorney General Letitia James was engaged in a politically motivated investigation orchestrated by president Joe Biden.

Mr Trump said: My legal issues, every one of them, civil and the criminal ones, are all set up by Joe Biden  theyre doing it for election interference.

Keilar said it is not Mr Bidens indictment. "Its a civil fraud trial in New York, Joe Biden did not set this up, she said.

New York Attorney General Letitia James (C, top) sits in New York State Supreme Court during the civil fraud trial against the Trump Organization (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Mr Bidens closest link to a Trump-related case is that he appointed Attorney General Merrick Garland. Mr Garland, in turn, appointed the special counsel responsible for indicting Mr Trump in two federal criminal cases related to the 2020 election and classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.

She said Mr Trump also went after Ms James, calling her a hack and saying she was corrupt.

Keep in mind there was someone else there who went out for her for an investigation she did and that was Andrew Cuomo, the former democratic governor of New York, Keilar said, referring to her investigation on allegedly manipulated Covid-19 death data.

Co-host Sanchez said that Mr Trump misrepresented the facts when he claimed his argument won in the court of appeals and that judge Engoron was ignoring it because it was not favourable to him.

Sanchez clarified that the court of appeals had merely reduced the scope of Ms James initial case.

"Its false," CNN legal analyst Elliot Williams confirmed of this particular Trump claim. "And its almost sad."

It was a contentious final day of the trial in Manhattan that began in October and saw 11 weeks of witness testimony.

In its concluding statement, the attorney generals office asserted that the former president acted with intent by inflating the value of his assets in his financial statements through fraudulent means.

The judge ruled that Mr Trump and the defendants are liable for the allegations of fraud outlined, leaving a bench trial to determine how much Mr Trump and his associates should owe, and whether the attorney general is successful on other claims in her complaint, including insurance fraud and conspiracy.

The judge said a ruling could be issued before the end of January in the case.
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In a typical presidential election year, candidates will spend the 11 months leading up to election day shaking hands and kissing babies at rallies as the primaries unfold.

But nothing is typical when it comes to Donald Trump.

Instead, the ex-president will be forced to juggle his campaign for the White House while also defending himself in federal and state courts in four different trials that are currently set to occur between January and May.

Kicking off with E Jean Carrolls damages trial on the same day as the Iowa caucus to his federal classified documents trial one month before the GOP convention, Mr Trumps jam-packed schedule seemingly leaves little time for him to socialise outside of a courtroom.

How Mr Trump will manage his campaign while convincing voters hes innocent of it all  including alleged efforts to overturn previous elections in his favour  remains to be seen.

What does Donald Trumps calendar look like?

25 March 2024  Hush-money payment trial begins

Last year, Mr Trump became the first sitting or former president to be criminally indicted after being charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records in a Manhattan criminal court. Jury selection is set to begin in late March.

The charges stem from an investigation by Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg that alleges Mr Trump tried to cover up hush money payments that he made to adult film actor Stormy Daniels in 2016 to silence her claims of an extramarital affair.

Mr Trump sits at the defence table with his legal team in a Manhattan court in April last year (AP)

25 April 2024 - Supreme Court hears oral arguments for Trumps presidential immunity defence

The Supreme Court agreed in February to hear the case from Mr Trump after lower courts rejected his presidential immunity defence from criminal charges related to his alleged attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

The arguments will take place on the last day of the courts calendar. The courts ruling is highly anticipated after the election conspiracy case, prosecuted by special counsel Jack Smith in Washington, DC, essentially came to a halt when Mr Trump came forward with his defence. The trial was initially supposed to start on 4 March and has since been delayed.

So far, Mr Trumps defence has been shot down at both the appeals court and by the federal judge overseeing the case. Last month, appeals court judges wrote that citizen Trump is not shielded by executive immunity, and that his alleged efforts to remain in power despite losing the 2020 election were, if proven, an unprecedented assault on the structure of our government.

July-August 2024  federal classified documents trial could begin

Mr Trump is expected back in federal court this summer, this time in Florida, to face 40 charges pertaining to his alleged mishandling of sensitive government documents.

Officials have not announced an exact date, but prosecutors have proposed 8 July as an option, while Mr Trumps team have pushed for a 12 August start date. The trial was initially supposed to begin on 20 May.

Federal prosecutors indicted Mr Trump last June for allegedly unlawfully retaining top-secret documents that contained national security information at his Mar-a-Lago home after he left office. The charges include violating a section of the Espionage Act for allegedly unlawfully retaining top-secret documents that contained national security information.

15-18 July 2024 - GOP convention

After the remaining states conduct their primaries, the Republican Party will host its convention where it will announce an official nominee.

At the moment, Mr Trump is the unofficial presumptive Republican nominee after his final GOP opponent, Nikki Haley, dropped out of the race. Her concession came after losing fourteen state primaries to the former president on Super Tuesday.

5 August 2024  Georgia election interference trial

Three months before election day, Mr Trump is expected to head to trial in Georgia for his alleged involvement in trying to overturn the states 2020 election results in his favour.

The former president was charged with violating Georgias Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) statute along with 18 other co-defendants.

Mr Trump faces 12 additional charges including solicitation of a public officer, conspiracy to make false statements under oath and more.

However, the trial could be delayed as District Attorney Fani Willis faces allegations from Mr Trumps legal team that a previous romantic relationship with a prosecutor she hired for the case presents a conflict of interest.

5 November 2024  Election Day

On Tuesday, 5 November, US voters will head to the polls to vote for a president.

Mr Trump delivers a speech at the Republican convention in 2016  the party will host this years convention in July, where it will announce an official nominee (Getty Images)

How will this affect Donald Trump?

Glancing over Mr Trumps calendar, it may seem like his ability to successfully campaign is virtually impossible. But the ex-president has positioned himself to benefit from his trials.

In a weird way, none of this really bothers him. In fact, its a great asset for him politically, Kevin OBrien, a partner at Ford OBrien Landy LLP and former assistant US attorney, told The Independent.

Mr Trump has capitalised on his trials by painting himself as a victim  or martyr as Mr OBrien points out  to appeal to his supporters.

After each indictment, the ex-presidents campaign has called on supporters to express their outrage through their wallets. Splashed across his website, Truth Social posts and emails is Mr Trumps new slogan: Theyre not after me, theyre after you Im just standing in the way.

Mr Trump has capitalised on his trials by painting himself as a victim, calling on his supporters to express their outrage through their wallets (Getty Images)

Even though some of the trials raise questions about Mr Trumps ability to lead the country successfully  like his classified documents case and the federal election interference case  his former job and loyal fanbase reinforce his ability to be president.

He can always argue, and he will argue up until the day of the election, this is all unfair and he wasnt able to campaign effectively because of all these persecutions from Garland and Biden, Mr OBrien said.

But the likelihood that Mr Trump will have to juggle three criminal trials and a campaign simultaneously is still unclear. Though the judges in each case have set start dates, they can be changed  and according to Mr OBrien, it is likely that they will be.

Mr OBrien said the three trials are not feasible because they require massive time and resources from both the prosecutors and Mr Trumps legal team.

Its terribly unfair to the defence, Mr OBrien said. It takes months and months to prepare for one of these large white-collar cases  he only has so much manpower at his disposal.

Already, Mr Trumps legal team has sought to delay the trials by using every legal motion possible.

Two of the trials against Mr Trump will most likely need to be delayed until after the election. Prosecutors may choose to go forward with the strongest case against the ex-president which appears to be the federal election interference case.

Those issues are important for voters, its important to know how he intends to defend himself against what appears to be a pretty serious constitutional and criminal offence, Mr OBrien said.

Mr OBrien suggested the case could take two to three months to be completed, meaning the trial could conclude shortly before the GOP convention.

Even if its the only case Mr Trump is trailed in before the election, theres no telling how the outcome will change voters, and the Republican Partys, perception of the former president.
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Donald Trump has trolled President Joe Biden with a spoof advert depicting the White House as a senior living establishment where residents feel like presidents.

The mock TV commercial uploaded on Mr Trumps Instagram page clipped together awkward shots of the current president at the beach and eating food, ending with him taking a huge bite from an ice cream.

The 30-second clip includes a soft-spoken narrator advertising delightful activities and outings and exquisite housemade meals over clips of Mr Biden.

The trolling video also includes a clip that circulated in 2022 of Mr Biden struggling to put on his jacket while his aviator glasses were falling off his face, with his wife, First Lady Jill Biden, stepping in to help him put it on.

This unflattering moment was overlayed with the narrators around-the-clock professional care, which is also available at White House Senior Living.

The clip used videos of Biden overlaying it with patronising commentary (Donald Trump/Instagram)

The former president has often made Mr Bidens age the butt of his comedic sketches and rants at his rallies, grasping at low-hanging fruit by calling him Sleepy Joe.

However, Mr Trumps cruel 30-second clip is not the first time that concerns over Mr Bidens 81 years of age have been voiced  with poll voters and politicians alike being increasingly concerned about the ageing president.

While the fact is that Mr Biden would be 86 if he completed a second term, Mr Trump may have forgotten his own age when attacking the senior living White House.

Mr Biden is a mere three-and-a-half years Mr Trumps senior, who himself is 77 years old.

Polls from last year both had concerns that Mr Biden and Mr Trump were too old for the Oval Office.

An AP-NORC poll from August said that 51 per cent of US adults thought Mr Trump was too old. However, Mr Biden ranked higher, with 77 per cent of adults also saying the same thing about the current president.

Jill Biden has defended her husbands age, saying it is an asset (Donald Trump/Instagram)

Interestingly, only 28 per cent of Republicans believed Mr Trumps older age was a concern, whereas a huge 69 per cent of Democrats saw Mr Biden as too old.

The current First Lady has been defending her husband after his campaign has been facing scrutiny for his age, saying that it is only an asset to his presidency, bringing wisdom and experience, she said on Morning Joe on Thursday, a day before Mr Trumps spoof advert was uploaded on his social media.

While Mr Biden, for better or worse, holds the title of the oldest person to assume the US presidency, at least Mr Trump has a record of his own: the first ever former US president to face criminal charges.
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A Black man has received a historic $25m settlement after he spent 44 years of his life wrongly imprisoned in North Carolina for the rape of a white woman.

Ronnie Wallace Long, now 68, was living in Concord when he was found guilty of rape and burglary by an all-white jury in 1976. At age 21, Mr Long received two life sentences, with his attorneys claiming that the jury was handpicked by local law enforcement leaders.

But it was not until August 2020 that a federal appeals court ordered a new hearing for Mr Long in his effort to obtain relief. Shortly after, his conviction was vacated.

That same year, Mr Long was released from prison and received a full pardon of innocence by Gov Roy Cooper. Mr Long then sued the state of North Carolina and the city of Concord in 2021.

The $25m award, of which the local government will pay $22m, also came with a written apology from the city of Concord for its role in Mr Longs imprisonment

We are deeply remorseful for the past wrongs that caused tremendous harm to Mr Long, his family, friends, and our community, the citys statement read. While there are no measures to fully restore to Mr. Long and his family all that was taken from them, through this agreement we are doing everything in our power to right the past wrongs and take responsibility.

Ronnie Long stands in a hallway at the Albemarle Correctional Institution in Albemarle, North Carolina in 2007

Mr Long was helped for years in his criminal case appeal by a wrongful convictions clinic at Duke Universitys law school.

His attorneys had said that more than 40 fingerprints collected from the scene were never shared and did not match Mr Longs.

Semen samples also were never disclosed to the defence and later disappeared.

A state commission initially awarded Mr Long $750,000  by law the states top compensation for victims of wrongful incarceration.

But he then sued in federal court in Raleigh, accusing Concord police officers of extraordinary misconduct that led to his wrongful conviction and imprisonment in violation of his civil rights.

The State Bureau of Investigation also admitted that as a result of the SBIs role in hiding evidence from Mr Long and his legal team that proved his innocence, a statement from his attorneys in the lawsuit said.

While Mr Longs attorneys described the monetary payments as one of the largest wrongful conviction settlements nationwide, they said the citys statement was extremely important to their client.

This result speaks to the magnitude of injustice that occurred in Mr Longs case, said Chris Olson, one of his lawyers in the lawsuit, adding the apology goes a long way in helping Mr Long heal.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Watch as Israeli protesters set up a Shabbat table near the Hague in honour of hostages taken on 7 October, as judges hold the second day of hearings over the Israeli military campaign in Gaza.

A legal hearing into the war in Gaza opened on Thursday 11 January, as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) hears arguments alleging that Israel is committing genocide in the territory.

South Africa, which has brought the case, is asking the UN court to act urgently to protect against further, severe and irreparable harm to the rights of the Palestinian people under the genocide convention, which continues to be violated with impunity.

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is standing in support of South Africa at the ICJ for the hearings  arguing that the countrys case was very strong.

Speaking after the first days hearing in the Netherlands court, Mr Corbyn said the South African delegations presentation was brilliantly prepared and brilliantly put forward.
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The EUs imports of refined oil imports from India grew to record levels in 2023 at the same time as New Delhis imports of Russian crude oil more than doubled year on year.

It means consumers in Europe likely received unprecedented volumes of petrol, diesel, kerosene and other oil products that originate from Russia via India last year, in spite of the sanctions imposed after Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine.

India has made no secret of its willingness to buy Russian oil in spite of the Ukraine war, maintaining good ties with Moscow while it has also courted closer defence and trade partnerships with Western nations.

India became the worlds leading importer of Russian crude oil last year, according to Kpler market data analysed by The Independent, importing an average 1.75 million barrels per day at a 140 per cent increase on 2022.

At the same time, the European Unions import of refined products from India soared by 115 per cent, from 111,000 barrels per day in 2022 to 231,800 barrels per day in 2023, the highest figures in the past seven years analysed by Kpler and most likely the highest ever.

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It has worked two-fold - India has been able to buy cheap oil for its refineries, then it has been able to refine that oil and sell the refined products at full price, and into a market (Europe) that is willing to pay up for them because it desperately needs to replace the loss of Russian material that it has applied sanctions on, Kplers lead analyst Matt Smith, tells The Independent.

Oil revenues are the linchpin of the Russian economy, allowing Putin to fund his military and replenish defence budgets to sustain a war that is about to enter its third year.

European countries, the G7 and Australia moved to try and prevent Putin using oil money to fill his war chest by enforcing tough sanctions on oil, including Russian refined oil products, and enforcing a $60 per barrel price cap on Russian sales to other countries using their ships and infrastructure.

The fact that barrels of oil originating in Russia are still rolling into Europe through a third market underscores the porousness of sanctions and the lack of robust enforcement measures.

Routes for Russian oil to India. To reach India, tankers bringing oil from Russia can either go from the Baltic Sea through the Danish Straits, Gibraltar and the Suez Canal, or from the Black Sea through the Bosphorus Strait and Suez Canal (Datawrapper/The Independent)

Oil trade tracking companies say is impossible to distinguish which refined products originated from Russian materials once they have been refined in another country. But tracking the imports of crude oil and export destination of refined products from specific facilities can give a fair idea.

One such example was the Jamnagar Refinery in the Gulf of Kutch on Indias western coast, which is the leading destination for Russian crude arriving in India, according to Kpler.

The Reliance Industries-owned refinery accounted for 34 per cent of crude oil imports from Russia, receiving 400,000 barrels per day of, while it received 770,000 barrels per day from elsewhere.

And of the refinerys exports in 2023, around 30 per cent headed to Europe.

This is undermining sanctions, but it is also a grey area, Mr Smith says.

This photo released by Reliance Industries Limited in Jamnagar shows their crude oil refinery in Indian state of Gujarat

It is impossible to extricate Russian crude or products created from Russian material from the global market. Russia is also such a key player that the powers that the EU etc dont want to completely eradicate Russian supply from the global market because it would cause prices to spike.

Around 20 of the 27 EU countries imported refined products from India last year, with the Netherlands accounting for 24 per cent of the total volume.

It was followed by France which accounted for 23 per cent, Romania with 12 per cent and Italy and Spain with 11 per cent each. India also exported refined products like gasoline, jet fuel and diesel to Germany and Belgium with 7 per cent each.

The European Union is the largest importer of fossil fuel energy from Russia despite the bloc leading in the implementation of the strictest sanctions against Moscow, new data has revealed (CREA)

Mr Smith says that the EU has been walking a tightrope between wanting to reduce funding to the Kremlin while making sure enough Russian supply is making its way onto the global market to avoid a price spike  which would be economically crippling for Western nations.
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Britain and the US have launched joint military strikes targeting the Houthis in areas controlled by the rebel group in Yemen on Thursday, further escalating the conflict in the Middle East.

Thursday's military operation comes after the Iran-backed Houthis attacked an estimated 27 ships in the Red Sea over the course of several months since the start of Israels war in Gaza, which have disrupted international commerce on the key route between Europe and Asia.

Huge explosions were seen in the capital Sanaa and other Yemeni cities such as Hodeidah in the early hours of Friday.

The US air force said it struck 60 targets at 16 sites linked to the Houthis military operations. More than 100 precision-guided munitions of various types were used in the strikes, the American military said in a statement.

At least five major targets were hit in Yemen, according to the Houthi-run satellite news channel Al-Masirah.

The Al-Dailami Air Base north of Sanaa, which shares a structure with the international airport, was targeted.

Blasts were also reported from the airports in the port city of Hodeida and the city of Taiz, according to the Associated Press. And explosions were heard coming from the Abs Airport near the city of Hajjah.

Kahlan Camp, a military base east of Sanaa, was also targeted during the joint operation, aided by Australia.

As well as these targets, the Houth-run Saba news agency said airstrikes targeted various parts of Zabid District, in Hodeida governate.

President Joe Biden said in a statement that the US and its allies will not tolerate ceaseless attacks on ships in the Red Sea, while British prime minister Rishi Suank added that the attack was a necessary and proportionate action in self-defence.

Houthi officials have vowed retaliation, saying the attack won't stop them from targeting Israel-linked vessels in the Red Sea.

"The battle will be bigger ... and beyond the imagination and expectation of the Americans and the British," said Ali al-Qahoum, a high-ranking Houthi official.

Three weeks ago the US launched Operation Prosperity Guardian, a concerted effort to protect international shipping in the Red Sea from Houthi attacks.
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After two months of continual Iran-backed Houthi attacks on commercial vessels, the US and the UK have launched more than 100 strikes against the militant groups positions across western Yemen.

Huge explosions were seen in Yemeni cities including Sanaa and Hodeidah in the early hours of 12 January, with the US military saying 60 strikes were launched against 16 sites linked to the Houthis military operations.

Below, The Independent looks at how the attacks unfolded and what weapons were used in the strikes.

An overview

Lt General Alex Grynkewich, a senior Air Force commander overseeing forces in the Middle East, said in a statement that more than 100 precision-guided munitions were used to hit 60 targets at 16 Houthi locations in Yemen overnight.

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) revealed this morning that the Royal Air Force were responsible for hitting two of those sites.

One was a site at Bani in north-western Yemen used to launch reconnaissance and attack drones, the statement read. A number of buildings involved in drone operations were targeted by our aircraft.

The other location struck by our aircraft was the airfield at Abbs. Intelligence has shown that it has been used to launch both cruise missiles and drones over the Red Sea. Several key targets at the airfield were identified and prosecuted by our aircraft.

What weapons were used?

James Heappey, the UK armed forces minister, revealed this morning that four Royal Air Force Typhoon fighters were used in the attack, supported by two Voyager air-to-air refuelling tanker aircraft.

The single pilot, twin-engine Typhoon jets are a mainstay of the RAF fleet. They fly at speeds of roughly 1,380 miles per hour (Mach 1.8) and as high as 55,000 feet, according to an RAF fact sheet

The Ministry of Defence (M0D) later confirmed that Paveway IV guided bombs had been used in the strikes. A source at RAF Northolt suggested to The Independent that 18 missiles had been used in the attacks.

An RAF fact sheet describes the 227kg warheads, which cost roughly 30,000 each, as having the ability to engage targets in all types of weather with laser guidance for high terminal accuracy.

Gen Alex Grynkewich said the US fired roughly 100 precision-guided missiles, inlcuding Tomahwaks, from warships and submarines in the region.

The US Navys Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAM), worth up to 1.5 million each, are low-flying cruise missiles capable of delivering a 450 kg conventional warhead hundreds of miles inland.

The bulk of the firepower will have come from US jets. The US has an aircraft carrier in the Red Sea, as well as several air bases in the region.

(The Independent/Datawrapper)

How did the attacks happen?

James Heappey, the UK Armed Forces minister, said the four Typhoons took off at 7.30pm on Thursday evening from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. The base is located on the southernmost tip of the island, about 150 miles from the Lebanese capital of Beirut.

Our source said that UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak phoned Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Thursday evening to request clearance for the Typhoons to fly over the eastern Mediterranean.

The crew then flew west of Israel before descending the Red Sea and carrying out strikes on the Houthi positions in western Yemen.

Mr Heappey said this morning that both targets were successfully prosecuted. The four Typhoons and two Voyagers safely returned to RAF Akrotiri at 3am.

Footage released by US and UK showed fighter jets and aircraft taking off from various locations on Thursday evening.

What targets were hit?

Footage released by the UK MoD shows strikes on Houthi positions in Yemen (Ministry of Defence)

Gen Alex Grynkewich said the strikes hit command and control nodes, munitions depots, launching systems, production facilities, and air defence radar systems.

Our map above shows the exact locations of the strikes.

The MoD claimed the strikes had been a success and that particular care had been taken to minimise risk to civilians in the area.

The detailed results of the strikes are being assessed, but early indications are that the Houthis ability to threaten merchant shipping has taken a blow, a statement read.

How have the Houthis reacted?

Houthi leader warns Sunak and Biden: Your involvement will never go unanswered

A Houthi military spokesperson said 73 strikes had killed five of the groups fighters and wounded six others.

These reports have not been confirmed.

Experts have warned that the Houthis are likely to claim the strikes killed civilians as part of its informational war against the US and the UK.

Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi vowed to confront American aggression after the attacks.

Their Iranian backers have also called out the strikes.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said: These attacks are a clear violation of Yemens sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a breach of international laws.

Russia, meanwhile, condmended the strikes and called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Friday to discuss the issue.
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The US and UK have begun airstrikes against Houthi rebel targets in Yemen in response to more than two dozen attacks by the Iran-backed group on commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea, US officials have said.

The strikes on Thursday and the early hours of Friday targeted roughly a dozen sites used by the Houthis in Yemen with warship-launched Tomahawk cruise missiles as well as fighter-launched weapons.

According to a senior Biden administration official, the strikes were aimed specifically to disrupt and degrade Houthi capabilities to threaten global trade and freedom of navigation in one of the worlds most critical waterways.

The official said the targets focused specifically on Houthi missile radar and UAV capabilities, as well as capabilities that are essential to the Houthis campaign against commercial shipping in international waters.

Todays collective action comes against a broad diplomatic backdrop and global condemnation of his ongoing attacks, including the largest attack to date just three days ago, specifically targeting US vessels, the official added.

Journalists located in Yemens capital, Sanaa, heard four explosions early on Friday local time but saw no sign of warplanes.

Two residents of Hodieda, Amin Ali Saleh and Hani Ahmed, said they heard five strong explosions. Hodieda lies on the Red Sea and is the largest port city controlled by the Houthis.

An RAF Typhoon aircraft takes off from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus to join the US-led coalition in conducting air strikes against military targets in Yemen (via REUTERS)

An official from the Houthi movement claimed raids were also conducted on several Yemeni cities in the early hours of Friday,

American-Zionist-British aggression against Yemen launches several raids on the capital, Sanaa, Hodeidah governorate, Saada, and Dhamar, Houthi official Abdul Qader al-Mortada said on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

In a statement, President Joe Biden confirmed the collaborative action by American and British forces, along with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands.

The president vowed to take further measures, if necessary, to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce.

Mr Biden said the strikes were in direct response to what he described as unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Seaincluding the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history.

HMS Diamond in the Red Sea ((LPhot Chris Sellars/MoD/Crown Copyright/PA))

These attacks have endangered U.S. personnel, civilian mariners, and our partners, jeopardized trade, and threatened freedom of navigation, he said.

More than 50 nations have been affected in 27 attacks on international commercial shipping and crews from more than 20 countries have been threatened or taken hostage in acts of piracy, according to Mr Biden.

He added: These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the worlds most critical commercial routes. I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also confirmed the involvement of the Royal Air Force in a statement.

In recent months, the Houthi militia have carried out a series of dangerous and destabilising attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea, threatening UK and other international ships, causing major disruption to a vital trade route and driving up commodity prices. Their reckless actions are risking lives at sea and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, he said.

Despite the repeated warnings from the international community, the Houthis have continued to carry out attacks in the Red Sea, including against UK and US warships just this week, he continued, before adding: This cannot stand.

The strikes marked the first US military response against the Houthis for what has been a persistent campaign of drone and missile attacks on commercial ships since November, following the outbreak of the war in Israel.

The Houthis initially began targeting vessels linked to Israel, but in recent weeks they have broadened their attacks to the point of severely disrupting international commerce on the key route between Europe and Asia that accounts for about 15 per cent of the worlds shipping traffic.

The coordinated military assault comes just a week after the White House and a host of partner nations issued a final warning to the Houthis to cease the attacks or face potential military action.

Despite the warnings, Houthi rebels fired their largest-ever barrage of drones and missiles targeting shipping in the Red Sea on Tuesday, prompting an immediate defensive responses from US and British ships and American fighter jets.

The forces shot down 18 drones, two cruise missiles and an anti-ship missile. On Thursday, the Houthis fired an anti-ship ballistic missile into the Gulf of Aden, which was seen by a commercial ship but did not hit the ship.

The rebels, who have carried out 27 attacks involving dozens of drones and missiles just since 19 November, said on Thursday that any attack by American forces on its sites in Yemen would spark a fierce military response.

The coordinated strikes by the UK and US are believed to be the first the American military has carried out against the Houthis in Yemen since 2016.

Earlier on Thursday Mr Sunak held an emergency cabinet meeting. He had faced calls to recall Parliament after the Cabinet gathered to discuss potential action.

Britains participation in the strikes underscored the Biden administrations effort to use a broad international coalition to battle the Houthis.

More than 20 nations are already participating in a US-led maritime mission to increase ship protection in the Red Sea.

US officials for weeks had declined to signal when international patience would run out and they would strike back at the Houthis, even as multiple commercial vessels were struck by missiles and drones, prompting companies to look at rerouting their ships.

However, on Wednesday, officials again warned of consequences, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken telling reporters: Im not going to telegraph or preview anything that might happen.

Speaking in Bahrain Mr Blinken said the US had made clear that if this continues as it did yesterday, there will be consequences. And Im going to leave it at that.

A senior White House official said President Biden had been deeply engaged in developments leading up to the joint British-American strikes, including having directed the initial diplomatic response and then the formation of Operation Prosperity Guardian as a defensive measure.

After continued attacks over the New Years holiday weekend, Mr Biden met with his national security team on 1 January to discuss options and the way forward, the official said, adding that Mr Biden also directed his team to continue assembling a multinational coalition for potential military action, and to refine the possible targets of such action.

The President directed his team to further develop military options should they be required, but to first issue a final warning statement, together with close partners and allies, the official said.

After the further attacks on Tuesday, the official said Mr Biden convened his team once more and was briefed on military options for a collective response in concert with the multinational coalition.

The official added that Mr Biden approved the strikes at that Tuesday meeting and directed Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin to carry them out.

The Associated Press contributed reporting from Yemen
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Israel has accused South Africa of grossly distorting the facts of the war in Gaza by bringing a genocide case against it to the UNs top court.

South Africa has asked judges from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague to impose measures to halt the conflict immediately, on the basis that Israel has breached the UN Genocide Convention. Lawyers for South Africa had laid out a case alleging a chilling intent ring about "the destruction of the population" of Gaza.

Addressing the 17 ICJ judges in The Hague, Netherlands, Tal Becker, the legal adviser to Israels foreign ministry, described South Africas case as a sweeping counter-factual description of events since 7 October when Hamas launched an attack inside Israel during which 1,200 people were killed and another 240 taken hostage. In response, Israel vowed to eradicate Hamas and launched an aerial bombardment, supported by ground operations and a blockade.

Israel is in a war of defence against Hamas, not against the Palestinian people, to ensure that they do not succeed, Mr Becker said. The key component of genocide, the intent to destroy a people in whole or in part, is totally lacking. If there were acts of genocide, they have been perpetrated against Israel. Hamas seeks genocide against Israel.

More than 23,000 people in Gaza have been killed since then, the majority women and children, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-run territory. South Africa cited that figure in their case. Around 85 per cent of Gazas 2.3 million people have been driven from their homes at least once.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators at The Hague (REUTERS)

Mr Becker said that the appalling suffering of civilians, both Israeli and Palestinian, is first and foremost the result of Hamas' strategy. He accused South Africa of having put before the court a profoundly distorted factual and legal picture, adding that the entirety of its case hinges on a deliberately curated, decontextualised and manipulative description of the reality of current hostilities. Israel says that it takes measures to protect civilians, such as issuing evacuation orders ahead of strike

As Mr Becker spoke, Pro-Palestinian demonstrators with flags marched through The Hague and watched proceedings on a giant screen in front of the Peace Palace. Israeli supporters were holding a separate gathering of family members of hostages taken by Hamas. They set up a table near the court grounds for a Sabbath meal with empty seats, commemorating the hostages still being held. "We want to symbolize the empty chairs, because we are missing them," said Nathan Bouscher from Center for Information and Documentation on Israel.

The Israeli case also focused on the brutality of the Hamas attack, presenting chilling video and audio to a hushed courtroom.

The table marking people who are still being held hostage by Hamas, outside the courtroom at The Hague (ANP/AFP via Getty Images)

"They tortured children in front of parents and parents in front of children, burned people, including infants alive, and systematically raped and mutilated scores of women, men and children," Mr Becker said.

South Africas request for an immediate halt to the Gaza fighting, he said, amounts to an attempt to prevent Israel from defending itself against that assault.

The 1948 Genocide Convention, enacted in the wake of the mass murder of Jews in the Nazi Holocaust, defines genocide as "acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group".

"The scale of destruction in Gaza, the targeting of family homes and civilians, the war being a war on children, all make clear that genocidal intent is both understood and has been put into practice. The articulated intent is the destruction of Palestinian life," a lawyer for South Africa, Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, had said on Thursday  adding that several leading politicians had made dehumanising comments about people in Gaza.

Israeli soldiers take up positions during a ground operation in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip (AP)

British lawyer Malcolm Shaw, part of Israels defence team, rejected that accusation of genocidal intent on Friday and called the remarks Mr Ngcukaitobi referenced "random quotes not in conformity with government policy."

Israel often boycotts international tribunals and UN investigations, saying they are unfair and biased. The hearings are the first time the nation has chosen to defend itself in such a setting.. Lior Haiat, Israels foreign ministry spokesman, told the Israeli public broadcaster on Friday that the country chose to appear at the ICJ because we are not guilty.

A spokesperson for UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Mr Sunak believed South Africas case was completely unjustified and wrong. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken described the case as meritless.

Post-apartheid South Africa has long advocated the Palestinian cause, a relationship forged when the African National Congress' struggle against white-minority rule was supported by Yasser Arafat's Palestine Liberation Organisation.

Israel will be back on the ICJs docket next month when hearings open into a UN request for an advisory opinion on the legality of Israeli policies in the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem.

Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report
 Close Biden and Sunak spoke about Red Sea attacks, Gaza on phone call, according to White House

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Houthi rebels have vowed that the latest round of US and UK strikes against them in Yemen will no go unanswered - as their allies Hamas killed nearly two dozen Israeli soldiers in Gaza.

The US launched their eighth attack on Houthi positions in western Yemen overnight, firing up to 30 munitions. UK defence secretary Grant Shapps said four Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoons were involved in the strikes.

Mohammad Ali al-Houthi, head of the Houthis supreme revolutionary committee wrote on X, after the joint strikes by the US and the UK: Trust well that every operation and every aggression against our country will not be without a response.

It comes as 21 soldiers have been killed in the Gaza Strip in the deadliest attack on Israels forces since the 7 October Hamas raid that triggered the war, the military has said.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu mourned the soldiers but vowed to press ahead with the offensive until "absolute victory" over Hamas was achieved.

The soldiers were killed after a militant fired a rocket-propelled grenade at a tank stationed next to two buildings being prepared for demolition. The area was packed with explosives.
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Watch as thousands take the streets of Yemens capital, Sanaa, to protest in solidarity with Gaza after US and UK strikes on Houthi targets.

The Royal Air Force launched targeted strikes on Thursday 11 January against military facilities used by Houthi rebels, with Rishi Sunak saying the UK will always stand up for freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade.

It marks the first time strikes have been launched against the group since it started targeting international shipping in the Red Sea late last year.

US president Joe Biden said US military forces, backed by the UK and supported by Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands, successfully conducted strikes against a number of targets in Yemen.

The Ministry of Defence said coalition forces identified key facilities involved in Houthi targeting of HMS Diamond and US Navy vessels on Tuesday and agreed to conduct a carefully coordinated strike to reduce the Houthis capability to violate international law in this manner.
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Tensions in the Middle East have risen after Iranian-backed Houthi rebels began striking at ships passing through the Red Sea in November.

Crews extinguished a fire on board a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel on Saturday after it was struck by a Houthi anti-ship missile in the Gulf of Aden, according to commodities trader Trafigura. It is the latest of more than 30 Houthi attacks in the past three months.

The Islamist group claims it is striking the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, which is a narrow strip of sea between Yemen and east Africa that is a key international trade route, in a bid to end Israels air and ground offensive against Hamas.

In retaliation, Britain and the US have launched air strikes across Yemen against Houthi forces.

President Joe Biden, speaking after the first round of strikes, said they were a direct response to an onslaught of attacks on Red Sea ships which jeopardised trade, and threatened freedom of navigation.

Mr Sunak said the action was necessary and proportionate.

About eight hours after the incident involving the Marlin Luanda, the US military destroyed a Houthi anti-ship missile that was aimed into the Red Sea and ready to launch, according to US Central Command.

The missile presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and the US Navy ships in the region, it said.

The Houthis' Al-Masira television also said on Saturday that the United States and Britain launched two airstrikes that targeted the port of Ras Issa, Yemen's main oil export terminal.

But who are Yemens Houthi rebels? How are they linked to the conflict between Israel and Palestine, and why are they attacking western ships now?

Click here for live updates from the latest on the conflict.

The guided-missile destroyer USS Carney intervened to protect commercial ships under attack by Houthi drones (AP)

Its clearly linked to a broader strategy of Iran, which is the main backer of the Houthis, militant jihadist expert Dr Elisabeth Kendall told The Independent.

It is designed to ramp up pressure on Israel, America and other allies to stop the war in Gaza. The Houthis are armed, sponsored and trained by Iran as part of the so-called axis of resistance, Dr Kendall said.

The Houthis, formed in the late 1990s, developed as political-religious Shia movement and launched a series of guerrilla wars against Yemens national army.

The group seized the countrys capital of Sanaa when the Yemen civil war started in 2014, which caused neighbouring Sunni Islam Saudi Arabia to intervene at the head of a western-backed coalition over fears of growing Shia influence on its border. Since then, the civil war is estimated to have killed almost 400,000 people.

The takeover of the capital prompted Saudi Arabia to intervene in a bid to restore the internationally recognised government, which has a Sunni majority. A Saudi and UAE bombing campaign against Houthi targets was launched in 2015 and drew criticism over civilian deaths, leading to calls for the UK to cease arms exports to Saudi Arabia.

The Houthis have developed an arsenal including ballistic missiles and armed drones capable of hitting Israel more than 1,000 miles from Sanaa. The rebels have fired these missiles at Saudi Arabia dozens of times during the Yemen war. In September, the Houthis displayed anti-aircraft Barq-2 missiles, naval missiles, a Mig-29 fighter jet and helicopters for the first time.

Houthi supporters rally to show support for Palestine in Sanaa, Yemen, on 7 October (REUTERS)

Saudi Arabia and the US have accused Iran of fully enabling the rebel group to attack Israel and Western ships in the Red Sea. Iran denies the allegations, and says the Houthis are autonomous.

But experts say the Houthis, along with Gazas Hamas and Lebanons Hezbollah, form part of Irans axis of resistance - a military alliance built over four decades to oppose Israeli and American power in the Middle East.

Baraa Shiban, a Yemeni human rights activist who previously negotaited with the Houthis during failed peace talks in 2014, said it was clear in the decade since those talks that Iran has been supplying the militants with weapons.

You have a situation where the Houthis have had a constant flow of weapons over the course of 10 years, he told The Independent.

Citing a Houthi military parade last September as evidence of this, he said they showcased a wide range of military capabilities.

If you know anything about how the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) operates, he added, referring to the Iranian military, you can see that those missiles and drones are basically mimics of Iranian weapons.

The axis of resistance comprises a group of violent proxies across Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon and Palestine, coordinated by Irans Quds Force, the foreign arm of the IRGC.

The Quds Forces aim is to export Irans 1979 Islamic revolution abroad. The US assassinated the former head of the Quds Force, Qassem Solemaini, in January 2020.

Lebanons Hezbollah, the most powerful group in the axis, boasts 100,000 fighters, has exchanged fire with Israeli forces since Hamas went to war with Israel and more than 70 of its fighters have been killed.

The US also says its troops in Syria and Iraq have been attacked at least 55 times by Iran-backed proxies since Hamass assault on Israel on 7 October.

The war has been viewed as a proxy in a wider conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia as they both seek greater influence across the Middle East.
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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating Boeing over last weeks incident involving an Alaska Airlines plane that resulted in a door plug flying off the aircraft mid-flight at 16,000 feet.

This incident should have never happened and it cannot happen again, the agency wrote in a written statement.

The aim of the probe is to find out if the aeroplane giant completed products in correlation to its design and that they were in a condition of safe operation in compliance with FAA regulations.

The design in question is that of the companys 737 Max 9 model, which has been grounded worldwide after the federal agency pulled the aircraft out of service.

In a letter sent to Boeing Vice President Carole Murray from John Piccola, aviation safety director for integrated certificate management division at the FAA, the agency said the ongoing events, including the discovery by United Airlines and Alaska Airlines that several of their models of the aeroplane had missing bolts, led it to believe that the company may have deemed their products airworthy without ensuring they met safety standards through quality system inspections and tests procedures.

Alaska Airlines has 65 of the planes, while United Airlines operates 79. Hundreds of flight cancellations have happened as a result of the incident, with several more expected into this weekend.

The agency is giving the company 10 days to respond to the letter with the root causes of the encountered conditions, the extent of any immediate or long-term action taken to correct and preclude the issue, and any mitigating circumstances which it believes might be relevant to the case, among other items.

Last week, the US Department of Justice entered an agreement with Boeing to settle a fraud conspiracy charge to the tune of $2.5bn. The government claims the company defrauded the FAA in connection with the agencys evaluation of its 737 Max aeroplane.

At that time, the issue was with the manoeuvring characteristics augmentation system, which impacted the planes flight control system.

The company began developing its Max line around 2011. The aircraft involved in the Alaska Airlines flight was delivered to the airline in October.

In 2018, a Boeing Max 8 jet used by Indonesia-based Lion Air crashed, resulting in the deaths of 189 people. A year later, the same model was used in a flight that killed 157 people.

Boeing is one of the largest aeroplane manufacturers in the world, with its biggest competitor being Airbus, which also specialises in building commercial planes.

The investigation is the second launched against the company in response to the event. The National Transportation Safety Board initiated a probe immediately after the incident occurred.

During a news conference this week, officials said they are still trying to determine if bolts on the door plug, which can double as an emergency exit, were placed in the correct spots or existed at all. Experts say its likely that quality assurance at the company has suffered, resulting in the emergency to take place.

Approximately 171 guests and six crew members were on board the flight when it departed from Portland to California around 5pm. There were four minors and three lap children on the plane. Some of the passengers were left injured by the explosive episode, but were later cleared by medical professionals, Alaska Airlines said in a statement.

Speaking at a town hall on Tuesday. Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun said the company would move forward with the incident with complete transparency and is acknowledging our mistake.

Everything matters. Every detail matters, he told employees.
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Days after part of an Alaska Airlines plane blew off mid-flight, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun blamed the incident on what he called a quality escape.

Were going to want to know what broke down in our gauntlet of inspections, what broke down in the original work, that allowed for that escape to happen, Mr Calhoun told CNBC.

By a quality escape, Mr Calhoun said, he was referring to anything that could potentially contribute to an accident.

A flight leaving Portland, Oregon had to make an emergency landing after part of the plane  known as a door plug or a fuselage plug  flew off, leaving a gaping hole in the side of the aircraft.

No passengers were seated directly next to the hole, and no serious injuries were reported during last Fridays incident.

When Mr Calhoun first saw photos of the damage, he said he was devastated.

A plastic sheet covers an area of the fuselage of the Alaska Airlines N704AL Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft outside a hangar at Portland International Airport on 8 January 2024 in Portland, Oregon. (Getty Images)

I saw the picture everybody saw of the opening, he said. But what I really saw was the empty seat. And I had spent a week with my kids and grandkids, and so enough said. I imagine every human being who would see that understands the severity and the consequence.

In the aftermath of the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration grounded all Boeing 737 Max 9 planes with door plugs pending an investigation. Hundreds of flights have been cancelled as a result.

This incident should have never happened and it cannot happen again, the FAA said in a statement.

The investigation will seek to determine if Boeing failed to ensure completed products conformed to its approved design and were in a condition for safe operation in compliance with FAA regulations.

This investigation is a result of an incident on a Boeing Model 737-9 MAX where it lost a plug type passenger door and additional discrepancies, the FAA said. Boeings manufacturing practices need to comply with the high safety standards theyre legally accountable to meet.

In a statement, Boeing said they deeply regret the impact this event has had on our customers and their passengers and would comply with the FAA investigation.

One passenger on the flight, Elizabeth Le, told NBC News that when the incident occurred, she heard a big bang and then extremely loud wind rushing into the plane.

I just couldnt believe my eyes, she said. Theres a gaping hole. You could see the city and the stars and everything just outside of the window. It was crazy.
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Following the outbreak of violence and the decree of a state of emergency in Ecuador, concerns have been raised over the safety of prospective visitors and foreign nationals currently in the country.

A popular destination with those visiting South America, the nation has been rocked by violence in recent days after the apparent escape of a powerful gang leader from prison.

There have been reports of explosions and the abduction of police officers in cities such as Quevedo and Quito, the capital. On 9 January, gunmen stormed a TV station in the city of Guayaquil, just one day after the president declared a 60-day state of emergency.

Despite reports of increasing unrest, the majority of the country is trying to carry on as usual, with the army drafted in to maintain law and order.

Infrastructure such as airports is largely functioning as normal, while the UK Foreign Office has stopped short of advising against travel to the country. But is it safe to go, and what are your rights if you have a trip booked? Heres what we know so far.

What has happened in Ecuador?

On 8 January, president Daniel Noboa declared a state of emergency in response to what he called transnational organised crime groups, also designating them as terrorist organisations and belligerent non-state actors and recognising an internal armed conflict. He also stated that he has ordered the countrys armed forces to neutralise these groups.

The declaration followed reports of increasing numbers of riots and escapes in the countrys prisons. Notably, 7 January saw the alleged escape of a notorious gang member from his low-security prison cell. Authorities reported that Adolfo Macias, leader of the Los Choneros gang, wasnt in his cell during a transfer between prisons.

Since then there have been reports of explosions and abductions of police officers, with a high-profile incident involving an armed attack on a TV station. Police managed to neutralise the situation, with 13 arrests made and only two injuries.

On 11 January, a nightclub arson in the eastern city of Coca killed two people, while a bomb threat in Quito caused the evacuation of the area around the Playon de la Marin bus station.

What is the latest Foreign Office advice?

Ecuador lies on the west coast of South America, and is a compact country that is far smaller than most on the continent (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Following the state of emergency, the Foreign Office (FCDO) updated its advice in accordance with that of the Ecuadorean Ministry of Tourism. The most recent update on 12 January says that the Ecuadorean Ministry of Tourism is no longer advising tourists to remain in their accommodation, though there is a daily curfew from 11pm to 5am which you should observe.

Exceptions to the curfew include passengers travelling to/from airports who will need to show their passports or ID and their relevant boarding pass or flight booking.

For all airports, only passengers will be allowed to enter the airport, family members and friends will not be allowed into the terminals to drop off or pick up passengers.

The FCDO adds that there has been an increase in the reporting of security incidents throughout the country, especially in Guayaquil and Quito. There have been reports of a series of explosions, shooting, vehicles set on fire and the abduction of police officials and prison security guards.

Travellers are likely to see increased military and police presence around key public buildings, airports and on the streets. This may also include closure of the public buildings, shopping centres and key tourist destinations. You should monitor local media and stay away from areas involving increased security activity.

Despite this additional advice, the FCDO has stopped short of advising against travel to any parts of Ecuador. Only a small section of the country  within 20km of the northern border with Colombia  carries a warning, with visitors advised against all but essential travel to the area, which includes towns like San Lorenzo and Nueva Loja. The warning does not apply to El Angel Ecological Reserve, the Rumichaca border crossing, the Pan-American Highway or the town of Tulcan.

Are flights operating as normal?

While there are no direct flights from the UK, most flights from destinations such as Madrid are operating as usual. Flights from major South American destinations such as Lima and Bogota are running with some cancellations, but domestic flights from airports such as Cuenca, Guayaquil and Quito are currently in operation.

The official Twitter/X accounts of these airport have sent out updates assuring travellers that they are operating as normal.

What if I have booked a holiday to Ecuador?

In theory, upcoming trips should be running as normal, so contact your accommodation, flight or trip provider if you want to postpone. There are currently no grounds for customers to claim the money back through travel insurance; this will change if the FCDO issues a blanket avoid all non-essential travel advisory, as this would enable travellers to cancel their plans for a full refund.

In addition, remember that deliberately travelling to areas where there are travel warnings  in this case the border with Colombia  may invalidate any existing insurance.

If you have booked a package holiday, you may be able to move the dates or cancel for a refund due to the Package Travel Regulations legislation; the trip arguably wont perform as promised if tourists are expected to stay inside their accommodation as per the FCDO advice. Contact your tour operator or travel agent to discuss your options.
A Swiss startup has showcased what they say is the worlds most intelligent cat flap at CES 2024 in Las Vegas.

Flappies device uses artificial intelligence and a built-in camera for its prey detection to stop pets bringing in small animals they may have caught into the house.

It recognises when a cat has brought prey home and temporarily locks the flap.

A companion app allows users to keep track of their pets behaviour and control the flap remotely.

The device is due is set to launch in Europe in spring.
Watch the moment that a bear rescued from an abandoned zoo in Ukraine arrives into his new home at a Scottish zoo on Friday, 12 January.

Yampil is an Asiatic black bear who survived shelling in the Donetsk region, and has now been permanently rehomed to the Five Sisters Zoo in West Lothian, Scotland, finishing a trip of 690 miles.

Brian Curran, owner of Five Sisters Zoo, said: We are so pleased to say that Yampil has arrived here safe and well, and is settling in perfectly in his forever home here with us.

The 12-year-old bear will be watched closely to see if he displays any signs of post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) after experiencing a warzone.
A mother and her baby were pulled from a car after it crashed in a water-filled ditch in Florida last week.

Sheriff's deputies in Flagler County smashed the vehicle's window to rescue the pair on 5 January.

Deputies found a "dazed and bleeding male" outside of the vehicle and an adult female and small child in a car seat were still trapped inside the vehicle, Flagler County Sheriff's Office said.

The infant's head was "barely above water" and the woman was bleeding heavily.

After the rescue, all three of the people were handed over to paramedics, who then took them to hospital.

Florida highway patrol is investigating the crash.
The White House has said it will not "GPS track" cabinet members' locations after it emerged that Joe Biden was unaware of Lloyd Austin's recent hospitalisation for several days.

Responding to a question from The Independent White House correspondent Andrew Feinberg, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said: "Were not going to track the GPS coordinates on somebodys mobile phone in the administration.

Were not going to plant a microchip in their neck like they're a poodle.

The White House and the Pentagon have said they will review why the president and other top officials were kept in the dark about the defence secretary's hospitalisation.
Rishi Sunak is right to launch targeted strikes against Houthi rebel sites in Yemen, shadow defence secretary John Healey has said.

The US and the UK have launched scores of airstrikes against targets linked to the Iran-backed Houthi rebel group, in a coordinated overnight assault using allied aircraft, ships and submarines.

In an interview with Good Morning Britain on Friday (12 January), Mr Healey said: We back this action, it is targeted and it is designed to protect the freedom of shipping in the Red Sea and the basic international principle of freedom of navigation.
Rishi Sunak arrived in Kyiv for a surprise visit to meet Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday 12 January, as the UK announced it will provide 2.5 billion in military aid to Ukraine over the coming year.

It comes as the Ukrainian president presses allies in the West to provide the country with more support to fight back against Russian forces, amid fears that interest in the war is flagging among allies as the conflict drags on.

The crisis in the Middle East as Israel continues to bombard Gaza has also turned global attention away from the battle against Vladimir Putin.
Rishi Sunak says the aim behind the UK and US strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen is to de-escalate tensions and restore stability to the region.

The Prime Minister warned that Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea threaten the economy and have a damaging impact on peoples shopping, during an interview with Sky News on Friday (12 January).

The coordinated strikes killed at least five people, wounded six, and will not go unanswered and unpunished, a Houthi spokesperson warned.
The airstrikes by the US and the UK came after repeated warnings to the Houthis that their attacks on Red Sea shipping would have severe consequences. These had no effect, and 27 vessels have been targeted by the militia in the last two months.

As a result, one of the worlds busiest shipping lanes has become an area of extreme hazard. Global trade declined by 1.3 per cent from November to December. More than 30 per cent of the cargo was diverted around the South African coast, with prices soaring as a result. Freight costs from Asia to northern Europe and North America have more than doubled.

The Houthis appeared to be acting with impunity despite the flotilla of Western warships present in the Gulf. The US continued to forgo launching military strikes over worries that it would lead to the conflict in the Middle East spreading while intensive diplomatic efforts were under way to end the war in Gaza. There were also concerns that an attack would fracture the fragile truce in Yemen  a truce that has been in place since a Saudi-led coalition ended the campaign it was conducting there.
The bank employs 2,500 staff at its European HQ in Dublin

Citigroup, which employs 2,500 staff in Ireland, has said it plans to cut 20,000 jobs, as it posted a $1.8bn (1.64bn) loss in the final quarter of the year.

The move to eliminate the roles in the medium term is set to save the group up to $2.5bn and forms part of chief executive Jane Frasers ongoing overhaul of the bank.

However, it will incur severance costs of up to $1bn during the creation of this new organisational structure, Citi said. The exact timeframe for the planned job cuts was not shared by the bank, which employs more than 230,000 globally.

In January 2023, Citi signed a deal with property group Ronan Group Real Estate (RGRE) for the development of its new European bank headquarters at Waterfront South Central in Dublins north docklands. Citi is set to occupy about 300,000 sqft of the commercial office space at the development.

The company placed its waterfront Dublin office in North Wall Quay on the market in 2022, after 20 years in the building. This location was also purchased by RGRE.

Citibank Europe has been based in Ireland since 1988. Since January 2016, it is Citis single EU-passported bank. Two years ago it had announced plans to add 300 new jobs in Ireland.

The banking giant reported a net loss of $1.8bn in the final quarter of the year following several large charges worth $4.7bn linked to overseas challenges, US regional bank failures and restructuring costs.

In September, Ms Fraser unveiled plans for a corporate reorganisation in order to simplify the banks operating model. The new structure would eliminate layers of management within the organisation, Citi said at the time.

Revenues dropped 3pc to $17.4bn in the period, while expenses jumped 23pc to almost $16bn.

Ms Fraser described the quarter as very disappointing but added the bank had made substantial progress in simplifying internal structures.

"Given how far we are down the path of our simplification and divestures, 2024 will be a turning point as well be able to completely focus on the performance of our five businesses and our transformation, she added.
The pharma giant Bristol Myers Squibb has being given planning permission for a new manufacturing plant for Mulhuddart in Dublin 15 that will employ 300 people when operational.

Fingal County Council granted the permission to the Bristol Myers Squibb entity Swords Laboratories UC, trading as BMS Cruiserath Biologics, to construct a two-storey Sterile Drug Product (SDP) manufacturing building. It will be an expansion of the company's existing operations at the 131.5-acre BMS Cruiserath site in Mulhuddar t, 10.4km north-west of Dublin city centre.

At the end of 2022, Swords Laboratories UC employed 924 people and the most recent accounts show that the firms pre-tax profits increased by 82.5pc to $6.9bn (6.29bn) in that year.

This followed revenues increasing by 27pc to $17.28bn. The firm recorded a post-tax profit of $6bn after incurring a corporation tax charge of $844.78m.

The firm paid out dividends of $4.82bn in 2022 and, underlining the contribution it is making to the local economy, staff costs for that year totalled $141.6m.

In what will represent a major expansion of the BMS Cruiserath operation, documents lodged with the application for the SDP state that during the construction phase, 405 staff are to be employed, rising to 450 at peak periods.

Plans were only lodged for the new plant in November, and the councils grant of planning permission without seeking further information on the scheme allows Bristol Myers Squibb to remain on target to commence construction work in the first quarter of this year.

Planning documentation lodged with the application states that there will be peak construction activity on the project in 2024, with the company aiming to complete construction work in the third quarter of 2025.

The company is anticipating that commissioning will be complete in the first quarter of 2026.

The planning report states that the selection of Ireland as the preferred company for the investment was largely based on the need for additional capacity in the region. It adds that the location of facilities is selected in order to provide the most secure, extensive, reliable and best performing biopharmaceutical manufacturing infrastructure available.

The report concludes: Additionally, Ireland has a skilled workforce, a stable political and regulatory system.
An Bord Pleanalas own inspector had recommended plans for the 186-bedroom hotel be approved

The site at Briarhill, Galway, was earmarked for the country's first carbon net-zero hotel

Plans for a 40m carbon-neutral hotel in Galway have been rejected by the planning appeals board despite the recommendations of its own inspector.

Galway-born Neil Armstrong, who now lives in the UK, had applied for permission for a 186-bedroom hotel at Briarhill in 2020 at the height of the pandemic.

He promised the new hotel would be eco-friendly and the first carbon net-zero hotel in the State.

Mr Armstrong, who jointly runs Comhar Capital in the UK, has also been planning a second hotel in Galway city.

Galway City Council approved plans for the development in 2022, but An Bord Pleanala has ruled on appeal that the project would seriously injure the visual amenities of the local area on the outskirts of the city where the hotel was to be built.

During the appeal, Mr Armstrongs company had argued the new hotel was an opportunity to enhance the area.

The planning watchdogs inspector had recommended that the plan be approved, with 14 conditions.

However, An Bord Pleanala insisted it would be out of character in the outer suburbs of Galway, where the prevailing height of buildings is two to three storeys.

As envisaged, the hotel was to form two interlinked blocks, each of eight storeys.

In over-ruling its own inspectors recommendation that permission be granted, the board said it did not share the inspectors view that exceptional design quality had been demonstrated, due to the mass, scale and form of the proposed development and its relationship with the surrounding area.

The inspector had said: The proposal represents the redevelopment of a vacant urban plot which currently makes little or no contribution to the urban grain of the area. In this context, I consider the redevelopment of the plot is to be welcomed.

The site is served by public transport and is in a part of Galway city that already contains taller hotel buildings and which will continue to evolve as part of the metropolitan area of Galway city.

In an update provided by the inspector to An Bord Pleanala last November on foot of the new Galway City Development plan that came into force last January, he said: I remain satisfied that the proposed development is consistent with the zoning objective and would not result in an incompatible form of development.
Trade union Siptu blasts rescue plan and says it will consider action

Tara Mines plans to cut the number of full-time staff from about 600 to 400

Tara Mines has unveiled a rescue plan to staff that will involve slashing about a third of the 600 jobs at the site and a huge initial reduction in the amount of ore the mine extracts every year.

The mines management have warned that difficult decisions must be made to secure its future.

Trade union Siptu has accused the company of trying to rip up negotiated agreements under a new rescue plan.

Tara Mines, owned by Swedish giant Boliden, is one of the largest zinc mines in the world.

But operations at the mine at Navan in Co Meath have been suspended since last summer after a surge in energy pieces and lower global zinc prices made it unable to continue production without incurring significant losses. Most zinc is used to galvanise steel and demand has been hit by weak construction activity.

It has been costing Boliden about 1m a week to keep the mine under care and maintenance.

But the company has been trying to thrash out a rescue plan to restart operations at the mine on a profitable basis and proposals have now been presented to staff.

To achieve this, we need to better insulate the organisation against deteriorations in market conditions, said Tara Mines general manager Gunnar Nystrom in an update to staff. This will mean that difficult decisions must be made. The unfortunate reality of the situation is that the operation is too dependent on external market factors, and we must make significant changes to the way we work to reopen on a sustainable basis.

It is understood that a consequence of the proposals will be the necessity to retrain and redeploy many people, he added. Details around this will evolve as the negotiations continue and we get a better appreciation of applications for voluntary severance. The proposals we have put forward represents our best endeavour at establishing sustainable mining operations at Tara.

It is understood that a consequence of the proposals will be the necessity to retrain and redeploy many people

The mine employed about 600 people before it went into care and maintenance. The company envisages that under its proposals, it will employ about 400 full-time staff if the rescue plan is adopted and the mine reopens.

It is clear the company is intent on attempting to rip up negotiated agreements and downgrade the hard-fought-for terms and conditions of employment of our members, said Siptu TEAC division organiser Adrian Kane.

He added: In doing this, it is reneging on an absolute commitment it made to the 650 workers directly employed at Tara Mines that they would return to work with their full terms and conditions of employment intact.

This is not a situation we will accept, said Mr Kane. We must now consider all options, including industrial action, to protect our members livelihoods and the wider economy of Meath and beyond.

This is not a situation we will accept

The company wants a new style company union agreement as well as a pause in pay rises during 2024. A performance management process would also be introduced, as well as compulsory redeployment and retaining policies.

The company also wants the acceptance and implementation of all new technology to take place in a timely manner, a drug and alcohol policy, better management of annual leave and a revised sick pay scheme.

The company has told workers that the facility is one of the most expensive zinc mines in the world to operate.

One Tuesday this week, the mines management team attended the Workplace Relations Commission for discussions with the group of unions.

The discussion and presentation of information regarding the rescue plan was constructive, Mr Nystrom told staff.

Given that market conditions have not significantly changed, we are now proposing a rescue plan to enable an earlier reopening of the mine and allow it to remain open, he added. We want to protect existing levels of basic pay and in arriving at the rescue plan we have sought, insofar as possible, to protect current basic rates and conditions of employment.
Our technology editor Adrian Weckler answers your trickiest tech questions

My TV bill with Virgin is well over 100 per month. My son told me I should ring them and ask for a better rate. Are there any other alternatives I should be looking out for?

 William Murphy

Answer

Your son is right insofar as the main pay-TV companies  Sky and Virgin  dont want you to leave and will generally knock a few quid off your monthly bill if you ring them to say youre considering taking up an offer from a rival.

As to your question about alternatives, there is increasing competition in the TV market, although only really when you also buy it with broadband.

The latest is Vodafones new TV Play package, which costs 65 a month for access to over 100 TV stations and streaming apps such as Netflix and Disney Plus (which require separate subscriptions, as well as high-end fibre broadband of 500Mbs.

That compares to standard pricing of over 100 from both Sky and Virgin.

So over a three-year period, youll save about 700 compared to a similar service from Sky or Virgin; over five years, that rises to a saving of around 1,600.

Of course, the saving will be less if you ring up Virgin and tell them youre considering the Vodafone service  you may well get 20 or more off your monthly bill.

The Vodafone service, called TV Play, includes an all-in-one box with built-in speakers. The speaker output from the Sagem-built box is on par with a large budget separate soundbar.

This is an advantage over almost every other regular TV service out there.

However, you cant record either BBC or RTE on Vodafone TV Play due to the absence of the appropriate licensing agreement between Vodafone and those broadcasters. So if you like recording Match of the Day or Fair City, thats a disadvantage.

The new Vodafone option gives access to the usual TV channels, as well as streaming platforms such as Netflix and Disney Plus and Skys Now.

While 65 is the basic package price, an additional 5 per month gets access to Sky Atlantic. Access to Sky Sport channels costs 30 extra a month.

The 4K box also has Google Assistant and Chromecast built-in capabilities.

It will only work on broadband that is at least 20Mbs, which is the majority of connections these days. Customers dont need fibre-to-the-home broadband, but Vodafone doesnt include the service with mobile broadband packages.

Alternatives to pay TV include Saorview, which shows the Irish television stations, although an old-fashioned aerial is required for it to work.

Email your questions to aweckler@independent.ie
The tech giant is one of several multinationals currently letting people go at a global level in a series of reorganisation pushes

Googles latest round of job cuts is unlikely to significantly impact the companys Irish office, the Irish Independent understands.

The tech giant, which employs almost 9,000 people in Dublin, over half of whom are staff, is set to let hundreds of people go globally from its digital assistant, hardware and engineering divisions.

Multinationals planning redundancies in Ireland are typically required to notify the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the proposed number of layoffs is over 30.

The Department has not received a collective redundancy notification in relation to potential redundancies at Google, a spokesperson for the Department said.

A spokesperson for Google said: "Were responsibly investing in our company's biggest priorities and the significant opportunities ahead. To best position us for these opportunities, throughout the second half of 2023 a number of our teams made changes to become more efficient and work better, and to align their resources to their biggest product priorities.

"Some teams are continuing to make these kinds of organisational changes, which include some role eliminations globally. Any proposed organisational team changes are subject to local regulations and processes. Were continuing to support any impacted employees as they look for new roles here at Google and beyond."

The Google cuts come as the company seeks to reorganise its activities for 2024. It is under pressure from rivals such as Microsoft and OpenAI in the artificial intelligence sector.

Its hardware division is responsible for products such as Pixel smartphones, Fitbit watches and Google smart speakers. Fitbit co-founders James Park and Eric Friedman are leaving as part of the departures, four years after Google paid $2.1bn (1.9bn) for the fitness-tracking firm.

In the US, where employment protection law is weaker than in the EU, some Google executives found out about their sacking when they lost access to company email and other corporate systems.

Google has been known to heavily invest in new products as it seeks to branch out from its core search business, but often cuts back when new ideas struggle. Sales of its Pixel phones have been increasing in recent years, although sales of Fitbits are believed to have fallen.

Several tech companies have launched rounds of redundancies in January, including Instagram, which is laying off dozens of managers. Amazon told staff this week it is planning to cut hundreds of jobs in its Prime Video and studios businesses as well as in Twitch, the video-streaming service it owns.

Unity, a games developer, has also announced plans to reduce staff numbers by up to 25pc, a move that affects 1,800 employees.

(Additional reporting from The Telegraph)
Should we make the super-rich live more like Chuck Feeney and cut off their wealth at 11m?

A universal limit on wealth would depend on a lot more billionaires thinking like Chuck Feeney. Dont bank on that happening

The Occupy movement which started in Wall Street New York spread to cities across the world, including Dublin. Photo: Mark Condren

Roisin Lanigan Fri 12 Jan 2024 at 03:30







In September 2011, a group of left-wing activists descended on Wall Street, intending to take back what they said was rightfully theirs  rightfully ours. The Occupy movement captivated the world and inspired copycat sit-ins and rallies in financial districts of cities across Europe, including Dublin. But theres one thing we missed. When we were focusing on the 99pc, who was thinking about the 1pc? Because, although we may not remember, they were there too, among the protesters. A small number of a small number of the super-rich took to the streets, agreeing with the 99pc and advocating a nascent form of what philosopher and economist Ingrid Robeyns calls limitarianism.
Conan O'Brien reveals where his great-grandfather lived in Limerick before he emigrated to the US in the late 1870s

Legendary US chat show host Conan OBrien was full of praise for Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty as he stopped by in Montrose tonight while tracing his Irish roots.

Youre killing it  youre doing a great job, Conan told Kielty of his role as host, while he also described a meeting with former host Gay Byrne as a special moment. OBrien met Byrne at the US Ambassadors residence in a past visit to Ireland.

"Ive been watching clips of you all week and I am filled with rage and envy after them, OBrien said to Kielty.

The Massachusetts native is in Ireland to trace his ancestral roots all the way to Galbally in Co Limerick  the village of current hurling manager John Kiely. He said visiting the exact family plot was an emotional moment for him, where his great grandfather farmed at the foot of the Galtee mountains before moving to the US and settling near Boston in the 1870s.

"Its emotional, you know, to go back there and see the exact plot, the Galtees in the background, where my great grandfather farmed, Conan said.

On his journey to Limerick from Dublin, Conan stopped off in what he described as the greatest ever tribute to a US President  Barack Obama Plaza. And as an appreciation for his visit, he was also surprised by the renaming of the Conan OBrien Air Pump. I get 15pc of all sales  I get a piece. Im not an idiot, Conan joked.

Asked about his Irish ancestry, Conan said he did a genealogy test two years ago and it came back 100pc Irish.

"I did a DNA test a couple of years ago. And the doctor said, I've got interesting news for you. He said you're 100pc Irish. And my people came over in the 1870s, moved to central Massachusetts and just lived in a very small town.

"So I said, Is this good news that I'm 100pc? and he said: I don't know. I think you're inbred. I think that's a lot. 100pc is a lot, Conan said.

"I came here and I met people in Dublin and they tell me they have a little bit of Spanish and a little bit of this or that, but still after all this time, Im 100pc Irish.

True to his Gaelic roots, Conan will feature in an upcoming episode of long-running TG4 soap Ros na Run. He said the cast and crew helped him learn Irish phonetically as he doesnt speak any of the language. Its like ye took a load of consonants, threw them in a blender and then put them on a page, Conan joked.

He said the challenge was a difficult but rewarding one, while full of praise for the programme.
In the past, farmers' fear of not growing enough grass outweighed any actions that benefitted water quality, according to Nuffield Scholar Aoife Feeney.

Speaking with the Farming Independent, the 2022 Scholar said that concerns around water quality "Just wasn't the forefront problem in farmers' minds.

"They'd throw out that extra bit of fertiliser or spread that extra bit of slurry, or go out on a wet day, whatever it may be because they have to grow grass.

"I can completely resonate with that, especially after the drought of 2018 and the fodder crisis of 2013. I can understand the mindset behind the farmer."

Aoife's Nuffield topic focused on 'Identifying key methods to influence behaviour change at farm level to improve water quality'.

Having previously managed the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP) for four years on behalf of Carbery, Aoife aimed to identify the behavioural aspects of farmers who prioritise water quality.

"The farmer-led approach in New Zealand was brilliant. They are doing what we're doing in Ireland in terms of the ASAP programme, but it's completely led by the farmers," she continued.

"When it's farmer-led, there's more peer pressure to actually put in the action.

"The head of the [New Zealand] programme, Donna Cram, said, 'We figured out that 10 farmers taking one action is far better than one farmer taking 10 actions' because of how water quality can be affected in a nitrate draining catchment and it's the exact same for her.

"I remember working in a catchment where there were 14 farmers and 13 got involved. The one outlier who hadn't got involved in the ASSAP programme, and water quality hadn't changed at all because of the impact that one particular farm had on the monitoring point."

Aoife also identified other driving factors such as cost, convenience, and time, citing a reduction in the use of chemical fertilisers by Irish farmers due to high prices in recent years.

"I don't think enough urgency was put on the need for action a couple of years back when it should have been and that was down to the industry, in general, didn't want to scaremonger farmers because they were being hit by so many other things like carbon emissions," Aoife said.

"At the end of the day, when we don't explain the policy clearly, and we don't give them [farmers] the facts, then they can't make the decision."

Currently working as an Agricultural Policy Officer for the Embassy of the Netherlands in Dublin, Aoife works on bilateral communication on agricultural policy and trade.

"The thing with water quality is you have to act years in advance because there's a lag time before you see benefits," she continued.

"The 220 kg [N/ha limit], I don't think that's going to be the silver bullet to cure our water quality programme. Even if we lost the derogation, we could still have a water quality problem because it's not about the animal numbers as such. It's about the management of nutrients.

"A big problem is also the contractors. I think that probably doesn't get enough recognition If you have a tank that's fairly full, and you need to spread it before the deadline, and the weather is not appropriate, but your contract says I can only come Wednesday and it's raining, you're going to take it."

Aoife raises concerns that many contractors may not have appropriate training when it comes to observing buffer zones.

"I think there's more training and explanation of policy needed to not just farmers but to contractors in the industry as well because I genuinely believe that's probably a bigger problem that's never spoken about," she said.

"Most contractors that own their business know the rules, but how many of their employees are appropriately trained? If there was a certification or something they can get I think that would have a huge impact."
Academic staff at the countrys technological universities (TUs) are to be balloted for industrial action which could see lecturers striking over a dispute with the Department of Higher Education.

The Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) said it will ballot more than 4,600 members in the TU sector next week over what it describes as non-adherence by management to a collective agreement which concerned the establishment of TUs.

In 2017, TUI members in the sector voted to accept the collective agreement but the unions leadership now says the Department has deliberately and consistently frustrated the proper functioning of industrial relations mechanisms at third level.

The union said the agreement provided for retention of the sector and for prior meaningful communication, consultation and negotiation with the TUI on relevant matters.

It said the deal also specifically provides for a national review of lecturing.

TUI president David Waters accused the department of a cynical attempt to dismantle the sector by not adhering to the agreement.

He said there was an attempt to force through a desire to have each TU free to operate separately, without regard or recourse to national negotiation.

There must be parity of esteem across the sector and in this regard any regional variations in terms of pay and conditions are unacceptable, he said.

Mr Waters said the TUI is determined that the TU sector will continue to have nationally agreed terms and conditions for all the grades represented by the union as well as any proposed new grades.

Results of the ballot on industrial action, up to and including strike action, are expected next week.

The Department of Higher Education has been contacted for comment.
Revealed: Peak pollution times in Irish homes when air quality is worse than outside

Dublin homes have some of the worst indoor air quality detected in data gathered from 83 countries and cities with indoor pollution that is often worse than outside.

The main problem is pollution from volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the chemicals released from gas cooking, solid fuel burning, cleaning products, toiletries, paints, adhesives and many other household items and activities.

Dublin homes had the 11th highest levels of VOCs out of 44 cities. They had higher concentrations than larger and more densely-packed places such as Shenzhen, Tokyo, Manila, Hong Kong and Seoul, as well as closer neighbours including London, Paris and Amsterdam.

VOCs can cause short-term eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches and nausea. They can also cause more serious conditions such as damage to the liver, kidneys and central nervous system, while some have been linked to cancer.

Pollution from particulate matter (PM2.5)  minute pieces of ash, dust and other substances that cause respiratory illness  was also detected at worrying levels

Although overall Ireland was among the top one-third of countries with comparatively low levels of PM2.5, it still breached World Health Organisation (WHO) limits.

Dublin levels were higher than the country as a whole, with twice the WHO limits of PM2.5 on average over the year and 2.5 times in January.

A striking finding was that nearly all homes had air quality that was worse indoors than outdoors, with the gap in Ireland most apparent in December and March.

The hours between 7pm and 11pm were peak pollution times in Irish homes.

The data was gathered by electronics firm Dyson from 2.5 million air purifiers installed around the world.

These units were connected to an app to monitor real-time air quality in each home and feed the information back to the company for analysis.

Half-a-trillion readings taken in 2022 and 2023 were analysed for the report.

Hugh Montgomery, professor of intensive care medicine at University College London and scientific adviser to Dyson, said the findings provided important information.

We think of air pollution as being an outdoor or roadside problem, he said.

These findings give us a valuable insight into the real pollution levels in homes, helping us to understand the patterns of pollution daily, monthly and seasonally. Understanding the pollution around us is the first step to reducing our exposure.

Many parts of Ireland experienced an outdoor air pollution spike last weekend and early this week. The cold spell saw householders light more fires and crank up fossil-fuel heating systems, which that led to PM2.5 levels spiralling.

The problem was exacerbated by still conditions with little wind to clear the air.

While much indoor air pollution is generated from indoor sources, outdoor pollution can also make its way inside homes through vents and windows.

Last year, the Government published a new National Clean Air Strategy, but it does not include measures to improve indoor air quality.

It does, however, acknowledge a relationship between indoor and outdoor air pollution and states an intention to ensure coherency of messaging and information on both.
Tributes have been paid to Belfast man Robert McCorkindale after his death just a year after the loss of his daughter Stella-Lily to Step A infection.

Robert died on Monday, January 8  his 38th birthday.

It comes after his daughter, five-year-old Stella-Lily, became unwell in December 2022 and was taken to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. She was treated in intensive care but died on December 5.

Roberts funeral will take place next week.

On social media, Newhill FC said: "Newhill FC are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Robert McCorkindale.

"Roberts passing comes not long after the first anniversary of his daughter, Stella-Lilly. Our club offer our thoughts and prayers to his family and community, as well as Taylor, his family and our girls academy. RIP Robert."

Stella-Lily McCorkindale

The Shankill Somme Association said: "It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of one of our newest members, Robert McCorkindale. Robert joined the 1st Shankill Somme Association in 2023 and quickly became an integral part of our Somme family.

"His enthusiasm and dedication were evident to all, making him a well-liked and keen member of our association.

"Robert's absence leaves a profound void within our community, and he will be sorely missed by all members. At this very sad time, our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies extend to the McCorkindale family.

"May they find comfort in the knowledge that Robert's memory and contributions to our association will always be cherished and remembered. Lest We Forget."

Mourners at the funeral of Stella-Lily McCorkindale

Robert's death notice describes him as a devoted daddy to his late daughter and the beloved son of Lorraine and the late Roy and cherished brother of Cheryl and Daniel.

His funeral service will be held from his mothers home on Tuesday, January 16 at 10.30am and afterwards to Roselawn Crematorium for 12 noon.

Family flowers only are requested. "Will be sadly missed by his loving family circle," the notice continues.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 12th January 2024

In an interview with the Belfast Telegraph following his daughter's death, Robert said Stella-Lily was his blue-eyed girl.

"We were best mates, we werent just father and daughter, we were everything to each other," he said.

He hit out at the emergency department for sending his daughter home with advice to drink Lucozade Sport. The Belfast Trust later said they were reviewing the care Stella-Lily received and said they would meet with the family.
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
Kinahan cartel chief Mr Nobody admits helping gang murder Noel Duck Egg Kirwan

Mr Kirwan (62) was shot six times as he sat in his car on December 22, 2016 at St Ronan's Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22

Declan Mr Nobody Brady, has pleaded guilty to facilitating a criminal organisation in the murder of Noel Duck Egg Kirwan

Eoin Reynolds Fri 12 Jan 2024 at 15:11







A senior member of the Kinahan cartel, Declan Mr Nobody Brady, has pleaded guilty to facilitating a criminal organisation in the murder of Noel Duck Egg Kirwan, an innocent man who had no involvement in crime.
UP to two dozen people have appeared in court after being arrested under a garda crackdown on burglaries and associated crime in north Dublin.
The Farmers Alliance will become the 29th political party after a 21-day appeal period (PA)

The Farmers Alliance is to have its application to become a political party in Ireland approved.

It means the party will be able to stand candidates in Irelands Dail, local and European Parliament elections.

The group will only become Irelands 29th political party after a 21-day appeal period lapses or after the outcome of any appeals.

The Electoral Commissions chief executive Art OLeary is to approve the new partys application, as Irelands Registrar of Political Parties.

The formal notification published on Friday in the official Irish State gazette, Iris Oifigiuil, lists the partys address in Redcastle, Co Donegal.
A total of 32 people have been charged with 70 offences following a garda operation in north Dublin.

The offences include burglary and possession of stolen property.

Gardai across the Dublin Metropolitan Region North Division made 34 arrests following an operation conducted as part of Operation Thor in north Dublin.

Of the 34 persons arrested, 30 are male and four are female.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 12th January 2024

Gardai have charged 32 people with a total of 70 offences including offences for burglary and possession of stolen property.

Of those arrested, 24 individuals are due to appear before Dublin District Courts this morning, Friday, 12.

Two people remain in Garda custody at this time and eight people have already appeared before the courts.
Taoiseach has real fear a person could get killed in arson attacks on migrant accommodation centres

No Ukrainian refugees will be sent home until Russias war is over, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said.

Mr Varadkar also expects the EU will extend the temporary protection status offered to refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine.

The Temporary Protection Directive allows Ukrainian refugees to get accommodation and welfare in the EU and has already been extended. It is set to expire on March 4, 2025. While the directive cannot be extended again, the EU may choose to come up with new provisions for Ukrainian refugees.

However, Mr Varadkar said no refugees will be sent back to Ukraine from Ireland while the war rages on.

To be honest, I cant envisage us being in a position to do so until the war is over, he said.

I cant envision sending anybody back to Ukraine until it is safe and anyone can see its not safe. Obviously, there are some parts of the country where the war is raging every day, there are other parts of the country where theyre subject to intermittent rocket attacks.

We do have a very clear policy in this country and its that we have to prioritise families

But I dont think its true to say that theres any part of Ukraine that is safe enough to send people back to.

Around 20,000 Ukrainians have returned home and Ireland has welcomed over 100,000 refugees.

Thats a very different thing than sending somebody back to Ukraine, said the Taoiseach.

He said the same rules for taking in Ukrainian refugees should be in place in every one of the 27 member states.

That wouldnt really work for anyone, is having different rules in different countries in relation to Ukraine, Mr Varadkar said.

A decision will have to be made on whether or not we extend the temporary protection. I anticipate we will and I would be of the view that for as long as this war is raging, the EU should continue to allow people from Ukraine to take refuge in our countries and we should try and stick together as 27.

The Taoiseachs comments come after Mary Lou McDonald said Ukrainians who do not have critical jobs should not be automatically allowed to stay in Ireland once the EU directive expires.

The Sinn Fein leader told the Irish Daily Mail: You have to differentiate between who wish to go home and those who wish to stay, in comments viewed as a hardening of party policy on immigration.

Ireland has welcomed more than 101,200 arrivals from Ukraine with 74,500 people currently living in state accommodation and 57,000 in fully serviced accommodation. Many of these receive further social welfare. Over 16,000 are currently working.

The Government earlier this week signed off on laws which will cut welfare and housing supports for any new Ukrainian refugees.

Instead of 232 a week, new arrivals will get 38.80 a week and be given only 90 days state accommodation.

Around 500 Ukrainians arrive in Ireland each week. 

Theres no part of Ukraine that is safe enough to send people back to

Justice Minister Helen McEntee yesterday denied the Government had reversed plans to house male asylum-seekers in Ballinrobe and Carlow in the face of protests. Ministers Paschal Donohoe and Simon Harris also denied that U-turns over housing large numbers of single males were encouraging further protests countrywide.

Ms McEntee said providing accommodation for women and families was the first priority, with the result that male international protection applicants were sometimes left without a place.

On Monday, the Department of Integration scrapped plans to house 50 male asylum-seekers at a former hotel in Co Mayo. Days later, the department similarly reversed a plan to house 50 male international protection applicants in Co Carlow.

Speaking yesterday afternoon, Further and Higher Education Minister Mr Harris said: We do have a very clear policy in this country and its that we have to prioritise families.

Around 500 Ukrainians arrive in Ireland each week.

We have an obligation to provide accommodation and shelter to anyone who comes to the country. But we prioritise in the first instance families  mothers and their children. And thats what were continuing to do.

Mr Harris and Public Expenditure Minister Mr Donohoe agreed the problem was very difficult, and said they were awaiting proposals from Integration Minister Roderic OGorman on at least three new reception centres, which are expected to be located in cities.

Meanwhile, asked about arson attacks on buildings marked for asylum-seekers, Ms McEntee said she was confident those responsible would be arrested.

There have been no arrests for suspected arson attacks at such centres dating back several years.

Mr Donohoe said that he was reassured by the seriousness with which gardai were treating issues, including attacks on buildings.

Speaking on RTEs News at One, Mr Donohoe said Ireland will continue to respond to the challenges of accommodation, prioritising women and children but that we will need to continue to provide that accommodation for single men and more of it in time ahead.
Room at the inn but nobody home: divisions over two hotels set to become asylum centres

A year of protests in a small Cavan town may have come to an end but tensions remain, reports Kim Bielenberg, while John Meagher hears the accusations, anxieties and hopes swirling around similar proposed accommodation in Leitrim

Locals in Cootehill expecting White Horse Hotel to accommodate refugees

Kim Bielenberg and John Meagher Fri 12 Jan 2024 at 03:30

The bitterly cold winter weather has coincided with an accommodation crisis for asylum seekers looking for international protection in Ireland, and for refugees who continue to arrive from Ukraine.
Sean O'Sullivan from Colaiste Chiarain in Co Limerick has been announced as the overall winner of the 60th BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition.

Sean (17) was announced as the winner at an awards ceremony held at Dublin's RDS on Friday evening.

His project, 'VerifyMe: A new approach to authors attribution in the post-ChatGPT era', looked at how academia and industry can discern "true" human writing from that of language models like ChatGPT.

It was praised by the competition's judges for its innovative approach and Sean's programming skills.

He was presented their trophy by Education Minister Norma Foley and BT Ireland managing director Shay Walsh.

Sean was crowned overall winner from a field of 550 projects from more than 1,100 students representing 219 different schools across the country.

He will now go on to represent Ireland at the EU Contests for Young Scientists in Katowice, Poland in September.

Minister for Education Norma Foley congratulated Sean: I would like to sincerely congratulate Sean OSullivan from Colaiste Chiarain, Limerick, on winning the hugely prestigious top prize in the 2024 BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition. Being awarded this prize is a tremendous achievement, given the extremely high standard of entries presented. It is testament to Seans hard work and dedication to his chosen field of research, and to the unwavering support of his family, teachers and school.

In this 60th year of the exhibition, significant credit must go to founders Dr Tony Scott and Fr Tom Burke who had the vision and determination to establish this event in Ireland back in 1963 and to all of those who have nurtured and celebrated scientific research in our school communities in the years since. The BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition continues to demonstrate the breadth of whats possible in our world when open and inquiring minds ask questions and explore new opportunities and solutions.

Meeting students exhibiting projects this week and witnessing the innovation, creativity and attention to detail which they have applied to research on a wide range of subject matters has been a great honour. This years exhibition saw the highest number of projects entered in seven years, with over 2,000 projects submitted by over 4,000 students from schools across the island of Ireland. Well done to everyone who presented entries and to all of those who contributed in any way to making this another hugely successful year of the event. Our thanks also to BT for their dedication to supporting and empowering students along the way to the momentous occasion of showcasing their own scientific research at the exhibition, Minister Foley said.

More to follow..
Chinese Premier Li Qiang is set to visit Ireland next week over January 16 and 17 with gardai announcing a number traffic management measures.

The officials visit will be concentrated in the Dublin area including the Phoenix Park and south Dublin.

A statement from gardai said: Traffic restrictions for the visit will be kept to the minimum required and it is intended that any impact on the public will be localised and minimal.

Where necessary further specific details on local road closures and traffic diversions will be published in advance of the visit.

The Chinese Premier will arrive and depart at Dublin Airport.

"Normal operations will continue at Dublin Airport at all times, however travelling members of the public should allow additional time to arrive at the airport due to possible rolling road closures, in particular on the evening of the 16th and afternoon of the 17th January 2024.

Gardai confirmed that a number of traffic management measures will be put in place, due to security concerns.

The Phoenix Park will be closed to all access, traffic and pedestrians, from 7pm on Tuesday to 7pm on Wednesday.

Arrangements will be in place for access for residents, staff and stakeholders through the Chapelizod Gate (Exit from Chapelizod Gate) and the Cabra Gate (Exit via North Circular Road Gate).

An Garda Siochana are working to ensure that the nature and scale of our policing and security operation continues to be proportionate to the need to protect everyones safety, said Gardai.

Our objective is to continue to share as much information with the public where necessary as soon as we are in a position to do so.

We would ask members of the public to heed the advice and instructions of Gardai and we thank them for their continuing co-operation.

Gardai have and continue to liaise with business and local residents in the key locations and will continue to communicate directly with them during the visit.

In general the public, in the areas affected, is advised to plan their day, leave extra time for their journeys and to expect some localised delays.
Katja Mia hosts music show 'Uprising' and is on 'Dancing With The Stars'. Photo: Miguel Ruiz

Television presenter and Dancing With The Stars contestant Katja Mia has said the opportunity to host a new star-studded show was a chance to prove to trolls she is more than just a diversity hire.

Her new Virgin Media One music show, Uprising, will be broadcast Friday at 9pm.

This is a way to knock away the haters. You do have to have self-belief, the model and influencer said.

I get the same, Oh, youre the diversity hire. These are TikTok trolls and Instagram trolls.

To be honest, I used to believe that for a small period, but then I remember Im doing other shows, especially Uprising. It was such a big thing for me because its a way that I can prove myself again. Im still standing here. Im still going, Im still presenting. Im getting on to new shows as well. Its a testament to how I am on screen and how much I love to do it.

Mia (27), who has had stints presenting Ireland AM and co-hosts Virgin Medias Six OClock Show with Brian Dowling, is currently being put through her paces on RTEs Dancing With The Stars.

She said she was starstruck when she met fellow competitor Eileen Dunne, the retired RTE newscaster, during rehearsals.

The one person I was starstruck by was Eileen, because shes just iconic, she said.

I was like, Oh, my God. So excited to meet you. Youre so amazing, and she goes, Thank you.

Shes so poised. And I was like, OK. You need to calm yourself down.

Putting on her dancing shoes for the show has been all-consuming.

Ive been dreaming of my dance. Its actually so scary, Mia said.

Although she has no problem with mastering the intricate steps, it is the technique that she is most concerned about.

Picking up the steps is fine with the rhythm, but with the technique its pointing your leg that way, being flexible, which Im not, she said.

Its all of those things that people are actually going to mark you on that will scare me.

Mia said Wild Youths David Whelan and his dance partner Miriam Mullins were her biggest competitors.

David, he can swing. Hes got rhythm. He has that stage presence naturally already, she said.

It means a hectic schedule for the presenter from Blanchardstown, Dublin, who is now juggling Uprising and dance rehearsals.

For the music show, she will interview some of Irelands biggest stars such as Hozier and Imelda May.

My first interview of the shooting day was with Imelda and I had to catch my breath sometimes because shes so gorgeous and so talented. She was almost telling me to calm down, she said.

Presenting on her own is a milestone for the woman, who said it was a goal she wanted to achieve.

It was a big challenge for me personally as a presenter in my own journey. But at the same time, being a lover of music, this almost feels like the perfect marriage.
A fire recently damaged the Shipwright pub in Ringsend, which was due to be used as accommodation for asylum-seekers. Photo: Arthur Carron

In 2024, Ireland once again has its very own group of homegrown terrorists. They lurk in the shadows and hide behind computer screens as they spout bile online before setting light to buildings or encouraging others to spark the flame.
A demonstrator outside the South African embassy in Tunis, Tunisia, carries a balloon during a protest yesterday as judges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) hear a request for emergency measures to order Israel to stop its military actions in Gaza. Photo: Reuters

Adestruction, an annihilation that only man can provoke, only man can prevent, wrote Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel. His words cut to the heart of the tragedy we are witnessing graphically and horrifically on a daily basis in Gaza.

As Israel finds itself hauled before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, accused of genocide, the people of the besieged enclave may pay little heed to proceedings.

South Africa has taken the case, hoping the UNs top court will order an emergency suspension of the onslaught in the Palestinian territory.

According to The Wall Street Journal, by mid-December 29,000 bombs, munitions and shells had been dropped on the strip by the Israel Defence Forces. It is believed up to 30,000 Palestinians have been killed, with so many bodies buried under rubble that precise figures are hard to pin down.

Adjudicating on whether it is genocide is something that will take much interrogating, but as noted by Irish lawyer Blinne Ni Ghralaigh, who is arguing the case, the horrors are being live-streamed around the world in real time.

All right-minded people want it to stop now. Returning to the words of Mr Wiesel, this annihilation can be stopped. If it was man-made, it can be unmade.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has again appealed to Tel Aviv to protect Palestinian civilians. President Joe Biden has made numerous similar calls.

The United States, as Israels staunchest ally, ought to be able to insist on restraint. Yet the bombardment continues and the deaths of women and children run into the thousands.

That Hamas lit the fuse is beyond dispute, and the barbarity of the October 7 massacre will not be forgotten. Yet the bloodshed that has followed and the indiscriminate and relentless attacks on Palestinians have shocked the world and they need to stop now.

Bodies such as the ICJ have no enforcement powers, but as a focal point for a global rules-based order, the court carries enormous symbolism as a repository of international judicial integrity.

It could be years before a ruling can be made on the question of genocide, but the court has the ability to issue emergency orders.

In one of the worlds most densely populated areas, 2.3 million people have been blasted out of their homes, water has been cut off and the UN has warned of the potential for famine and the spread of disease.

Nothing will stop the suffering, except an order from this court, said Adila Hassim, advocate of South Africa. As already stated the legal arguments will be protracted, but on humanitarian and compassionate grounds the case for an immediate ceasefire is overwhelming. Israel has a right to target Hamas. Holding an entire population to account cannot be permitted.

Israel, Gaza and the Middle East cry out for peace and stability. Only a just solution can yield either, and this will not be found through the barrel of a gun or the shrapnel of a bomb.
Protest at JJ Gannons Hotel in Ballinrobe, Co Mayo was stood down yesterday.

In recent weeks we have seen further arson attacks on accommodation centres, inner party revolt from local politicians and a lucky escape for 14 migrants found in a shipping container in Rosslare harbour.

As stories on immigration continue to occupy the headlines and political discussion, the debate is only likely to get more divisive.

On todays The Indo Daily, Kevin Doyle is joined by The Irish Independents Political Editor Philip Ryan, as they look at the ongoing crisis, and its potential to shape this year's upcoming elections.
Chloe Martin has said she has no regrets about her upcoming appearance on First Dates Ireland

A Cavan woman has spoken of her experience at searching for true love ahead of her upcoming appearance on RTEs First Dates Ireland show.

The popular dating show returned for its ninth series last week with a whole new batch of hopeful singletons hoping to find the one.

Among them was 22-year-old Cavan hairdresser Chloe Martin.

Chloe Martin has said she has no regrets about her upcoming appearance on First Dates Ireland

The former Cavan Institute student is due to take to the nations screens over the coming weeks having decided to enter the show last year.

I think it was back in April, she said when asked by Independent.ie when her intrigue about possibly putting her name forward first materialised.

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Today's News in 90 seconds - 12th January 2024

I was kind of doing it to see what would come of it. I just said to myself: I am cool if something comes of it and I am cool if it doesnt. I just thought it would be a good laugh and a story to tell.

Her family, were by her own candid admission, not entirely taken aback when news of her anticipated appearance broke.

They were like: Chloe we are not surprised and said this is the sort of thing you would do. I just replied: Yeah.

I kind of just go with the flow and if I see something I will do it in the moment, but they were not surprised.

Cavan woman Chloe Martin ahead of her appearance on RTE's hit show First Dates Ireland

The likeable Canningstown native, who confessed how she has only ever had situationships as opposed to relationships, said the path towards landing a slot on the hit show involved plenty of behind the scenes preparation.

I have never had a proper relationship, so I was kind of hoping that (going on First Dates) would help the love life, she said.

We had an online application to fill in which involved answering all the questions and then once that got approved, you had a phone call application.

They (shows producers) would ask the same sort of questions and see what you are looking for, what is your interests, how long have you been single and worst and best date stories.

Once you got that approved, then you had to submit a video answering the same questions and then once you got through that you had the first real interview with a heart in the background.

Despite the invariable challenges of navigating through that three step process, Chloe stopped short of shedding light on how her date went, but said family and friends could hold off on purchasing any wedding attire for now, at least.

Maybe not in my case, she quipped, when asked if she believed in love at first sight.

That said, the bubbly Cavan woman said her involvement with the show was one she would encourage others to replicate.

100 per cent, she said.

I enjoyed the whole experience. You have to do walk in and walk out shots and you are in this room meeting all the other contestants and meeting new people.

Just the experience itself is unreal and I would recommend people do it, it is so much fun.

First Dates Ireland airs on Irish television screens each Thursday evening on RTE 2 at 9:35pm.
A motion requesting an update on the removal of HGVs from the main street in Mallow was recently brought before a Kanturk/Mallow MD meeting. (stock image)

The debate was initiated by Fine Gael councillor Tony OShea after he brought forward a motion requesting an update on the removal of HGVs from the main street in Mallow.

Cllr OShea said heavy good vehicles have no business going through the main streets in Mallow town. I dont think the HGVs have any business down through our main street. There are other alternative routes. To this day, you still have forestry trucks going down there. They have been involved in accidents down the main street. I know at the last meeting we were going back and speaking with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) as to what alternatives could be used. I am looking for an update, he said.

Fine Gael councillor Liam Madden who seconded the motion said there are ways to alleviate the traffic in Mallow. If the traffic flow is changed coming down past Dairygold there, it will make an enormous difference as everything is dragged into the town. A lot of people dont know about Jills Avenue and that needs to be signposted as well. It is the same when you go up to the Centra Supermarket. Lorries come up there and they dont turn to go down the supermarket area because there is no proper signage. There are ways to alleviate the traffic. More signage down the town would make a difference.

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Dennis ORegan Senior Executive Engineer with Cork County Council provided the councillors with an update: There is planning being granted. The relevant condition states that all works to the N72 shall be completed by the applicant at their own expense prior to the opening of any additional units within the site. We are thinking these works will deter the movements from the N72 onto Main Street.

Mr ORegan continued: I also requested an update from the Cork National Roads office regarding any future projects proposed for this location. The update provided was: Consideration could be given to the installation of additional signage and road markings at the junction that highlights the need for HGVs in particular to use the N72 to bypass Mallow town centre.

This would be subject to funding availability and the necessary approvals. It is also worth noting that the proposed N72/N73 Mallow Relief Road is intended to provide a more sustainable alternative for HGVs passing Mallow town centre. Cork County Council awaits confirmation of TII funding available to progress this scheme, he added.

Aidan Creagh Senior Executive Officer with the local authority informed the councillors that the permanent removal of HGVs from the main street is a significant process to go through as it would require a by-law and a statutory process.

Fine Gael councillor John Paul OShea agreed with Mr Crean that the by-law process is a bit complicated and it would go on for months.

Cllr OShea however said they should press ahead with erecting additional signage. I think there is an offer from TII to go ahead with signage. We can go back to the TII and ask them for clarity in relation to the signage. Can that be done in 2024? TII have offered us an option to do additional signage that says that any HGV that doesnt require to be delivering goods to the town should vacate and turn right along the Park Road. We should go down that road and see if it works. If it doesnt then the by-law process is the end game then.

Cllr John Paul OShea also suggested writing to the serial offenders to ask them to desist from driving their HGVs through the main streets if possible. We do need to write to the serial offenders like Coillte, John A Woods and Roadstone to desist from using the HGV track of the town. We have to be very sensitive. We cant instruct them because it is a public road. We are asking them to desist from using the main street if they are not delivering to the main street.

We need to get clarity on what works Dairygold are committed to doing. Is there a commitment from them through the planning from 2020? Is that work going to be done in 2024? What exactly is going to be done on the Park Road approach to Dairygold? he added.

It was subsequently agreed that Cork County Council will liaise with TII regarding the installation of possible signage to highlight the need for HGVs in particular to use the N72 to bypass Mallow town centre.

It was also agreed that letters would be written to the various stakeholders asking HGVs to desist from using the main street if possible.
The start of 2024 been a tough time for Cork citys hospitality industry with a series of restaurants and businesses forced to close their doors due to skyrocketing costs.

A shocking addition to the list this week is award winning restaurant Nash 19 on Princes Street in Cork city.

The popular spot was founded in 1992 by Claire Nash and grew to become a beloved Cork institution known for creating wholesome, real food based on local, seasonal produce.

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Throughout its three decades, Nash19 expanded from the restaurant into a food & gift shop, a wine bar, featured the Sternview gallery and adapted during the pandemic as part of Eat on the Street.

Twenty jobs are understood to be loss due to the sudden closing.

A number of Cork councillors have called for immediate action from Government to help these small businesses with Cllr Ken O' Flynn sharing his sadness of the news.

I'm truly sorry to hear about the closure of Nash 19. The team's dedication has been remarkable. After over three decades of serving the city, soaring business costs have led to this unfortunate decision. The loss of 20 jobs is undoubtedly disheartening. My thoughts are with Claire Nash and her team during this challenging time, he said.

Cork city has already seen the closures of Tung Sing, Pigalle, Twilight News and now Nash 19 forced to shut their doors as they cant afford to trade in the city centre.

This sad news comes just as the Cork Business Association has urged the government to alleviate the strain put on small businesses amidst several closures in the city.
Irish Water is working to replace aged water mains in the Harmonstown/Raheny area

Residents in areas of Dublin 5 were experiencing disruption to their water supply today as work was carried out to upgrade the network.

Irish Water is collaborating with the council to replace 1km of aged water mains in Dublin 5, and project work is currently under way to improve the water supply in the Harmonstown/Raheny area.

Work has been ongoing this week, which may cause water supply disruptions to Lein Park, Lein Road, McAuley Avenue, and Harmonstown Road.

Irish Water said a valve failure occurred during this work, resulting in an unplanned outage for the wider area of the works. Around 70 houses were affected.

Unfortunately, this can happen during upgrade works to an old network, Irish Water said.

However, Irish Water said the issue has been resolved, and water is currently refilling the network, with normal supply expected to be restored shortly.

This work is aimed at addressing the older water mains that Irish Water claims have been causing supply disruptions to the local community.

The new mains are anticipated to provide a more reliable water supply by reducing poor pressure and minimising outages.

Irish Water said those affected were notified in advance via a letter drop, along with updates on their online portal.

They emphasised the work was necessary in order to safely connect the new mains.

The works are a critical step in conserving our precious resource and reducing high levels of leakage which have been a significant source of disruption and outages for customers, a spokesperson for Irish Water said.

Declan Healy, Programme Manager for Uisce Eireanns National Leakage Reduction Programme, added: Aged water mains remain a huge source of leakage and continue to impact communities right across Ireland.

Replacing these old water mains in poor condition will eliminate existing leaks and significantly reduce the amount of clean drinking water lost into the ground.

We would like to thank the community in Harmonstown in advance for their patience and cooperation during the works.

We know, based on previous experience, that the short-term inconvenience will be overshadowed by the lasting benefits, he added.

Irish Water acknowledges that the work can be inconvenient, but it will ensure that customers are given a minimum of 48 hours notice prior to any planned interruption.

Where water mains are being installed, traffic management will be in place; however, local and emergency access will always be maintained.
Drunken Cookie business owner Saifa Kajani eyeing up life in Dubai due to rising costs

A Dublin business owner is eyeing up a potential move to Dubai as she is being suffocated by the housing crisis here.

Saifa Kajani, from Ballsbridge, who owns a food truck called the Drunken Cookie, said everyone is emigrating as its too expensive to live in Dublin.

Despite running a business with a loyal following, she is considering leaving the country after an eye-opening experience on holiday.

Its not set in stone, but I was in Dubai quite recently and it changed my outlook on life. The cost, price of living is cheaper, the weather is better and obviously tax free, she said.

A big part that sold it to me was just that the quality of life is a lot better for me specifically, because Im in recovery. Dubai is predominantly a Muslim country.

There are so many more things to do than to drink, whereas in Ireland, Im struggling. I have to make new friends and thats really difficult in my mid-twenties. Theres not that many things to do outside the pub.

Im pushing myself. Im doing dance and started a book club, but if I suggest hanging outside of these other things, its in a pub or a club, Ms Kajani said.

Outside of her personal life, business costs are also continuing to increase.

Things are just too expensive here to survive. Theres only so much I can charge for a cookie, she said.

Saifa Kajani said the cost of doing business is continuing to grow

In terms of the business with price increases in every situation, from transport costs to raw ingredients to minimum wage, everything is increasing.

I cant increase the price of a cookie any more because then it just reaches a point thats ridiculous. Im in a very uncomfortable position with my life. I think theres just not a whole lot here for young people anyway.

Going abroad, theres just so much more opportunity. Its sad, and makes me emotional. I feel Id be so much happier abroad in every aspect.

Most people I know are gone, everyone that I went to college with is gone, even as far as London.

Its as expensive and the weather is the same, but the quality of life, theres just so much more opportunity and its so much more diverse.

Bring it to before Christmas with the riots. I think theres just an underlying current of racism. I think Ireland is behind and diversity is quite a new thing. As a person of colour, its kind of uncomfortable. Its just a really small mindset.

People our age, we lost three years with Covid, the prime years of our life. The housing crisis suffocates me big time.

My parents are pushing me and theyre like, You need to settle down and get a house. What are you going to do? You cant live with us forever. They dont understand how tough it is, she added.
Ive always considered a holiday or break from work to be all about those week-long sun holidays or the European mini-weekend city breaks but Ive come to realise that an even more relaxing break can be had, right here in Ireland, with a mini hotel treat.

So why not do so in style, in a luxurious hotel in beautiful surroundings such as at the five-star Sheen Falls hotel which has more to offer than most  not least in its setting overlooking Kenmare Bay and the Sheen River? Instead of baking in the heat queueing for deck chairs in the Costa, Ive found that a much more relaxing morning pastime can be lying in, in the winter, listening to the calming waters of the Sheen.

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Then theres the wonderful rambles around the woodlands and paths that surround the hotel which entice you outdoors into the crisp fresh air from the comforting heat inside.

Yes, I was lucky I had dry weather for my two-day mini winter treat  but the best thing about Sheen Falls is that weather is largely irrelevant given its scenic location with views that can be enjoyed from its luxurious and spacious rooms, the bar with a view over the river or the dining room which looks out over Sheen Falls.

I was lucky enough to be a guest at the hotel on a special evening with a gastronomic experience courtesy of Chef Kevin Burke from Library Street in Dublin who was cooking up a treat at the award-winning Falls Hotel Restaurant.

A native of Dublin and inspired by French cuisine, Kevin brought a unique and contemporary gourmet twist on a sell-out evening that proved a huge hit.

And what a treat it was  a selection of five starters, each one better than the next, with an explosion of unforgettable flavours  Flaggy Shore Oysters with Bourgoin verjus, Merguez sausage and anchovy dressing and marinated peppers with salsa verde and kohlarabi was my personal favourite among the platters presented.

This too was different to other tasting experiences with all platters shared amongst those at your table. Each course was placed in the centre of the table allowing all parties to enjoy each dish, creating a healthy discussion amongst the parties involved.

Venison, Turbo and Spatchcock Quail made up the selection of main dishes  but the words of the foods dont do justice to what was presented and their rich array of flavours.

Chef Kevin Burke

I have to mention here the salt-crusted venison with endive, pear and beetroot, served with chargrilled January King Cabbage  the cabbage a speciality of Chef Kevin Burke and, Im told, a personal favourite of diners at Library Street. And what a unique flavour, one that stays with you long after.

Indeed, as I write this over a week later I can still recall the uniqueness of the dish and am still trying to decide if I love it or not. After 10 platters comprising of starters main courses  all shared and tasted, discussed, analysed and thoroughly enjoyed over several hours  the evening can only be described as an experience that wont be soon forgotten.

The dining experience is not rushed, in fact quite the opposite, allowing you to savour and enjoy the courses as they were presented and explained, helping to make the evening even more special.

A slight delay with dessert lengthened the dining experience but the arrival of the desserts sweetened that moment and ended a gastronomic experience on a high.

A sample of the fine fayre Kevin Burke created.

Like any fine dining experience, courses were accompanied by wines and though we opted for our chosen bottles, our party got plenty of advice on that too and was delighted with the selection.

Life is all about experiences and a gastronomic experience like this should be on your bucket list. Combined with an overnight stay at Sheen Falls, you will be refreshed and ready to face back into work, although weeks later still pondering the flavours of chargrilled cabbage!

But, of course, if a fine dining experience is not available the hotel offers plenty of choice, including The Stables restaurant and The Fall itself at the hotel.

Sinead Kelleher was a guest of Sheen Falls for two nights and was invited to join in the fine dining evening with Chef Kevin Burke.
Kerry woman leading campaign against plans to house migrants in Cork town  We are genuinely scared

Tralee native living in Fermoy is behind stand-off between locals and government over efforts to house refugees in historic building

A tent set up by protesters in Fermoy over plans to house migrants in historic building.

Stephen Fernane  Kerryman Fri 12 Jan 2024 at 07:15

A Kerry woman is a leading campaigner against plans to house 56 International Protection Applicants at historic Abbeyville House in Fermoy in County Cork.
The Ukrainian Ambassadors recent visit to Kerry gave an opportunity for Ukrainian women to demonstrate their resilience and determination

Women representing the Ukrainian community Kerry meet with the Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland in Kerry this week. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan.

The January sunshine tussles with -1 temperatures as the warmth of The Rose Hotel foyer greets me. Anticipation pervades as women huddle around laptops and hurry through doorways in preparation.

Most of the women are Ukrainians living in Kerry and have come to Tralee to meet the Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland, Larysa Gerasko, who is on a whistle-stop tour of the county.

The plush surrounds of the hotel are a world away from the shelling and noise in Bakhmut, Robotyne, and the Dnipro River, where Ukrainian troops have been battling to stave off Russian counter-offensives since territorial gains were made prior to Christmas.

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3,500km away in Kerry, a silent battle is also being waged by women to preserve the same cultural values and social freedoms that Russia tries to withhold.

Since March 2022, Ukrainian women have held on to what remains of their pre-war lives. In addition, they work to ensure that a transitional phase to normalcy  if and when the war ends  will be less burdensome for them, their children, and their partners.

Building vital support networks for displaced Ukrainians in Kerry, through local and regional bodies, is the fruit of their labour, which would not be possible without determination. Ambassador Geraskos visit is seen as a validation and opportunity to show their resolve, that life is continuing.

Most of the women have family in Ukraine at the coalface of war. Some have lost partners, friends, uncles, brothers, and nephews in the fighting. Others have family who are doctors, nurses, and hold down jobs that help the war effort.

Some of the women lost their homes in Mariupol and Kharkov, and have nothing left of their lives in Ukraine but memories. Together, the women represent a multi-layered example of wars impact. They are excited to meet the ambassador and smile stoically as she greets them in the lobby.

Olya Maryntseva arrived in Kerry with her daughters in March 2022. She is a Community Development Worker with North, East and West Kerry Development (NEWKD). Her role involves supporting and liaising with Ukrainians regarding day-to-day issues.

We are delighted to be able to show the ambassador all the work we have done since we arrived. We have many Ukrainian women in Kerry working every day to help their community. They are happy the ambassador can now see and hear for herself about this work, Olya said.

For centuries, war has taken a disproportionally heavier toll on women and children. It exacerbates risks around gender-based violence, diminishing educational opportunities, essential health needs, and increases poverty levels. A UN study showed that Ukrainian women accounted for nearly 40 per cent of the over 21,000 civilian casualties in Ukraine recorded in 2022.

Moreover, of the estimated 7.9million internally displaced peoples in Ukraine, women constitute at least 90 per cent, while 83 per cent of women directly affected by war in Ukraine reported loss of income. For the vast majority of Ukrainian women in Kerry, it is about building the future as war takes what it can of the present. They are keeping their children safe and in education by developing skills that will one day help in Ukraines recovery.

Of the 8,000 or so Ukrainians in Kerry  the majority of whom are women  3,000 are now in employment. Others are studying and engaged in training. This will be the untapped resource at the Ukrainian Governments disposal once hostilities cease.

At the steps of The Rose Hotel, where the ambassador poses for photographs with the women, the First Secretary of the Embassy of Ukraine tells me these women, like thousands of Ukrainian women at home and around the world, are holding it together as war enters a stalemate.

I know the men are fighting and others have it very tough, but it is the women who keep the world we dream of having again intact, she said.
Bats lungs exploding under pressure from turbines was one concern raised about the development of the windfarm near Mountmellick

Eight 185 metre high turbines will be built in Co Laois despite concerns raised about the local bat population. Photo: Marcel Langthim

A decision to refuse a planning application for a windfarm in Co Laois due to the presence of bats has been overturned by An Bord Pleanala.

A planning application for the construction of up to eight, 185 metre high wind turbines in the Townlands of Derncart Forest Upper and Forest Lower near Mountmellick in Co Laois was rejected by Laois County Council.

The county council refused permission in April of 2021, on the grounds that six of the proposed turbines are located in high areas of activity for multiple bat species, while the remaining two turbines are placed in areas of moderate/high areas of activity for the bats.

Due to this, Laois County Council argued that there is a likelihood of direct mortality of sensitive protected species through collision and barotrauma events.

This decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanala in May 2021 by the planning applicant, Statkraft Ireland.

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Statkraft Ireland listed 15 grounds of appeal including that Laois, compared to other counties falls short in its designations for wind energy development.

Other reasons listed included that the site is within an area identified by Laois County Council as being suitable for wind, if the current proposal does not proceed, Laois County Council will be significantly deficient in their contribution to onshore renewal energy targets.

Additionally, the applicant argued that the impact on the bats would be small, once the mitigation measures were put in place to reduce the effects on the local bat population.

The potential impact on bats has been clearly demonstrated in the submitted documentation with the application, stated Statkraft Ireland.

The impact to bat populations is considered to be slight to imperceptible residual negative effect with the mitigation measures implemented, there is therefore no reason why the proposed development cannot proceed.

However, the bats were not the only barrier to the construction of the windfarm. Mountmellick Wind Turbine Impact Group argued that there would be additional impacts on the area, in addition to the impact on the bat population.

Some of the grounds of the initial appeal to Laois County Council, as prepared by Kieran Cummins on behalf of the group, included lack of consent with landowners.

Other points made by the group referred to the impacts the windfarm would have on the health of local residents and the noise the windfarm could create.

The group also outlined their concerns for the welfare of the local bat population, stating that bats lungs explode under pressure from turbines.

Despite the initial refusal by Laois County Council and the concerns raised by Mountmellick Wind Turbine Impact Group, An Bord Pleanala decided to grant planning permission.

The An Bord Pleanala Inspector tasked with assessing the appeal explained: Having regard to the issues raised within the reason for refusal and based on the information submitted with both the application and appeal, I am satisfied that the proposed development would not give rise to significant effects to bat populations and the mitigation measures proposed in the terms of set backs from turbines will adequately prevent bat collisions".

The inspector did add that monitoring the situation would be necessary to assess whether the proposed mitigation measures are working to protect the bats.

I consider it prudent to monitor the situation with monthly site inspections in order to monitor the effectiveness of the setbacks," explained the inspector.

In the event that bat mortality rates are found to be increased by the proposed development it will be recommended that the affected turbines are ceased until setbacks are increased to a level agreed with the Local Authority.

While planning permission has now been granted for the windfarm, the permission is subject to 26 conditions.

These conditions include that the development must be constructed within ten years and permission will be for a period of 30 years from the commissioning of the wind farm.

Other conditions require the developer to have a suitably qualified and experienced bat specialist to do monthly bat surveys.
Gardai in Meath are on the hunt for a gang who carried out a number of burglaries in Kells that included the theft of cars during the early hours of yesterday (Thursday) morning.

Houses in the Glebe estate, on the outskirts of the town, were targeted in break-ins detectives believe may be linked and carried out by a Blanchardstown based gang.

A garda spokesperson confirmed investigating officers were probing the circumstances surrounding yesterdays burglaries.

Two burglaries occurred in the Glebe in the early hours of Thursday 11th January, 2024, said the spokesperson.

Items of property were taken and the matter is under investigation.

It's also understood gardai are investigating a possible third burglary in an estate located not far from the Glebe during which another car was also stolen.

The suspected gang, who are well known to gardai, are also believed to have links to Irelands latest gangland victim, Jason Hennessy Snr, who was shot dead in Blanchardstowns Brownes Steakhouse on Christmas Eve.

The 48-year-old was shot three times as he ran at his killer Tristan Sherry who was overpowered and fatally stabbed seconds after the shooting.

Gardai, meanwhile, are in the throes of drawing up a major security operation ahead of the funerals of Hennessy and Sherry.

Senior gardai hope such an operation will avert any reprisal attempts.
Chris MacManus MEP pictured with the Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland, Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid at the Palestinian Embassy in Dublin.

Midlands North-West MEP Chris MacManus has expressed disappointment at the governments decision not to join South Africa in its case against Israel in the International Court of Justice.

MEP MacManus was speaking after meeting with the Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland, Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid.

Speaking at the Palestinian Embassy in Dublin, MacManus said:

The death toll in Israels war on Gaza has reached figures that even the most cynical among us could not predict or expect."

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There can be no justification for the Israeli state forces to conduct military operations and bombardments of hospitals, schools, places of worship. In many instances, places where innocent men, women and children are seeking safety and shelter.

As a member of both the European Parliaments Delegation for relations with Palestine and Delegation for relations with South Africa, I am deeply disappointed that the Irish government failed to summon the moral courage required and to take a stand against these war crimes, and to join the South African case against Israel in the ICJ."

MacManus concluded his remarks by outlining his fears that there is the potential for a wider regional conflict and stating his belief that the European Union needs to call for an immediate permanent ceasefire and work towards a peaceful resolution.

We have seen the violence spread beyond the Gazan and Israeli borders. Israeli operations have been conducted in the occupied West Bank and beyond even that.

It is my firm belief that the European Union needs to take a strong position in favour of a ceasefire. Until that initial basic step is taken, the European Union will not be taken seriously as a partner for peace, he said.
Staff at Roscreas Racket Hall hotel must find alternative employment due to cancellation of local events

Tipperary County Councillors have expressed shock at the decision to house 160 international protection applicants in Roscreas Racket Hall hotel, given that hotel staff will now have to find alternative employment, and so many events will have to be rescheduled.

Speaking at the January meeting of Tipperary County Council on Friday, Roscrea based Fianna Fail Cllr Michael Smith said there was dismay from staff at the Racket Hall that they would be no longer be working there due to the change of circumstances.

Thats very difficult for families at any time of the year, he said. The way it had been handled, leaves a lot to be desired. The sudden announcement, was quite shocking.

Its a severe blow to the town. The only active hotel in Roscrea, is going to host international protection applicants for the next 12 months. Cllr Smith said a lot of organisations in Roscrea had really stepped up to house those fleeing conflict at two other sites in Roscrea.

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They did so with the best of intentions. Certainly in Roscrea, theres a very warm welcome. Everyone put their shoulder to the wheel. There isnt a town in Ireland that has accepted the numbers of IP applicants that Roscrea has accepted, he said. Councillor Smith asked that the County Council write to Minister Roderic OGorman requesting a meeting with him, to find a resolution.

The email from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on Thursday evening, stated that the Racket Hall owners have a track record in relation to housing IP applicants. Im not aware of that, so there must a be a sister hotel, said Cllr Smith.

Councillor Smith requested that the Council contact the hotel owners. What will be the plan after the contract, he asked. When it was sprung on us yesterday, we were all very much aghast and shocked to hear the news. A huge amount of events had been planned for the venue for the coming year, and now they will have to make other arrangements.

The formerly vacant Convent site in Roscrea now houses Ukrainians, who have been very well received. Cllr Smith said the Department should work with Tipperary County Council to allay fears within our community.

Roscrea has a direct provision centre located in Corville House in the former Sean Ross Abbey site, and 400 Ukrainians located at the former Sacred Heart Convent site in the heart of the town.

Fianna Fail Cllr Seamus Hanafin said his town of Thurles had experience of welcoming Syrian refugees in 2015. Back then, there was consultation, Doctors places arranged, and school places found for the children, he said.

That consultation hasnt been possible in the past 12 months in the context of the Ukrainian situation, he added. The first of the modular units in Tipperary were opened recently, consisting of 64 units. There were 250 or more people housed in Thurles.

Councillor Hanafin said there is a huge concern about the lack of consultation between the Council and the Department of Immigration. Without proper consultation, you end up with suspicion and fears, and incorrect information. There should be proper consultation across the country, he added.

Fine Gael Cllr Noel Coonan estimated that Roscrea had accepted with open arms around 800 people from the international protection process and from Ukraine.

I know that Racket Hall fairly well, but Im amazed that it can accommodate 160 beds. We were told there was 40 bedrooms there, he said. Cllr Coonan said four men came to him, pleading to him for help, as they were all living in the same room. It affects you mentally, he said.

Read more Protesters plan to block access to Tipperary hotel due to house 160 international protection applicants

They were crying for help to get out to get accommodation somewhere else, he said. Cllr Coonan had received a phone call from a solicitor concerning a refugee, who had living in Roscrea. Pictures of the accommodation showed a deplorable state, with electricial wires hanging off it. They had been pleading for help for months to get repairs carried out.

Cllr Coonan said there had been no inspections or back-up service. The whole situation is crazy. Id like to know the actual role of the Council? The contact that can be made? A name, a phone number. Councillors are provided with a single email address, but there is no one to allay any fears or if some one falls ill.

It was absolutely appalling how it was handled. We must listen to the voice of the people and those in authority are doing that at the moment in relation to this, said Cllr Coonan. Its a tragedy waiting to happen. Cllr Coonan seconded the motion to request a meeting with the Minister.

Cllr Pat English of the Workers and Unemployed Action Group (WUAG) said Clonmel had welcomed many Syrians and Ukrainians. But there is absolutely no consultation, he said. Roscrea has a lot of refugees already, putting more pressure on schools and local services is not fair, he said.

The fact that the staff of the Racket Hall are after losing their jobs wasnt even looked into, said Cllr English.

Fine Gael Councillor Peggy Ryan said a letter was sent last month on the matter, but there was no feedback. They just ploughed ahead. We all know that Roscrea in many ways is overextended, so its quite unfair, she said.

The briefing note issued on Thursday evening, came far too late."

Today's News in 90 seconds - 12th January 2024

Youre putting people at the edge of the town, with 38 per week, said Cllr Ryan. The negative stereotyping of people seeking refuge in Ireland and in Tipperary, is absolutely unacceptable.

Fianna Fail Cllr Siobhan Ambrose said the key was communication. Public representatives are only finding out the night before, about arrangements between private providers and the Department. It is not the way to do things. If a letter could be sent, prior to any announcement, added Cllr Ambrose.

Chief Executive of Tipperary County Council, Joe MacGrath, said Roscrea and other communities across the county has been exemplary in accepting refugees, and acknowledged the responsible tone of the debate. Certain teams are in place to offer supports. However, it would unusual for the Council to contact the property owners directly, said Mr McGrath.

A multi-agency meeting that had been due to take place, has been brought forward to deal with Roscrea next week. Mr McGrath said the Department are under extraordinary pressure to source accommodation for the numbers entering the country.
Protest started at Roscreas Racket Hall Hotel on Thursday night, with larger gathering planned for Saturday

Over 200 people attended protests at the Racket Hall Hotel on Thursday night after news emerged that it was to house 160 international protection applicants

Over 200 protesters demonstrated at the Roscrea Racket Hall in Tipperary on Thursday night, after news emerged that the 40-bedroom hotel has been earmarked to house 160 International Protection Applicants (IPAs).

A group called Pro-Justice Roscrea Nenagh and North Tipp Open Forum was involved. Protestors said they would block vehicles transporting the IP applicants to the hotel on the outskirts of the north Tipperary town.

Its understood that the owners, Swiftcastle Roscrea Ltd, have signed a contract with the Department for 12 months. A briefing note shown to local Councillors indicates that there will be self-catering service provided at the hotel, with a weekly voucher or debit card issued for purchases in local shops.

Minister Simon Harris has said he "fully acknowledges" what towns like Roscrea and those right across the country are doing in housing International Protection Applicants (IPAs).

He noted that Ireland has 190 contracts for International Protection placed across all 26 counties.

But I do want people in Roscrea and other town to know that the Governments policy is to move past this scenario where we have to make use of whatever is available to provide shelter, he said.

Speaking on RTEs News At One, Minister Harris said the Government are trying to become less reliant on the private market, and hope to move to a State-owned response to this.

He said that Ireland must meet its obligations, being a country that is the better for immigration.

We need to remember that too, look at our hospitals today, our restaurants, our hospitality sector. Immigration is not something that should be feared, it is good for Ireland, he said.

Gardai confirmed that they attended the protest at the Roscrea hotel on Thursday night, with a spokesperson saying that the gathering passed off without incident.

Following a lengthy phone conversation with Minister Roderick OGorman on Thursday evening, Deputy Jackie Cahill said he would like to clarify that families of International Protection Applicants will be availing of the accommodation being provided in the Racket Hall in Roscrea, rather than Ukrainian families under the Temporary Protection Applicants system.

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I spoke to Minister OGorman directly on the phone this afternoon to clarify some points on todays announcement, said Deputy Cahill on Thursday. I can confirm that the Minister informed me that families of International Protection Applicants will be provided with accommodation in the Racket Hall in Roscrea.

I also stressed to the Minister the urgent need for additional resources and services for the town of Roscrea to accommodate these additional numbers moving into the town. I informed the Minister that I was of the view that Roscrea deserved further funding under the Community Recognition Fund and I will be working with officials to secure funding for Roscrea under this in future rounds of funding.

A group called Roscrea Stands Up said the Racket Hall hotel has now been closed to the people of Roscrea and the surrounding areas, our only functioning hotel, with no active hotel in Roscrea for weddings, parties, dinner dances.

The group is planning to stage a protest at 3.30pm on the Main Street on Saturday, January 13. We need everyone in Roscrea and the surrounding areas to attend. We need people who live in other parts of Ireland that are originally from Roscrea to attend. We need to come out and protest peacefully, a spokesperson stated.

Roscrea has lost huge employers. Roscrea hasn't enough of doctors. Roscrea hasn't facilities for our own people. Roscrea hasn't half enough gardai. Roscrea people have been very accepting of our new non Nationals. We have done our fair share. All our TDs will be invited to attend our protest on Saturday. All our County Councillors will be invited to attend on Saturday. It will be a sad reflection on them if they don't attend, added the spokesperson.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 11th January 2024

Roscrea-based Independent County Councillor Shane Lee said he just learned that the Racket Hall in Roscrea is going to accommodate 160 International Protection Applicants under the Temporary Protection Application scheme on Thursday evening. I was not aware of this decision, and I am shocked to find out that such a large number of people are being relocated to our town without proper consultation and planning.

I have contacted the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to obtain more information about this situation and to express my concerns about the impact it will have on our community.

I will update you as soon as I receive any response from them. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Sinn Fein local election candidate for the Roscrea Templemore LEA Breandan O Conchuir has written to the Minister for Integration to express his concern over the recent decision to house ayslum seekers in the Racket Hall hotel and asked what increased funding has been made available to ensure local services can meet the needs of both locals and those being kept in the Racket Hall.

The Racket Hall Hotel in Roscrea is to accept 160 Ukrainian nationals under the Temporary Protection Application process.

Breandan O Conchuir said: This is yet another example of the failed asylum policy of Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, and the Greens, who are continuing to house asylum seekers in privately owned and ran direct provision centre whose owners make substantial profits from the state. Sinn Fein has always opposed this system and continue to do so.

Less than a year on from the decision to house Ukrainians in the old convent, yet it appears the government has learned nothing from that experience and once again is making decisions without informing locals or ensuring services are in place.

I raised these concerns around the unsuitability of direct provision, the need for improved services, and community engagement with the Minister back in May in relation to the Convent and none of these concerns have been addressed. It simply isnt good enough from the government

Roscrea has welcomed people from all over the world into their community over the years, the last census showed 17pc of the population of Roscrea was from non-Irish ethnic backgrounds, these people live and work locally and have by and large integrated into the community. However you cannot have integration without honesty, and it is clear the government is not interested in honesty.

The Indo Daily: Is Ireland full? How immigration could shape the upcoming elections

I also would have concerns as to the change of the Racket hall from a hotel to a direct provision centre, it is the only hotel in the town and any effort to develop tourism in the area will suffer if we do not have accommodation. And of course the hotel is almost 3 kilometres from the town along a road without a footpath. Weve already seen in Dundrum in the south of the county where Ukrainians are being accommodated in a similar situation the council has refused to install a footpath.

Once again we are seeing a lack of planning and a lack of communication from the government. communities deserve better, added Mr O Conchuir
Japanese Ambassador to Ireland Maruyama Norio pictured on his visit to Gorey Community School on Wednesday with Susan Wilson (Japanese teacher) and principal Michael Finn.

In the lead up to Christmas, the Japanese Ambassador took a trip to Gorey Community School (GCS) and met with the schools many students studying Japanese for the Leaving Certificate.

GCS Principal Michael Finn said Japanese is a very popular subject at the school. There is two classes in 5th and 6th year and the Japanese Ambassador met with students from both of them. He was very nice and it amazing that the students were able to communicate with him in Japanese. This is also great because there is an oral component included in the Japanese Leaving Certificate examination, said Michael.

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Most GCS students start studying Japanese during Transition Year or 5th year, Junior Cycle students are not able to study the language. The students start by learning the Japanese alphabet in the first term of 5th year and then by Christmas theyre well on their way with the curriculum, said Michael.

GCS offer French, German, Spanish and Japanese for the Leaving Certificate. Its great that we have so many options. A lot of students that are good at math are also particularly good at Japanese for some reason and some students choose Japanese because they didnt enjoy the other languages for the Junior Cycle, said Michael.
The red-throated diver is one of the species protected under the new SPA.

Over 350,000 hectares of marine waters off the coast of Wexford have been designated as a new Special Protection Area (SPA), making it the largest SPA in the history of the State. The Seas off Wexford SPA will improve protection for over 20 species of bird and increases the percentage of protected marine waters around Ireland to almost 10 per cent.

The new SPA, which covers more than 3,000 square kilometres, adjoins eight existing SPAs already designated in this area, four of which are designated for breeding seabirds.

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Announcing Seas off Wexford, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD said, At 305,000 hectares, the Seas off Wexford SPA is bigger than Co Wexford itself and the largest ever area to be protected for birds in the history of the State. Im delighted to be able to announce this significant step forward for nature, and particularly for marine seabirds.

"This government is working hard to ensure robust biodiversity protections, just as we are working hard to deliver on our offshore renewable energy objectives. Biodiversity action and climate action must go hand in hand, and we must continue to work together to protect nature while delivering a swift transition to more sustainable and renewable forms of energy.

Director General of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Niall O Donnchu, said, This designation of the Seas off Wexford is another determined step by Ireland to protect our marine birdlife. The 20 species protected at this site are some of our rarest and most threatened birds, and these waters are a valuable feeding resource for the seabirds that return every spring to Wexfords coastal and island colonies to breed.

"Outside of the summer months, these relatively shallow coastal waters provide safe feeding and roosting opportunities for a range of marine birds overwintering here or on passage. These protections are vital in a time when the pressures on our nature and biodiversity have never been greater, and the challenges of the climate emergency have never been more pressing.

The new site will offer increased conservation for the following species: Common Scoter, Red-throated Diver, Fulmar, Manx Shearwater, Gannet, Shag, Cormorant, Kittiwake, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Little Tern, Roseate Tern, Common Tern, Arctic Tern, Sandwich Tern, Mediterranean Gull, Puffin, Razorbill and Guillemot.

The Seas off Wexford SPA extends offshore along most of the coast of Co Wexford. More detailed information about the site, including a map, a species list and a list of the Activities Requiring Consent (ARCs) for the site is available on www.npws.ie/protectedsites.
China urges U.S. to stop interfering in elections in Taiwan region

Xinhua) 08:05, January 12, 2024

BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Thursday said that the elections in the Taiwan region are purely China's internal affairs, which brook no external interference, and China urges the U.S. side to stop interfering in elections in the Taiwan region in any form.

Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a daily press briefing when answering a relevant query.

Mao said there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. China firmly opposes the United States having any form of official contact with the Taiwan region.

The United States needs to earnestly abide by the one-China principle and stipulations of the three China-U.S. joint communiques, prudently and properly handle Taiwan-related issues, stop official contact with the Taiwan region, and stop sending wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, she said.

The United States must not interfere in the elections in the Taiwan region in any form, or do anything harmful to China-U.S. relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, she said.

The Taiwan question is China's internal affairs. Elections in the Taiwan region are purely China's internal affairs that brook no external interference, said Mao, noting that China deplores and strongly opposes the U.S.' unwarranted comments on Taiwan's elections.

Mao stressed that the Taiwan question is the very core of China's core interests and is the first red line that must not be crossed in China-U.S. relations.

China urges the United States to abide by the one-China principle and stipulations of the three China-U.S. joint communiques, honor the commitment made by U.S. leaders, stop interfering in elections in the Taiwan region in any form and stop sending wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, said the spokesperson.

She added China will take resolute and strong measures to safeguard its sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Gardai are attempting to locate the whereabouts of five vehicles which were scanned by customs officers as massive quantity of drugs found hidden in rucksacks

A civilian worker at Rosslare Europort discovered rucksacks that were full of cocaine worth 3.43 million this morning.

The shock discovery was made near an area of the Co Wexford port which is used for scanning vehicles by customs officers.

It is suspected that a truck driver became spooked and dumped the massive haul out of his vehicle while waiting for it to be examined.

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Earlier customs officers had chosen five trucks to be scanned early this morning after they had arrived in the port on a ship from Belgium.

No contraband was found during this process and the five trucks were allowed to leave the Europort.

Gardai have been given information about the vehicles by Revenue and are now attempting to locate each truck but this has not happened yet.

The cocaine has now been seized by Wexford gardai who will carry out forensic testing on the rucksacks in an attempt to identify who had handled the bags.

This is a very unusual case and it may be very difficult for gardai to get a prosecution in it or even make an arrest, a senior source said.

It is believed that customs were acting on specific intelligence when they brought the five trucks into be scanned but the cocaine was not found at that point.

It was found by an employee a short time later, the source added.

Customs and immigration checks at Rosslare Europort has been a major talking point this week, as gardai launched a human trafficking investigation when 14 migrants were discovered hidden in a refrigerated trailer on board a ferry arriving into the Wexford port.

Theres been several high profile drug seizures at the Europort in recent times too. In December 1m worth of cocaine was seized in an operation at the port, while customs searches turned up the same amount of the drug back in October.

Last summer saw two massive drugs seizure at the port totalling in excess of 20 million.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 12th January 2024

Naturally, with these large busts, major questions are being asked as to the quantities of cocaine and other drugs that are making it into the country via Rosslare completely unchecked.

Back in October, the sod was turned on a 170 million, 29 building development of customs facilities at Rosslare Europort, a move that hopes to significantly bolster customs and immigration checks and severely disrupt those attempting to take advantage of a post-Brexit explosion of freight traffic to and from the continent to Rosslare.

Revenue say that this most recent 3.43 million seizure is part of their ongoing work to target smuggling and the shadow economy and they are encouraging any businesses or members of the public with pertinent information to get in touch with them confidentially at 1800 295295.
Tom Enright says that recent controversies involving South East Radio had no bearing whatsoever on his decision not to renew his contract with the local authority.

Chief Executive of Wexford County Council Tom Enright has confirmed that he is to step away from the role after his contract expires next month.

While Mr Enrights position had been the subject of speculation for some time now, he confirmed on Friday his intention to step away from the role after ten years.

Having previously served as the Director of Economic Development and Planning at Limerick County Council, the Dungarvan native took up the role as Wexford Council Chief early in 2014.

He says he feels that the time is right for a change and that a lot of the things he had hoped to achieve in the role had either been delivered, or were on the path to being delivered.

Mr Enrights tenure hasnt been without controversy. In January of 2022, the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) found against him in respect of an ethics hearing during the course of which he was accused of threatening to pull sponsorship from local radio station South East Radio because of grievances around coverage the local authority was receiving.

The dispute with the radio station raised its head again in December as the council chief was accused of launching an unprovoked verbal assault on South East Radio presenter Alan Corcoran, one which the broadcaster said left him requiring medical treatment for an acute stress reaction.

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Mr Enright denied any wrongdoing, describing the allegations as utterly bizarre and referencing the toll the coverage of the controversy had taken on his family.

However, the outgoing Chief Executive says that these controversies had absolutely no bearing on his decision to step away from the helm of Wexford County Council.

"Those incidents had no bearing whatsoever on it, he said. When youre in my position, you will come in for criticism. Some of it will be unfair and thats just part of the job. I can honestly say that none of that stuff played any part in my decision

"I went away on holidays with the family in the middle of last year and we had a chat about it and we came to the decision that the time was right to try something new. Ive been working in local authorities for 30 years now. Thats a long time.

The outgoing Chief Executive noted that predecessors like Eddie Breen and Seamus Dooley hadnt extended their tenure beyond ten years and it was uncommon for county managers to serve more than a decade in the role.

"I just feel that, in terms of the bigger picture stuff, most of what I wanted to achieve has either been delivered or is on the path to being delivered. You have the likes of the University campus site, developments at Rosslare Europort, the securing of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann, the Greenway in New Ross, the St Wallerans site in Gorey, the school sites in Wexford, the Tech Park in Enniscorthy. These things have either been delivered or are on the path to being delivered, so Im happy enough that now is the right time to step away.

"Theres nothing that I can say I wish I couldve got this done, or made some progress on this. Everything I wanted to get done is well on the path to delivery.

Reflecting on when he started in the role back in 2014, Mr Enright noted that Wexford County Council was in a very different and difficult place.

"The councils financial situation when I arrived was very poor, he said. Thanks to the great work of our staff and some very good decisions made by councillors in that time, weve addressed that and its all been worked out.

Picking out moments hes particularly proud of from the past ten years, guiding the council through an unprecedented global pandemic naturally is one of the first thing that springs to mind.

"Im so proud of the council staff and how Wexford County Council stepped up during major emergencies, he said. At the start of the pandemic, when there was no talk of vaccines or anything like that and we were seeing horrific scenes on our screens from Spain and Italy, the council staff ran the community call centre and did vital work checking in on elderly and vulnerable people in the community.

"It was unbelievable to see how everyone put their shoulder to the wheel. Even though they were putting themselves at risk of picking up the virus, staff stepped up and turned up.

"Weve seen the figures of how Ireland saw below average deaths from Covid. When the reports are all done on this, I think Wexford will come out of it very well nationally in terms of how the county responded to the crisis.

Mr Enright is also particularly proud of the role he played in the acquisition of site for the long-awaited university campus in Wexford town.

"The creation of a state of the art university campus there is going to be a huge boost for Wexford for years to come, he said. It will transform the county to have an educational facility of that level up and running and will also provide access to further education for families who cannot afford to send youngsters to college in Dublin.

In terms of what the future holds for him, Mr Enright says that Wexford will remain home for he and his family.

"Well be staying in Wexford, he said. Were settled and we love it here. We have no plans to move. Its funny to think that people felt when I came here initially that I was using Wexford as a stepping stone to get some big job in Dublin. But I was always committed to Wexford. I was always committed to the job and I never had any intention of leaving.

"I have really enjoyed the past ten years, he added. I actually used to look forward to getting back to work when I came back from holidays. I think I will miss it. Ive met a lot of great people and made a lot of great friends.

"Ill miss it, but Im happy that Im able to step away at a good time and I hope that Ive left County Wexford in a better position than it was in ten years ago.

In terms of his next career move, at the moment he appears to be mulling over the options.

"I suppose this is an opportunity to do something new, he said. Ive been approached by a number of people to do different things, but I never really engaged with it because I wouldve felt that was disloyalty to Wexford County Council. Ill consider my options now and make a decision.

Mr Enright is due to finish up in the role of Chief Executive on February 23, at which point the role will be advertised by the Public Appointments Service.
Nissan celebrates World EV Day by kicking off pre-orders of the all-electric Ariya in Norway

The rise in electric vehicles has been evident in Wicklow in 2023, with a total of 898 cars registered in 2023, up from 625 in 2022 (43.68pc increase), constituting 32.42pc of the total market share in Wicklow.

It comes as Windsor Bray announced the launch of the new entry grade Nissan Ariya Engage, a 100pc electric crossover which comes to the market priced from 43,500.

The news is set to be widely welcomed by new and existing EV drivers across county Wicklow, since the massive global demand for the new car led to its limited supply in Ireland throughout 2023.

The futuristic design of the Nissan Ariya has turned heads since it arrived on Irish roads and Nissan is delighted to not only secure strong stock levels of the car for 2024 but to also set a very competitive lead-in price of 43,500 which is certain to attract EV drivers looking for a premium drive experience.

The price is inclusive of an 3,500 SEAI grant.

The Nissan Ariya Engage with its spacious and luxurious interior builds on the strengths of the pioneering Nissan LEAF and the Nissan Qashqai, the worlds best-selling crossover.

The new Engage grade is available with a 63kWh battery delivering a range of up to 404 kilometres and the car is packed full of safety features and connected technologies usually reserved for higher grade options.

Customers looking for an even more luxurious drive can opt to move to the Advance or Evolve grades where they can choose from two battery options, the 63kwh or the bigger 87kWh battery which offers a range of up to 532 kilometres.

The 63kWh Advance grade starts at 45,849, while the higher spec Evolve grade with the same battery starts at 48,349.

Pricing for the larger 87kWh battery in the Advance grade starts at 54,100 and at 56,300 in the Evolve grade. All prices are inclusive of Government grants.

Richie OBrien, Dealer Principal at Windsor Bray, said: The arrival of the Engage grade allows drivers to step up and switch into a more luxurious EV without compromise.

The Nissan Ariya Engage also makes it less expensive to drive an EV. The entry price of 43,500 is on a par, or less than the cost of buying the same sized petrol or diesel car.

This makes transitioning to zero emissions driving even more attractive and Nissan will continue to lead the way in helping motorists to make that change and to play their part in helping Ireland to meet its climate change targets, he added. 
The ongoing issues facing Wicklows early years and school age care settings can only be addressed with a coherent five-year plan, according to Early Childhood Ireland, who believe staffing is now the number one challenge facing the Garden Countys care providers.

The lack of proper planning is failing providers, parents, and the estimated 6,423 children who attend childcare settings in Wicklow, according to the organisation, who believe that issues facing the sector continue to go unaddressed.

There are serious issues that need to be resolved if we are to have an early years and school age care system that ranks among the best in the world, Frances Byrne, Early Childhood Irelands Director of Policy, said.

Staff recruitment and retention is undoubtedly the number one challenge our 106 member settings in Wicklow are currently grappling with. Staffing pressures are caused by factors such as low pay and a lack of pensions. It is vital that government addresses this so that the sectors 30,000-strong workforce is not left at the mercy of an annual wage negotiation process, which is moving at a frustratingly slow pace.

Members are also concerned about the amount of time they spend administering the various government funding programmes, as the believe it is taking educators away from quality contact time with children.

Ms Byrne added: Many providers are also dismayed by the attendance requirements. These lead to a lack of flexibility for families and are not centred, as they should be, on the lives and needs of children. We are proposing a unification of the existing funding programmes: National Childcare Scheme (NCS), Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) and Core Funding, to allow settings to use capacity, not childrens attendance, as is the case with one of the programmes now. This would offer improved flexibility with no financial consequences for providers or parents.

Further investment and the need for a coherent medium to long-term plan for the sector are essential, according to Ms Byrne.

Significantly more investment is needed to provide an early years and school age care sector that is of high quality, adequate capacity, and that is inclusive of all children. It is vital for the interim sustainability and certainty - which children, families, providers, educators, and communities need  that a new funding target and a coherent plan to achieve it is published.

We have repeatedly called on the current Minister for Children and his Cabinet colleagues to do this. It will require more than one government to agree and implement this plan, so political leadership from all sides is needed.

Encouragingly, we have heard members of the Oireachtas Childrens Committee voice their support for our proposals. What we need now is action so that we can have an Early Years and School Age Care sector in this country that works for all concerned. Irelands children and families deserve nothing less, Ms Byrne concluded.
Wicklow TD and Higher Education Minister Simon Harris has reminded the countys students that from this week, they are in line to benefit from an increase in student maintenance grants as part of Budget 2024. The minister also highlighted the tax credits that families can avail of if they are paying for student accommodation.

In the Budget funding was ringfenced to increase student maintenance grants among other measures to reduced the cost of going to college and to help students and families of students with the cost of living.

The increase in the student maintenance grant could be worth a total of 342 between now and May, and a total increase of 615 in their grant rate for the year.

Minister Harris also secured other measures in Budget 2024 that will further reduce the cost of going to college such as:

The reduction of college fees of 1,000 for the second year in a row.

The re-introduction of maintenance grants worth up to 2,384 to eligible post-graduate students.

A 3,000 increase in the stipend for PhD researchers funded by the Irish Research Council and Science Foundation Ireland.

An increase and widening of the renters tax credit now worth 750 which can now be claimed by parents of students paying for their accommodation and can be backdated to 2022.

Commenting on the boost to grants, Minister Harris said: I am thrilled to announce that student maintenance grants are set to be creased from today [Thursday, January 11] which is going to make a huge difference to those in college and the families that support them.

As Minister for Further and Higher Education I know how the cost of going to college can be a barrier to getting an education and thats why every year I have secured measures that dramatically reduce the cost of going to college. The increase in student maintenance grants is going to benefit tens of thousands of families across the country and across Wicklow.

I know there is so much left to do to help families and students with reaching their full potential but I believe the measures announced today shows we are standing up for families, making sure that cost is not a barrier and putting money back into peoples pockets.

I also want to send a message to all parents that are paying for their childs accommodation if they are going to college. From this year you can now claim an increased rate of the renters tax credit worth 750 per renter. This tax credit can be claimed whether parents are paying for digs, student accommodation or private accommodation and on top of this it can be backdated for the years 2022 and 2023 where the credit was worth 500.

This means some families could be in line for at least 1,750 by claiming the renters tax credit. As Minister I will tirelessly continue to pull all the levers to reduce the cost of education and make sure every individual in this country can reach their full potential, he concluded,
Wicklow County Council has until the end of January to respond to requests from An Bord Pleanala over plans for the proposed 33km greenway around Blessington Lakes.

In July of last year An Bord Pleanala sought further information regarding the greenway proposals, with a deadline of January 25 for everything to be submitted.

Cllr Gerry ONeill sought an update at Januarys meeting of Wicklow County Council held on Monday.

In response, Director of Services Michael Nicholson said: In relation to Blessington Greenway, as you know we have until the end of January to submit all our information that An Bord Pleanala asked for. We have received all the information from our consultants.

"There is a mountain of information which is painstakingly being gone through by our staff to make sure it is all in order and categorised. Rest assured, we will have a full and detailed response in to An Bord Pleanala by the end of January. There was a lot of work involved in doing it, but it will all be sent back on time.

In February of last year an additional 1.8 million was allocated towards Blessington Greenway under a total package of 63 million released through Transport Infrastructure Ireland.
Conan O'Brien reveals where his great-grandfather lived in Limerick before he emigrated to the US in the late 1870s

American talk show personality and comedian Conan OBrien is back in the Irish capital, having spent the night in a popular Dublin pub ahead of his Late Late Show appearance tonight.

The 60-year-old Massachusetts-born former talk show host has been touring Ireland for his latest travel show Conan OBrien Must Go, as he looks to trace his Irish ancestry and map his family tree.

His latest exploit on the emerald isle saw him spending the night in a well-known Dublin pub.

Tonight I sang with The Irish Tenors in Whelan's Pub. We did "Cowboys From Hell" by Pantera, he wrote on social media site X.

The famous pub, located in Portobello said it was a privilege to welcome the US star, who was seen taking part in a rendition of Danny Boy with The Irish Tenors, a singing trio started out in 1998.

Patrick Kielty teases Conan O'Brien as guest on the late late show

Conan is set to join Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty tonight following his travels across Ireland, which have seen him visit Limerick, Galway, Tipperary, Offaly and Dublin so far.

He visited the east Limerick village of Galbally where his great-grandfather Daniel OBrien left for the United States in the late 1870s.

He spoke with local man Jim Fitzgerald, who showed him the OBrien ancestral family home in the village.

The former Simpsons and Saturday Night Live writer also stopped off in Cashel in Tipperary to speak to a top genealogist who laid out his family tree.

Continuing his west of Ireland tour, he visited a butcher shop in Loughrea in Co Galway, and had a pint in the famous pub Tig Choili in the city, where he interviewed a Galway woman for his show.

He then stopped off in the Barack Obama Plaza in Offaly, where he met Supermacs owner Pat McDonagh who presented him with a Moneygall GAA jersey, before heading back to Dublin.

The four-episode series, which is scheduled to air on television later this year, tracks OBrien as he chats with people who featured in his video call podcast series Conan OBrien Needs a Fan. He traded talk show TV for podcasts following the end of his chat show Conan in 2021.

While he spoke to former Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy on his new Virgin UK radio slot last Friday about his 100pc Irish DNA test, excitement is already building at Montrose this Friday as he meets Tubridys successor tonight.

In a teaser video released by RTE, Patrick Kielty jokingly takes a telephone call, saying: Hes in Ireland. No, no, hes not coming on our show. I mean absolutely not.

This is followed by a shot of Conan OBriens nametag over one of the guests make up rooms.
The best part of being a dad is the hugs, actor Jamie Dornan has said.

In a video posted by Northern Ireland designer Jonathan Anderson, Dornan is seen wearing a leather jacket by Loewe  a luxury Spanish fashion house for whom he is the global brand ambassador and Anderson is creative director.

Dornan was asked: Whats the best part of being a daddy?

He replies: The hugs. Having three girls Im getting lots and lots of hugs. Thats the best part.

The 41-year-old, who currently stars in the BBCs The Tourist, shares three daughters  Dulcie, ten, Elva, seven, and four-year-old Alberta  with wife of 11 years, actress Amelia Warner.

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Dornan tends to keep his personal private but recently gave a rare insight into parenting his daughters.

Speaking to the Sunday Times, he said he hopes his children will follow the creative path he took in life.

I want to be someone they feel they can trust and say anything to, he said. They seem to be very creative, cool, talented little people who are performers.

He then joked: Perfect little nepo babies!

Today's News in 90 seconds - 12th January 2024

When hes not working, the Dornan family splits its time between homes in London, Portugal and the west of Ireland.

While filming the first season of The Tourist, in which Dornan takes on the role of an amnesiac on the run, the actor travelled to Australia and stayed there for six months.

For the second season, the series relocated to Ireland - a decision Jamie admitted was down to him.

I couldnt have done Australia again, if Im being really truthful  just logistically for my family, he told the Independent. We had a great time but I cant be doing that to my family every other year. Its not how I want to live my life.

Dornan makes no secret of his love for his family and in Instagram shared a picture of Amelia holding hands with their daughters while crossing the road. The post was to celebrate International Womens Day.

Dornan said in the caption: Im nothing but a pile of dust without this crew.
New brand finds sweet success with handbags using juice by-product

The couple launched Kalo, a vegan handbag range made out of leather sourced from apple skins, in November 2022  and in less than 12 months, their range was stocked in Arnotts department store.

In addition to their full-time jobs, Kate and Michael set up Kalo with big ambitions. However, even they were surprised at how quickly it grew, carving out a niche in the Irish accessories fashion landscape with vegan leather bags costing from 120.

Five years after they met in Copper Face Jacks nightclub in Dublin, Kate and Michael were celebrating another milestone yesterday after Kalo was selected as the winner of Pitch 23 by the Brown Thomas Arnotts retail group.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 12th January 2024

The annual initiative gives emerging Irish businesses the chance to earn an exclusive opportunity to sell their wares within the department store. As part of their prize, Kalo gets a 10,000 business development fund as well as space in the Henry Street store and a presence online at Arnotts.ie.

This is huge, we are over the moon  we put our heart and soul into the pitch journey, said Michael, a 29-year-old from Rathfarnham in Dublin who is nicknamed Malo and works in the tech industry. He said the brand name is a combination of the couples names.

After researching vegan possibilities, they sourced Italian apple leather  a by-product of the apple juice industry  and contracted a manufacturer in China to fashion it into bags.

After studying science at college, Kate (27) worked as a make-up artist with cosmetics brand Charlotte Tilbury in Brown Thomas for a year. While looking at bags in store, she noticed there wasnt a vegan leather option at an affordable entry level.

When I became vegetarian I thought it shouldnt just be limited to what Im eating, I should practise that in all areas of my life as much as I can, so thats when I started looking for vegan leather options, said Kate.

The only things I could really find were types of cheap, plastic leather which is really bad for the environment. Or the other end of the spectrum, super-expensive designer stuff, which a lot of people couldnt afford. So I saw the gap in the market.

In their research, the couple found vegan leathers from all sorts of fruits such as cactus, mango and pineapple. I got samples of all of them and I just thought the apple leather was the closest to real leather  it just felt very durable and I liked the look of it,  said Kate.

The couple said they intend to invest the 10,000 prize money in production and increase their stock levels. They currently have two styles: the Everything bag (130) with two interchangeable apple leather straps and the Essential bag (120) with both styles available in three colours  black, nude pink and bright orange. They also have a hairband (20) and are working on a new bag for summer.

The whole thing about our bags is we want them to be really versatile so you have a few looks in one, said Kate. Michael and I are both very passionate about Kalo. I design all the product and he has the pragmatic head in terms of logistics. He is more businessy than me so I think that way it works really well.

Growing up in Straffan, Co Kildare, Kate has always been interested in social media and marketing. Recently she has been working on producing content for well-known fashion and beauty brands, but says she always knew she wanted to use these skills for her own business. She has more than 36,000 followers on Instagram while the brands Wearekalo account has almost 8,000 followers.

In spite of what some people might think as they scroll through pages on social media, Kate said the Irish influencer space is very supportive of each other, which is great.

Everyone gets a buzz out of seeing other people succeed. It makes them think they can do the same thing and I think thats why there are so many small Irish brands popping up  we can see other people doing it.

Sharing is definitely the best thing you can do and some influencers have bought our bags, which means the world as well.

When it comes to social media tips for other businesses starting up, Kate said: People love seeing behind the scenes, even the things that are really mundane, like going to the post office with your parcels.

I post a lot of that because you are bringing them along with you on the journey. You are showing them the good and the bad side of it, youre not just showing them the finished result.

Its the whole journey and I think people really like that. Just show everything. Show your personality and the story, people really resonate with that.
Legal adviser to Israel's Foreign Ministry Tal Becker sits next to British jurist Malcolm Shaw inside the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as judges hear a request for emergency measures by South Africa to order Israel to stop its military actions in Gaza, in The Hague, Netherlands, on Friday. Photo: Reuters

Israel on Friday rejected as false and "grossly distorted" accusations brought by South Africa at the U.N.'s top court that its military operation in Gaza is a state-led genocide campaign against Palestinians.

Arguing it was acting to defend itself and was fighting Hamas, not the Palestinian population, Israel called on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to dismiss the case as groundless and reject South Africa's request to order it to halt the offensive.
A new dinosaur species may be the closest known relative of Tyrannosaurus rex, a new study suggests.

The research reshapes scientists understanding of how T rex might have first arrived in North America, by introducing its earliest known relative on the continent.
The Iran-backed Houthis have been targeting ships transiting the Red Sea  which is a route for 12pc of the worlds trade  with drone strikes in response to Israels war in Gaza

Houthi rebels have vowed to retaliate after US and British militaries bombed more than a dozen sites used by the Iranian-backed militia in Yemen in a massive strike using warship and submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets.

The US air force's Middle East command said it hit more than 60 targets at 16 sites in Yemen, including "command-and-control nodes, munitions depots, launching systems, production facilities and air defence radar systems".

US President Joe Biden said the strikes were meant to demonstrate that America and its allies "will not tolerate" the militant group's ceaseless attacks on the Red Sea.

And he said they only made the move after attempts at diplomatic negotiations and careful deliberation.

"These strikes are in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea - including the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history," Mr Biden said in a statement.

He noted the attacks endangered US personnel and civilian mariners and jeopardised trade and added: "I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary."

Two residents of Hodieda, Amin Ali Saleh and Hani Ahmed, said they heard five strong explosions hitting the western port area of the city, which lies on the Red Sea and is the largest port city controlled by the Houthis.

A missile is launched from a warship during the U.S.-led coalition operation against military targets in Yemen, aimed at the Iran-backed Houthi militia that has been targeting international shipping in the Red Sea, from an undisclosed location, in this handout picture released on January 12, 2024. US Central Command via X/Handout via REUTERS

Eyewitnesses who spoke with the AP also said they saw strikes in Taiz and Dhamar, cities south of Sanaa.

The strikes marked the first US military response to what has been a persistent campaign of drone and missile attacks on commercial ships since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.

And the co-ordinated military assault comes just a week after the White House and a host of partner nations issued a final warning to the Houthis to cease the attacks or face potential military action.

The officials described the strikes on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations. Members of Congress were briefed earlier on Thursday on the strike plans.

The warning appeared to have had at least some short-lived impact, as attacks stopped for several days.

An aircraft takes off to join the U.S.-led coalition to conduct air strikes against military targets in Yemen, aimed at the Iran-backed Houthi militia that has been targeting international shipping in the Red Sea, from an undisclosed location, in this handout picture released on January 12, 2024. US Central Command via X/Handout via REUTERS

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An aircraft takes off to join the U.S.-led coalition to conduct air strikes against military targets in Yemen, aimed at the Iran-backed Houthi militia that has been targeting international shipping in the Red Sea, from an undisclosed location, in this handout picture released on January 12, 2024. US Central Command via X/Handout via REUTERS

On Tuesday, however, the Houthi rebels fired their largest barrage of drones and missiles targeting shipping in the Red Sea, with US and British ships and American fighter jets responding by shooting down 18 drones, two cruise missiles and an anti-ship missile.

And on Thursday, the Houthis fired an anti-ship ballistic missile into the Gulf of Aden, which was seen by a commercial ship but did not hit the ship.

In a call with reporters, senior administration and military officials said that after Tuesday's attacks, Mr Biden convened his national security team and was presented with military options for a response.

He then directed defence secretary Lloyd Austin, who remains in hospital with complications from prostate cancer surgery, to carry out the retaliatory strikes.

In a separate statement, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the Royal Air Force carried out targeted strikes against military facilities used by the Houthis.

The Ministry of Defence said four fighter jets based in Cyprus took part in the strikes.

Noting the militants have carried out a series of dangerous attacks on shipping, he added: "This cannot stand."

He said the UK took "limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence, alongside the United States with non-operational support from the Netherlands, Canada and Bahrain against targets tied to these attacks, to degrade Houthi military capabilities and protect global shipping".

The governments of Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand and South Korea joined the US and UK in issuing a statement, saying that while the aim is to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea, the allies will not hesitate to defend lives and protect commerce in the critical waterway.

Russia, however, requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on the strikes. France, the current council president, said it will take place on Friday afternoon.

The rebels, who have carried out 27 attacks involving dozens of drones and missiles since November 19, had warned that any attack by American forces on its sites in Yemen will spark a fierce military response.

A high-ranking Houthi official, Ali al-Qahoum, vowed there would be retaliation.

"The battle will be bigger ... and beyond the imagination and expectation of the Americans and the British," he said in a post on X.

Al-Masirah, a Houthi-run satellite news channel, described strikes hitting the Al-Dailami Air Base north of Sanaa, the airport in the port city of the Hodeida, a camp east of Saada, the airport in the city of Taiz and an airport near Hajjah.

The Houthis later on Friday said the strikes killed five of their troops and wounded six.

A senior administration official said that while the US expects the strikes will degrade the Houthis' capabilities, "we would not be surprised to see some sort of response", although they have not seen anything yet.

Officials said the US used warplanes based on the navy aircraft carrier USS Dwight D Eisenhower and air force fighter jets, while the Tomahawk missiles were fired from navy destroyers and a submarine.

The Houthis say their assaults are aimed at stopping Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. But their targets increasingly have little or no connection to Israel and imperil a crucial trade route linking Asia and the Middle East with Europe.

Meanwhile, the UN Security Council passed a resolution on Wednesday that demanded the Houthis immediately cease the attacks and implicitly condemned their weapons supplier, Iran. It was approved by a vote of 11-0 with four abstentions - by Russia, China, Algeria and Mozambique.

Britain's participation in the strikes underscored the Biden administration's effort to use a broad international coalition to battle the Houthis, rather than appear to be going it alone. More than 20 nations are already participating in a US-led maritime mission to increase ship protection in the Red Sea.

US officials for weeks had declined to signal when international patience would run out and they would strike back at the Houthis, even as multiple commercial vessels were struck by missiles and drones, prompting companies to look at rerouting their ships.

On Wednesday, however, US officials again warned of consequences.

"I'm not going to telegraph or preview anything that might happen," secretary of state Antony Blinken told reporters during a stop in Bahrain.

He said the US made it clear "that if this continues as it did yesterday, there will be consequences. And I'm going to leave it at that".

The Biden administration's reluctance over the past several months to retaliate reflected political sensitivities and stemmed largely from broader worries about upending the shaky truce in Yemen and triggering a wider conflict in the region. The White House wants to preserve the truce and has been wary of taking action in Yemen that could open up another war front.

The impact on international shipping and the escalating attacks, however, triggered the coalition warning, which was signed by the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom.

Transit through the Red Sea, from the Suez Canal to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, is a crucial shipping lane for global commerce. About 12% of the world's trade typically passes through the waterway that separates Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, including oil, natural gas, grain and everything from toys to electronics.

In response to the attacks, the US created a new maritime security mission, dubbed Operation Prosperity Guardian, to increase security in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Aden, with about 22 countries participating.

US warships, and those from other nations, have been routinely sailing back and forth through the narrow strait to provide protection for ships and to deter attacks. The coalition has also ramped up airborne surveillance.

The decision to set up the expanded patrol operation came after three commercial vessels were struck by missiles fired by Houthis in Yemen on December 3.

The Pentagon increased its military presence in the region after the October 7 Hamas attacks in Israel to deter Iran from widening the war into a regional conflict, including by the Houthis and Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria.
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Special Economic Zones and Warehousing Clusters in Mumbai

India developed federal, state, and private special economic zones (SEZs) to boost foreign investment and encourage manufacturing and exports. Here, India Briefing introduces the benefits of SEZs as well as the SEZs and warehouses that can be found in Mumbai.

Maharashtra has encouraged a wide array of foreign businesses to set up in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in the state.

Foreign companies investing in the state can save up to 20-30 percent of the cost of setting up a production unit through the federal and state tax incentives, customs benefits, and access to facilities such as raw material, banks, and foreign exchange house, among others.

Some SEZs in the state offer additional facilities and support for investors, such as infrastructure, training, and networking.

Currently, there are 29 operational SEZs in the state. Out of these, seven are located in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Thane. While the federal state SEZ  Santacruz Electronic Export Processing Zone (SEEPZ) SEZ is situated in central Mumbai, most SEZs developed by private firms are concentrated in Navi Mumbai and Thane.

Sector data shows that a significant majority of the SEZs in Maharashtra are information technology (IT), IT enabled services (ITeS), and electronic hardware businesses. This is partly a result of prolonged tax incentives offered to the industry under various government schemes.

The government is now according in-principal approvals to more non-IT SEZs, such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, multi-products, engineering, and multi-services.

Below, are the general benefits available for companies setting up units in Indias SEZS.

Federal government incentives available for SEZ developers and SEZ units

Indias SEZ Act, 2005 offers several financial incentives to developers and tenants of SEZs.

In addition, foreign direct investment (FDI) equity caps are not applicable to companies operating from SEZs. The companies are exempted from the requirements of industrial licenses and are allowed to retain 100 percent of their foreign exchange earnings in special export earners foreign currency exchange accounts.

SEZ located businesses are also free to sell goods in the domestic tariff area (DTA) on payment of applicable duties.

It is worth noting for investors that there are many more industry and location-specific provisions, schemes, and incentives available in Maharashtra. Therefore, when considering a new investment in any of the SEZs in the state, it is important for companies to examine each location individually - various sources and types of support that may be available, depending on the scope of the business.

SEZ set up by the federal government

There are seven federal government SEZs that were set-up across India before the enactment of the SEZs Act, 2005. Out of these, only one is located in Mumbai  SEEPZ SEZ.

SEEPZ Special Economic Zone

The SEEPZ was established as an Export Processing Zone in 1973, for the manufacturing and export of electronic products, and was converted into an SEZ in 2000.

The SEEPZ SEZ is situated close to Indias most robust financial center, giving it access to the surroundings regions existing infrastructure, capital, logistics networks, raw materials, and labor markets.

Spread over 45 hectares, the SEZ is dedicated to electronic products, as well as gems and jewelry. It houses seven standard design factories and three gems & jewelry factories, accommodating over 28 IT hardware units, 66 IT software units, 168 gem and jewelry units, and 33 trading units. The jewelry companies together account for 38  40 percent of Indias total jewelry exports.

Businesses situated in the SEEPZ have access to various facilities such as banks with ATM, post-office, public telex office, central warehouse, as well as point-to-point dedicated data communication facilities.

In addition, units in the SEZ are entitled to certain tax benefits such as:

Tax holiday as per the provision of the Income Tax Act, 1961;

Duty-free import of capital goods, equipment from preferred sources, raw materials, components, consumables, spares, tooling and packaging materials;

Exemption from excise duty and other levies on products manufactured within the zone; and

Excise duty exemption on capital goods, raw materials, and computers procured from the Domestic Tariff Area.

There are special dispensations and relaxations in local laws and levies, State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) and property tax. Capital goods and all other inputs supplied to the zone from the rest of the country are treated as deemed exports and are eligible for deemed export benefits under the GST law.

This provision enables companies to avail materials for manufacturing at international prices at zero inventory.

Distance from Mumbais Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport 3.7 miles (6km)

Distance from Andheri railway station  2.9 miles (4.7 km), Jogeshwari railway station  3.5 miles (5.6 km)

Power rate: INR 8.23 and INR 9.31 (US$0.12) per unit respectively

Water supply: assured supply of 4.6 million liters per day (mld) of water

SEZs set up by private sector

There are 18 notified private sector SEZs situated in and around Mumbai; two IT/ITeS SEZs in Mumbai, six IT/ITeS and biotechnology SEZs in Thane, and 10 sector-specific SEZs in Navi Mumbai.

Out of these, six are currently operational:

HGP Community Private Limited SEZ

The SEZ is located in the central suburbs of Mumbai  Powai. It houses several major IT/ITeS units in India such as TCS, Wipro, CRISIL, Nomura, and Covansys.

Distance from Mumbais Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport  3.7 miles (6 km)

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station  15.5 miles (25 km)

Mumbai central railway station- 13.6 miles (22 km)

Sunstream city private limited SEZ

Sunstream city project is situated off the Eastern Express Highway at Mulund-Thane region of Maharashtra. The SEZ is spread over 141 acres and comprises of IT SEZ and residential township.

Distance from Mumbais Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport  10.2 miles (16.5 km)

Kurla railway station  10.8 miles (17.5 km)

Mumbai central railway station- 18.1 (29.2 km)

Other private SEZs are: iGate Global Solutions Limited, Aurum Platz IT Private Limited, Serene Properties Private Limited, and Gigaplex Estate Private Limited.

Warehousing clusters in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai

The high concentration of SEZs and establishment of manufacturing hubs across Mumbai have augmented the attractiveness of warehousing and industrial clusters in the region. Some of the regions major warehousing centers are given in the table below.

Bhiwandi, situated on the outskirts of Mumbai, is the largest warehousing location in the region. It is located along the Mumbai-Nashik highway giving distributors easy access to both Mumbai and Pune. It is also close to Maharashtra  Gujarat border. In the last five years, Bhiwandi has emerged as a major warehousing hub for companies such as Amazon, Samsung, BMW, and Flipkart. The area generates a business of INR 20,000 crore (US$2.8 billion) every month, according to industry estimates.

Panvel is located in close proximity to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust. The connectivity to one of Indias largest ports and availability of large land parcels in the area has made Panvel a popular choice for warehousing among businesses.
Photo Courtesy: Pixabay

New Delhi: The government should allow tax exemption for the contributions of up to 12 percent of employees' basic salary to the National Pension System (NPS), the chairman of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), Deepak Mohanty said on Friday, according to media reports.

We have made a case for bringing the tax benefits on employers NPS contribution at par with the employees provident fund (EPF) contribution limit of 12 percent, he was quoted as saying by Moneyconrol.

At present, this limit is up to 10 percent of contributions for subscribers enrolled under private sector individual (All-citizens' model) and corporate schemes.

Under the EPF rules, employee and employer contributions can go up to 12 percent for basic salary and dearness allowance, if any.

The aspiration is 14 percent  in line with what the government employees get  but we hope that it will be brought at par at least with EPF to start with, Mohanty said on the sidelines of a media meet in Mumbai, the Moneycontrol report said.

Employees have the opportunity to avail of tax benefits on their employers' contributions, which can go up to 10 percent of their wages, as per section 80CCD (2), regardless of the chosen tax regime.

It's worth noting that the total tax benefits on employers' contributions across retirement schemes are limited to Rs 7.5 lakh annually.

Furthermore, individuals can also claim tax deductions under section 80CCD(1) for their own NPS contribution, capped at 10 percent of their salary (within the overall 80C limit of Rs 1.5 lakh).

Further, there is an extra deduction of up to Rs 50,000 available under section 80CCD(1B).

The PFRDA has established a goal to enroll 13 lakh corporate and individual subscribers (under the all-citizens' model) in the financial year 2023-24, according to the report.

Although the NPS ecosystem has gained over 5 lakh subscribers this year, the regulator is optimistic about the last three months of the financial year.

This period typically attracts a significant number of subscribers aiming to make tax-saving investments. The assets under management (AUM) across various subscriber categories have now reached Rs 11 lakh crore, as stated by Mohanty.

The NPS subscriber base covers government employees and Atal Pension Yojana (APY) subscribers, experienced a 16 percent growth.

The numbers increased from 6.06 crore in December 2022 to 7.03 crore in December 2023.
Photo Courtesy: Pixabay

New Delhi: United States Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai has called upon India to ensure that the existing end-to-end online system and associated policies governing the import of laptops do not pose trade restrictions in the future.

This request was mentioned in an official joint statement released on January 12.

The remarks were made during the 14th Ministerial-level meeting of the India-United States Trade Policy Forum (TPF), held in New Delhi on the same day.

The TPF meeting was co-chaired by India's Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, and US Trade Representative Tai.

During the meeting, Ambassador Tai specifically addressed India's new import requirements for computers, tablets, and servers.

In response, Minister Goyal explained the objectives behind these policies, underscoring considerations related to national security concerns.

"Ambassador Tai expressed a willingness to collaborate with India on the shared objective of supply chain resilience in this sector. India conveyed its willingness to continue engaging on this issue with the US and other interested stakeholders," according to the statement.

The statement further mentioned that the Ambassador appreciated India's approach to implementing the "import management system for specified IT Hardware" in a manner that facilitates trade, effectively minimizing its impact so far.

In October 2023, the Indian government introduced an 'import management system' for IT hardware, including laptops and computers. Companies in the IT hardware sector are now required to register and disclose information about their imports, including the countries they import from.

This move brought relief to the industry, as there were concerns that the previous licensing notification could limit imports.

The current import management system represents a softer approach compared to the government's earlier plan for a licensing regime.

On August 3, 2023, the government announced immediate restrictions on importing laptops, tablets, personal computers, ultra-small form factor computers, and servers. While some exemptions were granted, the free import of these items was allowed only with a license.

The proposed regime was expected to adversely affect major global tech companies, including Dell, Acer, Samsung, Panasonic, Apple, Lenovo, and HP.

Following an outcry, the government was prompted to backtrack.

On August 4, 2023, just a day later, the Centre announced a three-month postponement in implementing these restrictions.

However, by early October, the Central government clarified that it would only establish a comprehensive online system by October 30, 2023, which represented a scaled-down version of the initial plan.
Photo courtesy: Facebook/Sujit Bose

Kolkata/IBNS: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday morning raided the residences of two top West Bengal ministers, Sujit Bose and Tapas Roy, in connection with the probe into the civic body recruitment scam in the state.

"ED carrying out raids at four locations, including two locations of Bengal Fire Minister Sujit Bose in Lake Town, TMC MLA Tapas Roy's Bow Bazar residence and North Dum Dum Municipality's Ward 19 councilor Subodh Chakraborty's Birati house," IBNS has learnt.

Bose, who is the state's Fire Minister, was summoned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) last year in connection with the alleged irregularities in the recruitment in the civic bodies.

The senior politician was previously the vice-chairman of South Dum Dum Municipality during a period of 2010-2021.

The raid comes at a time the central probe agencies- CBI and ED- are probing into the teacher recruitment scam, where erstwhile education minister Partha Chatterjee has been arrested.

In December last year, raids were conducted in nine different locations as a part of the probe into the school job scam.
Photo courtesy: PIB

New Delhi/IBNS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday gave an audio message 11 days ahead of the Ram Temple consecration which will be held in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya.

Modi gave the message on a day the 11-day ceremony begins.

In his message, the Prime Minister said, "Only 11 days are left for the consecration. I am fortunate to witness the ceremony. This is a feeling beyond imagination for me. I am thoughtful."

"I am experiencing such a feeling for the first time in my life," he said and added, "I am experiencing a very different thought and devotion."

Modi is one of the main invitees to the grand consecration ceremony of the Ayodhya temple scheduled for January 22.

He will preside over the "pran pratishtha" ceremony in the temple.

Congress, the principal opposition party in the country, has turned down the invitation to attend the ceremony citing religion as a "personal matter".
Photo Courtesy: PIB

An Indian delegation led by Secretary Department of Science and Technology (DST) Professor Abhay Karandikar visited Mauna Kea, Hawaii, USA and discussed challenges in the progress of Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project and ways to overcome them.

Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) is a 30-meter diameter primary mirror optical and infrared telescope being established at Mauna Kea, Hawaii, USA.

India is a Founder-Member Partner in this project which aims to open new windows to the universe through optical and infrared astronomy. Indian participation in this project was approved by Union Cabinet in 2014.

A five-member Indian Delegation led by Prof. Abhay Karandikar met with Prof. Henry Yang, Chairman, Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) International Observatory (TIO) Board, Prof. Robert Kirshner, Executive Director, TIO and TMT Project Managers at Hawaii on 9th January 2024.

The discussions centered on TMTs present status, particularly regarding Mauna Kea site, start of civil construction, present funding situation, progress made so far towards in-kind deliverables for the project and expected timelines in the present scenario.

The issues discussed included initiation of process for inclusion of native Hawaiians in decision-making, way forward for the project in the present circumstances.

Indian delegation was apprised on each aspect of the project, inclusion of native Hawaiians, funding availability and prospects, civil construction of the facility as well as in-kind deliverables developmental activities for establishing the TMT.
Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

New Delhi/IBNS/UNI: The Supreme Court Friday refused to grant an immediate stay on the election panel legislation passed by Parliament last month but agreed to hear Congress leader Jaya Thakur's plea challenging the constitutionality of two sections of the law.

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta was hearing a writ petition filed by Thakur under Article 32 of the Constitution questioning the constitutionality of Sections 7 and 8 of the

Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023. The Act was signed into law last December by President Droupadi Murmu.

Under the Act, the name of the Chief Justice of India was dropped from a committee to appoint the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other election commissioners.

Senior Advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for Thakur, argued that this Act was a violation of the doctrine of the separation of powers which formed a basic structure of the Indian Constitution.

Justice Khanna asked the senior counsel to serve an advanced copy of the petition to the union government and election commission who are the respondents in the case.

"We can't stay a statute like this. We will issue notice though," the judge said. The senior counsel then requested the court for a 'short date'. The bench then agreed to post it to April for a hearing.

The case pertains to a petition filed by Congress leader Jaya Thakur, the general secretary of the Madhya Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee, against the removal of the Chief Justice of India from the selection committee to appoint the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other election commissioners, through this legislative move,

Alleging that it is ultra vires Articles 14, 21, 50, and 324 of the Constitution since it violates the principles of free and fair election. She has also relied on the Supreme Court's March ruling in Anoop Baranwal case mandating the inclusion of the chief justice in the appointment process till Parliament enacted a law regulating it due to the need for an independent and unbiased selection panel.
Representative Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

The United States and the UK launched several airstrikes on Houthi military sites around the Yemeni capital Sanaa before dawn Friday (December 12, 2024), Houthi-controlled Saba news agency and residents said.

"The American-Israeli-British aggression launches several raids on the capital Sanaa, and the governorates of Hodeidah, Saada, and Dhamar," the news agency reported.

The strikes "targeted Al-Dailami air base in Sanaa, areas in Zabid District of Hodeidah province, the vicinity of the airport of Hodeidah port city, Kahlan Camp in the east of northern Saada city, and the airport of Abs district in the northwestern government of Hajjah," said the report.

At least four powerful airstrikes hit the mountains around Sanaa, shaking the windows of the houses and cutting off lights in many areas, residents said, adding the Houthis have evacuated many camps adjoining the residents' neighbourhoods at the centre of Sanaa, Xinhua reported.

Loaded vehicles were seen departing the camps throughout the night after the United States and Britain announced an upcoming targeted airstrike against Houthi sites to deter Houthis from attacking shipping vessels.

The Houthi fighters were also seen deployed at checkpoints along the streets.

Residents in Hodeidah said they saw the Houthis evacuate their weapons and fighters from camps in and around the coastal city.

Meanwhile, U.S. media confirmed several airstrikes on Houthi sites across several cities in the north.

Hours earlier, Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi warned in a televised speech that "any American aggression will not go without response."

The allied airstrikes came hours after the Houthi fighters launched a ballistic missile at a cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden, according to a post by the U.S. Central Command on X on Thursday.

"This is the 27th Houthi attack on international shipping since Nov. 19," the U.S. Central Command added.

On Wednesday, the Houthis claimed responsibility for launching 18 bomb-laden drones and three missiles at U.S. Navy ships stationed in the Red Sea in retaliation for the killing of 10 Houthi fighters on three small boats last week.

The U.S. Navy said it intercepted the attack with no injuries or damage.

The Houthi attack on the cargo ship on Thursday (January 11, 2024) came hours after the UN Security Council adopted a new resolution condemning the Houthi attacks on the international shipping lines, calling on the group to immediately cease attacks on commercial ships in the international maritime lanes.

The Houthis control much of northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa and the strategic Red Sea port city of Hodeidah.

The Houthis said they only attack those Israel-linked or Israel-bound ships to press Israel to stop its war on the Palestinian enclave of the Gaza Strip.

Yemen's Houthis threaten 'high price' for US, UK massive strikes

The United States and the United Kingdom will pay a "high price" for their airstrikes, Hussein al-Ezzi, the deputy foreign minister of the movement, said Friday.

"Our country has been subjected to a massive aggressive attack carried out by American and British ships, submarines and warplanes. Undoubtedly, America and Britain will have to prepare to pay a high price and bear all the terrible consequences of this blatant aggression," al-Ezzi said on X.

(With UNI Inputs)
Yemeni masses protest US-UK airstrikes, denouncing foreign intervention amid Houthi Red Sea attacks. Photo Courtesy: YouTube Screengrab

Sanaa: Yemenis in tens and thousands took to streets in multiple cities on Friday in response to their leaders who condemned the United States and Britain airstrikes in reaction to attacks by the Ansar Allah movement, also known as the Houthi, on Red Sea shipping.

The US and the United Kingdom carried out 23 overnight airstrikes against Houthi positions targeting the Yemeni capital Sanaa as well as the provinces of Al Hudaydah, Taiz, Hajjah, and Saada, provincial government officials told Sputnik.

The airstrikes have further triggered the political scenario in the region.

"Your strikes on Yemen are terrorism," Mohammed Ali Al-Houthi, a member of the Houthi Supreme Political Council, was quoted by Reuters, referring to the United States. "The United States is the Devil," he said.

Houthi's Response

The Iran-backed Shia Islamist political and military organisation in Yemen has vowed strong retaliation against the United States and Britain for airstrikes carried out earlier on Friday in areas under their control.

According to a statement from Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea, the American and British forces launched a "brutal aggression," with 73 raids targeting the capital along with the four governorates.

The raids have resulted in the deaths of five people, with at least six injured, said Sarea.

He strongly condemned the strikes and said the Houthis "will not hesitate to target all sources of threat."

He also warned that "American-British aggression will not go unanswered and unpunished."

The spokesman reiterated the Houthis' stance in support of the Palestinian cause, saying the raids "will not deter us from our position in support of the oppression of the Palestinian people."

Additionally, the Houthi representative confirmed the rebel group will continue to prevent Israeli ships from navigating the Arabian and Red Seas.

The Houthis have previously announced their plans to prevent the passage of ships linked to Israeli companies or bound for Israel in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea until the latter's military actions in the Gaza Strip end.

Diversion For Gaza Genocide?

The US and the UK are trying to divert attention from the genocide in the Gaza Strip with ill-conceived airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen, Hezam al-Asad, a member of the movement's political bureau, said on Friday.

The US and UK officials confirmed the airstrikes, saying these were targeting Houthi military facilities and positions in Yemen in response to attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea and not civilian population centres.

The Red and Arabian Seas will remain closed to Israeli-associated ships until the conflict in the Gaza Strip ends, the political bureau member added.

"Our armed forces are well prepared, and the aggressors will regret their aggression against the Yemeni people," asserted al-Asad.

The Houthis said they were carrying out strikes against the UK and US military bases and positions and threatened that Washington and London would pay a "high price" for this massive attack.

The United States and the United Kingdom will pay a "high price" for their airstrikes, Hussein al-Ezzi, the deputy foreign minister of the movement, said Friday.

Cry Beyond Yemen

The airstrikes by the United States and UK against positions and facilities of the Houthis in Yemen have provoked protests in front of the White House, a Sputnik correspondent reported.

Protesters gathered near the White House late on Thursday, calling on Washington to stop conflicts in the Middle East. Activists, in addition to ending the Gaza war, are also calling on Washington to keep "hands off of Yemen."

The action is proceeding peacefully, and the police are present at the site but not interfering, the correspondent reported.

On Thursday, the US Central Command said in a statement that the Houthis have attacked commercial ships in the Red Sea 27 times since November 19.

UK Defends Its Action

The United Kingdoms airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen are permitted under international law because of Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, including British-flagged vessels, Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks office said on Friday.

According to the office, Houthis have conducted many attacks on vessels in the Red Sea "for a sustained period." On January 9, the Yemeni rebel movement attacked a UK warship, the office added.

"Military intervention to strike carefully identified targets in order to effectively downgrade the Houthis capabilities and deter further attacks was lawfully taken," the office said in a statement.

"The UK is permitted under international law to use force in such circumstances where acting in self-defence is the only feasible means to deal with an actual or imminent armed attack and where the force used is necessary and proportionate."

The UK will notify the UN Security Council of its actions according to the UN Charter, the office added.

(With UNI/Sputnik inputs)
Photo Courtesy: @heyBarsee X page

In a seaside ceremony, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently married his partner Oliver Mulherin, media reports said.

Altman, 38, confirmed the news in a text to NBC News after photos of the wedding began circulating on social media Thursday (January 11, 2024).

Sam Altman just got married today.



Congratulations  pic.twitter.com/kbUvGbLHOa  Barsee  (@heyBarsee) January 11, 2024

In the viral images, Sam and Oliver could be seen exchanging wedding vows during an intimate ceremony.

Who is Oliver Mulherin?

Oliver Mulherin is reportedly an Australian software engineer.

Last year, Altman and Mulherin attended a state dinner at the White House that President Joe Biden hosted for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reports NBC News.

Why Sam Altman was making headlines in recent months?

Sam Altman was recently sacked as the CEO of AI startup OpenAI. Within a span of five days, he was rehired by the firm after the board reached an agreement with him.

He shot to fame with the launch of ChatGPT platform.
Ayodhya Ram Mandir FAQs: After an anticipated period of nearly 500 years, the historic inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya took place on January 22, 2024. The government has changed the beauty of Ayodhya to ensure the grand celebration of this momentous event. As stated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the entire nation will celebrate Diwali on the day of the Ram Mandir inauguration to create a festive atmosphere.



The inauguration of the Ram Mandir is set for January 22, 2024. From the guest list to Ram Mandir cost, take a look at FAQs or frequently asked questions on Ayodhya Ram Mandir:

Ayodhya Ram Mandir FAQs: From Cost Of Ram Temple To Guest List, All You Need To Know

Ayodhya Ram Mandir: Is there a national holiday on January 22, 2024?



The grand event will see the Ram Lalla (child form of Lord Ram) idol installed in the sanctum sanctorum of the Ram Temple, a ceremony known as 'Pran Pratishtha'.

Several states declared a holiday for all educational institutions across the state on January 22, on the occasion of the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of Shri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

Chhattisgarh

The Vishnu Deo Sai government in Chhattisgarh on Thursday declared a holiday for all educational institutions across the state on January 22, on the occasion of the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of Shri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had also directed all educational institutions across the state to remain closed on January 22. The chief minister has also declared January 22 a dry day across the state. Liquor shops will remain closed across UP on that day.

Goa

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday declared a public holiday on January 22 in the state in the wake of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya.

Maharashtra

Maharashtra Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha has also written a letter to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, requesting him to declare January 22 a public holiday in the state to mark the consecration of the Ayodhya Ram temple. He also demands that instructions be given to everyone to celebrate 'Deepotsav' across the state.

Ayodhya Ram Mandir FAQs: From Cost Of Ram Temple To Guest List, All You Need To Know

Ram Temple Consecration: Is 'Dry Day' in UP on January 22?



Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath declared a holiday in all educational institutions across the state on January 22 in light of the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony at the Ram Temple. Additionally, he announced January 22 as a dry day.

What is the cost of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya?

The Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, overseeing the construction of the temple, initially projected the cost at Rs. 1,800 crore, which is approximately $220 million. This estimate encompasses various factors such as construction expenses, material costs, machinery, labour, and other administrative expenditures.

Where is the Ayodhya Ram Mandir?

The Ram Mandir is a Hindu temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India. Situated at the site of Ram Janmabhoomi, the presumed birthplace of Rama, a key deity in Hinduism, this temple holds great significance for followers of the religion.

What are the Ayodhya Ram Mandir Aarti timings?

The Ram Lalla Aarti is conducted three times a day, allowing devotees to participate at 6:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. To attend the aarti, individuals need a pass issued by the trust, for which a valid ID proof must be presented.

What are the Ayodhya Ram Mandir Darshan timings?

The temple will be open for darshan from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the morning and from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. These darshan timings will remain consistent throughout all seasons, including both summer and winter.

What is the Ayodhya Ram Mandir's opening date?

The inauguration of the Ram Mandir on January 22 will be a restricted event with a limited number of invitees. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with other leaders, will be present for the ceremony. Thousands of seers from various parts of the country have been extended invitations to attend. Notably, the guest list also includes the families of the labourers who played a pivotal role in the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

What is the significance of inaugurating the Ram Mandir on January 22?

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Ram is believed to have been born during a convergence of the Abhijit Muhurat, Mrigashirsha Nakshatra, Amrit Siddhi Yoga, and Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga. Remarkably, all these propitious periods are set to align on January 22, 2024.

How to visit Ayodhya Ram Mandir?

By rail, Ayodhya is located 135 kilometres from Lucknow, 164 kilometres from Gorakhpur, 164 kilometres from Prayagraj, and 189 kilometres from Varanasi. For those travelling by road, Uttar Pradesh Transport Corporation buses operate 24 hours a day, providing convenient accessibility from all locations.

Who made the Ram Mandir statue?

The idol of 'Ram Lalla' carved by Karnataka's renowned sculptor Arun Yogiraj will be installed in the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22.

Who made the design of Ram Mandir?

The grand consecration ceremony of Ayodhya's Ram Mandir is scheduled for January 22. However, the plans for the temple representing the "Ram Janmabhoomi" project have been in progress for an extended period. The architect responsible for the temple, Chandrakant Sompura, recently disclosed his three-decade involvement in the project. The original design for Ram Mandir was devised in 1988 by the Sompura family of Ahmedabad. The Sompuras have contributed to the design of over 100 temples worldwide for at least 15 generations, including the Somnath temple.

Which company built Ram Mandir?

The Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra general secretary, Champat Rai, revealed that the construction plan for the Ayodhya Ram temple was discussed with Larsen & Toubro (L&T) over 15 years ago. The construction agency had promised to build the temple.

Is L&T constructing Ram Mandir for free?

Yes, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) is indeed constructing the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya free of charge. They volunteered their services for the design and construction of the temple back in 2020, and their offer was accepted by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.

How to donate for Ayodhya Ram Mandir?

If you want to donate, then you can simply transfer the money to the official account of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra, the trust overseeing the construction work of the Ayodhya Ram Temple, through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). The Trust has made arrangements for online donations via its official website.

Ayodhya Ram Mandir FAQs: From Cost Of Ram Temple To Guest List, All You Need To Know

What is the size of Ram Mandir?

Total Area: 2.7 Acres

2.7 Acres Total Built-up Area: 57,400 sq. ft. The total length of the temple: 360 feet Total width of the temple: 235 feet

57,400 sq. ft. The total length of the temple: 360 feet Total width of the temple: 235 feet The total height of the temple including the peak:161 feet Total number of floors: 3

3 Height of each floor: 20 feet

20 feet Number of columns on the ground floor of the temple: 160

160 Number of columns on the first floor of the temple: 132

Number of columns on the second floor of the temple: 74

Number of peaks and pavilions in the temple: 5

Number of gates in the temple: 12

When was Ram Mandir's inauguration?

The inauguration of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi is slated for January 22, 2024, and the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra is currently accepting online and offline bookings for 'Aarti' passes in anticipation of the official opening of the temple. As per the reports, the commencement of the inaugural ceremony is scheduled to begin on January 16, 2024.

Where is Ram Janmabhoomi?

Ram Janmabhoomi is located in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India. It's believed to be the exact birthplace of Rama, a revered deity in Hinduism, as mentioned in the epic Ramayana. The site lies on the banks of the Sarayu River, making it a significant pilgrimage destination for many Hindus.

Which is the nearest railway station for Ram Mandir Ayodhya?

Ayodhya Junction railway station, officially named Ayodhya Dham Junction railway station, is a railway station in the city of Ayodhya in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India.

What is the distance from Delhi to the Ayodhya Ram Mandir?

The Delhi-Ayodhya distance is 680 km via road travel. It will take you 9h 54m to reach Ayodhya on a road trip.

Which celebrities are invited to the Ram Mandir inauguration?

Invitations for the event on January 22 have been extended to just over 7,000 individuals, comprising political figures, international guests, and ordinary people who have made exceptional contributions to the Mandir Movement. The Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has issued these invitations. Here are some of them:

Politicians



BJP veteran LK Advani

Senior Congress leader Manmohan Singh

Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge

HD Deve Gowda

Communist Party of India (Marxist)

BJP's Murli Manohar Joshi

Himachal Pradesh Minister Vikramaditya Singh

Sportsmen

Sachin Tendulkar

Virat Kohli

Celebrities

Amitabh Bachchan

Madhuri Dixit

Rajinikanth

Akshay Kumar

Anupam Kher

Dhanush

Mohanlal

Ranbir Kapoor

Alia Bhatt

Chiranjeevi

Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Mahaveer Jain

Ajay Devgn

Prabhas

Yash

Sunny Deol

Rishab Shetty

Kangana Ranaut

Madhur Bhandarkar

Tiger Shroff

Ayushmann Khurrana

Arun Govil

Deepika Chikhalia Topiwala

Madhur Bhandarkar

Jackie Shroff

Industrialists

Ratan Tata

Gautam Adani

Mukesh Ambani

Anil Ambani

TS Kalyanaraman, MD of Kalyan Jewellers

For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.
Lohri, celebrated around January 13th or 14th every year, is a vibrant Punjabi festival marking the end of winter and the harvest season for Rabi crops like wheat. It's a joyous occasion filled with bonfires, music, dancing, sweets, and folklore, welcoming longer days and warmer weather.

When is Lohri 2024?

While Lohri typically falls on January 13th or 14th, depending on the Hindu calendar and astronomical calculations, in 2024, it lands right on January 14th.



Does the Lohri Festival mark the end of winter?

Lohri is a Hindu festival predominantly celebrated in the northern regions of India. Filled with joy, the festivities include indulging in delicious food, singing traditional songs, and gathering around a bonfire. This festival signifies the conclusion of the winter solstice and commemorates the commencement of the harvest season.

Happy Lohri 2024 Wishes Images In Hindi/ Social Status DP

Significance and Origins of the Lohri Festival

Harvest celebration: Lohri primarily marks the culmination of the winter harvest, a time of gratitude for farmers and their hard work. The crackling bonfires symbolize burning away the old and making way for a new, prosperous year.

Lohri primarily marks the culmination of the winter harvest, a time of gratitude for farmers and their hard work. The crackling bonfires symbolize burning away the old and making way for a new, prosperous year. Winter solstice connection: While the exact date varies, Lohri typically falls around the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. It celebrates the gradual return of longer days and the promise of spring's warmth.

While the exact date varies, Lohri typically falls around the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. It celebrates the gradual return of longer days and the promise of spring's warmth. Legends and folklore: Different versions of the Lohri legend exist, often involving fire goddesses, fertility rituals, and mythical heroes. These stories add cultural depth and meaning to the festivities.

Traditions and Celebrations

Bonfires illuminated the Lohri festivities, casting a warm glow as families danced to the rhythms of popular festival songs, including the lively 'Sundariye Mundariye Ho'. Abundant portions of Rewri, Gajak, and Peanuts were savored by attendees, adding to the enjoyment of these traditional 'Lohri' treats. Revelers broke into captivating dance moves, creating an engaging atmosphere to celebrate the festival.

The presence of 'Dholis' at various gatherings added a touch of traditional Punjabi flair to the celebrations, enhancing the festive spirit with lively 'Bhangra' dancing.

Rooted in tradition, the Lohri festival signifies the beginning of the harvest season in Punjab, offering gratitude to God for the upcoming crops. Additionally, it is believed that Lohri night, aligned with the winter solstice in the Lunar calendar, is the longest night of the year. As the earth gradually turns towards the sun, the festival also marks the conclusion of the coldest month, ushering in a shift towards warmer days.

Lohri 2024: Why We Celebrate The Festival, Its History, Origin And Significance

Lohri Festival FAQs

What is Lohri?

Lohri is a traditional Hindu festival celebrated, especially in northern India, marking the culmination of the winter solstice and the beginning of the harvest season.

When is Lohri celebrated?

Lohri is celebrated on the last day of the Pausa month in the Hindu calendar, usually falling on January 13th or 14th.

What are the main traditions of Lohri?

Key traditions include lighting bonfires, singing festive songs, dancing, and enjoying traditional foods like Rewri, Gajak, and Peanuts.

Why are bonfires lit during Lohri?

Bonfires are lit to symbolize the end of winter solstice, bringing warmth and joy to the festivities. They also signify gratitude for a bountiful harvest.

What songs are commonly sung during Lohri?

Popular Lohri songs include 'Sundariye Mundariye Ho' and other lively tunes that add to the celebratory mood.

Why is 'Bhangra' dancing associated with Lohri?

'Bhangra' dancing is an integral part of Lohri celebrations, adding a traditional Punjabi touch. It reflects the joy and exuberance of the harvest season.

What is the significance of Lohri in Punjab?

In Punjab, Lohri holds cultural significance as it marks the onset of the harvest season. It is a time for farmers to express gratitude to God for the upcoming crops.

Is Lohri night considered auspicious?

Yes, Lohri night is considered auspicious, and it is believed to be the longest night of the year according to the Lunar calendar, coinciding with the winter solstice.

How is Lohri linked to the Lunar calendar?

Lohri aligns with the Lunar calendar, marking the end of the coldest month of the year and the gradual turn of the earth towards the sun.

What are some traditional Lohri foods?

Traditional Lohri treats include Rewri, Gajak, and Peanuts, which are enjoyed during the festivities.

For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.
National Youth Day, also known as Swami Vivekananda Birthday or Yuva Diwas, is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm in India every year on January 12. This celebration honours the birthday of Swami Vivekananda who played a crucial role in shaping modern India. The Government of India officially declared it as National Youth Day in 1984, and since 1985, it has been celebrated across the country.



The celebration holds great significance as it aims to share the thoughts and principles of Swami Vivekananda among the youth of India. It serves as a means to awaken the enduring energy of the youth and encourage their significant efforts towards the development of the country.

National Youth Day History

Swami Vivekananda | Photo: Freepik

The history of National Youth Day can be traced back to the government's decision to observe it annually on Swami Vivekananda's birthday, aiming to inspire the country's youth with his philosophy and ideals. The goal is to motivate young people to contribute to the betterment of the nation by embracing Swami Vivekananda's way of life and ideas. In 1984, the Indian Government announced that January 12, the birthday of Swami Vivekananda, would be celebrated as National Youth Day. Since then, people all over the country have observed this day. This celebration serves as a positive way to energise the youth and promote the development of the country.



About Swami Vivekananda

Born on January 12, 1863, Swami Vivekananda was a prominent Indian philosopher and spiritual leader. Raised in an affluent family in Kolkata, he pursued Western-style education. Deeply impacted by the teachings of his guru, Ramakrishna, Vivekananda embraced spirituality. He gained global recognition after his impactful speech at the World's Parliament of Religions in 1893 in Chicago. Known for his emphasis on religious tolerance and the universality of all religions, he played a key role in introducing Hindu philosophy to the Western world. Swami Vivekananda's teachings continue to inspire millions, emphasizing the importance of service to humanity and the pursuit of knowledge.

Why Is National Youth Day Celebrated?

National Youth Day is celebrated to honour the birthday of Swami Vivekananda, a prominent Indian philosopher and spiritual leader. Born on January 12, 1863, Swami Vivekananda played a crucial role in spreading the message of Indian spirituality and philosophy, particularly at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago in 1893.

His teachings emphasized the importance of education, self-confidence, and the spiritual development of the youth. Swami Vivekananda believed that the youth of a nation were the key to its progress and prosperity. In recognition of his impact on the youth and his efforts to promote their well-being, National Youth Day is observed on his birthday.

The day serves as a platform to inspire and empower young people, encouraging them to contribute positively to society. Various events, activities, and programs are organized on National Youth Day to promote Swami Vivekananda's ideals and to motivate the youth to strive for personal and societal development.

How to celebrate National Youth Day?

Swami Vivekananda Ji was born on January 12, 1863, during the Pausha Krishna Saptami tithi. Every year, his birthday is joyously celebrated at various centres of the Ramakrishna Math, Ramakrishna Mission, and their branches, following Indian customs. The celebration includes auspicious rituals like mangal aarti, hoom, devotional songs, meditation, religious speeches, and the sandhya aarti.

National Youth Day Activities

National Youth Day, also known as Yuva Diwas or Swami Vivekananda Birthday, is observed by students in schools and colleges across the country. The activities involve parades, speeches about Swami Vivekananda, recitations, music, songs, conventions, Yogasanas, essay-writing competitions, seminars, sports, and more. Students also deliver lectures and writings inspired by Swami Vivekananda's ideas to motivate Indian youth. Various performances are conducted nationwide and internationally to promote education, art, lifestyle, and trust among the youth.

Mission Bhartiyam organizes a two-day event called Basti Yuvo Mahotsav in Uttar Pradesh, featuring numerous activities for all age groups. Government agencies, non-profit organizations, and corporate groups celebrate the day in their unique ways.

The celebration commences with morning prayers for Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi, Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda, and Swami Ramakrishnananda. Monks and devotees perform a grand hoom after the prayers. Devotees then offer pushpanjali (flower tribute) and aarti to Swami Vivekananda's statue, concluding with the distribution of Prasad (sacred food).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially opened the 25th National Youth Festival, a five-day event. During the festival, he will speak on Swami Vivekananda's birthday to foster a sense of unity among the varied cultures in the country. The primary goal of the festival is to enhance connections between different cultures, ultimately strengthening the nation's unity.

Additionally, on January 13, 2022, the National Youth Summit took place, aiming to unite the diverse cultures of India under the theme 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' through engaging and interactive methods.

National Youth Day: Theme

Year Theme National Youth Day 2024 Theme Viksit Bharat@ 2047: Yuva ke liye, yuva ke dwara

National Youth Day 2023 Theme "Viksit Yuva-Viksit Bharat." National Youth Day 2022 Theme "It's all in the mind." National Youth Day 2021 Theme

"YUVAAH  Utsah Naye Bharat Ka" National Youth Day 2020 Theme

"Channelizing Youth Power for Nation Building" National Youth Day 2018 Theme "Sankalp Se Siddhi." National Youth Day 2017 Theme "Youth for Digital India." National Youth Day 2016 Theme

"Indian Youth for Development, Skill, and Harmony."

Swami Vivekananda quotes for inspiration and motivation:

According to PTI, The theme of National Youth Day 2024 is,

As we celebrate his birthday on Friday, January 12, here are some of his quotes that remain relevant even today.

The greatest religion is to be true to your own nature. Have faith in yourselves.

"Talk to yourself once in a day, otherwise you may miss meeting an intelligent person in this world."

"You cannot believe in God until you believe in yourself."

"Truth can be stated in a thousand different ways, yet each one can be true."

Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life; dream of it; think of it; live on that idea. Let the brain, the body, muscles, nerves, and every part of your body be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success, and this is the way great spiritual giants are produced.

In a conflict between the heart and the brain, follow your heart. 

"Be the servant while leading. Be unselfish. Have infinite patience, and success is yours."

In a day, when you don't come across any problems - you can be sure that you are travelling on the wrong path

The great secret of true success, of true happiness, is this: the man or woman who asks for no return, the perfectly unselfish person, is the most successful.

You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own soul.

"We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far."

"Ask nothing; want nothing in return. Give what you have to give; it will come back to you but do not think of that now."

"Truth can be stated in a thousand different ways, yet each one can be true."

"Arise! Awake! And stop not until the goal is reached."

"Each work has to pass through these stages  ridicule, opposition, and then acceptance. Those who think ahead of their time are sure to be misunderstood."

Arise, awake, stop not till the goal is reached.

Anything that makes weak - physically, intellectually and spiritually, reject it as poison.

National Youth Day FAQs

Q: What is the significance of National Youth Day?

National Youth Day holds paramount importance in recognizing and celebrating the energy, enthusiasm, and creativity of the youth. It serves as a reminder of Swami Vivekananda's teachings and philosophy.

Q: Why is National Youth Day celebrated on January 12th?

National Youth Day is celebrated on [January 12th every year to mark the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, a revered spiritual leader and youth icon.

Q: How can I participate in National Youth Day events?

To participate in National Youth Day events, stay updated on local announcements, join community activities, and engage with organisations promoting youth development.

Q: Are there any specific themes for National Youth Day celebrations?

Themes for National Youth Day celebrations may vary each year. Check with local organisers or governmental bodies to know the designated theme for the current year.

Q: Can individuals organise their National Youth Day events?

Yes, individuals and organisations can organize their National Youth Day events. It's encouraged to align these events with the overall theme and objectives of the day.

Q: What role did Swami Vivekananda play in inspiring National Youth Day?

Swami Vivekananda's teachings and philosophy laid the foundation for National Youth Day. His vision of a dynamic and socially responsible youth is a guiding force for the celebrations.

Q: What is Swami Vivekananda's significance in National Youth Day?

Swami Vivekananda is the central figure in National Youth Day, being the inspiration behind its celebration. His teachings emphasize the importance of youth in shaping the nation's destiny.

Q: How did Swami Vivekananda's philosophy influence National Youth Day?

Swami Vivekananda's philosophy, emphasizing self-confidence, fearlessness, and service to humanity, became the guiding force for National Youth Day. The day seeks to instil these values in the youth.

Q: What was Swami Vivekananda's vision for the youth?

Swami Vivekananda envisioned a youth that is not only intellectually competent but also morally upright. His vision included youth actively participating in the betterment of society.

Q: Why is Swami Vivekananda considered a youth icon?

Swami Vivekananda's charisma, eloquence, and dedication to youth empowerment make him a timeless youth icon. His teachings continue to inspire countless individuals around the world.

Q: How can one incorporate Swami Vivekananda's teachings in daily life?

Incorporating Swami Vivekananda's teachings involves cultivating self-discipline, embracing fearlessness, and actively contributing to societal well-being. It's about realizing one's potential for positive change.

Q: Are there any specific events dedicated to Swami Vivekananda on National Youth Day?

Yes, National Youth Day often includes events specifically dedicated to Swami Vivekananda. These may include lectures, discussions, and cultural programs reflecting his ideals.

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Is Lohri on January 13 or 14?: Lohri also known Lohadi or Lal Loi, the one of the most auspicious and cheerful Punjabi festivals, is celebrated to mark the beginning of longer days and the end of winter. This festival, mainly observed in North India, holds significant cultural importance and is a time for joy, bonfires, traditional dances, and delicious feasts. Lohri brings people together in a spirit of togetherness and happiness. Bonfires, a central part of the celebration, are lit in communities, symbolising the victory of good over evil and the conclusion of the winter solstice.

Families and friends gather around these fires, tossing offerings like sesame seeds, popcorn, and sugarcane into the flames. They sing traditional folk songs that reflect the rich cultural heritage of the region. The festival is a vibrant occasion that fosters a sense of unity and celebration.

The celebration also features lively bhangra performances, bringing a dynamic and energetic vibe to the festivities. These traditional dances, known for their lively footwork and colorful costumes, create an atmosphere of joy and togetherness. The tables are filled with tasty Punjabi dishes, including favorites like sarson da saag and makki di roti. Sugarcane treats and revdi add a sweet touch to the culinary spread. The delightful smell of these dishes fills the air, making the festive atmosphere even more enjoyable and fostering a sense of communal celebration.

Happy Lohri images, cards, photos, gifs, and posters to send loved ones | Photo: Indiatimes

Lohri 2024 not only honors long-standing traditions but also highlights their strength in adapting to modern times. Families and communities united to exchange smiles, tales, and the comforting heat of bonfires, creating lasting memories during Lohri. The radiant embers symbolised the essence of Lohri  a celebration that brings happiness and togetherness to hearts and homes.



Is Lohri on January 13 or 14?

There's a bit of confusion about when Lohri will be celebrated in 2024. Some people are unsure if it's on January 13 or January 14. According to the 'Drik Panchang' this year the auspicious festival of Lohri will be celebrated on January 14, Sunday.

Following the solar part of the lunisolar Bikrami calendar or the Hindu solar calendar, Lohri falls during the Paush month. In the Gregorian calendar, Lohri is set for January 14 this year.

What is the timing of Lohri Puja in 2024?

The auspicious Tritiya tithi lasts until 7:59 AM on January 14, and the Chaturthi tithi extends until 4:59 AM on January 15. For those seeking an ideal time for the puja, the Brahma Muhurta is from 5:27 AM to 6:21 AM, while the Abhijit Muhurta falls between 12:09 PM and 12:51 PM. Make sure to mark these timings on your calendar to ensure a timely and propitious celebration of Lohri.



Tritiya tithi upto 07:59 AM, January 14 Chaturthi tithi upto 04:59 AM, January 15 Brahma Muhurta 05:27 AM to 06:21 AM Abhijit Muhurta 12:09 PM to 12:51 PM

Lohri 2024: Shubh Muhurat and Bonfire Timing:

Knowing the right time to celebrate Lohri is essential for those who want to make the occasion especially auspicious. This year, the perfect time for Lohri festivities is in the evening, from 6:31 PM to 8:17 PM. During this time, positive cosmic energies harmonize with the festive atmosphere, creating an ideal setting for rituals and celebrations. Make sure to mark your calendars for this auspicious window to enhance the joy of your Lohri celebrations.



Lohri celebrations center around the bonfire, representing the victory of good over evil and the arrival of spring after winter. Lighting the bonfire at the auspicious Shubh Muhurat adds a spiritual touch to the festival. Join together with your loved ones, say prayers to the fire god Agni, and bask in the warmth of the flames to usher in prosperity and joy into your lives. It's a time for family and friends to come together, share moments, and embrace the positive vibes of the occasion.



Lohri History and Significance:

Punjab's main winter crop, wheat, is planted in October and reaches its peak in January, painting the fields in vibrant hues. The harvest takes place in March, concluding weeks of diligent work. Following the Rabi crop harvest, people gather around bonfires to celebrate Lohri in January, marking the passing of the winter solstice and heralding the promise of spring.

Lohri holds special significance as it coincides with the sun entering the zodiac of Makara (Capricorn), symbolising a fresh start. Some accounts suggest the festival's origin in the chilly winters of the Himalayan region.

Dulla Bhatti story

Legend attributes Lohri to 'Dulla Bhatti,' a local hero during Emperor Akbar's Mughal rule. Known as the 'Robin Hood' of Punjab, Dulla Bhatti rescued young girls from slavery, arranging their marriages and providing dowries. Sundri and Mundri, among these girls, became part of Punjab's folklore in the tale of Sunder Mundriye.

Celebrated on Lohri, Dulla Bhatti is honored through songs and dances. The folk song 'Sunder Mundriye' holds a special place in the hearts of women, recounting Dulla Bhatti's deeds. The lyrics resonate:

"Sunder munderiye ho! (Beautiful girl)

Tera kaun vichaara ho! (Who will remember you?)

Dullah Bhatti walla ho! (Dullah of the Bhatti clan!)"

Worship Surya on Lohri

Lohri also pays homage to the sun deity, Surya. Devotees rejoice in its expected return after cold winter days, seeking warmth and sunshine on this auspicious day. The festival is a colorful blend of agricultural festivities, folklore, and a celebration of the triumph of good over evil.

How to celebrate Lohri?

To celebrate Lohri, start by gathering family and friends around a bonfire. Throw sesame seeds, popcorn, and other offerings into the fire while singing traditional songs. Share sweets like rewari and gajak. Enjoy traditional Punjabi folk dances like Bhangra and Gidda. Offer prayers for a prosperous year and express gratitude for the harvest. Exchange warm wishes and gifts with loved ones. Don colorful traditional attire and indulge in festive foods. Lohri is all about joy, togetherness, and celebrating the spirit of community.

Lohri Festival FAQs

What is Lohri?

Lohri is a traditional Hindu festival celebrated, especially in northern India, marking the culmination of the winter solstice and the beginning of the harvest season.

When is Lohri celebrated?

Lohri is celebrated on the last day of the Pausa month in the Hindu calendar, usually falling on January 13th or 14th.

What are the main traditions of Lohri?

Key traditions include lighting bonfires, singing festive songs, dancing, and enjoying traditional foods like Rewri, Gajak, and Peanuts.

Why are bonfires lit during Lohri?

Bonfires are lit to symbolize the end of winter solstice, bringing warmth and joy to the festivities. They also signify gratitude for a bountiful harvest.

What songs are commonly sung during Lohri?

Popular Lohri songs include 'Sundariye Mundariye Ho' and other lively tunes that add to the celebratory mood.

Why is 'Bhangra' dancing associated with Lohri?

'Bhangra' dancing is an integral part of Lohri celebrations, adding a traditional Punjabi touch. It reflects the joy and exuberance of the harvest season.

What is the significance of Lohri in Punjab?

In Punjab, Lohri holds cultural significance as it marks the onset of the harvest season. It is a time for farmers to express gratitude to God for the upcoming crops.

Is Lohri night considered auspicious?

Yes, Lohri night is considered auspicious, and it is believed to be the longest night of the year according to the Lunar calendar, coinciding with the winter solstice.

How is Lohri linked to the Lunar calendar?

Lohri aligns with the Lunar calendar, marking the end of the coldest month of the year and the gradual turn of the earth towards the sun.

What are some traditional Lohri foods?

Traditional Lohri treats include Rewri, Gajak, and Peanuts, which are enjoyed during the festivities.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), now named 'Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewari-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, on Friday.

The bridge, which is about 21.8 km long, is also the longest sea bridge in India.

BCCL

How Mumbai Trans Harbour Link will improve connectivity

The six-lane bridge is about 16.5 km in length over sea and about 5.5 km on land.

It will provide faster connectivity to the Mumbai International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport and will also reduce the travel time from Mumbai to Pune, Goa and South India.

It will also improve connectivity between Mumbai Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port.

BCCL

Mumbai Trans Harbour Link cost

Modi had laid the foundation stone of the bridge in December 2016.

The Atal Setu has been built at a cost of about Rs 17,840 crore with the financial support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

BCCL

Atal Setu vs Eiffel Tower

According to Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee, the steel used for the construction of the bridge is 17 times that of the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris.

"The steel used for the construction of this bridge is 17 times that of the Eiffel Tower. The structural steel used is four times that of the Howrah Bridge. The concrete used in the construction of this major sea link is also six times that of the Statue of Liberty (in the US)," Mukherjee said.

BCCL

Safety and traffic management at Atal Setu

He said that the longest sea bridge in the country has been built using the most advanced technology and has some of the best safety and traffic management features.

"This bridge is equipped with the latest technology and several new-age features, including orthotropic steel decks that help in giving huge spans. River circulation rings have also been used to minimise sound and vibrations to safeguard marine life. The lights used in this bridge also won't impede or disturb the aquatic environment around it," he said.

BCCL

The new sea bridge will go a long way towards resolving Mumbai's traffic woes.

"The most advanced traffic management system has been installed in this bridge. It can detect fog, low visibility and vehicles running beyond the stipulated speed limits, among other things," Mukherjee said.

Vehicles allowed on Atal Setu

Since a maximum speed limit has been set for vehicles to maintain traffic flow, motorcycles, autorickshaws and tractors, animal-drawn vehicles, and slow-moving vehicles won't be allowed to run on the bridge.

BCCL

Vehicles like cars, taxis, light motor vehicles, minibuses and two-axle buses will have a speed limit of 100 kilometres per hour. The speed will be restricted to 40 kmph on the ascent and descent of the bridge.

The Mumbai police have imposed the speed limit on India's longest sea bridge to curb "danger, obstructions and inconvenience to the public.

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On January 22, a grand show of fireworks and lighting of earthen diyas will be held at Ayodhya's Saryu ghat to mark the historic Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram temple.

The Uttar Pradesh government has also requested a 'Deepotsav' at every house, ghat, and temple in Ayodhya on the same day.

REUTERS

1200 kgs laddus being prepared a day

Meanwhile, a group of confectioners from Varanasi and Gujarat are preparing sweets, which will be offered as a prasad to Lord Ram during the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony for the dignitaries and devotees on the big day.

Making of the laddus, prepared with pure desi ghee, started on January 6 and will continue until January 22.

The confectioners are making about 1200 kgs of laddus daily and have been assigned to rustle up 45 tonnes of sweets for the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony.

ANI

"The laddus are being made using pure desi ghee and will be offered as a prasad to Ram Lala on the 22nd of this month. We have been making laddus since January 6 and will continue doing so until January 22. In a day, we make around 1200 kgs of laddus. We have to make 45 tonnes of laddus for the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony," one of the confectioners told ANI.

#WATCH | Ayodhya, UP: Artists from Varanasi & Gujarat make Laddu using desi ghee to offer Lord Ram during the upcoming Ram Temple 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony (11/01) pic.twitter.com/3pOPB0F0DI  ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2024

Pran Pratishtha ceremony

Vedic rituals for the 'Pran-Pratishtha' ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya will begin on January 16, a week before the main ceremony.

A priest from Varanasi, Lakshmi Kant Dixit, will perform the main rituals of the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of Ram Lalla on January 22. From January 14 to January 22, Ayodhya will mark the Amrit Mahotsav.

Dry day in UP on January 22

On Thursday, the Uttar Pradesh government ordered the closure of all liquor shops in the state on January 22, the day of the Ram temple consecration ceremony.

BCCL

"On January 22, there will be consecration ceremony in the Ram temple in Ayodhya. It has been decided to close all the liquor shops on this day," Additional Excise Commissioner (Administration) Gyaneshwar Tripathi said in an order issued to all the district magistrates.

Terming the occasion as a "national festival", Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said that liquor shops in the state should be closed on January 22.

The state government has already declared a holiday for all educational institutions in the state on January 22.

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In the bustling urban landscape of Bengaluru, where navigating through traffic jams is an everyday challenge, a local business owner recently found himself trapped in a harrowing situation.

The relentless gridlock threatened to sabotage his plans as he raced against the clock to catch a crucial flight.

Little did he know that this unexpected delay would unfold into a tale of extraordinary encounters.



Who Got Stuck In Bengaluru Traffic?

Picture of Kunal Bahl | Credit: LinkedIn

Entrepreneur and investor Kunal Bahl was stuck in Bengaluru traffic while he was getting late to reach the airport to take a flight.



What Happened With This Entrepreneur?



Kunal Bahl's story might just make you a believer in superheroes. While returning from a session at Bengaluru Airport, he found himself ensnared in the city's notorious traffic, a common experience in Bangalore.

Facing a dilemma during the delay, he had to choose between waiting for the traffic to clear or embarking on a 2.5-kilometre journey, equivalent to a 22-minute walk, with the flight scheduled to depart in just 40 minutes. All of this while dressed in uncomfortable formal shoes and a suit.

LinkedIn post by Kunal Bahl on his meeting to a superhero and Bengaluru traffic made him late for flight | Credit: LinkedIn

In a LinkedIn post, Kunal Bahl shared the unexpected turn of events that unfolded when he decided to walk towards the airport amidst the traffic delay. However, his plans took an unforeseen twist.

As he started walking, a significant convoy was moving on the same road. A vigilant policeman intervened, preventing him from proceeding due to security concerns related to the convoy. Faced with limited time to catch his flight, Kunal presented the officer with two options: either allow him to continue walking immediately or offer a ride in the policeman's squad car after the convoy passed.

Acknowledging the urgency, the officer nodded and advised Kunal to wait until the convoy had cleared. True to his word, the policeman honoured the agreement, though Kunal reached the airport slightly later than anticipated.

Adding a humorous twist to the tale, Kunal discovered that the flight was delayed when he arrived at the airport just before its scheduled departure.

How Did The Internet React?

The post has garnered numerous likes, comments, and shares since being shared on social media.

Internet reacts to unal Bahl's Bengaluru incident | Credit: LinkedIn

Internet reacts to unal Bahl's Bengaluru incident | Credit: LinkedIn

What do you think about it? Do let us know in the comments.



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Passengers dressed as Lord Ram and Sita added a touch of history and modernity as they geared up for a historic journey at Ahmedabad Airport, creating a unique and captivating spectacle.

The first trip to Ayodhya turned into a religious festival, with participants dressed as the most revered figures from the epic Ramayana.

This remarkable occasion represented a peaceful fusion of cultural history and modern aviation, in addition to being a celebration of faith.

The airport buzzed with excitement as travellers, adorned in traditional attire, prepared to embark on a distinctive pilgrimage.



What Was So Unusual About The First Flight To Ayodhya From Ahmedabad?

Travelers dressed as Ram and Sita for the first flight to Ayodhya from Ahmedabad | Credit: X

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's grand consecration event for the Ram temple on January 22, passengers, donned in attire resembling Lord Ram, Goddess Sita, Lord Hanuman, and Lord Lakshman, arrived at Ahmedabad airport.

These passengers were boarding IndiGo's inaugural flight to Ayodhya. Prime Minister Modi opened the Ayodhya airport last month.

With the newly constructed Ram Temple set to open its doors on January 22, the holy city will soon welcome thousands of pilgrims to the shrine.

The widely shared video shows four travellers dressed as Hanuman, Lakshman, Sita, and Lord Ram at Ahmedabad airport.

Members of the airline personnel were spotted giving the passengers candy prior to the aircraft departing for the holy city.

Travelers dressed as Ram and Sita for the first flight to Ayodhya from Ahmedabad | Credit: X

Chanting "Jai Shree Ram," passengers enthusiastically boarded the inaugural aircraft. Furthermore, on the airport grounds, they were also presented with an idol of Lord Ram.

"Words cannot express how I feel. As a plane from Ahmedabad lands at Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya, a passenger told the news agency PTI.

When Did The Ahmedabad To Ayodhya Flight Take Off?

Travelers dressed as Ram and Sita for the first flight to Ayodhya from Ahmedabad | Credit: X

The inaugural flight took off on Thursday, January 11, 2024. You can watch the video on X, as shared by ANI.



#WATCH | Gujarat: As the first flight for Ayodhya leaves from Ahmedabad, passengers arrive at the airport dressed as Lord Ram, Lakshman, Sita, and Hanuman. pic.twitter.com/3EviO4mxzV  ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2024

What do you think about it? Do let us know in the comments.


An enterprising person recently made headlines in an intriguing story of unorthodox trade when she exchanged an opulent watch for an unexpected gift from Kashmir.

The trade turned out to be a one-of-a-kind deal in which the businessman gave up a luxury watch for a startling bundle of Kashmiri walnuts and rajma.

This surprising exchange highlights the variety of trade routes and demonstrates the fascinating relationship between luxury and local treasures.

Who Sold The Luxury Watch?

Luxury watch sold by a seller to a Kashmiri man | Credit: X

Deepak Abbot, the co-founder of Indiagold, is the man who sold his luxury watch to a man in Srinagar.

What Did He Get For Selling His Luxury Watch?

After selling his expensive watch to an unknown person in Srinagar, the kind seller talked about his wonderful experience.

Deepak Abbott wrote in the article that the "thoughtfulness of the stranger" had impacted him greatly and that he was at a loss for words.

In December, Abbott posted on X in an attempt to sell a previously owned Garmin Fenix 7x Solar Sapphire.

"Is there anyone interested in purchasing a used Garmin Fenix 7x Solar Sapphire? If you're interested, ping me. Accessible at a very competitive price," he wrote alongside images of the watch.

Tweet shared by Deepak who sold his luxury watch to a Kashmiri man and in return he gets Kashmiri walnuts and Rajma | Credit: X

A few days later, Abbott provided an update, stating that someone in Srinagar had bought the pre-owned watch.

He revealed that the guy who purchased it had also given him gifts. "Sold this to someone in Srinagar," he wrote.

He further added, "Though it was only a business transaction (with an unidentified individual), he gave me a large packet of Kashmiri walnuts and rajma packets as a gift. I am speechless in the face of such kindness and consideration. Feeling touched!"

When Did It Go Viral?

Just a few days ago, when Deepak shared the story on his social media, it went viral.

Where Can You Check The Post?

You can check out the post on X posted by Deepak.

Sold this to someone in Srinagar. It was a pure commercial deal (with an unknown person) BUT he sent me a huge packet of kashmiri walnuts and rajma packets as a gift. Have no words for such goodness and thoughtfulness. Touched!!! https://t.co/W3Tpv9ZgCT  Deepak Abbot (@deepakabbot) January 9, 2024

How Did The Internet React?



The post on X has garnered more than 35,000 views and a diverse array of comments, gaining viral status since its publication.

Internet reacting to the man who received Kashmiri walnuts and Rajma for a Luxury watch | Credit: X

Internet reacting to the man who received Kashmiri walnuts and Rajma for a Luxury watch | Credit: X

What do you think about it? Do let us know in the comments.



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With just over a week left for the grand ceremony of Ram Mandir's inauguration on January 22, lakhs of devotees and thousands of guests are expected to visit the city of Ayodhya. This, coupled with the expected rush of tourists in the city, is not only sending some stocks soaring, but also the flight prices are reaching sky high.



Flight Prices To Ayodhya Soar Ahead Of Ram Mandir Inauguration

Ayodhya Ram Mandir/ndtv

Prices of the cheapest non-stop flights from various metro cities to Ayodhya have already reached as high as over Rs 20,000. As per various travel portals' flight costs for January 19, 2024, flight prices from Delhi to Ayodhya are around Rs 14,00015,000, and from Mumbai to Ayodhya, the cheapest non-stop flights are soaring above Rs 20,000. Also, even a flight from Bengaluru to Ayodhya (with one stoppage) costs around Rs 20,000.



ayodhya flight/screenshots makemytrip paytm

Also Read; List Of Indian Businessmen Invited To Ram Mandir Inauguratio



Flight Prices In Ayodhya's Surrounding Cities Also See A Jump



Flight prices are also soaring for other UP cities and neighbouring states/cities too; for instance, Bengaluru to Agra is around Rs 8000, Bengaluru to Delhi around Rs 7000, Kolkata to Lucknow around Rs 5500, Mumbai to Varanasi around Rs 6000, Mumbai to Prayagraj around Rs 5300, Kolkata to Varanasi around Rs 5000, and Mumbai to Lucknow around Rs 4100.

flight costs/screenshots makemytrip paytm

Comparing Flight Prices On Other Usual Days



Now that we have an idea about how high the flight prices are rocketing around the Ram Mandir inauguration ceremony day (January 22, 2024), let us have a look at what the flight prices usually are on other days.

If we, for example, check the flight prices on other days of this month, from Delhi and Mumbai to Ayodhya, they turn out to be much lower, going as low as around Rs 3500 for Delhi to Ayodhya and as low as Rs 5200 for Mumbai to Ayodhya.

ayodhya flight cost from mumbai (left) and delhi (right) january/screenshots paytm

Also Read: Explained: How Do Airlines Calculate Your Flight Cost?



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The interim Budget 2024 is set to be presented by Indias Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, on February 1. Ahead of that, the Parliament Budget session is expected to take place from January 31st to February 9th.



Even though the full Union Budget 2024 will be presented in July by whoever forms the government after the Lok Sabha Elections, the common man must have a long list of expectations from the interim budget too.

Here are some of the major expectations that salaried taxpayers have from the upcoming Interim Budget 2024:

7 Expectations Salaried Taxpayers Have From Interim Budget 2024

interim budget 2024 expectations/pti

1.Hike Standard Deduction Limit To Rs 1 Lakh

The standard deduction is among the most popular tax deductions, as salaried taxpayers can claim it without having to make any investments. An increase in the standard deduction cap has long been demanded. Since the standard deduction was included in the new income tax regime last year, the demand has grown louder this time.

It is noteworthy that the last time standard deduction was changed was in 2019, which was five years ago. So now, taxpayers are hoping to see the limit for standard deduction increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh. Will that happen in the budget for 2024? That remains to be seen.

2. Increase Health Insurance Premium Limit Under Section 80D

health insurance premium/navi

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. Furthermore, bringing Section 80D benefits into compliance with the new tax regime would encourage fair access to healthcare.



Also Read: FAQs On Upcoming Interim Budget 2024

3.Introduce tax benefits on car, home, and personal accident cover

Currently, life insurance premiums are eligible for tax savings under Section 80C, and health insurance premiums under Section 80D. However, in the case of a personal accident, home, or travel insurance policy, there is no such premium deduction available.

That is why introducing tax benefits for such insurance premiums will encourage people to safeguard their possessions, such as homes and cars, and obtain personal accident insurance. By taking this action, the policyholder will be better protected financially and from any financial losses brought on by unanticipated life events.

4.Consider Bengaluru as a metro city for HRA exemption

Even though the Indian Constitution recognises Bengaluru as a metro city, it is categorised as a non-metro for income tax purposes, implying that residents can only deduct 40% of their HRA, as opposed to 50% in other metro cities. That is why taxpayers expect the Finance Minister to now include Bengaluru as a metro city for tax purposes too.

5. Make bank FDs of up to Rs 5 lakh tax-free

tax saver bank fd/shutterstock

For many people in our country, bank savings accounts still remain a popular option for investing. According to banks, which had already made representations to the finance ministry on the matter, bank FDs may become competitive with small savings plans and insurance products if investments of up to Rs 5 lakh are made tax-free in Budget 2024.

At present, the tax liability of FD investors does not end with TDS deductions done by banks. The entire interest income on your fixed deposit is added to your annual income and taxed as per your income tax slab.

Also Read: PPF vs Bank Tax Saver FD-Which One To Choose For Tax Saving?

6. Rs 1.5 lakh Limit Of The Overcrowded Section 80C

Tax deductions for life insurance premiums, NSC, PPF, ELSS, home loan principal, and other items are already included under Section 80C. Thus, it is the need of the hour to increase the deduction limit from the current threshold of Rs. 1.5 lakh to Rs. 2.5 lakh, or at least Rs. 3 lakh, under this section. Doing so can encourage people to purchase insurance as well as make investments, in addition to providing additional breathing space for the tax benefits of other available tax deductions.

Also Read: 10 Tax Saving Options Other Than Section 80C

7. Introduce a separate deduction for home loan repayments

home loan emi/ifc

Many home loan borrowers aren't able to take advantage of the tax deduction on their principal repayments under Section 80C because of this section's overcrowding. Similar is the case for interest payments, which have an upper limit of Rs 2 lakh per year under Section 24b. That's why many taxpayers who are also serving home loan EMIs expect that Budget 2024 will include a separate section for home loan repayments, with a maximum deduction of Rs 5 lakh for both principal and interest payments.



Also Read: From Election To Budget: 5 Big Events In 2024 That Can Make Or Break The Stock Market

For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here.
An aging population and economic constraints contribute to a strained Greek National Healthcare System (ESY), appearing insufficient in meeting the demands of the times
The premier also said that the pharmaceutical sector will play its own role in this major national effort for more investments which strengthen the national economy and open new job positions.
Spotlight on international trends for the dolce foodservice world expo.

1,200 exhibitor brands from 35 countries, 500 buyers and delegations anticipated from 83 countries (mainly Germany, Spain, France, USA, Canada, India and China).

RIMINI, Italy, Jan. 12, 2024 /CNW/ -- From 20-24 January at Rimini Expo Centre, innovative ideas in the industry will take the stage at Sigep-The Dolce World Expo (45th edition), the international artisan gelato, pastry, bakery and coffee trade show organized by IEG - Italian Exhibition Group. "The Vision Plaza - announces Corrado Peraboni, CEO of IEG - will host key dolce foodservice speakers on excellence in innovation, globally trending topics and scenarios, including Circana, US leading advisor on consumer behaviour. According to their reports, "out-of-home" consumption in Europe is up +12% on 2022, with dolce bakery products alone accounting for 11.4 billion".

Italian Exhibition Group (PRNewsfoto/Italian Exhibition Group)

Tens of thousands of operators from all over the world are expected at Sigep 2024, including 500 top buyers from 83 countries in collaboration with ITA-Italian Trade Agency and the IEG regional advisor network. Among the 1,200 brands confirmed, the foreign share is close to 18%, representing 35 countries.

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Major upswing in delegations from all over the world: the main US restaurant chains, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream and manufacturer, Brothers Desserts in the gelato sector, Papa Murphy, Blaze Pizza or Toppers for the world of pizza, and coffee brands like Spot Coffee, as well as Rush Bowls Franchising LLC and Maxwell-McKenney.

The Singapore delegation with representatives of the Restaurant Association and Singapore Tourism Board; Abrasorvetes - gelato makers association from Brazil; IILA-Italian Latin American Institute with representatives of coffee and cocoa producing countries; UNIDO operators from Kurdistan and Iran. French delegations from the Confederation glaciers, patissiers, chocolatiers de France and Universite Regionale des Metiers et de l'Artisanat des Pays de la Loire, from Argentina the Afadhya artisan ice cream makers association, from Serbia a delegation of bakers and pastry chefs coordinated by the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Macau Associacao de Chocolate, from Chinese Taipei the Taiwan Chefs Association, from Chile Indupan, the bakers' association. Others from the bakery sector include, Ceoppan, the Spanish Confederation of Bakeries, Pastry and Related Products, Peru bakers from the Nova Escuela training school, Swiss representatives of Richemont Fachschule Switzerland school, and others from Richemont Club China. And this year's newcomer, a delegation from the World Association of Chefs Societies, a global network of chef associations.

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PRESS CONTACT SIGEP ITALIAN EXHIBITION GROUP

head of media relation & corporate communication: Elisabetta Vitali, press office manager: Marco Forcellini,

international press office coordinator: Silvia Giorgi; media@iegexpo.it - + () 39 0541 744814

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Cision

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SOURCE IEG Italian Exibition Group

Cision

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The Union of Consumer Workers of Greece advises consumers to be particularly careful so as to avoid falling victim to misleading 'offers.

Keywords

 
Rampaging bandits have again abducted at least twenty three persons in a fresh attack on an Abuja community, on Thursday.

The victims were abducted when the bandits stormed the Kawu community in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Abdulmumini Zakari, the Councilor representing the area, confirmed the incident to newsmen.

According to him, the gunmen invaded the community from the Kuyeri Forest in Kaduna State and divided themselves into groups.

He said some went into the palace of the district head, Alhaji Abdurrahman Danjuma Ali, where they abducted his son, Lukman, and his wife, who he married two weeks ago.

READ ALSO: Nigerian Army Tortures Police Officer Over Alleged Wrong Parking In Delta

Others attacked the compound of Alhaji Alhassan Sidi Kawu, the Marafa of Kawu and a former PDP Chairman of Kawu Ward, he said.

He disclosed that the bandits abducted the former PDP chairman (name undisclosed) along with his four children, adding that the bandits thereafter went into the compound of Sarkin Pawan Kawu, Gambo Pawa, and abducted him, alongside his two wives and children.

The FCT Police Command spokeswoman, Josephine Adeh, also confirmed the incident saying, some unknown hoodlums stormed Kawu village, a bordering community with Kagarko LGA, in Kaduna State, and kidnapped people. The truth is that the miscreants raided that general area and escaped into Kaduna State.
Popular Human Right Lawyer, Femi Falana has faulted the warning by the Nigeria Police that the use of No Gree For Anybody, adopted by some Nigerians as the 2024 slogan was capable of instigating crisis in the country.

INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that the viral slogan means do not tolerate any form of nonsense from anybody or do not allow yourself to be bullied by anyone.

However, the Police Spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, while reacting to the trend on Wednesday, said that intelligence reports show that the catchphrase was capable of plunging the country into crisis of monumental proportion.

The Force PRO noted that, although the slogan is seen as normal talk, those in the security community view it as a dangerous slogan.

READ MORE: Police Issue Warning To Nigerians Against Using The Viral New 2024 Slogan No Gree For Anybody
As the Supreme Court continues to pass judgements on governorship tussles in States, there is heightened security in eight States of the Federation where final decisions on who are the elected Governors would be taken.

The States slated to know their fate today include Kano, Plateau, Lagos, Zamfara, Bauchi, Cross River, Abia and Ebonyi.

Muhammadu Usaini Gumel, the Police Commissioner in Kano State, told newsmen after meeting with other security chiefs, that they have adequate manpower to deal with any unforeseen circumstances.

We have mobilized sufficient armed personnel to provide security at all flashpoints including political parties offices, the state government house, INEC headquarters, banks/commercial areas, mosques, churches, recreation centres and motor parks before, during and after the judgment, Gumel said.

Speaking on whether a curfew would be imposed, Gumel said that wont be necessary, but warned that security agencies will not allow hoodlums to take advantage of jubilation to loot peoples property.

A tea seller at Zoo Road, Suleiman Husseini Kahutu, told Daily Trust he prays that the truth prevails and for Kano to remain peaceful.

An anonymous civil servant, said, People are after what to eat. Look at the price of rice and maize today. All these politicians are the same, why should someone waste his time for them.

Hashimu Dungurawa, State Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), said, We are very hopeful of victory and favourable judgement by Gods grace. And as I speak to you, I am in Abuja.

Ahmad Aruwa, All Progressives Congress (APC) Publicity Secretary in the State, said, Insha Allahu, victory is ours because of our faith in God and the strong pieces of evidence we presented before the court. The judgements of the two lower courts are there to speak for us.

However, in Plateau State, uncertainty and high expectations are brewing among residents, especially party supporters, following the confirmation that the apex Court will deliver judgement on the governorship election today.

Around the city centre in Jos, soldiers, police and other security agents were sighted in vehicles on a show of force.

Okoro J. Alawari, the state Commissioner of Police, had on Monday assured citizens of a peaceful atmosphere during and after the judgement, calling on all and sundry to cooperate with the police.

READ ALSO: Kano Guber: Supreme Court Reserves Judgement In Gov Yusufs Appeal

A resident of Jos, Jerry Nungi, said, I am confident the judgement will come and pass without any violence. We have seen security everywhere and we are hopeful nothing bad will happen.

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer, Zamfara State Command, Yazid Abubakar, confirmed that adequate arrangements have been made to protect lives and properties before and after the verdict.

Abubakar said: We have deployed our personnel to strategic places within the state capital and major towns. We are fully ready to avert any attempt meant to disrupt the existing peace and harmony in the state.

Also, heavily armed soldiers were deployed to the personal residence of Muhammad Bello Matawalle, the immediate past Governor of the State and now Minister of State for Defence, located along Gusau Road and other places in the state capital.

For Lagos State, Benjamin Hundeyin, the Police Command spokesman, said they had provided adequate security to ensure that there was no breakdown of law and order ahead of the Supreme Court judgement.

We are not anticipating any problem in Lagos, but as a proactive measure, the Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade has ordered the deployment of more men to the streets.

Aside, he has also ordered increased police visibility around key public institutions, areas that are known for Crime, Hundeyin said.

Cross River State Police Commissioner, Grimah Gyogon, said they do not usually disclose their strategies to contain crimes or unrest.

The command has already taken everything into account, he said.

A community leader in Calabar South, Ekamba Cobham, said there was no tension in the state ahead of the verdict of the Supreme Court.

There is also increased security around the Three Arms Zone district in Abuja, where the Supreme Court is situated.

The panel of justices led by Justice Inyang Okoro had earlier considered and reserved the appeals for judgement in the cases involving the eight states on the spotlight today.

The apex court had up till January 18, to dispense all the appeals from the States affected by the outcome of the March 18, 2023 general elections.

The Kano State appeal is viewed to have the most contentious issues in the post-election litigations of 2023.

Similarly, the Plateau State governorship election appeal before the Supreme Court is another case with seeming thorny issues.
Femi Adesina, ex-presidential spokesperson to former President Muhammadu Buhari, has stated he authored his book to correct misconceptions about his principal sold to Nigerians by Buharis political enemies.

Information Nigeria understands that, Adesina wrote a book on the former president titled Working with Buhari: Reflections of A Special Adviser, Media and Publicity (2015-2023), which will be presented at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja on January 16.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as well as Buhari are expected to attend the book presentation.

In a chat with newsmen on Thursday, Adesina explained that when he was offered the appointment to work with Buhari, he was reluctant to accept it because he did not know what he was going into.

He disclosed that he cried when he resigned from the Sun newspapers to work with the former President.

His words: I would say I had known President Buhari long before I came to work for him as adviser on media and publicity.

Before then, I had not worked in government, and I had no desire to work in government.

But, when the invitation to work with him came, (I took it) because he was a man I admired.

After he won the election in 2015 and said come and work with me, I wanted to say no because I was MD of the Sun newspapers; I was president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE). I did not want to leave what I was doing.

READ ALSO: Femi Adesina Denies Saying Buhari Regretted Some Decisions Made As President

I was very reluctant when I was asked to come to government. When I resigned my appointment, I began to cry because I did not know what I was going into.

So, I had the confidence of my principal for eight years and we worked together seamlessly, harmoniously, not once did President Buhari complain about anything. Rather he would see me, and he would say thank you.

One day I was on Channels Television on Sunday, it was a particularly testy interview between me and Seun. He (Buhari) now met me in the Villa in the morning and said I saw you last night, I saw how fast your brain was working.

So, it was that kind of relationship we had. There is a certain myth about President Buhari, a narrative that his political enemies had sold and fed to the Nigerian public.

I just felt that the true narrative needed to be told and that is why I have written this book and I believe it would help Nigerians to know the real and the true Muhammadu Buhari as opposed to the conjuration we have heard over decades about the man.

Embedded in the book is also the checklist of all the Buhari achievements across sectors.

It is very important that records are kept and preserved for posterity, and these are veritable records about President Muhammadu Buharis administration, he added.

Adesina served as presidential spokesperson during the two tenures of Buhari.
Popular human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call a meeting with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) so as to devise ways of solving insecurity in the country.

Falana made this call in an interview with Channels Televisions Politics Today on Thursday.

READ ALSO: Poor Intelligence Gathering Responsible For Insecurity  Gani Adams

Tinubu should call a meeting of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Falana stated.

The lawyer also described calls for state police as diversionary, saying there are fears that such (creation of state police) will be misused as a tool for political fights if created.
The Supreme Court, on Friday, affirmed the election of the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

It was gathered that the five member panel in a unanimous judgment delivered by Justices Lawal Garba and Adamu Jauro, affirmed the declaration of the APCs candidate as winner of the March 18, 2023 governorship poll, after dismissing two separate appeals challenging his victory.

Recall that Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party, who came second and Abdulazeez Adediran popularly known as Jandor of the Peoples Democratic Party, who also came third, challenged the electoral process on grounds of alleged irregularities, malpractices non-compliance as well as non-qualification.

The two parties argued that the Deputy Governor, Femi Hamzat, who acquired citizenship of the United States of America, is not qualified to contest elective position and as such his nomination as deputy Governor was unlawful null and void.

They also argued that his alleged unlawful nomination affects the qualification of Sanwo-Olu, hence the court should nullify their participation in the governorship election.

READ MORE: Lagos Poll: Court Dismisses LPs Appeal, Affirms Sanwo-Olus Victory

Meanwhile, both the tribunal and the Court of Appeal in their respective decisions dismissed the two appeals for failure to prove allegations made in their petitions.

The apex court in its judgement, held that it has found no cogent reason to deviate from the concurrent judgments of the tribunal and Court of Appeal which held that Sanwo-Olu was lawfully elected as Governor of Lagos State.

The appellate court in a unanimous judgement held that acquisition of a foreign national those not bar any citizen by birth from contesting election.

Justice Lawal stated that the only condition a citizen with dual citizen can lose his right to be elected as governor is when he denounces his Nigerian citizenship by birth.
Tenny Omo Ologo, a Nigerian activist and blogger living in Turkey, has refuted claims that she was involved in the death threats made on Liam and Omowunmi, the late musician Ilerioluwa Alobas widow and son.

The activist responded to a plea that human rights advocate Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, sent to the Lagos State Police Command in December 2023, claiming that Omowunmi had received death threats.

The petition did not include Omo Ologos name, but she was cited as one of the people who allegedly called Omowunmi and threatened to abduct her and son.

Tenny Omoologo is one of the lot that is demanding justice via her social media handles; YouTube, TikTok and Facebook. However, while on the topic, Tenny denied that she ever made affirmative allegations against anyone but ran her shows on the matter based only on verified sources

In her words: This plot against me didnt start now. It started when I made a video on my platform about the Canada visa controversy. People can go back to see that video which I did last year. The Mohbads issue was just starting then and it was so hot. But nobody knew where it headed because even the police were not helping matters at the time. So, when the family went to the court during the inquest, the issue was all over the media.

It was Mohbads DJ that spoke first. And based on the viral news, I did my analysis and asked questions. When Mohbads father and Wunmi spoke to the media, I also analyzed to cast light on dark areas. Before the inquest started, I had got information that Mohbad was planning a musical tour to Canada between September 21 and 25, 2023.

When I got the information, I asked someone who is based in Canada how many days it would take to travel from Nigeria to Canada and the person said it would take two days. Now, if Mohbad had a show in Canada from the 21st to the 25th he needed to leave Nigeria from the 17th or 18th. At least, he had to cover two days for the trip and spend the 20th resting since he had his first show on the 21st. So, the question I asked was how Mohbad died on the 12th. That was where the plot against me started.

READ MORE: Mohbad: Delay Can Result In Denial  Joseph Aloba Tells Police To Hasten Investigation On Sons Death

There was this news update that was published by Gistlover. It said that Mohbads hand was swollen following a fight after a show he had the previous night. The news said that they could not get Mohbads physician to attend to him. Eventually, Mohbad died.

In the same Gistlover story, it was said that an unknown person requested to have Mohbads phone number. The person was quoted to have said that there is a contact in Mohbads phone which he saved with Doctor.
A Nigerian Policeman, identified as Edet Inwang, has been hospitalized after he was tortured and brutalised by a group of Military men in Asaba, Delta State.

However, in a petition written by Edets lawyer, Inibehe Effiong to the Office of the Chief of Army Staff and made available to the public on Thursday, revealed that the police officer was beaten and physically assaulted by at least 10 soldiers because he allegedly parked his car at a wrong spot.

According to the petition, the incident happened on the 9th of December 2023 when the police man was going to his place of work.

Effiong added that the Edet decided to park at a store very close to the Nigerian Armys Brigade to purchase some items.

The petition partly reads: That upon having his vehicle parked, he heard the voice of a man on mufti whom he would later identify as one Lance Corporal Onyibuchi of the Intelligence Department attached to the 63 Brigade, Asaba, talking from a far distance and speaking in tones which our Client could not comprehend.

That while the ranting ensued, a uniformed soldier approached our Client requesting him to re-park his vehicle, an instruction which our Client unhesitatingly made attempts to comply with.

READ MORE: Nigeria Army Arrests Fake Soldier In Nasarawa

That in an attempt to re-park the vehicle, Lance Corporal Cliyibuchi approached our Client, dragging him backwards and asking him why he refused to obey his instructions.

That in reacting to his question, our Client politely and in a non-confrontational manner explained to the said Lance Corporal Onyibuchi that he didnt hear what he was saying due to the distance; however what followed our Clients. response was a slap from Lance Corporal Onyibuchi and in the twinkling of an eye, other soldiers numbering not less than ten, pounced on our Client, attacking him in a very ugly fashion to the point where he became unconscious.

That while the assault persisted, one of the military men who participated in the assault hit an iron rod against our Clients head, while his left knee and ankle were also hit with the butt of a gun.

When the said lieutenant asked what our Client had done, the soldiers who assaulted him responded dismissively and recklessly that they did not know that our Client is a police officer.

That as a consequence of this assault on our client, he has sustained series of injuries which have taken a toll on his physical, emotional and mental health.

The petition, therefore, urged the Chief of Defence Staff to immediately intervene into the matter and ensure justice prevails.
The Defence Headquarters has charged Nigerians to see the fight against insecurity as a collective work and used the viral social media slang, No gree for anybody to reduce the rate of unrest within the country.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja, on Thursday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, charged the people to stand their ground and prevent terrorist activities in 2024.

It was gathered that Buba urged Nigerians to be security conscious and report criminal activities to security agencies.

He said: This year 2024, I urge citizens of this country to see security as a collective responsibility of all.

READ MORE: Police Issue Warning To Nigerians Against Using The Viral New 2024 Slogan No Gree For Anybody

Therefore, no gree for terrorists, and no gree for perpetrators of insecurity. You see something, you say something and we assure them of doing something,  he said in pidgin English, asking Nigerians to stand firm against insecurity.

The aim of our ongoing operations remains unchanged and clear even in the new year 2024. We aim to find and destroy the terrorist wherever they may be hiding to ensure their enduring defeat. This would deny the terrorist the ability to terrorize or hurt citizens across the country.

Our operations indicate that we are hunting the terrorist commanders and their senior leadership. Indeed, from their topmost leadership to the lowest commanders are dead men walking and we will stop at nothing until they are dead or surrender.

Recall that the Nigerian police force has issued a warning to its citizens not to use the recently trending slogan, No gree for anybody.

At the Force headquarters in Abuja, on Wednesday, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, the police spokesperson, issued the warning while parading a few suspects.

He said, many may see the word as normal while asserting how dangerous the slang could be in a security community.
The Food and Drug Administration finally approved the importation of prescription drugs from Canada to Florida last week, a long awaited move.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law to allow this all the way back in 2019. This move has bipartisan support, and the White House is encouraging other states to follow, and in fact Colorado, Maine, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Texas, Vermont and Wisconsin already have laws allowing drug importation.

President Joe Biden signed an executive order back in 2021 directing the FDA to work with the states on imports, opening the door.

The real question is: Considering that we have the highest drug prices of any developed country, how much difference will this make in bringing down prescription drug prices in the United States to a more reasonable place? The answer is that even if it's just a small step, it's a step in the right direction.

The Food and Drug Administration on Jan. 5, 2024, cleared the way for Florida's first-in-the-nation plan to import prescription drugs from Canada. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the plan into law in 2019, but it required federal review and approval by the FDA, which controls prescription drug imports. Democratic President Joe Biden has backed such programs as a way to lower prices, signing an executive order in 2021 that directed the FDA to work with states on imports.

FDA approval may help burst Big Pharma myths

Part of the reason for this problem is the powerful drug lobbies, led by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, which oppose drug importation of medications from Canada and other destinations. And they arent going to cease their opposition any time soon.

Multinational drug companies may try to block some of the importation, and the Canadian government may, too, considering that Canadians, like us, are suffering from drug shortages and supply chain problems, according to the Canadian Pharmacists Association.

Plus, the U.S. prescription drug market is nearly 20 times that of Canada's market, so our northern neighbor certainly cannot supply all our drug needs.

Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store.

If nothing else, this move will help burst the Big Pharma myths once and for all. The prescription drugs in Canada are just as effective and just as safe, as are generic and biosimilar drugs that can be had for much lower costs and yet often face approval challenges here.

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The myth that we are really paying for the high cost of drug development (while other countries clearly arent), will finally be burst. Why shouldnt these costs be shared across all customers and all countries.

At the same time, artificial intelligence will speed drug development and make it much cheaper. Too much of the cost of drugs here is tied up with distribution costs, complying with FDA regulations regarding cleanliness and sterility and paying for regulatory approval, and other cogs in the wheel including pharmacy benefit managers (PBM), who suck up profit without providing clear value.

Just one fake pill can kill: She thought it was Xanax. She died of fentanyl poisoning.

What's problematic for my patients

I favor free-market approaches to drive down drug prices through competition, rather than increasing more regulation through direct negotiation. Medicare and Medicaid attempts to negotiate prices inevitably lead to fewer choices  which is very problematic for me and my patients  while competition leads to more choices and better health care outcomes.

This is what California Gov. Gavin Newsom is trying to accomplish by having his state produce insulin in a more cost-effective streamlined way.

For that matter, why shouldnt states be able to import drugs from other countries like India, considering that the vast majority of our drugs (or their ingredients) come from overseas to begin with. The notion that prices are high as a way to somehow ensure quality is the greatest myth of all.

TikTok is a trap. As a doctor, I tell parents to protect their kids from social media.

Price opacity is another key part of the problem. All my patients care about is what their co-pay will be at the pharmacy, and they are not aware when a PBM or an insurance company is getting a drug company rebate.

Drug manufacturers, pharmacy benefit managers and insurance companies all rely on this opacity to obscure the exorbitant prices from the patient or their doctor. This bloat will be squeezed out of the system when drug companies are forced to compete more with generics, biosimilars, other states and other countries.

Dr. Marc Siegel

Many patients are asking me this week if they will be able to order Canadian drugs online from Florida pharmacies. While this remains to be seen, the question itself is revealing.

The United States is finally on the verge of introducing needed competition into the prescription drug market.

Dr. Marc Siegel is a professor of medicine and medical director of Doctor Radio at New York University's Langone Health. His latest book is "COVID: the Politics of Fear and the Power of Science." Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @DrMarcSiegel

You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Florida leads on importing prescription drugs, lowering your co-pay
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Thursday, lauded the Supreme Court judgment that affirmed Umo Eno as Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

A five-member panel of the Court led by Uwani Abba-Aji, dismissed three separate appeals filed by the All Progressives Congress and its candidate, Akanimo Udofia; Young Progressives Party and its candidate, Albert Bassey, as well as the New Nigeria Peoples Party and its candidate, John Udoedehe.

The candidates had levelled several allegations against Eno, one of which was that the governor forged his secondary school certificate submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission.

However, the apex court quashed all the petitions for lacking merit.

Lead counsel to the respective parties also withdrew their separate appeals after the court hinted that the appeals lacked merit.

Reacting, PDPs spokesperson, Debo Ologunagba, said the judgment is a victory for Democracy and the decisive triumph of the will of the people of Akwa Ibom State in their determination to preserve good governance in their state.

READ ALSO: I Didnt Defect From APC, I Only Resigned To Join Another Party  LPs Kenneth Okonkwo

According to the Party, the spontaneous jubilation across the South-south state shows that the verdict is in line with their expressed will, aspiration and choice of the people at the governorship election.

PDP furthered that Eno is a humble, compassionate and visionary leader, a seasoned administrator with extensive managerial skills which he acquired over the years in both private and public sectors; qualities that continue to endear him to the people of Akwa Ibom State, and for which they overwhelmingly elected him at the poll.

Our Party is proud of his capacity for leadership especially in hitting the ground running upon inauguration with the launching of the Arise Agenda leading to monumental achievements in the delivery of life-changing citizen empowerment programmes and projects in critical sectors including Agriculture, Education, Healthcare, Security, Housing, Road infrastructure, Manufacturing, Commerce, Aviation among others, the statement added.

The PDP urged Eno to remain steadfast in building on the legacies of Udom Emmanuel, his predecessor.
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, on Thursday, called out the President Bola Ahmed Tinubus led administration to patronize modern gadgets in defending its territory in Nigeria.

Adams disclosed that there must be an adequate intelligence-gathering strategy to end insecurity across the nation.

Speaking at a One-Day Security Summit held in partnership with some Netherlands security experts in Lagos, he said the right time to fight bandits and terrorists was now.

He said: We must wage intelligent war against kidnapping and the time for that fight is now. For any development to take place in any polity, evil must not be appeased. It must be decisively dealt with and fought from all angles like the monster that it is.

READ MORE: Tinubus Victory Expected, Well Deserved  Gani Adams

As it is being done in other climes, the Tinubu administration has no choice but to deploy intelligence and modern security networks to tackle insecurity in the land. This is the only way Nigerias economic growth can be realised.

The principal task of security agencies is to defend the state against threats to its national security. Any threat to the economic growth of a country is also a threat to national security. Since those threats could be covertly organised, the service needs intelligence to counter these agents of darkness. A large part of success in security operations lies in inter-agency cooperation and coordination.
The Supreme Court has certified the election of Abba Yusuf as Kano State Governor.

A five-member panel of the apex court held that the Tribunal and the Court of Appeal erred by sacking Yusuf, candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), as State Governor.

The Supreme Court had reserved judgment after hearing the appeals on December 21, 2023.

The panel led by John Okoro held that the tribunal was wrong to have invalidated 165,663 votes from the votes polled by Yusuf.

The tribunal had deducted the votes because the said ballot papers were not stamped and signed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) pursuant to Section 71 of the Electoral Act.

However, the apex court held that the ballot papers cannot be invalidated because they came from the booklet of ballot papers which carried official logos and the map of Nigeria.

The court held that the petitioners failed to prove that the said ballot papers were not part of the booklet of ballot papers deployed by INEC and furnished to presiding officers in the various polling units.

On the issue of party membership, the court held that it is an internal affair that cannot be challenged by a member of another party.

Consequently, the court held that the judgment of the lower court voiding the election of the appellant is hereby set aside.

Recall that on November 17, 2023, the court of appeal upheld the tribunals verdict and added that Yusuf was not a member of the NNPP when he contested the election.

However, controversy trailed the verdict days later when a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the appeal court judgment surfaced, contradicting the November 17 ruling.

The copy of the judgment ruled against and in favour of the NNPP candidate simultaneously, eliciting outrage on social media platforms and the streets.

The Appeal Court issued a statement blaming clerical error for the contradictions or discrepancies.

In its ruling, Okoro said: There is no proof that the said ballot papers were not the ones used at the election.

Thus the decision of the court of appeal affirming the decision of the tribunal ought to be set aside.

What is the effect of a ballot paper not having the marks by the electoral commission?

A ballot paper that does not bear INEC mark is not invalid by all purposes.

Finally, the lower court wrongly misconstrued its evaluation of the ballot papers. This amounts to perversion. Accordingly, all the ballot papers are restored to Governor Yusuf, he added.

For Dauda Lawal of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Court ruled that he is the validly elected Governor of Zamfara state.

The courts five-member panel overturned the judgment of the Court of Appeal which declared the States gubernatorial election inconclusive.

It further described the judgment of the appellate court as perverse, and ruled in favour of the appeal filed by Lawal and the PDP.

Recall that in March 2023, INEC declared Lawal as the winner of the Zamfara governorship election with 377,726 votes.

READ ALSO: High Security As Kano, Plateau, 6 Other Govs Know Fate At SCourt Today

Bello Matawalle, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 311,976 votes, challenged the outcome of the poll.

Matawalle, now Minister of State for Defence, had accused INEC of subverting his victory at the poll by failing to include the results of some wards.

The Tribunal, in September 2023, held that the petition was devoid of merit and a N500,000 fine was awarded against the petitioners.

In November 2023, the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja declared the Zamfara governorship election inconclusive.

The three-member panel of the appellate court unanimously annulled the victory of Lawal and ordered INEC to hold a fresh election in three Local Government Areas.

The Local Governments are Maradun, Birnin-Magaji and Bukyun.

Caleb Mutfwang of the PDP was also affirmed Governor of Plateau State in todays ruling.

The apex court led by Emmanuel Agim, held that the whole case is a clear abuse of court process.

It faulted the appellate court for voiding Mutfwangs election.

The court further held that the Tribunal and Court of Appeal cannot determine the issue of validity of a partys candidate.

Agim held that matters of the National Executive Council, and administration of a political party, are internal affairs of the party and cannot be entertained by the lower courts.

The election and return of the appellant as governor of Plateau state is hereby restored, the court held.

The Appeal Court had in a unanimous decision in November ruled that Muftwang was not sponsored by his Party.

The court held that Nentawe Yilwada of the All Progressives Congress won the March 18, 2023 governorship election and therefore upheld his appeal.

According to the result declared by INEC, Mutfwang scored 525,299 votes to beat Yilwada who polled 481,370 votes.

The Plateau Tribunal had earlier affirmed Muftwangs victory prompting Yilwada to file an appeal at the appellate court.

The Supreme Court also affirmed the election of Francis Nwifuru as Ebonyi State Governor.

Ifeanyi Odii of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had challenged the election of Nwifuru on the grounds of electoral malpractice.

He also said Nwifuru was not properly sponsored by his political party for the March 2023 election.

Delivering judgment on Friday, Tijani Abubakar, who led a five-member panel of the court, held that the appeal was always going to fall like a pack of cards.

It is unmeritorious and is dismissed, the court ruled.

In March 2023, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Nwifuru, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as winner of the Ebonyi governorship election after he polled 199, 131 votes.

Ifeanyi Odii of the PDP secured 80,191 votes.

Bernard Odoh, the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), polled a distant third with 52, 189 votes.

Dissatisfied with the outcome of the election, Odii and Odoh had approached the tribunal, asking it to nullify Nwifurus victory and declare them winner.

They noted that Nwifuru was not a valid member of the APC at the time he contested the election.

The apex court also affirmed the election of Bassey Otu as the Governor of Cross River State.

It dismissed the appeal filed by Sandy Onor, candidate of the PDP.

Helen Ogunwumiju, who read the lead judgment, held that the appeal is without merit, a waste of judicial time and resources.

Recall that in March 2023, Otu, candidate of the APC, was announced as the winner of the governorship election after he scored 258,619 votes.

Onor who came second behind Otu scored 179,636 votes.

Dissatisfied with the outcome of the election, Onor approached the Tribunal with a three-point petition.

Onor had argued that Peter Odey, Otus deputy, was still a member of the PDP when he was nominated by the APC.

He added that Otu did not possess the prerequisite qualifications to contest the election.

In September 2023, the Tribunal dismissed the petition filed by Onor while the court of appeal in November affirmed the election of Otu as the Governor of Cross River.

Similarly, the Supreme Court affirmed the election of the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed.

APC candidate, Sadique Abubakars efforts at the two lower courts to unseat Mohammed were not successful.

Abubakar had alleged massive non-compliance with the Electoral Act during the poll at the two courts.

His petition at the Tribunal and appeal at the appellate court were dismissed for lack of merit.

The two courts held that he did not prove his allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.

Reading the lead judgment today, Justice Ibrahim Saulawa resolved all issues against the appellant and held that the appeal was devoid of merit.

Reacting via X, the Governor dedicated the victory to the people of the state and his Party, PDP.

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful, I offer all praises to Allah for our victory. This triumph belongs to the people of Bauchi State and our esteemed party, the @OfficialPDPNig

On behalf of my family and myself, I express deep gratitude to all our stakeholders who joined us in this journey, particularly our religious and faith leaders, political associates, friends, and well-wishers. This victory reaffirms that the good work in Bauchi State must go on. #GreaterBauchi, he posted.
VeryDarkMan, a social media activist, is not backing down from his attacks on actress Tonto Dikeh, even after she demanded his arrest.

The celebrity-bashing social media advocate stated that he and Tonto work out at the same gym in Abuja, taking a jab at her via his Instagram story.

He asserted that the actress is aware of his schedule, when he arrives, and when he leaves, and as a result, his life is in her hand.

READ MORE: Ini Edo Sparks Dating Rumour Amid Birthday Message To IK Ogbonna

He observed that although it is commonly said that women bring down great men.

Tonto Dikeh and I use the same gym in Abuja, she knows my routine, she knows when I come and when I leave. My life is in her hands.

Tonto Dikeh my life is in your hands

You go explain tire when I say you will learn I meant you will learn

They say all great men were brought down by women. Sadly I identify as a honey badger

I was in the same room with Gistlover yesterday. It is my world yall live in it, fun fact I go let them know I am from Edo State. You go dey use VDM play. He composed.
The Nigeria Police Force, on Thursday night, explained why it kicked against the use of the viral 2024 slogan, No Gree For Anybody.

The slogan simply means do not tolerate any form of nonsense from anybody or do not allow yourself to be bullied by anyone.

The Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, had during a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, warned against the use of the slogan, citing violence against police officers.

His warning was, however, vehemently opposed by netizens, who further spread the slogan, saying no one can stop them.

Reacting further via X, the Force spokesperson explained that the Police are in the best position to advise and educate Nigerians on possible early warning signs of an impending danger as a civil and people-oriented institution.

Adejobi warned that the slogan should not be used to attack security operatives while discharging their duties.

Do not take the 2024 slogan for granted. Do not abuse the slogan and capitalise on it to be attacking security operatives while discharging their duties.

Be reasonable with the slogan, sue for, and embrace peace anywhere you find yourself, even at home. It is well with our dear country, he posted.

Although the origin of the slogan cannot be traced, Nigerians particularly youths have adopted it as motivation to succeed in the new year.

Meanwhile some lawyers, yesterday, faulted the warning by the Nigeria Police that the use of the 2024 slogan was capable of instigating crisis.

Former Vice-President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Monday Ubani, cautioned that while the Police have the right to ensure peace in the country, it should not become a ground to infringe on the rights of the citizens to express themselves.

READ ALSO: Femi Falana Slams Police Over Caution Against No Gree For Anybody Slogan</a

He said: The security agencies are there to maintain law and order, so, if the Police say that they have carried out an intel which suggests that the slogan is capable of causing crisis in the country, they have a right to prevent it. In doing that, there must, however, be a balance. If people are expressing themselves without ulterior motives or the expression degenerating into a security threat, it will be wrong to infringe on peoples right to express themselves.

I think the slogan is just a motivation for people and generates the right spirit in them to do the right thing and stand against any form of intimidation or oppression and also improve their lives. As far as that is the case, it will be wrong for the Police to stop people from expressing themselves. What is important is peace and the Police has the right to ensure peace in the country. If there is no peace in the country, investor cannot come in so we must all ensure that there is peace in the country.

Executive Director of Cadrell Advocacy Centre, Evans Ufeli, posited that the Police warning was unnecessary, saying the security agency clearly misunderstood the slogan.

He said: The Police warning is unnecessary because the expression is not inciting. It is just a cultural expressing and does not input violence. I believe they have not really done a good research on the slogan. If you ask the youths and the millennials, they will tell you that it is a positive expression they have adopted to achieve their set goals for the year.

While some say they No go agree for hunger and poverty, others say I no agree for oppression and intimidation around me. The society is dynamic and the Police should know that every season comes with a slang or expression. Since the expression gained traction, has there be any violence anywhere? The answer is no.

Human rights activist, Femi Falana, described the warning as laughable, saying that the Police has no power to ban the expression which he said constitutes no threat to law and order.

I no gree for anybody is an expression of antiquity and the Police cannot stop or criminalise it. When President Bola Tinubu came to Lagos recently, Nigerians expressed their feeling to him that there is hunger in the land. That is a form of I no go gree. The expression does not in any way constitute a threat to law and order. Nobody can be charged to court for using that expression and, if the Police feel differently, they should refer us to the portion of the law that criminalises such ancient expression, he said.
The outgoing Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Emmanuelle Blatmann has revealed her experience with the indigenous food during her time in the country.

The French Ambassador who is set to take up a new role as the director for Africa in Paris, disclosed that she will miss Nigeria but not the pepper soup.

Blatmann made this known in an interview in Abuja on Thursday, ahead of her departure from Nigeria.

READ MORE: Niger Junta Orders French Ambassador, Itte To Leave Country In 48 Hours

She said: I will be very honest with you and blunt, I will not miss the pepper soup because its too peppery. You people tried to kill me several times.

I will be eating all sorts of things with my eyes red and crying, I have smoke coming out of my ears. I am exaggerating but honestly, why do you put so much pepper? In the North, its better but in the South West, my God!

But I like the jollof rice, I like the moimoi and the puff-puff. I will miss the climate, I will miss the love of the people, I will miss the sense of humour, the laughter, the music, the dancing, I dance a lot, I will miss a lot.
A violinist whom Philadelphians watched grow up on the stage is the winner of one of classical musics biggest prizes.

Curtis-trained Hilary Hahn was awarded the 2024 Avery Fisher Prize on Thursday at a New York Philharmonic concert for which she was soloist.

Hahn, who started at the Curtis Institute at age 10 and graduated almost a decade later in 1999, said it was both shocking and fantastic to win the prize, whose previous recipients include Yo-Yo Ma, Andre Watts, and Midori.

Back in the 90s, I was a teenager and I knew about the prize, and Ive had colleagues who have won, so I was aware of it all along and thought it was a great thing that it existed, Hahn told The Inquirer. And I thought it wasnt in the cards for me because there are so many great musicians and just one prize.

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 READ MORE: Philly Orchestra features Hilary Hahn and a lavish 'Firebird'

The Avery Fisher is one of classical musics oldest honors  50 years old  and is among the most generous, with a $100,000 award.

Hahn says she hasnt thought much about how she might use the prize money but will probably pay some of it forward.

The violinist is based in Boston but performs regularly in Philadelphia, including a not-yet-announced all-Bach solo recital slated for May 17, 2025, at the Kimmel Center.

Its a great hall, she says of Verizon. I love the sound of it, the feel of it. Its like being inside of an instrument.

The last recipient of the Avery Fisher Prize, in 2020, was another Curtis-trained musician: clarinetist Anthony McGill.

Hahn said winning a prize like this is a shot of affirmation.

You get to step back a little, and its a nudge, like, keep doing whatever youre doing. It matters to people.
Exterior of the Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building. Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts at N. Broad and Cherry Street in Philadelphia as shown on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024. Billed as the countrys oldest institution that is both a museum and school, PAFA is discontinuing its degree programs. Read more

Students, staff, and alumni of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts reacted with a mixture of frustration, confusion, and hope to the news that the school would eliminate its bachelors and masters of fine arts programs at the end of the 2024-25 school year.

Juniors, seniors, and MFA students expecting to graduate from PAFA in 2024 or 2025 will still be able to do so, the school said. Freshmen and sophomores will have to enroll elsewhere at the end of the current academic year. Those students  PAFA says there are 37  will receive personalized transfer plans to nearby institutions, according to a statement by PAFA president Eric G. Pryor.

The statement said agreements are in place with the University of the Arts, Temple Universitys Tyler School of Art and Architecture, Moore College of Art & Design, Arcadia University, and Pennsylvania College of Art and Design.

The campus was buzzing with unanswered questions about logistics, including international students on temporary visas, upcoming student exhibits, and the future of the buildings studios and arts equipment. Some students expressed outrage at the abrupt announcement, which came the day before spring classes started on Thursday.

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Im just really shocked and upset. I feel like I just got here and Im really confused about where Im supposed to go. I got a full ride scholarship and I havent gotten any answers on whats going to happen yet. Its all very new and its all very scary, said first-year student Aubrie Testa, 18, who grew up in Northeast Philadelphia and studies printmaking. PAFA was really the perfect school for meand Im being forced to transfer.

The school organized various meetings to answer questions and quell students concerns, but Testa said it has been a mess.

In an effort to clear things up, I think everyone got more confused and frustrated, Testa said.

Lily Tucker, 21, a sculpture major from northern Virginia, said on Thursday that students were gathering in rage, to sit together in collective grief on campus. Many students are scrambling to confirm their credits or trying to take summer classes so that they can move up their timelines and stay at the school.

For the students who are forced to transfer, Tucker said the experience will be vastly different.

We have studios here and do private work, as well as six-hour-long rigorous studio painting classes or printmaking or sculpting from the figure, she said. Were able to focus that hard on art and not be interrupted by other classes  other universities are set up more as universities, and less as academies.

Other students, unsure of where they might end up and not wanting to muddle future applications, declined to give their names while passing through Lenfest Plaza on Wednesday.

It feels like the rugs been pulled out from under us, said a 25-year-old third-year student who transferred to the school last year and did not want to be identified by name.

Theres no other school thats going to allow us to do what we were doing here. Were gonna have to restart, said a 21-year-old second-year sculpture student who asked to not be identified. The small school was a strong community. Everyone has almost a spiritual connection to art.

Angel, 19, a first-year who moved from New York and didnt want to use her last name, was heartbroken. PAFA was the only school I wanted to go toother schools artwork didnt live up to what PAFA has, she said.

Some students were also furious with the PAFA board and president Pryor.

These are all people who are making decisions, but dont do art. They dont understand the world that we exist in. So its like, why are you making any financial decisions for us? said a 21-year-old senior who is on a scholarship and wished to not be identified.

The Academy  founded in 1805, and said to be the oldest American institution that is both a museum and a school  will retain classes in continuing education and its K-12 arts programs, school officials said. PAFA also intends to restore its comprehensive three- or four-year certificate program this fall. The program, from which many prominent artists graduated, was dropped in 2017.

Some current faculty expressed their own frustrations with the institution, while praising the certificate program.

The school has been in a slow, steady state of deterioration, said Stuart Shils, a painter and adjunct professor at PAFA for the past 15 years. He graduated with a certificate from PAFA in 1982, and said in recent years, with a new administration and plunging enrollment, theres been no obvious concern or care for either the faculty or the students.

Peter Van Dyck, 45, who has taught drawing and studio art at the school since 2003, wasnt surprised by the news, either. Returning to the certificate program is probably the best thing that could happen, he said. Hopefully, [the program would] come in at a much lower cost, which I think makes it possible for people to then actually be practicing artists, when they finish.

Hes unsure of what will happen to his job, but he said he refuses to see the school die. Ill keep coming till they throw me out, he said.

PAFA currently has 21 full-time and 21 part-time faculty members, a spokesperson said, and although they will be retained for now, no firm plan exists yet for their employment after the degree programs are phased out. The number of faculty who will be retained will depend on how many students enroll in the restored certificate program, Pryor said.

I was taken aback upon learning the news, still in the process of digesting it, much like many people in Philadelphia, said Jonathan Lyndon Chase, a Philadelphia-based artist who received an MFA from PAFA in 2016 and is now a visiting critic at the school. This decision is a significant setback for the Philadelphia arts community and evokes a sense of sorrow.

Some alumni, however, believed the move would bring the school back to its roots, a position shared by school leaders.

I think the place got too big, I dont think it ever should have had degree programs, said Philadelphia artist Bill Scott, who was a PAFA student from 1974 to 1979. Because the certificate program was something that didnt really exist anywhere else in the world. It was a great education. Not everyone stayed in the visual arts, but the art stayed with them throughout their lives.

As a teenager in suburban Philadelphia, artist Jane Irish used to attend PAFA parties in the 1970s. She most recently taught students there just before the pandemic. She wondered whether the certificate program would make it possible for graduates to teach, a job that these days typically requires an MFA.

Even though theyre known as The Academy, to me, they represent an artistic vision that is more hands-on and more personal, said Irish, whose first solo exhibit took place at PAFA in 2000.

Jan Baltzell, who taught in both the certificate and graduate programs for 30 years before retiring in 2020, said she thought the move to eliminate the degree programs made sense. PAFAs focus on a studio-based education is what made it unique; the degree programs diluted that.

Parents have a hard time spending money and not getting a degree, Baltzell said. I hope this will help the school, not hinder it  but it may take a little time.
Radio DJ Pierre Robert, 68, at his studio at WMMR in Bala Cynwyd on Tuesday. Robert has just signed a four-year contract extension. Read more

When Pierre Robert made his debut on rock station WMMR-FM (93.3) in 1981, he wanted to play Cinnamon Girl, the first song from Neil Young and Crazy Horses Everybody Knows This is Nowhere.

But I was so ridiculously nervous that I bumped into the turntable and it skipped to the last song. Luckily, it was a weekend overnight shift, so probably four people were listening. But that was a brilliant introduction.

Things have been smoother since for the beloved rock jock whos an instantly recognizable figure around town with his shoulder-length hair, partially gray beard, and trademark Greetings, citizens! salutation. He celebrated his 42nd anniversary at MMR in November.

And now, the Northern California native, 68, who was inducted into the Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame in 2019, has agreed to a contract extending his run as mid-day host for at least another four years. Naples, Fla.-based Beasley Media Group, which owns six stations in the Philadelphia market, including country WXTU-FM (92.5) and classic rock WMGK-FM (102.9), made the announcement last week. A statement by Robert evoked one of his favorite bands: To paraphrase the Grateful Dead: What a long, strange, and wonderful trip its been  and still is!

Roberts decision to continue on the station whose broad rock format runs from classic rock to grunge to contemporary artists like the Killers and the Struts, was in part inspired by acts like the Rolling Stones, who are keeping on into their 80s. Robert was one of only 300 invited guests to see the band play a club date in New York in October.

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He also has plenty of Philly role models who have spent decades as trusted voices on the Philadelphia airwaves. His legendary brethren includes folk DJ Gene Shay, who died in 2020; Frank Sinatra-ophile Sid Mark, who died in 2022; jazz authority Bob Perkins, who retired from WRTI-FM (90.1) last year; and World Cafe founder David Dye, whose Daves World airs Sundays on WXPN-FM (88.5).

And of course, the Geator, Jerry Blavat, the oldies-spinning Boss with the Hot Sauce who remained active until shortly before his death last year at 82. I miss him to this day, Robert says of Blavat. He was making shows right up until he died  Each one was a lesson in rock and roll history!

Those guys are heroes, Robert says, speaking from his home in Gladwyne with the characteristic enthusiasm that has endeared him to loyal MMR listeners. I loved Sid. He had that single dedication to one artist which I dont think well ever see again  unless somebody starts playing Taylor Swift now and keeps it going for the next 50 years.

All Roberts heroes moved from station to station, but hes been at MMR his entire time in Philadelphia. My little claim to fame, such as it is, is Ive done what Ive done all at one station, he says.

One of the great things about this city is its so warm, he says. Its like a small town, even though its such a big city... If people in Philadelphia like you, and they believe you to be real, you got a shot. He laughs. And if youre not real, they pick it up pretty quickly and youre invited to pack your bag!

Roberts romance with the city began shortly after KSAN, the rock station where he worked in San Francisco, switched to an Urban Cowboy format, Robert drove a Volkswagen van across the country and landed in Philadelphia.

I came because of a relationship, he says. I was in love. The love part didnt work out, but the job part did.

His plan to get hired at WMMR didnt happen quickly. Instead, he worked at the health food store Essene, and got nowhere interviewing at stations around town.

He was at the Astral Plane, the Lombard Street restaurant that closed in 2007, when a friend overheard chatter about radio from a nearby table. Robert introduced himself to diners who turned out to be MMR program director Joe Bonnadonna and announcer Charlie Kendall. He was told the station had no openings.

Weeks later, feeling forlorn, he visited a palm reader on South Street. For $5, the fortune teller offered one prediction: Youre going to get a letter.

The next day, he did, from Bonnadonna. Their interview took place at a show by the Philly band the Hooters at the Chestnut Cabaret, the long-gone music venue at 38th and Ludlow, whose building was demolished last year.

So in one shot, I saw the Hooters for the first time and got hired by Joe. He started at $3.50 an hour, working in the music library and office, before going on the air first on weekends and then moving to his current 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. time slot. Hes cheerfully occupied that midday shift for four decades.

Robert recently Zoomed with Dolly Parton, promoting her Rock Star album, which features Lizzo, Rob Halford from Judas Priest, and Paul McCartney. This is the message I keep putting out there from my little pulpit, he says, to remind people to be open to different styles and different interpretations of music.

He also enjoyed that Parton got a kick out of saying his rhyming name out loud. Pierre Robert, I never heard a name like that, she said. Pierre Robert. Im going to remember that name forever.

I can rest now, he says.

Robert doesnt know if hell keep going forever but is certain that Im not finished.

Sometimes Ill work with my producer Pancake recording specialty shows that go for six or seven hours. He asks, Are we done? And I say, No, its not quite done. Thats sort of how I feel about being on the radio. My mission is not complete yet.
An airplane arriving for landing at Philadelphia International Airport as seen over Upper Darby on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. Read more

Philadelphia International Airport is one of the most punctual airports in the world.

PHL came in eighth place among airports globally in 2023 for being on time, down from fifth place in 2022, according to a report from Cirium, an aviation analytics company.

The annual report, which was released this month, examines the number of flights in a given year for every airport and takes into account factors including if airplanes leave the gate within 15 minutes of the scheduled departure time.

One aspect that contributes to PHLs high ranking is that the airport had fewer flights arriving and departing recently than in previous years, said Jim Tyrrell, chief revenue officer of the Philadelphia International Airport. In 2023, about 345 flights on average departed PHL every day compared to 475 per day in 2019.

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Some airlines are also flying larger planes with more seats out of PHL but departing less frequently, he says.

The activity that takes place on our runways, its down considerably, primarily due to upsizing of aircraft and the decreasing of the number of takeoffs and landings, he said

The top destinations in 2023 out of PHL were all national flights, according to data from Cirium, which looked at the number of seats available for purchase on flights, regardless of if they were bought, and if flights were canceled.

If you look at the top 10 destinations, youll see a combination of warm weather cities and major hub airports, said Tyrrell.

Top destinations out of PHL in 2023

The top destinations out of PHL per number of seats, according to data from Cirium:

Orlando, Fla.  1,177,778 Atlanta, Ga.  1,011,311 Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas  662,330 Chicago  OHare, Ill.  648,810 Charlotte-Douglas, N.C.  622,080 Miami, Fla.  599,719 Boston, Mass.  577,490 Phoenix, Ariz.  494,929 Los Angeles, Calif.  489,922 Denver, Colo.  477,880

Orlando was the top destination out of PHL in 2023  it had about 98,000 more seats on flights available last year than it did in 2019.

Orlando is always on the top of our list, said Tyrrell. Philadelphia cant put enough seats in the market for Florida destinations to satisfy the demand. Every flight we have going south to the Florida markets is usually filled.

Discontinued flights that could come back

While PHL had more travelers in 2023 than the prior year, it is still recovering from the pandemic. Last year, the airport had almost 17 million seats on flights, compared to nearly 20 million in 2019, according to the Cirium data.

Some flights that were discontinued after 2019 also havent yet returned to PHL.

Internationally, those flights include Dubrovnik, Croatia, and Prague, Czech Republic, which were successful flights for American Airlines on their Boeing 767 airplanes, says Tyrrell.

When the pandemic hit, airlines took the opportunity to retire older planes for more efficient ones, and American retired their fleet of 767 and 330 aircrafts, he says. The flights to Dubrovnik and Prague will probably return to PHL in Tyrrells opinion because they were pretty successful, but its an aircraft issue, he says.

They wont come back until American has the fleet necessary to fly them, and thats going to happen in the next year or so, he said.

Once the company has the planes needed, he thinks more boutique European destinations out of PHL could be offered because of them. We think its going to be a game changer, he said.
A SEPTA police officer walks up the stairs at 15th Street Station after a 16-year-old boy was shot in the head. Read more

Two teens have been arrested and will be charged with shooting a 16-year-old boy in the head after police said they fired into a crowd of young people waiting for the subway at City Halls SEPTA station on Thursday night.

Around 9:25 p.m. Thursday, as a group of teens stood on the westbound platform of the Market-Frankford Line, prosecutors said, 18-year-old Quadir Humphrey, with a 16-year-old, fired multiple times as the train approached. As the crowd fled in a panic, police found the teen lying on the ground, shot in the head.

Officers scooped him into their arms and rushed him to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, where he remained in critical condition Friday. Police said the young man was from the Northeast, and was carrying his high school identification card.

Prosecutors said transit police were on the platform when the shooting erupted and used surveillance cameras to quickly identify the shooters. Humphrey and the other teen, whom officials have declined to name until he is formally charged, were arrested at the scene. A weapon was recovered.

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The District Attorneys Office said it expects to charge Humphrey with aggravated assault, conspiracy, illegal gun possession, and related crimes. The 16-year-old is expected to be charged with aggravated assault, conspiracy, and related crimes.

The 16-year-old victim did not appear to have been targeted, said Capt. James Kearney, head of the Police Departments nonfatal shooting unit. He said video shows the shooters standing together, before the 16-year-old pulls out a gun and Humphrey wantonly fires it toward a group of young people. He said the 16-year-old victim was a bystander with no previous contact with law enforcement, and that he may have been struck by a bullet that ricocheted off the wall behind him.

Now, he said, the teen is fighting for his life.

Humphrey has two previous arrests  for illegal gun possession and auto theft, according to two law enforcement sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The cases are pending in juvenile court. Most juvenile records are sealed, so reporters could not learn the details or status of the cases. A spokesperson for the courts declined to comment.

Thursdays shooting is at least the fourth time in 10 months that a juvenile has been shot on SEPTA property.

In May, 14-year-old Wort Whipple was shot and killed at the 52nd Street station platform. His slaying came just weeks after a 16-year-old was shot in the face on the stations steps and seriously wounded. No arrests were made in either shooting.

Then, just a few weeks later, 15-year-old Randy Mills was riding a bus home one night when a man started an argument, then pulled a gun and shot him. Mills died within minutes. Police are still searching for his alleged killer: 19-year-old Haneef Ali.

Staff reporter Rodrigo Torrejon contributed to this article.
Nursing students walk on St. Joseph's University's new site in Lancaster. The university has completed a merger with the Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences there. Read more

St. Josephs University earlier this month finalized a merger agreement with the Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences in Lancaster, which will allow it to add nursing programs, a longtime goal.

The university plans to admit its first 80 nursing students this fall on its Hawk Hill campus while continuing to run the health sciences programs in Lancaster.

The acquisition allowed us to not only grow the programs in Lancaster but to immediately implement a quality, proven, accredited nursing program in the Philadelphia region, said St. Joes president, Cheryl McConnell.

 READ MORE: St. Joes announces merger with another college, this one with nursing programs

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Students in the Lancaster program will notice little difference in their education, other than that they now will be under the St. Joes name, with new St. Joes-branded scrubs, she said. The vast majority of employees there will continue to serve in their current roles in Lancaster, she said, while Lancaster General Health is working to provide options for the few who will not.

The health sciences college, enrolling about 2,000 students, was founded by Lancaster General Hospital, which is owned by the University of Pennsylvania. Decades-long affiliation agreements with both the hospital and Penn were secured and key to closing the deal, McConnell said. The Lancaster hospital has agreed to continue providing tuition remission for employees and guarantee clinical placements for programs taught in Lancaster, with the possibility of expansion, and Penn Medicine has agreed to provide clinical rotation spots in the Philadelphia region to St. Joes nursing students studying on the Philadelphia campus, she said.

 READ MORE: St. Josephs launches new nursing program as part of looming merger with Lancaster-based college

St. Joes announced a definitive agreement to merge with the college about a year ago, but had to clear a series of government and accreditation requirements, which now have been completed, McConnell said.

 READ MORE: The devil is dead. The hawk lives on. USciences is officially part of St. Josephs University.

St. Joes has said the merger will broaden its campus beyond Philadelphia and add more than 20 nursing and allied health programs to its academic roster. The programs range from the certificate level to the doctoral level, the school said. The quality of the Lancaster colleges programs and success of its graduates made it a clear choice as a partner, McConnell said.

In 2022, nearly 94% of the colleges graduates who received a bachelors in nursing degree and who took the licensure exam to work as a registered nurse passed. Thats higher than the statewide average of 84%.

She declined to release the financial terms of the sale or say whether the $60.8 million that the college owed Lancaster General would be forgiven as part of the deal. McConnell and others are expected to discuss the merger at a news conference Friday.

It follows up on our strategy to assure that we have all of the programs to meet the needs of the students in the region, McConnell said. All universities that are going to thrive in the future  and St. Josephs is one of those  need to be always looking and searching to make sure they have all the programs that are necessary.

The new merger comes just a year and a half after St. Joes merged with the University of the Sciences in West Philadelphia. With the addition of the Lancaster program, St. Joes enrollment will rise to between 8,000 and 9,000, school officials said.

No other mergers are currently on the horizon, McConnell said.

Founded in 1903 as a nursing school, Pennsylvania College didnt become a college until 2001 and didnt receive Middle States Commission on Higher Education accreditation until 2006. It awarded its first bachelors in nursing in 2009 and took on its current name. Penn acquired it in 2015, when the college also began offering graduate courses.

 READ MORE: St. Joes explores selling or leasing some or all of former USciences campus, according to bond filing

In connection with the sale, Penns health system wrote down the value of the colleges property by $14.6 million in the year ended June 30, 2023, according to its audited financial statements. The college had an operating loss of $2.1 million on $35.6 million in revenue during the year ended June 30, 2022, its financial records show.

Five boards had to vote on the plan  those of the two colleges, as well as those at Lancaster General, Penn and Penn Medicine.

McConnell said applications for the nursing program on the Hawk Hill campus exceeded their expectations and come amid a 26.4% increase in applications overall at St. Joes. Melissa Snyder, who had been dean of the Lancaster college, will be the inaugural dean of St. Joes new school of nursing and allied health.
Everyone remembers their first taste of Paris. And for me, it wasnt the escargots, pate, or even the fresh baguettes. My first meal after landing there for my studies decades ago was a platter of couscous royale, a steamy mound of tiny semolina grains laden with tenderly stewed mutton, grilled merguez, and a medley of vegetables, all splashed in fragrant broth scented with cinnamon and ginger. It was an early testament to the importance of North African culture in Paris, and became the spark that led to an unforgettable trip to Morocco. Real couscous is transporting like that.

So its no wonder I was having flashbacks over the regular Friday special of couscous royale at Sofi Corner, the beguiling new daytime cafe in the Gayborhood whose cobalt blue entrance is wrapped in flowering vines. Its sunny 20-seat back dining room has become one of Center Citys most lively lunch destinations for good reason. Its French-Moroccan hybrid menu is an appealing reflection of the couple behind it, the Moroccan-born chef-owner, Soufiane Boutliliss, and his husband, Christophe Mathon, a Frenchman who moved to the States as an executive with Coty. There are croque monsieurs, Nicoise salads, ham and cheese sandwiches on fresh baguettes, and perfect slices of warm quiche Lorraine.

But the Moroccan dishes are the reason to come. Inspired by Boutliliss grandmother, Rhimo Chib, a longtime caterer in his native Tangier, the menus daily highlights include irresistible eggplant and carrot salads served in tiny beautiful ceramics, tagines of chicken with preserved lemon, and tender lamb shank with prunes, whose conical lids are lifted tableside to envelope the table in stewy ambrosial steam.

Fridays at Sofi Corner, though, are special. Thats when Boutliliss conjures up his deepest memories with the regular couscous special, a weekly nod to the specialty traditionally served as a centerpiece for gatherings after Friday prayers.

Boutliliss always makes two renditions, including a vegetarian couscous showcasing seven vegetables, from squash to turnips, sweet potatoes, cabbage, and chickpeas. A meaty version comes with a hearty portion of tender halal beef shank, whose marrow bone enriches the soulful brew over several hours of cooking throughout the morning. Its the little grandmere touches, though, that elevate this common dish into something personal. Like the use of clarified butter thats aged for three months, which lends the fluffy steamed couscous an almost nutty tang. Or the familial blend of spices  turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, saffron, and pepper  ground in house to season a tomatoey broth perfumed with rose water. No, Boutliliss doesnt make the tiny couscous grains by hand like his grandma does, but the dish is undoubtedly still a labor of love shared with Philadelphia.

For me, couscous is always the grand journey of Fridays. Its great to share with my friends and family and so many clients who come every Friday. It reminds me of Morocco and makes me happy.

Couscous Royale, $22-$25 (vegetarian or with beef), Sofi Corner Cafe, 1112 Locust St., 646-724-9667; soficornercafe.com. Open daily 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
For only the second time in a century, Famous 4th Street Deli in Queen Village has been sold.

Earlier this week, restaurateur Al Gamble, whose New England-based Locals 8 Hospitality Groups portfolio includes a variety of concepts and a catering company, bought the business from Russ Cowan, who took over in 2005 from deli scion David Auspitz. This is Gambles first Jewish-style delicatessen. Cowan said he retains ownership of the building, at Fourth and Bainbridge Streets.

I fell in love with it when I came here the first time, said Gamble, who said the chocolate babka French toast was possibly one of the most amazing things Ive eaten in my life, and I think we took [some] home.

Gamble, who would only say that he is in his 50s, grew up on deli food, including New Yorks Carnegie, a favorite of his fathers. He would take me as a kid to some famous ones in Connecticut and New York, and Ive never seen him so happy as when those sandwiches and potato knishes would come out. There was some youth exposure with how happy these places make people feel.

He and Cowan met through a business broker. Its just a very unique product and the staff culturally are very much aligned with who we are, with quality and fresh-made food, Gamble said. Im honored.

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Gamble brought in Barry Steinman, 66  a longtime local caterer who as a young man had worked for Auspitz and his father, Sam  to be general manager. Theyre about quality and continuity, Steinman said of Gamble and Locals 8. Were not changing anything.

Cowan, 68, had listed the property for sale last year, as he is planning to open a new deli, Radins, near his home in Cherry Hill and preferred to avoid the tsuris of operating two restaurants at once. Radins is expected to open by March in Short Hills Shopping Center. (Cowan has opened and sold numerous delis in Philadelphia and South Jersey since the mid-1980s. That said, Famous was always on the market: My standard answer is what every business owner would say: For the right number, Ill sell, he said, wryly, last year.)

Records of Famous founding are unclear. Family sources cite Auspitz Brothers Delicatessen, famous for fine foods established in 1923 in what was then a garment district populated largely by Jewish immigrants. Famous also could have dated from 1933, based on more current research. Just say its old, said Auspitz, 78, who had run it for decades after his father fell ill and died in 1989. This deli is unrelated to other area delis named Famous.

Under Cowan, Famous retained its black-and-white tiled, tin-ceilinged amalgamation of corner grocery, takeout counter, and restaurant whose enclosed porch provides a front-row seat to Queen Village. He maintained the Auspitzes tradition of overstuffed sandwiches. For years, Famous was an Election Day Democratic politicos hangout, though the tradition has waned of late.

Ive always tried to make the store about the food, said Cowan, who will work with Gamble and Steinman during a months transition.

Gamble said one of his restaurant brands, Butchers and Bakers, is somewhat similar to aspects of Famous, in that we cut our all our own meats in-house, and we bake our own breads and pastries in house. Though the Locals 8 Groups 10 restaurants are in New England, the company also operated in Washington, D.C., and Virginia before the pandemic. Its culinary director, Zach Shuman, grew up in the deli business, Gamble said.

Just the smoothness of the operation, as a customer, is what originally attracted me, Gamble said.

This is an iconic brand. Then when I got to meet Russ, we just started talking and the more we talked, the more we realized were both food people and have a very aligned vision around food, customer service, and our employees.

Gamble said he is loath to change anything at the outset. Theres just a lot to understand, he said. The immediate opportunity I see is to try to expand catering.

Some employees will join Cowan in Cherry Hill, including Michael Williams, who has waited tables at Famous for 40 years. Most of the people that I started serving here, Ive waited on their children, their grandchildren, and some of their great-grandchildren, Williams said. Its like family, you know? But right now, its time for change. Im 60 years old. Its time to move on.
Former SEPTA assistant conductor Crystal Kemp, a Jehovahs Witness, alleged in a lawsuit filed last month that the transit authority refused to adjust her schedule so she could attend religious meetings on Sunday mornings and Tuesday evenings. She alleges she was ultimately terminated for refusing to work during those times.

A former employee of Tastykake in South Philadelphia, James Lynch, sued the company in November. A Muslim and African American employee, he alleges that he faced racial and religious discrimination at work, and that he was was forced to pray in a janitorial closet during his five-minute prayer breaks twice per shift.

Byron Love Cooper sued the Germantown Friends School, where he was a housekeeping supervisor, alleging that the school did not accommodate his requests for prayer breaks, and that he faced false accusations of criminal conduct because he was African American and devout Muslim. He was ultimately fired, according to the suit he filed last month.

The employers in these cases havent yet responded to the allegations in court, and it remains to be seen how the workers allegations will play out legally.

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But lawsuits like these could become more common this year, experts say, after a 2023 ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court shook up the standard for how workplaces respond to employees religious requests.

Under Groff v. DeJoy, employers now must allow a workers religious accommodation unless it would result in substantial increased costs for the business, SCOTUS ruled.

Accommodating workers religious beliefs rarely requires much of the employer, said Chad Dion Lassiter, executive director of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, which enforces state antidiscrimination laws. So its disturbing when managers refuse to do so, Lassiter said.

It doesnt take away from the workday, allowing a person to embrace the Sabbath, to embrace Passover, to embrace Ramadan, Lassiter said.

Lassiter said workers should know their workplaces policies and continue to approach their immediate supervisors when they need religious accommodations, or human resources if the supervisor responds in a discriminatory way. If that doesnt resolve the problem, Lassiter said, filing a complaint with PHRC or the EEOC would be the next step.

We want employees to recognize they have recourse, that you dont have to be discriminated against, Lassiter said.

What changed for workers who want religious accommodations?

Gerald Groff, a Pennsylvania man and Evangelical Christian, worked for the U.S. Postal Service beginning in 2012, when there was no service on Sundays. When USPS started doing Sunday deliveries for Amazon, Groff refused to work because of the Sabbath. He was disciplined and eventually resigned.

The employment discrimination case, Groff v. DeJoy, ended up at the U.S. Supreme Court last year, changing the standard for when an employer can deny a religious accommodation.

Most employers thought that bar was pretty low for denying a religious accommodation, said Eric Meyer, a Philadelphia-based employment lawyer. It turns out, its not.

Employers unaware of the Groff decision could find themselves facing religious discrimination complaints, said Meyer, a founding partner at Pierson Ferdinand.

An uptick in religious discrimination cases wouldnt be surprising, said Ryan Allen Hancock, a lawyer at Willig, Williams & Davidson who represents workers in discrimination cases.

Its probably more of an attractive process to plaintiffs lawyers, Hancock said. The legal test has been changed to the benefit of the employees.

What should employers do?

Lassiter, of the PHRC, said diversity, equity, and inclusion training remains important. Reducing DEI efforts within organizations and companies, whether for budget reasons or because of recent conservative backlash against DEI, is definitely a mistake, Lassiter said, and he suspects it will lead to a plethora of lawsuits.

Everyone whos in leadership should be fully aware of what management directives say as it relates to religious freedoms in the workplace, Lassiter said.

Meyer, the employment lawyer, noted that supervisors and managers are often the first to receive religious accommodation requests, so its important for employers to educate them, and human resources staff, about the changes.

But the definition of substantial increased costs isnt fully fleshed out in the Groff case, labor lawyer Hancock noted, so it will likely take several years of workers filing cases in court for a new test to take shape, he said.

An example of factors that may be considered is worker shortages.

If you dont have enough people to get the work done, you might not be able to make as many accommodations, Meyer said. If other employees are going to be resentful and work less and not be as productive, that can be quantified as a cost to the company.

But Lassiter, of the PHRC, contends that accommodating workers religions can help a workplace be more productive. Employees will want to go the extra mile when employers recognize their full humanity.

We want to embrace and accommodate and highlight the beauty of people who have a faith as well as people who dont have a faith, Lassiter said. Even at work, there is an aspect of faith that drives what people do.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  The U.S. military early Saturday struck another Houthi-controlled site in Yemen that it had determined was putting commercial vessels in the Red Sea at risk, two U.S. officials said, a day after the U.S. and Britain launched multiple airstrikes targeting Houthi rebels.

Associated Press journalists in Sanaa, Yemens capital, heard one loud explosion.

The first day of strikes Friday hit 28 locations and struck more than 60 targets. However, the U.S. determined the additional location, a radar site, still presented a threat to maritime traffic, one official said. The officials spoke anonymously to the AP to discuss an operation that hadnt yet been publicly announced.

President Joe Biden had warned Friday that the Houthis could face further strikes.

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The latest strike came after the U.S. Navy on Friday warned American-flagged vessels to steer clear of areas around Yemen in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden for the next 72 hours after the initial airstrikes. The warning came as Yemens Houthis vowed fierce retaliation, further raising the prospect of a wider conflict in a region already beset by Israels war in Gaza.

U.S. military and White House officials said they expected the Houthis to try to strike back.

The U.S.-led bombardment  launched in response to a recent campaign of drone and missile attacks on commercial ships in the vital Red Sea  killed at least five people and wounded six, the Houthis said. The U.S. said the strikes, in two waves, took aim at targets in 28 different locations across Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

We will make sure that we respond to the Houthis if they continue this outrageous behavior along with our allies, Biden told reporters during a stop in Emmaus, Pennsylvania.

Asked if he believes the Houthis are a terrorist group, Biden responded, I think they are. The president in a later exchange with reporters during a stop in Allentown, Pennsylvania, said whether the Houthis are redesignated as such was irrelevant.

Biden also pushed back against some lawmakers, both Democrats and Republicans, who said he should have sought congressional authorization before carrying out the strikes.

Theyre wrong, and I sent up this morning when the strikes occurred exactly what happened, Biden said.

The Pentagon said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the military action from the hospital where he is recovering from complications following prostate cancer surgery.

The White House said in November that it was considering redesignating the Houthis as a terrorist organization after they began their targeting of civilian vessels. The administration formally delisted the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization and specially designated global terrorists in 2021, undoing a move by President Donald Trump

Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims, director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Fridays U.S. strikes were largely in low-populated areas, and the number of those killed would not be high. He said the strikes hit weapons, radar and targeting sites, including in remote mountain areas.

As the bombing lit the predawn sky over multiple sites held by the Iranian-backed rebels, it forced the world to again focus on Yemens yearslong war, which began when the Houthis seized the countrys capital.

Since November, the rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea, saying they were avenging Israels offensive in Gaza against Hamas. But they have frequently targeted vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, imperiling shipping in a key route for global trade and energy shipments.

The Houthis military spokesman, Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, said in a recorded address that the U.S. strikes would not go unanswered or unpunished.

Though the Biden administration and its allies have tried to calm tensions in the Middle East for weeks and prevent any wider conflict, the strikes threatened to ignite one.

Saudi Arabia  which supports the government-in-exile that the Houthis are fighting  quickly sought to distance itself from the attacks as it seeks to maintain a delicate detente with Iran and a cease-fire it has in Yemen. The Saudi-led, U.S.-backed war in Yemen has killed more than 150,000 people, including fighters and civilians, and created one of the worlds worst humanitarian disasters, killing tens of thousands more.

It remained unclear how extensive the damage was from Fridays strikes, though the Houthis said at least five sites, including airfields, had been attacked. The White House said the U.S. military was still assessing the extent the militants capabilities might have been degraded.

U.S. Air Forces Central Command said the strikes focused on the Houthis command and control nodes, munition depots, launching systems, production facilities and air defense radar systems. The strikes involved more than 150 precision-guided munitions including air-launched missiles by F/A-18 Super Hornets based on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Tomahawk missiles from the Navy destroyers USS Gravely and USS Mason, the Navy cruiser USS Philippine Sea, and a U.S. submarine.

The United Kingdom said strikes hit a site in Bani allegedly used by the Houthis to launch drones and an airfield in Abbs used to launch cruise missiles and drones.

In a separate development, Iran released footage of its seizure of an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman that once had been at the center of a dispute between Tehran and Washington.

In the footage, a helicopter hovers over the deck of the St. Nikolas. Irans navy seized the vessel Thursday. The vessel had been known earlier as the Suez Rajan. The U.S. seized 1 million barrels of sanctioned Iranian oil off the vessel last year.

In Yemen, Hussein al-Ezzi, a Houthi official in their Foreign Ministry, said, America and Britain will undoubtedly have to prepare to pay a heavy price and bear all the dire consequences of this blatant aggression.

The Red Sea route is a crucial waterway, and attacks there have caused severe disruptions to global trade. Benchmark Brent crude oil traded up some 4% Friday at over $80 a barrel. Tesla, meanwhile, said it would temporarily halt most production at its German factory because of attacks in the Red Sea.

In Saada, the Houthis stronghold in northwest Yemen, hundreds gathered for a rally Friday, denouncing the U.S. and Israel. Another drew thousands in Sanaa, the capital.

Houthis now control territory that is home to some two-thirds of Yemens population of 34 million. War and misgovernment have made Yemen one of the poorest countries in the Arab world, and the World Food Program considers the vast majority of Yemens people as food-insecure.

Yemen has been targeted by U.S. military action over the last four American presidencies. A campaign of drone strikes began under President George W. Bush to target the local affiliate of al-Qaida, attacks that have continued under the Biden administration. Meanwhile, the U.S. has launched raids and other military operations amid the ongoing war in Yemen.

That war began when the Houthis swept into Sanaa in 2014. A Saudi-led coalition including the United Arab Emirates launched a war to back Yemens exiled government in 2015, quickly morphing the conflict into a regional confrontation as Iran backed the Houthis with weapons and other support.

The conflict, however, has slowed as the Houthis maintain their grip on the territory they hold. In March, Saudi Arabia reached a Chinese-mediated deal to restart relations with Iran in hopes of ultimately withdrawing from the war.

Iran condemned Fridays attack in a statement from Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani.

Arbitrary attacks will have no result other than fueling insecurity and instability in the region, he said.
The offices of a magisterial district judge in Lansdowne. Read more

Over his 16 years as Lansdownes borough manager, Craig Totaro was a well-liked, successful steward of the Delaware County community, colleagues say.

Two days after the boroughs incoming council began its 2024 session, leaders abruptly ended his contract.

The Jan. 3 firing has stirred frustrations in the community of around 11,000, where residents say they were given scant warning that Totaros employment would be taken to a vote. His ouster was sealed in a 4-3 decision.

In December, the council posted a meeting agenda giving residents notice that it would take action on personnel matters.

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But the agenda failed to mention that Totaro was the subject, leading residents like Sarah Van Dyke concerned over a lack of transparency.

Personnel could be like, a sanitation worker needs to be replaced, Van Dyke said during the public comment portion of the meeting. This is a huge position.

Borough managers carry a litany of responsibilities, from overseeing the budget to supervising municipal services such as public safety. The position had a budgeted salary of $129,000 in 2023.

Council voted that Ellen Lustgarten, a former Lansdowne councilmember and treasurer, would take over for Totaro while they search for a permanent replacement.

Totaro declined to comment.

Robert Curry, president of the borough council, reiterated to The Inquirer on Thursday that Totaros firing was a personnel matter and declined to comment further.

In session, leaders were equally vague.

There have been things that have come up over the years  good and bad, said Councilmember Jayne Young, referencing Totaros history. Totaros former colleague, Robert Radich, said the borough managers tenure was marked by securing hundreds of thousands in grant dollars for the community.

Thats the nature of having a job for any length of time, Young added.

Even some sitting council members felt blindsided by the decision.

Councilmember Benjamin Hover  who voted against ending Totaros contract  told The Inquirer that after seeing the December agenda, he asked colleagues who the employee was, but wasnt given an answer until hours before the vote.

It seems like this decision was made already  by individuals without any input from the community, Hover said.

According to Hover, withholding those details was a violation of Pennsylvanias Sunshine law for open meetings  a point that other councilmembers disputed. Curry added that members had consulted with Lansdownes solicitor before acting.

Speaking to an audience of fewer than 10 last week, Young said, You have to have some confidence that when you voted us in, that we would handle things the best way, and identify problems and try to move forward in finding solutions.

Adding to the confusion was the fact that Totaro received a bonus in the week before his firing, which Hover said was approved by the outgoing council.

Said resident Van Dyke: Usually you get a bonus if you do a really good job.
View from Allegheny station above E. Allegheny Ave. where multiple people have been injured in a shooting when shooters fired into a crowd on the street in the Kensington section of the city late Sat. Nov. 5, 2022. Read more

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner announced attempted murder charges against two suspects in a 2022 mass shooting in Kensington that left nine people wounded and that prosecutors say was retaliation for a robbery, turning the neighborhood into a war zone.

Michael Smith-Davis, of the 2500 block of North Cleveland Street, was arrested Thursday on Kensington Avenue and East Lippincott Street, right around the corner from Jacks Famous Bar, where prosecutors say he and a juvenile fired more than 40 shots into a crowd of people in November 2022, Assistant District Attorney Alyssa Amoroso said Friday morning.

Prosecutors believe the shooting was targeted, and that the motive was retaliation for a robbery, said Amoroso. The two shooters fired into the crowd with no concern for any bystanders, she said.

Smith-Davis was charged with attempted murder, criminal conspiracy, aggravated assault, gun violation, and related offenses for the shooting, Krasner said Friday. The juvenile suspect, whom authorities did not identify, is in custody on an unrelated charge, police said. He is also expected to face charges of attempted murder and related crimes once he is brought to Philadelphia from Western Pennsylvania, said Amoroso.

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The breaks in the case, which had stumped investigators for more than a year, were helped by forensics technology, DNA, and assistance from the firearms identification unit, said Krasner.

There are dangerous individuals who think that they have gotten away with crimes in this city, said Amoroso. But I think that our unit has shown time and time again that the gun violence task force will find you.

On Nov. 5, 2022, just before 10:45 p.m., police responded to a shooting on the 800 block of East Allegheny Avenue near Kensington Avenue. When officers arrived, they found the shooting victims had all run into Jacks Famous Bar, seeking refuge from the gunfire, authorities said.

Smith-Davis and the juvenile arrived in a black Honda Accord, got out and sprayed gunfire into the crowd, Amoroso said.

Police took all the victims, who ranged in age from 23 to 40 years old, to Temple University Hospital, authorities said. There were no fatalities.

Two days after the mass shooting, police pulled Smith-Davis and the juvenile over in the same black Honda Accord, the District Attorneys Office said in a statement. Smith-Davis was arrested and charged with illegal possession of a firearm, said Capt. James Kearney.

Smith-Davis was sentenced last August to 11.5 to 23 months in prison, and was released late November, according to court records. The gun he was found with at the time of his November 2022 arrest was not used in the mass shooting, said Kearney.

Through investigation, Philadelphia Police received a tip about Smith-Davis, along with his cell phone number, and used cell phone forensic analysis, phone records, and prison phone records to link him and the juvenile to the mass shooting, the District Attorneys Office said.

When Smith-Davis was questioned by police Thursday, he admitted to being pulled over by police on Nov. 7, 2022, in the same car seen in surveillance footage of the shooting, the District Attorneys Office said. He did not admit to his part in the mass shooting, said Kearney.

The announcement of the charges comes the day after Mayor Cherelle Parker appointed Police Deputy Commissioner Pedro Rosario, formerly a captain in the citys East Division, which includes Kensington, to spearhead the Police Departments strategy in the neighborhood, home to one of the countrys largest open-air drug markets.

Parker has made improving the neighborhood  which has been beset by the drug trade, an overdose crisis, and gun violence  a major focus of her administration and has pledged to shut down the drug market.

Joining Krasner and members of the Philadelphia Police Departmentat Fridays news conference were Councilmember Mark Squilla, Councilmember-at-large Jim Harrity, and Carlyn Crawley, the chief of staff for Councilmember Quetcy Lozada. The Council members, who represent parts of Kensington, spoke of a renewed push to help residents of Kensington and to combat crime in the neighborhood.

This is just one piece of a big puzzle that we are now putting together, said Harrity. But I feel hope for the residents of Kensington because this is what happens when government works together. When they come together with a mission. And our mission is to clean up Kensington
Police investigate the scene of shooting that wounded nine people on the 800 block of East Allegheny Avenue in the city's Kensington section on Nov. 5, 2022. Read more

A 25-year-old North Philadelphia man has been arrested and charged in a 2022 shooting that left nine people wounded in the citys Kensington section, police said Thursday evening.

A juvenile who is in custody in an unrelated case will also be charged, police said.

Michael Smith-Davis, of the 2500 block of North Cleveland Street, was arrested Thursday and faces charges of attempted murder, criminal conspiracy, aggravated assault, gun violation, and related offense, police said.

On Nov. 5, 2022, just before 10:45 p.m., police responded to the shooting on the 800 block of East Allegheny Avenue near Kensington Avenue. Police found the shooting victims had all run into a nearby bar seeking safety. Police transported all the victims to Temple University Hospital.

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 READ MORE: After shooting in Kensington, some accuse city leaders of not doing enough to improve areas conditions

At the time, police said said at least three people jumped out of a car and fired more than 40 shots into a crowd on the south side of Allegheny, near the entrance to the Market-Frankford Line. The victims were eight men and one woman, ranging in age from 23 to 40.

Police said Thursday the investigation was ongoing.
A SEPTA transit police officer walks up stairs from a platform where a 15-year-old boy was shot in the head on the westbound platform at 15th Street Station near City Hall in Philadelphia on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. Read more

 Update: Prosecutors said Friday that two teens have been arrested and will be charged with the shooting.

A 16-year-old boy was hospitalized in extremely critical condition after he was shot in the head on a SEPTA subway platform Thursday night in Center City, police said.

About 9:30 p.m., a SEPTA transit police officer reported a shooting with an unresponsive victim lying on the ground of the westbound platform at 15th Street Station.

Police rushed the teen, who was carrying a high school identification card, to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

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Chief Inspector Scott Small said the teen lives in Northeast Philadelphia.

SEPTA transit police stopped two people fleeing from the platform, and based on surveillance video, they believe of them is the shooter.

Police found six spent shell casings on the platform, Small said. Police also found a handgun wrapped in a jacket that had been ditched underground.

The motive for the shooting was not immediately known, Small said.
MILAN  An artisanal loom stands in the middle of Galib Gassanoffs apartment here, surrounded by tailors dummies and racks that turn the space into a cozy atelier and offer a glimpse of the weaving technique and handmade approach that mark Institutions debut collection, to be unveiled on Sunday.

The intimate dimension, focus on craftsmanship and a slow production pace are key elements of the designers new solo fashion venture, veering away from the direction and growing scale that Act N.1  the brand Gassanoff cofounded with Luca Lin in 2016 and exited last year  has taken.

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Born in Azerbaijan but growing up on the outskirts of Tbilisi, in Georgia, Gassanoff conceived Institution as a space for personal self-expression and a socio-artistic organization with ethics in its fundament, the brand has said.

In an interview with WWD ahead of the brands presentation, Gassanoff reiterated that the idea behind the project is not to sell in mass, but create pieces in an ethical way that makes me feel good when I make them.

The designs mainly start from shoelaces, which Gassanoff said are Institutions building blocks, and are handwoven using a technique reprised from his countrys carpet-making tradition.

A sneak peek of Institutions debut collection.

I dont know why but Ive always liked shoelaces, since my very first collections. Maybe its because my parents had a shoe shop, he said with a smile. I liked the idea of creating a fabric myself, and this can be easily adapted to the body by pulling the laces, theres no need to cut or add pleats like with other textiles, continued Gassanoff, showing how he sculpted the fabric to create a couple of fully woven black gowns, which vaguely evoked Azzedine Alaia in spirit.

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The late designer is one of Gassanoffs holy trinity of fashion references, flanked by Martin Margiela and John Galliano during his tenure at Christian Dior. Subtle nods to their influence can be detected in Institutions low-key logo and labeling, featuring just an essential horizontal line, or in the multicultural inspirations that tickle Gassanoffs imagination.

As for his creative process, Gassanoff said he initially sketched some silhouettes but eventually let the handwoven pattern guide him, favoring a hands-on approach that saw him also tweak the fabric to generate fringes or knots as trimmings or embellishments on dresses and feminine bustiers.

A preview of Institutions debut collection.

[Creating this fabric] is convenient because I dont need to oblige minimum orders from suppliers, risking to generate waste, said Gassanoff, whos committed to embedding sustainability into his brand. He claimed that about 90 percent of the collection is crafted from natural materials and deadstock derived from the manufacturing processes of established companies, including leather that has been dismissed for having little flaws, now repurposed in a standout oversize trenchcoat, for example.

I love leather and I dont believe much in those eco alternatives, which pollute even more, said Gassanoff, praising the original material for its durability and the fact that it can be repaired. The designer himself has a passion for amending leather pieces tracing back to the 80s and 90s, which he unearths at vintage stores, he said.

In sync with this artisanal focus, Gassanoff collaborated with family-run businesses on other categories. For one, he partnered with a company from the Veneto region for handmade knits that he included in the lineup under the guise of edgy sweaters with side slits and long skirts accentuating the overall elongated silhouette of the lineup. Other options had shoelaces integrated in their essential designs, making for graphic ton-sur-ton motifs.

Elsewhere, padded full skirts contrasted with lightweight shirts crafted from fluid silk and coming with a shawl to encourage personal styling and favoring different ways of sporting the garments, which Gassanoff believes can contribute to extending the life span of clothes.

A preview of Institutions debut collection.

Comprising about 25 looks meant to be replicated in limited quantities, the lineup was mainly rendered in black and white to draw full attention on garments volumes and handmade construction, which is where the real value of the collection lies, he said. To reinforce these aspects, Gassanoff decided to stage Institutions presentation at the Secci art gallery in central Milan, showcasing his pieces on walls or mannequins rather than models.

The choice also mirrors the brands larger scope beyond fashion, as Gassanoff ultimate goal is to expand the project in different directions to include motion art, music, objects, artworks, activism and collaborations. On top of his agenda is safeguarding his countrys crafts that are at risk of being lost, supporting the generational handover by involving local communities of women in the making of his collections.

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The abandoned historical building with a collapsed wall near Drexel University is in high demand. But no one has been able to purchase and rehabilitate it because the city's tax-sale process is broken. Read more

Sheriff Rochelle Bilal is blaming Philadelphias Law Department for her offices failure to perform one of its core functions: auctioning off tax-delinquent properties.

The mayors office, which appoints the citys top lawyer, insists its the sheriffs problem to fix.

City Council leaders dont seem to know whats going on  or they simply arent getting involved.

The result: Millions of dollars in tax revenue is going uncollected, and blighted land cant be auctioned off for potential redevelopment.

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 READ MORE: Phillys sheriff hasnt held a tax sale in years. The city says its costing them millions.

As reported by The Inquirer last month, Bilals office hasnt held a tax sale since April 2021, causing a backlog of properties in Common Pleas Court that would have otherwise been sold at auction.

Since January 2022 alone, the city has gone to court to secure orders authorizing the sale of roughly 1,330 tax-delinquent properties, records show. But the lack of auctions means that property owners have essentially been free to ignore the court notices, even as their tax bills grow.

Bilal had not responded to The Inquirers requests for comment on the matter since mid-December. In a statement Wednesday, the sheriff placed the blame squarely on the citys lawyers.

She said they had long ago stopped sending copies of court decrees to her office, which are legally required documents signaling that a property has been authorized for auction.

The attorneys assigned to represent the City in tax delinquent sales must submit documentation to the Sheriff Offices for the sale to proceed, she said. To date, the last decrees we received for tax delinquent sales were March 2020 from the City Law Department.

That was the same month that in-person tax auctions were initially suspended, due to COVID. They briefly resumed with online auctions in April 2021, only to be shut down again by a temporary court moratorium. Mortgage foreclosure sales have since resumed, as well as a leftover batch of properties whose tax debt was sold in 1997 to what is now U.S. Bank. But tax sales remain on hold.

A spokesperson for Mayor Cherelle L. Parker disagreed with Bilals assessment, saying only the Sheriffs Office can explain and justify why theyre not doing these sales.

This is wholly a matter for the Sheriffs Office, said Parker spokesperson Joe Grace. They need to explain what they are  or arent  doing with regard to these tax sales.

City Council President Kenyatta Johnson and other Council leaders declined to comment last week.

Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, who serves as majority whip, said only that his staff is seeking additional information to understand the problem.

We are willing to work with all parties to figure this out, Thomas said.

Council is likely to raise the issue during budget hearings in the spring.

A no-bid contract causes an uproar

The cause of the stalemate appears to be tied to a dispute over a contract that Bilals office announced in March 2021 had been awarded to a Maryland-based online auction company called Bid4Assets.

News of the six-year contract, which circumvented usual bidding procedures and was signed without the involvement of the city law department, caused an uproar in City Hall at the time, including by then-Councilmember Parker.

 READ MORE: Sheriffs sales once again under scrutiny for alleged illegal contract with online vendor Bid4Assets

Competing online auction companies said they were shut out of the contract bidding process in Philadelphia. They also described the agreed-upon terms as unusually favorable to Bid4Assets, by industry standards. These included a buyers premium equivalent to 10% of the final auction price in Philadelphia, or about double what the firm charges in Berks County for similar sales.

Bid4Assets CEO Jesse Loomis has declined to comment on the companys work in Philadelphia, or why tax sales here have been on hold for nearly three years.

Teresa Lundy, Bilals former campaign manager and current spokesperson in the sheriffs office, has represented Bid4Assets in other jurisdictions. She said in a statement last month that neither I, nor my firm, played any role in any contract at the Philadelphia Sheriffs Office.

Lauren Cristella, president and CEO of the good-government watchdog group Committee of Seventy, on Thursday said it is unacceptable that tax-delinquent properties havent been sold for years  and that city officials refuse to explain the root of the problem.

She called on the Sheriffs Office and city officials to work together to resolve the dispute, quickly.

Not only is the city missing out on potential revenue, but by not taking action, the city is encouraging delinquent property owners behavior and making this problem even worse, Cristella said. Issues like this damage the publics trust in their government and continue to call into question the necessity of the Sheriffs Office, especially one that is failing to perform one of its few core responsibilities.

Parker, who began her first term last week, ran on making Philadelphia cleaner and greener. The action plan for her first 100 days in office prioritizes the return of vacant and tax-delinquent properties to productive use, through a review of the citys Land Bank.

The ongoing hold on tax sales, many of which are vacant or abandoned properties, threatens to impede that broader goal. Revenue reports suggest it is already undoing significant progress that the city had made in the years leading up to COVID-19 pandemic, after struggling for decades to fight chronic tax delinquency.

Out-of-town investors and some landlords had long taken advantage of the broken system by buying up real estate and not paying taxes until property values rose and they could resell the land at a profit. But since the suspension of tax sales, property-tax delinquency has been on the rise again, increasing 2% to 8% every year since 2019, or around $5 million to $10 million a year.

 READ MORE: Where is the money? Ex-homeowners seeking leftover funds from sheriffs sales are being stonewalled.

Tax sales are typically a last-resort tactic, because owners are given the opportunity to pay the bill or enter into a payment plan before the auctions take place. In fiscal year 2019, for example, 7,036 new properties began the sheriff sale process, and 2,265 sold. Only 5% of properties sold that year were owner-occupied, according to city estimates.

Still, the sales themselves can generate tens of millions of dollars a year for the city. In 2017, the sheriffs office reported turning over to the city about $64 million in delinquent taxes and fees from the sale of 7,026 properties.

The city is now owed roughly $170 million in back taxes, an increase of nearly $40 million since 2019, according to the citys 2023 tax delinquency report.

Without Sheriff Sales, the City cannot place as many delinquent accounts into payment agreements, leading to increases of delinquent accounts, the report concluded.
The charge of genocide leveled at Israel last week before the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands, should be a wake-up call for Jerusalem, but not for the reasons you might think.

South Africa has accused Israel before the United Nations highest court of taking actions against Palestinian civilians in Gaza that are genocidal in character and calculated to bring about their physical destruction. The reference is to the humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip caused by Israeli bombs in retaliation for Hamas mass murder of 1,200 Jews, mostly civilians, on Oct. 7.

As the world can see on cable and social media, 80% of Gazas 2.2 million people are now refugees living in squalor. Israel is permitting insufficient humanitarian aid into Gaza to cope with horrific shortages of food, water, health care, and shelter. Two-thirds of the strips housing has been pulverized, and 23,000 Palestinians have been killed  two-thirds of them women and children.

Yet the immediate issue is not whether the court ultimately rules for or against Israel. The case is likely to drag on for years. South Africa must prove there was deliberate Israeli intent to destroy the Palestinian population in Gaza (rather than, say, indifference to civilian collateral damage from bomb strikes on Hamas tunnels).

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More to the point, the International Court of Justice case shines a spotlight on Israels failure to recognize the political consequences of the kind of warfare it is conducting. There is increasing dismay among Israels closest allies, along with its Arab partners, at Jerusalems refusal to alleviate the widespread suffering in Gaza  even under heavy U.S. pressure to do so.

The moral and strategic blindness of the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing Israel toward global isolation, while allowing Hamas to ensnare it in an endless Gaza trap.

 READ MORE: Israels right to destroy Hamas cannot excuse mounting Palestinian deaths | Trudy Rubin

How so? The Israeli military strategy so far has apparently been to destroy Gazan infrastructure with abandon in order to unveil entrances to Hamas underground tunnels with fewer military casualties than would be required to send soldiers door to door.

Yes, Israeli warnings were sometimes given before bomb strikes, and civilians urged to move south. But with no electricity, a complex and unreliable Israeli warning system, and constant shifts in bombing, nowhere in Gaza has been safe for internal refugees.

Moreover, the rules of Israeli engagement are so relaxed that Israel Defense Forces soldiers shot dead three escaped Israeli hostages who had taken off their shirts (to show they had no explosive vests) and were waving a white flag. The hostages were mistaken for Palestinians. In other words, no Gazan civilian is safe.

Yet despite the massive civilian casualties, Israel has still been unable to locate and destroy much of Hamas tunnel structure or find its top leaders. IDF generals say that will take months to do. Nevertheless, Israel does not want to keep the bulk of its military based in Gaza indefinitely, but rather to pull back and regularly reenter to pursue Hamas.

However, 1.8 million Gazans have been displaced, with most having no homes, schools, businesses, or hospitals to return to. The strip and its infrastructure have been physically destroyed; the aboveground Hamas government ended. No one knows who will run the place or distribute humanitarian aid once the heavy bombing stops, let alone who will rebuild the Strip.

Neither the Arab Gulf States nor the international community will finance reconstruction or help run the Gaza Strip in lieu of Hamas officials  as Jerusalem is requesting  if Israeli-Hamas fighting continues. Saudi leaders have told U.S. officials they will only do so if Israel makes clear it will support Palestinian statehood side by side with Israel, something Netanyahu has said he will never do.

So, if you pay attention to what Israeli cabinet ministers are saying  and what Netanyahu is telling U.S. officials  the unannounced Israeli strategy seems to be to depopulate Gaza.

Far-right Israeli cabinet ministers have bolstered South Africas case with their calls to flatten Gaza or drop a nuke on Gaza or cut off food and water. They are urging that Gazans be voluntarily resettled in other countries.

Israeli media has reported that Netanyahu is pressuring Egypt to take in hundreds of thousands of Gazans and has even asked the Democratic Republic of the Congo to take some. The radical nationalist Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich told Israeli Army Radio, If there are 100,000 or 200,000 Arabs in Gaza and not two million Arabs, the entire discussion on the day after will be totally different.

That is a pipe dream. Egypt has made clear that any Israeli attempt to force Palestinians to cross into its Sinai Desert would jeopardize its peace treaty with Israel. The last thing Cairo wants, with its broken economy, is to take responsibility for a million or more impoverished and bitter Palestinians in tent camps, who will agitate for war with Israel. Egypt is already hosting hundreds of thousands of Sudanese and Libyan refugees.

 READ MORE: The roots and nuances of the Israel-Hamas war | Trudy Rubin

Meantime, Smotrich and other key Israeli ministers call for resettling Gaza with Israelis and effectively annexing that territory. They openly seek to annex the West Bank, and propose to make Palestinians lives there untenable.

This is called ethnic cleansing. It is a war crime, and the White House has warned Netanyahu not to try. Yet the Israeli leader has not muzzled his radical ministers, lest they bring his coalition government down.

Israelis cant understand how they could be accused of genocide, reads a headline in Israeli newspaper Haaretz. Indeed, the term genocide was devised by a Polish Jewish lawyer in 1944 to describe the systematic, deliberate Nazi slaughter of six million Jews during World War II. The U.N. General Assembly adopted the Genocide Convention in 1948 to prevent such a horror from happening again.

I get it. The country is still reeling from the rape, mutilation, and murder of more than 1,000 civilians by Hamas, which calls for the annihilation of the state of Israel and its Jews. The Netanyahu government says Gazan civilians are suffering because Hamas embeds among and underneath them.

Thats true. But it doesnt change the reality that Israels revenge on Gaza makes it responsible for a humanitarian disaster of immense proportions. It may not fit the definition of genocide, but it could get there if conditions deteriorate into an epidemic  or if Gazans are driven into the Egyptian desert.

This humanitarian tragedy bolsters the continued strength of Hamas and makes it harder to destroy the terrorists.

The White House and moderate Arab states are urging Netanyahu to undermine support for Hamas by easing conditions for Gazan civilians and offering Palestinians a political vision for their future. The Hague proceedings should (but probably will not) focus his mind.
President Joe Biden speaks at the Montgomery County College in Blue Bell on Jan. 5. Bidens incremental approach to addressing such issues as income inequality could cause some Black voters to sit out this election, Solomon Jones writes. Read more

On Jan. 5, as President Joe Biden arrived in Valley Forge aboard Marine One, I exited one of the press vans in the presidential motorcade and hustled to the landing zone to get a few shots of the president. From what I could see, I was the only Black reporter in a Philadelphia press pool consisting of nearly two dozen journalists and photographers.

Though Ive long been accustomed to being the lone African American in certain prominent spaces, the dearth of Black journalists in American political coverage is representative of a larger issue. Our countrys political structure is overwhelmingly white. Our priorities are shaped by white strategists, our stories are told by white journalists, and our messaging is designed to appeal to white voters.

Thats why Biden, who has capably led the country after the chaos of Donald Trump, still finds himself losing some support among the Black electorate. I dont believe its politically expedient for him to tailor his message to the specific needs of Black people. Not if he wants a second term.

Black voters, meanwhile, continue to grapple with issues like police brutality, voting rights, and economic inequality. Given that reality, Bidens incremental approach simply isnt enough for many of us, and that could cause some Black voters to sit out this presidential election. If they do so, Biden will lose.

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Thats whats at stake for the president.

However, I see greater risks for African Americans. A Biden loss could expose us to the madness of a far-right that seems hell-bent on stifling Black history, stripping Black rights, and imprisoning Black people. But because the left has failed to pass legislation to address issues like police brutality and federal voting rights protections, Ive heard some Black voters express apathy, or even anger.

When I went to the presidents first campaign speech of the year, which I covered for WURD Radio, I hoped that Biden would speak to some specific Black issues. Instead, he framed his remarks around the American Revolution, and the heroic actions of the first president, George Washington.

In the winter of 1777, it was harsh and cold as the continental army marched to Valley Forge, Biden said. Gen. George Washington knew he faced the most daunting of tasks: to fight and win a war against the most powerful empire that existed in the world at the time. His mission was clear. Liberty, not conquest. Freedom, not domination. National independence, not individual glory.

I listened, having heard the story many times before. Yet, as I reflected on this tale of heroism and sacrifice, I couldnt help wondering about the liberty of the Black people whom Washington enslaved. I felt a pang of anger as I contemplated how my ancestors might have viewed such rhetoric. I wondered if America would ever see the hypocrisy that is embedded in our countrys origin story.

As my mind raced through the various bits of history that always resurface when I think of Washington  from the African chef Hercules Posey to the escapee Ona Judge  Biden moved on. He broadly outlined the violence of Jan. 6, 2021, then seized on the aspect of Washington that most starkly contrasts Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.

George Washington, Biden said, willingly gave up power at the height of his popularity, walking away from the presidency when he could have declared himself a king. Trump, Biden said, tried to cling to power through violence.

Perhaps the threat of Trump returning to power with his violent followers in tow is enough to bring Black voters back to Biden. However, for a people who have lived through centuries of racism in a political system that remains lily-white, the prospect of living under a would-be Day One dictator is not as frightening as it might be for others.

Still, Biden pushed for his audience to grasp the idea of America. The idea that everyone should be treated equally. And while he readily acknowledged that we havent fully lived up to that notion, he promised he wouldnt let Trump make America walk away from it.

In a political system designed for the benefit of others, I wonder if Black voters will believe that promise is enough.
Its go-time. The GOP primary field has been whittled to four serious contenders. And while former President Donald Trump has dominated early polling, rendering the typically action-packed primary season into more of an afterthought, its finally time to see what happens when actual preferences are registered.

Does Trump dominate the first state contest or do we see some momentum elsewhere?

While both parties hold caucuses in Iowa on Monday, only the GOP caucus has any real bearing on determining the party nominee this year. And even with the Republican contest, its the timing of the caucus  coming first  that makes it significant.

Iowa will determine how many of the states 40 convention delegates each candidate receives but the state makes up a tiny share of the total number of Republican delegates nationwide. So a candidate who loses Iowa can go on to win the nomination. But Iowa tends to set the tone and signal which candidates have early momentum.

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The key word in Iowa is expectation. Did a candidate meet, exceed or fall short of what their campaign had aimed to do?

Another word this weekend will be snow. A Midwest blizzard threatens to impact the final stretch of campaigning over the weekend and extreme cold, between -2 and -17 degrees, is forecast for Mondays caucuses.

Heres a reminder of how the caucuses work and their relevance to the 2024 election.

What is a caucus?

In Iowa, the caucuses are very generally a series of local meetings held around the state where voters pick a preferred presidential nominee. They differ slightly from primaries in how theyre run but serve a similar purpose. Its also the first step in selecting people to serve as delegates to the national party conventions this summer. Iowas Republican Party has caucuses in each of the 61 counties in the state.

Whats at stake for former President Donald Trump?

In the case of Trump, the expectations are sky high. Hes led in all polling in the state by large numbers. And while hes done less campaigning here than his opponents, he did a series of campaign rallies in the lead-up to try and promote turnout.

In recent days, Trumps campaign has noted that no candidate has ever won Iowa by more than 12 points (though he leads in most polls by closer to 20 points). That could be a way of managing expectations. A Trump win that is less definitive could feel like a Trump loss headed into the other states. Alternatively, a blowout in the first contest and all the attention it receives, gives him momentum heading into other states.

Whats at stake for Nikki Haley?

Haley, the former South Carolina governor, Haley has been running ahead of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in New Hampshire but behind him in Iowa. If she were to eke out second place in Iowa it would be a huge win for her campaign, which was already dealt some luck this week when former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie dropped out of the race. The two former governors appeal to a similar constituency of moderate Republican voters.

A third-place finish wouldnt be bad for Haley either but staying close with DeSantis is key. Well be looking to see how Haley does overall and what her appeal is like in some more swing or suburban parts of Iowa that might mirror the Philadelphia regions more moderate Republican enclaves.

Whats at stake for Ron DeSantis?

The Florida governorscampaign has poured resources into Iowa and proclaimed hell win it. How he does will be a key test of whether his candidacy continues to slide or gets some life. A strong second-place finish, coming close to, or overtaking Trump would be big for DeSantis.

What about Ramaswamy?

Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has said he appeals to caucus voters who dont typically come out and thus havent been properly polled. Monday will be a test of that theory for the more fringe candidate.

What can Iowa tell us about Pennsylvania voters?

Not a ton. Iowa is a solidly red state in presidential elections, whereas Pennsylvania is a swing state. But parts of Iowa reflect Pennsylvania and vice versa. Northwest Iowa and central and southwest Pennsylvania are areas where Trump put up big margins in 2020. How he performs in those places will be an early sign of whether his loyalists are engaged and still with him. Similarly, some of Iowas divided suburbs reflect parts of Pennsylvania where moderate Republicans have voiced an interest in an alternative to Trump.

Seeing who comes out on top, and by what margins, in those places, could signal something whether Trump can appeal in swing parts of Pennsylvania.

How is a caucus different from a primary?

One of the main differences between caucuses and primaries is the amount of time allotted for voting to occur and the methods by which people can vote. In a primary, people can show up at the polls and cast ballots throughout Election Day, from early morning until polls close in the evening. They have the option of casting an absentee ballot if they cant make it to the polls, and in some states, people may vote before Election Day. The Iowa caucuses, on the other hand, are held in the evening and voters must attend in person in order to participate, except in a few isolated instances. Caucuses are run by political parties, whereas primaries are usually (but not always) run by the state.

Will Republicans and Democrats both caucus?

Both the state Republican and Democratic parties will hold caucuses on Jan. 15, but only the Republican event will have an immediate, binding impact on the presidential race. In a departure from previous years, the Democratic caucuses will be held only to conduct administrative party business and to start the process of choosing delegates to the national conventions. Iowa Democrats will express their preferences for their partys presidential nominee through a mail voting process, the results of which will not be known until March.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden wave at Montgomery County College in Blue Bell on Friday, Jan. 5. Read more

President Joe Biden will visit Philabundance, a Philly-based food bank, on Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

It will be his third visit to Pennsylvania over the course of less than two weeks and his third visit to Philabundance on MLK Day, a national day of service.

He also volunteered at the South Philadelphia food bank on MLK Day with first lady Jill Biden in 2021 and 2022.

The visit will be at least Bidens 17th in the state since he became president. Pennsylvania, which Biden narrowly won to defeat former President Donald Trump in 2020, is again considered a critical swing state as he seeks reelection this year.

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On Friday, Biden visited businesses in Allentown, and last Friday, he visited Valley Forge and then made a campaign speech in Blue Bell, where he argued that Trump is a threat to democracy.

To Loree Jones-Brown, the CEO of Philabundance, the visit isnt just a photo op  it represents a bipartisan effort to address nutritional challenges across the country, and gives advocates a chance to raise awareness about food insecurity.

Its about, really, the president and government raising awareness about food insecurity, she said.

She said the president will help volunteers pack fresh, healthy food for people in need. Advocates also hope to speak with Biden and other officials about supporting programs like WIC, which provides nutritional assistance for at-risk women, infants, and children.

The nonprofit serves about 135,000 people each week across a network of 350 pantries and soup kitchens across the Greater Philadelphia region, Jones-Brown said.

The fact that he has returned to this year after year says something, she said.
Democratic Sen. John Fetterman has pushed back on the notion that his rejection of the progressive label is a new development. Read more

WASHINGTON  New year, new John Fetterman? Depends who youre talking to.

The Pennsylvania Democrats denunciation of the progressive label and ardent defense of Israel in its war against Hamas has some conservatives commending him and progressives who helped him get elected feeling deserted.

But the latest attention surrounding Fetterman says less about his political ideology  hed been distancing himself from progressives for several years and has long been vocal in his support for Israel  and more about the persistent spotlight aimed at the freshman senator and how his often-brash style feeds it. Hell likely continue to be a focal point as other unexpected issues hes spoken out on, like border security, become center to the chambers debate this year.

Even before the primary I was like, Im not a progressive. Its just strange why people want to ignore that. Its not new news, he said in an interview at the Capitol Tuesday.

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Fetterman self-identified as a progressive frequently in the past, but in his 2022 Senate race to win swing-state Pennsylvania he often said he was just a Democrat.

Since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, hes become one of the most vocal legislators defending Israel but hes also gone a step further, openly criticizing pro-Palestinian cease-fire activists, some of whom also identify with the larger progressive movement. Pro-Palestinian protesters have called him Genocide John and a group of former campaign staffers wrote a letter in October imploring him to support a cease-fire.

Johns always had this quality to him that people see in him what they want to see, said Larry Ceisler, a public affairs consultant and longtime Pennsylvania political observer. I think that was his strength but for some of those people who assumed, he is fully in our club, obviously hes not.

And I gotta believe that the anger he is evoking, its making him dig in even more, Ceisler said. Thats just his personality.

A lot has changed in a year. Fetterman missed the start of his term in treatment for depression, a dark period when he considered whether he could even remain in office. He starts his second year as a national figure, publicly talking about mental health, his views on Gaza, progressivism, and Sen. Bob Menendez corruption charges. And now some conservative critics have become fans and progressive allies, critics.

Its weird to see this transition, because I find myself every single week retweeting something that Fetterman has said, Fox and Friends host Lawrence Jones said last month.

Progressive leaders in the party have mostly avoided criticizing Fetterman directly but some cautioned against alienating people who are calling for a cease-fire.

U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, declined to talk specifically about Fetterman but argued that calling for a cease-fire is not a progressive issue but a humanitarian one that touches more voters than she thinks her party realizes. Some polling shows lawmaker support for a cease-fire lags behind growing public support for one.

I think its a really dangerous gamble to just imagine that those people  who are not just Palestinian, not just Black voters, not just progressive voters, but a critical piece of our coalition, will just get over something without any work without any engagement without any support, said Lee, a Democrat who represents Pittsburgh. I think its disingenuous, and it does a disservice. And Im not saying that thats whats happening right now. Im cautioning against that route.

A harder line on immigration and Israel

Fetterman acknowledges he embraced the progressive descriptor in the past but noted many of the issues he was fighting for are now more mainstream.

Things that were considered more shocking like $15 an hour (minimum wage) and healthcare as a basic fundamental right, legalizing marijuana, theyre just not as big of a deal today, he said.

But even some allies wish that the blunt Fetterman would take a more measured tone when it comes to disagreeing with protesters.

Its not wrong for progressives on the left side of the spectrum to feel upset when the guy they worked so hard for is dismissing them so casually, one Democratic operative who did not want to be quoted criticizing Fetterman said.

Fetterman has dismissed progressive backlash as coming from a small vocal few.

I dont think its bold to say I stand with Israel.

His stance on Israel, in particular, is the same as most Democrats in the Senate and a recent survey from Quinnipiac University shows his speaking out about it increased his popularity among Pennsylvania voters.

Fetterman has also called for Democrats to pursue stricter immigration laws as a way to achieve consensus with Republicans on funding for Israel and Ukraine. He hasnt specified what concessions he would accept on immigration but did say he would not support getting rid of Dreamers, undocumented immigrants who come to the U.S. as children, as his wife did.

I cant really understand why anybody would be upset for being a supporter of Israel or thinking that its important that we have a secured border, Fetterman said. Im still incredibly supportive of immigration, especially given my wifes family origin story.

Taken together, Fetterman seems in line with the majority of Pennsylvania voters, said Mike Mikus, who ran a 2016 Senate primary race against Fetterman and pointed out that he was elected in 2022 with strong support from moderate Democrats in rural counties.

In real life, people... sometimes have positions that are contradictory. Before he actually said the words Im not a progressive, progressives just assumed he was progressive on every single issue.

Bob Casey, the senior senator from Pennsylvania, has a nearly identical stance to Fetterman on Israel but a much more muted style. Casey gets far less attention on the topic, despite being in the midst of a reelection year and facing some backlash of his own.

A motorcade of protesters passed by his home a few weeks ago.

And some people I know around the state, theyve registered their perspective, Casey said. Its just the nature of the debate but weve got to make sure we do everything we can to destroy a terrorist organization.

Thats not gonna change anyones minds

Fetterman, who has displayed photos of Israeli hostages still missing in Gaza outside of his office at the Capitol, has received praise from some Republicans and from pro-Israel groups for his opposition to a cease-fire in Gaza.

After he spoke this week at a luncheon on Capitol Hill hosted by the Orthodox Union, several conservatives retweeted his comments, including Donald Trump Jr.

How is it possible that John Fetterman in the last few months has seemingly become more based than half of the senate GOP??? the former presidents son wrote on X.

But Fettermans more dismissive tone toward protesters seeking a cease-fire has upset some allies.

If you think its productive to block a road or a bridge or whatever, thats not gonna change anyones minds, Fetterman said of protesters Tuesday. If youre gonna protest anything you should be protesting Hamas and that they release the hostages immediately.

He appeared to wave an Israeli flag at pro-Palestinian protesters outside of the Capitol in November. He said those who blame Israel for the war were getting their perspective on the world on TikTok, its going to tend to be kinda warped.

Marta Guttenberg, a 76-year-old from Center City, worked on Fettermans campaign through her involvement with an interfaith group. Now a member of the group Jewish Voice for Peace, which has protested outside Fettermans offices, she frequently calls in as a constituent to press him to back a cease-fire.

Im sort of embarrassed to be talking about the horse race of politicians when the unfathomable amount of death and suffering is happening, she said of the war in Gaza. But I do feel betrayed.

Asked if hes concerned the war could be an issue that alienates a part of the Democratic coalition, Fetterman said he hoped Democrats would see the stakes for democracy in 2024.

Anybody that would turn their back on Bidenwhy dont you just write a check for Trump then? Stay home. Vote for some rando third party person. Then you are helping Trump. Get your red hat.
With a 19-year career in law, Elder has garnered extensive experience as a solicitor, overseeing in-house teams in both Australia and the UK. Notably, she held the position of general counsel in the legal department at the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust during her tenure in London. Upon her return to Australia, she assumed the role of managing the eastern states legal team at Medical Insurance Group Australia.
As Brad Eldridge assumes his new role and the new board of directors takes office, Falvey looks forward to executing the company goals set for 2024, said Mike Falvey. I have full confidence that Brad will excel in his new role, and I am excited to witness the impact he will undoubtedly have on strengthening our industry partnerships. Additionally, I am eager to work with our board of directors who will provide governance, oversight, and strategic guidance to the organization.
We decided that our best path forward was to do a binding arbitration, said Martin. We knew going into that arbitration what the numbers were. We knew how many facilities had been affected. We knew the way that we had been treated by Zurich. This is definitely a case where we were the underdog.
I believe hyperexponential is among the most compelling new entrants in insurtech I have seen in over 20 years of serving the P&C industry, Ryu said. As former software engineers and actuaries with top-tier commercial insurers, Amrit and [co-founder Michael Johnson] each bring a deep practitioners grasp of the new requirements for risk pricing. hyperexponential is rapidly becoming an indispensable tool for the insurance industry to thrive in a future that is not reliably the same as the past.
A federal appeals court has ruled that a Massachusetts hospital is entitled to coverage for losses due to COVID-19 under a health care endorsement in its policy from Continental Casualty Co.

The First Circuit Court of Appeals concluded that Lawrence General Hospital (LGH) was subject to decontamination orders during the pandemic and thus has a legitimate claim for coverage under a health care endorsement it purchased that covers losses and costs incurred as a result of complying with government decontamination orders related to COVID-19.

The ruling reverses in part a dismissal of the LGHs claims by a district court. The First Circuit remanded for reconsideration of the hospitals claims under the endorsement.

However, in keeping with other COVID insurance rulings, the First Circuit rejected LGHs companion claims that its other policy provisions for associated business-interruption losses and related expenses should also cover its losses due to COVID. The policy provided primary coverage of up to $563 million for direct physical loss of or damage to covered property.

The hospital tried to argue that the virus chemically bonded with its property, resulting in physical damage. But the First Circuit upheld the district court dismissal of these damage claims and affirmed a trio of cases (See Verveine, 184 N.E.3d 1266; SAS, 36 F.4th 23; Legal Sea Foods, 36 F.4th 29) already decided under Massachusetts law rejecting such theories of direct physical loss of or damage to property in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Federal Court Denies Massachusetts Hospitals Covid-19 Business Insurance Claim

The additional health care endorsement that LGH purchased includes disease contamination coverage. This coverage is triggered by an evacuation or decontamination order at a covered location by the National Center for Disease Control (CDC), authorized public health official or governmental authority because of the discovery or suspicion of a communicable disease or the threat of the spread of a communicable disease. It says that Continental will pay for direct physical loss of or damage to covered property, a variety of necessary and reasonable costs, and lost business income due to the evacuation and decontamination order.

Under the endorsement, the policy provides coverage of up to $1 million per occurrence. LGH alleged that it was subject to many occurrences triggering coverage under the endorsement. The federal government and state of Massachusetts each declared a COVID-19 state of emergency. The state issued a memorandum requiring hospitals to postpone or cancel all nonessential, elective invasive procedures until the state of emergency was lifted. To resume, the hospital had to comply with various safety, cleaning, disinfectant, ventilation and environmental infection and other directives and conditions.

Policyholders With Endorsements for Diseases Survive Motions to Dismiss COVID-19 Claims

Continental denied coverage, questioning whether LGH was subject to a decontamination order and argued that it was not. In Continentals view, the directives by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the federal CDC cited by LGH were not mandatory orders at all. Further, Continental contended that the directives did not require decontamination. The terms decontamination order, decontamination, and order are not defined in the policy.

The First Circuit rejected both of these arguments, citing the fair meaning of the terms. The court said fair meaning of the term order is unambiguous and that an order must be compulsory. It found that was the case with the orders LGH faced.

LGHs compliance with the directives was not optional under any practical understanding of that term. Conducting the type of urgent elective procedures identified in the directives is important both to LGHs mission of providing necessary care to its community and to its bottom line and ability to operate, the court stated.

Unusual Policy Language Allows NY Botanical Gardens COVID Claim to Proceed

The court said that LGH convincingly argued that the choice to comply with the stated conditions or forgo the ability to treat the vast majority of its patients for an indefinite period was no choice at all.

Further, the court added, Continentals interpretation would be inconsistent with the purpose of the policy: insurance coverage so that LGH could continue to provide medical care to patients. Following Continentals argument to its logical conclusion, no evacuation or decontamination directive would ever be mandatory, because a facility would always have the option of ceasing to provide all or a subset of medical services instead of complying, the court concluded.

Finally the First Circuit rejected Continentals argument that the limited use of the term decontamination in the government directives proves that decontamination was not the objective of those directives. According to Continental, CDCs document indicates with reference to one technique that it did not believe COVID-19 decontamination to be attainable. This, the court replied, was an overreading of the documents in which the CDC articulates a range of strategies to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 in indoor spaces, including improvements to ventilation systems and the use of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation lights.

Topics Massachusetts COVID-19
EBay has agreed to pay $3 million to resolve a U.S. criminal probe into a campaign by several of its employees to stalk and harass a Massachusetts couple whose online newsletter was viewed as critical of the e-commerce company.

Federal prosecutors in Boston said on Thursday that eBay had entered into a deferred prosecution agreement after seven former eBay workers admitted to participating in an extensive campaign in 2019 that involved sending the couple cockroaches, fly larvae and a bloody Halloween pig mask.

The $3 million represents the maximum fine prosecutors could seek after charging eBay with stalking and other offenses, prosecutors said.

The case centered on David and Ina Steiner, a married couple in Natick, Massachusetts, who produce the newsletter EcommerceBytes and have sued eBay over what they say was a relentless campaign by its employees to terrorize them.

Prosecutors said senior executives deemed the newsletter critical of eBay, and in August 2019 then-Chief Executive Devin Wenig texted another executive that it was time to take her down, referring to Ina Steiner.

Wenig, a former Thomson Reuters executive who stepped down as eBays CEO in September 2019, was not charged, and his spokesman has said Wenig had absolutely zero knowledge of the actions eBays employees undertook.

Overseeing the harassment campaign was Jim Baugh, a former Central Intelligence Agency employee who at the time served as eBays senior director of safety and security. His lawyer has said he felt pressure to do something.

At Baughs direction, the Steiners received anonymous, harassing Twitter messages, bizarre emails, and disturbing home deliveries that included spiders, a funeral wreath and a book on surviving the loss of a spouse, prosecutors said.

In August 2019, Baugh and others traveled from California to Natick to surveil the Steiners and try to install a GPS tracking device on their car. The Steiners spotted them and contacted police, prompting the federal investigation.

Baugh was sentenced in September 2022 to 57 months in prison. Others in the case have received punishments ranging from home confinement to two years in prison.

(Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi, Bill Berkrot and Richard Chang)
Australians bracing for a return of scorching heat and wildfires are instead battling a prolonged deluge of rain across the countrys east thats inundated homes and damaged crops from sugar to wheat.

Vast areas of the countrys populous eastern states have been lashed by severe storms and flooding for several months, even after the onset of El Nino. The weather pattern typically brings hotter and drier conditions to Australia and prompts authorities and residents to prepare for devastating wildfires.

However, the start of the Australian summer has been wet for many, in part due to another weather pattern  the Southern Annular Mode  which increases the chance of above-average rainfall. Climate change is also playing its part.

Climate change is distorting weather toward greater extremes, especially in rainfall and drought, said David King, the director of the Centre for Disaster Studies at James Cook University Australia. He added that the changing climate has made it increasingly difficult to produce accurate weather forecasts.

Kings comment on weather forecasting echoes recent remarks from Australias Minister for Emergency Management and Agriculture, Murray Watt, who was forced to defend the nations meteorology department after questions grew over the summer deluge. Watt had warned in October that the nation was facing the most serious wildfire season since 2019-20.

Australia is the worlds driest inhabited continent and wildfires over summer can have a significant impact. The 2019-20 event torched an area about the size of the UK and killed an estimated 1 billion native animals. Even after blazes are extinguished, the health implications can linger for longer.

The recent wet weather has swamped roads, stranded cows, seen rivers swell past decades-old records, and will result in a damage bill that could soar into the billions. Last month, the Insurance Council of Australia declared the storms over the Christmas period a significant event for Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, with thousands of claims received.

A tropical cyclone that crossed the coast in Queensland last month has damaged sugar crops, and the Bureau of Meteorology says another could develop next week. The severe storms are typical for this time of year.

For the nations farmers, the impact has been mixed. Apart from sugar, fruit orchards in Victoria have been damaged and flooding has delayed some of the harvest of wheat and barley. However, the deluge has allowed cotton growers to plant more and it will likely improve soil moisture for the next grains crop.

I think most of the farmers will say theyd rather take the rains than dry conditions, according to Stefan Vogel, the general manager of RaboResearch Australia & New Zealand.

Photograph: A resident walks through a flooded street in Rochester on Jan. 9, 2023. Photo credit: Diego Fedele/Getty Images

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire Australia
A federal investigation into how an employee suffered a serious hand injury at an Omaha, Nebraska beef processing plant in June 2023 identified more than a dozen willful and serious violations related to the companys failures to protect its workers from numerous safety and health hazards.

Investigators with the U.S. Department of Labors Occupational Safety and Health Administration determined a worker helping a forklift operator position materials at Nebraska Beef Ltd. had their fingertip caught in the forklift attachment. This injury resulted in a medically necessitated amputation three weeks later.

While investigating the employer-reported injury, OSHA found the company failed to develop and employ lockout/tagout procedures for hydraulic dock plates and enclosures. In addition, Nebraska Beef Ltd. lacked safety procedures for material handling and exposed workers to live electrical parts.

OSHA cited the company two willful and 11 serious violations and assessed Nebraska Beef Ltd. with $274,569 in proposed penalties.

An employee of Nebraska Beef Ltd. suffered a permanent injury because the company knowingly ignored safety measures that are meant to prevent this very type of incident, explained OSHA Area Director Matthew Thurlby in Omaha, Nebraska. The company must reassess its safety training and procedures immediately to keep other employees from suffering needless injuries.

Specifically, OSHA found the following deficiencies in its investigation:

Failure to isolate energy during service and maintenance of dock levelers.

Unsafe working surfaces.

Fall hazards on platforms and ladders.

No readily available eye wash and drenching facility.

Electrical hazards.

Lack of kits to handle chemical spills.

Improperly trained forklift operators.

Unsafe battery maintenance.

Nebraskas meat-packing industry has a higher-than-average injury rate, Thurlby added. We continue to work with the industry and meat processing facilities to improve employee safety and we encourage employers to reach out to us for assistance in developing effective safety plans.

Based in Omaha, Nebraska Beef Ltd. processes and distributes USDA Graded Prime, Choice and Select products for sale by grocery stores, club chains, wholesale distributors, and restaurants.

Source: OSHA

Photo: Workers at meat industry handle meat organizing packing shipping loading at meat factory.
If, due to the nature of the injury, the employee is unable to select an attending physician or does not select an attending physician and the nature of the injury requires care, the employer would select an attending physician for the employee as required.

Indianas workers compensation system currently allows employers to choose a physician for an injured worker without exception.

A study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute published in 2017 found little evidence of average cost difference in between states where employers had control over the choice of provider and states where workers were given the most control of the choice of provider. The study, The Effects of Provider Choice Policies on Workers Compensation Costs, surveyed effects of provider choice policies on workers compensation costs in 25 states between 2007 and 2010.

The Indiana bill had a first reading Tuesday in the Committee on Employment, Labor and Pensions.
A typical one-liter (33-ounce) bottle of water contains some 240,000 plastic fragments on average, according to a new study. Many of those fragments have historically gone undetected, the researchers determined, suggesting that health concerns linked to plastic pollution may be dramatically underestimated.

The peer-reviewed study, published Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, is the first to evaluate bottled water for the presence of nanoplastics  plastic particles under 1 micrometer in length, or one-seventieth the width of a human hair. The findings show that bottled water could contain up to 100 times more plastic particles than previously estimated, as earlier studies only accounted for microplastics, or pieces between 1 and 5,000 micrometers.

Nanoplastics pose a greater threat to human health than microplastics because theyre small enough to penetrate human cells, enter the bloodstream and impact organs. Nanoplastics can also pass through the placenta to the bodies of unborn babies. Scientists have long suspected their presence in bottled water, but lacked the technology to identify individual nanoparticles.

To overcome that challenge, the studys co-authors invented a new microscopy technique, programmed a data-driven algorithm and used both to analyze roughly 25 liters of bottled water purchased from three popular brands in the US. (The researchers declined to specify which brands.) They found 110,000 to 370,000 tiny plastic particles in each liter, 90% of them nanoplastics.

This study provides a powerful tool to address the challenges in analyzing nanoplastics, which holds the promise to bridge the current knowledge gap on plastic pollution at the nano level, says Naixin Qian, the studys lead author and a graduate student of Columbia University in chemistry.

Previously this was just a dark area, uncharted. Toxicity studies were just guessing whats in there, adds Beizhan Yan, the studys co-author and an environmental chemist at Columbia University. This opens a window where we can look into a world that was not exposed to us before.

The researchers targeted seven common plastic types, including polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which many water bottles are made from, and polyamide, often used in filters to purify water before its bottled. But they also discovered many unidentified nanoparticles in the water. If any of those are also nanoplastics, the prevalence of plastic in bottled water could be even higher.

In a statement, the International Bottled Water Association said both that the studys methodology needs to be fully reviewed by the scientific community and that there is no scientific consensus on the potential health impacts of nano- and microplastic particles. The association did not comment on the findings of the study.

The world produces more than 450 million tons of plastics each year, much of which eventually ends up in landfills. The vast majority of plastic does not degrade naturally, but breaks down into smaller pieces over time. Tiny plastic bits are also routinely shed from plastic-containing products while theyre in use, including many synthetic fabrics.

While plastic pollution exists everywhere on Earth, bottled water is of particular interest to scientists because of its potential to introduce plastic particles to the human body. A study published in 2022 found that the concentration of microplastics in bottled water was higher than in tap water. A report from 2021 warned that simply opening and closing the cap on a plastic bottle of water can release tiny plastic bits into the liquid.

The co-authors of the latest study say their research wont stop at bottled water. They also plan to investigate nanoplastics in tap water and snow samples collected from western Antarctica. There is a huge world of nanoplastics to be studied, said Wei Min, another co-author and a biophysicist at Columbia University. The smaller things are, the more easily they can get inside us.

Photo: Photographer: Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.
The hack of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commissions X account earlier this week is shining a light on an uncomfortable truth: Cybersecurity measures at Wall Streets chief regulator have repeatedly been found to be lacking.

The agency wasnt fully adhering to federal cybersecurity standards, including a requirement that public-facing systems support multifactor-authentication, as of a review by its internal watchdog last year. A separate, independent evaluation performed a year earlier identified weaknesses in security measures at the commission, such as protocols for preventing unauthorized access to networks.

The SEC is by no means the only federal agency that has come under fire in recent years for lax cybersecurity defenses, but its high-profile role in regulating companies and markets across the US has made it a particularly attractive target for hackers. In 2016, the agency suffered a cyberattack that compromised its corporate filings database and allowed hackers to profit from non-public information, according to US prosecutors.

We just witnessed the latest in Washingtons technological vulnerabilities yesterday, and a real low point for the SEC, Rep. French Hill, an Arkansas Republican, said during a meeting of the US House of Representatives digital asset panel on Wednesday. Congressional Republicans were in the process of sending a letter to SEC Chair Gary Gensler demanding an investigation into the hack, he said.

The SEC declined to comment on its cybersecurity policies. The Federal Bureau of Investigation was looking into the incident on Tuesday in which a hacker took control of the SECs handle on X, formerly known as Twitter. The hacker then published a fake post that inaccurately said the regulator had approved plans for spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds, leading to a spike in the price of Bitcoin. (The agency approved ETF plans a day later.)

X said in a statement that an unidentified person had compromised the SECs X account by acquiring an associated phone number. It also noted that the SEC hadnt activated two-factor authentication  a extra layer of security that has become standard for organizations as cyberattacks have increased. It remains unclear why the SEC hadnt set up additional authentication.

The takeover of the agencys X account came at an inopportune time for the SEC, which recently imposed new regulations on public companies that require them to disclose cyber incidents within four business days as part of a broader effort to bring more transparency to corporate cyber defenses. In October, the SEC also sued SolarWinds Corp.  which was breached by Russian hackers in a 2020 hack that compromised both corporations and government agencies alike  for allegedly defrauding investors by downplaying security risks.

SolarWinds has disputed the allegations and accused the SEC of twisting the facts. In a statement Thursday, Serrin Turner, an attorney for Latham & Watkins representing SolarWinds, said the SEC hack on Tuesday underscores how no organizations security controls can ever be assumed to be perfectly implemented, and why regulators should approach cybersecurity with great care and humility.

Gensler has meanwhile been outspoken about the need for companies to beef up digital security. In October, he posted a reminder on X to secure your financial accounts as well as protect against identity theft and fraud. One measure he recommended was multifactor authentication.

Related: Companies Struggle to Sort How to Comply With SEC Cyber Rules

In 2022, the White House released a cybersecurity strategy directing agencies to take wide-ranging actions to better secure their networks. The strategy emphasized the need for multi-factor authentication, describing it as a critical part of the federal governments security baseline.

The SEC had made some progress on implementing the actions, its inspector general reported in a September letter. But it remained behind on some tasks, the report showed. Specifically, the SEC had yet to configure all of its public-facing systems to support multifactor authentication as of the audit last year, the inspector general said.

The SEC had instead argued that it was generally in compliance with the standard because all but one of its system had been migrated over to use Login.gov, a broader federal government access website that requires two-factor authentication, the inspector generals report shows. While the SEC deemed the remaining system a limited risk, the inspector general insisted that phishing-resistant authentication was still necessary to keep hackers from gaining access to the SECs network.

A separate evaluation of the SECs data security controls by the firm Kearney & Co. found that the agency didnt consistently implement procedures to limit access to its systems. The review, performed in 2022, noted that some deficiencies dated as far back as five years. The specific weaknesses were redacted, but the study found that the vulnerabilities were caused in part by Covid-related, work-from-home policies.

Kearney ultimately concluded that the SECs information security program didnt meet a federal definition of being effective.

Last year, lax data security measures forced the SEC to dismiss 42 enforcement cases in front of its in-house courts. The agency found that some of its enforcement staff could see memos they werent supposed to see. The SEC said at the time that it regretted the lapse, which was blamed on a lack of proper safeguards.

In 2016, a group of eastern European hackers breached the regulators database of corporate filings. The hackers stole non-public corporate earnings reports and traded on them, making more than $4.1 million, according to court filings.

This past September, the regulator proposed adding multifactor authentication to the very same database.

Photo: Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.

Topics Cyber
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP)  A lawsuit filed by families of the 17 people killed and other victims of the Parkland, Florida, school massacre against a former sheriffs deputy who failed to intervene can go forward, a judge ruled, rejecting his motion to dismiss the case before trial.

Circuit Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips, in a ruling posted Wednesday, said a jury should decide whether fired Broward County Deputy Scot Peterson displayed a wanton and willful disregard for the students and teachers safety when he failed to confront the shooter during the six-minute attack inside a classroom building at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Peterson has insisted he didnt know where the shots were coming from and was acquitted last year of criminal charges, but the level of proof required in a lawsuit is significantly lower. The families, who have accused Peterson of cowardice, are seeking an unspecified amount from Peterson and the Broward Sheriffs Office, which did not argue for dismissal. Phillips hopes to begin the trial sometime this year.

A reasonable trier of fact could find that the deputys failure to confront the shooter, and failure to take any action to fulfill his alleged duty of protecting the students and teachers, while choosing to remain outside in a protected location to ensure his own safety constituted a conscious and indifference to consequences to those inside, Phillips wrote in the ruling dated Tuesday.

David Brill, a lead lawyer for the families and survivors, said in an email Wednesday that evidence supports her ruling.

Her Honor read all of the filings that the parties submitted, gave the parties all of the time that they needed for argument and was extraordinarily attentive throughout, and applied the law to the evidence of Petersons willful and wanton disregard for the lives of the students and staff at (Stoneman Douglas)  evidence which was, frankly, compelling, he said.

Petersons attorneys did not immediately respond to a phone call and email seeking comment.

At a hearing last month, Peterson attorney Michael Piper argued that his client had no legal duty to confront shooter Nikolas Cruz during the Feb. 14, 2018, massacre. Piper cited appellate court cases that say police officers dont have a legal obligation to protect others from third-party harm and cannot be sued for decisions they make during a crisis.

There is a difference between legal duty and what I guess Ill call societal expectations, Piper argued then. All the public will hear is that Peterson was in uniform and had a gun, he said, yet when faced with this murderous rampage going on in this three-story building, he doesnt have a duty to stop it?

People are outraged that a law enforcement officer doesnt have such a duty, but yes, that is exactly what we are saying. That is exactly what the law is.

But Phillips, in her ruling, said the extent of this officers duty is also something for the jury to decide, saying there is a genuine dispute over whether Peterson had a special relationship with students, teachers and administration that went beyond what law enforcement officers typically have with the public.

The families and survivors have already settled claims with the FBI  whose agents failed to investigate a warning about Cruz  and the Broward school district for a combined $153 million.

Peterson, the first U.S. police officer to be charged criminally with failing to act during a school shooting, was acquitted of child neglect in June. Legal experts said the Florida law that prosecutors applied wasnt written to address Petersons actions.

Security videos played during that trial show that 36 seconds after Cruzs attack began, Peterson left his office in the administration building, about 100 yards (92 meters) away, and jumped into a cart with two unarmed civilian security guards. They arrived a minute later at the three-story classroom building and Peterson got out near the east doorway to the first-floor hallway.

Cruz was at the hallways opposite end, firing his AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle.

Peterson, who was not wearing a bullet-resistant vest, didnt open the door. Instead, he took cover 75 feet (23 meters) away in the alcove of a neighboring building, his gun still drawn. He stayed there for 40 minutes, long after the shooting ended and other police officers had stormed inside.

For nearly three decades, Peterson worked at schools, including nine years at Stoneman Douglas. He retired shortly after the shooting and was then fired retroactively.

Cruz, 25, pleaded guilty to the shootings in 2021. In a 2022 penalty trial, the jury could not unanimously agree that Cruz deserved the death penalty and he was then sentenced to life in prison. Florida subsequently changed its death penalty law so that only an 8-4 vote is required for a judge to sentence a convicted murderer to death.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Florida Legislation K-12
New Mexico and Alaska are among the safest states for older drivers, a new report shows.

Research carried out by personal injury law firm Bader Scott analyzed National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data from 2017 to 2021 to identify states with the lowest percentage of elderly deaths in road accidents.

The report shows the overall number of over age 65 who died in U.S. crashes between 2017 and 2021 was 65,291, making it the age bracket with second-highest amount of road fatalities, behind drivers aged 25 to 30 (67,211 deaths).

New Mexico road accident deaths totaled 3,842 in that period, with 527 elderly deaths comprising 13.7% of that total. The data showed Louisiana was the safest state for drivers over the age of 65. Texas was in third place. Maine was considered the most dangerous state for drivers over the age of 65.

Alaska was in fifth place, with drivers over the age of 65 contributing to 14.08% of road fatalities. The state has just 689 deaths in total, where 97 deaths are over 65 years of age.

Wyoming was considered the sixth safest state for elderly drivers, with 14.09% of road accident deaths involving people over the age of 65.

Topics Personal Auto Mexico New Mexico Alaska
The family of a University of Arizona professor who was fatally shot on campus in the fall of 2022 has reached a multimillion-dollar agreement with the school, attorneys for the mans wife and sons said.

A statement by the law firm representing Kathleen Meixner, wife of professor Thomas Meixner, and their two sons, said that the family agreed not to sue the university as part of the agreement. The family in March filed a claim against the university as a precursor to a lawsuit, seeking $9 million.

In addition to an unspecified amount of money, the agreement includes non-monetary commitments that affirm the universitys continuing support for the well-being of those most affected by these events, the university and the Arizona Board of Regents said in a statement. It added that the family would continue to have a voice in the planning and implementation of safety measures on campus.

Thomas Meixner was shot on Oct. 5, 2022, inside the building where he headed the schools Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences. House later, police arrested Murad Dervish, a 46-year-old former graduate student later charged in Meixners killing.

An independent review released last March showed there were multiple missed opportunities to investigate and possibly arrest Dervish. The company contracted to conduct the review interviewed nearly 140 people.

Dervish faces a first-degree murder charge when he goes on trial later this year. He had been expelled from the school and barred from campus after being accused of sending threatening text messages and emails to Meixner and other professors.

Kathleen Meixner said the family welcomed the increased security measures instituted on campus after the report came out.

We must look to the future, and with urgency, ensuring that tragedies like ours do not happen to others, she said in her statement.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Arizona
Meta Inc. (META), the company which owns Facebook, the world's largest social networking website, was founded by CEO Mark Zuckerberg and several Harvard College roommates in 2004. The company's name initially was FaceMash, which was changed to TheFacebook, eventually dropping "The" from its name to become Facebook, before being changed yet again to Meta in Oct. 2021. Zuckerberg and his co-founders initially launched the service for their Harvard classmates, quickly expanding it to other universities and then to the general public. The company since then has grown into a global giant with 296 billion users and a market cap of $323.35 billion. The company reported FY 2020 net income of $23.2 billion on $116.61 billion in revenue, nearly all of which came from advertising.

Meta has expanded far beyond its original social networking platform since its founding 16 years ago. Its products also include messenger services, photo and video sharing, augmented reality, and many other apps and services. Acquisitions have been key to growing these businesses and Meta's revenue in general. Meta's strategy has been to buy potential rivals before they can get too big. In the process, the company sometimes has paid exceptionally high prices for some deals. The company has also drawn attention from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) due to potential anticompetitive practices, with the FTC recently demanding data on unreported purchases from Meta as well as other big tech companies.

Below, we look in more detail at Meta's five biggest acquisitions. The company does not provide a breakdown of how much profit or revenue each acquisition currently contributes to Meta.

Instagram

Type of Business: Photo and video-sharing app

Acquisition Cost: $1.0 billion

Acquisition Date: April 9, 2012

Instagram is a photo and video-sharing social networking platform that was launched in 2010. Through the Instagram app, users can upload, edit, and tag photos and videos. The company remained independent up until it was acquired by Meta for $1.0 billion in 2012. While Meta bought Instagram as the photo-sharing company was garnering significant attention from venture capital firms and other investors. Some estimates indicate that Instagram generates more advertising revenue than its parent company.

When it acquired Instagram, Meta opted to build and grow the Instagram app independently from Meta's main Facebook platform; Instagram remains a separate platform to this day. The price that Meta paid for Instagram, which at that time was generating no revenue, reflects Meta's willingness to pay a premium for young companies.

WhatsApp

Type of Business: Mobile messenger service

Acquisition Cost: $19.0 billion

Acquisition Date: February 19, 2014

WhatsApp is a messenger and calling service available to users throughout the world. The platform was launched in 2009 as a low-cost alternative to standard text messaging services. Throughout much of its history, WhatsApp has allowed users to send messages and make calls directly to other users for no cost, regardless of location. Users can also send photos, videos, and documents over the platform. Meta bought WhatsApp at a time when the smaller company boasted more than 400 million active monthly users, making it a fast-growing potential rival to the Facebook network platform.

When Meta purchased WhatsApp, it was an independent company that had recently been valued at $1.5 billion. Although it is unclear exactly how much revenue WhatsApp generates, when it was acquired in 2014, WhatsApp had generated a revenue of $1.29 million.

Oculus VR

Type of Business: Virtual reality technology company

Acquisition Cost: $2.0 billion

Acquisition Date: March 25, 2014

Just weeks after announcing its acquisition of WhatsApp, Meta followed up by buying virtual reality hardware and software company Oculus VR. This company was founded in 2012 and is best known for its Oculus Rift product, a virtual reality headset that was designed for video gaming. Since Facebook's purchase of Oculus VR in 2014, the subsidiary has made multiple acquisitions of its own. Perhaps the most prominent was the 2015 purchase of Surreal Vision, a company specializing in 3D scene mapping reconstruction.

At the time that Meta acquired Oculus VR, the company had only produced a development prototype of what would become its popular headset product. Meta's purchase of Oculus VR gave it an instant presence in the virtual reality market at a time when developers were showing growing interest in VR.

Onavo

Type of Business: Mobile web analytics

Acquisition Cost: $100200 million (estimated)

Acquisition Date: October 2013

Founded in 2010, Israeli company Onavo performs web analytics on other mobile apps to determine customer usage. Meta acquired Onavo in October 2013 for an undisclosed amount that some analysts estimated to be between $100 million and $200 million. At the time of the acquisition, Onavo was an independent company. Although Onavo is not one of Meta's largest acquisitions, Onavo's technology may have allowed Meta to make crucial early determinations about other companies and apps to acquire. Onavo has occasionally been classified as spyware, forcing Meta to pull Onavo from both the iOS and Android app stores in the face of criticism.

Beluga

Type of Business: Messaging service

Acquisition Cost: Undisclosed

Acquisition Date: March 2, 2011

Messaging app service Beluga, founded in 2010, was acquired by Meta a year later. Meta bought Beluga in the midst of the startup's fundraising process for an undisclosed sum.

In buying Beluga, Facebook acquired the technology that eventually became the social media company's highly successful Messenger platform. In the process, Meta again expanded its offerings and eliminated a potential rival.

Facebook Diversity & Inclusiveness Transparency

As part of our effort to improve the awareness of the importance of diversity in companies, we have highlighted the transparency of Meta's commitment to diversity, inclusiveness, and social responsibility. The below chart illustrates how Meta reports the diversity of its management and workforce. This shows if Meta discloses data about the diversity of its board of directors, C-Suite, general management, and employees overall, across a variety of markers. We have indicated that transparency with a .
Citigroup, which employs 2,900 people in Ireland, plans to cut 20,000 jobs worldwide over the next three years in a major cost-cutting move.

In a trading update, the company said the job cuts, which amount to about 10% of its global workforce, would save up to 2.3bn.

Citigroup is one of Irelands largest employers in the financial service sector and recently announced plans to expand operations here.

A spokesperson for the company told the Irish Examiner that only the global figure was being announced at this stage and it is not yet known how many employees in Dublin would be impacted.

On a pro-rata basis, a 10% reduction could see around 290 roles under threat here. The company expects to incur just under 1bn in expenses tied to redundancy payments.

In September, the company said it was expanding in Dublin to cover mid-sized corporations in the manufacturing, pharmaceutical, life sciences, professional services, and healthcare sectors that are planning to scale internationally.

Citi Commercial Bank has been in the Irish market for five years, primarily offering services to digital and tech companies to date.

The spokesperson said work was continuing to develop a new office at the Waterfront South Central development in Dublin.

The global headcount reduction is part of chief executive Jane Frasers plan to turn around the Wall Street giants affairs. The company reported a $1.8bn (1.64bn) loss for the fourth quarter of last year.

Given how far we are down the path of our simplification and divestitures, 2024 will be a turning point, said Ms Fraser.
Employers who encourage greater ethnic diversity in the workplace are boosting their talent base and their customer appeal to the increasingly diverse Irish marketplace.

So says Deirdre Gavin, head of inclusion and diversity at Bank of Ireland. In 2023, 14% of the banks external hires belonged to an ethnic minority, a move aimed to ensure the bank as a whole is more fully reflective of the broader population.

As a company with almost four million customers in Ireland and overseas, it is very important for us that we reflect the ethnicity of the population in Ireland, said Deirdre Gavin. There are numerous studies showing the benefits of ethnic diversity and inclusion to a company.

Inclusive companies generally outperform their rivals. When your staff reflects the society theyre serving, the company performs better. It makes perfect sense.

We have collected data from our colleagues, who trust us to treat their personal information with sensitivity. Around 6% of our colleagues identify themselves as being from an ethnic minority.

Around 7% of the Irish population is from an ethnic minority. As a result, we have an active strategy to remove barriers and to as diverse a range of applicants as possible.

Bank of Ireland says that it is committed to improving its approach to building an inclusive and diverse working environment in its broadest sense.

As well as its ethnicity inclusive policies, it has a colleague networks, programmes and policies supporting continued improvement on gender balance, LGBTQ+ inclusion, family and carers, accessibility, multiculturalism, and intergenerational issues.

It actively promotes gender balance across all promotions. Since Covid, it has significantly increased flexibility and remote work opportunities, creating regional 14 work hubs.

You dont need to be from Dublin to work in Dublin, said Deirdre Gavin. Connectivity is a very important part of inclusion. With inclusion and diversity, what we have learned is that progress is not linear.

This is not a finished product. Diversity is challenging and it is a hard thing to get right, but we are very committed to it. We are doing everything we can to set ourselves apart as an employer of choice.

We dont think we know it all. We start by working to ensure that all colleagues can feel safe and protected when they come to work with us, and were developing progressively from there.

Bank of Ireland receives Gold Investors in Diversity EDI Mark: Laura ODonovan of the Irish Centre for Diversity, with Deirdre Gavin, Head of Inclusion & Diversity, Bank of Ireland.

Bank of Ireland has recently been accredited as an Investing in Ethnicity Employer in recognition of its progress in developing an inclusive and ethnically diverse workforce that is reflective of the population.

The accreditation was made by Investing in Ethnicity, which encourages greater ethnic diversity in the workplace. Bank of Ireland has implemented a number of recommendations made by the organisation, and is taking a range of other steps including monitoring ethnicity at all stages of recruitment, creating dedicated talent programs for career pathways, and providing unconscious bias training for all hiring managers.

Latest Census data indicates that approximately 7% of the Irish population are from an ethnic minority. The Banks voluntary data collection (i.e. colleagues may choose to opt in or out of this question when providing personal data) indicates that 6% of colleagues are from an ethnic minority.

This year 14% of external hires to the Bank  equal to 148 roles  have self-declared as being from an ethnic minority. This will speed progress in the group being more fully reflective of the broader population.

Deirdre Gavin said: We value diversity in our business for a number of very clear reasons. At its core, this is not just the right thing to do. It is also the commercially sensible thing to do.

We want to understand our customers better, and do more business with them. Our colleagues increasingly reflect the diversity we see amongst our more than four million customers. We also want to be one of the best places to work, offering excellent customer products and services today and innovating for the future. The talent to do this is everywhere. It doesnt all look or sound the same, or come from the same background.

We know we need people of different backgrounds and experiences bringing their diverse talents and perspectives to our company. The same goes for Ireland. Diversity is in the spotlight now, and its important we acknowledge how vital it is to the future development of our economy and society.

Bank of Ireland Multi-Cultural Network committee members Yemi Ajomale, Taniya Srivastava and Christine Simiyu along with Kate Butler, Bank of Ireland inclusion and diversity lead, and Matt Elliott, chief people officer.

Bank of Ireland has hosted My Story events, wherein colleagues from diverse backgrounds showcase their experiences in navigating their career progress. All managers attend mandatory unconscious bias training.

The bank has removed any impediments to diverse new applications, such as any need for knowledge of the Irish language, or for applicants to have completed the Leaving Certificate.

The bank hosts listening sessions in which executive managers seek to find out what people want from the bank. These sessions directly inform policy.

All of these actions are gathered in a three-tiered strategy to appeal to a multicultural population, removing barriers and tracking performance across a range of metrics.

Sarah Garrett MBE, CEO/Founder Investing in Ethnicity, said: Wed like to congratulate Bank of Ireland for their accreditation as an Investing in Ethnicity Employer. Its great to see the organisation investing in ensuring equity for under-represented ethnic groups, and we look forward to working closely together and building on the foundations made in 2024.

Bank of Ireland has commissioned a significant study into ethnic minority hiring across financial services to better understand barriers to entry and understand the experience of colleagues from an ethnic minority background. The study will help to inform future actions, and will be made public in 2024.
With just five days before the Iowa caucuses, the debate may be their last, best chance to change the trajectory of the race before voting begins.

The big front-runner, Donald Trump, was the only other candidate to meet the 10% polling threshold to participate.

But as he has six times before, the Republican former president is declining to show up given his overwhelming lead in the polls. This time, hell be sitting down with Fox News hosts Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum for a live town hall in Des Moines.

Follow live updates from tonights event, hosted by CNN.

Ballistic podiatry

In a well-rehearsed zinger during a back-and-forth over Social Security reform, DeSantis joked that Haley has a problem with ballistic podiatry.

That means shooting yourself in the foot every other day, he quickly explained, drawing an eye roll from Haley.

The joke was a nod to Haleys recent campaign trail gaffes, among them her omission of slavery when a voter asked her about the causes of the Civil War.

DeSantis campaign ally Rep. Thomas Massie used the term on the social media platform X last week after Haley said in an interview that you change personalities going from Iowa to New Hampshire.

We called this ballistic podiatry at MIT, the GOP Kentucky congressman wrote.

Raising the retirement age? Haley supports it, DeSantis doesnt

DeSantis and Haley are disagreeing over whether to raise the retirement age.

Haley supports raising the retirement age and has said that the current age of 65 is too low.

DeSantis on Wednesday night referenced his grandmother, who lived to be 91 and whose sole source of income was Social Security. He cited declining life expectancy in the United States as a reason he wouldn't support raising the age.

Haley said DeSantis voted as a congressman to raise the retirement age to 70. She says, You cant trust him.

Haley mocks DeSantis for campaign challenges

Haley is mocking DeSantis and the challenges his campaign has faced as numerous senior members of a super PAC backing him have resigned or been fired in recent weeks.

Its been a revolving door of political people in and out of his campaign, Haley said.

If he cant handle the financial parts of a campaign, how is he going to handle the economy when it comes to the White House?" he asked.

DeSantis says Haley likes to focus on political processes that voters do not care about while he prefers to talk about his record as a governor.

School choice sparks disagreement

DeSantis and Haley are clashing over how they would lead the country in terms of education reform.

Asked about South Carolinas low ranking in terms of K-12 education during her time as governor, Haley said she advocated for more parent involvement and apprenticeships that taught our kids how to build the things were making.

DeSantis responded that Haley had caved to the teachers union when she was governor and wasnt able to get school choice. DeSantis says school choice is universal in Florida, passed through a state Legislature that has been very favorable to him.

Haley said she wanted school choice but that her own state's Republican legislature wouldnt do it.

Haley says DeSantis brought most anti-Israel Republican to Iowa

During a discussion on the Israel-Hamas War, Haley twice accused DeSantis of bringing the most anti-Israel Republican with him on the campaign trail in Iowa.

She was referring to Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, who has been stumping for DeSantis in Iowa.

Massie was the lone House Republican to vote against a GOP resolution condemning antisemitism on university campuses in December. He has previously critiqued antisemitism-related legislation as restricting free speech.

DeSantis dismissed the jab, which Haley has used before while campaigning.

Thats just cheap garbage, DeSantis said.

Trump says he already knows who he'd pick as VP

Donald Trump sidestepped a question about who is in the running to be his running mate if he wins the nomination, but suggested hes already made up his mind.

Well I cant tell you that, really, he said at a Fox News town hall. He added: I mean, I know who its going to be.

Trump was asked if he would consider someone who has run against him and was open to mending fences.

Oh sure, I will, I will. Ive already started to like Christie better, he quipped after Christie, who dropped out of the race Wednesday, was caught on a hot mic saying he thinks Haley has no chance.

Christie was one of Trumps top finalists for his running mate in 2016, but he chose Mike Pence instead.

Christie, a vocal Trump critic, has made clear he has no interest in the role.

Haley pans Biden for not knowing about Austin's hospitalization

Haley says Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's secret hospitalization is evidence that the Biden administration doesnt have a handle on how to handle the war between Israel and Hamas  or his own Cabinet.

Asked if she would support strikes on Iran to knock out Hezbollah, Haley said dealing with the situation was further complicated by Austins recent hospitalization for prostate cancer. The White House has said President Joe Biden didnt know until Austin had already been in the hospital for days.

How does Biden not talk to his secretary of defense every single day, knowing that we have a war in Europe, a war in the Middle East? Haley asked. The idea that the secretary of defense would not even be in contact with the president, much less than contact with his staff, is unforgivable.

Haley and DeSantis split on support for Ukraine

Haley and DeSantis are splitting on the U.S. continuing support for Ukraines defense, with DeSantis suggesting its not a top U.S. priority.

DeSantis accused Haley of wanting an open-ended commitment of U.S. money and arms for Ukraine. For his part, DeSantis said of Ukraines battle against Russian invaders, we need to find a way to end this. The U.S. should be focusing instead on the border and competition with China, he said.

Haley cast supporting Ukraine as a vital U.S. priority, saying it was essential to stop Russias aggression.

You do not have to choose between priorities like the border and Ukraine, she said. This is about keeping America safe. This is about preventing war.

DeSantis knocks Haley with pale pastels insult

DeSantis has twice used the phrasing of pale pastels as a knock on Haley. She is the only woman in the race, and she is standing next to him on stage, clad in a pastel pink dress.

DeSantis first used the reference to portray the former South Carolina governor as in favor of raising taxes. He said, We need to fly a flag of bold colors. Carrying the banner putting the American people first  not the pale pastels of the warmed-over corporatism of people like Nikki Haley.

Minutes later, he said it again in reference to immigration, saying Haley is bankrolled by people who want open borders and adding, You should work with corporate CEOs, Governor, that is pale pastels.

Haley says remark about NH needing to correct Iowa decision was joke

Haley says she was only joking when she told voters in New Hampshire that they would have the opportunity to correct the decision made by Iowa caucusgoers.

DeSantis reminded viewers on Wednesday night about her comments and called them insulting.

She was in another state, and she said the people of Iowa need to be corrected, DeSantis said. We dont need a candidate who is going to look down on middle America.

"Iowans know when youre telling a joke, Haley replied.

Haley touts her UN experience

Haley is pointing to her foreign policy experience pretty often in the opening minutes of the debate.

I dealt with Russia, Iran, China every day," she said of her time as U.N. ambassador. "No one ever said I caved. I defended America and I fought for America.

Haley and DeSantis trade jabs on lies

At the very start of the debate, DeSantis and Haley are going after each other for lying and misrepresenting their positions.

Referencing Haley, DeSantis said, We dont need another mealy-mouthed politician who just tells you what she thinks you want to hear just to try to get your vote, then to get an office and to do her donors' bidding. He also mentioned her previous positive comments about drawing inspiration from Hillary Clinton, a point that hes hit repeatedly during the GOP campaign.

Haley several times mentioned a new website called DeSantisLies.com that her campaign has stood up. She said that DeSantis campaign is exploding and that hes only mad about the donors, because the donors used to be with him, but theyre no longer with him now."

Haleys campaign also blasted out an email heralding the website as her surprise gift that would be detailing and fact checking all of DeSantis lies.

Whats at stake for Republicans in Iowa?

For Republicans, there are usually two prizes in the Iowa caucuses: delegates and bragging rights.

Iowa Republican voters will indicate their picks for the partys presidential nominee next Monday, and the results of that vote will determine how many of the states 40 convention delegates each candidate will receive.

Candidates win national convention delegates in direct proportion to the percentage of the vote they receive. There is no minimum threshold required to qualify for delegates.

For Democrats, nothing is at stake, since the 2024 caucuses will have no bearing on the presidential race.

Trump and DeSantis agree: Haley will get smoked

Trump and DeSantis don't agree on much but do find common ground on one thing: Christies parting shot at Haley.

Trump said Wednesday that he might even get to like Christie again after the departing presidential candidate was caught on a hot mic saying that Haley was going to get smoked and was not up to this.

DeSantis sentiment in a post on X was similar: I agree with Christie that Nikki Haley is going to get smoked.

Haley, meanwhile, was gracious in her well wishes for Christie, calling her former fellow governor a friend for many years and commending him on a hard-fought campaign.

Hot mic moment before Christie drops out

Christie was caught on a hot mic bashing Haley moments before he ended his campaign at a New Hampshire town hall.

Shes going to get smoked, he said of Haley, adding: Shes not up to this.

He also said that former Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had called him, petrified" that he was going to endorse Haley, but the hot mic was cut before he finished speaking.

Christie also appeared to defend his performance in the race as Trump continues to dominate.

People dont want to hear it. They dont want to hear it. We know were right, but they dont want to hear it, he said. We couldnt have been any clearer. We couldnt have been any more direct or worked any harder.

Sorry candidates, but Drake University mascot might be tonights crowd favorite

Meet Griff II. His tie deserves a round of a-paws.

Read more:

More election 2024 headlines:

Feeling caucus confusion? Your guide to how Iowa works What is a caucus? How are caucuses different from primaries? Are both the Republicans and Democrats holding caucuses in Iowa this year? Whats at stake? How will the Republican caucuses work in 2024? How will the Democratic caucuses work in 2024?
Ireland's Data Protection Commissioner blamed clunky European Union procedures for wasting energy, time and money in the race to defend citizens privacy.

Helen Dixon, who is about to quit her post, has forced firms to cough up about 2.8bn for violating the EUs landmark General Data Protection Regulation.

Overnight, GDPR put regulators in Ireland and Luxembourg  where many companies have their EU base  in pole position with powers to dole out fines as high as 4% of annual sales.

But Dixon said it was made way more tortuous than it could have been due to features of the EUs final agreement on the legislation, which took effect in 2018 to great fanfare.

Its extremely difficult, said Dixon, who steps down next month after leading Irelands Data Protection Commission for the past decade, in an interview at her Dublin office.

Hardwired into the EU law, still seen as the worlds toughest privacy rulebook, is a system of co-operation with other watchdogs across the 27-nation bloc. That meant before Dixon could lay a glove on the big tech firms under her watch, other watchdogs could often weigh in.

While co-operation is working well, its a clunky form of co-operation that is leading to a lot of different avenues of legal challenge, Dixon said. In fact, an awful lot of energy, time and litigation resources are going in sorting out issues that arise because of the law.

The biggest surprise was that political and economic compromise that was made in terms of the form of the one-stop-shop, said Dixon, referring to the deal on a key part of the rules supposed to put most oversight powers in the hands of a single data authority close to where companies are based.

The version got inserted at the 11th hour, she said, and hadnt previously been on the horizon. She said things could have been smoother without the last-minute political changes and would have resulted in much more cases being handled, that would have then gone into courts, which would have held them up or not. And wed be moving on much faster.

Last year, she levied the biggest GDPR fine yet when she slapped Meta with a record 1.2bn bill and gave the firm a deadline to stop shipping users data to the US.

Bloomberg
The closed period for spreading organic manures will end for farmers in 'zone A' this weekend.

The country is divided into zones, with rules for each zone about minimum storage capacity and the prohibited spreading periods  the times when farmers are not allowed to spread organic and chemical (nitrogen and phosphorus) fertilisers  set out.

Zone A consists of counties Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow.

Zone B consists of counties Clare, Galway, Kerry, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Roscommon, Sligo, and Westmeath.

Meanwhile, zone C is divided into two parts of Donegal/Leitrim and Cavan/Monaghan, which have different minimum storage requirements, but have the same rules for the times when fertiliser must not be spread.

Farmers in zone A can spread slurry or farmyard manure from January 13.

In zone B, spreading can take place from January 16, while in zone C, it can take place from February 1.

The dates from which chemical fertilisers can be spread are later: January 27 in zone A; January 30 in zone B; and February 15 in zone C.

Weather dependent

The ability to spread is, of course, weather-dependent.

Farmers must not spread when the land is waterlogged; the land is flooded or likely to flood; the land is frozen or covered with snow; or heavy rain is forecast within 48 hours.

They must also not spread if the ground slopes steeply and there is a risk of water pollution, when factors such as surface run-off pathways, the presence of land drains, the absence of hedgerows to mitigate surface flow, soil condition, and ground cover are taken into account.

Chemical fertiliser also cannot be spread on land within 2m of a surface watercourse.

These rules have been introduced through the Nitrates Action Programme, which is designed to prevent pollution of surface waters and groundwater from agricultural sources and to protect and improve water quality.

The purpose of these regulations is to provide a basic set of measures to protect waters, including drinking water sources, against pollution caused by nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural sources, with the primary emphasis on the management of livestock manures and other fertilisers.

Closed period for soiled water

Under the programme, there is also a closed period for the application of soiled water to land. This aims to reduce the loss of nutrients to water at the riskiest time of year. Soiled water storage capacity requirements have been increased in line with the new closed periods.

From December 1, 2023, all milk producers must have a minimum of 21 days soiled water storage capacity on the holding.

From December 1, 2024, all milk producers must have a minimum of 31 days soiled water storage capacity on the holding except for winter/liquid milk producers where this storage must be in place by December 1, 2025.

Mandatory LESS

A phased approach applies to the introduction of requirements for low emission slurry spreading (LESS) for farms above a grassland stocking rate of 100kg of organic nitrogen per hectare.

From January 2023, LESS equipment must also be used for all applications of pig slurry.

It must also be used when applying livestock manure to arable land, or the livestock manure must be incorporated into the soil within 24 hours.

From January 2024, LESS equipment is mandatory for those with grassland stocked of and above 130kg of organic nitrogen per hectare.

Cow banding

Three new excretion rate bands have been introduced for dairy cows as of last year.

Each dairy herd will be assigned to one of the three bands each year, based on the herds average annual milk yield per cow.

The three bands applicable for dairy cows are: 80kg of nitrogen per cow per year for farms with annual milk yield up to 4,500kg; 92kg per cow per year for milk yield between 4,501 and 6,500kg; and 106kg of nitrogen per cow per year for milk yield over 6,500.

The excretion rate band for each dairy herd is calculated based on the total volume of milk delivered to the milk purchasers divided by the average number of dairy cows on the holding.

In confirming their assigned band, each dairy farmer can select one of the following options to calculate their average milk yield: select the rolling average for the three preceding years, or select the most recent preceding year.

A dairy farmer must confirm their dairy cow band annually to the Department of Agriculture.

Farmers can submit this via a specifically developed application for banding calculations on the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation website.

Derogation

An interim review of the Nitrates Action Programme took place last year.

The European Commissions extension of Irelands nitrates derogation to allow a maximum stocking rate of 250kg organic nitrogen per hectare for some farmers also required a water quality review to take place last year.

As a result of this review, derogation farmers across areas of the country have been limited to a maximum stocking rate of 220kg from 2024.

In order to comply this year, farmers will have to either obtain more land, remove stock, or export slurry.

National Fertiliser Database

The National Fertiliser Database is now in place.

Annually, a farmer or professional end user will have to declare the closing stock of fertiliser held on their farm in the autumn.

Farmers who are importing or selling fertiliser will have to register as a fertiliser economic operator and comply with the requirements on uploading data.
Michael and Sinead

Sixty-year-old Sinead from Limerick is looking for her soulmate in the First Dates restaurant this week. Someone that in years to come Id be sitting on a bench at a beach with a 99 in my hand happy out, explains the glamorous yoga teacher, who also works in a donkey sanctuary.

Sixty-three-year-old Michael from Wexford wants someone tall, fit, confident, and passionate. While Sinead seems to tick those boxes, the retired garda is surprised by her lack of interest in GAA, considering she is from Limerick.

Things get a little awkward after Sinead reveals that she brought a label in case she forgot her dates name  but thankfully, she didnt. Do you remember my name, Sinead asks Michael. No, he admits.

Eventually, she tells him her name again and all is forgiven. Michael opens up about a bad car accident and reveals that while he wishes he had children, hes very close with his niece. She even lit a candle for him ahead of his big date.

After dinner, the pair are asked the all-important question: Would you like to see each other again romantically?

Michael goes first. It was a fabulous date, he starts. We can sense a but coming.

I dont think were suited overall, he says. The reason? Shes not into sport.

Sinead admits she would have met him again, but they agree to keep in touch.

Alan and Megan

Alan and Megan.

Lookit, what you see is what you get, says Mayo man Alan.

The 30-year-old describes himself as honest, loyal and happy and is looking for the same traits in his date, 30-year-old Megan from Kildare.

While sitting down for dinner, Megan asks the Mayo man if he has any kids. Not yet, he says, before adding that hes like a retired racehorse.

I ran me race and now its time to go into stud, he explains as his date  thankfully  laughs.

Halfway through the meal, the pair are already planning on setting up their dogs and Alan is still making Megan laugh.

He jokes that she has food on her face before dribbling beer on himself. At least we feel comfortable around each other, he says and gives his giggling date another compliment.

There is a brief silence when they are asked if they will see each other again but after a nudge from Megan, Alan gives a quick Yes, followed by a Yep from his date before they both laugh.

In the closing credits, we learn that the giddy pair are officially a couple.

Bel and Sam

Bel and Sam.

Genderqueer, non-binary, bisexual and polyamorous civil servant Bel (30) from Wicklow makes a rookie mistake by opening the wrong door to the restaurant (they seriously need to put up a sign). Nonetheless, they remain calm and confident.

Gender is my playground. Im not a man, not a womana bit of everything, Bel explains and later tells us that they are looking for someone who is not an asshole or a wet blanket.

With facial piercings and bright blue hair, Sam (28) enters the First Dates restaurant and meets Bel at the bar.

While they are both nervous, they agree that they already feel as though everything will be ok.

During their date, the pair open up about mental health struggles while Sam talks candidly about body dysmorphia and gender dysmorphia.

When podcaster Bel is asked if they fancy Sam, they say: Immediately. Meanwhile, Sam also knew they would get along with Bel straight away. After all, they almost wore the same outfit, they say.

Sam is straight in with a yeah to seeing each other again. The pair hold hands in the elevator and head off to Fibbers to continue their date.

Chaggie and Nahia

Nahia and Chaggie.

First Dates maitre d'Mateo gives 24-year-old Chaggie from Dublin a confidence boost by complimenting his guns when he sees him.

The bodybuilder says he doesnt do dating apps and prefers Instagram. His date, 21-year-old Nahia from Dublin feels the same.

The pair are already sharing a drink with two straws within minutes of meeting each other. They have a few awkward moments, including when Chaggie pulls out a chair for Nahia and she walks right past him without noticing, but we sense chemistry.

At the dinner table, conversation moves to star signs but luckily, Nahia gets along with Geminis so Chaggie is in the clear. However, Nahia is keen to know more so she whips out her phone to do some further digging into her dates astrology. While her phone is out, Chaggie says he might as well give her his Instagram handle. Smooth.

The pair split their desserts and Chaggie admits to waitress Alice Marr that Nahia is a bit of me.

On the count of three, they both say yes to seeing one another again. They leave the restaurant holding hands and smiling. Off into the sunset now, says Nahia.
Kevin Hart has said he almost died during a flight in which he saw flames coming out of the front of the plane while it was landing.

The 44-year-old American comedian and actor discussed the incident as well as his new heist movie Lift, which includes scenes set on an aeroplane.

Reflecting on his real-life plane scare, he told The Graham Norton Show: I almost died. We were landing and as we did the front wheel broke, and I just saw flames coming out of the front of the plane.

Sofia Vergara and Kevin Hart during the filming for the Graham Norton Show (Isabel Infantes/PA)

It was one of those moments when I thought, This is it, and I realised that if it happens I was cool with where I was in life. I didnt panic.

Speaking about his role as Cyrus in the new action comedy, which was released to Netflix on Friday, he added: In this film I am an action star, you can probably tell by looking at my arms!

He went on: We wanted a film that the world could gravitate towards.

Its my first leading man role where I am serious.

Its a proper thriller and for the first time Im not responsible for the jokes.

Discussing what it was like to film in Belfast, he added: Northern Ireland was amazing and while I was filming, I was double-dipping on developing my stand-up.

Graham Norton with guests Kevin Hart, Sofia Vergara, Jodie Comer, Alan Cumming and Tom Odell (Isabel Infantes/PA)

I was performing in a small intimate comedy club with 125 people and ended up doing 40 shows because we were there for so long.

When we stopped filming, I was ready to go on tour.

Joining Hart on The Graham Norton sofa this week is Modern Family actress Sofia Vergara who discussed her Colombian accent and how it has affected her acting career.

She said: There was pressure on me to lose it and I thought it would not be that hard, that I could do some classes and have any role I wanted.

That was not the case  I spent a lot of money and a lot of hours trying and it would get worse.

I would go to auditions, and it was horrific.

Alongside Hart and Vergara on the BBC One programme this week is Liverpudlian actress Jodie Comer, Scottish actor Alan Cumming and singer-songwriter Tom Odell, who performed live in the studio.

The Graham Norton Show will air on BBC One on Friday January 12 at 10.40pm and is also available on BBC iPlayer.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has said it is "closely monitoring" the situation in Yemen for Irish citizens in the wake of airstrikes in the country.

On Tuesday night, members attached to the Houthi rebel group attacked US and UK warships with missiles and drones.

In response, US-led airstrikes on Yemen killed at least five people and wounded six others, a military spokesman from the Houthi group claimed on Friday.

Brigadier General Yahya Saree made the announcement warning that the strikes will not go "unpunished".

The American and British enemy bears full responsibility for its criminal aggression against our Yemeni people and it will not go unanswered and unpunished, he said.

In response to a query from the Irish Examiner, the Department of Foreign Affairs said it was closely monitoring the situation.

The advice for Irish citizens in Yemen is yet to change.

They said: "The Department of Foreign Affairs is closely monitoring the situation in Yemen together with our EU and other international partners.

The Department's travel advice is that citizens Do Not Travel to Yemen.

"Irish citizens in Yemen can register their presence on the Departments Citizens Registration platform. Any citizen requiring consular assistance can contact the Irish Embassy in Riyadh."
A consultant radiologist who was suspended from University Hospital Kerry during Christmas week has been reinstated, the Irish Examiner understands.

Dr Martin Schranz will begin work again on Monday, it is understood, but will be on restricted activities.

He had been suspended on December 22, and today he met with senior hospital management to discuss the reasons for this.

Dr Schranz had told the Irish Examiner earlier this week that prior to the meeting he had been unaware of the details of any specific concerns the hospital had around his work or related issues.

The hospital said last night: University Hospital Kerry [UHK] cannot publicly comment on the contractual arrangements relating to any member of staff.

Dr Schranz is the sole full-time radiologist at the hospital. UHK also has doctors who between them work hours equivalent to 2.5 full-time consultant radiologists.

Last month Dr Schranz told the Irish Examiner that he did not know why he was suspended.

It must have been something dramatic to warrant me being paraded down like a criminal through the halls, in front of all my staff.

Earlier in December, the hospital met with him to discuss an out-of-hours diagnostics clinic he runs, with minutes of that meeting showing that his health, hours worked by non-medical staff, and excessive referring for MRIs were discussed.

Public hospital consultants on some contracts can do a certain amount of private work, although this is being phased out under a new Slaintecare contract.
A woman facing the prospect of trial by judge and jury on drugs charges, including having in excess of 13,000 worth of cannabis for supply at her home, has pleaded guilty to all seven charges against her.

Charlene Crowley, 41, of 44 Fairfield Meadows, Upper Fairhill, Cork, appeared at Cork District Court where she was represented by solicitor Shane Collins-Daly.

The solicitor indicated Ms Crowley was signing pleas of guilty to all charges against her.

When that was done, Judge Mary Dorgan sent the case forward for sentencing at the sessions of Cork Circuit Criminal Court commencing on January 29.

Detective Garda Dermot Crowley charged the defendant previously with all seven counts.

The most serious count is one of having in excess of 13,000 worth of cannabis for sale or supply as this carries a minimum jail term of 10 years unless there are exceptional circumstances.

That charge relates to October 21, 2022, as do the other six charges of having cocaine and cannabis and having each drug for sale or supply, money-laundering of 755 cash and allowing her home to be used for the preparation of drugs.

So far, no details have been given in court on the background circumstances that gave rise to these charges being brought against Charlene Crowley.
A fifth person has been arrested in connection with a Christmas Eve shooting in Dublin

Tristan Sherry died after being assaulted during an incident at Browne's Steakhouse on Main Street in Blanchardstown at about 8pm on December 24.
Appalling and disrespectful is how a Cork businesswoman and patron of the arts has described the painting over of a sculpture that was donated to Cork University Hospital (CUH) in 2006.

Frances Lynch commissioned the late Tipperary-born sculptor, John Burke, who died in 2006, to create the piece which he gave to CUH.

Artist John Burke with his sculpture 'Firefly' in 2006 which was originally painted yellow and orange.

His request to have it standing outside the maternity hospital so that it would be the first piece of art encountered by newborn babies was not fulfilled. The current location close to the hospital consultants rooms was meant to be temporary as the maternity wing didnt open until a year after the sculpture was unveiled.

The large CUH abstract steel sculpture is called Firefly. It was painted yellow and orange but it has been repainted in red and white. Lynch, who paid 30,000 to Burke for the work, says she has been unable to find out who repainted Firefly.

It looks like Santa Claus now, doesnt it? I had a plaque done in marble in front of the sculpture. That has been changed too.

The plaque now reads: The sculpture Firefly was donated by John Burke and is dedicated to the construction workers whose commitment and skill over many years have contributed to the development of Cork University Hospital". The original plaque acknowledged the unveiling of the artwork by the philanthropist Loretta Brennan Glucksman.

'Firefly' by sculptor John Burke. Originally it was yellow and orange, but now it has been painted over.

Lynch says that if something isnt done about the desecration of Burkes sculpture, I will be moving it. Its workmen that I believe have done this. Painting the sculpture in red and white, the Cork colours, is somebodys idea of a joke. Its an expensive joke.

Edel Ni Nuallain, programme manager of arts in healthcare at CUH, says that her department requires all large public art sculpture donations to have a maintenance plan. She says that no maintenance plan was given for Firefly.

The maintenance department used their own discretion as to the requirements and added it to the hospital painting schedule and that would include the colour of the paint. It can happen that artworks are painted different colours over time, if a particular colour is not specified. Now that we have become aware of the particular colour of the artwork, we can revert to the original colour to be painted.
SIXTY years after it first opened and thirty years after it closed, the long abandoned beach hotel at Castlefreke in West Cork is set to open its doors to the public again in April.

As the first stage of redevelopment, its going to have a cafe called 1964 (after the date the hotel first opened) and a pizzeria called Swim Club, which as an unusual feature will include sunken seating in the former outdoor swimming pool.

This follows a year of renovation work at the hotel  a flat roofed motel style development separated by sand dunes from Owenahincha Beach, which during its heyday in the 1960s and 1970s was a mecca for holiday makers from Cork city.

Castlefreke Hotel sold in March 2023 to two Dublin sisters for 450,000

The redevelopment has quite surprisingly been undertaken by two sisters in their 20's, Aislinn and Nicole OShea from Kildare, who began trawling property websites for renovation projects when the majority of their contemporaries were scrolling TikTok.

Its the first renovation project for Aislinn (29) a graphic designer and Nicole (26) who previously worked in accounts. Over the last year we have had a few "what are we doing moments but there have been very few of them, reveals Aislinn.

In preparation for the planned opening in April, the sisters have decided to give locals a taste of things to come by opening a coffee truck at the gates of their property. This gives us an opportunity to tell people about our plans and is also a good way of doing market research and getting some advance publicity. Theres quite a bit of history attaching to Castlefreke Hotel - which has changed hands several times since closing in the 1990s and was almost knocked a few years ago by previous owners who tried, but failed, to get planning permission to build nine houses on the site.

Hoarding has been removed from windows and doors over the past few months Picture: Dan Linehan

When Aislinn and Nicole first found the old hotel in July 2022 it was boarded up, graffiti-covered and derelict, having been used for drinks parties, lived in by squatters and, at some point, partially set on fire.

The sisters ,who came across it online, were excited to discover that this wasnt some hastily put up 1960s flat roof hotel but one which had been designed by a well-regarded German architect Klaus Kirsten, who was responsible for some visually striking modernist buildings in post-war Berlin.

We think it was influenced by American architecture and may have been designed to look like a Palm Springs hotel, says Aislinn adding that keeping the interesting original architectural features has been important to them.

Beach-inspired chimney breast inside Castlefreke Hotel

Travelling to West Cork immediately to view it , they later paid 450,000 for the hotel (which is made up of a two storey building and a separate block with 24 bedrooms) and its eight acre site. The OSheas subsequently secured 400,000 in funding to get the renovations started.

When we went inside two rooms still had their furniture and were untouched since the hotel closed but all the others had been completely wrecked," says Nicole.

They cleared out the site themselves before getting the fire damaged roof on the main hotel building replaced and finding a local contractor to put in tempered double glazed windows throughout.

Rather than treating it as one big project, the sisters decided to break the work up into manageable sections.

Its a massive undertaking  we scared off quite a few tradespeople by talking about the whole job, so now we just ask them to do smaller ones, says Nicole.

For the roof we used energy efficient Polish technology called thexpan, which involves thermodynamic Insulated panels and has heat exchangers to heat water, reveals Aislinn explaining that this arrived on the site by truck in 18 metre long sections.

Lots of cleaning up at the site

Once the roof went on, work started on the electrics and plumbing and fitting out a kitchen for the cafe and putting in a pizza oven.

For the sisters, this is just stage one. The plan for now is to seal off other parts of the old hotel including the first floor and the separate bedroom block.

"Our long term plan is to open a 24-bedroom boutique hotel and a 70-seater first floor restaurant with 180 degree sea views , "says Aislinn.

Castlefreke Hotel

They havent yet decided whether the accommodation or the restaurant could come next but wont be making any decisions until they get Cafe 1964 and the Swim Club up and running.

We would do it all ourselves if we had the money, but we may have to look into investors for the next stage, says Nicole.

The cafe  occupying the space once taken up by the hotel bar  will have seating for around 30 indoors and the Pizzeria will have outdoor seating for around the same number.

People stopping by at the coffee truck have been telling us how much the place needs a cafe and restaurant, say the sisters who believe that theres a huge summer market for this type of venture.

Although there has been relatively little development in the area in recent years, the draws that brought crowds of day trippers and holiday makers to the area in the 1960s and 1970s havent changed.

Holiday makers at Owenahincha

The beaches are the main attraction and Owenahincha Blue Flag beach which is popular for surfing and swimming is within a few minutes walk ," says Aislinn, noting that Long Strand and Red Strand are also within a few kilometres.

Owenahincha Beach Picture: Denis Minihane

The bedrooms at the back of the site have views of Castlefreke Castle,an 18th century turreted structure currently undergoing a multi-million Euro upgrade.

The bedrooms at the front of the hotel overlook the Atlantic and the beach and, according to the sisters, will have even better views once the trees at the edge of the site have been cut back.

But for now the focus is on finishing off and furnishing the cafe and pizzeria for the reopening in April.
The state Senates Republican-controlled utilities committee voted Friday to reject Democratic Gov. Tony Evers appointment of Tyler Huebner to Wisconsins utility regulation commission.

Huebner was appointed by Evers to the states three-member Public Service Commission in March 2021. Fridays vote sends the matter to the Republican-controlled state Senate, which has voted to oust several of the governors appointments in recent years. If rejected by the full Senate, Huebner would essentially be fired from the role hes held for almost three years. The chamber is scheduled to vote Tuesday on Huebners appointment.

The committees three Republican members, Sens. Julian Bradley, R-Franklin; Van Wanggaard, R-Racine; and Romaine Quinn, R-Cameron, voted to reject Huebners appointment. Democratic Sens. Brad Pfaff, of Onalaska, and Jeff Smith, of Brunswick, voted in favor of the appointment.

Bradley said in an email Friday that, based on conversations hes had with Huebner, including at last Septembers public hearing on his appointment, it is clear to me that he should not serve in this role.

He has acted contrary to the law on issues such as income based rates and has rejected an all of the above approach to energy for Wisconsin, Bradley said.

Speaking before the committee on Sept. 28, Huebner said decisions made by the commission are informed by its legal counsel and he denied claims that the agency has operated outside of its legal authority.

I dont seek to do anything thats outside of the legal bounds of what we are allowed to do, Huebner said.

The vote was taken via paper ballot, meaning the lawmakers were not present for the vote.

Huebners executive staff assistant did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Friday.

Instead of playing partisan political games with appointments, we should be focusing on the issues that matter to Wisconsinites, Pfaff said in an email. This is an unnecessary attack on clean energy, our environment, and the overall democratic process.

Smith said in a statement Republicans vote to reject Huebners appointment was as spiteful as it was stupid.

Huebners renewable energy experience is incredibly valuable for keeping rates lower for consumers across Wisconsin, Smith continued. Republicans need to stop playing politics and allow qualified people to serve our state.

If the Senate votes to oust Huebner, Evers would name a new appointee to the agency.

Before joining the PSC, Huebner served as executive director of renewable energy nonprofit organization RENEW Wisconsin. He also spent time with the state Division of Energy Services and U.S. Department of Energys energy efficiency and renewable energy division, where he worked in the low-income weatherization program helping individuals reduce their energy bills.

Huebner earned his bachelors degree in electrical engineering from the University of Iowa and his masters in civil and environmental engineering at Stanford Universitys atmosphere and energy program.

Valcq leaving

The committees vote comes after Rebecca Cameron Valcq, who Evers appointed to the Public Service Commission five years ago, announced she will leave the agency early next month.

Valcq, who has spent the majority of that time as the commissions chair, will step down on Feb 2. Commissioner Summer Strand, who Evers appointed to the commission last March, will take on the role of PSC chair, Evers said in a statement.

The governor has not yet named a commissioner to fill the seat left vacant by Valcqs departure.

Other rejections

Huebners appointment is one of several to come under fire from Republicans who hold a 22-11 majority in the state Senate. Appointees can and have served in their respective roles without formal approval from the chamber, but a vote to reject an appointment essentially constitutes a firing.

Senate Republicans in October voted to reject eight appointments made by Evers, including Joseph Czarnezki, one of the Democratic members of the Wisconsin Elections Commission who abstained from voting on commission administrator Meagan Wolfes reappointment last year in a bid by Democratic commissioners to block her nomination from reaching the Senate.

The Senate ultimately voted in September to fire Wolfe, but Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul promptly sued the Legislature, arguing Wolfes appointment was not legally before lawmakers because the commission did not secure the four votes needed to send the matter to the Legislature.

Dane County Circuit Court Judge Ann Peacock ruled in October that Wolfe will remain as the election commissions administrator until the court makes a final ruling on the status of her position.

Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, told the Wisconsin State Journal last month Republicans may vote to fire former Eau Claire city clerk Carrie Riepl, who Evers appointed to the commission to replace Czarneski.

Evers told the State Journal earlier this month Republican votes to oust his executive appointments has had a dampening effect on the number of individuals willing to take on such roles.

In order to get somebody approved is just a herculean effort, Evers said.

Weve talked to all sorts of people who say, Id love to help you, Id love to serve in this position, but I dont want to go through this, I dont want my family to go through this, Evers said.

Today in history: Jan. 12 1932: Hattie W. Caraway 1945: World War II 1959: Motown Records 1966: Lyndon B. Johnson 1969: The New York Jets 2010: Haiti 2016: Iran 2017: Barack Obama 2017: James Comey 2021: Mike Pence 2021: The CDC 2022: Kevin McCarthy
Britain and the US are poised to launch strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen, as the leader of the rebel group promises to respond to any assault with fresh attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.

Western defence sources indicated preparations were intensifying on Thursday in response to a Houthi attack of 21 missiles and drones aimed at US and UK warships on Tuesday night, although its scale and timing remain secret.

Asked about potential US strikes against the Houthis in Yemen, the national security spokesperson, John Kirby, said: Im not going to telegraph our punches one way or another here. Were gonna do what we have to do, to counter and defeat these threats that the Houthis keep throwing up on commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

On Wednesday, Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, said there will be consequences following the Houthi attack  while the British defence secretary, Grant Shapps, told journalists to watch this space.

In response, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, the leader of the Iran-backed group, which controls the north and west of Yemen, said on Thursday that if struck the Houthis would fight back, suggesting any conflict in the Red Sea would be extended.

Any American attack will not remain without a response. The response will be greater than the attack that was carried out with 20 drones and a number of missiles, al-Houthi said in a televised address.

We are more determined to target ships linked to Israel, and we will not back down from that, he added.

Rishi Sunaks cabinet was meeting virtually on Thursday evening amid expectations of UK involvement in imminent military strikes. It is understood that the Labour leader, Keir Starmer, will be briefed after the call and Sunak is expected to make a statement to the Commons on Friday.

Experts believe the US, UK and other Western allies are most likely to target coastal radar and launch sites in a calibrated attempt to halt the three-month spate of Houthi missile and drone attacks in the busy Middle Eastern waterway.

But one added any intervention was fraught with risk. Sidharth Kaushal, an expert from the Royal United Services Institute thinktank, said: It depends what targets are chosen, but the Houthis have said they are not backing down, so there is the risk of sleepwalking into a protracted conflict.

Any strikes  likely to be from air and sea  would have to be enough to act as a deterrent, the analyst added, but a wider bombing campaign added to the risk of civilian casualties and could inflame public opinion in an already volatile Middle East.

Aid agencies said they were concerned about the impact of fresh bombing on the Yemeni population, in a country trying to negotiate an end to a nine-year civil war, but one told the Guardian that the Houthi attacks were very popular within Yemen, interpreted as a form of resistance to Israel and the west.

The crisis in the southern Red Sea comes at a time of wider conflict in the Middle East. Israels bombing campaign against Hamas in Gaza is in its fourth month, while tensions are worsening in the north of the country, where Israeli forces and the Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon have been engaged in increasingly aggressive tit for tat attacks.

But a group of western nations, led by the US, increasingly believe that, despite the delicate international situation, there has to be a military response to the Houthis. The group has been gradually stepping up a series of attacks in the southern Red Sea area since mid October in support of Hamas.

Using weapons designed in Iran, the Houthis started by targeting merchant shipping, travelling a busy waterway through which an estimated 15% of world seaborne trade flows, and by December prompted major shipping groups such as Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd to route traffic around the Cape of Good Hope, adding at least seven days of travel time and cost.

Tuesday nights attack was deemed to represent an escalation because it directly targeted a group of US and UK warships sent to the Red Sea as protection. Royal Navy sources said HMS Diamond, a destroyer, was among those directly targeted and it was forced to use Sea Viper/Aster missiles and machine guns to defend itself.

The US had formed an international naval coalition, Operation Prosperity Guardian, aimed at protecting the waterway, with Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Singapore, New Zealand and the UK. The French navy is also operating in the area but is not part of the group.

It is led by the US aircraft carrier Dwight D Eisenhower, which has F/A-18 aircraft that could be used to strike targets in Yemen, plus three destroyers, with HMS Diamond acting alongside to protect against aerial targets.

Separately, on Thursday Iran seized a US-linked oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman as part of a long-running dispute with the US. News agencies in Iran said it had been seized in response to a court order, and was unrelated to the Houthi attacks, but it added to growing tensions about the safety of commercial shipping in the region.

On Wednesday night the UN Security Council called for an immediate end to attacks by Yemens Houthi rebels on shipping in the Red Sea, adopting a resolution that was passed with abstentions from Russia and China.

A key provision of Wednesdays security council resolution, which was sponsored by the US and Japan, noted the right of UN member states, in accordance with international law, to defend their vessels from attack, including those that undermine navigational rights and freedoms.

Additional reporting by Peter Walker
US and UK forces have bombed more than a dozen sites used by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen in a massive retaliatory strike using warship-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets, US officials said.

The military targets included logistical hubs, air defence systems and weapons storage locations.

The strikes marked the first US military response against the Houthis for what has been a persistent campaign of drone and missile attacks on commercial ships since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.

The coordinated military assault comes just a week after the White House and a host of partner nations issued a final warning to the Houthis to cease the attacks or face potential military action.

The warning appeared to have had at least some short-lived impact, as attacks stopped for several days.

On Tuesday, however, the Houthi rebels fired their largest-ever barrage of drones and missiles targeting shipping in the Red Sea, with US and British ships and American fighter jets responding by shooting down 18 drones, two cruise missiles and an anti-ship missile.

On Thursday, the Houthis fired an anti-ship ballistic missile into the Gulf of Aden, which was seen by a commercial ship but did not hit it.

The rebels, who have carried out 27 attacks involving dozens of drones and missiles since November 19, said on Thursday that any attack by American forces on its sites in Yemen will spark a fierce military response.
US-led airstrikes on Yemen killed at least five people and wounded six others, a military spokesman from the Houthi rebels has said.

Brigadier General Yahya Saree made the announcement in a videotaped address on Friday.

The American and British enemy bears full responsibility for its criminal aggression against our Yemeni people and it will not go unanswered and unpunished, he said.

He described 73 strikes hitting five regions of Yemen under Houthi control.

He did not elaborate on what the US-led strikes targeted.

Some major shipping lines and oil giant BP have already diverted vessels around southern Africa, adding time and costs to journeys, rather than risk the Red Sea.

If the crisis continues, the increased costs could be passed on to consumers, hampering efforts to curb inflation and reduce interest rates.

US Central Command said the Houthis had launched a complex attack, and a total of 18 attack drones, two anti-ship cruise missiles and an anti-ship ballistic missile were shot down in the operation which involved Diamond, US warships and F/A-18 fighter jets.

It said the attack was the 26th Houthi attack on the Red Sea shipping lanes since November 19.
The Israeli military said it has found evidence that hostages were present in a tunnel in the Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, which has become the focus of Israels ground offensive.

The military showed the tunnel to journalists escorted into a neighbourhood near the ruins of destroyed homes and streets.

A corrugated tin hut covered the tunnels entrance in a residential yard.

A makeshift ladder led to the narrow underground pathway, about 2.5 metres (eight feet) below. The tunnel was hot and humid, with walls lined with concrete and electrical wires.

Farther inside was a bathroom, where the military said it found evidence that hostages had been there, including their DNA.

Its not 360, but its 720, underground and over ground

Hostages were held here in this tunnel system, said Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the armys chief spokesman.

Mr Hagari offered no details on what exactly was found in the tunnel, nor did he say when the hostages were there or identify them. He did not say if they were known to be dead or alive.

In a later statement to the media, he said the captives were held in difficult conditions, without elaborating.

Several hostages freed in a ceasefire deal in late November described being held inside tunnels, which Hamas has laid throughout the Gaza Strip and which Israel says have long been used to smuggle weapons and fighters throughout the blockaded territory.

The tunnel was found in a part of the city that appears to have endured heavy fighting. The nearby residence was badly damaged.

In another building, the walls were blasted out of several apartments. Large mounds of dirt surrounded the area, apparently from Israeli bulldozers searching for buried explosives.

A tank was parked outside an empty school, where an Israeli flag was hung from the exterior walls. The sound of what appeared to be a drone buzzed overhead and gunfire could be heard in the distance.

Israeli soldiers show journalists the tunnel (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP)

The military says Hamas is operating from inside the tunnels and military officials have made the destruction of the tunnel system a top goal.

Brigadier General Dan Goldfus, commander of the militarys 98th Division, described the tunnels as posing a 720-degree threat.

Its not 360, but its 720, underground and over ground, Mr Goldfus said.

Israel also believes that Hamas leader Yehya Sinwar is hiding in a tunnel somewhere in Khan Younis.

The beleaguered city, Gazas second-largest, has become the focus of Israels war on Hamas in recent weeks. On Wednesdays tour for journalists, no residents appeared to be in the area. Israel has ordered residents to evacuate portions of the city as it proceeds with the offensive.

In its fierce October 7 attack, Hamas and other militants killed 1,200 people and took hostage roughly 250, according to Israeli authorities.

The attack sparked the war. More than 23,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children have been killed, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza. More than 85% of Gazas population of 2.3 million has been displaced and vast swaths of the territory have been levelled.

About 110 hostages have been released. Some 110 remain with their captors, along with the bodies of about 20 people killed in captivity, according to Israel. Several other bodies of captives were retrieved by Israeli forces and three hostages were killed mistakenly by the military.

The plight of the hostages has gripped Israelis, who see them as an enduring symbol of the states failure to protect its citizens on October 7.

Israel has made freeing the hostages part of its war aims, along with crushing Hamass military and governing capabilities.
Myanmars military has reached a ceasefire agreement with an alliance of ethnic minority guerrilla groups it has been battling in the countrys northeast.

The agreement was brokered at talks mediated by China on Wednesday and Thursday in Kunming, a Chinese provincial capital about 250 miles from the border with Myanmar, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Friday.

China hopes the relevant parties in Myanmar can conscientiously implement the agreement, exercise maximum restraint toward each other and solve the issues through dialogue and consultations, she said at a daily briefing in Beijing.

We will continue to work for the strengthening of the ceasefire

Major General Zaw Min Tun, the spokesman of Myanmars ruling military council, said in an audio note to journalists that the two sides had met in Kunming and after talks, agreed on a temporary ceasefire agreement.

We will continue discussions. We will continue to work for the strengthening of the ceasefire. Mr Zaw Min Tun said.

A previous ceasefire pact, reached in mid-December, was not honoured by either side.

The two sides promised not to undermine the safety of Chinese people living in the border area and Chinese projects and personnel in Myanmar

Ms Mao said the military and Three Brotherhood Alliance  which comprises the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, the Taang National Liberation Army and the Arakan Army  agreed to an immediate ceasefire, the disengaging of military personnel and the settlement of their disputes through negotiations.

The two sides promised not to undermine the safety of Chinese people living in the border area and Chinese projects and personnel in Myanmar, she said.

Independent Myanmar media and foreign media with Myanmar-language news services reported similar details, but there was no immediate direct word from the alliance about the ceasefire development.

The media reports said the military agreed to stop aerial bombing and artillery shelling in northern Shan state, which abuts China, and the Three Brotherhood Alliance agreed to halt its offensive and not seek to capture more towns and army encampments.

The reports said the ceasefire will not apply to fighting in other regions of Myanmar.

Myanmar has been wracked by violence that began after the army ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021.

The Three Brotherhood Alliance launched an offensive against the military in October and took control of Laukkaing, a key city on the border with China, last week.

Their attacks have posed the greatest battlefield challenge to Myanmars military rulers since the army takeover.

Much of the fighting is along Myanmars border with China, blocking cross-border trade and threatening further political destabilisation of Myanmar, a strategic ally of China that is already tangled in civil war in many parts of the country.

China is concerned about the rising violence and the safety of Chinese citizens in northern Myanmar, China has also been cracking down on cyber-scam operations that have trafficked Chinese workers into Myanmar and forced them to work, including in Laukkaing.

The alliance has claimed widespread victories, including the seizure of more than 250 military posts, about a dozen towns and five major border crossing points controlling crucial trade with China.

Mr Zaw Min Tun said Myanmar and China will continue to negotiate reopening the border trading gates, which were closed after combat began and most or all of which are now in the hands of the Three Brotherhood Alliance.
Having state-run dispensaries for medical marijuana in Wisconsin as proposed by Assembly Republicans is a nonstarter in the Senate, but theres still the possibility of reaching a compromise that could pass, the Senate GOP leader said Thursday.

Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu said at a WisPolitics.com event that the challenge for the Assembly bill is that many GOP senators are opposed to having the state operate the dispensaries.

Its a nonstarter for a lot of our caucus members, LeMahieu said. Why would we let government grow the size of government?

The highly restrictive bill unveiled this week by Assembly Republicans would limit medical marijuana only to severely ill people with chronic diseases such as cancer and allow for it to be dispensed at just five state-run locations. Smokable marijuana would not be allowed.

LeMahieu said creating a new office within the Department of Health Services to handle medical marijuana seems like overkill.

Still, LeMahieu didnt rule out the possibility of reaching a compromise that could result in legalizing medical marijuana.

I think there could be a way to do it, he said.

The measure must pass the Senate and Assembly and be signed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers before it would become law. Evers, who like many Democrats is a proponent of full legalization, said earlier this month that he would support medical marijuana only but was noncommittal on the Assemblys plan.

Under the Assembly bill, the exact locations of Wisconsins dispensaries would be up to the state Department of Health Services, but they would be located in five regions of the state. Given that recreational marijuana is legal in neighboring Illinois, Minnesota and Michigan, many Wisconsin residents would be closer to a dispensary in another state where they could purchase whatever they wanted.

The Wisconsin Policy Forum estimated in a report last year that more than half of all Wisconsin residents over the age of 21 live within a 75-minute drive to a legal dispensary in another state. And that was before Minnesota legalized recreational marijuana.

The Assembly proposal would limit the availability of marijuana to people diagnosed with certain diseases, including cancer, HIV or AIDS, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, severe muscle spasms, chronic pain or nausea, and those with a terminal illness and less than a year to live.

Wisconsin remains an outlier nationally. Thirty-eight states have legalized medical marijuana and 24 have legalized recreational marijuana. The push for legalization in Wisconsin has gained momentum as its neighbors have loosened their laws.

Marquette University Law School polls have shown a large majority of Wisconsin residents have supported legalizing marijuana use for years.

Photos: Winter storm brings snow to the Madison area
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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.
A number of scholarships are available to high school seniors with Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company (NNTC) services at home thanks to the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS).

The FRS is the non-profit arm of the National Rural Broadband Association (NTCA). The NTCA is a national membership association with the goal of improving communication services, like broadband, in rural America by advocating for rural providers in Washington, D.C.

Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company is a supporting member of both organizations. NNTC supports the FRS mission by assisting in providing scholarship opportunities to its customers.

To be eligible for a scholarship through the FRS with NNTC as a sponsoring company, the applicant must:

 Be a 2024 graduating high school senior

 Be a U.S. Citizen

 Have NNTC phone, TV and/or internet at home

 Have been accepted by a two or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school

 Have a GPA of at least 2.0

 Express an interest in returning to a rural community after graduation

The value of the scholarships range from $500-$7,000, based on a variety of criteria. One application qualifies a student for all available FRS scholarships.

Since 1994, the FRS has awarded nearly $2 million in scholarships to over 700 students.

Information and instructions on how to apply can be found on NNTCs website: nntc.net under About Us. Applications are due online by Feb. 16. Scholarship recipients will be announced in May.
A former University of Nebraska-Lincoln student was sentenced Wednesday after a jury found him guilty in November of first-degree sexual assault.

Evan Mielak, 22, was sentenced to four to eight years in prison by Judge Kevin McManaman.

Mielak, who was a Regent Scholar at UNL and a junior at the time, was charged in April with sexually assaulting a 20-year-old woman in her home after a night of drinking alcohol, according to the probable cause affidavit.

On April 17, LPD recorded a conversation between Mielak and the victim where she confronted him over the assault, according to the affidavit.

A three-day trial took place in November. The jury found him guilty.

During the sentencing hearing, the prosecution referred to Mielak's lack of remorse during interviews, and mentioned that Mielak was supposed to be a friend to the victim.

Photos: Our favorite photos from the 2023 Nebraska volleyball season






INTERVIEW - NICOLAS LE COMTE, MANAGING DIRECTOR, V-ZUG FRANCE: "OUR MAIN AMBITION IS TO GENERATE EVERYDAY ENTHUSIASM BY OFFERING SIMPLE SOLUTIONS" Founded in Switzerland in 1913, V-ZUG is a Swiss brand that originally specialised in steam technology, and has become the reference for Swiss excellence in household appliances. INTERVIEW - NICOLAS LE COMTE, MANAGING DIRECTOR, V-ZUG FRANCE: "OUR MAIN AMBITION IS TO GENERATE EVERYDAY ENTHUSIASM BY OFFERING SIMPLE SOLUTIONS" Founded in Switzerland in 1913, V-ZUG is a Swiss brand that originally specialised in steam technology, and has become the reference for Swiss excellence in household appliances. Suppliers - Providers - Interviews

Interview made by Sonia Taourghi on 2024-01-11 Category: Worldwide Interview made by Sonia Taourghi on 2024-01-11











Born in Switzerland, the business is still linked to the city of Zug, where the name of the brand comes from. In addition to the factory, the company has created an entire "campus" to accommodate its industrial needs, as well as housing and living spaces for its employees.



With subsidiaries in Europe, Australia, China, Hong Kong and Singapore, the brand has experienced strong growth in recent years, particularly in France.



V-ZUG has chosen an ultra-premium positioning for a demanding clientele, and is expanding into the luxury residential market and, more recently, the hotel business.



Nicolas Le Comte, Managing Director for V-ZUG France, answers questions from Le Journal des Palaces, and tells us more about the brand's future ambitions. Journal des Palaces: V-ZUG is a brand synonymous with Swiss excellence. Where did this quest for excellence originate? Nicolas Le Comte: For over a century, V-ZUG has been committed to simplifying the daily lives of its customers by offering innovative appliances of unrivalled quality. As the Swiss market leader, we not only embody Swiss values, we make them accessible to everyone through simple, personalized solutions. How do you maintain this excellence, both in your day-to-day work and in your new products? Our main ambition is to generate everyday enthusiasm by offering simple solutions that go beyond the design of high-end household appliances. That's why we take a holistic approach, placing our employees, the environment and society at the heart of our constant concerns. Who are your target customers? Our products are aimed at a demanding clientele looking for superior quality, innovative technology and elegant design. Thanks to our innovative spirit and specific patents, the possible uses for our appliances are vast. That's why we created the "Gourmet Academy". Thanks to a network of professional chefs in all our subsidiaries, it's possible to benefit from culinary demonstrations in our culinary workshops, at our distributors' premises, but also at home, in order to master the use of V-ZUG appliances, while exploring new recipes and culinary techniques. Anne-Sophie Pic, Cedric Grolet and Andreas Caminada have all worked with V-ZUG. How do you choose which ones to work with? Over and above our shared values, it's the human values we share that enrich our relationships with our partner chefs. As far as V-ZUG France is concerned, most of the chefs we work with today came to us spontaneously after hearing about the quality of our products. How did the RefreshButler come about? Do you have any hotel ambitions for this product? The most revolutionary technologies are sometimes born from the simplicity of elements like water. And more specifically, steam. Our researchers, developers and designers have been working on steam energy and its properties for over 20 years. They first innovated in the world of cooking with our first steam oven, then transferred this technology to dishwashers with the SteamFinish program, and more recently, to clothes care.



The RefreshButler from V-ZUG is a garment freshening and deodorizing appliance that uses gentle steam and photocatalysis to guarantee impeccable freshness, reviving clothes between washes. It neutralises odors, eliminates 99.9% of germs, smoothes and revives textiles, while preserving their integrity. Although originally designed for domestic use, the appliance has many potential applications, particularly in the luxury hotel sector. What are V-ZUG's objectives for the new year? Sustainability is central to the development of our products, our services, our production methods and our contribution to a forward-looking society. Since 2020, we've been carbon-neutral thanks to an internal tax of 120 Swiss francs per tonne of CO2 produced, which enables us to reforest a forest in Scotland and implement concrete actions.



In 2022, we inaugurated an energy-efficient cold production plant, including refrigerators, freezers and wine cellars, at our new Sulgen site. In 2023, we installed a new energy system, called the Multi Energy Hub, to supply our Zug headquarters, gradually replacing natural gas heating with a district heating system that includes waste heat from our production processes.



After starting to decarbonize our fleet of service vans in Switzerland, we are continuing this year with our delivery trucks. We are also investing in the systematic installation of solar panels on all our new buildings and the purchase of locally-produced hydroelectric power.



We are committed to continuing to simplify our customers' lives, innovate and preserve the planet, while embodying the Swiss values for which we are renowned.









https://www.vzug.com




A 33-year-old Lincoln man went to prison Wednesday for sexually abusing a grade-school-aged girl for more than a year.

"While the defendant utters those words 'I take responsibility,' he also shamelessly recasts the narrative to define his relationship with a 7-year-old as 'mostly consensual,'" Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Jason Cooper said of Brandon Ryan, now 33.

Lincoln police arrested Ryan in February 2023 after the girl told her mother, and she reported the assaults, which had been going on for two years.

In a police interview Ryan admitted what he'd done, at least 20 incidents by his own count. And he later pleaded no contest to first-degree attempted sexual assault of a child and possession of images of sexual abuse of children for dozens of images from the dark web found on his phone.

Cooper said Ryan said he simply acquiesced to what the girl wanted and contended he told her it was wrong and he wanted it to stop.

"But that narrative is not only false beyond delusion, it also does not square with the victim's or witnesses' statements or the defendant's own prior statements," the prosecutor said.

In a forensic interview, the girl said she told Ryan to stop all the time but he didn't and told her not to tell anyone. She ultimately told her mother "because that's what stopped it."

He said Ryan saw and seized an opportunity to act on his own wicked desires.

"It is clear that he, a 30-year-old adult male, was in control, not a 7-year-old victim," Cooper said.

He said the state joined in the victim's request to the judge to "please keep him in jail so nobody else gets hurt."

Defense attorney Bill Chapin said from his first meeting with Ryan, he has been incredibly remorseful and deeply sorry for the hurt that he's caused.

"He was the adult. He's the one that did these acts. He knows these acts are wrong," Chapin said.

He said Ryan had been a law-abiding citizen with a minimal record before this, but he has a serious problem with pornography and wants to get treatment for mental health and substance abuse issues.

Chapin said Ryan was interested in probation, though it may not be a case for it. But he urged mental health treatment for Ryan.

"You can lock him up and he can sit there," he said. "But he's not going to be prepared to get out unless there's that component."

Lancaster County District Judge Darla Ideus said the depravity of the crime is obvious. He betrayed the trust of a child and her family.

"Your crimes and your actions stopped because the victim spoke up, not because of any actions or things that you did or said," the judge said, sentencing Ryan to 40 to 50 years in prison.

She said incarceration for a significant period of time was necessary to protect the public.
Ottawa (Special to Informed Comment)  The term social movements typically evoke the idea of political activities in a sphere separate from culture, but social movements are closely related to values, ways of living, ethics, and more broadly culture. Among new social movement scholars, there is a growing recognition that social movements have more cultural impact than is reflected in the field. Moreover, since the symbolic dimension of culture is part of policies and practices in all spheres, social movements are increasingly acknowledged to exert cultural influence not only in political and economic realms but also in non-political domains such as the spheres of art, music, education, fashion, and more. This paper seeks to discuss the Women, Life, Freedom movement in a broader context of culture and everyday practices, to explore what sense we can make of it one year after its emergence, and to see what it tells us about the prospect of Womens freedom movements in Iran. The discussion begins with an overview of the contextual background.

Since the 1987 Revolution, womens bodies and female sexuality have served as focal points for promoting Islamic nationalism in Iran. The veil, in particular, became a powerful marker of resistance against the penetration of Western values. Although the politicization of female bodies and sexuality did not begin with the Islamic Revolution, here the focus is on the period surrounding the revolution and its aftermath. On the discursive level, two strategies or social technologies have been employed in attempts to govern female sexuality. The first, identity formation, involves crafting the Ideal Woman to be imitated, as exemplified by Ali Shariatis depiction of Fatemeh (Mohammads daughter), as simple, pure, and devoid of sexual instincts. This form of identity formation remains an ongoing project, evident in the publication of books on The Balanced Woman and the organization of conferences on the subject where the balanced woman is envisioned as a defender of the Islamic revolution and its martyrs. The second strategy, knowledge production and discourses on female sexuality and womens role in an Islamic society have varied around temporal and political contexts. For instance, Farhi (1994) explores how Khomeinis writings attributed different functions to womens sexuality and behavior depending on the political contexts, e.g., a shift from a set of instructions for legitimate reproduction to insistence on the role of veiled women in resisting western forces during the years of the Islamic revolution.

With respect to the material dimension, a number of apparatuses emerged almost immediately after the revolution to make sure that women abided by alleged Islamic dress codes through the imposition of uniforms in schools and by mandating the wearing of the Chador as a pre-condition for accessing particular services, such as some healthcare facilities. These measures transformed the wearing of the hijab into a coercive institutional mandate.

The portrayal of women as the guardians of the revolutionary cause and the imposition of the mandatory hijab were never universally accepted or endorsed by women. Groups of women resisted these from the outset. Among middle-class women, resistance took the form of not following the hijab regulations strictly by, for example, participating in large-scale street demonstrations in 1981 after the hijab became officially mandatory or allowing some hair to remain visible. Additionally, Iranian women have participated in a number of campaigns over the years, including The One Million Signatures Campaign and the Stealthy Freedom campaign, and of course, most recently last years Women, Life, Freedom movement.



Photo by Craig Melville on Unsplash

More than a year has passed since Mahsa Aminis death. The repercussions of that tragic incident were undeniably significant. While the Women, Life, Freedom movement emerged in Iran, it rapidly gained international attention and received substantial support, primarily from the Iranian diaspora. The expansive scale of the protests, the international attention, and the expressions of solidarity, coupled with widespread media coverage, led many, me included, to anticipate an eventful protest on the one-year anniversary of Aminis death. However, it was quieter than one would have imagined.

Does this apparent quietness signify a failure of the movement, or a weakening of Iranian womens resolve to resist? Drawing on firsthand observations, my response leans towards a No. I am an Iranian woman in diaspora who lived through dress-code regulations imposed by the Iranian government. I also witnessed daily life both during the Women, Life, Freedom uprisings active phase and on the first anniversary of Aminis death. Moreover, my ongoing research explores the governance of sexuality in contemporary Iran, contributing to my contextual understanding. These factors position me to address and engage with the question posed. As I said, my short answer to the question is no. My longer answer unfolds below.

As mentioned earlier, I was in Tehran when the protests in response to Aminis death began. Participating in protests was not the only way women responded, they demonstrated their solidarity through alternative means, such as uncovering their hair and navigating daily life without traditional coverings. The prevalence of women without hijabs increased notably on the days when there was a call for protest. Although I left Tehran a few months into the uprising, upon my return several months later, I observed a substantial rise in the number of women confidently navigating the streets without hijabs. I understand this as a continuation of the Women, Life, Freedom movement.

The Iranian authorities have proposed and discussed new measures to enforce the compulsory wearing of the hijab. Rather than physical punishment, alternative measures include preventing those women who do not conform from accessing certain services, such as internet connectivity or employment opportunities. A member of Irans parliament, citing the interior minister, stated that if violators persist in breaking the hijab rules after receiving a warning via text message, they would be denied public services, potentially affecting access to banks, government offices, schools, and university campuses. In April 2023, Irans Education Ministry declared that schooling would be withheld from those who break hijab rules. Technologies like surveillance cameras are said to be deployed in public spaces to monitor individuals and identify women not adhering to hijab regulations.

The Iranian government has implemented some of these plans: for instance, numerous car owners received text notifications about fines for not wearing the hijab while driving. The question that arises is to what extent can the government use these new measures to successfully compel women to abide by the hijab rules. Below, I try to delve into specific observations that might provide the reader with a better perspective.

My observations of street life reveal a significant increase in the number of women navigating public spaces without veils. While the morality police have not utilized the same violent measures as in the past, and there have been no widespread arrests of unveiled women, officers, typically one female and at least two to three males, stationed at the entrances of subway stations, continue monitoring and instructing unveiled women to correct their hijab. In all instances observed, no woman obeyed these commands, and there were even occasions when elderly individuals expressed admiration for the acts of disobedience of younger women.

The proposed punishment of denying womens access to services like banks for persistently appearing in public without a hijab was one of the new enforcement measures. However, I witnessed an incident where a woman entered a bank without wearing a hijab was treated respectfully by the staff, receiving the service she needed. While this is a single example, and I do not mean to overgeneralize it, my observations at various organizations and institutions have led me to conclude that what I term ordinary staff members generally do not discriminate against women without hijabs. On the contrary, my experiences during data collection at an important organization in Iran indicated that such staff members exhibit sympathy or at least tolerance toward women who contravene hijab regulations.

The persistence of women breaking hijab laws extends beyond Tehran. During my stay, I had the opportunity to travel to two other cities, namely Kerman and Shiraz, the former recognized for its comparatively religious or conservative nature. In these two cities, there was a lighter presence of officers on the streets. In Kerman, although there were fewer unveiled women on the streets, there seemed to be significant tolerance towards them. In Shiraz, the number of unveiled women engaging in daily life was considerably high.

In conclusion, while the state continues to monitor women and employ measures against hijab rule breakers, it is highly unlikely that it will achieve its goals. The state appears to lack the necessary capacity, including technologies and more importantly support from the majority of the people, to succeed. Moreover, the occupation of public spaces by women engaging in acts of civil disobedience, putting their bodies at risk, appears to be capable of contesting the states capacity to control womens bodies. This insight may provide valuable guidance for determining effective forms of activism and resistance for Iranian women and offers hopeful prospects for their activism in the future.
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  The historic proceedings against Israel on charges of genocide were almost completely ignored by the U.S. media, in what can only be described as censorship by neglect. The blackout on this crucial event smells of racism. What could be less important to a white nationalist establishment than an African countrys barristers arguing before an international tribunal for the rights of brown people being genocided by a major proxy of US foreign and military policy?

In fact, if Israels extreme far right government can get away with massacring 23,000 people, almost all of them innocent noncombatants and over 8,000 children, then International Humanitarian Law is a dead letter. This development, ironically enough, helps Vladimir Putin in his Ukraine campaign and so undermines the most important foreign policy objective of the Biden administration. Worse, it undermines any objection to war crimes or genocide, anywhere, ever, since it can plausibly be asserted that the US only cares about such matters when it can use these charges against a rival. We are being transported back to 1943, when the Axis could murder millions with impunity, and the Nuremberg trials are being branded a mistake.

Australias progressive site, The New Matilda, helpfully provided a written transcript of South Africas opening argument on January 11, alleging Israeli genocide in Gaza.

The full proceedings are presented by the SABC network:

SABC News: South Africa presents its case against Israel at the ICJ

The opening address was given by Adila Hassim. She is a distinguished attorney with a raft of degrees, who has been practicing since 2003. She co-edited a book on one of her interests, the laws regarding health in South Africa: Health and Democracy: A guide to human rights, health law and policy in post-apartheid South Africa, by Adila Hassim, Mark Heywood and Jonathan Berger (eds) Siberlnk (2007). She gained renown for her defense of mental health patients who were dumped out of a state facility into conditions of squalor in which some of them died.

Her name shows that she is from South Africas Muslim community. South Africa has a population of 59 million, and its Muslims total about 1.5%. Many of them are originally from South India and were converted by Sufi mystics in South Africa. Others have a Malay background. Muslims were denied the vote and discriminated against by whites. Some Muslims played a significant role in the anti-Apartheid movement, which I wrote about here.



Adila Hassim SC, a human rights lawyer based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Ms. Hassims argument is made on the basis of the Genocide Convention of 1948, which came into effect in 1951.

Article II of the Convention says,

In the present Convention, genocide means any of the following acts committed with

intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as

such:

(a) Killing members of the group;

(b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;

(c) Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its

physical destruction in whole or in part;

(d) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;

(e) Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group

Ms. Hassim began by saying,

Opening Address  South Africa South Africa contends that Israel has transgressed article 2 of the convention by committing actions that fall within the definition of genocide. The actions show a systematic pattern of conduct from which genocide can be inferred. Gaza is one of the two constituent territories of the Occupied Palestinian Territories, occupied by Israel since 1967. It is a narrow strip of approximately 365 sqkm. Israel continues to exercise control over the space, territorial waters, land crossings, water, electricity, electromagnetic sphere, and civilian infrastructure in Gaza, as well as over key governmental functions. Entry and exit by air and sea to Gaza is prohibited, with Israel operating the only two crossing points. Gaza, which is one of the most densely populated places in the world, is home to approximately 2.3 million Palestinians, almost half of them children.

She says all this to underline that Israel is in fact the occupying power in Gaza, as the United Nations insists.

She continues,

For the past 96 days Israel has subjected Gaza to what has been described as one of the heaviest conventional bombing campaigns in the history of modern warfare. Palestinians in Gaza are being killed by Israeli weaponry from air, land and sea. They are also at immediate risk of death by starvation, dehydration and disease, as a result of the ongoing siege by Israel, the destruction of Palestinian towns, the insufficient aid being allowed through to the Palestinian population, and the impossibility of distributing this limited aid while bombs fall. This conduct renders essentials to life unobtainable.

These are the sorts of actions prohibited by Article II, obviously. But Hassim isnt asking for a summary judgment. Her legal strategy is to ask for what we in the US might call a preliminary injunction.

She says,

At this provisional measures stage it is not necessary for the court to come to a final view on the question of whether Israels conduct constitutes genocide. It is necessary to establish only whether at least some of the acts alleged are capable of falling within the provision of the convention. On analysing the specific and ongoing genocidal acts complained of, it is clear that at least some if not all of these acts fall within the Conventions provisions. These acts are documented in detail in South Africas application, and confirmed by reliable UN sources . . .

I quoted some of the relevant passages of the complaint at Informed Comment. She now says that she will make a brief oral summary, and will show some video to support her points.

She moves to specific charges, the first of which is, in laymans terms, mass slaughter:

Israels first genocidal act The first Genocidal act committed by Israel is the mas killing of Palestinians in Gaza, in violation of article 2a of the Genocide Convention. As the UN Secretary General explained five weeks ago, the level of Israels killing is so extensive that nowhere is safe in Gaza. As I stand before you today, 23,210 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces during the sustained attacks over the last three months, at least 70 percent of whom are believed to be women and children. Some 7,000 Palestinians are still missing, presumed dead under the rubble. Palestinians in Gaza are subjected to relentless bombing where-ever they go. They are killed in their homes, in places where they seek shelter, in hospitals, in schools, in mosques, in churches, and as they try to find food and water for their families. They have been killed if they failed to evacuate in the places to which they have fled, and even while they attempted to flee along Israeli-declared safe routes. The level of killing is so extensive that those bodies found are buried in mass graves, often unidentified. In the first three weeks alone following 7 October Israel deployed 6,000 bombs per week. At least 200 times, it has deployed 2,000 pound bombs in southern areas of Palestine designated as safe. These bombs have also decimated the north, including refugee camps . . .

So, certainly a lot of killing, in contravention of II.a.

She concludes,

The scale of Palestinian child killings in Gaza is such that UN chiefs have described it as a graveyard for children. The devastation, we submit, is intended to, and has laid waste to, Gaza beyond any acceptable, legal, let alone, humane justification.

Since the intent to wipe out a people in whole or part is key to the crime of genocide, Ms. Hassim is here attempting to show intent on the part of Israeli officials and generals.

Her second charge is based on Article II.b, infliction of serious bodily or mental harm.

Israels second genocidal act The second genocidal act identified in South Africas application is Israels infliction of serious bodily or mental harm to Palestinians in Gaza in violation of Article 2b of the Genocide Convention. Israels attacks have left close to 60,000 Palestinians wounded and maimed. Again, the majority of them, women and children. This in circumstances where the healthcare system has all but collapsed. Ill return to this later in my speech. Large numbers of Palestinians civilians, including children, are arrested, blind-folded, forced to undress, and loaded onto trucks taken to unknown locations. The suffering of the Palestinian people, physical and mental, is undeniable.

South Africa addresses the International Court of Justice

Now she turns to II.c., attempted physical destruction. She has a plethora of evidence for this one, given that the Israelis have indiscriminately reduced Gaza to rubble, destroying about half the housing stock, and left the people without potable water or sufficient food to avoid widespread hunger, not to mention destroying sewage treatment and sanitation facilities so as to promote diseases.

Israels third genocidal act Turning to the third genocidal acts under article 2c, Israel has deliberately imposed conditions in Gaza that cannot sustain life, and are calculated to bring about its physical destruction. Israel achieves this in at least four ways. First, by displacement. Israel has forced the displacement of about 85 per cent of Palestinians in Gaza. There is nowhere safe for them to flee too. Those who cannot leave or refuse to be displaced have either been killed, or are at extreme risk of being killed in their homes. Many Palestinians have been displaced multiple times, as families are forced to move repeatedly in search of safety . . . The order required them to evacuate the north to the south within 24 hours. The order itself was genocidal. It required immediate movement, taking only what could be carried. while no humanitarian assistance was permitted, and fuel, water and food and other necessities of life had been deliberately cut off. It was clearly calculated to bring about the destruction of the population . . .

That seems clear.

Israel will reply on Friday for three hours. There will be no rebuttal, just the two presentations. Israel will almost certainly focus on the horrors of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack (and rightly so), and argue that the 23,000 dead are regrettable collateral damage from the necessary campaign to destroy Hamas. This argument, however, fails on the international legal grounds of proportionate response and the responsibility to avoid reckless endangerment of civilian lives. Still, 9 of the 15 justices of the International Criminal Court are from countries aligned with the US, and this case is the most consequential in the courts history. If the justices fail in their duty to uphold International Humanitarian Law in this instance, the failure could be fatal to what is left of the legitimacy of international institutions, throwing us back into the jungle.


Highlights:

Application for 5-year Multi-Year Area-Based (MYAB) permit for diamond drilling on up to 50 sites in the southern portion of the Princeton Project (the Property)

Proposed 10 drill sites to test multiple targets along 3.3 km of Trojan-Condor corridor for Year 1

Ground-based induced polarization (IP) proposed on several additional targets in north and south portions of Property

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- COLLECTIVE METALS INC. (CSE: COMT | OTC: CLLMF | FSE: TO1) (the Company or Collective) has submitted three Notices of Work to the South-Central B.C. regional office of the Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Innovation (EMLI), located in Kamloops. The applications are for 5-year MYABs and include up to 50 diamond drill sites over the five years, 50 line-km of IP on the north portion of the Property, and 50 line-km on the south portion of the Property. The applications include plans for a comprehensive exploration program in 2024 including up to ten (10) diamond drill sites along the Trojan-Condor corridor and 21 line-km of ground-based IP at several outboard targets to follow up on 2023 surface geochemical programs (Figure 1).

Year one drilling is proposed along a 3.3-km strike length of the Trojan-Condor corridor in areas where previous exploration trails and forestry roads provide easy access and opportunity for minimal ground disturbance. The exploration model for the area comprises a buried copper  gold porphyry associated with Triassic diorite intrusions analogous to the Copper Mountain Mine deposits approximately 10 km to east. Several compelling geophysical and geochemical targets exist along the corridor, where outcrop is scarce due to a veneer  blanket of glacial till and outwash deposits (please see Company News Release dated Oct. 24, 2023). Drill targets will be refined over the winter months as results of the 2023 soil sampling program are synthesized with historic compilation work, re-processed geophysical datasets, and developing geological knowledge.

In addition to a diamond drilling program, the Company has applied to conduct up to 100 line-km of IP (over 5 years) at the Fourteen Mile, Lamont Ridge, Coalmont Road, and Findlay targets. Fourteen Mile is an approximately 900 x 1800 m area with previously mapped Iron Carbonate-Silica alteration, sporadic Potassic anomalies and a small exposure of diorite1. High-quality sieved roadside sediment samples collected by the previous operator yielded highly anomalous copper (up to 500 ppm) 2. Lamont Ridge is a historic target area with several altered and pyrite-bearing outcrops, sporadic potassic radiometric anomalies, and weakly to moderately elevated copper in rock samples (517.8 ppm Cu) 3. Findlay is a small (400 x 500 m) area overlying a diorite stock at the south end of the Upper Triassic Rice Stock and a corresponding magnetic high which has historically yielded moderately anomalous Cu in sediment and a rock sample of pyritic diorite returned >300 ppm Cu2. The Coalmont Road target lies along the highway at the north edge of the Rice Stock where a strong bright orange gossan is intermittently exposed over 5 km with associated structures. These outboard targets all returned multi-element soil geochemical anomalies in the 2023 Phase II soil sampling program, which will be discussed in the coming weeks.

Figure 1 - Princeton Project Proposed Year 1 Work Program Including Proposed Diamond Drill Hole Locations

References

Saleken, L.W., 2013. Compilation Assessment Report on the Tulameen Project Mineral Property, Similkameen Mining Division, BC Geological Survey Assessment Report 33626a. Zastavnikovich, S., 2012. Geochemical Rock, Sediment, and Soil Sampling Report on the Tulameen Project Mineral Property, Similkameen Mining Division, BC Geological Survey Assessment Report 33626b. Saleken, L.W., 2011. Compilation Assessment Report on the Tulameen Project Mineral Property, Similkameen Mining Division, BC Geological Survey Assessment Report 32268a.

Marketing

The Company also announces that it entered into an agreement on January 11, 2024 (the Agreement) with RMK Marketing Inc. (RMK) (address: 41 Lana Terrace, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, L5A 3B2; email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) to provide marketing services for a term of 6 months, commencing January 29, 2024 (the Term).

RMK is an independent company which will, as appropriate, provide project management and consulting for an online marketing campaign, coordinate marketing actions, maintain and optimize AdWords campaigns, adapt AdWords bidding strategies, optimize AdWords ads and create and optimize landing pages (the Services). The promotional activity will occur by email, Facebook, and Google.

Under the terms of the Agreement, the Company will compensate RMK CAD $250,000. The Company will not issue any securities to RMK as compensation for the Services. As of the date hereof, to the Companys knowledge, RMK (including its directors and officers) does not own any securities of the Company and has an arms length relationship with the Company.

Qualified Person

This news release has been reviewed and approved by Rick Walker, P. Geo., who is acting as the Companys Qualified Person for the Property, in accordance with regulations under NI 43-101.

The information disclosed is not necessarily indicative of mineralization on the Property.

About Collective Metals:

Collective Metals Inc. (CSE: COMT | OTC: CLLMF | FSE: TO1) is a resource exploration company specializing in precious metals exploration in North America. The Companys flagship property is the Princeton Project, located in south-central British Columbia, Canada, approximately 10 km west of the currently producing Copper Mountain Mine. The Princeton Project consists of 29 mineral tenures totaling approximately 28,560 ha (70,570 acres) in a well-documented and prolific copper-gold porphyry belt and is easily accessible by road, located immediately west of Highway 3.

The Companys Landings Lake Lithium Project is located in northwestern Ontario where numerous lithium deposits have been delineated to host significant reserves of Li 2 O. The Landings Lake Lithium Project is located 53 km east of Ear Falls, Ontario and covers 3,146 hectares. The Whitemud Project, with several identified pegmatite outcrops, neighbours the Landings Lake Project and consists of 381 single cell mining claims totaling 7,775 hectares.

Social Media

ON BEHALF OF COLLECTIVE METALS INC.

Christopher Huggins

Chief Executive Officer

T: 604-968-4844

E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Forward Looking Information

Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, including with respect to future plans, and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including but not limited to, business, economic and capital market conditions, the ability to manage operating expenses, and dependence on key personnel. Forward looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements respecting further exploration work on the Property in the future and statements with respect to the provision of the Services by RMK ; completion of the Report. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, anticipated costs, and the ability to achieve goals. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, the continued availability of capital and financing, litigation, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, loss of key employees and consultants, and general economic, market or business conditions. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2024) - TEAKO MINERALS CORP. (CSE: TMIN) (the "Company" or "Teako") is delighted to announce the appointment of Vic Fitch (MBA, CPA, CGA) as the Vice President of Finance. This appointment marks a strategic initiative, as it paves the way for Mr. Fitch to smoothly transition into the role of Chief Financial Officer as he is set to succeed Dan Martino in the forthcoming months. Concurrently, the Company is pleased to welcome Carla Bennett as the new Corporate Secretary. Additionally, Teako announces the departure of Rob Duncan and Sylvain Laberge from the Special Advisory Board.

Teako extends its sincere gratitude to Rob Duncan and Sylvain Laberge, for their contributions and wishes them success in their future endeavors.

Vic Fitch is a seasoned financial executive with 35 years of experience in strategic leadership and financial management. He has served in senior financial roles with businesses operating in numerous jurisdictions including, Canada, USA, Mexico, Europe, Australia, the Middle East, and China. He has been involved in taking several private companies public, leading organizations through significant organic growth and growth through mergers and acquisitions, as well as divestitures and business sales. He holds an MBA with a Finance Concentration from the Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary, and is a Certified General Accountant and Chartered Professional Accountant. His expertise includes financial planning and analysis, public financial reporting, multi-currency consolidations, forecasting, and credit and equity financings. Mr. Fitch also holds experience in managing boards and committees, strategic partnerships, contract negotiations, and stakeholder relationships.

Carla Bennett previously worked as an Executive Assistant for 20 years in Real Estate in West Vancouver, where she was born and raised. Carla became a licensed Realtor for 14 years after graduating from the Sauder School of Business at UBC. Previously she worked as a corporate office manager for a business consulting and technology services company, overseeing an office of well over 100 employees.

Chief Executive Officer, Sven Gollan, comments, "As we embark on Teako's exciting new chapter in 2024, Vic Fitch and Carla Bennett will play important roles in shaping our company's future. Leveraging their extensive experience and shared passion for business development, they are poised to contribute significantly to our dedicated team, driving value for our shareholders. I would also like to extend my gratitude to Rob Duncan and Sylvain Laberge for their contributions and wish them success in their future endeavors."

The Company also announces the implementation of a Virtual Office model. This strategic decision has been made to enhance cost efficiency and accommodate its geographically diverse team, which spans multiple countries. Considering this transition, please note the change in the Company's official address, effective immediately, as detailed below:

400-601 West Broadway,

Vancouver, BC V5Z 4C2.

About Teako Minerals Corp.:

Teako Minerals Corp. is a Vancouver-based mineral exploration company committed to acquiring, exploring, and developing mineral properties in Canada, Norway & Finland exploring for gold, copper, and cobalt. The adoption of technologies such as the SCS Exploration Product aligns with its strategy to remain at the forefront of the rapidly evolving mining industry.

ON BEHALF OF TEAKO MINERALS CORP.

"Sven Gollan"

CEO

T: +43 5522 500429

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Forward-Looking Information:

This press release may include forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, concerning the business of Teako. Forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the management of Teako. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "will," "may," "would," "expect," "intend," "plan," "seek," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "continue," "likely," "could" and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this press release include Although Teako believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because Teako can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements 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. These include, but are not limited to, risks associated with the mineral exploration industry in general (e.g., operational risks in development, exploration and production; the uncertainty of mineral resource estimates; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to production, costs and expenses, and health, safety and environmental risks), constraint in the availability of services, commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations, changes in legislation impacting the mining industry, adverse weather conditions and uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures. These and other risks are set out in more detail in Teako's interim Management's Discussion and Analysis dated October 31, 2023. The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or the accuracy of the contents of this release.
A Rwandan with Danish citizenship has been acquitted of genocide and crimes against humanity during the 1994 genocide that struck the African nation, the public prosecutor told AFP on Thursday.

Wenceslas Twagirayezu, who had been a primary school teacher in the north of the country, was also allegedly the local head of the extremist Hutu Coalition for the Defence of the Republic accused of playing a major role in inciting the genocide.

The charges were brought over his suspected role in attacks on Tutsis in the former Gisenyi prefecture in the north.

The genocide targeted the Tutsi minority in large part, but also moderate Hutus, who were shot, beaten or hacked to death by Hutu extremists between April and July 1994 when more than 800,000 died.

The acquittal of Twagirayezu followed contradictory witness statements and evidence he was not in Rwanda at the time of the events he had allegedly been involved in.

The prosecution issued a statement saying it was not "satisfied with the decision of the High Court, Chamber of International and Transnational crimes, acquitting Twagirayezu Wenceslas".

An appeal will be launched, it added.

Twagirayezu had fled Rwanda and arrived in Denmark in 2001. He obtained Danish national after three years and worked in data processing.

But he was extradited back to Rwanda in December 2018.

At the time Kigali had promised he would have a fair trial and urged other countries harbouring suspects from the genocide to "take the appropriate action to put an end to impunity".

The genocide was unleashed shortly after the ethnic Hutu president died when his plane was shot down in an attack the government blamed on Tutsi rebels.

The killing ended when the Tutsi-led Rwandan Patriotic Front took over in July 1994, having defeated the Hutu extremists.

Trials of genocide suspects have been held in Rwanda, at a UN tribunal in the Tanzanian city of Arusha, as well as in France
South Korea Regulator Holds Firm Stance Against Crypto ETFs Approval

While the US has finally approved a decade-long wait for Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), South Korea still stands firm in banning BTC ETFs.

South Koreas Financial Services Commission (FSC) said that the launch of virtual currency ETFs is impossible and that nothing will change.

The country has currently banned banks and financial institutions from buying and owning cryptos. The FSC cited concerns regarding illegal outflow of domestic funds overseas due to credit card payments on foreign crypto exchanges.

The nationwide ban follows a recent investigation by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission in South Korea that uncovered substantial crypto trading activities among the countrys lawmakers.

Impossible to Launch a Crypto ETF: FSC



Per a regional news report, an FSC official told a reporter that the ban is to stabilize the financial markets.

The government has consistently maintained the principle of prohibiting financial institutions from investing in virtual assets in order to stabilize the financial market and protect investors. There are no enemies.

Further, the official cited few jurisdictions such as the United States, Hong Kong, and Germany, which have already launched crypto futures ETFs or spot ETFs.

It is difficult to regard it as a new incident. Legally, it is impossible to launch a virtual asset ETF, the officer added.

Additionally, countrys Article 4 of the Capital Markets Act lists only financial investment products, currencies, and general products as underlying assets for ETFs.

In a significant move, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Wednesday approved the listing and trading of several spot Bitcoin ETFs, opening the door to cryptos for many new investors.

Commenting on this, the South Korean FSC official noted that the US financial sector did not collapse when the crypto industry plummeted because it prohibited banks and financial institutions from investing in virtual assets (like Korea).
After spending seven years on remand, former Minister of Interior of The Gambia Ousman Sonko is now defending himself against allegations made by 10 plaintiffs (one of whom, Nogoi Njie, passed away in September 2023). The trial began on January 8 in the Federal Court of Bellinzona, a small town in the Italian part of Switzerland. Sonko has contested the indictment  which includes murder, rape, illegal detentions, and torture allegedly committed between 2000 and 2016  in its entirety. But his defence lawyer Philippe Currats request to throw out the case on procedural grounds fell flat. Witnesses are now on the stand.

Five of the plaintiffs  Binta Jamba, Ramzi Diab, Demba Dem, Madi Ceesay and Fatou Camara  have spent this whole week in the same room with their alleged perpetrator years after the crimes have been committed. I feel very happy sharing the same room with a perpetrator, somebody who has trampled on my rights. Looking into his eyes or him turning seeing me. That made me really proud and happy because psychologically, thats sending a positive message, said Madi Ceesay, a member of parliament, who was a victim of torture at the time he was working as a journalist.

The case of Ousman Sonko is being heard under the principle of universal jurisdiction. Although the official language of The Gambia is English, the trial is in German, a language neither the plaintiffs nor the accused seem to understand. Disappointingly for the Gambian community, the proceedings would continue in the German language, despite the many efforts made requesting for translation into English. In the beginning of the proceedings, the court announced that important parts of the debates would be translated. But these important parts, it turns out, are announcements of the courts schedule - mostly breaks.

It is an interesting atmosphere, where even the judges struggle to pronounce Gambian names correctly. Justice Infos Gambian correspondent has to rely on interpretation from journalist colleagues to follow the parts of the proceedings that are only in German. And as days go by, the number of Swiss journalists covering the trial keeps going down.

2539 days in pre-trial detention

On the first two days, Sonko, dark in complexion and with distinctive lips, wore a blue suit. The 55-year old, who held one of the most senior positions in the small West African country, appeared to have lost weight compared to old photographs of him. His lawyers argument has always been that he cannot be tried in Switzerland for crimes against humanity, notably because most of the charges against him were crimes committed before January 1, 2011, which was the year the law on crimes against humanity was adopted in Swiss law. That should exclude, according to the defence, all contents relating to Binta Jamba, Ramzi Diab, Demba Dem, Madi Ceesay, Musa Saidykhan and Bunja Darboe, given crimes pertaining to them were committed before January 1, 2011. Currat further argued that his client could not be tried for torture because it has not been domesticated in Swiss law.

Ousman Sonko has now been in custody for 2539 days and the question of whether the Swiss authorities have jurisdiction to prosecute him for the offences of which he is accused has still not been resolved, the defence lawyer stressed during his submission. The court rejected all the preliminary pleas made by the defence, but it decided to provide clarity on the issue of jurisdiction only at the end of the trial.

Swiss is not qualified to judge human rights

Let me emphasise that throughout my career, in all positions I have held, I have always remained loyal to my country, which I have always served to the utmost of my conscience. During all these years of investigation and until an indictment was brought before your Tribunal, the office of the Attorney General of Switzerland prevented the authorities of my country from exercising the consular protection that I had requested, Sonko said, reading out his opening statement. If I had had the opportunity to address the TRRC [the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission that ran public hearings in The Gambia from 2019 to 2021], I would gladly have done so, because it is essential that the Gambian people understand the situation that has prevailed in the country in the past. As always and everywhere, the situation is complex and has evolved throughout this period.

The former minister lambasted the prison conditions he was subjected to in Switzerland, which he claimed resulted in an eye problem. With a disdainful look on his face, he said some counsels took to the podium to criticise the Gambia and the government at the time. I will urge them to look at themselves in the mirror because I do not think Swiss is qualified or competent to judge anyone on human rights.

He argued that the poor conditions of the prisons in Africa was a result of colonialism, claiming that as Interior Minister, he had worked on improving the prisons system in The Gambia and promoting human rights.

The accuseds daughter is in the room

On the far left of the defence team is the accuseds daughter, Olimatou Sonko, currently based in the United Kingdom, who graduated with a law degree about three years ago. I cannot predict what would happen but we are hoping that at the end of the day he is found innocent and acquitted of all charges, said the 23-year old lawyer. Based on the indictment, all I see is like the Junglers [a notorious death squad under Yahya Jammehs rule in The Gambia, from 1994 to 2016] did this. Im not seeing anyone, maybe apart from Binta Jamba, saying he [the accused] did this to me. So personally, I just think they are prosecuting the wrong guy. With the victims, obviously I feel sympathy for them and Im glad that they have their voices heard and everything. Im actually sorry that they had to go through all of that because no human being deserves to be treated the way they were treated. And Im a woman, so in relation to Binta Jamba I sympathise with her but at the end of the day thats my dad and just like any other defendant, Im gonna believe that he is innocent until hes proven guilty.

On the third day, Binta Jamba faced the three judges as the first witness to take the stand. Jamba is the widow of Almamo Manneh, a State Guard soldier said to be one of the most loyal of Jammehs men at the time. Ousman Sonko has been accused of being complicit in the murder of Manneh by luring him into an ambush in 2000. Following the death of her husband, life took a turn for the worse for Jamba. At the victims lawyers request, the defendant was moved to another room where he could watch Jambas testimony. Sonkos daughter, though, sat through the whole testimony as part of the defence legal team. But when the state prosecutor noticed her making eye contact with the witness, the matter was raised up with the judge and the court ordered that Olimatou Sonkos seat be pushed behind so they cannot directly see each other.

Binta Jambas harrowing tale

Jamba told the court the financial difficulties she and her children were subjected to as a result of her husbands murder. After Almamo died, the house he was building, he [Sonko] went there and took everything. The cements and concrete. And he built his own house," she said. According to her, the accused searched their house after the murder and took the cash they had, some 125,000 Dalasi (the equivalent of 1,700 euros at todays exchange rate).

Then she narrated how Sonko turned her into a sex slave. She said that Sonko repeatedly raped her in the year 2000, 2001 and 2005. The first time he raped her, she told the court, was in her mothers house. My kids were out, everybody were out. He locked the door. His first approach to me was are you okay? because I was shaking. I said leave me, because in my religion or my culture when a husband passed away, you have to cover [your head], youre supposed not to have anything to do for six months. He said what do you mean? He pushed me inside the other room where the bed is. He pulled out his pistol, put it on the side of the bed. The headscarf I have on me, he told me take it off. I was crying, Jamba recalled. But upon all that, I thought that he was about to kill me. He didn't undress fully. He only took out his belt, pulled off his pants. He eventually told me fuck you, what do you mean what are you supposed to do? I was on the bed pushing myself behind. I was crying. He took the gun. He said if I heard a word, I will kill you. He forced me to have sex, an emotional Binta Jamba recounted.

The witness further testified that Sonko made her abort two pregnancies, an act that is illegal in The Gambia. "After the abortion, I was seriously sick because of the infection I got from it. I was constantly bleeding, and when I bleed, it smells," Jamba testified. This man is an  the woman struggled to find her words  he is a very short-tempered person, very arrogant person in term of sex.

From January 2001 to January 2002, Ousman Sonko was on a peace mission in Sierra Leone, a small country south of The Gambia where the civil war was being brought to an end by a UN military intervention. He denied the rape allegations, stating that he was not in The Gambia at the time the witness put the encounters. In 2001, Jamba told the court, it was not frequent. I dont know about his whereabouts those times. I cannot remember the months but like every three or three and a half months. And eventually during that time I didnt see him for a whole six months.

Sonko refused to comment on Almamo Mannehs case, repeatedly responding to the judges question with I am bound by an oath of secrecy. He however denied the allegations against him.
The German government on Friday sharply rejected allegations before the UN's top court that Israel is committing "genocide" in Gaza and warned against "political instrumentalisation" of the charge.

Government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said in a statement that Israel was "defending itself" after the "inhuman" attacks by Hamas of October 7.

"In light of German history and the crimes against humanity of the Shoah, the German government is particularly committed to the (UN) Genocide Convention," signed in 1948 in the wake of the Holocaust, Hebestreit said.

He said the Convention marked a "central instrument" under international law to prevent another Holocaust.

For this reason, he said, "we stand firmly against a political instrumentalisation" of the Convention.

Hebestreit acknowledged diverging views in the international community on Israel's military operation in Gaza.

"However the German government decisively and expressly rejects the accusation of genocide brought against Israel before the International Court of Justice," he said.

"The accusation has no basis in fact."

He said Germany would intervene as a third party before the ICJ under an article allowing states to seek clarification on the use of a multilateral convention.

South Africa has launched an emergency case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) arguing that Israel stands in breach of the UN Genocide Convention.

Pretoria wants judges to force Israel to "immediately" stop the Gaza campaign launched after the October 7 Hamas attacks that killed 1,140 people, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.

At least 23,469 people, mostly women and children, have been killed in Israel's offensive, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.

Both Israel and its ally the United States have dismissed the case as groundless and vowed a robust defence.

In light of its historical responsibility for the Holocaust, Germany has identified defence of the state of Israel as fundamental to its foreign policy.

But Berlin has grown increasingly critical of the Israeli campaign in Gaza and its impact on civilians, with Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock this week stressing the need for "less intensive" combat and greater aid flows.
Italy's justice minister has blocked the extradition of a priest sought by Buenos Aires for colluding with the country's bloody 1976-1983 military dictatorship, human rights advocates said Friday.

Minister Carlo Nordio ruled against extraditing Franco Reverberi on health grounds, reversing an earlier decision and overruling Italy's top criminal court, which had approved the extradition in October.

Reverberi, 85, a military chaplain in the western province of Mendoza in 1980, has been sought by the Argentine justice system since 2012, after he fled Argentina for Italy, taking up residence near Parma.

Interpol had also issued a warrant for his arrest.

"Justice delayed, justice denied, as they say. Don Reverberi will not have to answer to anyone," said Riccardo Noury, spokesman for Amnesty International Italy.

"After all this time, according to Minister Nordio, don Reverberi is in old age, his heart is weak, and the likelihood that he will never return to Italy would be a source of undue stress," he said.

Reverberi is charged with collusion for allegedly being part of a group which "illegally kidnapped political opponents, taking them to a secret place where they were tortured and one of them died," Arturo Salerni, a lawyer for Argentina, told AFP in August.

He is accused of "aiding and abetting a murder in San Rafael... and of conspiring with the military in San Rafael - he was a military chaplain - in a series of tortures," he said at the time.

An estimated 30,000 people disappeared during the military dictatorship, whose "Dirty War" against opponents unleashed a wave of kidnappings, torture, rapes and murder.

More than 1,000 people have now been convicted of crimes against humanity in Argentina related to the dictatorship since trials resumed in the mid-2000, following more than a decade of amnesty laws and other controversial measures.
Israel criticised the UN human rights office after its statement Friday on the conflict with Hamas made no call for the release of hostages held in Gaza.

The Geneva-based Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) issued a statement marking 100 days since the conflict began on October 7.

"This Sunday will mark 100 days since Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups launched their horrific attack on Israel, in which 1,200 people, mostly Israelis, were killed and around 250 taken hostage," the statement began.

"On the conduct of hostilities, we have repeatedly highlighted Israel's recurring failures to uphold the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law: distinction, proportionality, and precautions in carrying out attacks," it continued.

"Breaches of these obligations risk exposure to liability for war crimes."

It called for a ceasefire to "end the appalling suffering and loss of life" and allow the prompt and effective delivery of humanitarian aid to a population "facing shocking levels of hunger and disease".

The statement provoked a response from Israel's mission in Geneva.

"Not one word demanding the release of the hostages held in Gaza," it said on X, formerly Twitter.

"A call for a ceasefire, without demanding the release of our hostages and the disarming of Hamas, is a call for terrorism to win."

Hamas fighters attacked Israel on October 7. The unprecedented attack by the Islamist group resulted in the death of about 1,140 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Around 250 hostages were also seized.

Vowing to eliminate Hamas, Israel has since then carried out a relentless bombardment, alongside a ground invasion, which has killed at least 23,708 people, mostly women and children, according to the latest Gaza health ministry figures.

Volker Turk, UN high commissioner for human rights, has repeatedly called for the hostages to be freed.

"As an immediate step, I call for an urgent cessation of hostilities and the release of all hostages," he told a press conference on December 6, and in a December 19 statement said: "The fighting must stop. The remaining hostages must also be released."

In Friday's statement, OHCHR said hundreds of Palestinians had reportedly been arbitrarily detained in unknown locations, both within and outside Gaza, "in many cases amounting to enforced disappearance".

"Some of those released have alleged ill-treatment and torture at the hands of the Israel Defence Forces," the statement said.

"Israel must immediately end arbitrary detention, torture, ill-treatment and enforced disappearance of Palestinians in Gaza, and must independently and effectively investigate such acts, prosecute any perpetrators, and prevent recurrence."
Jo In Sung was put in a tight spot after his dating status was brought up in a conversation.

In an episode of "Unexpected Business" Season 3, where the top actor stars as host along with Cha Tae Hyun, the "Moving" star was taken aback after a customer asked him a surprising question.

Jo In Sung Relationship Status: Is the Top Actor Seeing Anyone?

In the January 11 broadcast, the supermart bosses came to work together with the celebrity part-timers Yoon Kyung Ho, Park Byung Eun, and Lim Joo Hwan.

As they were getting ready, the returning employee, Park Bo Young, showed up for her first day.

Overwhelmed by the size of the supermarket, the "Concrete Utopia" actress was thrilled and, at the same time, nervous for her new role.

On the other hand, Jo In Sung met two interesting customers who visited the store.

READ MORE: Park Kyung Rim Recalls Pretending to Be Jo In Sung's Wife, Cha Tae Hyun's Panic Disorder

One introduced himself as an investigation agent who randomly asked the actor about his status. He asked Jo In Sung:

"Are you married? Do you have a girlfriend?"

The actor the responded that he is single.

However, it seemed like the agent was not convinced by the actor's answer and jokingly said:

"Try using a lie detector on this person, and you'll see his answer is not true."

Jo In Sung responded with a polite action and laughed at what the agent said.

Is Jo In Sung Dating Han Hyo Joo?

It can be recalled that the actor was swept up in dating rumors after the public speculated that he was dating Han Hyo Joo.

The rumor sparked after the duo starred in the hit K-drama "Moving," where they played a couple and parents to Lee Jung Ha.

Due to their great on-screen chemistry, many believe that their relationship is more than just co-stars.

In fact, fans of "Moving" are shipping Jo In Sung and Han Hyo Joo after seeing some of the behind-the-scenes footage of the K-drama.

On top of it, the duo continued to be co-stars after the actress joined as a celebrity part-timer in "Unexpected Business 3," where they channeled married couple vibes.

However, both Jo In Sung and Han Hyo Joo never confirmed or spoke about having romantic relationships with each other.

On the other hand, "Moving" is their first K-drama together, but they have previously worked together for a brand.

Back in 2005, Jo In Sung and Han Hyo Joo modeled for the casual clothing brand Crencia. At the time, the award-winning actor was 24 years old and Han Hyo Joo was 18

Seven years later, Jo In Sung was reunited with Han Hyo Joo for a commercial for an outdoor clothing brand. The duo modeled for several campaigns for Black Yak, specifically for their 2013 spring collection, and even shot in the Himalayas.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Jo In Sung, Cha Tae Hyun's Questionable Work Ethic in 'Unexpected Business' Season 3 Disappoints Viewers

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article

Written by Geca Wills
"Single's Inferno" Season 3 star Kim Gyu Ri penned a heartfelt message after receiving mixed reactions from for her attitude on the show.

The 28-year-old beauty was the first participant who was introduced on the show. During the interview, she revealed that the reason she joined the reality dating show was to find someone who could make her heart flutter and the reason behind her smile.

As for her personality, she admitted that she keeps her guard up around new people.

During her stay on the island, viewers got to see her bright personality; however, in the latter part of the show, Kim Gyu Ri received backlash, especially during her incident with Yoo Si Eun.

What Happened Between 'Single's Inferno 3' Contestants Kim Gyu Ri & Yoo Si Eun?

As Netflix released the last two episodes of the show, it featured Yoo Si Eun having doubts about whether she should talk to Choi Min Woo.

Fellow participants Lee Jin Seok and An Min Young gave her moral support and advised her to go talk to him to avoid regrets in the future.

Taking the duo's advice, the trio went to the other room, where Gyu Ri and Min Woo were talking.

READ MORE: 'Single's Inferno 3' Officials Clear Up Yun Ha Jeong's Questionable Background

She politely knocked and asked if she could have a minute with Choi Min Woo, but Gyu Ri said no. Her straight-up rejection got Yoo Si Eun, as well as the hosts, taken aback by her actions.

Kim Gyu Ri Instagram: Reality Star Pens Apology

Days after Netflix wrapped up "Single's Inferno" Season 3, Kim Gyu Ri took to social media to explain her side and apologize after receiving hate from viewers.

Along with the behind-the-scenes look at the show, the 28-year-old beauty posted a lengthy message on Instagram, acknowledging the love and support from others who watched the show.

In addition, she briefly mentioned the negative reaction from viewers and said that she "keeps all the love, concerns, and criticisms in my heart with a truly grateful heart."

Kim Gyu Ri also took the opportunity to thank everyone involved in the Netflix reality show for giving her a memorable summer.

"I think it was an even more valuable and precious time, especially because the 12 of us were together. Thanks to you, I had an unforgettable experience in my life."

Lastly, Gyu Ri apologized to viewers because of her attitude and actions.

"There was a lot of carelessness in my words and actions when it came to expressing my feelings in certain situations and in interviews. Even after watching the broadcast, I deeply regretted it and reflected on my words and actions."

She also added that the experience made her a more mature and better person in the future.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Did You Know? THIS 'Single's Inferno 3' Cast Almost Appeared in Season 2 - Who is He

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article

Written by Geca Wills
New K-drama couple Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Ji Won will finally meet the audience as their upcoming series "Queen of Tears" is confirmed to premiere in this month.

Keep on reading to know more about the soon-to-release drama!

'Queen of Tears' Confirmed to Premiere This March on tvN

On January 12, a media outlet announced that the highly-anticipated K-drama "Queen of Tears" starring big stars Kim Soo Hyun, Kim Ji Won, Park Sung Hoon, Kwak Dong Yeon, and Lee Joo Bin will have a March release.

Ahead of its premiere, the drama is already expected to be a hit and dominate the primetime.

"Queen of Tears" revolves the story around Hong Hae In, the third generation of Queen's Group conglomerate and queen of department stores, and Baek Hyun Woo, the son of Yong Du Ri's head and supermarket prince, for three years.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Kim Soo Hyun & Kim Ji Won Wedding Photo? Actors Spotted Filming 'Queen of Tears'

It is a series that features a miraculous, enthralling, and humorous love story of a married couple who manage to survive chaos and stay together against all odds.

Kim Soo Hyun & Kim Ji Won to Debut as Married Couple in 'Queen of Tears'

Kim Soo Hyun is Baek Hyun Woo, the legal director of the conglomerate Queens Group, while Kim Ji Won takes the role of Hong Hae In, his wife and the chaebol heiress of Queen Group's department stores.

Apart from the announcement, the production also dropped a photo teaser of the soon-to-debut screen couple.

tvN Gives Glimpse of Kim Soo Hyun & Kim Ji Won's Romance

In the provided still, it captures the romantic atmosphere between Baek Hyun Woo and Hong Hae In, who enjoy leisure time on a bench outside their house, far from the chaos of their work.

Hong Hae In leans her back against Baek Hyun Woo, and the couple wears gentle smiles as they share a book together. Anticipation is high for the soon-to-unveil love story between the main protagonists, who are said to surprise the nation with their marriage announcement.

"Queen of Tears" is penned by "Crash Landing on You" and "My Love From the Star" writer Park Ji Eun.

The drama is expected to air on tvN. However, its day and time broadcast are yet to be confirmed.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Kim Ji Won Net Worth 2023: How Much Does the 'Queen of Tears' Earn in Dramas?

What are you excited about Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Ji Won's upcoming romance drama "Queen of Tears"? Share your thoughts/replies in the comments!

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at Kdramastars.

Kdramastars owns this article.

Shai Collins wrote this.
On the 11th, the much-anticipated preview of the movie 'Citizen Deok-hee,' directed by Park Young-joo, took place at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

The event saw the presence of director Park Young-joo, along with esteemed actors Ra Mi-ran, Gong Myung, Yeom Hye-ran, Park Byeong-eun, Jang Yoon-ju, Lee Moo-saeng, and Ahn Eun-jin.

The thrilling chase drama unfolds when Deok-hee (played by Ra Mi-ran), an ordinary citizen victimized by voice phishing, receives a rescue request from Jae-min (Gong Myung), a member of the swindling organization.

Jang Yoon-ju, taking on the role of 'Sook-ja,' a co-worker at a laundry factory, adds a unique tension to the movie as she collaborates with Ra Mi-ran to apprehend the voice phishing leader.

READ ALSO: Ra Mi-ran and Gong Myung Shine in 'Citizen Deok-hee': A Gripping Tale of Triumph and Justice

Jang Yoon-ju's Health Revelation: A Battle with Hypothyroidism

Amidst the glitz and glamour of the event, actress Jang Yoon-ju took a moment to disclose a personal struggle.

Speaking about her character 'Sook-ja,' Jang Yoon-ju revealed, "Actually, I have hypothyroidism.I am a woman without hormones.

I have been taking medication for hypothyroidism for over 15 years. My doctor always tells me, 'You shouldn't use that much energy and tension on TV.'"

Despite the challenges posed by her health condition, Jang Yoon-ju expressed her commitment to the role, saying, "I thought a lot about how to play the character Sook-ja in this movie.

She has a straightforward style, but when I appeared, I think I worked hard with the mindset of giving her a proper ventilation, even if it was only for a short time."

Gratitude Amidst Positive Reviews: Jang Yoon-ju's Third Cinematic Venture

Addressing the positive reception of her performance, Jang Yoon-ju shared her gratitude, stating, "This is my third movie. Following 'Veteran' (2015) and 'Three Sisters' (2021), I am doing 'Citizen Deok-hee'.

Today, I met an audience member in the bathroom who had seen the movie, and he gave me a good review. I almost cried when I received it," she said, expressing her heartfelt appreciation.

As 'Citizen Deok-hee' gears up for its nationwide release on the 24th, audiences can anticipate a captivating cinematic experience, enriched by Jang Yoon-ju's dedication and talent despite the underlying health challenges she bravely shared with the world.

YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN: Jang Yoon Ju Talks About Playing Nairobi, What To Expect in 'Money Heist Korea' Season 2

KDramaStars owns this article.



Written by Michelle Williams
The Mechanicsburg Area School Board approved a 2024-25 course registration book for the districts high school that offers an updated curriculum of art courses available to high school students.

Prior to the boards vote on the matter Tuesday night, Lynette Giblin, a high school art instructor and chair of the districts art department, presented a planned reconfiguration of the high schools art curriculum for the next school year.

Were really excited about this change, she said. Its something thats been in works with us for a while. Its not new content, but rather a reorganization of content that we offer now.

The approved curriculum replaces the high schools current course selections of Art 1, 2 and 3 now comprised of a blend of media such as drawing, painting and clay sculpture. The new curriculum offers specialized classes focusing on a particular medium for the 2024-25 school year.

As a prerequisite to the specialized courses, grade 9-12 students first must complete a one-semester, foundation-level introduction to art course that explores painting, clay sculpture and various forms of drawing in the production of assorted studio projects. The class is worth one graduation credit.

Introduction to Art prepares (our students) to expand to the next level, she said. In grades K-8, we offer primary skills. In high school, were preparing them for college-level skills and building up an art portfolio for college art majors.

Students in grades 10-12 who successfully completed the introductory course with a suggested 80% or above class grade then may pursue either a new specialized drawing and painting course or a new sculpture class. The one-semester courses are each worth one credit.

Grade 10-12 students successfully completing drawing and painting then are eligible to continue to a new Drawing and Painting II, another one-semester course earning one credit.

Likewise, Mechanicsburg students in grades 10-12 who successfully complete sculpting may continue on to a new one-semester Sculpture II class thats also worth one credit.

What Im hearing is phenomenal, board member Joshua Rhodes said. Youre allowing students to dabble in various aspects of art and not shutting the door on them.

Were telling our art students that you dont have to be a master in everything, Giblin said.

Next years approved course book also returns AP Computer Science to the districts high school curriculum. The course had been discontinued due to an instructor vacancy. The one-semester course requires that grade 10-12 students previously complete Algebra I with an 85% average. The class earns one credit.

Finally, the districts approved 2024-25 course booklet includes a new Civil Rights Legacy class that the board approved last fall. The quarter credit course lasts one semester and is intended to allow grades 10-12 students to explore the Civil Rights movement and its legacy in America, according to next years course booklet.
According to reports revealed on the 12th that Kang Kyung-joon, along with a woman identified as Mrs. A, disappeared following the public disclosure of the actor's alleged involvement in an adulterous relationship.

Workplace Scandal Unveiled: Kang Kyung-joon and Mrs. A's Inappropriate Meetings at the Sales Agency

The report detailed that Kang Kyung-joon and Mrs. A, who initially became close while working together at a sales agency, allegedly engaged in inappropriate meetings.

The revelation prompted both individuals to abruptly cease their professional engagements at the agency after media reports surfaced about Kang Kyung-joon being sued for 50 million won in damages for adulterous relationships.

The disappearance of Kang Kyung-joon and Mrs. A, who have been absent from work since the 4th, has left their employer seeking explanations.

Despite the company's efforts to address the situation, the two individuals only responded with a vague statement claiming a "misunderstanding" before losing contact. The Instagram account of Kang Kyung-Joon has also been deleted last January 8th.

READ ALSO: Kang Kyung Joon Accused of Adultery- Scandalous Texts and Hidden Desires Revealed

Legal and Professional Consequences: Agency Responds to Controversy Surrounding Kang Kyung-joon

K-Star Global ENT, Kang Kyung-joon's agency, initially responded to the lawsuit on the 3rd, stating they would sequentially address the matter.

However, explicit messages exchanged between Kang Kyung-jun and Mrs. A surfaced on the 8th, revealing sentiments like "I want to hug you," "I love you," and "my own thoughts."

In light of this, the actor issued an apology, expressing regret for causing social controversy.

The agency revealed that Kang Kyung-joon's exclusive contract had expired in October of the previous year, and discussions about its extension were ongoing.

However, with the emergence of the scandal, talks about renewing the contract were halted until the matter is resolved.

Kang Kyung-joon, who is married to actress Jang Shin-young since 2018, has two sons, and the couple previously showcased their affectionate family life on popular shows like SBS' 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2 - You Are My Destiny' and KBS 2TV's 'The Return of Superman.'

As the controversy unfolds, the public awaits further developments in this unexpected and troubling chapter in Kang Kyung-joon's life.





YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN: Lee Dong Gun And Kang Kyung Joon Share their Marriage Stories on "Radio Star"

KDramaStars owns this article.

Written by Michelle Williams
In this image provided on Friday Jan. 12, 2024 by the U.K. Ministry of Defence an RAF Typhoon aircraft returns to base at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, after striking targets in Yemen. The U.S. and British militaries bombed more than a dozen sites used by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen late on Thursday Jan. 11, in a massive retaliatory strike using warship- and submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets, U.S. officials said. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sgt Lee Goddard, UK Ministry of Defence via AP


Thursday, January 11, 2024  The US and the UK are set to carry out airstrikes against the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen as early as tonight.

This comes after both countries warned there could be consequences if ships are continually targeted in the Red Sea.

On Tuesday, US and British forces shot down 18 drones and three missiles launched by the Houthis, in what was described as their biggest attack so far in solidarity with Palestinians in Hamas-ruled Gaza.

Antony Blinken warned of 'consequences' if the Houthi do not stop attacking ships in the Red Sea, and called on Iran to end their support for the rebels.

Sources inside London's Whitehall have confirmed that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is ready to sign off military reprisals against the Houthis, who have repeatedly attacked merchant shipping in the Red Sea.

The plans were finalised today following meetings of the Prime Minister's National Security Council and the emergency committee Cobra.

The rebels say their assaults are aimed at stopping Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. But their targets are increasingly random, raising the risk of a US retaliatory strike on Yemen.

The US has set up a multinational naval task force to protect shipping from the attacks, which Blinken on Wednesday said were 'aided and abetted' by Iran.

Pentagon spokesperson Brig Gen Pat Ryder said at a news conference in Washington DC: 'I'm not going to telegraph, forecast or speculate on any potential future operations.

'And I think that statement from multiple nations when it comes to the fact that there will be consequences  should the attacks not stop  speaks for itself.

'And I'll just leave it at that.'

Asked about potential US strikes against the Houthis in Yemen, the national security spokesperson, John Kirby, said: 'I'm not going to telegraph our punches one way or another here.

'We're gonna do what we have to do, to counter and defeat these threats that the Houthis keep throwing up on commercial shipping in the Red Sea.'

On Wednesday, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution demanding an immediate end to the Houthi attacks.

Secretary of State Blinken was in Bahrain on Wednesday as part of his week-long tour aimed at working on the Middle East crisis.




Friday, January 12, 2024

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Chief Justice Martha Koome has indirectly urged President William Ruto to stop attacking the Judiciary without tabling concrete evidence of corrupt judges.

For the last month, Ruto has been attacking the Judiciary, claiming rogue judges are colluding with corrupt cartels to sabotage his development agenda for Kenyans.

Koome said the allegations should be backed with evidence and not on blanket statements being made without any proof.

She called out the Kenya Kwanza Alliance government for what she said was disrespecting constitutional order.

"Let us never take law into our hands. We all must remain faithful to the constitution which is our true North," Koome said.

Koome made the remarks at the Milimani Law Courts as CRJ Anne Amadi retired from office.

Going further, the Chief Justice said the commission is ready to process any complaints leveled against any Judge or Judicial Officer who is implicated in corruption or any other acts of misconduct.

"I urge all judges and judicial staff to continue discharging their duties per their oath of office," she said.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
Friday, January 12, 2024 - Private Security Regulatory Authority Director General, Fazul Mohamed, has urged club bouncers in the country that their body physique is no longer needed in their work.

Speaking on Friday when he met bouncers in Nairobi, Fazul said the lives of bouncers in the country had been horrible and needed to urgently change for the better.

You will not need to wake up and rush to a gym, take enhancement pills to look big and fight to be successful. Times have changed and all you need is knowledge and skills to work, he said.

What is the role of a big body, its no longer about protein supplements, you must get knowledge and sit for an exam.

We also do not want people who log in on Netflix and watch Prison Break to get inspiration and say they are security experts,"

Fazul said a typical bouncer has been waking up at about 11 am, rushes to a nearby gym or working area, and comes back for heavy breakfast cum lunch.

This is then followed by some supplements to enhance his body physique. Later in the day, he or she waits to be deployed to social joints for work which runs overnight.

This goes on without even background information on who one is hiring or better pay, he said.

As part of efforts to address the issue, all bouncers will be required to operate under cooperating entities as part of reforms being introduced in the sub-sector.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
Friday, January 12, 2024

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The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has today issued a statement condemning last weeks incident in Kisii, where a rally organised by Governor Simba Arati was disrupted by goons allied to National Assembly Chief Whip Silvanus Osoro.

During the violent altercation, police tear-gassed the crowd and shot four people who are believed to be Aratis loyal supporters.

In a statement issued by ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, ODM demanded that the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome immediately transfer the Kisii Police County Commander Charles Kases and other top security officers in the county.

Action be taken against the officers identified in the attack. They should be interdicted as they await their date with Justice. At the very minimum Osoro should be asked to record a statement if he is too powerful to be arrested, demanded the ODM Secretary General.

Sifuna wants the Independent Police Oversight Authority to immediately commence investigations into the abuse of police power in Kisii County.

All these must happen within the next 14 days, failing which the Party will pursue other avenues to ensure law and order in Kisii.

"In the meantime, we wish to state that should any harm come to the partys national chairperson due to any subsequent attack against him, the persons named here including Osoro, Kases, and the IG of Police will be held personally responsible, warned Sifuna.

Sifuna added, Following the public outrage over the incident and fearing a backlash, it is now understood that the police in Kisii are now planning a diversionary raid on the Governors residence in the guise of searching for firearms.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
HARRISBURG  A commission reviewing how Pennsylvania distributes money to public schools narrowly approved a report Thursday that suggests the state is underfunding districts by more than $5 billion and should begin immediately to close that gap.

The vote on the report by the Basic Education Funding Commission was backed by Democrats and members of Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiros administration. Republicans and one Democrat on the commission opposed it, resulting in an 8-7 vote.

A key recommendation in the report said the state should immediately begin to close a school funding gap of more than $5 billion, phasing in the increased aid over seven years.

The report differs somewhat from what school districts that won a court case want from the state. The districts lawyers proposed a $6.2 billion increase in state aid to be phased in over five years.

A separate Republican report was defeated on party lines during the meeting in a Capitol hearing room.

The Democrats report contains only recommendations and does not require Shapiro or Pennsylvanias Legislature to act.

But Democrats hope it at least provides a blueprint for this years budget, and for budgets every year after that, to respond to last years court decision that found Pennsylvanias system of funding public schools violates the constitutional rights of students in poorer districts.

This is the end of the beginning, commission co-chair Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, said at the meeting. Theres still a whole lot of work to do.

Teacher unions and lawyers for the districts that won last years court case cheered the Democrats report.

House Minority Leader Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster, criticized the report as containing a simply spend more money solution to fix inadequacies in Pennsylvanias system of school funding.

The Republican report said districts should define the instructional changes needed to boost student achievement and did not put a dollar figure on how much more, if anything, should be spent on K-12 education.

Underfunded districts are more likely to have larger class sizes, less-qualified faculty and outdated buildings, textbooks, technology and curriculum, school officials say. Many underfunded districts are fast-growing, disproportionately poor or have student bodies that are heavily minority.

The next step may arrive Feb. 6, when Shapiro must deliver his second annual budget proposal to lawmakers.

Shapiro has sounded a note of caution about how the state will pay for billions in new school funding, and made no commitment Thursday to what he will propose.

Lawyers for the school districts that sued called $5 billion transformational, although less than they sought and rolled out on a slower timetable.

Still, it means thousands more teachers, counselors and librarians in schools, said Dan Uverick-Acklesberg of the Public Interest Law Center, one of the nonprofit legal organizations that represented the districts in court.

And it also is a commitment to do what the commonwealth never does: which is actually come up with a figure, a reasonable, evidence-based figure for what every school district needs to educate their children, Uverick-Acklesberg said.

The commission was required by law to meet to provide recommendations to lawmakers on how to update a formula that is supposed to guide how roughly $8 billion in state aid is distributed to Pennsylvanias 500 school districts.

However, Republicans and Democrats on the commission disagreed over what recommendations the commission should provide in response to the court decision.

The Democrats report calculated a dollar target for what each school district should receive to provide a constitutionally adequate and equitable education to students.

Current funding falls short by $5.4 billion, the report said, or about 18% of what districts spend. Of that amount, $5.1 billion is the states responsibility and $291 million is the responsibility of low-tax school districts, the report said.

The recommendations also say the state should resume spending at least $300 million a year to support the upkeep of school facilities and send an additional $955 million in total to school districts that have disproportionately high taxes, in theory to provide tax cuts in those districts.

The report wraps up months of hearings by the commission, which was composed of 12 lawmakers and three members of Shapiros administration.


Friday, January 12, 2024 - Members of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) on Friday held demonstrations in Nairobi over President William Rutos move to attack the judiciary.

As they danced on the streets of Nairobi with placards, the lawyers maintained that the president should respect the judiciary and its mandate.

Vocal advocate, Ndegwa Njiru, who was among his colleagues was heard chanting 'mambo ni matatu'

"Mambo ni mangapi?," he said as other lawyers joined in, 'Mambo ni matatu!" they said in unison.

"Mambo ni matatu, heshimu mahakama, heshimu sheria ama uende nyumbani," Ndegwa said as he was joined by his colleagues.

This is loosely translated to: There are three options; respect the courts, respect the law, or go home.

Earlier, through his X account, Njiru said the march is for the freedom of judicial independence, and from threats to the judicial officers.

The march was led by LSK President Eric Theuri with Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka also in attendance.

While calling for its members to participate in peaceful protests, Theuri said it was in solidarity with the judiciary.

"We call upon all members to don purple ribbons throughout the coming week and join in the peaceful protests countrywide that will be organised by the society in support of the rule of law and solidarity with the Judiciary," LSK president Eric Theuri said in a statement.

"We must not allow our Constitution to suffer dereliction."

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Thursday, January 11, 2024  An Ohio mother was arrested Monday, Jan. 8, for running a scam in which she pocketed thousands of dollars after pretending her young daughter was suffering from cancer.

Pamela Reed, 41, allegedly lied to her friends and family for years about the health of her 7-year-old daughter. She publicly presented her daughter as a blind and sickly child suffering from a number of medical anomalies, including acute myeloid leukaemia and regular seizures.

Reed admitted to even shaving her young childs head in order to sell the plot, cops said.

Community members generously participated in fundraising efforts and had made monetary contributions to help the family offset medical costs, the Noble County Sheriffs Office said in a statement.





The demented scheme came crashing down last week after an elementary school nurse discovered the little girl was not blind in her right eye as her mother had claimed, an arrest affidavit shows.

Reed had previously told the nurse that her daughter  identified as AR in the records  would have a port implanted in the future for her cancer treatments, which had caused the girl to miss more than 280 hours of school in the 2023-2024 year already, the documents state.

The nurse called ARs provider, who confirmed her suspicion: AR did not have cancer or leukaemia, and she never had cancer or leukaemia.

The avalanche of documents Reed gave the school concerning ARs purported cancer were all fake, the doctor asserted.





Reed later confessed to falsifying the papers, as well as repackaging prescriptions to appear as though they were cancer treatment medication and feeding AR seizure medication she did not need.

When questioned by cops, Reed initially tried to lie before admitting she had carried on the ruse because she liked the support given as a result, the affidavit states.

Reed has been routinely posting about ARs fabricated health flights on a page dedicated to her scheme since October 2017, when the girl was just 20 months old.

At the time, Reed claimed AR suffered from Severe Aplastic Anemia, a disease in which the bone marrow does not make enough blood cells for the body, though it is not clear whether the illness was also concocted.

On the page, she has shared several links to online fundraisers throughout the years  only some of which have since been taken down  which garnered thousands of dollars that Reed allegedly planted directly into her own pockets.

One organization reported they gave the Reed family around $8,000 to help with the expenses of cancer treatments, cops said.

Just two days before her arrest, Reed claimed on Facebook that ARs health was deteriorating.





When they told us this was going to be the biggest fight so far, we thought we were prepared, but nothing prepares a parent to see any of thisOur hearts are shattered with every single treatment, every single tear and every single night we have to explain, why herbecause we dont have that answer, Reed wrote, claiming her daughter would be starting 10 weeks of intense cancer treatment.

The scheme was so thick that even Reeds other daughter thought her sister had cancer and was severely ill, the records show.

It is not clear whether Reeds husband was in on the plot, but he was not home at the time of Reeds arrest and their two children were removed from the home.

Reed was charged with theft, by deception, a felony of the fourth degree.

Her bond was set at $50,000.
Friday, January 12, 2024 - One of the budding city lawyers has urged President William Ruto to stop attacking the Judiciary over the suspension of Housing Levy.

In a post on his X page on Thursday, Lawyer Wahome Thuku told the president that he was misleading Kenyans about the court orders issued against the Housing levy.

Wahome defended the Judiciary, saying they were not trying to stop him from building affordable houses.

He told him that he was free to construct as many as he wished and employ as many youths as possible.

He then told the president that the issue was with the government taxing the people in order to build the houses.

The lawyer added that no judge would be bribed to stop him from taxing Kenyans but was only doing what the Constitution commands.

"Mr President, you are misleading Kenyans. No court has stopped you from building "affordable" houses.

"You are free to build a million of them. You are free to employ a million youths on those sites.

"You are free to then sell the houses at a profit.

"The issue in court is not about building houses, it's about TAXING Kenyans to build those houses, Wahome wrote.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Friday, January 12, 2024

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President William Rutos government has once again embarrassed Kenyans after it warned South Africa against suing Israel at the International Court of Justice(ICJ) over the Gaza genocide.

At the end of December 2023, South Africa filed a lawsuit at the ICJ court based in The Hague, accusing Israel of genocide in its war in Gaza, which has seen more than 23,000 Palestinians killed in the process.

In the suit, South Africa is seeking the court to compel Israel to immediately suspend its military operations in Gaza.

However, Kenya through its Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'oei, warned South Africa that its genocide case against Israel at the Hague may fail, owing to the complex nature of the issue.

"At a personal level, I appreciate the approach by South Africa and laud its leadership. However, a complex issue of this magnitude, will certainly not find resolution through judicialization.

"Consequently, we (Kenya) will continue to work through the political organs of the United Nations to seek more sustainable remedies," Singoei stated.

Questions had lingered over Kenya's position on South Africa's case against Israel after several countries globally endorsed or condemned the lawsuit.

Israel and the US dismissed the charges as baseless.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Thursday, January 11, 2024  UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called for an emergency cabinet meeting tonight with ministers plotting airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen.

According to Mail Online, UK aircraft and Navy ships could take part in the strikes alongside the US.

A Cobra meeting between senior ministers was held earlier this morning with members of the National Security Council holding discussions tonight.

Mr Sunak is expected to brief his cabinet team about the planned strikes during this evening's meeting which is scheduled to take place at 7.45pm.

Talk of a joint attack by the US and UK on the Houthi rebels has heightened in recent days as they continue to target shipping in the Red Sea.

Another Royal Navy warship was en route to the Red Sea yesterday amid warnings the West is 'almost certain' to launch strikes on Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Type 23 frigate HMS Richmond left Gibraltar amid a build up of forces in the region between Africa and Arabia.

Admiral Lord West, the former First Sea Lord, said that the UK and US has to show that 'enough is enough' after drones and missiles launched from the Arabian state were shot down by HMS Diamond and American warships.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken last night warned of 'consequences' if the Houthis continue and called on Iran to end their support for the rebels.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps also said there was 'no doubt' Tehran was involved and providing weapons and intelligence for attacks linked to the Israeli military assault in Gaza, telling Sky News: 'Watch this space'.

Speaking to Talk TV, Lord West said: 'I think we're in a position now where we can't just sit there shooting down missiles, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, drones being fired at our warships but also at peaceful merchant ships, most of which have nothing to do with Israel at all and we can't just sit there letting them take pot shots, shooting them down at immense cost we've got to make it clear to them that this is not allowed.

'They can't disrupt world trade in this way and I think the answer is, in self defence terms, if someone fires missiles at you from a site, that site is perfectly valid as a target for you and I think probably using the USS Eisenhower we can carry out attacks on the sites within Yemen.'

Mr Shapps warned Houthi rebels to end their attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea after British and American warships were forced to repel a huge wave of missiles and drones from the Iran-backed militants.

HMS Diamond shot down the targets with a barrage of Sea Viper missiles - which travel three times the speed of sound. The US Navy shot down 21 Houthi missiles and drones and US fighter jets were also involved in the operation.

Mr Shapps told Sky News: 'We must be clear with the Houthis that this has to stop and that is my simple message to them today: Watch this space'.

He also told reporters: 'My understanding is that both the ship itself potentially was targeted... but also that there's a generalised attack on all shipping (in the region).'

Mr Shapps called the Houthi attack 'the largest to date' and said the UK had taken action to 'protect innocent lives and the global economy'. He said none of HMS Diamond's crew had been injured.
Friday, January 12, 2024 - An outspoken Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Member of Parliament has thanked Nyahururu residents for refusing to attend a meeting organised by President William Ruto.

The meeting in Nyahururu town on Thursday was a huge embarrassment to President Ruto since he was seen addressing trees after residents failed to turn up.

Those who were near the president were seen carrying on with their daily hustles and they were not interested in Rutos political gimmick.

Reacting to the president's embarrassment, Saboti MP Caleb Amisi said this is a good indication that Kenyans are tired of the Kenya Kwanza Alliance regime, and very soon, Ruto will be addressing his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua and his sycophant, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro.

Very soon #ruto will be addressing #gachagua and @NdindiNyoro alone on the streets.

"Kenyans don't get tired of reminding the Uda government that the sovereign power belongs to you and that you can take it away anytime.

"We are going to hold a competition for a Ruto rally that will have the smallest crowd. Next destination, kazi kwenu," the MP wrote on X.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
The Quaker Oats Co. on Thursday announced that more of its products are being recalled over salmonella concerns.

The company previously issued a recall in December over its Chewy bars and Simply Granola oats products.

On Thursday, the recall was expanded to include more granola bars and some of its cereal bars and cereals. Newly recalled products are the Chewy Fruity Fun bars in apple, strawberry and variety packs, and the yogurt granola bars in strawberry, blueberry and variety packs. These products have best before dates between Jan. 11, 2024, and Oct. 1, depending on the product. For UPC codes for all products, check out the FDAs website at fda.gov.

Cereal bars included in the updated recall are the Capn Crunch Treats Crunch Berries, variety pack, Peanut Butter Crunch and Original Crunch, with best before dates between Jan. 11 and Oct. 31.

Cereals recalled include Quaker Chewy Granola Breakfast Cereal Chocolate and Strawberry Variety Pack, chocolate breakfast cereal, strawberry breakfast cereal, cinnamon oatmeal squares, brown sugar oatmeal squares, honey nut oatmeal squares, Capn Crunch Oops All Berries, Capn Crunch cinnamon crunch, Capn Crunch Sea Berry Crunch and Gamesa Marias cereal.

Also included in the new recall are Capn Crunch instant oatmeal and Opps All Berries instant oatmeal, as well as Gatorade protein peanut butter chocolate bar and Munchies Snack Mix/Munch Mix.

Consumers can contact Quaker Consumer Relations at 1-800-492-9322 for more information or product reimbursement.

Listeria was behind a recall from Rizo Lopez Foods Inc. The company is recalling its aged Cotija Mexican grating cheese because of possible contamination.

The cheese was distributed nationwide through distributors and comes in a small, 8-ounce puck-shape wrapped in clear plastic. The cheese has a sell-by date of May 12, 2024, with batch number 4DW-23318.

There have been no confirmed illnesses associated with the product. The company has ceased production of the product and is investigating the cause.

Consumers are urged to quarantine the product and destroy it. For more information, contact the company at 1-800-626-5587.

U.S Trading Co. is recalling its Dragonfly jelly bars because it contains konjac powder, which may present a choking hazard.

The FDA said konjac and its consequent texture and consistency could pose a choking hazard to small children, as well as adults with functional and/or anatomic abnormalities.

The jelly bars were individually packaged in small handbags and backpacks. For UPCs and sizes, check out the FDAs website. No incidents of choking have been reported.

Consumers who purchased the products can return them to the store of purchase for a full refund. For more information, call the company at 510-781-1818.

Undeclared ingredients were behind other food recalls in the last week.

Wegmans is recalling its Outrageous Oat Cookies purchased at its in-store bakeries starting Jan. 3 because they may contain undeclared wheat. The cookies were sold in 5-packs and sold by the pound.

The recall was initiated when the company learned that a wheat-containing ingredient was inadvertently included in the product. No illnesses have been reported.

Customers can return the cookies to a Wegmans service desk for a full refund.

ToYou Snacks is recalling its brand snack bars in flavors coconut mocha, chocolate mango, salted caramel dark chocolate, mint dark chocolate, banana foster and mango yogurt because of undeclared soy.

Some of the bars were sold through Amazon between Nov. 9 and Dec. 15. The recalled bars are packaged in 14-count boxes and had expiration dates of Aug. 30. For lot codes and delivery dates, check out the FDAs website.

No illnesses have been reported, and production has halted as the company investigates the issue.

Customers who purchased the product can return the product for a full refund. For more information, email the company at toyousnacks@me.com.

The U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service reported last week that Salm Partners LLC is recalling its ready-to-eat turkey kielbasa products, which may contain bone fragments.

The kielbasa items were produced on Oct. 27 and Oct. 30 and sold in 13-ounce plastic, vacuum-sealed packages of Parkview Turkey Polska Kielbasa with use by dates of either April 24, 2024, or April 27.

The problem was discovered after consumer complaints of bone. There was one report of a minor oral injury associated with consumption of the product.

Consumers who have purchased the product should throw it away or return it to the place of purchase. For more information, call the company at 920-863-5559, ext. 1346.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission this week reported that Alliance4Safety is recalling New Age Industries furniture tip kits or tip restraints because the plastic zip tie can become brittle or break, which can allow anchored furniture to tip over.

A number of furniture companies participated in the tip restrain kits, including American Drew, American Woodcrafters, Amini Innovation Corp., Ashley Furniture Industries, Aspenhome, Austin Group Furniture, Avalon International Inc., Bassett Furniture Industries, Emery Park, FD Home Corp., Flexsteel Industries, Furniture Values International, Homelegance USA, Hooker Furnishings, Kincaid Furniture, LC Direct Furniture, Legacy Furniture, Liberty Furniture Industries, Magnussen Home Furnishings, New Classic Home Furnishings, Parker House Furniture, Progressive Furniture, Pulaski Furniture, Riverside Furniture, Samuel Lawrence, Springhill Designs, Standard Furniture Manufacturing Co., Universal Furniture, Van Thiel & Co. and Vanguard Furniture Co.

The kits would have been sold at furniture stores nationwide and online from November 2019 to present. Furniture companies have received two reports of the tip kits breaking, though no injuries have been reported.

Consumers should check if their clothing storage unit has a date of manufacture sticker or stamp of November 2019 or later, and if the tip kit is made of plastic. If so, consumers can contact Alliance4Safety at 855-416-7370 for a free replacement tip kit. Children should be kept away from furniture until the issue is resolved.
Imagine swirling colors bursting through the night, the thrumming beat of drums vibrating in your chest, and stories whispered through generations unfolding before your very eyes. No, its not a magical dream  its a typical evening at Ndere Cultural Center, and just recently, they rolled out the welcome mat for the coolest guests in town: delegates from the Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers Conference (CSPOC)!

Now, you might be thinking, CSPOC? That sounds fancy, not for everyday folks like me. But hold on, dear reader, because what happened that Friday night at Ndere wasnt just for dignitaries and diplomats. It was a celebration of Ugandan culture, open to anyone who craves a taste of vibrancy and a trip through time.

Picture this: the Ndere Troupe, all smiles and shimmering outfits, danced like the very spirit of Uganda had taken hold. Their feet flew, their voices soared, and the stories woven into their movements made history come alive. It wasnt just a show; it was a conversation, a bridge built between generations and cultures through the universal language of rhythm and expression.

But wait, theres more! The air thrummed with the pulse of traditional drums, inviting everyone to join in the workshop and learn the secrets of making music that speaks to the soul. Food, oh the food! A smorgasbord of Ugandan delights, each bite a journey through different regions and traditions. And even the drinks were served in calabashes, like a sip of history straight from the source.

The CSPOC delegates left that night with hearts full of warmth and eyes sparkling with wonder. But this, dear reader, is just a glimpse into the magic that unfolds every week at Ndere Cultural Center. Whether youre a Kampala regular or a tourist with wanderlust, Ndere welcomes you with open arms and a kaleidoscope of experiences.

So, next Wednesday, Friday, or Sunday evening, why not trade your Netflix for a taste of the real deal? Get your groove on with the Ndere Troupe, learn a new beat, and feast on history served piping hot. Who knows, you might even discover a hidden talent for storytelling with your feet!

Ready to unleash your inner explorer and dive into the beating heart of Uganda? Ndere Cultural Center awaits. See you there!

P.S. Whats your favorite way to experience Ugandan culture? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), through the Director of Airports and Aviation Security, Mr Sooma Ayub, says that Entebbe International Airport is 100% ready to receive delegates ahead of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and Group of 77 (G-77)+ China summits slated for next week in Kampala.

The airport which has been undergoing renovations and expansion is being opened in phases. The management also noted that the airports construction is in accordance with their initial extension plans and not necessarily as a result of the summits.

While addressing journalists at the airport on Thursday, Mr Sooma further explained that they have done several rehearsals that include protocol and operational procedures in a bid to make the movements of delegates swift.

I can assure you that there will be a smooth flow at Entebbe International Airport where we have our jurisdiction, Mr Sooma said.

The Authority also advised other travellers on different engagements to reach Entebbe International Airport at least three hours in advance to beat traffic that is being caused by the extension and ongoing expansion as well as possible summit engagements.
The government together with partners has launched a revamped National Innovation Hub at the Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICT) in Nakawa.

While launching the hub, the State Minister for ICT, Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo, said this is an opportunity for the country to address the prolonged youth unemployment crisis.

She noted that over 9.3 million young people dont have jobs, thus the renovation hub will be used to cultivate their skills, ideas, and innovations that will not only create jobs for them but also drive the countrys agenda of digital economy transformation.

It is here that we will cultivate the skills, ideas, and innovations that will not only create jobs but also propel our nation into a new era of technological advancement, Ssebugwawo said.

The renovations at the hub were implemented by Centenary Technology Services, a digital transformation experts company.
HARRISBURG  The National Park Services proposal to remove a William Penn statue from a historic site in Philadelphia  quickly withdrawn amid a backlash  wasnt a priority for some of the Native Americans the agency was required to consult with as it prepared to renovate the deteriorating plaza.

Uprooting the statue of Pennsylvanias founder from Welcome Park also wasnt a major point of discussion as park service officials and tribal representatives met to plan the renovation over video last year, said Jeremy Johnson, director of cultural education for the Delaware Tribe of Indians.

Rather, what tribal representatives had envisioned for the plaza is an exhibit that would highlight the culture, history, traditions and perceptions of the Native Americans who had lived there for thousands of years before Penn arrived, Johnson said.

We do still speak highly of William Penn, Johnson said. But tribal representatives, he said, were really just focusing on our culture and our history and that, in a way, he was an important part of it, but ... it was a small interaction compared to our overall history.

A park service spokesperson hasnt responded to repeated questions about the abandoned proposal.

Announced quietly on Friday, the plan quickly and  perhaps unexpectedly  laid bare the sensitivities around the image of the colonial founder of Pennsylvania and threatened to become the latest front in a fight over how to tell the nations history through its monuments.

A top state Republican lawmaker, Bryan Cutler, said removing Penns statue to create a more inclusive environment takes (an) absurd and revisionist view of our states history. Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro pressed the Biden administration to keep the statute in its rightful home.

The park service said it consulted with representatives of the Haudenosaunee, the Delaware Nation, Delaware Tribe of Indians, the Shawnee Tribe, and the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, whose ancestors were displaced by the Pennsylvania colony. Such consultation with the federally recognized tribes is required under the National Historic Preservation Act.

But leaders of the Shawnee Tribe and the Eastern Shawnees, both now based in Oklahoma, like the Delawares, said they hadnt had any discussions about it. Ben Barnes, chief of the Shawnee Tribe, said his tribe hadnt received a customary dear chief letter from the agency  and he objects to removing the statue.

William Penn was an ally of the Shawnee, Barnes said. As long as he lived, he kept his promise. As long as he was able to speak on behalf of the colony in western Pennsylvania, the Shawnees had a home there. ... Of all the terrible human beings that inflicted tragedy upon native peoples, I dont put William Penn in that category.

Historians say Penns willingness to negotiate with Indians for lands distinguished him from previous colonizers in the Chesapeake and New England where early colonial regimes were more willing to use armed force in bloody confrontations to expand their settlements.

But Penns legacy has been mythologized, to some extent, and his mission still led to the dispossession of natives, historians say.

The statue of William Penn  a replica of the bronze one that sits atop City Hall some 15 blocks away  stands on top of a round marble base that reads Welcome Park is dedicated to William Penn.

The park is named for the ship that brought Penn to Philadelphia in 1682 and is built on the site of one of Penns homes, demolished in the 1800s.

Johnson said he had no strong feelings about removing the statue as part of the wider plan to transform the plaza.

That plan would replace a timeline of Penns life and legacy on one wall  with such titles as gentleman, Quaker, proprietor and friend of Indians  with new panels featuring indigenous history. The plan also involved adding native plants and trees and circular benches to make it more welcoming, Johnson said.

The park service now says the statue will stay put, and it remains committed to rehabilitating the site after a robust public process to consider options.

Penn arrived in present-day Philadelphia in 1682 after being granted the charter by King Charles II, land that the English had wrested from Dutch colonialists, historians say.

As a Quaker, Penn sought peaceful interactions with the Lenape people, said Jean Soderlund, a retired professor of history at Lehigh University.

But his goal as the proprietor of the colony was to obtain their land so that he could sell it to European immigrants, Soderlund said.

It was conquest through treaty, said Michael Goode, an associate professor of history at Utah Valley University

Many Europeans and Americans saw William Penn as a symbol of enlightenment and religious tolerance, Goode said.

Tribes trusted Penn to avoid bloodshed and used it to their strategic advantage in treaty negotiations, historians say.

Well after Penn died in 1718, tribal leaders invoked his name in treaty negotiations with colonial governors as an honest broker whose legacy those governors were obligated to uphold by being accountable to the treaties they signed, historians say.

This is partly rhetorical and strategic and all the rest, said Andrew Murphy, a political science professor at the University of Michigan. But he did have a kind of reputation as someone who was revered in a way, or at least what he represented came to be revered.
Green Party TD for Carlow-Kilkenny and Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan has announced the designation of Irelands largest ever Special Protection Area (SPA) for birds.

The new Seas off Wexford SPA, designated under the EU Birds Directive, covers 305,000 hectares of marine waters, making it larger than County Wexford itself, and the largest ever SPA designation in the history of the State.

The Seas off Wexford SPA will provide enhanced protection for about twenty different species of birds, including some of our most iconic and beloved seabirds like the puffin and the great northern gannet," said Minister of State Noonan.

"Along with marking the largest SPA in the history of the State, this announcement increases the percentage of protected marine waters around Ireland to just under 10%, in line with our European commitments.

When I became Minister for Heritage, only 2.3% of Ireland's marine area was protected. This new SPA designation for Wexford brings that up to 9.4%. That's a 400% increase, and it makes the 10% target under the EU Biodiversity Strategy very achievable within the current year.

I'm so pleased to be making this announcement today, as it marks another significant step forward for nature, and particularly for our seabirds. As a government, we're working hard to ensure robust biodiversity protections, just as we are working hard to deliver on our offshore renewable energy objectives. We know that biodiversity action and climate action must go hand in hand, and our delivery of a swift transition to clean, renewable energy must have protection for the natural world at its heart. This is good news for our renewable journey and good news for nature.
Barristers who practice in criminal law whether prosecuting or defending legally aided persons are paid fees below 2002 levels as a result of cuts to rates of pay of between 28.5% and 60% imposed by government between 2008 and 2011.

These cuts were in line with similar cuts, commonly referred to as FEMPI measures, applied by the government across all sectors following the economic collapse in 2008 and everybody in the criminal justice sector from Judges to gardai saw their pay reduced.

As our economy recovered from the crash, the government gradually restored the pay of every actor in the criminal justice system to pre FEMPI levels except for barristers and defence solicitors. Judges, prison officers, gardai, state solicitors and courts service staff have experienced pay restoration however the government refuses to restore the pay of barristers.

Following calls by the Bar of Ireland to reverse the cuts, a review process was established led by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in conjunction with the Department of Justice. That process concluded in July 2018 noting that reforms made by barristers including work flexibility, electronic briefing, and additional work burdens justified the reversing of cuts imposed during the financial emergency. The Director of Public Prosecutions, an independent statutory body responsible for prosecuting crime in the State on behalf of the people of Ireland, has called on government to restore pay rates for barristers in line with every other sector working in the criminal justice sector. Furthermore, the Minister for Justice recently stated that she saw no good reason why those in the legal profession are left waiting for crisis-era reductions to be restored, while public and civil servants have had their pay restored.

The Minister is correct. There is no good reason. Not only are criminal barristers being paid at rates 40% lower in real terms than what they were paid in 2002, the complexity of criminal work has increased significantly in the past two decades. The ubiquitous presence of smart phones and the widespread use of social media often results in their being hundreds of thousands of pages of disclosure in a case which must be carefully reviewed. Pre-Trial procedures including preliminary hearings are changing how criminal cases are run, and continuous government legislative reform and innovation in the area of criminal law makes this area of practice challenging and demanding.

There is clear evidence that the cuts have significantly impacted the criminal bar and practising in criminal law is often simply not economically justifiable for many barristers. Research conducted by the Bar of Ireland found that two thirds of criminal barristers leave after just six years of practice. I know from my own experience that pay disparity between barristers practicing in civil law and criminal law is a significant factor in the increasing numbers of barristers refusing to practice in criminal law. This disparity is now starting to be felt in the criminal justice system.

By way of example, it can be difficult to secure senior counsel in legally aided circuit court criminal trials outside Dublin due to the lower rates of pay vis-a-vis other areas of practice and because the numbers practising in criminal law arent providing sufficient throughput to the inner criminal bar. Last year the Director of Public Prosecutions was forced to run a number of cases, where Senior Counsel would ordinarily act without the services of senior counsel because there were none available. When this happens, victims are being let down. In as much as accused persons have the right to the best representation possible, victims of crime and society in general have a right to see that allegations of wrongdoing are prosecuted with care and diligence by experienced and suitably qualified counsel.

I fear that if the government doesnt take action to treat barristers fairly and in line with other workers in the criminal justice system, attrition rates will continue to remain high, standards will inevitably fall and everybody will suffer. Comic caricatures of rich barristers are easily painted however it is my experience that most of my colleagues at the criminal bar are motivated by quiet but deeply held conviction that what they do is fundamental to the administration of justice and the rule of law within this State.

It is for these reasons that I will be withdrawing my services on October 3 to call on the government to implement a meaningful, independent and time limited mechanism to determine the fees payable to barristers by the Director of Public Prosecutions and under the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Scheme.
Nothing says soft launch like a nonstop stream of customers for six hours and selling out of 40 pounds of oxtail.

Charlottesvilles newest Caribbean restaurant, 434th Street, opened Sunday in the Dairy Market, replacing Filipino eatery Manila Street in the busy food hall on Grady Avenue northwest of downtown Charlottesville.

Founder and chef Jonathan Wright Jr. said he knows theres a demand for Caribbean flavors in the city, given the interest in Pearl Island Cafe at the Jefferson School City Center as well as the success of his own catering outfit. Demand is so high, Wright said, that he knows many customers are driving out of their way to larger cities just to get a taste.

Im born and raised here, so I know for a fact a lot of people have to either drive to Richmond or NoVa to get Caribbean food, Wright told The Daily Progress. So its a win-win situation. I know how to cook it, and we need it.

After operating as caterer and City Market vendor for three years, Wright said he was approached in July about taking over Manila Streets lease. Fernando Dizon, co-owner of Manila Street, recently acquired a second food truck and did not think it feasible to manage both a stall in the Dairy Market and a fleet of food trucks; he decided to focus on the food trucks, Wright said.

Stony Point Development Group, the Dairy Markets Charlottesville-based owner, was already interested in bring 434th Street into the fold, but after Wright cooked up some dishes for a few of the companys executives, they were sold, Wright said.

They thought it was a good fit for the diverse cuisine and cultures in here, he said.

Wright signed his lease the last day of November and spent the next 35 days painting, cleaning and organizing his new space ahead of his grand opening on Sunday.

Im new to this whole thing, but Ive been told by many owners, Yeah, you did that, he said. Ill take that. So far, so good.

To Wrights point, the Dairy Markets tenants are a diverse array of cultures and cuisines, including Al Bashas Mediterranean fare, Basta Pastas homemade Italian dishes, Mashu Festivals Japanese ramens and Chimm St.s Thai street food. Stony Point, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment, has made it a mission to bring in local vendors who got their start as food truck operators and caterers since opening in 2021. As of last year, Stony Point was reporting strong numbers, limited vacancy and high foot traffic, at the food hall.

The Dairy Market welcomed me in, they reached out to me, Wright said. They gave me the opportunity when no one else would.

Wright counts his blessings.

For years, he was a certified automotive technician with a passion for cooking. When he was laid off from Emerson Automotive Services during the pandemic, he saw it as an opportunity to get back to what I know best.

He formed 434th Street Catering in October of 2020 and became a regular vendor at Charlottesvilles City Market. The business did well, especially among the University of Virginia crowd, he said. He catered a 175-alumni event for the schools Chemistry Department, a 220-strong party for UVa Facilities Management and an event for UVa Childrens on top of weddings and other private events.

The transition to a brick-and-mortar stall at Dairy Market has been an adjustment.

434th Street Catering typically had a team of three providing back-up for Wright 10 to 12 hours ahead of events.

Hes hired five employees to help run the Dairy Market stall, but now he is the only one handling the kitchen side of the operations.

Its my first time having actual employees in a tight setting, Wright said. Its different from the catering, but it works.

How and where he sources ingredients has also had to change.

Now, I cook things fresh, so Im getting here six or seven in the morning to get things ready, he said. Its different because of the behind-the-scenes office work. For my catering, I can usually got to Sams or somewhere to get what I need. Its different ordering food and inventory from US Foods or other companies.

Cooking and, more importantly, savoring good food have always been important to Wright, who said he watched attentively as his grandmothers and aunts prepared dishes over the holidays. Wrights maternal grandmother, Evelyn Mason, was head chef at Martha Jefferson House, a senior living facility in the citys Venable neighborhood; she died when was 3 years old.

While cooking is in his blood, Wrights wanderlust is what introduced him to Caribbean cuisine in particular.

Im a traveler, said Wright. Ive traveled to a lot of Caribbean countries and, of course, I ate the food there and I just fell in love with it.

The seafood and curry menu items at 434th Street were influenced by Wrights time spent in the Cayman Islands. The fried seafood platter is a favorite of his 12 year-old son. The famous coconut curry is a product of Wrights own creativity.

I dont call everything famous, other people did that for me, joked Wright.

The method used to prepare the popular jerk chicken Wright learned from a woman he met in Jamaica. Wright said he can still remember the scent of the food drifting from her smoker.

I can still smell and taste that aroma, but the funny thing is, I can taste and smell it in my food too, said Wright. I have a lot of Caribbean people come in and say, Youre the closest thing we have to home.

Wright is known in the Charlottesville community for more than his unique Caribbean flavors. He has also made a name for himself through his philanthropic work. On Thanksgiving, he partnered with Come As You Are Cville, a nonprofit group dedicated to serving the areas homeless population, to hand out more than 175 meals on the Downtown Mall.

The move into the Dairy Market has kept him occupied over the past few months, but Wright said he is looking forward to collaborating with more community partners in 2024.

Wright also noted he recently acquired an LLC in Texas, where he plans to open another food stall, though there is nothing official to announce just yet, he said. As of right now, he has no further plans for expansion in Charlottesville, but the turnout on Sunday made it obvious to Wright that he has tapped into a market of enthusiastic, hungry foodies.

Were moving forward, he said. Its to the point now where theres no return, because the demand is so high. If the demand is here, were doing a second location. From what I saw yesterday, I was thinking, This wont be big enough. I might need my own solidified spot. I dont see this going anywhere for generations.

434th Street at Dairy Market is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays, and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends.
Charlottesville law enforcement authorities met with city school officials on Tuesday regarding an allegation of sexual assault on school grounds, and whether the school division had broken law by failing to report it.

After receiving specifics, both Police Chief Michael Kochis and Commonwealths Attorney Joseph Platania came away from the discussion satisfied with Charlottesville City Schools response.

School staff shared details of the alleged incident with law enforcement, reads a Wednesday statement from the police department. As a result of receiving these details, Chief Kochis and Commonwealth Attorney Platania agreed that CCS handled the alleged incident appropriately within the confines of the law.

The statement did not provide further details of the alleged incident because it involves juveniles. It has never been made public at which city school the incident allegedly took place.

I cant give too many details, because its involving children and folks in the school, Kochis told The Daily Progress on Thursday, calling the nearly two-hour-long meeting with school officials really, really good and very productive.

The specifics of the incident that was described was absolutely handled appropriately by the school, and it just didnt fall within what the code said, Kochis added.

Weeks ago, it was not clear Kochis and law enforcement would reach that conclusion.

The assault allegation was first brought to the attention of the police and commonwealths attorneys office by Courteney Stuarts WINA radio program "Charlottesville Right Now." During Stuarts Nov. 21 interview with Regine Wright, the school divisions former coordinator of safety and security, Wright made special note of a sexual assault not being reported by the school before declining to provide additional detail.

Wrights claim was of such concern to law enforcement that they sent a letter to Superintendent Royal Gurley days later, raising the possibility that Charlottesville City Schools had violated Virginia Code by not reporting the allegation.

That letter, penned by Kochis and Platania, referred to a specific section of Virginia Code: 22.1-279.3:1.

Our reading of that Code Section requires a principal to immediately report to the local law enforcement agency any incident described in Section A3-A7. Paragraph D requires the principal or their designee to also notify the superintendent of the school division of any such incidents and sets forth potential sanctions for non-compliance, they wrote.

The Nov. 27 letter, first obtained by Stuart, indicated that both Kochis and Platania were concerned Charlottesville City Schools may had violated the law.

To this date, the Charlottesville Police Department has not received any formal notification about this alleged incident, Kochis and Platania wrote at the time. If a specified incident is alleged to have occurred, the law requires an immediate report to the Charlottesville Police Department.

Whatever Kochis and Platania were told in Tuesdays meeting apparently assuaged their concerns, allowing them to reach the conclusion that the incident did not rise to a level that would need to be reported to law enforcement.

When contacted for further details, Platania declined to comment beyond the contents of Wednesdays statement from the Charlottesville Police Department.

As we have said all along, were confident that we handled the alleged incident correctly, because we followed our policies and procedures and because we consulted with our attorney for close guidance as we were addressing the incident, school division spokeswoman Beth Cheuk told The Daily Progress.

Cheuk was referring to a previous statement provided to The Daily Progress shortly after Kochis and Platanias letter was made public.

Our policies and practices are in alignment with Virginia state code and Virginia School Board Association policy. We take any reports  even third-hand reports  of sexual assault seriously, and we follow our policies, procedures, and legal obligations with fidelity and in careful consultation with legal counsel, the division said at the time.

Immediately after Wrights comments, Stuart interviewed Cheuk and Gurley. The pair said it had worked very thoroughly to investigate the allegation.

We worked extremely closely with our lawyer just to be certain that we were in fact handling it correctly, Cheuk told Stuart on WINA. When we concluded that investigation, we did not find that there was sexual assault, and both the involved students and their families supported our findings.

Cheuk reiterated that message on Thursday.

After learning more about the incident and our handling of it, Chief Kochis and Mr. Platania indicated that they too share our confidence that we handled it correctly, she said.

Youll note that neither our language nor the police statement refer to an alleged assault, but an alleged incident, Cheuk continued, perhaps indicating that the incident did not rise to the level of assault.

According to Kochis, he and Platania only wrote their letter to Gurley after hearing Wrights interview.

We heard that and that spurred our letter to the school to say, Hey, this is our interpretation of Virginia state code, and we wanted to meet to make sure we were all on the same sheet of music, Kochis said, adding that Gurley contacted him immediately after receiving the letter.

The group had tried to set up a meeting earlier but had scheduling conflicts over the holidays. Kochis said that he and Gurley have always had a good relationship and that he continues to work with the school to ensure that everyone is safe.

The big point from all of this is the importance of an open line of communication between us and the schools, Kochis said, noting that Charlottesville City Schools removed school resource officers from grounds in 2020. Were here to make sure those kids are safe and we all have same goal.

They provided us details about the alleged incident and Platania and myself were satisfied that they handled the incident appropriately and within confines of the law, Kochis said.
US and UK carry out strikes against Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen
The University of Virginias main library reopened its doors on Monday after a three-year, $141 million renovation.

The name, however, is still under construction.

Our dean, most of the library staff and a lot of UVa staff are really hoping for a new name, UVa Library spokeswoman Elyse Girard told The Daily Progress.

Alderman Library is named after the universitys first president, Edwin Alderman who served as the universitys chief executive from 1905 to 1931. The Alderman name has come under scrutiny in recent years, however, due to his involvement with eugenics, a movement devoted to improving the human species through the control of hereditary factors. Alderman led the charge to transform UVa into a leading eugenics research center, according to a 2018 university report on the schools history of racism.

And while eugenics popularized many health care practices accepted today  such as birth control, prenatal screenings and marriage restrictions prohibiting close relations from reproducing  the movement has become more associated with its controversial applications  such as compulsory sterilization, racial segregation and forced abortions and pregnancies.

A committee made up of library staff was formed in 2019 to look into Aldermans connections to eugenics.

Based on what we learned from that we thought that considering a new name to go along with this building would be the best, said Girard.

Girard and others in the UVa community are hoping to see the librarys name changed to Shannon Library, in honor of UVas fourth president, Edgar Shannon. Shannon served during a politically tumultuous time in the universitys, and countrys, history. During his tenure from 1959 to 1974, Shannon admitted the first female undergraduates in 1970, pushed to increase Black admissions and endorsed a student-led protest against the Vietnam War.

Two years later, the library filed a report including its findings to the schools Naming and Memorials Committee. After conducting its own research, the naming committee then made a recommendation to the universitys Board of Visitors Building and Grounds Committee, which has the final say on the matter.

In December, the universitys Board of Visitors Building and Grounds Committee deferred a decision to rename the library until March.

There is still work to address and complete on this issue, said Chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee John L. Nau III in December. He promised that the board would definitely revisit the conversation at its meeting in March.

The deferral will delay some updates to the library, Girard said, including letterheads, exterior signs and references to Alderman in the librarys Memorial Hall, the buildings main entrance.

That said, the library itself is now fully open to the public.

For some students, especially fourth-year students graduating this year, the spring semester could be their only chance to use the renovated space.

We wanted to open as soon as we could for the students who havent been in the building so they can use the space for an entire semester, said Girard. Fourth-years are in awe of the new spaces and resources that they get to use. We hope its a positive experience for them now.

The building has the capacity to hold 1.5 million books, but relocating those books will take several more months.

Prior to the renovation, which began in 2020, the library was known for being dark, cramped and difficult to navigate. Now, the space has been extended by 130,000 square feet with another 100,000 square feet undergoing a significant remodel that included the installation of large windows and skylights to bring in more natural lighting. The windows are coated with a special covering to protect the books from being affected by ultraviolet rays.

It really is light and bright, said Girard. It seems much more open, friendly and inviting than it did before. Its much easier to navigate  thats been the biggest thing people said to me, and theyre amazed at how well-lit it is.

The library now holds 1,445 seats, almost double the previous capacity for 800, as well as six conference rooms, three classrooms, eight study areas, five reading rooms and a large seminar room. In addition to these academic spaces, a new cafe, part of the Saxby brand of student-run coffees shops, is taking over part of the new library. The cafe is set to open on Feb. 5, according to Girard.

Access to the building has also been increased with several new public entrances, one from University Avenue and another connecting the second floor of Alderman to the adjacent Clemons Library.

Some of the older features of the library have survived the renovation largely unscathed.

The McGregor Room, fondly known as the Harry Potter Room by many students, retains the same quiet, comfortable atmosphere of an antique reading room: deep leather armchairs, wood paneling, Oriental rugs and a central fireplace. Minor behind-the-scenes updates were done to Memorial Hall and the librarys Reference Room, though they appear the same, according to Girard.

There are some really great familiar parts to the library, and the rest of it is absolutely new, said Girard. Were excited to have people come explore and find their own favorite parts.

Alderman Library is already open to the public, but a grand reopening celebrating the recent renovation will take place on April 4.
By Kim Myong-sik

Hong Soon-il, former managing editor of The Korea Times, a highly respected figure in media circles known for his integrity and journalistic acumen, died on Friday. He was 92.

An eloquent writer and a seasoned editor, Hong was also an outstanding interviewer. He is particularly remembered for conducting interviews with six leaders of Southeast Asia in just three weeks during the turbulent 1970s.

His series of dialogues with prominent leaders such as Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines, Suharto of Indonesia, Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore, Kukrit Pramoj of Thailand, Lon Nol of Cambodia, and Nguyen Van Thieu of South Vietnam, published by both The Korea Times and its Korean-language sister paper Hankook Ilbo, provided a timely overview of a region undergoing political and economic transitions in the aftermath of a decade-long Indochina conflict.

Hong embarked on this tour, during which he also met the acting heads of the governments of Malaysia and Laos, in September 1974, shortly after concluding his tenure as the managing editor of The Korea Times. His departure from the editorship, following seven years of service, stemmed from an unfortunate incident that underscored media interference by the then-authoritarian government.

The Korea Times had published Op-Ed columns in which two foreign contributors deplored the country's transformation into a destination for "sex-oriented international tourism." Some Korean-language papers translated and quoted those sardonic articles, sparking criticism of the government for seemingly tolerating the distorted tourism business under the guise of boosting foreign exchange earnings.

Hong and an editorial page editor were summoned to the media oversight office of the then omnipotent (Korean) Central Intelligence Agency and had to endure an interrogation that lasted all night for allegedly harming Korea's national prestige. No criminal charges were filed, but the agency asked the publisher of The Korea Times to remove Hong from the editorial position.

He was later reappointed as an editorial writer for the Hankook Ilbo and was assigned a special task  to embark on a Southeast Asian tour to interview national leaders. Concluding the series of interviews, Hong filed a lengthy commentary on the final days of the Thieu government of South Vietnam crumbling under corruption, dictatorship and military ineptitude.

That article irked the authorities in Seoul who believed that he was criticizing the Korean government by equating it with the situation in Saigon. Hankook Ilbo's publisher, managing editor and layout editor were interrogated by the KCIA on what prompted the article to run. Hong had to postpone his return to Korea and stayed in Tokyo for weeks until the dust settled.

Eventually, he was given a job at a publishing venture invested by the Hankook Ilbo. In the following years, Hong served as president of Kwanhun Club, a fraternity of senior journalists, and went on to chair a journalism support fund created with donations chiefly from the Hyundai Group and operated by the club. He took part in the Center for International Affairs Fellowship at Harvard University from 1977 to 1978.

A native of Seoul, Hong graduated from Gyeonggi High School and the College of Engineering at Seoul National University. He joined The Korea Times in 1954 as a proofreading desk reporter while attending college. He became the daily's political desk editor in 1961 and was promoted to managing editor in 1967.

The three decades during which Hong was involved with the English-language newspaper were marked by a period of resistance and struggle for political liberty, determined individual and national efforts for economic progress, and a shifting of people's mindsets. Creating a newspaper primarily for international communication meant continual encounters with prejudice, noncooperation, and navigating through financial challenges and uncertainties.

During the formative and developmental years of The Korea Times, Hong and his colleagues operated in a social environment that was often more challenging than what it is today. Their legacy of journalistic integrity, unwavering in the face of external challenges and temptations, established a tradition of resilience in Korea's English-language media. This legacy should now serve as a source of confidence for future generations as they navigate the uncertainties brought about by technological advancements.

Hong died of pneumonia. He is survived by his wife, who was his high-school sweetheart, a daughter and a son, Prof. Hong Yong-pyo of Hanyang University who served as the minister of unification (2015-2017). Suh Seung-hwan, former Yonsei University president and former minister of Land and Transportation, is his son-in-law. Hong will be buried at Gwangneung Cemetery in Gyeonggi Province, on Sunday.

Kim Myong-sik worked under Hong Soon-il at The Korea Times from 1965 and served as its managing editor from 1994-1997.  Ed.
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%..

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Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. A few flurries are possible. Low 27F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.
Angola, IN (46703)

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Periods of snow. Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. Winds NW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 90%..

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Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. A few flurries are possible. Low 26F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.
Auburn, IN (46706)

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Snow showers. Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. Winds NW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 60%..

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Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. A few flurries are possible. Low 26F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.
Are you planning to go on a date with someone and want to know more about your potential match before you meet them? There are tons of ways you can learn more about who they are without making your first date with them awkward.

If they haven't been living under a rock, then chances are they have an online presence just like you do. Below, we have shared three methods on how to run a dating background check so you can make sure you're going out with the right person.

1. Use a People Lookup Tool

A people lookup tool will tell you everything you need to know about your date. It is a search engine that collects data from public databases and then shows you whatever information it can find in the form of a report.

All that's required from you is the name of your date. Knowing the city where they live will help get more accurate results, but it's optional.

Using a people search free tool is the fastest and easiest way to find more information about anyone. Just by typing their name, you can get things like their email address, criminal records, marriage records, birth certificates, and divorce records.

People lookup tools are legal to use since they only show you information that's available in public records. Just don't show the report to your date!

2. Check Their Social Media Profiles

Checking your date's social media profiles is a timeless strategy that will never go out of fashion. People tend to share a lot about themselves on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter), which makes them great sources for getting insights into their lives and interests.

If you know your date's social media handles, you can easily check them to see what kind of a person they are. If you haven't reached that level of comfort with them yet, then we recommend using a people lookup tool to find their social media handles. If their profiles are set to private, however, then you won't be able to find anything.

3. Run a Google Search

You can also just search for the person on Google and other search engines like Bing and Yahoo. Try typing their name in the search bar to see if you can find anything. You may stumble upon their Instagram profile or LinkedIn account, both of which will give you a glimpse into their personality.

It's also possible to find information about your date in articles, blogs, and other websites, especially if they run their own blog (or happen to be a local celebrity)!

Googling for information about people can take a lot of time, though. You have to look at every website you come across manually and then piece together the information you find. It's much more convenient just to use a people lookup tool because it does everything for you and only takes a few minutes to gather information.

Should I Be Worried if My Date Has a Criminal Record?

While it's understandable why you would be worried if your date has a criminal record, it's important that you approach the matter with open communication and empathy. You can still go on a date and talk to the person to see what they're actually like. However, it also depends on what type of crime was committed.

For example, if the person is a convicted sex offender, then you have to think about your safety first. In such cases, nothing matters more than your well-being.

This is why it's so important to run a background check on people, especially if you plan to get romantically involved with them. It empowers you to make informed decisions about your relationships.

Learn More About the Person You're Dating

Before going on a date with someone, it's important that you do a little research about them. You can use a people lookup tool to find more information about the person. Not only will this give you a good idea of who they are, but it'll also make it easier for you to talk to them, which is important if it's your first date with them.

You can also check their social media accounts or search for them on Google to see if anything comes up.

Running a dating background check is important because it'll help you learn more about your potential partner and can even save your life if the person has a criminal record.
From Jeon Somi to ENHYPEN Jake, K-pop idols who were seen promoting Starbucks were canceled by international fans. As a result, Korean netizens counterattacked and clarified "unreasonable" claims.

In October 2023, Starbucks was caught in flames after it was accused of supporting the genocide in Gaza after it filed a lawsuit against workers supporting Palestine, and the brand has been classified as "pro-Israel."

As a result, a massive boycott has been done by countries all over the globe, starting with the Arab world.

From Jeon Somi to ENHYPEN Jake: K-pop Idols Criticized for Supporting Starbucks

Amid the boycott, netizens, including K-pop fans have been keen-eyed about celebrities promoting the coffeehouse who often upload & post their photos with a cup of drink from the brand.

In December, Jeon Somi was massively called out when she was seen using a Starback's tumbler during her GRWM vlog. After suffering from malicious comments from overseas fans, Jeon deleted the video.

On January 5 then, ENHYPEN's Jake also drank Starbucks coffee on a live broadcast, and received complaints from overseas fans not to consume the drink.

ENHYPENs Jake changes his Starbucks cup during a weverse live after fans warned him about it #ENHYPEN #ENHYPEN_JAKE pic.twitter.com/eqOKQSiNez  kpop moments (@kpopinmind) January 5, 2024

ALSO READ: Jeon Somi's Biggest Fansites Close Down  Why Are They Disappointed With Idol?

In response, Jake put the drink in another cup and apologized: "I made a mistake. I'm sorry, it won't let it happen again."

In addition, idols such as BLACKPINK, SEVENTEEN, aespa, and Red Velvet, who were spotted consuming products from companies classified as "pro-Israel" such as McDonald's and Coca-Cola, are receiving indiscriminate malicious comments from international fans as well.

K-Netz Defend K-pop Idols From 'Unreasonable' Starbucks Controversy

When this issue reached the K-community, domestic netizens were quick to defend idols and clarified:

"Starbucks Korea has nothing to do with the controversy, as Shinsegae EMart Group has acquired 100 percent of its management control and is operating separately from the overseas Starbucks."

Although Korean K-pop fans are actively talking about this, there are still overseas fans who were leaving malicious comments.

As a result, some Korean netters counterattacked I-fans and questioned them why they can't boycott Japanese companies who also aided war crimes in the past.

Here are the comments of K-netizens:

"Its ridiculous that they dont care about the use of products from Japanese companies that committed war crimes."

"Is it because theyre just harassing K-pop idols by using domestic Starbucks that has nothing to do with their headquarters?

"We should just ignore this kind of nonsense. If you listen to what they say, you're likely to be bullied even more."

"It has nothing to do with supporting Israel."

"Don't force a boycott."

"Why are you blaming the innocent K-pop idols?"

"Some Southeast Asian fans are not mentally healthy. They can't criticize Japan."

"I heard that Indonesian Starbucks is peaceful. Are K-pop idols the only easy target?"

"Korean Starbucks is a Korean stake. I heard that dogs barking without knowing are the most violent."

"They don't have the courage to go out and protest in front of Starbucks in their own country, they only do that to K-pop idols in every corner."

READ MORE: ENHYPEN Jake Apologizes For Purchasing Starbucks Here's Why

For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz.

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Eunice Dawson.
In the wake of her previous controversies on the reality show Girls Planet 999, Chinese contestant Fu Yaning finds herself under scrutiny once again, this time for her recent Instagram post that has drawn criticism from netizens.

Background: The Girls Planet 999 Fallout

In 2021, Mnet introduced Girls Planet 999, a reality show showcasing trainees vying for a debut spot and the subsequent formation of the group Kep1er.

Fu Yaning became a notable figure during the show, particularly for her controversial comments aimed at Kep1er's Yujin. Despite Yaning attributing the controversy to Mnet's editing, public opinion remains divided.

The Instagram Post: Fu Yaning's Disputed Narrative

Recently, Fu Yaning shared a series of photos on her Instagram account, including one that raised eyebrows. The image featured a caption stating, "I have a girlfriend," leading to considerable backlash when coupled with the accompanying text.

In the caption, Yaning recounted an encounter at a coffee shop where someone expressed interest in her. Her response, "I have a girlfriend," was presented as a rejection tactic, followed by a seemingly lighthearted remark: "It's good to change my sexual orientation sometimes haha."

READ ALSO:Where Is Former 'Girls Planet 999' Contestant Choi Yeyoung Now? Trainee's Status After Elimination

Backlash and Accusations: Trivializing Sexual Orientation

The post swiftly garnered criticism from netizens, who took issue with Fu Yaning's seemingly casual attitude toward changing one's sexual orientation. Many expressed concerns that her nonchalant remarks trivialize a serious and sensitive aspect of identity.

In particular, accusations were leveled against Yaning for exploiting sexual orientation for personal advantage, a move perceived as insensitive given the ongoing struggles faced by the LGBTQ+ community, especially in regions where acceptance remains a challenge.

Calls for Action: Netizens Demand Post Removal

As the controversy gained momentum online, a growing number of netizens are urging Fu Yaning to delete the post, contending that her comments have contributed to the trivialization of sexuality.

she used i have a girlfriend to reject a guy and literally said how its nice to sometimes change sexual orientation (fck her) but yall see the word girlfriend and go crazy be normal for once pic.twitter.com/CjJrwvuU3m   (@ACKERMLV) January 11, 2024

the way she literally said its nice to change my sexuality to just reject a person and they still think its a development ?

couldve just answered i have a boyfriend but right https://t.co/RzbxN8APa1 pic.twitter.com/0pyXwoRB1H    (@alexythws) January 11, 2024

people be like it's not that serious, whenever it comes to sapphic situations it's never that serious, they're always so insensitive to our community lol, ive never seen a straight man using the im gay card to reject a woman https://t.co/9e3AYktsZM January 11, 2024

sick that we keep having to say lesbianism isnt a shield for straight girls but also its crazy for her to believe that the i have a gf lie is less likely to have her harassed than i have a bf whatever world she lives in i want to be in it too! https://t.co/mKMa9fh0DQ  mau  LESBIANS FOR YUZU!!! (@jellyuzu) January 12, 2024

straight people think it's so funny to pretend being queer bc they don't know what real queer people go through every single day https://t.co/BN7LWUiRd6  isa (@antonrises) January 12, 2024

her treating a sexual orientation like a costume aside, it baffles me that straight women do not realize saying that will not protect them in most cases https://t.co/VGivZz19uI January 12, 2024

The debate continues as observers question the responsibility of public figures in handling sensitive topics and the potential impact of their words on a wider audience.

YOU MIGHT ALSO INTERESTED IN: 'Girls Planet 999' PD Team Reveals They Were Shocked by the Final Result + Clarifies Doubts on Fairness of Voting

For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz.

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Cassidy Jones.
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Virginia is still facing a teacher shortage this school year with more than 3,600 full-time equivalent vacancies, according to state data released in late December.

The number of teacher vacancies increased slightly compared with last year, and the vacancy rate stayed about the same at 3.9%.

Richmond, Henrico County and Chesterfield County school systems teacher vacancy rates are all higher than the state average. Richmonds is at 5.2%, Henricos is 5.4%, and Chesterfields is 7.1%.

For all school positions, which include administrators, teachers, aides, paraprofessionals and non-instructional personnel, Virginia has about 9,000 vacancies this school year.

Generally, teacher shortages are localized issues in the commonwealth. Some divisions will have little to no vacancies, while the division adjoining it may have dozens, said Virginia Department of Education spokesman Todd Reid.

At the beginning of this school year, over 20% of school divisions reported one or no vacancies. We continue to work with school divisions to help to solve their teacher recruitment issues and ensure that all students have high-quality licensed teachers in their classrooms.

Reid said one of the departments focuses to help fill vacancies is working with divisions on a Grow our Own apprenticeship program to help recruit and support staff within the community to work in the school division as they gain on-the-job experience. This past October, the state announced an investment of $10 million in a Grow Your Own grant program for divisions and participants.

The head of Virginias teachers union said the shortage of teachers reflects inadequate pay.

Even before the pandemic, educators were sounding the alarm about the increasing staff vacancy rate in their schools, but the fallout from the pandemic has exacerbated the problem exponentially, said James Fedderman, president of the Virginia Education Association.

While this number may look low, it represents thousands of trained professionals who should be working every day in your childs school, but for one reason or another, are not, he said. That means the educators who are working must pick up that slack, further straining an already understaffed workforce. We will only see fully staffed schools in Virginia when educators get the pay and respect they deserve.

The new House Education Committee chairman, Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke, said one of his top priorities for this upcoming legislative session is increasing teacher pay.

Del. Nadarius Clark, D-Suffolk, pre-filed legislation that would require public school teachers be compensated at a rate that is at or above the national average. Under current law, compensation at that rate is not required.

Chesterfield schools spokesman Shawn Smith said the county has continued to grow in student population during the pandemic which has not been the pattern with many school divisions. Therefore, some teaching positions were added during the pandemic years.As teaching positions have been added, supply has not kept up with demand, creating a higher vacancy rate.

In Hanover County, the teacher vacancy rate has remained at a low 0.6%.

We are extremely proud of our low vacancy numbers and the variety of innovative solutions, personal approaches and operational efficiencies that we utilize during our year-round recruitment process to help ensure that our students receive the top-tier education they deserve, said Hanover schools spokesman Justin Mattingly.

The school district launched a new in-house program in 2022 that provides provisionally licensed teachers with the training needed to obtain a full teaching license.

The first of its kind in Virginia, the Provisional Academy for Teachers in Hanover program saves teachers thousands of dollars in the process of procuring their full license by allowing them to bypass the need for paying tuition to a college or university and earn their license while they teach.
SHREVEPORT, La. - Not a moment too soon! It looks like temps will rise above freezing on Wednesday, helping to thaw out the ArkLaTex from the 
Defence Equity Facility: Investment in defence innovation

The European Commission and the European Investment Fund (EIF) have joined forces to step up their support to EU's defence and security through the launch of the Defence Equity Facility.

The initiative, consisting of 100 million from the European Defence Fund and an additional 75 million from the European Investment Fund, will significantly expand EIF's investment capacity to support, in the next four years, private equity and venture capital funds with strategies covering technologies relevant to defence.

This 175 million initiative is expected to attract additional private investments in the funds it supports, thereby mobilising, in total, circa. 500 million in support of European companies.

The Defence Equity Facility aims to stimulate the development of an ecosystem of private funds investing in defence innovation. The initiative will focus on technologies with dual-use potential encompassing both civilian and defence applications, to further support the EU's security, in line with InvestEU's objectives.

This new funding opportunity will be accompanied by capacity building activities to support managers in the development and management of their funds.

This initiative strengthens the cooperation between the Commission and the EIF in support of the aerospace and defence ecosystem, initiated with the launch of CASSINI Fund in January 2022 to bolster investments in space companies.

The new Defence Equity Facility is in full alignment with the December 2023 European Council call for enhancing the EIB Group support of European security and defence, building on the Strategic European Security Initiative launched in 2022 and updated in June 2023.

For More Information

The European Investment Fund (EIF) is part of the European Investment Bank Group. Its central mission is to support Europe's micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by helping them to access finance. The EIF designs and develops venture and growth capital, guarantees and microfinance instruments which specifically target this market segment. In this role, the EIF fosters EU objectives in support of innovation, research and development, entrepreneurship, growth and employment.

The European Defence Fund (EDF) - implemented by the European Commission - supports cooperative defence research and development projects. The fund aims to strengthen the competitiveness of the European defence industrial base. 8 billion from the EU budget is dedicated to the European Defence Fund for 2021-2027.

As part of the EDF, the EU Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS) provides funding and support measures aiming to lower entry barriers into the defence domain for smaller or non-traditional market players and accompany innovators throughout the development cycle.

The InvestEU programme provides the European Union with crucial long-term funding by leveraging substantial private and public funds in support of a sustainable recovery. It also helps mobilise private investments for EU policy priorities like the European Green Deal and the digital transition. The InvestEU programme brings together under one roof the multitude of EU financial instruments currently available to support investment in the European Union, making funding for investment projects in Europe simpler, more efficient and more flexible. The programme has three components: the InvestEU Fund, the InvestEU Advisory Hub and the InvestEU Portal. The InvestEU Fund is implemented through financial partners that will invest in projects using the EU budget guarantee of 26.2 billion. The entire budget guarantee will back the projects of the implementing partners, increasing their risk-bearing capacity and thus mobilising at least 372 billion in additional investment.

More information on the European Defence Equity Facility is available on a dedicated website.

Quote

With the Defence Equity Facility, we deliver a first step in improving access to finance for the defence sector. This initiative will contribute to sending a positive signal to the market and stimulate private investments in support of defence innovation. It is a key pillar of the EU Defence Innovation Scheme, which aims to enhance Europe's technological competitiveness and security, by supporting to a thriving ecosystem of defence start-ups and SMEs. It is a first step and we will continue to work with the EIB and EIF to support access to finance in the defence sector.

Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market 2024-01-11

Our partnership with the European Commission, under the European Defence Fund, represents a significant milestone in our efforts to drive investment and innovation in a sector of strategic importance for Europe. By supporting private equity and venture capital funds targeting investments in defence technologies with dual-use potential, we aim to catalyse economic growth and foster a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in the area of security and defence.

Roger Havenith, Deputy Chief Executive of the European Investment Fund 2024-01-11

This is a significant step towards promoting innovation and security in the EU. This partnership will further enhance European defence capabilities in an increasingly interconnected world facing new geopolitical challenges. The Defence Equity Facility will contribute to the objectives of EIBs Strategic European Security Initiative, and play a key role in promoting state-of-the-art technologies contributing to EUs defence and security, confirming this strategic area as a priority for the EIB Group.

Kris Peeters, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank 2024-01-11
India PR Distribution

Odisha [India], January 12: In a commendable initiative, EONMED, a leading healthcare company in the country, organized a successful health camp near the Hingula Mata Temple in Kalinga Nagar, located in the Jaipur district of Odisha. The camp, held near with Tata Steel Kalinga Nagar, employed cutting-edge technology for health check-ups, benefiting over 350 individuals on January 9.

Also Read | HONOR's X Series Set To Make Waves in India, Brand To Mark Another Chapter in Honor's Legacy of Innovation.

The comprehensive camp included free check-ups for blood pressure, sugar levels, oxygen levels, weight, bone density, audiometry, and more. Notably, a significant number of beneficiaries included not only villagers but also drivers and migrant laborers in the region. During the examinations, health issues such as reduced hearing ability, anemia, and skeletal problems were frequently observed among the residents of Kalinga Nagar.

In discussions, locals highlighted the challenges of traveling long distances, up to 30 kilometers, for treatment of minor ailments. Many expressed gratitude for the camp, which provided convenient access to healthcare services. The priest of the Hingula Mata Temple, residing atop a hill, emphasized the positive impact of the camp, especially for those who prefer buying medicines from nearby shops without consulting doctors.

Also Read | Lohri 2024 Popular Food Items: From Popcorn to Makki Di Roti & Sarson da Saag, Youve Got to Chomp on These Delicious Goodness To Celebrate the Harvest Festival.

EONMED, known for its high-tech solutions, securely maintains digital health records for all its patients, ensuring future medical convenience. As a telemedicine and teleconsultation company, EONMED aims to deliver trustworthy and accessible healthcare to every village in the country.

Looking ahead, EONMED is committed to organizing more health camps in over 50 villages surrounding the Tata Steel plant in the coming months. These camps will not only offer free check-ups but also provide essential medications. The collaboration between EONMED, Tata Steel Plant, and the residents of Kalinga Nagar reflects a shared commitment to community well-being, with plans for continued support through future initiatives and social welfare programs.

For more information, visit www.eonmed.in.

(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by India PR Distribution. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
PRNewswire

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 12: Amaha, India's leading mental health organization (formerly known as InnerHour), announced securing a substantial investment of over Rs 50 crore as an extended series A round. This round of funding was led by Fireside Ventures investing Rs 36.4 crore as well as additional investment of Rs 15+ crore by other strategic investors. Over time, Amaha has successfully raised one of the largest investments in mental health in India.

Also Read | Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra: Rahul Gandhi-Led March To Begin From Private Ground in Manipur's Thoubal, Says Congress.

The Amaha mental health ecosystem provides treatment and care for a range of mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, OCD, schizophrenia, and addictions. The organisation was founded by psychiatrist and healthcare entrepreneur Dr Amit Malik and joined by social entrepreneur Neha Kirpal as Co-Founder, to address the mental health treatment gap prevalent in India with a commitment to making quality mental health care and support accessible to a wider population across geographies.

Dr. Amit Malik, Founder and CEO of Amaha, expressing his eagerness about the recent funding, stated, "The INR 50+ Crore infusion helps consolidate Amaha's position as the leading mental healthcare provider in India and accelerates the company's strategic expansion plans, as it continues to address the dynamic mental health challenges faced by individuals, families and organisations across the country. The partnership with Fireside Ventures creates exciting possibilities for cross-sectoral collaborations, propelling Amaha's efforts to mainstream mental health access to all those in need."

Also Read | Pixar Layoffs: Disney-Owned Animation Studio Likely To Lay Off 20% Workforce in 2024, Says Report.

Ankur Khaitan, Principal, Fireside Ventures said, "At Fireside, our outlook is to look for companies building for well-being and in that context, the space of addressing mental health issues is a large unmet need in India. Amaha with their deep clinical expertise and unique business model across digital and offline clinics will be able to solve for awareness and access to a wider audience."

Over the years, Amaha's multi-disciplinary team of 150+ mental health therapists and psychiatrists has effectively provided mental health services in 15+ languages through 10,000+ personal and group interventions per month and across 600+ cities in India. Amaha's mobile app, which has won several accolades, including an award for the "Best App for Good'' by Google Play, offers 600+ self-care tools and 1000+ content resources to help individuals understand their concerns and build healthy habits. Amaha has today positively impacted over 5 Million lives globally through its mobile app. With a few to provide continuous collaborative care to people across their lifespan, Amaha acquired & partnered with India's foremost Child and Adolescent mental health organisation Children First two years ago. With a team of over 60 dedicated specialists, Children First has served over 12,000 children, youth and families for a range of conditions including Autism, ADHD, developmental challenges, self-harm, childhood trauma and others.

About Amaha:

Amaha (formerly named InnerHour), is a mental health organisation- founded by Dr. Amit Malik, a renowned psychiatrist and healthcare entrepreneur, and joined by social entrepreneur Ms. Neha Kirpal as co-founder in 2019.

The organisation has built a mental health ecosystem that provides treatment & care plans for a range of mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, OCD, schizophrenia, and addictions. Amaha has an in-house expert team of 150+ psychiatrists and therapists and provides therapy sessions, psychiatric care, digital self-care tools, psychometric assessments, as well as community peer support. Over the last few years, they have delivered over 1,00,000+ therapy and psychiatry sessions in 15+ languages across 600+ Indian cities and the self-help app has touched 5 million lives.

Furthermore, Amaha offers customised Emotional Well-being programmes for workplaces & colleges that today support over 700,000 individuals across the country.

In 2022, with a vision to provide care from cradle to grave and to support quality mental healthcare for families, institutions and communities, Amaha acquired & partnered with the reputed Delhi NCR-based Child and Adolescent Mental Health Institute, Children First, which has been providing support to more than 12,000+ families since its inception in 2008.

For more details, please connect with:PR Agency - MSLHarsh Sheth - 9870631557; harsh.sheth@mslgroup.com

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2317205/Co_Founder_Founder_CEO_Amaha.jpg

(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], January 12 (ANI): The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on Friday raided the premises of West Bengal minister and TMC leader Sujit Bose in Kolkata in connection with a municipality jobs scam.

Tight security has been deployed at the locations, where the raids are underway.

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More details are awaited.

The alleged irregularities in municipality recruitments came to the fore when the ED arrested Kolkata-based builder Ayan Sheel on March 19 in connection with the school jobs scam.

Also Read | US and UK Carry Out Airstrikes Against Iran-Backed Houthis in Yemen After Red Sea Attacks (Watch Videos).

The ED claimed that OMR (answer) sheets of candidates for various posts in several municipalities were found at Ayan's Salt Lake office during a search.

Earlier in August last year, the CBI summoned Bose for questioning in the ongoing probe into alleged irregularities in municipal appointments between 2014 and 2016.

The Kolkata High Court had rejected the state government's petition seeking a stay on the Calcutta High Court order for a CBI probe into the alleged scam in municipal hirings.

The agencies (CBI and ED) had informed the Calcutta high court that there were links between the civic body recruitment scam and the bribe-for-job scam in the West Bengal school education department, in which former education minister Partha Chatterjee has been arrested.

Bose was vice chairman of South Dum Dum Municipality from 2010 to 2021, when nearly 250 people were recruited. He is the first cabinet minister to be summoned in this case. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Guwahati, Jan 12 (PTI) The West Assam Milk Producers' Cooperative Union Ltd (WAMUL), which operates the Purabi Dairy brand, has registered an increase in its bouquet of value-based milk products, along with a rise in milk procurement and sales figures, an official said on Friday.

It is planning to bring a record number of dairy farmers into its fold this year, while also increasing the array of products for customers, he said.

Also Read | Jammu and Kashmir Terror Attack: Terrorists Fire at Indian Army Vehicle in Poonch District, No Casualty Reported.

WAMUL Managing Director S B Bose, while addressing a press conference here, said the dairy cooperative has grown from strength to strength over the years and has been able to provide better livelihood to thousands of dairy farmers in the state.

He said procurement of milk has increased by 15 per cent while the sale of milk has risen by 21 per cent.

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Value-added milk products have increased by more than 35 per cent over the last one year, he added.

"The dairy cooperative has witnessed substantial growth over the years, significantly improving the livelihoods of thousands of dairy farmers in the state. It is heartening to witness a growing community of dairy farmers benefiting greatly from WAMUL's interventions, with valuable support from NDDB (National Dairy Development Board) and the Assam government," he said.

Bose said WAMUL has set a target of bringing a "record number of dairy farmers into the Purabi family while introducing various products for our esteemed customers".

"These initiatives align with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for doubling of farmers' income. This will contribute to building a robust and strong rural economy, as envisioned by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma," he added.

He said brand Purabi took a significant initiative in the last one year as it introduced allied products such as 'Purabi Honey' to provide extra income to the farmers.

Sourcing honey from the beekeepers of Assam, the dairy cooperative also organised several workshops and training programmes to help the farmers boost their income through beekeeping, the official added.

WAMUL is preparing to launch a range of new products like ice cream, flavoured milk and sweets at its new plant at Panjabari in Guwahati, with the initiative to add more value to the milk supply chain as the benefits will reach the farmers ensuring a sustainable and thriving agricultural ecosystem, Bose said.

(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 12: With preparations for the Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22 in full swing, the UP Police is leaving no stone unturned for security of the city. Recognising the crucial role locals can play, top police officials held a meeting with residents and members of the Nishad community, seeking their cooperation in maintaining order and vigilance.

IG Zone Praveen Kumar led the meeting, emphasizing the significance of the event not just for Ayodhya but for the entire nation. The expected presence of the Prime Minister, along with thousands of VVIP guests from India and abroad, poses a significant security challenge. To address this, Kumar sought the community's assistance in ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience for visitors. Pran Pratishtha Ceremony: No Travel to Ayodhya From Adjoining Districts for Three Days Ahead of Ram Temple Inauguration on January 22

He urged residents to be alert and report any suspicious activity or unfamiliar individuals, particularly near the Saryu River or within Ayodhya itself. A dedicated WhatsApp number for confidential information sharing was also shared, assuring anonymity for informants.

IG Zone Praveen Kumar said, "In view of the Pran Pratishtha programme to be held in Ayodhya on January 22, today we held a meeting with the local people of Ayodhya and the Nishad community and sought their cooperation regarding the security arrangements of Ayodhya. January 22 is the most important day for us. It is an important day; thousands of VVIP guests are coming to Ayodhya; hence, guidelines have been given to ensure that they do not face any kind of problem."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi would preside over the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony at the Ram Temple on January 22. Vedic rituals for the 'Pran-Pratishtha' ceremony of Ram Lalla (infant Lord Ram) in Ayodhya will begin on January 16, a week before the main ceremony. A priest from Varanasi, Lakshmi Kant Dixit, will perform the main rituals of the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of Ram Lalla on January 22. From January 14 to January 22, Ayodhya will mark the Amrit Mahotsav. Ram Temple Consecration: Confectioners From Varanasi, Gujarat in Ayodhya To Make 45 Tonnes of Laddus With Pure Desi Ghee for Pran Pratishtha Ceremony (Watch Video)

A 1008 Hundi Mahayagya will also be organised, in which thousands of devotees will be fed. Several tent cities are being erected in Ayodhya to accommodate thousands of devotees, who are expected to arrive in the temple town of Uttar Pradesh for the grand 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony. According to the Sri Ram Janambhoomi Trust, arrangements will be made for 10,000-15,000 people.

Local authorities are also gearing up for the anticipated surge in visitors around the grand ceremony and are in the process of implementing enhanced security measures and making logistical arrangements to ensure a smooth and spiritually enriching experience for all attendees.

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Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], January 12 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met the family of late mountaineer Savita Kanswal, who was bestowed on with the 'Tenzing Norgay National Courage Award-2022'.

Savita Kanswal's father, Radheshyam Kanswal, met CM Dhami at the Chief Minister's residence on Friday with his family.

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CM Dhami said that Uttarakhand is a land of dedication and this land has always given us inspiring personalities. Savita Kanswal and her entire family are also integral parts of this glorious journey.

He said that it is a matter of pride for the entire state that the daughter of Uttarakhand was honoured with the National Courage Award as a national pride for her courage and determination.

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The Uttarakhand CM further said that the late mountaineer will always remain a source of inspiration for the youth of the state.

In 2022, Savita Kanswal from Uttarkashi's Lonthru village became the first woman in India to successfully climb Mt Everest and Mt Makalu in just 16 days.

She lost her life in an avalanche in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi Hills in the year 2022. (ANI)

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New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) Less than two weeks ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to India, his diplomatic advisor Emmanuel Bonne and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday deliberated on bilateral issues and global developments of mutual concern.

Bonne is currently on a visit to New Delhi ostensibly to firm up various aspects of Macron's trip.

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French President Macron will be the Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations on January 26.

"Glad to meet Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to President of France. Spoke about strong India-France convergence on multiple issues. Also shared perspectives on global developments of mutual concern," Jaishankar posted on 'X'.

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"Look forward to President @EmmanuelMacron's State visit for Republic Day 2024," he added.

In another post, Jaishankar also congratulated Stephane Sejourne on becoming France's minister of Europe and foreign affairs. Sejourne succeeded Catherine Colonna.

"Congratulations @steph_sejourne on your appointment as the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic," Jaishankar said.

"Looking forward to working with you for further strengthening our strategic partnership and realising goals set by our leaders," he said.

New Delhi's invitation to Macron for the Republic Day celebrations comes amid a rapid upswing in ties between the two countries including in areas of defence and security, clean energy, trade and investment and new technologies.

In July last, the defence ministry approved the purchase of 26 Rafale (marine) jets from France, primarily for deployment on board the indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. France has already responded to India's initial tender for buying the jets.

The two sides are also expanding cooperation in the maritime domain including in the Indian Ocean Region.

India and France also expressed commitment to cooperate in the co-development and co-production of advanced defence technologies, including for the benefit of third countries.

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Panaji (Goa) [India], January 12 (ANI): Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant inaugurated Vigyan Dhara Week at Art and Culture Hall in Panaji on Thursday.

"Vigyan Dhara Week 2024 sets a precedent as the first of its kind program in India...Vigyan Dhara 2024 supports the multidisciplinary approach encroaching the diverse educational path and aligning with the policy vision to create well-rounded and comprehensive learning experience for Goa's youth. I want to assure you that my government is focusing on bridging the gap between science, technology and youth of Goa," said Sawant.

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Meanwhile, Goa Industrial Development Corporation (Goa-IDC) said on January 2 that the INVEST Goa 2024 Summit will be held on January 29 at Dona Paula, Goa. The flagship event organised by the state government in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) as the national partner is aimed at fostering industrial development and collaboration in the state.

The INVEST Goa 2024 Summit will explore key highlights of government policies, including the Goa Industrial Growth and Investment Promotion Policy 2022, the Goa Logistics and Warehousing Policy 2023, the Goa Electric Mobility Promotion Policy 2021, and the Goa Startup Policy 2021.

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Goa-IDC also announced the launch of its refreshed brand identity with the unveiling of a dynamic new logo.

The new logo encapsulates the corporation's renewed dedication to fostering industrial progress, embracing change and meeting the evolving needs of Goa's industrial landscape.

The sleek design and vibrant elements mirror the forward-thinking approach of Goa-IDC, representing a bold step into the future. The new logo symbolises its visionary commitment to embracing change and leading the way in sustainable industrial development in Goa.

Speaking on the occasion of the launch, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stated, "The unveiling of the new Goa-IDC logo is a momentous occasion for Goa-IDC, representing not just a visual transformation but a commitment to growth and a significant shift in industrial policies. The emphasis on welcoming green industries is a visionary step, inviting prosperity and job security for our fellow Goans. I am confident that the Invest GOA 2024 Summit will be instrumental in supporting the state's endeavour to grow further through enhancing industrial engagement and constructively engaging with global stakeholders."

He also added that "the INVEST Goa 2024 Summit will serve as a pivotal platform for industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to come together and explore opportunities for sustainable economic growth in the state. (ANI)

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Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], January 12 (ANI): In response to the opposition's criticism of the state government's 'silence' in the alleged gangrape case in Haveri, Karnataka Home Minister, G Parameshwara, assured a thorough investigation into the matter.

"The police are already looking into it seriously and have arrested the people she has accused, and the investigation is going on. Once the investigation is completed, we will know the truth," Parameshwara said on Friday.

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Earlier in the day, Hangal police arrested three people in connection with the incident.

While former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP leader Basavaraj Bommai expressed dissatisfaction with the investigation by the Hangal Police.

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"People have no faith in the Hangal Police, so I demand an investigation into the matter by a higher police officer," he said while speaking to ANI.

Bommai described the incident as unfortunate and criticised the state government, claiming that people, especially women, are not safe in Karnataka.

"It's totally unfortunate and people are really fed up with this government and especially women are not safe in this state," he said.

This comes a day after a group of men barged into the room of a lodge at Hangal in Karnataka's Haveri district and allegedly thrashed a couple for the 'crime' of being together despite practicing different faiths.

As per the police, the woman later said she had been a victim of gang rape.

"The victim's statement has been recorded under 164 of the CrPC after producing her before the magistrate," Haveri Superintendent of Police, Anshu Kumar, said.

According to the Haveri police, the victim has accused seven people in her statement, of whom three have already been arrested.

"She has accused seven people in her statement. Three of them have already been arrested. One is in the hospital. The other three are on the run. We will arrest the remaining accused as well," the SP said. (ANI)

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Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 12 (ANI): In anticipation of the influx of devotees attending the 'Prana Pratishtha' ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22, the Health Department is intensifying its preparations.

Sanjay Jain, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Ayodhya, revealed that the department is collaborating with Shri Ram Mandir Teerth Kshetra Trust to establish first aid units at sixteen key locations within the event area.

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Jain further specified that these first aid units will have a doctor, a pharmacist, and a ward boy. They are strategically planned for crowded locations such as Shri Hanuman Gufa, Saket Petrol Pump, Kanak Bhawan, Hanuman Garhi, and other crowded areas.

Each unit will be equipped with necessary medical supplies, including medicines, a nebulizer, oxygen facilities, and the capability to conduct blood sugar tests. Additionally, the Health Department is establishing two hospitals with capacities of 10 and 20 beds, respectively, where doctors will be available to attend to patients. Besides this, arrangements for 40 ambulances are also being made, which will be stationed at various important locations in Ayodhya, he added.

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The Health Department has also reserved 190 beds for emergencies in the district's Medical College, Shri Ram Chikitsalaya Ayodhya, District Hospital Ayodhya, Mahila District Hospital and Kumarganj Hospital.

During the 'Prana Pratishtha' ceremony, if anyone faces a medical emergency, they will be initially taken to the two hospitals set up in the event area for treatment. If the condition does not improve, they will be referred to Shri Ram Hospital. Further, if needed, Medical College and subsequently, the Lucknow Medical College, Trauma Center, and Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital have been arranged for referral in case of non-improvement in the patient's condition.

Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the new idol of Ram Lalla at the sanctum sanctorum of the upcoming Ram Temple in Ayodhya is scheduled for January 22.

The ceremony is expected to draw leaders from various walks of life, marking a significant milestone in the culmination of efforts spanning centuries for the construction of the Ram Temple.

Prime Minister Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and thousands of seers from across the country have been invited to the ceremony. (ANI)

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New Delhi [India], January 12 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Friday expressed unhappiness with those state governments which have not furnished details or data to the central government or filed affidavits in court in matters relating to the identification of minorities.

The top court warned the state governments to slap a fine of Rs Rs 10,000 if they failed to furnish details or data to the central government or file an affidavit in court in the matter.

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A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta made these remarks when it noted that various states have not filed a reply or furnished data.

The court strictly said that it is giving the last opportunity to state governments to either furnish details or data to the central government or file an affidavit in court.

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In case this is not done within the stipulated time, the state govt shall pay a cost of Rs 10,000, the court ordered.

Relisting the matter in April 2024, the court asked the Centre to file its status report at least two weeks before the next date of hearing.

The court was hearing a batch of petitions seeking district-wise identification of minorities.

Advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay had moved the petition before the top court seeking appropriate directions and orders for identifying state-wise minorities based on population. (ANI)

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New Delhi [India], January 12 (ANI): Ahead of the Pran Pratistha of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Jawaharlal Nehru University Vice-Chancellor Professor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit referred to the event as the "resurgence" of Indian civilization.

Pandit told ANI on Friday said she will also celebrate the 'Pran Pratishtha' at her home. "The Ram Mandir movement is a movement of self-pride & self-esteem. It is a resurgence of the Indian civilisation and the Bharatiya identity for every human being and Indian. Lord Ram is a symbol of unity in diversity. I will celebrate it (Ram Temple 'Pran Pratishtha') at my home. As a citizen, an academician, I am proud of my civilisation because it is one of the greatest civilisations," said Professor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit. Meanwhile, Ahead of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at Ram Mandir in Aaodhya, the temple's construction committee and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has given an invitation to President Droupadi Murmu at her residence on Friday.

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The invitation was handed over by Chairman, Nripendra Mishra, International Working President of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Alok Kumar and RSS leader Ram Lal.

On Thursday, VHP International Working President Alok Kumar and Ayodhya Ram Temple Construction Committee Chairman Nripendra Mishra extended an invitation of the 'pranpratishtha' ceremony to Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.

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Dhankhar said he would convey a suitable time to visit the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Prime Minister Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and thousands of seers from across the country have been invited to the ceremony.

Ahead of the event, volunteers of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its affiliates, including the VHP have been reaching out to people across the country and inviting them to join the consecration ceremony by offering prayers at the temples in their neighbourhoods. (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 12: The leaders of the BJP Minority Morcha and other religious leaders of the Muslim community held a discussion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on setting up a Sufi circuit in the country in their recent meeting at the Prime Minister's residence in the national capital, sources said.

Sources further stated that Prime Minister Modi welcomed the idea and asked the leaders to sit with the Union Minority Affairs Minister in this regard. "When Muslim religious leaders asked the Prime Minister to make a Sufi circuit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that this was a good idea and leaders should sit with the Minority Affairs Minister and make a detailed plan regarding this," sources said. PM Narendra Modi Meets Muslim Community Delegation, Offers Chadar for Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti at Ajmer Sharif (See Pics).

As per sources, the first meeting regarding the Sufi circuit can be held with Union Minority Minister Smriti Irani and Muslim religious leaders in the month of February. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi handed over a 'Chadar' which will be offered on the 812th Urs of sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti at the Ajmer Sharif Dargah. The chadar was presented to Bharatiya Janata Party Minority Morcha national president Jamaal Siddiqui at the Prime Minister's residence in the national capital.

The delegation will visit Ajmer and offer the chadar on behalf of PM Modi. The Urs festival is an annual festival held in Ajmer, Rajasthan, that commemorates the death anniversary of Sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti. PM Narendra Modi Hands Over Chadar To Be Offered on 812th Urs of Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer Sharif Dargah (See Pics).

On this occasion, Union Minister of Minority Affairs Smriti Irani, Syed Farid Nizami (Nizamuddin Auliya Dargah), Salman Chishti (Ajmer Sharif), party national vice president Tariq Mansoor, Delhi Haj Committee chairman Kausar Jahan, and Sufi Hazrat from Nagpur, Ahmedabad Jammu and Kashmir, were present at the Prime Minister's residence.

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New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) Over seven years after an IAF AN-32 aircraft went missing in 2016, scientists at the Chennai-based National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) stumbled upon its debris when they were testing the instruments of their newly-acquired autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) for seabed mapping in December.

It was during such a testing expedition undertaken by Research Vessel Sagar Nidhi on December 9-10 last year, about 310 km off the Chennai coast, the instruments on the AUV picked up some strong SONAR reflections from the seabed at a depth of 3,400 m.

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The strong signals intrigued the scientists who then decided to dive deeper for a closer look.

"Then we dived a little deeper and took some photographs, which were shared with the Indian Air Force through the Ministry of Earth Sciences," G A Ramadass, Director, NIOT told PTI.

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Ramadass said the IAF confirmed that the debris was of the AN32 aircraft that had gone missing more than seven years ago.

Another scientist said initially the debris was thought to be of a shipwreck, but on closer examination the researchers were able to identify the tricolour roundel found on IAF aircraft.

The NIOT scientists were carrying out the instrument testing of the AUV at the same site which was the last known location of the IAF aircraft that went missing on July 22, 2016 with 29 personnel onboard.

The NIOT had joined the search operations in July 2016 along with other agencies and used surface ships and remotely operated vehicles for the purpose.

"At that time we did not find anything," Ramadass said, adding that the scientists stumbled upon the debris while calibrating instruments of the AUV.

A defence ministry statement said the search by NIOT was conducted at a depth of 3,400 metres using multiple payloads, including a multi-beam SONAR (Sound Navigation and Ranging), synthetic aperture SONAR and high-resolution photography.

The defence ministry said a scrutiny of the images captured by an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) deployed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology recently found to be confirming that the wreckage located 310 km off the Chennai coast is of an An-32 aircraft.

"The search images were scrutinised and found to be conforming with an An-32 aircraft. This discovery at the probable crash site, with no other recorded history of any other missing aircraft report in the same area, points to the debris as possibly belonging to the crashed IAF An-32," the ministry said in a statement.

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Jind (Haryana) [India], January 12 (ANI): Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat will embark on a three-day tour of Haryana's Jind starting Friday.

According to sources, the RSS chief will meet Sangh campaigners in the state to discuss strategies to strengthen the organisation in Haryana.

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While in Jind, the RSS chief will stay at Gopal School on Bhiwani Road, sources said.

The sources further said that only selected people will be allowed in the school until his tour is over.

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Also, the RSS chief will not meet the media, the sources said. (ANI)

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Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], January 12 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Thursday set aside a 2017 order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), banning construction activities in the green and core areas of Shimla.

The NGT, in its order, banned the construction of buildings taller than two and a half storeys in the planning area.

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However, an SC division bench of Justices BR Gavai, PK Mishra and Sandeep Mehta set aside the order on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters, the advocate general, who appeared for the state government in the apex court, welcomed the division bench ruling saying that it would lift all impediments to the sustainable development of Shimla.

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"The Shimla Development Plan 2041 was formulated for sustainable development. This plan was denounced by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the state government challenged it in the Supreme Court. Today, the Supreme Court set aside the NGT order while directing the state government to constitute a developed plan for the city. The division bench ruled that the NGT has no right to direct the state to formulate a plan as per their directions," Advocate General Anup Kumar Rattan told reporters on Thursday.

"The apex court ruled that NGT has no powers and previews to suggest and direct the state government (in making a development plan). The state government has legislative powers, which it delagates to the Town and Country Planning Department. The ruling has come as a relief for the people of Shimla. If the NGT order was implemented, the lower and middle bazaars would all have been razed. Now, the Supreme Court has given its nod of approval to the Shimla development plan. The authorities concerned would draw up maps and building plans for the sustainable development of the city," the AG added.

Weighing in on the verdict, the Urban Development Minister in the erstwhile BJP government, Suresh Bhardwaj, claimed the Shimla Development Plan of the previous Jai Ram Thakur-led regime has received the green signal from the apex court.

Apart from curbs on raising buildings taller than two and a half storeys, the NGT had also enforced a blanket ban on building construction in Shimla's Core and Green areas as well.

As the Supreme Court set aside the NGT curbs on Thursday, Bhardwaj said the people of Shimla were desperately counting on the apex court to rule in favour of sustainable development of the city.

Saying the Supreme Court ruling was in 'public interest', the BJP leader said the Jai Ram Thakur-led government had filed a plea in the top court, challenging the NGT curbs.

The apex court took up a special leave petition (SLP) filed by the Himachal government in 2018-19, on a complaint by Yogendra Mohan Sen, challenging the NGT order in 2017, banning construction activities in the Shimla planning area.

"The Shimla development plan was the BJP's vision for the development of the city. The plan was devised after consulting several experts. However, the NGT issued an order in 2017, putting curbs on the construction of buildings taller than two and a half storeys, and later junked the Shimla Development Plan altogether. It was first such development plan for the city that we came with, specifying the city's core, non-core, green and other areas of Shimla. The building guidelines for Shimla were divided between the core and non-core areas as was classified under the plan," the former Urban Development Minister told ANI.

"The proposed building bye-laws for the core area recommended 2 floors, a habitable attic and parking. For the non-core areas, 3 floors, a habitable attic and parking were suggested. The guidelines also provided for more relaxations in terms of building height, number of floors, and land use for construction along the main roads. I welcome the Supreme Court order, as it would help in the sustainable development of the city," he added. (ANI)

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Jaipur, Jan 12 (PTI) Senior leaders of the BJP held a brainstorming session at a hotel here on Friday regarding preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

After the meeting, the party's state in-charge Arun Singh told reporters that the work done for the welfare of the poor, farmers and the youth under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the way India's respect has increased should be taken to the public.

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He also said that everyone was happy at the consecration ceremony going to be held in the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22.

On Congress leaders declining the invitation to the 'praan pratistha' ceremony, the BJP leader said there should be no politics of any kind over this.

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"It is a matter of faith for all of us... This was everyone's wish and aspiration and it is being fulfilled," he added.

Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, state BJP president C P Joshi, the party's Chhattisgarh in-charge Om Mathur, Union ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Arjun Ram Meghwal and Kailash Chaudhary, Government Whip in Assembly Jogeshwar Garg, former BJP state president Satish Poonia, former leader of opposition Rajendra Rathore and others were present.

Garg said, "History will be made in Rajasthan that the same party is going to win all the (Lok Sabha) seats for three consecutive times. There was discussion today regarding this issue."

The BJP has won all 25 Lok Sabha seats in the state for two consecutive terms.

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Ayodhya, January 12: Ahead of the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya, demand for saffron flags bearing images of Lord Ram, Lord Hanuman and the upcoming grand temple has risen manifold. As Ayodhya will virtually be fortified on the day of the 'Pran Pratishtha' on January 22, devotees from the nearby districts are arriving early for a 'darshan' of Ram Lalla and are purchasing these flags, besides other merchandise bearing the name and images of Lord Ram.

With less than two weeks to go for the grand event which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the temple town is in the grip of religious fervour, or as the locals say, "Ayodhya Rammayi ho rahi hai". Saffron flags bearing images of Lord Ram and the upcoming Ram temple, 'Jai Shri Ram' slogan, and an image of Lord Hanuman -- often seen on the rear windshield of cars -- are in big demand, according to local shopkeepers. Dry Day on January 22 for Ram Mandir 'Pran Pratishtha': From Chhattisgarh to Uttar Pradesh, Full List of States That Prohibit Sale of Alcohol

Several local residents PTI spoke to said the demand for saffron flags has been on the rise since the 2019 Supreme Court verdict on the Ram temple issue. "However, in the last few weeks, and particularly due to the 'Pran Pratishtha' coming up at the new Ram temple, there has been a fresh surge in the demand," said Pradip Gupta, who runs a restaurant along Ram Path, a significant thoroughfare in the heart of Ayodhya.

"Saffron flags carrying images of Lord Ram and the upcoming Ram temple are particularly a big hit among the devotees," he added. Earlier, people were not hoisting such flags on the rooftops of their houses, but now they can be seen all over, particularly households, he told PTI here. Settling a fractious issue that goes back more than a century, the apex court in a historic verdict backed the construction of a Ram temple by a trust at the disputed site in Ayodhya and ruled that an alternative five-acre plot must be found for a mosque in the Hindu holy town.

Walking down Ram Path -- the 13-km redeveloped stretch from Sahadatganj in Faizabad city and Lata Mangeshkar Chowk -- one can see stocks of these high-in-demand flags displayed next to various shops and on the newly-built pedestrian walkways located on both sides of the road. The flags come in various sizes and range from Rs 50 to Rs 1,000. The demand has also surged due to the several rituals and 'shobha yatras' that began over the last few weeks, the local shopkeepers said. Ram Mandir Inauguration: PM Narendra Modi Begins 11 Days Special Anushthan Ahead of Consecration Ceremony, Expresses His Feelings Through Audio Message

On Thursday, scores of women, wearing yellow clothes with several of them carrying saffron flags, took part in a 'shobha yatra' in the heart of the city. Mukesh Kumar, a shopkeeper, who sells religious items, including saffron flags, said, "Our business has gone up ahead of the 'Pran Pratishtha'". "The quantum of sales has increased as 'yagyas' are being performed at many places in Ayodhya, and there is also demand from other places. These flags are also used during 'kathas' and 'bhagwats'. "We sell at wholesale rates and are earning around Rs 10,000-12,000 per day," he added.

Modi visited Ayodhya on December 30 and on the day of his arrival, a large number of houses, both in the main city and along the Ayodhya bypass, were seen with saffron flags on their rooftops and balconies. During his roadshow, several residents, cheering from the streetsides were also seen carrying the flags. As the consecration ceremony draws near, scores of people are rushing from nearby cities and districts to Ayodhya to have a 'darshan' of Ram Lalla, as people have been advised to celebrate the occasion at their homes, temple and religious places nearby, and visit the holy city from January 23 onwards.Raj Kum

ar Dubey from Jaunpur said he was a member of a local rural body and was very happy about the upcoming ceremony. "I am buying these flags to take them back home. We will distribute these in villages and I will do this as it is a matter of joy for me," he told PTI. Subhaya Shukla, who came from Gonda, said she bought a big-sized flag to hoist it on the rooftop of her house when she returns home. Ram temple's wooden replicas, metallic rings, lockets and other cloth items bearing Lord Ram's name and images are also flying off the shelves in Ayodhya, according to the shopkeepers.

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New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) Torrent Group has signed four MoUs to invest Rs 47,350 crore in areas of solar energy, green hydrogen, and power distribution in Gujarat, its Chairman Emeritus Sudhir Mehta said on Friday.

"In line with our strategic priorities and encouraged by our positive experience of working in Gujarat, I am pleased to share that Torrent Group has signed 4 MoUs during Vibrant Gujarat 2024, entailing a total investment of Rs 47,350 crore," Mehta said in a statement.

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The group entity Torrent Power signed four non-binding Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Gujarat government across areas of renewable generation, pump storage hydro projects, green hydrogen production and power distribution.

The first MoU comprises setting up of 3,450 MWs of solar projects and 1,045 MWs of hybrid power projects entailing a proposed investment of Rs 30,650 crore.

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Another MoU entails investment of Rs 4,500 crore in development of infrastructure of a solar park for 7,000 MW capacity in Banaskantha district, as per the statement.

The third MoU is for setting up a green hydrogen production facility with a capacity of 100 KTPA (kilo tonne per annum) entailing an investment of Rs 7,200 crore.

The fourth MoU pertains to investment of Rs 5,000 crore in Torrent Power's distribution business in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Surat, Dahej SEZ, and Mandal Becharaji SIR.

Torrent Group is one of the largest investors in Gujarat across pharmaceuticals, power generation, power distribution, and gas distribution sectors, Mehta said.

These MoUs are expected to create over 26,000 direct and indirect jobs in Gujarat, he added.

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Lucknow, Jan 12 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Police will deploy drones and over 10,000 CCTV cameras to ensure security in Ayodhya on the day of the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple.

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Anti-drone system has also been installed to take control of any unauthorised drone in the vicinity, SP Security Gaurav Vanswal said.

DG (law and order) Prashant Kumar said over 10,000 CCTV cameras have been installed in Ayodhya district. Apart from this, modern technical equipment has also been deployed to help the police force.

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With the help of this system, it will be easy to take control of any unauthorised drone, he said.

The DG said roads leading to the temple town are being sanitised and made encroachment-free. From January 17 or 18, heavy vehicles will be diverted for which traffic advisory will be issued from time to time.

Additional force has also been deployed at railway and bus stations, Kumar said, adding that there will be continuous police presence.

With the coordination of the people of Ayodhya and neighbouring districts, efforts are on to make the event a historical one, the DG said.

"The world's most advanced technology system is being installed and it will be a major part of the security arrangements in Ayodhya," SP Vanswal said.

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New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) Tata Motors on Friday said it has commenced production at its new production facility at Sanand in Gujarat.

Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd, a unit of Tata Motors, had acquired the facility from Ford India for Rs 725.7 crore in January last year.

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"We have successfully retooled the factory in the shortest span of 12 months, taking it to a new level to accommodate a wide range of existing products and future new models to come," Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility (TPEM) MD Shailesh Chandra said in a statement.

The facility will play a pivotal role in steering Tata Motors, especially TPEM, towards achieving newer feats, he added.

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"With existing capacities near saturation, this new facility will unlock an additional manufacturing capacity of 3 lakh units per annum which is scalable to 4.2 lakh units per annum," Chandra said.

The plant, which would be the company's second in Gujarat, would roll out both Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and electric models.

The plant currently has more than 1,000 employees.

Tata Motors said it will create 1,000 additional jobs in the next 3-4 months in the region, in line with the production ramp-up plans.

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EAM S Jaishankar meets the United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Katherine Tai in New Delhi on Friday (Photo/X@DrSJaishankar)

New Delhi [India], January 12 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, in a significant diplomatic encounter, expressed delight at meeting the United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Katherine Tai in Delhi on Friday.

The meeting focused on the substantial progress in bilateral trade between India and the United States in recent years.

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On social media platform X, EAM Jaishankar shared his appreciation for the positive trajectory of economic collaboration between the two nations. The post on X read, "Delighted to meet USTR @AmbassadorTai today in Delhi. Appreciate the tremendous progress in our bilateral trade in recent years."

Minister Jaishankar also expressed gratitude for Ambassador Tai's valuable insights into challenges facing the international economy. "Also value @USTradeRep's perspective on challenges to the international economy," his post added.

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United States Trade Representative Tai arrived in New Delhi to co-chair the 14th ministerial-level meetings of the United States-India Trade Policy Forum with Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal.

US Trade Representative Tai will be in New Delhi from January 12 to January 14.

On her first day of the visit, Tai will meet with Piyush Goyal, following which she will co-chair the 14th ministerial-level meetings of the United States-India Trade Policy Forum with Minister Goyal.

The United States-India Trade Policy Forum was established in 2010 and plays an important role in strengthening and expanding the bilateral economic and trade relationship. Moreover, under both ministers' leadership, the Trade Policy Forum has helped remove trade barriers and facilitate cooperation on key issues.

During this year's meeting of the Trade Policy Forum, Ambassador Tai and Minister Goyal will discuss a broad set of issues to enhance the resiliency of the trade relationship, including agriculture, industrial products, services, and the protection of intellectual property, among other topics.

Later, Ambassador Tai will meet with India's Minister of External Affairs, S Jaishankar.

On January 13, Ambassador Tai will meet with civil society representatives, business leaders, and stakeholders to discuss the Biden-Harris Administration's engagement and commitment to fostering closer ties between the two countries.

The United States-India trade relationship has continued to grow stronger and benefit both nations throughout the past year as Ambassador Tai and Minister Goyal reached several milestone agreements that deliver crucial market access for American farmers and producers and high-quality products to Indian consumers.

These included a 70 per cent reduction of the tariff on pecans and the removal of retaliatory tariffs on almonds, apples, chickpeas, lentils and walnuts, boric acid, and diagnostic reagents.

Moreover, it included commitments for additional tariff reductions on frozen turkey and frozen duck, as well as fresh, frozen, dried, and processed blueberries and cranberries.

Furthermore, the US and India have also reached agreements to resolve all seven of their outstanding World Trade Organisation disputes.

Additional details on Ambassador Tai's schedule will be provided at a later date.

India and the US are natural partners and have trade complementarities, long-standing strategic and economic relationships, and people-to-people contact, and both are vibrant democracies too.

The two nations are also collaborating under other frameworks, such as QUAD and I2U2 (India-Israel, UAE-US). Regular exchanges at the leadership level have been an integral element of the expanding bilateral engagement. (ANI)

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Streaks of Light Seen in California. (Photo Credits: Video Grab)

San Juan (Puerto Rico), Jan 12 (AP) Voters in St. Maarten have upheld the Dutch Caribbean territory's main political party, the National Alliance, in general elections.

The party of the current prime minister, Silveria Jacobs, won four of Parliament's 15 seats, according to preliminary results released on Friday.

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The United People's Party won three seats in Thursday's election. A handful of smaller parties were elected to remaining seats.

More than 120 candidates from eight parties had vied for a seat in the unicameral Parliament.

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Officials reported a 65 per cent voter turnout, with more than 22,500 people registered to vote and some 14,600 votes cast.

The territory's prime minister will be chosen and appointed by a majority in Parliament.

St. Maarten, which shares an island with the French territory of St. Martin, continues to struggle with poverty, human trafficking and a lack of affordable housing. (AP)

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Islamabad [Pakistan], January 12 (ANI): The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Thursday called for setting up a statutory national commission for the rights of minorities according to the recommendation of the 2014 Supreme Court Jillani judgement, Pakistan-based Dawn reported. The demand was raised during a national roundtable held by the HRCP.

HRCP's director Farah Zia recalled that the national commission for minorities that was established in 2020 failed to meet the demands of minorities. She stressed the need for an autonomous commission formed along the lines of the Paris Principles.

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In a statement, HRCP said that representatives from minority groups, government departments, political parties, the Ministry of Human Rights, the National Commission for Human Rights, and rights organisations have given several suggestions regarding the establishment of such a commission.

Pritam Das Rathi, from the Hindu community, said that most of the members must be from minority communities. The commission must report on the state of minorities' rights to the Pakistan Prime Minister on a quarterly basis. Meanwhile, Professor Mehar Dad from the Bahai community said that the commission's role must extend to all regions.

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Father Sarfraz Simon from the Christian community said that the curriculum of the school must be reformed to remove hate speech and showcase the role of minorities in the formation of Pakistan, according to Dawn report.

Mahmood Iftikhar from the Ahmadiyya community stressed that the commission must be inclusive of the rights of vulnerable groups like Ahmadis, who had faced numerous desecrations of their sites of worship in 2023.

Rights activist Peter Jacob said that the Jillani judgement addressed majoritarian imbalances in institutions. Jacob called on political parties to include the implementation of the Jillani judgement in their election manifestos.

JUI-F representative Aasia Nasir stated that the national commission for minorities must be people-oriented, with separate budgetary allocations and a clear mandate, Dawn reported.

Shoaib Suddle from the Suddle Commission spoke on how societal attitudes must change. Furthermore, HRCP council member Farhatullah Babar called addressing majoritarian bias necessary considering the refusal to accept the validity of such a commission.

HRCP council member Hina Jilani suggested developing a statute for a commission after a wide discussion. Jilani called for the inclusion of Ahmadi representatives in the commission to uphold their rights, Dawn reported.

HRCP's secretary-general, Harris Khalique, said that the national commission for the rights of minorities must meet internal accountability mechanisms and the Paris Principles in terms of its formation, mandate, resources and authority.

Earlier in November, Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) demanded justice for Mehwish Iram and Irfan Tariq Masih, who belonged to the Christian minority and faced religious persecution at their workplaces. According to the allegations, Mehwish was harassed and blackmailed, while Irfan was subjected to violence.

"HRFP is raising and concerned on growing incidents of discrimination, violence and harassment of minority employees at workplaces. Even in high profile jobs, like Shaukat Masih a deputy Commissioner of Jaranwala faced discrimination, he got attacked on August 16, 2023, and his house was burnt but he escaped with his family," the release stated.

HRFP cited multiple case studies and said that there are a number of examples that have faced the "biased behaviours of employers" due to their belief and religious discrimination and with personal grudges by co-workers many have been victimized.

In a statement, HRFP said, "In the cases of lower grade jobs, the mostly issues don't come to record as the employers, coworkers, and consumers keep minority workers under their pressure."

"The Christian, Hindu, Sikhs, Ahmdiyya's and other minorities have been victimized through different ways, like accusing them of blasphemy and sexual harassments; the theft allegations are the most common on minority employees at minor jobs places, HRFP cases studies revealed," it added.

The HRFP said Christian girl Mehwish Iram and Christian boy Irfan Masih are the "victims of same, theft allegations with harassments, forcefully conversions and threats as well." According to HRFP, Mehwish Iram has been alleged for theft of PKR 100000 and stealing valuables like color machine and other items from beauty salon and attached home worth PKR 200000.

In the statement, HRFP said, "In Irfan Masih case, due to religious discrimination and subjected him to violence for quitting job, on 18 May 2023 a landlord Athar Bukhari complaints police that Irfan has theft their valuables. Bukhari alleged Irfan for stealing 8 tola gold (93.6 grams) from their house and not coming more from 12 April 2023."

It said Ifran Masih got bail as non-guilty on August 25. However, it had said that the case was still in a court trials. HRFP team fact findings both cases, gathered the information and evidence said that the cases are based of their religion persecution. (ANI)

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Islamabad [Pakistan], January 12 (ANI): Pakistan's caretaker government clamped down on dissenting media, the political opposition, and nongovernmental organisations in 2023, Human Rights Watch said in its World Report 2024 on Wednesday.

Amid one of Pakistan's worst economic crises in its history, the government's failure to ensure adequate social security jeopardised Pakistanis' rights to health, food, and an adequate standard of living. Mass deportations of undocumented Afghans, including those with refugee claims, occurred without safeguards to protect them against police abuses.

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"The Pakistani government has failed to take adequate measures to assist the millions of Pakistanis who have been pushed into poverty this past year," said Elaine Pearson, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "The authorities appeared more focused on muzzling dissenting voices than protecting the rights of everyone in Pakistan."

In the 740-page World Report 2024, its 34th edition, Human Rights Watch reviews human rights practices in more than 100 countries. In her introductory essay, Executive Director Tirana Hassan says that 2023 was a consequential year not only for human rights suppression and wartime atrocities but also for selective government outrage and transactional diplomacy that carried profound costs for the rights of those not in on the deal. But she says there were also signs of hope, showing the possibility of a different path, and calls on governments to consistently uphold their human rights obligations.

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The Pakistani authorities increased pressure on media outlets for perceived criticism of the government. Journalists reported government intimidation, harassment, and surveillance. The government used laws regulating international organisations to impede the registration and functioning of humanitarian and human rights groups. On May 11, journalist Imran Riaz Khan was arrested as he was attempting to take a flight to Oman and detained arbitrarily for four months before being released without charge in September.

After protesters carried out violent attacks on military facilities on May 9, the government cracked down on members and supporters of opposition political parties. Lawyers and rights groups alleged that the authorities denied due process and fair trial rights to opposition leaders and activists who were arrested on allegations of corruption and rioting.

Some politicians and journalists were charged under Pakistan's vague and overly broad sedition law, based on colonial-era legislation, and dozens were tried in military courts in violation of international law.

In March, the Lahore High Court declared the sedition law unconstitutional, but the government appealed the decisions and the law remained in force. In August, Imaan Mazari-Hazir, a lawyer and a political activist, was charged with sedition for a speech he gave in Islamabad.

The report read, "The government failed to amend or repeal blasphemy law provisions that provide a pretext for violence against religious minorities, as well as arbitrary arrests and prosecution. In August, several hundred people attacked a Christian settlement in Faisalabad district, Punjab province, after two members of the community were accused of committing "blasphemy." The mob, armed with stones and sticks, vandalised several churches, dozens of houses, and a cemetery."

The report said that the Pakistan government used threats, abuse, and detention to coerce Afghans without legal status to return to Afghanistan or face deportation by November 1. By December, more than 327,000 Afghans had been expelled, among them tens of thousands of refugees and asylum seekers. (ANI)

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Glasgow, Jan 12 (The Conversation) If you happened to be looking at the sky in Europe on a cold night on February 5 1993, there is a chance you could have seen a dim flash of light. That flash came from a Russian space mirror experiment called Znamya-2.

Znamya-2 was a 20-metre reflective structure much like aluminium foil (Znamya means banner in Russian), unfurled from a spacecraft which had just undocked from the Russian Mir space station. Its goal was to demonstrate solar energy could be reflected from space to Earth.

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This was the first and only time that a mirror had ever been launched into space for that purpose. But, three decades on, colleagues and I believe it's time to revisit this technology.

Unlike proposals to build solar power stations in space and transmit energy down to earth, all the generation would still happen down here. Crucially, these reflectors could help solar farms generate electricity even when direct sunlight is not available, especially during evening and early morning hours when demand for clean energy is greatest. Colleagues and I call this concept orbiting solar reflectors.

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If you happened to be looking at the sky in Europe on a cold night on February 5 1993, there is a chance you could have seen a dim flash of light. That flash came from a Russian space mirror experiment called Znamya-2.

Znamya-2 was a 20-metre reflective structure much like aluminium foil (Znamya means banner in Russian), unfurled from a spacecraft which had just undocked from the Russian Mir space station. Its goal was to demonstrate solar energy could be reflected from space to Earth.

This was the first and only time that a mirror had ever been launched into space for that purpose. But, three decades on, colleagues and I believe it's time to revisit this technology.

Unlike proposals to build solar power stations in space and transmit energy down to earth, all the generation would still happen down here. Crucially, these reflectors could help solar farms generate electricity even when direct sunlight is not available, especially during evening and early morning hours when demand for clean energy is greatest. Colleagues and I call this concept orbiting solar reflectors.

Pioneering rocket scientist Hermann Oberth recognised the potential all the way back in 1929, when he envisaged reflectors in space relaying sunlight to illuminate large cities and ship routes. He predicted that these reflectors would be very large, thin and ultralightweight, and built in space by astronauts wearing diving suits.

Colleagues and I recently published a paper in which we explored the possibility of orbiting solar reflectors in the near term. We think Oberth's vision may now be achievable thanks to up-and-coming technologies such as robotic spacecraft that can manufacture and assemble structures in space. The reflectors and other materials necessary to build such large structures could be launched by modern rockets such as SpaceX's colossal Starship.

Each time a reflector passes over a solar power farm, it could angle itself to illuminate the solar farm and its immediate surroundings. Each pass would extend the day of the solar farm and hence its hours of electricity generation.

When the reflector can no longer illuminate the solar farm, it can be rotated such that it is edge-on to the Sun and no light is reflected to the ground. For this reason, we expect the potential disturbance to ground-based astronomical observations would be minimal.

Illuminate a 10km area

With the reflectors orbiting 900km above us  about twice the altitude of the International Space Station  we estimate that the illuminated area on the Earth would be approximately 10km across when at its brightest. Therefore, a system like this would not be aimed at individual rooftop solar panels but large solar power farms, typically located away from inhabited areas.

Each pass would extend energy generation by about 15 to 20 minutes around the dawn or dusk hours. This is important because those hours are when electricity demand is the highest and often exceeds the amount being generated by wind and solar, meaning coal and gas power plants are used to compensate. Reflectors may therefore help abate fossil fuel use without needing to store energy during the day.

These reflectors would be high enough to service multiple solar farms on the same orbit. Their orbits could even be used to inform where to build new solar farms in especially sunny regions.

Our proposal uses hexagonal reflectors with sides 250 metres long. Each weighs about 3 tonnes. It would currently cost a few thousand US dollars per kilogram to launch something like this into space, though costs are on a downward trend. If costs are reduced to a few hundred US dollars per kilo, then we would expect orbiting reflectors to be viable within a few years.

We expect these reflectors to operate for 20 to 30 years, though the carbon footprint of a system such as this is hard to estimate since spacecraft generally take a long time to design, build and operate. Further research will be needed to produce a full lifecycle assessment, but in the long run, we expect the reflectors would help generate enough clean energy to outweigh their carbon footprint.

No more nighttime?

Three days after the news of the Znamya-2 experiment was published in the New York Times, a reader wrote to the editor wondering whether we would give up our nights. The short answer is no.

Even at its brightest, we estimate that the illumination levels would last only a few minutes per reflector and not exceed an overcast day level. This means that, unless you are very close to the solar power farm, the illumination may not even be noticeable most of the time, especially at dawn/dusk times when the sky is already quite bright compared to nighttime.

We also estimate that the reflector itself would not be visible to the naked eye unless you are close to the solar farm. These estimations suggest that the impact of these reflectors on the natural environment around the solar power farm may also be minimal, though more research is necessary.

When the reflectors are old or no longer needed, they could sail on sunlight into less-congested higher orbits or into a lower orbit to burn up safely.

Orbiting solar reflectors are still some way off. But they represent a way to connect the space and energy sectors to help accelerate the transition towards clean energy and tackle climate change. (The Conversation)

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Dubai [UAE], January 12 (ANI/WAM): The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Sfax, Tunisia, held a meeting to discuss advancing cooperation and joint efforts to further develop the relations between the two countries' business communities.

The meeting touched on exchanging commercial delegations, holding joint events and forums, and improving coordination to encourage businessmen and companies across all sectors to participate in exhibitions in both Sharjah and Tunisia.

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Held at the SCCI headquarters, the meeting brought together Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the SCCI, and Taoufik Hachicha, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Sfax Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Member of the Board of Directors of the Arab Union for International Exhibitions Conferences. Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of the SCCI, attended the meeting.

During the discussions, the two sides explored opportunities for cooperation between the Sharjah and Tunisia business communities and means of leveraging the strong UAE-Tunisia ties to uncover lucrative prospects across the two nations' prominent economic sectors.

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The Sharjah Chamber received an invitation from the Tunisian side to participate in the 14th Mediterranean Agriculture and Agribusiness Exhibition at the Sfax International Fair. The event, which is slated to take place in mid-May in Sfax, is a leading exhibition in the agricultural and food industries.

The Tunisian side commended the SCCI for its unwavering efforts to consolidate Sharjah-Tunisia business relations, lauding its role in enhancing coordination to increase the exchange of expertise and mutual visits, and developing trade relations.

The Sharjah Chamber was also recognised for its work facilitating business operations between the two sides and encouraging them to share promising investment opportunities in industry, food, building, construction, and agriculture. (ANI/WAM)

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Taipei, January 12: With rallies and concerts attended by thousands of flag-waving supporters, Taiwanese are preparing to elect a new president and legislature on Saturday in what many see as a test of control with China, which claims the self-governing island republic as its own. The race is tight, and both China and Taiwan's key ally, the United States, are weighing in on political and economic issues they hope will sway voters.

The election pits Vice President Lai Ching-te, representing the Democratic Progressive Party known as the DPP, against Hou Yu-ih of the main opposition Nationalist Party, also known as the Kuomintang or KMT, and the former mayor of the capital city Taipei, Ko Wen-je, of the Taiwan People's Party. Candidates wrapped up their campaigns with stirring speeches, but younger voters were mostly focused on their economic futures in a challenging environment. I still don't know who to vote for. I feel that none of the candidates are good enough for me to have the urge to vote," said Iris Huang, 27, who works in online marking. Taiwan Presidential Election 2024: Amid Tensions with China, Who Are the Three Candidates Trying to Become President?.

Ko's participation in the election has stirred things up for voters accustomed to the usual choice between the KMT and DPP, said Yoshi Liao, a 40-year-old construction engineer. It's different from what we had before ... therefore, no one knows who will be elected before the results are counted, Liao said.

A young woman who commutes on one of Taiwan's ubiquitous motor scooters said that financial stability was her main priority. My salary raises. Its the only thing I care about at this moment, said the woman, who only gave her surname Liu to protect her privacy. At a news conference on the eve of the vote, Central Election Commission Chairman Lee Chin-yuan said that he would "like to emphasise once again that all processes for the voting and counting of this election are transparent, open and subject to public supervision. Taiwan General Election 2024: Taiwanese Presidential Candidate William Lai Says He is Willing to Reopen Talks with China.

China's military threats may sway some voters against independence-leaning candidates, but the US continues to pledge support for whatever government emerges, reinforced by the Biden administration's plans to send an unofficial delegation made up of former senior officials to the island shortly after the polls. That move could upset efforts to repair ties between Beijing and Washington that plunged in recent years over trade, COVID-19, Washington's support for Taiwan and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which China has refused to condemn at the United Nations.

Apart from China tensions, the Taiwan election largely hinges on domestic issues, particularly over an economy that was estimated to have only grown by 1.4 per cent last year. That partly reflects inevitable cycles in demand for computer chips and other exports from the high-tech, heavily trade-dependent manufacturing base, and a slowing of the Chinese economy.

But longer-term challenges such as housing affordability, a yawning gap between the rich and poor, and unemployment are especially prominent. Candidates will make their final appeals Friday with campaigning to end at midnight. The candidate with the most votes wins, with no runoff. The legislative races are for districts and at-large seats.

While dinner table issues gather the most attention, China remains the one subject that can be ignored but not avoided. The two sides have no official relations, but are linked by trade and investment, with an estimated 1 million Taiwanese spending at least part of the year on the mainland for work, study or recreation. Meanwhile, China has continued flying fighter planes and sailing warships near the island to put teeth behind its pledge to blockade, intimidate or invade.

Those threats were thrown into stark relief in 2022, when Beijing fired missiles over the island and conducted what was seen as a practice run of a possible future blockade of the Taiwan Strait after then US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan. Chinese President Xi Jinping, at his most recent meeting with President Joe Biden in November, called Taiwan the most sensitive issue in US-Chinese relations. Washington is bound by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself and consider all threats to the island as matters of grave concern, while remaining ambiguous on whether it would use military forces.

In recent years, the US has stepped up support for Taiwan as Beijing ratchets up military and diplomatic pressure on the island, although the wars in Ukraine and Gaza have drawn down what US military industries can provide to customers and allies. The US government insists the differences between Beijing and Taipei be resolved peacefully, and opposes any unilateral change to their status quo.

While Chinese leaders and state propaganda proclaim unification is inevitable and will be achieved at any cost, Taiwanese have consistently voted in favour of maintaining their de facto political independence. Lai is considered the front-runner in the race, but Hou trails closely. While the Nationalists formally support unification with China, they say they want to do so on their own terms, a somewhat abstract concept given the Communist Party's demand for total power, but which some consider as a useful workaround to avoid outright conflict.

Beijing has labelled Lai a Taiwan independence element, an appellation that he hasn't repudiated and which carries little or no stigma in Taiwan. Lai, however, has pledged to continue current President Tsai Ing-wen's policy that Taiwan is already independent and needs to make no declaration of independence that could spark a military attack from China.

While running third in most surveys, the TPP's Ko said during a news conference Friday that he would aim to strike a balance between Taiwan and the US that wouldn't upset relations with China. The US is the most powerful country in the world and Taiwan's most important ally, he said. So no matter who is elected, the relationship between Taiwan and the US will not change.

Ko said that he is the only acceptable candidate for both Washington and Beijing, adding that while there's nothing Taiwan could do to please both China and the US, it is important for the island to refrain from behaviour that is intolerable to either side.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
London [UK], January 12 (ANI): Nine Ministers of Parliament (MP) across various parties from the UK Parliament have expressed support for a motion addressing the human rights situation in Balochistan, as reported by the Balochistan Post.

Labour MP John McDonnell tabled the motion on December 19, 2023.

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It further appreciated the bravery of Baloch women, who are leading a march to Islamabad in protest against enforced disappearances, abductions, and killings associated with the operations of Pakistan's Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in Balochistan.

Moreover, the motion, titled "Long March in Balochistan," has received backing from various MPs.

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Additionally, co-sponsors included former UK Shadow Minister of Defence Rachael Maskell, Jim Shannon from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), Labour MPs Mary Kelly Foy and Nadia Whittome, and Alison Thewliss from the Scottish National Party (SNP), the Balochistan Post reported.

Meawhile, Chris Stephens from SNP, Apsana Begum from the Labour Party, and Independent MP Jonathan Edwards have also expressed additional support, demonstrating a bipartisan acknowledgement of the Balochistan issue.

The motion called on the UK government to express its concerns about the violation of fundamental human rights in Balochistan and the violent attacks on Baloch protesters by the Islamabad police.

The cross-party support from Labour, SNP, and DUP proves to be a crucial step in drawing global attention to the Balochistan issue.

It further signified a rising global concern over the state's reported response to the protests and the broader human rights situation in Balochistan.

Earlier today, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) said that the sit-in against the Baloch genocide continues for the 50th day and added that they have travelled from Turbat to Islamabad not only for the love of their loved ones but to put an end to "dehumanising genocidal policies of the State practised in Balochistan with brute force and violence."

In a post shared on X, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee said they need the support of people from all backgrounds and regions to unite and stand against the "mighty forces of tyranny" and send a clear message that they are ready to sacrifice everything for the basic right to live and exist. The video and pictures shared by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee showed people participating in the sit-in being held outside the National Press Club in Islamabad.

They also appealed for international support, further claiming that a government-sponsored sit-in, which includes purported members of "state-sponsored death squads," is opposing their demonstration. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kabul [Afghanistan], January 12 (ANI): US House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Michael McCaul openly criticised the Taliban, denouncing them as "terrorists" who allegedly support various terrorist groups including Al-Qaeda, Khaama Press reported.

The Khaama Press is a news agency based in Afghanistan.

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McCaul said this during a recent meeting focusing on US President Joe Biden's Afghanistan policy.

In his remarks, he drew attention to the Taliban's alleged support for various terrorist groups, including al-Qaeda.

Also Read | Taiwan General Election 2024: Island Republic Prepares to Elect a President and Legislature in Whats Seen as a Test of Control with China.

He underscored the grim deterioration of conditions for Afghan women and girls following the US withdrawal, according to Khaama Press.

The recent actions of the Taliban have drawn widespread condemnation as they have escalated their restrictions on women in Afghanistan, detaining numerous women for dress code violations.

This crackdown has further triggered significant criticism and concern globally.

Rina Amiri, the US special representative for Afghan women's affairs stressed that the US should not normalize its relations with the Taliban.

Her statement underscored the ongoing challenges and human rights issues faced by Afghan women in the wake of the Taliban's return to power, as reported by Khaama Press.

McCaul further emphasised that despite seeking removal from the terrorist list, the Taliban remain terrorists.

"The Taliban, despite seeking removal from the terrorist list, remain terrorists. Afghanistan is deteriorating daily. Contrary to what some in the administration may believe, there are no 'moderate' Taliban members," he said.

Expressing scepticism about the administration's approach to the Taliban, McCaul said, "It seems the administration thinks befriending the Taliban might influence their actions. However, the Taliban's behavior clearly shows they cannot be influenced. Today, Afghan women and girls are in a dire state, worse than at any point since the US withdrawal."

Additionally, he raised concerns over the Taliban's alleged involvement in the global arms trade, reported Khaama Press.

"The Taliban are funding, equipping, and providing safe haven to terrorist groups, including al-Qaeda. The $7 billion worth of military equipment left behind during the withdrawal is being sold by the Taliban, aiding terror groups and other American adversaries around the world," he said.

McCaul's comments highlight the ongoing concerns regarding the Taliban's activities and the challenges faced by Afghanistan post-US withdrawal. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Washington, DC [US], January 12 (ANI): US President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, pleaded not guilty on Thursday (local time) to the tax fraud charges that he faces in California for allegedly failing to pay more than a million dollars in taxes, according to CNN.

In the lawsuit launched by special counsel David Weiss, Hunter Biden made his initial appearance on Thursday in a federal courtroom in Los Angeles.

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Nine charges against Hunter Biden are linked to a tax evasion scheme that authorities claim he carried out over a number of years while leading an opulent and occasionally scandalous lifestyle, according to CNN.

They are nothing more than a political hit piece, according to Hunter Biden's lawyer.

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Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed David Weiss, the US attorney for Delaware, as special counsel in August, and he conducted a year-long investigation that led to the accusations against Hunter Biden.

The California court presiding over Hunter Biden's case moved swiftly to schedule the trial and establish the filing and hearing deadlines following Biden's not-guilty plea.

"I'm kind of keeping you on a tight schedule," federal Judge Mark Scarsi said after setting the trial in the case for June 20, 2024, and stated, "We like to move things along," according to CNN.

The prosecutor, Leo Wise, informed the court that much of the information in the case had already been turned over and that some of it would be utilised in the California case as well as the Delaware case, in which Hunter Biden is accused of three charges relating to guns

Although dates in the Delaware case have not yet been scheduled, Hunter Biden's attorney, Abbe Lowell, did not object to the dates set by the judge.

The next hearing in the California case is set for late March. Hunter Biden faces up to 17 years in prison if convicted. (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 12 (PTI) A US judge has denied a request for defence materials by Indian national Nikhil Gupta, charged by federal prosecutors in a murder-for-hire plot to kill a Khalistani separatist on American soil.

United States District Judge Victor Marrero, in an order Thursday, denied a motion filed by Gupta's attorney seeking discovery material in the case.

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Gupta, 52, was charged by federal prosecutors here in an indictment unsealed in November last year with working with an Indian government employee in the foiled plot to kill Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who holds dual US and Canadian citizenships, on American soil.

Gupta was arrested in Prague, the Czech Republic on June 30, 2023 and is being held there currently. The US government is seeking his extradition to America.

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In his order, Marrero said that the Court is persuaded by the government's argument that Gupta has no right to discovery at this time.

He cited Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 16.1, which provides that no later than 14 days after the arraignment, the attorney for the government and the defendant's attorney must confer and try to agree on a timetable and procedures for pretrial disclosure under Rule 16.

Marrero said in his order that Gupta has failed to identify any authority suggesting that a defendant has a right to discovery before arraignment.

Gupta has not yet been arraigned in this case, and the government is currently seeking Gupta's extradition from the Czech Republic to the United States, Marrero said.

He added that the government has assured the Court that it is prepared to produce discovery promptly upon the defendant's appearance in this District and arraignment on this case.

Accordingly, Gupta's motion is denied, Marrero's order said.

Gupta's counsel in New York Jeff Chabrowe had filed a Motion to Compel Production of Discovery' on January 4 in the US District Court, Southern District of New York requesting the Court to direct federal prosecutors to provide the defence materials relevant to its ability to defend the instant charges.

In its response, the US government objected to providing the defence materials and said it would provide the information only upon Gupta's appearance in a New York court and his arraignment in the case.

The government respectfully submits this letter in opposition to defendant Nikhil Gupta's motion to compel discovery during the pendency of his extradition proceedings in the Czech Republic, federal prosecutors had said in their response filed Wednesday.

They said that consistent with federal rules of criminal procedure, the government is prepared to produce discovery promptly upon the defendant's appearance in this District and arraignment on this case. Before then, however, the defendant is not entitled to discovery, and he identifies no good reason for the Court to order it.

In the government's response, US Attorney Damian Williams said that Gupta has identified no legal entitlement or justification for discovery at this time. The government stands ready to provide discovery to him, like any other criminal defendant, promptly upon his appearance and arraignment in this District. His motion to compel discovery should be denied, Williams had said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Dubai, Jan 12 (AP) US-led airstrikes on Yemen's Houthi rebels over their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea pulled the world's focus Friday back on the yearslong war raging in the Arab world's poorest nation, even as shipping across the wider Mideast remains threatened.

As the bombing lit the predawn sky over multiple sites held by the Iranian-backed rebels, Saudi Arabia quickly sought to distance itself from the attacks as it seeks to maintain a delicate detente with Iran and a cease-fire in the Yemen war from which it hopes to finally withdraw.

Also Read | US-UK Launch Airstrikes Against Houthi: Joe Biden Says Strikes on Yemen's Capital in Retaliation to Houthi Attacks in Red Sea.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy acknowledged an attack days earlier on a ship in the far reaches of the Indian Ocean  an attack that may signal Iran's willingness to strike vessels as part of a wider maritime campaign over Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Tehran on Thursday separately seized another tanker involved in an earlier crisis over America seizing oil targeted by international sanctions on the Islamic Republic's nuclear program.

Yemen has been targeted by U.S. military action over the last four American presidencies. A campaign of drone strikes began under President George W. Bush to target the local affiliate of al-Qaida, attacks that have continued under the Biden administration. Meanwhile, the U.S. has launched raids and other military operations amid the ongoing war in Yemen.

Also Read | US and UK Carry Out Airstrikes Against Iran-Backed Houthis in Yemen After Red Sea Attacks (Watch Videos).

That war began when the Houthis swept into the capital, Sanaa, in 2014. A Saudi-led coalition including the United Arab Emirates launched a war to back Yemen's exiled government in 2015, quickly morphing the conflict into a regional confrontation as Iran backed the Houthis with weapons and other support.

That war, however, has slowed as the Houthis maintain their grip on the territory they hold. The UAE even came under Houthi missile fire multiple times in 2022. After the Emirates left the war, Saudi Arabia reached a Chinese-mediated deal with Iran to ease tensions in hopes of finally withdrawing from the war.

However, an overall deal has yet to be reached, likely sparking Saudi Arabia's expression Friday of great concern over the airstrikes.

While the kingdom stresses the importance of preserving the security and stability of the Red Sea region, ... it calls for restraint and avoiding escalation, the Foreign Ministry's statement said.

There was no immediate reaction from Iran, which has supplied weapons and aid to the Houthis.

Meanwhile Friday, the U.S. Navy confirmed an attack days earlier that happened near the coasts of India and Sri Lanka. The chemical tanker Pacific Gold was struck Jan. 4 by what the Navy called an Iranian one-way attack drone, causing some damage to the vessel but no injuries.

Iran's actions are contrary to international law and threaten maritime security and stability, said Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, the head of the Navy's Mideast-based 5th Fleet.

The Pacific Gold is managed by Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping, a company is ultimately controlled by Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer. Eastern Pacific, as well as naval officials in India and Sri Lanka, had not responded to multiple requests for comment from The Associated Press over the attack. Eastern Pacific previously has been targeted in suspected Iranian attacks.

A private security official previously acknowledged to the AP that the attack took place. The attack had been first reported by the Lebanese broadcaster Al-Mayadeen, a channel politically affiliated with Hezbollah that has previously announced other Iran-linked attacks in the region. Iran itself has not acknowledged carrying out the attack. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mumbai, January 12: Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the sleek new and gleaming, India's longest sea-bridge, 'Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu' or the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, built at a cost of over Rs 18,000 crore to the nation, here on Friday. The Prime Minister also launched/dedicated several other major infra projects worth over Rs 30,000 crore, in the presence of Governor Ramesh Bais, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, plus other dignitaries. Virtually kickstarting the Bharatiya Janata Party's 2024 poll campaign, the PM launched a sharp attack on the opposition parties in the state that sends the second largest contingent of MPs to Lok Sabha -- 48.

"The inauguration of 'Atal Setu' exemplifies India's infrastructural prowess and underscores the country's trajectory towards a 'Viksit Bharat', making the government's intentions clear," said PM Modi, addressing the huge gathering. PM Narendra Modi Inaugurates Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, India's Longest Sea Bridge (Watch Video).

"Our 'neeyat, nishtha and neeti' are clear and hence our 'reeti'. Ten years ago, there was corruption worth crores and lakhs of rupees, there were mega-scams... but today, we are completing mega projects worth thousands of crores," PM Modi said, pointing fingers at the Opposition parties. After the formal inaugural, the Prime Minister took the first official ride on the MTHL in a special vehicle, and the bridge will be open to traffic from Saturday.

On the occasion, PM Modi laid the foundation stone for the 9.2 km-long tunnel between Orange Gate to Marine Drive, which will drastically slash commuting time from the eastern suburbs of Chembur to Marine Lines, where the Mumbai Coastal Road Project is proceeding at a quick pace, with the first phase (north-south) slated to open by Jan.-end. The tunnel will also ease traffic congestion in the business hubs of south Mumbai like Churchgate, Colaba, Nariman Point, and the project is slated to cost over Rs 9,000 crore. PM Modi Inaugurates Atal Setu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Opens Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Indias Longest Sea Bridge (Watch Video).

PM Modi inaugurated the Surya Regional Water Supply Project which will quench the thirst of the people in Vasai and Virar towns in Palghar. The SRWSP is expected to supply an additional 400 million litres of water daily (mld), with Vasai-Virar getting 185 mld and later, Thane towns of Mira Road-Bhayander will also get 218 mld of water.

PM Modi formally inaugurated Navi Mumbai's Belapur-Pendhar 11.10 km long metro line which has 11 stations en route, which will greatly smoothen commuter comforts and ease road traffic. The much-awaited Uran-Kharkopar railway line was inaugurated with five new stations and would result in an additional 40 suburban services, up from the current 20 services.

The project will benefit the commuters to Mumbai, business folks, students and boost tourism in the Raigad region. The PM inaugurated the Dighagaon Railway Station, which is part of the Airoli-Kalwa corridor that will prove a boon to thousands of daily commuters in the Thane and Airoli regions.

Another major project the PM inaugurated is the Goregaon-Khar sixth line on the Western Railway which will be a dedicated corridor for long-distance trains, and render the suburban section free with additional local train services on the cards, and would particularly ease the woes of people on the Andheri-Borivali-Bhayander-Virar suburban sector.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 12, 2024 09:09 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Ayodhya, January 12: Uttar Pradesh districts adjoining Ayodhya have banned their residents from travelling to the city for three days leading up to the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at the Ram temple on January 22. The districts of Basti, Gonda, Sultanpur, Barabanki, Ambedkar Nagar and Amethi have instructed the security forces deployed on their borders not to allow anyone to move towards Ayodhya. Those who are not invited, are not allowed to enter Ayodhya. We will start evacuating the outsiders from Ayodhya two to three days before the Pran Pratishtha ceremony, Inspector General of Police, Ayodhya, Pravin Kumar, said.

With the week-long rituals set to start from January 16, the Ayodhya administration has implemented a comprehensive plan encompassing advanced security and traffic management measures. The Integrated Traffic Management System (ITMS) has been aligned with public CCTV cameras across the city, ensuring vigilant surveillance. Ayodhyas yellow zone will be equipped with around Artificial Intelligence-based cameras featuring face recognition technology, seamlessly integrated with ITMS and monitored from a central control room. Dry Day in Uttar Pradesh: All Liquor Shops To Remain Closed in UP on January 22 During Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha Ceremony in Ayodhya

This move aims to enhance overall monitoring and security in key areas. Around 10,000 CCTV cameras have been installed at different strategic locations in Ayodhya in view of the much-anticipated ceremony, said Uttar Pradesh Police Director General (DG) (law and order) Prashant Kumar. He said the final security plan, force deployment and traffic diversions will be finalised in the next two days after getting the final programme of the Prime Ministers visit on January 22. Ram Temple Consecration: Confectioners From Varanasi, Gujarat in Ayodhya To Make 45 Tonnes of Laddus With Pure Desi Ghee for Pran Pratishtha Ceremony (Watch Video)

Traffic diversions for heavy vehicles will be enforced for January 17 or 18 after analysing the requirement. Heavy vehicles will be diverted to other routes from Lucknow, Kanpur and other districts to avert traffic congestion in Ayodhya, he emphasised. He said the police officials concerned are visiting and camping in Ayodhya to give final shape to the security and traffic arrangements. He said extra police personnel have already been provided to GRP for enhanced security at the Ayodhya Dham railway station and trains approaching Ayodhya from different places.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 12, 2024 09:20 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Moscow, January 12: Russia's domestic security agency said on Friday that it has arrested a Russian citizen for allegedly providing information to Poland about Moscow's defense industry production. In a statement, the Federal Security Service or FSB, said the person arrested is an employee of a high-security enterprise in the Penza region about 600 kilometers (370 miles) southeast of Moscow.

The suspect had provided information to Poland's special services about the company's defense orders in exchange for assistance in obtaining permanent residence abroad, according to the statement. Vladimir Putin Urges Traditionally Male Professions To Employ More Women, Says 'Girls Represent a Huge Reserve for Russia'.

The FSB said a criminal case has been opened on charges that could bring up to eight years in prison if convicted. There was no immediate comment from Poland about the claim.

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Karimnagar, January 12: An unusual crowd is expected at Telanganas Karimnagar bus depot at 3 pm on Friday, as a public auction for a fighter cock is set to take place. The rooster, an Aseel breed known for its fight-to-the-finish trait, was found abandoned on a bus and has been cared for by the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) staff for the past 72 hours.

The auction comes ahead of the Sankranti season, a time known for cockfight contests in Andhra Pradesh, where these birds can sell for lakhs of rupees. The TSRTC, while unsure of such a premium offer, is hoping for a decent return on investment, reported TOI. Makar Sankranti 2024: HSI-India Urges Citizens to Report Illegal Cockfighting Events Ahead of Festival.

The Aseel breed, originally from Thailand, the Philippines, and Peru, has become a local favorite in recent times due to its fighting spirit and stamina. A good quality Aseel with pure lineage can cost up to 4 lakh, with some farms in Hyderabad selling trained birds for about 30,000. Cockfight Breeders Resort to Performance-Enhancing Drugs, Administer Viagra and Shilajit to Boost Roosters Ahead of Sankranti Festival.

The rooster will go under the hammer as per the lost and found protocol of RTC, which stipulates fixed timelines for auctioning found goods. Perishables are kept for 48 hours, non-perishables for 45 days, and in this case, the living being was kept for 72 hours.

Interested bidders are asked to assemble at the B R Ambedkar bus depot at 3 pm sharp. While no base price has been fixed, officials anticipate the bird will fetch at least 10,000.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 12, 2024 11:08 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Guam-based telco Docomo Pacific has deployed fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) solutions from Harmonic to deliver 10G broadband services to its customers.

According to a statement from Harmonic on Tuesday, Docomo Pacific deployed Harmonics cOS virtualized broadband core, Wharf switch and Fin optical line terminals (OLTs) to bring fibre broadband connectivity to more than 10,000 residents across Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Rolling out FTTP allows us to address electrical power volatility and grounding challenges, reduce operating costs and ensure a reliable, always-on ultra high-speed broadband service for subscribers, said Mike Smith, executive VP of network operations at Docomo Pacific.

Smith added that Harmonics virtualised approach to FTTP enabled the telco to roll out 10G fibre quickly. In less than five weeks, Harmonic successfully designed, architected, delivered and deployed a fibre-to-the-home solution.

Harmonic says its virtualised FTTP solution reduces costs by simplifying the deployment of OLT shelves in outdoor cabinets and remote OLT devices in outdoor nodes. It also minimizes new construction, permitting and building constraints, the vendor added.

Meanwhile, Harmonic said its cOS Central provides real-time insights into network health and AI-based actionable recommendations to ensure reliability and reduce truck rolls.

The rollout will make Docomo Pacific the fastest broadband provider in Guam. According to Guam Office of Infrastructure Planning and Development, Hawaiian Telecom currently is the only ISP offering 1-Gbps connectivity. Up to now, Docomo Pacifics fastest broadband offering is 120 Mbps.

In September last year, the Office of the Governor of Guam released its Five-Year Action Plan to develop the islands broadband internet infrastructure and close the digital divide. The plan, which includes free island-wide wireless internet access, middle-mile architecture and workforce development, is backed by by a $156 million fund from the US Department of Commerce.

The Commonwealth of Northern Marianas (CNMI) Broadband Policy and Development (BPD) Office also plans to develop free broadband services under its own five-year action plan, which is expected to be finalised by May this year.
The much-anticipated inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, scheduled for January 22, is set to be a historic event with the installation of the Ram Lalla idol in the sanctum-sanctorum, known as 'Pran Pratishtha.' Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to attend the ceremony, underscoring the significance of this cultural and religious milestone. In an effort to uphold the sanctity of the occasion, several states across the country have declared "dry days" on January 22, aligning with the principles of promoting sobriety and reverence during cultural events. Ram Mandir Inauguration Full Schedule: From Ram Lalla's Idol Installation to Pran Pratishtha Ceremony, Everything To Know About the Historic Milestone in Ayodhya.

Uttar Pradesh

The Uttar Pradesh government, headed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has issued directives to observe a dry day. Emphasizing the magnitude of the day as a "national festival," Chief Minister Adityanath directed the statewide ban on liquor sales on the day of 'Pran Pratishtha.' Furthermore, January 22 has been declared a holiday for all educational institutions in the state, allowing citizens to fully participate in the celebrations.

Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh, recently won by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in elections, took the lead in declaring January 22 as a dry day. Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai announced the decision last week, underscoring the state's commitment to observing the cultural significance of the Ram Mandir inauguration.

Assam

Following a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam declared January 22 as a dry day to commemorate the Ram temple's inauguration. Tourism Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah made the announcement during a press conference, reflecting the state's commitment to respecting and celebrating this momentous occasion.

Jaipur, Rajasthan

Under the BJP's governance following the recent assembly election results, Rajasthan has not enforced a comprehensive ban. Nevertheless, it has been decided that meat shops within Jaipur's Municipal Corporation (JMC) Heritage area will remain closed on January 22. While BJP leader Gopal Sharma has urged the closure of liquor shops within the JMC's boundaries, Mayor Munesh Gujjar rejected the proposal citing technical grounds. The JMC limits encompass areas such as Amer, Hawa Mahal, Civil Lines, Kishanpole, and Adarsh Nagar.

Maharashtra

Governed by a coalition comprising the BJP, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena faction, and Ajit Pawar's NCP group, Maharashtra has not declared a dry day on January 22, considering Mumbai's cosmopolitan nature and the substantial revenue it generates.

However, BJP leaders are advocating for a ban on the sale of alcohol and meat throughout the entire state on January 22. BJP MLA Ram Kadam has written to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, requesting a temporary prohibition on alcohol and meat sales on the day of the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony.

The grand inauguration of the Ram Temple will not be confined to Ayodhya alone. The event will be broadcast live from New York's iconic Times Square, symbolizing the global importance of this cultural milestone. Additionally, the ceremony will be live-streamed at thousands of temples and booths across India, as well as at various Indian embassies and consulates worldwide.

As the nation eagerly awaits the inauguration of the Ram Mandir, the declaration of "dry days" by various states underscores the collective effort to maintain the sanctity and reverence of this historic event. The widespread observance of sobriety on January 22 reflects a commitment to cultural and religious values, ensuring a respectful and memorable celebration of the installation of the Ram Lalla idol in Ayodhya.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 12, 2024 11:36 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Peru, January 12: This week, Thaina Fields, a famous figure in Peruvian adult films, was discovered dead at home, only months after she came forth with claims of abuse inside the porn business. Fields, 24, was one of Peru's most well-known adult film actors. Fields' death was verified by another adult content creator in an interview with La Republica. Alejandra Sweet, a close friend of Fields', told the site, "I can't give any more details because I'm saddened by the news."

Sweet also urged her Instagram fans to remember Fields in a positive light in a touching letter that she posted. Porn Star Dahlia Sky Dies by Suicide, Found Dead in Her Car in Los Angeles.

"Guys, I will only tell you to pray for her the people who truly appreciated her and not only saw her out of pure morbidity. From where she is, I am sure she is a little angel", she wrote in her post during a Q&A session. The tragic event transpired many months subsequent to Fields disclosing to the public the "very strong" sexual harassment she experienced in the adult film business.

One of the production firms Fields worked with, Milky Peru, also expressed their sympathies. "We can't believe this, we refuse to be without you, we would like to see you one more time. We hope someone wakes us up from this bad dream, you will always be in our hearts. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your life", the company wrote in a post on its official social media handle.

She had revealed, eight months prior, using her true first name, Abigail, that "I have suffered sexual harassment and abuse after starting to create adult content." Porn Star Jessica Jaymes Found Dead At Her Home in California.

Many first believed that they could use me anyway they pleased after hiring me, but once I got home, I sobbed and took a bath. I experienced that several times. "It is very difficult to be a woman and create adult content when society is literally in s**t", Fields described the harsh situation she faced.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 12, 2024 11:56 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Chennai, January 12: The school education department of Tamil Nadu has partnered with Microsoft to expand the Technology Education and Learning Support (TEALS) in the state.

The project which was on a pilot basis in the state in 14 schools across three districts will now be expanded to 100 schools. Teachers have been trained to teach students HTML, C++, Python, game development and Artificial Intelligence. Micron Technology President and CEO Sanjay Mehrotra Meets Telangana CM A. Revanth Reddy, Discusses Investment Prospects in State.

The initiative is launched for the first time in India and will benefit students from Class 8 to 12. Tamil Nadu school teachers who have been undergoing training since the beginning of the present academic year have now started teaching students about TEALS module. Google To Discontinue Websites Made With Google Business Profiles in March 2024; Check Details Here.

Microsoft is providing training to teachers and has been monitoring the progress. Cecil M.Sundar, Director Data and AI of Microsoft said that there would be huge demand for AI based jobs in next 5-10 years and students equipped with these skills will be able to get more job opportunities.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 12, 2024 10:05 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Cupertino, January 11: Apple has announced to appoint Dr Wanda Austin, former president and CEO of The Aerospace Corporation, on its board of directors. Al Gore, who has served since 2003, and James Bell, who joined in 2015, will both retire from Apples board this year. Dr Austin brings decades of science and technology experience to her role, and has a significant track record of advancing innovation and shaping corporate strategy.

Austin has spent decades advancing technology on behalf of humanity, and were thrilled to welcome her to Apples board of directors, said Apple CEO Tim Cook. Shes an extraordinary leader, and her invaluable experience and expertise will support our mission of leaving the world better than we found it, he added. Apple Vision Pro Apps: Apple Asks Developers To Refer 'Spatial Computing Apps' for visionOS Apps in Latest Xcode Update and Not to Use AR, VR, XR and MR Terminology.

As president and CEO of The Aerospace Corporation, Dr Austin led an organisation dedicated to supporting the U.S. space programme and expanding opportunities for future exploration. She was the first woman and the first African American to hold the position. iPhone Made in India: Apple Exported 'India-Made' iPhones Worth Rs 65,000 Crore in 2023, Says Report.

Like Apple, Ive always believed in the power of innovation to improve lives, support human potential, and shape a better future, said Dr Austin. Im honoured to join Apples board of directors, and I look forward to being part of a company thats always creating new ways to empower people all over the world.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 12, 2024 12:34 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Hunter Biden has now appeared for his tax crimes charges brought by Special Counsel David Weiss's investigation, and he pleaded "not guilty" to all nine federal charges that the prosecutor has laid out against him.

The trial is slated to begin proceedings on June 20, with Judge Mark Scarsi presiding over the case. It stems from an alleged "four-year scheme" when the presidential son allegedly did not pay his federal income taxes from January 2017 to October 2020 while also filing false tax reports, according to Fox News.

Hunter Biden was charged with three felonies and six misdemeanors, all of which concern roughly $1.4 million in taxes owed to the government, which the Biden son has since paid.

As the indictment showed, the younger Biden is alleged to have "engaged in a four-year scheme to not pay at least $1.4 million in self-assessed federal taxes he owed for tax years 2016 through 2019, from in or about January 2017 through in or about October 15, 2020, and to evade the assessment of taxes for tax year 2018 when he filed false returns in or about February 2020."

Special Counsel Weiss accused the younger Biden of subverting "the payroll and tax withholding process of his own company, Owasco, PC by withdrawing millions" from the company "outside of the payroll and tax withholding process that it was designed to perform" in "furtherance of that scheme."

Hunter Biden Faces 17 Years in Prison Over Tax Charges

The felony charges that Hunter Biden is facing are two counts of Filing False or Fraudulent Returns and one count of Evasion of Assessment. He also faces misdemeanors in two counts of Failing to File Taxes and four counts of Failing To Pay Taxes.

READ MORE: Donald Trump Attorneys Continue To Get Slammed by Legal Experts After Disastrous Immunity Hearing

Overall, this means that the presidential son could face up to 17 years in prison, according to NBC News, which pointed out that the "Not Guilty" plea came after a plea deal for the Delaware businessman fell apart last summer.

Florida Rep. Jared Moskowitz Points Out Republican Hypocrisy Over Hunter Biden Case

Meanwhile, as Republicans were shocked when Hunter Biden finally showed up in Congress, Florida Democrat Rep. Jared Moskowitz pointed out the hypocrisy of his GOP colleagues in a scathing presentation.

Republicans were blasting Hunter Biden for not testifying in a closed-door deposition, but the Florida congressman pointed out that the presidential son has always stated that he was willing to testify but in public so the Republicans would not twist his words for their own political gains as what they are doing right now.

"The only folks that are afraid to hear from the witness with the American people watching are my friends on the other side of the aisle," said the Democrat. "Let's take a vote. Who wants to hear from Hunter Biden, right now, today? Anyone? C'mon, who wants to hear from Hunter? No one!"

As the hearing to hold Hunter Biden in contempt of Congress for not complying with his subpoena went on, Moskowitz also presented a list of prominent Republicans who did not comply with subpoenas themselves but got away with it, including Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, who was one of the people leading the investigation. Jordan was subpoenaed by the January 6 Committee over his alleged involvement in the plot, but like Hunter Biden, he also did not comply. However, unlike Hunter Biden, he never faced consequences.

READ MORE: Joe Biden Impeachment Inquiry: Jim Jordan Admits Strongest Evidence Vs. POTUS Was Previously Debunked

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Hunter Biden faces up to 17 years in prison if convicted - NBC News
The political unrest in Guatemala continued after the former Interior Minister, who refused to use violence against protesters, was arrested for allegedly not carrying out his duties and instead chose to go into dialogue with them soon after protests erupted as anti-corruption crusader Bernardo Arevalo was being harassed by the government after he won the presidential election last year.

The former minister, Napoleon Barrientos, resigned from his position last October rather than comply with the court's orders to use force against the pro-democracy protesters. He was arrested in his home, with police leading him out with handcuffs while wearing a bulletproof vest.

According to the Associated Press, as he was being led out by police, Barrientos told reporters that he did not know why he was being arrested. However, the Guatemala Attorney General's Office stated that he was arrested because he did not comply with a court order to maintain public order.

Instead of complying with the order, Barrientos tried to engage the protesters through dialogue. This did not make the Guatemala AG happy and ordered him to be fired as Interior Minister. However, before he could be fired, he resigned.

Soon after Arevalo won the presidency, a litany of investigations were launched by the Guatemala AG against him and the country's electoral tribunal, including raiding the headquarters of the election body and confiscating ballot boxes to the protest of the judges overseeing the election. The investigations were ordered by Attorney General Consuelo Porras, who is under a US corruption watchlist.

Shortly after, Arevalo, the election body, and Arevalo's party, the Seed Movement, faced various investigations. Protesters started demanding Porras to resign from her post, which she refused, only intensifying the investigations even further.

The actions of Porras against the president-elect, his party, the electoral body, and protesters have been widely condemned by rights groups, international observers, and other countries, including the United States and the EU, as well as other Latin American and Caribbean countries and the Organization of American States (OAS).

READ MORE: Guatemala: Costa Rica President Throws Support for President-Elect Bernardo Arevalo While US Sanctions Guatemalan Officials

President-Elect Bernardo Arevalo Announces Cabinet Ahead of Swearing-In Ceremony

Despite the Guatemala AG's actions, she might not be able to stop Bernardo Arevalo from taking office. With his imminent swearing-in ceremony scheduled for later this month, Arevalo has already announced who his new cabinet members will be.

The Associated Press noted that his picks include an even number of female and male Cabinet members for the first time in Guatemala's history, with Arevalo claiming that his picks were honorable people and he promised to create an "autonomous anti-corruption commission to analyze his administration's work."

His picks include a few people who are not members of his Seed Movement party, including diplomat Carlos Ramiro Martinez. However, he also has a controversial pick in Francisco Jimenez Irungaray as his interior minister, as he was cited by a United Nations anti-corruption mission for alleged involvement in the improper awarding of a government contract.

OAS Announces Representative for Guatemala President-Elect Bernardo Arevalo Inauguration

Meanwhile, as Arevalo readies himself and his new cabinet to take office, the OAS has announced they will be sending a representative to Guatemala for the new president's inauguration.

According to the St. Kitts and Nevis Observer, the organization is sending a contingent of five ambassadors to Guatemala. It will be led by Antigua and Barbuda's Ambassador, Sir Ronald Sanders. Ambassadors from Brazil, El Salvador, Mexico, and the United States will also be involved.

READ MORE: Guatemala Elections: Observers Say Political Parties and Justice System Interfered

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH :'Primavera Democratica': A Conversation with President-Elect Bernardo Arevalo of Guatemala - Woodrow Wilson Center
Costa Rica is home to many exiled Nicaraguans, from opposition members to journalists to priests affected by dictator Daniel Ortega's crackdown against all forms of dissent. One of those opposition members was just wounded in a violent attack in Costa Rica last Wednesday.

The Judicial Investigation Department of Costa Rica revealed that 34-year-old Joao Maldonado was shot seven times and is in serious condition. The Nicaraguan political exile was reportedly shot by two attackers aboard a motorcycle while he was driving with his partner near Costa Rica University.

Costa Rican authorities are currently investigating the attack and have declined to comment on the possible motive, as Maldonado is living in the country after fleeing political persecution in his home country. Investigators did reveal that they found bullet fragments from the victim's vehicle, and these have already been sent for forensic analysis.

A person close to Maldonado spoke with the Associated Press and told the outlet on the request of anonymity for safety reasons that the Nicaraguan opposition member and his partner, who is also Nicaraguan, are still in the hospital, with Maldonado currently in a serious condition.

Joao Maldonado has been in exile in Costa Rica since 2018, fleeing to the Central American country after Daniel Ortega began his violent repression of protesters. This is actually the second attempt on his life, with the first one happening in 2021 just months after his father, Tomas Maldonado, died inside a Nicaraguan prison, He was a retired military officer and a critic of Ortega.

Nicaragua Government Expels Arrested Priests Amid Crackdown Vs. Catholic Church

President Daniel Ortega is not just going after protesters and political opponents, as well as the current Miss Universe, but also the Roman Catholic Church, which has frequently criticized Ortega for his heavy-handed and often deadly methods.

READ MORE: Nicaragua Explainer: Why is the Daniel Ortega Government Feuding With Miss Universe Sheynnis Palacios?

The row with the Roman Catholic Church has even gotten Pope Francis himself involved, recently blasting Ortega for his gross dictatorship as the government continued to arbitrarily jail priests and expel missionaries. Now, the government is expelling the priests they have been arresting, according to Forbes.

Ortega reportedly "ordered the arrest of, forced into exile, and verbally attacked priests and bishops, labeled them 'criminals' and 'coup-plotters,' and accused them of inciting violence."

Roman Catholic Organizations Urge Prayers for Nicaragua

As Daniel Ortega intensifies his crackdown against priests in Nicaragua, the Pontifical Mission Societies and Aid to the Church in Need are urging Christians to pray for peace in Nicaragua.

According to The Catholic Weekly, the two organizations have already scheduled a novena for the Immaculate Conception of Mary on January 14. This is a response to a similar call made by Pope Francis during New Year's Day.

"This initiative aims to gather Catholics throughout the country in prayer, echoing the Holy Father's concern for the Nicaraguan people and the challenges they face," the two organizations said in a joint statement. "In heeding Pope Francis' call, we are not just praying for Nicaragua; we are standing in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in their time of need."

READ NEXT: Daniel Ortega Net Worth

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Nuns Expelled From Nicaragua For Speaking Out Against Government - NBC News
In a significant development, a grand jury in Ohio has decided not to charge Brittany Watts, a 34-year-old woman from Warren, over her handling of a home miscarriage, AP reports.

The Trumbull County prosecutor's office revealed on Thursday that grand jurors declined to return an indictment for abuse of a corpse against Watts.

This case garnered national attention due to its implications for pregnant women, especially as states grapple with new laws following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

The decision was announced just hours before a planned rally in support of the Ohio woman, Brittany Watts, took place on Warren's Courthouse Square, where approximately 150 supporters gathered under the banner of "We Stand With Brittany!"

Watts, visibly moved by the outcome, expressed her gratitude to the community. "I want to thank my community - Warren. Warren, Ohio. I was born here. I was raised here. I graduated high school here, and I'm going to continue to stay here because I have to continue to fight," she stated during the event.

The Ohio woman's lawyer, Traci Timko, acknowledged the overwhelming support Watts received from the public, including emails, letters, calls, donations, and prayers.

Timko emphasized the harsh reality of miscarriage.

"While the last three months have been agonizing, we are incredibly grateful and relieved that justice was handed down by the grand jury today," Timko said.

A municipal judge has determined probable cause to proceed with Watts' case.

City prosecutors asserted that Watts experienced a miscarriage, which led her to take actions that ultimately resulted in a blockage of the toilet.

Allegedly, she removed some of the toilet's contents and disposed of them in an outdoor trash area. Disturbingly, the 22-week-old fetus was reportedly left lodged in the plumbing of the house.

READ NEXT: Bodycam Footage Shows Ohio Walmart Shooting Suspect's Lifeless Body

Ohio Woman's Arrest

Brittany Watts was arrested in October and pleaded not guilty to the charge of abusing a corpse, according to ABC News.

The Trumbull County Coroner's Office revealed that Watts' water broke when she was 21 weeks and five days pregnant in September.

Despite a fetal heartbeat being present, her doctors recommended induction to prevent a life-threatening infection, given Ohio's abortion laws at the time.

Watts left the hospital against medical advice, returning the next day but leaving again.

Two days later, she delivered the fetus at home and later informed authorities that she thought she had placed the fetal remains in a black bucket after removing them from the toilet.

The coroner's report reveals that the fetal remains were discovered wedged inside the toilet bowl.

In an effort to preserve potential evidence, authorities opted to remove the bottom portion of the toilet. This section was then transported to the local morgue for a more thorough and detailed investigation.

A subsequent autopsy confirmed a spontaneous miscarriage, with no illicit drugs detected.

Prosecutor's Statement

Dennis Watkins, the Trumbull County Prosecutor, clarified that the charges against the Ohio woman were initially filed by the Warren Police Department based on advice from the Warren City Prosecutor's Office, per IdeaStream Public Media.

He expressed disagreement with the lower court's application of the law, emphasizing that, after careful evaluation, they believe Watts did not violate the Ohio Criminal Statue of Abuse of a Corpse.

Watkins addressed the criticism his office faced.

"This office took some criticism and vicious personal attacks by the few who didn't understand that a reasonable amount of time was needed to do our duties," Watkins said.

He defended the need for due process and emphasized that both sides are entitled to be heard with civility and mutual respect.

READ MORE: California Avalanche Kills 1

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Trumbull County grand jury declines charges in miscarriage case in national spotlight - From WKBN27
Tobys Cup has officially been signed to a new owner.

Max Spann Real Estate and Auction Company, based in Annandale, confirmed on Thursday that the property at 857 Memorial Parkway (Route 22) in Lopatcong Township was sold for $500,000 to Ralph Epstein, who also owns the highly regarded Windmill Hot Dogs at the Jersey Shore.

Epstein also now owns the home at 105 S. First St. in Lopatcong, located on the lot, as well.

Spann said Epstein plans to revitalize the iconic Route 22 hot dog shack, which shuttered in August 2022. Epstein did not respond to requests for a comment on the purchase.

Whatever becomes of Tobys Cup, Spann said hes confident the property has been passed into stable hands. Theyre quality people, just good, good people, he said.

Windmill Hot Dogs is already an iconic landmark in its own right. The hot dog shop first opened at 583 Ocean Blvd. in Long Branch in 1963 and is best known for its award winning jumbo hot dogs and Windmill cheese fries.

The restaurants menu features at least four specialty hot dogs and five specialty burgers. Both are fully customizable. An assortment of chicken sandwiches, fish sandwiches and veggie burgers, onion rings and milkshakes are also available. Prices start around $5 for the most popular items, the website states.

Other locations are in Asbury Park/ Ocean Grove, Belmar, North Long Branch and Red Bank, each serving Bigger Better happiness one bite at a time, according to the restaurants website.

Tobys Cup represents Epsteins first foray into the northwest part of the state.

Spann said seven bidders actually stepped forward to buy the property when it was listed for auction. It was an immense amount of interest  That stretch along Rt. 22 is really transforming, he said.

Maxx Spann Real Estate and Auction Company is also overseeing the auction of another Phillipsburg site. Muller Powersports and Certified Cars at 630 Memorial Parkway is undergoing auction through March, according to the auctioneers website.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Glenn Epps can be reached at gepps@lehighvalleylive.com or glenn_epps_on Twitter.
The SAVE plan is set to begin in February 2024 and will come as a relief to many student loan borrowers. The White House announced today that the plan is set to begin five months early, with borrowers seeing relief starting next month.

President Biden announced back in October 2023 that $9 billion in student debt would be canceled for 125,000 borrowers.

The October development came after the Biden administration deployed a number of adjustments to existing programs, including income-driven repayment plans and Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

RELATED: Student loan forgiveness update: How borrowers can appeal for forgiveness

The SAVE plan taking effect early is set to help those eligible to see their remaining balance completely wiped out. It originally was set to take place starting July 1, 2024, but is now set to begin next month.

This action will particularly help community college borrowers, low-income borrowers, and those struggling to repay their loans, Biden said in a statement. And, its part of our ongoing efforts to act as quickly as possible to give more borrowers breathing room so they can get out from under the burden of student loan debt, move on with their lives and pursue their dreams.

In order to be eligible for forgiveness, youll need to be:

Enrolled in the SAVE student loan repayment plan Have taken out less than $12,000 in student loans Have been in repayment for 10 years

According to the latest statement from the office of the President, over 6.9 million borrowers are now enrolled in the SAVE plan.

If you borrowed over $12,000 in student loans, you are not completely ineligible for the plan. According to the statement, For every $1,000 borrowed above $12,000, a borrower can receive forgiveness after an additional year of payments. That means a borrower who originally borrowed less than $21,000 will be eligible for forgiveness faster than the 20-year timeline for undergraduate borrowers on SAVE.

This plan was created after the Supreme Court struck down President Bidens student relief plan in June 2023, which was originally intended to be a one-time student loan forgiveness program aimed at delivering up to $20,000 of relief to millions of borrowers.

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Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at krodriguez@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips.
In the winter muck, everyone can feel a little crummy. Colds, flus, whatever bug is going around  it can feel constant. But as the saying goes, laughter is the best medicine, so consider this your prescription.

Last week, we doled out the 24 most-anticipated concerts of the new year. There are too many events to make one list, so we siphoned out things like comedy or stage shows. But to start 2024, theres just too many good opportunities to see some of the best touring comics right here in the Lehigh Valley.

From show business icons to hilarious political punditry, there are plenty of comedy tours stopping at various Lehigh Valley venues this year. The State Theatre, SteelStacks, Wind Creek Event Center and the Sherman Theater all have multiple acts swinging through thatll have your sides hurting the next day. So, get out your calendar  here are the 16 most-anticipated stand-up shows to start 2024:

Tim Dillon

8 p.m., Jan. 12, Wind Creek Event Center

Tickets start at $39.50

Dillon has cemented himself as a popular comedian with Netflix and Comedy Central specials, as well as a popular podcaster as host of his eponymous show and as a regular guest on shows like The Joe Rogan Experience.

Tracy Morgan (Courtesy/SIUH)Staten Island Advance

Tracy Morgan

8 p.m., Feb. 2, Musikfest Cafe

Tickets start at $44

One of the most beloved comics in modern history, Morgan rose to prominence on the small screen with Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock as he became one of the most quotable actors on television. That provided more than enough of a base to take off with his stand-up career, which includes his hit specials, 2010s Black & Blue and 2014s Bona Fide.

Marina Franklin

8 p.m., Feb. 10, Fowler Blast Furnace Room

Tickets are $23

A Chicago native, Franklin is a regular face in the New York comedy circuit. Her 2019 special, Single Black Female, is streaming on Amazon Prime.

Josh Blue

8 p.m., Feb. 23, Musikfest Cafe

Tickets start at $36

Blue launched his career on NBCs competition show Last Comic Standing in 2006, and the Denver-based comic has churned out four specials and two albums since then. Much of his material comes from his everyday experience with cerebral palsy, so just remember that its OK to laugh at his self-deprecating humor.

Myq Kaplan

7:30 p.m., March 2, Fowler Blast Furnace Room

Tickets are $20

Kaplan has made the late-night show rounds, so he may be a familiar face, but those sets are often a fraction of a comics material. In addition to specials on Amazon and Comedy Central, he released a new special with Dry Bar Comedy in 2023 called Live From The Universe.

Drew Lynch

8 p.m., March 2, Sherman Theater

Tickets start at $35

Lynch got his start on Americas Got Talent, coming in second place, and has since released two specials, including 2023s And These Are Jokes.

Funny Women of a Certain Age

7:30 p.m., March 16, State Theatre

Tickets start at $29

Carole Montgomery started FWOACA to keep older womens voices going in a comedy scene that typically pushed them out. The show found its audience, becoming a huge success and a platform for veteran comics like Fran Drescher and Caroline Rhea. The comedy group became such a hit, it garnered its own Showtime special in 2019.

Dulce Sloan arrives at the 2nd annual Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Dulce Sloan

8 p.m., March 23, Emmaus Theatre

Tickets start at $25

The riotously funny Sloan is probably best known as a correspondent on Comedy Centrals The Daily Show. Its a job thats launched plenty of careers, and Sloan  with a half-hour special and a host of hosting gigs to her name  is in line to be next.

Eric DAlessandro

8 p.m., March 23, Sherman Theater

Tickets start at $28

DAlessandro made a name for himself on YouTube, producing sketches and celebrity impression videos. His knack for performance makes his solo stand-up shows feel like a whole cast of characters.

Ryan Hamilton

8 p.m., April 12, Sherman Theater

Tickets start at $32.50

A New York comedy scene veteran, Hamilton has also probably been on a screen in front of you at some point. In addition to his popular Netflix special, Happy Face, hes also been a regular on the late night circuit.

Daniel Sloss

7:30 p.m., April 16, Musikfest Cafe

Tickets start at $49.50

Sloss is one of comedys brightest stars, with smash hit tours  HUBRiS and X  smash hit specials  DARK and Jigsaw  and even a hit book  Everyone You Hate is Going to Die. This tour, titled Cant is sure to fall in line.

Jimmy Dore

8 p.m., April 19, Sherman Theater

Tickets start at $35

Dore is a beloved comic, in part because hes funny, but mostly because hes funny while being incredibly incisive. The longtime comic is a savage critic of the political machine and its various offshoots, so much so that hes blurred the line between political comedian and comical political commenter.

(Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Joe Pera

7 p.m., May 1 and 2, Musikfest Cafe

Tickets start at $35

Joe Pera is so funny because hes not funny. Well, thats not entirely true, because Peras mumble-core anti-comedy is extremely clever in its plainness. Pera, whos embarking on The PERAs Tour, has honed his humdrum, average-Joe persona so precisely, its hard to tell where the man ends and the comedy begins.

Brad Williams

8 p.m., May 2, Sherman Theater

Tickets start at $30

Williams bio opens by claiming hes pound-for-pound the funniest comedian in the world. Thats not an outlandish claim when considering that plenty of Williams comedy centers on the fact that he was born with achondroplasia, a type of dwarfism. It even inspired the name of his first comedy special, 2015s Fun Size.

Steve Martin & Martin Short

8 p.m., May 17, Wind Creek Event Center

Tickets start at $79.50

What else can be said about two of show business biggest stars? The multi-hyphenates have crafted the perfect partnership ever since meeting on the set of The Three Amigos in 1986. Theyve called this tour The Dukes of Funnytown  if there were a Funnytown, theyd certainly be the Dukes of it.

Vic DiBitteto

8 p.m., June 1, State Theatre

Tickets start at $42

DiBitteto, a Brooklyn native, has been doing stand-up comedy since 1981, but really rose to prominence in 2013 with his hilarious YouTube video Bread and Milk, filmed in reaction to an impending snowstorm. Since then, DiBitteto has been a regular touring comic, snowstorms be damned.

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Connor Lagore may be reached at clagore@njadvancemedia.com.
Several school districts in Lehigh County announced early dismissals Friday.

President Joe Biden on Friday is scheduled to visit the Lehigh Valley to discuss Bidenomics and his Investing in America agenda, the White House said earlier this week.

Complete details of his visit have not been announced. His arrival from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. at Lehigh Valley International Airport, to be followed by visits starting at 1:50 p.m. with several small businesses in the Allentown area, according to the White House.

Citing unforeseen circumstances that will impact our local area, the East Penn School District in the Emmaus area said Thursday that students will be dismissed early on Friday. The Emmaus High School and Middle School students are dismissing at 10:30 a.m,, followed by elementary schools at 11:15 a.m. No lunches will be served, and all after-school activities are canceled.

The Whitehall-Coplay School District also is dismissing early Friday, at 10:30 a.m. for the middle school, 11 a.m. for the high school and 11:30 a.m. for elementary students.

The Parkland School District also announced an early dismissal Friday: Secondary schools and non-public school students who use Parkland transportation will be dismissed at 10:30 a.m. Elementary schools will be dismissed at 11:15 a.m. This is four hours and 15 minutes earlier than the regular dismissal time. Parents/guardians should arrange to have an adult meet young children at the bus stop four hours and 15 minutes earlier than usual, the district said. Lunch will not be served.

WFMZ-TV 69s Stormcenter as of Thursday night said additional schools with early dismissals Friday include the Salisbury Township School District.

The early dismissals did not immediately appear to be weather-related. More rain, with flooding possible, is forecast Friday but not until the evening, according to the National Weather Service.

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Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.
A Philadelphia man was arrested Wednesday on charges he and an accomplice stabbed a man to death and raped a woman during a 2013 home invasion robbery in Bucks County, authorities said.

Thomas Delgado, 50, was taken into custody by detectives with the Bucks County District Attorneys Office and the Hilltown Township Police Department. He was arraigned on Wednesday before Magisterial District Judge Maggie Snow with criminal homicide, rape, robbery, burglary, kidnapping, criminal conspiracy, and related charges

Delgado was sent to Bucks County Correctional Facility and denied bail.

Authorities identified Delgado as one of the two men who broke into the home of Joseph Canazaro on Jan. 18, 2013. The men tied up Canazaro, a woman and his son, and sexually assaulted the woman, authorities said. They ransacked the home, taking guns, money, jewelry and other items, authorities said.

Eventually, the woman and the son managed to escape and contact authorities, police said. Authorities found Canazaro, 48, dead inside his garage of multiple stab wounds.

The robbers fled the scene in Canazaros truck, which was later recovered at the Quakertown Plaza Shopping Center. A forensic examination of evidence recovered from the crime scene and the truck revealed a match for Delgado.

It would be wrong to call this a cold case. These detectives have spent more than a decade seeking justice for these victims, District Attorney Jen Schorn said. Like they always do, detectives never relented in the pursuit for justice, and now, we are able to announce an arrest.

We are continuing to investigate this murder and are asking for the publics help for information, she said.

Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact Bucks County Detectives at 215-348-6354 or the Hilltown Township Police Department at 215-435-6011. Tips can also be left at www.bucksda.org.

The case was investigated by detectives with the Bucks County District Attorneys Office and the Hilltown Township Police Department, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, the FBI and the Bucks County Sheriffs Office.
A Texas man is charged in federal court with enticing a 13-year-old Upper Saucon Township girl to make child pornography, according to court records.

Daniel Shuler, 58, of Corsicana, Texas, is charged with producing child pornography.

Shulers attorney, Jeremy Isard of Philadelphia, didnt immediately return an email message seeking comment.

The girl sent Shuler at least four sexually explicit images and eight videos between Nov. 27, 2022, and Dec. 5, 2022, authorities said. Shuler is accused of sending the girl four explicit images and three videos of himself, authorities said.

A sealed complaint was filed against Shuler on Nov. 8. He was arrested in Texas on Nov. 14 and extradited to Pennsylvania, where he remains detained.

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Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com.
Consumers waiting for notification that theyre eligible for up to $100 as part of Verizons recent $100 million settlement dont have to wait anymore.

The settlement website has added a new feature that allows consumers to enter their name and Verizon account number rather than wait for a Notice ID and Confirmation Code to come in an email or in a letter.
If you receive an unsolicited phone call from a person claiming to be Lt. George Volpe of the Northampton County Sheriffs Department, dont freak out and dont give them any money, county officials warn.

Its more than likely a scam, County Executive Lamont McClure said in a news release on Friday.

The county and the Northampton County Sheriffs Department have received numerous reports about a male caller identifying himself as Lt. George Volpe over recent days. The caller typically falsely claims residents are wanted for failing to appear at a court hearing or for jury duty.

The caller might instruct residents to transfer money to them via Venmo, a mobile payment app, but dont do it, the county says.

The public should be aware that this is a scam. The Northampton County Sheriffs Department does not call residents and solicit money in lieu of arrest, according to a news release.

Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious solicitations to the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals office at 800-441-2555 or email them to scams@attorneygeneral.gov.

Similar phone scams with callers claiming to be Lt. Volpe were also perpetrated last year.
A prisoner who head-butted a prison officer numerous times in Mountjoy Prison, leaving him with bulging spinal discs and afraid to return to work, has been jailed.

Bernard Corrigan (39), who is serving a sentence in Mountjoy Prison, appeared before Judge Orla Crowe in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on Friday, January 12 having pleaded guilty to assault causing harm of a prison officer in Mountjoy Prison on December 27, 2021.

An investigating garda told Aideen Collard BL, prosecuting, that the prison officer had been called to a floor of the prison where a prisoner was banging on a door. Corrigan was standing nearby.

After dealing with the prisoner, he heard someone say something to him. He turned around and asked what had been said when all of a sudden Corrigan attacked him.

Corrigan head-butted him and punched him numerous times. The assault was recorded on CCTV.

The prison officer suffered injuries and soreness to his left arm, torso and neck. Two discs in his spine were bruised and sore and an MRI revealed they were bulging.

In a victim impact statement handed into the court, the prison officer said the assault left him in excruciating pain and that he wasn't able to work for six months after the incident.

He wrote: I was not sure if I'd ever return to work with the fear of being assaulted again...The longer I was off the greater the fear of something similar happening. It has impacted my life in more ways than I thought, he wrote.

He added that the assault left him and his family with a big financial cost.

Karl Monahan BL, defending, said the injured party made a full recovery and that Corrigan wishes to communicate an apology to him.

He said his client was going through a dark time at that particular time and that he felt he was being heckled for something he hadn't said.

Mr Monahan told the court his client has been effectively homeless from an early age and has been using heroin since the age of 15 or 16.

He said aside from this incident, he was always respectful of staff and that there was nothing that would indicate a violent disposition in his history.

Corrigan has 147 previous convictions. These were for burglary, theft, handling stolen property, possession of stolen property, failure to appear, road traffic offences and public order offences.

Sentencing Corrigan, Judge Crowe described the attack as utterly unprovoked and reprehensible.

She said the aggravating factors included that it was an unprovoked attack on a prison officer in a prison as well as the amount of Corrigan's previous convictions.

Mitigating factors included that Corrigan pleaded guilty, that the prison officer made a full recovery and that Corrigan made an apology, she said.

Judge Crowe sentenced him to two years and nine months imprisonment. This sentence was backdated to when Corrigan entered his guilty plea on October 25, 2023 and will run concurrently to the sentence he is already serving.

Corrigan's earliest release date is March 2, 2027, the court heard.
Protestors at Rackett Hall Hotell in Roscrea say they will continue their protest through the night in an attempt to stop the use of the premises to accommodate 160 refugees seeking asylum in Ireland.

Roscrea's only operating hotel is due to see its 40 rooms being repurposed to accommodate asylum seekers who were expected to arrive at the premises by the weekend.

The decision led protestors to mount pickets and protestors say they will attempt to block vehicles carrying asylum seekers from entering the hotel car-park.

Gardai atttended at the scene and over 200 local people heard speeches from concerned local residents and Roscrea-based councillor, Shane Lee. Cllr.Lee told the gathering that local elected representatives only heard of the decision this afternoon via a briefing note from the Department of Integration and Equality.

The briefing note confirmed 160 beds will be provided for international protection applicants and the accommodation will be for "families of asylum seekers". The contract with the hotel has been signed for 12 months.

The decision has been described as marking "another dark day for Roscrea" by local community activist group Roscrea Stands Up, who said the hotel has been "closed to the people of Roscrea and surrounding areas".

"We have no active hotel now in Roscrea for weddings, parties, dinner dances - the Government has closed yet another business in Roscrea", Roscrea Stands Up said.

The group has organised a second protest which will march through the streets of Roscrea on Saturday, January 13 and are calling on all people with links to the heritage town to support the demonstration.

The department said it was not possible to say with certainty what the length of stay would be due to the high number of asylum seekers arriving in Ireland and the scarcity of alternative accommodation options.

The property consists of a large refurbished four-star hotel accommodation with amenities and ample community recreational space on site and has high speed internet connection.

There will be a self-catering service provided on site, while residents will also be provided with a weekly voucher or debit card for a local shop. A transport service has been established and will be supplemented by the provider.

The property is owned and operated by Swiftcastle Roscrea Ltd and staff will be on-site 24 hours a day. Staff numbers will be increased as and when resident numbers increase on site.

A minimum of two members of staff will be present at all times and CCTV is in place. There will be a general manager, assistant manager, eight daytime staff, two translators, four night-time security, bus drivers, and maintenance staff, the briefing note says.

Each resident will have their own lockable bedroom and 24-hour access. Asylum seekers may avail of English language classes through their local Education and Training Board, medical cards and an adult resident receives an allowance of 38.80 per week.

Asylum seekers are not entitled to apply for or avail of social housing or the Housing Assistance Payment while their claim for asylum is being determined by the International Protection Office.

The department said it is currently providing 26,279 asylum seekers with State-sourced accommodation and support services.

In addition to that, since February 2022, it is also providing accommodation to 75,026 people who have fled the war in Ukraine, resulting in more than 101,300 people staying in State-provided or pledged accommodation in Ireland.
An Indonesian Missionary priest has joined the team the multi-national team at Portlaoise Parish in the increasingly multi-cultural Laois town.

Fr Yulius Krisdianto Ebot is a member Divine Word Missionaries or SVD (Societas Verbi Divine). He wants to be known among parishioners as l Fr Erick.

He introduced himself to local people via the Portlaoise Parish Newsletter. He spoke first about his family.

"I was born in Manggarai-Flores (Indonesia) esia) in 1990, the second child in my family of three children. My parents are both alive, thank God and retired. My older brother has two children and so does my little sister. They live in Manggarai close to my parents home. My family has been great support system for me," he said.

He outlined his journey to the priesthood.

"At the age of 18, I entered the SVD noviciate. Two years later I took my first vow as a temporary member of the society of Divine Word. As part of my formation I spent time in the Philippines for my English course (2015), and our overseas Training Programme in Taiwan (2016-2018). In 2018 I returned to Indonesia and had my final profession as a member of the society of Divine Word Missionaries," he said.

He was ordained in October 2019.

"After ordination, I worked in three different parishes and dioceses in Flores while waiting for my visa to Ireland. It was such an enriching and eye-opening experience for me as a your priest. After three years waiting for the visa Indonesia (2019-2023), on 6th of July 2022 I came to this beautiful and lovely country.

"Before getting my appointment to Portlaoise, I did an English course for five months in Maynooth while acclimatising and learning more about this beautiful country.

"It is such a great pleasure for me to get my first appointment here in the parish of Portlaoise as curate under the guidance of Msgr John Byrne and working with others fellow priests, all from different countries. I am really looking forward to work with you all, " he said.

Let us pray for each othe and May the Almighty God Bless us all. See you around

Apart from Parish Priest Byrne the other priests in the Parish have come to Ireland from around the globe.

Fr Ciprian Matei, CC, hails from Romania while Fr Simon Jin is Chinese. Fr Adriano de Oliveira is a native of Brazil. They are supported by Deacon Eugene Keyes.
There is no legal basis for joint authority rule in Northern Ireland if devolved government is not restored, DUP MP Gavin Robinson has said.

Mr Robinson was reacting after Conservative MP and chair of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee Sir Robert Buckland said any alternative to the DUP agreeing a deal to restore the Stormont Executive would likely mean the involvement of the Irish government.

The DUP deputy leader accused Sir Robert of making hollow threats.

The powersharing institutions have been suspended for almost two years because of a DUP boycott in protest at post-Brexit trading arrangements.

The unionist party has insisted it will not end its blockade until it secures legislative assurances from the Government on Northern Irelands trading position within the UK.

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has said his talks with the DUP over the Windsor Framework have concluded, although leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has insisted engagement is continuing.

Mr Heaton-Harris has invited the main Stormont parties to take part in bilateral talks at Hillsborough Castle on Monday about the Stormont stalemate.

During an appearance on the BBCs The View programme, Sir Robert said that a return to direct rule for Northern Ireland would mean triggering certain aspects of the Good Friday Agreement and involvement of the Irish government, ultimately.

When asked if old-style direct rule of the past was off the table, he responded: I think so.

Mr Robinson responded: Sir Robert Buckland seems to be confused. Its not often he is wrong, but on this he is.

The Republic of Ireland has no legal basis for governing Northern Ireland.

Such a step would be a further breach of the Belfast and successor agreements.

He added: It is the arrangements flowing from the Northern Ireland Protocol alone that are stopping the formation of an Executive.

We are focused on getting this right and restoring the balance. We will not be distracted by Sir Roberts confused viewpoint.

Rather than issue hollow threats about some version of joint authority, Sir Robert and his colleagues would be better to focus on restoring Northern Irelands place within the UK internal market.

Replacing the protocol with arrangements that unionists, as well as nationalists, can support will provide a solid foundation for the restoration of devolution on a cross-community basis.

Previous talks between Mr Heaton-Harris and the main Stormont parties over a 3.3 billion financial package to accompany the return of devolution broke up at Hillsborough Castle in December without any agreement to restore the Assembly and Executive.

The package would include money to make an outstanding pay award to public sector workers.

With their pay demands still unmet, unions are planning a major strike across Northern Ireland on January 18.

Sir Robert denied that the UK Government was using the strikes in Northern Ireland as a means to pressure the DUP into a deal.

He said: I think on one level its maybe a cynical view about how the UK government would view the valued contribution that public service workers make in Northern Ireland.

The reality is this facing all of us  all of us as elected politicians have responsibilities to face up to.

Sometimes we have to make decisions that we dont particularly like, we dont live in a perfect world.

The DUP are part of this imperfect world. There isnt a perfect solution for them.

But there is a solution and a solution that can deliver for their constituents, many of whom are public sector workers, in a way that I think would redound to their credit.

Thats why I think now is the time for leadership, for courage if you like  an overused word sometimes, but one that might apply in this case  to allow the Executive to be formed as quickly as possible.
A Portlaoise secondary school has two out of the five Laois projects chosen for the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition underway at the RDS in Dublin this week.

Sean Cheah and Tomas Fox each have individual projects at the 60th annual schools science exhibition, which was opened by President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins on January 10.

They told the Leinster Express / Laois Live about them.

TD Carol Nolan meeting Sean Cheah at the 2024 BTYSTE.

Sean's project is titled "A detailed analysis of how the transition to secondary from primary school affects students mentally and academically", an individual entrant to the Social & Behavioural Sciences section.

He says his idea came from his own personal difficulties.

"I had a difficult transition from primary to secondary school and a lot of my friends were going into first year. I did my project to make schools more aware of the impact of student's environment on their mental health and performance in class in order to have a genuine impact on those around me," he said.

Carrying out his scientific surveys was a big part of the project.

"It was good fun, it was difficult to interview some more introverted people as I had to adjust the technique to properly extract data from them.

Ahead of the exhibition, Sean was excited.

"I don't feel nervous at all as I'm here for fun. As well as this many of my friends will also be here competing so I will have lots of people to talk to.

"I would like to thank my teacher Ms Kelly, as not only did she introduce the competition to me and give me this opportunity, but she also provided me with resources and support throughout my work," he said.

Tomas Fox with his teacher Ms Sinead Kelly.

Tomas' project is in the Technology section, called "A File Manager Application for Tag-Based Searching of Media Files".

"I chose this project because I often struggle with the issue of possessing many media files such as videos and images and having no way to easily locate them when they are stored on a Windows device.

"Figuring out what method to use to program an application to solve this project was difficult, however, once everything was planned out, it was simple. I am excited to display my project at the exhibition as it took a lot of hard work to make. I am very thankful for the teacher that supported me, Ms. Kelly," he said.

Their teacher Ms Kelly is thrilled for the boys.

"I want to say a huge congratulations to Sean Cheah and Tomas Fox who have worked so hard over the past number of months on their individual projects. They have really shown that the future of STEM at Portlaoise College is indeed very bright.

"I think I can speak on behalf of the students and say what a fantastic and enjoyable opportunity it has been to showcase their work in the RDS. They have undoubtedly learned a lot from their experience and will benefit greatly from their participation in the BT Young Scientists exhibition in 2024," she said.

550 projects from 219 schools are be on display, spanning the four exhibition categories of Technology, Biological, and Ecological Sciences, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Chemical, Physical and Mathematical Sciences and a new fifth category introduced this year for the 60th BTYSTE, Health and Wellbeing.

A judging panel of 85 experts from the world of STEM and business will have the challenging task of choosing over 200 prize winners, including the overall BT Young Scientist and Technologist (s) of the Year, awarded 7,500. The overall winner(s) will be announced at an awards ceremony on Friday, January 12 at 5:30pm and will once again represent Ireland at the EUCYS which will take place this year in the European City of Science 2024  Katowice, Poland.

The exhibition is open until Saturday, January 13, and limited tickets are still available to visit on all three days at https://www.ticketing.btyoungscientist.com
A motorist was hospitalised after a car towing a trailer ended up in a field after an accident in the Midlands.

Gardai are appealing for information in relation to a serious car accident in Laois on Tuesday.

The air ambulance attended the scene of the accident near Abbeyleix after a car towing a trailer ended up in a field as a result of the crash.

Abbeyleix Gardai were at the scene of a road traffic collision on R445 at Ballaghmore, where a trailer that was being towed collided with a vehicle travelling behind it, Garda explained.

One driver was taken to hospital with non life threatening injuries, they said.

Thanks to Roscrea Fire Station -Tipperary Fire & Rescue Service and Laois County Fire and Rescue Service - Rathdowney Fire Station for the assistance and to the local community in Ballaghmore for helping clear the road, Gardai said.

We are appealing for any witnesses and anyone who may have dashcam footage, that was driving between Roscrea and Borris In Ossory today between 11.45am and 12.30pm, to contact us at Abbeyleix Garda Station on 057 8730580, Gardai stated.

The also posted advice from Road Safety Authority Ireland in relation to trailer safety:

https://www.rsa.ie/.../vehicle-safety.../light-trailers
PICTURED ABOVE: Back Row from Left to Right - Breda Stewart County Kildare LEADER Partnership, Karl Duffy County Kildare LEADER Partnership, Marian Higgins LCDC Chief Officer & Director of Services, Kildare County Council;

Front Row: Pat Leogue County Kildare LEADER Partnership, Sonya Kavanagh Chief Executive, Kildare County Council;

Kildare County Council has appointed County Kildare LEADER Partnership (CKLP) the contract to implement the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) following an open procurement process.

SICAP targets the most disadvantaged individuals and communities across the county. It provides support directly to communities and individuals and links the most excluded into existing services. The SICAP Programme is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development with co-funding from the European Social Fund Plus with a budget in Kildare of at least 8 million over the next five years. Kildare LCDC will oversee the implementation of SICAP across the lifetime of the Programme.

CKLP will also implement the EU-funded Rural Development LEADER Programme, following the recent approval of the Kildare LEADER Local Development Strategy by the Department of Rural and Community Development. The Kildare LEADER plan focuses on promoting growth economically and socially in rural Kildare across five areas:

building social capital, social infrastructure, social innovation, social cohesion, and sustainable climate resilience through grant aid.



Funding of 5.44 million has been allocated to Kildare over the lifetime of the Programme. Details on the process and how to apply for and access LEADER grant aid is currently being finalised by the Department.

Kildare LCDC will oversee the implementation of this programme.

CKLP have significant experience of delivering social inclusion and rural development programmes over many years across Kildare. This is the third SICAP and second LEADER programme overseen by Kildare LCDC.

Chief Executive of Kildare County Council, Sonya Kavanagh said Kildare County Council and Kildare LCDC enjoy an excellent working relationship with County Kildare LEADER Partnership CLG and their capacity to deliver these ambitious programmes is evident in their stellar record of local service delivery. We look forward to further collaboration between Kildare County Council, Kildare LCDC and County Kildare LEADER Partnership over the lifetime of these significant programmes.

Following the signing of both contracts, Chairperson of Kildare LCDC, Councillor Suzanne Doyle, said she welcomed the appointment of County Kildare LEADER Partnership as the implementing partner to deliver both of these ambitious programmes in Kildare. She added that she looks forward to working on a multi-stakeholder approach on both programmes to improve the lives in our communities and particularly those experiencing social exclusion.


On Monday, 8th January, Brigid 1500 unveiled its new edition of their popular schools programme, specially created for primary school children, in partnership with Creative Ireland.

This programme, hosted by Kildare County Council, aims to teach school children The Life and Times of St. Brigid and tells the story of St. Brigid in a historical context, with a focus on Ireland and Kildare 1,500 years ago at the time of her death.



This free programme consists of an educational pack which contains over 30 pages of printable colouring sheets as well as activity sheets and accompanying lesson plans. This booklet is available in both Irish and English.



As part of the launch, digital copies of The Life and Times of St. Brigid will be available to download from www.brigid1500.ie. These will be accessible in advance of St. Brigid's day, 1st February 2024.



Sonya Kavanagh, Chief Executive, Kildare County Council, expressed her excitement about the school programme launch, stating: The School Programme has been created to educate children about St. Brigid, who she was, and the legacy she has left. Teaching our younger generation about influential women in our history, like St.Brigid, is something we really value. I can't wait for school children all over Ireland to discover St. Brigid and celebrate her inspiring life with us.



St. Brigids legacy has lived on for over 15 centuries. Her unwavering dedication to nurturing and educating children in her time has served as an enduring source of inspiration through the ages. Renowned for her compassion and kindness, St. Brigid was a beacon of hope for the young, offering them solace, guidance, and education. Even today, her story continues to resonate and inspire children, encouraging them to embrace empathy, compassion and kindness.



More information about Brigid 1500 can be found at www.brigid1500.ie. Digital versions of the educational pack are available in Irish and English.
By Eoin Reynolds

A senior member of the Kinahan cartel, Declan 'Mr Nobody' Brady, has pleaded guilty to facilitating a criminal organisation in the murder of Noel 'Duck Egg' Kirwan, an innocent man who had no involvement in crime.

At a sitting of the Special Criminal Court today, Brady, who is in custody for other offences, pleaded guilty to the single charge against him.

He will appear before the court again on Wednesday next week when a date will be set for his sentencing hearing.

Brady's co-accused, Michael Crotty, was due to go on trial today but his case was adjourned to Monday morning to allow Mr Crotty to consult with his lawyers.

Brady (56) was charged that between October 20, 2016 and December 22, 2016, within the State and with knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation did participate in, or contribute by activity, or by being reckless as to whether such participation or contribution could facilitate the commission by a criminal organisation or any of its members of a serious offence: to wit the murder of Christopher (aka Noel) Kirwan, contrary to Section 72 of the Criminal justice Act.

Brady replied "guilty" to the charge. Evidence relating to Brady's involvement in the murder will be heard at a sentencing hearing but a date has not yet been set.

Brady, of Wolstan Abbey, Celbridge, Co Kildare pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court in July 2019 to supervising a firearms arsenal including an assault rifle and thousands of rounds of ammunition that had been stashed in a Dublin business park.

He was sentenced to 11.5 years in prison with the final year suspended for that offence.

While in prison in 2021 Brady pleaded guilty to laundering more than 400,000 in crime cash through multiple bank accounts in 2017.

Mr Crotty (40) of Sli Aonghusa, Aras na Ri, Cashel, Co Tipperary is also charged with facilitating Mr Kirwan's murder and has not yet been asked to enter a plea.

Mr Kirwan (62) was shot six times as he sat in his car on December 22, 2016 at St Ronan's Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22. During a hearing relating to a different person involved in the murder, the Special Criminal Court said it was "disturbing" that Mr Kirwan had apparently been shot for no reason other than that pictures of him had appeared in the media in the company of a man believed by members of the Kinahan cartel to have been involved in the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel in 2016.




13 secondary schools in County Kildare together with Into Kildare, the Tourism Board for County Kildare and Solas Bhride Centre & Hermitages have joined forces and launched its second global Pause for Peace movement. This extraordinary and powerful activation will take place on the 1 st of February 2024, Saint Brigids Day when the young people of County

Kildare will call on people all around the world to stop for a minutes silence at 12.00 noon (local time) on the 1 st of February 2024. The launch of the Pause for Peace movement took place in Solas Bhride Centre & Hermitages before the students visited two well known County Kildare tourist attractions, Saint Brigids Well in Tully and The Curragh Racecourse.

All the locations the students visited had a connection with the patron saint of Kildare, her holy well in Tully is a place where pilgrims visit and pray for their special intentions while Solas Bhride is a centre of spirituality and embodies the values of Brigid. Saint Brigid was given her lands at the Curragh from the King of Leinster to build her church; the king had

told her she could have as much land as her cloak would cover and miraculously her cloak stretched and grew and covered all the plains. She built her first church at the edge of the Curragh plains under the shade of an oak tree.

John Hayes who is the Principal of Kildare Town Community School said, Pause for Peace recognises the dreadful suffering and injustices that are happening all over the world and its objective is to ask people to stop and reflect on how they can promote peace in their own communities and in turn around the world. 70 Peace Ambassadors have been selected from

13 different secondary schools located around Co. Kildare and the students are all highly motivated and excited to be involved. The role of the Peace Ambassadors is to promote and speak about the Pause for Peace movement and to be involved in various environmental, sustainable and climate change activations which reflect the cornerstone of the patron saint of

County Kildare, Saint Brigid. A renowned peace maker the beloved saint is also known as a protector of nature and is associated with spring and new beginnings.

The Peace Ambassadors are from Ardscoil na Trionoide, Athy, Clongowes Wood College, Clane, Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge, Cross and Passion College, Kilcullen, Scoil Mhuire Community School, Clane, Holy Family Secondary School, Newbridge, St. Wolstan's Community School, Celbridge, Maynooth Post Primary School, Heywood Community School, Maynooth Community College, St. Paul's Monasterevin, Newbridge College and Kildare Town Community School.

Between 3,500 and 4,000 secondary school students will create a human Saint Brigids Cross formation on the Curragh Plains on the 1st of February. If successful, the formation will be a world record with the most amount of people coming together to make a living Saint Brigids Cross. The event will be captured from the air with a drone and can be watched on the Into Kildare social media channels.

CEO of Into Kildare, Aine Mangan said, From last year Ireland celebrated a new annual

national holiday in honour of Saint Brigid, one of the three patron saints of our country. This

will be the second time for us to enjoy this bank holiday which takes place this year on the 5 th

of February. The Saint Brigids Day Public Holiday is hugely important not just for County

Kildare, but for the whole country when we expect to see hundreds of thousands of visitors

travel to Ireland to walk in her footsteps. Saint Brigid was a welcoming and hospitable figure

and Into Kildare are delighted to be able to remember and to evoke the spirt of Brigids

famous hospitality through our great tourism offering. There is massive interest in Brigid

from a cultural, spiritual, and historical point of view. She isnt solely a religious figure but is

synonymous as a peacemaker and was in fact the first real climate activist as she was a

protector and a custodian of the natural world.

Sr. Rita Minehan of Solas Bhride said, This movement for a Pause for Peace reflects a

spiritual underpinning to the day and is consonant with the value of peace which Brigid stood

for in her time. By pausing for peace, we send out a message that we actively oppose warfare

and the proliferation of arms, which wreak havoc on human beings as well as on the natural

world. This movement aims to awaken and build a spirit of global solidarity in our search for

peace.

She continued, We are delighted to have so many wonderful young people to assist us to

share the message of peace. Young people have the power to reach out and to communicate

with the world, they must become the custodians of our environment and of the natural

world. Our youth are our future leaders, and we need to empower them to do good, to not

allow injustice, to protect nature, and to be change makers. They are the leaders of tomorrow

and their voices are the most powerful of them all.

Sr. Rita explained that Pause for Peace asks people of all faiths and none to stop for a

minutes silence and send out peace from their hearts to the people of the world. She said the

movement has been inspired by Saint Brigid whose legacy is most relevant in our war-torn

world today. Saint Brigid was renowned as a peace maker and one of the most popular

stories associated with her is that of her giving away her fathers precious jewelled sword to a

poor person so that he could barter it for food to feed his family. She was compassionate, a

protector of the natural world and a formidable force for justice whose light shines ever more

brightly today. From New Zealand to New York from Brisbane to Barcelona a minutes

silence for peace will take place all around the globe on the 1 st of February and will form part

of the rolling Pause for Peace movement.

Aine Mangan said, We are very excited about Pause for Peace, its great to collaborate and

support Solas Bhride, the schools and the young people of Kildare. Other activations and

celebrations which are being led by Into Kildare include the lighting up of the Hill of Allen

on the eve of Saint Brigids and a host of trade missions and communications with

international embassies and government departments. Into Kildare are invited to a special

service in St. Brides Church in Fleet Street in London on the 1 st of February and later that

evening we will celebrate and promote County Kildare at a special event at the Irish Embassy

in London. Into Kildare, continues to work in association with Kildare County Council to

deliver a comprehensive line up of special events to celebrate Brigid 1500 and a full

programme of events will follow. We are also working alongside our partners and

colleagues at Tourism Ireland and Failte Ireland to promote Kildare and the Saint Brigids

holiday all around the world.

The Cathaoirleach of County Kildare, Cllr. Daragh Fitzpatrick said, This is a momentous

year for County Kildare, the Pause for Peace movement sets the scene for a year of joyous

celebrations which will showcase all the fantastic historical and cultural experiences and

attractions that Kildare has to offer. We look forward to welcoming our many friends both

old and new to County Kildare over the public holiday weekend and I would like to thank all

the schools, Into Kildare and Solas Bhride for their great efforts.

2024 marks the 1500 th year of the passing of Saint Brigid, the patron Saint of Kildare and

Ireland. Brigid 1500 is a festival which will take place in the spring of 2024 when several

special cultural and spiritual events will take place throughout the county including concerts,

talks, meditative and wellness events and historical and cultural events and talks. The Pause

for Peace movement is one of these special events and celebrations which formally

recognises the importance of Saint Brigid from a cultural, religious, spiritual, and historical

point of view.

The Relics of Saint Brigid are also coming to Kildare Town on Sunday, 28 th of January with a

procession leaving Solas Bhride at 10.30am followed by maas at Kildare Parish Church. This

momentous occasion will see the relics of the patron saint coming back to County Kildare for

the first time in over 1,000 years.

Pause for Peace will be at 12.00 noon, Saint Brigids Day, 1 st of February 2024. For more

information on the various Brigid 1500 activities see www.intokildare.ie or visit

www.solasbhride.ie where you will get more information on Feile Bhride, a week-long

celebration of the legacy of Saint Brigid. #PauseForPeace. Insta @intokildare

ABOUT SAINT BRIGID

Saint Brigid birthplace is disputed, some say she was born in Faughart, near Dundalk in Co.

Louth in AD 450, while others claim she was born outside Kildare Town. Her mother,

Broicseach, was a Christian and her father, Dubhthach, was a pagan chieftain of Leinster.

Folklore suggests that Brigids mother was born in Portugal but was kidnapped by Irish

pirates and like Saint Patrick, was brought to Ireland to work as a slave. Brigid spent her

childhood cleaning, cooking, and minding the animals on her fathers farm where they

worked as slaves for her father.

Brigids father named her after the goddess of fire, one of the most powerful goddesses of the

pagan religion - whose manifestations were poetry, song, and craftsmanship, which the Irish

considered The Flame of Knowledge.

She lived during the time of Saint Patrick and was inspired by his preachings and became a

Christian.

Brigids father wanted her to find a husband, but Brigid had decided that she would spend her

life working for God by looking after poor, sick, and elderly people. Her father was furious

and refused her wish. Brigids charity angered her father because he thought she was being

too generous to the poor. When she finally gave away his jewel-encrusted sword to a leper,

he relented and allowed her to follow her desire for religious life. She received her veil from

Saint Macaille and made her vows to dedicate her life to God.

She established her famous double monastery for women and men in Kildare around 470AD.

As Abbess of this foundation, she wielded considerable power but was a very fair, wise and

compassionate leader. The Abbey of Kildare became one of the most prestigious monasteries

in Ireland and was famous throughout Europe.

Saint Brigid also founded a school of art, including metal work and illumination, over which

Saint Conleth presided. In the scriptorium of the monastery, the famous illuminated

manuscript the Book of Kildare was created.



Saint Brigid's Cross:

Making a Saint Brigids cross is one of the traditional rituals in Ireland to celebrate the first

day of Spring, 1st February which is also Saint Brigids Day. The crosses are made of rushes

that are pulled rather than cut. They are hung by the door and in the rafters to protect the

house from fire and sickness. Saint Brigid and her cross are linked together by the story that

she wove this form of cross at the death bed of either her father or a pagan lord, who upon

hearing what the cross meant, asked to become a Christian.

One version goes as follows: A pagan chieftain from the neighbourhood of Kildare was

dying. Christians in his household sent for Brigid to talk to him about Christ. When she

arrived the chieftain was raving. Brigid sat down at his bedside and began consoling him. As

was customary, the dirt floor was strewn with rushes both for warmth and cleanliness. Brigid

stooped down and started to weave them into a cross, fastening the points together. The sick

man asked what she was doing. She began to explain the cross, and as she talked his delirium

quieted and he questioned her with growing interest. While weaving he expressed his desire

to become a Christian and was baptised at the point of death. Since then, the cross of rushes

has been venerated in Ireland.

Saint Brigid died in AD 524/525 at the age of 75 and was buried in a tomb before the High

Altar of her Abbey church. After some time, her remains were exhumed and transferred to

Downpatrick to rest with the two other patron saints of Ireland, Saint Patrick and Saint

Columcille. Subsequently, her skull was taken to Lisbon, Portugal by two Irish noblemen,

where it is revered as a relic today. Brigid is also known as Muire na nGael or Mary of the

Irish. Her feast day is the 1st of February which is the first day of Spring in Ireland according

to the Celtic calendar.



Saint Brigid's Cloak:

Saint Brigid went to the King of Leinster to ask for land to build a monastery. She told the

king that the place where she stood was the perfect place for a monastery. It was beside a

forest where they could collect firewood. There was also a lake nearby that would provide

water and the land was fertile. The king laughed at her and refused to give her any land.

Brigid prayed to God and asked him to soften the kings heart. Then she smiled at the king

and said, will you give me as much land as my cloak will cover? The king thought that she

was joking and because Brigids cloak was so small, he knew that it would only cover a very

small piece of land. The king agreed and Brigid spread her cloak on the ground. She asked

her four friends to hold a corner of the cloak and walk in opposite directions. The four friends

walked north, south, east and west. The cloak grew immediately and began to cover many

acres of land. The king was astonished, and he realised that she had been blessed by God. The

king fell to the ground and knelt before Brigid and promised her and her friends, money,

food, and supplies. Soon afterwards, the king became a Christian and also started to help the

poor. Brigids miracle of the cloak was the first of many miracles that she worked for the

people of Ireland.



ABOUT INTO KILDARE

Into Kildare is the tourist board for County Kildare. The organisation works in association

with Kildare County Council to promote tourism and to support hospitality businesses, visitor

attractions and retail experiences throughout the county of Kildare. www.intokildare.ie



ABOUT SOLAS BHRIDE

Solas Bhride is a Christian Spirituality centre with a focus on Saint Brigid of Kildare. The

vision of the centre is to unfold the legacy of Saint Brigid and its relevance for our world

today. The centre welcome pilgrims and visitors from all over the world-people of all faiths

and none.
A man told Naas District court he is seeking to serve legal documents because he is looking for custody of his son.

The man made an application to secure permission to serve documents in another country.

He said his son resides with his mother (the applicants former partner) outside Ireland.

Read more Kildare news

He told the court he has documentation to indicate that the woman left Ireland five years previously and he added that she is living in Poland.

He said he was not married to the woman.

However Judge Desmond Zaidan noted that there were spelling differences between an address in Poland provided by the man and the address on documents which had been handed into court.

Judge Zaidan said these apparent discrepancies need to be resolved so that both addresses are the same. Other, he added, the documents might not be properly received in Poland and could be returned.

He adjourned the matter to May 13.
A Dublin Circuit Criminal Court judge has warned that the court is 'totally fed up' with young people who give their bank account details to third parties using 'stupidity as a shield.'

Judge Martin Nolan made the comments today while sentencing four men in their twenties for various offences related to money laundering after 121,000 was stolen from a Dublin solicitors' firm through invoice redirect fraud, also known as business email compromise.

The court heard that the solicitors' firm was able to recoup 64,000 of the stolen money but has been left at a loss of 57,216.

Judge Nolan said it should be 'well known to everyone' that 'every type of fraud needs a bank account to obtain the money without breaking cover.'

He said the court was 'totally fed-up with young people coming to court and using stupidity as a shield' in relation to this type of offence which can result in 'innocent third parties suffering.'

The judge said the court was giving notice that people who gave their bank details after January 2022 are 'going to be in danger of going to jail', depending on the circumstances of each individual case.

"I think the stupidity and ignorance defence has dissipated and young people are going to have to face accountability for their stupidity," he said.

"Patience must run out at some point," the judge said, adding: "This has been going on too long."

Cameron Fanning (25) of Bishop Rogan Park, Kilcullen, County Kildare, pleaded guilty to two counts of money laundering from the solicitor's firm on November 9, 2020 and one count of giving false information about his bank account to gardai.

He was sentenced to three and half years in prison, suspended in full on strict conditions.

Mubarak Salawu (22) of The Paddocks Drive, Adamstown, Lucan, pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering in relation to the stolen monies which were credited to his account and an unrelated charge of possessing a pair of 600 Balenciaga runners bought from the proceeds of crime.

He received a suspended two-year prison sentence.

Olumide Lawal (27) of Fettercairn Road, Tallaght, admitted to two counts of money laundering and possession of a 900 iphone bought using the proceeds of crime.

Lawal was given a suspended prison sentence of two years.

Aaron Clancy (21) of the Square, Walshtown Park, Newbridge, County Kildare, pleaded guilty to possessing 3,020, the proceeds of money laundering, in relation to the solicitors' firm and a further unrelated count of possessing 4,650, the proceeds of crime.

Clancy received a suspended prison sentence of two years.

Garda Ciaran Ronan told David Perry BL, prosecuting, that during the course of the investigation into the money stolen from the solicitors' firm, gardai uncovered further unrelated money laundering offences.

The solicitors' firm, which was not named in court, declined to make a victim impact statement.

The court heard that on November 9, 2020, an accounts assistant at the solicitors' firm sent a standard request to the company's financial controller for 121,000 to be paid to a client account.

This email was blocked and a short time later, the financial controller got a fraudulent email asking for the same amount to be paid to a Bank of Ireland account in the name of Cameron Fanning.

Bank of Ireland officials became suspicious of the transaction and alerted Fanning and gardai.

Some weeks later on November 18, 2020, Fanning went to gardai and said he was acting on the advice of Bank of Ireland who said there had been suspicious activity on his account.

Fanning said he had recently lost his bank card and had not reported it as he had only one cent in his account.

He said he had no prior knowledge of the suspicious activity, that he would not give his bank details to anyone and that essentially his account had been hacked.

Gardai observed a number of transactions out of his account totalling 57,218, dispersed in different ways including three withdrawals from post offices in Newbridge.

In his second interview with gardai, Fanning admitted that his previous statement was false and said he had been asked by a friend to do him a favour and give him his bank details.

The friend said he needed access to an account to get his wages of 1,000 transferred.

Fanning said that when he checked his account later, he saw that far more than 1,000 had been transferred and he subsequently cancelled his bank account.

He told gardai that three men turned up to his house and took him in a car to a bank in Newbridge and ordered him to withdraw money.

When Fanning refused, he said the one of the men threatened to stab him with a knife so he withdrew 7,500 sterling in a number of transactions over an hour and a half, before he was dropped home.

Fanning has no previous convictions.

Counsel for Fanning said he deeply regrets having become involved in this offence and agreed that he had behaved in a 'naive and reckless fashion.'

Judge Nolan said the court accepted Fanning's explanation was 'reasonably believable', but noted that his actions were 'reckless.'

He said he considered the court would not be 'justified to use Fanning as a sacrificial lamb' by imposing a custodial sentence on him and he gave him a suspended prison sentence.

The court heard that sums totalling 10,914 from the solicitors' firm were transferred into a bitcoin account in the name of Mubarak Salawu and used to purchase cryptocurrency.

In August 2021, gardai searched Salawu's apartment and found a pair of Balenciaga runners bought in the UK for 605 using laundered money, in an unrelated offence.

Salawu has eight previous District Court convictions, all from the same road traffic incident, including dangerous driving, driving without insurance and giving a false name and address.

Paul Greene SC, defending Salawu, said his client expressed remorse and wanted to sincerely apologise for his actions which have brought shame on himself and his family.

Mr Greene said Salawu had received the sum of 500 for opening an account and now found himself with a serious criminal conviction.

"These were young men, gullible," said Mr Greene, adding that Salawu was in his final year of a degree course and also volunteered at a mosque.

The court heard that one of the transactions out of Fanning's account was for the purchase of an iPhone 12 for 963, with Olumide Lawal named as the customer.

When gardai searched Lawal's apartment, they found three bank cards in a small fridge in his bedroom relating to accounts used to receive the proceeds of crime.

When Lawal was arrested, he denied knowing Fanning and said he was buying the phone over Snapchat and was separately asked to hold three bank cards by another person.

Garret Baker SC, defending Lawal, said his client was subject to severe bullying in his early years after moving to Ireland from Nigeria at the age of two.

Lawal nonetheless progressed and represented his school in sport before completing a four-year degree in IT.

Mr Baker said his client had difficulties paying his college fees and that his ability to work part-time was impaired after he was involved in a road traffic accident in 2019.

Lawal 'immensely regrets' the decision to get involved in holding the proceeds of crime and instructed counsel to deeply apologise, the court heard.

Aaron Clancy told gardai he saw an ad on Snapchat from a friend of a friend looking for access to bank account details in exchange for money.

He said he was naive and needed money, so he met three men who promised him 400 when he gave him his Revolut account details and access code.

The court heard that of the monies transferred from the solicitors' firm, sums were placed into his Revolut account and then withdrawn from various ATMs in Athy.

Counsel for Clancy said he was 'at the lowest rung of the ladder within this group' and had taken full responsibility for his role in the offending.

The court heard that Clancy is an apprentice electrician due to qualify in a month's time and was also a valued member of his sporting club.

"It would not serve society if he were to be put in custody at this stage," counsel claimed.

Judge Nolan said innocent people lose their money and counsel come to court and say their client was stupid, made a bad decision or succumbed to temptation.

"But somebody is going to go to jail, to stop people making these stupid decisions, because this is continuing for years now. This court has dealt with dozens of these cases.

"We have a blameless, innocent defendant who really didn't know what he was doing...but he did. He took a chance," said the judge.

Imposing sentence on Salawu, Lawal and Clancy, the judge noted that the amounts involved were lower and all three were young men with their 'futures in front of them.'
Gardai have launched an investigation following an alleged incident of dangerous driving on one of Limerick's main national roads.

Video footage obtained by Limerick Live shows two cars, understood to have British number plates, speeding on the N21 Limerick to Tralee road through the village of Croagh.

Travelling in the direction of Kerry, one driver proceeds to overtake a commercial bus service on the inside hard shoulder lane.

The incident is believed to have taken place at approximately 9.30pm on Saturday night last, January 6.

It's been condemned by both Minister of State and Limerick TD Patrick O'Donovan, plus Councillor Stephen Keary who lives in Croagh.

"It's a miracle someone hasn't been killed with all of these incidents going on," said Mr O'Donovan, "I use that road between Croagh and Rathkeale every day, and every day we see drivers who have zero regard for life."

He urged people that if they see incidents like this to report them to the gardai - and follow it up with a formal statement.

"There are squad cars on that road. But we cannot have squad cars 24/7. It's not practical. Gardai need the support of people to report it. These drivers are a menace, a dangerous menace, and an unwelcoming menace. They are not wanted here," the Fine Gael TD added.

Councillor Keary has himself experienced being overtaken by a car from the inside just before Christmas. Having noted the number plate, he rang the gardai and made a statement.

"I would gladly participate in a court hearing when this does happen. Members of my family have had the same experience, friends of mine have had the same experience. It's not a once-off incident. It's happening regularly," he said.

The former mayor described the action as "scandalous and dangerous".

"In this instance, if there was an approaching car, the approaching driver would have to make a decision as to whether he would bang off the car or bang off the bus, and it would be carnage," he said.

Councillor Keary wants to see closed-circuit television introduced along the road, in the same manner as what exists on the dual carriageway between Birdhill and Nenagh.

Ultimately though, he believes the drivers need "to be made an example of".

"Confiscation of the cars is probably the best way," he concluded.
A number of vigils and services have taken place across the country marking the second anniversary of Ashling Murphy.

23-year-old teacher Ashling was killed jogging along the Grand Canal in Tullamore, Co Offaly and January 12 marks two years since she was murdered.

Hundreds of people attended a mass in Mountbolus, Offaly yesterday evening in St Brigid's Church Thursday January 11, to remember Ashling Murphy.

A commemorative walk took place today, January 12 from Digby Bridge, Cappincur Carpark to Ashlings Shrine on the Grand Canal in Offaly in her memory also.

A year ago the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund was established in the 23-year-old schoolteacher's memory and a post on the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund Facebook which landed on Nollaig na mBan (January 6).

A tribute was posted to the Facebook page by family remembering Ashling on her anniversary.

"Today we remember our beloved Ashling who is so dearly missed each and every day, especially by her heartbroken family and wide circle of friends. We share this poem beautifully written by Bernadette Dillon-Ryan which provides a glimpse into the incredibly kind, loving, and ambitious lady that Ashling was."

Further information about the memorial fund objectives are available on the iDonate page Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund HERE.

Mary Immaculate College (MIC) paid tribute to Ashling in a post to social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

Ashling had only recently graduated from her studies at MIC and had begun teaching at Durrow National School in Offaly before her tragic death.

Today MIC remembers Ashling Murphy.



She was a teacher, a dedicated sportsperson and a talented musician.



We were lucky to count her as one of our students. pic.twitter.com/pqjGDYO1Zw  Mary Immaculate College (MIC) (@MICLimerick) January 12, 2024

"Today MIC remembers Ashling Murphy. She was a teacher, a dedicated sportsperson and a talented musician. We were lucky to count her as one of our students."

Josef Puska was found guilty of Ashling's murder last year and sentenced to life in prison.
A protest was held at a hotel in Roscrea on Thursday night after news broke that 160 international asylum seekers will be accommodated at the premises.

It was revealed on Thursday that Roscrea's only operating hotel, the Rackett Hall Country Club and Hotel, will accommodate asylum seekers in approximately 40 of its rooms.

The decision was confirmed by Tipperary Fianna Fail TD, Jackie Cahill, after what he described as "a lengthy phone call" with Minister for Integration, Roderic O'Gorman.

News of the decision quickly spread on social media and protestors have called for support at their demonstration which began at 7:30pm on Thursday night.

Roscrea saw similar protests last year after it was revealed the former Sacred Heart Convent building was to be repurposed to provide emergency accommodation for people fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Roscrea has another facility providing accommodation for international protection applicants in Corville House at the former Sean Ross Abbey site.

Local Fine Gael councillor Noel Coonan said he does not oppose asylum seekers being housed in Roscrea, but said there "is only so much a community can take.

"Roscrea has a number of other applicants already at the moment, they've been welcomed and there is a community out there who was trying to help but there's only so much a community can do," he said, speaking on Morning Ireland on Friday morning.

"There's only so much communities can take without additional services and supports being put into the area.

"There are legitimate concerns in relation to fears amongst the community, those are not being addressed," Cllr Coonan continued.

Derek Russell, founder of local activist movement Roscrea Strands Up,said that he shares the immediate sense of concern felt by many in Roscrea.

"Speaking for myself I feel that Roscrea, a town of approximately 6,000 people, has more than done more than its fair share already in terms of helping people seeking asylum.

"The lack of resources in the town is a major concern and the loss of accommodation in our only hotel is a serious blow to the town", Mr. Russell said.

Roscrea Stands Up held a public meeting in November which saw many local people express concerns about the sudden influx of asylum seekers in Roscrea.
Cook Children's Awarded Two Honors for Excellence in Patient Care





Cook Children's Pediatric ICU Earns Silver Beacon Award, While Medical Center Receives 2023 Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award in Patient Experience ? Ranks Top 5% in National Patient Satisfaction

FORT WORTH, Texas, Jan. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cook Children's is honored to receive two important awards, showcasing our dedication to providing excellent patient care. The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) has been presented with the Silver Beacon Award for Excellence by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), while the institution as a whole has earned the 2023 Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award for outstanding dedication to patient experience.

Acknowledging Cook Children's commitment to patient satisfaction, the 2023 Press Ganey Human Experience Guardian of Excellence Award places our medical center in the top 5% of health care providers nationwide.

In acknowledging the tireless efforts of all teams involved, Megan Chavez, Vice President of Cook Children's Experience, highlights the dedication that led to this achievement.

"An award of this magnitude is only achieved through the dedicated efforts of our teams," says Chavez. "This is an award for all of our teams. What happens in the hospital is very much informed by what our families experience at the doctor's office, in the emergency room, urgent cares, at home and through their health plan."

Press Ganey, a global leader in health care experience solutions, collaborates with more than 41,000 health care facilities to enhance overall safety, quality, and experience of care. Patrick T. Ryan, CEO, and chairman at Press Ganey highlights Cook Children's as a "top-performing leader in health care," emphasizing our commitment to delivering exceptional patient care.

Meanwhile, the AACN's Silver Beacon Award for Excellence recognizes Cook Children's PICU for its effective approach to policies, procedures, and processes, including strong engagement of staff and key stakeholders.

Terry Davis, President of AACN, commends the exemplary efforts of PICU caregivers for consistently exceeding the high standards set forth by the Beacon Award for Excellence.

"These dedicated health care professionals join other members of the exceptional community of nurses who set the standard for optimal patient care," Davis said. "The Beacon Award for Excellence recognizes caregivers in stellar units whose consistent and systematic approach to evidence-based care optimizes patient outcomes. Units that receive this national recognition serve as role models to others on their journey to excellent patient and family care."

"At Cook Children's Medical Center, we strive to provide excellent patient care and the silver-level Beacon Award reflects our commitment to strong leadership, staff engagement, effective communication, using evidence-based practices, and demonstrating quality outcomes," said Cheryl Petersen, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Cook Children's. "These are all part of our Promise to improve the well-being of every child we care for and in the communities we serve."

The combined acknowledgment from Press Ganey and AACN further underscores Cook Children's unwavering dedication to delivering exceptional health care experiences. In alignment with our guiding Promise, we solidify our position as a leader in patient care, ensuring that every child's life is treated as sacred and improved through our compassionate and innovative approach.

Media Contact

Kim Brown, MA, APR

Public Relations Director

817-266-3728

[email protected]

SOURCE Cook Children's Health Care System

11 january 2024 at 16:08

News published onand distributed by:
Automation Anywhere Launches New Benchmarking Services to Help Companies Maximize the Business Value of AI-Powered Process Automation





New services help identify opportunities and prioritize investments in Intelligent Automation

SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Automation Anywhere, a leader in enterprise process automation that puts AI to work, announced a suite of new benchmarking services and a new customer benchmarking database initiative to help companies assess and maximize the business value of process automation deployments. These offerings will help companies see what "best of breed" automation in their industry looks like and guide them towards the highest value automation priorities faster than they could have determined on their own.

Customers often lack a clear understanding of how to prioritize investments in automation technology and don't have a clear understanding of the outsized returns they can receive in a short period of time. Automation Anywhere is in a unique position to offer new benchmarking services based on the company's twenty-year expertise partnering with thousands of customers globally to deploy process automation solutions across hundreds of functions and dozens of industries.

"Technology alone is not enough," said Ankur Kothari, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer at Automation Anywhere. "Customers need strategic partners who can help them better understand how work is getting done inside their company and the ways to fundamentally transform their processes and business. Organizations don't realize how fast significant revenue, cash flow and productivity gains can be achieved in their business."

The new services include:

Return on Automation Value Assessment: An industry-specific discussion of automation trends and use cases and a complimentary, customized analysis that includes a benchmark-driven analysis of value potential.

An industry-specific discussion of automation trends and use cases and a complimentary, customized analysis that includes a benchmark-driven analysis of value potential. Process Benchmarking Diagnostic: Identification of key performance gaps and related automation priorities.

Identification of key performance gaps and related automation priorities. Process Transformation Roadmap: An in-depth consultative study of business processes and detailed recommendations to optimize the automation journey.

As a foundation to support these new service offerings, the company announced the development of a new proprietary customer benchmarking database leveraging artificial intelligence and millions of anonymized automation runs being executed by the company's customer base. Automation Anywhere customers around the globe execute more than 150 million automation runs annually. The database captures key data and benchmarks to help customers compare their current business process performance to successful intelligent automation industry use cases.

"The insights gleaned from real-world automation runs reveal significant transformation opportunities," Kothari added. "We have learned, for example, that the average response time to an order status email is reduced to less than one minute in a well-orchestrated automated process, contrasting sharply with the industry-standard of 45 minutes in a manual process. This data empowers enterprises to pinpoint the most promising areas for business impact to potentially save tens of millions to hundreds of millions of dollars while enhancing their competitive advantage."

"Leveraging benchmark information as our basis of comparison, we have a data-backed strategy that allows us to move from low-impact automations to a more comprehensive process transformation program that yields significant results," said Chris Stevenson, Director, Automation & Advanced Analytics at Huntsman Corporation.

"Armed with insights from benchmarking, we are laser-focused on our business's pain points, transitioning from piecemeal automation to a holistic value chain revolution," said Bonnie Dallum, Head of the Intelligent Automation Platform and Automation Center of Excellence Leader at Cargill.

"Automation Anywhere's focus on and investment in these new benchmarking services is a perfect complement to our continued focus on driving maximum business outcomes for our customers," said Prasanna Ramaswamy, CEO and Co-Founder of Recode Solutions.

"As organizations become more mature in their ability to automate their business processes, they recognize that task automation is just one part of the process transformation puzzle," said Maureen Fleming, Program VP, Worldwide Intelligent Process Automation Market Research and Advisory Service at IDC. "Process automation involves an increasingly sophisticated portfolio of GenAI and automation technologies. With this growing sophistication, automation investments must be grounded in a business case based on tangible benchmark improvements."

Immediate Value and Improved Operational Performance

Across industries and functions, Intelligent Automation powered by generative AI is transforming business processes, driving greater innovation, and building a sustainable competitive advantage.

For example, financial institutions and banks that manage billions in assets are fighting the battle against money laundering activities and fraud to avoid millions in losses and regulatory fines by deploying automated and intelligent counter measures that can quickly track, detect, monitor, and combat fraudulent activities.

In healthcare, Automation Anywhere helps organizations quickly develop and deploy automations to solve complicated use cases ranging from data synthesis, enhancing the patient and practitioner experience, to decision support. These complex automations can be employed to reduce the administrative workload on physicians, assist in the identification of clinical insights and assist patients to follow customized treatment regimes.

For more information, contact Automation Anywhere directly, or through its global partners.

About Automation Anywhere

Automation Anywhere is a leader in enterprise process automation solutions that put AI to work across every aspect of an organization. The company's Automation Success Platform is powered with specialized AI, generative AI and offers process discovery, RPA, end-to-end process orchestration, document processing, and analytics, with a security and governance-first approach. Automation Anywhere empowers organizations worldwide to unleash productivity gains, drive innovation, improve customer service and accelerate business growth. The company is guided by its vision to fuel the future of work by unleashing human potential through intelligent automation. Learn more at http://www.automationanywhere.com/ .

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/541440/Automation_Anywhere_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Automation Anywhere, Inc.

11 january 2024 at 17:38

News published onand distributed by:
Cielo Announces Extension of Deadline to Pay Royalties





THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES

OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES.

CALGARY, Alberta, Jan. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cielo Waste Solutions Corp. (TSXV:CMC; OTCQB:CWSFF) ("Cielo" or the "Company"), a waste-to-fuel environmental technology company, announces today that it has extended the date by which it is required to pay royalties (the "Royalties") to July 3, 2024.

BACKGROUND

In 2018, the Company had undertaken an early warrant exercise incentive program, issuing a $0.0875 fixed rate royalty for each of the 10,162,500 warrants that were exercised. The deadline to pay the Royalties was originally July 3, 2020, which was extended in July 2020 and again in July 2022, requiring repayment in January 2024. The Company is pleased to have received the required approval from the holders of the Royalties for the extension to July 2024, allowing the Company to focus its resources on the further development of its first commercial waste-to-fuel project in Carseland, Alberta.

ABOUT CIELO

Cielo Waste Solutions Corp. was incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) on February 2, 2011. Cielo is a publicly traded company with its shares listed to trade on the TSXV under the symbol "CMC," on the Frankfurt Exchange under the symbol "C36", as well as on the OTC Venture Market ("OTCQB"), under the symbol "CWSFF." The Company's strategic intent is to become a leading waste-to-fuel company using economically sustainable technology while minimizing the environmental impact. Cielo has a patented process that can convert waste feedstocks, including organic material and wood derivative waste, to fuel. Having demonstrated its ability to produce diesel and naphtha from waste, Cielo's business model is to construct additional processing facilities. Cielo's objective is to generate value by converting waste to fuel, while fueling the sustainable energy transition.

For further information please contact:

Cielo Investor Relations

Ryan Jackson, CEO

Phone: (403) 348-2972

Email: [email protected]

RB Milestone Group LLC

Email: [email protected]

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "achieve", "could", "believe", "plan", "intend", "objective", "continuous", "ongoing", "estimate", "outlook", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "should" or similar words, including negatives thereof, suggesting future outcomes.

Forward-looking statements are subject to both known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements and information are based on plans, expectations and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and are subject to certain factors and assumptions.

Cielo is making forward looking statements, with respect to, but not limited to: the amended deadline to pay the Royalties; and the result of the amended deadline being the ability of the Company to focus on its project in Carseland, Alberta.

Investors should continue to review and consider information disseminated through news releases and filed by the Company on SEDAR+. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.

Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, some of which are described herein. Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause the Company's actual performance and results to differ materially from any projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise such statements to reflect new information, subsequent or otherwise.

12 january 2024 at 01:00

News published onand distributed by:
Greenridge Exploration Announces Listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the Symbol HW3





VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Greenridge Exploration Inc. ("Greenridge" or the "Company") (CSE: GXP) (FSE: HW3), is pleased to announce its common shares are now trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange ("FSE") under the symbol "HW3", WKN: A3EXGV and ISIN: CA 3949191041.

The Company's common shares are now cross listed on the Canadian Stock Exchange and the FSE, providing international exposure to both Canadian and European investors. The dual listing will also provide additional liquidity for the Company's shareholders. The Company's FSE stock quote link can be found here: https://www.boerse-frankfurt.de/equity/greenridge-expl-inc.

Greenridge Exploration CEO, Russell Starr, commented, "We are thrilled to be listed on one of the world's largest trading markets. The Company is confident that the inclusion of Greenridge's shares on the FSE will expand our shareholder base, enhance liquidity, and raise overall market awareness of our projects."

About Greenridge Exploration Inc.

Greenridge Exploration Inc. (CSE: GXP | FRA: HW3) is a mineral exploration company dedicated to creating shareholder value through the acquisition, exploration, and development of critical mineral projects in North America. The Company is led by an experienced management team and board of directors with significant expertise in capital raising and advancing large mining projects.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Russell Starr

Chief Executive Officer, Director

Telephone: +1 (778) 897-3388

Email: [email protected]



Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, including statements regarding the project acquisition bringing a low-risk opportunity, the Company, building a strong battery metals portfolio with low-risk opportunities that positively impact the Company and its shareholders and the Company providing an initial work plan are "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the potential benefits of listing on the FSE. These forward-looking statements reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company based on information currently available to it. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities, which may cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

12 january 2024 at 08:00

News published onand distributed by:
Al Jazeera journalist Wael Dahdouh attends the funeral of his son, Palestinian journalist Hamza Dahdouh, after Hamza was killed in an Israeli strike, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, January 7, 2024. IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA / REUTERS

Employer Al Jazeera, family members and Palestinian militant group Hamas on Thursday, January 11, rejected claims by the Israeli army that journalists it killed in a Gaza air strike were "terror operatives."

Al Jazeera staffer Hamza Wael Dahdouh and freelancer Mustafa Thuraya, who also worked as a video stringer for Agence France-Presse (AFP) and other news organizations, were killed on Sunday while they were on an assignment for the Qatar-based channel in the city of Rafah.

"Al Jazeera Media Network strongly condemns and wholly rejects  and indeed expresses its very considerable surprise at  the Israeli army's false and misleading attempts to justify the killing of our colleague Hamza Wael Dahdouh and other journalists," the network said in a statement.

"Hamza Wael Dahdouh was among a group of journalists from various media organizations [also including Mustafa Thuraya] covering the [Israeli army's] devastating bombing[...] He, like so many journalists before him, was killed simply for doing his job," Al Jazeera added.

Read more Subscribers only Israel-Hamas war: Israeli army keeps Palestinian reporters in their line of sights

On Wednesday, the Israeli army said the two men were "members of Gaza-based terrorist organizations actively involved in attacks against [Israeli army] forces." "Prior to the strike, the two operated drones, posing an imminent threat to [Israeli army] troops," the army said.

Making 'excuses'

Hamza's father Wael al-Dahdouh, who is Al Jazeera's Gaza bureau chief, rejected the claims. "These are fabrications. It is clear that they [the Israeli army] are attempting to defend themselves, justify what is happening and derail the issue," Dahdouh told AFP.

"[The Israeli army] wants to give excuses. This is clear [even] to children here," he said, adding that Hamza had been an experienced journalist. "In this war, journalists can barely do their work, given that they are homeless and displaced," Dahdouh said.

Two of Dahdouh's nephews, Ahmed, a 30-year-old electronics engineer, and Muhammad, a 26-year-old school accountant, were killed in another Israeli air strike on Rafah on Monday, relatives and the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory said.

Hamas's press office also rejected the army's allegations, saying Israel "creates false pretexts to justify its massacres and crimes against Palestinian civilians and journalists."

Thuraya, in his 30s, had contributed for AFP since 2019 and had also worked with other international media outlets. He and Hamza were killed when their car was struck by rockets while they were on their way back from an assignment for Al Jazeera.

Thuraya's cousin Muhammad Thuraya said the army claim was a "false accusation." He said Mustafa used to operate a drone for taking photos and videos which he sold to local and international news agencies. "He was an ambitious and professional young man who was known among journalists for his work."

Read more Subscribers only In Gaza, Palestinian journalists are on the front line

When asked by AFP on Thursday about the kind of drones the two men were using and the nature of the threat they posed to Israeli troops, the army said: "We have nothing to add."
An RAF Typhoon aircraft takes off to join the US-led coalition from RAF Akrotiri to conduct air strikes against military targets in Yemen, aimed at the Iran-backed Houthi militia that has been targeting international shipping in the Red Sea, in Cyprus, in this handout picture released on January 12, 2024. UK MOD / VIA REUTERS

Heavy US and British air strikes pounded targets in rebel-held Yemen early on Friday, January 12, after weeks of disruptive attacks on Red Sea shipping by Iran-backed Houthi forces. The strikes targeted an airbase, airports and a military camp, the Houthi rebels' Al-Masirah TV station said, with Agence France-Presse (AFP) correspondents and witnesses also reporting hearing bombardments.

"Our country was subjected to a massive aggressive attack by American and British ships, submarines and warplanes," Houthi Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein Al-Ezzi said, according to official rebel media. "America and Britain will have to prepare to pay a heavy price and bear all the dire consequences of this blatant aggression," he added.

US President Joe Biden called the US and British strikes a "defensive action" after the Red Sea attacks and said he "will not hesitate" to order further military action if needed. The strikes involved fighter jets and Tomahawk missiles, several US media outlets said. Sixty targets at 16 Houthi locations were hit by more than 100 precision-guided munitions, it said.

Read more Subscribers only US-led multi-national force faces Houthi attacks in Red Sea

"Today, at my direction, US military forces  together with the United Kingdom and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands  successfully conducted strikes against a number of targets in Yemen used by Houthi rebels to endanger freedom of navigation in one of the world's most vital waterways," Biden said in a statement.

He called the strikes a "direct response" to "unprecedented" attacks by the Houthis, "including the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history." "These attacks have endangered US personnel, civilian mariners, and our partners, jeopardized trade, and threatened freedom of navigation," he said. "I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary."

Saudi's 'great concern'

The strikes were "necessary and proportionate," UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement. A joint statement by the US, Britain, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand and South Korea said the "aim remains to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea." "But let our message be clear: We will not hesitate to defend lives and protect the free flow of commerce in one of the world's most critical waterways in the face of continued threats," it said.

The Houthis said there was "no justification" for the air strikes and warned that attacks on Israel-linked shipping would continue. "We affirm that there is absolutely no justification for this aggression against Yemen, as there was no threat to international navigation in the Red and Arabian Seas, and the targeting was and will continue to affect Israeli ships or those heading to the ports of occupied Palestine," Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam posted on X.

Read more Subscribers only Yemen's Houthis put Red Sea on high alert

Russia on Friday condemned the strikes by the United States and Britain as an "escalation" with "destructive objectives." "The US strikes on Yemen are a new example of disinformation by the Anglo-Saxons[...] and a total violation of international law aimed at an escalation in the region to attain their destructive objectives," foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Telegram.

China called Friday for all sides to prevent the Yemen conflict from expanding. "China is concerned about the escalation of tensions in the Red Sea," foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said, adding: "We urge the relevant parties to keep calm and exercise restraint, to prevent the conflict from expanding."

Neighboring Saudi Arabia, which is trying to end its involvement in a nine-year war with the Houthis, urged against escalation. "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is following with great concern the military operations," a foreign ministry statement said, calling for "self-restraint and avoiding escalation."

Iran on Friday lambasted the strikes on rebel targets in Yemen, saying they were an "arbitrary action" and a "violation" of international law. In a statement, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani "strongly condemned the military attacks of the United States and the United Kingdom this morning on several Yemeni cities."

In his statement, Biden said that on January 9 the Houthis "launched their largest attack to date  directly targeting American ships." The Western strikes risk turning an already-tense situation in the Middle East into a wider conflagration pitting the United States and Israel against Iran and its regional proxies.

The Houthi rebels say they are acting in response to Israel's bombardment of Gaza, and have also launched a series of drones and missiles towards Israel. The group has controlled a major part of Yemen since a civil war erupted there in 2014, and is part of the Iran-backed "axis of resistance" arrayed against Israel.

'Consequences'

The United States and its allies had issued a series of increasingly stern warnings to the Huthis to stop the shipping attacks, although Washington has been wary of inflaming regional tensions. Washington set up an international coalition in December  dubbed Operation Prosperity Guardian  to protect maritime traffic in the area, through which 12% of world trade flows.

Twelve nations led by the United States then warned the Houthis on January 3 of "consequences" unless they immediately stopped attacks on commercial vessels. But late Tuesday the Houthis launched what London called the most significant attack yet by the Yemeni rebels, with US and British forces shooting down 18 drones and three missiles.

Read more Subscribers only The challenges facing the new anti-Houthi coalition in the Red Sea

British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps then said on Wednesday that "enough is enough" and told the Houthis to "watch this space." The UN Security Council also Wednesday urged an immediate halt to the attacks on shipping, warning of a threat to regional peace and security.

The final straw for the Western allies appeared to come early on Thursday when the US military said the Houthis fired an anti-ship ballistic missile into a shipping lane in the Gulf of Aden. It was the 27th attack on international shipping in the Red Sea since November 19, the US military said.

The intensifying attacks have caused shipping companies to bypass the route and instead divert around South Africa's Cape of Good Hope, sparking fears of a shock to the global economy. The Houthis say they only target vessels linked to Israel or its allies. The United States strengthened its military posture in the region immediately after the October 7 attacks on Israel and warned Iran and its allies not to escalate the situation.

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 and a Saudi-led coalition's military campaign has caused one of the world's worst humanitarian crises in the Arabian peninsula's poorest country. A truce between the Houthis and the Saudi-backed, internationally recognized government has largely held since April 2022.

Read more Why Middle East stability revolves around Israel
WHEN JOHN Ryan went out to check his flock of sheep on Christmas Day he saw a sight that he will never forget as he saw 16 dead ewes scattered around the field.

We dont know how many dogs were involved but we could tell it wasnt long as John said the sheep were still warm. Sheep are so defenceless - there is nothing they could do, said Tracey Ryan, Johns wife.

She told the Leader the death toll has now reached 26.

They were very stressed after the dog attack - they werent eating. People need to act responsibly with their dogs. Weve had a lot of phone calls from sheep farmers and there is general concern out there, said Mrs Ryan, who has a wireless collar on their pet dog so it cant stray from its boundary.

Local councillor, Eddie Ryan echoed this, saying it is a reminder that we all need to be aware of where our dog is.

Everyone is sure its never their dog - that they would never do anything like that - but when they come together in numbers is the problem. It is a shame and a tragedy.

The stress it causes the rest of the flock can be a devastating problem when it comes to lambing season, said Cllr Ryan.

Eddie Moriarty, Limerick IFA sheep chairman from nearby Anglesboro, said 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 it 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.

Gardai are investigating.
THE NEW and improved National Roads Agreement negotiated by the IFA with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) will result in farmers affected by the Foynes to Limerick road and Adare bypass receiving an additional adjustment of 5m.

It provides for an additional fixed payment of 6,500 per acre in recognition of the co-operation and early access provided by the landowner. Some 800 acres will be lost to agriculture in the 450m Foynes to Limerick project.

The former contract expired at the end of 2021. The new agreement will apply to land compulsorily acquired for national road developments between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2027.

Outgoing IFA president Tim Cullinan said that having land subject to CPO for State infrastructural development was very disruptive, extremely stressful and unsettling for farm families. He said the agreement covers the compensation claim by landowners impacted by the CPO process.

CPOs are provided for in law and while we might not like that, it is very important that farmers are at least compensated fairly and fully. An IFA team led by Paul OBrien has been working on these negotiations for months and I am confident that the best possible agreement has been reached, said Mr Cullinan.

Minister of State Niall Collins, who set down a parliamentary question on goodwill payments to landowners, welcomed the news.

I have been working hard behind the scenes to ensure agreement was reached for landowners, said Mr Collins. Limerick IFA chairman Sean Lavery has also been very prominent on the ground.

IFA national environment and rural affairs chairman Paul OBrien said there are a number of key provisions in the agreement which are critically important for land owners.

These include assessing the open market value of the land being acquired. This is done by reference and comparison to the size, location and quality of the land parcels that are part of the order. Account is also taken of the injurious affection, including damage to the viability of the farm business, severance and disturbance.

Where farm buildings, fixtures and other structures are taken, the settlement will include the cost of replacing such farm buildings, fixtures and other structures with comparable new facilities for similar farming purposes, said Mr OBrien.

The agreement also provides a facility for an independent assessment of the compensation if a settlement agreement cannot be reached between the landowner and the local authority or TII, he said.

Compensation will be paid for all damage and disturbance caused during site investigation works, including disturbance to farming activities, livestock and/or crops and full reinstatement shall be made to all lands damaged by site investigations as set out in a revised code of practice.

A code of practice will be updated and continue to provide guidance aimed at ensuring good liaison and communication with farmers affected by land acquisition for national roads schemes. A project liaison officer for each major national primary road scheme will be appointed to liaise and engage with impacted farmers or their representatives, including in relation to the supervision of agreed accommodation works.

TII and local authorities shall meet the reasonable and necessary costs to landowners affected by the compulsory acquisition of land for roads, of professional fees, including the cost of assessing and agreeing accommodation works, said Mr OBrien.

The local authorities will provide and maintain stock proof fencing on all new motorways, dual-carriageways and national roads provided on or over land to which the agreement applies, he said

Having your land selected for compulsory purchase is a massive issue for any farmer. The IFA has worked hard to put an agreement in place to ensure that farmers are treated fairly in the process.

For many that will be little compensation for the loss of their lands, which have been passed through the generations and is the basis of their livelihood. We believe this is a good agreement and we will continue to work with farmers on the ground to address any queries and to ensure that the acquiring authorities honour it in full, concluded Mr OBrien.
A LIMERICK student has won the top prize at this year's BT Young Scientist competition with his project about Artificial Intelligence.

Sean OSullivan, aged 17, a 5th year student from Colaiste Chiarain in Croom, won with his project, VerifyMe: A new approach to authorship attribution in the post-ChatGPT era.

Since OpenAI released ChatGPT in November of 2022, the line between human-written and AI-generated text has blurred, leaving academia and industry searching for a reliable method to discern true human authorship.

In his project, Sean considered the challenges of author verification in the context of the significant improvements in Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT.

He developed a novel approach to author authentication that identifies stylistic differences to verify authorship.

Chair of the Technology Group Judging Panel, Leonard Hobbs said, "The judges were hugely impressed by Seans innovative approach to addressing a problem that has only recently emerged and his programming skills in architecting a complex software solution."

Sean is the 60th recipient to win the highly coveted trophy, and the top prize of 7,500.

Sean will now also represent Ireland at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS) taking place later this year in the European City for Science 2024 - Katowice, Poland.

The BTYSTE perpetual trophy was presented to the winner on Friday at the RDS by Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD and Managing Director of BT Ireland, Shay Walsh.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Minister for Education Norma Foley TD said, "Id like to sincerely congratulate Sean OSullivan from Colaiste Chiarain in Limerick on his tremendous achievement of winning top prize in the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition 2024.

"His win is testament to his hard work and dedication and the unwavering support of his family, teachers and school.

"It comes in the 60th year of the exhibition when we must give significant credit to founders Dr Tony Scott and Fr Tom Burke who had the vision and determination to first establish this event in Ireland back in 1963 and to all of those who have nurtured and celebrated scientific research in our school communities in the years since.

"Our thanks also to BT for their dedication to supporting and empowering students along the way to the momentous occasion of showcasing their own scientific research at the exhibition."
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has said there are issues around decision-making and patient flow at some of the countrys largest hospitals.

Mr Donnelly said there was a need for reforms such as increased weekend discharges to tackle capacity constraints.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, the minister said there was a need to move to a seven-day-a-week service.

He said: The answer to this is two things: capacity and reform.

The clinicians have said to me many times, we need more beds, we need more healthcare professionals.

Weve added a lot of beds, weve added over 1,000 beds, more beds are going to come online this year.

I am looking for an additional 1,500 beds through a rapid-build programme but thats not enough. There must be reform.

So, we can only be adding capacity and more beds if were also seeing a move to seven-days-a-week weekend discharge and very effective patient flow.

He said the Health Information and Quality Authority has noted improvements in patient flow and senior decision-making in emergency departments but best practice is not being seen consistently across the country.

Were aware of some of the bigger hospitals that are consistently under pressure.

And I am not yet satisfied that everything that needs to be done is being done in some of those hospitals in terms of patient flow and senior management.

Mr Donnelly was speaking after visiting the site of the South Dublin surgical hub at Mount Carmel to view progress on the development.

Six of the hubs are being developed nationally to impact day-case waiting lists in advance of the delivery of regional elective hospitals.

We are not resting on our laurels, were going to keep the momentum going, were going to keep adding capacity, and were going to reform as well.

One of the really important reforms is the surgical hubs. Ive sanctioned six surgical hubs around the country.

These will do day-case procedure minor operation, some major operations as long as they dont require inpatient care.

The other surgical hubs will be located in North Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Limerick and Galway.

Mr Donnelly said there is an ongoing conversation with the Health Service Executive (HSE) about keeping options open for an additional hub in the northwest.

We have a big focus on outpatients because so many more patients are now being seen by consultants, obviously there is a there is an impact on inpatient care because the number of people that are needing inpatient care or day care goes up  thats really where these centres come in.

The Department of Health is launching a waiting-list action plan this year including additional beds in hospitals and the community, and rolling out new healthcare facilities.

Mr Donnelly said the average amount of time people waited for an appointment last year fell from nearly 10 months to seven-and-a-half months.

He acknowledged there was a ways to go to reach the 10-12 week target.
Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd (HCCB), a subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Company, on Friday announced the transfer of bottling operations in three territories in north India as the beverage maker moves to streamline supply chains in the region.

As part of the transition, the Rajasthan market will be owned and operated by Kandhari Global Beverages (which comprises Enrich Agro Food Products Pvt. Ltd and Kandhari Beverages Pvt. Ltd). They currently operate in parts of Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh. The Bihar market will be owned and operated by SLMG Beverages Pvt. Ltd, which currently runs bottling operations in Uttarakhand, parts of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar. The Northeast market and select areas of West Bengal will be owned and operated by Moon Beverages Pvt. Ltd, which also operates parts of Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.

Re-franchising of bottling operations is focused on streamlining the supply chain in the region and raising the bar on execution, the company said in a statement on Friday.

This business transfer marks a significant decision for Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages," said Juan Pablo Rodriguez, CEO, HCCB India.

It ensures the right level of investments can be undertaken in all parts of the business, while bringing both scale and contiguity to the business. We are in the long-term growth prospects of our beverages business in India and believe this move will help accelerate the CocaCola system, enabling us to win in the market and provide greater value to local communities," Rodriguez said.

The announcement follows HCCBs 2019 divestment in its bottling operations in four territories in north India as it then sought to optimize resources, widen its distribution network, and create regional scale.

Coca-Cola works with bottling partners who manufacture and distribute its beverages in designated markets. In India, it also operates HCCB, the companys owned bottling business. In all, it works with 11 bottlers that operate 54 bottling plants in the country. HCCB is the largest bottler in India with 16 operational factories. Two factories in West Bengal and another in Bihar will be transferred to third-party bottlers post the transition.

Meanwhile, HCCB is also building several new plants in Telangana and Maharashtra. It recently announced plans to invest 3,000 crore in Gujarat to set up a juice and aerated drinks facility.

"We are committed to building stronger and more sustainable local businesses in India," Sundeep Bajoria, Vice President, India Operations, for CocaCola India, said on Friday.

As we set ourselves for further growth in the Indian market, these transfers will direct investments into innovation, infrastructure, technical capabilities, talent acquisition and business expansion while strengthening existing capabilities to deliver unparalleled beverage experiences to our consumers," Bajoria said.

The move comes as the maker of Coke, Sprite, Fanta and Limca drinks continues to ramp up investments in the market.

In March last year, John Murphy, president and chief financial officer at the Coca-Cola Company, said investments were underway in India, along with its bottling partners, as improved infrastructure and rural electrification sparked demand for its beverages.

In a roundtable with the press while on a visit to India, Murphy had indicated that the company will continue to divest its bottling operations in the country over time. We are on record to say that our aim as a company is to focus on the things that we think we're good atthat is building brands, being a good franchise partner with our bottlers around the world and developing the ecosystem that we are so privileged to be at the centre of. Over the coming years, we will divestwe will do it in a very thoughtful and a very deliberate manner," he said then.

India is the fifth-largest market for Coca-Cola globallya market it re-entered in the 90s and where it sells brands such as Thums-Up, Sprite, Fanta and Limca, apart from Coca-Cola or Coke.

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Online travel platform EaseMyTrip aims to raise 1,000 crore within the next 3-4 months in order to largely focus on inorganic growth of the company in businesses unrelated to aviation sector, co-founder Prashant Pitti told Mint .

This would be the first time the company would be taking any external capital. Till today, the company is bootstrapped. We are in the process of empanelling bankers to start the fund-raising. We already have a couple of investors who have shown interest. We expect this to happen over the next 3-4 months," Pitti said.

Earlier this month, the company board gave an in-principle approval for raising funds of up to 1,000 crore through a combination of preferential issue of equity shares along with warrants.

Last year, EaseMyTrip acquired a majority stake in three Indian travel companies including Guideline Travels Holidays, TripShope Travel Technologies and Dook Travels as part of its growth strategy. It has also secured a non-controlling 13% stake in Eco Hotels and Resorts Ltd.

Among the interested investors, one is domestic, and the other is foreign. In terms of usage of funds, at least more than 50% of the funds will be for acquisition of non-air related companies as we are already very strong in air business. We will use the rest of the funds for marketing activities for the company," he said.

In the non-air category, EaseMyTrip said that it is eyeing opportunities in business-to-business, business-to-consumer, business-to-business-consumer categories, hotels, holiday segment, bus and cab segments as well. However, it is not looking at acquisition opportunities related to train transportation category.

"Besides train segment, there are a bunch of people we are speaking to right now and this is why we are doing the fund raise," he added.

On Wednesday, the company also announced the launch of its new subsidiary, EaseMyTrip Insurance Broker Private Ltd to tap into the Indian insurance market.

The company said that the diversification into insurance segment made sense as under its own survey, it found a 75% overlap in its 20-million customer base between the customers who are booking an air ticket online and those who are buying insurance online.

This is the first time we are doing something outside travel space, we feel extremely comfortable working with digital goods. We want to stay in digital goods and high-order value category, so insurance fit in perfectly. Insurance is an asset-light, inventory-light investment model," Pitti said.

The company has been working on the technology for deploying insurance business since the last 7-8 months and expects to unveil the insurance company to the public within 3-4 months. The product will be offered as part of air ticket bookings but it will provide the entire insurance range as well including motor vehicle insurance, health insurance, life insurance among other categories.

It is as big a market as a travel product. Knowing that there is a 75% overlap gives us enough comfort that the company breaks even or makes money within the first year of starting the business," Pitti said, adding that the broader goal of the management is to build an EaseMyTrip group with various air and non-air related businesses.

For July-September quarter, the company had reported a net profit of 47.2 crore, registering a growth of 67.2% on year and the consolidated net profit for the company had stood at 25.9 crore for the June quarter.

The companys management reiterated that it is on track to achieve the target of posting profit before tax of 250 crore for the current financial year ending March 31.

The company also came under limelight this week when it suspended further bookings for Maldives on its platform following adverse comments by three ministers of Maldivian government against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The move has garnered mixed reactions on social media platforms.

There is no lip service, we are actually taking a revenue loss. It would have been easier for me to say I will never go to Maldives in future. However, I am actually taking a revenue loss and I am the only one who is still willing to take a revenue loss, none of the competitors have taken such a step. Now, people are supporting us, at the time of doing it we did not know how would this snowball or whether people will support, but we took the decision on what we thought was the right thing for us to do as a person in power with responsibility to keep stature of country on high morale. As of now it is a status quo," he said.

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NEW DELHI : Android maker Google on Friday said it will start allowing all real-money games on its Play Store marketplace, as long as they are not illegal under local regulations.

The move follows a September 2022 pilot allowing online rummy games and what Google classified as daily fantasy sports, and will be brought into effect after the pilot ends on 30 June.

The move was welcomed by the online gaming industry, which is reeling from demands of more than 1.5 trillion ($18 billion) from India's tax regulator.

However, there could be concerns over the kinds of commissions that Google would charge from real-money games.

A blog-post published on Thursday by Karan Gambhir, director of global trust and safety partnerships at Google, said the company will be evolving (the) service fee model for RMG (real money gaming) to reflect the value Google Play provides, and to help sustain Android and Play ecosystems".

Gambhir added that Google is working with industry stakeholders to ensure our new approach reflects the unique economics and various developer earning models of this industry".

Two officials close to the development, who requested anonymity, said there has been no concrete discussion on what Google's fees would be, and that a decision on it could only be taken in the months to come.

Google has historically charged developers a service fee of 15% of payments received through the Play Store listing for up to $1 million in the developers annual revenue, and 30% for above $1 million. For developers that use third-party billing systems, Google charges 11% and 26% for the same revenue threshold.

One of the officials cited above told Mint that such a model would prove to be impractical and unrealistic" in case of real-money games.

The real-money gaming sector already has a 28% GST to pay on player entry fees. A fee of up to 30% would never work in this sector, since this would take the net deduction in fees and taxes for a real-money gaming operator up to nearly 60%," the official said.

Then, there are advertising spends that developers make on Play Storeall of this included will lead to deductions of nearly 80% from a players payment, which simply wont work in this sector."

However, Roland Landers, chief executive of industry body All India Gaming Federation, said the move will help micro, small and medium enterprises, and new developers or platforms who will be able to compete with established companies by substantially bringing down user acquisition and other associated costs".

Both the industry officials cited above said Googles decision could hinge on regulatory decisions in the sector. Until then, the sector will have access to over 2.5 billion users that Google says accesses its Play Store every month

The domestic regulatory framework is work in progress: a proposal by the ministry of electronics and information technology (Meity) for the appointment of self-regulatory bodies (SRBs) is believed to have hit a stalemate.

On 2 January, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, union minister of state for IT, told Mint, There has been no progress on the appointment of self-regulatory bodies. We received only one application so far, and we didnt like it."

Weve been very clear that we didnt want (the SRBs) to be industry-dominated. We wont dilute the basic principles," Chandrasekhar said. We may consider that the government gives itself the power to determine permissibility in online gaming."

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NEW DELHI , BENGALURU : HCL Technologies Ltd has emerged as the best performer among Indias top four IT services firms in the seasonally weak December quarter, heading into the final leg of whats expected to be a slow financial year for the sector.

Both HCL Tech and Wipro Ltd, which also reported quarterly numbers on Friday, beat market estimates, making Infosys Ltd the only one of the top fourthe biggest being Tata Consultancy Services Ltdto miss Street projections.

Even so, Infosys, which announced its numbers on Thursday, as did TCS, saw the biggest single-day gain for its shares on Friday since July 2020 as its earnings turned out to be not as bad as analysts had feared.

Now that the industry heavyweights have announced their third-quarter earnings, analysts and at least some industry executives seem more hopeful of a revival in the sector in the coming financial year.

HCL Technologies reported a 5.9% sequential growth in revenue from the July-September quarter to $3.42 billion, and a 12.5% increase in net profit to $522 million. Its operating margin improved 1.3 percentage points to 19.8%.

In comparison, Wipros lacklustre financial year continued with a 1.7% sequential decline in revenue to $2.67 billion on significant losses in its key business, including banking and financial services.

The company surprised on its net profit, though, posting $323.9 million, a 1.7% increase from the preceding three months. Its operating margin, though, fell by 10 basis points sequentially to 16% in the December quarter.

A Bloomberg survey based on a poll of 25 analysts had projected net profit of $496 million on revenue of $3.37 billion for HCL Tech. For Wipro, the average estimate, based on a poll of 22 analysts, was a net profit of $321 million on revenue of $2.65 billion.

Based on projections by the IT companies and their performances in the first nine months of the financial year, HCL is on track to be the fastest-growing of the top four. Although the company tempered the upper-end of its projected margin, it maintained a guidance of 5-5.5%.

TCS is expected to follow HCL, having grown at 4.7% year-on-year until the December quarter. Infosys, which has so far grown at 2.5%, would be third.

Wipro is expected to be the only one of the top four to report a revenue decline this financial year, after it projected fourth-quarter revenue to change between -1.5% and 0.5%thus suggesting that its FY24 revenue could decline by 3.7-4.1% over FY23.

TCS does not offer a revenue projection.

While we still dont see an uptick in discretionary spendsit remains what it was in the last quarter... cloud migration, SAP Core and data modernization, cyber security, automation and advanced analytics are areas where tech spending will remain robust and resilient in the last quarter of this financial year," said C. Vijayakumar, chief executive and managing director of HCL Technologies.

Wipros chief executive Thierry Delaporte offered a less enthusiastic projection.

The demand environment remains cautious. Clients are making conservative investments," he said. When the market turns, consulting will be the first business to bounce back. (But) the market hasnt changed dramatically, and continues to be what weve seen last quarter where there was a significant reduction of discretionary spend."

On 11 January, TCS reported a 1% sequential growth in revenue and 2.7% increase in net profit for the December quarter. Infosyss revenue declined by 1.2% from the September quarter, and its net profit by 2.3%.

HCL Techs growth in the December quarter came on the back of a boost in its software and services division, which received a shot in the arm from a $2.1-billion deal it signed with US networking major Verizon in August.

Other deals, including its software collaboration agreement with Amazon Web Services, are said to have strengthened its business significantly.

As for Wipro, analysts are more optimistic than Delaporte. A better billing environment from already signed deals, and a better-than-expected quarter in its consulting business, helped it edge past market projections for the December quarter, they said.

A senior analyst with a Mumbai-based brokerage said HCL Technologies is poised for a stronger 2024 than its peers owing to its manufacturing and engineering focus. This can help the company mitigate uncertainties in software-driven tech spending, which may improve in the coming yearbut could be a hit or a miss," the analyst said, requested anonymity.

Wipros future, too, appears promising given its solid business pipeline", said Biswajit Maity, senior principal analyst at Gartner. The company has a strong vision and transformation capability, which influences client satisfaction."

Wipros net headcount declined by 4,473 employees in the October-December period, while HCL Technologies reported a net addition of 3,617 employees. This makes HCL the only one of the top four IT companies to have reported a net headcount addition for the quarter.

Wipro, TCS and Infosys, combined, decreased their net employee count by 16,254 during the December quarter. This causes some concern for Indias job market, considering the $245-billion IT services industry is one of the biggest recruiters for tech talent across Indias engineering institutions.

Enterprises are prioritising operational cost improvements as well as low-code capabilities that boost efficiency. We see great potential in generative AI, but the programs in this segment will be small in the near-term," said HCLs CEO Vijayakumar. We signed 31 deals in generative AI, but most of them are of sub-$1 million ticket sizes. We expect them to ramp up in the coming quarters."

HCLs annual recurring revenue grew 2.9% year-on-year to reach $1.06 billion in the December quarter. Its software business, which contributed around 12% of its overall revenue for the period, saw profitability rise sharply to 32.9%.

To be sure, while the December quarter is seasonally weak due to holidays and furloughs, the software business typically has a robust performance in every December quarter driven by enterprise software contract renewals.

HCLs telecom business, which was in focus after its Verizon deal in August, saw a 25.9% sequential growth in revenue. Net new deals on a year-to-date basis grew 10% annually to $7.5 billion.

Wipro, meanwhile, saw revenue from its banking and financial services business, its largest contributor, decline 4.3% sequentially in constant currency terms.

Wipro also did not sign any increase in mega deals between October and December, with large deal bookings shrinking to $900 milliondown 28.7% sequentially.

The lack of new mega deals has been a key issue at the company, which saw Stephanie Trautman, its previous chief growth officer and head of large deals, exiting at the end of 2023 after failing to sign a single $1 billion-plus deal over the past three years.

WIPRO More Information

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Morgan Stanley agreed Friday to pay $249 million to settle criminal and regulatory investigations into allegations that some employees improperly shared information about clients stock sales, the Manhattan U.S. attorneys office said.

The resolution ends a long-running probe into how the bank sold large blocks of stock for institutional investors. Morgan Stanley obtained a nonprosecution agreement, a form of leniency that means it wont face criminal charges as long as it cooperates with ongoing requests from prosecutors for three years and doesnt violate its settlement agreement.

The banks total settlement includes an agreement to pay fines of about $112 million to the Securities and Exchange Commission. We are pleased to resolve these investigations and are confident in the enhancements we have made to our controls around block trading," the bank said Friday in a statement.

A former executive in charge of block trading, Pawan Passi, admitted that he misled clients from 2018 to 2021 about how he would handle their trades. He agreed to a one-year bar from the securities industry and to pay a $250,000 fine to the SEC.

Passi received a probationary deal known as a deferred prosecution agreement, which typically is reserved for low-level offenders without a criminal history. His separate deal with the SEC allows Passi to seek readmission to the brokerage industry after his one-year bar expires.

Block trades occur when a large shareholder, such as a private-equity firm, wants to sell a swath of stock at once. A bank such as Morgan Stanley offers to buy the block at a discount to the days closing price and then sells the shares at a slight markup from what it paid. In the years leading up to the probe, Morgan Stanley was the dominant bank in block trading.

Prosecutors said Passi promised some selling shareholders that he would keep their potential sales confidential but knew he would talk to investors and that they would use the information to trade in advance of the block sales.

Potential buyers of block shares, such as hedge funds, sometimes short the stock once they hear about the sales. That can drive down the price that the selling shareholder receives.

Morgan Stanleys settlement includes $64 million in restitution, which would go to compensate sellers harmed by the information leakage. The banks civil fraud settlement with the SEC says Passis communications with investors reduced Morgan Stanleys risk in purchasing block trades.

Prosecutors investigation was complicated by questions about whether the potential stock sales were material nonpublic information. In some cases, block trades involve shares that sophisticated investors know are coming because the sellers are executives whose stockholdings are publicly disclosed and who are only able to sell after a defined period.

Defense attorneys also pointed out that regulators decades ago had approved of banks disclosing block orders so they could find the best price for a seller. The SEC in 1979 issued guidance that said brokers could search and negotiate for a matching interest" to sell a block for a customer.

A 2022 Wall Street Journal analysis of nearly 400 block trades over three years indicated that information about the sales routinely leaks out ahead of time.

Morgan Stanley put Passi on leave in November 2021 and discharged him the following year, according to Financial Industry Regulatory Authority records. Charles Leisure, another senior executive who worked with Passi on block trades at the bank, was also discharged in 2022, according to Finra records. Prosecutors didnt charge Leisure with wrongdoing.

Write to Dave Michaels at dave.michaels@wsj.com, AnnaMaria Andriotis at annamaria.andriotis@wsj.com and Corrie Driebusch at corrie.driebusch@wsj.com

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Asset manager BlackRock has once again reduced its valuation of Indian ed-tech unicorn Byjus, this time by around 95 percent from $22 billion to $1 billion, as per a Tech Crunch report citing company disclosures. At $22 billion, Byju's was India's most valuable start-up.

The downgrade is not too surprising. In October 2023, the mutual funds investor valued Byjus shares at around $209.6 each, a significant drop from the peak of $4,660 in 2022. The company holds less than 1 percent of Byju's.

It provides multiple disclosures throughout the year, without explanation for its choices, the report said. Blackrock and Byju's did not respond to queries.

Also Read | Airbus beats Boeing with record jet orders for the fifth year

While not the first, it is the most drastic adjustment in valuation that the troubled ed-tech start-up has faced. In 2023, Prosus, which holds 9 percent of the company, valued the unicorn at 'sub $3 billion'.

Reversal of Fortune

This valuation markdown represents a significant reversal of fortune for Byjus, once considered the poster child of the Indian start-up ecosystem. Despite acquiring over half a dozen firms globally with an expenditure exceeding $2.5 billion in 2021 and 2022, Byjus, which was once valued as high as $50 billion, is now facing financial challenges.

The company, which was preparing to go public in early 2022 through a SPAC deal with a potential valuation of up to $40 billion, had to put its IPO plans on hold due to Russias invasion of Ukraine in February that year. Later as market conditions deteriorated, so did Byjus business outlook and investors began pressuring the company to address unresolved issues.

Also Read | After Prime, Amazon's Twitch and Audible face layoffs due to financial issues

Byjus is currently grappling with various challenges, including difficulties in raising capital, meeting payroll obligations, and managing a debt exceeding a billion dollars. The company disclosed last month that it missed its revenue target for the financial year ending in March 2022.

Additionally, Byjus CFO Ajay Goel left the start-up in less than seven months, returning to Vedanta in late October. This followed the high-profile departures of auditor Deloitte and three key board members in June. Prosus publicly criticized the Bengaluru-based startup in July for insufficient evolution and disregard of investor advice despite repeated attempts.

Also Read | At BMW, first-time buyers take a second-hand route

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New Delhi: Tata Consumer Products Ltd (TCPL) on Friday signed definitive agreements to acquire 100% equity shares of Capital Foods, owner of the brands Chings Secret and Smith & Jones, and Organic India, a company that sells organic herbal teas and health foods.

While the acquisition of Capital Foods will be in a phased manner, TCPL will acquire 100% of Organic India in an all-cash deal.

TCPL will pay an enterprise value on a no cash-no debt basis of 5,100 crore for 100% stake in Capital Foods. While 75% of the equity shareholding will be acquired upfront, the remaining 25% will be acquired within the next three years, TCPL said in a filing to the exchanges on Friday evening.

For a 100% stake in Organic India, TCPL will pay 1,900 crore, along with an additional earnout for the shareholders linked to FY26 audited financials of the company. The estimated turnover of Organic India for FY24 is 360 - 370 crore, up from 324.4 crore in FY23.

The signing of the share purchase agreement with Capital Foods has ended months of speculation over the latters ownership that saw rivals such as Nestle and ITC bid aggressively. In May last year, Mint reported that food giants Nestle India and ITC were in the fray to acquire Capital Foods.

The acquisition is consistent with Tata Consumers strategic intent to expand its product portfolio and its target addressable market.

Capital Foods has strong umbrella platform brands with a portfolio of unique products for in-home consumption in fast-growing categories. In FY23, Capital Foods reported revenue from operations of 705.5 crore. The estimated turnover of Capital Foods for FY24 is 750 to 770 crore.

Chings Secret is a market leader in Desi Chinese across its product categories - chutneys, blended masalas, sauces and soups. Smith & Jones is a fast-growing brand catering to in-home cooking of Italian and other Western cuisines.

Overall, Capital Foods has number one or number two positions in five large categories. This acquisition will enable Tata Consumer Products to expand its product portfolio and further strengthen its pantry platform. There are significant synergy benefits with the existing businesses of Tata Consumer Products in areas spanning distribution, logistics, exports and overheads," TCPL said in its filing.

Sunil DSouza, MD & CEO, Tata Consumer Products said, We are excited to welcome Capital Foods into Tata Consumer Products. We believe this is a good strategic and financial fit. It will open up significant market opportunities in the fast-growing non-Indian cuisines segment, leveraging the sales and distribution platform that we have built."

This transaction will accelerate momentum in our business and is margin accretive to our business," said DSouza.

On Organic India, he said, This transaction aligns well with Tata Consumers overall strategic objectives and presents exciting market opportunities in the rapidly growing health & wellness segment. In addition, Organic India has built very strong relationships with farmers to create a robust organic supply chain with a trusted brand and a loyal consumer base. Organic Indias differentiated products and robust supply chain together with Tata Consumers distribution strength across channels in India and specific geographies globally make us confident of accelerating momentum in the business while improving our margin profile."

The overall size of the categories in which Capital Foods operates is estimated at 21,400 crore, while the total addressable market for the categories that Organic India is present in is 7,000 crore in India and 75,000 crore in international markets.

Structural growth drivers for the category include continued growth in income levels, evolving consumer preferences leading to increased salience of global cuisines in in-home cooking and increasing need for convenience. This is especially true post covid.

Capital Foods, a 25-year-old company with manufacturing facilities in Nasik, Kandla and Vapi, is jointly owned by US private equity group General Atlantic (35.43%) and Artal Asia Pte. (39.94%), a European family office and investment arm, Wildflower Family Trust (22.08%) and founder chairman Ajay Gupta (2.55%).

Tata Consumer Products is a multi conglomerate that spans the globe with quality food ingredients and products. In 28 years, from 3 bottles of sauces, to an entire Desi Chinese cuisine block, Chings Secret has become a brand to be reckoned with. Smith & Jones covers another food block with tremendous potential. Together, Tata and Capital Foods can create a multinational culinary brand that includes multiple food categories," said Ajay Gupta, Founder of Capital Foods.

Francis Cukierman, Managing Director at Invus, the global advisor of Artal (a European evergreen family investor) said, We are thrilled to have worked closely with Ajay Gupta and contributed to the journey of Capital Foods since 2013. Artal Asia, the Singapore subsidiary of Artal Group, has decided to continue for the compelling next chapter of growth of Capital Foods with Tata Consumer for the next few years."

Organic India has a geographical footprint covering over 48 countries, substantially from India and the US. Its product portfolio spans premium and high growth categories focused on sustainable living - herbal supplements, tea & infusions and organic packaged foods.

Backed by FabIndia, Organic India has relationships with 12,000+ farmers and end to end organic certifications across the supply chain. It pioneered commercial cultivation of tulsi and introduced high value medicinal crops for farming in India. It has a portfolio of over 100 products in the Health & Wellness space.

William Bissell, Managing Director, Fabindia said, Tata is Indias most venerated and dynamic brand. For over 150 years, it has stood as the

visionary exemplar of Indian values: fairness, preservation of civilizational traditions, harmony with the natural world, and social uplift for all. That is why we are immensely excited that they will be guiding Organic India through its next chapter and stewarding the vital mission for which Organic India stands. We are confident that Organic India will continue to thrive with the Tatas leadership."

Kotak Investment Banking was TCPLs exclusive financial advisor on the deals.

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Indias insurance industry is actively embracing digitalisation as it streamlines its claims processes, top industry experts said at the Mint BFSI Summit and Awards 2024 .

Despite the prevailing external perception that the insurance sector remains tethered to traditional pen-and-paper methods, and ongoing discussions about incorporating digitalisation, AI, blockchain, and other innovations, the industry has, in fact, wholeheartedly embraced these technologies," said Anuj Tyagi, joint managing director at HDFC Ergo general Insurance.

An illustrative example is the swift processing of straight-through processing claims in a cashless scenario, averaging just 28 minutesan accomplishment deemed implausible a few years ago," he said in a discussion on Insurance: The digitalisation imperative.

The health insurance sector, too, is actively working on integrating their digital channels with the open-source National Health Claim Exchange platform, said Prasun Sikdar, managing director and chief executive of ManipalCigna Health Insurance Co. Ltd.

This, he said, would ensure complete digitalisation and significantly decrease the time required for a patient to secure discharge at hospitals.

Sikdar also said the health insurance industry disbursed nearly 90,000 crore in claims last year, with a substantial portion 30,000 crorededicated to covid-related claims.

Remarkably, the industry managed this without seeking external assistance," he said, adding, The estimated profitability for the next five years is projected to surpass 30,000 crore for the entire health insurance sector, dispelling any misconceptions about the industrys commitment to fulfilling claims."

Adding to this, Tyagi said the industry has proactively implemented numerous measures to simplify the claims process, particularly by using digital platforms such as WhatsApp.

These channels are being leveraged to create a remarkable customer experience, enabling activities such as launching claims and checking policy status in multiple languages... the industry is expected to undergo significant transformation in the coming years as more players adopt these innovations," he said.

On the notion of persistent delays in customers obtaining or surrendering their claims, Mahesh Balasubramanian, managing director of Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance, said the industry had made notable improvements in this aspect.

When a customer decides to surrender, efforts are made to engage in a digital dialogue, steering away from the traditional home branch visits," he said.

The objective is to understand the customers reasons and persuade them to reconsider, highlighting the long-term benefits. Many times, through these digital conversations, customers are enlightened about the advantages of continuing their policy, leading to successful retention."

On the prevalent trust deficit in the industry, Mahavir Chopra, founder of insurance platform Beshak.org, said insurers still relied on customers for data as they continued to grapple with the task of capturing data independently

In the realm of messaging, theres a discernible gap between customer expectations and what insurers currently deliver. There is also a systemic gap in handling complaints," he said. Theres a need to address and streamline these gaps in data, communication, and complaint resolution across the industry."

Concluding the discussion, Karthi Purushothaman, partner at Mckinsey & Co., said it was crucial to acknowledge that in India merely 5% of insurance policies were sourced digitally.

The industry predominantly operates through intermediaries, with only 27% of premiums sold through agents, in contrast to countries like Thailand or Korea where the figure stands at around 40%," he said.

Efforts are underway to empower agents with digital tools and technology. This involves leveraging generative AI tools, scripting, and simplifying policy language for enhanced customer understanding."

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Researchers are coming up with new ways to make medical studies less white.

They are building trust in groups long ignored by science and working with doctors and patients of color to design better studies. They are opening research sites in more diverse communities and providing stipends to help people participating in their studies pay for gas and child care.

The efforts are starting to work: More people of color are participating in medical research. That is good news for everyone. Data from clinical trialsused to approve drugs and train artificial intelligence on medical decision-makinguntil recently failed to include swaths of the population. In the future, more diverse data sets will lead to better treatments and prevention of diseases in people of different backgrounds.

Without diversity, we lose the ability to address fundamental problems that lead to suffering and loss of life," said Dr. Carol Horowitz, director of Mount Sinais Institute for Health Equity Research.

Horowitz is working with community doctors and patients of color to develop pulse oximeters, devices that measure blood-oxygen levels through a fingertip, for people of all skin tones. The devices were less accurate during the pandemic for some Black, Hispanic and Asian patients, research found.

Its a travesty. These are the kinds of things we miss," she said.

Horowitz and her team are surveying people to find out if they are aware of oximeters flaws and working to warn doctors and patients about the devices limitations. They are recruiting a diverse group of volunteers to test the new oximeters.

Recently Horowitz and her colleagues also worked with local doctors and parents of color to assemble a more diverse group of families to draw better data from a study assessing the value of genetic sequencing for newborns.

Researchers are coming down from their ivory towers and saying, we dont have all the answers. I love that," said Delante Lee Bess, a Black father who helped design the study.

His daughter had participated in a 2019 study among mostly white, wealthy families that found genetic sequencing in newborns could identify risks for thousands of diseases and that families welcomed that knowledge. The researchers wanted their follow-up study to determine whether families from other backgrounds would participate and find such knowledge useful, too.

Bess and other parents recommended researchers simplify their recruitment materials and hire more recruiters of color. Researchers tossed out their original study design and incorporated many of the parents suggestions. Some 40% families who have agreed to participate are Black, about a third are Hispanic and a third have an annual household income of less than $20,000.

Genetic traits inherited from your ancestors can influence your risk for some diseases or how well a treatment works. Geneticists who analyzed some 30,000 cancerous tumors in people of African ancestry in the U.S. found ancestry-related mutations that could influence the aggressiveness of the disease and response to treatments, according to a study published in October in the journal Cancer Cell.

People used to think that by looking at just one population, we can understand what is driving cancer," said Jian Carrot-Zhang, a geneticist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and a study co-author. Were showing thats not the case."

Congress in 1993 required the National Institutes of Health to include more women and people of color in studies. Progress was modest until the nationwide reckoning over race that followed George Floyds murder by a police officer in Minneapolis in 2020, said Dr. Steven M. Lipkin, a clinical geneticist at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City.

George Floyds death was like a light switch," he said.

Three-quarters of clinical-trial participants in the U.S. are white, down from 84% in 2011. Some 60% of the U.S. population is white. The Food and Drug Administration is preparing guidelines that would require drugmakers to explain how they intend to recruit a diverse pool of patients in advanced clinical trials.

Pfizer said it is opening new clinical-trial sites in diverse areas such as Brownsville, Texas. Johnson & Johnson in October released the results of the first large study of psoriasis, a chronic skin condition, solely in people of color. That data helped confirm that the psoriasis drug Tremfya is effective and safe for patients of all skin tones, the company said.

Good representation is good science. It really helps all of us," said Dr. Felix Olale, chairman of MedGenome, a genetic-research company that collects genetic data from blood tests performed at hospitals and doctors offices in some 35 countries. Drugmakers in the U.S. are using some of that data to develop treatments for rare diseases, Olale said.

Researchers cant traipse into communities that have been neglected or exploited by doctors and expect to be welcomed with open arms, said Dr. Donald Warne, co-director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health. He advises researchers who want to work with indigenous communities to first build relationships with elders and community health workers.

The messenger really matters," he said.

Ayanna Molina, 49, had been skeptical of organized medicine in part because of her own work as a therapist. Molinas patients in New Orleans included many people like herself: Black women with post-traumatic stress disorder. Their stories of being ignored by doctors corroborated her own mistrust of the medical system.

Clinical trials havent been fair to Black people," she said.

But when she fell into a suicidal depression in 2020, she learned of a clinical trial that intrigued her. Researchers were studying MDMA, a mood-altering drug known popularly as ecstasy, coupled with therapy to treat PTSD.

Molina said the researchers talked through her concerns and provided about $1,000 for basic expenses and travel to and from her therapists office. She later learned she was given a placebo, but the intensive therapy and the support she received were transformative.

It was such a tender experience. I felt very safe," she said.

Researchers conducting the study wanted to improve on data from an earlier trial whose participants were mostly white and affluent. Black, Hispanic and indigenous people experience PTSD at higher rates than other groups.

Patients of color told the researchers that reimbursement for lost wages, child care and transportation would help them take part, said Joseph McCowan, a psychologist who helped recruit a more diverse group of patients for the study. The study, published in September in Nature Medicine, showed that MDMA-assisted therapy alleviated PTSD symptoms.

Without intention, things just remain as they are," McCowan said.

Write to Dominique Mosbergen at dominique.mosbergen@wsj.com

View Full Image Medical Studies Are Too White. How Science Is Working to Get Better Data.

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TROY-A man found guilty of shooting into an occupied building is in Pike County Jail awaiting sentencing March 13.

Justin Perry Blair, 32, was found guilty in connection with the 2022 incident by a Pike County Jury after a three day trial at the 12th Judicial Circuit Courthouse in Troy.

I appreciate the work of Senior Assistant District Attorney Jon Folmar in prosecuting this case, said 12th Judicial Circuit District Attorney James Tarbox, following the verdict. It is important that as a District Attorneys Office we take all cases seriously, but especially shooting cases.

Testimony and evidence presented during the three day jury trial, prosecuted by Folmar, showed that on Oct. 16, 2022, Blair and a co-defendant were involved in a minor verbal altercation at a residence in the 400 block of South Brundidge Street in Troy. Blairs co-defendent still awaits trial, Tarbox said.

According to news reports at that time, after Blair and his co-defendant, returned to their vehicle at about 10 p.m., Blair fired a dozen rounds towards the residence. Evidence presented at trial this week showed that multiple occupied residences were struck by projectiles during the incident.

The safety of all citizens of the 12th Circuit is and will remain our priority when prosecuting crime, Tarbox said. We were fortunate in this incident that no one was struck with gunfire.

The actions of this defendant could have seriously wounded or killed an innocent person, he added. Our office is thankful for the jurors and their service in rendering this verdict today.

Tarbox also credited the work of the Troy Police Department and the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for their investigation into the shooting.
India's sun-drenched fields and windswept coasts are witnessing a silent revolution. The country's renewable-energy juggernaut just zoomed past 180 GW, solidifying its position as the world's fourth-largest player in both wind and solar power.

The country's renewable capacity surpassed 180 GW last November, with solar (72 GW), wind (45 GW), and large hydro (47 GW) comprising more than 40% of the total installed capacity.

This surge in green power isn't just powering homes and industries  it's electrifying stock markets and driving India's ambitious climate goals.

Renewable-energy stocks had a dream run in 2023, with companies generating returns of 100-270%.

With the green hydrogen sector picking up, many companies are joining the fray. One of them is Man Industries.

About Man Industries

A flagship company of the Man Group, UK, the company manufactures, processes, and trades submerged arc-welded pipes and steel products.

It offers longitudinal submerged arc welded line pipes for use in the oil, gas, petrochemicals, fertilisers, and dredging industries.

It also provides various options for external and internal coating systems.

Over the past year, the shares of the company have rallied over 300% on back-to-back project wins.

View Full Image Source: Ace Equity

Hydrogen-transport pipes

Man Industries is making a strategic move into the growing green-hydrogen market. Having recognised the immense potential of clean hydrogen as a future energy source, the company has begun producing pipes specifically designed to transport hydrogen.

This presents a massive opportunity, especially with the world aiming for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The hydrogen-generation market in India is estimated to touch $22-23 billion by 2030. This is because hydrogen is expected to become a more popular source of clean energy worldwide.

Man Industries has invested resources in research and development to help it make the most of this high-growth sector.

The company recently announced the successful completion of pipe testing for secure hydrogen conveyance.

This milestone was accomplished in Italy by RINA Consulting - Centro Sviluppo Materiali SPA, affirming the sector's leadership in ensuring the safe and efficient transport of hydrogen.

Man Industries is also holding discussions with Indian conglomerates looking to transition to green energy.

Government push

The Indian government is taking significant steps to promote and support the production of green hydrogen as part of its efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and establish itself as a leading exporter in the sector.

The government has unveiled a$ 2 billion ( 160 billion) scheme to promote the production of green hydrogen in the country. Producers will receive incentives worth at least 10% of their costs to support the transition to renewable energy.

The government plans to offer incentives of at least 30 a kg for green hydrogen production to cut manufacturing costs from the current 300 a kg. The scheme will also allocate funds for manufacturing electrolysers that are essential for production.

The government intends to begin the bidding process soon and expects to support 3.6 million tonnes of hydrogen production capacity over the next three years.

The auctions will be conducted in tranches for green hydrogen supply and electrolysers. The government aims to gain market insights, foster technology adoption, and drive cost reductions in the sector.

India strives to achieve 50% of its electricity capacity from non-fossil-fuel sources by 2030 and reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.

Whats next?

The company expects revenue of around 40 billion in the next two years.

Man Industries has participated in large bids for new businesses in domestic and overseas markets and expects to receive incremental orders in the coming months.

With raw material prices softening, it expects better realisations in Q3 as well.

The company is also focusing on new product development to meet the evolving needs of its customers in the green-hydrogen industry.

As the pioneer, it is likely to seek partnerships with other companies and research institutions to accelerate its green-hydrogen business.

Conclusion

Man Industries plans to expand existing capacities to meet the growing demand for green hydrogen. Having earned significant revenue from overseas, it plans to enter more markets. The company is well-positioned to take advantage of this shift, as it has a strong track record of execution and a large network.

With a robust foundation and strategy, Man Industries is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of sustainable energy on a global scale.

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
The Nifty 50 index hit a new record high of 21,897 points in today's intraday trade, breaking its previous record high of 21,834 points touched on January 01. Today's rally was propelled by robust support from the IT sector.

At 01:45 pm, the index traded higher by 231.85 points or 0.98%, at 21,866 points. It's noteworthy that the key drivers behind the rally were two IT stocks  Infosys and TCS.

Both IT giants released their Q3 FY24 financial results on Wednesday after market hours. Despite the muted figures, they aligned with analyst estimates, sparking a substantial increase in share prices during today's trade.

Infosys saw its shares jump a remarkable 8% during intraday trade, reaching 1,615 apiece. This surge stands as the stock's most significant intraday gain in the last 3 years, and this remarkable gain contributed 94 points to Nifty 50's today's rally.

Also Read: TCS vs Infosys: 5 most important comparisons you should know

Similarly, TCS stock witnessed a 4.41% intraday jump, reaching 3,899 per share, contributing 35 points to the overall index rally. Together, the contributions from both IT giants totaled 129 points, accounting for 61% of the index rally.

Further, the sharp uptick in Infosys and TCS shares has extended to other major IT stocks such as Coforge, Tech Mahindra, and Wipro, which are currently trading with gains exceeding 4%. All 10 constituents of the Nifty IT index were trading in positive territory as of 01:45 pm, propelling the index to a gain of over 5% at 36,501 points.

Also Read: Wipro, HCL Tech shares rise after better-than-expected TCS Q3 results

Simultaneously, other Nifty 50 constituents, such as ICICI Bank, Reliance Industries, and State Bank of India, are also contributing to the Nifty 50's sharp rally.

Infosys and TCS: Third quarter performance

TCS posted a 2.48% QoQ drop in its consolidated net profit at 11,058 crore in Q3 FY23. In the preceding quarter (Q2 FY24), it reported a net profit of 11,380 crore. Comparing the year-on-year (YoY) performance, there was a 2% improvement in net profit. In the same quarter a year ago, the company had recorded a net profit of 10,883 crore.

During the quarter, the company's net profit was affected by a one-time charge of 958 crore, allocated towards the settlement of a legal claim, according to the company's earnings filing.

Also Read: Polycab India Stock: Over 28% drop in 6 sessions leads to retail investors losing 3,108 crore; here's why

Infosys posted a consolidated net profit of 6,106 crore, down over 7% from 6,586 crore in the year-ago period. On a sequential basis as well, the company's profit fell 1.7% from 6,212 crore in the September 2023 quarter.

In terms of deals, Infosys reported a TCV of $3.2 billion, which is lower than the $7.7 billion reported in the preceding quarter. In parallel, TCS reported a TCV of $8.1 billion in Q3, marking a decline from the $11.2 billion reported in the preceding quarter and missing the company's quarterly guidance range of $910 billion.

Bullish sentiment

As both companies reported Q3 FY24 results largely in line with their expectations, brokerage firms have revised their target prices. Nuvama Institutional Equities has affirmed its 'buy' recommendation on Infosys and raised its target price to 1,850 apiece, up from the previous 1,800. Likewise, global brokerage firm Jefferies has also retained its 'buy' rating on the stock with a target price of 1,740 per share.

Phillip Capital, another brokerage firm, has adjusted its target price for Infosys to 1,690 per share from the earlier 1,520. Emkay Global Financial Services has maintained its 'buy' recommendation on Infosys with an unchanged target price of 1,850 per share.

As for TCS, Nuvama Institutional Equities continued with its 'buy' stance on the stock and has raised the target price to 4,500 per share from 4,400. In a similar vein, Phillip Capital has also revised its target price for TCS after the Q3 results, now setting it at 4,180 per share. Sharekhan, maintaining its 'buy' recommendation on the stock, has an unchanged target price of 4,200 per share.

Disclaimer: The views and recommendations given in this article are those of individual analysts. These do not represent the views of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.

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Deduction against school fees may be de-coupled from Section 80C and separate deduction may be offered for this purpose in the upcoming interim Budget 2024, says Sujit Bangar, Founder, Taxbuddy.com .

In an interview with MintGenie, Bangar said that the interim Budget may not suggest any changes in tax rates, but major changes in personal taxation may take place.

Edited Excerpts:

Q. This is the last Budget of the existing government. What are your expectations from the interim Budget?

This would be a vote on account. The full Budget will be presented by the new government after the results of the general elections are declared in May 2024. Therefore, expectations of some big bang changes cant be there. However, modifications and alterations in personal taxation are quite possible.

Q. Past interim Budgets have never announced any major tax reforms. Do you think things will be different this time?

The interim Budget presented in 2019, introduced a few major changes like the enhanced limit of standard deduction, income up to 5 lakh exempted from income tax, etc. Therefore, this year, the interim Budget may not suggest any changes in tax rates, but major changes in personal taxation cant be denied.

Q. Do you think the recent incidents of attempted ship hijacking and frequent tensions between countries will affect the budgetary allocations to various sectors this year? If yes, which sector would likely be most affected?

Since the advent of COVID-19 and then due to the Russia-Ukraine war, global shipping has seen an erratic pattern with a sharp increase in freight coupled with the unavailability of containers. Few sops to the shipping industry to address these issues can be a welcome move in this Budget.

Q. India is witnessing a notable upswing in credit card usage, especially in travel financing. Given this trend, would you want the government to consider excluding international expenditures up to  7 lakh from the current 20 percent Tax Collected at Source (TCS) in the forthcoming interim Budget?

With increasing per capita income, aspirations of global travel by the neo-rich are increasing. The proposed TCS requirement would create hurdles to business travel along with tourism. Therefore, the government should reconsider it in this interim Budget.

Q. Do you think it is high time that the government must increase the tax exemption limit under Section 80C to alleviate salaried peoples concerns?

Deduction against school fees may be de-coupled from Section 80C and separate deduction may be offered for this purpose. It shall further boost the spending on school education. Fees other than tuition fees may also be included in this deduction. The deduction available under Section 80D may be enhanced to 75,000/- from the existing 25,000/- to promote health insurance given rising health care costs.

Q. What suggestions would you give to simplify the current tax filing process?

Every year many individuals receive their Form 16 very late. Many companies would be issuing Form 16 to their employees as late as July. Many taxpayers have issues concerning TDS done vis a vis tax regime to be followed. Many instances have been noticed where pre-fill is not fully updated with the latest data. These issues are creating certain difficulties for salaried taxpayers while filing ITRs.

Individuals with professional/ freelancing income have witnessed similar issues regarding delays in getting from 16A. Given these hardships, the due date for filing ITR should be extended by a month to 31st August.

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With an inflow of 17,610 crore into mutual fund SIP s (Systematic Investment Plans) in the month of December 2023 , total SIP AUMs have now topped 9.95 lakh crore.

Now, total number of outstanding SIP accounts have touched 7.63 crore, out of which, 40.3 lakh were added in December alone, reveals AMFI data. It was for the first time that 40 lakh new SIP accounts were added in a month.

In the preceding months of Oct and Nov, the new SIP accounts stood at 34.66 lakh and 30.8 lakh, respectively.

Whenever the market does well, SIP numbers will naturally increase. Investors very well understood the importance of saving and investment during Covid. Now they are increasing their investment because their income has increased in the past couple of years. Besides, when salary increases, expenses do not increase proportionately. These are some of the reasons for considerable jump in the number of SIPs," said Sridharan S, a Sebi-registered investment advisor and founder of Wealth Ladder Direct.

Month Total SIP A/Cs New SIP A/cs (lakh) SIP AUMs (Rs) Sep, 2023 7.12 crore 36.77 8.70 lakh crore Oct, 2023 7.3 crore 34.66 8.59 lakh crore Nov, 2023 7.44 crore 30.80 9.31 lakh crore Dec, 2023 7.64 crore 40.33 9.95 lakh crore

(Source: AMFI)

Too many investors are investing into mutual funds because of the ongoing bull run. Among retail investors, the preferred mode has traditionally been SIPs because of the convenience. Additionally, SIPs enable them to buy mutual fund units at different price points without having to worry over the right time to buy," adds Sridharan.

Love for equity

One investment advisor MintGenie spoke to believes that the popularity of SIPs is an outcome of investors' inclination for equity assets. Increasingly, investors have realised that equity is a great vehicle for the long-term wealth creation.

SIP is a great tool to invest in a staggered manner allowing investors to invest small amounts periodically i.e. weekly, monthly or quarterly. Investors understand that mutual funds offer risk management better than direct equity. They also know that SIP provides the benefit of Rupee Cost Averaging. In the current scenario, India's growth rate in terms of GDP is promising. India emerged as a strong economy in the turbulent time and geo-political tensions," says Preeti Zende, a Sebi-registered investment advisor and founder of Apna Dhan Financial Services.

ALSO READ: Top Mutual Funds for SIP to Invest in 2024: How to build wealth through systematic investment plans in 2024?

Another expert asserts that the shift to SIPs stems from a growing trend of investors opting for financial assets over conventional assets.

The substantial upswing in SIP investments can be attributed to a confluence of factors. Crucially, investors have now grasped that SIPs transform volatility from being their adversary into an ally. Their firsthand experience with substantial wealth creation in equities, achieved through disciplined investing via MF SIPs, has been instrumental in shaping this understanding. Operationally, SIPs offer significant convenience with features such as auto-debits, small ticket sizes, and the flexibility to choose the frequency of investments. Collectively, these aspects contribute to fostering an overall positive bias in investor behaviour," says Deepak Gagrani, founder of Madhuban Finvest.

Misbah Baxamusa, CEO, NJ Wealth, says, SIPs in mutual funds have become a beloved product for investors due to their accessibility, affordability, and convenience. Moreover, they allow investors to fulfil financial needs and build wealth in a consistent and disciplined manner in the long term."

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu in Maharashtra today, December 12, Friday. Built at a cost of about 17,840 crore, Atal Setu is the longest bridge and also the longest sea bridge in the country.

10 interesting things to know about Atal Setu

1) The prime ministers vision is to improve the ease of mobility of citizens by strengthening urban transport infrastructure and connectivity. In line with this vision, Mumbai Transharbour Link (MTHL), now named Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu has been built.

2) The foundation stone of the bridge was laid by the prime minister in December 2016. It is a 21.8-km long six-lane bridge having 16.5 km length over the sea and about 5.5 km on the land.

3) It will provide faster connectivity to Mumbai International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport. It will also reduce the travel time from Mumbai to Pune, Goa, and South India. It will also improve connectivity between Mumbai Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port.

4) A passenger car will be charged 250 as a one-way toll, while charges for return journeys as well as for daily and frequent travelers will be different, the official said.

5) The cabinet proposal mentioned that the distance between Panvel in Raigad district to Sewri in south-central Mumbai will be reduced by 15 kilometers, while travel time will come down from around two hours to 15 to 20 minutes.

6) The lights used in Atal Setu do not disturb the aquatic environment and its construction involved several technologies that were used for the first time in India, a senior official said, adding that it is being described as an "engineering marvel" by experts.

7) The metropolitan commissioner of MMRDA, Sanjay Mukherjee, on Thursday underlined the features of the country's newest engineering marvel Atal Setu saying that the steel used for the construction of the bridge is 17 times that of the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris.

8) This bridge is equipped with the latest technology and several new-age features, including orthotropic steel decks that help in giving huge spans. River circulation rings have also been used to minimize sound and vibrations to safeguard marine life. The lights used in this bridge also won't impede or disturb the aquatic environment around it," the official told ANI.

9) "One of the most important features of this bridge is its environmental sustainability. The Bombay Natural History Society, an organization that works for the environment, has also given a certificate of appreciation to this landmark," the MMRDA official added.

10) He also said the most advanced traffic management system has been installed on this bridge which can detect fog, low visibility, and vehicles running beyond the stipulated speed limits, among other things.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the much-awaited Atal Setu, the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) that is built at a cost of about 17,840 crore. Atal Setu is the longest bridge in India and also the longest sea bridge in the country.

The bridge is about 21.8 km long six-lane bridge having about 16.5 km length over sea and about 5.5 km on the land. It will also reduce the travel time from Mumbai to Pune, Goa, and South India. The toll for the Sewri-Shivaji Nagar (Ulwe) stretch has been fixed at 200 and 50 for the 2.5 km Shivai Nagar-Gavhan stretch. The toll for a return trip will be 1.5 times the one-way charge. The Atal Setu or MTHL bridge will be open for commuters on Saturday morning. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mumbai traffic police shared a list of vehicles not allowed on the bridge. This includes motorcycles, mopes, 3-wheeler tempo, auto-rickshaws, tractors, tractors with unladen trolleys, animal-drawn vehicles, and slow-moving vehicles.

PM Modi laid the foundation stone of the bridge in December 2016. The inauguration ceremony of Mumbai's MTHL bridge will take place at around 3:30 pm today. PM Modi will travel on India's longest sea bridge from INS Shikra in Colaba to Navi Mumbai near an upcoming airport site.

Also Read: Live updates on Atal Setu inauguration ceremony

The Prime Minister will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stones of various projects, including the underground road tunnel connecting Eastern Freeway's Orange Gate to Marine Drive. The 9.2-km-long tunnel will be built at a cost of more than 8,700 crore and will be a significant infrastructure development in Mumbai, it said.

Among other projects, he will dedicate Phase 1 of the Surya regional bulk drinking water project to the nation. Developed at a cost of more than 1,975 crore, it will provide a drinking water supply to the Palghar and Thane districts of Maharashtra, benefiting about 14 lakh population.

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New Delhi: The government may double the ceiling on its flagship health insurance scheme Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) from the current 5 lakh to 10 lakh in the interim budget on 1 February, two officials aware of the matter said.

The Union budget for FY24 had allocated 7,200 crore for Ayushman Bharat, a number that may more than double to around 15,000 crore in FY25. The health ministry has requested the finance ministry for 1.1 trillion for FY25, up 23% from 89,155 crore in FY24, said one of the two officials cited above, both of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity. The FY23 budget had set aside 86,200 crore for the health ministry.

Emails sent to spokespersons of the health and finance ministries remained unanswered till press time.

Health schemes have helped the Bharatiya Janata Party win four of the five states that went to polls recently. The success of state-led health schemes and their popularity are now proposed to be replicated at the Centre with enhanced insurance coverage under Ayushman Bharat, the officials cited above said.

Started in 2018, Ayushman Bharat offers insurance for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization across empanelled public and private hospitals. It covers up to three days of pre-hospitalization and 15 days post-hospitalization expenses for diagnostics and medicines. So far, the scheme has benefited 600 million people.

It is worth noting that Rajasthans health coverage scheme has now come under AB-PMJAY, where an insurance cover of 25 lakh is being extended to beneficiaries. Though the government may not scale up the coverage to the levels in the state, an enhanced coverage is being considered, which will also cover the rising cost of hospitalization in the country," the official cited above said.

Ahead of the Lok Sabha election, the health ministry is focusing on enhancing schemes to benefit women, tribals, youths and poor. The ministry may also raise funding for the sickle cell programme, which mainly targets the tribal belts.

More investment is needed with a customised long-term outlook. In fact, much of the healthcare needs of the general public in India are met by the small neighbourhood single-person clinics, especially in rural areas. While tertiary centres are no doubt important for providing more specialized care for select conditions to a small percentage of the population, most regular healthcare needs and preventive health is the work of small clinics. They need to be bolstered, supported and steps taken to prevent them from closing down. The common man depends on them for everyday needs at low cost," said Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, a public health expert.

In 2023, the ministry had started the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission aiming to eliminate the disease by 2047. There were health camps organized by the ministry and the focus for the sickle cell programme was in the tribal belts. To expand the programme and meet the targets, more funds will be required. The ministry is also distributing Sickle Cell Genetic Status Cards in tribal areas," another official noted. This is part of the National Health Mission (NHM). Many of the schemes which are oriented towards women and child health are also on focus of the government.

The health ministry has also sent a proposal to set up seven new All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). Last year, the government had allotted 6,835 crore to set up new AIIMS centres. So far, establishment of 22 new AIIMS and 75 upgradation projects of existing government medical colleges/institutions (GMCIs) have been approved under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana. The six AIIMS approved under Phase- I (AIIMS-Bhopal, AIIMS-Bhubaneswar, AIIMS-Jodhpur, AIIMS-Patna, AIIMS-Raipur and AIIMS- Rishikesh) are already fully functional.

Sixteen AIIMS were approved by the Cabinet for upgradation to AIIMS level which are at Gorakhpur (UP), Raebareli (UP), Nagpur (Maharashtra), Kalyani (West Bengal), Mangalagiri (Andhra Pradesh), Bibinagar (Telangana), Bathinda (Punjab) Deoghar (Jharkhand), Bilaspur (Himachal Pradesh), Rajkot (Gujarat), Guwahati (Assam), Vijaypur (Jammu), and Madurai (Tamil Nadu), Darbhanga (Bihar), Awantipura (Kashmir) and Manethi (Haryana).

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Bilkis Bano Rape case's only witness, a minor at the time of the incident, has said that the accused should be hanged or kept behind bars for the remainder of their lives. On 8 January, the Supreme Court of India quashed a Gujarat government decision to prematurely release 11 convicts facing life term for the gang rape of Bilkis Bano and the murder of 14 persons.

According to a PTI report, the witness, who was only seven at the time the Godhra Riots happened in 2002, also lost his mother and and elder sister to miscreants who perpetrated the communal violence.

The PTI report quotes the eyewitness, who is 28-year-old now and lives in Ahmedabad with his wife and a five-year-old son, saying, I had endured the trauma of watching my loved ones being killed in front of my eyes. I still wake up in the night and scream as those moments haunt me even after all these years".

The eyewitness is a cousin of Bilkis Bano.

To save themselves, a group of 17 persons, mostly women and children, left Randhikpur village in Limkheda taluka of Dahod district and headed towards Devgadh Baria town via a forest, said a social activist who gave shelter to that boy.

Bilkis Bano along with this boy (eyewitness) and his mother and elder sister were also in that group, which was attacked by a mob on March 3. Of those 17, the mob killed 14, including an infant, and then gang-raped Bilkis. They also tried to kill Bilkis and this boy but they survived. A 4-year-old boy also survived the attack after the mob left thinking everyone was dead," said an activist to PTI.

Bilkis Bano, then 21 years old and five months pregnant, was raped while fleeing. Her three-year-old daughter and six other family members were killed.

I felt very hurt when they were set free. I am somewhat relieved now because they will be sent behind bars once again. My mother and my elder sister were among the 14 who were killed that day in front of my eyes," the eyewitness told PTI.

All the convicts must be either hanged for or they must be kept behind bars for the remainder of their lives. Only then justice will be served. These men must never be set free again," he asserted.

The eyewitness's testimony was crucial in nabbing the eleven convicts in Bilkis Bano rape case.

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NEW DELHI : State Bank of India (SBI) has long avoided payment transactions for Russian oil bought by state-run refiners to avert US sanctions that came into force on 5 December 2022, two people aware of the matter said.

SBI, Indias largest lender, is the authorized dealer bank for foreign transactions of state-run refiners. The sanctions of the US treasury departments Office of Foreign Assets Control on maritime transportation of the Russian Federation-origin oil took effect on 5 December 2022, and for seaborne transportation of petroleum products on 5 February 2023.

Indian banks operating in the US include SBI, Bank of Baroda and Bank of India. Mint earlier reported about OFAC checking whether these banks conform to the G7 price cap of $60 a barrel for Russian oil. Mint also reported about Indias largest lender requesting data on purchasing prices from refiners such as Indian Oil Corp. Ltd (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd (BPCL)and Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd (HPCL) to prevent a breach of US sanctions by inadvertently processing payments for Russian oil purchased above the cap.

Since the time the OFAC sanctions have been imposed, SBI has been avoiding making bank payment transfer to Rosneft for the purchase of Russian oil. It is because SBI has such a major presence in the US. This, despite the fact that bank transfer within the price cap can be made," said one of the two people cited above on the condition of anonymity.

The G7 set a price cap on Russian seaborne crude oil to limit Russias earnings from exports to squeeze its military budget. The move bars the purchase and import of crude oil from Russia at rates exceeding the price cap. It is the strategy of the West to isolate Russia, as well as to ensure steady supply to stabilize global oil prices, which had surged following Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Queries emailed to the spokespersons of SBI, Rosneft, IOCL, BPCL, HPCL and Indias petroleum and natural gas ministry on Wednesday remained unanswered till press time.

As we can see, the flow of Russian crude has not stopped. Last year (2023), they constituted a large chunk of our imports. In case of avoidance of payment by SBI, refiners would have so far found alternative ways of payment. It is not a major issue," said another person cited above.

Russia emerged as the top supplier to India in the past two years since its invasion of Ukraine. Russian oil accounted for nearly 30% of the crude brought into the country in October, according to commerce ministry data. At $3.78 billion, the value of the crude oil supply from Russia increased 44% year-on-year (y-o-y) in October from $2.62 billion in October 2022.

In 2021-22, before the Ukraine crisis, Russian oil accounted for only 2% of Indias total oil imports, with the top supplier being Iraq, followed by Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. Since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has climbed to the top on the back of deep discounts, crossing the $30 per barrel discount in 2022. However, the discounts have declined to single digits, and now stand below $5 per barrel.

A recent report by S&P Global Commodity Insights said that Indias demand for Russian crude remains resilient despite Red Sea threats with no known diversions seen so far. The report also said that in the event of an escalation in Red Sea attacks, no decrease in Russian volume is anticipated, with projections indicating that Indias crude imports from Russia could constitute around 35%-45% of the countrys overall imports, provided that competitive pricing is maintained.
Elon Musk's tweet on meritocracy sparked a disagreement between Paytm's Vijay Shekhar and author Rajiv Malhotra over Harvard funding.

A recent post by Elon Musk brought Paytms Vijay Shekhar Sharma and author Rajiv Malhotra against each other over Harvard funding. Vijay Shekhar Sharma had to face the fury of the Indian-born American Hindu nationalist author after he showed his support for Elon Musk's tweet indicating the disadvantage of sidelining meritocracy in the name of equality and diversity. The X owner retweeted a video from The Matt Walsh Show about an alleged DEI hire linking it to the recent Alaska Airlines mishap. While sharing the video, Musk wrote, "Merit should be the only reason for hiring, especially for jobs where your familys lives are at stake." Showing his support for Elon Musk's opinion, the Paytm founder commented 100" on his X post. However, Vijay Shekhar's action derived sharp criticism from Rajiv Malhotra who accused him of contradicting his own actions by supporting Musk's opinion on merit. In another tweet, Rajeev Malhotra shared Vijay Shekhar Sharma's old video in which he could be seen talking about giving a gift to the Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute. According to its website, the institute is engaged in interdisciplinary research to advance and deepen the understanding of critical issues of South Asia and its relationship to the world". In his tweet, Malhotra also accused Vijay Shekhar of feeding the Harward snakes". While sharing Sharma's tweet, Malhotra wrote, Deshbhakti is a facade. @vijayshekhar also feeds the Harvard Snakes. In 2020, the head of Paytm, (the digital payment system), Vijay Shekhar Sharma also joined the elite group of Indian billionaires and donated an undisclosed sum of money to support the activities and research performed by The Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute. The Lakshmi Mittal & Family South Asia Institute has an inordinately high interest in Indias minorities & is also known for its support to radical Muslim narrative on Kashmir and other parts of India." In response to Malhotra's accusations, Vijay Shekhar Sharma wrote, Not true information, sir. No such donation." In another post, the Snakes of India writer, informed his followers about having a telephonic conversation with Vijay Shekhar Sharma, where he clarified that he didn't make any such donations to Harvard University.

He has assured me that though he did sign the agreement with Harvard, he has not yet sent them any money, and will not do so. This is good news. I am glad he is on our side. I told him about the Woke anti-meritocracy gang of Marxists. How they have roped in Khalistanis, Kashmir separatists, Dalit extremists and various others to undermine India. He is himself a product of meritocracy. I want to encourage more Indian billionaires to please stand by our Bharat at this time," he wrote on X.

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MIDLAND CITY  Jimmy Singleton, the former police chief of Midland City, has filed a federal lawsuit against the city claiming that the mayor refused to pay him overtime.

According to court documents, Singleton, who was hired in 2021, voiced his concerns with Mayor Cynthia Gary that he wasnt receiving overtime pay. Gary then agreed to make him an hourly employee, however, he wouldnt receive overtime until after he had been on duty 50 hours a week.

Singleton claims to have worked over 2,000 hours of overtime without pay. He was fired from his position in September and said he hasnt received a payment for accrued sick leave and vacation time.

In the lawsuit filed in December, Singleton also alleges that despite being hired as police chief, he had to perform duties as a police officer, and Gary didnt allow him to hire or fire employees, create officer schedules without her approval, and conduct managerial duties or make purchases without her permission.

Singleton believes the city violated the Fair Labor Standard Act, and is seeking unpaid wages, damages, and fees.

Court records show that Midland City has until Thursday, Feb. 1, to respond to the allegations.

Before becoming Midland Citys police chief, Singleton worked for the Dothan and Napier Field Police Departments.
For the first time, Artificial Intelligence will be used to identify the best marching contingent in this year's Army Day Parade in Lucknow, an officer said on Friday. Army Day Parade Commander Major General Salil Seth was quoted by PTI as saying, " Artificial Intelligence is being used for the first time to identify the best marching contingent. As you know all the marching contingents do drills and do drills correctly."

The Indian Army will celebrate its 76th Army Day in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on January 15. "The event is being conducted out of the national capital for the second time as part of the Government of India's initiative to take major events away from the national capital region to different parts of the country. This will lead to greater visibility for these events and larger involvement of the local citizens," Major Seth added.

ALSO READ: What happened to the artificial-intelligence investment boom?

The last Army Day Parade was held in Bengaluru on January 15.

How the AI will be used?

Major General Salil Seth, who is the General Officer Commanding of Madhya UP Sub Area, Lucknow, said, There is a correct pattern of doing the drills  raising your hands to a certain level, raising your legs to a certain level, doing your movement with the weapon within a certain timeframe."

We are capturing the individual movement with a camera and then the computer software using the AI will give marks for each and every movement. This will also be supervised by humans. We have done two to three practices," he was quoted by PTI as saying.

ALSO READ: Bill Ackman pushes for AI to curb faculty plagiarism at universities

Meanwhile, the Surya Command said in a post on X on Thursday, #ArmyDay2024. Witness the synergy of tradition & innovation at the #ArmyDayParade2024, as cutting edge #AI joins the ranks, elevating precision & coordination of marching contingents to new levels. #IndianArmy... relentlessly marching towards a new Era!"
Suspected terrorists open fired upon a convoy of vehicles carrying security personnel in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday. After the attack, Indian Army launched its search operation to flush out the terrorists in the area.

Also Read: PDP leader alleges 'serious lapses' in Mehbooba Mufti's security after road accident However, no security injured in the attack. "At around 1800h today, a Security Forces convoy of vehicles was fired upon by suspected terrorists from a jungle near Krishna Ghati, Poonch sector. No casualties to own troops. Joint search operations by Indian Army and JKP (Jammu and Kashmir Police) are in progress," the White Night Corps of the Army posted on X. Also Read: Jammu and Kashmir: Indian Army nabs 3 suspects in Pulwama with pistols and other weapons

The terrorists attacked the vehicles that were carrying security personnel back to the camp. This is another incident of attack on Army personnel after a security forces vehicle was ambushed by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir nearly a month ago. The ambush attack killed four Army personnel.

Also Read: Former J&K chief minister Mehbooba Muftis car meets with accident; she escapes unhurt

Recently, the Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi chaired a high level security meeting to chart out an anti-terror operation plan for the new year to foil design of terrorists in the region.

AlsO Read: Four terrorists spotted in IB sector of Jammu and Kashmir's Khour: Report

Notably, Rajouri and Poonch districts used to be a peaceful districts in the past. However, over the past few years, the two districts have seen a resurgence of terrorist attacks on security forces and civilians.

In 2023, a total of nineteen soldiers were killed in four attacks by terrorists in Rajouri and Poonch. The security forces have eliminated more than 30 terrorists in the two districts last year.

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Karnataka News: The moral policing incident in Haveri that saw seven men barge into a hotel room where a 26-year old woman and a 40 year old man had checked in took a new turn when the woman had alleged that she was raped by the gang, according to media reports.

Karnataka Police charged the seven men with gangrape, and three of them have been arrested till now. "On Thursday afternoon, the victim's statement was recorded in front of a magistrate wherein she alleged that she was gang raped by seven men who also abused and assaulted her. So, based on her claim, we have added section 376 D (gangrape) to the existing FIR. We have arrested three men in connection with the incident so far," a senior police officer said.

The Karnataka police had already nabbed two of the suspects, and a third was to be taken into custody after he recovered from an accident. However, according to an NDTV report, the police were uninformed about the rape allegations.

The gang of men allegedly barged into a hotel room and assaulted an interfaith couple during their stay in Hanagal Taluk of Haveri district.

At 1 pm, a 26-year-old married woman who belongs to a minority community checked into the hotel room with a KSRTC driver aged 40, with whom she has been in a relationship for the past three years, according to Karnataka Police.

The entire assault which happened inside the hotel room was filmed by the gang. The videos later became viral after they got circulated on social media platforms.

In one of the purported videos, six men could be seen knocking on the door of a room. When a man opens the door, the assailants could be seen barging in and heading towards the woman. The gang verbally abused the couple, assaulted them and filmed the woman while she tried to cover her face with a burqa.

According to police, when the couple entered the hotel, they were spotted by an auto rickshaw driver. Seeing the woman clad in a burqa with a man from another community, he immediately alerted the gang of local men who also belonged to the minority community, reports PTI.

The gang who arrived on three motorcycles drove the couple to an isolated place which was about a kilometer away from the hotel.

Thereafter, the gang reportedly gave the woman 500 and told her to go to her native place. She later went to Sirsi where her husband lives.

The woman released a video on Friday, a day after the incident made national headlines, and alleged that after raping her in the forest, the attackers forced her into a car and drove her around the city. "The driver also raped me," the woman said in the video.

The woman had earlier not stated about any gang rape in her recorded statement to the Karnataka Police. However, her husband has alleged that she was raped by the accused gang but he has not given a written complaint in this regard so far, the officer said.

The incident has sparked outrage, with senior BJP leaders, including former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, targeting the Congress-led state government.

Speaking on the incident, Bommai questioned the Chief Minister's silence over the matter and demanded immediate action. "Why the CM is quiet on this issue. We are going to take this very seriously and I want the police to act independently and judiciously. They should take immediate action," Bommai said.

As per the Karnataka Police FIR the accused are Aftab Makabul, Madarsab Mohammad, Samiulla and three unidentified men. Three of these men have now been arrested and the Police are on the lookout for the others. They face charges of Rape, unlawful assembly and rioting, criminal intimidation, causing hurt, and assault or criminal force against woman, with the intention to outrage their modesty. All the accused are from Akki Alur in Haveri district.

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Police on Thursday recovered a five-sentence note purportedly written by Bengaluru CEO Suchana Seth who allegedly killed his four-year-old son in a Goa hotel room, said investigators, adding that it could be the key to unlock the motive behind the crime.

The note which was scribbled on issued paper using eyeliner, was found in one of her bags which she carried in the taxi, said a police officer familiar with the investigation as quoted by Hindustan Times.

On the condition of anonymity, the officer told HT, The pieces of the tissue were found in her luggage bag and our forensic team has recovered it and painfully pieced it together. It indicates that the accused didnt want her son to go with the father and offers insights into her state of mind."

He added that the note is very cryptic and a crucial piece of evidence in this case. However, it was later shredded and the officer refused to reveal the exact words written in the note.

It is pertinent to note that Suchana Seth also gave her handwriting test to the police on Thursday. She is yet to confess the crime as The Mindful AI Lab founder stated that she woke up to find her son dead in the room.

Suchana Seth was calm throughout her journey

The CEO of an AI start-up arrested for allegedly killing her four-year-old son, was quiet throughout her journey from Goa to Karnataka in a taxi, said the driver of the vehicle on Friday.

Speaking to media persons, Ray John, the taxi driver who helped the police nab Seth, said she was calm and did not utter a single word during the entire trip which lasted more than 10 hours.

John said the service apartment staff booked his taxi for Seth. When I reached the service apartment, she (Seth) asked me to carry her bag from the reception to the taxi. It was heavy," the taxi driver said as quoted by PTI.

I asked her whether we could remove some belongings from the bag to make it lighter. But she refused. We had to drag the bag to the boot of the car," he said.

I exaggerated the time and told Madam (Seth) that it would take six hours to clear the road and suggested that we could turn back and head to the airport. But she insisted on continuing by road," said the driver, stressing that he felt something was off.

Later, the driver received a call from Goa Police, alerting him that there was something suspicious about his passenger.

The Calangute police told me to search for a nearby police station and take her there. I tried searching on Google Maps and GPS but didnt find any. I even looked for cops at toll plazas but there were none," he said.

We were one and a half hours away from Bengaluru. I drove to the Aiyamangala police station (in the Chitradurga district of Karnataka), while a Calangute police official remained online with me on the phone," he stated.

What happened in Suchana Seth case?

Accused Suchana Seth, CEO of The Mindful AI Lab, allegedly killed her son at an apartment in North Goa's Candolim and stuffed the body in a bag before taking it to neighbouring Karnataka in a taxi, the police said. Seth was arrested on Monday night from Karnataka's Chitradurga and brought to Goa on Tuesday.

Seth is in police custody for six days, but officials have yet to find the motive behind the murder.

The child's father, Venkat Raman, who was in Jakarta (Indonesia), reached Hiriyur in Chitradurga on Tuesday night and took possession of his son's body.

Seth is the CEO of 'The Mindful AI Lab', and according to her LinkedIn profile, she is an AI ethics expert and data scientist with over 12 years of experience in mentoring data science teams, and scaling machine learning solutions at start-ups and industry research labs.

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Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Friday said the Navi Mumbai international airport will become operational from November or December this year, and also announced that in the next 10 to 15 years, at least 10 cities in India will have two airports each.

He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the inauguration of AAR-Indamer MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) facility at the MIHAN SEZ in Nagpur.

"The country had been waiting since the last 60 years to see Mumbai getting connected to Navi Mumbai, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is today bringing to reality the dreams of people," he said, referring to the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) inaugurated by the PM on Friday.

"The Navi Mumbai international airport will start its operations in November or December this year. This airport's first flight will land in November or December. The airport will pave the way for big development of Navi Mumbai," the Civil Aviation Minister said.

"In the next 10 to 15 years, there will be at least 10 cities which will have two airports each," Scindia said.

The minister also said that he would inspect the airports in Kolhapur, Pune and Navi Mumbai later in the day and on Saturday. AAR-Indamer is a joint venture between AAR, a major MRO of the USA, and Indamer Technics Private Limited.

ALSO READ: Mumbai Trans Harbour Link: Mumbai to Navi Mumbai in 20 minutes, opening date, connectivity, tolling system and more

Scindia inaugurated their world-class facility aimed at providing maintenance services to the fleet of aircraft operating in India and the nearby region. AAR-Indamer's greenfield facility is a result of combined efforts of AAR Corp and Indamer Aviation. Indamer Aviation is India's oldest and largest general aviation MRO, the company said in a release.

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NEW DELHI : Antibiotics routinely prescribed to treat common ailments no longer work as bacteria have developed resistance to these drugs due to their overuse in India, a government body said, echoing concerns long voiced by international experts.

In a report, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) mentioned about third-generation cephalosporins, imidazoles, amino-glycosides, ceftriaxone, metronidazole, amikacin and piperacillin, which are used to treat cold, fever, skin diseases and urinary tract infection.

Companies that make these antibiotics in India include Alkem Laboratories Ltd, Mankind Pharma Ltd, Zuventus Healthcare Ltd, Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Surya Pharmaceutical Ltd, Aristo Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd and Pfizer India Ltd.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when germs no longer respond to drugs, a rising concern among physicians, scientists and policymakers worldwide. The World Health Organization recognizes AMR as one of the top 10 global public health threats, saying bacterial AMR killed 1.27 million globally in 2019.

Antimicrobials include a variety of drugs used to prevent and treat infections.

Emails sent to drugmakers as well as the health ministry seeking comments remained unanswered.

Apart from overuse during the covid-19 outbreak, the emergence of fixed drug compositions, self-medication and easy availability have aided AMR, experts said.

There has been overuse of all these drugs, and now, they have become drug-resistant," said Dr Jugal Kishore, head of community medicine at Delhis Safdarjung Hospital. Over the past few years, these antibiotics have been used rampantly, and therefore, the pathogens now no longer respond to the drugs. It has become a major challenge even to cure minor illnesses and is going to become a big problem in the coming days," Dr Kishore said.

Many physicians prescribe these drugs without ascertaining the unique requirements of each patient or understanding whether a particular drug has already been overused, the report said, based on a survey to monitor antibiotic use in the NCDCs network hospitals.

This, it said, has resulted in the build up of AMR among a sizeable population in India, rendering the drug ineffective.

According to Dr Kishore, azithromycin, an antibiotic used to treat pneumonia and ear, nose and throat infections, was grossly overused during the pandemic.

Although these are just viral infections, but because of the fear of covid-19, people consumed the medicine for four-five days. The drug is ultimately entering the body and damaging cells without any need," added Dr Kishore.

Colistin, also known as polymyxin E is often seen as a last-resort treatment for multidrug-resistant infections, including pneumonia. According to Dr Jatin Ahuja, senior consultant for infectious diseases at Delhis Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, this too has turned drug resistant.

He said India is a market for fixed drug combinations, where one drug is combined with another, often leading to drug resistance.

Now, we are encountering more of multi-drug resistant (MDR) bugs, and then, extremely drug resistant (XDR) bacteria. We are also seeing patients who are pan-drug resistant (PDR). Patients who are in ICU having pneumonia are low to react to drugs; the bugs are getting super resistant," Dr Ahuja claimed.

Earlier, doctors would only prescribe anti-bacterials after medicines in the penicillin group failed.

Unfortunately, antibiotics given at tertiary care are already given at the primary level. These are all advanced antibiotics that are given after we find penicillin group has failed and we move towards cefpodoxime, ofloxacin group. But now, the treatment is started with cefoxitin, which is no longer effective," Dr Kishore noted.

Currently, NCDC is working with a network of 35 state medical colleges to monitor antibiotic use and AMR. This network, which constantly collates and analyses data, is referred to as the National Antimicrobial Consumption Network (NAC-NET).

Still, there is a lack of sufficient information on the quantity and quality of antibiotic prescriptions, and antibiotic use at the patient level, which can help identify the inappropriate use of antibiotics.

The NCDC has also issued a set of recommendations for healthcare institutes to follow, which notes that each institute should have a defined antibiotic policy, avoid combinations of two drugs, and avoid double coverage with antibiotics.
New Delhi: Private jets flying Indias top politicians, business executives and other celebrities to Ayodhya for the inauguration of the Ram temple later this month face a unique problem: a lack of parking.

Lesser mortals flocking to the city for the much-awaited openingfollowing legal and political battles that dragged on for decadeshave to deal with more mundane matters: airfares and hotel prices that have shot through the roof, that is, if tickets and bookings are available at all.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the temple on 22 January, with about 500,000 people expected to visit the pilgrimage destination for the consecration ceremony. Thats about 10 times Ayodhyas population of about 56,000, as per the 2011 Census.

About 50 private jets are expected to land at Ayodhya ferrying guests for the grand event. But several of these planes will have to find parking elsewhere due to a lack of space at Ayodhya airport, as well as for security reasons, say executives at private charter companies.

If you include Lucknow, Gorakhpur and even Kanpur, there would be about 25 parking bays available. So, the planes will land at Ayodhya, passengers will disembark, and then the aircraft will take off to park at one of these other airports," said an executive with a business jet service provider, asking not to be identified.

Business has been robust for these operators, thanks to the temple.

Literally all the aircraft, whether private jets or turbo-propellers, have already been booked for the event at Ayodhya," said Santosh Sharma, co-founder and chief executive officer at Foresee Aviation Pvt. Ltd, an air charter consultancy firm. There is huge demand from all quarters, be it corporate houses or from travel trade and high net-worth individuals," Sharma said.

Direct flights from Delhi to Ayodhya are sold out for 21 January, show online travel platforms. One-way fares for the route on 19 January and 20 January range from 12,00015,000, much higher than the average fare of 3,0005,000.

The spike in hotel tariffs is starker, peaking to 45,000 per night for a room that would otherwise cost about 4,000.

The hotel industry is working on the infrastructure to cater to the footfalls expected for Ayodhya city, but this will take time. Currently, there are a handful of three-star properties which have been reserved for government delegates and important personalities for the event," said P. P. Khanna, a board member of the Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality.

As per travel platform MakeMyTrip, search data for January reveals a spike in global search for Ayodhya as a spiritual destinationincluding from the US, the Gulf region, Canada and Australia.

Other platforms are seeing similar patterns.

Our demand trends indicate increased interest for the destination from customers across segments, with an uptick of 400% versus pre-pandemic levels," said Indiver Rastogi, president and group head-global business travel, at Thomas Cook (India) and SOTC Travel. Given the limited hotel inventory, customers are inclined to look at day trips to Ayodhya and are booking accommodations in Lucknow and Prayagraj."

Lucknow and Gorakhpur are about 135 km from Ayodhya by road, and Prayagraj about 170 km. Varanasi and Kanpur are further away, at 220240 km.

As per Thomas Cook, direct return airfares from these hubs to Ayodhya for the week beginning 22 January are 3070% higher than average fares.

So far, IndiGo and Air India Express have launched scheduled commercial flight services to Ayodhya airport. IndiGo, Indias largest airline, operated its inaugural flight from Delhi for Ayodhya on 30 December.

The airline operates a daily flight between Delhi and Ayodhya, and has also commenced tri-weekly flights between Ahmedabad and Ayodhya from 11 January.

Tata Group-backed Air India Express offers daily flights between Ayodhya and New Delhi and tri-weekly flights to Bengaluru and Kolkata.

Low-cost carrier SpiceJet recently announced that it will operate a special flight on 21 January from Delhi to Ayodhya, and a return flight the following day.
A day after People's Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti escaped unhurt in a road accident, her party raised questions on Friday about the security protocols in place for the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister. The PDP said the "lapses" in Mufti's security were evident.

"In the recent incident where Mehbooba Mufti narrowly escaped a road accident, serious security lapses were evident. The management of Local Road Clearances for X Plus protected vehicles during the incident was inadequate, posing a significant security concern," senior PDP leader and former Jammu and Kashmir minister Naeem Akhtar said on X.

Two persons, including a security personnel of the PDP chief, were injured on Thursday as Mufti had a narrow escape in a road accident at Sangam in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district.

Mufti's vehicle collided with a civilian car at Sangam, a police official said.

ALSO READ: Article 370: 'We were under house arrest', claims PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti; baseless, says LG Manoj Sinha

Akhtar said the withdrawal of Mufti's spare car, a standard part of escort duty, is deeply troubling and raises questions about the security protocols in place for the former Union minister.

"Delayed Arrangement of Alternative Car: The fact that it took an hour to arrange an alternative car from Srinagar for the security department is unacceptable. Z security typically includes an optional car in the escort, highlighting a serious lapse in preparedness," he said.

ALSO READ: Article 370 abrogation: On 4th anniversary, Mehbooba Mufti says she's put under house arrest; JKNC office sealed

The PDP leader said these lapses demand immediate attention and a clarification from the authorities concerned.

"The absence of a police statement on the matter raises further concerns and underscores the need for transparency and accountability in addressing these security lapses," Akhtar added.

PDP general secretary, organisation, Mehboob Beg expressed deep concern over the "inadequate management" of Mufti's travel convoy.

ALSO READ: Lambi hai gham ki shaam...: How Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti reacted to Article 370 verdict

"The accident involving Mufti's vehicle points towards the lack of detailed drill for a Z protected person travelling on a highway which remains busy and has a history of targeted attacks. Against the backdrop of Kashmir's turbulent history and the vulnerability of mainstream leaders to targeted attacks, any compromise in security measures is a matter of grave concern," Beg said in a statement.

The incident demands a thorough examination, considering the potential risks associated with compromising the security of a former chief minister, he added.

ALSO READ: Mehbooba Mufti stresses Congress' crucial role in safeguarding essence of India

Expressing concern over the alleged delay in arranging an alternative car for Mufti from Srinagar, Beg said a "compromised security detail" for a former chief minister not only jeopardises the safety of the individual, but also raises questions about the broader commitment to ensuring the security and stability of the region.

These lapses demand immediate attention and a clarification from the authorities to ensure the safety and security of public leaders, he said.

Beg said the incident involving Mufti underscores the necessity for a revaluation and reinforcement of security measures for all mainstream political leaders in Kashmir.

"Authorities are urged to conduct a thorough investigation into the lapses, ensuring that any shortcomings are addressed promptly to prevent the recurrence of such incidents and to uphold the safety of political leaders in the region," he added.

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Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh is all set to witness a grand consecration ceremony of the "historic" Ram temple. The "Pran Pratishtha" ceremony will be held on January 22. While the preparations for the event are in the full swing, special invitations have been reportedly sent to 6,000-7,000 people, including several politicians and celebrities.

As the fervour over the Ram Mandir ceremony remains high among the people of the country, here's how expensive the flight tickets to Ayodhya from 10 major cities are. Air travel fare as per IRCTC as on January 12: City January 20 January 21 January 22 Delhi  11,829  15,193  7,539 Mumbai  20,231  12,649  8,699 Kolkata  21,393 No flight  5,436 Chennai  20,986  9,270  10,549 Kochi  24,763  10,510  14,709 Bengaluru  22,925  24,282  8,199 Indore  20,820 No flights  12,956 Hyderabad  21,581  10,346  8,000 Ahmedabad  17,697  23,386  10,043 Visakhapatnam  17,697  23,386  10,043 Roughly, there was a difference of 1,000-3,000 in the fares of few trips available on MakeMyTrip and EaseMyTrip platforms. Last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged people to avoid visiting the Ayodhya Ram temple on the day of the consecration ceremony, that is January 22. He suggested people to arrive in the city after January 23. The Prime Minister rather asked people to light Ram Jyoti at their homes and celebrate Diwali to mark the occasion.

PM Modi inaugurated Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya when he had visited Ayodhya on December 30, 2023. In the wake of the ceremony, SpiceJet said it will operate a special flight from Delhi to Ayodhya on January 21.

The special flight is scheduled to depart from the national capital at 1.30 pm and reach Ayodhya by 3 pm on January 21. The return flight on the following day is scheduled to take off at 5 pm and land at Delhi at 6.30 pm, news agency PTI reported.

On Thursday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that around 100 chartered flights are expected at the Ayodhya airport for the consecration ceremony on January 22.

In the first phase, the Ayodhya airport can handle 10 lakh passengers annually and after the second phase, Maharishi Valmiki International Airport will cater to 60 lakh commuters annually. Phase 1 of the state-of-the-art airport is developed at a cost of more than 1,450 crore, news agency ANI reported.

ALSO READ: Ayodhya Ram Mandir ceremony: Holiday declared for UP schools, colleges on Jan 22; liquor shops to stay shut

Ram Mandir's 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony

The 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of the Ram Temple will be held on January 22. According to reports, Vedic rituals for the ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya will begin on January 16. A priest from Varanasi, Lakshmi Kant Dixit, will perform the main rituals of the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla on January 22. From January 14 to January 22, Ayodhya will mark the Amrit Mahotsav. PM Modi will attend the installation of the idol of Ram Lalla at the temple on January 22.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Supreme Court on Friday refused to stay the new law that provides for the appointment of the chief election commissioner and election commissioners by a panel excluding the Chief Justice of India.

However, a bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta agreed to examine a batch of petitions challenging the new law and issued notice to the Centre.

The bench asked senior advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for Congress leader Jaya Thakur, who sought a stay on the new law, to serve a copy of the petition to the Centre's counsel, PTI reported.

Please stay this law. This is against the separation of powers. No, without hearing the other side, we can't. We will issue a notice," Singh told the bench.

Several petitions, including Thakur's, have been filed in the apex court amid a political row over dropping the chief justice of India (CJI) from a panel empowered to choose the chief election commissioner (CEC) and election commissioners (ECs).

Advocate Gopal Singh has also moved the top court, seeking quashing of the new law that accords the central government sweeping powers to make appointments to the poll body, as per PTI reports.

The plea filed by Singh has sought the apex court's direction to implement an "independent and transparent system of selection, constituting a neutral and independent selection committee for appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners (CEC and ECs)".

The new law states, "Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners shall be appointed by the President on the recommendation of a Selection Committee consisting of  (a) the Prime Minister  Chairperson; (b) the Leader of Opposition in the House of the People  Member; (c) a Union Cabinet Minister to be nominated by the Prime Minister  Member."

The opposition has accused the Modi government of having defied the Supreme Court by dropping the CJI from the selection panel.

In its March 2023 order, the Supreme Court had said the prime minister, the leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha, and the CJI would pick the CEC and the ECs.

(With PTI inputs)

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Heres a recap of recent funding developments from Australia, India, the US and beyond.

Futurerent Secures $50 Million in Debt Funding for US Expansion

Futurerent, a landlord borrowing alternative, has successfully secured $50 million in debt funding to fuel the launch of its new U.S. division, Downpayments. The venture debt comes from prominent investors, including Second Century Ventures and Partners for Growth (PFG), known for supporting successful Australian startups like Koala, Prospa, and Employment Hero.

Futurerents unique model allows property investors to access up to $100,000 of their rental income in advance, catering to a growing niche in the real estate market.

Ideally Raises $2 Million in Seed Round for Australian Expansion

New Zealand-based customer insights innovation platform, Ideally, has raised $2 million in a Seed round, with the backing of Auckland VC Icehouse Ventures. The funds will support Ideallys expansion into the Australian market. The platform, born out of a collaboration between TRA Labs and Previously Unavailable, aims to revolutionize customer insights and brand tracking.

Australian Business Growth Fund Invests $10 Million in Solbari

Australian clothing brand Solbari, focusing on sun protection through its range of clothing, hats, and accessories, has received a substantial $10 million investment from the Australian Business Growth Fund (ABGF). This marks ABGFs second investment in a female-led business, bringing its total investments to $153 million. Solbari, founded by Johanna Young in 2014, has made a significant impact in the sun protection industry.

Vortexa Secures $34 Million in Series C Funding Led by Morgan Stanley Expansion Capital

Real-time global analytics platform Vortexa has successfully closed a $34 million Series C funding round, led by Morgan Stanley Expansion Capital. Existing investors, including Notion Capital, Monashees, Metaplanet, FJ Labs, and Communitas Capital, also contributed significantly. Vortexa specializes in energy and freight markets analytics.

FlyORO Raises $1.6 Million in Pre-Series A Round for Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) startup FlyORO has secured $1.6 million in a Pre-Series A round led by Audacy Ventures. The round also saw participation from Asia-Pacific-based VC Investible and other private investors. Audacy Ventures, with a strong focus on driving the energy transition, has strategically invested in the SAF industry, collaborating with key players like Qantas, Airbus, and LanzaJet. FlyOROs inclusion in their portfolio further strengthens their commitment to developing the SAF value chain and fostering market growth.

Indian Fintech Sector Sees a Dip in VC Funding

In 2023, Indian fintech startups faced a significant dip in venture capital funding, securing $2 billion63% less than the previous year. This amount also represents a quarter of the record high of $8.4 billion set in 2021. The downturn was particularly pronounced in early-stage funding, which witnessed a 56% drop. Seed and late-stage startups also faced challenges, experiencing funding declines of 69% and 56%, respectively.

Despite the overall decrease, the alternative lending sector emerged as a standout performer within the fintech domain, securing the highest share of funding at $835 million by the end of the year.

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Ahead of the much-awaited Pran Pratishtha at Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is facing backlash from the top Sanatan Dharma spiritual leaders for rushing into the inauguration of the temple. Recently, the top leaders of Sanatan Hindu Dharma or Shankaracharyas have decided to not be a part of the inauguration ceremony of the temple. Most of them expressed their displeasure that the ceremony didn't follow the rules of Sanatan Dharma.

Four Shankracharyas are expected to not attend the January 22 Ram temple inauguration in Ayodhya, the Telegraph reported, quoting Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of Jyotishpeeth in Uttarakhand.

The centre is now being targeted by the opposition parties on the grounds of objections raised by the Sanatan Dharma gurus. As the inauguration will be held within the next 10 days, here is all you need to know about the four Shankaracharyas and why they are objecting to the inauguration of the temple.

Who is Shankaracharya Swami Shri Nischalananda Saraswati?

Shankaracharya Nischalananda Saraswati of Purvaamnaya Govardhanmath Puri Peeth recently declined his participation in the Pran Pratishtha ceremony scheduled to take place on January 22 in Ayodhya.

Swami Nischalananda Saraswati is the 145th Sankaracharya of the Govardhana Peetha at Jagannath Puri, Odisha. He took the responsibility of the Peet as its head on 9th February 1992 (Vikram Samvat 2048).

Why is he objecting to Ram Mandir's inauguration ceremony?

After receiving the invitation to the Ram Mandir inauguration, Nischalananda Saraswati pointed out that the ceremony had turned into a political show.

"The country's Prime Minister will reside in the sanctum sanctorum, touch the idol, and perform the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony. This has been given a political hue, if there is to be the Pran Pratishta of Lord Rama, it should be according to scriptural guidelines. I won't oppose it, nor will I attend. I have taken my stance. Let's not mix half-truths and half-lies; everything should align with scriptural knowledge," he said.

He also noted that the ceremony should be done according to scriptural guidelines" and otherwise the deity's radiance diminishes, and demonic entities enter, causing havoc".

Who is Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand?

Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand manages all the religious activities and ceremonies in Jyotir Math, Uttarakhand. It is one of the four cardinal pithams established by saint Adi Shankara. He took Diksha from Swami Swaroopanand in 2006. Since then, he has been looking after all the religious activities, according to Wikipedia.

Why is he skipping the much-awaited ceremony in Ayodhya?

Avimukteshwaranand, Shankaracharya of Jyotish Peeth Math decided not to attend Ayodhya's Ram Mandir ceremony on January 22. He noted that the construction of the temple doesn't signify a victory of Sanatan Dharma.

"Ayodhya already had a Ram Mandir before, and its construction isn't a gift or triumph for the religion. Political leaders not going to Ayodhya on January 22 may be due to their political constraints, but no such constraints bind me. When cow slaughter ends in the country, I will visit Ayodhya's Ram Mandir, celebrating with enthusiasm. Since the honourable court's decision, the land belongs to Hindus, and its use or misuse depends on their discretion," ANI quoted Avimukteshwaranand.

Other Shankaracharyas who are likely to skip the ceremony

According to some media reports, Shankaracharya Bharati Teerth of Sringeri Sharda Peeth is also expected to not attend the ceremony. Recently, Sringeri mutt rejected media reports claiming that it expressed displeasure over the pran-pratishtha ceremony.

"...A social media post, which carries a photo of Dakshinamnaya Sringeri Sharada Peethadheeshwara, His Holiness Paramapujya Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji, conveys that the Sringeri Shankaracharya, in a message, has expressed displeasure over the Prana-pratishtha. However, the Sringeri Shankaracharya has not given any such message," it said.

However, the release didn't mention whether Shankaracharya Bharati Teerth will attend the ceremony or not. Other media reports suggest that Shankaracharya Sadanand Saraswati of Paschimannaya Dwarka Shardapeeth will also not attend the ceremony. However, there is no official confirmation by the two spiritual leaders.

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NEW DELHI : The Supreme Court has put on hold a Delhi High Court ruling that had allowed foreign investors to benefit from zero or reduced tax rates in India based solely on possessing a tax residency certificate.

Foreign investors can avail these certificates, known as TRCs, based on treaties between India and tax haven countries such as Singapore and Mauritius.

This Supreme Courts decision on Friday was in response to a petition by tax authorities challenging the Delhi High Courts decision in a case involving Blackstone Capital Partners, a Singapore-based company facing a tax notice of about 108 crore.

However, the Supreme Court restrained the tax department from acting against the company based on the tax notices, and deferred the case until March.

The Delhi High Court had ruled in favour of Blackstone Singapore in January 2023.

The court had stated that a tax residency certificate was enough evidence for treaty eligibility, residential status, and legal ownership.

It rejected the tax authorities claim that Blackstone Singapore was not the beneficial owner of capital gains income, supporting Blackstones exemption from capital gains tax on the sale of shares acquired before 1 April, 2017 in an Indian company.

As per Indias domestic tax law, benefits under a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement are available only to a non-resident with a valid tax residency certificate issued by their country of residence. India has such agreements with more than 80 countries, including Singapore, and plans to sign more such treaties.

These treaties are meant to avoid double taxation of the same income, benefiting institutions and individuals earning in countries other than their residence. The benefits include lower withholding tax, exemption from tax, and credits for taxes paid on doubly taxed income.

Industry watchers say the Supreme Courts decision could be a matter for concern.

Since the Blackstone Capital Partners ruling has been stayed it may no longer be considered as a binding precedent by courts/tribunals and it will create uncertainties and fear amongst foreign investors," said Mitesh Jain, partner at Economic Laws Practice.

In case the Supreme Court decides the issue against the taxpayer, foreign investors may have to establish that they are a resident of a foreign jurisdiction in substance and not merely by producing the residency certificate," he added. Also, an adverse ruling from the Supreme Court may trigger reassessment proceedings on foreign investors where tax authorities have reasons to doubt the residency of the taxpayer."

During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General N. Venkataraman, representing tax authorities, expressed concerns about the high courts judgment setting a precedent. He argued that Blackstone Singapore had not paid 108 crore following tax assessment, and the TRC for the entity was ambiguous.

In response, Blackstones counsel requested the apex court to decide the matter based on the money issue and not to issue a stay on the policy, stating that investors had relied on this policy for two decades.

However, the court rejected this, noting that the ruling of the high court was relatively new and not a long-standing policy.

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Thailand's new government is pushing to ban cannabis for recreational use; however, it has allowed the use of weed for medical purposes.

They have moved to pass new legislation banning cannabis for recreational use in a major reversal 18 months after the country became the first in Asia to decriminalize the plant, as reported by CNN.

The newly appointed coalition government that came to power last year aimed to tighten the rules and only allow cannabis for medical use.

The relaxed laws saw a lucrative cannabis industry catering to locals and foreigners alike boom across the Southeast Asian nation, according to CNN.

Thailand's health ministry released a draft bill on Tuesday, stating hefty fines or prison sentences for up to one year for offenders, or both. It further welcomed feedback from the public.

Cannabis and cannabis-related products will be limited to medical and health purposes only, the bill states, echoing Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's pledge in September that his new government will "rectify" laws on cannabis within the next six months.

ALSO READ: Cannabis-based drug launched to treat epilepsy in children

Even with the relaxed laws, smoking Marijuana in public was illegal, but the proposed new laws will ban advertising and marketing campaigns for cannabis bus extracts, and other cannabis products, as reported by CNN.

However, earlier, a draft bill failed to win parliamentary approval in November.

Thavisin has been vocal about banning recreational cannabis and stated in several media interviews that drug abuse is "a big problem for Thailand."

Notably, Thailand became the first country in Asia to fully decriminalise cannabis in June 2022, a move years in the making and a rarity in a region where many countries give long jail terms and even death sentences for people convicted of marijuana possession, consumption or trafficking, according to CNN.

In Hong Kong, even non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD) is outlawed.

Moreover, Singapore maintained the death penalty for trafficking drugs, and residents travelling to Thailand are warned they could still be prosecuted on return if they smoke weed overseas.

Medical marijuana has been legal in Thailand since 2018, but decriminalisation in 2022 took a major turn, making it no longer a crime to grow and trade marijuana and hemp products or to use any parts of the plant to treat illnesses.

Since then, thousands of cannabis dispensaries have sprung up across Thailand, as well as other cannabis-themed businesses like weed cafes, hemp spas and beauty treatments, CNN reported.

However, cities like Chiang Mai and the capital, Bangkok have even held weed festivals, and decriminalisation has set a major drawback for tourists.

But Anutin Charnvirakul, the former health minister who strongly lobbied for cannabis legalisation in the country, previously told CNN that the intention was never to allow Thais and tourists to smoke weed recreationally in public.

"Thailand will promote cannabis policies for medical purposes. There has never once been a moment that we would think about advocating for people to use cannabis in terms of recreation--or use it in a way that it could irritate others," Anutin said.

"We emphasised using cannabis extractions and raw materials for medical purposes and for health," he added.

Moreover, pro-legislation advocates have argued that the cannabis boom across Thailand has helped many Thais, from farmers to small business owners and workers behind the counter, as reported by CNN.

Earlier, cannabis entrepreneurs emphasised that they were strongly against any legalisation that would hurt the growing multi-billion-dollar industry.

The Future Cannabis Network, an advocacy group in Thailand, expressed disappointment at the government's actions and stressed the importance of "public involvement."

Kitty Chopaka, a Bangkok-based cannabis entrepreneur who has pushed for cannabis legalisation for years, called it a "knee-jerk reaction" from the government and said that it was "not unexpected."

"But no matter what happens with the incoming cannabis regulations, it is now too late for cannabis to go back to being classified as narcotics," she added.

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This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.
No shortage of security challenges face the U.S. Earlier this week, The Wall Street Journals Vivian Salama talked about some of them with national security adviser Jake Sullivan at The Wall Street Journals CEO Council in Washington, D.C. In the interview, Sullivan emphasized the importance of sustaining military aid to Ukraine, and Biden administration concerns about Israels plans for the next phase of its conflict with Hamas.

Edited excerpts follow.

A detained reporter

WSJ: Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich has been in a Russian prison for 258 days, wrongfully detained on bogus charges. The Journal is calling for his immediate release, but can you update us on what the U.S. government has been doing also?

SULLIVAN: Evan is being unjustly detained for doing his job as a reporter. This is about him as an individual, but it is also about the principle of press freedom. This is a top priority for President Biden.

We have been engaged at senior levels with the Russian government trying to work some kind of negotiation or understanding that would lead to his release. But to date, we have not been able to come up with an arrangement that works for the Russian government to produce Evan and Paul Whelan, another American whos been unjustly detained for a very long time. But it is something that we will keep at from the very highest levels.

WSJ: Congress has not yet agreed to funding that will provide more weapons for Ukraine. The Pentagon has warned that without that funding, Ukraine can essentially run out of the security systems it needs to hold its lines. What would that actually look like?

SULLIVAN: It will mean very specific deterioration in Ukraines capabilities to hold territory and take territory as well as to defend Ukrainian cities against aerial assault by Russia. President Putin has said that if the U.S. and the West cut off Ukraine from military assistance, Ukraine will have one week to live.

Ukraine has succeeded so far in resisting Russian domination because of the bravery of the Ukrainian forces and the resilience of the Ukrainian people, but also because of the dramatic military assistance that has been provided by the U.S. and our Western allies.

WSJ: Is a 2024 counteroffensive impossible without this aid?

SULLIVAN: Without this aid, we simply will not be able to get them the amount of artillery ammunition and other forms of ammunition and weapon systems for them to have the kind of battlefield progress we have seen over the past 18 months.

Over the past 18 months, Ukraine has taken back 50% of the territory that Russia took. And while it didnt make as much progress as Ukraine had hoped, even this counteroffensive took a significant amount of territory.

I think 2024 would be a very difficult year if we were not able to get the assistance to Ukraine. This is not some event where the ultimate outcome is beyond our control. It is entirely within our control to continue to support Ukraine, to continue to rally the international coalition to support Ukraine.

Gaza disconnect

WSJ: Gaza is becoming virtually unlivable, according to the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees. There appears to be a disconnect between the public messaging that the Biden administration has been sharing about its conversations with Israel and what were actually seeing play out across Gaza. What is happening there?

SULLIVAN: You have to start with the basic reality that Israel is confronting. On Oct. 7, we saw the worst massacre of the Jewish people since the Holocaust, perpetrated by savage, brutal terrorists who came out of Gaza into Israel and slaughtered people in their beds. Men, women, children. Conducted unspeakable acts, including crimes of sexual violence. They then went back into Gaza, embedded themselves among the civilian population, including in and around hospitals and other civilian institutions.

They put their rocket emplacements to continue firing at Israel and basically treated the Palestinian population of Gaza as human shields. So thats the military reality. And then they said, basically, How about a cease-fire?" Essentially, Lets go slaughter you, then go hide behind a bunch of civilians, and call a cease-fire."

We believe that Israel has the right to defend itself, to go after the terrorists. And they have an added responsibility, compared to almost any modern military, because they are contending with a terrorist group that does not care one bit about the civilian population and treats them as human shields.

But that added responsibility does not lessen Israels burden to have to comply with international humanitarian law to separate terrorist targets from innocent civilians and to take every measure they can to protect civilians. And we will continue to assert that. We have had intensive, private conversations with the Israelis about this issue and will continue to do so. Every innocent death is a tragedy, whether it is a Palestinian or Israeli or anyone.

WSJ: Weve reported that the Biden administration has urged Israeli officials to wrap this war up in weeks, not months. How realistic is that?

SULLIVAN: I will certainly be talking to Prime Minister Netanyahu, the war cabinet and the senior national security leadership of Israel about timetables. High-intensity military operations of the kind we have seen over the past several weeksit doesnt have to be that you go from that to literally nothing in terms of putting pressure on Hamas targets, Hamas leadership or continuing to try to secure the release of hostages.

After the war

WSJ: Netanyahu last week said Israels military would have to retain security control of Gaza long after the war is over and Hamas is defeated. Do you endorse that idea?

SULLIVAN: Weve been clear we believe that reoccupation of Gaza is a bad idea. It should not happen. We believe that the Israeli government ultimately understands that. There will have to be some kind of interim security arrangement as we work on a long-term political solution for both Gaza and the West Bank. And Gaza and the West Bank have to be connected from a political perspective under a revamped and revitalized Palestinian Authority.

WSJ: Are Arab allies willing to participate in a multinational force?

SULLIVAN: I cant make any announcements of contributions from Arab countries at this time. But there will have to be an interim security-force solution. We will work with Arab allies, but also with the entire international community.

WSJ: Its hard to envision a Palestinian Authority that could handle this challenge given years of institutional collapse and corruption. How do you see that playing out?

SULLIVAN: A lot of things are hard to envision right now. The endgame seems hard to envision. But it is our job to chart out what the basic tentpoles of that endgame have to look like and then work to build the necessary support and create the context for us to achieve that.

We have to drive forward based on what is the only sensible and credible solution here, which is a two-state solution.

China update

WSJ: Last month, President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to restore some military-to-military communications. Whats the update there?

SULLIVAN: We will see the resumption of military-to-military ties. At the leadership level, so between ministries of defense, at the theater commander level, and at the operational level. The real question is not will it get started. Were confident in that. The real question is, can it be sustained? Because at previous points of tension between the U.S. and China, China has pulled down all of those military contacts. And we have made the case that those contacts exist not just for periods of relative stability but precisely for the periods of tension.

So were hopeful that the fact that President Xi has put his stamp on this at a presidential level will sustain these military-to-military contacts out into the future.

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The United States-backed coalition including the United Kingdom launched airstrikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen amid growing crisis in oil-rich West Asia. The US and UK launched airstrike across Yemen escalates a conflict in response to a string of Red Sea attacks by Houthis that have disrupted commercial shipping.

Notably, the spill over from the war between Benjamin Netanyahu's Israel and Hamas fighters in Gaza had been flagged repeatedly by US when Tel Aviv began a relentless airstrike campaign in the densely populated Gaza Strip.

President Joe Biden said that the strikes in Yemen targeting Houthi rebels was meant to demonstrate that US and its allies will not tolerate" the groups attacks on the Red Sea.

Further, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also issued a statement on the airstrikes conducted across Yemen. The UK PM called the air strikes targeting Houthi rebels as necessary and proportionate".

"Despite the repeated warnings from the international community, the Houthis have continued to carry out attacks in the Red Sea," PM Sunak said.

"We have therefore taken limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence, alongside the United States... to degrade Houthi military capabilities and protect global shipping."

According to Bloomberg report, oil prices jumped as as result of US and UK launching airstrikes on the Houthi rebels.

Yemen's Houthi rebels have reportedly been launching attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea for weeks, including their largest barrage ever of drones and missiles launched late Tuesday. Notably largest shipping company Maersk had also ceased operations owing to the attacks in Red Sea.

US-led forces launched retaliatory strikes early Friday.

Further on Thursday Iran's navy captured an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman that only months earlier had seen its cargo of Iranian oil seized by the United States over sanctions linked to Tehran's nuclear program.

The vessel was previously known as the Suez Rajan when it was involved in a yearlong dispute beginning in 2021 that saw the US Justice Department take the 1 million barrels of Iranian crude oil on it.

The US and its allies have been seizing Iranian oil cargoes since 2019 to enforce sanctions over the Islamic Republic's nuclear program. This has led to a series of attacks in the middle east attributed to the Islamic Republic, as well as ship seizures by Iranian military and paramilitary forces that threaten global shipping.

The Houthis have noted that their attacks are aimed at halting the suffering of Palestinians in Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. However, the rebels have increasingly targeted ships with tenuous or no ties to Israel.

Oil has been buffeted since the start of the year. While the tensions in the Middle East have supported crude, concerns about rising non-OPEC supply, deep pricing cuts by Saudi Arabia, and expanding US stockpiles have hurt prices, reports Bloomberg.

(With agency inputs)

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On 11 December, 2001 China entered the World Trade Organisation. What followed over the next 20 years was unprecedented at several levels. China became the factory of the world. It got wealthy. Really wealthy. So much so, it started to drive global demand.

While a study of China could occupy a whole library, we limit our attention to just one aspect of its post-WTO historyhow did all this play out in the Chinese stock markets. And, importantly, what are the lessons that we, as investors in India, can take away.

Lets start with this chart:

View Full Image (Source: IMF)

Without getting into the nitty-gritties of this chart, what it shows is that China became rich at a far faster pace than India over the last 20 years. The Chinese individual genuinely became wealthier over this period.

By now you know what happens when a society becomes rich, right? Every analyst gives that as one key reason why Indian stock markets are going to do extremely well in the years to come. A richer individual spends more money on discretionary items (on holidays, cars, etc.), and tends to upgrade their standard of living (star hotels, premium vehicles). Then there are those who emerge out of poverty, become part of the system and start to consume.

These, and other such themes, should usher in a boom period for Indian companies. Some of this is already visible when you see the queues to buy luxury apartments or premium SUVs.

China has been through this once-in-a-lifetime shift in prosperity already. The question is whether the opportunity played out as one might expect in the stock markets as well. It did, and did not.

Take a look at this chart:

View Full Image (Source: TradingView)

Here we compare the performance of the Chinese stock markets (orange line) vis-a-vis the Indian stock markets. As is apparent, the Indian stock markets (21.7x) are way ahead of the Chinese stocks (1.5x).

The Chinese economy has done well, but its stock markets have not.

The key question that needs to be asked now is, what can we learn from the Chinese stock market debacle?

Let me spell out what I think right away. Economic gains need not necessarily translate into stock market gains.

When you think big picture, theres a lot that goes into analysing an opportunity and generating a return.

First, the politics of a country. Is it stable with good visibility on the policymaking environment? Is it supportive of growth? And is there rule of law?

Next, one looks at the health of the economy and its prospects.

Then comes the industry analysis, where one looks at the dynamics of the industry and global competitiveness, among other things.

Also, the quality of a companys management. The ability of the management to deliver long-term growth and profitability with uncompromising integrity.

And finally, the company itself.

We call this the top-down approach to investing. As you can see, theres a lot that goes into the making of long-term stock market gains. And here lies the clue to why the Chinese stock market story flopped. Let me highlight some reasons.

When Xi Jinping ascended to the top in China, there was much hope. He was seen as someone who would further push Chinas integration with the world. Not least because his father was the mastermind of the first special economic zone in China.

Xi himself encouraged that notion. However, he pivoted (whether his by own choice or because he was forced to by Western powers does not matter), and this was something few would have foreseen. This caused immense damage to countries and companies across the world, most of all China itself.

Another issue was Xis decision to go after the large corporate groups in China like Alibaba and Tencent to reinforce the dominance of the Communist party. The interventions ran deep and broad, and significantly hit the prospects of companies. The destruction of wealth that resulted from these actions, and from the fear that more would come, was breathtaking.

Also, perhaps, it could be said that Chinas decision to stick to the one-child policy for far longer than it should have resulted in destroying the long-term prospects of the country. In 2022, China logged its first decline in population. In the western world such declines are countered by immigration. But we can safely say theres no queue of people waiting to get into China. And therefore, this decline will potentially hurt the prospects of the country in the long term.

There are so many reasons one can give post facto. But I think the common thread among them is thisin most instances, it was difficult to see what was coming. Something that investors, domestic and international, had not anticipated. And when such things happen again and again, the valuations take a knock.

The net result, a stock markets that looks like Chinas.

To quote, Carl Richards: Risk is whats left when you think youve thought of everything."

It could not have been said better. And therein lies the lesson for Indian investors.

Everything looks great. The economy will do very well in all likelihood. But will stock prices? Thats a whole different matter.

So even though everything looks great, you still need to exercise caution. Perhaps you could go about this by:

First, ensuring that your overall asset allocation (stocks, bonds/deposits, gold, real estate, among other things) is suited to your needs.

Second, your stock portfolio should be allocated well too. Dont get carried away with recent returns from small caps. Sure, do own them, but in the right proportion. Usually, the largest chunk should be in blue chipssuper well-managed companies with proven moats and high integrity.

Third, be sure to get rid of bad stocks no matter what the prospects. This needs a special mention. Bad stocks take the biggest knock when things turn for the worse.

Fourth, remember that sometimes the stock markets can get ahead of themselves. Even today, its not uncommon to see stocks being priced using 10-year earnings. So be sure that when you pick stocks, or funds the valuations leave headroom for you to make a solid return over the long term. A lower valuation also gives you a better margin of safety in case of some near-term adverse events.

Fifth, consider investing globally too to hedge against extreme risk events, which, by definition, we cannot see.

I hope this gets you thinking about riskthe kind Carl Richards talks about.

Rahul Goel is the former CEO of Equitymaster. You can tweet him @rahulgoel477.

You should always consult your personal investment advisor/wealth manager before making any decisions.
Ill-advised comments by Maldivian ministers against India sparked a diplomatic row, led to their ejection from authority in Maldives and set off social media calls here to develop Lakshadweep, a Union territory off the coast of Kerala, as an alternative tourist destination. While they hold parallel appeal as holiday isles with white-sand beaches amid dreamscape waters, replicating Maldives model of high-end resort exclusivity may not be possible at that scale, given Lakshadweeps smaller size, even if new infrastructure can support an enlarged influx of tourists. Still, a push for a tourism leap is underway that appears to have stoked much anticipation among Indian holidayers, especially Instagram influencers of holiday picks. During Prime Minister Narendra Modis recent visit there, a clutch of developmental projects were announced. A new airport that can serve military purposes and handle civilian flights is being planned, even as a buzz has arisen over corporate interest in setting up five-star resorts on these islands. Although some of the enthusiasm visible on social media to visit Lakshadweep may be premature at this stage, its tourism-capacity expansion seems all but inevitable after Modis call for Indians to include it in their must-visit list.

Demand that heavily outstrips supply usually finds expression in inflated prices. Since Lakshadweep is an archipelago of 36 islesonly 10 of which are inhabitedwith an area of just 32-sq-km, a key constraint even if we invest in land reclamation, market logic suggests it can serve only travellers at the top of our socio-economic pyramid. At first glance, its emergence as an exclusive spot may seem a tad unfair. But then, we cannot afford to go cheap anyway if we expect to save its ecology from the ruin that an ineptly planned build-up could cause. It is vital that it emerges as an eco-friendly destination. Not just for the safety of its natural treasures, which are already at some climate risk, but also as a marketing pitch in a world of rising eco-consciousness. And this must be done from the get-go, not after its too late, even if it proves costly for the countrys exchequer.

Maldives offers a cautionary example of what could go wrong as tourist arrivals swell over the years. With waste disposal a major challenge for islands, it apparently ended up turning a once-beautiful island into an ugly dump over-run with garbage, as seen in a much-forwarded video clip from a 2012 BBC report by travel writer Simon Reeve, whose masked presence at this site contrasts starkly with our impression of splendid sand-strips and crystal-clear waters. An estimated 300 tonnes of hard and soft waste was getting dumped daily, a scarily high rate for a 298-sq-km string of isles. This mustnt happen in Lakshadweep. To ensure as much, we must pay close attention to the sustainability surveys that need to precede its developmentnot least because our record of rule-adherence has been lax in much of the country. If Lakshadweeps preservation calls for elaborate disposal systems that involve waste shipment to the mainland, for example, these should be deployed in time. Construction will have to be kept minimal and under control, with service licences scarce to keep the islands from getting stormed by visitors. We should not let it go the way of Goa, either, where ill-behaved visitors have gone to the extent of littering public beaches with smashed beer bottles. Serving only a few rich holidayers makes sense because they can easily be taxed for the extra expenses borne. Alas, theres no inexpensive way to do what we must.
South Africa has taken Israel to the international Court of justice, alleging that the country is committing genocide against the Palestinians. The case has attracted much global attention.

Israel has pushed back strongly against the allegations, but the hearings may raise pointed questions about the statements of Israeli politicians on the future of the Palestinians and Gaza.

Mint breaks down the developments.

What happened?

South Africa has brought a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice the Hague, accusing it of committing genocide against the Palestinian people with its military campaigns in Gaza.

Israels armed offensive in Gaza began after the 7 October attacks by Hamas, which killed around 1,200 people. However, Israel has attracted considerable criticism globally as its retaliatory strikes have killed more than 20,000 people, by some estimates. Statements by Israeli right-wing politicians, many of whom have served in important positions in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government, were perceived seen as advocating for the widespread displacement of the Palestinian people.

What did South Africa say at the ICJ?

South Africa has accused Israel of violating the 1948 Genocide Convention adopted by the UN General Assembly.

The acts and omissions by Israel complained of by South Africa are genocidal in character because they are intended to bring about the destruction of a substantial part of the Palestinian national, racial and ethnic group, that being the part of the Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip," reads the 84-page South African application.

In recent days, South Africa's legal team at the Hague has argued that Israels top political leadership and its military have carried out their attacks with the aim of destroying Gaza.

How will Israel respond?

While Israels defence will be heard on Friday, its top political leadership has pushed back against South Africas allegations, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticising South Africa for its hypocrisy".

Israeli authorities have said their goal is to destroy Hamas, not to inflict casualties on Gazas civilians. It may also point to Hamass use of civilian infrastructure as a reason for the large number of civilian deaths from its airstrikes.

It may also argue that objectionable statements made by Israeli politicians do not reflect the view of the government.

What could the ICJ hearing achieve?

The ICJ is the UNs top legal body, with 15 judges from across the world, and mainly deals with disputes between states.

In this case, South Africa has asked the court to order Israel to stop its military campaign and remove its troops from Gaza. The court will first decide whether it has the jurisdiction to rule on the issue. This will allow it to pass temporary orders related to South Africas request.

A final decision on the main allegations raised by South Africa will take longer. While ICJ rulings are binding, they may not be enforceable. However, ruling against Israel would increase the international pressure to halt its military campaign.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has refused to meet the five-member Congress committee to open seat-sharing talks for West Bengal ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Earlier, CM Mamata Banerjee offered two seats" to Congress, which was readily rejected by Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury .

On Thursday, the opposition INDIA bloc landed in a tight spot when TMC signalled that it would not meet the five-member national alliance committee of the Congress that has been holding talks with parties of the INDIA alliance to work out seat adjustments in states, reports Indian Express.

The five-member committee of Congress that includes Ashok Gehlot, Bhupesh Baghel, Mukul Wasnik, Salman Khurshid, and Mohan Prakash, has already held seat-sharing talks with Samajwadi Party (SP), Shiv Sena (UBT), Sharad Pawar faction of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in Bihar.

In West Bengal, TMC's Mamata Banerjee offered the Congress Malda Dakshin and Berhampur seats. Notably, the Congress party already holds these seats in West Bengal.

West Bengal Congress president Chowdhury has rejected the offer saying the party had won those seats on its own in 2019 fighting against the TMC and the BJP, and that the Congress does not need any grace or generosity" from Mamata to win those two seats.

Further, CM Mamata Banerjee has reiterated her claim that in case seat-sharing talks fail with the Congress, she could take the BJP solo" in West Bengal, triggering speculations of a rift in the INDIA bloc.

The Congress is staking claim for many more seats, including Raiganj, Malda Uttar, Jangipur and Murshidabad.

The TMC has repeatedly rejected negotiations over two seats.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Communist Party of India (Marxist), which is an INDIA bloc ally of the TMC, has signalled that it will not ally with the Mamata Banerjee-helmed party at the state level.

A senior TMC leader had told Indian Express that the Congress got over 30% votes in only two of the 42 seats in Bengal. If the top Congress leadership speaks to Mamata Banerjee directly, maybe she will concede one more seat."

At this point, so close to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, a pact between the Congress, TMC, and CPI(M) seems absolutely bleak in West Bengal.

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GARNER, IowaRepublican voters in Hancock County largely rejected Donald Trump eight years ago, giving him less than a fifth of the vote in the GOP caucuses. As recently as a year ago, some party faithful here and elsewhere in Iowa seemed eager to move on, saying they were tired of the former presidents chaos and liabilities.

Now Trump appears poised to win this county Monday and claim victory in Iowas caucuses, powered largely by his overwhelming support among rural voters who see him as the best candidate to advance a populist conservative agenda. That pattern has played out in similar places across the country, helping explain why Trump has a hold over the Republican Party and is the nomination front-runner.

Trump arrives at the caucuses that kick off 2024 nominating contests with baggage that would likely stop any other politician. He faces 91 criminal charges related to everything from his handling of classified documents to efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. He has used language that echoes Adolf Hitler. And he led his party to election losses in 2018, 2020 and 2022.

In Hancock County, none of that matters to many GOP voters. The fact that so many damning allegations against Trump have been aired is a strength, they say, because it suggests hes unlikely to be derailed by a new tarnishing revelation. Many GOP voters here think Trump is most likely to achieve their ultimate goaldefeating President Bidenbecause he is a proven commodity and ties or beats the incumbent in general election polls.

His track record speaks for itself and I think we need him back to get the economy fixed," said Osmund Bud" Jermeland, a 65-year-old farm equipment sales manager who is the countys GOP chairman. Theres going to be a pretty strong Trump turnout in this county."

Picking Trump, in Jermelands view, is like drinking Coca-Cola. You might give another soda a try, in the way voters early last year showed interest in Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis after his 2022 landslide re-election victory. But at the end of the day, if you like Coke, you stick with Coke.

Jermeland, whose leadership role calls for him to remain neutral in the contest, said DeSantis and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley are considered members of the Republican establishment" and not as trusted as Trump to govern as an outsider.

The most recent Wall Street Journal poll showed Trump had the support of 71% of rural Republican primary voters, well above his backing of 59% among all GOP primary voters. One reason is that rural America has a higher concentration of non-college-educated white voters, a demographic that Trump helped pull into the Republican Party when he first sought the presidency in 2016. Rural areas are also aging faster than the rest of the U.S., and Trump outperformed his last two Democratic opponents among Americans age 65 and older.

Trump won in 2016 despite garnering nearly 3 million fewer votes than Hillary Clinton, in part because he won less-populous states that the Electoral College gives a disproportionate say to in presidential elections. He secured close to two-thirds of the rural vote nationwideabout a fifth of the electoratethat year and in his 2020 election loss.

His hold on rural voters could help decide who wins the general election and margins could matter. If Democrats keep Trump from racking up the gains he had in rural America in 2016 and 2020, it could undermine his ability to carry battlegrounds like Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

His strength with rural voters hasnt been replicated among the centrist suburban voters who decide general elections, which is why Haley still makes the case shed be the better candidate in November and why Democrats still have hope Biden can win another term despite poor poll numbers.

In Hancock County, a north-central Iowa enclave where grain elevators are the tallest structures on the horizon, voters were once skeptical of Trump, a thrice-married Manhattanite with virtually no rural life experience. Eight years ago, Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas scored his largest vote share in Hancock among the states 99 counties, while also recording the biggest gap between his share and Trumps, 45% to 19%.

Trump went on to win 71% of the countys general election vote in 2020. Residents say farmers and small-business owners strongly relate to Trumps business background. They also think the former presidents wealth allows him to fight the establishment and Washington better than his rivals.

We respond to Trump because he has had to make payroll and build businesses," said John Golnick, a 70-year-old resident who has worked as a truck driver and in other jobs. It takes risks, a lot of nerve and a lot of work."

Golnick, who plans to back Trump at the caucuses, said he thinks all of the investigations the former president faces are fake. Hes been investigated in so many different ways, if there was something damaging they would have found it four or five years ago," he said.

Republican Damon Quandt, a 31-year-old bank lending officer, had initially planned to back someone other than Trump in the caucusesperhaps DeSantisbecause there are aspects of Trumps personality he doesnt like.

He now expects to vote for Trump, in part because at some point, he said, DeSantis stopped looking like he could win. Quandt said he worries that if Republicans nominate someone other than Trump, the former presidents most ardent supporters wouldnt get behind that person, while he expects most of those backing other GOP candidates would ultimately fall in line behind Trump.

I can like enough of him to get on board to help make sure the next president can be a Republican," he said.

Unlike many Republicans interviewed in the county, Quandt thinks Trump lost the 2020 election. But he doesnt believe polls that show Haley is the strongest GOP candidate against Biden because he thinks potential Democratic attacks against her have yet to surface. Everything about Trump is already out there and hes still leading," Quandt said.

Hancock County hasnt backed a Democrat in a presidential election since Bill Clinton in 1996. Republicans outnumber Democrats more than three to one, state data shows.

Doug Thompson, a 75-year-old farmer in Hancock County who is a centrist Democrat and has worked professionally for both Democratic and Republican administrations in Iowa, said he often shakes his head when he sees his neighbors rallying around Trump.

Its a cult of personality out here at this point," he said.

The county is less educated than Iowa as a whole, with census data showing just one in five of those age 25 and older having a bachelors degree or higher, compared with about one in three for the state overall and 38% nationally. Its median age is 44, compared with 39 for both Iowa and the nation. Roughly nine in 10 residents are non-Hispanic white.

Dennis Guth, a farmer and state senator who represents the area, said hes a DeSantis supporter but expects Trump to win Hancock County. People see him as a successful businessman who knows how to get things done and negotiate," he said.

Most of those interviewed in the county, which has a higher share of evangelicals than the statewide average, said they dont like Trumps personality and proclivity for name calling. But they also talk about Christian forgiveness when asked about his mistakes before and after he was president.

Many Christians in the community are upset and frustrated with some of Trumps personal choices, either in his speech or in his lifestyle choices," said Brian Lund, a 42-year-old pastor at the Zion Evangelical & Reformed Church. Others are willing to overlook those."

Lund, who declined to say whom he will support in the caucuses, said he thinks Trump has such strength in the area because people think the former presidents wealth allows him to take on the establishment and Washington. They want to see someone fighting for their interests," he said.

Some of Trumps challengers have tried to win over voters here by championing local issues. Vivek Ramaswamy, the biotech entrepreneur who has campaigned extensively in Iowa as part of his long-shot bid, has been to Hancock County at least twice.

In a late December visit, Ramaswamy opposed the use of eminent domain for a proposed pipeline that would cross the county, a project thats unpopular with many farmers. It would transport carbon-dioxide emissions from ethanol and other plants, liquefied under pressure, to sites where the greenhouse gas would be sequestered underground.

Alan Bush, a 64-year-old loan officer for a local bank, said he thinks Ramaswamy will pick up some support in the county because hes expressed vocal opposition to the pipeline, unlike other candidates in the race. Bush, however, plans to caucus for Trump.

He doesnt owe anyone favors and hes proven himself," he said. I believe the man absolutely loves this country and wants to do right by it."

Likely participants in the states GOP caucuses view Trump as the best Republican candidate to handle the economy, with more than two-thirds saying in an Iowa Poll in December that he would do the best job on that key topic.

Florence Sis" Greiman, a 60-year-old farmer and county commissioner, said she is leaning toward supporting Trump. He did a lot of good things for farmers and rural people," Greiman said, highlighting Trumps actions on trade, his efforts to push for deregulation and lower agricultural input costs during his tenure. He understood negotiations."

Other business leaders see a president whose economic policies had unintended consequences. Dave Zrostlik, the president of a company that builds service trucks, said Trumps tariffs immediately jacked up the cost of the raw steel his company relies on and made it harder to compete with European firms.

Zrostlik, whose company employs more than 500 people in the county, said he is leaning toward supporting Haley instead of Trump because hes not a big fan of the person that he has become."

Cindy Wacker, a 51-year-old who has home-schooled her four children and lives south of Garner, said she didnt trust Trump enough to support him in 2016 but gave him her vote in 2020. She wouldnt be disappointed if Trump won the nomination, based on his border policies and appointment of conservative justices who helped overturn Roe v. Wade, ending the constitutional right to an abortion.

Still, she said she cant bring herself to back Trump and would prefer to see DeSantis as the nominee. DeSantis does a lot of the things Trump talks about, but without all the drama," she said. Trump has plenty of support, so I figure I will vote for my favorite."

Write to John McCormick at mccormick.john@wsj.com

View Full Image Trumps Hold on Rural America Is Key to His Resilience

View Full Image Trumps Hold on Rural America Is Key to His Resilience

View Full Image Trumps Hold on Rural America Is Key to His Resilience

View Full Image Trumps Hold on Rural America Is Key to His Resilience

View Full Image Trumps Hold on Rural America Is Key to His Resilience

View Full Image Trumps Hold on Rural America Is Key to His Resilience

View Full Image Trumps Hold on Rural America Is Key to His Resilience
Jetstar Australia has issued a public apology following criticism over a Facebook post on the Vietnamese currency, which many found disrespectful and unacceptable.

"We have acknowledged a Facebook post on Wednesday in relation to Vietnams currency was inappropriate and should never have been posted which is why it was quickly deleted," stated the apology published on its website on Friday.

"Shortly after the post was removed, we apologised on Facebook and wish to sincerely apologise again for any offence caused. We have reviewed our processes to ensure a similar error doesnt happen again," it said.

Jetstar Australia's apology for a joke over Vietnams currency name. Screenshot from Jetstar Australia's website

The airline joked over the currency of Vietnam in a Facebook post, saying: "Sorry but Vietnamese money being called dong is objectively funny."

"And a million dong is $65 and I basically have $65 which means I'm a millionaire," it said.

The post sparked backlash from both Vietnamese individuals and international communities. Many Facebook users left their comments under the post calling it "unacceptable" and "tone-deaf," and some commenters even vowed to stop using Jetstar Australias services.

"No more Vietnamese will fly with Jetstar. Racial hatred," Daily Mail quoted a comment.

"I'll never choose Jetstar until they issue an official apology to the Vietnamese people," another said.

Jetstar Australia is a low-cost airline based in Melbourne. A wholly owned subsidiary of Qantas, it operates an extensive domestic, regional, and international network primarily operating from Melbourne Airport.
From their perch on the eastern side of the Red Sea, the Yemen-based rebels pose what could be one of the biggest threats to global shipping and, by extension, the world economy.

In recent weeks, the Houthis have launched over two-dozen drone and missile attacks on commercial shipping bound for the Suez Canal, what they say is a response to Israels war against Hamas. Major shippers are now diverting vessels south around the Cape of Good Hope, adding some 40 days to voyages in what could be a far more damaging disruption than when the Ever Given cargo carrier got wedged in the canal in 2021.

Now, with a U.S.-led coalition launching more than a dozen strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, here is a look at where the Houthis came from, and what they might be hoping to achieve.

Who are the Houthis?

The Houthis are among the combatants in Yemens long-running civil war.

They are named after religious and political leader Hussein Al-Houthi, who launched an insurgency in the 1990s against what he saw as the corrupt Yemeni government.

He gathered widespread backing among the northern tribes, who, like him, are Zaydis, a branch of Shia Islam that calls on its adherents to stand up against injustice wherever they see it.

Houthi was killed in a battle with Yemeni forces in 2004 aged 45, but the group, now under the leadership of his brother, Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi, has since gained significant territory in a long-running civil war.

Who are they fighting?

More formally known as Ansar Allah, or Supporters of God, the Houthis are still vying for control of Yemen, the country that lies on the southern tip of the Arabian peninsula. The Zaydi see themselves as Yemens only rightful rulers. The Houthis took control of the capital, Sana, in 2014. But the group also receives funding and military support from Iran, another Shia power, and shares ties to Hezbollah, the Shia political and military group in Lebanon.

The Houthis adversaries in the south and east of the country are backed by Irans regional rivals, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

That conflict is now largely frozen. But the Houthis have also emerged as a significant player in the conflict now threatening to spread across the Middle East after targeting the shipping lanes in the Red Sea leading the Suez Canal, particularly the narrow strait of Bab el-Mandeb, or the Gate of Tears.

Why are Houthis targeting commercial shipping?

The Houthis claim they are trying to target vessels with links to Israel. Along with Iran and Hezbollah, they have positioned themselves as part of what Tehran calls the axis of resistance" toward Israels campaign to eradicate the Hamas militant group in Gaza. Like Iran, the Houthis see the destruction of Israel as a fundamental part of their mission, borrowing Tehrans thinking for their own slogan, God is the Greatest, Death to America, Death to Israel, Curse Upon the Jews, Victory to Islam."

While a Bahamas-flagged vessel that was boarded in November has ties to an Israeli billionaire, there havent been many other Israeli connections among the other attacks.

Security analysts suggest the Houthis are instead trying to create a systemic threat in the pivotal waterway to pressure Israels allies to compel it to withdraw from Gaza. The rebels know well the value of economic targets: The Houthis hit Saudi Arabian oil facilities during the civil war.

What is the U.S. doing to protect the Red Sea trade route?

America had been reluctant to directly confront Iran and its proxies since the start of the war in Gaza, but a U.S.-led coalition launched more than a dozen strikes on Houthi targets early Friday local time, two days after the rebels defied an ultimatum to halt their attacks. The strikes were conducted by the U.S. and U.K. and supported by Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands and were designed to reduce the Houthis capability to continue their campaign.

U.S. Central Command, which oversees U.S. military operations in the Middle East, said the strikes targeted radar and air-defense systems along with storage and launch sites for drones and missiles. A U.S. submarine, several destroyers and jet fighters, and part of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier strike group took part, a U.S. defense official said.

U.S. and British forces previously responded to the Houthi threat by shooting down missiles and drones fired by the group. The U.S. Navy recently sank Houthi boats that had fired on commercial ships.

What has been the response to the U.S.-led attacks?

Russia on Friday requested an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council to discuss the strikes. The Houthis, meanwhile, described them as American-Zionist-British aggression against Yemen," reporting blasts in Sana in addition to Hodeida, Saada, Dhamar and elsewhere, but said they were undeterred. One official threatened to hit U.S. bases in the region if the U.S. and U.K. strike more targets.

This is a brutal aggression," Nasr al-Din Amir, a Houthi official, told The Wall Street Journal. They will undoubtedly pay its price, and we will not waver in our stance to support the Palestinian people, regardless of the cost."

The Saudi Foreign Ministry in a statement called for restraint and expressed great concern" about the strikes, while emphasizing the importance of preserving the security and stability of the Red Sea region."

President Biden, meanwhile, said, I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary."

What is the economic cost?

The Houthi attacks have disrupted shipping in waters through which 8% of the worlds oil supply traveled, on average, in 2023 and risk raising consumer prices on everything from electronics to coffee. Container volumes through the Suez Canal from mid-December to Jan. 7 fell more than 60% from the same period a year earlierfrom 3.3 million boxes to 1.3 million boxes as the result of the ship diversions. It now takes up to 40 days longer to ship cargo around Africa, as ships are diverted around the Cape of Good Hope.

The Suez is used by about one-third of global container cargo and about 30% of freight bound for U.S. East Coast ports, according to Everstream Analytics, a supply-chain risk-management company.

Write to James Hookway at James.Hookway@wsj.com
NASA has delayed its ambitious mission to the moon for the next two years after various spacecraft needed for the mission continued to show technical glitches

NASA's Artemis III mission to the moon, which is set to land four astronauts near the lunar south pole will be postponed a year until September 2026. Whereas, its test mission, Artemis II will be delayed to September 2025. The mission was planned to test life support systems by sending a space crew around the moon for a 10-day expedition.

Also Read: Peregrine Mission One faces technical issue, NASA vows to learn from moon mission

Artemis is NASA's multi-billion dollar space program intended to send astronauts to the moon since the last Apollo mission in 1972.

What causes NASA to delay its moon missions?

NASA's second Artemis mission, has been pushed back a year after the American space agency faced issues with Lockheed Martin-built Orion crew capsule's batteries during vibration tests, reported Reuters citing sources familiar with the matter. The batteries in Lockheed Martin's crew capsule will be replaced.

Also Read: This NASA moon mission failure reminds of Chandrayaan 3's exemplary moon landing by ISRO

Artemis 3 mission to the moon will use the Starship landing system from NASA contractor SpaceX. However, billionaire Elon Musk's space firm is unexpectedly taking longer than expected time to meet the previous timeline, reported the news agency citing sources.

While announcing the fresh timeline for its mission, NASA said that the delays would let the teams work through development challenges linked with the program.

Also Read: Will 2007 FT3, a lost asteroid, hit Earth in October 2024? NASA says

We are returning to the moon in a way we never have before, and the safety of our astronauts is Nasas top priority as we prepare for future Artemis missions," said the Nasa administrator Bill Nelson in a press briefing held on Tuesday

"So, what I want to tell you is, we are adjusting our schedule to target Artemis 2 for September of 2025 and September of 2026 for Artemis 3, which will send humans for the first time to the lunar south pole," he added.

Also Read: Scientifically important, What NASA scientist said on ISRO's Aditya-L1 entering Halo orbit

Private companies involved in NASA's Artemis program

Several private companies are involved in NASA's ambitious space program to the moon. Artemis program will use the Boeing and Northrop Grumman-led Space Launch System to loft humans off Earth, Lockheed's Orion capsule to propel them toward the moon, and SpaceX's Starship to take them on and off the lunar surface.

Not only this, Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin is building an astronaut lander for later missions. Elon Musk's SpaceX is also preparing to attain the milestone of completing the refueling of Starship at an orbital propellant depot before the ship can take humans to the lunar surface and launch them back with enough fuel.

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Despite the discrepancy in size, Israel and the U.S. have always had much in commonrambunctious democracy, an ethos rooted in immigration, deep innovative and entrepreneurial success, and tragedy at age 75 that called into question their very existence. For the U.S., it was the Civil War; for Israel, the Hamas massacres of Oct. 7, 2023.

The war erupted at a time when in some respects Israel looked successful in ways that would have astonished the founding generation of 1948. In that year, the population consisted of roughly a million Jews (several hundred thousand newly landed from the displaced persons camps of Europe) and perhaps 150,000 Muslim and Christian Arabs, plus several other small minorities. In 2022, the population had burgeoned to nearly 10 million, over seven million of them Jews, making it larger than any Jewish diaspora community in the world for the first moment since ancient times.

The Israel of 1948 was poor; 75 years later it had a GDP of well over half a trillion dollars. In 1948, a military of 90,000 had to scrounge castoff weapons from Allied arms depots and a Communist Czechoslovakia selling German designs from World War II; in 2023, its military now numbered some 170,000 active-duty soldiers and 465,000 in the reserves, equipped with world-class weapons, many of indigenous design. An economy that relied heavily on exporting oranges in 1948 was now one of the technology powerhouses of the world, with multinational corporations and an abundance of technical inventions.

These achievements are stunningindeed, unparalleled, because even a success story like Singapore didnt do all this while absorbing millions of immigrants from around the world, of all skin colors, languages and traditions, while fighting chronic campaigns against its neighbors and terrorist groups committed to its extermination.

On Oct. 6, 2023, Israelis might have been excused for some complacency about their situation. Indeed, in previous months and years there was evidence of that. Israel was a startup nation," a country that according to the World Happiness Report (there is such a thing), ranked No. 4 after Finland, Denmark and Iceland. There is no statement of optimism like having children, and Israels high fertility rate was unique in the developed world.

Yet such confidence was misplaced because of three seemingly intractable problems.

A war legacy

The first of these was the legacy of the 1967 war.

After Israels war of independence in 1948-49, the majority of the Arab population that would have resided in the new state had movedfrom fear or by compulsion or voluntary choiceto neighboring states a few miles away. The remaining minority was a politically insignificant 10% of Israels population.

But the 1967 warlaunched after Egypts President Nasser blockaded the Straits of Tiran, evicted U.N. peacekeepers and assembled a coalition that he inspired with bloodthirsty rhetoricchanged all that. Israel occupied the West Bank of the Jordan and the Gaza Strip as well as the Sinai Peninsula and the Golan Heights.

This was, as Israeli journalist Shabtai Teveth called it, a cursed blessing. As the decades unfolded, Israelis motivated by religious and nationalist ideology or by the simple desire for open space moved to these areas, in a patchwork of communities that rendered a Palestinian state improbable, and that guaranteed permanent friction with the Arabs.

Moves to mitigate that friction, like the withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, failed, and Israel saw several waves of Palestinian violence that left both sides doubtful that the solution envisaged by the United Nations in 1947two states, side by side, between the Jordan River and the seacould ever exist. The situation has been exacerbated by the corruption of Palestinian governmental institutions, the fanaticism of terrorist movements like Hamas, and the continued slippage of Jewish extremists out of the control of the Israeli state. Barrier walls and brilliant intelligence work could mitigate violence, but not end it, and couldnt resolve the fundamental problem: roughly equal numbers of Arabs and Jews live between the river and the sea.

Axis of irreconcilables

The wars of 1947, 1956, 1970 and 1982 convinced nearby Arab rulers that the Jewish state couldnt be destroyed. The rise of Iran and of Islamist movements affiliated, however loosely, with the Muslim Brotherhood, led them to believe that Israel was the lesser threat. Israels military and industrial prowess convinced them that it might even be a useful if unloved partner.

The results were the peace treaties with Egypt, Jordan and more remote Arab states, the Abraham Accords leading to peace with the United Arab Emirates, and the not-so-secret reconciliation talks and tacit agreements with Saudi Arabia, once one of Israels most implacable enemies.

But meantime, a second intractable issue arose. A new axis of irreconcilables had formedled by Iran, with clients and proxies in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and abroad, and reinforced by Sunni Islamist movements that might hate Tehrans Shia Islam, but hated Israel more. For the first time, the enemy state wasnt merely far away but would soon have nuclear weapons. And even worse, could look to the open or covert support of two great powers, Russia and China.

Finally and most seriously, Israel on Oct. 6, 2023, faced a domestic crisis, resulting in part from structural problemsin particular, the growth of the ultra-Orthodox community that has great leverage in the political system but is a profound drag on the budget and policies of the stateand a misconceived and dangerously divisive set of policies by the Netanyahu government aimed at weakening Israels fiercely independent judiciary and advancing a form of plebiscitary authoritarianism.

And then, the massacre, on the heels of a catastrophic failure of military intelligence and preparedness, followed by an invasion of Gaza intended not merely to avenge the horrors, but to eliminate, once and for all, the political and military organization that bred them.

Amid the uncertainty

The uncertainties of the moment are immense, but a few things are clear.

The first is the striking resilience of Israeli civil society, despite an unpopular government that was led by a now largely despised prime minister into a disaster of epic proportions. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis fled not abroad, but home, many of them to don uniforms and join reserve units. Civil action groups, often the same as those demonstrating for months against the government, have filled in all kinds of gapsfrom supplying soldiers to replacing labor on Israeli farms.

Second, there will be a reckoning when this ends. As in the past, Israel will undoubtedly have a state commission of inquiry. And as in the past, the judgments will no doubt be thorough and unsparing, and indeed will be preceded by resignations of those who hold themselves accountable. The trauma will be deep and enduring. This, after all, would be the equivalent of the U.S. losing some 40,000 people in a calculated rampage of rape, torture and murder in a single day.

Third, what will likely emerge in Israeli will be a new political consensuspossibly more hard-line on Palestinian questions, possibly not, but also likely more centrist on matters like judicial reform. The ultra-Orthodox community, already split in its response to the crisis, may be drawn more into the mainstream of Israeli society and crucially, its economy. A prolonged, and not unhealthy, soul-searching awaits a country once again under siege.

That is the main point. For nearly half a century, the existential question hasnt been on the table for Israel.

After Oct. 7, however, Israelis will wonder whether they will live under the constant threat of an unshakably hostile and eliminationist coalition led by Iran and including Hezbollah, Hamas, Yemens Houthis and kindred groups that will use any means to weaken and eventually destroy their state.

They will wonder if the brilliant young men and women who drive the Israeli economy will stay. They will ask whether the more than 100,000 displaced persons will return to border settlements near Gaza and in the north. They will brace for new rounds of violence on the West Bank. They will ask whether, once again as in Israels first quarter-century, they will have to live under perpetual siege, building a society while keeping one wary hand ever on the sword.

They may have to, for at least the foreseeable future. History cannot guarantee how that will turn out, but the first Israelis accepted that challenge and still managed to thrive. Their spirit thus far suggests that one should not doubt that their grandchildren and great-grandchildren are capable of doing the same.

Eliot A. Cohen is a professor at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and holds the Arleigh Burke chair in strategy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He can be reached at reports@wsj.com.

View Full Image For Israel, the Existential Question Returns

View Full Image For Israel, the Existential Question Returns

View Full Image For Israel, the Existential Question Returns

View Full Image For Israel, the Existential Question Returns

View Full Image For Israel, the Existential Question Returns

View Full Image For Israel, the Existential Question Returns

View Full Image For Israel, the Existential Question Returns

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RIYADH, Saudi ArabiaThe U.S., China and Russia are racing to secure critical metals needed to power the energy transition away from fossil fuels. Their latest battleground: oil-rich Saudi Arabia.

Government officials and top mining executives descended on Riyadh this week to tap in to the gusher of cash the Saudis are pouring into mining investments. The kingdom is positioning itself at the center of a super region" extending from Central Asia to the Middle East and Africa, which it says holds at least a third of the worlds natural resources, including critical minerals.

Robust attendance at a mining conference held in the Saudi capital this week wasnt solely about sealing financial deals, with foreign governments also eager to cement broader diplomatic relationships with the kingdom.

Riyadh has worked to cast itself as a neutral party able to do business with all sides. Saudi leaders have reset relations with Washington, long the kingdoms protector in the Persian Gulf, and developed closer ties with Russia and China in recent years.

We are in the middle of the world," said Khalid al-Mudaifer, Saudi Arabias vice minister for mining. Saudi Arabia is location-wise between three continentswe think we connect the whole world all together."

The kingdom expects some 75 billion riyals, equivalent to about $20 billion, worth of deals to have been struck during the three-day conference. The U.S. and Russia both signed memorandums of understanding with Saudi Arabia related to minerals.

Saudi Arabias unlikely push to become a significant player in the global mining industry is part of a broader agenda to diversify the kingdoms economy. Launched eight years ago by de facto leader Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Vision 2030 strategy aims to build new industries unrelated to oil in large part by improving the countrys business climate.

Saudi officials see mining as the third pillar of the kingdoms economy after hydrocarbons and petrochemicals.

The first Future Minerals Forum, held in 2021, attracted around 4,700 participants. This year, some 16,000 people showed up. This is the mecca of mining," said one first-time attendee.

At last years conference, Saudi Arabia launched Manara Minerals, a joint venture between its sovereign-wealth fund and state-owned mining company, to buy mining assets abroad.

Manara grabbed the mining industrys attention last July with its first deal: a plan to acquire a 10% stake in Brazilian miner Vales base-metals unit that valued the business at $26 billion. The deal was viewed as evidence that the Saudis were willing to sink money into the sector.

Manara plans to buy more than $15 billion in mining assets globally in the next few years, The Wall Street Journal has reported.

Saudi Arabia has been in talks to plow money into Reko Diq, a project in Pakistan that will be one of the worlds biggest new copper mines, and has other deals in the pipeline, according to people familiar with the matter.

Riyadh is also seeking to draw foreign investment to its domestic mining industry.

Saudi Arabia said at the conference it has revised its estimates for its untapped mineral wealth to $2.5 trillion, up from $1.3 trillion in 2016, a figure that includes deposits of copper, gold, zinc, phosphates and rare-earth metals. Most of its land still needs to be explored, meaning the figure could rise.

Since last years conference, applications for mining permits from international companies have doubled, Mudaifer said. Saudi officials have visited companies and investors around the world to encourage them to invest.

The U.S. government presence at the conference this year was seen as a sign of the countries improving relations. Amos Hochstein, a top White House adviser, spoke, as did Geoffrey Pyatt, the State Departments assistant secretary of energy resources.

The U.S. has been working with other countries to curb Chinas dominance across critical mineral supply chains.

This is not about geopolitical adversaries," Mr. Hochstein said Wednesday. You cant have an energy transition" based on a supply from one country, he said. We have to invest together with our allies and our friends to make sure that the global system is well-supplied and well-diversified."

The memorandum of understanding the U.S. Export-Import Bank signed with its Saudi counterpart calls for the financing of U.S. exports to Saudi Arabia, as well as collaboration in critical minerals projects, among other things.

The Saudi agreement with Russia said the countries would cooperate in geology and mineral resources.

Wed love to work with other nations to develop those [natural] resources, to share our expertise and our technology," said Kirill Dmitriev, chief executive of the Russian Direct Investment Fund.

Saudi Arabias push for business with China is part of a larger geopolitical pivot by the kingdom and other Gulf states to build relations with Beijing and, in the process, become less dependent on the U.S. and enhance their own influence.

Steele Li, vice chairman and chief investment officer of Chinese miner CMOC Group, said the idea of the super region is appealing because of its abundant resources and strategic location. Investing there is a long-term play that fits into the miners strategy, he said.

Write to Julie Steinberg at julie.steinberg@wsj.com and Stephen Kalin at stephen.kalin@wsj.com
As the New Year arrived in Ukraine with the Russian missile attack on Kyiv on the early morning of Jan. 1, 2023, there were two main questions on the minds of policy makers around the world. The first pertained to the fate of the continuing Russian winter offensive, while the second concerned the results of the planned Ukrainian spring counteroffensive.

The answer to the first question came in May when Yevgeny Prigozhin withdrew his Wagner Group troops from the ruins of Bakhmut. Taking control of Bakhmut had come at a high cost to Wagner, with perhaps 20,000 soldiers killed, most of them convicts recruited by Prigozhin from Russian prisons.

This was the sole significant success of the offensive. Bakhmut was to remain under Russian control, but Prigozhin rebelled when the Kremlin decided it didnt need his services and ordered to roll his troops into the regular Russian army. The mutiny revealed fissures between the Russian political and military leadership, which didnt rush to protect the regime. The Kremlin eventually assassinated Prigozhin, but the military brasss dissatisfaction with Putins handling of the war suggested possible trouble in the future.

The counteroffensive

The failure of the Russian offensive opened the door for Ukraines June counteroffensive. Despite some optimistic predictions, the destruction of the Russian Army-controlled section of the Kakhovka Dam on the Dnipro River effectively dashed Ukrainian hopes of using the dam as a bridge to cross the Dnipro and sever the supply lines connecting Russian troops in the south of Ukraine with their logistical hubs in Crimea.

As a result, the situation on the mainland reached a stalemate. Less than 200 square miles changed hands since the beginning of the year. Russia managed to stabilize the front line by bringing at least 300,000 additional soldiers and officers into the Russian army. Ukraine, as well as being outnumbered 3 to 1 in terms of manpower, lacked superiority and often even parity in firepower.

While the Ukrainians had received tanks, fighting vehicles and antiaircraft missile batteries, they didnt receive the F-16 fighters they had requested, nor the U.S. ATACMS long-range guided missiles. Delays in supply were caused by various reasons, including disagreements between NATO commanders and their Ukrainian counterparts on the required weaponry and timing, quarrels between the allies on who should supply what (notably the public dispute between the U.S. and Germany regarding supply of Leopard and Abrams tanks), and White House concerns about crossing Putins red lines and provoking a nuclear war.

No end in sight

But efforts to prevent the war from escalating no doubt will contribute to lengthening it, likely through 2024 and beyond.

Whats more, the battles of 2024 will be fought amid a political eventthe U.S. presidential electionthat will be as important to the future of the war as any individual offensive. The U.S. remains the largest Western supplier of weapons to Ukraine and is second only to the European Union in financial assistance to Kyiv. The political uncertainty in the U.S. will greatly affect the countrys ability to provide Ukraine with crucial military aid.

Ukraine is likely to face a shortage of munitions at some point in the coming year. Yet it takes time for Ukraines Western partners to increase the production of munitions. The U.S. has already doubled the production of some artillery shells, but there is long way to go to meet the demands of the Ukrainian front.

Meantime, the European Union is unlikely to meet its pledge to supply one million shells to Ukraine. The surprise Hamas attack on Israel and the possible start of larger Middle Eastern war could further exacerbate Ukraines munitions situation.

To be sure, Russia also faces challenges in terms of munition supplies, but has been able to fill the gap with the help of North Korea, which supplied Moscow with one million shells. Beyond that, Putin has been effective in circumventing Western sanctions, stabilizing Russias economy and mobilizing its industry for wartime needs.

Land for peace?

As 2023 comes to an end, there are more calls for a cease-fire and eventual land for peace" settlement.

However, such an outcome wont provide either stable or lasting peace in the region. While Ukraine has been engaged with its allies in discussing the peace formula," the Kremlin insists on achieving all of its original goals, including the so-called denazification of Ukraine, which is a code word for the destruction of Ukraines political and intellectual elites.

Ukraine cant lose this war because the very existence of the Ukrainian state and nationdepends on its outcome. And ending it with an armistice resulting in the loss of people andterritories and without NATO membership is tantamount to losing the war.

Ukraine has been in that position before, in 2014-15, when the Minsk agreements never brought peace but provided Russia with the ability to build a stronger army and come back in force a few years later. The Russian policies targeting Ukrainian activists, kidnapping children and replacing school curriculums with the Russian ones would lead to eradication of anything politically and culturally Ukrainian on the occupied territories.

A loss for Ukraine also would be tantamount to a major loss for the U.S. and itsallies. Russian victory would result in Moscow strengthening its grip of the post-Soviet space, restoring its positions in the Caucasus, where Armenia indicated its interest in strengthening its relations with the West, and Central Asia, where Kazakhstan uses its ties with China to counterbalance Russian power in the region.

Even more important, Russias success in Ukraine would increase a threat to NATOs Eastern flankin particular the Baltic states and Poland. Outside of Europe it would embolden Moscows allies Iran and North Korea and provide a template for China for the military solution of the Taiwan dispute. In all those cases, the U.S.and NATO troops could find themselves in the midst of a military conflict of the sort that Ukraine fights today without direct involvement of NATO.

In many ways, the biggest disadvantage for the West is the striking difference between the ways in which the war is viewed in Russia and the West.

While the Kremlin perceives it as a life and death struggle with the U.S. and its allies, and whips the anti-Western hysteria in the Russian media to mobilize the population and resources to wage such a war, the Western governments imagine this war largely as a conflict between Ukraine and Russia, and debate the degree to which they should help Ukraine without antagonizing Russia too much.

What the West perspective is missing is that the key question on the global agenda is the future of the West itself. At stake in this war isnt just the fate of Ukraine but also the security of the West, the stability of the international order, and the future of democracy as a global force.

The outcomes of wars of such magnitude shape the future for generations to come. Even if much of the West doesnt yet recognize this, this war is no exception.

Serhii Plokhy is the professor of history and the director of the Ukrainian Research Institute at Harvard University. He is the author of The Russo-Ukrainian War: A Return of History." He can be reached at reports@wsj.com.

View Full Image The War That Neither Ukraine nor the West Can Afford to Lose

View Full Image The War That Neither Ukraine nor the West Can Afford to Lose

View Full Image The War That Neither Ukraine nor the West Can Afford to Lose

View Full Image The War That Neither Ukraine nor the West Can Afford to Lose

View Full Image The War That Neither Ukraine nor the West Can Afford to Lose

View Full Image The War That Neither Ukraine nor the West Can Afford to Lose

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Americas youngest students entered school this year with weaker math and reading skills, compared with before the pandemic, according to new data that is surprising some educators.

In kindergarten, students tested in 2023 were about 2 percentage points less likely to begin school at grade level in both math and reading, compared with 2019, data compiled by the testing company Curriculum Associates show. Scores also remained below prepandemic levels in the first and second grades.

The decline is concerning, say researchers who reviewed the results. Schools are struggling to help older students who fell behind since the pandemic and now face an additional, less-appreciated hurdle: catching up younger students, too.

We are still seeing sizable gaps in school readiness, in school performance for kids who werent even in school at the time of the pandemic," said Emily Oster, a Brown University researcher who has studied pandemic-era learning.

The analysis looks at test scores of over a million students who took a digital test called i-Ready last fall. The test asks young students to complete tasks such as matching a sound to a corresponding letter or identifying which picture of a shapea circle, triangle or squarehas four sides.

Schools can purchase these exams as a way of monitoring student progress throughout the year. Researchers at Curriculum Associates compiled nationally representative sets of students in kindergarten through second grade and compared scores in recent years to those in 2019, before the pandemic.

Scores were lower almost across the board. Second-graders who took the test in 2021 and 2022 saw the worst declines, probably because they were in school during the height of the pandemic. This years second-graders were still behind, but had recovered somewhat in reading.

When Columbus, Ohio, first-grade teacher Meagan Erwin reviewed her students starting scores with colleagues this year, she was vexed to see them coming in at a lower level than before the pandemic. We were like, Why? These kids werent in school. This shouldnt be affecting them, " she said.

One potential cause is lower participation in early-childhood education. Preschool enrollment dropped steeply during the pandemic, but had recovered by the fall of 2022, according to an analysis by the National Institute for Early Education Research. Participation in kindergarten, which is optional in many states, also appears to have fallen, according to a study by Stanford University professor Thomas Dee.

Another theory is that the pandemic destabilized young childrens lives and families outside of school. Millions of Americans lost their jobs and lost loved ones. Some children lost parents or caregivers. Family routines, such as reading to children or playing outside, might have been disrupted.

A final explanation is a statistical one: Shifts in student enrollment or exam participation might have artificially lowered scores if more advantaged students were less likely to sit for the test. Researchers made efforts to account for this possibility, but dont have student-level family income data.

Erwin says that her students are making solid growth this year, but need more support to catch up. She would love to have smaller classesshe currently has 27 studentsand additional support staff for one-on-one help. Its always about more people, more hands," Erwin said.

But getting that sort of extra help might prove tough for some districts. Schools in many parts of the country are bracing for budget cuts as federal pandemic-relief funding runs out and some states reckon with projected budget shortfalls.

Write to Matt Barnum at matt.barnum@wsj.com
Oksana says she has placed her life on hold. Covid-19 took her mother and her husband two years ago. Russian artillery took her father and her oldest son this spring. Ive immersed myself in my work," she says, 480 metres under the outskirts of Ternivka, a town in eastern Ukraine. The whites of her eyes glow in the surrounding darkness. Back in Bakhmut, the site of one of the wars most vicious battles, Oksana, aged 49, was a dance teacher at a boarding school for impoverished children. Today, with her former house and hometown destroyed, her school closed, and her closest relatives dead, she is a coal miner.

After the Russians invaded in February 2022, Oksana (her mines management asked that the surnames of its workers not be used) escaped to Poland, where she worked as a dishwasher and a cook at a restaurant. But she missed Ukraine. Friends told her the Ternivka mines were looking for new workers, and she signed up. Her new job pays better than most, Oksana says, and offers a good pension. The work also helps her block out the memories, she says, taking a break from shovelling coal. I want to forget everything."

Read more of our recent coverage of the Ukraine war

The war has upended the lives of countless Ukrainians, as well as the countrys labour market. Some 4.8m people lost their jobs almost overnight when Russia attacked. Unemployment is estimated to have eased to 18.4% in October this year, from more than 30% in the spring of 2022, but remains well above pre-war levels. According to one survey, 17% of Ukrainian workers have changed professions since the start of the war. Hundreds of thousands have been conscripted. American officials estimate that at least 70,000 Ukrainian soldiers have died in the war, and that up to 120,000 more have been wounded. As more Ukrainians are called up, demand for workers in sectors traditionally dominated by men is growing.

Enter Ukraines women. War and occupation have made collecting good data impossible. But there are signs that women are increasingly powering Ukraines hobbled economy. Of the 36,000 small- and medium-sized companies registered in Ukraine so far this year, 51% are run by women, says Yulia Svyrydenko, the countrys economy minister. More women are starting to work in industry, construction, and mining. We will see this on a larger scale once we start reconstruction," she says.

In the coming years Ukraine will need an army of doctors and psychologists to look after its war veterans, including thousands of amputees and traumatised soldiers. Many if not most of those care-givers will be women. The energy, transport and defence sectors, which are expected to play an outsize role in the economy after the war, are also bound to attract more female workers.

At the mining complex near Ternivka the army has conscripted 600 men, about a tenth of its total workforce, says the director, Dmytro Zabielin. To make up for the shortage, about 300 women have joined. The mine had employed women before the war, but none worked underground. More than 100 of the new workers are now doing just that. Oksana operates and maintains a conveyor belt that carries coal to the surface. Other women are working as safety inspectors and electricians. More are coming on board. Olena, whose husband, a former miner, commands a platoon near Luhansk, is training to operate the trains that connect sections of the mine. Anna, who recently turned 18, will look after the cages that carry the miners between levels. Ternivka is well behind the front lines, but the area has been struck by Russian cruise missiles. Its very scary," says Anna. But as long as Im underground I cant hear it."

Coal-mining is dangerous, backbreaking work. The war has made it even more so. During blackouts caused by Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure last winter, the Ternivka miners had to walk as far as 7km, and then climb 680 metres using escape ladders, to resurface. Thanks to new generators, the mines can now keep the trains and the elevators running long enough to ensure a less harrowing exit.

Ukraine has a way to go when it comes to gender equality. The participation rate of women in the labour force has been in decline. It fell from 54% in 1990 to 48% on the eve of the invasion. Women are over-represented in education, domestic work, and tourism, professions in which salaries tend to be low. The gender pay gap has narrowed from 26% seven years ago to 18.6% today, but remains well above the EU average (12.7% in 2021). Until as late as 2017, when it was finally repealed, a law dating from the Soviet era had banned women from 450 professions, ranging from lorry driver to welder. The following year, Ukraine gave women in the armed forces the same rights as those of male soldiers. Around 43,000 women are currently serving in the armed forces, including 5,000 in combat positions.

Stereotypes persist. Women should pursue their ambitions in other areas," muses Mr Zabielin, the mine director, in his office. A woman is the keeper of the home and the family." But he concedes that the mine will probably have no choice but to hire more of them. Many men will never come back from the front, and Ukraine will have to maintain a large army even after the war ends. Our neighbour," he says, referring to Russia, is not going anywhere."

Oksana misses her former life and her old job, but she has no intention of leaving the new one. She has become used to the noise, the darkness, and the dust and to the long descent underground, she says. Its no longer as scary as war."

 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
Google is removing several features from its Assistant to enhance user experience and focus on quality and reliability. In a recent blog post, the tech giant announced changes that will come into effect starting January 26, 2024.

These adjustments aim to streamline the Assistant's capabilities, prioritizing commonly used features and investing in technology to improve their performance, said the American tech giant.

One of the major changes involves discontinuing support for certain underutilized features. Users triggering these features will receive notifications informing them that the functionalities will no longer be available after a specific date. Some of the affected features include playing and controlling audiobooks on Google Play Books with voice commands, setting or using media alarms on Assistant-enabled devices, and managing cookbooks or instructional recipe videos.

Users will no longer be able to manage stopwatches on Smart Displays and Speakers with their voice, but timers and alarms can still be set. Similarly, voice commands for calling devices or broadcasting messages to Google Family Groups will be discontinued, although users can still broadcast messages to devices within their homes.

Sending emails, video, or audio messages using voice commands will also be phased out, though users can still make calls and send text messages. Rescheduling events in Google Calendar through voice commands will no longer be supported, but users can schedule new events through alternative methods.

Voice control for activities on Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 devices will no longer be available, requiring users to use device buttons to start, stop, pause, and resume activities. Sleep summaries will only be viewable on Google Smart Displays, with third-party smart clocks still allowing users to inquire about sleep details by voice.

In addition, calls made from speakers and Smart Displays will no longer display caller IDs unless users are utilizing Duo. Ambient "Commute to Work" time estimates on Smart Displays will no longer be visible, but users can still ask for commute times and directions by voice. Checking personal travel itineraries by voice will also be phased out, with users encouraged to ask for flight status instead.

Similarly, users will no longer be able to ask for information about their contacts by voice, although calls to contacts can still be made.

Voice commands for certain actions, such as sending a payment, making a reservation, or posting to social media, will no longer be supported. Instead, users are encouraged to ask Assistant to open their installed apps for these tasks.

In addition to feature changes, the microphone icon will now exclusively trigger search results in response to user queries, focusing on its most popular use case. Users can still activate Assistant by saying "Hey Google" or using the traditional long press on the home or power button. However, the microphone icon in the Search bar will no longer complete actions like turning on lights or sending messages. Users with older versions of the Google app (v12 and older) will be prompted to upgrade to ensure access to the latest version of Google Assistant.

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Oppo has launched its Oppo Reno 11 5G series in India comprising the Reno 11 5G and Reno 11 Pro. The two smartphones were launched in China last year with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC and rumours have been rife about the smartphone making its way to the Indian market.

The two premium mid-range smartphones feature a 6.7-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a resolution of 2412 x 1080 pixels, 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1600 nits.

In addition, the Oppo Reno 11 5G series runs on the company's own custom skin, ColorOS 14, based on the latest Android 14 operating system. The phones also have all the necessary connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 6, NFC, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS and a Type-C port.

In terms of optics, both Oppo Reno 11 5G phones feature a triple rear camera setup with a 50MP primary sensor with support for OIS, a 32MP telephoto lens and an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens with 112 FOV. There is also a 32MP Sony IMX709 sensor on the front to meet all your selfie and video calling needs.

Oppo Reno 11 Pro specifications:

The Oppo Reno 11 Pro is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 processor paired with an Arm Mali G610 MC6 950MHz chipset for all the graphics-intensive tasks. The smartphone comes with a single variant with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB of UFS3.1 storage. The Reno 11 Pro houses a 5,000 mAh battery with support for 80W SUPERVOOC fast charging.

Oppo Reno 11 specifications:

The Oppo Reno 11 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 chipset paired with an ARM Mali-G68 MC4 GPU for graphics-intensive tasks. The smartphone will be available in two storage variants with up to 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM and up to 256GB of UFS2.2 storage. The Reno 11 houses a bigger 4,700 mAh battery which can be fast charged via a 67W charger.

Oppo Reno 11 pricing:

The Oppo Reno 11 5G is priced at 29,999 for the 8GB RAM/128GB variant and 31,999 for the 8GB RAM/256 storage variant. Meanwhile, the Oppo Reno 11 Pro will be available at a price of 39,999 for the 12GB RAM/256GB.

The two phones will go on sale from January 25 onwards on Flipkart, Oppo store and other retail outlets.

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Realme has already confirmed via a recent post on X (formerly Twitter) that its mid-range Realme 12 Pro series will make its way to the Indian market in the month of January. However, ahead of its likely launch, the Realme 12 series' launch date and specifications have now been revealed via a recent report from Apuals.

According to the report, the Realme 12 Pro 5G and Realme 12 Pro+ 5G will be launched in India on January 31 at 12pm. Both smartphones are expected to feature a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2412 x 1080 pixels. The smartphones are also expected to come with a minimum 4,880 mAh battery.

Also Read | Redmi Note 13 5G series launched in India: Pricing, specs, launch offers and more

Realme 12 Pro and Realme 12 Pro+ 5G specifications:

The Reame 12 Pro 5G is expected to be powered by the octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset and could be available in India in three storage variants: 8GB RAM/128GB storage, 8GB RAM/256GB storage and 12GB RAM/256GB storage. The smartphone could be available in two colour options: Submarine Blue and Navigator Beige.

The Realme 12 Pro may feature a triple camera setup with a 50MP Sony IMX890 sensor primary sensor with OIS, a 32MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom and an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens.

The Realme 12 Pro+, on the other hand, could be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset and have two storage variants: 8GB RAM/128GB storage and 8GB RAM/256GB storage. The smartphone is expected to be available in three colour variants: Explorer Red, Navigator Beige and Submarine Blue.

The Realme 12 Pro+ is also likely to have a triple rear camera setup with a 50MP Sony IMX890 primary sensor, a 64MP telephoto lens with support for 3x optical zoom, 6x in-sensor zoom and 120x digital zoom, and an 8MP ultra-wide angle lens.

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Samsung's research and development center launched in late 2022 in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Luu Quy

Global minimum tax is not a big concern as multinational corporations not only consider tax incentives but also other factors and support policies when investing in Vietnam, experts assess.

Many firms are worried that the global minimum tax, effective since the beginning of this year, might drive away foreign direct investment as it will make Vietnams strategy to use tax incentives to attract foreign firms less effective.

"However, we [Vina Capital] are not too concerned about this," Michael Kokalari, chief economist of investment management firm Vina Capital, says.

He explains that when considering investing in developing countries, tax incentive is not the determining factor for multinational companies.

A study by the World Bank shows that multinational firms also take into account a myriad of factors like input costs, quality of labor, infrastructure and business environment when making investment choices.

These elements are practically identical for developed countries, so tax incentives become a more impactful factor there.

Meanwhile, the other factors vary significantly among developing countries. The Ministry of Planning and Investment is currently drafting the "Investment Support Fund" (ISF) policy, which will provide a variety of incentives, such as government grants for staff training and research and development, for both foreign and domestic businesses and projects in high technology industries.

Hoang Thuy Duong, partner at KPMG Vietnam, notes that many business groups, particularly in the high technology, electric vehicle and green energy sectors, are keenly interested in additional government support to foster investment.

Businesses that are planning to expand their investments are also anticipating new preferential policies.

"When tax incentives are no longer viable, Vietnam should shift to supporting policies related to costs, such as investment costs, labor hiring, land, or research and development expenses." Duong says.

The development of these policies should aim to encourage both new and existing investors with a focus on sectors that are essential to the countrys long-term development strategy, like high technology and electric vehicles, he says.

"This policy (ISF) is a crucial factor considered by large foreign investors when assessing Vietnam's investment environment," Duong notes.

Luu Duc Huy, director of policy of the General Department of Taxation, says that in a business survey conducted last year, only 28% of participants were interested in tax incentives.

"Tax incentives are considered outdated in developed countries. The current trend is to shift to incentives based on costs rather than income," he comments.

While not compulsory, if Vietnam collects less tax than the global minimum rate for applicable multinational companies, the difference can be collected by the country where the companies are based.

Hence, it is only natural for Vietnam to apply it instead of losing this tax money to other countries, Huy explains.

The global minimum tax rate of 15% applies to multinational firms with annual revenues of EUR750 million (US$800 million) in at least two years out of the most recent four years, and the tax amount is to be paid to the country where the revenues were generated.

In Vietnam, approximately 120 businesses are subject to this tax rate, according to the General Department of Taxation.
Google has announced broadening its backing for additional real-money games and has intentions to expand this backing to more countries. Initially, the trial phase was confined to India, Mexico, and Brazil. This development will be particularly welcomed by real-money games (RMG) developers, as they have encountered increased limitations on the Google Play Store until now.

Google, in a recent blog post, announced that it will start incorporating additional game types and operators. This expansion provides an opportunity for game developers and operators who were not part of the current licensing framework. The extended pilot programme is scheduled to commence in June 2024, initially focusing on India, Mexico, and Brazil.

Appreciating the development, Roland Landers, CEO of All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), said, This decision will help with responsible innovation and provide a bouquet of choices to the Indian consumer. It will especially help MSMEs and new developers/platforms who will be able to compete with established companies and will substantially bring down the user acquisition and other associated costs."

Game of Skill vs Game of Chance

In India, there is an ongoing governmental discussion regarding the precise classification of games as skill-based or chance-based, with comprehensive regulations still pending.

Livemint earlier reported that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the GST Council is currently discussing taxation policies for online gaming. She expressed optimism that the sector would receive investment once the policies are finalised. Sitharaman was answering a query from Krafton, a Korean gaming company, regarding India's efforts to lure foreign investment in gaming companies.

According to the minister, the GST Council is engaged in discussions at the ministerial level regarding different aspects of online gaming, such as taxation and regulation. The council, which is presided over by Sitharaman and includes finance ministers from various states, is responsible for overseeing the Goods and Services Tax.

Meanwhile, WinZO, a skill-gaming platform, collaborated with professors from technology institutions and statistics departments of institutes such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) Madras, (IIT) Delhi and (IIT) Kanpur and, as well as Stanford University, the California State University, to establish a scientific methodology that can accurately differentiate between gaming activities requiring predominance of skill and those dependent on chance.

This innovative initiative has the potential to resolve the crucial issue of skill versus chance, the company said in an official release on January 8.

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Amazon and Google-parent Alphabet sit on a combined $184 billion in cash and short-term investments. Those two, along with big tech peers Microsoft, Apple and Facebook-parent Meta Platforms, hold the highest such balances among nonbanking companies on the S&P 500, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. Amazon and Alphabet are also currently generating just under $95 billion combined in annual free cash flow.

Not hurting, in other words. But the two clearly arent feeling a license to spend freely either. Google began laying off hundreds of employees this week across several divisions, including its Google Voice assistant and device businesses that include Nest and Fitbit, according to a report Thursday by The Wall Street Journal. Amazon is also laying off employees in the hundreds, mostly in its Prime Video, MGM Studios and Twitch businesses. Neither company disclosed the exact numbers, though the latest cuts are much smaller than reductions in 2023, which saw Google laid off 12,000 workers and Amazon cut loose more than 18,000.

Now might seem an odd time for cuts. Amazon and Google have crawled out of the postpandemic slump that crimped sales in 2023, with marked improvements in their core businesses of e-commerce and online advertising, respectively. In the coming fourth-quarter earnings season, Amazon is expected to report revenue growth of 11% year over year compared with 9% growth in the same period last year, while Alphabets growth is seen jumping from 1% to 12% for the same period, according to consensus estimates from FactSet.

But tech giants like Google, Amazon, Microsoft and Meta are also engaged in an expensive arms race to build up generative artificial-intelligence services. Those services started coming online this past year and will face an important test this year. Namely, will big corporate customers and consumers pay up for ChatGPT-like capabilities to enhance applications such as web search, writing documents, creating images and running spreadsheets?

Most analysts expect that answer to be: Yes, but it will take time. Combined revenue for Amazon, Microsoft and the Google and Facebook parent companies is expected to grow 12% this calendar year compared with an estimated 11% in 2023, according to FactSet data. In a report Thursday, Morgan Stanley cited a recent survey of chief information officers finding that most dont expect to have their first AI projects in production until the second half of this year or beyond.

That report further recommended that investors exhibit patience for enterprise technology cycles to play out around Gen AI." Likewise, Karl Keirstead of UBS noted Thursday that it was clear from our conversations that a year after the AI hype cycle kicked in, actual enterprise spend on AI remains modest and early-stage."

Maintaining profit margins will thus be paramount this yearespecially after the drubbing that Big Techs earnings took in 2022, when pandemic-era expansions hit a wall of slumping revenue growth. Amazon and Alphabet are both expected to boost their annual operating margins by at least 1 percentage point in 2024. And Wall Street already expects Amazon to show a record-high annual operating margin of 6% for 2023.

Amazon and Google have another thing in common this year, in that both are going to be judged sharply relative to Microsoft. The software giants close partnership with ChatGPT-creator OpenAI, and its aggressive adoption of generative-AI technology in its products, has given it the perceived early lead in the AI race. Microsofts revenue is expected to rise 14% in calendar year 2024 compared with 11% to 12% growth for Alphabet and Amazon, respectively.

AI hype has also fueled Microsofts stock price, putting the company back on the cusp of overtaking Apple as the most valuable U.S. company, with its market value now more than a trillion dollars higher than its two closest AI peers. Amazon and Google have little choice but to spend their billions wisely.

Write to Dan Gallagher at dan.gallagher@wsj.com
Open Tolling System

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde assures that vehicles using the bridge will not need to halt for toll payments, thanks to the implementation of the Open Tolling System (OTS).

Credit : PINTEREST
In the realm of global thoroughbred sales, few have witnessed a meteoric rise as impressive as Magic Millions in Australia. From its humble beginnings, this auction has rapidly ascended to become one of the worlds leading sales platforms for premium horses. The journey of Magic Millions not only reflects the burgeoning strength of Australias thoroughbred racing and breeding industry but also underscores its global prominence.

Australias Rich Equestrian Legacy

Australias love affair with horse racing and breeding dates back centuries, intertwined with the nations rich cultural fabric and heritage. The countrys temperate climate and vast landscapes provide an ideal breeding ground, making it conducive for nurturing top-tier equine talent. Over the years, Australia has consistently produced champion racehorses that have left an indelible mark on the international stage.

According to data from AusHorse, Australias national body representing the thoroughbred breeding industry, the country boasts a robust breeding sector. Each year, thousands of foals are registered, with an increasing number meeting the stringent criteria for international sales. This consistent production of quality thoroughbreds has cemented Australias reputation as a powerhouse in the global racing and breeding landscape.

The Rise of Magic Millions

Magic Millions, in particular, has been instrumental in elevating Australias status in the global horse sales arena. Established with a vision to revolutionize the sales experience, Magic Millions has consistently set benchmarks, offering a curated selection of elite horses for discerning buyers worldwide.

Over the years, the auction has witnessed skyrocketing sales figures, reflecting the confidence and trust placed in Australias breeding capabilities. The allure of Magic Millions extends beyond its sales; it represents a culmination of meticulous breeding practices, expert horsemanship, and a commitment to excellence.

Global Impact and Recognition

Today, Magic Millions attracts a global clientele, including leading breeders, trainers, and enthusiasts from around the world. Its success has not only bolstered Australias reputation but has also contributed significantly to the global thoroughbred industry. The auction serves as a barometer for gauging market trends, with sales often setting records and capturing headlines globally.

Furthermore, the proceeds from these sales inject substantial funds back into Australias racing and breeding ecosystem, fueling further growth and innovation. The ripple effect of Magic Millions is palpable, influencing breeding decisions, racing calendars, and international collaborations.

The journey of Magic Millions underscores Australias unwavering commitment to excellence in the thoroughbred industry. Through meticulous breeding practices, strategic investments, and a passion for the sport, Australia has carved a niche for itself on the global stage. As Magic Millions continues to evolve and set new benchmarks, it serves as a testament to Australias enduring legacy and its pivotal role in shaping the future of horse racing and breeding worldwide.

SALE STATISTICS

(Day 1-4 2023 in brackets)

Lots Catalogued: 930 (890)

Lots Sold: 727 (699)

Lots Passed In: 122 (94)

Lots Withdrawn: 81 (96)

Top Price: $2,100,000 ($2,700,000)

Sale Gross: $205,230,500 ($207,784,000)

Average Price: $282,298 ($297,259)

Median Price: $210,000 ($220,000)

Sold %: 86 (88)

DAY FOUR TOP SELLERS

$1,700,000  I am Invincible-Madam Rouge filly (Lot 900)

Vendor: Widden Stud (As Agent) / Buyer: Jes Sikura/Hill n Dale Farm/Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott/William Johnson Bstock/Kestrel Tbreds (NSW)

$1,400,000  Snitzel-In Times of War filly (Lot 786)

Baramul Stud / TFI/Moody Racing (VIC)

$1,300,000  Justify-Invincible Star colt (Lot 795)

Coolmore Stud (As Agent for Morning Rise Stud) / Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott/Kestrel Tbreds (NSW)

$1,300,000  Zoustar-Lady Cosmology colt (Lot 838)

Segenhoe Stud (As Agent) / James Harron Bstock Colt Partnership (NSW)

$1,200,000  Farnan-I Am Excited colt (Lot 768)

Bell River Tbreds / Waterhouse & Bott/Kia Ora/Farnan Pship (NSW)

LEADING BUYERS

(ranked by total spend)

$8,370,000  Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Boss/Kestrel Tbreds  22 lots

$6,965,000  DC Ellis CNZM  10 lots

$6,870,000  Ciaron Maher Bstock  20 lots

$6,185,000  James Harron Bstock Colt Partnership  7 lots

$6,120,000  China Horse Club/Newgate/Go Bstock/Trilogy  11 lots

LEADING SIRES

(ranked by average  3 or more sold)

$825,000  Frankel  4 sold

$709,500  Extreme Choice  10 sold

$674,138  I Am Invincible  29 sold

$544,667  Snitzel  30 sold

$500,714  Justify  7 sold

LEADING VENDORS

(ranked by gross)

$16,075,000  Segenhoe Stud  28 sold

$15,515,000  Newgate Farm  44 sold

$12,650,000  Coolmore Stud  38 sold

$12,110,000  Widden Stud  31 sold

$12,015,000  Yarraman Park Stud  31 sold

LEADING VENDORS

(ranked by average  3 or more sold)

$578,333  Grenville Stud  3 sold

$576,667  Milburn Creek  9 sold

$574,107  Segenhoe Stud  28 sold

$446,667  Rosemont Stud  6 sold

$414,444  Baramul Stud  18 sold

Australias Pioneering Thoroughbred Racing and Breeding Farms

Australias illustrious history in the world of thoroughbred racing and breeding can be largely attributed to its premier farms, which have become synonymous with excellence, dedication, and innovation. These establishments, with their rich heritage and forward-thinking approaches, have played an instrumental role in shaping the nations racing landscape and global reputation. Heres a glimpse into some of Australias leading thoroughbred racing and breeding farms that have etched their mark on the industry.

Coolmore Australia

Nestled in the picturesque Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Coolmore Australia stands as a beacon of excellence in the world of thoroughbred breeding. Part of the esteemed Coolmore Stud global operation, the Australian arm has consistently produced champions that have dominated racetracks worldwide. With state-of-the-art facilities and a team of seasoned experts, Coolmore continues to push boundaries, setting industry standards and nurturing future racing stars.

Arrowfield Stud

Located in the fertile valleys of the Hunter region, Arrowfield Stud is another titan in Australias breeding landscape. Founded with a vision to produce world-class thoroughbreds, Arrowfields legacy is intertwined with numerous Group 1 victories and accolades. The farms commitment to meticulous breeding practices, coupled with its expansive portfolio of elite stallions, makes it a powerhouse in the industry. Arrowfields influence extends globally, with its progeny consistently commanding attention on international platforms.

Godolphin Woodlands

Godolphin, a name synonymous with racing royalty globally, has its Australian base at Woodlands in New South Wales. With a storied history dating back decades, Godolphin Woodlands has been the birthplace of numerous champions, boasting an impressive roster of stallions and broodmares. The farms holistic approach to breeding, focusing on pedigree analysis, genetic diversity, and optimal care, has resulted in a lineage of champions that have graced racetracks around the world.

Kia Ora Stud

Situated in the renowned thoroughbred region of the Hunter Valley, Kia Ora Stud has carved a niche for itself as a leading destination for discerning breeders and owners. With a legacy spanning over a century, the studs commitment to preserving and enhancing bloodlines has resulted in a string of high-profile victories and accolades. Kia Oras dedication to nurturing talent from foal to finish has cemented its reputation as a cornerstone of Australias breeding landscape.

Australias leading thoroughbred racing and breeding farms, with their unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and legacy, continue to shape the global racing landscape. Through meticulous breeding practices, strategic investments, and a passion for the sport, these establishments have propelled Australia to the forefront of the thoroughbred industry. As they continue to nurture champions and push boundaries, their contributions remain pivotal in ensuring Australias enduring legacy in the world of horse racing and breeding.



Danehill Lineage

Arguably one of the most influential sire lines globally, Danehills legacy resonates deeply within Australias racing and breeding spheres. Known for his exceptional speed and precocious talent, Danehill sired a plethora of champions, including multiple Group 1 winners. His genetic influence extends to some of Australias contemporary champions, with his progeny and descendants continuing to dominate racetracks and breeding barns alike.

Redoutes Choice Descendants

Another stalwart in Australias breeding landscape, Redoutes Choice, has left an enduring legacy characterized by speed, stamina, and unparalleled success. A descendant of the illustrious Danehill, Redoutes Choices progeny have consistently showcased their mettle on the racetrack, securing coveted titles and accolades. His influence permeates contemporary pedigrees, with his descendants continuing to make waves in both local and international racing circuits.

Snitzel Lineage

A scion of the formidable Redoutes Choice, Snitzel has emerged as a potent force within Australias breeding realm. Renowned for his explosive speed and impeccable conformation, Snitzels progeny have dazzled on racetracks, demonstrating their prowess across various distances and racing formats. His lineage, characterized by its precocity and tenacity, continues to shape Australias racing landscape, with his descendants perpetuating his legacy of excellence.

Fastnet Rock Heritage

Fastnet Rock, with his impeccable pedigree and racing credentials, has etched his mark as a pivotal figure within Australias breeding landscape. Known for his electrifying turn of foot and innate ability to sire champions, Fastnet Rocks influence resonates across generations. His descendants, characterized by their speed, agility, and determination, continue to uphold his legacy, dominating racetracks and breeding barns alike.

Australias leading thoroughbred racing breeding bloodlines, characterized by their genetic excellence, speed, and tenacity, have forged the nations illustrious equestrian legacy. Through meticulous breeding practices, strategic matings, and a deep-rooted passion for the sport, these bloodlines have consistently produced champions that have captivated audiences globally. As they continue to shape the future of Australian racing and breeding, their enduring influence ensures that the nations equestrian heritage remains unparalleled in its excellence and innovation.
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In defense of Elon Musk and the principle of freedom of speech, its essential to recognize the attempts by the U.S. government to exert control over media narratives and propagate a new form of woke propaganda. While Elon Musk, a billionaire tech entrepreneur and space visionary, may have his detractors, the recent Wall Street Journal article accusing him of drug use appears to be a calculated hit piece lacking substantial evidence.

Elon Musk has been a prominent figure in advocating for free speech, particularly through his involvement with social media platforms like Twitter. Musk has expressed concerns about censorship and the need for open dialogue, even when controversial or unpopular opinions are involved. He has criticized platforms that restrict speech and has highlighted the importance of allowing diverse viewpoints to be expressed freely. Musks defense of free speech often intersects with his broader views on individual liberties, democratic values, and the role of technology in shaping public discourse. While his approach may sometimes be provocative or unconventional, Musks actions and statements consistently reflect a commitment to preserving and promoting free expression in the digital age.

The use of media by the U.S. government for propaganda purposes has been a topic of discussion and debate for many years. Throughout history, various administrations have utilized media outlets to shape public opinion, promote national interests, and advance specific policy agendas. Techniques have ranged from shaping news narratives to influence public perception on domestic and international issues, to disseminating information that aligns with government objectives. Critics argue that such practices can distort the truth, manipulate public sentiment, and undermine democratic principles by limiting access to unbiased information. Supporters, on the other hand, may view these efforts as necessary tools for national security, diplomacy, or advancing policy goals. Overall, the relationship between the U.S. government and media raises important questions about transparency, accountability, and the role of journalism in a democratic society.

The questionable sourcing and recycled allegations against Musk are not only weak but also indicative of a broader agenda aimed at discrediting individuals who challenge the status quo. Musks responses to these allegations highlight his commitment to defending his reputation while emphasizing the importance of individual rights and privacy.

Moreover, the timing and motivations behind these attacks raise legitimate concerns about the influence of government entities and mainstream media outlets in shaping public opinion. Elon Musks contrarian views and unfiltered speech have undoubtedly ruffled feathers among establishment figures, leading to targeted campaigns aimed at undermining his credibility and influence.

Furthermore, Musks perspectives on geopolitical issues, such as Taiwan and Ukraine, challenge conventional narratives and highlight the complexities of international relations. His willingness to engage in dialogue, offer alternative solutions, and challenge prevailing narratives underscores the importance of diverse perspectives in shaping informed public discourse.

Additionally, Elon Musks involvement in social media platforms and his stance on issues like the woke-mind virus and immigration policy have further fueled criticisms from centrist detractors. However, the real issue at hand is not about free speech but rather about maintaining ideological hegemony and control over media narratives.

The attacks on Elon Musk reflect broader challenges facing the U.S., including the erosion of individual freedoms, growing inequality, and attempts to control the flow of information. As the 2024 election approaches, the focus should not solely be on Elon Musk but rather on addressing systemic issues that threaten the principles of freedom of speech, individual rights, and democratic governance. Its essential to uphold the values of transparency, accountability, and open debate to ensure a robust and inclusive public discourse that respects diverse perspectives and fosters innovation, progress, and social cohesion.

The term misinformation indeed carries a subjective dimension, as what one person or group considers misinformation may differ from anothers perspective. At its core, misinformation refers to false or inaccurate information that is spread, often unintentionally, leading to misunderstandings or incorrect beliefs among the public. However, determining what qualifies as misinformation can be influenced by various factors, including cultural, political, or ideological viewpoints.

In todays digital age, the rapid dissemination of information through various platforms has amplified concerns about misinformation. While some efforts aim to curb the spread of objectively false information, challenges arise when distinguishing between genuine mistakes, differing interpretations, satire, and deliberate attempts to deceive. This complexity underscores the importance of critical thinking, media literacy, and responsible information consumption in navigating the intricate landscape of information sharing. Recognizing the subjective nature of misinformation requires a nuanced approach that balances freedom of expression with efforts to maintain accurate and reliable sources of information.

The Importance of Freedom of Speech in the Western World and Elon Musks Stance on Free Expression

Freedom of speech stands as a cornerstone of democratic societies, particularly in the Western world, where it is enshrined in constitutional frameworks and revered as a fundamental human right. This freedom allows individuals to express their opinions, beliefs, and ideas without fear of censorship or reprisal, fostering open dialogue, robust debate, and the exchange of diverse perspectives. Throughout history, the Western world has championed this principle, recognizing its pivotal role in promoting democracy, challenging established norms, and driving societal progress.

However, the digital age has ushered in new complexities surrounding freedom of speech, with tech giants wielding significant influence over public discourse. Enter Elon Musk, a figure synonymous with innovation, disruption, and, most recently, the facilitation of unrestricted expression. Musks involvement with the platform known as X has sparked considerable controversy, with critics arguing that it provides a platform for hate speech, misinformation, and divisive rhetoric.

Yet, Musks stance remains rooted in the principle of free speech, contending that censorship, particularly by powerful entities, poses a more significant threat to democratic values than the content it seeks to suppress. By allowing X to operate as a bastion of free expression, Musk underscores the importance of confronting controversial ideas head-on, fostering critical thinking, and empowering individuals to challenge prevailing narratives.

Nevertheless, the debate surrounding Musks approach underscores the delicate balance between free speech and responsible discourse. While freedom of expression remains paramount, it also necessitates a commitment to accountability, ensuring that platforms do not inadvertently perpetuate harm, discrimination, or falsehoods. As such, the challenge lies in navigating this nuanced landscape, upholding democratic values while mitigating potential risks associated with unrestricted speech.

The right to free speech is based on several foundational principles that are fundamental to democratic societies. These principles often vary depending on the legal and cultural context, but some universally recognized bases include:

Individual Autonomy: The principle that individuals possess inherent dignity and autonomy, allowing them the freedom to express their thoughts, beliefs, and opinions without unwarranted interference from the state or other entities. Democratic Governance: Free speech is essential for the functioning of democratic governance, ensuring that citizens can engage in open dialogue, debate public policies, hold elected officials accountable, and participate in informed decision-making processes. Truth and Knowledge: The belief that the pursuit of truth and knowledge is best served through open discourse, where ideas can be scrutinized, challenged, and refined. Restricting speech limits the exchange of ideas, hindering societal progress and understanding. Individual Liberty: Free speech is intertwined with broader principles of individual liberty, ensuring that individuals can live freely, express their identities, advocate for their rights, and challenge oppressive systems without fear of retaliation. Social Cohesion: While free speech can sometimes lead to contentious debates, it also fosters social cohesion by providing a platform for diverse voices to be heard, promoting tolerance, understanding, and respect for differing viewpoints. Accountability and Transparency: Free speech facilitates accountability and transparency in both public and private sectors by enabling whistleblowers, journalists, activists, and citizens to expose wrongdoing, corruption, and abuse of power. Cultural and Intellectual Progress: Protecting free speech is crucial for fostering cultural and intellectual progress, allowing societies to evolve, innovate, and adapt to changing circumstances by challenging traditional norms, values, and beliefs.

In essence, the right to free speech is grounded in principles that recognize the intrinsic value of individual autonomy, democratic governance, truth-seeking, social cohesion, and cultural progress. While the interpretation and application of these principles may vary across different societies and legal systems, they collectively underscore the fundamental importance of preserving and protecting free expression as a cornerstone of democratic societies.

The importance of freedom of speech in the Western world cannot be overstated, serving as a beacon of democracy, innovation, and progress. Elon Musks involvement with X encapsulates the complexities surrounding this fundamental right, sparking debates about its boundaries, responsibilities, and implications for societal discourse. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, striking a balance between free expression and responsible governance remains paramount, ensuring that democratic values endure in an ever-changing world.

Shayne Heffernan
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will attend the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland and visit Hungary and Romania from Jan. 16-23.

Chinh, his spouse, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation will attend the WEF event, which will take place from Jan. 15 to 19, upon the invitation of WEF founder and chairman Klaus Schwab, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Thursday.

He will then pay official visits to Hungary and Romania as invited by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and Romanian Prime Minister Ion-Marcel Ciolacu.
Here are the latest outage numbers for the states in the Local 3 News viewing area.
On New Year's Eve around the country and the world there were vigils for Palestine. Local teacher Jennifer Keogh, a member of Teachers for Palestine, a group of Irish teachers standing in solidarity with Palestinian teachers and their students, organised the vigil in Longford.

She reached out to like minded friends and various community groups to attend.

There have been demonstrations for Palestine throughout the past three months in Longford by various groups.

Despite the rain on December 31, Jennifer said fifty people, young, old and of various nationalities, faiths, community groups and political parties attended the vigil.

The vigil began with a minutes silence to honour the 20,000+ Palestinian civilians killed during the 87 days of genocide.

While a Gazan native and Longford resident spoke about the devastation his family faces in Gaza. Daily bombings, sniper attacks, starvation, displacement, no internet or electricity.

Parvez Butt, chairperson of the Kashmir Peace and Solidarity Council Ireland who has family in Palestine said the plight of the Palestinian people did not start on October 7.

Calling for a ceasefire he said, There has been 75 years of human rights violations, the Israeli government their policies and that one Palestinian child is dying every 10 minutes.

Lauren Lawlor spoke about a music event she organised that raised 900 for the Palestinian cause. She declared that the younger people should be commended for this.

There is another event "Gig for Gaza" coming up on January 13 in Longford Rugby Club organised by local teens.

The Kashmir Peace & Solidarity Council and Irish Pakistani Community Network will be supporting the Gig for Gaza.
Hundreds of people gathered for a walk along the Grand Canal in Cappincur this afternoon exactly two years after the murder of Offaly schoolteacher Ashling Murphy.

Speaking to the Tullamore Tribune at the shrine to Ashling on the canal bank, her father Ray thanked the public for keeping the memory of his daughter alive.

Every day is sad," he said.

"We don't come down here that often now because there's nothing only pain and misery and hardship."

Pausing to look at his watch he added: Now, she died about a minute after half three according to her Fitbit. It's sad and I do go every day to the graveyard and that's not a big ask.

Ray, who was accompanied by his wife Kathleen, daughter Amy and son Cathal, along with Ashling's boyfriend Ryan Casey, joined in a decade of the rosary after leading wellwishers from Digby Bridge to the memorial shrine.

A number of musicians, including James Hogan, principal of Durrow National School where Ashling taught, and Paddy Buckley, from Ballyboy Comhaltas, performed some traditional tunes accompanied by Ray.

The emotion was palpable as many of those present joined in a rendition of the song 'When You Were Sweet Sixteen'.

Paddy Buckley spoke of his lifelong friendship with the Murphy family and their shared love of traditional music.

Ashling spent her time with us in Ballyboy from the time she was five or six years of age, he said.

It's easy to say it, but if there was anybody close to being the perfect person she was one. She had all the attributes of life.

It's frightful the way it all panned out. It goes to show we never know what's around the corner for any of us. But you can see by the response from everybody how well she was liked. She was an unassuming girl, she was quiet, she didn't bother anybody.

Before and after the prayers and music many people paused in silent reflection at the shrine and sympathisers left bouquets of flowers.

An open invitation to the Ashling Murphy Second Anniversary Commemorative Walk had been posted on the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund Facebook page and people from all over Tullamore, Durrow, Killoughey and other areas gathered at the Digby Bridge car park well in advance of the 3.15pm start.

On Friday morning Ashling was remembered at a special celebration Mass in St Colmcille's Church, Durrow.

A message from the school said: We remember our beloved Ms Murphy, who was a very special person to us all. We pray and thank her for the great gifts of joy, music, song, sports, teaching and friendship that she left behind in our school. Ms Murphy was a beautiful, kind, loving and excellent teacher who will never ever be forgotten in Durrow NS.

Ashling's second anniversary Mass took place in her family's parish church in Mountbolus on Thursday evening.

Celebrant Fr Michael Meade said: This is a tragedy which will never end for Ashlings family... It will be a moment which will go on forever.

Fr Meade said what keeps people going through harsh journeys like this is the support of family, friends and the community. He spoke of the great challenges of grief and pain which people face at times in their lives.

God is the one who gives us hope and strength when we are feeling at our lowest ebb, he said, urging those present to never lose faith.

We give thanks for the courage we have all received from Ashling, he added, even though she is no longer with us... This evening we pray for Ashling whose life was ended in tragedy, and we know that she is now enjoying and living the bliss of eternal life.

Ashling Murphy, Blueball, Tullamore, was 23 when she was killed on the canal bank on January 12, 2022.

Jozef Puska, a 33-year-old native of Slovakia who was living with his family in Mucklagh, was convicted of her murder in November and sentenced to life in prison.
Since the Burmese army ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, Burma, or Myanmar, has been embroiled in violence. Peaceful protests have been brutally suppressed as the military seeks to silence or eliminate those who oppose the junta that took over the government. And numerous armed resistance groups have formed across the country.

Shortly after the countrys military take-over, ASEAN leaders and the head of the Burmese junta, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, signed a Five Point Consensus agreement that calls for an immediate end to the violence, dialogue among all parties, ASEAN humanitarian assistance, the appointment of an ASEAN special envoy, and the envoys visit to Myanmar to meet with all parties.

But peace has not been reached. According to Action on Armed Violence, a non-profit organization that tracks armed conflict around the world, in 2023, the Burmese military conducted 436 attacks in the country, resulting in more than 2,000 casualties.

This year began on a similar note. On the morning of January 7, the military launched an airstrike against the village of Kanan in Burmas Sagaing region  a stronghold of armed resistance. Bombs hit near a church and a school. According to human rights groups and residents, at least seventeen people were killed, including 9 children; some 20 people were wounded.

The United States strongly condemns the January 7 airstrike on Kanan Village, said United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield in a written statement.

We reiterate our call on the Burma military regime to cease all forms of violence, free all those unjustly detained, allow unhindered humanitarian access, and respect the democratic aspirations of the people of Burma. The regime must abide by its obligations under international humanitarian law, including with regard to the protection of civilians.

The United States will continue to support peace, human rights, and an inclusive dialogue to promote genuine and inclusive democracy in Burma, said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield. The people of Burma, after nearly three years since the military wrested power away from the democratically elected government, are looking to us all for support. The international community must step up and speak out.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: January 12 2024

K-9 Kai, alongside handler retired Police Officer Chris Peters, dedicated his life to the Nassau County Police Department and its citizens.

With a heavy heart, the Nassau County Police Department said goodbye to retired K-9 Kai on January 4, 2024. K-9 Kai was born on March 25th, 2011, joined the Nassau County Police Department in March 2012, and retired in early 2020.

K-9 Kai, alongside handler retired Police Officer Chris Peters, dedicated his life to the Nassau County Police Department and its citizens. The hard work, endless training, and dedication of K-9 Kai and Officer Peters lead to numerous apprehensions and arrests of dangerous subjects during his career. In addition to apprehending criminals, K-9 Kai protected the citizens of Nassau County by conducting well over 100 bomb sweeps and aiding in locating missing persons.

When K-9 Kai wasnt busy with his police responsibilities, K-9 Kai and Officer Peters would visit and conduct demonstrations for various groups and people; including but not limited to school children, Boy & Girl Scouts, Police Explorers, and Community Leaders.

K-9 Kai, to those who didnt know him, looked as if he was all business at all times. But those who worked closely with K-9 Kai knew he was a mush at heartexcept if you tried to take his Chuck It ball. Those of us in the unit can still hear the whistle of that ball through the air as K-9 Kai gave chase.
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: January 12 2024

The Defendant is Expected to be Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison Followed by 20 Years of Post-Release Supervision.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that a 45-year-old Brentwood man pleaded guilty to Rape in the First Degree and other related charges for sexually abusing his five-year-old daughter.

The District Attorneys Office is not naming the defendant in order to protect the identity of the child victim.

Today, the rights of this young victim have been vindicated. This defendant disgraced his role as a father when he engaged in the unconscionable abuse of his own daughter, said District Attorney Tierney. I want to thank the Suffolk County Police Department for their investigation in this case and the prosecutors for their relentless pursuit of justice for the victim. Now this defendant will be held accountable for his reprehensible crimes.

According to court documents and the defendants admissions during his guilty plea allocution, on July 26, 2021, the defendant was spending time with his five-year-old daughter at his apartment. The victims mother, who was estranged from the defendant at the time, asked a family member to check on the child after she spoke with the defendant on the phone and believed that he had been drinking. The family member went into the defendants home and saw the defendant actively sexually abusing the child.

The family member immediately called 911, resulting in the defendants arrest. A sexual assault forensic examination was conducted on the child which confirmed DNA evidence of abuse.

On January 10, 2024, the defendant pleaded guilty before County Court Judge, the Honorable Karen M. Wilutis, to all of the charges contained in the indictment:

Rape in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony;

Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony;

Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a Class D violent felony;

Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor; and

Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class A misdemeanor.

The defendant is due back in court for sentencing on February 9, 2024, where he is expected to be sentenced to 16 years in prison followed by 20 years of post-release supervision. He is being represented by Scott Zerner, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Zachary Kelly of the Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Guidarelli of the Domestic Violence Unit, with investigative assistance from now retired Detective Charles Ross of the Suffolk County Police Departments Special Victims Section, and Suffolk County District Attorney Investigator Robert Fitchett.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: January 12 2024

The Towns Martin Luther King, Jr. Distinguished Service Award is presented to noteworthy recipients in recognition of their outstanding leadership and achievement, said Supervisor Joe Saladino.

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and his colleagues on the Town Board recently presented the Town of Oyster Bay Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Award to United States Army Specialist Sharran Chambers-Murphy, an exemplary veterans advocate who provides community leadership, mentorship, and is an extraordinary role model for all.

The Towns Martin Luther King, Jr. Distinguished Service Award is presented to noteworthy recipients in recognition of their outstanding leadership and achievement, adherence to the principals of a just society and continued involvement in support of Dr. Martin Luther King Jrs Dream, said Supervisor Saladino. Sharran has truly dedicated herself to ensuring that military service members are equipped with appropriate tools and resources that will enable them to transition and live a healthy productive life. Thank you, Sharran, for your service to our great nation, as well as your continued service to our veterans and our communities.

Sharran Chambers-Murphy served in the United States Army Reserves from 1986-1997. Her unit was deployed to Germany during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm in 1990 and she has performed humanitarian missions in both Panama and Ecuador. Sharran received her Masters from LIU Post and is currently working as a Veteran Outreach Program Specialist conducting outreach to community members and organizing veteran events throughout Long Island. She has been a Veteran Peer Mentor with the Joseph Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project, co-facilitating our Liberty Village group as well as providing one on one support.
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: January 12 2024

Joint Federal and State Investigation Leads to Defendants Being Charged With Murder, Attempted Murder, Weapons Possession and Narcotics Distribution.

A 32-two-count superseding indictment was unsealed today in federal court in Central Islip charging three Bloods gang members, Dwayne Murray, Kendrick Seymore and Lavalle Wilson, with racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, attempted murder, various firearms charges and narcotics related offenses. Additionally, Murray is charged with the June 2020 murder of Wayne Cherry in Baywood, New York, and Seymore is charged with the July 23, 2021 murders of Nyasia Knox, Diamond Schick and Richard Castano in Farmingville, New York. The defendants are presently in custody and will be arraigned on the superseding indictment at a later date.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Raymond A. Tierney, District Attorney, Suffolk County District Attorneys Office (SCDAO), James Smith, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Tommy Kalogiros, Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New York Field Office (ATF), announced the superseding indictment.

Todays superseding indictment speaks loudly to this Offices commitment to making our communities safer by holding ruthless gang members accountable for the murders, gun violence and narcotics trafficking they allegedly carried out on behalf of the Bloods, stated United States Attorney Peace. I commend our prosecutors and law enforcement partners for their tireless work dismantling gangs operating on Long Island.

Mr. Peace also expressed his appreciation to the Suffolk County Police Department for their unwavering dedication to eradicating gang violence on Long Island.

My office is committed to eradicating violent gangs and bringing prosecutions on both the state and federal level where appropriate. Joint prosecutions in serious cases with our federal partners better protects Suffolk County residents. I thank United States Attorney Peace, the FBI, and the ATF, for working together with my office and the Suffolk County Police Department to successfully collaborate on this significant prosecution, stated Suffolk County District Attorney Tierney.

These indictments demonstrate the collective commitment and investigative efforts between ATF NY and law enforcement partners, utilizing Crime Gun Intelligence to connect the dots between the many incidents of violence. Brazen acts of violence will never become acceptable to us. ATF NY is determined to root out the drivers of the deadly cycle of violence in our communities. We will continue to work tirelessly alongside our partners and appreciate the efforts of the ATF NY Long Island Field Office, FBI, Suffolk County Police Department and EDNY, stated ATF Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge Kalogiros.

As alleged in the indictment, the defendants engaged in numerous acts of violence on the gangs behalf, including robberies, home invasions, and vicious shootings and murders. Specifically, according to the superseding indictment and statements made in court proceedings, on the evening of June 12, 2020, Murray fatally shot Cherry in the head in the backyard of a vacant home in Baywood. His body was found two days later.

Additionally, on July 23, 2021, Seymore and an accomplice, both of whom were armed with guns, entered Richard Castanos apartment in Farmingville to rob him. During the course of the robbery, Seymore shot and killed Castano, as well Diamond Schick and Nyasia Knox, who were also in the apartment. A one-year old child was in the apartment at the time of the triple murder, but was left physically unharmed.

The defendants also used their membership in the Bloods street gang to distribute large quantities of narcotics in Suffolk County. In order to protect their supply of narcotics, and secure their ability to distribute the narcotics, the defendants possessed multiple firearms.

If convicted, the defendants each face a maximum of life in prison. Murray and Seymore face the possibility of the death penalty.

The charges in the superseding indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: January 12 2024

In one common scam, timeshare owners receive unexpected or uninvited telephone calls or emails from criminals posing as sales representatives for a timeshare resale company.

James Smith, assistant director in charge (ADIC) of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, is warning the public that criminals across the country are scamming timeshare owners out of millions of dollars by promising to sell or rent unsuspecting victims timeshares. Timeshare scams have been perpetrated for many years, targeting unsuspecting victims out of their hard-earned money.

In one common scam, timeshare owners receive unexpected or uninvited telephone calls or emails from criminals posing as sales representatives for a timeshare resale company. The sales representatives often use high-pressure sales tactics to add a sense of urgency to the deal. Timeshare owners who agree to sell are told they must pay an upfront fee to cover anything from listing and advertising fees to closing costs. Once the fee is paid, timeshare owners report the company becoming evasive  calls go unanswered, numbers are disconnected, and websites are inaccessible  or the company creates additional fees that victims must become evasive  calls go unanswered, numbers are disconnected, and websites are inaccessible  or the company creates additional fees that victims must pay before the real estate transaction becomes final.

In some cases, timeshare owners defrauded by a timeshare sales scam are subsequently contacted by a fraudulent timeshare fraud recovery company. The representative from the recovery company promises assistance in recuperating money lost in the sales scam. Some recovery companies require an up-front fee for services rendered. At times, scammers purport to be a government entity requesting payments for fees associated with the sale of the timeshare.

Once timeshare owners have given money to scammers, its extremely difficult to get that money back; criminals will often immediately transfer their ill-begotten assets overseas.

To avoid timeshare frauds:

Be cautious of uninvited telephone calls, texts, or emails from anyone interested in your timeshare.

Scammers will use tactics such as high-pressure and time-sensitive offers; be wary of any offers that require an immediate response.

Research all entities you are in contact with, contact offices independently to confirm if you are speaking to a representative of their company, and enlist the help of a real estate agent or lawyer you trust.

Though timeshare scams have been perpetrated for many years, the consequences on the victims remain real and serious. Many of the scammers who commit timeshare fraud are well-practiced in their abilities to defraud unsuspecting customers. When opportunities appear too good to be true, its often because they are, said ADIC Smith. Be sure to use caution when dealing with anyone who expresses interest in your timeshare. If you think you have been targeted by a timeshare scam, please report the incident. We are committed to protecting the community from these scams.

Report timeshare fraud scams via the FBIs Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov), 1-800-CALL-FBI, or FBI New York at 212-384-1000.
Following Storm Impacts On Long Island, Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers On Recovery Efforts And Announces Letter To Army Corps Of Engineers

Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: January 12 2024

In A Letter to Army Corps of Engineers, Governor Urges Approval of Department of Environmental Conservations Request for Emergency Rehabilitation Assistance.

Following significant storm damage and erosion from Tuesdays winter storm, Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the States continued response to storm damage in Suffolk County. Governor Hochul also issued a letter to the Army Corps of Engineers urging them to expeditiously approve the Department of Environmental Conservations request for emergency rehabilitation assistance. The safety of New Yorkers is my top priority, and we are working closely with our partners on Long Island to address the impact of this weeks storm, Governor Hochul said. Im calling on our federal partners to review and expedite our requests for support. The compounding impacts of erosion on Long Island is threatening our communities and infrastructure and requires urgent action. In a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Governor Hochul urged for the approval of the Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) request for emergency rehabilitation assistance for multiple USACE Coastal Storm Risk Management Projects along the coast of Long Island in connection with excessive damage caused by Hurricane Lee and Tropical Storm Ophelia last September.

Following an initial denial by USACE, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), in coordination with Suffolk County, worked quickly to fully document the extensive damage wrought to coastal resiliency projects, including dunes, by previous storms and stress the need for emergency repairs. In response to recent coastal erosion, it is more urgent than ever that this work begins immediately to restore these resiliency projects to protect public safety and mitigate the severity of the damage in these communities.

In addition, Governor Hochul directed DEC and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) to coordinate with Suffolk County to evaluate the damage of yesterday's storm to determine if it qualifies for additional federal assistance through FEMA, USACE or any other avenues.

If and when a determination is made, the State will be requesting immediate emergency assistance. Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said, On behalf of the residents of who have been affected by this storm, I want to thank Governor Hochul for her support and commitment to Suffolk County. It is only through partnerships among all levels of government that we can truly serve the people, and I will be working with Governor Hochul to do all we can to bring relief in the wake of another devastating storm event.

Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer said, We thank Governor Hochul for drawing attention to the extensive damage suffered recently in our coastal community. In Babylon in particular, a beloved Town facility, Overlook Beach, has basically been erased from the map as a result of the last few storms. We urgently join the Governors call for the Army Corps of Engineers to provide immediate assistance.

Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico said, Brookhaven Town called on the Army Corps of Engineers after the last storm, warning about exactly what occurred during this recent storm. Now with this most recent devastation, we join Governor Hochul in renewing the call for immediate action.

Brookhaven Town Councilman Neil Foley said, As the local Councilman representing Fire Island and parts of the South Shore in Brookhaven District 5, I stand united with Governor Hochul in urgently appealing to the Army Corps of Engineers. The recent challenges demand immediate attention, and by working collaboratively, we can address the issues promptly, ensuring the well-being of our community and preventing further deterioration. Together, let's take proactive steps to remedy the situation before it escalates any further.

Continued State Response on Long Island

New York Division of Military and Naval Affairs

The New York National Guard remains on high alert and Governor Hochul will send Long Island assistance as needed.

Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services

DHSES is working with local partners on damage assessments to determine if Suffolk County can access low-interest recovery loans for homeowners and businesses from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Department of Environmental Conservation

DEC, in coordination with Suffolk County, worked quickly to fully document the extensive damage wrought to coastal resiliency projects, including dunes, by previous storms and stress the need for emergency repairs. DEC will expedite its review of any necessary environmental permits. Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation State Parks staff are placing and repositioning sandbags around buildings at oceanfront State Parks throughout the Long Island. Additionally, staff placed sand at Gilgo State Park to fortify the entrance and exit roads and prevent flooding of the Ocean Parkway. Once high water levels from Tuesdays storm recede, State Parks staff will fortify a protective sand berm from the East Bathhouse to the West Bathhouse through the Central Mall, at Jones Beach State Park. Park visitors should visit parks.ny.gov, check the free NY State Parks Explorer mobile app or call their local park office for the latest updates regarding park hours, openings and closings.

Department of Public Service

PSEG Long Island has restored power to all 26,541 customers affected by the gusty winds and heavy rain that brought down trees and heavy branches on wires, causing scattered power outages throughout PSEG Long Islands service territory. The storm also caused widespread flooding in Ocean Beach on Fire Island. Some water entered the Ocean Beach substation, requiring PSEG Long Island to shut off equipment for safety. Crews restored power to customers on Wednesday.

All PSEG Long Island employees were mobilized to support the restoration efforts, including more than 900 line workers, tree trimmers, surveyors and other field personnel. In addition, more than 720 internal and external contractors from Long Island, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, West Virginia and Indiana are on site to address outages.

Governor Hochuls Comprehensive Resiliency Plan to Protect New Yorkers

This week, Governor Hochul announced a comprehensive resiliency plan to protect New Yorkers from extreme weather as part of her 2024 State of the State. Highlights include:
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: January 12 2024

Carlos Lauro Allegedly Slaughtered Various Other Animals on His Property.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced the arrest of Carlos Lauro, 76, of Riverhead, who is accused of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals and other related charges for allegedly fatally shooting two German Shepherds with a rifle.

This is a particularly horrific example of cruelty, said District Attorney Tierney. While we unfortunately could not rescue all of the animal victims that our investigators found on this defendants property, we will seek justice for them.

Mr. Lauro is repeatedly the subject of various complaints to the Town regarding the condition of and activities at his Sound Avenue property. Responses to his property by Town Code Enforcement officials have revealed and led to prosecutions by the Riverhead Town Attorneys Office for illegal animal sales, attempts to operate an illegal slaughterhouse, dilapidated and illegal structures, loose farm animals, and general property maintenance, said Erik C. Howard, Town of Riverhead Attorney. The Riverhead Town Attorneys Office applauds the Suffolk County District Attorney's prosecution of Mr. Lauro and is prepared to assist in any way necessary to secure a conviction for Mr. Lauros reprehensible conduct and wanton disregard for the life of a companion animal.

Animals, whether dogs or goats, sheep or chickens experience terror and fight for their lives just as we would when faced with the prospect of slaughter, yet for the animals at this illegal backyard slaughter operation, the experience was made even more horrific, with sick and injured animals living among the corpses of their friends," said John Di Leonardo, anthrozoologist and Executive Director of Humane Long Island. Humane Long Island thanks the Suffolk County and its Biological, Environmental, and Animal Safety Team for prosecuting this heinous case of aggravated animal cruelty and reminds the public that they too can save hundreds of animals annually by simply leaving them off their plates.

Fund For Animal Cruelty Treatment of Suffolk (FACTS) is providing costs of care to the dogs in this cruelty case as part of our ongoing partnership with the Suffolk County DAs office, said Joyce Glass, co-founder of the Fund for Animal Cruelty Treatment of Suffolk (FACTS). This is our first case of 2024 and FACTS welcomes the opportunity to fill a specific need in this cruelty case and others being prosecuted in Suffolk County. FACTS is able to continue its work

with support from the community. For more information, visit www.factssaves.org.

The current investigation was launched on January 10, 2024, when a one-year-old German Shepard was taken to the VCA Westbury Veterinarian Hospital in Westbury and found to be paralyzed from a gunshot wound to the head. According to a witness, the dog, named Blitzkrieg, was found shot at about 5:30 p.m. laying in a pen on Lauros property next to a dead goat. When detectives with the SCDAs BEAST unit arrived to Lauros home, they learned Lauro had previously shot and killed another German Shepard, a six-month old puppy named Cranky, approximately a month prior because the dog was allegedly refusing to go back inside his house. The allegations of that event were that Lauro had shot Cranky once in the back and, then, when another resident took him back inside the house in an attempt to console and treat his wounds, Lauro dragged the dog back outside and shot him in the head.

At the home, BEAST detectives found five surviving Belgian Malinois/Dutch Shepard mix dogs, a Border Collie and two German Shepard dogs, and numerous other animals including a multitude of goats, pigs, cows, and chickens.

On January 11, 2024, the BEAST Detectives with the assistance of the Riverhead Police Department executed a search warrant against the premises and arrested Lauro on felony charges for allegedly shooting the dogs. Numerous other deceased farm animals, including a baby goat and pig, were observed at the scene. The circumstances of their deaths are still being investigated.

Further investigation revealed that the surviving eight dogs, goats, pigs, cows, and chickens had been subject to neglect, living in deplorable conditions without access to clean food and water. Humane Long Island has been assisting the field operation by triaging farm animal victims to appropriate foster care.

While the investigation is ongoing, Lauro has been initially charged with one count of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, a Class E felony, and three counts of Neglect of an Impounded Animal, Unclassified Misdemeanors.

At his arraignment, Riverhead Town Justice Court Judge, the Honorable Sean Walter ordered Lauro to be held without bail. Lauro is being represented by the Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County. His next court date is January 17, 2024.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Brooke Salvatore of the Biological, Environmental, and Animal Safety Team (BEAST), with investigative assistance from Suffolk County BEAST Detective Joanna Westrack.
IDF troops operating in Gaza as the war against Hamas enters a new, lower intensity phase. (IDF)

South Africa accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza at an International Court of Justice hearing at the Hague on January 11. In response, Israel presented its case on January 12, arguing that its actions in Gaza have sought to prevent harm to civilians by evacuating them from areas where fighting has taken place. For instance, Dr. Galit Raguan, Acting Director of the International Justice Division of Israels Justice Ministry, said the civilian casualties in Gaza are a tragic outcome of fighting in an urban area and that Hamas exacerbated the casualties by operating among civilians.

Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari emphasized on January 11 that the IDFs guiding value is full transparency to the public and the world of verified and relevant information in real-time which is accessible through all media channels and social networks. His relatively short statement appeared linked to the ongoing case at the Hague. He added: it is important to remember that we are fighting a just war like no other. A war that the enemy initiated deliberately and consciously when it committed crimes against humanity and cruel acts that have not been seen in the Western world for decades, most of them filmed and documented by the terrorists themselves. And yet, many in the world try to ignore them as if they did not happen. No. They happened. And we remember and will not forget and also will not allow the world to forget  in Gaza, 136 hostages are still held in harsh conditions without medical treatment.

Israel is continuing to fight in Gaza. Hagari says there are still four Israeli military divisions in Gaza. This includes thousands of infantry in various units, as well as tanks, combat engineers, commandos, paratroops and other forces. Israel has reduced the overall number of forces in Gaza in recent weeks, rotating out many of the reservists who were called up on October 7. Those reservists have now had some time at home after ninety days. They spent three weeks on the border of Gaza in October and then two months fighting inside Gaza, conquering the northern part of Gaza and then working to grind down what was left of Hamas in areas that had been secured by the IDF.

The IDF said on January 12 that dozens of terrorists were eliminated in the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis and also the central Gaza area of Maghazi and Bureij. In Maghazi, over the past day, IDF troops killed approximately 20 terrorists, including commanders from Hamas Nukhba forces, the IDF said. The Nukhba are considered to be the elite commandos of Hamas, most of whom took part in the October 7 attack on Israel. The IDF also said an airstrike in Khan Yunis eliminated a Nukhba commander. These areas are where active combat is continuing and where the IDF may continue to expand operations. It is also where the IDF continues to find weapons stored by Hamas in civilian areas.

The transition to a new phase of fighting in Gaza, which is supposed to be of much lower intensity than the operations in the first three months of the war, means the number of airstrikes and clashes with Hamas appear to have been reduced. For instance, IDF statements generally refer to several terrorists killed in various incidents in southern and central Gaza. In the area of Maghazi, the IDF said on January 11 that they identified eight terrorist operatives heading toward a school used for terrorist activity. The terrorists were killed by precise sniper fire. In many cases, the IDF reports also refer to aircraft or UAVs being used in the strikes targeting threats identified in Gaza.



While airstrikes and drones are used to neutralize the terrorist threats, the IDF says it is continuing to dismantle hundreds of kilometers of terror tunnels dug underneath the Gaza Strip by the Hamas terror organization. On January 12, the IDF said that Hamas used 6,000 tons of concrete and 1,800 tons of metal to build the hundreds of tunnels that have been identified. Among the tunnels found in Gaza, the IDF believes they have found a tunnel in Khan Yunis where Israeli hostages were kept. The tunnel was connected to an extensive underground tunnel network beneath a civilian area in the city. Millions of shekels are estimated to have been invested in excavating the tunnel and equipping it with air ventilation systems, electrical supply and plumbing. After investigating the tunnel, it can be confirmed that Israeli hostages had been inside the tunnel, the IDF said.

Reporting from Israel, Seth J. Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at FDD and a contributor to FDDs Long War Journal. He is the acting news editor and senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post.
The United States and the United Kingdom launched more than a dozen strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen in response to more than a month and a half of Houthi attacks on merchant vessels and warships in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

The targets of the coalition strikes included training sites and airfields to drone storage sites, according to Voice of America. The action was a substantive set of strikes designed to degrade capability and try and restore deterrence, a Western official told PBS Newshours Nick Schifrin.

A U.S. intelligence official who wishes to remain anonymous told FDDs Long War Journal that the target package also included air defense sites. The coalition attacks were carried out by manned aircraft as well as cruise missiles launched from warships in the Red Sea.

The coalition did not target an Iranian intelligence ship that is sailing the Red Sea and providing targeting information to the Houthis.

Todays attack took place two days after the Houthis launched a barrage of weapons, including 18 drones, two anti-ship cruise missiles, and one anti-ship ballistic missile at merchant vessels and Western warships in the Red Sea. That attack took place one week after the U.S. and 12 other countries warned the Houthis that there would be repercussions if attacks continue.

It is unclear if the U.S. and the United Kingdom will continue to target Houthi capabilities, which include anti-ship ballistic and cruise missiles and drones provided by Iran, or if todays strikes are a warning to the Houthis to cease their attacks. The Biden administration has been very clear that it does not seek an escalation to the wider regional conflict as Israel battles Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and with U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria under attack from Iranian-backed militias.

The Houthis have launched 27 attacks against international shipping since November 19. It is unclear if those attacks included those that targeted U.S., British and French warships. In addition to launching anti-ship ballistic and cruise missiles and drones, the Houthis have also boarded ships using helicopters and boats. One merchant vessel and its crew are being held hostage at a Houthi-controlled port in Yemen.

The Houthis, a Shia militia which formed in the 1990s and seized the capital of Sanaa in 2014, 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 ongoing civil war. The Houthis motto is God Is Great, Death to America, Death to Israel, Curse on the Jews, Victory to Islam. Despite previous recognition by the U.S. as being a terrorist organization, the Houthis are no longer designated as such following the Biden administrations removal of the Trump-era designation.

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.
Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen have been striking and hijacking commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea to demonstrate their support for Hamas and opposition to Israel since November. The attacks have targeted a route that accounts for about 15 percent of the world's shipping traffic and has pushed several shipping companies to reroute their vessels.

These attacks have affected the citizens, the cargo, and the commercial interests of more than 40 countries, noted Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a recent press conference in Qatar:

Theyve disrupted or diverted nearly 20 percent of global shipping. More than a dozen shipping companies have had to reroute thousands of vessels around the Cape of Good Hope. And what that means is it takes longer to get goods to where theyre supposed to go, it increases the cost and that cost gets passed on to consumers around the world  whether its food, whether its fuel, whether its medicine, humanitarian assistance, you name it.

Clearly, these attacks by the Houthis are hurting people around the world  most of all, the poorest and most vulnerable populations, including in Yemen and in Gaza, said Secretary Blinken. Thats why the United States launched Operation Prosperity Guardian together with more than 20 countries to defend the safety and security of commercial shipping across the Red Sea. Its also why over a dozen countries have made clear that the Houthis will be held accountable for future attacks, said Secretary Blinken:

Well continue to defend maritime security in the region as part of our overall effort to deter and prevent further regional conflict, to ensure the free flow of commerce thats been so vital to people around the world.

The international community has a real stake in upholding the principle of freedom of navigation. As U.S. Air Force Major General Pat Ryder said in a recent briefing, The Houthis need to stop these attacks, and they need to stop them now.
The autofestival is a promotional period when car dealers offer discounts in a bid to lure customers

The autofestival is a promotional period when car dealers offer discounts in a bid to lure customers  Photo credit: Alain Piron/LW

The autofestival is a promotional period when car dealers offer discounts in a bid to lure customers  Photo credit: Alain Piron/LW

The number of new cars registered in Luxembourg rose sharply last year after a historic drop in 2022, although volumes remain below pre-pandemic levels and delays continue to affect the delivery of vehicles.

More than 49,000 registrations of new vehicles were recorded across the Grand Duchy in 2023, an increase of 16% on the previous year, according to figures presented at a press conference ahead of Luxembourgs annual motor show, the Autofestival.

In 2022, just over 42,000 new cars were registered in the Grand Duchy, the lowest annual total this century and a sharp drop from a pre-pandemic high of 55,000 in 2019.

These numbers refer only to new cars being registered for the first time and dont include second-hand purchases.

We are observing a catch-up dynamic compared to previous years, when production was at half-mast, Marc Devillet, vice-president of the industry lobby group, the Federation of Automobile and Mobility Distributors (Fedamo), told Virgule.

Although there has been a reduction in the length of delays in the delivery of new cars to motorists, bottlenecks remain, said Philippe Mersch, the president of Fedamo.

Today, average delivery times are three to six months from the order date depending on the product, explained Mersch.

Almost one in four new cars registered last year were electric, up from 15% in 2022, according to data from Fedamo, with government subsidies on offer for those making the switch.

However, a plan for 49% of the countrys entire vehicle fleet to become electric by 2030 as part of the governments climate strategy may prove too ambitious, said Mersch. This objective seems difficult to achieve, he said.

A long-time nation of car lovers, Luxembourg has the EUs highest car ownership per capita and also boasts the highest level of carbon emissions compared to the size of its population in the bloc.

The country has the highest share of new vehicles anywhere in the EU, according to data released by the blocs official statistics agency Eurostat in August 2022. Half of all cars in the country are no older than five years, while 20% are less than two years old, Eurostat said.

(This article first appeared in Virgule. Translation, editing and additional reporting by John Monaghan)
Manchester, VT (05254)

Today

Cloudy skies. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Temps nearly steady in the mid to upper 30s. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Variably cloudy with snow showers. Low 27F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 50%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.
ELKO  Ten willing property owners so far have offered to sell water rights for retirement in central Nevada and the Humboldt River Basin, but there still is time for more ranchers and farmers to apply by the Jan. 22 deadline.

As of today, 10 different willing sellers have applied for funding to retire a total of 42 groundwater permits/certificates, Jeff Fontaine, executive director of the Humboldt River Basin Water Authority and the Central Nevada Regional Water Authority, said in an email Thursday evening.

He said 17 of the permits and/or certificates are in the central region and 25 in the Humboldt region.

We are pleased to see such a strong interest in the program, Fontaine said. Final funding decisions are expected to be made in early February.

The state provided $15 million to the Humboldt and central authorities combined for the purchase of water rights, and Fontaine is overseeing the purchase offers. The Humboldt River Basin Water Authority received $8 million, and the Central Nevada Regional Water Authority, $7 million.

The $15 million is part of the $25 million set aside by the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for buying water rights. That money came out of $100 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds the Nevada Legislatures Interim Finance Committee designated for the department in October 2022, Fontaine told Elko County commissioners earlier this month.

The program is called the Nevada Water Conservation and Infrastructure Initiative.

The purchased water rights from over-appropriated and over-pumped basins will be permanently retired, and Fontaine said in a Dec. 1 announcement that retiring groundwater rights will help stabilize groundwater levels.

Fontaine also said later in December that the purpose of the program is to address over-pumped water basins and basins like the Humboldt that will have water rights conflicts, stating then that the Humboldt basin additionally has surface water capture that can be alleviated through the purchases.

The purchase price for groundwater rights is set. Over-pumped basins are allocated $900 per acre-foot. Over-appropriated bases that are not over-pumped are valued at $350 per acre-foot, and water rights in Diamond Valley in Eureka County are valued at $800 per acre-foot.

An acre-foot is enough water to cover an acre of land one-foot deep.

Elko County commissioner agreed Jan. 3 the county can be the fiscal officer for the money for the central authority, and Fontaine told them Humboldt County will handle the costs for the Humboldt authority. The funds need to be managed by entities that are registered with the federal system, he said.

Elko County is a member of both water authorities. The Central Nevada Regional Water Authority includes Elko, Churchill, Esmeralda, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Nye, Pershing, and White Pine counties. The Humboldt authority includes Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, and Pershing counties.

The countys comptroller, Susan Paprocki, told commissioners helping with the funds wouldnt be a burden to the county.

Fontaine said most of the funding would be handled directly by the state to the sellers, but there are costs for the program that would come through the county, for attorneys, communications specialists, and contractors.

Commissioner Rex Steninger pointed out that no county money would be spent on the water rights program.

The water authorities will decide which water rights to purchase before sending the final applications to the state after due diligence, and payment will be made by Sept. 30 when the Nevada Division of Water Resources accepts the paperwork to finalize sales.

Those interested in selling water rights can find applications on the Humboldt River Basin Water Authority website or they can obtain them at county offices or call Fontaine at 775-443-7667.
EAST LONGMEADOW  Theresa Anoje was so close to graduating from Cornell University in 2014, she donned a cap and gown and marched with her class on commencement day. All she needed to get her degree was a handful of credits that she expected to earn after graduation  but she dropped out, too tired to finish studying.

I have chronic health issues. I use a cane because I have cardio dysautonomia, a heart condition that gives me a lot of fatigue, she said.

Anoje, 31, said she is a staunch liberal. She began watching CNN when she was 7 years old and attended President Barrack Obamas inauguration in 2009. She was a member of Cornell Democrats when she was in college.

Anoje was pursuing a bachelors degree in government and wanted to work on the campaigns of Democratic candidates or for socially conscious companies and government agencies.

But she literally couldnt stand going into the office.

My heart rate, while sitting or standing, was abnormal. I was always fatigued and struggled to stand or walk, because I was always out of breath, she said.

Even without a university degree, the East Longmeadow woman didnt give up on her dream of working in the social sector, taking on a role that aligned with her liberal philosophy. But she knew shed have to do it on her laptop, from her kitchen, living room or somewhere else in her home.

Theresa Anoje is a managing editor at Remotely Good, working on her laptop at East Longmeadow Public Library. (Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican)Leon Nguyen

Working full-time in an office, going in and out every day, wasnt feasible, she said.

Remote possibilities

Millions of Americans are now working from home or have hybrid roles, allowing them to work in the office and from a remote location. According to the Pew Research Center, 35% of employees work from home all the time if they are allowed to do so. This is up from 7% before the pandemic, which forced most people out of the office.

Work from home jobs in the social sector are not easy to find, said Anoje, so shes helping people connect with those opportunities  and she works remotely.

Anoje has founded and publishes Remotely Good, a newsletter emailed to around 1,000 subscribers every day. The newsletter identifies jobs and sends readers links to those positions. She finds roles by scouring the Internet or joining job chatrooms online. Companies and colleges also send her job listings.

Im a voracious job seeker, she said.

Anoje also finds jobs through word of mouth, the same way many subscribers discover her.

Our tagline is to help people find their purpose and make a difference from everywhere or anywhere, said Anoje.

The East Longmeadow woman works from home, because her disability prevents her from working anywhere else. Shes like many people who need at home roles, because they are caring for a loved one, have a baby or child that cant be left alone, or live too far from their dream job.

Theres that niche where people all across the country have circumstances that hinder their ability to work for organizations where they could advance their career and have an important impact on their communities. But they cant drop everything and make a nine-to-five, in-person commitment, said Anoje.

There are also young people, she said, who simply want to work from home, because theyve never had an office job.

Something like 70% of Gen Z and Gen Y prefer remote work, because we live our lives on the Internet. They want to work from their laptops as opposed to getting dressed, commuting to work and showing their faces, she said.

From her kitchen to the Caribbean

Ariaun Stewart is the owner of Community Human Resources, travels alot and runs her business remotely. She is shown here working at the Artist Cafe on Main Street in downtown Springfield. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 1/11/2024The Republican

Ariaun Stewart, 28, of Springfield, owns Community Human Resources. Shes an HR consultant, helping businesses with recruiting, staffing and HR planning. She runs her business using a laptop from her kitchen, a cafe even a tropical island.

As a business owner, I travel a lot, she said. I need something that is going to be flexible with my schedule and lifestyle.

Not satisfied with just owning a business, Stewart has a second job, helping cooperative businesses transition from private to employee ownership. She found the role with Anojes help and through the Remotely Good newsletter. She could take on this second role only if she could work remotely.

We live in a world where things are remote, so its not hard to do more than one thing at a time. It almost seems like youre not doing enough if you dont have multiple streams of income, said Stewart.

Accelerating her business

Anoje was born in Springfield, but her family is from Nigeria, and she touts Remotely Good as a Black-female-owned business. Because of her disability, she also qualified to join 2gether International, a nonprofit organization that helps startup businesses led by people with disabilities.

2gether is a business accelerator, offering advice, micro grants of $500, contacts and mentoring that helps entrepreneurs launch their enterprises. She joined the program shortly after she began publishing her newsletter last spring.

When she left Cornell, Anoje said she went on a diagnostic journey, working with doctors to understand why she suffered from fatigue. It took years to reveal the cause. Once she received her diagnosis, she refused to let her disability disrupt her life, which she dedicated to matching people with jobs she and they believe would lead to a better world.

Its been my passion to draw people into being civically engaged, into public service and social roles, because theres a lot of need out there. It matters to me that we can focus on having a positive impact on society and our world, she said.

Anoje wants to make a living publishing and editing her newsletter, but the $5-a-month subscription fee wont get her there  so shes found other ways to monetize the business. She charges for career advice, as well as writing and editing resumes, cover letters and LinkedIn profiles. She also bills some companies she believes in to list their positions in the newsletter. Businesses may also pay her referral fees for connecting them with job candidates.

Remotely Good has no staff, other than the occasional intern. Anoje is publisher, editor, marketer, designer, webmaster and researcher. The newsletters understated design features jobs, internships, fellowships and volunteer opportunities. Theres usually one photo, appearing at the top of the page.

This entrepreneur also includes feature articles like job search tips and ways to give back to society. She recently ran a story about gun violence in America.

Every edition concludes with a Quick Actions section, directing readers to ways they can donate money or time to causes and organizations like Toys for Tots, volunteer during the holidays, sign petitions or secure freedom for thousands of Americans experiencing poverty and pretrial detention.

I want to make an impact by directing people to socially responsible work, said Anoje. Even if Im the middleman  connecting people with those roles instead of taking one myself  I will feel fulfilled. Ill feel like Ive accomplished something.

Go online to find out more about Remotely Good by viewing the newsletter at remotelygood.substack.com.

Staasi Heropoulos is a longtime Western Massachusetts television and print journalist. Send human interest and feature story ideas to staasi.heropoulos@gmail.com.
SPRINGFIELD  Locally owned Springfield Pharmacy has the prescription for the citys housing shortage.

In an agreement finalized last month, Springfield Pharmacy bought the now-vacant lot at Main and Waverly streets in the Memorial Square neighborhood for $30,000.

As part of the deal filed with the Hampden County Registry of Deeds on Dec. 28, Springfield Pharmacy also promises the city to build affordable housing.

Right now, the plan is to build a larger, 3,000- or 3,200-square-foot drug store with a nextdoor medically-related commercial space on the first floor with 10 to 12 affordable apartments upstairs, said Tobias Billups, a co-owner of the drug store with partner Alexander Wu.

Its a $4 million to $6 million project thats still in its early stages and at least 6 to 8 months away from groundbreaking, Billups said.

Read more: Housing study calls for 17,000 more apartments across the Pioneer Valley amid affordability crisis

Its obviously wise for me, but it does benefit the community, he said. Were a good neighbor.

And Im busting out at the seams.

Theyve owned the pharmacy since 2019 and need to grow. The current location has a Main Street address, but is back off the street.

Growing in the North End is a natural progression.

Tobias Billups, owner of Springfield Pharmacy in Springfield's North End, has purchased an empty lot at Main and Waverly streets in Springfield and will be building a new pharmacy with apartments above. (Don Treeger / The Republican)The Republican

We try to give back as much as we get from the community as we can, maybe little bit more, he said.

Springfield Pharmacy didnt just want to get a larger store. Billups said the partners wanted to own the new space instead of leasing, as he does now.

The city advertised repeatedly for developers interested in taking over over the parcel, said Chief Development Officer Timothy Sheehan.

I dont think there was much success the first couple of times, he said.

The property  measuring 14,174 square feet or about a third of an acre  was once the site of a four-story apartment building that burned and was demolished in 1998. Today, the land is zoned for business and was assessed for tax purposes at $72,700.

The site is just opposite the Puerto Rico Market & Bakery and a few blocks from Baystate Medical Center.

The city took the property in 1997 from owners Brightwood Development Corp. for nonpayment of taxes, according to documents on file at the Hampden County Registry of Deeds.

Brightwood bought it at a mortgage foreclosure auction in 1993, also according to documents at the registry.

A photo from 1939 shows a handsome tree-shaded four-story apartment block with a grocery, Waverly Cash Market, on the corner. It was owned by Jacob Chiz, according to a city directory from that year.

This 1939 photo from Springfield city files shows the four-story apartment building that once stood at Main and Waverly streets in the city's North End. (Photo courtesy of the city of Springfield)

The Springfield Pharmacy proposal is exactly the kind of infill development the city wants to encourage in the business districts, Sheehan said.

The storefronts up and down Main Street in the North End are mostly filled, he said. And the city has a long-standing shortage of livable apartments.

Fire has claimed much-needed apartments in the neighborhood over the years, said Jose Claudio, the chief operating officer of the New North Citizens Council.

Billups and Wu met with the council a few years ago to discuss expansion, Claudio said.

I said the neighborhood needs housing, Claudio said. It makes sense for him to build it. Thats a home run for the neighborhood.
WARWICK, R.I.  Former Holyoke City Councilor Wilmer Puello-Mota has a warrant out for his arrest for failing to appear Tuesday at a disposition hearing in Rhode Island.

Facing a variety of charges, including possession of child pornography, Puello-Mota was scheduled for the disposition hearing in Superior Court in Warwick. His attorney, John M. Cicciline, told the court that his client was aware that he was supposed to appear for the hearing.

Puello-Motas criminal trial on the child pornography charges and charges of obstruction of the judicial system, forgery and counterfeiting was scheduled to begin Jan. 16. The trial has been cancelled because of the warrant for his arrest.

According to an official in the Rhode Island Attorney Generals Office, a U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force would be searching for Puello-Mota.

The case stems from a May 2020 arrest at a hotel near the T.F. Green State Airport in Warwick.

Puello-Mota had called police to report a stolen firearm. Once police began investigating, they discovered Puello-Mota was at the hotel to meet a 17-year-old girl he had been corresponding with online.

By searching his cell phone, they discovered he had nude photos and videos of the girl in a trash folder on the phone, and they charged him with possession of child pornography.

During the initial investigation, the girl told police he had given her money. Police found evidence of payments made by Puello-Mota to the girl through the app Venmo. Puello-Mota told police at that time that he believed the girl was 22 and he had just learned she was 17.

If convicted of the child pornography charges, he could face up to five years in prison.

The second tier of charges stemmed from the former councilor being accused of forging a memo from a supervisor in the Massachusetts Air National Guard, which claimed the Air Force was aware of the charges and that Puello-Mota would be deployed if the case had a positive outcome for him.

This would have provided certain considerations in the disposition of his case.

Warwick police, who investigated the matter in May 2022, alleged that Puello-Mota lied to another Air Force supervisor, claiming he was involved in a research program about how service members progress through the criminal justice system and that the charges were not real.

In November 2022, Rhode Island prosecutors filed a bail violation after Puello-Mota attended a Halloween party in Holyoke because stipulations of his personal recognizance bail instructed him to stay away from juveniles.
Editors note: This story has been updated to include a comment from Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell.

The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts ruled Thursday that sentencing adults under 21 to life without the possibility of parole violates the states constitution.

In addition to prohibiting judges from newly issuing such sentences, the 4-3 ruling in Commonwealth v. Sheldon Mattis makes it possible for people who were between the ages of 18 and 20 when they committed a crime that earned them a sentence of life without parole to litigate in the hopes of getting a lighter sentence.

The legal logic behind the ruling

A mandatory sentence of life without parole for minors was already prohibited as a result of a 2012 U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The following year, the Supreme Judicial Court took this a step further, ruling that sentencing a minor to life without parole in any circumstance violates Article 26 of the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights by inflicting a cruel or unusual punishment.

In this new decision, the court considered whether the logic of its previous decision applies to emerging adults, or people aged 18, 19 or 20. Its conclusion was that it did, meaning that mandatory sentences of life without parole for people in this age range violate Article 26.

Chief Justice Kimberly Budd wrote in the decision that the court looked to several Supreme Court decisions which indicated that youth matters when applying the U.S. Constitutions 8th Amendment. The justices also considered the opinions of 23 retired Massachusetts judges, the Boston Bar Association, the Massachusetts Bar Association and 17 neuroscientists, she wrote.

Advancements in scientific research have confirmed what many know well through experience: the brains of emerging adults are not fully mature, Budd wrote. Specifically, the scientific record strongly supports the contention that emerging adults have the same core neurological characteristics as juveniles have.

How the ruling will affect prisoners

While Budd wrote that the judges considered how youth development plays into diminished responsibility for crimes, she also emphasized that the decision should not be construed to suggest that people who can now undergo resentencing under the decision should automatically be paroled.

By providing an opportunity for parole, we do not diminish the severity of the crime of murder in the first degree because it was committed by an emerging adult, she wrote.

According to WBUR, the decision makes Massachusetts the first state to eliminate mandatory life sentences without parole for people aged 18 to 20, and will affect an estimated 300 people. It is being touted as a major victory for criminal justice reform, The Boston Globe reported.

We know that a 16-year-old, a 17-year-old are simply not the same person by the time theyre 35. Theres an enormous amount of growth that happens and that you need to have another look, Lael Chester, director of Columbia Universitys Emerging Adult Justice Project, told the Globe.

Todays ruling underscores the importance of our legal system acknowledging the ongoing brain development of young people in order to improve public safety, reduce recidivism and deliver justice, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell said in a press release issued Thursday night. The science emphatically demonstrates that young people have an extraordinary capacity to change and mature, and our justice system should provide them the invaluable opportunity to turn their lives around and fulfill their potential.

The case behind the ruling

The case stems from Sheldon Mattis first-degree murder conviction in the death of 16-year-old Jaivon Blake, which resulted in a mandatory sentence of life without parole. According to the facts of the case laid out in the ruling, in 2011, when Mattis was 18, he handed a gun to his friend Nyasani Watt, who then shot Blake.

Mattis was convicted under a legal theory known as joint venture, which holds that a person is guilty of a crime if they intentionally help someone commit that crime. According to The Boston Globe, Watt was also convicted of first-degree murder, but because Watt was days away from turning 18, he avoided a mandatory sentence of life without parole.

The Supreme Judicial Court reviews all first-degree murder convictions in Massachusetts, and in 2020, it affirmed both convictions. But, the Globe reported, in that decision, the court questioned whether the discrepancy between Watts and Mattis sentences was constitutional.

Mattis eventually appealed his sentence until his case was brought back up to the states highest court, the Globe reported. The courts decision Thursday means that Mattis case will be sent back to a lower court for resentencing.
Several Jewish students have filed a lawsuit against Harvard University, accusing it of becoming a bastion of rampant anti-Jewish hatred and harassment.

The lawsuit filed Wednesday mirrors others filed since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, including against The Art Institute of Chicago, New York University and the University of Pennsylvania.

In the Harvard lawsuit, the plaintiffs include members of the Students Against Antisemitism, Inc. They accuse Harvard of violating Jewish students civil rights and allege that the university tolerated Jewish students being harassed, assaulted and intimidated  behavior that has intensified since the Oct. 7 attack.

Mobs of pro-Hamas students and faculty have marched by the hundreds through Harvards campus, shouting vile antisemitic slogans and calling for death to Jews and Israel, according to the lawsuit. Those mobs have occupied buildings, classrooms, libraries, student lounges, plazas, and study halls, often for days or weeks at a time, promoting violence against Jews.

It was unclear what the reference to mobs in the lawsuit refers to, but the university has been rattled by protests since the Oct. 7 attack. At one point, pro-Palestinian students occupied a campus building for 24 hours.

Marc Kasowitz, a partner at the law firm that brought the suit, Kasowitz Benson Torres, said in a statement that the litigation was necessary because Harvard would not correct its deep-seated antisemitism problem voluntarily.

Harvard must be forced to protect its Jewish students and stop applying a double standard when it comes to anti-Jewish bigotry, he added.

A spokesman for Harvard said the school doesnt comment on pending litigation. About a dozen students are potentially facing disciplinary charges for violations of protest rules related to pro-Palestinian activities, but the spokesman said the school couldnt comment on their cases.

Fallout from the Israel-Hamas war has roiled campuses across the U.S. and reignited a debate over free speech. College leaders have struggled to define the line where political speech crosses into harassment and discrimination, with Jewish and Arab students raising concerns that their schools are doing too little to protect them.

The issue took center stage in December when the presidents of Harvard, Penn and MIT testified at a congressional hearing on campus antisemitism. Asked by Republican lawmakers whether calls for the genocide of Jews would violate campus policies, the presidents offered lawyerly answers and declined to say unequivocally that it was prohibited speech.

Their answers prompted weeks of backlash from donors and alumni, ultimately leading to the resignation of Liz Magill at Penn and Claudine Gay at Harvard.

Hamass Oct. 7 attacks killed 1,200 people in Israel, mainly civilians, and abducted around 250 others, nearly half of whom were released during a weeklong cease-fire in November.

Since the war began, Israels assault in Gaza has killed more than 23,200 Palestinians, roughly 1% of the territorys population, and more than 58,000 people have been wounded, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza. About two-thirds of the dead are women or children.

The U.S. Department of Education has repeatedly warned colleges that they are required to fight antisemitism and Islamophobia on their campuses or risk losing federal money. Cardona said the agency has opened more than 40 investigations at colleges and universities in response to complaints of antisemitism and Islamophobia since the Oct. 7 attacks, including at Harvard, Stanford and MIT.

Read more: Following Harvard, Penn presidential resignations, DEI will continue to be attacked, experts say

No student should feel unsafe on campus, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona told The Associated Press on Wednesday after he met with students. The Office for Civil Rights takes these cases very seriously. They investigate harassment, or violations for antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Arab sentiment. We take that role very seriously. If any student on campus feels that any protest or messaging makes them feel unsafe, we ask for an investigation.

In November, Gay issued a memo laying out plans to address antisemitism on campus.

The university said it was starting a process to examine how antisemitism manifests within our community and developing a plan to address it. It also is implementing a program to educate students and faculty about antisemitism and redoubling our efforts to make students aware that appropriate avenues exist to report feelings of fear or incidents causing harm including an anonymous hotline for bias incidents.
BOSTON  Massachusetts is capable of producing a third of its food, but that wont come to be if farmland continues to be lost.

The challenge of safeguarding the states agriculture sector, mapped in a new report, was presented to lawmakers Wednesday.

Less than a quarter of Massachusetts farmland is being protected right now, according to the states Department of Agricultural Resources.

Farmers face a lot of challenges in maintaining their land, said Winton Pitcoff, the departments deputy commissioner. They contend with an ever-increasing cost of land, coupled with climate change and the loss of land to development projects. Thats led to many farms shutting down.

Between 2001 and 2016, over 27,000 acres of state farmland has been lost to cultivation. In more recent years, much of the farmland once available has been turned into parking lots and other development projects, Pitcoff said.

Additionally, the age of state farmers averages 60 or older and many have no plans for how their land will be used after they leave the industry, the new Farmland Action Plan report found.

The plan advocates for more BIPOC farmers to have equitable access to educational programs about how to protect their land. And it emphasizes that lawmakers and stakeholders should invest more resources into preserving the states farmland.

If the states growing farmland loss is not properly addressed, the Department of Agricultural Resources estimates that roughly $91 million in farm output, and 4,900 farm-related jobs, will be lost by 2040.

The plan, funded in the FY22 state capital budget, took a year of planning and received feedback from local farmers.

The needs of farmers and farming are changing.

All issues are connected to our farmland in some way, Pitcoff said. From housing and transportation to education to climate change, our farmland gets affected by the decisions we make.

There is no formal timeline for the Farmland Action Plan to go into effect, but Pitcoff said that it is coordinated with the climate action plan.

In November, the states Special Commission on Agriculture produced a different report, presented by The New England Food System Planners Partnership, which suggested that a third of the regions food could be produced locally by 2030; however, challenges facing the regions farmers, fishermen and food businesses are drastic and things needed to change.

This presents another issue for farmers: how much money they make.

Michael Smolak, owner of Smolak Farms in North Andover, told lawmakers he doesnt make enough to support himself or his family. In recent months, Smolak said he hadnt been able to make connections with grocery stores and restaurants to offer his local crop.

And hes not alone.

Farmers are finding it difficult to connect with market outlets which account for 84% of the regions food sales, said Rebecca Miller, policy director at the Massachusetts Food System Collaborative.

The good news, Pitcoff said, is that the Department of Agricultural Resources has existing programs that work towards the plans goals.

We have plans in agricultural land protection, farm viability, farm energy, environmental protection and climate, and urban agriculture food systems, he said.

Farmers can also receive funding from the department.

Relatively small amounts of money can have large, lasting impacts on farmers, he said.
U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss isnt mincing words when it comes to Boston City Councils vote to reject a $13.3 million federal anti-terrorism grant backed by Mayor Michelle Wu, calling the move disappointing at a time of increased antisemitism and hate crimes as the war between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas continues into its fourth month.

This funding is crucial to counter-terrorism preparedness in Greater Boston, which is especially salient considering heightened threats of terrorism fueled by antisemitism and anti-Zionism, Auchincloss, D-4th District, wrote in a Thursday letter to new Council President Ruthzee Louijeune.

The legislative panel deadlocked in a 6-6 vote last month, which blocked the flow of the money, according to the Boston Herald. Auchincloss, who is Jewish and a former Marine, represents Brookline, one of nine communities that would have benefited from the funding, the newspaper reported.

Leaders in the inner-ring suburb, which has a substantial Jewish population, used a similar federal allocation last year for personnel training, new public safety, and community preparedness measures, the Democratic lawmaker told Louijeune.

The money is traditionally earmarked cities and regions at a high risk for terrorist activity, and it has historically been approved unanimously by the Boston City Council, Auchincloss observed, adding that councilors should approve the money when Wu refiles her application with the citys legislative body.

It is disappointing that its allocation was delayed in December, the same month hat the FBI director issued his warning to the nation, and just as Boston was experiencing a surge of incidents of antisemitism that track ADLs national statistics, Auchincloss wrote.

Boston was among the U.S. cities that saw a record increase in antisemitic hate crimes over the last two years, charting a 56% increase in anti-Jewish hate crimes by the end of 2022, according to a newly released report.

The 23 anti-Jewish hate crimes recorded in Boston between 2021 and the end of last year were the most since the FBI began collecting the data in 1991, according to the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino. The data were first reported by Axios.

Anti-Jewish hate crimes increased in Boston after the start of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas last October, Axios reported, citing the new data. Hate crimes against Muslims, Arabs, and Palestinians also increased during the same time period, Axios further reported.

Overall, Boston recorded 158 hate crimes against all impacted groups by the end of 2022, a 7% increase from the year before.

The 14 crimes reported against Jewish residents in Boston in 2022 marked a 56% increase from the year before.

The new data mirror a similar report released last October by the ADL, which charted an alarming increase in antisemitic hate crimes after the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas, a terrorist group.

The ADL said it recorded a total of 312 antisemitic incidents between Oct. 7-23, 2023, 190 of which were directly linked to the war in Israel and Gaza.

In comparison, during the same period in 2022, ADL received preliminary reports of 64 incidents, including four that were Israel-related, the ADL data showed. An interactive map of where incidents occurred last October can be found on the ADLs website.

The Israel-Hamas War has heightened our regions need for counter-terrorism security measures. Greater Boston is a national hub for the Jewish community. As antisemitism proliferates, counter-terrorism funding is more pertinent than ever. Impeding its disbursement could undermine the trust of Greater Bostons Jewish community, Auchincloss wrote.
This summer, some will get a chance to witness a phenomenon rarer  and probably louder  than Halleys comet. For the first time in more than two centuries, two big groups of cicadas in the United States will emerge simultaneously from the ground.

Cicadas, often called heat bugs, make their presence known throughout the country every summer by singing their loud song. But some of these large, flying insects, only emerge from underground every so often, depending on their group, or brood.

These periodical cicadas bury themselves in soil, where they spend most of their lives. This summer, millions of cicadas from broods XIX (emerging every 13 years) and XIII (every 17 years) will both crawl out from underground and fly across the south and Midwest looking for a mate, according to Cicadamania, a website dedicated to tracking the insects.

The last time these two broods popped out of the ground at the same time was in 1803, Cicadamania reported  when the U.S. bought the Louisiana Territory from France.

You cannot possibly be unaware that periodical cicadas are out, because theyre out by the millions and millions, and theyre noisy, charismatic, active insects that are just everywhere, John R. Cooley, an entomologist who studies cicadas at the University of Connecticut, told MassLive.

When you got them, you know it. And thats what you can expect to see. Thats what any normal emergence looks like, he continued.

What folks will see are a whole lot of bugs that all look the same, as the ones that come out every decade-plus look the same as the ones that come out every year, Cooley said.

Its not going to be obvious why this year is so special unless you take the historical perspective and realize that youve got these two different life cycles coming into contact, he explained.

New Englanders who want to see the insects up close and personal  at least this year  will have to head to other parts of the country, including parts of Illinois, Alabama, Tennessee and Virginia. Cicadamanias website offers when and where they are most likely to be seen.

A scientific conundrum

Researchers are still exploring why some cicadas emerge periodically. One common theory is that their infrequent appearance helps them avoid predators and prevents enemies from synchronizing on their life cycle.

But, Cooley said this theory is flawed since all cicadas have predators, but fewer than 10 species are periodical. Some of the cicadas natural enemies include birds, moles and Cicada killer wasps, according to the University of California Integrated Pest Management Program.

Another theory suggests the last ice age forced cicadas to evolve to have longer periodical life cycles. But, that theory is limited as many cicadas live near glacial areas  few of which are periodical, according to nature.com.

Science isnt all about having the explanations, Cooley said. We just test hypotheses and there are a lot of hypotheses as to why these cicadas are the way they are, but none really stand up so far.

Well into the cicada cycle Wolfe's Pond Park is inundated with the red-eyed creatures Wednesday, June 12, 2013.(Staten Island Advance/ Bill Lyons) Staten Island AdvanceStaten Island Advance

The secret sex life of cicadas

After emerging from the soil, cicadas spend the rest of their lives aboveground focused on one thing: sex.

In the short weeks they have left on Earth, cicadas fly around looking to reproduce with one another. Male cicadas make a high-pitched buzzing sound to attract female cicadas. Once a female cicada is attracted, they mate.

The female cicada then lays her eggs on the branches of trees. Six to 10 weeks later, the eggs hatch and the infants  or nymphs  fall to the ground, burying themselves in the soil, according to National Geographic.

A few weeks after the mating period, the cicadas die.

So when are the cicadas coming to New England?

Unless New England residents are willing to drive down to the south or midwest this summer, they wont get to witness the great cicada co-emergence of 2024. But, in the summer of 2025, Brood XIV will emerge across the Northeast. The last time this brood came out was in 2008, Cicadamania reported. Their reappearance will give New Englanders a chance to witness another historical emergence.

Brood XIV was the group European colonists first discovered in the late 15th century and mistook as a biblical plague, according to Cooley.

If you havent experienced one of these things, I do recommend it, Cooley said.

When cicadas emerge, they usually fill the air with their loud, buzzing sound. They also shed their skin, leaving millions of molted cicada shells on the ground as a souvenir of sorts.

If you dont get out to see it this year, definitely go out to Cape Cod next summer and see it there, Cooley added. There is nothing else like it on the planet.
Each winter, Cindy and I look forward to participating in a raptor survey for the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

We drive a specific route and record all raptors, mainly eagles and hawks, plus the occasional falcon or owl. We record data on the bird, plus the GPS position of our vehicle, direction and approximate distance to the bird.

NDOW places our data on a map, which allows them to see where that raptor was located and what type of habitat it was using. Our driving route is short and along a bad road, but it is valuable since it gathers data from hay fields, good areas for spotting raptors.

This is a statewide program consisting of 68 driving routes, over 20 of which are in the Elko area. These routes are driven once in January. Generally, two people do each route, so over 100 participants spend part of a January day gathering data on Nevadas winter raptors. Most participants are agency people, NDOW, BLM, USFS or NPS but a few are like us, citizen volunteers. NDOW greatly appreciates all the people who help and especially volunteers since our hours and milage can be used as matches for grants.

Routes include highways but over half the routes around the state are on gravel roads. Routes are set up on roads deemed to be safe to drive slowly and pull over to record a raptor.

I always feel a slight embarrassment about our route. Most driving routes extend up to 100 miles and may require participants to drive an hour just to begin their route. Our route is 15 miles outside of Elko and 15 miles in length, the shortest route in the state.

I feel better about ours, since it can be a poor dirt road even without snow cover. Some years, Cindy swears she is never going with me on that road again, but she usually forgets how bad it was by the next January.

Mackenzie Jeffress is the wildlife diversity biologist in the Elko NDOW office. She works with Jess Brooks, a NDOW staff specialist in Reno, to coordinate the raptor surveys.

In last years survey, participants reported 354 red-tailed hawks, the most common raptors seen in the state, plus 154 golden eagles. Also seen were 152 rough-legged hawks, common winter visitors. Participants reported seeing 78 American kestrels, our smallest falcons, and 43 prairie falcons.

Driving routes typically see a handful of bald eagles in Nevada each year, but the National Park Service conducts boat surveys on Lake Mead and Lake Mojave in southern Nevada. These surveys often document more than 100 bald eagles in a single day.

Mackenzie is happy this year since all 68 road routes across the state have participants. These surveys provide data on almost two dozen raptor species identified as Species of Greatest Conservation Need in the 2022 Nevada State Wildlife Action Plan. This is the last year of a 5-year data gathering. All the data will then be analyzed to come up with any trends in populations and also any changes in routes or procedures.

Much of the count depends on weather conditions. In our case, if the dirt road is easy to drive we usually see few raptors. It is the years when the road is barely passable that we see more birds. Bad weather conditions seem to drive raptors farther south, into the valleys and onto hay fields.

During one memorably bad road year, we counted 14 golden eagles along the hay fields. On another year, we drove a bare road and saw three raptors. (Mackenzie tells me there are other factors in play governing the numbers of raptors seen but I am sticking with the bad road theory.)

We could do our count today but we are going to wait, hoping enough snow will soon fall to make the road bad and the raptor sightings good.
A Peabody woman and her two sons will be laid to rest in Worcester almost two weeks after they were shot and killed in New York.

Ornela Morgan, 43, and her sons Gabriel, 12, and Liam, 10, all died on Dec. 30 in their home in New City, a hamlet within the town of Clarkstown, according to their obituaries. They were killed in what Clarkstown police believe to be a murder-suicide.

At around 12:20 a.m., police arrived at a home at 10 Clydesdale St. for a welfare check, according to a post from police on Facebook. When police arrived, they found the mother and her sons dead, along with a dead man identified as Watson Morgan, 49, a Bronxville Police Department sergeant.

All four were found to have gunshot wounds and pronounced dead at the scene, Clarkstown police said, adding that a handgun was found in the house.

Read more: Quincy man killed in pedestrian crash was a Coast Guard seaman

In their investigation, police said it was believed that Watson killed his wife and two children, prior to killing himself with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Ornela worked as a technology teacher and tech coordinator at One World Middle School at Edenwald in the Bronx, The Journal News reported. Gabriel was a seventh-grader at Felix Festa Middle School, while his brother Liam went to Laurel Plains Elementary and was in fifth grade.

The mother was born in Albania and came to Massachusetts to live with her aunt as a high schooler, the newspaper wrote. She earned a bachelors degree from Salem State College, a masters of science in special needs education from Salem State College, and a second masters degree from New York Institute of Technology.

Read more: Cambridge man who died in apartment fire was a writer from Rhode Island

An initial wake will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday at St. Francis of Assisi Church in West Nyack, N.Y. Another wake will be held on Friday at St. Marys Albanian Church in Worcester from 10 to 11 a.m., followed by a funeral Mass.

The mother and her sons will be buried at Hope Cemetery in Worcester, the obituaries said. Ornelas obituary added that donations can be made in lieu of flowers to Meals on Wheels in Rockland County, to the 9/11 Foundation or to St. Marys Albanian Church.
SPRINGFIELD  Averting a path to federal prison, rapper G Herbo was sentenced to three years of probation for his role in a widespread identity fraud ring that yielded luxury perks for emerging rap artists and their associates.

Born Herbert Wright III, G Herbo was among multiple defendants charged nearly four years ago in U.S. District Court in this city. Among the businesses ripped off in the scheme were private jet charter companies in Massachusetts.
A Springfield man was sentenced for sex trafficking a teenager who was in the custody of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, acting United States Attorney Joshua Levys office announced Friday.

U.S. District Court Judge Mark Mastroianni sentenced Carlos Casillas, 51, to 220 months, or over 18 years, in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, Levys office said in a statement. Casillas was convicted by a federal jury of one count of sex trafficking of a minor on July 14, 2023.

An investigation into Casillas began on Sept. 3, 2021, looking into sex trafficking activity that involved a 13-year-old girl living in a group home in DCF custody, Levys office said. During the trial, evidence was presented that showed Casillas solicited the teenager over Facebook Messenger.

Casillas talked about her leaving the group home and exchanging money for services. He then picked her up from the group home and took her to a local motel under the guise of taking her to Boston, Levys office said.

Casillas was arrested in February 2022 on charges of aggravated rape of a child and enticing a child. In May 2022, he was indicted of sex trafficking a minor. A charge of trafficking a minor could mean as much as 10 years in federal prison if convicted, followed by five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

Casillas knowingly used his age difference and superior resources to entice the victim, Levys office said.

Let the message go out loud and clear  if you prey on vulnerable girls and traffick minors you will spend a long, long time behind bars, Levy said in the statement. Casillas used this victims vulnerability and challenging circumstances to take advantage of her. Preying on vulnerable young children will never ... be tolerated.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide effort to fight child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.
Henry J.R. Del-Rio was named by law enforcement officials as the suspected gunman behind what prosecutors characterized as a cold case homicide involving the shooting death of a Malden woman.

Del-Rio was indicted and charged by a grand jury Friday morning in connection with the shooting, located outside Braza Bar and Grill in Everett on Aug. 13, 2015, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan announced during a press conference on Friday.

One of the bullets struck and killed Ashlee Berryman, 21, Ryan said.

Mr. Del-Rio was charged with first-degree murder, assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon (firearm), attempt to commit assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon (firearm) and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, as well as carrying a firearm, a subsequent offense, she said.

Ryan described what happened that night: Berryman was at the restaurant to see her boyfriend, who performed at a concert. Concert-goers went outside to meet in the parking lot. Del-Rio and another man were in the parking lot to meet with two men. Del-Rio and the man he was with are associated with the Eastside Money gang in Chelsea, Ryan said.

At around 12:50 a.m., Del-Rios associate and one of the men got into an intense argument. After they split up, Del-Rio fired nine times from a .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol toward the two men as they ran off, Ryan said. Bullets hit one man in his feet and ankles, another struck the roof of a parked car, another hit the window of a Rite-Aid nearby and another struck a city sign.

Read more: Springfield man sentenced for sex trafficking foster teen he met on Facebook

Another bullet hit Berryman in the back, Ryan said. She later died from her injury. The Massachusetts State Police Firearms Identification Section identified cartridge casings that were found to all be from the same gun.

Investigators were able to identify multiple witnesses who saw the defendant in the Braza parking lot at the time of the shooting, Ryan said. They also learned that the defendant in the days following had brazenly told people that he had engaged in that shooting that he was responsible for the shot that killed Ashlee Berryman.

She added that among Del-Rios associates, there was an intentional agreement to hide what happened and say nothing about it. They talked about how to get rid of the gun, which has since not been recovered by law enforcement.

Ryan credited the persistence of investigators to continue looking for evidence and having witnesses speak with a grand jury. In a statement, she said that her offices Cold Case Homicide Unit looked further into the details of the case, and told reporters that this case represents an enormous persistence in work.

The unit worked with Massachusetts State Police, the Everett Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Ryans office said in a statement. Chelsea Police also assisted in the investigation.

I established Middlesexs Cold Case Unit in 2019 to deliver concrete results, Ryan said in her statement. Todays charges are yet another example of how this unit is ensuring that those who commit violent acts in this county understand that the mere passage of time will do nothing to affect our resolve in pursuing them.

Ashlee Berryman, known to those who loved her as Penny, was a completely innocent victim who was caught in a hail of gunfire, she said during the press conference. Those actions ripped her from her then 3-year-old son as well as her other family and friends. Her family has waited over eight years for the answers as to what happened, and the community of Everett left shaken and afraid by the fact that this took place in a very public place, now knows the circumstances of what took place ...

Del-Rio is in federal custody and is expected to be arraigned in Middlesex Superior Court at a later date, as early as Tuesday, Ryan said.

There is nothing surprising about what took place here, Ryan said. What is surprising is that more people were not hurt given the number of times that this gun was fired in a city that is densely populated.
The suspected Worcester State University shooter pled not guilty on Friday before a Worcester Superior Court judge.

Kevin Rodriguez, 18, of Lawrence, was indicted by a grand jury on Dec. 21 and arraigned on Friday on the charges of murder, possession of a loaded firearm not at home or work and possession of a firearm not at home or work, Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr.s office told MassLive.

Rodriguez first appeared in Worcester District Court on Thursday, Nov. 9, where a judge entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf to charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and armed assault with intent to murder, in connection with the shooting death of Randy Armando Melendez Jr., 19, at Worcester State on Oct. 28.

Two groups, a group of four from Southbridge and a group of six from Lawrence, attended a party at a Worcester pub the night before the shooting, Assistant District Attorney Lina Pashou told Judge Michael Allard-Madaus in November.

They met up at a campus parking lot, Pashou said. Surveillance footage showed the groups doing burnouts in their cars, which escalated to physical fights between the two groups. One member of the Southbridge group, an individual who police have not yet named, fired a gun in the air, she said.

Read more: Springfield man sentenced for sex trafficking foster teen he met on Facebook

Rodriguez left one of the cars, raised a gun and fired three shots at Melendez, Pashou said. Spencer resident Richard Nieves also fired a gun that shot an unidentified 21-year-old man, but he survived but is now paralyzed at the waist down, the district attorneys office said.

Nieves is also accused of having robbed the second victim, with the help of 20-year-old Southbridge resident Kenneth Doelter, before shooting him.

At the scene, campus police found Melendez and the second victim with gunshot wounds, and they were soon rushed to a hospital where Melendez died.

Nieves was arrested at the scene and was soon charged with trespassing and carrying a firearm without a license, while Rodriguez went on the run from police for several days following the shooting, authorities said previously. He was eventually arrested in New York and brought back to Massachusetts.

Rodriguezs next court appearance is scheduled for March 4.
HOLYOKE  Holyoke police will soon scrap a 30-year-old record-keeping system  and hit the cloud. Faster reporting and analysis of crime data will enable police to make better decisions, officials say.

David Pratt, chief of the Holyoke Police Department, said the new Mark43 system will provide officers, detectives, records personnel and telecommunications staff with state-of-the-art tools, after decades stuck in an information age slow lane.

As a result, police will be able to better fight crime and serve the community, he said. This partnership enables closer collaboration with neighboring agencies and cross-county partners so we can work together in our shared mission of public safety, Pratt said.

Right now, the department keeps track of reports and records in giant logbooks and with an old floppy disk system that is about three decades old, said Holyoke Officer Walber Borrego.

Officers can only access information by coming back to the station, Borrego said in an interview. By the fall of 2025, the new system will be in place, after years of data is transferred from the old system to the new cloud platform.

We are basically going to be building the system from the ground up, Borrego said.

The new system will include computer-aided emergency dispatch software and enable police to run data analytics in real time. The system will be able to pinpoint call and response locations and provide summaries of trends with a National Incident-Based Reporting System.

The initial start-up cost was included in the departments capital budget and the annual subscription will run the department about $130,000 a year, depending on what software programs are used, Borrego said.

How it works

The system will be tailored to Holyokes needs. An officer will be able to look up break-ins, for example, while a supervisor uses it to track things that need to be approved. The system will be updated as laws or policies change, Borrego said.

With the upgrades, Holyoke PD users will be able to access data quicker, improving officer safety, awareness and their ability to serve the community, police say.

Until now, compiling basic statistics has been done manually. The new system, Borrego said, will allow police to instantly pull up visuals, graphs and reports instead of having to sort through paper records. The system will help the department be more transparent and provide more timely information to the media, City Council and public safety committee.

The software will let the department share information in real time with other departments.

This is an opportunity to get officers back in the field and out of the office, said Matt Polega, co-founder and president of Mark43. They will not be spending so much time writing police reports ... but getting back to the job they signed up for on day one.

Mark43 partners with over 200 local, state and federal public safety agencies and police departments across the country, including the Boston Police Department.

In addition to Holyoke, the Hampden County Sheriffs Office and the West Springfield Police Department are implementing Mark43 technology, he said.

Crime doesnt stop at a jurisdictional line. A criminal doesnt say I am only going to commit a crime in Holyoke because that is more convenient for the Holyoke Police Department.  Not only will Holyoke have a great view, they will be able to track crime as it happens. This coalition of police departments across the state and commonwealth will be able to work arm and arm to fight crime, Polega said.

Mark43 got its start with the Massachusetts State Police and the Springfield Police Department 11 years ago, Polega said.

To be coming back 11 years later is meaningful and rewarding, he said. Ultimately it makes us proud and humble to serve the committee that gave us our start.

This story has been corrected to reflect that Mark43 partners with over 200 agencies across the country, and that the Massachusetts State Police is not a current client.
Fathema Jaleel and Riley Westcott will join more than 300 other 8th graders this weekend in this years class of unsung heroes for a statewide youth-led community service program.

Tomorrow, they will attend a day of Project 351 activities in Boston to kick off a transformative year of service and leadership. A nonprofit organization, Project 351inspires students through the ethic of service and values of kindness, compassion, humility and gratitude.

Jaleel is a student at the Westfield Middle School while Westcott attends Southwick Regional School. Theyre among a group of quiet leaders selected from eighth graders in nearly every one of the states 351 towns and cities.
A farmer from Hollymount who left over 360 sheep in what were described as horrific conditions has received a suspended sentence.

Michael Crishel, of Lecarrow, Hollymount, pleaded guilty to 20 offences relating to the neglect of animals when he appeared before Castlebar District Court.

The court heard details of sheep that were left lame, disease-ridden and emaciated as a result of Mr Crishels failure to provide them with enough food at rented land in Headford.

The 61 year old also pleaded guilty to charges of failing to dispose of animal carcasses and causing the unnecessary suffering of animals.

On one occasion, Department of Agriculture inspectors who visited his farm found the skeletal remains of a sheep who got caught in a fence and were unable to free themselves.

The court heard that the sheep were living in such poor conditions that over 300 animals were seized by the Department of Agriculture on foot of an emergency seizure order. Five sheep died following the seizure while the rest were subsequently sold off.

In addition to being banned from keeping sheep for at least five years, Mr Crishel has been given until May 1 to sell all of his remaining sheep.

Mr Crishel, who cares for his terminally ill wife, argued that this would have a detrimental effect on his income.

Judge Vincent Deane, who also imposed three four-month custodial sentences suspended for two years, told Mr Crishel that he was being extremely lenient given the seriousness of the offences.



Suffering

AT 12.30pm on November 17, 2022, David Cosgrave, an employee with the Department of Agriculture, attended land in Annaghkeen, Headford after receiving a complaint from the animal-welfare hotline.

Mr Cosgrave called for assistance after he discovered over 300 sheep on the land, including 27 carcasses.

The carcasses were in various different stages of decomposition, ranging from skeletal, to fresh to partially decomposed, while others had been disturbed by wildlife.

Mr Cosgraves colleague, Aoife Mulherin, an inspector with the Department of Agriculture, told the court that the grass had been eaten right down and that there was no evidence of supplementary feeding.

A number of sheep were experiencing various medical conditions. One sheep had a secondary bacterial condition and had contracted a viral condition called orf, which had developed to such an extent that sores had spread all over its face.

Many of the animals appeared to be suffering, including one sheep that was seizing because of a brain infection or end stage hypoglycaemia.

Two sheep were experiencing listeriosis, which caused them to circle to one side.

The rest of the sheep were described as lethargic and not very alert.

Twenty percent of the sheep were lame while there was widespread incident of diarrhoea.

A number of sheep had also had fleece loss to the degree that it revealed their emaciated physical state.



Follow-up calls

AFTER establishing that Mr Crishel was the owner following local inquiries, Mr Cosgrave called him and told him to attend the animals due to very serious concerns for their welfare.

Mr Crishel told him that he was too busy at the time and would call to collect the carcasses in the evening.

Ms Mulherin and Mr Cosgrave later met Mr Crishel at his home farm in Hollymount, where he said he had been under pressure and overwhelmed and had a lot of animals to look after at home.

Mr Crishel was then served with a legal letter stipulating that his animals receive veterinary attention and, if necessary, euthanasia and that he remove the carcasses.

The sheep were also provided with mineral licks and supplementary feeding the next day.

During a follow-up visit on January 1, 2023, Mr Cosgrave detected no major incidents, noting that the carcasses had been removed and that there was sufficient grass.

Mr Cosgrave, Ms Mulherin and authorised officer Mary Keane visited the farm in Annaghkeen again on March 10, 2023, after a colleague in Galway County Council received a complaint from a member of the public regarding dead sheep on the land.

On this occasion, the grass was described as very, very bare while an even more of the animals were experiencing lameness.

Carcasses were spread out across land near Annaghkeen peer, including the skeletal remains of a sheep who got its head caught in a fence and was unable to free itself.

Another animal was tangled up in silage wrapping, while the remains of a sheeps skull were also discovered.

Several sheep had lost wool and were lethargic from lack of food.

Mr Cosgrave, Ms Mulherin and Ms Keane discussed the level of risk to the animals before deciding to order an emergency seizure of 363 sheep.



Animals seized

ON March 14, eight officers from the regional veterinarian office and a garda from Headford Garda station attended the seizure.

The sheep were then removed to a premises outside the county. Other sheep, who were living in a shed that was described as dirty, did not meet the criteria for seizure and were left behind.

The seized animals were seen by a private veterinarian, who treated all of them for parasites, two for pneumonia and 70 for lameness. Five sheep, who weighed approximately 20 kilogrammes each, died after leaving the premises.

Mr Crishel subsequently received a notice regarding the seizure.

The seizure cost 17,113.73, including 4,700 for haulage, 700 for veterinarian fees, 1,300 for auctioneers fees.

The animals fetched a total of 12,800 at sale, 4,261 of which had yet to be recouped.

Ms Mulherin said that the Department of Agriculture wished that Mr Crishel be banned outright from owning sheep.

The department also objected to a cap being placed on the number of sheep he could keep due to the difficulty in policing sheep ownership. There was no objection to Mr Crishel being allowed to continue owning cattle.



A disgrace

HIS solicitor, Gary Mulchrone, admitted that his client was farming beyond his capabilities and indicated that the landowner in Headford wanted to terminate his lease.

Mr Mulchrone said that what his client did was a disgrace and out of character for him.

The court heard that Mr Crishel owns 52 acres of land in Hollymount. He has reduced the number of sheep he currently owns to approximately 500, which Mr Mulcrhone described as much more manageable for him. He had not come to the attention of the Department of Agriculture prior to these offences.

Addressing the court, Mr Crishel said that his care for the sheep had got out of hand after his wife contracted terminal cancer.

Mr Crishel disputed the number of lame sheep he had, saying that only a few of them were suffering lameness.

He said that he had applied urea fertiliser to the land a month before the sheep were confiscated, adding that they had been given supplementary feeding from buckets throughout the winter.

He added that more than five sheep would have died if his animals were that badly treated prior to them being seized.

Mr Crishel said he would have no income if he were banned from owning sheep, as his wife is unable to work due to her illness.



Self-serving testimony

JUDGE Vincent Deane described his testimony as self-serving and warned that a custodial sentence would be appropriate for an offence of this nature.

Farmers in Mayo have a long and proud tradition of animal welfare and treating their animals [well]. This reflects very badly, Judge Deane stated.

Mr Mulchrone argued that a custodial sentence would not serve any good and asked Judge Deane to impose a cap on the number of sheep his client could own.

This isnt somebody who has been on the radar a long time, ducking and diving, neglecting his duties. He has a reputation of looking after good quality sheep, said Mr Mulchrone.

Judge Deane imposed three four-month sentences suspended for a period of two years for the various offences.

He also imposed a Section 58 order banning Mr Crishel from owning sheep for at least five years. This condition would be attached to his bail bond for a period of two years.

Mr Crishel was also ordered to sell his remaining sheep by May 1 and to pay back money owed to the Department of Agriculture for the cost of seizing and selling the sheep.
Michael Ring TD, has confirmed that 176,616 in funding has been allocated in total to four Mayo groups under the CLAR Programme (Measure 1).

Deputy Michael Ring stated: I am delighted to confirm that 176,616 has been awarded to four very worthy projects in Mayo under the CLAR Programme. CLAR is a targeted investment programme for rural areas that aims to provide funding for small infrastructural projects in rural areas. This targeted investment can have a huge impact on small rural communities."

Deputy Michael Ring continued: Time and time again, we have seen the very positive impact that funding of this nature can have on local communities. These projects help communities to thrive and develop.

The Government are committed to investing in rural Ireland and improving the quality of life for rural areas. This funding is very welcome news.

The following are the successful groups in County Mayo:



Louisburgh Community Futures CLG - The repair and refurbishment of Louisburgh Town Hall - 49,500



Bohola Community Biodiversity Park - Provision of a walkway and seating - 50,000



Burrishoole Community Partnership - The development of an outdoor park - 44,616



Ballina Garracloon National School - Resurface of play area - 32,500


Carlow/Kilkenny Fianna Fail TD, Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, refused to answer 'straightforward' questions in an RTE radio interview on Thursday morning over plans to house male international protection applicants in the Capuchin building.

The Government reversed their plans to house fifty male international protection applicants at the Capuchin building located on Dublin Street, Carlow Town following an uproar on social media and protests in the county.

It has now been confirmed by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth that families will be housed at the old Friary building instead.

Local representatives were first informed about the housing plan on Tuesday, January 9 and on Wednesday evening, January 10 it was announced that the Department decided families must take precedence for accommodation.

Carlow Fianna Fail TD Jennifer Murnane O'Connor was interviewed on RTE Radio 1 on the topic where she was pressed on if she supported and joined the the protests during the week.

'The first information we had received was on Tuesday from the Department.

'I received a briefing document about international protection applicants going into the Capuchin Friary. There was a lot of false information and phone calls coming to my office.

Murnane stated: 'As TD for Carlow my priority was to find out what I could for the people of Carlow. I was on to the Department and the Community Engagement team.

'Tuesday I got information and the applications were to go in on Friday.

'We had no information. I had no information, I had no communication with any of my constituency, none at all.'

When asked: 'What more information did you need?' by RTE broadcaster Mary Wilson, Deputy Murnane said she needed to know the exact ages of those who would be accommodated, the services they would be provided, and whether they were vetted.

All asylum seekers entering Ireland are 'vetted' upon arrival to the county, the RTE presenter pointed out to the Deputy.

The Carlow TD said: 'Of course and families and children are a priority...I would have said children to me are very much a priority.'

RTE Radio 1's Mary Wilson asked: 'Hold on a minute Deputy, I'm trying to establish when...your first communication was that it was going to be male asylum seekers, when did that change to families?'

Deputy Murnane added: 'I received word Wednesday that families were going to be a priority for accommodation.

'I think we have to be very mindful here, whether it is man, woman or child, I am very mindful of that.'

Mary Wilson asked: 'Were you personally against male asylum seekers being housed in the Capuchin centre?'

Deputy Murnane said: 'Mary, I am there to represent everybody.'

The RTE presented added: 'It's a straightforward question. You're a leader in your community.'

Deputy Murnane added: 'We have to be very mindful, we are talking about human beings...I wanted to let my constituency know what was happening...

'We have to be very mindful that we are talking about human beings here, man, women, or child....my time as a public representative was to be working with the Department to get information.'

The RTE presenter added: 'I understand that and you've said that...I do want to establish two things...did you protest with those who were protesting at the Capuchin centre and we you speaking in favour of housing male asylum seekers there or were you saying no to the Department about that. Just two simple questions.'

Deputy Murnane again failed to answer and said: 'This isn't simple', she stated and was interrupted by the presenter who hit back and said: 'It's not simple but the questions are straightforward.'

'Mary, remember, we are talking about human beings.'

Mary again interrupted and asked: 'Did you protest? Did you support the protest?'

Deputy Murnane said: "Mary, I will speak to everyone that was protesting there.'

Mary asked again: 'Did you join them on that protest?'

Deputy Murnane: 'I am now Mary...and today I will speak to everybody...'

Mary asked again: 'I know ya, but did you join them on the protest.'

Deputy Murnane added: 'Mary, my time is more beneficial working with the Department...'

Mary replied: 'You're not going to answer that question...did you support the housing of male asylum seekers or did you push for families?'

Deputy Murnane added: 'I pushed to get information to confirm that children and families are going into the Capuchins now...'

Mary concluded: 'We'll leave it there, I did ask you two simple questions, I haven't got the answers to that but we will leave it there for now.'
ELKO  Election season kicked off the first of the year with voters receiving mail-in ballots for Nevadas Presidential Preference Primary on Feb. 6.

But Republican voters are wondering about three glaring omissions on the ballot  former President Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.

Instead, the three are participating in the Republican Caucus two days later. State Republican leaders earlier decided presidential candidates could only earn delegates through the caucus.

In an email to Elko County Republican Party members sent by Chairman Lee Hoffman, the candidates opted out of the Presidential Preference Primary so they could participate in the caucus, which is what will send delegates to the Republican National Convention.

Caucus results  not the Primary  will determine how many of Nevadas 26 delegates will go to each candidate at the convention  where the Republican nominee will be decided, Hoffman explained.

Hoffman added Nevadas Republican Partys rules require candidates to choose either the primary or the caucus. In the Primary, [candidates] will not receive any delegates.

But voters can participate in both, he said. If you want to support a candidate who is not on the [Presidential Preference] Primary, be sure to take part in your Caucus with others from your precinct.

Hoffman suggested voters participate in the Primary to maintain their voting record. The Caucus will not have a mail-in ballot and there will be no same-day registration for Caucus voting.

Candidates for primary and caucus

The Democratic candidate field includes President Joe Biden, Gabriel Cornejo, Superpayaseria Crystalroc, Brent Foutz, John Haywood, Stephen Alan Leon, Frankie Lozada, Stephen Lyons, Jason Michael Palmer, Donald Picard, Mark R. Prascak, Armando Mando Perez-Serrato and Marianne Williamson.

The Republican field includes former U.N. Ambassador and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki R. Haley, John Anthony Castro, Heath V. Fulkerson, Donald Kjornes and Hirsh V. Singh.

Both parties include None of These Candidates on their ballots.

Former Vice President Mike Pence remains on the ballot. He announced on Oct. 28 was ending his campaign, nearly two weeks after Nevadas primary filing window closed.

Another Republican candidate, Tim Scott, is on the ballot after suspending his campaign on Nov. 12.

Republican Caucus candidates include Trump, DeSantis, Ramaswamy and Ryan Binkley.

Chris Christie, who filed for the caucus, announced on Wednesday he was suspending his campaign, joining Doug Burgum, who dropped out on Dec. 4.

Presidential Preference Primary

The Presidential Preference Primary is not new to Nevada. Since 1973, Nevada lawmakers have passed various legislation creating or canceling presidential primary elections, which came after 20 years of state party conventions nominating presidential candidates.

At times, lawmakers repealed primary elections due to low voter turnout and high costs, using a closed caucus system instead for voters to choose delegates for Democratic and Republican national conventions.

In 1995, the Nevada Legislature handed the decision-making power on whether to have a primary or caucus over to the major political parties for the 1996 election. Republicans favored the presidential preference primary.

Another attempt at creating presidential preference primary elections failed three years later, with two bills originating in the Assembly and Senate dying in the lower chamber for lack of action, and caucuses remained for subsequent elections.

Twenty-five years later, lawmakers in the 2021 Legislature passed a new bill, AB 126 backed by Assembly Democrats, to create a presidential primary election for Democrats and Republicans and eliminate the caucus system.

However, Nevada GOP stood against the measure and were allowed by the courts to use caucuses to keep the system for their partys delegate selection.

Republican voters in the 2024 election can participate in both systems, casting their vote twice within two days. First in the Feb. 6 primary and again on Feb. 8 in the caucus.

Nevadas primary is expected to draw the nations attention, as the state is one of three conducting elections in February, which could indicate a direction for the Democratic and Republican nominees heading into Novembers general election.

South Carolinas Democratic primary is Feb. 3 and the Republican primary is three weeks later. Michigans is scheduled for Feb. 27.

The first state to open the Presidential Primary season is New Hampshire on Jan. 23 following Iowas GOP caucuses on Monday.

Voters throughout the rest of the nation will cast their votes in March and into the first week of June.

Voting dates and times

The Nevada Primarys early voting starts Jan. 27 and runs through Feb. 2, with polling locations at the Elko County Library and the Owyhee Human Development Center, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 27 and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 29 to Feb. 2.

The Elko Indian Colony will host early voting 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 31 at 2250 Indian View Heights.

Anyone with questions are welcome to contact Hoffman, or visit elkonvgop.org for more information, including a brief informational video on the topic.

To find the location assigned to a voting precinct, visit the Elko County Republican Party website at www.elkonvgop.org/caucus-locations-by-precinct.
Roscrea's only currently operating hotel, the Rackett Hally Hotel and Country Club, will soon accept 160 people seeking international protection, the Tribune has learned.

It is expected the Tipperary hotel will start accommodating refugees from tomorrow (Friday Jan 12) as part of a 12-month contract.

The Department of Integration has informed local TD Jackie Cahill that the Racket Hall in Roscrea is to accept 160 Ukrainian nationals under the Temporary Protection Application process.

Deputy Cahill told the Midland Tribune he received a phone call this afternoon from Minister OGormans office informing him that the Racket Hall in Roscrea is due to accommodate 160 people described as "families of International Protection Applicants".

I spoke to Minister OGorman directly on the phone this afternoon to clarify some points on todays announcement. I can confirm that the Minister informed me that families of International Protection Applicants will be provided with accommodation in the Racket Hall in Roscrea.

I also stressed to the Minister the urgent need for additional resources and services for the town of Roscrea to accommodate these additional numbers moving into the town. I informed the Minister that I was of the view that Roscrea deserved further funding under the Community Recognition Fund and I will be working with officials to secure funding for Roscrea under this in future rounds of funding, Deputy Cahill told this site.

I would have concerns in relation to the available infrastructure and resources in Roscrea to cater for these new arrivals into the town. This is something I have raised on numerous occasions previously, including in the Dail. Particularly in relation to healthcare and education, it is vital that we see the supports following so that services that are under pressure in the town are adequately provided for.

I have made this point to my Government colleague, Minister OGorman today. I have also raised the fact that Roscrea needs to receive increased funding under the Community Recognition Fund in acknowledgement of the amount of work this town is doing in providing accommodation and services for those fleeing war.

I will continue to raise these points with my colleagues in Government so that Roscrea gets the funding and supports it needs and deserves, Deputy Cahill said.

Sinn Fein local election candidate for the Roscrea Templemore LEA Breandan O Conchuir said he has written to the Minisiter for Integration to express his concern over the recent decision to house ayslum seekers in the Racket Hall hotel and asked what increased funding has been made available to ensure local services can meet the needs of both locals and those being kept in the Racket Hall.

Breandan O'Conchuir said: "This is yet another example of the failed asylum policy of Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, and the Greens, who are continuing to house asylum seekers in privately owned and ran direct provision centres, who's owners make substantial profits from the state. Sinn Fein has always opposed this system and continue to do so", he said.

"Less than a year on from the decision to house Ukrainians in the old convent, yet it appears the government has learned nothing from that experience and once again is making decisions without informing locals or ensuring services are in place.

"I raised these concerns around the unsuitability of direct provision, the need for improved services, and community engagement with the Minister back in May in relation to the Convent and none of these concerns have been addressed.

"It simply isnt good enough from the government Roscrea has welcomed people from all over the world into their community over the years, the last census showed 17% of the population of Roscrea was from non-Irish ethnic backgrounds, these people live and work locally and have by and large integrated into the community.

"However you cannot have integration without honesty, and it is clear the government is not interested in honesty. I also would have concerns as to the change of the Racket hall from a hotel to a direct provision centre, it is the only hotel in the town and any effort to develop tourism in the area will suffer if we do not have accommodation.

"And of course the hotel is almost 3 kilometres from the town along a road without a footpath. Weve already seen in Dundrum in the south of the county where Ukrainians are being accommodated in a similar situation the council has refused to install a footpath.

"Once again we are seeing a lack of planning and a lack of communication from the government - communities deserve better", Mr O'Conchuir said.

More on this story as it happens.
Ireland is once again bracing for plunging temperatures with lows of -7 degrees expected early next week, according to one forecaster.

Cathal Nolan from Ireland's Weather Channel has said temperatures will plummet over the weather and that snow could impact numerous areas.

In an update, Cathal said: "Were on the cusp of the weekend, but, were also on the cusp of the coldest spell of weather so far this winter. Changes are ahead, hopefully here I can answer some of your questions as the picture becomes somewhat clearer.

"That change towards much colder weather begins on Sunday as a weak cold front clears the country during the late morning, introducing clearer, colder air with some wintry showers following behind, readily turning to snow later across the north. Temperatures on Sunday night reaching -5 in some areas.

"Similar conditions are likely on Monday with good sunny spells in most areas, but snow showers will continue along exposed coasts in Ulster and North Connacht with some accumulations likely here. Elsewhere its dry and sunny with temperatures struggling to break freezing. Lows on Monday night down to -6 degrees Celsius.

"Tuesday for most is dry and sunny, though cloud will thicken across the north in the morning as a weak front perhaps brings some snow for a time, but more details on that in due course. Highs struggling to break freezing once again, with lows on Tuesday night down to -6 degrees Celsius again.

"Wednesday sees low pressure pass to the south of Ireland, briefly switching the winds to a more northeasterly source, which will introduce the risk of some flurries for a time along coasts in Leinster. Further showers across the north and northwest with further accumulations here. Dry and sunny elsewhere. Highs -1 to +2, with lows down to -7 in some areas.

"Thursday will be mostly dry and sunny right across the country as a ridge of high pressure builds in briefly, highs again struggling to break freezing, with lows down to -7 or locally -8 degrees in some places as winds fall light.

"Friday begins dry and sunny for all, but high clouds builds from the west late in the day but not before temperatures again dip below freezing.

"Saturday were likely to see a break in our weather with a band of rain and strengthening winds pushing in from the west. Some of the rain may initially fall as sleet or snow, but quickly turning to rain.

"Sunday is a colder day with strong west to northwest winds, with a risk of heavy showers, some wintry over higher ground.

In summary, its a very cold week for all with severe frosts overnight and the likelihood of that frost persisting throughout the day in sheltered areas. Mostly sunny for all, though accumulations of snow are likely across Ulster, north Connacht and possible along the Southwest also. The cold weather remains in place until Saturday, with more of an Atlantic influence thereafter."

Meanwhile, Met Eireann also predicts very cold weather over the weekend and next week. Their outlook says conditions look like "remaining very cold with mixed weather."

They say Friday will be a mostly cloudy and dry day, "however a few breaks in the cloud will occur allowing a few bright or sunny spells through at times. Highest temperatures of 4 to 7 degrees in light northeast or variable breezes.

"Calm and mostly dry tonight [Friday]. However a little patchy light rain or drizzle is possible along northern coasts overnight. Lowest temperatures of -2 to +2 degrees, with some frost possible under any clear spells, coldest in Munster and Leinster where some clear spells are expected. A few patches of mist or fog possible."

Their Saturday forecast reads: "Dry in many areas at first with a few bright or sunny spells, however cloudier in Ulster with rain and drizzle. The rain and drizzle will move southwards during the afternoon and evening but it may hold dry in Munster for much of the day. Highest temperatures of 4 to 8 degrees, coldest in the south, in a light and variable breeze.

"Patchy light rain or drizzle will continue sinking southwards [on Saturday night], with clear spells following in the north later. Cold and frosty with lowest temperatures of -3 to +2 degrees."

On Sunday, Met Eireann foresee "a mix of sunny spells and cloud to start with patches of light rain or drizzle. Brightening up with further sunny spells developing through the day, with just isolated showers. Highest temperatures of 4 to 7 degrees in a light to moderate northerly wind.

"Very cold with clear spells and widespread frost [on Sunday night]. Most areas will be dry but there will be isolated wintry showers, mainly feeding into northern areas on a light to moderate northerly breeze. Lowest temperatures of -3 to +1 degrees.

"Cold with frost slow to clear [on Monday]. Most places will be dry and sunny but it will be cloudier in the north and west, bringing scattered wintry showers. Highest temperatures of 2 to 5 degrees in a light northerly wind.

"Current indications suggest Tuesday will be cloudier than previous days, with rain turning to sleet or snow at times over the northern half of the country. Highest temperatures of 3 to 7 degrees with light to moderate southwest or variable breezes."
How people react to a challenge of their status or beliefs tells us much about them and also how they see the world.

Consider the reaction of governmental officials, the media and the Democratic Party to the charge that the last presidential race was compromised in Bidens favor. An assumption of cheating in a presidential election is not new. Both Al Gore and Hillary Clinton made the same claim. What was new was the reaction.

We were told by governmental officials, the media and an entire political party there was NO cheating in the election, and if you continue to insist there was, then you are ignorant, stupid, anti-American, a conspiracy nut and probably racist. You may even need to be arrested. Your charge should be wiped off all media because other ignorant, stupid, anti-American conspiracy nuts might be swayed.

Of course, there was cheating in the last election. That is a fact. There is cheating in almost all elections. The question is not whether there was cheating, but did the cheating have a significant impact on the outcome.

The MAGA folks looked at the data and found Joe Biden won Georgia by less than 1%, i.e., if only one ballot in a hundred wasnt changed, Trump won. He lost Wisconsin by less than 1% and Pennsylvania by less than 1.2%. If Trump had these states, he won the election.

The legitimate question, then, was not if there was cheating, but did the cheating make a difference.

Trump had over 74 million Americans voting for him, and a good share of these thought something was not right. The official reaction was  you are ignorant and deplorable, so shut up.

There is something wrong here, in a democratic republic, when the powerful tell almost half of their citizens, who they openly dislike, to shut up or be censored.

General Ulysses S. Grant reacted to President Johnsons attack on newly conquered southerners by saying, They surely would not make good citizens if they felt that they had a yoke around their necks.

In a proper society, the powerful dont attack their opponents as being too ignorant to think properly. They instead investigate claims and treat their fellow citizens with respect.

We see similar negative patterns in other areas. Typically, if someone challenges your scientific research or even your science-based opinions, it creates a dialog. People generally dont go around calling someone who has a different opinion about something factual as a hick, or an ignorant racist.

This is more typical of someone challenging a religious belief than a scientific, or even a political view.

Look at the reaction to someone claiming COVID vaccines are generally ineffective and, in some cases, actually dangerous. What has been the reaction to such claims? Was there an open dialog, or were people told they were ignorant, didnt know what they were talking about, and to shut up? Their crazy opinions were dangerous and should never see the light of day. In fact, such crazy persons should lose their jobs.

We see the same pattern in the nondebate about global warming (aka, climate change). Essentially, we are fed daily with only one point of view. What we hear and see is something like this: There is no debate about global warming. Every respectable person agrees with us. People who disagree with us are not only wrong, they are dangerous. Opponents to climate change are conspiracy nuts, uneducated, easily swayed, haters of third-world peoples, and probably getting paid by evil energy companies. Consequently, those who refuse to debate have the right (due to a monopoly of the truth) to tell you what stove you can use, what automobile you can drive, what farmers can raise, what power plant will close, and if you can use cash to buy something.

Then the same people turn around and wonder why anyone would vote for Trump, when their own ego and desire for power is creating Trump.
Republican voters throughout Nevada are now receiving their official mail-in ballots for the Feb. 6 Nevada Presidential Preference Primary.

Voters are stunned to find missing from the official GOP primary ballot the name of former President Donald J. Trump.

Also missing from the GOP primary ballot is the name of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis  as well as Vivek Ramaswamy.

The GOP ballot does contain the name of former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley along with two candidates who have suspended their campaigns (Mike Pence and Tim Scott) and four political unknowns.

Republican voters have expressed outrage and confusion in social media posts and have flooded local election officials with questions about their ballots.

Most misdirect their anger.

The ballots are not mistakes. The confusion was predictable. Its a result of the Nevada Republican Partys decision to ban candidates whose names appear on the primary ballot from participating in the Nevada GOPs party caucus on Feb. 8.

The Democrats didnt cause this. Or the Secretary of State. Or county registrars. The sole responsibility for this primary election fiasco rests with the Nevada Republican Party.

By way of history:

In 2021, the Nevada Legislature in a bipartisan super-majority vote of both houses approved a law shifting the states presidential nominating system from a caucus model, now used by only a few states, to a primary model run by state and local election officials instead of party officials.

Legislators found caucuses to be exclusionary; primaries increase participation.

In July 2023, the Nevada Republican Party filed a lawsuit to block the state from holding a primary. The party insisted on conducting a caucus instead. The lawsuit was dismissed and an appeal denied.

Nevada GOP Chairman Michael McDonald and state party leadership are longtime supporters of Trump. They know a tightly controlled caucus with limited participation advantages Trump.

A primary system with vastly more Republican voters involved would result in a less certain outcome.

The last three Nevada GOP presidential caucuses (2008, 2012, 2016) averaged 51,000 voters. The last GOP presidential primary back in 1996 had 146,000 votes cast.

At a September 2023 meeting in Winnemucca closed to the press, the Nevada GOP adopted a rule that any presidential candidate who put their name on the state-run primary ballot would be prohibited from participating in the party caucus election and ineligible to be awarded any of the states 26 national convention delegates.

Another rule required a $55,000 fee to be paid to the Nevada GOP by each presidential candidate registering for the caucus. Without money to conduct the caucus, the Nevada GOP wanted the candidates to finance it.

While a caucus is completely unnecessary, what the party could have done and should have done was let all the candidates participate in both the primary and caucus. In an unambiguous effort to rig the caucus for Trump, it instead prohibited candidates from filing for the primary if they wanted to participate in the caucus.

For those Republicans confused by the absence of their candidate and wanting to write in the name of their preferred choice  that cant be done. Nevada doesnt allow write-ins.

Historically, Nevada GOP-run caucuses have proven failures.

In 2012, Nevada caucus results came two days late, with the Nevada Republican Party taking the blame for a shambolic handling of the vote.

With a mere 33,000 caucus voters participating results could not be timely announced.

Nevada political pundit Jon Ralston said the caucus problems were caused by Nevadas Republican Party being completely incompetent. Will the 2024 caucus be different?

The primary vs. caucus confusion has caused GOP presidential campaigns to largely ignore Nevada in making appearances and placing advertising. Its a huge missed opportunity to have created interest and boost registration.

The Nevada GOP created this chaos.
Title: IT Officer

Location: Lubumbashi, DRC

Division: Africa

PATH is a global nonprofit dedicated to achieving health equity. With more than 40 years of experience forging multisector partnerships and with expertise in science, economics, technology, advocacy, and dozens of other specialties, PATH develops and scales up innovative solutions to the worlds most pressing Heath challenges.

PATHs IT department oversees all technology-related services for the organization globally. The department is responsible for all software application services, network infrastructure, computer support, IT vendor management, and program and project management for PATHs IT initiatives.

PATH seeks to recruit an IT Officer who will be responsible for providing support to end users, including staff based in Lubumbashi and field sites, in computer networks, maintenance of the computers, servers, UPS, printing equipment and networking infrastructure.

The IT Officer will be based in Lubumbashi and will work closely with the Lead, Regional System Administrator, the larger International IT team and the PATH DRC team. This role reports to the Lead, Regional System Administrator and will require periodic travel to field programs. There will be periodic travel to field programs and will work under the supervision of the Lead, Regional System Administrator.

Specific responsibilities:

Respond to all staff IT related support requests and provide assistance to HQ based IT engineering staff in troubleshooting network and server issues.

Conduct periodic one-on-one and small group training sessions to ensure the successful adoption and ongoing effective use of PATHs IT solutions including Office 365, MS Teams, One drive, BOX and SharePoint.

Conduct introductory sessions for new staff to familiarize them with IT solutions and policies.

Ensure data backups are running reliably and that data is secure.

Maintain staff PCs and printers.

Keep the supervisor fully informed on a daily basis of all IT problems and advise on what steps are being taken to resolve any problems.

Convene quarterly meetings to brief the supervisor, discuss any performance issues and provide information and feedback concerning IT operations in the project.

Use the global helpdesk ticketing system to log all support requests and document them fully.

Schedule for preventive maintenance of all IT equipment and supervise the same.

Maintain an up-to-date inventory of all IT equipment, both on- and off-site.

Liaise with the ISP to ensure continued availability of the Internet.

Any other IT-related assignment as determined by the Lead, Regional Systems Administrator or Site Admin.

Required Experience

Bachelors Degree in IT/Computer Science or any related field.

At least 3 years of relevant experience in a similar position.

Proven experience in mobile technology.

Microsoft and/or Cisco certification desirable.

Demonstrate progressive experience and responsibilities as an IT professional.

Excellent PC troubleshooting skills.

Proven expertise in IT network administration.

Ability to log incidents accurately and completely in a ticketing system.

Experience in conducting personal and small group IT training sessions and a passion for teaching people about new technologies.

Basic server and network troubleshooting skills; the ability to follow instructions when acting as remote hands for HQ engineering staff.

Understanding of wired and wireless LANs, VPNs, and the ability to diagnose network issues using commonly available tools such as traceroute, ping, and pathing.

Knowledge of Virtualization and Cloud infrastructure management.

Good communication skills.

Ability to travel up to 15% of allocated time.

Candidates must have legal authorization to work in DRC.

Please click on the link below to submit your application.

IT Officer - Lubumbashi Sub-office
by Karlene Lukovitz @KLmarketdaily, January 11, 2024

Netflixs ad-supported subscription plan now has about 23 million monthly active users (MAUs) globally, according to Amy Reinhard, the companys president of advertising.

Thats up from 15 million reported by the streamer in November.

In addition, more than 85% of subscribers on the Standard with Ads tier are streaming on the platform for at least two hours per month, Reinhard said at a Variety summit held during CES in Las Vegas.

Building the ad-supported user base is Netflixs biggest priority at present, but the company is taking the time to work with advertisers and test and monitor response to content and ads to ensure that subscribers remain engaged, she said.

The ad-supported tier  priced in the U.S. at $6.99 per month, versus $15.49 for the ad-free tier  was launched in November 2022, just eight months after Netflix reported its first quarterly subscriber decline since 2011. That 200,000 Q1 loss was followed by a 1 million loss in Q2, before the streaming service began turning the numbers around in second-half 2022.

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In October, Netflix reported that Standard with Ads accounted for 30% of all new Netflix subscriptions through this years third quarter within the 12 countries where the option is currently offered (U.S., U.K., Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico and Spain).
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, January 11, 2024

Siding with Google, a federal appeals court on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit by Best Carpet Values over how its website was displayed in the Android search app results.

The ruling, issued by a three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, centered on a Google-branded footer that appeared at the bottoms of screens in the Android search app and obscured a small portion of the webpage.

When users clicked on that footer, a separate overlay of banner ads for a Best Carpet competitor allegedly appeared. The footer was in use between 2018 and 2002 according to court documents.

Among other claims, Best Carpet's 2020 class-action complaint alleged that Google engaged in trespass to chattels -- meaning that Google allegedly infringed Best Carpet's property rights -- due to the footer.

The company contended that Google abused its dominance of the internet search, internet advertising, and smartphone operating software markets to place advertising for itself, its clients and others on millions of businesses proprietary websites without those businesses consent and without paying for the ad space.

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In 2021, U.S. District Court Judge Edward Davila in the Northern District of California rejected Google's bid to dismiss the case at an early stage.

Google appealed that decision to the 9th Circuit, which reversed Davila's ruling on Thursday.

Circuit Judge J. Clifford Wallace wrote that Best Carpet lacked the kind of "cognizable property interest" in website copies that would warrant a "trespass to chattels" claim. Wallace's opinion was joined by Circuit Judges Sidney Thomas, and Danielle Forrest.

Google had argued to the panel that a contrary ruling would pave the way for an influx of lawsuits against browser and software developers.

A website owner could assert that interest to bar any application that changed the way their website appeared, even if it merely allowed a user to increase the size of text, translate it, or screen images for children, Google wrote in its appeal.

The company also notes that Stanford law professor Mark Lemley and Santa Clara University law professor Eric Goldman both criticized Davila's original ruling.

The nutty Internet 'trespass to chattels' theory is back, Lemley said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Just wait until the court finds out about the 'resize windows' button.

Goldman had characterized Davila's decision as obviously wrong and wholly counterintuitive, in a blog post.
by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, January 12, 2024

Bing, Google, and DuckDuckGo search engines are under fire for serving nonconsensual artificial intelligence (AI) deepfake pornography at the top of some search query results.

The backlash surfaced after an article by NBC News highlighted concerns related to the accessibility of pornography driven by AI technology.

Deepfake pornography can integrate a persons face into a real pornographic scene. A famous womans face may be exchanged with an adult stars face, making it appear that the famous woman is nude or engaged in a sexual act.

NBC News conducted a search on 36 popular female celebrities, using the combination of the persons name and the word deepfakes. Bing and Google, in nearly all cases, served nonconsensual deepfake videos and images at the top of search results.

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Deepfake images and links to the videos appear in the top Google results for 34 of searches and the top Bing results for 35.

Google is aware of the problem and is working to add safeguards in Search results, a Google spokesperson told NBC News. The spokesperson added that its ranking systems are designed to avoid shocking people with unexpected harmful or explicit content.

Results for Bing included fake nude photos of former teen Disney Channel female actors. Some images use pictures of faces that appeared to be taken before they became an adult.

Its important to note that NBC News found the deepfake pornographic images after turning off Bings and Googles safe-search tools features that are intended to protect users from being served explicit content.

Quick tests conducted by the publisher Neowin proved that Bing doesnt show explicit image results in default setting while searching for the same combination, but it does link to websites with inappropriate content or tools to create AI deepfakes.

Google does show explicit images in the default setting, but the images are blurred and shown in full only after the user is notified of the explicit nature of the picture. The user must willingly click on the link to see the images.

DuckDuckGo pulls search results from Bing, so it makes sense why NBC News found some results on the search engine, which focuses on protecting the privacy of its users.

Last week at CES 2024 in Las Vegas, Replica Studios, an artificial intelligence (AI) voice technology company, and The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) addressed a number of issues around audio.

On Tuesday, the two introduced an AI voice agreement to protect and provide professional voiceover artists with an avenue to safely explore employment opportunities for their digital voice replicas based on AI technology.

The agreement would allow AAA video-game studios and other companies working with Replica to access top SAG-AFTRA talent.
by Sarah Mahoney @mahoney_sarah, January 12, 2024

Burberry Group Plc had already thrown a flare that luxury demand was slowing. But the high-end British retailer says business worsened as December wore on.

It warned investors that the final month of the holiday season saw further deceleration, said Jonathan Akeroyd, CEO, in the companys announcement. This is the second such warning in three months. Burberrys stock traded as much as 17% lower on the news.

We are continuing to deliver the transition to our new modern British luxury creative expression for Burberry, which started appearing in our stores in early autumn, Akeroyd said. We are still in the early stages of executing on this, which has become more challenging against the backdrop of slowing luxury demand.

That transition includes the first collections from new designer Daniel Lee, chief creative officer, who joined Burberry in 2022. The company has also begun pricing up, making items in some segments more expensive at a time when even luxury consumers are thinking about their checkbooks.

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Other moves last fall in what the company termed a "new era" included changed ecommerce strategies and marketing tactics aimed at invigorating the in-store experience.

Those include the debut of Burberry Streets, a series of high-visibility takeovers designed to celebrate exploration in cities worldwide, including London, Seoul, and Shanghai. The efforts use sidewalk chalk stencils of the companys Equestrian Knight logo, Burberry-wrapped taxis and British food.

With our redesigned website, new brand signifiers across product and branding and the launch of our global Burberry Streets initiative here in our home market, we're looking forward to sharing the new Burberry world with our clients, wrote Rod Manley, Burberrys CMO, when the campaign launched.

Last week, the company rolled out a collection to celebrate the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Dragon in a campaign shot in Chengdu, China, starring brand ambassadors Tang Wei and Chen Kun.

Burberry makes roughly 43% of its sales in Asia Pacific, 33% in Europe and the Middle East, and 24% in the Americas.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, January 12, 2024

A federal appellate court has revived business groups' challenge to a Maryland law that imposed a first-of-its-kind tax on digital ad sales.

The law, passed over the governor's veto in 2021, taxes companies with more than $100 million in digital ad revenue. Rates vary from 2.5% to 10% of revenue attributable to Maryland, with the percentage tied to global revenue.

The measure also includes a pass-through provision that prohibits companies from directly passing on the cost of taxes to purchasers of digital ads by means of a separate fee, surcharge, or line-item.

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That provision doesn't prevent companies to pass along the cost of taxes by indirectly, by factoring taxes into the total price.

In a decision issued Wednesday, a three-judge panel of the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals allowed business organizations to proceed with a claim that the restriction on directly passing along taxes violates the First Amendment.

The panel wrote that a district court judge should decide whether the pass-through provision restrains speech and, if so, whether it passes constitutional muster.

The ruling comes in a federal lawsuit brought by the Chamber of Commerce and tech groups NetChoice and Computer & Communications Industry Association. Those groups raised several challenges to the state tax law, including that the pass-through restriction amounted to a content-based restriction on speech.

There is no dispute that the pass-through provision permits payers of the exaction to add the entire amount of the exaction to their invoices, recovering 100% of it from their customers, the groups wrote in papers filed with the 4th Circuit last year. The only thing it forbids is the express identification of the amount as a 'separate fee, surcharge, or line-item.'

A separate challenge to the law by Comcast and Verizon -- which sued in state court in Anne Arundel County -- was recently dismissed by the state supreme court.

Comcast and Verizon initially prevailed, with Anne Arundel Circuit County Judge Alison Asti ruling that the law violates the Internet Tax Freedom Act, and also represented an unconstitutional attempt to regulate interstate commerce. But state officials appealed to the Maryland Supreme Court, which vacated Asti's ruling for procedural reasons.

Ad organizations unsuccessfully urged the Maryland Supreme Court to uphold Asti's decision, arguing in a friend-of-the-court brief that the state tax impermissibly subjects digital ads to different treatment than non-digital ads.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, January 12, 2024

Amazon users are pressing a federal appellate court to reinstate their lawsuit accusing the company of wrongly targeting ads based on people's voice interactions with Alexa-enabled devices.

In papers filed Thursday with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, attorneys for Ohio resident James Gray and Massachusetts resident Scott Horton ask the court to reject Amazon's argument that it disclosed its practices.

Amazon offers up not one single disclosure anywhere on its website that says 'Alexa voice recordings may be used for targeted advertising purposes' or anything remotely equivalent, counsel writes.

The new filing comes in a battle that began in 2022, when Gray and Horton alleged in a class-action complaint that Amazon violated Alexa users' privacy, and engaged in misleading and unfair conduct, by serving targeted ads based on voice interactions.

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They sued soon after researchers from the University of Washington, University of California-Davis, University of California-Irvine, and Northeastern University posted the paper Your Echoes are Heard: Tracking, Profiling, and Ad Targeting in the Amazon Smart Speaker Ecosystem, which concluded that Amazon processes voice data to infer user interests.

The authors didn't allege that Amazon secretly listened to conversations, or directly shared voice recordings with third parties.

Amazon responded by saying it is not in the business of selling data, and doesn't share Alexa requests with ad networks. At the same time, the company acknowledged it targeted ads to consumers based on their transactions with Alexa.

Similar to what you'd experience if you made a purchase on Amazon.com or requested a song through Amazon Music, if you ask Alexa to order paper towels or to play a song on Amazon Music, the record of that purchase or song play may inform relevant ads shown on Amazon or other sites where Amazon places ads, the company stated.

U.S. District Court Judge Barbara Rothstein in the Western District of Washington dismissed the lawsuit in May, writing that the use of voice data for ad purposes was contemplated in the applicable policies.

Gray and Horton are now appealing to the 9th Circuit, arguing that Amazon's Alexa-specific policies don't say anything about targeted advertising.

A Utah State University marketing professor sided with the consumers, arguing in a proposed friend-of-the-court brief that Amazon obfuscated the purposes for which it was using consumer data.

Amazon countered in papers filed in November that Alexa's privacy policy discloses that the company processes and retains Alexa interactions in order to provide, personalize, and improve our services.

The company also argued that other documents -- including an Amazon.com privacy notice, Amazon.com conditions of use, and answers to frequently asked questions -- include disclosures about the use of personal information for advertising.

In sum, all of these interrelated terms and disclosures make clear that customers interactions with the Alexa service might be used to serve interest-based or personalized advertisements, unless the user chooses to opt out, Amazon writes.

But lawyers for Gray and Horton say in their new papers that Amazon's disclosures were at best ambiguous, and that the user agreement did not explicitly notify users of the practice at issue.

They add that while Amazon said Alexa data could be used to personalize or improve services, those words can mean many different things in the context of an Alexa users experience.

Where Amazon provided illustrations of personalization and improvement of Alexa services in the user agreement, it never once mentioned targeted advertising, counsel writes.

The 9th Circuit hasn't yet said when it will hear arguments in the case.
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UC trial tests tongue exercises to improve swallowing function after stroke



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In individuals who have experienced a stroke, a new study evaluates how effective an at-home tongue endurance exercise is in improving swallowing function. #stroke

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UC trial tests tongue exercises to improve swallowing function after stroke - (https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/2023/12/uc-trial-tests-tongue-exercises-to-improve-swallowing-after-stroke.html)

Up to three-quarters of stroke survivors experience swallowing difficulties (dysphagia), often leading to food or liquid entering the lungs, impacting health and quality of life. In severe cases, patients may be unable to eat, risking aspiration pneumonia or even death. Dysphagia can also contribute to depression due to its social life implications. A University of Cincinnati Gardner Neuroscience Institute trial, backed by a $660,000 NIH grant, aims to assess the effectiveness of an at-home tongue endurance exercise in enhancing swallowing function. (Speech language pathologist and trial principal investigator Brittany Krekeler, PhD, said swallowing issues can sometimes be a hidden disorder, because it is usually secondary to other diseases.You hurt for these patients when they cant enjoy eating and drinking, and swallowing disorders can be a burden on family members as well, said Krekeler, assistant professor and clinician-scientist at the UC College of Medicines Dysphagia Rehabilitation Laboratory. From working with these patients clinically, we see how much it means for patients to be able to eat and drink again.Krekeler said research into improving swallowing function is relatively new, as historically the problem was addressed by giving feeding tubes to patients with post-stroke dysphagia . But feeding tubes can fall out, can get infected and prevent patients from being able to enjoy sitting down to a meal with loved ones, she said.Because studying swallowing disorders is both difficult and expensive, there are still few evidence-based practices to improve swallowing function.Treating dysphagia is like an artform, so depending on what therapist you go to, youll get a different approach, Krekeler said. Current treatment approaches are really a mixed bag depending on what institution youre at and what therapist youre seeing.This trial is part of a larger effort to take out the guesswork and provide concrete evidence-based recommendations on what approaches will be most effective.Tongue exercise is a common component of therapy for these patients, often focused on improving total tongue strength, which Krekeler said is similar to maxing out how much weight you can lift at the gym at one time. This trial will test a different approach by focusing on tongue endurance, which is more like lifting a smaller weight many times in a row.When we swallow, we dont press our tongue as hard as we can each time, rather we generate sub-maximal pressure with each swallow, and we do it repeatedly throughout the day and throughout a meal, she said. Its more about being able to do a lot of movement with the tongue throughout a meal versus pressing really hard, which is not really what we do in swallowing.The study will enroll patients who have trouble swallowing three to six months after their stroke. Krekeler said it is a unique time when the brain has increased neuroplasticity, or the ability to change and adapt following an injury like a stroke. Often times when she sees patients in the clinic, Krekeler said it is a year or more following their stroke and there is less opportunity for improvement.We are seeing people in this trial when theyre done with their acute stroke but theyre still not fully recovered because we hope to jump in during that time and build on neuroplasticity to get them better before they are out of that window of recovery, she said. Its kind of a magical period.Patients enrolled in the study will receive a device with a pressurized bulb that connects to their phone or tablet through Bluetooth to give them real-time feedback about how hard they are pressing the bulb with their tongue. Participants in the trial will press their tongue to the bulb, with the device recording the number of times they do so and if they meet their goal. Theyll complete the exercises three times a day for eight weeks, with their goal increasing as they build endurance.We think that learning how to use the device might actually be part of the therapy, and in our field, we havent really looked at the learning curve in terms of using your tongue to do something new, Krekeler said. To investigate this potential learning effect, were also doing MRIs on a small subset to see what changes occur in the brain with learning how to use a tongue device.Swallow studies before and after the eight weeks will also help measure the changes in swallow function before and after the trial.Besides regaining the ability to walk and be mobile after a stroke, being able to swallow food and water without choking or having substances go into the lungs with very bad consequences is the most important day-to-day activity that patients value, said Joseph Broderick, MD, director of the UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute, co-principal investigator of the national coordinating center for the NIH StrokeNet and professor in UCs Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine. Improving the recovery of swallowing after stroke would be a great advance in the care of stroke patients.The trial is expected to enroll 60 patients over five years, and patients will receive compensation. Participants will be recruited from UC and other health care providers in the Tristate area.Krekeler said while she is focused on stroke patients, there is potential for the knowledge gained in the trial to be applied to swallowing issues stemming from other conditions including head and neck cancer andThis is just the beginning of building a body of research to try to figure out what combination of interventions is best to recover swallowing function, Krekeler said. We dont think tongue endurance exercise is the only component of therapy thats important, but this is a starting point. We really want to see if this makes a bigger change than strength training.Krekeler received an NIH career development grant for the trial, and UC stroke researchers Broderick and Achala Vagal, MD, will serve as her primary stroke mentors on the project along with biostatistical mentorship by Heidi Sucharew, PhD, and with external mentorship from Nicole Rogus-Pulia, PhD, a speech-language pathologist and dysphagia clinical trails expert at University of Wisconsin-Madison.These types of awards are only given to those researchers with great promise as a future independent researcher who will contribute substantially to medical research, Broderick said. Very few persons with doctorates in speech and swallowing receive such a research award, which is a great tribute to Dr. Krekeler. She is very bright, listens and communicates well and is also practical. She is passionate about research and is a delight to work with as a colleague and mentee.Career development awards are prestigious awards and are catalysts to launch research careers for promising junior researchers, Vagal said. Krekeler is a perfect example of a rising star  not only because of her high-quality publications and high impact research study, but because of her diligence and resilience. It is an honor to support such passionate researchers.Broderick, Vagal and Rogus-Pulia will meet with Krekeler frequently to review the trials progress, help troubleshoot any problems and help plan next steps in the research. Krekeler said she is grateful to have the support of these researchers with extensive experience in running national, multisite stroke trials.They are masters at what they do. Were learning from them, theyre guiding us and giving us that focused time and opportunity to work and learn how to do really good stroke trials," Krekeler said. The goal is to actually take this multisite, to take this intervention study into multiple centers within Cincinnati, within the Midwest.Source-Eurekalert
A bowl of Pho bo (beef noodle soup) (Photo: VNA)

About the Vietnamese culinary delight, the top-20 list article published on the news site on January 8 quoted Andrea Nguyen, author of The Pho Cookbook, as saying Pho is among Vietnams most recognised culinary exports.

And while todays Pho restaurants serve a wide range of flavors, beef is the original. By 1930, Nguyen explained, the soup was served with slices of raw beef cooked gently in the broth.

According to the article, the broth is simmered for hours with cinnamon, star anise, and other warm spices to create a wonderfully aromatic base for this rice noodle soup. Today, beef pho remains the most beloved version in Vietnam, with options that include the original raw beef, a mix of raw and cooked beef, brisket, and tendon.

Other dishes in the list include Banga of Nigeria, Borscht of Ukraine, Bouillabaisse of France, Caldo verde of Portugal, and Chorba frik of Algeria, Libya, and Tunisia.

Exports of processed fruits and vegetables continue to exceed 1 billion USD

Vietnams processed fruits and vegetables continue to be among export items worth more than 1 billion USD in 2023 after steadily growing in recent years.

Exports of processed fruits and vegetables continue to exceed 1 billion USD

According to figures of the Ministry of Industry and Trades Department of Export-Import, by the end of 2023, Vietnams processed fruit and vegetable exports reached 996.5 million USD, a year-on-year rise of 18%. Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, Secretary General of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetables Association, forecast the countrys processed fruit and vegetable exports will hit more than 1.2 billion USD in 2023.

In 2022, processed fruit and vegetable exports also reached 1.014 billion USD for the first time, accounting for 29.47%. Thus, 2023 will be the second year the export value of this product exceeds 1 billion USD.

In recent years, processed fruit and vegetable products have always achieved high growth rates.

According to data from the General Department of Customs, Vietnam's processed fruit and vegetable exports in the 2016-2020 period grew steadily, and recorded a sharp increase in 2020 when the COVID-19 epidemic broke out with an average of 19.5% a year, from 400 million USD in 2016 to 798 million USD in 2020.

Vietnams export market for products from vegetables, fruits, nuts or other parts of plants is 162 countries and territories. In particular, Vietnam focuses on exporting these products to major markets such as China, the US, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Russia, and Australia.

The Department of Import-Export said that in recent years, processed fruit and vegetable products have always achieved high growth rates, even in the context of the strong outbreak of COVID-19.

Vietnam currently has 150 fruit and vegetable processing factories with processing capacity of nearly 1.1 million tons a year. However, these factories can only process about 8-10% of fruit and vegetable output each year. In addition, 3.4 million tons of fruits and vegetables are processed by 7,500 micro-scale and household fruit processing and preservation establishments, so it is difficult for these products to meet the quality for export.

Vietnam is Asias safest destination for 2024

The US travel website Travel Off Path has praised Vietnam as the safest country to visit in Asia in 2024, according the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.

Travel Off Path said that safety is the top concern of Americans when traveling abroad, especially in the context of complex developments in the world. However, Vietnam is a special country which has proven to be stable and safe for tourists.

According to data from the Gallup's Law and Order Index, a leading platform for global consulting and analytical services, Vietnam not only has the highest ranking in Asia with a score of 92 out of 100, but is also in the top 7 in the world.

Northwest, a destination especially loved by Western tourists. (Photo: Travel Off Path)

2024 is considered the year when Asian tourism will recover. Western tourists will return to this friendly continent and regional destinations are expected to regain pre-pandemic growth rates.

This travel website affirms: All eyes are on Vietnam - the precious gem of Southeast Asia, which has gone through a long history and is proud of its beautiful natural landscapes and diverse and attractive culture.

Vietnam is an ideal destination for those who like to travel slowly and love connecting with nature and coming into contact with a completely new culture. When traveling to Vietnam from the North to the South or vice versa, Travel Off Path recommends that visitors spend time walking on the charming streets of Hoi An - a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.

Besides, it is impossible to ignore Hue - an attractive destination in the Central region, where the famous Hue Citadel marks the glorious historical period of Vietnam. The beautiful beaches in Da Nang and the Son Tra Mountain Nature Reserve, or the white sand dunes, golden sand dunes, and coastal fishing villages in Mui Ne are all attractive spots.

India, US are two main export markets of Vietnamese cinnamon

In 2023, India and the US are the two main export markets of Vietnamese cinnamon, of which India accounts for 42.6% and the United States accounts for 11.4%.

India, US are two main export markets of Vietnamese cinnamon

According to the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association, in December 2023, Vietnam exported 7,443 tons of cinnamon, valued at 20.9 million USD. The volume increased by 3.4% compared to from the previous month. India and the US continue to be the two main export markets of Vietnamese cinnamon with 2,363 tons and 1,113 tons, respectively. Prosi Thang Long and Olam Vietnam are the two largest export enterprises this month, with 998 tons and 581 tons, respectively.

In 2023, Vietnam exported 89,383 tons of cinnamon, worth 260.9 million USD, an increase of 14.6% in volume and a decrease of 10.7% in value compared to the previous year.

The average export price of cinnamon in 2023 reached 2,918 USD a ton, down 22.1% against 2022.

India is the main export market of Vietnamese cinnamon, with 38,038 tons, accounting for 42.6% of the total, an increase of 14% over the previous year. It was followed by the US market with 10,163 tons, accounting for 11.4; Bangladesh with 5,564 tons, accounting for 6.2%.

The leading cinnamon exporting enterprises in the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association include: Prosi Thang Long with 13,839 tons, accounting for 15.5%; Senspices Vietnam with 5,131 tons (5.7%), Son Ha spices with 4,677 tons, (5.2%); Olam Vietnam with 3,445 tons (3.9%) and Tuan Minh with 3,115 tons (3.5%).

Experiencing Vietnamese Tet in Duong Lam ancient village

A tourism promotion program themed Vietnamese Tet will be held in Duong Lam ancient village, Son Tay Town, on January 20-21 to promote the value of traditional Tet.

The Vietnamese Tet program in Duong Lam ancient village become a brand to attract tourists and local people. (Photo: hanoimoi.vn)

This is the third year the program has been held with the participation of ambassadors, international guests from a number of diplomatic agencies, international organizations and both international and domestic tourists. The program not only contributes to introducing Vietnamese culture to international friends, but is a way to preserve traditions for future generations.

The Management Board of the Duong Lam Ancient Village Relic said that the program will include many diverse activities, such as: a tour to fully experience the traditional beauty of Vietnamese Tet with a traditional market space, ethnic art performance at Mong Phu communal house yard; check-in at the most unique spots in the village; and space and booths to introduce local specialty products, handicraft products and craft villages.

In addition, the program also has a space to experience traditional Tet culture with activities such as character painting, shaping To he, and traditional folk games.

People and tourists can also learn about traditional customs during the traditional Tet holiday such as: New Year's Eve ceremony, carp release, experiencing and learning about the traditional soy sauce making profession of Mr. Ha Huu The's family; visiting and experiencing the lacquer product workshop and "Village Craft" space of artisan Nguyen Tan Phat, and more.

An indispensable activity is to learn about the unique and famous culinary culture of Duong Lam Ancient Village. The program will introduce Tet cuisine, display Tet feasts of Duong Lam people, and offer experience wrapping Banh Chung and spring rolls on Tet.

Head of the Management Board of the Duong Lam Ancient Village Relic Nguyen Dang Thao said that the program aims to promote activities, introduce local specialties, promote destinations, thereby creating a stimulating effect on tourism in Duong Lam Ancient Village in particular and Son Tay town in general to welcome visitors during Tet and Spring 2024./.
An Army civilian employee is accused of bilking more than $100 million from the service -- funds that were meant to be used for military children -- in what is likely among the largest scams by a single person in its history, according to the Justice Department.

Janet Yamanaka Mello, 57, was indicted Wednesday on 10 counts related to the fraud scheme, including mail fraud, criminal handling of money and aggravated identity theft. If convicted, Mello faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each fraud charge, up to 10 years in prison for each spending statute charge, and a mandatory two years in prison for the identity theft charge -- a total of 142 years.

The scheme includes years of deception, according to federal authorities. It wasn't uncovered for nearly seven years, and in that time she allegedly accumulated a real-estate portfolio and amassed a collection of homes and luxury goods to match some of America's most elite moguls and titans of industry.

Read Next: Army Sees Sharp Decline in White Recruits

Mello worked at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, as a financial program manager. Part of her job included determining funding for a grant program the military uses to supplement civilian partners. In 2016, Mello formed a shell nonprofit company, prosecutors say, called Child Health and Youth Lifelong Development, or CHYLD.

Mello has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

For years, she allegedly processed funds for Army programs to her fraudulent company under the guise of supporting adolescent programs for military families. Prosecutors say she "played on the trust" she had developed over the years with her co-workers and supervisors to sign off on payments, though there were instances she allegedly forged signatures.

She funded her shell company through at least 40 payments over six years, securing more than $100 million for herself, court documents say.

Mello allegedly spent the cash on luxury jewelry, a fleet of 78 vehicles that included new and classic cars and motorcycles, as well as 31 properties and lots of land in Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Washington state and Maryland.

In most cases, those real estate investments are worth more than $1 million each, many of them mansions, based on a Military.com review of the deals -- all of which the federal government aims to seize. This includes a 9,364-square-foot mansion in Preston, Maryland, that has a 55-car garage and sits on a 58-acre lot.

Court documents specified that one of her homes, where the jewelry she purchased over the years was located, was purchased in July 2017 for more than $700,000.

Mello also had $18 million across six bank accounts, authorities said.

Related: Mastermind of Romance Scam That Used Pictures of US Military Generals Gets 3 Years
The U.S. military and its allies on Thursday conducted major retaliatory strikes in Yemen hitting multiple Houthi targets after several months of drone and missile attacks by the Iranian-backed rebels that have menaced merchant shipping in the Red Sea.

A senior military official told reporters late Thursday evening that the U.S. and U.K. conducted strikes that were launched from aircraft, ships and submarines, destroying multiple targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the operation was carried out with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands.

The Navy has deployed the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier as well as several destroyers to the area in recent months. The Navy also released pictures of a Tomahawk cruise missile-armed submarine heading to the Red Sea in early November.

Read Next: Army Civilian Stole $100M from Service to Buy Dozens of Homes and Luxury Vehicles, Prosecutors Allege

The military official noted that the military used "precision-guided munitions" but would not offer more details. The Associated Press reported that witnesses heard explosions in Yemen's capital Sanaa and Hodieda, the largest port city in Yemen controlled by the Houthis.

A senior administration official who was also on the call with reporters said the attacks were focused specifically on Houthi missile, radar and drone capabilities -- "the capabilities that are essential to the Houthis' campaign against commercial shipping in international waters."

In a social media post, a British member of Parliament said that four Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets conducted precision strikes on two Houthi military targets alongside U.S. forces.

The strikes come after months of missile and drone launches by the Houthis that were largely intercepted and downed by U.S. warships deployed to the area. The first incident was on Oct. 19 when the destroyer USS Carney downed four missiles and 15 drones. Since then, the attacks have continued and escalated, and officials say that since Nov. 9 there have been 27 attacks aimed at international shipping.

"Today's coalition action sends a clear message to the Houthis that they will bear further costs if they do not end their illegal attacks," Austin said in a statement Thursday evening.

The senior administration official who briefed reporters said that the military strike was "a significant action and conducted with every objective and every expectation that will degrade in a significant way the Houthis' capability to launch exactly the sorts of attacks that they have conducted over the period of recent weeks."

The military official wouldn't offer a specific assessment of the strikes, saying "those specifics will be forthcoming."

In early December, the Houthis said that their goal was to "prevent Israeli ships from navigating the Red Sea and [Gulf of Aden] until the Israeli aggression against our steadfast brothers in the Gaza Strip stops." Israel declared war on Hamas, which ruled the Gaza Strip, after it launched a sudden and deadly terrorist attack into Israeli territory in early October.

However, many of the Houthis' more recent strikes have had no connection to the brutal war in Gaza and instead imperiled international shipping and forced shipping companies to divert cargo out of the Red Sea. The senior administration official said the Houthis are "firing indiscriminately."

"Reckless attacks have directly affected the citizens and cargo and commercial interests of more than 50 countries," the official said.

In a Dec. 31 incident, four Houthi boats tried to seize a merchant vessel. When U.S. helicopters responded to the ship's distress call, the boats opened fire on the helicopters. The aircraft returned fire, sinking three of the boats and killing the crews.

The senior administration official said that attack accelerated plans and led President Joe Biden to direct his advisers to "further develop military options."

Last week, the White House, along with the U.K. and 12 other countries, released a joint statement that warned the Houthi rebels that they would "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."

Despite the warning, one of the most complex attacks occurred on Tuesday when, according to U.S. Central Command, the Houthis launched 18 drones, two anti-ship cruise missiles and one anti-ship ballistic missile that were shot down by a combined effort of F/A-18s from the Eisenhower and the destroyers USS Gravely, USS Laboon and USS Mason, as well as the U.K.'s HMS Diamond.

The senior administration official said that this attack directly targeted a U.S. commercial vessel and, after it was defeated, the president again convened his national security team and ordered the strikes that occurred Thursday.

Early reactions to the strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen were lukewarm, with some, including congressional Republicans, noting that they should have come sooner.

Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., called the strikes "two months overdue" in a statement posted to social media.

Meanwhile, both Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., criticized Biden for not coming to Congress for permission to conduct the strike.

The senior military official warned that the Pentagon "would not be surprised to see some sort of response."

Related: Navy Destroyer Crew Receives Combat Award for Shooting Down Drones as Houthi Attacks Intensify in Red Sea
Dozens of noncommissioned officers received fast-track promotions for graduating the Army's recruiting school in recent weeks -- part of a controversial move by the service as it desperately grapples with a depleting pool of NCOs interested in serving in the role.

Of the 145 soldiers who attended the Army Recruiter Course, 56 NCOs were automatically promoted from sergeant to staff sergeant, according to the service. The graduation and promotions occurred Dec. 21, but the Army widely announced it on social media only Thursday.

In November, the service shifted its policy and started allowing automatic promotions for sergeants who become recruiters. The only stipulation is that the NCO be in good standing, but time in grade and attendance of the Advanced Leader Course is not accounted for.

Read Next: Army Sees Sharp Decline in White Recruits

The move means a freshly promoted sergeant could potentially skip that rank by attending the eight-week recruiter course. It's effectively the only instance in recent history in which a soldier could receive an automatic promotion exclusively for attending a school.

Otherwise, the earliest promotion to staff sergeant requires at least six months time in grade as a sergeant. But the promotion typically takes about two years on active duty -- and much longer in the National Guard.

Staff sergeants who volunteer for recruiting school, and recruit 24 applicants during their first year on the job, will be promoted to sergeant first class. Those who attend recruiting school by February will also earn a $5,000 bonus. Current recruiters who extend their recruiting contracts can earn $1,500 per month for one year.

"You're the face of our Army, the ambassadors of our values, and the key to ensuring the continued strength and excellence of the United States Army," Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Weimer told the graduating recruiting class, according to a press release.

The service has scrambled for solutions to its ongoing recruiting slump. Much of that can be attributed to a combination of struggles with certain demographics and a shrinking pool of eligible applicants.

But part of the slump is also fueled by a shortage of recruiters. The recruiting school at Fort Knox, Kentucky, can train a maximum of 2,866 students per year, but graduated only 1,336 recruiters over the last fiscal year, which ended in September.

Schools sometimes do not fill all of their student slots in a training year, but falling so short on getting new recruiters through the pipeline spurred service planners to send out hundreds of orders to NCOs, without warning and sometimes giving them less than a week's notice, to attend the recruiter course.

The chaotic rush to get soldiers into the school sparked bedlam in the force. Because of the sudden notice, some soldiers were allowed to not attend after all. The 145-soldier recruiting class that resulted had the capacity for 200 students.

Another issue is the recruiting role not being attractive to enough NCOs, as the job often requires long working hours and pressure from the top to get applicants into boots.

Recruiters have faced numerous challenges unique to recent years, including the launch of Military Health System Genesis, a health care database used by the services that sometimes paints incomplete pictures of a candidate's health record. It has been criticized for overly scrutinizing minor physical and mental health histories.

Some recruiting units are also still having issues getting back into high schools since they were shut out during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Related: Inside the Army's Mad Dash for Recruiters After Graduating Only Half the Number Needed
As new images of dismal conditions at a Marine Corps facility appeared online in recent days -- dead vermin, flooded washers, apparent mold -- the service has approved several short-term quality-of-life fixes for Marines across the fleet, according to an internal document reviewed by Military.com.

The latest quality-of-life efforts mainly focus on oversight and management of on-post housing, and were marked as "near-term" initiatives in a memo briefed to the acting commandant of the Marine Corps and deputy commandants in November. They include removing barracks responsibilities from noncommissioned officers and line units typically in charge of housing management and putting them into the hands of government employees and installation commanders who are at higher echelons.

The document also outlined approved efforts to add "resident advisors" -- similar to those in college dorms -- to the barracks, as well as replacing furniture and door locks and improving dedicated maintenance teams to respond to immediate issues that many Marines may face when residing in decades-old barracks.

Read Next: Camp Lejeune Water Victims Should Be Wary of Scammers, Navy and Justice Department Warn

The changes, which are expected to hit the Marine Corps within the next year or two, according to the document, come as images obtained by Military.com show decrepit living conditions at a Marine Corps facility in California, including dead vermin, grime, laundry machines overflowing with water, and general dilapidation.

The images of squalid quarters come from Camp Pendleton, California -- specifically the School of Infantry-West, Lima Company.

In advance of a visit by a senior leader after the issues were discovered, Marines began to pressure-wash grime out of the facility and paint over graffiti, among other tasks, one Marine told Military.com.

(Image obtained by Military.com depicting a Marine Corps facility)

The internal memo obtained by Military.com did not specifically mention mold, water issues or insect infestations, which were a key part of a Government Accountability Office report in September that aimed public attention at the poor conditions in military housing. Marine Corps Times first reported the images of squalid quarters at Camp Pendleton, which were originally posted on social media and Hots & Cots, an app where troops can post reviews of base conditions.

One Marine, who said they were living at the facility, told Military.com that some issues were "festering" and "stagnant." After the detritus was discovered and in preparation for a senior leader visit, Marines were made to paint the walls of the squad bay; empty used physical training gear from laundry machines; scrub down washers and dryers; repair drywall; remove "moldy" water from showers; and paint over graffiti and walls, the Marine said.

Last month, Military.com first reported on a video of apparent mold in a facility at an East Coast base that -- along with the School of Infantry-West conditions -- also fell under the Corps' Training and Education Command.

Lt. Gen. Kevin Iiams, the commanding general of Training and Education Command, is scheduled to visit the Camp Pendleton facility next week.

"The health and safety of our Marines is of the highest priority. U.S. Marine Corps Training and Education Command adheres to Department of Defense and Marine Corps standards for scheduled maintenance and updates to all our facilities," Maj. Joshua Pena, a spokesperson for the command, told Military.com on Friday. "Though the date and locations of all photos cannot be confirmed, there is no excuse for the conditions depicted."

Pena added that leadership did a walk-through of the Pendleton facilities that "did reveal the need for some remediation, to include additional cleaning of hygiene facilities and the input of additional maintenance requests, which have been remediated within 24 hours."

He said that School of Infantry-West takes full responsibility for the building and confirmed that Iiams will visit the school next week. He encouraged Marines to report "discrepancies with facilities" and acts of vandalism to leadership.

Marines renovate a room at MCAS Miramar, California, Oct. 13, 2020. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Dylan Hess)

The conditions and improvement plans also come after the damning GAO report, which detailed horrid living conditions across the Defense Department and said that 17,000 Marines lived in substandard housing as of March.

That's compared to about 5,000 sailors, though the other services did not track their own troops' housing conditions comprehensively, according to the report. The Army, for example, has been under fire for its substandard living conditions for years.

Common roadblocks to fixing issues -- like broken pipes and mold -- in barracks across the military are a lack of resources and the timely fulfillment of maintenance requests, according to the GAO report. The Marine Corps hopes to reduce delays in housing issues and requested maintenance being addressed.

(Image obtained by Military.com depicting a Marine Corps facility)

"To maintain the quality of the barracks between major renovations, a dedicated maintenance concept was proposed. The concept is like how hotels operate and renovate their facilities," the internal Marine Corps memo obtained by Military.com said. "On-site personnel provides the ability to handle minor maintenance issues such as clogged bathroom fixtures, broken fans, or inoperative equipment to solve problems within days vice weeks or months."

The memo said that those dedicated maintenance teams will conduct renovations every year, instead of every 15 to 20 years, to fix a facility's underlying issues. However, the document noted that current funds allocated to the efforts, which hover around $300 million per year, are "insufficient."

It proposed $1.5 billion over the span of three years to improve facilities.

Plans to provide corporals and sergeants their own rooms in the barracks "when inventory is available" are also on the table, according to the document.

Initial steps to address the issues also appear to involve oversight and professionalizing barracks management -- instead of leaving that responsibility to junior noncommissioned officers or corporals who may not have the training or time serving in a unit to take up the task.

"I don't want to put a corporal or a sergeant who's not a barracks manager in charge of that barracks," Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith told reporters in October. "That's how you fix the public works -- with a professional to a professional."

The memo said the plan is to replace the 532 noncommissioned officer barracks managers with 115 government personnel and 232 contractors. Those "professional barracks managers" will report to the installation commander, typically a general, it said.

That move is "a departure from current policy that assigns barracks to specific units" at lower echelons, which may not have the direct authority or weight to move resources to problems as quickly as higher units, the memo said.

Image obtained by Military.com depicting a Marine Corps facility

Still, the memo also recognized the need for leader oversight at the barracks level. At Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, the base underwent a pilot program where "resident advisors" were assigned to barracks, "like a college RA program."

A spokesperson for Marine Corps Installation Command said that those responsibilities, which will not be like those of previous barracks managers, include "keep[ing] distractions in facilities to a minimum, ensur[ing] Marines take care of where they live, and advocat[ing] for Marines to make sure their living spaces meet Department of Defense and Marine Corps standards."

"The Marine Corps Air Station pilot Resident Advisor Program authorized eight staff noncommissioned officers to move into the barracks with noncommissioned officers and below for the purpose of advocacy, mentorship, and the maintenance of good order and discipline for all residents," Maj. John Parry, a spokesperson for the command, told Military.com. "Resident advisors support the transition of Marines from dependency to independence, much as a college student undergoes the same transition."

Maintenance workers grab supplies to repair showers at the barracks at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Jan. 5, 2024. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Seferino Gamez)

Parry said that the pilot has reduced misconduct, noise, distractions and "bad neighbor behavior" in the barracks. He also said that, by bringing in on-call contractors for the station's pilot maintenance program, the installation has "reduced response times for maintenance requests from more than a month to just days."

Other approved plans include repairing and replacing all inoperative door locks immediately, and procuring furniture, washers and dryers -- "when funding is made available," the Marine Corps memo said.

Smith told reporters in October that long-term facility improvements could take a decade. Mid- and long-term plans in the internal memo were marked "deferred" and "tabled" until other analyses could be made.

"Taking care of Marines is a warfighting function. Otherwise, they cannot focus on the mission at hand," Smith said in a statement to Military.com via spokesperson Thursday. "Barracks, chow halls, and gyms are key to retaining Marines, and investments in quality-of-life initiatives are truly warfighting needs."

Related: Marine Corps Barracks Issues Will Likely Take a Decade to Fix, But Work Is Underway, Commandant Says
Giray Fidan, a Turkish expert in Chinese language and history, poses for a photo during an interview in Ankara, Trkiye, on Jan. 9, 2024. Giray Fidan, a Turkish expert in Chinese language and history based at Ankara's Haci Bayram Veli University, is dedicated to introducing the Chinese culture of peace to an increasingly expanding Turkish audience eager to grasp the Chinese way of thinking. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

by Burak Akinci

ANKARA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Giray Fidan, a Turkish expert in Chinese language and history based at Ankara's Haci Bayram Veli University, is dedicated to introducing the Chinese culture of peace to an increasingly expanding Turkish audience eager to grasp the Chinese way of thinking.

Thanks to Fidan's expertise, the Chinese book on military strategy, "The Art of War," written by Sun Tzu over 25 centuries ago, has become a bestseller in Trkiye. Since Fidan and his colleagues translated the famous book from classical Chinese in 2014, it has undergone 25 reprints. Previous publications were reliant on translations from English or French.

In Trkiye, where the sale of over 100,000 copies of a book is widely considered a remarkable success, "The Art of War" has sold over 400,000 copies in nine years.

In a recent interview with Xinhua, Fidan attributed the success of "The Art of War" in Trkiye to the enduring relevance of China's philosophy of peace, asserting that it remains a valid human ideal in both contemporary and ancient times.

"The Art of War reflects Chinese wisdom. It says conflict is unnecessary if it is not inevitable. The world is vast enough for everyone, and we can have a peaceful way," said Fidan.

"The name (of the book) is 'The Art of War' but the main argument is avoiding the war. A successful strategist or a general should avoid the war when it is possible," he said.

"The Chinese classics are precious and a shared heritage of humankind," the sinologist said, highlighting the significant interest among Turkish readers eager to understand the Chinese way of thinking and philosophy.

The sinologist said he has translated a wide range of Chinese works since "The Art of War," and the latest is "Zhen Guan Zheng Yao" ("The Essentials of Governance") published in December 2023, pointing to the growing interest in Chinese culture among Turks.

China's economic success in the past decades and its opening up have offered great opportunities to people across the globe, including from Trkiye, to learn the Chinese language and culture, according to Fidan.

"Not only in Trkiye, but there is a large interest in China from all over the world, from Europe to the United States," he said, indicating that many more people are learning Chinese to boost their general knowledge.

In his view, it is "because they think it is an important investment for their future."

With the establishment of the China-Trkiye strategic cooperative relationship in 2010, economic and cultural cooperation between the two nations has flourished. China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative has also become a medium of extensive multilateral cooperation between the two sides.

Fidan's university has responded to the Turkish youths' growing interest in Chinese culture by admitting undergraduate students of the Chinese language for the first time this year.

The class is "100 percent full," said the sinologist excitedly. "This shows how much interest there is in Trkiye towards learning Chinese and discovering its history and culture," the scholar added.

Giray Fidan, a Turkish expert in Chinese language and history, is interviewed with Xinhua in Ankara, Trkiye, on Jan. 9, 2024. Giray Fidan, a Turkish expert in Chinese language and history based at Ankara's Haci Bayram Veli University, is dedicated to introducing the Chinese culture of peace to an increasingly expanding Turkish audience eager to grasp the Chinese way of thinking. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

Editor: WXL
"We need guilt-free flexibility," my colleague, Rachelle Chapman, told me this week when I was quizzing her about what military spouses really need from top employers. "It's not just military spouses. All women. All parents." Chapman is a veteran military spouse and director for the Adecco Group US Foundation, a longtime leader in spouse employment.

Is your company in the running for our 2024 list of Top Military Spouse Employers? Find out the special characteristics we are looking for this year. Take our survey today or forward it to your HR department.

What Military Spouses Really, Really Want from Employers

Guilt-free flexibility. As an employed, active-duty Navy spouse, I love that term. It conjures up a thousand times I've had to work into the night or on a weekend, because my husband was standing watch, had the duty, was out to sea, was forward deployed or was a geographic bachelor in a different city.

Like most employed military spouses, I did not need months off work. I did not need pay for work I did not do. I did not need someone else to carry the load for me.

I needed an extra hour or two of flexibility so I could deal with the situations caused by my husband's absence due to military service -- and then come back and finish my work. Our kids thought this was normal. They did not know it was this flexibility that allowed me to create "normal" for all of us.

Luckily, I work for a top military spouse employer that just so happens to offer guilt-free flexibility as one of our benefits. (We didn't call it that before today, but I'm pretty sure we do now.)

Military spouses are not alone in this need for flexible work. Researchers have found that in general, more-flexible schedules work better for everyone.

This kind of policy not only helps parents achieve better balance between work and family, but it allows non-parents to be more productive as well. Researchers Joan C. Williams and Marina Multhaup suggest that having a policy where work-from-home days are "reason neutral" is the fairest distribution of that benefit to everyone.

Granted, not every employer can offer this kind of flexibility to military spouses or other employees. According to Pew Research, more than 60% of working Americans do not have jobs that lend themselves to hybrid work. But there is a strong movement toward a more flexible workplace for spouses when 41% of those with jobs that can be done remotely are working from home some or most of the time.

This trend surely could help change the stubborn 21% unemployment rate military spouses experience mostly due to frequent moves and the consequential lack of child care?

The biggest influencers in this situation are the employers themselves. More than 700 spouse friendly employers are registered with the Department of Defense's Military Spouse Employment Partnership. Hiring Our Heroes and Blue Star Families announced the 4 + 1 initiative in December, looking for an additional 1,000 companies to commit to retaining military spouses.

At Military.com, we want to shine a spotlight on these top military spouse employers. If you think your company is truly a leader, we want to hear about it. Take our survey today and help a military spouse find their next high-impact job tomorrow.

Jacey Eckhart is Military.com's transition master coach. She is a certified professional career coach and military sociologist who helps military members get their first civilian job by offering career-level Master Classes through our Veteran Employment Project and on her website, SeniorMilitaryTransition.com. Reach her at Jacey.Eckhart@Monster.com.

Find Your Next Job Fast

Transitioning military, veterans and spouses may be qualified for the job, but they are missing the secrets of civilian hiring. Find out everything you need to know with our FREE master class series, including our next class. You can view previous classes in our video library. Questions for Jacey? Visit our Facebook page.
The Yankees and star outfielder Juan Soto have avoided arbitration, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. The sides settled upon a $31MM salary for the 2024 season  a new record for the largest salary every agreed to by an arbitration-eligible player. Soto, a client of the Boras Corporation, surpasses the $30MM benchmark that was established by two-time AL MVP Shohei Ohtani just last offseason.

The 25-year-old Soto is coming off another strong season at the plate. After being shipped to the Padres at the 2022 trade deadline, the young phenom struggled with his new club early in the 2023 campaign with a .183/.345/.344 slash line in his first 27 games.

Soto managed to flip a switch from there, however, slashing an excellent .293/.423/.554 the rest of the way to elevate his season-long slash line to a strong .275/.410/.519. The performance saw Soto walk more often than he struck out for the fourth consecutive season, earn his third consecutive All-Star appearance as well as his fourth consecutive Silver Slugger award, and finish sixth in NL MVP voting while appearing in all 162 games for San Diego.

Between that walk year performance and the three prior times hed been through the arbitration process as a Super Two player, Soto now stands alone as the highest-paid arbitration player in history (at least on a one-year deal). A new record was always the expectation; MLBTR contributor Matt Swartzs model projected a $33MM salary for Soto, and both the Padres and the Yankees were surely anticipating a new highwater mark as well.

The looming precedent served as the impetus behind the deal that shipped Soto to the Bronx earlier this winter, as the Yankees surrendered right-handers Michael King, Jhony Brito, and Randy Vasquez as well as catcher Kyle Higashioka and top pitching prospect Drew Thorpe to acquire Soto and center fielder Trent Grisham. The Padres, after years of ultra-aggressive spending in free agency and on the trade market, were known to be looking to scale back payroll by as much as $50MM and simultaneously looking to replenish a rotation mix that lost Blake Snell, Seth Lugo, Nick Martinez and Michael Wacha to free agency.

Sotos stop in the Bronx could well be for one year, though the Yankees will surely do everything in their power to keep him long-term. However, hell reach free agency at just 26 years of age next winter and do so as one of the most accomplished young bats to ever reach the open market so early.

The rarity of this type of talent becoming a free agent at such a young age could position Soto to command a contract in excess of the $460MM net present value of Ohtanis extraordinarily deferred 10-year, $700MM deal  and its also possible that he could lock in the lengthiest contract ever put forth if he and agent Scott Boras prioritize that. Last offseason saw teams willing to dole out contracts greater than a decade in length to Trea Turner and Xander Bogaerts, each running through the players age-40 season. A contract covering Sotos age-40 season would need to extend a mammoth 15 years in length, but for a player of this caliber at such a young age, anything could be on the table.

Soto, in fact, already rejected a staggering 15-year, $440MM contract offer from the Nationals back in 2021, which led to his original trade from D.C. to San Diego. Detractors panned the decision at the time, but with todays $31MM agreement, hell already have pocketed $54MM since spurning that overture. Hell only need to top $386MM in free agency to come out ahead, and as surreal as that number sounds, it also feels quite feasible.

Any talk of a record-setting deal (or close to it) in free agency next winter is putting the cart before the horse to some extent, of course. Soto will need to remain healthy in 2024 and continue to produce at the prodigious levels weve come to expect throughout his incredible big league tenure. Despite having just turned 25 in October, Soto already has 160 career home runs and is a lifetime .284/.421/.524 hitter in 3375 plate appearances. That incredible OBP currently stands as the 19th-best mark in MLB history.
LANSING, MI -- A Michigan Court of Claims judge on Jan. 2 dismissed two lawsuits linked to Michigans enormous 64,000-pound, $229 million 2021 marijuana recall that impacted an estimated 60% of all cannabis products in the state.

The dispute centers on the Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agencys (CRA) Nov. 17, 2021 decision to recall any marijuana tested between Oct. 10 and Nov. 16, 2021 by Viridis Laboratories, a licensed safety lab tasked with ensuring cannabis products are safe for public consumption.

The CRA issued the recall after noticing the Viridis lab in Lansing passed as safe marijuana that had previously failed testing for the presence of aspergillus, a potentially harmful type of mold.

We had started noticing in ... our statewide monitoring system that packages were failing for aspergillus and then being sent the next day to the (Viridis) laboratories, at which point they were being reported as passing without remediation by the grower, MRA Scientific and Legal Section Manager Claire Patterson testified on Dec. 2, 2021. If a product tests positive for aspergillus, the mold must be eradicated and the marijuana retested prior to sale.

The CRA verified through subsequent testing by other licenses labs that Viridis had passed marijuana with aspergillus, which led the agency to distrusts the labs results on many other marijuana products. The recall caused major disruption and unexpected costs throughout the market, as the CRA required all recalled marijuana be retested prior to sale.

Viridis in its lawsuits accused the CRA and various employees of issuing the recall as part of a vendetta, because they disliked that Viridis had such a large portion of the lab-testing market share.

Virids sought court intervention on several fronts -- in state and federal court, as well as administrative complaints -- claiming CRA employees infringed on the companys right to due process and other violations, because it blocked sales without allowing Viridis an opportunity to contest the allegations.

A Court of Claims judge previously agreed with a portion of Viridis argument and reversed a part of the 2021 marijuana recall. Viridis operates two separate labs under individual licenses, one in Lansing and another in Bay City. The contaminated marijuana that was the basis for the original recall was tested in Lansing, however, the recall included marijuana tested in Bay City. A judge ruled the Bay City-tested marijuana should not be part of the recall and reversed it.

One subsequent lawsuit made its way to the federal courts and was dismissed in August. The judge ruled that Viridis didnt have a constitutional right to due process, since marijuana is considered federally illegal contraband.

The recent dismissal of two remaining state cases in the Court of Claims marks an end to most of the lawsuits. Viridis is still facing off with the CRA in Michigans Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules court, which handles disputes involving state agencies. Ongoing hearings in that matter resume Jan. 22-24.

Viridis attorneys say they intend to continue pursuing financial damages from the CRA through the courts. The company wants compensation for the sales it lost and costs it incurred, due to the recall. There is one unresolved lawsuit remaining in Ingham County Circuit Court.

We remain confident through the court process the facts and the truth will come to light and we can bring much needed accountability and transparency to the CRA and shine a spotlight on the states efforts to intentionally harm Viridis reputation and business, Viridis attorney David R. Russell with the Foster Swift Collins & Smith law firm said.

CRA spokesman David Harns said: As always, we respect the rulings of the judiciary as we continue to perform our regulatory duties.

In addition to CRA concerns over marijuana contamination, the agency separately accused Viridis of artificially inflating THC potency results, which Viridis denies and is contesting in the state administrative courts. The level of THC in marijuana products can influence their value, as consumers are willing to pay higher prices for greater amounts of high-inducing THC.
A Gravity-1 (YL-1) commercial carrier rocket carrying three satellites is launched from waters off the coast of Haiyang, east China's Shandong Province, Jan. 11, 2024. China on Thursday sent a sea-launched Gravity-1 (YL-1) carrier rocket into space, sending three satellites into the planned orbit. (Photo by Wang Keqi/Xinhua)

HAIYANG, Shandong, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- China on Thursday sent a sea-launched Gravity-1 (YL-1) carrier rocket into space, sending three satellites into the planned orbit.

The Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center launched the commercial rocket from waters off the coast of Haiyang, east China's Shandong Province, at 1:30 p.m. (Beijing Time).

It was the first flight mission of the YL-1 commercial carrier rocket.

A Gravity-1 (YL-1) commercial carrier rocket carrying three satellites is launched from waters off the coast of Haiyang, east China's Shandong Province, Jan. 11, 2024. China on Thursday sent a sea-launched Gravity-1 (YL-1) carrier rocket into space, sending three satellites into the planned orbit. (Photo by Wang Keqi/Xinhua)

A Gravity-1 (YL-1) commercial carrier rocket carrying three satellites is launched from waters off the coast of Haiyang, east China's Shandong Province, Jan. 11, 2024. China on Thursday sent a sea-launched Gravity-1 (YL-1) carrier rocket into space, sending three satellites into the planned orbit. (Photo by Wang Keqi/Xinhua)

A Gravity-1 (YL-1) commercial carrier rocket carrying three satellites is launched from waters off the coast of Haiyang, east China's Shandong Province, Jan. 11, 2024. China on Thursday sent a sea-launched Gravity-1 (YL-1) carrier rocket into space, sending three satellites into the planned orbit. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

People gather in front of a screen to watch the launch of a Gravity-1 (YL-1) commercial carrier rocket carrying three satellites, on the Lianli Island of Haiyang, east China's Shandong Province, Jan. 11, 2024. China on Thursday sent a sea-launched Gravity-1 (YL-1) carrier rocket into space, sending three satellites into the planned orbit. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

A Gravity-1 (YL-1) commercial carrier rocket carrying three satellites is launched from waters off the coast of Haiyang, east China's Shandong Province, Jan. 11, 2024. China on Thursday sent a sea-launched Gravity-1 (YL-1) carrier rocket into space, sending three satellites into the planned orbit. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

A Gravity-1 (YL-1) commercial carrier rocket carrying three satellites is launched from waters off the coast of Haiyang, east China's Shandong Province, Jan. 11, 2024. China on Thursday sent a sea-launched Gravity-1 (YL-1) carrier rocket into space, sending three satellites into the planned orbit. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

A Gravity-1 (YL-1) commercial carrier rocket carrying three satellites is launched from waters off the coast of Haiyang, east China's Shandong Province, Jan. 11, 2024. China on Thursday sent a sea-launched Gravity-1 (YL-1) carrier rocket into space, sending three satellites into the planned orbit. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

A Gravity-1 (YL-1) commercial carrier rocket carrying three satellites is launched from waters off the coast of Haiyang, east China's Shandong Province, Jan. 11, 2024. China on Thursday sent a sea-launched Gravity-1 (YL-1) carrier rocket into space, sending three satellites into the planned orbit. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

Editor: WJH
Do you dream of escaping for an extended stay at a Michigan state park or harbor? You might be a great fit for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources campground and harbor host program.

The DNR is currently accepting applications for volunteer hosts at a variety of state parks and recreation areas, rustic state forest campgrounds, and state harbors for 2024. In exchange for some volunteer work, camping and boat slip fees are waived.

Hosts are responsible for 30 hours of service weekly, such as answering visitor questions, planning activities and performing light maintenance duties. Host positions are for a minimum of one month and require some training in advance.

Currently the camp hosting program includes more than 100 campgrounds at state parks, forests and recreation areas. The 2024 harbor hosting program will take place at DeTour, Presque Isle, Straits and Tawas state harbors. Applications are accepted year-round for both programs until vacancies are filled.

More information on volunteer host opportunities, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, can be found on the DNRs website here.
ORLANDO, FL -- A Detroit man has been charged with multiple felonies after he allegedly interfered with a Spirit Airlines flight from Louisville, Kentucky to Orlando, Florida this week, which included asking multiple flight attendants if they wanted to join the mile high club with him.

According to the FBI, James Finnister, 47, was arrested on Jan. 9 after crew members reported being harrassed by Finnister during the flight. A criminal complaint filed in Florida alleges that about an hour into the flight Finnister asked the lead flight attendant if she wanted to join the mile high club.

Shortly thereafter FInnister allegedly grabbed another flight attendant and asked her the same thing before she was able to break his grip and report the issue to her flight supervisor. Finnister also worried the flight attendant by asking multiple questions about the cockpit and how to get in.

During the course of the flight, crew members reported Finnister had to be reassigned a seat three different times due to his disruptive behavior. Following the third time being moved Finnister allegedly laid down on the floor of the plane and staff had to pick him up off the ground.

Police were waiting for the plane when it arrived in Orlando and interviewed the crew and Finnister about the incidents. Finnister allegedly admitted to police that hed asked multiple flight attendants about the mile high club and to consuming multiple alcoholic shots prior to the flight in order to calm his nerves. Finnister said the flight was the first one hed ever taken.

Finnister is charged with one count each of interfering with flight crew members and assaulting a flight attendant. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
MACOMB COUNTY, MI  A Michigan man is accused of committing a hate crime inside a Walmart.

Vincent Michael Moceri, 42, of Clinton Township was charged in Macomb County for assault with a dangerous weapon and ethnic Intimidation, prosecutor Peter J. Lucido announced.

It is alleged that on Jan. 5, Moceri yelled racial slursand pointed knives at two individuals in a Clinton Township Walmart while threatening to kill them. Neither victim sustained any physical injuries.

Those who perpetrate acts of hatred will be held accountable, ensuring that our legal system stands against prejudice and intolerance, Lucido said.

Bond was set at $30,000. A probable cause conference is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. with District Court Judge Sebastian Lucido.
MACOMB COUNTY, MI  A Michigan man has received a lengthy prison sentence for causing a fatal crash while he was out on bond.

Demetrius Benson, 36, of Lincoln Park was drunk when he ran a red light on 8 Mile Road and crashed into a vehicle on Groesbeck Highway in Warren on Jan. 21, 2023. Following the crash, Benson fled the scene and attempted to carjack a van but was unsuccessful.

Benson was out on bond in Wayne County for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, third offense, at the time of the crash.

Benson was sentenced by Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Kathryn Viviano this week. Crimes include:

Operating While Intoxicated Causing Death: 8-30 years

Operating While License Suspended Causing Death: 8-30 years

Attempted Carjacking: 5-10 years

Possession of a Controlled Substance less than 25 grams: 4-8 years

Operating While Intoxicated 3rd Offense: 5-10 years

This tragic incident underscores the devastating consequences of drunk driving. We stand united in our commitment to hold accountable those who choose to jeopardize the safety of our streets, said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido.
DETROIT  A Detroit Police officer and two suspects were shot when officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert Thursday night at an apartment, FOX 2 Detroit reports.

Shots fired were detected around 11:15 p.m. at an apartment in the 12900 block of Burt Road near I-96, police said. Responding officers were met with gunfire. One officer was shot twice in the upper body and was pulled to safety by a fellow officer who returned fire. Its unclear whether the return fire struck two suspects or if they were shot by someone in the apartment.

The officers, by all accounts, are heroes, heroic to go into that active shooter situation, Chief James White said.

He believes the officers walked into either a robbery-murder or a murder. Three weapons were seized, the report said.

The officer and two suspects were all hospitalized and are expected to survive, the report said.
LANSING, MI -- A man charged with sexually assaulting a woman in a Western Michigan University dorm room in 2009 is asking the Michigan Supreme Court to allow him to submit evidence that she previously made a false accusation against other men.

Karl Butler, his cousin Edgar Butler IV and a third man named Clifford Mathis werent charged in the assault until 2019.
The Quaker Oats Company has issued a massive recall, including Capn Crunch products, Gatorade protein bars, Chewy granola bars and other oatmeal and snack products.

These products could be contaminated with salmonella, which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (possibly bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, Salmonella can result in more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis.

This is an expansion of a recall initially issued on Dec. 15.

Consumers should check their pantries for any of the products listed below and dispose of them. Those who have one or more of these products in their homes can also contact Quaker Consumer Relations at 1-800-492-9322 or visit QuakerRecallUSA.com for additional information and reimbursement.

Consumers can scan the SmartLabel QR code on the product package to determine if it has been recalled. Click here for information on how to use SmartLabel.

Listed below are the recalled products, which are sold throughout all 50 states, including Michigan, plus Puerto Rico, Guam and Saipan. Find more information here.

The Quaker Oat Company issued a massive, expanded recall on Jan. 11, 2024. The recall includes Cap'n Crunch products, Gatorade protein bars, Chewy granola bars, and other snack and oatmeal products that could be contaminated with salmonella. From left to right, the chart shows the product name and description, size and quantity, UPC code, "best before" range of dates, and a product image.U.S. Food and Drug Administration

The Quaker Oat Company issued a massive, expanded recall on Jan. 11, 2024. The recall includes Cap'n Crunch products, Gatorade protein bars, Chewy granola bars, and other snack and oatmeal products that could be contaminated with salmonella. From left to right, the chart shows the product name and description, size and quantity, UPC code, "best before" range of dates, and a product image.U.S. Food and Drug Administration

The Quaker Oat Company issued a massive, expanded recall on Jan. 11, 2024. The recall includes Cap'n Crunch products, Gatorade protein bars, Chewy granola bars, and other snack and oatmeal products that could be contaminated with salmonella. From left to right, the chart shows the product name and description, size and quantity, UPC code, "best before" range of dates, and a product image.U.S. Food and Drug Administration

The Quaker Oat Company issued a massive, expanded recall on Jan. 11, 2024. The recall includes Cap'n Crunch products, Gatorade protein bars, Chewy granola bars, and other snack and oatmeal products that could be contaminated with salmonella. From left to right, the chart shows the product name and description, size and quantity, UPC code, "best before" range of dates, and a product image.U.S. Food and Drug Administration

The Quaker Oat Company issued a massive, expanded recall on Jan. 11, 2024. The recall includes Cap'n Crunch products, Gatorade protein bars, Chewy granola bars, and other snack and oatmeal products that could be contaminated with salmonella. From left to right, the chart shows the product name and description, size and quantity, UPC code, "best before" range of dates, and a product image.U.S. Food and Drug Administration

The Quaker Oat Company issued a massive, expanded recall on Jan. 11, 2024. The recall includes Cap'n Crunch products, Gatorade protein bars, Chewy granola bars, and other snack and oatmeal products that could be contaminated with salmonella. From left to right, the chart shows the product name and description, size and quantity, UPC code, "best before" range of dates, and a product image.U.S. Food and Drug Administration

The Quaker Oat Company issued a massive, expanded recall on Jan. 11, 2024. The recall includes Cap'n Crunch products, Gatorade protein bars, Chewy granola bars, and other snack and oatmeal products that could be contaminated with salmonella. From left to right, the chart shows the product name and description, size and quantity, UPC code, "best before" range of dates, and a product image.U.S. Food and Drug Administration

The Quaker Oat Company issued a massive, expanded recall on Jan. 11, 2024. The recall includes Cap'n Crunch products, Gatorade protein bars, Chewy granola bars, and other snack and oatmeal products that could be contaminated with salmonella. From left to right, the chart shows the product name and description, size and quantity, UPC code, "best before" range of dates, and a product image.U.S. Food and Drug Administration

The Quaker Oat Company issued a massive, expanded recall on Jan. 11, 2024. The recall includes Cap'n Crunch products, Gatorade protein bars, Chewy granola bars, and other snack and oatmeal products that could be contaminated with salmonella. From left to right, the chart shows the product name and description, size and quantity, UPC code, "best before" range of dates, and a product image.U.S. Food and Drug Administration

The Quaker Oat Company issued a massive, expanded recall on Jan. 11, 2024. The recall includes Cap'n Crunch products, Gatorade protein bars, Chewy granola bars, and other snack and oatmeal products that could be contaminated with salmonella. From left to right, the chart shows the product name and description, size and quantity, UPC code, "best before" range of dates, and a product image.U.S. Food and Drug Administration

The Quaker Oat Company issued a massive, expanded recall on Jan. 11, 2024. The recall includes Cap'n Crunch products, Gatorade protein bars, Chewy granola bars, and other snack and oatmeal products that could be contaminated with salmonella. From left to right, the chart shows the product name and description, size and quantity, UPC code, "best before" range of dates, and a product image.U.S. Food and Drug Administration

The Quaker Oat Company issued a massive, expanded recall on Jan. 11, 2024. The recall includes Cap'n Crunch products, Gatorade protein bars, Chewy granola bars, and other snack and oatmeal products that could be contaminated with salmonella. From left to right, the chart shows the product name and description, size and quantity, UPC code, "best before" range of dates, and a product image.U.S. Food and Drug Administration
WESTLAND, MI  A woman who was stabbed to death by her husband over the weekend was a domestic violence survivor, activist and poet, WDIV Local 4 reports.

Kelly Ann Mays, 49, of Westland, died of multiple stab wounds to her neck and chest, authorities said. Her husband, Jimmie Lee Brown, 46, of Highland Park, is charged with first-degree murder.

Brown is a Detroit rapper known as Supa Emcee, the TV station reports. He suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car crash in 2020.

Westland police officers were dispatched at 6:15 p.m. Sunday to an apartment complex in the 36700 block of McKinney Drive in Westland, according to a news release from the Wayne County Prosecutors Office. Upon arrival, they found Mays in the bedroom of her apartment, deceased. Brown turned himself in to the police later that day.

RELATED: Michigan man charged in stabbing murder of girlfriend

Brown was arraigned on Wednesday in the 18th District Court. He was denied bond and remanded to jail. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison. Hes due back in court on Jan. 25 before Judge Sandra Cicirelli.
NEWAYGO COUNTY, MI -- A Grand Rapids couple has filed a lawsuit against a Newaygo County township after a recently enacted ordinance blocked their plans to start a green cemetery in a forested area.

Peter and Annica Quakenbush filed the lawsuit Thursday, Jan. 11 in Newaygo County Circuit Court, claiming Brooks Township and its leaders have violated their state constitutional property rights.
ANN ARBOR, MI  Ann Arbor has joined a growing list of cities calling for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas.

City Council took a stance Thursday night, Jan. 11, after months of hearing emotional testimony from Muslim, Jewish and other community members whove packed the council chambers to talk about the deadly conflict thats transpired overseas since Oct. 7 and how its affecting them here at home.
A Kuaizhou-1A carrier rocket carrying the Tianxing-1 02 satellite blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Jan. 11, 2024. The satellite, mainly used for experiments such as space environment detection, was launched at 11:52 a.m. (Beijing Time) and has entered the planned orbit. (Photo by Yang Xiaobo/Xinhua)

JIUQUAN, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- China sent a new satellite into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Thursday.

The Tianxing-1 02 satellite was launched by a Kuaizhou-1A carrier rocket at 11:52 a.m. (Beijing Time) and has entered the planned orbit.

The satellite is mainly used for experiments such as space environment detection.

It was the 26th flight mission of the Kuaizhou-1A rockets, according to the launch center.

A Kuaizhou-1A carrier rocket carrying the Tianxing-1 02 satellite blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Jan. 11, 2024. The satellite, mainly used for experiments such as space environment detection, was launched at 11:52 a.m. (Beijing Time) and has entered the planned orbit. (Photo by Wang Haixia/Xinhua)

A Kuaizhou-1A carrier rocket carrying the Tianxing-1 02 satellite blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Jan. 11, 2024. The satellite, mainly used for experiments such as space environment detection, was launched at 11:52 a.m. (Beijing Time) and has entered the planned orbit. (Photo by Yang Xiaobo/Xinhua)

A Kuaizhou-1A carrier rocket carrying the Tianxing-1 02 satellite blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Jan. 11, 2024. The satellite, mainly used for experiments such as space environment detection, was launched at 11:52 a.m. (Beijing Time) and has entered the planned orbit. (Photo by Wang Haixia/Xinhua)

Editor: WJH
ANN ARBOR, MI -- Police are investigating the death of a woman who reportedly fell from an Ann Arbor parking structure.

Ann Arbor police were called to the Maynard Parking Structure, 324 Maynard St., Ann Arbor, around 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 11 for a report of a woman lying unconscious on the sidewalk along Thompson Street, according to Chris Page, spokesperson for the Ann Arbor police.

The woman, identified as a 34-year-old Ann Arbor resident, was declared dead on the scene. Police did not release any further information about the womans identity.

Preliminary investigation revealed the woman died after falling from the top of the structure, police said. No foul play is currently suspected.

The incident is still under investigation. Crews from Huron Valley Ambulance, Ann Arbor Fire Department and the University of Michigan Police Department also responded to the scene.

Ann Arbor City Council has previously urged the Downtown Development Authority to install better barriers in downtown parking garages. A similar incident in January 2023 was ultimately ruled a suicide.

Anyone experiencing thoughts of suicide can seek help from:

The 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988

The Ozone House, a 24-hour hotline for youth, at 734-662-2222.

The 24-hour hotline at University of Michigan Psychiatric Emergency Services at 734-936-5900.

The Washtenaw County Community Mental Health crisis team at 734-544-3050.

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.
FLINT, MI -- Flint Councilman Eric Mays must continue serving a 90-day suspension after a federal judge turned down his request that she return him to his elected seat.

U.S. District Court Judge F. Kay Behm denied Mays emergency motion for a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction during a hearing on Thursday, Jan. 11, leaving the discipline in place.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  Former state Rep. Larry Inman was acquitted on charges of attempted extortion and soliciting a bribe.

The acquittal Thursday, Jan. 11, in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids, came four years ago another jury found him not guilty of lying to the FBI but deadlocked on the extortion and solicitation charges.

The verdict  after four days of trial and 45 minutes of deliberation  vindicated the Grand Traverse County Republican, who has always maintained his innocence, his attorneys said.

To me, this case showcases the damage that can be done to a person just from being charged with a crime, well before the case gets to the jury, attorney James Stevenson Fisher said in an email to MLive.

It isnt just that Mr. Inman lost his job and his savings - his otherwise stellar, quarter-century long career in public service was tarnished over what amounted to a few clumsily worded texts.

Related: Ex-lawmaker on trial, 4 years after jury deadlocked on bribery, extortion charges

Inman, 69, was represented by Fisher and two other assistant federal public defenders, Parker Douglas and Areeb Salim.

The government said Inman sought campaign contributions for his vote to repeal the prevailing-wage law, which required workers on public projects, such as school buildings, to receive union-level wages.

He voted for the 2018 repeal. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has since signed legislation to restore the prevailing-wage law.

Related: End the nightmare for state Rep. Larry Inman, attorney tells jury in bribery, extortion case

U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker earlier ruled that Inman could not be retried after his initial acquittal for lying to the FBI because that allegation was part of the basis for the other charges.

By the governments own logic, that must mean the jury believed Mr. Inmans testimony, Jonker said after the first trial.

A federal appellate panel overturned the ruling.

Federal prosecutors alleged Inman sought campaign contributions from the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights in exchange for his vote on the prevailing-wage issue.

Related: Judge weighs Rep. Larry Inman fund-raising: Bribery or protected speech?

Fisher said that the allegations weighed heavily on his client.

I know Mr. Inman is glad to have this case finally behind him. I think Mr. Inman views the verdict as vindication.

Salim, one of Inmans other attorneys, said the case highlights the devastation that criminal prosecution, especially federal prosecution, can have. At this point, Mr. Inman has spent 5 years litigating his innocence. Despite being unable to get a jury to convict Mr. Inman in the first trial, the government decided to have another trial. During this time, Mr. Inman lost his career, had his reputation slandered, and spent his life savings fighting to prove his innocence.

And although he is elated that his innocence has been proven, he will not be able to recover much of what he has lost.

He said that Mr. Mr. Inman remains optimistic for the future. He was able to get through these trying times because of his unwavering commitment to proving his innocence.

U.S. Attorney Mark Totten said in a statement: While I respectfully disagree with this outcome, todays verdict does not deter my commitment to fight public corruption with impartiality and safeguard the publics trust in our democracy.

The defense attorneys argued in a motion for acquittal that text messages between Inman and potential contributors did not amount to a quid pro quo.

The text mentions the financial realities facing possible supporters, and gives a garbled but logical description of what others might likely do because of the upcoming needs for campaigns, and that they would have campaign issues surrounding their support, defense attorneys said.

They said there was no explicit agreement for payment for a vote.

Read more:

First Shaqs Big Chicken in Michigan set for late January opening, now hiring

Dog rescued after falling 60 feet from cliff at Pictured Rocks

Hello, Grand Rapids: Winter storm wallop on way, shelter for the homeless
OTTAWA COUNTY, MI -- Ottawa Countys attorney has filed another motion that asks a judge to cancel or adjourn an upcoming evidentiary hearing over a disputed $4 million settlement with county Health Officer Adeline Hambley.

Attorney David Kallman filed the motion Thursday, Jan. 11.

Kallman on Dec. 20 filed a similar motion, asking for a protective order to stop any testimony that might violate attorney-client privilege or state privacy laws governing closed sessions.

The legal wrangling surrounds settlement negotiations with Hambley. A majority faction of commissioners affiliated with the ultra-conservative group Ottawa Impact last January voted to replace Hambley with another person.

But that effort was stymied when Hambley filed a wrongful termination lawsuit.

Commissioners in October went ahead with taking testimony during a termination hearing against Hambley, but then in early November revealed they were in settlement talks. They hoped to get her to resign and drop her lawsuit.

Following a closed session on Nov. 6, commissioners voted 7-3 to accept a recommendation from Kallman on litigation and settlement activities.

Related: Judge to hear testimony in dispute over Ottawa County $4 million health officer settlement

Attorney Sarah Howard, representing Hambley, said she believes commissioners were voting on a $4 million settlement. But Kallman argued after the fact that the vote was simply to continue negotiations.

Muskegon County Circuit Judge Jenny McNeill in December called for an evidentiary hearing to take testimony from Board Chair Joe Moss and other commissioners. She also ruled she would look privately at the Nov. 6 closed session meeting minutes.

Kallmans most recent motion asks McNeill to cancel or adjourn the Jan. 19 evidentiary hearing because she has yet to rule on the protective order motion. He said McNeill is now scheduled to rule on the protective order Jan. 19, just prior to the evidentiary hearing.

The timing, if the ruling is unfavorable to him, gives him no time to file an appeal, he wrote.

Howard, the attorney for Hambley, said she plans to file responses to Kallmans two motions by Tuesday, Jan. 16.

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.
BAY COUNTY, MI  Over the summer, a rift developed within the Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce. It led to a police response and the alleged fraudulent sale of land that has hosted the annual Auburn Cornfest, preventing the event from happening.

While police requested a warrant for one participant in the alleged coup attempt, it hasnt been authorized, or denied for that matter.
MONITOR TOWNSHIP, MI  As a Monitor Township firefight continues recovering after being struck by a hit-and-run driver, the community is donating funds to help him in his convalescence.

Firefighter Jeff Sargeson suffered severe injuries in the crash on eastbound US-10 near Interstate 75 early on Jan. 1. He was released from the hospital by Jan. 4.

He is now at home, dealing with a broken left ankle, a broken left leg, severely bruised ribs, and numerous cuts and bruises, said local resident Jacob Sommerville, who on Jan. 10 launched a GoFundMe campaign for Sargeons medical expenses. The physical and emotional toll of this incident is significant, and Jeff faces an uphill battle to regain his health.

The campaign has raised more than $950 on Jan. 12.

The funds raised will go towards Jeffs medical expenses, rehabilitation, and any other unforeseen costs associated with his recovery, Sommerville said. Jeff has dedicated his life to serving and protecting our community, and now its our turn to stand by him in his time of need.

Sargeson has been with the Monitor Township Fire Department for 15 years and has also worked as a substitute teacher.

At about 12:45 a.m. on Jan. 1, Sargeson and other firefighters responded to a two-vehicle crash on eastbound US-10 near Interstate 75. After they cleared the scene, Sargeson noticed another vehicle had slid off the road, said Monitor Township Fire Chief John Kramer.

Sargeson stopped to make sure the occupants were OK and helped them get their vehicle unstuck. Just then, another vehicle came by and lost control, striking the just-freed one, Kramer said.

A pickup truck then also came through and lost control. Sargeson turned and was struck by the truck, the impact launching off the ground and into some nearby grass, Kramer said.

The trucks driver fled the scene.

The Michigan State Police are investigating the collision. The agency described the striking truck as a blue 2019 Chevrolet Colorado pickup, with heavy front-end damage.

After police put out the description, a suspect surrendered to police for questioning alongside an attorney, said MSP Lt. Kimberly Vetter. The man has not been arrested and investigators are requesting charges from prosecutors, Vetter said.
The Detroit Tigers have reached agreements with three of their four arbitration-eligible players.

Left-handed pitcher Tarik Skubal ($2.65 million); catcher Jake Rogers ($1.7 million); and outfielder Akil Baddoo ($1.55 million) have all agreed to contracts for 2024.

Right-handed Casey Mize remains unsigned after Thursday nights deadline and could be headed to an arbitration hearing.

In arbitration hearings, an independent arbitrator hears arguments and must pick between the salary submitted by the team and the salary requested by the player.

The Athletic reported late Thursday that the Tigers had offered $815,000, while Mize had countered with $840,000. Going to an arbitration hearing over a mere $25,000 would be extremely unusual.

The Tigers have gone to arbitration with a player only once since 2001. They won a hearing against right-handed pitcher Michael Fulmer in 2019.

Arbitration-eligible players have between three and six years of Major League service time. Some Super 2 players like Baddoo have just under three years of service time. Such players are not free agents -- they remain under team control -- but they can use the arbitration process to negotiate better salaries. Most players with less than three years of service time earn only the league minimum ($740,000 in 2024).

The majority of players reach agreements without going to an arbitration hearing, which is usually scheduled during spring training.

Mize, the No. 1 overall pick in 2018, hasnt pitched since April 14, 2022. He spent all of 2023 rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.
UPDATE: Blizzard Warning officially issued for part of Lower Michigan

Much of the evening forecast models data is in. Heres the latest.

There arent any alarming changes to the modeling of this storm. The only discrepancy between some models is how far northward will a few hour period of rain make it into eastern Michigan. Most of the models show rain makes it into Detroit, Ann Arbor, Monroe, Port Huron, and the southern part of the Thumb. One of the best models shows the rain briefly making it into Flint and Saginaw.

Nothing shows rain over southwest Lower, to any significant amount over than a few brief minutes of change-over here and there.

So the big question is total snowfall. Lets say the general snow ends by Saturday afternoon. Here is the total snow forecast through 7 p.m. Saturday.

Total snowfall forecast through 7 p.m. Saturday (forecast from the National Weather Service offices in Michigan)NOAA

The heavy six inch or more snow will take up a large chunk of Lower Michigan and now much of the Upper Peninsula. Draw a line from Kalamazoo to Lansing to Flint to Sandusky. North of this line lets call it a solid six inch to 10 inch snow. The northeast wind will enhance the snow amounts over northeast and north-central Lower Michigan where up to 14 inches will be common.

It still looks like a three to five inch snow for Ann Arbor, Detroit and Monroe. It is interesting to note this snow amount in the southeast will come down in a big hurry in six hours Friday evening, along with possible thunder and lightning.

The snow starts a few hours either side of noon. The snow should be heavy across southern Michigan by 5 p.m. Friday. The heavy snow moves into northern Michigan by 8 p.m. Friday.

Heres the radar forecast I like best in this situation.

Radar forecast from noon Friday to 6 p.m. Saturday.NOAA

Watch the wind gusts develop Friday afternoon and continue into Saturday morning. Note the interesting pattern of lighter wind in the eye of the storm. This lull in wind only lasts an hour or two at any one spot.

Wind gusts forecast from 11 a.m. Friday to 6 p.m. Saturday.NOAA

Winds are going to gust to 45 mph at most places, with some gusts around 55 mph around Saginaw Bay, the tip of the Thumb and the northeast shoreline. Here are some still frames of the wind gust forecast.

By 3 p.m. Friday winds will be gusting to 40 mph at many places.

Wind gust forecast at 3 p.m. FridayNOAA

At 6 p.m. Friday look for gusts out of the east up to 45 mph around the Thumb into around Mount Pleasant.

Wind gust forecast at 6 p.m. Friday.NOAA

At midnight the gusts will be over 50 mph in the northeast corner and around the Grand Traverse region.

Wind gust forecast at midnight Saturday.NOAA

Saturday mornings wind gusts are a whole different beast- very cold winds. This cold wind will act on the fluffier snow falling Friday night. Southeast Michigan and the Saginaw Valley will have gusts to 50 mph Saturday morning.

Wind gust forecast at 9 a.m. Saturday.NOAA

Blizzard conditions could occur on two different wind directions. Friday afternoon and evenings winds will be out of the east. Saturdays gusts will blow colder from the west and northwest.

Its a pretty simple story on this storm. Its a lot of precipitation and a lot of wind. Be prepared for not an historic storm but one that we have once or twice a decade.

We will have statewide dangerous travel conditions for three days out of this storm- Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Then we will have heavy lake-effect snow in more localized areas for several days into next week.

The best advice I can give you is do what you have to do by noon Friday.

Whats the chance this storm forecast could be a bust? Slim to none. The only pleasant surprise you might find is the low end of the snow range in far southeast Lower Michigan. And thats only pleasant if you arent a snow-lover like 50 percent of us Michiganders.

Stay updated on the storm here, and sign up for the free trial of our new Michigan Weather Insider text group.
A tram decorated with lights is seen in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 9, 2024. Since Dec. 31, 2023, several trams in Dalian have been decorated with lights in order to attract more tourists. The history of tram in Dalian City dates back to 1909. After more than 100 years of operation, the tram has become a popular icon of the city. As the tourism industry in Dalian has recovered since 2023, many tourists come to take the trams to enjoy the cityscape. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

Tram driver Li Peng prepares for departure in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 8, 2024. Since Dec. 31, 2023, several trams in Dalian have been decorated with lights in order to attract more tourists. The history of tram in Dalian City dates back to 1909. After more than 100 years of operation, the tram has become a popular icon of the city. As the tourism industry in Dalian has recovered since 2023, many tourists come to take the trams to enjoy the cityscape. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

Tram driver Li Peng prepares for departure in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 8, 2024. Since Dec. 31, 2023, several trams in Dalian have been decorated with lights in order to attract more tourists. The history of tram in Dalian City dates back to 1909. After more than 100 years of operation, the tram has become a popular icon of the city. As the tourism industry in Dalian has recovered since 2023, many tourists come to take the trams to enjoy the cityscape. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

Tram driver Li Peng prepares for departure in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 8, 2024. Since Dec. 31, 2023, several trams in Dalian have been decorated with lights in order to attract more tourists. The history of tram in Dalian City dates back to 1909. After more than 100 years of operation, the tram has become a popular icon of the city. As the tourism industry in Dalian has recovered since 2023, many tourists come to take the trams to enjoy the cityscape. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 9, 2024 shows a tram moving in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province. Since Dec. 31, 2023, several trams in Dalian have been decorated with lights in order to attract more tourists. The history of tram in Dalian City dates back to 1909. After more than 100 years of operation, the tram has become a popular icon of the city. As the tourism industry in Dalian has recovered since 2023, many tourists come to take the trams to enjoy the cityscape. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

A tram is seen in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 8, 2024. Since Dec. 31, 2023, several trams in Dalian have been decorated with lights in order to attract more tourists. The history of tram in Dalian City dates back to 1909. After more than 100 years of operation, the tram has become a popular icon of the city. As the tourism industry in Dalian has recovered since 2023, many tourists come to take the trams to enjoy the cityscape. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

A tram decorated with lights is seen in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 9, 2024. Since Dec. 31, 2023, several trams in Dalian have been decorated with lights in order to attract more tourists. The history of tram in Dalian City dates back to 1909. After more than 100 years of operation, the tram has become a popular icon of the city. As the tourism industry in Dalian has recovered since 2023, many tourists come to take the trams to enjoy the cityscape. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

Tourists take the No. 201 tram in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 8, 2024. Since Dec. 31, 2023, several trams in Dalian have been decorated with lights in order to attract more tourists. The history of tram in Dalian City dates back to 1909. After more than 100 years of operation, the tram has become a popular icon of the city. As the tourism industry in Dalian has recovered since 2023, many tourists come to take the trams to enjoy the cityscape. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

Tourists take the No. 201 tram in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 8, 2024. Since Dec. 31, 2023, several trams in Dalian have been decorated with lights in order to attract more tourists. The history of tram in Dalian City dates back to 1909. After more than 100 years of operation, the tram has become a popular icon of the city. As the tourism industry in Dalian has recovered since 2023, many tourists come to take the trams to enjoy the cityscape. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

Tram driver Li Peng helps a passenger board a tram in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 8, 2024. Since Dec. 31, 2023, several trams in Dalian have been decorated with lights in order to attract more tourists. The history of tram in Dalian City dates back to 1909. After more than 100 years of operation, the tram has become a popular icon of the city. As the tourism industry in Dalian has recovered since 2023, many tourists come to take the trams to enjoy the cityscape. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

Tram driver Li Peng operates a tram in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 8, 2024. Since Dec. 31, 2023, several trams in Dalian have been decorated with lights in order to attract more tourists. The history of tram in Dalian City dates back to 1909. After more than 100 years of operation, the tram has become a popular icon of the city. As the tourism industry in Dalian has recovered since 2023, many tourists come to take the trams to enjoy the cityscape. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

A tourist takes photos in the No. 201 tram in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 8, 2024. Since Dec. 31, 2023, several trams in Dalian have been decorated with lights in order to attract more tourists. The history of tram in Dalian City dates back to 1909. After more than 100 years of operation, the tram has become a popular icon of the city. As the tourism industry in Dalian has recovered since 2023, many tourists come to take the trams to enjoy the cityscape. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

Editor: JYZ
Ukrenergo cooperating with NABU in losses caused by United Energy, seeking in court to recover UAH 1.1 bln from it

NPC Ukrenergo is working closely with the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) in the case of causing losses of more than UAH 700 million as a result of non-payment by United Energy LLC to the electricity company, which the bureau reported on Thursday.

As the company notes on its Telegram channel, it provides the investigation with all the necessary information, but does not have the details of the investigation.

For its part, Ukrenergo provided its explanation of the essence of the dispute with the trader: in March 2022, when Ukraine was at the beginning of a full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation, the trader company United Energy, taking advantage of these circumstances, consumed electricity that was not purchased and didn't pay the company for the created imbalance.

The amount of debt to Ukrenergo at that time amounted to UAH 1.7 billion, while the guarantor bank did not provide the company with a financial guarantee.

The company indicates that to date it has already managed to recover UAH 600 million of debt from the trader and the bank, and Ukrenergo is trying to recover another UAH 1.1 billion, including fines, in court.

"There is already a decision of the first instance in favor of the transmission system operator to pay it UAH 1.1 billion. After the court decision enters into legal force, the company will recover this amount in full, and the issue of causing losses to the company will be put to rest," Ukrenergo said.

At the same time, the company noted that the former employee of Ukrenergo, mentioned in the NABU report, like all employees of the company, then worked in critical conditions - in the process of arranging workplaces in evacuation or bomb shelters, "and this could lead to certain slowdowns in processes."

"The extent to which this can be qualified as a crime under Part 2 of Article 364 of the Criminal Code must be decided by the court," Ukrenergo emphasized.
Co-owner of the NOVA group of companies Volodymyr Popereshniuk asked clients on Facebook about their attitude to the sale of other goods and services in Nova Poshta branches, except for parcel delivery services.

For 2024, we have many plans for development and improvement. I would like to know from you what we still need to improve and strengthen? What additional services should be introduced? Should we sell something in the branches, except for parcel delivery services? And what was it supposed to be?" Popereshniuk wrote.

According to comments from readers, the majority are against the creation of points of sale of everyday goods in Nova Poshta branches. Some users cite the example of the state-owned Ukrposhta or leading gas station chains, where the sale of related products, in their opinion, lengthens the queue.

Definitely dont turn branches into supermarkets, this will create additional queues, wrote Maksym Mazur, a user of the companys services.

"I will never add any service if it creates a queue," Popereshniuk replied.

At the same time, users who are not against related sales in Nova Poshta branches offered the sale of books and gift wrapping services.

In turn, the Ukrainian manufacturer of natural peanut butter TOM offered to sell its products in the branches.

In general, according to the responses of the co-owner of Nova Poshta, the final form of related sales in branches should be organized in such a way as not to affect the efficiency of issuing parcels to customers.
More than 70% of the money allocated to Ukraine by the United States remained in the United States, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at a press conference in Riga on Thursday.

"More than 70% remained in the United States. And the people who helped us know this. Weapons are not free, and U.S. enterprises received this money," he said.

Zelenskyy was asked about his attitude to the statement of one of the potential presidential candidates, Ron DeSantis, who admitted that American taxpayers' money was going to pensions for Ukrainians.

"DeSantis can change his position and give millions to our military. They and others like him refused to help our military with salaries and said that this is only a question for Ukraine," Zelenskyy noted.

"You can say that we defend democracy together, and then say that we cannot give money to the military, because we are a NATO country, we cannot support the war," he said.

"DeSantis is a young man and he apparently does not understand what it means to support pensioners during the war. When DeSantis is a pensioner and we win this war, I will help him with gratitude because the United States helped our pensioners," Zelenskyy added.
Ukraine will make every effort to create new European defense arsenal with partners in 2024  Zelenskyy

Europe needs much more productive work of its defense sectors, so Ukraine will make every effort to create a new European military production arsenal with partners in 2024, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

"We in Europe, everyone in Europe, from west to east, from north to south, need much more productive work of the defense sectors of our states. Europe must learn to be self-sufficient in its defense - no matter what Russia threatens and no matter what aspect of our lives Russia has made its target," Zelenskyy said at a press conference with the President of Latvia in Riga on Thursday.

"Europe must be able to respond, it has the right to defend itself. This year, Ukraine will make every effort with all partners to create a new arsenal of Europe - industrial cooperation of such a level that over time will ensure the very fact of its existence, its work, its results and the prevention of Russian aggression against Europe," he added.

According to Zelenskyy, "Russia considers only force and we all in Europe need just such a force."

He also added that it is necessary to continue to work together with partners on sanctions against the Russian Federation, block schemes for circumventing sanctions, as well as maintain Europe's consolidated position on the rejection of Russian energy resources.

The President of Ukraine thanked the Latvian leader for providing a new defense package, including howitzers, ammunition, helicopters, anti-tank weapons, drones, etc.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will visit Kyiv on Friday, January 12, to present a new major support package and confirm the close partnership between the UK and Ukraine.

As reported on the British government's website, Sunak and President Zelenskyy will also sign a historic UK-Ukraine Agreement on Security Cooperation.

The G7 nations agreed to provide Ukraine with bilateral security assurances at the NATO Summit in Vilnius last year; the UK is the first country to deliver a final agreement. It is noted that the totemic agreement is intended to be the first step in developing an unshakeable hundred-year partnership between Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

The government noted that the UK-Ukraine Agreement on Security Cooperation formalises a range of support the UK has been and will continue to provide for Ukraines security, including intelligence sharing, cyber security, medical and military training, and defence industrial cooperation.

It also commits the UK to consult with Ukraine in the event it is ever attacked by Russia again, and to provide swift and sustained assistance for their defence.

Ahead of meeting President Zelenskyy, Sunak has also confirmed the UK will provide GBP 2.5 billion in military aid to Ukraine in 2024/25, an increase of GBP 200 million on the previous two years. The funding will help to leverage the best of UK military expertise and defence production to ensure Ukraines victory on the battlefield, including in critical areas like long-range missiles, air defence, artillery ammunition and maritime security.

Of the GBP 2.5 billion, at least GBP 200 million will be spent on a major push to rapidly procure and produce thousands of military drones for Ukraine, including surveillance, long-range strike and sea drones. The technology will give Ukraine cutting edge, battle-tested capabilities to defend their citizens and target the invading Russian forces on land and sea.

It is stressed that this will be the largest delivery of drones to Ukraine from any nation. Most of the drones are expected to be manufactured in the UK, and the Ministry of Defence will work with international partners to significantly scale up the number of drones provided for Ukraines defence.

It is expected that during his visit to Kyiv, the Prime Minister is expected to meet emergency workers responding to the aftermath of Russian airstrikes. He will announce a further GBP 18 million in aid for Ukraine, building on almost GBP 340 million already provided. Some of that funding will support organisations like the UN and Red Cross to provide humanitarian aid on the frontline, and GBP 8 million will go to fortify Ukraines energy infrastructure against further Russian attacks.

As part of efforts to cement the close bond between our two nations and Ukraines place at the heart of Europe, the UK will also provide additional funding and resources for English language training in Ukraine, the British government reported.

With the latest funding, the UK has now provided almost GBP 12 billion in support to Ukraine and has often been the first-mover on vital lethal aid, from Storm Shadow cruise missiles to a squadron of Challenger 2 tanks.
The partner states handed over to Ukraine "some long-range weapons" that destroyed 26 helicopters and 12 Russian aircraft over day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a conversation with journalists from the Baltic media.

"The partners know that some longrange weapons that they gave us, some - I won't say what now, but now, listening to me, they understand: we destroyed 26 helicopters over day, 12 aircraft that went to the skies and launched missiles, against which these systems [Western air defense] worked, shot down. We destroyed 12 at a time. We just had something to destroy it," he said.

At the same time, Zelenskyy stressed that "this is a longrange weapon transferred by partners, which destroyed the Russian aircraft that took off to bomb us - this is our protection."

"And we did not attack with these long-range weapons, it was part of our defense, our air defense," he stated.
Ukraine needs more shells and artillery systems, including old ones, not only new technologies, said head of the Main Intelligence Agency (GUR) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov.

"We need more shells and artillery systems. It's not just about modern technology. We are interested in everything, including old systems that are no longer in use. The issue of quantity is important," he said in an interview with Le Monde.

Budanov also stressed. that in 2023, the first Ukrainian landings took place on the territory of the temporarily occupied Crimea, although some considered them impossible. According to him, "this gives hope, especially to Ukrainians on the peninsula, who have been living under Russian occupation for 10 years, and many of them have already begun to give up."
Since the end of the summer of 2023, we have seen an increase in ammunition manufactured by the Russian Federation, at the same time we note a decrease in their quality, said head of the Main Intelligence Agency (GUR) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov in an interview with Le Monde.

"If we compare with previous years, then since the end of summer 2023 we have seen an increase in ammunition produced by Russia. We are not talking about shells purchased abroad, but specifically about those produced by their industry. At the same time, we note a decrease in their quality," Budanov said.

According to him, the reason for the Russian missile strikes in late 2023 and early 2024 is "very banal: they wanted to declare last year victorious as soon as possible and move on to the next one." "However, the Russians did not have any real military successes," Budanov said.

However, he stressed that Russian missiles have a number of disadvantages - they often miss.

"We immediately sent them our reply. Their military facilities were targeted," Budanov added.
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Harsh Kumar  is Correspondent at Moneycontrol based in Delhi. Harsh covers BFSI sector. You can reach him at Harsh.kumar@nw18.com
U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine's Economic Recovery Penny Pritzker and U.S. private sector CEOs have arrived in Kyiv, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget A. Brink has said.

"A very warm welcome to Kyiv to U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine's Economic Recovery Penny Pritzker and U.S. private sector CEOs. Today we will have meetings focused on accelerating U.S. business investment in Ukraine for the recovery," she said on X Social Network on Friday.
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News Highlights: INDIA alliance leaders will meet via Zoom tomorrow, January 13, 2023, at 11:30 am, to discuss various issues.

The agenda includes a review of ongoing seat-sharing discussions, planning for participation in the Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra commencing from Thoubal near Imphal the day after tomorrow, and other important matters.
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.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced the allocation of GBP 2.5 billion for military assistance to Ukraine.

The UK announces its GBP 2.5 billion defense assistance package to Ukraine, which is the largest one since the beginning of the full-scale war, he said after a meeting with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Friday.

This package means more security, anti-tank means, missiles, hundreds of thousands of new artillery rounds, and training of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers, the prime minister said.
Danish Khan is looking after Telecoms and Consumer Technology domains. He previously worked with the Economic Times.
Adrija Chatterjee is an Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol. She has been tracking and reporting on finance and trade ministries for over eight years.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said several candidates are currently being considered for the post of Ukrainian ambassador to the UK.

"As for our relations with Great Britain: they are very powerful. It is critical that each of the officials, diplomats who deal with our relations with Great Britain is at the highest level. Therefore, we are carefully considering several candidates," he said at a press conference with the British Prime Minister in Kyiv on Friday.

At the same time, the head of state did not name the names of the candidates and did not answer whether former Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov was among them.

According to Zelenskyy, "you build something for a very, very long time, and it is important not to lose it all later. This is an important and sensitive issue."
Currently, Ukraine does not have a comprehensive air defense system for the protection against Russia's attacks, the country especially lacks ballistic missile defense systems, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.

"As for the air defense systems, it is too early to say that we have a comprehensive defense system in our country. We lack the Patriot systems. We lack necessary systems of a different range. However, we receive them gradually. Some systems are on their road. We have already agreed on [receiving] some new systems. I will not disclose the details, but I agree that Ukraine obviously lacks appropriate ballistic defense systems," he said at a joint press conference with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in Kyiv on Friday.
Sanjay Kumar is a Professor at Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), and an Election Analyst. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak have signed a security agreement in Kyiv on Friday, an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent reported.

The term of the agreement is ten years.

"The history of Europe has changed. This is not just a declaration. This is the reality that will come as a result of the UK's security guarantees. If such a level of guarantees had been achieved after 1991, then Russian aggression would simply not exist," Zelenskyy said.

According to the Ukrainian president, "the guarantees will remain in effect until we join NATO. We agreed with the UK on security in all areas  on the ground, in the air, at sea and in cyberspace. The agreement contains details about weapons. Clearly  about the state border, justly  about sanctions, reliably  about restoration after hostilities."

In turn, Sunak said that the agreement will ensure quick supplies of weapons. The UK will also force Russia to pay the economic price of such aggression, the prime minister said. He also expressed hope that other countries would join the document and provide Ukraine with more guarantees for the present as well as future years.

Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva said on Facebook that the document agrees upon "an emergency coordination procedure in the event of an upcoming armed attack  response within 24 hours! Based on the results of such emergency consultations, Ukraine will be provided with immediate and permanent security assistance, modern military equipment in all necessary fields, as well as economic assistance."

"We obtained a simple and important formula: a 100-year partnership + 10 years of the Agreement + GBP 2.5 billion of support = a new level of strategic relations with the UK," he said.

"I would like to note that the security guarantees are bilateral. According to the Agreement, we will ensure that Ukraine's military capabilities are at such a level that in the event of external military aggression against the United Kingdom, Ukraine is able to provide it with effective military assistance," Zhovkva said.
Sowmya Rajendran is an independent film reviewer. Views expressed are personal
MC Feed This content is authored by a 3rd party. The views expressed here do not represent the views of Moneycontrol.com. Moneycontrol.com disclaims any and all warranties, express or implied, relating to the report and any content therein.
The targets of night strikes by Great Britain and the United States against the Yemeni Houthis were their sites for launching drones and missiles at merchant ships in the Red Sea; it was an act of self-defense, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said.

At a press conference on the results of the meeting with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, Sunak spoke about the situation in the Red Sea, namely the UK-U.S. alliance carried out strikes against the Houthis in Yemen. He said, this was aimed at destroying the sites from which the Houthis were launching drones and missiles against merchant ships in the Black Sea.

As he said, in order to reduce the military capabilities of the Houthis, targets were chosen very carefully, and force was used proportionately.

The British Prime Minister said the actions of the Houthis brought destruction and misfortune, which led to a threat to maritime navigation.

He said that after repeated warnings about the need to stop these attacks, after a speech at the UN, they spoke about the need to maintain freedom of navigation and the need to stop these hostilities. However, none of this happened. That is why today Britain, in particular, resorted to limited steps to defend ourselves. And in the face of this aggression, they will always respect the rule of law, the British Prime Minister said.

As Sunak said, the Great Britain would absolutely like to see de-escalation and restoration of stability in the region. He said over the past few weeks, a significant increase in attacks on commercial vessels has been noticed, which has a negative impact on the global economy.
Pritzker: U.S. private sector interested in working with Ukraine, for investment important to eradicate corruption

U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine's Economic Recovery Penny Pritzker said she arrived in Kyiv on Friday to try to expand private sector participation in Ukraine and help the country on the path to economic recovery.

Secondly, she highlight the private sector's interest in working with Ukraine to jump-start the economy and accelerate Ukraine's economic growth. There is a sense of real interest and confidence in the economic sustainability, potential and long-term prospects of Ukraine, and that is why Pritzker said that she was joined on this trip by the CEOs of Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Oliver Wyman and Bank of America International, she said at a briefing in Kyiv in Friday.

Pritzker also said she would travel to Davos for the World Economic Forum (WEF) to focus on the agriculture, technology and insurance sectors.

She emphasized this because people are focused on Ukraine's economic momentum, she added.

In addition, the special representative said that the purpose of the trip was also to welcome Ukraine's progress in the field of anti-corruption legislation and the recent NABU arrests.

Maintaining this momentum is critical, and Pritzker emphasized this to the Ukrainian government officials. Not only the United States, EU and IMF are paying attention to this. This is the private sector, she explained.

Pritzker emphasized that in order for Ukraine to complete its recovery and become a prosperous country, the country needs private sector investment. And this means that Ukraine must decisively eradicate corruption, she said.

The special representative also added that reforms are needed to give Ukrainians the confidence to invest in their economy, return home and start building a future.

And it is critical to accelerate GDP growth, government revenue growth, foreign direct investment, increased exports and job creation, she said.

This is Pritzker's second visit to Ukraine since being appointed special representative.
As many as five non-banking financial companies (NBFC) have surrendered their certificate of registration (CoR) to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Four NBFCs submitted their registration certificate after exiting the NBFC business. At the same time, one NBFC has surrendered its registration certificate as it does not require registration under the criteria prescribed for an unregistered core investment company (CIC).

Those who have surrendered their registration certificates as NBFCs include three from Maharashtra, one each from Tamilnadu and Telangana.

In a statement, the banking regulator says, "The NBFCs have surrendered the certificate of registration granted to them by the RBI. The RBI, in the exercise of powers conferred on it under Section 45-IA (6) of the RBI Act, 1934, has therefore cancelled their certificate of registration. As such, the companies shall not transact the business of a non-banking financial institution- NBFI, as defined in clause (a) of Section 45-I of the RBI Act."

Maharashtra-based Radical Fincap Pvt Ltd, Volkswagen Finance Pvt Ltd and Sterling Guaranty and Finance Ltd have surrendered their registration certificate due to their decision to exit the business. RBI has issued an order to cancel their CoR on 15 December 2023.

Similarly, Esteem Credits and Investments Pvt Ltd from Tamilnadu also surrendered its registration certificate after deciding to exit the NBFC business. RBI issued an order for cancellation of their registration on 20 December 2023.

Telangana-based Sampada Business Solutions Ltd surrendered its registration certificate due to meeting the criteria prescribed for unregistered CICs that do not require registration.
Last month, the national consumer disputes redressal commission (NCDRC) directed HDFC Bank Ltd to refund Rs24,000 with an interest of 7%pa (per annum) and pay Rs10,000 litigation cost to a customer whose credit card was used for fraudulent transactions at midnight. What stands out in this ruling is the way the customer filed his complaint and his meticulous follow-up until he got justice.

The NCDRC bench of Dr Inder Jit Singh made it a point to note that "...the Complainant (New Delhi-based Parveen Kumar Jain) took all reasonable measures as were expected from him, and there was no contributory negligence on his part with respect to the credit card used by someone else fraudulently, and he reported such transactions immediately to the Bank."

A few days ago, I received a call from Mr Marathe (name changed) from Pune regarding a fraud perpetrated on him. Two of his debit cards were used to siphon money from his bank accounts fraudulently and he wanted my help to recover it. I requested him to send an email, but he insisted on speaking over the phone, saying he would be brief (but kept talking for over 10 minutes!). This is a routine occurrence at Moneylife and only wastes time for everyone.

I asked Mr Marathe if he had immediately reported the matter to his bank and whether he had filed a complaint on NCRP by dialling 1930 or a first information report (FIR) with his local police station. He told me that he called the Bank's customer care number, and they assured him of all the possible help. He says he visited the police station and they assured him of an investigation by the cybercrime cell. However, in both places, since he provided no written communication, he did not have anything in writing.

When he received verbal assurances of help and investigation, do you think if there is any need to put anything in writing? Unfortunately, Yes. Nothing in our country works on verbal assurances. Even for a follow-up, Mr Marathe or victims like him would need documentary evidence (like an acknowledged copy of the complaint) or have to narrate the issue repeatedly with little likelihood of follow-up action.

Let us go back to the HDFC Bank case mentioned earlier. Mr Jain did the followingcalled the Bank and reported the incident, followed it up with another call the next day and sent a dispute form as requested by the Bank. He also submitted a copy of his complaint to the local police station and a progressive dispute form, as requested by HDFC Bank. It is worth noting that even after completing all these formalities, he had to approach the consumer court to get justice. That is the last resort for a consumer if dispute redress at the organisation level fails.

In all criminal matters, evidence plays a crucial role in nailing criminals and impounding the proceeds of crime. But, typically, people are too lazy or do not know how to file a comprehensive complaint that states facts effectively and in sequence. Many complaints are full of blame, doubts, and recrimination but short on facts and detailsthey tend to get ignored.

Read: SBI Asked To Refund Rs80,000 Illegally Withdrawn from ATM, Pay Additional Litigation Cost of Rs20,000 ) In an interesting case, a victim of unauthorised withdrawals from an ATM, received his entire money back from State Bank of India (SBI). Pankaj Kumar Singh of Randhawa village in Punjab showed the police his ATM card (read: evidence). He visited the SBI branch at Dasuya on the same day and informed them about the fraudulent transactions. His counsel successfully argued before NCDRC that "...it is impossible to go to Mumbai (where the fraudulent withdrawal took place), which is almost 1,800km away and come back to Dasuya within six hours, since all the fraudulent transactions took place between 11.37pm on 3 April 2014 and 12.23pm on 4 April 2014, while the ATM card was in Mr Singh's possession throughout." (

While calling customer care to report fraud is a good practice, it must be followed up with an email or letter to the financial institution (FI) or bank from where the money is siphoned. In this communication, you must mention the date, time, and telephone number where you called, the name of the executive you spoke with and describe what you agreed to during the phone call. For example, if the customer care executive had agreed to block your card and register a complaint, mention that 'so and so was agreed during the call'. Even if the financial institution or bank does not respond to your communication, you have already created a record of contacting them within the limit prescribed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Victims of cybercrime also need to produce the necessary evidence to support their complaints. For example, SMS, credit card receipt, bank statement, envelope (if received a letter or item through mail or courier), brochure or pamphlet, online money transfer receipt, copy of email(s), URL of webpage(s), chat transcripts, suspect mobile number screenshot, videos, images and any other kind of document related to the crime.

Often, a complainant needs to file complaints with multiple organisations and authorities depending on the nature of the complaintthere isn't one single standard operating procedure (SOP) for every type of fraud.

The following steps are a good guide to filing an effective complaint and increasing your chance of recovering money.

1. When you become aware of the fraudulent transaction, check your bank account statement, SMS or emails. If the fraud is confirmed, immediately call 1930 the toll-free number of the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) or visit the NCR portal, https://cybercrime.gov.in/ , to report the incident. Balkrishna Wagh, retired assistant police commissioner (ACP) of Maharashtra police, highlighted the importance of the 'golden hour' in reporting a cybercrime while addressing a seminar at Moneylife Foundation. He said it is important to file the complaint or report to 1930 at least within four hours to help the police trace and block funds effectively.

When this happens, the Citizen Financial Cyber Frauds Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS) platform works in tandem with law enforcement agencies (LEAs), RBI, National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), banks, and financial intermediaries to ensure quick action and prevent money from being siphoned off by fraudsters, says Mr Wagh.

When calls are made to 1930, the police operator notes the complaint and basic personal information of the caller and submits it on the CFCFRMS platform to raise a ticket. When the victim reports the incident to the NCR portal, a ticket is similarly generated after successful filing.

The ticket is escalated to the concerned bank(s), e-wallet(s), merchants and other relevant parties, depending on their involvement in the incident. If the defrauded money is still available, the financial institution or bank puts it on hold, thus blocking the fraudster from withdrawing it and reporting it to the concerned state police. Victims who reported the online fraud quickly have succeeded in getting their money back.

2. Report the incident to your bank. While you may call the official customer care numbers, it is important to follow up with an email or letter describing your conversation with the executive. Also, send an email to the official email ID of your branch (you can find it on the bank's website or your passbook) with a copy sent to the bank's customer care. This will be helpful if you face a liability issue with the bank.

3. Visit your local police station and report the incident. If your complaint is already registered on the NCRP and forwarded to the state police, then your local police will not register an FIR. Instead, they will coordinate and extend all possible help to the concerned team handling your case.

4. Follow up with your bank and also check the progress or status with NCRP and the local police station.

5. You must also know the exact provision of limited liability of customers in fraudulent bank transactions and rules issued by RBI for mobile wallets and prepaid payment instruments (PPI) issued by non-banking entities. As per the RBI circular issued on 6 July 2017, in case of contributory fraud, negligence, or deficiency from the bank, the customer will have zero liability, irrespective of whether or not she reports the unauthorised transaction. In case of a third-party breach, where there is no liability on the bank, and the customer reports it to the bank within three days, then also she is entitled to zero liability.

Read: RBI Acts within 72 Hours of Our TweetMorcha ) In addition, banks are asked to credit the amount involved in the unauthorised electronic banking transaction to the customer's account within 10 days of reporting by the customer. (

Read: RBI Limits Liability of Customers in Unauthorised Electronic Transactions Involving PPIs Like Paytm, PhonePe, GooglePay, among Others ) In January 2019, RBI issued rules for mobile wallets and prepaid payment instruments (PPIs) issued by non-banking entities. Under the new rules, customers will have zero liability in case of fraud, negligence or deficiency from the PPI issuer and if the customer reports the unauthorised electronic transaction within three days. Most importantly, the burden of proving customer liability in case of unauthorised electronic payment transactions is on the PPI issuer and not on customers, as per the RBI rules. (

6. Escalate: If there is no response or updates on your complaint from the financial institution or bank, or police, you need to escalate it to a higher level. For financial institutions and banks, you need to communicate with the nodal officer and then take up the matter with the banking ombudsman or the consumer disputes redressal commission. For the police department, you can meet and submit a letter seeking a status update or progress report on your complaint with senior officials, including the ACP of your area. If needed, you can also file an application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act seeking copies of your complaint, action taken report, and file notings.

7. Use social media: You can tag the appropriate handles of the police, bank or financial institutions and escalate the issue. Most LEAs and organisations quickly respond on social media like X (erstwhile Twitter) and request details through direct messages (DM). So, share the information through DM (only) to know the status of your complaint.

Stay Informed, Stay Safe!!
In standard books on the theory of selling, there would be three seemingly innocuous directions, lost in the vast verbiage of a standard text, under the chapter on closing the sale. These are a) never be insulted by a refusal; b) never write off a customer; and c) never give up. It seems so obvious, that one wonders why they are mentioned at all.

On reflection, I realise that both in sales and in life, we are guilty of often doing one of them, and sometimes, doing all three with friends, acquaintances and customers. The one I am tempted to focus on is the first: Never be insulted by a refusal.

Ramesh was known to my friend Anil for a long time. Ramesh worked for a large private sector company and just about managed to keep his clerk-level job over 28 years. Most of the time, however, he spent in selling life insurance. He was absent from his seat for much of the daybut this was hardly noticed. This was quite an achievement.

In fairness to Ramesh, he provided good service to his insurance clientele. He maintained individual files, sent his own reminders for payment of premia, and suggested changes in the insurance portfolio, as he thought necessary with the changing times. Anil was very happy with Ramesh.

Four years ago, Ramesh retired from his full-time job, and also became involved with some major family problems. His service levels fell. Two of his old clients, Anil and Sunil, moved to other insurance agents. Ramesh took this as a personal insult and began to quarrel with Anil and the others. He no longer even speaks to Anil!

Ravi was the son of a friend and colleague of my father. He had applied for a job advertised by my company. He seemed to pass the preliminary criteria and was called for an interview. Soon after the call letter was sent out, Ravis father phoned my father to tell him that Ravi was called for an interview, and he hoped that I would do my best to help him.

Ravi appeared for the interview on the appointed day. He came in late. He asked if he could smoke, despite the no smoking sign on my desk. His body posture seemed defiant. His knowledge levels for this particular assignment were poor. With many other better candidates available, Ravi was not selected.

Years later, Ravi is still cold in his manner, whenever we meet and our paths cross. His father never spoke to my father after this incident. Ravi and his father took Ravis non-selection as a personal insult!

Suresh had been moved to the Jubilee nursing home in Mumbai. He was in a serious condition with a kidney problem. Sureshs wife was distressed. She thought of the worst that could happen  with three children all under twelve years old. She got one of Mumbais top urologists to operate on Suresh. It was expensive, but she was taking no chances. She wanted the best.

Of course, she had known that her neighbours son, Roy, was also a urologist. He had graduated from the UK and returned to practice in India, only last year. He was still in the process of settling down. Roys parents were very upset. How could she get someone else to operate when Roy was available? And a neighbour too!

This was a personal insult to a neighbor and Roys professional competence! Roys family and Sureshs family still live in the same building, but they have not spoken to each other since that surgery for Suresh.

Ms Patel was a social worker involved with many causes. In fact, she was a worker in search of a cause! From starving children to the helpless aged, leprosy and cancer patients, famine and flood relief- you name it and Ms Patel was associated with it.

When I worked as a marketing manager with a multinational corporation, Ms Patel would approach me every two months with a request for an advertisement in a souvenir being brought out by one of these organisations. When we could afford it, the ads were released.

Then came the downturn in the market. We cut our optional advertising budget. We had to say no to Ms Patel. The first time, she took the refusal graciously. I explained the market situation and said, We would have, if we couldas we have done in the past.

The second time, a few months later, she was not as understanding. She seemed visibly annoyed to the point of rudeness. She has been cold and distant ever since. She has taken the refusal as a personal insult!

These examples are the rule rather than exceptions. This happens to most of us, as we go through life. We refuse to accept that someone or anyone has the right to say no to an offer of a product, service or a favour. The no, is not a rejection of the person who is making the offer. The two must be separated. We need to do this with facility, ease and grace.
The trends of the major indices in the course of the weeks trading are given in the table below:

In a fervent market rally, the Indian markets reached new peaks, propelled by the performance of IT giants. The IT sector, showing early signs of recovery, particularly in the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) segment, has significantly influenced market sentiments. The belief in an improved outlook for BFSI in FY24-25 was a key driver behind the soaring performance of IT heavyweights on Friday.

New Ventures/ Capacity Expansion

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has successfully commenced First Oil production from the deep-water KG-DWN-98/2 Block, situated off the coast of Bay of Bengal.

Easy Trip Planners has incorporated subsidiary company the name of Easemytrip Insurance Broker.

India Pesticides has incorporated new subsidiary company under the name Amona Specialities (ASPL). The company holds 51% shares in ASPL.

Sarveshwar Foods has been granted 1st Geographical Indication (GI) tag in Jammu & Kashmir for Basmati Rice by APEDA.

Narayana Hrudayalaya wholly owned subsidiary -- Narayana Health Insurance has been granted License by Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) to exclusively carry on health insurance business.

Tata Power subsidiary -- Tata Power Renewable Energy (TPREL) has signed two Memoranda of Understandings with the Government of Tamil Nadu to support in the development of the state's renewable energy landscape and accelerate India's clean energy transition.

Lemon Tree Hotels has signed a Franchise Agreement for upcoming hotel in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh under the Companys brand- Lemon Tree Hotel.

Aurobindo Pharma has received Establishment Inspection Report for Unit VI-B, classifying the facility as Voluntary Action Indicated (VAI).

Ashok Leyland has earmarked investments of Rs1,200 crore in Tamil Nadu, for taking up overall business expansion over the next three to five years.

Maruti Suzuki India has inked non-biding Memorandum of Understanding with Gujarat for construction of a new automobile production plant. This new plant in Gujarat is aimed to start operation in FY28-29.

Ramkrishna Forgings has entered into a transformative consultancy agreement with McKinsey, a global management consulting firm.

One97 Communications (Paytm) is planning to invest Rs 100 crore in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) to build a global financial ecosystem.

Bharat Forge has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Guidance, the Nodal Agency of Government of Tamil Nadu as part of the Tamil Nadu Global Investors Meet 2024, for investing up to Rs1,000 crore over a 5 year period to expand its manufacturing footprint in Tamil Nadu.

Caplin Group of Companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tamil Nadu Government during the Tamil Nadu Global Investors Meet, 2024. This MoU outlines Caplin Group's commitment to invest Rs700 crore over a period of 5 years in diverse projects.

Sundram Fasteners has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Tamil Nadu for a proposed investment of Rs1,411 crore during the Tamil Nadu Global Investors Meet 2024.

UGRO Capital has been granted Certificate of Registration (CoR) by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to commence and carry out the factoring business.

TVS Srichakra has executed a loan agreement for extending loan for an amount of $5 million to Super Grip Corporation, USA (previously known as SG Acquisition Corporation), wholly owned subsidiary of the company.

State Bank of India (SBI) has signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Rural Development Ministry to facilitate enterprise financing for rural self-help groups (SHG).

Unichem Laboratories has received ANDA approval for its Doxazosin Tablets USP, 1 mg, 2 mg, 4 mg and 8 mg from the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) to market a generic version of Cardura (Doxazosin) Tablets, 1 mg, 2 mg, 4 mg and 8 mg, of Viatris Specialty, LLC.

Reliance Industries has plans to set up India's first and world-class carbon fibre facility at Hazira in Gujarat.

InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo) has unveiled its New Year Sale for domestic and international flights, across all channels.

Order Wins

Solar Industries India has received export orders worth Rs994 crore for Supply of Products for Defence based Application, to be delivered over a period of three years.

Power Mech Projects has received order worth Rs825.00 crore from Mahan Energen.

GE Power India has received a purchase order from NTPC for Supply of Spares and Repair of HP Inner Casing Module. Broad consideration or size of the order is Rs10.3 crore.

Larsen & Toubros (L&T) construction arm -- L&T construction has secured an order from HITES (A Mini Ratna PSU) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for its Buildings & Factories (B&F) Business.

BEML has bagged orders from Ministry of Defence for supply of Mechanical Minefield Marking Equipment Mark-II. The orders are valued at approximately Rs329.87 crore.

SBC Exports has received work order from Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology through NICSI, New Delhi for providing office support, project management support and rollout services.

Brahmaputra Infrastructure has received a Letter of Acceptance (LoA) worth Rs38.75 crore from the office of Chief Manager, Water Resource Department, Assam Water Centre, Guwahati.

NBCC has received work order worth around Rs218 crore from National Institute of Fashion Technology.

Allied Digital Services (ADSL) has been selected as a Master System Integrator (MSI) for the Integration of CCTV Surveillance with Existing ITMS Control Room for the Ayodhya Smart City Project. This project entails the establishment of a multi-location CCTV surveillance system.

Investments/ Acquisitions

ACC has agreed to acquire additional stake in Asian Concretes and Cements. The investment is in line with the companys strategy to increase its footprint in the cement manufacturing market. Cost of acquisition is Rs425.96 crore for 55% equity stake.

Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences has made a further investment by acquiring an additional equity stake of 5.04% in M/s Sarvejana Healthcare, material subsidiary Company.

Knowledge Marine & Engineering works Wholly Owned subsidiary Company -- Knowledge Marine Co. W.L.L, Bahrain, has acquired a Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger River Pearl 18 (Ex SEAFORD) of 1,890 Cubic Meters hopper capacity.

Fund Raise

IndoStar Capital Finance has received approval for the issuance of listed, rated, secured, redeemable, non- convertible debentures (NCDs) aggregating up to Rs500 crore by way of public issue.

Other

Dr Reddy's Laboratories is recalling over 8,000 bottles of a generic medication used to prevent rejection of a transplanted organ from the US market due to a packaging error.

Capital markets regulator -- the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has kept in abeyance the proposed Rs1,500 crore Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Manappuram Finances subsidiary.

Top Gainers and Losers of the major indices for the week are given in the table below:
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) detained on the border a former official from Kherson, who had provided the Russian occupiers with vehicles for the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia.

"The Security Service prevented the escape from Ukraine of an ex-official from Kherson, who helped the Rushists in the occupied city. The Russian accomplice was detained at the Krakovets border checkpoint in Lviv region when she tried to leave for the EU," the SBU said on the Telegram channel on Friday.

According to the special service, the woman held the position of deputy head of Kherson Center for Emergency Medical Care and Disaster Medicine.

"During the occupation of the regional center, she became a member of the management team of the seized medical institution and handed over 24 ambulance vehicles to the invaders. To do this, she personally signed the corresponding order to make the procedure seem legal," it said.

The defendant helped the occupiers to conduct the mass deportation of Ukrainian children.

"They were taken in ambulances from Kherson to Crimea, and then to the Russian Federation. Thus, the illegal removal of minors was carried out under the guise of moving medical special transport," the SBU said.

Also, the command of the Russian occupation groups used medical transport to evacuate wounded invaders from the front line to military hospitals in the aggressor country.

In addition, according to the special service, on the eve of the liberation of Kherson, Russian troops transported stolen medical vehicles to the left bank of the Dnipro River, where they placed them on the balance sheet of the occupation administration.

According to the SBU, the enemy accomplice remained in Kherson after the de-occupation of the city, but at the end of the summer of 2023 she went to Lviv, where she received social payments for herself as an internally displaced person.

"Subsequently, the defendant decided to flee abroad through the Krakovets checkpoint, where she was detained by employees of the SBU and the National Police.

During a search at the defendant's residence addresses in Lviv and Kherson, flash drives and documents with evidence of illegal activities were seized. Currently, the woman has been notified of suspicion under Part 1 of Article 111-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (aiding the aggressor state). A preventive measure in the form of detention was chosen for her.
SBI searches district courts of Kyiv in case of misappropriation of funds by owners of Finance and Credit bank

The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) searched one of the Kyiv district courts in a case of misappropriation of property by the owners and management of the Finance and Credit bank.

The SBI said on its Telegram channel on Friday that Bureau employees continue the pretrial investigation in criminal proceedings into the misappropriation of property by the owners and management of JSC Bank Finance and Credit and their accomplices.

The Bureau recalled that a former MP, a shareholder of the bank JSC Bank Finance and Credit, created a criminal organization with the aim of embezzling the institution's property and laundering funds on an especially large scale.

"To avoid criminal liability, the ex-MP turned for help to a judge of one of the district courts of the city of Kyiv. She agreed to the proposal and committed a certain criminal offense to cover up the deal," the SBI said.

As part of the criminal proceedings, law enforcement officers searched the judge's offices and seized evidence of the offense, the State Bureau of Investigation reported.

According to the report, the need to conduct investigative actions on the premises of the court is in no way connected with the performance of their official duties and the implementation of legal proceedings by the judge of the said court or other court employees.

"Investigative actions do not pursue the goal of putting pressure on a judge, interfering in the administration of justice or obstructing the judges activities or the performance of his official duties," the Bureau said.

The pretrial investigation is carried out based on the fact of assistance not promised in advance to participants in a criminal organization, committed by an official using his official position, on the grounds of a criminal offense under Part 2 of Article 256 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Procedural management is provided by the Office of the Prosecutor General.
Zelenskyy expects decision by US Congress on further support for Ukraine

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy is awaiting a decision by the Congress of the United States on further support for Ukraine.

"Support that has knowledge not only for us as a state, but also for every state whose stability depends on the strength of international law," he said in an evening video address.

On Friday, the President of Ukraine met with U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine's Economic Recovery Penny Pritzker.

"We discussed in detail what steps are necessary for our resilience. I thank everyone in America who helps us preserve freedom," Zelenskyy said.

He also discussed preparations for the summit in Davos (Switzerland) with Pritzker.

"There will also be an important meeting on the Ukrainian Peace Formula and many negotiations on the economic strengthening of Ukraine, our restoration, our defense partnerships with different countries and companies," the head of state said.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley participate in the Republican presidential debate hosted by CNN at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. January 10, 2024.
The Guam Power Authority and Guam Waterworks Authority headquarters are seen Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, at the Gloria B. Nelson Public Service Building in Mangilao.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak supported Ukraine's course towards NATO membership and said the Alliance would become stronger from this.

Sunak said in his speech at the plenary meeting of the Verkhovna Rada on Friday, today's agreement between Ukraine and Great Britain signed a security agreement supports Ukraine's historic choice to join NATO. He said Ukraine has a rightful place in NATO. According to him, the point is not only what benefits NATO will bring to Ukraine, but it's also about how Ukraine will benefit NATO. Ukraine's understanding of modern warfare comes not from a textbook, but from the battlefield, Ukrainian Armed Forces are experienced, innovative and brave. Ukraine belongs to NATO and NATO will be stronger with Ukraine, Sunak assured.

He also said the 2023 Vilnius summit marked important steps for Ukraine on the path to NATO membership and emphasized the need to be even more ambitious at the Washington summit in June of 2024.

The British Prime Minister said Great Britain made a solemn promise to Ukraine, along with 30 other countries, to provide new bilateral security guarantees. Today the UK is the first to deliver on that promise. Sunak said President Zelenskyy and he have signed a new security agreement. If Russia ever invades Ukraine again, the UK will come to Ukraine assistance by providing immediate and ongoing security assistance. The UK will provide modern equipment on land, sea and sky, sanctions against the Russian economy and will work closely with allies on this. The United Kingdom will be with Ukraine from the first to the last moment.
Docent Volunteers gather for Columbia's 163rd Birthday Celebration View Photo

There are several events and fundraisers planned this weekend, January 13th and 14th.

The Sonora Chamber of Commerce presents Second Saturday Art Night in downtown Sonora on the second Saturday of each month including this Saturday from 5 to 8 PM. This free event features art exhibits, music and more on both sides of Washington Street.

There is also a 2nd Saturday Aronos Club Dance at the Aronos Club in Sonora from 7  9 pm. The event features social dancing with a variety of dancing including Ballroom, Country, Swing, Latin, and even line dancing open to the whole family. The dance is $10 for adults and $5 under 18. Event organizers say, if youre new to town its a great way to meet new friends. We have a great music playlist and if you dont hear what you want, just request it and Jim will play it for you. All donations go to the renovation of the Aronos Hall.

The second Saturday of every month is Gold Rush Days at Columbia State Historic Park. Youll get to see inside special exhibits, stores and residences in historic Columbia not regularly open to the public. There will be park docents interpreting what it looked, felt, and sounded like during the California Gold Rush. More details are in the event listing here.

Saturday at the Sonora/Tuolumne County Library there will be storytelling, puppetry, music, face painting and hands on art projects presented by Tuolumne County Arts & the Tuolumne County Recreation Department. Snacks courtesy of the Chicken Ranch Rancheria of MeWuk Indians accompany the event called Pebbles in a Pond from 1  4 pm.

In Valley Springs enjoy the Quilts of Honor Crab Feed dinner starting at 5pm on Saturday at the Jenny Lind Memorial Veterans Hall.

Copperopolis 37th Annual First Taste of The Year Wine Tasting Fundraiser is Saturday evening at the Copperopolis Historic Brick Church and Union Guard Armory. The event will help fund restoration and preservation efforts of the Copperopolis Community Center. Michael Kelly a local wine collector and aficionado, nationally and internationally published wine writer and wine judge, will be returning for the tasting as detailed in the event listing.

Sunday is the Motherlode Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration, a free event for everyone to attend. The event marks 27 years of celebrating on what would have been Kings 95th birthday. The event starts at 2 p.m. in the Sonora High School auditorium with the theme Unity in Diversity: Embracing Equality and Empowering Change. Speakers Morgan Rain of the LGBTQ+ Rural Resource Center and Mark Dyken of Resiliency Village, for people facing homelessness, will discuss their services. Dr. Stephanie Beaver-Guzman, Counselor at Columbia College, will talk about local tribal community efforts, there will be musical performances and two community members will receive the Laurie Bailie Social Justice Award. The MLK Committee has presented annual programs, wholly supported by local donations, since 1996 in support of Dr. Kings stand on poverty, racism and social justice. A reception with refreshments will follow in the school cafeteria, get all the details here.

Also in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Monday is one of six days where the entrance fee to National Parks is waived. Yosemite National Park will be feefree on Monday January 15th.
California Farm Bureau logo View Photo

Sonora, CA  The California Farm Bureau responded to Governor Gavin Newsoms state budget plan with cheers and a bit of concern.

On Wednesday, the governor released his proposed $291 billion budget, as reported here. The plan outlines a strategy to address Californias projected more than $37 million deficit while also including funding to combat the fruit fly threat to agriculture, noted Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass.

Over recent years, our California farmers and ranchers have endured both prolonged drought and catastrophic floods. They have persevered in the face of often onerous regulations to produce Americas most bountiful food supply while managing farm and family budgets amid difficult times. Douglass said, adding, As California faces a budget crisis, we appreciate Gov. Gavin Newsom recognizing the importance of investing $22 million to combat the fruit fly invasion and protect our states critical farming economy. We also hope the governor and the Legislature will ease regulatory burdens affecting farmers and ranchers producing our food supply. And just as our farm families must balance their budgets, we hope our political leaders recognize that it is time for California to get its fiscal house in order as well.

Four decades ago, the Mediterranean fruit fly, an invasive pest, threatened to destroy Californias agricultural economy. To fight the fly, the state launched controversial aerial pesticide spraying campaigns and set up roadblocks and quarantine zones. Today, the fruit fly threat to California is back. The USDA reports that if established, these flies could cause significant economic losses, requiring costly treatments to protect fruits and vegetables and reducing the marketability of infested fruit both locally and abroad. Whats at stake? The market value totaled approximately $11.7 billion in the United States in 2022. Approximately $8.3 billion of that was from California and $2.9 billion from Florida.

The California Farm Bureau has nearly 26,000 members statewide and is part of a nationwide network of 5.3 million Farm Bureau members.
Yosemite park snow View Photo

The Winter Storm Warning issued for the western slope of the northern Sierra Nevada, will remain in effect until 4 AM Sunday. Additionally, the Winter Storm Warning issued for Yosemite National Park will remain in effect until 10 AM Sunday.

Heavy snow is forecast. Snow rates of one to two inches per hour is expected.

The snow levels will range between 4,500 to 6,000 feet.

The heaviest amounts of snow is expected above 6,000 feet.

The total snow accumulations above the 7,000 foot elevation, will range between one to two feet.

The winds may continue to gust as high as fifty to fifty-five mph. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.

Travel could be very difficult to impossible.

If you plan to travel, consider alternate strategies. If you must travel, remember to carry tire chains, plenty of food, a good deal of water, warm clothing, and a flashlight in your vehicle in case of an emergency.
Ukraine and the United States have already held two meetings regarding bilateral security guarantees, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink.

"We have already begun bilateral consultations with your government, with the President's office, with government agencies, and we are discussing with them what the security commitments on our part could be. There have been two rounds so far, and the negotiations will continue, the Biden administration is committed to this agreement," she said at a briefing in Kyiv on Friday.

The ambassador said discussions still need to be held before "reaching the goal."

She also said the United States is committed to helping Ukraine defend itself and deter future aggression, of which security is a key part. Brink noted that the United States in a strategic sense has taken on broad commitments to Ukraine's membership in NATO, but before that time there must be a "bridge."

The ambassador said that's why last summer in Vilnius, at the NATO summit, the G7 came together and announced support for multilateral and bilateral security guarantees. This will be this bridge.
Snow at the Meadowmont Shopping Center In Arnold View Photo

Sacramento, CA  Cities and counties would receive a sales and use tax exemption on the purchase of snow removal equipment under a bill introduced by Mother Lode Democratic Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil.

Senate Bill 546 advanced through the Senate Governance and Finance Committee with a 5-2 vote. Alvarado-Gil says, The 2023 storms left more than 6,000 customers stranded between ice walls and without power or water in the Sierra Nevada.

During the hearing, a representative of Truckee stated that the bill would have saved that community $80,000 over the past four years, which could have been spent on other services.

In an effort to gain wider support for the measure, Alvarado-Gil added, Each one of my colleagues in the Legislature has at least one constituent who owns a second home in Lake Tahoe. This underscores the urgent need to support our public entities and ensure they have the best tools at their disposal to alleviate safety concerns for residents and public safety officials alike.

The bill is supported by groups like the California Ski Industry Association, the California State Association of Counties, and the California League of Cities, and the Sierra Business Council.
California State Capitol Building View Photo

Sacramento, CA  California voters may be asked in November whether to create a new University of California Online, which would be in addition to the UC, CSU and community colleges.

Those other schools already offer some form of online classes, but the new entity would be solely virtual. The proposed new public university would have a pair of divisions. One would provide credits toward an academic degree for paying tuition members, and the other would provide free courses to the public, not for academic credit.

The cost for the tuition would be based on how much they cost to operate, and there would be increased fees for out-of-state enrollees.

The proposed measure, a constitutional amendment, filed by Boyd Roberts of Southern California, states, Operating a new public online university could cost in the hundreds of millions of dollars to low billions of dollars annually. All of the cost is to be covered through student tuition revenue generated by the new university. The measure is not intended to have any direct fiscal impact on state or local governments.

The proposal calls for the State Treasurer to issue some form of bonds for the University of California Online with the intention that they will be repaid with tuition.

Supporters of the plan have filed the needed paperwork and can now go out and collect the required signatures to place the measure on the ballot.
Interfax-Ukraine to host press conference 'Legal arbitrariness. Who and how wants to block activities of largest online school in Ukraine'

On Tuesday, January 16, at 15.00, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency will host a press conference entitled "Legal arbitrariness. Who and how wants to block activities of largest online school in Ukraine."

Participants include

founder of the distance learning school, Latvian citizen Roberts Vaisha;

founder and CEO of the Optima distance learning school Maria Miletska;

lawyer Oleksandr Protas (8/5a Reitarska Street).

The event will be streamed on the Interfax-Ukraine YouTube channel.

Admission of journalists requires registration on the spot using editorial IDs.
Civil servants will now be receiving the old US$300 Covid-19 allowances as part of their permanent pensionable salary, with the first batches of workers, including uniformed forces and health workers, expected to start receiving it today.

Workers have applauded the move saying they can now easily access loans unlike when the money was being paid as allowances. Also, the money will be pensionable, making life easier for retirees and workers morale will be boosted knowing that they are receiving a salary unlike when the money was paid as allowances which had a risk of being removed at any time.

The Government introduced a US$75 Covid-19 allowance in 2020 and has progressively increased it to US$300, but since it was an allowance, it was exempted from being taxed.

As the Government remains sincere in improving the welfare of workers it has appointed a 15-member team that will negotiate at the National Joint Negotiating Council for a period of two years with effect from January 1, 2024.

Zimbabwe Nurses Association president Mr Enock Dongo however, said they are expecting to see those allowances being now part of the salary starting today especially for health workers scheduled to be among the first to receive pay.

This is a welcome development. We are happy with this move which has been taken by the Government as it will make sure there is sustainability and boost the morale as well as confidence of the workers.

Allowances can be removed anytime, but a salary cannot be removed willy nilly so it means that there is that trust, hope and confidence that move is going to bring to the workers eventually motivating them, he said.

Mr Dongo said allowances were not part of pensionable income hence when this money is moved to be part of the salary it becomes pensionable.

It means those workers who are being retired from service after serving a long time were getting peanuts when their pensions were being calculated, especially using the local currency.

Now that the calculation will be done using the forex component it means they are going to get something meaningful that they can take home. It is an advantage.

Mr Dongo said this was a welcome move which really showed that the Government has its people at heart.

They want to see people having a better living even when they leave public service to go and retire after serving for so long, he said. The greater ease in obtaining loans from banks was an advantage.

The civil servants can now be able to borrow from the banks in forex and can do some projects which is better than before when it was allowances. It was so difficult for somebody to go and borrow forex, he said.

Mr Dongo, however, pleaded that the Government should avoid heavily taxing salaries because it will disadvantage the civil servants. The new and far wider tax bands, including the zero-rate band, mean that most State employees will pay only very modest amounts in tax.

If it is going to tax, it means it is going to reduce the amount which will not be good for the workers. We also expect the Government to increase that salary to a meaningful salary which is competitive in the region. We expect the salary to move gradually towards the US$540 which was being given before October 1, 2018, he said.

Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (ZCPSTU) president Mrs Cecilia Alexander said the workers remain hopeful for a continued better working relationship.

We are hoping to meet the Government soon to discuss the unfinished business of 2023 and of course discuss Government offers for 2024, she said.

A civil servant Mr Ngonidzashe Mwaradza applauded the Government for being a listening one.

It has always been our plea that the allowances be turned into being part of salaries. This is highly applauded. I can now easily borrow using my pay slip unlike in the past where the money was reflecting as allowances which was a bit problematic to financial institutions, he said.

Another worker, Mrs Kudzai Chitabwe also hailed the new package.

This is a noble gesture from our employer which gives us confidence knowing that I am working for my salary not allowances. After retiring I am also certain that I will get my pension, she said.

In a statement to the Public Service Commission, the Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Permanent Secretary Simon Masanga listed the new 15 members that will negotiate with workers on behalf of the Government with the team led by Mr Nobert Machinjike.

Other members include Mr Walter Mpandawana, Clemence Mugura-Gumeni, as well others only identified as Mr L Tagara, Mrs F Makombe, Mr P Takavarasha, Mrs N Masiyanise, Mrs L Mudyiwa, Mr C Vusani, Ms T Makoni, Mr L Ngorima, Ms L Kagurabadza, Mr M Dube and Mrs R Mutonono.

Breaking News via Email
The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) has officially announced the release of the 2023 November Advanced Level examination results. In a press conference held earlier today, Zimsec board chairperson, Professor Eddie Mwenje, addressed journalists and provided details regarding the accessibility of the results.

Starting from 1500 hours today, January 12, 2024, candidates who sat for the Advanced Level exams can access their results online through the Zimsec portal. This online platform can be accessed via the Zimsec website at www.zimsec.co.zw. However, it is important to note that the portal will only remain open for a period of five days.

Heads of Examination Centres will be able to collect the results for their respective schools/centres from our Regional Offices on Monday, 15 January 2024, Professor Eddie Mwenje said.

Breaking News via Email
Reader Burritnomics provided the sad news about Gonzalo Liras death in comments. It looks to have been first reported by Tucker Carlson:

Gonzalo Lira, Sr. says his son has died at 55 in a Ukrainian prison, where he was being held for the crime of criticizing the Zelensky and Biden governments. Gonzalo Lira was an American citizen, but the Biden administration clearly supported his imprisonment and torture. Several https://t.co/F0nOG9qGvv  Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) January 12, 2024

I am saddened and outraged at this news. It is a disgrace, particularly after Gonzalo reported having been tortured and extorted while in prison, that the State Department did nothing to assist him, when they clearly could have gotten him deported. But that was certain not to happen given his show on Victoria Nuland.

Gonzalo wrote some posts for Naked Capitalism not long after the financial crisis that were very colorful and informative. We parted ways over his submitting a post that took strong views on budget orthodoxy. Update: our code maven Dave just informed me that Gonzalo also created our Wikipedia page. By e-mail:

00:29, 4 April 2010 GonzaloLira talk contribs 319 bytes +319 Created page with Naked Capitalism is a popular blog run by Yves Smith. It deals mainly with finance-related and economic news and analysis. It has been consistently ra

I dont know how I found his commentary on the war in Ukraine, but I watched it regularly. Lira had produced documentaries and analyzed some videos presented as battlefront scenes that he demonstrated were staged. In particular, he called out James Vasquez as a fraud who produced bogus videos to extract money from people who wanted to support Ukraine:

The New York Times reported that Vasquez was a con artist months later, without crediting Gonzalo. Business Insider re-reported the New York Times story and added new detail in The making of a fake war hero: An American who reinvented himself as a social-media soldier in Ukraine is accused of stolen valor.

This was from our August 1 post. Gonzalo had been detained once by the Ukraine authorities for about ten days, has all of his social media accounts taken from him, and was released with (after much pleading) one very old laptop but also his identity papers. He was told not to leave the country but allegedly did not get the message that being given his documents meant he was being given the opportunity to fly the coop.

Instead he stayed and resumed broadcasting. I participated in a few of his Roundtables during this period, which I very much enjoyed. We last spoke for what was supposed to be 15 minutes and turned out to over 2 hours, in IIRC spring 2023, when I was bummmed and stressed out the state of the warld and getting my mothers house emptied, sold, and moving overseas and he was depressed about being under something close to house arrest and not knowing what would happen when the war got to him in Kharkiv.

But Gonzalo and was unable to restrain himself from giving pointed commentary about Urkraine, resulting in a second arrest and much harsher treatment. From an August 1 post, after his second arrest:

Gonzalo Lira is alive, as the videos embedded below and a fresh 25-entry tweetstorm attest. However, he has a very ugly story to report. He was detained and repeatedly tortured by prisoners at the behest of guards, so as to create official deniability. He was allowed to go free by virtue of paying $70,000 in bribes (after having $9,000 of emergency cash stolen) plus $11,000 in bail to be set loose before an August 2 trial date, where he was told his conviction was a certainty, despite the prosecution effectively admitting in its own filings that Gonzalos only crime was running afoul of Ukraines extreme restrictions on free speech. The anticipated sentence was 5 to 8 years in a labor camp. Gonzalo was not given access to an attorney despite claims otherwise. And predictably, the State Department was no help, due not just to Gonzalos critical reporting on the US role in the conflict and outing some Western propaganda, but no doubt more specifically to his video on Russia-hater-in-chief Victoria Nuland, who was just promoted to number two at State. Representatives of the US Embassy did visit him three times, but offered, as Gonzalo put it, only bromides. But apparently there was enough noise made, particularly by the Chilean government, about Gonzalo not being allowed to post bail, so State apparently did eventually clear its throat about that.

Gonzalo tried to make a run for the Hungarian border and posted a video before his attempted crossing, which failed. I am at a loss as to why he did that ahead of time, putting the officials on notice, as opposed to arranging for it to appear at a time certain, when he would either have been arrested or be in Hungary. Perhaps he had reason to think that setting up a delayed release could still be detected by the SBU, so he might as well go public. And he wanted to leave a record in case this was his only chance to give a message to his family. This is the last in a series of three videos he released then. Its is a bit verbose but you can understand why:.

I feel I should say more but am at a loss as to how best commemorate Gonzalo. He was irreverent, funny, often acidly insightful, a little too fond of wild speculation for the hell of being provocative. He could also be undisciplined, such as his unnecessarily vitriolic attack on Scott Ritter (his critique would have been more effective with less venom) and being insistent on his retrograde views of male-female relations. That defiance of norms was part of his charm but also a sign of perhaps too much appetite for risk.

Gonzalo said more than once the measure of a life was the distance between the highs and the lows. Tragically, he was killed on a low. It seems pretty obvious this is not a bona fide death from natural causes, as Ukraine is alleging. He had pneumonia, which is highly treatable if dealt with early, and the Ukrainians did not. So they can pretend they had nothing to do with his early death when the reverse is true. As Lambert put it, He died in prison, as was the intent.
It would be better if I were wrong. However, my take, having listened to the Israel presentation at the International Court of Justice hearing on South Africas genocide filing, is the court will not approve South Africas request for the indication of provisional measures. Remember, this is not a final ruling on the allegation that Israel has been engaging in genocide. This is an expedited initial ruling, analogous to a preliminary injunction in the US. Here, the standard is that the plaintiffs presented a credible-enough factual and legal case regarding conduct that if not halted, could result in serious harm. Mind you, this not being an Anglosphere court, the procedure and specific standards are different. In the normal course of events, the underlying case still proceeds on its normal (leisurely) timetable, with the alleged perps still perping until a final ruling.

Nevertheless the distressing thing is such a ruling against South Africas request for the indication of provisional measures would be ballyhooed by Israel and its backers as the court validating Israels version of events, that Hamas is a bunch of monsters and everything Israel did was warranted as self defense. If Israel wins this round by successfully punching holes in the South Africa filing, particularly on procedure, dont expect to see a lot of fastidious reporting.

If you managed to catch the start of Israels oral arguments, it was infuriating if you have been following the debunkings of Israels charge of Hamas engaging in wanton savagery during its October 7 raid. Expect Aaron Mate and Max Blumenthal having a field day shredding these recycled and largely debunked claims.

The first Israel presenter also reinforced the trope of Hamas being in the business of committing genocide, as in conflating an end the state of Israel as tantamount to wiping out the Jewish people. Later presenters tried to depict most of the harm done to Gazans as Hamas doing, via misfiring rockets landing in Gaza, booby-trapped buildings killing civilians, and buildings collapsing due to the tunnels underneath them. But that was secondary to the torture-porn level allegations.

Not even 30 minutes in, and I missed the first 10 minutes pic.twitter.com/NcWTsKJqDr  Mohammed El-Kurd (@m7mdkurd) January 12, 2024

More from the overheated opening presentation:

Here is my live thread of Israels lawyers presenting their defense at the genocide hearing at the ICJ in the Hague this morning:https://t.co/iK1V899d6k  jeremy scahill (@jeremyscahill) January 12, 2024

Now if I were a judge, this sort of thing would prejudice me against Israels cases, since how horrible Hamas was or wasnt isnt germane to the genocide allegations. Its a war crime to engage in collective punishment, even before getting to conduct that colorably rises to the level of genocide. So this is Israel shamelessly pandering to its domestic audience, supporters overseas, and the (pervasive) low-attention members of the media.

However, as the presentation went on, the Israel side landed some real blows. Since we will have ample commentary, and hopefully a transcript soon, I will not go overboard since well be getting commentary soon, hopefully from experts, as well as better documentation.

Israel argued that South Africa ran afoul of what it depicted as a fundamental procedural requirement. The Israel team pointed out that there had to be a dispute before any filing is made with the court. A dispute means one party has told the other it has a problem with what it has been up to, and the other party responds (or at least is allowed enough time to respond). Israel discussed the finer points of this idea, as to when public statement in forums like the UN might do, and contended nothing South Africa has said resembled saying Israel was engaging in genocide and needed to cut it out. Israel charged South Africa as lodging not as dispute but a unispute

Even worse, Israel asserted that South Africa realized it had a problem with filing via not having communicated with Israel about its genocide charge and given Israel an opportunity to respond and tried to pretty up the document trail. Without tracking down the precise details, the gist is that South Africa had some sort of dog ate my homework excuse that it sent a missive to Israel, but on a day when the Israel offices were not open, and so then resent after the court filing, on December 29. Israel said it even offered to meet with South Africa representatives after the Thursday January 11 hearing and was rebuffed.

Update: Reader .Tom filled in what South Africa had allegedly done. He cited Craig Murrays write up of the South Africa oral argument yesterday, in which South Africa claimed there was a dispute in accordance with the Convention. South Africa said it had set forth its dispute via Diplomatic Notes Verbale sent to the Israel government and they had not gotten a n adequate response.

Israel alleged instead that South Africa tried to paper up a record when no dispute had been initiated. Israel claimed that South Africa had sent the Notes Verbale on a day when the Israel offices were closed (and my recollection is the documents were not dropped off but taken back). They were redelivered, and not before the day of the filing (I do not recall what was said here about precise dates, but it may have been the day of the filing).

Back to the original post.

Not having objected to Israels genocidal conduct and allowing Israel to reply (cringemakingly, as one Israel attorney put it, to assuage their concerns) sounds as if in and of itself it may be fatal to the South Africa case. Israel kept saying it was a prima facie condition. In the US law context, I have heard that applied only to evidence, not procedure Again, if I am interpreting this standard correctly, it sounds as if it would be a threshold requirement in our lingo, equivalent to South Africa lacking standing to file the action due to its failure to go through the stipulated preliminaries. To put it more simply, South Africa allegedly cant skip this step.

If my understanding is correct, the South Africa filing can (and actually should) be dismissed on this basis alone. South Africa could presumably refile after it heard all of Israels, erm, assuaging of its concerns. But that would create delay and seriously dent South Africas credibility.

In addition, Israel objected to the genocidal intent claims. And remember, South Africa has to establish that there is evidence not just of genocidal acts but also genocidal intent.

Israel objected to the fact that South Africa had relied on the statements of two officials, neither of whom were members of the two bodies that were prosecuting the campaign in Gaza, the War Cabinet and the National Security Committee. The Israel lawyers read some of the policies adopted by these committees, such as pious statements about minimizing harm to civilians, attacking only military targets, which were selected from a dossier submitted to the court. The presenter then fessed up to the Amalek remark by Prime Minister Netanyahu, which translates into a salt the earth level of destruction of the opponent, down even to slaughtering their animals, and asserted it was taken out of context. He read out a statement and claimed it referred only to militant forces. It didnt seem so clear to me but I would need to see the text.

Israel listed other acts it depicted as inconsistent with genocidal intent, such as repairing a water main, setting up four field hospitals and 2 floating hospitals in Gaza, providing ambulances and incubators. Israel lawyers also said Hamas had been using ambulances, that in every hospital the IDF had taken, theyd faund evidence of Hamas military use. They also claimed more bakeries were opening, that the amount of fuel entering Gaza ahd doubled since early December and the amount of cooking gas entering was 90 tons a day. Hamas was depicted as stealing a lot of the aid as well as using the population as human shields and in particular firing rockets from schools and apartment blocks. However I didnt hear any explanations of why Israel had to kill journalists and UN staffers.

Israel also objected to the idea that the evacuations had been inimical to human life, and instead depicted them as intended to protect the population. One presenter banged on about how many leaflets had been air dropped and calls made. Israel also tried to claim with a straight face that there was no need to order the preservation of evidence, there was plenty of evidence.after it killed every independent journalist it could and allows only friendlies like CNN in and then on a very short leash.

Israel further argued that on January 8, it had announced a plan to have Palestinians return to north Gaza, and was transitioning to a lower intensity campaign with fewer ground troops.

The last long presentation walked through the provisional measures propsed by South Africa and raised objections to each one. I doubt the South Africa list amounts to more than a proposal from which the court would hopefully work. However, Israel objected to ones that would require it to halt military action, contending there was (and could not be) any similar requirement for Hamas (which is not a member of the ICJ), and argued that some could even result in checks of convoy trucks being depicted as a breach (given how Israel has abused that power, you can see why some might object to Israel continuing the searches). Israel also objected to the use of the word desist since that presumed guilt and was prejudicial, but that seems not hard to remedy.

I have skipped over more details of the hearing but the tidbits above hopefully give you a good sense of the Israel case and the areas where the South Africa case may be vulnerable. I hope lawyers with experience in this area of law weigh in.

Some may argue that South Africa has already won by preparing and then presenting its very detailed bill of particulars on Israels horrific conduct. Well see soon enough how loud the reverberations are.
Yves here. Hoo boy. One assumes that, just as with Operation Prosperity Guardian, the US has to Do Something so as to appear to have some power. But by all accounts, the Houthis are exceptionally well-bunkered, due both to taking advantage of the rugged terrain and having a very decentralized structure. On top of that, how pray tell could we send in ground troops with the Houthis able to attack military assets at sea, even assuming that could be effective (witness Afghanistan)? And how can we do much with just missile and air strikes?

There is the a issue of procedure:

Military action in Yemen by the UK & US government is a reckless act of escalation that will only cause more death and suffering. It is utterly disgraceful that Parliament has not even been consulted. When will we learn from our mistakes and realise that war is not the answer?  Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) January 12, 2024

And in addition to questions of effectiveness, theres also the ever-present issue of double standards and lack of morality:

Biden bombs Yemen to defend "freedom of navigation." Meanwhile, the US backs Israel's regular attacks on Iranian ships trying to bring fuel to Syria. Under US rules:  Yemen can't block ships to stop a genocide.  Israel (with US help) can bomb ships to stop Syria from https://t.co/gU5mtNJp6z pic.twitter.com/ncoj2OWyLo  Aaron Mate (@aaronjmate) January 12, 2024

Yemen isnt even targeting ships destined for New Zealand, this makes no sense! Also, youre cool with bombing ppl over  shipping delays to customers??? Late stage capitalism is as embarrassing as it is barbaric. https://t.co/9lTBvnmBkK  Rania Khalek (@RaniaKhalek) January 12, 2024

"What I heard from so many of the leaders is trying to make sure this conflict doesn't spread" So naturally you decided to bomb Yemen https://t.co/6eTy5VqY05  Arnaud Bertrand (@RnaudBertrand) January 12, 2024

By Charles Kennedy, a writer at OilPrice. Originally published at OilPrice

U.S. and UK forces in the Red Sea have struck military targets in Yemen in response to Houthi attacks on ships in the area.

Reuters cited witnesses as saying there had been strikes across the country.

These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation, President Biden said in a statement following the air and sea strikes.

The escalation follows what the U.S. Central Command called the biggest Houthi attack yet, the U.S. and UK forces in the Red Sea shot down 21 drones and missiles on Tuesday. The Houthis military spokesman, Yahya Saree, said they had attacked a U.S. military ship because it was providing support to Israel.

The news of the U.S. and UK retaliation pushed oil prices higher, initially spiking by more than 2% before retreating some. In mid-morning trade in Asia today, Brent crude was trading above $78 per barrel, with West Texas Intermediateat over $73 per barrel.

The U.S. and UK strikes on Yemen are the first on the countrys territory since 2016, Reuters noted in its report as it recalled that the Houthis have made a vow to respond to any attack in kind. This would mean further escalation of the Middle Eastern conflict.

The concern is that this could escalate, security studies professor Andreas Krieg from Kings College in London told Reuters, noting Saudi Arabia and the UAE could be drawn into the war. The Saudis have already issued a statement calling for restraint and avoidance of escalation.

The kingdom emphasizes the importance of maintaining the security and stability of the Red Sea region, as the freedom of navigation in it is an international demand, the Saudi foreign ministry said in the statement.
On January 15, 16 and 17, the NATO Secretary General, Mr Jens Stoltenberg, will attend the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Mr Stoltenberg will participate in a plenary session. In the margins of the event, he will have bilateral meetings with other international leaders.

Media Advisory

16 January 2024

13:00 (CET), Plenary Session: Securing an Insecure World. A panel discussion with the NATO Secretary General and other leaders.

Media Coverage

The panel discussion will be streamed live on the NATO website and the WEFs website.

A transcript of the Secretary Generals remarks, as well as pictures, will be made available on the NATO website.

For more information:

Contact the NATO Press Office

Follow us on X (formerly Twitter):

@NATO, @jensstoltenberg and @NATOPress
Top 6 Ways Big Pharma LOBOTOMIZED MILLIONS of Americans in 2023

Why on Earth would a government want the majority of its citizens dying and dead by next year? The United States Government, many would agree, has been taken over by hostile terrorists, who want to change the Beloved Republic into a Communist Banana Republic, where the leaders have complete control over all money, food, weapons, land, and of course, every citizen's brain.

To accomplish this horrific feat, the Biden Regime (a.k.a. O'Biden) has partnered with Big Pharma and the Western Medicine Industrial Complex, and decided to lobotomize the majority of Americans, in a bold move to exterminate a few hundred million citizens. As this is being accomplished, the southern US border is wide open, bringing in all the replacements, who will surely vote NOT to be deported, and for more "free gifts" that keep them hypnotized and controlled by AI.

Here are the top 6 ways the Pharma-Biden-Tyranny took complete control of millions of Americans in 2023

#1. Coronavirus Jabs: Using mRNA "technology" to cross the blood-brain barrier with spike proteins that cause damage to the hippocampus -- the temporal lobe that has a major role in learning and memory.

#2. Mainstream Media: Utilizing fake news to promote American support for Ukraine (Biden Regime's corruption hub) and Gaza (just another money-embezzling proxy war for the Military Industrial Complex) -- part of the global mind manipulation psyop happening right now.

#3. Snake Venom Peptides: These are toxins and venoms from poisonous and venomous invertebrates utilized in many pharmaceuticals and vaccines to attack a human's vital organs, cause miscarriages, hallucinations, severe inflammation, labored breathing, rapid heart rate, weak pulse and low blood pressure (driving deaths to an all-time high for people with pre-existing conditions, including diabetes, cancer and heart disease).

#4. Covid-19 Masks: Yes, tens of millions of lobotomized Americans are STILL wearing their bacteria-breeding, cognitive-deteriorating, filthy dirty Fauci masks all day at work, in every store and while driving alone or walking down the sidewalk outside.

#5. Toxic Sodium Fluoride: Fluoride in tap water does NOT build strong teeth. That was a flat-out, science-baseless lie. What it does do is lower IQ significantly, causing chemical brain drain, as proven by clinical research and studies.

#6. Bug & Weed Killer Chemicals: Pesticides loaded in nearly all conventional foods cause long-form dementia, memory loss, confusion, delayed reactions and eventually Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's, or some other mind-debilitating syndrome.

Deadly poison in American medicine and vaccines?

It's seems crazy to think that the Pharmaceutical Industry in America would dare to use poisonous venoms in the most popular prescription medications on the planet, but then again, all one needs to do is turn on the TV and listen to the side effects of every single medication "recommended" for you to instruct your doctor to prescribe for you. You're wondering, how can venom (peptides) be made into drugs?

Well, venom peptides are already on the market, including for enzyme inhibitors and peptomimetics. Venoms are also used in cosmetics. The peptides can cause volatile immune reactions, including anaphylaxis and the paralyzing of vital organs. These venom peptides used in medicine (mainly) to debilitate and kill humans come from spiders, scorpions and deadly snakes, including the cobra, mamba, pit vipers and rattlesnakes. Still wondering why the commercials all tell you "Ask your doctor if (insert any name here) is right for you?"

The China Flu "vaccines" are not vaccines at all, but gene-and-cell-mutating injections that instruct human cells to create deadly virus-mimicking "protein" prions, that spread throughout the vascular system, to the ovaries, the testicles, the kidneys, the liver, the pancreas, and yes, the brain. Then the human body attacks those "foreign-looking" particles and voila  brain damage, heart strain and instant miscarriage.

You see, the Hippocampus is a complex brain structure embedded deep into temporal lobe that has a major role in learning and memory. Once the spike protein prions cross the blood-brain barrier, learning and memory can be altered, mutated and controlled (by the mass media propaganda and lies fed to it daily).

The dreaded face masks just won't go away. Without a shred of science to back up their use, the "disease experts" (talking heads) of PNN (Propaganda News Network) swore up and down it was the only way, along with lockdowns and deadly gene therapy injections, to stop the China Flu from killing every human on Earth. It was intense, sustained propaganda, and now science is proving the Covid face masks used during pregnancy increases the chance of stillbirth, testicular dysfunction and cognitive decline in children. Plus, in everyone who wears them for extended periods of time, elevated levels of carbon dioxide can lower IQ up to seven points.

Lastly, there is STILL toxic fluoride in most US municipal tap water, and just like with lead, mercury and other heavy metal poisons, it causes chemical brain drain. It's the cumulative effect, and don't even try to warn the hypnotized, lobotomized masses, because they simply can't hear you.

Keep your truth news in check by adding Preparedness.news to your favorites list and tuning in daily for updates on real news about surviving and thriving in the near future, and news that's being scrubbed from MSM and social media as you read this.

Sources for this article include:

Censored.news

NaturalNews.com

VenomTech.co.uk

NaturalNews.com

HSPH.Harvard.edu
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Austrian chain AMIC ENERGY welcomes customers with an updated LOFT-style interior and invites them to enjoy top-notch comfort. The gas station with the new interior is located at 1A Terchynska Street, Dmitrivka village, Rivne region.

This particular station gained certain recognition among drivers and travelers, prompting the company to renovate a fuel station on the way to the country's western border, now being transformed into a convenient stopover. The gas station incorporates several solutions that allow customers not only to refuel their vehicles with premium quality European fuel but also to enjoy the rest during a journey comfortably.

"It is extremely important for us to provide not only European fuel but also to create convenient conditions for each of our customers," says Audrius Stropus, CEO of AMIC Ukraine. "Today, all AMIC ENERGY petrol stations are the Points of Invincibility that provide warmth and comfort in the most difficult moments. That is why we decided to revise the concept of the filling station to make visitors feel comfortable."

The gas station in the Rivne region became the first one to offer an updated interior design. Moreover, the new design was also implemented at two more stations in the Khmelnytsky and Volyn regions (on the M-12 Striy-Ternopil-Znamianka highway at km 276+760 and in Novovolynsk city, respectively).

These gas stations feature a new urbanistic interior, emphasizing the innovations introduced by the company in customer service. In addition to the laconic natural colors, AMIC ENERGY is expanding the seating area for tasty and satisfying stops for both adults and children. Now, navigation around the filling station has become easier, relaxation is even more comfortable, and all visitors can always enjoy the delicious FoodPoint fresh menu, where everyone can find something for themselves.

As a reminder, the Austrian AMIC ENERGY chain has been operating in Ukraine since 2015 and has suffered significant losses after the beginning of the full-scale invasion. The enemy damaged or destroyed a significant number of filling stations, and one of the country's largest oil depots was partially destroyed in Borodyanka. 13 gas stations have already been restored and are now operating. According to the company's preliminary estimates, the losses from the aggressor's actions amount to about 450 million hryvnias. In January 2023, AMIC Ukraine filed a lawsuit against russia with the European Court of Human Rights due to the damage caused by the aggressor. The ECHR has initiated proceedings.

Additional information:

From the first days of the full-scale invasion, AMIC ENERGY has been supporting the Security and Defense Forces of Ukraine by donating almost 350 thousand liters of fuel, personal protective equipment, quadcopters, power banks, thermal imagers, vehicles, a UAV control channel suppression system, other equipment and supplies for the Armed Forces, TROs, etc. In addition, the Invincible Coffee campaign aimed at restoring Kherson, Luhansk, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions and the MAVIC by AMIC charity initiative, under which UAH 5 from each fuel receipt is transferred to purchase DJI MAVIC drones for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, are ongoing.
China sanctions 5 U.S. defense corporations in answer to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan

China has passed sanctions on five American defense companies in reaction to the U.S.'s recent arms sales to Taiwan and in retaliation for similar American sanctions on Chinese firms and nationals.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement posted online that the sanctions will freeze any assets the companies have in China and prevent organizations and individuals in China from doing business with them. (Related: Top U.S. defense official claims military-industrial complex can handle Russia, China and Middle East conflicts all at once.)

The Foreign Ministry said the sanctions were "in response to these gravely wrong actions taken by the United States," referring to the "illegal unilateral sanctions" on Chinese companies and individuals. The sanctions are also in response to recent arms sales to Taiwan that "seriously harm China's sovereignty and security interests, undermine the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait."

"The Chinese government remains unwavering in our resolve to safeguard national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity and protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies and citizens," the Foreign Ministry said in its statement.

The five sanctioned companies are BAE Systems Land and Armament, Alliant Techsystems Operation, AeroVironment, ViaSat and Data Link Solutions.

U.S. defense companies do not do business in China

Chinese sanctions are frequently deployed symbolically, as American defense contractors almost never do any business in China.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry's statement did not specify which arms deal or which U.S. sanctions China was responding to. But it should be noted that last month, the U.S. State Department approved a $300 million military deal for Taiwan that includes equipment, training and equipment repair to maintain Taiwan's command, control and military communications capabilities.

The U.S. said the deal would help the democratic self-governing island's ability to modernize its armed forces and maintain a credible defense against any invasion.

"The proposed sale will improve the recipient's capability to meet current and future threats by enhancing operational readiness," said the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency in a news release. The Pentagon added that the sale would assist Taiwan "in maintaining political stability, military balance and economic progress in the region."

Beijing announced these symbolic sanctions less than one week before Taiwan's 23 million citizens elect a new president and legislature in a contest that is being viewed as a litmus test for how Taiwan will move forward with managing its relationship with China.

Since the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, Beijing has claimed the self-governing island of Taiwan  which it has never ruled  as an integral part of its territory and says that it must come under its rule, either peacefully or through force.

Beijing has ramped up its pressure on Taiwan in recent days, with Chinese President Xi Jinping even using his New Year's Eve address to reiterate his claim that Taiwan would "surely be reunified" with China, even claiming that Taiwan and the mainland are part of the "same family."

Follow CommunistChina.news for more news about China and its contentious relationship with Taiwan.

Watch the video below about China making a "rare" nighttime show of force near Taiwan with more than a dozen fighters and nuclear-capable bombers.

This video is from the Puretrauma357 channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Beijing plans to INTERFERE with Taiwan's presidential and legislative elections on Jan. 13.

Xi shares with Biden his intention to "peacefully" take Taiwan  but full-scale INVASION remains on the table.

CCP is embedding itself into U.S. utility infrastructure; Biden administration issues warning about situation they created.

U.S. to deploy previously banned missiles against China as a deterrent.

Taiwan: China may not be ready to invade by 2027.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

BBC.com

Firstpost.com

Bloomberg.com

Brighteon.com
GLOBALISM UNHINGED: Cops storm Polands presidential palace to arrest conservative politicians

Police in Poland have stormed the nations presidential palace, still occupied by conservative Andrzej Duda. Cops took two ministers from the former Law and Justice (PiS) government to prison this week, despite the fact they had been awarded presidential pardons.

(Article by Jack Montgomery republished from TheNationalPulse.com)

New globalist Prime Minister Donald Tusk, alongside the new Marshal (Speaker) of the Sejm (Legislature) Szymon Ho?ownia, have moved swiftly to persecute members of the former, right-wing government in moves similar to the Biden pursuit of Donald Trump.

Ho?ownia referred former interior minister and deputy interior minister Mariusz Kami?ski and Maciej W?sik to a chamber of the Supreme Court friendly to the new government, which ruled the pardons they previously received for abuse of power were invalid.

The pair are accused of exceeding their powers in the 2000s, when Kami?ski headed the Central Anticorruption Bureau. Their party, Law and Justice, are calling them political prisoners who are being punished for fighting corruption.

Another chamber of the Supreme Court, importantly, has ruled their pardons were valid, while the Constitutional Tribunal has ruled the Supreme Court had no authority to review presidential pardoning powers in the first place.

Nevertheless, law enforcement felt forced to cooperate with Tusk, and though Kami?ski and W?sik holed up in the presidential palace under President Dudas protection, officers entered when the President left to attend a meeting and dragged the duo to jail. Kami?ski is now believed to be on hunger strike.

Poland is now in a full-blown constitutional crisis. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Ma?gorzata Manowska, appointed by Law and Justice, is accusing Ho?ownia and the Supreme Court judge who ruled against the ministers of illegal actions that constitute a significant violation of the legal order.

So long as the European Union backs Tusk and the state authorities choose to enforce his agenda, Law and Justice and its supporters have little recourse beyond direct action, with protests already underway.

Po raz pierwszy od 35 lat, od upadku komuny i wielkiego zwyci?stwa Polakow nad totalitaryzmem - mamy w Polsce wi??niow politycznych Mariusz Kami?ski I Maciej W?sik to ofiary politycznej zemsty nowego rz?du Donalda Tuska. Apeluj? do demokratycznej wspolnoty ?wiata Zachodu, by pic.twitter.com/HKHMwVZu51  Mateusz Morawiecki (@MorawieckiM) January 10, 2024

Read more at: TheNationalPulse.com
The German government is ripping off the farmers who feed the country

Farmers and their tractors started gathering on Monday here in Berlin as well as in cities across all of Germanys federal states, including Hamburg, Cologne, and Bremen. The culmination, a massive planned protest, is set for Monday, January 15.

(Article republished from RT.com)

The aim? To get Chancellor Olaf Scholzs coalition government to backtrack on its decision to eliminate tax breaks on the diesel fuel used for farming  a sector already struggling with high energy costs as a result of the governments de facto policy to screw itself and its own citizens over for Ukraine by cutting off cheap fuel from Russia because Brussels ordered it to. And then deciding that its cool because gas isnt green enough anyway. Who knew that the German economy couldnt just run on wind and sun? Not this government, apparently.

Feeling the heat, Team Scholz has already said that itll now just slow roll the cuts to subsidies. Apparently hes never tried removing a band-aid really slowly. The farmers responded with some slow rolling of their own  right down the Autobahn and up to the Brandenburg Gate. The other issue is a road tax exemption for agricultural vehicles that the government decided to reimpose. Well, at least the farmers are getting their moneys worth this week by taking their tractors out for a spin along roads they probably never would have bothered with, just to join up with the protests.

This whole mess is a result of Team Scholzs own screwup. What else is new? Pretty standard operating procedure for the Western establishment: they screw up, then the cost of their mess gets dumped onto the average person. Scholz quietly took 60 billion ($65 billion) from a Covid recovery slush fund and plonked it into a fund for the much put-upon German industry. But only for the green industrials. Everyone else can just shove off. Which is also the arrogant attitude being bandied about by some establishment figures when it comes to farm diesel subsidies. Anyway, Scholz was ordered by the courts to put the misappropriated cash back  lest the government run the risk of incurring a debt. Whoops, too late. Berlin ended up 17 billion short in repaying it. So then the government had to figure out who it was going to have to screw over in an attempt to drum up some quick cash. Apparently those who literally feed the German people were identified as viable cash cows.

The government can now hear and see the honking tractors and big rigs from the Bundestag, gathering just a stones throw away from the epicenter of the protests at Brandenburg Gate. But Scholz has been talking instead about the need for European nations to mirror Germany in devoting more money to Ukraine  like he has nothing else going on inside his own country. Youd think that if he didnt keep loading Ukraine up with cash and weapons then Russian tanks would just roll right into Berlin. He really should be more concerned about the German tractors and trucks that are already nearly right up under his office window. Germany doubled its Ukrainian military aid to 8 billion just before the New Year. Compare that with the 900 million that its rolled back tax breaks on farmers are expected to save them.

If Team Scholz was so blase about shuffling money around in the creation of this whole debt problem, youd imagine it would be easy enough at the very least just to hold onto that cash for Ukraine and take the jackboots off the necks of the farmers. It seems that German farmers may have to move to Ukraine to get treated fairly by their own government.

Team Scholz is making one of the most productive elements of German society pay a heavy price for its own relentless screwups. The precise cost amounts to 10,000 annually for some farmers, who say it represents a potentially catastrophic loss for them. But the message being peddled by government officials is that farmers are already subsidized enough. Youd think they were just rolling in cash. Clearly, the reality is quite the opposite when 10,000 represents a make-or-break scenario.

Instead of acknowledging the damage its doing, the governments Interior Ministry is employing the tried-and-true tactic of attempting to diminish the farmers plight by conflating their cause with the far-right, which, allegedly, is already attempting to glom onto the cause. Anyone who disagrees with the Western establishments agenda seems to be labeled far-right these days. Its like calling someone a racist  clearly a cynical attempt to shut down debate and marginalize entire movements. The average German doesnt seem to be buying it, though, since 70% of them say they want Scholz to step down before the next election in October 2025, according to a new poll.

Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck has accused some of the farmer movements participants of harboring coup fantasies. This is the same guy who fantasized that personally reducing his shower time would heap pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin by denying him energy revenues. Project much?

The establishment constantly lectures about the need for unity. Apparently these officials wouldnt know authentic unity if it literally rolled up to the Brandenburg Gate. Truckers have already joined up with the farmers cause. There are nearly as many average Germans who support the farmers  68%, according to a new INSA/Bild poll  as there are who want Scholz to go. Now thats real unity. Right, left, center, and people from all walks of life coming together behind two of the only groups in society that have the proven ability to make the government sweat. And this governments response is to try to foster even more division by Balkanizing society, identifying various factions among those unhappy with the state of things and attempting to play them off against each other so they tear themselves apart instead of focusing on the real problem: the government itself. One German official even mentioned that the small farmers should blame the big farmers for their predicament. As though the kind of heavy-handed government action that led to this mess in the first place isnt also totally responsible for the phenomenon of giant industrial players.

Polls suggest that the farmers are now the very incarnation of unity among Germans. If theres one thing about which most Germans seem to agree, its how much those in charge truly suck. Of course, Team Scholz can continue to bury their heads in the sand and pretend to be broke while shoveling cash out the door to Ukraine. But in that case, stand by for the inevitable reckoning at election time when voters seek out an alternative to the establishment responsible for the chaos.

Read more at: RT.com
Goldback bills are ideal in post-apocalyptic scenarios as an alternative to power grid-dependent cryptocurrencies or credit cards, Jeremy Cordon tells Mike Adams in interview (sponsored)

Founder and CEO of Goldback Inc. Jeremy Cordon returned in a recent episode of Mike Adams' " Health Ranger Report " (HRR) for updates on the goldback as an alternative currency to the U.S. dollar and its importance in a post-apocalyptic world, where fiat currency would likely hold no value.

Goldbacks are intricately designed and polymer-laminated "money," which is not a paper currency but commodity money. Their intrinsic value requires no "faith" in any government, institution, or bank. With Adams' recent laboratory tests, it was confirmed that real 24-karat gold is physically present in them. Each "1" in the goldback denominations represents 1/1,000th of a Troy ounce of 24K gold. They are available in denominations of one, five, 10, 25 and 50. (Related: Mike Adams' lab tests reveal that Jeremy Cordons goldback bills yield 102-107% 24K gold content.).

Adams, a firm supporter and advocate of select types of privacy cryptos  the ones that could not be manipulated by certain parties  brought up goldbacks' advantage over the digital currency that uses encryption algorithms. "The nice thing about goldbacks is you don't have to install or download anything. You don't need passwords. You don't even need a computer. It is low-tech, but it has high resiliency because the value is in the gold back itself," the Brighteon and Natural News founder remarked.

Cordon agreed, saying when SHTF happens and the power grid is down, nothing will ever work with crypto. "It's not to say that there's not a scenario for crypto. There are a lot of the things that cryptocurrency has done in the market and it has made it possible for goldbacks to come out. Cryptos have already kind of crossed that bridge, where people are using things outside of dollars," he said.

The HRR host added that crypto shines when the power grid is working, when buying something remotely, or when transferring money to another country. But goldbacks make so much sense for local, direct transfers of value or barter of gifts and the idea of self-custody. "A lot of people have goldbacks for the same reason that they have any form of gold," the commodity money innovator commented. "They appreciated in value. When it started, we sold it for $2 and right now the average price is well over $4 because gold's going up."

Adams further talked about the behavior of gold prices, which hit a record all-time high last month but adjusted back a little bit since then. "But for 2023, gold was up 13 percent, which beats most stock market investments, or at least, Dow and Fortune 500 types of investments. And yet gold can continue to rise in terms of values of dollars," he said, adding that he does not encourage people to speculate on it but as gold holds value, goldbacks themselves hold value. The price of goldbacks has about doubled just over the last five years in terms of dollars, and it's done at least as well, if not slightly better than coins and bars in terms of appreciation. "There's not a downside to owning this form of gold in terms of value appreciation," Cordon assured.

See VerifiedGoldbacks.com for Adams' lab testing results on goldbacks, testing both purity and the amount of gold found in the goldbacks. VerifiedGoldbacks.com is an affiliate site that, at no additional cost to the customer, directs a small percentage of each sale to support this platform.

Merchants already accepting goldback bills

At one point in the show, Adams held out a sign saying "We accept the Goldback," which the company gives out for merchants who want to trade using the gold bills.

"When we started the project back in 2019, people said 'That's cool and neat, but who would take it?'" he looked back. "We went out in Utah and it took me maybe three or four days. We signed up hoping that we'd get maybe one in 10 business owners who appreciated and understood precious metals and sound money and are awake to the big macroeconomic problems. We could get these people to take the goldback at their businesses and we found it was closer to half of small business owners were willing to take payment in gold and many of them had never owned gold before."

Now, they have 700 to 800 businesses in Utah that take goldbacks for everyone who takes cryptocurrency as payment, including car dealerships, house building contractors, groceries and gas stations, as well as for deals of people buying equity and land.

The duo also touched on how the gold bills can be well appreciated as service tips. "We have a very strong tipping culture in the United States and it feels like everybody's asking for a tip now," Cordon noted, citing the several opportunities he had in raising awareness of the importance of physical gold in goldback bills by giving them away as tips.

"People are always excited to take them. It's always the coolest tip they've ever seen. I can explain to them what it is. And oftentimes, you'll give a goldback to your waitress and you'll see her starting to show the gold back to all the others. It might be the most memorable tip they get all year," he said.

Adams had the same experience just last Christmas holidays when he gave away the bills to his food servers and the chef at a restaurant. "I practically shut down the restaurant because they stopped waiting tables to talk about goldbacks. The chef was so thrilled that he gave me a giant container of his homemade soup that was super delicious. And it was like a gift exchange," he recalled.

See VerifiedGoldbacks.com for Adams' lab testing results on goldbacks, testing both purity and the amount of gold found in the goldbacks. VerifiedGoldbacks.com is an affiliate site that, at no additional cost to the customer, directs a small percentage of each sale to support this platform.

Watch the full episode of the "Health Ranger Report" with Mike Adams featuring Jeremy Cordon below.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources for this article include:

Brighteon.com

VerifiedGoldbacks.com
Iran has developed a new, high-tech combat drone for Russia to use in Ukraine

A new report has found that Iran has developed a new, high-tech attack and reconnaissance drone for Russia to use in its ongoing special military operation in Ukraine.

Initial reports indicate that the new drone, designated the Shahed-107, is an "explosive and reconnaissance" unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that has possibly been fitted with certain technologies to seek out high-value battlefield targets such as American and Western-supplied weapons systems used by Ukrainian forces, including the devastating multiple-launch rocket platforms. (Related: Russia making progress toward goal of MASS PRODUCING combat drones to rival Ukraine's Western-supplied drone fleet.)

Informed security sources who spoke with Sky News noted that "a few units" of the specially designed drones were offered to Russia in a deal estimated to be worth more than $2 million. This, according to the source, reflects "the significant force design work Iran is engaged in to support Russia's interests regarding Ukraine."

Confirmed specifications regarding the Shahed-107 have not yet been released by official sources. But Sky News' source indicates that the new drone is part of the Shahed family of loitering munitions, or single-use drones that can autonomously hover over areas while they wait to crash into designated targets kamikaze-style.

The Shahed-107 has a roughly 10-foot wingspan and is about eight feet long from the nose to the tail. It was first trialed in an air base in central Iran with Russian representatives present and is primarily launched from the back of vehicles.

It is believed that the UAV has a maximum range of 1,500 kilometers (932 miles) and can be fitted with a live-streaming transmitter to allow Russian drone operators to receive updated reconnaissance footage of battlefields and identify targets for other UAVs or weapons systems to hit.

A Ukrainian official who spoke with Sky News said the claim about the development of the Shahed-107 was "likely true" and is a "huge concern" to Ukraine, as Russian offensives in Ukraine "rely a lot on Iranian drones" that are constantly being modernized to match the Western drone technology supplied to Kyiv.

Russia may also be using jet-powered Shahed drones

The Ukrainian official noted that one of the main goals of Iran is to make the drones faster "to force Ukrainian defense forces to use more expensive [Western-supplied] air defense systems." One way to make these drones faster is to make them jet-powered.

Evidence has come out that Russia may already be using an Iranian jet-powered loitering drone, known as the Shahed-238. Photos and videos circulating on social media of a Russian drone shot down in Ukraine are said to show the remains of a Shahed-238, or a prototype variant or derivative thereof, that was launched at a target in the country.

It appears that Iran has supplied Russia with the newest Shahed kamikaze UAV variant (Shahed-238) with jet engine. The first one (MJ0) was shot down by Ukrainian forces. pic.twitter.com/hWuxfEUzSV  Clash Report (@clashreport) January 8, 2024

The only visible exterior markings on the drone are "MJO," or "MJ0" written on a part of the body. Open-source intelligence (OSINT) analysts note that other Russian Shaheds, such as the propeller-powered Shahed-136, had been seen with alphanumeric markings that begin with "M" and posts that the "J" on the Shahed-238 could stand for "jet." Other examples of supposed Shahed-238s shot down over Ukraine have been seen with markings beginning with just J.

These same OSINT analysts and other military experts note that the drone's engine could be a TEM Tolue-10, an Iranian-made clone of the Czech PBS Aerospace TJ100 engine. The Tolue-10 had been previously identified as the engine on multiple Iranian-designed cruise missiles.

Russian Maj. Gen. Vladimir Popov, speaking to state-run Sputnik TV in early December, noted that a jet-powered version of the Geran-2  the Russian designation for the Shahed-238's immediate predecessor, the Shahed-136  was on its way to being deployed. He confirmed that the Shahed is jet-powered and claimed that it had a top speed of 800 kilometers per hour (497 miles per hour). For comparison, the propeller-powered Shahed-136 has a cruising speed of around 111 miles per hour.

If this is accurate, this means that the Shahed-238 would be able to traverse the distance to its intended target significantly faster than propeller-powered drones. This, in turn, would also reduce the amount of time Ukrainian defenders would have to react to the drone, either by targeting it with anti-air systems or by launching interceptors.

Ukraine's anti-drone defenses already heavily rely on largely ad hoc mobile teams who provide additional anti-drone capacity in addition to more traditional assets.

Learn more about the use of drones in conflicts and the latest developments in combat drone technology at DroneWatchNews.com.

Watch this clip from "Military Tube Today" showing Shahed-136 drones attacking military targets in Kyiv.

This video is from the channel The Prisoner on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Iran unveils new HYPERSONIC MISSILE in apparent warning to the U.S. and Israel.

Russian killer drones being used in Ukraine found to contain Western electrical components.

Ukrainian KAMIKAZE DRONE sets off explosion, crashing into Russian airbase and damaging supersonic bomber.

The Economist implies Ukrainian drone strikes are ramped up to psychologically terrorize "ordinary Russians."

Autonomous KILLER BOTS to dominate battlefields soon as war in Ukraine leads to significant advances in drone technology.

Sources include:

BusinessInsider.com

News.Sky.com

WarOnTheRocks.com

TheDrive.com

Brighteon.com
Dr. Mary Talley Bowden says IVERMECTIN is helping patients overcome damage caused by COVID jabs

The launch of Operation Warp Speed in late-2020 brought with it in the years following a serious and seemingly inexplicable public health crisis that Dr. Mary Talley Bowden of BREATHEmd says is seeing relief with the help of ivermectin

Dr. Bowden recently spoke with The Gateway Pundit's "Beyond the Headlines" host Ivory Hecker about what she is seeing within her own practice, which is both horrifying in terms of the health issues she is seeing, and promising in terms of how she says ivermectin is helping.

"In the last two years, seven percent of my new patient appointments were people with chronic debilitating health conditions from these shots," Dr. Bowden explained, referring to Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) "vaccines."

"I've never seen anything like it with any other medical product. And these people  I don't see many people come in with strokes or myocarditis. I see the people with the ongoing problems, and they're quite difficult, they're quite challenging."

Dr. Bowden says her patients in this category are generally improving, but typically still have lingering problems that simply will not subside, suggesting serious problems with the contents of the injections.

"The most common things I see are POTS, which is when your blood pressure and your pulse fluctuate wildly, sometimes just completely unprovoked," she explained. "I see bad rashes. I see severe, random pain that you can't explain. I see fatigue and feeling horrible. I see tremors. I see neuropathy."

"These patients are very frustrated. Normally they've gone to see several doctors  they'll get the million-dollar work-up, and most of the time nothing really shows up. So other doctors will put them on psychiatric medicines, sleeping pills, anxiety pills, and send them on their way. It's very sad."

(Related: Did you know that Pfizer funded a "behavior change" program at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] that targeted vaccine critics like Dr. Bowden with weaponized psychological operations?)

Dr. Bowden: Let's call for the shots to be pulled off the market

While Dr. Bowden admits that COVID jabs should probably not be blamed for all the cases she is seeing, she does admit that there is a common pattern of symptoms that she is seeing over and over again in patients who are fully vaccinated.

"You start seeing a cluster of the same sort of symptoms happening over and over again," she explained. "And they're happening in otherwise normally healthy people which just doesn't make sense."

When asked about her treatment strategy, Dr. Bowden said she usually starts with ivermectin, which binds to the spike protein. Ivermectin also has anti-inflammatory properties along with 20 different mechanisms of action.

"The reason I start with ivermectin, other than what's written in the literature, but clinically, I've seen some patients with really severe rashes from these shots, and they've cleared up pretty dramatically with the ivermectin," Dr. Bowden explained.

Based on what she and her colleagues are seeing, Dr. Bowden and at least 50 others are calling on the federal government to pull COVID injections off the market immediately for the sake of public health.

"We've known for a very long time that they're not effective, and doctors like myself know how dangerous they are," she said. "Any other product would have been pulled off the market a long time ago, and it's time we do the same with this COVID shot."

Ivermectin, AKA horse dewormer, has not only been vindicated as an effective treatment for COVID, but now it is proving to be one of the best remedies for vaccine injury. Dr. Mary Talley Bowden attests to this. In her own clinical practice, ivermectin has offered profound pic.twitter.com/1aOrpHO5eV  The Vigilant Fox ? (@VigilantFox) January 5, 2024

More of the latest news about the benefits of ivermectin in treating COVID symptoms can be found at IvermectinScience.com.

Sources for this article include:

Twitter.com

NaturalNews.com
New Hampshire expected to BAN transgender surgeries for minors

New Hampshire's Republican Gov. Chris Sununu is expected to sign the bill banning specific transgender-related surgeries for minors

Lawmakers in the state recently passed House Bill 619 in a mostly party-line vote of 199 in favor to 175 against. HB 619 now moves to the New Hampshire Senate, which has a Republican majority. If signed into law by Sununu, who is known as a moderate Republican more supportive of LGBT rights, healthcare providers working in the state would be restricted from performing certain genital surgeries on minors and prevent them from referring minors to out-of-state partners to circumvent the ban.

The original version of the bill sought to ban a broader range of transgender surgeries, including so-called "gender-affirming" mastectomies and the prescription of pharmaceutical interventions for transgender youth like cross-sex hormones and puberty-blocking drugs. These more expansive restrictions were dropped in the final version of the bill, which was seen as more palatable to the more moderate-leaning Republicans in the state legislature.

State Rep. Gerri Cannon, a self-identified transgender individual and a Democrat, argued that lawmakers should not have the power to dictate how care providers handle their transgender patients.

Meanwhile, in a clear sign of how this bill has bipartisan support, Democratic state Rep. Jonah Wheeler supported the bill, noting the irreversible nature of certain surgeries for children.

"Despite being a liberal who believes in human rights, I do not think that children should be able to get irreversible surgery," said Wheeler.

More states ban transgender surgeries for minors

In 2023, more states across America also enforced bans on transgender surgeries for minors. (Related: More conservative states ban gender-affirming procedures for minors.)

According to the Equality Federation, an advocacy accelerator working with state-based LGBTQIA+ organizations, 23 states have already implemented laws prohibiting gender surgeries for minors, with each state having distinct provisions and implications. If Sununu signs HB 619, New Hampshire would be the 24th state to do so.

Arkansas pioneered the move in 2021, when it banned child sex changes, holding healthcare providers accountable to civil action if they performed gender transition procedures on minors. Then Gov. Asa Hutchinson tried to block the bill with a veto, but this veto was overridden by the state legislature.

Other states that have passed bans include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and West Virginia. The degree to which these states protect minors from being subjected to sex change procedures varies.

In some of these states, lawsuits have prevented the ban from being fully enforced. In others, like in Indiana, judges have filed preliminary injunctions preventing parts of the laws from being enforced like bans on puberty blockers and hormone treatments, but allowed restrictions on surgeries to remain in force.

Head over to Gender.news for more stories about the pushback against transgenderism.

Watch the video below that talks about protecting the youth from transgenderism's false ideology.

This video is from the Flyover Conservatives channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

GENDER-AFFIRMING BRAINWASH: The term gender-affirming care is NOT care at all, but mutilation, and affirming is NOT medicine, just delusion and child abuse.

The entire corporate media calls child mutilations gender-affirming health care  twisted words, evil aims.

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte signs law banning gender-affirming mutilations inflicted upon minors.

Florida expands ban on gender-affirming medical interventions for minors by removing exceptions for research.

No scientific basis: American College of Pediatricians president says transgender gender affirming care is medical QUACKERY.

Sources include:

LifeSiteNews.com

USNews.com

TheEpochTimes.com

Brighteon.com
Anonymous U.S. officials fear Bidens reckless foreign policies could lead to war in Lebanon

Unnamed officials have come forward to warn the public that the foreign policies of President Joe Biden's administration could lead to the United States getting involved in another costly and devastating war, this time in Lebanon

According to several officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to HuffPost, the support of the administration for Israel and its potential consequences could risk a full-blown war in southern Lebanon.

"Every scenario shows this would escalate into something terrible, whether in terms of counterterrorism or war with Iran," one official said.

The officials revealed their efforts to prevent a worst-case scenario and to restrain the administration from further escalating tensions. However, they pointed out that Biden seems determined to increase hostilities, possibly in an attempt to boost his waning popularity through the "rally 'round the flag" effect.

"I've been trying to keep an avalanche from falling on Lebanon and so have a lot of people. The problem is no one can rein in Biden, and if Biden has a policy, hes the commander-in-chief ? we have to carry it out. Thats what it comes down to, very, very, very, unfortunately," an official voiced out. (Related: Iran, Lebanese Hezbollah ready to "join the battle" in Gaza, warns Hamas leader.)

This official raised fears that unchecked U.S. support for Israel might encourage the nation to expand its ongoing anti-Hezbollah operations in southern Lebanon.

The officials also disclosed that top U.S. figures, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, have struggled to influence Israeli leadership. They cited months of American statements decrying the possibility of a larger regional conflict.

However, top Israeli officials such as Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and even Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remain steadfast in their plans to continue operations in southern Lebanon.

White House claims it is actively working to prevent war with Lebanon

In response to the mounting criticism, a spokesperson for the National Security Council argued that the U.S. is actively working to prevent the conflict from spreading into Lebanon.

"The United States has been clear we do not want to see this conflict spread to Lebanon. Getting Israeli and Lebanese citizens back into their homes, living in peace and security is of the utmost importance to the United States," the spokesman said in a statement. "We continue to explore and exhaust all diplomatic options with our Israeli and Lebanese partners, and we continue to urge the Israelis to do all they can to be targeted and avoid civilians, civilian infrastructure, civilian farmland, the [United Nations], and the Lebanese Armed Forces."

Key White House advisor on Middle East Affairs Amos Hochstein and Blinken have reportedly been working for months to bring Hezbollah and Israel to the table to agree to some kind of ceasefire between them. These months-long efforts have yet to yield any positive results, as neither side appears to be willing to agree to certain concessions. Recent Israeli strikes in Beirut and near a United Nations peacekeeping base in southern Lebanon further complicate the negotiation process.

Moreover, the official stressed other incidents such as attacks on commercial shipping by the Houthi militia in Yemen, aligned with Hezbollah, and repeated hits on U.S. forces in Iraq. The latter prompted an American airstrike on an Iran-linked militant in Baghdad, sparking outrage.

"War would not only be catastrophic for Lebanon and the Lebanese people, it would further inflame the entire region and what is basically a fairly limited back-and-forth between the U.S. and Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and a fairly limited situation still in the Red Sea. A broader war in Lebanon would completely blow up the entire thing," the official said.

However, other officials noted that the Biden administration seems unwilling to explore other alternative options, such as placing conditions on U.S. weapons supplies to Israel. They also claimed that the U.S. warnings against escalation have not been as urgent as American calls for Israel to do more to shield civilians in Gaza.

"You don't have those same levels of public pressure and public rhetoric on avoiding war in and with Lebanon. We need that," they said.

Follow WWIII.news for more news about the U.S. and the Israel-Hamas War.

Watch the video below to know why it is bad news for Israel that Hezbollah is preparing for war in Lebanon's southern border.

This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Lebanons Hezbollah says it is prepared and ready to join the war against Israel.

Hezbollahs tunnels in Lebanon more sophisticated than Hamas in Gaza, warns expert.

Dangerous escalation in Middle East tensions after Israeli strike kills top Hamas operative in Lebanon.

Israel illegally deploying WHITE PHOSPHORUS weapons in Gaza and Lebanon  innocent civilians being killed as churches and hospitals are repeatedly bombed.

Middle East scholar: Iran-backed Hezbollah joining Israel-Hamas war is a game-changer.

Sources include:

BigLeaguePolitics.com

Huffpost.com

Brighteon.com
Pfizer attempts to dismiss Texas lawsuit that accuses it of working to censor vaccine criticism

(Article republished from ReclaimTheNet.org)

It is no exaggeration to say that one of Big Pharmas biggest players, Pfizer, has had an excellent pandemic  over $100 billion in revenue in 2022 alone.

The rate at which this growth has been declining since Covid apparently made a disappearing act and the number of people willing to be vaccinated against it decreased dramatically, speaks clearly to how important the jab it produced in record time has been to Pfizer.

It logically follows that the giant would plausibly have done a lot of marketing cackling to protect this golden goose. And that is what a lawsuit brought by Texan authorities pretty much alleges  that Pfizer went as far as to use false and deceptive marketing to sell its vaccine and pushed for online censorship of criticism.

The lawsuit was filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, and now Pfizer is engaging in maneuvering to deal with the accusations  evidently hoping it has a better chance before a federal court than it does before the 99th Judicial District Court for Lubbock County.

Just days before the end of 2023, Pfizers attorneys asserted that the Lubbock-based court had no jurisdiction in the case, and asked that it be moved to the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas.

And while at it, they naturally want the whole lawsuit dismissed, citing things like shielded liability thanks to the PREP (Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness) Act  but also invoking speech protections that are supposed to be guaranteed by the First Amendment.

This last curious bit of legal gymnastics has to do with Pfizer acting on behalf of the federal government to produce the vaccine, adding that the corporation therefore seeks immunity  i.e., lack of liability  from the accusations listed in the filing.

Pfizer is not liable because Pfizer did not make any statement nor take any action that had the capacity or tendency to deceive consumers, is specifically how the US multinational phrased it in the motion to move, and dismiss the case.

Pfizer reacted fairly swiftly to the Texas AG lawsuit filed on the last day of November, which claims that false, misleading or deceptive claims had been made by the company concerning its Covid vaccine.

The goal, according to AG Paxton? An attempt to intimidate and censor critics of the vaccine which violated the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act in marketing claims the company made about the efficacy, duration of protection and ability of its Covid-19 vaccine to prevent transmission.

On censorship, the lawsuit states:

One of the persons Pfizer sought to intimidate and silence was journalist Alex Berenson. Throughout early 2021, Berenson maintained a highly active Twitter page with hundreds of thousands of followers where he explained his findings and views concerning COVID-19, Pfizers vaccine, and other related issues. Many of Berensons claims were true at the time he made them and have been corroborated by subsequent data and analyses. Indeed, it recently has been revealed that Pfizer had reason to know of the veracity of Berensons claims when he made them and that the company nonetheless plotted to silence Berenson and eliminate his speech from public discourse.

The lawsuit states how Pfizer board member Scott Gottlieb flagged journalist and Covid vaccine critic Alex Berensons tweet to Twitter.

Read more at: ReclaimTheNet.org
Ukraine purchases 50,000 womens uniforms amid worries that females could be conscripted

The Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) has announced its purchase of 50,000 women's uniforms amid worries that females could be pressed into service in Kyiv's fight against Moscow.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced in a Facebook post on Jan. 8 that the country's Ministry of Defense (MoD) bought 50,000 women's uniforms. The purchase also included 100,000 electric heaters and 15,000 active headphones. According to Umerov, this was the first time such an investment was made.

According to the MoD, there are more than 60,000 women in the AFU  making up around seven percent of the total number of personnel. However, losses to Russia have depleted the AFU's numbers and efforts to replenish the headcount have been dismal.

"There was already talk of women being conscripted into the army if necessary," Remix News stated. In October 2023, requirements for Ukrainian women with medical degrees to sign up for the military came into force. The purchase of uniforms thus serves as "evidence that the country could move to draft women in large numbers to replenish lost manpower."

While Ukraine's latest draft law does not include conscription for women, the winds might change if Kyiv suffers additional losses at the hands of Moscow.

Yehor Cherniev, a member of the Servant of the People (SN) party in Ukraine's unicameral Verkhovna Rada parliament, denied that women will be required to enlist during a radio interview. "I can say for sure that there will be no lottery [for conscription], there will be no mobilization of women [and] there will be property census," he said.

"In fact, it is unconstitutional. There should be no such thing. There will be no unconstitutional positions," continued Cherniev, the deputy chairman of the Verkhovna Rada's National Security, Defense and Intelligence Committee

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a member of SN, also clarified that women won't be drafted. "I won't sign the mandatory mobilization for women. But the decreasing of conscription age  that, I will sign," he said.

"Although tens of thousands of Ukrainian men raced to volunteer at the beginning of the war, enthusiasm has waned as the war has dragged on and the country continues to face a manpower shortage," Remix News pointed out.

Uniforms for women soldiers much needed on the battlefield

Citing a New York Times report, the outlet continued that the AFU has "worked to draw more women into the armed forces, including in combat roles. If the war deteriorates for Ukraine, the country may come under pressure to change its stance on women conscripts and begin a draft many once considered unthinkable."

The 50,000 uniforms for women would be of much help to the AFU's women soldiers in the frontlines. According to the Daily Beast, the Russia-Ukraine war that broke out in February 2022 has been a "particularly brutal" experience for them.

"The lack of appropriate equipment and resources for female soldiers  including ill-fitting uniforms, boots, body armor and tools to help them relieve themselves on the battlefield  often puts them in greater danger than their male counterparts," the outlet wrote. (Related: Female soldiers in Ukrainian army burdened by health issues, ill-fitting equipment.)

Twenty-eight-year-old Alina, a volunteer AFU soldier, lamented the ill-fitting equipment they were issued. She recounted to the Beast the difficulty of having to "stumble in mens shoes that are too big" and being forced to run in "huge pants" that slow them down in critical situations.

"But the hardest is to run in the army's standard, 30-pound bulletproof vest  which just never fits snugly to the body with boobs like mine," Alina said.

"If I take the army armor off and get wounded or killed, there would be no compensation paid to me or my family. Our lives [and] our security often depends on what we wear on our body and our feet, [and] how healthy we are."

Head over to UkraineWitness.com for similar stories.

Watch the video below showing a Ukrainian woman positioned on the war frontlines while assisting a wounded soldier.

This video is from the channel The Prisoner on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Ukrainian man attempted to exit the country by claiming to be a transgender female, but was instead ENLISTED into military service (nice try).

Reuters: Ukrainian women now work in mines because so many men were sent to the battle front.

Ukrainian military highlights UNICORN patch representing LGBT soldiers in its ranks.

MISOGYNY in Ukraine's military compounding the woes of female soldiers.

Sources include:

RMX.news

TheDailyBeast.com

Brighteon.com
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. The Government of Turkiye has ratified a grant agreement with the Government of Azerbaijan, Trend reports, referring to the publication in T.C. Resmi Gazete (official newspaper of the Republic of Turkiye).

According to the publication, Turkiye was represented by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance (henceforth granting party), while Azerbaijan was represented by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources (henceforth grant-receiving party).

All payments and transactions under the grant will be exempt from all types of taxes, fees, expenses, and fund payments.

The grant agreement is valid until December 31, 2025.

Certain articles of the agreement are summarized below:

- The grant will be used to finance the Azerbaijani-Turkish International Forestry Training Center and Smart Nursery Project.

- Construction and consulting tenders will be conducted simultaneously.

- The buyer of the project shall hand over the construction site to the contractor and consultant in a construction-ready condition and without any problems (electricity, infrastructure, water supply, etc.).

- Security of the construction site and workers will be provided free of charge by the grant-receiving party.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Unable to recruit more new troops, undermanned British Royal Navy forced to DECOMMISSION WARSHIPS

The U.K.'s Royal Navy is experiencing such a drastic personnel shortage that it has been forced to decommission two warships ahead of schedule to prevent its ships from being undermanned

Before the end of the year, two Type 21 frigates will be decommissioned  the HMS Argylle and the HMS Westminster, the latter of which was recently refurbished at great expense to the British taxpayer. The crews will be sent to fill up staffing for the Royal Navy's new Type 26 frigates.

"We will have to take manpower from one area of the Navy in order to put it into a new area of the force," said one defense official who spoke with British news outlet The Telegraph, referring to the new Type 26s which are still being built and are expected to enter active duty by 2028 at the earliest. (Related: To stave off a potential Russian invasion, the U.K. would need "10 years warning," admits top general.)

The British Ministry of Defense has ordered eight Type 26 frigates, which will be the Royal Navy's most advanced submarine-hunting warships to date and are expected to play a pivotal role in protecting British territorial waters and British interests overseas.

Critics have warned that the early decommissioning of the two warships, in light of the Royal Navy's shrinking fleet size, raises issues concerning the country's military readiness. Tobias Ellwood, former chairman of the British House of Commons Defense Select Committee, described the decision as "baffling" given that the British surface fleet  active warships not including submarines  already remains "massively overstretched."

"During the Gulf War, the Royal Navy boasted 51 frigates and destroyers," he said. "That number will soon fall to just 16. Yet our world is more dangerous than [at] any time since 1945. The strength of today's Royal Navy is simply inadequate to handle the ever-complex threat picture that is harming our economy."

British Armed Forces experiencing recruitment crisis

The announcement of the two warships' decommission comes as the British Armed Forces continues to experience a significant recruitment crisis.

Between March 2022 and March 2023, Defense Ministry data shows that the Royal Navy, which has 29,000 full-time recruits, performed the worst out of the three branches of the armed forces.

Intake for the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines plummeted by 22.1 percent. This is significantly lower compared to the Royal Air Force and the British Army across the same period, which saw a 16.6 percent and a 14.6. reduction in recruitment, respectively.

To put it in other terms, between July 2022 and July 2023, the total workforce of the Royal Navy shrank by some 4.1 percent. As of October 2023, British government statistics notes that the Royal Navy and Royal Marines combined had a workforce of nearly 38,000 people.

"We are losing operational ships  which is all very well as long as there's no war in the next few years," warned former First Sea Lord Alan West. "With the number we've got, if we get involved in any action we are really poorly placed."

"If the government had taken seriously the issue of frigate numbers over the last 10 years, there would be sufficient [numbers] to meet the requirements of trade protection in the Red Sea," he added, referring to the ongoing American-led operation in the Red Sea, tasked with protecting merchant shipping vessels from Houthi drone and missile strikes and boarding actions, which the U.K. has committed to participate in.

Watch this video from "Borzzikman" as he discusses how the Royal Navy is terrified of the Russian Navy.

This video is from the channel The Prisoner on Brighteon.com.

More related articles:

Royal Navy nuclear sub sank into danger zone following gauge malfunction, nearly killing 140 crew members.

UK aircraft carrier breaks down one day into 4-month mission to U.S.

UK national security compromised by munitions shortage after sending aid to Ukraine.

British general: Royal Marines took part in "high-risk" Ukraine missions.

Russia: British Navy played a major role in sabotage of Nord Stream pipelines.

Sources include:

StrangeSounds.org

Telegraph.co.uk

TheDrive.com

Brighteon.com
Elon Musks X has BANNED and then UNBANNED accounts critical of Israel

Elon Musk's X platform (formerly Twitter) has temporarily suspended several accounts critical of Israel without providing an explanation.

According to Reclaim The Net, most of the accounts belonged to journalists and left-leaning commentators. Some of the banned journalists include the Texas Observer's Steven Monacelli, the Intercept's Ken Klippenstein and Alan MacLeod from MintPress News. Podcaster Rob Rousseau and the @Zei_Squirrel account were also among those suspended.

Journalist Glenn Greenwald noted that the "highly popular and polarizing" @Zei_Squirrel account focused on harshly criticizing the foreign policies of both the U.S. and the European Union. It survived the earlier censorship regime in place under former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, but not under Musk.

"Their recent focus has been on criticizing Israel and [billionaire hedge fund manager Bill] Ackman," Greenwald wrote. "[The account] just got banned with no explanation."

Users who visit the profiles are met with a suspension notice, yet the reason for the suspension remains unclear. A generic message that reads "X suspends accounts which violate the X rules," was the only explanation given.

Former British lawmaker-turned-political commentator George Galloway brought the suspensions to the attention of the X owner, who replied that he would "investigate the issue." The banned accounts were all soon reinstated, but there still was no reason given for their suspension in the first place. Incidentally, all of the involved accounts had been leveling criticism against Tel Aviv. (Related: THOU SHALT NOT CRITICIZE ISRAEL: Social media giants now CENSORING CONTENT that supports people of Gaza and opposes indiscriminate bombings by Israel.)

"There are around 600 million active accounts on this platform. Mistakes are bound to be made at such a scale, but we try to fix them quickly," Musk wrote on X in response to the incident. "There will always be some false positives and false negatives, but we aspire to take corrective action rapidly."

Figures banned by Musk speak out

Despite their suspensions being lifted, some of the users banned by Musk did not take too kindly to the action.

The owner of the @Zei_Squirrel account explained in a Substack post: "There is no possibility that anything I have posted rises to the level of being ban-worthy  but nothing that Zionists post constantly, explicit calls for genocide and mass killing of Palestinians isn't."

They highlighted how users who post outright calls for violence against Muslims and Palestinians do not receive such bans. @Zei_Squirrel ultimately remarked: "If they don't unban me, it will prove beyond all doubt that Twitter and Elon Musk are just explicitly doing the bidding of the genocidal Israeli regime and its deranged supporters like Bill Ackman."

Monacelli, a special investigative correspondent with the Observer, approached his ban with some humor. In a post on Mark Zuckerberg's Threads, he said he had to start using the rival platform "because Musk was awake at 3 a.m. thinking about me."

Meanwhile, MacLeod took to Telegram to decry his suspension on X. "[The platform] suspended my account. They told me to check my email for a reason, but no reason has been forthcoming," he wrote. "I have never even remotely been involved in any controversy, reported [or] stuck in [X] jail before, so I assume the real reason is political."

"Probably the only chance I have to get the account back is if enough people object to this, [or] kick up a stink. This should probably include messaging [or] tagging [X] support and telling them to unban us all."

MacLeod said in a statement provided to The Libertarian Institute: "Im deeply concerned about Twitter banning a host of influential anti-war accounts, including my own. It is a sign that Elon Musk's supposed passion for free speech might not be all that it seems."

Watch Nick Fuentes explains online censorship and the selective targeting of "antisemitic speech" below.

This video is from the Liberum Arbitrium channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Censorship remains a problem even after Musks Twitter takeover.

STUDY: Twitter censorship shockingly on rise after Elon Musk takeover.

Twitter yielding to more government CENSORSHIP demands under Musk leadership.

Not again: Musk to reinstate Twitter censorship tools after a meeting with leftist groups.

Sources include:

ReclaimTheNet.org

LibertarianInstitute.org

Brighteon.com
Mexican president asks U.S. to grant visas to 10M Hispanic migrants and $20B in cash to help curb illegal immigration

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, also known by his initials AMLO, revealed that he asked U.S. authorities to grant visas to at least 10 million Hispanic migrants who have worked for more than 10 years in the country.

In a regular press conference last week, the president said that he also demanded President Joe Biden's administration pay regional states $20 billion in exchange for helping stem illegal immigration. AMLO added that the sanctions on Cuba and Venezuela should be lifted too since he partially blames them for this process.

Moscow-based American political analyst Andrew Korybko commented that if Biden convinces the Republicans to go along with the said proposal to grant work visas, then the foreigners would be able to apply for a green card. "This could lead to the imposition of one-party rule by 2032 if those new citizens in battleground states vote Democrat as expected," he said. Korybko further pointed out that should the U.S. give in to the demand, it would allow these migrants to apply for citizenship with full voting rights after five years. In fact, Pew Research Center cited U.S. Census Bureau data from 2020 to report last November that at least 1.6 million illegals live in Texas and 900,000 in Florida, which could have serious implications for forthcoming elections if they are legalized.

The Substack author also mentioned that it was predicted in mid-November 2020 that "Biden's America would be a dystopian hellhole" because "amnesty and open borders will revolutionize the electoral landscape" by paving the way to one-party rule, which could then lead to mass disarmament and more state-backed racist violence. He added that the first step in this plan is to place all illegal immigrants on the path to U.S. citizenship, which is precisely what AMLO just proposed amidst the U.S.'s fierce debate over its de facto open southern border.

AMLO's proposal came roughly a week after he met with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Mexico City, where they requested that Mexico boost its assistance in stopping illegal immigration. According to a senior administration official, AMLO "has a very ambitious agenda. For some of these things, we would need Congress to act." Obrador has proven to be more than willing to challenge U.S. politicians on immigration issues. He even picked a fight with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott over one of that state's new immigration laws last month.

"The Texas governor acts that way because he wants to be the Republican vice-presidential candidate and wants to win popularity with these measures," Lopez Obrador said in late December. "He is not going to win anything. On the contrary, he is going to lose support because there are a lot of Mexicans in Texas, a lot of migrants."

Johnson urges Biden to use Trump's "Remain in Mexico" policy

Before AMLO's request, House Speaker Mike Johnson already blamed Biden for the migrant crisis, saying that the POTUS has the authority to significantly reduce the record number of border crossings without action from Congress but refuses to do so. "On his first day in office, Biden came in and issued executive orders that began this chaos," Johnson told "Face the Nation" moderator Margaret Brennan. "Remain in Mexico is one of them."

The said policy, officially called the Migrant Protection Protocols, was implemented by former President Donald Trump in early 2019 to deter migration via the U.S.-Mexico border. It required migrants seeking asylum in the U.S. to wait in Mexico until their court dates. Biden ended the policy soon after taking office, saying it was inhumane. After months of legal battles, federal courts ordered the government to reinstate it. Then in June 2022, the Supreme Court ruled that Biden could end the program and it is no longer being implemented.

When asked about the need for logistical and financial support at the border that can only be provided through acts of Congress, Johnson said a top U.S. Border Patrol official told him the situation was comparable to an open fire hydrant. "He said, 'I don't need more buckets, I need the flow to be turned off.' And the way you do that is with policy changes," Johnson said. "We're just asking the White House to apply common sense, and they seem to be completely uninterested in doing so."

Johnson also said the Biden administration "could end catch and release." As expected, the Mexican government has issued statements rejecting any proposed revival of Remain in Mexico. (Related: More refugees are choosing to remain in Mexico with its booming economy rather than try to enter the U.S.)

Meanwhile, the White House and a bipartisan group of senators have been negotiating a package that would make substantial changes to immigration and border security laws. The negotiations come as Republicans demand harsher policies in exchange for more aid to Ukraine.

OpenBorders.news has more stories related to Biden's migration policies.

Sources for this article include:

MSN.com

Korybko.Substack.com

CBSNews.com
Canada to begin inquiry into allegations that CCP agents meddled in Canadian elections

Canada is set to begin an inquiry into allegations that agents of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) meddled in the country's last two federal elections

The inquiry was first announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal Party-led government on Sept. 7, 2023  years after the 2019 and 2021 federal elections and after allegations and reports first surfaced strongly suggesting that the CCP at least tried to influence the outcome of the elections.

The public inquiry also comes after Trudeau launched a failed investigation last year into the allegations against the CCP. But this inquiry immediately broke down after allegations its head, former Gov. Gen. David Johnston  a personal "family friend" of the prime minister  concluded that there should not be a public inquiry into the matter, sparking massive public outcry.

This new investigation, which is scheduled to start on Jan. 29, will be led by Marie-Josee Hogue, a member of Quebec's Court of Appeal. Hogue's appointment was approved with the support of the Conservative Party of Canada.

MP Han Dong likely won his seat with CCP's help

In Johnston's report on foreign interference in Canadian elections, he did admit that there was "well-grounded suspicion" that Member of Parliament Han Dong won his seat with help from the Chinese Consulate in the city.

Dong, who resigned from Trudeau's Liberal Party in 2023 amid heightened allegations that he is an agent of the CCP, represents a part of northern Toronto. Before joining the federal parliament, he served for five years in the provincial parliament of Ontario. (Related: MP Han Dong resigns from Trudeau's Liberal Party following allegations questioning his loyalty to Canada.)

Despite campaigning in the federal electoral district of Don Valley North, most of Dong's influential backers were wealthy ethnic Chinese residents of Markham, a suburb north of Toronto.

Ethnic Chinese account for nearly half of the city's 340,000 residents. Chinese businesses dominate the city's main economic hubs, and new arrivals from China have surged in recent decades, gaining prominent places within the city's burgeoning Chinese community.

One of his strongest supporters is Markham Deputy Mayor Michael Chan, also a member of the Liberal Party. He helped Dong win the party's nomination to run for the Don Valley North seat, and in February 2023 he was investigated for allegedly providing information to Chinese diplomats.

Chan has had a long history of taking positions his critics accuse of being far too friendly to Beijing, including defending China against human rights abuse allegations and calling for a public inquiry into Canada's intelligence agency after it opened investigations against the CCP. As protests and revolutionary whisperings spread through Hong Kong in 2019, Chan made comments about siding with Beijing, claiming he supported the police forces of Hong Kong "strictly handling unrest."

Chan may have also helped the Chinese Consulate funnel money to Dong and at least 10 other campaigns through intermediaries like himself. Campaign staffers in some of these campaigns may have also had ties to the consulate.

China's potential meddling also implicates several top ministers in Trudeau's cabinet, possibly including Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development Mary Ng, who has served in her position since 2018 and was born in then-British Hong Kong.

"The great difficulty we have in Canada is the general public has trouble understanding that we're threatened," noted Richard Fadden, the former director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, who noted in testimony to authorities in 2021 that subterfuge by Chinese agents in Canada "is a fact of life."

Chinese meddling in Canadian elections seems to be focused on around half a dozen major cities with large Chinese diasporas. Here, Beijing increasingly deploys diplomats and other CCP proxies to undermine elected officials critical of China, especially on human rights.

Meanwhile, Beijing and its allies heavily support candidates considered friendly, including Dong and Chan, and possibly Ng.

"They're after us if I can use the vernacular, from a whole variety of perspectives," Fadden added. "And they're after us in a negative sort of way."

Watch this clip from G News discussing how even Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has accused China of interfering in Canadian elections.

This video is from the channel Chinese Taking Down Evil CCP on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Beijing plans to INTERFERE with Taiwan's presidential and legislative elections on Jan. 13.

Taiwanese foreign minister expects China to manipulate the upcoming 2024 Presidential election in Taiwan.

Election interference? Leonardo DiCaprio testifies that China-linked financier tried to donate $30M to Obama's 2012 campaign.

BREAKING: Trudeau pledges $5.5 million to fight "disinformation" after accusations CCP infiltrated Canadian elections.

Report: Top intelligence agency warned PM Trudeau that China was funding candidates in 2019 Canadian election.

Sources include:

LifeSiteNews.com

NYTimes.com

Brighteon.com
Genocide case against Israel gets underway at International Court of Justice

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is currently hearing a case brought up by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide in its actions in Gaza.

January 11 marked the first day of a two-day hearing at the ICJ, which is at The Hague in the Netherlands. South Africa claims that Israels ground and air assaults on Gaza are aimed at causing the destruction of the Palestinian population. Both Israel and South Africa are signatories to the Genocide Convention of 1948, which means that they cannot commit genocide and must prevent it from taking place.

Lawyers for South Africa asked the ICJ to order Israel to suspend its campaign in Gaza to protect Palestinians. In their opening remarks, they said they place Israels genocidal acts and omissions within the broader context of Israels 25-year apartheid, 56-year occupation, and 16-year siege imposed on the Gaza Strip.

South African lawyer Adila Hassim said: Israel deployed 6,000 bombs per week  No one is spared. Not even newborns. UN chiefs have described it as a graveyard for children. Nothing will stop the suffering, except an order from this court.

Israel launched a war against the terror group Hamas in Gaza after they killed more than 1,200 people and took more than 200 hostages in a surprise attack on Israel on October 7. Although South Africa has condemned the Hamas attacks, they maintain that nothing that happened justifies Israels response. According to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, Israel has killed more than 23,000 people in the enclave since the war began.

South Africa maintained that restricting the availability of food, water, electricity and medicine to those in Gaza is further evidence of Israels intention to destroy Palestinians. Most of their population of 2.3 million people has been displaced.

Furthermore, South Africa argued that comments made by some Israeli leaders indicate the countrys genocidal intent. Several high-profile Israeli politicians have made incendiary comments recently calling for the destruction of Gaza.

Israel remains defiant and insists it is not committing genocide

Israels attitude toward the case has been somewhat dismissive, with government spokesperson Eylon Levy saying that its tragic that the rainbow nation that prides itself on fighting racism will be fighting pro-bono for the anti-Jewish racists.

They have also accused South Africa of hypocrisy because they did not also bring genocide charges against Hamas, even though the terror groups founding charter calls for destroying the Jewish state and killing its people.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the hypocrisy of South Africa screams to the heavens.

He stated: "We are fighting terrorists, we are fighting lies... Today we saw an upside-down world. Israel is accused of genocide while it is fighting against genocide."

Tomorrow, Israel will provide its response. President Isaac Herzog has said that they will argue the war is self-defense and demonstrate that they are taking measures to prevent civilian casualties.

This is the first time Israel has been tried under the Genocide Convention, which was originally established following the events of World War II when more than 6 million Jews were murdered.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the case was meritless, while National Security Council spokesman John Kirby claimed the allegations were unfounded.

It could take several years before a final ruling is reached on the full case for whether Israel is committing genocide, and the ICJ does not have any way of enforcing its rulings. However, a decision on South Africas request for provisional measures compelling Israel to end its military campaign could be made within a few weeks. If Israel does not heed the order to stop fighting, it could face sanctions by the UN, although a U.S. veto could block them.

Sources for this article include:

HRW.org

AlJazeera.com

CNN.com
Influential Democratic donors spent a suspicious amount of money to purchase art pieces from Hunter Biden

Hunter Biden's art dealer has confirmed that influential donors to the Democratic Party were the main buyers of the presidential son's art pieces , strongly suggesting that some form of money laundering and influence peddling may have been involved in the deals.

Georges Berges, the art dealer in question, made the confirmation during a transcribed interview with congressional investigators as part of the House Oversight Committee's ongoing impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. (Related: Bank records show Biden pocketed $200K after this brother promised to "open doors" for a failing company.)

Berges refused to answer direct questions from the committee regarding the identity of the donors who bought Hunter's paintings.

Despite Berges' refusal to provide names to the House Oversight Committee, prior investigations into Hunter's art deals show that two notable Democratic donors who bought paintings were Kevin Morris and Elizabeth Hirsh Naftali.

Morris is a personal friend of Hunter. Back in October, it was revealed that Morris acquired Hunter's stake in the Chinese investment company Bohai Harvest RST by assuming $250,000 in debt from an unpaid loan given to Hunter by his Chinese business associates. This loan was notable for listing the president's Delaware home as the beneficiary address.

Morris bought Hunter's art for $875,000. Documents published by whistleblowers within the Internal Revenue Service also reveal that Morris gave Hunter $4.9 million in loans from 2020 to 2022.

Meanwhile, Naftali paid $42,000 in February 2021 for one art piece and again in December 2022 for $52,000. Between the first and second purchases, Naftali was appointed to the Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad by the president.

Hunter knows the people who bought his art are Democratic donors

According to sources who spoke with the Washington Examiner and were familiar with the transcribed interview, Berges testified that Democratic donors have spent the most money on Hunter's art but did not necessarily buy the most pieces in total. He stressed in the interview that donors did not make up the majority of individual buyers and that Democratic donors were not being targeted to make purchases.

Berges confirmed in the interview that he did not inform Hunter about the identities of individual donors. However, sources did add that Hunter was aware of the identities of some people who purchased roughly 70 percent of the value of the sold art, including Morris and Naftali.

According to one of the sources, Berges also testified in the interview that Hunter's name being attached to the art pieces influenced setting the price for his art which, if true, could go a long way to explaining the massive sums Morris and Naftali paid for the art pieces and suggests that they believe they could resell these art pieces for higher sums in the future due to their association with the Biden family.

Berges himself noted that he had never done any art deals like the ones he negotiated between Hunter and Morris and Naftali. He even pointed out that Hunter paid Berges a 40 percent commission on the sale with Morris.

In a letter sent in the middle of last year to House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer of Kentucky, an attorney for Naftali claimed that the alleged connections between her, Hunter and the president are filled with "numerous" falsehoods.

"Any insinuation that her purchase of art was unusual or somehow improper is entirely unsupported," said the attorney. "To be clear, Ms. Naftali purchased the artwork solely because she liked the art and the prices were reasonable  never at any time did she have direct or indirect contact with anyone at the White House regarding any art purchased."

"The Biden White House appears to have deceived the American people about facilitating an ethics agreement governing the sale of Hunter Biden's art," said Comer. "Hunter Biden's gallerist never had any communication with the White House about such an agreement to make sure there was any sort of ethics compliance at all, and he provided information to the committee revealing how Hunter Biden's amateur art career is an ethics nightmare."

"The White House has a lot of explaining to do about misleading the American people," he added.

Learn more about the suspected criminal activities of Hunter Biden and the possible involvement of President Joe Biden at BidenCrimeFamily.news.

Watch this clip from "The Bottom Line" on Fox Business discussing Hunter Biden's sudden appearance in Congress.

This video is from the News Clips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

"Guilty" Joe frustrated over Congressional probe of his son Hunter and accusations of bribery, kickbacks.

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SMOKING GUN: Hunter Biden sent Joe Biden "direct monthly payments" from a business account that received funds from China.

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Sources include:

ThePostMillennial.com

WashingtonExaminer.com

Brighteon.com
Multiple patients DIED as ICU nurse allegedly injected them with TAP WATER

An intensive care unit (ICU) nurse allegedly injected patients with tap water instead of pain medications, leading to multiple deaths.

The incident happened at the Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford, Oregon. The Medford Police Department said they are investigating the incident following the deaths of several patients due to infection. The erring nurse injected the patients with tap water instead of the painkiller drug fentanyl.

According to several sources, the ICU nurse was trying to cover up opioid abuse, likely by hospital staff. As many as 10 people died due to multiple infections caused by Pseudomonas bacteria. Dr. Robin Miller of KOBI 5's "Docs on Call" warned that Pseudomonas infection can be dangerous for people in poor health.

"It could cause sepsis [and] pneumonia. It could infect all the organs, so it could be a very severe infection," she warned. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Pseudomonas can be spread to people in healthcare settings who are exposed to contaminated soil or water  in this case, the non-sterile tap water used in place of fentanyl. The CDC added that those on breathing machines, those with devices such as catheters and those with surgery or burn wounds are the most at risk of serious infection.

The police department declined to provide further details, outside of confirming an ongoing investigation at the hospital operated by the Asante health system. It added that no one has been arrested or charged over the incident as of writing.

Meanwhile, the hospital released a statement saying: "We were distressed to learn of this issue. We reported it to law enforcement, and are working closely with them."

Miller: Drug diversion at Oregon hospital not an isolated case

Fentanyl is used to treat acute, severe pain caused by major trauma or surgery. It is also used to address chronic pain caused by cancer. But according to various reports, fentanyl is one of the most commonly diverted drugs. (Related: Virginia classifies FENTANYL as weapon of TERRORISM in response to rise in overdose deaths.)

Miller said switching out a patient's medication for personal use, just like what the ICU nurse did in this case, is called drug diversion. Despite this, she was puzzled as to why regular tap water was used. There should be sterile options available that wouldn't put patients at risk, Miller added.

"You don't think of medical professionals doing this, but 10 percent of medical professionals divert drugs. Ten percent  that's a lot," said the host of "Docs on Call."

"You can find other hospitals where this has happened, and where Pseudomonas infection has happened as a result. So it's not just here."

According to Miller, one instance of drug diversion that led to Pseudomonas infection in Cleveland eventually involved both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration. "I suspect that's what will happen here as well," she added.

In 2023, nurses from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Wisconsin and Montana either pleaded guilty or were sentenced for drug diversion while working at hospitals.

Visit MedicalViolence.com for stories like this.

Watch this video of frontline nurses explaining how Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) patients were killed with vaccine and hospital protocols  another example of medical violence.

This video is from the channel The Prisoner on Brighteon.com.

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Sources include:

100PercentFedUp.com

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Brighteon.com
Obama fears Trump 2024 win and is working to move the needle in Bidens favor, close friends say

Close friends of former President Barack Obama say the erstwhile leader fears that his successor, former President Donald Trump, will win the 2024 presidential election

Former Attorney General Eric Holder, one of Obama's close friends, said the 44th president was beginning to panic at the possibility of Trump returning to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Obama wasn't alone in this fear, he added, as even he himself and other key persons in the Democratic Party dread the possibility of a Trump victory.

"I think that's what motivates him [Obama]. I think that's what will continue to motivate him," said Holder.

Even Michelle Obama, Barack's wife, revealed that she is "terrified" about the 2024 election's possible outcome. "I am terrified about what could possibly happen," the former first lady said during a Jan. 8 appearance on Jay Shetty's "On Purpose" podcast. While she did not name Trump outright, Michelle referenced political candidates who continue to "divide the nation with their divisive rhetoric."

But according to senior Obama advisor Eric Schultz, the former president's strategy is reportedly based on "driving impact" and being deliberate in "picking moments"  with an overarching objective to "move the needle." He continued that in public, this strategy translates to "finding creative ways to reach new audiences," with tools directly tied to mobilizing voters.

"Obama is going to do everything he can to help in that regard  and that means campaigning, but it also means sharing strategic advice," said Holder. "And who better than Obama to be a primary advisor to the campaign?"

Democrats less enthusiastic about Biden

A poll by USA Today and Suffolk University whose results were released on Jan. 3 found incumbent President Joe Biden (37 percent) trailing Trump (39 percent) by two points. The same poll found that 17 percent support an unnamed third-party candidate. Given this result, Democrats say Biden's campaign must lean heavily into the emotions progressive and independent voters are having more urgently.

Enter Obama, who reportedly speaks with Biden on a regular basis. The former president is increasingly being tasked with coming to his former vice president's rescue as polling shows Biden struggling with Black, Hispanic and voters younger than 35, who are demographically essential to any victory. (Related: Trump LEADS among Hispanic and under-35 voters in new poll.)

As surveys become more public, the left cult points to how most 2024 polls show Trump in the lead with a little less than 10 months to go, and a failure to sell progressive voters on accomplishments, such as securing $132 billion in student loan debt relief despite resistance from Republican opponents.

David Axelrod, Obama's advisor and long-time friend, even suggested that Biden drop out of the race. He later said that surveys that show Trump having the lead in battleground states represented "very dark" news for the incumbent's reelection campaign.

Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC), who was instrumental in helping Biden with the Democratic nomination in 2020, said on CNN's "State of the Union" that he's "very concerned" about the president's support. His apprentice, Anton Gunn, a former official at the Department of Health and Human Services during the Obama administration, concurred with his mentor's opinion. According to Gunn, the Biden campaign isn't engaging voters  particularly Blacks  on the urgency of 2024 beyond facts and statistics.

"What keeps me up is that if we only make the rational, thoughtful and deliberate argument of why Biden is better, and don't recognize that there needs to be an emotional current through this campaign," he said.

"The same way Obama had an emotional currency, the same way Trump had an emotional currency when he won in 2016, there's a big fear that this could all go south because people vote emotionally. They don't vote rationally."

Visit BarackObama.news for more stories about the 44th U.S. president.

Watch the video below that talks about the possibility of Michelle Obama replacing Joe Biden in the Democratic presidential race.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

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Sources include:

USAToday.com 1

BET.com

USAToday.com 2

Brighteon.com
Organic Amish farm raided, food seized after farmer pushed back against Fed overreach

An Amish farmer who sells a range of organic food from his Pennsylvania farm was recently raided by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. The department has been going after the farmer, Amos Miller, because he has failed to comply with federal farming regulations

Last Thursday, the Pennsylvania State Police could be seen serving a search warrant at the all-natural farm, which is situated in the village of Bird-in-Hand. A state police spokesperson said they were there to help with scene security and that the search was part of a DOA investigation.

Dozens of items were seized as part of the search, including everything from ice cream and chocolate milk to eggnog and sour cream.

Authorities claim that they were investigating whether Miller's farm was the source of a few cases of foodborne illness in the area and that Miller never licensed his retail operation. The farmer has been involved in litigation with the government about the safety and inspection of his food for several years.

Miller does not sell his products to the public in grocery stores, instead catering to private clients who wish to avoid the dangers associated with corporate farming practices.

His attorney, Robert Barnes, said: Today, the Department of Agriculture of the State of Pennsylvania suddenly came, without notice, raided Amos farm, and detained everything Amos had in the farms freezer. They did so in a lawless manner, without appropriate authority, in violation of their own rules and regulations, despite never objecting to the prior resolutions reached with the federal government, and despite a complete failure by the state to even reach out to Amos known counsel.

Outlining the ways in which the raid was illegal, Barnes said that authorities were required to provide advance notice, show their credentials, and conduct their inspections within reasonable time frames. He blamed false statements in an affidavit by a high-ranking state official in an agency with a known grievance against independent farmers like Amos for being the source of the search warrant and complained that after authorities failed to find proof of wrongdoing, they illegally ordered detained every item of food in one of Amos Millers coolers, including buffalo meat not even subject to federal regulation.

He added that Miller will continue to do everything possible to provide food to his patrons legally.

Miller has used his sovereign citizen defense to push back against federal overreach in forcing him to comply with food safety rules as he sells a range of food including raw milk, grass-fed cheese and beef, fresh produce and organic eggs to more than 4000 buyers. For his farming operations, he does not use petroleum products, chemical fertilizers, electricity or vaccines.

Government should be focused on more pressing matters

Donald Trump Jr. expressed outrage over the raid on X, writing: "Imagine what law enforcement could accomplish if they went after oh I don't know, say, members of elite pedophile rings rather than farmers selling to their neighbors???"

Upon hearing about the story, Representative Thomas Massey (R-Kentucky) commented: "Looks like Amos Miller's farm is being raided. With all of the problems in society today, this is what the government wants to focus on?"

He added: "A man growing food for informed customers, without participating in the industrial meat/milk complex? It's shameful that it's come to this.

Massie is the co-author of the PRIME Act bill, which seeks to protect smaller farmers and ranchers from federal overregulation.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

DailyCaller.com

FoodSafetyNews.com
RINO TRAITOR: Rand Paul unleashes on Mitch McConnell for aligning with Biden to allow 5,000 illegals per day into US, $735M in funding for path to citizenship

The Biden regime's plan to open the floodgates of the southern border to virtually limitless illegal immigration is fully supported by so-called Senate "Republican" Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

According to Sen. Rand Paul, also of Kentucky, McConnell is betraying both his party and his constituents by agreeing with President Biden and his cabinet that there should not be a border wall, and that illegal migrants deserve to come to America illegally.

"It's a sellout," Paul told Laura Ingraham, host of FOX News' "The Ingraham Angle."

"It's going to continue to allow illegal immigration, particularly migrants. It's saying, 'oh, we'll let 5,000 people come illegally a day, and then after that we might try to stop the next 5,000 that day.' It's completely a sellout. It's because people like Sen. McConnell care more about Ukraine than anything else."

In addition to allowing 5,000 illegals per day to invade America, McConnell also supports Biden's plan to spend $735 million in U.S. taxpayer dollars to fund "a path to citizenship" for these endless hordes of illegals.

When asked by Ingraham what McConnell's priorities are and which political party he more closely aligns with, Republican or Democrat, this is how Paul responded:

"More than the border, more than anything else, he wants to send $60 billion of your money to Ukraine ... On this issue, he is more aligned with Biden. On the issue of sending your money to Ukraine and sending it everywhere around the world, McConnell is much more closely aligned with Biden than he is with the Republican party."

Breaking News: in the Senate Omnibus, Mitch McConnell agrees to allow the Biden administration to bring in 5,000 illegals per day. No wall $735 million in funding for a path to citizenship. McConnell is on Biden's side of illegal immigration. This is what these Republican fools https://t.co/6axSFBzg5X  Wendy Patterson (@wendyp4545) January 10, 2024

(Related: Remember during COVID when Mitch McConnell ordered Americans to get "vaccinated" for the Chinese Virus or else he would join Democrats in shutting down the country?)

McConnell cares more about Ukraine, Israel than the American people

In addition to wanting to write blank checks for Ukraine, McConnell is also dead-set on sending endless military aid in the form of guns and cash to Israel as well, making him another Israel First politician along with most other American politicians, both left and right.

McConnell is leading the Republican charge to make Ukraine and Israel a top priority rather than the interests of the American people. In McConnell's view, this is a necessary position to take because, as he recently told reporters, "the world is literally at war."

"The world was in a lot of danger before we left, and now it's even more so," McConnell further stated. "Obviously, we're working very hard to come up with an agreement to improve our situation at the border."

"Make no mistake about it: This is the most serious international situation we have faced since the Berlin Wall came down. We need to pass a supplemental. There needs to be a strong border provision as part of it. Our hope is that we'll get an outcome and we get it soon."

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.) agrees with Rand that McConnell's top priority is not the American people, but rather securing more funding for Ukraine.

"That's been his play from day one," Johnson said. "He recognizes, 'Well, maybe if I throw in some border security,'" enough Senate Republicans skeptical of continuing to fund the Ukraine war will vote "yes."

America is under attack not just from the southern border but also from within. Learn more at InvasionUSA.news.

Sources for this article include:

Twitter.com

NaturalNews.com

TheHill.com
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. The Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsperson) of Azerbaijan, together with the Central Election Commission (CEC), has held the first educational event themed Ensuring the electoral rights of citizens in connection with the extraordinary presidential election, Trend reports.

In the event opening speech, CEC Chairman Mazahir Panahov emphasized that election is a fundamental criterion of democracy and that every citizen should approach this process responsibly.

He highlighted the important tasks entrusted to the media in electoral processes and provided participants with extensive information about the measures taken by the CEC, in collaboration with relevant state institutions, to improve electoral legislation and practices.

Ombudsperson Sabina Aliyeva said that educational activities conducted jointly with the CEC, covering the capital and regions of the country, aim to prepare for elections and provide clearer explanations of electoral rights and procedures.

The ombudsperson also emphasized that the crucial expression of any nation's will lies in democratic and free elections for government bodies.

She highlighted the significance of this process in the life of the democratic legal state of the people and the country.

Aliyeva noted that state power and local self-government bodies are formed through democratic and fair elections.

She pointed out that the Azerbaijani Ombudsman Institution consistently works for more effective protection of civil and political rights, including electoral rights, pays constant attention to the state of ensuring electoral rights in the country, studies the situation related to the protection and provision of citizens' electoral rights, and collaborates with the CEC to organize educational events.

The ombudsperson highlighted the importance of creating conditions for more effective exercise of the electoral rights of individuals, including those with disabilities, and, in this context, expanding opportunities for voting by visually impaired voters using Braille template ballot papers.

She also emphasized the need to continue the practice of preparing all campaign videos with subtitles to inform voters with hearing impairments and produce more videos on election topics for educational purposes.

Following that, CEC Secretary Mikayil Rahimov provided detailed information about its work in anticipation of the upcoming presidential election and outlined the planned activities of the CEC.

Discussing the significance of the observation institution and the role of the Ombudsman in this process, the Head of the Ombudsman's Office, Aydin Safikhanli, underlined that the observation institution contributes to more effective protection of electoral rights and principles of transparency and fairness in the electoral process.

He added that observation allows for not only identifying deficiencies that may arise in ensuring citizens' electoral rights but also enhances citizens' participation in the electoral process and evaluates the conduct of the electoral process in line with national legislation and international standards.

Then he briefed on the observation practice of the Ombudsman institution.
Why did the U.S. State Department lease an upscale New York City apartment to disgraced pedophile Jeffrey Epstein?

There is a strange overlap between the federal government of the United States and "seedy" parties from the billionaire class, the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein being no exception.

During a recent appearance with Jack Posobiec of Human Events Daily, guest Mike Benz explained that Epstein long maintained ties to the Deep State, and was even leased an upscale apartment in New York City by the U.S. State Department.

"There's the strange broker role that Epstein seemed to play in commercial transactions and in the affairs of the billionaire class," Benz stated during the show.

Comparing the situation to that involving Hunter Biden, Benz went on to explain that Epstein, like Hunter, maintained "relationships with large corporations and with very powerful nation-state governments." They also both lived a "rock and roll lifestyle, high profile, high net worth, deep, deep connections, constantly surrounded by drugs and prostitutes and firearms."

"The bagman for the Deep State was Jeffrey Epstein," Posobiec then responded, calling Epstein "one of them."

(Related: Two years prior to committing suicide, the late Kazakh-Russian model Ruslana Korshunova visited Epstein's "pedo island" on the pedophile's private Boeing 727 aircraft.)

Interests of intelligence, organized crime often overlap

Part of their discussion also involved Benz asking Posobiec if the State Department has ever given him prime property overlooking Central Park, to which Posobiec of course said no.

Benz then proceeded to outline to Posobiec the events that occurred in 1996 when the State Department decided to rent out a property that had belonged to an "Iranian tycoon" but that had formerly been seized to none other than Epstein.

"What the heck is the State Department doing with a transaction like that?" Benz asked.

Everything was fine for Epstein at the upscale apartment until he decided to sublet it for free to the lawyer who defended the mob in the 1987 Pizza Connection drug ring.

"This guy was the lawyer for the mob defending the mob against running international racketeering and drug laundering charges from the 70s and 80s," Benz explained.

As for Epstein, the assistant attorney general in the U.S. Justice Department at the time was "saying Epstein belonged to intelligence, while the intelligence arms over diplomacy wing, the State Department, was simultaneously doing real estate deals with the guy while he was passing it on then to the seedy underbelly of the mob world."

The overlaps between the interests of intelligence agencies that belong to "the regime," as Posobiec calls it, often overlap with those of organized crime because "you have people who have a certain set of skills ... in order to procure, to move items, to do so surreptitiously, to get the job done."

"I think people know that connections between the FBI and the mob go back quite some time," he added.

When the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was first contrived under the 1947 National Security Act, its purpose was "to create a cloak and dagger agency that had plausible deniability power," according to Benz. With that power, the CIA could do "essentially anything they wanted at the time."

"They were engaged in assassinations, government overthrows, election rigging, working with the mob, you name it, as long as they could publicly deny responsibility for it," he said.

"We need dirty things done oftentimes, but we don't want to claim responsibility for doing them. So we need relations with mom tight organizations or sometimes it's union, you know, sort of seedy unions, or sometimes it's money laundering activity in order to do these things in a ... plausibly deniable way."

More of the latest news about the Epstein scandal can be found at Trafficking.news.

Sources for this article include:

HumanEvents.com

NaturalNews.com
Blood money: The top ten politicians taking the most Israel lobby cash

As the Israeli attack on Gaza, Lebanon and Syria intensifies, the U.S. public watch on aghast. A new poll finds that Americans support a permanent ceasefire by a more than 2:1 ratio (including the vast majority of Democrats and a plurality of Republicans).

(Article by Alan MacLeod republished from MintPressNews.com)

And yet, despite this, only 4% of elected members of the House support even a temporary ceasefire, and the United States continues to veto U.N. resolutions working towards ending the violence. Walter Hixson, a historian concentrating on U.S. foreign relations, told MintPress News:

Unfettered support for Israel and the lobby consistently puts the United States at odds with international human rights organizations and the vast majority of nations over Israels war crimes and blatant violations of international law. The current U.N. vote on a ceasefire in Gaza [which the U.S. vetoed] is just the latest example.

Here, Hixson is referring to the pro-Israel lobby, a loose connection of influential groups that spend millions on pressure campaigns, outreach programs, and donations to American politicians, all with one goal in mind: making sure the United States supports the Israeli governments policies full stop, including backing Israeli expansion, blocking Palestinian statehood and opposing a growing boycott divestment and sanctions movement (BDS) at home.

Internationally, Israel has lost virtually all its support. But it still has one major backer: the United States government. Part of this is undoubtedly down to the extraordinary lengths the lobby goes to secure backing, including showering U.S. politicians with millions of dollars in contributions. In this investigation, MintPress News breaks down the top ten currently serving politicians who have taken the most pro-Israel cash since 1990.

#1 JOE BIDEN, $4,346,264

The largest recipient of Israel lobby money is President Joe Biden. From the beginning of his political career, Biden, according to his biographer Branko Marcetic, established himself as an implacable friend of Israel, spending his Senate career showering Israel with unquestioning support, even when its behavior elicited bipartisan outrage. The future president was a key figure in securing record sums of U.S. aid to the Jewish state and helped block a 1998 peace proposal with Palestine.

The support for Israeli policies has continued into the present, with his administration insisting that there are no red lines that it could cross that would cause it to lose American support. In essence, Biden has given Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a carte blanche to break any rules, norms or laws he wishes to.

This has included ethnic cleansing and war crimes such as the bombing of schools, hospitals and places of worship using banned weapons like white phosphorous munitions. The arms Israel is using come supplied directly by the U.S. In November, the Biden administration rubber-stamped another $14.5 billion military aid package to Israel, ensuring the carnage would continue.

For his staunch support, Biden has received more than $4.3 million from pro-Israel groups since 1990.

#2 ROBERT MENENDEZ, $2,483,205

The New Jersey senator has received nearly $2.5 million in contributions and, in the wake of the Hamas attack on October 7, has been a key figure in drumming up support for Israel. Describing Operation Al-Aqsa Flood as barbaric atrocities that were an affront to humankind itself, Menendez gave an impassioned speech on the Senate floor where he addressed Biden directly, stating:

Mr. President, in the face of unspeakable evil, we must not mince words. We must not waver in our resolve. Every single one of us in this chamber has a moral responsibility to speak out  unequivocally and unapologetically  as we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel and her people. Ive been staunchly devoted to this cause for 31 years in Congress.

He went on to claim that Israel and the United States are intrinsically linked and were founded on the same principles.

Menendez also courted controversy after he demanded that the U.S. help Israel wipe Hamas from the face of the Earth, even as Israel was leveling Gaza by carpet bombing it.

In October, he co-sponsored a Senate resolution standing with Israel against terrorism that passed unanimously, without dissent.

#3 MITCH MCCONNELL, $1,953,160

The Senate Minority Leader is one of the most powerful politicians in America and has used his influence to attempt to force through legislation criminalizing BDS. He has described the peaceful tactic as an economic form of anti-Semitism that targets Israel.

McConnell is known to be very close to Prime Minister Netanyahu and supported a bill condemning the United Nations and calling on the U.S. to continue to veto any U.N. resolution critical of Israel. Last month, he strongly opposed steps taken towards applying basic U.S. and international law on weapons shipments to Israel.

Under current U.S. law, Washington is duty-bound to stop supplying arms to nations committing serious human rights violations. McConnell, however, said that applying these standards to Israel would be ridiculous, explaining that:

Our relationship with Israel is the closest national security relationship we have with any country in the world, and to condition, in effect, our assistance to Israel to their meeting our standards it seems to me is totally unnecessary This is a democracy, a great ally of ours, and I do not think we need to condition the support that hopefully we will give to Israel very soon.

McConnell has received nearly $2 million from pro-Israel groups.

#4 CHUCK SCHUMER, $1,725,324

Next on the list is McConnells Democratic opponent, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who had taken over $1.7 million from Israel lobbying groups. In recent weeks, Schumer has taken the lead in steering the public conversation away from Israels crimes and towards a supposed rise in anti-Semitism across America. To us, the Jewish people, the rise in anti-semitism is a crisis. A five-alarm fire that must be extinguished, the New York Senator said, adding that Jewish-Americans are feeling singled out, targeted and isolated. In many ways, we feel alone.

The idea that anti-Semitic hate is exploding across the United States comes largely from a report published by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which claims that anti-Semitic incidents have risen by 337% since October 7. Buried in the small print, however, is the fact that 45% of these anti-Semitic incidents the ADL has tallied are pro-Palestine, pro-peace marches calling for ceasefires, including ones led by Jewish groups like If Not Now or Jewish Voice for Peace. (MintPress recently published an investigation into the ADLs fudged numbers and its history of working for Israel and spying on progressive American groups.)

Schumer, however, has deliberately tried to conflate opposition to Israels bombardment of its neighbors with anti-Jewish racism, writing:

Today, too many Americans are exploiting arguments against Israel and leaping toward a virulent antisemitism. The normalization and intensifying of this rise in hate is the danger many Jewish people fear most.

He has even gone so far as to label Dave Zirin  a Jewish journalist who supports justice for Palestinians  as an anti-Semite.

As Senate Majority Leader, Schumer has used his influence to push through military aid packages to Israel, even as it carries out actions many have labeled war crimes, writing that:

One of the most important tasks we must finish is taking up and passing a funding bill to ensure we, as well as our friends and partners in Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific region, have the necessary military capabilities to confront and deter our adversaries and competitors.

He added that Senators should be prepared to stay in Washington until we finish our work and that they should expect to work long days and nights, and potentially weekends in December, until the deal was done.

#5 STENY HOYER, $1,620,294

The former House Majority Leader is one of Israels most vocal supporters in the House of Representatives. Hoyer has demanded that Congress must immediately and unconditionally fund Israel, thereby giving the Netanyahu administration the green light to do whatever it pleases.

An ardent Zionist, the Maryland native explained that he believes it is:

[T]he worlds duty that set aside a land, a land that Israel has occupied for millennia, and said: this is your place of security, this is your place of sovereignty, this is your place of safety.

Earlier this month, Hoyer also voted in favor of a bill stating that anti-Zionism is inherently anti-Semitic, thereby declaring all criticism of Israel to be invalid and racist.

Hoyer has received more than $1.6 million in donations from pro-Israel lobbying groups.

#6 TED CRUZ, $1,299,194

Over his career, the Texas Republican has received $1.3 million from the Israel lobby. After October 7, Cruz sprang into action, announcing that it was critical that every American supports Israel 100 percent. Israel is going to be demonized by Democrats in the current corrupt corporate media. We need to make clear that Hamas is using human shields and Israel has a right to defend itself, Cruz said, hitting many of the classic pro-Israel talking points.

Cruz also went above and beyond in his defense of Israeli crimes in a bizarre interview with Breaking Points Ryan Grim. When asked if he opposes Israeli officials suggesting a nuclear attack on Gaza, Cruz replied:

I condemn nothing that the Israeli government is doing. The Israeli government does not target civilians; they target military targets There is no military on the face of the planet, including the U.S. military, that goes to the lengths that the Israeli military goes to avoid civilian casualties.

When confronted with statements from the IDF directly refuting his point, noting that their focus is on damage, not precision, Cruz flipped his answer around, replying, Yes, damage to Hamas, to terrorists. And when Grim gave him more statements from senior IDF officials explicitly contradicting his previous statement, Cruz retorted, Thats simply not true. They are targeting the terrorists, thereby defending the IDF even from itself.

#7 RON WYDEN, $1,279,376

Senator Ron Wyden (DOR) has long been one of Israels staunchest advocates in Washington, supporting President Trumps decision to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem and opposing BDS in all its forms.

In 2017, he co-sponsored a bill that made it a federal crime, punishable by a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, for Americans to participate in or even encourage boycotts against Israel and illegal Israeli settlements.

On the settlements, he was one of the most vigorous opponents of UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which describes them as a flagrant violation of international law.

For his troubles, Wyden has received $1,279,376 from pro-Israel groups.

#8 DICK DURBIN, $1,126,020

In some ways, Dick Durbin owes his political career to the Israel lobby. In 1982, the then-obscure college professor benefitted enormously from AIPAC money to defeat incumbent Paul Findley, a strong proponent of the Palestinian people.

The Illinois Democrat has called for immediate military aid to Israel and co-signed a Senate resolution reaffirming Washingtons support for Israels right to self-defense in the wake of October 7.

Despite this, he has angered some in the pro-Israel crowd by supporting President Obamas initiatives to reduce tensions with Iran and has now come out in favor of a ceasefire in Gaza.

#9 JOSH GOTTHEIMER, $1,109,370

Despite only being in office since 2017, Gottheimer has already received more than $1.1 million from pro-Israel lobbying groups. The New Jersey Congressman has served as a pro-Israeli attack dog in Washington, co-sponsoring the bill equating opposition to Israeli government policy with anti-Semitism and introducing legislation to block and criminalize boycotting the state of Israel.

In the wake of October 7, Gottheimer has attempted to cancel a number of public figures. Earlier this month, for instance, he tried to pressure Rutgers University into calling off an event on Palestine featuring former CNN anchor Marc Lamont Hill and organizer and journalist Nick Estes, both of whom support Palestinian rights and statehood.

Gottheimer has even caused rifts within his own party, attacking the small, progressive wing of Democrats who have failed to toe the line on Israel and Hamas. Last night, 15 of my Democratic colleagues voted AGAINST standing with our ally Israel and condemning Hamas terrorists who brutally murdered, raped, and kidnapped babies, children, men, women, and elderly, including Americans. They are despicable and do not speak for our party, he wrote, making a number of highly incendiary and questionable assertions.

#10 SHONTEL BROWN, $1,028,686

Perhaps no other political case reveals the power of the Israel lobby than Shontel Brown. In 2021, Nina Turner, a democratic socialist, national co-chair of Bernie Sanders 2020 election campaign, and an outspoken advocate for justice in Palestine, ran for election in Ohios 11th congressional district. Her opponent was the little-known but strongly pro-Israel Brown.

Brown received more pro-Israel money than any other politician nationwide during that two-year election cycle, helping her overcome a double-digit polling deficit to defeat Turner. Over $1 million was spent plastering Cleveland with attack ads against Turner. In her acceptance speech, Brown praised Israel and later thanked the Jewish community for help[ing] me get over the finish line

Since then, she has supported Israeli actions in Gaza and rejected the idea of Israel as an apartheid state, writing:

Lets be clear: Israel is not an apartheid state. Any mischaracterizations otherwise attempt to delegitimize Israel, a robust democracy, and will only serve to fuel rising antisemitism. I will always advocate for a strong U.S.-Israel relationship founded on our shared values.

A DARK FORCE IN US POLITICS

The most well-known and likely most influential group in the loose coalition referred to as the Israel lobby is AIPAC. With a staff of around 400 people and annual revenues that frequently top over $100 million, the organization is a huge, conservative force in American politics, flooding the system with gigantic amounts of money. Worse still, the group does not disclose the sources of its funding.

AIPACs stated goal is:

To make Americas friendship with Israel so robust, so certain, so broadly based, and so dependable that even the deep divisions of American politics can never imperil that relationship and the ability of the Jewish state to defend itself.

Yet Israel is widely recognized by international bodies such as the United Nations and human rights groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch as an apartheid state. It has near total control over the Gaza Strip, which, even before the latest attack, was an unlivable open-air prison. It is this state and these injustices that AIPAC and others seek U.S. support for.

American intransigence on Israel has helped make it a pariah nation, one that constantly has to veto U.N. resolutions and has lost its voting rights at UNESCO.

Not only does it give more money to Republicans than Democrats, but AIPAC also floods conservative Democrats coffers with funds, especially when they are up against progressive, pro-Palestine challengers.

In 2022, it spent $2.3 million in a (failed) bid to stop leftist Summer Lee from being elected to Congress. However, it fared better in North Carolina, where $2 million was given to Valeria Foushee over Nida Allam, the director of Sanders 2016 campaign. Meanwhile, $1.2 million in donations to Henry Cuellar might have been the deciding factor in an extremely close win over progressive activist Jessica Cisneros in Texas 28th congressional district. And a number of prominent Michigan Democrats have come forward claiming that AIPAC offered them $20 million each to primary Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian-American in Congress.

Certainly the lobby can influence elections, but it doesnt win them all, Hixson, the author of Architects of Repression: How Israel and Its Lobby Put Racism, Violence and Injustice at the Center of US Middle East Policy, said, adding:

It targets the aforementioned House progressives every two years but cant always dictate the outcome of localized elections. They do better with broader canvasses; hence, no one in the Senate other than Bernie takes them on. When it comes to Israel, most American politicians are craven hypocrites.

Yet Sanders recent refusal to endorse a permanent ceasefire (a position held by virtually the entire world) has earned him AIPACs praise.

IS THE TAIL WAGGING THE DOG?

As such, AIPAC acts as a bulwark against progressive political change. In such a divisive political environment, few political issues unite Democrats and Republicans, as well as Israel and shutting down anti-establishment figures. As Hixson told MintPress:

Other than a handful of progressives (Bernie Sanders, Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, etc.), the U.S. Congress invariably gives the lobby everything it wants, namely massive regular funding for Israeli militarism and an endless series of resolutions condemning Israels international foes and domestic critics.

The question that arises from this is why? Why does Israel always seem to receive full support from Washington? Is the lobby really that effective? Why do so many U.S. politicians go along with it? Mazin Qumsiyeh, a professor at Bethlehem University, characterized Washington as full of amoral careerists, telling MintPress that:

They [Senators and Congresspersons] do not buy the Zionist argument. It is strictly personal interest: money and good media coverage and avoiding blackmail, as the Zionists have their dirty secrets which they could expose if they step out of line.

Yet Israel also serves a vital purpose for the American empire. The region is not only geographically strategic but home to the worlds largest resources of hydrocarbons. Washington has always made it a top priority to control the flow of oil around the world, and Israel helps them do this. Militarily, Israel serves as a conduit the U.S. can work through, farming out its dirty work to Tel Aviv. It, therefore, represents an unofficial and beneficial 51st state. As Joe Biden said in 1986 and has regularly repeated, Israel is the best investment the U.S. makes. Were there not an Israel, the United States of America would have to invent an Israel to protect our interests in the region, he added.

Many other nations or industries have lobbied in Washington, D.C. But few have proven to be as organized or effective as the pro-Israel one. Nevertheless, public opinion, particularly among young people, has begun to drift away from it. The Overton Window is shifting; Professor Qumsiyeh told MintPress. When I first went to the U.S. in 1979, the average citizen did not know anything about Palestine or knew only a negative, distorted picture driven by Hollywood and biased media. Things [have] changed, he said.

Things have indeed changed. The streets of America have been filled with demonstrations against Israeli aggression. Millions of Americans have participated in Palestine solidarity protests, including hundreds of thousands in Washington, D.C. alone. Celebrities have spoken out against injustice. And social media is filled with posts showing sympathy for Gazans. There, too, Israel and pro-Israel groups have attempted to use their financial clout to influence the conversation, but to limited effect.

Fortunately for Israel, for now, at least, they can still rely on the unwavering support of senior American politicians, their pockets filled with AIPAC money, turning the other way as Israel carries out another genocide against Palestine.

Read more at: MintPressNews.com
Trump files 3 motions to dismiss Georgia election case, citing PRESIDENTIAL IMMUNITY

Donald Trump and more than a dozen others filed "three persuasive, meritorious pretrial motions" on Jan. 8 to dismiss the election case against them in Georgia's Fulton County, with the former president saying he has presidential immunity.

In August 2023, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis charged Trump and 18 others of conspiring to unlawfully overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. One motion filed by Trump's attorney Steve Sadow, who leads his legal team, said Willis' indictment charges him for acts within the scope of his official responsibilities. They stressed the importance of preserving presidential immunity, asserting that the capacity to charge a current or former president "does not exist." (Related: New guilty pleas unlikely to bolster Georgia case against Trump.)

"The indictment in this case charges Trump for acts that lie at the heart of his official responsibilities as president," wrote Trump's lawyers. "The indictment is barred by presidential immunity and should be dismissed with prejudice. Such immunity is particularly appropriate for the president because the presidency involves especially sensitive duties; requires bold and unhesitating action; and would be crippled by the threat of politically motivated prosecutions."

The defense further contended that any communication between Trump and state officials regarding the 2020 election falls within his official duties as president: "Making statements to the public on matters of national concern  especially matters involving core federal interests, such as the administration of a federal election  lies in the heartland of the presidents historic role and responsibility."

Moreover, the lawyers claimed in other motions that the case brought by Willis should be dismissed on due process administrative grounds. The lawyers also argued that it should be dumped based on the Fifth Amendment, which prohibits charging a defendant twice with the same crime  under the concept of double jeopardy.

Willis has a history of rejecting election outcomes that aren't in favor of the Dems

Willis, the district attorney responsible for indicting Trump in Atlanta, is a left-wing extremist who has rejected election outcomes in the past. She has a history of questioning election outcomes that were not in her favor.

For instance, in November 2020, Willis posted on her official Facebook account that she was "feeling annoyed" about the direction the election appeared to be taking. She even called for a team of lawyers to closely monitor the ballot counting process, particularly in Fulton County.

"A team of lawyers needs to watch them count every single vote. They can start in Fulton where we're having water leaks. What ballots are they throwing out? Georgia, let's give an honest accounting. No stunts," she wrote.

In other words, Willis has accused Trump and his team of planning a mysterious water leak to tamper with ballots and steal the election from President Joe Biden during the 2020 presidential election. But then, when Biden won, Willis went silent.

Moreover, Willis also questioned the tabulation process of ballots and even called for an official recount of ballots in Fulton County. She wrote on her social media accounts that all ballots in her country should "be counted again to make sure all votes count."

Ironically, Willis seemed to agree with Trump about issues in the voting system in Georgia. However, she later accused him of similar things she had said herself, such as advocating for an audit and recount. She indicted Trump for spreading conspiracy theories about the voting process despite expressing her left-wing views and distrust in elections.

Learn the latest news involving Trump's indictments at Trump.news.

Watch this episode of "Recharge Freedom" discussing how Trump's arrest and the release of his mugshot is destroying America and what it stands for.

This video is from the Recharge Freedom channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Donald Trump surrenders in Georgia over election case, gets historic mugshot taken.

Detailed but irrefutable: Trump to present report on 2020 election fraud in Georgia next week.

Supreme Court wont fast-track decision on Trump presidential immunity claim in election interference case.

Prosecutors reject Trumps request for 2026 trial in federal election case.

Georgia district attorney prosecuting Trump has lengthy history of election denial.

Sources include:

NTD.com

TheEpochTimes.com

ThePostMillennial.com
Wild horses in Mongolia such as the Przewalski's horse, locally known as "takhi," are making a comeback after conservationists made a decades-long effort to save the animals from extinction. In the 1960s, the local horse population diminished due to excessive hunting. From near extinction to bouncing back, the story of the takhi horses is one of the country's most successful conservation efforts.

Despite the reintroduction Przewalski's horse, the threats of hunting, overgrazing, and climate change are still affecting other of Mongolia's wildlife. The country's challenges when it comes to protecting its wild animals and their natural habitats date back to the 1990s, a time when Mongolia's communist era abruptly transitioned to a free-market economy.

Mining and deforestation (in addition to illegal hunting and overgrazing) have also contributed to the decline of Mongolia's flora and fauna, according to conservation experts from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL). Although international conservation authorities view the wild horse reintroduction a success, there is still a growing concern for the rest of the East Asian nation's wildlife.

Przewalski's Horse Population Restoration

Members of the species Przewalski's horse (Equus ferus przewalskii), also called the Mongolian wild horse or Dzungarian horse, have been restored from total annihilation as part of a conservation project in Mongolia spanning more than 30 years.

Currently, there are almost 1,000 Przewalski's horses at three separate locations in Mongolia, notably 423 individuals in central Mongolia's Hustai national park. The remarkable Przewalski's horse population restoration does not stop in Mongolia. In fact, there are also population centers in neighboring countries like China and Kazakhstan.

The Mongolian wild horse resembles ponies more than horses due to its relatively small size. However, the takhi is ferocious to be captured and confined in zoos. This is also the reason why it has never been tamed, "the only truly wild horse in existence," according to the Smithsonian Magazine.

Also Read: Wild Horses Form Bonds and Alliances in Their Society Through Movement, Study Shows

Wild Horse Extinction

Mongolia's endangered horse species is originally native to Central Asia and are significant to the culture of the region. However, environmental changes and competition with humans and livestock forced the Dzungarian horse to move further east to Asia, leading to the seemingly wild horse extinction in the "wild," according to the National Zoo of the Smithsonian Institution.

Since then, the presence of the Przewalski's horse is only seen in reintroduction sites, mentioned earlier, such as Mongolia, China, and Kazakhstan. According to conservation authorities, Przewalski's horses are the last surviving members or subspecies of wild horse. They are listed as "endangered" on the IUCN Red List, meaning these wild horses are subject for protection and conservation.

Elsewhere in the world, not all horse species share the same conservation challenges. In Australia, the country's wild horses are going through 'overpopulation' and this forced the Australian wildlife officials to cull some of them by shooting from helicopters.

Related Article: Helicopter Shootings in Australia Result in Deaths of Nearly 300 Feral Horses as Part of Culling Program
Challenging weather conditions are expected in the Southern and Eastern US, with a chance of severe weather and tornadoes. Homeowners should keep updated with the forecasts, especially if they have any travel plans.

The National Weather Service (NWS) reported a weather pattern in parts of the US. People should stay alert for winter advisories. In the Lower Mississippi Valley and Southeastern US, damaging winds can unfold in the Carolinas.

The forecast warned of slick travel conditions and freezing drizzle. Motorists should be wary of blizzard conditions, including in the Great Lakes and Midwest. A chance of coastal flooding and heavy rain are possible.

In Houston, bitterly cold temperatures and wind wills can unfold. Below freezing outlook can continue next week. In Chicago, residents can anticipate dangerous travel conditions.

NWS Storm Prediction Center warned of severe weather. People should stay alert for destructive thunderstorms and wind gusts reaching up to 75 mph.

Violent Storms in the Southern and Eastern

Millions of people are at risk of challenging weather in the Eastern and Southern US. The power interruption can become more troublesome for affected people. especially older adults and people with medical conditions.

The weather agency also monitors the development of a powerhouse storm this weekend and until early next week. Nocturnal tornadoes will become more concerning, with potential flooding and hail conditions.

Severe storms can unload in the following:

Nashville

Tupelo

Jackson

Montgomery

Atlanta

Columbia

Raleigh

Richmond

Jacksonville

Colder conditions can also unload in Alabama, South Carolina, Mississippi and Florida Panhandle. Meanwhile, rain outlook is expected in the following areas:

Little Rock

Montgomery

Atlanta

Jacksonville

Tampa

Ohio Valley

Gulf Coast

Florida Peninsula

In New York City, the forecast monitors the development of storm systems that could unleash heavy rain and strong winds. People in low-lying areas are at risk of moderate river flooding.

Furthermore, flooding risk is likely in the following areas:

Portland

Boston

Hartford

Philadelphia

Baltimore

Scranton

On the weekend, power outages can spread over Green Bay, Sudbury, Minneapolis, Sioux Falls, Des Moines, Kansas City, St. Louis and Indianapolis. The strong winds can damage roofing and trees in the affected areas.

Also Read: Most Significant Snow, Arctic Blast To Impact Pacific Northwest, Seattle, Portland

Keeping Safe From Powerhouse Storms in the US

The latest weather forecast warned of a powerhouse storm in the US that could unleash stormy conditions in the region. Coastal hazards are also possible this weekend.

Commuters should stay away from flood-affected areas. Staying at home is also advisable to prevent weather dangers. Motorists should consider the forecasts and weather reports before leaving their homes.

Related Article: Icicles Dangers in the US: How to Keep Safe From Extreme Cold This Winter

For more similar, don't forget to follow Nature World New
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. A conference themed "State-business partnership: the basis of a sustainable economy" has been held at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku, Trend reports.

The conference is initiated by representatives of various business associations and entrepreneurs working in industries such as manufacturing, construction, agriculture, logistics, ICT, healthcare, insurance, tourism, textiles, and other sectors.

A movie highlighting Azerbaijan's accomplishments in diversifying its economy and fostering the growth of the private sector throughout the last two decades will be demonstrated at the event.

President of the National Confederation of Entrepreneurial Organizations (Employers) Mamed Musayev highlighted that, thanks to the extensive measures led by President Ilham Aliyev, a whole new phase of development has kicked off for the private sector. Relations between the government and business entities are broadening, with entrepreneurship thriving not only in the cities but also in various regions of the republic. Azerbaijani entrepreneurs are rolling out projects abroad. State support measures and forward-thinking new laws are really boosting the private sector's role in economic development. Innovative and priority projects, carried out through public-private partnerships, are ramping up economic efficiency.

At the end of the event, a statement was issued on behalf of conference participants, expressing full support for the political direction spearheaded by President Ilham Aliyev.

The statement particularly underscores that, thanks to President Ilham Aliyev's wise and forward-looking strategies for socio-economic development, following in the footsteps of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev, the country's economic strength is growing, solidifying its reputation as a trustworthy partner each day. Despite global challenges, the nation maintains macroeconomic stability, diversifies its economy, and crafts a more favorable business and investment climate for the private sector. Entrepreneurs have truly become a driving force in the country's economy, earning high praise from international financial organizations.

Due to the development of partnerships between the government and entrepreneurs, improvements in legislation and administrative procedures in the entrepreneurial sphere, and the increased efficiency of mechanisms supporting entrepreneurship development in regions, along with the application of incentives, the non-governmental sector now makes up 86.5 percent of the country's economy and 78 percent of employment.

"Azerbaijani entrepreneurs, fueled by state support, proudly contribute their efforts to the revitalization of Karabakh and the 'Great Return'. They fully endorse the socio-economic policies led by President Ilham Aliyev and pledge to continue contributing to Azerbaijan's progress, taking on their responsibilities for the economic development tasks ahead," concludes the statement.
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Googles move to eliminate data transfer fees for customers changing cloud providers is in response to anti-trust investigations underway in the UK and the European Union (EU), analysts say.

The elimination of these fees by Google appears to be a strategic move to alleviate concerns raised by regulators who are investigating public cloud service providers for anti-trust behavior, particularly in the UK and Europe, and to make it easier for clients to migrate away from Google Cloud services, Steven Dickens, vice president of hybrid cloud practice at The Futurum Group, said.

Google early on Friday dropped a blog post announcing that the company would let its enterprise customers, effective immediately, who wish to stop using Google Cloud and migrate their data to another cloud provider and/or on premises, take advantage of free network data transfer to migrate their data out of Google Cloud.

This applies to all customers globally, Amit Zavery, vice president of head of platforms at Google Cloud, in the post.

Zaverys blog post, too, alludes to the anti-trust investigations underway in the EU and a separate one in the UK.

Certain legacy providers leverage their on-premises software monopolies to create cloud monopolies, using restrictive licensing practices that lock in customers and warp competition, the vice president wrote.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. Azerbaijan has established 6,319 polling stations in 125 electoral districts for the upcoming presidential election, said the Secretary of the Central Election Commission (CEC) Mikayil Rahimli during his speech at the round table meeting on "Ensuring the electoral right of citizens", Trend reports.

According to Rahimli, a total of 26 polling stations are located in the territories of Azerbaijan liberated from Armenian occupation.

On December 7, 2023, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on holding an extraordinary presidential election in the country on February 7, 2024.

The Central Election Commission of Azerbaijan (CEC) on Dec. 19 approved the candidacy of Ilham Aliyev, nominated by the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (YAP), for participation in the extraordinary presidential election.

A total of 17 candidates have been registered to run in the extraordinary presidential election. Azerbaijan has seven registered presidential candidates.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Mattoo was a member of the gang of seven dreaded terrorists of Hizbul Mujahideen operating in the area of North Kashmir, particularly Sopore, J&K. He is accused in several terror cases including killing a CID official and attacking the residence of SP, Sopore in 2010, killing of two CRPF personnel in Pattan in 2010.
Delhi

Pocso case against former WFI chief: Court likely to take closure call on Mar 2

The POCSO Act provides for a minimum imprisonment of three years, depending on under which sections the crime has been registered.
NEW DELHI: The United Students of India, a joint platform of 16 organisations, on Friday staged a protest against the central government's education policies at Jantar Mantar here and demanded the withdrawal of the NEP, 2020 and the cancellation of CUET and the NEET.
Q. What steps have been taken to strengthen the party ahead of the crucial elections which will be held in 2024 and 2025 in the Capital?

During the last few months, I have tried my best to strengthen the structure of the state unit. In this direction, work is being done from booth-level to district and even at higher levels. In view of preparations for Lok Sabha polls, we are appointing people at booth and Vidhan Sabha level. We have recently appointed 280 block presidents and 9 observers for Lok Sabha constituencies. Before the end of February, we will complete appointments at upper levels so we could finalise preparations within the time frame. The same structure will work when assembly elections are held in the city in 2025.



Q. Congress has recently started crowd-funding in which you too have participated. What did the DPCC do to make the initiative a success?

Crowdfunding was a great suggestion by our former president Rahul Gandhi to raise funds for the party. It will help to make the party confident in managing resources without support from industrialists or big people. Many of our state leaders have contributed to this cause and are planning a door-to-door visit to get more funds for the party.
Nation

Bengaluru CEO son murder: Accused taken to Goa hotel to recreate crime scene

Seth was not willing to go with the police team to the apartment, but inspector Paresh Naik of Calangute police station managed to persuade her and took her to the spot in a police van.
"We have arrested the accused involved in the heinous crime. He is being interrogated by the investigators. The accused is also being confronted with the evidence collected during the investigation," Rajeev Mishra, Patna senior superintendent of police told PTI on Friday.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. France's strategy of attacking Azerbaijan in the international arena is based in large part on the bad advice from Armenian lobbyists and pro-Armenian human rights NGOs and groups, US analyst Irina Tsukerman told Trend.

"This strategy of attacking Azerbaijan in the international institutions is bound to backfire for many reasons legally and politically, first because there is a failure to present evidence, and some of such actions have already been dismissed, and second because Azerbaijan's role in the region and diplomatic influence is growing and increasingly fewer countries are likely to jump on that bandwagon. In other words, France may end up getting embarrassed and looking isolated on the international stage," she said.

According to the analyst, trying to invest time and resources in legal and political procedures, all the while generating continuous negative publicity for Azerbaijan, does not bring any advantages to France, however, it does clearly benefit Armenian lobbyists and other anti-Azerbaijani entities.

"After all, most of the public does not follow long-term issues closely and tends to read only the initial headlines. So, even if these proceedings end in rulings favorable to Baku, many won't even know. This is the aspect that Baku needs to be concerned about and respond to aggressively with political deterrence actions of the sort that undermine French credibility in bringing such claims," she explained.

Irina Tsukerman pointed out that, after the two latest disasters for separatists and their allies, even with French training and military support, it is unlikely that Armenia could initiate an attack. However, Armenian propaganda makes it seem like Baku is looking toward expanding its territories.

"Defending against such accusations is impossible other than by demonstrating consistent goodwill and positive engagements. So the entire line of inquiry needs to be dismantled. However, Armenians are entitled to be trained by whomever they wish, especially if it is an EU member. It is important to focus on tracking and revealing any violations or instances demonstrating bad faith on the part of either party in question, such as evidence of preparation of provocation missions or terrorism," the analyst added.

Meanwhile, as President Ilham Aliyev stated, France had openly started to engage in anti-Azerbaijani activities without disguising itself under any other factors.

"There have been attempts to adopt a resolution and subsequently sanctions against Azerbaijan at the UN Security Council. I believe at least five times such attempts were made and they ended in a complete failure all five times because we received the support of many countries and they could not garner the necessary support to have this resolution adopted. This, of course, was a very strong political blow to them, because we defeated them on their own court, so to speak. Also, I think another serious blow to them was that the European Union did not go along with them, although the head of the European Unions diplomacy, unfortunately, turned out to be one of the supporters of Frances policy against Azerbaijan. In general, however, EU countries failed to agree a common position on Azerbaijan, and France insisted on sanctions and so on. These theses had already been voiced, they were already in the air, as they say, but it was just words," President Ilham Aliyev said in an interview with Azerbaijani TV channels.
"We are conducting search operations at the residences of three TMC leaders in connection with the recruitments in civic bodies. We are also talking to the leaders," the officer told PTI.
Asked what were their answers on the Governor's direction of arresting Shahjahan immediately, Bose said, "My statement is on record and the reasons why it is delayed has been explained to me I am convinced and since the investigation is on, I don't want to reveal the details", he said.
"This trip comes at a crucial time as the tensions in the Red Sea, due to attacks by Houthis is escalating. On Friday, the US and UK along with support from other countries, began to airstrike the Houthi basis in Yemen. India is concerned about the maritime security of the Red Sea but is not a part of the group involved in the air strikes. India and Iran are also trade partners so this upcoming trip of Dr Jaishankar is being viewed as crucial, said a source.
The non-GM hybrid DMH-1 yielded 2,195 kg per hectare, which was 0.09% more than the GM DMH-11 variety. In oil yield, DMH-1s output was a kg more than DMH-11s 837 kg per hectare. Another popular non-GM hybrid variety produced 24 kg more oil than DMH-11. It has long been argued that the GM technology could have unintended health impact on humans and other living beings. However, the documents show no health expert was part of the committee that monitored the trials. As for the failure to do systematic trials on honeybees and pollinators, the panel said they couldnt be done due to time constraints.
Nation

Karti Chidambaram appears before ED third time in less than one month

Karti went to the ED headquarters in Delhi for the third time on Friday morning. It is understood that his deposition was in connection with the Chinese visa-linked PMLA case this time too.
Nation

Looking forward to closer and stronger relations with India, says new Bhutan PM

In response to Modis congratulatory wishes, Tobgay said that he was looking forward to closer ties with India.
Her sample was sent for whole genome sequencing (WGS) at Bhopal-based All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), and the report, which arrived on Thursday, confirmed that she was infected with JN.1 sub-variant, said Dr Amit Malakar, nodal officer of the district unit of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP).
The court also asked senior advocate PS Patwalia, appearing for Pramanik, to serve the copy of the petition to the counsel for the state. The court sought to know why Pramanik did not approach the Calcutta High Court for relief. At this, Pramanik replied that he did move the high court, but it unnecessarily deferred the matter.
"Based on the statements of passengers from Gujarat, we have identified and booked 14 agents for human trafficking. Since they had forced the passengers to delete audio files and other trip-related contents from their mobile phones, we have also added section 201. Each passenger had agreed to pay Rs 60 lakh to Rs 80 lakh to these agents only after reaching the US," Rajkumar told reporters in Gandhinagar.
Khera further said, "Why will I tolerate workers of a political party becoming middlemen between me and my God?" He said, "The first question is does one go to God's temple after an invitation. Be it a temple, church or mosque, will we wait for an invitation. Who will decide on what date and which section of people will go? Will a political party decide?" Khera alleged the BJP's IT cell has started a campaign against the shankaracharyas.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia Maria Zakharova commented on the statements of Armenia regarding the so-called "ethnic cleansing" in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, Trend reports.

Zakharova made her statement during a weekly briefing.

"I would like to receive facts if there are any documents from any international organization, that Yerevan considers authoritative. For example, the UN or any other organization. If there is a document or any statement that would testify that such 'ethnic cleansing' took place, kindly provide us with references to the document," she said.

Back on October 1, 2023, a UN mission arrived in Karabakh to get acquainted with the situation on the spot and determine the humanitarian needs of the residents. The mission included representatives from various UN agencies.

In its statement the UN mission refuted Armenia's above-mentioned claims.

A United Nations mission, led by Vladanka Andreeva, UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan, visited the Karabakh region in Azerbaijan on October 1. Traveling from Aghdam, the mission visited the city of Khankendi, where the team met with the local population and saw first-hand the situation regarding health and education facilities," the statement said.

"In parts of the city that the team visited, they saw no damage to civilian public infrastructure, including hospitals, schools and housing, or to cultural and religious structures. The mission saw that the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan was preparing for the resumption of health services and some utilities in the city," noted the statement.

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Earlier on January 4, Punjab Police busted a terror module and arrested its 2 operatives handled from abroad by the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). They were involved in various killings. ISI-backed terror module operated by Harvinder Rinda and his associates, who were recruiting youngsters by providing funds in their bank accounts and smuggled foreign arms from the border area with the help of drones. Police teams made a recovery of 4 pistols and 10 live cartridges.
This is my seventh visit to Chhattisgarh during the past three years. Rajasthan state has been under a serious coal crisis during the past couple of years where 4340 of the total 7580 MW coal-fired plants are linked to the mines based in Chhattisgarh. We have already secured all clearances from the Centre or the state government. Even got permission from the Supreme Court in some pending cases. Rajasthan, which has paid Rs 7000 crore as revenue to Chhattisgarh, is bound to face far-reaching consequences if the essential supply of coal is not met on priority," asserted Sharma.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday took Suo motu cognizance of the decision of the Madhya Pradesh government which had in its order terminated six women judges after it got a recommendation by the Madhya Pradesh High Court finding their probation period unsatisfactory.
The application, filed by the former Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) minister, Ponmudy and his wife, was heard by the Supreme Court Judge, Justice Satish Chandra Sharma in his chamber today. After going through their appeal, he granted exemption to the minister and his wife, on the ground of their health condition.
According to official figures with the states anti-corruption watchdog, 279 government employees were nabbed allegedly taking bribes in 2022, which was 11% higher than the corresponding figures of 252 for 2021. As per the figures the number of accused in corruption cases under trial in courts has risen by 26% owing to delay in government sanction to probe and prosecute employees in corruption cases.
Nation

Two arrested in connection with an attack on ED team in Bengal's Sandeshkhali

Three ED officers were injured and their belongings were snatched in the attack that happened in Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal on January 5.
"In response to continued illegal, dangerous, and destabilising Houthi attacks against vessels, including commercial shipping, transiting the Red Sea, the armed forces of the United States and the United Kingdom, with support from the Netherlands, Canada, Bahrain, and Australia, conducted joint strikes in accordance with the inherent right of individual and collective self-defence, consistent with the UN Charter, against a number of targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. These precision strikes were intended to disrupt and degrade the capabilities the Houthis use to threaten global trade and the lives of international mariners in one of the worlds most critical waterways, according to the British High Commission in Delhi.
On Friday afternoon, a team from Calangute police station took Suchana to the scene of the crime and got her to recreate the turn of events that took place leading to the death of her son. Although Suchana was unwilling to cooperate with the police in recreating the crime scene at the hotel she stayed at, sources said, she agreed to it on Friday.
"On Thursday afternoon, the victim's statement was recorded in front of a magistrate wherein she alleged that she was gang raped by seven men who also abused and assaulted her. So, based on her claim, we have added section 376 D (gangrape) to the existing FIR. We have arrested three men in connection with the incident so far," a senior police officer said.
Karnataka

Suchana Seth was calm, did not say a word throughout the journey: Taxi driver

Seth (39) was arrested from Chitradurga in Karnataka on Monday night while she was travelling in the taxi with her son's body stuffed in a bag and brought to Goa on Tuesday.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. A practical seminar "Role and responsibilities of media in the presidential election" organized jointly by the Central Election Commission (CEC) and the Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (MEDIA) was held today, Trend reports.

Representatives of 20 media structures participated in the event, organized to raise awareness of media representatives and further improve the efficiency of their activities in the extraordinary presidential election, along with representatives of the CEC and Azerbaijan Media Development Agency.

Head of Azerbaijan Media Development Agency Natig Mammadli emphasized the importance of proper and reliable communication of information about the electoral process to the public, pointing out that media subjects play a big role in this responsible activity. He noted that the seminar on the exchange of information with media representatives and the organization of professional activities of media will be a valuable experience for journalists.

CEC member Ilkin Shahbazov touched upon the theoretical aspects and possibilities of realization of the electoral rights enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan as one of the basic human rights and freedoms. He emphasized that the Electoral Code defines the roles and responsibilities of election subjects of different statuses in the process of preparation and conduct of election for more effective provision of electoral rights of citizens.

Media subjects should follow the requirements of the electoral legislation strictly, whether in establishing publicity and transparency in the electoral process or at the stage of pre-election campaigning and in carrying out their professional activities on election day. A press group operating under the CEC, consisting mainly of journalists, monitors compliance with the rules of election campaigning in the media, as established by the Electoral Code.

Afterward, Shahin Asadli, head of the CEC's media and public relations department, gave a presentation on the media coverage of the election, the procedural conditions stipulated by law for campaigning, which is one of the most important stages, the subjects entitled to the campaign, and the procedures on election day.

Asadli noted that candidates registered to participate in the presidential election, their authorized representatives, as well as authorized representatives of political parties, whose candidate has been registered, have the right to freely carry out election campaign, independently determining its forms and methods, that are not prohibited by legislation.

In addition, Asadli also provided detailed information on election day procedures in the format of a practical session. He brought the legislative bases of implementation and regulation of the procedure of opening the polling station, acts of voting, exceptional cases on election day, and other similar procedures to the participants' attention.

Questions from journalists were answered at the end of the seminar.

On December 7, 2023, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on holding an extraordinary presidential election on February 7, 2024.

The Central Election Commission of Azerbaijan (CEC) on Dec. 19 approved the candidacy of Ilham Aliyev, nominated by the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (YAP), for participation in the extraordinary presidential election.

A total of 17 candidates have been registered to run in the extraordinary presidential election. Azerbaijan has seven registered presidential candidates.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The bombardment  launched in response to a recent campaign of drone and missile attacks on commercial ships in the vital Red Sea  killed at least five people and wounded six, the Houthis said. The U.S. said the strikes aimed at more than 60 targets in 16 different locations across Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
For this emergency proceeding, the court will not rule on the fundamentals of the case -- whether Israel is actually committing genocide -- but on whether the rights of Gazans to exist are at risk. South Africa can bring an ICJ case against Israel as both countries have signed the Genocide Convention.
The warning appeared to have had at least some short-lived impact, as attacks stopped for several days. On Tuesday, however, the Houthi rebels fired their largest-ever barrage of drones and missiles targeting shipping in the Red Sea, with US and British ships and American fighter jets responding by shooting down 18 drones, two cruise missiles and an anti-ship missile. And on Thursday, the Houthis fired an anti-ship ballistic missile into the Gulf of Aden, which was seen by a commercial ship but did not hit the ship.
"Marrero said in his order that Gupta has failed to identify any authority suggesting that a defendant has a right to discovery before arraignment. Gupta has not yet been arraigned in this case, and the government is currently seeking Gupta's extradition from the Czech Republic to the United States," Marrero said.
World

Who are the Houthis and why did the US and UK retaliate for their attacks on ships in the Red Sea?

Heres a look at the Houthis and their increasing attacks, and why the US believes it is more acceptable to bomb some Iranian-linked targets than others.
Indore ranked country's 'Cleanest City' for 7th time in row

Bhopal, Jan 11

Indore  the commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh, has emerged as the cleanest city along with Surat (Gujarat) in the country, at the Swachh Survekshan Awards that were presented by President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav along with state Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya and Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava received the award from President Murmu in Delhi on Thursday.

Upon receiving the award, CM Yadav congratulated the people of the state, public representatives and 'Swachhata Mitras'. He also thanked them for their cooperation.

He said that the credit for Indore winning the cleanliness award for the seventh consecutive time goes to the able guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Under the leadership of PM Modi, Madhya Pradesh will continue to contribute in realising the Swachhata resolution," Yadav said.

Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal has acquired the fifth position in the list of cleanest cities with a five-star rating for garbage free city.

Budhni -- the home town of former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, bagged the award for 'Cleanest City of West Zone' among cities with a population of 15,000 to 20,000.

Among the cities with populations less than one lakh, Naurozabad and Amarkantak have got the first and second position, respectively, in the fast moving city category.

Mhow has acquired the title of cleanest Cantonment Board.

The survey, which saw a tough competition among more than 4,400 cities in different categories, carried a total of 9,500 points.

Indore secured 4,709.40 points of 4,830 under 'Service Level Progress' for segregated collection, processing and disposal of different types of waste, a senior official of the Indore Municipal Corporation said.

(IANS - Posted on 12 January 2024)

Indore ranked country's 'Cleanest City' for 7th time in row

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. Chairmen of religious confessions acting in Azerbaijan sent an appeal to the US Department of State, Trend reports.

The appeal reads: "We, members of the Advisory Council of Heads of Religious Denominations operating in Azerbaijan, strongly condemn the decision of the U.S. State Department to place our country on the "Special Watch List" in connection with religious freedom in 2023. Referring to the report of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), we consider this approach to be unobjectionable and biased. The purpose of our protest is to express an objective position, taking into account the realities of Azerbaijan.

While we expect from the international community humanitarian and moral support for the construction and reconstruction works being carried out in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, liberated from occupation, as well as for the process of returning the IDPs to their native lands and homes, we are confronted with such biased statements based on unfounded, untrue, and slanderous statements of revanchist Armenian circles. We consider this to be an injustice.

Regrettably, after the next application of the 907th Amendment by the US Congress to Azerbaijan, which restored its territorial integrity recognized by the world community within the framework of international law, a biased report on religion and the list appeared on the agenda. It is noteworthy why a comparable report for 2022 noted positive tendencies towards Azerbaijan, but in 2023, for some reason, felt it necessary to include Azerbaijan in some dubious list? It is obvious that Azerbaijan's triumphs, the raising of our national flag in Khankandi, and the independent policy of our country cause concern for certain groups.

We unequivocally declare that there are no problems in the religious and spiritual life of Azerbaijan or in relations between the state and religion. Despite the allegations reflected in the report, Azerbaijan, being a secular state and respecting its legal and democratic national spiritual values, creates all the conditions for the normal activity of religious communities.

Multiculturalism is part of the state policy in Azerbaijan; we are represented and involved in the social life of the country without any distinction on national, religious, or racial grounds. All religious confessions and communities operating in the country are annually allocated appropriate material aid by the state, and we freely perform religious services and rites. The Head of State pays special attention to our celebrations and ceremonies, and our representatives jointly take part in various events held in the republic and abroad.

As for places of religious worship, churches and synagogues have been repaired and new ones built in our country in the last few years during the period of independence, along with historical mosques and sanctuaries. Dozens of historical-religious monuments in regions of our country and abroad have been restored and reconstructed within the project "Address of Tolerance: Azerbaijan," realized by Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

It is worth noting that the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, in its 2022 report, confirmed the presence of 403 historical and religious monuments in the territories once under Armenian occupation, the complete destruction of 63 mosques out of 67, and the partial destruction and disrepair of four of them.

After almost 30 years in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, along with mosques, Christian temples, and ancient Caucasian Albanian churches, they were Gregorianized, and the Orthodox Church in Khojavand was destroyed. It is strange that the State Department did not condemn Armenia, which committed these acts of vandalism and kept native Azerbaijani lands under occupation for 30 years, nor did it blacklist it. The 2022 report noted that Azerbaijan has repeatedly called at the international level, including at the UN General Assembly, for a legal assessment of the acts of vandalism committed by Armenia against Azerbaijan over the decades to support an independent, transparent evaluation and advisory mission of UNESCO on the preservation of cultural heritage in the region, but neither UNESCO nor the Commission on International Religious Freedom has yet responded to these proposals.

One more issue of concern to us is that the report for 2023 expresses doubts about the preservation of Armenian religious monuments. While our territories were occupied by Armenia during the war and to this day, the Armenian church in the central square of Baku is under state protection. Even in 2010, the Armenian Catholicos personally visited it and held a service there, familiarizing themselves with the library at the church. For the sake of objectivity, we would advise the US authorities to study the facts of the destruction of religious monuments historically belonging to Azerbaijanis in Armenia. A state claiming to be a mediator in the conclusion of a peace treaty should be impartial in its approach to issues.

We would like to inform the authors of the report that in order to observe the inter-religious environment and religious situation in Azerbaijan, it is essential to attend daily events held on the ground, familiarize oneself with the life and activities of religious confessions, and travel to the territories liberated from occupation. We are confident that if the American diplomats had also participated in numerous trips of representatives of the diplomatic corps to Shusha and other cities, they would be convinced of the care with which Christian churches and temples of other religions are being restored along with mosques, and those facts would be reflected in the reports of American diplomats. Exploring Azerbaijan not through satellites but through friendly visits would ensure an objective attitude free from the influence of Armenian slander.

The statement of the US Secretary of State is a result of the propaganda of anti-Azerbaijani lobbyists interested in discrediting Azerbaijan, the creation of its negative image in the international political and public sphere, as well as Armenian revanchists, and it undermines the activities to restore peace in the region.

It is an obvious fact that since Azerbaijan liberated its ancestral lands from occupation in 2020 and restored full sovereignty over its legitimate territory in 2023, the Armenian church leaders are on the front lines of revanchism, actively promoting ethnic intolerance through hate speech, and supporting aggressive separatism. Instead of calling their people to peace, Armenian religious leaders urge new wars and the occupation of other people's territories, which contradict fundamental human rights and freedoms, international law, and religious values.

We consider unethical and groundless the allegations mentioned in the report about religious discrimination in our country, including the presentation of fictitious "statistics" that do not reflect reality, referring to the reports of various foreign and international organizations. We strongly condemn the fact that pro-Armenian forces and circles actively using the religious factor are attacking Azerbaijan, known for its atmosphere of inter-religious harmony, multicultural way of life, and values of tolerance, and call for an end to these manipulations.

We firmly reject the US State Department's decision to include Azerbaijan in 2024 on a special list of countries where violations of religious freedom occur.".
Sheikh Hasina sworn-in as Bangladesh PM for 4th straight term

Dhaka, Jan 11

Awami League president Sheikh Hasina on Thursday was sworn-in as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for the fourth consecutive term after she led her party to a massive victory in the January 7 Parliamentary elections.

Hasina will be in charge of the Cabinet Division and the Armed Forces Division.

She will also hold the Defence, Power Energy & Mineral Resources, Cultural Affairs and the Labour & Employment prortfolios according to a notice issued by the Cabinet Division.

Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, Hasan Mahmud, and Saber Hossain Chowdhury have been given the ministries of Finance, Foreign Affairs, and the Environment, respectively, in the newly formed cabinet.

Hassan Mahmood Ali served as the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh from 2013 to 2019, and as Disaster Management and Relief Minister from 2012 to 2013.

Awami League Joint General Secretary Hasan Mahmud served as Information and Broadcasting Minister in the previous Cabinet.

Saber Hossain Chowdhury has been a Member of Parliament of Dhaka-9 constituency since 2008.

He was recently appointed as the Special Envoy to the Prime Minister for climate change last year.

The oath-taking ceremony took place a day after the Awami League Parliamentary Party unanimously elected Hasina as its leader paving the way for her to become the Prime Minister for an overall fifth term -- a record in Bangladesh's political history.

Commerce, Information and Telecommunication ministers are yet to be named.

Asaduzzam Khan Kamal and Obaidul Quader have retained their posts of Home Minister and Road Transport & Bridges minister, respectively.

Abul Hasan Mahmud Ali has been appointed the new Finance Minister.

(IANS - Posted on 12 January 2024)

Sheikh Hasina sworn-in as Bangladesh PM for 4th straight term

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Rajasthan CM meets Czech PM, discusses investment in state

Jaipur, Jan 11

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma met visiting Czech PM Petr Fiala on Thursday and discussed investments in the state.

Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa, Chief Secretary Sudhansh Pant, Additional Chief Secretary, Home Anand Kumar and senior officials of the Czech Republic were present.

Sharma also went to the Raj Bhavan to meet Governor Kalraj Mishra and discussed various issues related to the development of the state, ahead of the Assembly session set to be held from January 19.

Apart from this, appointments are also to be made on many key posts including Advocate General in the state.

(IANS - Posted on 12 January 2024)

Rajasthan CM meets Czech PM, discusses investment in state

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UK PM Rishi Sunak says RAF conducted 'targeted strikes' against Houthi rebel sites, calls it 'proportionate action'

London, January 12

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said that the Royal Air Force has conducted targeted strikes against military facilities used by Houthi rebels in Yemen, calling it "limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence."

Sunak's statement comes after US military forces, along with the United Kingdom and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands successfully carried out strikes against a number of targets in Yemen used by Houthi rebels.

In a statement, Rishi Sunak said, "Despite the repeated warnings from the international community, the Houthis have continued to carry out attacks in the Red Sea, including against UK and US warships just this week."

"This cannot stand. The United Kingdom will always stand up for freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade. We have therefore taken limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence, alongside the United States with non-operational support from the Netherlands, Canada and Bahrain against targets tied to these attacks, to degrade Houthi military capabilities and protect global shipping," he added.

Rishi Sunak stated that the Royal Navy continues to patrol the Red Sea as part of the multinational Operation Prosperity Guardian to deter further Houthi aggression. He urges the Houthis to cease their attacks and take steps to de-escalate.

He noted that Houthis in recent months have conducted a series of "dangerous and destabilising attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

In a statement, he stated, "In recent months, the Houthi militia have carried out a series of dangerous and destabilising attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea, threatening UK and other international ships, causing major disruption to a vital trade route and driving up commodity prices. Their reckless actions are risking lives at sea and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Yemen."

UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said four Royal Air Force Typhoons carried out precision strikes on two Houthi military targets alongside US forces.

In a post shared on X, Shapps stated, "Four @RoyalAirForce Typhoons have conducted precision strikes on two Houthi military targets alongside US forces. The threat to innocent lives and global trade has become so great that this action was not only necessary, it was our duty to protect vessels & freedom of navigation."

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden said that the targeted strikes were a clear message that the escalation of attacks by the Houthi rebels against commercial vessels would not be tolerated.

"Today, at my direction, US military forces--together with the United Kingdom and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands--successfully conducted strikes against a number of targets in Yemen used by Houthi rebels to endanger freedom of navigation in one of the world's most vital waterways," the US President said in a statement.

In his statement, Biden said these strikes were in direct response to "Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea, including the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history." He noted that these attacks have endangered US personnel, civilian mariners, and our partners, jeopardised trade, and threatened freedom of navigation.

Biden said, "Today's defensive action follows this extensive diplomatic campaign and Houthi rebels' escalating attacks against commercial vessels."

"These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the world's most critical commercial routes. I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary," he added.

US Central Command said that US Central Command forces, in coordination with the United Kingdom and support from Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and Bahrain, conducted joint strikes on Houthi targets on January 11 at 2:30 am (Sanaa time).

US Central Command said the action targeted radar systems, air defense systems, and storage and launch sites for one way attack unmanned aerial systems, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles.

In a statement posted on X, US Central Command stated, "On Jan. 11 at 2:30 a.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command forces, in coordination with the United Kingdom, and support from Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and Bahrain conducted joint strikes on Houthi targets to degrade their capability to continue their illegal and reckless attacks on US and international vessels and commercial shipping in the Red Sea."

"This multinational action targeted radar systems, air defense systems, and storage and launch sites for one way attack unmanned aerial systems, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. Since Oct. 17, 2023, Iranian-backed Houthi militants have attempted to attack and harass 27 ships in international shipping lanes. These illegal incidents include attacks that have employed anti-ship ballistic missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. These strikes have no association with and are separate from Operation Prosperity Guardian, a defensive coalition of over 20 countries operating in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb Strait, and Gulf of Aden," it added.

General Michael Erik Kurilla, USCENTCOM Commander, said, "We hold the Houthi militants and their destabilizing Iranian sponsors responsible for the illegal, indiscriminate, and reckless attacks on international shipping that have impacted 55 nations so far, including endangering the lives of hundreds of mariners, including the United States."

General Kurilla further added, "Their illegal and dangerous actions will not be tolerated, and they will be held accountable." The Houthi rebels, who are an Iran-aligned group, started the strikes in retaliation for Israel's Gaza conflict. The Houthis have said that they will not stop attacking until Israel ends the hostilities in Gaza.

Yemen's Houthis have launched several drone and missile attacks at Israel, with most intercepted, since the war started. The Israel-Hamas war began on October 7, after thousands of Hamas terrorists crossed the border and killed scores of Israelis.

(ANI - Posted on 12 January 2024)

UK PM Rishi Sunak says RAF conducted 'targeted strikes' against Houthi rebel sites, calls it 'proportionate action'

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Sonam Kapoor: Want to explore streaming if I'm headlining a tentpole project

Mumbai, Jan 12

Actress Sonam Kapoor is ready to explore streaming platforms if she is approached with a tentpole film or series.

Sonam is an avid watcher of content on streaming and is happy how the platforms have changed the content appetite of people.

She shared: I have always been wanting to make my foray into streaming, provided Im headlining a tentpole film or a series on a global streaming platform. I have been a binge watcher of the outstanding content that streaming platforms have been creating for years now.

The actress, who is back at filming after her pregnancy, added: I believe streaming platforms have pushed the content envelope of our country, have made it more creatively disruptive and dynamic.

The bar that streaming content has set globally as well as in India is incredible. Streaming allows you to experiment a lot as an artiste. It is a very exciting medium for me. So, Im all game to make my debut on streaming.

Sonam concluded: I know my debut on streaming has been a long time coming and I hope people will really love what Im going to offer.

(IANS - Posted on 12 January 2024)

Sonam Kapoor: Want to explore streaming if I'm headlining a tentpole project

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SpiceJet announces special flight operation from Delhi to Ayodhya on Jan 21

New Delhi, Jan 12

SpiceJet on Friday announced a special flight operation from Delhi to Ayodhya on January 21 catering to passengers attending the Pran Pratishta ceremony at the Ram temple the following day.

The special flight from Delhi is scheduled to depart at 1.30 p.m., reaching Ayodhya by 3 p.m.

The return flight on the following day will take off at 5 p.m., landing in Delhi at 6.30 p.m.

Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet, said: "The Pran Pratishta ceremony at the Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya is a moment of immense pride for every Indian. We are blessed to witness this historic moment in our lifetime.

"SpiceJet is deeply honoured to play a role in connecting devotees attending this momentous event and is committed to providing a comfortable and efficient travel experience for all passengers."

The airline official also said that "SpiceJet is further committed to enhancing air connectivity to Ayodhya, connecting the holy city to multiple destinations across the country".

"Details regarding these new routes will be announced shortly, providing devotees with even greater access to this sacred destination."

(IANS - Posted on 12 January 2024)

SpiceJet announces special flight operation from Delhi to Ayodhya on Jan 21

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The race to win the quickly approaching Iowa caucuses was the theme running through Wednesday night's Republican presidential debate hosted by CNN at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Front-runner Donald Trump was again absent and only two other candidates made the cut: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.

DeSantis and Haley fired a frenzy of attacks at each other's records and positions. The faceoff was moderated by CNN "State of the Union" co-anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash.

The two candidates touched on a variety of health care topics. As in previous debates, they each questioned the other's anti-abortion bona fides and reaffirmed their own. They sparred over covid-19 policies as well as whether to push China out of the U.S. supply chain for pharmaceuticals and other health-related products.

Asked whether, as president, they would preserve the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion, both said  after being pressed for clarification  they would like to convert the program to a block grant. That's generally understood to be an approach in which federal funding is capped but state flexibility is increased.

Forty states and the District of Columbia, but not South Carolina or Florida, have expanded Medicaid under the ACA, which is credited with providing insurance coverage to millions more Americans.

Block-granting Medicaid isn't a new idea. The approach has long been favored by Republicans and was advanced by the Trump administration. It's strongly opposed by Democrats.

In terms of health care policy, Haley again promised to add transparency to the U.S. system, emphasize competition, and put patients "in the driver's seat." She also promised tort reform.

DeSantis argued for "health care thats accessible, thats affordable, and thats accountable, and particularly an emphasis on mental health." He also pointed to his Florida experience. "We got accountability for the pharmacy benefit middlemen that are causing your drug prices to go up," he said, and claimed another victory in the war on high drug costs.

The FDA last week approved Florida's plan to import certain medicines from Canada for some state agencies. But the plan faces hurdles, including Canada's government, which has warned it won't allow U.S. imports if they risk causing drug shortages for Canadians.

Meanwhile, primary front-runner Trump again declined an invitation to debate. He instead participated in a Fox News town hall, also in Des Moines.

He claimed responsibility for the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade: I did it. And I am proud to have done it," he said.

But in response to a voter who sought assurances he would ban abortion nationwide if he won another presidential term, Trump acknowledged the politics of the issue. He told the voters "you still have to win elections and that a lot of Republicans have been decimated as a result of advocating strict abortion bans. He carefully avoided saying what kind of ban, precisely, he would propose if he made it back to the White House.

Trump also revisited some of his favorite controversial covid-related themes. He minimized the role played by Anthony Fauci, who directed the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and was a pandemic medical adviser in Trump's administration. Trump called Fauci, who has been a lightning rod among Republican voters, "not a huge factor" in his pandemic policies but said the scientist took on outsize prominence in the Biden White House.

Trump waded into controversy about the virus's origins, outlining his own theory on how it spread from China.

"It came out of Wuhan, the labs," he said. "I think it was done out of incompetence."

"I believe that a scientist went out, said hello to his girlfriend, and that was the end of that. She died, and then people started dying all over the place. But who knows, who knows? (PolitiFact examined that claim and others from Wednesday night's town hall event.)

Meanwhile, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy did not qualify to participate in the CNN forum. Candidates needed at least 10% support among respondents in three CNN-approved national or Iowa polls to make the debate stage, including one poll of likely Iowa Republican caucusgoers. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie announced on the day of the debate that he was dropping out of the race.

What follows are health care-related fact checks excerpted from PolitiFact's coverage:

Life expectancy and Social Security

DeSantis and Haley sparred over whether to raise the Social Security retirement age.

Haley said life expectancy is longer today, so the age to start collecting Social Security and Medicare benefits, currently 65, should be raised. She said people in or near retirement should be protected from any retirement age increase, while people in their 20s should be told that were going to change the retirement age to reflect life expectancy.

DeSantis said he wouldn't raise the retirement age, citing an erosion in life expectancy over the past few years.

The problem now, in the last five years, is life expectancy is going down, DeSantis said. So, I dont see how you can raise the retirement age when our life expectancy is collapsing in this country. PolitiFact readers asked whether U.S. life expectancy is decreasing. We found that both candidates can point to data that supports their position.

During his town hall, Trump criticized both Haley and DeSantis over their stances on the retirement age, saying they both favor raising the age of Medicare eligibility above 65.

Gender-affirming care

DeSantis: On gender-affirming surgery for minors, [Haley] said shes against [it]. That wasnt what she said this summer. She was asked about it. Its on video, and she said the law should stay out of it.

DeSantis is partially correct. Haley has said the law should stay out of it, but has also strongly opposed gender-affirming care for minors.

In a June CBS interview, Haley said when determining what care should be available for transgender youth, the law should stay out of it, and I think parents should handle it. She followed up by saying, When that child becomes 18, if they want to make more of a permanent change, they can do that.

Haley's campaign pointed to a May ABC News appearance during which she said that a minor shouldn't be allowed to have a gender-changing procedure and opposed taxpayer dollars funding one.

In Wednesday's CNN debate, Haley reiterated, We shouldn't have any gender transitions before the age of 18.
The host

Julie Rovner KFF Health News @jrovner.

Julie Rovner is chief Washington correspondent and host of KFF Health News' weekly health policy news podcast, "What the Health?" A noted expert on health policy issues, Julie is the author of the critically praised reference book "Health Care Politics and Policy A to Z," now in its third edition.

As this election year begins in earnest, making it harder for Congress to pass bills, lawmakers on Capitol Hill are still struggling to fund the government for the fiscal year that began last October. And many health priorities hang in the balance.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is again wading into the abortion debate, accepting a case out of Idaho that pits a federal law requiring emergency care, including for pregnant women, against the state's strict abortion ban.

This week's panelists are Julie Rovner of KFF Health News, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, Tami Luhby of CNN, and Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico.

Panelists

Sarah Karlin-Smith Pink Sheet @SarahKarlin

Tami Luhby CNN @Luhby

Alice Miranda Ollstein Politico @AliceOllstein

Among the takeaways from this week's episode:

In Washington, lawmakers have reportedly reached a deal that could pave the way for passing necessary government spending bills. But it is unlikely they will pass a full package before the current extensions end, leaving many federal health programs hanging. And ahead of next week's Iowa caucuses, it bears asking what Republicans would do in health if the party reclaims the White House.

The Supreme Court is again stepping into the fray over abortion rights, choosing to review the conflict between Idaho's abortion ban and a federal law requiring emergency medical care. It is notable that justices did not have to take this case and, by swooping in now, are setting up another major abortion ruling before the 2024 election.

The Biden administration announced it will scale back so-called conscience protections for health providers that the Trump administration sought to beef up. The back-and-forth over the policy  which was created during the George W. Bush administration  reinforces the importance of pressing presidential candidates about what they would do administratively on abortion policy, rather than asking what bills they might sign into law.

News out of Florida this week: Newly introduced legislation there would, among other things, classify abortion as a felony and penalize those outside the state involved in the sale or distribution of abortion pills if they are "likely to be used in Florida"  a concerning example of a state effort to regulate access to abortion nationwide.

And the FDA approved Florida's request to import drugs from Canada, a change for which Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis is taking credit  though both President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump could also claim some of that credit. But there are a lot of hurdles left before the state receives its first shipments, and due to the way the policy will be implemented, it may not save the state much money anyway.

"This Week in Health Misinformation" highlights Olympic gold medalist and medical crowdfunding beneficiary Mary Lou Retton, who said this week she could not afford health insurance before her headline-grabbing bout of pneumonia because her preexisting conditions made having insurance too expensive. But a decade into the existence of the Affordable Care Act, the fact is that patients can no longer be penalized on the insurance market for preexisting conditions  and, as the record 20 million Americans who enrolled in ACA coverage this year may attest, there are plenty of federal subsidies available to help afford insurance, too.

Also this week, Rovner interviews American Medical Association President Jesse Ehrenfeld, whose focus is helping the nation's physicians navigate a rapidly changing health care system.

Plus, for "extra credit," the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too:

Julie Rovner: CNN's "Bottled Water Contains Thousands of Nanoplastics So Small They Can Invade the Body's Cells, Study Says," by Sandee LaMotte. Also, ScienceAlert's "It Turns Out Paper Straws Might Pose a Serious Problem Too," by Carly Cassella. Also, The Washington Post's "How Plastic Hides in Supposedly Eco-Friendly Laundry Products," by Michael J. Coren.

Tami Luhby: KFF Health News' "Most People Dropped in Medicaid 'Unwinding' Never Tried to Renew Coverage, Utah Finds," by Phil Galewitz.

Alice Miranda Ollstein: Stat's "Texas Taxpayers Wanted to Help the Poor Get Health Care. Instead They're Funding a Medical School at a Wealthy University," by Rachel Cohrs.

Sarah Karlin-Smith: The New York Times' "The F.D.A. Warned an Asthma Drug Could Induce Despair. Many Were Never Told," by Christina Jewett and Benjamin Mueller.

Credits

Francis Ying Audio producer

Emmarie Huetteman Editor

To hear all our podcasts, click here.

And subscribe to KFF Health News What the Health? on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
The University of Oxford has launched a new clinical trial to test a vaccine to protect people against deadly Nipah virus.

This is the first-in-human trial of the ChAdOx1 NipahB vaccine, being developed by researchers at the University of Oxford's Pandemic Sciences Institute. Fifty-one people aged 18 to 55 will participate in the trial, which will be led by the Oxford Vaccine Group and is funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).

Nipah virus is a devastating disease that can be fatal in around 75% of cases. Outbreaks have occurred in countries in South-East Asia, including Singapore, Malaysia, Bangladesh and India, with a recent outbreak in Kerala, India in September 2023. Nipah virus is carried by fruit bats and may also be transmitted by contact with infected animals (such as pigs) or from person-to-person via close contact.

The virus, which is recognised by the World Health Organization as a priority disease requiring urgent research, belongs to the same family of paramyxoviruses as more well-known pathogens like measles. Despite the first outbreaks of Nipah virus occurring 25 years ago in Malaysia and Singapore, there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments.

Professor Brian Angus, the trial's Principal Investigator and Professor and Reader in Infectious Diseases at the Centre for Clinical Tropical Medicine and Global Health in the University of Oxford's Nuffield Department of Medicine said:

"Nipah virus was first identified in 1998, and yet 25 years on the global health community still has no approved vaccines or treatments for this devastating disease."Due to the high mortality rate and the nature of Nipah virus transmission, the disease is identified as a priority pandemic pathogen. This vaccine trial is an important milestone in identifying a solution that could prevent local outbreaks occurring, while also helping the world prepare for a future global pandemic."

Dr In-Kyu Yoon, Acting Executive Director of Vaccine Research & Development at CEPI, funders of the trial and one of the leading global funders of Nipah virus research, said:

"Nipah has epidemic potential, with its fruit bat hosts found in areas home to over two billion people. This trial is a step forward in efforts to build a suite of tools to protect against this killer virus. Knowledge gained could also inform development of other Paramyxovirus countermeasures."

The University of Oxford has produced the vaccine against Nipah virus using the ChAdOx1 platform, the same viral vector vaccine platform that was used for the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, and that has saved an estimated 6 million lives worldwide.

The project will run over the next 18 months, with further trials expected to follow in a Nipah-affected country.

The vaccine trial is a key part of the Pandemic Sciences Institute's Henipavirus Programme, which is working with partners in endemic countries to develop practical tools that will ensure the world is better prepared for future outbreaks. This includes providing world-leading biomedical research and developing ethical frameworks to minimize stigma from the disease.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. Participants of a conference themed "State-business partnership: the basis of a sustainable economy" held in Baku have issued a statement, Trend reports.

The statement said that as a result of the continuation of the socio-economic development strategy laid out by the founder of the modern Azerbaijani state, the great leader Heydar Aliyev, and pursued with great wisdom and foresight by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, the country's economic power grows every day, solidifying its reputation as a reliable partner.

Against the backdrop of global challenges, Azerbaijan maintains macroeconomic stability, diversifies its economy, and fosters a more favorable business and investment climate for the development of the private sector, according to the statement.

The statement pointed out that extensive work undertaken has made entrepreneurs a driving force in the country's economy, and the reforms in the country are highly praised by international financial organizations.

Through the development of partnerships between the state and entrepreneurs, improvements in legislation and administrative procedures in the field of entrepreneurship, and increased efficiency of mechanisms for state support of entrepreneurial development in regions, the share of the non-governmental sector in the country's economy reached 86.5 percent, and in employment, 78 percent, the statement mentioned.

"Azerbaijani entrepreneurs, inspired by state support, take pride in dynamically contributing to the revival of Karabakh and the 'Great Return,' mobilizing all their efforts. The country's entrepreneurs support the socio-economic policy led by President Ilham Aliyev and declare that they will continue to contribute to the progress of Azerbaijan, fulfilling their tasks in the development of the economy," the statement concluded.

The conference was initiated by representatives of various business associations and entrepreneurs working in industries such as manufacturing, construction, agriculture, logistics, ICT, healthcare, insurance, tourism, textiles, and other sectors.

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Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley will learn how her campaign is resonating with voters after the Jan. 15 Iowa caucuses, the first presidential nominating contest of this election year.

Already, the former South Carolina governor  who became well known as one of the Affordable Care Act's loudest critics during her tenure in office from 2011 to 2017  has raised questions about what her presidency could mean for the nation's health care policy.

"I would be very concerned," said Sue Berkowitz, policy director and special counsel for the South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center. "South Carolina is at the bottom of so many things in rankings in our country because of a number of the decisions she made while governor."

While politicians from both parties rallied behind Haley when she urged lawmakers to remove the Confederate battle flag from statehouse grounds following the 2015 church shooting in this coastal city, her politics diverged sharply from those of her Democratic colleagues when it came to most health care issues.

Haley's campaign did not respond to multiple requests for comment, but statements she's made during recent debates offer clues about her health care positions.

She has criticized the Biden administration for high federal spending on covid relief and for the number of people on Medicaid, a program she has argued the federal government should give states more flexibility in funding and administering.

She has also emphasized the need to find consensus on banning abortions late in pregnancy. And on Jan. 10, during her heated sound-off with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the final debate before the Iowa caucuses, she reiterated her critical stance on gender-affirming care.

"I have always said that boys need to go into boys bathrooms, girls need to go into girls bathrooms, that we shouldnt have any gender transitions before the age of 18," she said. "Just like we dont have tattoos before the age of 18, we shouldnt have gender transformation or puberty blockers."

On the campaign trail, she's addressed reforming Medicare and Social Security. But her tenure as governor, which overlapped with several tumultuous years of national health care reform, offers an even clearer picture of how a Haley presidency might look.

Former South Carolina Medicaid Director Anthony Keck pointed out that one of her early achievements as governor was fixing a $228 million Medicaid deficit.

"People forget what dire straits the Medicaid program was in when she came into office and how it took us a couple years to right the ship," said Keck, now executive vice president for system innovation at Ballad Health in Tennessee.

Beyond that, Keck said Haley understood that the cost of health care was "growing faster than most people's paychecks," adding that affordability and access were "really important to her."

As Haley eyes the White House, here's a recap of her health care record as South Carolina governor, a post she left in 2017 after Trump appointed her as ambassador to the United Nations.

Affordable Care Act

In 2011, Haley convened an advisory committee to decide if South Carolina should build its own health insurance marketplace instead of participating in the federal one established under the Affordable Care Act.

But before the group gathered for its first meeting, Haley wrote in an email to her advisers that the "whole point of this commission should be to figure out how to opt out and how to avoid a federal takeover, NOT create a state exchange," according to a report published by The Post and Courier.

When that email was made public, then-Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) requested a federal investigation to find out if Haley had predetermined the outcome of the committee. She was eventually cleared of any wrongdoing.

Throughout her time in office, Haley repeatedly advocated for the repeal and replacement of the ACA, but she has not given a definitive answer on the campaign trail about whether she'd try to repeal the law if elected president, The New York Times has reported.

Medicaid

In 2012, when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the ACA and made Medicaid expansion an option for every state, Haley declined to expand it in South Carolina. Christian Soura, one of her former cabinet members, estimated in 2019 that "several hundred" people in the Palmetto State had died because of the decision.

On the presidential campaign trail, Haley's stance on Medicaid expansion has remained unchanged, even as people who live in nonexpansion states broadly support it, according to KFF polling.

South Carolina remains one of 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid eligibility under the ACA, leaving more than 90,000 residents in a health insurance coverage gap, according to a 2023 KFF report.

Even so, Medicaid enrollment and spending in South Carolina during Haley's tenure grew substantially, drawing criticism from some conservatives.

In 2012, her administration chose to implement a federal program that automatically issued new Medicaid coverage to children from low-income families based on data from welfare assistance and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps. A 2013 case study found that the Express Lane Eligibility initiative grew Medicaid enrollment in South Carolina by more than 92,000 children in less than a year and that the simplified process "resulted in large enrollment and retention improvements."

Haley's administration was also widely applauded for establishing a coalition of health insurers, hospitals, and health care providers to improve birth outcomes in a state where Medicaid pays for more than 60% of all deliveries. Infant and maternal death rates in South Carolina have long ranked among the worst in the nation.

Recent research suggests, however, that some of the policies Haley's administration prioritized, such as a home visiting program and a campaign to prevent early elective deliveries, didn't improve maternal or infant health outcomes.

Abortion

On the one-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization ruling, which allowed state legislatures to outlaw abortion, Haley called the decision a "victory for life and democracy."

Her position aligned with a controversial bill she signed into state law in 2016 that banned the procedure in South Carolina after 20 weeks of gestation  approximately the midpoint of a woman's pregnancy.

When she signed the law, it affected only hospitals because the state's three outpatient abortion clinics already didn't administer abortions after 15 weeks of gestation. The bill, which she championed, made exceptions for if the fetus were diagnosed with an "anomaly" and would die or if the mother's life were threatened. But no exceptions were made for rape or incest.

During the recent debate in Iowa, Haley called herself "unapologetically pro-life."

Not because the Republican Party tells me to be, but because my husband is adopted, and Ive got my two sweet children sitting in front of me, and I had trouble having both of them, she said. "Our goal should be how do we save as many babies as possible and support as many moms as possible."

On the campaign trail, Haley has tried to thread the needle between being pro-life and recognizing the difficulty of enacting a national abortion ban. She has spoken of finding areas that are winnable for Republicans, including increasing access to contraception and supporting adoption. That said, Haley indicated she would sign a national abortion ban as president if such a bill reached the Oval Office.

Certificate of need

During her first term, Haley vetoed more than $1 million from the state budget that had been allocated to administer the health department's long-standing certificate of need" program. The program required hospitals and health care providers to apply for permission from the state before building new facilities or purchasing expensive equipment, with the goal of controlling health care costs and avoiding duplication of available health care services.

At the time, Haley called the rules "intensely political" and said they allowed "bureaucratic policymakers" to block health care providers from offering treatment. "We should allow the market to work rather than politics," she said.

Nevertheless, the state Supreme Court ruled in 2014 that a budget veto wasn't sufficient to eliminate the regulations.

The South Carolina Legislature ultimately repealed the state's certificate of need rules last year.

During the Jan 10. debate, Haley said she would eliminate certificate of need across the country. The rules still exist in about two-thirds of states.

Rural hospitals

During Haley's second year in the governor's office, the hospital where she was born in 1972 closed its doors. After a failed attempt to merge with other hospitals in the area, it became financially unfeasible for that hospital in the rural town of Bamberg to remain open.

In 2013, Haley announced her administration would reimburse rural hospitals across the state for all their uncompensated care costs, amounting to tens of millions of dollars over her time in office. The policy is still in effect.

Essentially, hospitals lose money when uninsured patients don't pay their bills. Federal law offers some support. For example, it requires state Medicaid programs to make "disproportionate share" payments to hospitals that serve large numbers of low-income and uninsured people.

But programs like those don't necessarily cover all of the losses.

Haley prompted the South Carolina Legislature to support rural hospitals by increasing their disproportionate share payments because, without an infusion of cash, several of them faced the same fate as Bamberg County Memorial Hospital.

"I certainly don't think it's a bailout," Haley told The Post and Courier in 2014. "We're allowing solid footing for these hospitals to make the changes that they need to make."

But her plan wasn't fail-safe. Two more rural hospitals closed during Haley's tenure as governor.

Vaccine mandates

As a member of the state House of Representatives in 2007, Haley co-sponsored a bill that would have made the vaccine for HPV, the virus that causes nearly all cases of cervical cancer, mandatory for girls entering seventh grade. It was ultimately killed by evangelical lobbyists, who have historically associated the HPV vaccine with encouraging underage sex, KFF Health News reported.

Several years later, Haley called her support of that bill a mistake.

In 2012, Haley vetoed a bill that would have provided free, voluntary HPV vaccines to seventh graders in South Carolina.

During the pandemic, Haley, whose sister-in-law died from covid, said she received a covid vaccine, though she has said she firmly opposes covid vaccine mandates.
insights from industry Mike Greig Executive Director Bruker Scientific

In this new episode of omg OMx, Kate Stumpo speaks to Bruker's Mike Greig about the incredible potential of mass spectrometry in pharma. Discover selected highlights, or watch the full episode below:

Mike Greig | omg OMx Podcast | Ep. 9 Play

What are some important lessons you have learned in your career, and are there any important people that have helped you along the way?

When I started my career in biotechnology, my boss was Rich Griffey. He ran our group like a Ph.D. program. Before I left Isis Pharmaceuticals, I had almost 20 publications covering everything from gas-phase chemistry of nucleotides to structural analysis of native mass spec.

Being in biotech in the 1990s, you had to learn many different things. You also had to contribute to fundamental science to demonstrate to Isis that these different biotech companies deserved funding. It was a great time to be in biotech. Even now, in a small biotech company, you must learn everything to contribute meaningfully and make the company successful.

While at Isis Pharmaceuticals, I had the opportunity to be a visiting scientist with Marshall's group, which came about at an ASMS. At my first ASMS, I met Jared Rader and Chris Hendrickson. Chris Hendrickson is now the director of the MagLab.

I met them on an elevator at ASMS. We got talking and became good friends. About three ASMSs later, we discussed mass spec and our respective fields. This is when I went to their lab and started working with them as a visiting scientist.

Is there a science OMG moment, even if it is not mass spec related, that made you love the field of chemistry?

I went to Buffalo Grove High School in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. I took AP chemistry with Dr. Bowles. He was an amazing person  super energetic and made the class very enjoyable, which is quite remarkable for an AP chemistry course.

A couple of weeks before the Christmas break one year, we did a saccharides experiment. We were mixing all these compounds and made two ropes, a red and a white. We twisted them up and he told us to put a bend in them. Everybody in the class suddenly realized that we had just made candy canes. This is how he turned science into candy for us. It showed us that science could include all kinds of things, and can be fun and tasty.

What developments have you observed in the fields that you have been in, whether in pharma or any other sectors?

The advancements in drug discovery throughout my career have been amazing in the way approaches, throughput, and speed have evolved. What a single scientist can contribute now is remarkable, mainly thanks to technology and the internet.

The nice thing about working with Bruker now is that I get to visit people in other pharma and biotech labs and talk about the science they are doing in detail. What everybody is doing in these labs is just phenomenal at an individual level.

In terms of mass spec, the advancements in the usability and robustness of instruments have been amazing to witness. When I first started, I used a single quad instrument with fusion pumps. I had to rebuild that instrument every other day to keep it running. Although this was great because I learned a lot about mass spec by building, rebuilding, and replacing components, I would not recommend it for a high-throughput lab.

Now, the instruments, software, hardwareeverything about mass spec is more usable. Twenty years ago, you would never see instruments in mass specs and biology labs. Now, they are everywhere.

Image Credit: White_Fox/Shutterstock.com

Can you tell us more about the evolution process of a drug?

Most places start with a disease or therapeutic area, and then you decide what your target is going to be. There are many publications, such as Time Magazine, that say, "Oh, cancer is cured. We found the next target,". Whether it is Time Magazine, Analytical Chemistry, or Science, it is a constant bombardment of new targets for oncology, heart disease, or other therapeutic areas.

I mainly worked in oncology during my last 10 years at Pfizer, so I am most familiar with that field. But you constantly see all these targets that have the potential to cure different types of breast cancer, as well as other types of cancer. Therefore, the first thing we do in pharma is that we validate these targets.

Once a target has been validated through multiple biological, analytical, and other methods, we proceed with a high-throughput screening campaign. While this high-throughput screening campaign goes on, there is also a lot of work in biology, which includes analytical chemistry to figure out the mechanism of action.

If the mechanism of action can be defined, the chances of success in clinical trials increase dramatically. The next stage involves progressing down the pipeline, getting a lead compound, and looking for biomarkers. Having good biomarkers also increases the chance of clinical success significantly.

As you move downstream, you get into the preclinical or pre-human studies. Then you progress to the human studies phase one trial. This phase generally tests if the drug is tolerable to humans. You then move to phase two and phase three where the efficacy is evaluated and finally, the drug is ready to hit the market.

What are some significant barriers to the marketability of mass spectrometry in the pharma or biopharma industry?

Mass spec is already highly marketable to the pharma industry. Almost every single pharma lab has a mass-spec instrument in operation. To enhance marketability, the key is to improve the ease of use and software.

There are many core mass spec labs where the people in the lab are gearheads who want to do everything with the instrument and do a lot of exploration. On the other hand, there are also recombinant protein labs where the focus is on making proteins for project teams, and they simply want to examine and obtain an accurate mass of the intact protein.

These labs want the mass spec to be just a walkup instrument. There are already many walkup instruments for chemistry and biology. So, ease of use is already there. Now, the only question is whether we can make these complex experiments easier to do and reproducible.

Most common types of experiments are already established. We are now pushing into advanced realms such as looking at top-down sequencing out of biofluids. As the complexity of the samples increases, the need for additional innovations will also increase.

About the speaker

Mike Greig is Executive Director and Global Pharma/BioPharma Market at Bruker Scientific, LLC.

omg OMx host: Kate Stumpo, Senior Market Manager at Bruker

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About Bruker Life Sciences Mass Spectrometry

Discover new ways to apply mass spectrometry to todays most pressing analytical challenges. Innovations such as Trapped Ion Mobility (TIMS), smartbeam and scanning lasers for MALDI-MS Imaging that deliver true pixel fidelity, and eXtreme Resolution FTMS (XR) technology capable to reveal Isotopic Fine Structure (IFS) signatures are pushing scientific exploration to new heights. Bruker's mass spectrometry solutions enable scientists to make breakthrough discoveries and gain deeper insights.
Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Friday said the Navi Mumbai international airport will become operational from November or December this year, and also announced that in the next 10 to 15 years, at least 10 cities in India will have two airports each.

He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the inauguration of AAR-Indamer MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) facility at the MIHAN SEZ in Nagpur.

The country had been waiting since the last 60 years to see Mumbai getting connected to Navi Mumba, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is today bringing to reality the dreams of people, he said, referring to the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) scheduled to be inaugurated by the PM later in the day.

The Navi Mumbai international airport will start its operations in November or December this year. This airports first flight will land in November or December. The airport will pave the way for the big development of Navi Mumbai, the Civil Aviation Minister said.

In the next 10 to 15 years, there will be at least 10 cities which will have two airports each, Scindia said.The minister also said that he would inspect the airports in Kolhapur, Pune and Navi Mumbai later in the day and on Saturday.

AAR-Indamer is a joint venture between AAR, a major MRO of the USA, and Indamer Technics Private Limited. Scindia inaugurated their world-class facility aimed at providing maintenance services to the fleet of aircraft operating in India and the nearby region.

AAR-Indamers greenfield facility is a result of combined efforts of AAR Corp and Indamer Aviation. Indamer Aviation is Indias oldest and largest general aviation MRO, the company said in a release.
Soft drinks maker Coca-Cola on Friday said it will transfer bottling operations of the company to local partners in three regions. Coca-Colas bottling arm Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB) is transferring bottling operations in Rajasthan, Bihar, and Northeast and parts of West Bengal to its existing partners in these three regions.

The bottling operations in these territories will now be owned by Kandhari Global Beverages, SLMG Beverages and Moon Beverages respectively, according to a statement.

The move is part of HCCBs strategy to franchise some regional operations to local partners.

Now, the Rajasthan market will be owned and operated by Kandhari Global Beverages which is currently operating in parts of Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh.

The Bihar market will be owned and operated by SLMG Beverages, the companys partner in the state, which also operates in Uttarakhand, parts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

The Northeast market and select regions of West Bengal will be owned and operated by Moon Beverages which is currently operating in parts of Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, the statement said.

HCCB India CEO Juan Pablo Rodriguez said this business transfer ensures the right level of investments can be undertaken in all parts of the business while bringing both scale and contiguity to the business.

We are in the long-term growth prospects of our beverages business in India and believe this move will help accelerate the Coca-Cola system, enabling us to win in the market and provide greater value to local communities, he said.

Incorporated in 1997, HCCB operates 16 factories in India. It manufactures and sells 60 products across seven categories, including Coca-Cola, Thumbs Up, Sprite, Minute Maid, Maaza, SmartWater, Kinley, Limca, and Fanta.

In the financial year ended March 2023, HCCB had reported a 41.51 per cent increase in its revenue from operations at Rs 12,735.12 crore. Its net profit in the fiscal jumped two-fold to Rs 809.32 crore.
Stocks To Watch On January 12: GIFT Nifty on the NSE IX traded 6 points, or 0.03 per cent, higher at 21,700, signaling that Dalal Street was headed for muted start on Friday. Heres a slew of stocks that will be in focus today for various reasons.

Q3 earnings today: HCL Technologies, Wipro, HDFC Life Insurance, Anand Rathi Wealth, Just Dial, JTL Industries, Tata Metaliks, Den Networks, among others.

Infosys and TCS: Infosys posted a net profit of Rs 6,106 crore for the third quarter ended December, showing a drop of 7.3 per cent from the same period last year.

The companys profit was down 1.7 per cent sequentially (quarter-on-quarter), which was below the Bloomberg estimates of Rs 6,167 crore.

TCS result was better with a 2 per cent rise in year-on-year net profit at Rs 11,058 crore.

Tata Power: Its subsidiary Tata Power Renewable Energy has signed a MoU with the Gujarat govt to develop 10,000 MW of renewable energy power projects in the state with up to an investment of Rs 70,000 crore.

Nykaa: Lexdale International is likely to divest 2.62 crore shares in the online beauty retailer through block deals, reported CNBC-Awaaz. The total value of this block deal stands at Rs 490 crore.

Life Insurance Corp: Tax authorities have further sent two demand notices worth Rs 3,529 crore to LIC.

UltraTech Cement: The company will buy a 26 per cent stake in Amplus Ages for Rs 49 crore to meet its green energy needs and comply with regulatory requirements for captive power consumption.

Mahindra & Mahindra: The company will invest Rs 630 crore in Mahindra Electric Automotive Limited through a subscription to a rights issue of shares of MEAL.

HG Infra: The company has won for a project worth Rs 716 crore by Central Railways on an engineering, procurement, and construction basis.

KPI Green Energy: The companys unit received an order for 2 MW solar power plant from Sanwariya Processors. The project is scheduled to be completed in FY25.
Wipro Q3 Dividend: IT major Wipro on Friday announced an interim dividend of Rs 1 per equity share. The record date has been fixed at January 24, while the payment will be made on or before February 10.

Payment of interim dividend of Rs 1 per equity share of par value Rs 2 each to the members of the company as on January 24, 2024, being the record date. The payment of interim dividend will be made on or before February 10, 2024, Wipro said in a BSE filing.

The company posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 2,694 crore for the December 2023 quarter, nearly 12 per cent decline as against last year. Its consolidated revenue during October-December 2023 declined 4.4 per cent to Rs 22,205 crore.
A total of 200 Uttar Pradesh police personnel trained in counterterror operations by the National Security Guard (NSG) will secure the Ayodhya Ram temple. Top officials from the NSG confirmed to CNN-News18 that these commandos have been trained in counterterror, room intervention, hostage rescue, motorcade operations, and personnel security. The newly trained force could take over from the CRPF around January 22, the day of the consecration ceremony at the grand temple.

When the Akshardham temple in Gujarat was attacked, one of the lessons learnt was that forces failed to localise the terrorists. The UP police has been trained by NSG to localise, to pin down the intruders to a specific area, so that they dont run amok and cause extensive damage," an officer familiar with the training told CNN-News18.

Kasab nabbed by Maharashtra police constable

While ordinarily central forces would have taken up the role of guarding a temple as sensitive as the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, officials said chief minister Yogi Adityanath expressed full confidence in the ability of the state police and the Special Security Force created by Uttar Pradesh Police. It is a model that other states also should follow. SSF has raised five battalions and ultimately the local police is best suited to deliver immediately in a crisis. Kasab was ultimately nabbed by a local Maharashtra constable," an officer of the security grid told CNN-News18, referring to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

A second officer explained the need for NSG-like commando training. Threat perception of Ayodhya is such that UP police felt the need for a counterterror force and not a static duty force like CISF, which excels in guarding vital installations," the official said.

The training

The first batch of 50 personnel of UP police was trained by the NSG over the last fortnight under its capacity-building programme. Subsequently, 200 constables, head constables, sub-inspectors, and inspectors have been trained, all in the under-35 age group. NSG officials said they could send their trainers to UP since the demand to train more has come from the state.

Under the counterterror training, the commandos have been given specific training for QRT (quick response in case of an attack), driving a motorcade, escaping with the VIP in case the motorcade is attacked, and dodging the intruder if an attack happens. Small calibre weapon training has been given, officials said, because, in a crowded place like a temple, the chances of an assault rifle bullet going astray are higher. While the terrorist might carry an assault rifle, the commando is trained to carry a small calibre weapon but hit the target with precision," an official explained.

Additionally, the personnel of UP police will also ensure access control, frisking of visitors and perimeter security at the soon-to-be-inaugurated temple complex. So far the CRPF is responsible for perimeter security of the temple area after a supreme court order. Officials said the special UP police force will take over from CRPF ahead of the pran pratishtha (consecration).

The Ayodhya airport security has been handed over to the CISF but UP police is training its special force in a way that it can eventually take over the guarding of not just the temple complex but also all vital installations in the holy town, officials said.
Central agencies and forces, during a high-level meeting in early January, have expressed concern over the increased retrieval of conventional and sophisticated weaponry, including grenades, ammunition, AK series arms, IEDs, detonators, and wireless devices, primarily from the India-Pakistan border areas.

Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir have seen a rise in the recovery of few types of weaponry and IEDs, including AK series weapons. The government assessed that these arms may have been supplied to terror outfits in PoK, attempting infiltration, and high-grade drones are involved in the supply chain.

A senior official noted that the renewed supply of arms, ammunition, and advanced drones to terror groups indicates the involvement of the Taliban in facilitating these weapons. It is suspected that outfits which were facing a fund crunch have renewed their supplies.

The data also hints at the same. According to BSF figures, Kashmir remains a top choice for arms and ammunition supply, with 31 weapons and 1,480 ammunition seized in 2023. The recovery of AK ammunition has increased, while that of grenades has shown an upward trend.

In a recent attack in Poonch, where four soldiers were killed, the terror outfit that took responsibility showcased the use of sophisticated US-made M4 carbine assault rifles. The M4 is a weapon developed in the United States and was among the weaponry left behind in Afghanistan by the US.

According to the data of BSF, which guards the India-Pakistan border, troops recovered AK series weapons from Gurdaspur area which were supplied from the Pakistani side via drones last year.

In the past couple of years, we noticed a trend that terrorists would carry pistols and target civilians in hit-and-run attacks. But last year, there was a trend of terrorists targeting forces with highly sophisticated weapons supported by other gadgets. Also, there is shift in their area of operation. Terrorists are targeting forces in jungle areas now instead of the city, a senior official posted in J&K said.

High-end HD Quality Drones Deployed

BSF as well as local police have noticed that Pakistan has shifted its strategy to send drugs, arms, and ammunition using high-end, expensive drones. These HD drones can fly at significant altitudes and carry heavy payloads with increased speed, posing a challenge to the security forces deployed at the Indo-Pak border.

According to data from the last two months, the Border Security Force has apprehended close to 20 drones. Priced between Rs 1.5 lakh and Rs 11 lakh in the market, these drones signify a change in Pakistans approach.
On January 17, in a spectacular show of religiosity sprinkled with politics, the Srimandir Parikrama Project or Heritage Corridor built around the 12th century magnificent Jagannath Temple in Odishas Puri will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The 75-metre corridor is built entirely outside the temple premises around the Meghnada Pacheri (outer wall), and has little to do with the mesmerising wooden figures of the three deities, however, the optics surrounding its inauguration almost mimics that of another grand ceremony  the Pran Pratishtha of the idols of Shri Ram in Ayodhya on January 22.

With elections just round the corner, Odisha goes for simultaneous polls this year, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is building a mythology around the Heritage Corridor while the BJP is doing the same in Ayodhya.

One of the four dhams established by Adi Shankaracharya, Jagannath Puri is home to millions of devotees across the world. Last year, for instance, the annual Ratha Yatra, attracted over one million devotees. However, like in many other pilgrim towns, the amenities available remained rudimentary with congested roads and many houses, mutts and ashrams dotting the Sri Mandir periphery.

Ranjan Kumar Das, the chief administrator of the Shri Jagannath Temple Administration, says, Before the Parikrama project, encroachments had multiplied in the area adjacent to the temple. So much so that it was creating danger to the Meghnada Pacheri (outer wall) and even devotees were unable to do Pradakshina of the temple. Apart from that, the real aesthetic beauty of the Odishas architecture was not visible. To make sure that the same is visible to the public, and to ensure that the Meghanada Pacheri is not endangered and pilgrims get a good experience, the Parikrama project was envisioned.

The Srimandir Parikrama was conceived in 2019 and took off in November 2021, said Das. Incidentally, Patnaik won a record fifth term in 2019. He is not a showman but is a silent believer, folding his hands in prayer whenever he crosses a temple.

Patnaik was present when the first servitor of Lord Jagannath and titular king of Puri, Dibya Singha Deb, laid the foundation stone of the Rs 900 crore-plus project in November 2021 following a three-day Yagya. And ever since, the Odisha government has pulled out all stops to ensure that the inauguration of the project is steeped with the metaphors of the cult of Lord Jagannath that has roots in every nook and cranny of the state and beyond.

The Heritage Corridor aims to provide an unobstructed view of the temple coupled with shelter pavilions, Jagannath culture centre, Raghunanda library, Badanga heritage streetscape, multilevel parking, Shree Setu, Sri Mandira Reception Centre and more.

Das said, It will open up new vistas for the tourists and pilgrims. They will have a good experience. Many amenities have been created. Toilets, changing room, resting place, green corridor have been created, encroachments from Badadanda (village name) has been removed. AC corridor has been built for pilgrims to reduce exhaustion.

VK Pandian, former civil servant and now BJD politician, is in charge of the ambitious re-imagining of the 900-year-old Jagannath Temple periphery.

The inauguration of the Heritage Corridor will not be a single day affair. Chief Temple Administrator Das says, January 12-14 will be for preparations. There will be Yagya ceremonies on January 15-17. After 1.30 pm, the chief minister will inaugurate the project after the Gajapati (titular king Dibya Singh Deb) gives the Purnahuti (oblation), after that it will be open to the public.

Giving a glimpse of the scale of the ceremony, Das said two temples from each district in Odisha and 60-65 more temples in India had been invited. The Shankaracharya of Puri was also invited but since he is busy with the Gangasagar Yatra, his attendance is yet to be confirmed. He, has, however, said he will try reach on time and give his blessings for the project. Apart from this, Odishas MLAs, MPs, other dignitaries, and key people across important sectors and state heads of political parties have also been extended invites to attend the ceremony.

Invites have been sent out by the Shri Jagannath Temple Managing Committee complete with betel nut and rice considered to be auspicious. As is the case in many auspicious ceremonies in Odisha, the three deities Lord Jagannath, Ma Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra were invited first by Ranjan Kumar Das. In fact, more than 30 teams were constituted to invite the various dignitaries.

The Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneswar, Siddhivinayak Mandir in Mumbai, Sri Rameshwar Mandir in Madurai, the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, Vaishno Devi in Jammu, Jagannath Mandir and Padmavati Mandir in Chennai, Chamundeshwari Mandir in Madhya Pradesh, Shirdi Temple in Shirdi, Omkareshwar temple in Indore and many others have already been invited.

A special team was also sent to Nepal to invite the king of Nepal. We were expecting around 130 people and have received 96 confirmations so far. The process is till on. Almost 48 of the 65 temples outside Odisha have confirmed, said Das.

The celebrations do not end on January 17. In a massive mobilisation exercise, the state government has organised an Arpan Yatra (offering) from January 18. Teams have been sent out from each block to collect the offerings from the people and bring them to the Jagannath Temple. Offerings include betel nut, rice grain, coconut, tulsi leaves. The purpose is to involve the whole of Odisha in this exercise, said Das.

Sameer Mohanty, BJPs former state president, said, They are politicising the programme. They are using government money for party work. They have disbursed Rs 2.5 lakh to each panchayat. The panchayat executive officer is a government employee. That officer will take Arpana Raths around the panchayat. This is political work. As Ram Mandir event is on January 22, they have come up with this programme.

When asked whether the BJP would attend the programme, Mohanty said the BJP is yet to receive any invite. What is there to attend? When the foundation stone was laid, we did not attend. If the invitation comes, our president will consider it and take a call. He reiterated that the BJD is using the taxpayers money for its own purpose For Lord Jagannath, they are spending taxpayers money? And the Sarpanch and the party workers are operating the system. He further said a block is a mini secretariat, preparing development work of the panchayat. When the block officers are busy with Arpana Rathas, the work of the public gets affected.

BJD MP Amar Patnaik, however, said that the Sri Mandir Parikrama Project was not a religious but a cultural project. This is the recapturing of the cultural capital of Odisha, which is predominated by Lord Jagannath, he said. He pointed to legendary devotees like Salabega, who was a Muslim, and Chaitanya, who was a Jain to underline that Lord Jagannath was the God of all religions and not just Hindus.

With the Parikrama Project, the idea is not just to provide comfort to the pilgrims, but to enhance the spiritual experience, connect with the Almighty, have a better view, to be able to sit and mediate near the Meghanada Pacheri, which was impossible earlier, he said.

When asked whether the BJD governments aggressive push for Jagannath Heritage Corridor is Naveen Patnaiks answer to PM Modis push of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the BJD MP pointed out that a cultural heritage project in Puri was part of the BJDs 2019 manifesto. He also said apart from the Jagannath temple, attention and money have also been given to mosques and churches across Odisha, however, since the cult of Lord Jagannath towers above all, it has caught maximum attention.

Under the Ama Odisha, Nabin Odisha project, every village panchayat has been given Rs 50 lakh to revive the Jagannath culture in addition to those linked to the deities of the village.

The BJD is all set to blow the Conch (its symbol) for a record sixth term for Naveen Patnaik. Interestingly, the Maa Samaleswari temple in Sambalpur, Western Odisha, is also being renovated. Sindoor is being collected from villages, invites have been sent. Western Odisha was BJDs Achilles heels in the 2019 assembly elections. This, and the inauguration of the Lower Suktel project, is expected to improve the partys prospects in this years assembly elections. But for now, all eyes are on the inauguration of the Shree Mandira Parikrama Project  it is Patnaiks answer to Prime Minister Narendra Modis embracing of the Ram Temple.

Political analysts believe the waves of Hinduvta from the banks of Ayodhya will break on the shores of Puri and the invisible feet of Lord Jagannath.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. The implementation of Azerbaijan's energy policy and measures on the development of the green economy is based on precise calculation, logic, and pragmatism, therefore the country is making progress in these areas in a short period, head of Caspian Barrel and independent Oil Research Center, expert Ilham Shaban told Trend.

"The ongoing developments in Azerbaijan's fuel and energy sector are a viable contribution to the development of a green economy and to the fulfillment of international commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the UN climate agenda," Shaban said.

According to him, Azerbaijan's gas demand averages 13.6-14.0 billion cubic meters per year, with five billion cubic meters consumed by the power sector, as this volume of gas is burned in thermal power plants to generate 94 percent of electricity in the country.

"Several thousand megawatts of electricity can be added to the generation capacity over the next five years through the construction of multiple facilities of renewable energy sources (RES). Thus it will be possible to reduce up to two billion cubic meters per year of gas consumption in the country's power sector and the freed-up volume can be channeled to consumers," the expert added.

The increase in electricity generation from RES leads to a reduction in the carbon footprint (carbon dioxide emissions), which means fulfilling the country's climate commitments at the UN and under the Memorandum of Cooperation with the EU.

"In relations with the EU, Azerbaijan fulfills both the environmental conditions of the Green Deal and export commitments," the expert said.

He emphasized that in the past three years of Azerbaijan's gas exports to Europe, the country's achievements have become evident.

"We sold 8.153 billion cubic meters of gas to the EU in 2021, and 11.8 billion cubic meters in 2023. It is a great pace and there are not so many others who can claim equal success. Meanwhile, the country has been signing contracts for the construction of RES facilities, following the world's green tendencies," Shaban added.

The expert believes that even a decrease in Azerbaijani oil production due to natural geological reasons means a decrease in the carbon footprint.

"The country's annual oil production has fallen by 21 million tons since 2011. Understandably, the available producing reservoirs are being depleted. After all, Azerbaijani oil production dates back more than 100 years. Reduction of oil production now actually corresponds to the implementation of the strategy of green economy and significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions," the expert said.

In this regard, Shaban called the criticism of the fact that COP29 will be held in Azerbaijan unfounded.

"Azerbaijan has demonstrated its ability to fulfill actual international obligations in a short period. As for criticism and possible obstacles, we are not used to it, and we will successfully overcome them," Shaban said.

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Days after Suchana Seth, the CEO of a start-up in Bengaluru, was arrested for allegedly killing her four-year-old child, cops have recovered a handwritten cryptic note alluding she did not want the custody of her son to go to her husband.

It is also learnt that Seth (39) had told her friends and family members that her son, who resembled her estranged husband, always reminded her of their troubled relationship, according to a report by India Today.

However, she was unhappy with a court order allowing him to meet their son every Sunday.

Seth, a native of Bengal, married Kerala resident Venkat Raman PR in 2010. The couple was settled in Bangalore and had a son in 2019. Differences later cropped up in their marriage and the two separated. Their divorce proceedings were currently underway.

Cryptic note Found From Crime Scene

A forensic team during an inspection at Aimangala police station found a handwritten note on a piece of crumpled tissue paper in Seths belongings. The note was purportedly written by Suchana.

The note was written on tissue paper using an eyeliner. It was crumpled and an attempt had been made to tear bits of it.

Police have taken samples of Suchanas handwriting and sent it to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), along with the note, for examination by experts.

Officials said the note could prove to be a crucial piece of evidence as it could help ascertain the accuseds state of mind and motivations.

We would not like to disclose the content of the note but it indicates that she was upset over the custody of her child, he said. The note was not found in the bag where she had stuffed her sons body after killing him, a senior police officer said.

According to another report by India Today, the note read, The custody of my son should remain with me no matter what, even if the court grants us divorce, I want the custody of my son.

Seth Not Cooperating With Cops

As per sources, Suchana Seth is not cooperating with the cops investigating her sons murder.

The Goa police wanted to take Suchana Seth to a service apartment, where she had stayed to recreate the crime scene,

However, the recreation of the crime scene has been delayed as Seth has not agreed to go to the hotel yet.

The recreation of crime scene is required as a part of the investigation into the case, an official said.

This is part of the investigation. She is currently in police custody and we are interrogating her in connection with the case, he said.

Suchana Seth Hid Sons Body Under Toys, Clothes

During the search of her luggage by Chitradurga police, Suchana Seth initially tried to hide her sons body under a layer of toys and clothes, according to a report by India Today TV.

The bag carried toys and clothes on the top. But officials asked Suchana to show the entire bag. As one of the cops removed the layer of clothes, the boys body was found, the report said.

When questioned about the body, Seth told police that it was her sons corpse.

She reportedly did not say anything more.

Seth A Loving Mother

Whatwillhappen is one of the hashtags on startup CEO Suchana Seths last Instagram post on October 12, written as a caption beneath the photo of a child in front of an aquarium.

The post is now flooded with comments and, according to some, the child is likely Seths son while she has not mentioned it in the caption. Two Instagram users have claimed that they were the womans neighbours for some time and found her to be a loving mother and extremely concerned over her childs health issues as he had breathing trouble.

Murder Appears Pre-planned

Two empty bottles of cough syrup were found in a Goa apartment, where a start-up CEO allegedly killed her minor son, indicating she may have given a heavy dose of the medicine to him in signs of premeditated murder as she was subjected to a psychological test to assess her mental state and help find the motive for the gruesome crime.

The post-mortem has revealed the four-year-old child was smothered to death either with a piece of cloth or a pillow.

The post-mortem conducted on the body has indicated the possibility that the child might have been smothered to death and there were no signs of struggle. We are examining the possibility if the woman gave a heavy dose of cough syrup to the child before putting him to death, the official said.

Enquiries with the service apartment staff revealed the woman had asked them to buy a small bottle of cough syrup for herself, he said, adding the bigger bottle might have been carried by her.

It looks like a pre-planned murder, the official said.

The accused also tried to commit suicide by slashing her left wrist, the police said earlier.

The police took Seth, booked for murder and destruction of evidence, to the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour near Panaji and got a psychological medical examination conducted on her.

We are waiting for the report. The check-up was a part of the regular protocol that is followed after the arrest of an accused, the official said.

Seth Denies Killing Her Son

According to police sources, the accused has denied her involvement in the crime during the interrogation and claimed the child was already dead when she got up from sleep.

We dont buy her theory. Further investigation will reveal the motive behind killing the child. As of now, we know that she and her husband were estranged because of which she might have done this, a senior police official said.

How Seth Was Caught

After the court order, Seths husband Venkat Raman called asking to meet their son and told her to bring the child to his house in Bengaluru on Sunday.

Seth reportedly turned down his request and insisted they meet in a public place in the city, to which Venkat Raman agreed.

He went to the agreed-upon place and waited for Suchana for over two hours to show up. He even called her several times, but she allegedly did not respond to his messages and emails, the India Today report said.

Subsequently, Raman travelled to Indonesia for work.

On January 6, Suchana Seth checked into a service apartment named Sol Banyan Grande in North Goas Candolim with her son.

She stayed there till January 8. She allegedly killed her son in the apartment and stuffed the body in a bag before taking it to neighbouring Karnataka in a taxi on Monday. She was arrested from Chitradurga in Karnataka on Monday night and brought to Goa on Tuesday.

Seth, who has told interrogators about her troubled marriage, is in police custody for six days, but officials were yet to find the motive behind the murder.

Seth is the CEO of The Mindful AI Lab, and according to her LinkedIn profile, she is an AI ethics expert and data scientist with over 12 years of experience in mentoring data science teams, and scaling machine learning solutions at start-ups and industry research labs.

Was Calm, Did Not Say a Word Says Cab Driver

Ray John, the taxi driver who helped the police nab Seth, said she was calm and did not utter a single word during the entire trip that lasted more than 10 hours.

John said the service apartment staff booked his taxi for Seth. When I reached the service apartment, she (Seth) asked me to carry her bag from the reception to the taxi. It was heavy, the taxi driver said. I asked her whether we could remove some belongings from the bag to make it lighter. But she refused. We had to drag the bag to the boot of the car, he said.

#WATCH | On the murder of a four-year-old boy allegedly by his mother in Goa, cab driver Rayjohn DSouza says, She (accused Suchana Seth) remained quiet during the entire journey I received call from the Goa Police and the police informed me that bloodstains were found in https://t.co/lVBlYBKk3n pic.twitter.com/KoJiogeDyA ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2024

The driver said that the only time she spoke was when she asked him to get a bottle of water when they reached Bicholim town in North Goa.

The taxi driver said he later received a call from the Goa police, alerting him that there was something suspicious about his passenger. The Calangute police told me to search for a nearby police station and take her there. I tried searching on Google Maps and GPS but didnt find any. I even looked for cops at toll plazas but there were none, he said.

Alarmed by the call from the police, the taxi driver said he bought some more time under the pretext of stopping by a roadside restaurant. There he learnt that a police station was just 500 metres away. We were one and a half hours away from Bengaluru. I drove to the Aiyamangala police station (in Chitradurga district of Karnataka), while a Calangute police official remained on line with me on the phone, he said.

John said it took almost 15 minutes before the inspector concerned came out. But madam was calm and was sitting in the car, he said.

The police searched her bag and found the childs body in it, said John. When police asked her whether it was her son. She calmly said yes, he added.

Police Takes Seth to Hotel to Recreate Crime Scene

Calangute Police team takes Suchana Seth, Bengaluru CEO accused of killing her four-year-old son, to the service apartment to recreate the scene of the crime.

#WATCH | Goa: Calangute Police team takes Suchana Seth, Bengaluru CEO accused of killing her four-year-old son, to the service apartment to recreate the scene of the crime. pic.twitter.com/nba6G57zRE ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2024

(with PTI inputs)
In a recently released report on Swadesh Darshan Scheme, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has unearthed several financial irregularities in tourism projects in Telangana. The agency found that the state had submitted inflated Utilisation Certificates of Rs 21.67 crores against the actual work done in the projects.

The report found misutilisation of funds, absence of proper clearances and misguided decisions made in developing the Tribal Circuit in Telangana and Heritage Circuit in Hyderabad.

TRIBAL CIRCUIT

In the tribal circuit, destinations were selected without feasibility or field survey. All sites that were proposed in Tribal Circuit were under reserve forest area and hence required permission from the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change before undertaking any work. The state government could not execute 17 components at Damaravai, Bogatha, Tadvai and Mallur due to lack of land availability or forest clearances.

As against 30 water fleet which cost Rs 6.14 crore, only seven fleet worth Rs 1.13 crore were delivered at Laknavaram, and the remaining 23 worth Rs 5.01 crore were delivered at locations other than the designated ones.

During physical verification of the site at Mulugu, of the six sanctioned gazebos, only three were found at the site. Interestingly, one gazebo was found at the camp office of the District Collector of Mulugu.

The guidelines say that any excess expenditure was to be borne by the state government. However, the Implementing Agency had spent an amount of Rs 34.30 lakh in excess of sanctioned amount without obtaining the approval of MoT. Similarly, expenditure of Rs 61.01 lakh for repairs and renovation of the old suspension bridge at Laknavaram and payment of Rs 3.35 crore was made on items other than the approved items.

HERITAGE CIRCUIT

The Circuit includes four heritage sites  Qutub Shahi Heritage Park, Paigah Tombs, Hayat Bakshi Begum Mosque and Raymonds Tomb  in Hyderabad.

In 2017, the ministry sanctioned 14 components valued at Rs 82.43 crore at Qutub Shahi Heritage Park (QSHP), among which construction of Entrance Plaza and Interpretation Centre were some of the important ones. A total of Rs 40.03 crore had been sanctioned for these two buildings. QSHP was on the tentative list of UNESCOs World Heritage Sites. However, work had to be stopped in 2021 after incurring expenditure of Rs 9.01 crore, on the orders passed by the Telangana Waqf Tribunal.

There was an instance of submission of inflated Utilisation Certificate for Rs 51.14 crore by the state government, as actual expenditure incurred was Rs 29.47 crore only.

There was improper maintenance of the landscaping at Hayat Bakshi Mosque and Raymonds Tomb (developed at a cost of Rs 33.38 lakh and Rs 29.08 lakh). Visitor amenities i.e., toilet block and ticket counters, were to be developed at Raymonds Tomb at a sanctioned cost of Rs 55.16 lakh. However, ticket counters had not been constructed and toilet block, though constructed, was not put to use.
A week after the Sandeshkhali incident, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided the residence of three Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders, including the fire services minister, Sujit Bose, however, adopting a more cautious approach, said sources.

ALSO READ | Calcutta HC Grants Protection to ED Officials in Sandeshkhali Incident | All You Need to Know

This time, the ED took along a team of 30 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) men. Sources said the ED not only increased the number of CRPF personnel in each raid, but also took along a special anti-riot kit with them. The entire CRPF team brought along lathis, guards, tear smoke munitions and guns with them. Special helmets and more guards were also brought in. The strategy was to have more equipped people in raid. Apart from the special protection, in a completely new concept, they are dominating the locality they are raiding. Nobody was allowed to gather in front of Boses residence.

ED sources told News18, We were taken aback by the Sandeshkhali incident, we have to take protection, which is why this deployment."

Along with Bose, the ED raided the houses of TMCs Baranagar MLA Tapas Roy and former North Dum Dum Municipality Chairman Subodh Chakraborty.

THE SANDESHKHALI INCIDENT

Last Friday, the ED faced protest and attacks at Sandeshkhali while raiding the residence of TMC leader Sheikh Shajahan and at Bongaon during the raid on another party leader Shankar Addyo. Three officers were injured in this incident.

ALSO READ | EDs West Bengal Unit Sends Report to HQ on Sandeshkhali Attack

Thereafter, the ED director came to Kolkata, had several rounds of meetings with ED and CRPF officers. Sources in the ED told News18 that in the internal meeting, the ED Director told officers to take along more force and be more cautious.

As Shajahan is a well-known leader in the area, the question raised was why the ED did not do more research before the raid.

In the past seven days, sources said the ED has changed its plan for raids.

THE ALLEGED MUNICIPAL SCAM

The Central agencies investigation into the recruitment scam in education led them to Ayan Sil, who had various OMR sheets related to municipality recruitment.

After examining these sheets, the ED began its investigation and found the other scam related to recruitment in municipalities. Fridays raids were in connection to this case.

As the raids started, Bharatiya Janata Partys Suvendhu Adhikary said, The ED/CBI will reach out to all thieves. This is a normal action under the law of the land. Bose is directly involved in Municipality Recruitment Scam. Rightfully, the ED is raiding his house."

On the other hand, TMC General Secretary Kunal Ghosh said, This is political vendetta of the BJP. They are not raiding Adhikary, but they are raiding our leaders."
A 34-year-old man was grievously injured after being stabbed in the face by a momos vendor during an argument over extra chutney in Delhi, police said Thursday. The incident took place in in Shahdaras Farsh Bazar area when an altercation ensued between customer, Sandeep and the momos vendor after the former asked the latter for extra red sauce.

Quoting police, an NDTV report said Sandeep was admitted to the Hedgewar Hospital where he is undergoing treatment for serious facial injuries.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara) Rohit Meena noted that on Wednesday evening, a call was received at the police control room regarding a stabbing incident. The incident was reported from Gali No-10 Bhikam Singh Colony.

A police team reached the spot to find an injured Sandeep, a resident of the nearby New Sanjay Amar Colony, who was rushed to the local hospital.

Sandeep, who runs a small mobile charger-making unit in Bholanath Nagar in Shahadara, told police that he went to a roadside cart to eat momos on Wednesday evening. After purchasing momos, he asked the vendor, 22-year-old Vikas for extra chutney, who refused saying it was in limited stock.

An argument broke out between the two which led to Vikas allegedly stabbing Sandeep in his face twice, a police officer said. Vikas fled the scene soon after.

Our team met Sandeep, who stated that he had gone to purchase momos from the cart of Vikas, who is a resident of the same colony. Vikas handed over the momos to Sandeep along with red sauce. Sandeep demanded more sauce from Vikas, who refused saying he had a limited stock of the sauce and more customers would need it. When Sandeep insisted an altercation broke out between the two and it soon turned violent. Vikas picked up a knife from the cart and stabbed Sandeep twice in his face, causing serious stab wounds, DCP Meena was quoted by Hindustan Times as saying.

An FIR was registered for an attempt to murder and a police team was formed to nab the perpetrator, the officer added.

He was arrested from the Farsh Bazar area on Thursday morning.
In a new development in the former model, Divya Pahuja murder case, another accused, who allegedly dumped her body, was arrested from West Bengal, police said. Balraj Gill, who allegedly disposed of Pahujas body with another accused Ravi Bandra, was arrested at Kolkata airport Thursday evening while trying to board a flight.

Divya Pahuja, a 27-year-old former model and the girlfriend of slain gangster Sandeep Gadoli, was shot dead at a city hotel in Gurugram on January 2. Police had earlier arrested three persons including hotel owner, Abhijeet Singh, who is the main accused, and two of his alleged accomplices, Omprakash and Hemraj in the case.

Pahuja was one of the accused in her boyfriend, gangster Sandeep Gadolis murder in an alleged fake police encounter in Mumbai in 2016.

Police said Ravi Bandra is still at large and efforts are underway to trace him.

The ex-models body has not been found yet.

According to an NDTV report, a senior investigator said police have reasons to believe that Balraj Singh and Ravi Banga who allegedly took away the body in a BMW car might have thrown it in the Ghaggar river. Two men were caught in CCTV footage dragging Paujas body down a hotel corridor. The footage of the body being dragged is also the last time it was seen.

A team of police is also trying to fish out the body from the river with the help of divers, the official added.

Quoting sources, an NDTV report said Pahuja allegedly had some obscene videos of Singh on her phone which she refused to delete. She was allegedly blackmailing the hotel owner with the photos, which ultimately led to her murder.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday addressed the closing ceremony of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Submit 2024.

Speaking at the event, Shah said, Today in the whole world if there is any country which is everyones favourite destination for investment, it is India and Gujarat

#WATCH | Union Home Minister Amit Shah addresses at the Closing ceremony of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Submit 2024He says, Today in the whole world if there is any country which is everyones favourite destination for investment, it is India and Gujarat pic.twitter.com/Xlv1vwnDf5  ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2024

He further said, When Narendra Modi took over as prime minister (in 2014), India was the worlds 11th largest economy, while it is the fifth largest now, whereas it will become the third biggest when he becomes PM for the third time.

The result of the beginning made from Gandhinagar in 2003 made India the fifth largest economy. Today, with this event, a new beginning is being made to realise the sankalp (promise) of a developed India before 2047, Shah said.

He further said that the VGS has given a platform to ideas and innovations and worked to bring investment on the ground. This has not only helped Gujarat but the economy of the entire country. The model of Vibrant Gujarat has been accepted by many states and they have adopted the same model of industrial development, Shah added.

Taking a dig at the previous UPA government led by Dr Manmohan Singh, the Union Home Minister said, On the global front, we were considered a dark spot. Today, we are a vibrant spot. The country has covered a journey from a silent prime minister to a visionary and vibrant prime minister.

The Vibrant Gujarat Summit has worked to give a direction to the country, Shah said, adding when Modi presented the idea before the (state) cabinet 20 years ago, he changed the entire structure of the summit, which was earlier held in a hall.

India has emerged as a vishwa mitra (friend of the world), Shah said, and observed that the valedictory function was being held on the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, who instilled confidence in the country and encouraged its youth.

Shah also appreciated CM Patel for creating a good environment to ensure they flourish on the ground. Foundations have been laid through policies for India to lead in health and education sectors, he added.

Through the new National Education Policy, India will again emerge as a hub of education within 10 years, while the PLI scheme, green hydrogen and space sector will see great growth, Shah said. Indias space sector will grow from USD 9 billion to USD 40 billion by 2030, and reforms have been made for the fintech and electronic manufacturing sector, among others, the Union Home Minister asserted.

(with agency inputs)
At a time when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka launched an aggressive campaign against the ruling Congress, calling them a sleeping sarkara, three major back-to-back cases of suspected moral policing have been reported from various parts of the state in less than a week.

Karnatakas home minister G Parameshwara recently announced an anti-communal wing to check instances of moral policing after the state saw an increase in such cases along the coastal Karnataka region. Parameshwara stated that the decision to institute such a unit came after the state observed that people were living in an atmosphere of fear due to rising communal incidents.

I have issued strict instructions that social harmony must be maintained. Moral policing should not be allowed at any cost, the home minister had said. If the home department does not stop the communal issue, there are chances that the problem will grow bigger, he had said.

The cases were reported in Belgavi, Chikkamagalur, and Hangal where interfaith couples or relatives were allegedly attacked and assaulted by groups of miscreants.

IN HANGAL: ATTACKED, ABUSED, GANG-RAPED

The recent case of moral policing from Hangal town in North Karnatakas Haver district saw a group of men attacking an interfaith couple who were staying at a lodge. In their statement, the couple said they were abused, and the man was kicked several times, while the womans clothes were thrown and both beaten up. The woman, in her police complaint, further alleged that she was gang-raped by seven of the accused persons, and later attempts were made to kidnap and murder the couple.

The incident took place on January 8, but came to light two days later, when a video of the attacks went viral on social media.

The first FIR was filed on January 10, where cases related to trespass, unlawful assembly and rioting, criminal intimidation, causing hurt, and assault or criminal force against women, with the intention to outrage their modesty, were revisited. But after the couples statement and the womans allegation of gang rape, the FIR was revised based on the seriousness of the offence. The FIR was based on the statement by Vinay Kyasanur, an employee at the lodge.

The police have arrested four accused  Aftab Makabul Ahmed Chandankatti, 24, Mohammad Isak Mandakki, 23, Abdul Khadar Jaffar Hanchinmani, 28, who is an auto driver and is said to have helped the accused reach the location and later flee from the place. Mohammad Saif Savikeri, the fourth accused, is said to be recovering from a fracture after his two-wheeler met with an accident.

IN CHIKKAMAGALURU: ASSAULTED FOR GIVING CHOCOLATES

Less than 24 hours after the incident, 200 km away in Chikkamagaluru, on January 10, another case of moral policing was reported where a group of men attacked boys from a different community for allegedly giving chocolates to college students at a bus stand in Mudigere town.

In this incident, a group of four attacked two youths for allegedly talking to a Hindu girl. The assaulters, police say, were locals and claimed that the girls were being harassed, and so they stepped in to rescue them. Three persons have been arrested. The investigation continues based on the CCTV camera footage and eyewitness reports.

IN BELAGAVI: COUSINS BELONGING TO DIFFERENT FAITHS ATTACKED

On January 6, another case of moral policing was reported at Market Police Station in Belagavi. A group of 17 miscreants allegedly assaulted two cousins belonging to different faiths. The cousins, residents of Yamnapur, told the police they had come to the city to register their names for the Congress Yuva Nidhi scheme. As there was a server issue, they were unable to register and found a bench to sit near the Fort Lake premises. This is when a group of young men attacked them, asking them why they were together. They were locked in a room and assaulted for nearly four hours, they alleged. It was when worried parents of the cousins informed the police station that they had not reached home that the incident came to light.

According to the statement of the youngsters, the gang attacking them kept asking them why people from two different communities were sitting together. We told them that we were cousins and that she was my aunts daughter. They refused to believe and continued to beat us up till 6.30 pm. They took away our mobiles, cash and belongings.

The BJP in Karnataka has raised an alarm over these incidents and called it a breakdown of the law and order machinery in the state.

Karnatakas senior BJP leader CT Ravi alleged: Law and order do not exist in the state, and CM Siddaramaiah is only bothered about general elections. There is no fear of law, and the government is completely ignoring such incidents.
A key operative of Pakistan-based terrorist Harvinder Rinda, who was supplying weapons to the associates of a terror outfit to carry out sensational crimes in Punjab, has been arrested, Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said on Friday.

A Chinese-made pistol and eight live cartridges were seized following the accuseds arrest from Lohawat village in Rajasthans Phalodi, the DGP said.

In a major breakthrough, #AGTF (anti-gangster task force), Punjab in a joint operation with the central agencies has arrested Kailash Khichan, a key operative of #Pak based terrorist Harvinder Singh @ Rinda and #USA based Harpreet Singh @ Happy Passia, Yadav posted on X.

Preliminary interrogation has revealed that on Rindas directions, Khichan was supplying weapons to the associates of terrorist outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) for carrying out sensational crimes in Punjab, he added.

Later, in a statement, the DGP said Khichan was wanted in a case lodged under the provisions of the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in Fazilka in September 2023.

Besides, the accused has a criminal history, with a number of cases pertaining to extortion, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and Arms Act registered against him in Punjab and Rajasthan, the officer added.

He said as Khichans name surfaced after various terrorist modules were busted by the Punjab Police recently, AGTF teams headed by Additional DGP Promod Ban traced the location of the accused in Rajasthan and arrested him with the help of central agencies.
In a shocking case of theft from a checked-in bag at Mumbai airport, a person lost Rs 1 lakh in cash and a 78-year-old fountain pen on Wednesday. The 46-year-old flyer, a director with a Manipal Group company, Mangaluru to Mumbai when the incident took place.

Binod Kumar Mandal, who suspected that the airport employees could be behind the theft, said he had to wait for almost five hours in Mumbai to lodge a police complaint.

According to a TOI report, Mandal said after landing at the domestic terminal, he found his bags number lock and the zip had been tampered with. He was carrying the cash for emergency on a 2-day official trip and had kept it safely in the bag.

The fountain pen, valued at Rs 5,000, was a family heirloom a gift from my grandfather who had bought it in 1946, he was quoted by TOI as saying.

I am from Kolkata but have been working in Mangaluru with Manipal Tech Group Companies, he said, adding that authorities test the patients of people who go to them with such complaints instead of solving their problems.

In my case, I had the proof of money that I had withdrawn from the bank that I carried with me, he said.

Mandal said this is the first time he has experienced baggage theft although he is a frequent flyer.

It is a hand in-glove act by people inside the airport, otherwise the theft would not have occurred I suspect that the person who does the baggage scanning would have tipped off the loader who would have stolen the cash at a place where there is no CCTV coverage, he added.

Police have filed a case of theft against an unknown person.
Delhis Patiala House Court on Friday extended the police custody remand of Hizbul terror operative Javed Mattoo, an A++ category terrorist wanted in 11 attack cases, including five grenade attacks and killing of at least five police personnel in separate incidents in Jammu and Kashmir.

He was produced before Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Nabila Wali and the Special Cell sought extension of Mattoos seven-day remand. The court, after considering the application, extended the police custody by five days.

The remand application, accessed by CNN-News18, reveals that Mattoo disclosed during the interrogation that one of his associates in Hizbul Mujahideen, Mohd Rafi Najar, looks after the financial affairs of the terror outfit.

He indulged in providing the money through hawala from Pakistan for terrorism purposes on the pretext of Pashima shawls and carpet business. The money received through hawala was used in financing the activities of the Hizbul Mujahideen in Jammu and Kashmir, the remand note said.

The document also stated that the money received through hawala was used in financing the activities of Hizbul Mujahideen in Jammu and Kashmir.

During the course of hearing, Advocate Rahul Sahni opposed the remand extension and stated that nothing fruitful would be served by seeking such extensions.

However, the Delhi Police argued that associates of Mattoo, who indulged in channelising the funds through hawala from Pakistan to Jammu and Kashmir, need to be verified.

As per the investigation carried out by Delhi Polices Special Cell, Mattoo had been hiding in neighbouring Nepal for several months. He returned to India on the instructions of his Pakistani handlers and on January 4 picked up a pistol with seven rounds and an extra magazine with five rounds from Mayur Vihar in Delhi.

Mattoo allegedly wanted to carry out terror strikes in J&K on the instructions of his handlers in Pakistan and with the assistance of his yet-to-be traced accomplices in Delhi.

A native of Sopore, Mattoo was outside Jammu and Kashmir for the past 10 years. It is suspected that he was staying somewhere in Pakistan, but entered India via Nepal. He was looking for an opportunity to go to Pakistan, a police source said.

A police official said that Mattoo was a prominent member of the group headed by Abdul Qayum Nazar, who was the operational in-charge of the terrorist module in Jammu and Kashmir.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. Electricity production from renewable energy sources (RES), including hydropower plants, amounted to 2.116 billion kWh in 2023, said Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov on X (Twitter), Trend reports.

Last year 1.757 billion kilowatt-hours were generated by hydroelectric power plants, 56.6 million kilowatt-hours by wind power plants, 79.4 million kilowatt-hours by solar power plants, and about 223 million kilowatt-hours by solid waste incineration plant (SWIP), the minister said.

The share of the RES sector in the total electricity production in Azerbaijan amounted to seven percent in the reporting period.

Overall, electricity production in Azerbaijan totaled 29.277 billion kWh, while electricity exports from Azerbaijan amounted to 3.253 billion kWh, and imports amounted to 211.8 million kWh.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewari  Nhava Sheva Atal Setu in Maharashtras Mumbai on Friday. It is the longest bridge in India and also the longest sea bridge in the country that will provide faster connectivity to Mumbai International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport.

The bridge will also reduce the travel time from Mumbai to Pune, Goa and South India and has been built at a cost of Rs 21,200 crore. The six-lane trans-harbour bridge is 21.8 km long with a 16.5 km long sea-link. . It will also improve connectivity between the Mumbai Port and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port.

Meanwhile, a 500-bed makeshift hospital was set up in Raigad districts Ulwe given Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the financial capital which is expected to draw lakhs of attendees. The setting up of the makeshift hospital came in view of the tragedy that occurred last year at an award ceremony in which 13 people suffered heat stroke and lost their lives.

Besides 500 regular beds, the Raigad administration has also made available 50 intensive care unit beds in the makeshift hospital to ensure the successful completion of the Prime Ministers visit without any unfortunate incident. In addition to this, the local administration will deploy 50 ambulances, including a few cardiac ambulances, for tackling medical emergencies, Raigad collector Yogesh Mhase informed.

The Prime Ministers visit to Mumbai also granted a rare sight to the Colaba residents as no hawker was seen on the streets. The hawker-free footpaths in the overly crowded Colaba shocked the residents. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) cleared the hawkers from the streets as PM Modis convoy will pass through the stretch as he will move to inaugurate the 21.8 km sea link in the island city.

He also laid the foundation stone of an underground road tunnel connecting the Eastern Freeway in eastern Mumbai to Marine Drive in south Mumbai, on Friday.

The 9.2 km tunnel will be built at a cost of more than Rs 8700 crore.

PM Modi Conducts Roadshow in Mumbai

PM Modi along with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar greets crowds gathered at the public event, where he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 12,700 crore, in Navi Mumbai.

#WATCH | PM Modi along with Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar greets crowds gathered at the public event, where he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 12,700 crore, in Navi pic.twitter.com/R28Kd3MrOK ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2024

While addressing people after the inauguration, PM Modi said that Atal Setu is the pride of India and the new infrastructure will boost Mumbais economy.

The prime minister also congratulated the Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar for working for the development of the state.

Modi further said at the meeting, Atal Setu is the picture of developed India. This is a glimpse of what a developed India is going to be like. In a developed India, there will be facilities for all, there will be prosperity for all, there will be speed and there will be progress. In developed India, distances will be reduced and every corner of the country will be connected. Be it life or livelihood, everything will go on continuously, without interruption. This is the message of Atal Setu.

PM Modi in Maharashtra Today

Following the formal inauguration of the Atal Setu, PM Modi is set to proceed to attend a public programme at around 4:15 pm in Navi Mumbai where he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 12,700 crore.

All You Need To Know About The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link

The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, stretched at a length of 21.8 km, originates from Sewri in Mumbai and terminates at Nhava Sheva in Uran taluka in Raigad district. After the inauguration, the bridge will become the longest sea bridge in the country and the 12th longest in the world. The bridge comprises a 16.5-km sea link and a 5.5-km land link. The sea link is a six-lane highway (three on either side and 2 emergency lanes). The bridge will cut down the journey from the current two hours to just around 15-20 minutes. The one-way toll on the MTHL is Rs 250 and the round-trip toll is Rs 375 for the first year. The rates will be revised post-review after one year from the commencement of operations. Ahead of its launch, the Mumbai Police has said the maximum speed limit for four-wheelers on the MTHL will be 100 kilometres per hour, while motorbikes, autorickshaws and tractors wont be allowed on the sea bridge. The bridge was earlier scheduled to be inaugurated and made open to the public on December 25, 2023, but the inauguration was pushed for January because of several last-minute works.

(with agency inputs)
Hello readers, News18 evening digest brings to you the latest updates: Modi Cleans Nashik Temple, Listens to Ramayanas Yuddha Kanda Amid Preps for Ram Mandir; W,X,Y,Z & Bangla Loses Importance: Didis Alphabet Calculation to Justify Demand for Renaming Bengal among others.

Hawker-free Colaba, Makeshift Hosp: Mumbais Makeover as PM Inaugurates Indias Longest Bridge

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewari  Nhava Sheva Atal Setu in Maharashtras Mumbai on Friday. It is the longest bridge in India and also the longest sea bridge in the country that will provide faster connectivity to Mumbai International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport. READ MORE

Modi Cleans Nashik Temple, Listens to Ramayanas Yuddha Kanda Amid Preps for Ram Mandir

Days ahead of the grand Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday offered prayers at the Shree Kala Ram Mandir situated along the banks of Godavari in Maharashtras Nashik. The temple is situated in the Panchavati area of the city. READ MORE

W,X,Y,Z & Bangla Loses Importance: Didis Alphabet Calculation to Justify Demand for Renaming Bengal

Trinamool Congress Chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wants to change the name of her state to Bangla, arguing that because it came at the bottom of the alphabetical list, its representatives are forced to wait till the end during meetings. READ MORE

Showcasing Modern Brunei, Hot Prince Mateen Marries Commoner | Hollywood-Style Pics Inside

Bruneis Prince Mateen, known for his Hollywood-like adventures on Instagram, recently transitioned from Asias eligible bachelor to a married man. The 32-year-old prince, the 10th child of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, exchanged vows with his 29-year-old fiancee in an exclusive male-only ceremony in the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. READ MORE

Vidhu Vinod Chopra Was Shocked As Fans Thronged Vikrant Masseys 12th Fail Shoot: S**la Tu Toh Star

Vikrant Massey is undoubtedly the chameleon actor of Indian cinema. The versatile talent has consistently delivered good performances over the last many years, and with his last years release, 12th Fail, he has won billions of hearts on the basis of his performance as Manoj Sharma in the real-life-based film directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. READ MORE

I Feel More Free After US Open Win Focused on the Australian Open, Says Coco Gauff

Now that the pressure to win a Grand Slam singles title as a teenager is over, Coco Gauff feels liberated enough to discuss her next target: a career tally in double digits. Could be 10, 11 or more  no limits. Plus, an Olympic medal in Paris this year. Preferably gold, but silver or bronze would do  in singles, doubles or mixed. READ MORE
India will be observing its 75th Republic Day on January 26. French President Emmanuel Macron will be the chief guest of the main parade in New Delhi, which is attended or viewed on television by Indians across the country. Attractive tableaux representing different states and union territories, dance troupes of schoolchildren, marching contingents and bands are the most awaited every year.

And to watch it all in front of you and not on a screen is an exhilarating experience. Tickets for the parade can be bought online and offline, while the programme begins at 10 am sharp from Vijay Chowk.

Heres how you can also be a part of the Republic Day programme:

Like every year, the Republic Day parade will begin from Vijay Chowk at 10 am while all visitors are to be seated by 9.30 am. The parade covers a distance of 5 km and ends at the National Stadium in Delhi. There are many ways now to watch this programme  online on your mobile, laptop, or tablet screens. But, the most exciting prospect would be to watch it offline. For this, you will have to register and buy tickets that can be done online as well as offline mode. Visit the official website of the defence ministry  www.amantran.mod.gov.in. A new user will have to register themselves. After logging in, enter your name, contact details and email ID as well as other personal information.An OTP will be sent on your mobile phone, which then has to be entered on the ministry site for validation. There are many options to choose from. Once you do, complete your payment. There are both reserved and unreserved seats for Republic Day parade in New Delhi. The price of a reserved seat is Rs 500 and that of an unreserved seat is only Rs 20. Reserved seat means a VIP seat. Ticket booking began from January 10 and will end on January 25. If you want to buy tickets offline, you will need to visit an authorised counter or outlet like the India Tourism Development Corporation (IDTC) travel counter, Delhi Tourism Development Corporation (DTDC) counter and departmental sales counter. You must provide details such as identity card, name, date of birth, mobile phone number and so on. You will then need to fill up a form and select your preferred event from the options available. Make the payment after submitting the form and you will be issued a ticket.

Delhi Police beefs up security for R-Day; 6 arrested this week

Ahead of Republic Day celebrations, the Delhi Police has heightened vigil and arrested six people along with 12 pistols and 75 live cartridges in separate operations this week. In a special drive, the special cell arrested three firearms suppliers, including a former state-level athlete, and seized 12 semi-automatic pistols from them.

We received secret information that a member of a Madhya Pradesh-based firearms dealer, Pushpendra Singh, would come to Kalindi Kunj Road on January 7 to deliver firearms to his associates, special commissioner of police (special cell) HGS Dhaliwal said.

The police laid a trap and arrested Singh and two others  Naeem and Manish Bhati  who had come to receive the consignments. We recovered a total of 12 pistols from them. It was revealed that Singh was a state-level athlete and participated in an event at the junior level in 2015, the police officer said.

In another operation, the Delhi Police arrested 22-year-old Ehti Sham-ul, a resident of Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh, during a vehicle check near the ITO bridge on January 10. He was carrying 45 live cartridges that have been seized, the police said.

In a separate operation conducted by the north district police, two criminals were nabbed when they were receiving 12 pistols and 30 live cartridges from an arms smuggler from Meerut region. The smuggler, however, who was delivering the consignment managed to flee.

Here is all you need to know about the security arrangements:

The Delhi Police has deployed a large number of personnel and is carrying out round-the-clock patrolling and vehicle checking. The special cell has been carrying out drives against arms trafficking. The police said more than 8,000 personnel, including senior officers, are keeping strict vigil every day. To ensure prompt and effective response, in case of any sabotage or exigency, the police are conducting mock drills on a regular basis. On Friday, three different mock drills, such as bomb calls, were conducted in areas under three different police stations  Dariyaganj, Nabi Karim and Kamla Market. According to the police, mock drills are being conducted at different locations in the central district and focused on improving coordination between different units and agencies. Every single call, be it hoax, the security forces will have to check physically. In the morning, the Delhi Police conducted drone surveillance as part of Republic Day security arrangements in the Yamuna Khadar area of Geeta Colony. Anti-sabotage check was conducted at Laxmi Nagar Metro Station, markets, high-footfall areas and other places by the bomb disposal team along with dog squad to enhance the security preparedness by the east district. A police officer of northeast district said they have already intensified day-and-night checking and patrolling. The police are also requesting people to report suspicious activity. Night patrolling staffers have been directed to check hotels, guest houses and dharamshalas. Security measures in place are being checked at these facilities, particularly near railway stations and interstate bus terminals. The police said they are taking action against anyone found to be violating rules under Section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code. The police are keeping strict vigil from the CCTV control room of strategic locations and Delhis border areas.

(With PTI inputs)
Suspected terrorists fired upon a convoy of vehicles carrying security personnel in Jammu and Kashmirs Pooch district on Friday evening, prompting security forces to launch a search operation, officials said.

However, no security personnel was injured in the attack, they said.

At around 1800h today, a Security Forces convoy of vehicles was fired upon by suspected terrorists from a jungle near Krishna Ghati, Poonch sector. No casualties to own troops. Joint search operations by the Indian Army and JKP (Jammu and Kashmir Police) are in progress, the White Night Corps of the Army posted on X.

At around 1800h today, a Security Forces convoy of vehicles was fired upon by suspected terrorists from a jungle near Krishna Ghati #Poonch sector. No casualties to own troops. Joint searchOperations by #IndianArmy and #JKP are in progress.@adgpi @NorthernComd_IA pic.twitter.com/jR0ytWRy88 White Knight Corps (@Whiteknight_IA) January 12, 2024

The vehicles that came under attack were carrying security personnel back to the camp, the officials said. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir police and the Indian Army have started a joint search operation to nab the terrorists.

The incident came after a high-level security meeting chaired by Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi to chart out an anti-terror operation plan for the new year to foil the design of terrorists in the region.

A similar ambush on Army vehicles took place in Poonchs Dhatya Morh in the Dera Ki Gali area on December 21. Four Army personnel were killed in the attack.

Rajouri and Poonch districts, which were peaceful in the past, have witnessed targeted attacks by terrorists on the Army and civilians, they said.

Nineteen soldiers were killed in four attacks by terrorists in Rajouri and Poonch in 2023. The security forces eliminated more than 30 terrorists in the two districts  along the Line of Control (LoC) as well as in the hinterland  last year.

(with inputs from PTI)
Remember the initial days of social media, where content creation was often a passion pursued as a hobby? However, as the digital landscape evolved, so did the perception of content creation, transforming it from a mere pastime into a viable career option. The youth of this generation, fueled by creativity and a desire for independence, have embraced social media as a full-time career, leveraging platforms to monetize their unique talents. What was once met with scepticism has now emerged as a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit of todays youth.

On National Youth Day, we bring you the compelling stories of 5 influencers who defied stereotypes, turning their interests into thriving careers. Their experiences illuminate the transformative power of social media, showcasing how this dynamic industry has become a legitimate pathway for ambitious youth to express themselves, build communities, and forge successful careers on their terms. From breaking stereotypes to redefining success, these influencers share their journeys, offering inspiration to the next generation of content creators.

Ronit Ashra

Back when I started, I never imagined my passion for acting on social media would turn into a full-time career. Its been a wild ride, and the evolution of digital platforms has played a crucial role. My videos, especially the Bollywood mimicry ones, have gained traction, and its heartening to see people laugh and connect with my unique style.

I love experimenting, not just with expressions and acting but also with the outfits I put together for my videos. The minor details add an extra layer of humour. The digital space has truly opened doors for creators like me, providing a platform to showcase our art in unconventional ways. Despite the naysayers and negative comments, I stay focused on delivering content that brings joy. Being a full-time influencer is about more than just popularity; its about putting in the effort, staying dedicated, and spreading happiness wherever I go.

Aatman Desai

Reflecting on the content creation landscape, Ive seen it evolve from a hobby to a full-fledged career on social media. As a computer engineer turned content creator, my journey shifted from music covers to exploring memes and comedy, showcasing the diverse possibilities online.

Interestingly, Ive gone from managing influencers to being on the other side of the table myself. Having once been an influencer manager, this perspective shift enriches my content creation, offering a unique understanding of the dynamics in this thriving digital landscape. Even as the hustle of a full-time influencer prevails, my pure satisfaction lies in sharing authentic and engaging contenta testament to the incredible potential of social media for both personal and professional growth.

Aryan Kataria

Remember when making sarcastic comments online was just a pastime? Now, weve turned it into a business! GenZ is all about thinking outside the box, and I bring that vibe to my content. Challenges and pranks arent just for laughs; theyre part of this innovative career path that keeps audiences hooked and entertained.

The world thought we were just kidding, but here we are, proving them wrong and building an empire of humour. Being a full-time influencer isnt just a trend; its a testament to our unique approach. The joy of our audience isnt just in the laughter; its in the shared moments, the inside jokes, and the connection weve cultivated. Lets break those stereotypes, shatter expectations, and keep the humor rolling  because in our world, comedy isnt just a side gig; its the main act!

Sakshi Keswani

We all know social media is constantly evolving but , let me take you from my days at Allahabad Girls College to becoming Suku  its been one wild adventure! Since my Instagram debut in 2017, challenges were met with the unwavering support of my fantastic followers, shaping my digital presence. Now, delving into the business side of being a full-time influencer, its fascinating to witness the transformation of social media into a vibrant career platform. Beyond just sharing content, its about cultivating careers out of creativity and connecting with a global audience. As I navigate this dynamic industry,

I find immense value in the relationships formed, the collaborations explored, and the entrepreneurial opportunities discovered along the way. Each post and video become not just a personal expression but a stepping stone in a journey that combines self-discovery and inspiration for the next generation of content creators. Excited to continue evolving in this ever-changing digital landscape and eager to see the diverse impact it might have on aspiring individuals exploring their passions in the online world.

Dhiraj Sanap

Honestly I never imagined my journey from a middle-class family in Mumbai to becoming a recognized face on Instagram and MX TakaTak would unfold the way it did. Growing up, social media was just a platform to share moments, but little did I know it would pave the way for a full-time career. Completing my education in Mumbai, I found my niche in creating comedy and funny videos, and the response has been overwhelming.

Transitioning from TikTok to Instagram after the ban was a game-changer. My followers, who were used to seeing my crazy antics on one platform, seamlessly made the switch with me. Its incredible how social media can turn a hobby into a livelihood. Earning badges for being an ace TikTok comedian in 2020 was a defining moment, and since then, Ive ventured into bigger projects and web series. Its not just about the numbers; its about connecting with the audience, making them laugh, and sharing a part of my life. Being a full-time influencer is not just a job; its an evolving journey, and Im excited to see where it takes me next.
Every year on January 12, India celebrates National Youth Day, also known as Yuva Diwas. This significant day marks the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, the visionary who played a pivotal role in shaping modern India. The Government of India officially declared National Youth Day in 1984, and since 1985, it has been celebrated nationwide to inspire the youth with the teachings and philosophy of Swami Vivekananda.

National Youth Day 2024: History

The decision to observe National Youth Day on Swami Vivekanandas birthday stems from the governments vision to inspire the youth with his ideas. Swami Vivekanandas philosophy was seen as a guiding force for the youth, a means to create a better future for the country by instilling motivation through his life and teachings. The celebration holds immense importance in disseminating Swami Vivekanandas ideas among the youth, awakening their potential and encouraging their efforts towards national development.

National Youth Day 2024 Celebrations

Swami Vivekananda, born on January 12, 1863, is remembered and honoured at various centres of the Ramakrishna Math, Ramakrishna Mission, and their branch centres, all in accordance with Indian cultural traditions. The commemorative celebrations encompass a variety of activities such as mangal aarti, hoom, devotional songs, meditation, religious speeches, and sandhya aarti.

National Youth Day 2024 Significance

National Youth Day is not merely a day of remembrance but a day of active participation by the youth. Schools and colleges organise parades, speeches on Swami Vivekananda, recitations, music, songs, conventions, yoga asanas, essay-writing competitions, seminars, sports, and other events.

Students actively engage in lectures and writings related to Swami Vivekanandas ideas, aiming to inspire and motivate their peers.

Various organisations including Mission Bhartiyam in Uttar Pradesh, conduct events spanning two days for all age groups, such as the Basti Yuvo Mahotsav. These events encompass a wide range of activities promoting education, art, lifestyle, and trust among youth, inspiring their inner selves.

Swami Vivekanandas Influence

Swami Vivekanandas influence extends beyond his birthday celebration. He was a source of inspiration for leaders like Aurobindo Ghose, Hemchandra Ghosh, Mahatma Gandhi, and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose during the Indian freedom struggle.

As one of Indias greatest spiritual leaders, Swami Vivekananda emphasised the importance of education in rebuilding society. His vision of education focused on secular learning that built character and instilled human values. His ideas revolved around value-based education that could shape individuals and contribute to societal progress.

Swami Vivekanandas extensive travels, including his period of meditation at Kanyakumari, are immortalised by landmarks like the Vivekananda Rock. His Desh Bhraman, aimed at countering disbelief in religion, instilling atam gaurav, and stressing the uniqueness of Indian culture, reflected his commitment to abolishing differences of caste and creed for the progress of the nation.
National Youth Day, also known as Vivekananda Jayanti or Yuva Diwas, is celebrated on January 12. It marks the birth anniversary of a great Indian Saint, Spiritual Leader, and philosopher  Swami Vivekananda. The motivational speaker was born on January 12, 1863, in an aristocratic Bengali family. Swami Vivekananda is seen as an inspirational figure for the countrys youth.

He is known around the world for promoting the philosophy of Vedanta and Yoga. He was the disciple of mystic Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.

On September 11, 1983, Swami Vivekananda gave a speech at the Art Institute of Chicago, as part of the Worlds Columbian Exposition. In his speech, he spoke about the humanistic values of Hinduism. Impressed by his speech, the audience gave him a two-minute standing ovation.

The National Youth Day was first celebrated by the Government of India in 1984. The prime purpose of celebrating the occasion is to motivate the youths to follow the correct path, foster national integration and spread the ideology of Swami Vivekananda. The governments main goal is to give the country a better future by encouraging young people through Swami Vivekanandas way of life and ideas.

National Youth Day Wishes to Inspire and Uplift

May your dreams soar like eagles, and your actions echo with the strength of lions. Happy National Youth Day! Ignite your passions, embrace challenges, and leave your mark on the world. Happy National Youth Day! Believe in yourself, break barriers, and be the change you wish to see. Happy National Youth Day! Let your voice be heard, your ideas valued, and your spirit unshakeable. Happy National Youth Day! Nurture your talents, chase your dreams, and build a brighter future for all. Happy National Youth Day! Embrace innovation, push boundaries, and never stop learning. Happy National Youth Day! Spread kindness, champion justice, and be a beacon of hope. Happy National Youth Day! May your resilience be your compass, your passion your fuel, and your optimism your guide. Happy National Youth Day! Dream big, work hard, and never give up on yourself. Happy National Youth Day! The world needs your energy, your ideas, and your spirit. Happy National Youth Day!

10 Interesting Facts About Swami Vivekananda

Swami Vivekanandas birth date on January 12, 1863, coincided with the Makar Sankranti festival. His pre-monastic name was Narendranath Datta. He founded two magazines Prabuddha Bharata in English and Udbodhan in Bengali. Swami Vivekananda travelled across India for five years from 1888 to 1893. He founded the Vedanta Society of New York in November 1894. He founded Ramakrishna Mission, a philanthropic foundation on May 1, 1897. In 1879, he became the only student to get first-division marks in the Presidency College entrance examination. It is believed that Swami Vivekananda predicted his death as he mentioned that he would not live more than 40 years. He died unexpectedly when he was 39 years and five months old. The cause of death is believed to be a rupture of a blood vessel in his brain. He was trained in Indian classical music.

Quotes By Swami Vivekananda
Recently, whats making rounds, is the announcement of Ranveer Singh, who is collaborating with Bold Care, a significant player in Indias mens health and wellness domain.

Insiders reveal that the brand office is abuzz with plans for an engaging and innovative ad campaign featuring Ranveer Singh. Given his vibrant personality, theres potential to create something lively, quirky, yet informative, and thats exactly whats in the works!

Ranveer Singh has always been admired for his versatility and both on-screen and off-screen charm. He is not only showcasing his charismatic personality but is also the sole mainstream male actor to endorse a mens sexual wellness brand in India.

Ranveer is making history as the first mainstream Indian actor to join forces with Bold Care, not just as an endorser but also as a co-owner.

His association with Bold Care is a valuable asset for the brand, igniting enthusiasm within the team, leading to the planning of an inventive ad campaign featuring the Bollywood superstar! With Ranveer on board for this campaign, it will truly be intriguing to witness the approach and how it resonates with the audience.

Ranveers flamboyant personality provides the brand with the freedom to explore different avenues. His ability to seamlessly carry diverse themes, whether quirky or interesting, positions him as the ideal face for the brand. Additionally, a category like sexual health and wellness demands a fresh approach, which definitely makes Ranveer the perfect choice to represent it!

A decade ago, Ranveer Singh made history as the first mainstream Indian actor to endorse Durex, a condom brand, earning praise and applause for that ad campaign as well.

Co-owner Ranveer Singh 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.
The childhood pictures of actors go viral on social media. Recently, a childhood photo of a Tamil actor surfaced online, and it is currently capturing the internets attention. They are eager to identify the actor in the adorable snapshot. The image depicts the actors early years and created a buzz as online users struggled to recognise her. Can you guess who the actor might be?

https://www.instagram.com/p/CiH24H5Lrdq/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Yes, he is none other than Arjun Das, one of the highly accomplished Tamil actors. One of the fans of Arjun had uploaded this picture on Instagram. Arjun smiled for the camera in this picture and wore a t-shirt and shorts. He looks quite bulky compared to todays pictures where he has worked a lot on his physique.

Arjun Das, renowned for his compelling portrayal of the antagonist Anbu in the film Kaithi, has garnered accolades for his performance. His noteworthy achievements include winning the Zee Cine Awards Tamil, a Norway Tamil Film Festival award, and a South Indian International Movie Award, all under the Best Villain category. Arjuns impactful presence in Tamil cinema extends beyond Kaithi, and his acting prowess and distinctive baritone have earned him widespread admiration. Followed by Kaithi, Arjun again collaborated with renowned Tamil director Lokesh Kanagaraj in Master and had a brief cameo in Vikram, appearing in the post-credit scene.

In a recent interview with the Indiaglitz portal, conducted before the release of his Telugu film Butta Bomma, directed by Chandrasekhar T Ramesh, Arjun reflected on his voice being a standout attribute. He shared, People liking me for my voice more than anything makes me believe that I have to do something to make them talk about my acting. Despite the perception that his voice might pigeonhole him into angry young man roles, Arjun emphasised that it doesnt limit his versatility. Expressing his capability to portray vulnerable and romantic characters, he highlighted the multifaceted nature of his talent.

Arjun Das revealed a softer side to his persona, suggesting that this aspect will be sought after in various roles. He expressed optimism that the evolving perception of him being suitable only for negative roles is gradually changing, paving the way for diverse and nuanced characters in his acting repertoire.
Former Bollywood actress-politician Jaya Prada has courted controversy several times. Now, a new non-bailable warrant has been issued for the actress by Rampur court. They have reportedly issued several warrants before, but she failed to appear in the court. Jaya Prada has been accused of violating the code of conduct during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, for which the warrant has been issued 6 times before that. The case against Jaya Prada was registered at the Swar and Kemari police stations. Jaya Prada has since avoided appearing in the court, and is reportedly absconding.

Reports further state that she has been on a run for the past few months now. Her bail agreements have been seized by the court, and the next hearing is scheduled on January 25, 2024. The hearing will take place in the MP-MLA court of Rampur, Uttar Pradesh.

Jaya is accused of inaugurating a road at the Noorpur village, after the model code of conduct was enforced. She was also accused of making offensive statements at a meeting, which was held in the Pipliya Mishra village, in the Kemari area. Now, both of the cases are being presented at the special MP-MLA court. Reports say that 7 non-bailable warrants have been issued against the former actress, so far.

Reportedly, orders have been given to the SP (Superintendent of Police) for her arrest. While the police have already raided her properties, they have gone as far as Mumbai, and Delhi, searching for her. During the Lok Sabha elections in 2019,Jaya Prada contested from Rampur, on a ticket from BJP, but lost.

Jaya Prada was considered one of the leading Indian actresses during the decades of 70s, 80s, and 90s. Some of her most notable works in Bollywood include films like Sargam, Kaamchor, Sharabi, Tohfa, and Maqsad. While in the Telugu film industry. She is known for films like Anthuleni Katha, Siri Siri Muvva, Sita Kalyanam, Adavi Ramudu, Yamagola, Sanaadi Appanna, and Huliya Haalina Mevu.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. Two minehunters from Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group Two (SNMCMG2) worked closely with the Italian Navy and local authorities to monitor the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) on the seabed of the Adriatic Sea, Trend reports.

Regular monitoring of the integrity of Critical Undersea Infrastructure (CUI), including pipelines and communication cables, secures both the transfer of energy supplies and data exchange between nations. Approximately one third of natural resources are transported via undersea cables, while virtually all internet connections, including economic and financial transactions, are shared in this way. TAP is crucial to European Union energy policy, delivering natural gas to Europe from the Shah Deniz II gas field in Azerbaijan, reads a message from MARCOM.

TAP transports natural gas from the giant Shah Deniz field in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea to Europe. The 878 km long pipeline connects with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) at the Turkish-Greek border in Kipoi, crosses Greece and Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Southern Italy.

TAP facilitates gas supplies to South Eastern European countries through existing and prospective interconnectors. TAP is connected to Interconnector Greece Bulgaria (IGB) which started its commercial operations in October 2022, providing Caspian gas to Bulgaria, enhancing security of energy supplies in one more European country.

As a key part of the Southern Gas Corridor, TAP is strategically and economically important to Europe and essential in providing reliable access to a new source of natural gas. TAP plays a significant role in boosting Europes energy security, supply diversification, as well as its decarbonisation objectives.

Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn
Tallinn-Winning Film, Tentigo a Dark Comedy about a family dealing with deceased fathers throbbing boner, by debutant director Ilango Ram from Sri Lanka, which originally featured in Sinhala and earned accolades, is poised for a Tamil language Indian remake. The Original film is backed by Indian producers Sanjay Gulati and Neeraj Pandey for Crawling Angel Films, India, and Kaarthekeyen Santhanam for Stone Bench Films, India, along with contributions from Silent Frames Productions in Sri Lanka.

Exploring a unique blend of grief and comedy, Tentigo unravels a bizarre tale as brothers grapple with the unexpected discovery of their deceased fathers hard-on is still throbbing in his pants, despite otherwise being clearly dead.

Renowned independent film producer Sanjay Gulati, known for his work on The Shepherdess and the Seven Songs and the upcoming Girls Will be Girls, expressed his enthusiasm for supporting Tentigo. Gulati praised the films audacious concept, and stated, The sheer audacity of Tentigos idea resonated across the entire Film Bazaar. Everyone recognized its potential, I remember there was a representative from Dharma interested as well. It transcended cultural barriers and market considerations, captivating hearts and minds with its unapologetically unique voice. Thats the kind of impact I want to be a part of, to push boundaries and create something truly groundbreaking.

He adds, This film will be a game changer for adult comedy films in India. Its been ages since Ive seen a truly great adult comedy film. I feel it will compensate the gap for good adult comedy movies which is missing from long time and will change the course of such films.

The Tamil remake, will be produced by Santhanams Stone Bench Films of Jigarthanda DoubleX fame, showcases the studios keen eye for captivating narratives. Gulati affirms the meticulous adaptations potential for success, emphasizing its ability to resonate deeply with audiences while retaining the original storys power and nuance in a new cultural context. He said, This meticulous adaptation is a surefire recipe for success, and I have no doubt the film will resonate deeply with audiences.

The film, initially showcased at Indias Film Bazaar in 2018 and later at Busans Asia Content and Film Market in 2021, received recognition at the Black Nights Film Festival in Tallinn, Estonia, where it clinched a special jury award.
On Instagram, Twinkle Khanna often offers glimpses into her life. In her latest post, she delved into her connection with sister Rinke Khanna, discussing their playful banter and support for each other. The post featured a snapshot from their holiday and a nostalgic photo capturing the Khanna sisters alongside their father, Rajesh Khanna.

In the caption, Twinkle jokingly mentioned their height difference, comparing their bond to characters like Tom and Jerry or Laurel and Hardy. She wrote, My sister and I are a year apart. I was always the giant, and she was petite. At times, we resembled Tom and Jerry, and sometimes, depending on my weight, Laurel and Hardy. Of course, we teased each other mercilessly. As her husband likes to recount, when he first came to meet my sister, I informed him, You need to know we have different fathers. My father is Vinod Khanna, and hers is Rajesh Khanna, thats why I am tall and she is not. My sister was livid, though I thought it was quite funny. But whenever I am in trouble, she is the first one by my side. She calls me every day, even if its to chat about mundane events. I cant say that if life is a desert, she is my only oasis, but I know that under the scorching sun, she will definitely share that wide-brimmed hat with me, even if its just to throw some shade my way:) Heres to sisters and what would we do without them. What is the funniest thing your sister has done to you? Let me know in the comments below.

Twinkle Khanna celebrated the New Year alongside her husband, Akshay Kumar, and other family members in the Maldives.
Its a goal. A goal which India wasnt even willing to score. In fact, India was happy playing the ball in its own half. But such has been the Maldivian ingenuity to score a self-goal, especially since the formation of a new government this year, maybe emboldened by Chinas hidden hands in its support, that they have not just jumped on to the Indian half but also ensured that a goal is scored on their own side.

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Lakshadweep, he did what he would usually do while visiting a part of India: He posted photos of his stay in Lakshadweep; he praised its pristine beaches; and, he urged Indians to prioritise domestic trips over foreign visits. He then posted his photos and penned his thoughts on Lakshadweep.

Like in the past, it did raise curiosity in social media, which went on an overdrive, with many Indian users comparing Lakshadweep with the Maldives. Lo and behold, a few Maldivian ministers took the bait and made unsavoury comments about Prime Minister Modi and India. The result has been catastrophic for Maldives: Its primary money-minting industry, tourism, is in tatters, with Indians going in for mass cancellation and EaseMyTrip, one of Indias biggest online travel platforms, suspending flight bookings to the island nation.

As per data from the Maldives tourism ministry, Indians in 2023 accounted for 11.2 per cent of the total tourist arrivals  18.42 lakh  in the island nation, with Russia being a close second with a share of 11.1 per cent.

The fact of the matter is that Modi was doing what he ought to do as a Prime Minister. Whats ironic is that it took the Indian leadership so long to wake up to Lakshadweep. Indias Lakshadweep policy often reminded this writer of the countrys now-discarded border development programmes, especially those related to infrastructure in the Northeast. For decades, people were made to believe that the roads in the Northeast, especially in the areas bordering China, should not be developed as this would provide the invading Chinese troops easy access to Indias mainland. The result of this defeatist mindset was that the people living in the bordering areas of Arunachal Pradesh, especially, would look askance at the broad, multi-lane highway running up to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) on the other side, while living amid state-imposed poverty and drudgery.

The policy to keep Lakshadweep off the tourist map reminds us of the same beaten track. For, the agents of climate change wont discriminate in favour of Lakshadweep if neighbouring Maldives and mainland Kerala indulge in unsustainable development and wanton commercialisation. Also, isnt it an elitist mentality of those residing in the mainland to incessantly exploit the planet for human whims and fancies, but keep these people in the dark ages in the name of climate change and ecology?

In the early 1980s, the Maldives was one of the worlds 20 poorest countries. Within three decades, it not just pushed itself in the middle-income country, but also showed massive improvements in the healthcare and education sectors, with a life expectancy of 74.8 and a literacy rate of 98.4 per cent. Lakshadweep, in contrast, remained stuck in a time warp. An archipelago of 36 islands, of which 11 are inhabited with about 70,000 people, it has a low per capita income and high unemployment level of 13 per cent, as per the data provided by the UT Administration. Even after seven decades of Independence, Internet connectivity is in an elementary stage in Lakshadweep, especially at a time when the world is taking a giant online leap forward.

As the saying goes, life finds a way, so will these people in the archipelago, even if all doors of development are closed. If they dont find education and jobs, they will find other means for survival and livelihood, often playing at the hands of those inimical to Indias interests. No wonder, in May 2022, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) intercepted two Indian ships off the coast of the Lakshadweep islands and seized 218 kg of heroin worth Rs 1,526 crore.

In this backdrop, Prime Minister Modi inaugurating the Kochi-Lakshadweep Islands Submarine Optical Fibre Connection project, among various projects, worth more than Rs 1,150 crore covering a wide range of sectors including technology, energy, water resources, healthcare and education, should be welcomed. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that the project will ensure 100 times faster Internet for the people of Lakshadweep. This will improve facilities like government services, medical treatment, education and digital banking. The potential of developing Lakshadweep as a logistics hub will get strength from this.

Better connectivity has an important role in promotion of tourism and regional development. Until now, only low-capacity aircraft (such as ATR aircraft) were able to land at the Agatti airport, due to which national and international tourists would come in small numbers. If reports are to be believed, the government is now moving ahead with plans to develop a new airport at Lakshadweeps Minicoy Islands where it would operate both military and civilian aircraft.

Similarly, the islands have great potential in the coconut and fishing sectors. There are around 10.5 lakh coconut trees on the island and about 10.5 crore coconuts are produced annually in the Union Territory. Likewise, Tuna fish are found in abundance in the sea there. Approximately 25,000 metric tons of fish are caught every year, of which 92 per cent are Tuna fish. But due to lack of proper arrangement of ice and fish processing, fishermen do not get fair prices for their catch.

It is no ones contention that the ecology of the islands must be compromised, but one must realise that this cant be an excuse to deprive the people of their right to life with basic facilities. And getting stuck in backwardness doesnt guarantee ecological safety. Not many outsiders, criticising the government for ecologically endangering the archipelago, know that electricity for Lakshadweep is largely produced from diesel generators. This is having a very adverse impact on the environment there.

Last week, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated Lakshadweeps on-grid solar project featuring a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). The initiative, covering the islands of Kavaratti and Agatti, is expected to offset 58,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions and save 190 lakh litres of diesel over its lifetime.

As the Covid-19 crisis has shown, madhyam marg (middle path) is the way out. For, during the pandemic, with the disappearance of travellers, and flights and cruise ships on hold, carbon emissions saw a record drop and wildlife a new leash of life. But, on the flip side, there was a rise in cases of poaching and illegal fishing, especially in developing nations. One has seen in India too, how wildlife, especially tigers, have been saved from poachers by, first, encouraging tourism, and then by making locals join the wildlife bandwagon: Letting the locals have stakes in Lakshadweeps tourism will make them the vanguards of the islands ecology.

Development and sustainability dont have to be the antithesis to each other. The same holds true for tourism and ecological safety. Lakshadweep must follow the middle path of sustainable development. This will be a win-win scenario for everyone. Except those who have vested interests in manufacturing dissent!

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
Following the October violence between the Israeli forces and Hamas, the Yemeni group on October 31 said they have joined the Israel-Hamas war and claimed to have fired drones and missiles at Israel.(Image: News18)
In a big relief, the Calcutta High Court on Thursday granted interim protection to ED officials in the Sandeshkhali incident in West Bengal, where they were attacked by a mob when they went to search TMC leader Shajahan Sheikhs house on January 5 in connection with an alleged ration distribution scam. The protection came as Justice Rajasekhar Mantha ordered an interim stay on further proceedings by the state police on an FIR against those officials till March 31.

The central agency appealed before the court requesting it to reject the FIR slapped on its officials. The high court has asked the state government to file an affidavit as it said there were inconsistencies in the three FIRs registered in the case, and also asked for a case diary.

There are three FIRs in the case  the first was lodged by the caretaker of Shajahans house, a second one was filed suo motu by the Nazat police on the incident on the basis of a general diary by a sub-inspector of the police station, while the third was by the ED. In his FIR, the caretaker has stated that some people posing as ED officers barged into the house, damaged property and stole Rs 1,35,000. So, the ED is facing a case of theft.

News18 has a copy of the FIR filed by the ED, which gives a detailed version of what happened on the morning of January 5.

Heres what happened:

According to the ED, on reaching Sandeshkhali at 7.15 am, they found Shajahans house locked. Despite several attempts to the TMC leader, except once, he was unavailable on his mobile phone.

Officials of the ED stated in the FIR that Shajahan attended their call only once, but when he realised who was on the other end, disconnected the call and did not pick up after that. The ED said his cellphone was found to be continuously engaged for about half an hour.

The agency said Shajahan was in all likelihood gathering a mob. It said at least 3,000 attacked officials following which three were left injured and a car damaged. The officials were able to escape only after they took help from the police.

The ED reached out to the court twice. On Wednesday (January 10), it appealed against the state police questioning its role. On this point, the judge said no coercive action will be taken. On Thursday, the ED, yet again reached the court and demanded that the FIR against its officials should be cancelled.
Hours after Congress released a statement refusing to attend the consecration ceremony of Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22, many of its alliance partners, including Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Samajwadi Party (SP), and Trinamool Congress (TMC), too announced their inability to attend the event.

Terming the day Chunav Navami and RSS-BJPs political gimmick, the parties said it had no connection with religion or devotion.

However, JD(U) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have kept everyone guessing as they are yet to come up with a public statement regarding the ceremony.

Senior RJD leaders said the Pran Pratishtha ceremony will violate the rules of Shastra (Hindu scriptures). The party leaders and workers will worship Lord Ram at home, but will not attend a politically motivated event, said the senior leaders.

Leaders of Samajwadi Party said the event does not have any connection with religion. As Bengals chief minister and Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee said religion is private, senior leaders of the party also claimed that no leader would be attending the event.

The JD(U) leaders, however, claim the party is yet to take the final call. Talking to News18, senior leader KC Tyagi said: We have not decided yet. We will take a call on this soon.

INDIA Bloc Slams Opportunism

The consecration of the Ram Mandir on January 22 is only about BJP satisfying its vested political interests, said Kiranmoy Nanda, national vice-president of SP.

We have decided that we will not attend the ceremony. We all worship Lord Ram. But the way the ceremony is happening, and the way it has been hijacked by a political party, there is no connection with religion or religious devotion. It is nothing but a political show, a political gimmick ahead of the general elections, Nanda told News 18.

Citing the statements of Shankaracharyas who will be skipping the ceremony, Shakti Singh Yadav, national spokesperson of RJD, said his party too would not attend the event.

We do not learn religious values from the BJP. The way they are rushing with the ceremony and opting for Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla in an incomplete temple, everyone can see their motive. It is blatantly political and being planned for electoral gain. Anyone who is pious will reject such actions. The Shankaracharyas, who are respected by all of us, have also come out and criticised such a ceremony, said Yadav.

They (BJP) could have easily planned this ceremony on Ram Navami. Instead they chose this time. It is Chunav Navami. They have to pay a price for playing with peoples religious belief, he added.
BJP leader Tejasvi Surya on Friday drew a parallel between opposition leaders who were turning down invitations for Ram temple inauguration and bhoot pishach (evil spirits) that are kept at bay with the recital of Hanuman Chalisa.

The Bangalore South MP, who is also the national president of BJPs youth wing, was addressing a function organised here on the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, which is also celebrated as the National Youth Day.

I asked one of our workers in Bihar, why, in his view, were leaders of the Ghamandia (derogatory parody of INDIA bloc) turning down invitations for the January 22 function.

The worker said devotees chant the verse Bhoot pishach nikat nahin aave, Mahavir jab nam sunaave (evil spirits scamper away upon hearing the name of Hanuman, also known by the sobriquet Mahavir), Surya told the Yuva Samagam (youth conclave) organised under the aegis of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha.

His tongue-in-cheek remark, which evoked peals of laughter from the crowd, came in the presence of a host of senior BJP leaders such as Union ministers Giriraj Singh and Nityanand Rai, local MP Ravi Shankar Prasad and state unit president Samrat Choudhary.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the function, Prasad alleged that the decision of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former chief Sonia Gandhi and leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Choudhary to skip the January 22 ceremony at Ayodhya is symbolic of Vinash Kaale Viprit Buddhi (losing good sense in the face of impending disaster).

It is shameful for the Congress which swears by the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi who dreamt of bringing Ram Rajya. The partys stance is in line with the way it approached issues like the Shah Bano case and triple talaq, caring for votes at the expense of welfare of the people, he said.

But little does the Congress realise the extent of its own downfall. From a 400-plus tally it once enjoyed in Lok Sabha, the party has been reduced to just about 50. And in upcoming polls, it will find itself unable to face the people, the former Union minister claimed.

The Congress seems to have reduced itself to a party that boycotts everything. Be it the inauguration of the new Parliament building, the G20 dinner or the Ram temple at Ayodhya, he added.
Trinamool Congress Chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wants to change the name of her state to Bangla. She argues that because West Bengal came at the bottom of the alphabetical list, its representatives are forced to wait till the end during Central meetings.

On Thursday, in her renewed call, Banerjee pointed out that in the past also, the names of Bombay and Orissa were changed and urged the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Central government to consider her proposal.

We have earlier passed a Bill to change the name of our state in the Assembly. We have given them all sorts of clarifications. But for a long time, they have not changed the name of our state to Bangla, Mamata Banerjee said in a press conference in Kolkata.

Bombays name changed to Mumbai, Orissa to Odishabut why cant ours be changed? What is our fault, Mamata asked.

Further highlighting the advantages the state will get if its name is changed, Mamata said that it will help the states children when they go to competitions.

If our states name is changed to Bangla, our children who participate in various competitions and go for studies will get priority. In every meeting, we are forced to wait till the end. W, X, Y, Z. The importance of Bangla has been reduced, Mamata said.

The Chief Minister said that there is no need to add West to the name of the state.

Citing the example of Punjab, which is a state in India and a province in Pakistan, she said, We dont think there is no need to divide when the name of the state is Bangla. Pakistan has a province named Punjab. India too has a state named Punjab. If Bangladesh can stay Bangladesh internationally, why cant West Bengal be changed to Bangla.

West Bengals Demand For Name Change

The Trinamool Congress government had earlier raised the demand to change the states name to Paschim Banga or Paschim Bango when it came to power in 2011.

However, the Center rejected the state governments proposal at the time.

The Opposition too ridiculed the move as frivolous and was perceived by several political commentators as the TMC governments inability to deal with serious problems which confronted them.

However, the Trinamool government continued its push with a new proposal. After five years, the Mamata Banerjee government passed another resolution proposing the new names Bongo and Bangla.
In 2003, when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister, diplomat-turned-Congress leader Natwar Singh came up with his book Heart to Heart, which, among many things, recounted Indira Gandhis visit to Afghanistan in 1968 and her gesture of bowing before the tomb of Mughal emperor Babur.

This is one of the infamous anecdotes the BJP hopes to dust up in its attempt to paint the Congress as anti-Hindu after it turned down an invite to the January 22 consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

Indira Gandhis Gesture at Baburs Tomb

Natwar Singhs 2003 book has emerged as one of the most potent arrows in BJPs quiver to target the Congress. The saffron party hopes to establish that the Congress is not shunning the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Mandir to stay away from an allegedly political event, but because of its appeasement policy. This policy, the BJP seeks to show, is rooted in Congresss alleged empathy for barbaric Islamic invaders.

In his book, Congress veteran Natwar Singh had used adjectives like graceful, sparkling and engaging for Indira Gandhi, but also ended up revealing something that has come in handy for the BJP before 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The Prime Minister of India stood there, with head slightly bowed, paying her homage. I was a couple of feet behind her. It was a moment to cherish, recall, and remember. At that moment, the centuries seemed to blend and blur, wrote Singh.

The fact that she bowed to a barbarian, who is believed to have ordered the destruction of ancient temples in Ayodhya (a contested claim, but one that does find mention in The Fasanah-i-Ibrat by the early Urdu novelist, Mirza Rajab Ali Beg Surur), surely gives the BJP enough firepower to attack the Congress and the Gandhi family.

Natwar Singh also revealed his conversation with Indira Gandhi during the visit to Baburs tomb. After a minute, she stepped back and said, We have had our brush with history. I said, I have had two. What do you mean? To pay ones respects to Babur was itself an occasion, I said, but to do so in the company of Indira Gandhi was the rarest of privileges.

Sonia Gandhis 2016 Letter to the Pope

As soon as the Congress announced its plans to stay away from the Ram Temple inauguration ceremony to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a 2016 letter written by Sonia Gandhi became the BJPs second biggest weapon against the Congress. The letter was addressed to Pope Francis.

Written in the backdrop of the canonization ceremony of Mother Teresa, the letter explained her inability to attend the event. She instead wrote to the Pope that she had nominated two senior party leaders  Margaret Alva and Luizinho Faleiro  to attend the Vatican ceremony on her behalf.

If I had not been unwell, I too would have been there to witness this sacred ceremony, and to pay my humble homage to the woman who was the very embodiment of boundless compassion, mercy, and grace, she had written. In the letter, she praised Mother Teresas nobility of soul, purity of purpose, and service to God through service to humanity.

The BJP now plans to highlight the difference in the way the Congress rejected the Ram Mandir invite and the way Sonia Gandhi wrote to the Pope and deputed leaders on her behalf to attend the Vatican ceremony. Organiser, a magazine affiliated to BJPs mentor RSS, has also highlighted the contrast of Congresss responses to the two events on social media.

Amid Congress' decision to not attend #RamMandirPranPratishtha, Sonia Gandhi's letter to Pope Francis on Canonization Ceremony of Mother Teresa surfaces @INCIndia pic.twitter.com/gwYmgBIirK Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) January 11, 2024

The Infamous UPA Affidavit on Ram

The BJP will also bring up an affidavit the Congress-led UPA government had submitted in the Supreme Court in 2007 which essentially said the Ramayana was fiction and Lord Ram is a mythical figure.

The Manmohan Singh government had submitted the affidavit during the row over the Sethusamudram project. The BJP, then in opposition, and other Right-wing organisations had opposed the project, saying it would destroy part of the Adams Bridge. The BJP and other saffron outfits had argued that the Adams Bridge is the modern name for Ram Setu that Lord Ram had built to get his sena to Lanka where Sita was held captive by demon king Ravan as per the Ramayana.

In the top court, the Congress government questioned the existence of Lord Ram and filed the affidavit which read: Valmiki Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas admittedly form an important part of ancient Indian literature, but these cannot be said to be historical records to incontrovertibly prove the existence of the characters and occurrences of events depicted therein.

From rallies and press conferences to social media, the BJP plans to highlight every gaffe made by the Congress vis-a-vis religious and nationalistic sentiments.

And it is the Congress workers on the ground who will have to explain to the electorate why its leaders, past and present, chose to bow before Babur, sent a delegation to the Vatican and declared Ramayana to be fiction, but have refused to attend the Pran Pratishtha of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
The Karnataka BJP launched a scathing attack on the ruling Congress party calling it the sleeping regime of Siddaramaiah over the sexual assault of a Muslim woman inside a hotel room in the Haveri district. A group of seven people had attacked an inter-faith couple and allegedly gang-raped the woman inside a hotel room in Haveri.

The audacious act by Muslim youths, brutally attacking and abducting a interfaith couple in broad daylight, underscores the governments failure to ensure citizen safety,  an X post by Karnataka BJP said.

Sharing a sleeping image of CM Siddaramaiah, BJP commented that Karnataka, under the sleeping regime of Siddaramaiah, has unfortunately become the Titanic of India.

A reality in Karnataka, where:  Farmers are ending lives,  Development & progress are a fair tale,  Govt transportation are stalled,  Power-cuts are frequent,  Severe Drought is leeching life from the land,  Startup funding & FDI inflow are declining,  Law and order have gone into hiding,  Corporates are walking out. Their mantra? Loot. Ruin. Sleep. Repeat! another X post by the BJP said.

When the Captain sleeps, the ship sinks!Karnataka, under the sleeping regime of Siddaramaiah, has unfortunately become the Titanic of India. A reality in Karnataka, where:  Farmers are ending lives, Development & progress are a fair tale, Govt transportation are pic.twitter.com/McJHc1Uxgg  BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) January 12, 2024

BJP further stated that Siddaramaiahs administration has completely failed to address the surge in crimes against women, allowing radical moral policing to flourish and jeopardizing the security of the states residents.

The shocking sexual assault in Haveri of a Muslim women is a dire consequence of the complete breakdown in Law & Order under the @siddaramaiah-led @INCKarnataka government.The audacious act by Muslim youths, brutally attacking and abducting a interfaith couple in broad  BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) January 12, 2024

BJP further attacked Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over the incident of violence against children that took place in Morarji Desai hostel of Malur Yaluvahalli, Kolar district.

The situation of children cannot be safe under the derailed administration of the state under the Congress government. It is an alarming development that people belonging to Scheduled Community are being subjected to violence and exploitation. When will the sleeping government wake up? BJP said.

Further attacking the ruling party over the Cauvery dispute, the BJP said, Due to the failure of rains, non-availability of electricity to agriculture, and the decision to divert Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, the crop production has been extremely low this time. As a result of this, the price of rice continues to rise day by day and in the coming days, the Anna Bhagya scheme will also suffer. The peoples voice is like a Kinari in front of Kona before the Congress government.

Your minister has stated that farmers suicides have increased after increasing the compensation. 6,000 of the Kisan Samman Yojana provided by the Modi government. 4,000 which Yeddyurappa was giving along with Does your austerity government have any morals left to talk about farmers? BJP further added.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. The decision made on December 11, 2023, to host the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku can be justifiably considered a historic event for Azerbaijan. The country will strive to fully capitalize on this opportunity not only to strengthen its position on the global stage but also to intensify diversification of its economy, aiming for sustainable development of the state.

The presidency of COP rotates annually among countries from the five UN regions (Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe). Moreover, within these regions, there is a specific order among the member states.

For 2024, the presidency was designated for the Eastern European Group, and both Armenia and Bulgaria withdrew their candidacies for hosting COP29, in favor of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has developed long-term partnership relations with Bulgaria, primarily thanks to their energy cooperation, whilst the decision by Armenia is hoped to be seen as a gesture of goodwill towards achieving lasting peace in the South Caucasus region for the prosperity of its population.

The agenda for the scheduled COP29 meeting in November 2024 includes crucial contemporary issues, such as the impact of climate change on the healthcare sector and the increase of investments in new projects in this context.

Thus, during the two-week event in Baku, complex and substantial discussions are anticipated, which will not be merely formal. The success of these discussions will depend on the political will of the COP29 participating countries and finding mutually acceptable solutions regarding the allocation of funds for the effective implementation of 'green' initiatives that concern the health and longevity of every inhabitant of the Earth.

The agenda of the upcoming meeting entails a tremendous level of responsibility, which falls upon Azerbaijan, the host country of COP29. The geographic location of Azerbaijan, with its mild climatic conditions, is favorable not only for the physical health of its residents but also for the development of 'green projects'.

Although Azerbaijan is globally recognized as a country with a longstanding history of oil production, its leadership in the 21st century demonstrates an intention to actively develop renewable energy sources (RES). This strategy is based on both sound calculation and concern for future generations.

In Azerbaijan, 2024 has been declared the "Year of Solidarity for a Green Peace", however, long before this, the country had already taken concrete steps towards a 'green economy'. The portfolio of agreements signed by Azerbaijan since 2019 for the creation of RES with leading global companies in this field is impressive and will continue to grow. This is in line with the country's technical potential for renewable energy sources, which stands at 135 GW onshore and 157 GW offshore.

The economic potential of RES in Azerbaijan amounts to 27 GW, including wind energy at 3,000 megawatts (MW), solar energy at 23,000 MW, and bioenergy potential at 380 megawatts. The potential of mountain rivers is estimated at 520 MW.

Azerbaijan is also committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent by 2030 and by 40 percent by 2050 compared to 1990.

Speaking about the COP29 in an interview with Azerbaijani media on January 10, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev noted that "as a result of our very precise and thoughtful diplomatic steps, we got the opportunity to host this prestigious event".

"On the eve of the voting, many countries were pressured into not voting in favor of Azerbaijan. But they failed there too, immediately after we were given this honor, a media campaign was launched against us again," he said.

"The traditional actors are The Washington Post, The New York Times, which, as you remember, President Trump quite accurately described as fake news, Figaro and a few others immediately started a dirty campaign against us. Without any reason whatsoever, they even lashed out our environment minister, whom I appointed to COP29. He must have encountered such a situation for the first time. They were pointing out that he had worked in an oil company for many years. What does it mean? I also worked in an oil company for nine years, so what? This man worked as a vice president for environment in an oil company. After that, he has been working as minister of ecology for six years. All this is being put aside, as if it never happened and only his biography in the oil company is talked about. In any case, these are natural, because whenever an international event is held in Azerbaijan, we face such campaigns, be it the European Games, Eurovision or even the Astronautical Congress," the President of Azerbaijan emphasized.

The head of state reminded that at one time oil and gas producing countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Egypt also faced claims regarding the holding of COP.

"But this issue should be approached from a different perspective. These countries, countries that are rich in oil and gas, are inside this process. They want to contribute to our common cause. Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates to an even greater extent not only provides for its own energy security without the green energy, but also for the energy security of many others. But this is a symbol of great responsibility. It is an indication that we want to allocate our resources to this field so that green energy can develop in our countries, as they say, and contribute to the rest of the world," President Ilham Aliyev said.

According to the head of state, COP29 "will be a great experience for us. Because this is the world's number one international event, an international conference".

"We are certainly proud that Azerbaijan is leading this process," President Ilham Aliyev pointed out.

The head of state, in a conversation with local television channels, revealed details of the green energy development plan.

"We attach great importance to this issue and believe that we will achieve what we want here as well. The goal is that we do not lag behind the processes going on in the world today, especially in the worlds energy sector. Because we all know that many leading ex-oil companies are even changing their names to energy companies. The demand for green energy will grow. Oil and gas companies will be faced with great difficulties if they do not have green energy projects in their investment portfolio. In fact, various restrictive measures are not an exception there either. Therefore, we should be up to date with this general trend, especially considering that we have unparalleled potential," President Ilham Aliyev said.

The head of state added that the International Finance Corporation, which is a branch of the World Bank, has confirmed our potential in the Caspian at 157,000 MW.

"Therefore, this direction is now a priority in the field of energy. Already in October of last year, the first large Solar Power Station was put into operation, and according to the schedule, we will increase the volume of renewable energy to the level of approximately 3,000-4,000 megawatts in the next three to four years. For comparison, I can say that the total capacity of our power plants is currently about 7,000-8,000 megawatts. A new 1,200 megawatt plant is being built and will be put into operation soon," the President of Azerbaijan said.

"Currently, approximately 5 billion cubic meters of natural gas is used for the production of electricity in our power plants. Now, renewable energy will allow us, among other things, the opportunity to spend not those 5 billion cubic meters of gas, but perhaps 1-2 billion cubic meters of gas for the production of electricity and export the rest of the gas," the head of state explained.

"Contracts and memoranda of understanding we have signed envisage the production of 10,000 megawatts. The contracts and memorandums we have signed are with the world's leading green energy companies. Therefore, it can be assumed that all of them will be implemented and this will meet all our domestic demand. Of course, this will also have a positive contribution to climate change. At the same time, it will enable us to export natural gas in larger volumes. Even if half of 10,000 megawatts is achieved, it will still be enough for us. But I think that our work will not be limited to these 10,000 megawatts, because the potential is too great. Both onshore and offshore sites have been approved, and the next major solar and wind farms are scheduled for commissioning next year. So, this is the main issue, and I think that its potential will have a great impact on the creation of jobs, the introduction of new technologies to Azerbaijan and the development of our regions. Because all our remaining potential stations outside the Caspian Sea are located in the regions, including the Karabakh region," President Ilham Aliyev said.

Thus, Azerbaijan has a clear, long-term, and articulated strategy for the development of its fuel and energy complex, as stated by the head of state. In this strategy, each sector, whether it be oil and gas extraction and export or the development of RES, has its designated place, taking into account the requirements of the global market and the UN climate agenda.

It's evident that Azerbaijan, with numerous oil, gas, and energy agreements, possesses a clear vision of its development, at least until 2050.

This situation contributes to the establishment of trusting and long-term international relations with Azerbaijan, understanding its stance on crucial global and regional issues, and enhances its significance and authority as a stable state respecting universal values.
A woman recently expressed her dissatisfaction with Air India when she discovered chicken pieces in the vegetarian meal she had ordered during a flight. Taking to social media, Veera Jain shared the details of her experience on the Calicut to Mumbai flight. The flight, initially scheduled for departure at 6:40 p.m., faced an hour-long delay, eventually taking off at 7:40 p.m. Despite the delayed departure, the bigger concern arose when she was served a veg meal containing chicken.

Sharing her frustration, Ms. Jain wrote, On my @airindia flight AI582, I was served a veg meal with chicken pieces in it! I boarded the flight from Calicut airport. This was a flight that was supposed to take off at 18:40 PM but left the airport at 19:40 PM. She attached pictures illustrating chicken pieces in a spoonful of rice from the allegedly vegetarian meal. Another image displayed the meal packet clearly labeled as a veg meal despite containing chicken.

On my @airindia flight AI582, I was served a veg meal with chicken pieces in it! I boarded the flight from Calicut airport. This was a flight that was supposed to take off at 18:40PM but left the airport at 19:40PM.Details-AI582PNR- 6NZK9RSeats- 10E, 10F#AirIndia pic.twitter.com/LlyK6ywleB Veera Jain (@VeeraJain) January 9, 2024

She even informed the cabin supervisor, Sona, who apologised and acknowledged that multiple passengers had complained about the same issue. However, Jain pointed out that no action was taken to inform other passengers with vegetarian meals.

Also Read: Indigo Passenger Finds Live Worm In Sandwich; Airline Responds

However, her problems extended beyond the meal mishap, as the delayed flight jeopardised her friends connecting train to Ahmedabad. Frustrated by the missed connection and the chicken in her supposedly vegetarian meal, Jain vented it out on social media, tagging regulatory bodies like DGCA and Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, demanding accountability and action.

My friend missed her train that was at 23:00 PM from Mumbai to Ahmedabad. We booked it as the flight was supposed to land in Mumbai from Calicut at 20:40PM! Veera Jain (@VeeraJain) January 9, 2024

In response to the complaint, Air India commented, Dear Ms. Jain, we request you delete the asked details from the open tweet (to avoid misuse) and share the same with us via DM along with your PNR.

Dear Ms. Jain, we request you delete the asked details from the open tweet ( to avoid misuse ) and share the same with us via DM ( https://t.co/12Zkg5wzrb ) along with your PNR. Air India (@airindia) January 9, 2024

Soon, the incident gained traction on social media, leading to widespread criticism of Air Indias service.

Also Read: Woman Finds Stones in Food Served at Jaipur Airport Lounge, Gets Response After Pic Goes Viral

Meanwhile, in one such food-related incident last year, renowned Indian chef Sanjeev Kapoor expressed dissatisfaction with Air India after an in-flight meal on his Nagpur-Mumbai flight. Kapoors post included an image of cold chicken tikka served with watermelon, cucumber, tomato, and sev, along with the comment, Is this what Indians should eat for breakfast? He criticised the airline on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting his disappointment with the representation of Indian cuisine served for breakfast.
Cuexcomate, an inactive geyser often touted as the worlds smallest volcano, graces Puebla City, Mexico, drawing tourists to its unique features. Composed of calcium carbonate and silica, this geological wonder stands at 43 feet tall with a diameter of 74 feet. Originally formed before the eruption of Popocatepetl, Mexicos second-highest peak, in 1064, Cuexcomate is believed to have resulted from activated geothermal spring circulation.

Today, this dormant geyser has transformed into a viral tourist attraction. Visitors can explore its interior, accessing a 23-foot wide mouth through iron stairs. Cultural events, including festivals featuring geysers, are organised within this geological marvel.

Scientists theorize that Cuexcomate was once an active geyser, serving as a natural source of hot water. The last recorded eruption is said to have occurred in 1600, rendering it inactive. Hollow on the inside, the geyser now stands at 43 feet in height and spans 75 feet in width.

Historically, Cuexcomate was situated in an area earmarked as the town of La Libertad before the volcanic eruption. In 1943, it became part of the city of Puebla. On November 27, 1970, a plaque was installed, commemorating the founding of La Libertad around Cuexcomates perimeter.

Adding to its mystique, a board placed outside the volcano in 1970, purportedly containing information from 1585, mentions the presence of smelly water. Media reports from that era suggest grim practices, including human sacrifices and the disposal of suicide victims bodies into the geyser. These acts were rooted in the belief that such individuals did not merit burial or mourning. The locals even labelled those living around the geyser as children of the devil.

Over time, Cuexcomate has evolved into a popular tourist destination, shedding its dark historical associations. Today, it stands as a testament to the geological wonders that captivate visitors in Puebla City, Mexico.
Being a parent is not an easy job. Apart from tending to the needs of your kids, you also have to put up with their tantrums. Children often throw tantrums to show that they are upset or frustrated and sometimes to get things done their way. While proper discipline and strict parenting can help kids control their sudden outbursts, parents often struggle to deal with such situations. Recently, the uncontrollable tantrums thrown by four children forced an Australian ice cream and cafe owner to throw the family out of the eatery. Although the kids mother objected to the action, the internet community turned out to be in favour of the owner.

According to a report by the New York Post, another fellow customer who witnessed the incident dropped a video of the Italian cafe and gelateria named Adelles Cafe in Magnetic Island on social media, asking for the shops boycott. They claimed that the shops co-owner Adrian Dalloste kicked out a family from the shop after their kids threw a tantrum for having to share one scoop of ice cream amongst themselves. Adelles Cafe  do not support. Absolutely disgusting. Dont support this business, she wrote. In the background, a childs cry was heard.

Defending his action, the gelaterias co-owner claimed that the mother of the four children failed to analyse the whole situation which involved her kids crying and throwing a fit for over 15 minutes continuously. He added that after the kids learned that they had to share one ice cream scoop amongst each other, one of the children swiped decorations from the counter and threw a steel flask on the tile floor. For approximately 15 minutes the children were crying and screaming, disturbing the other clientele trying to enjoy their meals and the ambiance of the cafe, continued the owner.

When the cafe owner asked the family to leave the premises politely and apologised for the same, the father became defensive and refused to leave. The owner then threatened to call the police if they did not depart.

According to a report in Daily Mail, social media users were quick to defend the owners actions, with one person saying that they would have done the same thing. Another claimed that the duty of responsible parents was to teach their children how to behave and show respect for others or remove them from annoying others.

What are your thoughts on this?
US State Secretary Antony Blinken spoke to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday and voiced concerns shared by India over reckless Houthi attacks in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

The Secretary emphasised the Red Sea is a major commercial corridor that facilitates international trade and welcomed increased cooperation with India in defending freedom of navigation in the region, the State Department said in a statement that stressed that the attacks threaten the free flow of commerce, endanger innocent mariners, and violate international law.

The Secretary and External Affairs Minister discussed the Israel-Hamas conflict, efforts to prevent the conflicts escalation and increase the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza. The Secretary also discussed Russias war of aggression against Ukraine, the statement added.

At the UN stage on Tuesday, India said it is in constant touch with the leaders of Israel and Palestine. Its message has been clear and consistent since the start of the between Israel and Hamas which could lead to a wider conflict in West Asia. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has led to a large-scale loss of civilian lives, especially women and children, and has resulted in an alarming humanitarian crisis, Indias Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj said in the UN General Assembly.

Read More: US, Allies Conduct Airstrikes on Houthis in Yemen; Biden Says Will Not Hesitate to Order Further Action

Blinken and Jaishankar held talks a few hours before the US and Britain announced airstrikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen in response to the movements attacks on ships in the Red Sea. US President Joe Biden cautioned in a statement on Thursday he would not hesitate to take further action if needed. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that the strikes targeted Houthi capabilities including drones, ballistic and cruise missiles, costal radar and air surveillance. A Houthi official confirmed raids in the capital Sanaa along with the cities of Saada and Dhamar as well as in Hodeidah governorate.

The ongoing strikes are one of the most dramatic demonstrations to date of the widening of the Israel-Hamas war in the Middle East since its eruption in October. The Houthis, who control most of Yemen, defied a UN and other international calls to halt their missile and drone attacks on Red Sea shipping routes and warnings from the US of consequences if they failed to do so. The Houthis say their attacks are in support of Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist group that controls Gaza. Israel has launched a military assault that has killed more than 23,000 Palestinians in Gaza.

Since late December, the Houthi have attacked 27 ships, disrupting international commerce on the key route between Europe and Asia that accounts for about 15% of the worlds shipping traffic. The Houthis, who seized much of Yemen in a civil war, vowed to attack ships linked to Israel or bound for Israeli ports. The Houthis leader said on Thursday any U.S. attack on the group would not go without a response.

(With agency inputs)
Myanmars military and an alliance of armed ethnic minority groups announced a ceasefire on Friday after months of conflict that has claimed hundreds of lives and posed the biggest threat to the junta since it seized power in 2021.

Conflict has raged in Myanmars northern Shan state since October, when the alliance of ethnic minority groups launched an offensive against the junta.

The alliance has seized several towns and border hubs vital for trade with China.

With the help of Chinas facilitation, there was a meeting in (the southern Chinese city) Kunming. We have reached a ceasefire agreement, junta spokesperson Zaw Min Tun told AFP.

Tar Bhone Kyaw of the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA)  one member of the alliance  said they had agreed to reopen border trade with China.

China also announced the ceasefire Friday.

The two sides agreed to an immediate ceasefire, to disengage military personnel and resolve relevant disputes and demands through peaceful negotiations, foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said.

The talks took place with the mediation and facilitation of the Chinese side on Wednesday and Thursday in the city of Kunming in Yunnan province, which borders Myanmar, she said.

Mao did not say what areas were covered by the ceasefire.

The armed alliance claimed last week to have captured a northern town notorious for online scam operations in another blow to the junta.

Since November people have been fleeing Laukkai town, located in a district bordering China, that was run by a Myanmar military-aligned militia and known for gambling, prostitution and online scams run out of compounds staffed by thousands of people, many trafficked.

The alliance  made up of the TNLA, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), and the Arakan Army (AA)  said the town was now under their control.

Last week, following reports that an artillery shell had exploded across Myanmars border with China, Beijing voiced strong dissatisfaction that fighting had caused Chinese casualties and said it would take all necessary measures to protect its citizens.

Last month, Beijing said it had also mediated talks between the Myanmar military and the allied ethnic armed groups and reached an agreement for a temporary ceasefire.

But clashes continued thereafter in parts of Shan state, and Chinas embassy asked its citizens to evacuate an area along the shared border owing to security risks.

On Friday, spokesperson Mao said both sides pledged not to compromise the safety of Chinese border residents and Chinese personnel in Myanmar.

Maintaining the momentum of ceasefire and peace talks in Northern Myanmar is in line with the interests of all parties in Myanmar and also helps to maintain peace and stability at the border, she said.
Several high-profile Democrats, including Indian American lawmaker Ro Khanna, berated US President Joe Biden on Thursday for launching airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen without congressional approval, arguing that the action was unconstitutional and could lead to a wider Middle East conflict.

The President needs to come to Congress before launching a strike against the Houthis in Yemen and involving us in another middle east conflict, Rep. Ro Khanna wrote on X. That is Article I of the Constitution. I will stand up for that regardless of whether a Democrat or Republican is in the White House.

The Presidents strikes in Yemen are unconstitutional. For over a month, he consulted an international coalition to plan them, but never came to Congress to seek authorization as required by Article I of the Constitution. We need to listen to our Gulf allies, pursue pic.twitter.com/JzO67zIES1 Rep. Ro Khanna (@RepRoKhanna) January 12, 2024

Section 2C of the War Powers Act is clear: POTUS may only introduce the US into hostilities after Congressional authorization or in a national emergency when the U.S. is under imminent attack, the California Democrat said. Reporting is not a substitute. This is a retaliatory, offensive strike.

Backing Khanna, Representative Val Hoyle argued that these airstrikes have not been authorised by Congress. The Constitution is clear: Congress has the sole authority to authorize military involvement in overseas conflicts. Every president must first come to Congress and ask for military authorization, regardless of party, Hoyle wrote on X.

These airstrikes have NOT been authorized by Congress. The Constitution is clear: Congress has the sole authority to authorize military involvement in overseas conflicts. Every president must first come to Congress and ask for military authorization, regardless of party. https://t.co/Yo4QOWfbgr Val Hoyle (@RepValHoyle) January 11, 2024

The United States cannot risk getting entangled into another decades-long conflict without Congressional authorization. The White House must work with Congress before continuing these airstrikes in Yemen, said Wisconsin Democrat Mark Pocan. GOP lawmaker Nancy Mace also chimed in and said, This is where we should put party aside and stand for the oath we all took: Congress alone decides if we go to war. I join my colleagues on both sides insisting we follow the Constitution.

Thursdays airstrikes on Houthi rebels in response to their attacks on Red Sea shipping pulled the worlds focus back on the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. The strikes killed at least five people and wounded six, and threatened to ignite a regional conflict, which the Biden administration and its allies have been trying to calm for weeks.

Heavy price

Hussein al-Ezzi, a Houthi official in their Foreign Ministry, acknowledged a massive aggressive attack by American and British ships, submarines and warplanes. America and Britain will undoubtedly have to prepare to pay a heavy price and bear all the dire consequences of this blatant aggression, al-Ezzi wrote online.

Since the attacks began in November, however, the Houthis have begun targeting vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, imperiling shipping in a key route for global trade. The Red Sea route is also crucial for energy shipments. According to The Associated Press, Benchmark Brent crude traded up some 2.5% Friday at over $79 a barrel.

(With agency inputs)
Hafiz Abdul Salam Bhuttavi, founding member of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) and deputy to LeT chief Hafiz Saeed is confirmed dead, according to an update by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Bhuttavi died of cardiac arrest in Punjab province in May last year while he was in government custody.

Bhuttavi died of cardiac arrest in Muridke, Punjab Province on 29 May 2023 while he was in custody of the Government of Pakistan, according to the UNSC update. Hafiz Abdul Salam Bhuttavi was a founding member of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) and deputy to LeT emir Hafiz Muhammad Saeed. Bhuttavi served as the acting emir of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba/Jamaat-ud-Dawa (LeT/JuD) on at least two occasions when Saeed was detained. Saeed was detained days after the November 2008 Mumbai attacks and held until June 2009, it added.

Read More: LeT Leader Bhuttavi, Who Trained Terrorists Involved in 2008 Mumbai Attacks, Dies in Pak Prison

Bhuttavi handled the groups day-to-day functions during this period and made independent decisions on behalf of the organisation. Saeed was also detained in May 2002. He was also LeT/JuDs preeminent scholar, had instructed its leaders and members, and issued fatwas authorizing LeT/JuD operations. Bhuttavi helped prepare the operatives for the November 2008 terrorist assault in Mumbai, India, by delivering lectures on the merits of martyrdom operations, the update read.

In mid-2002, Bhuttavi was in charge of establishing LeT organisational base in Lahore. The UN Security Council designated Bhuttavi as a terrorist in 2012. Years later the Pakistan government arrested and charged him for terror financing along with the founder of the terrorist group Hafiz Saeeds brother-in-law Abdul Rahman Makki, in August 2020. He was sentenced to 16 and a half years in prison.
Houthi rebels on Friday warned the US and the UK that they will pay a heavy price for launching airstrikes that targeted several cities of Yemen.

American and British forces struck Yemen  swathes of which are controlled by Houthis  early on Friday as a measure to deter the Iran-backed group from conducting disruptive attacks on Red Sea shipping which they claim are actions taken in solidarity with Gaza.

Our country was subjected to a massive aggressive attack by American and British ships, submarines and warplanes. America and Britain will have to prepare to pay a heavy price and bear all the dire consequences of this blatant aggression, said Hussein al-Ezzi, the rebels deputy foreign minister.

The US and the UK armed with fighter jets, Tomahawk missiles and more than 100 precision-guided munitions struck 60 targets at 16 Houthi locations. The US and British strikes targeted an airbase, airports and a military camp, the Huthis Al-Masirah TV station said. Iran-backed Houthi forces said the airstrikes killed five people and wounded six.

The raids led to the death of five martyrs and the injury of six others from our armed forces, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree wrote on X.

The Houthis said that these airstrikes were not needed because they did not pose a threat to international shipping. There is absolutely no justification for this aggression against Yemen, as there was no threat to international navigation in the Red and Arabian Seas, Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam said.

We affirm that the targeting was and will continue to affect Israeli ships or those heading to the ports of occupied Palestine, he further added.

Iran, Russia, Oman and Turkey condemned the airstrikes on Yemen and accused the UK and the US of stoking regional tensions. Hamas also condemned the attacks and said this can further destabilise the security situation in West Asia. Saudi Arabia and China urged all sides to exercise restraint.

Hamas also vowed repercussions for the escalation of tensions in West Asia. We vigorously condemn the flagrant American-British attack on Yemen. We hold them responsible for the repercussions on regional security, the Palestinian terror outfit said in a statement.

(with inputs from CNN and AFP)
For the past week, the talks on the streets of Male have centered around the diplomatic rift with India and the potential fallout from the remarks made by three Maldivian junior ministers against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The idyllic tourist destination faces the threat of an Indian tourist boycott, jeopardising the main source of its economy.

Last year, Indian tourists were the largest group by nationality to visit the Maldives, contributing significantly to its tourism-driven economy. The suspended ministers stirred controversy by labeling PM Modi a clown, and a puppet of Israel on social media over his posts on Indias Lakshadweep islands. Although the Maldivian foreign ministry clarified that these comments were personal and did not represent the governments stance, concerns persist.

The Maldives, a small island nation with a population of 520,000 compared to Indias 1.4 billion, heavily relies on its giant neighbour for essentials like food, infrastructure, and technological advancements. Residents of Male express apprehension that the diplomatic spat could strain relations between the two countries.

We were disappointed

The disappointment is palpable among locals, not only regarding the potential boycott by India but also directed at their government for what is perceived as a lapse in judgment. We were disappointed with the boycott calls [from India]. But we were more disappointed with our government. There was a lack of good judgement on the part of our officials, Mariyam Eem Shafeeg, a student at the Maldivian National University told the BBC.

During this ongoing row, cultural ties between the Maldives and India have come to the forefront, with residents growing up immersed in Bollywood films and dramas. Shafeeg, aligned with the Maldivian Democratic Party known for its India first policy, points out that Male also depends on India for food, education and healthcare.

The diplomatic rift poses economic risks and raises concerns about the complex web of cultural, economic, and geopolitical ties that bind these two nations in the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean. India is a strategic ally, with military personnel and helicopters stationed on the islands. However, relations have deteriorated since the arrival of Muizzu, who is considered to be pro-Chinese, was elected in November.

Lo and behold, this controversy began a few days before the start of Muizzus China visit. Chinese tourists once held a dominant position among visitors to the Maldives before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, tour operators note a substantial decline in numbers, possibly attributed to elevated ticket prices and reduced flight availability. Addressing the issue during his visit, Muizzu stressed the importance of redoubling efforts to restore China to its former status as the Maldives primary tourism market.

Should have been sacked straightaway

Despite his pro-China stance, several Maldivians believe that their President must take tougher action against the erring ministers and maintain good relations with India. The ministers should have been sacked straightaway. We are worried now about Indias reaction as we depend on our neighbour for most of our food items, Aik Ahmed Easa, a lawyer affiliated with the opposition told the BBC.

Adding to the worry of Maldivians is the support of Indian businesses to boycott Maldives movement. Ticket-booking site EaseMyTrip said it has suspended all flight bookings to the country. One of the biggest trade bodies in India has asked its members to stop doing business with the Maldives until an apology is issued. These reactions have left the Maldives Association of Tour and Travel Operators, or MATATO, worried. On Tuesday, MATATO called on EaseMyTrip to disregard the regrettable comments, and said they did not reflect the sentiments of Maldivians.

In expressing our heartfelt gratitude for the enduring friendship and partnership that defines the relationship between the Maldives and India, we want you to know the bonds connecting our nations transcend politics. We consider our Indian counterparts as cherished brothers and sisters, the statement added. Tourism stands as the lifeblood of the Maldives, contributing over two-thirds of our GDP and providing livelihoods to approximately 44,000 Maldivians who work in the sector. The potential adverse impact on tourism holds the power to unleash severe repercussions on our economy, it added.
Iran, Russia, Hamas and the Houthi militias political representatives criticised the UK and the US for carrying out airstrikes in Yemen. The US and the UK and eight allies carried out joint air strikes on rebel targets in Yemen which killed five people and wounded six.

The raids led to the death of five martyrs and the injury of six others from our armed forces, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree wrote on social media site X. His group also vowed retaliation and said it will not stop targeting ships owned by Israel and headed towards Israeli or Palestinian ports.

They also said that the strikes were unnecessary because they pose no threat to international shipping. We affirm that there is absolutely no justification for this aggression against Yemen, as there was no threat to international navigation in the Red and Arabian Seas, and the targeting was and will continue to affect Israeli ships or those heading to the ports of occupied Palestine, Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam said.

Their backer Iran the airstrikes were arbitrary and a violation of international law. Tehran strongly condemned the military attacks of the United States and the United Kingdom this morning on several Yemeni cities. (It is) an arbitrary action, a clear violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Yemen, and a violation of international laws and regulations, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said.

Kanani urged the international community to take steps to prevent a wider war in West Asia.

Iran-backed Palestinian terrorist group Hamas also criticised the airstrikes and vowed repercussions. It said in a statement that such actions will further challenge the stability of West Asia. We vigorously condemn the flagrant American-British attack on Yemen. We hold them responsible for the repercussions on regional security, Gaza rulers Hamas said on Telegram.

Yemens neighbour Saudi Arabia is trying to free itself and its resources from a nine-year war with the Houthis, though fighting has largely been on hold since a truce in early 2022. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is following with great concern the military operations, a foreign ministry statement said after the US and British strikes. Riyadh called for self-restraint and avoiding escalation.

China also took a similar stance and urged all parties to exercise restraint. China is concerned about the escalation of tensions in the Red Sea, foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said. We urge the relevant parties to keep calm and exercise restraint, to prevent the conflict from expanding, she added.

The Kremlin harshly criticised the UK and the US for the airstrikes and termed the action illegitimate. We condemn them. From the point of view of international law, they are illegitimate and we (also) have repeatedly called on the Houthis to abandon this practice and consider it extremely wrong, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
Israel said Friday the genocide case at the UN top court against it was profoundly distorted and did not reflect the realities of the Gaza war. South Africa has regrettably put before the court a profoundly distorted factual and legal picture, said Tal Becker, a top lawyer for Israel at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

The entirety of its case hinges on a deliberately curated, decontextualised and manipulative description of the reality of current hostilities, he added. South Africa has launched an emergency case at the International Court of Justice arguing that Israel stands in breach of the UN Genocide Convention, signed in 1948 in the wake of the Holocaust.

Pretoria wants judges to force Israel to immediately stop the Gaza campaign launched after the October 7 Hamas attacks, which left 1,140 dead, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures. Israel has responded with a relentless military campaign that has killed at least 23,469 people, mostly women and children, according to Gazas Hamas-run health ministry.

Israel and its ally the United States have dismissed the case as groundless and vowed a robust defence at the Peace Palace in the Dutch city, which houses the ICJ. The State of Israel is accused of genocide at a time when it is fighting genocide, said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the run-up to the hearings. A terrorist organisation carried out the worst crime against the Jewish people since the Holocaust, and now someone comes to defend it in the name of the Holocaust? What brazen gall. The world is upside down, he added.

In Washington, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the South African case was unfounded. In fact, it is those who are violently attacking Israel who continue to openly call for the annihilation of Israel and the mass murder of Jews, said Miller. The ICJ will likely rule within a matter of weeks on South Africas request. Its rulings are final and legally binding but it has little power to enforce them. A month after Russias invasion of Ukraine, the ICJ ordered a halt to the military operation  to no avail.

 Crossed the line 

For this emergency proceeding, the court will not rule on the fundamentals of the case  whether Israel is actually committing genocide  but on whether the rights of Gazans to exist are at risk. South Africa can bring an ICJ case against Israel as both countries have signed the Genocide Convention. Pretorias Justice Minister Ronald Lamola told the court on Thursday that Israel had crossed the line and was in breach of the convention.

He said that even the brutality of the Hamas attack could not justify this. Genocides are never declared in advance, said Adila Hassim, a top lawyer for South Africa. But this court has the benefit of the past 13 weeks of evidence that shows incontrovertibly a pattern of conduct and related intention that justifies a plausible claim of genocidal acts.

The ruling African National Congress (ANC) has long been a firm supporter of the Palestinian cause, often linking it to its own struggle against the white-minority apartheid government, which had cooperative relations with Israel. Anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela famously said South Africas freedom would be incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians. Addressing the ICJ on Thursday, the lawyer for South Africa Blinne Ni Ghralaigh said international justice itself was on the line.

Some might say that the very reputation of international law, its ability and will to bind and protect all peoples equally, hangs in the balance, she told the court. But Israel described South Africa as the legal arm of Hamas and said Pretorias case was one of the greatest shows of hypocrisy in history.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet a senior Chinese official in Washington on Friday on the eve of Taiwans elections, as the United States seeks to discourage Beijing from taking action against Taipei.

Blinken, briefly back in Washington in between his latest Middle East crisis tour and a trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, will see Liu Jianchao, who heads the international division of the Chinese Communist Partys Central Committee, the State Department public schedule showed.

Taiwan, a self-ruling democracy claimed by Beijing, heads to the polls on Saturday with Beijing describing the front-runner, Lai Ching-te, as a severe danger due to past comments favorable to outright independence.

But Lai has been cautious on the campaign trail and US officials say privately that they do not see Chinese statements and actions as out of the ordinary for a Taiwan election.

The United States, while recognizing only Beijing, provides weapons to Taiwan to ensure its defense, as China has not ruled out force to reunify.

The United States has deep confidence in Taiwans democratic process and believe it is for Taiwan voters to decide their next leader free from outside interference, State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said Thursday.

President Joe Bidens administration plans to send an unofficial delegation to Taiwan after the election, a move it announced in advance and described as routine.

Support for Taiwan is especially strong in the US Congress, where the Senate on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution commending Taiwan, hailing the example it has set for self-governance, not just for the Pacific region, but for the world.

Blinken will also meet separately at the State Department with Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa of close US ally Japan.

The trip by Liu, seen as a rising figure in Chinese policymaking, comes as the United States and China step up dialogue to ease tensions that have soared in recent years.

The two powers presidents, Biden and Xi Jinping, met in November in San Francisco where they agreed to restore military dialogue, seen by Washington as critical to preventing mishaps.

Liu, speaking Tuesday at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, took a conciliatory tone with little criticism of the United Sates.

He declined to say how China would respond to Taiwans elections and said Beijing noted US statements that it does not back Taiwanese independence.

Liu met earlier with Jon Finer, the deputy national security advisor, at the White House.
Taiwan will head to elections on Saturday to elect a new president. These elections carry the potential for redefining the island-nations relationship with neighbour China. China has claimed Taiwan is a breakaway province and has not ruled out using force to reunify Taiwan with the motherland.

Taiwan has emerged as a key flashpoint between the US and China, but it is not just China that has emerged as a key issue for Taiwanese voters. They are equally concerned about low wages and soaring home prices.

Contenders

The current vice president from outgoing President Tsai Ing-wens party, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), William Lai Ching-te is one of the frontrunners who is a strong defender of Taiwans self-governing status. His candidature has angered China so much that Beijing has called for him to be tried under anti-secession laws. China also is unimpressed with his running mate, Hsiao Bi-khim, who it calls diehard Taiwan independence separatist.

The frontrunner from the main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), is Hou Yu-ih. He is a former police officer and former mayor of New Taipei. He has steered clear of commenting on China and did not push his pro-unity agenda during his electoral campaign. He opposes Taiwan independence but has dodged questions on One China policy. He, like his party, seeks eventual reunification with the mainland under a system it envisions as democratic and free. His running mate is Jaw Shaw-kong, a 73-year-old pro-Unity, veteran leader.

Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan Peoples Party (TPP) is the third frontrunner who accuses the DPP of being pro-war and the KMT of being too deferential. TPP is the third-largest party in Taiwan and is trying through its candidates to give Taiwanese people a third choice. However, Ko and his running mate, Cynthia Wu, a sitting MP, are seen as members of the Taiwanese elite, thus casting doubts on the amount of support these two shall get from the electorate.

What Is China Saying

China has warned the people of Taiwan by telling them not to re-elect the DPP. It also told the US to stay away from the Taiwanese elections. Beijing is also allegedly spearheading a misinformation-disinformation campaign, according to a report by news agency AFP, targeting Taiwanese voters and mocking the DPP.

At home it has kept its citizens in the dark by not giving media coverage to the elections there. Chinas biggest news platforms  state news agency Xinhua, state broadcaster CCTV, and the party-run Peoples Daily  dedicated only scant coverage on Friday to Taiwans election. Other state-run news agencies and social media commentators have denounced the elections and called for reunification of the island-nation with China.

Washington warned China against stoking tensions over the elections and the US secretary of state Antony Blinken will host Liu Jianchao, who heads the international division of the Chinese Communist Partys Central Committee to discourage Beijing from taking action against Taipei.

Process and Results

For the presidential election, the winner needs only a simple majority to win. There is no run-off election. For parliament, formally called the Legislative Yuan, each voter has two ballots, one for their local district candidate and the other for a party. The Legislative Yuan is the main lawmaking body. The term of a Legislative Yuan member is four years. New legislators will take office on February 1, according to a report by news agency Reuters.

The polls will begin on Saturday from 8am (local time) and will end at 4pm. Once the voting ends, counting of the ballots will begin. The results of the previous presidential elections held four years ago were released around 10:30pm (local time).
Indian national Nikhil Gupta, facing federal charges in a murder-for-hire plot targeting a Khalistani separatist on US soil, had his request for defence materials denied by a US court on Thursday. District Judge Victor Marrero rejected Guptas attorneys motion for discovery material in the case, news agency PTI reported.

The 52-year-old was charged by federal prosecutors here in an indictment unsealed in November last year with working with an Indian government employee in the foiled plot to kill Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil. Gupta was arrested in the Czech capital of Prague in June last year and is being held there currently. The US government has sought his extradition.

In his order, the US judge said that the Court is persuaded by the governments argument that Gupta has no right to discovery at this time. Marrero said in his order that Gupta has failed to identify any authority suggesting that a defendant has a right to discovery before arraignment. Gupta has not yet been arraigned in this case, and the government is currently seeking Guptas extradition from the Czech Republic to the United States, Marrero said. He added that the government has assured the Court that it is prepared to produce discovery promptly upon the defendants appearance in this District and arraignment on this case. Accordingly, Guptas motion is denied, Marreros order said.

This comes after Guptas counsel in New York Jeff Chabrowe filed a Motion to Compel Production of Discovery on January 4 in the US District Court, Southern District of New York requesting the Court to direct federal prosecutors to provide the defence materials relevant to its ability to defend the instant charges. In its response, the US government objected to providing the defence materials and said it would provide the information only upon Guptas appearance in a New York court and his arraignment in the case.

The federal prosecutors said that consistent with federal rules of criminal procedure, the government is prepared to produce discovery promptly upon the defendants appearance in this District and arraignment on this case. Before then, however, the defendant is not entitled to discovery, and he identifies no good reason for the Court to order it.

In the governments response, US Attorney Damian Williams said that Gupta has identified no legal entitlement or justification for discovery at this time. The government stands ready to provide discovery to him, like any other criminal defendant, promptly upon his appearance and arraignment in this District. His motion to compel discovery should be denied, Williams had said.

(With agency inputs)
Yemens Houthi militias have attacked ships transiting the Red Sea since the onset of the 2023 Israel-Hamas war which was triggered on October 7 when terror group Hamas carried out an attack on southern Israel. Since Israel started its ground invasion and airstrikes in retaliation, the militias, who are heavily backed by Iran, have attacked international shipping, saying these actions show their support for Hamas and vowed to block ships travelling to Israel.

However, Houthis have indiscriminately attacked ships which led to air forces of the US and the UK launch airstrikes at their locations in Yemen this week, with both President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak terming the actions as necessary to protect international shipping.

Why Have Houthis Attacked Red Sea Shipping Lanes?

The Houthis have carried out several attacks on ships transiting the Red Sea. Shipping major Maersk last week was forced to suspend shipping in the Red Sea and rerouted its containers through the Cape of Good Hope because of the attacks. On the morning of the New Years Eve, one of Maersks ships was attacked by Houthi armed boats who attempted to hijack the shipping container but US warships nearby sent helicopters and reinforcements driving them away and killing some militiamen who were aboard these small boats. 24 hours earlier, before sending boats, they attacked the Maersk Hangzhou, a Singapore-flagged, Denmark-owned and operated container vessel with anti-ship missiles.

In November, Houthi militiamen attacked and seized an Israeli cargo ship. They continue to attack vessels with drones and ballistic missiles.

A report by the BBC said that Houthi attacks on ships transiting the Red Sea increased 500% between November and December which forced major shipping companies, like Maersk, to suspend shipping on those lanes and take other routes which has increased insurance costs ten-fold the normal amount.

Mediterranean Shipping Company, Hapag-Lloyd and the oil company BP are among the ones who are diverting vessels away from the Red Sea. There are fears that fuel prices will rise due to these attacks on important supply chains.

The report highlighted that 15% of global seaborne trade passes through the Red Sea which links the Mediterranean to the Suez Canal and is the shortest shipping route between Europe and Asia.

Who Are The Houthis?

Houthis are Yemeni militia backed by Iran and Washington has accused Iran of being deeply involved in planning operations against commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

They are an armed-group who are a part of Yemens Zaidis  a sub-sect of the nations Shia Muslim minority. Their name is derived from the name of their founder Hussein al Houthi.

They formed in the 1990s to fight against what they perceived as corrupt practices of the then president Ali Abdullah Saleh and are formally known as Ansar Allah. Saleh did try to eliminate the Houthis with help from the Saudi Arabian military but Houthis repelled both.

Yemen has been plunged into a civil war since 2014 with Saudi Arabia leading a military coalition backing Yemens internationally recognised government against the Houthi rebels. Peace talks have been held but they are yet to yield results.

The group has modelled themselves after the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah and the latter has provided them with training and weapons since 2014. Houthis consider Saudi Arabia, the US and the wider West as their enemies and consider themselves as part of the Iranian axis of resistance along with Hezbollah and Hamas.

The internationally recognized government, led by Yemen President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, was supported by a coalition of Arab states led by Saudi Arabia but he ceded power to a Presidential Leadership Council. The Houthis control significant parts of the country, including the capital, Sanaa.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR, or Middle Corridor) determines regional geopolitical balancing strategies, Matthew Orr, Eurasia analyst at RANE, told Trend.

"The Middle Corridor is an essential transit route to many states in the Eurasia region. In fact, it is a route so significant that many countries geopolitical balancing strategies (multi-vector foreign policies) between regional powers are premised upon its operation," he said.

According to Orr, Central Asian states are largely isolated from the global market without the operation of the route, as paths through heavily sanctioned Russia and Iran are unattractive, Afghanistan is way too unstable, and Chinas reliability is increasingly questionable amid its growing tensions with the West.

"The route provides a lifeline for countries in the region to avoid overreliance on Russia, while providing China freight access to Turkiye and Europe via Central Asia and the South Caucasus, bypassing Russia. Further expanding the route is crucial for its long-term viability," he said.

The Middle Corridor is a transportation and trade route that connects Asia and Europe, passing through several countries in the region. It is an alternative route to the traditional Northern Corridor and Southern Corridor.

The route starts in China and crosses Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. It then passes through the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye before reaching Europe.

The Middle Corridor offers a land route that connects the eastern parts of Asia, including China, with Europe, bypassing the longer maritime routes.
A Florida woman claims Lyft failed to protect her from a driver who followed her into her home and repeatedly raped her while she was intoxicated, resulting in the birth of a son. Tabatha Means is suing the ride-share company over the alleged attack in April 2019. "Over the years, Lyft has aggressively marketed itself as a safe alternative to driving while intoxicated, and specifically aimed those messages at young women," her lawyer, Rachel Abrams, tells People , claiming "Lyft's driver 'background checks' are a joke." Means says she arranged a ride through the Lyft app before meeting the driver, who told her to sit beside him. The manwho no longer drives for Lyft, per CBS News allegedly parked outside of Means' residence and began touching her inappropriately.

Means says she rejected his advances and left the car, only to be followed inside. She says she was raped twice while begging the driver to stop. "It will be just fine and over before you know it," he told her, according to the complaint filed Tuesday in US District Court in California. Means, who did not file a police report "out of fear that no one would believe her," later learned she was pregnant, per Law & Crime. She gave birth to a son, who was premature and spent weeks in a neonatal intensive care unit, People reports. She then "obtained an administrative order from Florida's Child Support Services to obtain a DNA sample from the Lyft driver," which confirmed him to be the father, according to the suit alleging general negligence, negligent hiring, breach of contract, and strict product liability.

It seeks more than $75,000 in damages as well as fingerprint-based background checks and a surveillance camera on all Lyft rides. Lyft, which received more than 4,100 reports of sexual assault between 2017 and 2019, denies the allegations, per the Cut. It claims Means booked an initial ride with the driver through the Lyft app, but her ride home was arranged outside of the app. The company adds it "has a dedicated, around-the-clock safety response team" and "a partnership with ADT to aid in emergencies," but no safety or customer service report was ever filed. Abrams counters "this incident absolutely involved a trip booked through the Lyft App, and Lyft's attempt to deflect liability is a perfect example of its bad faith handling of this crisis." "I'm still working to process this trauma," Means says, per Law & Crime. "Every day is a struggle." (More Lyft stories.)
Houthi rebels in Yemen vowed to respond Friday after American and British airstrikes hit dozens of targets across the country. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said five people were killed in a total of 73 strikes, Al Jazeera reports. "The American and British enemy bears full responsibility for its criminal aggression against our Yemeni people, and it will not go unanswered and unpunished," he said. The group vowed to continue its attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea. Another Houthi official, Ali al-Qahoum, warned on social media that the retaliation would be "beyond the imagination and expectation of the Americans and the British," per the AP. More:

Biden says attacks were necessary. "These attacks have endangered US personnel, civilian mariners, and our partners, jeopardized trade, and threatened freedom of navigation," the president said of the attacks on shipping. A US-led coalition issued a "final warning" on Wednesday after around two dozen attacks since October.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, January 12. Kazakhstan's Qazaq Air will resume flights from Astana (Kazakhstan) to Novosibirsk (Russia) from January 15, Trend reports.

The flights will be carried out on a new generation Canadian-made De Havilland Dash 8-Q400 aircraft.

The flight frequency will be 2 times a week on Mondays and Fridays.

Astana Airport said the resumption of air traffic between Kazakhstan and Russia will contribute to the further development of trade, economic, tourism, cultural and business cooperation between the two countries.

Qazaq Air is an interregional airline created by the National Welfare Fund of Kazakhstan Samruk-Kazyna JSC to improve the safety and accessibility of interregional air traffic in Kazakhstan and the border areas of neighboring countries.
Taiwan is preparing to elect a president and legislature Saturday in what many see as a test of control with China, which claims the self-governing island republic as its own territory to be unified with force if necessary. The presidential race is tight, and both China and Taiwan's key ally, the US, are weighing in on political and economic issues they hope will sway voters. The election pits Chinese Vice President Lai Ching-te, representing the Democratic Progressive Party, against Hou Yu-ih of the main opposition Nationalist Party, as well as former mayor of the capital of Taipei, Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People's Party, per the AP . The US strongly backs Taiwan against China's military threats, and the Biden administration plans to send an unofficial delegation comprised of former senior officials to the island shortly after the polls.

That move could upset efforts to repair ties between Beijing and Washington that splintered in recent years over trade, COVID-19, Washington's support for Taiwan, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which China has refused to condemn at the United Nations. Along with the tensions with China, much in the Taiwan election hinges on domestic issues, particularly over an economy that was estimated to have grown by only 1.4% last year. That partly reflects inevitable cycles in demand for computer chips and other exports from the high-tech, heavily trade-dependent manufacturing base, and a slowing of the Chinese economy. But longer-term challenges, such as housing affordability, a yawning gap between the rich and poor, and unemployment, are especially prominent. Candidates will make their final appeals Friday, with campaigning to end at midnight.

The candidate with the most votes wins, with no runoff. Lai is considered the frontrunner, but Hou trails closely. While the Nationalists formally support unification with China, they want to do so on their own terms, a somewhat abstract concept given the Communist Party's demand for total power, but which some consider a useful workaround to avoid outright conflict. Beijing has labeled Lai a "Taiwan independence element," which he hasn't repudiated. Lai, however, has pledged to continue current President Tsai Ing-wen's policy that Taiwan is already independent and needs to make no declaration of independence that could spark a military attack from China. Running third in most surveys, the TPP's Ko said during a Friday presser that he would aim to strike a balance between Taiwan and the US that wouldn't upset relations with China. More here. (More Taiwan stories.)
On the final day of a civil fraud trial that could strip former President Trump of his ability to do business in the state he called home for most of his life, New York City officials were taking their own steps to sever ties with Trump by erasing his name from a Bronx golf course. The hulking hillside "Trump Links" sign, visible for nearly a decade to motorists passing over the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge, was removed this week ahead of a ribbon-cutting on Thursday to unveil the new name of the Ferry Point golf course, Bally Links, reports the AP . The rebranding came months after the Trump Organization offloaded the operations of the 18-hole public course to Bally's Corporation, a gaming and entertainment company hoping to build a casino in New York.

Speaking at the unveiling, Mayor Eric Adams described the lease takeover as a major upgrade for the Bronx. "This day is about so much more than the changing of a sign," he said. Following the Jan. 6 insurrection, then-Mayor Bill de Blasio moved to scrap the contract with the Trump Organization, which had been managing the course since 2015, arguing that Trump's incitement of rioters had given the city legal authority to do so. A state judge rejected that argument.

In September, the Trump Organization sold the operating rights to Bally's for $60 million. The terms of the lease were first disclosed in November during the civil fraud trial delving into the ex-president's finances and the family business' dealings. Under questioning, the former president's son, Donald Trump Jr., said the family company had incurred "a lot of costs" managing the course. He said he wasn't sure if they turned a profit. That trial came to a close on Thursday, with a decision expected by the end of the month. The former president changed his legal residence from New York City to Palm Beach, Florida, in 2019.

(More Donald Trump stories.)
Oregon will not follow the lead of Colorado and Maine and bar Donald Trump from its primary ballot for now. Without ruling on the merits of a challenge to the former president's candidacy, the state Supreme Court said Friday it will wait for the US Supreme Court to make its decision on the matter, CNN reports. That did not please Free Speech for People, the advocacy group that filed a lawsuit on behalf of five voters seeking Trump's removal. "Waiting until the US Supreme Court issues its order only compresses the time that the Oregon Supreme Court may have to resolve the issues that may remain," the group said in a statement.

A spokesman for the Trump campaign approved. "President Trump urges the swift dismissal of all remaining, bad-faith, election interference 14th Amendment ballot challenges," he said. Like challenges elsewhere, Oregon's centered on the wording of the Constitution's 14th Amendment, which says government officials who engage in insurrection after taking an oath to uphold the Constitution are disqualified from office. The Oregon suit was filed after Secretary of State Lavonne Griffin-Valade said she lacks the authority to keep Trump off a primary ballot, only a general election ballot, per CBS News.

The Oregon court said the US Supreme Court's ruling "may resolve one or more contentions" in the voters' suit. Oregon's chief justice wrote that the challengers can file a new lawsuit if the US Supreme Court's ruling doesn't address all of their arguments, per the New York Times. Oregon's primary is May 21, and election officials say the names on the ballot must be set by March 21. Oral arguments in a case involving Colorado's primary ballot are scheduled in Washington for Feb. 8. (More Donald Trump 2024 stories.)
The Biden administration will start canceling student loans for some borrowers in February as part of a new repayment plan that's taking effect nearly six months ahead of schedule. Loan forgiveness was originally to begin in July under the new SAVE repayment plan, the AP reports, but it's being accelerated to provide relief to borrowers sooner, President Biden said Friday. The change is part of an effort "to act as quickly as possible to give more borrowers breathing room" and move on from their student debt, the president said in a statement.

Borrowers will be eligible for cancellation if they are enrolled in the new SAVE plan, if they originally borrowed $12,000 or less to attend college, and if they have made at least 10 years of payments. The Education Department said it didn't yet know how many borrowers will be eligible for cancellation in February. Biden announced the new repayment plan last year alongside a separate plan to cancel up to $20,000 in loans for millions of people. The Supreme Court struck down his plan for widespread forgiveness, but the repayment plan has escaped that level of legal scrutiny. GOP members of Congress failed to block the new repayment plan last year. Republicans called the accelerated forgiveness an attempt to win voters ahead of the presidential election.

The new repayment plan offers far more generous terms than several of the income-driven repayment plans it's meant to replace. Previous plans offered cancellation after 20 or 25 years of payments, while the new one offers it in as little as 10. It also lowers monthly payments for millions of borrowers. Those who took out more than $12,000 will be eligible for cancellation but on a longer timeline, per the AP. For each $1,000 borrowed beyond $12,000, it adds an additional year of payments on top of 10 years. The maximum repayment period is capped at 20 years for those with only undergraduate loans and 25 years for those with graduate school loans. The Biden administration said next month's relief will particularly help Americans who attended community colleges.

(More student loans stories.)
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AFP | Gaza

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Israel bombarded the southern Gaza Strip yesterday as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken ended a days-long regional tour aimed at preventing the Israel-Hamas war from spreading. His final stop in Egypt coincided with a hearing at the UNs top court over an urgent appeal for Israel to immediately suspend its military operations in the Gaza Strip.

In Cairo, Blinken met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, whose country is a mediator in the Gaza war now in its fourth month.

Blinkens nine-country Middle East trip, including Bahrain, concluded after Wednesdays UN Security Council resolution that demanded Iran-backed Yemeni rebels immediately cease attacks which have disrupted shipping in the Red Sea and stoked fears the conflict could spread.

Violence involving Iran-backed armed groups in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria as well as Yemen has spiked during the war, leading to heightened fears it could spread.

I dont think the conflict is escalating, and nobody wants that, Blinken told reporters on the airport tarmac at the end of his brief Cairo stop. Israel doesnt. Lebanon doesnt. I actually dont think Hezbollah does, he said referring to the Lebanese movement, a Hamas ally, which has exchanged regular fire with Israeli forces over their border.

In Gazas southern city of Rafah, on the border with Egypt and overrun with displaced people fleeing fighting further north, Palestinians mourned their dead and expressed hope the ICJ could render justice on their behalf.

Israel considers itself above the law. We ask... the international judges to judge Israel and its government, Hisham al-Kullah said, holding a dead baby whose body was one of several to arrive at Rafahs Al-Najjar hospital. Another mourner, Mohammad al-Arjan, expressed hope that the court stops the war.

Israel, which will lay out its defence on Friday, has already accused South Africa of serving as Hamass legal arm. The war began when Hamas launched its unprecedented October 7 attack, which resulted in about 1,140 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Israel has responded with a relentless military campaign that has killed at least 23,469 people, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza.

Hamass press office said early yesterday that 62 people had been killed in strikes overnight, including around Gazas main southern city of Khan Yunis. The wounded included several children who arrived at the citys Al-Nasser hospital. A boy with a pained expression and blood down one side of his face walked in.

A man carried the limp body of a girl from an ambulance. Israels military said in a statement yesterday that underground combat led to the discovery of more than 300 tunnel shafts under Khan Yunis, and that Israeli hostages had been inside one vast tunnel.

During a visit with troops in central Gaza, Israeli army chief Herzi Halevi said the group had prepared their defences over a very long period of time in a very organised way, adding it is a very, very complex battlefield.

The war has triggered an acute humanitarian crisis, with an Israeli siege sparking shortages of food, water, fuel and medicine. World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday said there are nearly insurmountable challenges to aid delivery in Gaza. Intense bombardment, restrictions on movement, fuel shortages, and interrupted communications make it impossible for WHO and our partners to reach those in need, he told reporters.

The WHO says only a few Gaza hospitals are even partly functioning. In Rafah, former Gaza health ministry staffer Zaki Shaheen converted his shop into a make-shift clinic. We got help from the health ministry, aiming to ease pressure on overburdened hospitals, Shaheen told AFP.

We receive no less than 30 or 40 cases per day, morning to night. Ill be sleeping, then someone comes in with an injury or a burn, so we treat them, he told AFP. The United Nations estimates 1.9 million Gazans have been uprooted by the war. Before his final stop in Egypt, Blinken sketched out a possible post-war future for Gaza after meeting Palestinian presi-dent Mahmud Abbas and Bahrains King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa.

Blinken told Abbas that Washington supported tangible steps towards the creation of a Palestinian state -- a long-term goal that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus hard-right government has opposed.

In Cairo Blinken said movement towards a Palestinian state, alongside a rapprochement between Israel and Arab countries, is the way to isolate Iran. Theres a path that brings Israels needs and desires for integration, he said. If you make the necessary commitment to security and you move down the path to a Palestinian state, its the single best way to isolate Iran and the proxies.
TORONTO, Jan. 11, 2024 /CNW/ - Summer Fresh, a trailblazing leader in the culinary industry, proudly announces that its founder and president, Susan Niczowski, has been awarded the prestigious Golden Pencil Award this past November. This accolade, bestowed upon exceptional individuals in the Canadian Retail Food industry, recognize Susan's outstanding contributions, innovation, and leadership in the industry.

Susan Niczowski, Founder and President of Summer Fresh Salads (CNW Group/Summer Fresh Salads Inc.)

The Golden Pencil Award, known for celebrating visionaries who have left an indelible mark on the Retail Food industry, highlights Susan's dedication to excellence and her pivotal role in shaping Summer Fresh into a culinary powerhouse.

In the spirit of knowledge-sharing and empowerment, Susan has decided to leverage this momentous achievement to benefit the wider community. Starting now in 2024, Summer Fresh is excited to launch "Susan's Tips," a social media series where Susan will share her wealth of knowledge on healthy living, culinary tips, and lifestyle insights.

"Receiving the Golden Pencil Award is a tremendous honour, and I am extremely grateful for the recognition," said Susan Niczowski, Founder and President of Summer Fresh. "I believe in the power of knowledge-sharing, and 'Susan's Tips' is our way of giving back to our community. It's an exciting new chapter for Summer Fresh, and I can't wait to embark on this journey of inspiration and wellness with our audience."

The Golden Pencil Award not only recognizes Susan's remarkable achievements but also marks a significant milestone for Summer Fresh as it continues to evolve as a leader in gastronomic and epicurean tastes.

Tune in to "Susan's Tips" during the next few months, where Susan will impart valuable insights to inspire a healthier and more vibrant lifestyle.

About Summer Fresh 

Summer Fresh is a renowned Canadian brand, specializing in salads, hummus, and dips. With a commitment to quality, innovation, and culinary excellence, Summer Fresh continues to delight taste buds and redefine the art of fresh, flavourful living.

SOURCE Summer Fresh Salads Inc.

For further information: Interested in learning more? (905)856-8816 or (877) 472 5237, [email protected]
Here is a verified transcription of the Seokbae Lee, leader of the original korean LK99 teams talk from three days ago.

I would also like to thank Yonsei University and Director Lee Hak-bae of QILI (Quantum Industry Convergence Leading Institute) for making this announcement possible today. Uh.. the details of our participation in this, uh.. Professor Hakbae Lee explained to us here, uh.. we have our own reasons and how we have progressed so far. He persuaded me that I should talk about it to some extent at this point, so I decided to make a presentation like this. Uh.. But uh.. a little bit unfortunately, I um.. as of now.. Normally, when you say a scholar, I am also the representative, but when you say a scholar, it is correct to talk about it through a thesis, but that part is still in a state of revision. So, there are some limitations in those areas, so today, lets first put aside what Ive done so far and the data that we have in the paper, and uh what weve done so far and what we have. I will tell you briefly about the achievements.

Uh.. when we first started with the goal of creating a room temperature and pressure superconductor, we thought it was Kamerling Onnes dream. (Cough) Ah Kamerling Onnes was the first person to discover superconductivity. Yes, but You first discovered it in 1911, and now over 100 years have passed. Well, its been 110 years, and in some ways, weve taken on new challenges, and Ill tell you about the extent to which weve achieved results.

First of all, I can tell you about three main things, but the main ones will probably be the ones you are most curious about. Where on earth did these people suddenly become room-temperature superconductors? What are your roots? Let me briefly talk about that first. Uh.. I will tell you a little bit about the key parts about the development status and the reason for the current controversy, and if possible, I will explain a little about various parts that I have had doubts about until now. Id like to try to shed some light on this based on historical data. Even under limited circumstances. And now, as you mentioned earlier, we will briefly tell you about the reasons why we participated in QILIs material development project, and also, as of now, we are working on a product called LK-99. So, uh the paper was suddenly uploaded to the archive (arXiv), and since then, its been in China and the United States, and also India, right? Uh, I would like to briefly look at the situation, what kind of situation it has been in, the characteristics of that country, and how our country should be talked about right now.

Uh first of all, I ah, I have to tell you something about our teacher. Our teacher, Professor Choi Dong-sik, who passed away in 2017, majored in fluid theory and physics and theoretical physics chemistry. And about liquid theory, uh he also created a new equation, and uh through continuous research on that, especially when certain equations are created, viscosity, which is one of the most unique characteristics of liquids that we can use in real life, is actually Uh I was interested in whether it would be implemented or not, and continued to generalize it into a general theory. He is someone who generalizes theoretically. Well, originally, uh, according to family tradition, he took on a concurrent role. He he was the CEO of Jeongeumsa, and because of his experience in the United States at that time, computers were introduced in the future, and in our country, seven-set typewriters, well, nine-set typewriters. Uh the three-set type, well the three-set type came out after that, but it doesnt go that way. If you want to make it an electric typewriter anyway, uh.. you have to replace it with a typewriter, so what I always said was that my grandfather kept his word, and my father kept his word. Since I keep the writing, I keep the language, which is the most key to the way we exchange information I wish I could use a typewriter, I have to do it. If you think about it like this, uh is there a keyboard that we are currently using? The two-set keyboard on your laptop is actually the Oesol typewriter keyboard.

Uh.. so I solved the patent, and you can probably remember that I won the first Sejong Cultural Award at Jeongeumsa Temple. By the way, how did you make this? This is the daytub you mentioned earlier. Uh of course, now that we have juniors in graduate school, its important data. Good data is what you need most. If we want to use typing comfortably then what kind of data do we need to write with? At the time, we usually talk about the three major daily newspapers, right? Joseon.. Joseon, Central, Donga. Every morning, when an editorial appears in the daily newspaper, the graduate students count the number of Giyeok, Nieun, Digut, and Rieul, and in the morning, they count them and place them. I attached the data for a year and a half to explain why it is the most standard language and the language used by the most intellectuals, and from that, I placed it in the most comfortable position. So now you can use it without much inconvenience. Uh these things were basically based on statistical mechanics because they were based on studies dealing with statistics, and there were some difficult situations after developing them, and while he was giving lectures in 1993 87, Whats not coincidental is that he intuitively thought, Oh, this superconductivity is related to the viscosity of the liquid I was dealing with. After receiving that, he concentrated on this from then on, and in 1973.. 1993, uh.. he came up with this theory. You had some confidence in this, and based on that, you even gave a presentation.

Uh.. honestly, since then, the superconductivity field was so difficult that he was shunned by many academia, but uh.. after that, he retired in 2008. At that time Then, I thought I should leave the theoretical background and other aspects like liquid theory first, so Ill talk about the general theory and equation of state first. After that, in 2008, we started a business as a researcher with the permission of then-Korea University President Hyun Woo-jong Oh, Chairman Hyun Seung-jong, and we named it Quantum Energy by Professor Choi Dong-sik. They named it Laboratory. So uh.. at first, uh.. I did that, and then I continued to work at the lab, uh.. so now that he is retiring, I will set up a warm superconductivity lab there, a superconductor lab. As I travel to China a lot, I heard that in China they call it superconductor. So, you have been conducting research at the research institute. You are also active in writing, but as befits a family of Korean language scholars, you have a warm personality. What this means is that you did it because of the concept that superconductivity can occur even in warm places.

Theres a lot of it, so Ill just basically proceed quickly. So in the end, uh statistical thermodynamics Henry Eyring, a very famous American theoretical physical chemist, right? He is the person who created the first theory dealing with liquids, and there are scholars like our countrys Kirasung (), and you can think of him as almost the last generation. This is because, since computing began to emerge, model approaches such as those for liquids have almost become obsolete. This is, uh, the key part is how to make the model, but thats because these people have pictures and other parts that people think about, but its all mechanized so its difficult to move on. Start. Then we move on to things like Fluid Dynamics (maybe CFD?) and abdication (withholding) , so we move on to that part, but in a way, we do it for the last time and study general theory our modeling. This is a summary of the general theory that is correct, and if you look at its major categories, there are four. In addition, our superconductor is statistical thermodynamics, and our superconductivity theory is the ISB theory that I mentioned earlier. So this is the goal This is a 1-Dimension, solid state, and when electrons pass through well in the 1-Dimension state, the number of electrons will be much more condensed, and because of that superconductivity will occur.

The critical temperature is getting much higher, and things like that have been done under logic, and the theory has always been uh, what my instructor taught me is, uh, what he taught me is, uh, what phenomenon do we normally think of? If there is something, the theory is to explain it. However, it is not a general theory that is correct only under certain special conditions. We usually talk about special relativity like this, right? But general relativity, which is much more general than special relativity, is a much bigger picture. The theory of general relativity is much more accurate. Uh.. theory should always go in that direction. We have been studying it so far to check the phenomenon more accurately and inductively, to check all the data well, and to create a general theory that can explain it all. It is a method that has evolved. We have continued to proceed based on that method.. and that idea.

So, well Ive been giving conference presentations step by step since 1991. Well, the Korean Society, well, the Rheology Society, uh and then uh we were trying to find a lot of collaborators, because we had a theory and we were trying to find a lot of collaborators, and then, uh we were working on a new theory There was a domestic paper published, but you havent met a comrade who is trying to synthesize a new theory based on it. So uh.. I was now in 1992, and uh.. they suddenly said they were going to switch to a laboratory. I want to try developing it myself. So.. uh.. So, for about a year and a half since I set it up in 1994, I have been conducting experiments, and in 1996, I first confirmed that superconducting properties appeared in polymers. And.. after that, uh.. we are now conducting a huge trial to find the LK-99, which is said to have been found for the first time in 1999. So in 1999, I found a very faint glimmer of hope. Thats what I first presented at the Crystal Growth Society. In 1999, there was data like this for the first time, and this value was so small that if you make about 1 ton, it comes out to about 1 mg. It was confirmed. And a bit unfortunately, I will be enlisting in the military in 1999. So, I dont know how youve been for the past three years. Heh.. uh.. After I was discharged from the military, um.. I tried to run away, but uh.. he came to my house. They told me not to go anywhere, so yes, I was dragged back, and yes until now Ive reached this point.

Uh.. First of all, its just my impression of what the superconductivity field is like.. Or, the fundamental reason why room-temperature superconductors and other areas like this havent been developed yet, etc. Uh.. just my thoughts on these areas. Let me explain briefly. It is commonly said that this is the image of a blind man. If you touch an elephant with your eyes covered, everyone who touches it will talk about their own feelings. I touched its ears and the elephant was wide, I touched its feet and the elephant was a pillar, and when I touched its tail, it was a lake. Uh But this part clearly seems to me to be statistical processing data, statistics processing. You need to check everything one by one to see what the overall outline is. And, its a situation where these people have to come together and fuse to come up with a proper solution

Uh honestly, since superconductivity first began to emerge, we have been in a situation where we have to go down to extremely low temperatures, and all the equipment pioneering this uses such superconductors, and because of that, each piece of equipment is expensive. You have to use liquid helium, and because of this so its not easy to access. Uh.. and very uniquely, it is said to be a macroscopic quantum phenomenon, but uh.. but when you measure the resistance again, the resistance is almost much lower than that of copper. You can see it, but you cant explain it. Then, theories emerge and suggestions are made one by one. From there, our initial focus was to measure the noise of such equipment, which is said to be zero resistance. When we take measurements, noise from the equipment comes out. Because we are at room temperature uh we measured that zero resistance, measurement is the basis, and in order to do it all one by one, there is still uh, of course, there is a theory that won the Nobel Prize, but it has yet to be explained consistently. I believe that there is no such thing as a possible superconductivity phenomenon yet, and there have been several recent papers aimed at this. Thats now the domain of physicists.

But whats really interesting about this field is that this is where Onnes first discovered superconductivity in Mercury (Mercury) in 1911. Then, the temperature seemed to rise a little, but it remained sluggish for about 50 years, and then for about 80 years.. uh, in 1986.. Bednorz and Muller exceeded 30K.. Why is this 30K important? That is, in the beginning, the BCS theory, which won the Nobel Prize, was completed between 50 and 57 years ago, but until then, the assumption was that 30 degrees and K could not be exceeded, and that it could not be exceeded. But when you suddenly create a magnet from a material and look at the properties of magnets and autonomous bodies, the critical temperature suddenly rises like this in the next few years. And we usually call these types of high-temperature superconductors. Uh but what is clear is that we are now looking at how this phenomenon occurs almost at the molecular level, and we are looking at it spectroscopically, but the theories on how it happens are incredibly different. I mean, its different. There is no established theory yet.

But we suddenly uh here at first, we marked it like this because we have now seen the transition at 40K, but as we have seen now, it does not even measure up to 127 degrees. This equipment deals only with extremely low temperatures, uh 400K, so 127, video. It goes up to 127 It is difficult to measure accurately with equipment that goes higher than that. If it goes higher than that. But we had this new theoretical concept that I mentioned earlier, and we looked at it from a liquid theory perspective. Uh lets continue the experiment Ive been doing it since the beginning, with a theoretical background. And so its been almost 20 years now? Yes, a little over? Anyway, after doing that, a lot of data has accumulated, and a lot of know-how has been accumulated, and Professor Hakbae Lee has clearly sensed that those centipedes have a lot of data. . So, they contacted us directly, and I gladly said that I would do it again. Well its all theoretical

But there are only two things we have as strengths. This theory of liquids has an equation of state, and this is the equation of viscosity. If P appears below, it becomes a story about liquid and viscosity. The first thing I was interested in was, uh.. At first, I continued to study liquid viscosity, but in general, I started with the concept that viscosity might be the resistance of electronic fluid. But this is the picture. Here if you look here these things are usually hard to distinguish. It goes and falls like this Usually now The basis of Professor Kim Hyun-taks recently focused theory is Metal-Insulator Transition, and this pattern is the one. Its Metal-Insulator Transition Same here. Here too uh this is the viscous data, and the data of the electronic fluid in the superconductor has the same pattern like this and then it suddenly disappears. Ah, this is the realm of quantum, this is the realm of resistance we usually talk about. The region of the viscous state and we create the liquid state equation to describe the liquid almost almost accurately the liquid state. They say this is quite accurate, but its within 10% But strangely, if you draw a picture of the phase equilibrium of electrons in a superconductor, a very similar pattern emerges. Ah, this is a liquid pattern. The initial state varies depending on pressure and density . Uh.. Because of this, uh.. I kept looking at this and thought it was a piece of disconfirming evidence and proceeded with it.

When I first became convinced about it, and now at Korea University when I first published a collection of papers at the College of Science, I organized it like this and published it but this journal has now been discontinued. Creating a journal at school is very difficult. Yes.. and he announced that he had established that theory in 1994, and as I mentioned earlier in 1996, uh.. you can find it now if you look for it. If you search for this title, a video will appear, and at the end I am standing like this. So, my achievements until 1999, when I went to the military, were just like this.

First of all, it is called the ISB model, so currently in superconductivity, it is usually called Psuedo Band. In physics, it is called a pseudoband, and at the time, we used the ISB model to say that a band below the Free Band Level, where electrons are not bound, seemed to be formed between electrons. If you look here Next is polymer superconductor, polymer superconductor material. This is what I did for my thesis, and it contains superconductivity data. yes.

And the next thing were interested in is the problem we found in 1999. If you look here, a transition suddenly occurs at about 327K, and the value here is very small. If you look here, if you look here, if you look here, the value is very small. Really how much should I make in ton units how many milligrams will I get? And its very difficult to separate them this is the situation. These data And in addition to that, we also have superconductors, which have low critical temperatures. And now, our eunsa is so unique that even in liquids, If my logic is correct, there must be something with superconducting properties in liquids, so liquids we usually say that this is a Materiable Solution (on hold) . Even the characteristic where autonomy suddenly becomes negative, please check and record this as an experiment. But synthesis is a very difficult task, and making this is very easy to make in the chemistry department because they have all the Approach Tools (*reserved) .

So first of all uh I focused on the late Gogo, uh in line with retirement age, and in the process of continuing that, retirement age suddenly approached, so I organized all the theoretical parts and uh Chemical.. Physical Chemistry. Now that I have submitted it together with Professor Wonsu Kim we have defined the theory of viscosity and it is all a general theory. Corresponding State, a theory that corresponds to all substances. We talk about correspondence theory, and this is Generalized van der Waals. Uh about the forms that apply to most substances when using the general van der Waals Equation Professor Wonsu Kim also participated here as well. Um.. And on top of that, there are conditions for synthesizing materials that we can handle, and we are repeating them step by step. After I am discharged from the military, we will check the liquid superconductor first, so we check that and come up with a new product. It seems that type of thermoelectric properties are possible. Then Ultimately, it is to solve the energy problem. He said, Lets check it out, so we continued to talk about materials Materiable Solution , about materials, and thats where the electromotive force comes from. I touched it with my hand and caught the electromotive force coming out and I looked at its characteristics.

Uh.. I guess the company will stabilize a bit now that weve just developed it like this, and now weve received investment and are doing this, and then suddenly in 2017 Okay then, lets start anew, lets do what we did before. Since you mentioned this, I will go to KEPCO and give a presentation with Professor Oh Geun-ho, who is sitting here now and with whom I have been interacting for a long time. He made an appointment to give a presentation, but then he suddenly passed away. So I collected the data from his time in high school and went to KEPCO and presented it. This is the content. So, according to Professor Chois wishes, I took on the challenge of improving the warm superconductor I went to KEPCO and made an announcement already in 2017. And.. the investment attraction meeting.. uh.. there were photos taken with our investors, researchers, and Professor Oh Geun-ho, who was the one who continued to do it.. the content that followed was just uh.. what was shown in the beginning. Uh three years later in 2019, three years later in 2017, we get data, and we are now able to see it in a more fine and clean form.

But this Where on earth did it come from, how did it come out? Um if you look here this material, we first created it using a three-phase diagram , and its properties came out I came up with a new idea of thermally treating the material, and created a thin film. I uploaded a thin film, and the content was included in the patent that came out on the 21st and 25th of August 2021. So the front end thats what I said. Im planning to submit this to a domestic process Ceramic Processor, probably soon. Uh.. substances grow well using heat and temperature differences like chromatography.. what area is in it and what temperature it is at.. now a temperature difference is created. So, we photograph each and every item in 1mm increments. The way to do this is to make a hole and continue checking the IV with a spring pin. All measurements were made based on current. Then, I saw something very unique like this.

It usually looks metallic but there are parts that look like this. This part appears when a superconductivity transition occurs. In other words, the basic form is metal and has metal-like characteristics, but the form in which the resistance suddenly drops drastically is basically superconductivity from a material perspective. So, this area I checked the temperature here, the temperature here, and expanded it like this. So this is what is included in the patent.

Uh After that, since we made it first, we need to do solid synthesis so we can make a lot of it and mass produce it, so now lets do solid synthesis. So, I made it and pressed the powder flat. First, after that, I secured data for 20 years, and surprisingly, there were two kinks. So, ah we need to check this a little more, and we proceed like this, and uh this is just the data we have in our lab, and its also included in the patent right now, uh but theres no video in the patent anymore. We also prepared a video to briefly explain the basis for the data we have confirmed so far.

If you look here, Ill tell you this first. Uh the right side here is the current amount. The current and, uh, unfortunately, it says temperature K here, but we dont have the equipment to go down to 23K. Ah the temperature is , and the reading from the measuring instrument reads it as a number, and the temperature is  and 23, room temperature. And.. from there, uh.. the amount of current and voltage, but on the right is the amount of current, and the data is recorded one by one. And if you measure the voltage while applying a current, the slope becomes the resistance. So if you look at the right axis here uh the right axis will be temperature. This becomes the temperature, and from this resistance value, the converted resistance value is estimated. So here is the resistance, here is the temperature, here is the applied current, here is the measured voltage. You can think of it this way. Lets take a look at the video.

When the current is small, uh if you look here, it goes up little by little like this, resisting at very low currents. Uh.. I think this is a characteristic that comes from the fact that when we create a solid state like this, there are grains, and the other thing is that we go like this and then and then fall, and then fall. From what I have studied so far, this is a property that appears in materials that have 1-D properties. Then, it seems like it goes up a lot like this. It seems like there is a transition. And then suddenly it drops once and then suddenly goes up Isnt this room temperature now? Because it is room temperature we were able to confirm this phenomenon, where the material we synthesized at room temperature suddenly experiences a large change in resistance at a constant current this is a phenomenon where a transition occurs. When we first came out, people in China said that Cu2S is 104 degrees Celsius (phase transition temperature), but that Cu2S does not drop even if you apply current to it at such a low temperature. yes. And if you look here, its increasing, and if you look at it I dont know how youll feel, but even if you apply current, it doesnt increase much, but the temperature rises very quickly here. There is information about Gogo in the next chapter.

Um And one more thing to tell you is, why cant you measure it even though you made it Uh This material has 1-D characteristics, so if you make it in bulk, uh Its arrayed in 3-dimension. (Array) changes. If you think about it statistically if this can be done, the Dimension must be lowered to create a way for current to pass through. So what we thought of first was that, through a lot of repetition, we couldnt measure well even if we held this with a spring as a probe, so we ended up using this method. Well Ill show you again. In the middle, I added dimension to the sample and added another pillar. Lowering the dimension. Looking at the overall order, the dimension of the current is relatively reduced in order to make the surface through which the current flows into a surface. The characteristics you see there are also the sametransitions appear. And as you can see, when Resistance goes to 0, the temperature increases rapidly. The data has become sparse. What Im saying now is, even if you apply current to the front, it just keeps going well, the temperature doesnt change much, because you give it They say its because of what happens between the grains , but suddenly the child bounces and goes on, but from here the temperature increases a lot. It rises. This means that resistance has arisen, and it has become large.

Uh, we kept making samples of these materials and kept repeating them. Um Then we wanted to see the critical temperature, so we tried this situation. If you look here, were raising the temperature to close to 100 degrees, so the stability of the sample and things like that, the stability of the equipment is also a problem. So what I did was I pulled out the Vaccum. And in order to raise the temperature stably, I pulled out the vacuum, put a microscope on it, and then measured the IV and repeated the process, but I kept raising the temperature and then raising it, and then raising it again, and it was difficult to work with, so I started with a low temperature. Step by step, its now coming out flat, and if you look at the temperature here its set to K, but its 121 degrees, right? At the moment the temperature reaches 121 degrees, a pattern appears in which the superconductivity properties are destroyed like this and the resistance increases like this. This was checked for each current separately. Of course, there is an area in the middle that stands out, and we have not yet been able to accurately analyze the parts where certain characteristics appear. There were some areas that stood out. However, there are samples that are not like that, so I checked all the data in them one by one.

Then if we want to commercialize this, if we want to go towards commercialization or something like that, we have to make a lump like this and stick it everywhere. Either wire or cotton. What I did to do that what I experimented with is, if you look here, this is now Glass. And we usually say that it is Ekenans Puss Course(?) , and it is set up like this I attached the same 4-point probe and measured it there. Well, if you look here, its there from the beginning, and Ill just show you this briefly in the video. This is uh.. the same measurement once, but we continued to measure it repeatedly. uh.. first we visually looked at it, then we recorded it, and we are accumulating all the data. This is the content that was uploaded to this archive or something like that. If you look at it, um it keeps repeating plus and minus. This is usually 10^-7, which is a lot of orders away. Uh its usually measured around 10^-6, 10^-7. It varies a bit depending on the division, but the pattern appears like this I stamp it with my hand and shake it. Yes.. thats the state, and this keeps repeating itself, and in order to see the transition, I raised it a lot, but at that time the thin film was too thin, so I couldnt even measure the transition. I couldnt do it.

Um the reason the value comes out like this is because we and uh sometimes we say, Didnt you make a mistake in your measurement? Some people say this. So the next chapter is going to talk about that. Now go to the right, go a lot of current, come back, go left again, go in the minus direction. Like this the characteristics of the 4 probe are like this, but if you look at the next chapter I took pictures of the part that goes to minus. Ah, um.. if you look here, uh.. the temperature here is now cold. What I said earlier, that I was sorry, is actually marked with a K here . And if you look here its a voltameter. A nanovoltameter is a device that can measure up to 10^-9V. If you look at the value here, there are many orders of 0, right? There are a lot of 0s, and one or two numbers keep going back and forth from the bottom. The one below is now uh, we usually call it the Current Source, and it is where the current is supplied. It can be given by dividing it into mm units, and if you look here, the part that indicates that the lamp is properly resisted when it goes in the minus direction is right here. It is now a red light. Yes, if the lamp on the yoyo part blinks or something like that, it means that the measurement was not performed properly.

Uh.. so just.. um.. so we checked the thin film and things like that, and after that, uh.. honestly, Ill tell you a little later, but uh.. the data posted on Copper Foil or something like that. Its already in the patent, but uh theres only a picture in that part, uh and the paper. However, that part is now in APL Materials as confirmatory data. Since we are still revising, we do not plan to use that material separately. And another thing is that you are talking about Magnetization, er levitation, but according to our basic logic, in the case of 1-Dimension, it is quite difficult for levitation to occur. And even though we do it repeatedly, uh I know its quite difficult. The reason is that standing in 1-dimension like this makes the electrons close enough to be able to correlate with each other. Thats why we came up with the Crystal Growth Society. We thought that levitation would only be possible if it became that tight. In another case, the 1-Dimension became a magnetic field that had to be created in this way to enable full circulation, so it was judged that there would be levitation by maintaining it.

Regarding that data, we have secured up to two pieces of Half Levitation data, and as for the second one ah, after announcing the first one, as for the second one, the professor requested it, and we prepared it there. Related to this, uh we first published it in a journal together with the New York Times, and were currently working on the final revision related to that, uh, and we used the data there, uh up to 10 so about 9 in total. This is a sampled state. Uh.. and uh.. so its a bit difficult to show you that data today, so uh.. Im sorry about that.

And now, in order to make some progress toward commercializing what we are doing, I thought it would be faster to first lower the copper resistance first with copper foil, so it would be better to raise it a lot and go with superconducting wire. This is the difficult part, and if you apply it to copper will the resistance decrease further? Why do electrons usually go to the direction where electrons flow best first? Wouldnt you say so? The reason why it flows towards the copper is because the electrons dont go towards the resist side, but rather go towards the direction where they can flow quickly, and when the capacity is full, they will go to the next direction. For that reason I checked it out, and uh this data, this data, uh this sample is the sample that was published in the New York Times. The magnetism is floating like this Its a little shaky, yes I measured the resistance of that sample, and its definitely bulky, so its not around 10^-6, but its stable at 10^-5 uh, flat. It is said to represent one form, yes.

So, this is basically, these room-temperature superconductivity properties are already our teacher also talked about it, and even though Russia hasnt opened the material, things that show patterns similar to ours are already up in the archive, and this one has already been stuffed. Status. No one will admit it, because the substance is not open. But we opened the material, and you can think of it as such. Uh the magnetic properties seem to be almost similar to what we think. But this First of all, to put it simply, this room temperature, normal pressure superconductor is really the next generation I think it is a material that will be the key to solving the current human energy problem and moving on to the next generation, so suddenly like this. It was met with enthusiasm from young people, and the physics community thinks this is impossible, so they say, Its a poisoned chalice. Oh, of course there is a theory that won the Nobel Prize, and oh well. (Do not skip PPT)

But, right now, we think, uh, from a liquid point of view, its like this, and its a little difficult to talk about it based only on the evidence, so we need to discuss it a little more. Thats what Im thinking. So, I plan to continue academically on things like that and make presentations or do things like this. However, if you have always seen it until now, you will know that even now, if you look at the table above, the theory of superconductivity followed the discovery of the material. We dont have any data yet. Our data may be the first. Uh.. I and uh.. I think we are the first.. the first data.

Uh.. then what is the fundamental reason for the dispute? Uh.. we should first apologize for these parts, but uh.. during the cross-verification process, it suddenly ended up being uploaded to the archive. But cross-verification after it was uploaded, we kept checking the ingredients and other parts, and after checking that part, we added it to the paper and directly to APL Materials. I did reporting. Uh the composition is different. But uh what surprised me when I first got the revision was, werent there all the questions on the internet around the world at the time? Well Please answer in at least five pages. Then haha.. I answered all of them. Uh.. its not something to worry about, uh.. so theres all that content, uh.. and at the beginning, at the beginning, all the way through here, scholars, super-conducting scholars said, I cant believe it, so at the beginning, uh.. .. After the rejection came, we went through the appeal process. So the appeal was accepted again, and it has been going on for a long time like this.

So, uh, what were talking about now is LK-99, which is what we gave it as a name when we found out that it had an apatite structure, and uh, we can easily just The name is too long. Modified.. Modified Uh.. Copper-Doped.. Well.. Lead Apatite, since it lasts like this.. I just called it LK-99 and did it quickly, and thats it.. it was sorted. For academic use, PCPOSOS? If you do it this way, like this YCBO, I think it is academically correct to do so, and the thesis is being processed in that form right now. Yes So, first of all, I would like to apologize for the parts that were a bit problematic.

So, I guess well just keep it simple for now, but yes There are just four reasons for participating in this QILI material development project.

Uh, first of all, lets talk about how materials projects are being developed around the world. To be honest, developing superconducting materials is a dream in some ways, so we are making many attempts around the world. We have continued to look at it, and Professor Kim Hyun-taks thesis was also in the same process. When the thesis was published in 21, we contacted him and were in the process of proceeding with it. Uh.. the fact that they created this model with the goal of IP issuance business is a bit big. This is how we conduct research and development as a company, as we did for the 20 years we were in graduate school. All the data is gathered, but how can we process and use these parts? We have a lot of know-how. We have a lot of data, so, uh, weve been working on it.

We have continued to work on development, but I have concerns about how we can lead our company to industrialization, and I am grateful that you talked about these issues right away. And the other thing is that we had a lot of trouble as we kept repeating this with a small number of people. The employees but uh more than those parts, the process of finding all the papers was very difficult for us, but the world has become so much better now big data, dragging and processing, and becoming a factory. It would be right to draw a picture in which the existing parts can be industrialized quickly.

But I gladly participated because I thought this was in line with what our eunuch said before he passed away, that it would be nice to do it in our country first. And.. there are currently a total of 41 in the apatite structure. In the apatite structure, the place, the number of digits, is in the atom. About that uh, thats the composition we usually talk about. There are too many variables in composition. Quantum computer calculations are required. Regarding those parts, uh the thing that was uploaded to the archive separately earlier is to simplify it and calculate it quickly but all of those parts need to be dealt with. Because when we work with this material, if the composition changes just a little, it changes from superconductivity to ferromagnetism. It is very difficult to control this through thermal treatment. We also went through a lot of trouble because of that.. uh.. we are so thankful to the heavens that we have made it to Half Levitation. To be able to show it like that, well its done.

And uh the other thing is, this is the overall trend. And we started accepting patents in the U.S. using quantum computers. Instead of proving it by experimenting, Oh, can you calculate it? Get a patent first. It is being transformed into a situation like this. I dont think we can fall behind. Even with this little data we have Yes.

Then, because of our Lk-99 I will just briefly report on the situation that occurred. Uh in the U.S., as I mentioned earlier, calculations are done through material-based quantum computing Here, open source is starting to come out again. Usually, if there is Apparatus , we keep making it open source so that developers can use it. This is the build-up process. However, in the case of this superconductor, strangely enough, it is because of this thing that came out of Berkeley that came out of Berkeley. It looks like a flat band is coming out here. Thats why it seems to have superconductivity. This suddenly came out and they said there was a possibility of superconductivity, but uh theres a lot to talk about theoretically, but since then, things have been changing by changing money. And of course, theres a lot of skepticism across the board that says no.

And in the case of China, uh.. this is a structural simulation that calculates, and so many atoms are running. Of course, quantum computers will be used there too. Then, a few days ago, this story suddenly came out. Uh it seems like my Chinese friends are talking about it being called a gold rope in China. Uh, I saw the line here and deleted it. What you cant see, yes I know what it is. Uh.. if you look here, we.. have an SEM that analyzed what we created and synthesized. If you look there, you can see the same thread-like patterns here. If you look closely, yes because these patterns are intertwined in 1-dimension, magnetic properties and other parts do not appear easily. Instead, the conduction properties can be measured because they appear no matter how many times the wheel spins. Let me tell you that because of its high-quality nature, we are currently experiencing a lot of difficulties, and it took a lot of time to fine-tune it.

So, what do we at Quantum Energy Research Institute think about this situation? To put it simply, we have been doing it for a long time, and of course, there are people who have come and left, but, uh, we have been doing it for a long time, and the company is definitely uh, investing. There are people who did it. So, I think it is a unique asset of Quantum Energy. And I think there is a clear need to establish a more precise theory and research on commercialization, and for this purpose, it would be better to conduct research using cutting-edge infrastructure like Yonsei University, which has quantum computers. I think it will be of great help to us, and it would be a great pleasure for us to be able to share the big data we have. So, for the commercialization of these things and things like Material Discovery, I would like to ask the industry and various interested parties to cooperate and sort things out once things are sorted out, uh, through legal procedures. Therefore, I think it will be verified by third parties and domestic experts. Yes, today
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, January 12. Kyrgyzstan imported 2,302 tons of oil products from Belgium from January through October 2023, which is a 3.1-times increase compared to the same period in 2022 (721 tons), Trend reports.

Data from the State Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan reveals that the value of these imports reached $8.332 million over the span of 10 months, representing a threefold increase year-on-year ($2.727 million from January through October 2022).

Belgium ranked fifth among the countries from which Kyrgyzstan imported oil products. Ahead of Belgium are Russia with 392,966 tons valued at $290.386 million, Kazakhstan with 57,307 tons worth $28.305 million, Uzbekistan with 6,425 tons valued at $4.679 million, and Belarus with 3,956 tons worth $4.078 million.

In total, Kyrgyzstan imported 469,757 tons of oil products from January through October 2023, marking a 24.3 percent decrease from the same period in 2022 (620,243 tons). The value reached $357.405 million, which is a 24.7-percent decrease compared to the 10 months of 2022 ($474.583 million).

Meantime, Kyrgyzstans trade turnover reached $12.297 billion from January through October 2023, increasing by 24.9 percent compared to $9.845 billion in the same period of 2022.

Exports from Kyrgyzstan totaled $2.443 billion during the 10 months, which is a 29.6-percent increase compared to $1.885 billion recorded from January through October 2022. Imports into Kyrgyzstan amounted to $9.854 billion during this period, reflecting a 23.8-percent increase compared to the same period in 2022 ($7.959 billion).




Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president, has commended the supreme court judgments affirming the election of governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

On Friday, the supreme court affirmed the election of three governors elected on the platform of the PDP.

The governors are Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), and Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau).

On Thursday, the apex court upheld the election of Umo Eno, also of the PDP, as the duly elected governor of Akwa Ibom state.

In a statement issued by his media office, Abubakar said the decision of the apex court is "good news" to the people of Bauchi, Plateau, Akwa Ibom and Zamfara states, and "indeed, a win for constitutional democracy".

The former vice-president also congratulated Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) whose election was also affirmed by the supreme court.

The presidential candidate of the PDP in the 2023 elections said the victory at the court reaffirms his position that only a united opposition force can strengthen democracy in Nigeria.

"I am as prepared as ever, to lead the charge, alongside all our leaders and governors, for the good of our country," the statement reads.

"Where justice is seen to have been substantially rendered, we, as patriots and citizens, will always applaud."

Abubakar said by the verdict of the supreme court, "there is a guaranteed continuation of the standards of good governance which the PDP has brought to the respective states".

He asked the governors to see their triumph at the supreme court as an opportunity to consolidate and expand the scope of the good governance they have already established.

The former vice-president said he is confident that the PDP will focus on its role as the major opposition party in the country.




The Benue State All Progressives Congress, APC, has passed a vote of confidence on the state Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia and his Deputy, Sam Ode.





The party in a communique issued at the end of its stakeholders meeting in Makurdi on Thursday, also passed a vote of confidence on President Tinubu, Vice President Shettima and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume.





The communique read by the state chairman of the party, Austin Agada also nullified the gale of suspensions that rocked the party including the indefinite suspension of some appointees and loyalists of the state governor.





Comrd Agada said,  For the avoidance of doubt, the party has a working constitution, rules and procedures to which the suspension process has to be followed.





Even when the suspension is carried out using the right procedures, it must be ratified by the State Working Committee, SWC of the party before it can be announced and effected accordingly.





Earlier in a chat with journalists, Gov. Hyacinth Alia said his meeting with stakeholders became necessary to dispel insinuations of crisis and to pledge the loyalty of his administration to the APC.





He said, We are here to correct some frivolities that are going on on social media, and at the end of the meeting, the chairman was able to make some pronouncements over the suspension of certain persons in the party and all that.





The primary aim is to give us a good sense of oneness, unity, and unity of purpose so that when we come together, we become more of a force.





And also that we have several projects that we are executing, and I wouldnt want any distraction from any angle at all.





So it is very meaningful that we all pledge our loyalty to the APC, that no one is leaving the APC, that we are all one and working for the greatness of the APC, and that we dont want any distraction from any angle whatsoever.




The Borno Government has confirmed death of Governor Babagana Zulums spokesman Isa Gusau.





A statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof Usman Tar, confirmed that Gusau passed away on Thursday after a prolonged illness at an Indian hospital.





Zulum, in the official statement, paid tribute to Gusau, describing him as a dedicated public servant and a valued member of his team.





Gusau has been serving as the Special Adviser on Public Relations and Strategy to Zulum since June 2019, previously holding the same position under Senator Kashim Shettima during his tenure as the governor of the state.





Mallam Isa Gusau was admired by everyone for his commitment to the people of Borno State and his exceptional professionalism in his role.





He was a tireless advocate for the state, working diligently to communicate the governments initiatives and policies to the public with clarity and transparency, Zulum remarked.





The governor mentioned Gusaus significant contributions, stating that he is dedicated to serving the people of Borno State.





Zulum acknowledged Gusaus exceptional communication skills, which played a crucial role in fostering understanding and cooperation between the government and the people.





The governor offered prayers for the repose of Gusaus soul and extended condolences to the bereaved family, praying for strength and solace during this difficult time.
The Supreme Court has upheld the election of Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang.





Muftwangs victory at the March 18 poll was upheld by the State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Jos but the appeal court overturned the lower courts victory declaring Nentawe Goshwe of the All Progressives Congress as the winner of the election.





More details later




BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, January 12. Vice President of the European Commission, Margaritis Schinas, is set to visit Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on January 15, as par of his broader regional tour to Central Asia, Trend reports.

The press-service of the Delegation of the European Union to Kyrgyzstan confirmed the information, following Trend's inquiry.

During his visit, Schinas will hold meetings with Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Japarov, Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov, and Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev.

The political foundations for the EU's partnership with Kyrgyzstan were laid in the 1999 Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA). Additionally, Kyrgyzstan benefits from the EU's Generalised Scheme of Preferences plus (GSP+), a special incentive arrangement for sustainable development and good governance.

It enables Kyrgyzstan to enhance its economic strength by exporting 6200 products to the EU under a tariff-free regime.


The Supreme Court has restored Governor Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, as the valid winner of the governorship election that held in Kano State on March 18.

The apex court, in a unanimous decision by a five-member panel of Justices, on Friday, vacated the concurrent judgements of the Kano State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal and the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which sacked governor Yusuf and declared Nasiru Gawuna of the All Progressive Congress, APC, as winner of the gubernatorial poll.

In the lead judgement that was delivered by Justice Inyang Okoro, the Supreme Court held that the two lower courts wrongly deducted valid votes that were credited to governor Yusuf by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

It held that the 165,663 votes that were deducted from Yusuf and the NNPP on the premise the ballot papers were not signed, stamped or dated, were valid.

The court held that contrary to the position of the lower courts, a total of 146, 292 of the ballot papers were confirmed to have been signed and stamped, only that they did not contain any date.

It held that by section 63(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, that ballot papers, which bore the official mark and was duly issued by INEC, were not totally invalid.

Besides, the court held that there was no evidence that governor Yusuf influenced the non signing of the ballot papers.

More so, the court faulted the lower courts for nullifying Yusufs election on the premise that he was not a member of the NNPP.

It held that the issue of sponsorship of a candidate in an election was within the domestic affairs of a political party.

It held that Yusuf won the governorship election by majority of lawful votes and was duly nominated by his political party.
The Supreme Court on Friday upheld the election of Francis Nwifuru as the Governor of Ebonyi State.

Justice Tijjani Abubakar, who delivered the judgment, dismissed the appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Chukwuma Odii.

Justice Abubakar described the appeal as lacking in merit

The Court of Appeal in Lagos had earlier affirmed the election of Nwifuru as the duly elected Governor of Ebonyi State.

In a unanimous decision, the three-member panel led by Justice Jummai Sankey dismissed the appeal filed by Chukwuma Odii of the PDP.

The panel also resolved all five issues raised against the appellant and dismissed the appeal for lacking merit.

Justice Sankey held that the PDP and its candidates lacked the legal right to meddle in the internal affairs of the APC as it relates to the nomination of candidates.

The Ebonyi Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja had also upheld the election of Nwifuru as governor.

INEC had declared Nwifuru of the APC as the winner of the 18 March governorship election in the state.

Nwifuru polled 199,131votes to defeat his closest challenger, Ifeanyi Odii of the PDP, who garnered 80,191 votes.

Bernard Odoh, came third with 52,189 votes.

Odoh and his party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, challenged the declaration of Nwifuru as the elected governor of the state and asked the tribunal to nullify his election on the grounds of alleged certificate forgery and ineligibility to stand for the election.

The APGA candidate contended that Nwifuru, at the time of the election, was still a member of the PDP and therefore ineligible to be sponsored for the election by the APC.

Odoh further argued that Nwifuru was not qualified to stand for the election because he allegedly submitted a fake certificate to INEC.

He urged the tribunal to order for a second election between the other two candidates who scored the highest number of votes at the previous election and exclude the governor from taking part in it.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery, with 650,000 barrels per day, has commenced the production of refined petroleum products.

The largest single-train refinery in the world is located in Nigerias commercial hub, Lagos.

It commenced production on Friday.

The development comes after the refinery received the final 6th batch of one million barrels of crude oil required by the plant for its initial operations.

The company announced its readiness to kickstart production.

Recall that a month ago, the Dangote refinery received the first one million barrels of Agbami crude grade from Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited, one of the largest trading companies in Nigeria, as well as globally, trading in over eight million barrels of crude oil per day.

Since then, the Dangote refinery has received the crude oil in batches, and the 6th batch of one million barrels of Agbami crude was discharged on Monday at the Single Point Mooring at the Dangote Offshore Oil Terminal.

Earlier, the Managing Director of Dangote Ports Operations, Akin Omole, had told journalists at the Dangote Quay, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, that the refinery would be in good stead to commence operation once the six million barrels of crude had been delivered.

Omole said, Once the six million barrels are fully delivered, it will facilitate the initial run of the refinery as well as kickstart the production of diesel, aviation fuel, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas before subsequently progressing to the production of Premium Motor Spirit.

This latest development will play a pivotal role in alleviating the fuel supply challenges faced by Nigeria and the West African countries.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery, if operational, can meet 100 per cent of Nigerias requirement of all refined products, gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and aviation jet, and has a surplus of each of these products for export, according to the company.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his New Year broadcast to Nigerians, hinted that the Port Harcourt and Dangote refineries are expected to kickstart operations in January 2024.




Ebonyi State government, led by governor Francis Nwifuru has decried the death of two residents at the flyover located opposite the Chuba Okadigbo International Airport, Onueke Ezza South Local Government Area.





Two persons were recently killed by a tanker explosion that occurred at the airport flyover.





It took the intervention of the ministry of aviation and transport technology to quench the fire.





The state commissioner for aviation and transport technology, Mrs Ngozi Obichukwu, who spoke with newsmen during the inspection of Chuba Okadigbo Airport Runway, at Onueke Ezza South LGA, revealed the preparedness of the state government to avert a repeat of such incident.





She noted that: if not for the grace of God, and by the way the flyover was constructed, many lives would have been lost.





We are still praying God to give eternal rest to those that were killed- the driver and the conductor.





We wont want such to be happening at the runway; we are getting it right this time around; some of the things we omitted before have been done right now.





Obichukwu reiterated the commitment of the state government to ensure that the airport commenced flight operation by May, 2024.





The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, requested us to change the runway pattern from concrete to asphalt.





And the runway is being asphalted now.





We thought that the project will be ready by August, but the way it is now, we are ready to start operation by May, she stated.




Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has reacted to his victory at the Supreme Court.





Bala Mohammed was declared as duly elected governor of Bauchi State by a seven-man panel of the Supreme Court on Friday.





The judgment was delivered by Justice Ibrahim Saulawa





In his reaction, the governor wrote on X, In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful, I offer all praises to Allah for our victory.





This triumph belongs to the people of Bauchi State and our esteemed party, the @OfficialPDPNig.





On behalf of my family and myself, I express deep gratitude to all our stakeholders who joined us in this journey, particularly our religious and faith leaders, political associates, friends, and well-wishers.





This victory reaffirms that the good work in Bauchi State must go on. #GreaterBauchi.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos, says the supreme court verdict affirming his election has buoyed his confidence in the nations judiciary.

On Friday, a five-member panel of the apex court dismissed the appeal filed by Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election.

The apex court also dismissed the petition filed by Abdulazeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, who was candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the vote.

Rhodes-Vivour had contended that Obafemi Hamzat, deputy governor of Lagos, was not qualified to be sponsored by the All Progressives Congress (APC), having renounced his Nigerian citizenship and taken up that of the US.





However, the court held that there is no credible evidence to show that the deputy governor renounced his Nigerian citizenship.

Thereafter, the duo of Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat were affirmed as duly elected.

Speaking after the judgment, the governor said the judicial victory will spur his administration to continue on the trajectory of progress and infrastructural development that he has commenced in the state.

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Todays judicial pronouncements, like those of the Lagos state governorship election petition tribunal and the court of appeal in Lagos, have buoyed our confidence in the countrys judicial system. We do not take it for granted, he said.

I commend the judges for the well-thought-out and detailed judgment. They explained the reasons that led them to their conclusions today.

We thank the supreme court judges, as well as the Lagos state governorship election petition tribunal and the court of appeal judges for their firm commitment to the principle of fairness and justice.

The ruling of the supreme court has ended the judicial process on the governorship election.

The judgment will now allow us to accelerate our interventions to ensure that we continue to deliver more dividends of democracy to our citizens.

Sanwo-Olu was first elected Lagos governor in 2019. He secured a second term in office in 2023.
Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State met with President Bola Tinubu on Thursday.

Fubara and Tinubu are meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The governor arrived at the Presidential Villa at about 5:35 p.m. and headed for Tinubus office.

Fubara had recently visited the Presidential Villa for a peace meeting involving the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, and the President.

Fubara and Wike have been at loggerheads over the political structure in the state.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to tender an unreserved apology to the courts and judges for the senseless, irresponsible, reckless, and unjustified attacks it mounted against the judiciary throughout this electoral cycle.

APC was responding to the outcome of Fridays Supreme Court judgement on the Lagos, Kano, Zamfara, Plateau, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Abia, and Cross River governorship election petitions.

Assuming that it has any spec of decency left, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) must tender an unreserved apology to the courts and our judges for the senseless, irresponsible, reckless, and unjustified attacks it mounted against the judiciary throughout this electoral cycle, party spokesman Felix Morka said in a statement.

He said the APC welcomes, with equanimity, the Supreme Court decisions on election petitions challenging the outcome of the 2023 governorship elections in eight states.

In Lagos, Ebonyi, and Cross River States, the Supreme Court upheld the election of governorship candidates of our great party. However, the appeals in Kano, Zamfara, Bauchi, Plateau, and Abia states were decided in favour of other political parties and their candidates.

While the Apex Courts decisions will undoubtedly elicit mixed reactions and reviews, the decisions are final and binding on all parties to the legal contests. The decisions today provide a strong affirmation of the authority, vibrancy, and independence of the judiciary.

APC has been consistent in its position that the judiciary must be left alone to perform its important duty of resolving disputes, including electoral disputes, as constitutionally mandated. The decisions today must serve as a rebuke to political opposition figures who vilified and denigrated our courts when judgements were handed against them in these same matters.

We congratulate the winners, particularly our governors, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, and Bassey Otu of Cross River State, and wish them the very best as they continue to serve their states and country. We urge everyone to remain calm and continue to maintain peace, APC added.
At least seven students of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) sustained injuries of varying degrees after a gas explosion affected an off-campus hostel.

Poplat, a fuel station located in the Lagere area of OAUs host community in Ile-Ife, Osun state, suffered an explosion on January 9.

Sources in the university community said the explosion was triggered by a leaking gas container in the fuel station.

Early reports said the explosion occurred with a loud bang at around 5 pm, initially leading to panic across the town.

The fire had spread to a nearby student hostel before the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Osun State Fire Service intervened.

Abbas Ojo, president of the OAU student union government, said the hostel, which is also owned by the management of the Poplat fuel station, houses up to 95 percent of the universitys off-campus community.

About 11 rooms were affected in total, three were severely burnt, and one was completely damaged.

Adeolu Odedire, director of OAUs student affairs department, said between seven to 10 students sustained injuries of varying degrees.

REMOVING ALL GAS PLANTS

It is not a hostel managed by the university. We were not in any partnership with the owner of the hostel who also happens to own the fuel station where the gas explosion took place. The whole construction there was questionable, Odedire said.

There were no safety measures. You cant have a fuel station, put a gas plant behind, and then have hostel construction in the next available space. Its a new place.

We were even surprised that a hostel had cropped up there when the whole thing happened.

Notwithstanding, were trying to see how we can work out some compensation for the students from insurance. No student was badly affected. No deaths occurred. But some sustained injuries.

Ojo, in a statement, said student leaders are in talks with Ogundoyin Popoola, the proprietor of the gas plant.

He said the union is seeking an immediate removal of the gas plant in all Popoolas filling stations in Ife.

Ojo said fixing of the affected rooms and full compensation for completely burned rooms are also in the pipeline.

The SUG president also said the union is pushing for the provision of accommodation for affected students and refund or quick repairs for those with running rents.

Additionally, medical bills are to be covered, and renovations are to commence on habitable rooms, Ojo added.

An integrity test on the hostel was requested before students are returned to the hostel.

This will allow us to ascertain if the hostel is still habitable and still has the strength to accommodate that number of students.

Ojo, as of the time of filing this report, affirmed that Popoola has agreed to all demands and work is already in progress.




The Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, in Lagos State, has called on candidates of the Labour Party and PDP in the states 2023 Governorship Election to congratulate Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.





LPs Gbadebo Rhode-Viviour and PDPs Dr Abdul-Azeez Adediran (Jandor) had approached the Supreme Court to seek Sanwo-Olus sack.





The apex court in a unanimous decision on Friday, upheld Sanwo-Olu as duly elected governor of Lagos state, dismissing the appeals of LPs Rhodes-Vivour and PDPs Adediran for lacking in merit and a gross abuse of court process.





The Supreme Court struck out the two separate appeals that challenged Sanwo-Olus return as the winner of the governorship election held in the state on March 18.





Reacting, the IPAC Chairman in Lagos State, Olusegun Mobolaji said since the apex court had spoken, both Adediran and Rhode-Viviour should rejoice with Sanwo-Olu and congratulate him, while waiting for another election.





If the apex court has given Sanwo-Olu the victory as the deserved winner, let us rejoice and celebrate with him by congratulating the governor, the IPAC boss said.





He called on all election stakeholders and institutions, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) security and judiciary to work together to make Nigerias democracy better.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, January 12. Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov signed the law "On the ratification of the agreement to establish the Turkic Investment Fund, signed on March 16, 2023 in Ankara", Trend reports.

The initiative to establishment the fund was proposed by Azerbaijan during the informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in March 2021. The Fund is being established by 5 members of the Organization of Turkic States - Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Turkiye, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

The agreement on the establishment of the Fund was signed within the framework of an extraordinary summit of the Heads of State of the Member States of the Organization of Turkic States on March 16, 2023, in Ankara.

The initial capital of the Turkic Investment Fund will be $500 million. The obligatory share will be $350 million, that is, $70 million for each country. All members with equal shares will have an equal vote.

Kyrgyzstan's contribution to the Fund will come from the national budget over a three-year period. An initial contribution of $5 million will be made by the fund's founders within 90 days after the constituent meeting of shareholders. The remaining amount will be disbursed in three annual installments of $18 million, $23 million, and $24 million.

The fund's objective is to enhance trade relationships among Turkiye, Azerbaijan, and the Central Asian countries. With its headquarters in Istanbul, the fund is expected to support the development of intra-regional trade, small and medium-sized enterprises, logistics networks, agriculture, green energy, and tourism.

The fund will serve as a financial resource for prioritized business projects in the member countries of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), with a total authorized capital of $500 million.
The Supreme Court will deliver judgements on governorship appeals in Kano, Plateau, Lagos, Zamfara, Ebonyi, Bauchi and Cross River states today.

Of the seven states, those of Kano and Plateau are the most contentious.

Kano

In Kano, the case is between Governor Abba Yusuf of New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, and Nasiru Gawuna of All Progressives Congress, APC.

In September, a five-member panel, led by Justice John Okoro, had nullified the victory of Governor Yusuf in the March 18 governorship election and affirmed Nasiru Gawuna as the duly elected governor of Kano.

On November 13, the Court of Appeal upheld the verdict of the tribunal, ruling that the fielding of Abba Yusuf was in breach of the Electoral Law as he was not qualified to contest that election. But the governor proceeded to the Supreme Court to seek redress.

Plateau

On January 9, 2024, the Supreme Court reserved judgment in the appeal filed by the Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, seeking to overturn the verdict of the Court of Appeal which nullified his election.

A five-member panel of justices led by Justice John Okoro reserved judgement after hearing arguments from parties for and against the appeal.

The governor through his counsel, Kanu Agabi, prayed the court to uphold the judgement of the Tribunal and set aside the judgment of the appellate court because the respondents have no right to question how a party elects its state executives.

He said the respondents (Nentawe Goshwe and the All Progressives Congress) can not plead that the governor did not score the number of lawful votes ascribed to him at the same time say the election was invalid.

In November, the Appeal Court in Abuja sacked Mutfwang and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to issue a Certificate of Return to Goshwe but the governor proceeded to the apex court to seek redress.

Zamfara

Last November, the Appeal Court nullified the election of Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal.

Lawal, of the main opposition PDP, was declared the winner of the March 18 governorship election. In a shocking victory that dislodged then-incumbent Bello Matawalle of the All Progressives Congress, APC, he polled a total of 377,726 votes. Matawalle scored 311,976 votes.

The PDP candidate, now serving as the Minister of State for Defence, had accused INEC of subverting his victory at the poll by failing to include the results of some ward areas.

In an earlier ruling on September 18, the Zamfara Election Petitions Tribunal held that the petition was devoid of merit. While upholding Lawals victory, the tribunal awarded the N500,000 fine against the petitioners.

An unsatisfied Matawalle, as observers expected, took the matter to the Court of Appeal in Abuja, to challenge the decision of the lower court.

Respite came for Matawalle on Thursday as the three-member panel led by Justice Oyebisi Folayemi, nullified the return of Governor Lawal as the winner of the governorship poll.

Justice Sybil Nwaka ordered INEC to conduct a fresh election in three local government areas of the state, where elections had not been held previously or where results from various polling units were not counted.

But the governor proceeded to the apex court to seek redress.

Bauchi

Also in November, the appellate court affirmed the victory of Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State in the March 18 governorship election.

The appeal was filed by the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate, Sadique Abubakar, following the tribunal judgment upholding Mohammeds victory.

The panel of three justices were unanimous, awarding no cost as the court ruled that each party to the matter should bear their costs.

The presiding judge, Justice Chidi Nwaoma Uwa, read the judgment in the order of the appellants plea before the appeal court.

On plea number one, the appellant pleaded that the election be nullified because the forms and booklets used in the election were not properly filled. The court ruled that the appellant failed to prove this allegation with the needed evidence.

Lagos

The Appeal Court in Lagos in November affirmed the judgment of the tribunal, confirming the return of Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Obafemi Hamzat as the Governor and Deputy Governor of Lagos state.

The justices of the court of appeal in a unanimous decision dismissed the appeal of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) for lack of merit.

In March, INEC declared Sanwo-Olu as the winner of the Lagos governorship election.

Sanwo-Olu polled 762,134 votes to defeat his close challenger, LPs Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour also known as GRV, who scored 312,329 votes. PDPs Abdulazeez Adediran popular as Jandor came a distant third with 62,449 votes.

Not satisfied, the LP and PDP candidates approached the Lagos State Election Petitions Tribunal to nullify Sanwo-Olus victory.

In its ruling on September 25, the tribunal dismissed Adediran and Rhodes-Vivours suit seeking to nullify the victory of Sanwo-Olu at the poll.

Displeased with the verdict, the duo approached the appellate court but the higher court dismissed their suits. Both men subsequently approached the apex court which is expected to deliver a judgement on Friday.




The Oyo State Government has warned against unscrupulous persons who are seeking to defraud members of the public through a fake recruitment scam.





The state government was reacting to reports that it has commenced selling application forms for employment of medical personnel into the State service.





Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, described the information circulating on social media as false.





He added that announcement would be made via official government channels anytime it wanted to start recruitment.





The commissioner said, It has come to the attention of the State Government that some unscrupulous elements are peddling false information on purported sales of application forms for employment of Medical Personnel into the State service.





The Oyo State Government hereby wishes to categorically state that there are currently no sales of such forms as the process for eventual recruitment is still ongoing.





This is to implore the general public to disregard the false information on ongoing recruitment of the Medical Personnel.
State authorities on Friday released graphic body camera footage of police killing an erratic man lunging at them with knives and shouting shoot me on the balcony of a Fort Lee townhouse.

Mohamed Bounaouar, 42, of Las Vegas, Nevada was killed February 4, 2023 after a family member he was visiting in New Jersey called 911 and said Bounaouar was tearing up his belongings and acting scary.
A Bergen County man was arrested Thursday after a month-long investigation into an armed robbery and assault with a bat at a business, authorities said.

Police arrested 32-year-old Jose Milton Mejia-Mejia after investigators executed multiple search warrants in the case, the Bergen County Prosecutors Office said Friday.

Mejia-Mejia, of Garfield, is charged with first-degree armed robbery in the attack, authorities said. He also faces aggravated assault, criminal mischief and weapons charges.

Attorney information for Mejia-Mejia was not immediately available.

Prosecutors say Mejia-Mejia slashed the tires of a car belonging to an employee of a Little Ferry business before striking them multiple times in the head with a bat. Authorities did not identify the business where the attack happened.

Little Ferry police were called to the business on Harding Place around 6:03 p.m. on Dec. 23 for a reported assault. They arrived and tended to the injured worker, who was taken to a nearby hospital.

Investigators at the scene also found a gun Mejia-Mejia allegedly dropped.

It was unclear Friday if Mejia-Mejia and the victim knew one another at the time of the attack.

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Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com.
Another big name New Jersey brewery announced last call on Friday after 10 years in business.

Forgotten Boardwalk Brewing in Cherry Hill, which features beers with Jersey Shore-themed names like Shore Shiver and Funnel Cake, announced it would be shutting down by the end of February after being unable to secure a new lease for its location.

The brewery announced the decision in a Facebook post and thanked patrons for their business over the past decade.

To all of our loyal customers, friends, family and supporters - we wish you a heartfelt thank you for being a part of the Forgotten Boardwalk Story for the past 10 years, the post said. We have vigorously tried to sign a lease extension with our landlord to no avail as our next door neighbor has leased out the space from underneath us.

A flight of Forgotten Boardwalk Brewing Company beer in Cherry Hill, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2014. The brewery, owned by Jamie Queli, has a beach feel to it and includes skeeball, fun house mirrors and a boardwalk spin wheel. The grand opening will be Oct. 11. (Tim Hawk | South Jersey Times) SJNSJN

The brewerys closing comes on the heels of Flying Fishs bankruptcy announcement just weeks ago. Flying Fish is one of the largest and oldest New Jersey breweries.

The brewery will maintain its regular tasting room hours through Feb. 29.

The Forgotten Boardwalk Brewing Company in Cherry Hill, owned by Jamie Queli, has a beach feel to it and includes skeeball, fun house mirrors and a boardwalk spin wheel, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2014. The grand opening will be Oct. 11. (Tim Hawk | South Jersey Times) SJNSJN

The post said the brewery would be announcing new releases despite their closing and left open the possibility of re-opening in another form in the future.

We have no plans currently to continue brewing and distributing at another location as we would still need a space to store product and a distribution license from the state in order to do so, the brewerys owner Jamie Queli said Saturday morning.

Forgotten Boardwalk took over Flying Fishs original location when they opened in 2014. Queli said Saturday that there was no connection between Flying Fishs bankruptcy and Forgotten Boardwalks closure.

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Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X
A 59-year-old Pennsylvania man was sentenced to three years probation Friday after posing as a termite inspector and groping a woman in her home, authorities announced.

A Camden County jury convicted him of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact on in November of last year, The Camden County Prosecutors Office said Friday.

Before trial, the man was accused of posing as a termite inspector to gain access to the victims home in Somerdale on Jan. 7, 2019. While inside, he groped the victims buttocks and tried to expose her breast, authorities said.

Prosecutors said the man is not a termite inspector, but a certified basement waterproofer with license to operate in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

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Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X
A Pennsylvania woman charged with murder in the death of her young son wont go before a jury when she stands trial next month, authorities said Friday.

Ruth DiRienzo-Whitehead, 51, appeared in court Friday for a pre-trial hearing, in which she opted to have her murder case heard through a bench, in which a judge decides a level of guilt based upon presented evidence, the Montgomery County District Attorneys Office said.

Her trial is scheduled to begin Feb. 12, court records show, less than a year after she allegedly strangled the child at their Horsham Township, Pennsylvania, home. DiRienzo-Whitehead was arrested at the Jersey Shore hours later, after she had driven her SUV into the ocean. She remains in the Montgomery County jail.

DiRienzo-Whitehead, who was a practicing Realtor at the time of her arrest, is accused of strangling 11-year-old Matthew Whitehead to death last April while he slept, doing so over fears of financial issues.

She is represented by Philadelphia-based attorney Eugene Tinari, who did not immediately return a request from NJ Advance Media for comment.

She is charged with murder and possession of an instrument of a crime. She faces life in prison if convicted.

DiRienzo-Whitehead was arrested near the familys Wildwood Crest home hours after the boys death.

Prosecutors say she used a belt in the crime, which happened around 9:30 p.m. April 10, fleeing the home in the middle of the night. She reached Cape May, where she ditched her car in the water before obtaining a ride to Wildwood Crest.

She confessed to local police upon her arrest, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

Nearly a week after her arrest, she appeared in Cape May County Superior court, agreeing to extradition to Pennsylvania. Since being charged, the defense has sought an insanity defense, court records show.

Tinari said previously he believed the crime was likely tied to mental illness.

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Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com.
A pair thieves pulled off a jewelry heist Thursday afternoon when one of them distracted a store employee long enough to the allow the other to snatch $31,000 in pricey baubles.

The theft occurred a jewelry store on Grove Street near Bay Street in Downtown Jersey City at approximately 2:40 p.m., police said in radio transmissions.

Jersey City police have not responded to a request for more information. The two fled on Bay Street.
A Jersey City man on the lam nearly three years for a 2021 murder, was arrested in South Carolina Thursday night, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez announced.

The arrest of 28-year-old Tybear Miles in Spartanburg came the same day a Jersey Journal story was published on NJ.com regarding the U.S. Marshals Service posting a $5,000 for information leading to his arrest.
Two brothers who had planned to open an outdoor bar and cafe in Belmar, but say they were foiled by borough officials have settled their lawsuit for $2.81 million.

Timothy and Matthew Harmon, longtime owners of the Boathouse Bar & Grill, had planned to open Salt across the street from 507 Main, another bar they owned in Belmar.

The Harmons applied to the borough in 2015 to transfer the liquor license from 507 Main in order to operate Salt, according to the lawsuit, filed in federal court April 10, 2017.

They closed 507 Main in anticipation of opening Salt, said attorney Rich Shaklee of Wall, who represents the Harmons.

But Salt never opened because the town allegedly interfered with the transfer of the liquor license, according to the suit.

Photos from 2017 show the newly constructed outdoor bars and other amenities at Salt in Belmar, which sat unused along the Shark River after the borough denied its liquor license transfer from 507 Main.Rob Spahr | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The Harmons paid rent on the vacant Salt establishment until the lease was up after three years, Shaklee said.

Belmar officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the settlement Friday.

Shaklee said the Harmons had opposed a bill in the state legislature to allow other bars in the borough holding seasonal liquor licenses to open in March in time for the St. Patricks Day.

The Harmons were paying more money for a year-round liquor license than the business owners paying for seasonal licenses and were understandably opposed to the bill that would allow others to serve alcohol earlier, Shaklee said.

The brothers opposition didnt sit well Belmar officials, who dragged their feet on a liquor license background check and created other obstacles that hindered the opening of Salt, the suit states.

The $2.81 million settlement was reached in October 2023 following mediation.

The Harmons have closure now, they can move on now, Shaklee said. But they feel there was a lot of damage to them for not being able to open Salt.

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Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, January 12. Restrictions on holding rallies have been extended in Kyrgyzstan's Bishkek until March 31, 2024, Trend reports.

According to the press service of the Pervomaysky district administration of Bishkek, this decision was made by the district court. The restrictions apply to various locations, including:

- Ala-Too Square;

- Erkindik Boulevard - from Lineynaya Street to Chui Avenue;

- Near the buildings of the Presidential Administration and the Parliament and adjacent Panfilov park

- Near the Supreme Court building;

- Near the Russian Embassy in Kyrgyzstan;

- Near the State Committee for National Security building;

- Near the Ministry of Internal Affairs building.

Only official events organized by government agencies are allowed in these areas. Rallies can be held in Maxim Gorky Park.

The Pervomaysky district court of Bishkek had previously ruled on December 26, 2022, to prohibit rallies in the city center, designating a specific location for peaceful assemblies  the square near the monument to Gorky. This prohibition has been subsequently extended multiple times.
A police officer in Brielle has been charged with illegally using law enforcement databases to look up information about neighbors and family members, authorities said.

Brian M. Dreher, 37, of Brick, has been suspended without pay, the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office said Friday. He faces a charge of computer theft.

Dreher used the databases from December 2020 to November 2023, authorities said.

This is a very sad and disappointing situation, Brielle police Chief Gary Olsen said in a statement. When any officer engages in this type of conduct, he violates the trust and integrity of the community in which they have sworn to protect and serve. Police officers are held to a higher standard, and it is essential that we always do the right thing in order to maintain public confidence in our police department. Behavior such as this is unacceptable and will never be tolerated.

Hired in 2015, Dreher is paid an annual salary of $138,260 according to state pension records.

His first appearance in court is scheduled for Feb. 20, according to an affidavit.

Derheers attorney couldnt immediately be reached by phone Friday.

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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
A New Jersey man who ran a lucrative illegal marijuana dispensary out of a home, a camper and a trailer has been sentenced to five years in state prison.

Daniel Kessel, 37, of Toms River, operated BudHub from 2020 to 2023 and was arrested and charged on three separate occasions during that period, the Ocean County Prosecutors Office said.

Kessel was fist arrested in August 2020 when authorities got a search warrant for a home in the Holiday City section of Berkeley, where he lived at the time. Investigators found seven pounds of hashish, two pounds of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), drug paraphernalia, drug equipment and supplies as well $18,000 in cash.

Detectives also learned Kessel had a safe deposit box at a Bank of America branch in Toms River. Days later, a search warrant turned up another $61,000 in cash in the box.

Then in September 2021, investigators learned that Kessel was selling drugs out of a home in the Holiday City section of Berkeley as a well as a camper and trailer in Toms River. Detectives got a warrant and found a total of $457,000 in cash at the three spots. They also discovered and froze a Venmo account containing $49,000 as well as a CashApp account containing an another $45,000.

Kessel was released from jail again and continued selling drugs, though, officials said.

He was arrested a third time in February when Toms River police executed a search warrant at his home and found THC products and more pot.

In August, Kessel was pleased guilty to conspiracy to maintain a controlled dangerous substance production facility, conspiracy to commit financial facilitation and failure to pay income tax as well as conspiracy to distribute marijuana.

He received a five year sentence for each, which are to run concurrently.

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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
A Salem County woman accused of lending a car to her unlicensed son  who then drove the vehicle in a high-speed crash that killed another teen  entered a not guilty plea Friday after rejecting a plea offer.

Tisha M. Gargon, 52, of Pittsgrove, was indicted in November on a second-degree charge of violation of public health and safety law resulting in death following the May 2022 crash that killed Evan DAnjou, a 15-year-old Schalick High School student.

Gargon allegedly lent the car to her son, Dane T. Pierce, who was 16 years old and ineligible for a drivers license when police say he drove the vehicle at more than 100 mph before striking a tree in Pittsgrove.

DAnjou, who was a passenger in the car, died at the scene.

Evan DAnjou, 15, died in a May 2022 car crash in Pittsgrove. (Provided photo)

The prosecution offered Gargon a plea deal of five years in prison in return for a guilty plea, but she turned down the deal.

This is the second indictment for Gargon in the case. Her original indictment on second- and third-degree child endangerment charges was dismissed in April.

The case against her son was transferred from family to criminal court earlier this year, when he was charged as an adult and accused of operating a motor vehicle while unlicensed and in a reckless manner which resulted in a motor vehicle crash while under the influence (marijuana), according to a summons filed by New Jersey State Police.

Police subpoenaed medical records that showed Pierce tested positive for THC, the compound in marijuana that makes people high, according to the affidavit of probable cause in his case. However, police did not say what tests were done or how they determined the teenager was under the influence of marijuana while driving.

A grand jury indicted Pierce, now 17, in November on first-degree aggravated manslaughter and second-degree reckless vehicular homicide charges.

Last month, Pierce rejected a plea offer from prosecutors and entered a not guilty plea in his case. Under the deal, prosecutors would have recommend a seven-year prison sentence in return for a guilty plea to the first-degree aggravated manslaughter charge.

The teen allegedly ran a stop sign on McKishen Road at the intersection with Buck Road in Pittsgrove, according to police. The car traveled across Buck Road and off the roadway before it went airborne and hit a tree.

The vehicle was traveling at 108 mph five seconds before the crash and 104 mph just before impact, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

At the crash scene, Pierce allegedly told the troopers he had killed his best friend.

Hes scheduled to return to court Jan. 22 for his next hearing and Gargon is due back in court Feb. 12.

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Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com.
Marcus Stroman, who tried to burn down Queens on his way out, is returning to New York. Now the question is: Will he eventually try to set the Bronx on fire, too?

BUY YANKEES TICKETS: STUBHUB, VIVID SEATS, TICKETSMARTER

The Yankees  desperate to add another arm to their starting rotation  swallowed hard and agreed to a two-year contract with Stroman on Thursday, with an option for a third year, according to reports  putting him into a starting rotation with AL Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Nestor Cortes and Clarke Schmidt.

MORE: Yankees would be stupid to sign Stroman, whos a jerk, host says

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Stroman is guaranteed $37 million over two years, which can turn into $55 million over three years if he pitches 140 innings in 2025.

On Instagram on Thursday night, Stroman posted a photo of him as a kid in a Yankees sweatshirt and a Photo-shopped image of him as a major-leaguer in a Yankees jersey and proclaimed, Im a New York Yankee!

Stroman might have been the second choice: The Yankees made an offer to free-agent left-hander Blake Snell on Thursday, according to reports. Stromans agreement is likely an indication of how that went.

Also Thursday, the Yankees re-signed free agent right-hander Luke Weaver, who had a solid three start-run with the Yankees last September after struggling badly for most of the 2023 season pitching for the Reds and Mariners. Weaver, 30, is back on a one-year, $2 million contract that includes a club option for 2024 that could increase the total value to $8.25 million.

How the controversial Stroman  who exchanged pot shots with the Yankees five years ago  will fit in the buttoned-down and buttoned-lip clubhouse will be a pressing issue. A team trying to rebound from its worst season in decades  with its manager and general manager trying to keep their jobs  can ill afford distractions that Stroman often creates.

Stroman, a Long Island native, opted out of his three-year $71 million contract with the Cubs after two seasons to become a free agent. In his time in Chicago, he posted a 3.73 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP and 238 strikeouts in 275 1/3 innings. He missed six weeks in 2023 with hip and rib injuries.

Around the 2019 trade deadline, when Stroman ended up with the Mets, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said he did not think Stroman would be a difference-maker and predicted Stroman would be in the bullpen by the postseason. Stroman did not forget and fired off now-deleted tweets about the Yankees.

Besides Cole, theres no current Yankee pitcher who will be anywhere in my league over the next 5-7 years, Stroman wrote in 2021, according to the New York Post. Their pitching always folds in the end. That lineup and payroll should be winning World Series left and right  yet theyre in a drought. Lol.

The Mets let Stroman walk when he was a free agent after the 2021 season and he signed with the Cubs. After that, he criticized former Mets manager Billy Eppler, who has since been forced to resign.

Just look at who the Mets hired as their GM  that tells you enough, Stroman wrote in a since-deleted tweet in February 2022. His lack of awareness in his previous position is being exposed to the public now. Im beyond thankful Im gone from that organization. God got me!

While pitching against the Mets this year, Stroman left the mound while pounding his chest and yelling into the visitors dugout, which left one anonymous Mets player to tell The New York Post: Show some respect.

With the Mets, Stroman created headaches with his online antics. He argued with a reporter who noted how many personal highlights Stroman retweeted after a loss; he liked a tweet that called another reporter an Italian slur, then insisted he would never downgrade another race. He said he was the target of racial slurs and death threats while with the Mets but added that the front office didnt care.

With the Blue Jays, Stroman allegedly kicked minor-leaguers out of a weight room so he could work out  allegations he denied. After being traded to the Mets at the 2019 trade deadline, he mocked the Toronto front office for not offering him a contract extension.

A first-round pick in 2012 out of Duke, Stroman was suspended in the minor leagues for 50 games after testing positive for a banned substance. He admitted he took the stimulant but insisted it was an honest mistake.

Stroman bragged to the Toronto Sun in 2019 that he was made to pitch for the Yankees.

Im built for (Yankee Stadium), he said. Anybody can say whatever, but Im built for the bright lights and the moment. Im not scared of it. Ill never be. I love it.
Ever since the Yankees acquired Juan Soto from the Padres, the burning question centered on how long hed actually remain in Pinstripes. The answer will go a long way towards determining the franchises long-term success.

Theres still no clarity on the issue - other than the guarantee that Soto will test free agency in November. But at least this much is clear: hes finally under contract for 2024. And what a whopper of a deal it is.

Soto and the Yankees avoided arbitration on Thursday by agreeing to a one-year pact worth $31 million. That exceeds the previous record for an arbitration-eligible player, set last year by Shohei Ohtani for $30 million.

For now, Aaron Judge remains the highest-paid player in the Bronx, thanks to his nine-year, $360 million contract that began in 2024. But dont read anything into that.

If Soto stays in New York long term, its because Hal Steinbrenner was willing to pay Soto upwards of $500 million over 10-12 years.

Theres no indication which way Soto is leaning for 2025 and beyond. Hes represented by Scott Boras, which means hell be hunting for top dollar. The Yankees shouldnt count on a hometown discount.

But they were at least willing to give Soto record-setting money to skirt arbitration. Such hearings inevitably leave a bad taste in a players mouth. So theres that.

In other business on Thursday, the Yankees avoided arbitration by signing the remaining nine players who were eligible. All were inked to one-year deals.

*Gleyber Torres ($14.2 million)

*Clay Holmes ($6 million)

*Nestor Cortes ($3.95 million)

*Jonathan Loaisiga ($2.5 million)

*Clarke Schmidt ($2.025 million)

*Alex Verdugo ($8.7 million)

*Jose Trevino ($2.73 million)

*Trent Grisham ($5.5 million)

*Victor Gonzalez ($860,000)

FIXING THE YANKEES:

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Bob Klapisch may be reached at bklapisch@njadvancemedia.com.
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China's auto exports hit record high in 2023 amid increased global recognition

Xinhua) 08:14, January 12, 2024

BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- China's auto exports surged 57.9 percent year on year to a record high of 4.91 million vehicles in 2023 as the country's automakers expanded their presence overseas, data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) showed Thursday.

This figure marks another significant increase after the country exported 3.11 million vehicles in 2022 and 2.02 million in 2021.

The massive growth was propelled by a surge in the exports of new energy vehicles (NEVs), which soared 77.6 percent to more than 1.2 million units last year. Exports of pure electric vehicles expanded by 80.9 percent while that of hybrid ones increased by 47.8 percent year on year.

Total auto sales surged 12 percent year on year to top 30.09 million units in 2023, while output exceeded 30.16 million units, up 11.6 percent compared with the 2022 level, CAAM data revealed.

In 2023, production and sales of NEVs exceeded 9.58 million and 9.49 million units, surging 35.8 percent and 37.9 percent year on year, respectively. The market share of NEVs stood at 31.6 percent.

People look at a BYD Han electric car during a media preview of the 100th Brussels Motor Show in Brussels, Belgium, Jan. 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

GREATER GLOBAL RECOGNITION

"The rapid expansion of China's auto sector is delivering improvement to both performance and quality of its products, which are gradually being recognized and accepted by global consumers," said Shu Jueting, a spokesperson with China's commerce ministry, when commenting on the growth of China's auto exports Thursday.

Western and Southern European and Southeast Asian markets are China's major auto export destinations, particularly Belgium, Spain, the United Kingdom and Thailand, according to Cui Dongshu, secretary general of the China Passenger Car Association.

While export volume rose sharply, the average price of automobiles exported last year also increased to 19,000 U.S. dollars, up from 16,000 dollars in 2021, Cui revealed.

"Made-in-China vehicles have not only expanded their reach, but are also improving in quality and gaining greater market recognition," Cui said.

"Before you had to push consumers to buy Chinese cars because people were not familiar with them, but now there are people coming to ask for such brands," said Richard Van Der Engle, owner of a car dealership that sells MG models of China's SAIC in New Zealand.

"New Zealanders have high expectations in terms of the technology available in their cars," he said.

An aerial drone photo taken on July 9, 2023 shows MG cars produced by Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp (SAIC) to be shipped to Australia at Shanghai Haitong International Automotive Terminal in Waigaoqiao of east China's Shanghai. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe)

AUTO MANUFACTURING STRENGTH

China's BYD, which overtook Tesla last quarter as the world's leading seller of pure electric vehicles, saw its exports grow by about 334 percent to over 240,000 units in 2023. The company has sold its products to more than 70 countries and regions on six continents.

Foreign automakers in China are also increasing exports to the global market. Ford China announced in December 2023 that it had shipped over 100,000 vehicles manufactured in China overseas, recording a historic high.

China's thriving auto exports, especially NEV sales in overseas markets, is backed by its vast and burgeoning domestic market, the government's push for low-carbon development, an increasingly modern industrial system, and mature industrial chains.

Shenzhen-based BYD has benefited from technical advancement in this southern tech hub, which boasts a variety of manufacturers producing products ranging from battery packs to charging piles, as well as internet and artificial intelligence companies that are making inroads into the intelligent driving sector.

In the Yangtze River Delta, a major automobile production base in China, an NEV rolls off the production lines every 10 seconds. With chips and software sourced from Shanghai, batteries produced in Jiangsu, and die-casting machines from Zhejiang, an NEV factory in the delta region can acquire all necessary auto parts within a four-hour drive.

"After a long period of 'accumulation,' auto exports in China have entered a stage of explosive growth," said Cui Dongshu, who believes that there is huge development scope for NEVs and domestic brands.

A Wuling Air electric vehicle is seen outside the venue of the 43rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sept. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang)

UPBEAT PROSPECTS AHEAD

Looking ahead, Chen Shihua, deputy secretary-general of the CAAM, said that with the overall economy continuing to recover, China's auto market is likely to maintain sound momentum this year.

The CAAM said it expects China's NEV sales to reach 11.5 million units in 2024, while total auto exports are tipped to hit 5.5 million units.

"The year 2024 could be a crucial year for China's NEV industry in terms of enlarging its presence in the global arena and being a driving force for economic and social development," said Zhang Yongwei, vice president of electric vehicle industry think tank China EV100.

The stronger global presence of Chinese automobiles will change the landscape of the world's auto industry, according to Zhang, who predicted that China's auto exports, combined with vehicles produced in overseas branches of Chinese companies, will top 10 million in 2030, of which 50 percent will be NEVs.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, January 12. The Ministry of Transport of Tajikistan and the Export-Import Bank of Slovakia (Eximbanka SR) have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation for a preferential loan and grant to implement investment projects in Tajikistan's transport sector, Trend reports.

The aim of this agreement, according to the Ministry of Transport of Tajikistan, is to install weigh stations on the national and international highways of Tajikistan.

This signing was preceded by negotiations between Tajikistan's Minister of Transport, Azim Ibrohim, Ambassador of Slovakia to Tajikistan (with residence in Uzbekistan), Viktor Borecky, the Director of the Eximbanka SR, Mikhail Demak, and Director for cooperation with Central Asian countries at the Slovak "Betamont" company, Rostislav Babicz.

Mikhail Demak said that the Slovak bank is ready to invest in implementation of investment projects in Tajikistan's road and transportation sector, particularly in the installation of weigh stations for measuring heavy vehicles and digitizing the transport industry on mutually beneficial terms.

In turn, Tajik minister expressed the country's interest in developing bilateral relations in the direction of implementing investment projects.

He highlighted that installing weigh stations to regulate the norms and movement of freight vehicles contributes to protecting road infrastructure from damages.

According to him, this overall process will lead to an increased lifespan of the built infrastructure and a reduction in funds allocated for the ongoing maintenance of road structures.
Chefs Brady Chiasson and Crystal Lachney went to culinary school together at the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute (CJFCI) in Thibodaux, work as food stylists for film and TV, and last year started a sourdough pizza pop-up, Fire & Slice. Theyll be in residence at Zony Mash Beer Project through spring, serving pizza, pasta and more Wednesday through Sunday. Starting in February, theyll have weekend crawfish boils. For a menu and more information, visit @fireandslicepizzanola on Instagram.

Gambit: How did you get interested in cooking?

Brady Chiasson: I went into cooking because I was into the Food Network as a kid. Being from Thibodaux, Louisiana, I am a little bayou Cajun and I was really obsessed with Emeril Lagasse. He was my childhood hero. Its really cool because Crystal and I both work for him as his food stylists for a couple of shows on the Roku channel.

Crystal Lachney: I grew up in Alexandria. I worked in my family friends meat market starting at 13 years old. It was a butcher shop. I was making boudin and stuffing chickens and all that stuff. I got into that at a young age, and it made me want to get into the food industry.

Then I did John Folse (Culinary Institute), and we did that together for four years. While I was there, I helped open a restaurant called Cinclare. I was the executive chef by the time I was 20 years old. People were older than me in the kitchen, but they respected me.

I did an externship when I was a sophomore in New York City for Marc Forgione, who had one Michelin star at the time. When I was a senior, I got selected to go to France. CJFCI has a sister program with Institute Paul Bocuse, where theyll send students over the summer for a four-month program. Its classical French. We covered everything from bread-making and pastry to butchery. I didnt even realize it until graduation, but they were like, you placed at the top of your class.

Chiasson: We met at CJFCI at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux. We stayed friends ever since.

Gambit: What is working in the film industry like?

Lachney: I came back (to New Orleans) two years ago because of Covid. I wanted to get out of restaurants, because they were draining the life out of me. My cousin works in film here, and she put me onto the food styling aspect. You can still do your chef thing and make really good money doing it. Its fun, you get to do different stuff every day.

Chiasson: Its all about color theory and design and eating aesthetically, which is a large part of cooking to begin with. We had a lot of that fundamental stuff locked down already.

With cooking shows, you want to present a real recipe as authentically as possible. The object of a cooking show is to present a recipe to an audience that will attempt the recipe. It is our job to make this recipe look aesthetically pleasing using only the ingredients you give to the audience.

On Emerils show Emeril Cooks, I was featured as a guest on the crawfish episode. I developed a crawfish boil recipe and presented it on camera with Emeril, and we served it to his guests on camera.

Gambit: How did you start Fire & Slice?

Chiasson: There was a massive writer and film strike, and we pivoted back into our old stomping grounds of restaurants. But it wasnt cutting the mustard anymore, so we were like, weve got to do something.

We saw these really cool ovens, these Gozneys that roll at 1,000 degrees. We decided we were going to do a pizza pop-up: Neapolitan style crispy pizzas in these really cool ovens.

Lachney: Brady and I did externships in New York at the same time, and I swear we ate pizza every day for lunch. We have good pizza here, but not enough.

Chiasson: Sourdough pizza is pretty rare in New Orleans. Its really crispy, airy, and it has a little bit of tang to it. We play off that with all of our ingredients.

Were doing everything from scratch in front of the guests. They see us hand-stretching the dough and applying fresh ingredients. We partnered with St. James Cheese Co., and a cured meats purveyor out of Berkeley, California, called FraMani. Its been amazing. We do all Louisiana seafood. We go to the Westwego Shrimp Lot.

Were doing pizzas and cheesy breads. There are staples. Well always have the margherita pizza. The Cure pizza will always be there. People can always get a classic pepperoni or cheese. We have a few special pizzas like the spinach and artichoke dip with local shrimp.

We have a trailer (at Zony Mash) that will let us do more than we were doing before. Were adding pasta dishes. We have a full catering menu for events at Zony Mash. A few of the items from that menu might appear as specials.

There will be special pizzas and pastas. We might do some cold apps, like pesto with toasted pinenuts and sourdough crostini or some bruschetta with sourdough.

With this, we love that we get to be really involved in New Orleans nightlife. We get to meet a lot of people. We get to say hi and hand them pizza and see a smile on their face. As a restaurant, one of your biggest hurdles is to get people in the door. When were out there on Magazine Street, you get people walking by and they see twirling pizzas, and they smell it and they see you make a pizza fresh in front of them. It becomes part of the story of their night. Thats really special to us.
Gov. Jeff Landrys 14-item agenda for his first special legislative session calls to mind the rapacious power grabs of Huey Long, the tyrannical, bombastic Kingfish who ruled the state with an iron fist nearly a century ago.

Thats not hyperbole.

Even a cursory read of Landrys official call for the special session that begins Tuesday reveals his desire to usurp power from  and then dominate  both other branches of state government.

Which is exactly what Long did, and more. Wielding power with a speed and ferocity that The New York Times described as having mechanical precision, Long combined his constitutional authority to call special sessions with his dictatorial control of the Legislature to fulfill his ambitions and punish his enemies.

If todays state lawmakers do as Landry asks during the special session, he will pull off a power grab unlike anything Louisiana has seen since Longs heyday.

In fairness, a special session is needed  but only for a single, narrow purpose: to redraw Louisianas six congressional districts in a manner that creates a second majority-Black district. Thats what U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick has ordered, with a Jan. 30 deadline  and its a difficult enough task by itself.

Lawmakers spent months in 2022 crafting district maps that maintained the GOPs 5-to-1 hold on the states six U.S. House seats, with only one majority-Black district. That plan was challenged in federal court, which led to Dicks order.

Landry appears willing to honor that order, but his call for the nine-day special session includes a lot more than that.

For starters, the governor also wants lawmakers to reconstitute the Louisiana Supreme Court in a week or less. His official session agenda includes drawing new Supreme Court districts, changing the courts composition, changing the number and method of electing justices, and changing the method of selecting the Chief Justice.

Why?

Because, again for starters, Landry has a political grudge against Chief Justice John Weimer, who had the audacity to win re-election in 2022.

That came after Weimer allies thwarted then-AG Landrys attempt to get U.S. District Judge John deGravelles to postpone Weimers scheduled election for two years  until November of this year  by which time Weimer will have reached the judicial retirement age of 70 and become ineligible to run again.

Instead, Weimer won re-election without opposition and can now serve a full 10-year term  through 2032, a year past Landrys gubernatorial best by date  unless Landry can push him out of office or sideline him via a constitutional rewrite.

If he succeeds, Landry also could elect allies to a reconstituted high court and try to bring to heel incumbent justices who want his backing to keep their jobs.

Could Landry really do all that, when constitutional amendments require a two-thirds vote of both legislative chambers and voter approval in a statewide referendum?

Yes, if he can convince the GOP supermajority in both the House and Senate to pass this part of his agenda with Huey Long-style mechanical precision  and schedule the referendum on the same day that Donald Trumps name appears on the ballot. That would guarantee a lopsided Republican (read: pro-Landry) turnout.

If you think this scenario is far-fetched, think again.

Landry also aspires to bend the Legislature to his will, by ending Louisianas jungle primary system and reverting to separate, or closed party primaries.

A closed primary system effectively disenfranchises folks who are not registered Democrat or Republican. In Louisiana, thats nearly 822,000 voters  27.6% of the electorate.

Worse, it would facilitate Landry threatening to primary any lawmaker who even thinks about disobeying his orders. Its what Trump does to browbeat GOP House and Senate members in Washington  and why so many of them blindly kowtow to Trump.

Could Landry actually follow through on such a threat?

Absolutely, thanks to his G-men  Guidry, Grigsby and Gurvich  the three power brokers who engineered Landrys victory in the governors race.

Shane Guidry, CEO of Harvey Gulf International Marine, is a big-time political player, GOP financier and trusted Landry advisor. Guidry also paid Landry for serving as an independent board member of one of his companies while Landry served as attorney general.

Lane Grigsby is a Baton Rouge contractor, arch-conservative GOP financier and self-proclaimed kingmaker who recently helped elect some of the most right-wing members of the Legislature and state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). Like Guidry, Grigsby isnt shy about spending money to advance his political goals.

Lou Gurvich doesnt have the cash or the cachet of Guidry and Grigsby, but he does chair the Louisiana Republican Party  and he uses that bully pulpit to promote all things Landry. Hes also among the most ardent supporters of the closed primary system, which, if adopted, would make him a bit of a kingmaker in his own right.

Whats to stop Landry and the G-men from ramming a closed-primary bill through the special session?

Two things: first, Louisiana voters overwhelmingly oppose the idea; and second, lawmakers just got elected (or re-elected) under the jungle primary system  and scrapping it would turn them into political eunuchs. Does Landry really think theyre that credulous?

On top of all that, Landry wants lawmakers to consider unspecified changes to the states election code and campaign finance laws  the political equivalent of mystery meat.

History has a scary way of repeating itself, mostly because too few people learn from it. Well know soon enough if Landry can pull off his own Kingfish-style power grab.
The murder case against a New Orleans mother accused of stabbing her two young children, one fatally, before turning the knife on herself, has landed with a third Orleans Parish judge after two other jurists recused themselves, citing potential conflicts.

Chief Judge Tracey Flemings-Davillier recently became the latest to be dealt the high-profile case against Jenee Pedesclaux, 32.

"God is trying to tell (the judges) something. He is the only real judge," said the defendant's father, Gueren Pedesclaux. He expressed frustration at the pace of the prosecution and at his daughter's care, given her history of mental illness and a suicide attempt.
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, January 12. Slovak Betamont company is keen on fostering collaboration with partners from Tajikistan in the transport sector, Rostislav Babicz, the Director for cooperation with Central Asian countries at the company said, Trend reports.

As per the Ministry of Transport in Tajikistan, talks were held in Tajikistan, involving the country's Minister of Transport, Azim Ibrohim, Slovakia's Ambassador to Tajikistan (based in Uzbekistan), Viktor Borecky, and Director of the Export-Import Bank of Slovakia (Eximbanka SR), Mikhail Demak.

During the talks, Babicz said that Betamont has achieved significant milestones in implementing transport projects in recent years.

Following these discussions, the Ministry of Transport of Tajikistan and the Export-Import Bank of Slovakia (Eximbanka SR) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation.

This agreement involves a preferential loan and grant to implement investment projects in Tajikistan's transport sector, specifically aiming to install weigh stations on the national and international highways.
Marlane Cheri Drake covers sensitive plant ahead of a cold airmass that will be blowing in from the arctic at her residence on Burdette Street in New Orleans, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022, The weather could cause at least three hard freezes in a row in the New Orleans area this weekend. National Weather Service forecasters have predicted freezing cold temperatures Christmas weekend, the coldest seen thus far as fall gives way to the start of winter. (Staff Photo by David Grunfeld, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)
Former Gov. Edwin Edwards jokes with the crowd at the East Baton Rouge Council on Aging's "Taste of Baton Rouge" event at the Shaw Center for the Arts on Nov. 13, 2014.
For just a few seconds, I was wondering whether there would be another hour, another day, another weekend.
Six more homes for Afghan families are to be provided at a military base in North Devon, bringing the total to 18.

North Devon Council (NDC) has agreed to accept the Ministry of Defences offer of the further units at the Royal Marine barracks at Chivenor, near Braunton, for which it will receive funding to provide support for the families under the Afghanistan Resettlement Scheme.

The council will get 20,000 per refugee over three years. Its housing manager works with schools and other local services to manage the local impact.

All 12 units already at the base in Braunton are currently occupied.

Members of the councils strategy and resources committee were told that if they didnt agree to the additional units, it was likely that the MOD would carry on regardless of council support, and it was likely the funding would be cut.

North Devon Council is providing 13 of its own homes for people displaced by conflict in Afghanistan and Ukraine, with 1.5 million from the government through the Local Authority Housing Fund which it has match funded.

The scheme helps families to move out of temporary and emergency accommodation like B&Bs to stable homes.

The accommodation will eventually be used for people suffering homelessness in the district when it is no longer needed for the resettlement scheme.
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, January 12. Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon has signed a decree on the establishment of a permanent delegation of Tajikistan to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Trend reports.

According to the press service of the Tajik president, the document also specifies that the country's government needs to approve the structure and responsibilities of the representation, as well as the staffing schedule.

Tajikistan became a full-fledged member of UNESCO in April 1993. In 1994, the country established a national commission for UNESCO affairs.

Tajikistan collaborates with UNESCO on matters related to cultural and historical heritage, conducting research on territories and archaeological monuments that may be of interest to the global community.
MUNSTER  A 35-year-old Munster man was taken into custody and faces a felony arson charge in connection with two vehicles on fire Sunday in a local parking garage, police said.

Wayne Robert Gralewski Jr. was arrested Tuesday and in addition to arson, has been charged with criminal mischief, according to Munster police.

Police and fire officials said they were called out around 8:20 p.m. Sunday to 8445 Manor Ave. in reference to two vehicles on fire in a parking garage.

Munster Battalion Chief Kevin Nowaczyk had said firefighters arrived to find two vehicles ablaze in the underground garage and heavy smoke from the fires rising into residential areas of the building.

He said the overwhelming fire response from communities on both sides of the state line was necessary due to the potential for a large building fire.

Vehicle crashes Friday into lobby of Region animal clinic, officials say The clinic will remain open Friday, but is asking clients to use the emergency entrance.

But the fires ultimately were contained to the two vehicles in the parking garage, Nowaczyk said.

"An investigation by the Munster Fire Department and the Munster Police Departments Criminal Investigations Division found that the vehicles were set on fire with the use of gasoline as an accelerant," police said.

A review of surveillance video footage, along with witness interviews led the law to Gralewski, police said.

Firefighters ventilated the upper floors of the building as some residents remained in their condominiums while others evacuated and watched from outside as fire crews entered and exited the structure and parking garage.

Nowaczyk said all the residents were accounted for and none were injured due to the fires. Likewise, no firefighters were injured, he said.

Times Staff Writer Dan Carden contributed to this report.
The East Chicago School Board interviewed four candidates for a vacant board seat on Wednesday, despite only two members present to conduct the interviews.

The candidates are Cristina Williams, Alfred Richardson, Kelly Williams and Mercedez Taylor.

They're vying to succeed former school board member Vanessa Hernandez-Orange, who stepped down last month ahead of taking an at-large seat on the East Chicago Common Council.

In total nine individuals applied for the school board vacancy, according to the board's attorney Jewell Harris.

The interviews, which each lasted around 10 to 15 minutes, took place at East Chicago Central High School.

Cristina Williams, the director of diversity, equity and belonging at Ivy Tech Lake County, said the board position aligned with her personal goals and values given her previous experience as a special education paraprofessional and teacher.

She said her focus on the school board would be on educating students so they can become productive citizens.

"If we can get our students prepared...and we're making decisions that are going to benefit them, then society and the community benefit from that in the long run," Cristina Williams said.

She had previously ran for the school board in 2020.

Richardson, a local business owner, said he viewed children as an investment and wanted to help them if he was appointed to the board.

His focus would be on improving the district metrics, such as graduation rates and vocational education enrollment. Richardson also said he would want to make sure teachers are fairly compensated.

"We can't really expect the best results if not hiring the best people," he said. "As a businessman, I know you have to pay for what you get."

Kelly Williams, a pastor, said he came from a home of educators, as his mother was a longtime teacher in East Chicago schools. If appointed, he would want to create community and collaboration between district administrators and employees in order to create an environment where students want to be in.

He also indicated he wouldn't want a short stint on the board.

"I'm coming in to it with a perspective that I will be putting my name in the hat to run when this seat becomes open in the next election," Kelly Williams said.

Taylor, a healthcare administrator, said her focus would be helping create an educational environment where all students are supported, feel safe and heard.

"I just want to be able to be that voice for the children," Taylor said. "I didn't have that voice when I came to [East Chicago] Central High School. I came in and I had to fight for myself."

If appointed to the board, Taylor said she would like to see college introduced to students at a younger level and also introduce them to careers in integration and information technology.

Two school board members, Jesse Gomez and Pattie Jo Gibson-King, were absent from the meeting. Both had walked out of the previous meeting on Monday after the board failed to elect a president, vice president and secretary. Their early departure forced the meeting to be cut short.

The school board is expected to name their selection to the school board on Jan. 16.

Educators and families are divided on banning phones in classrooms. Is locking up phones the solution? Educators and families are divided on banning phones in classrooms. Is locking up phones the solution? Cell phones: distractions or essential life lines? 'The extreme end'
EAST CHICAGO  In the summer, the soot that gathers on Elizabeth Palacios car is so thick, she can write her name.

In the winter, the snow that fills her East Chicago yard isnt white.

I see the pollution just about everyday, Palacio, a retired U.S. Steel employee said during a Wednesday public meeting.

Palacio said the smoke that billows from Northwest Indiana steel mill stacks contains pollution that gets wherever it can get and flows wherever it can flow. It sits on park benches, the kids slides, even on our grass.

Palacio was one of about 20 Region residents who asked the Indiana Department of Environmental Management for stricter steel mill emission standards during the meeting.

Organized by IDEM, the meeting was held to discuss a proposed air permit renewal for Cleveland-Cliffs Indiana Harbor Works in East Chicago.

Cleveland-Cliffs is seeking a five-year renewal for the Indiana Harbor air permit. Cleveland-Cliffs acquired the Indiana Harbor steel mills from ArcelorMittal in late 2020, after the permit was last renewed.

Many speakers asked the agency to not just look at the emissions from Cleveland-Cliffs Indiana Harbor Works emissions, but to also consider the cumulative impact the Regions many industries have on overall human health.

However, Jenny Acker, the chief of IDEMs Air Permits Branch, said the agency can only evaluate whether Cleveland Cliffs permit is in compliance with state and federal rules.

If the many industries operating in Northwest Indiana are all complying with state and federal emission standards, then why are we so sick here? Carolyn McGrady, a member of Gary Advocates for Responsible Development, wanted to know. McGrady asked the IDEM representatives if they believed there were any flaws with the standards the agency uses to evaluate permits.

I believe thats a political question and that is not the purpose of this conversation, Acker responded.

Air quality is a can that we can keep kicking down the road, but we are running out of pavement very quickly, Gary resident Michaela Spangenburg warned.

When trying to get her neighbors to attend the meeting, Gary resident Jalisa Mauldin said she found that many have already lost faith in the state and federal institutions that claim to protect human health.

Mauldin said the general sentiment she encountered was either you die here, or you move.

Speakers asked IDEM to use the EPAs environmental justice screening tool to analyze the community surrounding Cleveland-Cliffs. The environmental justice screen tool maps a number of environmental and demographic factors such as existing pollution levels, median income and life expectancy.

Acker said IDEM has already completed an environmental justice analysis for the area and the results will be available to the public when the agency releases a final decision on the permit.

All public comment will also be included in IDEMs final decision. However, the Wednesday night meeting was not apart of the official public comment process, so what was said will not be included. The public comment period closes Jan. 16. Comments can be mailed to Wilfredo de la Rosa, Indiana Department of Environmental Management Office of Air Quality, 100 N. Senate Ave., MC 61-53 IGCN 1003 Indianapolis, IN, or emailed to wdelaros@idem.IN.gov.

PHOTOS: IDEM open house at Gibson Woods Nature Preserve grand cal aoc grand cal aoc open house grand cal aoc grand cal aoc grand cal aoc open house Grand cal aoc open house grand cal aoc open house
The South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority named human resources director and former board member Niki Lopez its interim CEO while it searches for a long-term replacement for former President and CEO David Uran, who stepped down last month after less than two years in the job.

Lopez served on the SSCVA board for eight years and has run the tourism agency's HR department for nine months. Her appointment to interim CEO was made during a board of directors meeting Thursday.

"I'm just really excited for the opportunity and to play a larger role in the company," she said. "I've been involved with the South Shore for the last nine years  in HR, as a board member and also as a partner when I worked for the city of Hobart. Our municipality was a partner. I'm just excited to play a larger role and see what we can get done in the next couple months here."

Lake County tourism is nearly a $1 billion per year industry.

"There's a high potential right now," Lopez said. "Events have been really good this year so we're going to expand on that. We're going to expand on our partnerships and just keep the ball rolling."

SSCVA Chairman Andy Qunell said Lopez was well qualified for the executive role.

"Niki's going to do a great job," he said. "She ran events in Hobart and did an outstanding job. If you talk to anyone out there, they will tell you."

The board picked her to serve as interim CEO, its third leader in two years.

"We kind of suggested her," Qunell said. "We kind of polled the board and said, 'what did you think?'"

The SSCVA board plans to conduct a search for a new full-time CEO, hiring a local firm instead of the national one it brought in last time while seeking to replace longtime chairman Speros Batistatos.

"It will be an application process where an outside firm will be reviewing the applicants," Qunell said. "They will winnow it down to a number we decide on, and then we'll bring the finalists to the board and then we'll decide."

Last time, the search took four or five months. The job opening must be posted for at least 45 days.

"We'll cast a wide net," board member Brent Brashier said.

The board voted Thursday to pay Lopez the equivalent of the chief operating officer's salary while she was handling the added responsibility. It plans to reevaluate the CEO pay, which likely will be lower in the future, Qunell said.

"We're going to reevaluate it based on the market and what's out there," he said. "We want to reevaluate what the market bears. We always look at these jobs every year to make sure we're paying the proper market rate."

The board also voted Thursday to negotiate a severance payment with Uran, who said he was resigning to spend more time with family in a surprise move just after the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority hosted the full cast of "A Christmas Story" at the Indiana Welcome Center. He will be paid up to nine months of his salary.

Qunell said a payout was contractually obligated and that it would just be base pay.

"There's a clause in his contract over it," he said. "Under the terms of his contract, which is the case with any executive, there are terms in the contract with how they're compensated for their departure."
The United Steelworkers union is filing grievances against U.S. Steel's proposed $14.9 billion sale to Japan-based Nippon Steel.

The USW is alleging the Pittsburgh-based steelmaker, one of the Region's largest industrial companies, violated the successorship clause in its basic labor agreement.

"The grievances were filed at Step 2 and allege that USS violated our contracts in a number of ways when it entered into a sale agreement with an affiliate of Nippon Steel Corporation in December," USW said in an update to members.

A U.S. Steel spokesperson said the company has fulfilled its contractual obligations.

"U. S. Steel complied with its obligations under the Basic Labor Agreements," the spokesperson said. "Our USW-represented employees are an integral part of our operations today and in the future, and we look forward to continuing to work together collaboratively."

The union maintains it assigned its right to bid to Cleveland-Cliffs, which initially made an unsolicited $7.3 billion offer to buy U.S. Steel, trigging the company to put itself on the market.

"We know talk is cheap, especially coming from greedy corporations," the union said in its update to members. "That is why we negotiated successorship rights into our BLAs to protect our contracts and our members in precisely this situation. These rights are enforceable guarantees that a company seeking to buy our facilities cannot shirk its responsibilities to workers and retirees. Commitments like pensions, profit sharing, capital expenditures, retiree health care and more are all part of the compensation we negotiated in bargaining our contract. Anyone who wants to acquire our facilities must have both the intent and the financial capacity to honor them."

The USW said U.S. Steel has been ignoring its contractual obligations to push through the sale over the union's objections and stated preference of another buyer.

"It's clear that USS and Nippon designed an agreement that prioritizes only corporate interests," the union said. "Rather than reaching out to the union, they decided that Nippon Steel North America, a Houston-based holding company, would assume our labor, pension, retiree, and other agreements. However, we did not agree to this arrangement, nor do we have any information about the financial wherewithal of this holding company to actually stand behind all of the obligations of our existing agreements. The USW is prepared to continue this grievance process all the way to its conclusion as we hold management accountable for trying to cash in by selling out American Steelworkers and its shocking disregard for our contracts and its dedicated workforce."

The grievance process is meant to handle disputes internally, USW spokesman Tony Montana said.

"Arbitration may or may not be needed in the future," he said.
On the final day of his civil fraud trial in Manhattan, Donald Trump unleashed a spate of insults directed at the New York attorney general and the judge overseeing the case. He accused both of them of pursuing their own political agendas and declared himself an innocent man.

The judge instructed the former presidents lawyer to control your client. But Trump steamed on for several minutes, arguing the attorney general should pay him for what hes gone through.

The episode was a dramatic conclusion to a monthslong trial during which the New York attorney general, Letitia James, accused Trump of violating state law by inflating the value of his properties. James is looking to extract a $370 million penalty, and to oust the former president from his own company and from the wider world of New York real estate.

Trumps court appearance was not mandatory. Instead, with just four days before the Iowa caucuses, he appears to be making a calculation that it is politically advantageous for him to show up, our political correspondent Lisa Lerer told me.
ACROSTIC  This coming Monday is Martin Luther King Jr.s actual birthday as well as the day that the United States celebrates him with a holiday. He would have turned 95 this year.

King wrote his final book, Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?, in 1967, shortly before he was assassinated. In it, he tallies the civil rights movements achievements and dispenses cautionary (and prescient) advice on the path forward, some of which makes up this puzzles passage.

There are several clear references to King in the puzzles clue set, and I recognized two sly allusions. If youre looking for obvious tips, my solve started with The birthday of the author of this puzzles quote is part of a long one, since we are directly upon the WEEKEND in question. I also recognized the City where 1960 Woolworths sit-ins sparked a widespread desegregation movement as GREENSBORO; although King wasnt present at that demonstration, its a formative moment in the history of nonviolent protest that relates to the puzzle. I also knew that King attended the All-male college originally named Augusta Institute now known as MOREHOUSE COLLEGE (although I did not know that he started there when he was just 15).

Two clues include quotations by other figures of the civil rights movement. John _____, congressman who said Freedom is not a state; it is an act is LEWIS, and the activist Who famously said I knew someone had to take the first step and I made up my mind not to move is ROSA PARKS.
Kevin Hart plays Cyrus, a master thief, in the undercooked heist flick, Lift, directed by F. Gary Gray. Written by Daniel Kunka, the film consists of luxurious locations like Tuscany and Venice and elaborate set pieces including a speedboat chase in the opening scene, but they are not infused with any sense of suspense or danger.

The film relies on a cartoonish villain, the eco-terrorist Lars Jorgensen (Jean Reno), who wants to game the stock market by paying some shadowy hackers half a billion dollars in gold bars to disrupt the worlds water supply. Beyond the windfall Jorgensen will get from shorting water utility stocks, its unclear what he gains from this elaborate ruse.

An Interpol agent, Abby (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), enlists Cyrus to steal the passenger plane carrying the gold bars before any damage can be done. Although Abby and Cyrus are old flames, the film doesnt pick up any romantic steam, either, thanks to what passes for banter. I was looking at the questions that werent being asked, Cyrus tells Abby. Too cool for school, huh? she says.
A man who the authorities said carried out an attempt in the name of jihad to kill three New York City police officers near Times Square during the 2022 New Years Eve celebration pleaded guilty to federal charges on Thursday.

The man, Trevor Bickford, who appeared in U.S. District Court in Manhattan wearing the tan scrubs of a federal prisoner, pleaded guilty to three counts of attempted murder of law enforcement officers and three counts of assault of law enforcement officers.

Reading from a short statement, Mr. Bickford, 20, told the judge, P. Kevin Castel, that he had attempted to kill three uniformed N.Y.P.D. officers while they were working on New Years Eve.

I know what I did was wrong, he told the court, and Im sorry.

By pleading guilty, Mr. Bickford avoids a federal trial. His sentencing is scheduled for April 11; he faces a maximum sentence of 120 years in prison for the charges.
Edward Jay Epstein, an iconoclastic author whose deeply researched books challenged conventional wisdom about controversies ranging from whether John F. Kennedy was killed by a lone assassin to whether the whistle-blower Edward Snowden was really a Russian spy, has died in Manhattan. He was 88.

The cause was complications of Covid, his nephew Richard Nessel said. He said Mr. Epstein was found dead in his apartment on Tuesday.

A professional skeptic, Mr. Epstein wrote more than two dozen nonfiction books, many involving allegations of government conspiracies and corporate dereliction. Some raised more questions than they answered.
Nearly three years after she began investigating former President Donald J. Trump and his allies, Fani T. Willis is facing the biggest test of her handling of the landmark election interference case.

Ms. Willis, the district attorney of Fulton County, Ga., was accused this week of being romantically involved with the lead prosecutor she hired for the Trump case, a turn of events that has invigorated Republicans and raised a flurry of questions about her conduct and judgment. The prosecutor, Nathan Wade, has reaped more than $650,000 in legal fees.

While many legal experts doubt that the accusations  if true  will derail the case, they could present significant problems for Ms. Willis and create distractions around the case. The allegations have already created a firestorm on the political right, with Mr. Trump and his allies accusing her of violating a raft of county and state laws. They have even given pause to some Democrats.

If the allegations are true  and its a big if  its troubling, Robb Pitts, a Democrat who is chair of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, said in an interview this week. To have this come up at this point in time, and at this point in this trial, can raise questions.
More than a dozen times during Wednesday nights Republican presidential debate, Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina, directed viewers to a website purporting to correct what she called Ron DeSantiss lies.

But the Haley campaigns website is itself a political project  not an exercise in objective fact-checking.

The site does point to independent fact-checking to help push back on claims twisting Ms. Haleys positions on things like Gaza refugees and to clarify her comments about being motivated to run for office by a speech made by Hillary Clinton, despite their political differences.

But there are key differences between Ms. Haleys effort and an independent fact-checking operation. The website, for example, doesnt directly quote Mr. DeSantis or cite the specific comments being rebutted. It also deems a lie some statements that dont actually contain checkable facts.
Former Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina canceled her town-hall events in Iowa that had been scheduled for Friday, citing what forecasters for the National Weather Service called life-threatening winter weather.

Ms. Haleys in-person events will be turned into telephone town halls instead. But Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida and Vivek Ramaswamy, the wealthy entrepreneur, said they would press forward with campaign events scheduled for Friday, for now.

A Thursday evening forecast from the National Weather Service office in Des Moines said that widespread heavy snowfalls would begin Thursday and last through Friday night, accompanied by wind gusts of up to 45 miles an hour. The agency added that travel may become impossible in rural areas by Friday afternoon into Friday night across central Iowa.
The United States and five of its allies on Thursday carried out military strikes against more than a dozen targets in Yemen controlled by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia, in an expansion of the war in the Middle East that the Biden administration had sought to avoid for the past three months.

The American-led air and naval strikes came in response to more than two dozen Houthi drone and missile attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea since November, and after warnings to the Houthis in the past week from the Biden administration and several international allies of serious consequences if the salvos did not stop.
On a sunny autumn morning, in Jessie Homer Frenchs garage-studio, up several miles of mountain switchbacks from Palm Desert, Calif., a dozen canvases are propped on shelves in various stages of completion. Most are landscapes. Three depict cemeteries, a recurrent subject for the 83-year-old self-taught artist. Standing out among the browns and the greens, however, are two pictures of wildfires, in furious tones of orange, yellow and black.

Leaping infernos have lit up Homer Frenchs paintings for years. In 1st Presbyterian (1994), flames lick through the door jambs of a white-painted church. In Slash + Burn (2000), smoke curls up from freshly set fires in a recently deforested woodland. In the more dramatic Boreal Burning (2022)  five feet wide  the sky above burning trees is dark with smoke. In Blowout (2020), its an oil rig that is combusting.

In Homer Frenchs exhibition Normal Landscapes, opening Jan. 16 at Various Small Fires gallery in Los Angeles, we observe only the aftermath of fires. In one new painting, After Burn and Jimson Weed, wildflowers bloom from the scorched earth. In another, Lower Rush Creek (1994), blackened tree trunks spike into the sky while trout leap from the water. Life finds its way through the desolation.
It was just days before Christmas, but Cathryn Mattson, the executive director of the Orlando Museum of Art, sounded anything but festive. During a specially called meeting, she addressed several trustees and influential donors, confronting the fallout from the institutions last 18 months.

We are in a severe financial crisis, she explained, according to a recording of the internal meeting provided to The New York Times and confirmed by a meeting participant. The museum, known as OMA, was still reeling from its disastrous 2022 exhibition of paintings it had said were made by the art world legend Jean-Michel Basquiat  paintings that were seized off the museums walls that June by members of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Art Crime Team during a raid. A Los Angeles auctioneer subsequently admitted to the F.B.I. that he and an associate had themselves forged the paintings, some in as little as five minutes.

In her December meeting, Mattson specified the hundreds of thousands of dollars it had cost the museum to hire crisis communication professionals and a legal defense team to deal with the consequences: intense media scrutiny, a continuing F.B.I. investigation, and the museums current lawsuit for fraud, conspiracy, and various breaches against both the owners of the purported Basquiats and its former executive director, Aaron De Groft, who had brought in the Basquiat show and was fired following the 2022 F.B.I. raid.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. Turkmenistan and the European Union (EU) have expressed interest in strengthening and diversifying their trade relations, Trend reports.

According to the EU Embassy in Turkmenistan, these issues were discussed during a meeting between Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Batyr Atdayev and EU Ambassador to Ashgabat Beata Peksa.

According to the EU Embassy in Turkmenistan, the dialogue highlighted the common interest in developing trade relations between Turkmenistan and the member states of the European Union.

During the diplomatic meeting, the participants placed significant emphasis on the shared commitment to advancing and fortifying trade relations between Turkmenistan and the member states of the EU.

The discussions delved into various aspects of this collaborative effort, highlighting not only the mutual interest but also the recognition of the potential for substantial growth and diversification in bilateral trade, while both sides actively acknowledged the importance of fostering a more comprehensive and resilient economic partnership, with a focus on identifying specific sectors and mechanisms to enhance cooperation.

The meeting served as a platform for in-depth deliberations, showcasing a collective determination to explore new avenues, remove trade barriers, and pave the way for sustained economic collaboration.

Meanwhile, Beata Peksa also met with Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Tangryguly Atakhalliyev, at the meeting with whom the main focus was on potential cooperation in agriculture and environmental protection, in order to share experiences and introduce sustainable practices.

Stay up to date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Ernest displayed some of this disconnect in his first outing, Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone, where he outwitted a serial killer picking off my extended family one by one. Now Stevenson plops him in the middle of a crime writers festival taking place aboard an opulent train traveling through the Australian desert from Darwin to Adelaide. Think Murder on the Orient Express, but where every character (and suspect) writes in a different genre category.

Seven writers board a train. At the end of the line, five will leave it alive. One will be in cuffs.
Its been 40 years since Martin Luther Kings Birthday became a national holiday, and the question of how to celebrate it was probably best answered by the late John Lewis. The Georgia representative called it a day on, not a day off, a day of action, a day of love, to give of ourselves to others and begin anew the building of the beloved community. A new picture book about Lewis and two about Coretta Scott King make for illuminating reading on the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s holiday and throughout the year.

Written by Alice Faye Duncan and illustrated by R. Gregory Christie, CORETTAS JOURNEY: The Life and Times of Coretta Scott King (Calkins Creek/Astra, 48 pp., $18.99, ages 7 to 10) provides a stirring introduction to a woman who stood strong before and after her husbands 1968 assassination. With telling details, Duncan describes the likely sources of Coretta Scott Kings fortitude: her remarkable parents, her religious faith and a willingness to defend herself. Corettas mother advised her two daughters to get an education and try to be somebody, and the books first half shows how Coretta became somebody in Alabama, Ohio and Boston.
Whats at stake in Taiwans election

Voters in Taiwan will elect a new president and legislature tomorrow, a much-watched process that could affect the islands relations with China and the U.S.

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has demanded unification, which the island democracy has rejected. The tensions over Taiwan are one of the most divisive issues between Beijing and Washington.

Chris Buckley, a correspondent for The New York Times who is based in Taipei and reports on China and Taiwan, discussed the stakes of the election. Heres what you need to know.

Why is this election important?

Chris: This election could have important consequences for one of the worlds most difficult and volatile territorial disputes  the future of Taiwan.
The group, bankrolled with $500 million from some of the wealthiest families in American business, has created a stir in the world of academia by dangling seven-figure paydays to lure highly credentialed university professors to a for-profit bounty hunt. Its self-described goal: to avoid the blockages and paperwork that slow down the traditional paths of scientific research at universities and pharmaceutical companies, and discover scores of new drugs (at first, for cancer and brain disease) that can be produced and sold quickly.

Braggadocio from start-ups is de rigueur, and plenty of ex-academics have started biotechnology companies, hoping to strike it rich on their one big discovery. This group, rather boastfully named Arena BioWorks, borrowing from a Teddy Roosevelt quote, doesnt have one singular idea, but it does have a big checkbook.
Mayor Eric Adams said on Friday that he would reverse a small portion of previously announced cuts to New York Citys education budget that would have slashed money for dozens of high-needs schools.

The cuts being restored are part of a nearly $550 million reduction in school spending that Mr. Adams announced last fall amid a series of budget cuts across city agencies. The move caused an uproar among parents and prompted the teachers union to sue the city, arguing that the administration was breaking state law by reducing school spending in the middle of the year for political reasons.

The reversal was the third such about-face by the mayor this week. In announcing the broader budget cuts in November, he cited the financial strain caused by the arrival of tens of thousands of migrants from the southern border in recent months.

But Mr. Adams said this week that the city would restore some funding to the police, fire, parks and sanitation departments because of better-than-anticipated tax revenue and reduced costs for migrant care. Officials had previously estimated that housing and feeding migrants would cost $12 billion over three years, but they now say they expect to spend about 20 percent less than that, or about $9.6 billion.
A lawyer for the writer E. Jean Carroll, whose latest defamation lawsuit against Donald J. Trump is scheduled for trial next week in Manhattan, asked a judge Friday to ensure that if the former president testifies, that he does not stray beyond the narrow issue in the case, with the goal of turning this trial into a circus.

If Mr. Trump appears at this trial, whether as a witness or otherwise, the lawyer, Roberta A. Kaplan, wrote in a letter, his recent statements and behavior strongly suggest that he will seek to sow chaos.

In the letter, which comes just four days before jury selection is to begin in Federal District Court, Ms. Kaplan cited Mr. Trumps continued derogatory public comments about Ms. Carroll and his behavior in another case involving him this week.

On Thursday, Mr. Trump attended the final day of trial in the New York attorney generals civil fraud case against him, where  after the judge allowed him to argue on his own behalf  he attacked the attorney general, Letitia James, called himself the victim of fraud and assailed the judge to his face. Afterward, Mr. Trump told reporters that he also planned to attend Ms. Carrolls trial.
It was 10 p.m. on the eve of the governors State of the State address, and all of political New York, it seemed, was trying to jam into two adjoining brick townhouses within stumbling distance of the State Capitol.

One housed a restaurant where Letitia James, the attorney general in the midst of a splashy fraud trial with Donald J. Trump, was holding court at a table just steps from a group of Long Island Republicans toasting their recent electoral rout.

At the cigar lounge next door, Carolyn Maloney, the former Manhattan congresswoman, hosted a smoky reception to promote the Equal Rights Amendment.

And the barroom was crammed with lawmakers double-fisting cocktails and legislative leaflets. That is, until many took a pause in the revelry to watch former Gov. David A. Paterson strap on a Fender Strat and deliver earnest covers of Jimi Hendrix and John Lee Hooker.
To the Editor:

Donald Trump is beatable, but President Biden increasingly looks like the Democrat least likely to beat him. There is time for contenders to start showing up and campaigning so that the voters can see who would have the best chance to hold on to independents and reasonable Republicans, turn out the young and minority voters, and keep voters from drifting to third parties.

If Mr. Biden stays in the race and loses to Mr. Trump, everything he has accomplished will have been for naught or worse. If Mr. Biden gets out of the race and the Democrat wins, he could go down in history as the person who saved the country from Mr. Trump, Trumpism and the MAGA zealots  twice.

Eugene D. Cohen

Phoenix

To the Editor:

I have little doubt that President Biden would best Donald Trump in a head-to-head matchup. I refuse to believe that my fellow Americans would choose a wannabe dictator with 91 felony charges over a high-performing president.

What gives me great angina, however, is the impact in some swing states that third-party candidates  like Jill Stein, Cornel West, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and possibly Joe Manchin  can have.
Making it more expensive to put greenhouse gases into the atmosphere is the market-oriented way to keep the planet from overheating. A high price tag on emissions gives emitters the incentive to switch to cleaner energy sources. It also raises the prices of energy-intensive products, encouraging consumers to choose ones that are friendlier to the environment. And so on.

From a low in 2012, the world was making steady progress toward raising the price of emissions  still low, but at least headed in the right direction. Then came 2022. Energy prices soared, partly because of Russias invasion of Ukraine. Governments scrambled to protect their citizens from the price spikes. European nations, for example, shielded citizens from the rising cost of electricity and natural gas. So that year, the global average carbon price tumbled to $4.08 a ton from $18.97 in 2021.

A subsidy for consumption of fossil fuels is actually a negative price for carbon dioxide. The way for a country to make its price positive is to tax fossil fuels, or tax carbon dioxide in general, or enact an emissions trading system in which theres a cap on total emissions and those who want to emit more have to buy a permit from someone who agrees to emit less.

The above charts data come from Gro Intelligence, which gathers and analyzes agricultural, climate and economic data. Gro just completed work on 2022 data for the Gro-Kepos Carbon Barometer  a measure of the price of carbon dioxide emissions by metric ton across countries  and gave me an early look at the results.
If Donald Trump storms through Iowa and easily seizes the G.O.P. nomination, as presumed, and then goes on to win back the presidency, his victory will trigger a wild political and legal melee. The primary motivating purpose of his campaign is vengeance. Hes told his base that he is their retribution and has promised to totally obliterate the deep state. If he faces protests, he may immediately invoke the Insurrection Act and deploy troops, under his command, to American cities.

Although we experienced a related melee during his first term, a second would be substantially worse. Instead of offering an internally divided administration, in which a variety of responsible aides and appointees struggled to contain Trumps worst impulses, a second term would present him in his purest form. His MAGA base would replace the Federalist Society as the screener of his judicial appointments, and there are now a sufficient number of pure Trump sycophants to staff his White House from top to bottom.

I dread the division and conflict of a second Trump term, and I dont minimize the possibility of Trump doing permanent political damage to the Republic. But the problem Im most concerned about isnt the political melee; its the ongoing cultural transformation of red America, a transformation that a second Trump term could well render unstoppable.

To put the matter as simply as possible: Eight years of bitter experience have taught us that supporting Trump degrades the character of his core supporters. There are still millions of reluctant Trump voters, people whove retained their kindness, integrity and good sense even as they cast a ballot for the past and almost certainly future G.O.P. nominee. I have friends and family members who vote for Trump, and I love them dearly. But the most enduring legacy of a second Trump term could well be the conviction on the part of millions of Americans that Trumpism isnt just a temporary political expediency, but the model for Republican political success and  still worse  the way that God wants Christian believers to practice politics.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, January 12. Uzbekistans Deputy Foreign Minister Muzaffar Madrakhimov held a meeting with British Deputy Foreign Minister Leo Docherty on January 10, Trend reports.

The sides exchanged views on the state and prospective directions of deepening Uzbek-British dialog in political-diplomatic, trade-economic, cultural-humanitarian and other spheres, as well as discussed the schedule of upcoming joint events.

Relations between Uzbekistan and the UK have been developing intensively in recent years, and the mutually beneficial partnership in all aspects of the agenda has been steadily expanding. It was emphasized that economic diplomacy is regarded as one of the key components of bilateral cooperation.

The deputy foreign ministers of the two countries also discussed topical international and regional matters.

Earlier, Uzbekistan and the UK signed a joint road map on the development of trade and investment ties.

The document was signed during the 27th meeting of the Uzbek-British Trade and Industry Council (UBTIC) held in London. The event was attended by the heads of trade ministries and departments of the two countries, as well as industry associations and banks.
Tim Albertas recent book about the Christian nationalist takeover of American evangelicalism, The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, is full of preachers and activists on the religious right expressing sheepish second thoughts about their prostration before Donald Trump. Robert Jeffress, the senior pastor at First Baptist Dallas  whom Texas Monthly once called Trumps apostle for his slavish Trump boosterism  admitted to Alberta in 2021 that turning himself into a politicians theological hype man may have compromised his spiritual mission. I had that internal conversation with myself  and I guess with God, too  about, you know, when do you cross the line? he said, allowing that the line had, perhaps, been crossed.

Such qualms grew more vocal after voter revulsion toward MAGA candidates cost Republicans their prophesied red wave in 2022. Mike Evans, a former member of Trumps evangelical advisory board, described, in an essay he sent to The Washington Post, leaving a Trump rally in tears because I saw Bible believers glorifying Donald Trump like he was an idol. Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, enthused to Alberta about the way Trump had punched the bully that had been pushing evangelicals around, by which he presumably meant American liberals. But, Perkins said, The challenge is, he went a little too far. He had too much of an edge sometimes. Perkins was clearly rooting for Ron DeSantis, who represented the shining hope of a post-Trump religious right.

But theres not going to be a post-Trump religious right  at least, not anytime soon. Evangelical leaders who started their alliance with Trump on a transactional basis, then grew giddy with their proximity to power, have now seen MAGA devour their movement whole.

Absent the sort of miracle that would make me reconsider my own lifelong atheism, Trump is going to win Iowas caucuses on Monday; the only real question is by how much. Iowa tends to give its imprimatur to the Republican candidate who most connects with religious conservatives: George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004, Mike Huckabee in 2008, Rick Santorum in 2012, Ted Cruz in 2016. But this year, according to FiveThirtyEights polling average, Trump leads his nearest Republican rivals by more than 30 points.
My home, Taiwan, is a shining example of freedom, democracy and inclusivity. We have one of the worlds most open societies, the highest percentage of female legislators in Asia and a government minister who is transgender. Decades of hard work, smart policies and entrepreneurial mindsets have led to enviably high standards of living and made us the global heart of the semiconductor industry.

When Taiwan votes in elections on Saturday, I will go to the polls with a real feeling of worry about our future and whether we can preserve and maintain what weve achieved.

Taiwans accomplishments were made possible in part by decades of stability between China and the United States. But that is rapidly fading away as the two global rivals descend into distrust and competition. Steps being taken by both sides in that deteriorating relationship are threatening Taiwans resilience, its ability to innovate and, importantly, the ability of our people to stay united amid this challenge. The real loser in the U.S.-China competition may end up being Taiwan.

It is becoming increasingly difficult for us to navigate between the two countries. On one side there is China, just 81 miles away from Taiwan at the closest point and an existential threat to us. China and Taiwan have been politically separated since the Chinese Civil War ended with a Communist victory in 1949 that sent the Kuomintang government, which once ruled all of China, fleeing to Taiwan.
[MUSIC PLAYING]

ezra klein

From New York Times Opinion, this is The Ezra Klein Show. [MUSIC PLAYING] So before we begin today, we have a couple of open jobs on the show. One, a researcher role which will be central in our political and policy coverage in 2024, and an associate engineer role who will be helping to engineer the show, making this whole thing happen, making it into actual audio that sounds good. If either role seems up your alley, you can find the links to them in our show notes. [MUSIC PLAYING] I find it almost impossible to fully apprehend how crazy this political moment is. So were here, were on the eve of the Iowa caucus. Donald Trump is leading the polls by over 30 percentage points. He leads in the New Hampshire primary. He leads in the Republican race overall. I mean, hes breached 60 in a bunch of those polls. Its a huge dominant lead. Hes neck and neck with Joe Biden when you do horse race polls for the general. So Trump looks overwhelmingly likely to be the nominee for Republicans. He has a even odds shot of being the next president. And at the same time  at the same time that is all happening, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that Trump is disqualified from the ballot because of his efforts to overturn the election on Jan. 6  constitutionally disqualified. No different than if he wasnt old enough. In Maine, the Secretary of State followed Colorados lead. States across the country are now weighing ballot disqualification measures against Trump. The Supreme Court is going to take up the case. And this is happening, again, at the same time that Trump has four criminal suits against him with over 90 internal charges in them that are all going to trial in different ways, or motions, immunity motions. So you have Donald Trump here in an overwhelming amount of legal and constitutional trouble at the same time that he is romping to the nomination  romping, potentially, to the general election. Its hard to know what to think about all this because it requires you to weigh really profound questions against each other, right? The questions of letting people choose their candidates in a democracy or abiding or even understanding the Constitutions guardrails for protecting that democracy. But one person who I think has been doing a really good job weighing all this, and hes done it on the show before, is my fellow columnist at The New York Times, David French. I had him on a while ago to talk about the beginnings of Trumps legal troubles. Then when I was on my book leave, he guest-hosted the show, looking in depth at the criminal suits. I would still very much recommend that show as a great introduction to that side of it. But I wanted to have him on to talk about the ballot disqualification questions and whether or not Donald Trump should be allowed to run or whether it is unconstitutional for him to be on the ballot in 2024. I will note, my voice is a little hoarse throughout this. Im recovering from that cold and cough going around everybody right now. But as always, my email is ezrakleinshow@nytimes.com. [MUSIC PLAYING] David French, welcome back to the show.

david french

Thanks, Ezra. Thanks for having me back. I appreciate it.

ezra klein

A lot has happened since youve last been here, and I want to begin with the big news, which is Colorado Supreme Court coming out and saying Donald Trump would not be on the ballot, that it would not be constitutional to put him on the ballot. What was their reasoning?

david french

Yeah, the reasoning is really pretty simple, that Donald Trumps conduct leading up to and on Jan. 6, 2021, was encompassed by Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which prohibits anyone from holding office who, having once taken the oath of office, engages in insurrection or rebellion against the Constitution of the United States or gives aid or comfort to an insurrection or rebellion. And it was essentially saying, look, Donald Trump was an officer of the United States who previously took an oath of office, committed insurrection or rebellion, and by the Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, ratified after the Civil War, is just as disqualified from holding office as if he was too young or not a natural born citizen.

ezra klein

This is a clause that is trying to deal with the problem of political popularity among an insurrectionist. Because something you hear right now when the question is whether it should apply to Donald Trump is, look, this should be up to the people. The public should get to vote for who they want to be president. And this is a clause explicitly trying to deal with what is at least seen to be a coming problem, which is, what if enough of the public wants to vote for an insurrectionist?

david french

Yes, and this is something, Ezra, Im so glad you brought it up right up front. This is an anti-democratic provision in the United States Constitution. Now, you can pull back and sort of say, wait a minute, David, why would you use language like anti-democratic, or maybe another way of saying it would be counter-majoritarian. Why would you say that? Because really, truly, a democracy cant flourish if insurrectionists are elected to office. They can kill the very democracy that put them into office. So it really is in a more meta level pro-democracy. But it really is truly a counter-majoritarian provision of the Constitution of which, Ezra, as we all know, there are many counter-majoritarian provisions in the Constitution. And so 

ezra klein

Yes, I find many of them quite frustrating.

david french

Yes. [LAUGHS] Exactly.

ezra klein

As a Californian with barely any Senate representation.

david french

Exactly. Youve got the same Senate representation as Wyoming.

ezra klein

Exactly.

david french

I mean, theres the electoral college. Theres the Senate. Theres the whole Bill of Rights. We have a lot of counter-majoritarian guidelines that limit the reach and scope of our democracy. So thats the way liberal democracy is. Liberal democracy  a good way of thinking about it is democracy with guardrails. And some of the guardrails are deliberately designed to prevent majoritarian oppression and tyranny. So a majority cant vote away your First Amendment rights. A majority cant vote away your rights to equal protection under the law or your due process rights. So all of these things guard and protect people against majoritarian tyranny. And so here what you have is a counter-majoritarian provision of the Constitution enacted quite deliberately because the framers of the amendment, the authors of the amendment, believed and had seen that majorities can elect insurrectionists. And insurrectionists can be fatal to a constitutional republic. And so its quite deliberately designed to be a check on majority power in this limited sense.

ezra klein

Tell me about the context in which that amendment and that clause got adopted. What were the authors of it trying to prevent?

david french

Yeah, this is very, very important. So following the Civil War, what you had was a situation where a big chunk of the country is essentially under military occupation. Confederates were not being prosecuted, certainly not at any scale. And in fact, in 1868, confederates were pardoned by President Johnson. So there was still, though, a question, what do we do about the fact that we have former Confederate soldiers. You had the Confederate officers. You had Confederate politicians. And these were the people who ran the Confederacy, who, before the war, many of them had been public officials in the United States. And if Robert E. Lee wanted to, he could run for Senate and win and be a Senator from Virginia. He could have a host of Confederate generals who could immediately return to government. If he had universal franchise, and the Confederate citizens who were back to American citizens again voted, theyd bring these a host of Confederates back into Congress. And so they were treasonous. They were insurrectionists. They were rebellious. But also, they still had the support of segments of the Southern population. So what do you do? How do you reintegrate a country together after its been torn apart in such a horrific way? And so the balance that was struck was were not prosecuting everyone, but heres what we are going to say, is if you participate in insurrection or rebellion, and youve previously taken an oath of office  in other words, youre an oath-breaker  then you cant return into government, unless Congress, by 2/3 majority in both houses, says that you can. And so this was a way of, if you look at the greater context of it, there was the open hand being extended to former Confederates that says, were not going to prosecute you, were not going to strip you of your property, were going to be remarkably generous given the gravity of your crime. But at the same time, there was a pretty modest restriction, which was, but were not going to let you help run the place.

ezra klein

So I want to go back now to a different part of the history here. Weve talked a bit about how Article 14, Section 3 emerged. But my sense of how it emerged with the force it has in this political moment is that there was actually a law review article, unusually, that maybe changed the world a bit. And this is a piece by William Baude and Michael Stokes Paulsen called The Sweep and Force of Section 3. And whats interesting about Baude and Paulsen is theyre both members of the Federal Society. Theyre conservative legal scholars in good standing. They decide to study this for a year. And they come out with this blockbuster article saying this is real, this does apply to Trump, and we need to take it seriously. And I take much of the core of their article  not the only thing in it  but part of it to be how they define insurrection. Looking through the textual record to try and understand what insurrection meant when this part of the Constitution was framed. So how do they do that? What is their work and what is their conclusion there?

david french

Yeah, so this  Im so glad you brought up the article. And it really is sort of unique amongst law review articles. I was talking to Will Baude, shortly after the article came out, and asking about the download numbers. So your normal law review article might have a few dozen, but they had crossed 100,000 very quickly. And the article itself, its a long read. Its more than 100 pages. Its a tour de force of legal analysis in a very specific way. Its a tour de force of originalist legal analysis. I want to put my finger on that, Ezra, because this disqualification argument did not get its full force through a progressive legal interpretation of the Constitution, through progressive legal scholars or liberal legal scholars. This came from an originalist interpretation from Federalist Society conservative scholars. And not just any scholars, but two really of the most respected, two of the heavyweights in the conservative legal world. These folks are extremely well respected and admired. And so what they did is they did a classic conservative legal analysis, which is lets start with text. Text is king. Lets start with text. And the text is really easy to understand. Ill read it right here. Its pretty short and basic. 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 and comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may, by a vote of 2/3 of each house, remove such disability. So they took a look at that really basic statute and they then do the historical spadework of saying, what would be the historical public meaning of these words? Thats what originalism is. It is not the original intent. It is the original public meaning. So for example, insurrection or rebellion  what would that have meant to the framers of this  and to the Republic when this was passed? What would that have meant? And so when you begin to look at the historical record  and Baude and Paulsen have done it. A number of other folks have done it. That you really realize that the insurrection definition and the perception of insurrection that was in play at that time was absolutely broad enough to encompass the Jan. 6 attack. Absolutely broad enough. And now, remember, Ezra, this is not a provision  while it was motivated by the Confederacy, by its terms, it does not apply only to the Confederacy. They could have written it like that. They could have said that any person who served in the Confederate army during the previous rebellion or in the Confederate government during the previous  they did not limit it that way. They quite intentionally said insurrection or rebellion. And when you go and you look at everything from Shays Rebellion to the Whiskey Rebellion to various forms of revolt against public authority, what they concluded is the definition is certainly broad enough to encompass a violent attack on the Capitol conducted for the purpose of essentially pre-overthrowing the elected government that was about to come into office, to block an elected government from coming into office. It was an attempted coup, in many ways. Although it wasnt  he was in power at the moment. It was a coup to try to retain power, to block the peaceful transition of power. And the argument is, essentially, thats exactly what an insurrection means is youre talking about a violent attack, motivated by a political or public purpose, that would disrupt the governing and the routine transfer of power in the United States. So this was, Ezra, if youre somebody like me, who is partial to originalism as a method of legal analysis, it was a great advertisement for originalism. Because this is what it looks like. This is how its done. This is how it makes sense. And this is how it helps us understand provisions of an amendment that you might question or have concerns about its meaning or understanding.

ezra klein

So let me take on the role of Trumps defense here, a role I often take on in my life.

david french

[LAUGHS] Constantly.

ezra klein

So what I might say here is thats all true. Donald Trump did not engage in insurrection. He believed the election was fraudulent. He was consuming information, sources telling him that. He had tried to organize or encourage a protest. That protest turned violent. It turned into a riot. But that is different than Donald Trump engaging himself in insurrection. He might have been a little bit supportive of it. He didnt stop it. But he even told them to protest peacefully and patriotically. And there is nothing in there that says that a president who believes an election has been rigged against him should not encourage his voters, his supporters to protest, should not call up secretaries of state and try to get them to run an honest election. That Donald Trump was well within the law, he was well within his speech rights. And yes, there are people who engaged in insurrection on Jan. 6, but Donald Trump was not one of them.

david french

Well, Ezra, as Mr. MAGA for purposes of this podcast, I would agree with you.

ezra klein

I look forward to my listener email.

david french

I agree with you if you had accurately described the facts. But you did not accurately describe the facts. Because what we were dealing with here wasnt just a protest. It wasnt just an effort to organize a protest. It certainly wasnt just an effort to ask or plead with state officials to take a look at voter fraud. Everything here went well beyond the bounds of all of the lawful activities you just described. So if you back up and you take a look at what is an insurrection or rebellion, how does an insurrection or rebellion take place  and so you have the Confederacy, many members of the Confederacy were operating under the presumption that they had the right to vote, a right of self-determination that they could vote to leave the Union. The Union was not an eternally binding union but a voluntary union. And so members of the Confederacy very much believed that they had a legal right to do what they were doing. And many times believed they were standing in the shoes of the revolutionaries, the 1776 generation who were engaging in their own act of self-determination. So theres almost always going to be a legal argument or a legal pretext to some time then supplemented by violent action. And what we had here was a combination of legal subterfuge and violent action, and Donald Trump was involved in both  both elements. Not either one of them happens without his involvement. And the legal subterfuge, of course, has been  and charged by Jack Smith  and includes, for example, the fake electors scheme where people were presenting themselves as genuine electors when they had not won the vote in their state. And then you look at Jan. 6, the record is incredibly damning for Trump. So not only does he summon the crowd. There are repeated instances of him telling the crowd to come on Jan. 6, including talking about how its going to be wild. We now have sworn testimony that Trump knew the crowd was armed. We have sworn testimony that Trump had even urged that the mags, the metal detectors that were used to try to prevent people who have weapons from getting close access to a president, that he urged that they be removed or pulled back, because he understood that the armed crowd wasnt there to do him harm. Then he tells the crowd to go to the Capitol. And yes, he does say peacefully and patriotically. But when youre looking at the test, Ezra, of whether a speech is actual incitement to violence, theres not any one single set of magic words that inoculate you against an incitement to insurrection or incitement to rebellion kind of analysis because you look at the whole of the situation, which also included Rudy Giuliani telling the crowd, this were about to be on trial by combat. The entire thing is whipping the crowd into a frenzy. He brings the crowd, knows theyre armed, demands that they go to the Capitol, says they should fight like hell. All of this was set up for what occurred.

ezra klein

How about this question of intent or belief? Elections do get rigged. They do get stolen. If Barack Obama or Joe Biden was seeing real evidence that an election had been rigged against him, I would expect them  I would want them to try to fight to make sure the election was fair. One argument you hear from MAGA types is that Donald Trump believed this. If you look at the calls hes making to people like the Georgia Secretary of State, if you look at the things hes saying, he appears to believe, so much as we can say what Donald Trump ever believes, which I think to be actually an ontologically difficult thing to do. But he believes there has been a wide scale theft here, and that actual belief, the fact that he is trying to right what he believes to be a Democratic wrong, is protective here. Is that true?

david french

No, not really. So this is actually cracking the door open to a really important part of the discussion, which is how much of what were talking about has to be proven in the way that you prove a criminal case. Now, its true that the intent element is a necessary part of the proof in the criminal case against Trump, both the Jack Smith Jan. 6 case and the Fani Willis Georgia case. Varying kinds of proof of intent are required. So its actually not the case that you have to prove that Trump knew he lost the election. In many of these counts, especially in Georgia, you just have to prove that he knew what he was saying in that specific instance was not true. So if he knew what he was saying when engaging with public officials in Georgia was false, then hes in a world of hurt, to use legalese. And so there are intent requirements that are embedded, to varying degrees, in each one of the criminal statutes hes been charged with related to Jan. 6 in the election. This is not a criminal statute. You cant look at this in the same way as a proof problem like you have the same proof problem with a criminal statute. Why do we know theres a distinction here? Because the amendment does not require a criminal conviction. It doesnt. And again, lets look back at the historic context. Why would they do that? And the answer is pretty easy to state, because, remember, this was enacted after a time in which already an enormous amount of amnesty had been granted to Confederates. And the idea that they were going to prosecute each and every former Confederate and Confederate official would have been extraordinarily burdensome, just extraordinarily burdensome. And besides, there wasnt really that much of a proof problem. You had an actual army that existed, that had ranks, that had records. And so it wasnt exactly a secret. It wasnt hard to determine whether any given Confederate officer or official was a Confederate officer or official. And it wasnt difficult to determine that the Confederacy was an insurrection or rebellion. Here, its a little bit different. Its not really that hard to determine who was at Jan. 6. Its not hard to determine Trumps actions around that day and around that time. There are some disputes on the edges and on the margins, but we know the broad brushes of the story. And the real question then is not, did Trump do X, Y, and Z? The real question is, did X, Y and Z constitute an insurrection or rebellion?

ezra klein

So you say this does not require a criminal conviction, which is true. But it isnt clear what it does or does not require. So if it did require a criminal conviction, at least we know the venue in which it needs to be proven. But one of the questions I have seen different lawyers bringing up here, and one way I think some people believe the Supreme Court is going to slip out of deciding this, is around this question of a venue. And another way of putting it is, is this provision self-executing? So in Colorado, this gets decided inside the election code. Thats where the dispute is brought. In Maine, its a secretary of state making the decision. Theres fear of what happens if you have every secretary of state and election official and election system making its own determinations. And so there is this argument that this is not self-executing. You would need Congress to somehow decide where the decision needs to be made about whether or not Donald Trump is an insurrectionist for this to hold. So can you talk a bit about that question of self-execution?

david french

Yeah, thats a really good and important question. So it really has two components to it. The first component is, does Congress have to enact legislation that says, heres the circumstances under which we apply this section of the amendment, here are the rules for challenging, heres the standard of proof, et cetera, before it can be applied? So thats one question. Does this operate without Congress doing anything? I think from the text, you can see its self-executing. And how does the text portray that? Because the very last sentence says, But Congress may vote of 2/3 of each house to remove such disability. So what its saying is this is operative until Congress votes to remove it. So its already operating. And so, first, it is self-executing in the sense that we dont need an act of Congress to put this into play. We do need acts of Congress to remove it from play. The other question is, if that kind of legislation is not required, what sort of processes do a candidate who might contest whether they engaged in insurrection or rebellion, who doesnt agree that they were an insurrectionist or rebellion, isnt there some form of due process? Shouldnt they have an opportunity to contest that claim? And Ezra, this is where were going to get really wonky. The government is required to give you process  due process  before it takes your life, it takes your liberty, takes your property. And so his life is not at stake. His property is not at stake. Does he have a liberty interest at stake here? And the answer would be he has a liberty interest in running for president or running for public office. And when youre looking at due process analysis, a lot of the process, the level of the processes due is related very much to the strength of the liberty interest in play. So for example, if youre dealing with life in prison, which would be short of death, the most draconian restriction on liberty possible from the government, theres a lot of process thats due. Thats the criminal proof beyond a reasonable doubt, rights of appeal, habeas relief. I mean, all of these things come into play. But what if the liberty interest is, I want to run for president of the United States? Well, the level of process thats going to be due there is not going to be  if you look at the history of how we look at these things  anything like the level of process required in a criminal case. Thats just not going to be required if the liberty interest at stake is me running for president. Now, that doesnt mean that there isnt a constitutional requirement to give Trump a fair process to challenge the findings. And in this circumstance, I think Colorado is coming to the situation from a pretty strong perspective. There was notice. There was an opportunity to be heard. There was a hearing. Maine is a little different. You had a secretary of state making a decision there, less formal legal process. But I think there is not going to be, Ezra, requirement for criminal-style legal process before the imposition of this section because the liberty interest in running for office is not the same, say, for example, as the liberty interest in trying to stay out of prison. And so I think the actual process given Trump through the Colorado process was probably sufficient. But, of course, thats not up to me.

ezra klein

Im not sure Id fully buy this. I mean, I take your point that for any individual running for president is not an extraordinary question of liberty. But for the country, who can run for president and who can appear on different ballots is a pretty important question. And if you have a process that is completely undefined, and you can be thrown off by secretaries of state of which some are sober and take their duty seriously and some are not, if you can be thrown off by pretty modest hearings within a states kind of election systems, you can imagine that going in a lot of very strange directions, right? I am more on the liberal side. I think some of the things that the right has convinced themselves of around Joe Biden or Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama being from Kenya in recent years  if you take the precedent here, you can imagine a similar birther controversy playing out very differently, where all of a sudden you now have random states throwing Barack Obama off of the ballot, or somebody like Barack Obama in the future. I know Ive messed up the time continuum here. I mean, do you really by the Supreme Court would go that way? And dont you think theres a real problem there?

david french

I think the main situation is very sketchy if youre talking about any kind of meaningful due process. Again, the Colorado situation is there was much more robust process there. But Im also going to push back a little bit here, because, again, what were not wrestling with here is what we think the framers of the 14th Amendment should have done, but what were wrestling with here is what they did  and what they did and did not do. And what they absolutely did not do is require a criminal conviction. They absolutely did not do that. They also did not specify a process. And so what were dealing with is a section of an amendment that is broadly written without a requirement of a criminal conviction. And how do we know this is really broad? Because its not just saying, engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, it also has this really kind of squish language in it that says or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. And so in that circumstance, what are they aiming to do here? What is the meaning of this? The meaning is a very strong message that insurrectionists or rebels cannot regain access to government. So what were dealing with here, Ezra, is really something thats kind of opposite of what youre talking about. Its creating, in many ways, a presumption against eligibility, because if there was an insurrection or rebellion, and you engaged in it or you gave aid or comfort to it  aid or comfort  again, broad words  then, sorry, you dont get to run. Its very valid to say, should this have been written this way? Isnt it preferable to say that there should have been a criminal conviction? Isnt it preferable for the amendment to have laid out a precise process? Or maybe even a better way of putting it, isnt it preferable, Ezra, that Congress would have already acted under the power given to it by the 14th Amendment to specify a process? I think those are all very valid questions  policy questions. This is a broadly worded section of the amendment, for better and for worse. And some of the implications can get a little alarming. But there are remedies for that. And the remedies include, well, get Congress to act, to specify a process. Thats one remedy. Another remedy would be to amend the section of the Constitution. But as of right now, this is the section. And by the way, even though its kind of broadly written, its broadly written about a very narrow circumstance  insurrection or rebellion. And so thats why this has not been an issue since it was enacted. I mean, this has not been something that has dominated American conversation since its been enacted, for multiple reasons, but mainly, insurrection and rebellion, mercifully, is pretty rare in the United States of America. [MUSIC PLAYING]

ezra klein

You have many advantages in this conversation over me as an actual lawyer familiar with constitutional interpretation. I think the only one I have over you is I am not an actual lawyer versed in constitutional interpretation And I dont believe this Supreme Court is originalist in any kind of consistent way. And I believe they  and I think Im right about this  routinely come to the positions and solutions they feel they need to come to to get to the outcomes they want. And I just am not somebody who believes in the mystique of the court. And Im not somebody who believes they decide things non-politically or non-ideologically. And so other courts have looked at this and have not come to the view of Colorado, including California, which declined to throw Trump off of the ballot when they looked at it. And when I think about the Supreme Court, I just find it very hard  and we should note, in Colorado, theres a split bench on this. The decision was not unanimous. Colorado put a stay on its own ruling, assuming the court would take a look at this. And the court is going to take a look at this. Theyve said that already. How do you really imagine this going? I understand your interpretation of this part of the Constitution. But what do you think of their interpretation of both this part of the Constitution and their role, which I think they sometimes at least play into, of being some kind of stabilizing force in the country?

david french

So Im going to partly agree with you. I do think it is a very heavy lift to ask the Supreme Court to declare, in essence, that the front-runner for the Republican nomination has either given aid or comfort to a rebellion or engaged in a rebellion. At a gut instinct level, its kind of hard for me to see the Supreme Court doing something this dramatic. But at the same time, every time I dive back into the text and the history, which is what should be governing the court right now, it leaves them with fewer and fewer options because the text and the history here is really strong against Donald Trump. And so what youre dealing with  Trumps best case is something more along the lines of, do you really want to do this? Is this something you really want to do? Any time youre walking into a Supreme Court courtroom and asking the Supreme Court to take truly unprecedented action, even if that unprecedented action is constitutionally grounded, its a heavy ask. Its a heavy lift. But at the same time, we can look through history  and the record here is kind of spotty. Many times the court will decline to take that heavy load and often will leave in place unjust systems. But sometimes the court says, we have to act. The text of the Constitution does not permit this current situation no matter how deeply entrenched it is in the United States. So an example of that is Brown v. Board of Education. Even though the Southern states, they reacted with all of this massive resistance  there was violence, people died  the Supreme Court was right to say the Constitution does not permit this abomination of segregation. They were right. Even though it was a heavy lift, a huge ask, extremely disruptive, so to speak, of the existing status quo, they imposed the Constitution. So a conservative would then look and say, hey, heres another recent example where the Supreme Court did what it believed the Constitution required it to do even if the consequences created massive political repercussions across the United States. And that was Dobbs. Or you could look in recent presidential politics and say, has the Supreme Court ever stepped in to a presidential contest and settled it? Well, Bush v. Gore. And so you can look at history and you can say, heres example A, example B, example C of the Supreme Court stepping in in a very decisive way that was quite disruptive to the status quo. But also, at the same time, Ezra, you can point to multiple examples where the Supreme Court said, no, were not going to do that, for the reasons you articulated, that theres also a lot of other things that are often swirling around in justices mind. One of the things I always say about judicial analysis is judges are people, too. There is no such thing as sort of Justice Tron 9000 who dispenses justice without any kind of personal connection or an underlying human legal philosophy. As I wrote in the Times last week, republics are not defended and maintained by cowardice. If the Supreme Court, in its legal judgment, believes that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment encompasses the president, and he engaged in insurrection or rebellion, then its obligation is to disqualify him. Now, I do know and do understand there are legal arguments against the position that Im taking. And I dont think anyone should say that the courts illegitimate if it doesnt do it. But I think the arguments are overwhelming that he is disqualified. And I would hope that every branch of American government would have the courage to uphold the Constitution and to sustain the objection.

ezra klein

I think from the perspective of somebody who is more pro-Trump than I am  but I do understand this perspective, just from the ambient miasma of having cable news on the televisions in the office all the time  you have this guy who it feels like every possible count, indictment, obstacle in the world is being thrown at him now by the Biden government. Now, its not obviously all by the Biden government. There are state attorney generals here and prosecutors and so on. But nevertheless, you have 90 some indictments in four criminal cases. And you have now this growing movement to strike him from the ballot. And I think it creates this feeling that Donald Trump is being treated in a way no American politician, including some who actively fomented armed revolution, has been in history.

david french

Almost certainly youre correct. He is being treated differently at this point in time than any other president in American history. However, you have to ask why. Now, the MAGA argument is because you hate him and youre persecuting him, this innocent man who stands in for the hatred or the persecution you would direct at us. I mean, this is literally, Ezra, as we have seen  essentially, the ethos of MAGA is they are coming for Trump in lieu of coming for them. This is a constant refrain you hear. But the reality is hes being treated differently because he behaved differently. Hes having unique prosecutions because he has behaved uniquely. In each of the four indictments, theres either absolute proof of or strong evidence exists that Trump is engaged in criminal conduct. With such evidence that hes engaged in criminal conduct, what are the options for a rule of law-oriented democracy that applies the rule of law to every single person? There is no king. There is no royalty or aristocracy that is immune from the rule of law. And so what has happened is Donald Trump, through his unique behavior, has created a unique dilemma for the United States government. And so thats the situation that were in. So, yes, if MAGA looks at half of the picture and sees the unique treatment of Donald Trump, it enrages them. But they deny the validity of the other half of the picture, which is the uniquely unlawful behavior.

ezra klein

This, to me, is an interesting talent and dynamic of Donald Trump, which is that he makes the institutions of American life act more like the thing he says they are because of the way he acts in the first place. So he makes the media seem more like an opposition party because he acts in such an outrageous, dishonest, wild, confrontational way that the media covers him more oppositionally. He makes the  it gets called the deep state  seem more like a cohesive thing arrayed against him because he is trying to undermine so many of the ways the government works, trying to get around so many of the laws, trying to break so many of the processes and procedures. He makes a judicial system go after him in ways it would probably prefer not to do because he so flagrantly violates the law, because he actually does end up trying to overturn an election. And then he can say, see, I told you, all these institutions are politicized. Theyre against me. Theyre against you. They are out to get us.

david french

Yes. [LAUGHS] Thats exactly what he does. I mean, and thats exactly become the MAGA mindset. And it essentially goes like this, as you see from the grass roots up. And it is, we need a disrupter. We need someone whos going to burn it all down. We need somebody who doesnt play by the normal rules of politics. We need somebody whos going to break things. And then when they elect a disrupter who tears things down, who doesnt play by the normal rules of politics and breaks things, then MAGA says, why arent you treating him like every other politician? And its this double game thats constantly played. And theres a series. And another one is we are entitled to break the rules, we are entitled to engage in behavior that is threatening, that sometimes veers into violence, bullying, intimidation. And then if you hold us accountable for that, were going to respond by threatening more bullying and intimidation and accuse you of being destabilizing. And this is, again, the kind of game that is played. And always the rules apply to you and never do the rules apply to them. And this is a dynamic weve become incredibly familiar with since 2015. Now, that doesnt mean that everything that everyone has done to oppose Donald Trump is either wise or lawful. I mean, for example, we have seen some wrongdoing that was uncovered at the FBI during the Russia investigation. But the bottom line is that were always in this asymmetric situation where MAGA grants itself enormous freedom of action and liberation from all norms, but tells you that, in response to their breaking of all norms, that you cannot deviate from your standard treatment that youve given politicians for the last 200 years. [MUSIC PLAYING]

ezra klein

You wrote a book a few years ago that quite a bit of it was imagining ways that the United States could fall into Civil War. You had different scenarios there, but I dont think one you had  although one you might now want to add  is this one, which is that you have the contested disqualification of a candidate. Or I think heres another version of it. He is not disqualified. He wins despite losing the popular vote. He embarks immediately on a campaign of self-pardoning and widespread retribution against those who he feels wronged him. I mean, if you believe that Donald Trump believes he is in the right here, then to him there has been the greatest witch hunt in history with the Biden administration throwing everything it has to try to put him in jail, get him off the ballot. And hes going to respond in kind. I mean, he had a Truth Social post where he says that in response to the kinds of abuses being thrown at him, even the Constitution must be suspended. The counterattack must be ferocious. I mean, do you actually think we have the capacity, in one direction or another, to endure this? Do we have the capacity to endure what it would mean to take him off? Or do we have the capacity to endure what it would mean if he is not taken off but wins and tries to respond in kind?

david french

I think thats a tremendous question. In the branching tree of possibilities, as of right now, we dont have one that Im going to say is clearly stabilizing. You went through the deeply destabilizing scenario of if he wins. Theres another deeply destabilizing scenario if he loses because we know what happens from the past when he runs and loses. We had a historic attack on Congress, where people died, where there was hundreds of police and protesters injured, hundreds of prosecutions and occupation of the Capitol that wed never seen in American history except when the British occupied it in the War of 1812. So I honestly think, Ezra, the most stabilizing option is disqualifying him from office. I think thats the most stabilizing. Yes, it would create a spasm of outrage, no question. But is it going to be worse than the spasm of outrage that we saw when he lost legitimately that was motivated by a series of lies that were spectacularly stupid? The idea that everything will be OK if we dont apply the Constitution, let the American people make their choice, I dont think that we should acquiesce in the argument that its more destabilizing for him to be disqualified from holding office than him losing, or if he wins and he starts to behave exactly the way the framers of the 14th Amendment would imagine that an insurrectionist or a rebel would behave when they were in office.

ezra klein

I largely agree with that. Ive come to think of this argument, which you hear a lot as the stability for thee but not for me argument. Because, as you say, on the one hand, I buy the point  I fully buy it  that it is destabilizing to strike Trump from the ballot. And on the other hand, allowing an insurrectionist, which is what Donald Trump is 

david french

Yeah.

ezra klein

 with the plans that he has already articulated, to take office again, is a profound danger to the republic. So I think of something Rich Lowry, who leads The National Review, which is a magazine you used to work for, that he wrote. And he was writing about the Justice Department case against Trump. And he said, Our institutions arent in robust health and are ill-equipped to withstand the intense turbulence that would result from prosecuting the political champion of millions of people. And, yes, our institutions are not in robust health. They are partially not in robust health because Donald Trump and his movement have spent years undermining, attacking, discrediting them. But theyre not going to be in better health if he returns to office, if he faces no accountability, no consequences, and just comes back into office, possibly due to a fluke. You could have a situation where Joe Biden has a health crisis three weeks before the election and that is how Donald Trump wins and can now take on a shermanesque campaign of vengeance across the American institutional system. I think behind it is a tendency to take the potential fury of MAGA very seriously, but not the dangers of MAGA in power seriously, which I think also comes from a sense that Trump 2 would be a rerun of most of Trump 1, where he was largely ineffective, where most of his chaos was tweets and rhetoric  not all of it, but most of it  until Jan. 6. But this is something you follow. And theres been a lot of reporting on this and thinking about it. And so Im curious how you rate it. Do you think Donald Trump 2, if he took office again, do you think that would be really different than Trump 1? Do you think wed be dealing with a very different kind of administration or do you think that is an overblown concern?

david french

I think wed be dealing with a very different kind of administration. Over at The Dispatch, where I used to write before I came to the Times, Nick Catoggio wrote a really interesting piece about how a lot of MAGA doesnt know that Trump of 2024 is not exactly the Trump from 2016. That Trump, for all of his norm-breaking in 2016, both had a more of a concrete platform that he ran on and also the Republican establishment had more of a role in his early presidency, from Tillerson, Mattis, a whole host of seasoned and veteran Republicans who were part of the administration who had been the adults in the room, so to speak.

ezra klein

Mike Pence.

david french

Mike Pence. And much of the story of his administration is dominated by both external conflict, in the sense of all of the fighting between Democrats and dissenting Republicans against Trumps policies, but also a big part of the story of his presidency was the internal fight. There was this constant internal trench warfare to try to him him in, to try to prevent him from enacting his worst impulses. And I think its really important for people to understand that a Trump 2 is not going to have that element to it. It is not going to have all of these establishment, quote, adults in the room, Republicans in there with him. Hes over that. Hes done with that. Hes done with that from the standpoint of his staffing his own administration. Hes done with that from the standpoint of appointing judges and justices. Because, remember, a bunch of his appointees blocked his effort to steal the election. If his own court appointees had supported his position, the whole election challenge would have been a lot more awful and contentious than it was. And so hes over these Republican establishment figures. Hes over the Federalist Society. And so its a very different person coming in with much thinner program other than vengeance. And one part thats very important, also, is his allies have talked about invoking the Insurrection Act, like right on day one of his presidency. The president, at the presidents sole discretion, has the ability to call up both the National Guard, put them under his control, or active duty troops, like the 82nd Airborne, 101st Airborne, air assault division, and put them under his immediate control to essentially restore order as he sees it. But its a very poorly written statute that puts very few safeguards around the presidency. And so the president really does have this discretion to call out the troops. And a lot of his supporters have urged him to do that, and they urged him to do it during Jan. 6. And thats extraordinarily scary. And heres the way I would put the danger situation, Ezra  and this is, I think, the logic of the framers of this amendment  who is more dangerous? Is it an insurrectionist who is the nominal leader of an angry mob or is it an insurrectionist who commands the most powerful military in the history of the world?

ezra klein

One way Ive been thinking about this is that, in the Trump administration, what you had was a coalition government. You had a coalition government between MAGA, which was a small but growing faction of the party that managed to take leadership of it, and the other traditional factions of the Republican Party  business and evangelicals and so on. And what you have now, if Trump wins again, is a noncoalition government. Its just MAGA. There is no longer anything that even looks like opposition to Trump. The people who opposed him in Congress have left Congress or are leaving Congress. When he brought in people, initially, he didnt know what he was doing. He didnt know who supported him. There wasnt a bench. Now theres a bench. You have things like the Heritage Foundation who have been trying to build out the personnel lists and the plans and so on. And so youve moved from a coalition government, where other parts of the coalition restrained some dimensions of Donald Trump, to a unified government, to a non-divided government under MAGA control with Donald Trump as the leader and the figurehead, but also people who are much more committed to executing Donald Trumps impulses than was true in 2017 to 2020.

david french

I agree with that. I think the term coalition government is really an excellent way of describing the previous administration. And the elements of the coalition, over time, ultimately, did not get along. And that clash was most salient during the insurrection because here you had  and Jack Smith will be able to introduce just an enormous amount of evidence that even his own hand-picked Attorney General, Bill Barr, and many other figures in the administration  his Vice President, Mike Pence  were saying, no, youve lost, Mr. President. You lost. You lost. You lost. And then you had this other faction in the administration that was saying use the military to seize voting machines. You won. Fire the attorney general. And we know now which faction Donald Trump went with and which faction Donald Trump is still with to this day. So forget about the idea of the contentiousness of the previous Trump administration between establishment and MAGA. Its all MAGA now. And its an even angrier version of MAGA than existed before. Thats one of the challenges I see. And I live in MAGA country. 85 percent of my neighbors are Republican. And what I would say is most Republicans are generally checked out of politics on this day-to-day basis, just like most Americans are. But that subset of people in my neighborhood, in my community, who are truly MAGA, are far more radicalized than they were even in 2020. And its just escalating, Ezra. Im not seeing the temperature being turned down. And sadly, and whats terrifying to me, is, in the larger Republican public, that anger is not alienating them enough to not also pull the lever for Trump. They are tired of politics. They are weary of MAGA in some ways and will resist MAGA in very isolated circumstances. Ive seen that in my own community. But when it comes to Trump, theres something about him where the rules dont apply to him in the way they do even to other Republican politicians in the G.O.P. And so MAGA is more radicalized, more angry, and, in many ways, more dominant than I imagined it would be when I woke up the morning of Jan. 7, 2021, and I thought, finally people see what MAGA really is and theyre going to wake up. And its not that they woke up, really, Ezra. Its more that they checked out and left MAGA in control.

ezra klein

As we speak, Trumps lawyers are arguing for an immunity claim for him. What are they arguing? And how do you rate their likelihood of succeeding?

david french

Yeah, essentially, what theyre arguing is if hes acting in his capacity as President of the United States, that he has a broad freedom of action because we dont want lawyers coming in and we dont want judges coming in and reevaluating and rethinking the really hard decisions that a president has to make in the heat of the moment with partial information, when the president is acting as the president, in his capacity as the president, clothed with official authority, then the remedy for misconduct is specified in the Constitution. Thats impeachment and conviction. It is not criminal prosecution. And so, literally, while we were recording this, Ezra, there was an exchange in court where the judge asked if a president ordered the murder of a political opponent by the military, would he still be immune from prosecution? And Trumps team said, yeah, unless he was impeached and convicted. And so they really are digging in under the notion that, wait, your remedy for presidential misconduct is impeachment and conviction. In the absence of that, when the president is acting as the president, then he cant be touched by the judicial system. And I think the odds of that argument succeeding are extremely low. It is not a case that I have written about nearly as much or talked about nearly as much because, quite frankly, I think its quasi frivolous or near frivolous to argue that the real remedy here is impeachment and conviction. That is a remedy. That is not the only remedy. And theres a lot of court precedent that really does clarify that a president is not immune from the processes of law, not even immune while hes president. And so I think that the presidential immunity argument is more of a delay tactic than something thats actually a material threat to Smiths prosecution.

ezra klein

Didnt Mitch McConnell say that Trump would still face actual prosecution whatever happened here?

david french

Oh, yeah, that was a theme post-Jan. 6. And Ezra, think about how were always facing the same thing when it comes to Trump. Theyll say, you cant do X. You should do Y instead. And then you do Y. And they say, well, no, you cant possibly do Y. You have to wait until Z. Its always the shifting goal posts. Its always a moving target. And always along with the shifting goal post and the moving target is this Tony Soprano-esque kind of MAGA bullying that says, nice little Republic you got there, shame if something happened to it if you make us too angry.

ezra klein

So you mentioned, a minute ago, Jack Smith. And I want to spend a second there. So I think people constantly see that Trump has 90 some charges against him. And if youre paying attention to politics atmospherically  frankly, even if youre not  Im a professional, and every time I see that number, my mind just shuts off. Its like I cant handle that many charges. But what you really have are four criminal cases each with internal indictments. And so you have the Stormy Daniels hush money case. You have the classified documents case. And then, in Georgia, and then with Jack Smith  you mentioned the special prosecutor for the Justice Department  you have cases around Jan. 6 and the effort to overturn the election. And one thing you can imagine playing out, over the next year  which is going to be a hell of a way to have a presidential election, but nevertheless  is imagine a world where the Supreme Court passes, punts, rejects  whatever it is  this idea that Trump is an insurrectionist. And at the same time, you have this Georgia case, you have this DOJ case that, as you say, are calling all this evidence, bringing all this information forward. How do you imagine those things interacting with each other?

david french

Oh, man, Ezra. [LAUGHS] So again, this is why I keep going back to this idea that you just cant concede that disqualifying him from office is more destabilizing than any of the other branching tree of possibilities that we have. So heres one, for example, the Supreme Court says, no, he did not engage in insurrection or rebellion. Or maybe the Supreme Court says, no, its not going to disqualify Trump. So then hes not disqualified, but hes convicted in federal court. Well, being convicted in federal court, that doesnt mean that he cant run for president. So you could have a convicted felon running for president. And given the polarization that  Ezra, you know better than anybody in this country, having written just an excellent book about it  hes still going to have a chance, even if hes a convicted felon. And so you get into this branching tree of possibilities and how destabilizing is that to have a convicted felon who could potentially win the presidency with other criminal charges? Because I think its really remote the idea that all of the cases against him will be prosecuted before the election. Its more likely that none of them are prosecuted before the election. But you look at the branching tree of possibilities here and theyre all potentially destabilizing. Why? Because all of the branching tree of possibilities contain a central figure of Donald Trump, who is inherently destabilizing.

ezra klein

Then our final question. What are three books you would recommend to the audience?

david french

All right, Ive got three. Only one of them is really new in any way. Im currently reading and really enjoying  its a Max Hastings book. Hes one of my favorite military historians. Its called Operation Pedestal. And for you, military history buffs, who listen to Ezra, really phenomenal storytelling about a pivotal convoy to save Malta in 1942 when it was under siege. Just an incredible cast of characters and remarkable level of heroism. And its a really tremendous book. The next one is a brand new book by N.T. Wright, whos a theologian. And its called Into the Heart of Romans. And this is for your theology buffs who listen to your show, Ezra. And it really is making a really interesting argument that the book of Romans, this pivotal book in the New Testament, has been, in some important ways, misinterpreted, and that a more proper interpretation of Romans is one that actually has a more radical call to virtue. And then the next book is  back to your history buffs  and its called Manhunt: 12-Day Chase for Lincolns Killer. And its by James Swanson. And if you pick it up, you start reading it, and you realize it feels like Im reading almost like a script for a television crime drama. It takes the assassination of Lincoln and puts it into a modern frame of how we think about solving cases and how  its like a criminal procedural, as well as a historical account. Its really good. Its a very gripping read. And it made me ask a question  given all that happened after he died, was the killing of Abraham Lincoln the most consequential political assassination in all of American history? And I think it might have been. [MUSIC PLAYING]

ezra klein

David French, thank you very much.

david french

Thanks so much, Ezra. Its always a pleasure to join you. [MUSIC PLAYING]

ezra klein
To be a Republican politician in the age of Donald Trump is to live under the threat of violence from his most fanatical and aggressive followers.

Senator Mitt Romney of Utah hired personal security for himself and his family at a cost of $5,000 a day to guard against threats on their lives after he voted to convict the former president and remove him from office for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. After former Representative Peter Meijer of Michigan voted to impeach President Trump in the House in the same case, he purchased body armor as a precaution against the threats on his life. Republicans who voted against Representative Jim Jordan  a staunch Trump ally  for House speaker during last years leadership standoff received death threats targeting themselves and their families.

Its not only Republicans in Congress, either. Republican lawmakers and election officials in critical swing states like Georgia, Arizona and Wisconsin have received threats on their lives for following the law and rejecting Trumps demands to find or throw out votes in the last presidential election. And there have been more recent threats as well, leveled against those officials in the political, legal and criminal justice system who have tried to hold Trump accountable for his actions.

On Sunday, an unknown provocateur filed a false report to the police of a shooting at the home of Judge Tanya S. Chutkan, who is overseeing the Jan. 6-related criminal case against the former president. The goal of this tactic, called swatting, is for the police to react with force on the assumption that someones life might be in danger. Jack Smith, the federal special counsel who is leading multiple criminal investigations into Trump, was also the victim of swatting. So was Shenna Bellows, the Maine secretary of state who removed the former president from the state primary ballot.
Reggie Wells, who parlayed a background in fine art into a trailblazing career as a makeup artist for Oprah Winfrey, Whitney Houston, Beyonce, Michelle Obama and other Black celebrities, died on Monday in Baltimore. He was 76.

His death was confirmed by his niece Kristina Conner. She did not specify a cause or say where he died.

For Mr. Wells, every face was a canvas to explore. One of his most famous clients was Ms. Winfrey, for whom he worked as a personal makeup artist for more than 20 years at the height of her television career.
Chicago could see its coldest temperatures since 2019 over the next few days, city officials said on Friday. Mayor Brandon Johnson said the city was ready to keep both residents and newly arrived migrants safe during the unusually brutal winter conditions.

A limit of 60 days on stays in city shelters would be set aside temporarily because of the snow and the predicted single-digit temperatures that would follow, the mayor said.

Were not evicting new arrivals out in the cold this winter, Mr. Johnson said at a news conference. Our mission is to continue to live up to our values as we welcome new arrivals. More than 14,500 migrants are in city shelters.

The mayor criticized Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas for continuing to send asylum seekers to Chicago in such conditions. Roughly 140 migrants were awaiting shelter on Friday at the citys downtown landing zone, where busloads of migrants arrive daily from Texas.
A former patrol officer in Washington, D.C., was convicted on Thursday in a bribery scheme in which he sold private information about hundreds of traffic crash victims in exchange for payments that totaled more than $15,000, federal prosecutors said.

A federal jury found the former officer, Vincent Forrest, 35, guilty of conspiracy, bribery and making false statements, according to the U.S. attorneys office in Washington.

In 2019, Mr. Forrest, who worked for the Metropolitan Police Departments Seventh District station, used his status as an officer to obtain contact information for victims of traffic crashes and sent that information to a lawyer, Raquel DePaula, 43, of Beltsville, Md., prosecutors said.

Ms. DePaula, who owned RD Legal Solutions, acted as a runner or middleman, using that personal information to connect people involved in vehicle accidents to lawyers seeking clients in exchange for referral fees, court records show.
After a 5-year-old South Carolina boy disappeared in South Carolina in 1989, a news camera rolled as his father appeared to discover his sons strangled body inside a camping trailer on the familys property.

For three and a half decades, the killing of Justin Lee Turner remained unsolved. But on Wednesday, nearly three years after investigators reopened the case, the authorities said that they had charged his father and stepmother with his murder.

Victor Lee Turner, 69, and Megan R. Turner, 63, were arrested on Tuesday at their home in the town of Cross Hill in Laurens County, S.C., according to the sheriffs office in Berkeley County, where the boy was killed. Cross Hill is about 60 miles northwest of Columbia, the state capital.

Justin was reported missing on the afternoon of March 3, 1989. The Turners told the authorities at the time that he had gotten on a school bus that morning and never returned.
Oregons Supreme Court said on Friday that former President Donald J. Trump could remain on the states 2024 primary election ballot, at least for now. The court opted to defer any decision on the merits of his eligibility until after the U.S. Supreme Court considers a similar challenge out of Colorado.

Challengers have filed lawsuits in more than 30 states claiming Mr. Trump is ineligible to serve as president under the 14th Amendment, which disqualifies government officials who engage in insurrection after taking an oath to support the Constitution. Mr. Trumps campaign has claimed that the provision does not apply to him, and has called the lawsuits partisan and antidemocratic.

The lawsuits vary widely in legal strategy and sophistication. Several have been dismissed, others are still pending and the most prolific challenger, John Anthony Castro, a long-shot Republican presidential candidate, was indicted recently on federal tax charges.

The litigation had played out largely outside the national spotlight until last month, when the Colorado Supreme Court and Maines secretary of state, a Democrat, both found Mr. Trump ineligible. The former president, who is leading the polls in the Republican primary, has appealed both decisions, and the U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments in the appeal of the Colorado case on Feb. 8.
Asa Hutchinson sat under the fluorescent lights of a windowless conference room just off the main convention hall at the Prairie Meadows Casino and Hotel in Altoona, Iowa, on Thursday, explaining why there was a mission to the madness of his 2024 campaign for the presidency.

Former Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey had dropped out of the race the day before, following other big names to the exits like Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina and former Vice President Mike Pence, as well as not-so-big names like the governor of North Dakota, Doug Burgum, and a conservative commentator, Larry Elder.

But as Mr. Hutchinson, a former governor of Arkansas, awaited his turn to speak at a summit on renewable fuels, he said he only found more motivation in those other departures.

My voice makes a difference, he said. I am the only one campaigning for president in Iowa that has said Im not going to promise a pardon to Donald Trump. And if my voice is not there, then no one hears the alternative view.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, January 12. Russias Ural Airlines is resuming regular flights between Russia and Uzbekistan, Trend reports.

The first passenger flight is scheduled for January 13, 2024.

According to Uzbekistan Airports' press service, the air carrier plans to operate flights to five destinations using Airbus A320 and Airbus A321 aircraft.

Flights on the route Yekaterinburg - Samarkand - Yekaterinburg will be operated twice a week - on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Flights on the route Moscow - Namangan - Moscow will be operated twice a week - on Mondays and Saturdays.

Flights on the route Moscow - Tashkent - Moscow will be operated on a daily basis from Monday to Sunday.

Flights on the route Moscow - Qarshi - Moscow will be operated three times a week - on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Flights on the route Samara - Urgench - Samara will be operated once a week - on Thursdays.

In November 2023, Uzbekistan's Tashkent and Russia's Moscow have inked a Memorandum of Cooperation in the field of tourism, which presupposes the increase in the number of tourists in both directions up to 1 million people, organization of tourist and cultural festivals, as well as media coverage of national tourist routes and destinations.
A top adviser to Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida on Friday accused Nikki Haley of greed as a candidate, saying that shes trying to damage him to help former President Donald J. Trump in the Iowa caucuses.

The comments from David Polyansky, Mr. DeSantiss deputy campaign manager, came at an event hosted by Bloomberg News on Friday in downtown Des Moines, as the blizzard buffeting the city forced the campaign to cancel some events later in the day  though Mr. Polyansky said that Mr. DeSantiss ground game was best equipped for the brutal weather barreling.

He was joined by the campaigns spokesman, Andrew Romeo, and its pollster, Ryan Tyson, but he did most of the talking. He said that Ms. Haley is running in Iowa to draw votes toward Mr. Trump and siphon them away from Mr. DeSantis.

Mr. Polyansky also repeated Mr. DeSantiss claim that Ms. Haley, the former South Carolina governor, is running to be Mr. Trumps vice-presidential pick, and criticized her for not ruling out joining a Trump ticket.
A super PAC supporting Nikki Haleys presidential campaign on Friday unveiled an advertisement in Iowa that accuses Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida of being a suck up to former President Donald J. Trump.

The ad draws on old photos and videos to portray Mr. DeSantis as a Trump acolyte, by flipping abruptly among different sets of images. The first is a set of photos in which Mr. DeSantis and Mr. Trump appear friendly, underscored by audio of a crowd chanting Whos your daddy?

The ad intersperses those photos with footage from an old campaign ad from Mr. DeSantiss 2018 run for governor in which he recites some of Mr. Trumps campaign slogans to his children. In that ad, Mr. DeSantis used a Make America Great Again sign to teach one child to read, and taught another child to build the wall using toy blocks.

America needs strength  not a suck up, the advertisement, paid for by SFA Fund Inc., Ms. Haleys super PAC, closes. The committee is spending $1.6 million to run the ad in Iowa.
Halfway through a congressional session already set apart by extraordinary chaos and a lack of productivity, the Republican-led House rang in the new year with a new set of identification pins for every member that cost a cool $40,000, according to a congressional aide familiar with the purchase.

At the start of every new Congress, each member of the House is issued a circular pin that identifies them as a lawmaker, signaling to security officials on Capitol Hill that they are permitted to enter restricted spaces, including the House floor. The background color and the number of the congressional session changes every two years, but the design rarely does; it bears the Great Seal of the United States, an eagle with outstretched wings bearing an olive branch in one talon and arrows in the other.

But on Wednesday, during Congresss first working week of the year, members lined up in the speakers lobby outside the House chamber to retire their bright green pins for new navy-and-gold ones.

Representative Sean Casten, Democrat of Illinois, took to social media to offer an explanation for the new accessories.
During an eyebrow-raising visit to New Hampshire on Friday, Senator Joe Manchin III of West Virginia name-checked friends who are elected officials in the Granite State and complimented the discerning nature of its voters.

He paid homage to the states first-in-the-nation primary tradition and swiped at President Bidens decision to undercut New Hampshires power in this years Democratic contest.

And when pressed on his own ambitions, the conservative Democratic senator offered a message that would-be candidates have often deployed as they flirt with this historically influential early-voting state: He declined to rule anything out.

How would you feel if a bunch of Democrats in New Hampshire wrote in Joe  not Biden  but wrote in Joe Manchin? an attendee asked as Mr. Manchin kicked off a listening tour at Politics and Eggs, an event series at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics that has long hosted presidential candidates and potential contenders.
Lawyers for former President Donald J. Trump on Friday told the federal judge overseeing his prosecution on charges of mishandling classified documents that they intended to ask the government for new information, including assessments of any damage to national security.

The lawyers also told the judge, Aileen M. Cannon, that they planned to ask prosecutors working for the special counsel, Jack Smith, for additional information about how the documents at issue were related to national defense  a requirement of the Espionage Act, one of the statutes that Mr. Trump has been accused of violating. In addition, they said they wanted tracking information concerning the classified records.

Mr. Trumps legal team is poised to make the requests on Tuesday, when it files motions asking for additional discovery evidence. This is a standard part of the pretrial process in which the defense seeks to get as much information about the case out of the government as it can. Discovery motions often indicate how lawyers intend to attack charges before a trial begins or how they plan to defend against them once the case goes in front of a jury.

The papers filed on Friday suggest Mr. Trump may be planning to attack the multiple Espionage Act counts he is facing by, among other things, questioning whether the documents he took from the White House were actually related to national defense. They also suggest he may seek to downplay how damaging their removal from the White House was to the countrys security.
The soldiers mission was as dangerous as it was audacious: a trek of more than 500 miles through mountainous jungle in northern Burma to seize a Japanese-held airfield in World War II.

The threats were constant: fierce attacks by superior numbers of enemy troops, monsoon rains, tropical diseases and malnutrition.

When the airfield was finally taken, three months later, only 130 able-bodied soldiers remained of the 2,600 who had crossed into Burma in 1944 with Merrills Marauders, a fabled unit that was one of the forerunners of the Armys Special Operations elite, the 75th Ranger Regiment.

On Dec. 26, Russell Hamler, the last survivor of Merrills Marauders, died at a veterans hospital in Pittsburgh, his son Jeffrey said. He was 99.
More than eight million children in 15 states will be shut out of a new federal food assistance program intended to help needy families during the summer months.

Set to begin this summer, the new program will provide low-income families with $120 for each eligible child, which can be used to purchase food at grocery stores, farmers markets or other approved retailers when such assistance is not available in schools.

The deadline for states to opt into the program, which was approved by Congress with bipartisan support, was Jan. 1. And this week, the federal Agriculture Department announced that 35 states, all five U.S. territories and four tribal nations, mostly in Oklahoma, had signed up for the program, which provides a total of $2.5 billion in federal funds for an estimated 21 million children whose families already qualify for free or reduced-price lunches.

The 35 states included 22 led by Democratic governors and 13 led by Republican governors from all parts of the country.
Severe storms, with winds gusting up to 70 miles an hour and the chance of tornadoes, will lash a large portion of the Southeast on Friday afternoon and into the night. People living anywhere from the Mississippi River to the Atlantic Ocean face at least some threat.

The new storm system comes just three days after another yielded more than 20 reports of tornadoes from Florida to North Carolina. Security-camera footage showed one of those tornadoes sending the facades of a small towns brick commercial buildings tumbling into the street.
They are some of the most determined voters in the world.

Every four years, several thousand Taiwanese Americans book expensive plane tickets, pack their belongings and fly across the Pacific Ocean to cast ballots in Taiwans presidential election.

Dual citizens can vote in Taiwan, with one catch: They cannot do so by mail.

What once felt like a patriotic duty has taken on greater urgency in recent years as China has intensified military pressure on Taiwan and doubled down on threats to absorb the island by force if it deems necessary. The increasing tensions have become an additional flashpoint in U.S.-China relations.

Freedom and democracy are on the line, said Leslie Lai, 42, who had traveled from her home in Oakland, Calif., to Taichung, a city in central Taiwan, where she spoke by phone ahead of Saturdays election.

For many first-generation Taiwanese Americans, the quadrennial journey back to Taiwan has become something of a diaspora tradition since 1996, when the island held its first democratic presidential elections. Ms. Lai said that as a child in upstate New York, she was always vaguely aware of the latest developments in Taiwanese politics and would watch her parents fly back themselves to participate in presidential elections.
Taiwan will choose a new president on Saturday, bringing new leadership to volatile relations with an increasingly belligerent Beijing. The outcome could raise or lower the risks of a crisis, giving China a potential transition point to revive engagement, or to increase the military threats that could ultimately draw the United States into a war.

Chinas leader, Xi Jinping, has asserted Beijings claim over the self-governed island of 23 million people by sending warplanes and ships to the skies and waters around Taiwan almost daily. Washington, while maintaining strategic ambiguity over its plans, has helped to bolster the islands military, and President Biden has signaled that the United States would defend Taiwan against a Chinese attack.

On Saturday, as the election kicked off, long lines formed at voting booths, and candidates were swarmed by cameras as they cast their ballots. After a week of loud rallies, the mood was one of solemn duty: people holding voting notices, nodding to friends, and quietly entering small booths to cast paper ballots that would be counted by hand after the polls close at 4 p.m.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, January 12. The Uzbekistan-China investment forum will be held in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China, on January 25, 2024, Trend reports.

Uzbekistan's Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade said the participants of the event will have an opportunity to meet potential partners, discuss prospects for further cooperation and conclude mutually beneficial contracts with Chinese representatives.

The forum is expected to be attended by more than 300 executives of China's largest companies.

Panel sessions on such topics as "Infrastructure", "Digital Transformation", "Energy and Electrical Engineering", as well as B2B and G2B meetings are envisaged.

Earlier, a delegation from Uzbekistan's Andijan area led by regional governor Shukhratbek Abdurakhmanov and over 300 Chinese businessmen, representatives of important firms, attended a large business forum in the Chinese city of Tianjin.

The sides signed agreements and memoranda.

Trade turnover between the countries amounted to $8.3 billion from January through August 2023.
Nearly four decades ago, a group of lawyers, intellectuals and activists assembled in a hotel ballroom in Taipei to found an illegal political party dedicated to ending authoritarian rule in Taiwan.

No longer a scrappy upstart, the Democratic Progressive Party, born in that ballroom, is now seeking an unprecedented third consecutive term. It needs to persuade voters that after eight years in power, the party can renew itself while also protecting Taiwan from mounting pressures imposed by Beijing, which claims the island as its territory.

Led by Vice President Lai Ching-te, the presidential candidate, the D.P.P. faces a stiff challenge in an election on Saturday from its chief rival, the Nationalist Party, which favors expanded ties with China. Polls have indicated that the Nationalists, led by Hou Yu-ih, a former policeman and the mayor of New Taipei City, may have a fighting chance of returning to power for the first time since 2016, an outcome that could reshape the regions geopolitical landscape. Election results are expected by Saturday night.

For Su Chiao-hui, a lawmaker with the Democratic Progressive Party, the stakes of the vote are especially personal. Her father, Su Tseng-chang, helped found the party when Taiwan was under martial law and later served as a premier in both the partys two phases in power, including under the current president, Tsai Ing-wen.
President Emmanuel Macron of France convened a new, smaller cabinet for the first time on Friday, a day after a government reshuffle that brought in a handful of new ministers  including one poached from the right and a Europe-focused foreign minister  but that left most key positions untouched.

A united government, Mr. Macron said before camera crews were ushered out ahead of the cabinet meeting, which was held in a noticeably smaller room than usual. Lets get to work.

Many of the 14 ministers around the table were longtime pillars of Mr. Macrons government. Gerald Darmanin, Mr. Macrons tough-talking interior minister; Bruno Le Maire, his perennial economy minister; and Sebastien Lecornu, the defense minister  all former members of the mainstream conservative party have remained in place. Eric Dupond-Moretti, the justice minister, who was recently cleared in an abuse-of-power case, stayed as well.

Mr. Macron signaled a focus on Europe by appointing Stephane Sejourne, a top ally of the French leader in the European Parliament, as foreign minister. A vote for European Parliament seats scheduled in June is expected to be a hard battle against the French far right, given that the National Rally came ahead in vote percentages in the last election in 2019.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of Britain visited Kyiv on Friday to announce that he would send more than $3 billion in military assistance to Ukraine in the next financial year, his countrys largest annual commitment since the start of Russias full-scale invasion.

In addition to the new aid package, Mr. Sunak and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine signed a bilateral security agreement for the next 10 years. The pact offers reassurance amid concerns about a potential shortfall in Western support for Ukraine while badly needed military and financial aid packages remain blocked in the United States and the European Union because of political infighting.

For two years, Ukraine has fought with great courage to repel a brutal Russian invasion. They are still fighting, unfaltering in their determination to defend their country, Mr. Sunak said in a statement. I am here today with one message: The U.K. will also not falter. We will stand with Ukraine, in their darkest hours and in the better times to come.

The British aid for the coming year represents an increase of 200 million pounds, about $255 million, compared with the countrys annual commitment for the past two years. Much of the increase will go toward the production and procurement of thousands of military drones that are crucial for Ukraine. Britain will also deliver long-range missiles, air defenses and artillery ammunition.
The Gaza Strip was plunged into another communications blackout on Friday, with internet and phone service cut off for most of its more than two million residents as Israeli bombardment continued.

All telecom services in Gaza Strip have been lost due to the ongoing aggression, the major Palestinian telecommunications company, Paltel, announced late Friday afternoon. Another mobile network, Ooredoo Palestine, said damage to communications lines had shut down all of its services in the southern and central parts of the territory, which Israeli forces have recently made a focus of their operations. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to the reports.

The blackout was confirmed by NetBlocks, an internet monitoring group, which said the internet outage was near-total and that landline, cellular and wireless internet service was likely unavailable to most residents in Gaza.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society, which provides emergency medical aid and ambulance services, said it had completely lost contact with its teams in Gaza and that the blackout had exacerbated the difficulty of reaching injured people promptly.

This is the ninth blackout Gaza has faced since the war began, and their durations have varied from roughly nine hours to as many as 72 hours, according to Isik Mater, Netblocks director of research.

The latest blackout began just hours after Israel finished defending itself at the International Court of Justice in The Hague against accusations that it was committing genocide in Gaza. The case was brought by South Africa, whose 84-page filing to the court cites the blackouts as one way Israel has been hampering scrutiny of its actions in the territory.

Israel jammed Gazas internet and telecoms networks just before its ground invasion in late October, according to senior U.S. officials, preventing Palestinians there from sharing what they were seeing with each other or with the outside world for nearly 36 hours.

Other blackouts have been caused by Israels attacks on infrastructure, its control of Gazas communication lines and its refusal to allow sufficient fuel to enter the territory, Palestinian telecommunications companies have said.

The blackouts have terrorized besieged Palestinians in Gaza, leaving them unable to confirm whether their loved ones were still alive or call for help as Israeli airstrikes continued. During the blackout in October, rescue crews tried to save people by driving toward the sound of explosions or trying to surmise where an airstrike landed by sight. During another blackout in November, UNRWA, the largest United Nations agency in Gaza, said it was unable to distribute aid coming from the Rafah border crossing with Egypt.
After arguing its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, South Africa won praise among pro-Palestinian activists globally for standing up against Israels war in Gaza and what many saw as the interests of Western countries.

At home, where satisfaction with the government is low, many South Africans applauded their leaders for taking a stand. Gatherings were organized to watch the court hearing, Demonstrators waved Palestinian flags in the streets.

Some South Africans saw the case as an example of hypocrisy by the governing African National Congress party, which they said had failed to call out atrocities by other nations. But leaders of the A.N.C.  which led South Africas struggle against apartheid rule  have compared life under blockade in Gaza to apartheid, and say they are uniquely positioned to understand the Palestinian experience.

I must say that I have never felt as proud as I felt today when our legal team was arguing our case in The Hague, President Cyril Ramaphosa said at a political event after the hearing on Thursday. Israel on Friday strongly denied the genocide accusation at the court, and it has long rejected the comparison of Israels treatment of the Palestinians to apartheid.

David Monyae, the director of the Center for Africa-China Studies at the University of Johannesburg, said that by bringing a genocide case against Israel, South Africa was not just putting Israels government on trial, but also challenging the post-World War II global order led by Israels chief ally, the United States. The case showed that an African nation, smaller than the worlds superpowers, could step up to expose what some see as Western countries double standard when it comes to human rights, he said.

Just a moral voice to say to the world, Heres what we should be doing, Dr. Monyae said. Going forward, its going to weaken the hand of the Western world to advance human rights.
Whatever its outcome, the accusation of genocide leveled this week against Israel at the worlds top court is an epochal intervention imbued with profound symbolism for both Israelis and Palestinians.

In the granular sense, the case at the International Court of Justice is a chance to assess three months of devastation in Gaza. Israel stands accused of committing genocide against the Palestinian people in a military campaign that has killed roughly 1 in 100 Gazans and displaced nearly two million others.

But the case, brought by South Africa to the court in The Hague, has also taken on a broader resonance: Among both Israelis and Palestinians, it is perceived as a proxy for a far older battle over the legitimacy of their respective national causes.

To many Israelis, the case is the culmination of a decades-long effort to turn Israel into a pariah by holding the country  which was itself founded in the aftermath of a genocide of Jews  to a far higher level of scrutiny than other nations.
Tesla and Volvo said their assembly lines in Europe would be suspended in coming weeks because of attacks in the Red Sea that have forced cargo ships to take longer routes, disrupting supply chains.

The factory stoppages, announced late Thursday and on Friday, follow weeks of attacks by the Houthis, a Yemeni rebel group backed by Iran, on ships sailing through the Red Sea, a corridor to the Suez Canal.

The armed conflicts in the Red Sea and the associated shifts in transport routes between Europe and Asia via the Cape of Good Hope are also having an impact on production in Grunheide, Tesla said in a statement first reported by Reuters, referring to the companys plant in Germany.

Shippers carrying goods from Asia to Europe now face the choice of either sending their vessels through the Red Sea, if they are willing to risk attacks and bear the cost of sharply higher insurance premiums, or sailing an extra 4,000 miles around Africa, adding 10 days in each direction and the cost of additional fuel.

The considerably longer transportation times are creating a gap in supply chains, Tesla said. The statement said production at the electric vehicle makers factory outside of Berlin would be suspended Jan. 29 to Feb. 11.

Volvo, majority-owned by the Chinese automaker Geely, said that production would be suspended at its plant in Ghent, Belgium, for three days next week because adjusted sea routes have delayed the delivery of gearboxes.

The company added that the delay was not expected to affect global retail sales deliveries or production plans.
The American-led airstrikes in Yemen on Friday could play into the agenda of the Houthis, the Iran-backed militia that rules much of northern Yemen, and are unlikely to stop the groups campaign of attacking commercial ships, scholars who study the group said.

This was not a miscalculation by the Houthis, said Hannah Porter, a senior research officer at ARK Group, a British company that works in international development. This was the goal. They hope to see an expanded regional war, and they are eager to be on the front lines of that war.

Within hours of the strikes, a senior Houthi official said that the United States and Britain, which joined the strikes along with some other American allies, would soon realize that they had engaged in the biggest folly in their history.

Yemen is not an easy military opponent that can be subdued quickly, the official, Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, said in a post on the social media platform X. It is ready to enter a long-term battle that will change the direction of the region and the world.

The war in Gaza has catapulted the Houthis to unlikely prominence. Over the past three months, the militia has shot missiles toward Israel and attacked commercial ships passing through the Red Sea in what they say is an attempt to stop Israels bombardment of Gaza.

The group has honed its military capabilities through years of civil war. In 2014, the Houthis  who espouse a religious ideology inspired by a sect of Shiite Islam  took over the Yemeni capital, Sana. A Saudi-led coalition launched a military intervention to oust them but failed, deepening one of the worlds worst humanitarian crises while leaving the Houthis in power in northern Yemen. There, they have created an impoverished proto-state that they rule with an iron fist.
Iran and allied militias in the Middle East, along with at least one U.S. ally, condemned the American-led airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen on Friday and warned that they risked causing a broader conflict in the region.

The strikes came after a series of Houthi attacks against ships in the Red Sea. The Houthis have said they are targeting Israeli ships and vessels headed to Israel in an effort to support Palestinians in Gaza, who have been under relentless Israeli bombardment for nearly 100 days, although some Houthi targets have had no clear connection to Israel.

Israels military offensive in Gaza since Oct. 7 has killed more than 23,000 Palestinians, according to the Gazan Health Ministry. The Israeli war came in response to the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, the armed group that controls Gaza, that left some 1,200 people dead, according to Israeli officials.

A Houthi spokesman, Mohammed Abdul Salam, said on social media that the group would remain by Gazas side. He said there was no justification for the strikes on Yemen because the Houthi actions did not threaten international shipping, and vowed that the group would continue to target Israeli ships and those heading to Israel.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Mr. Abdul Salam signaled that Houthi forces would retaliate for the U.S. strikes, saying, Now, the response no doubt is going to be wider.

Hamas and Hezbollah, which like the Houthis are backed by Iran, also condemned the strikes. Hamas called them an act of terrorism, a violation of Yemens sovereignty and a threat to the security of the region.

Nasser Kanani, a spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, denounced the strikes as a violation of international laws and said they will have no result other than fueling insecurity and instability in the region.

Even one close U.S. ally, Oman, which often mediates between the Houthis and international parties, expressed concern. Its criticism reflected the fear that the American-led action would not deter the Houthis but would only inflame regional conflict.

It is impossible not to denounce that an allied country resorted to this military action, while meanwhile, Israel is continuing to exceed all bounds in its bombardment, brutal war and siege on Gaza without any consequence, Omans Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

In Bahrain, another U.S. ally, people took to the streets on Friday to protest their countrys involvement in the military coalition, according to Bahraini activists who shared pictures of the demonstrations. Amid popular anger over its participation in the coalition, the Bahraini government has not independently acknowledged its role, but was named in the joint statement announcing the strikes.

Vivian Nereim and Leily Nikounazar contributed reporting.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. Spokesperson of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova commented on the Nazi march that took place in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, earlier this month, Trend reports.

Zakharova made her statement during her weekly briefing.

"We have viewed the footage and are highly concerned about a march by fascist adolescents in the downtown of Yerevan on January 1. We are, of course, startled that Armenian law enforcement did not stop the march, in which participants demonstrated their connection on camera in front of the media by raising their hands in a Nazi salute. We regret that the Armenian authorities and human rights organizations did not respond appropriately. We believe that it is vital to suppress all expressions of Nazism," she said.

On January 2, Neo-Nazis held a march in Yerevan in honor of the birthday of Armenian Nazi Garegin Nzhdeh, who was convicted of collaborating with Nazi Germany.

The marchers chanted the "Sieg Heil" slogan.

There are a large number of monuments and streets in Armenia named after the Nazi criminal Nzhdeh.

In 2016, a monument to Nzhdeh was set up in the center of Yerevan. In addition to large centers such as Gyumri and Gafan, the memory of Nzhdeh is preserved in at least seventeen other settlements. In Gyumri, where the Russian military base is located, a monument was set up in honor of Nzhdeh, and a street was named after him as well.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Here are steps to take to prepare for bitter cold, strong winds and other severe winter conditions.

Make sure you have extra batteries and other supplies.

Keep flashlights, extra batteries and extra blankets on hand, as well as a manual can opener, extra medicine, first aid supplies, emergency heat sources and a fire extinguisher, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a government agency. Stock up on foods that last a while without needing refrigeration, like dry cereal (and shelf-stable milk to go with it), nuts and protein bars. The National Weather Service recommends having at least a three-day supply of bottled drinking water, figured at a gallon per person per day.

Take steps to keep the heat in, and fumes out.

If the power goes out and you use a backup generator, make sure to run it only outdoors, more than 20 feet away from your home. It is crucial to have working carbon monoxide monitors on each floor. Do not try to heat your home with your oven, a camp stove or a charcoal-burning device. Never run a car engine with the garage door closed.

If your heat is working, you can retain warmth and save on utility bills by keeping curtains closed and using adhesive barrier tape or other materials to seal drafty windows. Place rolled-up towels or rags at the base of doors leading outside, and keep the doors of unoccupied rooms closed.

Ensure that your water pipes do not freeze.

Protect Your Pipes, an initiative funded by water and wastewater utilities in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, recommends making sure that your thermostat is set to 55 degrees Fahrenheit or higher during cold weather. Run the faucets that are farthest from your main valve, since even a trickle of water moving in the pipes can keep them from freezing. Open cupboards with pipes, like those under a kitchen or bathroom sink, to let in warm air. Before the freezing weather arrives, turn off water to outside spigots and drain water from the line.
A Chinese family has sparked a debate on social media after moving into a luxury hotel suite permanently because its cheaper and more convenient than renting or owning a home.

The family of eight has been living in a luxury hotel in Nanyang, Chinas Henan Province, for 229 days and has no plans to move out anytime soon. After getting a special rate (1,000 yuan or $140 per day) for a luxury suite with two bedrooms and a large living room based on the length of their stay, the family now plans to remain in the hotel indefinitely. Because the daily price of the suite also includes electricity, heating, water, and parking, the unnamed family claims that they actually save money by living in a hotel and their life is much more comfortable.

We feel happy living here, so we plan to live in a hotel for the rest of our lives, Mu Xue, a member of the family said in a viral video. The room costs 1,000 yuan per day. Our family of eight lives very well. I never thought this way of living would help save money. I just feel that it makes everything convenient.

According to a Star Video clip, Mu Xues family is in good financial standing, they own at least six properties, but they just prefer to live in a hotel. To prove that they have been living in the Nanyang Hotel for over 200 days, the family showed several deposits to the hotel for hundreds of thousands of yuan.

This story sparked a heated debate on Chinese social media. A lot of people declared themselves captivated by the familys way of life, adding that they too would live in a hotel full-time if they could afford it, others wondered how comfortable a hotel suite actually was for a family of eight.
An 85-year-old woman is set to end a self-imposed 30-year vow of silence that only allowed her to speak for an hour a day.

Saraswati Devi, fondly known as Mauni Mata, began her maun vrat (vow of silence) in 1992. She devoted her life to Lord Ram after the death of her husband in 1986 and has spent most of her time on pilgrimages ever since. In 1992, she arrived in Ayodhya, where she met Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, head of Ram Janmabhoomi Trust, who ordered her to circle Kamtanath Mountain as a sign of devotion to Lord Ram. On December 6, the same day that the Babri Masjid was demolished in Ayodhya, Saraswati met Swami Nritya Gopal Das, the head of Ayodhyas largest temple, the Mani Ram Das Ki Chavani, and was so inspired by him that she vowed to refrain from speaking until a new temple dedicated to Ram would be built in the city. Her vow will finally end later this month, with the inauguration of the Ram Mandir temple in Ayodhya.

After the demolition of Babri Masjid, my mother-in-law visited Ayodhya and took a pledge of maun vrat till Ram Mandir was constructed, one of Mauni Matas daughters-in-law said. She used to remain silent for 23 hours a day, taking an hour-long break only at noon. The rest of the time, she communicated with us through pen and paper. Mostly, we understood her sign language. But she used to write down complicated sentences on a piece of paper.

The hour she spoke for every day still helped the family a lot, but in 2020, when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially announced the construction of the Ram Mandir, the octogenarian stopped speaking completely.



Saraswati Devi has visited the most prominent Hindu temples in India during the last 32 years while maintaining her vow of silence, and her devotion to Lord Ram has attained an almost legendary status. On January 22, when the Ram Mandir is to be inaugurated, she will end her maun vrat by uttering her first word in over 3 years, Ram Naam.
A Jehovas Witness has taken the country of Spain to the European Court of Human Rights for administering her a blood transfusion during surgery against her will.

Rosa Edelmira Pindo Mulla, an Ecuadorian woman living in Spain, claims to be a victim of medical paternalism, due to her nationality and religion. In 2017, following a series of medical examinations, the 53-year-old woman was advised to undergo surgery. In 2018, before the procedure, Pindo Mulla was presented with three documents to fill out  an advance directive, a long-term power of attorney, and an informed consent form. She claims to have specifically mentioned in all three that she was a Jehovas Witness and that she refused to receive any kind of blood transfusion (blood, red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets or plasma), even at the cost of her own life. After suffering a life-threatening hemorrhage during surgery, she received a blood transfusion, and she has been seeking justice ever since

Photo: Pixabay

In March 2020, Rosa Edelmira Pindo Mulla filed an application with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which rules on violations of the European Convention on Human Rights in the 46 countries that ratified it. She had previously sought justice in a Madrid court of law, and at the Spanish Constitutional Court, but her case was dismissed by both.

The Spanish government was notified about the controversial case in March of 2021, and in the summer of last year, the Chamber to which the case had been allocated relinquished jurisdiction in favor of the Grand Chamber. This sort of thing occurs due to a lack of jurisprudence or when the matter deserves a more in-depth examination.

The case has been making news headlines and sparking controversy for years, due to its complicated nature and ethical concerns. Some believe that the womans attitude towards the people who saved her life, even against her will, is wrong, while others claim that any persons wishes, no matter how extreme, should be respected as long as they dont affect other people.

Photo: Olga Kononenko/Unsplash

To further complicate things, the record of the events that occurred in June of 2018 is not quite clear. For example, the woman claims to have specifically made it clear both in writing and while talking to the hospital staff that she was firmly against blood transfusions due to religious reasons, even at the cost of her life. However, following the operation, she was transferred to a hospital in Madrid, due to complications that involved hemorrhaging. She claims to have told the new doctor about her wishes regarding blood transfusions, but they did not respect them

On the other hand, the hospital claims that, considering Rosa Edelmira Pindo Mullas situation at the time, the anesthesiologist contacted the judge on duty for guidance, and they authorized any medical or surgical intervention necessary to save the patients life. The problem is that Rosa had given her consent for any medical intervention, except blood transfusion.

The situation demanded a very rapid response, insisted Nicolas Martinez, representative of the Spanish government, but Rosas lawyers claimed that she was a victim.

Photo: Unsplash

A South American immigrant who speaks Spanish with an accent, and a member of the Jehovahs Witnesses, who are often the subject of prejudice and stereotypes, Pindo Mulla was an easy target for this medical paternalism, the womans lawyers said, adding that all she wanted was to be treated in accordance with her conscience.

The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights is currently deliberating, and a sentence is expected in several months.
A Brazilian man tragically lost his life by plunging down a deep shaft he had dug in his kitchen after dreaming that there was gold buried deep under his house.

71-year-old Joao Pimenta da Silvas dream of enrichment ended as a nightmare that claimed his life. His lifeless body was found at the bottom of an exceptionally deep well he and his neighbors had dug under his kitchen in Ipatinga, a municipality in Brazils Minas Gerais state. The man had reportedly dreamt that there was gold deep under his home, and that all he had to do was dig to get to it. He even told his neighbor about his dream and even though he was laughed at in the beginning, da Silva was actually able to convince the man to assist him with the digging. Unfortunately, the treasure hunt ended in disaster when the 71-year-old plunged to his death while trying to exit the 40-meter-deep hole.

According to Antonio Costa, the neighbor who helped Joao Pimenta da Silva dig, the old man was trying to get rid of the water and mud at the bottom of the shaft when he fell to his death. They had lowered a pump into the hole and managed to remove several buckets of water, but da Silva wanted to go down into the hole to check something for himself. As Costa was lowering him into the well, the would-be treasure hunter asked him to pull him back up, but as he started to ascend, Joao somehow slipped from the swing-like device, and his arm became entangled in the swings rope.

I tried to hold him, alone, there was no way to ask for help, Costa told the police. But if I kept holding on, he would have dragged me down as well. I only heard the noise as he hit the bottom.

Firefighters called to the scene found Joao Pimenta da Silva dead at the bottom of the deep well. He exhibited polytrauma, open fractures on both legs, a hip fracture, lacerations of the abdomen, widespread abrasions, and no signs of life.

After examining the deep shaft in Joao Pimenta da Silvas kitchen, investigators were shocked by how the old man had managed to dig a well so deep with a stable structure that borders on perfection. Neighbors claimed that the pensioner had experience digging wells, but considering the extreme depth  the equivalent of a 13-story building  he would have needed advanced equipment to carry out such a dig. Meanwhile, all they found in his home were rudimentary digging tools.



There are still many unanswered questions about Joao Pimenta da Silva death and the hole that caused it, but since the mans family didnt even know about his treasure hunt, they will probably remain unanswered.
Kevin Merida

Los Angeles Times editor Kevin Merida is exiting, effective Jan. 11. Merida was named executive editor at the Times in May 2021 after stints as EVP and editor-in-chief at ESPN and managing editor at the Washington Post. According to the New York Times, Patrick Soon-Shiong, who bought the LA Times in 2018, said in a note that he and Merida mutually agreed that Merida should depart. According to the NY Times report, Merida and the Soon-Shiong family have been at loggerheads over such issues as editorial decisions and business priorities. Last June the LA Times axed more than 10 percent of its staff due to economic difficulties. Soon-Shiong said the search for Meridas successor will include both internal and external candidates.

Arthur Bochner

News Corp brings on Arthur Bochner, who most recently served as VP, strategic communications at the Walt Disney Company, as chief communications officer and EVP following the retirement later this year of Jim Kennedy, who has been with News Corp for over a decade. Kennedys decision to retire was announced last October. Bochner will begin at News Corp this month, working with Kennedy and his team during the transition. He will be based at News Corps headquarters in New York. Arthur has vast and valuable experience at the highest levels of business and government, which will enable him to play a vital role in News Corps continuing growth, said News Corp chief executive Robert Thomson.

Lindsay Horrigan

Hearst Magazines names Lindsay Horrigan SVP, consumer growth officer, a new position at the company. Horrigan joins Hearst from Wayfair, where she served as chief marketing officer of Perigold, Wayfair's luxury home decor marketplace, and Birch Lane, a specialty brand. Before that, she was global head of consumer marketing and general manager of subscriptions at Bloomberg Media. With a focus on digital customer engagement, Horrigan will be responsible for leveraging data and insights to help drive growth across the companys consumer revenue streams, including subscriptions, membership operations, commerce and licensing. Her innovative approach to engaging consumers and strong business acumen will play a critical role in our long-term growth strategy, said Hearst Magazines president Debi Chirichella.
Protestors outside a hotel in Roscrea, which it was revealed today will accommodate 160 international asylum seekers, say they will continue their protest through the night in an attempt to stop the arrival of refugees.

Roscrea's only operating hotel, the Rackett Hall Hotel and Country Club, will see its 40 rooms be repurposed to accommodate asylum seekers who are expected to arrive at the premises tonight.

The decision was announced today and protestors mounted their demonstration within hours. They say they will attempt to block vehicles carrying asylum seekers from entering the hotel car-park.

Gardai are present at the scene and over 200 local people heard speeches from concerned local residents and Roscrea based Councillor, Shane Lee. Cllr. Lee told the gathering that local elected representatives only heard of the decision this afternoon via a briefing note from the Department of Integration and Equality.

The briefing note confirmed 160 beds will be provided for international protection applicants and the accommodation will be for "families of asylum seekers". The contract with the hotel has been signed for 12 months.

The decision has been described as marking "another dark day for Roscrea" by local community activist group Roscrea Stands Up, who said the hotel has been "closed to the people of Roscrea and surrounding areas".

"We have no active hotel now in Roscrea for weddings, parties, dinner dances - the overnment has closed yet another business in Roscrea", Roscrea Stands Up said.

The group have organised a second protest which will march through the streets of Roscrea on Saturday, January 13 and are calling on all people with links to the heritage town to support the demonstration.

The department said it was not possible to say with certainty what the length of stay would be due to the high number of asylum seekers arriving in Ireland and the scarcity of alternative accommodation options.

The property consists of a large refurbished four-star hotel accommodation with amenities and ample community recreational space on site and has high speed internet connection.

There will be a self-catering service provided on site, while residents will also be provided with a weekly voucher or debit card for a local shop. A transport service has been established and will be supplemented by the provider.

The property is owned and operated by Swiftcastle Roscrea Ltd and staff will be on-site 24 hours a day. Staff numbers will be increased as and when resident numbers increase on site.

A minimum of two members of staff will be present at all times and CCTV is in place. There will be a general manager, assistant manager, eight daytime staff, two translators, four night-time security, bus drivers, and maintenance staff, the briefing note says.

Each resident will have their own lockable bedroom and 24-hour access. Asylum seekers may avail of English language classes through their local Education and Training Board, medical cards and an adult resident receives an allowance of 38.80 per week.

Asylum seekers are not entitled to apply for or avail of social housing or the Housing Assistance Payment while their claim for asylum is being determined by the International Protection Office.

The department said it is currently providing 26,279 asylum seekers with State-sourced accommodation and support services.

In addition to that, since February 2022, it is also providing accommodation to 75,026 people who have fled the war in Ukraine, resulting in more than 101,300 people staying in State-provided or pledged accommodation in Ireland.
Meetings between staff and management of the Racket Hall Hotel are continuing this afternoon against the backdrop of protests at the entrance to the premises, after it was announced yesterday the hotel will close to the public and begin providing accommodation for international protection applicants.

All 40 rooms at Roscrea's only hotel will begin providing accommodation for asylum seekers today after it was revealed yesterday the facility is designated to accommodate 160 people described as "families of international protection applicants".

Protest barricades were soon erected by local people and manned overnight as protestors refuse to leave the car-park of the hotel. Gardai are present at the scene.

The issue was raised at the monthly meeting of Tipperary County Council at 3pm today, when CEO, Joe MacGrath, said communities in Tipperary and particularly Roscrea have been "exemplary" in their response to accepting refugees from Ukraine and around the world.

A multi-agency meeting that had been due to take place later this month has been brought forward to deal with Roscrea next week, Mr McGrath said, adding that the Department of Integration and Equality are under extraordinary pressure to find emergency accommodation.

Roscrea based Fianna Fail Councillor, Michael Smith, said his main concerns are for members of staff, some of whom have lost their jobs. Some staff members showed up at the hotel today and complained at the dearth of information about their jobs or any update from management.

Cllr. Smith said the integration of Ukrainian families in the former Sacred Heart Convent in Roscrea has proceeded smoothly after some concerns and protests around the issue when the news broke last year. But, he said, the decision to place asylum seekers in Roscrea's only hotel overnight has eroded people's trust and shocked the community.

Weddings and family functions planned for the coming year were cancelled yesterday.

Thats very difficult for families at any time of the year, Cllr. Smith said condemning the treatment of staff. "It leaves a lot to be desired and is quite shocking.

Its a severe blow to the town. The only active hotel in Roscrea, is going to host international protection applicants for the next 12 months, he said.

The decision was also condemned by local Fine Gael Councillor for the Roscrea area, Cllr. Noel Coonan, who said the situation is unfair on the people of Roscrea and the people already seeking asylum in Roscrea.

Protestors pictured at the entrance to Racket Hall this morning. Photo: PJ Wright

I know Racket Hall fairly well, but Im amazed that it can accommodate 160 beds. We were told there was 40 bedrooms there, he said. The whole situation is crazy. Id like to know the actual role of the Council? The contact that can be made? A name, a phone number.

We must listen to the voice of the people and those in authority are doing that at the moment in relation to this, Cllr Coonan said. Its a tragedy waiting to happen, he said.

Roscrea currently has a direct provision facility already accommodating 200 international asylum seekers in a building which is a former mother and baby home at Coville House in Sean Ross Abbey and 400 people fleeing the war in Ukraine at a repurposed former Convent in the centre of the heritage town.

People seeking asylum in Ireland are also accommodated in several houses in the town centre, where locals say it is extremely difficult to find any rental property and education and healthcare services are overburdened.

Tipperary TD, Michael Lowry, has warned government he will retract his support over the issue unfolding in Roscrea and said the Racket Hall issue has brought Roscrea to "a tipping point".

Deputy Lowry said Roscrea's Garda Station is closed at night and people feel the town has become unsafe at night.

Roscrea women Margaret Collison, Fiona Dunford, Alison Lee and Catriona Queally pictured at the protest at Racket Hall. Photo: PJ Wright

Those concerns were echoed by Derek Russell, founder of local activist group Roscrea Stands Up, who said crime has mushroomed in the town and local people will not let their children into the town after dark.

Roscrea Stands Up are leading the protest planned for Roscrea town centre at 3:30pm tomorrow and have invited elected representatives and all concerned people from the town and surrounding areas to support the demonstration.

More on this unfolding story as it happens.
Who doesnt love a spa break, especially when its on a budget?

Whether its for a day or a weekend, going to the spa is a great way to bond with family, friends or even yourself. You can detox, breathe and experience a full-on and well-deserved reset.

1. Reynolds Fitness Retreat, Kent

From 59.00



With three branches in Bexley, Sittingbourne and a woodland retreat in Sevenoaks, Reynolds Fitness Spa has found a unique way to create an environment separate from all the hustle and bustle life often brings, where people can fully commit themselves to a time of indulgent relaxation.

Taking inspiration from Georgian architecture, the spa in Bexley has a sauna, steam room, whirlpools and even a heated swimming pool for you to release any unwanted tension in your mind, body and soul.

It also includes a monsoon shower, heated tiled lounger and fully automated foot spa, similar to whats available to use at the spa in Sittingbourne.

From the mum-to-be experience, and escape packages to sanctuary packages, discovery packages and the afternoon experience, which range from 25 minutes to 2 hours 20 minutes, and can include breakfast on arrival, bubbly, aromatherapy, decollete massages or lava shell full body massages, Reynolds Fitness Spa, has something for every occasion.

2. The Swan Hotel and Spa, Newby Bridge, Lake District

From 35.00

Inside The Swan Hotel you will find Holte Spa  curated by Temple Spa, a luxury skincare brand  where they have everything from treatments, thermal journeys, spa days, and breaks and can even host your summer parties.

If you want to spend an evening at a spa, then the Twilight session would be the one for you. Its only available from Friday-Sunday between 6:00pm-8:00pm. Spa days also include thermal and afternoon tea, champagne and truffles, just to name a few.

But if you want to extend the relaxation, The Swan Hotel, also offers short-term and long-term stays in their boutique rooms, where you could also visit their qualified nurse and aesthetics practitioner for treatments including microneedling and dermaplanning. Its also dog-friendly too, with plenty of grounds to take them on scenic walks.

3. Cottons Hotel and Spa, Cheshire

From 55.00



Cottons Hotel and Spa includes seven luxurious treatment rooms, complemented by a peaceful relaxation area. Additionally, it features many facilities, including a hot tub, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, poll and gym for a comprehensive wellness experience.

One of its most popular offers is the Ultimate Experience (100 Monday-Friday, 110 Saturday-Sunday) which includes The Temple Spa Ultimate Glow Treatments (1 hour 20 min), 2 hours of use of the facilities plus a glass of fizz or Peroni.

But its most popular spa day is either the Morning or Afternoon Ritual (110 Monday-Friday, 120 Saturday-Sunday) which includes a 50-minute treatment, use of the facilities plus either light lunch or afternoon tea.

And for a great nights sleep to complete your spa break, you can book a stay in one of their hotel rooms.

4. The Athenaeum Hotel, Mayfair, London

From 60.00



The boutique spa at The Athenaeum Hotel is open from 9:00am-7:00pm every day but requires people to book in advance.

You can book body massages, facials, scrubs, and signature treatments, or something bespoke to your specific needs, like anti-ageing eye treatment, foot massage, Indian head or hot stone massage, or glorious mud wraps.

Whether you are visiting the spa to reconnect with yourself in the heart of London, get that outer glow back or just have a day with friends to indulge, there are various packages for you to pick from. Especially if you plan on going with one other person, theres more value for your money.

5. Mullion Cove Hotel and Spa, Cornwall

From 69.00



Mullion Cove Hotel and Spa offers guests spectacular views of the ocean, first and foremost.

If you would like a spa break, day experience and treatments at a clifftop luxury spa, set above the Mullion Cove harbour, where organic salt treatments are available, then making the trip could be worth it.

You can either catch your breath in the morning or afternoon or invigorate your senses with a sea spray  a tailored spa session  and if your spa break is with a romantic partner, there are also other treatments just for that too.

Their unique secret seaweed day escape includes a body wrap session to hydrate and relax you, a skin nutrient shot with a facial, time spent in a secluded rejuvenation room with ocean views and a fireplace, and a two-course meal at their Glenbervie Bistro.
The Swedish government is to allocate SEK 5 million in defense-related support to Georgia. According to the officials, this support is facilitated through various NATO funds and is intended for initiatives such as crisis management, cyber security, and education.In addition, Ukraine will receive SEK 50 million, while Moldova will receive 5 million in defense-related support from Sweden."The Swedish government has decided to donate SEK 5 million to Georgia as a part of the Substantial NATO-Georgia package. The money is to be used for projects in areas such as crisis management, cyber security, and information sharing," Swedish Ambassador to Georgia Anna Lyberg wrote on X.The Russian occupation forces conducted a so-called anti-terrorist training in Abkhazia. This information was released by the military department of the 'Russian Information Network' on January 10.According to the Ministry of Defense of Russia, they conducted "training to repel the attack of illegal armed groups." The so-called exercise was conducted with Russian military personnel at the military base of the Southern Military District in occupied Abkhazia."After hearing the alarm signal, the anti-terrorist units moved to the territory of the simulated enemy, where they attempted to breach the military base. As a result of the training, the participating unit developed the ability to act cohesively to block the terrorist group, decision-making skills in emergency situations, and knowledge of the use of intelligence, communications, and surveillance equipment. Special attention was given to the tactics of action during the blocking process and secret movement in small groups," wrote the Russian page.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. The Ansar Allah (Houthi) rebel movement from Yemen will retaliate in case of airstrikes by the US and UK, a spokesman for the movement said, Trend reports.

We will respond if the US and UK launch airstrikes in Yemen, he said.

Earlier, The Times newspaper journalist Stephen Swinford reported on his account on the social network X that on the night of January 11-12, the UK and the US could carry out air strikes on military targets of the rebel Ansar Allah movement in Yemen.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. Airstrikes carried out by US and British forces against the rebel Ansar Allah movement (Houthis) in Yemen achieved their goals, US official said, Trend reports.

He noted that the targets of the strikes included radar sites, missile platforms and coastal observation points.

The official stressed that although attacks on Houthi positions in Yemen have ended, the US and UK retain the right to retaliate if threats continue.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. US and UK precision-guided munition strikes against Ansar Allah (Houthi) rebels in Yemen have destroyed many targets,a representative of the US Armed Forces said at a special briefing for journalists, Trend reports.

According to him, this is a strike carried out jointly with the armed forces of the United States and Great Britain against the Houthi forces in Yemen. They were supported by Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands. According to a US army spokesman, the strikes "destroyed many targets in Yemen under the control of the Houthis."

"Precision-guided munitions were used to engage targets and minimize collateral damage," he added. He noted that the goal was to "deny the Houthis the ability to attack naval vessels, including merchant ships and warships."
United States and Britain launch airstrikes against Yemens Houthis

Posted by Editor on January 12, 2024 - 7:50 am

The United States and Britain have carried out airstrikes by air and sea in Yemen against Houthi military targets.

This action was taken in response to the Houthi movements attacks on ships in the Red Sea, which has expanded the conflict beyond the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

Witnesses in Yemen reported explosions across the country, and President Joe Biden stated on Thursday that further action would be taken if necessary.

These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation, President Biden said.

The British Ministry of Defense noted that early indications are that the Houthis ability to threaten merchant shipping has taken a blow.

Iran, a supporter of the Houthis, strongly condemned the attacks. The Houthis spokesperson stated that there was no justification for the attacks, and the group intends to continue targeting ships heading towards Israel.

Russia has called for an urgent meeting of the U.N. Security Council to discuss the military strikes.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, currently hospitalized due to surgery complications, mentioned that the strikes targeted various Houthi capabilities, including drones, ballistic and cruise missiles, coastal radar, and air surveillance.

The Houthis referred to these actions as American-Zionist-British aggression, confirming raids in several locations.

A Houthi official confirmed raids in the capital Sanaa along with the cities of Saada and Dhamar as well as in Hodeidah governorate, calling them American-Zionist-British aggression.

Witnesses reported that the airstrikes targeted a military base near Sanaa airport, a military site near Taiz airport, a Houthi naval base in Hodeidah and military sites in Hajjah governorates.


Francis Boyle discusses South Africa's genocide case against Israel Human rights lawyer and international law expert Francis Boyle, renowned for his successful arguments at the International Court ...

(Image by YouTube, Channel: Middle East Eye) Details DMCA



I am glad to note that even when we went out on a limb of the vast Tree of International Law, Humanitarian Concerns, and the root causes of stopping abuse of hundreds of millions of humans who desperately need a new United Nations Undersecretary General for Nutrition, Consumer Protection, and Longevity, that a great many nations have not only read this proposal, which to date, has been criticized and blocked by the USA, and those nations from just today include those acknowledging receipt, a small fraction of those who actually read the communique from this morning concerning the publishing of my article yesterday, and these Nations are:

ROMANIA

CANADA

AUSTRIA

POLAND (SENT TO HEALTH MINISTERS AND SECRETARIES OF HEALTH)

____________

Reading my articles about why the United Nations needs an Islamic Woman to be UN Secretary General with her insurgency candidacy, Lana Nusseibeh, as well as articles by me and others on the progress at the International Court of Justice, which will hear first prosecutorial arguments tomorrow and the day after from South Africa versus Israel in its destruction of Gaza and Palestine, list going back over past 30 days!

South Africa Vice President

The Queen of Jordan, author of Washington Post editorial page: "Christmas is canceled in the land of Jesus' birth"

[In an op-ed for the Washington Post, Queen Rania highlighted that for Palestinian Christians, the continued destruction of Gaza and other Israeli-occupied territories has marred one of their holiest celebrations. The queen described a Bethlehem church in occupied West Bank playing out a nativity scene, that instead "places the infant Jesus among the rubble of a bombed-out building". Queen Rania also decried the war's effect on Palestinian children - at least 8,000 of whom have been killed since October 7 - as well as the broader issues within the conflict, from the bombing of religious sites to the huge death toll.]

Peru

Switzerland

Zambia

Denmark

United Arab Emirates

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(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
An Essay Review of: "Pirates of the slave trade," by Angela C. Sutton

A Different Kind of Slavery

This classic pirate's tale just happens to be true. It is about the battle of Cape Lopez, an obscure skirmish that took place off the western coast of Africa on February 10, 1722. However, this author's version of the tale ends with a swift mule kick to the head of North American civilization.

No one could have imagined that this little battle on the high seas, would be the turning point in the transatlantic slave trade. Or that, its ripples would reverberate far across the Atlantic to the British colonies of North America.

During the early 1600s, when ships crossing the Atlantic were converging on the West coast of Africa like so many locusts, the slave traders were like Willie Sutton was about the banks he robbed: They simply sailed to where the money was. And the money was in gold, silver and Africans locked up in cages at the forts built specifically for that purpose, all along the west coast of Africa, from Benin, Dahomey, to the Gold Coast of Ghana.

"Might makes right," along with "daring" and "treachery," stood in as the operational laws of the sea.

When the pirates squared off against slave traders, it was a classical devil-eat-devil fight to the death. And for decades the pirate devils held sway. As this author tells the story, the pirates had the tactical upper hand. And, against the Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, and even the Prussians, they were winning battle after battle for decades.

But then somewhat belatedly, the British got into the transatlantic slave game. And they decided to put an end to the scourge of transatlantic piracy.

Britain sent an English Man O' War around the world chasing the one Pirate who had come to symbolize and monopolize the booty in the piracy game: One, Bartholomew Roberts, aka, Black Bart, alone had raided more than 400 ships and sailed away with nearly ten million dollars in gold, silver and slaves.

This author tells us why Bartholomew Roberts had the upper hand: Because, by night, he was a courageous but murderous and daring nihilistic risk-taker. And by day, a rum-drinking alliance-building charmer.

This instinct-based homicidal schizophrenia was just what the piracy game called for at the turn of the 17th Century. It served Black Bart well, and rewarded his brand of terrorism handsomely.

The ships he raided were little more than poorly armed Brink trucks of the sea. Loaded with extraordinarily valuable booty, they were heavily-laden sitting ducks waiting to be highjacked by any pirates with gumption enough, and wily enough to surprise them as he boarded their ships with a: "Drop your weapons and be calm! Your ship is now under new management!" Your Captain has been made an offer he cannot refuse: eight ounces of gold for the return of an empty ship. If he pays up, then this will all end well. Then, you too, like the slaves I will choose not to sell, may become a new member of my crew, and thus you will live. If he refuses my offer, I will burn the ship and you will all die. There is no need to lose your life trying to be a hero. You are paid to little to be brave. Plus these ships are insured. So follow my orders and this all will be over soon."

That is a facsimile of how Black Bart's script went as he boarded the ships he highjacked.

That is, until February 10, 1722.

On that fateful day, Black Bart met his match. A British Man O' war caught up with him, and blasted his ship "The Royal Fortune" to kingdom come. As British cannons ripped through the hull of his ship, Black Bart, in a final coup de grace, committed suicide, going down with his ship.

And now for the author's moral backstory to this very interesting tale.

Trading in human flesh was a complicated moral story that lived in the front of consciousness of every 16th Century human being, including those manning pirates ships full of slaves locked down head-to toe in their own filth in the hole of the ships they raided. No matter what historians tell us, there were no moral virgins when it came to the meaning of slavery from the 16th Century onwards.

And as defensive historians are wont to say: since the Romans, everybody practiced some brand of slavery.

In fact, the slightly more respectable slave traders of the era, did indeed follow some variation of the Justinian code adopted by the Catholic Church, which was inherited from the Roman practice of slavery. The code was distinguished by the fact that it sought to preserve just a "sliver" of the humanity of the slave.

Under the Justinian code, for instance, a slave was allowed to retain a modicum of his personhood, his moral agency and his humanity. He was accepted as a functioning human being who could eventually rise above his slave status. In fact, under the code, a slave could even become a Christian. In which case, the taint of slavery could be erased completely. If not in this life, then surely in the next.

All of the slave traders converging on the West African coast (save one), practiced some variation of the Justinian Code. And of course, the one slave trading nation that did not practice it, was none other than the very nation that had circumnavigated the globe to kill the moral beast and high seas terrorist, Bartholomew Roberts.

But as this story turns from the moral bestiality of the pirate class, to the moral bestiality of the slave traders class, one nation's lack of any semblance of a moral conscience stands out above all others: Great Britain. Who, after defeating Black Bart, engaged in and brought to North America, the worst version of slavery ever known to man called "chattel slavery."

Chattel slavery derived its name from, and mimicked the slavery that was imposed on all beasts of burden. However, those beasts had no humanity because they were not humans. They had no personhood because they were not persons. They did not own their own labor because they lacked human awareness to know how to do so.

Like cows, oxen, goats, horses, mules and sheep, chattel slaves too could not become Christians because they lacked moral agency -- except, that is, in cases where they violated their owner's laws. Then, and only then, they were held morally accountable for their conduct, and could be whipped, maimed and mutilated, imprisoned or killed for violations or disobedience.

Chattel slaves' bodies and minds, and that of all their progenies, were the property of their owners. They existed solely for the purpose of the owner's pleasure or profit. And this state of affairs existed in perpetuity for both.

The all-encompassing nature of chattel slavery created a new kind of objectified human being. And with it, a new kind of identity politics. A kind in which people of African ancestry, were "stamped from the beginning" as being no more than cattle, human beasts of burden.

In 1622, the state of Virginia (where I now reside), passed a law that enshrined the key principles of chattel slavery. It stated that "among tame and domestic animals the brood belonged to the owner of the dam or mother."

In one sweeping legal clause, this law eliminated the negative legal consequences of sexually assaulting enslaved women; guaranteed that everything an enslaved body was able to do, was for the pleasure or profit of the owner; and tied slavery to the politically, socially, and culturally constructed notion of race.

Both blackness and whiteness became artificial concepts deployed to arrange power in ways that benefited only white people. As the author points out on page 233, whiteness became a "made up category" defined simply as the complement of blackness.

As this story comes full circle, it was no accident that of the 5,000 slaves brought back from the western coast of Africa by a British slave trader named William Snelgrave, (who just happened to have been Black Bart's mentor), were sold to slave holders residing in the state of Virginia. Five stars
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"Either this nation shall kill racism, or racism shall kill this nation." (S. Jonas, August, 2018)

(Sorry, no picture this week. Since Trump has appeared in this space so frequently, I would have gone with one of Gov. Haley, but, no luck --- the pic utility wasn't working.)

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Introduction

As the New York Times work "1619" very clearly demonstrates, race, racism, and their joint outcomes have been an integral part of the history of the United States since its beginnings in the first English colonies established in North America (south of what eventually became Canada) in the 17th century. Before the Revolution, slavery existed in every colony, and then persisted in certain Northern states after it. (E.g., slavery did not become fully illegal in New York until 1827.) And of course, the institution of slavery was in fact either the prime domestic political issue, or at the center of another one, for the nation, from the time of the Founding. That issue was Westward expansion, how it should be carried out, and should slavery be carried out with it. That state of affairs lasted right up until the Civil War, for which it was the central focus, that is until the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863.

Contrary to what the present leading candidate for the Republican nomination for the Presidency has said recently, President Lincoln could not, with the stroke of a pen (or ten pens, for that matter), have negotiated the nation's way out of the Civil War. (See further discussion below.) As pointed out above, it had been woven into the nation's fabric from the nation's beginnings. Indeed, it was fully recognized in the Constitution. Highly paradoxically, this was so despite the goals for the nation as defined by that document, as set forth in the (totally ignored, now as well as then) Preamble:

"We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

That is to secure the "blessings of liberty" --- except for certain folk. It was those folk who were so carefully described and defined in the famous "Cornerstone Speech" by the first Vice-President of the Confederate States of America (CSA), Alexander Stephens as, how shall we put it, less than "regular" (that is "White") people:

"Many governments have been founded upon the principle of the subordination and serfdom of certain classes of the same race. Such were, and are in violation of the laws of nature. Our system commits no such violation of nature's law. With us, all of the white race, however high or low, rich or poor, are equal in the eye of the law. Not so with the Negro. Subordination is his place. He, by nature, or by the curse against Cain, is fitted for that condition which he occupies in our system. Our new government is founded on the opposite idea of the equality of the races. Its foundations are laid, its cornerstone rests upon the great truth, that the Negro is not equal to the White man; that slavery --- subordination to the superior race --- is his natural condition." [Emphasis added. You know, like "vermin."]

Negotiations over the Institution of Slavery

As it happened, former President Trump (who may not have, as an adult a least, read any other book besides some collection of Hitler's speeches, for example: " Lexis of Tyranny: Speeches of Adolf Hitler ") got it wrong when he famously said that President Lincoln could have and should have " negotiated his way out of it ." As it happened negotiations to deal with the institution of slavery itself, as well as its expansion into the Western territories, had been underway off and on since the time of the Constitutional Convention. The issue was negotiated beginning with the drafting of the Constitution itself, for example by the inclusion of the "3/5ths rule." That is, in order to give the Southern states more seats in the House of Representatives than they would have been entitled to if only "white" people were counted, each slave was to be counted a "3/5ths" of a person for the purposes of enumeration for the House. This was a concession made by anti-slavery delegates in order to convince the Southern states to join the new nation.

Then there were, for example, the very extensive negotiations which led to the Missouri Compromise of 1820, governing the beginning of major expansion westward, across the Mississippi River. (Actually, at the time of its adoption Thomas Jefferson described the Missouri Compromise as a "firebell in the night," warning of "future bloody conflict." [Indeed, in the infamous 1857 "Dred Scott" decision a Southern-tilted Supreme Court {does tilting to the Right sound familiar?} declared the Missouri Compromise to be unconstitutional.]) Following that compromise further negotiations which led to The California Compromise of 1850, and then to The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 . (The new "popular sovereignty/let-the-voters-decide" provision in it brought only violence).

(One marvelous contradiction in Supreme Court history is that in the Dred Scott case Chief Justice Taney declared that Dred Scott, a person, is property. In our time, of course, Chief Justice Roberts declared that corporations, that are, in most people's minds property, are persons.)

And then we come to 1860, and the very consequential election of Abraham Lincoln in that year. The prime domestic issue in the nation at that time was still the one that had wracked it at least since the time of the Missouri Compromise of 1820 (that had recently been declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court). The Slave States' primary aim (as it had been for at least four decades despite negotiation after negotiation) remained the unlimited expansion of slavery to the Western Territories which were not yet states. And the Northern states remained opposed.

Indeed, the Civil War came to the nation precisely over the issue of the expansion of slavery into the Western Territories, that no previous negotiated compromise(s) had been able to resolve. Why so? The Southern states desperately wanted it, not only to justify the existence of institution in the face of increasing abolitionist sentiment in the North, but also because, as it happened, in certain of the slave states, e.g., Virginia, more money was being made by their owners by having enslaved persons bear children who were then sold into slavery in other states, than was being made in using slaves to manage their crops. They wanted to broaden their markets, pure and simple. Indeed, Lincoln had vowed during his campaign to not attempt to restrict slavery where it already existed, but to limit its further expansion to the western territories. And so, this became the principal issue for Secession, and no further negotiations could resolve it.

As for Secession itself, it was South Carolina that was the first state to secede from the Union, on December 20, 1860, and it was from artillery on the shore in Charleston, S.C. that the first shots of what became the U.S. Civil War were fired, on Fort Sumter in Charleston's harbor, on April 12, 1861. (Despite that fact, some militant "Lost Cause" Southerners still refer to the Civil War as "Abraham Lincoln's War," and/or the "War of Northern Aggression.")

So Why Would Former Gov. Haley, a former Governor of that state, not Include Slavery in a List of causes of the Civil War? And why would former Pres. Trump blame the War on "Lincoln's Failure to Negotiate?" There is a long answer to this question, but there is also a short one: Xenophobia and Racism: They have been in the Republican Party's DNA, sometimes more prominently, sometimes less so, since the time of its founding in 1856. (I have previously written on this subject, and will surely do so again.) Trump and Haley both know very well where their Party's white-working-class-without-a-college-education base is on the question of --- to put it politely --- "racial relations." Trump runs on it and Haley is now pandering to it. It's all as simple as that.

Postscripts :

A. . As an Example of Modern Republican Racism: Gov. Ron DeSantis

We now have Republicans like Gov. DeSantis of Florida (one of the states of the CSA, it should be noted) saying that under slavery, slaves learned useful skills like carpentry (which skills of course the overwhelming majority of them, who died as slaves, could never have used as free people). Further, there is his "War on Woke," in which "woke" is used as a code-word for equal rights, and [the awful] "Diversity, Equity and Inclusion" policies for under-represented minorities in higher education, employment in general, and government employment in particular.

B. Is Trump Attempting to Provoke (that is the "bedlam" quote) a 2nd Civil War? Knowing him, hey you never know (as long as having one would keep him out of prison and might put him back in power).

C. What the efforts to keep Trump off the ballot will, and will not, accomplish (briefly)

In my view, in the Republican primaries, if doing were to lead to no-one getting a majority of the delegates before the Convention, at it Trump would most likely be nominated by acclimation (of course the Convention Chair would be hand-picked by the Trump forces to make sure that the cheers were "counted correctly") no matter what the delegate counts are. That enough Republicans just don't play by any rules whatsoever anymore, this could very well happen.

As for the General Election, if Trump is actually kept off the ballot in certain states, they will be Blue ones anyway, so for the Electoral College it won't matter.

BUT, as I have said previously, if Trump is not absolutely certain that a) he will get the Republican nomination, and b) that his plans to steal the election no matter what are rock-solid so that whatever the real vote counts are he will become President on Jan. 20, 2025, before the general election (if not sooner) he will flee the country with as much of his money he can manage to get out with him.

(Article changed on Jan 12, 2024 at 1:55 PM EST)

(Article changed on Jan 12, 2024 at 9:29 PM EST)

(Article changed on Jan 14, 2024 at 5:11 PM EST)
Six Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 passengers have sued Boeing after a large panel blew off the aircraft Friday over Portland, causing the cabin to depressurize.

The six passengers and a family member of one of those passengers filed a proposed class-action lawsuit Thursday in King County Superior Court in Seattle, claiming Boeing owes them and the other 165 passengers aboard Flight 1282 compensation for injuries sustained during the incident.

Alaska Airlines is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

One passenger named in the lawsuit said her head jolted back and forth during the incident, resulting in a concussion, soft tissue injuries to her neck and back, and bleeding in one ear. She also alleged that her oxygen mask did not seem to be working.

Two passengers named in the lawsuit said they had difficulty breathing. One said they began to pass out.

Another passenger said that because he suffers from a seizure disorder triggered by stressful situations, he experienced a seizure after he disembarked.

Although everyone is glad that the blowout occurred while the crew could still manage to land the aircraft safely, this nightmare experience has caused economic, physical and ongoing emotional consequences that have understandably deeply affected our clients, and is one more disturbing mark on the troubled 737-MAX series aircraft, attorney Daniel Laurence from Stritmatter Kessler Koehler Moore law firm, which is representing the passengers, wrote in a statement Thursday.

The Alaska Airlines flight was operating a Boeing 737 MAX 9, the less popular of two MAX models currently carrying passengers, when a door plug meant to cover a hole where an emergency exit could be installed broke loose. The plane returned safely to Portland International Airport, where some passengers were treated for nonlife-threatening injuries.

The Federal Aviation Administration grounded that model of the MAX on Saturday. The planes will remain grounded until they are inspected, following a set of instructions from Boeing that must be approved by the FAA.

Boeing declined to comment on the lawsuit Thursday.

The company has said in statements earlier this week that it supports the FAAs decision to ground the 737 MAX 9 and that it is committed to ensuring every Boeing airplane meets design specifications and the highest safety and quality standards.

We regret the impact this has had on our customers and their passengers, Boeing said Monday.

The lawsuit filed Thursday pins the blame on Boeing because, it alleges, CEO Dave Calhoun admitted the blowout was a result of Boeings mistake.

Attorneys representing the passengers pointed to an all-employee meeting Boeing held Tuesday during which Calhoun told workers were going to approach this No. 1 acknowledging our mistake.

We are going to approach it with 100% in complete transparency every step of the way, he continued

Moments like this shake (customers) to the bone, just like it shook me to the bone, Calhoun said.

The proposed class for the lawsuit includes all the passengers for the 171 seats occupied on board Flight 1282, as well as their spouses and registered domestic partners. Some reside in Washington.

The plaintiffs are asking for compensation related to treatment for health conditions and psychological injuries, as well as costs from the cancellation of travel plans and missed work and the value of lost personal items.

The lawsuit comes the same day the FAA announced it had opened an investigation into Boeings role in the Friday blowout.

After the plane landed in Portland on Friday, some passengers were rebooked on a new flight to continue the journey to Ontario, California, the original destination of Flight 1282. Other passengers had no interest in reboarding, the lawsuit said.

According to the lawsuit, those who continued to California that night boarded another Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9.

_____

2024 The Seattle Times. Visit seattletimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Portland police on Thursday identified a 32-year-old man who died after being stabbed and shot in east Portlands Hazelwood neighborhood on Tuesday, allegedly by his cousin  the neighborhoods second homicide within 15 hours.

Officers found Cecil Yahtin dead inside a home after responding to a reported stabbing near Northeast Glisan Street and 126th Avenue around 12:40 p.m., police said.
An arson investigation is underway after someone set a car on fire belonging to Portland City Commissioner Rene Gonzalezs parents that had been parked in front of his home in Southeast Portlands Eastmoreland neighborhood, police said.

No one was injured in the fire, which was set early Friday, police said.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday granted a petition from the city of Grants Pass to review a lower court ruling that prohibited the city from punishing homeless people who sleep in public places when they have nowhere else to go.

Grants Pass asked the nations high court to consider if the enforcement of camping restrictions on public property constitutes cruel and unusual punishment prohibited by the Eighth Amendment.
When the Legislature opens its five-week session next month, most eyes will be glued to the high profile issues of housing and drug recriminalization. But several significant education initiatives are also on the docket.

The governor has committed to updating Oregons 25-year-old formula that determines how much money each school district receives, and lawmakers could approve the first adjustments this year. A bill under consideration would better account for the heightened needs of homeless students and those with disabilities.
For actor Rainn Wilson, best known for his role as Dwight Schrute in the classic comedy series, The Office, his upcoming appearance at this weekends Fan Expo Portland is, among other things, a return to a familiar Northwest locale.

I was born and raised in Seattle, and my wife is from Portland, says Wilson. Shes got family around there, and weve got a cabin in Central Oregon.

Wilson is one of many celebrities who are expected to be on hand for the Fan Expo Portland convention, happening from Friday, Jan. 12, through Sunday, Jan. 14, at the Oregon Convention Center. The event features celebrity autograph sessions and photo opportunities, fans who dress in costume, gaming, and other events focusing on comics, anime, science fiction, animation, vendors, workshops and more.

While some celebrities seem to make second careers of appearing at fan conventions, Wilson says, I only do like two or three a year. I really like to connect with fans. You get an opportunity to meet people who loved your work and are touched by it. Its super-fun to shake someones hand and say hello. Im looking forward to coming out to Portland, its really one of my favorite cities in the world.

A note from the team at FAN EXPO Portland  pic.twitter.com/32s3fMvA62  FAN EXPO Portland (@fanexpoportland) January 11, 2024

While Wilson is known for The Office, he has also appeared in, just to name a few, Six Feet Under, The Meg, The House of 1,000 Corpses Star Trek Discovery, Dark Winds, Rainn Wilson and the Geography of Bliss, and lent his voice to several animated projects.

Wilson also starred as a gifted but complicated crime-solver in the Fox series, Backstrom, which was set in Portland, but filmed in Vancouver, B.C.

It was pretend Portland, Wilson says, adding that it still breaks my heart that the series was canceled after one season, and didnt have more time to develop the characters.

Even with his variety of roles, Wilson says, the majority of people at fan conventions who want autographs or photos are fans of The Office. Which is hardly surprising, considering the series ran from 2005 to 2013 on NBC, found new fans in syndication, and even more fans when it streamed on Netflix, and then moved to Peacock.

The thing I hear over and over again is how much that show meant to people, Wilson says. When asked if there might be a revival of the show, Wilson says, I dont see how there would be any more with our cast. Ive always said to them, why dont we do an Office movie?

As a plot, Wilson suggests, Dunder Mifflin regional manager Michael Scott could be in prison. Hes an actual Prison Mike, Wilson says, referring to a memorable, cringeworthy moment from the show. He got arrested for throwing a bowling ball onto a train, and the whole gang goes to try and bail him out. That would be really fun.

Rainn Wilson is scheduled to appear at the Fan Expo Portland convention at 10:45 a.m. Jan. 13 for a conversation about life before, during, and after Dunder Mifflin. Wilson will also be on hand for photo ops at 12:30 p.m. For information on prices and more, go to:

https://fanexpohq.com/fanexpoportland/guest-rainn-wilson/

Related:

Fan Expo bringing celebrities, gaming and cosplay to Oregon Convention Center

 Kristi Turnquist

503-221-8227; kturnquist@oregonian.com; @Kristiturnquist

Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe
2024 will be the Year of the Dragon. According to Chinese astrology, those born under the Dragon have a character that is active, strong-willed, confident, enterprising and lucky. The new BR 05 Artline Dragon watch takes on this bold personality, with exclusive laser engraving reminiscent of a tattoo

Artline: engraving with style

While the Maison has built its reputation on producing efficient instrument watches designed for professionals, Bell & Ross has never held back from giving free rein to creativity. This is the BR 05 Artlines mission: a unique variation within the BR 05 line allowing for a freer range of artistic expression. The Maison aims to offer watches with ornate finishes: an ambition clearly expressed in the version embellished with gadrooning. We wanted to launch a watch that was dressy and decorated. The BR 05 had potential, with a case with ample space for embellishment, Bell & Ross Creative Director Bruno Belamich noted at the launch of the first Artline model.

Now, Bell & Ross is going further. Part of the Maison's philosophy is pushing one's limits. The BR 05 Artline Dragon moves into a whole new field by adopting graphic codes linked to the art of tattooing. Playing on light and shadow through the relative fineness and thickness of each stroke, this line work is crucial to transcending the realm of drawing to that of a metal tattoo.

BR 05 Artline Dragon  Bell & Ross

The Wood Dragon: a symbol of daring

According to Chinese astrology, the year of the Wood Dragon will begin on Chinese New Year, which lands on 10 February 2024  also known as Spring Festival. The dragon is more than a mythical creature; it is a major cultural and spiritual reference. It evokes power because it actively participates in the worlds equilibrium. Bringing rain for the crops, the dragon is an omen of life. To create the motif on the new BR 05 Artline Dragon watch, Bell & Ross has invoked highly symbolic natural elements, such as the sun and moon, as well as references to flora and fauna, as with the swallow motif.

In popular culture, the dragon is the marker of strong, courageous, powerful individuals, but it also symbolises benevolence, prosperity and luck. The dragons of Asian mythologies bring good news.

For artists, the dragon motif is a tireless source of inspiration with endless variations, from the most figurative to the most refined. Dragons are thought to be an amalgamation of many animals, with their snake like bodies, deer antlers and eagle claws, not to mention their carp scales and eyes of a demon. The graphic designer's work meets that of the watchmakers to create a harmonious motif across the entire watch, with engraving on its different surfaces.

The BR 05 Artline Dragon still features the collection's principle of a bezel with rounded corners, attached to the case by four screws. It was also necessary to work around the readability of the watchs time indications: another sign of boldness on this avant-garde timepiece.

BR 05 Artline Dragon  Bell & Ross

The art of engraving

On the BR 05 Artline Dragons dial and integrated bracelet, the decorative motif is finely engraved. The ancestral technique of engraving has been practised in China for more than a millennium.

In watchmaking, engraving is traditionally considered the first non-functional enrichment of a timepiece. With its new BR 05 Artline Dragon, Bell & Ross pays homage to Chinese culture and its art of engraving, while pushing its mastery of watchmaking techniques a little further. To produce the BR 05 Artline Dragon's case and links on the integrated bracelet, an exceptional laser engraving technique is used. For the bracelet, this means engraving each link individually before assembly. There is no room for error: perfect precision is required to make sure the pattern is not distorted. Each link is a feat in itself, with continuity of design ensured from one component to the next.

BR 05 Artline Dragon  Bell & Ross

BR 05: contemporary elegance concentrated

Since its launch in 2019, the BR 05 line has been the tangible expression of Bell & Ross desire to offer an urban watch with contemporary elegance.

Ever faithful to the desire for technical excellence, which is the guiding principle behind the development of all Bell & Ross watchmaking instruments, the BR 05 Dragon features a BR-CAL.321 self-winding mechanical movement. It has a 54-hour power reserve, ensuring not only advanced chronometric precision, but also great ease of use for active lifestyles. The hour graduation is subtly positioned at the level of the flange so as not to compromise the design.

An exceptional piece

Designed to celebrate the strong symbolism of the Chinese dragon on the advent of this new year, the BR 05 Artline Dragon is deliberately created as a rare piece  not only because of its character, but also the complexity of its design. This exceptional timepiece will only be produced in a limited edition of 99 pieces. The BR 05 Artline Dragon is on sale exclusively in Bell & Ross boutiques and e-boutiques.
Health authorities in Oregon are asking healthcare providers to be alert after a family of six, with members living in both Clark and Wahkiakum counties, came down with measles last week.

Clark County officials are not aware of any public exposures, and spokesperson Marissa Armstrong said the family had isolated themselves after getting sick.

At this point, given the information weve gathered during the investigation, we believe the risk to the public is low, Armstrong said.

After the first family member got sick, the other five stayed at home while they were contagious, according to a statement from Multnomah County. All six people were unvaccinated.

We encourage people to get the MMR vaccines, Armstrong said. Its the best defense.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention points out that the vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox, is very safe and effective.

Vaccinations against measles in the U.S. began in 1963, ultimately leading to a 99% reduction in cases, the CDC says.

Measles spreads through coughing and sneezing, and it causes large red skin rashes all over the body. It sometimes requires hospitalization and can lead to death.

Although there are no known exposures in Multnomah, Clackamas or Washington counties right now, officials said they will continue to monitor the situation.

Anyone who notices measles-like symptoms  fever, cough, runny nose, red, watery eyes and a rash  should contact their medical provider immediately.

 Austin De Dios; adedios@oregonian.com; @austindedios; 503-319-9744

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This post originally appeared on Underscore.news

(GRAND RONDE) Stephanie Craig, citizen of the Confederated Tribes of the Grande Ronde, runs her own business, Kalapuya Weaving & Consulting. Besides teaching traditional basket weaving, she consults museums and galleries on basket designs and materials. That includes helping with exhibits and identifying woven pieces. She wants to see the British Museum. Not so much to explore its exhibit halls or visit its shops, but to set a few things straight with its Indigenous collection.

I would love to go to the British Museum and look at everything that they have from Oregon and Northern California and Southern Washington because a lot of things are misidentified, said Craig. Its not until you look at the actual belonging itself and doing research where you can really determine where the belonging comes from.

Living items

Historically, museums and galleries have taken a detached, outdated, and Eurocentric view of Indigenous peoples. Many Indigenous communities have been wary of outside scholars, due to a history of anthropologists and historians portrayal of them as primitive, defeated and extinct people. Over the past decade there has been a push by Native advocates and their supporters to decolonize or Indigenize museums and galleries.

Craig has been a major part of that movement. Recently, she co-authored an article with Yoli Ngandali, a member of the Ngbaka Tribe from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for the Society for American Archaeologys latest journal. Their piece challenges institutions to rethink how they interpret and handle items from Indigenous communities.

All of our belongings are made from the land, Craig said. Theyre made from living items: plants, trees, animals, and theres an exchange that happens in the natural world when we are gathering the materials. We are full of good energy, theres no negative energy because the plant is giving its life for us, or the animal is giving its life for us.

Offerings are traditionally provided in exchange and the item itself  whether its a babys rattle, or a carved canoe  needs to be utilized for its purpose, by the people who made it, or it was made for. The concept of keeping things locked up in a glass case or secured in a curators drawer runs contrary to those Native beliefs.

Its important for these belongings to still be handled and touched, because of the exchange of energy, said Craig. They once were living and were living and in order to keep the energy flowing and the good energy going, they need to be touched. They need to be appreciated.

Stephanie Craig, a traditional basket weaver and member of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, stands next to a collection of her family heirlooms and weaving projects on Nov. 16, 2023 at the powwow grounds in Grand Ronde, Ore.Brian Bull/Underscore News

Indigenous insights

Its insights like these that make Indigenous voices so critical to intentional care and the movement for a decolonial lens in museums.

Roughly 200 miles away in Bend, Ore., Phil Cash Cash, Nez Perce and Cayuse, plays one of two hand-carved elderberry flutes he made for an exhibit at the High Desert Museum, called Creations of Spirit. Cash Cash has been a consultant with the High Desert Museum for five years, providing interpretive services and cultural context.

I will actually address the elderberry tree as a living being and talk with it, explained Cash Cash. Ill say Look how beautiful you are, and then Ill request to the elderberry, Now youre going to come with me. This reverent communication continues as the flute is carved and painted.

Cash Cashs two finished flutes have their upper halves painted blue and red, respectively, with leather straps and adornments including deer hooves. According to Cash Cash, the greenish-yellow tinge to his flutes indicates when the wood was harvested.

These are spring flutes, and they will carry that attribute through the wood, Cash Cash said. Sometimes flute makers prefer to harvest during the fully ripened August to September timeframe, when the elderberries are ripe.

During his time as a consultant, Cash Cash has examined some of the older items in the museums collection, including a Cayuse buckskin shirt adorned with ermine skins.

Its a well-known, small, but very fierce creature, and the white also makes reference to a kind of purity, Cash Cash said. He noted that a yellow pigment was generously applied to the shirt, suggesting the wearer wore the garment to commemorate a vision quest. When worn for warfare or ceremony the shirt spiritually empowered its owner.

And when they put on the shirt, this came alive for them and they can engage in warfare or other ceremonial life and people would see that the person is an empowered spiritual person as well, Cash Cash said.

A beaded white vest with symmetrical design elements including bald eagles, stars, flowers and deer. Its part of the High Desert Museums collection, and a Plateau Indian item dating back to the early 1900s.Brian Bull/Underscore News

A beaded bag depicting the Deer Doctor determined which deer from the herd would be made available to Native hunters. Its part of the High Desert Museums collection, and is a Plateau Indian item dating back to the early 1900s.Brian Bull/Underscore News

The shirts pigment had also been reapplied, likely by a descendant of the shirt-wearer, who wanted to preserve and honor the garments attributes.

All of this really points to the idea that we are part of a larger continuum of life that is full of energy and power that we can link to, Cash Cash said.

There are ten Native consultants, including Cash Cash, who work with the High Desert Museum according to executive director, Dana Whitelaw.

Theres been a real shift in the entire field to incorporate Indigenous voices and perspectives and its long overdue, Whitelaw said.

The High Desert Museum is a Smithsonian affiliate, and has worked to build trust and partnerships with Native American tribes and individuals, according to Whitelaw. For example, administrators are planning for a renovation of the By Hand Through Memory exhibit which opened 24 years ago and was curated by Vivian Adams of the Yakama Nation. Cash Cash is part of the lead exhibit team and will help select objects for the new space that begins construction in 2025 or 2026.

So theres a movement in museums where object care is more culturally responsive, more culturally relevant, and embedding that into museum practice, said Whitelaw. We know more than we did in 1999 how visitors learn in formal learning spaces, so we have that depth of knowledge and content from that research to help support the Indigenous voices and perspectives.

Many Native American items were essentially plundered from villages, gravesites, and burial mounds by collectors. Now, these items are in a number of museum collections across the globe, including some of the most prominent, like the Smithsonian Institution which accumulated over 13,000 items between 1860 and 1873.

Dana Whitelaw, executive director of the High Desert Museum in Bend, Ore., outside the entrance of the exhibit By Hand Through Memory on Oct. 18, 2023. Museum staff plan to renovate the space with regional tribes.Brian Bull/Underscore News

Hits and misses

The National Museum of the American Indian Act of 1989, and the Native American Graves and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) of 1990 have spurred a lot of reform, empowering Native nations to demand the return of ancestral remains and possessions. Unfortunately, in the 30 years since these landmark regulations were enacted, many institutions have failed to return stolen items and ancestral remains. A January 2023 ProPublica report found that there were over 110,000 remains that had yet to be returned by many prominent museums.

Theres also the Plimoth Patuxet Museums, which was intended to be a bicultural re-enactment program that featured both the early histories of the Mayflower Pilgrims and the regions Indigenous peoples, but in 2022, the Wampanoag community called for a boycott of the site, calling the presentation and lack of maintenance tone deaf.

Institutions like Portlands Five Oaks Museum have also incorporated exhibits curated by Native Americans, or have invited them to consult on programming but Native advocates say theres still room for improvement, and they continue to monitor progress. While the Smithsonian says its repatriated roughly 5,000 human remains since 1989, there are still roughly 2,000 more in its collection.

Others, like Chicagos Field Museum, recently unveiled an overhaul of its interpretive displays and programming, in an effort to rectify decades of inaccurate and Eurocentric presentations. The five-year effort involved 105 tribes, working to improve on exhibit work that hadnt been updated since the 1950s, and was deemed racist and insensitive.

Not gone, not dead, not silent

At the Museum of Natural and Cultural History in Eugene, Ann Craig, director of public programs, recalls ways harmful narratives were perpetuated even while working with Native nations and Native consultants. It highlights why continued conversation and consultation are so important.

And at the time, that was really progressive, said Craig. But the hall had previously been all sepia tone. Even if there was a historic image and a contemporary image, they were both sepia tone, so it made Indigenous people in the exhibit all look historical.

In 2014, a Cow Creek tribal member said some objects on display were inappropriate, prompting staff to remove them. MNCHs executive director, Todd Braje, said they continue to be receptive to Native concerns, and work to portray them in the present tense as well as past historical tense.

Rather than museums being set up to be sort of mausoleums where we put artifacts from the deep past into a case and we talk about deep history, what you see in this case, are weavings that are thousands of years old, next to contemporary baskets, Braje said. It shows this connection between present people and deep tradition in Oregon.

He added that they dont pretend to have all the answers, and that humility and openness makes the MNCH a better and more welcoming museum. Staff also have a special arrangement with nations over the museums cultural materials. Visitors can watch short clips of Native nations in Oregon discussing their history, or practicing traditions near exhibit areas. One showed members of the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians taking their ornately-carved canoes out on the waters as a part of the Oregon - Where Past is Present exhibit.

For us, it was also about not just asking for collaboration, but asking What can we do that is in support of your goals? said Craig.

The smallest changes can make a biggest difference

Stephanie Craig, a traditional basket weaver and member of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, holds a baby basket made of hazel and spruce root and adorned with elk hide, rabbit fur and beadwork on Nov. 16, 2023 at the pow-wow grounds in Grand Ronde, Ore.Brian Bull/Underscore News

During the last 200 years as colleges, universities, and historical societies took in baskets, pottery, and human remains, it was commonly believed that these were relics of a dying people. Famous photographers like Edward S. Curtis perpetuated this fallacy in his staged photos of Natives, making sure they removed modern appliances and items like wristwatches during shoots.

Back in the 1870s, Reverend Robert Summers, the First Episcopal Priest of McMinnville, Oregon was a major contributor of Indigenous items to local institutions. He acquired more than 600 items from the areas Native nations. Most of those pieces were from the Grand Ronde Reservation, which made it more personal for Stephanie Craig. While the British Museum has loaned out pieces of its Indigenous collection called, Summers Collection of Indian Artifacts, in the past, it would take action by Englands governing body, the Parliament, to do a full repatriation of the pieces.

For Craig, its as much a personal mission as a professional one to be able to consult for the British Museum. She hopes to one day be invited to consult for it in order to finally correctly identify the items in the museum.

Stephanie Craig also wants people to understand that decolonizing museums means changing the language we use.

I hope people will start looking at things more as belongings, explained Craig. You dont call your familys items artifacts or relics. Theyre family heirlooms, and thats the same for us.

 Brian Bull, Underscore.news

Brian Bull has been involved in journalism for 25 years and has filed for National Public Radio, the BBC, and other broadcast outlets. A proud citizen of the Nez Perce Tribe, Bull mentors up and coming journalists of color through NPRs Next Generation Radio Project. He now is teaching at the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication. When not covering news in the Pacific Northwest, hes either spending time with his family or looking for hidden patches of huckleberries.
By Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times

Cuong Tran did not take any photos or videos of the hole that opened up in the side of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282.

He couldnt. His iPhone was sucked out of the opening and into what he thought must be oblivion  along with one of his Nike shoes and a sock.

Tran was sitting in Seat 27A of the Alaska flight when a door plug burst off the side of the aircraft on Friday night, causing what National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy later referred to as explosive decompression.

But miraculously, on Wednesday, Tran got his iPhone 14 back, sent to him by Alaska Airlines, and the phone was still working.

I think it might be because it landed in soft dirt or something, he said. Its working. Its 100% fine.

Read about the Oregon man who found the iPhone

Trans ordeal came during the brief Alaska Airlines flight after it lifted off from the airport in Portland, headed for Ontario, California. It made an emergency landing after the piece of fuselage departed the airplane, as transportation officials said.

The plane turned around and landed back in Portland where it had taken off. There were no major injuries.

I was just dozing off, my phone in hand, and then the captain messaged we were above 10,000 feet. Next thing I know, I hear this whoosh sound  really strong-sounding wind, Tran told the Los Angeles Times. My shoe and sock got sucked out of the airplane, along with my phone.

But Tran was not worried about himself. His main concern was whether someone was sitting in the seat in front of him, in 26A, where the hole opened. He was happy to hear from the person sitting in the aisle seat in Row 26 that the window seat had been empty.

In the wake of the blowout, headrests in two seats adjacent to the opening were torn away.

Tran said that time slowed down after the incident blasted him awake and what might have been seconds felt like minutes.

I was just in disbelief, to be honest. I was like whats going on here, why does everything feel so weird? Next thing I know Im like oh s theres a big hole. I was just registering everything in slow motion.

He saw the shirt of a teenage passenger fly out the opening and feared that it was a human body.

I saw half his body was out of the plane, then I saw his shirt get sucked out, he said.

Tran had his feet under the seat in front of him at the time of the incident and suffered contusions and sprains to his ankle.

Despite the trauma, Tran hopped another flight later that same day and made it safely back home to California.

No hole in that flight, he said.

_____

2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The Supreme Court agreed Friday to review lower-court rulings that make it harder for cities in the western United States to prevent people from sleeping on the streets when there arent enough beds in homeless shelters.

The justices will hear an appeal from the city of Grants Pass, in southwest Oregon, that has the backing of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, as well as other Democratic and Republican elected officials who have struggled to deal with homelessness brought on by rising housing costs and income inequality.

The courts action comes a day after a panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower-court ruling blocking anti-camping ordinances in San Francisco, where Newsom once was the mayor.

A separate 9th Circuit panel ruled in the Oregon case that Grants Pass could not enforce local ordinances that prohibit homeless people from using a blanket, pillow, or cardboard box for protection from the elements. The decision applies across nine western states, Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

The two rulings, like a 2018 decision from the 9th Circuit in a case from Boise, Idaho, found that punishing people for sleeping on the streets when no alternative shelter is available amounts to cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Constitution.

Elected officials urged the justices to take up the case because they say the rulings complicate their efforts to clear tent encampments, which have long existed in West Coast cities, but have more recently become more common across the U.S. The federal count of homeless people reached 580,000 last year, driven by a lack of affordable housing, a pandemic that economically wrecked households, and a lack of access to mental health and addiction treatment.

In Portland, the City Council voted last summer to ban people from camping on any city street, sidewalk or other public property during the day and to prohibit camping at all times near schools and many other specified locations. A judge put the ban on hold before the city could begin enforcement.

A Multnomah County Circuit Court judge issued a restraining order pausing enforcement until a class action lawsuit brought by the Oregon Law Center on behalf of a group of Portlanders experiencing homelessness is resolved.

The Oregon Law Center, which also represents those challenging the Grants Pass ordinances, said whether cities can regulate encampments is not at issue. The issue, it said, is whether cities can punish homeless people simply for existing without access to shelter. Regulation is permissible, the statement said.

Some politicians and others are cynically and falsely blaming the judiciary for the homelessness crisis to distract the public and deflect blame for years of failed policies, said the statement, attributed to lead counsel Ed Johnson at Oregon Law Center.

Homeless people and their advocates say the sweeps are cruel and a waste of taxpayer money. They say the answer is more housing, not crackdowns.

Cities from Los Angeles to New York have stepped up efforts to clear encampments, records reviewed by The Associated Press show, as public pressure grew to address what some residents say are dangerous and unsanitary living conditions. But despite tens of millions of dollars spent in recent years, there appears to be little reduction in the number of tents propped up on sidewalks, in parks and by freeway off-ramps.

Its unclear whether the case will be argued in the spring or the fall.
During 15 years as a state representative, including a record-breaking five terms as House speaker, Tina Kotek became known as a fierce lawmaker who sought legislative wins at all costs.

In her first year as Oregons governor, she parlayed her political savvy to notch key wins, taking a targeted approach to tackle housing, homelessness, mental health and early education. She also played a central role in pressuring Portland leaders to accelerate the citys recovery from a period of mass exodus and rising public safety concerns.

Those wins, however, havent raised her bleak public approval ratings, and critics say theyre still waiting for more definitive results.

Theres always more work to do, Kotek said at a press briefing Tuesday. But progress is happening today. ... As I cross my one-year mark as governor, Im reminded of that feeling that this is the time to dig deeper and keep going.

Kotek stepped into Oregons top office at a tough time. The state was staring down an alarming rise in homelessness with nowhere near enough housing to meet the need. A slight majority of Oregonians believed that the state was headed in the wrong direction. Portland continued to reel from the pandemic, and Oregonians were growing increasingly frustrated with a spike in public drug use and the ineffectiveness of Measure 110, Oregons landmark drug decriminalization law.

During last years legislative session, Kotek secured bipartisan approval of many bills she championed, including a fast-tracked $200 million housing and homelessness package, a slew of behavioral health bills, an early literacy reform package and $650 million in state-backed bonds to build affordable homes for Oregon renters and first-time homebuyers of modest means.

The significance of her accomplishments was magnified by the failures of her predecessor, Kate Brown, to accomplish improvements in housing, education or state agency effectiveness. Brown left office with the lowest approval rating of all 50 U.S. governors.

Rep. Pam Marsh, a Democrat from Ashland, said Koteks approach differs from that of Brown, who was prone to smile and hug but largely left policymaking to lawmakers.

Governor Kotek is also friendly, but I would say her relationships are much more predicated on policy and what were going to achieve together, rather than focusing so much on the personal relationships, Marsh said.

Tina Kotek was sworn in as Oregon governor on Jan. 9, 2023. Her wife, Aimee Kotek Wilson, was proudly at her side during the ceremony. The couple sold their North Portland home and moved to the Oregon governor's mansion in Salem. Dave Killen / The Oregonian

In her first year, Kotek faced unexpected challenges, including a six-week walkout by Republican senators and an ethics scandal that forced the secretary of state to resign. As a result, she had to fight to maintain order and public faith in state government, said Priscilla Southwell, political science professor at the University of Oregon.

Bryan Iverson, legislative director for the Oregon Senate Republicans, said he is hesitant to commend Kotek until he sees tangible results.

The Legislature (experience) gave her a better advantage to be able to step into that role and be somewhat successful, but we havent seen things get better and thats what Im looking for, Iverson said. When are we going to see the results of these actions? I think Republicans and Oregonians are just waiting for that.

Iverson said Kotek has taken solid steps on several bipartisan issues but will need to double down on major fronts like homelessness, behavioral health and public safety, even if it means defying her own party, to win the approval of her critics.

The upcoming legislative session will be crucial for Kotek, Iverson said. Well see if she has the political muscle to push back against the extreme fragments of her party.

LEGISLATIVE WINS

Koteks policy-oriented attitude, indefatigable nature and political know-how paid off in last years legislative session, lawmakers said. While she championed progressive legislation as speaker, Koteks focus on tackling bipartisan issues as governor allowed her to get many of her top priority bills over the finish line, Southwell said.

She may be a very decisive liberal and a definite liberal, but she does recognize, I think very wisely, that you cant get anything done in Oregon without talking to independents and Republicans, Southwell said.

Kotek pushed lawmakers to focus on housing bills, which led them to pass a massive $200 million housing and homelessness package with unusual speed. It included funding for numerous programs, including rent assistance, shelter expansions, housing production and programs for homeless youth.

A portion of the package was allocated for housing development to help address Koteks ambitious goal of building 36,000 homes per year, which she established via executive order on her first day in office. Oregon hasnt built that many homes in a year since the 1970s.

Gov. Tina Kotek visited Veterans Village Cottage Homes, an affordable housing project in La Grande, during her visit to Union County in May. During her first year in office, Kotek met with roughly 1,000 Oregonians on her tour to all 36 counties.Courtesy of the governor's office

The Legislature also passed bills that eased the process to convert commercial buildings into housing and set a 10% cap on rent increases. Lawmakers approval of $650 million in state-backed bond debt for affordable housing development fell $120 million short of Koteks ask, but lawmakers topped her request for emergency housing and homelessness prevention by $70 million.

However, a Kotek priority bill that would have eased the process for cities to expand their urban growth boundaries to build more housing failed in the final days of the session at the hands of Koteks own party, despite last-minute lobbying from the governor.

John Horvick, vice president of nonpartisan polling group DHM Research, said Kotek maybe alienated some of her progressive environmental friends by  being willing to have conversations about our land use policy and being really pro-building.

Kotek benefitted from the fact that Oregons tax revenues greatly exceeded state economists predictions in recent years, meaning that the budget allowed for new and expanded programs and services.

Kotek also experienced success with many, but not all of the behavioral and mental health care bills she pushed. Early in the session, she signed six bills targeting addiction and mental health, including ones to improve aspects of Measure 110 and require schools to teach about drugs laced with fentanyl.

Kotek also advocated for Senate Bill 1044, which would have released $70 million for behavioral health programs statewide, but the bill died in a Senate committee. Kotek has still made it a priority to allocate funding to expand behavioral health care, recently announcing a $25 million investment for new youth behavioral health beds.

Last years six-week Republican-led walkout over controversial reproductive health care and gun control bills ultimately forced the Senate to cram weeks of lawmaking into 11 days. That delayed or prevented action on many bills, Southwell said.

A lot of things that she and other people wanted to get done were either postponed or just didnt happen, Southwell said.

Multiple lawmakers said the walkout was responsible for legislators failure to finally tackle campaign finance reform, something Kotek had promised she would make a priority.

When it came to early literacy, Kotek wielded her executive powers to get some wins. In May, she established a 20-member panel via executive order to recommend new standards for elementary teacher preparation programs. She aims for newly minted teachers to graduate prepared to use proven methods to teach children to read instead of relying on discredited methods still used in many Oregon classrooms.

Kotek created the panel after state tests showed that more than 60% of Oregons third graders werent fully proficient at reading, including 79% of both Black and Latino learners.

In October, Kotek tapped her education policy adviser, Melissa Goff, to serve as interim director of the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission to help the agency fast track improvements to teacher preparation programs and shorten wait times for educator licensing and misconduct investigations.

During last years session, Kotek also played a supporting role in approving funding for semiconductor manufacturing, Oregons largest manufacturing sector.

I appreciated working with the governor on the initial housing package as well as the semiconductor legislation, said Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp of Bend. I think those were two very important, very bipartisan things that were good successes and showed how Democrats and Republicans work together.

Gov. Tina Kotek, left, donned a bunnysuit to tour a cleanroom inside Intel's D1X research factory in Hillsboro. The governor supported funding for semiconductor manufacturing laws approved by the Legislature last year.Intel photo

ACCOUNTABILITY

Kotek set out to quickly improve state government when she took office, replacing several key agency leaders she found ineffective and promising that she would increase accountability within the executive branch.

But months into her tenure, she was faced with a major unexpected challenge that forced her to work to regain public trust. Former Secretary of State Shemia Fagan resigned in May after reporting by Willamette Week revealed that she had taken a lucrative side job working for a cannabis company while overseeing an audit of the states marijuana program.

Once the news broke, Kotek acted quickly to call for her resignation despite Fagans initial refusal to step down. Kotek then appointed a former longtime auditor to the post, choosing a squeaky clean government watchdog without a strong partisan past.

At the local level, Kotek took a much more active role in the problems facing Oregons largest city than her predecessors, holding Portland leaders accountable on issues plaguing the city, including record-high numbers of fentanyl overdoses and a 23% increase in individuals experiencing homelessness between 2020 and 2022.

Last summer, she convened a task force of local elected officials, business executives and civic leaders to suggest ways to improve safety and bolster economic activity in downtown Portland. The task forces recommendations, which were announced in December, include a moratorium on new taxes.

Kotek briefly withheld state homelessness funding from Multnomah County last spring, criticizing its vague plan to house individuals living on the street. She then rescinded $2.7 million in state funding from the county in September and redistributed it to other counties that moved faster to use their homelessness money.

Ultimately, Multnomah County and communities across the state met or exceeded the specific numeric goals Kotek set for them to add shelter beds, house people experiencing homelessness and prevent evictions. For instance, 1,293 households moved into homes thanks to the state funding, exceeding the initial goal of 1,200.

I think shes held people accountable, which is something else thats been noticed, Marsh said. Shes held the city of Portland accountable. Shes really fired people when she needed to fire people. Shes taken money back when it hasnt been spent appropriately.

Southwell, the political science professor, said Kotek was able to focus on Portland while still prioritizing the needs of rural communities in Oregon. While previous governors spent much of their energy on issues between Salem and Portland, Southwell said, I dont think thats the way she operates. Its not unique, but its something we havent seen for a while.

At Koteks request, for instance, the Legislature approved nearly $5 million last year for education service districts to better support rural and small schools with technical and administrative assistance.

Last year, Kotek embarked on what she billed as a listening tour, stopping to meet with more than 1,000 local officials and community leaders across all 36 Oregon counties. Numerous individuals who met with Kotek on the tour told The Oregonian/OregonLive that her knowledge of policies related to their local issues impressed them.

For the most part, I just think people were kind of amazed that she actually came and spent time here, Echo City Administrator David Slaght told The Oregonian/OregonLive last fall.

Gov. Tina Kotek marked her one-year anniversary in office Tuesday. Along with more serious work, she got to pretend to drive a Tillamook themed van at the brands creamery during a June visit to Tillamook County.Office of the governor

MEASURING SUCCESS

Koteks successes as governor have not translated to enhanced popularity among Oregonians. In October, polling company Morning Consult reported that Kotek had a 44% approval rating, the lowest of all 50 U.S. governors. (Some governors had higher disapproval ratings than Koteks; many poll respondents said they neither approved nor disapproved of her.)

The low approval rating can be partially attributed to Oregons polarized political landscape, experts say.

Has Governor Kotek improved in the minds of the typical Oregonian compared to where she was a year ago? I think the answer is no, Horvick said. But I think thats also very much because politics in the state make it very difficult for someone to be successful, particularly in one year.

Oregons polarization doesnt fully explain Koteks unpopularity. The Morning Consult poll reported that just 68% of Oregonians who voted for President Joe Biden in 2020 said they approved of Kotek  making her the least popular Democratic governor among Biden voters.

Critics say Kotek has failed to take sufficient action on major issues like housing or behavioral health, while others say that one year is not long enough to judge success.

Iverson, the Republican staffer, said many people havent completely made up their minds about her performance. I think she has the ability to lead us out of where were at. Were more waiting to see what shell do.

He said many Republicans approved of Kotek holding Portland leaders accountable on public safety and drug issues, though he said it will take a more drastic change, such as repealing Measure 110, for her to win over more Republicans.

Iverson added that people in rural counties, in which Kotek was not a popular candidate, need to see Kotek prioritize more legislation that meets the issues highlighted by rural communities on her listening tour, such as more support for behavioral health clinics.

If Governor Kotek can make those tough decisions in the face of people in the far factions of her own party that dont want her to do them, he said, I think that she can come out as a winner.

 Carlos Fuentes; cfuentes@oregonian.com; 503-221-5386; @carlos_reports

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A letter from Oregons Department of Early Learning and Care upended Natalie Kiyahs life last spring.

Kiyah, at the time a pregnant mother of three young children, had received a stipend through the Employment Related Day Care program to help pay for child care. But her 2022 tax returns showed that her income exceeded the annual limit by about $2,000, and she lost the state aid.
The Oregon Supreme Court on Friday declined to hear a challenge from a voters rights group aiming to bar former President Donald Trump from the May primary ballot, saying it would wait until the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the issue.

The unanimous decision by the courts seven justices comes after both Colorado and Maine last month barred Trump from their primary ballots, finding that he engaged in insurrection related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on the Colorado decision Feb. 8.

A decision by the United States Supreme Court regarding the Fourteenth Amendment issue may resolve one or more contentions (made) in this proceeding, Chief Justice Meagan Flynn wrote to explain the courts decision Friday. Given that possibility, we deny (the petition) at this time, without prejudice to relators ability to file a new petition seeking resolution of any issue that may remain following a decision by the United States Supreme Court.

Free Speech for People, the national nonprofit that filed the challenge, called the decision disappointing. It said in a statement that the Colorado case could be resolved by details specific to the states proceeding, meaning it would not apply to the case in Oregon.

Furthermore, no one knows when that decision will issue, the statement said. Waiting until the U.S. Supreme Court issues its order only compresses the time that the Oregon Supreme Court may have to resolve the issues that may remain if the U.S. Supreme Court does not fully resolve all the issues in this case.

Free Speech for People, which advocates for election fairness and voters rights, filed the appeal to the Oregon Supreme Court on Dec. 6 following Secretary of States LaVonne Griffin-Valades decision not remove Trump from primary ballots.

Griffin-Valade said in November state law does not give her the authority to determine the qualifications of candidates in a presidential primary. Free Speech for Peoples appeal cited the 14th Amendment and Trumps involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection to argue that, having sworn an oath to support the Constitution of the United States, (Trump) has engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof and is therefore disqualified from public office.

Trump attorneys filed a 162-page brief to the Oregon Supreme Court on Dec. 29 in response to the appeal, arguing that Oregon officials do not have the right to decide who is qualified to run in the states presidential primaries. The group also asserted that President Trump did nothing to engage in the riot at the Capitol.

 Carlos Fuentes; cfuentes@oregonian.com; 503-221-5386; @carlos_reports

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Following last years release of the five pieces that saw Swatch collaborating with high-end luxury brand Blancpain, the sixth variant has now been released and it may very well be the best of them all

Setting some context

In order to completely appreciate this timepiece, it is important to wind the clock back to the 26th of March 2022, the day Swatch shocked the world when it released its collaboration piece with Omega, the luxury brand we all know of in the Swatch Group portfolio. These colorful watches were a first, displaying just how two brands at different ends of the spectrum can produce fun timepieces. Critiques included the build quality and in general the cheap feel of the watch. Swatch addressed these concerns in September 2023 when once again, with the brand Blancpain, they released a set of five pieces that this time, whilst keeping the fun, colorful aesthetics and playful Swatch vibe, were fitted with the Sistem51 automatic movement. With colorways such as orange, yellow, blue and green, these watches all represented one particular ocean and had funky little nudibranchs on the rotor to represent these locations. However, with the latest release of the brand-new Ocean Storms model, featuring an all-blacked-out case and dial, this is the closest to the original Fifty Fathoms to date.

Ocean Of Storms  Swatch X Blancpain

Ocean of Storms

You may be wondering, if all five oceans were covered in the first release of this collaboration, just where did Swatch base this latest watch out of. Put simply, the Ocean Of Storms finds its DNA from the moon and the Oceanus Procellarum, a large volcanic plain on the surface of the moon. The nudibranch that features on the case back takes its name from the moon due to its creamy and luminescent color.

Stealth design

Maintaining the famous bio-ceramic material, it appears that Swatch has gone to the dark side with this one featuring a black case, a black Nato strap, a black dial and even a black colorway on the movement. However, in keeping with the DNA of the watch that takes its inspiration from the moon, several white accents complement this blacked-out approach, from the strap to the indices and of course, to the famous Blancpain X Swatch logo at 12 oclock. In addition to this, the very light orange touches on both the second hand and the depth indication provide a slight hint of the light-hearted nature of the Swatch brand. What I love the most about the use of the color orange is that this watch reminds me of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 2: Tech Gombessa, and for 375 CHF, that is no bad thing!

Ocean Of Storms  Swatch X Blancpain

My opinion

I could go on about the aesthetics of the watch and tell you I cannot wait to pick one up from the store, and pair it with a white t-shirt to get that full-on yin-yang effect going on. I could talk about my opinion of the collaboration itself, but I want to focus on something else entirely. Besides, if you want to hear opinions on the partnership, be sure to check out our Team Test with one of the original pieces.

Ocean Of Storms  Swatch X Blancpain

For me, what is truly important about this edition and what symbolizes a change in the philosophy at Swatch is that this new addition to the family is not limited in quantity. Although the original MoonSwatches or the Scuba Fifty Fathoms were not limited, as soon as additional variants, nicknamed the mission to moonshine golds were released for each new moon, they were solely available to purchase for one day. This model, on the other hand, will be joining the traditional lineup, and will be available far beyond the release date of 11.01.24. It was clear that although one limited edition variant was a great marketing idea by Swatch on the original watch, by the second, third, and what feels like endless variations later, it all got a little gimmicky. The fact that Swatch did not go down the same path provides me with a glimmer of hope that Swatch has understood that these short-term cash grab limited editions could only negatively impact the brands images. It now seems that Swatch is planning out a more long-term and stable collection this time around. Kudos to Swatch, and respect to Blancpain for playing along and if you will excuse me, it is time to go and get my own Ocean Of Storms!
Bujumbura, Burundi (PANA) - More than 234,000 Burundian refugees, almost half of the total supposedly living in exile abroad, returned to their country of origin between 2017 and 2023
Photo: (Photo : LOUAI BESHARA /Getty Images)

Ohio mother Pamela Reed is now arrested for initiating a charity fraud, falsifying that her 7-year-old daughter has cancer and is suffering other medical ailments.

The Noble County Children's Services and Noble County Sheriff's Office received a tip regarding a resident who is potentially committing theft by deception. The tip that came specifically names a child who is known in the community to have been suffering numerous medical conditions through the years.

Reed previously claimed that her 7-year-old daughter was blind in the right eye, has acute myeloid, leukemia, and has regular seizures. Additionally, she also stated that her daughter, named as AR on the files, suffers from Severe Aplastic Anemia which is a disease wherein the bone marrow of the person does not make enough blood for the entire body.

She later on claimed to the police that, at one point, she was ready to shave her child's head to support the narrative she portrays.

Ohio Mother Arrested for Faking Daughter's Cancer for Money

The Noble County Sheriff's Office, in a disturbing revelation, disclosed the arrest of Ohio mother Pamela Reed. The case began with an alarming report received by the sheriff's office and the Department of Job and Family Services on January 4.

The report suggested that a local child, Reed's 7-year-old daughter, had been falsely presented as suffering from cancer.

The troubling plot unraveled last week when a nurse at the child's elementary school discovered that the young girl, contrary to her mother's claims, was not blind in her right eye, as indicated in an arrest affidavit.

Previously, Reed had informed the nurse that her daughter, referred to as AR in the official records, was scheduled to receive a port implant for her cancer treatments. These supposed treatments had already resulted in AR missing over 280 hours of school during the 2023-2024 academic year, according to the records.

Prompted by these inconsistencies, the nurse reached out to AR's healthcare provider, who validated her doubts. The healthcare provider unequivocally stated, "AR did not have cancer or leukemia, and she never had cancer or leukemia."

Read Also: Philadelphia Grapples with Measles Outbreak: Hospitals on Alert as Cases Rise

Faking Cancer for Money: Reed's Confession and Arrest

Reed's alleged scheme involved exploiting the sympathies of several local organizations and community members. These entities, moved by the supposed plight of Reed's daughter, contributed significantly to the family's finances. One such organization generously donated $8,000, believing it was helping to alleviate the burden of cancer treatment costs.

Adding to the deception, the family's social media presence, particularly on Facebook, was riddled with posts and images portraying the young girl as a cancer patient, further cementing the illusion of her illness. This web of deceit began to unravel when Reed was brought in for questioning by the sheriff's department.

During the interrogation, Reed confessed to exaggerating and fabricating her daughter's medical condition to receive monetary donations. This admission led to her immediate arrest, with the court setting her bond at $50,000. The details surrounding her legal representation remain unclear at this stage.

The situation involving Pamela Reed, who allegedly fabricated her child's cancer diagnosis for financial gain, underscores an alarming pattern of manipulating public compassion for fraudulent purposes. This episode is a forceful wake-up call about the importance of careful scrutiny in philanthropic endeavors.

Misty Wells, the director of the family services division, and Sheriff Jason Mackie have emphasized the crucial role that community members play in spotting and reporting questionable behavior, particularly in cases that may involve child abuse or neglect.

Their commendation goes out to the team for their unwavering commitment in bringing this deception to light, highlighting the essential need for a united community effort in protecting children's well-being.

Related Article: Elon Musk Joins NYC School Closure Online Debate: Migrants Sheltered, Students Shift to Remote Learning
Photo: (Photo : ANDREJ IVANOV / Getty Images)

The latest ruling from the Court of Appeals is now granting Alabama the right to move forward with the gender-affirming ban on transgender youth.

The state of Alabama can now legally block the use of hormones and puberty blockers for minors that aim to shift the transition out of their gender. This ruling came after the law was previously blocked for implementation in 2022.

Alabama Transgender Youth Healthcare Ruling

It had been earlier decided by the 11th United States Circuit Court of Appeals that the injunction ought to be vacated; however, the decision had been effectively put on hold while families with transgender children sought the whole appeal court to reexamine the decision.

However, the injunction that was issued on Thursday, January 11, will make it possible for the ban to go into effect while the full court deliberates on whether or not to reconsider the judgment.

Alabama's Attorney General, Steve Marshall, celebrated the ruling, saying that this is a tremendous victory for everyone, the country, and the children.

Marshall added that, as a result of the implementation of the Alabama Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act, the physical and psychological welfare of our children can now be better protected from these experimental and life-altering chemical and surgical operations.

With the signing of the Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act into law in 2022, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey designed it in a way that a medical professional will be legally accountable if he or she is found guilty of providing gender-affirming care to minors, which are stated to be kids under the age of 19.

This law also highlights implications for medical professionals if they are found violating the law, such as a heavy 10-year prison sentence.

By this point, at least 22 states have passed legislation that restricts or prohibits gender-affirming medical care for their transgender youth. Many of these laws are now being challenged in court or have had their enforcement stopped.

A federal judge overturned the country's first law, just like in Arkansas, on the grounds that it violated the due process rights of young transgender people and their families. But the courts have provided split verdicts, with the first statute being struck down in Arkansas.

Furthermore, attorneys who represent transgender adolescents and their families in Tennessee have petitioned the United States Supreme Court to halt the implementation of the state's restriction on gender-affirming care for minors, which was allowed to take effect by a lower court.

In the latter part of this year, it is anticipated that the court will make a decision regarding whether or not it will hear the case.

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Worries from Community and Advocates

Additionally, it will put parents in the excruciating position of being unable to provide their children with the necessary medical care for them to thrive.

The lawyers who represented the parents of transgender teens are also disappointed with the decision, saying that it could pose a potential risk and cause harm to parents and children in the state. Advocacy groups also expressed their dismay in the recent court ruling, published in a joint statement.

According to a statement from the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the Human Rights Campaign, the Southern Poverty Law Center, and the GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, the ban on transgender healthcare in Alabama will have a negative impact on thousands of transgender adolescents throughout the state.

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Sam Altman, the developer of the popular ChatGPT artificial intelligence network, married programmer Oliver Mulherin. The men have been friends for a long time, and they even wrote about it under their wedding photo. The ceremony took place in Hawaii among palm trees at sunrise.

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Photos from the wedding were posted by a user with the nickname heyBarsee on X. Many Internet users assumed that the photos were created by artificial intelligence, but Business Insider reported that they were real. The photos show men in white shirts with boutonnieres in the form of orchids on the seashore.

The ceremony was quite private. In one of the photos, you can count 10 guests. Altman's brother Jack, who officiated, added to the family atmosphere. By the way, he is also a programmer: the founder and former CEO of Lattice, a company that specializes in employee productivity management software.

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Sam and Austin made their first public appearance together at a White House dinner in early 2023. Nothing more is known about the men's relationship as they have kept it a secret, speaking only of a strong friendship. The couple lives in San Francisco, USA, together. On weekends, they travel to a house on a private ranch in Napa, California, according to the Hindustan Times.

The couple wants to have children soon, New York Magazine previously reported. Sam Altman loves big, loud families.

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Another good day, at least from my perspective. We began it with a visit to the so-called Egyptian Museum  the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities  on Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo. Some of the rooms there have been emptied out a bit, with their objects probably having gone to the beautiful new National Museum of Egyptian Civilization or going now to the spectacular and enormous but still-not-open Grand Egyptian Museum, which is located out by the pyramids in Giza and which, weve been told, will be the largest museum in the world when it opens.

But the old museum, which is now an antique in its own right, is still well worth visiting, despite its darkness and dinginess. Our visit today was fairly brief and summary, but we still spent time at, among others, the beautiful Narmer Palette, the Merneptah Stela (with its important late-thirteenth-century BC reference to Israel), a large portrait bust of Queen Hatshepsut, and, of course, the treasures from the tomb of the Pharaoh Tutankhamen.

From the Egyptian Museum, we drove to the twelfth-century Citadel of Sultan Salah al-Din (Saladin), the famous hero of the Counter Crusades who is something of a personal hero of mine. There, we visited the prominent nineteenth-century Turkish-style mosque of Muhammad Ali that was built within the Citadel, and looked out over the city of Cairo and, beyond, to the Giza pyramids. The weather was fairly clear, and they were easily visible this time  which is not always the case. I have to confess that Ive never been especially fond of the Muhammad Alis mosque. If I want an Ottoman-style mosque, I would prefer to go to Istanbul or Bursa or Edirne to see it

We had lunch at the Steigenberger Hotel, which is near to both Tahrir Square and The Egyptian Museum, and then headed over to the late-medieval bazaar area of Khan al-Khalili. Some of our group went shopping there; others simply sat and visited with each other in one of the Khans cafes, facing the important mosque of Sayyidna Husayn, My wife and I, though, accompanied by my former student and her husband (who are living here as a Church service couple), made a beeline for al-Muizz Street, with its numerous sabil-kuttabs and the mosque, mausoleum, and madrasa of Sultan Qalawun. This area was a favorite of ours back in our student days here, many years ago, and it was a nostalgic experience for us to visit it again.

Thereafter, we headed out to the Cairo International Airport and caught a flight down to Aswan, in the south of Egypt. It was about 10:30 PM by the time that we reached our hotel and the hour is considerably later now, and I freely confess to being quite tired and to having a difficult time typing coherent sentences. But Im struggling heroically against unconsciousness, so please forgive stupid errors.

Ive always enjoyed Aswan. (So did Agatha Christie; she wrote her novel Death on the Nile here during a stay in a grand old hotel that is still standing a bit to the south of the place where Im writing.) Aswan is much smaller than Cairo, and the Nile River is still actually blue here. The Nile Valley is narrow, and the contrast between the desert and the sown, between the rich green of the valley and the deserts brown, is especially obvious and particularly beautiful here. There is an African feel here that reflects Aswans ancient role as a center for the ivory trade between Egypt and the sub-Saharan continent. And the sights to see are wonderful. I hope that our group will like it as much as I do.

These three new items have recently appeared on the website of the Interpreter Foundation:

Conference Talks: Beauty and Truth in Moses 1, 2018 Temple on Mount Zion Conference, presented by

Jeffrey M. Bradshaw

The fourth Temple on Mount Zion Conference was held on Saturday, 10 November 2018 in the Tanner Building at Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. The presentations were filmed, and both video and audio recordings of each presentation are available. The videos are currently available both at https://interpreterfoundation.org/conferences/2018-temple-on-mount-zion-conference/2018-temple-on-mount-zion-conference-videos/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 3: Come and Partake of the Fruit (1 Nephi 6-10)
Necromancy; Can Saints Hear Us?

Seth Kasten (see his blog) is a member of the Lutheran ChurchMissouri Synod. This is one of a series of replies to his book, Against the Invocation of Saints: An Apology for the Protestant Doctrine of Prayer over and against the Doctrine of the Eastern Orthodox Church (Royal Oak, Michigan: Scholastic Lutherans, 2023). I will be using RSV for Bible passages unless otherwise noted. Words from his book will be in blue.

See other installments:

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Necromancy and invocation of saints, while not identical, share an obvious parallel: communication with the dead, including the faithful departed, such as Samuel. . . . My argument against invocation of saints with respect to necromancy is twofold: 1) Necromancy is similar to invocation, and necromancy is very evil, so we should be, at the very least, hesitant to practice invocation, and 2) Necromancy seems to require a medium, which suggests that contacting the dead without a medium is impossible, which implies that invocation is fruitless. (p. 58)

This is very poor reasoning. Seth argues that because necromancy and invocation of the saints both have the characteristic of communicating with the dead, therefore, invocation must be discarded and is impermissible, and indeed immoral. Necromancy is evil; therefore, invocation must also be.

Its like arguing that two people in an adulterous affair and a happily married couple both engage in sexual intercourse. Because the adulterers do this, and adultery is evil, therefore, sexual relations of married couples are evil, too. Then he contends that because necromancy requires a medium, therefore any contact with the dead whatsoever must also require a medium. These are all terrible arguments, with false premises, bad logic, and conclusions that era false as a result.

But there is an easier way to completely disable such reasoning. Both our Lord Jesus and St. Peter invoked the dead. Jesus did when He raised Lazarus:

John 11:43-44 When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come out. The dead man came out, . . .

. . . and when He raised Jairus daughter:

Mark 5:41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, Talitha cumi; which means, Little girl, I say to you, arise. (cf. Lk 8:54: Child, arise)

St. Peter did the same thing:

Acts 9:37, 40 In those days she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. . . . But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, Tabitha, rise. And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.

That settles that! If God Himself (as a man on earth) and an apostle both invoked or contacted the dead, and the dead heard them, then it cannot be an evil practice. We must bow to their examples. God cant possibly sin; nor can Jesus do something that would lead us astray. Whatever He does cannot be sinful. Peter could and did sin, but if he had in this instance, Scripture would have pointed that out, as it did when Paul rebuked him for temporary hypocrisy regarding the Gentiles. But the Bible couldnt indicate that he was wrong in this instance, because He did what Jesus did; therefore it cant be wrong. Case closed.

Moreover, Jesus told His twelve disciples to raise the dead (Mt 10:8), and His words in the next chapter indicate that they successfully performed this miracle: Go and tell John what you hear and see: . . . the dead are raised up . . . (Mt 11:4-5; cf. Lk 7:22). Now, if the three examples we have in the New Testament report that the dead were spoken to (commanded) before being raised, then it stands to reason that other instances of the dead being raised probably entailed the same thing, which would be yet more support for invoking the dead.

The Bible condemns necromancy on multiple occasions (Lev. 19:31, 20:6, Deut. 18:11, etc). It is also seen in the famous examples of the witch of Endor and the evil people under King Josiah. . . . this practice is condemned many times and was even punishable by stoning (Lev. 20:27), . . . Isaiah 8:19 demonstrates that there is an inherent problem of the people communicating with the dead on behalf of the living: And when they say to you, Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter, should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living? (pp. 58-59)

Of course we completely agree. The difference arises because of Seths (and Protestantisms) failure to distinguish between conflicting essential aspects of invocation of saints over against necromancy. The two things differ in essence. One is always evil, and the other is perfectly moral and biblical.

Every example of necromancy practiced in the Old Testament includes a medium, which suggests that contacting the dead is not normally possible without a medium. In this case, attempting to contact the dead, such as by invocation, is, at the very least, fruitless since it is impossible. (p. 60)

Its this statement by Seth that is impossible, because Jesus and Peter both did this very thing. If someone argues that Jesus was a special case, being God, then they still have to explain how Peter could have doe it, and how the biblical text casually accepts the practice.

Critics of these practices like Seth in effect argue: It is still not clear at all that these Catholic practices are any different from seances and wicked, forbidden occultic techniques. Whats the difference? Catholics are messing around with dead spirits, too, but the Bible condemns any sort of magic, sorcery, necromancy, or witchcraft. Catholics fully agree that these occultic things are prohibited, but deny that the communion of saints is a practice included at all in those condemnations.

The difference is in the source of the supernatural power and the intention: if a Christian on earth asks a saint to pray for him, this is directly supported by the biblical indications above, and God is the one Whose power makes the relationship between departed and living members of the Body of Christ possible.

The medium in a seance, on the other hand, is trying to use her own occultic powers to conjure up the dead. That also opens up the possibility of demonic counterfeit. Catholics arent conjuring anyone or trying to use self-generated occultic powers. Were simply asking great departed saints to pray for us. If they are aware of the earth, then God can also make it possible for them to hear and heed our prayer requests. If this werent the case, then saints and angels in heaven wouldnt be portrayed as they are in Scripture: intensely active and still involved in earthly affairs.

My friend David W. Emery, with whom I worked as a moderator at the Coming Home Network Discussion Forum, from 2007 to 2010, made a helpful comment about this issue:

We must make the distinction between saints and spirits in general. I mentioned above that necromancy deals with the souls of the damned or evil spirits (what we call demons). This is in consonance with its goals and intents. On the other hand, a saint is not in hell, but in heaven; the same is true of an angel. If the angel Gabriel can speak to Zacharias, Mary, Joseph and the shepherds (Luke 1:1120, 2638; 2:914; Matthew 1:2021; 2:13, 1920), so can a saint. For they are both spirits from heaven and on a mission from God.

Catholic apologist Jimmy Akin provides a great explanation of the essential difference between the two practices:

Necromancy is an attempt to gain information by conjuring the dead. The term is derived from the Greek words nekros (dead person) and manteia (oracle, divination). This practice, which was common in the ancient world, is forbidden in the Old Testament: There shall not be found among you . . . a medium, or a wizard, or a necromancer (Deut. 18:1011). The fact that necromancy was for purposes of gaining information is made clear by the Hebrew terms for medium (shoel ob, a spirit inquirer), wizard (yiddeoni, a spiritist), and necromancer (doresh el-ha-metim, an inquirer of the dead). The focus on gaining information is also made clear by the context in Deuteronomy, which specifies that God will send his people prophets instead of allowing them to use mediums, wizards, and necromancers (Deut. 18:15). . . . Both Scripture and the Catholic Church [CCC 2116] agree that necromancy is forbidden. However, asking the saints for their intercession is a fundamentally different practice. In necromancy, people attempt to contact the dead to obtain information from themeither about the future or about other matters that are hidden from the inquirer. The flow of information is supposed to be from the dead to the living. When people ask the saints for their intercession, however, they are not seeking information. They are asking the saints to partner with them in prayer to God. If anything, the flow of information is from the living to the deadthat is, a living person is making his prayer request known to a departed saint.

If it were not forbidden by scripture to invoke others than God, the practice might be permissible, even if it went unmentioned . . . (p. 60)

But not all invocation is forbidden, as I just proved with examples of behavior from Jesus and Peter. Only occultic-type contact with a medium or sorcerer, etc., is forbidden, and we just learned why and what the essential difference is, in the section above. As Jimmy Akin wrote, The biblical injunction against necromancy is thus a condemnation of something else. It is not talking about the same thing.

But scripture and the early fathers teach that the saints cannot hear us or know what occurs on earth, so it follows that we cannot pray to them, as this would be a violation of what scripture teaches us about saints. (p. 60)

Many Church fathers think they can hear us, because they recommend asking for their intercession, as I showed in my last installment. As for Scripture, it teaches us many things about departed saints. Now we only see in a mirror dimly as Paul stated (1 Cor 13:12), and that eye has not seen (1 Cor 2:9) etc. what God has prepared for us. Paul wrote how he was caught up into Paradise and heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter (2 Cor 12:3-4). He also wrote that we shall see God face to face and stated that Now I know in part; then I shall understand fully (1 Cor 13:12).

John teaches that when he [Jesus] appears we shall be like him (1 Jn 3:2). Christians are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another (2 Cor 3:18). This will be perfected in heaven. Human beings can be filled with all the fulness of God (Eph 3:19) and attain the fulness of Christ (Eph 4:13) and become partakers of the divine nature (2 Pet 1:4). All of that will fully and massively occur in heaven too.

We are supposedly required to believe that even though saints in heaven possess all of these extraordinary characteristics, being able to hear an intercessory request or a petition from people on earth is not part of their abilities or experience? Its just not plausible  or biblical. God can do anything, and He is the one Who enables dead saints to hear petitions. Hebrews 12:1 and Revelation 6:9-10 (I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne; they cried out with a loud voice, O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before thou wilt judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell upon the earth? ) prove that the saints are quite aware of happenings on earth. The ability to hear a human petition is clearly implied.

If were like or equal to angels after death, according to Jesus (Lk 20:36) and we know that angels communicate with those on earth (many examples in the Bible), then it stands to reason that the dead saints will by analogy be able to do the same thing. Jesus said, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents (Lk 15:10). Thats an interior disposition. If angels know that, and we will be equal to them, then dead saints in heaven can certainly hear a petition, since by analogy to the angels theyll be able to discern interior thoughts. Moreover, the Bible repeatedly says that we will be like God in heaven, too, including understanding fully (1 Cor 13:12).

Also, departed saints and angels present our prayers to God in heaven (Rev 5:8; 8:3-4). What are they doing with them, pray tell (no pun intended)? Why do they have them; how did they obtain them? The most logical, feasible explanation is that they had received prayers (technically, intercessory requests) from people on earth as intermediaries to God (just as we ask others on earth to pray for us or some cause).

Someone might reply that God gave our prayers to them. But why would He do that? The same question would still arise: what do they do with them?: file them away in heavenly file cabinets? Whatever they do with them would merely prove our point: that He intended them to be involved in some way in the process of prayer in the first place. Therefore, it would still be (in this proposed scenario) perfectly proper to ask saints and angels to intercede on our behalf to God. The proposed solution here, in the final analysis, is only a variation of the same thing Catholics and Orthodox maintain.

Lastly, elders in heaven (dead saints) spoke to St. John (Rev 5:5; 7:13-17), and John spoke to one of them (Rev 7:14). Angels also spoke to John (Rev 1:1-2; 10:9, 11; 11:1-2; 17:1-2; 7-18; 19:9-10; 21:9, 15; 22:6-11), and he talked to one of them (Rev 10:9). St. John wasnt in heaven at the time; he was on the island called Patmos (Rev 1:9). This is the communion of saints: explicitly taught in the Bible. We can communicate to dead saints and angels in heaven (including prayerful petitions) and they can communicate back to us.

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Practical Matters: Perhaps some of my 4,500+ free online articles (the most comprehensive one-stop Catholic apologetics site) or fifty-five books have helped you (by Gods grace) to decide to become Catholic or to return to the Church, or better understand some doctrines and why we believe them.

Or you may believe my work is worthy to support for the purpose of apologetics and evangelism in general. If so, please seriously consider a much-needed financial contribution. Im always in need of more funds: especially monthly support. The laborer is worthy of his wages (1 Tim 5:18, NKJV). 1 December 2021 was my 20th anniversary as a full-time Catholic apologist, and February 2022 marked the 25th anniversary of my blog.

PayPal donations are the easiest: just send to my email address: apologistdave@gmail.com. Heres also a second page to get to PayPal. Youll see the term Catholic Used Book Service, which is my old side-business. To learn about the different methods of contributing (including Zelle), see my page: About Catholic Apologist Dave Armstrong / Donation Information. Thanks a million from the bottom of my heart!

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Photo credit: Saul and the Witch of Endor (1788), by William Sharp (English, 1749-1824), after Benjamin West (1738-1820) [public domain / Look and Learn]

Summary: One of my series of replies to Lutheran Seth Kasten on the invocation of saints. I address his objections and biblical and patristic arguments against the practice.
To the surprise of exactly nobody who has been following the PC industry the last six months, AI PCs were everywhere at CES 2024, powered by new chips like Intels Core Ultra and AMDs Ryzen 8000 with dedicated Neural Processor Units (NPUs). These help accelerate AI tasks locally, rather than reaching out to cloud servers (like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot). But what does that actually mean for you, an everyday computer user?

Thats the question I hoped to answer as I wandered the show floor, visiting PC makers of all shapes and sizes. Most early implementations of local, NPU-processed software has focused heavily on creator workloads  improving performance in tools like Adobe Photoshop, DaVinci Resolve, and Audacity. But how can local AI help Joe Schmoe?

After scouring the show, I can say that NPU improvements arent especially compelling yet in these early days  though if you have an Nvidia GPU, youve already got powerful, practical AI at your fingertips.

But first, NPU-based AI.

Local AI takes baby steps

The HP Omen Transcend. IDG / Matthew Smith

Frankly, NPU-driven AI isnt compelling yet, though it can pull off some cool parlor tricks.

HPs new Omen Transcend 14 showed off how the NPU can be used to offload video-streaming tasks while the GPU ran Cyberpunk 2077  nifty, to be sure, but once again focused on creators. Acers Swift laptops thankfully take a more practical angle. They integrate Temporal Noise Reduction and what Acer calls PurifiedView and PurifiedVoice 2.0 for AI-filtered audio and video, with a three-mic array, and there are more AI capabilities promised to come later this year.

MSIs stab at local AI also tackles cleaning up Zoom and Teams calls. A Core Ultra laptop demo showed Windows Studio Effects tapping the NPU to automatically blur the background of a video call. Next to it, a laptop set up with Nvidias awesome AI-powered Broadcast software was doing the same. The Core Ultra laptop used dramatically less power than the Nvidia notebook, since it didnt need to fire up a discrete GPU to process the background blur, shunting the task to the low-power NPU instead. So thats cool  and unlike RTX Broadcast, it doesnt require you to have a GeForce graphics card installed.

Just as practically, MSIs new AI engine intelligently detects what youre doing on your laptop and dynamically changes the battery profile, fan curves, and display settings as needed for the task. Play a game and everything gets cranked; start slinging Word docs and everything ramps down. Its cool, but existing laptops already do this to some degree.

MSI also showed off a nifty AI Artist app, running on the popular Stable Diffusion local generative AI art framework, that lets you create images from text prompts, create suitable text prompts from images you plug in, and create new images from images you select. Windows Copilot and other generative art services can already do this, of course, but AI Artist performs the task locally and is more versatile than simply slapping words into a box to see what pictures it can create.

Lenovos vision for NPU-driven AI seemed the most compelling. Dubbed AI Now, this text input-based suite of features seems genuinely useful. Yes, you can use it to generate images, natch  but you can also ask it to automatically set those images as your wallpaper.

More helpfully, typing prompts like My PC config instantly brings up hardware information about your PC, removing the need to dive into arcane Windows sub-menus. Asking for eye care mode enables the systems low-light filter. Asking it to optimize battery life adjusts the power profile depending on your usage, similar to MSIs AI engine.

Those are useful, albeit somewhat niche, but the feature that impressed me most was Lenovos Knowledge Base feature. You can train AI Now to sift through documents and files stored in a local Knowledge Base folder, and quickly generate reports, synopses, and summaries based on only the files within, never touching the cloud. If you stash all your work files in it, you could, for instance, ask for a recap of all progress on a given project over the past month, and it will quickly generate that using the information stored in your documents, spreadsheets, et cetera. Now this seems truly useful, mimicking cloud AI-based Office Copilot features that Microsoft charges businesses an arm for a leg for.

But. AI Now is currently in the experimental stage, and when it launches later this year, it will come to China first. Whats more, the demo I saw wasnt actually running on the NPU yet  instead, Lenovo was using traditional CPU grunt for the tasks. Sigh.

And thats my core takeaway from the show. NPUs are only just starting to appear in computers, and the software that taps into them ranges from gimmicky to way too early  itll take time for the rise of the so-called AI PC to develop in any practical sense.

Unless you already have an Nvidia graphics card installed, that is.

The AI PC is already here with GeForce

Thiago Trevisan/IDG

Visiting Nvidias suite after the laptop makers drove home that the AI PC is, in fact, already here if youre a GeForce owner.

That shouldnt come as a surprise. Nvidia is at the forefront of AI development as has been driving the segment for years. Features like DLSS, RTX Video Super Resolution, and Nvidia Broadcast are all tangible, practical real-world AI applications that users love and use every day. Theres a reason Nvidia can charge a premium for its graphics cards.

The company was showing off some cool cloud-based AI tools  its ACE character engine for game NPCs can now hold full-blown generative chats about anything, in a variety of languages, and its iconic Jinn character did not appreciate when I told him his ramen sucked  but I want to focus on the local AI tools, since thats the point of this article.

A lineup of creator-focused Nvidia Studio laptops were on-hand showing just how powerful GeForces dedicated ray tracing and AI tensor cores can be at accelerating creation tasks, such as real-time image rendering or removing items from photos. But again, while thats amazing for creators, its of little practical benefit to everyday consumers.

Two other AI demos are.

One, a supplement to the existing RTX Video Super Resolution feature that uses GeForces AI tensor cores to upscale and beautify low-resolution videos, focuses on using AI to translate standard dynamic range video into high dynamic range (HDR). Dubbed RTX Video HDR, it looked truly transformative in demos I witnessed. The overly crushed darks in a Game of Thrones scene caused by video compression were cleared up and brightened using the feature, delivering a stunning increase in image quality. It was a similar story in an underground scene from another still, where the back of a subway was dark beyond comprehension, but RTX Video HDR let you pick out a tunnel, garbage cans, and other hidden aspects previous lost to the gloom. It looks great and should be arriving in a GeForce driver later this month.

Chat with RTX was able to provide an accurate description of Nvidias new ACE features after being pointed to a local file. Nvidia

Then there was Chat with RTX, which truly impressed me. Most AI chatbots bump your requests out to the cloud, where theyre processed on company servers and then sent back to you. Not Chat with RTX, an upcoming application that runs on either the Mistal or Llama LLMs. The key thing here is it can also be trained on your local text, PDF, doc, and XML files, so you can ask the application questions about your specific information and needs  and it all runs locally. You can ask it questions like, Where did Sarah say I should go to dinner next time Im in Vegas? and have the answer pop right up from your files.

Better yet, since it runs locally, the answers in our demos appeared much faster than the answers generated by cloud-based LLMs like ChatGPT, and you can also point Chat with RTX to specific YouTube videos to ask questions about its content, or to receive a general summary. Chat with RTX scans the YouTube-provided transcript for that particular video and your answer appears in seconds. It is rad.

Chat with RTX should also be out in demo form too, and Nvidia is releasing its backbones so that developers can create new programs that tap into it.

Compared to the AI demos I saw for NPU applications, the features on display at Nvidias booth felt both more practical and much more powerful. Nvidia reps told me that was a goal for the company; to show that AI PCs already exist, and can drive genuinely useful experiences  if you have a GeForce GPU, of course.

Bottom line

Intel

And thats really my overarching takeaway on the AI PC from CES 2024. Will AI amount to more than former buzzwords like blockchain and the metaverse, which fizzled out in spectacular fashion? I think so. Companies like Nvidia are already using it to amazing effect. But NPUs are practically still in diapers and learning to talk. Theres no overly compelling practical feature that taps into them yet unless youre a content creator.

Dont get me wrong: The future looks potentially bright for local NPUs as a whole  the entire computing industry is willing it into being before our very eyes  but if you want a true AI PC right now, one with tangible, practical benefits for everyday computer users, youre better off investing in a tried-and-true Nvidia RTX GPU than a chip with a newfangled NPU.
Enterprise Computing Ltd. (ECL) is delighted to name Seth Donkor as its new Chief Executive Officer. On 31st December 2023, Jake Oyortey stepped down as CEO to be a full-time board member of the company.



Being CEO is a new phase, but Seth is far from being a new face. In over a decade of ECLs existence, Seth has been key in its transformation from an early-stage tech startup to the global giant it is today. He graduated from the University of Cape Coast with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Statistics and has various industry trainings and certifications in Information Security, ISO, Cloud, Product Development, AI, Blockchain, Project Management among others.



Seth has also been involved in complex system deployment for leading institutions in Africa as well as a winner of the NetApp Insight award in Berlin, Germany in 2017. He was part of the ECL team involved in Stanford Universitys SEED transformation program that helped craft the Organizations Transformation Plan.



Having joined ECL, Seths remarkable ascent through the company's ranks, from Systems Engineer to Systems Lead, Technical Manager, and ultimately to the role of Chief Technology Officer, attests to his exceptional leadership and technical prowess. Over the past 12 years, he has played a pivotal role in building and shaping a world-class technology team, as well as contributing immensely to the organization's growth and expansion to other regions.



Ms. Xuelian Chi, a global HR consultant and a Board Member of ECL, shares her wisdom on the appointment of Seth as the new CEO, transitioning from his role as CTO: "Seth's journey within ECL is exemplary, marked by visionary leadership. I have witnessed firsthand his ability to drive innovation, foster a collaborative work culture, and navigate the complexities of our industry. His promotion to CEO is a testament to his strategic vision and steadfast dedication to the success of the organization. Under Seth's leadership, I am confident that ECL will thrive, delivering cutting-edge solutions and maintaining its position as a trusted global partner."



Seth has been instrumental in propelling ECL to the forefront of the technology industry. Going forward, it is evident that his enthusiasm for embracing innovative technologies and fostering a culture of transparency will be instrumental in driving ECLs continued growth and market leadership.



ECL is a professional services company providing customised AI technology solutions and consultancy to businesses globally. With service offerings in Business Process Automation, Cybersecurity, Hybrid Cloud Infrastructure, Backup and Recovery, among others, ECL is committed to ensuring business success while providing organizations with 24/7 fanatical support.

Source: FROM ENGINEER TO CEO: ECL WELCOMES NEW TOP MAN









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The first accused in the Kasoa ritual murder case has told the High Court in Accra that he killed Ismael Mensah Abdallah because of his family's financial hardship.



He made the disclosure in court on Thursday, January 11, 2024, during a cross-examination session by Lawyer Lawrence Boampong, representing the second accused.



He revealed to the court, presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, that his inability to attend school due to his parents financial struggles led him to pursue money at all costs.



Further, he stated that the idea of money ritual stemmed from watching a TV advertisement featuring a woman claiming that one could get more money if they brought five thousand cedis (GHC 5,000).



Lawyer Lawrence Boampong who was holding brief for Martin Kpebu also inquired if he had ever smoked weed. He answered in the affirmative but said it was only once.



Two teenagers are currently facing trial at the High Court in Accra for their alleged roles in the gruesome murder of 10-year-old Ishmael Mensah Abdalla in April 2021.



The case has been adjourned to January 22, 2024 for the second accused to open his defence.

Source: Philipa Atanga/Court Reporter/Despite Media









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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In the aftermath of recent power disruptions, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Deputy Minority Leader, has strongly criticized the government, denouncing its silence on the matter.



On Tuesday, January 9, 2024, certain areas in Accra encountered sporadic power supply issues, mirroring a recent persistent trend experienced in various regions over the past few months.



Expressing his dismay at the unsettling events, the Member of Parliament for Ellembele voiced dissatisfaction with the government's failure to provide a comprehensive explanation to the Ghanaian populace.



In a statement on Facebook, Mr. Buah urged the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) to release a well-defined load-shedding timetable, enabling households and businesses to make necessary arrangements.



"The absence of a load-shedding timetable exacerbates the challenges faced by households and businesses in planning effectively. The dearth of transparency and communication concerning the power outage schedule amplifies the frustration and inconvenience endured by the affected population.



"It is noteworthy that even during the most severe periods of Dumsor in the past, the power outage never reached the current 500-megawatt threshold being shed. Strikingly, the media affiliated with the NPP seem to downplay the situation as not constituting 'Dumsor.' Their resounding silence on the present circumstances is truly conspicuous."



Read the entire statement by Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah below;



Ghana is currently grappling with a severe case of Load Shedding, commonly known as Dumsor.



The situation is evidently clear, with 500 MW of load being shed as of tonight, January 9th, 2024.



Numerous areas have been plunged into darkness due to the unavailability of gas to fuel thermal plants within the Tema enclave which can be attributed to financial constraints.



Specifically, the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) is currently unable to fulfil its payment obligations to the West African Gas Pipeline, which is responsible for transporting gas from Takoradi to Tema for power generation. You can also track the ultimate problem to the weakest link in the value chain -ECGs inability to pay off-takers.



Compounding the situation is the absence of a load-shedding timetable, which hampers households and businesses from planning accordingly.



The lack of transparency and communication regarding the power outage schedule only adds to the frustration and inconvenience experienced by the affected population.



It is worth highlighting that even during the worst periods of Dumsor in the past, the power outage never reached the 500 megawatts threshold currently being shed yet the media associated with the NPP interestingly see this as no Dumsor.



Their loud silence on the current situation is deafening.



The Ghana Grid Company must, as a matter of urgency, come out with a load-shedding timetable to allow households and businesses to plan better.



HON.EMMANUEL ARMAH-KOFI BUAH

(DEPUTY MINORITY LEADER  MP, ELLEMBELE)

Source: graphiconline









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Ghanas Honorary Consul in Beirut, Lebanon, Mr. Ali Samih Jaafar, has donated two state-of-the-art Identifier 60 Novus passport printers to the Passport Office to support the work of the Passport Office and enhance service delivery.



Speaking at the presentation ceremony at the Passport Head Office in Accra, on Thursday, January 11, 2024, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey expressed the Ministrys appreciation to Mr. Jaafar for the donation and further commended him for his contribution to the welfare of Ghanaians in Lebanon.



She also recalled the Honorary Consul's role in evacuating Ghanaians in Lebanon during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic.



Hon. Ayorkor Botchwey acknowledged the persistent challenges faced by citizens due to delays in passport processing.



She further noted that, with the rising demand for passports, the need for modernised, efficient, and secure processes has become paramount, hence, the newly donated printers, equipped with advanced technology promises faster passport production, reduce waiting times for applicants, and ensure an improvement in the quality of service.



The two printers, each capable of printing one thousand (1000) passports per hour, are set to enhance the overall capacity of the Passport Office and to ensure a smoother and more timely passport issuance process, she added.



On his part, Ghanas Honorary Consul in Beirut, Lebanon, Mr. Ali Samih Jaafar reiterated his commitment to contributing his quota to the Ministrys effort at enhancing consular and passport service delivery for Ghanaians.



Recognising the significance of passports in global interactions, he expressed his delight in contributing two advanced passport printers to the Passport Office.



These printers, are equipped with cutting-edge features aimed at streamlining processes, reducing waiting times, and ensuring a seamless experience for applicants, he added.



He further thanked the Ministry for granting him the opportunity to contribute to the nations infrastructure by enhancing service delivery.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The 2024 flag bearer for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), former President John Dramani Mahama started his campaign tour of the Volta Region on Thursday and said his future government will prosecute any person involved in corruption or corruption-related activities.



That, he said, was because corruption had been left unchecked and had become rampant across the country.



In that vein, the former President accused the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) of having zero desire to check the nuisance mainly because members of the party were heavily involved in corrupt activities, he said.



So I have said if they cant deal with it, when we come, we will deal with it for them. When NDC comes, we will hold those who have misconducted themselves accountable, Mr Mahama stressed.



Tour



Former President Mahama started the Volta Regional tour on Thursday, January 11, 2024 from Tegbi, a small fishing town in the Keta Municipal Assembly.



The tour is serving as a platform for Mr Mahama to meet and interact with Ghanaians from all walks of life, supporters, and sympathisers of the NDC.



He will make stops in key towns, and villages and engage local communities to listen to their concerns, insights, and aspirations for a prosperous Ghana.



Former President Mahama in his address at Tegbi warned that NDC members who would be elected or appointed to public offices will also be dealt with if they engage in corrupt practices.



But I must also caution our own people that those of us who go into positions of authority if you also abuse your trust, Im not going to come and defend you. The anti-corruption institutions will deal with you as we are going to deal with members of this [NPP] government, he said.



Mr Mahama accused the NPP of neglecting fisher folks and farmers and rather allowing party executives and apparatchiks to hoard, use and or sell inputs meant for production to their benefit and accumulate wealth.



He cited examples such as outboard motors and premix fuel for fishermen and fertilisers for farmers being kept by party chairmen and smuggled out of the country for profits.



The NDC 2024 flag bearer, therefore, pledged to nip such activities in the bud if voted into office saying that the NDC had a proven track record under the late President John Evans Atta-Mills who established landing committees to the benefit of fisher folks.

Source: graphiconline









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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For the first time, scientists have seen a dead star that exploded in a supernova continue to behave as if it were still alive. After its death, it found itself in the orbit of a companion star and absorbed its gas.

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This is the subject of two separate studies, one of which was published in The Astrophysical Journal and the other appeared in the scientific journal Nature. It is known that when a star becomes a supernova, its explosion spews light and energy throughout the universe, upsetting the delicate cosmic balance in the star system. Eventually, such a star turns into a neutron star or a black hole, two types of dense objects that were once the core of a massive star.

However, scientists have only guessed at what exactly happens to a star during the transition period immediately after a supernova flare. Now they have an answer.

In 2023, a team of researchers led by astrophysicist Thomas Moore of Queen's University Belfast observed a supernova explosion in the galaxy NGC 157. They noticed that the bright light from the explosion faded as expected but then continued to flash at regular intervals, gradually dimming.

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In parallel, another team of scientists also saw this phenomenon, but through infrared telescopes. Astrophysicist Ping Chen of the Weizmann Institute in Israel and his team were trying to measure how hydrogen gas flows in and around the central supernova explosion for their study. It was then that they noticed that bursts of hydrogen gas movement coincided with flashing flashes of light, and with powerful bursts of gamma rays.

According to Inverse, Chen believes they were observing a neutron star or black hole at the heart of a supernova, which is part of a binary pair of stars orbiting a common center of gravity. The bright flashes of light that Moore and his team saw, as well as the gamma-ray bursts that Chen and the team saw, could have been caused by hydrogen gas falling onto the extremely dense remnants of the dead star.

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Scientists know that the most massive stars in the Universe often form pairs with a common center of gravity. But the tendency of such stars to die explosively usually leads to a sad fate for the "partner."

Chen noted that in most cases, a supernova explosion "destroys a binary system." This means that the exploded star throws most of its mass into space, so the core that remains after the explosion no longer has the gravitational force to keep the companion star close. So this companion will most likely just be ejected into space.

But in the case observed by both groups of scientists, something surprising happened. Moore suggests that the supernova explosion spawned a neutron star, pushing it into a dangerously close orbit around the surviving companion star. As a result, a strange tandem was formed in which the neutron star circling the companion snatches pieces of gas from its outer layers with each pass. In effect, the dead star is stealing pieces of its own shed skin and eating them.

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Neither Chen's team nor Moore and his colleagues can see the core of the dead star and say for sure whether it is a black hole or a neutron star. The reason for this is that this core is hidden by the light of its satellite and a cloud of hot gas released by the supernova.

Scientists hope that they will be able to unravel the mystery of what they saw in the future when they observe new supernova explosions with more powerful telescopes that will allow them to better see the flow of hydrogen during these events and estimate how massive the dead stellar core is. It is the answer to the latter question that will help determine whether a black hole or a neutron star has formed.

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Federal prosecutors arrested a Berks County man on Thursday in connection with the Jan. 6 riots and accused him of being part of a mob that penetrated the U.S. Capitol.

Prosecutors say Ian MacBride, 43, of Douglassville, entered the Capitol five minutes after the initial breech while sirens were still blaring and shattered glass covered the floor.

They say he brought battle flags, stayed inside for 21 minutes and stole an area closed sign that he later hung up in his basement bar at his home.

I dont regret my part in occupying the building, he posted on social media in the days following the riots, according to prosecutors.

According to court documents:

MacBride was identified in and around the Capitol building and grounds on Jan. 6. At 2:17 p.m., MacBride scaled the northwest stairs with other rioters and approached the exterior of the Senate Wing door.

Prosecutors say Ian MacBride is the man in the red hat in the red circle.Department of Justice

MacBride then entered the building via the Senate Wing door at 2:18 p.m. After entering the building, MacBride turned north and walked into a large, circular room known as the Crypt, where he joined a mob amassing against a thin line of Capitol police officers. At 2:25 p.m., the rioters in the Crypt overran the line of officers blocking their path, allowing the crowd to fill the remainder of the room and access the Memorial Door staircase leading to the second floor where the Senate and House Chambers were located.

MacBride followed the crowd into a doorway and eventually toward the Memorial Door staircase. Police officers then led MacBride and other rioters east to the Memorial Doors, where MacBride exited the building at 2:39 p.m.

Investigators say they found social media posts by MacBride that referred to a fictional country referenced in online alt-right political discourse. MacBride had a flag representing that fictional country displayed in his basement bar along with a Trump 2020 flag and the stolen area closed sign, according to court documents.

Hung my Capitol battle flags and ill gotten Area Closed sign up in my bar tonight, MacBride posted on social media, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors say a stolen sign from the Capitol was posted in Ian MacBride's basement bar.Department of Justice

In the days before the riots, prosecutors say MacBride posted on social media: Im coming to DC on the 6th and Ill see you (gay slur) in DC tomorrow, along with a reference to an Italian disco song referenced in alt-right online forums as the national anthem of the fictional country.

The morning of the riots, prosecutors say MacBride posted: 6 buses full of Patriots coming in hot! Lets do this!

Prosecutors say MacBride posted comments on social media in late December that if Pence did not act, violent action would be necessary to prevent certifying the election.

So enlighten us. What are we going to do on the 6th to change the outcome of this? Are you coming in hot, guns blazing? If not, youre not doing (expletive) and youre stuck relying on Pence. MacBride also posted: We will literally drag them out of the Capitol and shove broom sticks up their asses. Dont (expletive) push us.

Prosecutors included this photo of Ian MacBride at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.Department of Justice

Investigators visited MacBride at his place of business in Eleverson, Pa. to identify him. They say he was the same man in the social media accounts and the man in images wearing a green jacket and MAGA red hat during the riots carrying a flagpole with a blue Trump flag and a green flag for the fictional country.

MacBride was charged in Washington D.C. with a felony: obstruction of an official proceeding and the following misdemeanors: entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, theft of government property, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.

He appeared in court in Pennsylvanias Eastern District Thursday. It was not clear whether or where he was jailed.

A Department of Justice news release said the 36 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,265 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 440 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing.
A school district in Allegheny County cut ties with a security company after a school security guard who was employed by the company was accused of having sex with a student.

The action to accept the resignation of the Homeland Intelligence and Protective Services company came one month after the news first surfaced in the McKeesport School District.

Alexis Brown, 24, of McKeesport, was charged Jan. 8 with having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old. male student and having a stolen gun.

Police say they determined Brown initiated the sexual relationship by contacting him on Facebook, saying she had a bet with her friends over who could have sex with him first, both WPXI and WTAJ reported.

A search warrant was also granted for Browns house, where a 9mm pistol that was reported stolen out of Pittsburgh was recovered, WTAJ reported.

Additionally, the relationship resulted in Brown becoming pregnant.

Unfortunately, as one of the board members said, there are things we can control and things we cannot control. What individuals do is on the individual, District Solicitor Gary Matta said to WPXI.

Brown is now facing charges of institutional sexual assault, corruption of minors, unlawful contact with minors and receiving stolen property regarding the gun.

She has a preliminary hearing set for Jan. 29, WTAJ reported.

While the district interviews for replacement companies, Homeland Intelligence and Protective Services will stay on for up to 60 days.

All of those guards have the appropriate certifications and approvals. Weve reviewed all those. Our chief has vetted those to make sure they are accurate, Matta said to WPXI.

A new company is expected to be chosen by February.
A Navy veteran and Harrisburg community activist is entering the crowded field of candidates pursuing the Democratic nomination in the April 23 primary for a seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives representing parts of Dauphin and Cumberland counties.

Laura Harding, a 45-year-old Camp Hill native who resides in Harrisburg, announced her candidacy for the Democratic nomination for the 103rd state House District seat that is being vacated by Democratic Rep. Patty Kim, who is running the Senate seat. That seat has been occupied by two-term incumbent Sen. John DiSanto who has decided not to seek re-election.

Harding joins Democratic legislative staffer Nathan Davidson, Camp Hill Borough Council member Mercedes Evans, longtime CEO of the YWCA of Greater Harrisburg Tina Nixon, and Senate Democratic staffer Jesse Monoski in the field of candidates pursuing their partys nomination.

Having lived on the West Shore for 10 years and now being a Harrisburg resident for the last 20 years, Harding said she believes she is well suited to represent the interests of people living on both sides of the Susquehanna as well as their unique differences.

I can really connect the best on the issues that this district needs, said Harding, who has a degree in public policy from Penn State Harrisburg and served as a legislative fellow in the House. While in that role, she helped draft legislation that became law to expand the Pennsylvania State Animal Response Team as her final project.

On her website, she lists criminal justice reform, economic reform, education equity and public health, public transportation and infrastructure investment, tax reform and wages and working conditions as her top areas of concern.

Harding served six years of active duty in the Navy and.now works as a self-employed consultant and researcher. She has been active in the Harrisburg community serving as president of the Camp Curtin Neighborhoods United, a nonprofit serving the Uptown and Camp Curtin neighborhoods. She was appointed to the Act 141 Advisory Committee and the William Penn High School Task Force for the citys school district. This is her inaugural run for an elective office.

The 103rd House District includes parts of Harrisburg, Camp Hill, Lemoyne, Wormleysburg and East Pennsboro Township.

Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on X at @JanMurphy.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a celebration of the civil rights leaders contributions and to honor his legacy.

The day is celebrated on the third Monday in January. This year that is Jan. 15.

Kings birthday is Jan. 15, 1929.

According to thekingcenter.org, the day should be celebrated with community service - a day on, not a day off.

The historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on Aug. 28 in 1963 was where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic I Have a Dream speech at the Lincoln Memorial. King received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his nonviolent campaign against racism.

He was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee, by James Earl Ray.

Heres a rundown of what we were able to determine regarding whats closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024.

Banks: Closed.

Capital Area Transit : Will operate on a regular schedule. Will operate on a regular schedule.

County offices: Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon and York county offices and courts are closed. Perry County offices and courts are open.

Federal courts: closed.

Libraries: Dauphin County Library System is closed. Amelia Givin, Bosler and New Cumberland libraries in the Cumberland County Library System are closed. Lebanon County Library System, Hershey Public Library and Middletown Public Library will be open.

Liquor stores: Stores that are normally open on Mondays will be open regular hours.

Municipal government: If you have municipal business to attend to, call first. Those closed include Camp Hill, Carlisle, Harrisburg, Hummelstown, Middletown and Palmyra.

PA Media Group: PennLive/Patriot-News business offices are closed.

Parking in Harrisburg: Free.

PennDOT: Pa. Department of Transportation Driver License and Photo License Centers statewide will be closed Jan. 13 and 15.

Post office : Closed

Public schools: Most closed for students including Camp Hill, Carlisle, Central Dauphin, Derry Twp., East Pennsboro, Greenwood, Harrisburg, Lower Dauphin, Mechanicsburg, Millersburg, Newport, Northern York, Palmyra, Susquehanna Township, Susquenita, Upper Dauphin, West Perry and West Shore.

rabbittransit : Will operate on a regular schedule.

Retail stores, supermarkets : open.

State government : closed.

Trash collection: Most trash haulers do not observe the holiday and will collect on normal schedules.

READ MORE: Who will carry the mantle of the Rev. Martin Luther King today? | Social Views
Nothing Bundt Cakes is baking up a second Harrisburg-area location.

Franchise owner Karyn Reber-Hummer said a shop will open this summer at the former Hallmark store at 5076 Jonestown Road at the Colonial Commons shopping center in Lower Paxton Township. (The Hallmark store closed last summer.)

We are just so excited about that spot. Its just so cute and quaint and it just fits what were about, she said.

Reber-Hummer opened a Nothing Bundt Cakes last year at 3540 Gettysburg Road in Lower Allen Township near Trader Joes. The former Agora Cyber Charter School administrator said she became hooked on Nothing Bundt Cakes when she visited one of the stores in Philadelphia.

The feeling is like being in a Hallmark movie, she said. It is so quaint and gives you a family-owned vibe. Its just a happy feeling.

The chain originated in Las Vegas when in 1997 Dena Tripp and Debbie Shwetz started a small baking business in their home kitchens. It has grown to more than 535 franchised and corporate bakeries in 40-plus states and Canada.

Nothing Bundt Cakes specializes in a modern twist to the nostalgic bundt cake, which are baked on the premises and custom decorated, including multi-tiered cakes to suit any occasion.

It carries three sizes of bundt cakes in nearly a dozen flavors including red velvet, chocolate chocolate chip, lemon, strawberries and cream and confetti, all crowned with a signature cream cheese frosting. Sizes range from bite-sized bundtinis and miniature bundlets to larger 8- and 10-inch cakes.

Reber-Hummer said the new 3,700 square-foot shop will accommodate her growing business that has expanded to include vendors for weddings and other events, as well as pop-up shops at local hospitals.
With the advent of a new year comes new opportunities.

Some of these said opportunities come in the form of restaurants that you, reader, could very well try out, one of which is located in Pennsylvania and has come recommended by USA Today.

USA Today asked food and travel experts to nominate 20 of their favorite new eateries that opened in the past year for the purposes of this list. Readers were then asked to vote for their top picks, and the winners were chosen from there.

The result was 10 best new restaurants in the US that you need to try in 2024, which featured Philadelphia-based Kiddo in the fifth slot.

Philadelphias Kiddo Restaurant highlights the agricultural bounty of Pennsylvania, featuring vegetable-focused cuisine made with seasonal produce, reads the USA Today article.

Come to the Washington Square eatery to sample spinach and ricotta rotolo or the elegant coriander-crusted duck breast with pear, sorrel, and hazelnuts, or visit for brunch to indulge in sourdough Dutch baby pancakes with pears and maple syrup.

Indeed, the restaurants website expounds upon their menus showing off Pennsylvanias agricultural bounty, emphasizing that the dishes they create are vegetable-forward as well as with seasonal produce.

Kiddo is just another one of many restaurants being recognized in the City of Brotherly Love: PennLive has previously covered how Heavy Metal Sausage Co. and Pietramala were lauded by Bon Appetit as some of the best to come out of 2023, and a pizza joint was listed among the U.S.s overall best.

Not bad, Philadelphia, not bad.
Some people choose to be buried during their funeral. Some cremated.

This man from Pennsylvania, though, decided to shoot for the moon and land among the stars.

The York Daily Record reports how David Gardner  a York, York County resident originally from Cleveland, Ohio  had been a lifelong lover of astronomy and space. So much so, in fact, that he and his wife, Jean Patz Gardner, went to Adult Space Camp in Huntsville, Ala., for their honeymoon.

I cant count the number of times he said he wished he couldve been an astronaut and wished he could go to space, tells Jean to the publication.

The York Daily Record continues to report how David suddenly passed away of a sudden heart attack a few months after the couples 30th anniversary at the age of 67. After his passing, Jean came upon a company named Celestis which offers space funerals and  with the launch of the Peregrine Lander this past Monday  saw the chance to fulfill her husbands wish.

PennLives Today in Pa. podcast previously covered how Pittsburgh-based Astrobotics was one of several companies vying for a moon landing (the first attempted U.S. moon landing, actually, since the Apollo missions in the 1970s).

The landing, later reported by the Associated Press, ended up not being successful due to a fuel leak. However, while the Peregrine Lunar Landers mission is currently on pause, there was another capsule on the rocket that will continue into deep space in order to settle between Earth and Mars.

And that, says the York Daily Record, is where a vial of David ashes will be sent.

David isnt alone, either: Along with the 150 other cremations and DNA samples aboard the capsule  aptly named The Enterprise  are the son of Star Trek creator, Rod Roddenberry, and former actors from the franchise such as James Scotty Doohan. Even the DNA sample of President George Washington was on board.

David so often expressed his wish to go to spacean odd wish for someone afraid of heights, reads Gardners Celestis memorial. Its a privilege to honor his wish on three glints: deep space, lunar surface, and Earth orbital.
Quaker Oats has expanded an extensive list of granola products that are being recalled because of concern about salmonella contamination.

In December, the company recalled more than two dozen granola bars, eight granola cereals and 10 snack mixes.

Today, Quaker Oats added granola bars with fruit and yogurt as well as Capn Crunch cereal bars, some Capn Crunch cereals, oatmeal squares and granola cereals, Capn Crunch oatmeal and Gatorade protein bars.

Quaker Oats said in a U.S. Food and Drug Administration announcement that the products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

The recalled products were sold nationwide as well as in Puerto Rico, Guam and Saipan.

Quaker Oats has said there have been no reports of illnesses related to the products and it has not said how the products may have been contaminated.

The original recall included Quaker Chewy bars in various sizes and flavors; Quaker Chewy Dipps; Quaker Puffed granola and Simply Granola cereal in various flavors and snack bars.

You can see all the products that are recalled here and get information on how to get reimbursed.

Symptoms of salmonella infections include fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

For more information, call Quaker Consumer Relations at 800-492-9322, between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
By Lauren Rosenblatt, The Seattle Times (TNS)

Six Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 passengers have sued Boeing after a large panel blew off the aircraft Friday over Portland, Oregon, causing the cabin to depressurize.

The six passengers and a family member of one of those passengers filed a proposed class-action lawsuit Thursday in King County Superior Court in Seattle, claiming Boeing owes them and the other 165 passengers aboard Flight 1282 compensation for injuries sustained during the incident.

Alaska Airlines is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

One passenger named in the lawsuit said her head jolted back and forth during the incident, resulting in a concussion, soft tissue injuries to her neck and back, and bleeding in one ear. She also alleged that her oxygen mask did not seem to be working.

This photo released by the National Transportation Safety Board shows the door plug from Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Portland, Ore. (National Transportation Safety Board via AP, fileAP

Two passengers named in the lawsuit said they had difficulty breathing. One said they began to pass out.

Another passenger said that because he suffers from a seizure disorder triggered by stressful situations, he experienced a seizure after he disembarked.

Although everyone is glad that the blowout occurred while the crew could still manage to land the aircraft safely, this nightmare experience has caused economic, physical and ongoing emotional consequences that have understandably deeply affected our clients, and is one more disturbing mark on the troubled 737-MAX series aircraft, attorney Daniel Laurence from Stritmatter Kessler Koehler Moore law firm, which is representing the passengers, wrote in a statement Thursday.

The Alaska Airlines flight was operating a Boeing 737 MAX 9, the less popular of two MAX models currently carrying passengers, when a door plug meant to cover a hole where an emergency exit could be installed broke loose. The plane returned safely to Portland International Airport, where some passengers were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The Federal Aviation Administration grounded that model of the MAX on Saturday. The planes will remain grounded until they are inspected, following a set of instructions from Boeing that must be approved by the FAA.

Boeing declined to comment on the lawsuit Thursday.

The company has said in statements earlier this week that it supports the FAAs decision to ground the 737 MAX 9 and that it is committed to ensuring every Boeing airplane meets design specifications and the highest safety and quality standards.

We regret the impact this has had on our customers and their passengers, Boeing said Monday.

The National Transportation Safety Board investigates a Boeing 737-9 MAX after the left door plug on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 slid off its hinges, disconnected from the fuselage and blew off the airplane mid-flight above the Portland-metro area on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024. (NTSB, file)National Transportation Safety Board

The lawsuit filed Thursday pins the blame on Boeing because, it alleges, CEO Dave Calhoun admitted the blowout was a result of Boeings mistake.

Attorneys representing the passengers pointed to an all-employee meeting Boeing held Tuesday during which Calhoun told workers were going to approach this No. 1 acknowledging our mistake.

We are going to approach it with 100% in complete transparency every step of the way, he continued

Moments like this shake (customers) to the bone, just like it shook me to the bone, Calhoun said.

The proposed class for the lawsuit includes the 171 passengers on board Flight 1282, as well as their spouses and registered domestic partners. Some reside in Washington.

The plaintiffs are asking for compensation related to treatment for health conditions and psychological injuries, as well as costs from the cancellation of travel plans and missed work and the value of lost personal items.

The lawsuit comes the same day the FAA announced it had opened an investigation into Boeings role in the Friday blowout.

After the plane landed in Portland on Friday, some passengers were rebooked on a new flight to continue the journey to Ontario, California, the original destination of Flight 1282. Other passengers had no interest in reboarding, the lawsuit said.

According to the lawsuit, those who continued to California that night boarded another Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9.
Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Debra Todd on Thursday officially welcomed Justice Daniel D. McCaffery as a member of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania following his ceremonial swearing-in ceremony.

Surrounded by his children, McCaffery took the oath of office administered by his brother, retired Supreme Court Justice Seamus McCaffery, according to a press release. McCaffery and his brother are the only two siblings to have served on the court in its 302-year history.

This is a joyous and momentous occasion, Todd said. Justice McCaffery is eminently qualified to assume his position on the oldest Supreme Court in America. No one has worked harder to join our ranks and I have every confidence he will be a tremendous addition to the Court.

McCaffery is the 179th member to serve on the Court and the 16th Superior Court judge elected to the Supreme Court.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, McCaffery is the son of immigrants from Belfast in Northern Ireland. He attended Father Judge High School and following graduation, enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving with the First Cavalry Division. From active duty, he was one of a select few chosen to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point Prep School before being honorably discharged and continuing his service with the Army Reserve, 304th Civil Affairs Unit.

He spent years in the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office serving as an assistant district attorney in the Major Trials Unit, where he prosecuted more than 50 jury trials and one thousand bench trials.

McCaffery was elected to the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas in 2013. Six years later, he was elected to the Superior Court in 2019  one of two intermediate appellate courts in the state and the busiest court of its kind in the nation, where he served until his installation on the high court, according to the release. In addition to his time on the intermediate appellate bench, he was selected by the Supreme Court to serve on the states Court of Judicial Discipline.

McCaffery received his bachelors degree in broadcasting, telecommunications and mass media from Temple University in 1988 and his Juris Doctorate from the Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law in 1991. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Montgomery County Bar Association, the Philadelphia Bar Association, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Brehon Law Society, and the Philadelphia Emerald Society.
The wave of accidents that have left entire cities in Russia without heating has reached Karelia, and residents of several settlements there are currently experiencing freezing temperatures. The cause of the thermal 'collapse' is the operation of dozens of heat supply sources in Karelia by units of the housing and communal department subordinated to the Russian Ministry of Defense.

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Under the 'effective management' of Shoigu's department, which decided to cut costs on solid fuel for boiler houses in Karelia, residents were left without heating and, in most cases, without a hot water supply. OBOZ.UA obtained this information from its sources.

The 39 boiler houses in Karelia are operated by separate units of the housing and communal service of the 7th branch of the federal state budgetary institution "Central Housing and Communal Administration" from St. Petersburg. It is subordinated to the Russian Ministry of Defense and belongs to the Western Military District. The vast majority of these boiler houses, specifically 34 out of 39, run on solid fuel.

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The Russian Defense Ministry purchases watered-down, frozen coal dust for these boiler houses, making it impossible to ensure the established parameters of the coolant at the outlet of the boilers.

According to our sources, the most critical situation is at two heat supply sources in the village of Chalna-1 in the Prionezhsky district of Karelia. The lack of quality coal and the shortage of personnel make it impossible to comply with the temperature schedule at the heating sources.

As a result, the living quarters do not meet sanitary requirements for the microclimate, and the temperature in them is kept at 11-13 degrees. This is not the first time such problems have occurred there.

Sources claim that the head of the administration of the Prionezh municipal district sent an appeal to the military prosecutor's office on this matter, but there has been no response or correction of the situation since then. On January 4, a "high alert regime" was introduced in the municipality.

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Local residents of Suojarvi and Pitkaranta are also suffering from the cold. In Suojarvi, people complain about the lack of heating and water in a large part of the city. Numerous complaints have been filed not only about cold or barely warm pipes but also about freezing water and sewage pipes.

Karelian officials admit that there is a problem with the freezing of risers and basements, resulting in the freezing of pipes. As a solution, residents of problematic houses are advised to spend money on insulating basements and pipes.

In Pitkaranta, residents of a part of the city have completely forgotten about heating in their apartments, while others complain about barely warm radiators and a lack of hot water. The city authorities mention that "Petersburgteploenergo is working on cleaning the heat carrier, and in this regard, the temperature parameters have been reduced throughout the city." However, the promised deadlines for restoring the temperature regime in the apartments of Karelia residents have been violated.

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Earlier, OBOZ.UA reported that heating systems in Russian cities are failing en masse. Accidents are recorded both in regions remote from Moscow, including Novosibirsk, and in a number of settlements in the Moscow region, where batteries burst due to a lack of heating, and Russians warm themselves by fires.

Last year, Russian propagandists threatened to "freeze" Ukraine and "predicted" that Europe would freeze. This year, in the confrontation with "General Frost," Russia itself has suffered losses: recently, it became known that a navy captain froze to death in his own home due to a utility accident. Russian Z-blogger Fighterbomber called on Russians to bring firewood to the Millerovo military airfield in the Rostov region because Russian pilots are freezing there, and a missile warning center responsible for Russian nuclear strikes froze in the Moscow region.

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The head of the Pennsylvania State Freedom Caucus is vying for the state Senate seat that represents Cumberland and York counties.

Rep. Dawn Keefer has announced she is running for the Republican nomination in the race for the 31st District, currently held by Sen. Mike Regan.

Regan has announced he will not seek re-election.

The 31st District seat has a fairly strong GOP edge, based on election results from 2016 through 2020.

Keefer, chair of the Pennsylvania State Freedom Caucus in the House of Representatives, has been an advocate for limited government.

As (s)tate (r)epresentative, I have led the fight for commonsense policies that remove government as a barrier to economic growth in our Commonwealth, Keefer said.

Pennsylvania is ripe with opportunity, but the states economic policies too often undermine those opportunities, driving away businesses and the talent they attract. Thats why I have championed policies to remove nuisance tax rules, lower the corporate net income tax, and stop licensing expansion. We want our children to choose Pennsylvania as their destination to work and live, and if we dont secure businesses offering highly sought-after jobs, well continue to decline in population as our youth flee to more competitive states.

Democrat Mark Temons is running for his partys nomination for the Senate seat. A longtime community advocate, Temons is a carpenter who works for a nonprofit that designs home improvement projects for accessibility.

I believe that leadership begins with listening. We need more listeners in the Pennsylvania Senate. We need more builders in the Pennsylvania Senate. Thats how we make our shared vision a reality and build a Pennsylvania that works for all of us, said Temons in a YouTube campaign video.

Keefer is now in her fourth term representing the 92nd House District in northern York County.

Keefer received one of the highest scores awarded by the Conservative Political Action Committee (CPAC) in their Award for Conservative Excellence.

Among her priorities, controlling state spending and restricting abortion rights and ending sanctuary status for cities and counties in Pennsylvania.

Keefer lives in Dillsburg with her husband Tom and their three children.

The Pennsylvania primary is April 23.

The 31st senatorial district includes Lower Allen and Upper Allen townships and Lemoyne, Mechanicsburg, New Cumberland and Shiremanstown in Cumberland County. It also encompasses York as well as Carroll, Conewago, Dover, East Manchester, Fairview, Franklin, Manchester, Monaghan, Newberry, Warrington, Washington and West Manchester townships and Dillsburg, Dover, Franklintown, Goldsboro, Lewisberry, Manchester, Mount Wolf, Wellsville, West York and York Haven.
The decades-long D.B. Cooper mystery has a Pennsylvania connection that might have finally led to the culprit after more than 52 years, according to an amateur investigator.

Eric Ulis recently told the Fox news station in Seattle that he has pinpointed links between three microscopic particles found on Coopers clip-on tie and a Pittsburgh-area steel plant, Popular Mechanics reported.

Ulis said the particles were unique in that they contained titanium and stainless steel. The FBI has closed the case and stopped searching for Cooper, but the case has taken on mythic proportions and spurred countless sleuths, conspiracies and TV programs.

The black tie, bought for $1.49 from JCPenney around Christmas in 1964, was left behind on the seat of the Seattle-bound Northwest Orient Airlines passenger plane that Cooper highjacked on Nov. 24, 1971, in Portland, Ore.

Cooper received $200,000 in ransom and allowed passengers to leave once the plane landed in Seattle. He demanded that the plane fly to Mexico City, but he disappeared after opening the planes rear staircase over southern Washington and parachuting out with the money.

Police have said the highjacker used the alias Dan Cooper to buy his ticket and the media mislabeled him D.B. Cooper.

Over 100,000 particles were found on the tie, which the FBI refuses to release, Ulis told the news station. However, he has used FBI records to trace one to now-defunct Crucible Steel, which was a Boeing subcontractor at the time.

The U.S. Sun reported that the subcontractor produced specialty metals used in airline manufacturing and employees would frequently make the trip to Boeings plant in Seattle.

Ulis told the Sun that he spoke with a former Crucible employee who said colleague Vincent Petersen matched the physical description of Cooper. Zeroing in on Petersen, Ulis said he learned that Petersen frequently traveled to Seattle to visit Boeing.

Petersen, a titanium research engineer, died in 2002 and Ulis said that his son has rejected the theory that his dad was Cooper.
MULLAN, Idaho (AP)  Two men were resecued after being caught in an avalanche in the Idaho back country, while a third man was believed to be dead.

The Shoshone County Sheriffs Office says a rescue began shortly before 3 p.m. Thursday when law enforcement received a GPS alert of a possible fatality in an avalanche near Stevens Peak, close to the Montana border.

The sheriffs office says authorities established communications and located two men caught in the avalanche. A discussion with the men led authorites to believe a third man had died.

Authorities called off the search Thursday and planned to resume looking for the deceased man on Friday.

The Idaho search came a day after an avalanche hit a ski resort near Lake Tahoe in California, trapping several people and killing one.

A storm blanketed the area Wednesday when the avalanche hit around 9:30 a.m. on an expert black diamond run served by the famous KT-22 lift at Palisades Tahoe.

The Placer County Sheriffs Office identified the person killed as Kenneth Kidd, a resident of nearby Truckee and Point Reyes. Three others were hurt.

A second avalanche was reported in the Lake Tahoe area Thursday. Nobody was hurt in the snowslide at Alpine Meadows.
Walter Gillespie poses for a photo in his apartment in Saint John, N.B., on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. A week ago, New Brunswick Court of Kings Bench Chief Justice Tracey DeWare acquitted Gillespie and his friend Robert Mailman, 76, of the 1983 murder of George Gilman Leeman in Saint John. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Hina Alam
Russia, despite its huge losses in the war against Ukraine, is able to conduct regular rotations at the operational level. This is evidenced by the current concentration of all its combat-ready ground units at the front and efforts to build new forces.

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The enemy's ability to conduct rotations may allow it to maintain the overall pace of local offensives in the east, but it does not guarantee that this will always be the case along the entire front line. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) analyzed the dangers of this.

Recently, the Deputy Head of the Ukrainian Main Intelligence Directorate, Major General Vadym Skibitskyi, said that Russian forces have 462,000 troops in Ukraine, and this is the entire ground component of the Russian Armed Forces. According to him, most of the Russian units in Ukraine are manned at the level of 92-95% of the planned final number, and the size of the grouping allows the enemy to rotate along the entire front.

Skibitskyi noted that Russian troops withdraw to the rear areas units that are 50% or less of the planned final number and return them to the front after restoration and replenishment.

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At the same time, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev claimed that the Russian military had "successfully replenished" its forces in Ukraine through a long-running covert mobilization effort that resulted in more than 500,000 new troops in 2023.

The ISW noted that it observed Russia's usual attempts to rotate at the operational level from the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022 until the Ukrainian counteroffensive in the summer of 2023.

"Russia's apparent ability to generate forces at a rate equal to its losses likely gives its troops the ability to replenish units that commanders have withdrawn from the front line due to degradation and then return them to the front. Russian forces retain the initiative throughout eastern Ukraine, and the absence of Ukrainian counteroffensives is likely to remove the pressure on rapid deployment that has previously partially limited the Russians' ability to rotate," the analysts said.

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But at the same time, they emphasized that the Russian Armed Forces did not seize the initiative on the battlefield in Kherson region, their units and formations operating near the Ukrainian bridgehead on the left bank of the Dnipro River are degrading, making no visible efforts to rotate at the operational level (although they appear to be rotating at the tactical level). Since the beginning of October 2023, Russian troops have conducted several regroupings during local offensives on the Avdiivka, Bakhmut, Lyman, and Kupiansk directions, which likely gave Russia time to conduct the rotations mentioned by Skibitsky. However, ISW has not observed any large-scale complaints from Russia about the lack of rotation on the front since the summer of 2023, and the overall pace of Russian operations is consistent with the reports of the Security Service of Ukraine representative.

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"Russia's ability to rotate at the operational level will likely allow Russian forces to maintain the overall pace of their localized offensive operations in eastern Ukraine in the near future, but it is unclear whether Russian forces will be able to conduct effective rotations in the longer term or in the future in the event of an intensification of their offensive efforts or a significant Ukrainian counteroffensive," the analysts say.

In their opinion, the operational rotation of the Russian army in principle mitigates the degradation of the attacking occupation forces, which can subsequently lead to the culmination of the aggressor's offensive efforts. Several other operational factors have contributed to this in the past, but the limited availability of manpower and combat-ready units of the Russian Armed Forces has often been the main factor. Russian troops mainly conduct heavy infantry attacks in Ukraine using assault groups, which do not necessarily require a large amount of equipment or a high level of soldier training. Thus, Russia makes up for its losses in Ukraine with poorly trained and relatively ineffective personnel, whom the command considers sufficient for conventional, exhausting frontal attacks.

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"These offensives have yet to lead to more than minor Russian successes in Ukraine since early October 2023, and it is unlikely that Russian forces will be able to continue indefinitely to be able to convert tactical successes into operationally meaningful results. Successful Russian offensives will require the command to allocate relatively combat-ready and well-equipped units and formations for large-scale operations, and it is unclear whether these operational rotations will be sufficient to maintain unit combat capability," ISW noted.

They believe that overall, Russian combat capabilities in Ukraine may still degrade over time, so despite the rotation, this limits the ability of the Russian Armed Forces to conduct several important offensive operations simultaneously.

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In addition, the Russian military could also suffer losses that exceed Russia's ability to generate new forces if the command decides to intensify its offensive efforts, thereby limiting the human resources available to replenish degraded units and formations. Intensification of Russian offensive efforts will bring more elements to the front line and put pressure on the number of existing forces that can take control of the degraded unit's area of responsibility while it rests and recovers.

"It is unclear whether Russia's current covert mobilization campaign, which relies heavily on volunteer recruitment and the forced mobilization of convicts and migrants, will be able to provide the increase in personnel needed to rotate during the intensification of Russian offensive efforts," the ISW concluded.

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As reported by OBOZ.UA, Russia often recalls World War II to justify its war against Ukraine and the mobilization of Russians to the front. The Institute for War Studies explained why such a comparison of the aggressor country is unfounded.

Only verifiedinformation is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
President Xi Jinpings Special Representative, Member of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau and Vice Premier of the State Council Liu Guozhong will attend the 19th Non-Aligned Movement Summit and the Third South Summit in Uganda and visit Algeria, Cameroon and Tanzania upon invitation from January 15 to 24.



China News Service: To follow up on your announcement of the trip of Special Representative of President Xi Jinping and Vice Premier of the State Council Liu Guozhong, can you share more details?



Mao Ning: The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) is a platform that brings developing countries together for seeking strength and opposing imperialism, hegemony and colonialism. The South Summit is the highest-level meeting of G77 and an influential international meeting in South-South cooperation. President of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has sent several letters to invite President Xi Jinping to the 19th NAM Summit and the third South Summit. China, as the biggest developing country, is a natural partner of NAM and member of the Global South. For greater solidarity and cooperation among developing countries, Vice Premier Liu Guozhong will attend the two Summits as the Special Representative of President Xi Jinping. China and Africa belong to a community with a shared future. Algeria, Cameroon and Tanzania are important countries in Africa. China stands ready to take this visit as an opportunity to work with the rest of the vast developing world, including African countries, to advance the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, champion an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, strive toward building a community with a shared future for mankind, and write a new chapter of developing countries upholding independence and seeking strength through solidarity.

CCTV: Its reported that President Xi Jinping has recently replied to a letter from Ms. Sarah Lande, a friend from Iowa of the United States. In 1985, Xi Jinping, then Party Secretary of Zhengding County in Hebei Province, led a delegation to visit Iowa and Ms. Lande was one of the organizers of this visit. Could you share with us more about the reply?



Mao Ning: As you described, the letter is part of the story about a friendship that has lasted nearly 40 years. Back in 2022, President Xi also replied to a letter from Ms. Sarah Lande. He recalled his two trips to Iowa and stressed that the Chinese and American people are both great people and our friendship is a valuable asset and an important foundation for bilateral relations. Last November, President Xi addressed the welcome dinner by friendly organizations in the US. Ms. Lande attended the dinner as an invited guest. In her latest letter to President Xi, she said President Xis remarks at the dinner were welcomed by all with springing hope, and she was excited for the plan to invite 50,000 young Americans to China on exchange and study programs in the next five years. She hoped the two countries will work together to address critical issues of the day for the common humanity of the world.

On January 4, President Xi replied to her letter. He stressed that the achievements made by the two countries are attributable, first and foremost, to the common efforts of people in both countries, and the further growth of the relationship cannot do without the contribution of the two peoples. He mentioned that the future of the China-US relationship depends on the youth, and he launched the program of inviting young Americans to China in the hope that more young people from the US could visit China, see the country with their own eyes, listen with their own ears, travel the expanse of the country with their own feet, and build more bridges of mutual understanding and amity between the two peoples.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of China-US diplomatic ties. Over the past 45 years, it is the reaching out to each other by our peoples that has time and again brought China-US relations from a low ebb back onto the right track and made it possible for the relationship to move forward despite the many storms it has experienced. As stressed by President Xi in his reply, the future of our planet requires us to stabilize and improve the China-US relationship, and China is ready to work with the US to promote stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-US relations.

Global Times: Its reported that with Chinas facilitation, Myanmar military held a new round of peace talks with ethnic armed groups in northern Myanmar, namely the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, the Taang National Liberation Army and the Arakan Army, in Kunming. Can you brief us on the peace talks?



Mao Ning: From January 10 to 11, with Chinas mediation and effort to drive progress, representatives of the Myanmar military and the three ethnic armed groups in northern Myanmar, namely the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, the Taang National Liberation Army and the Arakan Army, held peace talks and officially reached a ceasefire agreement in Kunming of Chinas Yunnan Province. The two sides agreed to implement the ceasefire immediately, the military personnel will disengage and the two sides will address relevant disputes and concerns through peaceful negotiation. The two sides promised not to undermine the safety of Chinese people living in the border area and Chinese projects and personnel in Myanmar. The two sides had consultations on ceasefire arrangement and other matters.

Maintaining the momentum of ceasefire and peace talks in northern Myanmar serves the interests of all parties in Myanmar and is conducive to keeping the China-Myanmar border area peaceful and stable. China hopes that relevant parties in Myanmar will earnestly implement the already reached ceasefire agreement, exercise maximum restraint toward each other, continue to address the issues through dialogue and consultation and together strive for progress in the peace process in northern Myanmar. China stands ready to continue to provide support and assistance to the best of our capability and play a constructive role to this end.

RIA Novosti: The Pentagon published its National Defense Industrial Strategy Report on Thursday, in which it proposed collaborating with countries in the Indo-Pacific to build up a strong defense industrial base and production capability to prepare for any potential future conflict in the region using the global experience of the Ukraine conflict. An effort to strengthen cooperation between the United States and its allies in the Indo-Pacific region should not wait for emergency circumstances, the report said. Whats Chinas comment on this?

Mao Ning: As the worlds No.1 military power with the highest military expenditure, the US lacks not in the capacity to launch wars, but the capacity to make and uphold peace. Peace and development is the shared pursuit of Asia-Pacific countries. The US needs to respect the call of countries in the region, do more things that are conducive to peace and stability, and refrain from introducing bloc confrontation, conflict and turmoil to the Asia-Pacific.

CRI: Recently the National Security Council of the White House held a press call on Taiwan elections via teleconference. An anonymous official from the White House said that the US is committed to the one-China policy, does not support Taiwan independence and supports cross-Strait dialogue. The official added that the US does not take a position on the ultimate resolution of cross-Strait differences, provided they are resolved peacefully. What is your comment on this?

Mao Ning: We noted the remarks of the US official. The one-China principle is a prevailing international consensus and the political foundation of the China-US relationship. Taiwan independence is the biggest threat to cross-Strait peace and stability and is doomed to failure.

US leaders have repeatedly said that they are committed to the one-China policy, do not support Taiwan independence, do not support two Chinas or one China, one Taiwan, and do not seek to use the Taiwan question as a tool to contain China. We hope the US will honor these commitments, handle Taiwan-related issues prudently and properly, stop official interactions with Taiwan, stop sending wrong signals to Taiwan independence separatist forces, and refrain from interfering in the elections of the Taiwan region in any form. If the US truly hopes to safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, it needs to explicitly oppose Taiwan independence and support Chinas peaceful reunification.

NTV: Regarding the election that is going to be held tomorrow, I understand that they have been reiterating that the Taiwan election is a domestic matter, but how do you think that the result of the election will affect the relationship between China and Taiwan?



Mao Ning: The elections of the Taiwan region are Chinas internal affairs. Regardless of the result, it will not change the basic fact that Taiwan is part of China and there is only one China in the world.

Bloomberg: On the question of Myanmar, will you be releasing any further statements or any more details about the ceasefire agreement that has been reached?



Mao Ning: I have talked about the peace talks between the Myanmar military and ethnic armed groups in northern Myanmar held in Kunming. I have no additional information to offer.

Kyodo News: After the Chinese media covered the food poisoning in Fukushima, this topic immediately became a top trending search on Weibo. Although Fukushima clearly stated that it were parasites that caused the poisoning, it was not reported by some Chinese media outlets. Many on Weibo linked the event to Japans discharge of nuclear treated water. Whats your comment?



Mao Ning: I will not comment on whats been said on the Internet. On Fukushimas discharge of nuclear-contaminated water, Chinas position has always been very clear.

Kyodo News: When Chinese and Japanese leaders met in November last year, they discussed holding expert consultations on the ocean discharge of the treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant. Has the agenda of the meeting been decided?



Mao Ning: I have nothing to provide at the moment.

Beijing Daily: We noted that the latest tariff adjustment plan for 2024 announced by China applies provisional import tariff rates lower than the most-favored-nation rates to 1,010 goods and zero tariffs to some products. Given the sluggish global trade, whats the consideration behind Chinas tariff adjustments?

Mao Ning: China announced and implemented the tariff adjustment plan for 2024 and is actively advancing free trade by optimizing the environment for foreign trade. It demonstrates Chinas sense of responsibility as a major country in sharing development dividends with all countries. Since its accession to the WTO, China not only fulfilled its entry commitments but also reduced its overall tariff rate to 7.3 percent in 2023. China has steadily increased its level of trade liberalization and openness.

Despite risks and challenges brought by rising trade protectionism and unilateralism, China will stay committed to high-level opening up, advocate a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization and work with all sides to uphold free trade and the multilateral trade system and energize global economic growth.

AFP: The US launched an attack last night on Houthis in Yemen in retaliation to attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. Whats Chinas position on this issue? And does China support this operation?



Mao Ning: China is concerned about the escalating tension in the Red Sea and calls on relevant parties to exercise calm and restraint to prevent the conflict from escalating. The Red Sea is an important artery for global trade in goods and energy. China calls on relevant parties to play a constructive and responsible role in keeping the Red Sea safe and stable, which serves the common interests of the international community.

Bloomberg: Today the Customs Administration of China said that the Red Sea problem is an issue for Chinese trade this year, and is one of the risk factors for the economy. The actions by the US and the UK may make passage of the Red Sea easier and thus benefit Chinese commerce. Do you think that on balance these actions are good for the Chinese economy and that it will make trade with Europe safer?



Mao Ning: The Red Sea is an important international trade route. We believe it is important to ensure the safety of international sea lanes. We do not want to see tensions escalate in the Red Sea, for it will not be good for the worlds economy and trade.

Bloomberg: Its reported yesterday a number of Chinese vessels in the Red Sea are broadcasting on their AIS transponders that they are Chinese. The AIS transponders, which generally say the destination and the cargo, are now saying we are Chinese ship. Do you have any information about this? And is this something the government has told Chinese vessels to do or is this something that the companies themselves are deciding to do?

Mao Ning: I noted relevant reports but have no specific information. I think it to some extent shows the importance of deescalating the situation in the Red Sea and keeping international shipping lanes safe.

Bloomberg: Has the Chinese government been in touch with the Iranian government or with the Houthis in Yemen directly to discuss the situation of the Red Sea since the attacks this morning?



Mao Ning: I have no information to offer. Were ready to work with parties to deescalate the situation and keep international shipping lanes safe.

Reuters: US think tank, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), has said in a report that Chinas scientific research vessels that have engaged in oil and gas, and marine environmental surveys in the Indian Ocean could be supporting Chinas military needs. The report said Chinese submarines could be called on to support a wide range of missions, ranging from intelligence collection to nuclear deterrence patrols. We would like to seek the Ministrys comment on that report. Could the Ministry offer any information on whether these research vessels and the expeditions are in any way related to military support? Does Chinas military obtain research data from these expeditions?

Mao Ning: I dont see what the report is based on or how it reached those conclusions. What I can tell you is that Chinas scientific marine surveys are conducted in full compliance with the UNCLOS and have contributed to research on ocean science. We hope relevant parties will view Chinas scientific surveys as they are and not through tainted spectacles.

Bloomberg: The Chinese military has a naval base near the Red Sea in Djibouti. Did the US or the UK provide advanced warning to the Chinese navy in the area about the attacks that took place in the Red Sea this morning in the interest of safety?

Mao Ning: I do not have that information. Id refer you to Chinas competent authorities.
Olympic champion Alexander Tikhonov threw a real tantrum after being accused of bribing former International Biathlon Union (IBU) President Andres Besseberg, who headed the organization from 2009 to 2018 and lobbied for Russia's interests. In Norway, a trial on corruption charges has begun against the official, during which he testified against a representative of the Russian Federation.

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In a commentary to Sport24, Tikhonov, who was IBU vice president for seven years, called Besseberg's words that he received jewelry and watches from the Russian a lie. The former biathlete also spoke insultingly about former IBU Secretary General Nicole Resch, whom he also gave gifts to, according to the former head of the IBU.

"Only Putin probably didn't ask me about Besseberg. I called this Nicole Resch a fascist. She hated Russia. When I came in, she did not greet me in silence. They announced a boycott against me when I was the first vice president. Well, what kind of box? There was a box that I bought as a gift for my wife, Mashenka. I showed it to them on purpose so that they would click their teeth. They had nothing else to say. I've never given them anything! Why should I give them anything? For the corruption that Besseberg has created? They are miserly and speculative," Tikhonov said.

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Interestingly, in the early 2000s, he was found guilty of organizing an assassination attempt on the governor of the Kemerovo region, Aman Tuleyev. He hid from Russian justice for four years in Austria, and in 2007 was sentenced to three years, but was released in the courtroom under an amnesty announced in honor of the 55th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany.

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Iranian backed Houthi militants have been attacking vessels in the Red Sea so President Biden authorized strikes against the militants.

The President said in a statement provided to PoliticusUSA:

Today, at my direction, U.S. military forcestogether with the United Kingdom and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlandssuccessfully conducted strikes against a number of targets in Yemen used by Houthi rebels to endanger freedom of navigation in one of the worlds most vital waterways.

These strikes are in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Seaincluding the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history. These attacks have endangered U.S. personnel, civilian mariners, and our partners, jeopardized trade, and threatened freedom of navigation. More than 50 nations have been affected in 27 attacks on international commercial shipping. Crews from more than 20 countries have been threatened or taken hostage in acts of piracy. More than 2,000 ships have been forced to divert thousands of miles to avoid the Red Seawhich can cause weeks of delays in product shipping times. And on January 9, Houthis launched their largest attack to datedirectly targeting American ships.

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The response of the international community to these reckless attacks has been united and resolute. Last month, the United States launched Operation Prosperity Guardiana coalition of more than 20 nations committed to defending international shipping and deterring Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. We also joined more than 40 nations in condemning Houthi threats. Last week, together with 13 allies and partners, we issued an unequivocal warning that Houthi rebels would bear the consequences if their attacks did not cease. And yesterday, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution demanding the Houthis end attacks on merchant and commercial vessels.

Todays defensive action follows this extensive diplomatic campaign and Houthi rebels escalating attacks against commercial vessels. These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the worlds most critical commercial routes. I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.

Trump has never been able to form an international coalition or lead the world on anything. Real toughness isnt bragging and taking credit while isolating the nation and acting alone. Real toughness is getting a coalition of nations together under your leadership to attack a rebel group that is being funded and supported by Iran.

Real US presidents lead the world. Pretenders cuddle up to dictators and beg them for approval.

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During a Georgia Trump RICO case hearing, Fulton County DA Fani Willis debunked Trumps claim that her office conspired with the 1/6 Committee.

Anna Bower of CNN tweeted:

Wade: Everything shared or discussed in meeting with J6C investigators was ultimately publicly released. To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily. Sadow wants to know if there were notes taken during that meeting that could be supplied to court for in chambers review to determine if the notes need to be turned over.  Anna Bower (@AnnaBower) January 12, 2024

The idea that all of the prosecutions and charges against those who participated in the plot to overturn the 2020 are a giant conspiracy that Joe Biden and congressional Democrats ran has been a favorite talking point of Trump and others in his orbit.

The reality is that this claim has no truth to it, and when asked to provide specific evidence, these allegations crumble faster than James Comer while trying to defend Biden impeachment.

The information that prosecutors discussed with the 1/6 Committee became part of the public record. There is no hidden evidence. The 1/6 Committee did not destroy evidence as Trump has falsely claimed.

Trump is looking for reasons, any reason that he hopes will fool voters into believing that he is being prosecuted for anything other than his own actions.

There is no vast conspiracy. There is just a corrupt former president who attempted to overthrow an election that he lost.

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Representatives James Comer and Jim Jordan et al appear to have walked right into a rather clever trap set by Hunter Bidens legal team after the Presidents son made a surprise appearance on Wednesday, offering to testify in public.

BREAKING: Hunter Biden just delivered a devastating blow to the contempt proceedings. This new letter from his counsel Abbe Lowell shows that the House GOP walked into a trap, CNN legal analyst Norm Eisen wrote.

Hunter Bidens legal team sent a letter to Jordan and James, laying out, per Eisens thread, the following issues:

1. the subpoena predates the formal impeachment inquiry

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That means that this particular subpoena is a nullity

The new letter really gets into that. As it points out, the subpoena predates the formal impeachment inquiry That means that this particular subpoena is a nullity 3/x pic.twitter.com/YbXGkplevu  Norm Eisen (norm.eisen on Threads) (@NormEisen) January 12, 2024

2. As if that werent bad enough, the letter also points out that the Oversight Committee has seemingly offered a public hearing but is backtracking on their word

3. And the coup de graceHunter is offering to negotiate new testimony or deposition

Hes put the committee in a box & criminal contempt will not be enforced by DOJ in these circumstances

Jordan and Comer were attempting to hold Hunter Biden in contempt for not responding to a subpoena  an irony because Jim Jordan defied his own subpoena over a much more relevant matter that impacted a majority of voters  after two GOP-led House committees they chair (House Judiciary Committee and House Oversight and Accountability Committee) voted to approve a contempt resolution on Wednesday evening.

The contempt proceeding suffers from fatal legal infirmities, Eisen explained on Thursday.

Hunter Biden wants to testify publicly because James Comer has a history of mischaracterizing and even lying about witness statements from closed-door interviews. The Republican Chairman has also lied about the existence of a closed-door interview. He said he would release transcripts of closed-door interviews but did not. He even managed to lie about attending a closed-door interview.

House Republicans have one week until a shutdown, but they are spending their resources trolling Hunter Biden and libs on Twitter and trying to haul in members of the Presidents family, including his late sons widow, because they havent yet found anything over which they could even show-impeach Biden. All they need is something that looks bad, it doesnt have to be bad, because they arent holding themselves to the rules and norms to which Democrats as a whole tend to hold themselves. But Republicans cant even manage that.

One week until a shutdown, and House Republicans are spending their time trolling libs. pic.twitter.com/2wc6l7aKTw  Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) January 12, 2024

Meanwhile, Hunter Biden has managed to trip the two Chairs, who are so eager to assist Donald Trump they dont seem capable of looking where theyre going. The only good thing here for House Republicans is they have no shame, so they wont suffer the embarrassment that most of us would suffer if we, in front of the nation, slipped on our own banana peel while our target danced away singing.

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As Donald Trump admitted to taking millions of dollars from foreign governments as president, House Oversight Committee ranking member Jamie Raskin (D-MD) demanded that Trump return the money.

Raskin wrote in a letter to Trump:

I write today to demand that you immediately return to the American people the $7,886,072 that we know you have accepted from foreign governments in violation of the U.S. Constitutions Foreign Emoluments Clausea fact you admitted, once again, at a Fox News town hall this week.

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Given that this is a fraction of your unconstitutional collections from foreign governments and that we do not yet know the complete sum of foreign money you accepted while in office, I also demand that you give Congress a full accounting of the money, benefits and other emoluments of any kind whatever you pocketed from foreign governments

or their agents during your term as President and that you return the total sum of these foreign emoluments to the American people by writing a check to the U.S. Treasury like the one attached, which you received from the Kuwaiti government.



I note with dismay that on social media, your son, Eric Trump, referred to the Democratic staff report detailing your violations of the Foreign Emoluments Clause as a joke and claimed: All foreign government profits, for stays at our hotels and other properties while my father was in office, were voluntaraly [sic] donated to the United States Treasury. To be clear, the Constitution imposes a categorical prohibition on a presidents receipt of any payments from foreign governments without Congresss consenta prohibition that extends to all revenues, and not merely profits attributable to spending by foreign governments.

The Constitution does not merely forbid the receipt of profitsit forbids the receipt of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever. Hence, by its plain language, the Foreign Emoluments Clause does not give presidents any discretion to select sub-categories of foreign emoluments to return to the American people in order to keep others without Congresss approval. If you think Congress would have swallowed your arguments that you should have been able to accept all money from foreign states other than that portion which you subjectively describe as profits, you should have followed the Constitution and come to Congress to ask for our permission.

Trump Admitted To Taking Millions Of Dollars From Foreign Governments

During his Fox News town hall, Trump said:

I run hotels. Look at how much money I gave back. George Washington very rich man. People dont know that. In his White House they had an office. He had a business desk and country desk. You are allowed to do that. I didnt do it. I put everything in trust. If I have a hotel and somebody comes in from China, that is a small amount of money. I was doing services. People staying in beautiful hotels because I have the best hotels, clubs. I have great stuff. They stayed there and pay. I dont get eight million dollars doing nothing like Hunter. I dont get $500,000 for doing a painting. It is not a bad idea.

Trump admitted that he violated the Constitution, and now Democrats in Congress want the money returned to the taxpayers.

Trumps behavior is a reason why presidents cant be trusted to do the right thing, and Congress must change the law to prevent the sort of graft and corruption that occurred during the Trump administration.

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On January 11, the US Treasury Department added one name, two pieces of military equipment, and two institutions to the country's sanctions list. In particular, two Il-76 military transport aircraft and one An-124 were sanctioned.

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This information was provided by the US Treasury Department. The agency did not provide any explanations for the expansion of the sanctions list.

The list includes Vladimir Mikheychik, CEO of the Russian state-owned airline 224 Flight Detachment. Presumably, the sanctioned Il-76 and An-124 aircraft are from this particular squadron. In addition to these, the Ashuluk Air Defense Missile Range (Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation) and the Vladimirovka Advanced Weapons and Research Complex (VAWARC) were also sanctioned.

The 224th Flight Detachment was established in 1979; this air transport unit was engaged in the transportation of cargo to the war in Afghanistan. Today, the airline serves the Russian Presidential Administration. The squadron has two An-124-100 Ruslan aircraft and 11 Il-76MD aircraft.

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As previously reported by OBOZREVATEL, last year the SSU notified Mikheychik of suspicion of involvement in the aggressive war against Ukraine. Among other things, his "224th Flight Detachment" helped transport weapons and Wagner group militants from the Middle East to Ukraine.

The National Institute for Economic Research believes that the imposition of sanctions is a powerful tool that affects and weakens the economic situation in Russia. At the same time, any rollback of sanctions and their weakening gives the Kremlin very dangerous signals that the situation may improve.

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Days after moving to e-learning on Tuesday ahead of expected storms, local schools plan to dismiss early as Aiken County prepares for more severe weather.

"The latest forecast for tomorrow shows high winds in the late afternoon hours," a post on Aiken County Public School District's website said. "In an effort to ensure that students, staff and families are not travelling after 4:00 p.m., when high winds are anticipated, Aiken County Public Schools will dismiss students and staff early tomorrow."

Elementary schools will dismiss at 11:30 a.m., middle schools at noon, and high schools at 12:15 p.m. Breakfast and lunch will be served prior to dismissal.

Along with early dismissal, the district is canceling all after-school activities, including games and practices.

A wind advisory is in effect for the area from 4 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday. The advisory cautions that "gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects" and residents might see power outages and falling tree limbs.
An Augusta man is facing a host of charges stemming from a 2021 chase that ended in Georgia and injured a North Augusta Department of Public Safety Officer.

Perez Walker, 40, was arrested Jan. 10 and charged with kidnapping, attempted murder, resisting arrest with a deadly weapon, failure to stop for a blue light and shoplifting, according to jail records.

While an officer was conducting a traffic stop in a gas station parking lot, a clerk approached him, pointed at Walker and said he had stolen cigarettes, according to an incident report from the North Augusta Department of Public Safety.

The officer let the driver he'd stopped for speeding leave and stopped the gold Chevrolet Impala that Walker had entered, the report said.

Police saw a brown paper bag next to Walker, who was a passenger. He denied taking the cigarettes, the report said.

While an officer tried to handcuff Walker, he struggled with the officer, pushed the Impala's driver into traffic, and made his way to the driver's seat, the report said.

After several attempts, Walker put the vehicle into drive and started driving with the officer still inside the driver's side door, the report said.

The officer was able to free himself but was injured.

Walker then drove south on Georgia Avenue and into Georgia on 13th Street while other officers pursued Walker , the report said.

Police pursued the vehicle until its right front tire blew out near Hopkins Street and Walker fled the vehicle, the report said.

Police began a foot pursuit, and Walker was captured a short time later. The Richmond County Sheriffs Office then took Walker into custody, the report said.

Walker told police that his wife had been kidnapped and the cigarettes were for ransom, the report said.

Walker told police he didnt steal the cigarettes, but video footage shows him taking the cigarettes, according to the report.

While searching the vehicle, police found five packs of cigarettes,
Elise Stefanik, the fourth-ranking Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives and a potential vice presidential nominee, will speak in Aiken on Feb. 10.

Stefanik will provide the keynote address at the Aiken County Republican Party's Bronze Elephant dinner, Aiken County Republican Chairwoman Debbie Epling said Thursday.

Stefanik chairs the House Republican Conference and, as such, ranks fourth in the Republican hierarchy behind Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., and Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn.

There is also speculation that Stefanik could be former President Donald Trump's vice presidential pick if he wins the party's nomination, Epling added.

Epling added she had heard Stefanik's name for a while now but added she was very impressive Dec. 5 as she questioned three university presidents  Liz Magill of Penn, Claudine Gay of Harvard and Sally Kornbluth of MIT  during a House Education and Public Works Committee hearing to investigate antisemitism on college campuses.

There have been protests and marches at several college campuses including Harvard following the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack against Israel and Israel's subsequent attack to remove Hamas, the governing party, from the Gaza Strip. Some Republicans including Stefanik have alleged some of the chants and sayings used at the protests and marches have anti-Semitic undertones including "There is only one solution: intifada revolution" and "From the [Jordan] River to the [Mediterranean] Sea, Palestine will be free."

Stefanik asked if these sayings violated the student codes of conduct at Penn, Harvard and MIT.

"We embrace a commitment to free expression, even of views that are objectionable, offensive, hateful," Gay said according to a Roll Call transcript. "Its when that speech crosses into conduct that violates our policies against bullying, harassment..."

Stefanik said Gay's answer lacked moral clarity and spoke volumes about free speech on the campus.
The U.N. food agency says famine is imminent in northern Gaza, where 70% of the remaining population is experiencing catastrophic hunger. It says a further escalation of the war could push around half of Gazas total population to the brink of starvation. The alarming report came as Israel faces mounting pressure from even its closest allies to streamline the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip and open more crossings. The European Unions top diplomat said the impending famine was entirely man-made as starvation is used as a weapon of war. Israeli forces, meanwhile, launched another raid on the Gaza Strips largest hospital, saying it killed a Hamas commander who was hiding there. Read moreUN says 'famine is imminent' in northern Gaza as Israel launches another raid on the main hospital
BEAUFORT  Melinda Henrickson pulled a T-shirt from behind the counter of her clothing store and presented it to Doug Emhoff, husband of Vice President Kamala Harris. Across the shirt's front were the letters FABB, an acronym for the group Families Against Book Bans.

Henrickson is chairwoman of FABB. Her shop, Good Aura, was the first stop in Beaufort County for Emhoff on Jan. 11. He's the most recent member of the Biden-Harris campaign to visit the Lowcountry ahead of next month's first-in-the-nation South Carolina Democratic presidential primary.

Emhoff asked Henrickson and other group members about FABB's work in reinstating previously banned books and expressed his support before walking a few blocks north to Old Grace Chapel, where attendees waited in pews as the church choir performed.

In a brief speech at the church, Emhoff spoke about his meeting with Families Against Book Bans and called for support of the group's mission.

The group was created in January 2023 to push back against a small, but vocal, faction of community members who exhorted the Beaufort County School District to pull 97 titles from its library shelves. FABB has played a role in getting 94 of the books back on shelves.

"In this year of our Lord 2024, you're telling me that you're trying to ban books?" Emhoff said. "You're telling me you're trying to prevent our students from enlightening their brains and learning about our true history and learning what they need to learn so they can be a functioning, critical adult in our society."

He condemned recent remarks made by Donald Trump regarding Roe v. Wade in which he said the former president had bragged about taking away a fundamental right.
A new Mediterranean-inspired restaurant in Mount Pleasant will welcome diners soon as the latest new Charleston-area dining venue.

Taverna Philosophia in Northcutt Plaza at Houston Northcutt and Coleman boulevards will host a soft opening Jan. 16 and begin accepting reservations the following day.

The new dining spot in the former Bacco Italian restaurant space comes from business partners Justin Hunt and Dimitri Hatgidimitriou. It is subtitled Aegean Brasserie.

Hunt operates Philosophia, which opened in April 2022 in the Whole Foods Market-anchored Patriots Point Plaza down the street on Houston Northcutt Boulevard, while Hatgidimitriou will oversee the new 90-seat restaurant after relocating from New York. Hunt will serve as executive chef at both locations.

The duo said the proximity of the two restaurants was a driving factor so they can meet and greet diners at both venues at different times.

The business partners have been busy renovating the 3,000-square-foot space since announcing last April they planned to bring new Mediterranean flavors to the Lowcountry.

The restaurant will offer house-made pastas, a raw bar and different cuts of beef and whole fish. A full bar also will be included, along with craft cocktails and a wine selection.

Dining hours will be 5-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and 5-9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The restaurant also will be open for private events 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Walk-ins will be welcomed, but reservations are recommended.
The State Ports Authority wants to deepen a stretch of the Cooper River leading to its North Charleston Terminal as part of a wide-ranging effort that's picking up steam to boost capacity at the agency's smallest container yard.

Authorization for a feasibility study that would weigh the costs and benefits of a potential dredging program could be included in this year's federal Water Resources Development Act, which Congress expects to pass later this year.

SPA officials said it's too early to say how much the project would cost or how long it would take.

The dredging proposal adds to plans for a taller Interstate 526 bridge over the Cooper River and the SPA's reported efforts to buy property next to the terminal as the maritime agency looks to add wharf space for the coming decades.

"Port capacity is our currency, and infrastructure is a long-cycle game," CEO Barbara Melvin said. "It is our responsibility to proactively invest in port infrastructure to support the thousands of companies and 260,000 South Carolina jobs that depend on our port system to thrive."

U.S. Rep. Russell Fry, R-SC, asked the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct such a study during a meeting this week of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

"The prosperity of South Carolina's economy and our people are intricately linked to our state's ports and waterways," Fry said. "In a region projected to experience significant population growth, South Carolina is vitally important to the broader economy."

It could take years from the time a study begins and dredging starts.

But if approved, the project would deepen the Cooper River between the Leatherman Terminal on the former Navy base and the North Charleston Terminal to 52 feet from 48 feet. That would match the rest of the waterway's depth leading to the SPA's other terminals.

A major $580 million dredging project that was completed in late 2022 took Charleston Harbor to 52 feet.
A onetime Mount Pleasant-based business owner who was among the first to be charged in the government's "Operation Brace Yourself" probe is to be sentenced this week. Read moreMajor SC Medicare fraud case shifts to the penalty phase after 5 years
COLUMBIA  A pit bull rescued after a suspected past in dogfighting has become the station pet at the Richland County Sheriff's Department Region 6.

Back in August, the dog, now known as Ryder, was found wandering near Farrow and Pisgah Church roads.

It was a weekend night, off-hours for animal control. Richland deputies picked up the dog to house him overnight at the Region 6 station in the Blythewood-area.

The plan was to take him to a shelter, like they do for other strays picked up overnight.

But deputies said Ryder's demeanor was so friendly, they asked the sheriff if they could keep him.

When deputies found Ryder, he had what appeared to be scratch and bite marks, according to Lt. Karen Gillman. Pieces to the end of his tongue were missing, as if it had been bitten off.

They took him to a vet who said Ryder's injuries appeared to be from dogfighting, according to Gilman, who suspects Ryder was used as a so-called "bait" dog to train the canines used in fights.

Ryder now lives at the station, which has 23 officers staffing the RCSD outpost 24/7. The back of the building has become his playground, with pieces of stuffing scattered across the grass from stuffed animals he has torn apart.

Deputy Matthew Smith takes Ryder to Blythewood's Doko Park in the early morning to let him run around before starting his shift.

"It's been very uplifting," Smith said. "Coming into work everyday you have this big ball of sunshine just running up to you, wagging his tail, jumping all over you."
Something Terrible May Happen: The Works of Aubrey Beardsley and Edward Ned I.R. Jennings made a vibrant entrance into the Gibbes Museum of Art in October, saturating the walls of galleries 2 and 3 with a telling yellow (more to come on that) and further connecting Charleston with lesser-known, but no less fascinating, episodes of its storied past.

Up through March 10, there is ample time yet to take in this evocative, provocative sparkler of a show, which was curated by Chase Quinn, the museums curator of education and programs.

The something terrible that may happen is plucked from the text of Oscar Wildes banned 1893 play Salome. It may or may not be so terrible, depending on your own perspective on the porousness of the light and the dark, the masculine and the feminine, the gorgeous and the grotesque. It also depends on whether or not your world view allows artifice and substance to co-exist, too.

The brief, visionary lives of the two featured artists played out mainly on either side of the Atlantic, with Beardsley ruffling starchy London feathers while Jennings showed Charleston a new artistic thing or two. They overlapped a mere two months, with the former succumbing to health issues in 1898, the year the younger was born.

And they both enjoy ties to the British Aesthetic Movement, which in the latter half of the 19th century raged against the drear of the Industrial Age and the eras often constraining morality, Beardsley for his seminal role and Jennings for its influence on his work. In 1882, Wilde himself was touted in The News and Courier as the apostle of aestheticism.

Like their fleeting lives, this considered, fanciful and at times fierce exhibition may be economical of breadth, but the delight here is in its density of detail  the arching swoops of ink, the lurid, lurching turns, the exotic ornamental reach, which come together to assert the movements mantra of art for arts sake.
An American delegation arrives in Kyiv to discuss Ukraine's recovery. It is headed by U.S. Special Representative for Economic Recovery Penny Pritzker.

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This was reported on Twitter by US Ambassador Bridget Brink. According to her, the delegation also includes American businessmen.

"A very warm welcome to Kyiv to Penny Pritzker and U.S. private sector leaders. Today, we will hold meetings to accelerate U.S. business investment in Ukraine to help it recover," the diplomat wrote.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, back in December, the Financial Times reported that the EU would propose to use the proceeds from the frozen assets of the Russian Central Bank to finance Ukraine. According to sources, the European Commission approved the plan. It is expected that up to 15 billion euros will be transferred to Ukraine.

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It has become known that Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is confident that Ukraine will definitely receive money from the West for post-war reconstruction from Russia's frozen assets. Moreover, he claims that the first money will be provided before the end of the full-scale war.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
GEORGETOWN  The operator of an unlicensed nightclub where a Georgetown woman was shot and killed last month has been arrested by state and local authorities, according to a news release.

Ronnel Rice, 39, of Georgetown County was charged with unlawful possession of liquor in a place of business, according to a news release from the Georgetown County Sheriff's Office.

Rice was booked at the Georgetown County Detention Center and released Jan. 10 on $400 bond, according to police records. The investigation was a joint operation between the sheriffs office, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources and the State Law Enforcement Division. The 15th Circuit Solicitors Office will prosecute the case.

The shooting happened Dec. 23 in Dunbar, an unincorporated rural community in Georgetown County with a population of just over 600.

Authorities said 22-year-old Iyanla Walker was killed and a woman with underlying health issues also died after a fight broke out at Hush Lounge on Handy Hill Drive.

No one has been charged with killing Walker.

On Jan. 5, sheriff's deputies, DNR officers and SLED agents executed a search warrant at Hush Lounge, which authorities said was operating illegally.

Investigators found liquors stored at Hush Lounge, but the bar did not possess the required alcohol license issued by the S.C. Department of Revenue to store liquors in a place of business, according to a news release from SLED.

Sheriff Carter Weaver's office also issued a statement on the arrest, saying he "vows to do everything in his power to rid the community of illegal bars that are nuisances and draw violence."

Weaver intends to use zoning ordinances to cut the power at Hush Lounge because it's "operating a business not in line with the original zoning request."

"These clubs are havens for gun violence and those operating them need to cease or prepare for the remedies," Weaver said in a release.
GREENVILLE  A Greenville-based housing nonprofit plans to build an affordable townhome development in western Greenville County, with construction slated to begin this summer.

Homes of Hope plans to buy a roughly half-acre site in the Welcome community from Reconcile Community Church to make way for the nine-unit project. The property, surrounded by a residential neighborhood, is currently vacant. It's bordered by South Florida Avenue, Oak Drive and Fortner Avenue.

Jeff Randolph, a local developer working with Homes of Hope, said the exact pricing for the rental townhomes has not yet been finalized. But rents will be in line with other Homes of Hope developments, Randolph said, which typically offers rates affordable for families making about $1,200 a month, according to the nonprofit's website.

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Greenville County approved rezoning for the property to accommodate the development last Spring and the project is moving ahead after the county's Board of Zoning Appeals granted a small setback variance Jan. 10.

The homes will have three bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms, Randolph said.

Reconcile bought the property in 2021 for $40,000, according to county property records. Randolph said the church was interested in working with Homes of Hope to add affordable housing in the community to the west of the city of Greenville.
Its like a time capsule, located at the very top of South Carolina  a home built in 1939 with exterior stone columns and interior wood paneling, all of it located within walking distance from Jones Gap State Park. Read moreRustic 1939 home near Jones Gap comes with 27 acres, and $1.7 million list price
At least three children in South Carolina have elevated levels of lead in their blood after eating recalled applesauce packets, state officials said. Doctors are urging parents to get children tested for exposure because the child may not have symptoms.

The state Department of Health and Environmental Control has an ongoing investigation into the lead exposure from WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches. The manufacturer began a voluntary recall Oct. 29 after investigations into high levels of lead contamination by the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention implicated the product with children with high levels of lead in their blood.

The CDC has identified 287 cases nationwide in 37 states, including South Carolina, Florida, Georgia and North Carolina.

There are three cases in the Palmetto State, two of which are considered probable in that the children ate the product and one considered confirmed because the state could actually test the product the child ate, DHEC Public Health Director Brannon Traxler said. That lab report on Jan. 4 showed it had levels of lead that were more than 1,100 times higher than what the FDA allows, she confirmed.

Elevated lead in the blood can pose a number of hazards, particularly to infants and children, said Dr. Melissa Ellis-Yarian of Roper St. Francis Family Medicine.

"It can cause anemia, it can impair kidney function, it can cause damage to the heart and vascular system," she said. "And most concerning with children is it can cause damage to their brains, some of which can be irreversible."

One of the difficulties with elevated lead in the blood is the child may not show it, the physicians said.

"Because they might not have symptoms, but the blood lead level may still be high enough that it could cause them harm," Ellis-Yarian said.

It is one reason DHEC sent out the CDC's Health Advisory about the recall to providers across the state.
Robert Green, age 45, died on a Williamsburg County road last weekend. According to Highway Patrol, on March 16, at approximately 5:35am, a 2013 Dodge Challenger was driving south on County Line Road near the intersection of Country Club Road two miles outside of Andrews. The car struck a p Read morePedestrian killed on County Line Road
It was a day for shamrocks and shenanigans on March 16 along Middle Street on Sullivan's Island, as lads, lasses and decked-out canines of all ages celebrated St. Patrick's Day. A swarm of green-clad revelers gathered to ring one of the world's most storied and highly-anticipated holidays at Read moreRocky road to Dublin: Irish eyes smiling on Sullivan's Island
COLUMBIA  Gov. Henry McMaster's office has declined a request by Atlantic Beach officials to intervene in the community's election amid several ongoing lawsuits over the decision to disband its election commission before its contested results were certified.

In November, the Atlantic Beach Town Council hastily voted to abolish its municipal election commission before it had a chance to complete a recount of the Nov. 7 mayors race between Mayor Pro Tem Josephine Isom and Atlantic Beach resident John David.

David reportedly led in balloting at the time the decision was made.

Since that day, the town's administration has been in a state of limbo as the South Carolina Supreme Court has mulled over that case as well as another matter challenging whether David was an eligible candidate in his victory in a January 2023 special election for town council.

With no clear winner of the mayoral seat  and a seat on town council that has been empty since October 2022  the town eventually resorted to asking the state to intervene.

In a Jan. 5 letter to McMaster, Joseph Dickey, an attorney representing the town, asked the S.C. Election Commission to take over the administration of the unresolved Nov. 7 election after a request from David's and Isom's attorneys to broker an agreement.

"Having the SEC intervene to administer the certification of the November 7, 2023 Municipal Election and all subsequent proceedings related to that election will provide assurance and confidence to the Town, the candidates, and the citizens that election integrity will be maintained and that the Town of Atlantic Beach can continue to be committed to fair, honest, and legitimate operations moving forward," Dickey wrote.
Renourishing oyster beds is vital to the state because oysters are vital to ecology. Oyster beds are a habit for fish, crabs, birds and 75% of the species we eat rely on oyster beds at some point in their lives. Read moreFrom recycling shells to building reefs, inside the effort to renourish SC's oyster beds
MOUNT PLEASANT  Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, met with Jewish leaders at Chabad of Charleston, discussing his role in combating antisemitism across the country during a private conversation on Jan. 11.

Emhoff told The Post and Courier the meeting was "a heartfelt, open and honest conversation" with Jewish leaders in the Charleston community.

Emhoff's one-day visit to Beaufort and the Charleston area is part of Biden-Harris campaign efforts to reignite voters ahead of next month's first-in-the-nation South Carolina Democratic presidential primary.

In the last week, President Joe Biden visited Mother Emanuel AME Church, where nine Black parishioners were murdered by a white supremist in 2015, and Harris spoke with the 7th Episcopal District AME Church Womens Missionary Society in Myrtle Beach. Both visits were meant to appeal to Black voters, whose support is crucial in reelecting the president.

During Emhoff's Jan. 11 visit to Beaufort, he gave a brief speech at Old Grace Chapel AME Church, a historic Black church, speaking to attendees about book bans and garnering support for Biden's reelection.

The focus of his Mount Pleasant visit was on the Jewish community. He spoke with a group of 30 people for about an hour, said Rabbi Yossi Refson of Chabad of Charleston.

Emhoff, the first Jewish spouse of a president or vice president, has assumed a leadership role at the national level in addressing antisemitism, helping to publish the White House's U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, which was released in May 2023, he told The Post and Courier.
Mount Pleasant made itself the fifth municipality in South Carolina to strengthen penalties for hate-fueled offenses.

Mount Pleasant Town Council adopted two ordinances Jan. 10 that would enhance penalties for hate crimes committed with the intent to intimidate based on factors like race, religion or gender, by issuing a fine up to $500 or up to 30 days imprisonment.

Restrictions to hand-delivered materials were adopted in response to hundreds of antisemitic packages found on lawns in Mount Pleasant. The Jan. 10 vote changed the town's handbill ordinance so packages, door hangers and papers can only be left at someone's home during daylight hours.

If anyone wants to distribute hate, they have to walk up and be on a Ring camera, Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie said.

Support from the community and religious groups, like the Charleston Jewish Federation, was nearly unanimous. Brandon Fish, director of community relations for the Charleston Jewish Federation, said the organization will continue to advocate for legislation at the state level.

"In the continued absence of a state law addressing hate, it is more important than ever for municipal leaders to address this issue at a local level across the state. When our leaders are silent in the face of hate, it sends a message of ambivalence to hate groups and targeted minorities alike," Fish said.

Mount Pleasant's hate crime ordinance points to a larger effort from cities and towns in the Palmetto State to outlaw hate locally as state lawmakers consider a bill that would strengthen penalties and increase jail time for offenders. Charleston, Greenville, Bluffton and Columbia were the first to adopt similar ordinances.

In the Pee Dee region of the state, a November cross burning on the lawn of a Black couple spurred Conway City Council to consider adopting its own anti-hate legislation. Similar packages to the ones received in Mount Pleasant were reported in neighborhoods in Myrtle Beach and Columbia last year.
On Friday, January 12, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrived in Kyiv on an official visit. He will meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyi and address a plenary session of the Verkhovna Rada.

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The politician is expected to announce a new package of military assistance, security guarantees, and humanitarian support for the Ukrainian state to fight the Russian aggressor. This was reported by Sky News with reference to the press service of the head of the British government.

"I am in Ukraine to deliver a simple message. Our support cannot and will not weaken. To all Ukrainians: Britain is with you - for as long as you need it," the politician wrote on social media upon his arrival in Kyiv.

It is noted that Britain will provide Ukraine with military assistance worth 2.5 billion in 2024-2025, which is 200 million more than in the previous two years.

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"This comes amid fears that interest in the war is waning as the conflict drags on," the report said.

According to MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak, the British prime minister will speak in parliament on Friday.

During his visit, Sunak will also sign a security cooperation agreement with the Ukrainian leader. According to the agreement, London will provide intelligence sharing with Kyiv, guarantee cybersecurity, medical and military training, and defense-industrial cooperation.

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Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
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
Happy Sunshine Week indeed. As we hope youve noticed, our newsroom is spending the week recounting successes its had using South Carolinas Freedom of Information Act to illumine your understanding of what your government is doing on your behalf, in your name and with your tax dollars. Read moreEditorial: SC judges support sunshine whenever they get a chance. They need more chances.
LAKE CITY  Florence County Sheriff's Office Capt. Darrin Yarborough will help manage and lead the Lake City Police Department until a new chief is hired.

City Council approved a resolution at its Jan. 10 meeting to contract with the Florence County Sheriff's Office to manage the department.

City Administrator William Hall said officials are actively seeking a chief of police. The city asked Florence County Sheriff T.J. Joye if his office could find someone to manage the department meanwhile.

District 2 City Council member Sondra Fleming-Crosby recused herself from the vote. Fleming-Crosby said she didn't feel Hall and Mayor Yemekia Robinson had involved City Council representatives in this decision.

"It's unfair to expect us to do something when you haven't included us in anything," Fleming-Crosby said during the Jan. 10 meeting. "It's nothing personal. For that reason, and until I can get a better understanding, I am going to recuse myself."

The resolution passed 5-0. Mayor Pro Tem Nicole Singletary wasn't at the Jan. 10 meeting.

Robinson thanked the Sheriff's Office for its willingness to help the City of Lake City keep its residents safe.

"They are stepping up to support us. Mr. Hall made the call when we needed the help, and they came through," Robinson said.

Robinson reiterated Yarborough will be managing the Lake City Police Department. He will not have the title of interim chief.

The city is reviewing police chief applicants, Robinson said. The interview process hasn't started.

Yarborough has more than 30 years of law enforcement experience.

Lake City has a strong police department, Yarborough said at the meeting. He plans to build on that foundation until a chief is hired.

"I can promise you that even though I'm only here part-time, I will give you full-time expectations," Yarborough said.

The Florence County Sheriff's Office serves the entire county, Joye said. Its reach extends beyond rural areas into towns and cities.
President Joe Biden will return to South Carolina for two days later this month as he gears up for his reelection bid ahead of the Democrats' Feb. 3 presidential primary.

Biden will be in the state Jan. 27-28, the White House said, while the state party said Biden will be the guest at its First-in-the-Nation Celebration Dinner on Saturday the 27th.

The president recognizes that South Carolina voters matter. Black voters matter. And Southern voters matter," state party leaders said in a joint statement Jan. 12.

The statement was attributed to party Chairwoman Christale Spain and South Carolina Executive Director Jay Parmley.

"We are grateful to him for honoring his commitment to our state and to our party by coming back to the place that started his road to the White House," the note added. "For the first time ever, the backbone of the Democratic Party  Black voters  will choose who they want in the White House first."

South Carolina last year was moved up to the lead-off state for Democrats, bypassing Iowa and New Hampshire.

Other guests at the dinner listed include Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison, and U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn.

Biden's rivals in the primary, Marianne Williamson and U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota have been invited as well, the note said.

No other details about the president's visit were immediately announced.

The visit comes as part of a series of South Carolina reelection related stops by the Biden team this month. Biden kicked off his 2024 bid in Charleston with a speech at Emanuel AME Church on Jan. 8. Vice President Kamala Harris is on the campaign trail here as well, having made a stop in Myrtle Beach last weekend. She also is scheduled to speak at the King Day at the Dome event in Columbia on Jan. 15.
SPARTANBURG  By the end of 2024, high-speed internet will be expanded in underserved rural areas of Spartanburg County, reaching more than 6,200 residents.

The total cost will be $14 million, of which $4.5 million will be paid for by the county's American Rescue Plan funding approved by County Council in March 2022. The county awarded Spectrum/Charter a contract to build the infrastructure and expand the service.

Among the areas that will be included are Woodruff, Pauline, Chesnee, Pacolet, Campobello and Landrum.

Deputy County Administrator Earl Alexander told The Post and Courier that 332 miles of new fiber optic cable will be installed in phases. Spectrum/Charter will complete the design and engineering phase of the project by February. The cable will then be installed on utility poles and, in some cases, underground.

"By the end of the year, rural areas of the county should have access," Alexander said. "It's going to be installed mostly in the northern and southern ends of the county."

The county's public-private partnership is separate from additional efforts to expand high-speed internet to rural areas.

North Carolina-based Lumos Fiber announced plans to install 706 miles of fiber optic cable in Wellford, Greer, Lyman, Duncan, Spartanburg and Cowpens. The total investment would be $60 million to complete the project.

In December, the South Carolina Broadband Office announced plans to fund 17 projects statewide using American Rescue Plan Act funding. SCBBO has committed $112 million to eight internet service providers to connect 16,000 locations statewide to high-speed internet.

"We are incredibly excited about this first phase of CPF (Capital Projects Fund) investments in South Carolina," SC Broadband Office Director Jim Stritzinger said in a statement. "In early 2024, we anticipate completing our CPF decisions and gearing up for the final set of ARPA investments. With these investments, ISPs are now penetrating hard-to-reach areas from the Lowcountry to the Upstate."
Once Ukraine acquires F-16 fighters, the "gifts" to the Russian Federation will be more substantial than before. However, these aircraft are not a "miracle weapon" in themselves, as they represent a mid-level modernization of production.

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According to former Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Ihor Romanenko, in an interview with OBOZ.UA. He predicts that the F-16s will not be initially equipped with the most advanced weapons.

"F-16 is not a Wunderwaffen (translated from German as 'miracle weapon' - ed.), as many people hope. Because the aircraft themselves are a mid-level modernization of production. In addition, these aircraft will not be equipped with the latest, most advanced weapons. At least at the initial stage, for sure," he stated.

Romanenko emphasized that the Ukrainian Armed Forces require F-16s to implement a long-range air defense system, where fighter aircraft play a crucial role.

"Such aircraft can engage aerodynamic targets, as we discussed. However, only the latest models of both F-16s and their aviation weapons can engage ballistic targets," explained the former deputy chief of the General Staff.

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He added that the United States could have provided Ukraine with F-16s much earlier, by the end of 2023, as announced. However, the transfer process is once again being slowed down for various reasons.

"Various reasons are cited, such as permission for training, pilot training, etc. Pilot training can always be conducted; there are no limits to perfection. There have always been reasons to postpone deliveries, and there always will be. But we genuinely need these capabilities right now," Romanenko stated.

Regarding the "gift" to the Kremlin dictator for Putin's "election," the lieutenant general pointed out that Russians have been very sensitive to dates since the Soviet Union.

"We know how Putin constantly postpones deadlines for completing certain tasks to significant dates for him, as political goals in the Kremlin prevail over military ones," he remarked.

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However, Romanenko stressed the importance for Ukraine to consider objective military circumstances rather than purely political ones.

"But if they coincide, that's also good, because our struggle is military-political, and we use military means to achieve political goals. But for this, we need additional opportunities. Our allies should help us so that we can make 'gifts' to Putin," he emphasized.

The lieutenant general expressed his wish for the West to find an opportunity to transfer weapons so that such a "gift" to Putin could be made to the Armed Forces before the elections.

As reported by OBOZ.UA:

- "The Pentagon said that the pilots of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are likely to complete training on American F-16s in the United States by the end of 2024. They cannot give any more specific dates yet.

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- On December 22, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced the preparation of the first 18 F-16s for delivery to Ukraine.

- The first batch of F-16s sent to Ukraine will be modified, said Yurii Ihnat, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force.

- At the end of December, ISW said that Ukraine could soon receive the first batch of F-16s in accordance with the commitments of the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and Belgium.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is planning to establish a new world order and seeks the complete destruction of the Ukrainian state. We need to listen to what Putin and his propagandists say, but we should not assume that if Russia invades Ukraine, the situation in the world will be the same as it was before February 24, 2022.

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This was stated by Karl von Habsburg, President of the Pan-European Movement of Austria, grandson of the last Emperor of Austria-Hungary, Charles I, in his traditional "Speech on the Future of Europe," Ukrinform reports. He called on states to increase military assistance to Ukraine.

Karl von Habsburg advised people to listen to the words of the dictator and his propagandists but "not to fall into the paralysis of fear and not to bury your head in the sand."

"To be able to give a clear assessment of the situation and to have the courage to take on the responsibility that Europe and the Western world need now," he said.

Putin does not want peace and has completely reoriented the Russian economy to a war footing. This means that the Kremlin expects the war to last for a long time.

"He does not care about his population and is burning them in brutal infantry attacks. He clearly tells us that he wants a new world order. He clearly denied Ukraine's right to exist even before he attacked it with the intent to destroy it. He and his propagandists clearly and unequivocally tell us that they see at least the eastern half of Europe - what used to be the Eastern Bloc - as their sphere of influence," the head of the Pan-European Movement of Austria emphasized.

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According to the politician, if we take into account these statements from Moscow, "it becomes clear why all those who believe that each new supply of weapons to Ukraine will only prolong the suffering and lead to even more deaths are wrong."

"Everything is happening on the contrary. The sooner we help Ukraine with our support to expel the Russian army of destruction from the country, the sooner the war will end," von Habsburg is convinced.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, giving a speech in Estonia, called on the West to strengthen support for Ukraine. He emphasized that the Armed Forces of Ukraine need more shells and they will move forward.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-12 21:16:43

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TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2024 / AI/ML Innovations Inc. (the "Company") (CSE:AIML)(OTCQB:AIMLF)(FWB:42FB) announced that it has entered into an agreement for payment of indebtedness in the aggregate total of USD $55,000 (CDN $73,523.72) with Octagon Media Inc. of Las Vegas, Nevada (the "Shares for Debt Transaction") through conversion of such debt into common shares of the Corporation (the "Common Shares"). Pursuant to the Shares for Debt Transaction, the Corporation will issue an aggregate of 1,131,134 Common Shares, at a deemed price of $0.065 per Common Share. The proposed Shares for Debt Transaction is subject to the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange.The Common Shares issued will be subject to a four-month hold period.About AI/ML Innovations Inc. https://aiml-innovations.com/ AI/ML Innovations Inc. has realigned its business operations to capitalize on the burgeoning fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), with an initial investment focus on emerging digital health and wellbeing companies that leverage AI, ML, cloud computing and digital platforms to drive transformative healthcare management solutions and precision support delivery across the health continuum. Through strategic partnerships with Health Gauge (95.2% owned by AIML), Tech2Heal (up to 22% ownership rights, with 12.44% currently owned by AIML), AI Rx Inc. (70% owned by AIML) and other planned accretive investments, the Company continues to capitalize on expanding growth areas, to the benefit of all the Company's stakeholders. AI/ML's shares are traded on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "AIML", the OTCQB Venture Market under "AIMLF", and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under "42FB".On behalf of the Board of DirectorsTim Daniels, Executive ChairmanFor more information about AI/ML Innovations:For detailed information please see AI/ML's website or the Company's filed documents at www.sedarplus.ca For further information, contact: Blake Fallis at (778) 405-0882 or info@ aiml-innovations.com THIS PRESS RELEASE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION, NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY OFFER, SALE, OR SOLICITATION OF SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN THE UNITED STATES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SALE, OR SOLICITATION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.SOURCE: AI/ML Innovations Inc.
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Industry leader, Cetaris, continues to enhance its fleet maintenance management software with a bigger commitment to predictive analytics and AI integration that offers companies and fleets a long list of benefits.TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2024 / Cetaris ( https://cetaris.com ) a globally recognized provider of Maintenance Solutions for fleets and facilities, continues to revolutionize fleet maintenance management with a commitment to advanced technology. Leveraging the power of predictive analytics and artificial intelligence (AI), Cetaris is continuing to upgrade its fleet maintenance software, delivering unparalleled value in the process.Cetaris' fleet maintenance software has long been acclaimed for its ability to manage millions of assets across over fifty countries for some of the world's largest organizations. With a relentless focus on increasing efficiency and productivity while extending asset life cycles and minimizing total asset costs, Cetaris now is surpassing the competition from a technology standpoint by integrating predictive analytics and AI deeper into its software."We firmly believe that we are iterating the next generation of our fleet maintenance software, which is equipped with predictive analytics and AI capabilities," stated Ric Bedard, CEO at Cetaris. "The enhancements we're working on mark a new era in fleet management, empowering fleet managers and companies to make strategically informed decisions that optimize maintenance schedules for a healthier bottom line." Cetaris fleet maintenance software offers an array of benefits and features, including:Optimized Labor Productivity: Simplified work order management tools provide real-time reports to streamline task progress, enhancing asset availability and shift scheduling.Automated PM Schedules: Automate preventive maintenance schedules, ensuring compliance with safety standards and comprehensive documentation of completed work.Enhanced Warranty Reimbursement: Automate the warranty process by tracking agreements and identifying warrantable parts and labor from work orders, thus increasing warranty returns.Seamless Integration: Cetaris Fleet seamlessly integrates with over 150+ third-party applications, eliminating information silos and improving productivity and data accuracy through automation.Advanced Reporting: Gain insights backed by data science and AI, visualize changes, and proactively stay ahead with predictive analytic tools and industry-standard metrics and KPIs. Leading the Industry in Predictive MaintenanceCetaris is at the forefront of the predictive maintenance revolution, redefining maintenance strategies through the integration of IoT-capable sensors, condition monitoring equipment, and fleet maintenance software. Predictive Maintenance (PdM) is a proactive strategy that relies on sensor data, AI algorithms, and predictive models to calculate optimal maintenance schedules, minimizing downtime and maximizing asset performance."This isn't just predictive maintenance; it's predictive maintenance redefined," emphasized Ric Bedard, CEO at Cetaris. "We're equipping organizations to proactively manage maintenance schedules, reduce costs, and elevate asset uptime by leveraging the predictive capabilities of our software." Driving Business TransformationPredictive maintenance offers practical benefits, including lower maintenance costs, increased asset uptime, elimination of unexpected breakdowns, and improved customer satisfaction. Cetaris emphasizes the importance of investing in proper measuring equipment, designing accurate predictive maintenance algorithms, and providing comprehensive training to maximize the benefits of this transformative strategy.Cetaris' commitment to revolutionizing fleet maintenance management through predictive analytics and AI reaffirms its position as an industry leader, empowering organizations to optimize operations and drive sustainable growth.Visit theCetaris blogto learn more about the company's innovative software.About CetarisCetaris is a world-class provider of Maintenance Solutions for fleets and facilities. Cetaris helps some of the world's largest organizations manage millions of assets in over fifty countries.With offices in Toronto, Ontario and Cary, North Carolina, Cetaris fleet maintenance software and fixed asset lifecycle management solutions provide the ability to analyze key business metrics, forecast performance, and take the necessary preventive measures to ensure business operations are running at optimal performance.Cetaris has a proven track record of increasing efficiency and improving productivity across all areas of an organization while extending asset life cycles and minimizing total asset costs.For additional information about Cetaris, media inquiries, or interview requests, reach out at 416-679-9555 or info@ cetaris.com SOURCE: Cetaris
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NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2024 / Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until January 29, 2024to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against ChargePoint Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CHPT), if they purchased the Company's securities between June 1, 2023 and November 16, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of ChargePoint and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-chpt/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court byJanuary 29, 2024 .About the LawsuitChargePoint and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On November 16, 2023, post-market, the Company announced its preliminary financial results for 3Q 2024, disclosing that revenue had fallen to "$108 million to $113 million, as compared to $150 to $165 million as previously expected," and 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," which was expected to result in "GAAP gross margin of negative 23% to negative 21%," as well as the replacement of both its CEO and CFO, effective immediately.On this news, shares of ChargePoint fell $1.11, or 35%, to close at $2.02 per share on November 17, 2023, on unusually heavy trading volume.The case is Khan v. ChargePoint Holdings, Inc., et al., No. 23-cv-06172.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients - including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, California, Louisiana and New Jersey.To learn more about KSF, you may visit http://ksfcounsel.com/ CONTACT: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partner lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com 1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163SOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-12 10:30:22

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Results HighlightsThe Group's Retail Sales Value ("RSV") registered growth of 46.1% during 3QFY2024. This was driven by Hong Kong and Macau of China and other markets which was up 70.8%, thanks to the continued recovery of inbound tourism and our annual sale in December. Mainland China (the "Mainland") RSV increased by 42.2%, supported by the strong festive demand and a steady ramp up of our new stores. In Hong Kong and Macau, with an average daily customer traffic increased by over 50% year-on-year, Same Store Sales ("SSS") increased 66.6% during the Quarter. In Mainland China, SSS increased by 22.7% during the Quarter and almost 50% in December. Bolstered by our global diamond campaigns and annual sale, RSV of Wonderful Life Collection in the Mainland was double that of 3QFY2023. Our newly launched Chow Tai Fook Dancing Lily Collection was also well received by our customers in both the Mainland and Hong Kong and Macau. Strength in gold products continued given its nature of value preservation and defensiveness and increasing popularity among younger consumers. Some of our key and exclusive collections such as HUA Collection and ING Collection captured robust market demand, registering RSV growth in excess of 50% and 40% respectively during the Quarter. Since November, we have progressively rolled out the change from weight-based pricing to fixed pricing for selective gold jewellery products. We have observed positive and encouraging responses from the market with strong growth recorded in December.As we transition to a new phase of higher value growth and with our brand revamp set to be unveiled in April 2024, our focus remains steadfast on executing our five strategic priorities to drive a sustained enhancement in earnings quality. HONG KONG, CHINA / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2024 / KEY OPERATIONAL DATAFor the three months ended 31 December 2023(% change compared to the same period last year)GroupRetail Sales Value(1)growth+46.1%MainlandChinaHong Kong&Macauof ChinaandothermarketsRSV growth+42.2%+70.8%Contribution to Group RSV84.2% 15.8%MainlandChinaHong Kong&Macauof ChinaSame Store Sales(2) growth+22.7%+66.6%SSS volume growth+17.5%+49.8%SSSG by product - Gem-set, Platinum and K-gold jewellery-1.9% +4.3%- Gold jewellery and products+32.5%+104.3%(1)"Retail Sales Value" measures the sales at the ending price (VAT inclusive, if any), in respective functional currencies, of products sold to customers in the POS network and other channels.(2)"Same Store Sales" for the Third Quarter is the RSV from the self-operated POS of CHOW TAI FOOK JEWELLERY existing as at 31 December 2023 and which have been opened prior to 1 April 2022. RSV from franchised POS and other channels are not included.(Hong Kong, China, 12 January 2024) Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited ("Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group", the "Group" or the "Company"; SEHK stock code: 1929), today announces certain unaudited key operational data of the Group for the three months ended 31 December 2023 (the "Third Quarter", or the "Quarter" or "3QFY2024").Robust RSV and SSS Growth Driven by Festive DemandDuring 3QFY2024, both Mainland China and Hong Kong and Macau benefitted from strong festive demand. The Group's RSV registered a robust growth of 46.1% during the Quarter. This was driven by Hong Kong and Macau of China and other markets, which was up 70.8%, thanks to the continued recovery of inbound tourism and our annual sale in December. For the first nine months of FY2024, our RSV in Hong Kong and Macau was about 70% of the corresponding FY2019 levels.In Mainland China, the annual sale also commenced in late December to capture growth momentum ahead of the Chinese New Year celebrations. During the Quarter, RSV of the Mainland increased by 42.2%, supported by the strong festive demand. In particular, on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, RSV in the Mainland more than doubled year-on-year.In other markets, an increase in tourism also drove robust RSV growth of 168.6%, especially for Singapore, Malaysia, and duty-free shops in the Mainland. We will continue to evaluate and explore opportunities in markets with strong retail demand.The Same Store Sales Growth ("SSSG") in both markets demonstrated a positive trend. In the Mainland, SSS recorded growth of 22.7% during the Quarter. In particular, SSSG reached almost 50% in December, with positive SSSG observed across all product categories. In Hong Kong and Macau, the continued recovery of inbound tourism and our annual sale were supportive to our business and SSS increased by 66.6%. SSSG grew by 58.8% and 100.7% for Hong Kong and Macau respectively. The encouraging growth was supported by the sustained return of Mainland tourists, coupled with our annual sale during the Quarter. The average daily customer traffic at our stores in Hong Kong and Macau increased by over 50% year-on-year during the Quarter.We continued to enhance digital customer engagement and bolster our online presence through targeted digital marketing initiatives. E-commerce's contribution in Mainland China edged up to 6.4% in RSV and 14.3% in volume in the Quarter.Encouraging Performance of our Featured Diamond CollectionsFor our gem-set business, we kicked off our global diamond campaign in September 2023 with a positive reception. We brought the "Beyond Time" diamond exhibition to Beijing in December, following its successful debut in Hong Kong. These diamond campaigns were designed and aimed at effectively raising consumers' awareness and enhancing their desirability for gem-set jewellery.Quality gem-set jewellery continued to be favoured by consumers, as illustrated by the strong performance of the Wonderful Life Collection in the Mainland, which doubled its RSV in 3QFY2023 year-on-year. Our newly launched Chow Tai Fook Dancing Lily Collection was well received by our customers in the Mainland and Hong Kong and Macau. These underpinned our confidence in the long-term prospects of diamond jewellery.In the Mainland, SSS of the gem-set, platinum and k-gold jewellery category slightly declined by 1.9% during the Quarter yet on a monthly basis, it turned positive since November. Mainland RSV for this category grew 7.0% during the Quarter. In Hong Kong and Macau, SSS increased by 4.3% during the Quarter. In the Mainland, the Same Store Average Selling Price ("ASP") of gem-set jewellery was steady at HK$8,100 (3QFY2023: HK$8,200), while that of Hong Kong and Macau increased to HK$17,400 (3QFY2023: HK$15,100).Sustained Momentum of Consumer Spending on Gold Jewellery and ProductsStrength in gold pro
PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-12 18:00:47

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DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2024 /Cognitus, a dynamic industry leader and SAP gold partner, is thrilled to announce the launch of its transformative rebrand, going live on January 12, 2024. This strategic initiative not only signifies a major milestone for the company but also strengthens its role as a go-to SAP partner for end-to-end business transformation.Cognitus announces the launch of rebranded website As an SAP-certified partner for Build, Sell, Service, and Run, Cognitus' rebranded website encompasses a fresh visual identity in line with multiple achievements including the GROW with SAP partner status in 2023. A modernized logo and updated brand elements reflect the company's commitment to driving innovation, excellence, and future-forward growth with cutting-edge products and solutions."At Cognitus, we believe in the power of constant evolution and adaptation. The new logo is a testament to our commitment to unlock infinite possibilities for innovation, driving transformation across industries, and delivering unparalleled value to our clients," said Pat Sathi, CEO of Cognitus.The rebranding aligns seamlessly with Cognitus' strategic objectives, emphasizing key pillars that drive the company's vision for the future:Innovation: The new brand identity reflects Cognitus' dedication to fostering innovation across an evolving business landscape. By embracing cutting-edge technologies and forward-thinking solutions, Cognitus is well-positioned to lead the way in shaping the future of industries such as Aerospace and Defense, Manufacturing, Automotive, and Professional Services.Client-Centric Approach: Cognitus remains steadfast in its commitment to putting clients at the center of everything it does. The rebrand reinforces the company's approach towards client-centric delivery, ensuring that every customer's journey is tailored to drive industry-specific excellence.Global Reach: As Cognitus expands its global footprint, the rebranding effort reinforces the company's international presence and underscores its commitment to serving clients on a global scale.Having officially launched today, the rebranded website offers a plethora of assets, resources, and products to help businesses strategically plan their transformation journeys and maximize value from their SAP investments in an ever-evolving market landscape. The new brand image captures the true essence of Cognitus' core values.Cognitus invites all stakeholders to be a part of the excitement by following the company's social media channels and catch exclusive insights into the latest rebrand developments.About CognitusCognitus combines deep expertise with a passion for innovation to help businesses thrive in today's dynamic market. Our team of skilled consultants brings a wealth of experience across industries and functions, empowering our clients with tailored solutions that drive growth and maximize value.From strategy development to implementation and beyond, we partner with you every step of the way to deliver measurable results and lasting impact.As an SAP Partner, we have access to the latest SAP technologies, tools, and resources, enabling us to deliver cutting-edge solutions that help our clients gain a competitive advantage. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you leverage the power of SAP to drive growth, innovation, and success.Contact InformationMeghan Demo Senior Marketing Managermdemo@ cognitus.com 1-888-470-0027SOURCE: COGNITUSView the original press release on newswire.com
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MEDIA, PA / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2024 / Delaware County Community College (DCCC) has established a partnership with Upright Education, a leading provider of tech boot camps, to bring high-quality tech skilling programs to adult learners in Pennsylvania. This collaboration aims to equip individuals with in-demand skills in software development, UX/UI design, data analytics, digital marketing, and tech sales, fostering a pathway to lucrative and future-proof careers.The partnership leverages Upright Education's expertise in designing comprehensive tech skilling programs and DCCC's commitment to providing accessible and quality education to the community. Together, they will address the growing demand for skilled tech professionals across industries.Key features of the programs include a fully online format for maximum flexibility; synchronous sessions with experienced industry practitioners, constituting 50% of the program time; and robust career services to support learners in securing roles in their desired fields upon program completion."We are thrilled to join forces with Delaware County Community College in addressing the increasing demand for tech skills in Pennsylvania and look forward to helping learners excel in their chosen fields," said Benny Boas, CEO and Founder at Upright Education."This partnership represents yet another way the College is working to create a skilled technology workforce while eliminating barriers for our students and enhancing their access to education," said Marta Yera Cronin, Ed.D., President, Delaware County Community College.For more information about tech skilling boot camps or to inquire about enrollment, visit Upright Education or Delaware County Community College.---About Upright: Upright Education partners with colleges and universities to offer tech skilling boot camps that drive exceptional career outcomes for adult learners by bridging the gap between hands-on experiential learning and in-demand digital skills.About Delaware County Community College: Delaware County Community College has served as the center of educational opportunity for residents of Delaware and Chester Counties since 1967. Students find affordable, open admission to higher education and can earn Associate in Arts (A.A.), Associate in Fine Arts (A.F.A.), Associate in Science (A.S.), or Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees. The College's comprehensive programs offer high school dual enrollment; transfer options to four-year colleges and universities; prepare students for direct entry into the workforce; award professional certificates; and provide career advancement and lifelong learning opportunities. The College serves a diverse population of 16,000 credit and non-credit students each year.Contact InformationPhilip ChangDirector of Partnershipspchang@ uprighted.com 9172513606SOURCE: Upright EducationView the original press release on newswire.com
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 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
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2024 / Girard Sharp, LLP and Malmfeldt Law Group P.C., national investment, securities, and class action firms, announce an investigation on behalf of investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Golden Heaven securities.Golden Heaven is a Cayman Islands-incorporated company that owns and operates amusement parks in China. The Company had its initial public offering in April 2023, after which the Company's share price increased from approximately $4.00 to over $20.00 in November 2023.On November 13, 2023, Hindenburg Research, an investment firm, published a report stating that it has "major doubts" concerning the validity of Golden Heaven's financial results. According to Hindenburg, the Company's largest amusement park was purportedly responsible for 36% of all guests in 2022 with an average of 2,400 guests per day. However, Hindenburg's investigator visited the park on a Saturday and observed only 10 cars in the parking lot, according to the report.Hindenburg also reported that the Company's CEO has a "history of undisclosed fraud allegations and asset freezes in China." Specifically, Hindenburg reported that the CEO and her spouse faced fraud claims relating to a pharmaceutical company that they controlled, which resulted in a judgment. That judgment was left unpaid, resulting in that company's shutdown, according to Hindenburg.In response to Hindenburg's reporting, on November 13, 2023, the price of Golden Heaven shares fell by approximately 28%. Then, on December 7, 2023, the Company's shares plummeted from $21.08 to $2.32, a decline of nearly 89%. Golden Heaven's shares have since fallen under $2.00.If you purchased or otherwise acquired Golden Heaven securities and would like to discuss your potential claim, please email apolk@ girardsharp.comor call (866) 981-4800 for a free consultation.Why Girard Sharp?Girard Sharp represents investors, consumers, and institutions in class actions and other complex litigation nationwide. We serve on the Plaintiffs' executive committee in the recent spoofing litigation against JPMorgan Chase that settled for $60 million, a favorable resolution that the district court preliminarily approved in December 2021. Our attorneys have obtained multimillion-dollar recoveries for victims of unfair and deceptive practices in antitrust, financial fraud, and consumer protection matters against some of the country's largest corporations, including Raymond James, John Hancock, and Sears. Girard Sharp has earned top-tier rankings from U.S. News and World Report for Securities and Class Action Litigation and has been repeatedly selected as an Elite Trial Lawyers finalist by the National Law Journal.This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics.CONTACT:Girard Sharp LLP(866) 981-4800 contact@ girardsharp.comapolk@girardsharp.comwww.girardsharp.com SOURCE: Girard Sharp LLP
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2024 / Kidoz Inc. (TSXV:KIDZ) (the "Company"), mobile AdTech developer and owner of the market leading Kidoz Contextual Ad Network ( www.kidoz.net); and the Kidoz Publisher SDK, is thrilled to announce a significant milestone in its corporate journey. Following a comprehensive verification process, Kidoz Ltd., a fully owned subsidiary of Kidoz Inc, has been officially recognized as a Preferred Technology Enterprise in Israel, a prestigious status that comes with extensive tax relief benefits as provided by law. This esteemed status, established under the Economic Efficiency Law, is a cornerstone in promoting capital investment, innovation, and employment in Israel, especially in high-tech industries.This recognition is particularly meaningful for Kidoz, aligning with our mission in child-safe advertising and a child-safe operating system. As a Preferred Technological Enterprise, Kidoz met rigorous criteria, including significant research and development expenses, a substantial proportion of employees dedicated to R&D, and consistent revenue and employee growth. These benchmarks reflect our commitment to innovation and technological advancement in the digital space for children.The benefits of being a Preferred Technological Enterprise are substantial. This includes reduced tax liabilities starting from the year 2022 and projected through to 2026, subject to ongoing compliance with the law's conditions.Eldad Ben Tora, General Manager, Kidoz Ltd. & President, Kidoz Inc., said "the tax relief is of immense business significance to Kidoz. It is anticipated to facilitate the continuity and expansion of our operations in Israel." Jason Williams, Kidoz Inc., CEO, added "This status not only highlights our technological innovation and growth but also significantly enhances our business prospects, profitability, and expansion plans in Israel. We extend our gratitude to our Israeli team, whose expertise and commitment have been pivotal in achieving this status." About Kidoz Inc. Kidoz Inc. (TSXV:KIDZ) ( www.kidoz.net) owns the leading COPPA & GDPR compliant contextual mobile advertising network that safely reaches hundreds of millions of kids, teens, and families every month. Google certified, and Apple approved, Kidoz provides an essential suite of advertising technology that unites brands, content publishers and families. Trusted by Disney, Hasbro, Lego and more, the Kidoz Contextual Ad Network helps the world's largest brands to safely reach and engage kids across thousands of mobile apps, websites and video channels. The Kidoz network does not use location or PII data tracking commonly used in digital advertising. Instead, Kidoz has developed advanced contextual targeting tools to enable brands to reach their ideal customers with complete brand safety. A focused AdTech solution provider, the Kidoz SDK and Kidoz Programmatic network have become essential products in the digital advertising ecosystem.The Prado ( www.prado.co) technology provides a leading mobile SSP (Supply-side Platform), DSP (Demand-side Platform) and Ad Exchange programmatically to the entire Ad Tech universe. By activating high-performance programmatic campaigns across thousands of apps on their network, Prado makes digital advertising more efficient and effective by simplifying the process across a connected technology platform.The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. Certain information included in this press release (as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by the company) contains statements that are forward-looking, such as statements relating to anticipated future success of the company. Such forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future and, accordingly, such results may differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the company. For a description of additional risks and uncertainties, please refer to the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Specifically, readers should read the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed with the SEC and the Annual Financial Statements and Management Discussion & Analysis filed on SEDAR on April 19, 2023, and the prospectus filed under Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act on March 9, 2005 and the SB2 filed July 17, 2007, and the TSX Venture Exchange Listing Application for Common Shares filed on June 29, 2015 on SEDAR, for a more thorough discussion of the Company's financial position and results of operations, together with a detailed discussion of the risk factors involved in an investment in Kidoz Inc.For more information contact: Henry BromleyCFO ir@ kidoz.net (888) 374-2163SOURCE: KIDOZ Inc.
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2024 / Pampa Metals Corp. ("Pampa Metals" or the "Company") (CSE:PM)(FSE:FIRA)(OTCQB:PMMCF) is pleased to advise that it has finalized the follow-up diamond drill program designed to demonstrate Piuquenes Central's potential to host an orebody of 1,000 m depth and 300 - 500 m diameter.Follow-Up Diamond Drill ProgramFollowing the optioning of the Piuquenes Porphyry Copper-Gold Project (refer 30 November 2023 News Release), on-site preparatory works for a ~2,500m follow-up diamond drill program to test the depth and lateral extension of known mineralization at Piuquenes Central began on 20 December 2023.This follow-up program of up to 4 drill holes, including two priority drillholes of ~850 - 900 m depth, will commence in mid-January 2024 and is summarized as follows: Hole 1 (REC-01) (refer figure 1) is orientated along a northeast-southwest geological section, proximate to the historical P8A (Inmet) and PIU16-DDH01 (Anglo) drillholes and designed to extend the depth of known mineralization at the southwestern edge of Piuquenes Central porphyry.  Hole 2 (REC-02) (refer figure 2) is orientated along an east-west section, proximate to the historical P4 and P2 drillholes (Inmet) and designed to test the lateral extension of the mineralized body, primarily along the western edge of the Piuquenes Central porphyry.  A 3rd and possibly a 4th hole will focus on extending known depth to the northeast and southeast edges of the Piuquenes Central mineral body and seek to validate a potential mineral column of 1,000 m depth and 300 - 500 m diameter.Joseph van den Elsen, the Company's President and CEO, stated: "We are very pleased to have been able to swiftly identify and secure the Piuquenes copper-gold porphyry project and immediately mobilize on the first of an aggressive, multi-campaign exploration program testing its exceptional potential. We look forward to driving significant shareholder value over the short, medium, and long-term as we first test the depth and lateral extension of the reported high-grade intervals of open mineralization (558.2 m @ 0.38% Cu, 0.42 g/t Au & 2.4 g/t Ag (0.73% CuEq)* incl. 130 m @ 0.81% Cu, 0.6 g/t Au & 4 g/t Ag (1.31 % CuEq)* - refer 5 December 2023 News Release) at Piuquenes Central, and thereafter Piuquenes East and other targets from our growing pipeline." Figures 1 & 2: Piuquenes Central Schematic Cross SectionsThe latest Company Presentation can be accessed at https://pampametals.com/investor/ ON BEHALF OF THE BOARDJoseph van den Elsen | President & CEOINVESTORS CONTACT Joseph van den Elsen | President & CEO Joseph@ pampametals.com ABOUT PAMPA METALSPampa Metals is a post-discovery copper-gold-molybdenum porphyry exploration company listed on the Canadian Stock Exchange (CSE:PM), Frankfurt (FSE:FIRA), and OTC (OTCQB:PMMCD) exchanges.In November 2023, the Company announced it had entered into an Option and Joint Venture Agreement for the acquisition of an 80% interest in the Piuquenes Copper-Gold Porphyry Project in San Juan Province, Argentina.Historical intervals of significant copper and gold mineralization at Piuquenes Central (refer 5 December 2023 News Release) include:413.5 m (167-580.5 m) @ 0.47% Cu and 0.52 g/t Au (0.87% CuEq)*; and 558.2 m (362-920.2 m EOH) @ 0.38% Cu, 0.42 g/t Au and 2.4 g/t Ag (0.73% CuEq)* including 130 m (362-492 m) @ 0.81% Cu, 0.6 g/t Au and 4 g/t Ag (1.31 % CuEq)* Qualified PersonTechnical information in this news release has been approved by Mario Orrego G. Mr. Orrego G. is a Geologist, a Registered Member of the Chilean Mining Commission and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Orrego G. is a consultant to the Company.* %CuEq values are calculated based on copper and gold metal prices: Cu = US$3.20/lb, Au = US$1,700/oz and Ag = US$ 20/oz. The formula utilized to calculate %CuEq is: Cu Eq Grade (%) = Cu Head Grade (%) + [(Au Head Grade (g/t) / 31.104) * (Au Price (US$/oz) / Cu Price (US$/lb) / 22.04) + [(Ag Head Grade (g/t) / 31.104) * (Ag Price (US$/oz) / Cu Price (US$/lb) / 22.0.Neither the CSE nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTThis news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical fact, that address events or developments that Pampa Metals expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will" or "may" occur. These statements are subject to various risks. Although Pampa Metals believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guaranteeing of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements.SOURCE: Pampa Metals Corp.
Agents of the Atesh military movement, consisting of Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars, have identified the positions of a Russian army company located 15 kilometers from the occupied Yevpatoriia. The invaders have fortified their positions with two large trenches, each nearly a kilometer long, in preparation to counter any offensive from the Ukrainian troops.

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This information was reported on January 12 through the Atesh movement's Telegram channel. "Over the course of 35 days, our agents successfully gathered intelligence on the location of an entire Russian Armed Forces company situated 15 kilometers from Yevpatoriia. With extensive fortifications in two large trenches, approximately one kilometer each, the occupiers are gearing up to resist any advances from the Ukrainian Defense Forces," stated the message.

Atesh added that enemy positions are frequently visited by military trucks, and the guerrillas managed to find out the schedule of ammunition and engineering supplies for possible further sabotage.

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"They are preparing seriously, but they are conducting very little surveillance. Apparently, if you are far from the front, no one can kill you. This is a deliberately false statement, and we will soon prove it," the movement promised.

The guerrillas emphasized that they maintain constant pressure on the occupiers and collaborators by conducting daily comprehensive reconnaissance and preparing sabotage missions. Atesh urged the people to join their efforts for a collective victory over the enemy.

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As OBOZ.UA reported, the day before, Atesh said that guerrillas had infiltrated the occupiers' airfield in Yevpatorioa, where they found Pantsyr-S1, Be-12 Chaika and An-12 aircraft. The occupiers are also repairing some aircraft at the facility.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-12 15:02:08

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2024 / Paradigm Development Partners is thrilled to announce the groundbreaking of a luxury commercial project in Daytona Beach, envisioned as a hub for business, leisure, and community growth.Groundbreaking will occur in early 2024, with completion of all phases expected by 2027.Spanning approximately 40 acres, the new Daytona luxury development will border LPGA Boulevard, Clyde Morris Boulevard, North Williamson Boulevard and Mason Avenue, a prime location chosen for its accessibility and potential to connect different parts of the city.The goal with this development project is to bring new brands to the Daytona market, allowing residents to invest in the local economy instead of driving to Jacksonville or Orlando for shopping and dining.The development project will feature a vibrant blend of high-end retailers, full-service restaurants, boutique shopping, and unique spaces to create shared moments, including the area's first Hyatt House Hotel. The Hyatt House will approximate 120 rooms, feature the H bar, and bring an elevated approach to extended stay.The commercial project is an integral part of a larger, walkable, mixed-use community being developed by global real estate investment and development firm Hines, which will also include luxury apartments, an upscale single-family rental community and for-sale townhomes.Central to the development's design is a vision for public spaces and connectivity. The project will include green areas, several ponds, as well as pedestrian pathways."The Daytona project embodies our commitment to creating communities, not just developing spaces," said Rick Friedman of Paradigm Development Partners. "Our goal is to create a space that fosters community and provides a dynamic environment where people can live, work, and enjoy leisure activities in a beautiful setting." This project is expected to generate significant economic benefits, including job creation during both the construction and operation phases, and will serve as a catalyst for further development in the area.Paradigm Development Partners is proud to collaborate with the best in design, construction and innovation. Kimley-Horn is providing civil design, planning, and engineering services for the commercial parcels. Kellogg & Kimsey is the general contractor, and Base4 is the architect for the Hyatt House Hotel.About Paradigm Development Partners, LLC: Founded in 2016, Paradigm Development Partners, LLC is a fully integrated development firm based in Florida specializing in the acquisition, entitlement and development of large tracts of land. With a focus on mixed-use commercial projects including retail, restaurants, hotels and office spaces, Paradigm has been involved in more than 20 properties in the last seven years. For more information, visit https://paradigmdevelopment.com/ About Hines Construction: Hines is a global real estate investment, development and property manager. The firm was founded by Gerald D. Hines in 1957 and now operates in 30 countries. Hines manages a $94.6B portfolio of high-performing assets across residential, logistics, retail, office, and mixed-use strategies with local teams serving 790 properties totaling over 269 million square feet globally. Hines is committed to a net zero carbon target by 2040 without buying offsets. To learn more about Hines, visit www.hines.com and follow @Hines on social media.Includes both the global Hines organization as well as RIA AUM as of June 30, 2023.Contact InformationRick FriedmanVice President & Treasurerrick@ paradigmdevelopment.com 904-788-3085Related FilesSOURCE: Paradigm Development PartnersView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-12 00:00:24

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Inductees Adam Carolla, Aaron Mahnke, Maria Hinojosa, Laurie Sims & Others to be Honored on January 26 at Live Ceremony During Podfest Expo in OrlandoDr. Drew Pinsky to Serve as the 2024 Podcast Hall of Fame EmceePITTSBURGH, PA / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2024 / Today,Podfest Expo , in conjunction with presenting sponsorLiberated Syndication Inc.("Libsyn") , the leading all-in-one podcasting platform for creators and advertisers, unveiled the 2024 Podcast Hall of Fame Inductees. The 6th Podcast Hall of Fame celebrates the outstanding individuals who have left an indelible mark on the podcasting industry. This year's eight inductees include the following internationally renowned and lauded luminaries: Adam Carolla, Aaron Mahnke, Daniel J. Lewis, Doug Kaye, Jesse Thorn, Laurie Sims, Maria Hinojosa, and Michael Butler.The in-person Class of 2024 Induction Ceremony is taking place during Podfest Expo on Friday, January 26, 2024 between 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. ET, at the Wyndham Orlando International Drive in Orlando, Florida. Tickets are available for $49 and can be purchased here.This event will also be live-streamed on the Libsyn YouTube page. What's more, the 2024 Podcast Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be hosted by Dr. Drew Pinsky, widely recognized as Dr. Drew. A board-certified physician and addiction medicine specialist, Dr. Drew has been a prominent figure in the media landscape, hosting acclaimed cable TV and syndicated radio shows such as Loveline and Dr. Drew After Dark. Currently, he co-hosts The Adam and Drew Show alongside his former Loveline colleague Adam Carolla, as well as several other podcasts."Bringing the Podcast Hall of Fame to Podfest Expo is a momentous occasion, enabling us to unite the pioneers and trailblazers who have elevated this dynamic medium," said Chris Krimitsos, Chief Creative Officer, Podfest Expo. "The Class of 2024 Induction Ceremony will be an exciting opportunity to celebrate the voices that are continually shaping the podcasting landscape." "Libsyn is honored to be the Podcast Hall of Fame presenting sponsor for the second consecutive time, standing alongside Podfest Expo to celebrate the industry's visionaries. These honorees, with their exceptional contributions to the ever-expanding podcasting universe, exemplify the heart of podcasting's evolution, and we're proud to recognize their lasting legacy," said John W. Gibbons, Chief Executive Officer, Libsyn.Below is a full list of the 2024 Podcast Hall of Fame inductees:Adam Carolla, Host,The Adam Carolla ShowAaron Mahnke, Host & Producer, LoreDaniel J. Lewis, Podcasting educator, advocate, and innovator Doug Kaye, Executive Director, The Conversations Network Jesse Thorn, Founder, Maximum FunLaurie Sims, Former President & Chief Operating Officer, LibsynMaria Hinojosa, Pulitzer Prize-winning founder of Futuro Media and Host, Latino USA Michael Butler, Host, The Rock and Roll Geek Show "Podcasting gave me the opportunity to express myself freely and connect with an audience by way of a show I record in the garage at my house. There are lots of people making podcasts now but there will always be a select group of people who do it at a very high level. The Podcast Hall of Fame is a celebration of individuals who are the best at using this medium to share their joys and troubles and passions and fears with the rest of the world," said Marc Maron, Host and Producer of WTF with Marc Maron and 2022 Podcast Hall of Fame Inductee.The inductees were voted on by the Hall of Fame Induction Committee, which is composed of current Hall of Fame members; Induction Committee Chairperson Rob Greenlee, a 2017 inductee, who is also the Founder of Spoken Life Media; and Induction Committee Vice Chair Mignon Fogarty, a 2016 inductee, who is the creator and host of the Grammar Girl podcast. The induction of this class brings the Hall of Fame's total number of podcasting luminaries to 41.About Podcast Hall of FameLaunched in 2015, the Podcast Hall of Fame's mission is to recognize and celebrate the distinguished group of individuals who have made a significant impact on the podcasting industry. The influence of these inductees has been ongoing and their contributions are demonstrable. The Hall of Fame last took place in 2022 and has moved to Podfest Expo and is sponsored again by Libsyn. Past notable inductees include No Agenda co-host and former MTV VJ Adam Curry, TWiT.tv founder and owner Leo Laporte, and New York Times best-selling novelist and podcaster Scott Sigler. For more information, please visit www.podcasthof.com About Podfest ExpoCreated by Chris Krimitsos in 2014, Podfest Expo, a production of Cutting Edge Events, is an annual gathering of international podcasting talent and is the longest-running, in-person conference of its type, holding the World Record title for the Largest Attendance for a Virtual Podcasting Conference in One Week. Podfest Expo attendees become part of a deeply connected community that is genuinely passionate about sharing individual voices and transformative messages with the world. Podfest Expo promotes powerful audio and video mediums with engaging speakers, exciting topics, and in-depth, nuanced content that is both compelling and unforgettable.About Liberated SyndicationFounded in 2004, Liberated Syndication Inc. ("Libsyn") is the leading all-in-one podcasting platform for creators and advertisers to host, distribute, monetize, amplify, and measure their audio content. In 2022, the Company hosted over 75,000 shows and delivered over 8 billion downloads to listeners globally. Libsyn'sAdvertiseCastmarketplace combines an industry-leading ad buying and management platform with full-service capabilities that make it easy for podcast advertisers to initiate and manage highly targeted and measurable campaigns on over 3,000 shows. Based in Munich, Germany, Libsyn'sJulep Mediaplatform is the leading podcasting hosting platform and advertising marketplace in Europe. Libsyn also powers podcast membership platform, Glow , and web hosting platform,Pair Networks . Visitlibsyn.comorinvestor.libsyn.comfor more Company information.# # #Media Contacts:For IBN (InvestorBrandNetwork) - 310.299.1717 | Editor@ InvestorBrandNetwork.com For Libsyn- Ray Yeung + Nancy Zakhary |ray@ relev8.co + nancy@ relev8.co Investor Contact: For Libsyn- investor@ libsyn.com SOURCE: Liberated Syndication, Inc.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-11 23:45:38

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Surging Republican Candidate Urges Caucusgoers Not to Waste Their VoteDES MOINES, IA / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2024 / In his closing appeal to Iowa's Republican caucusgoers, CEO and pastor Ryan Binkley urges voters to consider their options prayerfully. The ad, titled "Believe In," features the candidate driving his familiar campaign truck across Iowa as he speaks directly to voters.Presidential Candidate Ryan Binkley Binkley and his family ask Iowans to pray over their choice for president"Before I make any big decision in my life, I take it to God in prayer," explained Binkley. "I'm asking Iowans to do the same as they consider who they will trust with our nation's future." Binkley's campaign has focused heavily on Iowa since launching last April. The candidate has put thousands of miles on his truck, becoming the first candidate seeking the 2024 Republican presidential nomination to complete the "Full Grassley," visiting every county in Iowa."The road to America's economic and spiritual revival starts in Iowa," Binkley continued. "I feel so encouraged and blessed by how warmly the voters here have welcomed my family and embraced our vision for restoring America's faith in God, freedom, and each other." In the final days before the Iowa caucuses, Binkley is reminding voters they have real choices in this election, despite what the media and Washington power-brokers are saying."The only way you can waste your vote is by caucusing for someone you don't believe in," Binkley concluded. "The media and pollsters don't get the final say in this election. You do!"Ryan Binkley is the CEO of Generational Group and co-leading pastor of Create Church, along with his wife Ellie. To view "Believe In," click here. To learn more about Ryan Binkley and his campaign, visit Binkley2024.com Contact InformationDiane MocaCommunications Directorpress@ binkley2024.com 214-494-1792SOURCE: Binkley for President 2024View the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-12 07:02:39

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In the realm of the programmable pacemakers market, a realm defined by the ever-shifting tides of consumer demand and technological evolution, this report serves as a beacon, guiding our readers through a comprehensive and profound analysis. Our audience is as diverse as the market itself, encompassing manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and investors, all seeking to navigate this dynamic landscape. Our primary aim is to provide invaluable insights that empower industry stakeholders to make informed decisions within this rapidly changing environment. We strive to shed light on the current state of the programmable pacemakers market while projecting its future trends.Scope and PurposeOur report is a comprehensive compass, designed to equip industry stakeholders with actionable knowledge. It spans various dimensions of the programmable pacemakers market, including its dynamic market forces, competitive landscape, growth opportunities, challenges, and regional nuances. This information goes beyond mere descriptions; it is crafted to assist stakeholders in making pivotal decisions that shape their strategies and engagements within the market.Request for Sample Report:Promising Comprehensive AnalysisTo uphold our commitment, we pledge to deliver a comprehensive analysis, leaving no stone unturned. We promise to dissect the factors propelling market growth, dissecting shifts in consumer preferences and technological advancements fueling the demand for programmable pacemakers products. Concurrently, we recognize that challenges and obstacles are intrinsic to any industry landscape. We vow to illuminate these hurdles, whether they be economic uncertainties or the intense competition that often characterizes such markets.Guiding the Path ForwardOur report invites readers to explore its contents, laying the groundwork for unveiling the competitive landscape. It introduces the major players in the programmable pacemakers market and elucidates their strategies, offering insights into what fuels their success. This insight-rich analysis is designed to guide others on their journey  be it navigating competition more effectively or finding inspiration in successful strategies.Anticipation of InsightsAcknowledging the market's complexity, we pledge to provide a nuanced understanding of its segments. We promise to detail their sizes, potential growth trajectories, and key trends. This targeted knowledge empowers stakeholders to craft specialized strategies and allocate resources optimally.Balancing Forces and Strategic ImplicationsBy elucidating both driving forces and potential obstacles, our report paints a comprehensive picture of market dynamics. It enables industry stakeholders to navigate the competitive landscape with a deeper understanding of the forces at play. Manufacturers can align their innovation efforts with consumer preferences and regulatory trends, enhancing their market position. Investors and decision-makers can be better prepared to address economic uncertainties and supply chain vulnerabilities. Overall, this section equips readers with insights to make strategic decisions that account for both growth opportunities and challenges in the programmable pacemakers market.Exploring the Competitive LandscapeThe section dedicated to the competitive landscape of the programmable pacemakers market offers a meticulous exploration of the market's key players, their strategies, and their impact on the industry. This segment aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the market's dynamics, the role of major companies, and the strategies they employ to thrive.Some of the major companies in the Programmable Pacemakers market are as follows: Biotronik, Boston Scientific, Medtronic, MicroPort, St. Jude Medical (Abbott)Segment CharacteristicsOur analysis commences by outlining the unique characteristics defining each segment. Whether these segments are categorized based on product types, customer demographics, use cases, or other distinguishing factors, our report provides a clear picture of their definitions and differentiators.Market Segmentation:Type: Single Chamber Pacemakers, Dual Chamber PacemakersApplication: Hospitals, Clinics, OthersMarket SizeUnderstanding the size of each market segment is crucial for assessing its significance within the overall market landscape. Our report presents quantitative data illustrating market share and the contributions of "Type" and "Application" segments to the entire programmable pacemakers market. This information helps stakeholders appreciate the relative importance of each segment.Growth PotentialBeyond current market size, our report delves into the growth potential of these segments. We explore factors such as emerging trends, consumer behaviors, technological advancements, and regulatory influences driving the future expansion of these segments. This forward-looking perspective aids stakeholders in identifying where growth opportunities lie.Key TrendsOur analysis captures the key trends specific to each segment, be it changing consumer preferences, evolving technology adoption, or shifting regulatory landscapes. These insights inform stakeholders about the directions "Type" and "Application" segments might take in the coming years.Strategic InsightsOur segment analysis transcends descriptive data to offer strategic insights. By understanding the characteristics, potential, and trends of "Type" and "Application," industry participants can make informed decisions. Manufacturers can tailor product development strategies to meet the demands of these segments, and marketers can create targeted campaigns to reach specific customer groups.Exploring Regional DynamicsThe section dedicated to the regional analysis of the programmable pacemakers market provides a comprehensive exploration of how the market fares across different geographical areas. This analysis recognizes that markets are not homogenous and that regional variations can significantly impact market dynamics. Our report delves into the intricacies of each region  North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa  to provide stakeholders with valuable insights.Closing ThoughtsIn essence, the conclusion encapsulates our report's journey. It emphasizes our report's role as a strategic tool, a navigator, and a decision-making companion in the complex world of the programmable pacemakers market. Our report is more than just a document; it is a valuable resource that empowers industry stakeholders to thrive in a dynamic and ever-evolving market environment.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-12 18:30:53

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Cintas is committed to ensuring disability inclusion, and its partnership with Project SEARCH is a key component in achieving this goal.NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2024 / Diverse life experiences and unique perspectives collectively shape our identity at Cintas. Part of that identity includes creating a work environment that is inclusive and accessible to individuals with disabilities.A shining example of this can be found at Cintas' Rental location in Little Rock, Arkansas. For the past eight years, this location has partnered with a local program called Project SEARCH, an innovative job-training initiative for young adults with developmental disabilities."I remembered first hearing about Project SEARCH during a meeting, and I was very interested in this program they were developing," said Tanner Chapman, Senior Human Resources Manager at Cintas. "After learning more about them and their goals, we thought this could be a perfect opportunity to find future employee-partners who would be perfect at Cintas." The program, which is supported by Arkansas Rehabilitation Services (ARS), helps its clients complete three internships at local businesses with the goal of learning and gaining new skills for future employment. Once they complete the program, Project SEARCH helps them find employment with businesses in the community like Cintas."The benefit of Project SEARCH is being able to have staff and education available to help our clients advocate for themselves," said Emily Speer, Job Developer with Project SEARCH. "Having someone there to support them helps boost their morale and leads to someone who wants to come to work and be there every day." The Little Rock location has had tremendous success with Project SEARCH, as their location has had zero turnover among Project SEARCH hires over the past five years."Our relationship with Project SEARCH has been fantastic," said Mathew Hoppis, General Manager of Cintas' Little Rock Rental location. "It's a true partnership that has allowed our location to benefit from great hiring results, but the best part is seeing these employee-partners maximize their full potential and be successful." Clara Taylor, a Business Engagement Representative for ARS, notes that working with Cintas has been tremendous because of the available resources Cintas has for its employee-partners and the ability to be open-minded."It's been one of the best partnerships I've had with any of the businesses we work with," said Taylor. "Cintas has been open, present and constantly communicating back and forth on information they'd like to learn." But at the heart of this relationship are the talented employee-partners from Project SEARCH who come to work at Cintas. These employee-partners help contribute to Cintas' success by being put in positions that play towards their strengths so they can excel, be empowered and maximize their full potential.One of the ways Cintas does this is by accommodating employee-partners and their needs to make sure they are put in the best position to succeed.Leyla B., a deaf partner who is a Folder at Cintas, says one of the things she loves about this company is its willingness to accommodate and work with her on her school schedule."At first, I was working full-time and was also a full-time student, but I felt overwhelmed and stressed," said Leyla. "I asked my boss about transferring to part-time hours and they were willing to find a way to make that work. Now, I don't feel overwhelmed and stressed and I can still work at Cintas while pursuing an education." Another example is Marshall N. who is a Line Leader at the Towel Table. Marshall has a herniated disk that makes it difficult to work in certain positions. He was able to work through an accommodation process that allowed him to find a position that was safe for his back and allowed him to maximize his talents."The accommodation process was super helpful," said Marshall. "I like the people that I'm around and the environment, so I'm glad they were willing to help me with this." Employee-partners hired from Project SEARCH also mentioned how working for Cintas has helped them feel empowered and gain a sense of independence.For Spencer C., a Loader at Cintas, developing this independence has helped him make improvements in his life, including supporting his parents in making an upgrade in their home."Working at Cintas has helped me make more improvements in my life, as far as developing myself and just trying to always look for ways to improve," said Spencer. "Because of this job, I was able to help my parents pay for a new washer and dryer." Carson P., a Garment Sorter at Cintas, says it's about being trusted to do his job responsibilities and empowering him outside of work."I've felt more independent because I am trusted to do my job at Cintas," said Carson. "It's helped me feel empowered here and outside of work." For these reasons, many of the employee-partners hope that they can inspire people who are a part of Project SEARCH to come join them and experience the spirit of Cintas."What I like about Cintas is the love that goes around the building, the teamwork and the respect everyone has for one another," said Paris R., a loader at Cintas. "No matter what problems may occur, we always find a way through it." "I hope to inspire other people from Project SEARCH to come here," said Gerald T., a Garment Sorter at Cintas. "Working at Cintas has made me feel more social." This partnership in Little Rock serves as a great example of the impact that can be made in the communities Cintas serves and the opportunities it presents."My hope is we continue to expand this relationship not just in Little Rock, but across all of our Cintas locations," said Hoppis. "It's a great opportunity for us to engage with these organizations and identify employee-partners who can be successful at Cintas." Identifying these employee-partners and embracing their talents helps Cintas diversify its perspectives, create a stronger culture and mirror the communities it serves."We look at disabilities not as a defining characteristic but as a source of strength and diversity," said Hoppis. "As we continue to view it from this perspective, we are accomplishing our principal objective. When we can find collaborative engagement and long-term retention of our employee-partners, we see these partners be extremely successful and that's what it's all about." View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Cintas on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info: Spokesperson: CintasWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cintas Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Cintas
PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-12 16:31:32

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2024 / Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Inspire Medical Systems, Inc. ("Inspire Medical" or the "Company") (NYSE:INSP). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.The investigation concerns whether Inspire Medical 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 7, 2023, Inspire Medical issued a press release announcing disappointing earnings results for the third quarter of 2023-its first reported revenue miss since becoming a public company in 2018. In the press release, the Company's Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") advised that in tracking the results of the Company's pilot program (the "Acceleration Program"), which was designed to facilitate customers' receiving prior authorizations from doctors for the Company's products and, in turn, increase demand for the Company's "Inspire therapy" implantable device, "we observed a decline in prior authorization submissions for patients seeking Inspire therapy.After recognizing this trend, we reinvigorated our efforts to facilitate patient access to Inspire therapy by more closely engaging with our customers with the prior authorization submission process . . . to assure consistency and accuracy of submissions." Further, Inspire Medical admitted that it had started to "track" problems with the Acceleration Program in the second quarter of 2023, including a decrease in the number of prior authorization submissions for the Inspire therapy, and "recogniz[ed] this trend early in the third quarter"-i.e., as early as July 1, 2023. Indeed, the Company's CEO explained that prior to the Company's second quarter 2023 earnings call on August 2, 2023, "we had strong confirmation" of the problems with the Acceleration Program, and "we realized we needed to take some corrective action." On this news, Inspire Medical's stock price fell $31.79 per share, or nearly 20%, to close at $129.65 per share on November 8, 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: 2024-01-12 21:45:27

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2024 /Spiteri Escrow, a trailblazing entity in financial services, proudly announces its ascent to becoming one of the largest independent providers of Responsible Entity, Trustee, Corporate Trust, Custody, Fund Administration, and Registry Services. With a commitment to excellence and innovation, Spiteri Escrow has also embraced cutting-edge AI technology to enhance its customer interface, setting a new standard in the industry and ensuring a seamless and secure investment experience for clients.Over the years, Spiteri Escrow has solidified its position as a trusted partner for clients seeking comprehensive financial solutions. The company's dedication to delivering top-notch services has propelled it to the forefront of the industry, and it now stands as a beacon of reliability and expertise.Spiteri Escrow Operational Protocol1. Diversified Financial Services: Spiteri Escrow has successfully expanded its offerings to encompass various financial services, including Responsible Entity, Trustee, Corporate Trust, Custody, Fund Administration, and Registry Services. This comprehensive suite of solutions caters to the diverse needs of clients, ensuring a one-stop destination for all financial requirements.2. Size and Independence: As one of the largest independent providers in the field, Spiteri Escrow stands out for its size and independence. This independence allows the company to provide unbiased and client-centric solutions, fostering trust and confidence among its clientele.3. AI-Powered Customer Interface: Recognizing the importance of technological innovation, Spiteri Escrow has seamlessly integrated AI technology into its customer interface. This strategic move not only enhances efficiency but also elevates the overall customer experience. Clients can now benefit from intuitive, data-driven insights and streamlined processes, making financial transactions and interactions more seamless than ever before.4. Global Reach: Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, Spiteri Escrow operates on a global scale, serving clients across borders. The company's commitment to international standards and best practices positions it as a preferred partner for businesses and individuals worldwide.Rebecca Wilson, Public Relations Manager at Spiteri Escrow, expressed enthusiasm about the company's achievements and prospects. "We are proud to be recognized as a leader in the financial services industry. Our commitment to excellence, coupled with the integration of AI technology, reflects our dedication to providing unparalleled services to our clients." About Spiteri Escrow:Spiteri Escrow is a leading financial services provider offering a comprehensive range of solutions, including Responsible Entity, Trustee, Corporate Trust, Custody, Fund Administration, and Registry Services. With a commitment to excellence and innovation, Spiteri Escrow continues to set new standards in the industry, providing clients with reliable and cutting-edge financial solutions. With over a decade of experience, the company is dedicated to securely managing investment assets and embracing innovation, including the integration of AI technology for an enhanced customer experience.For further information about Spiteri Escrow and its services, please visit https://spiteriescrow.com/ to explore their comprehensive suite of services.Contact Information:Website link: https://spiteriescrow.com/ Company Name: Spiteri EscrowContact Person: Rebecca Wilson (Public Relations Manager)Country: AustraliaCity: SydneyEmail: r.wilson@ SpiteriEscrow.com SOURCE: Spiteri Escrow
PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-12 03:00:11

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DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2024 / Tonic3 has hired John A. Shahin as its Chief Revenue Officer effective Jan. 8, 2024, as it seeks to continue its accelerated growth in delivering digital transformation solutions to enterprise clients.Tonic3 Chief Revenue Officer John A. Shahin Shahin's expertise in enterprise revenue and go-to-market strategies has played a pivotal role in the growth and transformation of multiple financial and technology companies. His early achievements include launching and leading key banking programs at Citigroup. Throughout his recent career, Shahin has demonstrated expertise in the technology sector, building successful growth teams for SaaS platforms and technology services. His 25+ years of experience spans from working with multinational conglomerates to startups, delivering for both Fortune 500 and emerging technology companies."I'm excited to join Tonic3, a leading company at the forefront of innovation. The opportunity to work alongside a remarkable team driving not only the creation of advanced technologies but also transforming the digital world is inspiring. I'm eager to apply my experience and skills to foster significant growth and guide a team committed to excellence," said Shahin.Tonic3's CEO Joe Edwards also expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "John is an accomplished executive leader who has built revenue organizations from a handful of people to 350+ representatives. His expertise in go-to-market strategies and team development within both services and technology will help us continue to shape an exciting future for our company." Shahin assumes leadership of an international team where he plans to apply his management philosophy of cultivating winning cultures and leading high-performing teams while leveraging his strong analytical, creative, and communication skills.About Tonic3Tonic3 partners with enterprise technology leaders to reimagine and create digital transformations that provide a competitive edge in a fast-changing world. Our solutions scale from project work to managed services and blend nearshore capabilities with U.S. teams. We have headquarters in Dallas and Buenos Aires, and over 80 full-time employees working with clients ranging from Fortune 100 to funded startups. For more information, please visit www.tonic3.com or follow company news on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/tonic3/ Contacts 151 W. WALTERS STLEWISVILLE, TX 75057 214.774.2390 sales@ tonic3.com Contact InformationAlejandra SanchezHead of Customer Successalejandra.sanchez@tonic3.com 214.774.2390Joe EdwardsCEOjoe.edwards@tonic3.com 214.774.2390SOURCE: Tonic3View the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-12 09:05:44

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NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATESVANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2024 / Victory Battery Metals Corp. (CSE:VR)(FWB:VR6)(OTC PINK:VRCFF) ("Victory" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has extended the expiry date of an aggregate of 11,160,611 previously issued warrants (the "Warrants") for an additional two years. All warrants are on post consolidated basis.The Warrants were originally issued November 7, 2022, with an original expiry date of November 7, 2024. The 887,222 Warrants entitle the holder to purchase a common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.45.The Warrants were originally issued February 13, 2023, with an original expiry date of February 13, 2025. The 1,866,667 Warrants entitle the holder to purchase a common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.45.The Warrants were originally issued February 16, 2023 with an original expiry date of February 16, 2025. The 1,634,667 Warrants entitle the holder to purchase a common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.36.The Warrants were originally issued February 22, 2023 with an original expiry date of February 22, 2025. The 2,879,834 Warrants entitle the holder to purchase a common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.36.The Warrants were originally issued March 10, 2023 with an original expiry date of March 10, 2025. The 1,596,667 Warrants entitle the holder to purchase a common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.45.The Warrants were originally issued May 26, 2023 with an original expiry date of May 26, 2025. The 2,000,000 Warrants entitle the holder to purchase a common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.21. sThe Company is also announcing that above-noted Warrants are being repriced to $0.05.Each whole Warrant will now entitle the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.05. The Warrants will also contain an acceleration clause, in that if the shares trade at or more than $0.065 for a 10 day period, the expiry date shall terminate upon 30 days notice.The extension and repricing are subject to approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange.About Victory Battery MetalsVictory is a publicly traded diversified investment corporation with mineral interests in North America. The Company's head office is located at 1780-355 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6C 2C8, and its Common Shares are currently listed on the CSE.Contact InformationFor further information, please contact:Mark Ireton, PresidentPhone: +1 (236) 317-2822 or toll-free +1 (855) 665-GOLD (4653)E-mail: info@ victorybatterymetals.comwww.victorybatterymetals.com Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.SOURCE: Victory Battery Metals Corp.
BlackRock Inc., the worlds largest asset manager, said Friday it has struck a deal to buy Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), where the Nigerian lawyer and investment banker, Adebayo Ogunlesi, is the chairman and CEO.

The deal is said to be worth $12.5 billion.

The transaction will involve a combination of cash and equity, with BlackRock paying $3 billion in cash and roughly 12 million shares, valued at $9.5 billion at the close of trade on Thursday.

Among the terms of the deal, which is expected to reach closure in the third quarter, is that GIPs management will lead a joint infrastructure private markets investment platform at BlackRock.

Mr Ogunlesi is joining the board of BlackRock and the global executive committee.

The unprecedented need for new infrastructure  for digital infrastructure, for upgraded logistics hubs, and for decarbonization and energy security  coupled with record high government deficits means that private capital will be needed like never before, said BlackRocks president, Bob Kapito.

He added, This will be one of the fastest-growing areas of our industry over the next 10 years.

The deal is the biggest since BlackRock bought Barclays Global Investors in 2009, brightening its chance of becoming the foremost provider of exchange-traded funds.

GIP manages $100 billion in assets, meaning the acquisition of the firm could help BlackRock play big in the private and alternative assets market.

BlackRocks earnings for the last quarter of last year showed total client assets climbed past $10 trillion for the first time in two years.

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BlackRock is positioning itself as a one-stop shop for a complete suite of investing options, comprising alternative assets that are in great demand from institutional investors like sovereign wealth funds, pensions as well as endowments.

At the moment, alternative assets contribute about 3 per cent of BlackRock assets under management, accounting for 10 per cent of fees.

BlackRock held $50 billion worth of infrastructure assets as of September which, if combined with GIP, will create an entity to rival some of the biggest players in the industry including Brookfield Asset Management and Macquarie Asset Management.

GIP boasts a significant stake in London City Airport, which it acquired in 2006, and in London Gatwick Airport, in which it purchased a majority holding in 2009 for around 1.5 billion.

Mr Ogunlesi set up GIP in May 2006, with support from Credit Suisse and General Electric, both contributing roughly 9% of the US$5.64 billion of GIPs first fund.

He is currently the lead independent director at Goldman Sachs Group Inc., making him the second most powerful member of the board after Chairman and CEO David Solomon. But Mr Ogunlesi will give up that role to take a new position on the board of BlackRock.

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In the eastern direction, the command of the Russian occupation army has failed to achieve the goals it set for its troops over the past few months. Ukrainian defenders bravely restrained the enemy's offensive, inflicting huge losses on the invaders

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This was stated by the Commander of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, on his Telegram channel. He noted that the Russian army's offensive had failed.

Syrskyi noted that the Russian command had repeatedly set the occupiers tasks and deadlines for capturing Ukrainian settlements and reaching certain borders. However, after the Russian army failed to meet these deadlines, they were postponed.

Thanks to Ukrainian soldiers, all of these enemy objectives were failed.

"The enemy has repeatedly set deadlines for the capture of certain settlements, reaching certain borders, then they were postponed and these tasks were not fulfilled. Lately, thanks to the actions of our defenders, the Russian army's offensive has regularly failed and the enemy has suffered heavy losses," emphasized Syryskyi.

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However, the Land Forces Commander noted that the enemy continues to advance in several directions and has the resources to do so.

As OBOZ.UA reported, over the last day alone, our defenders repelled 25 attacks in the Avdiivka sector, where the enemy tried to improve the tactical situation to no avail. And in the Maryinka sector, the enemy tried to break through the defense of our troops 10 times without success.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Juju King and world music superstar!

That was how the Western media and, indeed, top record labels described King Sunny Ade in the 1980s.

Before Davido performed Assurance in Eddie Murphys Coming 2 America in 2021, 41 years earlier,

KSA  as hes widely known  wrote his name in Hollywood history as the first Nigerian musician to feature in three major films.

KSA was the first Nigerian to make a Grammy nomination under the Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording category, 40 years before the Burna Boys, Tems, Wizkids, and Davido of today with his album Syncro System.

He was indeed a man of many firsts!

First African artiste to incorporate instruments like the pedal steel guitar, synthesisers, clarinet, vibraphone, and tenor guitar into juju music.

But these are not the focus of this article. The focus is on his feats in Hollywood, an industry several top-rated Nigerian actors aspire to break into.

Not many know that KSA starred in three Hollywood films Breathless, O.C. and Stiggs, and One More Saturday Night in the 80s. Although he didnt play a lead role (at the time, black African actors rarely bagged lead roles), his contributions, nonetheless, were relevant.

O.C. and Stiggs

In 1987, 41-year-old King Sunny Ade introduced juju music to the world in the Hollywood comedy film O.C. and Stiggs.

In this comedy by Robert Altman, King Sunny Ade and his band African Beats performed Penkele at a lively party for the teenage lead duo in the movie.

Their short appearance at the end of the film showcased their lively stage presence and electrifying music, giving a glimpse into the world of juju music.

Contrary to some reports, O.C. and Stiggs didnt focus on King Sunny Ades acting skills but instead featured a delightful cameo of his musical talent, leaving the audience wanting more of his catchy tunes and dynamic stage presence.

Its important to mention that King Sunny Ade, without any speaking lines or acting scenes, appeared with his band solely for the musical performance in the film.

One More Saturday Night

In O.C. and Stiggs, King Sunny Ades band had a lengthy on-stage show, but in the 1986 movie One More Saturday Night, their appearance was brief.

Sunny Ades Synchro Sound briefly appeared in a nightclub scene in this comedy directed by Tom Davis and Al Franken.

The song Maajo added an energetic Afrobeat feel, showing people dancing and enjoying the music in the club.

Notably, Sunny Ade wasnt shown on screen, creating uncertainty about whether he was there but not filmed or absent.

In this movie, King Sunny Ades role was limited to his music, with no on-screen performance or speaking role.

Viewers who dont know his music might have missed his contribution to the film.

Breathless

Similarly, his song 365 Is My Number/The Message brought lively energy to a thrilling chase scene in the Richard Gere film.

In the 1983 movie Breathless, King Sunny Ade had a minimal role compared to his parts in O.C. and Stiggs and One More Saturday Night.

The track 365 Is My Number/The Message played quietly in the background, adding suspense and excitement to the chase.

The focus wasnt specifically on the music itself, so only those who knew Sunny Ades music might have recognised it.

Although its nice to mention that King Sunny Ade was part of the film through his musicviewers who arent familiar with it might easily miss it.

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The Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Gombe State, Mohammed Muazu, has cautioned men against engaging in illicit sexual relationships.

Mr Muazu emphasised the importance of verifying the HIV status of potential partners before entering into any sexual relationship.

LEADERSHIP, in a report published on Friday, said Mr Muazu issued the warning during a briefing on the Commands 2023 activities where he revealed the arrest of an 85-year-old man who had enticed numerous young girls into sexual activities.

He said following a medical examination, both the older man and his four wives were confirmed HIV positive.

According to him, HIV is like a time bomb in Gombe State because the prevalence rate is alarmingly high.

He stated the importance for men to be vigilant and verify the HIV status of their partners, particularly those in their window period.

Mr Muazu disclosed the Commands struggles with specific non-governmental organisations (NGOs) advocating for same-sex relationships and marriage, a prevailing issue in the state.

Recently, 76 people were arrested and accused of holding a gay party in Gombe State last year.

This marks another instance where Nigerian authorities will be emphasising the importance of preventing the spread of HIV.

According to the 2019 Nigerian HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS), approximately 1.9 million Nigerians are affected by the disease.

READ ALSO:

In 2022, the Director-General of Nigerias National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Gambo Aliyu, stated that the available data affirmed a reduction in new HIV infections within the country.

Mr Aliyu said there was a decrease in new HIV infections, dropping from 103,404 cases in 2019 to 92,323 in 2021.

In 2023, the Nigerian government introduced two crucial documents to guide the nations efforts to eliminate HIV/AIDS by 2030.

Developed by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) in collaboration with various local and international partners involved in the global HIV response, these documents include the National HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan (2023-2027) and the Sustainability Pathway for National HIV Response (2023-2030).

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, noted that these documents reflect a significant commitment to achieving the global goal of epidemic control and ending HIV/AIDS by 2030, with states taking on leadership roles.

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When 25-year-old Aisha Muntari delivered her first child nine years ago by a traditional birth attendant in the Sabuwar Unguwa area of Katsina State, north-west Nigeria, she had no reason to register the baby at any birth registry.

Seven years later, Ms Muntari had her second born, and thereafter the third child who is now four years old.

None of them was registered after birth. We didnt think birth registration was important to us as parents and to the children. So, we didnt bother to register them, the mother of three told PREMIUM TIMES in an interview in Katsina.

Ms Muntari is not alone on this trajectory of poor birth registration.

In Abuja, Nigerias capital city, Hannatu Gambo, like Ms Muntari, said she had no reason to document her five childrens births at the registry.

I dont know if a birth registry exists in Abuja, Ms Gambo who lives at Gidan Mangoro, a rural part of Abuja, told this reporter.

With many mothers delivering their babies either at home or rural primary healthcare centres (PHCs), it is an undeniable fact that many births go unregistered, experts say.

Birth and death registrations have remained a major issue tugging at the heart of Nigerias development plan, with many births taking place, especially in the hinterlands, without being documented by the authorities.

Over 70 per cent of births take place in rural communities outside healthcare facilities and without any form of documentation, Michael Ijiko, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at the Federal Medical Centre in Makurdi, Benue State, told PREMIUM TIMES.

The current data (on infant-maternal mortality) are based on data from tertiary health institutions; they are a minute reflection of the burden of infant-maternal problems. The burden is more in northern Nigeria, Mr Ijiko explained.

Many of the births in Nigeria are happening outside the healthcare system. Nobody is recording childbirth; we dont have accurate data for planning, Emmanuel Ameh, a professor of pediatric surgery and chief paediatric surgeon at the National Hospital in Abuja, Nigerias capital city, said, echoing Mr Ijikos thoughts on the issue.

These experts perspectives are corroborated by the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF). The global body said the low levels of birth registration in Nigeria, which it puts at 62 per cent, underestimate the true scale of child health issues.

In its assessment of the health predicaments of women of childbearing age and children between ages five and 15 in Nigeria, UNICEF said Nigeria accounts for 10 per cent of global deaths for pregnant mothers. Latest figures show a maternal mortality rate of 576 per 100,000 live births, the fourth highest on earth.

According to a 2023 report, titled, Improving maternal and newborn health and survival and reducing stillbirth: Progress Report 2023, Nigeria accounts for the second-highest number of maternal and child deaths globally, after India.

The report revealed that in 2020, about 788 women and children died per thousand in India and about 540 women and children per thousand died in Nigeria.

In the same year, India accounted for 17 per cent of global maternal, and neonatal deaths and stillbirths, while Nigeria accounted for 12 per cent.

Another critical sphere of Nigerias development where the database is lacking is the education sector where the government disputes the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)s figures on Nigerias out-of-school children.

While a 2022 UNESCO report stated that about 20 million of school-age children are not enrolled in school, the countrys Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) puts the number of out-of-school children aged six to 18 at 10 million.

The disagreement between UNESCO and the government underscores the chronic problem of inadequate data collection in Nigeria.

Government officials at the Federal Ministry of Health and the Primary Health Care Board in Abuja claim data on children are often harvested during vaccination exercises across Nigeria, but experts question the technical know-how of vaccinators in gathering reliable data for planning purposes.

What is the capacity of health professionals at the primary healthcare centres and vaccinators to document newborns during routine checks? Mr Ijiko queried.

He said there are specific persons trained to gather and document statistics of people through biometric processes.

Nigerias President Bola Tinubu acknowledged the crucial role data could play in addressing Nigerias challenges, but the government failed to allocate funds to the National Population Commission in the 2024 budget for the headcount.

More than half of Nigerias under-five deaths  64 per cent  result from malaria, pneumonia or diarrhoea; an indication that improved investment in healthcare can improve the situation.

Messrs Ameh and Ijiko say there has been improved investment in the health sector leading to a reduction in infant mortality in the country. However, Nigeria still has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world with marginal progress, because the proportion of patients able to access appropriate treatment remains low.

Salma Anas, a presidential aide on health, blamed Nigerias high infant mortality rate on dysfunctional primary healthcare centres.

Recently, Nigerias House of Representatives said only 20 per cent of the countrys 34,000 primary healthcare centres (PHCs) are functional.

The PHCs, largely located in rural areas, are bedevilled by a lack of medical equipment, drugs, qualified personnel, electrical systems, beds, and road networks, an issue re-echoed by Mr Ameh when he said the number of childrens hospitals in the country are not sufficient to meet the healthcare needs of a fast population of Nigerians.

Data implications for Nigerias development

Nigerias burgeoning population calls for concern as its youthful population lacks essential skills and education for economic growth. Also, the country is plagued by infrastructure deficits in healthcare, roads, water and education sectors.

The resultant effects of the problems are self-evident  insecurity and poverty remain intractable in Nigeria, with 133 million citizens living in multidimensional poverty, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

These challenges have been accentuated by inadequate databases for planning, a development expert, Jide Ojo, told this newspaper in a telephone interview.

Law enforcement failure fuelling non-birth registration

In Nigeria, the National Population Commission is statutorily saddled with the responsibility of registering all births and deaths in the country.

There is a legal obligation to register every birth in the country. The Births, Deaths Compulsory Registration Act of 1992, compels parents to register the birth of their babies within 60 days after delivery.

However, Ms Muntari and Ms Gambo are not aware of the legal obligation to register their children even after several years of birth.

I am not aware that it is mandatory to register every birth in Nigeria, Ms Gambo said in Hausa, a language widely spoken in northern Nigeria and many parts of West Africa.

Nigeria borrowed the law on birth registration from Britain, its former colonial master. However, awareness of the law and its enforcement remains poor.

While the legislation provides for a timeframe within which every birth must be registered, the law does not stipulate punishment for defaulting parents.

UNICEF says that a well-developed and functioning civil registration system promotes efficient government planning, effective use of resources and aid, and more accurate monitoring of progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

A birth certificate serves as a foundational identity for operational identity purposes like education and a passport for travelling.

Even the few registrations taking place are being done manually.

The process of registering births shows that registered births are sent from all the registration points to the central office every quarter and at the end of the year.

Digitalisation as solution

Recently, the Nigerian government launched the electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System (e-CRVS), a digital platform for the documentation of birth and stillbirth, birth attestation, adoption, marriage notification, divorce notification, migration, and death.

Experts suggest a transition from the current paper-based data collection system to a digitalised platform that allows the capturing of infant identification. This will enable agencies to tap into the information that helps to provide better responses to the needs of infants.

Mr Ameh, the professor of paediatric surgery, recommended the establishment of a database for the registration of newborns across rural communities.

There should be policy redirection and incentives for women of childbearing age, and childhood vaccination programmes, Mr Ijiko suggested as ways of boosting childbirth registration. Strengthen the primary healthcare centres, where the real gain will be made.

Francis Fagbule, a healthcare professional at the University College Hospital in Ibadan, Oyo State, called for the enforcement of the birth registration law.

The government must look for incentives to encourage parents to register births, especially in rural communities.

In other countries, without a social security number, you cannot access social services, Mr Fagbule, an associate lecturer at the University College in Ibadan, said.

In August 2023, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos State, south-west Nigeria, announced free antenatal care and child delivery services to pregnant women residing in the state.

As a measure of incentivising child delivery in healthcare facilities, the Muhammadu Buhari Mother and Child Hospital in Makurdi, Benue State, slashed the cost of childbirth from N10,000 (about 10 dollars) to N5,000.

Luper Uvah, who heads the hospital, told PREMIUM TIMES that the measure was geared towards encouraging pregnant mothers to patronise the hospital for child deliveries. He added that there is an ongoing process of digitalising the hospitals services for efficient service delivery and planning.

To address the issue, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the National Population Commission (NPC) and UNICEF announced a collaboration geared towards enhancing birth registration in Nigeria.

The NYSC programme is a nationwide exercise mandatory for graduates under age 30. Under the scheme, graduates of tertiary institutions provide services across public and private sectors for one year.

Leveraging on the NYSCs wide reach, the population agency and UNICEF hope to achieve a digitalised birth registration process in 22 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The exercise intends to reach most of Nigerias 774 local government areas with benefits to at least 12 million under-five eligible children who will be registered as primary beneficiaries.

This report is produced under the DPI Africa Journalism Fellowship Programme of the Media Foundation for West Africa and Co-Develop.

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The Supreme Court on Friday affirmed the election of Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, ending the electoral dispute that had raised doubts about his prospects of completing his term in office.

Mr Mutfwang of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was declared the winner of the governorship election last March by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). However, in a judgement delivered last November, the Court of Appeal upturned his victory.

The Court of Appeal went on to declare his challenger, Nentawe Goshwe of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the true winner of the keenly contested March 2023 governorship election in the state.

Displeased with the decision, Mr Mutfwang who won at the first level of the challenge to his victory at the Plateau State Governorship Election Tribunal, immediately filed an appeal at the Supreme Court to have the Court of Appeals decision overturned.

Delivering the lead judgement of the Supreme Courts five-member panel on Friday, Emmanuel Agim referenced APCs contention that the appellant was not qualified to contest the election.

The APC argued that Governor Mutfwangs nomination as a candidate and his election were invalid by virtue of non-compliance with the electoral law.

The Court of Appeal, upholding APCs argument, had held that the primary election that produced Governor Mutfwang as PDPs candidate and his subsequent nomination to INEC were invalid.

But departing from the Court of Appeals decision, Mr Agim held, We have held in a plethora of cases that the sponsorship of a candidate for election is an internal affair of a political party.

He ruled that the Court of Appeal lacked jurisdiction to determine the validity of the candidacy of the PDP.

He reiterated that Mr Yilwatda of the APC has no right to challenge the emergence of Governor Mutfwang as the candidate of the PDP.

The Court of Appeal had anchored its decision sacking the governor on the alleged failure of the PDP to comply with an order of the Plateau State High Court to conduct fresh congresses before holding primary elections for nomination of its candidates for the 2023 general elections.

But the Supreme Court justice said the order of the High Court had nothing to do with the partys power to conduct a primary election, as it did to nominate Governor Mutfwang as its candidate for the governorship election.

The justice ruled that despite that, there is evidence showing that the order of the Plateau State High Court was complied with by the party.

Can the tribunal and the Court of Appeal determine the validity of the nomination of a candidate? The justice asked.

The order of the High Court of Plateau State had nothing to do with power of the NEC of the PDP; it is a jurisdictional matter, the justice added.

The legal profession should wake up, Mr Agim said, indicating his worry about the shallowness of a trend of legal arguments raised by lawyers and get upheld by courts.

For the reasons given, the judge said, this appeal is allowed.

He went on to set aside the judgement of the Court of Appeal and the orders made in it.

He restored the decision of the election tribunal and affirmed Governor Mutfwangs victory at the March 2023 polls.

In his consenting opinion, Inyang Okoro who headed the five-member panel, said, My only worry is that a lot of people have suffered as a result of the Court of Appeals decision. It was absolutely wrong. The appeal is allowed.

Also consenting, Helen Ogunwunmiju, said, It was very wrong for the Court of Appeal to go into the issue of party congresses. To make matters worse, the party challenging the issue is another political party.

She added that the Court of Appeal made a fundamental error by shifting the burden of proof on Governor Mutfwang.

Other members of the panel  Uwani Abba-Aji and Adamu Jauro also agreed with the judgement.

Governor Mutfwang had scored 525,299 votes to beat APCs Yilwatda, who garnered 481,370 votes during the 18 March 2023 governorship poll in Plateau State.

The governors election was upheld by the Plateau State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Jos, the state capital.

However, the Court of Appeal in Abuja overturned the victory, necessitating Mr Mutfwangs appeal at the Supreme Court.

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Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has appointed a medical doctor-turned businessman, Tunji Olowolafe, as the Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti.

The governors spokesperson, Yinka Oyebode, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

This is in exercise of his power as Governor of the state and Visitor to the university, Mr Oyebode said.

The appointment is with immediate effect.

About new chancellor

Mr Olowolafe is the owner of Deux Project Limited, the company fingered in a PREMIUM TIMES investigation into the corruption-laden N5.6bn Lagos cardiac and renal centre.

The company was awarded the contract by the Lagos State Government in 2008 in a process that appears dubious as there was no evidence of a competitive bidding process.

The newly appointed chancellor, who hails from Are-Ekiti, had previously served as a member of the Ekiti State COVID-19 Resource Mobilisation Committee.

READ ALSO: Two Ekiti State University students convicted for internet fraud

Mr Olowolafe, a graduate of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, was said to have had a stint in medical practice before launching his career as a business owner.

Hes also the Founder of Generic Product Limited, which he launched in 1996, and the Chairman and Managing Director of Deux Investment Limited.

About university

The university was established as Obafemi Awolowo University, Ado-Ekiti in 1982. The name was changed to Ondo State University in 1985, University of Ado-Ekiti in November 1999, and to Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, in 2011.

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Gunmen have reportedly abducted 23 persons in the Kawu community in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The victims were kidnapped on Thursday.

Kawu shares boundaries with Niger and Kaduna States.

The Councillor, representing the area, Abdulmumini Zakari, who is also the deputy speaker of the council, said the gunmen, numbering about 40, came into the community through the Kuyeri Forest in Kaduna State.

They divided themselves into groups and some went into the palace of the district head, Abdurrahman Ali, where they abducted his son, Lukman, and his wife, whom he married two weeks ago.

Others attacked the compound of Alhassan Kawu, the Marafa of Kawu, and a former PDP Chairman of Kawu Ward. They abducted him along with his four children., he told Punch newspaper.

Mr Zakari added that the bandits invaded the home of the Sarkin Pawan Kawu, Gambo Pawa, and abducted him along with his two wives and some children.

When contacted, the FCT Police spokesperson, Joseph Adeh, a Superintendent of police, said she had yet to confirm the incident.

I have not confirmed any kidnap case, I am currently working on recruitment, I dont know anything about the kidnap, I am solving the issue now, Ms Adeh told PREMIUM TIMES on Friday.

The incident occurred a day after some terrorists reportedly abducted 85 people at Katari along the Kaduna  Abuja highway in the Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

READ ALSO: 15 persons kidnapped in 2024 as Abuja grapples with rising crime rate

The police in Kaduna, however, debunked the story.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that about 15 persons were kidnapped in Abuja in the first week of this year.

Eight of the victims were kidnapped in the Sagwari Estate Layout in the Dutse-Alhaji area of Abuja by gunmen dressed in military uniform.

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The Supreme Court on Friday affirmed the victory of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State at the March 2023 governorship election.

A panel of Justices of the Supreme Court unanimously affirmed the governors election, after dismissing the separate appeals filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party with their governorship candidates.

Both the PDP candidate, Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, and Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party had anchored their appeals on their prime argument that Mr Sanwo-Olus nomination as a candidate for the election was invalidated by the fact that his running mate, Obafemi Hamzat, was ineligible to run with him because he holds dual citizenship of Nigeria and the United States.

Delivering judgement on the Labour Partys appeal, Lawal Garba, a member of the Supreme Court panel, held that by virtue of section 177 of the Nigerian constitution a citizen by birth who has attained 35 years of age and has a school certificate is qualified to vie for office of the governor in Nigeria.

A person who is a citizen of Nigeria by birth is clearly entitled to contest any election in Nigeria, Mr Garba said.

He added that no provision in the constitution strips a Nigerian by birth of his citizenship on account of acquiring the citizenship of another country. I find the Court of Appeal right in affirming the election of the second respondent (Governor Sanwo-Olu.).

This appeal lacks merit and it is consequently dismissed, Mr Garba declared.

Other members of the panel consented to the lead decision.

In his consenting opinion, a member of the panel, Emmanuel Agim, said, The Lagos State deputy governors declaration of allegiance to the United States does not rob him of his right to vie for elective office in Nigeria as a citizen by birth.

But the court summarily dismissed the PDPs appeal.

Adamu Jauro, a member of the Supreme Court panel who delivered the lead decision, said the election petition tribunal which conducted the trial on the case, failed to determine the merit of the petition submitted to it by the party.

The justice, however, said the Supreme Court could not determine the merit of the appeal because the strict time frame of 180 days within which the petition must be determined had lapsed.

This appeal is devoid of any merit, and it is accordingly dismissed, Mr Jauro said.

Other members of the panel consented to the decision.

Mr Sanwo-Olu had earlier won at both the Lagos State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, with both courts dismissing the cases instituted by his challengers to overturn his victory.

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The Supreme Court on Friday affirmed the election of Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, whose victory at the March 2023 poll was earlier overturned by the two lower courts.

A panel of Justices of the Supreme Court led by Inyang Okoro unanimously set aside the concurrent decisions of the two lower courts which had sacked the governor from office over alleged irregularities during the March 2023 disputed election.

The Supreme Courts decision included setting aside the Court of Appeals declaration of Nasiru Gawuna of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the disputed March 2023 governorship election in the state.

The case is about the most keenly fought governorship election dispute arising from the 2023 election cycle.

The case stood out as the only one in which a winners victory was overturned by both the governorship election petition tribunal and the Court of Appeal.

Delivering the lead decision on Friday, Mr Okoro faulted the reasons on which the Court of Appeal and the tribunal anchored their decisions to sack the governor.

The Supreme Court restored Mr Yusufs votes that were cancelled by the lower court on the basis that the ballot papers were not signed.

It also affirmed that Mr Yusuf was validly nominated as the candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) for the election, contrary to the decision of the lower courts that his candidacy was a nullity on the grounds that he was not a bona fide member of the party.

More details of Supreme Court decision

Reviewing the evidence adduced in the case, Mr Okoro noted that the appeal was predicated on alleged forgery of NNPC membership card by Governor Yusuf, and votes manipulation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in favour of the governor.

On the issue of sponsorship of a candidate for election, Mr Okoro noted that the Supreme Court had, in a plethora of precedents, established that the issue of nomination of candidates is exclusively the internal affairs of a political party.

Therefore, it is not justiciable, he said, emphasising the futility of any attempt to challenge the validity of a partys nomination of a candidate for an election.

Referencing Section 177 (c) of the Nigerian constitution, Mr Okoro said the law only frowns on independent candidacy and nothing more.

READ ALSO:

The court below erred in law by investigating the governors membership of NNPP, the party having nominated him as its candidate, Mr Okoro held.

On the other issue of cancellation of over 160,000 votes polled by the governor based on alleged non-signing of ballot papers, the Supreme Court faulted the deduction of Mr Yusufs votes by the tribunal, a decision that was affirmed by the Court of Appeal.

I have found that the decision of the tribunal to deduct 165,616 votes from the governors results was based on provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, Mr Okoro said.

But he added: The provision does not regulate actions at the polling units. What is the effect of a ballot paper not having the marks by the Electoral commission?

The APC and its candidate, Mr Gawuna, had argued that the ballot papers for the 165,616 votes credited to Governor Yusuf were not stamped, dated and signed by INECs presiding officers. They were able to sway the tribunal and the Court of Appeal to deduct the votes from Mr Yusufs scores.

But restoring the votes to Mr Yusuf on Friday, the Supreme Court ruled that A ballot paper that does not bear INEC marks is not invalid by all purposes.

He added that it must be proven that the ballot papers were not the ones deployed for the conduct of the election before the court can void them.

There is no proof that the said ballot papers were not the ones used at the election. Thus, the decision of the Court of Appeal affirming the decision of the tribunal ought to be set aside, Mr Okoro said.

In the final determination of the appeal, Mr Okoro said the lower court wrongly misconstrued its evaluation of the ballot papers. This amounts to perversion.

Accordingly, the Supreme Court restored the cancelled ballots to Governor Yusuf.

Judges should be more meticulous, Mr Okoro said of the case that generated a controversy at the Court of Appeal.

There is merit in this appeal. And the appeal is hereby allowed. The appellant won majority of lawful votes

The judgement of the lower court voiding the election of the appellant is hereby set aside, Mr Okoro ruled.

Other members of the five-member panel unanimously consented to the lead decision.

Background

On 17 October 2023, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal in Abuja led by Moore Adumein sacked Mr Yusuf as governor of Kano State.

Mr Adumein declared Mr Gawuna of the APC winner of the 18 March governorship election in the state.

The tribunal had declared Mr Gawuna the winner of the election after invalidating votes cast in favour of Mr Yusuf.

But the Court of Appeal, in addition to that, disqualified Mr Yusuf as a candidate in the election, on the ground that he was not a member of the NNPP as of the time of the election.

The court added that without being a member of a political party, Mr Yusuf could not have been validly nominated to run for the election in March.

Yusuf Abba was not a member of the NNPP as of the time he was purportedly sponsored for the 18 March Kano State governorship election, Mr Adumein had ruled.

However, at the hearing of the case at the Supreme Court on 21 December 2023, Governor Yusufs lawyer, Wole Olanipekun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), argued that the concurrent findings of the lower courts were wrong.

He had contended that there was no legal basis for the tribunal and the appellate court to invalidate his clients election on account of non-compliance with electoral guidelines.

This is the first time in the annals of Nigerias electoral jurisprudence that an election was nullified on the basis that ballot papers were not stamped, dated and signed by INEC, Mr Olanipekun lamented.

He said the electoral guidelines did not envisage the cancellation of an election on the grounds that the electoral umpire failed to stamp or sign the ballots.

Nobody raised the legality of the ballots. Ballot papers cannot be invalidated. Ballot papers are in a bundle; there is no way any forgery can arise because it is from the same booklet, Mr Olanipekun explained.

The lawyer wondered why the governor should be punished for the failure of the electoral commission to stamp, date and sign the ballots that were used for the conduct of the March election.

Assuming without conceding that INEC was wrong in not stamping, dating or signing the ballot papers, would you visit the sin of the electoral commission on the litigant?

The judgement of the lower court was unfair to the appellant (Mr Yusuf). We urge this (Supreme) court to overturn the judgement and uphold the election of Mr Yusuf, Mr Olanipekun said.

On the issue of Mr Yusufs membership of the NNPP, Mr Olanipekun referenced a plethora of cases where the Supreme Court held that the membership of a political party cannot be challenged by another political party.

The tribunal said it is not justiciable. It is a pre-election matter. There is a predicate complaint that Mr Yusufs membership card was forged. The lower court found that the card was not forged, yet the appellate court held that he was not a member of the NNPP.

Mr Gawunas lawyer, Akin Olujinmi, a SAN, prayed the Supreme Court to dismiss the appeal and affirm the concurrent findings of the courts.

Citing Section 42 of Electoral Act and regulation 19 of INEC, Mr Olujinmi argued that the electoral umpire ought to have stamped, dated and signed the ballots that are being disputed.

He said the returning officers at the Kano State polls should have stamped, dated and signed the 165,616 ballots.

Mr Olujinmi disagreed with Mr Olanipekun that only 1,886 votes were said not to have been endorsed by INEC.

When the witness was cross-examined at the tribunal, the expert witness said 165,616 votes. That evidence remains unchanged. The findings were that many of the ballot papers were not signed.

Mr Olujinmi noted that these were irregularities that were manifest in the conduct of the election. This amounts to non-compliance with the Electoral Act.

Referencing section 177 (c) of the Nigerian constitution, Mr Olujinmi contended that the lower court had jurisdiction to hear and determine the issue of Mr Yusufs membership of the NNPP.

The NNPP produced that membership register of Mr Yusuf and his name was conspicuously absent. Mr Yusuf did not address the court on the issue.

When the issue has to do with the constitution, the court has a duty to look at the issue and determine it.

It is no longer an internal affair of a political party because it touches on a provision of the Nigerian constitution  membership of a political party, Mr Olujinmi said.

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The Supreme Court has laid to rest the Bauchi State governorship election dispute in a final judgement that affirms Governor Bala Mohammed as validly elected during the March 2023 poll in the state.

A panel of the Supreme Court, led by Inyang Okoro, unanimously dismissed the appeal challenging Mr Mohammeds victory on Friday.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Governor Bala Mohammed of the Mr Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the 18 March 2023 governorship election in Bauchi State.

But the governors victory was challenged at the Bauchi State governorship election petition tribunal and later at the Court of Appeal by the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Sadique Abubakar.

Mr Abubakar lost in both courts. But displeased with the judgements of the two lower courts, he proceeded to the Supreme Court to further challenge Governor Mohammeds election.

Delivering the lead decision on Friday, a member of the Supreme Court panel, Ibrahim Saulawa, held that the APC candidate was unable to prove at the election petition tribunal his allegations of anomaly such as improper filing of election results during the election, and how the breaches substantially affected the outcome of the 18 March 2023 poll.

The justice added that the appellant failed to discharge the burden of proof as required of him by the law.

He noted that the appellants witnesses were not polling unit agents, so they could not have given credible testimonies that met legal standards about what transpired at the poll units during the election.

On the basis of the findings, having effectively resolved all the issues against the appellant, the appeal is apparently devoid of merit. The judgement of the Court of Appeal is hereby affirmed. The appeal is dismissed, Mr Saulawa ruled.

The decision affirming Mr Mohammed as the elected governor of Bauchi State lays to rest the disputes over last years governorship election in the state, as the Supreme Court is the final court of adjudication on the case.

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A witness and plaintiff alleging that Ousman Sonko oversaw a hit squad that tortured and raped her, took the stand in the crimes against humanity trial of the Gambian former interior minister in the Swiss city of Bellinzona on Thursday.

Mr Sonko was the police chief under ex-president Yahya Jammeh from 2005 to 2006. In the latter part of 2006, he was appointed minister of interior, a position he held from November 2006 to February 2012 and from May 2012 to September 2016.

The Swiss Attorney Generals office, along with 10 plaintiffs from Gambia, is accusing Mr Sonko of torture, murder, false imprisonment, rape, and deprivation of liberty, allegedly perpetrated against Gambians during the 22-year rule of Gambias former dictator Jammeh.

The witness, who requested her name be concealed, had been accused of being involved in a foiled coup led by Ndure Cham, the army chief of defence staff. In the aftermath of the coup, several peoplemilitary officers and civilianswere rounded up, including the witness, who was a civilian.

A panel was established and composed of various heads of security institutions. Mr Sonko allegedly sat on it, the witness testified. Several investigations, including one by the countrys Truth Commission, established that such panels were confession exercises accompanied by the beating of Junglers, a paramilitary hit squad allegedly operating on the orders of Mr Jammeh.

They took me to a room. They removed my glasses, put a plastic bag over my head, and started beating me from all directions. That went on for a long time. They do this until you cant breathe, said the witness. After the beating, she was allegedly raped by one of the Junglers.

One of them came in and turned off the light, she said. The whole room was dark. I thought I was going to be beaten again. I saw a Jungler with a mask. He jumped on me, opened my legs and started molesting me. He raped me.

Emotional scars of the incident

The witness had no means of identifying the person who raped her, and she is not accusing Mr Sonko personally. According to her, Mr Sonko, who at the time of her arrest was the police chief, formed part of the panel that supervised her torture and maltreatment. (Binta Jamba, the first plaintiff to take the stand against Sonko on Wednesday, accused Sonko personally of raping her.)

Todays witness, who broke down several times, told the court the rape left a lasting physical and emotional scar. I could not bear to come close to a man. I had to end the relationship with a man I was about to marry, Ms Ceesay said. Until now, I cant sleep with the lights off. I am afraid of the dark.

The witness was the second plaintiff to testify in connection to the torture that occurred in the aftermath of the 2006 coup. The first to take the stand was Bunja Darboe.

READ ALSO: Victims of alleged Jammeh henchman Ousman Sonko welcome Swiss trial

Jammehs government was a dictatorship. There were a lot of human rights violations. Jammeh had a lot of enablers. Ousman Sonko was one of them, Mr Darboe told the court on Thursday. The trial continues tomorrow with the testimony of Demba Dem, a torture victim.

Mr Sonko has denied all allegations against him.

This was a collaboration with New Narratives as part of the West Africa Justice Reporting Project.

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A Somali citizen, Mohamed Adila, who fought against Ukrainian soldiers in the Russian army, surrendered to the Ukrainian Defense Forces. He complained that the Russian invaders were constantly mocking and humiliating him.

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This was reported on the Facebook page of volunteer and military correspondent Roman Bochkala on Thursday, January 11. According to him, the Somali "gladly went into captivity" near Marinka in the Donetsk region.

Adila said that there were at least three other Indian citizens in the 3rd Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the occupiers. The foreign mercenaries had no previous experience in law enforcement agencies but they performed combat missions together with the Russians.

At the same time, they have not taken Russian language courses and generally do not speak the language.

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The Somali said that the mercenaries experienced systematic abuse and humiliation by the Russian invaders on the basis of ethnic and racial differences.

"As you can see, the enemy uses poorly trained and uncoordinated personnel. The heroes of Mother Russia have become complacent. Missiles from the DPRK, pirates from Somalia," Roman Bochkala wrote.

According to OBOZ.UA, more and more Russian occupants are refusing to go on the offensive in the Tavria sector of the Ukrainian frontline. Recently, about 40 servicemen of the aggressor country arbitrarily left the trenches and tried to escape with weapons towards the occupied Crimea.

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Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Some hoodlums have burnt down the palace of a traditional ruler in Anambra State, Nigerias South-east.

The monarch, Emmanuel Nnabuife, is the traditional ruler of Isekke, a community in Ihiala Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Nnabuife was, however, not around when the hoodlums attacked his palace and set it ablaze, PREMIUM TIMES gathered.

Sources told this newspaper that the monarch, like many traditional rulers in Ihiala Local Government Area, resides in Awka, the state capital, due to rising attacks in the council area, particularly against community leaders.

Mr Nnabuife has confirmed the development to reporters on telephone, according to reports in the national media.

I have lost everything that I laboured all my life to achieve and as it is now I am homeless, the monarch was quoted as saying.

READ ALSO:

When contacted, the police spokesperson in Anambra State, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident to PREMIUM TIMES, Friday night.

Mr Ikenga, a deputy superintendent of police, said the police had begun an investigation into the attack.

We are already talking with some eyewitnesses in the area where the incident took place, he said.

For now, no report of life was lost and the value of properties destroyed is yet to be ascertained, the police spokesperson added.

Worsening insecurity

Like other states in Nigerias South-east, security has deteriorated in Anambra, with frequent attacks by armed persons.

Ihiala is among the council areas in Anambra State worst hit by insecurity.

The attacks often target security agencies, government officials and facilities.

The Nigerian government has accused the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of being responsible for the deadly attacks in the region. But the group has repeatedly denied any involvement in the attacks.

IPOB is a group leading agitation for an independent state of Biafra which it wants carved out from the South-east and some parts of South-south Nigeria.

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The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has restated his promise that President Bola Tinubu will inaugurate the Abuja Metro Light Rail project in May 2024. He also said the train design was subpar but could no longer be changed.

Mr Wike said this while inspecting the project on Thursday in Abuja.

He called for an unwavering dedication to completing the construction on time, stating that it would be disastrous for him if he failed to do so after the president released funds for the project.

But be it as it may, we still have to work round the clock to see that we achieve our results and Ive also directed that the stations must be cleaned. All the things that are not there must be provided. There will be no room for excuses at all.

Thats why its not good for you to be in the office. You have to go and see things for yourself and not depend on the reports coming from the field.

You can imagine if I am sitting in the office and then depending on the reports from those who said they are in the field, by the time I come here in May, I will be messed up. But I thank God that I came to see things for myself.

But frankly speaking, knowing where Im coming from, having presided over projects like this, Im not in a happy mood at all, the minister stated.

Poor quality of design

Mr Wike also raised concerns about the design quality, particularly the absence of central cooling systems.

He expressed his dissatisfaction that the designs were subpar, stating that he would not have made promises if he had been aware of these issues earlier.

Despite expressing unhappiness with the ongoing construction, he remained focused on finding solutions to the identified issues and ensuring that the Metro Line becomes a functional and secure transportation system.

From what I have seen, the designs are very poor. Whoever may have approved the designs is unfair to Nigerians.

Ive told CCECC that this kind of design is not even acceptable in their own country and if I had known before now, I would not have promised Mr. President that it would be ready.

The design of the access roads linking to the various stations, those who conceptualised it. people will always talk about money and so they rush into things without properly evaluating and seeing the benefit it will accrue to the residents and the users.

The conceptualisation is not the best, but again what do you do? This is what is on the ground. We have to see how we can finish it on time, the minister said.

Award of the perimeter fence

Mr Wike said there are security lapses at the Abuja Metro Station despite a pre-existing security contract.

He lamented the continued theft and vandalism of rail infrastructure.

He specifically pointed out the absence of a perimeter fence promising to look into the matter immediately.

He expressed surprise that the security contract was not awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), and pledged immediate action to rectify the situation and enhance security measures.

When we visited the metro station, I discovered that there are issues of security lapses and I remember when I came for the first time after our inauguration, I did say that they have to work on the issue of security by putting on the fence around the metro station to ward off criminals.

Unfortunately, that has not been done. To my surprise, I discovered that the contract was not even awarded to CCECC. Its a different contract that was awarded by the FCT and this is my first time hearing that. We are going to take it up immediately to see that it is put in place because you cant talk about the operation when you have not addressed the issue of security, he said.

He therefore directed that the security contractors ensure improved security in the stations.

During the visit, Mr Wike interacted with key officials, including the permanent secretary, of the FCT ministry, the managing director of the construction company (CCECC), and senior officials from the FCTA and CCECC.

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The Supreme Court will Friday lay to rest the disputes over the outcomes of the March 2023 governorship elections in eight states.

The states are Lagos, Kano, Zamfara, Ebonyi, Plateau, Abia, Cross River, and Bauchi.

The cases which started at the various election petitions tribunal in the various states gave rise to decisions which aggrieved parties had appealed against at the Court of Appeal and subsequently at the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is the third and final level of appeal on governorship election disputes.

Kano and Plateau states are bound to receive more public attention than others because the Supreme Courts decisions will determine if the governors of the two states, who had been sacked by the lower courts, will remain in office after todays proceedings.

Both the Kano State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal and the Court of Appeal in Abuja, had sacked Governor Abba Yusuf, of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). The two courts declared Mr Yusufs most formidable opponent in the March 2023 governorship election, Nasiru Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the validly elected governor of Kano State.

For Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, his election was affirmed by the Plateau State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, but the Court of Appeal in Abuja, in its judgement delivered on 19 November 2023, overturned his victory, prompting him to file an appeal at the Supreme Court to challenge the lower courts decision.

PREMIUM TIMES is on ground to cover the proceedings and provide live updates as the Supreme Court reads its judgements on each of the cases.

9:27 a.m: Eight Justices of the Supreme Court led by John Okoro file into the courtroom.

Since a panel on the Supreme Court is made up of either five or eight justices, it implies that justices who are now seated belong to more than one panel. The likelihood is high that the different panels are made up of overlapping members.

The pressure of work is much, Mr Okoro said, adding that the court would only deliver the judgement but give its reasons at a later date.

9:30 a.m: Registrar calls Lagos governorship election appeal.

9:32 a.m.: Shuabu Aruwa, SAN announces appearance for the Labour Party governorship candidate in Lagos, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, an appellant challenging Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olus election.

9:33 a.m.: Bode Olanipekun, SAN announces appearance for Governor Sanwo-Olu.

9:38 a.m.: Justice Lawal Garba reads the lead judgement on the Labour Partys appeal on the Lagos State governorship election appeal.

9:39 a.m: Justice Lawal Garba evaluates the pieces of evidence that were tendered before the Supreme Court.

9:40 a.m: Justice Lawal notes the main ground of the appeal which is that Gbadebo Rodes-Vivour contended that Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu was not properly nominated by the APC to vie for the 18 March 2023 governorship election on the basis that his running mate and now his deputy allegely holds dual citizenship of Nigeria and the United States.

9:42 a.m: The Justice reviews the decision of the Court of Appeal which affirmed Mr Sanwo-Olus victory.

9:44 a.m: Justice Garba goes to the sole issue that will determine the appeal.

9.46 a.m: Justice Garba faults unnecessary repetition of issues by the Labour Partys legal team.

9:50 a.m: The Justice says when interpreting constitutional provisions, the court should bear the responsibility of the citizens in mind.

He reviews the provisions of section 177 of the Constitution, which provides clearly that the conditions to be met for a person to contest for the office of governor in Nigeria.

He says the law provides that for a person to be qualified to be a governor in Nigeria, he must be a citizen by birth.

9:53 a.m: The Justice says once a citizen attains 35 years and has a school certificate, he is qualified to vie for office of the governor.

9:58 a.m: Justice Garba says the provisions of the Constitution are interdependent and must be interpreted together while reviewing facts before the court.

10:01 a.m: Justice Garba also notes that the essence of the Constitution is to preserve the citizenship of Nigerians.

10:02 a.m: The court says section 28 of the Constitution provides for a person who is not a citizen of Nigeria by birth.

A person who is a citizen of Nigeria by birth is clearly entitled to contest any election in Nigeria, Mr Garba says.

11:04 a.m: There is no provision in the Constitution that strips a Nigerian by birth of his citizenship on account of acquiring the citizenship of another country, the Justice adds.



10:06 a.m: The Justice said, I find the Court of Appeal right in affirming the election of the second respondent (Governor Sanwo-Olu.)

This appeal lacks merit and it is consequeny dismissed, Justice Garba says.

10:12 a.m: Justice Uwani Abba-Aji agrees with the lead judgement.



10:13 a.m: Justice Adamu Jauro concurs with the lead verdict delivered by Justice Garba.



10:15 a.m: Another member of the panel, Justice Emmanuel Agim, agrees with the reasoning of the judgement. The Lagos State deputy governor declaration of allegiance to the United States does not rob him of his right to vie for elective office in Nigeria as citizen by birth.

10:19 a.m: Justice Okoro appeals to his colleagues to keep their reading of the judgements short to enable the court deliver its decisions on eight governorship disputes.

10:20 a.m: Registrar calls PDPs appeal challenging Governor Sanwo-Olus victory.

10:21 a.m: Lawyers announce appearances.

Abdulaziz Adediran of the PDP is contesting Mr Sanwo-Olus victory at the Supreme Court.

10:24 a.m.: Justice Adamu Jauro reads the lead judgement on the dispute.

10:25 a.m.: Justice Jauro reviews the case.

Last November, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeals brought against the re-election of Mr Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP).

10:30 a.m: The court reviews the decisions of the Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal.

10: 31 a.m: The Justice said the tribunal did not determine the merit of the case.

He, however, said the Supreme Court could not determine the merit of the appeal because the timeframe of 180 days to determine such case at the trial court had elapsed.

This appeal is devoid of any merit, and it is accordingly dismissed, Justice Jauro said.

The Supreme Court dismisses LP, PDPs appeal against Governor Sanwo-Olu.

10:36 a.m: Justice Agim says the tribunal lacked the subject matter jurisdiction in terms of pre-election cases.

Supreme Court affirms Governor Sanwo-Olu elections.

10:37 a.m: Registrar calls Bauchi State Governorship appeal.

Lawyers announce appearance.

INEC had declared Governor Bala Mohammed of the PDP as the winner of the 18 March 2023 governorship election in Bauchi State.

His victory was was challenged at the election petition tribunal and later at the Court of Appeal by the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Sadique Abubakar. Mr Abubakar lost at both courts. But displeased with the judgements of the two lower courts, he proceeded to to the Supreme Court to further challenge Governor Mohammeds election.

10:44 a.m: The Supreme Court panel rises for a short break.

Justice Ibrahim Saulawa will deliver the lead judgement on Bauchi State governorship election appeal.

10:53 a.m: The panel resumes to deliver judgement on Bauchi State governorship election appeal.

10:56 a.m: Justice Ibrahim Saulawa reads the judgement.

10: 56 a.m: The Justice recalls the journey of the case from the tribunal to the Court of Appeal and now to the Supreme Court.

The case began in April 2023 at the Bauchi State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Bauchi, the state capital.

11:01 a.m: The appellant called 10 witnesses and tendered several electoral documents in aid of his case, Justice Saulawa recalled.

In November 2023, the Court of Appeal affirmed the decision of the tribunal affirming Mr Bala as the Governor of Bauchi State. The appellant appealed to the Court of Appeal but lost, and subsequently filed an appeal at the Supreme Court to challenge the lower courts decision.

11:01 a.m: The Justice says the appeal seeks to determine, Whether the lower court properly appraised relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.

11:03 a.m: The judge says the main issues in the appeal centre on allegations of electoral malpractices against Nigerias electoral commission, INEC, and Governor Mohammed.

11: 08 a.m: Justice Saulawa reviews the evidence before the court

11:11 a.m: Justice Salauwa says the eloquent submissions of lawyers in the suit had been considered by the Supreme Court.



11:14 a.m: The justice also notes the provision of section 73 of the Electoral Act pertaining to the conduct of elections by INEC.

11:18 a.m: The petitioner was unable to show at the tribunal the anomaly such as improper filing of election results during the election and how it substantially affected the outcome of the 18 March 2023 poll, Justice Saulawa says.



11:21 a.m: He adds that the appellant was unable to discharge the burden of proof as required of him by the law.

11: 22 a.m: The Supreme Court Justice says the appellants witnesses were not polling units agent, so they could not have given credible testimonies that meet legal standards about what transpired at the poll units during the election.

11:29 a.m.: Justice Saulawa says,  On the basis of the findings, having effectively resolved all the issues against the appellant, the appeal is apparently devoid of merit. The judgement of the Court of Appeal is hereby affirmed. The appeal is dismissed.

11: 33 a.m: Justices Okoro and Abba-Aji agree with the lead judgement just delivered.

11:34 a.m: Justice Adamu Jauro and Emmanuel Agim completely agree with the conclusion that the appeal is unmeritorious and should be dismissed.

11: 36 a.m: Justice Agim says INEC had a duty to produce the results that were disputed at the Bauchi State governorship election, but the electoral umpire failed in that responsibility.

KANO STATE

It is now the turn of the Kano State governorship appeal.

11:41 a.m: Bode Olanipekun announces appearance for Governor Abba Yusuf

11:43 a.m: Nureni Jimmoh, SAN, announces appearance for the APC.



11:44 a.m: Justice John Okoro reads the lead judgement on the appeal regarding the Kano State governorship election dispute.



11:46 a.m: Justice Okoro reviews the evidence before the court.

Nasiru Gawuna of the APC challenged the victory of Governor Yusuf of NNPP

Justice Okoro says the suit was predicated on alleged forgery of NNPC membership card by Governor Yusuf, and votes manipulation by INEC in favour of the governor.

11: 48 a.m: Two issues are determinant of this appeal, the justice says.

Justice Okoro says one of the main issues is whether the lower court was right to have cancelled 165,616 votes that were ascribed to Governor Yusuf.

Also, the justice says notes the question of whether the lower court was correct in assuming jurisdiction on the issue of membership of the governor of NNPP.



11:51 a.m: The justice reviews the arguments of lawyers representing parties in the case.

I have found that the decision of the tribunal to deduct 165,616 votes from the Governors results was based on provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, Justice Okoro says.

11:54 a.m: But Justice Okoro says the provision does not regulate actions at the polling units.

He also asked, What is the effect of a ballot paper not having the marks by the Electoral commission?

A ballot paper that does not bear INEC mark is not invalid by all purposess, he adds



11:57 a.m: Justice Okoro the requires that it must be proven that a ballot paper was not the ones deployed for the conduct of the election.

There is no proof that the said ballot papers were not the one used at the election. Thus the decision of the Court of Appeal affirming the decision of the tribunal ought to be set aside, Justice Okoro says.



12:01 a.m: Finally, the lower court wrongly misconstrued its evaluation of the ballot papers. This amounts to perversion.

Accordingly, all the ballot papers are restored to Governor Yusuf, Justice Okoro says

12:03 a.m: On the issue of Governor Yusufs membership of the NNPP, Justice Okoro reviews the contention of lawyers.

12: 05 p.m: This issue questions the NNPP membership of Mr Yusuf, the judge says.

The APC governorship candidate Nasiru Gawuna had argued that Governor Yusufs election ought not to have been sponsored by the party for the 18 March election.

12:07 p.m: The tribunal never held that Governor Yusuf was not qualified to vie for election as erroneously held by the Court of Appeal, Justice Okoro says.

12: 09 p.m: The issue of nomination is exclusively the internal affairs of a political party. Therefore, it is not justiceable, Mr Okoro rules.

12:10 a.m: Section 177 (c) of the Constitution only frowns on independent candidate and nothing more, he says.

12: 14 a.m: The court below erred in law by investigating the governors membership of the NNPP, Mr Okoro adds.

In conclusion, judges should be more meticulous Justice Okoro says.

There is merit in this appeal. And the appeal is hereby allowed. The appellant won majority of lawful votes.

The judgement of the lower Court voiding the election of the Appellant is hereby set aside, Justice okoro says

12:26 p.m: It is absurd to contend that an individual contested and won an election on the platform of a party, only for someone else to wake up and challenge the winners membership of the party.

That is the most absurd of contentions I have heard. Justice Agim remarks.

It is now the turn of Zamfara State case

12:27 p.m.: Court calls Zamfara State governorship election appeal.

12: 29 p m.: Lawyers announce appearances.

12:33 p.m: Justice Emmanuel Agim reads the judgement on the disputed Zamfara State Governorship election.



12: 34 pm: Justice Agim reviews the evidence of parties.

12: 36 p.m: Justice Agim in his review says the appellant, Bello Matawalle of the APC alleged that Governor Dauda Lawal of the PDP did not win the majority of lawful votes cast at the 18 March election.

12:43 a.m: What was the evidence led to prove the allegation made by the petitioner? Justice Agim asks.

In Maradun LGA, Mr Matawalle contended that the results were manipulated in favour of Governor Lawal.

What is need to prove the petition is the duplicate copy of the results which the petitioner failed to provide, Justice Agim says.

12 45 pm: The allegation of over-voting failed because INEC did not provide the voter register, polling unit officer report, and testimony of people who were present at the polling unit, the judge says.

12:47 p.m: BVAS machines on their own cannot establish electoral malpractices.

Sufficient evidence was not adduced by the petitioner.

This court is of the view that the tribunal was right. The judgement of the Court of Appeal was perverse, because the petitioner (Mr Matawalle) failed woefully to prove his allegations, the judge declared.

12: 52 p.m:

The decision of the Court of Appeal has no evidential foundation.

The judgement of the Court of Appeal delivered in November is set aside. The order setting aside the appellants election is set aside. And the election of the Appellant is upheld. Justice Agim says.



01:00 p.m: Panel goes on break.



01:13 p.m: Supreme Court panel resumes sitting.

01: 15 p.m: Registrar calls Ebonyi State governorship election appeal.

Lawyers begin to announce appearances.

01:16 p.m: Justice Tijjani Abubakar reads the lead judgement.

01:20 p.m: Justice Abubakar traces the history of the dispute after the 18 March governorship election in Ebonyi State.

The tribunal dismissed the PDP petition against Governor Francis Nwifuru of the APC.

The decision of the tribunal was upheld by the Court of Appeal in Lagos.

01:22 p.m: Three issues were raised by the appellant (PDP) for the determination of the appeal.

01:23 p.m: Governor Nwifurus sponsorship by the APC for the March 2023 election was challenged by the PDP.

01:26 p.m: Justice Abubakar reviews the first issue.

The issue revolves around the jurisdiction of the lower court. The contention is that Governor Nwifuru was not qualified to contest the election.

01:28 p.m: Section 177 of the Constitution convers the criteria for contesting governorship election of a state.

01:30 p.m: Precedents set by the Supreme Court repeatedly ask the tribunal to refrain from the issue of membership of a party, Justice Abubakar says.

01:33 p.m: The end result in this appeal is that the appellant failed to provide any evidence to establish the allegation of non-compliance with the Electoral Act.



01:36 p.m: The appellant appeal is bound to fall like a pack of cards.

This appeal is unmeritorious. It is therefore dismissed. The judgement of the Court of Appeal is affirmed, Justice Abubakar rules.

It is now the turn of Plateau State case.



01:41 p.m: Registrar calls Plateau State Governorship Election appeal.

According to the results declared by INEC, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scored 525,299 votes to beat the All Progressives Congress candidate, Nentawe Yilwatda, who garnered 481,370 votes during the 18 March governorship poll in Plateau State.

The governors election was upheld by the Plateau State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Jos, the state capital.

However, the Court of Appeal in Abuja overturned the victory, necessitating Mr Mutfwangs appeal at the Supreme Court.

01: 47 p.m: Justice Emmanuel Agim reads the judgement.

01:48 p.m: He notes the APCs contention that the appellant was not qualified to contest the election. The APC says Governor Mutfwangs nomination as a candidate and his election were invalid by virtue of non-compliance with the electoral law.

01:50 p.m: The Court of Appeal held that the primary election that prosuced Governor Mutfwang as the PDPs candidate and his subsequent nomination to INEC were invalid. The party said he was not qualified to be Governor of Plateau State, the justice notes in his review of the decision of the appellate court sacking Mr Mutfwang.

01:54 p.m: We have held in a plethora of cases that the sponsorship of candidate for election is an internal affair of a political party.

The court of appeal lacks the jurisdiction to determine the validity of the candidacy of the PDP, Justice Agim holds.

01:57 p.m: Mr Yilwatda of the APC has no right to challenge the emergence of Governor Mutfwang as a ticket-holder of the PDP, the justice adds.

The Court of Appeal had anchored its decision sacking the governor on the alleged failure of the PDP to comply with an order of the Plateau State High Court to conduct fresh congresses before holding primary elections for nomination of its candidates for the 2023 general elections

But the Supreme Court justice says the order of the High Court had nothing to do with the the partys power to conduct primaries for the PDP as it did to nominate Governor Mutfwang as its candidate for the governorship election.

The justice rules that despite that, there is evidence showing that the order of the Plateau State High Court was complied with by the party.

02:02 p.m: Can the tribunal and the Court of Appeal determine the validity of the nomination of a candidate? The justice asked.

The order of the High Court of Plateau State had nothing to do with powe of NEC of the PDP; it is a jurisdictional matter, the justice adds.

The legal profession should wake up, the justice says, adding that, for this reason, this appeal is allowed. The judgement of the Court of Appeal is set aside, inclusive of the orders made therein.

The judgement of the tribunal is restored. The election of the governor is further restored, Justice Agim declares.

In his consenting opinion, Justice Okoro says: My only worry is that a lot of people have suffered as a result of the Court of Appeals decision. It was absolutely wrong. The appeal is allowed.

Justices Uwani Abba-Aji, and Helen Ogunwumiju also concur with the lead judgement.

It was very wrong for the Court of Appeal to go into the issue of party congresses. To make make matters worse, the party challenging the issue is another political party, Justice Helen Ogunwumiju says.

She adds that the Court of Appeal made a fundamental error by shifting the burden of proof on Governor Mutfwang.

02:10p.m: Justice Adamu Jauro agrees with the judgement.

ABIA STATE

It is now the turn of the Abia State appeal.

02:13 p.m: Registrar calls Abia State governorship election appeal for judgement.

02:14p.m: Lawyers begin to announce appearances.

02:17 p.m: Justice Uwani Abba-Aji reads the lead judgement.

Justice Abba-Aji reviews the case from the Abia State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

The justice says the petitioner (PDP) called 22 witnesses and tendered electoral documents as evidence to challenge the election of Alex Otti of the Labour Party.

02: 22p.m: The petitioners grouse was that Governor Otti was not a member of the Labour Party as of the time he vied and won the Abia State Governorship Election, Justice Abba-Aji recalls.

02:24 p.m: In fact, this appeal ought not to have come to the Supreme Court. This is a pre-election matter that should have been litigated at the Federal High Court. We have taken this position in several cases, she adds.

02:26 p.m: This issue is resolved against the appellant.

02:30 p.m: Election petition does not permit piecemeal filing of processes, Justice Abba-Aji says of PDPs failure to accompany its petition with the witnesses statements oath.

02:34 p.m: This appeal lacks merit and it is hereby dismissed. The election of the Governor of Abia State is affirmed, Justice Abba-Aji holds.

02: 42 p.m: The Supreme Court calls a sister appeal in the Abia State Governorship Election appeal.

The appeal was filed the APC against Governor Otti.

02:46 p.m: Justice Abba-Aji delivers the lead judgement.

Ikechi Emenike, the APCs governorship candidate contested the victory of Governor Otti at the polls.

02:49: p.m: The tribunal and Court of Appeal dismissed Mr Emenikes appeal, the Justice recalls.

02:56 p.m: The appeal is unmeritorious and vexatious. It is accordingly dismissed, Justice Abba-Aji says.

She adds: There is no need to subvert the political will of the people who voted overwhelmingly for the governor.

There is no merit in this appeal. I affirm the concurrent findings of the lower courts.

Justice Helen Ogunwumiju agrees with the lead decision.

CROSS RIVER STATE

It is now the turn of the Cross River State appeal, which will be the last for the day.

03:00 p.m: Registrar calls Cross River State governorship election appeal.

03: 02 p.m: Lawyers announce appearances.

03:08 p.m: Justice Helen Ogunwumiju reads the lead decision on Cross River State governorship election appeal.

03:10 p.m: Justice Ogunwumiju reviews the lower courts decision.

The appeal centres on the judgement of the Cross River State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal which the appeal filed by the candidate of the PDP, Sandy Onor, a professor, challenging Governor Otus election victory.

03: 14 p.m: Justice Ogunwumiju reviews the pieces of evidence that were canvassed before the court.

03:17 p.m: Section 40 of the constitution guarantees the freedom of association; it is an intrinsic human rights which cannot be denied. The defection of Governor Otu from the PDP to the APC is of no consequence, the Justice says.

03: 21 p.m: No evidence was led by the appellant to show that Governor Otu forged his secondary school certificate. The appellants case isnonsensical, Justice Ogunwumiju says.

03: 23 pm: The appeal is a waste of judicial time. It is hereby dismissed. Parties are to bear their respective costs, Justice Ogunwumiju rules.

Justices Uwani Abba-Aji, Adamu Jauro, Emmanuel Agim, and John Okoro agree with the lead decision.

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Security was on Friday beefed up around the Supreme Court complex in the three arms zones of Abuja ahead of the judgement to be delivered on the appeals regarding the governorship election disputes in eight states.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the court will deliver judgement on the governorship appeals from Kano, Lagos, Zamfara, Plateau, Ebonyi, Bauchi, and Cross River states.

NAN reports that judgements in the Kano and Plateau appeals are the most anticipated, because the lower courts had sacked the incumbent governors.

NAN correspondent, who arrived at the court complex around 7.15a.m. on Friday, reports heavy security has been mounted around the area to ensure hitch-free proceedings.

NAN also observed that security operatives from regular and plain-cloth police units have been deployed at the courts main entrance to restrict human and vehicular movements into the complex premises.

NAN reports that though only lawyers and parties involved in the matter were permitted, hundreds of supporters of the parties could be seen trying to gain access to the premises.

NAN reports that journalists were also having difficulty finding their way into the court premises.

The Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, and his party NNPP, had filed an appeal against the judgement of the Court of Appeal, which had affirmed his sacking as earlier pronounced by the Kano State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.

The tribunal had sacked Mr Yusuf and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw his certificate of return> The tribunal then declared Nasir Yusuf Gawuna, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the March 18, 2023 governorship election as the validly elected governor, and ordered INEC to issue him a certificate of return.

However, not satisfied with the tribunals judgment, Mr Yusuf proceeded to the Court of Appeal to challenge it.

But the appellate court dismissed his appeal, holding that the governor was not validly nominated as a candidate in the election as he was not a bonafide member of the party as of the time of the election.

In the Plateau State case, Governor Caleb Mutfwangs election was upheld by the Plateau State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Jos, the state capital, but the appeal court overturned his victory and declared Nentawe Goshwe of the APC the winner of the election.

The court ruled that the failure of the PDP to comply with the order of the Plateau State High Court in Jos directing it to conduct valid ward, local governments, and state congresses before nominating its candidates for the various elective posts last year was a breach of the law. (NAN)

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An assaulted female doctor, who is doing her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme in Akwa Ibom State, said her assailant forced her to transfer her money to his account.

She said the assailant strangled her and threatened to kill her.

The doctor, who is doing her NYSC programme at St. Theresas Hospital, Use Abat in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State was attacked at her residence in the community on 2 January, around 5 p.m., about 30 minutes after she left the hospital.

The doctor said her assailant thought she had died before he fled.

She recounted her experience in an 11-minute voice note uploaded on X.

An X user @enodamade, whose profile says he is a physician, uploaded on the microblogging platform the voice note and photos showing scars on the victims neck.

He said the victim was a junior colleague.

The X user tagged the Akwa Ibom Governor, Umo Eno, in the post, and urged the governor to protect the young doctor.

How I survived

There was a repeated bang on the front door of the doctors private residence around 5 p.m., which made her assume there was an emergency in the hospital, according to her.

Whats the emergency? the doctor said she had asked from the inside of her room when she heard the first bang. She went to the door and opened it, but did not see anyone outside.

She went back into her room. The banging continued this time violently. Again, she asked who it was and what the emergency was, but got no response.

I went and opened the door again. He (the assailant) pushed himself to the door so I could not shut it.

He was now asking, Where is the doctor? I asked him what is the issue, (and) that the doctor was not around, but he kept asking if there was someone in the house with me and I said no. He kept asking That he was having the feeling that there was somebody in the house with me.

Her assailant, she said, locked the door, and threatened to kill her if she did not cooperate.

He threatened my life with (a) knife. I tried to escape into the bedroom but he held me down, wrapped an extension cord around my neck, dragged me into the bedroom, tied my hands to my back, legs, neck and mouth and went around searching the house.

After that, he dragged me back to the parlour and started strangling me. I could not breathe, she said in the voice note.

I was choking. After some time, he came back and punched me violently in my neck and after some time I stopped breathing. I could remember he raised my hands and brought them down.

He was sure that I was dead. After some time, in the night, when it was really dark, he left, but I was still hearing some voices.

The victim said her neighbours later came in and raised the alarm, and notified her employer before she was taken to the hospital.

ALSO READ: Two more abducted NYSC members freed after 106 days

The only reason I survived was the grace of God, she said in the voice note.

Ive submitted all evidence, including the name of the person and (my) bank statement to the police, she added.

The police spokesperson in the state, Odiko Macdon, when contacted, asked our reporter to send a message to him on the matter for his comment, but he did not respond to the message at the time of filing this report.

Governor Eno reacts

Governor Eno has directed the commissioner of police in the state to investigate the incident.

The Commissioner for Information in Akwa Ibom, Ini Ememobong, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, said the governor assured residents and visitors of the state of his commitment to their safety and security.

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Following the affirmation of his re-election by the Supreme Court on Friday, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said the apex courts verdict is a victory for the rule of law and the entire people of Lagos State.

He said this in a reaction after the panel of Justices of the Supreme Court unanimously affirmed his election, having dismissed the separate appeals filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party with their governorship candidates.

Mr Sanwo-Olu said he welcomed, with gratitude to God, the verdict of the Court, which revalidated the position of Lagosians who freely cast their ballots on 18 March 2023.

He reiterated what he had said in his acceptance speech after the results of the election were declared in March, that there was no victor or vanquished.

Our approach to governance since 29 May 2019 is a clear example of inclusive governance, which we believe in and stand for.

I, therefore, invite those who are still standing on the fence to show their love for our dear state by joining the train of progressive governance. We do not profess a monopoly of ideas, the governor said.

He stressed that Fridays judicial pronouncement, like those of the Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal in Lagos, have buoyed his teams confidence in the countrys judicial system.

Mr Sanwo-Olu commended the judges for their well-thought-out and detailed judgment, praising their explanation of the reasons that led to their conclusions.

He also expressed gratitude to his political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), for the opportunity to fly its flag at the 18 March 2023 governorship election. I commend all the party leaders and members for working tirelessly to ensure APCs victory at the polls.

The governor reiterated that the judicial victory will spur his government to continue on the trajectory of progress, which started in 2019 and had resulted in many achievements across many areas of lives.

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The Supreme Court on Friday affirmed the elections of governors of Cross River, Ebonyi and Abia States.

The governors  Alex Otti of Abia State, Bassey Otu of Cross River State, and Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State  were in March 2023 declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winners of the governorship elections in their states.

But their victories were challenged by their rivals from the election petition tribunals to the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court, in separate judgements on Friday, affirmed the governors victories, after dismissing the appeals filed by their challengers.

Ebonyi

Delivering the lead judgement on the Ebonyi State appeal, a member of the Supreme Court panel, Tijjani Abubakar, resolved all three issues raised in the appeal against the appellant, Chukwuma Odii of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Supreme Court resolved all three issues in favour of the governor.

An issue that struck at the heart of the case centred on the nomination of Governor Nwifuru by the APC as its candidate for the 18 March governorship election.

Resolving the issue, the justice referenced section 177 of the Nigerian constitution which covers the qualification for contesting the governorship election of a state.

He said the Supreme Court had repeatedly ruled that courts should refrain from the issue of membership of a party.

The end result is that the appellant failed to provide any evidence to establish the allegation of non-compliance with the Electoral Act.

The appellant appeal is bound to fall like a pack of cards.

This appeal is unmeritorious. It is therefore dismissed. The judgement of the Court of Appeal is affirmed, Mr Abubakar ruled.

Other members of the panel consented to the lead judgement.

Abia

Also affirming Governor Ottis election, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court dismissed all the arguments raised by Governor Ottis challenger, Okey Ahiwe of the PDP.

INEC had declared that Mr Otti of the Labour Party polled 175,466 votes to defeat Mr Ahiwe, who garnered 88,529 votes in the 18 March governorship election.

Mr Ahiwe had proceeded to the Abia State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal to challenge the results. But he lost the case. He proceeded to the Court of Appeal which also dismissed the case, prompting him to further appeal to the Supreme Court.

The appellants major grouse was that Governor Otti was not a member of the Labour Party as of the time he vied and won the Abia State governorship election. On that basis, the appellant called for the nullification of Mr Ottis nomination and victory at the poll.

Delivering the lead judgement on the appeal, a member of the Supreme Court panel, Uwani Abba-Aji, dismissed the contention as baseless.

In fact, this appeal ought not to have come to the Supreme Court. This is a pre-election matter that should have been litigated at the Federal High Court. We have taken this position in several cases, she ruled.

Resolving other sundry issues, Ms Abba-Aji noted that the appellants failure to accompany his petition with the witnesses statements oath while filing it at the election tribunal was unacceptable. According to the judge, it was a piecemeal approach to filing an election petition which renders the witness statements on oath incompetent.

This appeal lacks merit and it is hereby dismissed, Ms Abba-Aji declared, and then declared Mr Otti as the validly elected Governor of Abia State.

The Supreme Court similarly dismissed a sister appeal filed by the APC and its candidate, Ikechi Emenike, to challenge Governor Ottis victory at the polls.

Mr Emenike had lost his case from the election petition tribunal to the Court of Appeal. The case was further dismissed on Friday.

The appeal is unmeritorious and vexatious. It is accordingly dismissed, Ms Abba-Aji ruled on Friday. There is no need to subvert the political will of the people who voted overwhelmingly for the governor. There is no merit in this appeal. I affirm the concurrent findings of the lower courts.

Other members of the panel agreed with the lead judgement.

Cross River

Governor Otu of Cross River State also won the challenge to his electoral victory on Friday, after dismissing the appeal filed by the governorship candidate of the PDP, Sandy Onor.

Delivering the lead judgement on the appeal, a member of the five-member panel of the Supreme Court, Helen Ogunwumiju, said Mr Onors appeal lacked merit.

The decision affirmed the concurrent judgements of the lower Court of Appeal and the Cross River State Election Petition Tribunal, which had both dismissed his case.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Mr Otu the winner of the 18 March 2023 election. INEC declared that Mr Otu polled a total of 258,619 votes winning in 15 of the 18 local government areas of the state to defeat his closest challenger, Mr Onor, who garnered 179,636 votes.

Mr Onor, a professor, challenged Mr Otus victory at the election petition tribunal, lost and then appealed to the Court of Appeal. He lost again at the Court of Appeal. Unrelenting, he proceeded to the Supreme Court to challenge Mr Otus election.

At the heart of his case is his contention that Mr Otu, a former member of the PDP, was not a bona fide member of the APC as he was fielded as the candidate of the party and won the election.

But shooting down this argument, Mrs Ogunwumiju, held that, Section 40 of the constitution guarantees the freedom of association; it is an intrinsic human right which cannot be denied.

She added that the defection of Governor Otu from the PDP to the APC is of no consequence.

She also resolved the allegation of forgery of a secondary school certificate raised against the governor.

She held that no evidence was led by the appellant to show that Governor Otu forged his secondary school certificate.

The appellants case is nonsensical, Mrs Ogunwumiju ruled, adding, The appeal is a waste of judicial time. It is hereby dismissed.

Other members of the panel  Uwani Abba-Aji, Adamu Jauro, Emmanuel Agim, and John Okoro, who led the panel, agreed with the lead decision.

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President Bola Tinubu has implored governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to design and implement policies that prioritise all Nigerians and to always consider the national interest above political affiliations.

The president, who received members of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) at the State House in Abuja, on Friday, said development policies would only find full relevance in peoples lives when there is inclusivity, ownership, and sustainability.

President Tinubu told the governors that one of the biggest challenges the nation faces was divisiveness, but that the governing party must work towards healing and unifying the country by ensuring a collective national vision and channelling energy and resources into nation-building.

You can convert people. You can appeal to people to come to your side, he stated.

The president said Nigeria is too blessed with human, natural, and material resources to be struggling with a dearth of quality infrastructure, quality education, and world-class health facilities.

He said the entire financial system of the country would be re-engineered for inclusivity, effectiveness, and efficiency.

We have no reason to be poor. Looking back on where we are coming from, where we have been, why we are facing infrastructural decay, a lack of quality and comprehensive education, as well as a lack of health facilities, we are not a cursed country, but blessed, the President said.

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President Tinubu asked the governors to come up with a framework that would implement the school-feeding programme more comprehensive and successful across all states of the federation, taking into consideration the peculiarities of each locality, but working towards having all children in school.

We have children of school age who are out of school. The way to promote education is to get all governors, including the opposition governors, involved in the school feeding programme. Please, take it seriously.

We should not measure the children as statistics. We should measure their return to classrooms as our achievement. We should see economic growth in terms of value and empowerment. We should set up a committee to look into the methods. I am ready to invest in school feeding, the president said.

The president said the school feeding programme would encourage more investments in agriculture, particularly in livestock farming and dairy.

He added that the former Kano State Governor and APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, had already worked on a proposal that would be shared for input and implementation.

President Tinubu equally congratulated the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, for restoring irrigation systems that provide water for the year-long cultivation of crops.

Deployment of forest guards

On security, the president said the deployment of forest guards was being considered, with better training, modern technological gadgets and weapons to strengthen security, and that the solid mineral and marine economic sectors will also be secured by special police.

We have a big marine economy, and I do not see why we should not have the marine police. We will have the same in solid minerals to keep the scavengers away. I am ready to invest in security. We will buy our own minerals and keep them in reserves, especially gold, which will be effective in our foreign exchange reserve, the president told the governors.

The Governor of Imo State and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodinma, thanked the president for involving governors in the design and implementation of policies, as well as for intervening with financial support in the states.

We will continue to support you as your able ambassadors, willing ambassadors, and capable ambassadors, Mr Uzodinma said.

Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

January 12, 2023

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The Nigerian government on Thursday commissioned a 300KWp Solar PV pilot project in Kainji, Niger State.

Bolaji Tunji, special adviser, strategic communication and media relations to the Minister of Power, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

The commissioning of the project, according to the statement, is in furtherance of President Bola Tinubus Renewed Hope Agenda to provide adequate, reliable and quality electricity to businesses and households in the country.

KWp stands for the kilowatt peak power output of a system.

In furtherance of President Bola Tinubus Renewed Hope Agenda to provide adequate, reliable and quality electricity to businesses and households in the country, the Federal government on Thursday commissioned a 300KWp Solar PV pilot project in Kainji, Niger State, Mr Tunji said.

While commissioning the project, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said the project will primarily increase power generation capacity and lower electricity costs while also fostering enhanced collaboration between the main concessionaire, Mainstream Energy Solution and its Chinese partner, HEDC, in the renewable energy field.

The statement noted that the power project comes with a 675KWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), which is an integral part of the extension of 1G3 and 1G4 under the rehabilitation of the 1G9 in Kainji HPP project.

Mr Adelabu said efforts were progressing in achieving President Tinubus turnaround agenda on the supply of reliable and quality power.

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He noted that the power ministrys objective is to meet power demand by ensuring improved distribution and transmission infrastructure to minimize technical and commercial losses, closing the metering gap and resolving the liquidity, power theft and vandalism challenges.

He added that the destruction of some power towers around the country has been reported to the National Security Adviser (NSA) to strengthen security around the power infrastructure.

It is of no use to expend so much energy in providing power facilities if the delivery channel is weak, that is why the ministry is concentrating on the improvement of the transmission and distribution capacity, he said.

On power theft and destruction of power infrastructure, Mr Adelabu emphasized the need for Nigerians and the different communities where the facilities are located to protect them.

What is the essence of government and private companies expending resources on these power facilities while some elements within the society will deliberately move to destroy the facilities which are national assets?

What we witnessed towards the end of 2023 was disheartening. Some of the power towers were brought down with the loss of lives, in some cases, this is quite unfortunate. We should take it as a personal and collective responsibility to protect the infrastructure, Mr Adelabu said.

He explained that plans are also underway to wield the big stick on power theft through adequate legislation to serve as a deterrent to others.

The minister revealed that efforts have begun to bridge metering gaps in the country.

Presently, we have about 12 million electricity users, but only about five million are metered. As we are all aware, the president set up the presidential mass metering initiative of which I am the chairman, we are working assiduously on this initiative to bridge the metering gap, he said.

Mr Adelabu gave the governments assurance to continue to provide an enabling environment for the private sector to leverage on opportunities inherent in government policies, incentives and regulations for sustainable power supply for economic development and improvement of the standard of living of Nigerians, especially rural dwellers.

He added that the government had also come up with relevant policies and programmes to provide direction in ensuring power availability to the people.

Speaking earlier, Managing Director of Mainstream Energy Solution, Lamu Audu said the project is in line with the national renewable energy and energy efficiency policy of the federal government which sets out the blueprint for increasing the countrys renewable energy development by 2030.

He said the pilot project is the beginning of mainstreams integration of variable renewable energy into its core business, noting that the plan is at an advanced stage to build 450MWp and 150MWp Solar PV at Kainji and Jebba Hydro Power Plants (HPPs).

Mr Audu called on the government to continue to provide the enabling environment that would attract more funding from private investors.

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Nigerias ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has hailed the verdicts of the Supreme Court on the governorship election petitions.

The party, in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Felix Morka, on Friday, said it accepted the decisions of the court on the cases.

The APC won three casesLagos, Ebonyi and Cross River States.

For Lagos State, the court affirmed the election of Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and did the same for Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, and Bassey Otu of Cross River State.

The court upturned the decisions of the Court of Appeal in the cases of Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, Abba Yusuf of Kano State and Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State. They are members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The elections of Alex Otti of Abia State and Bala Muhammed of Bauchi State were ruled in favour of the Labour Party and PDP respectively.

In the statement, the APC said the decisions of the Supreme Court on the cases are satisfactory to the party, noting that the decisions of the court are final.

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While the Apex Courts decisions will undoubtedly elicit mixed reactions and reviews, the decisions are final and binding on all parties to the legal contests. The decisions today provide a strong affirmation of the authority, vibrancy and independence of the Judiciary.

APC has been consistent in its position that the Judiciary must be left alone to perform its important duty of resolving disputes, including electoral disputes, as constitutionally mandated, the party stated.

Ruling party Slams PDP

It also took a swipe at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stating that the main opposition must apologise to the judiciary for previous comments made on verdicts of the court.

The decisions today must serve as a rebuke to political opposition figures that vilified and denigrated our courts when judgments were handed against them in these same matters.

Assuming that it has any spec of decency left, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) must tender an unreserved apology to the courts and our judges for the senseless, irresponsible, reckless and unjustified attacks it mounted against the Judiciary throughout this electoral cycle, the statement reads in part.

In October 2023, following the verdict of the Supreme Court on the presidential election, the PDP said the judgement was against the express provisions of the Constitution, the Electoral Act and the Guideline and Regulation issued by INEC under which the election was conducted.

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On Friday, January 12, British Prime Minister Sunak arrived in Ukraine on an official visit. In Kyiv, he announced the largest package of military aid to Ukraine in the amount of 2.5 billion pounds.

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It will include shells, missiles, and training for the Ukrainian military. The British prime minister made the announcement after a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Sunak noted that Britain is providing Ukraine with the largest defense aid package since the beginning of the war.

"Today, the UK would like to announce the largest package of defense aid to Ukraine since the beginning of the war, in the amount of 2.5 billion pounds," he said.

Among other things, 200 million pounds of the new package will be allocated for new drones.

"2.5 billion pounds, more missiles, hundreds of thousands of shells, training for thousands of Ukrainian soldiers, 200 million pounds will be allocated for hundreds of thousands of new drones," the British Prime Minister said.

As a reminder, the deputy head of the Russian Security Council and former president of the aggressor country, Dmitry Medvedev, issued a new round of threats to the UK over Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's visit to Kyiv. He said that the deployment of an "official military contingent" in Ukraine by London would allegedly mean a declaration of war against Russia.

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As reported by OBOZ.UA, on January 2, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak held their first telephone talks in 2024. They discussed the continuation of defense cooperation with a focus on further strengthening the air defense and long-range capabilities of the Armed Forces.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Burdened by a highly youthful population with a skyrocketing dependency rate and a population edging towards four hundred (400) million by 2050, the financial service sector must be bold; it must participate actively in developing localised artificial intelligence and relevant emerging technologies through research investment, design, iteration and deployment that can enhance market performance.

From the very humble days of Interswitch to Paga and, most recently, Paystack and Flutterwave, the Nigerian financial landscape has witnessed immense growth. The big boys of the ecosystem, banks and non-depository players, have played a vital role in this renaissance.

The efforts of these players have done quite a bit in bringing the unbanked into the matrix. Still, it has yielded little to no result, particularly considering that less than 10 per cent of Nigerian depositors, per Euromonitor, can access credit through the formal banking sector.

Hence, this piece highlights how artificial intelligence can drive financial inclusion, mainly as it borders on accessible consumer and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) credit lending.

Data As AI Tools in Finance

It is not magic that produces the varieties of shining boy hen run TikTok pictures or the article on your favourite generative AI systems.

Large data sets are needed to identify patterns and develop self-learning algorithms that produce results for artificial intelligence. So, when your preferred AI platform produces an undesired result, it does not infer that the system does not work; it could result from inadequate data availability used to train the AI model.

Interestingly, Nigerian financial actors collect and store loads of data. An ideal AI-powered consumer and MSME credit products would require vast volumes of data to create data-driven, well-informed decisions on risk mitigation, creditworthiness assessment, and approval in split seconds.

AI in Finance: Looking Bank and Living in the Moment

Corporate players, notably banks and other legacy financial service actors, popularised artificial intelligence for customer service engagement and marketing purposes around 2017. From Diamond/Access Banks Ada, to Sterling Banks Kiki and United Bank for Africa (UBA)s Leo, the list is endless.

However, more needs to be done around product delivery. Beyond the fanfare that has greeted the spread of seemingly moribund chatbot systems, the work ahead is enormous.

The capacity of thinking computer systems has been widely acknowledged in fraud management, loan/insurance underwriting, and other ancillary support services in the financial services.

In todays hyper-connected world, the absence of credit history should not be an excuse for denying persons access to loans. Robotics can analyse various data sources such as transaction history, mobile phone usage, social media activities, and online search data to create credit scores.

One of the critical roles data technologies play in finance is the ability to manage risk effectively, ensuring proper audit monitoring. AI-based predictive analytics can conduct system performance assessments and help identify and control potential risks.

Aside from identifying potential risks, algorithmic designs anchored on machine learning can also help investment professionals. The correct AI algorithmic forecasts are recipes for a winning portfolio for fund managers on Wall Street, Londons Canary Wharf, Singapore and several global locations.

AI Use Cases in the Nigerian Financial Market

With the perennial report of fraud, going by daily social media call-outs, machine learning techniques can potentially improve the banking experience for Nigerians, expanding the fraud detection and prevention capabilities of core banking systems.

Going by the Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) report in August 2023, the banking sector lost about nine and a half billion naira (equivalent of $10.5 Million) to electronic fraud within the calendar year.

Admittedly, face and fingerprint biometrics are commonplace; AI offers an opportunity to advance the book of play through behavioural biometrics. This security measure could serve multi-factor authentication purposes besides voice recognition and automated robocalls.

Similarly, predictive analytics AI models offer the advantage of using past trends to spotlight a possible security breach. They can, therefore, sound the alarm about potential violations before they do a lot of harm, thereby forestalling horrendous risks.

In todays hyper-connected world, the absence of credit history should not be an excuse for denying persons access to loans. Robotics can analyse various data sources such as transaction history, mobile phone usage, social media activities, and online search data to create credit scores.

From product and consumer experience standpoints, customer-focused expense performance, dynamic and routine risk assessment, rate adjustment, and credit product recommendations are equal fundamentals in the future of AI in credit lending.

With the above in play, the need for a wholly automated approval process suffices, thus reducing application to disbursement times. A well-reported industry example is JP Morgan Chase & Co.s Contract and Intelligence (COiN), which automated 360,000 person-hours of work by processing legal papers within seconds.

How can formal sector players (banks) scale economic opportunities that engender growth through lower-end consumer and MSME lending, considering the ballooning Nigerias informal sector forms a whopping 97 per cent of the businesses (per IFC)?

There is no better explanation for adopting AI for lending than that despite top Nigerian banks raking in about N50 trillion in deposits in 2022, even though most of their customers who operate within the informal sector turn to alternative credit lending sources for loans.

International Finance Corporation painted a gloomy picture when it estimated funding for formal MSMEs had a nominal one per cent of Nigerian banking deposits. Worst still, commercial banks rank third in lending volume within this period. This revelation aligns with the United Kingdoms Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access (EFInA) report of June 2020.

How can formal sector players (banks) scale economic opportunities that engender growth through lower-end consumer and MSME lending, considering the ballooning Nigerias informal sector forms a whopping 97 per cent of the businesses (per IFC)?

With such an economic situation, access to credit from the mainstream actors is non-negotiable from both macroeconomic and microeconomic perspectives. Perhaps this is why the IFCs Market Bite Nigeria report estimates an unmet credit demand of N13 trillion, equivalent to $32.2 billion.

Conclusion

According to a 2023 Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) report, the economics of a composable lending platform launch is between 5 million and 8 million. This is bound to be cheaper locally, considering several dependencies. Interesting part? Such investment has a potential return in twenty-four months.

While the emergence of artificial intelligence is credited to efforts of Stanford Universitys researchers dating back to the 1960s, the apparent growth is currently being championed and led by big tech companies such as IBM, Microsoft, Amazon, Google, OpenAI and Facebook.

Burdened by a highly youthful population with a skyrocketing dependency rate and a population edging towards four hundred (400) million by 2050, the financial service sector must be bold; it must participate actively in developing localised artificial intelligence and relevant emerging technologies through research investment, design, iteration and deployment that can enhance market performance. Moreso, this is its surest path to competitiveness, as technology giants are branching into financial services as a core business model.

With rapidly growing internet and smartphone penetration, localised artificial intelligence needs in finance cannot be hard to find, let alone design, test, iterate, pivot as necessary, and scale up. The legacy financial institutions and their fintech counterparts must act now.

Time is ticking!

Muhammed Moshood tweets at @themoshoodm

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The nexus between corruption and the procurement process is undeniable. In many developing nations, Nigeria included, corruption often finds its roots in public procurement, leading to the misallocation of resources, substandard project delivery, and erosion of public trust. Recognising this, the need for private sector engagement to fortify anti-corruption measures was emphasised.

It seems a settled opinion that corruption is endemic in Nigeria. There is general agreement that corruption is a clog in the wheels of development of the resource-rich country of 210 million people. What is often hotly debated is how this malaise can be tackled to reduce its viral load, which keeps the majority of Nigerias citizens in embarrassing poverty and holds back the huge potential for progress and development.

Since the return of democracy in 1999, nearly all efforts have focused on curtailing public sector-related corruption or restraining corruption through law enforcement, such as in the establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC). While the jury is still out on the result of these efforts, another productive approach to countering this challenge has developed in business accountability and activism. This is an approach championed by the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) in Africa through programmes that support private sector partners in building a culture of compliance and integrity in the African business environment.

In a promising demonstration of the prospects of this productive approach to tackling corruption in Nigeria, a leading member of the CIPE Africa Business Integrity Network (ABIN), the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI), and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) kicked off a pivotal partnership to strengthen the integrity and transparency of procurements.

This joint engagement, leading to the launch of the ACCI-ICPC Training Partnership, which doubled as the maiden learning series on Procurement and Integrity for Transparency and Shared Prosperity, shed light on a key aspect of Nigerias battle against corruption  the indispensable role of the private sector in fostering integrity within the procurement process.

Speaking to journalists, the Director-General of ACCI, Victoria Akai, clarified the programmes primary objective as raising awareness within both the public and private sectors, regarding the significance of ethical procurement practices and ethical business conduct as a whole. She said, We intend to achieve compliance, first with the public institutions, that they see the importance of complying with standard procurement practices; and to the private sector also, to comply with ethics and accountability for us to run stronger institutions in Nigeria.

In his address at the launch of the partnership, the then Acting Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Clifford Okwudiri Oparaodu Esq., emphasised the problem of corruption and assured Nigerians about the Commissions far-reaching efforts to tackle it. He clarified ICPCs role, in relation to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission this way, EFCC is to jail offenders, ICPC is to prevent you from going to jail, though if you insist on going to jail, we will help you. He said the event was to sensitise and reorient business owners on the operation of their businesses, with the key focus of sensitising the Commissions contractors and vendors about their roles in procurement best practices.

Dr Babayola Isah, Director-General, Gombe State Due Process Bureau and winner of the Accountability Labs Integrity Icon Challenge in 2022 was the keynote speaker at the event. He outlined modern procurement best practices and laid out the key requirements in procurement as transparency and integrity. These two principles should be the guiding force behind every decision. When we prioritise integrity, the procurement process will be free from any undue influence or personal gain. He reiterated the need for neutrality in the procurement process. You dont make friends with the people you are regulating. People in government agencies will fight you, contractors will fight you.

The panel session that followed was expectedly exciting considering the calibre of resource persons who fielded questions from the moderator, Dr Tinuke Temitope, Director of ACCIs Best Center. On the panel were ACCIs DG Victoria Akai, ICPCs Head of Procurement Shintema Benga, CIPEs Country Director Lola Adekanye, and Accountability Labs Country Director Friday Odeh. Also on the panel, via Zoom, was the guest speaker, Dr Babayola Isah.

Outlining the role CIPE plays in the anti-corruption effort, the Country Director, Lola Adekanye said her organisation works primarily with private enterprises in strengthening democratic and market-driven reforms. CIPE also believes in addressing corruption differently using the carrot approach. Lola Adekanye provided deep insight into the reasons for the paradigm shift in tackling corruption from the stick approach to engaging the private sector through extensive reorientation via training and capacity building for impact. Helping the private sector unlearn the things that make a society corrupt and demonstrating the destructive effects of corruption both on the public and private sectors is part of CIPEs agenda in Nigeria.

Answering a question on how the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry promotes good business practices in the private sector, the Director General mentioned the building capacity of its management by partnering with CIPE, which provides them with expert training. The trained executives then cascade the knowledge received, which include knowledge in ethics and compliance.

Accountability Lab, led by Friday Odeh, focuses on promoting governance through strategies like the Integrity Icon award to name and fame deserving recipients, the Voice2Rep music programme for aspiring socially-conscious artists, Civic Action Teams to demystify procurement processes, Integrity Innovation Lab for workshops supporting public offices, and the Accountability Incubator using technology for good governance.

Also on the panel, the head of procurement at ICPC, Shintema Binga outlined compulsory technical and financial bidding requirements for ICPC vendors and disclosed some strategies for transparency which have served the Commission well. He disclosed that ICPC is working on a record of fraudulent bidders. Last year, the Commission compiled a list of fraudulent bidders and submitted this to the IGP for prosecution

On the role of ACCI in encouraging collaboration between private and public institutions, DG Victoria Akai said, Procurement is the easiest way to break down public institutions and submitted that open governance can be achieved by collaboration between the public and private sectors. She emphasised that government should institutionalise processes with the private sector, stressing that if procurement is not done well, it will leave weak institutions.

Friday Odeh suggested some best practices in accountability as the use of open contracting data and standards, understanding of local contexts and supporting marginalised groups like women-based organisations and gender responsiveness.

Dr Babayola Isah recommended sanctioning fraudulent vendors, while stating that vendors should be educated in procurement processes through the organisation of workshops and seminars. Narrating his experience in Gombe State, he said one of the first things he did on assuming office was to move procurement processes online to make it easier and reduce the human contact which promotes fraud.

The nexus between corruption and the procurement process is undeniable. In many developing nations, Nigeria included, corruption often finds its roots in public procurement, leading to the misallocation of resources, substandard project delivery, and erosion of public trust. Recognising this, the need for private sector engagement to fortify anti-corruption measures was emphasised.

One key takeaway from the event was the acknowledgment that private sector entities are not mere bystanders in the fight against corruption; they are crucial stakeholders with the power to reshape the landscape. The symbiotic relationship between the public and private sectors in procurement necessitates collaborative efforts to establish robust frameworks that deter corrupt practices.

A cornerstone of this collaboration is the promotion of voluntary transparency and accountability. Private sector participants, by embracing ethical business practices, can set high standards that ripple through the entire procurement ecosystem. Clear guidelines, stringent oversight, and a commitment to fair competition can significantly reduce opportunities for corruption, fostering an environment where meritocracy prevails.

Furthermore, the conference highlighted the importance of capacity building and knowledge transfer. Equipping the private sector with the necessary tools and understanding of anti-corruption laws and practices ensures that they become active agents in upholding integrity. This empowerment can manifest in the implementation of internal controls, due diligence processes, and ethical considerations in business operations. One significant statement that appealed to the essence of the gathering was articulated by the DG of ACCI when, in explaining how losses from unethical non-compliance are enormous, she said, It is more expensive to be non-compliant than to be compliant.

The incorporation of technology was also a focal point of discussion. Embracing digital solutions in procurement not only streamlines processes but also creates a more transparent and traceable environment. This technological leap acts as a deterrent to corruption, while promoting efficiency in the allocation of resources.

As Nigeria strives for economic growth and stability, a resilient and corruption-free procurement system is paramount. The private sector, as a driving force of the economy, must step into its role as a guardian of integrity. By doing so, not only does the private sector protect its own interests, but it also contributes significantly to the nations overall development.

In conclusion, the event served as a clarion call for increased private sector participation in Nigerias anti-corruption crusade. By championing integrity in the procurement process, the private sector can be a catalyst of positive change, fostering an environment in which ethical business practices thrive, corruption wanes, and Nigeria emerges stronger on the global stage.

It is strongly recommended that the ethical training espoused at the event is not only institutionalised in ICPC as a requirement to become a vendor in the Commission but also in all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of government. This will in no small measure contribute to the ethical reorientation much sought after in Nigeria and will kickstart the revolution that will enshrine compliance and make it fashionable in the procurement process.

Ikechukwu Obi is a freelance journalist and public affairs commentator.

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A lot of the discussions at the event was about the terrible way that Nigeria was tearing at the seams of its ethnic, religious, cultural and regional divides, and the dearth of bridge builders such as Salihu Muhammad Bappa who have the commitment, zeal and skills to build a common culture of belongingness. For this reason, his friends and colleagues miss him a lot. We also miss him for his kindness, willingness to help others, his empathy

Yesterday, friends, relations and colleagues of Salihu Bappa met at the Pavilion in Abuja in remembrance of his contributions to society, his commitment to progress, and in recognition of the role he played as an anchor of networking across generations, disciplines and numerous associations. The memorial event was chaired by his friend and school mate, Ahmadu Muazu, former governor of Bauchi State, who emphasised Bappas role as a bridge builder across communities and networks since their childhood days in Gindiri, where they grew up in a very mixed and convivial Plateau State.

Bappa and I started our careers together as graduate assistants in Ahmadu Bello University in 1978. I called him O.C. Drama because of the way he always infused his professional training in Theatre Arts into his personal behaviour and conduct. There was no dull moment for him as he was always acting out the happenings of the moment and providing dramatic effect to instil happenstance into historical memory. He always appeared to be on a mission of playing out mundane happenings into memorable drama.

The theme of the memorial event was Service and Humanness in Perpetuity, in recognition of what he lived and worked for. The lecture at the occassion was delivered by Professor Oga Steve Abah, his departmental colleague, who emphasised Bappas life-long commitment to theatre as a tool for emancipation and development. Bappa was very much part of the Ahmadu Bello University tradition of radical scholarship for liberation and the methodology he was inducted into in the drama department was theatre for development. Three young British lecturers in the late 1970s worked hard to create symbiosis between radical scholarship in the History and Social Sciences departments of the university and the English and Drama Department. Michael Etherton, Tony Humphreys and Brian Crow groomed students and the young lecturers they were training on engaging with poor communities around the Samaru campus on the lived reality of ambient poverty and the repression communicating techniques of amplifying the voices of the oppressed and seeking collective routes to liberation. Bappa maintained a life-long engagement with such communities, especially Bomo, where he had many friends.

As a Muslim who attended a missionary school, this made Bappa at ease with both religious communities. He had lots of friends across the religious and ethnic divides in the country and was well respected by all who came to know him. He was someone who was also blessed with social skills and knew lots of people all over the country and also maintained contact with them.

The linkage that was created was that radicalism in theory was of no value if it was not transmitted to and adopted by ordinary people who suffered the most of capitalist exploitation and military authoritarianism. The idea was that the radical literature which students and lecturers were reading should be transmitted to ordinary people using techniques of popular theatre. Without this transmission, transformation would remain an unfulfilled dream. When the history of radicalism in Ahmadu Bello University is written, one of its highlights would be the insufficient buy in of the radical left in the importance of ordinary people playing the role of an enlightened vanguard in the struggle for emancipation.

Bappa played his part in bridging the divides in society. He was a man who was always vibrant and full of energy, motion and speed. He was once told that some people had gone off to look for him at a place they were told he was discussing with some people. His legendary response was: That is a mistake, dont roam about looking for me. Stay where you are and you will see me come there, after all I am the wind that goes everywhere, recalled his colleague, Professor Steve Abah.

As a Muslim who attended a missionary school, this made Bappa at ease with both religious communities. He had lots of friends across the religious and ethnic divides in the country and was well respected by all who came to know him. He was someone who was also blessed with social skills and knew lots of people all over the country and also maintained contact with them. It was for this reason that Ahmadu Bello University appointed him as Liaison Officer for their Alumnae Association and he travelled all over the country to activate branches and network with them. Bappas mates from primary school through to the university, and generations of his former students, all turned up for the event to respect his memory.

his family pillar and wife, Aisha, and children have always provided refuge and accommodation to numerous visiting friends, acquaintances and comrades. May God continue to protect them and make them prosper while he continues to rest in perfect peace.

A lot of the discussions at the event was about the terrible way that Nigeria was tearing at the seams of its ethnic, religious, cultural and regional divides, and the dearth of bridge builders such as Salihu Muhammad Bappa who have the commitment, zeal and skills to build a common culture of belongingness. For this reason, his friends and colleagues miss him a lot. We also miss him for his kindness, willingness to help others, his empathy and his commitment to play his part in moving the dial forward in pushing Nigeria towards progress and better understanding.

Finally, his family pillar and wife, Aisha, and children have always provided refuge and accommodation to numerous visiting friends, acquaintances and comrades. May God continue to protect them and make them prosper while he continues to rest in perfect peace.

A professor of Political Science and development consultant/expert, Jibrin Ibrahim is a Senior Fellow of the Centre for Democracy and Development, and Chair of the Editorial Board of PREMIUM TIMES.

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The Gaza has been a main Israeli target for long, not just because it has huge oil and gas reserves and good lands like the West Bank, but specifically it is strategic to the 1960s Israeli plan to build a Ben Guiron Canal that would link the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea. This canal, if built, would not only rival the Suez Canal but also give Israel enormous power over the supply routes for oil, food and shipping. The Israeli challenge is how it can build the canal right through Gaza if the Palestinians remain in the land.

The Israeli plans to deport Palestinians from Gaza to Africa have been informally confirmed, formally denied, but widely condemned. Despite the wide condemnation, including by the United States (US) and European Union (EU) two authorities that have traditionally backed the Israeli actions in the Palestine, it is difficult to say which condemnations are genuine and which would be reversed along the way.

The ongoing condemnations in the New Year began following the official voice given by two Israeli cabinet ministers to a security proposal for the voluntary emigration of Gazans. This is an euphemism for the forced deportation of Palestinians from their ancestral lands to make way for full Israeli occupation.

To the Israeli establishment, the deportation of millions of Palestinians is the only solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and guaranteed security of the southern Israeli borders.

The Israeli National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, told his Otzma Yehudit party members that the current war gives an: opportunity to concentrate on encouraging the migration of the residents of Gaza. The deportation of Palestinians, he argued, would be a correct, just, moral and humane solution.

Israeli Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, said the Palestinian deportation policy would: encourage the voluntary migration of Gazas residents to countries that will agree to take in the refugees.

The Zman Israel newspapers, the Hebrew version of The Times of Israel reported in its 3 January edition that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus coalition is secretly conducting meetings with countries that would accept the deported Palestinians. It quoted an Israeli senior source in the security cabinet as saying: Congo (DRC) will be willing to take in migrants, and were in talks with others. The others that have been mentioned include Egypt, Chad and Rwanda.

The DRC, led by President Felix Tshisekedi, is apparently being lured by Israel because despite its enormous resources, 52.5 per cent of the population lives below the poverty line; it is the eleventh largest country in the world, and has, since its 1960 independence, been unstable. So, the hope is that it might not be difficult to seize large swathes of land there to resettle the Palestinians Israel hopes to deport.

Chad may also have been targeted because like the DRC, it has been unstable for over four decades, is poverty ridden, and the military regimes of Idris Deby, the father and Mahmat Deby, the son, who have ruled the country for thirty three years now, are from the Zaghawa ethnic group which constitutes one per cent of the population. As such, it may cost it nothing to give large areas of the conquered country to Israel for the resettlement of Palestinians it wants to deport.

French President Emmanuel Macron called Israeli War Cabinet Minister, Benny Gantz, to warn against the deportation plans. He told Israel that: statements relating to the forced displacement of Gazans were unacceptable and contradicted the two-state solution which constitutes the only viable solution for a return to peace and security for all.

Rwanda might have been targeted because it already has a migrants deportation deal with the United Kingdom under which it agrees to receive illegal migrants for a fee.

As for Egypt, it has been a long drawn plan with American support to relocate Gazans to the Sinai Peninsula.

French President Emmanuel Macron called Israeli War Cabinet Minister, Benny Gantz, to warn against the deportation plans. He told Israel that: statements relating to the forced displacement of Gazans were unacceptable and contradicted the two-state solution which constitutes the only viable solution for a return to peace and security for all.

The French Foreign Ministry followed up Macrons warning with a statement that: the forced transfer of populations constitutes a serious violation of international law within the meaning of the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute.

It added that: it is not up to the Israeli government to decide where the Palestinians should live on their lands. The future of the Gaza Strip and its inhabitants will be part of a unified Palestinian state living in peace and security alongside Israel.

German Foreign Ministry spokesman, Sebastian Fischer, condemned the deportation statements as: they are neither useful nor helpful. The Israeli ally said: there must be no expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza; there must be no territorial reduction of the Gaza Stripfrom our point of view, a two-state solution remains the only sustainable model for Israelis and Palestinians to live together peacefully.

In a very rare condemnation, the US, which is Israels closest ally, arms supplier, protector in the United Nations, and grants an annual $3 billion to Tel Aviv, said the deportation calls were: inflammatory and irresponsible.

US State Department spokesman, Matthew Miller, said: We have been clear, consistent and unequivocal that Gaza is Palestinian land and will remain Palestinian land, with Hamas no longer in control of its future and with no terror groups able to threaten Israel.

The Jewish Social-Democratic Workers Party built on this at its 4-6 October, 1906 Jaffa Conference. It decided that Jews would not only establish their separate state from that of the Palestinian population, but also that there must be segregation of Jewish and Arab peoples and economies, thereby calling for an Apartheid system.

Stung by the US reproach, Ben Gvir responded: with all due respect, we are not another star on the American flag. He then reiterated his position: The United States is our best friend, but first of all, we will do what is best for the State of Israel. The emigration of hundreds of thousands of people from Gaza will allow the residents of the border communities to return home and live in safety.

In his own response, Smotrich told the US: More than 70 per cent of the Israeli public supports a humanitarian solution of encouraging the voluntary immigration of Arabs from Gaza and their absorption in other countries.

The plan by Zionists to create a separate state and take over the Palestine was first muted in 1897 at the First Zionist Congress convened by Austrian journalist, Theodor Herzl, in Basel, Switzerland. It declared that its primary goal is: The promotion by appropriate means of the settlement in Eretz-Israel of Jewish farmers, artisans, and manufacturers.

The Jewish Social-Democratic Workers Party built on this at its 4-6 October, 1906 Jaffa Conference. It decided that Jews would not only establish their separate state from that of the Palestinian population, but also that there must be segregation of Jewish and Arab peoples and economies, thereby calling for an Apartheid system.

These have been the Israeli programmes which were further deepened after the German pogrom.

The Gaza has been a main Israeli target for long, not just because it has huge oil and gas reserves and good lands like the West Bank, but specifically it is strategic to the 1960s Israeli plan to build a Ben Guiron Canal that would link the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea. This canal, if built, would not only rival the Suez Canal but also give Israel enormous power over the supply routes for oil, food and shipping. The Israeli challenge is how it can build the canal right through Gaza if the Palestinians remain in the land. So the solution is to deport them.

The Israeli plan to depot Palestinians to Africa is an insane one, but so also was the pogrom before it was put into practice.

Owei Lakemfa, a former secretary general of African workers, is a human rights activist, journalist and author.

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Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has hailed the Supreme Court verdict which upheld his victory in the March 2023 governorship, even as he called on the opposition and the citizens to collaborate with his administration on its rescue mission. He described the Supreme Court verdict as a victory for the people of Zamfara.

On Friday, the apex court set aside the decision of the Court of Appeal Abuja, which declared the Zamfara Governorship Election inconclusive.

Delivering the lead decision of the Supreme Court, Justice Emmanuel Agim described the judgement of the Court of Appeal as perverse and lacking in evidential foundation.

In a statement by his spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, Governor Lawal said that the apex courts verdict reflected the peoples desire for positive development and progress.

According to him, working together is critical to achieving sustainable development of the state

. The success of our collective efforts depends on the active collaboration of all stakeholders. Lets prioritise collaboration and work towards a better future for our state.

He said: I am thrilled to have received affirmation of my election by the Supreme Court today. This verdict will boost our morale in fulfilling campaign promises.

Todays victory is confirmation of the collective decision made by the people of Zamfara State during the governorship election held in March last year. This victory is for all the people of Zamfara State.

By my campaign manifesto, which serves as a guide for our rescue mission, my administration has taken swift action to liberate Zamfara from the shackles of poor governance.

I am urging all people of Zamfara, including opposition parties, to unite and work together to rebuild and restore the state.

My administration is on a mission to rebuild the state, and the Supreme Courts decision is a victory for the people who trusted me.

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The Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani has commenced engagements with several key stakeholders such as the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), with the objective of bringing sustainable development to the state. The engagement with IsDB is part of his administrations continuous efforts to provide quality education and ameliorate poverty especially in rural areas.

Speaking after the engagement session with a high-powered delegation from the IsDB on Thursday 11 January 2024, Mr Sani lauded the bank for its continuous support to Kaduna State.

A statement released shortly after the meeting with the delegation by the governors spokesperson, Mohammed Shehu quoted Mr Sani as expressing optimism about the success of the engagement. Highlighting the aim of the engagement, he said:

I had a fruitful meeting with the top management team of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) led by the Country Operations Manager, Mr. Ahsanul Kibria. Discussions centred on tackling the challenge of out-of-school children and effective implementation of initiatives to reduce poverty.

Education and poverty reduction are top priorities of our administration. The strategic partnership with the Islamic Development Bank will enable the Kaduna State Government to effectively reduce the number of out-of-school children and enhance the well-being of our citizens. Governor Sani stated.

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While members of the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP) are jubilating the outcome of the Supreme Court judgement which favoured their candidate and Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are expressing discontent about the judgement.

Before Fridays Supreme Court judgement, APC members were so hopeful of victory in the court that local chapters started distributing celebration dresses to its members.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the APC in the state distributed new party dresses to members in preparation for the swearing-in of the partys candidate, Nasir Gawuna, who they expected would be favoured by the Supreme Court ruling.

However, contrary to the expectation of the APC members, the Supreme Court affirmed the election of Mr Yusuf. A panel of justices of the Supreme Court led by Inyang Okoro unanimously nullified the decisions of the two lower courts sacking Mr Yusuf. The panel upheld his victory at the March 2023 election.

Before the judgement, PREMIUM TIMES noticed some members of the APC in the Mariri area on the outskirts of the town, gathered in clusters, apparently trooping into the town from local council areas in preparation for the planned celebration.

After the courts ruling, the disappointed supporters dispersed to their homes.

While the members of the APC expressed disappointment with the judgement, members of the NNPP jubilated, with some in Fagge local government driving motorcycles and vehicles recklessly.

They went around public spaces celebrating the judgement and mocking members of the APC in the area. The police had to disperse some who were moving towards Triumph Jumaat Mosque. The NNPP members had accused the Imam of the mosque of supporting the APC.

Reactions

An NNPP member, Tahir Muhammad, from Fagge Local Government Area, expressed satisfaction with the judgement.

I am prayerful that the governor will do justice for the people of Kano State and may his reign benefit the people of Kano. And for the losers, we wish them well and let all embrace politics without bitterness. Kano belongs to all of us, he said.

Another supporter of the NNPP, Abdullahi Hussaini, popularly known as Kausi, said the judgement represents the will of the people.

Justice has finally been served and the will of the people has won. We have said it before, the Election Petition Tribunal and the Appeal Court erred in their judgements and the Supreme Court has proven our arguments.

READ ALSO:

Now it is time for governance. Let the governor, Abba Yusuf, focus on people-oriented policies because politics is over and the period of antagonising anyone is also over, Mr Hussaini said.

An APC member, Muhammadu Mado, who was one of those who prepared for the celebration, said he is disappointed with the Supreme Courts judgement.

As an APC member, I prepared for the celebration. I sewed my Aso-Ebi in the past week, however, the judgement was not in our favour, he said.

This judgement was never expected. But as a Muslim, I was hoping for the best and also expecting the contrary. In life, what Allah has ordained to happen must happen I will not challenge the will of God, Mr Mado said.

Faisal Ibrahim, who earlier told PREMIUM TIMES before the Supreme Court judgement that he had sewed his clothes for the planned celebration, said his support for the APC candidate, Nasiru Gawuna, remains intact.

My support for the APC candidate was based on principles and the judgement is just a temporary setback we will continue to fight until we win in the next election, he said.

Concerning the clothes I sewed for the planned celebration, I decided to keep them until the next election which I pray and hope that I will use in the future, Mr Ibrahim said.

The judgement of the Supreme Court  Nigerias highest court  is expected to rest what is arguably the most keenly fought governorship election dispute arising from the 2023 election cycle.

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On the left bank of the Kherson region, the number of enemy attacks decreased by four times over the past day, with only three. The counter-battery fight of the Defense Forces is quite effective.

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This was stated by Natalia Gumenyuk, spokesperson for the Defense Forces of Southern Ukraine, during a telethon. She clarified that three enemy attacks were recorded on the left bank of the Dnipro River the day before.

This is four times less than before, when the occupiers tried to attack 10-12 times a day.

According to Natalia Gumenyuk, the counter-battery fight taking place on the left bank of the Kherson region is quite effective.

"Over the past day, 18 units of enemy armored vehicles were destroyed there, 11 units are heavy artillery. These are also self-propelled units, including such as Hyacinth," said the spokesperson for the Southern Defense Forces.

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She added that an occupant's boat, an antenna station, two observation posts, a fuel and lubricant storage point and an enemy field supply point were also destroyed.

As reported by OBOZ.UA:

- Earlier, Natalia Gumenyuk said that on the left bank of the Kherson region, the occupiers are increasingly refusing to attack. This mainly concerns the paratroopers and marines of the Russian Armed Forces, who have reinforced the Storm Z units.

- Military expert Vladislav Seleznyov said that the situation on the left bank is close to a crisis, but Ukrainian marines are holding Krynky and massively "demilitarizing" the enemy.

- Julian Ropke, an expert of the German newspaper BILD, concluded that the Ukrainian Armed Forces bridgehead in Krynky on the left bank of the Kherson region has become one of the biggest traps for Russian troops in the entire war. The command of the invaders does not realize this and continues to send more and more columns of armored vehicles there.

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Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Innovation Shaping a Digital Future

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On January 10, 2024, the winners of the Global Top Brands Awards were unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the world's most renowned, influential and largest consumer electronics industry event. Among the attendees at the Awards Ceremony were Zhu Dongfang, President of Asia Digital Group, Adam Goldstein, Vice President of TWICE, Zhang Li, Executive Vice President of Asia Digital Group, and senior representatives from global top brands.

Founded by International Data Group (IDG) in 2006, the Global Top Brands Awards (GTB for short) is jointly organized by Asia Digital Group (ADG) and Europe Digital Group (EDG), with support from International Data Corporation (IDC) and TWICE. It offers those engaged in the industry a comprehensive understanding and discussion of cutting-edge industry trends and releases rankings annually through CES Daily and TWICE. It has now become one of the most authoritative, professional, and credible events in the global consumer electronics industry. According to ADG's President Zhu Dongfang, GTB has been held for nineteen sessions at CES. Its objective is to showcase exceptional brands and products to global consumers, while also shedding light on the development status and trends within the global consumer electronics industry, ultimately contributing to its advancement and growth.

Innovation Leads to a Flourishing Global Consumer Electronics Industry

According to data released by GfK, in the latter half of 2023, the year-on-year growth rate of retail sales for consumer tech products soared to approximately 11%, propelling the industry's overall year-on-year growth rate to 4% for the entire year. There are still growth opportunities in specific areas of global consumer electronics market, particularly with innovative products or those aimed at attracting high-end consumers. This indicates that innovation has become a consensus for industry development and a crucial means for progress.

This GTB, with the theme of "Innovation Shaping a Digital Future", assesses participating brands across four dimensions: industry popularity, global strategic layout, influence on the international market, and product innovation. The highly anticipated 2023-2024 Global CE Brands Top 50 were officially announced at the event, with international brands such as Apple, Samsung, Huawei, Sony, Siemens, Qualcomm, TCL, BOE, and Midea making the list. In the 2023-2024 CE Brands Top 10 category, Chinese brands Huawei, TCL, Midea, BOE, Gree, Xiaomi, among others, were recognized. As smartphones receive the highest attention in the consumer electronics field, competition among global brands becomes more intense. The 2023-2024 Global Smart Phone Brands Top 10 award was received by brands like Apple, Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, TECNO and etc. "TECNO continues to captivate with their outstanding achievements this year," expressed Zhu Dongfang, President of Asia Digital Group on behalf of the jury team. "Their unwavering dedication to technological advancements for global frontiers is truly commendable. TECNO's innovative prowess and commitment to excellence make them an exceptional consumer electronics brand."

The development of smart TVs has significantly increased their usage rates, transforming them from mere screen decorations in living rooms to home smart centers with diverse applications. Brands like Samsung, TCL, LG, Sony, and Xiaomi emerged as winners in the 2023-2024 Global TV Brands Top 10 category. Looking across these three rankings, Chinese brands and their power have gained recognition from global consumers in the corresponding consumer electronics sectors. The shift from "Made in China" to "Intelligent Manufacturing in China" has already begun, and it is expected to see more high-quality Chinese brands and products venturing into global competition.

The rapid popularity of electric vehicles has driven innovation and transformation in the smartification of automobiles, which led to the addition of the 2023-2024 Global Intelligent Vehicles Brands Top 10 category this year. The development of smart cars with electrification as the core has become a consensus among global car manufacturers, and this GTB is a comprehensive review of the global development of smart cars. In the end, Tesla, BYD, Toyota, Volkswagen, General Motors, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Stellantis, Ford, and GAC MOTOR stood out. GAC MOTOR's inclusion instills confidence in the development of China's smart electric cars, making it more possible for Chinese car brands to achieve overtaking through electrification. In addition, Ecovacs, Infinix, and GONEO won the 2023-2024 International Innovative Brand Award, showcasing the innovation of Chinese brands shining globally.

Strength in International Markets Showcases China's Power on the World Stage

Looking at winners list, Chinese brands have gained worldwide recognition with their scientific and technological innovation. They have ventured overseas and gained the trust of consumers from different countries in the global competition.

TCL won five awards this year, including the 2023-2024 CE Brands Top 10, 2023-2024 Global TV Brands Top 10, Innovative Display Technology Gold Award of the Year, AR Glasses Innovation Award of the Year, and Eye Protection Display Technology Innovation Award. Among them, the 115QM891G TV, with a 115-inch QD-Mini LED smart screen, uses QD-Mini LED display technology that combines the advantages of LCD and OLED, upgrading traditional surface light sources to pixel-level point light sources, while also using QLED technology to achieve ultra-high contrast. It also has higher brightness, color gamut, and lifespan than OLED, making it equipped with true next-generation large-screen display technology. With over 20,000 quantum dot dimming zones, 5,000 nits of XDR peak brightness, it is equipped with the AiPQ Ultra chip, features an Onkyo 6.2.2 Hi-Fi sound system and Dolby Atmos and presents ultra-thin integrated design. The RayNeo X2 Lite binocular full-color glasses, weighing just approximately 60 grams, stands as one of the lightest binocular full-color 3D smart glasses. It features leading binocular full-color MicroLED display technology that achieves real virtual integration, with up to 1,500 nits of brightness and vivid 3D images. The product is equipped with the first-generation Snapdragon AR1 platform, which has powerful AI capabilities, providing users with glasses-based multi-scene applications such as real-time translation, 3D navigation, and intelligent AI assistant. TCL's other award-winning product, the TCL NXTPAPER 14 Pro, is the first tablet computer equipped with NXTPAPER 3.0, proving TCL's commitment to outstanding visual experience and eye comfort, and is a model of technology humanization. In terms of hardware, the NXTPAPER 14 Pro features a 14-inch 2.8K high-definition screen, while the NXTPAPER 3.0 technology adds circular polarizing light screens (CPL), creating an experience of reading paper-like books under natural light. In terms of software, this tablet is designed with a screen usage time reminder function based on expert research and recommendations on eye health.

Midea has been recognized with two awards, including the 2023-2024 CE Brands TOP 10, and individual product awards. The Navigator Series 3rd Generation Household Central Air Conditioner from Midea has received the Whole House Air Solution Gold Award. This innovative system utilizes full liquid chilling, zoning and thermal management technology and is equipped with T3-level ultra-high-temperature compressors, which enables it to provide powerful cooling at temperatures up to 58C. It can also provide sustained cooling at 43C without attenuation and higher quality cooling operation at 35C, making it suitable for use in extreme climates in both northern and southern regions. Besides, the product integrates a multi-system multi-module centralized control core, which allows it to connect with whole-house floor heating, fresh air, humidity control and health and enables flexible combinations of multiple system modules to achieve customized whole-house air solutions.

While being honored with the 2023-2024 CE Brands Top 10, BOE has also won the 2023-2024 Innovative Display Product Gold Award with its Automotive Ultra Large-Size Oxide Cockpit. This 44.8-inch large-sized oxide product made its debut, with an AA area of 1134*138mm. With a 9K super retina-level resolution of 8960*1092, glass-based MLED backlight, it achieves a top-tier picture quality with 6048 super high-resolution zones and an ultra-high contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1, comparable to OLED. The curved R4200 cold bending technology provides users with an immersive driving experience. It is the first automotive oxide product with a 90Hz refresh rate, delivering smoother visuals. With a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, it accurately reproduces the dynamic brightness range perceivable by human eyes in various usage scenarios. The 8K+ shared interactive system solution can meet the higher demands of automotive products.

GAC MOTOR (GAC Group's wholly-owned subsidiary) was awarded the 2023-2024 Global Intelligent Vehicles Brands Top 10. GAC Group actively embraces global development trends, and has been deeply cultivating international markets. In September 2019, it established GAC MOTOR to manage the overseas business of its independent brands. As a window for overseas sales, GAC MOTOR sells GAC Group's self-developed vehicle and component products overseas, while also providing related commercial services to international distributor partners. It has completed the layout in 39 countries and regions across five major regions: the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, Africa, and the Americas, and has initially established a global sales and service system.

Infinix has been awarded the 2023-2024 Most Innovative Mobile Phone Brand Award. In recent years, Infinix has continuously introduced innovative technologies and delivered high-quality products and services, such as the groundbreaking 180W super-fast charging technology in the ZERO ULTRA smartphone, which has captured industry attention since its debut. In 2023, Infinix globally launched the revolutionary 260W wired and 110W wireless all-scenario fast charging technologies, presenting a breakthrough "all-scenario fast charging" solution that remarkably exceeds user expectations.As a trendy technology brand, Infinix targets young consumers and strives to provide cutting-edge technology, stylish designs, and outstanding performance on mobile devices. Its core product lines include the ZERO, NOTE, GT, HOT, and SMART series smartphones. Furthermore, it has expanded into other product categories such as TWS earbuds, laptops, and smart TVs. Infinix products are available in over 70 countries and regions worldwide, spanning across Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

TECNO has been awarded the Global Smart Phone Brands Top 10 for two consecutive years, a testament to its influential brand and exceptional product performance that have garnered widespread recognition across various industries. As an innovative brand based on science and technology, TECNO has established its presence in over 70 countries and regions spanning five continents. Despite challenging circumstances, TECNO has achieved remarkable market expansion and growth in 2023. The brand's ability to adapt to local conditions while delivering impressive imaging capabilities has earned it high praise from consumers. Through the creation of stylish and intelligent products, TECNO inspires global consumers to relentlessly pursue their best selves and a brighter future.

Ecovacs has been honored with the 2023-2024 Home Cleaning Product Innovation Gold Award. Ecovacs DEEBOT X2 COMBO is the first product that combines the functions of a robotic vacuum and a mopping cleaner, achieving comprehensive floor automatic cleaning and manual cleaning for vertical surfaces. With the innovative dual-way dust collection technology, X2 COMBO isolates the cleaning environment from the dust and dirt, making cleaning easier. It solves multiple cleaning problems in home with one-stop solutions and opens a new era of smart home cleaning.

GONEO has been honored with the 2023-2024 International Innovative Enterprise Brand Award. The GONEO EV CHARGER has undergone innovative improvements in appearance, interaction, compatibility, safety, and service. The product's sleek appearance was designed by Gunter Horntrich, founder of the German design company Yellow Design and professor at Koln International School of Design, with a minimalist and technological style. The product utilizes innovative touch screen technology for easy interaction, Bluetooth automatic unlocking, and seamless charging initiation, catering to most mainstream vehicle models. This paves the way for visualized interaction and seamless charging in the intelligent era of automotive charging. Moreover, the professional and reliable product offers nine-automotive grade protection, installation services certified by TUV Rheinland in Germany and an industry-leading 6-year warranty, and remains at the forefront of the industry.

C&T Industry Company Limited has won the 2023-2024 Innovative Design Gold Award for its outstanding product design capabilities. With over a decade of industry accumulation and innovative technologies, it has brought efficient and convenient digital accessory solutions to global customers.

Continuous innovation is necessary for the development of science and technology, and society. The Global Top Brands Awards will persist in seeking global examples of consumer electronics development to foster a healthy industry growth.

SOURCE Asia Digital Group
WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) marked another successful year in 2023, making significant strides to improve transportation security effectiveness, efficiency and enhance the aviation passenger experience. In 2023, TSA screened a record 858+ million passengers, an average of 2.4 million daily passengers at airport security checkpoints across the country. In 2023, TSA set a new record by screening 2.9 million passengers the Sunday after Thanksgiving, while seven of the ten busiest days in TSA's history took place in 2023.

"I am very proud of the work we accomplished together as an agency and with our partners in 2023, starting with the long-awaited goal of paying our employees fairly, at the same levels as their federal counterparts," said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. "At TSA, from our employees behind the scenes to those on the frontlines, we have built a culture of innovation and remain focused on staying ahead of the emerging threats. We have deployed new technology to improve security and the passenger experience, and look forward to continuing the progress this year with our incredible partners across government and industry."

In 2023, the TSA workforce:

Screened more than 858 million passengers, averaging about 2.4 million passengers per day; 484 million checked bags and 1.9 billion carry-on items. The agency also pre-screened nearly a billion passengers through Secure Flight.

Prevented 6,737 firearms (93% loaded) from getting into the secure areas of the airport and onboard aircraft.

Improved cybersecurity preparedness and resilience for critical transportation infrastructure through new performance-based cybersecurity requirements for airport and aircraft operators, as the agency has done with pipeline and rail systems in previous years.

Executed a for TSA employees in July 2023 with funding from the FY23 Omnibus Bill, which recognizes the critical role all TSA employees play in securing the nation's transportation systems. This plan compensates TSA employees at a level commensurate with employees of other federal agencies for the first time since the agency's founding in 2001. As a result, TSA has seen a significant reduction in attrition and improvement in the ability to recruit for open positions.

Implemented expanded collective bargaining rights for non-supervisory Transportation Security Officers (TSOs). The FY23 Omnibus Bill also supported the implementation of a labor framework for the non-supervisory screening workforce that aligns more closely with rights of employees in other federal agencies. The spending bill also supported Merit Systems Protection Board rights for TSOs, which were first established in September 2021 .

Retained a historic 88% of frontline employees and hired more than 9,000 new TSOs and Security Support Assistants (SSA) to handle future travel volumes.

Trained frontline employees at their new state-of-the-art TSA Academy West at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas and TSA Academy East in Glynco, Ga., where the 100,000th TSO graduated in September. Our advanced facilities train and equip TSOs with the tools to succeed in one of the most agile and innovative federal agencies to remain a staple of performance.

Continued its efforts to serve and communicate quickly, efficiently and respectfully with all travelers.

AskTSA responded directly to three million traveler questions, typically within two minutes, over social media and via text to AskTSA at 275-872.

The TSA Contact Center answered two million traveler calls and emails.

The TSA Cares helpline provided assistance to more than 71,000 travelers with disabilities, medical conditions and other special circumstances.



Grew the TSA PreCheck Trusted Traveler Program. In 2023, more than four million people enrolled in TSA PreCheck, bringing the total number of active TSA PreCheck members to more than 18 million. Additionally:

Telos became the second active TSA PreCheck enrollment provider, in addition to IDEMIA.

Eight new airlines joined the TSA PreCheck expedited screening program.

The agency announced that teenagers age 17 and under may accompany TSA PreCheck enrolled parents or guardians through TSA PreCheck screening lanes when traveling on the same reservation, and when the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on the teen's boarding pass. Children 12 and under may still accompany an enrolled parent or guardian when traveling through the TSA PreCheck lanes any time, without restriction.



Continued to purchase and deploy innovative checkpoint technologies that improve security effectiveness and efficiency, while enhancing the passenger experience. TSA has deployed more than 2,000 Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) machines, including second generation (CAT-2) units that enable mobile driver's licenses and utilize optional facial recognition technology to match credentials to the passenger while protecting their privacy. In 2023, TSA added 457 CAT-2 upgrade kits utilizing the facial recognition technology. TSA added 267 Computed Tomography X-ray scanners technology that produces high-quality 3-D images which can be rotated up to 360 degrees on three axes for a more thorough visual analysis of a carry-on bag's contents, while also reducing the need to touch or manually check bags and eliminating the need to take electronics and travel-size liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) out of carry-on bags. TSA also updated an algorithm to improve the performance of the nearly 1,000 Advanced Imaging Technology Units, technology that safely screens passengers for on-person metallic and non-metallic threats such as weapons and explosives without physical contact. The algorithm update significantly reduces false alarms, enhances accuracy and reduces pat-downs.

Through partnerships with Apple, GET Mobile Driver's license app, Google and Samsung, TSA leveraged technology that enables those travelers with an Arizona , Iowa , Utah , Maryland , Colorado , Georgia or California mobile driver's license to have a more seamless airport security experience at 27 participating airports. Partnerships with American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines facilitate ongoing evaluations of facial recognition technology for identification and bag drop.

Conducted or supported hundreds of domestic response plan and transportation security related exercises; offered truck, port and rail workers online options to securely renew credentials and increased intelligence sharing with surface and aviation partners.

Presented the Biennial National Strategy for Transportation Security and laid out its plan for addressing the nation's evolving threats to transportation. In July 2023 , TSA published the Administrator's Intent 3.0, a set of short-term objectives that seek to advance the TSA mission and accomplish the strategy.

Conducted a passenger experience survey with a sample size of 13,000 travelers at multiple airports across the nation. Survey results revealed that 93% of travelers were satisfied with the passenger experience and 94% of the respondents were confident in TSA's ability to keep air travel secure.

Met with 187 organizations that represent travelers with disabilities to continue talks for how best to serve these travelers. As a result of one such engagement, TSA partnered with an organization to provide helpful information via TravelingWiki for those traveling with passengers with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

As adversaries adapt their tactics and new threats arise, TSA's law enforcement arm continues to adjust approaches to transportation security to meet and defend against these threats, namely:

Federal Air Marshals (FAMS) and Federal Flight Deck Officers provided inflight security for over for over two-hundred thousand of domestic and international flights. FAMS also:

Deployed to several national security events working with federal, state and local law enforcement partners to protect critical infrastructure and transportation venues.

Conducted 51 various aviation-related security assessments throughout the nation.

Expanded partnerships among interagency task forces, fusion centers and coordination centers connected to critical transportation including, but are not limited to the National Cyber Joint Task Force and National Joint Terrorism Task Force.

Trained over 5,000 air carrier crew members in self-defense.

Conducted more than 7,200 Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response operations at hundreds of transportation hubs in the U.S.

Published the Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) Roadmap to adapt and enhance its approach to the diverse transportation threats of 2023 and beyond.



Special Agents developed evidence of human trafficking in 15 criminal specific and pre-employment examinations.

For more information and additional accomplishments, see the TSA 2023 Year in Review.

SOURCE Transportation Security Administration
OKLAHOMA CITY, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ace Hardware Plumbing Services celebrated today its one-year anniversary of in-home plumbing services now available at Westlake Ace Hardware in Oklahoma City. Ace Hardware Plumbing Services offers residents a single-step path to solve their plumbing issues with a team of professionals backed by the local Ace they trust. The Plumbing Services location operates in a dedicated space inside Westlake Ace Hardware at 1509 W. Britton Road and was the first location to offer plumbing services in Oklahoma City as part of Ace Hardware's expansion into the home services sector.

"We have created the perfect marriage with Ace Hardware Plumbing Services added to our store and community," said Chris Blose, Westlake Ace Hardware General Manager. "Every day, we have customers in our store who need plumbing help. This has benefited our customers greatly because we can connect them with an Ace Hardware Plumbing Services associate for immediate support. We know our customers will receive the same service they deserve, want, and need to get the job done."

Ace Hardware Plumbing Services specializes in full-service plumbing installation, repair, and maintenance services for residential and commercial projects. Specialized services offered include drain cleaning, leak detection and repair, water heaters, sewer and drain repair, bathroom and kitchen plumbing and gas leak detection and installation. The team at Ace Hardware Plumbing Services is dedicated to customer service with the "Upfront. Upright. Uplift." policy of providing upfront pricing, upholding the highest standards of honesty, and positively impacting the lives of customers and the local community.

In 2022, Ace Hardware acquired Legacy Plumbing, a plumbing business in the Dallas, Texas, area, which now operates as an Ace Hardware company. Led by Michelle and Theron Young, Legacy Plumbing brought a depth of knowledge and expertise in the plumbing sector, with a dedication to customer services shared by parent company Ace Hardware. The Youngs helped establish the new Ace Hardware Plumbing Services location in Oklahoma City.

"I am so proud of our team who rolled up their sleeves to open our first Ace branded plumbing services location in Oklahoma City," said Michelle Young, Chief Executive Officer of Legacy Plumbing. "I'm thrilled that we successfully partnered with Westlake Ace. Both teams have worked extremely hard to create a beautiful working relationship. We are proud to celebrate a year of working together and offering our customers the plumbing services they need to keep their homes operating in top condition."

Customers can visit https://acehardwareplumbing.com to learn more about the home plumbing services offered.

About Ace Hardware

Ace Hardware is the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the world with over 5,800 locally owned and operated hardware stores in approximately 60 countries. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., Ace and its subsidiaries operate an expansive network of distribution centers in the U.S. and have distribution capabilities in Ningbo, China; Cuautitlan Izcalli, Mexico. Ace also owns Ace Hardware Home Services, a collection of local service companies with experienced professionals dedicated to helping homeowners complete home maintenance tasks. Since 1924, Ace has become a part of local communities around the world and known as the place with the Helpful Hardware Folks. For more information, visit acehardware.com or newsroom.acehardware.com.

Media Contacts: [email protected]

SOURCE Ace Hardware Corporation
In November 2023, Aeries Software proudly hosted its 50th AeriesCon Conference, a testament to its enduring legacy in the education technology sector.

ORANGE, Calif., Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In November, Aeries Software, a leader in education technology, celebrated a significant milestone with its 50th AeriesCon. The event, themed "A Golden Tradition: Celebrating our 50th Conference", brought together K-12 educators and tech experts. The focus was on improving student success and making school operations more efficient.

Since the late '90s, AeriesCon has been a pivotal event for Aeries Software, evolving from the Aeries Users' Conference to a biannual event known for client engagement and knowledge sharing. The transformation and rebranding into AeriesCon in 2017 marked a significant step in aligning with contemporary trends in educational technology.

Aeries President Brent Lloyd spoke of the company's vision to build a world where data empowers educators, and never impedes. Lloyd emphasized Aeries' commitment to empowering educators with data-driven tools. Aeries' goal is to let educators focus on what they do best: helping students succeed.

"We're excited to be celebrating this Golden Tradition, our 50th conference, proud to celebrate our traditions, and to embark on an exciting future driven by those traditions with Aeries's customers as our companions along the way", said Lloyd.

The conference featured inspiring talks. International speaker Erica Alfaro shared her story of resilience and success. Education expert Katie Martin discussed strategies for creating inclusive learning experiences.

Lloyd announced the Golden Tradition Awards to honor outstanding contributions in the Aeries community. These include the Jerry Lloyd Golden Legacy Award and others, celebrating achievements and impacts of members within the Aeries Community. Information regarding eligibility and nominations can be found at AeriesCon Awards.

Aeries' Mission and Impact: Reaffirming its mission, Aeries Software highlighted its role in managing over 3 million student records and its commitment to long-term relationships with district customers. The company's vision to empower educators with data-driven tools was a central theme of the conference.

One attendee commented, "Learning new skills from my first AeriesCon allowed me to move positions from school site to district site."

Looking Forward: The next AeriesCon, continuing to honor the Golden Tradition, is scheduled for March 6-8, 2024, in Sacramento, CA. Secure your spot for Spring AeriesCon today: www.aeries.com/aeriescon

About Aeries Software: Since its start, Aeries Software has led in creating comprehensive education technology solutions. It focuses on empowering educators and advancing student success, continually innovating to meet the needs of schools and educational institutions.

SOURCE Aeries Software
DUBLIN, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Anheuser-Busch InBev - Digital Transformation Strategies" company profile has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (AB InBev) is involved in the production, distribution, and sale of beer and other alcoholic beverages such as wine, ready-to-drink cocktails, spirits, and hard seltzers, as well as soft drinks worldwide.

The company has over 500 global, multi-country, and local beer brands in its portfolio. Some of its well-known global brands are Budweiser, Stella Artois, and Corona, multi-country brands include Beck's, Leffe, and Hoegaarden, and local beer brands are Aguila, Brahma, Antarctica, Castle, Victoria, and Skol.

The company also holds exclusive rights to bottle, sell and distribute certain PepsiCo brands in Brazil including Pepsi-Cola, Gatorade, H2OH!, and Lipton Ice-Tea. The company conducts business operations in North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia-Pacific.



This report provides insight into AB InBev's technology activities, including:

Insights of its digital transformation strategies and innovation hubs and accelerator programs.

Overview of technology initiatives covering partnerships, product launches, investments, and acquisitions.

Insights on each technology initiative including technology theme, objective, and benefits.

Details of estimated ICT budgets and major ICT contracts.

Scope

AB InBev leverages several emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, augmented reality, blockchain, cloud, ecommerce, social media, drones, and IoT among others to improve operational efficiency, achieve sustainability goals, drive sales and strengthen customer relations.

Reasons to Buy

Gain insights into AB InBev's technology operations.

Gain insights into its technology strategies and innovation initiatives.

Gain insights into its technology themes under focus.

Gain insights into its various partnerships, investments and acquisitions.

Key Topics Covered:

Overview

Digital Transformation Strategy

Accelerators, Incubators, and Other Innovation Programs

Technology Focus

Technology Initiatives

Venture Arm

Investment

Acquisitions

Partnership and Investment Network Map

ICT Budget and Contracts

Key Executives

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes

Thirstie

Pereira O'Dell

Fujitsu

SettleMint

TSR

PepsiCo

Republic Services

Aircards

XMReality

Consumption Information Real Time

WeissBeerger

Maven Wave

Microsoft

Team8

Catalant Technologies

Pensa Systems

Appbar

BanQu

BeerBods

CASA DE LA CERVEZA

BoozeBud

Atom Group

Beerhouse

Weissbeerger

For more information about this company profile visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/1ut2l0

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SOURCE Research and Markets
ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Antech, the veterinary diagnostics company focused on helping veterinary professionals predict, diagnose and monitor wellness and disease, today announced it will launch the breakthrough in-hospital Nu.Q Canine Cancer Test at this year's annual VMX meeting.

Nu.Q will operate on Antech's Heska Element i+ Immunodiagnostic Analyzer, an in-hospital platform which provides veterinarians with rapid, accurate, low cost, and easy-to-use on-site testing in the veterinary clinic to support clinical decision-making and improve patient outcomes. Nu.Q  (nucleosomes) assays are available from multiple sources, however the Nu.Q  cartridge run on the Element i+ Immunodiagnostics Analyzer provides veterinarians with the first and only patient-side point of care test that provides accurate results in about 6 minutes.

Nu.Q  is a breakthrough technology that measures circulating nucleosomes, supporting earlier cancer detection in some of the most prevalent types of canine cancers. Nu.Q  testing run on the Element i+ analyzer is both cost-effective and simple, requiring only 50L of EDTA plasma from a patient. Studies have shown >70% detection rates for common cancers in dogs like lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma when using Nu.Q .

The Nu.Q  test can be carried out by veterinarians during annual check-ups, regular wellness exams, healthcare interventions, and during cancer treatment cycles, to screen millions of dogs for some of the most common cancers, quickly providing accurate and critical information in minutes, patient-side.

Dr Jimmy Barr, DVM, DACVECC, Chief Medical Officer at Antech, part of Mars Petcare's Science & Diagnostics division said: "This is an important milestone for veterinary diagnostics in helping veterinarians detect canine cancer, with expected greater accuracy patient-side and the convenience of avoiding transportation of samples. Knowing that almost half of dogs over the age of 10 will develop cancer[1], we have worked hard to bring the power of Nu.Q  together with our high-tech in-hospital analyzers to support veterinary professionals and pets. We are proud of innovation and technology that supports our purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS."

Antech, a trusted partner in delivering veterinary diagnostics for more than 35 years, offers a complete portfolio that spans reference laboratory services, in-hospital diagnostics, comprehensive imaging and technology solutions, advanced telemedicine services and innovative rapid diagnostics. To learn more about the in-hospital Nu.Q , visit booth 1522 at VMX 2024 or speak to your local Antech representative.

Nu.Q is a registered trademark of VolitionRx Limited and its subsidiaries. The Nu.Q Canine Cancer Test is supplied to Antech's Heska affiliate under license by Belgian Volition SRL.

About Antech and Nu.Q at VMX

Visit Antech at booth 1522 during VMX 2024 in Orlando 13-17 January to find out more about Nu.Q and to speak to a sales representative.

About Mars Science & Diagnostics

Mars Science & Diagnostics is a division of Mars Petcare, a diverse business dedicated to one purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS. Science & Diagnostics brings together the power of leading pet health science with expertise across diagnostics, data, and technology to improve outcomes in pet health. Our veterinary diagnostics businesses include Antech , Heska , scil and our offering spans in-house diagnostic laboratory instruments and consumables, including rapid assay diagnostic products and digital cytology services; local and cloud-based data services; practice information management software and related software and support; reference laboratories; veterinary imaging and technology; education; and telemedicine with board-certified specialist support services. Our at-home diagnostics offering includes Whistle with smart devices to monitor pet health and Wisdom Panel, the world's most accurate pet DNA test. For 60 years, our Waltham Petcare Science Institute has been advancing science to better understand pet health.

[1] https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/petcare/cancer-pets#:~:text=Approximately%201%20in%204%20dogs,rate%20of%20cancer%20in%20cats.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2316721/Antech_Diagnostics_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Antech Diagnostics
NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The automotive pump market is estimated to grow by USD 3.28 billion from 2022 to 2027, growing at a CAGR of 4.04%. The automotive pump market is fragmented owing to the presence of many global and regional companies. The exponential growth of the automotive industry in emerging economies has significantly driven the Automotive Pump Market. This rise is primarily attributed to the booming automotive sector, where demands for fuel pumps, water pumps, oil pumps, hydraulic pumps, electric fuel pumps, mechanical fuel pumps, vacuum pumps, power steering pumps, transmission oil pumps, and coolant pumps have escalated. These pumps serve as significant components, driving efficiency and performance in vehicles, aligning with the automotive industry's evolution, and enhancing operational capabilities.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Automotive Pump Market 2023-2027

The report provides a full list of key companies, their strategies, and the latest developments. Download Free Sample before buying

Company Offering:

Pricol Ltd. - The company focuses on manufacturing and trading automotive components. The key offerings of the company include automotive pump solutions such as Fuel pumps, Electrical Oil pumps, and Electronic Purge valves.

The company focuses on manufacturing and trading automotive components. The key offerings of the company include automotive pump solutions such as Fuel pumps, Electrical Oil pumps, and Electronic Purge valves. For details on companies and their offerings  Buy a report!

A few prominent companies that offer automotive pump market are Bapcor Ltd., BorgWarner Inc., Carter Fuel Systems LLC, Concentric AB, Continental AG, Cummins Inc., DENSO Corp., GMB Co. Ltd., Hitachi Ltd., Johnson Electric Holdings Ltd., Mitsubishi Electric Corp., Pricol Ltd., Rheinmetall AG, Robert Bosch GmbH, SHW AG, Stellantis NV, TI Fluid Systems Plc, Toyota Motor Corp., Valeo SA, and ZF Friedrichshafen AG.

Based on Geography, the market is classified as Europe, North America, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa. Europe is estimated to contribute 38% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. The main contributors to the European market are Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the UK. The use of advanced fuel injection systems in vehicles is high in these countries and strict emission rules are enforced. The demand for electrical fuel pumps is one of the main factors driving growth in Europe's markets. The widespread use of EFIs is primarily responsible for this.

Download a free sample report to get more insights on the market share of various regions and the contribution of the segments.

Key Trend - Emerging as a pivotal trend in the Automotive Pump Market, advancements in hydrocarbon evaporation control systems is gaining momentum. This trend encompasses innovations in diesel pumps, electric water pumps, engine oil pumps, electric power steering pumps, centrifugal pumps, gear pumps, turbocharger pumps, fuel transfer pumps, electric coolant pumps, and windshield washer pumps. The focus on hydrocarbon evaporation control reflects the industry's commitment to enhancing environmental sustainability and efficiency, shaping the future growth of automotive pump technology.

This trend encompasses innovations in diesel pumps, electric water pumps, engine oil pumps, electric power steering pumps, centrifugal pumps, gear pumps, turbocharger pumps, fuel transfer pumps, electric coolant pumps, and windshield washer pumps. The focus on hydrocarbon evaporation control reflects the industry's commitment to enhancing environmental sustainability and efficiency, shaping the future growth of automotive pump technology. Major Challenges - The Automotive Pump Market faces a formidable challenge due to rising demand for hybrid and electric vehicles. This demand shift impacts various pump sectors including air pumps, brake pumps, washer pumps, high-pressure fuel pumps, fuel injection pumps, engine coolant pumps, variable displacement pumps, electric brake vacuum pumps, air conditioning compressor pumps, electric transmission oil pumps, and catalytic pumps. The transition towards alternative vehicle technologies poses a hurdle, requiring pump manufacturers to adapt and innovate to cater to evolving propulsion systems and vehicle architectures.

Market Segmentation

Based on Type, the market is classified into mechanical and automatic. The mechanical segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. Through automated means, positive displacement mechanical pumps produce a fluid flow. Modern direct injection engines have configurations, such as common rail radial piston, common rail two-piston, radial, inline, port and helix, and metering units, which operate at higher pressures of up to 30000psi.

Technavio Research experts have provided more insights on the market share of segments - View the Free Sample Report

Related Reports

The automotive exhaust manifold market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.4% between 2023 and 2028. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 735.08 million.

The electric coolant pump for passenger cars market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 15.33% between 2022 and 2027.

TOC:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation by Type

7 Market Segmentation by Application

8 Customer Landscape

9 Geographic Landscape

10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

11 Company Landscape

12 Company Analysis

13 Appendix

About US

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact US:

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
STAFFORD, Va., Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BAE Systems delivered the first Amphibious Combat Vehicle Command and Control (ACV-C) variant under the full-rate production contract to the U.S. Marine Corps. The ACV-C will provide Marines with a mobile command center which enables situational awareness and operations planning in the battlespace.

"We are thrilled to deliver this critical capability into the hands of Marines in the field." Post this U.S. Marines with Charlie Company, 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, conduct waterborne operations utilizing an amphibious combat vehicle at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 31, 2022. The training ensures proficiency of the crew members and enforced water integrity testing procedures. (Credit: U.S. Marine Corps. Photo by Cpl. Alexandra Munoz)

ACV-C provides true open-ocean and ship-to-objective amphibious capability, land mobility, survivability and ample growth capacity and flexibility to incorporate and adapt future technologies. Through previous studies with the Marine Corps, BAE Systems has proven that the ACV is truly customizable and has the built-in growth capacity to integrate future mission critical technologies, including new battle management capabilities, advanced communications, multi-domain targeting management, beyond-line-of-sight sensors, and Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) with autonomous and unmanned systems.

"We are thrilled to deliver this critical capability into the hands of Marines in the field," said Garrett Lacaillade, vice president of the amphibious vehicles product line for BAE Systems. "As the Marines begin to familiarize themselves with the new ACV-C, BAE Systems and our strategic partner Iveco Defence Vehicles remain ready to fulfill any of the Corps' critical amphibious warfighting needs to ensure the Fleet Marine Force is mission ready."

The Marine Corps and BAE Systems entered full-rate production on the ACV program with a contract award in December 2020. Currently, two of the four ACV variants are in production today at BAE Systems facility in York, Pennsylvania: the ACV Personnel variant (ACV-P), which provides transport for 13 combat-loaded Marines and three crew, and the new ACV-C variant. Production Representative Test Vehicles (PRTVs) are currently in production for ACV 30mm (ACV-30). ACV-30 is armed with a 30mm Remote Turret System that provides the lethality and protection Marines need while leaving ample room for troop capacity and payload.

The fourth variant on contract, the ACV Recovery variant (ACV-R) recently completed phase one of the design process. BAE Systems will deliver production representative test vehicles in 2025. ACV-R will provide direct field support, maintenance, and recovery to the ACV family of vehicles.

ACV production and support is taking place at BAE Systems locations in Stafford, Virginia; San Jose, California; Sterling Heights, Michigan; Aiken, South Carolina; and York, Pennsylvania.

For more information, please contact:

Michelle Tiemeyer, BAE Systems

Mobile: +001 (717) 645-6553

[email protected]

www.baesystems.com/US

@BAESystemsInc

SOURCE BAE Systems, Inc.
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of America reported its fourth-quarter 2023 financial results today. The news release, supplemental filing and investor presentation can be accessed at Bank of America's Investor Relations website at https://investor.bankofamerica.com/quarterly-earnings.

Investor Conference Call information:

Chief Executive Officer Brian Moynihan and Chief Financial Officer Alastair Borthwick will discuss the financial results in a conference call at 11 a.m. ET today. For a listen-only connection to the conference call, dial 1.877.200.4456 (U.S.) or 1.785.424.1732 (international), and the conference ID is 79795. Please dial in 10 minutes prior to the start of the call.

Investors can also listen to live audio of the conference call and view the presentation slides by visiting the Events and Presentations section of the company's Investor Relations website.

Replay information for Investor Conference Call:

Investors can access replays of the conference call by visiting the Investor Relations website or by calling 1.800.934.4850 (U.S.) or 1.402.220.1178 (international) from noon on January 12 through 11:59 p.m. ET on January 22.

Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world's leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 69 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,800 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 57 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BAC).

For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom. Click here to register for news email alerts.

www.bankofamerica.com

Investors May Contact:

Lee McEntire, Bank of America

Phone: 1.980.388.6780

[email protected]

Jonathan G. Blum, Bank of America (Fixed Income)

Phone: 1.212.449.3112

[email protected]

Reporters May Contact:

Bill Halldin, Bank of America

Phone: 1.916.724.0093

[email protected]

Christopher P. Feeney, Bank of America

Phone: 1.980.386.6794

[email protected]

SOURCE Bank of America Corporation
BEA Tower signifies the Bank's dedication to supporting the development of the GBA

HONG KONG, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bank of East Asia, Limited ("BEA" or the "Bank") today celebrated the inauguration of BEA Tower in Qianhai, its strategic hub in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area ("GBA"). The occasion coincides with the Bank's 105th anniversary, marking a significant milestone in BEA's century-long development on the Chinese Mainland and its dedication to the GBA's development.

BEA Tower is located in the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Cooperation Zone. The inauguration was officiated by Mr. Paul Chan Mo-po, Financial Secretary of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region ("HKSAR"); Mr. Wang Qiang, Member of the Standing Committee of the Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China ("CPC"), Director-General of the United Front Work Department of the Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the CPC; Mr. Lv Feng, Deputy Director-General of the Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR; Dr. Tong Shi-qing, Deputy Director General of the Guangdong Financial Supervisory Authority; Mr. Arthur Yuen, Deputy Chief Executive, Hong Kong Monetary Authority; Mr. Kuok Khoon-hua, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kerry Properties Limited, the Bank's joint-venture partner for the development of BEA Tower; Dr. David Li, Executive Chairman of BEA; Professor Arthur Li, Deputy Chairman of BEA; and Mr. Adrian Li and Mr. Brian Li, Co-Chief Executives of BEA. Also joining the inauguration were the board of directors and executives of the Bank and Bank of East Asia (China) Limited ("BEA China"), and officials of Qianhai Authority and other Chinese Mainland government bodies.

In a pre-recorded video message, Mr. John KC Lee, Chief Executive of the HKSAR, said, "The HKSAR Government attaches great importance to strengthening and leveraging Hong Kong's competitive edge in financial services. Hong Kong's internationalised market, product offerings and talent pool can make proactive contributions to the financial liberalisation and innovation of the GBA not only in such established sectors as securities, banking, insurance, and asset management, but also in the emerging fields of green finance and fintech. I encourage BEA to capitalise on the immense opportunities presented by the development of Qianhai to continue to play an active role in the development of the GBA and contribute to our nation's high-standard opening up as a home-grown Hong Kong business."

Mr. Paul Chan Mo-po, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government, said, "Qianhai is a major cooperation platform for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, holding a frontier position for national reform and opening up. It is an important national initiative to support Hong Kong's economic and social development, enhance the level of cooperation between Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, and construct a new layout of opening up. In this new era and journey of China's modernisation for building a strong nation, Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao are strengthening their co-development and speeding up the formation of a new system for good-quality, highly efficient modern service industry.

Mr. Wang Qiang, Member of the Standing Committee of the Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the CPC, said, "This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and is also a crucial year for achieving the objectives and initiatives outlined in the 14th Five-Year Plan. Shenzhen will focus on driving economic development and high-quality growth to spur the creation of an economic hub with greater global influence and a modern international metropolis. We hope BEA will continue to play an increasing role in the economic and social development of Shenzhen, fully leveraging the synergies of cross-boundary collaboration."

Mr. Adrian Li, Co-Chief Executive of BEA, commented, "The official inauguration of BEA Tower represents a milestone for our business development in the region. This building will serve as our strategic hub for the GBA, facilitating closer collaboration between members of the BEA Group and enabling us to provide more seamless cross-boundary services to our customers."

Mr. Brian Li, Co-Chief Executive of BEA, said, "BEA has always been a supporter of the continuous development of Qianhai. Among our key business segments in the GBA, we have established our presence in securities, investment, asset management, and fintech in Qianhai. BEA Tower demonstrates our unwavering confidence in the prospects of the economy and business in the Chinese Mainland."

BEA Tower has 18 floors and 5 underground levels. It houses BEA China's flagship Shenzhen Branch, a fintech innovation centre cum startup collaboration platform  BEAST (which stands for BEA + Startups), a Data Lab and other BEA subsidiaries.

With a recognised presence across all 9 GBA cities in the Mainland, BEA offers a comprehensive range of cross-boundary banking services by leveraging its onshore and offshore platforms to meet the needs of personal and corporate customers.

In addition, BEA is committed to advancing innovation and supporting a vibrant fintech ecosystem in the region. BEAST, BEA's fintech platform that was first established in Hong Kong in September 2022, has expanded its reach to Qianhai. Launched in October 2023, Qianhai BEAST enables the Bank to connect with the wealth of talent and expertise in Shenzhen's thriving fintech community. BEAST Qianhai benefits BEA and its customers with co-created solutions, while also facilitating broader regional collaboration.

BEA continues to strengthen its capabilities with innovative solutions. Its refreshed brand identity reflects the sustainable, digital-led and customer-centric bank that BEA is today and its commitment to empowering its customers to manage their financial well-being.

About The Bank of East Asia, Limited

Incorporated in 1918, The Bank of East Asia, Limited ("BEA") is a leading Hong Kong- based financial services group listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, with total consolidated assets of HK$872.1 billion (US$111.3 billion) as of 30th June, 2023.

BEA provides a comprehensive range of corporate banking, personal banking, wealth management, and investment services to customers through an extensive network of about 150 outlets covering Hong Kong, the rest of Greater China, Southeast Asia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. For more information, please visit www.hkbea.com .

SOURCE The Bank of East Asia, Limited
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Rishi Sunak have signed a historic agreement on security guarantees. The agreement will be valid until Ukraine joins NATO.

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This was reported by an OBOZ.UA correspondent from a joint press conference of Zelensky and Sunak at the Mariinsky Palace in Kyiv. The agreement is called the "Agreement on Security Cooperation between Ukraine and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland."

The UK became the first Western country to sign such a document with Ukraine. The British government called the agreement historic.

In particular, it stipulates that the UK will share intelligence with Ukraine, help with cybersecurity, military training, and strengthen defense and industrial cooperation.

The document is the first security agreement to implement the agreements agreed upon during the NATO summit in Vilnius between Ukraine, G7 members, and other countries.

The document stipulates a ten-year term with the possibility of extension, but if Ukraine joins NATO before the end of the term, the security commitments will be terminated and Ukraine will be incorporated into the Alliance's system.

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In addition, Rishi Sunak announced a 2.5 billion pound aid package for Ukraine, the largest since the start of the full-scale invasion.

"This means more security, anti-tank weapons, missiles, hundreds of thousands of new artillery shells and training for thousands of Ukrainian troops," he said.

According to the British prime minister, the bilateral agreement formalizes the security arrangements that are in place now and ensures that the support is long-term - Moscow must understand that Britain stands with Ukraine.

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The third component is designed to prevent a new attack after the current war ends.

"In case Russia attacks again, we will provide the support that Ukraine needs, fast and reliable security support, modern weapons on the ground, at sea and in the sky, economic support, and sanctions that will have a price for Russia. There is a clear and important commitment to this," Rishi Sunak said.

Zelenskyy, for his part, clarified that the agreement provides time for consultations with partners in case of a repeat of Russian aggression, and called the agreements reached powerful.

"This is not just goodwill. This is formalized relations between our countries, formalized assistance from our powerful partners. The amount is very serious, the term of this agreement is very specific. And while we are not in NATO, these are really powerful agreements and powerful support," the Ukrainian President said.

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The President added that if such an agreement had been reached in 1991, there would be no war today.

"Today is the day when the history of Europe has changed. Ukraine and the United Kingdom have signed a new and unprecedented security agreement. This is not just a declaration. This is a reality that will come thanks to our cooperation and, in particular, security guarantees from a prominent global power - the United Kingdom," he said.

According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine will reach a security level that will serve to deter Russia by the very fact of its existence.

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"I thank all the British for this result and for such confidence in Ukraine - each and every one of you who has been with us all this time and who wants life and justice to win, just as we do!" the Ukrainian leader thanked.

The head of the Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak, said that the main thing in the agreement with Bitania is long-term support for Ukraine.

"The agreement is comprehensive: information security, combating propaganda, cybersecurity, protection of critical infrastructure, defense and military cooperation, maritime security, sanctions against the enemy and achieving a just peace, Russia's responsibility for crimes, rebuilding Ukraine, humanitarian cooperation and macroeconomic stability," he wrote on his Telegram channel.

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In addition, Ukraine can use the best British military experience and defense production to ensure victory on the battlefield, particularly in terms of long-range missiles, air defense and artillery ammunition, Yermak added.

According to the document, any future Russian invasion would violate the UN Charter and the fundamental principles of international law, and would seriously undermine Euro-Atlantic security, including that of Britain. In this case, at the request of any of the participants, consultations will be held within 24 hours to determine measures to counter or deter aggression.

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"Security guarantees are a transitional stage to joining NATO. The Alliance is a key goal for Ukraine. The guarantees have been launched, after which the same agreements will be signed with our other allies. ...A truly historic day," the head of the OP said.

On his official Telegram channel, Zelenskyy posted footage of Rishi Sunak's visit, commenting on it with the following words:

"Today we stand side by side as friends and allies. This is a signal to the world: Ukraine is not alone. Glory to Ukraine!"

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As reported by OBOZ.UA:

- Rishi Sunak arrived in Kyiv on the morning of January 12. It was reported that he was scheduled to meet with Zelenskyy and speak at the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

- On January 2, Zelenskyy and Sunak held telephone talks. The leaders discussed continued defense cooperation with a focus on further strengthening the air defense and long-range capabilities of the Armed Forces.

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Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Captiv8 Inc., the award-winning Influencer Marketing Platform, including the 2023 Winner of 'Best Influencer Marketing Technology' (Influencer Marketing Awards, London), has officially launched in Italy.

Captiv8's Italian efforts will be led by seasoned veteran, Milan-based Marta De Leonardis, who will be taking on the role of Country Manager. With key experience, including roles at Vodafone, Kiver (Mondadori Group), and influencer marketing agency Open Influence, De Leonardis brings more than a decade of experience in brand strategy, marketing programs, and creator solutions.

"I have admired Captiv8's unified approach to creator marketing for some time now" - De Leonardis says  "With its focus on enterprise solutions, Captiv8 has a track record working with the most innovative Fortune 500 brands and largest global agencies. Italian brands have the utmost sophistication and are on the cutting edge of innovation, making Captiv8 a natural fit to service this market. Marketers are looking for holistic tools that allow them to measure the true impact of influencer campaigns, and Captiv8's technology meets this demand. Its commerce solutions give them the ability to track creator impact across the entire purchase funnel, from awareness to actual transactions, and account for all attributing measurement factors. Captiv8 can track brand and performance campaigns through its comprehensive platform and attribute performance by creator or even by-post level."

Since its inception in 2015, Captiv8 has managed over 25,000 campaigns and has responded to global demand by offering support in 10+ languages: English, Italian, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Swedish, Polish, Japanese, Arabic, and more. In 2023, Captiv8 added robust first-to-market affiliate capabilities, to provide solutions for the growing intersection of influencer marketing and ecommerce.

Krishna Subramanian, co-founder and CEO of Captiv8 said, "Since expanding into the UK, we have seen a growing demand for end-to-end influencer marketing capabilities and measurement tools from our partners in the EMEA region. We see tremendous opportunity in the Italian market, and look forward to building upon the success we have had in the United Kingdom. The core offering of our business is simple: to create efficiencies in the world of influencer marketing, and provide marketers with tools to drive the highest ROI and impact, with creative and relevant influencer marketing. With that, we're excited to expand and welcome Marta to our international team. We are excited to work closely with our partners in Italy, and driving meaningful impact and measurable results for our industry peers."

To learn more, visit Captiv8.io/Italy

ABOUT CAPTIV8:

Captiv8 is a full-service influencer marketing solution that redefines end-to-end, inspiring you to think bigger, enabling you to plan smarter, and empowering you to execute better. Through our intuitive workflow, brands can uncover actionable insights on trends, discover and vet influencers, seamlessly activate campaigns at scale, amplify branded content across the digital ecosystem, and prove business impact through our measurement dashboard. Our platform gives you the tools you need to build relationships and effective content, while our teams lend experiences and strategic services to steer you clear of common influencer marketing pitfalls. Captiv8 also won first prize as "Best Influencer Marketing Technology" at the Global Influencer Marketing Awards in London in July 2023.

Since April 2023, Captiv8 has also made its affiliate and performance marketing solutions available outside the United States, created specifically with the peculiarities of the relationship between content creators and brands in mind.

Visit Captiv8.io/Italy to learn more.

SOURCE Captiv8
NEW BERLIN, N.Y., Jan. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chobani, LLC (the "Company" and, together with Chobani Finance Corporation, Inc., "Chobani"), a next generation food and beverage company originally known for its high-quality Greek yogurt, today announced the pricing of the previously announced private placement offering (the "offering") and has agreed to issue and sell $500 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due on July 1, 2029, which will bear interest at a rate of 7.625% per annum (the "notes"). The notes will be guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the Company's immediate parent company, Chobani Global Holdings, LLC (the "Parent Guarantor") and by each of the Parent Guarantor's direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries, to the extent such entities are borrowers or guarantors under the Company's first lien credit agreement or certain capital markets debt. Completion of the notes offering is expected to occur on January 24, 2024, and is subject to, among other things, standard closing and market conditions.

Chobani intends to use the net proceeds from the offering, together with cash on hand, to redeem Chobani's 7.500% Unsecured Senior Notes due 2025 (the "2025 notes") and to pay related fees and expenses. Any remaining net proceeds from the offering will be used for general corporate purposes.

The notes will be Chobani's senior debt and will rank: equally in right of payment with its and the guarantors' existing and future senior debt, including under their credit facilities; senior in right of payment to any of Chobani's or the guarantors' future subordinated debt; effectively subordinated to all of Chobani's and the guarantors' existing and future secured indebtedness, including their credit facilities, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness; and structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other claims and liabilities, including preferred stock, of Chobani's subsidiaries that will not guarantee the notes.

The notes to be offered will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or any other state securities laws. As a result, they may not be offered or sold in the United States or to any U.S. persons, except pursuant to an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Accordingly, the notes will be offered only to persons reasonably believed to be "qualified institutional buyers" under Rule 144A of the Securities Act or, outside the United States, to persons other than "U.S. persons" in compliance with Regulation S under the Securities Act. A confidential offering memorandum for the notes will be made available to such eligible persons. The offering will be conducted in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in such offering memorandum.

This news release is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of, these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. This news release does not constitute a notice of redemption of the 2025 notes.

Cautionary Statement

Certain statements contained herein are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws and regulations. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of words such as "believe," "intend," "may," "will," "would," "shall," and similar words. Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain, such as statements regarding the offering, the ability to complete the offering, and other statements that are not historical fact. Particular uncertainties that could cause the Company's actual results to be materially different than those expressed in the Company's forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the factors disclosed under "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in Chobani's Offering Memorandum.

About Chobani

Chobani is a food maker with a mission of making high-quality and nutritious food accessible to more people, while elevating our communities and making the world a healthier place. In short: making good food for all. In support of this mission, Chobani is a purpose-driven, people-first, food-and-wellness-focused company, and has been since its founding in 2005 by Hamdi Ulukaya, an immigrant to the U.S. The Company manufactures yogurt, oat milk, and creamers  Chobani yogurt is America's No.1 yogurt brand, made with natural ingredients without artificial preservatives. Following the 2023 acquisition of La Colombe, a leading coffee roaster with a shared commitment to quality, craftsmanship and impact, the Company began selling cold-pressed espresso and lattes on tap at 32 cafes, as well as Ready to Drink (RTD) coffee beverages at retail.

Chobani uses food as a force for good in the world  putting humanity first in everything it does. The company's philanthropic efforts prioritize giving back to its communities and beyond: working to eradicate child hunger, supporting immigrants, refugees and underrepresented people, honoring veterans, and protecting the planet. Chobani manufactures its products in New York, Idaho, Michigan and Australia, and its products are available throughout North America and distributed in Australia and other select markets.

SOURCE Chobani, LLC
SHANGHAI, PHILADELPHIA and SINGAPORE, Jan. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ClinChoice, a leading global Contract Research Organization (CRO), today announced expanding its global footprint with the acquisition of CSI Medical Research (CSI). CSI is a regional clinical CRO with professional staff and partners located across Southeast Asia (SEA), Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), to provide innovative and cost-effective clinical solutions. Through this strategic acquisition, ClinChoice further broadens its global footprint and full-service capabilities in more than 30 countries throughout Asia, Europe and North America around the world.

ClinChoice, Your Full Service Clinical CRO Partner

In recent years, the overall environment and infrastructure to support clinical research in Southeast Asia have been significantly improved. With large population, improving economy, maturing regulatory processes and healthcare systems, the SEA has attracted increasing number of biotech and pharmaceutical companies to conduct clinical research and drug development trials in the region.

CSI, incorporated in 2017, has quickly grown into a prominent regional CRO with proven track record of executing clinical trials in Southeast Asia. The management team at CSI consists of seasoned clinical research professionals that had worked in some of the biggest names in the industry before establishing CSI. The Company has managed a wide range of clinical trials with their extensive knowledge of local practice, requirements and regulations.

ClinChoice, as a global CRO, is dedicated to providing full-service and functional solutions across the entire development lifecycle for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and consumer product companies locally and globally. With over 4,000 professionals worldwide, ClinChoice has established deep regulatory know-how, clinical trial execution and data management capability across all major markets and regions around the world. With the history dating back to 1995, ClinChoice has completed over 1,500 full-service clinical studies across all clinical trial phases and covering all major therapeutic areas.

"This is an exciting time for ClinChoice, and we are thrilled to welcome the talented CSI team to the ClinChoice family." said Mr. Ling Zhen, Global Chairman and CEO of ClinChoice, "With their wide-range of highly valuable service offering and seasoned professional team, the acquisition of CSI will further expand our presence in SEA and ANZ, and enhance our capability to well fulfill our clients' need locally and globally."

"Joining with ClinChoice is the ideal next chapter in CSI growth story. We are excited to leverage on our familiarity with the SEA and ANZ regulations as well as the clinical sites within a region we called home, to assist more customers to navigate through the challenges with great speed and better cost efficiencies." said Mr. Nelson Wong, Founder and CEO of CSI Medical Research, "CSI's vision and mission in the approach to manage clinical trials are very much aligned with ClinChoice, and the company's high-quality, efficiency and teamwork culture will be fantastic for our talented employees and clients alike. We are very looking forward to what we can achieve together."

About ClinChoice

ClinChoice is a global clinical CRO dedicated to offering high-quality services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and consumer product companies. These services include Clinical Operations, Project Management, Biostatistics, Data Management, Regulatory Affairs, Medical Affairs, Pharmacovigilance, and other product development services. ClinChoice employs more than 4,000 dedicated professionals in 30 different countries across Asia, Europe and North America around the world.

About CSI Medical Research

Clinical Solutions Innovating Medical Research aka CSI Medical Research Pte Ltd (CSI) is a clinical focused CRO providing innovative, cost-effective, and efficient clinical solutions in SEA, since 2017. CSI is headquartered at Singapore with professional staff and partners throughout Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand. CSI has extensive industry experience and knowledge of local practices, regional ethics, regulatory requirements, and site operations.

SOURCE ClinChoice
Legislation would provide Coloradans returning from incarceration up to $3,000 to cover essential needs, such as housing, food, transportation, and more

DENVER, Jan. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Colorado State Senators Julie Gonzalez and James Coleman and Representatives Mary Young and Javier Mabrey introduced SB24-012 , an innovative new bill establishing a reentry pilot program connecting formerly incarcerated people with financial assistance to help them get on their feet as they return to their communities. The bill is supported by the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), the nation's largest reentry employment provider.

Currently, people returning from incarceration in Colorado receive only $100 in "dress out" funds to navigate reentry and the process of rebuilding their lives. Recognizing the inadequacy of this support, the legislation establishes a pilot program to provide cash payments of up to $3,000 per person to help individuals pay for essential needs.

"We are thrilled to see Colorado leaders build on the success of CEO's Returning Citizen Stimulus program that provided critical financial assistance during the pandemic to Coloradans returning from incarceration," said Sam Schaeffer, CEO of the Center for Employment Opportunities. "These payments have shown to have a transformative impact on a person's ability to successfully reintegrate into their communities. CEO has offered cash support to nearly 750 Coloradans returning from incarceration. Recipients primarily used the money to cover their most essential needs, like housing, food, transportation, and other necessary personal items. And, by not having to worry as much about these basic survival needs, they were more likely to be able to find quality employment and less likely to end up incarcerated again."

In addition to providing much-needed financial assistance, the pilot program will assess the impact of providing direct cash payments to the reentry population in the state.

The legislation builds upon recent efforts to rethink how to empower individuals in rebuilding their lives following incarceration. In 2020, CEO, in collaboration with community-based partners, distributed $1.5 million to 623 Coloradans returning from prison as part of the Returning Citizen Stimulus program.

To continue measuring the effectiveness of reentry cash and services, CEO has piloted cash assistance with an additional 120 participants in Denver and Colorado Springs. Results from this pilot will be forthcoming in 2024.

Full details and statements from the bill sponsors can be found at ceoworks.org

Media Contact:

Matt Sutton

12025563291

[email protected]

SOURCE Center for Employment Opportunities
DUBLIN, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "DHL Group - Digital Transformation Strategies" company profile has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report provides insights into DHL's tech activities, including its digital transformation strategies, its innovation programs, and its technology initiatives.



DHL Group is a global logistics company operating under two brands, namely DHL and Deutsche Post. While DHL provides e-commerce logistics solutions as well as a wide range of freight transport, parcel and international express services, and supply chain management services, Deutsche Post offers postal and parcel services in Europe.

DHL Group is organized into five operating divisions namely DHL Express, Post & Parcel Germany, DHL eCommerce, DHL Supply Chain, and DHL Global Forwarding and Freight. Global Forwarding and Freight accounted for the largest share of DHL Group's revenue in 2022. DHL Group serves a number of industry sectors, including auto-mobility, chemicals, consumer, energy, engineering and manufacturing, life sciences and healthcare, public sector, retail, and technology.



Scope

DHL is strengthening its focus on the use of innovative technologies to enhance its operational efficiency. Cloud, AI, blockchain, robotics, and big data are among the technologies the company is focusing on.

In 2023, DHL Supply Chain launched a robotic fulfillment center for one of its key customers, Peek & Cloppenburg Dusseldorf, a fashion company. The fulfillment center comprises a fully-automated robot picking system called AutoStore.

In 2022, DHL Supply Chain invested $15 million in Boston Dynamics, a manufacturer of advanced mobile manipulation robots based in the US.

Reasons to Buy

Gain insights into DHL's technology initiatives.

Gain insights into its digital strategies and innovation initiatives.

Gain insights into its technology themes under focus.

Gain insights into its various technology launches, partnerships, investments and acquisitions.

Key Topics Covered:

Overview

Digital Transformation Strategy

Accelerators, Incubators, and Other Innovation Programs

Technology Focus

Technology Initiatives

Investment

Acquisitions

Partnership, Investment & Acquisition Network Map

ICT Budget and Contracts

Key Executives

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes

Accenture

CocoPallet International

MotionMiners

Outrider

Verve Motion

Reelables

Peek & Cloppenburg Dusseldorf

Locus Robotics

Microsoft

Blue Yonder

Unilever

Logisnext Solutions

MAX/AGV

TuSimple

VeChain

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Cisco

BMW

Build Your Dreams (BYD)

PowerFlex

Volvo

ComfortDelGro

Ford Pro

Fiat Professional

Dorabot

Logmore

Google Cloud Services

T-Systems

Huawei Technologies

Boston Dynamics

Digihaul

Alauda Aeronautics

MNG Kargo Yurtici ve Yurtdisi Tasimacilik A.S. (MNG Kargo)

Monta

Link Commerce

For more information about this company profile visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/sugqt3

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

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SOURCE Research and Markets
DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Ronald M. Razmi, Co-Founder and Managing Director at Zoi Capital , is set to provide insights on how AI is positioned to rock the healthcare universe as he takes part in a series of talks in and around the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland next week.

Dr. Ronald M. Razmi to Spearhead Discussions on AIs Impact on Healthcare at Davos Events on January 16  18

A pioneer in healthcare technology and a visionary in the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the medical field, Dr. Razmi and Brian Beeler, Managing Director of Zoi Capital will feature prominently in three pivotal discussions during the summit at the following times and venues:

Health@Davos Summit sponsored by Northwell Health

Date: Tuesday, January 16th

Time: 12:30 p.m.  1:45 p.m

Location: Mountain Plaza Hotel, Davos Platz, Sertig # 1

unDavos Summit Ignite Health Talk

Date: Tuesday January 16th

Time: 3:45 p.m.  5:30 p.m

Location: Mountain Plaza Hotel, Davos Platz, Sertig # 2

AI in Action Health Alliance

Date: Wednesday, January 17

Time: 11:00 a.m.  11:45 a.m

Location: Sonas Public House, Promenade 69

These speaking appearances underscore Dr. Razmi's and his business partner Brian Beeler's pivotal role in shaping the global discussions around the integration of AI in healthcare and the transformative potential it holds for the industry  everything from accelerated drug discovery and development to personalized medicine and early disease prediction.

Topics to be discussed include:

The emerging role AI is currently playing in healthcare and its direction in the next decade

The development and challenges for using medical algorithms

AI applications in diagnostics, therapeutics, population health, clinical workflows, administration and operations, and the discovery and development of new clinical paradigms.

"We're on the cusp of a revolutionary shift in healthcare, where AI will play an increasingly integral role in patient care and management," Dr. Razmi remarked in anticipation of the forums. "Now is the time for medical professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors to discover the new driving force behind the future of global health and technology."

In tandem with his appearances, Dr. Razmi will be unveiling insights from his upcoming book published by Wiley, "AI Doctor: The Rise of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare. " This publication promises to be a definitive guide shedding light on the unstoppable union of AI and medicine.

Media representatives attending the World Economic Forum are invited to engage with Dr. Razmi for interviews and insights on the potential AI in healthcare.

For scheduling inquiries, please contact: [email protected]

About Dr. Ronald Razmi

Dr. Ronald Razmi, as Co-Founder and Managing Director at Zoi Capital, has a distinguished career that blends his medical expertise with technological innovation. Originally a cardiologist, Dr. Razmi was a trailblazer in using MRI technology for cardiac care. His transition into the AI field is driven by a desire to infuse his medical knowledge into technological advancements. At Zoi Capital, he plays a pivotal role in transforming the industry by developing AI solutions that are grounded in real-world expertise and address genuine needs. His forthcoming book, "AI Doctor: The Rise of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare," is a testament to his commitment to this field. Additionally, his extensive contributions to digital health are evident through numerous publications in esteemed scientific journals and his active participation as a speaker and writer in the digital health arena.

Press Contact:

Lynn Munroe

845-548-1211

SOURCE Dr. Ronald Razmi
DUBLIN, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "EssilorLuxottica - Digital Transformation Strategies" company profile has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

EssilorLuxottica SA designs, manufactures and distributes ophthalmic lenses, reading glasses, and optical equipment.

The report offers a comprehensive glimpse into EssilorLuxottica's technology landscape. It delves into the company's digital transformation strategies and innovation programs, providing valuable insights. Additionally, the report provides an overview of their technology initiatives, encompassing partnerships, product launches, and acquisitions.

Each of these initiatives is dissected, offering information about the technology themes, objectives, and the benefits they bring to EssilorLuxottica. Furthermore, the report sheds light on the estimated Information and Communication Technology (ICT) budgets, giving a financial perspective, and highlights major ICT contracts, showcasing key technological partnerships and collaborations. In essence, this report provides a holistic view of EssilorLuxottica's tech activities, from strategic vision to specific initiatives, budgets, and influential contracts.

The company offers a range of corrective lenses for treating visual disorders such as myopia, hypermetropia, and astigmatism. It also manufactures and sells non-prescription reading glasses, sunglasses, equipment, instruments and consumables used by prescription laboratories and eyecare professionals.

EssilorLuxottica has manufacturing facilities across North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Middle East, Russia, and Africa (AMERA). The company sells its products through a network of distributors in the Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific.



The report provides information and insights into EssilorLuxottica' tech activities, including:

Insights of its digital transformation strategies and innovation programs

Overview of technology initiatives covering partnerships, product launches and acquisitions

Insights on each technology initiative including technology theme, objective, and benefits

Details of estimated ICT budgets and major ICT contracts

Scope

EssilorLuxottica is leveraging Web 3.0 technologies to deliver personalized customer experiences that cater to individual fashion preferences and eye health needs. The company is implementing various AR and VR technologies, including a virtual mirror that allows customers to try on and customize spectacles and sunglasses online.

EssilorLuxottica developed an innovative progressive lens powered by behavioral AI called Varilux XR Series. The new Progressive Addition Lenses (PALs) offer instant clarity in motion eliminating the need for prescription adjustments by doctors.

EssilorLuxottica implemented the integration platform-as-a-Service (iPaaS) of Boomi, a cloud-based open platform, to streamline order processing across ASEAN, the Middle East , Turkey , Africa , India , Australia , and New Zealand .

, , , , , and . EssilorLuxottica 360 offers digital screens to practices, providing high-quality, curated content from the company's frame and lens brands. These screens, whether tablets or full-sized displays, create a modern and appealing image, conveying quality details to patients and attracting potential buyers.

Reasons to Buy

Gain insights into EssilorLuxottica's tech operations.

Gain insights into its tech strategies and innovation initiatives.

Gain insights into its technology themes under focus.

Gain insights into various product launches, partnerships and acquisition strategies.

Key Topics Covered:

Overview

Digital Transformation Strategy

Accelerators, Incubators, and Other Innovation Programs

Technology Focus

Technology Initiatives

Acquisitions

Partnership, Investment & Acquisition Network Map

ICT Budget and Contracts

Key Executives

Contact the Publisher

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes

facebook

boomi

brille24

nuance hearing

lagardere travel retail

For more information about this company profile visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/w15ilh

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

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SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Europe Assessment of Stealth Fighter and Bomber Market: Analysis and Forecast, 2025-2035" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Europe assessment of stealth fighter and bomber market will grow from $225.0 million in 2025 to $714.0 million by 2035, at a CAGR of 12.24% during the forecast period 2025-2035.

Stealth technology is a critical element for securing national boundaries and maintaining dominance in global airspace in an ever-changing defensive landscape. Stealth bombers are meant to be multirole, allowing them to conduct a variety of missions. Next-generation stealth bomber aircraft are adaptable assets that can adapt to new threats and operational objectives, from strategic nuclear deterrent and long-range attack missions to electronic warfare and information collection.

Furthermore, stealth bombers like the B-21 Raider play an important role in modern air forces due to their ability to engage ground units, undertake reconnaissance flights, execute clandestine intelligence missions, and disrupt enemy radar systems. Their unique capacity to perform these operations in enemy airspace while minimizing the danger of detection emphasizes their strategic significance.



Market Introduction



The analysis of the stealth fighter and bomber market encompasses a full examination of the industry, which includes established titans such as Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, as well as rising start-ups attempting to make their mark in this technologically advanced field. This market is focused on the development and deployment of advanced stealth bomber and fighter aircraft, demonstrating the advancement of military aviation technology.

As countries around the world invest in cutting-edge defense capabilities, the race to develop the most sophisticated and stealthy bombers has heated up. This market highlights the key competitors, technological breakthroughs, market trends, and strategic efforts that are shaping the evaluation of the stealth fighter and bomber market landscape. In terms of technology, the market is seeing major developments in radar-evading materials and designs, as well as thrust vectoring for improved performance.

How can this report add value to an organization?



Product/Innovation Strategy: The study provides the reader with a detailed understanding of the assessment of stealth fighter and bomber market by application on the basis of application (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare (EW) and precision strike).



Growth/Marketing Strategy: The Europe assessment of stealth fighter and bomber market has seen major development by key players operating in the market, such as business expansion, partnership, collaboration, and joint venture. The favored strategy for the companies has been merger and acquisition to strengthen their position in the assessment of stealth fighter and bomber market. For instance, in January 2023, Germany made a substantial financial commitment to the FCAS program, allocating approximately $43 billion.

This funding underscores the nation's dedication to the development of a sixth-generation platform that would redefine air dominance. The next-generation fighter (NGF) is poised to be the centerpiece of FCAS, equipped with a new engine, advanced armament systems, cutting-edge stealth technology, enhanced sensors, and the capability to communicate seamlessly with unmanned aircraft. Moreover, it will be a vital component of the air-combat cloud network.



Methodology: The research methodology design adopted for this specific study includes a mix of data collected from primary and secondary data sources. Both primary resources (key players, market leaders, and in-house experts) and secondary research (a host of paid and unpaid databases), along with analytical tools, are employed to build the predictive and forecast models.



Key Topics Covered:

1 Market

1.1 Industry Outlook

1.1.1 Next-Generation Stealth Bomber Aircraft: Overview

1.2 Use Cases for Long-Range Strike Bombers

1.2.1 Unparalleled Options Offered by Long-Range Strike Bombers

1.2.2 Advantages of the B-21 as Lead Component of a Long-Range Strike Bomber

1.3 Requirement to Increase the Number of Long-Range Strike Bombers for Meeting the Critical Operational Demands

1.3.1 Scaling Bomber Force to Handle a Significant Conflict with China

1.3.2 Determining the Optimal Size of the Bomber Force for Effective Deterrence Against a Secondary Aggressor

1.3.3 Determining the Appropriate Scale for Nuclear Deterrence

1.4 Ongoing Programs

1.4.1 Future Combat Air System (FCAS)

1.4.2 Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD)

1.4.3 F-X Program

1.4.4 Global Combat Air Program (GCAP)

1.4.5 TF-X Kaan Fifth-Generation Fighter Jet Program

1.5 Current and Emerging Technological Trends

1.5.1 Use of Advance Material in Next-Generation Stealth Bombers

1.5.2 Advancement in Components

1.5.3 Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Stealth Technology

1.6 Supply Chain Analysis

1.7 Business Dynamics

1.7.1 Business Drivers

1.7.1.1 Need for Increased Range and Mission Persistence

1.7.1.1.1 Need for Increased Capacity to Engage Moving Targets at Scale

1.7.2 Business Challenges

1.7.2.1 Cost Effectiveness of Next-Generation Stealth Bombers

1.7.2.2 Complex Maintenance Requirements

1.7.3 Business Opportunities

1.7.3.1 Meeting Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) Requirements



2 Europe

2.1 Assessment of Stealth Fighter and Bomber Market (by Region)

2.2 Europe

2.2.1 Market

2.2.1.1 Key Manufacturers and Suppliers in Europe

2.2.1.2 Business Drivers

2.2.1.3 Business Challenges

2.2.2 Application

2.2.2.1 Europe Assessment of Stealth Fighter and Bomber Market (by Application), Volume and Value Data

2.2.3 Europe (by Country)

2.2.3.1 Russia

2.2.3.1.1 Market

2.2.3.1.1.1 Key Players in Russia

2.2.3.1.2 Application

2.2.3.1.2.1 Russia Assessment of Stealth Fighter and Bomber Market (by Application), Volume and Value Data

2.2.3.2 U.K.

2.2.3.2.1 Market

2.2.3.2.1.1 Key Players in the U.K.

2.2.3.3 Germany

2.2.3.3.1 Market

2.2.3.3.1.1 Key Players in Germany

2.2.3.4 France

2.2.3.4.1 Market

2.2.3.4.1.1 Key Players in France

2.2.3.5 Italy

2.2.3.5.1 Market

2.2.3.5.1.1 Key Player in Italy

2.2.3.6 Turkiye

2.2.3.6.1 Market

2.2.3.6.1.1 Key Players in Turkiye



3 Market - Key Company Participants

3.1 Key Participants



4 Research Methodology



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/8p65h1

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

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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

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SOURCE Research and Markets
Help is on the way!

PANAMA CITY, Fla., Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In the wake of the devastating tornadoes that struck Panama City on January 9, 2024, Fast Guard Service has announced its immediate deployment of security personnel to assist the affected community. The unprecedented weather event has left over 100 households displaced, creating a dire need for organized response and support.

Fast Guard Service

Fast Guard Service, a leading provider of security solutions, is committed to playing a pivotal role in the disaster response efforts. Understanding the critical nature of the situation, the company is deploying trained security guards to the hardest-hit areas to ensure the safety and security of both the residents and their properties.

"Our hearts go out to all those affected by these tragic tornadoes," said Thasema James, a representative of Fast Guard Service. "In these times of uncertainty and distress, Fast Guard Service is dedicated to providing steadfast support and security to help stabilize the community."

The security guards from Fast Guard Service will focus on several key areas:

Protecting Vulnerable Properties: With many homes damaged or destroyed, there is an increased risk of looting and vandalism. The guards will maintain a vigilant presence to deter criminal activities and protect properties. Assisting Emergency Services: Fast Guard Service personnel will work alongside local emergency services to help manage the situation, offering assistance wherever necessary to support relief efforts. Ensuring Safe Temporary Shelters: For those displaced, temporary shelters are being established. Security guards will be present at these locations to maintain order and ensure the safety of all occupants. Crowd Control and Traffic Management: To facilitate smooth operations of relief efforts, guards will also assist in managing crowds and directing traffic in affected areas.

Fast Guard Service is coordinating closely with local authorities and disaster response teams to assess ongoing needs and adjust their support accordingly. The company encourages other businesses and individuals to contribute to the relief efforts in any way they can.

About Fast Guard Service:

Fast Guard Service is a top-rated security firm known for its professionalism and commitment to excellence in security and protection services. Operating nationwide, they offer a wide range of security services tailored to meet the unique needs of their clients.

Contact Information:

Call 844-254-8273 or email Sales@fastguardservice.com

This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com.

SOURCE Fast Guard Service
DA NANG, Vietnam, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Gamelade is a Vietnamese gaming news website that has been rapidly gaining popularity in recent years. The website provides up-to-date coverage of the latest gaming news, reviews, and features. Gamelade's content is well-written and informative, and it has been praised by gamers and critics alike.

Call of Duty: MW3 - Gamelade Call of Duty: MW3 - Gamelade

The website's success can be attributed to several factors. First, Gamelade.vn has a strong team of writers and editors who are passionate about gaming. Second, the website covers a wide range of gaming topics, from the latest AAA releases to indie games and esports. Third, Gamelade.vn is committed to providing high-quality content that is both informative and entertaining.

In addition to its popularity with gamers, Gamelade.vn is also a valuable resource for businesses in the gaming industry. The website provides a platform for businesses to reach a large audience of potential customers. Gamelade.vn also offers a variety of advertising options that can help businesses to reach their target audience.

Gamelade.vn is currently hiring content writers to join its team. The website is looking for writers who are passionate about gaming and who have a strong understanding of the gaming industry. Applicants must have excellent writing skills and the ability to produce high-quality content on a regular basis.

The salary for content writers at Gamelade.vn is competitive. Writers are paid a base salary plus commission based on the performance of their articles. The website also offers a number of benefits, including health insurance, paid vacation, and a 401(k) plan.

If you are passionate about gaming and you have a strong writing ability, then Gamelade.vn could be the perfect place for you to work. The website is growing rapidly, and it offers a great opportunity to be a part of the gaming industry.

Here are some of the specific reasons why Gamelade is a great place to work:

The work is challenging and rewarding. Gamelade.vn is always looking for new ways to improve its content. This means that writers are constantly learning and growing.

The team is supportive and collaborative. The writers at Gamelade.vn are passionate about gaming and they are always willing to help each other out.

The company culture is positive and fun. Gamelade.vn is a great place to work if you are looking for a fun and rewarding environment.

If you are interested in applying for a position at Gamelade.vn, you can find more information on the website's careers page.

If you are interested in applying for a content writing position at Gamelade.vn, you can contact them directly via here.

Media Contact:

Chris Nguyen

0325563899

[email protected]

SOURCE Gamelade
It is because of the Houthis' lack of response to repeated warnings and blocking of shipping in the Red Sea that the UK and the US have struck their facilities in Yemen. In addition, the Houthis have repeatedly ignored UN statements on the need to end hostilities.

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This was stated by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at a joint briefing with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It took place on Friday, January 12.

"The UK-U.S. alliance has carried out strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, from which they launched drones and missiles at merchant ships in the Red Sea," Sunak said.

According to the British Prime Minister, even after repeated warnings about the need to stop these attacks, after the UN's statement on the need to preserve freedom of navigation and stop these hostilities, the Houthis did not stop their actions. And, according to Rishi Sunak, that is why today Britain, in particular, has taken limited steps to defend itself in the face of this aggression.

"Together with our allies, I have decided to take necessary, proportionate and targeted action against military targets to weaken and undermine the Houthis' capabilities. We will not hesitate to protect lives and ensure the safety of commercial shipping," Sunak emphasized.

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According to him, the United Kingdom will always uphold the rule of law.

"We must send a strong message that this is a violation of international law and it is wrong. People cannot act with impunity. And that is why, together with our allies, we have decided to take these measures," the British Prime Minister summarized.

As reported by OBOZ.UA:

- Rishi Sunak arrived in Kyiv on the morning of January 12. He was scheduled to meet with Zelenskyy and speak at the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

- On January 2, 2024, Zelenskyy and Sunak held telephone talks. The leaders discussed continued defense cooperation, with a focus on further strengthening the air defense and long-range capabilities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

- On the night of January 12, the United States and the United Kingdom conducted a military operation against the Houthis in Yemen, launching airstrikes on military targets. Earlier, an ultimatum was issued to the group to stop attacks on ships sailing through the Red Sea.

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Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) today announced the appointment of Eric Chan as Chief Business and Strategy Officer, effective this week, and Amy Thompson as Chief People Officer, effective January 22. Both leaders will join Gap Inc.'s executive leadership team and report to Gap Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer, Richard Dickson.

Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) today announced the appointment of Eric Chan as Chief Business and Strategy Officer, effective this week, and Amy Thompson as Chief People Officer, effective January 22. Both leaders will join Gap Inc.s executive leadership team and report to Gap Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer, Richard Dickson. Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) today announced the appointment of Eric Chan as Chief Business and Strategy Officer, effective this week, and Amy Thompson as Chief People Officer, effective January 22. Both leaders will join Gap Inc.s executive leadership team and report to Gap Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer, Richard Dickson.

"Eric Chan and Amy Thompson will play a critical role in solidifying our foundation as we redefine Gap Inc. for a new era  one where operational rigor becomes a consistent cornerstone of strength for us, bolstered by best-in-class talent and a culture of creativity  all paving the way for brand reinvigoration and cultural relevance," said Dickson.

With more than 20 years of financial and operational leadership experience at both Fortune 500 and start-up companies, most recently as CFO of the LA Clippers, Chan has a proven track record of leading scaled, creative and entrepreneurial business strategies, fiscal and organizational goal setting and operations oversight. Previously, Chan served as COO for The Bouqs Company and, prior to that, CFO for Loot Crate, where he helped scale the company from a startup to $165 million in revenue.

"There is so much potential in Gap Inc.'s portfolio of iconic brands, and I'm excited to join the team at such a pivotal moment in the company's history," said Chan. "I look forward to working alongside Gap Inc. leadership to develop and execute against our strategic agenda."

"I'm thrilled that Eric will now be at the helm of our business and strategy operations, leading the development of Gap Inc.'s corporate strategy and the critical business levers that will enable us to execute that strategy with excellence," Dickson added.

As Chief People Officer, Thompson brings 25 years of experience leading cultural change for world-class companies, iconic brands, and scaled retail operations balancing rigor and excellence with a start-up mentality. She most recently served as Chief People Officer at Mattel, and before that as Chief People Officer at TOMS and in HR executive roles at Starbucks and Ticketmaster. During her time at Mattel, Thompson successfully led the effort to elevate corporate mission, purpose, and values, while supporting a comprehensive business transformation with an improved operating model, talent initiatives, and enhanced performance incentive programs. The culture and results Thompson has driven have been recognized by Forbes, Fast Company, and the Great Place to Work Institute. She succeeds Sheila Peters, who has served as Chief People Officer at Gap Inc. since 2020.

"I have long admired Gap Inc. for its dedication to its teams, customers, and the communities it serves," Thompson said. "I look forward to working hand in hand with leadership to empower and energize the organization, creating a culture that thrives on collaboration, creativity, and purpose, that will serve as a strong foundation in this exciting new era."

"Amy uniquely understands the careful alchemy of people, strategy and culture driving extraordinary results and has distinguished herself as a builder of purpose-driven, highly effective teams dedicated to driving business success. I'm confident she is the right leader to help us build a winning culture, while championing values that allow Gap Inc. to matter more to our teams, customers and communities," Dickson said.

About Gap Inc.

Gap Inc., a collection of purpose-led lifestyle brands, and is the largest American specialty apparel company offering clothing, accessories, and personal care products for men, women, and children under the Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta brands. The company uses omni-channel capabilities to bridge the digital world and physical stores to further enhance its shopping experience. Gap Inc. is guided by its purpose, Inclusive, by Design, and takes pride in creating products and experiences its customers love while doing right by its employees, communities, and planet. Gap Inc. products are available for purchase worldwide through company-operated stores, franchise stores, and e-commerce sites. Fiscal year 2022 net sales were $15.6 billion. For more information, please visit www.gapinc.com.

SOURCE Gap Inc.
The increasing occurrence of severe genetic disorders like spinal muscular atrophy, hemophilia, retinitis pigmentosa, and others, along with a rising number of pharmaceutical trials in gene therapy, advancements in gene editing tools, and other factors, are driving the demand for gene therapy. This is expected to contribute significantly to the overall growth of the gene therapy market from 2023 to 2028.

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DelveInsight's Gene Therapy Market Insights report provides the current and forecast market analysis, individual leading gene therapy companies' market shares, challenges, gene therapy market drivers, barriers, trends, and key market gene therapy companies in the market.

Key Takeaways from the Gene Therapy Market Report

As per DelveInsight estimates, North America is anticipated to dominate the global gene therapy market during the forecast period.

is anticipated to dominate the global gene therapy market during the forecast period. Notable gene therapy companies such as Novartis AG, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Ferring B.V., bluebird bio, Inc., Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc., PTC Therapeutics, BioMarin, Biogen, Prevail Therapeutics, CSL, and several others, are currently operating in the gene therapy market.

and several others, are currently operating in the gene therapy market. In January 2024 , Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated has disclosed that CASGEVY (exagamglogene autotemcel [exa-cel]), a CRISPR/Cas9 gene-edited therapy, has received Marketing Authorization from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) for addressing sickle cell disease (SCD) and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia (TDT).

has disclosed that CASGEVY (exagamglogene autotemcel [exa-cel]), a CRISPR/Cas9 gene-edited therapy, has received Marketing Authorization from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) for addressing sickle cell disease (SCD) and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia (TDT). In January 2024 , Precision BioSciences, Inc. has unveiled a pioneering alliance with TG Therapeutics, Inc., valued at $17.5 million . Under this partnership, TG Therapeutics secures an exclusive license to advance Azercabtagene Zapreleucel (azer-cel) for applications beyond cancer, specifically focusing on autoimmune diseases.

has unveiled a pioneering alliance with TG Therapeutics, Inc., valued at . Under this partnership, TG Therapeutics secures an exclusive license to advance Azercabtagene Zapreleucel (azer-cel) for applications beyond cancer, specifically focusing on autoimmune diseases. In January 2024 , Kriya Therapeutics, Inc., a major player in the biopharmaceutical industry, has unveiled an ambitious initiative to advance its groundbreaking gene therapy candidate to clinical trials by 2024. The company aims to have as many as five programs undergoing clinical testing by the conclusion of 2025, marking a significant transformation in the field of medicine.

a major player in the biopharmaceutical industry, has unveiled an ambitious initiative to advance its groundbreaking gene therapy candidate to clinical trials by 2024. The company aims to have as many as five programs undergoing clinical testing by the conclusion of 2025, marking a significant transformation in the field of medicine. In January 2024 , Bayer AG , in collaboration with Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc., a gene therapy firm fully owned and autonomously managed under Bayer AG, declared the conclusion of the 18-month data gathering in the Phase Ib clinical study for AB-1005 (AAV2-GDNF). This investigational gene therapy aims to address Parkinson's disease (PD) in patients.

, in collaboration with a gene therapy firm fully owned and autonomously managed under Bayer AG, declared the conclusion of the 18-month data gathering in the Phase Ib clinical study for AB-1005 (AAV2-GDNF). This investigational gene therapy aims to address Parkinson's disease (PD) in patients. In January 2024 , MeiraGTx , a company specializing in gene therapy, has disclosed a noteworthy financial decision. They are divesting their remaining financial stake in a collaborative eye-disease treatment with Johnson & Johnson. As part of the arrangement, MeiraGTx will receive an initial payment of $65 million , with the possibility of an extra $65 million in the following year. This strategic move involves relinquishing any future earnings from sales royalties associated with the eye-disease treatment.

, a company specializing in gene therapy, has disclosed a noteworthy financial decision. They are divesting their remaining financial stake in a collaborative eye-disease treatment with Johnson & Johnson. As part of the arrangement, MeiraGTx will receive an initial payment of , with the possibility of an extra in the following year. This strategic move involves relinquishing any future earnings from sales royalties associated with the eye-disease treatment. In January 2024 , Genascence Corporation, a biotechnology company in the clinical stage that is transforming the approach to treating common musculoskeletal disorders through gene therapy, has declared the commencement of its Phase 1b clinical trial for GNSC-001, aimed at addressing knee osteoarthritis (OA) under the name DONATELLO. This study is currently accepting participants at ten clinical facilities across the United States , with an anticipated total enrollment of around 50 patients. The enrollment process is projected to conclude by the first quarter of 2024.

To read more about the latest highlights related to the gene therapy market, get a snapshot of the key highlights entailed in the Global Gene Therapy Market Report

Gene Therapy Overview

Gene therapy is a groundbreaking medical approach aimed at treating or preventing diseases by modifying the genetic material within a person's cells. Unlike traditional treatments that focus on alleviating symptoms, gene therapy addresses the root cause of the ailment at the molecular level. The fundamental principle involves introducing, removing, or modifying specific genes to correct or replace faulty genetic information. This innovative technique holds immense promise for a wide array of genetic disorders, including inherited conditions and certain types of cancers. Researchers are actively exploring various delivery methods, such as viral vectors or CRISPR-Cas9 technology, to safely and effectively edit genes within target cells. While gene therapy has demonstrated remarkable success in some clinical trials, challenges remain, including ethical considerations, potential unforeseen consequences, and the need for rigorous safety assessments. Despite these challenges, gene therapy represents a transformative avenue in modern medicine, offering the potential to revolutionize the treatment of genetic diseases and pave the way for personalized, precision medicine.

Gene Therapy Market Insights

In 2022, North America held the largest portion of the gene therapy Market among all regions. This can be attributed to several key factors driving growth, including a growing patient population with genetic disorders, an increasing incidence of cancer, well-developed healthcare infrastructure, the presence of major industry players, and the swift regulatory approval process for new products. The region is expected to experience substantial growth in the field of gene therapy due to these influential factors.

In January 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a statement following an evaluation of the gene therapy pipeline and the clinical success rates of these products. The FDA projected that by 2025, it would approve 10 to 20 gene therapy products annually. Additionally, the FDA estimated that by 2020, they would receive 200 investigational new drug (INDs) applications each year. Consequently, the rising number of product development initiatives in the region is poised to expedite the expansion of the gene therapy market.

To know more about why North America is leading the market growth in the gene therapy market, get a snapshot of the Gene Therapy Market Outlook

Gene Therapy Market Dynamics

The growth of the gene therapy market is primarily propelled by the increasing number of individuals affected by genetic disorders and the rising therapeutic significance of gene therapy in their treatment and control. According to the 2021 report from the World Federation of Hemophilia, there were approximately 347,026 reported cases of bleeding disorders globally in 2020. Specifically, in the same year, around 209,614 individuals were diagnosed with hemophilia, comprising 165,379 cases of hemophilia A, 33,076 cases of hemophilia B, and 11,159 cases of hemophilia with an unknown or unreported type. Notably, Hemgenix (etranacogene dezaparvovec) has received CE marking and approval from the US Food and Drug Administration as a gene therapy for treating adults with Hemophilia B, a congenital Factor IX deficiency.

The gene therapy market is anticipated to witness further expansion due to a rapid increase in the gene therapy pipeline. For instance, in January 2024, Bayer AG, in collaboration with Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc., a gene therapy firm fully owned and autonomously managed under Bayer AG, declared the conclusion of the 18-month data gathering in the Phase Ib clinical study for AB-1005 (AAV2-GDNF). This investigational gene therapy aims to address Parkinson's disease (PD) in patients.

Moreover, in January 2024, Genascence Corporation, a cutting-edge biotech firm transforming how common musculoskeletal diseases are treated through gene therapy, has launched the Phase 1b clinical trial of GNSC-001 for knee osteoarthritis (OA) treatment (named DONATELLO). This trial is currently recruiting patients at ten medical centers across the US, aiming for about 50 participants. Enrollments are projected to finish by the first quarter of 2024.

Nevertheless, the growth of the overall gene therapy market may face constraints due to ethical concerns associated with gene therapy diagnostics and the high costs associated with gene therapy treatments.

Get a sneak peek at the gene therapy market dynamics @ Gene Therapy Market Dynamics Analysis

Report Metrics Details Coverage Global Study Period 20202028 Gene Therapy Market CAGR ~19% Key Gene Therapy Companies Novartis AG, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Ferring B.V., bluebird bio, Inc., Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc., PTC Therapeutics, BioMarin, Biogen, Prevail Therapeutics, CSL, among others

Gene Therapy Market Assessment

Gene Therapy Market Segmentation

Gene Therapy Market Segmentation By Vector Type: Viral and Non-Viral

Viral and Non-Viral

Gene Therapy Market Segmentation By Delivery Type: Ex Vivo and In Vivo

Ex Vivo and In Vivo

Gene Therapy Market Segmentation By Indication: Neurological, Oncological, Hematological, Ophthalmological, and Others

Neurological, Oncological, Hematological, Ophthalmological, and Others

Gene Therapy Market Segmentation By Geography : North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and Rest of World

: , , , and Rest of World Porter's Five Forces Analysis, Product Profiles, Case Studies, KOL's Views, Analyst's View

Which MedTech key players in the gene therapy market are set to emerge as the trendsetter explore @ Gene Therapy Companies

Table of Contents

1 Report Introduction 2 Executive summary 3 Regulatory and Patent Analysis 4 Key Factors Analysis 5 Porter's Five Forces Analysis 6 COVID-19 Impact Analysis on Gene Therapy Market 7 Gene Therapy Market Layout 8 Global Company Share Analysis  Key 3-5 Companies 9 Gene Therapy Market Company and Product Profiles 10 Project Approach 11 About DelveInsight

Interested in knowing the gene therapy market by 2028? Click to get a snapshot of the Gene Therapy Market Trends

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Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors in Gene Therapy Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast  2032 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key adeno-associated virus vectors in gene therapy companies, including Pfizer, CSL Behring, Spark Therapeutics, Freeline Therapeutics, RegenxBio, Amicus Therapeutics, among others.

Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors in Gene Therapy Pipeline

Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors in Gene Therapy Pipeline Insight  2023 report provides comprehensive insights about the pipeline landscape, pipeline drug profiles, including clinical and non-clinical stage products, and the key adeno-associated virus vectors in gene therapy companies, including Pfizer, CSL Behring, Spark Therapeutics, Freeline Therapeutics, RegenxBio, Amicus Therapeutics, among others.

About DelveInsight

DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant, and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports pharma companies by providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions to improve their performance.

Contact Us

Shruti Thakur

[email protected]

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SOURCE DelveInsight Business Research, LLP
DUBLIN, Jan. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Intracranial Pressure Monitoring Devices Market: Analysis By Type, By Offerings, By Application, By End User, By Region Size and Trends with Impact of COVID-19 and Forecast up to 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring device market value stood at US$1.68 billion in 2022, and is expected to reach US$2.52 billion by 2028. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7% over the projected period of 2023-2028.



Global intracranial pressure monitoring devices market demonstrated a consistent growth, primarily driven by increasing recognition of the impact of traumatic brain injuries on public health, heightening per capita income, increasing awareness about the importance of monitoring ICP levels among healthcare professionals, rapidly expanding geriatric population, increasing prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders, rising demand of ICP monitoring in intensive care, increasing awareness about the importance of strengthening healthcare infrastructure after COVID-19 pandemic, and rising government initiatives to raise awareness among patients regarding neurological disorders and their early diagnosis for proper management, among others, etc.

North America is the largest region of global intracranial pressure monitoring devices market, as a result of increasing number of trauma cases, region's well-established healthcare infrastructure, larger patient population base, high healthcare expenditure, availability of plethora of product ranges & established suppliers, and increasing availability of technologically advanced devices that enable more accurate and efficient monitoring of intracranial pressure. In addition, supportive government initiatives, including the establishment of the American Society of Craniofacial Surgery (ASCFS), for creating awareness about minimally invasive Craniomaxillofacial (CMF) surgeries are expected to further propel the market growth during the forecast period.

North America ICP monitoring devices market is divided into three regions on the basis of geographical operations, namely, the US, Canada and Mexico, where the US is the largest region within North America ICP monitoring devices market as a result of increase in number of patients suffering from neurological diseases like brain aneurysms, traumatic brain injury, migraine, etc., wide availability of skilled professional, rapid expansion in the healthcare industry, high adoption of advanced ICP monitoring devices, presence of sophisticated healthcare infrastructure, and existence of major players such as Vivonics Inc., Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation, Natus Medical Incorporated, etc.



Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region in the global ICP monitoring device market, owing to strong economic growth, region's vast population, increasing awareness and acceptance of ICP monitoring, rising traffic accidents & occupational hazards cases, expanding geriatric population, increasing public healthcare expenditure for improving healthcare facilities, and rising incidence of traumatic brain injuries in Asia Pacific countries such as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

Competitive Landscape:

The market is moderately fragmented, with many large and medium-sized players competing for market share.

Companies are using both organic and inorganic strategies to expand their product portfolios and gain a competitive edge.

Intense competition, technological advancements, and a focus on patient-centric care characterize the competitive landscape.

The key players of the global intracranial pressure monitoring market are:

Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation

Medtronic PLC

IRRAS AB

RAUMEDIC AG

Vivonics Inc.

Brain4Care

Luciole Medical AG (Spiegelberg GmbH & Co. KG)

TKB Corporation (Sophysa SA)

ARCHIMED (Natus Medical Incorporated)

Market Segmentation Analysis:

Market Segmentation by Type:

The market is divided into two segments: invasive and non-invasive. Invasive monitoring is the largest segment due to various factors, including trauma cases, sleep disorders, brain aneurysms, and the adoption of ICP-guided therapy.

Non-invasive monitoring is the fastest-growing segment, driven by the demand for minimally invasive treatments, patient preferences for non-invasive procedures, and emerging applications in different healthcare settings.

Market Segmentation by Offerings:

The market is categorized into three segments: products and systems, solutions and platforms, and services.

Products and systems is the largest segment, driven by the increasing incidence of neurological disorders, the essential nature of monitoring devices, and rising healthcare expenditure.

Market Segmentation by Application:

The market is segmented into seven applications, with traumatic brain injury being the largest segment.

Traumatic brain injury's prominence is attributed to increasing cases due to road accidents, the critical role of ICP monitoring in TBI treatment, growing awareness, and ongoing technological advancements.

Market Segmentation by End User:

End users include hospitals, clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, and others.

Hospitals are the largest segment due to the increasing prevalence of neurological disorders, the availability of resources for advanced monitoring devices, and the focus on patient safety and care quality.

Market Dynamics - Growth Drivers:

Factors contributing to market growth include the rising number of traumatic brain injuries, an aging population, demand for minimally invasive surgeries, increasing awareness among healthcare professionals, and the prevalence of neurological diseases.

Medical societies and organizations emphasize the importance of ICP monitoring in specific clinical scenarios.

Market Dynamics - Challenges:

Challenges include the high risk and complications associated with invasive ICP monitoring procedures and the high cost of monitoring devices.

Invasive procedures can lead to complications such as bleeding, infections, malpositioning, and brain hemorrhage, posing risks to patients.

The cost of ICP monitoring devices can limit their affordability, particularly in developing countries.

Market Trends:

Trends in the market include the integration of AI and cloud computing technologies, research on non-invasive ICP monitoring devices, technological advancements, and a focus on remote patient monitoring systems.

Recent innovations in ICP monitoring devices enhance accuracy and reliability, and AI technologies are used for data analysis, pattern recognition, predictive analysis, and personalized treatment plans.

Impact of COVID-19:

COVID-19 increased the demand for ICP monitoring devices to monitor and treat neurological complications in patients, including those with COVID-19.

Healthcare facilities needed these devices to provide optimum care to critical patients.

The pandemic had a significant impact on the intracranial pressure monitoring market.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/fd5gem

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DUBLIN, Jan. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Piling Machine Market: Analysis By Product, By Method, By Region Size and Trends with Impact of COVID-19 and Forecast up to 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global piling machine market in 2022 was valued at US$6.21 billion. The market is expected to be worth US$8.27 billion in 2028. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.90% during the forecast period of 2023-2028.

As construction activities are increasing significantly on account of widespread industrialization and urbanization worldwide, the demand for pilling machines is rising as these machines are used to create deep piles that anchor the structure to load-bearing strata deep under the ground, ensuring safety and stability.

The market is projected to grow at a fast pace during the forecast period, due to various latest trends such as rising instances of renewable energy initiatives, expansion of mining sector, advent of eco-friendly equipment, technological advancements, increasing utilization in port and harbor construction, etc.

Manufacturers of piling machines are concentrating on upgrading their products, in order to enhance their efficiency and provide eco-friendly products. For instance, owing to environmental concerns, hydraulic hammers are gradually replacing diesel hammers. As a result, concerns about noise and dust pollution are reduced, which is anticipated to be a vital factor driving the overall market's growth.

Moreover, increasing importance for unconventional energy sources such as the wind and solar energy for power generation fueled by regulatory support in China, India, and Japan is expected to promote further the foundation work and thus in turn fuel the demand for piling machines over the forecast period.

Competitive Landscape and Recent Developments:

The global piling machine market is highly consolidated with a few companies dominating the market in terms of production capacity of piling and drilling rigs.

One of the key strategies of these large players is to venture into partnerships and alliances with drilling service providers and also offer in-house piling services to expand their customer base and strengthen their hold in the global market. For instance, Junttan Oy expanded its product range from pile driving and drilling applications to vibratory hammers in June 2023.

The new products will reinforce the company's position as a full-service provider of tubular and H-steel pile driving and extraction solutions, as well as sheet pile driving applications. Whereas, in October 2022, the BSP TEX Company introduced a transportable, radio-controlled, and self-erecting piling rig. The rig is mounted on a JCB base unit and employs a 12.5m single piling mast. The JX piling rig can drive steel, wood, or concrete piles up to 8m long.

Market Segmentation Analysis:

Market Segmentation by Product:

The market is divided into four segments based on product: Piling Rigs, Impact Hammer, Vibratory Drivers, and Others.

Piling rigs dominated the market in 2022, primarily due to their demand in construction projects, offering support for various building projects.

Piling rigs are compatible with other equipment like vibratory hammers, impact hammers, and screw drills, which is expected to drive their expansion in the future.

Market Segmentation by Method:

The market is categorized into five segments based on the method: Impact Driven, Auger Boring, Rotary Boring, Continuous Flight Auger, and Others.

Impact-driven piling is the leading segment in 2022, driven by its low-cost and efficient pile installation capabilities, especially in hard soil conditions.

Continuous flight auger is projected to be the fastest-growing segment due to its suitability for unstable soil conditions near existing structures and its ability to generate low vibrations and noise.

Market Segmentation by Region:

The global piling machine market is divided into five regions: Asia Pacific , Europe , North America , Middle East & Africa , and South America .

, , , & , and . Asia Pacific led the market in 2022, driven by rapid urbanization, commercial constructions, and growth in mining and agriculture activities in countries like China and India .

led the market in 2022, driven by rapid urbanization, commercial constructions, and growth in mining and agriculture activities in countries like and . North America is expected to grow significantly from 2023 to 2028, with the US maintaining its lead within the region due to expansive construction sectors, infrastructure investments, and wind energy projects.

is expected to grow significantly from 2023 to 2028, with the US maintaining its lead within the region due to expansive construction sectors, infrastructure investments, and wind energy projects. Mexico's mining industry expansion is predicted to encourage foundation work, boosting the demand for piling rigs.

Market Dynamics - Growth Drivers:

The market has experienced growth due to several factors, including increased investment in wind energy, infrastructure development, urbanization, regulatory requirements, and oil and gas projects.

Growing construction activities driven by industrialization and urbanization have been a key driver, with piling machines playing a crucial role in high-rise building construction.

Government investments in infrastructure improvement have further contributed to the demand for piling machines.

Market Dynamics - Challenges:

Challenges hindering market growth include high prices and low replacement rates, adherence to sound pressure level regulations, and other regulatory hurdles.

The key players of the global piling machine market are:

Atlas Copco AB

Bauer AG

Liebherr Group

Boart Longyear Limited

Tex Group Limited (BSP-TEX)

Casagrande S.p.A.

Soilmec S.p.A.

Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group Co., Ltd. (XCMG)

China National Machinery Industry Corporation (Sinomach)

Junttan Oy

SANY Heavy Industry Co. Ltd., and

J C Bamford Excavators Ltd.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/zig1qo

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ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, Jan. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Syndromic Multiplex Panels Markets. Strategies and Trends. Forecasts by Syndrome (Respiratory, Sepsis, GI etc.) by Place, by Product and by Country. With Market Analysis and Executive Guides. 2024 to 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Infectious disease Dx is changing and will change more in the future. Can a rapidly growing market expand even faster? Find out all about it in this comprehensive report on Syndromic Multiplex Diagnostics.

Are targeted tests for specific pathogens going to be obsolete? Will diagnostics replace physicians? Will Infectious Disease testing move into the Physician's Office or even the Home?

Learn about this market including the issues and outlooks. The two key trends of Point of Care Testing and Molecular Diagnostics are merging with spectacular success. It could possibly displace most frontline test protocols AND save money at the same time. The report forecasts the market size for five years and even further with a later updated report with next years numbers.

Key Topics Covered:

1 Market Guides

1.1 Situation Analysis

1.2 Guide for Executives and Marketing Staff

1.3 Guide for Investment Analysts and Management Consultants

2 Introduction and Market Definition

2.1 What are Syndromic Multiplex Tests?

2.2 Syndromic Testing - the quiet revolution in diagnostics

2.2.1 Syndromic Testing - more than Panels.

2.3 Market Definition

2.3.1 Multiplex Market Size.

2.3.2 Currency.

2.3.3 Years.

2.4 Methodology

2.4.1 Methodology

2.4.2 Sources

2.4.3 Authors

2.5 Perspective: Healthcare and the IVD Industry

2.5.1 Global Healthcare Spending

2.5.2 Spending on Diagnostics

2.5.3 Important Role of Insurance for Diagnostics

3 Infectious Disease

3.1 Infections - The Big Picture

3.2 The Pathogens

3.2.1 Bacteria

3.2.2 Fungi and Protozoa

3.2.3 Viruses

3.2.4 Prions

3.3 Symptoms and Syndromes

3.3.1 Bacterial or viral

3.3.2 Typical Viral Symptoms

3.3.3 Typical Bacterial Symptoms

3.4 Disease

3.5 Transmission

3.6 Infectious Disease Diagnostics

3.6.1 Microbial culture

3.6.2 Microscopy

3.6.3 Biochemical tests

3.6.4 PCR-based diagnostics

3.6.5 Metagenomic sequencing

3.7 Defining Infections

3.8 Syndromic Infection

4 Industry Overview

4.1 Players in a Dynamic Market

4.1.1 Academic Research Lab

4.1.2 Diagnostic Test Developer

4.1.3 Instrumentation Supplier

4.1.4 Chemical/Reagent Supplier

4.1.5 Pathology Supplier

4.1.6 Independent Clinical Laboratory

4.1.7 Public National/regional Laboratory

4.1.8 Hospital Laboratory

4.1.9 Physicians Office Lab (POLS)

4.1.10 Audit Body

4.1.11 Certification Body

4.2 The Clinical Laboratory Market Segments

4.2.1 Traditional Market Segmentation

4.2.2 Laboratory Focus and Segmentation

4.2.3 Segmenting the Syndromic Testing Market

4.3 Industry Structure

4.3.1 Hospital Testing Share

4.3.2 Economies of Scale

4.3.2.1 Hospital vs. Central Lab

4.3.3 Physician Office Lab's

4.3.4 Physician's and POCT

5 Market Trends

5.1 Factors Driving Growth

5.1.1 Speed of Diagnosis.

5.1.2 Effect of Syndromic Testing on Costs.

5.1.3 Point of Care Advantage.

5.1.4 Accuracy and Diagnostic Risk.

5.1.5 Single Visits.

5.1.6 Improvement in Outcomes.

5.1.7 Impact of the Pandemic.

5.2 Factors Limiting Growth

5.2.1 Lower Prices.

5.2.2 Administration/reimbursement.

5.2.3 Infectious Disease is Declining But..

5.2.4 Wellness Hurts.

5.2.5 Economic Growth improves Living Standards.

5.2.6 Impact of the Pandemic

5.3 Instrumentation, Automation and Diagnostic Trends

5.3.1 Traditional Automation and Centralization

5.3.2 The New Automation, Decentralization and Point of Care

5.3.3 Instruments Key to Market Share

5.3.4 Bioinformatics Plays a Role

5.3.5 PCR Takes Command

5.3.6 Next Generation Sequencing Fuels a Revolution

5.3.7 NGS Impact on Pricing

5.3.8 Whole Genome Sequencing, A Brave New World

5.3.9 Companion Diagnostics Blurs Diagnosis and Treatment

5.3.10 Comparing Syndrome and Targeted Testing

5.3.11 The Multiplex Paradigm Shift

5.3.12 The Sepsis Testing Market - Bellwether for Syndromics

5.3.13 The Single Visit and AntiMicrobial Resistance

5.3.14 Syndromics drives POCT adoption.

6 Syndromic Testing Recent Developments

6.1 Recent Developments - Importance and How to Use This Section

6.1.1 Importance of These Developments

6.1.2 How to Use This Section

6.2 BioMerieux Submits Application for Respiratory, Sore Throat Panel

6.3 Sensible Diagnostics Nabs Award for Respiratory Panel

6.4 Aptitude Medical Systems to Develop At-Home STI Test

6.5 Multiplex Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel Market Expanding

6.6 Burst Dx to Deliver Lab-Accurate ELISA-in-a-Cartridge

6.7 OpGen Seeking Approval for UTI Panel

6.8 Altratech to Enter MDx, POC Space by Supplanting PCR

6.9 BIOFIRE Announces New SPOTFIRE System

6.10 Cambridge Nucleomics to Develop 'Nanobait' Tech

6.11 Takara Bio Developing Multiplex Panels

6.12 Rover Diagnostics Developing Optical Multiplex PCR

6.13 Nanopath Secures Funding to Develop POC Dx

6.14 Genetic Signatures Wins Public Health Wales Contract

6.15 Qiagen Looks to Long-Term Growth

6.16 LexaGene Gets Investment

6.17 Seegene Multiplex COVID-19/Flu/RSV Test Receives Approval

6.18 BforCure to Adapt Rapid PCR Platform for Cancer

6.19 Accelerated Growth for Decentralized Testing

6.20 QuantuMDx Developing Syndromic Panels for European Launch

6.21 Quidel Gains CE Mark for Savanna Analyzer, Respiratory Panel

6.22 QuantumDx Gets CE Mark for Rapid PoC PCR System

6.23 Bio-Rad Laboratories, Seegene Partner for MDx Development

6.24 Baebies to Expand Finder Platform

6.25 With Luminex Acquisition, DiaSorin to Broaden MDx Portfolio

6.26 Binx Health Targeting Clinics, DTC & OTC With STI Tests

6.27 Luminex Lands BARDA Grant to Develop Test for SARS-CoV-2, Flu, RSV

6.28 Molzym, Fraunhofer Developing Rapid Sepsis Diagnostic

6.29 MiRxes Receives Approval for Multiplex SARS-CoV-2, Flu Test

6.30 New Approach Involves Silicon-Based Test for Infectious Disease Screening

6.31 Scanogen's Portable Battery Operated Instrument for 90 Minute Multiplex Test

6.32 Qiagen sees NeuMoDx as Growth Vehicle

6.33 Torus Biosystems Developing Syndromic Test with 30-Minute Turnaround

6.34 Roche, SpeeDx Partner to Expand Access to Antibiotic Resistance Tests

6.35 BioMerieux's BioFire SARS-CoV-2 Respiratory Panel Wins FDA EAU

6.36 Infectious Disease Testing Firm Curative Acquires KorvaLabs

6.37 ChromaCode Raises Additional $10M

6.38 COVID-19 Patients Need Syndromic Testing

6.39 GenMark Diagnostics - New Respiratory Panel due in June

6.40 Qiagen Respiratory Panel with Coronavirus Targets Receives CE Mark

6.41 Exact Diagnostics launches respiratory panel control

6.42 bioMerieux submits enhanced BIOFIRE BCID2 Panel to FDA

7 Profiles of Key Syndromic Testing Companies

7.1 Abacus Diagnostica

7.2 Abbott Laboratories

7.3 Accelerate Diagnostics

7.4 Ador Diagnostics

7.5 ADT Biotech

7.6 Akonni Biosystems

7.7 Alveo Technologies

7.8 Antelope Dx

7.9 Applied BioCode

7.10 Aureum Diagnostics

7.11 Aus Diagnostics

7.12 Baebies

7.13 Beckman Coulter Diagnostics

7.14 Becton, Dickinson and Company

7.15 Binx Health

7.16 Biocartis

7.17 BioFire Diagnostics (bioMerieux)

7.18 bioMerieux Diagnostics

7.19 Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc

7.20 Bosch Healthcare Solutions GmbH

7.21 Cepheid (Danaher)

7.22 Credo Diagnostics Biomedical

7.23 Cue Health

7.24 Curetis N.V./Curetis GmbH

7.25 Detect

7.26 Diagenode Diagnostics

7.27 Diasorin S.p.A.

7.28 Domus Diagnostics

7.29 Enzo Biochem

7.30 Eurofins Scientific

7.31 Fluxergy

7.32 Fusion Genomics.

7.33 Genetic Signatures

7.34 GenMark Dx (Roche)

7.35 Grip Molecular Technologies

7.36 Hibergene Diagnostics

7.37 Hologic

7.38 Immunexpress

7.39 Inflammatix

7.40 Invetech

7.41 Janssen Diagnostics

7.42 Karius

7.43 Lexagene

7.44 LightDeck Diagnostics

7.45 Lucira Health

7.46 Luminex Corp (DiaSorin)

7.47 Maxim Biomedical

7.48 Meridian Bioscience

7.49 Mesa Biotech (Thermo Fisher)

7.50 MicroGem

7.51 Millipore Sigma

7.52 Minute Molecular

7.53 Mobidiag (Hologic)

7.54 Molbio Diagnostics

7.55 Nanomix

7.56 Novel Microdevices

7.57 OnsiteGene

7.58 Operon

7.59 Oxford Nanopore Technologies

7.60 Panagene

7.61 Perkin Elmer

7.62 Primerdesign (Novacyt)

7.63 Prominex

7.64 Proof Diagnostics

7.65 Qiagen

7.66 QuantuMDx

7.67 QuidelOrtho

7.68 Roche Molecular Diagnostics

7.69 Saw Diagnostics

7.70 Scope Fluidics

7.71 Seegene

7.72 Siemens Healthineers

7.73 Sona Nanotech

7.74 SpeeDx

7.75 T2 Biosystems

7.76 Talis Biomedical

7.77 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

7.78 Vela Diagnostics

7.79 Veramarx

7.80 Visby Medical

7.81 XCR Diagnostics

8 The Global Market for Syndromic Multiplex Diagnostics

8.1 Global Market Overview by Country

8.2 Global Market by Syndrome - Overview

8.3 Global Market by Place - Overview

8.4 Global Market by Product - Overview

9 Global Syndromic Multiplex Markets - By Syndrome

9.1 Respiratory

9.2 Gastrointestinal

9.3 Blood

9.4 Meningitis/Encephalitis

9.5 Sexually Transmitted Disease

9.6 Other Syndrome

10 Global MDx Infectious Disease Markets - by Place

10.1 Hospital Lab

10.2 Outpatient Lab

10.3 Point of Care

10.4 Other Place

11 Global MDx Infectious Disease Markets - by Product

11.1 Instruments

11.2 Cartridges

11.3 Reagents

11.4 Other Product

12 Appendices

12.1 United States Medicare System: Clinical Laboratory Fees Schedule

12.2 The Most Used IVD Assays

12.3 The Highest Grossing Assays

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/qik5nz

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:

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SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Virtual Power Plant (VPP) Market Report 2024-2034" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Overall world revenue for Virtual Power Plant (VPP) Market, 2024 to 2034 in terms of value market will surpass US$2.6 billion in 2024, this work calculates. The author predicts strong revenue growth through to 2034. This work identifies which organizations hold the greatest potential. Discover their capabilities, progress, and commercial prospects, helping you stay ahead.

The Virtual Power Plant (VPP) Market Report 2024-2034: This report will prove invaluable to leading firms striving for new revenue pockets if they wish to better understand the industry and its underlying dynamics. It will be useful for companies that would like to expand into different industries or to expand their existing operations in a new region.

Driving Forces and Opportunities in the Virtual Power Plant (VPP) Market

The propulsion of the VPP market stems from several influential factors, with the widespread deployment of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), encompassing solar PV, wind power, and energy storage systems, standing out as a primary catalyst. A global shift toward cleaner energy sources, supported by governments and industries, encourages the seamless integration of renewable resources into the grid.

Simultaneously, the ongoing liberalization of electricity markets acts as a driving force, fostering demand for innovative solutions like VPPs that provide essential flexibility and adaptability within the ever-evolving energy landscape.

Vulnerability to Cyber Threats and Potential System Failures Rises Restraining Factor for Market Growth

The vulnerability to cyber threats and potential system failures stands out as a significant restraining factor for the growth of the Virtual Power Plant (VPP) market. As VPPs rely heavily on digital technologies and interconnected systems, they become susceptible to cyberattacks, which could compromise the integrity and functionality of the entire system.

The interconnected nature of VPPs, designed to enhance efficiency and coordination, also exposes them to the risk of system failures. Any disruptions, whether caused by cyber threats or system failures, can have far-reaching consequences, affecting the reliability and stability of power generation and distribution. As a result, addressing and mitigating these vulnerabilities becomes crucial for the widespread and secure adoption of VPP technologies.

What Questions Should You Ask before Buying a Market Research Report?

How is the virtual power plant (VPP) market evolving?

What is driving and restraining the virtual power plant (VPP) market?

How will each virtual power plant (VPP) submarket segment grow over the forecast period and how much revenue will these submarkets account for in 2034?

How will the market shares for each virtual power plant (VPP) submarket develop from 2024 to 2034?

What will be the main driver for the overall market from 2024 to 2034?

Will leading virtual power plant (VPP) markets broadly follow the macroeconomic dynamics, or will individual national markets outperform others?

How will the market shares of the national markets change by 2034 and which geographical region will lead the market in 2034?

Who are the leading players and what are their prospects over the forecast period?

What are the virtual power plant (VPP) projects for these leading companies?

How will the industry evolve during the period between 2024 and 2034?

What are the implications of virtual power plant (VPP) projects taking place now and over the next 10 years?

Is there a greater need for product commercialisation to further scale the virtual power plant (VPP) market?

Where is the virtual power plant (VPP) market heading and how can you ensure you are at the forefront of the market?

What are the best investment options for new product and service lines?

What are the key prospects for moving companies into a new growth path and C-suite?

Market Dynamics

Market Driving Factors

Ongoing Innovation and Research Fueling VPP Advancements

Virtual Power Plants Could be Pathway to Decarbonization

VPPs as Platforms for Distributed Energy Resources (DERs)

Market Restraining Factors

Vulnerability to Cyber Threats and Potential System Failures Rises Restraining Factor for Market Growth

The Substantial Upfront Costs Associated with the Deployment of VPP Infrastructure, Including Smart Grids and Advanced Control Systems

Fluctuations in Energy Markets, coupled with Uncertainties in Government Policies and Incentives

Market Opportunities

Continued Advancements in Iot, AI, And Communication Technologies

Countries Worldwide Recognize the Benefits of Smart, Distributed Energy Systems

Increasing Adoption of Residential Solar, Storage, and Smart Home Technologies Contributes to the Growth of VPPs

Company Profiles

Siemens AG

ABB Ltd.

Schneider Electric SE

General Electric Company

Next Kraftwerke

Cisco Systems Inc

Enel X

Engie SA

Sunverge Energy Inc

Spirae Inc.

Tesla, Inc

Cpower Energy Management

Sympower

Swell Energy Inc.

LO3 Energy Inc.

Segments Covered in the Report



Market Segment by Component

Software

Hardware

Market Segment by Technology

Demand Response VPP

Distributed Generation VPP

Mixed Asset VPP

Market Segment by End-User

Residential

Commercial

Industrial

Utility

Market Segment by Generation Source

Solar PV

Wind Power

Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Units

Energy Storage Systems

Other Sources

North America

U.S.

Canada

Europe

Germany

Spain

United Kingdom

France

Italy

Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

China

Japan

India

Australia

South Korea

Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

GCC

South Africa

Rest of Middle East & Africa

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/y0ajtp

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
By Stephen Las Marias, EE Times Asia

TAINAN, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The proliferation of AI-driven applications across diverse sectors has sparked a wave of AI progress in 2023, spanning data centers, edge infrastructure, and endpoint devices. This trend also signifies a significant revenue opportunity for the semiconductor industry for the year.

Himax: Enabling AI Everywhere

Gartner Inc. forecasts that AI chips will contribute $53.4 billion in revenue to the semiconductor industry in 2023, signifying a significant 21% surge from 2022. The market analysis firm also foresees continued double-digit revenue growth to $67.1 billion in 2024. The trajectory is expected to soar, reaching an impressive $119.4 billion by 2027.

Notwithstanding these positive forecasts, the AI semiconductor sector encounters persistent challenges, particularly in performance and power efficiency. Further efforts are needed to enhance and refine designs that enable the low power execution of AI-based workloads.

On top of this, everybody wants their AI applications, particularly for endpoint devices, to include user inference, says Mark Chen, Vice President of Smart Sensing business at Himax Technologies Inc.

"Himax is a fabless IC design firm in Taiwan focusing on solutions including display drivers, image sensors, and AI processors. Himax is also known as the global market share leader in automotive display market with dominated 40% market share." says Chen, who leads the image sensor and AI processor business units of the company.

"Many believe Machine Learning requires extensive input data and power-intensive computing to train models for intricate image recognition. However, in the era of IoT, everything is gradually shifting to the extreme edge." Said Mr. Chen. "What strategies can a semiconductor companies employ to bring AI into every realm, particularly in the consumer product segment? Himax claims that, through creating solutions that are ultralow power and more cost-effective."

"This is why we continue to expand our AI roadmap and roll out WiseEye2, built upon the success of its predecessor chip, WE1." states Chen. "WiseEye2 stands as an ultralow power AI processor specifically designed for on-device computer vision tasks. It boasts 60mW facial mesh processing, a dedicated microNPU core, advanced power management, ample on-chip memory, as well as compatibility with an open software platform."

WiseEye2 caters to applications that necessitate immediate responsiveness and quick decision-making, such as industrial quality inspection, predictive maintenance, and autonomous driving. It is also suitable for applications that prioritize power efficiency and compact size, such as wearables. Furthermore, its open software platform enables developers to innovate and generate new applications with much less effort.

"Three significant enhancements distinguish our WiseEye2 from our first generation," Chen elaborates. "First, the power architecture. We implemented a multilayer power management mechanism and a multicore architecture to cater to various use cases. This results in a 32 times improvement in inference speed and 15 to 50 times better inference efficiency compared to our first generation."

In terms of use cases, WiseEye1 facilitates person detection, face detection, or object detection. WiseEye2 designed with enhanced AI capabilities, takes a step further by not only detecting the presence of a person but also discerning their actions or activities.

"By detecting facial landmarks, we can gauge the engagement level or even the emotions of the person in front of the camera. Additionally, we can conduct more precise object analysis while consuming less power," stated Chen. "WiseEye2 represents a significant breakthrough in low-power AI computing."

"Other critical characteristics of WiseEye2 are the embedded industry-leading security and privacy. " We incorporated PUFPhysical Unclonable Functiontechnology in WiseEye2" elaborates Chen. "This signifies that each chip possesses its own unique ID, which we utilize to create an encryption key safeguarding the software and ML features embedded on the chip. For privacy, WiseEye2 takes the image as the input to AI models but only transmits the metadata result as output. This prevents the system from acquiring the user's image data, greatly improving user privacy."

Last but not least, WiseEye2 boasts a developer-friendly toolchain and robust ecosystem support. Designed with Arm CPU and NPU framework, Himax can utilize the toolchain to aid customers accommodate all available open-source AI models in the market.

"Allow me to illustrate some examples based on some real customer requests," says Chen. "For instance, in the case of a doorbell or door lock, the battery life needs to last at least six months. Our solution must support a 24-hour sentry mode, continuously monitoring the door for approaching individuals, day and night, seven days a week. Under these conditions, customers expect the solution to operate for six months without recharging."

"Another scenario involves the water meter. Leveraging our image sensor and AI processor, we can extract data from traditional water meters, whether it is digit-type or pointer-type, and wirelessly transmit only the required data, the metadata, to the cloud for follow-up analysis. In this case, most customers anticipate a battery life of eight years, assuming data readings once per hour," Chen explains. "In battery-powered applications, energy sustainability has become an essential requirement and that's the design philosophy behind Himax WiseEye that we prioritize ultralow power consumption while maintaining robust computer vision capabilities."

Integrated solution

Numerous customers, including OEMs and ODMs, express the desire to incorporate AI functionalities into their products to enhance user experiences. However, most of them lack the necessary expertise to do so.

"Himax also offers turnkey solutions that include an ultralow power AI processor, always-on image sensor, and a comprehensive software stack equipped with pre-trained machine learning models," explains Chen. "Our WiseEye solution significantly reduces the high entry barrier associated with system development for deploying computer vision and machine learning AI capabilities to edge devices. This reduction encompasses the elimination of efforts in software, hardware, and camera design and development, as well as procurement and module manufacturing. Additionally, we will continue to roll out versatile AI vision features to further enhance the value of our products and expand the reach."

Award winning AI product

Himax's WiseEye2 is one of the recipients of the 2023 Best AI Product award at the recent EE Awards Asia.

"While generative AI and AI related are hot topics right now, however, it also followed by the challenges posed by the high-power requirements of robust processors or cloud connections, resulting in rising costs, increased power consumption, deployment limitations, and privacy concerns in cloud computing. From this perspective, Himax's proprietary WiseEye AI solution assumes a key role, particularly suited for resource-constrained, battery-powered endpoint AI applications, where it features local inferencing tinyML vision AI capabilities with ultralow power consumption, a compact form factor, and built-in industrial-grade security and cryptography engines. We are very happy to get this award and be recognized by the judges and engineer subscribers of EE Times in Asia," says Chen. "At the same time, we want to express our gratitude to EE Times for providing a platform to spotlight tinyML, especially emphasizing the significance in endpoint AI. to let designers and engineers know that we have industry-leading ultralow power AI solution to help them achieve a better user experience that reduce the entry barrier for development and enable a variety of applications."

Product showcase at CES 2024

Himax will be joining CES 2024 this month to highlight its latest product developments and AI innovations over the past year.

"One is the AR/VR edge tracking solution with our WiseEye2, with our in-house or third-party algorithm," says Chen. "We will also demo the door lock, which we already have in production with our customer. The uniqueness of this demo is that Himax's vision AI and ultralow power consumption empowers door lock to realize 24/7 real-time monitoring and consecutive snapshot. All these are taking place while the SoC remains powered off, significantly reduces the overall power consumption as well as the cost."

The company will also showcase automotive applications, such as touch solutions, industry-first LTDI for pillar to pillar, large-sized automotive display at CES 2024. "This is to show how we can enrich the user experience in the smart cockpit," says Chen.

The year ahead

There remain numerous uncertainties across the world. However, from a technological standpoint, AI will undoubtedly remain the main theme in 2024 and beyond, evidenced by numerous vendors and leading cloud service providers intensifying their focus on developing solutions and services tailored to this sector.

"We're observing a notable increase in customers seeking easy-to-adopt low-power and cost-effective AI solutions. Our dedication remains steadfast in advancing our AI capabilities and expanding our offerings to elevate human-machine interfaces, striving for an enhanced user experience, and to seamlessly integrate AI further into our day to day lives."

SOURCE EE Times Taiwan
Hudson Health System Will Operate Four Acute Care Hospitals

JERSEY CITY, N.J., Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Executive leadership at both Hudson Regional Hospital and CarePoint Health System are announcing the creation of Hudson Health System, a new management company that will incorporate the acute care facilities of Hudson Regional Hospital and CarePoint Health.

The principals of the new network signed a letter of intent on Thursday that is the precursor to a new organizational structure and operating plan which will require approval from the New Jersey State Department of Health. Hudson Health System will be a four-hospital network including Hudson Regional Hospital, Bayonne Medical Center, Hoboken University Medical Center, and Christ Hospital in Jersey City.

"Since entering this marketplace in 2018 our team has driven a patient-focused mission that incorporates technology and engages leading healthcare professionals to deliver care under a new model," said Yan Moshe, Chairman of Hudson Regional who will be Chairman of Hudson Health System. "I am excited to bring our proven track record and experienced team in partnership with Dr. Moulick to build a high quality, stable health care system that the county deserves. We are all committed to bringing top quality care, physicians and efficient operations that will allow us to achieve those goals. We are grateful to Mayor Fulop and other Hudson County elected officials for their critical role in envisioning a new network that would allow these facilities and healthcare professionals to reach their potential."

The new system will continue both Hudson Regional Hospital's and CarePoint Health's demonstrated commitment to providing high-quality, affordable healthcare for local residents. The system will include both nonprofit and for-profit hospitals in an innovative new model, and it will continue to be in-network with all major insurance carriers.

"Hudson County is the most diverse and dynamic community in New Jersey, and its residents deserve nothing less than exceptional care, affordable access, the most advanced specialties and technology, and the highest caliber physicians to serve patients' needs, especially the underserved communities that rely on our facilities," said CarePoint President and CEO Dr. Achintya Moulick, who will be President and CEO of Hudson Health System. "Yan Moshe has shown the type of innovative leadership that will allow us to thrive in an ever-changing healthcare environment, and with adequate state support I believe we can build a hospital system that will deliver on its core mission."

"This new system expands our mutual impact far beyond and far sooner than what we could ever have achieved separately," says Dr. Nizar Kifaieh, CEO of Hudson Regional Hospital. "The possibilities are enormous and will energize the entire medical community to deliver that much more to the patients."

"This partnership will strengthen CarePoint's financial position and benefit our entire hospital network, from Christ Hospital and Hoboken University Medical Center which will continue to operate as non-profit safety net hospitals to Bayonne Medical Center which will still provide exceptional service to the community," said Dr. John Rimmer, CarePoint Chief Medical Officer. "This is an exciting moment for health care in Hudson County that will mean improved care and better patient outcomes."

Additional details about Hudson Health System will be announced in the coming days.

SUPPORT FOR HUDSON HEALTH SYSTEM FROM HUDSON COUNTY ELECTED OFFICIALS:

Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop:

"It became clear over the last several months that Hudson County had an opportunity to create a dynamic new healthcare model. There is no greater priority than the health of our residents, and we convened the operators of our major hospitals together to create a platform that would assure quality care and enduring stability. I am pleased to say that the discussions on all sides were driven by a shared commitment to the interests of the patients. It is a complex undertaking to blend facilities and cultures and managements, but out of this effort we have arrived at an admirable place: Hudson County is now a leader in community-focused care."

State Senator Angela McKnight (D-31):

"As a safety net hospital that provides care to tens of thousands of uninsured, underserved, undocumented, unhoused, or lower income patients every year, ensuring that Christ Hospital and the rest of the CarePoint system can continue to operate is one of my highest legislative priorities. I'm ecstatic to see this partnership come to fruition and I believe that it represents a new beginning for our communities, especially for our seniors and the people who most need high-quality healthcare."

State Senator Joseph Lagana (D-38):

"This is not purely a Hudson County moment," says Senator Joseph Lagana from Paramus. "The entire state benefits when any area of the state has its healthcare improved in such a dramatic fashion. We look forward to the echoes from the advancements and innovations, that surely will result from this new network."

Hudson County Executive Craig Guy:

"Improving the quality of our health care options and delivering better patient outcomes in Hudson County is critically important, and I'm committed to working with our team, my fellow elected officials and state leaders to ensure that my constituents' needs are best served."

State Senator Raj Mukherji (D-32):

"Healthcare is a fundamental human right, but it isn't treated that way in our system of care. This oversight is particularly evident in CarePoint's treatment of a vast number of indigent patients without compensation, including our immigrant neighbors who lack documentation  denying these safety net hospitals critical support they would need to survive independently.

Ellis Island, a beacon of welcome, lies within New Jersey's waters, not New York's. Yet, New York extends emergency Medicaid to eligible undocumented immigrants and offers full Medicaid to those 65+ along with options for mixed status families. I call on my colleagues to enact a true public option for healthcare in New Jersey, broaden Medicaid eligibility beyond the current federal poverty level income percentage as CMS rules allow, and stop the cruel denial of this human right to our undocumented neighbors.

In the interim, this partnership will enable these hospitals not only to survive but thrive. I am eager to see the implementation of promised community governance at the two hospitals that will continue as nonprofits, and I want to thank the visionary leaders of both CarePoint Health and Hudson Regional Hospital for uniting in common purpose and fulfilling the critical acute care needs of Hudson County residents, needs that are both urgent and deserving."

Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli:

"As the home of Hudson Regional Hospital, we have seen the incredible improvements that insightful healthcare management can bring to a community. Now, with additional resources and a plan that will service the entire county, I look forward to even greater accomplishments and expanded services to our residents."

Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis:

"My focus has always been on ensuring that the people of Bayonne will continue to have a full-service acute care hospital here in our city, and this agreement means that Bayonne Medical Center will not just continue providing the care our residents need but will now be able to provide enhanced services to our community. I commend everyone involved in this landmark partnership for their tireless efforts and for ensuring that all of Hudson County's residents have access to the medical care and services they deserve. Yan Moshe, the entire Hudson Regional Hospital executive team, CarePoint's executive team and all those who helped negotiate this agreement have served the residents of Bayonne and Hudson County well."

Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla:

"Hoboken's primary objective has always been to ensure there is a high-functioning hospital with quality and affordable health services available for our residents. I'm pleased that this innovative new agreement aims to ensure that occurs to the greatest extent possible, and I look forward to staying in touch with all stakeholders to work through the details."

SOURCE Hudson Health System
- Incheon Mayor Yoo unveiled the 'Super Smart Hub City' vision at CES 2024, promoted global collaboration, showcased AI solutions, and engaged with tech giants.

SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from AVING Global:

On a business trip to the United States, Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok is visiting Las Vegas, where the world's largest consumer electronics and information technology (ICT) exhibition is being held, CES 2024. He is leading in the global promotion of the 'Super FirstClass Smart Hub City' and supporting the overseas expansion of Incheon startups.

Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok Leaps for the Vision of 'Super First-Class Smart Hub City' at CES 2024

The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority announced that Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok participated in CES 2024 from January 9th to 12th, presenting Incheon's smart city future vision. CES, organized by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), is a global exhibition of innovative technological trends across various industries.

Incheon operates the IncheonIFEZ promotion hall, a 132.23 space within the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). Incheon became the only local government from South Korea to exhibit in LVCC, the main exhibition hall for CES 2024. The promotion hall showcases products and technologies from 28 institutions and companies through exhibitions and video promotions.

Making its first appearance at CES, Incheon presented 'Light up the Future with Smart AIRobot Solutions' under the theme of utilizing AI-based services and innovative technologies developed by promising companies and startups in Incheon, focusing on building an AI-based citizen-perceived social safety net, designating a self-driving demonstration zone, and operating a digital twin-based platform.

Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok emphasized, "Building a smart city is a global challenge that all cities worldwide should aspire to and promptly put into practice." He added, "Incheon will spare no effort to be at the forefront of building human-centered eco-friendly smart cities in collaboration with leading global companies and cities that possess state-of-the-art technology related to smart city construction.

" Following the opening ceremony of the IncheonIFEZ hall, Mayor Yoo visited the HD Hyundai Exhibition Hall to listen to the company's future vision and plans from President Cho Young-cheol. Discussions were held on support measures for Incheon startups concerning this. Mayor Yoo also met with Jung Sang-hyuk, the President of Shinhan Bank. He discussed continuous collaboration methods for the startup fostering program jointly operated by Incheon City and Shinhan Financial Group.

Subsequently, he visited the national and startup exhibition hall 'Eureka Park' and encouraged Incheon startup representatives residing in the K-Startup Pavilion. Sixteen Incheon startup companies participated in the K-Startup Pavilion.

Incheon further promoted its future vision and showcased innovative technologies of participating companies globally through the 'Incheon Media Stage,' which was attended by media from the United States and other countries. Mayor Yoo conducted a presentation session on Incheon's future vision and startup excellence and participated in interviews with companies at the IncheonIFEZ promotion hall.

On the second day, January 10th, Mayor Yoo will visit SK, Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, and Hyundai Motor exhibition halls. He plans to discuss cooperation plans regarding the startup support program with Lotte Information Communication, the Intelligent Transport System (C-ITS) construction project operator in Incheon.

#incheon, #ifez, #Incheon Seutateueop Park, #ccei.creativekorea.incheon

1. Location : Booth No.9037, LVCC North Hall

2. Contact : [email protected]

SOURCE AVING Global
DUBLIN, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Insurance Australia Group - Digital Transformation Strategies" company profile has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report provides insight into IAG's tech activities, including its digital transformation strategies, its innovation programs, and its technology initiatives.



Insurance Australia Group (IAG) is a general insurance company operating in Australia and New Zealand. In Australia, the company's operations are split into two divisions, namely Direct Insurance Australia (DIA) and Intermediated Insurance Australia (IIA).

DIA offers insurance products for motor vehicles, homes and contents, boats, caravans, classic cars, and commercial motors under several brands, including NRMA Insurance (Australia-wide, excluding Victoria), RACV (in Victoria), SGIO (in Western Australia), SGIC (in South Australia), CGU Insurance (in New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, and Queensland), and ROLLiN' Insurance.

IIA offers insurance products for motor vehicles, home and contents, boats, caravans, travel, farm and crop, construction and engineering, commercial motors, and professional indemnity among others under the CGU Insurance, WFI, and Coles insurance brands. In New Zealand, IAG offers insurance products for motor vehicles, home and contents, construction and engineering, and professional indemnity among others.



Scope

IAG is strengthening its focus on the use of innovative technologies to provide better customer service, deliver better insurance products, and optimize operational efficiency. Cloud, AI, cybersecurity, and big data are among the technologies the company is focusing on.

IAG invested in Myriota, a provider of low-power and low-cost satellite connectivity for IoT technology, to explore how IoT can be used to help agriculture and logistics customers monitor, manage, and safeguard their assets.

Firemark, the innovation and venturing hub of IAG, launched its fmX InsurTech accelerator program in 2020 to help early stage and Series A startups commercialize their InsurTech solutions.

Reasons to Buy

Gain insights into IAG's tech operations.

Gain insights into its digital strategies and innovation initiatives.

Gain insights into its technology themes under focus.

Gain insights into its various product launches, partnerships, acquisitions and investments.

Key Topics Covered:

Overview

Digital Transformation Strategy

Accelerators, Incubators, and Other Innovation Programs

Technology Focus

Technology Initiatives

Venture Arm: Firemark Ventures

Investment

Acquisitions

Partnership, Investment & Acquisition

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes

Myriota

Socotra

Immuta

UpContent

Hootsuite

UpGuard

Hyper Anna

Airtasker

Tic:Toc

Bluedot

ActivePipe

Quantiful

DAS

Arturo

Immuta

Myriota

Propper

Pocketbook

PropertySafe

Life360

Ravin AI

Planck

Plnar

Quantiful

Arturo

Propper

DAS

Tic:Toc

Alteryx

Bluedot

MoxiWorks

UpGuard

Carbar

For more information about this company profile visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/62nsz4

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]

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SOURCE Research and Markets
The US State Department says it is disappointed with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's position on Ukraine. He is the only one in the European Union who questions the support for Kyiv.

ADVERTISIMENT

This statement was made by the US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien, as quoted by Reuters.

"I think we (the U.S. State Department - Ed.) are disappointed that Prime Minister Orban has decided to remain the only one in the European Union who questions support for Ukrainians," O'Brien said.

Hungary, a member of the European Union and NATO, has refused to provide military assistance to Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 and has been holding back Sweden's NATO membership aspirations along with Turkey.

Orban's government has also repeatedly promised that it will not be the last to ratify the Nordic country's application to join the North Atlantic Alliance.

O'Brien expressed hope that the Orban government will not back down from these statements and will act constructively.

ADVERTISIMENT

"Let's see if he keeps that promise as we get closer to Sweden joining the alliance, which I hope will happen in the near future. We would like to see Hungary as a constructive partner," the State Department official said.

The publication notes that relations between Budapest and Washington have deteriorated due to Hungary's delay in ratifying Sweden's accession to NATO, as well as Orban's warm ties with Moscow despite the war in Ukraine.

As reported by OBOZ.UA

Hungary will agree to unblock the EU's 50 billion aid to Ukraine for 4 years but only if the funding is reviewed annually. Some EU diplomats are skeptical of this proposal as it will not provide predictability for Ukraine. In addition, it will allow Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is called "Putin's friend," to blackmail the EU.

ADVERTISIMENT

The European Union is preparing a "plan B" in case of Hungary's veto on providing financial assistance to Ukraine.

Only verified information on our Telegram OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
DUBLIN, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Italian Industrial Automation Market: Analysis By Control System, By Component, By Distribution Channel, By Application Size and Forecast to 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Italian industrial automation market was valued at US$7.37 billion in 2022. The market value is expected to reach US$13.46 billion by 2028 and forecast to grow at a CAGR of approx. 11% during the forecasted period of 2023-2028.



Market Segmentation Analysis:

By Control System: The report provides the bifurcation of the market into four control systems: DCS, SCADA, PLC, and Others. DCS segment held the highest share of the market. The adoption of Distributed Control Systems (DCS) is growing in the Italian industrial automation market due to their ability to efficiently control and monitor complex processes in real-time. DCS provides a distributed architecture, allowing for the integration of various control elements across a manufacturing plant.



By Component: The report provides a glimpse of the market based on component: Sensors, Control Valves, HMI, Industrial Robots, and Others. Sensors held the highest share in the market, whereas Industrial Robots is expected to be the fastest growing segment in the forecasted period. The demand for industrial robots in the Italian industrial automation market is escalating as industries seek to automate repetitive and labor-intensive tasks. As industries prioritize efficiency, quality, and flexibility in production, the adoption of industrial robots is expected to grow significantly.



By Distribution Channel: The report analyzed the industrial automation market based on the following distribution channel: OEMs, Distributors, System Specialists, and Others. OEMs channel held the highest share in the market, whereas system specialists is expected to be the fastest-growing channel in the forecasted period. The growth of OEMs in the Italian industrial automation market is driven by their integral role in providing end-to-end automation solutions. OEMs design and manufacture the original equipment, including automation components and systems. As industries in Italy seek comprehensive solutions tailored to their specific needs, OEMs offer customized and integrated automation packages.



By Application: The report has been analysed based on the following applications: Mechanics, Packaging, Food, Logistics, Metallurgy, Electronics, Ceramic, Cement & Bricks, Plastic & Rubber, Wood, and Others. Mechanics held the highest share in the market and is expected to be the fastest growing segment in the forecasted period. Automation technologies optimize machining processes, assembly lines, and quality control, resulting in improved productivity and reduced production costs. Robotics and CNC systems are extensively used to automate tasks like welding, milling, and assembly, ensuring high precision and speed in mechanical production.



Market Dynamics:

Growth Drivers: The Italian industrial automation market growth is predicted to be supported by numerous growth drivers such as rising installation of industrial robots, increasing labor cost index, increasing adoption of industry 4.0, favorable government incentives, and many other factors. The increase in the annual installation of industrial robots significantly contributes to the growth of the industrial automation market. As industries across various sectors adopt more industrial robots, the market experiences a surge in demand for robotic automation solutions. Industrial robots play a pivotal role in automating manufacturing processes, leading to improved efficiency, precision, and production capacity. This heightened adoption is driven by the pursuit of increased productivity, cost-effectiveness, and the ability to handle complex tasks.



Challenges: Market growth can be negatively impacted by various challenges such as high initial capital investment, lack of skilled labor force, etc.



Trends: The market is projected to grow at a fast pace during the forecast period, due to various latest trends such as growing impact of AI-driven industrial robotics, growing use of blockchain, growing industrial internet of things, robotics and collaborative automation, integration of digital twin technology, human machine interface evolution, etc. The impact of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) on the growth of the industrial automation market is profound. IIoT seamlessly integrates smart devices, sensors, and machinery, fostering real-time data exchange and connectivity on the industrial floor. This connectivity enhances operational visibility, facilitates predictive maintenance, and enables data-driven decision-making. As industries in Italy and globally embrace Industry 4.0 principles, the synergies between IIoT and industrial automation are evident.



Competitive Landscape:

The key players profiled are:

ABB

Mitsubishi Electric

Omron

Rockwell Automation

Schneider Electric

Siemens

Honeywell International

General Electric

Stellantis

Robert Bosch

Yokogawa Electric

Festo

Italy has a diverse industrial landscape with a multitude of companies providing various automation solutions and services across different sectors. These companies offer a wide range of automation solutions, from control systems to robotics, catering to various industries. The market is characterized by technological innovation, strategic partnerships, and a focus on delivering efficient and advanced automation solutions to meet evolving industrial needs.

Key Topics Covered:



1. Executive Summary



2. Introduction

2.1 Industrial Automation: An Overview

2.2 Industrial Automation Segmentation: An Overview



3. Italian Market Analysis

3.1 Italian Industrial Automation Market: An Analysis

3.2 Italian Industrial Automation Market: Control System Analysis

3.3 Italian Industrial Automation Market: Component Analysis

3.4 Italian Industrial Automation Market: Distribution Channel Analysis

3.5 Italian Industrial Automation Market: Application Analysis



4. Impact of COVID-19



5. Market Dynamics

5.1 Growth Drivers

5.1.1 Rising Installation of Industrial Robots

5.1.2 Increasing Labor Cost Index

5.1.3 Growing Gross Domestic Product

5.1.4 Increasing Adoption of Industry 4.0

5.1.5 Advent of 5G Subscription

5.1.6 Favorable Government Incentives

5.1.7 Increasing Demand for Efficiency and Productivity

5.2 Challenges

5.2.1 High Initial Capital Investment

5.2.2 Lack of Skilled Labor Force

5.2.3 Data Security Concern

5.3 Market Trends

5.3.1 Growing Impact of AI-driven Industrial Robotics

5.3.2 Growing Use of Blockchain for Supply Chain Management

5.3.3 Growing Industrial Internet of Things

5.3.4 Robotics and Collaborative Automation

5.3.5 Integration of Digital Twin Technology

5.3.6 Integration 0f Edge and Cloud Computing

5.3.7 Increasing Emphasis on Cybersecurity

5.3.8 Human Machine Interface Evolution

5.3.9 Increasing Demand for Sustainable and Clean Energy Solutions



6. Competitive Landscape

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/so2yun

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

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SOURCE Research and Markets
SAN DIEGO, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Last month, San Diego-headquartered residential developer Liberty National Corporation completed the purchase of a property in Downtown San Diego with the intention of redeveloping the site into a residential tower. Located at 1520 and 1532 3rd Avenue, the property is at the northwest corner of 3rd Avenue and Beech Street in the Cortez Hill neighborhood, one of the most architecturally historic neighborhoods in San Diego. Liberty National acquired the property due to its prime location with convenient access to many of the city's top attractions, such as the 1,200-acre urban oasis Balboa Park, the retail and nightlife of Little Italy, and San Diego's Bayfront offering leisure amenities and office space.

Liberty National purchased the 22,484-square-foot property (almost one-half block) on December 6, 2023. The developer plans to build a high-rise, multi-family community on the site, including a selection of much-needed affordable homes. The property is directly across the street from the historic St. Joseph Cathedral, founded in 1874 and celebrating its 150th anniversary this year.

Mark Schmidt, Founder of Liberty National Corporation, states, "This property was appealing for many reasons, including easy access to Downtown amenities and a significant opportunity for revitalization and additional housing."

About Liberty National Corporation

Liberty National is a multi-family residential developer based in San Diego, CA. The company specializes in site acquisition, entitlements, design, and development. The company is a long-term investor in its communities, choosing to retain many of the assets in its portfolio from the ground-up to the present day. The company ensures that all properties are built to the highest standards. Liberty National currently has properties in planning and development in multiple states. For more information, visit: libertync.com.

Media Contact: Beth Binger

BCIpr

Mobile: (619) 987-6658

[email protected]

SOURCE Liberty National Corporation
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Jan. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- LifeNet Health continues to save more lives than ever through organ donation, with 259 people donating 686 organs for transplant last year.

Both numbers represent all-time highs for the LifeNet Health Organ Procurement Organization, which saved 591 lives, working in partnership with hospitals and transplant centers across the region.

LifeNet Health continues to save more lives than ever through organ donation.

This success reflects a relentless focus on expanding donation through staffing enhancements, community outreach, and infrastructure improvements. More than 100,000 men, women and children are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant in the United States  including more than 2,900 in Virginia. The need for organs far outweighs the supply of donated gifts. Growing support for donation is crucial to help close this gap.

"Our goal is to give healing every advantage in all we do, and for organ transplantation that means committing resources to expand and improve our OPO," said LifeNet Health President and CEO Rony Thomas. "We strive to bring hope to each patient who is waiting, and to support the donor families who put their trust in us."

Since 2016, the number of organ donors has increased by 98% across the LifeNet Health service area, which covers most of Virginia as well as three counties in West Virginia and one county in North Carolina. The number of transplanted organs increased by 61% over the same period.

The complexities of donation call for close collaboration between LifeNet Health and more than 70 hospitals and transplant centers. These partnering facilities are instrumental in recognizing when potential donors may meet criteria.

"There are so many important factors when it comes to donation," said Todd Hubler, LifeNet Health Vice President and Organ Procurement Organization Executive Director. "Our healthcare partners are instrumental in making it happen, and we are committed to continuously improving our processes to better support them."

In 2023, LifeNet Health moved into expanded OPO offices in Richmond. The organization also continued to enhance its staffing models to better support hospital partners and donor families.

Currently, the OPO is working on launching a new "Hope Can Be Our Thing" campaign to boost support for donation in multiethnic communities across Virginia. These efforts will build on the One Hero program, which was launched in 2021, resulting in a 19% increase in Virginia donor registration within targeted zip codes in the Richmond area.

LifeNet Health encourages everyone to sign up at the DMV or by going to RegisterMe.org. You can also learn more at LifeNetHealth.org/register.

About LifeNet Health

As a global leader in regenerative medicine, LifeNet Health continues to push the boundaries to give healing every advantage. The organization offers groundbreaking transplantation and cellular solutions that support healthcare providers and power the work of scientific researchers. This forward-focused approach has improved life for millions of patients, all while honoring donor heroes and their families. Learn more at www.lifenethealth.org.

SOURCE LifeNet Health
Brian joins Merit from Johnson Financial Group, bringing three decades of experience

ATLANTA, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Merit Financial Advisors ("Merit"), a Georgia-based financial advisory firm that specializes in financial planning and wealth management solutions for high-net-worth individuals and families and those navigating life transitions, announced today that it has hired Brian Andrew as Chief Investment Officer ("CIO").

Merit Financial Advisors Hires Brian Andrew as Chief Investment Officer

With more than three decades of investment experience leading institutional money management, investment advisory and hybrid organizations and their investment teams, Brian brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role. Brian joins Merit from Johnson Financial Group where he most recently served as EVP of the firm's wealth business group with $14 billion in assets.

As the CIO of Merit, Brian will be responsible for overseeing and managing the investment department and asset allocation decision-making process, as well as developing new policies and procedures to support the firm's aggressive growth plans. Brian will also play a key role in integrating new partner firms joining Merit, ensuring a seamless transition and alignment of investment philosophies.

"We are thrilled to welcome Brian to Merit," said Kay Lynn Mayhue, President of Merit Financial Advisors. "Brian's proven leadership in the wealth management industry makes him the perfect person to steward Merit's investment strategy and our investment committee. As Merit continues to scale at an incredible pace, appointing Brian as CIO is a reflection of our commitment to our team and clients."

In his previous role at Johnson Financial Group, Brian successfully transformed the traditional bank-wealth business into a multi-disciplinary business serving various segments, including consumer, high-net-worth, private clients, and institutions. Under his leadership, the wealth platform experienced substantial growth and successfully integrated client and advisor experiences.

"Merit truly understands what individuals need in an advisor to succeed: a comprehensive focus on education, a continued investment in relationships and an unwavering commitment to ethics," said Brian Andrew. "Merit has an excellent culture focused on creating solutions for clients and the advisors who serve them. I'm proud to join this collaborative and multi-generational team as CIO and look forward to working with the investment committee to build upon its legacy."

Throughout his career Brian has been responsible for creating investment strategy and leading portfolio management and research teams for most of his career as well as starting up asset management and investment advisory businesses. Brian has experience teaching undergraduate and graduate classes in finance and portfolio management. Brian is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, with a B.S. in Finance, and he has completed the Harvard/Association of Investment Management and Research investment program. His involvement in non-profit boards include Marquette University's Applied Investment Management program, Special Olympics Wisconsin and as Investment Committee Chair for the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation's Pathway 2 Cures venture philanthropy fund. Previously he served as Chairman and Treasurer for the National Hemophilia Foundation and as an Advisory Board Member for several university undergraduate investment programs.

About Merit Financial Advisors

Merit Financial Group, LLC, doing business as Merit Financial Advisors ("Merit"), is a national wealth management firm that supports both the independent broker-dealer and RIA models. Merit exists to enrich the lives of those they serve, and its mission is to revolutionize the client experience by building the RIA of the future. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Merit has over 40 offices throughout the U.S. and managed approximately $9 billion in assets as of September 30, 2023 ($6.4 billion in advisory, $2.36 billion in brokerage assets and $197 million in assets under advisement). For more information, please visit www.meritfinancialadvisors.com. Securities offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Merit

Financial Group, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Merit Financial Group, LLC, Merit, Merit Financial Advisors are separate entities from LPL Financial.

SOURCE Merit Financial Advisors
Firm names Jeff Carpenter, P.E., National Practice Lead  CS | Surface Transportation; Tom Zagorski, P.E., National Practice Lead  CS, to lead firm's Construction Services work in the Rail, Water and Aviation markets

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Michael Baker International, a global leader in engineering, planning and consulting services, today announced organizational updates that strengthen the firm's Construction Services (CS) Practice and position the company for increased growth in this key area. Jeff Carpenter, P.E., has joined the firm as National Practice Lead  CS | Surface Transportation. In this role, Mr. Carpenter will focus on growing Michael Baker's CS work and serving its clients in the Road, Highway and Bridge markets. Michael Baker also announced that Tom Zagorski, P.E., National Practice Lead  CS, will lead CS for the firm's projects in the Rail, Water and Aviation markets.

"Michael Baker's Construction Services Practice is focused on safely delivering high-quality construction projects on-time and at budget," said Eric Ostfeld, P.E., President, Design-Build and Construction Services at Michael Baker International. "As we continue to Reimagine Michael Baker, we welcome Jeff. His extensive experience developing civil and structural designs for highways and administering highway construction projects will strengthen our CS team and complement Tom's deep industry expertise and experience that spans projects across the transportation spectrum, as well as Federal, facilities, and civil and environmental clients. These updates will enable our team to increase its focus on market and geographic expansion and allow us to grow and enhance our overall services to new and existing clients, while also capitalizing on the unique strengths of our Michael Baker Wolf Pack."

Mr. Carpenter brings more than 37 years of industry experience to his new role at Michael Baker, including the last five years with Parsons, where he served as Project Manager/Construction Manager on New York City Department of Transportation projects. Additionally, he spent 27 years of his career with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). During this time, he worked to create WSDOT's Design-Build program and was the Project Director for several major projects in the Seattle area, including the New Tacoma Narrows Bridge and the Hood Canal Floating Bridge replacement. Mr. Carpenter also served as the WSDOT State Design Engineer for three years and State Construction Engineer for six years.

Mr. Carpenter earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Washington State University.

Mr. Zagorski has been with Michael Baker for 38 years. He is well versed in construction operations, scheduling, cost estimations, claims avoidance, risk management, safety and partnering. Prior to joining Michael Baker, Mr. Zagorski served in the U.S. Air Force.

Mr. Zagorski is a member of the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA), Engineers' Society of Western Pennsylvania and Master Builders' Association. He holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering Management with a focus on Construction Management from the Catholic University of America and a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.

About Michael Baker International

Michael Baker International is a leading provider of engineering and consulting services spanning five distinct Verticals: Infrastructure, Design-Build Services, Federal Programs and Services, Consulting and Technology Solutions (CTS) and Sustainable and Resilient Solutions (SRS). The firm's Practices encompass all facets of infrastructure, including design and civil engineering for diverse bridge, highway, water, rail and transit and aviation projects, as well as planning, architecture, environmental and construction and program management. For more than 80 years, the company has been a trusted partner to clients, providing comprehensive services and solutions, delivering expertise and quality, and embracing emerging technologies and the latest innovations  like intelligent transportation, engineered models and public safety software as a service (SaaS).

The firm's 3,900 employees across more than 85 office locations are committed to Making a Difference for clients and communities through a culture of innovation, collaboration and technological advancement while Reimagining Michael Baker to become a full-service engineering and consulting firm over the next five years.

To learn more, visit https://mbakerintl.com/.

Contact: Julia Covelli

[email protected]

(866) 293-4609

SOURCE Michael Baker International
NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The MOOCs market is set to grow by USD 27.88 billion from 2023 to 2027 progressing at a CAGR of over 34.26% during the forecast period. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current global market scenario, the latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. The market is driven by a rise in regional MOOCs. The rise in regional MOOCs is driving the growth of the market. Platforms like Coursera, Open edX, Udemy, Khan Academy, FutureLearn, Skillshare, LinkedIn Learning, Codecademy, and Udacity have revolutionized online learning. These MOOC platforms cater to diverse regional needs, improving accessibility, and inclusivity. This growth reflects the broader paradigm shift towards online learning, emphasizing the significant role of MOOCs in reshaping education globally and enabling widespread knowledge acquisition. -Here is an Exclusive report talking about Market scenarios with a historical period (2017-2021) and forecast period (2023-2027). Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes!

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global MOOCs Market

The report on the MOOCs market provides a holistic update, market size and forecast, trends, growth drivers, and challenges, as well as vendor analysis.

MOOCs Market 2023-2027 - Market Dynamics

Trend

The emerging trend in the Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) market is due to the widespread adoption of corporate training. With their versatility in virtual classrooms and integration into blended learning strategies, MOOCs facilitate microlearning and self-paced learning. This trend emphasizes the value of online certificates and distance education, leveraging educational technology and learning management systems (LMS). It signifies a transformative shift towards digital learning, reshaping the landscape of online education.

Challenge

The MOOCs market faces a significant challenge in low completion rates, impacting both academic courses and professional development. While promoting lifelong learning and remote learning to educational resources, this hurdle persists across diverse course catalogs and course providers. E-learning initiatives are affected by this trend, requiring strategies to enhance engagement and support learners through their educational journey to address this impediment in the MOOCs landscape.

MOOCs Market 2023-2027: Market Segmentation

The MOOCs market analysis includes Type, Subjects, and Geography landscape. This study identifies the extensive application of MOOCs in corporate training, the growing prominence of gamification, and the analytical applications of MOOC data as some of the prime reasons driving the MOOC market growth during the next few years.

The xMOOCs segment will contribute significantly to the growth of the market during the forecast period. xMOOCs refer to extended MOOCs that are based on traditional university courses. Such MOOCs have a large number of students who can take university-level courses.

This report presents a detailed picture of the market by way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources through an analysis of key parameters- View a FREE Sample Report

The MOOCs market covers the following areas:

Companies Mentioned

360training.com Inc.

Alison

Ambow Education Holding Ltd.

Coursera Inc.

edX LLC

Instructure Holdings Inc.

iTutorGroup Inc

iversity Learning Solutions GmbH

NIIT Ltd

Pearson Plc

SAP SE

Seek Ltd.

Simplilearn Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

SkillShare Inc.

Telefonica SA

Think and Learn Pvt. Ltd.

Udacity Inc.

Udemy Inc.

Vedantu Innovations Pvt. Ltd.

XuetangX

Company Offerings

360training.com Inc. - The company offers MOOCs in job-oriented fields such as Meditech, HR, power and utility, insurance, and politics.

The company offers MOOCs in job-oriented fields such as Meditech, HR, power and utility, insurance, and politics. Ambow Education Holding Ltd. - The company offers MOOCs for K12 schools, tutoring centers, training offices, career enhancement centers, and colleges.

The company offers MOOCs for K12 schools, tutoring centers, training offices, career enhancement centers, and colleges. Coursera Inc. - The company offers various MOOCs such as business, communications, public art and pedagogy, and activism and social movements.

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FAQs

What is driving the growth of the MOOCs market according to the report?

The rise in regional MOOCs and their application in corporate training.

What challenges are hindering the growth of the MOOCs market?

Persistent high drop-out rates, especially for technical courses.

What trends are influencing the MOOCs market growth?

Extensive use of MOOCs in corporate training, incorporating e-learning and adaptive learning methods.

How is the MOOCs market segmented?

Segmented by type (XMOOCs and CMOOCs), subjects (technology, science, business, arts), and geography.

Which region is a significant contributor to the MOOCs market?

North America, contributing 35%, driven by high demand for tech skills in the U.S. corporate workforce.

Related Reports:

The online language learning market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 19.73% between 2023 and 2028. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 42.10 billion.

The size of the online education market in India is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 19.9% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 3,461.93 million.

Key Topics Covered:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation by Type

7 Market Segmentation by Subjects

8 Customer Landscape

9 Geographic Landscape

10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

11 Vendor Landscape

12 Vendor Analysis

13 Appendix

About US

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com

SOURCE Technavio
WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA will join an Astrobotic media teleconference at 12 p.m. EST, Thursday, Jan. 18, to discuss updates on their Peregrine Mission One, which is carrying science for the agency as part of its Commercial Lunar Provider Services (CLPS) initiative.

The audio-only teleconference will stream live on the agency's website.

Following a successful launch on Jan. 8, Astrobotic's Peregrine lander experienced a propulsion issue after the spacecraft entered its operational state. This is preventing Astrobotic from achieving a soft landing on the Moon. Aboard the Peregrine spacecraft are five NASA science instruments, several of which are receiving power and gathering data.

Participants on the call include:

Joel Kearns , deputy associate administrator for Exploration, Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington

, deputy associate administrator for Exploration, Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in John Thornton , CEO, Astrobotic, Pittsburgh

To participate in the teleconference, media must RSVP online no later than two hours before the start of the call to Astrobotic.

Learn more about CLPS at:

https://nasa.gov/clps

SOURCE NASA
DENVER, Jan. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nickel Road Operating LLC ("Nickel Road") today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement ("Agreement") with Prairie Operating Co. and Prairie Operating Co., LLC ("Prairie"), to strategically divest its assets in the Denver-Julesberg ("DJ") Basin. The assets are located in Weld County and include 5,526 net leasehold acres; 26 operated producing horizontal wells; and 90 operated well permits.

"We are pleased to enter into this Agreement with Prairie. Nickel Road's operated position in the Northern Oil Rim of the Wattenberg Field is an attractive growth platform with the second largest approved permit inventory issued in the DJ Basin. While remaining focused on responsible development for all of our stakeholders in Weld County, these assets have delivered top tier results through optimization of well spacing and enhanced completion designs," said Andrew Haney, Co-President of Nickel Road.

Nickel Road Co-President, Dana Johnson added, "Nickel Road has excelled at operational execution in the oil-rich Northern Wattenberg Field, demonstrating best-in-class drilling times, strong netbacks, and an efficient return of capital profile. We look forward to successfully completing this transaction."

Based in Denver, Colorado, Nickel Road is focused on acquiring, leasing, and developing oil and natural gas assets in the Wattenberg Field. The company is supported by an equity commitment from Vortus Investment Advisors, LLC of Fort Worth, Texas.

Buchalter is advising Nickel Road on this transaction.

About Nickel Road Operating

Nickel Road Operating LLC is a Denver-based oil and gas acquisition and development company. Nickel Road was formed in July 2017 by Andrew Haney and Kit Tincher with a capital investment from private investors. The company partnered with Vortus Investment Advisors to grow and develop the position. Nickel Road is currently led by Andrew Haney, Dana Johnson and Kit Tincher. For additional information please visit www.nickelroadoperating.com.

About Vortus Investment Advisors, LLC

Vortus Investment Advisors, LLC is a Fort Worth-based private equity firm focused on the lower to middle market upstream energy industry in North America. Vortus has an asset-based investment strategy, targeting privately negotiated transactions in the lower to middle market requiring approximately $25 million to $100 million of equity capital in partnership with successful owner/operators. For additional information, please visit www.vortus.com.

Nickel Road Operating LLC

Andrew Haney & Dana Johnson, Co-Presidents

Phone: 303-226-7375

SOURCE Nickel Road Operating LLC
Stephen McLennan , Gillian Brown , and Jonathan Hausman appointed to newly established leadership roles and join Executive Team

Nick Jansa to join Executive Team to deepen international insights

TORONTO, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board ("Ontario Teachers'") today announces the following appointments of three longstanding Investments leaders into new executive roles, effective immediately. Each will report to President & CEO Jo Taylor and join the organization's Executive Team.

Stephen McLennan and Gillian Brown into Chief Investment Officer roles focused on portfolio construction and alpha generation, respectfully.

Stephen McLennan is appointed Chief Investment Officer, Asset Allocation. Stephen will oversee Ontario Teachers' overall asset mix to drive total fund performance, management of portfolio risks, and approach to strong governance and investment practices. Stephen has been serving as Acting Head of Investments since September 2023 following the departure of former Chief Investment Officer Ziad Hindo . Stephen joined Ontario Teachers' in 2003 and has held positions of increasing responsibility, most recently leading the Total Fund Management department. He holds a Master of Mathematical Finance from the University of Toronto , an MBA from the University of British Columbia , and a Bachelor of Commerce from McGill University . Stephen serves on the board of Cadillac Fairview , a wholly owned subsidiary which is part of Ontario Teachers' Real Estate portfolio.

Gillian Brown is appointed Chief Investment Officer, Public & Private Investments. In this role, Gillian will be accountable for the execution and management of investments across public and private markets through Ontario Teachers' Equities, Infrastructure & Natural Resources, Teachers' Venture Growth, Capital Markets, and Real Estate investment departments. Since joining Ontario Teachers' in 1995, Gillian has held progressively senior roles, most recently as head of the Capital Markets department since 2018, overseeing cross asset liquid total fund exposures and active risk taking in credit and absolute return asset classes, as well as a centralized trading function. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from McGill University and serves on the board of Canada Guaranty, one of Ontario Teachers' Private Capital portfolio companies.

Jonathan Hausman into a newly established, cross-enterprise strategy role:

Jonathan Hausman is appointed Chief Strategy Officer. In this role, he will lead a cross-organizational approach to advancing the strategic objectives of the Plan. He will oversee Ontario Teachers' Sustainable Investing activities and continue to lead its Global Investment Strategy (GIS) department, which builds conviction on responses to global shifts, including those related to geopolitics, sustainability, and technology. He will also proactively partner across the organization to manage Ontario Teachers' relationships and reputation across stakeholder groups worldwide. Jonathan joined Ontario Teachers' in 2004 and led Alternative Investments and Global Tactical Asset Allocation, before taking on the role leading the GIS department in 2017. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from McGill University , an MSc. in Economics from the London School of Economics , and a Master of Public Administration from Columbia University . He is the Chair of the Canadian Council for the Americas and a Senior Fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto .

"I am pleased to appoint Stephen, Gillian to their new leadership roles in Investments, and Jonathan to a new role to support me in managing our key stakeholders and refreshing and advancing our enterprise strategy on a regular basis. They will all join the senior Executive Team," said Jo Taylor, President & CEO, Ontario Teachers'. "These appointments confirm the benefits of our focus in developing team members and shaping strong leaders from within the Plan. Stephen, Gillian, and Jonathan, each bring decades of experience across the organization, and expertise in both capital allocation choices and international public and private markets anchored around a deep commitment to our pension promise. I am confident that we will be well-positioned to continue to create value for members as we execute our strategy under their leadership."

Nick Jansa, Executive Managing Director, has also been appointed to Ontario Teachers' Executive Team. Nick joined Ontario Teachers' in 2020 and leads investment and portfolio management activities in the EMEA region and is based in London. Prior to joining Ontario Teachers' he spent almost 25 years at Deutsche Bank.

"Nick recently joined the Executive Team as part of a senior team rotation process and we greatly benefited from his global expertise and perspectives," added Mr. Taylor. "Given the significant scale of our portfolio and office footprint in global markets, I have asked Nick take on this role on a permanent basis to ensure that international perspectives and understanding are more formally embedded in all our discussions at the most senior level."

About Ontario Teachers'

Ontario Teachers' is a global investor with net assets of C$249.8 billion as at June 30, 2023. We invest in more than 50 countries in a broad array of assets including public and private equities, fixed income, credit, commodities, natural resources, infrastructure, real estate and venture growth to deliver retirement income for 336,000 working members and pensioners.

With offices in Toronto, London, Hong Kong, Singapore, Mumbai, San Francisco, New York, Dallas, and Sao Paolo, our more than 400 investment professionals bring deep expertise in industries ranging from agriculture to artificial intelligence. We are a fully funded defined benefit pension plan and have earned an annual total-fund net return of 9.4% since the plan's founding in 1990. At Ontario Teachers', we don't just invest to make a return, we invest to shape a better future for the teachers we serve, the businesses we back, and the world we live in. For more information, visit otpp.com and follow us on LinkedIn .

Media

Dan Madge

+1 416 419 1437

[email protected]

SOURCE Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan
Orbic to Reinvent American Tech Manufacturing

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CES -- Orbic Electronics Manufacturing, LLC, today announced the launch of its Project Patriot initiative, which will revitalize and return high-caliber manufacturing of connected devices to the United States. As part of that effort, Orbic Electronics Manufacturing, LLC, also announced plans to move its manufacturing operation from China to the United Statesspecifically New York's Suffolk County. The new strategic business model was driven to create "Made in America" products that focus on bringing more than 1,000 new, skilled jobs back to the US.

Orbic Electronics Manufacturing offers a range of connected devices, including smartphones, tablets and mobile hotspots, available in the United States from Verizon  the 5G network America relies on.

"Orbic's Project Patriot and "Made in America initiative" mark significant strides in restoring the production of high-quality connected devices to the United States," Chris Emmons, Vice President of Device and Product Marketing at Verizon said. "We applaud Orbic for its efforts in boosting local manufacturing and supporting the American workforce and can't wait to see the innovations in mobile technology these investments produce."

To help make this transformative milestone in the American manufacturing industry possible, the Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency (SCIDA) has preliminarily approved a transaction to assist Orbic Electronics Manufacturing, LLC in transitioning its operations from China to Hauppauge, NY. This will bring over 500 jobs and a $30.8 million investment that will help bolster Suffolk County's thriving manufacturing sector. With the SCIDA's support, Orbic Electronics Manufacturing plans to lease and renovate an existing 70,000 square-foot building, which sits on a five-acre parcel of land at 555 Wireless Blvd, Hauppauge, NY. The investment into renovating the building and adding cutting-edge manufacturing technology is expected to achieve a mass production target of five million units per year. This venture is anticipated to create employment opportunities for more than 1,000 people within five years. Training and development will be offered to all new hires, ensuring a robust and proficient workforce.

"This project is a testament to the Suffolk County IDA's mission to advance the United States' manufacturing industry and show the world that Suffolk County is the home of innovation and prosperity," said Kelly Murphy, Acting Executive Director of the Suffolk IDA. "Orbic Electronics is an incredible addition to our thriving roster of more than 2,000 manufacturing companies throughout Suffolk County. We are excited for what the future holds, and we are proud to support this project."

Mike Narula, President and CEO of Orbic Electronics, stated, "This initiative is a stride forward in our vision of a sustainable, job-creating future. Project Patriot is set to be a very exciting time in our company's history, and Suffolk County is the perfect location for the bulk of our work to advance the production of American-Made products and grow American manufacturing jobs. Having our products read 'Made in America' is a tremendous point of pride for us, and it will also allow our company to bolster the local economy, helping other vendors in Suffolk County succeed alongside us."

We invite you to join us on this journey as we lay the groundwork for a new era in American manufacturing. For more information, please contact Diana O'Brien, Head of Marketing, at [email protected] or visit our website at https://orbic.us/.

About Orbic

Orbic thinks outside of the mainstream and reimagines your connected experience. Using best-in-class technology, Orbic provides meaningful features to customers seeking something unique and accessible to all, without exclusion.

A leader in developing and manufacturing mobile solutions that are as innovative as they are useful for smart value-tech consumers, Orbic offers a full portfolio of connected solutions from smartphones and tablets to mobile hotspots and connected laptops.

About Verizon

The Consumer segment provides consumer-focused wireless and wireline communications services and products, as well as FWA broadband and Fios.

Contact: Diana O'Brien

[email protected]

631.240.8337

SOURCE Orbic Electronics Manufacturing, LLC
On the night of January 12, the United States and Britain conducted a military operation against the Houthis in Yemen, launching airstrikes on military targets. Earlier, an ultimatum was issued to the group to stop attacks on ships sailing through the Red Sea.

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Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Hussein said the group would respond if the United States attacked it. "Any American attack will not go unanswered. The response will be bigger than twenty drones and missile launches," he said, referring to the group's shelling of a number of ships the day before.

Where is Yemen located?

Yemen (Republic of Yemen) is a state in Southwest Asia, located in the south of the Arabian Peninsula. According to the 2011 census, the population is over 25 million people, with a territory of 527,970 km. It ranks 49th in the world in terms of both population and land area.

The country's modern independence was proclaimed in 1990, but the entire history of the country dates back more than 3,000 years, so Yemen is one of the oldest countries in the world.

ADVERTISIMENT

Who are the Yemeni Houthis?

The Houthis are a terrorist group supported by Iran. It controls most of Yemen. And after the new war in the Gaza Strip, the Houthis have been systematically attacking Israeli-affiliated ships in the Red Sea and launching rocket attacks on Israeli cities.

The paramilitary structure of the Zaidi Shiites (one of the Shiite branches), which has been operating in Yemen for about 30 years, is called the Houthis. The Ansar Allah group is considered to be the militant wing of the movement. Their goal is to restore the theocratic state that existed in Yemen until 1962. To do this, they use all possible methods, including terrorist ones.

The Houthis are considered "puppies of Iran" because Tehran's interest in Yemen is to control oil resources and the country's strategic position with regard to ships moving through the Suez Canal. This would increase their geopolitical influence.

ADVERTISIMENT

As reported by OBOZ.UA, earlier the White House spokesman John Kirby said that the actions of the Houthis in the Red Sea are "illegal and escalating." The US will do everything possible to protect civilian shipping in the region.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Growing global spending on pet products and services and rising the significance of stringent testing measures are anticipated to drive the growth of the global pet food testing market during the forecast period. The North America region held the majority of the market share in 2022.

WILMINGTON, Del., Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research has recently published a report, titled, " Pet Food Testing Market by Type (Label Validation and Marketability Testing, Nutritional Analysis, Packaging Leak Detection, Stability Study, Others), by Application (Dog Food, Cat Food, Others), by Pet Food Type (Dry, Wet, Snacks and Treats): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032". According to the report, the global pet food testing market generated $6.9 billion in 2022, and is anticipated to generate $11.4 billion by 2032, witnessing a CAGR of 5.2% from 2023 to 2032.

Request Sample Report: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/290325

Prime Determinants of Growth

The pet food testing market is observing growth mainly due to the increasing global spending on pet products and services and rising significance of stringent testing measures. Additionally, the growing consumer awareness regarding pet food ingredients and a heightened preference for personalized and premium offerings are driving the market's growth. However, the increasing operational costs, rising market fragmentation, and intensifying competition, particularly among small and mid-size companies are anticipated to hamper market growth during the forecast period. On the other hand, the increasing consumer emphasis on personalized pet nutrition, coupled with rising awareness of ingredient quality and a surge in pet adoption rates, is expected to unlock growth opportunities in the pet food testing market.

Report Coverage & Details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20232032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $6.9billion Market Size in 2032 $11.4billion CAGR 5.2 % No. of Pages in Report 310 Segments covered Type, Application, Pet Food Type, and Region Drivers  Increasing global spending on pet products  Growing emphasis on pet health and well-being Opportunities  Growing consumer demand for transparency in pet food labeling and a heightened focus on the quality of pet products  Rising trend towards personalized pet nutrition Restraints  High cost of pet food testing and intense competition

COVID-19 Scenario:

The COVID-19 pandemic imposed a significant impact on the global pet food testing market, creating operational challenges that temporarily restrained the market growth. Supply chain disruptions and remote work constraints compelled testing laboratories to operate at limited capacity, hindering the seamless flow of testing procedures.

However, the pandemic also underscored the importance of pet food safety, subsequently driving an increased demand for rigorous testing measures.

As the world adapts to a post-pandemic landscape, the rising focus on health and safety is expected to act as a driving force, boosting the pet food testing market's recovery and fostering innovations to meet evolving industry needs.

Buy This Report (300 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) @ https://bit.ly/3tthkoZ

Type: Nutritional Analysis Sub-Segment Expected to Grow with Highest CAGR by 2032

The nutritional analysis sub-segment dominated the global pet food testing market share in 2022, holding a major share of 28.6%. This growth is mainly because nutritional analysis plays a crucial role in helping pet food manufacturers ensure compliance with stringent regulations, meeting required nutritional standards and claims. As pet owners increasingly prioritize transparency and seek detailed information about pet food, comprehensive nutritional analysis services provide a competitive advantage, fostering trust and loyalty.

Application: Dog Food Sub-Segment to Grab Highest Market Share by 2032

The dog food sub-segment led the market in 2022, holding a substantial share of 41.6%. This dominance is expected to continue by 2032, holding a major share of 39.1%. The growth of the sub-segment is mainly because of the increasing adoption of advanced testing methods, such as spectroscopy and chromatography, driving more thorough and reliable nutritional analysis. These technological advancements ensure compliance with regulatory standards, providing a competitive edge.

Pet Food Type: Dry Sub-Segment to Grow with Highest CAGR by 2032

The dry sub-segment dominated the market in 2022, holding a major share of 61.1%. This growth is mainly due to the increasing popularity driven by a longer shelf-life, easy storage, and cost-effectiveness compared to wet pet food and snacks & treats.

By Region: North America Held the Dominant Position in 2022

The North America region dominated the global pet food testing market in 2022, holding a major share of 35.7%. This is mainly due to the U.S. holding one of the world's largest pet industries, leading to a rising demand for both pet food and testing services. The region's dominance is further driven by stringent U.S. regulatory standards, driving pet food manufacturers and testing facilities to continually advance and innovate their testing services to meet high-quality and safety requirements, thus boosting the demand for transparency and quality in pet food testing.

Enquire Before Buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/290325

Leading Players in the Pet Food Testing Market:

Tentamus Group GmbH

Intertek Group plc

Merieux NutriSciences - South Africa

Pet Food Test Lab

SGS Societe Generale de Surveillance SA

Agrolab GmbH

Eurofins Scientific

NSF

Kemin Industries, Inc.

Neogen Corporation

The report provides a detailed analysis of the key players of the global pet food testing market. These players have adopted different strategies, such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain their dominance in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

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About Us

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of " Market Research Reports " and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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SOURCE Allied Market Research
Financial assistance and energy-saving tips and tools are available to help customers manage seasonal bills

VIDEO: Factors that contribute to customers' natural gas bills

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As winter weather and below-freezing temperatures move across the Southeast, Piedmont Natural Gas is reminding customers of tips and resources that can help them manage their home energy use and, in turn, save money on their energy bills.

Higher energy consumption related to colder temperatures is the largest contributor to increases in the average household's home-heating expenditures during the winter months. A video explaining the factors that contribute to customers' natural gas bills is available on Piedmont's website.

"The downward trend in the cost of natural gas has allowed Piedmont to provide some relief during the winter months, when increased usage driven by colder temperatures often results in higher bills," said Sasha Weintraub, senior vice president and president of Piedmont Natural Gas.

"Even with these cost reductions, some customers may continue to struggle with paying their monthly bills or may just be looking for opportunities to keep their expenses down. Piedmont remains committed to being a resource for our customers, from helping them take steps to lower their natural gas bill to offering payment assistance programs," Weintraub added.

Low- to no-cost energy-saving tips and projects

Natural gas use typically spikes in the winter as customers combat low temperatures to stay warm. Below are tips to help manage your energy use when temperatures decline. B-roll of energy-efficiency measures is available here.

Set your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting to help save. Installing a "smart" or programmable thermostat will also help reduce your energy use while you are asleep or away.

Leave drapes or blinds open during sunny winter days to allow the sun to warm the house. Close drapes and blinds at night, to help insulate your home as windows can allow heat to escape.

Change air filters regularly. A dirty air filter makes a heating system work harder, which uses more energy.

Manage your water heating temperature. Set your water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or consider installing an on-demand or tankless water heater that only heats water when you need it.

Seal air ducts. Make sure the air ducts from your home's furnace and central air conditioner are properly sealed. Ducts that leak into the attic or crawl space can substantially increase your heating and cooling bills.

Seal your home. One of the quickest energy-saving tasks you can do is caulk, seal and weatherstrip all seams, cracks and openings to the outside. This can save 10% to 20% on your heating and cooling bills.

Consider insulation. Consider whether you need to add insulation to your ceilings, floors and walls. Insulation between the indoors and outdoors reduces energy demand, saving you money while improving the comfort of your home.

Level out your bill with the Equal Payment Plan (EPP) program

This free service helps customers manage their budgets by eliminating high winter bills. The EPP program levels out a customer's natural gas bills, allowing them to pay a predictable, equal monthly amount to help avoid billing surprises. Piedmont determines this payment by adding up a customer's annual natural gas usage and then dividing it into the same payment amount each month. Learn more here.

Energy-saving tools

Piedmont Natural Gas also offers a variety of energy-saving tools to help customers and our communities identify ways to save money and energy all year long. These programs and tools help customers understand what factors are impacting their natural gas bills and emphasize specific actions they can take to prepare and reduce the impacts of high winter usage.

Assistance for customers in need

Share the Warmth provides funds to local agencies to assist families with their utility bills, no matter the source of energy they use. Contact information for approved assistance agencies across Piedmont's service area is available at piedmontng.com/ShareTheWarmth.

The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) provides winter heating assistance to pay for natural gas, electric and other methods customers use to heat their homes. There are many customers who are eligible but do not apply for this annual federal benefit that can reduce winter heating costs for low-income families.

Piedmont says anyone in need should apply for this and other newly available programs to see if they qualify. For detailed federal and state-specific information, go to piedmontng.com/WinterBills and click on your state.

Piedmont Natural Gas

Piedmont Natural Gas, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, distributes natural gas to more than 1.1 million residential, commercial, industrial and power generation customers in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Piedmont Natural Gas earned the No. 1 spot in customer satisfaction with residential natural gas service in the South among large utilities for the second year in a row, according to the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Gas Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study, and has been named by Cogent Reports as one of the most trusted utility brands in the U.S. More information: piedmontng.com. Follow Piedmont Natural Gas: Twitter, Facebook.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,600 people.

Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets of at least 50% reduction from electric generation by 2030, 50% for Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions by 2035, and 80% from electric generation by 2040. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2023 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "World's Best Employers" list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Media contact: Jason Wheatley

Media Line: 877.348.3612

[email protected]

Twitter: @PNG_JasonW

SOURCE Piedmont Natural Gas
Mayor Oh Se-hoon at the CES 2024 in Las Vegas on Jan. 9 (local time) Congratulated Innovative Companies

on (local time) Congratulated Innovative Companies 81 Seoul Startup companies participated in 'Eureka Park,' the national startup exhibition center at CES 2024

Met with Innovation Award Winners at a meeting, encourages companies, Pledges to help remove industry regulations that prevent global expansion and commercialization

SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Seoul Metropolitan Government operates the largest Seoul Pavilion ever at CES 2024, the world's largest consumer electronics and IT expo. It opened in Las Vegas, USA, for four days from January 9th (Tuesday) to 12th (Friday).

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon visited the opening ceremony in the pavilion on January 9th at 10 AM (local time) to network with global companies, startups, governments, and IT experts worldwide to promote Seoul's smart city competitiveness and Korean companies to the world stage.

Seoul Metropolitan Government hosts the largest-ever Seoul Pavilion at CES 2024 with 18 innovation awards recipients

CES is the world's largest ICT expo, organized by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) and held every January in Las Vegas. Global companies leading the IT industry trends and startups with cutting-edge technologies participate. It is a business platform for investors, technologists, and customers worldwide.

Seoul Metropolitan Government first participated in CES in 2020 with 20 companies and has been operating the <Seoul Pavilion> to support investment promotion and sales of innovative companies based in Seoul. As the number of participating companies and innovation awards given to innovative technologies and products has been increasing, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said it plans to expand the city-led public-private entrepreneurship ecosystem to help innovative startups get noticed by investors.

The following COVID-19 pandemic halted face-to-face exchanges after CES 2020, but Seoul startups continued to expand their presence and fame. In the online-only 2021 edition, despite decreasing participants to 15, Seoul Pavilion saw 2 Innovation Award Winners for the first time in its CES exhibition history. In the online-physical hybrid 2022 edition, exhibitors increased to 25 with 6 Innovation Award Winners. When CES returned to its original state in 2023, exhibitors and Award Winners nearly tripled to 66 and 17, respectively. This year, 2024, Seoul Pavilion featured a record-setting 81 exhibiting startups and 18 Innovation Award Winners.

This year's partners include 13 institutes such as Seoul Economic Promotion Agency, Seoul BioHub, Seoul AI Hub, Gwanak-gu, Korea University, Yonsei University, Sogang University, Hanyang University, Chung-Ang University, Konkuk University, Kookmin University, and Kyunghee University.

At CES 2024 <Seoul Pavilion>, Eureka Park (Tech West), a 670 square-meter national startup exhibition hall, in cooperation with 13 organizations, including Seoul BioHub and Seoul AI Hub, will showcase the innovative technologies and products of 81 Seoul-based startups to investors from around the world.

Of the 81 companies participating in the Seoul Pavilion, 18 won the CES 2024 Innovation Awards. TopTable (personalized nutrition) and LordSystem (mobile passport) won the Best of Innovation Award - only given to the selected 1% of all exhibiting companies. Seoul Pavilion Exhibitors who won the CES 2024 Innovation Awards, including two companies stated above, are as follows:

From Healthcare Category

a. DNA Corporation: Solutions based on genetic analysis technology

b. TopTable: 4D Food Printing Personalized Nutrition System

c. Solive Ventures: Sensory toys to reduce stereotyped behavior in autistic children

d. MetaImmuneTech: Immunity In-Vitro Diagnostics

e. mpWAV: Hearing aids utilizing smartphones and earphones

f. LinkSolutech: Disposable Endoscope Cap

g. Pantomics: Cardiac MRI image analysis and Software Medical Devices

h. BarunBio: Microelectrostimulation Healthcare Solutions

i. Plcoskin: Advanced Regenerative Medical Devices Tissue Regeneration Platform

j. Hurotics: Lower body strength training robotic suit for rehabilitation and professional athletes

k. RuahLab: Wearable Sleep Monitoring and Apnea Care Devices

From Data-AI Category

a. LordSystem: Mobile passport identity authentication-based tourism and finance O2O platform

b. Onoma AI: Webtoon creation AI and Character creation platforms

c. Nation-A: 3D Character Modeling and Animation Creation Solutions

From Quantum Category

a. QsimPlus: Specialized Near Field Quantum Communication Networks for Mobile Robots

b. SQK: Next-generation quantum computers with SW quantum computing accelerators

From other categories

a. Mirroroid (Manufacturing): Detachable Beauty Solution Smart Mirror

b. Pablo Air (Mobility): Drones for art shows, UAM Traffic Control System

The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) established the CES Innovation Awards in 1976 to honor innovative products and new technologies for their technical, aesthetic, and creative qualities. Global company executives and industry experts respect the CES Innovation Awards as the highest honor. This year's CES honored 36 Best of Innovation and 522 Innovation Awards in 29 categories.

Mayor Oh visited the opening event of the Seoul Pavilion at 11:00 AM on Thursday, September 9th, along with around 100 guests, including CTA Chairman Gary Shapiro and representatives from participating companies. Mayor Oh visited the booths of companies participating in the Seoul Pavilion, experienced their innovative technologies and products on display, and promised to provide all-out support to help innovative startups expand their technologies and services to overseas markets.

The opening ceremony began with a video of Seoulites cheering for Seoul startups. It featured the 'Lighting of the Seoul Startup Innovation Tree,' symbolizing the growth of startup seeds sowed by Seoul into global companies.

This year's <Seoul Pavilion> exhibits innovative technology products from Healthcare (31), AI (25), Manufacturing (11), Mobility (7), ESG (4), and Quantum (3) fields from 81 companies, as well as pitching and networking programs for global investors and buyers.

Mayor Oh held a luncheon meeting with representatives of innovation award winner companies to encourage companies with good results with innovative technologies and products amid the global investment crisis and to hear firsthand about regulations and difficulties in worldwide expansion and commercialization.

In particular, he said that the Seoul Metropolitan Government should expand its support for removing regulatory barriers that hinder entrepreneurship in new industries and new technology startups and that Seoul should be a delivery platform to the central government regarding the release of regulations on their part.

SOURCE Seoul Metropolitan Government
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tuya Smart ("Tuya" or the "Company") (NYSE: TUYA; HKEX: 2391), a global IoT developer service provider, successfully held the "Tuya Developer Day" event at CES 2024, which featured engaging discussions on the innovation and implementation of cutting-edge technologies such as AI and IoT with renowned institutions and enterprises in the fields of connection protocols, semiconductors, and cloud services. The event also explored ways to build a safer and more sustainable interconnected world.

Building on the main theme of CES 2024, "All Together, All On", Tuya remains committed to fostering collaborative innovation. The establishment of the theme "All Together, All On Smart" resonates with Tuya's unwavering dedication to creating a connected and intelligent world. Through an immersive showroom and by hosting "Tuya Developer Day", the company not only showcases its technological prowess but also exemplifies its confidence in collaborating with global developers. This collaborative spirit aims to collectively discern industry trends and unlock future development opportunities. This vision seamlessly aligns with the perspective embedded in Tuya's Four Signature Colors, particularly the vibrant Aurora Pink, symbolizing a harmonious and forward-looking approach to smart technology.

The event featured leading brands and associations from around the world, including AWS, Bluetooth SIG, Connectivity Standards Alliance, ioXt, Silicon Labs, Thread Group and Wi-Fi Alliance. Representatives shared valuable insights into the rapid development of connectivity protocols and security compliance environment for the IoT industry.

Innovation in Connected Home Services

Panel No. 1: What's New on Wireless Connectivity

Ross Luo, General Manager of Tuya Smart's Asia Pacific Region, led the first panel discussion on "What's New on Wireless Connectivity." Speakers discussed the innovation and iteration of wireless connectivity technology, providing fresh insights into using IoT technology to revitalize the smart home market.

Kevin Robinson, CEO of Wi-Fi Alliance, shared insights into the latest Wi-Fi 7 technology stating "Advanced Wi-Fi 7 capabilities fast track the future of connectivity in home and industrial environments, and the latest Wi-Fi offers a strong foundation on which our members can innovate. One of the most requested new Wi-Fi 7 features includes multi-link operation (MLO), allowing devices to transmit and receive data simultaneously over multiple links for increased throughput, reduced latency, and improved reliability. Wi-Fi Alliance introduced Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7 this week, facilitating worldwide product interoperability and a robust ecosystem of devices."

"This last year, in our 25th anniversary, the Bluetooth SIG reached over 40,000 member companies who shipped over 5 billion Bluetooth enabled products in 2023 alone," said Ken Kolderup, CMO of the Bluetooth SIG. "Enabling technology companies like Tuya play a vital role within the Bluetooth eco-system and are a key reason for the tremendous success of Bluetooth technology."

Tobin Richardson, President and CEO of Connectivity Standards Alliance, discussed the role of Matter in enhancing IoT interoperability. "Matter strives to improve the interoperability of the Internet of Things (IoT), offering manufacturers valuable advantages as an open standard and empowering end-users with a broader array of alternatives. The active involvement of Alliance Members and the Board, including key players like Tuya, is pivotal in seamlessly incorporating Matter into product solutions. Through collaborative efforts, Matter is poised to introduce continuous updates and releases, evolving into a more comprehensive and unified standard for smart homes."

Kevin Kraus, Treasurer of Thread Group, highlighted the characteristics and recent development of Thread technology. "As a leading IoT communication protocol, Thread is undergoing rapid development and innovative breakthroughs. With the release of the latest 1.3.0 version, widely acknowledged in the industry for its technological advantages such as safety, reliability, no single point of failure, simple connection, and low energy consumption, Thread Group solidifies its position at the forefront of IoT advancements. In the future, we will continue to strengthen collaboration with partners like Tuya to break industry barriers within the smart home landscape, providing users with a seamless and all-encompassing smart life experience across various scenes."

What should system integrators and platforms prioritize?

Panel No. 2: Security is Always the TOP Priority for IoT

Later on, Gavin Gao, Regional Director of North America of Tuya Smart, hosted the second panel discussion on "Security is Always the TOP Priority for IoT". Speakers shared insights and practices on the latest security and compliance, focusing on promoting stable and sustainable security development in the IoT industry.

Grace Burkard, Director of Operations of ioXt, discussed the mission of ioXt to build confidence in the security of IoT products. "Consumers' demand for the security and privacy protection of IoT devices is increasing, and ioXt is pleased to continue working with Tuya. This will accelerate the implementation of smart product security assessment and certification throughout the industry, thereby helping end-consumers achieve a better and secure experience."

Gustavo Hernandez, Director IoT Software and Applications of Silicon Labs, stated, "IoT security is a global top priority. Silicon Labs has been strengthening its Secure Vault technology, customized parts manufacturing services, and third-party certification solutions to ensure that users experience reliable and secure smart home applications. In the future, Silicon Labs will also work together with Tuya to continuously help the industry innovate security technologies and build a safer and more interconnected world."

Ram Ramani, Security Principal at AWS, addressed how device manufacturers can leverage AWS to build Matter compliant devices. "AWS Private CA provides an easy to use, economical enterprise grade PKI solution which can help customers achieve secure seamless connection and interaction between different types of smart devices at a lower cost while providing flexibility and ease of use."

The Tuya Developer Day at CES 2024 showcased Tuya's open approach, fostering closer collaboration with industry chain partners, including telecommunications technology, connectivity protocols, consumer electronics, and product security certification. Tuya will leverage its smart platforms and cutting-edge technologies such as AI, IoT, and cloud computing to empower vertical industries, actively working with global partners to achieve ESG goals.

SOURCE Tuya Smart
Bookings Now Open for Three Exclusive Itineraries Exploring China in 2024

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Viking (www.viking.com) today announced three new, first-of-their-kind itineraries that will provide guests with exclusive access to China in 2024. The new voyages range from 10 to 20 days and explore iconic cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Each itinerary also includes a domestic sailing of China's coast that highlights rarely-seen destinations and ports to which only Viking has accesssomething that has never before been offered for international visitors. The new voyages will operate from September to November on the Viking Yi Dunformerly the Viking Suna sister ship featuring the same award-winning design and service as all other ocean ships in Viking's fleet. The Chinese-flagged Viking Yi Dun will be the first ship dedicated specifically to the foreign market to operate domestic sailings in China. Each voyage will offer The Viking Way of exploration, with immersive experiences to introduce guests to the people, history and culture of China, including insightful lectures, Chinese-inspired cuisine and destination experts. 

Viking today announced three new, first-of-their-kind voyages that will provide guests with exclusive access to China in 2024. The new itineraries range from 10 to 20 days and will operate from September to November on the Viking Yi Dunformerly the Viking Suna sister ship on Vikings award-winning ocean fleet. Pictured here, the Viking Yi Dun docked in Shanghai. For more information, visit www.viking.com.

"We are proud that Viking will be the first to operate domestic sailings in China for international travelers. Our guests are curious travelers who are interested in experiences that broaden their mindand China, with one of the richest cultures in the world, has been inspiring travelers for centuries," said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. "For more than 15 years, our Yangtze River voyages were among our highest-rated itineraries. We brought guests to China's Yangtze River, to Beijing, to the Great Wall, to the Terra Cotta Warriors and to many other iconic places in this captivating nation. We introduced the real China to our guests, and visiting local school children was always a particular highlight. Now, we are delighted to offer such encounters once again with new voyages to a destination that never ceases to capture the imagination."

New China Voyages

Wonders of China  20 days; Beijing roundtrip  This comprehensive 20-day cruisetour itinerary delivers China's main highlights. Guests can meet a Tibetan family at their home, walk on the Great Wall and see the Terra Cotta Warriors. Additionally, guests experience the scenic coast of Dongtou and have opportunities to explore Gulangyu Island in Xiamen , a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Shenzhen , a UNESCO city of design.

  This comprehensive 20-day cruisetour itinerary delivers main highlights. Guests can meet a Tibetan family at their home, walk on the Great Wall and see the Terra Cotta Warriors. Additionally, guests experience the scenic coast of Dongtou and have opportunities to explore Gulangyu Island in , a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and , a UNESCO city of design. Classic China & the Coast  15 days ; Beijing , Xian  Hong Kong ( Shenzhen )  This voyage combines the experiences of Viking's 10-day China Discovery voyage with opportunity to see the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Terra Cotta Warriors and other iconic landmarks. While sailing China's coastline, guests can experience a phenomenal diversity in languages, cultures and cuisines.

 ;  This voyage combines the experiences of Viking's 10-day voyage with opportunity to see the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Terra Cotta Warriors and other iconic landmarks. While sailing coastline, guests can experience a phenomenal diversity in languages, cultures and cuisines. China Discovery  10 days; Shanghai  Hong Kong ( Shenzhen )  This 10-day itinerary allows guests to experience the Buddhist shrines of Zhoushan and the cliffs of Dongtou, follow the steps of 19th-century European diplomats on Gulangyu Island in Xiamen , or try Cantonese dim sum in Shenzhen .

To learn more about the itineraries and why China is such a captivating destination, Viking has also published two new videos: Executive Vice President Karine Hagen invites travelers to learn more about these exclusive-to-Viking China voyages here, and Viking Vice President of Product Development Joost Ouendag provides an in-depth overview of the new voyages and the unique opportunity to be immersed in the history, culture and natural wonders of the Middle Kingdom here.

The Viking Yi Dun

Dedicated specifically to exploring destinations in China, with an onboard experience that complements guests' discoveries ashore, the Viking Yi Dun is a sister ship in Viking's award-winning ocean fleet. Classified by Cruise Critic as "small ships," Viking's ocean vessels have a gross tonnage of 47,800 tons, with 465 staterooms that host 930 guests; the ships feature all veranda staterooms, Scandinavian design, light-filled public spaces and abundant al fresco dining options.

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, including the new coastal China itineraries. Space is limited for 2024 departures. Call Viking toll free at 1-855-8-VIKING (1-855-884-5464) or contact a travel advisor for details.

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
Ankara, Jan 12 : Turkish Petroleum Refineries Corporation (TUPRAS) has confirmed that the tanker seized in the Sea of Oman was carrying oil to Turkey.

TUPRAS said on Thursday in a statement that the Marshall Islands-flagged ship, named "St Nikolas," is "carrying nearly 140,000 tons of crude oil which we purchased from the Iraqi state oil company SOMO and is on its way from Basra Port to be delivered to our refinery".

"There is no Turkish crew on the ship, and the issue is being followed up in cooperation with national and international authorities," the Turkish firm added.

All refinery operations are continuing as planned and the incident has no impact on the refinery operations, it said.

Earlier on Thursday, the British Marine Trade Operations said the communication with their tanker was cut off after four to five masked people boarded near the Gulf of Oman, Xinhua news agency reported.

The ship's owner, the Greek shipowner Empire Navigation, said that the tanker, which was loaded with oil in Iraq's Basra port, was heading to Turkey via the Suez Canal. The company announced that the ship was rented by TUPRAS.

Iran's Navy reported on Thursday the seizure of an American oil tanker in the Sea of Oman, citing retaliation for the US "stealing" of Iran's oil in April 2023, according to a statement published on the Iranian army's public relations website.

The statement said the Navy took control of the "St Nikolas" tanker on Thursday morning following a judicial order and confirmation from Iran's Ports and Maritime Organisation.

The vessel, previously named "Suez Rajan," had "stolen" an Iranian oil cargo under US guidance last year, the statement said, adding that the Iranian oil was then transferred to US ports and handed over to the US.

The US Justice Department admitted last September that it seized a tanker loaded with Iranian oil in April 2023, identifying it as "Suez Rajan," a Greek-managed tanker that carried 980,000 barrels of crude oil.
Ayodhya, Jan 12 : In a clear indication of changing political alignments ahead of Lok Sabha elections, Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA from Amethi, Rakesh Pratap Singh, on Thursday met Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra General Secretary Champat Rai.

Singh asked mediapersons not to politicise his visit.

The SP leader met Champat Rai and said that he has written a letter to the Uttar Pradesh Assembly Speaker to take those MLAs to the 'Pran Pratishtha' programme on January 22, who have faith in Lord Ram.

"I have written a letter to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly demanding that he should take along those MLAs of Uttar Pradesh who have faith and belief in Lord Ram, who are born in Hindu religion and know Sanatan Dharma because Ayodhya is in Uttar Pradesh from where we are MLAs and hence it is our right to participate in the 'Pran Pratishtha' on January 22," he added.

He also said that he has only come to have the 'darshan' of Lord Ram and there is no politics in this.

"Today I came to have 'darshan' of Lord Ram and to pay my respects to the Trustee. Do not connect this with politics in any way. It is not right to connect religious sentiments with politics. We do politics through the spirit of service," he added.

Interestingly, the SP MLA's visit comes at a time when his party's stand is still not clear on whether they will attend the 'Pran Pratishtha' programme on January 22.

Recently, a poster has been put up outside the SP office with the message, "Our revered Lord Shri Ram is coming" ahead of the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony.

In response to the poster outside the SP office, Bharma Shankar Tripathi, a leader from the party, said that "Lord Ram is revered by all, and therefore, no one has exclusive rights over him, he belongs to everyone".

"The party has put up this poster outside the party office to express that we all consider Lord Ram as our revered deity," he added.

Meanwhile, calling the Ram Temple inauguration an event of the BJP and RSS, Congress has turned down the invitation for the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of Ram Lalla, scheduled later this month in Ayodhya.
Kanpur, Jan 12 : In a second suspected case of suicide in the last one month, a second-year MTech student at IIT-Kanpur has been found dead in his hostel room, the police said, making it the second such incident in the premium institute within a month.

A senior police officer said on Thursday that though the exact reason behind the death is yet to be ascertained, the 31-year-old student was temporarily "terminated" from the institute recently after he failed to clear his exams in three attempts.

The student, a resident of Meerut, was found dead by fellow hostellers, Dhananjay Pandey, Station House Officer (SHO), Kalyanpur police station, said.

They then informed the authorities, who called the police.

"Police came to know about the incident after which a team was sent to the spot," the SHO added.

The deceased had enrolled in the aerospace engineering course at the premium institute in 2021.

"Prima facie it has emerged that the student took the extreme step after failing to clear the exams in three attempts, leading to his termination from the IIT," Pandey said.

The students who are terminated by the institute may appeal to get reinstated and reappear for exams, the officer said.

"The exact cause of death will be ascertained after the autopsy and forensic reports," the SHO added.

The father of the deceased said his son had recently visited the family. He was terminated by IIT Kanpur on January 4 and had the institute informed the family about it, they could have done something to help him, he added.

"He did not share anything with us about the termination. If we knew something like that had happened, we would have saved him," the father said.

A senior police officer said the student had left a note, which was missing.

"Some of his friends took away the note and passed it on to the family of the deceased," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), West, Vijay Dhull.

"The family has given in writing that it lost the suicide note."

IIT Kanpur in a statement said the institute mourns the untimely demise of an academically bright student, who enrolled in the MTech degree programme in 2021.

"A forensic team has taken stock of the situation, and the institute is waiting for the police to determine the exact reason behind the death," the institute added.

On December 20, a senior research scholar was found dead in the college.
London, Jan 12 : The UK economy is nearly 140 billion British pounds ($178.7 billion), or six per cent, smaller than it would have been because of Brexit, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said.

The country's departure from the EU has also cost London's economy more than 30 billion pounds, Khan added on Thursday during a speech in the City of London, quoting a report by Cambridge Econometrics commissioned by City Hall.

"Brexit is simply not a peripheral concern that we can leave in the past -- it's a key contributor to the cost-of-living crisis right now and it's resulting in lost opportunities, lost business and lost income at a time when people and companies can least afford it," the London Mayor said, according to an official statement as quoted by Xinhua news agency report.

The average Briton was nearly 2,000 pounds worse off in 2023, while the average Londoner was nearly 3,400 pounds worse off last year as a result of Brexit, the report showed.

The economic damage is only going to get worse, it added, noting that more than 300 billion pounds is set to be wiped off the value of the UK economy by 2035 if no action is taken. (1 British pound = $1.28)
Yemen's Houthis launch fresh missile attack on ship in Gulf of Aden: US Navy. Image Source: IANS News

Sanaa, Jan 12 : Yemen's Houthi group has launched a new attack on a cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden, using a ballistic missile, the US Central Command wrote on social media platform X.

"At around 2 a.m. local time (2300 GMT on Wednesday), the Iranian-backed Houthis fired an anti-ship ballistic missile from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen into international shipping lanes in the Gulf of Aden. One commercial vessel reported visually observing the missile impact the water," the post said on Thursday.

So far, there were no injuries or damage reported, it said, adding that the attack is the 27th by the Houthis on international shipping since November 19, 2023, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Houthi group has made no comment yet.

The fresh attack occurred a few hours after the UN Security Council adopted a new resolution to condemn the Houthi attacks on the international shipping lines, demanding the group to immediately cease all such attacks, which violate international law.

The Houthis control much of northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa and the strategic Red Sea port city of Hodeidah.
Washington, Jan 12 : The US and UK militaries launched strikes against several used by the Houthi rebels in Yemen, a US official and a UK official told the media.

The strikes were from fighter jets and Tomahawk missiles. More than a dozen Houthi targets were hit by missiles fired from air, surface, and sub-platforms and were chosen for their ability to degrade the Houthis' continued attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, a second US official told CNN.

They included radar systems, drone storage and launch sites, ballistic missile storage and launch sites, and cruise missile storage and launch sites, CNN reported.

The strikes mark a significant response after the Biden administration and its allies warned that the Iran-backed militant group would bear the consequences of repeated drone and missile attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

The strikes are a sign of the growing international alarm over the threat to one of the world's most critical waterways. For weeks, the US had sought to avoid direct strikes on Yemen because of the risk of escalation in a region already simmering with tension, but the ongoing Houthi attacks on international shipping compelled the coalition to act, CNN reported.

Senior administration officials briefed Congressional leadership earlier on Thursday on the US plans, according to a Congressional source.

The strikes come as Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin remains hospitalised following complications from a surgery for prostate cancer.

Though the US has carried out strikes against Iranian proxies in Iraq and Syria since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, this marks the first known strike against the Houthis in Yemen. They come at a time of huge tension in the Middle East as the US looks to ensure the war in Gaza does not spill out into the wider region. The Biden administration had been wary of striking the Houthis, worrying it could upset a delicate cease-fire between the militant group and Saudi Arabia that was achieved after years of war.

But the White House had made clear the repeated Houthi attacks on international shipping lanes in the southern Red Sea were intolerable. The attacks have forced some of the world's largest shipping companies to avoid the waterway, instead adding thousands of miles to international shipping routes by sailing around the continent of Africa.

Hours before the strike on Thursday, Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder said Iran "has a role to play" in getting the Houthis to stop their "reckless, dangerous, and illegal activity". If they did not, he said, "there will be consequences."

In a speech on Thursday, Houthi leader Abdul Malek Al-Houthi said that any US attack on Yemen "will not go unanswered," cryptically warning that the response will be "much more" than attacking US ships in the sea, CNN reported.

On Thursday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned while travelling in the region that "if it doesn't stop, there will have to be consequences. And unfortunately, it hasn't stopped".

Blinken also said he doesn't believe the war in Gaza is escalating into a regional conflict, even as he warned of "a lot of danger points". While in the region, Blinken visited Bahrain, home to the US Naval Forces Central Command and the Navy's Fifth Fleet.

An important aspect of Blinken's trip to the Middle East was to tell regional leaders that if US takes military action against the Houthis, it should be seen as defensive, not escalatory, according to a senior State Department official.

The Houthis -- an Iran-backed Shia political and military organisation that has been fighting a civil war in Yemen against a coalition backed by Saudi Arabia -- have been launching drones and missiles at commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea for weeks, many of which have been intercepted and shot down by US Navy ships in the area.

The rebel group has said that it is acting in support of Hamas' fight against Israel in Gaza, following Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7.

On Wednesday, the United Nations Security Council passed a US- and Japan-led resolution condemning "in the strongest terms the at least two dozen Houthi attacks on merchant and commercial vessels since November 19, 2023" and demanding "that the Houthis immediately cease all such attacks". Eleven countries voted in favor of the resolution. Four abstained, including China and Russia. A Western diplomat told CNN that the US accommodated some of China's requests on the language of the resolution.

US strikes in Yemen are not unprecedented; according to the Council on Foreign Relations, the US has conducted nearly 400 airstrikes in Yemen since 2002. But White House and Pentagon officials have said since Hamas' invasion that they do not want to see the conflict in Gaza expand into the region, CNN reported.

John Kirby, Spokesman for the National Security Council, said last week that the US is "not looking for a conflict with the Houthis".

Among the US' concerns about taking direct action inside Yemen is the risk of upsetting a carefully brokered truce in the war in Yemen between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, which a US official previously told CNN the Biden administration considers one of its most significant foreign policy achievements.

The US and its allies issued a warning to the Houthis on January 3, saying in a joint statement that 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".
New Delhi, Jan 12 : He may have cracked the prestigious BITS entrance but during his time there, what interested him more was writing plays and sketching. He soon realised, not Thermodynamics but looking inside people's minds interested him. And that is when he decided to do an animation course in Singapore next.

Filmmaker Ishan Shukla, whose dystopian sci-fi animation film 'Schirkoa: In Lies We Trust', which will have its world premiere at the prestigious 53rd International Film Festival of Rotterdam (IFFR) smiles, "Well, it may sound all cool now, but believe me, I was really worried that time -- what if I don't get a job after the animation course? Of course, I don't generally admit that," he tells IANS.

While he did get a job in Singapore, in less than a year it started getting boring for him.

"In this sea of monotony, I started sketching in my diary and I replaced all the people with a box on their heads. The boxes not only conveyed emotions but also became tools of social and political commentary. It felt like I could make a story and create it into something around what was going on in the world as well. In a way, the film was conceived back in 2010."

Based on his award-winning short with the same name, 'Schirkoa', which played at 120 plus international film festivals and won 33 awards, including Best Animated Short award at the LA Shorts Festival and was longlisted for the Academy Awards, this 103-minute film features principal voices of international film personalities such as Golshifteh Farahani, Asia Argento, SoKo, King Khan And The Shrines, Denzil Smith, John Sutton and introducing Tibu Fortes and Shahbaz Sarwar and guest star voices of Lav Diaz, Karan Johar, Shekhar Kapur, Anurag Kashyap, Piyush Mishra and auteur filmmaker Gasper Noe.

The film's soundtrack is composed by the acclaimed Sneha Khanwalkar, who has created iconic compositions for films like 'Gangs of Wasseypur' and 'Oye Lucky Lucky Oye'.

In a sophisticated perfect society named 'Schirkoa', citizens live with paper bags on their heads to dissolve differences. Tensions rise when the whispers of a mythical land without the bags start to float and a fresh council member sparks an accidental revolution.

One of the rare animator filmmakers to make it to such a prestigious festival, Shukla hopes more Indian animators come forward, "When my short film qualified for the Oscars nominations shortlist, there was a lot of chatter. Many youngsters got in touch. But many of them are now in regular jobs. I wish talented people would keep at it and not get scared by a few years of grind."

While children are the major earners for animation movies, in places like Japan, France and South Korea it is doing well in other demographies as well.

"I am sure animation will catch up with adults in India too, we are slowly seeing that happen. For me, it has always been an adult medium. I tend to see the world through an absurdist lens: for me, animation provocatively amalgamates absurdity and fantasy while still keeping the visual poetry and human moments intact," says the filmmaker, who has been sketching since childhood, and has done consistent theatre in Bhopal.

Talking about the current state of animation in India, he feels that the major reason many people stay away is the lack of people willing to think from the ground up.

Adding that it is tough to find those who can take an idea to an empty piece of paper, he adds, "I have grown up seeing my father act in theatre and my mother write. And economic value is not there when you see animation filmmaking as a career in India. You can't earn much and even the biggest studios are not making money. But we must come out of the shell and start taking calculated risks."

Talk to him about the funding journey of 'Schirkoa' and he remembers that part to be nothing less than "blood-sucking". Most people were interested in animation that catered to children. While some found his idea fascinating, no one was willing to take a risk.

"And then I found my French and German colleagues. They knew exactly what I was trying to achieve. In the last stage, people in India made it possible even though they had not done it before," concludes the filmmaker, who is next going to direct a science fiction and create a video game based on that.

(Sukant Deepak can be contacted at sukant.d@ians.in)
Moscow, Jan 12 : Russia could resort to the use of nuclear weapons if its launchers are attacked by Western missiles, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said.

Medvedev made the remarks on Thursday in a Telegram post in response to recent proposals by the Ukrainian side to use US-supplied long-range missiles to destroy Russian launchers on Russian territory, Xinhua news agency reported.

He added that this wouldn't be a right to self-defence, but a direct and obvious basis for Russia to use nuclear weapons against such a state.

He said this move would be in accordance with Russia's nuclear doctrine, which stipulates the right to nuclear weapons in response to "aggression against the Russian Federation with conventional weapons when the very existence of the state is threatened".
Beirut, Jan 12 : Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati has urged an end to Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon during discussions with US envoy Amos Hochstein.

"We want peace and stability through adherence to international resolutions," Mikati told the Hochstein, who visited Lebanon on Thursday to address the escalating tensions between Hezbollah and Israel, according to a statement by the Lebanese Council of Ministers.

For his part, Hochstein highlighted the need to calm the situation in southern Lebanon and proposed exploring temporary compromises to prevent further escalation, the statement said.

Hochstein also met with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and other officials on the current situation along the Lebanon-Israel borders as well as the conflict in Gaza, Xinhua news agency reported.

Confrontations on the borders continued to intensify on Thursday, with two members of the Civil Defence being killed and four others wounded in an Israeli air strike on Lebanon's southern town of Hanin, a Lebanese military source told Xinhua.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the casualties resulted from an Israeli warplane firing four missiles at a civil defence centre and two adjacent houses in Hanin.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah said its fighters attacked several Israeli sites in al-Baghdadi and al-Motella.
Tel Aviv, Jan 12 : The Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) has attacked the decision by South Africa to take Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague on the charges of alleged genocide in Gaza, with proceedings starting on Thursday.

The CAM in a statement said, "In an attempt to score domestic political points and ingratiate itself with some of the vilest and repressive regimes on earth, South Africa has taken Israel to the ICJ."

It also added that unfortunately, South Africa has a deeply problematic history of utilising international institutions for narrow political purposes to attack the Jewish people.

The statement said: "The 2001 World Conference against Racism (WCAR), also known as Durban I, was appropriated by South Africa and Iran, among others, to malign the Jewish state and Jewish delegates in attendance, while ignoring and abrogating its responsibility to the many real victims of racism and oppression around the world."

The CAM alleged that there was zero legitimacy in accusing a nation fighting genocide of perpetrating the same crime and added that it would be like accusing the allies in the Second World War of perpetrating genocide against the Nazis.

The CAM also said that South Africa had a very problematic history standing against actual perpetrators of genocide.

The statement said: "South Africa is extremely and deviously selective in its accusations of genocide, ignoring the mass murder of Yazidis, the hundreds of thousands of Syrians butchered by their own regime, and countless attempted genocides in Africa."

The CAM statement further said: "In fact, South Africa has displayed a shocking and callous attitude toward the perpetrators of actual genocides in the past, notably when it refused to heed an International Criminal Court (ICC) order in 2015 to arrest former President of Sudan, Omar al-Bashir, betraying the memory of hundreds of thousands killed during the Darfur conflict."

The CAM alleged that it was clear that South Africa has no interest in preventing genocide, and merely aims to propagate a "blood libel" against the national and indigenous homeland of the Jewish people, while lending implicit support for Hamas' exterminationist intentions.

CAM CEO Sacha Roytman Dratwa explains the reason for the release of the statement and added, "South Africa are trying to defame and delegitimise the one Jewish state, and needs to be called out for their hate, anti-semitism and hypocrisy."

He further added, "This manipulation and appropriation of the international legal system to score local domestic points and to lend legal cover and assistance to the genocidal Hamas death squads should be condemned by all decent people and nations around the world."

The CAM is a global coalition engaging more than 830 partner organisations and four million people from a diverse array of religious, political and cultural backgrounds in the common mission of fighting the world's oldest hatred.

CAM acts collaboratively to build a better future, free of bigotry, for Jews and all of humanity.
Basti, Jan 12 : The MP/MLA court in Uttar Pradesh's Basti has allowed additional time of 10 days to the police to confiscate properties belonging to 'absconding' former MLA Amarmani Tripathi.

Basti, Jan 12 (IANS) The MP/MLA court in Uttar Pradesh's Basti has allowed additional time of 10 days to the police to confiscate properties belonging to aabscondinga former MLA Amarmani Tripathi.

The court also dismissed a plea of the former MLAas counsel to reject its earlier order related to the confiscation of Tripathias property.

The Basti police have filed a list of immovable properties belonging to Tripathi located in Lucknow and Maharajganj before the court.

On December 2, the court had declared Tripathi a aproclaimed offendera and ordered attachment of his properties in a case related to the kidnapping of businessman Dharmraj Guptaas son in 2001.

A senior police officer of Basti said that the police had made a list of properties of Tripathi which are in Lucknow and Nautanwa. It includes a house in Nautanwa and land in Gomti Nagar.
Green corridors to be created on roads leading to Ayodhya on Jan 22. Image Source: IANS News

Ayodhya, Jan 12 : Uttar Pradesh districts adjoining Ayodhya have banned their residents from travelling to the city for three days leading up to the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at the Ram temple on January 22.

The districts of Basti, Gonda, Sultanpur, Barabanki, Ambedkar Nagar and Amethi have instructed the security forces deployed on their borders not to allow anyone to move towards Ayodhya.

"Those who are not invited, are not allowed to enter Ayodhya. We will start evacuating the outsiders from Ayodhya two to three days before the Pran Pratishtha ceremony," Inspector General of Police, Ayodhya, Pravin Kumar, said.

With the week-long rituals set to start from January 16, the Ayodhya administration has implemented a comprehensive plan encompassing advanced security and traffic management measures.

The Integrated Traffic Management System (ITMS) has been aligned with public CCTV cameras across the city, ensuring vigilant surveillance.

Ayodhya's yellow zone will be equipped with around Artificial Intelligence-based cameras featuring face recognition technology, seamlessly integrated with ITMS and monitored from a central control room.

This move aims to enhance overall monitoring and security in key areas.

Around 10,000 CCTV cameras have been installed at different strategic locations in Ayodhya in view of the much-anticipated ceremony, said Uttar Pradesh Police Director General (DG) (law and order) Prashant Kumar.

He said the final security plan, force deployment and traffic diversions will be finalised in the next two days after getting the final programme of the Prime Minister's visit on January 22.

"Traffic diversions for heavy vehicles will be enforced for January 17 or 18 after analysing the requirement. Heavy vehicles will be diverted to other routes from Lucknow, Kanpur and other districts to avert traffic congestion in Ayodhya," he emphasised.

He said the police officials concerned are visiting and camping in Ayodhya to give final shape to the security and traffic arrangements.

He said extra police personnel have already been provided to GRP for enhanced security at the Ayodhya Dham railway station and trains approaching Ayodhya from different places.
Lucknow, Jan 12 : A Lucknow-based doctor's wife was duped of Rs 50,000 after she received a fake bank message on her number.

Police have lodged an FIR in this connection and started investigation.

According to reports, Raksha Pandey of Indiranagar, on Wednesday, received a message from an unknown number mentioning credit of Rs 1,000, Rs 10,000, Rs 30,000 and Rs 25,000 in her bank account.

The caller later told her that his money had been transferred to her bank account by mistake and requested her to return it to him, else he would initiate a legal action.

The woman fell into the trap and immediately made a transaction of Rs 50,000 to the account given by the fraudster.

She learnt about the cyber fraud when her family members asked her to check the bank transaction details.

Soon after, she lodged a complaint with the bank as well as with police.

In another incident, a man lost Rs 6.17 lakhs in a cyber fraud in PGI police station area on Thursday.

The victim, Sujan Singh of Eldeco Udyan-2 Rae Bareli Road under PGI police limits, informed police that he recently received a message on his mobile number about deduction of money from his bank account.

"When I read the message, I went to the bank at Rae Bareli Road and was told that the said money had been debited from my bank account," he said.

Singh further said that he had ordered some goods from an e-commerce company's mobile app a day before and had paid the money online.
Tel Aviv, Jan 12 : Wrapping up a seven-day whirlwind tour of the Middle East, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that a pathway towards establishing a Palestinian state is the "single best way to isolate, marginalise Iran" and normalise regional ties.

Blinken made the remarks on Thursday while speaking to reporters in Cairo following a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi.

According to the top US diplomat, the region faced two paths.

The first will see "Israel integrated, with security assurances and commitments from regional countries and as well from the US, and a Palestinian state  at least a pathway to get to that state", Blinken said.

"The other path is to continue to see the terrorism, the nihilism, the destruction by Hamas, by the Houthis, by Hezbollah -- all backed by Iran. If you pursue the first path that's the single best way to isolate, to marginalise Iran and the proxies that are making so much trouble -- for us and for pretty much everyone else in the region," he added.

Besides his visit to Cairo, Blinken also met top leaders in Turkey, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Israel in a bid to look for ways to end the raging war in Gaza.

While speaking to the reporters in Cairo, Blinken also said that "American diplomacy will work for days and months" to attain lasting peace in the region.

He further emphasised the importance of freeing the hostages and spoke of the work that the US, Egypt and Qatar are jointly doing to mediate release efforts.

The Secretary of State also said that based on Hamas assertions, over 23,000 Palestinians have been killed in war-related violence and took exception to it.

That casualty figure, however, is supplied by the Hamas-run Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between terrorists and civilians killed.

Israel has asserted that it has killed more than 8,000 Hamas combatants in Gaza.

According to sources in Israel Prime Minister's office, Blinken had spoken at length with Netanyahu and other Cabinet ministers to allow passage of more humanitarian aid trucks into Gaza Strip as people were in dire need of essential commodities with famine increasing in the area.

He also stressed upon the return of Palestinians who were displaced from their homes in the Hamas-controlled enclave, especially in northern Gaza.

A high ranking official in the Israel government told IANS that "Blinken clearly told our leadership that they were fighting Hamas and not the Palestine people."
New York, Jan 12 : The US has welcomed "increased cooperation" with India in defending freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden amid growing Houthi attacks in the region.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday and discussed "shared concerns" over the reckless Houthi attacks in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement.

Miller said the attacks "threaten the free flow of commerce, endanger innocent mariners, and violate international law".

"The Secretary emphasised the Red Sea is a major commercial corridor that facilitates international trade and welcomed increased cooperation with India in defending freedom of navigation in the region," Miller said.

The discussion came as the US and British militaries launched massive retaliatory strikes targeting a dozen sites used by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen.

The two leaders also discussed the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, efforts to prevent the conflictas escalation and increase the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.

In a post shared on X on Thursday, Jaishankar said he appreciated Blinken's insights on the ongoing situation in West Asia, including Gaza.

"A good discussion this evening with my friend US @SecBlinken. Our conversation focused on maritime security challenges, especially the Red Sea region. Appreciated his insights on ongoing situation in West Asia, including Gaza. Exchanged perspectives on developments pertaining to the Ukraine conflict. Looking forward to realising our extensive cooperation agenda for 2024," Jaishankar added.

The Houthis -- an Iran-backed Shia political and military organisation that has been fighting a civil war in Yemen against a coalition backed by Saudi Arabia -- have launched drones and missiles at commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea since November 2023, many of which have been intercepted and shot down by US Navy ships in the area.

The rebel group has said that it is acting in support of Hamas' fight against Israel in Gaza, following Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

According to the Council on Foreign Relations, the US has conducted nearly 400 airstrikes in Yemen since 2002.

But White House and Pentagon officials have said since the Hamas attack that they do not want to see the conflict in Gaza expand into the region, according to a CNN report.

--IANS

mi/ksk
Berlin, Jan 11 : The right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in leading a survey conducted for the elections in three eastern German states in September.

In Saxony, the AfD, which has so far never been part of a state government in Germany, received 34 per cent of the vote, reports Xinhua news agency.

Meanwhile, in Thuringia it won 36 per cent, and in Brandenburg 32 per cent, according to the RTL/ntv trend barometer conducted by the Forsa Institute.

While the lead over the first runner-up in Saxony, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), is still comparatively small at 4 percentage points, it is clear in the other two states.

In Thuringia, the party was 16 points ahead of the CDU, and in Brandenburg 10 points ahead of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democratic Party (SPD).

Alongside its demand to limit migration, the AfD favours rapprochement with Russia.

The party advocates peace negotiations, instead of Western arms deliveries to Ukraine and economic sanctions against Russia.

The Ukraine-Russia war will "not be ended by force of arms", AfD leader Alice Weidel had said.

Instead of further escalation towards a "third world war", the international community should "work more intensively for peace negotiations", she said.

Although all other parties in Germany are isolating the AfD due to accusations of right-wing extremism, it already won its first elections at the local level in 2023.

In addition, in the last state elections in Bavaria and Hesse, the party achieved record results of 14.6 and 18.4 per cent, respectively.

"The AfD is no longer an eastern phenomenon, but an all-German party," Weidel said in October 2023.

"Further exclusion and discrimination would be an undemocratic disregard for voters."

The majority of Germans (53 per cent) expect the right-wing party to take the next step this year and provide the Minister-President in at least one of the three eastern states after the elections in September, according to a survey conducted by YouGov last week.

However, due to the lack of coalition partners, forming a government is expected to be difficult or even impossible for the AfD.

Even the CDU, whose political program has the most similarities with that of AfD, is ruling out cooperation, although it has already pushed through legislation with the party's help.

On the other hand, the poll results indicate that it will also be difficult for the other parties to form a government.

Parties with opposing views, such as the CDU and the Left Party, would have to join forces in larger alliances, and even then would struggle to achieve a parliamentary majority.

The CDU, which is on the upswing at national level, wants to take on the battle for pole position in the state elections.

Party leader Friedrich Merz said last month he was confident "that we will succeed in becoming the strongest parliamentary group in all three federal states again".
Warsaw, Jan 12 : Polish President Andrzej Duda said he will pardon for a second time, the senior officials that were detailed and jailed earlier this week after they were convicted of abuse of power.

In March 2015, Mariusz Kaminski and his deputy Maciej Wasik were sentenced to three years in prison for masterminding an anti-corruption provocation in 2007, when they were heading the country's Central Anti-Corruption Bureau, reports Xinhua news agency.

In November 2015 after the Law and Justice (PiS) party came to power, Duda pardoned them both, allowing Kaminski to become Interior Minister, reports Xinhua news agency

But in June 2023, the case returned to the docket, and in December, Kaminski and Wasik were sentenced to two years in prison in the same case.

After meeting Kaminski's and Wasik's wives on Thursday, Duda said that at their request, he had decided to initiate pardon proceedings for both PiS politicians.

He also said he had pardoned both men in a "textbook way" in 2015, which "remains effective".

The high-profile arrest on Tuesday, which according to Polish media reports took place in the presidential palace, is seen as an escalation of the standoff between the country's new new government and its national conservative predecessor PiS, of which Duda is an ally.

The new government led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk dismissed the heads of three state media outlets after coming into power in October 2023, which angered the conservatives and triggered an exchange between Duda and Tusk over the rule of law.

A major protest was organised by PiS was staged on Thursday afternoon near the Polish Parliament against the detention, as well as Tuskas government.

Although the police have not released official numbers, PiS claimed that some 100,000 people were present, having gathered from across the country.
San Francisco, Jan 12 : Norwegian robotics startup 1X Technologies, backed by OpenAI, has raised $100 million in its series B funding round led by EQT Ventures.

As part of the round, 1X also facilitated a significant secondary transaction in which existing investor Sandwater increased its stake with the third largest contribution to the round.

Other secondary participants included new investor Samsung NEXT, and existing investors Skagerak Capital and the Nistad group, the company said in a statement.

1X intends to use the new capital to bring to market its second generation android called 'NEO'.

Designed as a bipedal humanoid, NEO is tailored for everyday home assistance,

The funds will also support 1X's existing enterprise clients in logistics and guarding.

"We are thrilled that these leading investors are supporting 1X's mission of safely deploying Androids with Smart Behaviour into new markets. Our next milestone will be scaling our data collection strategy for Embodied AI and offering NEO to consumers," said Bernt Oivind Bornich, CEO of 1X.

The company successfully completed a Series A funding round led by OpenAI and Tiger Global in March last year.

1X has now raised over $125 million in less than 12 months.

"This funding will support their mission to produce safe and advanced androids at a commercial scale, aiming to meet global labour demands and build an abundant society," said 1X.

"From Leonardo da Vinci, to today's sci-fi, humans have dreamt of humanoid robots for more than 500 years.

"The impact of androids joining our human workforce, on our terms will be transformative (to say the least). We're convinced 1X with their NEO androids will play a crucial role in the pioneering steps towards the first forays of our technological and human future," said Ted Persson, Partner, EQT Ventures.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : The populations of the drastically depleted resident vulture species have at least stabilised at their new low levels, an update on vulture population trends in India said.

This is, however, in contrast to Nepal where the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) threat has been more effectively addressed since around 2012 and both resident species of Gyps vultures have increased consistently and significantly.

Extensive road transects carried out by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), one of India's oldest conservation organisations, for the eighth time since 1992 have provided the longest-term and most comprehensive information available on changes in vulture numbers in India.

An update, based upon survey data collected in 2022, was published online in Bird Conservation International this week, demonstrating that populations of the drastically depleted resident vulture species have at least stabilised at their new low levels.

The 17,000 km of road transects took place across 13 states using standardised times and observers. They took place at the end of the breeding season, which maximises the chances of seeing flying vultures, and at a time when migrant species are absent.

Publication of the latest results was keenly awaited to see how effective India's conservation measures have been. It is partially good news that the declines have stopped, but dashed any hopes that there are signs of recovery. The threat of extinction was very real until the ban on veterinary use of the NSAID diclofenac in 2006.

Evidence from these surveys suggests that the ban has been partially effective. However, populations remain at very low levels, following declines of 97.9 per cent for the long-billed vulture and 99.8 per cent for the white-rumped vulture since 1992, and 48 per cent and 87 per cent declines respectively since 2002.

Vibhu Prakash, recently retired from BNHS and coordinator of all eight surveys, said, "These surveys are an important measure of how well the vultures are doing. Getting the permissions and experienced team together is always a challenge, but there is no better way of getting a clear picture of the status of vultures across a large swathe of India."

John Mallord, RSPB Research Scientist, explained, "We had hoped to repeat the survey sooner, but Covid-19 and other constraints meant that this was not possible, so it was a big relief to get it completed. Although the results are largely positive, it is also clear that there is much more work to do.

"Similar surveys in Nepal show a very different picture, with populations growing as fast as it is possible to do. The logical explanation is that the key threat of toxic NSAIDs has been addressed more effectively in Nepal, further underlining the importance of effective regulation of these killer veterinary drugs.

"Cattle treated with such NSAIDs are highly toxic to any vultures consuming their tissues, but because the birds usually only die days later, it's very difficult to pinpoint."

The paper describes how some of the transects pass close to and through numerous protected areas, where vulture numbers have held up slightly better than in the wider landscape and points out that the trends away from protected areas are likely to be less positive.

Indeed, citizen science information from the 'State of India's Birds' using birdwatchers' eBird observations give a more negative picture, further highlighting this concern.

Ashwin Viswanathan, scientist of Nature Conservation Society, Bengaluru, said "because birdwatchers' records are often away from protected areas, this may explain the different trends. Neither survey method shows any sign of a consistent increase for any species".

Rhys Green, Professor of Conservation Science at the University of Cambridge and involved in vulture studies in India for 20 years, said, "The absence of any sign of population recovery in India is likely to be because veterinary NSAIDs toxic to vultures have continued to be sold widely in veterinary pharmacies.

"This includes continuing illegal sales of diclofenac, as well as toxic drugs such as aceclofenac, ketoprofen and nimesulide whose use has remained legally approved. The recent banning of aceclofenac and ketoprofen is welcome but will take time to become effective."
Quito, Jan 12 : Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa announced that 38 nations have offered to help his country tackle an unprecedented wave of violence unleashed by "terrorist" gangs linked to drug trafficking.

In light of the "internal armed conflict" that Ecuador is currently facing, Noboa said: "it is not the time to say, out of ego or vanity, (that) no, we will protect our sovereignty, do not send military forces here," Xinhua news agency reported

Several countries have lately expressed solidarity with Ecuador, denouncing narco-terrorism as a hemispheric scourge and offering military aid.

"We need military support ... soldiers as well as assistance in intelligence, artillery and equipment," said the President, who declared a 60-day state of emergency on Monday to grant security forces broad powers to combat organised crime, especially in prisons.

The state of emergency was declared after major rioting broke out on Sunday that led to the escape of Adolfo "Fito" Macias, the country's major drug trafficker and leader of the criminal gang "Los Choneros", had escaped from Regional Prison 8 in the southwest city of Guayaquil.

Riots erupted in several other prisons also, with inmates taking 178 people hostage at seven facilities, according to the latest report issued Thursday by the nation's jail management agency.

The hostages comprise 158 prison guards and 20 administrative officials at facilities in the southern provinces of El Oro, Canar, Loja, and Azuay, as well as in the northern province of Esmeraldas, and the central provinces of Cotopaxi and Tungurahua, the agency said.

On Tuesday, the violence appeared to spin out of control with explosions going off in a few cities, armed men breaking into the local television station amid a live broadcast, vehicles being set on fire and the abduction of police officers.

At least 10 people have died as a result of the violence.

On Wednesday, Noboa declared Ecuador to be in a state of "internal armed conflict", allowing the armed forces to be deployed to combat the gangs.

The government has identified members of 22 criminal organisations as "terrorists" in an executive order.

A night-time curfew is currently in place in the city of Guayaquil, while hundreds of soldiers are still patrolling the streets of capital Quito.

Schools have remained closed across the country, with classes taking place online.

The latest unrest comes as Ecuador has witnessed a recent spike in violent crime.

Ecuador, a country of approximately 17.5 million people, recorded nearly 3,568 violent deaths from the beginning of 2023 until July, which was an increase of 75 pe rcent over the same period the year prior.

The South American nation also shattered records for homicides in 2022, cataloguing a total of 4,603 violent deaths.

According to statistics released by the national police, that amounted to nearly 12.6 murders per day.

Presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio was also assassinated just ahead of the August 20, 2023 general elections, which led to then President Guillermo Lasso to declare a national state of emergency on August 10 for 60 days.

Before he was shot dead, Villavicencio had reported receiving death threats from Adolfo "Fito" Macias, who escaped from prison on Sunday.
Mumbai, Jan 12 : American music sensation and rapper G-Eazy, is heading to India for the very first time.

G-Eazy said: "Namaste India! I'm beyond excited to bring my music to the incredible fans in a place that I've heard so many amazing stories about. This marks my first-ever tour in the country, and I can't wait to experience the energy and enthusiasm that Indian audiences are known for. Get ready for an unforgettable night  we're going to make history together."

Produced exclusively by Spacebound producers of Asia's largest dance music festival, Sunburn; the three-city tour promises to be an electrifying experience that will set the tone for live hip hop experiences in the Indian subcontinent this year with panache and fervour.

With chart-topping hits such as 'Me, Myself & I', 'Tumblr Girls', 'Good Life', 'I Mean It', 'Him & I', and 'No Limit,' the internationally acclaimed rapper and record producer is expected to perform in Bengaluru on February 10, New Delhi NCR on February 11, and Mumbai on February 15, and will be joined by an array of homegrown hip hop support acts which will be announced shortly.

The rapper has collaborated with industry icons like Lil Wayne, Halsey, Demi Lovato, A$AP Rocky, Bebe Rexha, Britney Spears, Dillon Francis, Post Malone, Cardi B and many other A-list artists. Over the past decade

He has earned accolades such as Billboard Music Awards, MTV Europe Music Awards, People's Choice Award and American Music Awards.

Karan Singh, Director, Spacebound stated: "We at spacebound are committed to hosting the top tier talent of the music industry on Indian shores and the G-Eazy India Tour will further cement the brand's pioneering position within the live events industry of India."

"G-Eazy has established himself as a staple in the touring and music world and we are ecstatic to be a part of this historic moment. Get ready for a groundbreaking tour that will set a new milestone within the hip-hop events industry of India!"
Bengaluru, Jan 12 : Karnataka Police have arrested a 24-year-old bus cleaner on charges of raping a Class 9 girl student.

The case was reported in the limits of Dabaspet police station in Bengaluru Rural district, police said on Friday.

According to police, the 14-year-old girl travelled to the school in a private bus. The girl did not return home a week ago following which the parents lodged a missing complaint with the police.

The police during an investigation found that the accused, identified as Anand, had taken her to a rented house in the Yelahanka locality of Bengaluru.

The police raided the house and rescued the girl.

Investigations revealed that the accused was imprisoned in a POCSO case in 2021 reported from Byadarahalli police station limits. He was released last year and brainwashed and exploited the latest victim.
Mumbai, Jan 12 : Actress Monika Khanna opened up on her bond with her 'Ikk Kudi Punjab Di' co-star Tanisha Mehta, and shared how they are supportive of each other and have similar perspectives on professionalism.

Tanisha and Monika have become very close as friends, and are often seen chilling together on the set.

Their bond has become special within a short period of time and Monika has revealed how Tanisha is very professional as an actor but even sweeter as a person.

Monika said: "Tanisha and I met for the first time in Amritsar for Ikk Kudi Punjab Di's promo shoot, and we connected instantly. What I love the most about our friendship is that it is effortless and we have a lot of things in common."

The 'Afsar Bitiya' fame actress mentioned how they have a lot of things in common.

"Our upbringing is quite similar, and that's why we have similar perspectives on things when it comes to professionalism, wisdom, and being supportive of each other, which is beautiful," said Monika.

She further recalled a shooting experience, and shared how Tanisha helped her in getting the scene right.

"Recently, I had to shoot a scene where I was supposed to slap Tanisha, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. However, she was determined to make the scene as authentic as possible, so she actually allowed me to slap her for the scene. And because of a few re-takes, I ended up slapping her three times," she said.

"Though I felt terrible about it, she is such a professional and did not let it affect her performance and gave her shot flawlessly."

The 'Thapki Pyar Ki' actress said that it is amazing how Tanisha has grown by leaps and bounds from the very first episode.

"She is very open to receiving suggestions and opinions from other actors and is never offended by them, which is rare in today's actors. She is always eager to add more dimensions to her character and gives her all to portray Heer as accurately as possible.

"It is truly inspiring to see her do her homework and put her heart and soul into the character. I am glad that I get to share the screen space with a friend like her and get to know her in real life too," added Monika.

The show which is based in Punjab, features Monika as Teji. It airs on Zee TV.
Bengaluru, Jan 12 : In a tragic case, a boy, who was in coma for six years allegedly following the administration of an overdose of anaesthesia, has passed away in Bengaluru.

The boy died on January 3 and the parents lodged a complaint with the Banashankari police demanding action against the doctor.

According to police, the victim Vignesh was admitted to a private hospital in Subramanyanagar for the treatment of hernia on April 4, 2017. During the surgery, the doctors had allegedly administered an overdose of anaesthesia following which the boy had gone into a coma.

The parents had alleged that they found out that their son was administered anaesthesia thrice during the surgery. The parents had lodged a police complaint in this regard. The parents alleged that the hospital management had given them Rs 5 lakh and washed away their hands. The parents claim that they had spent Rs 19 lakh to save their son. They have also alleged that when questioned in this regard, the doctor and the management of the hospital threatened them .

Following the death of their child, the parents have lodged another complaint and police have taken up the investigation.
Nashik : , Jan 12 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in this pilgrim centre and launched a spectacular roadshow, virtually symbolising the start of the Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies' 2024 poll campaign, here on Friday morning.

Nashik (Maharashtra), Jan 12 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in this pilgrim centre and launched a spectacular roadshow, virtually symbolising the start of the Bharatiya Janata Party and its alliesa 2024 poll campaign, here on Friday morning.

PM Modi was accompanied by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, and state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule on an open-topped vehicle which traversed the 1.20 kms long road.

Thousands of people and party activists lined up on both sides as the foursome waved at them and nodded in approval at the cultural events organised on one side of the road.

The roadshow started from the Mirchi Circle to the Janardhan Swami Math Chowk on the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar-Nashik Highway along with a cultural show in which over 1,50,000 people joined enthusiastically, amidst tight security all around.

Organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs in collaboration with other departments, the NYF theme this year is aMyBharat-ViksitBharat@2047 - By the Youth, For the Youtha to herald the aspirations of the young generations for Indiaas future.

Besides Nashik, 750 districts and major cities are simultaneously hosting various NYF-related events like road safety, cultural programmes and events showcasing Indiaas diverse heritage, to foster a spirit of national unity and progress among the youth.

The PM will also visit the historic Kalaram Temple for a 'darshan' and 'puja', then inaugurate the 27th National Youth Festival marking the 161st birth anniversary of the philosopher Swami Vivekananda and interact with the local leaders here.

Later this afternoon, the PM will reach Mumbai to inaugurate the countryas longest bridge across the sea, the aAtal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setua linking Mumbai island with the countryas mainland.

The PM will also inaugurate/launch/dedicate/ other major infrastructure projects worth over Rs 30,000 crore in the state during his daylong tour here.
Mandya : , Jan 12 (IANS) The JMFC court in Karnataka's Mandya issued summons to 17 BJP workers on Friday in connection with a 2017 case involving a bike rally which was then held in violation of prohibitory orders.

The BJP had held a rally against the Popular Front of India (PFI) and the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) in Mangaluru city of Dakshina Kannada district.

The workers were heading to the venue in a bike rally from Mandya and the police had stopped them at Pandavapura town. They had lodged an FIR and submitted a charge sheet in the case to the court. The summons were issued for the BJP workers to appear before the court as they remained absent for the court proceedings, police said.

The BJP, taking objection to the development, stated that why its party workers are summoned now when all these years there was no movement at all in connection with the case. The party alleged that the Congress government is pursuing politics of hatred and targeting Hindu activists.

The police have clarified that the summons was issued by the court and they had got nothing to do with the development.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : When the charred remains of a 55-year-old man was found on a street in Pali, Jodhpur, the police thought it was a street murder committed to rob him. A dead dog found near the crime scene changed the case's direction when it tested positive for an insecticide and a known toxin during a toxicology test.

Suspecting that the dog may have consumed the same food as the man, the investigators interrogated the deceased's daughter-in-law, who confessed to murdering him by poison and burning his body to eliminate evidence. The daughter-in-law was arrested, but for Dr Shaloo Malik, Additional Director (Toxicology), Regional Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Jodhpur, who provided the crucial breakthrough, it was just another day at work.

In the last 25 years as a forensic scientist, Malik has handled nearly 18,000 cases and solved cases of manslaughter, rape, bestiality, suicide, sexual assault, the postmortem report of the blackbuck Salman Khan murdered, Asaram Bapu's potency test, arson and drug trafficking. Name a famous crime that took place in Barmer, Jaisalmer, Pali, Jalore or Jodhpur since 1998, and there is a good chance that Malik was involved in the investigation.

"Blackbuck case was one of the first cases I was involved in. All the scientific evidence had aligned when we analysed the samples (visceral tissues) of the black buck at the lab. In the hit-and-run case, Salman was released, but not in this case. That was the power of evidence and the work we put in," she says.

Malik specialises in poisons and toxins.

"When people think of poison, they have this image of a liquid in a medicine bottle, but the truth is anything taken in more than its prescribed dose can be fatal and poisonous," she adds.

She shares the recent case of a woman, who was found dead at her home with no suspicious leads.

"On enquiry, we found that she had recently purchased a hair-removing soap, and the death was caused by either accidental or intentional ingestion of this soap. Now accidental soap consumption is a legitimate cause for death, but no one knew until the case that a hair-removing soap existed, let alone the fact that it was toxic. On surveying literature around the ingredients and running tests in the lab, we found these soaps have barium sulphide, a known poison," she informs.

Malik says her lab receives an average of 850 to 900 cases each year, and almost every case has its own bizarre backstory.

"No two cases are ever the same Due to recent advances in science, the number of poisons and toxins have increased, so you cannot just rely on routine tests. This is also what separates us from other forensic labs, like fingerprints or water testing, where there is a fixed methodology to follow," she adds.

Malik's job is not to determine why someone consumed poison, or was forced to, but to examine whether poison exists or not. "If the poison is detected, it is the police who have to figure out whether poison was given, or taken by that person," she says.

The Early Years

Dr Malik entered the world of forensic science by chance. After finishing her masters in chemistry from JNV University in Jodhpur with a gold medal, she enrolled into PhD from the same university. Around that time, she got selected to the position of a junior scientist at the Jodhpur FSL, and joined duty in 1998.

"At that time, hardly anyone knew about forensics as a field. For many years, when I had to tell someone what I do, I used to tell them that I do what Dr Salunkhe does in CID. The difference is that I am doing it for state police," she jokes.

"We call it the state forensics lab now. At that time, it was police vidhi vigyaan prayogshaala. I knew it was a kind of government lab dealing with criminal cases I was an innocent, studious, protected girl, straight out of college with zero idea about the real world, let alone the world of crime or criminals," she says.

She recalls the first week at the new job as strange and shocking, being hurled into a world of postmortem reports, human parts and biological tissues in glass jars. "We were three girls and 28 boys who joined, and I remember we had gone to see a postmortem at the AIIMS mortuary in Delhi. The three boys at the autopsy fainted. Because I was a biology student and had done a lot of dissection at school, I was still fine. Biological tissue has a terrible stench, but I have never faced any disgust handling it."

Initially, Malik did not know whether she belonged to the lab, but a two-and-a-half-month training at the National Institute of Forensics Science and Criminology (NFSU DELHI now) changed her mind as she got real exposure to the job, from ballistics to fingerprints, and learnt about the importance of her job. "In those first few months, I realised that I have a scientific temperament and I was meant to be a scientist. I realised that I am capable of sitting with a problem, analysing it," she says.

However, a thing that has remained unchanged has been the number of women in the labs. "I remember I was the only woman in this department for 10 years, before another female appointment happened The nature of the work, along with timings, or lack of it, ensure only a few women stick around, especially after getting married or having children. I had the support of my family, and that really helped me tide over the tough times, especially when my children were young," she says.

The work sphere

By her own admission, the lab work is neither cookie cutter nor for the faint-hearted. "You have to find the story from the specimens. People can concoct a story, the police sometimes can take up the wrong line of investigation, but the findings never lie," she says.

As soon as the lab receives a call, Malik's team visits the crime scene and assists the police and investigating officers in collecting evidence. Police send a representative sample of viscera (all vital organs, including stomach, large intestine, small intestine, liver, spleen, kidney and lungs) collected during autopsy in a preserved state.

"Sample collection has certain rules. For example, glass jars that we receive should be properly enclosed; its chain of custody should not be broken. They should be sealed. We should be able to see what is inside the jar, which should also have a clear paper label with all details of the victim. Every exhibit has to be sealed a certain way, packed and then sent, else we do not accept it and register an objection since we cannot work with tampered evidence," Malik says.

At the lab, the visceral tissue is cut into small pieces (termed opening of the case) manually and tested for poison by treating it with various chemicals. "All poisons are divided into four basic groups -- volatile poison, insecticides, drugs, and metallic poison. To determine the tests to be run, we examine case history. We also need an FIR (First Information Report) copy to understand the present line of investigation," she says.

Often, the detection of poison changes the entire course of investigation.

"In many cases, the FIR will say a person died by drowning, or is a classic case of suicide, but our reports detect poison, and it gets converted to homicide With my experience, I have found that a lot of FIRs are fake."

This is especially true in cases of gender-based violence, where the modus operandi seems to have become diverse over the years. "Earlier, we saw a lot of cases of bride-burning. They have come down now, as there are other methods In Barmer, drowning deaths have increased. In Jodhpur, hanging cases have witnessed a steep rise Dowry deaths are also rampant," she adds.

Heading a lab

In addition to heading the toxicology department, Malik also helps in the administrative affairs, a demanding role that involves ensuring things run smoothly with limited staff and a shoestring budget.

"We are presently operating at just 60 per cent capacity. There is a huge demand for forensic experts, but we do not get timely budget approvals as allocations go to the more public-facing departments. Our work has no public dealing, so the perception is that there is no tangible loss to the public if the lab shuts down."

"The truth, though, is that we are also a part of India's investigating ecosystem, along with the judiciary and police. If we are short on staff, the judiciary gets massively affected. It will affect the quality of justice delivered The only institution that gives full credence to forensics is the Judiciary," she says.

In Malik's opinion, it takes a lot more than just solid scientific grounding to be a forensics scientist. "You need patience, guts, precision, but most importantly imagination. We cannot work without it, especially if we are working against the police's line of investigation. If a sample tests positive for poison, we have to be able to not only imagine the modus operandi, but also logically construct it, because the court can ask you," she adds.

"Things do get a bit dark at times but I am an optimist It also helps that I really love what I do. That said I make sure I do not take this job home with me," she says.

She credits the support of her family for her accomplishments, and says that it could not have happened otherwise.

"There have been countless times when my job has required me to work late into the night, but my family understands. My husband is also a scientist, and I think because of that he understands the job, and what it entails," she says.

The challenging aspect, she recalls, was when her two sons were growing up. "Because children have different demands, a lot of things need to be done. And I always had this thing at the back of my mind that because of my job, my kids should not suffer (bache bigad na jaayein) But my husband really helped. I took upon myself to be responsible for everything related to kids. He takes care of duties related to the house. With understanding, we figured it out," she says.

In the last few years, crime shows on OTT platforms have made forensics cool, but Malik says her world is hardly the way as shown on TV.

"It is very, very laborious and rather boring if you were to watch us work. Sometimes, you will find that clue That is when I know I am onto something."

The unsolved, the unexamined, and the mysterious deeply interest Malik. Despite the grim nature of her job, Malik laughs a lot. "I have never let anything pass off as just a case number. There is always a story behind each crime, and I am always trying to get to it," she says.

(This piece was originally published by Rukhmabai Initiatives, an endeavour by 101Reporters to make Indian STEM more inclusive.)
Syria witnesses escalation of IS attacks since new year. Image Source: IANS News

Damascus, Jan 12 : Syria began the new year by witnessing a "significant escalation" of attacks by the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group, a war monitor said.

In a fresh report, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said of the 26 attacks carried out by the IS, 11 targeted the strongholds of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), leading to the deaths of four SDF fighters and the injuries of six others, reports Xinhua news agency.

Moreover, the terrorist group carried out 15 additional attacks and ambushes against Syrian military personnel in various regions, including the west of the Euphrates, the desert areas of Deir al-Zour, Raqqa, and Homs provinces.

The attacks resulted in the deaths of 46 Syrian soldiers and pro-government fighters, including four Iran-backed fighters, and the injuries of 47 others, said the Britain-based watchdog group, adding that a civilian was also killed during the attacks.

On Tuesday, an IS-claimed attack killed at least 14 soldiers aboard a military bus in the desert near the ancient city of Palmyra, according to the war-monitor, in the second such attack this year.

Syria's Defence Ministry confirmed the attack but gave a lower death toll of eight.

Last week, IS killed nine Syrian government soldiers and militiamen in an attack on military posts in the eastern desert, according to the Britain-based Observatory.

In June 2014, the IS had proclaimed a "caliphate" across Syria and Iraq and launched a reign of terror.

It was defeated territorially in Syria in 2019 but the spike in recent attacks is raising renewed concerns about the resurgence of the terrorist organisation within Syria.
Canberra, Jan 12 : Australia on Friday confirmed its support to the US and UK airstrikes targeting sites belonging to the Houthi rebels in Yemen, in response to the Iran-backed militia's continued attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

Addressing reporters here, Defence Minister Richard Marles said that Australian personnel were present in operational headquarters during the strikes but stopped short of elaborating on the nature of their involvement, reports Xinhua news agency.

"On January 4, Australia was part of 14 countries which issued a statement warning the Houthi rebels that if they continue to attack maritime activity in the Red Sea, there would be consequences," Marles, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, said.

"They have continued their attacks on maritime and naval assets. As a result the attacks today have occurred."

Australia in December 2023 had rejected a request from the US to send a Royal Australian Navy warship to the Red Sea to "help secure international shipping lanes".

The government instead committed to deploying additional Australian Defence Force officers to the 39-nation Combined Maritime Forces command in Bahrain.

The Minister's statement came hours after the US and UK launched the airstrikes on Houthi military sites around the Yemeni capital of Sanaa before dawn on Friday.

According to the Houthi-controlled Saba news agency, strikes were also carried out in the governorates of Hodeidah, Saada, and Dhamar.

The strikes "targeted Al-Dailami air base in Sanaa, areas in Zabid District of Hodeidah province, the vicinity of the airport of Hodeidah port city, Kahlan Camp in the east of northern Saada city, and the airport of Abs district in the northwestern government of Hajjah", it said.

At least four powerful airstrikes hit the mountains around Sanaa, shaking windows of houses and cutting off lights in many areas, residents said.

The Houthis have also evacuated many camps adjoining the residents' neighborhoods at the centre of Sanaa.

Loaded vehicles were seen departing the camps throughout the night and Houthi fighters were also seen deployed at checkpoints along the streets.

Residents in Hodeidah said they saw the Houthis evacuate their fighters from camps in and around the coastal city.

Meanwhile, US media confirmed several airstrikes on Houthi sites across several cities in the north.

Late Thursday night, Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi warned in a televised speech that "any American aggression will not go without response".

The allied airstrikes came hours after the Houthi fighters launched a ballistic missile at a cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden, according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM).

"This is the 27th Houthi attack on international shipping since Nov. 19," it said in a post on X.

On Wednesday, the Houthis claimed responsibility for launching 18 bomb-laden drones and three missiles at US Navy ships stationed in the Red Sea in retaliation for the killing of 10 Houthi fighters on three small boats last week.

The US Navy said it intercepted the attack with no injuries or damage.

The attack on the cargo ship on Thursday came hours after the UN Security Council adopted a new resolution condemning the Houthi attacks on the international shipping lines, calling on the group to immediately cease attacks on commercial ships in the international maritime lanes.

The Houthis control much of northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa and the strategic Red Sea port city of Hodeidah.

The Houthis said they only attack those Israel-linked or Israel-bound ships to press Israel to stop its war on the Palestinian enclave of the Gaza Strip.
Tel Aviv, Jan 12 : The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said excessive delays at Israeli checkpoints have affected deliveries of planned aid, including food, medicines, water, and other lifesaving supplies, to the war-torn Gaza Strip.

In its latest situation update, the OCHA said: "Humanitarian partners were forced to cancel or delay missions in two instances due to excessive delays at Israeli checkpoints or because the agreed routes were unpassable."

Between January 1-11, only 21 per cent of the deliveries to the north of Wadi Gaza proceeded, it said.

The UN agency noted that of the five missions that were able to proceed, humanitarian partners were only able to deliver all of the planned aid in two.

"The ability of humanitarian partners to respond to the extensive needs in the northern part of Gaza is being curtailed by recurring denials of access for aid deliverers and lack of coordinated safe access by the Israeli authorities.

"These denials and severe access constraints paralyse the ability of humanitarian partners to respond meaningfully, consistently and at-scale," the OCHA said in its update.

The UN agency further claimed that between Sunday to Wednesday, multiple planned missions to deliver urgent medical supplies to the Central Drug Store in Gaza City, as well as planned missions to deliver fuel to water and sanitation facilities in Gaza city and the north, were denied by the Israeli authorities.

This marked the fifth denial of a mission to the Central Drug Store since December 23, 2023.

As a result, hospitals in northern Gaza remain without sufficient access to life-saving medical supplies and equipment, OCHA said.

"The rate of access denials seen in January 2024 so far presents a significant deterioration when compared to those of December 2023, where more than 70 per cent (13 out of 18) of planned UN missions to the north were coordinated and undertaken, where needs are estimated to be the highest and most severe."

The OCHA update went on to say that due to the repeated denials of delivery of fuel, water and sanitation facilities, people in Gaza has been deprived of access to clean water, and escalating the risk of sewage overflows as well as the rapid intensification of the spread of communicable diseases.

Before the raging Israel-Hamas war erupted on October 7, 2023, at least 500 aid trucks used to reach Gaza via the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings.

However, this number has drastically reduced now, with some days where not even one truck was allowed to enter the Hamas-controlled enclave.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and other international bodies have warned of famine, hunger and spread of diseases in the densley-populated enclavea.

Afrer international interventions, including from the US, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) alowed trucks into Gaza but still much less than what was earlier.

Amid the unabated fighting between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the death toll in the besieged enclave increased to 23,469 as of Friday, with a total of 59,604 injured persons.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 12 : The Delhi High Court on Friday refused to entertain a plea by BJP Odisha General Secretary Jatin Mohanty, who sought action against Biju Janta Dal (BJD) for allegedly using its election symbol, the 'Conch', while advertising government welfare schemes.

Mohanty filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking directions from the court to the Election Commission to take action against the BJD.

The division bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Arora, said that the proper forum to address the plea is the Orissa High Court, as the advertisements were issued in that state.

The petitioner's counsel argued that the party's symbol should not be used for government advertisements, to which the bench responded that such practices are common in various states.

"It is not unique to one state. It is happening everywhere. It is the story in each state," the bench remarked.

The bench asked the petitioner to approach the Orissa High Court, saying that the matter pertains to events and advertisements in Odisha.

"Go there (Orissa High Court). Raise it over there. Everything happened in Orissa. Advertisements were done in Orissa. This court is overburdened. We cannot do it in this manner. Go there. They will decide. Not us," the court said.

The petitioner then withdrew the plea, and the court granted him the liberty to approach the appropriate court in Odisha.
Mumbai, Jan 12 : Child actor Aan Tiwari, who plays Kartik in the show 'Pyaar Ka Pehla Adhyaya ShivShakti' shared how his role is really significant in the storyline, adding that he is learning something new everyday on the sets.

Aan, who is known for his work in 'Baal Shiv' said that he is grateful for getting an amazing opportunity to be a part of 'Pyaar Ka Pehla Adhyaya ShivShakti'.

"My role is really significant, and my entry will lead to Shiv and Shakti drifting apart, creating a lot of drama. I am really having a great time working with actors like Arjun Bijlani sir and Nikki Sharma ma'am. I am learning something new everyday on the sets and I hope the audience will love my character as much as they love the show," he shared.

The show explores the healing power of love in a contemporary take on the Shiv-Shakti dynamic. Produced by Studio LSD Productions, it stars Arjun as Shiv and Nikki as Shakti.

In recent episodes, viewers witnessed how the extravagant preparations for Shiv and Shakti's marriage have begun. Keertan (Gaurav Wadhwa), on the other hand, is hell bent on breaking this union and he finally gets his hands on a secret that Shiv has been hiding for so long.

To expose his secret, during the mehendi ceremony, Keertan leaves the venue, making Shakti suspicious of his intentions. However, little did she know what would follow as she will be seen meeting Kartik (Aan Tiwari), Shiv's son, at the school in the upcoming episodes.

It airs on Zee TV.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : Even as SpiceJet Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Singh has been summoned yet again by Delhi High Court in connection with the payment of an additional Rs 100 crore to former promoter Kalanithi Maran, the airline's annual report suggests a huge jump in Singh's remuneration, a three-year high, during FY23 notwithstanding the second biggest loss in the airline's history posted in the same year.

"During the financial year 2022-23, the Company has paid Rs 60.00 million to Ajay Singh, Chairman & Managing Director as remuneration against the approved remuneration of Rs 72.00 million and has taken provisions for remaining remuneration of Rs 12.00 million. The Company has also paid outstanding remuneration of Rs 18.00 million to Ajay Singh for previous financial year," read the recently released annual report's page-55.

"The Nomination and Remuneration Committee of the Company has framed a policy for selection and appointment of directors including determining qualifications of director, key managerial personnel and their remuneration as part of its charter and other matters provided under Section 178(3) of the Act," read the report.

"During the financial year ended March 31, 2023, there is no pecuniary relationship or transactions of the non-executive director's vis-a-vis the Company except payment of sitting fees of Rupees one lakh for attending each Board Meeting," it read.

In the ongoing legal tussle between SpiceJet and Sun Group Chairman Kalanithi Maran over the payment of dues from an arbitral award, the high court summoned SpiceJet Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Singh on Wednesday. The proceedings were adjourned at the request of SpiceJet's counsel, and Singh has been directed to appear before a new bench in February. This marks the third summons for Singh in this case.

The dispute, lingering since September 2023, has faced delays, partly attributed to changes in the benches overseeing the case. With three different benches handling the matter so far, a fourth bench is scheduled for the February hearing.

SpiceJet has contested the arbitral award in the high court's division bench, leading to an ongoing legal dispute. Maran claims Rs 440 crore in interest, while SpiceJet maintains it has paid Rs 100 crore following a court directive in August, owing only Rs 194 crore more.

Meanwhile, on January 10, in an announcement at the annual general meeting, Singh revealed the airline's exclusive rights to operate flights to Lakshadweep.

Singh confirmed that the carrier is set to launch flights to Agatti Island, the sole airfield in the region, eliminating the current route through Kochi.

This development follows a stakeholders' meeting where it was decided that a significant portion of the recently infused Rs 2,250 crore funds would be allocated to expanding the airline and its network.

As per airline officials, during the AGM, Singh emphasised the positive impact of this fund infusion, saying that it would contribute to a stronger and more resilient SpiceJet, bringing grounded planes back into operation.

Singh also disclosed plans to launch flights connecting Ayodhya with multiple cities in the country, expanding the airline's reach.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : SpiceJet on Friday announced a special flight operation from Delhi to Ayodhya on January 21 catering to passengers attending the Pran Pratishta ceremony at the Ram temple the following day.

An official said that the airline will also operate a return flight on the same day to ensure a seamless travel experience for devotees.

The special flight from Delhi is scheduled to depart at 1.30 p.m., reaching Ayodhya by 3 p.m.

The return flight on the following day will take off at 5 p.m., landing in Delhi at 6.30 p.m.

Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet, said: "The Pran Pratishta ceremony at the Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya is a moment of immense pride for every Indian. We are blessed to witness this historic moment in our lifetime.

"SpiceJet is deeply honoured to play a role in connecting devotees attending this momentous event and is committed to providing a comfortable and efficient travel experience for all passengers."

The airline official also said that "SpiceJet is further committed to enhancing air connectivity to Ayodhya, connecting the holy city to multiple destinations across the country".

"Details regarding these new routes will be announced shortly, providing devotees with even greater access to this sacred destination."
Kolkata, Jan 12 : With the Enforcement Directorate (ED) continuing with its raid and search operations in the residences of West Bengal minister, a Trinamool Congress MLA and MLC on Friday, political slugfest erupted soon after.

Kolkata, Jan 12 (IANS) With the Enforcement Directorate (ED) continuing with its raid and search operations in the residences of West Bengal minister, a Trinamool Congress MLA and MLC on Friday, political slugfest erupted soon after.

Leader of the opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari advised the ruling party leaders at whose residences the raids were conducted to start packing their bags with ample woollen garments.

"The ED sleuths are operating on the basis of specific information. The state fire services Minister Sujit Basu was directly involved in the recruitment irregularities in Dum Dum (South) as the erstwhile deputy chairman of the urban civic body. This I have said before also and I am saying it again now," he said.

The state commerce & industries, women & child development and social welfare Minister Dr Sashi Panja said that the raids were reflections of political vendetta. "The people of West Bengal know how BJP and the Union government are unleashing the central agencies solely with the intention of political vendetta," she said.

Meanwhile, almost seven hours have passed since the simultaneous raid and search operations have started at the residences of Sujit Basu, veteran Trinamool Congress legislator Tapas Roy and the ruling party councilor Subodh Chakraborty, the operations are still on.

Till the time the report was filed there was no indication on how long the raids would continue. Besides, the central armed forces police personnel escorting the ED officials, huge contingents of Bidhannagar City Police and Kolkata Police also have been deputed in front of the residences where the raids are on to prevent any kind of repetition of the recent attack on ED and CAPF personnel at Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district.
Jakarta, Jan 12 : India's Akhil Sheoran and Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar helped India to a 1-2 finish in the men's 50m rifle 3 positions event on Friday as India extended their dominance of the on-going Asia Olympic Qualification Rifle/Pistol to a fifth consecutive day.

Jakarta, Jan 12 (IANS) Indiaas Akhil Sheoran and Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar helped India to a 1-2 finish in the menas 50m rifle 3 positions event on Friday as India extended their dominance of the on-going Asia Olympic Qualification Rifle/Pistol to a fifth consecutive day.

The trio of Akhil, Aishwary and Swapnil Kusale also won the menas 3P team gold taking Indiaas tally to a total of 10 gold, eight silver and six bronze medals, with two left to play.

All three Indian men made the finals of the individual competition comfortably with Aishwary (588) taking second, Akhil (586) third and Swapnil (584) the fourth qualifying spots, as Chinaas Yu Hao topped the 44-strong field with a 589.

Akhil reaped rewards of consistent shooting in the 45-shot final and was in the reckoning after every position. He went from strength to strength, breaching 153 in the first Kneeling position, 154 in Prone and then went shot 100.9 over the first 10 Standing shots to zoom to second place.

Besides Aishwary, Thailandas Thongphaphum Vongsukdee was in real competition as the final five single shots in the Standing position ensued, and Akhil pulled out three big shots in them to wrest the gold away from them. He finished with a total of 460.2, with Aishwary 1.2 behind as the Thai settled for bronze and a coveted Paris Olympic quota place. Kazakhstan got the other with a fifth-place finish as Swapnil finished sixth.

The Indian trio also won the team gold over China with a tally of 1758, a huge 14 points adrift.

At least a couple of Indian menas 25m rapid-fire pistol shooters have also put themselves in serious contention for the one quota place that they can win between themselves in the event.

After the first day of qualification, Adarsh Singh and Vijayveer Sidhu are in sixth and seventh spots respectively with identical scores of 288. Gurpreet Singh is further down with 281.

The top six qualify and at least three shooters above them from Korea and Japan are ineligible for quotas at this stage.
Russian tourists flocked to China, Europe during New Year holidays. Image Source: IANS News

Moscow, Jan 12 : During the 2023 New Year holidays, there was a surge of Russian tourists flocking to China and Europe, a local media outlet said in a report on Friday.

Citing data from a study made by the Russian telecom giant Megafon, the RIA Novosti news agency report said: "During the past New Year holidays, 11 percent more Russians went abroad compared to last year's winter holidays. Along with the growth of trips to China and other Asian countries, the number of visitors to European countries increased by 8.5 per cent."

The number of people visiting China has increased 10 times, Xinhua news agency quoted the report as saying.

Hong Kong and Macao also witnessed a 22- and 35-fold increase, respectively.

The report also indicated that other Asian countries, such as Vietnam, Singapore, Japan and Sri Lanka, registered significant growth in tourism, ranging from 62 per cent to 148 pe rcent.

According to the report, Russian tourists also visited the Middle East.

The number of visitors to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia increased by 17-20 per cent, respectively ,compared to the previous year.

Kuwait had a remarkable growth in tourism, with 51 times more Russians visiting the country during the New Year holidays than the year before.

The report showed an 8.5 per cent increase of tourist inflow into Europe this season.

Italy, Germany and France were the most popular destinations among the EU countries, up 47, 34 and 27 per cent, respectively.

Iceland reported the highest growth rate among European countries, attracting three times more Russian visitors.

In contrast, Finland witnessed a decline in tourist appeal, with the New Year influx dropping by 71 per cent.
Patna, Jan 12 : Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav on Friday said that the seat sharing formula between INDIA bloc alliance partners will be finalised on time in Bihar.

"Don't worry about the seat sharing arrangement. It will be finalised on time. The seats will be shared between the alliance partners. There is no need to discuss it in the media. When the time comes, the media will be informed about it," the Deputy Chief Minister told media persons.

Earlier, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has also said that the seat sharing arrangement will take place soon.

The JD-U leaders KC Tyagi, Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Ashok Chaudhary, Bijendra Yadav have been raising voice against the delay in the seat sharing arrangement.

They said that INDIA bloc should at earliest plan for seat sharing as only few months remain for the Lok Sabha election.

These leaders have also blamed Congress for the delay in seat sharing as far as Bihar is concerned.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : Congress' strategist Sunil Kanugolu, who was credited with the party's wins in Karnataka and Telangana, will not be a part of its 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign, sources said on Friday.

After Prashant Kishor, Kanugolu is the second high-profile poll strategist who will no longer be associated with the party's general election campaign.

Kanugolu was a part of the Congress' Task Force 2024. Under new arrangements he will now focus only on Haryana and Maharashtra campaigns for the party.

Congress sources said this has been done as he already has teams in place in the two states -- both of which will vote this year.

Some senior Congress leaders said that Kanugolu will continue to work with the Congress. He will work with the Karnataka government where he is an advisor to the CM with a cabinet rank. He will also work in Telangana, according to the Congress sources.

The importance of Kanugolu to the Congress' election machinery is perhaps best illustrated by the party's dismal performances in the 2023 Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan Assembly elections. He held initial talks with leaders in those states, but neither Kamal Nath nor Ashok Gehlot agreed to his demands. The Congress lost badly in both states. Sources said the wins in Karnataka and Telangana were the result of Kanugolu being given a free hand in each state.

A senior leader said that the Lok Sabha election is far too complicated, and especially now when the opposition's bloc INDIA is there.
Mumbai, Jan 12 : Actors Sohaila Kapur, Vikram Kochhar and Pankaj Berry have shared about the Lohri traditions and reminisced about the sweet memories of the festival, telling about its importance in their lives.

Celebrated a day before Makar Sankranti, Lohri has great significance in Haryana and Punjab as it signals the beginning of the harvest season for winter crops. Traditions like the sharing of jaggery and sesame sweets, the singing of folk songs around crackling bonfires, and children going from home to home to seek 'Lohri,' tend to bring neighbours and communities together.

Sohaila stars in the teleplay, 'Where Did I Leave My Purdah'. Her family has strong Punjabi roots on both sides of the border, and she has very fond memories of the festival.

Talking about the same, the senior actress, who is known for her work in "Daas Dev', 'The Family Man', 'Special Ops', said: "As a Punjabi living in Delhi, Lohri is a very important festival for me and I have grown up with it. We usually visit relatives and light the bonfire and I remember enjoying it thoroughly as a child and 'feeding' the fire with peanuts and 'revris'. One of my fondest memories is visiting Masi's House on Lohri and dancing around the fire. To me, the festival represents a time of family togetherness."

The 'Aarya' actress connects the festival with the onset of spring and added: "After the cold Delhi winter, everybody looks forward to 'Lohri'. Festivals like this also bring communities together, help us to enjoy each other's company as human beings, shed antagonism and envision a beautiful world."

For Vikram, who stars in Zee Theatre's 'Raid', Lohri is a celebration of new beginnings and the harvest season.

Like Sohaila, he too has beautiful memories of Lohri and recalls: "In my family, we all celebrate Lohri with great happiness. We collect wood for the bonfire, make popcorn, sing, and enjoy music and there is a general air of festivity in our home. Lohri is a big part of the Punjabi cultural experience."

"This is a festival of happiness that everyone should come together to celebrate, keeping aside unnecessary quarrels and arguments," added the 'Matru Ki Bijli Ka Mandola' actor.

For veteran actor Pankaj, who plays a complex character in psychological thriller 'Antardwand', Lohri is a time of great nostalgia.

He reminisced: "During Lohri celebrations, my mom used to light the bonfire and we would gather to enjoy various treats like peanuts, jaggery-based sweets and sesame seed laddoos. When we threw sesame seeds and flowers into the fire, my mom would say, 'May our sins be absorbed by the sesame seeds and the flowers'."

Berry remembers going from home to home asking for Lohri with other children and singing 'Sunder mundriye ho' and recalls, "It was a delightful time filled with warmth, shared joy, and unity. In our neighbourhood, some people used to give us 25 paise, while some used to give us 50 paise."

The play airs on Zee Theatre.
January 12 : Captain Miller - A Gripping Tale of Rebellion and Redemption

Director: Arun Matheswaran

Cast: Dhanush, Shiva Rajkumar, Priyanka Arul Mohan, Aditi Balan, Sundeep Kishan, Edward Sonnenblick, John Kokken

Rating  4

Arun Matheswaran's "Captain Miller" emerges as a superbly crafted pre-Independence era drama, intricately weaving a tale interlaced with guilt and redemption. In this cinematic journey, characters are compelled to confront their roles in oppression, transforming what could have been a routine action saga into a nuanced exploration of remorse and rebellion.

The Tamil-language film, also available in Hindi, echoes the spirit of RRR but with a subtler approach. Siddhartha Nuni's cinematography skillfully captures the heroes at eye level, balancing spectacular action set pieces with a genuine curiosity for bandit lore. The screenplay, penned by Matheswaran and dialogues by Madhan Karky, ambitiously spans across South India and even reaches out to Sri Lanka, painting a canvas that reflects the legacy of Robin Hoods in the region.

Dhanesh, portrayed by Dhanush, is a late-blooming rebel who escapes caste oppression by enlisting in the British Army, only to discover that authoritarian power transcends geographical boundaries. His mutiny, supported by various rebel groups strategically positioned in the mountains, unfolds against the backdrop of a propulsive score by GV Prakash Kumar.

Unlike some counterparts, "Captain Miller" exhibits a keen understanding of the social forces driving revolutionary movements. While the villains may border on the cartoonish, the hero, played by Dhanush, retains a saintly quality that adds a touch of surrealism. The film skillfully navigates the path to uprising, with Matheswaran paying meticulous attention to battle scenes and fleshing out secondary characters.

The ensemble cast, including Shiva Rajkumar, Elango Kumaravel, Priyanka Arul Mohan, and Sandeep Kishan, contributes significantly to the narrative. Aditi Balan's character, though seemingly existing for a sequel, adds an intriguing layer to the story.

In conclusion, "Captain Miller" transcends the conventions of its genre, offering a gripping narrative of rebellion, social upheaval, and personal redemption. Arun Matheswaran's directorial finesse and the stellar performances make this film a compelling watch, leaving audiences with much to ponder long after the credits roll.
Bengaluru, Jan 12 : Karnataka Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara on Friday said the ministers who fail to ensure Congress' win in the Lok Sabha seats in the state will lose their posts.

Parameshwara said the warning has come from the high command and the ministers have to deliver otherwise "they will be sacked".

Speaking to reporters here, Parameshwara said, "Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala is arriving in the state in a day or two. The discussion about the candidates and ministers contesting Parliamentary elections has not come up yet.

"We have been asked to take responsibility and carry out the campaigning.

"Warning of sacking from the posts has also been given. The high command had also stated that if the party gets defeated in seats where it can win easily, it will be assumed that the work is not done. The high command had also stated to take their warnings seriously or they will face consequences," the minister said.

"All of us were called by the AICC President for the preparations of Lok Sabha elections. Leaders from all states were invited. There are five clusters in the country and Karnataka is in the cluster one. Earlier, observers were appointed and now coordinators are put in place. The war room is now being renamed as the convention centre. Senior leader Shashikanth Senthil has been made the head of coordination," he stated.

Parameshwara said that the high command has maintained that in the last Lok Sabha elections, the Congress had won one seat in Karnataka and there is a need to win more seats. Earlier Congress had won 27 seats out of 28 in Karnataka and this time the party should win all seats.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : Online travel company MakeMyTrip on Friday said it has seen a 1,806 per cent increase in searches for Ayodhya on the platform since the announcement of the inauguration.

The company shared the data on Instagram, saying that it recorded a 97 per cent growth in searches for spiritual destinations in the last two years.

The company also mentioned that the peak search for Ayodhya was recorded on December 30 last year when the airport inauguration took place.

The top 10 pilgrimage and spiritual destinations which have seen growth in searches include -- Ayodhya (585 per cent), Ujjain (359 per cent), Badrinath (343 per cent), Amarnath (329 per cent), Kedarnath (322 per cent), Mathura (223 per cent), Dwarkadhish (193 per cent), Shirdi (181 per cent), Haridwar (117 per cent), and Bodh Gaya (114 per cent).

Ayodhya is also being searched globally, with the maximum search coming from -- US (22.5 per cent), Gulf (22.2 per cent), Canada (9.3 per cent), Nepal (6.6 per cent), and Australia (6.1 per cent), the company said.

On January 22, the 'Pran Pratishta' ceremony of Ram Lalla will take place in the newly built Ram Temple.

Idols of elephants, lions, Lord Hanuman and Garuda ('vahana' of Lord Vishnu), have been installed at the entrance gate of the Ram Temple.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Laman Ismayilova

The Rashid Behbudov State Song Theatre will host Umid 2024 Art Contest on January 13-14.

The event is co-organized by the Azerbaijan Youth Union and the Azerbaijan Dance Association with the support of Jam group, Azernews reports.

Representatives from the capital and the country`s districts will take part in the art competition, which is being held for the eighth time.

Speaking about the contest, the project founder and President of the Azerbaijan Dance Association, Aziz Azizov, stressed the importance of the competition aimed at supporting talented children and youth and creating conditions for them to appear on stage and improve themselves.

Chairman of the Azerbaijan Youth Union Zakir Aliyev noted that the competition is held on the days of the Old New Year and, as the name suggests, the art competition inspires children and youth to start 2024 with new hopes and motivation. Starting at the age of four, every child and youth can demonstrate their talent by performing in a competition.

The contest participants will perform in several genres (folklore, classics, pop) and several types of art (song, theater, vocals, art reading, choreography, fashion).

The jury includes Honoured and People's Artists of Azerbaijan, honoured cultural figures.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az, Milli.Az.
Mumbai, Jan 12 : Two strangers meet on a fateful Christmas Eve. A night of delirious romance turns into a nightmare.

Director Sriram Raghavanas latest 'Merry Christmas' opens with a scene where two sets of mixer grinders juxtaposed in two frames show two recipes: a few tablets being grounded to a powder and the other a mix of red chillies and a lentil mixed to make batter for dosa.

Interestingly, itas Christmas eve and the city of Mumbai (that was then Bombay) is seen celebrating Christmas Eve. The spirit of Christmas and the streets lit up give us the euphoria building up.

In the mid of all this, Albert (Vijay Sethupathia), an architect who works in Dubai, is returning home after seven long years. He could not make it to his mother's funeral. A neighbour (Tinu Anand) offers him a bottle of homemade wine and shares his bonding with Albertas mother while he is away.

Albert meets Maria (Katrina Kaif) donat really meet, not in the slightest romantic way, in fact, as Albert looks at Maria with a small girl (Annie) and a teddy bear in her arms, he offers to help. As they wander the city enjoying the festivities, Mariaas rather sad face begins to light up and Albertas Christmas begins to look merry. Maria then takes Annie to a movie Pinocchio where she finds Albert seated too.

A friendly chat later, the three of them return to Mariaas flat Rose apartment where she also runs a bakery named Jupiter Bakery. All this while, their conversations reveal just the bare minimum. Maria invites Albert to her home and easy banter follows between the two. After putting Annie to bed, Maria decides to go out again with Albert and leaves a note for her husband, Jerome (Luke Kenny) that she would be back in an hour.

What follows is a shocking body of Jerome plonked on a single sofa seater with a gunshot wound on his chest.

Taking immediate charge of the situation, Albert tries calling up the police but stops wondering how he would explain the sudden body when they had gone out for an hour.

Soon, what seemed like a happy festival turns menacingly evil.

Director Sriram Raghavanas mastery of several twists and turns come to the fore as we see characters and a dead body making the happy ambience turn ominous. There are other people who start joining in -- Sanjay Kapoor tries to help out an unconscious Maria at a church and all along believes he could have a lucky day with a pretty lady.

The plot gets complicated as mystery shrouds the disappearance of Jeromeas body, Albertas quiet demeanour, Sanjayas wily ways as inspector Vinay Pathak and his assistant Pratima Kazmi begin to find holes in the story that both Maria and Albert narrate.

The nearly two hour long film reminds us of the vintage Hitchcock and his unsurpassable tone. Not saying much and yet revealing much for all those who wish to see what is not easily seen, Raghavana takes off from his much acclaimed 'Andhadhun' starring Tabu, and leaves us with intrigue, mystery and questions that one would keep wondering about. If Madhu Neelakandanas camera work beautifully captures the old Bombay of the 80s, itas Pritamas musical score and Daniel B Georgeas background music that become other significant characters in the narrative. George relies heavily on western classical influences and gives us unique pieces of music that gel so well with dramatic scenes.

From among the cast, Katrina is a revelation. Her quiet moves and consciously deadpan expressions add enigmatic to Maria.

Vijay Sethupati is perfectly cast as a murderer, who has spent seven years behind prison for murdering his wife (Rashika Apte). Sanjay Kapoor as an opportunist man is good too.

If you want to watch a thriller with a twist, go for it!

Director: Sriram Raghavan

Cast: Katrina Kaif, Vijay Sethupati, Sanjay Kapoor

Camerawork: Madhu Neelakandan

Music: Pritam, Daniel B George

Duration: 141 minutes

IANS Rating: Three and a half stars
Chandigarh, Jan 12 : The Punjab Police's Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), in a joint operation with Central agencies, has arrested a key operative of Pakistan-based terrorist Harvinder Singh, alias Rinda, and US-based Harpreet Singh, alias Happy Passia, from Rajasthan, Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said on Friday.

The arrested accused, Kailash Khichan, was wanted in the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) case registered in Fazilka in September 2023.

The accused has a criminal history with a number of criminal cases pertaining to extortion, the NDPS Act and the Arms Act registered against him in Punjab and Rajasthan.

DGP Yadav said following the name of Khichan figuring in various terrorist modules busted by Punjab Police in recent past, teams of the AGTF headed by ADGP Promod Ban under the supervision of AIG Sandeep Goel and led by DSP Bikramjit Singh Brar managed to track the location of the accused in Rajasthan and arrested him from Lohawat village in Phalodi district.

"Police teams have also recovered one .30 calibre Chinese pistol along with eight cartridges from the possession of the accused Khichan," he said.

The DGP said preliminary investigations have revealed that the accused Khichan, on the directions of terrorist Rinda, was supplying weapons to the associates of terrorist outfit Babbar Khalistan International (BKI) to carry out crimes in the state.

AIG Goel said more arrests are expected soon.
Shimla, Jan 12 : The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, presided over by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, on Friday gave in-principle approval to engage annual-period based guest teachers in the Departments of Elementary and Higher Education to enhance the educational standards.

The Cabinet also decided to fill 40 posts of Junior Engineers (Civil) and 25 posts of Junior Technicians (Work Inspectors) in the Public Works Department, 20 posts of Work Inspectors in the Jal Shakti Vibhag, seven posts of different categories in Revenue Training Institute in Jogindernagar and five posts in the Sainik Welfare Department.

It also approved to upgrade 50 bedded Civil Hospital in Sujanpur in Hamirpur district to 100 bedded along with creation and filling 35 posts of different categories.

The Cabinet decided to increase the marriageable age of girls from 18 years to 21 years and carry out necessary amendments in the respective Acts and rules.

It also decided to give its nod to sign a memorandum of understanding for consultancy services with the National Dairy Development Board for establishment of automated 1.50 lakh litre per day (LLDP), expandable up to 3 LLPD, milk processing plant with value added products at Dhagwar in Kangra district.

It also gave approval to the draft of Mukhyamantri Vidhva Avam Ekal Nari Awas Yojna -- 2023 to provide Rs 1.50 lakh financial assistance for the construction of the house of widows and single women.

The Cabinet decided to grant maternity leave for 180 days under the Maternity Benefit Act of 1962 to the women cook-cum-helper with less than two surviving children in the Department of Education.
Imphal, Jan 12 : After the BJP Government gave limited permission to use the Hapta Kangjeibung Palace ground in Imphal for launching the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' led by former party President Rahul Gandhi on January 14, the Congress on Friday announced that the yatra would be flagged off from Manipur's Thoubal district instead.

The Congress' Manipur President Keisham Meghachandra Singh said that permission was sought on January 2 to start the yatra from the Hapta Kangjeibung ground in the state Capital but the Manipur Government gave consent with certain conditions, forcing the party to move the venue to Thoubal district's Khongjom War Memorial.

The Imphal East district administration in an order earlier said."........considering the prevailing law and order situation and circumstances, only flagging off of the yatra with a limited number of participants, is hereby allowed on January, 14, 2024 to prevent any untoward incident and disturbance in law and order. The number and names of the participants shall be provided in advance to this office to enable this office to take all necessary precautionary measures."

"We met Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday but he, referring to the prevailing law and order situation, told us that the permission would not be given to use the Hapta Kangjeibung ground. Later in the night (on January 10), the district administration issued an order giving permission for the ground but with a limited number of participants," the Congress leader told the media.

Singh said that a team of the state Congress again met Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi in presence of Director General of Police Rajiv Singh, and the Deputy Commissioner (DC) and Superintendent of Police in Imphal East district. "But the officials told us that not more than 1,000 people would be allowed at the Imphal venue and this is a very, very small number of participants for this mega event. On Thursday night, Thoubal Deputy Commissioner gave permission for flagging off the yatra from a private place in Khongjom area of the district. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge will flag off the yatra from the Khongjom area," he said.

Terming the Manipur Government's decision as murder of democracy and violation of peoples' right, the Congress leader said that the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' will be launched as scheduled by the AICC.

He said that on January 14 several leaders of the party, including Chief Ministers and MPs from across the country will gather in Manipur for a peaceful rally.

AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal (Organisation) earlier said that from Manipur, the yatra will go to Nagaland, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya and will culminate in Mumbai on March 20 after covering 6,713 km through 110 districts in 15 states in 66 days.

Venugopal had said that the yatra would demand justice for the women, youth, farmers and poor and it would be historic as well.
(INDIA BLOC) With Adhir on warpath with TMC, Cong may be left with just the Left in Bengal. Image Source: IANS News

Kolkata, Jan 12 : The Trinamool Congress is no longer interested in initiating fresh talks with the Congress regarding the seat sharing arrangement for the Lok Sabha polls this year as part of the INDIA bloc.

A veteran leader of the party and also a senior member of the West Bengal Cabinet said that the party supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was of the opinion that further talks with the Congress were useless on two grounds.

"The first reason is that the Congress' demand for eight to ten seats in West Bengal is totally absurd considering that the vote share of the country's oldest national party had come down to just three per cent in the 2021 state Assembly polls.

"Without a single member in the state Assembly and just two MPs in the Lok Sabha, the demand for eight to ten seats is nothing but overreach," said a state Cabinet member.

He added, "It seems that the Congress leadership is more interested in a seat-sharing agreement with the CPI(M)-led Left Front rather than with the Trinamool Congress and hence the leadership of the state's ruling party does not find the necessity of initiating any further discussions on seat sharing with the Congress."

Party insiders said that Mamata Banerjee was specially irked on receiving the information that the Congress along with the CPI(M) had taken an in-principle decision to back the lone All-India Secular Front (AISF)- candidate Naushad Siddique in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls from Diamond Harbour constituency in South 24 Parganas district from where the sitting MP is Trinamool Congress' General Secretary and the Chief Minister's nephew Abhishek Banerjee.

Recently Mamata Banerjee herself gave hints on this count as she said that while the Opposition INDIA bloc will continue in the national perspective, in West Bengal the Trinamool Congress will fight alone.

Soon after that State Congress President and veteran Lok Sabha member Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury challenged the Chief Minister to contest against him from Baharampur Lok Sabha constituency in Murshidabad district from where he is a five-time MP.
Mandya, Jan 12 : Karan Singh scripted the biggest upset of the tournament when he showed the top seed Kris Van Wyk of South Africa the door to enter the semifinals of the PET ITF Mandya Open.

Mandya, Jan 12 (IANS) Karan Singh scripted the biggest upset of the tournament when he showed the top seed Kris Van Wyk of South Africa the door to enter the semifinals of the PET ITF Mandya Open.

In the first quarterfinal played at the PET Stadium here on Friday, the 20-year-old won in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 to set-up a last-four clash with Jelle Sels of The Netherlands.

Sels quelled the challenge of his country mate Thijmen Loof 6-7 (4), 6-1, 6-4 in the longest match of the day that lasted a little over two hours.

Following Karanas footsteps was Siddharth Vishwakarma who also registered an upset victory over fifth seed Nam Hoang Ly of Vietnam in straight sets 6-1, 6-4.

The lanky Indian will meet third seed Orel Kimhi in the other semifinal. The Isralian stopped the dream run of Madhwin Kamath with a 7-6 (5), 6-0 win.

Meanwhile, Karan and his Korean partner Woobin Shin upset the third-seeded pair of Tsung-Hao Huang of Taipei and Kris Van Wyk with a scoreline of 1-6, 6-3, 10-7 to enter the finals of the doubles event. Karan and Woobi will meet the fourth seeded all Indian pair of Parikshit Somani and Manish Sureshkumar who breezed past the top seeded duo of Grigoriy Lomakin of Khazakstan and Austrian David Pichler 6-3, 6-2.

The quarterfinal match between Karan and Van Wyk was a see-saw battle as both the players played well and had bad shots, all at the same time. Breaking the top seedas serve in the 1st and third games, Karan, using a strong forehand went 3-0 up.

However, the visitor returned the favour, achieving two breaks in the 4th and the 6th game to restore parity. A similar pattern followed during the last three games, where the lad from Haryana broke Van Wykas serve in the 7th and 9th games to take the first set. The second set saw the players holding on to their respective serves until the seventh game where Karan held a 4-3 edge over his rival.

The visitor suddenly lost focus and cool and committed a series of unforced errors to lose his serve in the eighth game, which helped Karan wrap up the match in 53 minutes.

In another quarterfinal tie, the 29-year-old Vishwakarma made it look a one-sided affair as the left-hander served with aplomb and returned with fervour. After both the opponents held their respective serves in the first two games, Vishwakarma raced away to grab the first set at 6-1 with breaks in the fourth and the sixth game.

The second set saw Hoang claw back in the match going 4-2 up with a break in the sixth game. However, the Indian struck back strongly and didnat give much of a chance to his fancied rival in the next four games, which he won in a row to win the set and the match.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : Pakistan has criticised Ajay Bisaria, India's former high commissioner to Islamabad, for allegedly presenting a "fictitious narrative" surrounding the February 2019 Balkote crisis in his recently published book, 'Anger Management'.

"It appears that the book seeks to advance India's fictitious narratives around the developments of February 2019 and the usual chest thumping that Indian officials have adopted as their default narrative," a spokesperson for the Pakistan government said during a press briefing in Islamabad.

On August 7, 2019, Pakistan expelled Bisaria from Islamabad -- it was the first time an Indian head of mission was declared persona non grata and asked to leave by Pakistan.

Bisaria, who had served as late former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's private secretary, was India's high commissioner to Pakistan from 2017 to 2020. It was during his tenure that the Balakote crisis erupted.

He notes in his book, 'Anger Management: The Troubled Diplomatic Relationship Between India and Pakistan', how an angry Prime Minister Narendra Modi refused to take the call of his then Pakistani counterpart, Imran Khan, who had wanted to lower the political temperature.

In his criticism of the book, the spokesperson for Pakistan noted that "it is a matter of common knowledge that the ruling dispensation in India used the Pulwama episode for domestic political gains."

He pointed out that as the Lok Sabha elections draw closer, it is not surprising that "a Pakistan bashing, jingoistic and militaristic narrative is being unleashed in India".

The spokesperson added: "Mr Bisaria knows very well that Balakot was a military fiasco for India. It was an instance of Indian adventurism that went badly and embarrassingly wrong for them as Indian aircraft were shot down, and an Indian pilot was taken prisoner by Pakistan."

Continuing his diatribe, the spokesperson said: "It is also very shocking that a professional diplomat is advocating coercion and use of force as a means to conduct diplomacy. This reflects the rise of a fascist mindset in India. It also demonstrates that India is not ready to assume the important responsibilities that it so desires on the global stage."

Responding to the criticism, the publisher of the book, David Davidar, said the angry response of Pakistan only goes to "show the importance of Bisaria's revelations about and analysis of the diplomatic relationship between India and Pakistan".

Davidar added that he hoped the book would be widely read and discussed, including in Pakistan.

In his account of what happened then, Bisaria writes that an intense phase of diplomacy began soon after the Pulwama attack in Kashmir in which New Delhi shared its outrage with the international community.

In South Block, the MEA had drafted a comprehensive response aimed at Pakistan, reminding the world that it was "a well-known fact that Jaish-e-Mohammad and its leader Masood Azhar are based in Pakistan". It was in response to Imran Khan's address to his nation on February 19, 2019.

Bisaria writes that as the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed Bin Sultan, travelled from Pakistan to India on February 21, PM Modi shared India's anguish with him, telling him publicly that punishing terrorists and their supporters was important for both countries.

Continuing with its diplomatic push, the author narrates how India suggested to Japan that it should consider postponing the scheduled visit by Pakistan's then Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, or if he did show up, to highlight the terrorism issue. Qureshi eventually canceled his Tokyo trip.

Bisaria claims that Pakistan was bracing itself for such action by India, but did not know when and in what shape it would come.

He also notes that the then Pakistan Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa may not have known about the specific operation that took place in Pulwama, but it was likely that the operation had been cleared by the DG, Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI).

"General Bipin Rawat told me that the retaliatory attack that India was planning would be much bigger than the surgical strikes of 2016 and it was coming soon enough," the author claims.

Bisaria also writes that Rawat believed Pakistan's corps commanders were not too happy with the Bajwa doctrine, for it seemed to be diluting traditional postures and that affected staff morale.
Former state-level athlete among trio nabbed by Delhi Police for supplying weapons in Capital. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Jan 12 : Ahead of Republic Day celebrations, the Delhi Police's Special Cell has nabbed three members, including a former state-level athlete, of an interstate illegal firearms syndicate for allegedly supplying illegal weapons in the national capital and its peripherals.

The officials said that the accused had supplied more than 150 pistols in the last three years and police have also recovered 12 semi-automatic pistols from their possession.

The accused have been identified as Pushpendra Singh (25), a resident of Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, Naeem, (19), a resident of Hapur, UP and Manish Bhati (19), a resident of Jodhpur district, Rajasthan.

The official said that Pushpendra was a state-level athlete, and he participated in an 800-metre event at the junior level in 2014-15.

The Special Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) HGS Dhaliwal said that in view of the forthcoming Republic Day celebrations 2024, a special drive has been launched by the Special Cell against the illegal firearms traffickers involved in supplying firearms in Delhi NCR after procuring from Sendhwa, Khargone, Dhar, and other districts of Madhya Pradesh.

Recently, specific input was received that a member of a MP-based firearms syndicate, namely Pushpendra, would come to Kalindi Kunj Road, Okhla, Delhi, on January 7 to deliver firearms to his associates.

"A trap was laid and at about 11:50 a.m., Pushpendra Singh was spotted coming towards the spot carrying a backpack on his shoulder. After around five minutes, two boys, Naeem and Manish Bhati, came there, and Pushpendra took out two small bags from his backpack and handed over one each to them," said Dhaliwal.

Thereafter, the police team surrounded them and asked them to surrender, but they tried to flee from the spot.

"All three accused were nabbed by the police team. On search, six sophisticated pistols were recovered from the possession of Pushpendra, while four pistols were recovered from Naeem, and two semi-automatic pistols were also recovered from the bag of Manish," said the Special CP.

On interrogation, Pushpendra Singh disclosed that he had received the consignment of recovered pistols from a notorious arms manufacturer-supplier in MP.

"He has further disclosed that he has been indulging in the supply of illegal firearms and ammunition in Delhi NCR and Uttar Pradesh West for the last three years and has supplied more than 150 pistols in this period," said Dhaliwal.

On interrogation, all the arrested individuals has further revealed that they used to purchase a semi-automatic pistol for Rs 9,000 to 12,000 from MP and further sell it for Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 to gangsters and criminals in Delhi NCR and UP (West).

"Pushpendra disclosed that he was lured by a person from an adjoining village to join the arms trafficking syndicate. Initially, Pushpendra worked with the local firearms suppliers, but soon he developed his own network and started trafficking firearms from MP. Naeem and Manish disclosed that they recently joined this arms trafficking racket to earn quick money," said the Special CP.

They further disclosed that the recovered consignment of illegal firearms was to be delivered at Hapur (UP) and Shaheen Bagh, Delhi.

"Further interrogation of the accused persons is in progress. Efforts to identify and arrest the remaining members of this arms syndicate are being made," the Special CP added.
Most CEOs waiting for GenAI to move past the hype or experimenting in small ways: Report. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Jan 12 : Generative AI (GenAI) exploded into the public consciousness in 2023, promising to transform the way business functions. Despite the potential, however, leaders are struggling to convert hype into reality.

According to a new report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), 66 per cent of executives are ambivalent or outright dissatisfied with their organisation's progress on AI and GenAI so far, citing three primary reasons for their dissatisfaction: a lack of talent and skills (62 per cent), an unclear AI and GenAI roadmap and investment priorities (47 per cent), and absence of strategy regarding responsible AI and GenAI (42 per cent).

The report, titled BCG AI Radar: From Potential to Profit with GenAI, is based on a survey of 1,406 C-level executives in 50 markets and 14 industries. Seventy-one percent of executives surveyed say they plan to increase tech investments in 2024 -- an 11-point jump from 2023 -- and even more (85 per cent) plan to increase their spending on AI and GenAI.

Fifty-four per cent of leaders already expect AI to provide cost savings this year, primarily through productivity gains in operations, customer service, and IT.

"This is the year to turn GenAI's promise into tangible business success," said Christoph Schweizer, BCG's CEO.

"Almost every CEO, myself included, has experienced a steep learning curve with GenAI. When technology is changing so quickly, it can be tempting to wait and see where things land. But with GenAI, the early winners are experimenting, learning, and building at scale."

"The paradigms of AI and Gen AI use are shifting rapidly, with more and more businesses accepting and focusing on how these frontier technologies can help increase productivity and business goals," said Nipun Kalra, Managing Director & Partner, and head of BCG X in India.

"India, particularly, leads in boosting technology investments and prioritizing AI and Gen AI use. The Digital India initiative of the government is mainstreaming grassroots level businesses including SMEs and MSMEs aided by technological advancements in AI, Data Science and Machine Learning."

Although a small percentage of companies are already reaping the rewards of AI and GenAI, others are either playing catch up or standing on the sidelines.

More than 60 per cent of executives surveyed say their firms are still waiting to see how AI-specific regulations develop, and just 6 per cent of companies have trained more than 25 per cent of their people on GenAI tools so far.

India fares slightly higher than the global average with 9 per cent companies having trained more than 25 per cent of their people on GenAI tools.

"To unlock GenAI's full potential, executives should deploy it to improve efficiency of everyday tasks, reshape critical functions, and invent new business models," said Schweizer.

"Doing so can increase productivity by up to 20 per cent, enhance efficiency and effectiveness by up to 50 per cent, boost revenue, and create long-term competitive advantage."

"Much needs to be done in upskilling workforce in AI proficiency, including creating new roles that will specifically focus on AI use. This is also an area where there are many positive signs in India, with a focus on skilling for AI, both at the industry level as well as at the university level," said Kalra.

According to the report, "winning" companies acknowledge GenAI's permanence and recognise its potential for both enhanced productivity and topline growth.

Among characteristics that set the winners apart from observers, it calls out investing in AI for productivity and top-line growth, systematic upskilling and implementing responsible AI (RAI) principles.

"What is imperative for India is to also create a framework simultaneously for responsible AI use, given its rapid adoption. The Indian government is already mulling regulations for AI as part of the Information Technology Rules. These will include creating safeguards for preventing bias in AI and language models as well as tackling issues such as deepfakes and synthetic content, especially for consumer facing platforms and financial platforms. Businesses and industry can lead the way here by creating self-regulatory frameworks for responsible AI use," concluded Kalra.
Mumbai, Jan 12 : The makers of Tovino Thomas-starrer 'Anweshippin Kandethum' on Friday unveiled the intriguing teaser of the Malayalam film, which is set to unravel the mystery at the core of a shocking murder case.

The 50 second teaser unveils the intrigue and mystery around a sensational police case. Tovino takes on the role of a police officer- Sub Inspector Anand in this suspenseful thriller.

Talking about the movie, the 'Vaashi' fame actor said: "The film's narrative deviates from the usual path. In addition to focusing on suspense and investigative elements, it also delves into the lives of investigators, offering a novel experience for viewers."

"It is a well-written script, backed by an amazing team of technicians and an excellent performance by Tovino Thomas. We can assure you that the thrill inherent in the teaser will extend to an exciting viewing experience on the big screen as well," says Siddharth Anand Kumar, Sr Vice President of Films and Events at Saregama India Ltd.

Director Darwin Kuriakose added: "Tovi (Tovino) plays the role of a police officer assigned to investigate some incidents that occurred in a town in Kerala. His character captures the essence of an idealistic and sincere police officer who is fuelled by the youthful passion for justice. The movie revolves around the unexpected challenges he encounters during the investigation."

The film features Aadhya Prasad as the female lead. It also stars Siddique, Indrans, Shammi Thilakan, Pramod Veliyanad, Kottayam Nazeer, Aswathy Manoharan, Saranya, and Arthana Binu in pivotal roles.

Written by Jinu V Abraham, the film is directed by debutant Darwin Kuriakose and is produced by Yoodlee Films, the film production arm of Saregama India along with Theatre of Dreams.

'Anweshippin Kandethum' will hit the screens on February 9.
Delhi court overturns JJB's order, two juveniles to be tried as adults in murder case. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Jan 12 : A Delhi court on Friday extended by another five days the police custody of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist, Javed Ahmed Mattoo, allegedly involved in 11 terror attack cases in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Special Cell of Delhi Police in coordination with other agencies on January 4 arrested the 'A++ category' terrorist, who carried a reward of Rs 10 lakh for his involvement in a series of terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.

He was presented at the court following the expiry of his previously granted seven-day police custody.

On an application moved by the Delhi Police, Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Nabeela Wali of Patiala House Courts extended the 32-year-old's police custody till January 17.

Mattoo a.k.a. Irshad Ahmed Malla alias Ehsan, who hails from Sopore in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district, was allegedly involved in five grenade attacks in the Kashmir Valley.

Wanted in connection with 11 terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, Mattoo was evading arrest for the last 13 years.

According to sources, the police are currently in search of the handler responsible for providing arms and ammunition to Mattoo in Delhi. Mattoo was apprehended by the Special Cell of Delhi Police in the Nizammudin area, where he had arrived to collect weapons and ammunition from his associates, acting upon the instructions of Pakistan's intelligence agency, Inter Services Intelligence (ISI).

Sources said that a handler based in Pakistan was looking after the delivery of arms and ammunition, directing Mattoo to carry out terrorist activities in J&K and other locations.

Investigators believe in the critical importance of arresting the arms supplier, as Mattoo's capture likely alerted his superiors in Pakistan, potentially prompting a change in their planned actions. Mattoo, the sole surviving A++ category J&K-based terrorist, had gone underground a decade ago after sustaining injuries in a clash with security forces.

He fled to Nepal as per the ISI's instructions to evade the J&K Police.

It was also revealed by sources that Mattoo possesses expertise in handling rocket-propelled grenades, under barrel grenade launchers, and AK-47s.
Tura : , Jan 12 (IANS) Meghalaya on Friday got its second Raj Bhavan in Tura in West Garo Hills region of the state as Governor Phagu Chauhan inaugurated it virtually from Shillong.

The complex, located in the Danakgre area of the Tura town, was built at cost of Rs.24.1 crore and covers an area of 28.45 acres.

The completion of this project is testimony to the governmentas efforts towards administrative decentralisation beyond the capital region.

The Governor expressed his delight on the construction of the beautiful complex and said that the project was yet another milestone towards enhancing governance in the Garo Hills region.

Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said that the President Droupadi Murmu will stay at the newly-opened Raj Bhavan during her upcoming visit to the northeast.

"This is another long-standing project that our government was able to successfully complete. The Raj Bhavan stands as a symbol of architectural excellence and civic pride, representing the heart of the city's promising future. It is of great pride that Droupadi Murmu, Honable President of India, would be residing in this complex during her upcoming visit."

Envisioned as "Assam type" building, the project was initially conceptualised in 2009 at a cost of Rs. 5.48 crore with an aim to be completed within 3 years. The main building was later redesigned to an earthquake-resistant RCC structure and a spacious banquet hall was added.

However, in 2016, unforeseen circumstances necessitated revisions of costs and timelines, leading to delay. The project was revived by Chief Minister Sangma in 2021. Two new works orders expanding the scope of the project were issued with a cost of Rs 10.98 crore and Rs.7.69 crore.

According to a senior goverrnment official, post this intervention and with constant monitoring, the project was completed in a span of just 3 years. With its grand inauguration, the project is set to become a focal point for official events and ceremonies in the region. Besides the inauguration of the Raj Bhavan in Tura, the Chief Minister also emphasised that the government is focused on strengthening administrative infrastructure in all regions of the state.

--IANS

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Baramulla :Army soldiers moving towards ongoing encounter site at Malwaa villages of Baramulla district in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday April 21,2022.(Photo: Nisar Malik /IANS). Image Source: IANS News

Jammu, Jan 12 : Terrorists fired at an army vehicle in J&K's Poonch district on Friday, officials said.

Jammu, Jan 12 (IANS) Terrorists fired at an army vehicle in J&Kas Poonch district on Friday, officials said.

Official sources said that the terrorists fired at an army vehicle in Khanetar area of Poonch.

"Soldiers in the vehicle returned the fire. There is no report of casualty. Further details are awaited," a source said.

On December 22, 2023, terrorists ambushed an army vehicle in Dera Ki Gali area of the same district, leaving four soldiers dead.

Fridayas firing incident has taken place nearly 40 km away from Dera Ki Gali.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : The Supreme Court on Friday said that it will impose costs on state governments for not submitting their response to the Central government on the issue of identification of minorities at the state or district level.

A bench of Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta said that the state government, if it fails to file an affidavit before the apex court or furnish data or comments to the Centre within a period of six weeks, will have to pay a cost of Rs 10,000.

The bench said that it will take up the issue of identification of minorities in April.

It also asked the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs to file an updated status report at least two weeks prior to the next date of listing.

The batch of pleas challenge a provision of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) Act declaring Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Parsis, Sikhs and Jains as minorities at the national level and seek a direction to the Centre to define "minority" and lay down the guidelines for the identification of minorities at the district level and state-wise status.

Earlier, the top court had remarked that religious and linguistic minority status has to be decided state wise, observing that it is difficult to entertain a prayer to identify religious and linguistic minorities at the district level.

In the case of TMA Pai and others vs State of Karnataka (2002), the Supreme Court had held that minorities must be identified at the state-level.
Hyderabad, Jan 12 : The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) authorities in Karimnagar on Friday cancelled the auction of a rooster found abandoned on a bus and handed it over to an animal protection group.

The rooster, which appears to be specially trained one for cockfight, was found abandoned on a bus three days ago when officials of state-owned TSRTC were carrying out a routine check. It was found concealed in a bag on January 9 during a routine check of the bus at Karimnagar.

The bus was heading to Vemulawada via Karimnagar.

No passenger came forward to claim it apparently to evade penalty as travelling with an alive animal on TSRTC buses is not permitted. The TSRTC officials seized the rooster and shifted it to TSRTC bus depot-2 in Karimnagar.

Since then, the staff had been taking care of it by providing food and water.

In an unusual move, the officials had decided to auction the rooster on Friday at 3 p.m.

However, a man, who claimed to be the owner of the rooster, appealed to TSRTC Managing Director V. C. Sajjanar on social media to stop the auction.

Identifying himself as Mahesh, a native of Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh, he stated that he forgot the rooster on the bus.

He claimed that he had also purchased a ticket for the rooster. Meanwhile, the TSRTC authorities cancelled the auction after taking legal opinion and handed over the rooster to Blue Cross Society, a NGO which works for animal protection.

The bird will be shifted to the office of Blue Cross in Hyderabad. TSRTC officials believe that the rooster was being transported to Andhra Pradesh for cockfights during Sankranti.

Cockfights are rampant in parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana during Sankranti.

Despite the ban and warnings by police, cockfights are organised on a large-scale during Sankranti every year.

Crores change hands as revellers bet big on the cockfight, which was banned in 2018 on the orders of the Supreme Court.

Two roosters, often fitted with a razor-sharp curved blades on their spurs, are forced to fight each other to death.

Animal rights groups have been urging the authorities to strictly enforce the ban to save birds from cruelty.

--IANS

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Gandhinagar: Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw speaks at a seminar on semiconductor & electronics during the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024. Image Source: IANS News

Jaipur, Jan 12 : Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday said that at least 15 kilometers of new railway lines are being laid every day in the desert state.

"At least 400 kilometers of new railway lines are being laid in a year in Rajasthan, and around 15 kilometers of railway lines are being laid every day. In the coming time, all the projects of Amrit Station Scheme in Rajasthan will be completed within the stipulated time," the Railway Minister said.

He said that the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme was launched in 2023 and under the scheme work is going on to make more than 1300 railway stations across the country world class.

The central government had passed a railway budget of Rs 9500 crore for Rajasthan and under this, work is going on to make 83 railway stations of the state world class under Amrit Station Scheme.

"Out of which the work of about 25-30 railway stations has been completed," the minister said.

He said that he inspected Jaipur Railway Station and gave instructions to the officials.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma proposed to include Sanganer Railway Station in the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.

Bhajan Lal Sharma has also proposed to form a review committee of railways under the direction of the Chief Secretary.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : The Supreme Court on Friday set aside the order of the Himachal Pradesh High Court asking the state government to shift Director General of Police Sanjay Kundu from his post.

During the hearing, a bench, headed by CJI D.Y. Chandrachud remarked: "Does the High Court have jurisdiction to transfer him (DGP Kundu) to some other post? It is a solitary post."

The bench, also comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, said that the order passed by the High Court suffers from "a patent error of jurisdiction" since such a directive could not have been passed without affording an opportunity of hearing to Kundu.

Further, it ordered the 1989-batch IPS official to recuse himself from probe to be carried out in the matter by an special investigation team (SIT) consisting of an IG-rank official.

The special leave petition, filed by Kundu through advocate Gagan Gupta, stated the high court "neither considered, nor even recorded the submissions and statements of the counsel of the Petitioner made in good faith and the interest of justice".

It added that Kundu petitioned the Supreme Court to ensure that his career spanning 35 years is not reduced to a nullity on account of orders passed by the High Court, at a time where he has a little over 3 months of service left.

"The petitioner herein had interjected only with the intention to make sure that the dispute (between businessman Nishant Sharma and senior advocate K.D. Shreedhar) may be resolved through police-led mediation, so as to ensure that neither party engages in further criminality and to ensure that the dignity of either party is not ground to dust on account of inter se differences", the plea said.

The High Court on Tuesday dismissed the plea filed by Kundu and Kangra Superintendent of Police Shalini Agnihotri seeking recall of its earlier order directing the Home Secretary to shift the two IPS officers to some other posts so they "do not have any opportunity to influence investigation in an alleged intimidation of a businessman".

In an order on December 26, a bench of Chief Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao and Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua had directed the state government to shift the state police chief and the Kangra SP in the wake of a complaint by the Palampur-based businessman who had apprehended threat to life.

Complainant Nishant Sharma had alleged threat to him, his family and property from his partners and cited an incident of "brutal attack" on him in Gurugram on August 25, saying two influential people of Himachal, including a former IPS officer, were identified in the CCTV footage.
Centre apt for setting income threshold to determine EWS category eligibility: Delhi HC on KV admissions matter. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Jan 12 : The Rouse Avenue court on Friday reserved its order on the cognisance of the charge Sheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a Rs 36 crore property case involving AAP MLA Amanat Ullah Khan.

Allegedly, a property worth Rs 36 crore was acquired with illicit funds, purportedly influenced by Khan, who reportedly handed over Rs 8 crore in cash.

The ED had previously filed a charge sheet against Zeeshan Haider, his firm Skypower, Javed Imam Siddiqui, Dawood Nasir, and Qausar Siddiqui.

When questioned about Khan's role, the ED's counsel said that further investigation related to others is ongoing.

The ED's counsel submitted that the accusations in the predicate offence pertain to irregularities in the Delhi Waqf Board, where Khan was allegedly involved in corrupt practices, including misappropriation of Rs 100 crore and providing jobs.

Special Judge Rakesh Syal heard the submissions and reserved the order on cognisance for January 19.

During the investigation, the ED considered FIRs filed earlier by the CBI, ACB, and Delhi police.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) sought PMLA investigation against Khan, alleging properties were acquired in Delhi, Telangana, and Uttarakhand with alleged ill-gotten money.

Searches at premises owned by Hamid Ali Khan and Qausar Imam Siddiqui revealed incriminating evidence and illegal weapons.

The recovered diaries suggested high-value transactions between Khan and Javed Imam Siddiqui, including the purchase of Rs 36 crore plot in Tikona Park, Okhla.

The court was informed that an agreement to sell of Rs 36 crore, recovered from the accused mobile, was manipulated, indicating tampering with evidence.

ED said that the property was bought at Khan's behest, and the court was presented with evidence of Rs 27 crore cash transaction, making it a compelling case to summon the accused persons.
Bengaluru, Jan 12 : Bengaluru based corporate giant Wipro on Friday clarified that there is nothing personal about lawsuits filed against former top officials of the company.

"It's about contractual obligations," the company said.

Thierry Delaporte, Wipro CEO, addressing media after announcement of December quarter results said that the company is sticking to business practice.

"The company is not destabilised by these decisions because we have the pipeline. We have been in business for 30 years. I know how this is working and we only apply those normal terms and we are committed to our employees," Thierry Delaporte said.

"We realise that when you are bringing talent, we have been also promoting a lot of talent, it triggers a little bit of churn and you must be prepared for that. If you are transforming the organisation and if you are providing as much talent in the organisation as we have done over the last two to three years, you have prepared for the fact that some people will decide to go," Thierry Delaporte said.

The Bengaluru-based corporate giant Wipro has filed a lawsuit against its former Chief Finance Officer (CFO), Jatin Dalal, in the Bengaluru Civil Court. In turn, Dalal, presently with Cognizant as CFO, has submitted an application to the court requesting arbitration.

Wipro has sought Rs 25.15 crore damages from its former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jatin Dalal for violating the non-compete clause of his employment contract.

Wipro had recently filed a complaint against its former senior vice president Mohd Haque for violating non-compete covenants by joining Wipro's direct competitor, Cognizant.
Bengaluru, Jan 12 : Former Karnataka CM Basaravaj Bommai on Friday criticised Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and questioned his silence on the Haveri moral policing incident wherein a woman had alleged gang-rape by vigilantes.

"The government was treading the path of dual policy in giving protection to the victim who belongs to the minority community," he said, while accusing the state Congress of having double standards over moral policing.

Talking to reporters here on Friday, he said the woman had been gang-raped, but the police had initially ruled out that offence and invoked the various sections of law that would give bail to the accused.

"Now, the woman has openly stated that she had been sexually abused and the case then became serious. The victim must undergo the medical test afresh. The CM claims that he is the champion of minorities but a woman belonging to the minority community has been sexually assaulted. The government did not even come forward to provide her protection," the senior BJP leader said.

The former chief minister claimed that there has been a 30 per cent increase in incidents of crime in the last nine months.

"Similar incidents in the past have been hushed up. The Haveri incident must be probed separately. An investigation team must be constituted to probe it," he said.

A victim of moral policing released a video on Thursday in which she said that she was repeatedly gang-raped by vigilantes in Haveri district of Karnataka.

The homemaker was dragged out of a hotel after being seen with a person from another religion and beaten up in Hangal town on January 8.

The victim who belongs to the minority community stated that, when she was at the hotel, a gang of five to six men barged inside, questioned her and took her on their motorcycles forcibly.

They took her to an isolated place and assaulted her brutally and later, all of them raped her.

Later, they asked her to sit in a car and the driver also raped her. Her ordeal did not end here. She was taken to two to three places and gang-raped.

The accused later took her to a National Highway, and she got on a bus.

"I want them to be punished," she said in the video in an appeal to the police.

Her husband also told the media that his wife was gang-raped by the group of vigilantes.

"They had kidnapped and inhumanly attacked my wife. She had opened up about this brutality with one of the family members," he said.
Chennai, Jan 12 : A special court here on Friday again rejected the bail application of Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji.

Principal Sessions and Special Court for PMLA cases Judge S.Alli declined the bail application of Balaji, who had pleaded that circumstances have changed as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had completed the investigation and that there was no reason for a custodial interrogation.

The judge, however, observed that there was no change in circumstances and denied his bail application.

The Minister had filed bail applications in the Madras High Court as also the Supreme Court but both were rejected.

Balaji was arrested and sent in Puzhal central prison on June 14, 2023 in a case related to the job for cash scam while he was a minister in the previous AIADMK government.

Senior counsel Aryama Sundaram, appearing for the Minister, argued that his client was in prison for 207 days and that the investigation was completed. He also said that the Central agency could not muster substantial evidence to prove the charges.

Additional Solicitor General A.R.L. Sundaresan opposed the bail plea saying that Balaji was continuing to be a Minister wielding so much influence and that he can derail the investigation and threaten the witnesses if he was released on bail. He had also said that the Minister had not cooperated with the investigating agency and that his brother and co-accused Ashok Kumar had not appeared before the agency even after repeatedly sending summons.

--IANS

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Patna, Jan 12 : Bihar Police on Friday claimed to have cracked a case regarding horrifying rape and murder of two minor girls in Phulwari Sharif town of Patna and arrested the accused.

"We have arrested the accused on the basis of extensive investigation. The accused has confessed to the crime. He also revealed how he committed the crime. The interrogation of the accused is currently underway," Patna SSP Rajiv Mishra said.

On Tuesday, two minor girls of the Mahadalit community, aged 8 and 12-year-old were found abandoned in a pit near Hinduni village.

The 8-year-old victim had died while the 12-year-old was found unconscious. She was admitted to AIIMS Patna and is currently undergoing treatment.

The victim has said that one person committed the crime but she cannot identify the accused. The incident had led to massive outrage in Phulwari Sharif on Thursday.

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav has said that strong action will be taken against the accused.
Hyderabad, Jan 12 : The Telangana government has invited applications from eligible candidates for the appointment of Chairman and members of the Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC).

According to an official statement, sample application forms have been made available on www.telangana.gov.in.

The qualifications and other details for the posts of TSPSC Chairman/members have been placed in the government website. Eligible candidates should submit their applications in the prescribed format through email by 5 p.m. on January 18.

These appointments will be made from the applications received, or otherwise, by the Search/Screening Committee appointed by the government.

The applications have been invited two days after Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan accepted the resignations of TSPSC Chairman B. Janardhan Reddy and three members. They had submitted their resignations last month following the change of government.

The Governor had forwarded the resignations to the state government for circulation of file, along with the remarks and the opinion of the Advocate General, through the Chief Minister, after ensuring a thorough examination of the matter. This was done in view of the ongoing investigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT).

The TSPSC was rocked by leakage of question papers last year, leading to either cancellation or postponement of some recruitment exams. This had triggered massive protests by unemployed youth.

The development came a day after Congress MLC T. Jeevan Reddy wrote to the Governor, urging her to take a decision at the earliest on the resignations which had been pending with her for nearly a month. The Congress, in its election manifesto, promised to fill two lakh vacancies in the government departments within a year of assuming power.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy said the process for conducting exams and issuing job notifications will begin as soon as a new TSPSC board is in place
New York, Jan 12 : Engineers from Columbia University in the US have built a new AI that shattered a long-held belief in forensics - that fingerprints from different fingers of the same person are unique.

New York, Jan 12 (IANS) Engineers from Columbia University in the US have built a new AI that shattered a long-held belief in forensics  that fingerprints from different fingers of the same person are unique.

It turns out they are similar, only we've been comparing fingerprints the wrong way!

It's a well-accepted fact in the forensics community that fingerprints of different fingers of the same person are unique, and therefore, unmatchable.

A team led by Columbia Engineering undergraduate senior Gabe Guo challenged this widely held presumption.

Guo, who had no prior knowledge of forensics, found a public US government database of some 60,000 fingerprints and fed them in pairs into an artificial intelligence-based system known as a deep contrastive network.

Sometimes the pairs belonged to the same person (but different fingers), and sometimes they belonged to different people.

Over time, the AI system, which the team designed by modifying a state-of-the-art framework, got better at telling when seemingly unique fingerprints belonged to the same person and when they didn't.

The accuracy for a single pair reached 77 per cent. When multiple pairs were presented, the accuracy shot significantly higher, potentially increasing current forensic efficiency by more than tenfold.

"The AI was not using 'minutiae,' which are the branchings and endpoints in fingerprint ridges  the patterns used in traditional fingerprint comparison," said Guo, who began the study as a first-year student at Columbia Engineering in 2021. "Instead, it was using something else, related to the angles and curvatures of the swirls and loops in the centre of the fingerprint."

The project, a collaboration between Hod Lipson's Creative Machines lab at Columbia Engineering and Wenyao Xu's Embedded Sensors and Computing lab at University at Buffalo, SUNY, has been published in Science Advances.

While the AI system's accuracy is not sufficient to officially decide a case, it can help prioritise leads in ambiguous situations.

Columbia Engineering senior Aniv Ray noted that their results are just the beginning. "Just imagine how well this will perform once it's trained on millions, instead of thousands of fingerprints," said Ray.

"This discovery is an example of more surprising things to come from AI," said Lipson.
Hyderabad, Jan 12 : The Telangana Cabinet sub-committee on Friday reviewed the status of applications received under Praja Palana, the public outreach programme conducted recently.

Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, along with minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu, attended the meeting at the state Secretariat.

He discussed the implementation of five guarantees with the top officials of the state government for about two and a half hours, enquiring about the number of applications received during Praja Palana and the current status of data entry.

He also wanted to know as to how many applications were received under the five guarantees.

Senior officials expressed their views over the implementation of the five guarantees.

The Deputy CM and minister gave directions to the officials about the selection process of the genuine applicants to get the benefit of the five guarantees.

The ministers directed the Centre for Good Governance (CGG), Information Technology Department and all other departments to share data and prepare clean data without any duplication. It was also clarified no one has asked the applicant for OTP either during Praja Palana application data collection or data entry.

People have been advised to report to the police, if anyone calls them and ask for an OTP.

The Cabinet panel clarified that the OTP asked by cyber criminals has nothing to do with applications collected in Praja Palana.

The Deputy CM and minister alleged that unable to digest the large scale response to the Praja Palana programme undertaken by the Congress government for the implementation of the five guarantees, attempts are being made by some people to politicise it.

They made it clear that the government will strictly implement the five guarantees announced by the party.

More than 1.25 crore applications were received during aPraja Palanaa, the public outreach programme conducted across the state from December 28 to January 6. More than 1.05 crore of these applications were for availing benefits under five of the six guarantees promised by the Congress in the recent elections.

The remaining applications were for other needs. A total of 1,11,46,293 households were covered during the programme in 12,769 gram panchayats and 3,623 municipal wards.
ED suspends its official arrested by Rajasthan ACB in graft case; launches probe. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Jan 12 : A Delhi court has sent five individuals arrested in connection with an alleged Rs 56,000 crore bank loan fraud related to Bhushan Steel Ltd (BSL) to ED custody.

Special Judge Rajesh Kumar Goel of Rouse Avenue Court sent Ajay S. Mittal and Archana Mittal to ED custody until January 14, and Nitin Johri, Pankaj Kumar, and Pankaj Kumar Tiwari until January 15.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleged that the promoters, directors, and officials of Bhushan Steel engaged in fraudulent activities, including forging documents and making false representations to banks.

Funds were misappropriated through fabricated Letters of Credit in favour of JSW Steel Limited and Hindustan Zinc Limited.

The judge stated: "Custodial interrogation of the accused persons is required to ascertain the further complicity of the accused persons in laundering the proceeds of crime and modus operandi adopted by them."

The ED initiated the investigation based on a prosecution complaint filed by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) against Bhushan Steel Limited, invoking scheduled offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) 2002.

The investigation revealed that Bhushan Steel and its Managing Director, Neeraj Singal, formed shell companies to rotate funds, causing wrongful loss to State Bank of India and Punjab National Bank.

Assets worth Rs 61.38 crore were provisionally attached earlier. Neeraj Singal, already in judicial custody, faces charges, with a prosecution complaint filed against him and other accused on August 8, 2023.

The arrested individuals, including Ajay Mittal and Archana Mittal, allegedly received proceeds of crime, mortgaging BSL property to route funds to Singal's family.

Nitin Johri and two others, former BSL employees, are accused of manipulating accounts, providing fake documents to banks, and actively participating in the diversion of bank funds.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : A 47-year-old man on Friday was found hanging in a forest area near the Vasant Square Mall here, an official said.

The police said they received a call regarding suicide by hanging at around 3.30 p.m., following which a team rushed to the spot.

The caller, Uttam Singh, a resident of Masoodpur, Vasant Kunj, told the police team that his brother Vikas Kumar, who also resided in the same locality, was found hanging in a forest area near the Vasant Square Mall.

Vikas Kumar had been missing since Wednesday. A missing complaint /report was registered at a police station in this regard on Thursday.

"The police team inspected the spot and the deceased was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital where he was declared brought dead. The body was shifted to Safdarjung Mortuary," a senior police officer said, adding: "No foul play was suspected by any of the family members in Vikas Kumar's death."
Enactment of laws in English will not harm growth of regional languages: Kerala HC. Image Source: IANS News

Kochi, Jan 12 : A month after the incident, the Kerala High Court on Friday granted bail to seven students who were arrested for obstructing Governor Arif Mohammed Khan's convoy and shouting slogans against him.

The incident occurred on December 11 in the state capital city when Khan was proceeding to the airport.

An angry Khan got out of his car and was seen expressing his displeasure to the security officials.

Before granting bail, the judge interacted with the accused students and their parents in the presence of their counsel as well as the public prosecutor.

"The petitioners assured this court that they would regularly attend their classes, obey their parents and undergo counseling to transform their attitude and mindset," the court saikd in the bail order and added that their attendance sheets should be presented to the jurisdictional courts on a quarterly basis.

"Let the order be a reminder to the students that the reformative path would be in store if they indulge in similar offences as alleged in these cases," the court said.

"This impulsiveness often overlooks the potential consequences, and by the time the harsh reality sets in, they might find themselves languishing in prison. To prevent such outcomes, addressing the underlying causes is crucial by creating spaces for constructive dialogue and promoting a change in the mindsets of the persons at the helm of affairs," the court opined.

--IANS

sg/vd
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E.L. Shen is the author of the middle grade novel The Comeback and the YA novel The Queens of New York, a New York Public Library Best Book of the Year. In her essay for PW, Shen reflects on the experience of losing her father as a teenager and the catharsis of writing about grief in her forthcoming book for middle graders.

I was 15 when my dad passed away, and immediately, I wanted to write about him. I wanted to commit to memory everything about him. The way hed be half-asleep watching a Yankees game and then intuitively wake up and cheer whenever they scored. His off-key baritone in church and his nonstop jokes during choir rehearsal. His eclectic collection of music and shows from Martina McBride and Star Trek to the Carpenters and Room 222. I worried that if I didnt write about him while the memories were still fresh, theyd soon fade, until my father was a mirage of a person rather than someone I had looked up to and adored for 15 years.

But writing about him proved harder than I thought. Creative writing had always been an emotional outlet for me, but with my dad, the blank page felt imposing and impossible. In 2013, the summer before my senior year of high school , I attended a young writers conference in Gambier, Ohio. Surrounded by acres of tall corn and cocooned by the thick summer humidity (and the ghost of alumnus John Greens college years), I sat at a rickety wooden desk and tried once again to write about my dad. My classmates were all scribbling away. I went to the bathroom and stared at the sink until someone came in to see if I was all right.

Later, my creative writing professor would tell me, Sentimentality is standing too close to your subject. Maintain some distance. Maybe that was the problem: I couldnt write about my dad because how could I encompass the singularity that was my father without distilling him down to a cartoon version of himself? How could I express grief without losing myself in it?

And I was getting older. In addition to worrying that Id forget my dad as the years passed, I grew concerned that maybe he wouldnt like who I was becoming. I now had different political opinions than he did. I didnt end up going to the college he wanted me to attend. I made my own choices, and I wondered if they would have disappointed him.

So instead of writing about him, I went to lots (and lots!) of grief counseling and therapy. I grappled with the knowledge that no one could ever answer my questions about my dad. I worked on accepting that I would never know if he was proud of all my decisions, and that I wouldnt be able to discern the ultimate truth about who my father was. I could only express my truthmy perception of my father and my grief. This was my way of holding his memory close while moving forward.

Last fall, I finally found a way to put pen to paper and let the ink flow. I wrote about a 13-year-old girl named Freya June Sun who believes in the Chinese superstitions her father has spoonfed to her since birth. When he passes away, she becomes obsessed with them, convinced her father is sending her messages beyond the grave. While my dad and Freyas dad are not the same person, it was cathartic to talk about the burden of expectations from a dead parent, the fear of moving on, the way grief impacts an entire family, and the love and support that can come from the most unexpected sources. For Freya, thats a surprising new hobby and an annoying classmate whos actually cuter than she thought.

My novel, Maybe Its a Sign, is the story I wanted my younger self to read and take comfort in. And I hope its a beacon of hope for children and adults who have lost loved ones and are trying to make sense of their own strange, new worlds. Talking about and understanding grief can be so difficult, especially when youre young and feel like youre the only person in the world who has experienced such immense loss. If one child finds that this story can act as a second home, a place where their complicated emotions are validated, Ill feel like I accomplished my goal.

As for me, it turns out I didnt have to worry that Id forget my dad; I remember so much about him, and now have imbued his essence and his love for me into my novel. Some memories and some people last forever.

Maybe Its a Sign by E.L. Shen. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $17.99 Jan. 23 ISBN 978-0-374-39077-8
Independent bookstores in the western U.S. came through the holidays with boosted balance sheets and tales of community connection.

In the mountain town of Winthrop, Wash., Christmas came early when a wayward Rebecca Yarros shipment appeared at Trails End Bookstore. Around the time that Yarross Iron Flame hit shelves, store manager Abilene Hagee said, Macmillan was switching us to a different account number, and somehow we ended up with 112 copies of the special edition of Fourth Wing. They showed up, and I almost cried, because were more a touristy-based store in the North Cascades and not a high-traffic urban shop.

Hagee and Trails End social media manager Paola Merrill, a former employee at Village Books in Bellingham with a cottagecore following, posted a video of their overstocked storefront. It went viral. We sold everything within two days, Hagee said. We shipped all over the worldto Australia, to France, everybody wanted it. Once they sold out, they directed customers to Pacific Northwest indies including Beach Books of Seaside, Ore., and A Book for All Seasons in Leavenworth, Wash. (until those stores, too, cried uncle from too many requests and too few copies). It saved our November and was a promising lead-in to snow season in Hagees ski town.

Paul Bradley Carr, who with his wife Sarah Lacy founded the Best Bookstore in Palm Springs in late 2022, reported their first fully profitable quarter. Total sales for December were up 32% compared to last year. Pure in-store (over the counter, not counting online) sales were up about 14% from last year. Palm Springs was hopping!

A Best Bookstore in Palm Springs in-store event with authors Steven Rowley and Byron Lane moved copies of Rowleys The Celebrants and Lanes Big Gay Wedding, and other top sellers were the stores favorite handsells, which include the growth-mindset motivator Hidden Potential by Adam Grant and psychological thriller Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent. Carr was surprised that nobody predicted how well Liz Cheney and Cassidy Hutchinson would do with their books Oath and Honor and Enough, and he saw a sub-trend that political books written by women (Heather Cox Richardson, Rachel Maddow) far outsold political books by men.

At Eagle Harbor Book Co. on Bainbridge Island, Wash., book buyer Jane Danielson said Oath and Honor "was a last-minute favorite. It was hard to keep in stock, and everyone wanted it." Eagle Harbor's "sales were up 10% in retail dollars, and 9% in units sold," Danielson added. "We like to look at units, since the dollar value has inflation built in, and so may not be a real increase."

Danielson saw "fewer early shoppers and many more last-minute shoppers this year," suggesting procrastination is again becoming customary after several pandemic years of pre-planning. Other big books for Eagle Harbor included How to Know a Person by David Brooks, The Creative Act by Rick Rubin, and On Island Time, a regional favorite of travel artistry by the late and much-missed Tacoma illustrator Chandler O'Leary.

Bookshop Santa Cruz likewise saw robust sales of Maddows Prequel, said manager Casey Coonerty Protti, along with local author Nina Simons cozy murder mystery MotherDaughter Murder Night and Daniel Masons haunting, multigenerational North Woods. It seemed like customers were in the mood to be entertained, said Coonerty Protti, who was amazed to sell more than 150 copies of the Taylor Swift Little Golden Book. Hardback fiction did especially well, followed by nonfiction that was in a storytelling format, notably The Art Thief by Michael Finkel. We ended up for December and felt like the store was packed with more families and out of town visitors that reminded us of pre-COVID years.

Bookshop Santa Cruz encouraged community-mindedness with a Winter Reading Program (we challenge customers to read three of eight selected books across genres to win prizes), an early-season online flash sale, and a holiday book drive that raised upward of $11,000 for local school libraries. For young readers and a adorable regional touch, the bookshop put together an otter box package of board books about Santa Cruz's otters and an otter plushie plus a note written from our beloved Rocking Horse.

Handselling Childrens Backlist and New Releases

At Mr. Mopps Childrens Books (Berkeley, Calif.), bookseller Clare Doornbos said sales were up 14% over last December. Although a predictable top seller was How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen, boosted by Mr. Mopps first-ever offsite event with the duo on December 9, our biggest seller by a mile was a book from 2020, Little Witch Hazel by Phoebe Wahl, Doornbos said. She credited the deep backlist at Mr. Mopps and said the staff were handselling it like crazy. But I also felt like I didnt see any new illustrated chapter book read-alouds for ages 47 that had that classic feel, so Little Witch Hazel jumped into that gap.

Peter Browns Wild Robot trilogy also ratcheted off the shelves at Mr. Mopps. Normally, by the time we see the third book in a series, sales have slowed down, Doornbos said. But we sold a lot of The Wild Robot Protects (Book 3) and found that it brought the other two books with it.

Another Berkeley bookstore, Pegasus Fine Books, listed Browns series as a middle-grade must-have this season too. Top kids performers for Pegasus included Anne Nesbets V Is for Victorine, Katherine Applegates The One and Only Ruby, Kelly Yangs fifth Front Desk book, Top Story, and Stuart Gibbss eleventh Spy School series title, Spy School Goes North.

Danielson, of Eagle Harbor Book Co., named Jeff Kinney's latest Wimpy Kid book, No Brainer; Dav Pilkey's Cat Kid Comic Club: Influencers; and Christopher Paolini's Murtagh.

Rediscovered Bookshop in Boise, Idaho, did well with Kate DiCamillos The Puppets of Spelhorst and Seattle authors Ben Clanton and Andy Chou Mussers fluffy cloud picture book, Ploof, said childrens book buyer Rebecca Crosswhite. The shop also took the opportunity to sell Boise author Mat Heagertys 2022 Lumberjackula, a middle grade graphic novel about a half-lumberjack, half-vampire hero. Like Rediscovered Bookshop, many West Coast shops reported hosting local authors to finish 2023 on a festive note.

This article has been updated to include additional store reports.
Were attempting to unravel the tangled web of literary influence by talking with the great writers of today about the writers of yesterday who inspired them. This month, we spoke with two standout figures from the Latin American avant-garde. Mexican author Valeria Luiselli (Lost Children Archive, The Story of My Teeth) explores the new translation of Juan Rulfos landmark text Pedro Paramo. And Ecuadorian author Mauro Javier Cardenas (American Abductions, Aphasia) discusses the inspiration hes drawn from the short stories of renowned surrealist Leonora Carrington.

Valeria Luiselli on Juan Rulfo

What do you think of the new translation of Pedro Paramo?

I have been forever frustrated with the existing translations because I think it's the greatest novel ever written, and I knew very few people in the English-speaking world who had read it. Theres this kind of despective ignorance. It somehow never really made its way into the Anglophone imagination, and I think largely because the translations were so perfectable.

In the first translation there are entire lines and parts of the original missing. Reportedly the translator didn't understand everything and when he didn't he just kind of skipped over it. Then the second translation was the one that I read more times and even taught a few times when I started teaching, and it was always very frustrating because the language was so different from Rulfos. So much more florid. It really missed the very dry, sullen, somber tone.

And then this last translation, I think, is the best so far. I read somewhere years ago that translations of classicsbe they ancient classics or modern classicshave to be redone at least every ten years to kind of renew the life of the book. I do think there are things that can be made better, but he got the most important thing in the book, which is rhythm. And rhythm is an offshoot of syntax, so that means he got the syntax well, so the translator obviously has an ear. I think my only hesitance with the translation is the lexicon. There are certain word choices that I found a little jarring. But its just lexicon, and that's always perfectable. I think the undercurrent of the book, what carries the bookwhich is its rhythmis very finely done.

I thought it brought out some stunning visual language that previous translations had lost.

There are some really beautiful lines. Theres a description of birds flying and turning blue, but what turns blue are the sounds of the birds. So theres this very fine transition in the book from sonic experience to visual experience. It's almost synesthetic. I don't know if Rulfo had some degree of synesthesia or if it's a crafted synesthesia. But those are well rendered in this new translation.

You called it the greatest novel ever. Why?

I think he wrote it with the freedom of a first book that you never have again. It's written with a freedom that teaches the reader that that freedom is possible in storytelling. It's contagious in its freedom. It breaks time and space in a way that very few novels can while remaining comprehensible. Its not Finnegans Wake. It remains comprehensible. It's not easy, but it remains readable but also completely shatters time and space.

And that's the biggest constraint a novelist hashow the hell do you make time in a novel in a way that it feels real? That the reader is traveling with you in time? And usually the solution to that very difficult question of how do I make time, how do I embroider it, is to keep to time as much as possible, right? Even if you're working in a fragmented sense of time, each individual section or fragment keeps to its time. But Rulfo really does away with it. He travels in time and space with an absolute freedom without us getting lost. If we're paying enough attention we don't get lost. So that's one of the qualities that I think make it one of my favorite novels of all time. I think the other things have to do with his ear for the vernacular. The way he reproduces voice. You can almost hear the ghosts.

Mauro Javier Cardenas on Leonora Carrington

You told me that you were influenced by Carringtons short stories in particular. How?

Leonora expanded the scope of reality that I hadnt previously dramatized and changed the course of my third novel. Although, hold on, that sounds too solemndo you know the story about the hyena with a borrowed face at a debutante party? The party doesnt end well. Plus the hyena cant return the borrowed face since the hyena ate the owner of the face. My daughters love this and other Carrington stories as much as I do. At home her stories have become part of our private stash of references, so that when the time came for me to write about a daughter whos waiting to hear about the fate of her ailing deported father, it seemed fitting for me to give her a talking car programmed by her father based on the stories of Leonora Carrington. (I would like to thank the Carrington Estate for allowing me to train sundry NLP algorithms on her stories.) Later, as more ailing deported characters appeared, it continued to seem fitting to give everyone access to a dream show where the interpreters included Remedios Varo, Leonora Carringtons friend, who shared Leonoras playfulness as well as her disregard for splitting reality into the palpable, programmable, and palatable.

Shes long been known more for her visual art than her writing. How do you think the two intersect?

For her the visual and the textual seemed part of the same continuum. Now you must know Moskoski is not on the earth, she wrote in a childhood story above a drawing of a strange animal. Its on a little planet called Stavinski, far beyond Neptune. Her boy whose head turns into a housea character from Her Milk of Dreamswould be at home in many of her paintings. Sculptures and conceptual movies are also part of her body of work. Even her house looked like an art installation.

Beyond her striking visual language, what do you think is most distinct about her writing?

Putting aside the obvious attraction of humans who eat walls and hyenas who borrow faces, Carrington often eschews the conflict-action-resolution (C-A-R) machine and opts for her own oneiric machine, which can be tough to do as a writer because of the ubiquity of C-A-R. What should come next after Russia gracefully donates a team of rats trained in operating on people? They are to be donated to the Psychoanalytical Association, obviously.

While her stories tended to be very short, it sometimes took her years to finish them. Why do you think she wrote so slowly?

The German surrealist filmmaker Ulrike Ottinger said that for years she accumulates images in her notebooks, and once she intuits she has enough images to string together a film, she strings together a film. I like to imagine Leonora Carrington drawing one of her creatures and then waiting years for the right next sequence of images to appear to her.

These interviews have been lightly edited for clarity.

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Saturday marks Korean American Day, which honors the arrival of the first Korean migrants to the United States on January 13, 1903, and celebrates the contributions of our Korean American community.

As we recognize Korean American Day, I reflect on the sacrifices my family made in the aftermath of the Korean War to come the United States for a chance at a better life. As an immigrant from South Korea with family members who defected from North Korea, I always remember where I came from. I am grateful to be an American and for the freedom and opportunity this country provides. At the same time, I do not take this for granted and am fighting every day, as one of the first Korean American women to serve in Congress, to deliver results for my community and ensure the American dream remains alive for my grandkids  and yours.

I am proud of my story. But my story is not unique  it is reflective of the experiences of more than 2 million Korean Americans who call the United States home. Since the first Korean migrants came to this country 121 years ago, Korean Americans have been proud Americans  paying it forward from coast to coast, making a difference across communities, and finding success in the classroom, in the workplace, and even in Congress.

My family has passed down Korean traditions to our children and now our grandchildren. Among these is making and enjoying kimchi, a spicy side dish of salted and fermented vegetables, that has had a place at Korean tables like mine for 2,500 years. In recent years, kimchi has transformed from a staple dish into a culinary icon that not only provides tremendous health benefits but also reflects growing Korean cultural influence over the past 121 years.

Thats why I was proud to introduce a resolution in Congress with fellow Korean American Representatives Michelle Steel (CA-45), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), and Andy Kim (NJ-03) to honor National Kimchi Day on November 22. National Kimchi Day, already officially recognized in several states, celebrates the growing influence of Korean culture in the United States reflected in the explosion of kimchi in restaurant menus and kitchen tables across the nation.

Kimchis culinary journey mirrors how Korean traditions have integrated into American life, drawing parallels with the experiences of the Korean American community over the past century. I have enjoyed seeing the rise in popularity of K-Pop, for example, and love offering recommendations when my colleagues ask which Korean dramas they should watch. Kimchi is the original K-culture export. Before there was Gangnam Style, BTS, Parasite, or Squid Game, there was kimchi. Much of the kimchi consumed in the U.S. comes from well-known South Korean brands such as CJ Groups Bibigo that has been making kimchi since the end of the Korean War and operating its plant in Fullerton, Calif., right outside my district in Southern California, since 2013.

The global recognition of kimchi's cultural importance was highlighted in 2013 when UNESCO recognized kimjang, the traditional process of making and sharing kimchi, as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. This acknowledgment elevated kimchi from simply food to a cultural practice bonding generations and fostering a sense of unity.

Kimchis fusion into mainstream American cuisine is not limited to Korean BBQ restaurants. From burger joints to trendy fusion food trucks, kimchi has found its way into unexpected places, creating unique and exciting combinations. Kimchi is now integrated into a variety of dishes, from tacos to pizza, and has proven its ability to transform traditional American staples.

In 2014, South Koreas government established an annual Kimjang Day on November 22 to encourage communities worldwide to participate in making kimchi together. This global event not only promotes kimchis cultural significance but also strengthens ties between Korea and nations around the world. As we mark 70 years of the U.S.-South Korea alliance, Kimchi Day in the United States also pays homage to our successful partnership based on shared values of freedom, democracy, and security. And what better way to celebrate on November 22, around Thanksgiving, than with some kimchi on the side of your Thanksgiving turkey? I know Ill have some kimchi stew, a family favorite, at my table.

Our Kimchi Day resolution is a testament to the power of food as a unifying force, fostering cultural understanding and building bridges between communities. Let us come together to embrace our unique cultures, backgrounds, and experiences that are all woven into Americas fabric and savor the unique contributions of the Korean American community to our national identity.

Rep. Young Kim represents the 40th District of California.
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By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 01/10/2023



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host Jesse Palmer has teased what viewers can expect to see on Zach Shallcross ' upcoming season."I haven't seen any of it yet... [but] I would say that Zach's season is a bit of a throwback season, in the sense that this is really about the love story; it's not so much about the drama," Jesse told Becca Kufrin and Michelle Young on the January 4 episode of the "Bachelor Happy Hour" podcast."And I know in some past seasons, drama takes over. With every season of or ette, there is going to be drama. It's just something that you can't avoid."But Jesse insisted Zach's season "is less about" confrontations, catfights, and competition between the bachelorettes."It's really more about the love story and about Zach trying to find his person," Jesse insisted.Jesse also said this is "easily the most emotional season" he's ever hosted, adding that other , ette and Bachelor in Paradise editions since he began hosting in 2021 are "not even close.""I think it's a lot of expressive emotion, maybe more than Paradise," Jesse noted. "I'm not kidding, by the way!"Jesse recalled feeling a different vibe while filming Zach's season immediately on Night 1."I remember watching the women get out of the limo and it was a first for me in the sense that it was the most I've ever seen of people getting out of the limo, walking up to the lead, and saying, 'I'm so happy it's you. I'm here for you. When I found out you were the Bachelor, I decided I wanted to come and do this,'" Jesse explained to the two former ette stars."I didn't see that with [Season 26 star Clayton Echard ] obviously because no one saw Clayton on TV before we started filming."Many bachelorettes had never seen Clayton before when they began filming 's 26th season, which filmed in late 2021 and aired in early 2022."These women I think, were very emotionally invested and hopeful for Zach," Jesse noted.Jesse also said Zach "cries a lot" and showed his emotion "early" in the dating process."Zach is an extremely emotional Bachelor. He's a very emotional man. He's expressive... But it's because he has such a big heart and he genuinely cares about people's feelings and how his actions affect people," Jesse explained.Jesse reiterated how Zach's season is emotional "not because of drama or backstabbing or things that happen behind the scenes" but rather because "of the love.""The relationships he forms, to me, is something that really stands out," Jesse said of Zach.premieres its new season on Monday, January 23 at 8PM ET/PT on ABC.ABC just released the official cast of 30 bachelorettes who will be competing for Zach's heart last week.Zach recently told BachelorNation.com that he wants to find a "really compassionate" woman who's "kind to everyone.""I think a lot of people can be really self-involved. So how you treat people on a day-to-day basis is really important to me," Zach said. "I just want someone who is a really kind, compassionate person."He also said that going into filming, he was "most nervous" about meeting a woman who was on the show for the wrong reasons."I'm most nervous about the fact that there could be people that are on this journey and a part of this experience that don't take it seriously and don't want to actually find love," Zach shared."I want to find someone who truly wants a future with me, so that's what scares me the most."Jesse teased on Becca and Michelle's podcast how Zach really "shines" on and has "a beautiful story" to tell.However, Jesse is worried Zach isn't prepared for what's coming up Based on a trailer of the new season that was released by ABC during Bachelor in Paradise's Season 8 reunion on November 22, 's 27th edition certainly promises to be dramatic.Former bachelorette Tahzjuan Hawkins apparently returns for another shot at love, prompting one bachelorette to complain in the preview, "We don't need another girl here."And Zach admits he feels like "a failure," before crying about one woman, "I saw something with her."Zach's season began filming in late September, which is when ABC also released 32 potential cast members.Zach emotionally self-eliminated on ette 19 following his overnight Fantasy Suite date with Rachel.While Zach pictured the flight instructor as "the future Mrs. Shallcross" and gushed to the cameras about how he was madly in love with her, Zach found her to be "inauthentic" in the Fantasy Suite and totally unlike herself.Once Zach confronted Rachel about his concerns, he decided to leave the show at the Final 3 Rose Ceremony. He could tell that he wasn't going to be Rachel's "person" and essentially beat her to the punch.Zach ultimately apologized to Rachel on ette: After the Final Rose for questioning her character, but Rachel insisted no apology was necessary and he had every right to feel that way.Zach was officially announced as star for Season 27 in late September on After the Final Rose. On that special, he was introduced to five of his bachelorettes, including Brianna Thorbourne, who received "America's First Impression Rose" in front of a live audience.Interested in more news? Join our The Bachelor Facebook Group
Different takes on framework to crack down on professional thieves
The Art is a form of freedom exhibition at the Georgia Museum of Art has given 22 anonymous incarcerated women a new platform in which to express themselves, creating an ongoing conversation between the incarcerated, university and Athens communities.
The economy may grow by around 7 per cent this financial year as estimated by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), say economists with various organisations.

Photograph: Anushree Fadnavis/Reuters

The first advance estimates for 2023-24 will be released on Friday by the National Statistical Organisation (NSO), an exercise done for calculating ratios such as the fiscal deficit.

The interim Budget will be presented on February 1.

Most economists Business Standard spoke to gave a growth range that stretched up to 7 per cent or a number that was closer to 7 per cent (see chart).

It should be noted even if GDP grows by 7 per cent during the year, the growth rate will slow to 6.3 per cent in the second half against 7.7 per cent in the first one due to a normalising base effect.

Global agencies such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank had estimated growth at a much lower 6.3 per cent.

However, it should be noted that these agencies had come up with projections when the second-quarter GDP number had not come.

After the second-quarter growth number came at 7.6 per cent, most experts revised their numbers for economic expansion for FY24.

For instance, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) too raised it to 6.7 per cent from 6.3 per cent, ICRA to 6.5 per cent from 6.2 per cent, and India Ratings to 6.7 per cent from 6.2 per cent.

SBI group Chief Economic Advisor Soumya Kanti Ghosh, whose projection of 7.2 per cent for the year was the highest, said if one looked at the data for the last 10 years, the RBI final projections given in December had always been the same or slightly higher than the first advance estimates, except for FY23, when it came at 7 per cent against the RBI s projection of 6.8 per cent.

We believe this year again the advance estimates will be higher than the RBI estimates and GDP growth for FY24 is expected to come around 7.2 per cent, he projected.

Ranen Banerjee, economic advisory services partner at PwC, said the advance estimates were likely to be in the range 6.8-7 per cent.

The surprise Q2 numbers and continued strong prints of high-frequency indicators in Q3 support an upside to the estimates.

Strong GST collection and corporate tax collection indicate strength in the economy, he pointed out.

He said the narrowing of the trade deficit and continued capex by the government would support the GDP numbers printing on the higher side.

Given that fiscal ammunition is still available with the government, one can expect strong government final consumption expenditure, besides gross fixed capital formation making up for any softness on the private final consumption expenditure element in the Q4 estimates, he pointed out.

Bank of Baroda Chief Economist Madan Sabnavis said the NSO s call was normally based on extrapolations.

The first advance estimates take the data till December, such as the index of industrial production (IIP) for October, and extrapolate the numbers for the remaining months.

But the first two quarters have been exceptionally good and will not be replicated in the last two quarters, he pointed out.

The area of concern could be agriculture because the kharif crop is expected to be lower and rabi has not yet shown higher sowing patterns, he said.

The base effects can bring about some moderation in services like trade and transport, and financial services while good corporate profitability will provide an upward thrust to areas which have their value addition reckoned on this basis, he said.

Rahul Bajoria, managing director and head of emerging markets, Asia (ex-China) Economics, Barclays, said the growth momentum was holding up, and this resilience was largely a reflection of domestic demand, as a variety of demand-side indicators still appears strong.

Risks to domestic growth, which were largely emanating from external sources, have retraced to some extent (crude oil below $80/barrel and reduced US rates), providing further support to growth, he pointed out.

Sanjay Kumar, partner, Deloitte India, said some economists expected in the second half of FY24 there might be some slowdown.

Even if we take that into account, we may certainly be pushing at 7 per cent growth. And, this is under the global headwinds, which augurs well for the economy, he said.
The securities regulators approval for the first US-listed exchange traded funds (ETF) to track bitcoin has given Indian cryptocurrency companies hope that the move would create domestic support for the digital assets.

Photograph: Dado Ruvic/Reuters

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Thursday approved 11 ETFs for bitcoin, perhaps the most popular virtual currency.

It would enable investors to access bitcoin without challenges such as setting up wallets or accounts with crypto exchanges that have previously suffered cyberattacks or implosion.

SECs decision will make the crypto market more regulated, experts say.

Crypto companies said Indian investors may not directly benefit from SECs decision but are hopeful for a similar change in domestic policy.

In October last year, the finance ministers and central bank governors (FMCBG) of Group of 20 (G20) countries adopted a road map on crypto assets and called for its swift implementation.

The roadmap was proposed in a synthesis paper by the International Monetary Fund and Financial Stability Board.

This is a milestone for the crypto industry, and we applaud the SEC's decision to approve the bitcoin ETF. It signifies a leap forward for the entire ecosystem.

"Over the past several months, financial entities like BlackRock, Valkyrie and Grayscale have diligently engaged with the SEC, paving the way for a new era of crypto asset adoption, said Sumit Gupta, co-founder of CoinDCX; a crypto exchange platform.

Companies said they are hopeful that similar discussion with the regulator will also begin in India.

We must remember that regulatory discussions have been happening in the US for the last few years.

"The SEC has accepted that bitcoin is a commodity, said Gupta.

Companies said Indian taxes imposed on crypto transactions would not be applicable if an investor makes direct purchase in an ETF.

India imposes a 30 per cent tax on income from cryptocurrencies and a one per cent tax deducted at source (TDS) on all crypto transactions.

An Indian investor taking exposure on a bitcoin ETF will get easy exposure through regulated entities without worrying about the storage of the cryptocurrency.

"Besides, 1 per cent TDS on transactions will not be applicable since there is no actual crypto being purchased and capital gains tax will also be lower.

"On the other hand, the 20 per cent TCS (tax collected at source) introduced in 2023 will be applicable on deposits above Rs 7 lakh via LRS.

"Although, unlike TDS, it can be used to offset other tax liabilities but may lead to liquidity getting stuck, said Viram Shah, chief executive officer of Vested Finance.

Nischal Shetty, co-founder of blockchain startup Shardeum, said: "We have seen that approximately 5 per cent to 10 per cent of gold ownership is through ETFs.

"With the bitcoin ETFs, people are expecting a good portion of bitcoin ownership to be routed through the ETFs.

"This makes bitcoin more accessible to those who have been comfortable trading in the traditional financial markets."
IT company Wipro on Friday posted an 11.74 per cent decline in its consolidated net profit to Rs 2,694.2 crore in the third quarter ended December 31, 2023.

Photograph: Abhishek N Chinnappa/Reuters

The company posted a profit of Rs 3,052.9 crore in the year-ago period.

The consolidated revenue from operations of Wipro also fell 4.4 per cent to Rs 22,205.1 crore during the December quarter as against Rs 23,229 crore a year ago.

The company's IT Services segment revenue dropped 4.5 per cent on a year-over-year basis to Rs 22,150.8 crore during the reported quarter from Rs 23,196 crore during the same period of 2022.

Wipro said that it expects revenue from the IT Services business segment to be in the range of $2,615 million (around Rs 21,845 crore) to USD 2,669 million (about Rs 22,296 crore) in March 2024 quarter.
The rumour verification process would now be triggered by changes in price or 'material price movements', as the paper defines it.

What this means is that companies would need to verify rumours only if the share price moves significantly.

Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

'The Exchange has sought clarification from Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited with respect to recent news item captioned 'BHEL surges 6 per cent on buzz of winning Rs 19,422 crore order from NLC India'. The response from the Company is attached.

'The Exchange has sought clarification from Vodafone Idea Limited with respect to recent news item captioned 'Elon's Starlink tie-up talks in market pumps Vodafone Idea to the skies in India'.'

These notices are typical examples from the 'Market Rumours' section of the NSE Web site (external link).

They illustrate the way the market rumour verification system works in practice, even though it is not mandatory yet.

The stock exchanges highlight pertinent news items and rumours, match these to the price movements in the relevant stocks, and ask companies for clarifications.

Under the Securities and Exchange Board of India's (Sebi's) Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements (LODR) Regulations, 2015, the companies will have to mandatorily respond within 24 hours to clarify the situation once the system comes into effect in a phased manner from February.

The exchanges will then post their response on the Web site. (In the examples cited above, Vodafone Idea responded within the stipulated time frame.)

In theory, this verification mechanism offers investors a degree of protection from being fooled by rumours, and it enables them to react by buying or selling the stock in response to the clarifications.

In practice, however, Sebi's regulations about verification of market rumours and disclosures of material events are couched in such a way that companies may struggle to comply.

The volume of news and rumours about listed companies is huge. And, Sebi's current definition of a 'material event' that triggers this disclosure or clarification process is broad -- many would even say, unnecessarily broad.

The regulator has now released a consultation paper, which proposes to change the trigger for disclosures and rumour verification.

This was in response to suggestions by the Industry Standards Forum (ISF), an association formed last year at Sebi's behest.

It involves the Confederation of Indian Industry, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India and the stock exchanges.

ISF is handling the rumour verification requirement as a pilot project.

The key to understanding mandatory disclosures under LODR is Section 30, which has multiple clauses listing situations where a company must respond with a disclosure.

These are in addition to 'normal' disclosures, wherein a listed company must present timely audited accounts as well as transcripts of conference calls with analysts, management guidance about future plans, minutes of annual general meetings, board decisions, etc.

Sebi introduced the concept of rumour verification in mid-2023.

The first provision to LODR's Regulation 30(11) -- the rumour verification requirement -- calls on listed entities to verify and confirm, deny or clarify market rumours that are reported in the mainstream media.

The rumour verification requirement becomes applicable to the top 100 listed entities from February 1, 2024, and to the top 250 listed entities from August 1, 2024, according to a Sebi circular dated September 30, 2023.

How it was imagined

When it was conceptualised, the trigger for verification included 'material events'.

The proposed regulations said companies must mandatorily disclose events or information whose value, or expected impact in terms of value, exceeded:

2 per cent of the turnover, as per the last audited consolidated financial statements;

2 per cent of the net worth, as per the last audited consolidated financial statements (except where the net worth is negative);

or 5 per cent of the average of the absolute value of profit or loss after tax, as per the last three audited consolidated financial statements.

Listed entities were also required to make disclosures of material events or information 'as soon as reasonably possible'.

This was no later than 30 minutes from the closure of a board meeting; within 12 hours from the occurrence of an event if it emanated from within the listed entity; or 24 hours from the occurrence of an event or information if it did not emanate from within the listed entity.

There was some degree of subjectivity in that the company had to make a judgement call whether a given event or information would have a quantifiable impact that Sebi would consider material.

There was also more to the disclosure mandate, and some of this walked into grey territory.

A key clause read: 'Agreements to which persons such as shareholders, promoters, promoter group entities, related parties, directors, KMPs and employees of a listed entity or of its holding, subsidiary and associate company are parties are disclosable if they directly, indirectly, actually or potentially: (i) impact the management or control of the listed entity.'

Moreover such disclosures were mandatory even if the company itself was not a party to the agreements.

This could be interpreted to mean that, for example, wills made by large shareholders or any intra-family succession arrangements in the case of family-promoted corporations (which many Indian businesses are) should immediately be disclosed by the company.

Yet, that would imply massive breach of privacy and could result in unnecessary -- and significant -- share price swings.

What would happen if, say, the will of a hale and hearty promoter was put into the public domain decades before that person was likely to retire, or pass away?

One analyst pointed out, tongue-in-cheek, that it could also be stretched to mean 'Page 3' gossip becoming a trigger if, say, two prominent members of business families are rumoured to have a romantic relationship.

Should companies really be forced to disclose such possible 'events' or respond in rumour-verification mode to such situations? Also, how would this really be enforced in practice?

Understandably, India Inc was unhappy with this LODR.

What changes

Sebi's new paper suggests an important shift in the trigger for rumour verification.

Instead of material 'events', the rumour verification process would now be triggered by changes in price or 'material price movements', as the paper defines it.

What this means is that companies would need to verify rumours only if the share price moves significantly.

Price swing as a trigger makes more sense than material events since price is the key variable when it comes to the market value of a listed concern.

The challenges

Sebi's proposal also involves complexity when it is quantified. For instance, how does one define a 'material price movement' for this purpose?

The paper suggests it be benchmarked in percentage terms to movements in the major market index.

For example, if the Nifty is more than 1 per cent up above its closing levels of the previous session at 9.30 am, the material percentage move in a stock priced at less than Rs 100 should be taken as a gain of 5 per cent or more.

For shares priced at above Rs 200, a swing of plus 3 per cent or more would be considered material.

Similarly, for an index drop of minus 1 per cent, a stock priced at less than Rs 100 would have to drop more than 5 per cent for it to be considered significant.

The top 200 stocks (largecaps) are available in the F&O segment and prices are allowed to swing without limit in either direction.

But lower market-cap stocks may behave differently compared to the largecaps and they are placed in a restricted band.

As the system is broadened to cover stocks, which have lower market-cap, the measurement bands may have to be tweaked, or the benchmark index may have to be changed.

For example, the NSE-500 may be a better benchmark for a midcap or smallcap stock.

There are further complications in cases where, for example, rumours of a potential merger, an open offer, a stake sale or the spinoff of a subsidiary are involved.

Let's say, the rumour of an open offer is verified -- the price will swing as investors focus on the stock.

Since an open offer price is defined by the average prices of the prior 60 trading days, the verification itself will inevitably change the open offer price.

Hence Sebi has also introduced the concept of an 'Unaffected Price' (the price before the rumour is verified) to cater to such situations.

This means alterations in the way merger, open offer and stake sale processes work, with implications for the government's disinvestment programme, as well as for private enterprise.

There's a further point to be considered in terms of business confidentiality.

Understandably, corporations attempt to maintain confidentiality when such negotiations are in progress.

This is even true when, for example, a corporation is head-hunting for a new CEO or CXO.

Equally understandably, there are always rumours in the market about such negotiations.

If a listed company is forced to respond to such rumours before a deal is signed, that will again inevitably affect share prices.

A cursory reading of the text of the LODR and suggested changes indicates that a 'no-comment' response might not be legally acceptable.

This presents further food for thought.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
If Saudi Arabia, with just two Muslim holy sites of Mecca and Medina, can create a huge tourism-based ecosystem beyond oil, Ayodhya is sure to become the world's hottest religious tourism site in less than a decade, predicts R Jagannathan.

IMAGE: The Shri Ram Janambhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust shared this photograph of the Lord Ram temple at Ayodhya, January 4, 2024. All photographs: ANI Photo

India has been on course for a new tryst with destiny since the late 1980s, with the rise of Mandal politics and the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.

The Bharatiya Janata Party's ability to tap into the complementarities between the two culminated in a first term for the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance from 1998 to 2004.

Although it lost some steam during the United Progressive Alliance years, it has now again picked up pace under Narendra Modi.

The second tryst will hit its first major milestone when the Ram Mandir is consecrated on January 22 in Ayodhya.

This article will focus on the economic and social impact of the Ayodhya temple, which will go far beyond the immediate surroundings of this ancient capital city of the Ramayana.

The economic impact will be significant, not least because of the Rs 85,000 crore (Rs 850 billion) infrastructure investment planned in and around Ayodhya, including a new township spread across 1,200 acres.

If India is to become a $5 trillion economy in the next few years, and $10 trillion by the mid-2030s, it cannot be done by just depending on the growth engines of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Delhi-Haryana, and Telangana. Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have to rise to the challenge.

IMAGE: A wooden model of the Ram temple put up for sale to devotees in Ayodhya, December 7, 2023.

Uttar Pradesh is among the top five states by gross state domestic product (GSDP), but sinks to the bottom five in terms of projected per capita income in 2023-2024, according to data from PRS Legislative Research and the ministry of statistics and programme omplementation.

Among the top five, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have projected GSDPs of Rs 39 trillion and Rs 28 trillion this fiscal, while the next three (Gujarat, Karnataka and UP) are neck and neck with Rs 24 trillion to Rs 25 trillion each.

UP's per capita income is abysmal at around Rs 83,000 -- far below the national average and less than one-third of the neighbouring Hindi state of Haryana.

With the rise of Ayodhya as a major religious destination over the next few years, UP effectively gets a new growth and income driver.

The western part of UP is already a startup and manufacturing hub, thanks to Noida, which is a crucial part of the National Capital Region.

What Gurugram and Haryana gained from their proximity to Delhi over the last few decades, Noida and western UP will in the coming decades, thanks partly to the return of political stability in the state and massive investments in expressways and new airports, including Jewar.

What UP may be witnessing is a significant shift in the economic and political centre of gravity eastwards, as was the case in ancient India, where Ayodhya and Pataliputra (present-day Patna) were the hubs.

The golden tourist triangle of Delhi, Agra and Fatehpur Sikri will now be complemented by the Ayodhya-Prayagraj-Kashi trio in the east of the state.

IMAGE: Chandrakant Sompura, chief architect of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, along with the members of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra, visits the temple construction site in Ayodhya, December 19, 2023.

It is difficult to overstate Ayodhya's potential, not least because of the huge religious and spiritual significance of the ancient capital of Lord Rama's kingdom. And here is my prediction: If Saudi Arabia, with just two Muslim holy sites of Mecca and Medina, can create a huge tourism-based ecosystem beyond oil, Ayodhya is sure to become the world's hottest religious tourism site in less than a decade.

The reason for this prediction: Unlike sparsely populated Saudi Arabia, where religious tourism necessarily depends on Muslims from all over the world congregating there for Hajj or Umrah -- a privilege not all Muslims can afford -- Ayodhya will cater to the religious needs of the world's largest Hindu country, not to speak of foreign tourists.

For the vast majority of Indians, no borders have to be crossed, no foreign exchange bought, and no major travel expenses incurred to visit Ayodhya.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi inaugurates the Ayodhya Dham junction railway station.

In-bound tourism in Saudi Arabia is approximately 16 million to 17 million annually. Ayodhya is expecting 4.5 million monthly, or nearly 54 million annually -- which will be more than Tirupati's estimated annual visitors of 30 million.

Even if we assume a modest spend of Rs 2,500 per head, it means a collective tourist spend of more than Rs 13,500 crore (Rs 135 billion) --which again would be an underestimate.

Many well-heeled Indian and foreign tourists will spend 10 or 20 times more, making Rs 20,000 crore (Rs 200 billion) a more reasonable estimate. And this is just one city we are talking about.

The World Travel and Tourism Council reckons that Saudi Arabia's share of tourism in GDP will rise to 17 per cent by 2032, while India's current share is just under 7 per cent.

With the north now likely to attract more religious tourists than ever, we should see a massive leap in tourism's share of GDP, and commensurate gains in employment.

Unlike other sectors, tourism is one area where the employment elasticity of growth is high, since it uses more people for every unit of investment.

IMAGE: A view of Ayodhya international airport.

According to the Travel Agents Association of India, by 2028 or 2029, the tourism sector will contribute $512 billion to India's GDP, creating 58 million jobs.

That could again be an underestimate if UP really opens up for religious tourism not only in Ayodhya, but also in Kashi and Mathura, where too there is religious contention between Hindus and Muslims.

Ten per cent of GDP from tourism is hardly a stretch target for India in the next five years, considering we had crossed 7 per cent before Covid. UP should lead the way.

At some point, the state should become India's No 2 economy behind Maharashtra, leveraging both its demographic advantage and religious attractions to lift itself out of poverty.

IMAGE: Preparations underway at Ayodhya railway station.

This brings us to the issue of social harmony, something impacted by Hindu-Muslim wrangles over the Ram Janmabhoomi, and the ongoing court battles over Kashi and Mathura. But here's the point: The real damage to Hindu-Muslim relations was not caused by the Ayodhya issue, but rather by the efforts of Leftist historians to create a false narrative around temple destruction during Islamic rule.

This ultimately led to their denial of the existence of a Hindu temple below the Babri Masjid. The same goes for Kashi and Mathura.

One hopes that ordinary Hindus and Muslims realise that cordial community relationships cannot be built on a denial of past Islamic iconoclasm.

A truth and reconciliation commission, of the kind recommended by one Supreme Court judge in the Article 370 verdict, is even more important in Uttar Pradesh.

More so when considering that UP's Muslims were also at the heart of Mohammed Ali Jinnah's Pakistan project, with the biggest and most decisive votes in favour of Partition coming from the precursor province to current-day UP.

The Supreme Court bench that delivered the Ayodhya judgment probably realised that Hindus and Muslims have to overcome the mistrust inherited from history, and hence a cooling-off period with separate locations for the temple and mosque would work best.

If the new mosque planned near Ayodhya lives up to its earlier billing and draws huge numbers of pilgrims, that will be one more focus area for UP's economic rise.

Disclaimer: These are R Jagannathan's personal views.

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com
Three Congress members of the Lok Sabha, who had reached the speaker's podium leading to their suspension from the house, on Friday expressed regret for their behaviour to the privileges committee of the lower house.

IMAGE: Suspended Opposition MPs protest at Parliament's Makar Dwar during the winter session, New Delhi, December 19, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

Congress members Abdul Khaleque, J Jayakumar and Vijaykumar Vasanth were suspended from the Lok Sabha during the winter session and the matter was referred to the privileges committee.

The three MPs appeared before the committee and expressed regret over their behaviour in the Lok Sabha.

"The committee has accepted their expression of regret and decided to recommend to the speaker to revoke their suspension," a parliament source said.

During the winter session of Parliament, 100 opposition members were suspended from the Lok Sabha for unruly behaviour. While the suspension of 97 members was till the conclusion of the winter session, Khaleque, Jayakumar and Vijaykumar, who had reached the presiding officer's chair, were to face action pending the report of the privileges committee.

Another source said the committee was likely to submit its report to the speaker on Monday, paving the way for revocation of their suspension.

During the winter session, the Opposition members kept up the protests in both houses of the Parliament demanding a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah on the breach in Parliament security on December 13, 2023.
The only eyewitness in the Bilkis Bano case has said that the individuals convicted for the gruesome crime must be hanged or jailed for the remainder of their lives and only then would justice be served.

IMAGE: Men convicted for rape and murder in the Bilkis Bano case in the 2002 post-Godhra riots being welcomed as they come out of the Godhra sub-jail, August 15, 2022. Photograph: PTI Photo from the Rediff Archives

The eyewitness was seven when a mob attacked his cousin Bilkis Bano and other members of the minority community in Limkheda taluka of Gujarat's Dahod district and killed 14 of them during riots that erupted in 2002 after the Godhra train burning incident.

He is now 28 years old and lives in Ahmedabad with his wife and 5-year-old son.

"I had endured the trauma of watching my loved ones being killed in front of my eyes. I still wake up in the night and scream as those moments haunt me even after all these years," he said.

On January 8 this year, the Supreme Court quashed the Gujarat government's decision, taken in August 2022, to prematurely release 11 convicts facing life term for the gang rape of Bilkis Bano and the murder of 14 persons.

"I felt very hurt when they were set free. I am somewhat relieved now because they will be sent behind bars once again. My mother and my elder sister were among the 14 who were killed that day in front of my eyes," he said.

"All the convicts must be either hanged for or they must be kept behind bars for the remainder of their lives. Only then justice will be served. These men must never be set free again," he asserted.

After the Godhra train burning incident on February 27, 2002, riots broke out in different parts of the state.

To save themselves, a group of 17 persons, mostly women and children, left Randhikpur village in Limkheda taluka of Dahod district and headed towards Devgadh Baria town via a forest, said a social activist who gave shelter to that boy.

"Bilkis Bano along with this boy (eyewitness) and his mother and elder sister were also in that group, which was attacked by a mob on March 3. Of those 17, the mob killed 14, including an infant, and then gang-raped Bilkis. They also tried to kill Bilkis and this boy but they survived. A 4-year-old boy also survived the attack after the mob left thinking everyone was dead," said the activist seeking anonymity.

The boy spent some time in a relief camp in Godhra after the incident and was then shifted by him to a residential school in Kutch, said the activist who became his guardian and brought him up.

"Since he was the only eyewitness, he testified before a special CBI court in 2005 in Mumbai. His testimony proved crucial because it matched the sequence of events narrated by complainant Bilkis Bano. He also identified four of the 11 accused during the hearing," the activist said.
The Congress on Friday said the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is being organised by the party to raise voice against the 'injustice' of the last 10 years, as it released a 'Nyay anthem' with the tagline 'Saho Mat, Daro Mat (do not suffer, do not be scared)'.

IMAGE: AICC national spokesperson Shama Mohamed, Telangana PCC working president Mahesh Kumar Goud, and others release the posters of Rahul Gandhi's Bharath Jodo Nyay Yatra in Chennai on January 11, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

The 'anthem' was shared on all the social media handles of the party with a video that features protesting women wrestlers, glimpses from Rahul Gandhi's Kanyakumari-to-Kashmir Bharat Jodo Yatra and the Congress leader's interactions with farmers and labourers.

Sharing the 'anthem' on X, Gandhi said in a post in Hindi: 'We will reach every house until we get the right to justice. Street, locality, till Parliament, until we get the right to justice. Do not suffer, do not be afraid!'

In a post on the microblogging platform, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said: 'The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is to raise voice against the injustice of the last 10 years. Its theme song has been released today. Listen and share it with as many people as possible.'

The march led by Gandhi is scheduled to start from Manipur on Sunday and conclude in Mumbai on March 20 or 21.

The yatra will travel through 100 Lok Sabha constituencies in 15 states, including Arunachal Pradesh, and the Congress believes that it will prove to be as 'transformative' as Gandhi's earlier cross-country march.
Weeks after a Nicaragua-bound plane carrying Indians was grounded in France and later sent back to India, the Gujarat police have booked 14 agents on the charge of human trafficking for trying to send more than 60 persons from Gujarat to the United States illegally via Mexico border, a senior official said.

IMAGE: Passengers from the Nicaragua-bound flight leave the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj international airport in Mumbai. Photograph: ANI Photo

While majority of these agents belong to Gujarat, some of them are from Delhi, Mumbai and Dubai, a release by the Gujarat CID -- Crime and Railways, said.

The agents named in the first information report (FIR) include Jogendra aka Jaggi Paaji and Joginder Manasram from Delhi, Raja Bhai and Raju Panchal from Mumbai and Salim from Dubai.

The other accused are Chandresh Patel, Kiran Patel, Bhargav Darji, Sandip Patel, Piyush Barot, Arpitsinh Zala, Biren Patel, Jayesh Patel and Sam Paaji, it said.

They were booked on the charge of human trafficking under Indian Penal Code (IPC) section 370, for destroying evidence (section 201) and criminal conspiracy (section 120-B).

The probe revealed that these agents had promised to help the passengers from Gujarat to enter the United States illegally after reaching the Latin American country (Nicaragua) for Rs 60 lakh to Rs 80 lakh, Additional Director General of Police, CID (Crime and Railways), S P Rajkumar said.

It also came to light that before this flight, which was grounded in France, these agents who work closely with main agents living in the US, Mexico, Nicaragua, Dubai and Delhi, had sent several people to Nicaragua in three different trips in December alone, he said.

"Based on the statements of passengers from Gujarat, we have identified and booked 14 agents for human trafficking. Since they had forced the passengers to delete audio files and other trip-related contents from the mobile phones, we have also added section 201. Each passenger had agreed to pay Rs 60 lakh to Rs 80 lakh to these agents only after reaching the US," Rajkumar told reporters in Gandhinagar.

The Nicaragua-bound aircraft carrying 260 Indians was grounded in France for four days over suspected human trafficking last month. It landed in Mumbai in the early hours of December 26 after it was sent back.

These Indians included 66 from Gujarat, who were then questioned by the CID for the purpose of investigation into the suspected human trafficking conspiracy.

The agents had told the passengers that their men would take them to the US border in Mexico from Nicaragua and then help them cross the border. It also came to light that the agents had booked air tickets for these passengers, said Rajkumar.

As per the plan devised by the agents, these 66 passengers reached Dubai on valid tourist visas from Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Delhi between December 10 and 20.

As directed by the agents, these passengers boarded the Nicaragua-bound aircraft of a private airline at the Fujairah International Airport on December 21, the release said.

The chartered flight, which was operated by Romanian charter company Legend Airlines and bound for Nicaragua, landed at Vatry near Paris on December 21 for a technical stopover en route from Dubai when the French police intervened.

Investigations so far revealed that all the flight bookings were done by Delhi-based agents and they also keep their lawyers ready if anything goes wrong, Rajkumar said.

"There were nearly 200 people from Punjab on that flight, while 66 were from Gujarat. We learnt that these trips are mainly for Punjabis. If some seats remain vacant on the flight after accommodating them, the Delhi agents ask Gujarat-based agents to arrange people who are ready to pay to enter the US illegally through their set-up," the official said.

"The agents instructed the passengers from Punjab to identify themselves as Khalistani and seek asylum in the US if the US police catch them at the border. The story will be different for other passengers. In the US, the government allows asylum seekers to work on humanitarian ground," he said, adding that no arrest has been made so far and a look-out circular will soon be issued against all 14 agents.
Migrants arrive at the Vaalimaa border check point between Finland and Russia in Virolahti, Finland December 15, 2023.

Finland said Thursday it would extend the closure of its border with Russia for another month because it suspects Moscow is trying to undermine the Nordic countrys security by sending undocumented migrants across the frontier.

Finland closed the border late last year after 1,300 migrants without proper documentation or visas had arrived across the frontier since September  an unusually high number, just months after Finland joined the NATO alliance.

Finland accused Russia of deliberating ushering the migrants to its normally heavily controlled border. The Kremlin denied the allegation, and says it regrets the Finnish border closures.

The latest closure will last until Feb. 11, Interior Minister Mari Rantanen said at a news conference in Helsinki, saying that authorities believe that Russias campaign of manipulating undocumented migrants is continuing.

There are people in nearby areas waiting for the border to open, Rantanen said.

The migrants who arrived in the later months of last year were mainly from the Middle East and Africa - particularly from Syria, Somalia and Yemen - and the vast majority of them have sought asylum in Finland. They are currently being kept at migrant reception centers across the country while waiting for decision from authorities.

Many people in Finland have characterized Moscows alleged actions as retaliation for the Nordic country joining NATO in April of last year, but Finnish security experts have said Russias main motive for such migrant maneuvers remains unclear.

Prime Minister Petteri Orpos government originally chose to close the 1,340-kilometer (830-mile) border in November, citing security concerns and Russias hybrid warfare. It later opened two selected checkpoints in eastern and northern Finland on a trial basis, but the migrant influx continued.

All eight Finland-Russia border crossing points for passengers have been closed since Dec. 15. The southeastern rail checkpoint for cargo trains in Vainikkala remains open for now.

Finland, a nation of 5.6 million people, acts as the European Unions external border in the north and makes up a significant part of NATOs northeastern flank.

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Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com captures the spectacular aerial display by the Indian Air Force over the Mumbai shoreline.

The IAF display is from 12 noon to 1 pm on Saturday, January 13, and Sunday, January 15.

Crowds gathered at Mumbai's Marine Drive at noon on Friday, January 12, to get a breathtaking glimpse of the IAF jets.

Photographs and Video: Rajesh Karkera/ Rediff.com

People of all ages waited under the hot sun much before noon on Marine Drive to savour the IAF aerobatics.

A slight delay and the hot sun had already started affecting everyone.

Some took shelter under the few trees providing shade on Marine Drive.

"Here it comes!" exclaimed the crowd.

One by one everyone began holding their cell phones to the sky. The dusty noon air makes visibility scarce. And the hot sun right on top adds to the screens looking blank to everyone.

Aandddd they are visible!!... The resounding jets, echoing loudly.

See the video below to glimpse IAF power.

The IAF's Surya Kirans put up a stunning display of aerobatics.

Another view of the Surya Kirans.

The lucky few who stood in the shade of the elusive trees on Marine Drive were the thankful ones.

The aircraft that made a deafening sound each time it passed over our heads was the Rafale.

Marine Drive was like an Open IMAX theatre on Friday afternoon.

Do make your way to Marine Drive in Mumbai at noon tomorrow, Saturday, January 13, or the day after, Sunday, January 14 to view this stunning IAF show.

And oh yes, please carry caps, sun screen etc. It may be winter, but the sun can be real mean at this time of the day at the shoreline.

Why 12 noon, I will never know :) Perhaps early in the morning or evening as the sun goes down could have been a better experience.
Top leaders of parties of the opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) will hold discussions on January 13 on strengthening the alliance, chalking out a strategy on seat-sharing and deciding whether to have a convenor of the grouping, sources said on Friday.

IMAGE: Leaders from various parties attend the third meeting of the Opposition bloc, Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), in Mumbai, September 1, 2023. Photograph: Ishant/ANI Photo

Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee will not be part of the virtual meeting on Saturday morning as she is preoccupied with prior engagements, they said.

The sources said that discussions would be held on appointing a convenor of the opposition alliance. They added that the Janata Dal-United wants Nitish Kumar as the convenor which is being opposed by the TMC.

This is the second such attempt to hold a virtual meeting as the previous attempt a few days ago did not materialise, the sources added.

A TMC source said the party was informed about the meeting on Friday evening, and the West Bengal chief minister has some pre-scheduled appointments due to which she may not attend.

The TMC had also offered that the meeting could be held next week.

The source added that the party remains committed to the INDIA bloc and defeating the Bharatiya Janata Party.

In a post on 'X', Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said INDIA party leaders will be meeting over Zoom at 11.30 am on January 13, 2024.

'They will review various issues like seat-sharing talks that have begun, participation in Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra that will begin from Thoubal near Imphal day after tomorrow, and other important matters,' he said.

As many as 28 opposition parties have come together under the banner of INDIA to take on the BJP and defeat it in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

However, there are many issues which are yet to be resolved within the alliance, including that of appointing a convenor.

Seat-sharing talks with members of the opposition bloc have also not been fruitful so far due to claims and counter-claims on the seats.

The sources said the leaders of the various parties would be meeting to iron out these differences and strengthen the bloc further.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Friday called Mahatma Gandhi 'a great strategist' and said that the revered Indian leader knew the importance of utilising soft power against the brute forces during the freedom struggle.

IMAGE: National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval greets Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan during the launch of the book 'Gandhi: A Life in Three Campaigns' by M J Akbar, in New Delhi on January 12, 2024. Photograph: Sanjay Sharma/ANI Photo

At the launch event of the book Gandhi: A Life in Three Campaigns authored by M J Akbar, Doval said, "Gandhi was a great strategist. He could understand and he could just think that in this asymmetrical war, probably his tools will have to be different. After the Second World War, people started realising that there could be alternatives to brute force."

"Gandhi realised that his moral force, which we call soft power, would be able to defeat much more hard power. Now research has been done which determine that there are many powers that became great after exercising soft power," he added.

Doval further stated that Mahatma Gandhi had the power to think beyond the situations.

"He was a great strategian, a great warrior, who would think much beyond his times. I think this (book) is a great tribute to him. What a great man of conviction he was, we must take note of how his belief systems were shaping his ideology, political choices and the decisions he took," he said.

The foreword to the book Gandhi: A Life in Three Campaigns has been written by K Natwar Singh, who is also a former Minister of External Affairs of India.

Akbar is a distinguished author whose many books have focused on social schisms and religious tensions fomented by colonial policy.

He has had a parallel career as an editor and reporter. During his long career in journalism, he launched, as editor, India's first weekly political news magazine, Sunday, in 1976, and two daily newspapers, The Telegraph in 1982 and The Asian Age in 1994.

Akbar also served as the Minister of State for External Affairs during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first tenure at the Centre.

He is also the author of books such as Gandhi's Hinduism the Struggle Against Jinnah's Islam, India: The Siege Within; Nehru: The Making of India; Kashmir: Behind the Vale; The Shade of Swords: Jihad and the Conflict between Islam and Christianity.
Maharashtra Speaker Rahul Narwekar on Friday said there is only one Shiv Sena legislative party in the state legislature and its MLAs will have to adhere to the whip issued by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led camp's whip Bharat Gogavale, recognised by him.

IMAGE: Maharashtra Speaker Rahul Narwekar with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Photograph: @RahulN_Office/X

Speaking to a news channel, Narwekar said he has diligently followed the Supreme Court's guidelines while giving his judgment on the cross-petitions by Sena factions seeking disqualification of each other's MLAs following a split in the party in 2022, and his decision is tenable.

Narwekar has come under intense criticism from the opposition, especially the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena for recognising the Shinde outfit as the real Shiv Sena.

Thackeray has termed the verdict a "murder of democracy" and said his party will move the Supreme Court against it.

"I had to decide which of the two groups in the legislature represents the original political party. No party can have two whips. So MLAs of that (other) group have to adhere to the whip recognised by me, Narwekar said.

Whip is binding to party MLAs failing which it can attract disqualification.

When asked whether the Sena-UBT group exists before him, Narwekar said, There is only Shiv Sena legislative party before the speaker.

When further asked whether Gogavale's whip will be applicable to the Thackeray camp, Narwekar said, Whip of the legislative party to which the Thackeray camp MLAs belong will be applicable to them.

Narwekar on Wednesday gave his order on disqualification petitions concerning Shiv Sena MLAs. He recognised the Shinde-led party as the real political party and also Gogavale as the party whip.

Defending his decision to not recognise the 2018 constitution of the Shiv Sena, Narwekar said those who have been elected to the national executive were communicated to the Election Commission of India, but their letter does not mention that a copy of the party constitution has been attached to it.

He said according to the state legislature rules, after a political party gets recognition as the legislative party, it has to submit a copy of its constitution and organisational structure to the speaker's office in 30 days.

But unfortunately, neither Uddhav Thackeray nor Eknath Shinde communicated it to the speaker's office, Narwekar said.
In a relief to senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Sanjay Kundu, the Supreme Court on Friday set aside the Himachal Pradesh high court direction to remove him from the post of state Director General of Police over allegations that he tried to pressure a businessman who claimed to have received a threat to his life from his partners.

IMAGE: 1989 batch IPS officer Sanjay Kundu when he took charge as new DGP of Himachal Pradesh, in Shimla on May 30, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

Observing that the consequences of shifting out an IPS officer from the post of DGP are 'serious', a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud directed the state government to constitute a special investigation team (SIT) consisting of IG-level officers to coordinate the probe into the FIRs lodged in the matter.

The bench, also comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, passed the order while hearing Kundu's plea challenging the January 9 order of the high court which had dismissed his petition for recall of the December 26 last year direction to remove him from the post of DGP.

The apex court said it was not inclined to disturb the directions of the high court about constitution of an SIT and to provide adequate security to the complainant and his family.

"However, at this stage, it would be inappropriate to maintain the order of the high court directing that the petitioner (Kundu) be shifted out of the post of DGP in pursuance of the earlier order dated December 26, 2023, which stands affirmed on the dismissal of the recall application," the bench said.

While setting aside the high court's direction to remove him from the post of DGP, the apex court directed that Kundu shall exercise no control whatsoever in respect of the probe which is to be carried out by the SIT.

"Instead and in place of the direction of the high court requiring the state government to consider constituting an SIT, we issue a direction to the state government to do so. The SIT shall consist of IG-level officers who shall not report to the petitioner (Kundu) for the purpose of the investigation," it said.

It directed the state to provide adequate security to the complainant and his family and continue to do so based on evaluation of threat perception.

"We clarify that since the investigation has been directed to be carried out by the SIT, we are not expressing any opinion on the merits of allegations which shall be duly investigated in accordance with law," the bench said.

The bench noted the submissions of senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who appeared for the IPS officer and referred to a blast which took place on July 18 last year in Shimla which resulted in the loss of two lives and injuries to others.

The petitioner claimed the blast, which was investigated under the supervision of Superintendent of Police (SP) Shimla, was reported to have been caused by explosion of an LPG cylinder.

The bench noted Kundu had addressed a communication to the Additional Secretary of the union home ministry requesting that the post-blast investigation be entrusted to the National Bomb Data Centre of the National Security Guard (NSG).

It noted that according to the petitioner, he had addressed a communication to the chief secretary alleging negligence on the part of SP Shimla in respect of the explosion.

'In a subsequent communication..., the petitioner recorded that he had requisitioned the NSG to carry out a post-blast investigation since there was a high probability of the use of an IED including RDX which was detected at the site,' the bench noted in its order.

'In this backdrop, the petitioner has alleged that the SP, Shimla, was in inimical terms arising out of the grievance which the petitioner had made to the state government with regard to the handling of the blast,' it further noted.

The Supreme Court noted that the high court had taken into account the Shimla SP's report on the matter involving the businessman while rejecting Kundu's recall application.

In its order, the bench said it must express its reservations about the manner in which the high court took up the matter ex-parte and issued direction at the first instance for transferring Kundu out of the post of DGP.

It observed that such an order could not have been passed without giving an opportunity to the petitioner to contest the allegations against him.

'The correct course of action for the high court would have been to recall its ex parte order dated December 26, 2023,' it said, adding the matter could have been heard afresh by granting opportunity to all the parties to place their perspective before the high court.

The bench made clear that it was desisting from expressing any opinion on the allegations which are made against the petitioner or the allegations which Kundu has made against the SP Shimla.

On January 9, in a setback to Kundu and Kangra SP Shalini Agnihotri, the high court had dismissed their petition to recall its order of December 26 for their transfer so that they don't influence the probe in the case.

The high court had also turned down their request for a CBI probe.

Following the high court's direction of December 26, 2023, an order transferring Kundu as the state's Ayush department principal secretary was issued by the Himachal Pradesh governor.

On January 3, the top court had stayed the order asking the state to remove him from the post of the DGP and asked him to file a recall application before the high court.
Suspected terrorists fired upon a convoy of vehicles carrying security personnel in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday evening, prompting security forces to launch a search operation, officials said.

IMAGE: Security personnel during a search operation in Poonch on January 6, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

There were no casualties among the security personnel, they said.

'At around 1800 hours today, a security forces convoy of vehicles was fired upon by suspected terrorists from a jungle near Krishna Ghati in Poonch sector,' the White Night Corps of the Army said on X.

'A joint search operation by the Indian Army and police is in progress,' it said.

The vehicles that came under attack were carrying security personnel back to the camp, the officials said.

A senior police officer said no one was injured in the incident and the commanding officer as well as other Army personnel were safe. A search operation has been launched in the area, he added.

The incident came after a high-level security meeting chaired by Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi to chart out an anti-terror operation plan for the new year to foil the design of terrorists in the region.

A similar ambush on Army vehicles took place in Poonch's Dhatya Morh in the Dera Ki Gali area on December 21.

Four Army personnel were killed in the attack.

Rajouri and Poonch districts, which were peaceful in the past, have witnessed targeted attacks by the terrorists on the army and civilians, they said.

Nineteen soldiers were killed in four attacks by the terrorists in Rajouri and Poonch in 2023.

However, the security forces eliminated more than 30 terrorists in the two districts last year both on the Line of Control as well as in the hinterland.

During the last fortnight, high-level security meetings were chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to deal with the situation in the Rajouri-Poonch region.
Journalist Tarun Tejpal told the Delhi high court on Friday that he will publish an apology in a national daily stating that an Indian Army officer, against whom he had levelled allegations of corruption in defence procurement, had not accepted any money.

IMAGE: Tarun Tejpal.



The high court was hearing an appeal filed by Tejpal, the proprietor of Tehelka.com, and its reporter Aniruddha Bahal challenging a single judge's order awarding a compensation of Rs 2 crore to Major General M S Ahluwalia for the loss of reputation suffered by him on account of a 2001 "expose" by the news portal alleging his involvement in corruption in defence procurement.

The counsel for the duo also told the high court that they will deposit Rs 10 lakh each with the court.

A bench of acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet PS Arora took on record the undertaking made by Tejpal and Bahal's lawyers, and listed the appeal for hearing and disposal in April to decide the quantum of damages to be paid by them.

The high court also stayed the proceedings in the petition Ahluwalia has filed seeking execution of the decree passed in his favour.

Senior advocates Siddharth Luthra and Pramod Kumar Dubey, representing Tejpal and Bahal, submitted they are willing to deposit Rs 10 lakh each within two weeks and to publish an unconditional apology in a national English daily specifically stating that Ahluwalia had neither asked for nor accepted any money.

They claimed they do not have the means to pay a huge amount of Rs 2 crore to Ahluwalia.

The counsel for Ahluwalia contended that the appeal was not maintainable. He said the officer lived with stigma for nearly 22 years and a mere apology is not enough.

He also said Tejpal and Bahal must deposit a "substantial" amount.

The bench said in a defamation matter like the present one, an apology is a major relief and that it will consider the aspect of quantum of damages when it hears the appeal.

On July 21, 2023, the single judge had, while deciding a lawsuit by the officer, directed that Rs 2 crore shall be paid by Tehelka.Com, its owner M/s Buffalo Communications, its proprietor Tarun Tejpal, and reporters Aniruddha Bahal and Mathew Samuel.

Underlining that there can't be a more blatant case of causing serious harm to the reputation of an honest Army officer, the judge had observed that an apology after 23 years of publication was "not only inadequate but is meaningless".

The court, however, said the plaintiff was not able to prove any act of defamation on the part of Zee Telefilms Ltd and its officials who telecast the story in question following an arrangement with the news portal.

It had observed that the plaintiff not only faced lowering of estimation in the eyes of the public but his character also got maligned with serious allegations of corruption which no subsequent refutation can redress or heal.

On March 13, 2001, the news portal had carried a story alleging corruption in defence deals relating to import of new defence equipment.

The plaintiff claimed he was defamed in the story Operation West End as it was wrongly broadcast and reported that he had accepted a bribe.

The single judge had rejected the defence of "truth", "public good" and "good faith" pleaded by Tejpal and others and said there could not be a worse defamation to a person of integrity than a "false imputation of him having demanded and then accepted a bribe of Rs 50,000".

It had noted that the consequence of such reporting was that a court of inquiry was initiated against the officer, and although no misconduct was proved against him, he was awarded "serious displeasure", a sort of censure, for his alleged conduct.
Congress MP Digvijaya Singh on Thursday slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party for roping in Vishva Hindu Parishad with the invitations and celebrations of the Ayodhya ceremony and said that "BJPfication" of pran-pratishtha is being done.

Photograph: @ShriRamTeerth/X

"BJPfication of this (pran-pratishtha) is being done. Full control has been given to the people of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP). We have an objection. What has VHP got to do with the Ram Temple construction? Do we have a problem visiting the Ram Temple? We will go there happily. But let it complete first," Singh told ANI.

The Congress leader also objected to the under-construction of the Ram temple and alleged that the ceremony was taking place in a crooked attempt to benefit by making this an election issue.

"Forget the invitation. What we are objecting to is that the construction of Ram Temple is not complete. When the construction is not complete, what is the 'pranpratishtha' about? This is against the holy scriptures and religion. This is a crooked attempt to benefit by making this an election issue," he said.

Reacting to the grand old Congress party's decline to the 'pran-pratishtha' ceremony invitations of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya, Digvijaya said that the ruling party had turned the event into a BJP and VHP event.

"How many invitees have accepted the invitation? No established religious leader has accepted the invitation. They have raised an objection. As per religious scriptures, no 'pranpratishtha' of any idol can be done at a temple. The construction is incomplete, and it is considered ominous," he said.

"Not just Congress but all political parties that have received the invitations--Shiv Sena, RJD, JD(U), TMC, CPI, CPI(M) - who is attending it? Shiv Sena, who led the Babri Masjid demolition, has declined too. Lord Ram belongs to everyone. We would be delighted to visit the temple but let the construction finish first. They have turned this into a BJP and VHP event," added the Congress leader.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former party chief Sonia Gandhi and the party's leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Wednesday "respectfully declined" the invitation to attend the ceremony, with the party accusing the BJP of making it into a "political project" for electoral gains.
Lieutenant Commander Prerana Pravin Deosthalee will lead an all-male crew.

She is currently the first lieutenant on board the INS Chennai, the missile destroyer that rescued a foreign merchant ship hijacked by pirates off Somalia last week.

IMAGE: Lieutenant Commander Prerana Pravin Deosthalee is presented with the appointment letter by Western Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Praveen Nair on being selected as Commanding Officer of the Waterjet FAC INS Trinkat. Photograph: ANI Twitter

When Lieutenant Commander Prerana Pravin Deosthalee takes command of the INS Trinkat in March, she will be the first woman to lead the all-male 33 crew members of the Waterjet Fast Attack Craft used in anti-poaching, surveillance and counter-insurgency operations.

Though there are 33 women officers serving on board warships and 748 women officers in the Indian Navy, Lieutenant Commander Deosthalee is the first woman to command an Indian naval vessel.

The Indian Armed Forces started inducting women officers in 1992. Previously the military was only open to women in the education and medical streams.

Lieutenant Commander Deosthalee will be in overall control of the Trinkat and responsible for everything that takes place on board.

The buck, literally, stops with her.

The mother of a four-year-old girl, the officer's husband is an engineer serving in the Indian Navy.

Her brother too is an officer in the Indian Navy.

IMAGE: The INS Trinkat. Photograph: Kind courtesy Indian Navy/Facebook

Lieutenant Commander Deosthalee joined the navy in 2009 after graduating in psychology from Mumbai, ranking third in the University of Mumbai; she also has an MA from Kolhapur.

The daughter of a psychologist father who passed away in 2012, her mother is a retired chief financial officer, Mumbai Port Trust.

The officer grew up close to the sea in south Mumbai's Colaba area and was a NCC naval cadet in her college days. She participated in the NCC sailing camps in Goa and Chilka lake, Odisha.

Her first foray into the sea during the regatta in Goa was a tough one. The sailboat toppled thrice, throwing her into the water, but the experience enabled her to overcome her fear of the water.

The next camp in Chilka was a game-changer. She and her partner caught the wind in the sail and won gold at the event.

After that there was no turning back.

While she was pursuing a MA degree in Kolhapur, the Indian Navy opened the post of observer for the first time for women. Motivated by her father, she appeared for the entrance test and passed. She was commissioned as a naval officer at the passing out parade at the naval academy in Ezhimala in 2009.

Her initial posting was at Arakkonam in Tamil Nadu where she trained as an observer on Tupolev TU maritime reconnaissance aircraft.

Observers are responsible for aircraft equipment like sensors, radars, sonars and communication. They also coordinate with other ships and aircraft.

IMAGE: The Indian Navy warship INS Chennai. Lieutenant Commander Prerana Deosthalee is currently serving as the first lieutenant on the INS Chennai, the missile destroyer that rescued a foreign merchant ship hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia recently. Photograph: ANI Photo

Lieutenant Commander Desothalee also has the distinction of being the first woman navigational instructor in the Indian Navy.

As a young officer, she was awarded the Indian Navy Videsh Seva Medal three years after commissioning for being part of the TU-142 aircraft that responded to an SOS from a Chinese merchant ship that was attacked by Somalian pirates in the Indian Ocean.

She was part of the aircraft crew which provided assistance to the besieged ship as other Indian warships headed to aid and rescue.

Currently, she is first lieutenant on the INS Chennai, the missile destroyer that rescued the crew of the cargo ship MV Lila Norfolk after an attack by pirates off the coast of Somalia in the first week of January.

The officer has also represented the naval contingent at the Republic Day parade.

In a few weeks when she takes command of her warship, she will set course in unchartered waters for women, but will lead the way for many more to follow.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Mainly cloudy. A few peeks of sunshine possible. High 43F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. A few flurries are possible. Low around 30F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Relatives of the hostages being held by Hamas protest against aid entering Gaza until they are released, near the Kerem Shalom crossing, the entry point for trucks from Egypt, on January 9.

The Israeli Security Cabinet presiding over the war in the Gaza Strip has rejected a proposal from Qatar, which is acting as a mediator in this conflict. The plan calls for freeing all hostages captured in Israel on October 7, in exchange for a cessation of hostilities and allowing the leaders of Hamas  the Islamist movement that has controlled the Gaza Strip for the past 17 years  to go into exile. In a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday night, government ministers, senior military and intelligence officials discarded the Qatari plan for imposing the unacceptable condition of withdrawing troops and ending the fighting, according to reports in the Israeli press on Thursday.

The director of Mossad (Israels foreign intelligence service), David Barnea, presented the proposal he had received from Doha. Israeli political analysts believe that the plan reflects pressure from U.S. President Joe Biden, who sent his security advisor for the Middle East, Brett McGurk, to the Qatari capital. McGurk was already involved in the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners that took place between November and December. Former Defense Minister and current member of the Security Cabinet, former general Benny Gantz, noted that the most urgent thing is the return of the hostages, and that takes precedence over any military operation in the war.

This week, a delegation of the relatives of 136 hostages being held in Gaza, dozens of whom may be dead or wounded, met with the Qatari authorities to urge more mediation. The rejected proposal envisaged the release of the hostages in several phases along with complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and allowing Hamas leaders in Gaza  including the political leader, Yahya Sinwar, and the military chief, Mohammed Deif  to go into exile. The Security Cabinet has flatly discarded a cessation of hostilities before the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) achieve their objectives, especially the rescue of the hostages and the eradication of the Hamas command structure.

The Israeli press reports that Qatar has been mediating through top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who has lived in Doha for years, without coordinating with Sinwar. The leader in Gaza, who is considered to be the mastermind behind the attack in which 1,200 Israelis were killed three months ago, does not seem willing to accept going into exile or losing control over the organization inside Gaza. On Tuesday, Haniyeh warned that Israel will not secure the release of the hostages until it liberates the thousands of Palestinian prisoners convicted of security crimes in Israeli courts.

CIA Director William Burns remains in contact with the Qatari authorities mediating the release of the hostages in Gaza. Meanwhile, in Cairo, Israel has set up another negotiating center for the rescue of the hostages. In the coming days, the Israeli army is expected to authorize the entry of 400 trucks a day into the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt to deliver humanitarian aid, twice as many vehicles as allowed now. During his recent visit to Tel Aviv, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken received assurances of an increase in the delivery of international aid to the Gazan civilian population. In Egypt, the last stop on his Middle East tour, Blinken insisted that Israel must allow civilians displaced by the war to return to their homes in the Gaza Strip as soon as conditions permit.

A few hours before the start of the U.N. International Court of Justice hearing in The Hague, where South Africa is accusing Israel of having violated the convention on genocide in the Gaza Strip, Netanyahu stated that the army has no intention of occupying Gaza permanently or of banishing its civilian population. Thus, the prime minister has come out against statements by radical members of his government, who have called for reestablishing Jewish settlements and the removal of the Palestinian population from the area. We are doing everything possible to minimize [the number] of civilian casualties, he emphasized in an official statement.

Traces of hostages in a tunnel

On Wednesday night, IDF chief spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said that troops had located a tunnel in the Khan Yunis area (in the southern Gaza Strip), where several hostages had been held captive. The release of the hostages requires our best efforts. We have carried out operations to rescue them that we have not reported and others we have suspended at the last moment, Hagari revealed. According to the Efe news agency, relatives of the hostages gathered with loudspeakers at the border fence between Israel and Gaza to demand their immediate release.

The army is continuing its offensive in central and southern Gaza, and the territories are under heavy bombardment. As of midday Thursday, the enclaves Health Ministry put the daily death toll at 112 dead, bringing the total to nearly 23,500 since the war started. In northern Gaza, only three of the 21 humanitarian aid shipments scheduled by the United Nations have been completed since 2024 began, either because of Israeli security controls or because many roads are impassable. Military spokesmen said that fighting is taking place underground and above ground. The IDF report that they have found 300 tunnel openings and demolished dozens of underground passages.

This Thursday, with the tension between Israel and Hezbollah on the Lebanese border seeming to ease in the past few hours, U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein traveled to Beirut to try to contain the clashes between the Shiite militia and the Israeli army. In 2022, Hochstein mediated the pact through which Lebanon and Israel fixed the demarcation of their maritime border to allow for the extraction of gas fields in the eastern Mediterranean.

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Rivers of ink have flowed in recent months, as journalists try to guess who was going to be the Citizens Movement (MC) candidate for the presidency in the 2024 elections in Mexico. Would it be Samuel Garcia, Luis Donaldo Colosio Riojas, Marcelo Ebrard, Patricia Mercado, Enrique Alfaro, or Dante Delgado? The name of Jorge Alvarez Maynez was not on many of the lists. It was not mentioned in the forecasts, nor did it appear in the polls. In the end, the orange party opted to pit their leader in the Chamber of Deputies against the ruling partys Claudia Sheinbaum, with Xochitl Galvez hot on their heels.

The person in charge of putting an end to the mystery was Samuel Garcia himself, who released a video in which he handed the baton over to Alvarez Maynez like a relay runner in the longest presidential race in history. MC removed its most reliable deputy from the bench to give him a new mission: no longer as a campaign coordinator, political operator, or the partys voice against the anticipated acts of his rivals, but as the star, the newest, and the most chillaxed of all. The ballot is complete for next Junes elections with a surprise contender who arrived at the last minute.

As is the case for any substitute, the first obstacle in Alvarez Maynezs path has been having to deal with comparisons. Alvarez Maynez will have to see if he fits into the suit originally designed for the governor of Nuevo Leon, or if he will have to make adjustments. A man with the complete trust of the leadership and with specific weight behind closed doors, the most obvious criticism of the new one is that he has a much lower profile than his predecessor.

As an example, few newspapers dedicated this Wednesdays front pages to the appointment made by Dante Delgados party. The main news programs made a brief, passing mention, after an extensive review of the national and international agenda. MCs rivals did not miss the opportunity to attack that weak point. We already won! celebrated Alejandro Alito Moreno, the national leader of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), upon learning that Alvarez Maynez was the MCs chosen candidate. There was also some friendly fire. Governor of Jalisco Enrique Alfaro is convinced that other opposition forces had to join together to defeat Morena, the ruling party, and did not hold anything back when he said that his party was making a mistake by imposing Alvarez Maynez. If that is the path they want to take, thats up to them, he concluded on his social media.

Dante Delgado (left) and Samuel Garcia (right) present Jorge Alvarez Maynez (center) as MC's presidential candidate. Silvana Flores

Alvarez Maynez is not new to the campaign. When the president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, took the baton to establish the rules of succession last June, the MC deputy came out to criticize his rivals for wanting to take five months illegal advantage regarding the deadlines the law dictates. The 38-year-old legislator was right, but when the electoral authorities preferred to look the other way to avoid getting into trouble, and when the National Action Party (PAN), the PRI, and the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) decided to go ahead as well, the battle became quixotic. The campaign that was not a campaign, with rallies labeled as party assemblies and candidates disguised as coordinators, continued as if nothing had happened.

MC was the only registered party that waited until the end of 2023 to show its hand, partly as a declaration of intent to distance itself from the old politics, and partly to keep its options open. The strong men of the party had several challenges to decide whether to join the opposition front, whether to bet on Ebrards external candidacy, or whether they finally dared to go it alone for the first time with their own candidate in a presidential election.

Alvarez Maynez always had a place at the table alongside Delgado, Garcia, Senator Clemente Castaneda, and Alfaro, until now. From the beginning, he seemed more comfortable in the role of strategist or attendant, but always behind the scenes. In November, when Ebrard was no longer an option, Samuel Garcia came forward and Alvarez Maynez was named campaign coordinator. He held that position for less than two weeks, as the governor of Nuevo Leon had to step aside to resolve the political crisis that rocked his state in the first week of December.

In just 10 days, Citizens Movement sent PRIAN [the PRI and PAN, two of the countrys main political parties] to second place, Alvarez Maynez is seen saying in a campaign ad that MC launched on December 27, still in his position as national coordinator, and with no one suspecting that he would step forward. The revelation came this week, practically a month after Garcias shipwreck. He is the best presidential candidate that MC could have and starting June 2, Mexico will have in you a great president, said Delgado when making Alvarez Maynezs registration official.

Alvarez Maynez speaks in Congress while deputies display banner against the Internal Security Law, in November 2017. Saul Lopez (Cuartoscuro)

Alvarez Maynez has known how to embody the contradictions that have accompanied MC in its short history: its electoral program and its marketing commitment. He is the young politician who in Congress opposes militarization and the current governments attack on the autonomous bodies. He is the one fighting the battle in the National Electoral Institute to denounce cheating and bungling by his rivals, the one who has said time and again not even with the PRI. But he was a member of the PRI for three years. It was he who agreed to let Garcia reveal him as the partys choice with chips and beer in hand, the one who doesnt make faces when they tell him that the speech has to be light, or that the political message he has to convey is to put on fluorescent orange sneakers.

With a degree in International Relations and two masters degrees in Constitutional Law and Human Rights and Public Administration, he began his political career as councilor in his hometown of Zacatecas in 2004, while he was still studying at university. Part of a left-wing family  his father was the founder of the Communist Party  he was the founding director of the newspaper La Jornada in Aguascalientes and he was first active in the PRD. In 2009, he left that political group and a year later had a brief stint with the defunct New Alliance, which nominated him as a local deputy for Zacatecas in coalition with the Green Party and the PRI, which counted him among its ranks from 2010 to 2013. Typical of the paradoxes of Mexican politics, the PRI has not hesitated to bring up Alvarez Maynezs PRI past to undermine his credibility. Imagine the shame for him: criticizing the PRI and he was a PRI deputy, Alito Moreno declared last May.

In 2013, he joined Citizens Movement with the task of building a countrywide framework and stamping his own identity on a party that had just changed its name two years before and could not shake off the label of Lopez Obradors satellite. In 2015, he arrived as a federal deputy, reconfigured as a harsh critic of the PRI during the government of Enrique Pena Nieto and later, of the legislative alliances between Morena and the PRI to advance Lopez Obradors priority initiatives. In this administration, he opposed the presidents controversial electoral reform known as Plan B, questioned the management of the pandemic, and rejected the reforms to the electric industry promoted by the ruling party.

Alvarez Maynez outside Mexico's Supreme Court, where his filed a lawsuit against 'Plan B' in March 2023. Mario Jasso

Our fight is not for the next election. We understand that the country is not going to change by removing this president and installing another. Our fight is to change the system, he says in his personal blog, where he cites Bernie Sanders, Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, Gabriel Boric (Chile), and Inigo Errejon (Spain) among his political influences. The last candidate to join the presidential race has arrived with the advantage of an eventful internal process and of being a little-known face, but he has room to be an uncomfortable rival, agile in the debate, and able to speak, through substance and his manner, to young voters: he is 20 years younger than his rivals. But for that he will have to dare to find his own voice. In the end, it will be a three-way battle that will be decided at the polls.

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For the European Union, 2023 was the year of shielding. Borders were sealed tighter and policies were approved to facilitate the deportation of those who managed to get around Europes efforts to curb the irregular entry of migrants. However, these measures have not yet produced the expected results: at least 281,431 people entered clandestinely the EU in the last 12 months, 48% more than the previous year, according to data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) covering up to December 31.

The main access point was Italy, with 57% of all arrivals. At least 3,863 people died while attempting to cross a European border, according to the same organization, which relies on testimonies from survivors and relatives to make its calculations.

The final figure for 2023 is the highest recorded since the 2015 crisis, although it does not come close, since that year more than a million people entered irregularly in what was the largest human displacement into European territory since World War II. Flavio Di Giacomo, spokesperson for the IOM Mediterranean Coordination Office, does not consider the current situation a migration emergency, as certain European media and politicians have warned. Even in Italy the increase is not worrying, because we have seen these numbers in the past and they were not considered an emergency. They represent 0.26% of the Italian population and 0.03% of the EU population, he contextualizes. It is a very Eurocentric vision, because 85% of African migration occurs within Africa itself, he adds.

The EU grants approximately three million different stay permits annually, so the undocumented migrants only represent around 8% of the foreigners who arrive each year.

To this number of non-EU citizens, we must also add the 4.3 million beneficiaries of temporary protection who fled Ukraine after the beginning of Russias invasion in 2022. When the war started, six million Ukrainians arrived in three months, and no one referred to that as an immigration emergency. On the contrary, Europes response was quite efficient, recalls Di Giacomo.

Most arrivals to the EU come from the sea, mainly the Mediterranean, on all its fronts: western, towards the Iberian Peninsula; eastern, towards Greece, and central, towards Italy. 252,942 people managed to reach European coasts after dangerous journeys in metal or wooden boats. The remaining 28,489 entered by land.

One of the last to join the new arrivals was Hamza. Originally from Daraa, where the Syrian revolution started, this 25-year-old sociology graduate entrusted 4,500 (almost $5,000) to a Libyan trafficker so he could get on a barge. In the early hours of December 29, he sent a message to a relative in Spain to inform him that he had been taken to a beach with a hundred other people, and that this time it seemed that he was indeed boarding.

The next day, his relative contacted different NGOs dedicated to rescue at sea, but no one was near the area where the ship could supposedly pass; they were very far away, out of service or transporting other rescued people. The only chance they have is that the sea is going to be fine tonight, remarked an experienced NGO captain who was off duty. After more than 24 hours without coverage, Hamza sent a message to his relative: Hello dear, how are you? I arrived in Lampedusa [Italy] at 12 at night, thank Allah.

Hamzas case was not exceptional: in 2023, Italy was the country in the region that received the most irregular migrants  despite the promises of the far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to curb the entries  receiving at least 157,652 people, 50% more than the last year and 57% of all EU arrivals. Most of them came from Tunisia, which for the first time replaced Libya as the busiest route, despite the signing last July of an agreement of understanding between the European Commission and President Kais Saied.

Spain was the second European country in which arrivals increased the most in 2023, as well as the second with the greatest increase compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, Greece was the third EU country with the most arrivals (48,563), but the one with the highest percentage increase: 145% more, almost three times those of the previous year. Of the new arrivals, the vast majority (almost 42,000) arrived in precarious boats from the coasts of Turkey to the islands of Lesbos, Samos, Kos and Rhodes, mainly. Another 7,000 migrants entered the country by land, a similar number to previous years.

Europe, the worlds largest cemetery

Crossing a European border without papers is not easy: 3,863 people died or disappeared trying, another record number, bringing the estimated total of dead or missing people since 2014 to 28,000 (when IOM records began). Today, Europe has become the deadliest place on the planet for those who try to enter clandestinely.

The Mediterranean continues to be the largest maritime cemetery in the world: 2,797 people remain under its waters, 72% of those lost this year, and more than 28,000 of the victims registered in the last decade. While it is not correct to speak of a migration emergency, it is correct to speak of a humanitarian emergency, says Di Giacomo. The expert speculates that the actual death toll is much higher, but many go unrecorded due to the difficulty of documenting shipwrecks and the fact that most bodies are never found. However, the NGO Caminando Fronteras uses less conservative figures, raising the number of dead or missing to 6,618 only on the access routes to Spain, mainly to the Canary Islands (6,007), while the IOM puts that journeys death toll at 914. And at least 152 more have been recorded in other European borders, such as the English Channel, the Western Balkans or that of Belarus with the EU.

Although most deaths occur on the route between Tunisia and Libya towards Italy, the most serious event took place in Greek waters, in the Ionian Sea. It was the shipwreck of the ship Adriana, which set sail from Libya on June 13, succumbing with all the passengers on board. The official number of victims is 596, mainly women and children. Previously, on February 26, another sinking took place off the coast of Cutro, northeastern Italy, in which at least 94 people drowned.

Alternative routes and sealed borders

The Western Balkan route was less busy in 2023, with 161,592 irregular border crossings, 19% less than in 2022. However, UNHCR, the U.N. Refugee Agency, estimates the number of people stranded in the region at around 8,400.

The eastern flank of the EU is one of the most fortified in the world since the 2021 migration crisis, when Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko was accused of orchestrating the transfer of refugees and migrants to Lithuania, Latvia and Poland in response to EU sanctions. In 2023, Polish border authorities thwarted 26,000 entry attempts; Latvia, 13,000; Lithuania, another 2,500. These three countries have adopted strong restrictive measures, closing their borders, erecting more miles of fences, deploying the military and legalizing pushbacks.

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Hong Kongers who fled a crackdown on dissent back home express hopes and fears on the eve of Taiwan's elections.

'I really regard Taiwan as my home, and I don't want Taiwan to turn into another Hong Kong,' says Andy, a Hong Konger who first went there as a student and now runs a restaurant in Taiwan.

Democratic Taiwan, which will go to the polls on Saturday to elect a new president and a new legislature, has been a popular destination for Hong Kongers fleeing a crackdown on dissent at home, and is currently home to more than 30,000 residents of Hong Kong and Macau, according to the government.

But as voters gear up to choose their next leaders and lawmakers, Hong Kongers living on the island told Radio Free Asia that they fear its democracy could be undermined by wrong decisions from its leaders, and an ongoing information war being waged by Beijing.

Andy, a Hong Konger who first came here as a student and now runs a restaurant in Taiwan, doesn't have voting rights in his new home, but has lived through three elections.

He said he feels more anxiety about the outcome than a lot of Taiwanese who will get to vote on Saturday, saying the island's freedoms are still at risk if the Chinese Communist Party's attempts at "reunification" aren't fended off by those in charge.

"I really regard Taiwan as my home, and I don't want Taiwan to turn into another Hong Kong," he said. "We have settled here, and don't want to have to leave again."

For Andy, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, whose outgoing president Tsai Ing-wen has been a vocal supporter of the 2019 protest movement, seems to offer the strongest hope of a robust defense of Taiwan's way of life, although all three presidential candidates say they are committed to maintaining the status quo.

"We want to know whether the DPP will be the next government, so we can stay here with more peace of mind," he said, adding that some of his fellow Hong Kongers are wondering if it would be better to leave the island in the event of a victory for the opposition Kuomintang, which has a reputation for seeking closer ties with China.

"Judging from the news and the debates, the opposition parties are more pro-communist, but we're pretty scared of the government in [China]," he said. "Would they hand Taiwan over to China in future?"

No smooth sailing

Yet it hasn't been smooth sailing for Hong Kongers in Taiwan, even under the DPP, which has tightened immigration policy for Hong Kongers, particularly those who were born in China, making it harder to obtain residence permits for investors and professionals alike. There are also quotas and other restrictions around the hiring of Hong Kong immigrants, he said, calling for a clearer route to settlement for asylum seekers in Taiwan, which currently has no refugee law.

Asked about his policy on Hong Kong immigration, DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te told Radio Free Asia he would continue to support Hong Kong, if elected.

"If I am elected president, I will continue to promote concern and care for the human rights of our Hong Kong friends," he said, saying the issue had never been a problem for the DPP.

The Kuomintang responded in writing, saying that it would review existing policies and consider introducing more support measures "to help high-quality talents, including Hong Kong white-collar workers, by making it easier to settle down and start a career in Taiwan."

In response to fears that the Kuomintang would betray Taiwan, the party pledged to oppose the "one country, two systems" framework used in Hong Kong and offered to Taiwan by Beijing, adding that Taiwan's future could only be decided by its 23 million people.

Taiwan People's Party spokesperson Chen Chih-han said the party pledged to support Hong Kongers where necessary, because "freedom and democracy are basic human rights." She said that TPP presidential candidate Ko Wen-je had set up a dedicated assistance hotline for Hong Kongers during his tenure as mayor of Taipei, and criticized the immigration process under the DPP as "a roller coaster."

Strong resistance

Hong Konger Law Tze-wai said he spends a lot of time telling anyone in Taiwan who will listen not to believe anything Beijing says.

Hong Konger Law Tze-wai wants to see continued strong resistance from Taipei to attempts from Beijing to soften up the population for 'reunification.' (Cheng Haonan)

He wants to see continued strong resistance from Taipei to attempts from Beijing to soften up the population for "reunification" through propaganda, cross-straits exchanges and other peaceful means.

He also wants the next government to make life easier for Hong Kong asylum seekers.

"There is no legislation governing the current asylum policy," Law said. "It came from an executive order from the president."

"If there is a change of government, or even if [DPP candidate and incumbent vice president] Lai Ching-te takes office and becomes president, [he could decide] not to continue President Tsai Ing-wen's special arrangements for asylum."

"If that happens, around 300 refugees will have nowhere to go ... we hope they'll be able to stay in Taiwan with peace of mind."

'More careful' approach

A Hong Konger who agreed to be identified as Ms. Chu for fear of reprisals said that while the lack of clarity on immigration matters is also an issue for her, she still cares more about Taiwan's future when it comes to the election.

"The current liberal democratic system must be maintained or even improved," Chu said. "Taiwan is doing well in high-tech, but how can that position be strengthened?"

DPP lawmaker Hung Shen-han says there are concerns that China will send people to Taiwan as infiltrators under the guise of Hong Kong asylum seekers. (Cheng Haonan)

Chu dismissed the campaigns run by former New Taipei mayor and Kuomintang candidate Hou Yu-ih and former Taipei mayor and Taiwan People's Party candidate Ko Wen-je as "sloganeering," and "disappointing."

She too has a preference for the DPP, citing their "more careful" approach.

DPP lawmaker Hung Shen-han, who is running for one of the legislator-at-large seats in the island's Legislative Yuan, has been a vocal supporter of the now-suppressed Hong Kong democracy movement in past years.

He said that there are concerns that China will send people to Taiwan as infiltrators and agents provocateurs under the guise of Hong Kong asylum-seekers.

"As the Chinese Communist Party's political and socioeconomic controls of Hong Kong become more entrenched, how do we reduce the likelihood that the Chinese Communist Party will use Hong Kongers for infiltration or certain political purposes?" he said. "We have to take both things into consideration at the same time."

He agreed that more transparency is needed when it comes to the bureaucratic processes involved with residency applications from Hong Kongers.

"As a free and democratic country, Taiwan should continue to take care of Hong Kongers who share our beliefs and who embrace democracy," he said.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Roseanne Gerin.


Even Beijing's allies are uneasy, citing potential impact on international business confidence in the city.

Pro-democracy protesters hold a black hand with the number '23' as they argue with the pro-China supporters (R) during a rally to mark China's National Day, in Hong Kong, in 2018. The protesters are against any planning to legislate Article 23 of the national security law.

Hong Kong's government on Friday tabled homegrown national security legislation it claims is needed to eradicate "undercurrents of dissent" in the city and extend an ongoing crackdown on public speech and political activism under a draconian law imposed in 2020 by Beijing.

Chief executive John Lee first flagged the controversial law  which sparked mass street protests and the earlier-than-expected retirement of then Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa when it was first tabled in 2003  in his October policy address, vowing "eradicate the causes" of dissent that he said still lingered in the city despite a 28-month-long crackdown on criticism of the authorities.

The "Bill on safeguarding national security implementing Article 23 of the Basic Law," was added to the Legislative Council's 2024 agenda on Friday, for consideration in either the first half or the second half of the year. Most tabled bills specify which half of the year they will be introduced in.

According to the agenda entry, the bill will also "complete and improve upon [existing] laws safeguarding national security, and make provisions for related matters."

The move comes amid a citywide crackdown in which more than 10,000 people have been arrested and at least 2,800 prosecuted in a citywide crackdown in the wake of the 2019 protest movement, mostly under public order charges.

At least 230 have been arrested under the National Security Law, which criminalizes public criticism of the Hong Kong and Chinese governments, as well as ties and funding arrangements with overseas organizations deemed hostile to China.

Executive Council convenor and former security chief Regina Ip, who presided over the failed attempt to introduce similar legislation in 2003, welcomed the move.

"Article 23 legislation is a constitutional responsibility under the Basic Law," she told journalists. "There have been many criticisms [of this legislation] from the West, but they are extremely biased."

"They have very strict national security regulations and are constantly revising them, so they are not qualified to criticize us," she said, promising that there would be plenty of time for lawmakers to scrutinize the bill.

'Patriotic' candidates only

The current Legislative Council was elected under record low turnout following a change in electoral rules that allowed only "patriotic" candidates with a strong track record of supporting the Chinese Communist Party to stand, and mounts no effective political opposition to government policy.

In his policy address, Lee quoted Beijing's top official in charge of Hong Kong, saying that "the root causes of chaos haven't yet been eliminated," warning that the authorities will remain on the lookout for "covert rebellions" and "soft resistance," vaguely defined concepts that will likely be used in the draft law.

Regina Ip (C), Hong Kong's Executive Council convenor and former security chief, attends a conference in Hong Kong in 2022. (Peter Parks/AFP)

Lawmaker Tik Chi-yuen said that while he doesn't oppose the bill, there are public concerns around it that should be listened to.

"There are still quite a number of Hong Kongers feeling worried about Article 23 legislation," he said. "Their worry is whether it would affect everyday freedoms or the room for social participation."

"Right now many citizens are still adjusting to the National Security Law, he said, warning of "political turmoil" if the process is rushed.

Shih Wing-ching, chairperson of Hong Kong's Centaline Property Agency chain, said that while the Article 23 legislation was "inevitable," there are concerns over its impact on Hong Kong's reputation as a global financial center.

"It would have been better if they'd passed it back in the Tung Chee-hwa era, it would have been better than having China impose the National Security Law on Hong Kong," he told RFA Cantonese. "It would have been more applicable to Hong Kong."

"The approach Hong Kong takes towards national security affects its development ... the fact that they couldn't pass Article 23 legislation back then just turned it into a problem we as a society had to deal with later," he said.

Obsessed with national security

Pro-Beijing businessman Lew Mon-hung agreed, saying the addition of Article 23 legislation on top of the National Security Law makes the city appear obsessed with national security.

"If there is a National Security Law and Article 23 legislation as well, it will indeed make the international community think Hong Kong is totally obsessed with talking about national security in every area, and that it isn't respecting the differences between the two systems [its own and that of mainland China]," Lew said.

"Such narrowly leftist practices will only destroy Hong Kong," he said.

Eric Lai, research fellow at Georgetown Center for Asian Law, said global corporations would likely be affected by the new legislation.

"The recent conviction and lengthy jail sentence of a Japanese national on espionage charges shows how overseas companies in the mainland are vulnerable to national security imperatives," Lai wrote in a Jan. 6 commentary for the East Asia Forum website.

"The Hong Kong governments commitment to incorporating anti-espionage offenses in the new bill may prompt foreign businesses to draw parallels with the mainlands history of targeting foreign business groups," Lai wrote, adding that religious organizations could also be affected.

"Article 23 of the Basic Law does not clearly define offenses related to establishing ties between local political groups and foreign political organizations," Lai warned, adding that there is considerable room for government interpretation.

Translated with additional reporting by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Roseanne Gerin.


Ahead of Saturdays vote, the top three Taiwanese presidential candidates present differing views on dealing with migrants.

People in New Taipei City hold Taiwanese flags during a Kuomintang party campaign rally ahead of the presidential election, Jan. 12, 2024.

Filipinos living in Taiwan say they are closely watching Saturdays presidential polls there, the results of which could impact the islands policies toward migrant workers and its already tense relations with next-door neighbor China.

Voters are to elect the successor to President Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwans first female president who is ending her second term, as well as members of parliament. Tsai, who is term-limited and cannot run again, belongs to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which emphasizes Taiwan's autonomy.

China's communist government, which has never ruled the democratic island, views Taiwan as part of its territory.

Gilda Banugan, 40, a domestic helper for a Dutch family in Taipei, said the vote would have direct consequences on jobs and living conditions in Taiwan, home to about 150,000 Filipino migrant workers including many employed as maids or factory workers.

We are monitoring the election updates because we want to know if the candidates care about migrants, Banugan on Thursday told BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. We are worried the policy might change, that the new president will be anti-migrant, pro-employer or pro-broker.

Migrant groups have been pushing to include caregivers and domestic workers in Taiwans Labor Standards Act, the law that sets the minimum standards for working conditions and protects workers rights and interests, said Banugan, who hails from Davao city in the southern Philippines.

The Philippines is the third largest source of foreign workers in Taiwan, trailing other Southeast Asian countries Indonesia and Vietnam. Migrant workers from Southeast Asian countries make up 3% of the population.

In terms of domestic workers and caregivers, 180,000 Indonesians, 28,000 Filipinos and 28,000 Vietnamese live and work in Taiwan, according to labor ministry data.

There is no law that protects us domestic workers and caregivers. We are left on our own to negotiate with our employers, Banugan said, adding that many have complained of not having insurance and benefits or regular days off.

Filipinos working in the Taiwan fishing industry walk past boats at Suao harbor in YiIlan, Dec. 4, 2020. [Sam Yeh/AFP]

She said labor groups have called on the Taiwan government to remove the exploitative and problematic labor broker system, where foreign workers must pay fees, ranging from U.S. $2,000 to $6,000, to employment brokers in their countries. On top of those fees, the workers can be charged a recurring monthly fee of around $50.

Banugan said migrant groups were pushing for a program involving direct hiring between governments.

Hopefully whoever wins will listen to our side and abolish the broker system which is unfair and not transparent, she said.

The three candidates vying to succeed Tsai have offered differing proposals for dealing with migrant workers, according to Taiwans national news agency, the Central News Agency (CNA).

Ko Wen-je, the presidential candidate from the Taiwan Peoples Party, has vowed to create a national recruitment platform to make the introduction of migrant workers more open and transparent, the CNA report said.

Lai Ching-Te, who serves as Tsais vice president and is the Democratic Progressive Party nominee, said the government should first ensure fair wages of local labor before introducing foreign workers.

The third candidate, the Kuomintang Partys Hou Yu-ih, said he would create an outreach platform to engage with migrant workers, employers and brokers even as he is inclined to retain the broker system.

Other Filipino migrants expressed concern over the growing tension between China and Taiwan, especially around the election.

It did not help that days before Taiwan went to the polls, the defense ministry issued an urgent alert, in English and Chinese languages, to mobile phones across the islands 23 million people. The alert in English said missile flyover Taiwan airspace, be aware.

But the report turned out to be erroneous. The Chinese version of the alert used the term satellite, not missile. The defense ministry apologized an hour later but the panic had already spread.

Elanel Ordidor, 39, a caregiver in Yunlin County in southwest Taiwan, recalled her shock upon receiving the message.

I was so scared and shaking when I read it. But I had to control myself because I was taking care of Lola [grandmother or elderly woman], Ordidor told BenarNews in an interview. I thought, is war really happening?

Ordidor, who is from Zamboanga del Sur, also in the Philippine south, has been working in Taiwan for six years. She said she had witnessed her employers grandchildren actively campaigning for DPPs Lai, the anti-China candidate. She said they would drive around the countryside to give away campaign posters, masks and alcohol.

Philippine troops raise the national flag on Mavulis island in Batanes province, June 29, 2023. [Ezra Acayan/Pool via Reuters]

She hoped Lai would win because China is a bully, Ordidor said, citing Beijings harassment in the West Philippine Sea, the part of the disputed South China Sea within the Philippines exclusive economic zone.

I dont want a pro-China candidate to win. I am saying that not only as a Filipino worker here because I think China is not only harassing the Philippines and Taiwan, but also other countries as well, she said, without identifying those nations.

Ko and Hou are seen as more pro-China.

Neighbors

Meanwhile, the Philippines northernmost territory, the Batanes islands are within 150 km (93 miles) of southeast Taiwans Orchid Island.

Batanes has seen a spike in foreign assistance in recent years from China and the United States while it has served as a venue for military drills between U.S. and Philippine troops.

Analysts have said the U.S. and China could seek to occupy Batanes if war were to break out in the Taiwan Strait.

China could seek to take control of Batanes and use it as a base for enclosing the Bashi Channel, the waterway between Batanes and Taiwan, with anti-ship and anti-air missile coverage, said Jay Batongbacal, director of the Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea at the University of the Philippines.

A Chinese invasion of Taiwan would require blockading and isolating [Batanes] from access by the U.S. and other allied forces. China will bombard Taiwanese defenses first before launching amphibious and air invasions, Batongbacal told BenarNews in June as he painted some possible scenarios.

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated news service.
Keeping the status quo is seen as safest option, regardless of Saturdays election outcome, experts say.

A supporter of the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT), waves the national flag during a campaign rally of Hou Yu-ih (not pictured) at the Sanhe Market in Kaohsiung on Jan. 10, 2024.

For 40-year-old Taiwanese driver Hsiao Min-yu, Saturdays presidential election is about picking a leader who can improve his economic prospects. Like others in his community, Hsiao has struggled with stagnant salaries and rising costs of living over the past few years. He hopes the next president can boost the economy so that his financial stress is lessened.

We see the elections as a change of dynasties, the change of a government that can improve our livelihoods, said Hsiao. The past few years have been difficult, salaries havent increased but prices soared. If the economy improves, our stress from work may lessen.

Hsiaos concerns about Taiwans economic rebound are mirrored in key statistics, highlighting issues many voters face since the COVID-19 pandemic. In November, Taiwans statistics bureau reported a reduction in the islands 2023 GDP growth forecast to just 1.42%, the lowest since the 2008 global financial crisis.

Furthermore, Taiwan is grappling with high housing prices, ranked among the highest globally, while its wage levels were among the lowest compared to other developed economies, according to March figures.

Hou Yu-ih (3rd L), presidential candidate of the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT), shakes hands with a fish vendor during his campaign rally with local legislative candidates at the Sanhe Market in Kaohsiung on Jan. 10, 2024. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP)





Yet while Taiwanese voters are focused on bread-and-butter issues, the election is being viewed internationally as a test of Taiwans political relations with China. The two leading candidates have staked out positions that foreign observers see as either promoting confrontation or peace with Beijing.

Relations with China have also soured under the incumbent Democratic Progressive Party, or DPP, hurting cross-strait trade, and the DPP candidate, Vice President Lai Ching-te, is now trying to project himself as the continuity candidate who will ensure stability going forward.

However, the differences between the DPP, the opposition Kuomintang, or KMT, and the upstart Taiwan Peoples Party, or TPP, may not be as stark as commonly portrayed, especially on the defining issue of relations with China. All recognize the Taiwanese public prefers maintaining the status quo for now.

Lai Ching-te, Taiwans vice president and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential candidate waves to supporters at an election campaign event in Taipei City, Taiwan, Jan 3, 2024. (Ann Wang/Reuters)





The difference between the DPP, KMT, and TPP on relations with China is actually not as large today as we are given to believe, said Joseph Liow, professor of comparative and international politics at Singapores Nanyang Technological University.

While DPP is portrayed  especially by the Chinese media  as pro-independence, I think they have restrained themselves in recent years. Even Lai Ching-te has not been very vocal on this issue, certainly less so than his previous incarnations, Liow added, noting that the KMT is very aware that its association with a pro-China stance has cost it politically, especially in 2020, in the wake of Hong Kong.

They too have shifted their narrative away from an explicit focus on China to a more ambiguous dichotomy of war and peace so to speak, he said.

While the TPP has positioned itself as not KMT or DPP, he said it may not be a whole lot more different when it comes to cross-strait relations.

Underlying the position of these three parties is the simple reality that the electorate by and large prefer the status quo. Their respective positions are variations of the status quo. But that means it is shades of gray and not black or white.

Ko Wen-je, Taiwan People's Party (TPP) presidential candidate visits a market during an election campaign event ahead of the election in Taipei, Taiwan, Dec. 21, 2023. (Ann Wang/Reuters)





Maintaining the status quo is considered the safest approach regardless of the outcome of Saturdays election. Despite Beijings ongoing threats to use force to reclaim Taiwan, theres little belief in an immediate invasion by China, according to experts who spoke to Radio Free Asia.

The conditions are prevalent: Chinas economic and military might, Taiwans fight to preserve its freedom and identity, and turbulent relations between the United States and China, as well as Washingtons pledge to safeguard Taiwans interests.

Japan, South Korea

Taiwans strengthening ties with the U.S. is similarly playing out with its former ruler Japan. Former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso warned this week that Chinas claims over Taiwan will definitely become an existential crisis situation for Japan, and Tokyo must fight in the Taiwan Strait in the event of conflict to rescue its citizens.

If Japan was to move further to treat Taiwan as an independent country and a military ally that would certainly provoke China in a way that would be catastrophic for Taiwan and Japan, said Koichi Nakano, a politics professor at Tokyo-based Sophia University.

He added retired Japanese self-defense force personnel are already frequently invited to Taiwan by the DPP, as are senior politicians.

The only thing that has not been done yet is direct military-to-military contact between serving officers, and that would be a clear red flag for China.

From Japans perspective, it is one thing for the Japanese that their former colony remains friendly, Nakano said, but it is another as to whether they are ready to fight a war for the first time in close to 80 years.

The rightwing politicians in Japan are fond of making use of a possible Taiwan contingency as they seek to remilitarize Japan, but as a war with China gets more and more real, they will have to find a way to backpedal or face serious popular opposition. Few in Taiwan want a war with China. Is it surprising that even fewer Japanese want one over Taiwan?

Former Japanese prime minister and current Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) vice president Taro Aso (L) speaks during his meeting with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen (R) during his visit to Taipei on Aug. 8, 2023. (STR /JIJI Press/AFP)





The same goes for South Korea.

If China were to start a war, the U.S. would naturally intervene, and South Korea, with its US military presence, would not be able to sit idly by, said Bumsig Ha, dean of Kaohsiung Universitys department of East Asian languages and literatures.

It is also important to remember that the U.S. does not want to see cross-strait relations deteriorate at this time. The U.S. is currently trying to resolve issues such as Ukraine and Israel. A war between China and Taiwan is a big risk for the U.S. to manage.

Economic costs of a conflict

According to Bloomberg Economics, a war would cost US$10 trillion, or 10% of global GDP. Whats more, Taiwans strategic importance is tied to its semiconductor industry, which makes the worlds most advanced chips, led by the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., whose customers are the biggest U.S. tech companies.

Taiwans global significance largely lies in its role as a major semiconductor provider. Beyond that, its value in international relations is limited, said Kalim Chun, a professor at Hoseo Universitys Department of Innovation and Convergence, who teaches China politics, regional politics and Sino-South Korea relations.

Chun added the islands complex relationship with China means that other nations might face significant losses if they choose to align with Taiwan.

After the election, Taiwan might attempt to connect with countries like South Korea and Japan to break out of its isolation. However, these countries may not be in a position to welcome Taiwan due to potential risks.

For instance, he said it is unlikely that the Japan-led Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will include Taiwan as a member regardless of the result of the election.

This picture taken on Dec. 15, 2023 shows fans watching a taping of Taiwanese-American comedian Kylie Wang's show "Where are my eggs" in Taichung. (Sam Yeh/AFP)





On the ground, geopolitics is intangible to most Taiwanese people who sit in the heart of it.

Any common ground with the worlds powers, according to Benjamin Ho, coordinator of the China programme at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at the Nanyang Technological University, is the extent to which developments in the geopolitical and geoeconomic spheres actually affect the practical issues, like job opportunities, ability to buy a property and the economys performance.

Depending on which side ones bread is being buttered  some Taiwanese businessmen may be more pro-China because their businesses rely on China, while academics who cherish academic freedom may not be so enthusiastic  one would take different positions on these issues, Ho said.

Additional reporting by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang.

Edited by Taejun Kang and Mike Firn.
Both stressed that their partnership is to promote peace, security, and prosperity around the world.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a joint press conference with South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin (not pictured) at the Foreign Ministry in Seoul, South Korea on Nov. 9, 2023.

The United States and South Korea have reaffirmed their commitment to work together in maintaining stability in the Taiwan Strait, as cross-strait tensions show signs of escalation in light of the upcoming presidential election in the self-governing island on Saturday.

The U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and his new South Korean counterpart Cho Tae-yul had a call Thursday and agreed to address global challenges including the Taiwan matter, according to a State Department statement released later in the day.

Blinken and Cho agreed to cooperate in supporting peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, the State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in the statement.

Blinken and the new South Korean foreign minister Cho, who will officially be sworn in on Friday, also emphasized that their partnership was now a global alliance that carries vital importance in promoting peace, security, and prosperity around the world, the statement read.

Expanding the operational theater of the U.S.-South Korea alliance around the world implies that South Korean forces are to be engaged in matters beyond the Korean peninsula, a step that Seoul has long been cautious about due to threats from North Korea.

However, the use of this term has become more frequent since the tenure of former President Moon Jae-in, and further articulated under the current President Yoon Suk Yeol who places a stronger emphasis on its partnership with Washington.

This shift was notably marked in November when the defense ministers of both nations agreed to evolve their military alliance into a global partnership, an expansion aimed at addressing not just threats from North Korea but also broader challenges that affect regional and global peace.

The latest statement from Washington and Seoul came days before Taiwans Presidential election on Saturday. The results of this election could influence Taiwans future interactions with the U.S. and China, potentially impacting regional security and political dynamics.

Over the past eight years, while Taiwan has been governed by the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Beijing has notably escalated its military posturing against Taipei, marked by increased military exercises in the Taiwan Strait.

With the DPP candidate Lai Ching-te leading in major polls, concerns over the possibility of military conflict are growing, fuelled by Beijings consistent stance that it does not rule out the use of force to achieve reunification.

Maintaining peace in Taiwan has become a critical issue for South Korea.

In the event of a war between China and Taiwan, South Koreas GDP is expected to suffer the second largest decline following Taiwan, according to a Bloomberg Economics calculation released Tuesday. South Koreas GDP is projected to decrease by 23.3%, following Taiwan, which could see a reduction of 40%.

The economic damage to South Korea is greater than that projected for China, a primary participant in the conflict, where the economic damage is estimated to be a GDP shrink of 16.7%.

With the economic projection indicating severe damage to South Koreas economy, Seoul has recently become more outspoken on the Taiwan issue.

South Korea  along with the U.S. and Japan  convened its first trilateral Indo-Pacific dialogue in Washington last week, and released a joint statement defending freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific. The three opposed any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion anywhere in the waters of the Indo-Pacific, the statement said.

The three reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as indispensable to security and prosperity in the international community, it added.

On Monday, Chinas foreign ministry strongly criticized the joint statement, labeling it interference in Beijings internal affairs.

Yoon in April also made comments about Taiwan in an interview with Reuters, saying that the situation in the Taiwan Strait was now a global issue.

Edited by Taejun Kang and Elaine Chan.
The people must work for free, but overall the project is viewed positively.

A railway worker looks up at a portrait of the late North Korean leader Kim Il Sung at a railway station in Hoeryong, North Hamgyong province, in 2013.

A North Korean province is requiring people to give its aging railway stations a facelift, replacing worn down furniture installed in the 1960s, adding fresh coats of paint to drab facades and retiling the walls that have deteriorated over the years, residents in the country told Radio Free Asia.

Its the latest example of the government mobilizing the people  that is, forcing them to work for free on a government project. However, many residents are happy with the move, as it is making the stations  the first impression travelers get about a town  less of an eyesore.

Much of the Korean peninsulas rail lines were built during the 1910-45 Japanese colonial era. Facilities built during this time were in use during and after the 1950-53 Korean War, but in the more prosperous South, most of the older colonial-era stations have been replaced with more modern facilities.

But in the North, these old stations are still in use in many places, and the cash-strapped North Korean government has not been able to maintain them very well.

Now, the government in the northeastern province of North Hamgyong is holding a competition, pitting cities and counties in the province against each other to see who can beautify their railway stations the best, a provincial official told RFA Korean on condition of anonymity for security reasons. All told, there are about 90 railway stations in the province.

Station modernization is not a project to demolish and rebuild old buildings, but to renovate the exterior walls of existing stations, beautify the surrounding area, and properly equip facilities inside of the station, he said.

In many areas, old tiles on the exterior walls of train stations are being torn down and re-plastered, he said. Also, there are cases of replacing leaky roofs or replacing old narrow windows with wide glass windows.

He said that many of the residents were tapped to plant trees and build a park around the station, and that the government was not ordering the people to donate money for the project, which is rare these days.

The station beautification project may only be limited to North Hamgyong, as RFA has not been able to confirm similar initiatives in other parts of the country.

It is therefore possible that the move in North Hamgyong might correspond to a plan to reopen Chinese and Russian tourism to resorts in the province, utilizing the railway instead of busing the tourists in, analysts said.

Positive reaction

The publics reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, a resident of the province told RFA on condition of anonymity to speak freely.

I went to a well-known station recently and there were not enough places to sit, and it was difficult to find drinking water, he said. Now, there is a new waiting room, new chairs outside, and a small park.

At Kilju station, in the southern part of the province, residents worked to replace old wooden chairs, many of which were falling apart, he said.

The wooden chairs had been in use since the 1960s and 1970s and there were so many bed bugs in the wood that residents could not sit properly, he said.



The North Korean government has been very public about modernizing buildings in the capital Pyongyang, he said, but people are glad that the provinces are also getting some attention.

The train station is the face of the region, so renovating it seems like a really good thing, he said.

Translated by Claire Shinyoung Oh Lee. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster.
We will not hesitate to take further actions, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

A representative from the prosecutor's office shows parts of an unidentified missile, which Ukrainian authorities believe was made in North Korea and was used in a strike in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Jan. 6, 2024.

The United States has imposed sanctions on three entities and one individual involved in the transfer and testing of ballistic missiles from North Korea to Russia for use in the invasion of Ukraine.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement on Thursday the U.S. continues to closely monitor the relationship between Pyongyang and Moscow and the possibility of further transfers occurring.

The transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia supports Russia's war of aggression, increases the suffering of the Ukrainian people, and undermines the global nonproliferation regime, Blinken said.

We will not hesitate to take further actions, he added.

The White House has accused Russia of firing North Korean-made missiles into Ukraine on both Dec. 30 and Jan. 2, with transfers of weapons believed to have taken place since at least November.

Sanctions

The sanctioned entities include 224th Flight Unit State Airlines, a state-owned enterprise that was spun off from Russias Air Force to provide commercial air cargo transport services. The company is accused of transfering the cargo of missiles in November.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby speaks during a press briefing at the White House, Jan. 4, 2024, in Washington. A map showing the path of a Russian missile attack on Ukraine is in the background. (Evan Vucci/AP)

Vladimir Vladimirovich Mikheychik, the general-director of 224th Flight Unit State Airlines, has also had sanctions imposed against him.

The other two entities are the Vladimirovka Advanced Weapons and Research Complex and the Ashuluk Firing Range, which is used for missile test launches. Both were used for the recent transfer and testing of missiles from North Korea, the State Department says.

Aircraft operated by 224th Flight Unit State Airlines and a series of cryptocurrency wallets were also blacklisted by the United States.

The sanctions mean that U.S. companies and individuals are banned from doing business with those targeted, and any property or funds controlled by U.S. companies must be frozen and reported to the Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control.

On Tuesday, the United States also issued a joint statement with nearly 50 other countries condemning the transfer of missiles.

We are deeply concerned about the security implications that this cooperation has in Europe, on the Korean Peninsula, across the Indo-Pacific region, and around the world, the statement said.

Our governments stand together in resolute opposition to arms transfers between the DPRK and Russia, it said, using an acronym for the formal title of the North Korean regime.
Abbas Ganbay

Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, Special Coordinator for Refugees and Migrants in Europe Regina de Dominicis on 11 January, Azernews reports, the press service of the ministry.

The Foreign Ministry's press service reports that the meeting discussed the current agenda of cooperation between Azerbaijan and UNICEF and its prospects, as well as the current situation in the region.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov noted that since the first days of restoration of state independence Azerbaijan has established close cooperation with various UN specialised agencies, including UNICEF, and is successfully working together with relevant state structures to create better opportunities in the field of education and health care for children who became refugees and IDPs as a result of the Armenian occupation.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Minister informed the UNICEF Regional Director about the successful implementation of relevant programs and projects.

Regina de Dominicis was also informed in detail about the large-scale reconstruction and restoration works being carried out in the liberated territories to ensure the dignified return of the former IDPs to their native lands, as well as the fight against the mine threat.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov spoke about awareness-raising activities carried out within the framework of cooperation with UNICEF, especially in the area of mine action, and emphasised the importance of drawing the attention of the international community to this issue.

UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia Regina de Dominicis, in turn, noted that UNICEF is interested in continuing the current successful experience of cooperation with Azerbaijan. She stressed that various joint initiatives in the field of children's rights could be implemented within the framework of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will be held in Azerbaijan this year, and the World Urban Development Forum, which will be held in the country in 2026.

Regina de Dominicis said Azerbaijan's large-scale restoration and reconstruction work in the liberated territories in the post-war period is admirable, and added that UNICEF is ready to support the process of return of former IDPs.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov also spoke about the plans to prepare for COP29.

Other issues of mutual interest were also discussed at the meeting.
The Pentagons internal watchdog said Thursday he will review the secrecy surrounding Defense Secretary Lloyd Austins hospitalization and why the Defense Department waited days to inform the White House that he had transferred authority to his deputy.

Austin, 70, is still in the hospital being treated for complications from prostate cancer surgery. His failure to disclose his hospitalization has been sharply criticized by members of both political parties and has led to some calls for his resignation.

In a memorandum to Austin and other top officials, Inspector General Robert P. Storch said his review would examine the roles, processes, procedures, responsibilities, and actions related to his hospitalization.

He said he would assess whether the Pentagon policies and procedures are sufficient to ensure timely and appropriate notifications and the effective transition of authorities as may be warranted due to health-based or other unavailability of senior leadership,

The incident led the White House and Pentagon immediately to formalize policies for which officials will be notified anytime a Cabinet member transfers authority to one of their deputies because they will be indisposed for any reason. This includes not just because of medical treatment but, in an example the Pentagon used this week, when the secretary is traveling and does not have immediate access to secure communications.

Austin was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Dec. 22 and underwent surgery to treat the cancer, which was detected earlier in the month during a routine screening. He developed an infection a week later and was hospitalized Jan. 1 and admitted to intensive care.

President Joe Biden and senior administration officials were not told about Austins hospitalization until Jan. 4, and Austin kept the cancer diagnosis secret until Tuesday.

Austins secrecy also prompted criticism from Congress members on both sides of the political aisle. Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Thursday that the inspector general review is good news. Republicans on the panel had expressed concerns that an internal review would be conducted by people involved in the episode, Wicker said.

He said Republicans still want to know more about Austins absence from doctors or Defense Department officials.

That the defense secretary had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance is an occurrence of such magnitude and importance and seriousness that certainly key members of the department, including his own deputy, should be notified, Wicker said.

It is still unclear how this will affect Austins job, travel or other public engagements going forward. Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks has been taking on some of his day-to-day duties as he recovers.

Both the White House and Pentagon previously announced they are conducting their own reviews.

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The Blue Shield casino operated by the Kings Romans Group stands in the Golden Triangle special economic zone on the banks of the Mekong river in Laos near the border between Laos, Myanmar and Thailand March 2, 2016.

There has been growing concern in Laos over the potential influx and increase of scam operations pushed away from Myanmar amid the Chinese crackdown, according to a Vientiane-based diplomatic source on Friday.

In recent months, China has intensified a crackdown on online scams operated by criminal syndicates in border areas of military-ruled Myanmar.

Operation 1027 in Myanmars northern Shan State, launched in October by anti-junta groups, has also advanced Chinas quest to eradicate forced labor scam compounds on its border.

As of late November, authorities in Myanmar had handed over 31,000 suspects to China since authorities from both nations began a crackdown on online scams in September, according to Chinas Ministry of Public Security. The majority of those suspects were handed back after Operation 1027.

However, such developments have become an unexpected headache for a neighboring nation, Laos.

There have been growing concerns that many of these scam groups might opt to relocate their operations to Laos, especially to its Golden Triangle area, the source who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons told Radio Free Asia. Embassies are monitoring the situation closely to protect their own citizens.

South Korea was among the first to take action. The countrys Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday that it has decided to impose a travel ban, or the level 4 alert, for the Lao Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (SEZ) from Feb. 1.

Authorities have decided to introduce a travel ban for the zone located in the northwestern province of Bokeo, Laos, due to the continued increase in criminal activities targeting South Korean nationals, according to the ministry.

South Koreans must obtain a special passport-use permit from the government if they wish to stay in areas under level 4 alert, the highest level of the governments travel warning system. Those who remain in the country without permission will be charged by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with violating the passport law and face criminal penalties.

Initially lured by job ads for roles like Korean language interpretation and cryptocurrency sales, South Korean job seekers are forced into illegal activities such as voice phishing, investment scams, romance scams, and sex trafficking.

Employers compound the abuse by confiscating passports for visa processing, and then demanding payment for travel and living expenses. The victims also suffer from detention and assault, the ministry noted.

In December, the Lao authorities deported 462 Chinese nationals for offenses including human trafficking from the Golden Triangle SEZ. This follows a previous action in mid-September, where 164 Chinese nationals, including 46 arrested in the Bokeo Special Economic Zone  another region operated by a Chinese tycoon sanctioned by the U.S. for human trafficking  were sent back to China.

Lao residents, while appreciative of the efforts made by authorities, have pointed out that effectively eliminating scamming networks requires a joint approach. They suggest that collaboration between domestic and international security forces across the region is essential, rather than relying solely on the actions of individual countries.

Yos Santasombat, a professor of social studies at Chiang Mai University in Thailand, told RFA in December that as criminal activity goes largely unchecked within the SEZs in Bokeo province, gangs are expanding their existing operations and adding new services.

I went to the Golden Triangle SEZ two months ago and I noticed that the place was huge and expanding, he said at that time. [As it grows] it might attract other businesses besides gambling and tourism, such as money laundering.

Edited by Mike Firn and Elaine Chan.
The military junta camp in Kokang Self-administered Zones Konkyan city in northern Shan state on Dec. 1, 2023 after being captured by the Three Brotherhood Alliance.

Updated Jan. 12, 2024, 3:31 p.m. ET

Junta officials and a resistance alliance agreed to a temporary ceasefire during talks in China, a person attending the meeting told Radio Free Asia on Friday morning.

The Three Brotherhood Alliance and regime representatives reached the decision during peace talks in Chinas Kunming on Thursday. The agreement was signed into effect at 10 p.m., the anonymous source said, asking RFA not to disclose his name because he was not authorized to talk to the media.

As a result of the discussion, the allied Arakan Army, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, and Taang National Liberation Army agreed to cease capturing cities and military camps in northern Shan state. Junta officials agreed not to instigate aerial attacks and operate heavy weaponry.

Representatives from all three of the resistance groups attended the meeting, said the anonymous source. Lt. Gen. Min Naing and five members from the military council also attended, he added, as well as Chinas special representative Deng Xin Jun.

Chinas border with Myanmar would be re-opened after renegotiation among the three northern alliances, junta officials and China when the area is more stable, the meeting attendee said.

The agreement did not specify a given length of time, a senior northern alliance official who attended the talks told RFA.

This decision is a result of Chinese pressure and would not be sustainable in the long run, said an ex-military official, who asked RFA to protect his identity for safety reasons.

This ceasefire is due to pressure from China. China definitely put pressure on both sides, because Yunnans industrial products are affected. Because of this, a ceasefire agreement was reached before the resolution was clear, he said.

This halt is a breather for the junta council. The Three Brotherhood Alliance also breathed a sigh of relief. And China also breathes a sigh of relief. But I want to say that this is not a long-term, stable situation.

Junta regime spokesman Zaw Min Tun confirmed through junta controlled-state media that a ceasefire agreement was reached.

We will continue discussions, and will work to maintain the ceasefire, he said. Myanmar and China will discuss the resumption of bilateral border trade.

Consideration for China

Neither party could deny it was a result of Chinese pressure, said Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, a political and military analyst based in China.

There are pros and cons. Some say this could set back the Spring Revolution. I dont think so. As for the northern group, they still need to rest in order to prepare their armies in peace, and the ceasefire is temporary, she told RFA.

Its a good thing to stop temporarily and politically discuss. They also need to be free to discuss. There may be some consideration for what China wants [from the Three Brotherhood Alliance] when China intervenes.

The shadow National Unity Government, or NUG  made up of former civilian leaders and other anti-junta activists  will continue efforts elsewhere in the country to end the military dictatorship in collaboration with other resistance forces, NUG spokesperson Nay Phone Latt said.

Fighting might be halted in a specific area due to certain reasons, but no place will be peaceful under the military regime, he said.

Later on Friday, the Three Brotherhood Alliance issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to ending the juntas rule.

Significant progress made, the alliance said on X, formerly known as Twitter. But achieving our complete goal needs more time and ongoing efforts. Our dedication remains strong with the entire Myanmar population.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning voiced Beijings support for the ceasefire at a regular news conference Friday.

China hopes the relevant parties in Myanmar can conscientiously implement the agreement, exercise maximum restraint toward each other and solve the issues through dialogue and consultations, she said, adding that the ceasefire was also in Chinas interests.

The two sides promised not to undermine the safety of Chinese people living in the border area and Chinese projects and personnel in Myanmar, she said.

Cannot be fully trusted

A previously reported cease-fire was not honored by either side.

Ko Sai, a resident of The Baw township, told RFA that artillery shelling could be heard in Lashio and The Baw Thursday night and Friday morning.

They need to keep their promise, he said, referring to the ceasefire signatories. I have a positive view on these agreements, although it cannot be fully trusted.

The result of this weeks discussion is only for northern Shan state and would not apply to Rakhine state, added the meeting attendee. The Arakan Armys attacks have also impacted Chinese development projects in Rakhine. On Monday morning, the Arakan Army launched an offensive on a junta naval base in a Chinese special economic zone.

Since Operation 1027 launched on Oct. 27, 2023, 15 out of 22 townships in northern Shan state have been occupied by northern resistance groups, according to data compiled by RFA.

Combined troops from the Karenni National Defense Force, the Peoples Liberation Army and the Bamar Peoples Liberation Army have captured six cities across Shan state, including Chinshwehaw, Kunlong and Hsenwi.

The United Wa State Army has since captured Hopang and Pan Lon cities.

The Taang Liberation Army also seized Namhsan and Manton, in addition to other cities in Taang Self-Administered Zone, including Namhkam, Mongngawt and Namtu cities.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn, Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster.

This story has been updated to add comments from the juntas spokesman and a statement from the Three Brotherhood Alliance.
Burned-down houses are seen in The Yet Khaung village in Myanmars Kanbalu township, Sagaing region, Jan. 11, 2024.

More than 10,000 civilians have fled military raids on Kanbalu township in Myanmars Sagaing region in recent days, while fighting between junta troops and ethnic rebels has displaced another 10,000 from Chin states Paletwa township since the new year, sources said Friday.

The evacuations are the latest by residents of rural Myanmar caught in the crossfire of widespread conflict that has engulfed the country since the militarys Feb. 1, 2021, coup detat.

On Thursday, junta troops raided and burned the Kanbalu villages of Tha Yet Kone, Koe Myo and Taunt Te Kone, before moving to nearby Min Kone village on Friday and setting several homes on fire, residents told RFA Burmese.

An official with the Peoples Administration Committee in Kanbalu township, located around 240 kilometers (150 miles) north of the city of Mandalay, said that troops had torched 31 houses in Tha Yet Kone, but was unclear about the situation in the other villages, as military units remained in the area.

This morning, smoke was still rising from the burning villages, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns. It is the harvest season, and the farmers had to leave their crops. The rice was also set on fire. We had to take carts and cattle and run away from the area with whatever we could grab.

The official noted that on Wednesday, Kanbalu townships anti-junta Peoples Defense Force, or PDF, paramilitaries attacked Tin Ngoke Gyi village, where members of the military-backed Pyu Saw Htee militia were based, and seized some weapons.

Residents said that on Thursday morning, a 120-strong column of junta troops and Py Saw Htee fighters carried out raids on the villages near Tin Ngoke Gyi.

Beginning that same morning, junta troops from the No. 6006 Armored Battalion marched to reinforce the military and Pyu Saw Htee column in Tin Ngoke Gyi, causing more than 10,000 residents from 11 villages in Kanbalu to flee their homes in fear, the official from the townships Peoples Administrative Committee said.

When asked about the raids in Kanbalu, Sai Naing Naing Kyaw, the juntas ethnic affairs minister for Sagaing region, told RFA that he could not provide details about the situation.

Clashes displace residents

Meanwhile, clashes between the military and ethnic Rakhine rebels known as the Arakan Army, or AA, have forced more than 10,000 residents of Chin states Paletwa to flee their homes since early January, according to Salai Myo Htike, an official with the Paletwa Autonomous District Council.

Displaced people from Chin states Paletwa township in Myanmar make their way across a waterway in Jan. 2024. (Salai Myo Htike)

The clashes are taking place in and around the seat of the township, while the military has carried out airstrikes in the area, he said in an interview on Friday, adding that details of the fighting were unavailable as telecommunications had been cut.

Phone service is no longer available in Paletwa, he said. Military aircraft have been bombing the area and I know that houses have been burned down, but I dont know the details. There are some people left in the town, but weve had to flee and cant get in contact with them.

Aid workers told RFA that there is an urgent need for food and medicine for the displaced.

Attempts by RFA to reach Aung Cho, the junta secretary of Chin state, for comment on the matter went unanswered Friday.

Between the coup and December 2023, more than 100,000 people have been displaced by fighting in Chin state to other parts of Myanmar or across the border to surrounding countries, the Institute of Chin Affairs recently told RFA.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported on Wednesday that there have been more than 2.5 million people displaced by conflict across Myanmar since the military takeover three years ago.

Translated by Htin Aung Kyaw. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.
The Myanmar towns of Hopang and Panglong are handed over to the United Wa State Army by the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army in a ceremony Jan. 10, 2024.

The handover to ethnic Wa fighters of two towns seized from the military by Kokang rebels last week is likely part of a bid to elicit their support in the fight against the junta and deals a blow to the regimes hold on power in northern Myanmar, observers said Thursday.

On Jan. 4, fighters with the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, or MNDAA, stormed the juntas Kokang regional command center in Laukkaing township  the largest base in northern Shan state near the Chinese border  prompting soldiers in the facility to lay down their arms, despite the militarys attempt to defend the facility from afar with artillery fire and airstrikes.

A day later, the MNDAA seized the towns of Pang Long and Hopang from the military in the Wa Self-Administered Regions Hopang township, located around 6.5 kilometers (4 miles) away from Laukkaings town of Chinshwehaw. Under MNDAA protection, armed troops with the United Wa State Army, or UWSA, later entered the townships as some 700 junta troops and their family members retreated to the Wa region town of Lashio.

A military analyst, who spoke to RFA Burmese on condition of anonymity due to security reasons, noted that the MNDAA and UWSA are former allies and said the MNDAA made the handover to ensure relations between the two groups remain on good terms.

[The MNDAA] will not maintain friendship with the Wa if [they] establish an administrative system by themselves [in Hopang and Pang Long] as they did in Chinshwehaw and [nearby] Kunlong after seizing those towns, the analyst said.

Hopang and Pang Long are part of an area formerly controlled by the UWSA that was handed over to the then-military regime, the State Law and Order Restoration Council, as part of a negotiated ceasefire agreement.

So it was expected that the [MNDAA] would attack Hopang and Pang Long and hand them to the Wa, even though the Wa were not involved in the fight to occupy them, the analyst said.

The MNDAA had taken control of Chinshwehaw after the start of Operation 1027, an offensive it launched along with the Taang National Liberation Army and the Arakan Army as part of the so-called Three Brotherhood Alliance of ethnic armies in late October that has since reportedly captured 10 townships in northern Shan state and seized control of more than 200 junta camps.

Wa assumes control

On Wednesday, the MNDAA handed over Pang Long and Hopang to the UWSA, which controls territory connected to the two townships, in a formal ceremony, according to residents and UWSA officials. The UWSA is Myanmars largest ethnic army, and in November had vowed to remain neutral amid Operation 1027.

Myint Than, a resident of Hopang, told RFA that the UWSA greeted locals cordially during the handover and noted that while junta troops and their families had left, it is not true that the [ethnic majority] Bamars were driven out.

The Bamars have been operating clothing stores, all of which have been allowed to reopen, she said. It is likely that those who have joined the [anti-junta] Civil Disobedience Movement [boycotting state jobs under the military regime] will be re-employed.

The handover ceremony for the Myanmar towns of Hopang and Panglong on Jan. 10, 2024 drew a crowd. (Citizen journalist)

The 2008 constitution designated the six townships of Hopang, Mongmao, Pangwaun, Narphan, Matman, and Pangsang/Pangkham of northeastern Shan state as the Wa Self-Administered Region. With the handover of Hopang township, the junta only controls Matman township, while the UWSA now controls the remaining five townships.

Residents told RFA that the UWSA informed them they will be issued residential permits, which will allow them to travel freely within the entire Wa region.

Handover a positive for resistance

A former military officer, who also declined to be named for fear of reprisal, said the junta is likely incensed by the handover, as Pang Long was home to a military base and a key part of its territory in northern Shan state.

To be frank, [the UWSA] managed to outwit them by taking those towns without a fight, the officer said. The military will not be pleased. The Wa have broken the status quo by taking these two towns.

Hla Kyaw Zaw, a political and military observer based in China, said that the UWSAs occupation of Hopang and Pang Long would be good for the resistance.

I see the gradual unity of ethnic groups as a positive [for anti-junta forces], she said. The Wa focus on the interests of their own people and the MNDAA has said that its main goal is to regain the [ethnic] Kokang region and form a special region again. They realize that it would be impossible for them to do so only by freeing their own people.

Since they understand that the whole country needs to be free from the military dictatorship, I believe they will assist the resistance, which will benefit the revolution, she added.

Translated by Htin Aung Kyaw. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.
Tenzin Paldon, seen here in a photo dated Jan. 2024, was forced to pull out of the Miss Global 2023 pageant, owing to pressure from the Chinese government.

Updated at 17:05 ET on Feb. 8, 2024.

A Tibetan woman was forced to withdraw from a beauty pageant in Cambodia due to apparent pressure from China after she refused to add China to the words Miss Tibet on her sash, she and organizers said.

The incident involving Tenzin Paldon, 28, a contestant at the Miss Global 2023 pageant, jointly hosted by Cambodia and Vietnam, is the latest example where China has used pressure tactics to force international events to toe its political line.

The organizers, under Chinese pressure, gave me two options: to participate with China added to my sash or to not wear a sash at all, which I felt defeated the purpose of my participation which was to represent my country, Tibet, Paldon told Radio Free Asia from her home in New York, after returning from Cambodia.

So, I chose to walk out of the event, said Paldon, who had participated in the same competition in Cambodia in January 2018.

Organizers also said a Taiwanese contestant, Linda Huang, was initially excluded from the competition, but then was reinstated after she agreed to change her sash from Taiwan ROC  referring to the Republic of China  to one that read Taipei China.

In Sophin, the owner of Mahahang Production, representing the Cambodian side of the organizers, confirmed to RFA that government officials recommended removing two candidates, one from Tibet and one from Taiwan, in keeping with the one China policy.

Paldon said she heard the same thing: One of the organizers said the Cambodian prime minister had texted them saying the Taiwanese and Tibetan pageant candidates should be kicked out of the competition.

In Sophin said that Huang returned to the pageant after agreeing to wear the Taipei China sash.

But Huang told RFA that she was not suspended from the competition. She said that in addition to a sash saying Taiwan ROC, she was offered a second sash by organizers that read Taipei China. She refused to say whether she agreed to wear the second sash.

Video from the competition shows her wearing a sash saying Taiwan ROC.

Huang said that the Taipei China label is officially used by athletes and contestants representing the island at international events, including the Olympics, and so saw nothing wrong with it.

Overall, my representation aligns with the Taiwanese government's stance on maintaining peace, preserving our freedom index, and engaging in the world in a peaceful and fair manner, she told RFA.

Victory to Tibet

Paldon, who wore a sash that said Miss Tibet during the introductory round on Jan. 2, likely caught the attention of Chinese authorities after she shouted Bhod Gyalo, or Victory to Tibet, during the sash ceremony, which was broadcast live on social media platforms and Cambodian television, she said.

Shortly thereafter, Paldon was stopped at the Vietnamese border as she was making her way to the venue of the next round of the competition.

There, pageant organizers told her the Chinese government had put pressure on Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet to have Paldon removed from the pageant after they saw the sash ceremony, and questioned the Cambodian government on why a candidate representing Tibet was allowed to wear a sash that read Miss Tibet and shout, Bhod Gyalo.

For years, Cambodia has sought to deepen ties with China. Hun Manet chose to go to Beijing for his maiden official trip abroad in September after taking over as prime minister from his father, Hun Sen. signaling a continued commitment to strengthening Cambodias relationship with China.

Sash politics

Paldon, who won the Miss Tibet 2017 title at a beauty pageant held for Tibetan women of the diaspora, also expressed disappointment at the politicization of international beauty pageants.

It is unfortunate that politics dictate events of young women and their aspirations, and its heartbreaking to note that these events are fixed, Paldon said. All I want to be is a role model for young Tibetan women out there, in particular to empower many women who are from displaced communities like me.

When Paldon arrived back at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on Jan. 10 after waiting for nearly a week in Cambodia at her own expense, she was welcomed by Tibetan community members and supporters, who praised her for her stance.

We are disheartened but also very proud of the firm stand [she has taken] as a Tibetan, said Tashi Palmo, secretary of the Regional Tibetan Women's Organization of New York and New Jersey.

This is not the first time Miss Tibet candidates have had to withdraw from global beauty contests for refusing to add China to their sash.

In 2005, Tashi Yangchen was forced to withdraw from a Miss Tourism Pageant held in Zimbabwe after she came under pressure to either wear a sash that said Miss Tibet-China or to participate as a guest. She chose to walk out of the event.

Two years later, Miss Tibet 2006 Tsering Chungdak also met with a similar fate at a contest in Malaysia.

The Miss Tibet contest, started by Lobsang Wangyal Productions in 2002 with the mission of Celebrating Tibetan Women, had 15 annual editions until 2017, after which it did not take place for various reasons, including a lack of enough applicants and the coronavirus pandemic.

The pageant, however, is set to make a comeback in 2024 after a five-year-long hiatus, Lobsang Wangyal, Director of Miss Tibet beauty pageant, said in a statement.

Additional reporting by Singeri Sonam Lhamo and Lobsang Chophel for RFA Tibetan. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.

Updates story to add comments from Taiwanese contestant Huang disputing that she was temporarily suspended from the competition.
A delegation of diplomats and officials from the Arab League and its secretariat visit the old town of Kashgar in northwest China's Xinjiang region, May 31, 2023.

The Chinese government has thrown open the door for tourists to Xinjiang. Or at least those it deems worthy of an invite.

While officials previously let in diplomats, journalists and those considered friends of China, they are now presenting the restive far-western region as a tourist destination of sorts in a bid to remove some of the tarnish from Chinas image as a human rights violator in the far-western region in the eyes of the international community.

Nearly 400 delegations and groups consisting of more than 4,300 people from various countries and international organizations visited the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in 2023, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a press conference on Jan. 5.

Visitors included government officials, diplomats, religious figures, experts, scholars, and journalists as well as ordinary travelers, he said. Unlike travel in the rest of China, however, visits remain by invitation only and visitors are led on government-sponsored tours.

These include trips to mosques and heritage sites to see how Xinjiangs traditional culture is protected, Wang said. They went to local factories, businesses and farms to learn about Xinjiangs production and development, and visited ordinary households where they saw the happy life of people of various ethnic groups.

Seeing is believing, he said. People are not blind to the truth. For certain countries, they are comfortable telling lies about genocide and forced labor in Xinjiang. Xinjiang will keep its door open to the world.

Foreign envoys visit an exhibition on Xinjiang's anti-terrorism and de-radicalization work in Urumqi, capital of northwestern China's Xinjiang region, Aug. 4, 2023. (Zhao Chenjie/Xinhua via Getty Images)

The move comes as China gets ready for its fourth Universal Periodic Review, or UPR  a Human Rights Council mechanism that calls for each U.N. member state to undergo a peer review of its human rights records every 4.5 years. The review is scheduled to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, on Jan. 23.

Authorities have tightly controlled who enters Xinjiang, where harsh repression of Uyghurs and other Muslims in recent years has amounted to genocide and crimes against humanity, according to the United States, the United Nations, the parliaments of other Western countries and human rights groups.

Authorities in Xinjiang have detained an estimated 1.8 million Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims, destroyed thousands of mosques and banned the Uyghur language in schools and government offices. China has said that the re-education camps have been closed and has denied any policy to erase Uyghur culture.

A recent CBS documentary on Chinas rebranding effort shows surveillance cameras and facial recognition devices monitoring Uyghurs. The name of the ancient town of Kashgar appears in Chinese as Kashi on signs and billboards, while the 15th-century Id Kah Mosque  closed to local Muslims since 2016  has been transformed into a tourist attraction.

Through the scripted travel junkets, the Chinese government is spreading a narrative that Uyghurs live happy lives to cover up Beijing's severe human rights violations in Xinjiang, experts on the region said. Foreign visitors, in turn, have perpetuated the narrative through photos and posts on their social media accounts.

Criticism from rights groups

The dissemination of propaganda and Chinas efforts to enhance the image of Xinjiang have sparked criticism from human rights groups.

Claudia Bennett, a legal and program officer at Human Rights Foundation, said the orchestrated visits conceal the harsh realities of forced family separations, arbitrary detentions of millions in concentration or forced labor camps, and thousands of Uyghurs living in exile and forcibly rendered stateless.

In a strategic effort to legitimize its colonization of the Uyghur region, the Chinese Communist Party carefully organizes propagandist visits for diplomats, journalists and religious scholars, she told Radio Free Asia. These tours are designed to whitewash the CCPs gross human rights violations.

The U.S.-based Uyghur Human Rights Foundation, or UHRP, called the visits genocide tourism in a report issued last Aug. 30, saying that they help China conceal genocide and crimes against humanity occurring in Xinjiang.

Dolkun Isa, president of the World Uyghur Congress, took the criticism of the junkets a step further.

Collaborating with Chinas propaganda equates to complicity in genocide  a grave crime, he said. Humanity will not forget, and the Uyghur nation will not forget. Those involved will be held accountable before history."

Hector Dorbecker, counselor for economic-commercial and financial affairs at the Embassy of Mexico in Beijing, tries to play dutar, a long-necked two-stringed lute, in Jiayi village of Xinhe county in northwestern China's Xinjiang region, Aug. 2, 2023. (Zhao Chenjie/Xinhua via Getty Images)

Travel and excursion propaganda to portray life in Xinjiang as normal is part of Beijings current strategy," explained Adrian Zenz, an expert on Chinas policies in Xinjiang.

They are showing Uyghurs and Uyghur culture, but not real and free people or culture, but a hollowed out version, a mummified version, like a CCP museum, said Zenz, director of China studies at the U.S.-based Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation.

With the U.N.s UPR session on the horizon, there can be little doubt that Beijing is touting the visits as a way to counter criticism of its policies in Xinjiang, said Sophie Richardson, former China director at Human Rights Watch.

The main problem with the UPR, however, is that there are no penalties for failing to comply or to correct abuses, Richardson added.

Beijing has proven just how easy it is to manipulate the process to keep independent civil society, both inside and outside China, out of the process  and to submit a national report that is breathtakingly dishonest in its claims to upholding human rights.

Translated by RFA Uyghur. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Abby Seiff.
Indonesia's President Joko Widodo (L) and Vietnam's President Vo Van Thuong shake hands during a welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on January 12, 2024.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo and his Vietnamese counterpart agreed Friday to push towards the conclusion of a substantive and effective Code of Conduct for the South China Sea amid rising tensions in the region.

Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, is in Hanoi on the second leg of his tour to three Southeast Asian countries  the Philippines, Vietnam and Brunei.

Jokowi and Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong held a meeting to discuss the strategic partnership between the two countries, Vietnams state media reported.

The two leaders reiterated the importance of peace, stability, security and freedom of navigation in the East Sea, said the official Voice of Vietnam (VOV), referring to the South China Sea by its Vietnamese name.

[They] underscored the importance of the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and committed to working towards the conclusion of a substantive and effective Code of Conduct (COC) that is in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), VOV said.

Vietnam and Indonesia will cooperate to maintain ASEANs unity and solidarity, as well as the Southeast Asian blocs common approach in dealing with maritime issues, it added.

China and ASEAN agreed on a DOC in 2002, but progress on a legally binding COC has been slow going amid an increasing risk of conflict.

Before Hanoi, while visiting Manila (Jan. 9-11) Jokowi also discussed the South China Sea with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and affirmed our insistence on the universality of UNCLOS, which sets out the legal framework that governs all activities in the oceans and in the seas," according to an official statement.

Manila has accused Beijing of escalating aggression in the waters under the Philippines jurisdiction, or the West Philippine Sea. China refuted the accusations and blamed the Philippines for provocation.

Maritime cooperation

In light of recent developments in the South China Sea, on Dec. 30, 2023, ASEAN foreign ministers issued a joint statement on maintaining and promoting stability in the maritime sphere in Southeast Asia, said Ristian Atriandi Supriyanto, lecturer on international relations at Universitas Indonesia.

Consistent with this joint statement, [during Jokowis visit] the two sides  Indonesia and Vietnam  will agree to avoid actions that may further complicate the situation, said Supriyanto, who is also a fellow at Forum Sinologi Indonesia, a research institution.

But much will depend on China which does not want any of the ASEAN claimants to base their actions only on UNCLOS, according to the academic.

From Beijings perspective, the only way to manage and settle the disputes is to negotiate with China directly. Anything else China sees as counterproductive, even provocative, he said.

Six parties  Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan and China  claim parts of the South China Sea. Beijings claim, the so-called nine-dash line, encircles almost 90% of the sea.

Indonesia's President Joko Widodo (C) during his visit to a military base in the Natuna islands, which border the South China Sea on January 8, 2020. (Indonesian Presidential Palace via AFP)





Indonesia is not a claimant in the broader sea but its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) claim overlaps with those of Malaysia and Vietnam, as well as with Chinas nine-dash line.

Indonesia too is a little bit cautious in their approach to the whole dispute in the South China Sea, said Nguyen The Phuong, a Vietnamese security analyst.

They have strong material capabilities, as well as being seen as the de-facto leader of ASEAN but not being one of the claimants makes them hesitant to push hard on the issue, said Phuong, who is currently studying for a PhD at UNSW Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy.

It doesnt mean Vietnam and Indonesia cant continue cooperation in maritime law enforcement in both bilateral and multilateral manners, according to the analyst.

The Vietnamese and Indonesian navies reached an agreement on joint training procedures in 2021 and the two countries coast guard forces at the end of 2022 also signed a memorandum of understanding on security cooperation.

Maybe there will be other agreements on defense cooperation, especially the defense industry, Phuong said.

Agreement on boundaries

In 2023, Indonesia as the rotating chairman organized a five-day ASEAN Solidarity Exercise (ASEX 23)  the groupings first ever joint naval drills focusing on humanitarian disaster responses.

Ristian Atriandi Supriyanto from Universitas Indonesia, who proposed ASEAN coordinated patrols in the South China Sea, said the bloc needs novel initiatives when dealing with Chinas excessive claims.

The fact is that countries have tried for decades negotiating with China in vain, he said, China does not back down from its nine-dash line, which others including Vietnam and Indonesia, do not recognize.

Coordinated patrols can be one of those initiatives, which can start with two ASEAN countries, like Indonesia and Vietnam, before expanding it to others, Supriyanto told RFA.

Vietnamese analyst Nguyen The Phuong, however, casted doubt on the idea.

Vietnam until now has been very reluctant on joining any joint patrol with other countries, so I don't think that approach would change anytime soon, he said, adding that the two countries could still cooperate on other important issues such as fighting against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

On Friday, Jokowi and his Vietnamese host Thuong witnessed the signing of a memorandum on fisheries cooperation.

Vietnamese fishermen detained by Indonesian authorities for illegal fishing in Batam, Kepulauan Riau on Mar 4, 2020. (Teguh Prihatna/AFP)





Jakarta has long been complaining about illegal activities by Vietnamese fishing vessels in the waters surrounding the Natuna Islands in the South China Sea where the two countries claims overlap.

In December 2022, after 12 years of negotiations, Indonesia and Vietnam finally reached an agreement on the boundaries of their exclusive economic zones. Yet until now the two countries are still in the process of finalizing the implementing arrangements and the agreed boundary demarcation has not been made public.

If the agreement is really final, then the two sides should publish the map, said Ristian Atriandi Supriyanto. I guess they have not published it due to concerns of provoking China like the Malaysia-Vietnam joint submission of continental shelf did in May 2009.

Just one day after the joint submission of Malaysia and Vietnam to the U.N., China filed a formal communication stating that the joint submission seriously infringed Chinas sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the South China Sea.

In this case, not publishing the map is one of the ways to avoid actions that may further complicate the situation, said the Indonesian scholar.

The way I see it, however, this plays directly into the Chinese playbook of keeping it low and subtle while Beijing persuades and pressures other claimants and non-claimants alike to accommodate its nine-dash line, he added.

Edited by Mike Firn and Elaine Chan.
Vietnam's former Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long is led into court for his trial on Jan. 3, 2024, in Hanoi. He was sentenced to 18 years in connection with a coronavirus test kit scandal on Jan. 12, 2024.

Updated Jan. 12, 2024, 3:02 p.m. ET



A court in Vietnam sentenced former Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long to 18 years in prison in connection with a Coronavirus test kit scandal, state-controlled VNExpress reported Friday.

He was found guilty of accepting bribes of more than 51 billion VND (US$2.1 million). Longs secretary, Nguyen Huynh, received a nine-year sentence.

Former Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anh was sentenced to three years in prison, the report said. Former Hai Duong Provincial Party Committee Secretary Pham Xuan Thang received a five-year term.

They were prosecuted in connection with the Viet A scandal, which involved the companys chief executive officer bribing officials the equivalent of US$34 million to win contracts to sell substandard kits to hospitals at a 45% markup, earning his company US$172 million in profits.

The scandal came to light when CEO Phan Quoc Viet was arrested in December 2021, along with four staff and the director and chief accountant at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention office in the northern province of Hai Duong.

The revelations eventually claimed the job of Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, who was forced to step down in January 2023 and was removed from the Politburo to take responsibility for corruption cases that happened during his term in office.

Recent high profile prosecutions are part of Vietnam Communist Party Secretary Generals Nguyen Phu Trongs blazing furnace anti-corruption drive, which has proved popular with Vietnamese people tired of bribery and favoritism in the party.

Bark loudly

According to Friday afternoons verdict, Viet received the stiffest sentence at 29 years.

However, the sentence given to the former health minister seemed light, United States-based lawyer Le Quoc Quan told Radio Free Asia.

Vietnams 2015 Penal Code states that a person who receives bribes of 1 billion VND ($40,000) should be given a minimum sentence of 20 years, he said.

But Nguyen Thanh Long took bribes that were much more than that amount and yet only received an 18-year sentence  something that could cause great anger and frustration for the public, Le Quoc Quan said.

Recently, the Party has tended to bark loudly and bite softly, he said. They tend to focus on asset recovery rather than exercising the rule of law.

Also sentenced on Friday was former deputy director of the Ministry of Science and Technologys Department of Science and Technology Trinh Thanh Hung, who was jailed for 14 years.

Former Ministry of Health Director Nguyen Minh Tuan received eight years and another former Ministry of Health Director Nguyen Nam Lien was sentenced to seven years in prison. Pham Duy Tuyen, the former director of CDC Hai Duong, received a 13-year sentence.

Edited by Taejun Kang, Elaine Chan and Matt Reed.

This story has been updated to add comments from a U.S.-based lawyer.
U.S. and British forces have hit Iranian-backed Huthi rebel military targets in Yemen -- -- an action immediately condemned by Tehran -- sparking fears around the world of a growing conflict in the Middle East as fighting rages in the Gaza Strip.



U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement that the move was meant to show that the United States and its allies will not tolerate the Iranian-backed rebel groups increasing number of attacks in the Red Sea, which have threatened freedom of navigation and endangered U.S. personnel and civilian navigation.

The rebels said that the air strikes, which occurred in an area already shaken by Israel's war with Hamas, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and European Union, totaled 73 and killed at least five people.

The U.S. military said 60 targets in 28 locations had been hit, using more than 150 munitions. It said further air strikes were conducted on January 13. U.S. Central Command said the "follow-on action" against a Huthi radar site was conducted by the Navy destroyer USS Carney using Tomahawk missiles.

"I know we have degraded [their] capability," U.S. Lieutenant General Douglas Sims told a briefing. "I don't believe that they would be able to execute the same way they did the other day. But we will see."

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Biden approved the strikes after a Huthi attack on January 9. U.S. and British naval forces repelled that attack, shooting down drones and missiles fired by the Huthis from Yemen toward the southern Red Sea.

Kirby said the United States does not want war with Yemen or a conflict of any kind but will not hesitate to take further action.

"Everything the president has been doing has been trying to prevent any escalation of conflict, including the strikes last night," he said.

The UN Security Council called an emergency meeting for later on January 12 over the strikes. The session was requested by Russia and will take place after a meeting to discuss the situation in Gaza.

Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzya said the air strikes by the United States and Britain were a "blatant armed aggression" against another country.

"These states all carried out a mass strike on Yemeni territory. I'm not talking about an attack on some group within the country but an attack on the people of the country on the whole. Aircraft were used, warships and submarines," Nebenzya said ahead of the Security Council meeting.

U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield defended the strikes as legal under international law.

The strikes launched overnight were "to disrupt and degrade the Huthis' ability to continue the reckless attacks against vessels and commercial shipping," Thomas-Greenfield told the council.

She said more than 2,000 ships had been forced by the attacks to divert from the Red Sea since November.

Huthi rebels have stepped up attacks on vessels in the Red Sea since Israel launched its war on Hamas over the group's surprise cross-border attack on October 7 that killed some 1,200 Israelis and saw dozens more taken hostage.

The Huthis have claimed their targeting of navigation in the Red Sea is meant to show the group's support for the Palestinians and Hamas.

Thousands of the rebels held protests in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, where they chanted We arent discouraged. Let it be a major world war!

The White House said Huthi acts of piracy have affected more than 50 countries and forced more than 2,000 ships to make detours of thousands of kilometers to avoid the Red Sea. It said crews from more than 20 countries were either taken hostage or threatened by Huthi piracy.

Kirby said a "battle damage assessment" to determine how much the Huthi capabilities had been degraded was ongoing.

Britain said sites including airfields had been hit. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who is still hospitalized following complications from prostate cancer surgery, said earlier the strikes were aimed at Huthi drones, ballistic, and cruise missiles, as well as coastal radar and air surveillance capabilities.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the strikes were "necessary and proportionate."

"Despite the repeated warnings from the international community, the Huthis have continued to carry out attacks in the Red Sea," Sunak said in a statement.

Iran immediately condemned the attacks saying they would bring further turbulence to the Middle East.

"We strongly condemn the military attacks carried out this morning by the United States and the United Kingdom on several cities in Yemen," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kannani said in a post on Telegram.

"These arbitrary actions are a clear violation of Yemen's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a violation of international laws and regulations. These attacks will only contribute to insecurity and instability in the region," he added.

A Huthi spokesman said the attacks were unjustified and the rebels will keep targeting ships heading toward Israel.

The Huthis are part of what has been described as the Iranian-backed axis of resistance that also includes anti-Israel and anti-Western militias such as Hamas and Hezbollah.

Huthi rebels have fought Yemen's government for decades. In 2014, they took the capital, Sanaa.

While Iran has supplied them with weapons and aid, the Huthis say they are not Tehran's puppets and their main goal is to topple Yemen's "corrupt" leadership.

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and dpa
While the Huthis are using an arsenal of Iranian weapons to wreak havoc in the Red Sea and are considered part of Tehran's "axis of resistance," the Yemen-based rebel group does not necessarily follow Iran's commands.

Experts say the two have separated themselves enough to allow the Huthis -- who control northern Yemen -- to act independently against Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the West, Tehran's main enemies. The distance also keeps Iran from being drawn into a broader Middle East conflict.



Hamidreza Azizi, a fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs in Berlin, explained that Iran's support for the Huthis does not make the nonstate militant group an Iranian proxy.



"There is absolutely no doubt that, especially since the outbreak of the war in Yemen, since the Saudi invasion of Yemen in 2015, that Iran has been actively supporting the Huthis in their fight against Saudi Arabia," he said. "And it continues to support them now, in their expanding campaign against Israel. But it isn't like Iran created the Huthis or that the Huthis were a subsidiary of the Quds Force," the foreign arm of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).



Jeremy Binnie, a Middle East defense analyst with the global intelligence company Janes, said the question is how much influence Tehran has over what the Huthis do.

That question has increasingly been asked since the Huthis began targeting Israel with missile strikes in response to Israel's invasion of the Gaza Strip, and most recently following the Huthis' repeated attacks against maritime vessels in the Red Sea, a major global supply route.



Many consider the Huthis to be "fairly independent and very belligerent," Binnie said, and "will actually probably go beyond what the Iranians want them to do." Another view is that considering the likely need for Iranian personnel to operate the more advanced weaponry Tehran provides to the Huthis, that Iran "would have a big say over when and how those weapons are used."



The Huthis' arsenal is extensive, including sea and air drones, long-range missiles, and recently unveiled anti-ship missiles.



The Huthis have used such weapons against commercial shipping in the Red Sea, leading the UN Security Council to warn against such attacks prior to the United States and Britain striking dozens of Huthi strategic sites in Yemen on January 12.



The Huthis have also targeted Israel directly with drones and long-range missiles amid the latter's war against Hamas -- considered a terrorist group by the United States and European Union -- following that Iranian-backed group's deadly incursion into Israel on October 7.

While the Huthis have claimed they manufacture their own weapons and Tehran has denied supplying arms to the Huthis, Iranian components for sophisticated weapons have been seized en route to Yemen.



Binnie said that while the Huthis do produce some less-sophisticated weapons such as rockets, there is little doubt that their more advanced arms are of Iranian origin.



"They are still largely reliant, especially for the more sophisticated weapons, on at least key components coming from Iran," he said, adding that Iranian weapons are paraded with new names and, in some cases, Iranian weapons have been seen for the first time in Yemen.



While the Huthis are not directly under Tehran's thumb, the rebel group does play an important role in the so-called axis of resistance -- a loose-knit network of Iranian-backed proxies and militant groups who aid it in opposing the West, Arab foes, and primarily Israel.

"From the Iranian point of view, having an ally in Yemen is great, because you can give them your missiles and drones and suddenly the Saudis are facing a threat from the south. And [the Saudis have] got to move a lot of their air defenses to the south to cover that, which means there are less air defenses pointing toward Iran," Binnie said.

"You also have an ally that has the capability -- as we are now seeing -- to threaten one of the key maritime checkpoints in the world. So if Iran can threaten to close the Strait of Hormuz, the Huthis are showing what they can do," he added. "Likewise, in the southern Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandab [Strait], so this increases [Iran's] ability to put pressure on the international economy, the global economy, if they need to."

The Huthis, who have recently cast themselves as champions of the Palestinian cause, also fit well into the anti-Israel, anti-American ideology shared by members of the axis of resistance.



One risk is that Iran's support for the Huthis could draw Tehran directly into a broader Middle East conflict should it expand beyond Israel's war against Hamas.



At the moment, according to observers, that seems unlikely.



Azizi said it is getting "more and more difficult for Iran to keep its distance" from the Huthis, noting that statements by the United States -- including in the UN Security Council's January 10 condemnation of Huthi attacks in the Red Sea -- and Britain about the rebel group make sure to describe them as Iranian-backed.



Nevertheless, Azizi said, "I don't see any urge in any of the international actors involved in the war in Gaza to expand the scope in the sense that they would bring Iran into the conflict."



Binnie also downplayed the prospect of Iran being held directly responsible for attacks carried out by the Huthis and other members of the axis of resistance.



"We know the Iranians are supplying a lot of weapons to these groups, and they certainly have influence, if not a high degree of control over them," Binnie said. "So you could certainly make that case, but it is not being publicly made at the moment."



It has been more than three months since the outbreak of war in Gaza that sparked the Huthi attacks, Binnie said, and the Iranians have "successfully maintained their distance, so [the actions by the members of the axis of resistance are] not too much of a problem."
Major Nafania advances through the snow-covered forest at a steady pace. Just two years ago, this miner with a narrow smile, born in the central Dnipropetrovsk region, could not imagine himself like this, with a rifle on his shoulder, in an icy trench on the eastern front of Kupiansk, with a brigade made up of other miners, warehouse managers, operators, a store manager, drivers, a financial analyst... all turned into military men, holding one of the hottest positions on the extensive front line of Russias war against Ukraine. Nafania, the nom de guerre of the commanding officer of the 40th Separate Rifle Brigade (Kodak), points to a hole in the ground where the trees are bleached. And another one beyond. These are the remains of the Russians. This area was occupied, now they want it back, he mumbles. A buzzing sound precedes the explosion of a missile. The artillery barrage thunders. The Russian positions are a little over a mile away. The Kremlin wants to encircle this whole sector and is giving the defender no respite.

The Kremlin has stepped up its offensive on the stronghold of Kupiansk, some 25 miles from the Russian border, a town it took with little effort in the opening stages of the invasion and which the Ukrainian army recaptured in September 2022. Moscow used the town  of around 60,000 inhabitants before the war  and the rest of the area as a major logistics hub. Now it wants to recapture it and use it as leverage to take control of the entire Luhansk region (which it almost completely occupies) and from there march into the north of the Donetsk region. It also seeks to use it as a springboard to advance towards Kharkiv  before the war, the second most-populated city in Ukraine  and to achieve a better position to punish a locality that Vladimir Putin coveted from the outset of the invasion and that in recent days Russian forces have been trying to hit with storms of missiles and drones.

According to analysts, Russia is focusing one of its most significant efforts of the war on the Kupiansk front. Chechen special forces and several Russian motorized rifle units are operating all along the line to the occupied city of Kreminna. Moscow is now preparing to reinforce its push with up to 5,000 more men, several Ukrainian military observers explain. Russia has advanced a few meters  marginally, experts say  since it re-launched the offensive last October to distract Ukrainian troops from the counteroffensive to the south, which has ultimately failed.

They launch constant attacks; they try to advance and if their comrades fall, they dont even come back to pick up their corpses, says Nafania. I still cant figure out what their motivation is, says the 34-year-old officer, nicknamed after a character from a Soviet-era animated film. The 40th Separate Rifle Brigade, formed as part of the Territorial Defense Forces in the early stages of the invasion, was integrated into the Ukrainian regular army and is now deployed with other units in the area, dotted with villages and forests and surrounded by mazes of trenches.

After nearly two years of war, Putin maintains his objective of subduing Ukraine. He wants to occupy the whole country, and he has launched an all-out operation to take Donbas, in the east, says Mikhail Samus, a reputed Ukrainian military analyst. They are trying to break through in different directions from the north, east, and south at the same time, he explains by phone. Samus doubts the strategic importance of Kupiansk, and the whole area, for Moscow. They occupied that area for six months, and it didnt do any good; besides, if they only succeed in one direction, it doesnt matter. From the operational point of view, it is absurd, adds the expert, who describes the intense assaults launched by Russian troops to advance on the Kupiansk front with mortars, all kinds of artillery, drones, and armored vehicles.

For Kyiv, meanwhile, advancing in that now-frozen area would open an interesting door to retake Luhansk. Moreover, in the case of retreat, recapturing the same ground later would be much more complicated. For the moment, in tough terrain, with a lack of ammunition, overloaded weapons and the need for reinforcements, Ukrainian troops are struggling to hold the line.

A soldier of the 40th Separate Rifle Brigade, in a trench on the Kupiansk front. MARIA SAHUQUILLO

Electromagnetic warfare

Back at the 40th Separate Rifle Brigade outpost, its lunchtime. One of several Dmitris, the cook on duty, has made borsch, a Ukrainian beet soup that tempers the body after guard duty in the frozen trenches. Another Dmitri, a former financial analyst, checks the equipment of a drone and consults his laptop. He is one of those in charge of the technical side of the unmanned aircraft that the brigade has incorporated, and which have proved essential for the battle, especially given the dwindling arsenals, with ammunition is in short supply. Dmitri, the technician, says he has managed to detect and repair a flaw that allowed Russian troops to lure drones and take control of them through electromagnetic warfare tools, which the Kremlin deploys to try to counter the proliferation of unmanned aircraft in the Ukrainian brigades.

Many of the 40ths servicemen had never been to the east of the country before, explains a third Dmitri, alias Doc, an electronics specialist who always wanted to be a doctor. Most of them are from the Zaporizhzhia region in the south, or Dnipropetrovsk in the center of the country. In 2014, when the Donbas war started, I thought it was far away, that it was not something that would affect me, he says in a measured tone. I didnt do anything, I didnt go anywhere. Now I think I should have done more. So when they started bombing our cities on February 24, 2022, I enlisted, he says. And now here he is, alternating his time between the outpost and the trench in the middle of the snow. When he can, he draws landscapes, churches, his children, his house in the countryside. He shows his work on his cell phone screen. He is a good artist. This helps a lot for morale, to disconnect the mind, he says with a shrug.

Nafania and the three Dmitris have not been home for months. There are no relief units. Most of those who are not in trenches like theirs, where they have had a major plague of mice that still scurry away from the three cats living with the brigade, have lost their sense of existential urgency. They dont want to go to war. Ukraine is now divided in two: that of the battle fronts  trenches of mud, snow, and mice under the rain of Russian artillery  and that which lives in a new normality, altered from time to time by bombardments. Or perhaps three, with the areas occupied by the Kremlin. Troops and citizens everywhere are exhausted.

Dmitri, alias 'Doc,' at an outpost on the Kupiansk front. MARIA SAHUQUILLO

But as the overrun country is about to enter its third year of war, in the face of an extremely challenging 2024 in which many doubt Western support will hold out, others in the snowy forest of Kupiansk note that Russia hoped to advance hundreds of miles across Ukraine and triumph in a few days. That in February 2022, Russian military commanders had asked officers to pack their dress uniforms, which they expected to wear in victorious parades in Kyiv. Nothing went as Putin anticipated. Nearly 700 days later, Russia occupies 20% of Ukrainian territory and is pushing to conquer Donbas and the south, while bleeding its country dry.

With the latest air strikes on major Ukrainian cities, from Kharkiv in the east to Kyiv, the capital, or even Lviv in the west, Putin is trying not only to wipe out Ukraines air defense materiel stockpiles. He also wants the world to forget that Russia faces the greatest human and strategic catastrophe since the collapse of the Soviet Union. And the Russian president is trying to play the waiting game, believing that Kyivs allies will eventually tire and leave Ukraine on its own.

Evening is falling on the Kupiansk front and thick clouds are gathering in the sky. The reconnaissance and attack drones that Russia deploys have less visibility. Artillery rain follows. This is hard, its difficult, but Im glad I can be here to secure our future, Doc says. Further away, maybe they dont feel the war like we do in the trenches, but thats because were here. If we pulled out, everyone would be on their knees.

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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
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made a surprise visit to Ukraine on January 12 to reassure Ukrainians of his country's support in their struggle to repel Russian invaders "for as long as it takes" and pledged an increase in military aid as Kyiv urgently appeals for its allies to beef up weapons deliveries amid a sharp rise in Russian air strikes.

The British leader toured several bombed-out areas of the capital and spoke with Ukrainians amid the rubble before meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

The two signed a key agreement on security cooperation. Sunak also pledged an increase in military aid for the embattled country, which has complained recently that it is running out of ammunition.



Our opponents around the world believe that we have neither the patience nor the resources for long wars, Sunak said.



Ukraine is not alone, and Ukraine will never be alone. [Russian President Vladimir] Putin might think that he can outlast us, but he is wrong. We stand with you today, tomorrow, and for as long as it takes."



Zelenskiy described the U.K.-Ukraine Agreement on Security Cooperation, which follows on from an agreement by the Group of Seven nations to provide Ukraine with bilateral security assurances, as an "unprecedented security agreement."



"I am in Ukraine to deliver a simple message. Our support cannot and will not falter," Sunak earlier wrote on X, formerly Twitter, in a message accompanied by a photo of himself among people in Kyiv.

Ahead of arriving in Kyiv on January 12, Sunak announced an increase in military funding to $3.2 billion for Ukraine. In a statement, the British government pledged that some of the funds will be used for "the largest delivery of drones to Ukraine from any nation."

"We will stand with Ukraine, in their darkest hours and in the better times to come," the statement said.

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.

Sunak first visited Ukraine in November soon after he became prime minister.

Sunak, who first visited Ukraine in November soon after he became prime minister, was due to hold talks with Zelenskiy and other senior Ukrainian officials.

Britain is the second-largest donor of military aid to Kyiv after the United State, with a total contribution of 4.6 billion pounds ($5.35 billion) in 2022 and last year.

The British pledge to increase aid by $255 million from the previous year comes a day after Zelenskiy returned to Ukraine from a tour of the Baltics where he continued to push Western allies to boost funding for the war as it nears its two-year mark.

Zelenskiy has pleaded with Ukraine's allies to keep supplying it with weapons amid signs of donor fatigue in some countries and as Russia turns to countries such as Iran and North Korea for munitions.

On January 11 he said that the situation on the front line is "very complicated" and again said that Ukrainian forces lack weapons.

He also said that after a March presidential election in Russia, which incumbent Vladimir Putin is expected to easily win, the Kremlin will likely undertake military action on a larger scale in Ukraine.

Ukraine has been subjected to several massive waves of Russian missile and drone strikes since the start of the year that have caused civilian deaths and material damage.
Uzbek citizens risk ending up in jail or a psychiatric hospital for criticizing their countrys president, Shavkat Mirziyoev, on social media.

At least three people are currently serving prison terms for criticizing Mirziyoev online, and one man has recently had his forced treatment extended at a psychiatric ward for a mental disorder he insists he does not have.

Before his arrest in 2021, Valijon Kalonov, who lives in the eastern Jizzakh Province -- the home region of the president -- frequently criticized Mirziyoev and his policies on YouTube.

Kalonov, 54, was particularly critical of Mirziyoevs government maintaining good relations with China despite Beijings clampdown on Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in its western Xinjiang Province.

In one YouTube post from March 2021, Kalonov urged Uzbeks to end Mirziyoevs rule by voting him out of office.

I am not calling on you to take up arms and fight, I am urging you to use your democratic right to vote in an election, he said. I dont trust my country and my childrens future with Mirziyoev.

Kalonov was arrested by the regional polices department against terrorism and extremism and was convicted by the Jizzakh city court of insulting the president and committing other criminal offenses that endangered society, according to authorities.

The details of the case against Kalonov and his sentencing were not made public. Kalonov was eventually transferred to a psychiatric hospital, a legacy from the Soviet era still used by some Central Asian countries to punish government critics.

Insulting the president of the country is a criminal offense in Uzbekistan punishable by up to five years in prison.

'No Regrets'

This week, Kalonovs family told RFE/RLs Uzbek Service that in November a district court in Jizzakh extended Kalonovs forced treatment in a mental hospital by three months.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the relatives said he doesnt suffer from any mental disorder. Relatives say that Kalonov has told them during their weekly visits to see him that the doctors try to force him to take tranquilizers.

According to a copy of an official document obtained by RFE/RL, Jizzakh doctors concluded that Kalonovs mental condition has not improved and that he still has no regrets about his actions that officials say landed him in the psychiatric hospital.

Meanwhile, in the neighboring Samarkand region, a teenager was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison for insulting the president on Instagram.

A copy of the October 26 court ruling says Dilshod Iskandarov, 19, used a swear word against Mirziyoev and his family. Iskandarov later deleted the comment which he had posted in 2022 as a migrant worker in Russia, the ruling said.

Iskandarov was arrested, charged, and subsequently convicted upon his voluntary return to Uzbekistan in 2023, despite telling the court that he regretted his action and had no discontent with Uzbek President Mirziyoevs policies, the document stated.

In the eastern Ferghana Province, two men ended up in court -- in separate cases -- after complaining about a shortage of natural gas and electricity in their region on the Telegram channel Kokand Methane Gas.

Utkirbek Sobirov, 27, insulted the president, voiced dissatisfaction with the governments policies, and spoke about the need to push Mirziyoev out of office, said a court document detailing Sobirovs case and 3-year sentence.

Another user of the same Telegram channel, Ahrorbek Quchqorov, 30, was handed a 4-year term of house arrest for a similar post.

RFE/RL has asked the office of the Uzbek president for comment but has not yet received a response.

Zero Tolerance

There is no genuine political opposition or real independent media in Uzbekistan, where the government stifles free speech and critical voices. Media and rights advocates accuse Tashkent of imprisoning and torturing journalists and bloggers who criticize the government.

In August, blogger Abduqodir Muminov was sentenced to 7 1/4 years in prison on dubious charges of fraud and extortion that his supporters claimed were in retaliation for his work, which included a report on the business activities of Mirziyoevs relatives.

Mirziyoev has come under criticism in recent years for backsliding on the reforms he promised when he came to power following the death of his authoritarian predecessor, Islam Karimov, in 2016.

In his first years in office, Mirziyoev was credited for opening up Uzbekistan economically, thawing its relationships with neighboring countries, and trying to improve Tashkents human rights record, including by stopping the notorious forced labor in the cotton industry that had received worldwide criticism.

Mirziyoev also initially gained popularity in the Muslim-majority country for providing some religious freedoms, removing thousands from so-called extremist blacklists, and freeing prisoners jailed for their religious beliefs.

But the government began making a U-turn on reforms, restricting the media, silencing critics, and cracking down brutally on anti-government protests in the autonomous region of Karakalpakstan.

In a widely criticized referendum on constitutional changes in April 2023, Uzbekistan cleared a path for Mirziyoev to stay in power until 2037 by increasing the presidential term from five to seven years and declaring that his time in office before the amendment would not be counted if Mirziyoev ran again for president.

In July, Mirziyoev was reelected in an vote that lacked genuine competition, according to Western election observers and analysts, and was deemed neither free nor fair.

Written by Farangis Najiballah with reporting by RFE/RLs Uzbek Service
Vincent Chao, 35, spoke to EL PAIS on Wednesday in a crowded office at the headquarters of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Taipei. The leader of the DPP, current vice president Lai Ching-te, is leading the polls to become the next president of Taiwan, the self-governed and democratic island that China considers an inalienable part of its territory and that counts on the United States as a key ally. The vote takes place on Saturday, January 13.

Chao is the DPPs director of International Affairs and the spokesperson for Lais campaign. In the room, he is surrounded by stacks of boxes of what look like campaign advertising in different formats. Outside, tables are covered with posters, flags and stickers, which prominently feature the green of the party. In an adjoining room, an editing team follows Lais motorcade in another city on a wall of screens. These are exhausting days. The final stretch of the campaign. The tension is palpable. For Chao, the countdown to Saturdays election brings to mind military service, mandatory in Taiwan and recently raised from four months to one year. The worst was always the last week, he remembers. This final week has been like the past three months, he says.

Chao explains why Taiwans elections are much more than a national election. Unfortunately, we live next door to a neighbor that has stated that its political objective is to annex or unify Taiwan peacefully, if possible, but by force if necessary. That, he adds, is the main driver of tensions with the Asian giant. According to Chao, China is building up its capabilities to achieve that result. This is why our elections matter. Because we must decide on the best course of action to defend our democracy, our freedom, our way of life, to preserve the status quo in the Taiwan Strait amidst these many growing challenges.

The party headquarters occupies three floors of the building. Theres a lot of movement. Junzhi Wu, director of the PDPs Chinese Affairs department, climbs up the stairs quickly, with his cell phone pressed to his ear. On the ground floor of the block, a campaign headquarters has been opened that citizens can freely enter. If Lai wins the presidency on Saturday, his victory will be celebrated there. Inside, they are selling green-colored paraphernalia and there are a lot of cat references  a nod to the cat warrior diplomacy touted by Lais running mate, Hsiao Bi-khim. Before being nominated as the vice president candidate, Hsiao (who owns four cats) served as Taiwans representative to the United States  not the ambassador, since Washington does not officially recognize Taipei. And that experience helped her developed this theory on international relations: to survive, the territory has to be flexible and at the same time make it clear that you cant mess with them, explains a party advisor.

For China, Taiwanese voters face a choice between war and peace. The DPP is Chinas least preferred option. The country has described Lai  who is also known as William Lai  as a supporter of Taiwan independence and accused him of being a troublemaker and instigator of war. In Lai, China sees a continuation of Tsai Ing-wen, also of the DPP, who has ruled Taiwan for the last eight years. Her mandate has been marked by lack of communication with Beijing, growing tensions in the Strait and the islands rapprochement with Washington.

One of Beijings big red lines would be a de jure declaration of independence. Chao doesnt see it necessary. Were already independent. Weve been independent for a very long time, he says. We have our military, our economy, our legal system, our constitution, a democratically elected government. I dont think anyone can say that were subordinate to another country. The Republic of China [official name of Taiwan] is something that exists.

Chao claims that Lai will continue Tsais legacy if he wins Saturdays election. He will also continue to signal an openness and willingness to engage in dialogue with Beijing on the basis of parity and dignity. The DPP candidate has presented a plan with four pillars to ensure sustainable peace. One of the points that stands out is improving Taiwans defense deterrence. In the words of Chao, it is about ensuring that war remains an unthinkable option for any party involved; and that everybody recognizes that there will be no winners in a war.

Chao  who worked as policy director in Taiwans representative office in Washington, and has held various positions linked to national security and foreign affairs explains how the Russian invasion of Ukraine has resonated on the island. Especially among DPP supporters, I think it has reinforced the commitment that any democracy must have to ensuring their own self-defense and ensuring deterrence. For many people in Taiwan, it shows that the threat from authoritarian actors is real. Its not just something on paper. There are real actions that are being taken today within the context of authoritarianism versus democracy, and Ukraine is on the front lines of that.

Support for Ukraine, he continues, is very meaningful for many Taiwanese. The war in Ukraine, he adds, has also widened the field for Kremlin propaganda to work alongside that of the Chinese Communist Party. According to Chao, a narrative similar to the one the Kremlin used to justify the invasion  about the West being too close to its borders  is spreading in Taiwan. This narrative argues that Taiwan should address Chinas security concerns, and distance itself from the United States.

The current Taiwanese government has accused China of interfering in the elections. It wouldnt be the first time. In 1996, during the first presidential elections, Beijing fired missiles into the Taiwan Strait, but it had the opposite effect: the candidate that China did not want to win was victorious. Taiwanese people are not easily frightened by military actions. In fact, they increase our determination to make our own decisions, says Chao.

In recent times, Chinese interference has become more sophisticated and complex, he adds. There are no more overt shows of military force. Instead, China launched a satellite into space on Tuesday, and its trajectory set off alarm bells. A growing number of Chinese balloons and fighter planes are also flying through the skies near the island. In addition, says Chao, there is a disinformation strategy, designed to polarize our society, undermine institutions and further degrade our democracy. Taiwan also has to contend with Chinas economic coercion, such as its decision to impose import restrictions on certain products, such as mangoes, which according to Chai, was aimed at affecting sectors traditionally linked to the DPP.

The election in Taiwan comes at a time of global conflict. In modern history, says Chao, there have always been three major flashpoints: Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. In the first two, disputes have broken out. Surprisingly, he says, the Asia-Pacific region has so far managed to avoid conflict. Conflict doesnt work out well for anybody. Were committed to avoiding it.

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St Vincents University Hospital has apologised in the High Court to the family of a 76-year-old County Roscommon woman who died after losing 17 litres of blood during surgery.

The very complex and major Whipple surgery, the High Court heard, was carried out on mother-of-six, Freda Fox, Castlerea, by two trainee surgeons at the Dublin hospital. The apology was read out in court as the six Fox children settled for 200,000 a High Court action over her death six years ago.

The familys counsel, Doireann OMahony BL instructed by David OMalley of Callan Tansey Solicitors, told the court that Mrs Fox believed she was in the best hands for the pancreatic surgery which is carried out in cases of suspected cancer to extend life and give back a quality of life.

Counsel said there were complications in the first hour of the five-hour surgery and panic ensued. She said there was  a surgical catastrophe nobody was prepared for and Mrs Fox lost 17 litres of blood.

A bleed in a vein was identified and repaired but Mrs Fox went into cardiac arrest. Counsel said the surgery was abandoned after four hours and Mrs Fox was transferred to ICU where she later died.

Mrs Fox from Castlerea, County Roscommon was also a grandmother, she said, who was the heart, light and soul of the Fox family who had hoped the surgery would give the pensioner a new lease of life.

The settlement is without an admission of liability.

In the apology read to the court, St Vincents University Hospital said it would like to offer sincere apologies to Mrs Foxs family for the events that occurred on September 1, 2017, related to the unexpected death" after the Whipple surgery. The statement added that the hospital would like to acknowledge the anxiety and distress this has caused the family. The case against the hospital was brought by Mrs Foxs children Paula, Sandra, Vanessa, Natalie, Ray and Padraic over the death of their mother and also for mental distress.

Outside court, Paula Fox on behalf of the family, said their mother was so proud to be as fit and healthy as she was. She said they had now lost all faith in the medical system.

It was just elective surgery she was told she would be fine; it was just a precaution and just go ahead and get it done. We went on holiday two weeks before that and they told her to go and have a great time because after surgery she would be out of action for a few weeks, she said.

She added: We were preparing to take her home and mind her at home and she didnt come home to us. Asked what the apology from the hospital meant to the family, Ms Fox said: To be honest it doesn't mean anything to us. We have lost our mother."

The inquest into the death of Mrs Fox heard that the cause of death was hypovolemic shock secondary to a massive blood loss occurring during the Whipple procedure. A pathologist told the inquest into the death of Mrs Fox that she found no obvious defect in the affected blood vessel but noted Mrs Fox had undergone previous surgery and the gall bladder was removed.

Noting the High Court settlement, Mr Justice Paul Coffey expressed his deepest sympathy to the Fox family.
High Court reporters

St Vincents University Hospital has apologised in the High Court to the family of a 76-year-old woman who died after losing 17 litres of blood during surgery.

The very complex and major Whipple surgery, the High Court heard, was carried out on mother of six, Freda Fox, by two trainee surgeons at the Dublin hospital.

The apology was read out in court as the six Fox children settled for 200,000 a High Court action over her death six years ago.

The familys counsel Doireann OMahony BL, instructed by David OMalley of Callan Tansey Solicitors, told the court that Mrs Fox believed she was in the best hands for the pancreatic surgery which is carried out in cases of suspected cancer to extend life and give back a quality of life.

Counsel said there were complications in the first hour of the five-hour surgery and panic ensued.

She said there was a surgical catastrophe nobody was prepared for and Mrs Fox lost 17 litres of blood. A bleed in a vein was identified and repaired, but Mrs Fox went into cardiac arrest.

Counsel said the surgery was abandoned after four hours and Mrs Fox was transferred to the intensive care unit where she later died.

New lease of life

Mrs Fox, from Castelrea, Co Roscommon, was a grandmother and the heart, light and soul of the Fox family who had hoped the surgery would give the pensioner a new lease of life, Counsel said.

"Tragically, she never came out of hospital," Counsel added.

The settlement is without an admission of liability.

In the apology read to the court, St Vincents University Hospital said it would like to offer sincere apologies to Mrs Foxs family "for the events that occurred on September 1st, 2017, related to the unexpected death" after the Whipple surgery.

The statement added that the hospital "would like to acknowledge the anxiety and distress this has caused the family".

The case against the hospital was brought by Mrs Foxs children, Paula, Sandra, Vanessa, Natalie, Ray and Padraic over the death of their mother and also for mental distress.

Outside the court, Paula Fox, on behalf of the family, said their mother was so proud to be as fit and healthy as she was.

She said they had now lost all faith in the medical system.

It was just elective surgery, she was told she would be fine.

It was just elective surgery, she was told she would be fine; it was just a precaution and just go ahead and get it done. We went on holiday two weeks before that and they told her to go and have a great time because after surgery she would be out of action for a few weeks, she said.

She added: We were preparing to take her home and mind her at home, and she didnt come home to us.

Asked what the apology from the hospital meant to the family, Ms Fox said: "To be honest it doesn't mean anything to us. We have lost our mother."

The inquest into the death of Mrs Fox heard that the cause of death was hypovolemic shock secondary to a massive blood loss occurring during the Whipple procedure.

A pathologist told the inquest into the death of Mrs Fox that she found no obvious defect in the affected blood vessel but noted Mrs Fox had undergone previous surgery and the gall bladder was removed.

Noting the settlement, Mr Justice Paul Coffey expressed his deepest sympathy to the Fox family.
Captain Miller OTT Release

Captain Miller is a Tamil action-drama, written and directed by Arun Matheswaran.

Captain Miller movie Hindi OTT Platform Release Date: One of the most anticipated movies of Dhanush  Captain Miller  has been released and making headlines for its high-packed action.

Superstar Dhanush received a lot of love for his acting and his action in the film. Captain Miller is a Tamil action-drama, written and directed by Arun Matheswaran. The dialogue for this film was penned by Madhan Karky while the film features Dhanush, Shiva Rajkumar, and Priyanka Mohan in the lead roles, along with John Kokken, Sundeep Kishan, Nivedhithaa Sathish, Nassar, and more foreign artists like Mark Bennington, and Edward Sonnenblick, among many others.

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Bankrolled by Sendhil Thyagarajan and Arjun Thyagarajan under the banner of Sathya Jyothi Films, revolves around the 1930s, depicting the life of Captain Miller who was a village hero born of defiance. He ignited the embers of revolution. Captain Miller's defiance marks the beginning of the end for a British officer and the birth of a legend.

Despite the odds against him, Captain Miller, wanted by the police, rallied the villagers to save their home from a huge British force. His courage and determination inspired the villagers to fight for their freedom and defy the British Empire. While the deceitful villagers secretly supported the British for money, the question remained: how would he uncover their treachery and emerge victorious in the race of life?

Captain Miller movie Hindi OTT Platform Release Date:

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Considering the plot of the film, people are looking for film's OTT release. However, the makers have not yet announced the OTT platform and the release date for the film. Therefore, you have to either wait for it or watch the film in theatres.




Captain Miller Movie Real Story: Know who was real 'Captain Miller'

'Who was Captain Miller?' or 'Is 'Captain Miller' a movie based on true events?'

Captain Miller Movie Based on True Real Life Story: Who was Captain Miller? Is 'Captain Miller' movie based on true events? A lot of questions come to mind whenever such an extravaganza film gets released. Dhanush-starrer film has been making headlines for its high-packed action film.

Superstar Dhanush has been receiving a lot of love for his acting and his action in the film. Ever since the release of the film's trailer, people have been wondering if the 'Captain Miller' movie is based on a true real story. So, let's try to answer your queries like 'Who was Captain Miller?' or 'Is 'Captain Miller' a movie based on true events?'

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'Captain Miller' Movie Real Life Story:

As per the report of Tamil Guardian, Captain Miller, the nom de guerre of Vallipuram Vasanthan, had carried out a 'Black Tiger' attack on a Sri Lankan Army garrison in Nelliyadi in the Jaffna district. He rode a truck with explosives into it on July 5, 1987. As many as 40 Sri Lankan soldiers were killed in the attack.

Just recently, Arun Matheswaran claimed that he was stopped from writing a film, specifically on the topic as they said it was too controversial and it can't be released here. I also thought right, we cant make that film here.

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To make it acceptable, Matheswaran set the story in the pre-independence era so no one raised questions and that there would be no controversy. Despite all of this, it is still a painful story.

To note, 'Black Tigers Day' is marked on July 5 in Tamil Eelam and across the world. In 2021, tens of thousands of Tamils rallied as part of the Pottuvil to Polikandy rally, when the protesters even held a minutes silence in Nelliady to pay tribute to Captain Miller in his hometown.


Abandoned by their government, residents of southern Chiapas have been caught in a vicious crossfire between rival gangs battling for control of migrant trafficking, resource extraction, illegal drugs and other criminal activities. Pleas for help by municipalities like Chicomuselo, Frontera Comalapa and Amatenango have fallen on deaf ears, while dismissive officials claim all is well.

Towns like Grecia and Nueva Morelia exemplify the severity of the problem. In early January, residents of Nueva Morelia (Chicomuselo municipality) reported a clash between criminals that caused at least 20 deaths, including two innocent bystanders. According to a letter shared by the Fray Bartolome De las Casas Human Rights Center, the gunfight lasted for seven hours. We need help from the international community  they are killing us, forcing us from our homes, and making us join their gangs, they implored.

Several videos on social media show alleged shootouts in Nueva Morelia and nearby areas on January 4, set against a backdrop of green hills and low-hanging clouds. A video shared on January 10 by Chiapas reporter Isain Mandujano shows three armed boys in bulletproof vests firing shots in every direction as they run up and down the mountain shouting, Puro Sinaloa, pura Mayiza! To hell with Mencho, up with the big M!

Their shouts touted the Sinaloa Cartel and one of its long-time leaders, Ismael El Mayo Zambada. El Mayo, Mayiza, the big M is an elusive drug lord who has never been arrested or incarcerated. His former partner, Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, is currently serving a life sentence for drug trafficking in the United States. Nemesio El Mencho Oseguera is believed to lead the rival Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), which has been expanding across Mexico for years.

People in this area are used to seeing videos like these. In the last 10 years, videos of Mexicos shootouts have circulated widely on social media, far beyond its borders. They have been downloaded countless times to phones and tablets along with more innocuous material. The normalization of violent content is half-heartedly countered by the governments photos and videos depicting peace and quiet throughout the land.

Thats exactly what Chiapas officials did four days after the video of the kids shooting in the mountains emerged. The [Chiapas] State Attorney Generals Office is announcing that collaboration among all government levels have ensured peace and resident safety in Chicomuselo municipality... To this end, citizens complaints have been promptly addressed to clarify the situation in different areas of the municipality. It is important to reiterate that there have been no reports of homicide due to any confrontations in the municipality of Chicomuselo.

The Chiapas State Attorney Generals Office goes on to note that the recent reports are nothing more than misinformation. This statement raises questions about what would motivate local residents to spread misinformation, considering that similar incidents have occurred throughout Chiapas for years. Reading between the lines, it seems the focus is more on the absence of formal homicide complaints than actual incidents. The prosecutors did not say whether their conclusions were based on thorough investigations.

The situation in Nueva Morelia and the neighboring community of Grecia is dire. Residents and non-governmental organizations in the two mountain communities have reported that criminal gangs are trying to exploit the economic void left by two companies that used to mine the areas plentiful barite. The mineral is used in oil well drilling and in car paint, according to the Ministry of Economy. A Mexican company and later a Canadian company called Blackfire began mining barite in the early 2000s, but were later shut down.

Residents protests against the irregularities in concession and exploitation procedures received little attention. It was only in 2009, following the murder of community leader Mariano Abarca, that the government terminated the mining concessions citing environmental concerns. This was detailed in a report by the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) that also revealed how criminal gangs have attempted to fill the void after the mines were closed.

According to the IWGIA report by indigenous law expert Elisa Cruz, criminal groups coerce and threaten residents, social organizations and municipal officials to gain control over land and mining activities. In early 2023, armed men saying that didnt belong to any mining company visited representatives of Nueva Morelia, said Cruz. They informed everyone that they planned to take the barite Blackfire left in Nueva Morelia and proceeded to steal the mineral.

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John Wood Group PLC (WG.L), a consulting, project management, and engineering solutions provider, on Friday said that its trading for the full year ending December 31, is in line with its expectations.

In its trading update, the company anticipates adjusted EBITDA for the full year to be slightly ahead of the guidance of $420 million to $425 million, up by 9 percent.

Revenue is expected to be around $6 billion, up by 9 percent, with good growth across all units.

The company is scheduled to report its full-year results on March 26.

On Thursday, John Wood shares closed at 152.50 pence, down 1.93% in London.

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Vistry Group Plc (VTY.L), a British house-building company, said on Friday that it expects its full year adjusted pre-tax income ahead of its outlook and in-line with the last-year results.

Excluding items, the home builder expects its annual pre-tax income ahead of its previous guidance of 410 million pounds and in-line with prior year's 418.4 million pounds.

As announced earlier, the Group made a one-time adjustment to expected site margins as a result of its change in strategy resulting in 40 million pounds of reduction in the full-year adjusted profit before tax.

The Group said that it has a strong forward sales position at 4.5 billion pounds, higher than 4 billion pounds of previous year.

Further, the company noted that it was seeing good levels of demand for homes from RPs and LAs, with an increasing demand profile from the PRS sector.



Looking ahead, the Group said: "The easing of mortgage rates in recent weeks is encouraging and we are optimistic that this will help stimulate demand in FY24. We believe the country's housing crisis will be at the top of the political agenda over the coming months and that Government will need to allocate more funding towards housing."

Vistry Group is scheduled to release its annual earnings report on March 14.

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German auto major Porsche Automobil Holding SE (POAHF) on Friday said it saw robust growth in the fiscal year 2023 and posted a slight gain in deliveries.

The company said it delivered a total of 320,221 cars in 2023, 3 percent more than 309,884 deliveries in 2022.

However, the company expects 2024 to be a challenging year. "Market conditions in China to remain challenging. It is therefore important that we continue to balance our sales structure and strengthen our overseas regions, particularly in the ASEAN . In 2024 we will focus more than ever on value-oriented growth and a stable sales level," the company said in a statement.

In 2023, North America which account for the highest deliveries at 86,059 recorded a yearly growth of 9 percent. Overseas and emerging markets recorded the best annual growth of 16 percent, from 52,220 deliveries.

China recorded the highest decline, with deliveries slipping to 79,283 from 93,286 a year earlier. Home market Germany recorded a growth of 10 percent, to 32,430 from 29.512 in the previous year. Europa excluding Germany recorded a growth of 12 percent, as deliveries rose to 70,229 from 62,685 a year earlier.

The Porsche 911 recorded the largest increase of all model lines in 2023, with an increase of 24 per cent.

The Taycan also posted 17% growth, with 40,629 customers taking delivery of their new car (+17 per cent).

The model with the highest number of deliveries was the Cayenne.

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Intact Financial Corporation (IFC.TO), a Canadian insurance company, said on Friday that it expects total catastrophe loss of C$200 million for the fourth-quarter on a pre-tax basis.

After tax, the company estimates an impact of C$0.85 on net operating income per share.

In addition, catastrophe losses of $65 million, pre-tax and net of reinsurance, related to the two October windstorms were incurred in the company's UK home insurance operations.

These losses will be reported in exited lines for the fourth-quarter, along with the underwriting results for all exited businesses, including UK&I personal lines.

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said that after a preliminary investigation of the side effects of popular diabetes and weight loss drugs including Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, no evidence linked with suicidal thoughts or actions was found.

However, the agency added that its officials will continue to look into the matter as they can't definitively rule out the possibility that "a small risk may exist".

The FDA instructed the patients who are currently taking the alleged drugs to report any concerns to their healthcare providers.

The agency had undertaken the investigation after its FDA Adverse Event Reporting System or FAERS received complaints mainly regarding alopecia or hair loss, aspiration or accidentally breathing in things like food or liquid, and suicidal thoughts in people using these medications. Some other complaints claimed that the drugs could cause stomach paralysis, pancreatitis and bowel obstructions in rare cases.

The drugs approved for weight loss and diabetes are known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. They include semaglutide generic name for Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy, liraglutide generic name for Saxenda and Victoza, and tirzepatide generic name for Mounjaro and Zepbound.

Pharmaceutical companies like Novo Nordisk (NVO) and Eli Lilly (LLY) who manufacture GLP-1 medications stated that they are working with the FDA to monitor patient safety.

Last year, the European Medicines Agency had probed about suicidal and self-harm thoughts in people taking GLP-1 drugs. They haven't released their findings yet.

The American Society of Anesthesiologists warned the patients in June last year, to stop taking GLP-1 medications at least one week before elective surgeries, as it may cause vomiting during the surgery.

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Tata Motors Commences Production at State-of-the-Art Electric Vehicle Facility in Sanand, Gujarat

In a significant development for the Indian automotive industry, Tata Motors subsidiary, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd. (TPEM), has officially begun production at its newly acquired facility in Sanand, Gujarat. The state-of-the-art plant, formerly belonging to Ford India, witnessed the historic rollout of the first Tata-branded car, their best-selling Nexon SUV.

Rapid Transformation: Retooling the Sanand Facility in Record Time

The acquisition of the plant, completed in January 2023 for approximately Rs 750 crores, marked Tata Motors strategic move to expand its manufacturing capabilities in response to the growing demand for electric vehicles (EVs) in the country. The Sanand facility, spanning an impressive 460 acres, is now Tata Motors second plant in Gujarat dedicated to manufacturing both Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and EV models.

Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Limited & Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Limited, expressed his pride in witnessing the inaugural car roll out from the new facility. He credited the accomplishment to the efficient retooling of the factory within a remarkable 12-month timeframe. Chandra extended his gratitude to the Government of Gujarat for their support and acknowledged the pivotal role the employees played in achieving this milestone.

Chandra emphasized the importance of the new facility in Tata Motors growth strategy, stating, With existing capacities near saturation, this new facility will unlock an additional state-of-the-art manufacturing capacity of 300,000 units per annum, scalable to 420,000 units per annum. He highlighted Tata Motors commitment to sustaining momentum with a robust pipeline of future-ready New Forever products and proactive investments in electric vehicles.

Growth Trajectory: Tata Motors Vision for the Sanand Facility

Situated in the industrial hub of GIDC Sanand, the plant benefits from a strong network of suppliers. The facility, equipped with cutting-edge technology and high automation levels across its four main shopsStamping, Body Construction, Paint, and Final Assemblysets a new benchmark within the industry.

The major retooling and technological upgrades include the press shop with new dies for stamping critical skin panels, the weld shop with modifications to all lines and additional robots, and the paint shop with enhanced handling systems and internal robotic painting setups. The assembly shop also underwent modifications in handling systems and end-of-line systems.

Currently employing over 1000 personnel, Tata Motors plans to create an additional 1000 jobs in the next 3 to 4 months, aligning with production ramp-up plans. The company has invested in upskilling its workforce by providing diploma, bachelors, and masters degree programs. Additionally, the plant reflects Tata Motors commitment to sustainability, featuring a 50 KW solar rooftop installation and aiming to become water positive by December 2024.

The commencement of production at the Sanand facility reinforces Tata Motors position as a key player in the Indian automotive sector, particularly in the burgeoning electric vehicle market. The successful retooling and modernization of the plant underscore the companys commitment to innovation, sustainability, and meeting the evolving needs of the Indian automotive landscape.
In the hearing that began this Thursday before the United Nations International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, the South African representative Tembeka Ngcukaitobi defended that incitement to genocide emanates from the highest level of the Israeli government. The petition presented by South Africa includes public statements made by ministers, deputies, military personnel and even artists since the beginning of the war following the Hamas attack on October 7.

One of them is by Nissim Vaturi, member of the Israeli Parliament, where he is Deputy Speaker. Although, according to Israeli TV Channel 12, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has in recent days called on politicians to choose their words carefully so as not to give ammunition ahead of the hearing in The Hague, Vaturi on Wednesday reaffirmed his calls to wipe Gaza off the face of the earth, and added: Gaza must be burned. I stand behind my words... It is better to burn down buildings rather than have [Israeli] soldiers harmed. There are no innocents there, he said in a radio interview before calling for the elimination of the estimated 100,000 Palestinians left in northern Gaza. I have no mercy for those who are still there. We need to eliminate them, added Vaturi, who belongs to Likud, the right-wing party led by Netanyahu.

The Minister of Finance, the ultranationalist Bezalel Smotrich, did not bite his tongue either in recent days. Last Sunday he assured that in Gaza there are two million  that is, almost the entire population  Nazis.

Prime Minister Netanyahu himself appears in South Africas lawsuit for mentioning, in more than one speech, Amalek, the enemy nation of the Israelites in the Bible and which God asked King Saul to exterminate: You must remember what Amalek has done to you, says our Holy Bible. And we do remember. It is a reference used until now by Israels most radical religious nationalism. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is also quoted in the suit: We are fighting human animals and we are acting accordingly.

According to national television channel 12, Israel will attempt to play down these types of phrases during their presentation at the ICJ Friday. According to Israel, some of them, because they were said by people without relevant positions. The rest, because they have been misinterpreted.

Shortly after October 7, the countrys president, Isaac Herzog, originally from Labor, considered that an entire nation in Gaza is responsible for not having rebelled against Hamas, which has ruled the Strip with an iron fist since 2007. Minister of Heritage Amihai Eliyahu floated the idea of dropping an atomic bomb on Gaza, for which Netanyahu kicked him out of meetings of the Council of Ministers  but kept him in office.

There are no innocents there

Several members of Parliament of different political stripes have publicly stated that there are no innocents or uninvolved (civilians) in Gaza, among them Avigdor Lieberman, former Minister of Defense. Lieberma is in the opposition, as is Meirav Ben-Ari, from the Yesh Atid, who said in Parliament that the children of Gaza have brought this upon themselves.

Tally Gotlib, from Likud, has called for merciless bombing from the air so as not to endanger the soldiers and to stop feeling sorry for the uninvolved Gazans because there are none. Galit Distel Atbaryan, former Public Diplomacy Minister and also from Likud, called for the Israeli army to behave in a vengeful and cruel manner, following the Hamas attack. There is only one solution to curing a cancer and it is the evisceration of the cancerous cells, said U.N. Ambassador Gilad Erdan.

Netanyahu issued a statement Thursday to stress that Israel will continue to reject the lies and will fight terrorists until total victory in a world turned upside down in which it is accused of genocide while it is fighting genocide. His statements reflect how the majority of the country views having to defend itself from a crime whose term was coined precisely by a Jewish jurist, the Pole Raphael Lemkin, during the Holocaust.

Israels Foreign Ministry has defined the hearing as one of the greatest shows of hypocrisy in history, compounded by a series of false and baseless claims, and has called South Africa the legal arm of the Hamas terrorist organization. Israel defends that any civilian deaths it causes in Gaza are not intentional, but the result of Hamas using the population as human shields. Proving the crime of genocide involves proving intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.

Politicians, commentators and the public all agree that the accusation is an affront and a sign of double standards. Even more so when the lawsuit analyzes the facts (23,000 Palestinians killed, mostly children and women, in Israeli bombings that have left much of the Gaza Strip in rubble) since the Hamas attack, which is usually framed in Israel precisely with respect to the Holocaust. Hamas members are often described as Nazis or worse than Nazis, and their attack  which left 1,200 Israelis dead, mostly civilians  as the biggest slaughter of Jews in a single day since the Nazi extermination.

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Tension and uncertainty in the Red Sea and Horn of Africa regions are growing rapidly as a combination of military movements, threats to global maritime trade, territorial disputes, diplomatic maneuvers and humanitarian crises are edging this small but precious strategic space ever closer to the abyss. The risk of escalation has increased significantly after the United States and the United Kingdom attacked Houthi rebel targets in Yemen early Friday morning by sea and air in an attempt to reduce their military capabilities, according to Washington. Since December, the U.S. has been leading an international naval force deployed in the southern Red Sea. The Yemeni fundamentalist militia has been threatening the ships transiting these waters with around 12% of the worlds trade through the Suez Canal since November.

This military response hit 60 Yemeni rebel targets, including the strategic port of Hodeida. It comes after the Iranian-backed Yemeni movement which controls 30% of the countrys territory, including the capital Sanaa  launched its biggest attack on ships in the Red Sea to date on Tuesday. Days earlier, a naval coalition of the US, the UK and a dozen other allies, dubbed the Guardian of Prosperity, declared that it would hold the Houthis responsible for continuing to disrupt maritime traffic in these waters.

Since mid-November, the Houthi movement has been attacking merchant ships allegedly linked to Israel, sometimes wrongly, in response to the devastating Israeli offensive in Gaza. These activities have prompted the worlds largest shipping companies to avoid these waters, even if it means circumnavigating Africa, which makes freight rates 170% more expensive.

According to the U.S. Central Command (Centcom), the Houthis have carried out 27 attacks so far. The impact on maritime traffic is clear: the average number of ships crossing the Bab el Mandeb  the strait through which the Red Sea is accessed  fell by 45% each week compared to a year earlier and by 28% in the Suez Canal, according to the maritime trade monitoring platform PortWatch. Traffic at the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa rose by 63% in the same period.

The attack on Houthi targets in Yemen came a day after Iran captured an oil tanker in the nearby Gulf of Oman; it has already provoked the first reactions in the region. Saudi Arabia  which has been negotiating a definitive ceasefire for months with the Houthi militia, its enemy in Yemens nine-year war  has called for restraint and avoiding escalation. The rebels response was launching a barrage of cruise and ballistic missiles against U.S. and U.K. warships in the Red Sea, EfE reported, citing militia sources.

Pirates

In addition to these attacks on Yemeni militia ships, piracy is also a threat in nearby waters. On January 4, an organization associated with the British Royal Navy said that it had received a report of a pirate attack on a merchant ship that was sailing off the coast of Somalia, which led a contingent of the Indian Navy to intervene.

An official from the International Maritime Bureau of the International Chamber of Commerce in London informed EL PAIS by e-mail of another similar incident in mid-December. Prior to those two episodes, the last attack by pirates occurred in 2018. Some analysts believe that the diversion of shipping traffic to those waters could be encouraging an uptick in piracy incidents because of the Houthi threat, and the increased military attention the Red Sea is now receiving.

Across the Horn of Africa, on the southern shore of the Red Sea, internal tension has also increased following the January 2 signing of a preliminary agreement between Ethiopia, the worlds most populous landlocked country, and Somaliland, a self-proclaimed republic northwest of Somalia, from which the former gained de facto independence in 1991. Since then, this territory has remained stable, but it has not been recognized internationally.

Pending ratification, the agreement grants Ethiopia an outlet and commercial and military access to the strategic Gulf of Aden, which connects to the Red Sea through the Bab el Mandeb strait, through the territory of Somaliland, in exchange for recognizing its independence. This commitment has triggered tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia; the federal government of the latter has branded the pact unauthorized, null and void and an act of aggression to which it reserves the right to respond. The Somali government, which is currently engaged in a war against the Al Qaeda-affiliated Al Shabab insurgency, has announced the withdrawal of its ambassador to Ethiopia.

Egypt and Eritrea have also criticized the agreement. The two countries have strained relations with Ethiopia and are wary of its ambitions in the Red Sea. Djibouti, whose ports now channel more than 95% of Ethiopias imports and exports in return for lucrative fees, has demanded respect for Somalias sovereignty, as have the United States, the European Union and the Arab League. Ethiopia lost access to the coastline after Eritreas secession in 1993 following its war of independence.

Countries in the region have begun to align around this crisis, with Somalia calling for support from Egypt and Eritrea. Given the history of proxy wars in the Horn of Africa, there is a considerable chance of this conflict spilling over into a regional confrontation, says Samira Gaid, a regional analyst at the Balqiis consultancy in Mogadishu, the Somali capital.

The war in Sudan

The proliferation of regional crises also includes neighboring Sudan, which has been engulfed in a war between the regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since April. After taking control of almost all of western Darfur and the capital Khartoum, the paramilitaries seized a key province in the center of the country in December, putting them in an advantageous position to decide whether to push eastward toward the coast.

If they choose to move in that direction, given the large mobilization of armed groups and civilians fearful of paramilitaries, many fear that the conflict could degenerate into a more atomized all-out war, risking Sudan turning into a failed state. The most cautious estimates already put the death toll at 12,000 at least, and the country is experiencing the worlds worst displacement crisis, with over 7 million people displaced.

In recent weeks, paramilitary commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo has embarked on an unusual diplomatic tour, during which he has met with heads of state and government in Uganda, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa and Rwanda. Many suspect the trip was sponsored by the United Arab Emirates.

I dont think theres anything in the Horn of Africa that cant be managed through diplomatic channels, but the problem is that no one is doing it, notes Cameron Hudson, an expert on Africa at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. There is a lot of room for diplomacy, but there is no diplomacy in the region, he observes.
A man holds a gun during a protest against the recently announced operation to safeguard trade and protect ships in the Red Sea, in Sana'a, Yemen.

The war in the Middle East has definitively broadened. The United States and the United Kingdom on Thursday launched strikes against targets in Yemen linked to Houthi militias, in the first major act of retaliation since the Iranian-backed groups began harassing merchant ships in the Red Sea in October. Washington has warned that such actions could be repeated if hostile acts by Yemeni rebels continue.

In a statement, President Joe Biden said the coalition strikes are in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea  including the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history. These attacks have endangered U.S. personnel, civilian mariners, and our partners, jeopardized trade, and threatened freedom of navigation.

According to the White House, ships from over 50 countries have been affected by the 27 attacks perpetrated so far by Houthi rebels. Crews from more than 20 countries have been threatened or taken hostage in acts of piracy, Biden added, and more than 2,000 merchant vessels have been forced to detour thousands of miles on other routes to avoid passage through the Red Sea.

These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the worlds most critical commercial routes, the U.S. president stressed, issuing a warning that Thursdays strikes could be repeated. I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.

In London, where Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed the participation of Royal Air Force fighter jets in the operation, the Ministry of Defense stated that early indications are that the Houthis ability to threaten merchant ships has taken a blow.

Missile strikes by Western forces hit targets in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, according to Yemeni sources. They also struck Hodeida, on the Arab countrys west coast, and about a dozen other locations, some in the vicinity of towns with cultural and historical significance, such as Taizz in the center of the country. U.S. military commanders speaking on condition of anonymity indicated that the strikes were not symbolic, but designed to send a message of deterrence.

This action is aimed at impeding the operation and degrading the Houthis ability to endanger seafarers and threaten global commerce.... It sends a clear message to the Houthis that they will have to pay an even higher price if they do not stop their illegal attacks, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who is recovering in a military hospital from complications in treatment for prostate cancer, said in a statement. Austin said the operation targeted radars, anti-aircraft protection systems, drones and ballistic and cruise missiles.

Treacherous aggression

Hussein al-Ezzi, a Houthi official in their Foreign Ministry, acknowledged a massive aggressive attack by American and British ships, submarines and warplanes. America and Britain will undoubtedly have to prepare to pay a heavy price and bear all the dire consequences of this blatant aggression, al-Ezzi wrote online.

Mohammed Abdul-Salam, the Houthis chief negotiator and spokesperson, separately described the U.S. and Britain as having committed foolishness with this treacherous aggression. They were wrong if they thought that they would deter Yemen from supporting Palestine and Gaza, he wrote online. Houthi targeting will continue to affect Israeli ships or those heading to the ports of occupied Palestine, he wrote.

A senior Houthi representative, Abdul Salam Jahaf, claimed in a statement issued Friday morning that the rebels had launched retaliatory attacks against British and U.S. Navy vessels.

Drone and missile attacks, which are becoming more frequent and more dangerous, led the United States to create a coalition, Operation Prosperity Guardian, which now consists of 23 countries, to protect merchant ships as they pass through the Red Sea. Drone attacks by Houthi militias have forced shipping companies to seek alternative routes, including around South Africa, to avoid passing through the Red Sea, through which some 15% of the worlds maritime traffic travels.

The Houthis claim they are proceeding in this way to bring about an end to Israels war in Gaza. That is a lie. They also say they attack Israeli ships or [ships] that are heading toward Israel. That is also a lie. They harass any merchant ship that passes by, regardless of nationality, says a senior U.S. administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

On New Years Day, according to the same source, Biden met with his National Security Council to discuss the hostile actions of the Yemeni rebels. There, the president gave instructions to increase pressure both diplomatically - through negotiations in the UN Security Council for a resolution condemning the attacks - and militarily, asking for options to be put on the table.

Two days later, on January 3, a group of coalition countries led by the United States warned the Houthis of serious repercussions if the attacks continued. Almost immediately, the militia resumed missile and drone launches.

On Tuesday, British and U.S. warships intercepted one of the largest waves of missile and drone attacks attempted so far by the Yemeni rebel group. For the Pentagon and the White House, which have made clear that after the collective warning issued at the beginning of the year there would be no second chance, it was the straw that broke the camels back. Biden himself issued the go-ahead for Thursdays operation.

On Wednesday the Security Council approved Resolution 2722 - with the abstention of Algeria, Russia, China, and Mozambique - which ordered the Houthis to immediately cease their harassment in the Red Sea. The militias maintain that they are carrying out the attacks to force Israel to end its offensive in Gaza, which has already killed at least 23,000 Palestinians in retaliation for the Hamas attacks of October 7, in which at least 1,200 Israelis were killed.

The incursions by British and U.S. aircraft represent a new phase in the Middle East conflict and its expansion beyond Gaza, something Washington has been strenuously trying to avoid over the last three months through intense diplomacy and an increased military presence in the area. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday concluded his latest tour of the region, his fourth since the conflict broke out, in an attempt to cool tensions and prevent the crisis from escalating.

U.S. and British military aircraft took off from bases in the region to attack targets in Yemen. The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, also deployed in the area, joined in the missile launches. A U.S. submarine fired Tomahawk sea-to-surface missiles. Forces from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands provided intelligence and logistical support, according to U.S. military commanders.

Following the attacks, a dozen coalition countries issued a joint statement insisting that the action was carried out in accordance with the right to individual and collective self-defense consistent with the UN Charter. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, expressed its concern over the developments in its neighboring country and called on the parties involved to show restraint to avoid escalation.

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The human rights situation in the world is in a critical state. But in 2023 the dangers went far beyond the atrocities committed in Gaza, Sudan and Myanmar: the constant violation of international law, the rise of autocratic populist leaders in consolidated democracies and many Western countries double standards in regard to the abuses committed all contribute to degrading international respect for human rights, Human Rights Watch (HRW) concludes in a report published this Thursday. In the report, the NGO analyzes the state of individual and collective freedoms country by country.

One of the reasons we are seeing a regression is because governments turn a blind eye to abuses in other countries to advance their own national policy agendas, Tirana Hassan, the executive director of the NGO, decries during a telephone interview with this newspaper. That is what HRW calls transactional diplomacy, that is, reaching agreements with other countries regardless of whether they respect human rights or not. An excellent example of this, Hassan claims, is the migration agreement between the European Union and Tunisia, which means that, in order to protect EU borders, Brussels gives funds to Tunisian security forces, despite the fact that they are involved in abuses against migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean.

India is another example. Governments such as those of Japan, the United Kingdom, EU countries and the United States are ignoring abuses, including systematic discrimination against religious minorities, the stifling of political dissent and widespread repression of civil society and independent media, Hassan says. Meanwhile, as they ignore such abuses, these countries deepen [their] ties with the [Narendra] Modi government.

Transnational repression

Democracies silence in the face of human rights violations increases a sense of impunity and leads abusive governments to practice repression beyond their borders, Hassan warns. In Modis case, as HRW details in its report, he has intimidated activists and academics in the diaspora and restricted their entry into the country. HRW points out that in September, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau believed that there were credible allegations that Indian government agents had been involved in the murder of a Sikh separatist activist in Canada, the NGO says.

Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau greets his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on September 9 during the G-20 summit in New Delhi. POOL (via REUTERS)

Indias transnational repression is not an isolated example. Just this Wednesday, the Human Rights Collective Nicaragua Nunca Mas alleged that two Nicaraguan exiles in Costa Rica (Joao Ismael Maldonado Bermudez and Nadia Robleto, who fled Daniel Ortegas regime) were attacked in broad daylight on a street in San Jose. According to the organization, this is the second time there has been an assassination attempt against Maldonado. Costa Rica, which is a signatory to the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the American Convention on Human Rights, has yet to clarify any of the attacks.

The UN and Rwandas international partners have consistently failed to recognize the scope and gravity of its human rights violations. HRW

HRW specifically calls out Rwanda: Three decades of impunity for the Rwandan governments repression of civil and political rights at home have emboldened it to repress dissent beyond its borders. According to the NGO, the Rwandan government has carried out over a dozen abductions or attempted abductions, forced disappearances, assaults, threats and killings, as well as harassment of Rwandan citizens living in countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. But as Kigali has become more prominent on the international stage as a leader of multilateral institutions and one of Africas largest contributors of peacekeeping troops, the U.N. and Rwandas international partners have consistently failed to acknowledge the scope and gravity of its human rights violations.

Selective outrage, as Hassan puts it, is closely related to democracies silence in the face of abuses committed by their allies. We saw countries like the United States, as well as EU members, harshly condemn the October 7 [Palestinian Islamist militia] Hamas attacks [in southern Israel], but they were much more silent when the Israeli authorities responded with relentless shelling and collective punishment against the Palestinian population, cutting off and restricting humanitarian aid, water and fuel, Hassan laments.

This kind of selective outrage is very dangerous because it sends the message that some lives matter more than others, she continues. In addition, the Wests double standards have repercussions that go beyond the current war in the Middle East. Countries like China and Russia are using it to tell governments in the global South that the human rights system will not protect them, the HRW director warns. However, she adds that this is not a moral position of Beijing and Moscow but a broader agenda to try to dismantle this system.

The importance of demanding accountability

That is why demanding accountability is so important for defending human rights. Measures such as the International Criminal Courts arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children make the cost of repression higher and the consequences are tangible. For example, last August, South Africa hosted a BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summit. Despite contradictory messages from the countrys authorities about their obligations as members of the court, ultimately Putin did not travel to South Africa: the Gauteng High Court ruled that South Africa had an obligation to arrest the Russian leader if he set foot in the country.

Attacks on womens rights, refugees and the LGBTQ community are the first signs that human rights are in danger. Tirana Hassan, HRW director





Another 2023 bright spot that HRW underscores is the political declaration by 83 countries  among them, five of the largest arms exporters on the protection of civilians against the use of explosive weapons in populated areas during conflicts. Although that has not stopped Israel from bombing densely populated areas of Gaza, Hassan believes that it is necessary to create standards through which aggressors can be held accountable. However, such standards do not enforce themselves and require the international communitys involvement, she stresses.

The alternative to not demanding accountability is repeating tragedies like the one in Sudan, which has been experiencing conflict since April 15. According to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, that has forced more than seven million people to flee their homes. HRW says that massive abuse against civilians resulting from the power struggle between the army chief, Abdelfata al Burhan, and the leader of the so-called Rapid Support Forces, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo Hemedti, are a reflection of the abuses committed in the last two decades by forces loyal to both generals, yet neither of the parties had to take responsibility for them. The NGO notes that the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for past crimes in Darfur. However, the Sudanese authorities have obstructed them and the UN Security Council has done almost nothing to address the governments intransigence. Moreover, the organization adds, in 2023, when African countries on the Security Council included [the] African [nations of] Gabon, Ghana and Mozambique, the UN closed its political mission in Sudan at the insistence of the Sudanese government, ending what little remained of the UNs ability to protect civilians in the country.

According to HRW, this is the year to demand accountability from governments, since half the world will cast a ballot; 3.7 billion people in 70 countries will be able to vote. The NGO highlights the democracies in which populist autocratic leaders are emerging, such as Javier Milei in Argentina. They are trying to consolidate their power not only by eroding human rights but also the checks and balances that guarantee a societys freedom by attacking journalists or the judiciary, for example, Hassan emphasizes. For that reason, the HRW director calls on people to be alert during this election year: When you start seeing attacks against womens rights, against refugees or against the LGBTQ community, you are seeing the first signs that human rights are in danger.
The house in Tel Aviv that retired judge Aharon Barak left this week at the age of 87 to represent Israel at the hearings in The Hague is the same one that he was unable to leave just a few months ago, when dozens of supporters of the judicial reform promoted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu  the same government leader who has now approved his appointment  routinely surrounded the home waving banners that called Barak a dictator or head of the snake for his role in the Supreme Court for 28 years (1978-2006), the last 11 of which he served as its president.

Those protests took place prior to the Hamas attack of October 7, at a time of deep social and political divisions over the controversial reform. Already retired and in his eighties, the judge ended up becoming a symbol, despite not wanting to. For the political right, he represented a secular elite of European origin who exploited his position to boycott the results of the polls. For the liberals who took to the streets for months, the separation of powers was in danger, so they also surrounded his house, but to thank him and to sing the national anthem.

Today, all of them are united in their support for the war in Gaza. And the same Netanyahu who was criticized by Barak is the one who approved his appointment to represent the country before the United Nations International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, in a display of how seriously Israel is taking the case, says Amijai Cohen, PhD in Law from Yale University and researcher at the Israel Democracy Institute research center.

On Thursday, at the beginning of the hearing, South Africa asked the court for precautionary measures to make Israel suspend its military campaign in Gaza and requested the opening of proceedings for violation of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948). The suit includes statements  from the president of Israel to musicians, as well as several ministers and military leaders  that, in the opinion of South African lawyers presenting their case, show genocidal intent and promote it. Barak will present Israels position on Friday.

Baraks appointment was widely applauded in the country, except by the most radical members of government. The Minister of Finance, Bezalel Smotrich, described it as a mistaken decision taken behind his back, while Heritage Minister Amihai Ben-Eliyahu, also a far-right politician, questioned whether Barak had the correct notions on the subject. One of the architects of the judicial reform, chair of the Knessets Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, Simcha Rothman, bit his tongue. My silence is thunderous, he wrote on social media. Not so Tally Gotlib, a Likud lawmaker who accused Netanyahu of humiliating the right with the decision and of detesting the voters of the party to which they both belong.

Unity

The appointment has several symbolic elements to it. One is to bring to The Hague the most important judge in Israels 75-year history, famous for his interpretive legal approach and his judicial activism. He was the first to determine in a ruling the right of the Supreme Court to annul any rule that conflicts with any of the 13 basic laws by which Israel is guided in the absence of a Constitution. He himself knocked down 20 of them. Added to this is his legal prestige abroad. He has an honorary doctorate from renowned universities such as Yale and Oxford.

And then there is the message of national unity against the world inherent in sending a figure who has been critical of Netanyahu. He is probably the greatest jurist in the history of the country. And the attacks [from the right] this year have only reinforced his status in the world, as someone who stands up to the government, Cohen said in a telephone interview. This expert also believes that the decisions in The Hague navigate halfway between politics and the purely legal, so the appointment sends a message of moving the field to the latter. The political decision would have been to choose another candidate, he adds. In a WhatsApp group shared by members of the government, Interior Minister Moshe Arbel considered that the choice was very reasonable, particularly for the international scene, according to national public television.

Baraks biography adds another symbolic element. The jurist who will defend Israel on Friday against the accusation of genocide survived one as a child. A farmer concealed him in a shipment of potatoes and took him out of the ghetto of Kaunas, his hometown, where the Nazis imprisoned the Jews after invading Lithuania.

He arrived with his family in Palestine in 1947, a year before the creation of the State of Israel. In the 1970s, already as legal advisor to the government, he forced the fall of Yitzhak Rabins first executive because his wife, Leah, had an account in dollars, something that was prohibited at that time. When Likud, the right-wing party currently chaired by Netanyahu, ended three decades of Labor hegemony, he retained his position. The prime minister, Menachem Begin, included him in the negotiating team for the peace agreement with Egypt of 1978. On a shelf in his office he has a photo of that moment, which shows the former president of the United States, Jimmy Carter, whom Barak calls my good friend.

Meeting at Camp David in 1978 during the negotiation of the peace agreement between Israel and Egypt. Aharon Barak is first from the left. HUM Images (Hum Images/Universal Images Grou)

Another paradox of his life is that he was presiding over the Supreme Court when the same UN International Court of Justice declared illegal in 2004, in a non-binding opinion, the separation wall that Israel had begun to build in the West Bank. Barak, who presided over the Israeli Supreme Court throughout the Second Intifada (2000-2005), gave the green light to the barrier, ordering only some variations in the layout. Also to selective assassinations, restricting them to causing proportionate damage.

The small Israeli anti-occupation left has always seen him as the friendly face of an oppressive system. The president of the executive committee of the human rights group BTselem, Orly Noy, recently lamented that he has put on the mantle of Dr. Jekyll to once again legitimize the crimes of Mr. Hyde [Israel].

In an interview with this newspaper in May, when he was on everyones lips due to the judicial reform, Barak said that his career as a judge had been marked by the search for balance between two lessons he learned from living through Nazi persecution: the importance of the existence of the State of Israel  if we [Jews] had had a State in 1941 or 1939, there would have been a Holocaust, but in a different way, he said  and the value of human rights, because the ghetto is the tyranny of unlimited power. On Wednesday he apologized on the phone for not being able to grant another interview, given his new assignment.
Opinion articles written in the style of their author." These texts are to be based on verified facts and must be respectful towards people, even though their actions may be criticized. shall feature, along with the author's name (regardless of their greater or lesser renown), a footer stating their office, academic title, political affiliation (if any) and main occupation, or the occupation related to the topic being assessed

In April 1933, the German National Socialist party imposed the first anti-Semitic measures and decreed limitations for Jewish citizens, who were persecuted and murdered by their fellow German citizens, instigated by the Nazi authorities and possessed by anti-Semitism. The storefront windows of Jewish businesses filled up with insults, and hatred towards them grew. When his nine-year-old daughter, the product of his marriage to the Jewish intellectual Lola Landau, began to be discriminated against at school, her father, the German writer Armin T. Wegner, decided to write an open letter to Adolf Hitler. Wegner, a convinced pacifist who had photographed the crimes committed by the Turks against the Armenians in Anatolia and in the Mesopotamian desert, decided to write a letter that, however, no newspaper dared to publish, so he decided to send it directly to the Braunes Haus, the party headquarters in Munich. The letter reached Martin Bormann, the head of the Nazi Party Chancellery, and the Gestapo arrested the pacifist writer in August 1933. After a long journey through different concentration camps, Wegner was able to go into exile in Italy and in 1968 he was recognized as Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem, the institution that grants the title of to those who defended the Hebrew people without being Hebrew themselves: Whoever saves one life saves the entire World, says the Mishnah, 4:5.

In his letter to Hitler, Wegner underlined the fact that Germany had been built with the work and talent of Jews and that their participation in World War I, where he himself had served, was as German citizens. But the most interesting thing about the argument the pacifist addressed to Hitler involves a concept that was also in the mouths of other European intellectuals of the era, such as Gunther Anders, and which today is in serious danger of disappearing: the concept of shame. We could define shame as a feeling of aversion, a hateful vision of ourselves, observed through the eyes of our ideal self, from which we distance ourselves in some aspect.

Well, Wegner believed that if Hitler did not stop the growing wave of anti-Semitism in Germany, he would be covered in shame, a secular shame. On whom will the same blow that is intended to be inflicted on the Jews today fall if not on ourselves? he asked, and appealed to another concept that is also clearly out of use today, that of dignity. Defend the dignity of the German people! he naively asked the future Fuhrer.

A secular shame should fall on all of humanity because human dignity is in danger 90 years later, at the hands of those who represent the people that Wegner wanted to defend. And it is because the tooth for a tooth, an eye for an eye, multiplied by a thousand, that the Israeli army is carrying out in Gaza and the West Bank is once again an ethnic cleansing, a genocide like the one that todays executioners suffered in Nazi Germany. An intergenerational trauma has been transmitted between the victims of that time until they adopted tactics similar to those of their German attackers. Appealing to legitimate defense after the terrible murders and kidnappings by Hamas, the ultra-conservative government of Israel has turned the entire Palestinian people into things, into human animals as Netanyahus leaders call them, and is busy exterminating them, indiscriminately killing civilians, mostly children, as if they intended to wipe out the next generation. It is as if the status of victims that they once legitimately obtained gave them the right to use disproportionate violence (expiatory mentality, the writer Rafael Sanchez Ferlosio once called it), and the hatred of which they were the targets had turned against the Palestinians, dehumanized today as they themselves were then. It is important here that we differentiate between the State of Israel, its population, and the Jews of the world, although 57% of the Israeli Jewish majority thinks the force being used against the civilian population of Gaza and the West Bank is insufficient, aligning themselves with their government.

Of the episodes of extermination that we have experienced throughout the 20th and 21st centuries (Tutsis, Armenians, Rohingyas, Kurds), this is one of the ones that most moves the consciences of the citizens of the world, including, and this fills us with hope, Orthodox and secular Jews who demand peace inside and outside Israel. Mass demonstrations are repeated in most countries yet, however, no one manages to stop the killing. It is said that there will be a before and after of this human catastrophe that will make us realize the ineffectiveness of both citizens and international institutions such as UNRWA or WHO, and NGOs such as Doctors Without Borders or Amnesty International, in demanding peace. The U.S. veto of the United Nations call for a ceasefire only confirms its governments support for warmongering and the impotence of its citizens, along with Europes complicit lukewarm attitude.

Political disaffection appears here as an understandable reaction when learned helplessness, the deep feeling that nothing we do will change the situation, becomes the symptom of our times. Why commit? Taking refuge in individualism by deserting political life, being idiots, is a defense mechanism against the psychic suffering we feel by contemplating other peoples pain  pain that challenges us and invites us to be moved by it  and knowing we cannot prevent or manage that pain.

However, there will be no secular shame that will redeem us because we have erased the distance between what we are and our ideals, and because these, if any, have seriously lowered the threshold of what is human.

What to do in the face of the progressive decline in the value of life and dignity that this conflict reveals?

The fear of individual and collective shame, in the words of Hannah Arendt, is what moved the consciences of rulers, structuring a few just men and women. But today we lack that antidote. Dignity and morality, and the shame that makes us blush, is an effect of both, sometimes constituting a brake and an incentive to fight against violence that would turn against the perpetrators and their descendants like a boomerang, but today we no longer know what these concepts mean or where to go look for them.

Perhaps this is why appealing to dignity has prevailed in social movements in recent years, because attacks against it multiply, pushing us to become an unworthy society.

We have seen the nakedness of Noah, the uselessness of our global institutions to stop the genocide of the Palestinian people, or their inability to take urgent and sufficient measures against climate change, but we do not feel that secular shame to which Wegner alluded, but rather a dull, nameless pain whose effects we already perceive in our pained, hopeless young people, stripped of their future and their dignity, whose suicidal thoughts have grown to the point of affecting a third of the university population.

The complaint that South Africa has filed before the United Nations International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, accusing the State of Israel of genocide, can provide a ray of light in which to place our battered hopes.

Lola Lopez Mondejar is a psychoanalyst and a writer.
Abbas Ganbay

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing today that no ethnic cleansing has been carried out against Garabagh residents of Armenian nationality, and if the Armenian side has evidence of ethnic cleansing against Armenians in Garabagh, let it present it, Azernews reports.

"I would like to provide some facts if there is any document of any international organisation that Yerevan considers authoritative. For example, the UN or some other organisation. If there is any document or statement that would testify that such 'ethnic cleansing' took place, please be kind enough to provide us with links to this document," she said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman adds that the statements of the Armenian authorities about the activities of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in the Garabagh region of Azerbaijan are descriptive.

"The Russian Federation considers the accusations of Armenian politicians against the Russian peacekeepers in Garabagh destructive; this is an attempt to manipulate the facts."
Over a 48-hour period when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was busy on a tour through the Baltic countries, asking for more help to defeat Russia on the front line, and NATO, meeting on Wednesday in Brussels, committed itself to spending billions on military assistance to Kyiv, Moscow spent a sum of around $61 million on the purchase of war material, despite the trade restrictions imposed by the West following its full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. According to a report released Thursday by the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) and the Yermak-McFaul Group  led by Ukrainian presidential chief of staff Andrii Yermak and former U.S. ambassador Michael McFaul  Russian imports of war goods have largely recovered from their sharp drop following the imposition of export controls.

The study, prepared by monitoring trade databases, puts Russias average monthly expenditure on imports of battlefield goods (communications equipment, electronic components, or semiconductors for military use, among others) from January to October 2023 at $932 million, only 10% less than the Kremlin was spending before the sanctions.

Moreover, 48.5% of these goods originated from one of the countries of the coalition that imposed the restrictions. That does not mean that the seller, be it the United States, Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, or any member state of the European Union, knowingly deals with Russian companies, but that the trail of the sales is lost in a complex web until it reaches third countries, that is to say, Moscows direct partners such as, above all, China, which dominates all the sections in the mapping of imports of such goods to Russia as a producer country (47%), country of origin (66%), seller (40%) or country of product delivery (56%). Turkey and the United Arab Emirates are also highlighted in the report.

The report notes, however, that the purchase of other products that are fundamental to Moscows war machine  albeit dual-use civilian or military  has fallen by more than 28%, from $3.17 billion per month before February 2022 to $2.29 billion on average in the first 10 months of last year. In other words, as KSE senior researcher Olena Bilousova points out, export controls after the invasion are having an effect. They force Russia to look for new trade routes and thus spend more money. But it is still not enough. If new measures are passed, we would have more effect, Bilousova continues, but if we stop, we would lose what we have achieved so far. Among the recommendations of the study is the coordinated effort of the sanctioning countries, among public and financial institutions, companies, and even civil society. The analyst says that a framework similar to that of the international control of money-laundering should be implemented.

The report is relevant not only in what it reveals, but also in its timing. Once the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began a coalition of countries including the US, the UK, EU member states, Japan, Australia, Canada, and South Korea extended an unprecedented web of export controls on Russia, extending the scope of the measures adopted after the illegal annexation of Crimea and the invasion of the Donbas region in 2014. By then, Russia had stockpiles and its industry was already tuned to war  the purchase of battlefield goods skyrocketed in late 2021 when the invasion was being prepared  so any sanctions were going to take time to take effect. But any kind of delay [in the effects] is over, Bilousova warns. Either sanctions work or they dont.

Change in trade routes

What is certain, according to the KSE and Yermak-MacFaul Group research, is that, thanks to export restrictions, Russia has suffered shortages of some valuable products manufactured by Western companies, especially in the electronics sector, and that trade routes for these materials have been altered. Bilousova points out how, for example, the analysis of trade databases has allowed them to identify changes in the group of Chinese suppliers to Russia as companies from the Asian giant have been added to the U.S. Department of Commerce blacklist; or how a country allied with Russia such as Kazakhstan went from zero imports of semiconductors before the war to multiplying its purchases as of February 2022.

Although the effects are moderate, vigilance from the West continues. For example, 42 new companies were added to the U.S. blacklist on December 6 for supplying the Russian army, including material to produce drones, together with Iran, in new facilities in Tatarstan. Among the blacklisted companies were four based in Cyprus, three in Belgium, one in Germany, and one in the Netherlands. As a result of this move, Belgian businessman Hans De Geetere, 61, was arrested in an operation between Belgian authorities and the FBI.

A report titled Challenges in the Application of Export Controls highlights the possibility under U.S. law of pursuing products which, although they do not come from a U.S.-based manufacturer, contain a component, however small, of U.S. origin in their assembly. But theory and practice are two different things. The Ukrainian National Agency on Corruption Prevention has identified 2,800 parts in weapons used by Russia such as missiles, drones, and military vehicles. Of these, 95% come from producers in coalition countries; 72% originate in the United States.

One of these companies is Texas Instruments. An internal Ukrainian government report to which EL PAIS has had access identifies Texas Instruments products in components of the Shahed drones used by Russia. In April last year, and in view of the information on the arrival of the companys microchips on the Russian market despite sanctions, the technology companys board voted against internally reinforcing the control of the improper use of its products.

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Financial markets' focus at the end of the week would continue to be on the inflation picture in the States.

At 1330 GMT the Department of Commerce was scheduled to release producer price data for the month of December.

Also of key importance, overnight China's National Bureau of Statistics would publish reports for consumer prices and foreign trade covering the month of December.

On home shores, at 0700 GMT the Office for National Statistics was expected to announce 0.2% month-on-month growth in gross domestic product during November following a 0.3% drop reported for October.

On the corporate side of things, the U.S. corporate quarterly earnings announcements season was set kick off with results due out from a trio of U.S. banking heavyweights.

They would include those of Citigroup, J.P.Morgan Chase, and Wells Fargo.

In the case of J.P.Morgan, the country's largest lender by market value, its quarterly revenues were seen rising to $40.12bn for a full-year tally of $162.33bn.

Earnings per share meanwhile were seen printing at $3.63 for the quarter.

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Eight U.S. men have lost their lives in Medellin over the past two months. They died in different, puzzling circumstances, and there is no evidence of a link between the cases. But there is one factor in particular that is common to the crimes and has drawn attention: several of the victims had spent the last hours of their lives with people they had met through dating apps. The pattern is repeated to the point that on Thursday, the U.S. Embassy in Bogota warned its citizens not to use platforms such as Tinder, Bumble and Grindr in Medellin. Numerous U.S. citizens in Colombia have been drugged, robbed, and even killed by their Colombian dates, the statement reads.

The warning notes that violent deaths of foreign citizens increased by 29% in the final quarter of 2023 compared to the same period a year earlier, according to data provided by the Tourism Observatory of the District Personnel of Medellin, a figure that does not take Venezuelans into account. U.S. tourists, notes the Embassy, account for the majority of those deaths. The figures, it adds, come in addition to an increase in complaints received by the diplomatic mission from Medellin, Bogota, Cartagena, and other Colombian cities. Over the last year, the Embassy has seen an increase in reports of incidents involving the use of online dating applications to lure victims, typically foreigners, for robbery by force or using sedatives to drug and rob individuals.

The cases reflect all types of modus operandi, according to Colombian media. Hewett Jeffrey Hutson, a 55-year-old communications specialist, was found dead on November 11 in the apartment he rented through Airbnb in El Poblado. He had suffered more than 20 stab wounds and was allegedly the victim of an 18-year-old woman who had entered the apartment with him that day. Artist and lecturer Tou Ger Xiong, on the other hand, was found with stab wounds in mid-December in an inhospitable location: La Corcovada creek, in the northeast of the city. He had met a woman on the afternoon of December 10 and, hours later, a friend received a ransom demand of $2,000.

Not all of the deceased had showed signs of violence. Johny Jerome, a New Yorker who traveled in late October to celebrate his 45th birthday, was found lifeless in his hotel jacuzzi by his cousin. Both had spent the night with two women and were uninjured. Phillip Ryan Mullins, meanwhile, was found in his hotel with psychoactive substances in his blood that were possibly the cause of death. He was 32 years old and had last been seen at a party with friends on December 15.

The Embassy notes that not all the victims used dating platforms. However, it elaborates on recommendations about this particular risk, which is not limited to cases of heterosexual liaisons such as those recorded in recent months. Be cautious if using online dating apps in Colombia. If meeting with a stranger, you should strongly consider meeting only in public places and avoiding isolated locations, such as residences or hotel rooms, where crimes are most likely to occur, the alert stresses. Tell a friend or family member of your plans, including where you are going, details of the person you are meeting, and the app you used to meet them. Victims who are targeted via online dating applications tend to have their electronic devices stolen, which often contain all evidence of communication with the assailants, it adds.

Tourists walk the streets of the Pablo Escobar neighborhood and take photos with the murals, in November 2023. Santiago Mesa

Tourism boom

William Yeffer Vivas, district ombudsman of Medellin, confirms via telephone that tourism-related crimes have increased in recent years. He also says that Americans are the main victims among foreigners  there is no breakdown between resident U.S. nationals or tourists. However, the official is emphatic that the use of dating apps is not among the main reasons for the increase in violence. It is possible that some tourists make use of these platforms. But these are exceptional cases, Vivas says.

The causes are diverse. One is connected to Medellins consolidation as a tourist mecca: it surpassed 1.4 million visitors in 2022, according to the Mayors Office. This implies a natural increase in crime linked to this economic sector. However, the ombudsman acknowledges that they have also identified a higher proportion of people interested in the consumption of psychoactive substances, sexual exploitation of minors, and medical tourism in unlicensed clinics. They are the most prone to suffer these types of situations, which result in theft or death, he says. At the same time, criminal organizations have taken advantage of the opportunity with tourist packages ranging from Pablo Escobar tours to drug consumption.

Daniel Duque, a former councilman for the Green Party, adds two other reasons. The great tourism boom has combined with the fact that we have an inherited culture of drug-trafficking that stereotypes the paisa woman [from the region of Antioquia], who is hypersexualized compared to other Latin American cities. She is supposed to be voluptuous, with big breasts, a wide butt and blonde hair. This has generated expectations on the part of tourists who come to our city, he explains by telephone. The politician also blames former Medellin mayor Daniel Quintero (2020-2023) for ignoring the phenomenon and being negligent in tourism planning policies.

Tourists in the El Poblado neighborhood in Medellin, in July 2022. Santiago Mesa

Questions

The Embassys warning has raised some questions in the city. Mayor Federico Gutierrez endorsed the alert, but pointed to tourists who engage in criminal activity. [I want] to tell all nationals and foreigners that they are welcome in Medellin, but that they do things correctly and respect the rules, he said in statements picked up by Caracol Radio. We want them to come for a tourism that adds value. We do not want those tourists, national or foreign, who come to sexually exploit our children and adolescents, he added in other remarks reported by El Tiempo.

Duque says the U.S. Embassy warning is stigmatizing the city and its inhabitants. It is discriminatory because it is based on the fact that, if you come here, you will find women who want to murder foreigners, and that is a lie, he said in a conversation with this newspaper. According to the former councilman, it is important to separate the cases of the deceased U.S. citizens from the broader and more complex dynamics of sex work and tourism. There is a very big risk that when we talk about this phenomenon it is by blaming the women, that they kill the tourists. Or by blaming all tourists, despite the fact that most of them come for noble purposes.

The president of the Antioquia Sex Workers Union, Valery Parra Ramirez, explains that there have always been foreigners with money who come to Medellin in search of sex. For her, the difference now is that criminal gangs are more interested in taking advantage of the sex trade. As they see that foreigners attract a lot of money, they infiltrate among us. But we are not the culprits, we become victims of these pimping or trafficking gangs, who threaten us, she says by phone. All lives matter, but it seems that some deaths hurt more. Three trans women were killed in December and no one bothered to publicize that. But a foreigner dies and the media creates a social storm, she concludes.

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Investment giant BlackRock announced on Friday it is spending $12.5bn in a cash-and-shares deal to take over Global Infrastructure Partners, a private infrastructure fund manager based in New York.

The deal will be financed by $3bn in cash and 12m shares of BlackRock common stock, currently valued at $792.61 a piece.

GIP currently manages over $100bn in infrastructure equity and debt, and the combined business will hold $150bn in assets  creating the second-largest infrastructure fund manager in the world after Australian group Macquarie.

"Marrying the proprietary origination and business improvement capabilities of GIP and BlackRocks global corporate and sovereign relationships provides a platform for diversified, large-scale sourcing to support deal flow and co-investment opportunities for clients," BlackRock said in a statement.

Commenting on the deal, BlackRock's chair and chief executive Laurence Fink said infrastructure is "one of the most exciting long-term investment opportunities", and that policymakers were "only just beginning to implement once-in-a-generation financial incentives for new infrastructure technologies and projects".

"Bringing these two firms together will create the infrastructure platform to deliver best-in-class investment opportunities for clients globally, and we couldnt be more excited about the opportunities ahead of us," he said.

Shares were down 0.3% in pre-market trade at $790.
Although the image of the teacher who, armed with a red pen, corrects exams and gives grades to his students, still weighs, the majority of evaluations today take place in front of a screen or inside a server.

A takeaway food delivery driver rejects the tip before seeing it: Its much better to receive a reply  positive, of course  from the survey that the customer will get by email. A writer offers a gift (another of his books) to anyone who writes a positive review about his latest novel. A hotel insists its guests publicly rate their stay, even  the machine does not discriminate  those who complained several times and were dissatisfied, and then theres Tinder. Tinder, like all the other dating applications, does not show the assigned score to each profile, but although no one  except its developers  really knows how its algorithm works, it is clear that that number (or that matrix full of them) exists and will determine the users path through the application.

Although the image of the teacher armed with a red pen who corrects exams and grades their students still weighs heavy in the collective consciousness, the majority of evaluations today take place in front of a screen or inside a server. There are, therefore, two types: opaque evaluations, such as those that credit institutions use, or the ones that dating websites use and that have not yet dared to ask for reviews from previous dates; and those that we carry out ourselves, becoming judges and critics of each of our experiences. As the philosopher Michel Foucault anticipated in Discipline and Punish (1975), beyond school we will continue to be subjected to continuous, more or less explicit examinations. And as Shoshana Zuboff has more recently developed in The Age of Surveillance Capitalism (2020), the trend will go further. Our digital files include a text that is designed to evaluate, categorize, and predict our behavior in millions of ways that we can neither know nor combat.

Accuracy and confidence: visible evaluations

For local, small businesses, such as the neighborhood hardware store or bakery, reviews are essential, since the company will be better positioned in search engines. Bad reviews will also weigh on the business. Johner Images (Getty Images/Johner RF)

Each device that is connected to the internet collects its users habits in the form of data which it will later use to make comparisons and predictions. That is, whenever we are online, consciously or unconsciously, we will be issuing and receiving evaluations.

Victor Balcells is an expert in web positioning and author. He considers that unconscious metrics are more important for Google than reviews written by users. Im referring to browsing data like scrolling behavior or the time it takes to leave a page. Of course, he specifies, in local businesses such as the neighborhood hardware store, the part in which the evaluations are integrated is essential and takes priority, since what the search engine will return will be cards with information on the store including maps, scores, and telephone numbers. So, conscious bad reviews have a relevant impact for any website, but especially for local businesses.

For companies, digital image work is obsessive and very detailed  much more than analogue work  thanks to the metrics they accumulate, Balcells continues. And, regarding the internal functioning of these companies, what marketing specialist Puri Vicente recommends is active listening, in other words, analyzing everything that is received from users. I am a firm believer in company-client communication because, if it is properly handled, a bad review can become something positive. In these cases, the client expects a reaction from the company in question.

Although all experts agree that rating systems for products and services are an opportunity for the company and the customer to offer and receive better service, the issue is very different when it comes to rating people. Just a month ago, a European agreement was reached on the regulation of Artificial Intelligence and other similar technologies. Within that agreement, social credit systems (those that would give a score to each member of the public based on their behavior, which could then impact that persons relationship with the government) were classified as unacceptable risks, which means they are likely to be banned within the European Union.

However, having a visible score next to our first name, last name, and profile photo is not unthinkable or is something that only happens in competitive video games. On the contrary, it is very common in sales applications such as Vinted or Blablacar, the car sharing platform. Blablacar is an example of a symmetrical rating system that has been working satisfactorily for years because both driver and passengers have the same ability to write about each other after the trip. The key to Blablacar, explains Itziar Garcia, the platforms communications director, is trust, and that trust is closely linked to the technological element. Through a study we conducted together with Professor Arun Sundararajan, we discovered that users trust other users with positively rated profiles almost as much as friends or family, and more than co-workers or neighbors.

In Blablacar, the most common thing  almost as a matter of etiquette  is that, if everything goes well and the shared trip ends without a hitch, users exchange maximum points and a few words of courtesy, in almost standardized formulas. The person in charge of the company clarifies that there is always a positive experience behind these cliches and that it is up to each user to pay more attention to the score, the text of the opinions, the level of experience, or even opt only for trips with a Superdriver, which is a new category for those who meet certain requirements. And for an evaluation system to be reliable and useful, it must be renewed based on the demands of its users, have more or less public and shared criteria, and measure more than one characteristic or magnitude. If not, it will be offering meaningless figures.

What cannot be rated: taste and imagination

Although it is sometimes flattering and many surveys include some type of remuneration (for example, a discount on the next purchase), becoming critics of all our transactions has consequences and a certain cost. Witthaya Prasongsin (Getty Images)

In his essay Distinction: A Social Critique of the Judgment of Taste (1984), the sociologist Pierre Bourdieu demonstrated that the taste or preference for some cultural products over others does not arise spontaneously, but depends on economic, work, or other educational factors. Thus, it is possible that certain evaluations of prestigious objects or experiences indicate more about who they value and their desire to assimilate into the dominant class than about the object itself. Furthermore, Javier Moreno, mathematics teacher and author of El hombre transparente (available only in Spanish), warns: Measuring through the use of stars or numbers usually obeys the emotional responses of the consumer or client. In most cases there are no explicit evaluation criteria, but rather [the surveys] appeal to the users uncritical impression of their level of satisfaction.

The mathematician and writer maintains that numerical evaluations, both the invisible ones and those we make ourselves, would not be as valuable or significant as they seem because they always hide a desire for simplification. He is also concerned to what extent the weighting equates the general publics with expert opinions. The judgment of the latter is more detailed and inspired by objective criteria (with which one may or may not agree), so it is vitally important to qualify the numerical grade with a reasoned opinion.

Balcells goes further and considers that our obsession with measuring everything is affecting the limits of our imagination, since, without realizing it, we would be favoring the exclusion of the diffuse, the hybrid, and the strange, which is no small thing. Experience and thought still exceed the ability of computer systems and, Balcells continues, both metrics and nichification (ordering by categories understandable to robots) kill and restrict the imaginative, demand specificity, and They do not accept ambiguities. Furthermore, as users intuit the functioning of the digital filters in charge of disseminating the content they produce, paradoxically, they adapt to them: In terrible cases like Instagram, the dark, the strange, or the unclassifiable implies receiving bad metrics, so people unconsciously tend to do what is bright, what reveals a lot of skin, and what is fast. I think we have all experienced or sensed it: metrics unconsciously enslave and eliminate the possibility of the imaginative, says the writer.

Although it is sometimes flattering and many surveys include some type of remuneration (for example, a discount on the next purchase), becoming critics of all our transactions has consequences and a certain cost. On the one hand, we will build healthier, more transparent, and more trusting relationships with some users and platforms. But on the other hand, we will collaborate with the unstoppable data market, both the visible and the invisible, that has turned the internet into an enormous surveillance and control device and that is also beginning to threaten our imagination.

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The 31st Convergence India and 9th Smart Cities India expo is a collaborative effort of the Smart Cities Mission, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA), India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), and the Exhibitions India Group (EIG).

The 3-day expo marks Indias growing prominence as a global force in the world today and showcases the countrys evolving landscape of modernisation and holistic development.

This years theme, Innovation Driving Sustainability: Realise the Power of Tomorrow  Today, will create a platform to showcase Brand India through the cutting-edge showcases of leading brands from India and around the world, as well as 250 home-grown startups, which will showcase their vision for the future.

Over the years, the expo has evolved into an important annual gathering for government and industry leaders, centred on the vision of building a modern India inspired by initiatives such as Atmanirbhar Bharat, Startup India, the Smart Cities Mission, Swachh Bharat, Jal Jeevan Mission, and other initiatives aimed at nation building.

In his message, Shri Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, noted, Supporting the Government of Indias vision of Digital India, Make in India, and the Smart Cities Mission, the two leading expos provide a one-of-a-kind international forum to showcase Brand India and focus on unlocking new opportunities in Indias economic revolution.

Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and Textiles is of the opinion that These events will serve as a unique platform for showcasing Brand India and exploring new opportunities in the context of Indias ongoing economic transformation. This will not only contribute to the growth of industries but also serve as a catalyst for the larger goal of building a technologically advanced and sustainable India.

Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Union Minister for IB, Youth Affairs and Sports, observed, Convergence India has played a vital role in nation building by supporting the governments initiatives. I am sure that the hard work and dedication of the entire team of Exhibitions India, the Smart Cities Mission and ITPO will make these forthcoming exhibitions a grand success.

Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister for Jal Shakti observed, I am happy to learn that the ITPO and Exhibitions India Group are organising the 31st Convergence India and 9th Smart Cities India Expo. I applaud the efforts that are being made by those associated with water and its associated segments in helping India realise its dreams.

The expo will host 1,200 participants presenting innovations from 35 countries and will see a footfall of approximately 55,000 visitors over three days. The expo will also host 50 conference sessions to facilitate discussions among the Union/State governments, industry representatives, innovators, think tanks, and academia on the latest innovations and market trends impacting Indias digital revolution and the urban landscape. The event will also feature the presence of Ministers and senior dignitaries from the Government of India, industry leaders, Smart City CEOs, city planners, Mayors, Ambassadors, and stakeholders from India and around the world.

A National Smart Cities Pavilion will showcase award winning projects and initiatives from across the nation. A designated Startup Hub will have over 250 startups presenting innovations in emerging technologies, ICT, and Smart City solutions. The expo will also facilitate mentoring sessions by ecosystem pioneers, specifically curated conference sessions, a Startup Pitch competition, and a meeting between investors and startups. The objective is to enable participating startups to establish leads and meaningful business relationships with industry stakeholders.

Besides the business activities planned during the three-day expo, the event is a crowd puller and the go-to venue for those seeking the latest solutions in gadgets, accessories, gaming, Satcom/OTT solutions, customised WiFi/media, surveillance equipment, computer peripherals, and much more!

Sharing her views about the expo, Ms. Chandrika Behl, Managing Director, Exhibitions India Group, said, Over three decades, this platform has been a key driver in advancing the digital transformation and modernisation within India  playing a significant role as a catalyst for national growth and global recognition. The expo is Indias largest Tech & Infra expo, so, really, its the go-to event for anyone interested in Indias advancing role in the realms of digital and urban development. Through digital inclusion and keeping the citizen at its core, the 2024 edition will cement the expos legacy of bridging the countrys digital, social and economic divide.
The Assam government has initiated the "Lakhpati Baideo" scheme to empower 40 lakh self-help group (SHG) workers and facilitate their transition into rural micro-entrepreneurs. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, in announcing the program, highlighted its ambition to provide Rs 35,000 in financial assistance to 40 lakh women. The scheme is designed to empower these women workers to attain an annual income of Rs 1 lakh. ''The scheme will fulfill Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of building two crore 'Lakhpati didis' and we proudly unveil the new programme which will help 40 lakh women", he said in a tweet on X.

The 'Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan,' executed with an approximate expenditure of Rs 4,000 crore, will provide each self-help group (SHG) worker with Rs 10,000 in the initial year. In the subsequent two years, participants will receive Rs 12,500 from the government and an additional Rs 12,500 as a bank loan, totaling Rs 25,000. To access the grant, beneficiaries are required to submit a business plan. Mr Sarma also added that the welfare scheme will be part of the Assam's population control measures. "All our welfare schemes will be linked to population control measures for the benefit of our mothers and sisters", he said.

To qualify for the scheme, women must meet three prerequisites. Beneficiaries in the general and OBC categories should have no more than three children, while those in the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes should have no more than four children, as per the chief minister's stipulations. Additionally, SHG members are required to enroll their daughters in school, and if the girls are underage, they must sign an undertaking to do so. The third condition specifies that the trees planted under the Amrit Brikshya Andolan by the beneficiaries must be thriving.
First Solar has officially opened its new facility in Tamil Nadu, India, marking the nation's inaugural fully vertically integrated solar manufacturing plant. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Dr. T R B Rajaa, the Minister for Industries, Promotions, and Commerce of the Government of Tamil Nadu, along with Eric Garcetti, the United States Ambassador to India, and Scott Nathan, CEO of the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). Dr. T R B Rajaa expressed satisfaction that Tamil Nadu was chosen by First Solar for this significant investment, reinforcing the state's position as India's manufacturing hub. He highlighted the facility's commitment to sustainability and advanced manufacturing, generating high-value employment opportunities and contributing to India's goal of achieving self-sufficiency in solar technology.

The facility, with an annual nameplate capacity of 3.3 gigawatts (GW) and a workforce of around 1,000, is responsible for manufacturing First Solar's Series 7 photovoltaic (PV) solar modules. These modules were designed at the company's research and development centers in the United States, and specifically tailored for the Indian market. Notably, First Solar stands out among the world's major solar manufacturers as the sole company headquartered in the United States. Utilizing a tellurium-based semiconductor, the company avoids reliance on Chinese crystalline silicon supply chains, making it the second most prevalent photovoltaic technology globally.
The arrival of the Japan Coast Guard ship Yashima in Chennai marks the commencement of a joint exercise with the Indian Coast Guard. The JCG Ship received a traditional welcome, complete with a ceremonial band, NCC cadets, and students from local schools. The Indian Coast Guard shared a post on X, stating, "Japan Coast Guard Ship Yashima arrived Chennai for a joint exercise with India Coast Guard. JCG Ship was given a traditional welcome by a delegation from Regional HQ (East) with a ceremonial band, NCC cadets & students from local schools".

Earlier in the day, Captain Yuichi Motoyama, the Commanding Officer of the JCG Ship Yashima, paid a visit to IG Donny Michael, Tamil Nadu, Commander Coast Guard Region (East) in Chennai. During their meeting, they explored ways to enhance bilateral cooperation through the exchange of expertise and the discussion of best practices.

"Captain Yuichi Motoyama, Commanding Officer, Japan Coast Guard Ship Yashima called on IG Donny Michael, TM, Commander Coast Guard Region (East) at Chennai today. Avenues to strengthen bilateral cooperation by sharing expertise & best practices were discussed", the Indian Coast Guard shared on X.

India and Japan have established a 'Special Strategic and Global Partnership,' underpinned by a deep-rooted history of spiritual affinity and robust cultural and civilizational bonds. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the maritime exercise Malabar-22, in its 26th Edition, concluded in the seas off Japan on November 15, 2022. Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral R Hari Kumar visited Japan to participate in the exercise's inauguration.

From March 3 to 5, 2023, General Koji Yamazaki, Chief of Staff (COS) Joint Staff, visited India to take part in the Raisina Dialogue 2023. Additionally, the inaugural bilateral fighter exercise, Veer Guardian, took place in Japan in January 2023.
The following list comprises the top ten stocks expected to draw attention today:

Tata Consultancy Services: The net profit of the largest IT company in the country improved by 2.7% in the December quarter, and by 7% compared to the same period last year, amounting to $1.41 billion. TCS reported revenue of $7.28 billion for the third quarter, which represents a 1% increase from the previous quarter and a 2.9% increase from the same period last year.

Infosys: The company's revenue amounted to $4.66 billion, showing a 1.2% drop from the previous quarter and a 0.1% increase from the same period last year. The net profit for the December quarter was $733 million, down by 2.3% sequentially and 8.3% year-on-year.

Wipro: The IT company is set to announce its earnings for the December quarter. According to analysts at BNP Paribas, the company's services revenue may decline by 2.5% sequentially, which is in line with the company's guidance. This decline can be attributed to seasonal furloughs and the continued impact of a slowdown related to a cut in discretionary tech spending.

HCL Tech: The company is likely to report a 6.3% growth in net profit to Rs 4,063 crore, driven by robust revenue expansion and a 5.47% sequential uptick in EBIT to Rs 5,204 crore. During the second quarter, HCL recorded a profit of Rs 3,832 crore and revenue from operations of Rs 26,672 crore.

UltraTech Cement: The company has announced the acquisition of a 26% stake in Amplus Ages by investing Rs 49 crore. The acquisition is to meet the company's green energy needs, optimize energy costs and comply with regulatory requirements for captive power consumption under electricity laws, it said.

Mahindra & Mahindra: The company has approved up to Rs 630 crore investment in Mahindra Electric Automotive Limited through a subscription to a rights issue of shares of MEAL. Each share, valued at Rs 10, will see an additional premium of Rs 4.50 per share. This investment will help MEAL meet its financial requirements for ongoing business operations.

Life Insurance Corp: LIC has stated that tax authorities have issued two demand notices totaling about Rs 3,529 crore against the insurer and that it plans to appeal these orders within the given timelines.

HG Infra: The Central Railway has declared the company as the L-1 bidder for a project worth Rs 716 crore on an engineering, procurement, and construction basis.

Bhansali Engineering Polymers: The company has received environmental clearance from the State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority, Rajasthan for the expansion of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resin and saleable styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) resin at its plant at Abu Road..
New Delhi (India), January 12: Daizy and Harshit Khurana's Intelligence Vidyarthi is revolutionizing education, addressing the shortcomings of conventional systems. This pioneering online platform aims to redefine the educational landscape, providing a comprehensive and affordable learning experience for people of all ages and backgrounds. By prioritizing holistic development, the initiative seeks to make education more accessible and inclusive.

A Vision Born of Frustration

Daizy Khurana's journey in education began in 2012 when she stepped into the role of an assistant teacher. Over the years, she observed a recurring problem: students excelled in exams but faltered when it came to crucial skills such as effective communication. This realization struck a chord, igniting the spark for what would become Intelligence Vidyarthi.

The genesis of the idea lay in Daizy's desire to transcend geographical limitations. While establishing a physical school would have confined her impact to a specific locality, an online platform offered the potential to reach anyone, anywhere. The vision was clear  to bridge the gap between traditional education and the evolving needs of the globalized world.

Challenging the Status Quo

What sets Intelligence Vidyarthi apart from other online platforms is its commitment to delivering more than just theoretical knowledge. The curriculum goes beyond rote learning, incorporating activities, case studies, and real-life experiences. Daizy and Harshit recognized the shortcomings of an education system that merely focused on syllabus coverage, neglecting the development of essential skills.

The platform's mission goes beyond profit; it is driven by the belief that education is a fundamental right. Affordability is at the core of their philosophy, ensuring that quality education is not a privilege reserved for a select few. By breaking the barriers of age and socio-economic status, Intelligence Vidyarthi stands as a testament to inclusivity in education.

Mission: Education as a Fundamental Right

The primary mission of Intelligence Vidyarthi is to democratize education. In a world where access to quality education remains uneven, the platform endeavors to level the playing field. All courses are meticulously priced to be within reach of individuals from diverse economic backgrounds, reflecting the Khuranas' commitment to accessibility.

Creating a conducive learning environment is pivotal to their mission. Intelligence Vidyarthi strives to foster self-motivation in students, empowering them not just academically but also instilling the entrepreneurial spirit. The platform's vision extends beyond personal success, aiming to cultivate individuals who contribute meaningfully to society.

Vision: Shaping Future Leaders

At the heart of Intelligence Vidyarthi's vision is a commitment to a future where every child, regardless of their circumstances, has access to quality education. Daizy Khurana envisions a world where education is not a one-size-fits-all concept but a tailored experience that nurtures creativity, confidence, and active learning.

In pursuing this vision, Intelligence Vidyarthi seeks to be a trailblazer in educational technology. The platform aims to leverage innovative techniques, employing the latest tools to create an immersive and individualized learning experience. By doing so, they hope to equip learners with the skills necessary for success in their communities, transcending the narrow confines of academic performance.

The Holistic Approach

Intelligence Vidyarthi recognizes that education is more than a conveyor belt of facts and figures. It is about fostering empathy, compassion, and responsibility. Daizy Khurana believes in the potential of their learners not just as future professionals but as leaders and change-makers who can contribute meaningfully to society.

In a world where the definition of education is constantly evolving, Intelligence Vidyarthi stands out as a beacon of change. The Khuranas have not just opened an online platform; they have unfurled a vision that challenges the very essence of traditional education. With affordable pricing, an intuitive interface, and content that is relevant and impactful, Intelligence Vidyarthi emerges as a transformative force in the online education space.

Conclusion: A Vision Realized

Daizy Khurana's journey from frustration with the shortcomings of traditional education to the establishment of Intelligence Vidyarthi is nothing short of inspirational. Their commitment to making quality education accessible to all reflects a paradigm shift in the educational landscape. Intelligence Vidyarthi is not merely an online platform; it is a manifestation of a vision that seeks to empower individuals, transform communities, and shape a future where education is truly a right, not a privilege. In an era where education is often confined by geographical and financial barriers, Intelligence Vidyarthi emerges as a beacon of hope. It is not merely an online platform; it is a revolution that challenges the status quo, redefining the purpose of education in shaping individuals and society.

As the platform continues to evolve, it is poised to leave an indelible mark on the landscape of education, ushering in an era where learning knows no bounds. Intelligence Vidyarthi is not just a platform; it is a movement, a testament to the transformative power of education when driven by passion, vision, and a commitment to change lives. As we witness the unfolding chapters of this educational revolution, one can't help but feel hopeful about the positive changes it promises to bring to the lives of learners worldwide.

Visit: http://intelligencevidyarthi.in/
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  At least one crash and icy road conditions were reported in Travis and Sea View during the Friday morning rush hour.

A person was taken to Richmond University Medical Center in West Brighton from a crash reported at 6:31 a.m. on Travis Avenue near Victory Boulevard, according to a spokesman for the FDNY/EMS.

Police were called to block off traffic on Travis Avenue between Mulberry Avenue in New Springville and Victory Boulevard in the immediate aftermath of the accident, according to emergency radio communications.

Emergency radio transmissions indicated that ice also was an issue on the roadways in Sea View in the vicinity of Brielle and Rockland avenues.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The NYPD is asking for the publics help to identify an individual sought for questioning in connection with an incident where a group allegedly assaulted and robbed a man on Victory Boulevard in Castleton Corners.

The alleged attack occurred on Dec. 8 at about 1:15 a.m. on the 1700 block of Victory Boulevard near Todt Hill Road, according to a statement from the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information.

A 47-year-old man told police he was approached by a group of unidentified individuals. A verbal dispute escalated when the individuals allegedly punched and kicked the victim multiple times on his face and body, the police statement said.

The individuals then allegedly used force to snatch a necklace valued at about $1,000 from the victims neck, the NYPD statement said.

The individuals fled the location on foot.

The victim sustained minor injuries and refused medical attention at the scene, police said.

The NYPD released to the media photos of an individual who is being sought for questioning in connection with the alleged incident.

Police described him as a male, about 18 to 21 years old who has a dark complexion and dreads.

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, on Twitter @NYPDTips.

All calls are strictly confidential.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Driving into Manhattan will soon cost more than ever as New York City plans to launch the nations first congestion pricing program this spring. Staten Islands elected officials are launching a last-ditch effort to prevent the MTA from charging $15 for drivers entering the Manhattan Central Business District.

On Fridays episode of the From the Scene Podcast, host Erik Bascome is joined by Advance Senior Opinion Writer Tom Wrobleski to discuss the implications of congestion pricing for Staten Islanders and local elected officials attempts to prevent the controversial program from being implemented.

Youre still not eliminating the traffic again; you could be increasing it, opined Wrobleski. If you go on Jersey-bound on the Staten Island Expressway anytime after 3 p.m. on a weekday, youre already sitting in the parking lot that. Can you imagine if what you say comes true that you can have it be exponentially worse because everybody wants to avoid the congestion toll?

***WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE HERE***

Youve read the articles. Youve seen the photos. Now, were bringing you behind the scenes for an in-depth look at the reporting process and how we cover the most significant stories on Staten Island.

Staten Island Advances From the Scene, features insightful interviews with our knowledgeable reporters, audio snippets from elected officials and prominent members of the Staten Island community, and interesting factoids from throughout the boroughs storied history.

Listen now on Apple Podcast, Amazon Music, Google, Spotify and YouTube. New episodes are posted biweekly on Fridays.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  In honor of those who have died, here is a compilation of obituaries posted on SILive.com. Viewing times and guest books can be seen here.

Robert Chee passed away peacefully on Jan. 4, 2024. Robert took pride in his role as an automotive technician for the NYPD, serving at One Police Plaza in Manhattan for over a decade until his retirement in 2021. Robert cherished the moments spent with his beloved wife, JoAnne (Melloy) Chee, during their 50 years together. Robert was known fondly as superhero Grandpa to his three biggest fans, his grandchildren that he leaves behind. Read the full obit on SILive.com.

Lydia Carpiniello Gilligan passed away peacefully on Jan. 10, 2024, after bravely facing an extended illness. Born in South Beach, Staten Island, in 1942, Lydia later resided in Grant City before making New Jersey her home in 1968. A long-time resident of Brick, NJ, the Gilligan Family was an integral part of the original Robbins Court/Street crew, where neighbors were considered family. Lydia devoted her early years to being a dedicated stay-at-home mom, focusing on the upbringing of her three beloved children. She found joy in being an active member of Saint Dominics Renew Group, the Ocean Lanes Bowling League, and cherished her decades of fellowship through Lois. In the later chapters of her life, Lydia co-owned a successful local cleaning business catering to the elderly and eventually retired from Costco in Brick, NJ. Lydias retirement allowed her to relish precious moments with her grandchildren, attending their numerous sporting events and other activities. She also embraced adventures with friends and solo escapades, finding joy in every experience. A resilient and compassionate soul, Lydia approached life with a positive outlook, demonstrating that one can overcome any challenge with faith and strength. Read the full obit on SILive.com.

Ann Marino passed away on Jan. 8, 2024. Ann and her husband co-founded B & A Jewelers in Manhattan, which then moved to Stapleton, and finally to New Dorp Lane. Their shop became the Jeweler of Staten Island, known for their involvement in the Staten Island Community. Ann served the community actively for more than 50 years as former president of the V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary, former president of the Grandmothers Club of SI, The Queen of the Red Hatters, honorary member of the Deborah Club of SI, Richmond Travelers Club, AARP 55+ club, Golden Years, the Greek Club, and the SI Womens Historical Society. Ann enjoyed traveling, dancing, luncheons with friends, and spending time with her family. Read the full obit on SILive.com.

Jean Lucier Roland, 99, passed away peacefully in her home on Jan. 7, 2024. Jean had a long life of curiosity and social engagement. She left home at 18 and began taking classes at The New School, where her passion sparked for the world of great literature and ideas. She found her milieu in writing poetry, especially haiku, and said of her lifelong pursuit, Its important to never stop reading, learning and using the mind. While commuting to Manhattan, a chance encounter with Albert Buddy Roland, a prominent Staten Island dentist, over a copy of the New York Times on a Staten Island bus, forever altered the fabric of her life, leading to a long, deeply loving marriage. When not providing her natural business acumen to Buddys Staten Island dental practice, Jeans sense of adventure led the couple on travels across the globe long into their lives. Read the full obit on SILive.com.

RECENT OBITUARIES

Robert J. Kudless passed away on Jan. 6, 2024 at Overlook Medical Center in Summit, NJ. Born in 1944 in Staten Island, Bob was a natural athlete and scholar, earning a full scholarship to study English literature at Brown University. Following his time at Brown, Bob served honorably in the army from 1966 to 1968 during the Vietnam War. In 1978, he married his soulmate, Claire Meconi, and they relocated to Red Bank, New Jersey, where they raised their daughter, Anastasia. In later years, Bob was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia, Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, prompting the family to relocate to Califon, New Jersey. Living on 5 acres of forested land, Bob found joy in observing natures treasures, including black bears, deer, wild turkeys, birds of prey, and hummingbirds. Taking immense pride in being a father, his annual tradition was to design a personalized music for his daughters birthday, featuring a song of his choosing. Regardless of the obstacles he faced, Bob cherished time with his family, whether traveling or enjoying coffee and the New York Times Crossword Puzzle at home with his wife. Read the full obit on SILive.com.

Salvatore Delassandro passed away on Jan. 5, 2024 after a long battle with cancer. Sal, born to Rocco and Margaret (nee Petruzzi), received his education on Staten Island and proudly graduated from Wagner College. His academic achievements paved the way for a fulfilling career as an accountant with the Federal Government. Sal found immense joy in cheering for his beloved teams, the NY Yankees and NY Giants. His passion for sports reflected his vibrant spirit and unwavering dedication. Beyond his professional and sports interests, Sal cherished moments with family and friends. Read the full obit on SILive.com.
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

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has prostate cancer. The news came out on Tuesday, January 9, after it was revealed he had been in intensive care due to an infection from surgery in December. No one in the White House knew that Secretary Austin had cancer, the U.S. press secretary acknowledged. EL PAIS journalist Macarena Vidal Liy explains that the Pentagon spokesman wanted to excuse Austin by maintaining that cancer and its treatment are deeply personal. But why hide the fact that he is being treated for the fourth-most diagnosed cancer in the world?

CNN journalist Sara Sidner, meanwhile, has been totally transparent about the fact she has cancer. She announced it this week at the end of her program. She suffers from stage three breast cancer. Its hard to say it out loud, she said. I am in my second month of chemotherapy. I will undergo radiotherapy and a double mastectomy. She went on to talk about the chances of a cure  stage three is no longer a death sentence for most women regarding breast cancer  and the importance of regular medical check-ups for early detection.

Another recent case is that of actress Nicole Eggert, who played Summer Quinn in Baywatch, who told People magazine she had breast cancer. At first, she thought it was a symptom of the menopause; she felt a lump in her breast and sought a diagnosis. The cancer was detected. Now, a friend has set up a fund-raising campaign to help the actress meet the cost of the treatment and surgery in the costly U.S. healthcare system.

Talking about cancer without beating around the bush can serve to make society aware that we are all potentially at risk and, when in doubt, should go to a doctor so the disease can be detected early and treated with the best possible guarantees. When news of Sara Sidner and Nicole Eggerts cancer spread on social networks, the response was  as expected  one of support and gratitude for their transparency and the use of their platform to raise awareness and normalize the issue.

However, you dont always need that kind of platform to raise awareness. For example, a college friend, Paula, noticed a mole she had on one arm had changed color, had grown and its edges become irregular. The primary care physician referred her directly to a dermatologist, who decided to remove it. It was a melanoma detected in time. She has subsequently talked openly about her experience prompting many of her acquaintances to make dermatology appointments. Two of them have had malignant moles removed.

According to a report by the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology, 41.1% of men up to the age of 80 are at risk from cancer; this figure drops to 28% for women. The probability increases after the age of 85. At that age, men have a 48.4% probability of developing the condition compared to 32.4% for women. Roughly speaking, it is said that one in two men and one in three women will develop some type of cancer during their lifetime. Surely this is reason enough to talk openly about the disease? It is necessary to approach it without shame, without fear, to know its risks, and the importance of having the pertinent analyses as soon as we see that something is not right. Above all, more research is needed.
New Yorkers will be hit with another winter storm this weekend, as high winds, thunderstorms, flash floods and snow are expected around the state Friday night into early Saturday.

While New York City residents are being advised to prepare for possible thunder and lightning, potentially heavy rain and strong, gusty winds, areas with higher elevations in northern and western New York, including Hamilton and Warren Counties, will see four to 10 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

In other northern New York state counties, including Franklin, and western Essex County, snow will reach one to two inches, while southeastern St. Lawrence County, including the cities of Potsdam, Massena and Ogdensburg, will see four to six inches of snow, along with the high winds, the NWS predicts.

Staten Islanders should prepare for potentially damaging winds, and residents are advised to secure any loose outdoor objects overnight. Winds will likely down trees and electrical wires, and power outages may result, according to guidance from the NYC Office of Emergency Management (OEM).

The National Weather Service (NWS) is also warning of high winds for a good portion of the New York City, Long Island, lower Westchester County, northeastern New Jersey and the Connecticut coast, according to John Cristantello, a lead meteorologist there.

At the peak of the storm, the city should expect wind gusts of up to 50 miles per hour, though the gusty period wont last for long, he said.

Basically, were talking about scattered tree limbs down, maybe a tree down here or there, isolated power outages, Cristanello said. I think the strongest winds will be in the later night hours.

The heaviest rain will be from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Saturday, and minor flooding is likely, resulting in scattered disruptions to transportation, OEM advises. Minor flooding of basements, first floors, and some underground infrastructure is to be expected, along with Isolated thunderstorms and lightning, which are possible overnight.

Cristanello said up to two inches of rain is expected along the coast, and Staten Islanders can expect it to be heaviest during the overnight hours between Friday and Saturday.

Its a decent amount, he said, noting that theres a good chance of widespread river flooding in areas of New York City, lower New Jersey, the lower Hudson Valley and going into Connecticut. Flash floods are really not in the cards, he said.

All Atlantic-facing beaches will see eight-to-12-foot breaking waves overnight Friday into Saturday morning, OEM predicts.

And MTA Bridges and Tunnels will implement a ban on empty tractor-trailer trucks and tandem trucks on all bridges beginning at 9 p.m. Friday through 6 a.m. on Saturday, OEM has announced.

Cristanello said early Saturday morning will be quiet and breezy, but higher wind speeds will pick up again in the afternoon and Staten Islanders can once again expect gusts of up to 40 mph.

NWS ISSUES WATCHES, WARNINGS, ADVISORIES FOR NEW YORK

Wind advisories: The NWS has issued wind advisories through 6 a.m. Saturday in the five boroughs and Nassau, Suffolk and Southern Westchester counties.

Advisories are also in effect through 6 a.m. in Eastern Dutchess, Western Greene, Western Ulster counties, and through 8 a.m. in Eastern Columbia and Eastern Rensselaer counties. They are also extended to 8 a.m. in counties near Eastern Albany, including Eastern Schenectady, Northern Saratoga, Southern Saratoga, Western Rensselaer anb Western Schenectady.

High Wind Warnings: High wind warnings have been issues by the NWS in several New York counties, including Genesee, Monroe, Niagara, Northern Erie, Orleans, Ontario, Wayne and Oswego.

Flood Watches: Flood watches are in effect through 6 a.m. Saturday in northern and southern Westchester and Rockland counties.

Storm Warnings: Storm warnings have been issued in Franklin and Western Essex counties.

Storm watch: Storm watches are underway in Jefferson, Lewis, Oswego, Cattaraugus; Chautauqua; Genesee; Northern Erie; Southern Erie and Wyoming counties.

NYC OEM WEATHER ALERTS

Moderate to locally heavy rain: Citywide rain at rates around 0.10 to 0.25 inch/hour. The heaviest rain will be from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Minor flooding is likely, resulting in scattered disruptions to transportation. Isolated thunderstorms and lightning are also possible overnight.

Wind Advisory: The advisory has been issued citywide from 10 p.m. Friday night to 6 a.m Saturday for southeast winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. Strong gusts may result in scattered downed tree limbs, with a few downed trees, power lines, and power outages possible. Poorly secured outdoor objects may be damaged or blown away.

Coastal Flood Warning: The warning is in effect for south Queens from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday for moderate flooding. In some areas, three feet of locally major flooding will be possible, especially as tidal piling overnight will inhibit the recession of water as the high tide rises. This may cause road closures, widespread flooding and damage to vehicles.

Coastal Flood Advisory: An advisory is in effect for the Bronx and north Queens from 9 a.m.to 3 p.m. Saturday for up to 2 feet of minor flooding.

Coastal Flood Advisory: Another advisory is in effect for Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Staten Island from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday for one-to-two feet of minor flooding.
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A year before the pandemic, Brunello Cucinelli, the quiet luxury baron who lives in a hilltop town in Umbria, told me he believed that soon, privacy will be the new luxury. Living under lockdown seemed to put paid to that prediction, as many people found being forced to isolate anything but luxurious.

But Cucinellis argument came back to me as a business crisis entirely of her own making hit another star of the Italian luxury firmament, the uber-influencer Chiara Ferragni.

Chiara Ferragni poses for photographers as she arrives for the CNMI sustainable fashion 2023 awards in Milan, Italy. Credit: AP

Ferragni is the populist anti-hero of Cucinellis philosophy. She has harvested 30 million followers on Metas Instagram and made herself a multimillionaire by entirely eschewing privacy.

For more than a decade, she has incessantly photographed herself in various stages of dress and undress. Her account also features her husband, her mother, her sisters and, more recently, her two small children. From the humble beginnings of taking selfies outside Milan runway shows to which she wasnt invited, she now has contracts with the same consumer brands that once barred her.
The start of the new year often brings lofty ambitions. Its 2024  time to exercise and eat better, says a nagging voice, somewhere deep in your brain. What about learning to knit? Its enough to make anyone feel anxious.

For those who already struggle with anxiety, these heightened expectations can be even more distressing. Especially because research suggests that many of us dont complete our New Years resolutions.

Experts suggest removing the pressure of a new year and remembering you can take stock of your life any time. Credit: iStock

So we asked several psychologists for resolutions specifically tailored to people with anxious tendencies. And we broke them down into bite-size steps so you can notch your successes along the way.

But dont feel pressure to tackle these tips just because its January.
Brisbane City Council has taken legal action against the Queensland Heritage Council after the independent body granted protection to the Riverside Centre on Eagle Street.

After the centres owner, the GPT Group, lodged an application to build a 26-storey office tower on the site, the Heritage Council was asked to recognise the importance of architect Harry Seidlers vision for Eagle Street and the significance of the building opened in 1986.

An artists impression of the office tower planned for 135 Eagle Street, Brisbane.

Seidlers daughter Polly argued the centre  both the tower and surrounding precinct  was a design masterpiece and the first to embrace the Brisbane River. Her bid for a heritage listing was backed by various architects, and came as the neighbouring Eagle Street Pier, which opened in 1988, was demolished to make way for the $2.5 billion Waterfront Brisbane project.

Plans for the 26-storey tower showed it would have crowded the site, requiring demolition of the Pig N Whistle and development towards the river.
A man who was the victim of an aggravated burglary in Melbournes north-east later died in the street, sparking a homicide investigation.

Victoria Police Inspector Carlie Kohler said officers found a 33-year-old Doncaster man on Eildon Street about 5.30am. He died at the scene.

It is understood that this male was a victim of an aggravated burglary on Sargent Street, Doncaster, prior to being located, she said.

No arrests have been made and Kohler said the investigation was in its infancy. She encouraged any witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.
The most popular dinosaur of all, Tyrannosaurus rex, was the biggest predator of its era and perhaps of all time, but for the scientific community it is still a mystery how these animals grew to be so gigantic. They weighed 10 tons, were 12 meters (39 ft) long and had enormous heads and teeth that could crush bones. The discovery of a new species of tyrannosaurid could clear up some of these questions. The analysis of a skull found in New Mexico, published today in Scientific Reports, adds a new relative to the family tree: Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis. It is the closest relative to T. rex and it sheds light on the diversity, origin and great size of these fearsome predators from the Late Cretaceous period.

In paleontology, knowledge is furthered in two ways: by finding new fossils or by re-analyzing and reinterpreting previously found remains, explains the paleontologist Luis Alcala, director of the Science Park in Granada, in southern Spain, who did not participate in the finding. In order to identify this close relative of T. rex, the second method was used. A group of scientists from New Mexico used computer programs that can distinguish between various bones to classify species, and they discovered that a skull found in Hall Lake, New Mexico, had been attributed to a T. rex, but in fact belonged to a different dinosaur. The differences in shape and how the bones join together are subtle but significant enough to describe it as a different animal species, the authors say.

The new tyrannosaurus Mcraeensis  so called after the McRae formation in New Mexico, where many dinosaur remains have been found  might have lived between 71 and 73 million years ago, that is to say, five to seven million years before T. rex, according to the study led by the paleontologist Sebastian G. Dalman of the University of Massachusetts and his colleagues. Their conclusion is based on the location of the rocks and other remains in Hall Lake, where the skull was originally found.

Laramidia: The home of giant dinosaurs

Although a lot is known about them, there are aspects that still lead to open debates about the origin of tyrannosaurids, says Fidel Torcida, director of the Dinosaur Museum of Salas de los Infantes, who did not participate in the study. Within that controversy, one of the theories posited by paleontologists is that these large dinosaurs emerged in Asia and traveled to the Americas, while a second theory suggests the opposite, that they emerged in modern-day North America and moved towards Asia as their populations grew, to later go back to North America.

The discovery of Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis supports the North American origin theory, suggesting that the evolutionary line of tyrannosaurids began specifically in Laramidia, an island-continent that existed between 100 and 66 million years ago in what is today Canada, the United States and Mexico. Researchers also note that these dinosaurs lived in the south of the territory and were not always colossal in size. They evolved from hunters of small species during the Early Cretaceous to predators of large herbivores as they grew in size.

In a reduced region as islands are, it would not be odd if species were small or of a size matching their habitat. But this was not the case in Laramidia. On this island, the temperature and the lack of predators may have caused herbivores to grow to dimensions such as those of giant dinosaurs like titanosaurs, ceratopsians or hadrosaurs, explains Torcida. And as herbivores grew, so did the animals that preyed on them. This way, the authors suggest, they evolved to a giant size around 72 million years ago, to reach the recently discovered Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis and, millions of years later, give way to the famous T. rex.

Both Alcala and Torcida think it is a positive thing that a new species of tyrannosaurid has been found. The finding adds diversity to the Tyranosaurini family and opens up new avenues of exploration, urging researchers to delve into the mysteries of ecosystems and the relationships between predators and prey in ancient times. Alcala notes that Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis was initially classified as a T. rex, and wonders: Could there be other different species of tyrannosaurs out there?
Warning: graphic content

An accused serial stabber has dumped his lawyer and opted to represent himself during his first court appearance after allegedly attacking five strangers.

Christopher Raftopoulos, a former plasterer, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday via video link from a prison psychiatric ward.

Christopher Raftopoulo, 31, opted to represent himself via video link from a prison psychiatric ward after an alleged stabbing spree over the weekend. Credit: Darrian Traynor

The 31-year-old presented with catatonic schizophrenia when he was taken into custody on Sunday. It is alleged he carried a bag of knives and went on an unprovoked stabbing spree in Melbourne over the weekend.
More than 30 arson attacks on tobacco shops, ice cream parlours, cafes and restaurants over the past 10 months have prompted calls for greater police resourcing and an urgent regulatory response from the Allan government to combat the escalating war between Middle Eastern crime syndicates.

Melbourne awoke on Friday morning to news of yet another firebombing  the second attack on the same Freechoice Tobacconist outlet in Altona in just 24 hours.

Firefighters contained the blaze to the vehicle and the front of the Altona store on Friday morning. Credit: Nine News

The Lunar Taskforce will investigate the targeted attack, but is already scrambling to solve 27 similar incidents involving tobacconists across the state, while other cases have been referred to the arson and explosives squad.

Detectives from the taskforce, established in October last year, have been repeatedly hampered by a lack of cooperation from some tobacconists affected by the fires. However, the pace of the police investigations has frustrated many in the tobacco and convenience store industries.
Peter Duttons call for Australians to boycott Woolworths following the supermarket chain's decision not to stock Australia Day merchandise is a bizarre moment that undermines a fundamental tenet of his own side of politics.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has called on Australians to boycott Woolworths. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

The Liberals have always claimed to be the party of free enterprise, but here is their leader urging a boycott over a very reasonable commercial decision. Dutton said he wanted Woolworths to reverse its stance.

I would advise very strongly to take your business elsewhere  until we get common sense out of a company like Woolworths I dont think they should be supported by the public, Dutton told 2GB radio. Then he turned his attack on the prime minister, demanding Anthony Albanese call it out and for chief executives to stop making decisions with a woke agenda.
If Labors stunning win in the Aston byelection came in the Albanese governments honeymoon, a looming poll in Dunkley will take place amid mid-relationship blues.

Against the backdrop of nearly unprecedented mortgage rate rises, Anthony Albaneses popularity has dipped, support for the Coalition has recovered to a competitive (if not winning) position, and Labor has spent months playing defence.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced he had asked Jodie Belyea to be Labors candidate in a crunch byelection. Credit: Paul Jeffers

The byelection in Melbournes outer bayside  prompted by the December death of much-loved Labor MP Peta Murphy  will write the script for the year ahead. Murphys replacement, Jodie Belyea, was revealed by this masthead on Tuesday and presented on Thursday by Albanese as an authentic fighter who reminded him of Murphy.

Both parties are privately downplaying their chances in the swinging electorate, which is of national importance because its mortgage-heavy, working and middle-class demographics reflect many swing seats crucial at general elections.
So, as the dust settles from the defeat of the Voice, republicans should not be disheartened. There are lessons to be learnt from the Voice, but they do not include giving up on constitutional reform.

It was so easy for the Voice to be represented as dividing Australia, as giving rights to some not available to all. Had the Voice been established first, voters would have at least known what they were voting for. As it happened, the Voice campaign presented a blank canvas on which its opponents could paint whatever apocalypse they liked.

King Charles, then Prince of Wales, with Malcolm Turnbull, then prime minister, in Canberra in 2015. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

On the other hand, the cause of the republic is simply this; we are Australians, we believe every office under our Constitution should be open to any Australian citizen. Our head of state should be one of us not the king or queen of another country.

Our Constitution requires our members of parliament be citizens of Australia, and no other country. But it also requires our head of state to be whoever succeeds Queen Victoria in the sovereignty of the United Kingdom. Indeed, if the United Kingdom became a republic, its president would be our head of state!
A kayak tour is one of many scenic ways to enjoy the Brisbane River. Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland Heres another thing no one tells you about Brisbane: the river is lovely. It might not rival Sydney Harbour for physical beauty, but there are plenty of ways to enjoy it. You can take a cruise (CityCat or otherwise), go kayaking, walk its boardwalks, or just sit in New Farm Park and watch the boats go by. You can go rock climbing in the city Find us another city in the world where you can scale actual cliffs with views of the CBD. The Kangaroo Point cliffs are 18-metre-high rock walls on the riverbank opposite downtown Brisbane, with climbing and abseiling options for people of all levels of experience. The craft beer scene is buzzing

Sea Legs in Kangaroo Point is among the best urban breweries in the city. Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland Brisbane is jam-packed with breweries, with taphouses everywhere churning out full rosters of IPAs, XPAs, lagers and seasonal brews. Some of the best include Sea Legs in Kangaroo Point, Soapbox Beer in Fortitude Valley, Range in Newstead, and Catchment in West End. You need to get out of the CBD Though plenty of accommodation options are CBD-based, theres far more to Brisbane than the downtown area. Be sure to get to Fortitude Valley and New Farm for upmarket eateries and relaxed vibes, West End for alternative culture, Paddington for suburban charm, Kangaroo Point for riverside fun, and Teneriffe for great food and drink. The art gallery is world-class

Brisbanes Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) is truly world-class. Credit: Tourism and Events Querensland Thats right friends: Brisbane has a truly world-class art gallery. The Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) has hosted exclusive exhibitions by the likes of Andy Warhol, David Lynch, Picasso and more. Theres also an excellent permanent collection. Theres plenty of hiking and biking Bring your exercise gear when you come to Brisbane. Theres the Brisbane Riverwalk, a scenic boardwalk running from New Farm to Howard St Wharves; more riverside walking tracks from Kangaroo Point to West End; bushwalking to the Mt Coot-tha summit; and seaside strolls from Wynnum to Manly. Moreton Island is just a ferry ride away

The turquoise shores of Tangalooma on Moreton Island are only a short ferry ride away. Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland Moreton Island is a gorgeous spot: think giant sand dunes, shallow-water shipwrecks and flawless beaches. Its also an easy 75-minute ferry ride from Brisbane, with services departing the Pinkenba wharf four times a day. You can climb the Story Bridge Sydney is famous for its Harbour Bridge climb, but visitors to Brisbane might be surprised to discover they can have a similar experience on the Queensland equivalent, the Story Bridge. The climb affords views of Moreton Bay to the east and the Glass House Mountains to the north, as well as unrivalled vistas of Brisbane River and the CBD. The food scene is popping

Diners at Agnes restaurant, enjoying the citys vibrant food scene. Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland For a while there it seemed like Brisbane was far too relaxed to ever fully embrace the fine-dining scene. But there are now many options for those who would like to take their eating to the next level. Fortitude Valley, in particular, has a host of exciting eateries, though youll never get bored dining in West End, South Brisbane and New Farm. Yes, theres alternative culture Again, you may not immediately associate the banana-bending Sunshine State with alternative culture  but youd wrong. Check out street art and LGBTQ-friendly bars and clubs in Fortitude Valley; laneways and art galleries in South Brisbane; and plenty of vegan cafes, music venues and breweries in the West End. Youre in the home of Bluey

Parents (and kids) may notice something oddly familiar about Brisbane. Yes, this is the home of the fictional Heeler family, and the perfectly observed renderings of the buildings, parks and vistas of Brisbane on Bluey will make you feel instantly comfortable. You can hear live music any night of the week The Triffid: Theres a reason so many great music acts come out of Brisbane. Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland Lets talk about great bands that have come out of Brisbane: Powderfinger, Regurgitator, the Saints, the Go-Betweens, Ball Park Music, DZ Deathrays  These acts dont just appear out of nowhere. They need places to play. And Brisbane has plenty of live music venues, so much so that youre bound to find a decent gig on any night of the week. Try the Triffid, Black Bear Lodge, the Prince Consort, the Tivoli or the Zoo. Pub culture is booming

Brisbane loves a pub. The Brekkie Creek remains beloved, but there are so many others to check out. Call by Queensland classics such as the Regatta, the Normanby and the Pineapple Hotel, soak up history at the Alliance, take in views from the Story Bridge Hotel, and visit a CBD icon at the Transcontinental. Accommodation has gone fancy Crystalbrook Vincents rooftop pool, next to the Story Bridge, is hard to beat. You want to stay somewhere unique? A small hotel filled with charm and character? Somewhere luxurious, but not outrageously expensive? Then Brisbane has you covered. Check into the Calile, the Inchcolm by Ovolo, Crystalbrook Vincent, or the Johnson. You can enjoy some park life

Brisbane is filled with parks. Theres green space everywhere you look, and usually perfect weather in which to enjoy it. Roma Street Parkland is gorgeous, New Farm Park is always a good time, the City Botanic Gardens are worth a stroll, South Bank Parklands are also excellent  and thats just the start. Suncorp Stadium is right in the city Brisbanes Suncorp Stadium is smack-bang in the centre of the city. Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland Sydneysiders will be shocked at this: you dont need to schlep to the outer suburbs to enjoy world-class sporting and musical events in Brisbane. The 53,000-seat Suncorp Stadium is in Milton, walking distance from the CBD, and right beside pubs and restaurants on Caxton Street and Given Terrace. This is a city that grows on you
Im in safe hands: Aurora is a 32-year pioneer of expedition travel. The ship, launched in December 2022, is purpose-built for polar (and warmer waters) exploration with world-class technology and environmental credentials, and the voyage is being guided by a 15-strong expedition team of Arctic experts with a third-generation Ukrainian captain at the helm. The Sylvia Earle in the Arctic. Credit: Scott Portelli All the same, expectations are running high as I and 83 fellow expeditioners from Australia and 12 other nations board the ship on a late-June afternoon in Longyearbyen, the capital of Svalbard and the gateway to this remarkable wilderness region. After mandatory and detailed safety, environmental, biosecurity and conservation briefings on the first evening, we understand the two central tenets of an Aurora voyage. We are on a polar expedition, not a cruise, and we should expect the unexpected. Both are immediately apparent when expedition leader Howard Whelan, a veteran of 30 Arctic expeditions and more than 100 in Antarctica, announces that heavy sea ice to the north of Svalbard and unpredictable fog elsewhere requires a major change of itinerary. Instead of navigating clockwise around Spitsbergen, he opts to travel anti-clockwise in the hope the conditions improve as we sail.

That key decision, an early glimpse of Whelans meticulous communications with Captain Arsen Prostov and his own expedition team, sets the ship on a revised but carefully considered course that puts us in pole position for an astonishing Arctic experience. Thick fog and low cloud quickly turn to sparkling blue-sky days as we venture south along the jagged mountains of Spitsbergens west coast, north-east into the polar desert of Edgeoya and Barentsoya islands, and then as far east as we can sail past the colossal frozen ice caps of Nordaustlandet  a known polar bear migration route  before heading up Hinlopen Strait and into the spectacular northern fjords. A glacier calving ice in Svalbard. Credit: Peter Eastway Ancient coastlines deliver tongue-twisting Nordic names  Alkefjellet, Torellneset, Brasvellbreen and Alkhornet-Trygghamna among them  each peppered with compelling geological, historical and cultural heritage sites that are the stuff of Arctic folklore. What appears from a distance to be desolate, inhospitable landscapes suddenly morph into dynamic environments as we tour by water in a fleet of Jacques Cousteau-designed Zodiacs, paddle by sea-kayak or hike on shore, all in the company of our ever-vigilant expedition team which scouts each new site carefully before we land.

There are potential dangers afoot. The guides carry rifles and flares in case of polar bear encounters and there are strict rules to follow: stay in our walking groups, do not stray or lag behind, and follow guides instructions at all times. Although polar bears will usually try to avoid human contact, they remain the Arctics supreme predators and the expeditions rules are in place to protect them as much as us. Exploring by kayak. Credit: Matt Horspool Surprises come thick and fast on more than 20 morning and afternoon excursions. Vast glacier-fronts calve with a thunderous rumble or sudden whip crack; growler icebergs and brash ice melt with an eerie snap, crackle and pop; monumental cliffs and waterfalls teem with birdlife and tundra wildflowers abound. We visit historic trappers huts, inspect remnants of long-abandoned traps, and fall silent at unmarked wooden crosses and stone graves which speak to the Arctics darker human past when polar bears, foxes and many thousands of whales were hunted mercilessly, some whale species to extinction. An abandoned trappers hut at Diskobukta, Svalbard. Credit: James Popsys

Our voyage is a wildlife hunt with conservation front and centre, a shared experience with expeditioners and crew lining the ships observation decks and scanning land and sea with high-powered binoculars and cameras to capture every whale fluke, walrus whisker and polar bear breath. The otherworldly, frozen-in-time landscapes appear even more surreal bathed in 24-hour daylight, a body clock-altering summer phenomenon when the so-called Midnight Sun never sets. Named after Dr Sylvia Earle, the worlds foremost marine scientist and advocate of ocean conservation, the ship accommodates up to 132 like-minded expeditioners in contemporary comfort. The staterooms and suites, many with balconies, are thoughtfully designed with generous storage space for extended sailings and ensuites with underfloor heating. A sister ship to the slightly smaller Greg Mortimer, launched in 2019, the Sylvia Earle features two restaurants and bars, a lecture theatre where the expedition team delivers engaging presentations, a heated outdoor pool and two hot tubs for relaxing between excursions. The onboard atmosphere is relaxed, informal and egalitarian. The eight decks are named after leading female conservationists around the world, part of Auroras Women in Conservation program, and expeditioners are encouraged to participate in Citizen Science projects on deck, on shore and in the ships dedicated Science Centre.

Beach clean-ups in various locations attest to Auroras ongoing commitment to conservation. On one beach at Eolusneset, we collect up to 100 kilograms of washed-up plastic pollution, a grim reminder of humanitys disregard for marine environments. The Arctic, however, is under far greater threat from global warming. It is currently the fastest-warming region of the planet, parts of it increasing by 5 degrees Celsius since 1980. During our visit, one day tops 21 degrees, 11 above the summer average, and the effects are plain to see. Expeditioners on foot. Once-frozen ice caps gush with waterfalls, glaciers are receding rapidly and sea ice is melting at an alarming rate, with scientists predicting the Arctic may be devoid of summer sea ice as early as 2050. Aside from the Arctics critical cooling effect on the planet, its sea ice supports an entire ecosystem of marine life. Seals mate and reproduce on it and polar bears use it as a platform for migrating, mating and feeding on seals. Without sea ice they will not survive, an unthinkable scenario.

Despite the ships minimal environmental footprint, I cant help but think were part of the problem being here, but the expeditions major focus on education and conservation is commendable. As Dr Earle says: You cant protect what you dont know. On our final day, we alight at Alkhornet-Trygghamna, a windswept coast dotted with reindeer and dominated by a rocky mountain swarming with birdlife. This is prime Arctic fox territory and they dont disappoint. As if on cue, an adult male, female and three kits appear on a patch of snow, skidding on the ice and rolling over each other, seemingly without a care. Its a joyous farewell to a polar wilderness under intense pressure but delivering nature in its rarest form  at least for now. THE DETAILS FLY

Fly to London with Qantas (qantas.com) and connect to Longyearbyen, via Oslo, with SAS (flysas.com).
A quarter of a century after his fall from power and 16 years since his death, Indonesias authoritarian president Suharto has been brought back by artificial intelligence in a nostalgia-inspired election ploy that has been branded a rewriting of history.

As many as 205 million Indonesians will head to the ballot box on February 14 to elect a new leader in what is the largest single day election in the world.

Indonesias late president Suharto (left) pictured in January 1998, four months before his resignation amid rioting in Jakarta and other cities. Credit: AP

While the contenders to replace outgoing President Joko Widodo sell their visions for the future, one of the countrys oldest parties has turned to a ghost of the past to boost its chances in the concurrent legislative contests taking place around the archipelago.

A senior figure in the Golkar Party, which has the second-highest number of seats in the countrys 575-member House of Representatives, has used deepfake technology to produce a clip of late strongman Suharto urging voters to throw their weight behind it.
The Hague: Israel has rejected as a grossly distorted story accusations brought by South Africa at the UNs top court that its military operation in Gaza is a state-led genocide campaign aimed at wiping out the Palestinian population.

Israel told the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that its war in Gaza was a legitimate defence of its people and that it was Hamas militants who were guilty of genocide. It called on judges to dismiss South Africas request to halt the Gaza offensive, saying such a move would leave Israel defenceless.

A day earlier South Africa argued that Israels aerial and ground offensive, which has laid waste to much of the narrow coastal enclave, aimed to bring about the destruction of the population of the Gaza Strip. Local authorities there estimate more than 23,000 people have so far been killed.

However, South Africas interpretation of events was wrong, Israels Foreign Ministrys legal adviser Tal Becker told the court.
But adolescence is a period of transformation, during which we are more vulnerable. These are years when we learn a lot and make mistakes. I hope they continue to have the freedom and space to make these mistakes. Several Danish royal commentators have this week described Marys role in the transformation of her husbands public profile as vital. The man who will become King Frederik X was regarded as a sometimes lost and rebellious teenager who did not want to take the throne. He once told a journalist that his father had occasionally subjected him to gifles  French for slap  although he later denied he had ever been beaten. In the late 1980s and 90s, Frederik had a public profile not dissimilar to that of Britains Prince Harry. He was visibly irked by the media attention and more comfortable partying than making speeches. In 1988, he broke his collarbone and required stitches to his head after swerving his car off the road in the south of France, falling out of the vehicle and landing in a brook.

He has had a very difficult and unhappy upbringing, a strict one, says royal expert Trine Villemann, whose book 1015 Copenhagen K  named after the postcode of the Danish royal palace  is widely viewed as the definitive biography of the princes childhood. He was brought up by a distant mum and Frederik used to hide in the corridors if he heard his fathers voice. Villemann says for much of their marriage Frederik enjoyed a party and spending time with his large group of friends, while Mary was often seen to be left at home caring for their children. She locked herself up in the royal palace and threw the key away. For a long time we hardly knew much about her, she says. But Queen Margrethe is grateful to her daughter-in-law for the steady hand she has shown her son and doesnt want to lose her. Without her, Frederik is lost. Then-Prince Charles, Denmarks Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik attend the enthronement ceremony of Japans Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo in 2019. Credit: AP As a young mother, Mary was still mastering the Danish language and was subject to some sneering criticisms in the media. While she put effort into her eponymous foundation and charity events, the spotlight was, more often than not, on her husband.

But it was Marys speech at a gala banquet at Christiansborg Palace on May 26 in 2018 that ensured the Danes fell in love with this Australian woman all over again. Loading People still talk about the speech, says Villemann. It was personal and it gave us an insight into her and her family life that we as Danes had never really seen. Speaking in her adopted tongue, Mary lifted the lid on their home life, painting her husband as a devoted father idolised by his children, while also acknowledging the complexities of his childhood and once reluctance to fulfil his destiny. And according to your children, you are also a very successful father, she said. They describe you as sweet, fun, wonderful, wise, brave, helpful, cool and handsome.

You are their hero. They know that you believe in them [even] when they doubt themselves. You encourage them to believe in themselves. And when on the rare occasion you get cross, you quickly put it behind you, just as your father did. Days before the pair become king and queen, Mary had to confront rumours in a Spanish tabloid that Frederik had had an affair with a Mexican socialite. Mary and Frederik in 2003. Credit: AP In November, Lecturas published photographs of the prince strolling around Madrid with Genoveva Casanova. It claimed the images showed him leaving Casanovas apartment the morning after an alleged dinner date. Casanova has denied any romantic liaison and has threatened legal action. Apart from one cryptic social media post, Mary has remained quiet.

She has been particularly protective of her eldest son, Prince Christian, who is destined to succeeded his father but appeared reluctant to fully launch himself into royal life. Royal commentators now agree he is more confident and at ease publicly than his father ever was. Mary gets the credit for this. Loading After allegations of sexual abuse and bullying surfaced at Christians boarding school, Herlufsholm, in 2022, his parents announced the then 16-year-old would be leaving and his sister Princess Isabella would not start as planned. Christian was not connected to the allegations. Bullying, violence and indignities are never acceptable. We must respond to the painful and devastating incidents by insisting on changes that ensure a safe environment for all, they said in a statement at the time. We must recognise the courage of those who have shared their violent experiences. Mary once said that being royal came more naturally to her children than people expect. From a young age, the children have accompanied the couple, when appropriate, to give them an insight into their future work.

It is essential that they are proud of who they are, of belonging to this family and of what it means to the Danes, she said in 2022. Prince Christian has a more defined trajectory than his brother and sisters, but it is up to him to build this destiny as best he can. Marys own 50th birthday nearly two years ago was marked on national television with a short film featuring her children. Prince Vincent, Princess Josephine, Isabella and Christian praised their mother for her ability to sing and dance. I think she is very good at dancing, Vincent said. Christian added: She is especially fond of the air guitar when rock music is played. Isabella replied: She is good at playing drums. The children also mocked their mothers Australian accent and conceded that after 20 years she still has some expressions that sound funny in Danish  words like apple and little. But Christian said his mum had placed a big emphasis on doing her work thoroughly.

It must be absolutely perfect, he said at the time. If she has been on a journey, she comes home and tells us what she has experienced, what she has done and where she has been. If she has been to Africa, she tells a little about the schools. How the children experience it. And it gives the four of us an insight into how well we actually have it here in Denmark. Loading Isabella said she was always on hand for support. If you have a hard time with something, or it has been a hard day at school, she is always good at just talking about it, she said. Mary lost her own mother when she was in her mid-20s and has said on several occasions that Henrietta remains a guiding light in her life. Losing my mother changed my outlook on life, my way of thinking. It also helped shape me into the person I am today, with added depth, she once said. If my mother looks at me, I think she wont really need to say anything  her warm smile will speak for her better than anything.
Just 10 minutes after Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 had taken off from the Portland airport, its passengers were horrified to find that a section of the fuselage had ejected, causing the cabin to depressurize. Masks were automatically released, and the aircraft began its return to the runway, alerting authorities an emergency was taking place, with a gaping hole in the body of the plane. Amidst this nightmare, which could have ended in tragedy, one wayward iPhone would make headlines throughout the following days: it survived the fall from the aircraft, intact.

Sean Bates, a resident of a town near Portland, was strolling through his neighborhood when his eyes caught sight of a cell phone in a landscaped roadside area. He went to pick it up and found that it was an iPhone in airplane mode, showing on its screen a boarding pass for an Alaska Airlines flight. Moments later, he saw media reports on what had happened to that flight, and he got in contact with the authorities. Just as Bates showed on his social media, the iPhone was in perfect condition, with a few scratches. It had fallen from an altitude of nearly three miles.

It was, to be precise, an iPhone 14 Pro, equipped with a case and screen protector: two details that are important when it comes to the phones eventual fate. Authorities contacted the airline, which quickly located the passenger, who had been unable to find his cell phone among his belongings. The device was returned, fully operational and with only a few scratches, and it stole the subsequent spotlight in the bizarre event. How can a cell phone that falls off a plane mid-flight survive unscathed?

Miracle?

Was it a miracle that it didnt break? Not so fast. Three elements came into play for the phone to remain intact, Luis Angel Tejedor, a professor of electronic communications engineering at Complutense University of Madrid, told EL PAIS. Newtons second law, the impact surface and the devices design, he says. According to the physics expert, in theory, it makes no difference whether the iPhone had fallen from a plane three miles away or from a fourth floor: The longer the phone is subjected to the force of gravity, the longer the acceleration of 32.15 ft/s and the greater the speed is that it reaches, he explains. According to this, if the phone falls from a plane, it will reach the ground with more speed than if it falls from a fifth floor.

But Tejedor invokes a second force that intervenes and slows down the speed of impact: the frictional force. The faster the phone falls, the greater the frictional force, until the moment arrives in which the frictional force equals the force of gravity, and the object no longer accelerates; this speed is called the limit speed, he explains. So once the height from which the object falls is sufficient to reach the limit speed, it doesnt matter how much higher the actual height of the fall is, because the object will not accelerate any further. So its true: whether the phone falls from the height of a building or an airplane is irrelevant.

One must also take into account the mass and surface area of the object: For an object with a lot of surface area and little mass, such as a ball or feather, the force of gravity is slight and friction will easily match it at velocities that are not very high, says Tejedor. At the opposite extreme would be an object with a lot of mass and little surface area, like a bullet. The iPhone, flat and light  particularly in its latest editions  glides more easily, reaching a relatively low limiting speed.

A lucky landing

But the laws of physics alone would not be enough to explain what is inexplicable in the eyes of mere mortals: a phone that emerged from a five-kilometer fall with just a few scratches. This iPhone was lucky, or rather, its owner was: the device fell on a landscaped roadside area. The grass allowed it to emerge with minimal consequences. That seems like common sense, but once again, the situation can be better explained with science, this time, kinetic energy. The Complutense professor explains: Energy, at the moment of impact, has to dissipate somehow. If the phone falls on grass, it will be used to displace the soft plant matter, but if it falls on cement or asphalt, which are rigid, that energy will be spent on deforming the different parts of the phone, destroying it.

Cell phone manufacturers deal with the thorny issue of impact in two ways. On technique is that they can make the phone easy to break apart: who doesnt remember the first Nokia exploding into a thousand pieces, without any lasting damage? On the other, they can go for durability and resistance, as is the case with the model in question. The iPhone 14 Pro, a particularly durable model in terms of falls, has a space-ready steel chassis, explains Jose Hernandez, from mobile repair center Europa 3G.

Hernandez also points out another element, in addition to luck, science and quality of materials: the additional protection the phone was wearing. As you can see in the images, the device had a protective case and a tempered glass screen protector, which further reinforces its durable manufacturing. On this point Tejedor agrees. Even if your phone comes from the current crop of fall-resistant, high-end models, he says: I would put a case on it.
Central Command said the strikes werent connected to Operation Prosperity Guardian, the multinational naval task force set up last month to protect ships in the Red Sea. Including that distinction in the statement show some countries in the group have been uncomfortable with the idea of retaliatory strikes and dont want to be targeted themselves. Satellite images showed destroyed shelters at Hudaydah airfield in Yemen. Credit: Maxar Technologies /AP Of the more than 100 precision-guided weapons fired at Houthi targets on Friday, more than 80 were Tomahawk missiles, according to two American defence officials, who asked not to be identified discussing details that havent been widely released. Before the allied attack, the Houthis had launched their own barrage of missiles and drones at ships in the Red Sea. Neither side is looking to have an all-out war, and they are badly mismatched, Jon Alterman, a senior vice president at the Centre for International and Strategic Studies, wrote in a note of the US and Iran. But that is not to say that the Houthis will stop attacking shipping, or that the United States will stop attacking the Houthis.

Earlier on Saturday (AEDT), the UK Maritime Trade Operations, which oversees Middle Eastern waters, reported a new attack off Yemen, when a missile was fired towards a ship some 140 kilometres south-east of Aden. The vessel reported no injuries or damage, the organisation said. Earlier the US and Britain defended its strikes on Houthi targets as legal under international law and US President Joe Biden told Iran not to get involved, following a warning from Houthi leader Mohammed Ali al-Houthi that further attacks were imminent. Ive already delivered the message to Iran  they know not to do anything, Biden told reporters. We will make sure that we respond to the Houthis as they continue this outrageous behaviour, along with our allies. US ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the strikes on more than 60 targets in Yemen were consistent with international law and the UN Charter. The operation was designed to disrupt and degrade the Houthis ability to continue the reckless attacks against vessels and commercial shipping, she said. More than 2000 ships have been forced to divert from the Red Sea since November.

British ambassador Susan Woodward described the strikes as a limited, necessary and proportionate action carried out in self-defence. Biden said he considered the Houthis a terrorist group, suggesting Washington might restore its previous designation of the group that was revoked in 2021. Earlier, Houthi leader Mohammed Ali al-Houthi told tens of thousands of supporters in Yemens capital Sanaa that counterattacks were imminent, raising the prospect of a wider conflict in a region already beset by Israels war in Gaza, and putting Western naval forces on high alert. In Saada, the Houthis stronghold in north-west Yemen, protesters gathered for a rally, denouncing the US and Israel. Crowds also assembled and burnt US, British and Israeli flags in Tehran, Iran.

Israel has said it wont let up its military campaign in Gaza in retaliation for Hamas October 7 incursion and massacre of about 1200 people in southern Israel  and a diplomatic solution is unlikely. The strikes have brought the worlds attention back to Yemens years-long war, which began when the Houthis seized Sanaa in 2014. A Saudi-led coalition that included the United Arab Emirates intervened to back Yemens exiled government in 2015, quickly morphing the conflict into a regional confrontation as Iran backed the Houthis with weapons and other support. Fighting has slowed in recent years, with the Houthis controlling territory that is home to some two-thirds of Yemens 20 million population. War and misgovernment have made the country one of the poorest in the Arab world. The UN World Food Program considers the vast majority of Yemens people to be food-insecure.

Loading In March, Saudi Arabia reached a Chinese-mediated deal to restart relations with Iran in the hope of ultimately withdrawing from the conflict. However, an overall deal has yet to be reached, likely sparking Saudi Arabias expression of great concern over the strikes on Friday as it seeks to manage its delicate relationship with Iran. While the kingdom stresses the importance of preserving the security and stability of the Red Sea region ... it calls for restraint and avoiding escalation, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Iran condemned the attack in a statement from Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani.
Australias support for the attacks on Yemens Houthis by a coalition of countries led by the US and the UK contributes to several Australian government objectives, David Livingstone writes.

Perhaps foremost among them is trying to silence critics who said Australia went missing when the US sought allies to send ships to the Red Sea. Other objectives were made clear by the prime minister: protecting lives, the global economy and international commerce.

It is early days, but the coalition is well-placed to achieve the latter tranche of objectives.

Loading

The Houthis are, at best, an impoverished, improvised military force that has been at war with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. It was not long ago that attacks by those countries were thought by some to be war crimes, given the disproportionate capabilities and wealth of Saudi Arabia and the UAE compared with Yemen.

Yemen has not improved since then, registering a modest $US21 billion GDP ($31 billion). By contrast, the coalition it now faces has a combined GDP of over $US33 trillion ($49 trillion). By any standards, that is a mismatch of major proportions. The desired outcome  suppressing the Houthi attacks  is likely not in doubt. However, the Houthis success at impeding international shipping underscores the threat that determined adversaries can pose when they occupy geography of strategic importance.

Indeed, one of the important outcomes of Australias involvement may be for Australia to gain a deeper appreciation of the new balance shift in favour of military capabilities required for effective area denial. Yemen sits at the mouth of the Red Sea, including the narrow passage that leads to the Gulf of Aiden, and beyond that, the Indian Ocean. This passage is vital for shipping to avoid the long journey from Europe around Africa to the Indian Ocean.

Read the full opinion piece here.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Today voters on St. Maarten will be casting their votes to elect 15 Members of Parliament. Some 129 candidates were postulated on 8 different political slates.

SMN News has been bringing you live updates on its Facebook page.

Later this evening we will be sharing the results with you as they come from the main voting bureau.
Bonaire climate case: islanders demand protection from consequences of climate crisis. The Hague, Kralendijk, January 11, 2024  Eight residents [1] of the Dutch-Caribbean island Bonaire, together with Greenpeace Netherlands, filed a lawsuit against the Dutch State today. Bonaire, a former Dutch colony, has been a special Dutch municipality since 2010. The plaintiffs claim the Dutch government is violating their human rights by not taking sufficient measures to protect the inhabitants of the low-lying island of Bonaire from the effects of the climate crisis. This is stated in the summons delivered today to the District Court in The Hague. On Bonaire, several of the plaintiffs and Greenpeace Netherlands announced the news during a press conference in Kralendijk. Climate justice The plaintiffs point out that the residents of Bonaire have witnessed for a long time that the Dutch State has not taken any measures to ensure their island is safe and remains habitable in the future. Despite several talks between the plaintiffs and the government in recent months, this did not lead to sufficient commitments from the government. Danique Martis (25), a social worker and one of the plaintiffs said: The Caribbean Netherlands has been forgotten for too long. There are plans in place to protect the European Netherlands against sea-level rise and other consequences of the climate crisis, but for Bonaire this is not yet the case. It saddens me to see how, despite knowing their responsibility, the Dutch government has chosen to push our right to safety aside. For this reason, we are going to the court, so they have no choice but to act.  Summons The summons [2] contains two demands: The Dutch government must make plans and take concrete measures, developed together with inhabitants, to protect Bonaire from the consequences of climate change. The Netherlands must do its fair share to keep global warming below 1.5C degrees Celsius and therefore reduce carbon emissions faster. Ten years earlier than in current plans. The Netherlands must reach zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 at the latest. The Dutch government must take measures to protect the islanders human rights, specifically their right to life and to respect private and family life. So that Bonairians can continue to live on the island and pass on their traditions and culture to their children. Judmar Emerenciana (25), a graphic designer who is also a plaintiff in the case said: "We are at risk of losing our culture. I don't want the slave huts to end up underwater, with us thinking in the future, 'We could have prevented this. Protest march in The Hague Several dozen people, including representatives of the Caribbean diaspora and the climate movement, are holding a symbolic protest march in The Hague today. They walk from the Prime Ministers office to the District Court, where the summons is delivered. There will be speeches along the way. The demonstrators carry protest signs and a banner reading We demand justice  Climate Case Bonaire. Plaintiff Kjelld Kroon (28), who works as a program creator said: "Climate change is happening right now on Bonaire. Its getting increasingly hot and the rain showers are more frequent and more extreme. These downpours are causing flooding, inundating many houses. Including my mother's house. The time for talking is over, we have to act. I dont want to have to wait any longer and thats why Im taking action today." Kralendijk press conference At a press conference in Kralendijk, the capital of Bonaire, several of the plaintiffs have joined Greenpeace Netherlands to announce the news. Andy Palmen, executive director of Greenpeace Netherlands said: "It shouldnt matter whether you live on Bonaire, on Ameland or in Valkenburg. Its the Dutch governments duty to protect all of us from the consequences of the climate crisis. Bonaire is being hit hard by rising sea levels, heat waves and the deterioration of its coral reefs. The government has a duty to reduce global warming as much as possible, and right now its failing to do so. We demand more protective measures for Bonaire, and we want the Dutch government to speed up the reduction of carbon emissions from the whole of the Netherlands. This is in the interest of all of us." Research by VU Amsterdam A study by the Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam commissioned by Greenpeace [3] has shown that the effects of climate change are already affecting daily life on Bonaire. The islands inhabitants are facing serious risks due to rising sea levels, increased heat and coral degradation. If global carbon emissions are not significantly lowered, a fifth of Bonaire could be lost to the sea by the end of this century. Municipality of the Netherlands Bonaire is located almost 8,000 kilometers from the capital of the Netherlands. The Netherlands has been present on the Caribbean island for almost four hundred years. Since the dissolvement of the country of the Netherlands Antilles in 2010, Bonaire has been a special municipality of the Netherlands.
~ Brison not re-elected~

PHILIPSBURG: --- Voters and residents of St. Maarten waited all night before they were able to get the outcome of the parliamentary elections held on Thursday, January 11th, 2024.

The Voting Bureau in collaboration with the Department of Communications began announcing the results just about midnight on Thursday which lasted until after 5 am Friday.

Of the eight political parties that contested the elections, six of them were elected to the parliament of St. Maarten.

Those that were elected are the National Alliance with 4 seats compared to 6 seats in 2020. Members of Parliament Elect on the NA slate are Egbert Jurendy Doran, the highest vote-getter with 539 votes on the NA slate, Silveria Jacobs with 469, Cloyd Ohndhae Marlin with 406, and Ardwell Irion with 333.

The United Peoples Party received 3 seats compared to 4 in 2020, Deputy Leader Omar Ottley came out as the highest vote-getter overall with 775 votes, Akeem Arrindell with 355 votes, and Francisco Lacroes with 312 votes. Also elected are two candidates from the NOW, its leader Christopher Emmanuel with 457 votes, and Kevin Maingrette with 249 votes.

The leader of the United Peoples Party Rolando Brison, the only member of parliament who performed exceedingly well in parliament by writing 23 laws was not re-elected. Brison received 256 votes.

Elected back to the Parliament of St. Maarten is Doctor Luc Mercelina who headed his political party, the URSM. The URSM received 2 seats Luc Mercelina with 704 votes and Attorney Sjamira Roseburg 248 votes.

Returning to the Parliament of St. Maarten is the Democratic Party with two seats. Party leader Sarah Wescott Williams maintained leadership of her party; she obtained 502 votes while Grisha Heyliger Marten received 423 votes.

The PFP is also returning to parliament however Raeyhon Peterson was not re-elected while the party leader got less votes than Ludmilla De Weever, De Weever obtained 576 votes while party leader Melissa Gumbs received 462 votes.while Peterson received 257 votes.

The one-man party the ECE with Nigel Wigley received 291 votes, not enough to grant him a seat in parliament. The United St. Maarten Party received 689 votes also not enough to hold a seat in parliament.

Also not re-elected is the Minister of Justice Anna Richardson on the NA slate, she received 214 votes. New comer to politics Darryl Yorn received 293, and Charlon Pompier with 176. Angelique Roumou received 150 while the Minister of VSA Rodolphe Samuel received 162.Suspended member of parliament Claudius Buncamper who ran on the NOW slate was not reelected he received 116 votes.

Click here for more information on the Parliamentary Election
By Victor Ing,

Special to The Post

It was an extremely busy year in the Federal Court when it came to immigration lawsuits. Under Canadian immigration law, the Federal Court has the final jurisdiction to review and overturn immigration decisions upon judicial review. In 2023, the Court saw a 20% uptick in new judicial review applications being filed, which begs the question: What happened? In this blog, I will briefly review the judicial review process and discuss the reasons for this incredible and unsustainable growth in litigation.

An application to the Federal Court for judicial review is the last option available to challenge an immigration decision, whether it is a decision to refuse a visa or to deport a person already in Canada. As the name suggests, a judicial review is a request to a Judge of the Federal Court to review an immigration decision and decide whether it was reasonable and made in accordance with the law and the principles of fairness. Accordingly, the Federal Court has always played an integral role in holding immigration decision-makers accountable, and their judgments have often shaped the way IRCC makes new policies.

In 2023 there were over 16,000 new judicial review applications filed in the Federal Court. On average, thats over 45 applications being filed every single day of the year, including weekends and holidays. By comparison, in 2022 there were over 13,000 applications filed. The Federal Court has become bloated with new lawsuits and it is seriously affecting how quickly cases are adjudicated at the Court.

Why is this happening?

There are at least three major contributors to the staggering growth in litigation:

1. Record levels of both temporary and permanent immigration

We are continuing to see record levels of immigration in Canada. In 2022, Canada welcomed a record 437,539 new immigrants, which even exceeded their own lofty targets. We expect to welcome 500,000 new immigrants per year by 2025 and thats not even counting the hundreds of thousands of new students and workers that are approved for visas or permit extensions each year. With an increased number of applications come an increased number of refusals, which further clogs Canadas court system with new judicial reviews to hear.

2. Inadequate reasons by decision-makers

To compound the problem, visa officers are notorious for refusing cases without adequately explaining their decision in the refusal letter. One of the unfortunate results of this practice is that many refused visa applicants will challenge a decision in Federal Court just to find out why their application was refused. This occurs because, as part of the judicial review process, the Federal Court will contact the immigration office responsible for the decision and compel them to produce the full set of reasons for the decision to the Court and to the judicial review applicant. While there are other methods to obtain the full set of reasons, those methods are slow and there are set time limits to file an application for judicial review that applicants do not want to risk missing.

3. Sloppy administrative errors

I can share my own experiences that last year was a real anomaly in my practice as an immigration lawyer. I have been working on judicial review applications for 13 years and last year stood out to me because, for the first time, I often found myself going to court to fight over minor administrative errors that never used to take place with any kind of regularity.

Here are just a few examples of cases I litigated in 2023:

In multiple cases we argued on behalf of our clients whose applications were refused because IRCC officers incorrectly concluded that the clients did not respond to document or information requests. These cases involved miscommunications where, for unknown reasons, IRCC officers did not get the documents or information that the client sent or, in some cases, the extension of time requests they made to produce the requested documents or information later.

In 2023 we represented several clients who were found inadmissible to Canada and were refused their applications for permits; however, the decisions were incorrect, or at least premature, because the clients were either not inadmissible at all or were still waiting for a hearing to decide their admissibility in Canada.

We also argued several cases where immigration officers failed to follow the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenships own public policy guidelines to grant visas based upon special program initiatives such as the Hong Kong special measures to issue work permits to new graduates and their spouses.

With the massive uptick in new immigration applications each year, and the equally large undertaking happening at IRCC to digitize the visa application process, which includes their controversial use of advanced analytics and artificial intelligence to assist with decision-making, it was probably predictable that we would see a large increase in litigation in the Federal Court.

However, what is happening now is simply not sustainable. According to a March 2023 CBC report, over 70 percent of the Federal Courts resources are already spent hearing immigration lawsuits, and we hope that IRCC will try to address some of these issues in this new year to help clear the logjam of cases at the Federal Court. Until that time, immigration clients will continue to fight at the Federal Court for their right to receive fair and reasonable decisions, and immigration applicants should be aware of this important tool in the immigration lawyers toolbox to help them when they need to turn to the Federal Court as the option of last resort.

Victor Ing is a lawyer of Sas & Ing Immigration Law Centre. He provides a full range of immigration services.

For more information go to canadian-visa-lawyer.com or email [email protected].
You will have read from previous Spy newsletters that MPs were upset with the choice of names for some of the holding companies with which they acquired the supermarket, in particular Phantom Investments, which one MP described as an investment structure that is named something that is synonymous with lies, deception and deceit.
At home, it would have been prudent for the Government to have recalled parliament to debate its actions, although it has rightly kept the Opposition fully briefed. But although the Prime Minister was free to act independently of parliament, he should now justify his actions before it and secure the support of MPs for their continuance and set out the legal justification. There is already a bid on social media to depict the air strikes as similar to the involvement in Iraq or Libya; the Not in My Name slogan is being widely invoked. But it is nothing like that and the Prime Minister must make that clear. But what is he doing in Ukraine at such a time? He should return home, recall parliament and make his case.
There are so many great bars in London that one bar crawl wouldnt pay justice to the variety and calibre of our cocktail scene. I would have to pick at least two. One in east, where there are two favourite bars, as previously mentioned, but also Seed Library (100 Shoreditch High Street, E1, seedlibraryshoreditch.com), Happiness Forgets (8-9 Hoxton Square, N1, happinessforgets.com) and Tayer + Elementary (152 Old Street, EC1, tayer-elementary.com). This is a great itinerary to dive into the most innovative concepts and best local bars of the capital. When in central and west, a bar crawl across the bars of our Maybourne family, from The Connaught (16 Carlos Place, W1, the-connaught.co.uk), to the Painter's Room at Claridge's (Brook Street, W1, claridges.co.uk) and the Blue Bar at The Berkeley (Wilton Place, SW1, the-berkeley.co.uk), is a must for top-notch hospitality.
When I visited, Dunes Experiences was still in its first few weeks of operation so there were elements (an outdoor kitchen, for instance), still being built but if anything that added to the sense of being off the grid and in the wilderness. The space on offer is vast and feels basically cut off from civilization  all I could see were desert shrubs, sky and the safari tent which would be my home. The tent was more glamping than roughing it, though  carpeted, with a giant and supremely comfortable four-poster canopy bed, a trunk for belongings and electricity to charge devices and power the lights at nighttime. There was also a porch with a seating area to watch the sunset. The washing facilities were rudimentary but not uncomfortable  the toilet block is covered but the (hot) showers are open to the elements, which made for amazing morning showers as the sun was coming up.
In a police interview Allen said he had checked his mirrors but had not seen Dr Krawiec. He admitted causing her death by careless driving but denied it was dangerous.
While the scale of any possible cut is uncertain, the Telegraph said it is feared each team could end up losing one or two constables and a sergeant.
Witnesses said the culprits, said to be aged 17 to 20, ran off with their haul within 20 seconds just after 5pm on Monday. In another South West London incident, police have confirmed a man who was killed in a double stabbing at a south-west London train station was aged 21, as a murder probe continues.
He is a man of good character and a man of some ability and it is shame he was not able to put it into a more creative field having had rejections from jobs he applied for, including the Army.
We believe it is working, since the refurbishment weve seen bookings as a wedding venue bring in 210,000 last year, and up to the same period this year weve already seen an increase of 22%. And on top of that weve had lots of gratitude from our guests and visitors, who have understood why we have them and have appreciated our approach.
We police without fear or favour and where our policing approach differs it is a response to the intelligence and the nature of the event, not those taking part or the cause they represent. Officers are present primarily to ensure the safety of those involved, but where we see offences taking place, or where we are made aware of them either online or by other means, we will not hesitate to act.
US Central Command said the Houthis had launched a complex attack, and a total of 18 attack drones, two anti-ship cruise missiles and an anti-ship ballistic missile were shot down in the operation which involved Diamond, US warships and F/A-18 fighter jets.
Amal means hope in Arabic, and her presence in London on the March for Palestine, as part of a Global Day of Action, gives us not just hope but determination to continue our campaign not only to end Israels current bombardment of the Gaza Strip, but to end the decades of military occupation and the system of apartheid under which Palestinians have lived for over 75 years.
We have had cross-party support for Ukraine for a very long time and we need to maintain that in the face of Russian aggression that has been going on for a long time now, the Labour leader said.
Be in no doubt at all, Iran is guiding what is happening there in the Red Sea, providing them not just with equipment to carry out those attacks but also often with the eyes and ears to allow those attacks to happen, Mr Shapps told Sky News.
Typhoons have a 36ft (11m) wingspan, about the same size as the length of a double decker bus, can fly at a maximum speed of Mach 1.8  almost twice the speed of sound  and have a maximum altitude of 55,000ft.
"We have had cross-party support for Ukraine for a very long time and we need to maintain that in the face of Russian aggression that has been going on for a long time now," he said during a visit to a dental school in Bury.
A number of leading global and regional construction firms have shown interest in building the worlds tallest tower at Saudi port city Jeddah.

The 1,000-metre-plus-tall Jeddah Tower project is poised to be the centrepiece of the Jeddah Economic City development. Jeddah Economic Company (JEC) had sought bids by December 29 from 14 leading construction groups to complete the project, according to reports. However, a Business Korea report said all the three Korean firms invited to bid - Samsung C&T, Hyundai Engineering Construction and Daewoo -- have decided not to take part in the project. MEED had reported in October that the 14 firms included, apart from the Korean heavyweights, European construction majors - Skanska (Sweden) and Strabag (Austria); Chinese groups - China Harbour; China State Construction Engineering Corporation and Powerchina and Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC)  Lebanon in addition to top regional players - Egypts Orascom Construction and Kuwait-based Mohammed Abdulmohsin Al Kharafi & Sons. Prominent players from Saudi Arabia including Bawani; El Seif Engineering Contracting; Nesma & Partners and Saudi Freyssinet were also invited, according to the report. According to the Business Korea report that cited sources in the construction industry, among the three Korean firms, Hyundai and Daewoo E&C reportedly decided early on not to participate in the tender. However, Samsung C&T reportedly took longer to decide since it is a prestige project and "it was not easy for the contractor to give up its title as the construction company that built the worlds tallest building," said the report.

Samsung C&T had built the 828-m-tall Burj Khalifa in Dubai, which is the worlds tallest building at the moment, and also the 508-m-tall Taipei Financial Center building in Taiwan, the second tallest in the world, it added. Jeddah Tower will be the first skyscraper in the world to reach a height of 1008 m (168 floors from the ground) with an estimated construction cost of $1.23 billion. It will be taller than Dubais Burj Khalifa by more than 172m.

The construction work for the towers superstructure, which began in the early 2010s with the local Saudi Binladin Group (SBG) as the contractor, is one-third complete. The foundations and piling work for the record-breaking tower are finished. Germanys Bauer completed the piling work for the building, said the report.

The project's architect is US-based Adrian Smith & Gordon Gill, and the project manager is Lebanons Dar Al Handasah (Shair & Partners).

JEC, a joint venture between Kingdom Holding Company (40% stake) and Bakhsh Group (40% stake) and Sharbatly Group (20% share) - commissioned an independent assessment of the structure before the tender was issued.
She said there were more than 50 Conservative MPs who had publicly put their names to amendments and who share our concerns while also claiming there were a high number of ministers who had grave reservations about this Bill, adding: I actually havent spoken to many ministers who genuinely believe that this Bill is going to work. Privately, under their breath they say to me, we know this Bill wont work.
Speaking from Ukraine, Mr Sunak said: "Our aim is very clear, its to de-escalate tensions and restore stability to the region. Thats why allies over the past few weeks have issued several statements of condemnation of whats happening, calling on the Houthis to desist.
In the event of a declaration of war or the commitment of British forces to military action, constitutional convention requires that authorisation is given by the Prime Minister, on behalf of the Crown. Decisions on military action are taken within the Cabinet with advice from, among others, the National Security Council and the Chief of the Defence Staff.
Thats why Yampil is now settling into a temporary enclosure where he will continue his recovery, or go into hibernation; this will give us time to continue to fundraise for his permanent enclosure and work on building this with the support of our community.
A further complication has been highlighted by yesterdays seizure  blatant hijack, in other words  of the Greek crude oil carrier St Nikolas. It was seized by Iran Navy outside the Straits of Hormuz and then guided under duress to an Iranian port. Iran then said it was seizing the cargo of Iraqi crude in retaliation for the US impounding a cargo of Iranian crude  then under international sanctions  a year ago from the very same ship, though then under a different name, Suez Rajan.
KYODO NEWS - Jan 12, 2024 - 18:58 | All, Japan

Japan's Financial Services Agency on Friday slapped SBI Securities Co., the biggest online brokerage in the country, with a one-week partial suspension of its operations for alleged stock price manipulation.

SBI has solicited investors to place buy orders for shares in three companies in their initial public offerings, for which the broker served as a lead underwriter, in an attempt to increase the chances those shares would debut above their IPO prices, according to the agency.

The FSA suspended the brokerage from taking orders to trade IPO shares through Thursday and instructed the company to submit plans by Feb. 13 to strengthen internal controls on its IPO business.

The company's employees, given instructions from senior executives, knowingly violated the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act by soliciting buy orders from a total of nine institutional investors and 174 individuals between December 2020 and September 2021, it said.

The Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission advised the agency to impose an administrative punishment on the brokerage last month following its investigation.

SBI employees told the investors that they could cancel their buy orders if the shares debuted above their IPO prices, according to the commission.

The attempt to push up the share prices was apparently aimed at earning a reputation for underwriting IPOs and increasing the chances of becoming a lead manager for new listings, the commission said.

Related coverage:

Japan insurers suspected of price-fixing for corporate contracts
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In Romania there are around 71,000 citizens in possession of lethal firearms (IntMin Predoiu)

Internal Affairs minister Catalin Predoiu says there are about 71,000 citizens in Romania who own of lethal firearms, but recent cases involving such weapons are isolated and there is no systemic risk.

"It's far from being a phenomenon. It is obvious that we are dealing with two isolated cases that have nothing in common. (...) The justice system, following police reports and police intervention in the first instance, immediately initiated the necessary proceedings. (...) There is no risk to the system, checks have been made," Predoiu told private broadcaster Digi 24 on Thursday.

Thus answered the minister to a question on the two recent incidents - the case of the former policeman in Bucharest who threatened his neighbour and in whose home three guns were found and the case of the Covasna County Police Inspectorate (IPJ) employee who allegedly fired a shotgun at a man.

"In Romania there are around 71,000 citizens who own lethal firearms of various types - hunting weapons, target shooting, self-defence weapons - and there are around 170,000 such firearms. They are subject to regular checks. All these checks and inspections were carried out on time in 2023, in the case of 99 percent of the owners. (...) They were done on time, they were done systematically, so there is no systemic risk and the case of this policeman is far from being a phenomenon. There is no doubt that whenever such situations arise, procedures must be triggered and the causes that led to this must be studied," Predoiu added.
Over 7,600 Ukrainians enter Romania on Thursday, 161,700 people crossing border

More than 7,600 Ukrainian citizens entered Romania on Thursday, and in total about 161,700 people, Romanian and foreign citizens, and about 46,000 means of transport completed the control formalities at the border points.

"There were 67,992 people on the way to enter Romania, of which 7,631 were Ukrainian citizens," informs the General Inspectorate of the Border Police, in a statement sent to AGERPRES on Friday.

The police found 38 illegal acts (24 crimes and 14 misdemeanors) committed by both Romanian and foreign citizens, and the value of the contravention fines applied amounts to approximately 6,200 RON. Goods were seized for confiscation in the amount of approximately 730,050 RON.

On Thursday, 19 foreign citizens who did not meet the conditions provided for by law were not allowed to enter the country and 13 Romanian citizens were not allowed to leave for various legal reasons.
Romania's and Bulgaria's Schengen accession (enr)

After more than ten years of waiting: Bulgaria and Romania have been given the green light to join Europe's free-travel Schengen area by air and sea from March 2024. However, some restrictions will remain in place.

On December 30, 2023, the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU announced that Romania and Bulgaria will be partially integrated into the Schengen area of free movement in March 2024.

Romania and Bulgaria, both EU members since 2007, were rejected at the end of 2022 from joining the vast Schengen zone, within which more than 400 million people can travel freely without internal border controls. Although the European Commission and the European Parliament have been assuring for years that both countries are prepared to enter Schengen, Austria and the Netherlands blocked their accession until now.

Following complicated negotiations, Bulgaria and Romania reached an agreement with Austria on joining the Schengen area for air and sea crossings to begin with, but not by land. For years, Vienna vetoed both countries, saying that Austria had to host a disproportionate number of undocumented immigrants as a result of poorly protected external Schengen borders. Together, the three countries will later agree on the date of when to end controls on Romania's and Bulgaria's land borders.

The Netherlands blocked Bulgaria's entry for more than 10 years over concerns about the rule of law. The Dutch Parliament voted on December 21, 2023 to approve the position of the country's government in favour of Bulgaria's Schengen entry.

Bulgaria and Romania: Criticism over two-step accession

Austria's reluctance to give a green light to the Schengen accession for the land borders has outraged some Bulgarian businesses. Vasil Velev, chair of the Board of the National Representative Association of Industrial Capital, said in an interview on national TV that his organisation demands a stronger reaction from the Bulgarian public and the government. "After all the efforts we made and meeting all requirements for Schengen entry, why aren't we equal with the rest," Velev said. He argued that levers should be sought which would give political players in Austria a motive to change their position.

Austrian companies based in Bulgaria are currently subject to tax audits. Bulgaria's Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Assen Vasilev has assured that the ongoing investigations by the Bulgarian tax authorities against the supermarket chain Billa and the petrol stations of OMV are unrelated to the Austrian position. "The tax investigators are currently scrutinising at least 500 to 700 companies," the minister said.

The minister did confirm that trucks that are going to and coming from Austria go through extra-stringent checks at the border, which is done at Austria's request. "Of course, this leads to tensions at the border crossing points, especially with Turkey. That's why we are planning more staff and more X-ray machines for lorry transports over the year," he said.

In Romania, the partial accession decision was welcomed by the ruling coalition and the business environment but criticised by the opposition. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu described the decision as a big step forward, stressing that the Romanian Government will continue to work both politically and technically to complete the process this year.

The National Council of Small and Medium Sized Private Enterprises in Romania (CNIPMMR) argued that the measure will facilitate trade by lowering transport costs for Romanian exported goods and commodities. It will also contribute to creating a climate of confidence and strengthening Romania's image as a stable country within the EU.

On the other hand, several Romanian MEPs voiced their dissatisfaction with this partial Schengen accession. MEP Eugen Tomac believes that the European Commission and the Spanish Presidency of the EU played the "compromise card" with Austria, while MEP Dacian Ciolos who is also former European Commissioner for Agriculture pointed out that Romanians are treated as second-class European citizens. "'The way we are now entering Schengen, in half and with absurd conditions () will deepen the feeling that we are not fully considered Europeans. We continue to depend on the goodwill of Austria and the other member states for a right we have had for 12 years. Secondly, we do not have a clear timetable for this hypothetical second decision," Ciolos said.

Migration and the EU's external border

The European Commission has promised to support Bulgaria and Romania in protecting the EU's external borders. Bulgaria, in particular, will receive significant financial support from the European Commission, as well as operational and technical assistance from the European border agency, Frontex, especially at the border with Turkey and Serbia.

"Austria's demands will be met," wrote Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer on X at the end of December. "The Frontex mission in Romania and Bulgaria will be increased and both countries will receive more EU funds to implement robust external border protection."

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel hoped that a date for the abolition of land border controls would be confirmed in 2024.

The Government of Bulgaria, for its part, is committed to strictly applying the Dublin Regulation, which includes the readmission of people registered as asylum seekers in the country, in accordance with the Community rules on first-country responsibility.

Meanwhile, Croatia's Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic told the Croatian News Agency HINA that since Croatia joined the Schengen area in 2023 over 1,850 people smugglers were arrested by the Croatian police. He added that this "is an increase of more than 90 percent to last year". Bozinovic said that Croatia's Schengen accession brought changes to policing, adding that the police were prepared for the accession and are dealing with all challenges more than successfully.

Austria's economy welcomes Schengen accession

Austrian business representatives spoke of an "important step" as the agreement makes things easier for companies. Austrian businesses are among the most important investors in Romania with 11.2 billion Euro and thus more than 61,000 local jobs, and in Bulgaria with 2.8 billion Euro and more than 21,000 local jobs, according to the Industrial Association.

The Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO) called for further talks and a comprehensive solution: "Romania and Bulgaria are important economic partners for Austria's economy, our companies are the second most important foreign investors in both countries and have important sales markets in the region."

This article is published weekly. The content is based on news by AFP, APA,
Scheduled events for Jan 12, 2024

POLITICS:

- Event to support the State of Israel, organized by the Embassy of Israel in Bucharest; messages sent by the Bucharest general mayor and Israeli ambassador

ECONOMY:

- Average monthly earnings in November 2023

- Gross Domestic Product in Q3 2023 (provisional data)

- Consumer Price Index (CPI) in December 2023

- Industrial Production Indices (IPI) in November 2023

- Central bank releases balance of payments data in November 2023
KYODO NEWS - Jan 12, 2024 - 13:56 | World, All

Ukraine has identified missiles that were fired into its eastern region by Russia earlier this month as North Korean-made, a Ukrainian official said Thursday, providing evidence of Pyongyang's military support for Moscow.

A research institute of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry collected and analyzed missile debris from a Russian bombardment of the city of Kharkiv on Jan. 2 and found it matches North Korea's KN-23 short-range ballistic missiles, according to the official.

It is the first time Kyiv has confirmed the use of North Korean missiles since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, in the latest sign that Moscow's weapons stocks are running short.

"North Korea is the only nation in the world that is making missiles which have the same characteristics as those we have found from the wreckage, so we have concluded that they are definitely KN-23s," the Ukrainian official said.

The U.S. government said last week Russia had fired North Korean ballistic missiles into Ukraine in late December and earlier this month.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington is imposing sanctions on three Russian groups and an individual over the procurement of North Korean missiles.

On Wednesday, the foreign ministers of 48 countries and the European Union issued a joint statement condemning the missile transfer from North Korea to Russia for violating U.N. Security Council resolutions and undermining the global nonproliferation regime.

Pyongyang and Moscow have accused Washington of making a baseless allegation, with Vassily Nebenzia, Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, denying during a U.N. Security Council meeting on Wednesday that North Korean missiles had been used against Ukraine.

Related coverage:

U.S. says Russia fired North Korean ballistic missiles into Ukraine

FOCUS: Russia unlikely to give North Korea missile technology for ammunition
FERGUSON  The CEO of Ferguson-based Emerson met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, as part of a delegation of U.S. executives who were in Gandhinagar for a summit this week.

Emerson CEO Lal Karsanbhai was attending with other members of the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum, a Washington, D.C.-based group that aims to strengthen business relations between the two countries. The summit, which drew representatives from some of the worlds largest companies, is intended to encourage investment in Modis home state of Gujarat.

In a social media post, the prime ministers office said Karsanbhai and Modi discussed the potential for Emerson to increase its production in India, and Emersons renewable energy and smart city products.

Karsanbhai co-led the delegation of 35 U.S. companies, along with the partnerships president and CEO, Dr. Mukesh Aghi. The group included representatives from Salesforce, Blackstone, UPS and Cisco.

Karsanbhais predecessor, former Emerson CEO David Farr, spoke at the event, the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, in 2015.

The summit is expected to draw around 100,000 visitors to Gujarat, according to Reuters. The prime minister will be up for election later this year, seeking a third term in office.

Emerson has been doing business in India since the early 1980s. Today it has three major manufacturing sites and seven engineering and innovation centers in the country, where it manufactures and markets its industrial automation products and software.

The companys recent acquisition target, Austin, Texas-based National Instruments, has employees in Bangalore.
Ron Sanford reads the daily newspaper every morning  a habit of more than 40 years. I occasionally hear from him when hes heated.

Sanford, 65, a retired computer science teacher in St. Charles County, has accused me of having an agenda when Ive written about school boards or book bans in the past. I try to respond to local readers as often as possible, so I usually reply with a short note.

The tone of his previous messages led me to believe hes one of my "hate-readers," the ones who only read because they want something to criticize. In this day and age of dwindling print subscribers, Ill take it.

Last spring, I wrote something that really touched a nerve. I was describing a situation in which my husband and I had gotten turned around in an unfamiliar neighborhood in St. Charles at night. It was shortly after two young people, one in Kansas City and one in upstate New York, had been shot by strangers simply for mistakenly knocking on the door or turning on a driveway. I told him to be careful since we were in a "shoot-first" part of Missouri.

This description did not sit well with Sanford. He wrote to say that St. Charles County had lower rates of people getting shot than the city. He said it revealed my bias that I would describe the county that way but not the city. He said this in more emphatic language than that, but you get the idea.

At first, I tried to describe what I had meant and the context of the remark in a column about where individuals feel safe. Its reasonable to expect a higher rate of gun ownership in such a deep red county. A few weeks prior to this column, I had read a story about signs from a white nationalist group popping up in the county. Perhaps an unknown person of color would be viewed suspiciously if driving onto a strangers driveway? That's the context of my feeling unsafe in that situation.

Sanford insisted that my feelings did not justify the descriptor. He pointed out there was scant evidence to suggest that I would be shot and said I needed to publicly apologize. I considered his point of view and realized it was, indeed, a glib and unfair remark about St. Charles County. I asked if I could call him and possibly write about our exchange.

He reluctantly agreed. I was curious about a few things. First of all, what was driving his dogged persistence in writing to me about this phrase? We had exchanged several emails over a months-long period.

He admitted that being retired gave him ample time to send emails.

I like getting emails because its something for me to do, he said. Thats the opposite about how I feel about my overrun email inbox, which Im constantly triaging.

We did discover some unexpected common ground. He described himself as a moderate, politically speaking.

I dont like Trump or Biden, if that matters, he said. Judging by the polls and approval ratings, the majority of the country feels the same way. When I asked about his top three issues going into this election, he said the economy, border security and surprisingly, abortion.

I have daughters, he said. Some of these laws being passed are insane.

I didnt expect to hear that. I agree that the economy and border security are important issues facing the country. I also believe the GOPs abortion bans are insane and inhumane.

Even more surprising, he said that he probably agrees with more of what I write than he disagrees with. You could have knocked me over with a feather.

We've become accustomed to making assumptions about people based on tweets, social media posts or brief interactions. Those who disagree on the most divisive issues tend to see each other as one-dimensional. But most people are more complicated. We just hear the loudest, least-nuanced voices most frequently.

Another reason I wanted to talk to Sanford is because Ive been grappling with how our discourse around political disagreement in this country has devolved. In an election year thats bound to be highly contentious and polarizing, could there be another way to talk about our differences?

In general, I wish people who disagree with each other would talk more like we are doing right now, Sanford said, during our phone call.

Maybe our conversation felt productive because I was willing to engage and admit that I was wrong on a point Sanford deeply cared about. It probably helped that his tone was much friendlier over the phone than in the emails Ive received. We got to know a little more about each others backgrounds and perspectives and discovered an area of agreement. He trusted me enough to talk to me knowing I would be writing about it.

Before we ended the call, he added that his previous demands for a public apology were crossing the line.

I recognized it as an olive branch, and I appreciated it.
PINE LAWN  Dionne Peeples-Jones just wants to do her job.

She was elected to the citys Board of Aldermen in 2022. Pine Lawn is small, with about 2,700 people. Like many municipalities in St. Louis County, it struggles with a dwindling tax base.

It also struggles with government transparency.

So said two different state audits of Pine Lawn, one in 2011 and another in 2016. When she was elected, Jones read those audits. She watched the YouTube videos of then-state Auditor Nicole Galloway explaining that the Board of Aldermen was failing to do its job overseeing the citys finances.

The auditor said the board is responsible for the finances of the city, Jones says. That hit me like a ton of bricks.

After she was elected, she started asking for the documents she and her fellow aldermen needed to do their jobs: bills, bank statements, credit card receipts. About a year ago, I wrote about Jones having to resort to filing a Sunshine Law request to get the information. The alderman passed an ordinance requiring the city to provide the documents.

But Mayor Terry Epps, City Clerk Victoria Stevenson, City Administrator Lillian Eunice and City Treasurer Delitra Hudson didnt comply. Over and over again, Jones says, including at the most recent January meeting of the board, some documents were missing or incomplete. Yet city officials are asking the aldermen to sign off on bills.

We never get what we need, Jones says. They get angry at me for asking questions.

On Wednesday, Jones and three of her fellow aldermen upped the ante. They filed a lawsuit against Pine Lawn in St. Louis County Circuit Court, asking for an injunction to stop the citys top administrators from spending money until they start complying with laws requiring transparency.

Despite repeated efforts to obtain the documents and information needed for proper oversight of the Citys expenditures, Defendants have repeatedly failed and refused to provide the board the information it ordered to be produced to it, reads the lawsuit, filed by attorney Lynette Petruska. It is in the publics interest to require City officials to obey the laws/ordinances they are required to follow so that the board can perform its proper financial oversight function.

The lawsuit is the second filed in two months alleging a lack of transparency in Pine Lawn when it comes to spending. In December, attorney Elkin Kistner sued on behalf of resident Greta Rothmiller, alleging Pine Lawn is violating state law by not publishing semiannual reports of the citys receipts, expenditures and debts.

If you dont publish these statements, you cant spend money, Kistner says.

His lawsuit is being funded in part by a new nonprofit in the St. Louis region, called the Holy Joe Society. Founded by several prominent attorneys who have experience in municipal matters  including Bevis Schock and a former judge, Robert Dierker  the group aims to shed light on municipal corruption.

Jones says she doesnt know why Pine Lawn officials are unwilling to follow the law and provide basic financial information to the Board of Aldermen. But the lawsuit filed by Petruska suggests where there is smoke, there is likely fire.

When someone, including an elected or appointed official, acts like s/he has something to hide, it is usually because s/he does, the lawsuit reads, before ticking off a dozen cases of government corruption in Missouri that started with the misappropriation of taxpayer money. From 2015 to 2022, the lawsuit notes, state audits led to 81 criminal charges against public officials.

Pine Lawn officials have not yet responded to either lawsuit.

Jones wants to tell the voters who put her in office where city money is being spent. Right now, she doesnt know.

My constituents ask me where the money is going, Jones says. I cant even tell them, and Im ashamed.
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ST. LOUIS  Meek Mill had Jomo K. Johnson figured out early on.

It was 2012 and Mill, an up-and-coming rapper who would become an international star, had released Amen, a song featuring fellow rapper Drake.

Johnson, a young Black pastor in Philadelphia, wasnt pleased. He blogged, went on the radio and spoke to a newspaper columnist about how the song offended his Christian sensibilities. Johnson called it blasphemous. He promised a boycott.

In response, Meek went on a local radio station and called Johnson out.

Its looking like youre trying to get famous or you need some attention, Mill said.

A dozen years later, Johnson is still trying to get attention, but now in St. Louis.

For the past couple of months, Johnson has pushed the idea that his private company would fly drones over neighborhoods to help combat crime. Hes garnered quite the media attention, just as he did when he pitched the idea in Memphis and Los Angeles, with his company called SMS Novel Films. Hes got a flashy website and he tells a good story. But its a story with holes.

Take the companys location, with an alleged address in Frederick, Maryland, and another in Los Angeles. These are the addresses where the city of St. Louis recently sent Johnson cease-and-desist letters, telling him he cant operate his alleged crime-fighting drones in neighborhoods without a permit. The city shouldnt hold its breath for an answer to those letters.

The address in Maryland belongs to an appliance repair business. I texted with the owner on Friday. He says he doesnt know anything about SMS Novel or Jomo K. Johnson, who at various times in his life has also gone by Joe or Kenyatta.

And the address in Los Angeles doesnt appear to exist.

Johnsons record of getting attention in one city and then moving on to another is quite long. Take Savannah, Georgia. Thats where Johnson was living in 2017 when he sought publicity as a social justice activist attached to the Black Lives Matter movement. At one point, NBC did a story on a hunger strike Johnson said he was undertaking to bring attention to suicides by Black people. Then he planned a protest against a sheriff for deaths at the local jail.

But Black activists in Savannah saw through his act, like Mill had years earlier. They held a news conference to disassociate themselves from Johnson, saying he had bad intentions, according to a local news report.

From Georgia, Johnson set his eyes on Tennessee. He pitched his drone plan in Memphis. And then he pivoted to a tactic he had used in other cities: claiming he would open in Nashville a chapter of a church he said he founded, Church for Black Men. On his Instagram account, Johnson links to the churchs so-called website, www.blackmen.church. The link goes instead to a website that sells crochet patterns; the URL is quirky, with an expletive and nastywomen included.

None of this adds up to a serious company. Yet the company claims its app (which I cant find on any app store) is offering drone flight coverage in most major cities in the U.S., and lists on its website 20 countries where it is operating. There is no SMS Novel registered as a company in either Maryland or California.

The good news is that St. Louis  from neighborhood activists in Gravois Park to city officials  called out Johnsons latest attempt to get famous.

Jake Lyonfields, a Gravois Park resident who organized a petition drive against the drone idea, said residents who looked into Johnsons background found a lot of red flags.

They took him seriously, though, because what he wanted to do was invasive and potentially damaging to the neighborhood, with no real benefit to public safety.

We just figured that his proposal was bad on its face, Lyonfields said.

If theres a silver lining in Johnsons attempt to get his 15 seconds of St. Louis fame, its that he energized a city neighborhood.

The only good thing thats come from all of this is that hes brought more of the neighborhood together, Lyonfields says. Now we plan to talk about what real public safety should look like.

Johnson didnt respond to any of my attempts to reach him. On Friday morning, he announced that the beta test planned for Gravois Park was off but that, rest assured, the drone service would soon be available throughout St. Louis.

Sure it will.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY  Prosecutors here are asking the Missouri Supreme Court for time to investigate the conviction of a death row inmate whose DNA did not match the DNA found on a knife that was used to stab a woman to death in 1998.

St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bells office said Friday that it sent a letter to the court last week asking it to delay setting an execution date for Marcellus Williams, who was convicted in 2000 of killing Felicia Gayle, a former Post-Dispatch reporter killed at her home in University City two years prior.

Bells office is now reviewing Williams claim of innocence to determine if the office would file a motion to vacate his conviction, under a 2021 state law allowing prosecutors to intervene in such cases.

After review, we had concerns about this particular conviction, and at this time, the scope of our review has expanded to involve additional investigation we believe is necessary, the office said in a Jan. 2 letter to the Supreme Court.

Bell asked for six months to allow the offices Conviction and Incident Review Unit to investigate, with pro bono help from the law firm of Lathrop, GPM.

King said St. Louis County Police are also conducting an additional investigation that they believe is essential to determine whether this conviction is sound before the Supreme Court of Missouri takes any irreversible steps.

In 2017, Williams was hours from being executed when then-Gov. Eric Greitens issued a stay and invoked a state law to appoint a five-member panel of former judges to review whether Williams should be granted clemency in light of the new evidence.

Gov. Mike Parson dissolved the panel in 2023 after it didnt issue a final recommendation and lifted a six-year stay of execution. Attorney General Andrew Bailey moved to set a new execution date.

In August, Williams sued the state alleging Parson improperly dissolved the board of violating Williams due process rights by trying to set a new execution date.

Gayle, 42, was killed at her home in University City in 1998. Prosecutors argued Williams was burglarizing her home when she surprised him. She fought for her life but was ultimately stabbed 48 times. Her purse and her laptop were stolen from the home.

Prosecutors said Williams also stole a jacket, which he used to conceal blood on his shirt. Williams girlfriend testified at trial that she saw him that day and asked him why hed wear a coat when it was so hot outside. She also said she saw Gayles laptop in a car and that Williams sold it.

Another witness called to testify at trial, Henry Cole, shared a cell with Williams in St. Louis while Williams was jailed on unrelated charges. Cole told prosecutors that Williams confessed to the killing and offered details about it.

But Williams attorneys have long argued that the girlfriend and Cole were both convicted felons who were seeking a $10,000 reward.

DNA evidence from the scene, examined in 2016, also exonerates Williams, attorneys say. A partial DNA sample found on the handle of the murder weapon came back for an unknown male, and hair found at the scene also did not match Williams profile.
WEBSTER GROVES  A murder charge in a fatal stabbing here has been dismissed after videos of the incident showed the defendant had a credible self-defense claim, prosecutors say.

Marcus Johnson, 40, of Jennings, was killed in the stabbing Nov. 9, 2022, in Webster Groves, near Ivory Crockett Park. He died at a hospital after police found him stabbed in the chest in the 100 block of Almentor Avenue.

Darryl Ingram, 45, of St. Louis, was arrested at the scene and charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action. The charges were dismissed Wednesday.

Based on three videos of the stabbing, prosecutors decided Ingram had a credible self-defense argument based on Missouris stand-your-ground law said Chris King, a spokesman for St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bells Office.

Missouri is one of about 30 states with controversial stand your ground laws, which do not require a person to retreat, and instead allow for the use of deadly force in situations where they feel theyre in danger.

Missouris 2016 state law states a person may, with certain exceptions, use physical force upon another person when and to the extent he or she reasonably believes such force to be necessary to defend himself or herself or a third person from what he or she reasonably believes to be the use or imminent use of unlawful force by such other person.

The videos of the stabbing were taken by witnesses who had left the scene before police arrived that day, but retrieved by police and prosecutors from social media only recently, King said.

Prosecutors received the video evidence Jan. 10, weeks after a grand jury had issued an indictment Dec. 14. The charges were dismissed after prosecutors reviewed the videos.

King did not release more details about the case Friday.

Ingrams public defender, Brandon Hill, could not be reached for comment.

Relatives of Johnson also could not be reached.

Charging documents had said police found Johnson laying in the street with his shirt off, with a bystander holding a cloth down on his apparent stab wound. The bystander said Darryl stabbed Johnson.

Witnesses told police Ingram and Johnson had fought before Ingram produced a knife and stabbed Johnson, charges said.

Webster Groves Police released few details about the stabbing but said it was an isolated incident.
EDMUNDSON  A police captain here will have a battery charge dismissed if he completes a 12-month diversion program.

Capt. Kurt Venneman, the assistant police chief in Edmundson, was charged in mid-July with battery in Bay County, Florida.

Venneman, who was 51 at the time, got into a fight with a then-17-year-old just before midnight on July 10 at a rental condos pool in Panama City, according to charging documents.

Venneman told the Post-Dispatch on Thursday he was not guilty of the charge but declined to comment further.

Charging documents allege Venneman was arguing with the boy when he shoved the boy toward the pool. The boy hit the police captain, who had fallen, before someone pulled the teenager away.

Venneman then stood up and hit the 17-year-old, according to court documents. The teen was no longer fighting back, documents say, when Venneman grabbed him by the hair, and knee spiked him in the head twice.

The police captain agreed to a deferred prosecution in November. If he completes the conditions of the program, including community service, counseling and anger management, his battery charge will be dismissed.

Edmundson is a town just south of Lambert International Airport, next to Woodson Terrace. It had a population of about 1,200 in 2022, according to U.S Census Bureau data.

Venneman made just over $82,000 in 2022, according to the Post-Dispatchs salary database.

His officer license with the state is still valid, according to the Missouri Department of Public Safety.

Edmundson police Chief David Ansell did not immediately respond to a request about the captains employment status.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY  A Florissant man was sentenced Thursday to eight years in prison for killing a woman in a head-on car crash while driving drunk and on oxycodone.

Zachary David Myers, 35, pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated, resulting in the death of another person, in the late-night crash on Nov. 12, 2022, that killed Laquita Gandy, 45, of unincorporated north St. Louis County.

St. Louis Circuit Court Judge Virginia W. Lay sentenced Myers to eight years in prison, accepting his blind plea without a deal with prosecutors, who had recommended a 10-year sentence.

Lay cited Myers behavior since he was arrested in April, successfully lobbying the county jail to start an alcoholics anonymous recovery program for inmates in his jail pod, in addition to taking college credit courses and working in the jail kitchens.

But the sentence frustrated Gandys family, who said during the hearing that they wanted Myers to spend a maximum sentence of 15 years behind bars for killing Gandy, who was a devoted single mother to two daughters, ages 7 and 26.

This family is suffering at the hands of a man who chose to get behind the wheel under the influence, Sandra Gilmore, an aunt of Gandy, said during the hearing. Im sorry, but he needs to pay.

Gandys elder daughter, Anya Stewart, said she is now raising her younger sister, who asks about their mother often.

Stewart, who lives in north St. Louis County, said she is reminded of their loss every time she has to drive on New Halls Ferry Road.

I will never see her face again, or hear her voice, she said.

Lay said no sentence could fix the untold damage Myers had caused but that she hoped that he would use every opportunity in prison to become a contributing member of society on his release.

Myers did not speak at the hearing. His attorney, Brianne Besheer, said on Myers behalf that he was deeply regretful of his choices and actions the day of the crash.

Myers was driving 60 mph on New Halls Ferry Road, 20 mph faster than the speed limit, when he crossed over the center line into oncoming traffic and hit Gandys car head-on, prosecutors said.

Myers told police at the time that he swerved to avoid hitting a deer or dog that ran in front of his car, but a witness told police they did not see an animal.

In Myers car, police found an empty vodka bottle and an empty pill bottle with a label indicating it was hydrocodone prescribed to Myers. A blood test showed he had a .156 BAC  almost twice the legal driving limit  and that oxycodone was present in his system.

On a recorded jail call, Myers told someone I (expletive) up. I killed somebody.
ST. LOUIS  A 46-year-old man was killed and another man was injured Thursday evening in a shooting in the city's Columbus Square neighborhood.

Officers were called to the 1100 block of Tucker Boulevard around 6:45 p.m., police said.

They found two people who had been shot.

One of them, 46-year-old Michael Williams, had been hit in the back and chest, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The other, a 19-year-old man, was shot in the chin and was taken to a hospital.

Additional information was not immediately available.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the location of the shooting.
ST. LOUIS  About 250 ninth and 10th graders from 16 different countries moved into their new school this week after an influx of refugee and immigrant students came to St. Louis Public Schools.

The Nahed Chapman New American Academy has gained nearly 100 students since August, outgrowing its shared space at Roosevelt High School. The program reopened for the spring semester in the former Stevens Middle School in north St. Louis, which had previously been used by SLPS for professional development.

The largest number of students come from Afghanistan, but also Chile, the Congo, Honduras, Guatemala and Rwanda. Spanish is the most common primary language. Some of the students are illiterate in their native language or have never attended school. Others were raped or forced to fight in wars before fleeing their countries.

Kelly Moore, the schools director, said she was initially concerned about more upheaval with the move, but the students have adjusted well.

They love coming to school. This is a safe place for them, she said.

The students got right to work in their new building, where they take all the typical high school courses along with intensive English training.

Everyone at the school I know. They are all my friends, said Mohammad Alahmad, a 16-year-old who came to St. Louis two years ago from Syria.

Both St. Louis city and SLPS are again looking to immigrants to help reverse decades of population decline, following the success of a wave of Bosnian immigrants in the 1990s.

The civic booster Greater St. Louis Inc. has supported more than 1,300 Afghan refugees arriving in the city since 2021. And St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones last year created the Office of New Americans to aid immigrants.

In SLPS, immigrants have helped to stabilize enrollment at 16,542 students this year following a 14% drop since 2020.

During art class Wednesday at the new building, students learned about the economics of the global footwear industry and designing their own shoes.

Art teacher Seth Blevans, in his seventh year at the school, said he is astounded by the amount of courage it takes to be in a country and not be able to communicate your basic needs.

Many of the students at Nahed Chapman support their families with outside jobs on top of school. They also serve as English teachers and translators for their families. Yet they are more grateful and motivated to learn than the typical teenager, Blevans said.

The determination is amazing, he said. We are a country of immigrants, so why arent we giving our very best to our future Americans?

The program is named for Nahed Chapman, a former director of bilingual programs in SLPS who died in 2013. Chapman, herself an immigrant from Egypt, founded what was then called the International Welcome School in 2008 to help refugee children overcome language barriers and culture shock.

The school is the only standalone school for immigrants in the region, but other districts are also seeing a rise in foreign-born students.

Ritenour School District in north St. Louis County hired three additional teachers for English learners this year. The districts International Welcome Center inside Hoech Middle School helps newcomers with accelerated English support and family resources. Students take classes in the center for one to four semesters before transitioning to one of the districts schools.

Last year, the Bayless School District in south St. Louis County opened its English Language Development Welcome Center led by director Monika Hasanbasic for its growing immigrant and refugee population.

English is a second language for nearly half of the 1,770 students in Bayless. The district was awarded a $119,000 grant in 2021 from the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement to help families arriving from Afghanistan.

Hasanbasic, who fled Bosnia as a child, said her role is to help families understand the expectations of school along with the technology and resources available to them, including counseling for post-traumatic stress disorder.

We want to make sure that everything gets communicated with a family so theyre set up for success, she said. From what Ive seen, the kids are doing really well. They dont feel like an outsider, they feel like they belong.
KYODO NEWS - Jan 12, 2024 - 23:00 | Japan, World, All

The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.

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Japanese passport back among world's most powerful: survey

WASHINGTON - Japan has reclaimed its position among the countries with the world's most powerful passport, sharing top spot with five others based on the number of destinations its holders can access visa free, according to a recent survey by a consultancy firm.

Japan, Singapore, France, Germany, Italy and Spain lead the rankings with visa-free access to 194 out of 227 global destinations, according to the latest survey on passport power released by Henley & Partners Holdings Ltd. on Wednesday.

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Ukraine identifies missiles used by Russia as North Korean-made

KYIV - Ukraine has identified missiles that were fired into its eastern region by Russia earlier this month as North Korean-made, a Ukrainian official said Thursday, providing evidence of Pyongyang's military support for Moscow.

A research institute of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry collected and analyzed missile debris from a Russian bombardment of the city of Kharkiv on Jan. 2 and found it matches North Korea's KN-23 short-range ballistic missiles, according to the official.

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Building of temporary housing begins for central Japan quake victims

KANAZAWA, Japan - Local authorities on Friday began construction of temporary housing units for people whose homes were damaged by a powerful earthquake that struck central Japan on New Year's Day.

The Ishikawa prefectural government is building 115 makeshift houses across four locations in Wajima and Suzu, two cities hit hard by the magnitude-7.6 temblor, and is aiming to have them completed in a month.

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Football: Former Japan keeper Eiji Kawashima returns after 13 years abroad

IWATA, Japan - Eiji Kawashima, Japan's principal goalkeeper at three World Cups, will return to the J-League for the first time in 14 years to play for Jubilo Iwata this year, the first-division club said Friday.

The 40-year-old Kawashima made his World Cup debut in 2010 and was a member of Japan's 2022 squad but did not play. He was capped 95 times.

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Taiwan presidential candidates make last pitches before election

TAIPEI - Taiwan's presidential election candidates are making their last pitches to voters Friday on the eve of polls closely watched by the world as China continues to put pressure on the self-ruled democratic island amid rivalry with the United States.

Incumbent Vice President Lai Ching-te, the candidate of the ruling, independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party, wraps up his campaign in New Taipei after having rallied in the capital Taipei and the southern city of Tainan.

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Japan's FSA punishes SBI Securities over stock price manipulation

TOKYO - Japan's Financial Services Agency on Friday slapped SBI Securities Co., the biggest online brokerage in the country, with a one-week partial suspension of its operations for alleged stock price manipulation.

SBI has solicited investors to place buy orders for shares in three companies in their initial public offerings, for which the broker served as a lead underwriter, in an attempt to increase the chances those shares would debut above their IPO prices, according to the agency.

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Japan logs record 1.93 tril. yen current account surplus in Nov.

TOKYO - Japan posted a record current account surplus of 1.93 trillion yen ($13.3 billion) in November, helped by a smaller trade deficit and a revival of inbound tourism, the Finance Ministry said Friday.

The current account surplus, one of the widest gauges of international trade, expanded 8.7 percent from a year earlier, marking the 10th straight month of black ink.

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Baseball: Soto breaks Ohtani's salary record for arbitration-eligible player: report

LOS ANGELES - Slugging outfielder Juan Soto's tenure with the New York Yankees is off to a lucrative start, breaking Shohei Ohtani's salary record for an arbitration-eligible player, The Associated Press reported Thursday.

Soto's new contract is said to be worth $31 million for 2024, a figure that would surpass Ohtani's $30 million deal for 2023 with the Los Angeles Angels.

Video: Devastation in Suzu, quake-hit Ishikawa Pref. city
ST. LOUIS  An out-of-town businessman is threatening to sue the city if it tries to require his company to obtain permits before flying surveillance drones over a South Side neighborhood.

Jomo Johnson, CEO of SMS Novel, responded to a cease-and-desist notice from the city with his own letter Thursday saying that local permitting requirements for drone pilots are at odds with federal law giving the Federal Aviation Administration exclusive authority over such matters.

The missive marked the latest volley in an increasingly heated fight over Johnsons professed plan to put drones in the skies above the Gravois Park neighborhood to detect and deter crime later this month.

Nick Dunne, a spokesman for the city, had no comment on the letter.

A large number of neighbors and several local officials oppose the plan, which they describe as a threat to their privacy and a shameful attempt to make a buck.

After a free, two-week beta test starting Jan. 29, SMS Novel plans to allow neighbors to buy drone patrols at an hourly rate.

But Johnson has insisted that his company will be a welcome addition to a neighborhood where nine people were killed last year. He has said the companys drones will act as visible deterrents to crime as well as a new kind of neighborhood watch, with operators able to see over large areas, quickly identify suspicious behavior and call in authorities.

Johnson has said he also hopes to expand the service to other neighborhoods in the city.
ALBANY  The ambitious plan to reshape the Thruway from Yonkers to Buffalo sounded like one that could be popular with travelers and taxpayers alike.

It went like this: A private company would pay to knock down 23 aging rest stop plazas along the Thruway and rebuild them as sparkling, stylish spaces for weary travelers, with amenities appropriate for the 21st century and a host of new restaurants. On top of that, taxpayers would not have to pay a dime for the project, because in exchange for funding the construction, a company would gain a 33-year lease at the stops and a cut from goods sold in the facilities.

Reality has been more complicated.

During the final weeks of Albany budget negotiations, a Rochester-based construction firm doing the work has quietly been in discussions with state officials about cost overruns. LeChase Construction has been seeking a taxpayer grant to cover those costs, stating that it otherwise risks financial collapse. Two people with knowledge of the matter pegged the sum LeChase was seeking along with a partner, AECOM Tishman, at $260 million.

A recent letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul, written by a building industry group, stated a "significant funding shortfall" would soon begin affecting businesses and workers down the project's supply chain.

But unlike other state government projects suffering from soaring construction costs, in this instance, the builders themselves are contractually liable for overruns. Hochul's administration appears to have little interest in supplying the funds, and the Assembly's top lawmaker overseeing transportation is also wary.

Further complicating the situation is that, according to financial documents reviewed by The News, a different conclusion has been reached by a consulting firm reporting to the project's bondholders, who hold $269 million in debt that is financing the project.

An April 3 report issued to project lenders and investors indicated that the project was on budget. The outside consulting firm that reviewed the projects finances on behalf of bondholders, Altus Group, assessed documentation provided by the joint partners in the construction venture, which includes LeChase. Altus Group found the value of the construction contract was $234.5 million, while the cost had been $111.6 million.

Those documents, according to the report, "confirm that the construction cost to date is commensurate with the overall progress of the works at this time."

In response to questions, the majority partner in the joint construction venture, AECOM Tishman, declined to address the contradiction between the report's finding, and the builders' contention that $260 million in taxpayer money was necessary to cover cost overruns.

The companies involved in the project have had "ongoing discussions" with the Hochul administration on "all items related to the project," said a spokesman for the joint construction venture, John Gallagher. "All stakeholders are actively working to solve the complex challenges involved in this project for the benefit of the traveling public and remain committed to successfully completing the program, he said.

A spokeswoman for LeChase, a minority partner in the joint venture, also declined to address the bondholder report, but said "the unprecedented global supply-chain and industry cost issues obviously affect all parties involved in the project."

The deal

The winner of a competitive bidding process to build, finance and operate the travel plazas was an Irish company called Applegreen Limited, which operates hundreds of service areas in Ireland and beyond. It was also chosen to be the service area operator in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Delaware, according to the company.

The public-private partnership Applegreen entered with the state Thruway Authority was unusual: New York taxpayers would pay none of the cost for knocking down 23 of the 27 existing rest stops and rebuilding them, nor for renovating four others.

In exchange for funding the construction, Applegreen received a 33-year lease to run the plaza concessions and would earn revenue from sales.

Applegreen hired AECOM Tishman as the design-build contractor for the project. AECOM is working under a fixed-price contract, which means AECOM is liable for construction cost overruns. AECOM Tishman is a multinational, Fortune 500 firm focused on infrastructure consulting and construction management.

LeChase, a minority partner in the building venture with AECOM, is also liable for overruns. While LeChase is a large company by upstate New York standards and employs hundreds of people, its ability to absorb significant cost overruns likely pales in comparison to that of its majority partner.

The joint partnership is 80% owned by AECOM Tishman and 20% owned by LeChase, according to a LeChase spokeswoman.

Meanwhile, Applegreen is the party responsible for repaying the $269 million in debt to bondholders. But Applegreen is not liable for the construction cost overruns, which was noted as a favorable factor when Fitch Ratings deemed the bonds' "stable" in February.

An Applegreen spokesman, Paul O'Kane, said the company was "committed to this contract with (the Thruway Authority) and look forward to continuing to deliver on this much-needed overhaul of NYs service area network."

OKane declined to address how the financial problems cited by AECOM and LeChase could affect the construction progress.

A number of umbrella groups representing contractors in New York have recently written recent letters to Hochul, seeking taxpayer funds to buoy AECOM Tishman and LeChase.

John O'Hare, managing director of the state Building Contractors Association, wrote on March 24 that the joint venture has been "absorbing substantial cost increases reflective of escalations related to the cost of building materials, unanticipated supply chain disruptions and labor availability and cost, among others."

"These historic, unprecedented and altered circumstances due to the Covid global pandemic have caused the costs for this project to increase exponentially while the pressure to maintain schedule on behalf of the traveling public has remained a constant," O'Hare wrote.

O'Hare wrote that a "significant funding shortfall exists" that would "shortly begin " to impact project partners down the supply chain, including building tradesworkers and minority-and-women-owned businesses. He requested that the state include "necessary financial relief and assistance to stabilize this project" during the budget process.

Identically-worded letters were sent to Hochul by the New York Building Congress, the Regional Alliance for Small Contractors, the National Association of Minority Contractors, and Nontraditional Employment for Women, an organization that trains and places women in careers in skilled construction.

LeChase's apparent financial issues have generated some sympathy from members of the Legislature. There is far less sympathy for AECOM Tishman, a multi-billion dollar company.

Democratic Assemblyman William Magnarelli, who chairs the Assembly Transportation Committee, said he was approached by a partner involved in the project  he could not recall the name  about securing a couple hundred million dollars in the budget.

But Magnarelli said it would create a slippery slope if any contractor facing financial issues could be bailed out by state government. And this particular project was supposed to be built without taxpayer money.

"The state has no obligation to pay any money, period," he said last week. "At this point and time, I know of nothing being put in the budget."

A Hochul spokesman, John Lindsay, said the Hochul administration has been working with Applegreen to "deliver on their contract.

Slow opening

In 2018, then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo put forth a plan to address a dire need to improve customer amenities, technology, commercial truck services and overall facility energy efficiency at New Yorks 27 Thruway rest stop areas. The Thruway Authority's goal is "reimagine and modernize" New York's transportation network so that it could "continue to support our growing economy."

The Thruway Authority issued a request for proposals, and in 2020, Empire State Thruway Partners was selected by the authority's board of directors. Empire State Thruway Partners is operated by Applegreen, which put forth a $450 million investment plan to win the bid.

Restaurants that served Thruway customers, including McDonalds, were to be replaced by different eateries including Shake Shack and Chick-fil-A. Many of the new stops would have drive-through windows for the first time.

The rest stops originally were built in the 1950s, and most recently replaced or remodeled in the 1990s.

The work across 27 plazas was expected to create 12,000 construction jobs. The closings also led to the layoff of hundreds of concessions workers. Although, at the time of the layoffs, Applegreen indicated it planned to rehire as many as possible when the sites reopened. (Applegreen told The News last week that the company "will be rehiring people, and in fact we plan to grow overall employment levels at the sites.)

The construction was staggered to be in two stages: Sixteen of the areas would be redeveloped first, then a second batch of 11.

In July 2021, development began on the first batch, and many were scheduled to be reopened by the fall of 2022. As of last week, only five reconsructed sites have begun operating restaurants.

Among those significantly delayed was the New Baltimore rest stop, an oasis for drivers along a stretch of I-87 between Albany and the Hudson Valley. According to the recent information provided to bondholders, that area was supposed to reopen on Sept. 30, 2022, but now has an expected opening of May 19, 2023  231 days late. One issue was that during demolition, a fuel contamination was found in the site's soil.

No bathrooms or restaurants are available, reads a sign greeting visitors, though a set of portable toilets is lined up near the gas station. (Like all the other rest areas, the gas station remained open during construction.)

The Thruway Authority has adopted a policy that no two consecutive service areas in the same direction of travel may be closed at the same time. Because it is accessible both northbound and southbound, New Baltimore is a key strategic point. When New Baltimore opens, four more rest areas can close and begin construction.

A total of five newly reconstructed stops are scheduled to open by mid-June, according to Applegreen. O'Kane said the company was pleased with recent progress on the construction.

...

Related: Completed Thruway rest stops are not getting rave reviews

Early reviews for new Thruway rest stops are starting to come in and users are finding lots to complain about.

Long lines. Too small. Not enough car chargers.

The long lines for restaurants could change as more rest stops open, but another source of criticism is that some of the rest areas that have reopened are small, such as the Indian Castle service area, about 220 miles east of Buffalo on the way to Albany. The stop includes a Popeyes, Starbucks, a convenience store and a seating area for roughly 20 people.

During a February budget hearing, Assemblyman Michael Norris of Lockport, who commutes to Albany along the Thruway, noted at such smaller rest areas, there's very limited space for people to actually eat their food, to sit down or rest.

Correction: This article has been updated to say that in the 1990s, New York's rest areas were replaced or remodeled. An earlier version of this story misstated that fact.
ST. LOUIS  The citizen commission charged with designing a plan for the city to make reparations for slavery and anti-Black discrimination is getting six more months to get the job done.

Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, who created the commission via executive order, recently agreed to extend the deadline for the commissions report to September from March.

Commissioners requested the extension in late November following criticism from activists who felt the commission had not done enough to get the public involved in its work.

The commission also asked the mayor's office for money to better advertise their meetings. Vernon Mitchell, the mayors liaison to the commission, said there was no money budgeted for that.

But Dr. Will Ross, the commissions vice chair, recommended his colleagues draw up a formal budget proposal and ask again.
ST. LOUIS  As St. Louis faces bitter cold and icy temperatures the next few days, here are five things to check off your list:

1. Avoid burst pipes

Leave cabinet doors open so pipes are exposed to warmer air. People can also opt to wrap their pipes in heat tape  available at home improvement stores  or even newspaper.

When temperatures are expected to fall below freezing for a sustained period of time, residents should let their faucets trickle. Some customers fear that will raise their water bill, but its a small price compared to the damage caused by burst pipes.

2. Know space heater safety

Space heaters are a leading cause of house fires this time of year. Tips for space heaters include:

Keep children, pets, furniture, drapes and electronics several feet away from space heaters.

Do not overload extension cords or outlets. Many extension cords and power strips are not designed to handle the load of an electric heater.

Make sure your home has working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. You can get assistance with smoke alarm installation from the Red Cross at redcross.org/smokealarmMO or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.

Do not use space heaters as the primary heating source for your home and never use ovens or outdoor propane heaters to heat your residence.

3. Keep your pet inside

The Humane Society of Missouri urges people to bring pets inside whenever the temperature falls below 35 degrees to prevent frostbite on ears, tails and feet.

Pet owners should also dry off wet pets and clean their paws after walking in the snow as chemicals and salt used to melt ice can get embedded and cause pain.

Pet owners should also beware if theres antifreeze around their animals. Pets may try to eat it, but it can be lethal.

Owners with short- or coarse-haired dogs might also consider putting them in a sweater or a coat on very cold days.

4. Stock up your car

The Missouri Department of Transportation cautions drivers to check their vehicles for supplies and safety.

The department suggests residents:

Fill up gas tanks to be at least half full.

Check vehicle antifreeze, battery and oil levels.

Stock cars with an ice scraper, shovel, blankets and warm clothes, bottled water, nonperishable food, booster cables, a first aid kit and a small sack of sand to use for traction under your wheels.

Residents can keep track of Missouri driving conditions and crashes at https://traveler.modot.org or by calling 1-888-ASK-MODOT. In Illinois, visit https://www.gettingaroundillinois.com/winterconditions/.

5. Watch for frostbite, hypothermia

Anyone with signs of frostbite or hypothermia should seek immediate medical attention.

Signs of frostbite include numbness, flushed gray, white, blue or yellow skin discoloration, numbness or waxy feeling skin, the Red Cross says.

Early signs of hypothermia are confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering, according to the Red Cross.

The Red Cross advises that if people must go outside in the bitter cold, they should wear layered clothing, cover their mouths in the bitter cold and change out of wet clothing quickly.
Dianna Gaffner kisses Pepsi, a yellow Labrador retriever she just adopted, outside the Humane Society of Missouri in St. Louis on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. Pepsi will be getting a new name from Gaffners kids. The Lab is the first to be adopted of the more than 90 dogs that were rescued from a Phelps County breeder earlier this week.
Prolonged, dangerous cold will take hold of the St. Louis region starting late Friday and going into next week as temperatures could plummet to zero degrees, and wind chills are set to go far lower, according to the National Weather Service.

The NWS warned that St. Louis area wind chills are expected to be below zero from Saturday night all the way to Wednesday morning.

Kevin Deitsch, a NWS meteorologist, said the coldest times will be Sunday, Monday and Tuesday mornings, when wind chills are expected to be between 10 and 15 degrees below zero.

Deitsch warned that such a prolonged period of severe cold can result in water main breaks and water pipes bursting.

The St. Louis areas transition toward freezing conditions will begin on Friday, when an expected daytime high near 50 degrees will fall to a low of 17 degrees, at night.

Anticipated rain could gradually turn to snow by mid-afternoon Friday, and combined with winds of 40 to 50 mph could result in slick roads and isolated power outages, the NWS said.

The NWS issued a wind advisory in effect beginning at noon Friday until 6 a.m. Saturday for St. Louis and surrounding areas.

Bob Becker, district maintenance engineer for the Missouri Department of Transportation, said some roads will be slushy for a time before work crews can treat them with chemicals. They cant be treated in advance during the rain, he noted.

Lows on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday are expected to be in the single digits, ranging from 1 to 3 degrees, the NWS said.

At least the next couple days will be breezy, too, with forecast gusts reaching as high as 46 mph on Friday night, and 31 mph on Saturday.

The NWS urged area residents to take caution when driving and warned in an online post that frostbite and hypothermia will set in within 30 minutes without proper winter clothing!

The forecast spurred Gov. Mike Parson to issue an executive order activating the Missouri National Guard to aid state and local officials, if needed.

The governors order also waives some maximum driving times for truck drivers transporting propane and other residential heating fuel.

In St. Louis, the city Department of Human Services was taking steps to help people who are homeless find places to stay indoors during the upcoming wintry blast.

Nick Dunne, a spokesman for Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, said department coordinators have been contacting people in known encampments and offering available resources to our unhoused neighbors ahead of the weather.

The agency also is offering supplies to volunteer organizations that work with the unhoused, Dunne said. Daytime warming centers and overnight shelters are available, he said.

Amtrak runs canceled

The winter storm forecast has spurred Amtrak to cancel some of its runs Friday and Saturday linking St. Louis to Chicago and Kansas City.

Canceled for Friday are:

Train 316, which normally leaves Kansas City at 4:05 p.m. and arrives in St. Louis at 9:45

Train 319, which normally leaves Chicago at 9:50 a.m. and arrives in St. Louis at 2:51 p.m.; and leaves St. Louis at 3:11 and arrives in Kansas City at 8:51, and

Train 307, which usually leaves Chicago at 7:10 p.m. and arrives in St. Louis at 12:09 a.m.

Canceled for Saturday are:

Train 300, which usually leaves St. Louis at 4:30 a.m. and arrives in Chicago at 9:25.

Train 311, which normally leaves St. Louis at 8:10 a.m. and arrives in Kansas City at 1:50 p.m.

Train 318, which normally leaves Kansas City at 8:40 a.m. and arrives in St. Louis at 2:20 p.m; and leaves St. Louis at 2:55 and arrives in Chicago at 8.
ST. CHARLES  Two men were charged Thursday after a shooting in St. Charles that police said started with a drug deal.

Police say the two men  Brendon Sydnor, 23, of Ballwin, and Quindarian Wright, 23, of St. Charles  had invited an unnamed 29-year-old St. Louis man to Wright's house on Transit Street in St. Charles on Wednesday afternoon so Sydnor could buy marijuana.

Sydnor and the would-be drug dealer exchanged gunfire when the man arrived, and Wright came outside and fired a gun too, police said.

Sydnor told police the man immediately announced a robbery and flashed a gun when he arrived to sell the drugs; the man told investigators that Sydnor and Wright were the instigators, having drawn their weapons first, and he fired a gun in self-defense.

Sydnor and the 29-year-old would-be drug seller were both shot. Neither person's injuries are expected to be life-threatening.

Sydnor, who was on parole for robbery and had been out of prison for two months, was taken to hospital for treatment of his wounds. He is charged with two counts of armed criminal action, one count of first-degree assault, one count of first-degree robbery and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm.

Wright has a previous felony burglary conviction in Illinois and is now charged with two counts of armed criminal action, one count of first-degree assault, one count of first-degree robbery and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm.

Wright is being held on a $500,000, cash-only bond. Sydnor remains hospitalized, but will be held on the same bond when he's discharged.

Prosecutors said more charges may still be filed in the case.
(CNN)  Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley has trimmed former President Donald Trumps lead in the Republican primary race in New Hampshire to single digits, according to a new CNN Poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire.

Trump still holds a meaningful lead in the poll, with the backing of 39% of likely Republican primary voters in New Hampshire compared to Haleys 32%. The rest of the field lags far behind in the poll, with former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie at 12%, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy at 8%, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at 5% and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson at less than 1%.

Support for Haley has risen 12 percentage points since the last CNN/UNH poll in November, continuing an upward trajectory that began last summer, while her opponents - including Trump  have seen their numbers remain stable or tick slightly downward since autumn.

Haleys support has grown dramatically among those voters registered as undeclared, New Hampshires term for independent registrants  shes up 18 points with this group since November. It has also grown 20 points among those who are ideologically moderate. Those gains come amid a push from her campaign in the state, including an endorsement last month from New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu. The Granite States GOP primary is January 23.

The strength of Haleys challenge to Trump in the state speaks to the contours of New Hampshires primary electorate, in which those more moderate and less staunchly partisan voters make up a larger share of participants than they do in Iowas first-in-the-nation caucuses, which are happening next week. Trump has crossed the 50% mark in most recent polling on the Iowa caucuses, and he holds wider majorities in national polls on the Republican nomination.

A little more than 4 in 10 likely primary voters in the CNN/UNH poll are undeclared voters who plan to vote in the GOP primary (45%), rather than registered Republicans. About one-third describe themselves as moderates (32%).

Trump leads Haley by 40 percentage points among conservatives, by 37 points among registered Republicans and by 17 points among those without college degrees, the poll finds. But Haley tops Trump by 42 points among moderates, 26 points among undeclared voters and 12 points among college graduates. Christie lands in second between Haley and Trump among each of those three groups.

Haleys supporters, however, remain less solidly committed than Trumps base. While 80% of voters backing Trump say theyve definitely decided on him, a slim 54% majority of Haleys current backers say the same.

Just 45% of those backing other candidates are decided, leaving room for further shifts in the race in the final two weeks of campaigning in the Granite State. Among those whose first choice for the nomination is neither Haley nor Trump, 36% say that Haley would be their second choice for the nomination, with 30% picking Trump as their top alternative. Those behind Christie break solidly toward Haley, with 65% saying they would support her were Christie not in the race, with fewer than 1 in 10 of his backers choosing any other candidate and 13% saying they would not vote. Christie has pushed back against calls from Haley allies to drop out, touting his direct opposition to Trump.

At present, only two Republican candidates are viewed more favorably than unfavorably by likely GOP primary voters in the state: Trump (47% favorable, 38% unfavorable) and Haley (39% favorable, 35% unfavorable), each of whom is viewed positively by less than half of the likely electorate.

Ratings for each of the major candidates now running have declined since last September. But DeSantis has seen a particularly notable decline: Just 29% now view him favorably, down from 44% early last autumn. Likely primary voters opinions of Ramaswamy are also negative, with their views of Hutchinson and Christie even further underwater.

Though only about 4 in 10 likely Republican primary voters in New Hampshire say they plan to vote for Trump, a 69% majority say theyre opposed to the ruling in neighboring Maine that Trump should not appear on the ballot based on the 14th Amendments insurrectionist ban, which Trumps team is challenging. Just 23% say they support the decision by Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat, that Trump is ineligible to run in Maines GOP primary. Roughly three-quarters of likely Republican primary voters say they believe that partisan politics factored at least somewhat into the ruling, with 63% saying they factored a lot into the decision by Bellows. A minority of likely Republican primary voters (39%) say that Trump bears a great deal or a good amount of responsibility for what happened at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, when rioters entered the US Capitol during the certification of the 2020 election results.

Within the likely GOP electorate, theres a significant divide between Trumps supporters and those who dont back the former president. Virtually all Trump supporters in New Hampshire strongly oppose the ruling blocking him from Maines ballot (99%), and just 3% say he bears much responsibility for the events of January 6. Views are less unanimous among those likely GOP primary voters who arent backing Trump. While half oppose the Maine ruling, 38% support it, with another 12% neutral or unsure. A 63% majority say Trump bears at least a good amount of responsibility for what happened on January 6.

Theres also a divide between Republican primary voters and the states residents as a whole. New Hampshire residents say, 49% to 42%, that they support the ruling that Trump is ineligible to run in Maines GOP primary, although a 54% majority also say they believe partisan politics factored at least somewhat into the decision. Most, 63%, say Trump bears a great deal or a good amount of responsibility for what happened on January 6.

President Joe Bidens job approval rating in New Hampshire stands at 42%, with 57% disapproving, according to the poll.

Biden, who did not file to appear on New Hampshires primary ballot in order to comply with the Democratic National Committees delegate selection rules, nevertheless dominates the Democratic field: 69% of likely Democratic primary voters say they will write in his name, compared with 7% who plan to support Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips and 6% who say they will vote for author Marianne Williamson.

About two-thirds of likely Democratic primary voters view Biden favorably (67%), with 16% viewing him unfavorably. Phillips favorability rating stands at just 10% among the likely electorate, with 30% viewing him unfavorably, and most neutral (24%) or unsure (36%). Williamson gets an 8% favorable rating, with half viewing her unfavorably.

The CNN New Hampshire poll was conducted online January 4-8 by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center. Results among the full sample of 1,864 New Hampshire adults drawn from a probability-based panel have a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 2.3 percentage points. Likely Republican and Democratic primary voters were identified through survey questions about their intention to vote. Results among 914 likely Republican primary voters have an error margin of plus or minus 3.2 percentage points. Results among 694 likely Democratic primary voters have an error margin of plus or minus 3.9 percentage points.

The-CNN-Wire

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In 2023, President Joe Biden's signature student loan debt cancellation plan died, a new repayment plan was born, millions of longtime borrowers got forgiveness and others saw their monthly student loan bills come due again.

This year, even more change is coming.

From a redesigned financial aid form to halved monthly payments, Biden's debt cancellation Plan B and more, heres what to expect with college student financial aid in 2024.

Monthly payments will be cut in half for millions

The newest income-driven repayment plan, SAVE, launched in fall 2023. Nearly 5.5 million borrowers enrolled, 2.9 million of whom qualified for $0 monthly payments, the Education Department announced in November. And the perks will sweeten this year. Starting in July, monthly payments on the SAVE plan for some borrowers will be capped at 5% of a borrowers discretionary income, rather than 10%. That means borrowers who sign up for SAVE  but earn too much to qualify for $0 payments  will still see their payments cut in half.

For example, an individual earning $50,000 per year had a monthly payment of roughly $270 on the REPAYE plan, which was SAVEs predecessor. Currently, their monthly payment under SAVE is about $143, and in July, that will drop to $72.

Another big SAVE change coming in July: Borrowers who originally took out $12,000 or less for their degree can get their loans forgiven after 10 years on SAVE, rather than 20 or 25 years. These borrowers could receive student loan forgiveness this summer  or move significantly closer to the 10-year forgiveness finish line  if they sign up for the SAVE plan.

Payment on-ramp will expire

Federal student loan bills resumed in October, after a three-year pandemic pause. But borrowers had a cushion: a 12-month on-ramp, during which missed payments would not hurt their credit score, nor cause borrowers to default on their student loans. By mid-November, 40% of borrowers had missed their scheduled October payment, according to the Education Department.

The yearlong buffer is set to expire on Sept. 30, 2024. After that, late, partial or missed payments can lead to severe consequences, like loan default, debt collection and garnished paychecks.

If we take away the pause, it's fair to presume that a lot more stress will come, people will change their financial behaviors, and they probably won't be able to save as much or even spend as much on things, says Dan Collier, assistant professor of higher and adult education at the University of Memphis. For older borrowers, that means retirement. For younger borrowers, that means emergency savings or investments for future income.

Potential delays for financial aid packages

Students who plan to be in college next fall may contend with delayed financial aid packages and uncertainty around how much money theyll get for school. Thats because the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) launched at the end of 2023, after a three-month delay and an updated formula to calculate aid eligibility.

The Education Department wont start sending students FAFSA information to colleges until late January. And thats just the starting line  then, schools must build financial aid packages and get those out the door with enough time for families to make an informed decision, says Karen McCarthy, vice president of public policy and federal relations at the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.

That May 1 [college decision] deadline day is on everybody's mind, McCarthy says. Once we have an exact commitment from the department on when schools will actually get those processed FAFSAs, I feel like those conversations can then become a lot more real.

More Pell Grant money for more people

Outside of loans, changes are on the way for Federal Pell Grants  another key type of financial aid  which will expand this year. The program gives students from low-income backgrounds up to $7,395 per year for college that doesn't need to be repaid. Due to the redesigned 2024-25 FAFSA, an additional 610,000 students are slated to qualify for Pell Grants next fall, and 1.5 million more students are expected to get the maximum award  for a total of over 5.2 million students eligible for the maximum Pell.

Congress will also weigh a bill that would allow students to use Pell Grants to pay for short-term career-training programs, like coding boot camps or welding courses. (Currently, a program must last at least 15 weeks for it to be eligible for a Pell Grant.)

Political uncertainty and Bidens Plan B

The Biden administration is pursuing a Plan B to pass student debt cancellation, after the Supreme Court struck down its plan to erase up to $20,000 in debt per borrower earning less than $125,000.

The new plan would be more limited in scope and apply to fewer borrowers. For example, if the interest on a loan grew to be larger than the borrower's principal balance, the government would erase any amount above what was originally borrowed.

Policymakers wrapped up negotiations on the new plan in December, and there could be a draft version as early as April  but legal challenges and a presidential election this year could derail the plan, says Betsy Mayotte, president and founder of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors.

The way negotiations left, there are still a lot of unanswered questions about what this might look like, Mayotte says.

New workplace retirement savings perks

Since Jan. 1, some student loan borrowers have had an easier time saving for retirement while also chipping away at their student loans. Thanks to a SECURE Act 2.0 provision that just went into effect, employers can match an employees student loan payment by contributing the same amount to a workplace retirement account.

So, if a borrower sends in a $200 on-time student loan payment, their employer can contribute up to $200 to their 401(k). But only if their employer opts to. Borrowers should ask their employers human resources department about this benefit.

Especially with the economy the way it is, some employers that may not be able to give higher raises look for alternative ways to bulk up their total packages, and this could be a way to do that, Mayotte says.
There have certainly been governmental decisions more wasteful than spending $90,000 in tax funds on a new county logo and rebranding effort in the midst of a $27 million budget crisis. But its hard to think of one thats more tone deaf.

St. Louis County Executive Sam Page this week unveiled the new official county logo even as the county he leads is cutting services to address operating budget shortfalls. This while many county homeowners struggle with rising property tax assessments  and while Page himself calls for a property tax rate hike.

How, exactly, does a fleur-de-lis encircled by braided lines improve these situations for county residents?

Page revealed the new logo during his annual State of the County address at the University of Missouri-St. Louis on Wednesday. Its part of a $90,000 rebranding effort the county contracted last year from Elasticity of St. Louis.

The logo will be added to county uniforms, vehicles and other government property. The idea, said Page, is that defining our brand helps market the county to the rest of the world.

The uncluttered logo design is a clear improvement over the chaotic mishmash of logos the county has used on buildings and documents for decades. And its not a bad idea to create a coherent branding campaign for a local government trying to convince potential new businesses that it has its act together.

But a more innovative way of getting there than a typical, tax-funded government contract signed behind closed doors  say, a contest inviting logo ideas from county residents, funded by local merchants  could have created the very kind of public enthusiasm and business community buy-in that entrepreneurs look for when setting up shop. And it wouldnt have looked so bad in contrast to the countys recent cuts to important budgetary priorities like public health and domestic violence services.

Nike famously paid a graphic design student $35 for its iconic swoosh logo in 1971 (equal to about $275 in todays dollars). Werent there any hungry Mizzou graphic-design students out there looking to make a splash?

Then there is the disturbingly familiar lack of transparency by Pages administration regarding the whole rebranding process. Councilman Mark Harder of Ballwin told the Post-Dispatchs Kelsey Landis that the County Council wasnt even consulted about the new logo: We didnt know who put it together, what the cost was, who they talked to, whose opinion they sought.

Yes, against a billion-dollar county operating budget, $90,000 qualifies as a rounding error. Still, its public money spent on a far-less-than-crucial project at a time when, as Page himself said in the same speech, the county may need to hike its property tax rates to pay to keep up with necessary county expenditures.

If the point is, as Page put it, to offer a cohesive symbol of the county to draw businesses here, wouldnt that symbol be more relevant if it had been funded by an engaged business community rather than a cash-strapped county government? In politics, as in graphic design, optics matter.
A tram decorated with lights is seen in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 9, 2024. Since Dec. 31, 2023, several trams in Dalian have been decorated with lights in order to attract more tourists. The history of tram in Dalian City dates back to 1909. After more than 100 years of operation, the tram has become a popular icon of the city. As the tourism industry in Dalian has recovered since 2023, many tourists come to take the trams to enjoy the cityscape. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

Tram driver Li Peng prepares for departure in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 8, 2024. Since Dec. 31, 2023, several trams in Dalian have been decorated with lights in order to attract more tourists. The history of tram in Dalian City dates back to 1909. After more than 100 years of operation, the tram has become a popular icon of the city. As the tourism industry in Dalian has recovered since 2023, many tourists come to take the trams to enjoy the cityscape. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

Tram driver Li Peng prepares for departure in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 8, 2024. Since Dec. 31, 2023, several trams in Dalian have been decorated with lights in order to attract more tourists. The history of tram in Dalian City dates back to 1909. After more than 100 years of operation, the tram has become a popular icon of the city. As the tourism industry in Dalian has recovered since 2023, many tourists come to take the trams to enjoy the cityscape. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

Tram driver Li Peng prepares for departure in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 8, 2024. Since Dec. 31, 2023, several trams in Dalian have been decorated with lights in order to attract more tourists. The history of tram in Dalian City dates back to 1909. After more than 100 years of operation, the tram has become a popular icon of the city. As the tourism industry in Dalian has recovered since 2023, many tourists come to take the trams to enjoy the cityscape. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 9, 2024 shows a tram moving in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province. Since Dec. 31, 2023, several trams in Dalian have been decorated with lights in order to attract more tourists. The history of tram in Dalian City dates back to 1909. After more than 100 years of operation, the tram has become a popular icon of the city. As the tourism industry in Dalian has recovered since 2023, many tourists come to take the trams to enjoy the cityscape. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

A tram is seen in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 8, 2024. Since Dec. 31, 2023, several trams in Dalian have been decorated with lights in order to attract more tourists. The history of tram in Dalian City dates back to 1909. After more than 100 years of operation, the tram has become a popular icon of the city. As the tourism industry in Dalian has recovered since 2023, many tourists come to take the trams to enjoy the cityscape. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

A tram decorated with lights is seen in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 9, 2024. Since Dec. 31, 2023, several trams in Dalian have been decorated with lights in order to attract more tourists. The history of tram in Dalian City dates back to 1909. After more than 100 years of operation, the tram has become a popular icon of the city. As the tourism industry in Dalian has recovered since 2023, many tourists come to take the trams to enjoy the cityscape. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

Tourists take the No. 201 tram in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 8, 2024. Since Dec. 31, 2023, several trams in Dalian have been decorated with lights in order to attract more tourists. The history of tram in Dalian City dates back to 1909. After more than 100 years of operation, the tram has become a popular icon of the city. As the tourism industry in Dalian has recovered since 2023, many tourists come to take the trams to enjoy the cityscape. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

Tourists take the No. 201 tram in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 8, 2024. Since Dec. 31, 2023, several trams in Dalian have been decorated with lights in order to attract more tourists. The history of tram in Dalian City dates back to 1909. After more than 100 years of operation, the tram has become a popular icon of the city. As the tourism industry in Dalian has recovered since 2023, many tourists come to take the trams to enjoy the cityscape. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

Tram driver Li Peng helps a passenger board a tram in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 8, 2024. Since Dec. 31, 2023, several trams in Dalian have been decorated with lights in order to attract more tourists. The history of tram in Dalian City dates back to 1909. After more than 100 years of operation, the tram has become a popular icon of the city. As the tourism industry in Dalian has recovered since 2023, many tourists come to take the trams to enjoy the cityscape. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

Tram driver Li Peng operates a tram in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 8, 2024. Since Dec. 31, 2023, several trams in Dalian have been decorated with lights in order to attract more tourists. The history of tram in Dalian City dates back to 1909. After more than 100 years of operation, the tram has become a popular icon of the city. As the tourism industry in Dalian has recovered since 2023, many tourists come to take the trams to enjoy the cityscape. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

A tourist takes photos in the No. 201 tram in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 8, 2024. Since Dec. 31, 2023, several trams in Dalian have been decorated with lights in order to attract more tourists. The history of tram in Dalian City dates back to 1909. After more than 100 years of operation, the tram has become a popular icon of the city. As the tourism industry in Dalian has recovered since 2023, many tourists come to take the trams to enjoy the cityscape. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
In the op-ed, "Bailey is lying about plaintiffs' religious views in abortion litigation," (Jan. 3), some religious leaders criticized Missouri's abortion restrictions. Among them were four Jewish rabbis.

When I was chairman of the Human Rights Commission in Stamford, Connecticut, I spoke at a local synagogue about abortion. I posed this question to the congregation: Why would Jews, of all people, ever support anything that dehumanizes human life?

From captivity in ancient Egypt, to the slaughter in Israel this past October, to the ensuing wide-spread antisemitism on U.S. college campuses, Jews have been demonized and killed. How can civilized people kill other people? By first dehumanizing them. If certain people are portrayed to be less than human it is easier to mistreat and kill them. That is what the Nazis and some Middle Eastern countries did and are doing to Jews.

Science informs us that an unborn child, from conception, has complete human DNA. Abortion kills a human being. That is a fact. Abortion rights advocates dehumanize the unborn child by falsely asserting that it is not human but merely a glob of tissue, so killing it is not the horrific homicidal act that it is, in fact.

Many Jewish people support abortion rights. That seems contrary to their interests. Should Jews oppose abortion if for no other reason than their self-preservation? Slippery slopes are real. We've already gone from abortion, to assisted suicide, to euthanasia because society has accepted the premise that not all lives are of equal value or worth living.

John Wiltrakis

Ballwin
Why the Via LA Streaming Codec Pool Merger Matters

Via Licensing shook the MPEG licensing world in May 2023 when it acquired MPEG LA to form the Via LA juggernaut. And how is that deal shaking out now, six months on, as licensors and patent holders alike survey the landscape? Robert J.L. Moore, Patent Attorney, Moore IP Solutions discusses the implications with Mattia Fogliacco, President, Sisvel Group, in this clip from November 2023s Streaming Media Connect.

Moore asks Fogliacco about the Via Lincensing and MPEG LA merging. Describe who the players are here, the importance of this merger, and how is this likely to affect codec licensing in the future?

Fogliacco says that both entities have been the most important patent pool operators, with Via Licensing controlled by Dolby and MPEG by a number of companies, including General Electric, and that the licensing of standard essential patents is normal in a maturing market. I think it is good news, because more efficiency will be provided to the market through this new vehicle, he says. I think it helps streamline some of the licensing operations that both companies were having. I think will provide an increase [of] efficiency and effectiveness.

He notes that this merger will also make for tougher competition in the codec space but that this competition will be good for licensees and licensors, who will be pushed toward being more creative and ambitious by addressing issues in the market. He says that Sisvel is unique in having a technical domain team of experts who have worked to validate the assumption that there would be VP9 patents held by companies outside of Google and The Alliance for Open Media. How did we do that? he says. Back at the time, our specifications for everyone were not even available. There was only pseudocode, and our team mapped the patterns of these players to the pseudocode, validating what later would be also validated through a mapping to the specification. Those validations were then confirmed by third-party experts. Now it's a level of domain expertise that allows us to engage in a different fashion in technical discussions and in licensing discussions. I'm not entirely sure how other pool operators are doing [this] because I think if you want to be truly on top of the subject, you need this technical expertise, and I'm super happy that this is present for video encoding and other domains in Sisvel. That is something that still differentiates us from Via LA.

Watch full sessions from Streaming Media Connect November 2023. We'll be back in person for Streaming Media NYC on May 20-22, 2024. More details here.

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Cytta's World Class SaaS Products Attract Exceptional Developers

LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2024 / Cytta Corp (OTCQB: CYCA), a leading provider of advanced communication technology and video compression solutions, today announced a strategic partnership with Zigron Inc., a world-class developer known for its prowess in scaling tech products for commercial release.

This new relationship also includes a formal Agreement for future product acquisition development collaboration between the two Companies. The parties are discussing collaboration on several existing synergistic safety and security technologies developed by the parties.

"Transitioning from the product development stage to the commercial release stage is a pivotal moment for Cytta, and Zigron's exceptional development skills are precisely what we need to deliver our world-class products to market," said Gary Campbell, CEO of Cytta Corp. "This partnership signifies an acceleration in our growth trajectory and an amplification of our innovative potential."

Zigron, with over a decade and a half of experience in the tech development sphere, holds an impressive portfolio of successful projects and client relationships, underscoring its ability to transform concepts into market-ready solutions. Included among their many world class clients are Fujitsu, Adobe and Telenor. The collaboration will encompass the scaling of Cytta's proprietary technologies, including the CyttaCARES SOS system for schools and the CyttaCOMMS IGAN Incident Command System for first responders.

The newly assembled development team is tasked with refining and advancing the Company's product suite, ensuring CyttaCOMMS, and CyttaCARES, are optimized for end-users spanning public safety, surveillance, and emergency communication sectors, among others.

Cytta's commitment to deploying technology that empowers communities and enhances safety is further solidified by this partnership, setting the stage for the final push towards full-scale commercial distribution.

The Company is also pleased to announce that Mr. Campbell, our CEO, will be speaking on "The Future Of Security: Cytta Corp's Innovative Tech for Today's Challenges" at the Microcap Conference which will take place January 30, 31, February 1, 2024, at Caesars Atlantic City Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. We look forward to seeing you there.

About Cytta Corp:

Cytta Corp. is a leading technology solutions provider dedicated to delivering innovative products and services across various industries and revolutionizes the integration, streaming, transfer, and storage of video and audio data. With a focus on safety, security, and efficiency, Cytta Corp strives to develop cutting-edge solutions that address real-world challenges in large markets.

The Company's proprietary CyttaCOMMS incident management system offers real-time integration of video and audio streams, enabling improved collaboration and providing ongoing, relevant, actionable intelligence. Their innovative new product, CyttaCARES, is a game-changer in ensuring the safety and well-being of children in educational institutions and beyond. Cytta's CyttaCOMP ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance) technology delivers real-time compression of video streams with ultra-low latency, even in low bandwidth environments in conjunction with their compression Licensee Reticulate Micro.

About Zigron

Zigron Inc. stands at the forefront of technological innovation, offering cutting-edge solutions in software development and IT services. With a focus on customer-centric approaches and a commitment to excellence, Zigron empowers businesses to harness the full potential of digital transformation. Their team of expert engineers and developers specializes in creating tailored solutions that drive efficiency, enhance operational capabilities, and foster sustainable growth for clients across various industries.

Contact Information

Cytta Corp.

Toll free # : 1 877 CYTTAUS (298 8287)

Call Local : 1 740 CYTTAUS (298 8287)

http://www.cytta.com

[email protected]

Gary Campbell, CEO

Direct (702) 900-7022 (or message)

[email protected]

Natalia Sokolova, President & COO

Direct: (424) 333-0595 (or message)

[email protected]

Media Contact:

Gary Zwetchkenbaum

PlumTree Consulting, LLC.

[email protected]

Direct: (516)-455-7662

SOURCE: Cytta Corp.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2024 / Pampa Metals Corp. ("Pampa Metals" or the "Company") (CSE:PM)(FSE:FIRA)(OTCQB:PMMCF) is pleased to advise that it has finalized the follow-up diamond drill program designed to demonstrate Piuquenes Central's potential to host an orebody of 1,000 m depth and 300 - 500 m diameter.

Follow-Up Diamond Drill Program

Following the optioning of the Piuquenes Porphyry Copper-Gold Project (refer 30 November 2023 News Release), on-site preparatory works for a ~2,500m follow-up diamond drill program to test the depth and lateral extension of known mineralization at Piuquenes Central began on 20 December 2023.

This follow-up program of up to 4 drill holes, including two priority drillholes of ~850 - 900 m depth, will commence in mid-January 2024 and is summarized as follows:

" Hole 1 (REC-01) (refer figure 1) is orientated along a northeast-southwest geological section, proximate to the historical P8A (Inmet) and PIU16-DDH01 (Anglo) drillholes and designed to extend the depth of known mineralization at the southwestern edge of Piuquenes Central porphyry.

" Hole 2 (REC-02) (refer figure 2) is orientated along an east-west section, proximate to the historical P4 and P2 drillholes (Inmet) and designed to test the lateral extension of the mineralized body, primarily along the western edge of the Piuquenes Central porphyry.

" A 3rd and possibly a 4th hole will focus on extending known depth to the northeast and southeast edges of the Piuquenes Central mineral body and seek to validate a potential mineral column of 1,000 m depth and 300 - 500 m diameter.

Joseph van den Elsen, the Company's President and CEO, stated: "We are very pleased to have been able to swiftly identify and secure the Piuquenes copper-gold porphyry project and immediately mobilize on the first of an aggressive, multi-campaign exploration program testing its exceptional potential. We look forward to driving significant shareholder value over the short, medium, and long-term as we first test the depth and lateral extension of the reported high-grade intervals of open mineralization (558.2 m @ 0.38% Cu, 0.42 g/t Au & 2.4 g/t Ag (0.73% CuEq)* incl. 130 m @ 0.81% Cu, 0.6 g/t Au & 4 g/t Ag (1.31 % CuEq)* - refer 5 December 2023 News Release) at Piuquenes Central, and thereafter Piuquenes East and other targets from our growing pipeline."

Figures 1 & 2: Piuquenes Central Schematic Cross Sections





The latest Company Presentation can be accessed at https://pampametals.com/investor/.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Joseph van den Elsen | President & CEO

INVESTORS CONTACT

Joseph van den Elsen | President & CEO

[email protected]

ABOUT PAMPA METALS

Pampa Metals is a post-discovery copper-gold-molybdenum porphyry exploration company listed on the Canadian Stock Exchange (CSE:PM), Frankfurt (FSE:FIRA), and OTC (OTCQB: PMMCD) exchanges.

In November 2023, the Company announced it had entered into an Option and Joint Venture Agreement for the acquisition of an 80% interest in the Piuquenes Copper-Gold Porphyry Project in San Juan Province, Argentina.

Historical intervals of significant copper and gold mineralization at Piuquenes Central (refer 5 December 2023 News Release) include:

413.5 m (167-580.5 m) @ 0.47% Cu and 0.52 g/t Au (0.87% CuEq)*; and

558.2 m (362-920.2 m EOH) @ 0.38% Cu, 0.42 g/t Au and 2.4 g/t Ag (0.73% CuEq)*

including 130 m (362-492 m) @ 0.81% Cu, 0.6 g/t Au and 4 g/t Ag (1.31 % CuEq)*

Qualified Person

Technical information in this news release has been approved by Mario Orrego G. Mr. Orrego G. is a Geologist, a Registered Member of the Chilean Mining Commission and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Orrego G. is a consultant to the Company.

* %CuEq values are calculated based on copper and gold metal prices: Cu = US$3.20/lb, Au = US$1,700/oz and Ag = US$ 20/oz. The formula utilized to calculate %CuEq is: Cu Eq Grade (%) = Cu Head Grade (%) + [(Au Head Grade (g/t) / 31.104) * (Au Price (US$/oz) / Cu Price (US$/lb) / 22.04) + [(Ag Head Grade (g/t) / 31.104) * (Ag Price (US$/oz) / Cu Price (US$/lb) / 22.0.

Neither the CSE nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT

This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical fact, that address events or developments that Pampa Metals expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will" or "may" occur. These statements are subject to various risks. Although Pampa Metals believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guaranteeing of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements.

SOURCE: Pampa Metals Corp.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Originally published on Rayonier.com

WILDLIGHT, FL / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2024 / Rayonier Inc. (NYSE: RYN) announced its commitment to The Climate Pledge, reinforcing our dedication to a sustainable and environmentally responsible future.

The Climate Pledge encourages businesses worldwide to take immediate and impactful action to combat climate change. By signing The Climate Pledge, Rayonier joins a growing community of over 460 companies that are committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement's target.

As part of our commitment to The Climate Pledge, Rayonier will:

Measure and report: We will continue to measure our carbon emissions accurately and transparently, ensuring that we have a clear understanding of our environmental impact. Reduce carbon emissions: We will implement decarbonization strategies through real business changes and innovations to reduce carbon emissions across our supply chain and operations. Offset remaining emissions: Where necessary, we will neutralize any remaining emissions with additional, quantifiable, real, permanent and socially beneficial offsets.

Rayonier will continue to communicate its carbon footprint within its annual Sustainability and Carbon reports.

"Rayonier becoming a signatory to The Climate Pledge is consistent with our goal of supporting a more sustainable future," said David Nunes, CEO. "We are proud to join other organizations from across the globe in the effort to accelerate responsible climate action, and we are committed to reducing our carbon emissions."

"We intend to refine our existing processes and embrace new technologies to reduce emissions across our operations as we pursue a goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2040," said Doug Long, Executive Vice President and Chief Resource Officer. "As we transition to a low-carbon economy, we also anticipate that credible offsets will play a critical role in achieving a net-zero future. Rayonier looks forward to working with various stakeholders to provide high-quality offsets and other land-based solutions to combat the negative impacts of climate change."

More information on Rayonier's sustainability initiatives can be found on the Company's Sustainability web page.

About The Climate Pledge

The Climate Pledge is a commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. It brings the world's top companies together to accelerate joint action, cross-sector collaboration, and responsible change. For more information, visit www.theclimatepledge.com.

About Rayonier

Rayonier is a leading timberland real estate investment trust with assets located in some of the most productive softwood timber growing regions in the United States and New Zealand. As of September 30, 2023, Rayonier owned or leased under long-term agreements approximately 2.8 million acres of timberlands located in the U.S. South (1.90 million acres), U.S. Pacific Northwest (474,000 acres) and New Zealand (419,000 acres). More information is available at www.rayonier.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240109758864/en/.

Investors: Collin Mings, [email protected], 904-357-9100

Media: Alejandro Barbero, [email protected]

Source: Rayonier Inc.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Rayonier on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Rayonier

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/rayonier

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: Rayonier

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Four new papers map out ancient migrations and the disease variants these newcomers brought with them

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2024 / Illumina

Originally published on Illumina News Center

Call it archaeology by other means. Rather than sifting through tons of dirt and carefully cataloguing human artifacts, Eske Willerslev and his colleagues have used Illumina NovaSeq Systems to sequence 5000 ancient human genomes, revealing previously unseen historical nuance. This research tour de force, which is being published this month in four papers in the journal Nature, offers a rich view of early human migrations, mating habits, and disease variants, and their impact on modern Europeans.

"We wanted to sequence this ancient DNA so we could better understand human history," says Willerslev, who is professor and director at the Centre of Excellence in GeoGenetics at the University of Copenhagen and the Prince Philip Professor of Ecology & Evolution at Cambridge University. "These results describe where we came from and why there's so much variation in disease risk."

The team brought together dozens of specialists, including molecular biologists, historians, archaeologists, and many others. This is the first time anyone has analyzed this many ancient DNA samples-it's a massive effort, especially when compared to sequencing modern genomes, since much of the DNA has degraded and what remains are extremely short fragments. In addition to the human genomes, the team also sequenced ancient pathogens, plants, and animals.

The group compared these results to those catalogued in the UK Biobank, which recently surpassed the milestone of having sequenced and analyzed 500,000 whole human genomes-an impressively large cohort, and a modern answer to Willerslev's ancient cohort. Comparing data helped them pinpoint where specific European populations originated and why those groups have higher susceptibility to some diseases.

Mass migrations

The 5000 sequences represent three important groups: ancient hunter-gatherers; farmers, who emigrated from the Middle East around 10,000 years ago, and the Yamnaya, who originated in western Asia and moved toward northern Europe around 5000 years ago. These three groups are the ancestors of most modern Europeans.

Today, most eastern Europeans are descended from hunter-gatherers, while people in southern Europe mostly come from early farmers. The Yamnaya heavily influenced northern and northwestern Europe.

"The data showed us there is a great genetic divide between eastern and western Europeans," says Willerslev. "The divide started around 10,000 to 12,000 years ago and is reflected in our genetics even today."

A bloody history

These massive waves of immigration came at a cost. When the farmers came north, into what is now Germany and Denmark, they completely displaced the hunter-gatherers in two generations. According to the genetic record, there was little to no interbreeding-the hunter-gatherers were simply wiped out. The same pattern happened when the Yamnaya came about 5000 years later.

"We have data on what must have been one of the last hunter-gatherers, who was living on an island," says Willerslev. "You can imagine the forces that pushed him onto that island. He must have been quite scared."

A stew of disease risk

This genomic data also allowed researchers to model how these three migrations influenced Europeans' disease risks and other traits.

"We paired UK Biobank data with the findings from these historical samples, and it told us a lot," Willerslev explains. "Background for height is a Bronze Age [Yamnaya] trait, which makes a lot of sense, since northern Europeans are generally taller than other Europeans."

The team also found that the farmers from southern Europe were genetically prone to mood-related disorders. Hunter-gatherers had gene variants linked to type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer disease. Yamnaya were more susceptible to multiple sclerosis.

"Multiple sclerosis is a relatively new disease that we find in higher frequency in northern Europeans," says Willerslev. "There's been a lot of discussion about this high frequency and where it came from, but we can see from the data that, clearly, it's a Yamnaya trait."

The authors caution that this research does not prove the groups had these diseases, only that they had the genetic markers for them. However, those genes have been passed on to more modern Europeans, and their descendants around the world, potentially influencing global health.

"This data has been of great interest to physicians and others interested in the evolutionary history of disease-causing variants," says Willerslev. "Now we can better understand where these conditions came from, and when."

The Porsmose man from the Neolithic period, found in 1947 in Porsmose, Denmark. | Photo: The Danish National Museum

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Illumina on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Illumina

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/illumina

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: Illumina

View the original press release on accesswire.com
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of bbb (Good) of Societe Centrale de Reassurance (SCR) (Morocco). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect SCRs balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strong, as well as its strong operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).

SCRs balance sheet strength is underpinned by risk-adjusted capitalisation at the strongest level, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). SCRs BCAR score benefits from prudent technical reserve margins. Furthermore, the companys risk-adjusted capitalisation has been moderately supported by internal capital generation as high dividend distributions to the companys main shareholder, Caisse de Depot et de Gestion (CDG), a state-owned investment vehicle for the Kingdom of Morocco, partially restrict earnings retention. SCR continues to benefit from an explicit guarantee provided by the Moroccan state. The balance sheet strength assessment also reflects SCRs significant asset concentration to Morocco, with over 95% of its assets invested domestically, which weighs on asset quality.

Historically, SCR has reported strong results with a five-year (2018-2022) weighted average return on equity of 12.0%. The companys earnings have been driven by solid investment returns, with a five-year (2018-2022) weighted average investment yield (including gains) of 5.5% and supported by good underwriting performance. SCRs weighted average non-life combined ratio of 91.8% over the past five years reflects the profitability of its domestic Moroccan portfolio and benefits from favourable reserve development stemming from SCRs legacy compulsory cessions business. However, the company has experienced weaker underwriting performance in 2022, with a non-life combined ratio of 101.2%. In 2023, the companys exposure to the earthquakes in Turkiye and Morocco were relatively low on a net basis, with losses mitigated through an appropriate retrocession program. Prospectively, AM Best expects SCRs underwriting and investment returns to support strong operating performance.

SCR has a solid market position in Morocco, reflecting its established role as the national reinsurer. This strong domestic position partially mitigates the companys limited presence in the global reinsurance market. In 2022, SCR reported gross written premium of MAD 3.4 billion (USD 334 million), of which 74% was generated domestically. SCR continues to develop its international presence, with this expansion supported by the opening of strategically located representative offices and new partnerships to gain market access.

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/20240112793924/en/

Mehdi Mouhssine

Financial Analyst

+44 20 7397 0285

[email protected]

Michael Dunckley

Associate Director, Analytics

+44 20 7397 0312

[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
HONG KONG--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of a (Excellent) of South China Insurance Co., Ltd. (South China Insurance) (Taiwan). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect South China Insurances balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

South China Insurances risk-adjusted capitalisation remained at the strongest level at year-end 2022, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). The companys adjusted capital and surplus, including special reserves provisioned for the non-compulsory auto liability insurance business, declined by 14.3% to TWD 6.9 billion (USD 224.6 million) in 2022, primarily driven by unfavourable capital losses through other comprehensive income, as well as dividend payout, while its statutory solvency ratio remained at a healthy level. South China Insurances investment portfolio remains liquid and diversified with a majority of its assets held in investment grade bonds and cash, and it continues to manage currency risk in the investment portfolio through currency hedging. The company is exposed to a low and controlled level of ultimate claims arising from pandemic-related insurance products. South China Insurances adjusted capital and surplus recovered during the first nine months of 2023. AM Best expects its BCAR and balance sheet strength will remain supportive of the current ratings over the short to intermediate term.

South China Insurance has remained profitable over the last few years, with a five-year average return-on-equity ratio of 8.2% (20182022). In 2022, the company posted a 72% year-on-year decline in net profit due to a narrowed underwriting margin and unfavourable investment performance. The company reported high single-digit growth in gross premiums written in 2022, and the first nine months of 2023, supported by motor, fire and casualty products. While the companys operating earnings in 2022 was negatively impacted by deterioration in loss ratio, the stable stream of interest and dividend income generated from its investment portfolio contributed to partially offset capital market volatility. The company remained profitable during the first three quarters of 2023.

South China Insurance remains a medium-sized insurer in Taiwans non-life market. The companys underwriting portfolio remains moderately diversified with motor dominating its business, followed by fire, personal accident and health and casualty insurance. The company continues to source its revenue from a diversified distribution network while leveraging cross-selling opportunities more broadly with its affiliates in Hua Nan Financial Holdings Co. Ltd.

Negative rating actions could occur if there is a material decline in South China Insurances risk-adjusted capitalisation, for example, due to unexpectedly large underwriting or investment losses. Negative rating actions could also occur if there is a continued deteriorating trend or an increased level of adverse volatility in the company's operating performance. Although the likelihood is relatively low, positive rating actions could occur if South China Insurance achieves sustained improvement and stability in its operating performance while maintaining a robust level of risk-adjusted capitalisation.

Ratings are communicated to rated entities prior to publication. Unless stated otherwise, the ratings were not amended subsequent to that communication.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Bests website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Bests Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Bests Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Bests Credit Ratings, Bests Performance Assessments, Bests Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Bests Ratings & Assessments.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright  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/20240112737608/en/

Stephanie Mi

Financial Analyst

+852 2827 3402

[email protected]



James Chan

Director, Analytics

+852 2827 3418

[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
OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term Issue Credit Rating (Long-Term IR) of bbb+ (Good) of the 6% senior unsecured notes, due December 2033, of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (Fairfax) (Toronto, Canada). The outlook of this Credit Rating (rating) is stable.

The rating applies to the recently issued $200 million 6% senior unsecured notes, due 2033, and its existing $400 million 6% senior unsecured notes, due 2033, issued Dec. 7, 2023. The additional notes offered constitute a further issuance of, and are fungible with, the existing notes. The $200 million of additional notes were priced at 100.998%, plus accrued interest from Dec. 7, 2023, with a yield to maturity of 5.863%. These additional notes offer terms identical to the existing notes issued on Dec. 7, 2023, with the exception of the issue date and offering price.

The Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of Fairfax, as well as the ratings of its operating subsidiaries and all other debt issuances are unchanged. Fairfax intends to use substantially all of the net proceeds of the offering to repay outstanding indebtedness with upcoming maturities and use any remainder for repayment of other outstanding indebtedness of Fairfax or its subsidiaries and for general corporate purposes.

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 Best's 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 specializing 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/20240112392571/en/

Dan Hofmeister, CFA, FRM, CAIA, CPCU

Senior Financial Analyst

+1 908 882 1893

[email protected]

Gregory Dickerson

Director

+1 908 882 1737

[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
The implementation of this agreement would lead to a significant extension of the maturity date of each of three tranches of the loan Extension of the maturity date of the first tranche of the loan (for an amount, in principal and interest, of approximately 15 million) to July 31, 2026 Extension of the maturity date of the two other tranches to August 2027 and October 2028, respectively

An equitization of the loan would reduce repayments in cash and therefore optimize the Companys cash Equitization of the first tranche of the loan via the set-up of a trust ( fiducie-gestion ): issuance of warrants to the trustee thus enabling it to subscribe to Companys shares, which would then be sold on the market, with the net proceeds being used to repay this tranche1 Similar equitization of the second and third tranches, unless the EIB decides not to do it

The signing of the final contract relating to this agreement in principle could take place by the end of the first quarter of 2024

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

CARMAT (FR0010907956, ALCAR, eligible for PEA-PME equity saving plans), designer and developer of the worlds most advanced total artificial heart, aiming to provide a therapeutic alternative for people suffering from advanced biventricular heart failure (the Company or CARMAT), today announces that it has reached an agreement in principle with the European Investment Bank (EIB) on the terms of repayment of the loan entered into with the latter in December 2018, to extend its repayment schedule and limit the cash flows associated with its repayment.

This agreement in principle covers all three tranches of the loan and, should it be implemented, would allow CARMAT, to avoid having to repay this loan before July 31, 20262. As a reminder, the first tranche of the loan (total amount of c. 15 million3 in principal and interest) was initially due to be repaid on January 31, 2024, and the second and third tranches in 2025 and 2026, respectively.

This agreement in principle is not binding, its implementation requiring the negotiation and execution of a final agreement by the parties. This execution is subject to final approval by the EIB, and to reaching a rescheduling agreement regarding the State-Guaranteed Loans entered into by the Company with BNP Paribas and Bpifrance, for a total of 10 million in principal (the Conditions Precedent). The Company hopes to transform this agreement in principle into a final agreement by the end of the first quarter of 2024, it being specified that  in order to facilitate these discussions  the Company has been granted a standstill regarding the principal of these loans by the EIB, BNP Paribas and Bpifrance until February 22, 2024.

Given this agreement and its cash position, the Company can finance its activities, according to its current business plan, until the end of January 2024.

As a reminder, in this respect the Company estimates its financing needs to approximately 50 million until the end of 20244. The Company is therefore continuing to work very actively on other initiatives to, in the very short term, strengthen its capital and alleviate its cash constraints, and thus be in a position to continue its activities beyond the end of January 2024.

Stephane Piat, Chief Executive Officer of CARMAT, comments: This agreement in principle with the EIB on new repayment terms for the loan is a positive signal for the Company.

Subject to the fulfilment of the conditions precedent, this agreement will enable us to avoid any repayment under this loan, at least until July 31, 2026, and to dedicate our financial resources to our growth over the next few years. I would like to thank the EIB for its commitment by our side, which it has renewed today.

The Company's management and teams are more determined than ever to continue moving forward to make Aeson the reference therapy for advanced biventricular heart failure, to enable CARMAT to become the leader in this segment, and to offer a solution to the very large number of patients who are currently at a therapeutic impasse.

Agreement in principle with the EIB on new terms for the repayment of its loan

The envisaged new terms for the loan repayment

Under the terms of a contract entered into on December 17, 2018, the Company took out a loan with the EIB for 30 million paid in 3 tranches of 10 million on January 31, 2019 (the first tranche), May 4, 2020 (the second tranche) and October 29, 2021 (the third tranche and, with the other tranches, the tranches), each Tranche (principal plus accrued interest) to be repaid 5 years after the Company received it5.

Under the terms of an agreement in principle reached with the EIB, and subject to the lifting of the aforementioned Conditions Precedent, the maturity of the various tranches of the loan entered into with the EIB would be extended as follows:

- Tranche 1: maturity extended from January 31, 2024, to July 31, 2026

- Tranche 2: maturity extended from May 4, 2025, to August 4, 2027

- Tranche 3: maturity extended from October 29, 2026, to October 29, 2028

The amounts borrowed would continue to bear interest until their new maturity dates at fixed rates indicated in the initial contract. Moreover, the initial royalty agreement associated with this loan would be modified to begin with respect to 2024 sales and for a duration of 15 years (versus a duration of 13 years in the initial contract).

The other terms and conditions of the loan would remain, in substance, unchanged (this would notably be the case regarding the events of default or regarding early repayment clauses). The loan would remain unsecured.

Given this agreement, the amounts (principal and interest) payable at maturity date regarding each of the tranches would be approximately 18 million at the end of July 2026 for the first tranche, 17 million in early August 2027 for the second tranche and 13 million at the end of October 2028 for the third tranche (namely an aggregate of 48m, including principal and interests, to be reimbursed).

However, in order to reduce the cash payments due with respect to the EIB loan, an equitization operation would be launched with the EIB6 to enable the loan to be gradually transformed into CARMAT shares in accordance with the terms detailed below in the paragraph entitled Terms of the equitization of the EIB loan. It is specified that if, on the new maturity date for each tranche, this equitization did not enable the EIB to be repaid in full (principal plus interest) for that tranche, the balance would be repaid by CARMAT to the EIB on that date from its own cash resources.

Based on the number of CARMAT shares traded on Euronext Growth in 2023, the expected duration of the equitization of the first tranche (i.e. 27 months) and assuming a CARMAT share price of 6.707, the Company anticipates that the entirety of this tranche would be equitized by July 31, 2026, and thus that the amount it would need to pay the EIB in cash to reimburse this tranche in full would be nil8. Regarding the second and the third tranche, the maturity dates being further away and the equitization periods being potentially shorter (around 12 and 15 months, respectively), the degree of certainty regarding the portion of each tranche that could be equitized is lower. However, the Company thinks that it is reasonable to estimate  based on the same assumptions  that the second and third tranches of the loan could be equitized for up to 10 and 13 million respectively, so that the Company would only have to pay in cash approximately 7 million9 with respect to the second tranche in August 2027 and less than 1 million with respect to the third tranche in October 2028. It should however be noted, that the EIB could unilaterally decide in due time not to proceed with the equitization of the second and/or third tranches: in such a case, the Company would have to repay in cash to the EIB the total amount of each tranche (i.e. around 18 million for the second tranche and 13 million for the third tranche), at the new maturity date of each of these tranches.

Envisaged terms of the equitization of the loan

According to the agreement in principle reached between the Company and the EIBs teams, an equitization operation of the first tranche of the loan10 would be launched to enable the loan to be gradually transformed into CARMAT shares under the terms described below via a trust (fiducie-gestion) created for the requirements of this operation and managed by a trustee independent of either the Company or the EIB (the trust). This equitization would successively cover the three tranches of the loan, but the EIB could unilaterally decide in due time not to proceed with the equitization of the second and/or third tranches, of which the market would be informed.

The EIB would transfer its receivable (principal plus interests) with respect to the first tranche of the loan to the Trust11. For technical reasons, this receivable would immediately be assigned by the Trust to the Company to enable the latter to extinguish it by confusion of the qualities of creditor and debtor. This assignment of the receivable to the Company would not be the subject of a payment in cash, but would give rise to the creation of a vendor loan (credit-vendeur) on the Company to the benefit of the trustee, acting on behalf of the trust (the vendor loan).

The trustee, acting on behalf of the trust, would gradually transform the above receivable into CARMAT shares by exercising the warrants (the Warrants) issued to it by the Company for free, which could only be exercised via the offsetting of the receivable12. The shares thus issued for each exercise would then be gradually divested on the market taking into consideration market volumes13; and the net proceeds of their divestment would then be paid by the trust to the EIB until the sums due to it with respect to the first tranche had been fully repaid.

Should the net proceeds of these share divestments not enable the EIB to be fully repaid with respect to this tranche by July 31, 2026 (the new maturity date for the first tranche), the Company would repay the balance due from its cash resources on that date14. A partial repayment of the sum due to the EIB by the Company with respect to the first tranche would therefore be possible.

A mechanism identical to that used for the first tranche would then be put in place for equitizing the second and third tranches of the loan, unless the EIB decided to waive it, which the market would be informed of.

Envisaged terms of the issue and exercise of the Warrants and divestment of the underlying CARMAT shares

The Company would, on the day of the implementation of the equitization, issue, for free and with shareholders preferential subscription rights waived, a certain number of warrants to the trustee, acting on behalf of the Trust15.

Each Warrant would give the holder the right to subscribe to one Company share at an exercise price at least equal to the lowest volume-weighted average daily share price over the trading sessions during which the Trust would not have sold its Company shares among the last fifteen consecutive trading sessions immediately preceding their exercise date. Any warrants not exercised would become null and void once the receivables to be equitized were fully repaid to the EIB. The Warrants would not be admitted to trading on the Euronext Growth market in Paris, nor on any other financial market.

In substance, the trustee acting on behalf of the Trust would be responsible for:

exercising the Warrants in strict accordance with the terms laid out in the Trust agreement and paying their exercise price by set-off against the receivable the trustee, acting on behalf of the Trust, holds against the Company with respect to the Vendor Loan; then

progressively divesting, on the market, the new shares resulting from the exercise of the Warrants, mainly taking into consideration market volumes. The objective of the broker appointed to do this would be to divest a daily volume of shares limited to 12.5%16 of the daily volume of CARMAT shares traded.

The new shares issued through the exercise of the Warrants would carry dividend rights. They would benefit from the same rights as those attached to the Companys existing ordinary shares and would be admitted to trading on the Euronext Growth market in Paris on the same listing line as existing CARMAT shares under ISIN code FR0010907956.

The trustee would pay the EIB every two months  until each tranches new maturity date (i.e. July 31, 2026 for the first tranche, for example) or, should this date come first, until the date on which all the sums due to the EIB with respect to the First Tranche were paid  the net proceeds of the divestment on the market of the Company shares issued upon exercise of the Warrants.

Dilution associated with the envisaged Equitization

Purely for indicative purposes, assuming (i) the warrants were exercised on the basis of an exercise price equal to the lowest average volume-weighted Company share price observed over the last fifteen trading sessions prior to December 31, 2023 (i.e. 5.77 euros), and (ii) that the underlying shares are sold at the closing price of the Company's shares on the day before that date, 2.7 million warrants would have to be exercised in order to repay in full the sums owed to the EIB under the first tranche (namely 18m), resulting in dilution of 11% for shareholders (and 7.2 million warrants would have to be exercised (i.e. dilution of 29%) in order to repay in full the sums owed to the EIB under the three tranches, namely 48m). For information purposes only, assuming (i) that the BSAs are exercised on the basis of a theoretical exercise price equal to half of the aforementioned exercise price (i.e. 2.89 euros) and (ii) that the underlying shares are sold at the closing price of the Company's shares on the day before that same date, 5,4 million warrants would have to be exercised in order to repay in full the sums owed to the EIB under the first tranche (namely 18m), resulting in dilution of 22% for shareholders (and 14.4 million warrants would have to be exercised (i.e. dilution of 58%) in order to repay in full the sums owed to the EIB under the three tranches, namely 48m). This dilution example does not in any way prejudge the final number of shares to be issued, nor their exercise or divestment price, which would be set depending on the prevailing share price at the time of the exercising of the Warrants and the divestment of the underlying shares.

Costs associated with the envisaged Equitization

The Company expects the costs associated with the Equitization operation to be in line with market practice for capital increases by listed companies in France, it being specified that the Trustee would not receive any variable remuneration.

Conflicts of interest

The implementation of the Equitization would not create, to the best of the Companys knowledge, any conflicts of interest for its executives and corporate officers.

Prospectus

The Equitization would not be subject to a prospectus requiring an approval from the French Financial Market Authority (AMF).

This press release does not constitute a prospectus within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and of the Council of June 14, 2017, as amended, nor an offer to the public.

Name: CARMAT

ISIN code: FR0010907956

Ticker: ALCAR

Disclaimer

This press release and the information contained herein do not constitute an offer to sell or subscribe to, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe to, shares in CARMAT (the Company) in any country. This press release may contain forwardlooking statements that relate to the Companys objectives and prospects. Such forwardlooking statements are based solely on the current expectations and assumptions of the Companys management and involve risk and uncertainties including, without limitation, the Companys ability to successfully implement its strategy, the rate of development of CARMATs production and sales, the pace and results of ongoing and future clinical trials, new products or technological developments introduced by competitors, changes in regulations and risks associated with growth management. The Companys objectives as mentioned in this press release may not be achieved for any of these reasons or due to other risks and uncertainties.

The significant and specific risks pertaining to the Company are those described in the Universal Registration Document (Document dEnregistrement Universel) filed with the Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF, the French stock market authorities) under number D. 23-0323. Readers' attention is drawn in particular to the financing risk of the Company, whose cash runway currently extends until end-January 2024. Readers and investors attention is also drawn to the fact that other risks, unknown or not deemed to be significant or specific, may or could exist.

Aeson is an active implantable medical device commercially available in the European Union and other countries that recognize CE marking. The Aeson total artificial heart is intended to replace the ventricles of the native heart and is indicated as a bridge to transplant in patients suffering from end-stage biventricular heart failure (INTERMACS classes 1-4) who are not amenable to maximal medical therapy or a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and are likely to undergo a heart transplant within 180 days of the device being implanted. The decision to implant and the surgical procedure must be carried out by healthcare professionals trained by the manufacturer. The documentation (clinician manual, patient manual and alarm booklet) should be read carefully to understand the characteristics of Aeson and information necessary for patient selection and the proper use of Aeson (contraindications, precautions, side effects). In the United States, Aeson is currently exclusively available within the framework of an Early Feasibility Study authorized by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

________________________________

1 In the event that the net proceeds from the sale of shares would not enable the EIB to be fully repaid on the new maturity date of the first tranche, the Company would repay the balance in cash on that date.

2 Except in the event of default or early repayment, where the dates remain unchanged.

3 Principal of 10m and interests of around 5m

4 To this amount, would have to be added 15m for the first tranche of the EIB loan if the agreement in principle was not implemented, notably due to the non-fulfillment of a condition precedent.

5 See the Companys 2022 Universal Document (Section 3.1.7) for further details on the characteristics of this loan.

6 The equitization would cover both the loans principal and interests, so that the Company  once the equitization is launched for a tranche  would not have to pay anything with respect to that tranche before its new maturity date (except in the event of default or early repayment, for which the dates remain unchanged).

7 Corresponding to CARMATs share price on December 31, 2023.

8 Readers attention is drawn to the fact that this figure could vary significantly, notably depending on changes in CARMATs share price and the number of CARMAT shares traded on the market.

9 Readers attention is drawn to the fact that this figure could vary significantly, notably depending on changes in CARMATs share price and the number of CARMAT shares traded on the market.

10 The equitization would concern both the loans principal and its interest, so that the Company  once the equitization is launched for one tranche  would not have to pay anything with respect to that tranche before its new maturity date (except in the event of default or early repayment, for which the dates remain unchanged).

11 It is envisaged that this transfer would take place at the time of, or soon after, the contractualization of the agreement between the EIB and CARMAT.

12 Please note that the exercise of the warrants would not result in any funds being received by the Company as the exercise price of the warrants would be settled by offsetting the receivable that the trustee, acting on behalf of the trust, has on the Company with respect to the Vendor-Loan.

13 The broker who would be appointed for this purpose would, in particular, aim to sell a daily volume of sales that the Company estimates would be limited to 12.5% of the daily volume of CARMAT shares traded. The broker would be asked to execute orders according to the best execution policy ("careful order"), with the aim of getting as close as possible to the VWAP of the day.

14 Within this framework, the Company would grant, to the benefit of the EIB, an autonomous first-call guarantee should it not have repaid, by the date specified in the EIB Loan contract, the sums due with respect to the First Tranche. Conversely, it should be noted that the exercise of the warrants and sale of the underlying shares would be interrupted should all the sums due with respect to the First Tranche have been repaid to the EIB.

15 Regarding the first tranche of the EIB loan, this issue would be based on the delegation of powers granted by the Shareholders Meeting of January 5, 2024, under the terms of its eleventh resolution. It is specified that additional warrants could be issued by the Company for the Trustee, acting on behalf of the Trust, at a later date should the initial number of warrants issued not be sufficient to fully implement the Equitization.

16 The percentage is not defined in the agreement in principle between the EIB and CARMAT; it will be the subject of a discussion as part of the contractualization of this agreement but  base on its discussions with the EIB  the Company does not expect this figure to exceed 12.5%.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240111373699/en/

CARMAT

Stephane Piat

Chief Executive Officer



Pascale dArbonneau

Chief Financial Officer

Tel.: +33 1 39 45 64 50

[email protected]



Alize RP

Press Relations



Caroline Carmagnol

Tel.: +33 6 64 18 99 59

[email protected]



NewCap

Financial Communication

& Investor Relations



Dusan Oresansky

Quentin Masse

Tel.: +33 1 44 71 94 92

[email protected]

Source: CARMAT
ROME, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Italian hospitals were under intense pressure due to the worst flu wave the country has witnessed in at least 15 years, Italian health professionals warned on Friday.

Admissions to emergency rooms have increased by 20 percent to 30 percent in the last few days, mainly due to serious flu cases, according to the Italian Federation of Health Authorities and Hospitals (FIASO).

"Unfortunately, we are witnessing serious pneumonia cases in intensive care units, not due to Covid infections but to the consequences of influenza," FIASCO President Giovanni Migliore told state-run media Rai News 24.

"We still need to be cautious because we are expecting to face the impact of schools reopening (in January) on hospitals in the coming weeks," he added.

In another report on Thursday, the FIASCO said that hospital admissions for COVID-19 were decreasing for the fourth consecutive week, with a 22 percent drop in number of patients in the first week of 2024 compared to the previous one.

"Also COVID-19 patients sent to intensive care units fell by 27 percent that week, and their incidence on total number of ICU patients fell from 6 percent to 5.5 percent in absolute terms," the FIASCO said.

"This is the worst flu season in the last 15 years, and we had not seen anything similar even in the same previous period," Matteo Bassetti, director of the Infectious Diseases Clinic at San Martino Polyclinic in Genoa, said on social media platform X earlier this month.

Meanwhile, he attributed the flu wave to the low rates of vaccination among the population, especially the most fragile people. 
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Haig Partners LLC, the leading buy-sell advisory firm to owners of higher-value dealerships, is pleased to announce the addition of Dave Rowe, a respected leader in automotive retail, as Managing Director. While Dave will serve clients nationwide for Haig Partners, his main geographic focus will be Texas and other states in the Central and Southwest regions of the United States.

Dave has more than 35 years of auto retail experience, including key leadership positions with highly respected organizations. Prior to joining Haig Partners, Dave served as the Chief Financial Officer for one of the largest and most respected dealership groups in Texas, the Sewell Automotive Companies. Over the course of his six-year tenure, he led Sewells finance, accounting, banking, and insurance activities and contributed to the companys success and growth, including evaluating dealership acquisition opportunities.

Dave's background also includes almost 30 years with Ally Financial, one of the largest lenders to auto dealers nationwide, providing floorplans, real estate loans, and goodwill financing. During Daves tenure, he was involved in analyzing and financing more than 100 acquisitions. In addition, he led operations across its Western Region as Regional Vice President. He also held other leadership roles while at Ally, managing auto lending operations in its Central Region, which included regional oversight of its dealer lending business and sales and marketing activities.

Alan Haig, President of Haig Partners, shared, We are thrilled to welcome Dave as our newest Managing Director. He has a remarkable background with well-respected brands in automotive retail. And Daves leadership experience with Sewell, a company renowned for its commitment to 'customers for life,' aligns seamlessly with the culture and values we uphold at Haig Partners. As we navigate the dynamic landscape of automotive retail, Daves industry insights and commitment to excellence will help our clients to achieve their financial and strategic objectives.

Dave Rowe, Managing Director, said, I am excited to join Haig Partners and am proud to continue my career with another highly respected organization in auto retail. I have always admired Alan and the team at Haig Partners, who have long been trusted buy-sell leaders in our industry. I am looking forward to working with owners of high-value dealerships as they look to grow or sell their businesses.

Dave holds an MBA from Central Michigan University and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Florida. He lives in Frisco, TX.

To learn more about Dave, visit HaigPartners.com or connect with him on LinkedIn.

About Haig Partners

Haig Partners is a leading buy-sell advisory firm that helps owners of higher-value auto, truck, RV, and motorsports dealerships maximize the value of their businesses when they are ready to sell. The team at Haig Partners has advised on the purchase or sale of more than 550 dealerships with a total value of over $9.7 billion. It has represented 26 dealership groups that qualify for the Top 150 Dealership Groups list published by Automotive News, more than any other firm. Clients of Haig Partners benefit from the group's collective experience as previous executives with leading companies such as Ally Financial, AutoNation, Bank of America, Credit Suisse, Deloitte, FORVIS, J.P. Morgan, the Sewell Automotive Companies, and Toyota Financial Services. Leveraging its unmatched expertise and extensive relationships, Haig Partners guides clients to successful outcomes through a confidential and customized sales process. The firm authors The Haig Report, the leading industry quarterly report that tracks trends in auto retail and their impact on dealership values, and co-authors NADAs Guide, Buying and Selling a Dealership. Haig Partners team members are frequent speakers at industry conferences and are regularly quoted in reputable media outlets, including Reuters, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, CNBC, BBC, Automotive News, Wards, CarDealershipGuy and CBT News. For more information, visit www.haigpartners.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240112359921/en/

Aimee Allen

Director of Marketing and Business Development

Haig Partners

[email protected]

(603) 933-2194

Source: Haig Partners
CHICAGO & SYDNEY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX; NYSE: JHX) will announce financial results, for its third quarter ended 31 December 2023, on the ASX before market on Tuesday, 13 February 2024.

The Company will host a conference call that morning at 9:00am Australian Eastern Time (AEDT).

For those in North America the conference call will commence at 5:00pm Eastern Time (ET), Monday 12 February.

Teleconference Registration: https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10035780-hf7t6r.html

Webcast URL: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/hgpfv5vu

Once registered, participants will receive a calendar invitation with global dial-in numbers and a unique PIN which will be required to join the call.

A replay of the call will be available shortly after the call and will be available at: https://ir.jameshardie.com.au/financial-information/financial-results

This media release has been authorized by Mr. Aaron Erter, Chief Executive Officer.

James Hardie Industries plc is a limited liability company incorporated in Ireland with its registered office at 1st Floor, Block A, One Park Place, Upper Hatch Street, Dublin 2, D02 FD79, Ireland

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240111459266/en/

Investor/Media/Analyst Enquiries:

James Brennan-Chong

Director of Investor Relations and Market Intelligence

[email protected]

Source: James Hardie Industries plc
AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Keller Williams Realty, Inc. (KW), the worlds largest real estate franchise by agent count, was honored for the eighth consecutive year on Glassdoors Best Places to Work 2024. KW is recognized as the top real estate company, ranking at No. 12 of 100 U.S. companies.

Culture is our core differentiator at Keller Williams, said Stacie Herron, chief legal and administrative officer, KW. We are honored to be recognized each year by our people as a Best Place to Work  theres no higher satisfaction than seeing our entrepreneurs thriving.

Unlike other workplace awards, the Glassdoor Employees Choice Awards are based on the input of employees who voluntarily provide anonymous feedback on Glassdoor by completing a company review about their job, work environment, and employer over the past year.

Together with our regional and market center leaders, who are partnered with agents, we are building careers worth having, businesses worth owning, lives worth living, experiences worth giving, and legacies worth leaving, said Mark Willis, CEO, KW.

KW is also the only Austin, Texas-based company to appear on the ranking for 2024.

For the complete list of Glassdoors Best Places to Work winners for 2024, visit Glassdoor.com.

About Keller Williams

Austin, Texas-based Keller Williams, the worlds largest real estate franchise by agent count, has more than 1,100 offices and 180,000 agents. The franchise is also No. 1 in units and sales volume in the United States.

Since 1983, the company has cultivated an agent-centric, technology-driven, education-based culture that rewards agents as stakeholders. For more information, visit headquarters.kw.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240112232609/en/

Media Contact: Darryl G. Frost

Director of Public Relations and Media Relations

[email protected] / 254-466-3627

Source: Keller Williams Realty, Inc.
Inspired by A New York Moment in the city where it all got started, Tommy Hilfiger brings together an intimate crowd at one of the citys longest standing institutions to present his Fall Winter 2024 collection.

AMSTERDAM--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Tommy Hilfiger, which is owned by PVH Corp. [NYSE: PVH], returns to the official NYFW schedule to present the TOMMY HILFIGER Fall Winter 2024 Collection  A New York Moment  on February 9, 2024.

During an intimate evening, Tommy Hilfiger will debut his mens and womens collection. Wrapped in an NYC-inspired red, white and blue spirit, the show will represent a modern-day expression of Classic American Cool through the eyes of the ultimate American dreamer.

New York City taught me to dream big, said Tommy Hilfiger. As a young designer it was the birthplace of my vision. The pulse of the city, its culture of confidence and openness, has fueled the brand since the very beginning. Im excited to translate this feeling onto the runway with a signature Tommy twist thats become our calling card through the decades.

Taking place at 8 P.M. on February 9, 2024, the experience will be hosted at a central Manhattan institution, maximizing that New York energy in an ode to dreaming big. A return to home turf in more ways than one, the show will re-explore the streamlined elegance of the brands original preppy roots, as well as redefining the fashion week experience. The runway show will feature the TOMMY HILFIGER Fall Winter 2024 collection as the brands approach to See Now, Buy Now will shift focus towards its cultural partnerships and seasonal campaigns.

Tommy Hilfiger is one of the great American dreamers, said Steven Kolb, CEO of the CFDA. His unique vision and enduring impact on the fashion industry have paved the way for many. Its a fitting celebration of American design, and Im honored to witness the continued contributions of such an influential figure in our industry.

Friends and followers of the brand are invited to join the conversation on social media using #TommyHilfiger and @TommyHilfiger.

About TOMMY HILFIGER

TOMMY HILFIGER is one of the worlds most recognized premium lifestyle brands, uplifting and inspiring consumers since 1985. The brand creates iconic style, which comes alive at the intersection of the classic and the new, co-created with people who are shaping culture around the world. TOMMY HILFIGER celebrates the essence of classic American style with a modern twist. Tommy Hilfiger offers premium quality and value to consumers worldwide under the TOMMY HILFIGER and TOMMY JEANS lifestyles, with a breadth of collections including mens, womens and kids sportswear, denim, accessories, and footwear. Tommy Hilfiger has an unwavering commitment to sustainability and inclusivity.

Global retail sales of TOMMY HILFIGER products were approximately $9.1 billion in 2022 and the brand is powered by more than 16,000 associates worldwide  present in 100 countries and more than 2,000 retail stores, including its largest global flagship store at tommy.com. PVH acquired Tommy Hilfiger in 2010 and continues to oversee a focused approach to growing the brands worldwide relevance, presence, and long term growth.

About PVH Corp.

PVH is one of the worlds largest and most admired fashion companies, connecting with consumers in over 40 countries. Our global iconic brands include Calvin Klein and TOMMY HILFIGER. Our over 140-year history is built on the strength of our brands, our team and our commitment to drive fashion forward for good. Thats the Power of Us. Thats the Power of PVH.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240112373655/en/

Lyndsey Anderson

Email: [email protected]

Tobias Heinrichs:

Email: [email protected]

Source: PVH Corp.
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Tractian, a leader in innovative hardware and software solutions for US manufacturers, proudly announces its official Title Sponsorship of "Unturning Steel," an upcoming documentary that explores the challenges and triumphs of military veterans finding their place in American manufacturing.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240112918220/en/

A Documentary Film Made in America (Photo: Business Wire)

"Unturning Steel" will be released this coming Spring. The official teaser trailer can be found here.

"Unturning Steel" is a compelling documentary that follows the journey of Bill Leahy, a dedicated individual who is determined to provide service members with a meaningful path forward after returning home from their military service. In the wake of personal tragedy, Bill embarks on a quest to help his fellow veterans harness their unique talents and skills within the American manufacturing sector. In partnership with the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Bill has created a groundbreaking initiative designed to offer veterans the necessary support and training to rediscover their purpose within the manufacturing industry.

In a society where both veterans and manufacturers often face insufficient support, "Unturning Steel" delves into the challenges and opportunities that arise as American manufacturing experiences a resurgence in the 21st century.

Bill Leahy, the Subject and Executive Producer of "Unturning Steel," shares his inspiration for the film: "After my brother's funeral, I had a conversation with his dear friend, a Navy SEAL, who inspired me with the phrase 'Turning Steel,' which is what they shout on the radio before breaching their target with explosives. This led me to name the film 'Unturning Steel' because our mission of helping veterans find their place in American manufacturing is an arduous task. We are committed to the challenging work of providing veterans with the training and purpose they need to revitalize American manufacturing."

Tractian, as the official title sponsor of "Unturning Steel," shares a deep passion for advancing the 'MADE IN AMERICA' promise and for supporting the integration of veterans into the manufacturing community. "Unturning Steel" is a powerful testament to the resilience, dedication, and potential of veterans in the manufacturing sector. Tractian is honored to be a part of this inspiring journey and looks forward to the positive impact this documentary will have on veterans, manufacturers, and the broader community.

Amidst escalating pressures from China's advances in the US manufacturing sector, there is an emerging and critical discourse focusing on the potential role of veterans in revitalizing this key industry. As these veterans seek to reposition themselves in the civilian workforce, their unique skills, discipline, and resilience might just be the catalytic force needed to save and reinvigorate US manufacturing. This situation raises a pertinent question: Could veterans be the answer to not only sustaining but also boosting the competitiveness of the US manufacturing landscape in the global arena?

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240112918220/en/

Marina Sakai

Tractian US Office

[email protected]

Source: Tractian
PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

VITURA (Paris: VTR):

Euro Lily Private Limited and Euro Fairview Private Limited, members of the GIC Real Estate group, represented by Tracy Stroh and Lorenzo Segre respectively, have notified Vitura of their decision to step down as directors.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors thanked them for their contribution over the past few years.

The work of the Board of Directors will continue to be conducted by the eight remaining directors, three of whom are independent. Vitura's Management and the Board of Directors confirm that the Company's strategy and development objectives remain unchanged.

Northwood and the GIC group informed VITURA of their intention to maintain the shareholders' agreement relating to the company entered into on April 6, 2016 1.

1 See AMF D&I no. 216C0867 of April 12, 2016 and AMF D&I no. 221C3630 of December 27, 2021.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240112165721/en/

Investor Relations

Charlotte de Laroche

[email protected]

+33 (0)1 42 25 76 38

Media Relations

Alienor Miens

[email protected]

+33 (0)6 64 32 81 75

Source: VITURA
Pottery Barn President Monica Bhargava and Pottery Barn Kids and Pottery Barn Teen President Jennifer Kellor to Succeed Benson Effective April 2024

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE: WSM), the worlds largest digital-first, design-led and sustainable home retailer, announced today the retirement of Marta Benson, Chief Executive Officer of Pottery Barn Brands, effective April 26, 2024. Bensons responsibilities will transition to the two existing Pottery Barn Presidents, Monica Bhargava, President of Pottery Barn and Jennifer Kellor, President of Pottery Barn Kids and Pottery Barn Teen. Bhargava and Kellor have a combined 50 years of dedicated, successful service to Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and the entire Williams-Sonoma, Inc. team, I want to thank Marta for her significant accomplishments and commitment to driving growth during her 13-year tenure, said Williams-Sonoma, Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer, Laura Alber. Martas contributions to our company have led to the launch of Mark & Graham, the acquisition of Rejuvenation and the transformation of Pottery Barn. We are grateful for her leadership and the legacy she leaves behind having been a champion for advancing our companys commitment to sustainability.

It has been an absolute privilege to contribute to Williams-Sonoma, Inc., the capstone of a 35-year career in specialty multi-channel retail. I have so much respect for the passionate teams that have built such a powerful platform and the most beautiful family of brands in our industry with an authentic commitment to quality, service and sustainability, Benson shared reflecting on her time with Williams-Sonoma, Inc. I want to thank Laura for the trust and opportunities she has given me over the years and am grateful for all the talented people with whom I have had the privilege to collaborate. The Pottery Barn bench is talented, tenured, and strong, and I have so much confidence in the leadership that will continue to innovate and drive results going forward.

About Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the worlds largest digital-first, design-led and sustainable home retailer. The companys products, representing distinct merchandise strategies  Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, West Elm, Williams Sonoma Home, Rejuvenation, Mark and Graham and GreenRow  are marketed through e-commerce websites, direct-mail catalogs and retail stores. These brands are also part of The Key Rewards, our loyalty and credit card program that offers members exclusive benefits across the Williams-Sonoma family of brands. We operate in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom, offer international shipping to customers worldwide, and have unaffiliated franchisees that operate stores in the Middle East, the Philippines, Mexico, South Korea and India, as well as e-commerce websites in certain locations. We are also proud to be a leader in our industry with our values-based culture and commitment to achieving our sustainability goals. Our company is Good By Design  weve deeply ingrained sustainability into our business. From our factories to your home, were united in a shared purpose to care for our people and our planet.

For more information on our sustainability efforts, please visit: https://sustainability.williams-sonomainc.com/

WSM-PR

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240112370970/en/

Kendall Coleman

Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

[email protected]

415-616-7926

Source: Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
IT services segment revenue near top-end of guidance

Delivers IT services operating margin at 16%, EPS increases 2.0% QoQ

$3.8 billion order booking with 14 large deal wins

EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. & BANGALORE, India--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO), a leading technology services and consulting company, announced financial results under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for the quarter-ended December 31, 2023.

Highlights of the Results

Results for the Quarter ended December 31, 2023:

Gross revenue reached Rs 222.1 billion ($2.7 billion1), a decrease of 1.4% QoQ. IT services segment revenue was at $2,656.1 million, a decrease of 2.1% QoQ. Non-GAAP2 constant currency IT Services segment revenue decreased 1.7% QoQ. Total bookings3 was at $3.8 billion, up by 0.2% QoQ and large deal bookings4 was at $0.9 billion. IT services segment EBIT for the quarter was Rs 35.4 billion ($425.8 million1), a decrease of 1.8% QoQ. IT services operating margin5 for the quarter was at 16.0%, down by 11 bps QoQ. Net income for the quarter was at Rs 26.9 billion ($323.9 million1), an increase of 1.8% QoQ. Earnings per share for the quarter was at Rs 5.16 ($0.061), an increase of 2.0% QoQ. Operating cash flows at 177.3% of Net Income for the quarter was at Rs 47.9 billion ($575.7 million1). Voluntary attrition6 has continued to moderate QoQ, coming in at 10-quarter low of 12.3% in Q324. Interim dividend declared of Rs 1 ($0.0121) per equity share/ADS.

Outlook for the Quarter ending March 31, 2024

We expect revenue from our IT Services business segment to be in the range of $2,615 million to $2,669 million*. This translates to sequential guidance of -1.5% to +0.5% in constant currency terms.

* Outlook for the Quarter ending March 31, 2024, is based on the following exchange rates: GBP/USD at 1.24, Euro/USD at 1.08, AUD/USD at 0.65, USD/INR at 83.54 and CAD/USD at 0.72

Performance for the Quarter ended December 31, 2023

Our investments in people, processes, and business operations are continuing to pay off, said Thierry Delaporte, CEO and Managing Director. In a seasonally soft quarter, deal booking momentum remained strong. Our large deals recorded a 20 percent year-to-date growth. Further, we are starting to see early signs of a return to growth in Consulting, as demonstrated by the double-digit growth in order bookings in our Capco business.

Under our ai360 strategy, AI is now embedded across most of our existing solutions and client offerings. Were deploying AI internally across all business and functional areas as well, with the goals of efficiency, productivity, and scale. We are confident that these investments will allow us to capitalize on emerging opportunities, as the macro environment improves.

Aparna C. Iyer, Chief Financial Officer, said, I am pleased with our rigor of execution across all financial metrics - revenue, margin, EPS, and cash flow. We are building a more resilient, agile, and efficient organization which has helped us sustain our margins at 16%, a 63 basis point improvement on a year-to-date basis despite revenue headwinds and absorbing the impact of the investments we are making for growth and people.

IT Products

IT Products segment revenue for the quarter was Rs 0.8 billion ($9.7 million1) IT Products segment results for the quarter was a gain of Rs 0.11 billion ($1.37 million1)

Please refer to the table at the end for reconciliation between IFRS IT Services Revenue and IT Services Revenue on a non-GAAP constant currency basis.

For the convenience of the readers, the amounts in Indian Rupees in this release have been translated into United States Dollars at the certified foreign exchange rate of US$1 = Rs 83.19, as published by the Federal Reserve Board of Governors on December 31, 2023. However, the realized exchange rate in our IT Services business segment for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, was US$1= Rs 83.40. Constant currency for a period is the product of volumes in that period times the average actual exchange rate of the corresponding comparative period. Total Bookings refers to the total contract value of all orders that were booked during the period including new orders, renewals, and increases to existing contracts. Bookings do not reflect subsequent terminations or reductions related to bookings originally recorded in prior fiscal periods. Bookings are recorded using then-existing foreign currency exchange rates and are not subsequently adjusted for foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. The revenues from these contracts accrue over the tenure of the contract. For constant currency growth rates, refer note 2. Large deal bookings consist of deals greater than or equal to $30 million in total contract value. IT Services Operating Margin refers to Segment Results Total as reflected in IFRS financials. Voluntary attrition is in IT Services computed on a quarterly annualised basis and excludes DOP. Effective April 1, 2023, we merged our ISRE segment with our IT Services segment. The YoY growth rates for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, were computed by rebase lining Q323 numbers.

Highlights of Strategic Deal Wins

In the third quarter, Wipro continued to win large and strategic deals across industries. Key highlights include:

Wipro was selected by a US-based member-governed health insurance non-profit to deploy an integrated Business Platform as a Service to deliver end-to-end plan administration services. Leveraging its proprietary Individual & Family Health Insurance Exchange platform, Wipro will help streamline the enrollment, billing and claims process for the client. The platform will also use AI to reconcile premiums with subsidies offered by the government to minimize costs for members. The client will benefit from increased satisfaction amongst providers, clinics and pharmacies and improved compliance with evolving regulations. A global technology leader has chosen Wipro to develop capabilities for their AI-driven orchestration platform. Wipro will collaborate closely with the client to integrate various systems involved in the process lifecycle, simplifying navigation, and streamlining workflows for end-users. This will improve overall productivity and accuracy, enabling tasks to be completed more efficiently. Additionally, this partnership will allow the client to expand the market reach of their solution. An American Retail Bank has chosen Wipro as the end-to-end product development partner for the clients Payments & Digital Platform groups. Capco, Designit, and Wipro teams will provide fully-staffed, cross-functional working groups to deliver on key initiatives across the bank  including cloud migration, marketing analytics, and relationship management modernization. The combined teams will bring architecture, design, and tech delivery capacity, alongside banking domain expertise, and will be underpinned by an offshore delivery model. The resulting effort will deliver immediate efficiencies and power the maturity of the clients Digital platforms. A Middle Eastern financial regulatory body has selected Wipro as a technology partner to strengthen its IT applications and infrastructure. Wipro will create a unique solution to support the clients business applications, infrastructure technology, service desk, and IT operating model. Wipro will also provide a host of value-added components, including dedicated consulting services from Capco which is aimed at business and IT strategic transformation including data, supervisory tech, and AI. The resulting increased efficiency and productivity will help the client attract both domestic and foreign investments to the region. One of the worlds largest wind turbine manufacturers has selected Wipro to transform its Enterprise Resource Planning landscape to harmonize the Finance, Manufacturing, Sales, Supply Chain and Customer service processes. Wipro will deliver a tailored solution that unifies the clients regional platforms, while matching the individual needs of the business units. This will empower each unit with data-driven decision-making while improving the speed-to-market, as well as supporting the rapid addition of new product lines. Leveraging its Controlled Global Template and Industrialized Rollout Framework, Wipro will ensure shorter and smoother global rollouts with increased business user satisfaction for the client. A leading automotive manufacturers financial services organization selected Wipro to consolidate their IT services, with the goal of harmonizing their IT processes across the entire enterprise, creating new synergies across functions, and a consolidation of current supplier landscape. The project involves the transformation towards a managed service operation model and providing services for the clients core infrastructure, central platform services, and end-user computing services. The solutions delivered by the Wipro team will help the client realize its business transformation goals and support their evolution to a mobility services provider. An international banking institution has selected Wipro to transform its business applications portfolio. The Wipro team will create a bespoke, automation-based solution to assess, transform, and manage the clients applications estate. The project will lead to increased operational efficiency, cost reduction, and increased cloud adoption. Wipro was selected by one of the worlds largest airlines to deliver omni-channel customer services support across its e-commerce and loyalty program. Through this engagement, Wipro will streamline the customer service process for agents, provide automated visualization for performance management, and track quality through enhanced reporting and analysis. The agents will be trained through gamified learning modules, which will quickly lead to improved processes, reduced wait times and better end-customer experience. A US-based technology services company has selected Wipro to augment its navigation assistance offering. For the clients end users, the Wipro team will improve navigation and create new map features, enhancing the search functionality of 2D and 3D mapping, as well as improving transit, indoor and business listings. For the clients B2B customers, Wipro will assist in building customized features targeting Autonomous Driving & Simulation (ADAS) technology for the transportation, hospitality, and automotive sectors. The client can expect to see enhanced data and product quality, as well as monetization of their offering. An integrated healthcare network has selected Wipro to deliver end-to-end managed services to transform their IT environment and digital infrastructure. As part of this project, the Wipro team will leverage hyper-automation to help the client improve customer service and overall efficiency, increase speed and scalability, as well as achieve cost optimization. A US-based education assistance agency has selected Wipro to deliver digitally enabled customer care services. The Wipro team will build a custom solution to transform the clients end-user journey. The solution will also ensure better contract compliance, more profitable service delivery, improved customer satisfaction, and enhance the clients overall industry ranking. A North American banking group has selected Wipro to test and improve their overall technology efficiency. The Wipro team will improve the testing automation efficiency of their legacy technology stack. This will enable the business to onboard new applications within its infrastructure while improving year-on-year automation efficiency across the clients portfolio. A Swiss multinational corporation has selected Wipro to be its Global Network systems integrator to refresh & transform their 600+ sites to be cloud native. The Wipro team will build a completely customized solution that will allow for flexibility and speed of execution in a time-bound manner using Wipro accelerators. This integration project will align with the clients overall cloud strategy, increase their speed to market, and will produce cost savings of up to 20 percent.

Analyst Recognition

Wipro was positioned as a Leader in Avasant's Data Management and Advanced Analytics Services RadarView 2023 Wipro was rated as a Leader in ISG Provider Lens  Future of Work Services and Solutions 2023 - Germany (multiple quadrants) Wipro was recognized as a Leader in IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Managed Public Cloud Services 2023 Vendor Assessment (Doc # US49116023 Nov 2023) Wipro was featured as a Horizon 3 - Leader in HFS Horizons: Generative Enterprise Services, 2023 Wipro was ranked as a Leader in Avasant's Digital Talent Capability RadarView 2023  2024 Wipro was positioned a Leader in Everest Group's Cloud Security Services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2023 Wipro was designated a Leader in Everest Group's Cloud Services in Insurance PEAK Matrix Assessment 2023 Wipro was named a Leader in IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Supply Chain All Other Ecosystems Services 2023 Vendor Assessment (Doc # US51314123 Nov 2023) Wipro was recognized as a Leader in ISG Provider Lens  Oil and Gas Industry Services and Solutions 2023 (all quadrants) Wipro was positioned as a Leader in ISG Provider Lens  AWS Ecosystem Partners 2023 - Germany (all quadrants) Wipro was positioned as a Horizon 3 - Leader in HFS Horizons: Retail and CPG Service Providers, 2023 Wipro was positioned as a Leader in the 2023 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Managed Network Services

Source & Disclaimer: *Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Managed Network Services, Ted Corbett, et al, 18 November 2023.

GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally, and MAGIC QUADRANT is a registered trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product, or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner's research publications consist of the opinions of Gartners research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

The Gartner content described herein (the Gartner Content) represents research opinion or viewpoints published, as part of a syndicated subscription service, by Gartner, Inc. ("Gartner"), and is not a representation of fact. Gartner Content speaks as of its original publication date (and not as of the date of this press release, and the opinions expressed in the Gartner Content are subject to change without notice.

About Key Metrics and Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains key metrics and non-GAAP financial measures within the meaning of Regulation G and Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K. Such non-GAAP financial measures are measures of our historical or future performance, financial position or cash flows that are adjusted to exclude or include amounts that are excluded or included from the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with IFRS.

The table at the end provides IT Services Revenue on a constant currency basis, which is a non-GAAP financial measure that is calculated by translating IT Services Revenue from the current reporting period into U.S. dollars based on the currency conversion rate in effect for the prior reporting period. We refer to growth rates in constant currency so that business results may be viewed without the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, thereby facilitating period-to-period comparisons of our business performance. Further, in the normal course of business, we may divest a portion of our business which may not be strategic. We refer to the growth rates in both reported and constant currency adjusting for such divestments in order to represent the comparable growth rates.

Our key metrics and non-GAAP financial measures are not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles and should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with IFRS and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies. Our key metrics and non-GAAP financial measures are not comparable to, nor should be substituted for, an analysis of our revenue over time and involve estimates and judgments. In addition to our non-GAAP measures, the financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS and the reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures with the most directly comparable IFRS financial measure should be carefully evaluated.

Results for the Quarter ended December 31, 2023, prepared under IFRS, along with individual business segment reports, are available in the Investors section of our website www.wipro.com/investors/

Quarterly Conference Call

We will hold an earnings conference call today at 07:00 p.m. Indian Standard Time (9:30 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time) to discuss our performance for the quarter. The audio from the conference call will be available online through a webcast and can be accessed at the following link - https://links.ccwebcast.com/?EventId=WIP12012024

An audio recording of the management discussions and the question-and-answer session will be available online and will be accessible in the Investor Relations section of our website at www.wipro.com

About Wipro Limited

Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO) is a leading technology services and consulting company focused on building innovative solutions that address clients most complex digital transformation needs. Leveraging our holistic portfolio of capabilities in consulting, design, engineering, and operations, we help clients realize their boldest ambitions and build future-ready, sustainable businesses. With nearly 240,000 employees and business partners across 65 countries, we deliver on the promise of helping our clients, colleagues, and communities thrive in an ever-changing world. For additional information, visit us at www.wipro.com

Forward-Looking Statements

The forward-looking statements contained herein represent Wipros beliefs regarding future events, many of which are by their nature, inherently uncertain and outside Wipros control. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Wipros growth prospects, its future financial operating results, the benefits its customers experience and its plans, expectations, and intentions. Wipro cautions readers that the forward-looking statements contained herein are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated by such statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding fluctuations in our earnings, revenue and profits, our ability to generate and manage growth, complete proposed corporate actions, intense competition in IT services, our ability to maintain our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which we make strategic investments, withdrawal of fiscal governmental incentives, political instability, war, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our business and industry.

Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, Annual Reports on Form 20-F. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. We may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the companys filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by us or on our behalf.

WIPRO LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION (Rs in millions, except share and per share data, unless otherwise stated) As at March 31, 2023 As at December 31, 2023 Convenience translation into

US dollar in millions

(Refer footnote) ASSETS Goodwill 307,970 311,251 3,741 Intangible assets 43,045 34,341 413 Property, plant and equipment 88,659 81,406 979 Right-of-Use assets 18,702 17,473 210 Financial assets Derivative assets 29 21 ^ Investments 20,720 22,666 272 Trade receivables 863 4,328 52 Other financial assets 6,330 5,653 68 Investments accounted for using the equity method 780 759 9 Deferred tax assets 2,100 1,785 21 Non-current tax assets 11,922 9,582 115 Other non-current assets 13,606 10,544 127 Total non-current assets 514,726 499,809 6,007 Inventories 1,188 1,066 13 Financial assets Derivative assets 1,844 1,350 16 Investments 309,232 292,170 3,512 Cash and cash equivalents 91,880 91,113 1,095 Trade receivables 126,350 120,871 1,454 Unbilled receivables 60,515 57,225 688 Other financial assets 9,096 8,120 98 Contract assets 23,001 19,559 235 Current tax assets 5,091 5,465 66 Other current assets 32,899 28,369 341 Total current assets 661,096 625,308 7,518 TOTAL ASSETS 1,175,822 1,125,117 13,525 EQUITY Share capital 10,976 10,448 126 Share premium 3,689 2,837 34 Retained earnings 660,964 606,952 7,296 Share-based payment reserve 5,632 5,804 70 Special Economic Zone re-investment reserve 46,803 42,726 514 Other components of equity 53,100 61,496 739 Equity attributable to the equity holders of the Company 781,164 730,263 8,779 Non-controlling interests 589 698 8 TOTAL EQUITY 781,753 730,961 8,787 LIABILITIES Financial liabilities Loans and borrowings 61,272 62,126 747 Lease liabilities 15,953 15,092 181 Derivative liabilities 179 48 1 Other financial liabilities 2,649 1,504 18 Deferred tax liabilities 15,153 14,307 172 Non-current tax liabilities 21,777 31,641 380 Other non-current liabilities 9,333 12,050 145 Provisions ^ - - Total non-current liabilities 126,316 136,768 1,644 Financial liabilities Loans, borrowings and bank overdrafts 88,821 93,621 1,125 Lease liabilities 8,620 8,297 100 Derivative liabilities 2,825 1,348 16 Trade payables and accrued expenses 89,054 81,571 981 Other financial liabilities 4,141 2,082 25 Contract liabilities 22,682 18,905 227 Current tax liabilities 18,846 20,138 242 Other current liabilities 30,215 29,009 349 Provisions 2,549 2,417 29 Total current liabilities 267,753 257,388 3,094 TOTAL LIABILITIES 394,069 394,156 4,738 TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 1,175,822 1,125,117 13,525 ^ Value is less than 1

WIPRO LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME (Rs in millions, except share and per share data, unless otherwise stated) Three months ended December 31, Nine months ended December 31, 2022 2023 2023 2022 2023 2023 Convenience

translation into

US dollar in millions (Refer footnote) Convenience

translation into

US dollar in millions (Refer footnote) Revenues 232,290 222,051 2,669 672,973 675,520 8,120 Cost of revenues (163,273 ) (153,826 ) (1,849 ) (482,708 ) (474,278 ) (5,701 ) Gross profit 69,017 68,225 820 190,265 201,242 2,419 Selling and marketing expenses (17,752 ) (19,178 ) (231 ) (48,251 ) (54,529 ) (655 ) General and administrative expenses (15,020 ) (16,444 ) (198 ) (43,467 ) (46,455 ) (558 ) Foreign exchange gains/(losses), net 1,391 262 3 3,482 468 6 Results from operating activities 37,636 32,865 394 102,029 100,726 1,212 Finance expenses (2,902 ) (3,125 ) (38 ) (7,217 ) (9,244 ) (111 ) Finance and other income 4,992 5,785 70 12,722 17,137 205 Share of net profit/ (loss) of associates accounted for using the equity method 26 (4 ) ^ (61 ) (31 ) ^ Profit before tax 39,752 35,521 426 107,473 108,588 1,306 Income tax expense (9,102 ) (8,515 ) (102 ) (24,743 ) (26,049 ) (313 ) Profit for the period 30,650 27,006 324 82,730 82,539 993 Profit attributable to: Equity holders of the Company 30,529 26,942 323 82,755 82,106 988 Non-controlling interests 121 64 1 (25 ) 433 5 Profit for the period 30,650 27,006 324 82,730 82,539 993 Earnings per equity share: Attributable to equity holders of the Company Basic 5.57 5.16 0.06 15.12 15.46 0.19 Diluted 5.56 5.15 0.06 15.08 15.42 0.19 Weighted average number of equity shares used in computing earnings per equity share Basic 5,480,138,169 5,218,470,886 5,218,470,886 5,475,982,068 5,310,985,603 5,310,985,603 Diluted 5,486,025,875 5,230,916,313 5,230,916,313 5,487,483,177 5,326,825,104 5,326,825,104 ^ Value is less than 1

Additional Information:

Particulars Three months ended Nine months ended Year ended December

31, 2023 September

30, 2023 December

31, 2022 December

31, 2023 December

31, 2022 March

31, 2023 Audited Audited Audited Audited Audited Audited Segment revenue IT Services Americas 1 68,581 66,813 67,788 201,001 194,840 261,270 Americas 2 66,541 66,914 71,168 201,758 207,811 278,374 Europe 61,473 63,976 66,323 192,583 189,283 256,845 APMEA 24,913 26,255 26,681 77,678 79,605 106,812 Total of IT Services 221,508 223,958 231,960 673,020 671,539 903,301 IT Products 805 1,469 1,721 2,968 4,916 6,047 Total segment revenue 222,313 225,427 233,681 675,988 676,455 909,348 Segment result IT Services Americas 1 16,459 15,287 13,586 45,283 38,110 51,555 Americas 2 15,180 14,023 15,567 43,372 43,750 59,689 Europe 7,906 7,547 10,203 25,421 26,643 37,667 APMEA 3,433 2,985 2,912 9,218 7,651 10,681 Unallocated (7,552 ) (3,784 ) (4,662 ) (15,293 ) (12,596 ) (18,368 ) Total of IT Services 35,426 36,058 37,606 108,001 103,558 141,224 IT Products 114 (467 ) 41 (514 ) (117 ) (176 ) Reconciling Items (2,675 ) (2,246 ) (11 ) (6,761 ) (1,412 ) (1,442 ) Total segment result 32,865 33,345 37,636 100,726 102,029 139,606 Finance expenses (3,125 ) (3,033 ) (2,902 ) (9,244 ) (7,217 ) (10,077 ) Finance and other income 5,785 4,810 4,992 17,137 12,722 18,185 Share of net profit/ (loss) of associates accounted for using the equity method (4 ) (30 ) 26 (31 ) (61 ) (57 ) Profit before tax 35,521 35,092 39,752 108,588 107,473 147,657

Effective April 1, 2023, we merged our India State Run Enterprise segment (ISRE) with our IT Services segment. Currently, the Company is organized into the following operating segments: IT Services and IT Products.

IT Services: As announced on November 12, 2020, effective January 1, 2021, we re-organized our IT Services segment into four Strategic Market Units (SMUs) - Americas 1, Americas 2, Europe and Asia Pacific Middle East Africa (APMEA).

Americas 1 and Americas 2 are primarily organized by industry sector, while Europe and APMEA are organized by countries.

Americas 1 includes Healthcare and Medical Devices, Consumer Goods and Lifesciences, Retail, Transportation and Services, Communications, Media and Information services, Technology Products and Platforms, in the United States of America and entire business of Latin America (LATAM"). Americas 2 includes Banking, Financial Services and Insurance, Manufacturing, Hi-tech, Energy and Utilities industry sectors in the United States of America and entire business of Canada. Europe consists of United Kingdom and Ireland, Switzerland, Germany, Benelux, Nordics and Southern Europe. APMEA consists of Australia and New Zealand, India, Middle East, South East Asia, Japan and Africa.

IT Products: The Company is a value-added reseller of desktops, servers, notebooks, storage products, networking solutions and packaged software for leading international brands. In certain total outsourcing contracts of the IT Services segment, the Company delivers hardware, software products and other related deliverables. Revenue relating to the above items is reported as revenue from the sale of IT Products.

Reconciliation of selected GAAP measures to Non-GAAP measures

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Constant Currency IT Services Revenue to IT Services Revenue as per IFRS ($Mn) Three Months ended December 31, 2023 IT Services Revenue as per IFRS $ 2,656.1 Effect of Foreign currency exchange movement $ 12.5 Non-GAAP Constant Currency IT Services Revenue

based on previous quarter exchange rates $ 2,668.6

Three Months ended December 31, 2023 IT Services Revenue as per IFRS $ 2,656.1 Effect of Foreign currency exchange movement $ (29.9 ) Non-GAAP Constant Currency IT Services Revenue

based on exchange rates of comparable period in previous year $ 2,626.2

Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow for three months and nine months ended December 31, 2023

Amount in INR Mn Three months ended

December 31, 2023 Nine months ended December 31, 2023 Net Income for the period [A] 27,006 82,539 Computation of Free Cash Flow Net cash generated from operating activities [B] 47,891 124,037 Add/ (deduct) cash inflow/ (outflow)on: Purchase of property, plant and equipment (2,078 ) (6,262 ) Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment (320 ) 3,903 Free Cash Flow [C] 45,493 121,678 Operating Cash Flow as percentage of Net Income [B/A] 177.3 % 150.3 % Free Cash Flow as percentage of Net Income [C/A] 168.5 % 147.4 %

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240112531539/en/

Contact for Investor Relations

Dipak Kumar Bohra

Phone: +91-80-6142 7201

[email protected]

Abhishek Jain

Phone: +91-80-6142 6143

[email protected]

Contact for Media & Press

Phone: +91-80-6142 6450

[email protected]

Source: Wipro Limited
WorkJam CEO Steven Kramer and JCPenney CHRO Andre Joyner to Speak at NRF 24: Retails Big Show

MONTREAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- WorkJam, the worlds leading digital frontline workplace, and JCPenney announced today that WorkJam CEO Steven Kramer and JCPenney Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) Andre Joyner will speak at NRF 24: Retails Big Show in New York City. In their Big Ideas session at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on Monday, January 15, at 9:15 am, Kramer and Joyner will discuss how JCPenney is empowering its frontline workforce to increase engagement and retention and demonstrate it is an employer of choice.

With unemployment continuing to hover at near-historic lows in the U.S., retailers are looking for ways to better engage and retain frontline associates while generating significant time savings for managers. JCPenneys talent strategy includes leveraging WorkJams super app to increase store-level and supply chain associate retention and engagement. The retailer is tapping WorkJam to provide its frontline associates with the workplace tools and capabilities they value most, including scheduling flexibility and early access to earned wages.

JCPenney is establishing itself as an industry-leading employer by empowering frontline staff with our super apps digital tools to improve engagement, productivity and retention, said Steven Kramer, CEO of WorkJam. Im looking forward to speaking with Andre at NRF 24 and sharing insights on how JCPenney is offering its frontline staff more flexibility, reducing their financial stress and meeting employees where they are to become a retail employer of choice.

In the past, most retail companies have traditionally hired and managed associates in a very particular way, by focusing on finding people to work certain hours at a certain location, without much thought to offering staff a degree of agency over any part of their work experience, said Andre Joyner, CHRO, JCPenney. With WorkJam, were able to adopt a more modern strategy, enabling us to empower our associates to take ownership over their careers with tools they clearly valueincluding scheduling flexibility and early access to earned wages. Those offerings help address some of the biggest challenges our employees face and have helped us become more competitive in the recruiting process and reduce turnover.

As the leading digital frontline workplace, WorkJam enables large enterprises to orchestrate their frontline workforces and puts the tools frontline employees need in the palm of their hand. WorkJams super app leverages AI-powered analytics to help leading retailers and manufacturing, distribution and hospitality enterprises across the globe better understand and manage their frontline workforce data, improve their employee and customer experiences, and grow their bottom line. The WorkJam app is the only solution on the market that gives enterprises the flexibility to buy one module and then turn on others as their needs grow.

In 2023, WorkJam was named to the TIME100 Most Influential Companies list, which highlights companies making an extraordinary impact around the world.

To meet with Kramer and Joyner in person at the NRF 24, visit booth #5647 on the third floor of the Javits Center immediately after their Monday morning Big Ideas session.

About WorkJam

WorkJam was founded in 2014 to improve the lives of frontline workers. As the worlds leading digital frontline workplace, WorkJam combines communication, task management, scheduling tools, learning, and more  all on one app. It is the only complete and unified system designed to revolutionize the way HQs and their frontline work together, boosting efficiencies and productivity. Available in over 45 languages with inline translations, the app helps organizations bridge language barriers and create a more inclusive working environment for all. WorkJam introduces Total Workforce Orchestration. To learn more, visit WorkJam.com.

About JCPenney

JCPenney is the shopping destination for Americas diverse, working families. With inclusivity at its core, the Companys product assortment meets customers everyday needs and helps them commemorate every special occasion with style, quality and value. JCPenney offers a broad portfolio of fashion, apparel, home, beauty and jewelry from national and private brands and provides personal services including salon, portrait and optical. The Company and its 50,000 associates worldwide serve customers where, when and how they want to shop  from jcp.com to more than 650 stores in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

In 2022, JCPenney celebrated 120 years as an iconic American brand by continuing its legacy of connecting with customers through shopping and community engagement. Please visit JCPenneys Newsroom to learn more and follow JCPenney on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240112133184/en/

Media

For WorkJam:

Alissa Heumann

Berns Communications Group

[email protected]

For JCPenney:

JCPenney

[email protected]

Source: WorkJam
Kellanova (NYSE: K) today announced the retirement of Chris Hood , President, Kellanova North America. Nicolas Amaya , currently President, Kellanova Latin America, will succeed Hood as President, Kellanova North America. Victor Marroquin , currently General Manager, Kellanova Mexico, will succeed Amaya as President, Kellanova Latin America. Both Region leaders will report to Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Steve Cahillane. Transitions begin immediately, with Hood's retirement effective at the end of April 2024 .

"A seasoned consumer packaged goods leader, Chris joined our company as part of the Pringles acquisition in 2012 and has contributed tremendously during his tenure," says Steve Cahillane , Chairman, President and CEO. "Over the past nearly six years in his role leading North America , Chris created an agile, category-led business model, driving better performance and unlocking innovation, while guiding the North America organization through major business and portfolio realignments, including the successful exit from direct-store delivery, the divestiture of non-core brands, and the recent spin-off of WK Kellogg Co. We wish Chris and his family all the best and extend our deepest appreciation for his contributions."

Hood's retirement prompts orderly successions by Nicolas Amaya and Victor Marroquin , both of whom have distinguished themselves as highly effective business leaders. "In Nicolas and Victor, we have proven leaders who are committed to delivering on our Differentiate, Drive & Deliver strategy, developing talent and advancing our purpose," adds Cahillane. "These appointments demonstrate the strong caliber of our people and talent pipeline."

Over the past four years in his role as President, Kellanova Latin America, Nicolas Amaya has led the team to deliver robust and consistent top- and bottom-line growth and build strong relationships with key customers and distributors across the region. He has also been at the forefront of digital transformation.

"Nico is a visionary leader who has a strong track record of developing high-performing teams and delivering outsized growth in both Latin America and North America ," says Cahillane. "He has the successful track record and Kellanova experience to continue to drive our business forward as the new leader of our largest region."

Since joining the company in 2001, Amaya has held a variety of leadership positions in both the U.S. and Latin America across the cereal, frozen and snacks businesses including General Manager, Snacks and Growth Platforms for Latin America ; General Manager, Category Marketing and Innovation, Latin America ; and General Manager, Mexico , before being named President, Kellogg Latin America in 2019. Prior to Kellogg, Amaya held various marketing roles at Unilever.

Victor Marroquin joined Kellogg in 1997 in sales, and then held progressive roles in marketing, customer development and commercial management. Since 2014, he has served as General Manager in several roles across Latin America leading countries such as Ecuador , Peru , Brazil , Colombia and the Andean region, and then was named General Manager, Mexico in 2020. In these roles, Marroquin has consistently led the team to deliver strong top- and bottom-line performance, strengthen our brands' market positions, transform our go-to-market models and elevate key customers strategic partnerships.
A person visits the exhibition area of Hisense during the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the United States, Jan. 10, 2024.

Over 1,000 Chinese companies from various categories in the consumer electronic industry participated in the ongoing 2024 CES. The annual show, running in the U.S. city of Las Vegas from Tuesday to Friday, draws more than 130,000 attendees and over 4,000 exhibitors from more than 150 countries and regions, including over 1,200 startups. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua)

A person visits the exhibition area of Hisense during the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the United States, Jan. 10, 2024.

Over 1,000 Chinese companies from various categories in the consumer electronic industry participated in the ongoing 2024 CES. The annual show, running in the U.S. city of Las Vegas from Tuesday to Friday, draws more than 130,000 attendees and over 4,000 exhibitors from more than 150 countries and regions, including over 1,200 startups. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua)

People visit the exhibition area of BOE Technology Group during the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the United States, Jan. 9, 2024.

Over 1,000 Chinese companies from various categories in the consumer electronic industry participated in the ongoing 2024 CES. The annual show, running in the U.S. city of Las Vegas from Tuesday to Friday, draws more than 130,000 attendees and over 4,000 exhibitors from more than 150 countries and regions, including over 1,200 startups. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua)

People visit the exhibition area of BOE Technology Group during the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the United States, Jan. 9, 2024.

Over 1,000 Chinese companies from various categories in the consumer electronic industry participated in the ongoing 2024 CES. The annual show, running in the U.S. city of Las Vegas from Tuesday to Friday, draws more than 130,000 attendees and over 4,000 exhibitors from more than 150 countries and regions, including over 1,200 startups. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua)

People visit the exhibition area of Xpeng during the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the United States, Jan. 10, 2024.

Over 1,000 Chinese companies from various categories in the consumer electronic industry participated in the ongoing 2024 CES. The annual show, running in the U.S. city of Las Vegas from Tuesday to Friday, draws more than 130,000 attendees and over 4,000 exhibitors from more than 150 countries and regions, including over 1,200 startups. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua)

People visit the SK Wonderland during the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the United States, Jan. 11, 2024. The annual show, running in the U.S. city of Las Vegas from Tuesday to Friday, draws more than 130,000 attendees and over 4,000 exhibitors from more than 150 countries and regions, including over 1,200 startups. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

People visit the SK Wonderland during the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the United States, Jan. 11, 2024. The annual show, running in the U.S. city of Las Vegas from Tuesday to Friday, draws more than 130,000 attendees and over 4,000 exhibitors from more than 150 countries and regions, including over 1,200 startups. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

People enjoy VR headsets during the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the United States, Jan. 11, 2024. The annual show, running in the U.S. city of Las Vegas from Tuesday to Friday, draws more than 130,000 attendees and over 4,000 exhibitors from more than 150 countries and regions, including over 1,200 startups. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

People visit the SK Wonderland during the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the United States, Jan. 11, 2024. The annual show, running in the U.S. city of Las Vegas from Tuesday to Friday, draws more than 130,000 attendees and over 4,000 exhibitors from more than 150 countries and regions, including over 1,200 startups. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

People pose for photos at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the United States, Jan. 11, 2024. The annual show, running in the U.S. city of Las Vegas from Tuesday to Friday, draws more than 130,000 attendees and over 4,000 exhibitors from more than 150 countries and regions, including over 1,200 startups. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

People visit the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the United States, Jan. 11, 2024. The annual show, running in the U.S. city of Las Vegas from Tuesday to Friday, draws more than 130,000 attendees and over 4,000 exhibitors from more than 150 countries and regions, including over 1,200 startups. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

People visit the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the United States, Jan. 11, 2024. The annual show, running in the U.S. city of Las Vegas from Tuesday to Friday, draws more than 130,000 attendees and over 4,000 exhibitors from more than 150 countries and regions, including over 1,200 startups. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

People visit the TCL booth during the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the United States, Jan. 11, 2024. The annual show, running in the U.S. city of Las Vegas from Tuesday to Friday, draws more than 130,000 attendees and over 4,000 exhibitors from more than 150 countries and regions, including over 1,200 startups. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

People visit the SK Wonderland during the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the United States, Jan. 11, 2024. The annual show, running in the U.S. city of Las Vegas from Tuesday to Friday, draws more than 130,000 attendees and over 4,000 exhibitors from more than 150 countries and regions, including over 1,200 startups. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

People visit the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the United States, Jan. 11, 2024. The annual show, running in the U.S. city of Las Vegas from Tuesday to Friday, draws more than 130,000 attendees and over 4,000 exhibitors from more than 150 countries and regions, including over 1,200 startups. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

People visit the SK Wonderland during the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the United States, Jan. 11, 2024. The annual show, running in the U.S. city of Las Vegas from Tuesday to Friday, draws more than 130,000 attendees and over 4,000 exhibitors from more than 150 countries and regions, including over 1,200 startups. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

People visit the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the United States, Jan. 11, 2024. The annual show, running in the U.S. city of Las Vegas from Tuesday to Friday, draws more than 130,000 attendees and over 4,000 exhibitors from more than 150 countries and regions, including over 1,200 startups. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

A staff member demonstrates products at the Afeela booth during the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the United States, Jan. 11, 2024. The annual show, running in the U.S. city of Las Vegas from Tuesday to Friday, draws more than 130,000 attendees and over 4,000 exhibitors from more than 150 countries and regions, including over 1,200 startups. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

People enjoy VR headsets during the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the United States, Jan. 11, 2024. The annual show, running in the U.S. city of Las Vegas from Tuesday to Friday, draws more than 130,000 attendees and over 4,000 exhibitors from more than 150 countries and regions, including over 1,200 startups. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

This photo taken on Jan. 9, 2024 shows the Las Vegas Convention Center, the venue of the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) at dawn, in Las Vegas, the United States. The annual show, running in the U.S. city of Las Vegas from Tuesday to Friday, draws more than 130,000 attendees and over 4,000 exhibitors from more than 150 countries and regions, including over 1,200 startups. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

People visit the Hisense booth during the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the United States, Jan. 11, 2024. The annual show, running in the U.S. city of Las Vegas from Tuesday to Friday, draws more than 130,000 attendees and over 4,000 exhibitors from more than 150 countries and regions, including over 1,200 startups. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

People visit the Sony booth during the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the United States, Jan. 11, 2024. The annual show, running in the U.S. city of Las Vegas from Tuesday to Friday, draws more than 130,000 attendees and over 4,000 exhibitors from more than 150 countries and regions, including over 1,200 startups. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

People visit the TCL booth during the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the United States, Jan. 11, 2024. The annual show, running in the U.S. city of Las Vegas from Tuesday to Friday, draws more than 130,000 attendees and over 4,000 exhibitors from more than 150 countries and regions, including over 1,200 startups. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

People visit the Mercedes-Benz booth during the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the United States, Jan. 11, 2024. The annual show, running in the U.S. city of Las Vegas from Tuesday to Friday, draws more than 130,000 attendees and over 4,000 exhibitors from more than 150 countries and regions, including over 1,200 startups. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)
Detroit-based automaker, Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) announced Friday that the companys corporate venture fund, Stellantis Venture, is participating as a strategic investor in Tiamat.

Tiamat is a France-based battery manufacturer and is currently developing sodium-ion battery technology for commercialization.

Sodium-ion technology provides a more economical cost per kilowatt-hour and eliminates the need for lithium and cobalt. The widespread availability of sodium brings advantages in terms of enhanced sustainability and material independence.

Tiamat, recognized as one of the top 11 high-performing technology start-ups, received a Stellantis Ventures Award in 2023. It proudly stands as the first company globally to successfully implement sodium-ion technology in an electrified product.

This investment aligns with Stellantis' commitment to delivering clean, secure, and affordable mobility solutions worldwide. Sodium-ion technology presents the potential for more economically efficient energy storage in comparison to the currently prevalent lithium-ion battery technology.

Exploring new options for more sustainable and affordable batteries that use widely available raw materials is a key part of our ambitions, said Stellantis Chief Engineering and Technology Officer, Ned Curic.

Transitioning to electric propulsion is a central element of the Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan. This involves achieving a 100% sales mix of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) for passenger cars in Europe and a 50% mix for passenger cars and light-duty trucks in the United States by 2030. To meet these targets, Stellantis is securing around 400 GWh of battery capacity. The company aims to achieve carbon neutrality, covering all scopes, by 2038, with single-digit percentage offset of remaining emissions.

Shares of STLA are down 1.89% in mid-day trading on Friday.

By Michael Elkins | [email protected]
Disclosure of total number of voting rights and

number of shares forming the capital

as of December 31, 2023

CLICHY  January 12, 2024

Article L 233-8-II of the French Code de Commerce and Article 223-16 of the General Regulations of the French Autorite des Marches Financiers.

As of December 31, 2023, the total number of issued shares of SOCIETE BIC is 42,270,689 shares, representing:

62,516,167 voting rights,

62,064,440 voting rights excluding shares without voting rights

ABOUT BIC

A world leader in stationery, lighters and shavers, BIC brings simplicity and joy to everyday Life. For more than 75 years, the Company has honored the tradition of providing high-quality, affordable, essential products to consumers everywhere. Through this unwavering dedication, BIC has become one of the most recognized brands and is a trademark registered worldwide. Today, BIC products are sold in more than 160 countries around the world and feature iconic brands such as BIC Kids, BIC FlexTM, BodyMark by BICTM, Cello, Djeep, Lucky Stationary, Rocketbook, Soleil, Tipp-Ex, Us. TM, Wite-Out, Inkbox, and more. In 2022, BIC Net Sales were 2,233.9 million. The Company is listed on Euronext Paris, is part of the SBF120 and CAC Mid 60 indexes, and is recognized for its commitment to sustainable development and education. It has received an A- Leadership score from CDP. For more, visit www.bic.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, or YouTube.

CONTACTS

Investor Relations team

[email protected]







Kimberly Stewart

Head of Investor Relations

+33 6 37 01 42 68

[email protected]



Isabelle de Segonzac

Image 7, Press Relations contact

+ 33 6 89 87 61 39

[email protected]

AGENDA

All dates are subject to change

Full Year 2023 Results February 19, 2024, post market close First Quarter 2024 Results April 23, 2024, post market close 2023 AGM May 29, 2024

Attachment
Sheridan, Wyoming, Jan. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Secret Saunas, an online-only retailer of award-winning sauna heaters, saunas, and hot tubs, is excited to announce the launch of its new website and goal to bring the authentic sauna tradition to American homes.

Created by couple Jasper and Imogen after a trip to Finland and experiencing the health and relaxation benefits of saunas, Secret Saunas hopes its new website will encourage more people to try the healing ritual that is deeply woven into the cultural fabric of the happiest people on the planet.

It was like each drop of sweat released a kind of tension wed been holding onto, Jasper commented on his Sauna experience. I suddenly thought how odd it was that we all seem to walk around holding onto stress, never thinking it might be a good idea to let go; the sauna really helps you do that.

Endeavoring to build a cultural bridge to connect continents through wellness, Secret Saunas offers customers sustainably constructed saunas from reputable North American and European manufacturers handcrafted from quality wood by masters of the trade. This unwavering commitment to authentic materials and construction methods is key to Secret Saunas goal of not just sharing the health benefits but continuing to uphold the communal traditions that Finns have perfected over centuries.

Recent studies have demonstrated saunas positive impact on cardiovascular health, reducing the risk of hypertension and dementia and even improving longevity. As one study from 2021 explains, high heat exposure increases the production of heat-shock proteins, which shield cells against stress. The premium home saunas available on the trusted retailers website offer families a space to de-stress and be fully present with others without the distraction of technology or lifes worries.

Our customers are anyone looking to bring that cozy, unwinding sauna vibe right into their own homes. Some of them are after a super convenient spot to chill out after a hectic day, while others might be hunting for a secret little escape where the worlds noise just fades away. Whether theyre looking to have a heart-to-heart with their partner, a relaxed giggle with friends, or simply enjoy some precious me-time, our mission is all about making that happen. Were here, helping them create not just a place but their very own snug corner where memories are made, and life just gets that bit sweatier, continued Jasper.

Some of the saunas at Secret Saunas include:

Outdoor Saunas: No more shared spaces with strangers; this is a private haven designed to rejuvenate both mind and body. Regardless of a backyards dimensions, Secret Saunas have the perfect fit, from compact barrel saunas to expansive cabin retreats.

Electric Sauna Heaters: The perfect solution for those focused on simplicity and functionality. Electric sauna heaters offer the greatest convenience and ease of use. Simply flip a switch, and an outdoor sauna will rapidly heat up without any hassle. These heaters require far less maintenance than wood-burning stoves and also offer more precise temperature control throughout a sauna.

Wood Burning Sauna Stoves: For a traditionalist wanting that authentic Finnish sauna, with the cracking sound of burning wood and the gentle scent of smoke, the wood-burning sauna heater is ideal. Although these require some extra maintenance and a steady supply of firewood, the experience achieved is simply unparalleled.

For those interested in finding out more about Secret Saunas range of high-quality, traditional saunas, the website invites them to call its friendly customer service team, where they can book a free phone consultation.

More Information

To learn more about Secret Saunas and the launch of its new website, please visit https://www.secretsaunas.com.

Source: https://thenewsfront.com/bringing-authentic-sauna-traditions-to-american-homes-secret-saunas-launch-new-website/

Secret Saunas 30 North Gould Street, Ste R Sheridan Wyoming 82801 United States +1 (833) 944-2021 https://www.secretsaunas.com

Source: Secret Saunas
Dassault Aviation Group

Order intakes, deliveries and backlog in number of new aircraft as of December 31, 2023(unaudited figures)

AIRCRAFT ORDERED IN 2023

60 Rafale (*) were ordered (42 France, 18 Indonesia), compared with 92 Export Rafale in 2022.

(*) The order for an additional 18 Rafale for Indonesia entered into force on January 8, 2024 and is therefore not part of the 60-Rafale order intake for 2023.

23 Falcon were ordered, compared with 64 in 2022.

AIRCRAFT DELIVERED IN 2023

13 Rafale (11 France, 2 Export) were delivered, while 15 had been guided.14 Rafale (13 Export, 1 France) were delivered in 2022.

26 Falcon were delivered, while 35 (*) had been guided.32 Falcon were delivered in 2022.

(*) Certified on August 22, 2023, Falcon 6X, integrating post certification upgrades approved by EASA, has entered into service at the end of 2023.

AIRCRAFT IN BACKLOG

As of December 31, 2023, the backlog includes:

211 Rafale (*) (141 Export, 70 France) compared with 164 Rafale as of December 31, 2022,

(*) (141 Export, 70 France) compared with 164 Rafale as of December 31, 2022, 84 Falcon compared with 87 Falcon as of December 31, 2022.

(*) The order for an additional 18 Rafale for Indonesia entered into force on January 8, 2024 and is therefore not part of the 211-Rafale backlog of December 31, 2023.

UPCOMING FINANCIAL RELEASE

Dassault Aviation Group will release on March 6, 2024 its full year results.

The above figures relate only to the number of new aircraft. The Group points out that amounts in euros will be published on March 6, 2024.

ABOUT DASSAULT AVIATION:

With over 10,000 military and civil aircraft (including 2,700 Falcons) delivered in more than 90 countries over the last century, Dassault Aviation has built up expertise recognized worldwide in the design, development, sale and support of all types of aircraft, ranging from the Rafale fighter, to the high-end Falcon family of business jets, military drones and space systems. In 2022, Dassault Aviation reported revenues of 6.9 billion. The company has 12,700 employees. dassault-aviation.com

CONTACTS:

Corporate CommunicationStephane Fort - Tel. +33 (0)1 47 11 86 90 - [email protected]Mathieu Durand - Tel +33 (0)1 47 11 85 88 - [email protected]

Investor RelationsNicolas Blandin - Tel. +33 (0)1 47 11 40 27 - [email protected]

Attachment

Source: Dassault Aviation
REGULATED RELEASE

SEMI-ANNUAL STATEMENT

OF LIQUIDITY AGREEMENT

Paris  January 12, 2023

In accordance with the provisions of the French Financial Markets Authoritys decision no. 2021-01 of June 22, 2021, establishing liquidity contracts as an accepted market practice, Klepierre informs the public of the implementation of the liquidity contract for the second half of 2023:

Available resources on December 31, 2023: 0 Klepierre share and 11,111,254.90 euros;

Number of transactions on buy side over second half of 2023: 2,870;

Number of transactions on sell side over second half of 2023: 2,804;

Traded volume on buy side over second half of 2023: 2,151,702 shares for 50,468,516.45 euros;

Traded volume on sell side over second half of 2023: 2,187,702 shares for 51,288,769.09 euros.





As a reminder,

At June 30, 2023, available resources were 36,000 Klepierre shares and 10,118,599.65 euros.

At the date of signature of the liquidity contract with Kepler Cheuvreux, February 1, 2023, the available resources were 0 Klepierre shares and 10,738,920.93 euros.

TRANSACTIONS DETAILS

Date Buy side Number of transactions Sell side Number of transactions Buy side Number of shares Sell side Number of shares Buy side Traded volume in EUR Sell side Traded volume in EUR 03/07/2023 8 16 14,000 18,000 322,560.00 415,620.00 04/07/2023 - 25 - 16,000 - 378,880.00 05/07/2023 33 4 29,000 2,000 682,950.00 47,800.00 06/07/2023 60 - 34,000 - 789,820.00 - 07/07/2023 36 - 22,000 - 491,040.00 - 10/07/2023 10 14 14,000 20,000 315,700.00 452,400.00 11/07/2023 2 43 4,000 28,801 90,800.00 665,303.10 12/07/2023 2 21 2,000 22,000 47,000.00 524,260.00 13/07/2023 10 25 17,000 17,000 408,850.00 409,530.00 14/07/2023 12 8 10,000 10,000 238,800.00 239,900.00 17/07/2023 15 13 17,801 10,000 424,019.82 239,000.00 18/07/2023 18 12 13,000 13,000 308,620.00 309,790.00 19/07/2023 45 13 29,000 17,000 697,740.00 411,230.00 20/07/2023 24 18 19,000 12,000 457,710.00 290,520.00 21/07/2023 14 12 10,641 11,000 255,916.05 265,870.00 24/07/2023 34 17 20,000 16,000 482,200.00 387,840.00 25/07/2023 19 29 16,000 14,000 382,560.00 335,860.00 26/07/2023 25 50 10,000 40,000 237,200.00 952,400.00 27/07/2023 31 45 26,000 34,095 624,780.00 820,666.65 28/07/2023 63 70 36,000 42,000 859,680.00 1,005,900.00 31/07/2023 19 41 18,000 29,905 433,080.00 720,710.50 July 2023 480 476 361,442 372,801 8,551,025.87 8,873,480.25 01/08/2023 40 16 32,000 12,000 767,040.00 288,120.00 02/08/2023 59 63 43,000 52,000 1,035,440.00 1,256,320.00 03/08/2023 76 37 50,001 32,001 1,191,523.83 765,463.92 04/08/2023 78 84 54,000 66,000 1,279,260.00 1,568,820.00 07/08/2023 73 30 44,188 24,500 1,045,488.08 580,405.00 08/08/2023 28 35 20,000 28,000 474,600.00 668,360.00 09/08/2023 24 31 16,000 18,000 384,320.00 434,340.00 10/08/2023 10 43 8,000 31,000 193,280.00 750,200.00 11/08/2023 49 - 32,000 - 766,400.00 - 14/08/2023 12 3 8,000 2,000 191,200.00 47,920.00 15/08/2023 33 25 25,000 21,000 590,250.00 497,280.00 16/08/2023 11 11 6,000 7,000 142,680.00 167,090.00 17/08/2023 18 6 9,000 8,000 213,120.00 190,240.00 18/08/2023 26 8 19,000 13,000 448,020.00 307,450.00 21/08/2023 27 5 20,000 4,000 468,600.00 94,520.00 22/08/2023 15 4 8,000 4,000 187,600.00 94,120.00 23/08/2023 24 11 15,000 8,000 353,850.00 189,440.00 24/08/2023 48 14 28,000 12,000 663,880.00 287,040.00 25/08/2023 10 18 10,000 10,000 235,900.00 237,200.00 28/08/2023 9 17 10,000 15,000 235,500.00 355,050.00 29/08/2023 15 45 20,000 27,000 482,000.00 653,130.00 30/08/2023 15 12 12,000 8,000 289,200.00 194,320.00 31/08/2023 3 22 12,000 17,000 292,800.00 417,010.00 August 2023 703 540 501,189 419,501 11,931,951.91 10,043,838.92





Date Buy side Number of transactions Sell side Number of transactions Buy side Number of shares Sell side Number of shares Buy side Traded volume in EUR Sell side Traded volume in EUR 01/09/2023 15 3 16,000 2,000 389,920.00 49,200.00 04/09/2023 23 1 16,000 2,000 387,840.00 48,900.00 05/09/2023 15 30 6,000 17,000 144,120.00 412,080.00 06/09/2023 3 5 2,038 2,000 49,238.08 48,600.00 07/09/2023 25 15 17,000 6,000 412,250.00 146,520.00 08/09/2023 13 34 14,000 16,000 338,660.00 389,120.00 11/09/2023 10 10 8,000 6,000 195,520.00 147,120.00 12/09/2023 10 8 9,000 8,000 220,320.00 197,040.00 13/09/2023 15 16 8,000 12,000 196,240.00 296,040.00 14/09/2023 20 23 11,000 22,000 271,810.00 546,480.00 15/09/2023 43 18 26,000 6,201 650,260.00 156,141.18 18/09/2023 55 13 29,000 8,000 717,460.00 199,120.00 19/09/2023 19 18 6,000 18,000 148,080.00 446,760.00 20/09/2023 7 35 8,000 24,000 199,520.00 601,920.00 21/09/2023 36 6 26,000 8,000 642,200.00 198,640.00 22/09/2023 30 16 20,000 11,000 487,800.00 269,720.00 25/09/2023 48 10 40,000 6,000 947,200.00 142,320.00 26/09/2023 55 7 38,000 9,000 881,220.00 210,870.00 27/09/2023 14 4 14,000 6,000 317,100.00 136,500.00 28/09/2023 19 21 25,000 23,000 566,000.00 522,790.00 29/09/2023 - 91 - 53,166 - 1,231,856.22 September 2023 475 384 339,038 265,367 8,162,758.08 6,397,737.40 02/10/2023 27 2 22,000 2,000 506,000.00 46,700.00 03/10/2023 48 5 34,000 8,000 766,360.00 182,480.00 04/10/2023 11 37 4,000 40,000 88,600.00 904,000.00 05/10/2023 - 21 - 23,000 - 522,560.00 06/10/2023 21 12 20,000 15,000 450,800.00 342,450.00 09/10/2023 16 - 10,000 - 225,800.00 - 10/10/2023 24 13 21,000 6,000 475,860.00 137,100.00 11/10/2023 7 31 2,842 31,000 64,087.10 706,180.00 12/10/2023 21 27 20,000 19,000 458,200.00 438,710.00 13/10/2023 38 8 25,000 11,000 554,000.00 247,610.00 16/10/2023 - 18 - 19,665 - 441,282.60 17/10/2023 21 23 20,000 16,000 448,000.00 360,800.00 18/10/2023 33 11 21,000 7,000 467,670.00 157,010.00 19/10/2023 43 5 23,880 3,000 521,300.40 66,000.00 20/10/2023 15 33 15,000 33,000 324,300.00 718,080.00 23/10/2023 17 33 22,000 32,000 474,980.00 695,360.00 24/10/2023 - 45 - 37,000 - 819,920.00 25/10/2023 38 50 44,000 38,000 967,560.00 839,040.00 26/10/2023 70 70 42,000 58,000 918,120.00 1,279,480.00 27/10/2023 38 86 26,000 70,356 580,320.00 1,578,085.08 30/10/2023 25 26 18,000 20,000 405,720.00 452,400.00 31/10/2023 - 26 - 20,000 - 455,200.00 October 2023 513 582 390,722 509,021 8,697,677.50 11,390,447.68





Date Buy side Number of transactions Sell side Number of transactions Buy side Number of shares Sell side Number of shares Buy side Traded volume in EUR Sell side Traded volume in EUR 01/11/2023 6 44 7,000 20,000 160,230.00 461,200.00 02/11/2023 - 46 - 32,000 - 764,160.00 03/11/2023 29 - 33,000 - 806,850.00 - 06/11/2023 107 19 48,000 13,096 1,156,800.00 319,411.44 07/11/2023 44 54 54,000 42,000 1,245,780.00 959,280.00 08/11/2023 13 4 12,000 12,000 271,800.00 272,400.00 09/11/2023 4 8 10,000 12,605 226,400.00 286,763.75 10/11/2023 12 1 11,000 2,000 247,830.00 45,200.00 13/11/2023 15 - 16,000 - 360,800.00 - 14/11/2023 2 65 3,000 63,000 67,350.00 1,439,550.00 15/11/2023 36 7 13,000 10,000 297,960.00 230,400.00 16/11/2023 11 28 15,143 12,000 345,714.69 275,520.00 17/11/2023 - 25 - 20,000 - 461,200.00 20/11/2023 11 6 14,857 5,000 340,819.58 115,500.00 21/11/2023 20 1 24,000 1 545,760.00 23.08 22/11/2023 1 28 4,000 28,999 90,800.00 661,467.19 23/11/2023 5 11 6,000 10,000 136,200.00 227,700.00 24/11/2023 15 3 15,000 2,000 342,900.00 46,000.00 27/11/2023 5 23 2,000 23,000 45,500.00 526,240.00 28/11/2023 7 7 6,000 8,000 137,400.00 183,680.00 29/11/2023 14 15 14,000 14,000 322,840.00 323,540.00 30/11/2023 14 14 14,000 8,000 323,820.00 185,840.00 November 2023 371 409 322,000 337,701 7,473,554.27 7,785,075.46 01/12/2023 4 31 4,000 21,000 92,200.00 488,250.00 04/12/2023 11 4 15,000 4,000 350,550.00 94,200.00 05/12/2023 18 16 13,000 13,000 302,640.00 303,680.00 06/12/2023 19 8 14,000 6,313 326,900.00 148,039.85 07/12/2023 34 22 19,000 26,000 440,800.00 606,320.00 08/12/2023 11 15 16,000 12,687 376,640.00 299,793.81 11/12/2023 15 17 12,000 8,000 282,360.00 188,640.00 12/12/2023 58 46 40,754 34,000 958,941.62 801,720.00 13/12/2023 31 43 21,326 36,000 502,867.08 850,680.00 14/12/2023 - 54 - 28,000 - 684,040.00 15/12/2023 50 3 23,642 3,000 578,756.16 74,850.00 18/12/2023 31 25 21,198 21,000 515,535.36 514,500.00 19/12/2023 - 16 - 10,000 - 245,900.00 20/12/2023 7 8 8,000 3,000 198,240.00 74,550.00 21/12/2023 31 16 17,391 12,001 427,818.60 296,424.70 22/12/2023 5 4 6,000 2,000 148,320.00 49,600.00 27/12/2023 3 38 6,000 25,000 148,980.00 621,500.00 28/12/2023 - 40 - 15,721 - 391,138.48 29/12/2023 - 7 - 2,589 - 64,362.54 December 2023 328 413 237,311 283,311 5,651,548.82 6,798,189.38 SECOND HALF 2023 2,870 2,804 2,151,702 2,187,702 50,468,516.45 51,288,769.09





INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACTS Paul Logerot, Group Head of IR and Financial Communication

+33 (0)7 50 66 05 63  [email protected]

Hugo Martins, IR Manager



+33 (0)7 72 11 63 24  [email protected]

Tanguy Phelippeau, IR Manager

+33 (0)7 72 09 29 57  [email protected]

ABOUT KLEPIERRE

Klepierre is the European leader in shopping malls, combining property development and asset management skills. The Companys portfolio is valued at 19.4 billion at June 30, 2023, and comprises large shopping centers in more than 10 countries in Continental Europe which together host hundreds of millions of visitors per year. Klepierre holds a controlling stake in Steen & Strm (56.1%), Scandinavias number one shopping center owner and manager. Klepierre is a French REIT (SIIC) listed on Euronext Paris and is included in the CAC Next 20 and EPRA Euro Zone Indexes. It is also included in ethical indexes, such as Euronext CAC 40 ESG, CAC SBT 1.5, MSCI Europe ESG Leaders, FTSE4Good, Euronext Vigeo Europe 120, and features in CDPs A-list. These distinctions underscore the Groups commitment to a proactive sustainable development policy and its global leadership in the fight against climate change.

For more information, please visit the newsroom on our website: www.klepierre.com

Attachment
Louisville, KY, Jan. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In the wake of public discussions about homelessness and the Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Polices endorsement of public safety House Bill 5, the Cicero Institute has released eye-opening data from its recent Kentucky Homelessness Poll, offering a comprehensive view of Kentuckians sentiments of the state's homelessness crisis.

1. Universal Concern: A substantial 60% of all voters express deepening worry about the increasing homelessness in Kentucky. This resonates across party lines, emphasizing the urgency for collaborative efforts to address the escalating issue.

2. Public Safety Apprehension: An alarming 56% of all voters perceive homeless encampments as a threat to public safety, with 68% saying they avoid those areas at least some or all the time. This points to the critical need for policies that ensure both the safety of communities and the well-being of those experiencing unsheltered homelessness.

3. Diverse Root Causes: The poll reveals an acute understanding of the root causes of unsheltered homelessness, with concerns focused on drug or alcohol addiction (33%), mental illness (21%). This highlights the complexity of the individual needs of Kentuckians and the necessity for holistic solutions. Few see lack of affordable housing (16%) or lack of good-paying jobs (10%) as the root cause of homelessness.

4. Elimination of Street Camping: Most (87%) voters believe moving homeless individuals to shelters is more compassionate than leaving them on the street, and 76% do not think homeless individuals have a right to camp on streets and other public places when shelter options are available. Furthermore, a majority (56%) want to prohibit public street camping.

5. Mental Health Focus: A majority (63%) across party lines supports legally compelling individuals with severe mental illness to seek treatmentunderscoring the widespread acknowledgment of the importance of mental health interventions in assisting those in crisis.

6. Broad Support for Funding: An overwhelming 67% want increased government funding for in-patient mental illness and addiction treatment for homeless individuals. This reflects a unified stance on the need for robust support systems that focus on long-term positive outcomes for the individuals they serve.

The rest of the results and crosstabs can be viewed on Cicero Institutes website here.

We encourage the public to delve further into these statistics and engage in meaningful discussions to influence the development of innovative and effective policies to combat the homelessness crisis in Kentucky.

Bryan Sunderland The Cicero Institute 502-419-4454 [email protected]

Source: The Cicero Institute
ALLENTOWN, Pa., Jan. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ALLENTOWN, PA  On Jan. 12, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Bidens Cabinet for Americas more than 33 million small businesses, traveled to Allentown, Pennsylvania, with President Joe Biden to visit local small businesses and tour a firefighter training academy.

Upon arriving in Allentown, Administrator Guzman and President Biden joined U.S. Rep. Susan Wild and Sen. Bob Casey for visits to three local small businesses. During their meetings with Pennsylvania entrepreneurs, the leaders discussed the Biden-Harris Administrations small business boom, which saw 5.5 million new business applications filed in 2023 alone, bringing total filings to a record 16 million since the President took office.

Later in the day, Administrator Guzman and President Biden visited Mack Southside Fire Station and Training Academy, home to Allentowns fire department training academy. The station was awarded money from the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER), which funds fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to help them increase or maintain the number of trained frontline firefighters in their communities. Administrator Guzman and President Biden were greeted by the president of the firefighters union and the head of the training academy before embarking on a tour of the facility.Together, Administrator Guzman and President Biden met with firefighters and thanked them for their service to their community and country.

For follow-up interview requests for Administrator Guzman, please contact Rebecca Galanti at [email protected].

Event Photos: Available on request: [email protected]

Image Description: Administrator Guzman (L) visits an Allentown small business with President Biden (R).

### About the U.S. Small Business Administration The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit sba.gov.

Source: U.S. Small Business Administration
NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of General Motors Company (NYSE: GM) between February 2, 2022 and October 26, 2023, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), of the February 6, 2024 lead plaintiff deadline.



SO WHAT: If you purchased GM securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the GM class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=21020 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than February 6, 2024. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) GM downplayed concerns with its vehicles airbags and the need to record additional warranty accruals for related product recalls; (2) GM overstated the extent and efficacy of its efforts to analyze defects in its vehicles airbag inflators; (3) Cruise LLCs (Cruise) autonomous vehicles (AV) and/or AV technology were less safe and well-developed than defendants had led investors, regulators, and the general public to believe; (4) accordingly, regulatory approval of Cruises AV products was unsustainable and the prospects for widespread regulatory approval and adoption of Cruises AV products were overstated; (5) all the foregoing subjected GM to an increased risk of governmental and/or regulatory scrutiny and enforcement action, significant legal liabilities, product recalls, and reputational harm; and (6) as a result, defendants public statements were materially false and/or misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the GM class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=21020 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investors ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

-------------------------------

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com
Netanya, Israel, Jan. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Silynxcom Ltd. (the Company or Silynxcom) (NYSE American: SYNX), a manufacturer and developer of ruggedized tactical communication headset devices as well as other communication accessories, today announced the pricing of its initial public offering of 1,250,000 ordinary shares at a price to the public of $4.00 per share, for gross proceeds of $5,000,000, before deducting underwriting discounts and offering expenses. In addition, Silynxcom has granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 187,500 ordinary shares to cover over-allotments at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount.

The Company intends to use the proceeds for marketing, business development, research and development, working capital and general corporate purposes.

The ordinary shares are expected to begin trading on the NYSE American on January 12, 2024 under the symbol SYNX. The offering is expected to close on January 17, 2024, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

ThinkEquity is acting as sole book-running manager for the offering.

A registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-275195) relating to this offering was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and became effective on January 11, 2024. This offering is being made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the final prospectus, when available, may be obtained from ThinkEquity, 17 State Street, 41st Floor, New York, New York 10004. The final prospectus will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SECs website located at http://www.sec.gov.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About Silynxcom Ltd. For over a decade, the Company been developing, manufacturing, marketing, and selling ruggedized tactical communication headset devices as well as other communication accessories, all of which have been field-tested and combat-proven. The Companys in-ear headset devices, or In-Ear Headsets, are used in combat, the battlefield, riot control, demonstrations and weapons training courses. The In-Ear Headsets seamlessly integrate with third party manufacturers of professional-grade ruggedized radios that are used by soldiers in combat or by police officers. The Companys In-Ear Headsets also fit tightly into the protective gear to enable users to speak and hear clearly and precisely while they are protected from the hazardous sounds of combat, riots or dangerous situations. The sleek, lightweight, In-Ear Headsets include active sound protection to eliminate unsafe sounds, while maintaining ambient environmental awareness, giving their customers 360 situational awareness. The Company works closely with its customers and seek to improve the functionality and quality of our products based on actual feedback from soldiers and police officers in the field. The Companys headset devices are compatible and easily integrate with various communication equipment devices currently being used by tens of thousands of military and law enforcement personnel in leading military and law enforcement units around the globe. The Company sells its In-Ear Headsets and communication accessories directly to military forces, police and other law enforcement units around the world. The Company also deals with specialized networks of local distributors in each locale in which it operates and has developed key strategic partnerships with radio equipment manufacturers.

Forward Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements, including, among other things, statements related to the offering, the expected proceeds from such offering, the expected use of proceeds from such offering, the expected start of trading on the NYSE American and the expected closing date of the offering. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as anticipate, believe, contemplate, could, estimate, expect, intend, seek, may, might, plan, potential, predict, project, target, aim, should, "will would, or the negative of these words or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements are based on Silynxcoms current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in the section titled Risk Factors in the final prospectus related to the public offering filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and Silynxcom undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.

Contact InforatmionKlein NirTel: +972-9-8658370

Source: Silynxcom Ltd.
Toronto, Ontario, Jan. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tether, a leading name in the Canadian cannabis industry, prepares for its third annual Budtender Appreciation Week (B-Week), a celebration that brings together Budtenders, retail decision-makers, and brands from across Canada for a week of collaborative events. Scheduled to take place from March 25 to March 31, 2024, B-Week aims to recognize the indispensable contributions of Budtenders to the cannabis sector.

During B-Week 2023, Tether successfully engaged hundreds of Budtenders from across Canada. This years Budtender Appreciation Week promises to be even more impactful, offering a unique platform for networking, education, and community-building. Tether has curated a week-long series of opportunities that include retail visits, a virtual SESH, educational sampling events, and industry gatherings.

Budtenders stand at the forefront of the cannabis industry, playing a pivotal role in educating the public, shaping consumer preferences, and influencing the trajectory of the industry. Introduced in 2021, Tether is a growing community that engages more than 4,500 Canadian Budtenders and cannabis retailers. Known for its commitment to supporting the cannabis industry, Tether showcases its dedication through various initiatives, with the highly anticipated Budtender Appreciation Week being a highlight for Budtenders and participating brands and retailers.

We take great pride in the value that B-Week has provided the cannabis industry over the past three years, says Katie Pringle, CEO and Co-Founder of Tether. From hosting national virtual events to orchestrating local sampling initiatives, we are grateful to the Tether community of Budtenders and our partner brands. 2024 is set to be our best year yet.

B-Week 2024 Schedule of Events

Canada-wide Virtual SESH (4:20 PT / 7:20 ET) - a Budtender and retailer virtual gathering to meet incredible brands, win prizes, and network

Edmonton Sampling Event

Mississauga Sampling Event

Vancouver Sampling Event

Store Visits - team Tether will be visiting retailers in Ontario and BC with surprises

Tickets to B-Week 2024 events are coming soon. For information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact [email protected].

To learn more about Tether and Budtender Appreciation Week, visit tetherbuds.com/b-week. To stay up to date with event details and brand announcements, follow @tetherbuds on Instagram.

Attendance at Tethers B-Week events is strictly limited to those who meet the minimum age in their province or territory. Pre-registration is required to guarantee your spot.

About TetherTether is Canada's Budtender community, connecting cannabis brands with a network of over 4,500 Budtenders from across Canada. By providing Budtenders with the necessary education, connections, and resources to succeed and providing brands with a cost-effective way to connect, promote and educate, Tether paves the way for a stronger community and a brighter future for the industry. To learn more, visit https://tetherbuds.com/.

Attachment

Mackenzie Bentley Tether 778-697-4373 [email protected]

Source: Tether
BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- China's foreign trade closed 2023 with better-than-expected performances and new driving forces adding to the upward momentum despite challenges on both domestic and international fronts.

The country's total imports and exports of goods expanded 0.2 percent year on year to 41.76 trillion yuan (about 5.88 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2023, the General Administration of Customs (GAC) said Friday.

Exports grew 0.6 percent year on year to 23.77 trillion yuan, while imports edged down 0.3 percent from a year earlier to 17.99 trillion yuan, the data showed.

The trade data has demonstrated that China's export products hold solid competitive advantages, with tech-driven products serving as new growth engines of the exports, GAC deputy head Wang Lingjun told a press conference.

The total export value of China's new tech-intensive green trio, namely solar batteries, lithium-ion batteries and electric vehicles, surged 29.9 percent to 1.06 trillion yuan in 2023, with the figure topping the one-trillion-yuan mark for the first time.

The export value of machinery and electronic products, accounting for 58.6 percent of total exports, increased 2.9 percent during the period.

Although the overall 2023 export growth eased compared with that of the previous years, GAC spokesperson Lyu Daliang highlighted the fact that China's export figure has reached a new high on a high base.

The country has achieved reasonable growth in trade volume and retained its global share, Lyu said, citing the latest World Trade Organization data that had anticipated China's global share in terms of exports to remain at a high level of 14 percent in 2023.

In response to a media query on the drop in import value, Lyu said that it can be attributed to falling commodity import prices. "China's imports in terms of quantity in fact grew, reflecting the continued uptick in production and booming consumption demand."

Friday's GAC data also showed that private businesses have played a bigger role in prompting the growth of foreign trade. According to Wang, total trade business entities with import and export records surpassed 600,000 for the first time in 2023, and private enterprises stood at 556,000, taking the lion's share.

The trade value of private enterprises took up 53.5 percent of the total, up 3.1 percentage points from 2022, while that of the foreign-invested enterprises constituted 30.2 percent.

Wang also noted that there's been an increase in the share of trade with Belt and Road Initiative participating countries in total foreign trade. Last year, China's trade with these countries accounted for 46.6 percent of the total, up 1.2 percentage points from 2022.

Looking ahead, Wang was optimistic about the 2024 trade prospects. "A recent survey on major trade enterprises revealed that three-fourths of the firms expected their imports and exports to stay flat or register an expansion this year," Wang said.

Despite trade protectionism, heightening geopolitical tensions and other unpredictable factors, China has the confidence, capability and conditions to continue the sound development momentum of foreign trade in 2024, Wang added. 
ANGOLA, N.Y., Jan. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TX RX Systems, Inc., the market leader in radio frequency (RF) design and engineering, continues to redefine standards in signal enhancements with its Class A and Class B 700/800 bi-directional amplifiers (BDAs) to provide unparalleled intelligence, reliability and adaptability for a diverse range of applications.

TX RX Systems introduces its Class A BDAs with increased signal quality, greater RF control and other customization features, including individual channel gain, and bandwidth options.

While more costly than Class B BDAs, Class A devices are superior in performance. Class A BDAs feature robust built-in intelligence and greater RF control, as well as adaptive gain circuits that can absorb minor fluctuations in signal levels to maintain stable output levels.

Class A BDAs are ideal for use in highly congested areas such as hospitals, hotels, casinos and high-rise buildings where multiple frequencies could interfere with existing RF systems. The ability to customize Class A device performance ensures optimal signal quality and reliability in saturated communication environments.

In addition to its cutting-edge Class A BDAs, TX RX Systems provides cost-effective connectivity solutions through Class B BDAs without compromising quality or reliability. Class B devices are easier to set up due to fewer configuration options. This simpler setup makes the Class B devices more accessible for users with limited technical experience.

Class B BDAs, which have limited filters, are suitable for smaller environments with less RF interference, such as warehouses, mines, manufacturing facilities and correctional facilities. Class B devices may encounter noticeable variations in output power due to channel loading in wideband RF environments. These fluctuations could impact in-building coverage and the reliability of first responder radio communications.

TX RX Systems is committed to providing state-of-the-art connectivity solutions to meet the distinct needs of every customer, said Jay Slomba, Director of Business Development & Strategic Marketing, TX RX Systems. Whether navigating vast environments, addressing complex challenges or working within limited budgets, TX RX Systems delivers tailored solutions to ensure seamless communication accessibility for all.

Class A BDAs amplify signals with frequencies below 75 kHz. Class B BDAs amplify signals with frequencies above 75 kHz. Both devices have battery backup capabilities to ensure uninterrupted coverage during power outages and external annunciator panels to provide status and performance updates to users. Class A and Class B BDAs are both NEMA 4 rated with NFPA & UL 2524 certifications.

For more details about Class A and Class B BDAs, contact Jay Slomba ([email protected] | 716-217-3117).

About TX RX Headquartered in Angola, N.Y., TX RX has proven to be an industry front-runner since its founding in 1976. In the 45+ years since its inception, TX RX has developed many innovative technologies for the RF and LMR markets that are now commonly used throughout the industry. These innovations include, but are not limited to, the T-Pass Transmit Combiner, Auto-Backup Tower Top Amplifier, and the wideband collinear Base Station Antennas.

Today, TX RX is one of the only OEM manufacturers of RF conditioning hardware and equipment to also provide a comprehensive suite of RF conditioning services, products, and training opportunities across multiple markets.

TX RX is ISO 9001:2015, RoHS, and iBwave certified.

TX RX Contact:Jay SlombaDirector of Business Development & Strategic MarketingEmail: [email protected] Phone: 716-217-3117

Source: TX RX Systems Inc.
Chief Scientist Karl Friston will be Featured in Discussions hosted by The Financial Times, CNBC and AXIOS

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VERSES AI Inc. (CBOE: VERS) (OTCQX: VRSSF) ("VERSES'' or the "Company), a cognitive computing company specializing in next-generation intelligent software systems, announces that it will be sending a leadership team to The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2024, taking place on 15-19 January in Davos, Switzerland, where they will participate in a number of discussions including meetings, interviews and podcasts.



The VERSES team begins with an early kickoff event on Sunday, January 14th, with an exclusive interview with the podcast The Centaurs, presented by The Financial Times and Casper Labs. The discussion will focus on the transformational power of generative AI and innovative uses of AI and technology.

On January 18th, several notable discussions are scheduled, including the CNBS Panel with Gillian Tett of the Financial Times and the AXIOS Panel hosted by their Global Technology Correspondent Ryan Heath. Karl Friston, VERSES Chief Scientist, will be joined by a number of figures, including Igor Tulchinsky, founder, chairman, and CEO of WorldQuant; other VIPs to be announced.

"VERSES is excited for the opportunity to contribute our perspective on the transformative power of intelligent software systems at Davos this year. In an era of unprecedented challenges, we believe in the potential of technology to drive positive change and shape a more connected and innovative world, said Gabriel Rene, Founder and CEO of VERSES.

Key members of the VERSES leadership team attending the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2024 include:

Gabriel Rene, Founder and CEO

Dan Mapes, Founder and President

Karl Friston, Chief Scientist

Philippe Sayegh, Chief Adoption Officer

Jason Fox, Chief Technology Officer

Mahault Albarracin, Director of Innovations, R&D

Guido Maria Magliano, Director of Operations



For media inquiries or to schedule interviews with the VERSES leadership team during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2024, please contact [email protected] .

About The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting

The 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum will provide a crucial space to focus on the fundamental principles driving trust, including transparency, consistency and accountability. This Annual Meeting will welcome over one hundred governments, all major international organizations, one thousand Forums Partners, as well as civil society leaders, experts, youth representatives, social entrepreneurs, and news outlets. For further information, visit: https://www.weforum.org

About VERSES

VERSES AI is a cognitive computing company specializing in biologically inspired distributed intelligence. Our flagship offering, Genius, is patterned after natural systems and neuroscience. Genius can learn, adapt, and interact with the world. Key features of Genius include generalizability, predictive queries, real-time adaptation, and an automated computing network. Built on open standards, Genius transforms disparate data into knowledge models that foster trustworthy collaboration between humans, machines, and AI across digital and physical domains. Imagine a smarter world that elevates human potential through innovations inspired by nature. Learn more at VERSES , LinkedIn , and X .

On behalf of the Company

Gabriel Rene, Founder & CEO, VERSES AI Inc.

Eric Holder, Director of Communications, VERSES AI Inc. [email protected]

Emily Schwarts, Bryson Gillette PR, [email protected]
MEXICO CITY, Jan. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Controladora Vuela Compania de Aviacion, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: VLRS and BMV: VOLAR) (Volaris or the Company), the ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) serving Mexico, the United States, Central, and South America, today announced its guidance for the first quarter and full year 2024.

For 2024, Volaris remains focused on executing its business plan to serve robust demand in its domestic and international markets and drive profitable growth despite constraints due to accelerated GTF engine preventive inspections. The Companys priorities for the year are: (i) ensuring the safety of our ambassadors and customers, (ii) driving profitability, and (iii) optimizing network reliability.

Additionally, we maintain the 2023 guidance provided to the market on October 10, 2023.

For the first quarter of 2024, the Company expects:

1Q24 1Q23 (1) 1Q24 Guidance ASM growth (YoY) -16% to -18% +17.7% TRASM $8.5 to $8.7 cents $7.71 cents CASM ex fuel $5.5 to $5.7 cents $4.65 cents EBITDAR margin 25% to 27% 16.8% Average USD/MXN rate Ps. $17.00 to $17.20 Ps. 18.70 Average U.S. Gulf Coast jet fuel price $2.55 to $2.65 $3.06

(1) For convenience purposes, actual reported figures for 1Q'23 are included.

For the full year 2024, the Company expects:

2024 2023 (2) Full Year Guidance ASM growth (YoY) -16% to -18% +10% EBITDAR margin 31% to 33% ~26% CAPEX (3) ~$300 million ~$300 million Average USD/MXN rate Ps. $17.70 to $17.90 Ps.17.75 Average U.S. Gulf Coast jet fuel price $2.50 to $2.60 $2.80

(2) For convenience purposes, 2023 guidance (as disclosed on October 10, 2023) is included.(3) CAPEX net of financed fleet predelivery payments.

The first quarter and full year 2024 outlook presented above includes the compensation that Volaris expects to receive for the projected grounded aircraft resulting from the GTF engine removals, in accordance with the Companys agreement with Pratt & Whitney that was previously announced on December 5, 2023.

The Company's outlook is subject to unforeseen disruptions, macroeconomic factors, or other negative impacts that may affect its business, and is based on several assumptions, including the foregoing, which are subject to change and may be outside the control of the Company and its management. The Company's expectations may change if actual results vary from these assumptions. There can be no assurances that Volaris will achieve these results.

The information included in this release, including the Companys full-year 2023 financial information, has not been audited and reflects the Companys current estimates based on information available as of the date of this release. Such information is subject to change as a result of the completion of the Companys financial and operating closing procedures, customary audit procedures, and other developments that may occur before the completion of these procedures. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on this preliminary information or guidance, which may differ materially from actual results. Volaris future performance depends on several factors. It cannot be inferred that any periods performance or its comparison year over year will indicate a similar performance in the future.

Investor Relations ContactRicardo Martinez / [email protected]

Media ContactIsrael Alvarez / [email protected]

About Volaris*Controladora Vuela Compania de Aviacion, S.A.B. de C.V. (Volaris or the Company) (NYSE: VLRS and BMV: VOLAR) is an ultra-low-cost carrier, with point-to-point operations, serving Mexico, the United States, Central, and South America. Volaris offers low base fares to build its market, providing quality service and extensive customer choice. Since the beginning of operations in March 2006, Volaris has increased its routes from 5 to more than 231 and its fleet from 4 to 130 aircraft. Volaris offers more than 550 daily flight segments on routes that connect 43 cities in Mexico and 28 cities in the United States, Central, and South America, with the youngest fleet in Mexico. Volaris targets passengers who are visiting friends and relatives, cost-conscious business and leisure travelers in Mexico, the United States, Central, and South America. Volaris has received the ESR Award for Social Corporate Responsibility for fourteen consecutive years. For more information, please visit ir.volaris.com. Volaris routinely posts information that may be important to investors on its investor relations website. The Company encourages investors and potential investors to consult the Volaris website regularly for important information about Volaris.

Forward-Looking StatementsStatements in this release contain various forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which represent the Company's expectations, beliefs, or projections concerning future events and financial trends affecting the financial condition of our business. When used in this release, the words "expects," intends, "estimates," predicts, "plans," "anticipates," "indicates," "believes," "forecast," "guidance," potential, "outlook," "may," continue, "will," "should," "seeks," "targets" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Similarly, statements describing the Company's objectives, plans or goals, or actions the Company may take in the future are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's first quarter and full year 2024 outlook, maintenance of its full year 2023 guidance, expectation to receive certain compensation in connection with the GTF engine removals and anticipated execution of its business plan and focus on its 2024 priorities. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee or assurance of future performance or results. They will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at or by which such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made and/or managements good faith belief as of that time concerning future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to several factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations, including the competitive environment in the airline industry, the Company's ability to keep costs low; changes in fuel costs, the impact of worldwide economic conditions on customer travel behavior; the Company's ability to generate non-ticket revenue; and government regulation. The Company's US Securities and Exchange Commission filings contain additional information concerning these and other factors. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements set forth above. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information except to the extent required by applicable law. If we update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

Supplemental Information on Non-GAAP MeasuresWe evaluate our financial performance by using various financial measures that are not performance measures under International Financial Reporting Standards (non-IFRS measures). These non-IFRS measures include CASM, CASM ex-fuel, Adjusted CASM ex-fuel, EBITDAR, Net debt-to-LTM EBITDAR, Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and short-term investments. We define CASM as total operating expenses by available seat mile. We define CASM ex-fuel as total operating expenses by available seat mile, excluding fuel expense. We define Adjusted CASM ex fuel as total operating expenses by available seat mile, excluding fuel expense, aircraft and engine variable lease expenses and sale and lease back gains. We define EBITDAR as earnings before interest, income tax, depreciation and amortization, depreciation of right of use assets and aircraft and engine variable lease expenses. We define Net debt-to-LTM EBITDAR as Net debt divided by LTM EBITDAR. We define Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and short-term investments as the sum of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and short-term investments.

These non-IFRS measures are provided as supplemental information to the financial information presented in this release that is calculated and presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) because we believe that they, in conjunction with the IFRS financial information, provide useful information to managements, analysts and investors overall understanding of our operating performance.

Because non-IFRS measures are not calculated in accordance with IFRS, they should not be considered superior to and are not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related IFRS measures presented in this release and may not be the same as or comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies due to possible differences in the method of calculation and the items being adjusted.

We encourage investors to review our financial statements and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission in their entirety for additional information regarding the Company and not to rely on any single financial measure.

Source: Controladora Vuela Compania de Aviacion, S.A.B. de C.V.
Tokenized securities that tie digital coins to real world assets are gaining popularity as a safer outlet for investors experimenting with playing in the emerging blockchain-enabled marketplace

Many leading investment asset managers are predicting tokenization will become the future of the marketplace and the next generation of securities investing

Diamond Lake Minerals is helping investors who are interested in the emerging market but wary of the unknowns to bridge the divide and investigate digital securities through investment in more traditional assets that are imbued with SEC-registered security token offerings (STOs)

STOs provide investors with the relative security of a government-regulated offering, and a growing number of governments worldwide are following suit

The potential of high returns on investment continues to create a draw for digital assets in the emerging blockchain-enabled marketplace, even though most investors arent experts on blockchain technology. Many find themselves continually challenged to evaluate the competing claims of tokenized companies and the benefits of the varied specialized purposes the tokens may serve.

World-leading asset manager BlackRock ($7 trillion under management) CEO Larry Fink made news about the staying power of digital assets in November when he said, The next generation for markets, the next generation for securities, will be tokenization of securities, at a

Read More>>

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to DLMI are available in the companys newsroom at https://ibn.fm/DLMI

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 11, 2024) - Atacama Copper Corporation (TSXV: ACOP) ("Atacama Copper" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that further to its press releases dated October 26, 2023, December 15, 2023 and December 20, 2023, the Company has closed the second tranche of its previously announced brokered private placement (the "Concurrent Financing") for an additional 30,782,634 subscription receipts of the Company ("Subscription Receipts") at a price of $0.18 per Subscription Receipt for gross proceeds under the second tranche of approximately $5,500,000 and aggregate gross proceeds under the Concurrent Financing of approximately $12,400,000.

The Company is also pleased to announce the closing of the non-brokered private placement (the "Bridge Financing") of 555,556 common shares of the Company ("Common Shares"), at a price of $0.18 per Common Share for aggregate gross process of $100,000. Together with the proceeds from the Bridge Financing, the total gross proceeds raised in connection with the Proposed Transaction (as defined below) is approximately $12,500,000. As a result of the closing of the second tranche of the Concurrent Financing, the Company has now satisfied the concurrent financing condition in connection with the Amalgamation (as defined below). Unless otherwise stated, all amounts referred to herein are in Canadian dollars.

Summary of the Concurrent Financing

Pursuant to the terms of an agency agreement between the Company, TCP1, Cormark Securities Inc. and Stifel Canada, as co-lead agents (the "Agents"), under the second tranche of the Concurrent Financing, the Company issued an aggregate of 30,782,634 Subscription Receipts at a price of $0.18 per Subscription Receipt. The second tranche of the Concurrent Financing was completed in connection with previously announced business combination and reverse takeover transaction of the Company, pursuant to which the Company will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of TCP1 in exchange for common shares of the Company (the "Proposed Transaction"). The Company, upon completion of the Proposed Transaction (referred to herein as the "Resulting Issuer"), is expected to continue trading on the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") as a tier 1 mining issuer under its current symbol "ACOP".

In accordance with the terms and conditions of the subscription receipt agreement entered into among the Company, the Agents and TSX Trust Company, as escrow agent (the "Subscription Receipt Agreement"), each Subscription Receipt will automatically convert into one pre-Consolidation (as defined herein) common share of the Resulting Issuer ("Resulting Issuer Shares") upon the completion or satisfaction of certain escrow release conditions, including, among other things, the receipt of all necessary corporate, regulatory, shareholder and other approvals or consents necessary in connection with the Proposed Transaction and the completion or satisfaction of all of the conditions precedent to the Proposed Transaction, substantially in accordance with the definitive agreement entered into in connection therewith, other than the Consolidation and the amalgamation of TCP1 and 1000723052 Ontario Corporation (the "Amalgamation"), to the satisfaction of the Agents (collectively, the "Escrow Release Conditions"), provided that the Escrow Release Conditions are satisfied or waived prior to 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on March 31, 2024 (the "Escrow Release Deadline"). Immediately following the release of the Escrowed Funds (as defined below) and the conversion of the Subscription Receipts into Resulting Issuer Shares, the Company intends to complete a consolidation of the issued and outstanding Resulting Issuer Shares on the basis of one post-Consolidation common share for each six (6) pre-Consolidation common shares (the "Consolidation") and complete the Amalgamation, all in accordance with the terms of the Proposed Transaction.

In the event that the Escrow Release Conditions have not been satisfied or waived (to the extent such waiver is permitted) prior to the Escrow Release Deadline or if the Company announces to the public that it does not intend to satisfy the Escrow Release Conditions, or that the Proposed Transaction has been terminated, the aggregate issue price of the Subscription Receipts together with any earned interest shall be returned to the applicable holders of the Subscription Receipts (net of any applicable withholding taxes), and such Subscription Receipts shall be automatically cancelled and be of no further force and effect.

In consideration of the Agents' services rendered in connection with the second tranche of the Concurrent Financing, the Agents shall be entitled to a cash commission of $176,455.09, being a cash commission equal to 6.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds from the sale of the Subscription Receipts (the "Agents' Commission"). Calculation of the Agents' Commission excludes (i) the sale of 7,250,000 Subscription Receipts to a certain purchaser, for which no cash commission was paid to the Agents; and (ii) sales to purchasers on a president's list, in respect of which a 3.0% cash commission was paid to the Agents (the "Excluded Sales"). As additional compensation, the Agents were issued 980,306 compensation warrants (the "Compensation Warrants") exercisable to acquire 980,306 Resulting Issuer Shares, being that number of Resulting Issuer Shares as is equal to 6.0% of the aggregate number of Subscription Receipts issued pursuant to the second tranche of the Concurrent Financing, other than the Excluded Sales. Each Compensation Warrant shall be exercisable at a price of $0.18 per Resulting Issuer Share (prior to giving effect to the Consolidation) for a period of 24 months following the completion of the Proposed Transaction. The gross proceeds of the second tranche of the Concurrent Financing (including, for certainty, the Agents' Commission) less certain expenses paid to the Agents (the "Escrowed Funds") have been placed into escrow and, upon completion or satisfaction of the Escrow Release Conditions in accordance with the Subscription Receipt Agreement, the Agents' Commission and the remaining Escrowed Funds, together with any earned interest, will be released to the Agents and the Company, respectively.

The Subscription Receipts sold under the Concurrent Financing will be subject to a restricted hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws. The Resulting Issuer Shares issuable on conversion of the Subscription Receipts in connection with the Proposed Transaction will not be subject to a restricted hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws. The Concurrent Financing remains subject to the approval of the TSXV.

The net proceeds of the Concurrent Financing will be used to advance exploration programs across the combined portfolio, with particular focus on Cristina and Yecora, and for general corporate purposes.

The securities offered in the Concurrent Financing have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Summary of the Non-Brokered Financing

The Bridge Financing was completed in connection with the Proposed Transaction which is expected to result in the reverse takeover of the Company as contemplated by TSXV Policy 5.2 ("Policy 5.2"). Further details regarding the Proposed Transaction were previously announced by Atacama Copper on October 26, 2023, December 15, 2023 and December 20, 2023.

An aggregate of 555,556 Common Shares were issued pursuant to the Bridge Financing. In accordance with Policy 5.2, the proceeds of the Bridge Financing will be used specifically for purposes of funding the costs associated with completing the Proposed Transaction. No commission, finder's fee or similar payment (whether in the form of cash, securities or an interest in assets) will be paid by the Company in connection with the Bridge Financing.

Further Information

Completion of the Proposed Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, acceptance of TSXV and if applicable pursuant to the requirements of TSXV, disinterested shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Proposed Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Proposed Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the filing statement to be prepared in connection with the Proposed Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Proposed Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative.

The TSXV has in no way passed upon the merits of the Proposed Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

About Atacama Copper Corporation

Atacama Copper is a resource company focusing on acquiring, exploring, and developing base and precious metals properties in the Americas. It is committed to advancing the exploration and development of its Placeton/Caballo Muerto copper project in Chile while looking to increase its asset portfolio through the acquisition and development of other high-value exploration, development, and production opportunities. Atacama's Placeton/Caballo Muerto project hosts several porphyry copper targets situated between the giant Relincho and El Morro/La Fortuna copper-gold deposits of the Nueva Union joint venture between Teck and Newmont Mining.

Additional Information - Please Contact

For more information, please contact:

Tim Warman

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Atacama Copper Corporation

Email: [email protected]

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the successful completion of the Proposed Transaction; the trading of the Resulting Issuer Shares upon completion of the Proposed Transaction; and the use of proceeds from the Concurrent Financing. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: failure to satisfy or waive all applicable conditions to the completion of the Proposed Transaction (including receipt of all necessary shareholder, stock exchange and regulatory approvals or consents, and the absence of material changes with respect to the parties and their respective businesses); the synergies expected from the Proposed Transaction not being realized; business integration risks; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; fluctuations in spot and forward prices of gold, silver, base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar to Chilean Peso exchange rate); change in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations pressures, cave-ins and flooding); inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of and increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); and title to properties.

There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Atacama Copper disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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 news release.

Not for distribution to United States news wire services or for dissemination in the United States.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/194032
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2024) - Autumn Salon, an arts organization known for curating intimate cultural experiences, recently captivated attendees with an authentic 1920s-style speakeasy event in Red Hook, New York. Hosted at the warehouse studio of renowned fine artist Casey Baugh, the immersive experience transported guests back to the ambiance and spirit of the roaring twenties.





Autumn Salon's 1920s speakeasy at the studio of Casey Baugh

The Salon transformed Baugh's studio into a dimly lit makeshift bar complete with bathtub cocktails, moody spotlights and artists dressed in 1920's attire, all carefully curated to reflect the atmosphere of prohibition-era New York.

For the performance segment of the evening pianist Ben Rosenblum and vocalist Vanisha Gould were joined by an ensemble of acclaimed artists, showcasing music inspired by the sounds of the 20's and 30's. Brooklyn-native Katie Martucci followed with an enchanting second set, featuring more swing-style tunes from the era. Adding to the allure of the evening was sommelier Darby Mae Wagner and chef Zacaras Gonzalez, who prepared an enticing assortment of food and cocktails reminiscent of the era.





Vanisha Gould with the Ben Rosenblum Trio

By inviting attendees to encounter a unique blend of music, storytelling, culinary art, and cultural exploration, the success of Autumn Salon's latest curation affirms its commitment to renewing cultural traditions, and rekindling the spirit of community through authentic artistic expression.





Katie Martucci singing at the Autumn Salon

Autumn Salon's vision also goes beyond supporting musicians in the context of their own programming. It aims to inspire artists to create similar events themselves, empowering them to build their own fan bases and sustainable revenue streams through sharing the joy of live music in intimate cultural settings.

Published in partnership with Autumn Salon.

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.theautumnsalon.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/194095
Dunamis Charge to Add EcoG's Technology to its First-Generation DC Fast Chargers and Level 2 EV Residential and Commercial Chargers

Detroit, Michigan--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2024) - Dunamis Charge, Inc., an emerging manufacturer of intelligent electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions, today announced it has entered into a strategic alliance with EcoG, a global tech leader specializing in DC charging stations, to accelerate the manufacturing and deployment schedule of its DC fast charging stations. By combining the expertise and resources of EcoG with the local manufacturing and engineering capabilities of Dunamis Charge, this alliance will be able to fully capitalize on the booming market for DC fast charging stations.

Dunamis Charges CEO Natalie King with Michigans Lt. Governor Gilchrist

and EcoGs CEO Joerg Huer at CES 24 Show in Las Vegas Earlier this Week

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9972/194035_56928c3d84c478b4_002full.jpg

"Today's alliance with EcoG will enable us to offer new EV charging technology to the U.S. market that until now has only been accessible by the more mature European marketplace," said Natalie King, Founder and CEO of Dunamis Charge, Inc. "It is also a monumental step towards accelerating the production and inclusive deployment of our DC fast charging infrastructure, benefiting communities across the United States by stimulating economic development and job creation."

"EcoG's commitment to innovation and excellence in the field of EV charging technology positions it as a formidable force in the industry and its continued growth and strategic partnerships are testament to its unwavering dedication to advancing the world of electric vehicles," said Joerg Heuer, CEO of EcoG. "Our strategic alliance with Dunamis Charge should accelerate our joint efforts to create an EV charging infrastructure in the United States while enhancing the EV charging experience by leveraging our joint strengths in technology, sustainability, and customer-centric services," concluded Mr. Heuer.

EcoG is seeking to expand rapidly in the United States after solidifying its leadership position in the European market for EV charging technology, boasting a commanding market share of over 15%. This growth has been remarkable, with EcoG expanding at a rate four times faster than the overall market in the previous year. Clientele such as industry behemoth Siemens and one of the world's largest service station equipment suppliers attest to the trust and reputation that EcoG has earned. To fuel its expansion efforts, EcoG recently secured an investment of approximately $6.5 million to support its mission to further enhance its presence and impact in the American EV charging infrastructure sector.

About Dunamis Charge, Inc.

Headquartered and expertly crafted in Detroit, the city that put the world on wheels, Dunamis Charge combines top-notch, safe, and reliable hardware and software solutions to deliver the smoothest EV charging experience. We connect and communicate with our users in a precise and straightforward manner, ensuring the most efficient electric vehicle charge that saves both time and money. Our management team boasts decades of expertise in clean energy and engineering, which enables us to perfect our holistic design and provide round-the-clock customer support and maintenance services, making the transition to EVs much easier. Please visit our corporate website at www.dunamischarge.com for additional information. To be added to the Company's email list for future updates, please click here.

About EcoG

EcoG is the European market leader in operating systems for fast charging stations, equipping over 30 different production lines of more than 15 manufacturers today, along with 60 system partners such as Infineon. This includes DC wallbox models enabling bidirectional charging. EcoG is a German-American technology company founded in 2017. Specialized in reference designs, charging controllers, and control software, EcoG enables large manufacturers to bring products to market quickly and easily. As a co-author of the application guideline of the industry standard ISO-15118-20 and spokesperson for CharIN, EcoG has pioneered bidirectional charging, successfully testing it with various automotive manufacturers to ensure interoperability between infrastructure and vehicles.

# # #

Media Contacts

At Dunamis Charge, Inc.

+1 248-327-0257

At EcoG

Mirjam Laubenbacher

Head of Communications

[email protected]

+49 151 28209346

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/194035
Tel Aviv, Israel--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2024) - Lendstart announces the best small business loans for December 2023. In a significant move to support small businesses, Lendstart, a pioneering financial services company, has unveiled its selection of the best small business loans for December 2023. This initiative is a part of Lendstart's ongoing commitment to assist small businesses in navigating the complexities of financial growth and expansion.

Lendstart understands that whether a business is in its inception stage or gearing up for expansion, the need for appropriate financing is a common denominator. Lendstart's small business loans address this need, thoughtfully designed to provide business owners with the necessary capital to fuel their ambitions without sacrificing equity or ownership stakes.

Lendstart's approach simplifies the journey of securing a loan. Business owners can easily navigate through a comprehensive range of loan providers, comparing rates and terms to choose the most suitable loan for their business needs. This level of transparency and choice empowers entrepreneurs to make informed decisions, aligning their financing choices with their business goals and financial capacities.

Understanding that time is a precious commodity for business owners, Lendstart has streamlined the application and approval process.

This efficiency ensures businesses can access funds when needed, facilitating quick decision-making and prompt action. The loans are tailored to accommodate a variety of business models and sizes, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for all types of small businesses.

In addition to providing financial solutions, Lendstart is also committed to educating business owners. Through resources and guidance, the company helps entrepreneurs understand the nuances of business financing, aiding them in making smarter financial choices. This educational component demonstrates Lendstart's dedication to being a lender and a partner in small businesses' growth and success.

Lendstart also focuses on making an impact on community development and economic empowerment. They actively participate in community events and initiatives that encourage financial literacy and assist the growth of small businesses.

Lendstart is determined to broaden its services to reach a range of small businesses while constantly innovating its product offerings. The company strives to explore new markets and develop financial resources that cater to the ever-changing needs of the small business sector.

As the New Year approaches, Lendstart's announcement offers a head start for small businesses to have the resources they need to make the best financial decisions for 2024. Lendstart's small business loans provide a reliable and effective financial lifeline in a landscape where financial hurdles often impede growth.

About the Company

Lendstart is a pioneer in the financial services industry headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel. It has emerged as the "go-to" comparison hub, providing clear and concise financial information people can use to make informed financial decisions. The company's mission is to give people the clarity they need, empowering them to make confident financial decisions. With a focus on innovation, transparency, and customer-centricity, Lendstart aims to carve a niche as a trusted financial ally for individuals, entrepreneurs, and businesses of all sizes.

Media Contact

Website name: Lendstart.com

Contact email: [email protected]

Elad Shachar - VP product - [email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/193862
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 11, 2024) - Phenom Resources Corp. (TSXV: PHNM) (OTCQX: PHNMF) (FSE: 1PY0) ("Phenom" or the "Company") is pleased to announce results from the reverse circulation drill holes RC23-17 and RC23-18 both planned as a 2,000 foot depth test of the gold system at the Carlin Gold-Vanadium Project in the Carlin Gold Trend of Nevada. RC23-17 was abandoned at 500 feet due to difficult rock conditions. RC23-18 was drilled to a depth of 1900 feet. The two holes were collared 90 metres apart, both near vertical tests and encountered a near-surface mineralized vanadium zone.

Hole RC23-17 encountered the 22.86 metres (75 feet) vanadium unit starting at a depth of 74.68 metres (245 feet) and returned an average grade of 0.48% V 2 0 5 Hole RC23-18 encountered the 15.24 metres (50 feet) vanadium unit starting at a depth of 3.05 metres (10 feet) and returned an average grade of 0.41% V 2 0 5 . True thicknesses of the two intercepts are not known. The nearest neighbour holes to RC23-17 and RC23-18 were R-128 and DDH-4 each about 90 metres away and encountered 13.7m (44 feet) @ 0.51% V 2 0 5 and 7.0 m (22 feet) @ 0.91% V 2 0 5 %, respectively.

These intercepts are now the southernmost drillholes through the vanadium deposit, resulting in extending the deposit a further 90 metres (295 feet). The vanadium deposit still remains open southward, westward and northwestward for further expansion.

RC23-17 did not penetrate deep enough to test the gold target. RC23-18 encountered upper plate rocks followed by moderate to strongly altered (silicified-dolomite and quartz stringered-sulfide bearing and broken) Mississippian-aged Chainman Formation. The bottom 71.6 metres (235 feet) of the hole encountered continuous geochemically elevated gold values. From all of this, Dave Mathewson interprets that due to structural complexities the hole appears to be located a bit too far to the east and within the graben to properly test the gold target. On a positive note, the Chainman rocks were exceptionally altered and mineralized which indicated the gold system is there without question. He considers a hole placed to the west is justifiable to properly test the target in this area.

Dave Mathewson states, "My convictions remain strong and undeterred on the opportunity in our gold system on the Carlin Gold-Vanadium property. We took a very good shot 800 metres south of hole RC22-16, at a very good target that has multiple clues with RC23-17 and 18 and still remains untested. The other high priority target is the area around RC22-16 which remains very favourable for a gold discovery."

Dave Mathewson continues, "I view all of our 3 gold projects as selective high impact target opportunities. Having said that, there is always a need to prioritize the deployment of our shareholders' money for best gains according to our best judgement. As such, to continue our gold momentum, I am excited to next be drill testing our Dobbin and Crescent Valley gold projects in Nevada this summer which are shallower less expensive gold tests than at Carlin and for that reason will be prioritized ahead of drill testing next at Carlin."

About Phenom Resources Corp.

Phenom has 100% interest in the Carlin Gold-Vanadium Project, located in Elko County, 6 miles south from the town of Carlin, Nevada and Highway I-80 which hosts the Carlin Vanadium deposit, North America's largest highest grade primary vanadium resource. The Project lies in the Carlin Gold Trend. Approximately 9 million ounces comprised of multiple gold deposits, including past producing mines, are present near the Phenom property (5-15km).

ON BEHALF OF PHENOM RESOURCES CORP.

per: "Paul Cowley"

CEO & President

(604) 340-7711

[email protected] www.phenomresources.com

Technical disclosure in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dave Mathewson, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and director of the Company.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking information

Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking" statements. These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance. All such statements involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to vary from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, they should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and they will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions on the date of this news release, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities regulations.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/194015
Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation.

Journey Through 2023: Momcozy's Commitment to Motherhood and Comfort



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.

"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 Program a 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 momslives easier around the world.

Contact Info:

Name: Josefine Pan

Email: Send Email

Organization: Momcozy

Website: https://momcozy.com



Release ID: 89117673

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ULAN BATOR, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Four people, including two children, were found dead after being trapped in their car by heavy snow in eastern Mongolia, the country's National Emergency Management Agency said Friday.

On Tuesday, the victims, all members of the same family, got stuck in the snow on their way back home in the countryside from Dariganga soum, Sukhbaatar Province, and their bodies were found in the car on Thursday afternoon, the emergency agency said in a statement.

Almost all provinces of Mongolia have been experiencing harsh weather conditions this winter, and around 90 percent of the Mongolian territory has so far been blanketed by snow, according to the country's weather monitoring agency.

Heavy snow and blizzards are expected to hit large parts of the country in the coming days, with an average wind speed expected to reach 18 to 24 meters per second, the weather agency said, urging the public, especially nomadic herders and drivers, to take extra precautions against possible disasters. 
Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation.

The Ferrell brand has built a loyal following for its collection of Western-design garments that appeal to the pragmatic outdoors person who appreciates style and comfort.



Inspired by the rolling hills and rugged beauty of the Texas Hill Country, the Ferrell brand represents the heart and soul of the Great American Outdoors and has emerged as a champion of Western-inspired attire that transcends temporal boundaries.

The essence of Ferrell's menswear lies in its meticulous curation of men's western clothing that pays homage to the rich legacy of Texan culture. Rooted in the rugged appeal of the Lone Star State, the brand channels the spirit of frontier life, encapsulating the spirit that defines its resilience and tenacity. From rugged snap shirts to authentic caps, Ferell's collection captures the raw essence of this heritage.

At the heart of Ferrell's appeal is its commitment to craftsmanship. Each piece in the collection reflects an unwavering dedication to detail, employing time-honored techniques to create garments that stand as a testament to the brand's reverence for authenticity. The quality of materials used in Ferrell's clothing not only ensures durability but also adds a tactile dimension to the wearer's experience, embodying the spirit of the West in every stitch.

For more information, visit https://ferrellbrand.com/

According to the brands founder and owner, Corbett Ferrell, his Western and outdoor clothing is not just about style but about functionality as well. When it comes to western clothing, quality is paramount and all Ferrell garments are made from only the finest materials, ensuring they're not only comfortable but also sewn to last.

We grew up in strong families where your word, hard work, and authenticity were valued above everything. And we learned young that you only put your name on something you can stand behind. So, this is what were all aboutwe encourage everyone to embrace the versatility of the Ferrell clothing line and enjoy the style and comfort of our Western clothing, day and night, said the founder.

Ferrells popular Western shirts are known to stand up to rough ranch work and dry quickly while keeping wearers cool in summer. Beyond its utilitarian appeal, Ferrell elevates the collection with a keen eye for the modern lifestyle. Visitors to Ferrells website can view a selection of appealing Western snap shirts and caps. The website provides secure payments on Shop Pay one-tap checkouts.

The brand seamlessly integrates current trends into its offerings, ensuring that the garments resonate with the sensibilities of today's discerning clientele. Ferrells lightweight, breathable shirts are made from soft-stretch fabric and boast a UV protection factor of over 50. Wrinkle-resistant, they are not only perfect for a day on the ranch but also effortlessly transition into stylish attire for a night on the town.

Ferrell garments are of genuine Western designs complete with pearl snaps, vented back, pocket pen slit, and hidden snaps to hold down the collar. This harmonious fusion of the old and the new allows Ferrell to transcend the confines of nostalgia, presenting Western-inspired clothing as a timeless and relevant choice for the modern man.

Ferrell's collection of men's western clothing is a testament to the brand's unwavering commitment to quality, authenticity, and style. By seamlessly blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design, Ferrell has created a collection that resonates with the spirit of the American West while appealing to the modern man's sensibilities. As the brand continues to evolve, it remains a stalwart in the world of men's fashion, offering a timeless and enduring vision of Western-inspired elegance.

About the Company:

Ferrell's collection encapsulates the essence of the American West, drawing inspiration from the rugged landscapes, the spirit of exploration, and the timeless allure of cowboy culture. The brand's commitment to authenticity is evident in every stitch and detail, reflecting a dedication to preserving the heritage of Western wear. Each garment is not merely a piece of clothing but a curated expression of heritage and style, inviting the wearer to step into the timeless allure of the West.

Contact Info:

Name: Corbett Ferrell

Email: Send Email

Organization: Ferrell

Address: 516 E Interstate 10 Seguin, TX 78155

Website: https://ferrellbrand.com/



Release ID: 89118561

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Innovation Shaping a Digital Future

LAS VEGAS , Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On January 10, 2024 , the winners of the Global Top Brands Awards were unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the world's most renowned, influential and largest consumer electronics industry event. Among the attendees at the Awards Ceremony were Zhu Dongfang, President of Asia Digital Group, Adam Goldstein , Vice President of TWICE, Zhang Li , Executive Vice President of Asia Digital Group, and senior representatives from global top brands.

Founded by International Data Group (IDG) in 2006, the Global Top Brands Awards (GTB for short) is jointly organized by Asia Digital Group (ADG) and Europe Digital Group (EDG), with support from International Data Corporation (IDC) and TWICE. It offers those engaged in the industry a comprehensive understanding and discussion of cutting-edge industry trends and releases rankings annually through CES Daily and TWICE. It has now become one of the most authoritative, professional, and credible events in the global consumer electronics industry. According to ADG's President Zhu Dongfang , GTB has been held for nineteen sessions at CES. Its objective is to showcase exceptional brands and products to global consumers, while also shedding light on the development status and trends within the global consumer electronics industry, ultimately contributing to its advancement and growth.

Innovation Leads to a Flourishing Global Consumer Electronics Industry

According to data released by GfK, in the latter half of 2023, the year-on-year growth rate of retail sales for consumer tech products soared to approximately 11%, propelling the industry's overall year-on-year growth rate to 4% for the entire year. There are still growth opportunities in specific areas of global consumer electronics market, particularly with innovative products or those aimed at attracting high-end consumers. This indicates that innovation has become a consensus for industry development and a crucial means for progress.

This GTB, with the theme of "Innovation Shaping a Digital Future", assesses participating brands across four dimensions: industry popularity, global strategic layout, influence on the international market, and product innovation. The highly anticipated 2023-2024 Global CE Brands Top 50 were officially announced at the event, with international brands such as Apple, Samsung, Huawei, Sony, Siemens, Qualcomm, TCL, BOE, and Midea making the list. In the 2023-2024 CE Brands Top 10 category, Chinese brands Huawei, TCL, Midea, BOE, Gree, Xiaomi, among others, were recognized. As smartphones receive the highest attention in the consumer electronics field, competition among global brands becomes more intense. The 2023-2024 Global Smart Phone Brands Top 10 award was received by brands like Apple, Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, TECNO and etc. "TECNO continues to captivate with their outstanding achievements this year," expressed Zhu Dongfang, President of Asia Digital Group on behalf of the jury team. "Their unwavering dedication to technological advancements for global frontiers is truly commendable. TECNO's innovative prowess and commitment to excellence make them an exceptional consumer electronics brand."

The development of smart TVs has significantly increased their usage rates, transforming them from mere screen decorations in living rooms to home smart centers with diverse applications. Brands like Samsung, TCL, LG, Sony, and Xiaomi emerged as winners in the 2023-2024 Global TV Brands Top 10 category. Looking across these three rankings, Chinese brands and their power have gained recognition from global consumers in the corresponding consumer electronics sectors. The shift from "Made in China " to "Intelligent Manufacturing in China " has already begun, and it is expected to see more high-quality Chinese brands and products venturing into global competition.

The rapid popularity of electric vehicles has driven innovation and transformation in the smartification of automobiles, which led to the addition of the 2023-2024 Global Intelligent Vehicles Brands Top 10 category this year. The development of smart cars with electrification as the core has become a consensus among global car manufacturers, and this GTB is a comprehensive review of the global development of smart cars. In the end, Tesla, BYD, Toyota, Volkswagen, General Motors, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Stellantis, Ford, and GAC MOTOR stood out. GAC MOTOR's inclusion instills confidence in the development of China's smart electric cars, making it more possible for Chinese car brands to achieve overtaking through electrification. In addition, Ecovacs, Infinix, and GONEO won the 2023-2024 International Innovative Brand Award, showcasing the innovation of Chinese brands shining globally.

Strength in International Markets Showcases China's Power on the World Stage

Looking at winners list, Chinese brands have gained worldwide recognition with their scientific and technological innovation. They have ventured overseas and gained the trust of consumers from different countries in the global competition.

TCL won five awards this year, including the 2023-2024 CE Brands Top 10, 2023-2024 Global TV Brands Top 10, Innovative Display Technology Gold Award of the Year, AR Glasses Innovation Award of the Year, and Eye Protection Display Technology Innovation Award. Among them, the 115QM891G TV, with a 115-inch QD-Mini LED smart screen, uses QD-Mini LED display technology that combines the advantages of LCD and OLED, upgrading traditional surface light sources to pixel-level point light sources, while also using QLED technology to achieve ultra-high contrast. It also has higher brightness, color gamut, and lifespan than OLED, making it equipped with true next-generation large-screen display technology. With over 20,000 quantum dot dimming zones, 5,000 nits of XDR peak brightness, it is equipped with the AiPQ Ultra chip, features an Onkyo 6.2.2 Hi-Fi sound system and Dolby Atmos and presents ultra-thin integrated design. The RayNeo X2 Lite binocular full-color glasses, weighing just approximately 60 grams, stands as one of the lightest binocular full-color 3D smart glasses. It features leading binocular full-color MicroLED display technology that achieves real virtual integration, with up to 1,500 nits of brightness and vivid 3D images. The product is equipped with the first-generation Snapdragon AR1 platform, which has powerful AI capabilities, providing users with glasses-based multi-scene applications such as real-time translation, 3D navigation, and intelligent AI assistant. TCL's other award-winning product, the TCL NXTPAPER 14 Pro, is the first tablet computer equipped with NXTPAPER 3.0, proving TCL's commitment to outstanding visual experience and eye comfort, and is a model of technology humanization. In terms of hardware, the NXTPAPER 14 Pro features a 14-inch 2.8K high-definition screen, while the NXTPAPER 3.0 technology adds circular polarizing light screens (CPL), creating an experience of reading paper-like books under natural light. In terms of software, this tablet is designed with a screen usage time reminder function based on expert research and recommendations on eye health.

Midea has been recognized with two awards, including the 2023-2024 CE Brands TOP 10, and individual product awards. The Navigator Series 3rd Generation Household Central Air Conditioner from Midea has received the Whole House Air Solution Gold Award. This innovative system utilizes full liquid chilling, zoning and thermal management technology and is equipped with T3-level ultra-high-temperature compressors, which enables it to provide powerful cooling at temperatures up to 58C. It can also provide sustained cooling at 43C without attenuation and higher quality cooling operation at 35C, making it suitable for use in extreme climates in both northern and southern regions. Besides, the product integrates a multi-system multi-module centralized control core, which allows it to connect with whole-house floor heating, fresh air, humidity control and health and enables flexible combinations of multiple system modules to achieve customized whole-house air solutions.

While being honored with the 2023-2024 CE Brands Top 10, BOE has also won the 2023-2024 Innovative Display Product Gold Award with its Automotive Ultra Large-Size Oxide Cockpit. This 44.8-inch large-sized oxide product made its debut, with an AA area of 1134*138mm. With a 9K super retina-level resolution of 8960*1092, glass-based MLED backlight, it achieves a top-tier picture quality with 6048 super high-resolution zones and an ultra-high contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1, comparable to OLED. The curved R4200 cold bending technology provides users with an immersive driving experience. It is the first automotive oxide product with a 90Hz refresh rate, delivering smoother visuals. With a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, it accurately reproduces the dynamic brightness range perceivable by human eyes in various usage scenarios. The 8K+ shared interactive system solution can meet the higher demands of automotive products.

GAC MOTOR (GAC Group's wholly-owned subsidiary) was awarded the 2023-2024 Global Intelligent Vehicles Brands Top 10. GAC Group actively embraces global development trends, and has been deeply cultivating international markets. In September 2019 , it established GAC MOTOR to manage the overseas business of its independent brands. As a window for overseas sales, GAC MOTOR sells GAC Group's self-developed vehicle and component products overseas, while also providing related commercial services to international distributor partners. It has completed the layout in 39 countries and regions across five major regions: the Middle East , Southeast Asia , Eastern Europe , Africa , and the Americas , and has initially established a global sales and service system.

Infinix has been awarded the 2023-2024 Most Innovative Mobile Phone Brand Award. In recent years, Infinix has continuously introduced innovative technologies and delivered high-quality products and services, such as the groundbreaking 180W super-fast charging technology in the ZERO ULTRA smartphone, which has captured industry attention since its debut. In 2023, Infinix globally launched the revolutionary 260W wired and 110W wireless all-scenario fast charging technologies, presenting a breakthrough "all-scenario fast charging" solution that remarkably exceeds user expectations.As a trendy technology brand, Infinix targets young consumers and strives to provide cutting-edge technology, stylish designs, and outstanding performance on mobile devices. Its core product lines include the ZERO, NOTE, GT, HOT, and SMART series smartphones. Furthermore, it has expanded into other product categories such as TWS earbuds, laptops, and smart TVs. Infinix products are available in over 70 countries and regions worldwide, spanning across Africa , Latin America , the Middle East , South Asia , and Southeast Asia .

TECNO has been awarded the Global Smart Phone Brands Top 10 for two consecutive years, a testament to its influential brand and exceptional product performance that have garnered widespread recognition across various industries. As an innovative brand based on science and technology, TECNO has established its presence in over 70 countries and regions spanning five continents. Despite challenging circumstances, TECNO has achieved remarkable market expansion and growth in 2023. The brand's ability to adapt to local conditions while delivering impressive imaging capabilities has earned it high praise from consumers. Through the creation of stylish and intelligent products, TECNO inspires global consumers to relentlessly pursue their best selves and a brighter future.

Ecovacs has been honored with the 2023-2024 Home Cleaning Product Innovation Gold Award. Ecovacs DEEBOT X2 COMBO is the first product that combines the functions of a robotic vacuum and a mopping cleaner, achieving comprehensive floor automatic cleaning and manual cleaning for vertical surfaces. With the innovative dual-way dust collection technology, X2 COMBO isolates the cleaning environment from the dust and dirt, making cleaning easier. It solves multiple cleaning problems in home with one-stop solutions and opens a new era of smart home cleaning.

GONEO has been honored with the 2023-2024 International Innovative Enterprise Brand Award. The GONEO EV CHARGER has undergone innovative improvements in appearance, interaction, compatibility, safety, and service. The product's sleek appearance was designed by Gunter Horntrich , founder of the German design company Yellow Design and professor at Koln International School of Design, with a minimalist and technological style. The product utilizes innovative touch screen technology for easy interaction, Bluetooth automatic unlocking, and seamless charging initiation, catering to most mainstream vehicle models. This paves the way for visualized interaction and seamless charging in the intelligent era of automotive charging. Moreover, the professional and reliable product offers nine-automotive grade protection, installation services certified by TUV Rheinland in Germany and an industry-leading 6-year warranty, and remains at the forefront of the industry.

C&T Industry Company Limited has won the 2023-2024 Innovative Design Gold Award for its outstanding product design capabilities. With over a decade of industry accumulation and innovative technologies, it has brought efficient and convenient digital accessory solutions to global customers.

Continuous innovation is necessary for the development of science and technology, and society. The Global Top Brands Awards will persist in seeking global examples of consumer electronics development to foster a healthy industry growth.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2023-2024-global-top-brands-winners-unveiled-302033773.html

SOURCE Asia Digital Group
DUBLIN , Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Annual GMP Master Class 2024" training has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.





cGMPs or Current Good Manufacturing Practices is a general encompassing term for the regulations that the control of all facets of life sciences manufacturing processes and facilities particularly pharmaceutical products.



It is crucial, for any entity to be compliant, that every individual within the organization fully understand and adhere to these regulations in the course of



Adherence to those regulations assures the identity, strength, quality, and purity of drug products by requiring that manufacturers of medications adequately control manufacturing operations.

This includes establishing strong quality management systems, obtaining appropriate quality raw materials, establishing robust operating procedures, detecting and investigating product quality deviations, and maintaining reliable testing laboratories. This formal system of controls if adequately put into practice, helps to prevent instances of contamination, mix-ups, deviations, failures, and errors. This assures that drug and medical device products meet their quality standards.



The cGMP requirements were established to be flexible in order to allow each manufacturer to decide individually how to best implement the necessary controls by using scientifically sound design, processing methods, and testing procedures. The flexibility in these regulations allows companies to use modern technologies and innovative approaches to achieve higher quality through continual improvement.



Accordingly, the 'c' in cGMP stands for 'current,' requiring companies to use technologies and systems that are up-to-date in order to comply with the regulations. Systems and equipment that may have been 'top-of-the-line' to prevent contamination, mix-ups, and errors 10 or 20 years ago are less than adequate by today's standards.



It is important to note that cGMPs are minimum requirements. Many manufacturers are already implementing comprehensive, modern quality systems and risk management approaches that exceed these minimum standards.



Why Should you Attend



Understanding GMP requirements, refreshed on a yearly basis is critical to maintain high-GMP standards in your company. Knowledge and skill surrounding the application and practice of GMPs is fundamental to avoiding regulatory issues.

It's simple - you have to do it and you and your team must comply. You cannot assume that once taught, the content associated with GMPs will be retained from year to year. As human beings, we tend to forget over time and as we forget, we also get careless. In the health sciences there is no margin for error or tolerance for carelessness. This training will provide foundation to your GMP training.



SEMINAR OBJECTIVES

List and describe the regulations governing Good Manufacturing Practices

State the personal responsibilities as they relate to GMPs.

List and describe the regulations in the 21 CFR regulations that pertain to GMPs.

Explain how to prepare for a GMP inspection

List and describe the consequences of not being prepared for an FDA inspection

Explain how the FDA inspection is structured and conducted

Explain how the organization should be structured for the FDA Inspection

Explain the importance of truthfulness when interacting with FDA inspectors

List and describe the tricks inspectors use to elicit information

Explain how employees should behave during an inspection

Explain how organizations should handling adverse findings at the completion of an inspection

Who Should Attend:



Virtually everyone in the health sciences, everyone within the organization, can benefit and in most cases, is required to attend periodic GMP training.

Quality Departments

Production Departments

Compliance Departments

Engineering Departments

Manufacturing Departments

Operations Departments

Key Topics Covered:

DAY 1 ( 11 AM to 3 PM )



GMPs - Government Regulations

What are the regulations governing Good Manufacturing Practices?

Your responsibilities

Pertinent GMP topics as per the code of Federal Regulations

Quality Management

Personnel

Premises and equipment

Documentation

Production

Quality Assurance

Materials management

Production and in-process controls

Packaging and labeling

Storage and distribution

Laboratory controls

Validation

Change control

Rejection and re-use of material

Complaints and recalls

Supplier controls

DAY 2 ( 11 AM to 3 PM )



GMP Inspections

Preparing for a GMP Inspection

The consequences of not being ready

The specific areas that are inspected during a GMP inspection

The FDA Inspection - how is it structured and conducted

Responding and organizing for the FDA Inspection

Importance of truthfulness

Importance of knowledgeability and confidence

FDA Tricks to elicit information

Arguing and challenging

Behavior during the inspection

Importance and role of documentation

Effective communication skills

Being deceptive

Opinion versus fact

Phrases never to say

Handling adverse findings during the inspection

Speakers



Charles Paul

President, C.H.Paul Consulting



Utilizing strategic thinking, risk based approaches, and Lean principles, she has demonstrated success in steering and managing complex projects within the pharmaceutical and medical device industries.



For more information about this training visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/7hmewv

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SOURCE Research and Markets
A Bottle of The Emerald Isle , from The Craft Irish Whiskey Co., has sold for $2.8m - $100k more than a bottle of The Macallan 1926 fetched at auction last autumn

LONDON , Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. has seen a record-breaking start to 2024, selling a bottle of whiskey to American collector Mike Daley, for $2.8m . This world-first sale makes The Emerald Isle , already the rarest triple-distilled single malt in existence, the most expensive bottle of whiskey, or whisky, ever sold.

Historically, the most sought-after bottles of the spirit have been Scotch whiskies. Last November, a bottle of The Macallan 1926 fetched $2.7m at auction, briefly becoming the world's most expensive bottle, a title that has now been usurped by The Emerald Isle , representing a shift in luxury collectors' interests, many of whom feel the Scotch market has become too crowded.

Mike Daley said: "Irish is the future of whiskey. I'm excited to be part of it, as a collector, but most importantly as a drinker."

Daley is one of the US' most prolific collectors of the spirit, with a vast collection consisting of several thousand bottles of Irish, American, and Scotch whiskeys/whiskies. His latest record-breaking purchase is one of only seven sets in existence; a liquid which three decades of maturation in a variety of casks, have imbued with an unrivalled intensity of flavour. The Emerald Isle's stunning walnut case includes a single decanter, alongside a bespoke Faberge egg  containing an actual emerald gem  a custom timepiece, and a pair of Cohiba cigars.

Daley also said: "The rebirth of Irish whiskey is relatively new, so I feel like I'm getting in on the ground floor. Luxury scotch, to me, is already a crowded type of market. But we're 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."

Daley's predictions have proved accurate in the past, he made his fortune investing heavily in hyaluronic acid long before the pharmaceutical industry caught up. His thoughts about Irish whiskey's increasing value are supported by data from the Distilled Spirits Council, showing that some super premium spirits within the category have soared by nearly 2,800% in price in the past two decades.

While there are some critics who claim that that The Emerald Isle's value is bolstered by the luxury items included within the box, this criticism falls flat when considered alongside the fact that The Macallan 1926 that claimed the most expensive title last November, was one of only 12 bottles covered with a label designed by Italian painter Valerio Adami , adding considerable value to its auction price.

Jay Bradley , founder and CEO of The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. said: "A bottle of The Emerald Isle becoming the most expensive whiskey or whisky ever sold is a monumental achievement for my business, and an incredibly proud moment for me. I started The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. with the goal of making Irish whiskey the most coveted luxury spirit and restoring Ireland's reputation for crafting the finest whiskeys in the world, this brings us several steps closer to achieving that, and we're only six years into the journey. There's a lot more to come from us, and I'm excited for our customers and competitors to see what we have in store."

ABOUT THE CRAFT IRISH WHISKEY CO.:

The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. is on a mission to restore Ireland's reputation for crafting the finest whiskeys in the world, elevating its potential as a luxury product. Formed in 2018 by Irish entrepreneur Jay Bradley , The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. was born from a desire to return premium Irish whiskey to the heights it once enjoyed. To achieve such a goal has taken a complete reimagining of the craft; honouring centuries of tradition but questioning convention and adding scientific understanding to reinvent the maturation of the whiskey. No expense is spared, no corners are cut.

In 2021, The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. became the most highly awarded new company of the year, amassing a total of 12 awards across both Taste and Design for four of its ultra-rare whiskey releases. In 2022, the company continued this award-winning streak, with 22 awards across Taste and Design, including the world's Best Irish Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards for The Devil's Keep, and a perfect score to achieve Platinum at the A'Design Awards for The Emerald Isle . The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. was also the exclusive Michelin Plaque Distribution Partner for The Michelin Guide Star Revelation Great Britain and Ireland 2022.

In 2023, the business has continued to go from strength to strength, with a total of 44 awards won to date, including Gold and Silver at the IWSC Taste Awards, Gold, Silver, and Bronze at the World Whiskey Awards, and a prestigious Master Medal for The Donn at The Drinks Business Autumn Bling Tasting.

Partnerships evolved with both The Michelin Guide Star Revelation Great Britain and Ireland 2023, at which The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. and Michelin shone a spotlight on truly remarkable mixology, with the 2023 Exceptional Cocktail Award; and World's 50 Best Restaurants, partnering with the prestigious awards as its Official Whiskey of the World Partner.

Michelin UK venue partners include: Hakkasan London, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay , The Waterside Inn , Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, Grantley Hall , City Social, Kitchen Table and Frog by Adam Handling.

Other partner venues include Scott's Richmond , Nobu Hotel Portman Square , Park Row , Adam Handling's Ugly Butterfly and The Ned.

For more information visit www.craftirishwhiskey.com

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SOURCE The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.
SHANGHAI , PHILADELPHIA and SINGAPORE , Jan. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ClinChoice, a leading global Contract Research Organization (CRO), today announced expanding its global footprint with the acquisition of CSI Medical Research (CSI). CSI is a regional clinical CRO with professional staff and partners located across Southeast Asia (SEA), Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), to provide innovative and cost-effective clinical solutions. Through this strategic acquisition, ClinChoice further broadens its global footprint and full-service capabilities in more than 30 countries throughout Asia , Europe and North America around the world.

In recent years, the overall environment and infrastructure to support clinical research in Southeast Asia have been significantly improved. With large population, improving economy, maturing regulatory processes and healthcare systems, the SEA has attracted increasing number of biotech and pharmaceutical companies to conduct clinical research and drug development trials in the region.

CSI, incorporated in 2017, has quickly grown into a prominent regional CRO with proven track record of executing clinical trials in Southeast Asia . The management team at CSI consists of seasoned clinical research professionals that had worked in some of the biggest names in the industry before establishing CSI. The Company has managed a wide range of clinical trials with their extensive knowledge of local practice, requirements and regulations.

ClinChoice, as a global CRO, is dedicated to providing full-service and functional solutions across the entire development lifecycle for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and consumer product companies locally and globally. With over 4,000 professionals worldwide, ClinChoice has established deep regulatory know-how, clinical trial execution and data management capability across all major markets and regions around the world. With the history dating back to 1995, ClinChoice has completed over 1,500 full-service clinical studies across all clinical trial phases and covering all major therapeutic areas.

"This is an exciting time for ClinChoice, and we are thrilled to welcome the talented CSI team to the ClinChoice family." said Mr. Ling Zhen , Global Chairman and CEO of ClinChoice, "With their wide-range of highly valuable service offering and seasoned professional team, the acquisition of CSI will further expand our presence in SEA and ANZ, and enhance our capability to well fulfill our clients' need locally and globally."

"Joining with ClinChoice is the ideal next chapter in CSI growth story. We are excited to leverage on our familiarity with the SEA and ANZ regulations as well as the clinical sites within a region we called home, to assist more customers to navigate through the challenges with great speed and better cost efficiencies." said Mr. Nelson Wong , Founder and CEO of CSI Medical Research, "CSI's vision and mission in the approach to manage clinical trials are very much aligned with ClinChoice, and the company's high-quality, efficiency and teamwork culture will be fantastic for our talented employees and clients alike. We are very looking forward to what we can achieve together."

About ClinChoice

ClinChoice is a global clinical CRO dedicated to offering high-quality services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and consumer product companies. These services include Clinical Operations, Project Management, Biostatistics, Data Management, Regulatory Affairs, Medical Affairs, Pharmacovigilance, and other product development services. ClinChoice employs more than 4,000 dedicated professionals in 30 different countries across Asia , Europe and North America around the world.

About CSI Medical Research

Clinical Solutions Innovating Medical Research aka CSI Medical Research Pte Ltd (CSI) is a clinical focused CRO providing innovative, cost-effective, and efficient clinical solutions in SEA, since 2017. CSI is headquartered at Singapore with professional staff and partners throughout Southeast Asia , Australia and New Zealand . CSI has extensive industry experience and knowledge of local practices, regional ethics, regulatory requirements, and site operations.

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SOURCE ClinChoice
Rates include upgrades to make the grid more resilient and shorten the duration of outages

New programs will give customers more control over energy use and help low-income customers

Approval includes performance incentives to hold the utility accountable for reliability, encourage renewables and reduce peak system loads

CHARLOTTE, N.C. , Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy Carolinas will implement new rates for North Carolina customers on Jan. 15 as approved by the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC).

Rates for North Carolina customers will remain well below the national average, even after Duke Energy Carolinas completes approximately $7.7 billion in upgrades to make the electric grid more resistant to outages and enable faster power restoration.

And as in its Duke Energy Progress order issued in September, NCUC approval covers multiyear rates, along with incentives and penalties to hold the utility accountable for reliability and other performance metrics.

"We've made significant infrastructure upgrades in recent years to meet customer needs and expectations," said Kendal Bowman , Duke Energy's North Carolina president. "This commission order enables us to continue meeting the energy demands of a growing region while limiting annual rate increases and giving customers more cost certainty."

Rate changes start Jan. 15

After extensive evaluation since the rate review was requested last January, along with constructive settlements with the NCUC Public Staff and other parties, the NCUC approved a net increase in retail revenues in year one of about $436 million (8.3%), followed by $173 million (3.3%) in year two and $165 million (3.1%) in year three.

Customer bills already reflect an interim rate adjustment implemented Sept. 1 . Accounting for that, beginning Jan. 15 , the change from current rates for a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month will be an increase of $10.04 , from $130.29 to $140.33 per month, followed by a $4.19 increase on Jan. 1, 2025 , and a $4.10 increase on Jan. 1, 2026 , for a total of $148.62 by 2026.

According to the Edison Electric Institute, the national monthly average for typical residential customers was $171.67 as of Jan. 1, 2023 , before other utilities go through their own rate adjustments.

The full NCUC rate review order can be found here. Duke Energy Carolinas serves about 2 million households and businesses in central and western North Carolina , including Charlotte , Durham and the Triad.

Help for low-income customers

The NCUC ordered Duke Energy Carolinas to establish a Customer Assistance Program (CAP) that reduces bills for the utility's most vulnerable customers through a $42 monthly credit for 12 months. Customers helped by the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) or the Crisis Intervention Program (CIP)  federally funded initiatives for those at or below 130% and 150% of the poverty level, respectively  will be automatically enrolled in CAP beginning this month in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

Duke Energy will also refer CAP customers to weatherization and energy efficiency services that can help provide long-term solutions to reduce energy usage. As part of a settlement in the rate cases for both Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress, Duke Energy shareholders will contribute $10 million for health and safety repairs that would otherwise prevent low-income customers from qualifying for weatherization and other energy efficiency improvements. Duke Energy shareholders are contributing an additional $6 million to the Share the Light Fund in support of North Carolina customers.

New options for all customers

For all customers, Duke Energy Carolinas has also established new time-of-use rate options and energy efficiency programs to help lower their costs and reduce energy use:

Time-of-Use rates incentivize customers to shift electricity use to periods of low energy demand. Simple examples include running a dishwasher overnight or doing laundry on weekends; options are available for commercial and industrial customers as well. More detail can be found at duke-energy.com/NewRatesNC.

rates incentivize customers to shift electricity use to periods of low energy demand. Simple examples include running a dishwasher overnight or doing laundry on weekends; options are available for commercial and industrial customers as well. More detail can be found at duke-energy.com/NewRatesNC. A Tariff on Bill program called "Improve & Save" will enable residential customers  owners and renters  to pay for energy efficiency upgrades through their Duke Energy bill. The program will incentivize customers to replace inefficient electric HVAC systems or insulation in a manner that ensures their annual savings are greater than the monthly cost of the upgrades  improving their service while lowering their bill. The program is expected to launch in first quarter 2024, and a dedicated webpage for the program is coming soon.

"Our goal with these programs is to help offset the rate increase as much as possible by giving customers more control over their energy use," said Bowman. "The programs are designed to reduce costs across the entire system, benefiting all customers."

Holding the utility accountable for reliability, renewables goals

As in the Duke Energy Progress order, another new aspect of this rate approval is the implementation of performance incentive mechanisms (PIMs). First allowed by North Carolina's clean energy legislation (HB951), PIMs advance state policy goals through financial incentives and penalties that encourage utility performance in areas of shared interest with customers.

Following settlements with various participants in the rate review process, the NCUC approved three PIMs with annual incentives that grow up to $15 million in potential rewards as well as $15 million in potential penalties for Duke Energy Carolinas across three areas:

Reliability  holds the utility accountable to maintain expected levels of reliability through graduated penalties that would be distributed to customers if reliability dips below target levels.

 holds the utility accountable to maintain expected levels of reliability through graduated penalties that would be distributed to customers if reliability dips below target levels. Renewables Integration and Encouragement  encourages adoption of clean energy resources across three categories: DER Integration  advances net energy metering (NEM) distributed energy resources (DERs), which allow customers to access zero-emissions generation  such as rooftop solar  at their homes and businesses, reducing their electricity consumption from the grid. Large Customer Renewable Program Encouragement  supports large commercial and industrial customers, educational institutions and local governments that have clean energy goals and want access to renewable energy. Utility-Scale Interconnection  incentivizes solar and solar-plus-storage interconnections above the estimated annual amounts in Duke Energy's Carbon Plan.

 encourages adoption of clean energy resources across three categories: Time-Differentiated and Dynamic Rate Enrollment  encourages the utility to create and gain approval of innovative rate designs and increase customer participation in existing rates that are designed to reduce system peak load.

A new page on Duke Energy's website allows monitoring of these PIMs as well as other tracking metrics related to customer service, reliability and electric vehicle integration.

Duke Energy Carolinas

Duke Energy Carolinas, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 19,500 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 2.8 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 24,000-square-mile service area in North Carolina and South Carolina .

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. , is one of America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina , South Carolina , Florida , Indiana , Ohio and Kentucky , and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina , South Carolina , Tennessee , Ohio and Kentucky . The company employs 27,600 people.

Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets of at least 50% reduction from electric generation by 2030, 50% for Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions by 2035, and 80% from electric generation by 2040. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2023 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "World's Best Employers" list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Contact: Bill Norton

24-hour media line: 800.559.3853

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SOURCE Duke Energy
TSX Venture Exchange (TSX-V): GRG

Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE): G6A

OTCQB Venture Market (OTCQB): GARWF

VANCOUVER, BC , Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Golden Arrow Resources Corporation (TSXV: GRG) (FSE: G6A) (OTCQB: GARWF), ("Golden Arrow" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that New Golden Explorations Chile SpA ("NGE"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, has entered into an option agreement (fully executed January 9, 2024 ) (the "Option Agreement") with Sociedad de Servicios Andinos SpA ("SSA"). Under the Option Agreement, NGE has granted SSA the option (the "Option") to subscribe for 333 shares in the capital of NGE (each, a "Share"), equivalent to approximately 25% of the issued and outstanding Shares upon exercise of the Option, subject to the terms and conditions of the Option Agreement. The Shares are not convertible or otherwise exchangeable for common shares of the Company. SSA is non-arm's length to the Company. No finders' fees are payable for this transaction.

To exercise the Option, SSA must contribute US$5,000,000 (in the equivalent amount of Chilean pesos), as follows:

(i) US$2,000,000 in cash, through six bimonthly installments of US$333,333 commencing on February 1, 2024 , and

(ii) performing drilling services, heavy machinery services, truck rental, as well as any other goods or necessary services for the development of field activities at the San Pietro Project (as described below) with an aggregate value of US$3,000,000 by July 2025 .

Joseph Grosso , Chairman, CEO and President of Golden Arrow commented, "We are very pleased with this arrangement with SSA as this deal represents the equivalent of approximately 7 million Canadian dollars of non-dilutive financing for Golden Arrow, in a difficult market. The investment will allow us to complete an aggressive exploration and drilling program to continue evaluating San Pietro's many targets, and in support of our first NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate for the project which we are aiming to complete by the end of year."

San Pietro Project

NGE holds a 100% interest in the Company's San Pietro iron oxide-copper-gold-cobalt project in Chile (the "San Pietro Project"). The San Pietro Project covers nearly 18,500 hectares, approximately 100 kilometres north of Copiapo. Situated between and adjacent to Capstone Copper's Manto Verde Mine property and Santo Domingo Project, the San Pietro Project is in the centre of a potential new copper-cobalt region within an active, well developed mining district that is home to all the major iron oxide-copper-gold ("IOCG") deposits in Chile . The proximity of the San Pietro Project to other mining projects in the area does not provide any assurances with respect to the prospects at the San Pietro Project.

The San Pietro Project hosts multiple targets with strong IOCG+cobalt mineralization. In 2023 the Company completed approximately 4000 metres of diamond drilling in 13 holes to add to the database of ~34,000 metres of historic drilling at San Pietro. All targets tested reported strongly mineralized intervals as reported in Company news releases on June 13 , June 27 and July 12 . With completion of this arrangement with SSA, the Company is fine-tuning its geological modeling to finalize the drill spacing and program required to support a NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate at San Pietro. The full 2024 exploration and resource delineation drilling program will be announced in the coming weeks.

About Sociedad de Servicios Andinos SpA:

SSA is a company based in Copiapo whose main activities are Diamond drilling, Heavy Equipment Services and Logistics. They are currently carrying out drilling and water supply with cistern trucks at Filo del Sol project, for Lundin Group.

SSA's main shareholder is also the majority shareholder of AGV GROUP, a leading mining services company in Argentina , with a ten year partnership with Grosso Group companies in Argentina , including Golden Arrow.

About Golden Arrow:

Golden Arrow Resources Corporation is a mining exploration company with a successful track record of creating value by making precious and base metal discoveries and advancing them into exceptional deposits.

Golden Arrow is actively exploring its flagship property, the advanced San Pietro iron oxide-copper-gold-cobalt project in Chile , and a portfolio that includes nearly 125,000 hectares of prospective properties in Argentina .

The Company is a member of the Grosso Group, a resource management group that has pioneered exploration in Argentina since 1993.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Joseph Grosso"

_____________________________

Mr. Joseph Grosso ,

Executive Chairman, President and CEO

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.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including, without limitation, statements about the proceeds from the Option transaction and the use of such proceeds; the Company's plans for its mineral properties; the Company's business strategy, plans and outlooks; the future financial or operating performance of the Company; future exploration and operating plans (including the 2024 exploration and resource delineation drilling program); the fine-tuning of the Company's geological modeling; and the completion of a NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate (and the timing thereof) are forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements and, even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things: the impact of COVID-19; risks and uncertainties related to the ability to obtain, amend, or maintain licenses, permits, or surface rights; risks associated with technical difficulties in connection with mining activities; and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. The proximity of the San Pietro Project to other mining projects in the area does not provide any assurances with respect to the prospects at the San Pietro Project. Readers are encouraged to refer to the Company's public disclosure documents for a more detailed discussion of factors that may impact expected future results. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, unless required pursuant to applicable laws.

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SOURCE Golden Arrow Resources Corporation
Hudson Health System Will Operate Four Acute Care Hospitals

JERSEY CITY, N.J. , Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Executive leadership at both Hudson Regional Hospital and CarePoint Health System are announcing the creation of Hudson Health System, a new management company that will incorporate the acute care facilities of Hudson Regional Hospital and CarePoint Health.

The principals of the new network signed a letter of intent on Thursday that is the precursor to a new organizational structure and operating plan which will require approval from the New Jersey State Department of Health. Hudson Health System will be a four-hospital network including Hudson Regional Hospital, Bayonne Medical Center, Hoboken University Medical Center, and Christ Hospital in Jersey City .

"Since entering this marketplace in 2018 our team has driven a patient-focused mission that incorporates technology and engages leading healthcare professionals to deliver care under a new model," said Yan Moshe , Chairman of Hudson Regional who will be Chairman of Hudson Health System. "I am excited to bring our proven track record and experienced team in partnership with Dr. Moulick to build a high quality, stable health care system that the county deserves. We are all committed to bringing top quality care, physicians and efficient operations that will allow us to achieve those goals. We are grateful to Mayor Fulop and other Hudson County elected officials for their critical role in envisioning a new network that would allow these facilities and healthcare professionals to reach their potential."

The new system will continue both Hudson Regional Hospital's and CarePoint Health's demonstrated commitment to providing high-quality, affordable healthcare for local residents. The system will include both nonprofit and for-profit hospitals in an innovative new model, and it will continue to be in-network with all major insurance carriers.

" Hudson County is the most diverse and dynamic community in New Jersey , and its residents deserve nothing less than exceptional care, affordable access, the most advanced specialties and technology, and the highest caliber physicians to serve patients' needs, especially the underserved communities that rely on our facilities," said CarePoint President and CEO Dr. Achintya Moulick, who will be President and CEO of Hudson Health System. " Yan Moshe has shown the type of innovative leadership that will allow us to thrive in an ever-changing healthcare environment, and with adequate state support I believe we can build a hospital system that will deliver on its core mission."

"This new system expands our mutual impact far beyond and far sooner than what we could ever have achieved separately," says Dr. Nizar Kifaieh, CEO of Hudson Regional Hospital. "The possibilities are enormous and will energize the entire medical community to deliver that much more to the patients."

"This partnership will strengthen CarePoint's financial position and benefit our entire hospital network, from Christ Hospital and Hoboken University Medical Center which will continue to operate as non-profit safety net hospitals to Bayonne Medical Center which will still provide exceptional service to the community," said Dr. John Rimmer , CarePoint Chief Medical Officer. "This is an exciting moment for health care in Hudson County that will mean improved care and better patient outcomes."

Additional details about Hudson Health System will be announced in the coming days.

SUPPORT FOR HUDSON HEALTH SYSTEM FROM HUDSON COUNTY ELECTED OFFICIALS:

Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop :

"It became clear over the last several months that Hudson County had an opportunity to create a dynamic new healthcare model. There is no greater priority than the health of our residents, and we convened the operators of our major hospitals together to create a platform that would assure quality care and enduring stability. I am pleased to say that the discussions on all sides were driven by a shared commitment to the interests of the patients. It is a complex undertaking to blend facilities and cultures and managements, but out of this effort we have arrived at an admirable place: Hudson County is now a leader in community-focused care."

State Senator Angela McKnight (D-31):

"As a safety net hospital that provides care to tens of thousands of uninsured, underserved, undocumented, unhoused, or lower income patients every year, ensuring that Christ Hospital and the rest of the CarePoint system can continue to operate is one of my highest legislative priorities. I'm ecstatic to see this partnership come to fruition and I believe that it represents a new beginning for our communities, especially for our seniors and the people who most need high-quality healthcare."

State Senator Joseph Lagana (D-38):

"This is not purely a Hudson County moment," says Senator Joseph Lagana from Paramus . "The entire state benefits when any area of the state has its healthcare improved in such a dramatic fashion. We look forward to the echoes from the advancements and innovations, that surely will result from this new network."

Hudson County Executive Craig Guy :

"Improving the quality of our health care options and delivering better patient outcomes in Hudson County is critically important, and I'm committed to working with our team, my fellow elected officials and state leaders to ensure that my constituents' needs are best served."

State Senator Raj Mukherji (D-32):

"Healthcare is a fundamental human right, but it isn't treated that way in our system of care. This oversight is particularly evident in CarePoint's treatment of a vast number of indigent patients without compensation, including our immigrant neighbors who lack documentation  denying these safety net hospitals critical support they would need to survive independently.

Ellis Island , a beacon of welcome, lies within New Jersey's waters, not New York's . Yet, New York extends emergency Medicaid to eligible undocumented immigrants and offers full Medicaid to those 65+ along with options for mixed status families. I call on my colleagues to enact a true public option for healthcare in New Jersey , broaden Medicaid eligibility beyond the current federal poverty level income percentage as CMS rules allow, and stop the cruel denial of this human right to our undocumented neighbors.

In the interim, this partnership will enable these hospitals not only to survive but thrive. I am eager to see the implementation of promised community governance at the two hospitals that will continue as nonprofits, and I want to thank the visionary leaders of both CarePoint Health and Hudson Regional Hospital for uniting in common purpose and fulfilling the critical acute care needs of Hudson County residents, needs that are both urgent and deserving."

Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli :

"As the home of Hudson Regional Hospital, we have seen the incredible improvements that insightful healthcare management can bring to a community. Now, with additional resources and a plan that will service the entire county, I look forward to even greater accomplishments and expanded services to our residents."

Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis :

"My focus has always been on ensuring that the people of Bayonne will continue to have a full-service acute care hospital here in our city, and this agreement means that Bayonne Medical Center will not just continue providing the care our residents need but will now be able to provide enhanced services to our community. I commend everyone involved in this landmark partnership for their tireless efforts and for ensuring that all of Hudson County's residents have access to the medical care and services they deserve. Yan Moshe , the entire Hudson Regional Hospital executive team, CarePoint's executive team and all those who helped negotiate this agreement have served the residents of Bayonne and Hudson County well."

Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla :

"Hoboken's primary objective has always been to ensure there is a high-functioning hospital with quality and affordable health services available for our residents. I'm pleased that this innovative new agreement aims to ensure that occurs to the greatest extent possible, and I look forward to staying in touch with all stakeholders to work through the details."

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SOURCE Hudson Health System
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. , Jan. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- LifeNet Health continues to save more lives than ever through organ donation, with 259 people donating 686 organs for transplant last year.

Both numbers represent all-time highs for the LifeNet Health Organ Procurement Organization, which saved 591 lives, working in partnership with hospitals and transplant centers across the region.

This success reflects a relentless focus on expanding donation through staffing enhancements, community outreach, and infrastructure improvements. More than 100,000 men, women and children are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant in the United States  including more than 2,900 in Virginia . The need for organs far outweighs the supply of donated gifts. Growing support for donation is crucial to help close this gap.

"Our goal is to give healing every advantage in all we do, and for organ transplantation that means committing resources to expand and improve our OPO," said LifeNet Health President and CEO Rony Thomas . "We strive to bring hope to each patient who is waiting, and to support the donor families who put their trust in us."

Since 2016, the number of organ donors has increased by 98% across the LifeNet Health service area, which covers most of Virginia as well as three counties in West Virginia and one county in North Carolina . The number of transplanted organs increased by 61% over the same period.

The complexities of donation call for close collaboration between LifeNet Health and more than 70 hospitals and transplant centers. These partnering facilities are instrumental in recognizing when potential donors may meet criteria.

"There are so many important factors when it comes to donation," said Todd Hubler , LifeNet Health Vice President and Organ Procurement Organization Executive Director. "Our healthcare partners are instrumental in making it happen, and we are committed to continuously improving our processes to better support them."

In 2023, LifeNet Health moved into expanded OPO offices in Richmond . The organization also continued to enhance its staffing models to better support hospital partners and donor families.

Currently, the OPO is working on launching a new "Hope Can Be Our Thing" campaign to boost support for donation in multiethnic communities across Virginia . These efforts will build on the One Hero program, which was launched in 2021, resulting in a 19% increase in Virginia donor registration within targeted zip codes in the Richmond area.

LifeNet Health encourages everyone to sign up at the DMV or by going to RegisterMe.org. You can also learn more at LifeNetHealth.org/register.

About LifeNet Health

As a global leader in regenerative medicine, LifeNet Health continues to push the boundaries to give healing every advantage. The organization offers groundbreaking transplantation and cellular solutions that support healthcare providers and power the work of scientific researchers. This forward-focused approach has improved life for millions of patients, all while honoring donor heroes and their families. Learn more at www.lifenethealth.org.

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SOURCE LifeNet Health
Brian joins Merit from Johnson Financial Group, bringing three decades of experience

ATLANTA , Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Merit Financial Advisors ("Merit"), a Georgia -based financial advisory firm that specializes in financial planning and wealth management solutions for high-net-worth individuals and families and those navigating life transitions, announced today that it has hired Brian Andrew as Chief Investment Officer ("CIO").

With more than three decades of investment experience leading institutional money management, investment advisory and hybrid organizations and their investment teams, Brian brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role. Brian joins Merit from Johnson Financial Group where he most recently served as EVP of the firm's wealth business group with $14 billion in assets.

As the CIO of Merit, Brian will be responsible for overseeing and managing the investment department and asset allocation decision-making process, as well as developing new policies and procedures to support the firm's aggressive growth plans. Brian will also play a key role in integrating new partner firms joining Merit, ensuring a seamless transition and alignment of investment philosophies.

"We are thrilled to welcome Brian to Merit," said Kay Lynn Mayhue , President of Merit Financial Advisors. "Brian's proven leadership in the wealth management industry makes him the perfect person to steward Merit's investment strategy and our investment committee. As Merit continues to scale at an incredible pace, appointing Brian as CIO is a reflection of our commitment to our team and clients."

In his previous role at Johnson Financial Group, Brian successfully transformed the traditional bank-wealth business into a multi-disciplinary business serving various segments, including consumer, high-net-worth, private clients, and institutions. Under his leadership, the wealth platform experienced substantial growth and successfully integrated client and advisor experiences.

"Merit truly understands what individuals need in an advisor to succeed: a comprehensive focus on education, a continued investment in relationships and an unwavering commitment to ethics," said Brian Andrew . "Merit has an excellent culture focused on creating solutions for clients and the advisors who serve them. I'm proud to join this collaborative and multi-generational team as CIO and look forward to working with the investment committee to build upon its legacy."

Throughout his career Brian has been responsible for creating investment strategy and leading portfolio management and research teams for most of his career as well as starting up asset management and investment advisory businesses. Brian has experience teaching undergraduate and graduate classes in finance and portfolio management. Brian is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, with a B.S. in Finance, and he has completed the Harvard/Association of Investment Management and Research investment program. His involvement in non-profit boards include Marquette University's Applied Investment Management program, Special Olympics Wisconsin and as Investment Committee Chair for the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation's Pathway 2 Cures venture philanthropy fund. Previously he served as Chairman and Treasurer for the National Hemophilia Foundation and as an Advisory Board Member for several university undergraduate investment programs.

About Merit Financial Advisors

Merit Financial Group, LLC, doing business as Merit Financial Advisors ("Merit"), is a national wealth management firm that supports both the independent broker-dealer and RIA models. Merit exists to enrich the lives of those they serve, and its mission is to revolutionize the client experience by building the RIA of the future. Based in Atlanta, Georgia , Merit has over 40 offices throughout the U.S. and managed approximately $9 billion in assets as of September 30, 2023 ( $6.4 billion in advisory, $2.36 billion in brokerage assets and $197 million in assets under advisement). For more information, please visit www.meritfinancialadvisors.com. Securities offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Merit

Financial Group, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Merit Financial Group, LLC, Merit, Merit Financial Advisors are separate entities from LPL Financial.

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SOURCE Merit Financial Advisors
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) meets with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Jan. 9, 2024. United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed in Tel Aviv on Tuesday with Israeli officials the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and urged the Israeli side to protect civilians in Gaza. (Kobi Gideon/GPO/Handout via Xinhua)

Blinken's visit is purely tactical, aimed at pacifying Gulf countries and other nations in the Middle East. The unchanged part is that the Biden administration continues to share the objective of Israel being engaged in warfare with Hamas, said an expert in Qatar.

CAIRO, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- A whirlwind diplomatic tour by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to quench the prolonged Israel-Hamas conflict and growing spillover in the Mideast is bound to be a futile attempt.

U.S. President Joe Biden confirmed Thursday that the United States and its allies have conducted targeted strikes against a number of targets in Yemen used by the Houthis.

On the same day, Blinken said at a press availability in Cairo, Egypt, that if the Houthis don't stop their attacks, "there'll have to be consequences."

Heading home from Cairo, the final leg of his visits to 10 countries and territories, Blinken once again failed to brighten the region's dismal peace prospect, observers have said.

COLD-SHOULDERS

The visits came amid global cries for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, where Israeli air and ground raids on Hamas targets have killed more than 23,469 people, or 1 percent of the enclave's total population, and displaced some 1.9 million.

The weeklong trip was also undertaken in response to heightened concern about military escalation. This followed an Israeli drone attack that resulted in the death of a top Hamas leader and officials in southern Beirut, disruptions to shipments in the Red Sea due to attacks by the Houthi militia, and a twin bombing incident in southern Iran that claimed more than 90 lives.

In the interim of back-to-back talks with Turkish and Arab state leaders, Blinken arrived in Tel Aviv to meet with senior members of the Israeli government.

Following the Wednesday meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Blinken said the two sides discussed the release of more Israeli hostages as well as Gaza's displacement and humanitarian crisis. He stressed that "escalation is in no one's interest."

Netanyahu's office, however, did not issue any detailed statement on his talks with Blinken, nor did the two officials attend a joint press conference. Israeli Channel 12 reported that this indicated increasingly "tense" ties and "obvious differences" between the United States and Israel, the good old buddies.

Later in the day, when meeting with Blinken in Ramallah, the West Bank, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas reiterated the Palestinian call for an end to Israeli aggression and complete rejection of the displacement, Palestinian official WAFA news agency reported.

The appeals were echoed by almost all other state leaders who received the top U.S. diplomat, especially those of Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkiye, and Egypt.

"We hope that there will be a ceasefire, but if not so, at least a humanitarian pause to end the fighting," said Gulru Gezer, a former Turkish diplomat and foreign policy analyst.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi (R) talks with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Cairo, Egypt, Jan. 11, 2024. Blinken held talks on Thursday with Sisi in the Egyptian capital of Cairo as he wraps up his Mideast tour over the ongoing Israeli escalation in the Gaza Strip. (Egyptian Presidency/Handout via Xinhua)

SELF-SERVING INTERESTS

However, local observers have treated Blinken's fourth regional tour in three months with deep skepticism as it aimed to serve primarily U.S. self-interests, rather than facilitate a ceasefire, or a real peace through the two-state solution.

Meanwhile, the lack of details or tangible follow-through mechanism renders any freshly agreed consensus fragile.

Bassam as-Salhi, a member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, said that throughout the visits, Blinken has apparently dodged mentioning nor seriously considering a Gaza ceasefire, the region's core concern.

In a press briefing just before Blinken embarked on his tour, the State Department on Jan. 4 outlined four diplomatic bearings -- protecting civilians, releasing Israeli hostages, facilitating humanitarian aid delivery to "civilians in Gaza," and stopping forced displacement in the enclave.

"These cannot fundamentally solve the problem," Bassam as-Salhi said, adding that in the runup to the U.S. presidential election, the Biden administration wanted to roll back aggressive Mideast diplomatic moves that had eroded its approval rate.

Samer Anabtawi, a Palestinian political analyst, further boiled down the trip to a diplomatic facelift for U.S. global credibility, which has been faltering since the onset of the Gaza conflict on Oct. 7, 2023.

"Washington claims that it is seeking to contain the situation in the region and not expand the war beyond Gaza, while it is militarizing the Red Sea and ... buying more time for Israel to keep the latter's military campaign in full swing," said Oraib Al Rantawi, director general of the Amman-based Al Quds Center for Political Studies.

In December, the Biden administration resorted twice to emergent executive power to skip congressional steps to sell Israel tank and artillery shells for a total worth of over 250 million U.S. dollars, despite the abject reality in Gaza.

Blinken's visit is purely tactical, aimed at pacifying Gulf countries and other nations in the Middle East. The unchanged part is that the Biden administration continues to share the objective of Israel being engaged in warfare with Hamas, Steven Wright, associate professor of International Relations at the College of Humanities and Social Sciences of Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar, told Xinhua.

Bearing that in mind, whatever Washington has expressed on the Palestinian issue would reduce to lip service, achieving no real result, Palestinian analyst Ayman Yousef noted.

King Abdullah II of Jordan (Central R) meets with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (Central L) in Amman, Jordan, Jan. 7, 2024. King Abdullah II of Jordan on Sunday stressed the country's rejection of attempts to separate the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, warning of catastrophic ramifications of continued Israeli attacks on Gaza. (Royal Hashemite Court/Handout via Xinhua)

ALARMING SPILLOVER RISKS

As the Gaza conflict rages on, Israel has been launching attacks on Syrian military targets and Hezbollah sites, stoking fears of regional spillover.

During the past week, Israeli forces and Hezbollah escalated clashes, with two senior commanders of the Iran-backed group killed, a bleak contrast to what was touted in Blinken's tour in Turkiye, Greece, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Israel, the West Bank, Bahrain, and finally Egypt.

Washington shows no real influence over appeasing the anger of the other warring sides, be it Hamas, Hezbollah, or Yemen's Houthi militants, which all demand a ceasefire in Gaza as a precondition of halting strikes against what they called Israeli targets, according to Eyal Zisser, professor at the Middle East History department, Tel Aviv University.

"Once again, the gap is very wide between the actors -- and the United States has no influence over most of them -- so it will be difficult for Washington to keep the conflict from expanding," Zisser told Xinhua.

In response to the Israeli airstrikes on Gaza and "in solidarity with the Palestinians," Yemen's Houthi group has escalated its attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea since Nov. 19, 2023, demanding an end to the conflict.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced on Tuesday that the country has formed a multinational naval task force to deter the attacks.

Though the Pentagon said several nations had now agreed to participate in the group, regional countries like the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan have stood aloof from the U.S.-led naval coalition, out of concerns that the move may further militarize the waterway.

Abdul Aziz, a Saudi political analyst believes that Washington should realize that it is no longer the only foreign power with influence in the region, and Israel alone cannot protect its interests.

The United States should develop relations with regional countries, including the Gulf ones, based on friendship and mutual benefit, rather than impose its will on these countries, he said.

However, the essence of Blinken's visit is still based on security concerns for Israel, while rights of the Palestinian people and regional interests are largely ignored, according to Al Rantawi.

"The United States is the primary factor exacerbating regional tensions and undermining regional and international stability," said the Jordanian analyst.
DENVER , Jan. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nickel Road Operating LLC ("Nickel Road") today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement ("Agreement") with Prairie Operating Co. and Prairie Operating Co., LLC ("Prairie"), to strategically divest its assets in the Denver-Julesberg ("DJ") Basin. The assets are located in Weld County and include 5,526 net leasehold acres; 26 operated producing horizontal wells; and 90 operated well permits.

"We are pleased to enter into this Agreement with Prairie. Nickel Road's operated position in the Northern Oil Rim of the Wattenberg Field is an attractive growth platform with the second largest approved permit inventory issued in the DJ Basin . While remaining focused on responsible development for all of our stakeholders in Weld County , these assets have delivered top tier results through optimization of well spacing and enhanced completion designs," said Andrew Haney , Co-President of Nickel Road.

Nickel Road Co-President, Dana Johnson added, "Nickel Road has excelled at operational execution in the oil-rich Northern Wattenberg Field, demonstrating best-in-class drilling times, strong netbacks, and an efficient return of capital profile. We look forward to successfully completing this transaction."

Based in Denver, Colorado , Nickel Road is focused on acquiring, leasing, and developing oil and natural gas assets in the Wattenberg Field. The company is supported by an equity commitment from Vortus Investment Advisors, LLC of Fort Worth, Texas .

Buchalter is advising Nickel Road on this transaction.

About Nickel Road Operating

Nickel Road Operating LLC is a Denver -based oil and gas acquisition and development company. Nickel Road was formed in July 2017 by Andrew Haney and Kit Tincher with a capital investment from private investors. The company partnered with Vortus Investment Advisors to grow and develop the position. Nickel Road is currently led by Andrew Haney, Dana Johnson and Kit Tincher . For additional information please visit www.nickelroadoperating.com.

About Vortus Investment Advisors, LLC

Vortus Investment Advisors, LLC is a Fort Worth -based private equity firm focused on the lower to middle market upstream energy industry in North America. Vortus has an asset-based investment strategy, targeting privately negotiated transactions in the lower to middle market requiring approximately $25 million to $100 million of equity capital in partnership with successful owner/operators. For additional information, please visit www.vortus.com.

Nickel Road Operating LLC

Andrew Haney & Dana Johnson , Co-Presidents

Phone: 303-226-7375

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SOURCE Nickel Road Operating LLC
SHANGHAI , Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Noah Holdings Limited (the "Company," or "Noah") (NYSE: NOAH and HKEX: 6686), a leading wealth management service provider in China offering comprehensive global investment and asset allocation advisory services primarily for high-net-worth investors, today provides further update on the status of the legal proceedings related to certain credit funds managed by Shanghai Gopher Asset Management Co., Ltd. (the "Shanghai Gopher").

As the Company previously disclosed on June 21 , June 29 and July 6, 2022 and August 25, 2020 , certain credit funds (the "Camsing Credit Funds") managed by Shanghai Gopher had invested in supply chain account receivables (the "Camsing Accounts Receivables") with respect to the sale of computer, consumer electronics and communication products by affiliates (the "Sellers") of Camsing International Holding Limited (the "Camsing") as underlying investable assets to a buyer (the "Buyer"). Certain companies and individuals in connection with such supply chain account receivables were later suspected to commit fraudulent activities (the "Camsing Incident"). Shanghai Gopher reported such suspected fraudulent activities to relevant PRC governmental authorities, initiated legal proceedings against the Sellers, the Buyer and relevant guarantors, and has been assisting the PRC governmental authorities with their investigations in connection with the Camsing Incident.

On November 1, 2022 , the Shanghai No. 2 Intermediate People's Court issued an initial judgment on the criminal case of the Camsing Incident, pursuant to which the controlling shareholder of the Camsing was convicted of contract fraud and other crimes and sentenced to life imprisonment, the treasurer of the Camsing was convicted of contract fraud and other crimes and sentenced to 17 years and six months imprisonment, and other defendants in the criminal proceeding were respectively convicted of contract fraud and sentenced to imprisonment for a definite term.

On January 5, 2024 , the Shanghai High People's Court dismissed the appeals filed by the controlling shareholder of the Camsing and other defendants in the criminal proceeding and upheld the judgment of the first instance, which ruling has become final.

The Company believes that the results of the criminal proceeding would not have any material adverse effect on its business, results of operations or reputation. The Company will continue to closely monitor and evaluate any future development of the legal proceedings in connection with the Camsing Incident and promptly inform investors of any updates as appropriate.

ABOUT NOAH HOLDINGS LIMITED

Noah Holdings Limited (NYSE: NOAH and HKEX: 6686) is a leading and pioneer wealth management service provider in China offering comprehensive one-stop advisory services on global investment and asset allocation primarily for high net worth investors. Noah is a Cayman Islands holding company and carries on business in Hong Kong as Noah Holdings Private Wealth and Asset Management Limited. In the first nine months of 2023, Noah distributed RMB57.5 billion ( US$7.9 billion ) of investment products. Through Gopher Asset Management, Noah had assets under management of RMB154.9 billion ( US$21.2 billion ) as of September 30, 2023 .

Noah's wealth management business primarily distributes private equity, private secondary, mutual fund and other products denominated in RMB and other currencies. Noah's network covers major cities in mainland China, as well as offices in Hong Kong (China), Taiwan (China) , New York , Silicon Valley and Singapore . A total of 1,408 relationship managers across 59 cities provide customized financial solutions for clients through this network, and meet their international investment needs. The Company's wealth management business had 452,222 registered clients as of September 30, 2023 . Through Gopher Asset Management, Noah manages private equity, public securities, real estate, multi-strategy and other investments denominated in RMB and other currencies. The Company also provides other services.

For more information, please visit Noah at ir.noahgroup.com.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "confident" and similar statements. Noah may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual reports to shareholders, in announcements, circulars or other publications made on the website of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "Hong Kong Stock Exchange"), in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Noah's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. These statements include, but are not limited to, estimates regarding the sufficiency of Noah's cash and cash equivalents and liquidity risk. A number of factors could cause Noah's actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: its goals and strategies; its future business development, financial condition and results of operations; the expected growth of the wealth management and asset management market in China and internationally; its expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of the products it distributes; investment risks associated with investment products distributed to Noah's investors, including the risk of default by counterparties or loss of value due to market or business conditions or misconduct by counterparties; its expectations regarding keeping and strengthening its relationships with key clients; relevant government policies and regulations relating to its industries; its ability to attract and retain qualified employees; its ability to stay abreast of market trends and technological advances; its plans to invest in research and development to enhance its product choices and service offerings; competition in its industries in China and internationally; general economic and business conditions globally and in China ; and its ability to effectively protect its intellectual property rights and not to infringe on the intellectual property rights of others. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Noah's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and Noah does not undertake any obligation to update any such information, including forward-looking statements, as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under the applicable law.

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SOURCE Noah Holdings Limited
Orbic to Reinvent American Tech Manufacturing

LAS VEGAS , Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CES -- Orbic Electronics Manufacturing, LLC, today announced the launch of its Project Patriot initiative, which will revitalize and return high-caliber manufacturing of connected devices to the United States . As part of that effort, Orbic Electronics Manufacturing, LLC, also announced plans to move its manufacturing operation from China to the United Statesspecifically New York's Suffolk County . The new strategic business model was driven to create "Made in America" products that focus on bringing more than 1,000 new, skilled jobs back to the US.

Orbic Electronics Manufacturing offers a range of connected devices, including smartphones, tablets and mobile hotspots, available in the United States from Verizon  the 5G network America relies on.

"Orbic's Project Patriot and "Made in America initiative" mark significant strides in restoring the production of high-quality connected devices to the United States ," Chris Emmons , Vice President of Device and Product Marketing at Verizon said. "We applaud Orbic for its efforts in boosting local manufacturing and supporting the American workforce and can't wait to see the innovations in mobile technology these investments produce."

To help make this transformative milestone in the American manufacturing industry possible, the Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency (SCIDA) has preliminarily approved a transaction to assist Orbic Electronics Manufacturing, LLC in transitioning its operations from China to Hauppauge, NY . This will bring over 500 jobs and a $30.8 million investment that will help bolster Suffolk County's thriving manufacturing sector. With the SCIDA's support, Orbic Electronics Manufacturing plans to lease and renovate an existing 70,000 square-foot building, which sits on a five-acre parcel of land at 555 Wireless Blvd , Hauppauge, NY . The investment into renovating the building and adding cutting-edge manufacturing technology is expected to achieve a mass production target of five million units per year. This venture is anticipated to create employment opportunities for more than 1,000 people within five years. Training and development will be offered to all new hires, ensuring a robust and proficient workforce.

"This project is a testament to the Suffolk County IDA's mission to advance the United States' manufacturing industry and show the world that Suffolk County is the home of innovation and prosperity," said Kelly Murphy , Acting Executive Director of the Suffolk IDA. "Orbic Electronics is an incredible addition to our thriving roster of more than 2,000 manufacturing companies throughout Suffolk County . We are excited for what the future holds, and we are proud to support this project."

Mike Narula , President and CEO of Orbic Electronics, stated, "This initiative is a stride forward in our vision of a sustainable, job-creating future. Project Patriot is set to be a very exciting time in our company's history, and Suffolk County is the perfect location for the bulk of our work to advance the production of American-Made products and grow American manufacturing jobs. Having our products read 'Made in America' is a tremendous point of pride for us, and it will also allow our company to bolster the local economy, helping other vendors in Suffolk County succeed alongside us."

We invite you to join us on this journey as we lay the groundwork for a new era in American manufacturing. For more information, please contact Diana O'Brien , Head of Marketing, at [email protected] or visit our website at https://orbic.us/.

About Orbic

Orbic thinks outside of the mainstream and reimagines your connected experience. Using best-in-class technology, Orbic provides meaningful features to customers seeking something unique and accessible to all, without exclusion.

A leader in developing and manufacturing mobile solutions that are as innovative as they are useful for smart value-tech consumers, Orbic offers a full portfolio of connected solutions from smartphones and tablets to mobile hotspots and connected laptops.

About Verizon

The Consumer segment provides consumer-focused wireless and wireline communications services and products, as well as FWA broadband and Fios.

Contact: Diana O'Brien

[email protected]

631.240.8337

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SOURCE Orbic Electronics Manufacturing, LLC
Financial assistance and energy-saving tips and tools are available to help customers manage seasonal bills

VIDEO: Factors that contribute to customers' natural gas bills

CHARLOTTE, N.C. , Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As winter weather and below-freezing temperatures move across the Southeast, Piedmont Natural Gas is reminding customers of tips and resources that can help them manage their home energy use and, in turn, save money on their energy bills.

Higher energy consumption related to colder temperatures is the largest contributor to increases in the average household's home-heating expenditures during the winter months. A video explaining the factors that contribute to customers' natural gas bills is available on Piedmont's website.

"The downward trend in the cost of natural gas has allowed Piedmont to provide some relief during the winter months, when increased usage driven by colder temperatures often results in higher bills," said Sasha Weintraub , senior vice president and president of Piedmont Natural Gas.

"Even with these cost reductions, some customers may continue to struggle with paying their monthly bills or may just be looking for opportunities to keep their expenses down. Piedmont remains committed to being a resource for our customers, from helping them take steps to lower their natural gas bill to offering payment assistance programs," Weintraub added.

Low- to no-cost energy-saving tips and projects

Natural gas use typically spikes in the winter as customers combat low temperatures to stay warm. Below are tips to help manage your energy use when temperatures decline. B-roll of energy-efficiency measures is available here.

Set your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting to help save. Installing a "smart" or programmable thermostat will also help reduce your energy use while you are asleep or away.

Leave drapes or blinds open during sunny winter days to allow the sun to warm the house. Close drapes and blinds at night, to help insulate your home as windows can allow heat to escape.

Change air filters regularly. A dirty air filter makes a heating system work harder, which uses more energy.

Manage your water heating temperature. Set your water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or consider installing an on-demand or tankless water heater that only heats water when you need it.

Seal air ducts. Make sure the air ducts from your home's furnace and central air conditioner are properly sealed. Ducts that leak into the attic or crawl space can substantially increase your heating and cooling bills.

Seal your home. One of the quickest energy-saving tasks you can do is caulk, seal and weatherstrip all seams, cracks and openings to the outside. This can save 10% to 20% on your heating and cooling bills.

Consider insulation. Consider whether you need to add insulation to your ceilings, floors and walls. Insulation between the indoors and outdoors reduces energy demand, saving you money while improving the comfort of your home.

Level out your bill with the Equal Payment Plan (EPP) program

This free service helps customers manage their budgets by eliminating high winter bills. The EPP program levels out a customer's natural gas bills, allowing them to pay a predictable, equal monthly amount to help avoid billing surprises. Piedmont determines this payment by adding up a customer's annual natural gas usage and then dividing it into the same payment amount each month. Learn more here.

Energy-saving tools

Piedmont Natural Gas also offers a variety of energy-saving tools to help customers and our communities identify ways to save money and energy all year long. These programs and tools help customers understand what factors are impacting their natural gas bills and emphasize specific actions they can take to prepare and reduce the impacts of high winter usage.

Assistance for customers in need

Share the Warmth provides funds to local agencies to assist families with their utility bills, no matter the source of energy they use. Contact information for approved assistance agencies across Piedmont's service area is available at piedmontng.com/ShareTheWarmth.

The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) provides winter heating assistance to pay for natural gas, electric and other methods customers use to heat their homes. There are many customers who are eligible but do not apply for this annual federal benefit that can reduce winter heating costs for low-income families.

Piedmont says anyone in need should apply for this and other newly available programs to see if they qualify. For detailed federal and state-specific information, go to piedmontng.com/WinterBills and click on your state.

Piedmont Natural Gas

Piedmont Natural Gas, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, distributes natural gas to more than 1.1 million residential, commercial, industrial and power generation customers in North Carolina , South Carolina and Tennessee . Piedmont Natural Gas earned the No. 1 spot in customer satisfaction with residential natural gas service in the South among large utilities for the second year in a row, according to the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Gas Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study, and has been named by Cogent Reports as one of the most trusted utility brands in the U.S. More information: piedmontng.com. Follow Piedmont Natural Gas: Twitter, Facebook.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. , is one of America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina , South Carolina , Florida , Indiana , Ohio and Kentucky , and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina , South Carolina , Tennessee , Ohio and Kentucky . The company employs 27,600 people.

Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets of at least 50% reduction from electric generation by 2030, 50% for Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions by 2035, and 80% from electric generation by 2040. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2023 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "World's Best Employers" list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Media contact: Jason Wheatley

Media Line: 877.348.3612

[email protected]

Twitter: @PNG_JasonW

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SOURCE Piedmont Natural Gas
LAS VEGAS , Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- HD Hyundai, a global leader in heavy industries, is teaming up with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to lead the innovation of future unmanned and autonomous construction sites. This collaboration was announced at Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024.

Discover more on the future of construction innovation and groundbreaking solutions at HD Hyundai's Official Website: www.hd-hyundai.com

Strategic Collaboration to Revolutionize the Future of Construction Sites

Bringing together HD Hyundai XiteSolution's CEO and President, Dong-wook Lee, and VP of IoT, AWS, Yasser Alsaied , the ceremony marked a pivotal moment to elevate construction site safety and productivity. This collaboration underscores a commitment to increased automation and the establishment of unmanned operations.

HD Hyundai XiteSolution will collaborate with AWS to build a connectivity platform for HD Hyundai XiteSolution's smart construction equipment. The platform will integrate next-generation construction equipment with core smart functions to enhance reliability and productivity. HD Hyundai anticipates a substantial productivity surge of 30-70% in construction site and improved safety by transitioning towards unmanned operations.

"With the largest cloud provider as our partner, we can accelerate innovation towards unmanned autonomous construction sites of the future. This collaboration marks a major milestone in HD Hyundai's ongoing transformation beyond manufacturing into a comprehensive solutions provider," stated Dong-wook Lee, CEO and President of HD Hyundai XiteSolution.

HD Hyundai will utilize AWS' industry-leading cloud, Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and services, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning capabilities to build the smart construction solution. This solution will drive forward a suite of advanced features focused on boosting reliability, efficiency, and safety in HD Hyundai's next-generation integrated construction models developed by HD Hyundai Construction Equipment and HD Hyundai Infracore, which are set to launch in 2025.

Expanding Horizons: Leveraging Data Insights for Construction and Offshore Innovations

Additionally, HD Hyundai will use AWS to further refine X-Wise Xite, an AI-powered construction site management solution showcased at CES 2024. This cutting-edge solution amalgamates data from construction equipment and sites, providing valuable insights to enhance productivity, reliability, and automation in construction processes.

HD Hyundai also looks to eventually expand the use of AWS to other business units, including ship-building and offshore operations. "We are excited to work with HD Hyundai and help them expand the scope of their construction equipment innovations using AWS IoT and other services," said Yasser Alsaied , Vice President of IoT, AWS.

Meanwhile, HD Hyundai has been showcasing its ambitious infrastructure construction vision to a global audience during the four-day presence at CES 2024. This event provided an invaluable platform for HD Hyundai to foster enhanced collaborations with esteemed international entities. A notable highlight was the strategic alliance forged with CNH, a leading global agricultural machinery company, signifying HD Hyundai's dedication to global market penetration with its advanced solutions.

About HD Hyundai

HD Hyundai (former Hyundai Heavy Industries Group) is a major South Korean conglomerate that serves as the world's largest shipbuilding and heavy industries manufacturer. Its three core businesses are shipbuilding, heavy equipment, and energy. Shifting towards a holding company structure in March 2018 , its intermediary holding companies consist of HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, HD Hyundai XiteSolution, and HD Hyundai Oilbank. Individually, they lead and oversee the core businesses with different subsidiaries specializing in each sector. Starting as a shipbuilding company in 1972 in a small fishing village in the southeast part of South Korea , HD Hyundai has acquired and expanded its business into related sectors with over 35,000 employees worldwide and total assets reaching nearly $59.5 billion (USD). Since its adoption of "Technology and Quality" as its core value, it is now progressing to become the most innovative solutions provider in all domains.

Media Contact

Haeri Na

Manager

HD Hyundai

hyeri.na@hd.com

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SOURCE HD Hyundai
Veteran MedTech leader brings more than two decades of operational and supply chain expertise to the role

SAN JOSE, Calif. , Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Vantedge Medical ("Vantedge"), proven partner to medical device OEM customers in complex precision machining, sophisticated sheet metal manufacturing and assembly and portfolio company of Aterian Investment Partners ("Aterian"), has appointed Brigham Brandon as Chief Operations Officer ("COO").

Brigham Brandon brings more than 20 years of experience in operations and supply chain to Vantedge as COO. He has a proven track record of driving strategic operational improvements in the medical device and life sciences industries. Most recently at Viant Medical, he led operations for the Advanced Metals Solutions business, which included 7 factories and over 1500 full-time employees. Under Brigham's operational leadership, business grew by over 25% achieved through organic growth, new products, KPI performance, operational excellence, and talent development. Prior to Viant, he spent over a decade at Covidien (now part of Medtronic's Minimally Invasive Therapies Group), leading logistics and supply chain initiatives across 14 plants for $1.8B in annual revenue. Brigham holds a BA in Philosophy from Wake Forest University and served as an Officer in the U.S. Army.

Brian King , CEO and Chairman of Vantedge commented, "I have had the honor to work with Brigham for the better part of the last 2 decades and in 3 different companies. He is, simply put, one of the best operations professionals in the Medical Device space. Fully embracing servant leadership, he approaches solutions with a patient-first mindset while promoting a quality-focused culture. We are very excited to have him as our Chief Operations Officer."

"In this new role as COO, I am committed to bringing best-in-class processes to fuel innovation, drive operational efficiency, and build customers' trust. Vantedge has a great team of dedicated employees that are passionate about our mission to make a difference in the lives of patients and their families. I look forward to collaborating alongside them as we become the premier metals-based MedTech solutions partner from concept to full-scale manufacturing," said Brigham Brandon , COO.

The news follows a November 8th announcement from the company as it recently underwent a strategic transformation to combine the collective expertise of Vander-Bend Manufacturing, Inc., TMK Manufacturing, JL Haley, Swiss Precision Machining, and Omni Components under a single, cohesive brand - Vantedge Medical.

About Vantedge Medical

Vantedge Medical is the premier metals-based med-tech solutions partner from concept to full-scale manufacturing. At the forefront of precision engineering and innovation, the Vantedge team specializes in the development and manufacturing of vital components and capital equipment for medical markets such as Robotic Assisted Surgery, Orthopedics, Surgical Instruments, Dental, and more. The organization's teams work in unison, collaborating and problem-solving at eight sites across the United States , certified to ISO 9001 and 13485 with FDA registration to serve the manufacturing needs of the top Medical Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) around the globe.

For more information, please visit http://www.vantedgemedical.com

About Aterian Investment Partners

Aterian Investment Partners is a private equity firm that invests in industry-leading, middle market businesses. In collaboration with management, Aterian holistically supports organizations with a focus on strategic positioning, people, processes, equipment, technology, and product innovation among others. With offices in New York and Florida , Aterian has raised cumulative equity commitments of more than $2 billion since its founding in 2009.

For more information, please visit http://www.aterianpartners.com

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SOURCE Vantedge Medical
Bookings Now Open for Three Exclusive Itineraries Exploring China in 2024

LOS ANGELES , Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Viking (www.viking.com) today announced three new, first-of-their-kind itineraries that will provide guests with exclusive access to China in 2024. The new voyages range from 10 to 20 days and explore iconic cities, such as Beijing , Shanghai and Hong Kong . Each itinerary also includes a domestic sailing of China's coast that highlights rarely-seen destinations and ports to which only Viking has accesssomething that has never before been offered for international visitors. The new voyages will operate from September to November on the Viking Yi Dun formerly the Viking Suna sister ship featuring the same award-winning design and service as all other ocean ships in Viking's fleet. The Chinese-flagged Viking Yi Dun will be the first ship dedicated specifically to the foreign market to operate domestic sailings in China . Each voyage will offer The Viking Way of exploration, with immersive experiences to introduce guests to the people, history and culture of China , including insightful lectures, Chinese-inspired cuisine and destination experts. 

"We are proud that Viking will be the first to operate domestic sailings in China for international travelers. Our guests are curious travelers who are interested in experiences that broaden their mindand China , with one of the richest cultures in the world, has been inspiring travelers for centuries," said Torstein Hagen , Chairman of Viking. "For more than 15 years, our Yangtze River voyages were among our highest-rated itineraries. We brought guests to China's Yangtze River , to Beijing , to the Great Wall, to the Terra Cotta Warriors and to many other iconic places in this captivating nation. We introduced the real China to our guests, and visiting local school children was always a particular highlight. Now, we are delighted to offer such encounters once again with new voyages to a destination that never ceases to capture the imagination."

New China Voyages

Wonders of China  20 days; Beijing roundtrip  This comprehensive 20-day cruisetour itinerary delivers China's main highlights. Guests can meet a Tibetan family at their home, walk on the Great Wall and see the Terra Cotta Warriors. Additionally, guests experience the scenic coast of Dongtou and have opportunities to explore Gulangyu Island in Xiamen , a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Shenzhen , a UNESCO city of design.

  This comprehensive 20-day cruisetour itinerary delivers main highlights. Guests can meet a Tibetan family at their home, walk on the Great Wall and see the Terra Cotta Warriors. Additionally, guests experience the scenic coast of Dongtou and have opportunities to explore in , a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and , a city of design. Classic China & the Coast  15 days ; Beijing , Xian  Hong Kong ( Shenzhen )  This voyage combines the experiences of Viking's 10-day China Discovery voyage with opportunity to see the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Terra Cotta Warriors and other iconic landmarks. While sailing China's coastline, guests can experience a phenomenal diversity in languages, cultures and cuisines.

 ;  This voyage combines the experiences of Viking's 10-day voyage with opportunity to see the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Terra Cotta Warriors and other iconic landmarks. While sailing coastline, guests can experience a phenomenal diversity in languages, cultures and cuisines. China Discovery  10 days; Shanghai  Hong Kong ( Shenzhen )  This 10-day itinerary allows guests to experience the Buddhist shrines of Zhoushan and the cliffs of Dongtou, follow the steps of 19th-century European diplomats on Gulangyu Island in Xiamen , or try Cantonese dim sum in Shenzhen .

To learn more about the itineraries and why China is such a captivating destination, Viking has also published two new videos: Executive Vice President Karine Hagen invites travelers to learn more about these exclusive-to-Viking China voyages here, and Viking Vice President of Product Development Joost Ouendag provides an in-depth overview of the new voyages and the unique opportunity to be immersed in the history, culture and natural wonders of the Middle Kingdom here.

The Viking Yi Dun

Dedicated specifically to exploring destinations in China , with an onboard experience that complements guests' discoveries ashore, the Viking Yi Dun is a sister ship in Viking's award-winning ocean fleet. Classified by Cruise Critic as "small ships," Viking's ocean vessels have a gross tonnage of 47,800 tons, with 465 staterooms that host 930 guests; the ships feature all veranda staterooms, Scandinavian design, light-filled public spaces and abundant al fresco dining options.

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, including the new coastal China itineraries. Space is limited for 2024 departures. Call Viking toll free at 1-855-8-VIKING (1-855-884-5464) or contact a travel advisor for details.

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.

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SOURCE Viking
PHILADELPHIA , Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Your Part-Time Controller, LLC (YPTC), a leading provider of nonprofit accounting services, is proud to announce its regional office expansion to the Raleigh-Durham area. YPTC's Raleigh-Durham office will serve 'The Triangle' including Raleigh , Durham , and Chapel Hill as well as all of North Carolina (including Charlotte , Winston-Salem , Greensboro , Asheville , and more).

This strategic endeavor marks the company's eleventh office location, allowing YPTC to better serve nonprofits around the nation.

The Raleigh-Durham regional area presents a compelling proposition for YPTC's business development strategy, aligning seamlessly with the firm's business goals and values. The Triangle boasts several distinct advantages, including being home to renowned universities and a vibrant nonprofit landscape. The region's diversity, coupled with a historical emphasis on social entrepreneurship, has contributed to a thriving community with unique needs.

Furthermore, the Triangle stands out as one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the U.S. This rapid growth underscores the potential for significant opportunities in providing financial services tailored to the specific requirements of nonprofits in the region. YPTC, with its expertise and commitment to understanding the distinctive needs of nonprofits, is well-positioned to serve as a valuable financial services partner for organizations in this dynamic and expanding community.

And, with a new office comes a new leader. Shannon Poll , who brings 15 years of experience in the accounting and finance fields, has been named Director and leader of YPTC's Raleigh-Durham office.

"The Raleigh-Durham area's strong support for the nonprofit sector and its reputation as a hub for social entrepreneurship deeply resonates with our mission to empower organizations making a positive impact," said Shannon. "With this expansion, we look forward to becoming an integral part of the community, contributing to its economic growth, and fostering partnerships that will help us all grow together."

While Your Part-Time Controller has been serving clients in the Raleigh-Durham area since early 2021, continued business growth and an increase in local personnel has presented a unique opportunity to invest more heavily in this region.

To learn more about Your Part-Time Controller, LLC visit yptc.com.

About Shannon Poll

Shannon Poll is a Director at YPTC with a deep enthusiasm for supporting non-profit missions. Bringing over 15 years of experience in the accounting and finance fields, Shannon first joined YPTC as an associate on the YPTC Anywhere team. She now works with her community as YPTC's leader for Raleigh-Durham , serving organizations throughout all of North Carolina .

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SOURCE Your Part-Time Controller, LLC
FILE PHOTO: Supporters of the Houthi movement rally to denounce air strikes launched by the U.S. and Britain on Houthi targets, in Sanaa, Yemen January 12, 2024. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah/File Photo

By Parisa Hafezi and Ahmed Rasheed

DUBAI (Reuters) - The Iran-aligned Houthis of Yemen vowed to respond to attacks by the United States and Britain but the prospects of these Western strikes igniting a regional war seem limited for now as Tehran seeks to avoid getting sucked directly into all-out conflict.

A response to Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, the strikes further internationalised the conflict that has spread through the region since Hamas and Israel went to war, with Iran's allies also staging attacks from Lebanon, Syria and Iraq.

Iraqi militias responded with new threats against U.S. interests, while Washington declared the Gulf state Bahrain among allies that supported the operation, risking the ire of the Houthis who have a powerful arsenal of drones and missiles.

"It was completely foreseeable that the longer the Gaza war drags on, the higher the risks of escalation and regional conflagration," said Ali Vaez, senior Iran analyst at the International Crisis Group.

"Iran is unlikely to directly enter the fray as long as it has not been directly targeted on its own soil," he added.

But the Houthis could step up their strikes.

"The strikes will not stop the Houthis from further attacks in the Red Sea - if anything, rather the opposite," said Farea Al-Muslimi of Chatham House.

Saudi Arabia, an ally of Bahrain, called for restraint and "avoiding escalation", adding that it was monitoring the situation with "great concern".

Last month, Saudi Arabia's name was conspicuously absent from a list of countries the United States announced as part of a naval coalition protecting Red Sea shipping from the Houthis.

"Part of the reason the Gulf states have been shielded off of these tensions is their better ties with Iran," Vaez said.

NO APPETITE FOR ALL-OUT WAR

The Houthis, who control most of Yemen, have been firing on commercial ships they say are linked to Israel or bound for its ports since November, demanding a halt to the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip.

After U.S. and British forces launched dozens of air strikes across Yemen overnight in response, they vowed retaliation, saying five of their fighters were killed.

Iran's foreign ministry said the attacks would fuel "insecurity and instability".

But while Iran continues to back a network of allies from the Mediterranean to the Gulf known as the "Axis of Resistance", two Iranian sources familiar with Iranian thinking said Tehran does not want to get directly involved.

A third Iranian source, a senior official who asked to remain anonymous, said the Houthis were taking their own decisions and "we support their fight, but Tehran does not want an all-out war in the region". It was up to Israel and the United States to stop "their aggression", the official said.

The United States says it has been seeking to prevent war from spreading through the region, including at the Israel-Lebanese border, where the Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel have been fighting their worst conflict in 17 years.

The United States has accused Iran of being involved operationally in the Houthis' Red Sea attacks. Iran denies any role and says its allies take their own decisions.

Gregory Brew, an analyst at Eurasia Group, said Tehran remained wary of expanding the conflict as it did not want "to be directly exposed to potential retaliation".

"While there are likely to be responses from various Iranian proxies elsewhere in the region, a major escalation from Iran as a response to these strikes is unlikely," he said.

IRAQI THREATS

In Iraq, where Tehran-backed forces have been firing at U.S. forces, the Al-Nujaba militia said the interests of the United States and other coalition members would "not be safe from now on".

An official in another militia, Iraqi Kataib Hezbollah, said the attacks would have "dire consequences for the security of the whole region", including the Gulf: "All the American interests, not only in Iraq and Syria, but in the whole region, will be a legitimate target for our drones and rockets".

In Lebanon, a source familiar with Hezbollah's thinking said responding to the attacks was not its concern but that of the Houthis.

The United States has said the attacks were not intended to escalate tensions and on Friday, the Pentagon said there were no plans to add U.S. forces to the region, and that the strikes had "good effects".

Houthi power in Yemen has grown since the group seized control of the capital Sanaa in 2014 and Saudi Arabia, which intervened the following year amid concern about Iran's growing sway, has recently held peace talks to try to exit the war.

Yemen has enjoyed more than a year of relative calm amid a U.N.-led peace push and Saudi Arabia, seeing regional stability as important to its economic plans, re-established diplomatic ties with Iran last year after years of emnity.

Andrea Krieg of King's College in London expressed doubt over whether the strikes would affect the Houthis willingness or capability to launch attacks, noting they draw on highly mobile infrastructure. "Nine years of Saudi operations in Yemen have shown that the Houthis cannot be deterred," he said.

(Additional reporting by Elizabeth Piper in London and Tom Perry and Laila Bassam in Beirut; Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Philippa Fletcher)
By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A few dozen anti-war activists gathered at Times Square in New York City and outside the White House late on Thursday to protest U.S. and British strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen, saying the step threatened to widen the war in Gaza.

The United States and Britain launched the strikes from the air and sea in response to attacks by Houthis on ships in the Red Sea, which the movement says is a show of support for Palestinians under siege by Israel in Hamas-governed Gaza.

Protesters at Times Square chanted slogans such as "hands off the Middle East," "hands off Yemen," and "hands off Gaza."

The demonstrators near the White House waved Palestinian flags and carried banners that read "Free Palestine" and "stop bombing Yemen."

The strikes in Yemen represent one of the most dramatic demonstrations to date of the widening of the war in Gaza since it erupted in October, although the U.S. and its allies said in a joint statement there was no intent to escalate tensions.

Iran-backed Houthis, who control most of Yemen, have targeted commercial shipping in the Red Sea with drones and missiles, forcing shippers to change course and take longer routes.

The Gaza conflict followed an attack on Israel on Oct 7 by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, which Israel said killed 1,200 people.

Israel's subsequent assault on Gaza has killed more than 23,000 Palestinians, about 1% of the 2.3 million population there, according to Gaza's health ministry.

Thursday's protests were organized by, among others, the coalition group ANSWER, an acronym for "Act Now to Stop War and End Racism."

The group considers the strikes in Yemen a "major escalation" that could lead to a broad regional war, it said on the social media platform X.

The Gaza war has led to protests in many parts of the U.S., including near airports and bridges in New York City and Los Angeles, vigils outside the White House, and marches in Washington near the U.S. Capitol.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington: Editing by Neil Fullick)
The Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Ibrahim Alkhorayef has signed seven memoranda of understanding with Tunisian Interim Minister of Economy and Planning Sihem Boughdiri Nemsia.

The MoUs, signed on the sidelines of the 11th session of the Saudi-Tunisian Joint Committee in Tunis, aim at enhancing Saudi-Tunisian cooperation in various fields, a Saudi Press Agency (SPA) report said.

Two of the MoUs are about agricultural scientific research and environment protection between the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture and the Tunisian Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries, as well as the Ministry of Environment.

Industrial cooperation

Another MoU is on industrial cooperation between the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and the Tunisian Ministry of Industry and Energy. Alkhorayef and Nemsia also signed an MoU related to tourism between the two countries.

Another MoU relates to labour and another one on climate and meteorology was signed between the Saudi National Centre for Meteorology and its counterpart of Tunisia.

Saudi non-oil exports to Tunisia during the third quarter of 2023 amounted to SR513.42 million ($140 million), with chemicals, polymers, packaging, and building materials being the most products the kingdom has exported to Tunisia, while the volume of Saudi non-oil imports from Tunisia reached SR206.59 million, topped by food products and textiles, heavy machinery and electronics.

The Saudi Industrial Development Funds contribution to financing joint projects in Tunisia amounted to SR3.8 million, the value of the contribution to financing one project.--TradeArabia News Service
COLOMBO, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF)'s Senior Mission Chief for Sri Lanka Peter Breuer has said encouraging signs were noted regarding the IMF program's impact on stabilizing Sri Lanka's economy, particularly in policy-oriented variables and fiscal areas.

The IMF, during a meeting with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, congratulated the country on completing the first review under the IMF program, the President's Media Division (PMD) said on Friday.

The PMD said the IMF highlighted the positive start of the program, recognizing the challenging reforms undertaken by Sri Lanka and their significant impact on the domestic population.

A recent meeting revealed promising revenue collection, indicating the effectiveness of implemented policies since reaching a staff level agreement in the second half of 2022, the PMD said.

The IMF stressed the importance of perseverance with ongoing reforms, addressing fiscal issues and advancing governance agendas.

In March 2023, the IMF approved a 48-month extended arrangement of about 3 billion U.S. dollars to support Sri Lanka's economic policies and reforms. 
FILE PHOTO: Chilean President Gabriel Boric speaks at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in San Francisco, California, U.S., November 15, 2023. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo

SANTIAGO (Reuters) - The Chilean government announced a partnership with Alphabet's Google on Wednesday to build the first undersea fiber-optic cable between South America and Asia Pacific.

The Humboldt Cable Project will connect Chile's port city of Valparaiso with Sydney, Australia through 14,800 kilometers (9,200 miles) of fiber-optic cable with a capacity of 144 terabytes and a 25-year lifespan, according to a government press release.

"This cable will consolidate Chile's position as the center of digital activity in South America," President Gabriel Boric said during a press conference in Valparaiso.

He added that the project would "open opportunities for new industries, jobs and better work and life conditions for thousands of people."

The announcement comes at a time when China and the United States have been battling for economic and political influence in Latin America, with undersea cables being central to the technology competition.

A Reuters investigation found that various undersea fiber-optic cable projects to Asia, including two in which Google was an investor, were originally supposed to link to China but were thwarted or re-routed due to U.S. diplomatic pressure.

Aside from technology competition, U.S. authorities worried about the possibility of spy agencies intercepting data on the planned undersea cables.

China President Xi Jingping touted his country's strong ties with Chile during a diplomatic visit last October, while U.S. President Joe Biden pledged to strengthen economic ties with Latin America to counter China's growing influence.

(Reporting by Alexander Villegas; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
Workers stand near a crane unloading sacks of imported soybeans from Russia at Heihe port in Heilongjiang province, China October 10, 2018. Picture taken October 10, 2018. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's 2023 two-way trade with Russia hit $240 billion, setting yet another new record, Chinese customs data showed on Friday, as the two countries pushed for closer economic ties even as the war in Ukraine raged on.

China, one of the world's top oil consumers, has emerged as a major economic lifeline for energy exporter Russia, currently under Western sanctions. Moscow has also stepped up purchases of Chinese goods from cars to smartphones as European and U.S. brands left the Russian market.

China-Russia dollar-denominated trade hit $240.1 billion in 2023, growing 26.3% from a year earlier, according to the data by China's General Administration of Customs.

Chinese shipments to Russia jumped 46.9% in 2023 from a year earlier, and soared 64.2% compared with 2021, before the Russia-Ukraine war, the customs data showed.

Imports from Russia rose 13% last year from 2022.

Half of Russia's oil and petroleum exports in 2023 have been shipped to China, Russia's state news agencies cited Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak as saying in late December.

The Chinese customs did not release the oil imports data from Russia for the month of December.

Leaders and officials from both countries held multiple bilateral talks last year, hailing their "no-limits" partnership.

Beijing intends to expand energy cooperation with Russia along all stages of production, Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui told the Russian state RIA news agency on December 19.

While Russia ramps up Chinese yuan payments for imports amid Western sanctions, China has also increased the use of yuan to buy Russian commodities.

In yuan terms, two-way trade value between China and Russia stood at 1.69 trillion yuan ($235.90 billion) last year, up 32.7% year-on-year, the customs data showed.

($1 = 7.1641 Chinese yuan renminbi)

(Reporting by Beijing newsroom; Editing by Shri Navaratnam)
U.S. Republican Norma Anderson, a former state legislator who served as the first female majority leader in the Colorado House and Senate and is one of the plaintiffs in the Colorado Supreme Court ruling disqualifying former U.S. president Donald Trump fr

By Andrew Chung

(Reuters) - Norma Anderson remembers sitting transfixed in front of her television on Jan. 6, 2021, and crying as she watched a mob of Donald Trump's supporters storm the U.S. Capitol, wondering why the then-president had not called out the National Guard.

"I am old enough to remember the Depression, World War Two, two other wars, recessions, good times, bad times, and lots of presidents. But never have I seen what happened on January 6th," the 91-year-old life-long Colorado Republican said. "I knew who was guilty immediately."

Today, Anderson, the first woman to serve as majority leader in both houses of the Colorado legislature, leads a lawsuit that could cause a political explosion: Trump's disqualification from the Republican primary ballot in the state under a 19th century constitutional provision for engaging in insurrection.

Trump's appeal is set to be argued on Feb. 8 at the U.S. Supreme Court. Trump is the frontrunner for the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic President Joe Biden in the Nov. 5 U.S. election. Reuters/Ipsos opinion polls indicate that a Trump-Biden rematch from 2020 would be close.

Three other Republicans and two political independents have joined Anderson as named plaintiffs. Mario Nicolais, a conservative lawyer from the Denver suburb of Lakewood who helped gather them, said the plaintiffs "were so turned off by that insurrection and by what Donald Trump did on Jan. 6 that they said ... our country is more important and our Constitution is more important. And anyone who did that cannot be allowed to run again."

The lawsuit, filed in September, shows photos of the people who attacked the Capitol, trying to stop congressional certification of Biden's election, and details Trump's actions before, during and since the melee.

"President Trump was the mob's leader, and the mob was his weapon," the complaint states.

Trump would spell the end of democracy, Anderson said in an interview, adding: "He wants to be king. He wants to be like (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, where he has complete control."

The Colorado Supreme Court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in December, finding Trump ineligible for the presidency under language of the Constitution's 14th Amendment barring anyone who "engaged in insurrection" from public office.

MOMENTOUS QUESTIONS

The case raises momentous questions for the Supreme Court, whose 6-3 conservative majority includes three justices appointed by Trump. Among them: Is the constitutional disqualification clause enforceable on its own or does it require congressional action? Does the provision apply to the president?

The Colorado ruling marked the first time this provision - Section 3 of the 14th Amendment - was used to declare a presidential candidate ineligible. It bars from office any "officer of the United States" who took an oath "to support the Constitution of the United States" and then "engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof."

Lawyers for Trump, who faces criminal charges in two separate cases involving his efforts to overturn his 2020 loss, have argued that Jan. 6 was not an insurrection and that Trump was not a participant.

The Colorado litigation was spearheaded by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a watchdog group that in 2022 successfully sued to disqualify under the 14th Amendment a New Mexico county official who participated in the Capitol attack. CREW is not paying the attorneys in the case, who are working for free, Nicolais said.

CONSERVATIVE PUSH

It is important that the lawsuit was brought by conservatives, as these plaintiffs are, Nicolais said.

Apart from the fact that Democratic voters cannot vote in the March 5 Colorado Republican primary, Nicolais said, if the lawsuit had been brought by Democrats, "then it can just be dismissed as, 'Oh, well this is just all political.' And we didn't want that."

Nonetheless, Trump and his allies have portrayed the lawsuit as partisan.

Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung called CREW a Democratic Party "front group."

"The Colorado sham, and others like it, are part of a well-funded, coordinated Democrat Party effort to interfere in the election," Cheung said in a statement.

Plaintiff Krista Kafer, a conservative columnist in Denver who has spent decades in Republican politics, said she voted for Trump in 2020. Though she found Trump personally "contemptible," she agreed with most of his policies during four years as president, and especially the federal judges he appointed.

All that changed when Trump denied his loss to Biden, making false claims of widespread voting fraud.

"Not only did he refuse to concede," said Kafer, 53, "he then made up an entire conspiracy theory chock full of lies and insinuations that put election workers in harm's way - and then ultimately put Congress and members of Congress, their staff and the police in harm's way."

Kafer said she has thought about what might happen if the legal effort fizzles, and Trump is elected in November.

"I worry about the safety of not only myself, but the other petitioners," Kafer said. "Not (Trump) personally. I don't think he's going to show up at my door. But there is, I have no doubt, a desire for retribution."

Given the huge stakes, Kafer said she prayed about whether to join the lawsuit.

"I didn't get an answer from up high," Kafer said, "but I felt peaceful that I was doing the right thing. And I've felt peaceful since."

(Reporting by Andrew Chung in New York; Editing by Scott Malone and Will Dunham)
By Hannah Lang

(Reuters) -The New York Department of Financial Services said Digital Currency Group subsidiary Genesis Global trading will pay an $8 million penalty and surrender its license from the regulator after an investigation found significant failings in the company's anti-money laundering and cybersecurity programs.

Genesis - a cryptocurrency market-maker and brokerage firm - failed to maintain an effective compliance program for anti-money laundering and Bank Secrecy Act requirements and did not file sufficient Suspicious Activity Reports, which requires financial institutions to flag certain transactions to law enforcement.

The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Genesis Global Tradings failure to maintain a functional compliance program demonstrated a disregard for the Departments regulatory requirements and exposed the company and its customers to potential threats," said NYDFS Superintendent Adrienne Harris in a statement.

As part of the penalty, Genesis will give up its "BitLicense," which New York requires that cryptocurrency companies obtain to be able to offer certain services within the state. The BitLicense requires that companies comply with know-your-customer, anti-money laundering and capital requirements.

Genesis has held a BitLicense since 2018.

The move follows crypto lender Genesis Global Capital - another DCG entity separate from Genesis Global Trading - filing for bankruptcy last year after it was hit by the collapse of cryptocurrency exchange FTX. That entity did not hold a BitLicense from NYDFS.

(Reporting by Hannah Lang in Washington;Editing by Elaine Hardcastle)
People hold flags as pro-Palestinian protesters gather near the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as judges hear a request for emergency measures by South Africa to order Israel to stop its military actions in Gaza, in The Hague, Netherlands January 12

By Henriette Chacar and Mohammad Torokman

RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - Palestinians in the occupied West Bank welcomed the case brought by South Africa in the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide, saying the proceedings were an opportunity to hold Israel to account for its military assault in Gaza.

Israel has reacted with outrage at the charges brought against it, describing the accusation as "profoundly distorted" and saying South Africa's bid to make it halt its offensive against the Hamas movement in Gaza would leave it defenceless.

But for many Palestinians, the charges represent a chance to bring world attention to what they see as Israel's historic suppression of their fundamental rights, and South African flags were flown in many cities in the West Bank.

"Israel was built upon the crimes it committed against the Palestinian people," Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh told a rally at Nelson Mandela Square in Ramallah, where marchers defying the winter rains chanted "Thank you South Africa!"

Israel said it launched an air and ground offensive to annihilate Hamas, the militant Islamist movement that rules the blockaded strip, after the group's fighters led an attack on Israeli communities, during which Israel says 1,200 people were killed and 240 taken hostage in the deadliest day in the country's 75-year history.

In the three months since Oct. 7, Palestinian health authorities say more than 23,400 Palestinians, mostly children and women, have been killed in the Israeli bombardment, with some 7,000 believed to be still missing under the rubble.

Israel says the South African case attempts to "weaponize" the term genocide - a word coined by a Polish Jew who witnessed the World War Two Nazi Holocaust against Jews in Europe - delegitimizes the existence of the state of Israel and disregards the responsibility of Hamas.

South Africa told the court on Thursday that Israel's offensive aimed to bring about "the destruction of the population" of Gaza. It said Israel's political and military leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, were among "the genocidal inciters".

Most of Gaza's 2.3 million people have been forced from their homes in a strip that has been in large part laid waste, where the health system has largely collapsed, and the United Nations says restrictions on food and medical aid deliveries have left thousands hungry and at risk of disease.

"This is a test for humanity," said Bassam Zakarneh, a member of the Revolutionary Council of the Fatah movement that dominates the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self rule in the West Bank.

The ICJ case comes after two years of escalating violence in the West Bank, where regular army raids have killed hundreds of Palestinians, including both armed fighters and uninvolved civilians. Palestinians militants have also killed dozens of Israelis.

At the same time, Jewish settlements in the West Bank have continued to spread and attacks by groups of armed Jewish settlers on Palestinians have risen sharply, drawing international condemnation even from Israel's closest allies.

Atieh Jawabra, 68, a former political science professor at Al-Quds University Abu Dis, said he had long been waiting for Israel to appear before an international court for its crimes, which he said go back to the mass expulsion of Palestinians during the 1948 war of Israel's founding, known as the Nakba.

"Israel, the United States and the West have put Israel above the law over the course of its history," he said.

But some, like shepherd Issa Taamri, said the case was unlikely to change their life.

Israel's expansion of settlements around the West Bank city of Bethlehem, where he lives, has severely shrunken the area his sheep can graze in, he said.

"The world has been making promises for 75 years to no avail," he said.

(Additional reporting by Ali Sawafta; Writing by Henriette Chacar; Editing by James Mackenzie and Angus MacSwan)
FILE PHOTO: A cargo ship boat model is seen in front of "Red Sea" and "Houthi attacks" words in this illustration taken January 9, 2024. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

CAIRO (Reuters) - Houthi militants mistakenly targeted a tanker carrying Russian oil in a missile attack on Friday off Yemen, British maritime security firm Ambrey said.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) organisation said it had received a report of a missile being fired 90 nautical miles southeast of Yemen's port city of Aden.

"The master reported a missile landing in the water 400-500 metres away, and being followed by three small craft," the UKMTO advisory note said, adding that there were no injuries or damage.

Ambrey said: "This was the second tanker mistakenly targeted by the Houthis whilst carrying Russian oil."

Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi militants, who control much of Yemen, have launched wave after wave of exploding drones and missiles at Western commercial vessels in the Red Sea since Nov. 19, in what they say is a protest against Israel's military operations in Gaza.

The United States and Britain carried out strikes from the air and sea against Houthi military targets in Yemen overnight. Russia, an ally of Iran and a partner of key Arab powers, denounced the strikes and called for an urgent meeting of the U.N. Security Council.

"A Panama-flagged tanker sighted three skiffs while transiting eastbound through the International Recommended Transit Corridor," the Ambrey report said, adding that the vessel reported a missile hitting the water.

Ambrey assessed that the vessel was mistakenly targeted based on outdated publicly available information linking the vessel to the United Kingdom.

"This appeared to be five months old but was still listed as UK-affiliated on a public maritime database," the report said.

(Reporting by Adam Makary and Yomna Ehab; editing by Mark Heinrich and Nick Macfie)
FILE PHOTO: Wipro Ltd's logo is seen displayed in this illustration taken April 10, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/File Photo

By Sai Ishwarbharath B and Nandan Mandayam

BENGALURU (Reuters) -Wipro, India's No.4 software-services exporter, reported better-than-expected revenue in the seasonally weak third quarter and highlighted early signs of a return to growth in client demand for its consulting services.

The results led Wipro's ADRs up 3.5% in pre-market trading, following signals from larger rivals Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys that demand had not worsened in the quarter, as feared by most industry watchers.

There is "some stabilitization now from revenue deceleration," CEO Thierry Delaporte said in a post-earnings media conference.

The company's consulting business is seeing "early signs of a return to growth" led by double-digit growth at Capco, a firm it acquired in 2021, Delaporte added.

The Bengaluru, India-based firm's revenue of 222.05 billion rupees ($2.68 billion) beat analysts' average estimate of 221.04 billion rupees, helped by improved deal momentum.

"The commentary is slightly better than previous quarters. If macro improves, businesses like consulting will start to show results as it involves discretionary spending," said Devang Bhatt, analyst at IDBI Capital Markets.

The company expects its March-quarter IT services revenue to range between $2.62 billion and $2.67 billion in constant currency terms. This follows a 1.7% sequential decline to $2.66 billion in October-December, marking the fourth straight quarter of falling revenue.

Its third-quarter profit of 26.94 billion rupees came slightly ahead of the expected 26.49 billion rupees.

India's IT services companies have been facing challenges in a difficult macroeconomic environment, especially in the United States and conflict-affected Europe, where clients have reduced discretionary tech spending.

Market leaders Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys posted better-than-feared quarterly reports and gave optimistic forecasts that eased concerns about a sector grappling with sluggish demand, driving their shares higher by 4% and 8%, respectively.

"The street has already foreseen that the worst is over and that is why IT stocks advanced" on Friday, IDBI's Bhatt said.

($1 = 82.9081 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Sai Ishwarbharath B in Bengaluru; Editing by Dhanya Ann Thoppil)
Republican presidential candidate Florida Governor Ron DeSantis leaves a campaign event in Ankeny, Iowa, U.S., January 12, 2024. REUTERS/Alyssa Pointer TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

By Tim Reid and Nathan Layne

ANKENY/URBANDALE, Iowa (Reuters) -Severe winter weather caused havoc for Republican presidential candidates in Iowa on Friday, three days before the party's nominating race kicks off in the state.

Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor, was forced to cancel all three of her events, as blizzard snow, bitter cold and high winds made Iowa's roads dangerous.

"I definitely know I'm not in South Carolina anymore," she quipped to voters in northwestern Iowa during one of the virtual town halls she held instead of in-person campaign stops.

Former President Donald Trump, the frontrunner to deliver a knockout punch in the Republican race, was not in Iowa on Friday, and an event for his campaign due to feature prominent ally Kari Lake was canceled "for the safety of our guests."

Trump holds a commanding lead over his two main opponents, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Haley, both in Iowa and nationwide polling in the battle to challenge Democratic President Joe Biden in November's election.

DeSantis and Haley are locked in a battle for second place in Iowa, in their bid to become the clear, lone alternative to Trump.

DeSantis did manage to hold an event on Friday morning in Ankeny, close to the state capital Des Moines.

He looked ahead to the caucuses on Monday evening.

"I know it's gonna be cold. I know it's gonna be not the most pleasant, but I don't think you'll ever be able to pass a vote that has more impact," he said, urging Iowans to back him.

One Trump supporter said she was calling on Jesus to lend a hand ahead of Monday, which is forecast to be a record cold caucus night with temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit (-29 degrees Celsius) in some places.

"I'm declaring that it be warmer in Jesus' name," evangelist Patricia Lage told Reuters at an event on Thursday featuring Trump's eldest son Don Jr. in Urbandale.

But Lage said she and fellow Trump supporters would turn out no matter what.

"The Trump people are hardcore," she said.

In other news from the campaign trail:

HARDINESS

The Trump and DeSantis campaigns told reporters they were confident their supporters would show up in large numbers on Monday.

Chris LaCivita, co-manager of the Trump campaign, pointed to the former president's rallies, some of them attended by thousands of Iowans, as a sign of the "intensity" of his base.

"You've been to our rallies, and you've seen the lines of people," LaCivita said at a media roundtable hosted on Friday by Bloomberg in Des Moines.

DeSantis' deputy campaign manager David Polyansky predicted DeSantis' organizational efforts in Iowa, where he has visited all 99 counties, would be an advantage in turning out voters in such conditions.

"I wouldn't want to go into minus 17-degree temperatures not being the hardest-working campaign and candidate and the most organized," Polyansky told an earlier Bloomberg roundtable.

"In these kind of elements, that's the kind of ground game, that's the kind of history you want to have going into this," he added.

Polyansky said DeSantis would not drop out of the race after Iowa, noting that the candidate planned to be in New Hampshire, the second Republican nominating state, for debates scheduled for Jan. 18 and Jan. 21.

DeSantis has banked his campaign on a strong result in Iowa and is essentially tied for second-place with Haley in the state, while trailing her in New Hampshire.

"We're in this for the long haul. I want to make that abundantly clear," Polyansky said.

OREGON COURT SIDESTEPS TRUMP CHALLENGE

Oregon's top court on Friday declined to consider a challenge to Trump's eligibility for the state's May Republican primary under the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution's ban on people who have engaged in "insurrection" holding office.

The state Supreme Court held off on hearing the case while the U.S. Supreme Court considers an appeal of Colorado's decision to disqualify Trump from the ballot in that state.

The Oregon Supreme Court said the challengers, a group of five state voters backed by the left-leaning advocacy group Free Speech for People, may revive their case later depending on the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling following Feb. 8 arguments.

Trump has faced legal challenges to his candidacy in several states from voters and advocates who have argued that he engaged in insurrection when he spread false claims that the 2020 election had been stolen through voter fraud and then urged his supporters to march on Congress to stop the certification of the results.

Colorado and Maine deemed Trump ineligible for the presidency, but both states put their decisions on hold while Trump appeals. The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling is expected to give clarity on Trump's eligibility, but may not fully resolve the issue.

(Additional reporting by Gabriella Borter and Andrew Goudsward in Washington; Writing by Nathan Layne and Costas Pitas; Editing by Colleen Jenkins, Alistair Bell and Rosalba O'Brien)
FILE PHOTO: A precinct worker documents the process with her phone as Iowa Caucus precinct workers count paper ballots after a Democratic presidential caucus at West Des Moines Christian Church in West Des Moines, Iowa, U.S., February 3, 2020. Picture ta

By Andrea Shalal

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Stripped by President Joe Biden of their special status as the state to hold the first nominating contest of the U.S. presidential election, Iowa Democrats are struggling to redefine their national relevance.

Rather than caucusing on Monday night like their Republican rivals, Democrats are voting by mail with results to be announced in March, having had to yield to Biden's wish to reward more diverse South Carolina with No. 1 status on Feb. 3.

The shift reflects Iowa's waning importance to the national Democratic Party.

Iowa's 3.2 million people command six electoral votes, a powerful agricultural lobby represents the state's corn and other farm interests in Washington and the state has nearly 670,000 registered Democrats.

But Iowa is nearly 84% white, when defined as non-Hispanic or -Latino, much less diverse than the U.S. or Democratic Party as a whole. By comparison, South Carolina is 63.5% white.

After a botched 2020 caucus, and a fourth place finish by Biden, Iowa was deemed by the Democratic National Committee as no longer a good predictor of national Democratic elections.

The state's shift has been swift.

Iowans twice supported the election of Democratic President Barack Obama and sided with Democrats in five of six presidential elections from 1992 through 2012. Since then, it has embraced Donald Trump and his fellow Republicans.

The shift has happened even as registered Democrats' share of the voter pool has not changed significantly.

Longtime Democratic Senator Tom Harkin retired in 2014, replaced by Republican Joni Ernst. Iowa had 31 counties flip to Trump in 2016 - the most of any state - after helping to elect Obama.

Now only one Democrat holds a national office statewide, nearly twice as many Republicans as Democrats serve in the state House and Senate, and a Republican governor, Kim Reynolds, will serve until 2027.

"I wouldn't necessarily say rock bottom, but it's sad to be a Democrat in the state," said Barbara Trish, a professor of political science at Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa. "But that also means that there's nowhere to go but up."

LOOKING BEYOND THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE

National Democratic Party insiders - many of whom knocked on doors in Iowa early in their careers - say there are no immediate plans to win the state in the Nov. 5 presidential contest, saddening local party leaders.

Al Womble, head of the state party's Black caucus, said Democrats should think about more than the presidential ballot.

"When you lose control of state governments, that's when you start to lose power and influence in the country as a whole," he said. "We have a governor now who has rejected federal money for school lunches and other things just to prove a point."

Iowa party officials are trying to expand support at the county and local levels, said Iowa Democratic Party chair Rita Hart, a former state senator.

"It means reaching out to our friends and neighbors, through text messaging, phone calls, through knocking on doors, through the radio, through advertisements, town halls - all those things," she said.

Mike Draper, owner and founder of RAYGUN, a $10 million T-shirt retailer based in Des Moines, said it was short-sighted for national Democrats to abandon Iowa, especially given Republican plans are unpopular, like cuts to school funding, a $7.25 minimum wage not increased since 2009, and curbs on reproductive rights.

"Iowa should be more winnable mathematically," he said. "There should be some sort of a game plan for bringing Iowa messaging back. There could be something in Iowa that helps you do better in rural Pennsylvania as well."

Asked about complaints the national party is abandoning Iowa, national party chair Jaime Harrison detailed the Democrats' overall strategy, including elevating South Carolina and Michigan in the primary calendar, and making sure that regions of the country were well-represented.

"So geographically, all of the country is still represented in our early state windows. We just decided to move around some of the players to change up some of that to make sure that even more voices were heard, and that the diversity of this great nation was showcased."

Read Reuters' full coverage of the US election here:

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal: Additional reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Heather Timmons and Howard Goller)
BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- With China's mediation and effort to drive progress, representatives of Myanmar's military and three ethnic armed groups in northern Myanmar held peace talks in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, from Wednesday to Thursday and reached a formal ceasefire agreement, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Friday.

Mao made the remarks when answering a relevant query. She said that representatives of the Myanmar military and the three ethnic armed groups in northern Myanmar, namely the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, the Ta'ang National Liberation Army, and the Arakan Army, held peace talks and officially reached a ceasefire agreement in Kunming.

The two sides agreed to implement the ceasefire immediately, the military personnel will disengage and the two sides will address relevant disputes and concerns through peaceful negotiation, said Mao.

She said that the two sides promised not to undermine the safety of Chinese people living in the border area and Chinese projects and personnel in Myanmar.

The two sides had consultations on ceasefire arrangement and other matters, she added.

"Maintaining the momentum of ceasefire and peace talks in northern Myanmar serves the interests of all parties in Myanmar and is conducive to keeping the China-Myanmar border area peaceful and stable," said Mao, adding that China hopes that relevant parties in Myanmar will earnestly implement the already reached ceasefire agreement, exercise maximum restraint toward each other, continue to address the issues through dialogue and consultation and together strive for progress in the peace process in northern Myanmar.

"China stands ready to continue to provide support and assistance to the best of our capability and play a constructive role to this end," Mao said. 
FILE PHOTO: Chairwoman Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) listens during a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation hearing entitled "Strengthening Airline Operations and Consumer Protections," focusing on the holiday meltdown, that forced Sou

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The chair of the Senate Commerce Committee on Thursday asked the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for answers on its oversight of Boeings production systems after a cabin panel blowout on an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 last week.

Senator Maria Cantwell said recent accidents and incidents "call into question Boeing's quality control."

It also appeared the FAA's oversight processes may not have been effective in ensuring Boeing produced airplanes in a condition for safe operations, she added, noting planemakers are given 50 days of advance notice before "quality system" audits.

"In effect, manufacturers must only get their house in order once an audit is announced," she said.

Cantwell first asked the FAA in January 2023 to initiate a new "special technical audit" of 11 areas related to Boeings production systems.

She noted the FAA in April said the audit she sought was not needed because it had put in place tools to complete audits of Boeing for the bulk of the information at regular intervals.

A growing number of lawmakers have raised questions about Boeing's quality control and the FAA's oversight of the planemaker as the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigates the incident.

The FAA, which said it would respond directly to Cantwell, on Thursday opened a formal investigation into the 737 MAX 9 to determine if Boeing failed to ensure completed products conformed to its approved design and were in a condition for safe operation under FAA rules.

Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun told CNBC on Wednesday that a "quality escape" was at issue in allowing the MAX 9 to fly that suffered a cabin panel blowout.

In response to Cantwell's letter, Boeing said it would cooperate "fully and transparently" with the FAA and the NTSB on their investigations.

The senator asked the FAA by Jan. 25 to provide documentation of agency safety audits of Boeing and fuselage supplier Spirit AeroSystems over the last two years and for FAA to answers questions regarding the agency's oversight of manufacturers' quality control processes.

Cantwell also raised concerns about Boeing's "Verification Optimization" program that she said several years ago "resulted in eliminating thousands of quality inspections on each airplane, relying instead on mechanics self-verifying that they performed their work properly."

She said that had resulted in the elimination of 900 quality inspector positions at Boeing.

"This program was implemented for several years and would appear to be contrary to FAAs requirements," Cantwell said.

In May 2022, the FAA said it would grant a shorter regulatory compliance program extension to Boeing than the planemaker sought.

In September, the agency finalized a policy to protect aviation employees who perform government certification duties from interference by airplane manufacturers including Boeing.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Leslie Adler and Jamie Freed)
FILE PHOTO: Sergei Udaltsov, a prominent Russian left-wing political activist, is seen in a court after been arrested and charged with "justifying terrorism", in Moscow, Russia January 12, 2024. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo

(Reuters) - A Russian court on Friday ordered Sergei Udaltsov, a prominent left-wing activist, to be held in pre-trial detention until Feb. 15 on charges of justifying terrorism.

State news agency RIA said Udaltsov, a long-time critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin who nevertheless backs the war in Ukraine, had told reporters that the charges were related to his support for members of a Marxist group in the Volga river city of Ufa who were charged with terrorism in 2022.

Under Russian law, the charges carry between five and seven years in prison.

Udaltsov is the leader of the Left Front, a coalition of Russian left-wing groups affiliated with Russia's Communist Party. His wife Anastasia serves as a communist member of Russia's parliament.

Udaltsov rose to prominence during 2011-12 protests in Moscow after allegations of widespread electoral falsification, and was allied at the time with jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. Udaltsov was imprisoned in 2014 for organising protests and released in 2017.

While remaining critical of Putin, Udaltsov has, since the start of the conflict in Ukraine, broken with former opposition allies by supporting the Kremlin's military campaign.

(Reporting by Felix Light; editing by Barbara Lewis)
Newly-appointed French Foreign and European Affairs Minister Stephane Sejourne arrives for the first weekly cabinet meeting following a government reshuffle at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, January 12, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

By John Irish

PARIS (Reuters) -France's newly-appointed Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne is on his way to Ukraine, his first official trip, three diplomatic sources said on Friday, as Paris looks to reassure Kyiv of its support as the war with Russia nears its second anniversary.

The trip comes at a time when political infighting in the United States and European Union has held up two major packages of assistance for Ukraine.

"It's a positive signal that he has made Kyiv his priority so soon in taking his position," said one diplomat.

A second French diplomatic source said it was deemed important to maintain a trip initially planned under the previous minister to underscore Paris' commitment at a time when things were tougher for Ukraine.

Sejourne is due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Parliamentary speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk, two diplomats said.

Sejourne, 38, a European lawmaker, is a novice on the international diplomatic scene and was surprisingly appointed on Thursday to replace Catherine Colonna.

Unlike his predecessor, who had no real political weighting, Sejourne is close to President Emmanuel Macron.

He is one of the "Macron boys" who helped him win the presidency in 2017 and was leading the Renew group in the European Parliament and Macrons Renaissance party in France.

"I know what France means in the world and I know the power of diplomacy and negotiation, he said during the transfer of power with Colonna.

He said he would work for "an independent France in a powerful Europe" and planned to travel to Berlin and Warsaw in the coming days to strengthen ties between the three countries.

France is working to complete a bilateral security guarantee accord with Ukraine at the start of this year to help boost its finances and defences against Russia with a view to deterring Moscow from future aggression.

(Reporting by John Irish;Writing by Tassilo Hummel;Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta, Kirsten Donovan)
FILE PHOTO: A North Korean tour passport is seen at a souvenir shop at Juche Tower in Pyongyang, North Korea, September 11, 2018. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

By Josh Smith

SEOUL (Reuters) - A group from Russia is poised to be the first known tourists allowed into North Korea since anti-pandemic border lockdowns began in early 2020, according to a post from Russian provincial authorities and a Western tour guide.

North Korea imposed some of the strictest border controls in the world during the spread of COVID-19, and has yet to fully reopen to foreigners.

The trip, advertised by a Vladivostok-based agency, was arranged when the governor of Russia's far eastern region of Primorsky Krai, which borders North Korea, visited Pyongyang for talks in December, the regional government said in a post on Telegram this week.

The four-day tour will depart on Feb. 9 and include stops in Pyongyang and a ski resort, according to an online itinerary.

Simon Cockerell, general manager at Beijing-based Koryo Tours, which is not involved in the trip, told Reuters that his partners in North Korea had confirmed the Russian visit is going ahead under special circumstances.

"It is a good sign, but I would hesitate to say it necessarily will lead to a broader opening due to the special circumstances for this one trip," he said. "But given that no tourists have been for four-plus years, any tourism trip can be viewed as a positive step forward."

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin met for a summit in eastern Russia in September, where they pledged deepening cooperation on economic, political, and military fronts despite international sanctions.

Tourism is largely unaffected by U.N. Security Council resolutions that restrict business with North Korea over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.

The year before the pandemic began, North Korea saw a surge of Chinese tourists who may have provided the cash-strapped country with up to $175 million in extra revenue in 2019, according to an estimate by Seoul-based NK News.

(Reporting by Josh Smith. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
FILE PHOTO: View towards Nord Stream 1 Baltic Sea pipeline and the transfer station of the Baltic Sea Pipeline Link in the industrial area of Lubmin, Germany, August 30, 2022. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner/File Photo

By Marek Strzelecki

WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland has been cooperating with allies in a probe into the sabotage of the Nord Stream natural gas pipelines, the minister in charge of Polish intelligence services said, denying a newspaper report that it was hindering investigations.

In an interview with Reuters, Tomasz Siemoniak said the country's prosecutors have been supplying information to European investigators and could allocate more resources to the probe if requested.

"There were meetings of German and Polish prosecutors on this case, and in no area was there any signal of any dissatisfaction of others who dealt with these cases," Siemoniak said.

"From what I was able to determine, there was no situation in which there was a lack of cooperation or any intentional mistake made by anyone."

The Nord Stream pipelines, connecting Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea, were blown up in September 2022.

The Wall Street Journal, citing European investigators working on the case it did not name, reported earlier this month that Polish officials have resisted cooperating with the probe and failed to disclose potentially crucial evidence.

The newspaper said investigators were hoping that the new government in Warsaw would be less resistant.

Investigations have so far failed to establish who was responsible for the pipeline blasts.

Last year, some Western media reported that a Ukrainian team was behind the sabotage. Ukraine has denied any involvement. Russia said the U.S. was responsible, which Washington denied.

According to media reports the pipeline was blown up by a crew including deep-sea divers, travelling on a leisure yacht called Andromeda, which stopped in Denmark, Germany and Poland.

The boat, leased in Germany via a Polish company, contained traces of octagon, the same explosive that was found at the underwater blast sites, according to investigations by Germany, Denmark and Sweden.

There was no evidence to suggest that Poland was used as a hub for the sabotage, Polish prosecutors said last year.

Last month, on the day he took office, Poland's new prime minister Donald Tusk fired the heads of all four the intelligence services, including those involved in the Nord Stream probe.

(Reporting by Marek Strzelecki; Editing by Alex Richardson)
FILE PHOTO: Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen attends the launching ceremony of Narwhal, its first domestically built submarine, in Kaohsiung, Taiwan September 28, 2023. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins/File Photo

By Ju-min Park

SEOUL (Reuters) - A South Korean appeals court has thrown out the conviction of a local company charged with violating trade laws for its work on Taiwan's new military submarine program, a ruling reviewed by Reuters showed.

Prosecutors had accused SI Innotec, a marine technology firm, of supplying Taiwan with submarine manufacturing equipment without a government approval.

A lower court in 2022 found SI Innotec guilty and handed a company executive a suspended jail sentence. The firm has denied wrongdoing and appealed, saying that the equipment was not designed solely for military purposes and did not involve sensitive technology.

A three-judge panel at the Changwon District Court on Thursday found there was not sufficient evidence to consider the equipment as military goods that require export approval from the government, according to the ruling.

"The evidence submitted by the prosecution alone is not sufficient to acknowledge that the equipment in this case is equivalent to production equipment specially designed for submarine production," the panel said in the SI Innotec ruling.

Prosecutors did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. SI Innotec declined to comment.

Reuters reported in October that South Korean authorities cited the risk of Chinese economic retaliation when they charged SI Innotec for its work on Taiwan's submarine project.

Reuters found two other South Korean companies, Keumha Naval Technology (KHNT) and S2&K, were also on trial on charges of breaking trade laws over their work on the Taiwan submarine program, and one of their executives was accused of industrial espionage. KHNT was not immediately reachable for comment. S2&K declined to comment.

Amid rising military tensions with China, Taiwan unveiled its first home-grown submarine on Sept. 28 in the southern port city of Kaohsiung.

(Reporting by Ju-min Park; Editing by Ed Davies and Gerry Doyle)
An RAF Typhoon aircraft takes off to join the U.S.-led coalition from RAF Akrotiri to conduct air strikes against military targets in Yemen, aimed at the Iran-backed Houthi militia that has been targeting international shipping in the Red Sea, in Cyprus,

CAIRO (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia called for restraint and "avoiding escalation" in light of the air strikes launched by the United States and Britain against sites linked to the Houthi movement in Yemen, the kingdom's foreign ministry said on Friday.

Saudi Arabia, which has in recent months engaged in peace talks with Yemen's Houthis, was closely monitoring the situation with "great concern," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

"The kingdom emphasizes the importance of maintaining the security and stability of the Red Sea region, as the freedom of navigation in it is an international demand," the ministry added.

The Houthi movement, an Iran-aligned group that controls much of Yemen after nearly a decade of war against a Western-backed and Saudi-led coalition, has emerged as a strong supporter of the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in its war against Israel.

The group has been attacking commercial ships it says are linked to Israel or bound for Israeli ports.

The chief negotiator for the Houthis, Mohammed Abdulsalam, said on Thursday the group's attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea do not threaten its peace talks with Saudi Arabia.

(Reporting by Hatem Maher; Editing by Jacqueline Wong and Raju Gopalakrishnan)
LONDON (Reuters) - An Asiatic black bear which was found in an abandoned zoo in eastern Ukraine five months after Russia's invasion in 2022, arrived at his new permanent home in Scotland on Friday.

Yampil, named after the village in the Donetsk region where he was found, was one of only a few out of 200 animals at the zoo to survive. After being rescued, he was cared for by a Belgian charity before his more than 12-hour journey to Five Sisters Zoo, around 20 miles (32 km) west of Edinburgh.

"When the volunteers found Yampil, a shell had not long exploded near his cage, and he was concussed. He was in terrible condition; five more days and they wouldnt have been able to save him," Brian Curran, owner of Five Sisters Zoo, said.

"We have the best team on hand to care for him and help make this transition as peaceful and calm for him as possible."

Yampil will be housed in a temporary enclosure while the zoo, which has previously re-homed bears from travelling circuses, fundraises for his new permanent enclosure.

(Reporting by Kylie MacLellan; editing by William James)
FILE PHOTO: The corporate logo of financial firm Morgan Stanley is pictured on the company's world headquarters in New York, U.S. April 17, 2017. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/File Photo

By Chris Prentice and Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Morgan Stanley agreed to pay $249.4 million to end years-long criminal and civil investigations into its handling of large stock trades for customers, U.S. authorities said on Friday.

The settlements with the Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission resolve charges of deception, fraud and compliance failures over so-called block trades.

They also end a longstanding legal worry for the Wall Street bank, which entered a three-year nonprosecution agreement and will not face criminal charges.

Block trades can move stock prices because of their size. Hedge funds and other investors that know such trades are coming can make money by placing their own trades in anticipation.

Despite promising to keep the information confidential, two traders passed on information about impending block trades to various investors. Authorities said this let Morgan Stanley reduce its risks when purchasing the trades, win business, and generate more than $100 million of illegal profit.

Morgan Stanley admitted to making false statements in connection with block trades from 2018 through August 2021.

Its $249.4 million payment includes fines, restitution and the forfeiture of ill-gotten gains.

"The integrity of our financial markets requires a level playing field," said James Smith, assistant director in charge of the FBI's New York office, which helped investigate the matter. "When individuals and institutions intentionally tip the scales there must be consequences."

The Justice Department agreed to hold off prosecuting Pawan Passi, 40, former head of Morgan Stanley's U.S. equity syndicate desk, who entered a deferred prosecution agreement and admitted wrongdoing.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky approved Passi's agreement at a hearing on Friday.

Morgan Stanley said it was pleased to settle, and confident in upgrades it has made to its policies, training and surveillance.

"The core of this matter is the misconduct of two employees who violated the firm's policies, procedures and our core values," the bank said.

The bank disclosed last May it had been in talks with authorities to resolve the probe.

Authorities said a second employee, who was not identified and not charged, worked on the equity syndicate desk.

George Canellos, a lawyer for Passi, said he was pleased the U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan did not pursue criminal charges against his client.

He said the resolution lets Passi "move past two very difficult years of intense government scrutiny of the block trading practices on Wall Street."

Passi was charged with one count of securities fraud, which would be dropped after six months if he complies with his deferred prosecution agreement. He pleaded not guilty in federal court in New York on Friday.

"You have been given a real opportunity here to avoid a criminal conviction," Tarnofsky told Passi at the hearing, adding she hoped the charges would be dismissed in the future.

He admitted to promising sellers of large blocks of stock that he would keep details about the sales confidential, despite knowing he would disclose the information to others.

Authorities did not fine Passi, noting that he had already forfeited $7.4 million in compensation.

He was discharged from Morgan Stanley in November 2022 amid scrutiny of his communications about impending block trades, brokerage industry records show.

It is unusual for prosecutors to give deferred prosecution agreements to individuals, but Passi's conduct fell into a legal "gray area," said New York lawyer Bob Frenchman.

"Traders are allowed to do anticipatory hedging, and there have not been clear standards on what you can and cannot do," Frenchman said. "Prosecutors really would have been pushing the boundaries and taking significant risk to go to trial."

(Reporting by Chris Prentice. Jonathan Stempel and Luc Cohen in New York and Doina Chiacu in Washington; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Marguerita Choy and Richard Chang)
FILE PHOTO: A Wells Fargo logo is seen in New York City, U.S. January 10, 2017. REUTERS/Stephanie Keith/File Photo

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wells Fargo employees at a branch in Daytona, Florida, voted in favor of joining a union on Thursday, making it the second branch at the bank to do so.

Last month employees at Wells Fargo's Albuquerque, New Mexico, branch voted to join the union. Elections at a branch in California are expected to be held later this month.

With the unionization effort at its branches, Wells Fargo, has become one of the first major U.S. lender to have a unionized workforce.

"Were incredibly proud of the Daytona Beach Wells Fargo workers for joining their colleagues in Albuquerque in a successful union vote, said Committee for Better Banks organizing director Nick Weiner.

The Daytona Beach employees voted 4-1 in favor of joining the Communications Workers of America's Wells Fargo Workers United (WFWU), the union said.

"Now with a true seat at the table, we look forward to negotiating improvements to staffing, workloads, pay inequities, and many other issues," said Corinne Jefferson, a personal banker at Wells Fargos Daytona Beach branch on International Speedway.

Some other employees at a branch in Bethel, Alaska, withdrew from the unionization effort last month.

Recent unionization campaigns across the U.S. have led to tense showdowns between employees and corporate behemoths. Lucrative deals clinched by unions such as the United Auto Workers, which secured record pay hikes for employees, have bolstered unionization efforts.

(Reporting by Nupur Anand in New York and Mrinmay Dey in Bengaluru; Editing by Leslie Adler)
SANAA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Four huge explosions rocked Yemen's capital early Friday amid media reports that the United States and Britain planned to launch airstrikes against the Houthi rebels who control the city.

Eyewitnesses told Xinhua that the blasts could be heard across the city and houses were shaking.

Citing U.S. sources, Al Arabiya, a Saudi state-owned international Arabic news television channel, reported that the U.S. military had struck multiple Houthi targets in Yemen. No casualties or damage were immediately reported. 
FILE PHOTO: Participants attend a mourning ceremony in memory of service members of Transdniestria's guard battalion killed in a military conflict with Moldovan troops on the 31st anniversary of their death in Tiraspol, Moldova's breakaway region of Trans

By Alexander Tanas

CHISINAU (Reuters) - Moldova's pro-Russian separatist Transdniestria region accused central authorities in the ex-Soviet state on Friday of training Ukrainian soldiers to launch attacks on the rebel area's institutions and leaders.

Moldova's pro-European government, which denounces Russia's war in Ukraine, immediately denied the allegation.

Transdniestria split from Moldova before the 1991 Soviet collapse and fought a brief war against the newly independent state lying between Ukraine and Romania.

The separatist enclave has existed side by side with Moldova on its eastern fringe for the past 30 years with little turmoil or violence.

But tension has risen since the new year. Transdniestria, which receives hefty financial help from Moscow and has no international recognition, has denounced the imposition by Moldova's government of import-export duties it says will cripple its businesses.

The State Security Ministry in Transdniestria said more than 60 soldiers, most with experience in the war in Ukraine, were being trained by foreign specialists for the purpose of launching attacks on the separatist region.

"They are being trained to carry out terrorist attacks on the territory of Transdniestria," the ministry said in a statement. "At issue are infrastructure sites, attacks on military posts and the abduction and killing of leaders and security officials in the region."

Mariana Sari, a senior official in Moldova's "reintegration bureau" dealing with the region, said the statement was "a provocation strictly for propaganda purposes."

Authorities in the region this week reported an exchange of fire on its border with Ukraine, with two of its residents taken away. Ukraine said it knew nothing about the incident.

Authorities in Transdniestria have previously accused Ukraine of plotting to assassinate its leaders, allegations similarly denied in Kyiv.

International attempts to negotiate an end to Moldova's separatist standoff, led by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), have made no progress for decades.

But separatist leaders announced on Thursday that the region's foreign minister would hold a rare meeting next week with a senior Moldovan official and OSCE representatives.

(Reporting by Alexander Tanas in Chisinau, Editing by Ron Popeski and Matthew Lewis)
ANKARA (Reuters) - A Turkish court scrapped an arrest warrant for the son of Somalia's president on Friday after he participated in a court case over a fatal car accident involving a diplomatic car he had been driving, state broadcaster TRT reported.

Mohamed Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud, son of Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud, was driving a Somali consulate car on Nov. 30 when it collided with a motorcycle courier in central Istanbul. The courier was seriously injured.

Mahmoud left the country on Dec. 2, following police interrogation. An arrest warrant was issued for him after the courier died in hospital on Dec. 6.

Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc last month said he expected Mahmoud to return to Turkey to participate in the court case.

Mahmoud came to Istanbul and appeared before the court on Friday afternoon, TRT said, adding that he repeated his earlier defence at the hearing. Mahmoud earlier told the prosecutor that the motorcyclist was to blame for the accident.

The court ruled to lift the arrest warrant against Mahmoud and exempted him from future hearings in the case, which will continue.

The prosecutor is seeking up to six years in prison for Mahmoud for "causing death by negligence."

(Reporting by Huseyin Hayatsever; editing by Philippa Fletcher)
FILE PHOTO: Former Suriname president Desi Bouterse speaks during a news conference after the Court Martial of Suriname confirmed a 20-year jail sentence for his involvement in the murder of 15 people while he ruled in 1982 during his military government,

By Ank Kuipers

PARAMARIBO (Reuters) -Surinamese authorities are searching for ex-President Desi Bouterse after he failed to turn himself in to start a prison sentence for involvement in the murder of 15 activists in 1982, the prosecutor general's office said on Friday.

A three-judge panel in December affirmed the convictions of Bouterse, 78, and four others in the execution of the government critics who included lawyers, journalists, union leaders, soldiers and university professors.

While Bouterse was ordered this week to report to jail, his wife, Ingrid Bouterse-Waldring, told journalists outside their home early on Friday, "He's not going to turn himself in."

Lawyer Irvin Kanhai, arriving at the prison in Paramaribo, Suriname's capital, with two of the other men convicted in the case, said he would talk with the former leader.

"I am going to talk to him now and then we will see what we are going to do," Kanhai said. "I don't know him (to do anything) other than to bow his head to law and justice."

Bouterse dominated politics in the former Dutch colony for decades and left office in 2020.

He has denied the charges but was sentenced to 20 years in prison. One of his co-defendants also failed to report to the prison.

"The public prosecutor's office has started the process of tracing those convicted in the December 8 criminal case who have not reported to the penal institution as stated in the order for execution of sentences," the prosecutor's office said in a statement.

Advocates, including Sunil Oemrawsingh, president of an association of relatives of victims in the so-called December murders, and international observers said it was not surprising that Bouterse did not show.

"The authorities have shown an admirable determination to uphold the rule of law and I expect that they won't hesitate to enforce the arrest warrant," lawyer Reed Brody, who monitored the case for nongovernmental organization the International Commission of Jurists, said via a messaging app.

Current President Chan Santokhi investigated the case as a police commissioner and later, as justice minister, pushed for it to move ahead.

The court ruled in 2019 that Bouterse had overseen an operation in which soldiers abducted 16 leading government critics, murdering all but one at a colonial fortress in Paramaribo.

One trade union leader survived and testified against Bouterse, who seized power in a 1980 coup against Suriname's first prime minister just five years after independence.

Bouterse has said that the murdered men were connected to an invasion plot involving the Netherlands and the United States.

A spokesperson for Bouterse's party on Friday said both countries were trying to interfere again.

(Reporting by Ank Kuipers in Paramaribo, additional reporting by Julia Symmes Cobb in BogotaWriting by Oliver GriffinEditing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise, Nick Macfie and Matthe Lewis)
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is welcomed by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy (left) during a visit to the Presidential Palace in Kyiv, Ukraine, to announce a major new package of ?2.5 billion in military aid to the country over the coming year, January 12, 202

KYIV (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Friday signed a security accord between the two countries in Kyiv.

Zelenskiy said it would remain in effect until Ukraine joined NATO, describing it as an "unprecedented security agreement".

"I am glad that we concluded the first agreement with the United Kingdom... This is the basis for working with other partners," the Ukrainian leader said.

He added that Ukraine, which is fighting an almost two-year-old Russian invasion, and Britain would be able to strike additional, sector-specific agreements if necessary.

(Reporting by Sergiy Karazy; writing by Max Hunder; editing by Mark Heinrich)
FILE PHOTO: United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths leaves after an international humanitarian conference for the people of Gaza at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, November 9,

By Jonathan Landay and Daphne Psaledakis

(Reuters) -The U.N. aid chief on Friday said he was "deeply alarmed" by Israeli ministers' statements about "plans to encourage the mass transfer" of Palestinian civilians from the Gaza Strip to third countries and he called anew for a ceasefire.

"Unless we act, it will become an indelible mark on our humanity," Martin Griffiths, the U.N. undersecretary for humanitarian affairs, told the U.N. Security Council. "I reiterate my call for this council to take urgent action to bring this war to an end."

Griffiths painted a dire picture of a worsening humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip as Israel presses the offensive it launched after the Oct. 7 onslaught into Israel by the enclave's ruling Hamas Islamists that claimed some 1,200 lives.

Quoting Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry, he said that more than 23,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 58,000 injured since Israel launched the offensive in which it vows to destroy Hamas.

The "horrific" situation created by the "relentless" Israeli operation can be seen in the displacement of 85% of Gaza's 2.3 million Palestinians "forced to flee again and again as the bombs and missiles rain down," Griffiths continued.

There is no safe place in Gaza, he said.

"We are deeply alarmed by recent statements by Israeli ministers regarding plans to encourage the mass transfer of civilians from Gaza to third countries, currently referred to as 'voluntary relocation,'" he said.

Such statements, Griffiths said, raise concerns "about the possible forced transfer or deportation of the Palestinian population from the Gaza Strip" in violation of international law.

The statements by far right-wing Israeli cabinet ministers also have prompted the United States, Israel's closest ally, to raise similar concerns.

U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield and her British counterpart, Barbara Woodward, repeated those concerns during the meeting.

"These statements, along with statements by Israeli officials calling for the mistreatment of Palestinian detainees or the destruction of Gaza, are irresponsible, inflammatory, and only make it harder to secure a lasting peace," Thomas-Greenfield said.

Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu deny they have plans to forcibly move the Palestinian population from Gaza.

Ilze Brands Kehris, U.N. assistant secretary-general for human rights, said the high civilian casualty toll, massive destruction of civilian infrastructure and displacement of civilians "raise very serious concerns about the potential commission of war crimes."

She warned that the risk of further grave violations, even atrocity crimes, is real. Israel denies committing war crimes.

Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan, in scathing remarks, criticized the council for not condemning Hamas for its heinous massacre on Oct. 7, and said the United Nations had been weaponized against Israel.

The council has ignored Pakistans plan to deport up to 1.3 million Afghans while the United Nations has given the red carpet treatment to Syria, a country that has murdered hundreds of thousands of its own citizen with barrel bombs," Erdan said.

No Jews, no news, he said.

The council met only hours after Israel rejected as false and "grossly distorted" accusations brought by South Africa in the U.N. International Criminal Court that its offensive is a state-led genocide campaign against Palestinians.

(Reporting by Jonathan Landay and Daphne Psaledakis; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and Aurora Ellis)
FILE PHOTO: A customer exits the lobby of JPMorgan Chase & Co. headquarters in New York May 14, 2012. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File Photo

By Niket Nishant and Manya Saini

(Reuters) - Wells Fargo, Bank of America and Citigroup reduced their workforces by a combined 17,700 last year, the banking giants reported in their fourth-quarter earnings on Friday.

As dealmaking dried up and demand from borrowers softened last year, banks laid off employees or stopped replacing those who left.

JPMorgan Chase, the nation's largest lender, bucked the trend by bolstering its ranks for a third straight year.

Challenging times for the industry could persist this year as weakness in commercial real estate and tougher proposed capital rules could prompt banks to pull back on lending.

Wall Street businesses suffered last year as economic uncertainty weighed on dealmaking.

While the S&P 500 banks index rose 7% in 2023, it underperformed indexes tracking industrial or consumer discretionary companies.

CITI OVERHAULS, GOLDMAN STEADIES SHIP

Citigroup's headcount fell by 1,000 to 239,000 employees in 2023, and the lender outlined plans to cut 20,000 jobs over the next two years including layoffs from a sweeping reorganization and other business changes.

At Bank of America and Wells Fargo the workforce contracted by about 2% and 5%, respectively, last year.

JPMorgan added more than 16,200 employees. The bank bought failed lender First Republic Bank in a rescue deal in May. It has added jobs every year since 2021.

Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley are set to disclose their latest headcount next week. As of September end, they had cut over 4,300 jobs versus last year.

Earlier in 2023, Goldman Sachs undertook its biggest round of layoffs since the global financial crisis of 2008. In October, the bank's CFO Denis Coleman said they were in a position to do "selective investments" in headcount.

Bank Q4 '23 Q3 '23 Q2 '23 Q1 '23 Q4 '22

JPMorgan 309,926 308,669 300,066 296,877 293,723

Bank of 212,985 212,752 215,546 217,059 216,823

America

Wells Fargo 225,869 227,363 233,834 235,591 238,698

Citigroup 239,000 238,000 240,000 240,000 240,000

Goldman Sachs - 45,900 44,600 45,400 48,500

Morgan Stanley - 80,710 82,006 82,266 82,427

(Reporting by Niket Nishant and Manya Saini, editing by Lananh Nguyen and Nick Zieminski)
FILE PHOTO: Zach Brobst shovels in his driveway after a snowstorm left several inches of snow in Clive, Iowa, U.S., January 9, 2024. REUTERS/Alyssa Pointer/File Photo

By Nicole Jao

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Grid operator Southwest Power Pool on Thursday issued a cold weather advisory for its 14-state region in the central U.S., warning of extreme arctic temperatures throughout the weekend and into early next week.

The transmission system operator said it expects to have sufficient capacity to meet an anticipated surge in energy demand, but warned that cold temperatures could be similar to those notched during Winter Storm Elliot in December 2022. That storm knocked out power for more than 1.5 million homes and businesses.

"The details, timing and full impact of the predicted storm systems are still highly uncertain," the operator said in its advisory.

SPP expects electricity load to reach up to 45,000 megawatts (MW) on Monday and peak around 46,000 MW on Tuesday during the cold weather event. The all-time winter peak load record is 47,157 MW, which occurred during the 2022 storm, according to the grid operator.

The transmission operator also warned that a sharp decline in wind power generation could occur during the cold weather event, putting the system at higher-than-normal risk of outages as energy demand surges.

On Wednesday, grid operators ERCOT and PJM Interconnection issued cold weather advisories.

(Reporting by Nicole Jao; Editing by Leslie Adler)
FILE PHOTO: The seal of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is seen at their headquarters in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 12, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo

(Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers have urged the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to review its cyber security preparedness after the financial regulator's X account posted market material information earlier in the week due to a hack.

Someone briefly accessed its X, formerly called Twitter, account on Tuesday, the agency had confirmed, and posted a fake message saying it had approved exchange traded funds (ETF) for bitcoin.

The SEC eventually approved the first U.S.-listed ETFs to track bitcoin on Wednesday, but the unauthorized post a day earlier led to a rise in the price of Bitcoin to around $48,000 before falling to below $45,000 minutes later.

In a letter to the agency on Thursday, Ron Wyden, a Democratic senator from Oregon, and Cynthia Lummis, a Republican senator from Wyoming, sought an investigation into the incident, which they deemed as "SEC's apparent failure to follow cybersecurity best practices".X, which is owned by billionaire and Tesla boss Elon Musk, confirmed that hack. It said that an "unidentified individual" obtained control over a phone number associated with the agency's account and that the SEC did not have two-factor authentication enabled at the time.

Two-factor authentication (MFA) is a two-pronged privacy tool which allows access to an Internet account only after the user has keyed in the password and a security key sent over on email or on the phone.

"We urge you to investigate the agency's practices related to the use of MFA, and in particular, phishing-resistant MFA, to identify any remaining security gaps that must be addressed," Wyden and Lumis said in their letter.

The SEC had earlier said it was working with law enforcement to investigate the hack.

(Reporting by Yuvraj Malik in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri)
FILE PHOTO: View of the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, U.S., January 8, 2024. REUTERS/Julia Nikhinson/File Photo

By Andrew Chung

(Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear an Oregon city's bid to enforce local laws against people camping on public property, teeing up a legal fight over a homelessness crisis that has vexed municipalities across the Western United States.

The justices took up an appeal by Grants Pass, a city of roughly 40,000 people in southern Oregon, of a lower court's ruling that found that the ordinances - which make it illegal to camp on sidewalks, streets, parks or other public places - violate the U.S. Constitution's Eighth Amendment prohibition against "cruel and unusual" punishment.

Three homeless individuals filed a class-action complaint in 2018 against Grants Pass, arguing that the anti-camping laws violated the Eighth Amendment. Violations can lead to civil fines, bans from city property, and criminal prosecution for trespass.

Grants Pass has between 50 and 600 homeless people living within the city, and not enough shelter beds to house them, according to court files.

Theane Evangelis, an attorney representing Grants Pass, said she looks forward to presenting the case.

The ruling in the case by the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and in a similar one from Idaho, "have contributed to the growing problem of encampments in cities across the West. These decisions are legally wrong and have tied the hands of local governments as they work to address the urgent homelessness crisis," Evangelis said.

The appeal by Grants Pass has garnered support from numerous western cities and states, where the 9th Circuit decision applies.

"The issue before the court is whether cities can punish homeless residents simply for existing without access to shelter," said Ed Johnson, the litigation director at the Oregon Law Center, who helps represent the plaintiffs challenging the ordinances.

California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, filed a legal brief criticizing the 9th Circuit's decision for undermining lawmakers' ability to forge solutions to homelessness, "leaving only the most rudimentary and fragmented options for effecting change during a growing national crisis."

The Supreme Court's decision to hear the case came a day after the 9th Circuit rejected an appeal by San Francisco to lift judicial restrictions on that city's ability to clear homeless encampments.

(Reporting by Andrew Chung in New York; Editing by Will Dunham)
FILE PHOTO: Tops gunman Payton Gendron is escorted out of the courtroom after he was sentenced to life in prison without parole for domestic terrorism motivated by hate and each of the 10 counts of first-degree murder by Erie County Court Judge Susan Eaga

By Joseph Ax

NEW YORK (Reuters) -U.S. prosecutors will seek the death penalty against the white supremacist who killed 10 Black people at a Buffalo, New York, grocery store in 2022, marking the first time the Biden administration has initiated capital punishment proceedings.

The U.S. Justice Department in a court filing on Friday said it would seek the death penalty for Payton Gendron for killings motivated by his "animus toward Black persons."

Gendron, who was 18 at the time of the mass shooting, has already pleaded guilty to separate state charges of murder and domestic terrorism and was sentenced last February to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Gendron's defense lawyers previously said he would consider pleading guilty to more than two dozen federal charges - including hate crime and firearm offenses - if the death penalty was taken off the table.

His court-appointed attorneys, MaryBeth Covert and Anne Burger, in a statement on Friday said they were "deeply disappointed" in the decision.

"Rather than a prolonged and traumatic capital prosecution, the efforts of the federal government would be better spent on combating the forces that facilitated this terrible crime, including easy access to deadly weapons and the failure of social media companies to moderate the hateful rhetoric and images that circulate online," they said.

The case is the first under President Joe Biden in which the Justice Department has sought capital punishment in a new case. Biden campaigned against the death penalty during the 2020 presidential race.

Federal prosecutors under U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland have sought the death penalty in two other cases, but the initial decisions were made during the Trump administration.

A jury sentenced Robert Bowers, the antisemitic gunman who murdered 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue, to death. Another jury could not agree on the death penalty for Sayfullo Saipov, who killed eight people on a Manhattan bike path with a pickup truck after pledging allegiance to Islamic State.

Garland imposed a moratorium on federal executions in 2021 to allow for a review of procedures, but the pause does not bar the Justice Department from seeking the death penalty in pending cases.

A White House spokesperson said the Justice Department makes sentencing decisions, but Biden's stance had not changed.

At Gendron's sentencing, where more than a dozen relatives of the victims described their anguish, at least one said he did not want to see the gunman executed.

"I don't wish the death penalty on you," said Wayne Jones, whose 65-year-old mother, Celestine Chaney, was gunned down. "I wish they keep you alive so you have to suffer with the thought of what you did for the rest of your life."

Authorities said Gendron targeted a Tops Friendly Markets store on May 14, 2022, because it was in a predominantly Black neighborhood. The massacre, whose victims ranged in age from 20 to 86, left Buffalo's Black community in shock and mourning.

Gendron streamed live video of the attack on the social media platform Twitch and posted material online showing he had drawn inspiration from other racially motivated mass killings, according to authorities.

(Reporting by Joseph Ax; Editing by Frances Kerry, Mark Porter and Leslie Adler)
MOSCOW, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Russia will continue to provide humanitarian supplies of grain and fertilizers to Africa, Deputy Prime Minister Viktoria Abramchenko was quoted by local media as saying on Friday.

"Russia remains a global breadbasket and a reliable supplier. The first batches of humanitarian aid in terms of grain and fertilizers have already been sent to African countries, and they will continue in the future," Abramchenko said in an interview with Russia's state news agency RIA Novosti.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization recently admitted that sanctions imposed by Western countries on food, mineral fertilizers, logistics, and payments have worsened the problem of world hunger, said the Russian deputy prime minister, adding that this trend would only increase in the world.

At the Russia-Africa Summit in July last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia would send grain as humanitarian aid to six African countries on the World Food Program's list.

According to the country's agricultural authorities, the first two ships, each carrying 25,000 tons of wheat for Somalia and Burkina Faso, departed from Russia in mid-November. 
A person holds a placard with a picture of Yemen's Houthi movement leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, as supporters of the Houthi movement rally to denounce air strikes launched by the U.S. and Britain on Houthi targets, in Sanaa, Yemen January 12, 2024. REUTE

By Michael Georgy and Aziz El Yaakoubi

DUBAI/RIYADH (Reuters) - Abdul Malik al-Houthi, enigmatic leader of Yemen's Houthi fighters whose attacks on Red Sea shipping have drawn fire from the U.S. and British militaries, created the defiant force challenging world powers from a ragtag militia in sandals.

Multiple shipping lines have suspended operations or taken the longer route around Africa because of the campaign by the Houthis, who rule most of Yemen after beating tough odds in a war against forces backed by powerhouse Saudi Arabia.

The Iran-backed militants have vowed to keep up the pressure on the global shipping trade, which could take a toll on the world economy, until Israel halts its bombardment of Gaza to wipe out Hamas, which is also backed by Iran.

The Houthis said they would hit back after U.S. and British warplanes, ships and submarines struck across Yemen overnight in retaliation for the attacks on Red Sea shipping, a widening of regional conflict over the Gaza conflict that some analysts say could undermine the Houthis' hard-fought domestic gains.

"They have been able to survive the last eight years, have expanded their power, but now they are inviting air strikes from the world's most powerful military," said Tobias Borck, the Royal United Services Institute's Middle East Security Senior Research Fellow.

Al-Houthi established a reputation as a fierce battlefield commander before emerging as head of the Houthi movement, mountain fighters who have been battling a Saudi-led military coalition since 2015 in a conflict that has killed tens of thousands, devastated Yemen's economy and left millions hungry.

Under the direction of al-Houthi, who is in his 40s, the group has acquired tens of thousands of fighters and a huge arsenal of armed drones and ballistic missiles. It has used these to repeatedly strike strategic Saudi infrastructure despite years of bombings on its territory.

In January 2022, the Houthis raised the stakes with a missile attack on Gulf tourism and commercial hub the United Arab Emirates, like Saudi Arabia a key U.S. ally.

"He (al-Houthi) managed to transform a rural militia mostly engaged in insurgency tactics into one of the most resilient non-state armed groups of the region," said Ludovico Carlino, Principal Analyst, Country Risk, Middle East and North Africa at HIS Markit.

In a speech in 2022, al-Houthi said its goal was to be able to strike any target in Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates, both major OPEC oil producers who view Iran and its proxies as major security threats to the Middle East and beyond.

SHROUDED IN MYSTERY

Al-Houthi is known for rarely staying long in one place, for never meeting the media and for an extreme reluctance to make scheduled public appearances.

Since the start of the Yemen war -- widely seen as a proxy conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran -- foreign officials who dealt with al-Houthi have never met him in person, said a source familiar with the matter.

Many seeking meetings were asked to travel to the Houthi stronghold of Sanaa, where a Houthi security convoy would take them to safe houses and conduct security checks before leading them to an upstairs room where he would only appear on a screen.

The Houthi movement was formed to fight for the interests of the Zaydi Shiites, a minority sect that ruled a 1,000-year kingdom in Yemen until 1962 but felt progressively threatened by the 1990-2012 rule of Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Iran's backing of the Houthis, who forced Yemen's Saudi-backed internationally recognised government into exile in 2021, has helped Tehran extend its regional proxy network, which includes Hezbollah in Lebanon and militias in Iraq and Syria.

Yemen experts say the Houthis are motivated primarily by a domestic agenda though they share a political affinity for Iran and Hezbollah. The Houthis deny being puppets of Tehran and say they are fighting a corrupt system and regional aggression.

'AXIS OF RESISTANCE'

Iran champions the Houthis as part of its regional "axis of resistance" - a swathe of Iran-backed groups - and the movement has adopted elements of Tehran's revolutionary ideology.

Saudi Arabia and its allies accuse Iran of arming and training the Houthis, allegations denied by Tehran. Analysts say the Houthis are more independent than Lebanon's Hezbollah.

The Houthis, like other sides in Yemeni politics, operate in a land of shifting alliances.

In late 2017, they assassinated ex-president Saleh in a roadside RPG ambush after he switched sides in favour of the Saudi-led alliance. They have also created a military state to tighten their grip.

"The Houthis also rely on a very brutal internal intelligence apparatus, suppressing any kind of dissent," analyst Carlino said.

In pre-recorded speeches and sermons, al-Houthi, who traces his lineage to the Prophet Mohammad, asserts that his movement is under total siege because of its religion.

"We must focus on preserving the authenticity of our Islamic affiliation and identity," he said in one speech, denouncing a 'soft war' of influence to weaken Houthi morale. "Today we are facing the most dangerous war."

(This story has been refiled to remove analyst quote from paragraph 19)

(Additional reporting by Elizabeth Piper in London, Writing by Michael Georgy; Editing by Philippa Fletcher and Cynthia Osterman)
0001060822 false 0001060822 2024-01-08 2024-01-08





UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K





CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):

Carters, Inc. (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware 001-31829 13-3912933 (State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation) (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

Phipps Tower ,

3438 Peachtree Road NE , Suite 1800

Atlanta , Georgia 30326

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

( 678 ) 791-1000

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the Registrant under any of the following provisions:

 Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))





Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of each class Trading

Symbol(s) Name of each exchange

on which registered Common stock, par value $0.01 per share CRI New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 ((230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ((240.12b-2 of this chapter).





Emerging growth company 





If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 









Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.





Retirement of President & Chief Operating Officer





On January 12, 2024, Carter's, Inc. (the "Company") announced that Brian Lynch, President & Chief Operating Officer of the Company, has informed the Company of his decision to retire effective March 1, 2024. The Company expects to enter into a one-year consulting agreement with Mr. Lynch to support the Company's planned transition in leadership. The Company will disclose the terms of the agreement when it is finalized and executed.





Appointment of Chief Operating Officer





Upon Mr. Lynchs retirement, Richard Westenberger, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer of the Company, will assume the role of Chief Operating Officer, in addition to his current responsibilities.





The information required by Item 5.02(c)(2) of Form 8-K for Mr. Westenberger has been previously disclosed in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission on February 24, 2023, and in the Companys Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 6, 2023, and is incorporated herein by reference.





The Companys related press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.









Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.









Exhibit

Number Description 99.1 Press Release Dated January 12, 2024 104 The cover page from this Current Report on Form 8-K, formatted as Inline XBRL









Signature

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.









Date: January 12, 2024 CARTERS, INC. By: /s/ Antonio D. Robinson Name: Antonio D. Robinson Title: Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, CSR & Chief Compliance Officer















ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS

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The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page. The information required in 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 ('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).
Texas Department of Public Safety officers guard an entrance to Shelby Park in in Eagle Pass, Texas, on Jan. 11, 2024. (Sam Owens/The San Antonio Express-News via AP)

SAN ANTONIO  National Guard troops under Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts command are blocking U.S. Border Patrol agents from a stretch of the Rio Grande, the Biden administration said in an emergency appeal Friday, heightening tensions over how to handle a record migrant influx.

Texas Department of Public Safety and National Guard officials began erecting fencing and razor wire around the riverfront Shelby Park on Wednesday in Eagle Pass, the border crossing where thousands of migrants have arrived in recent months.

Texas has the legal authority to control ingress and egress into any geographic location in the state, Abbott told reporters Friday. That power, he said, is being asserted in Eagle Pass to maintain operational control.

The move prompted the Biden administration to ask the Supreme Court to quickly intervene. Government lawyers said in a court filing Friday that Texas cannot control Border Patrols access to the river or dictate their duties. The states border with Mexico along the Rio Grande is an international boundary under the jurisdiction of federal authorities.

The takeover marks yet another escalation of Abbotts years-long conflict with federal immigration officials over control of the southwest border in Texas and raises the constitutional question over their role in stanching the flow of migrants entering the state between ports of entry.

Hes picking a fight, Steve Vladeck, a constitutional law expert at the University of Texas School of Law, said. If he loses, he can say that he tried.

In December, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit of Appeals temporarily blocked federal agents from cutting or moving razor wire Texas placed on the Rio Grande riverbank that the federal government argues interferes with their work.

The Biden administration told the court Friday that Abbotts latest move is significant because it interferes with Border Patrols ability to patrol or even to surveil the border and be in a position to respond to emergencies, according to the filing.

Border Patrol agents used the riverfront park to set up a temporary outdoor holding area when thousands of migrants crossed illegally during a record influx in the Eagle Pass area last month.

The area is the site of a key railway crossing between Mexico and the United States, and large groups of migrants have reached the U.S. border by riding freight trains. After wading across the Rio Grande, they typically surrender to U.S. border agents in hopes they will be released while their claims for humanitarian protection are pending in U.S. immigration court.

Any migrants apprehended by Texas state police or National Guard troops will have to be delivered to U.S. Border Patrol agents because the state does not have the ability to carry out deportations on its own, said a senior CBP official tracking the standoff. The official, who was not authorized to speak to reporters, said it was the first time they have seen Border Patrols access to publicly-owned land blocked.

Abbotts forces have cut off federal agents access to the area with concertina wire and blocked roadways with their Humvees, according to the court filing. Federal agents are only allowed to enter the area in case of medical emergencies, officials said.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials declined to comment on Abbotts action, referring inquiries to the emergency court filing.

Some legal scholars and U.S. officials said they were not aware of another recent instance of a state blocking the federal governments access to land where it has jurisdiction. The Border Patrol has broad authorities to investigate illegal activity along the border, including the ability to access private land without a warrant within 25 miles of an international boundary.

Ilya Somin, a law professor at George Mason University, noted there have been instances of states declining to assist the federal government with immigration enforcement, such as Californias sanctuary policies that limit cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

But he said the state cannot block federal authorities and warned that Abbotts move increases the risk of an armed standoff.

Were talking about an international border, and federal law enforcement is supposed to have access to it  certainly on public land, Somin said. This creates a potentially dangerous situation where the Border Patrol is facing off against armed National Guard troops, and if someone does something stupid, there could be an unfortunate confrontation.

Angelo Fernandez Hernandez, a White House spokesman, accused Abbott of utilizing extreme political stunts that make it harder for Border Patrol agents to do their jobs.

Whether it is leaving migrants on the side of the road in the dead of winter, installing razor wire to make Border Patrols job more dangerous, promoting extreme and unconstitutional laws like S.B. 4, or his latest actions in Eagle Pass, Governor Abbott has repeatedly proved that he is not interested in solutions and only seeks to politicize the border, Fernandez Hernandez said in a statement.

S.B. 4, a new state law backed by Abbott that expands Texas authorities role in immigration enforcement, is also being challenged in federal court by the Biden administration.

Eagle Pass resident Jesse Fuentes, who owns a canoe and kayaking business on the Rio Grande, said he is worried things are going to get ugly in his stretch of the border. He, along with the Biden administration, sued the state when officials installed orange buoys to prevent crossings.

Im afraid of whats coming next, said Fuentes, who operates from the Shelby Park boat ramp when he has access. Theyve been pushing each other. Where is it all headed?

Immigrant advocates responded with alarm when Abbott said last week that the only thing that were not doing is were not shooting people who come across the border, because of course, the Biden administration would charge us with murder.

The governor said Friday he was not advocating for the murder of migrants. Abbott said that he was asked a question about where the line was for actions taken by Texas at the border and he pointed out all the legal things the state could do and what would be illegal.

Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas, who has been critical of the Biden administrations border policies, said he was surprised to learn the governor would be using emergency powers from a 2021 declaration that helped launch his border security initiative, Operation Lone Star, to seize the park.

For nearly two years, state law enforcement and troops have been patrolling the citys riverfront property and erecting barriers to deter migrants. In May, Salinas signed an agreement authorizing the state to pursue trespassing charges against any migrants they apprehended on public property on the citys behalf. But the city is now exploring legal options against the states occupation.

This is not something the city asked for, Salinas, a Democrat, said in a news conference Thursday. The city is not in agreement with Border Patrol being kept out.

Shelby Park is one of the few sources of recreation and economic activity for the residents of the economically depressed border community. The local high school cross-country team can no longer use the trails, and elderly dogwalkers are shooed away by heavily armed troops.

Amerika Garcia Grewal, a volunteer who has helped organize border vigils remembering migrants who died in their crossings, said she is puzzled over the states timing because the number of migrants crossing in recent days has declined.

Theres nobody there now, she said. The state of Texas is hurting Eagle Pass.

Isaak Ruiz, a county employee and self-described citizen journalist, has advocated for local officials to do more and said he supported the governors takeover.

Its a civil war between the state and feds, and unfortunately Eagle Pass is caught in the middle, he said. Ive never seen my town like this and its upsetting.

Southern Methodist University political scientist Cal Jillson said Abbotts actions fall in line with his long-held political ambitions to reassert states rights and further limit the power of the federal government. In 2016, the governor called for a new constitutional convention to make several amendments to the U.S. Constitution, including restricting the federal governments ability to override state laws. As Texas attorney general, Abbott spent much of his tenure taking the federal government to court over health care, environmental and immigration policies.

In the border crisis, Jillson said, Abbott has found his vehicle for pushing the issue again by questioning who has the ultimate authority to protect and manage the border.

He wants to re-offer that question, hoping this more conservative court will come back with a different ruling, Jillson said.

But there is more to Abbotts actions, scholars said. The governor and other Republicans are making an argument for states rights not unlike the one the Confederacy made in the run up to the Civil War  arguing states have a legitimate right to evaluate federal conduct.

Several legal experts characterized Abbotts latest action as especially startling.

The specter of our Border Patrol agents in a standoff with armed members of the Texas National Guard should scare the bejesus out of us, Vladeck said. I think its not an exaggeration that this is as direct a confrontation between a state and the federal government as weve seen since desegregation.

Ann Marimow contributed to this report.
Protesters gathered outside Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, following the restart of construction for a runway being built into Oura Bay. (Mari Higa/Stars and Stripes)

CAMP SCHWAB, Okinawa  Close to 1,000 people gathered Friday outside this Marine Corps base to protest construction to create a military runway from reclaimed sea bottom.

Several citizens groups opposed to the continuing presence of U.S. military bases rallied at 10 a.m. during the protest organized by All Okinawa. About 10 speakers expressed their dissatisfaction with the Japanese governments approval of a modified construction plan over the objections of Okinawas governor.

Hiroji Yamashiro, of the Okinawa Peace Activity Center, shouted through a microphone to say Tokyo is not qualified to decide the airfield question on behalf of the local government.

He also said the citizens effort is successfully delaying its construction.

It is impossible to complete this base, he said. They wont be able to landfill the water as deep as [328 feet], not even in 100 years.

Protesters gather outside Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, following the restart of construction for a runway being built into Oura Bay. (Mari Higa/Stars and Stripes) Protesters gather outside Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, following the restart of construction for a runway being built into Oura Bay. (Mari Higa/Stars and Stripes)

The runway is being built on reclaimed land in Oura Bay in the rural Henoko area to replace Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in urban, densely populated Ginowan.

Work started Wednesday on the beleaguered project after a Japanese Cabinet minister, acting on a court decision in Tokyos favor, approved permits for design changes blocked by Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki.

Tetsuo Saito, minister of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism, approved the permits on Dec. 28 after a protracted legal contest with Tamaki, who ignored a Dec. 25 court-imposed deadline to approve the permits himself.

Tamaki did not join the Fridays protest, but a message from him was read aloud: Now is the time to gather our strengths to stop the Henoko new base construction.

One protester, Teruaki Shimoji, 76, of Urasoe city, said anger drove him to the demonstration.

The anger has been piling up for years, he said. The Japanese government has been using Okinawa throughout history but does nothing for Okinawan people.

Permit applications for the site have been pending since November 2021. Tamaki repeatedly refused to approve them until the Fukuoka High Court handed Saito that authority.

Tamaki has appealed the case a second time to Japans Supreme Court, but the Local Autonomy Act states that work may proceed while the appeal is pending.

The governor argued that the soft seabed in the construction zone poses a hazard and that Tokyo had failed to consider the environmental impact on the endangered dugong, a cousin of the manatee protected by Japanese law.

The project, originally slated for completion by 2014, will now take until at least 2032 and cost the Japanese government $6.9 billion, at last estimates.
A video screen grab shows a gun weapons system firing on targets at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Divisions Potomac River Test Range on Aug. 30, 2016. (Stacia Courtney/U.S. Navy)

After more than a century of test-firing weapons into the lower Potomac River, the Navy this week agreed to seek a permit for discharges of pollutants from the state of Maryland for the Navys largest test-firing ground, 50 miles south of D.C.

But the Navy would not say what steps it would take to limit discharges at the site, called the Potomac River Test Range, which begins at its base in Dahlgren, Va. The range stretches 50 miles along Virginias Northern Neck peninsula and the tree-lined southern Maryland shores of Charles and St. Marys counties, with the river itself considered Marylands jurisdiction. The range ends where the Potomac flows into the Chesapeake Bay.

The Navy also declined to say whether it would do anything to remediate the more than 33 million pounds of ordnance it fired into the river through 2009  including 225 tons of the toxic heavy metal manganese and 15,000 tons of iron  and the ordnance it continues to fire today.

The Navy has reported it fires about 4,700 projectiles per year into the river and conducts at least 200 detonations annually. The projectiles sometimes are fired from weapons on land and other times from barges, drones, helicopters or boats. But the most recent environmental study performed on the bases test-firing was done in 2013, and it was based partly on statistics compiled through 2009.

Watermen have said they routinely pull large chunks of munitions, or entire missiles or rockets, out of the water near the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division. Huge explosions in the water are commonplace to people who live or work near the test range, which the Navy calls the nations largest fully instrumented over-water gun-firing range.

Within one 2.3-square-mile area of the testing range, called the dense zone, the Navy estimated that about 160,000 rounds had landed and settled on the bottom of the river through 2009, yielding a density of 69,686 rounds per nautical square mile.

The Navy met with conservation groups early last year but declined to provide any concrete proposals for protecting the Potomac. So the Potomac Riverkeeper Network and the Natural Resources Defense Council sued the military branch in June. To settle the lawsuit, the Navy on Wednesday signed a consent decree, approved by U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow of Maryland, requiring the Navy to apply for a national pollutant discharge elimination system permit within 30 days, and share the nonsensitive documents in the application with the plaintiffs.

Jay Epperson, deputy director of communications for the Maryland Department of the Environment, said the department was in communication with the Dahlgren base about applying for a permit. He said that the department would evaluate it through the lens of applicable regulations and that the process will include opportunities for public participation.

The permit could take up to two years to be issued, said Dean Naujoks, the networks Lower Potomac riverkeeper, adding that the Department of the Environment had not evaluated dumping military munitions on a giant scale in a permit application. This is a good first round, Naujoks said, but this is going to be many years in the making. We hope that [the department] establishes very protective limits for water quality and to protect users of the river.

A Navy spokesman declined to comment on what the military would do to apply for, or comply with, a dumping permit. Navy is aware of the consent decree and looks forward to taking the appropriate action as outlined by the court, Lt. Cmdr. Joe Keiley said in an email.

The Navy has been testing weapons at Dahlgren since 1918, when it was called the U.S. Naval Proving Ground. Not only small- and large-caliber guns have been tested but also lasers, chemical and biological simulants and electromagnetic energy. In 2013, Navy officials produced an environmental impact statement to determine whether to expand the test-firing range. (They did expand it.)

But in addition to using old statistics on the number of projectiles in the river, the study based its environmental impact on modeling and assumptions, Naujoks said. I dont think their study is very accurate.

The Riverkeepers are hoping the Navy is ordered to do a more complete survey of its impact on the water; on fish and other wildlife in and around it; and on the crab and oyster populations, which support numerous watermen.

The Navy has never performed any water quality monitoring or sediment sampling, to understand the impact of its weapons testing activities on the Potomac Rivers ecosystem and water quality or on public health, the original lawsuit said.

Keiley said: The Navy is committed to working with [Maryland environmental officials] to provide the information required to make a permit determination. The Navys analysis of Potomac River Test Range activities utilized the best available science, and has not identified a potential to impact human health or the environment.
A video screen grab shows an F/A-18 Super Hornet taking off from the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower on Jan. 11, 2024, to target Houthi militant sites in Yemen. (U.S. Central Command)

The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and several Navy destroyers played a sizable role Thursday in U.S.-led strikes on sites in Yemen that Houthi militants have used repeatedly to launch attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea.

U.S. Central Command did not state which Navy ships were involved in strikes coordinated with the U.K. and supported by Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands. But it did release video showing F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets and E-2 Hawkeye command-and-control aircraft launching from Eisenhower.

An F/A-18 Super Hornet launches from the flight deck of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Jan. 11, 2024, to target Iranian-backed Houthi militant sites in Yemen, in a screenshot from a video posted by U.S. Central Command. (U.S. Central Command)

CENTCOM also released one photo showing a Tomahawk missile launch from an unidentified destroyer. The missiles, which can strike targets more than 1,000 miles away, also were launched from at least one submarine in the Red Sea, The Associated Press reported Friday.

More than 100 precision-guided munitions were used against 60 targets at 16 Houthi militant sites, U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich said Thursday in a statement. Air Force planes also were used in the strikes.

Those targets included munitions depots, launching systems, productions facilities and air defense radar systems used by the Iranian-backed group in its attacks on ships in the Red Sea, said Grynkewich, commander of U.S. Air Forces Central.

The Houthis say their attacks are in solidarity with Hamas in its war with Israel, though in multiple cases the ships being fired upon had indirect or no clear ties with Israeli citizens.

At least five people were killed and six wounded by the U.S.-led strikes, according to Houthi sources cited in an AP report.

The strikes were lauded by some U.S. lawmakers and challenged by others who questioned President Joe Bidens authority to order them without congressional approval. Former President Donald Trump drew similar reactions when he ordered a Tomahawk missile strike on Syrian government sites in 2017.

In the weeks leading up to Thursdays action, some former U.S. military leaders expressed increasing concerns about the safety of U.S. service members and impacts to international trade should the Houthi attacks go unanswered.

The U.S. needs to take further action and send a strong message, retired Adm. James Foggo, who led U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and Allied Joint Forces Command Naples from 2017 to 2020, said to Stars and Stripes last month.

That action needs to be deliberate and it needs to be significant, said Foggo, now dean of the Center for Maritime Strategy of the Navy League. Those (Houthi) sources of weapons need to be destroyed.

There are at least six Navy surface ships in the Red Sea, including Eisenhower and its escorts the cruiser USS Philippine Sea and destroyers USS Gravely and USS Mason. Two other destroyers, USS Carney and USS Laboon, also are in the region.

The guided-missile submarine USS Florida also is presumed to be in the Red Sea. The submarine and destroyers can carry 154 and 90 Tomahawk missiles, respectively.

That naval presence was initially part of a U.S. effort to keep the Israel-Hamas war from broadening across the region. But last month, the U.S. announced the formation of a multinational task force  Operation Prosperity Guardian to address Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea.

U.S. officials on Friday were quick to distance the task force, which includes the British navy ship HMS Diamond, from the strikes. Open-source intelligence analysts on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, have identified two other British warships as well as those from Greece, Denmark and India as part of the task force.

Nearly 7,000 U.S. sailors and Marines are serving in the region, including about 5,000 service members aboard Eisenhower. Four F/A-18 Super Hornet strike fighter squadrons, an E-2 Hawkeye early warning squadron and an EA-18G Growler electronic attack squadron are aboard the carrier as part of Carrier Air Wing 3, according to a Navy statement on Oct. 14, when the Eisenhower deployed.

The air wing also includes MH-60S Knighthawk and MH-60R Seahawk helicopter squadrons, according to the statement.

U.S. destroyers, which have been active in repelling Houthi-launched attack drones and missiles, are equipped with the Aegis weapons platform, which has a sophisticated radar system that can search for, track and guide missiles simultaneously. It can track up to 100 targets, according to the Navy.
(iStock)

Less is more, they say.

Whoever they are, I wish theyd speak up. Please convince me, once and for all, that less is best. Ive always wanted to live according to minimalist doctrine, but somehow, the concept has always eluded me.

All my life, Ive said too much, eaten too much and spent too much. Im an overthinker, I pack too much for trips and I try too hard to make people laugh. I collect a lot of useless crap, I cook enough to feed an army and I talk too loudly. I keep too many clothes and shoes, I have too many hobbies and I watch too much reality TV. I write too many lists, I plan more than I can achieve and I expect too much of myself.

Countless nights Ive gone to bed regretting things Ive said, wondering if Ill ever learn to keep my big mouth shut. Ive dreamt of becoming someone that doesnt seek attention, someone that eats serving sizes, someone with a subtle sense of style, someone with quiet dignity, someone that drives the speed limit, someone that isnt the last one to leave every party.

In our modern world with so many pressures, it should be easy to give up more for less, right? However, after years of overindulging in everything from gossip magazines to guilt to guacamole, Ive become addicted to excess.

After much (too much, of course) soul-searching, I decided that my New Years resolution should be Less is more in 2024. Proud of this witty rhyme, I also penned a clever ditty to sing when the urge to overdo hit me: Eat less, pay less, sit less, say less. I wholeheartedly believed this new mantra would finally help me lose weight, stop spending, exercise and keep my trap shut.

In essence, Id finally become what Ive always wanted to be  LESS of myself.

However, within days of implementing my New Years resolution, I reached a roadblock.

When our freezer drawer wouldnt shut due to numerous unidentifiable frost-coated packages of God-knows-what crammed inside, I proclaimed that I would not buy food because there was already plenty to eat in our house. In the days that followed, I mined our overstuffed freezer, refrigerator and pantry, pairing items that might make a decent meal.

A brick of mystery meat? A shriveling onion? A rib of rubbery celery? A limp carrot? A dusty can of condensed soup? A bit of stale bread? A box of hardening raisins? A half a bag of stiff marshmallows? A jar of capers from the Bush administration? Voila! Dinner is served!

Like a good military spouse preparing for a PCS move, I dug deep into the dark corners of our kitchen and began concocting strange casseroles to feed my family. Alas, by the end of that week, our refrigerator was packed again, not only with unwanted leftover casseroles, but also with containers of the takeout food my family had ordered in desperation. My plan to eat less had failed miserably.

One morning while digging through my pack-rat wardrobe for an outfit that would accommodate my menopause-enhanced girth, I had the sudden urge to buy new clothes. Resisting my old ways, I remembered the saying, Use it up, wear it out, make do or do without. I selected a trusty pair of pants that Id had for years, proud of myself for adhering to my pay less goal. However, by mid-afternoon, the waistline of those pants was so tight, I thought I might lose circulation in my legs. Fearing amputation, I made a beeline for TJ Maxx.

Striving to sit less, I signed up for a Boot Camp fitness class, believing that exercise would encourage a trimmed-down lifestyle. However, after the first class, a group of women invited me to coffee, where naturally I became overly excited about making new friends and blathered my life story in excruciating detail, in direct violation of the say less principle.

Although I havent given up on the notion that less is more, I realize that becoming less of myself in 2024 will take more time, more energy and more willpower. A lot more.

Read more at themeatandpotatoesoflife.com and in Lisas book, The Meat and Potatoes of Life: My True Lit Com. Email: meatandpotatoesoflife@gmail.com
A truck loaded with excavated iron ore rock exits the Yeristovo and Poltava iron ore mine in Poltava, Ukraine, on May 5, 2017. (Vincent Mundy/Bloomberg)

(Tribune News Service)  Ecuadors budding mining industry sees a way through the violent mayhem sweeping the country, with operating mines and development projects expected to carry on as planned after stepping up security measures.

Mines owned by Lundin Gold Inc. and Chinas Tongling Nonferrous Metals Group Co. continue to churn out gold and copper at normal rates even as residents hunker down at home in a war on drug gangs declared by President Daniel Noboa, said mining chamber boss Maria Eulalia Silva. Projects being developed by Adventus Mining Corp. and Dundee Precious Metals Inc. are set to receive $1 billion as they near production.

Theres an increase in the cost of production due to security issues, but those millions have been raised on the stock market and theyre waiting to be invested in the next projects, which need to go ahead soon - we hope this year, Silva said in an interview late Wednesday.

Images of prison riots, police taken hostage and masked gunmen taking over a live TV broadcast pose yet another obstacle to Ecuador finally taking its place as a major mining nation. But not an insurmountable one, Silva said. No company has decided to exit due to the security crisis, and the industry is working closely and smoothly with authorities, she added.

Still, widespread illegal mining has put the industry under pressure, tarnishing its reputation along with imposing a significant environmental and human toll.

Noboas emergency measures, which allow police and soldiers to use lethal force against gangs, is the way to stop and unmask those groups intimidating the formal, responsible industry, Silva said. Theyre narco-miners, not illegal miners.

Regulatory boost

Aside from the violence, the countrys regulatory environment has seen some recent improvements. The Constitutional Court helped to clarify rules governing prior consent for mining projects, and permitting has accelerated at the environment ministry, she said.

Noboa has included two market-friendly reforms in a list of questions for a national referendum, asking voters to approve temporary labor contracts and international arbitration, likely to be decided in March.

The governments wording of a question on illegal mining, allowing concessions to be revoked in areas deemed of national interest however is risky and misguided, Silva said. To revoke duly awarded concessions wont stop illegal mining, while Ecuadors constitution doesnt include the national interest as a legal concept, she added.

Approval of the questions from the Constitutional Court is required for Noboas referendum to go ahead.

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- U.S. forces have launched strikes against several targets used by the Houthi rebels in Yemen, according to a CNN report on Thursday citing a U.S. official. 
People's Liberation Army troops stand in formation during a ceremony at the Shek Kong Barracks in Hong Kong on June 30, 2017. (Anthony Kwan/Bloomberg)

(Tribune News Service)  China reiterated it has zero tolerance for corruption within its military, and will put key personnel under closer scrutiny, as the country deepens its push to stamp out graft across critical sectors.

He Weidong, vice chairman of Chinas Central Military Commission called for the elimination of deeply rooted misconduct, according to a statement citing an annual meeting of the group held in Beijing on Friday. A critical few will face more scrutiny and be held to a higher standard of behavior, he said.

China has ramped up its rhetoric this week, with President Xi Jinping warning therell be no mercy in the anti-corruption campaign that spans finance to energy and health, and has been a hallmark of his leadership. The military has been a particular concern for Xi, who has devoted billions of dollars to his aim of transforming it into a modern force by 2027.

The countrys defense industry has already been rocked by a purge thats reached the upper echelons of the Peoples Liberation Army. In the latest round, Chinas top legislative body unseated nine military figures including five linked to the secretive missile force Xi revamped in 2015, and at least two from the equipment department in charge of arming the military with the latest fare.

Those are just the removals made public. Unlike other parts of the Chinese system, the military doesnt announce its corruption investigations. A Rocket Force major-general was quietly removed from Beijings city parliament in November, news outlet Caixin reported.

With assistance from Josh Xiao.

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Prosecutors, not police, decide formal charges under Japans criminal justice system. (Pixabay)

Japanese prosecutors decided not to pursue charges against a U.S. military contractor arrested last year near Hiroshima on suspicion of punching a local man in the face.

The Fukuyama prosecutors decided to drop their case against Leone Lee Buggage, 34, due to extenuating general circumstances, a spokesman for the Hiroshima District Public Prosecutors Office told Stars and Stripes by phone Thursday.

He declined to provide additional details. Some government officials in Japan speak to the media only on condition of anonymity.

Buggage by email to Stars and Stripes on Thursday declined comment.

Police suspected Buggage of punching a 62-year-old mans face in the Habu area of Innoshima on July 16. A witness reported the incident to police, a spokesman for the Hiroshima Prefectural Police said at the time.

Police arrested Buggage the next day after he voluntarily answered questions at a police station, the police spokesman said.

Prosecutors, not police, decide formal charges under Japans criminal justice system.

Military Sealift Command Far East at the time acknowledged an incident involving a contractor, who is working with a U.S. Navy ship, and not a U.S. government employee, spokesman Grady Fontana said by email at the time.

Fontana did not identify Buggage in July and did not respond to an email request for comment Friday.
Russia-controlled Kunashiri Island is seen in the distance from the Shiretoko Peninsula in Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 10, 2018. (Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes)

TOKYO  Russian President Vladimir Putins interest in visiting islands his country took from Japan at the end of World War II may be a retort to Tokyos support for Ukraine, according to an expert in the region.

Putin, speaking at a town hall meeting Thursday in the Khabarovsk region, said he will visit the Kuril Islands, which include four captured from Japan  Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan and the Habomai islet group  the Kyodo news agency reported Friday.

I have heard that they are interesting sites, but unfortunately, I have never been there, so I will definitely go, Putin told a Kunashiri travel industry worker at the meeting without giving a timeline for the trip, according to Kyodo.

After World War II, Russian troops occupied the islands and expelled 17,000 Japanese residents. The dispute over the islands, which Japan calls its Northern Territories, remains a source of tension and the reason the nations have yet to sign a peace treaty 76 years after the war.

Japan has complained about past trips to the islands by Russian officials, including visits by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in November 2010 and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in July 2021.

Russia suspended negotiations on the territorial dispute and the peace treaty after Tokyo imposed economic sanctions on Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Russia has been looking for ways to hit back at Japan for its support of Ukraine, James Brown, an international affairs expert at Temple Universitys Japan campus, said in an email Friday.

This has included ending talks about a peace treaty, barring most visa-free visits for Japanese to the disputed islands, and banning imports of Japanese seafood, said Brown, author of the 2017 book, Japan, Russia and their Territorial Dispute: The Northern Delusion.

A visit by Putin to the disputed islands should be seen in this context, he said. It would be a deliberate provocation against Japan.

Tokyo would likely respond to a visit by Putin with a strong condemnation, Brown said.

They may also consider temporarily withdrawing their ambassador from Moscow as a signal of their opposition, he said. Its possible we may also see some protests near the Russian embassy in Tokyo.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, at a news conference Friday, acknowledged Putins remarks about the visit.

I will refrain from making comments to every remark made by Russian government officials, but the Government of Japan will continue to keep a close watch on the future situation and take appropriate measures, Hayashi said in Tokyo.

Russias aggression against Ukraine undermines the international order, Hayashi added.

We will continue to provide strong support for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia in order to stop the Russian aggression as soon as possible and to realize a just and lasting peace for Ukraine, he said.

Putins planned visit seems like another aspect of an effort to reclaim the Russian empire, according to Paul Buchanan, an American security expert based in New Zealand.

This is in line with traditional Russian geopolitical thought, which seeks to push Russian frontiers far away from the heart of the Motherland, thereby increasing the buffer around the core by adding another layer to the Russian periphery, he said by email Friday.
A DODEA school bus lies on the ground after heading off an embankment Friday, March 10, 2023, near Weilerbach, Germany. Sixteen students were on board, and one was taken to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center with minor injuries, authorities at the Weilerbach firehouse said at the time. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes)

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany  The driver involved in last years Defense Department school bus rollover near Ramstein Air Base was convicted by a German court of intentionally endangering road traffic and leaving the accident scene.

The Kaiserslautern district court last month imposed a fine of 10,000 euros, or about $11,000, and suspended the mans drivers license for a minimum of one year, lead public prosecutor Udo Gehring said Friday.

The court found that the 60-year-old driver, whose identity remains undisclosed because of German privacy rules, was unfit to be behind the wheel. It based the decision on the high level of alcohol in his system at the time of the rollover.

The bus, contracted by the Department of Defense Education Activity, was carrying 16 students from elementary, middle and high schools when it veered off the pavement at low speed on a rural district road between Weilerbach and Erzenhausen on March 10, 2023.

At the time, students said the intoxicated driver was acting erratically before the bus flipped over an embankment. He then left the vehicle, leaving the students to break a window to escape the wreckage on their own.

The children, ages 7 through 17, escaped with only minor injuries, according to a police statement.

Video shared on Facebook shortly after the crash showed a group, including first responders, surrounding the driver on a field a few hundred yards away from the bus.

In the Dec. 1 verdict, no mention was made of any medical or health issues contributing to the drivers actions.

Court records revealed, however, that his blood alcohol level was 0.26% approximately two hours after the accident, Gehring said in a statement.

After the one-year suspension, the licensing administration will have to determine whether the driver is again suitable for operating motor vehicles, he said.

To this end, (the administration) can conduct investigations, which may include obtaining a psychological assessment, Gehring said.

Under German criminal law, fines are calculated and imposed in terms of daily rates, which aim to ensure proportional punishment for people with different income levels.

In this case, the driver was sentenced to 200 payments of 50 euros each, Gehring said. The driver had no prior convictions.

The court was convinced the driver felt remorse for his actions, Gehring wrote Friday.

Kim Gordon, whose daughter was on the bus during the crash, expressed dissatisfaction with the sentence in an email Friday.

I dont understand why (the driver) is not being held accountable for endangering the lives of our children, Gordon said. My daughter still has anxiety about riding the school bus because of his actions.

I am frustrated and angry at the verdict. I feel that he has gotten away with just a slap on the wrist and we have gotten a slap in the face.

Gordon added that the lack of communication from DODEA and the transportation office in the aftermath of the rollover remains a concern, should another accident occur. Gordon says she has asked numerous times about what changes were being made to improve communication with parents and did not receive a response.

The school system continues to improve bus safety measures and ensure the well-being of every student to and from school, DODEA Europe spokeswoman Jessica Tackaberry said Friday in an email.

We have increased monitoring, enhanced safety training and protocols, and held a transportation conference to discuss ways to better transportation and support services.

Engelbert Schary, co-owner of Schary Reisen, the transportation company that employed the driver, confirmed Friday that the driver had been fired.

We have transported American schoolchildren safely since 1982 and are very conscious of the great responsibility this is, Schary said. This incident was a tragic and surprising exception for us.

Schary said that although drivers are vetted during the hiring process, the company relies on individual responsibility and trust for its drivers, as daily checks are nearly impossible and many drivers park their buses at home if they have early-morning shifts.

We expect all our drivers to adhere to a strict zero-tolerance policy (for alcohol), Schary added.

Investigations found no evidence of negligence on the part of Schary Reisen, Gehring said. The company serves DODEA bus routes with 19 vehicles in the Kaiserslautern area.
Golden church domes sit beyond fortified walls in the Kremlin palace complex in Moscow, Russia, on Nov. 10, 2016. (Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg)

(Tribune News Service)  Russia is devising a legal challenge to snarl any efforts by the US or Europe to confiscate some of its $300 billion in frozen central bank assets in favor of Ukraine, according to people familiar with the matter.

Officials in Moscow, who are studying the possibility of the funds being seized, have concluded such an outcome is unlikely, they said, asking not to be identified because the information isnt public. The Bank of Russia is currently nearing an agreement with international law firms to represent the countrys interests in case of a court showdown.

Authorities also commissioned expert views analyzing the relevant legislation abroad and precedents in other countries, the people said.

Urgency has grown for Russia at a time when discussions intensify among the US and its allies over the fate of the holdings blocked days after the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The issue is also in the spotlight with political divisions in the US and the European Union holding up more than $110 billion in aid to the government in Kyiv.

In a shift for President Joe Bidens administration, its now backing legislation that would let it seize some of Russias assets, Bloomberg reported this week. The White House wants to align the move with Group of Seven allies, particularly in Europe, where about about two-thirds of the frozen Russian funds are held and where support for seizure, particularly unilaterally, has been tepid.

The Bank of Russia declined to comment on its plans. When asked about the repercussions of possible steps taken by the West, the Kremlins spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said Russia would challenge them in court and warned it could retaliate, according to the state-run Tass news service.

Serious costs

This will entail very serious judicial and legal costs for those who make such decisions, Peskov was quoted as saying on Thursday.

Going the legal route was an option long floated by top Russian officials, with central bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina saying last July it was almost ready to challenge the freeze. In a December interview with the RBC newspaper, she called it a very negative signal for all central banks, because it is a violation of the basic principles of reserve security.

Officials involved in the discussions are confident that pursuing the case in courts would prevent any transfer of the funds to Ukraine even if Russia is unable to wrest control of the money, the people said.

Their view is that the West stands little chance in court and has no legitimate grounds for seizure based on legislation adopted after the freeze, they said.

The arguments echo analysis published last month by the state-backed Roscongress Foundation, a development institution and major event organizer in Russia.

The report, which surveyed the experience of freezing and confiscating assets of countries from Iraq to North Korea, found that the real risks that Russian central bank reserves could be seized remain low.

Decades in court

In the absence of clear international legislation, any attempts to take over the holdings will rely on domestic laws of states that have imposed sanctions on Russia, it said. As a result, Russia should be able to challenge decisions on its immobilized reserves, leading to litigation that could last for decades, with unclear prospects, according to Roscongress.

The money will likely remain blocked until relations with Russia stabilize or a common solution emerges, it said. More decisive actions in relation to the frozen assets will lead to the outflow of trillions of dollars from the United States to other jurisdictions.

Russias legal recourse depends on the circumstances of actions taken and whether theres a bilateral agreement on protection of investments, according to Sergey Glandin, a partner at BGP Litigation in Moscow who specializes in compliance and sanctions law.

Possible avenues for Russia could include the International Court of Justice in The Hague or the US District Court for the Southern District of New York and the EUs Court of Justice in Luxembourg, he said.

An attempt to take over the assets will lead to multiple legal disputes in court for many years, Glandin said, warning of a war of confiscations in response.

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QUITO, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- More than 38 countries have offered to help Ecuador tackle a wave of violence unleashed by "terrorist" gangs linked to drug trafficking, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa announced Thursday.

In light of the "internal armed conflict" that Ecuador is currently facing, Noboa said, "it is not the time to say, out of ego or vanity, (that) no, we will protect our sovereignty, do not send military forces here."

"We need military support ... soldiers as well as assistance in intelligence, artillery and equipment," said Noboa, who declared a 60-day state of emergency on Monday to grant security forces broad powers to combat organized crime, especially in prisons.

Several countries have lately expressed solidarity with Ecuador, denouncing narco-terrorism as a hemispheric scourge and offering military aid.

Riots erupted in several prisons in the country this week, with inmates taking 178 people hostage at seven facilities, according to the latest report issued Thursday by the nation's jail management agency.

The hostages include 158 prison guards and 20 administrative officials at facilities in the southern provinces of El Oro, Canar, Loja, and Azuay, as well as in the northern province of Esmeraldas, and the central provinces of Cotopaxi and Tungurahua, the agency said.

The spate of violence, including an armed attack on a television station during a live broadcast, has claimed at least 10 lives and led to more than 70 arrests. 
Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, shakes hands with Hamas leader Khaled Mashal at the Presidential palace in Ankara, Turkey, on Aug. 12, 2015. Since the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, top U.S. Treasury officials have made repeated visits to European and Middle Eastern capitals to coordinate efforts to halt fundraising for Hamas. Much of the diplomacy has focused on Turkey, whose government has historically supported Hamas. (Turkish Presidency Press Service/Pool)

Three days after the Oct. 7 terrorist attack, one of Hamass top political leaders put out a call for a new front in the groups conflict with Israel - a fight to be waged not with bullets, but with dollars.

This is financial jihad, Khaled Mashal, the groups former political chief, declared in a speech disseminated over social media. He urged supporters worldwide to give aid, money and all that you have, adding, dont let your brothers down.

Within days, a torrent of cash began pouring into accounts set up to help Gazans, much of it from people moved by images of victims of Israeli airstrikes and genuinely wanting to help. But also answering the call were groups with years of experience in delivering precisely the kind of jihad Hamass leader envisioned.

Across the Middle East and Europe, the Gaza conflict re-energized old fundraising networks with ties to militant Islamist groups and causes, including groups accused of raising money in the past for al-Qaida and the Taliban as well as Hamass military wing, current and former U.S. counterterrorism officials say.

The groups helped raised millions of dollars practically overnight, using crowdfunding campaigns on social media that were built around photos and videos depicting the suffering of Gazan civilians. Some of the money was ultimately deposited in Hamas-controlled accounts using a range of methods, including cryptocurrency and informal cash-transfer networks used in Middle Eastern countries for centuries, the officials said.

Among those backing Hamas crowdfunding campaigns, officials said, are groups such as Kuwaits Revival of Islamic Heritage Society, which has been accused by both the United Nations and U.S. government of raising money for al-Qaida; as well as Europe-based charities with ties to the Union of Good, an umbrella organization that U.S. officials say was created by Hamas leaders and supporters to facilitate the transfer of money to the group. Both groups have denied supporting or advocating terrorism. Hamass founding charter calls for the destruction of Israel, and the group is regarded as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union.

While the key fundraisers have been active in some cases for decades, their tactics have been perfected in recent years as the groups learned to combine the vast reach of platforms such Facebook and X, formerly known as Twitter, with the emotional power of an international tragedy. Militant Islamist groups and their supporters embraced the use of crowdfunding on social media after the start of the Arab Spring uprisings, particularly in Syria. Some used the technique to solicit money in the aftermath of last years devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria.

There is a legitimate, tremendous need in Gaza right now, and its very easy for someone to put up a website with a photo of an injured baby, said Matthew Levitt, a former Treasury Department counterterrorism official now at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, a think tank. This is a real opportunity if youre a Hamas fundraiser.

It is difficult to obtain precise figures for the amount of money that Hamas has generated through crowdfunding efforts in the months since the conflict began. Israeli government officials in interviews put the total at about $200 million, a sum they acknowledge includes money raised by legitimate charities seeking to help the millions of Gazans in dire need of food, medicine and shelter.

Israeli officials say Hamas uses some of the money to pay the salaries of its fighters and to finance the groups political and influence operations abroad. In the future, they say, surviving Hamas leaders could use the funds to replenish the groups stockpile of rockets and other weapons.

U.S., European and Middle Eastern officials all assess that crowdfunding has become a particularly important source of revenue for Hamas since the conflict began with the Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel. Since the start of the Israeli ground offensive, Hamas, the governing authority for the Gaza Strip, has been largely unable to collect taxes and fees from Gazans, its biggest single income generator.

Travel bans for Gazans and banking restrictions imposed by the United States and other Western governments have made it difficult for Hamas to collect financial support from Iran and other foreign backers, or to cash in on its estimated $500 million investment portfolio - a substantial resource on paper that has offered only minimal practical benefit for the group during the current crisis, since the portfolio consists mainly of assets that cant be quickly converted to cash, such as mines, farms and real estate, former U.S. officials said.

Instead, Hamas has been compelled to rely increasingly on crowdfunding efforts, with substantial assistance from allies and longtime supporters of Islamist causes, current and former U.S. officials said.

One example is a Kuwait-based initiative that was launched Oct. 9 - two days after the terrorist attack and well before Israels ground offensive began. A crowdfunding operation that called itself the Mobilization for Palestine Campaign appeared online, soliciting donations for affected families in Gaza. It offered donors multiple options, including payment by ApplePay, Visa and Mastercard.

The campaign generated $8.3 million in contributions in just the first three days, according to a review by Kharon, a Los Angeles-based private intelligence company.

Among the listed sponsors of the campaign was the Revival of Islamic Heritage Society. The group, also based in Kuwait, was added to a sanctions list by the Treasury Department in 2008 for allegedly providing financial support to al-Qaida and other terrorist groups. The United Nations in 2011 similarly accused the groups Pakistan and Afghanistan branches of aiding al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden and couriering money and messages to al-Qaida members in Pakistan. In 2013, the group participated in a Kuwaiti-led campaign to raise money for rockets and other weapons for 12,000 Islamist militants fighting on the rebel side in Syrias civil war.

This one got our attention because of the organizations involved that were able to raise $8 million in less than a week, said Mark Nakhla, a former Treasury sanctions official who now leads investigations of illicit financial networks for Kharon. This is ongoing, and new campaigns are emerging on a weekly basis.

Emails and voice messages requesting comment from Society officials were not returned. In previous statements, the organization has rejected accusations that its fundraising benefited violent extremists. The society strongly denies any connection to terrorist acts, or factions that use them, be it Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida or any other, the group said in a 2001 statement.

The Biden administration is raising concerns with Western governments over similar fundraising by European groups with alleged ties to militant Islam. The Treasury Department in November expanded its sanctions list to include HumaniTerre, a French nonprofit that runs crowdfunding campaigns on social media in support of Gaza. Treasury documents assert that HumaniTerre is in fact a rebranded version of another charity: the Paris-based Committee for Charity and Support for the Palestinians, or CBSP by its French initials. The two organizations share the same address and telephone number.

The CBSP has been under U.S. sanctions since 2003 over allegations that its serves as a primary fundraising arm of Hamas, although the group has vigorously denied supporting terrorist groups or sending money to Hamass militant wing. Treasury documents announcing the sanctions accused CBSP leaders of collecting large amounts of money from mosques and Islamic centers, which it then transfers to sub-organizations of Hamas.

A statement posted online by HumaniTerre asserts that the groups main website has been disabled by unnamed outsiders, but says it continues to raise funds for Gaza relief. A person who answered the phone at the HumaniTerre office said the group would not comment to journalists. An email message requesting an interview was not returned. CBSP has repeatedly contested claims that it has supported terrorism, including in successful civil defamation cases against French organizations that accused the group of knowingly supporting terrorist groups or providing money to families of suicide bombers. A CBSP spokesman, in a 2010 interview with French journalists, said the sanctions were the product of a U.S. mind-set after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks that regarded each humanitarian organization serving the Palestinians as a terrorist movement.

Since Oct. 7, top Treasury officials have made repeated visits to European and Middle Eastern capitals to coordinate efforts to halt fundraising for Hamas while allowing money to flow to legitimate relief organizations that are helping alleviate suffering in Gaza. Much of the diplomacy has focused on Turkey, whose government has historically supported Hamas and allowed the group to set up front companies and pro-Hamas charities, several of which are now under U.S. sanctions.

A Treasury official described the exchanges with Turkish officials as tough conversations, but said the Biden administration is succeeding in blocking Hamass ability to access foreign bank accounts. International banking companies are generally wary of doing business with groups that are on the U.S. blacklist, and we are pushing them to do a better job at detecting and halting flows of cash to Hamas, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss politically sensitive deliberations with foreign governments and international banks.

In the last two years, the Treasury Department has imposed sanctions against more than 40 companies and individuals with alleged links to Hamass financial networks and foreign investments. Since Oct. 7, U.S. officials have also met with business executives to encourage tougher measures to prevent Hamas from using American banking networks and credit-card and payment services companies. The campaign to starve Hamas financially has been so aggressive that, in recent weeks, the Biden administration has taken steps to ensure that legitimate relief organizations can continue to access money to do work in Gaza, the official said.

We are trying to be proscriptive in going after illegal charities while letting legitimate ones bring in aid, the Treasury official said.

Yet, as current and former officials acknowledge, Hamas has found clever ways to get at some of the cash its supporters raise abroad. These include a mix of modern tactics and other methods that date back to the late Middle Ages.

Hamas is an experienced user of cryptocurrency and has frequently accepted transfers of digital funds - usually bitcoin - from overseas accounts to virtual wallets controlled by the group. Treasury records since 2020 identify more than 300 transactions involving transfers of cryptocurrency to Hamas accounts for potential terrorist financing purposes.

Such transactions typically involve relatively modest sums, current and former officials said. Treasury counterterrorism investigators, in a probe spanning several years, tracked a number of small transfers involving a single Gaza-based business called Buy Cash, a company offering virtual currency exchange and money transfer services to Palestinians. Some of the money that landed in the Buy Cash virtual wallet appears to have been gifts or loans to Hamas from individuals with links to other terrorist groups, Treasury officials said. For example, a transfer of $2,000 in 2019 was initiated by a known al-Qaida affiliate in Turkey. Another transfer in 2017 involved an account previously linked to the Islamic State, the officials said. Treasury officials imposed sanctions on Buy Cash on Oct. 18. Efforts to reach the business by email for comment were not successful.

Larger sums intended for Hamas are moved through currency exchanges in Lebanon, Syria and Turkey, as well through the Hawala system, an informal banking network native to South Asia and the Middle East, current and former officials say. Hawalas generally charge only small transaction fees - some Muslims view interest payments as haram, or forbidden - and they rely on a kind of Islamic honor code to transfer large sums of money, including between parties separated by great distances and international boundaries. The transactions are all but invisible to traditional banking systems as well as law enforcement agencies.

Since the 2000s, the exchange networks remain among the biggest obstacles to stemming the flow of donated money to terrorist groups, said Levitt, the former Treasury counterterrorism official. Hamas, like al-Qaida, has become particularly adept at using the system, and thus concealing much of its fundraising activity from the outside world.

There are lots of ways, Levitt said, but for the big money, this is how it gets in.

As an indication of the networks importance, the Israeli government promoted with great fanfare recent successful operations to kill two Hamas officials with deep ties to the groups fundraising efforts, including informal exchanges. One was Hamas financier Subhi Ferwana, an official linked to Hamass currency exchange network who was killed, along with an unknown number of civilians, in an Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza in mid-December. Another was Saleh Arouri, the deputy Hamas chief killed in an Israeli strike on a Beirut suburb last week.

Arouri was described by Israeli officials as a principal planner of the Oct. 7 attacks. He had also been under U.S. sanctions since 2015 as a key financier and financial facilitator for the groups military cells.
Smoke rises from buildings after Israeli airstrikes in Rafah, on Dec. 14, 2023. (Abed Rahim Khatib/DPA/Abaca Press/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  Three months of war between Israel and Hamas have sharply split Californians, with stark divisions between the states older and younger voters, a new statewide poll finds.

Voters younger than 30 are far more likely to sympathize with Palestinians more than with Israelis, while those older than 65 side with Israel, according to the new poll by UC Berkeleys Institute of Governmental Studies, co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times.

By 55%-18%, voters younger than 30 say Israel should agree to a cease-fire even if that would mean Hamas remains a force in Gaza.

Among voters older than 65, opinion is almost the reverse: By 52%-32%, those voters believe Israel should keep fighting until Hamas is no longer viable. Twenty-seven percent of the youngest voters and 16% of those over 65 had no opinion, the poll found.

The survey finds similarly sharp divisions along ideological lines, with the states most liberal voters overwhelmingly saying Israel is using too much military force in the war, while conservative voters say that the use of force has been about right or too little.

Jen Julian, a 26-year-old progressive voter who lives in Los Angeles, is among those who feel the war has been too costly. The death toll among Palestinians which health authorities in Gaza say is more than 23,000  was too much of a human cost, she said in an interview.

Israel launched its air strikes and a ground invasion of Gaza after Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing at least 1,200 people and taking more than 240 hostages.

I understand Israel was attacked and felt it needed to respond to that, but this is way too much for way too long, she said.

Joey Johnson, a 68-year-old conservative from Redding, took a different view.

This is like Israels 9/11, Johnson said. If America was attacked the way Israel was by terrorists, we also would want to do everything we could to stop it from ever happening again. But of course it is tragic that innocent people are dying in Gaza.

Two-state solution still dominant

While views are divided sharply about the current war, the poll shows greater agreement among California voters on the future of the conflict.

Separate, independent Israeli and Palestinian states dividing the land remains the most favored option for all but the most conservative voters.

That so-called two-state solution has been official U.S. policy for decades and at various points in the past, at least nominally accepted as a goal by the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority, which has limited governing power in the West Bank.

An independent Palestinian state is opposed, however, by right-wing Israelis, who have strong sway in the current government, headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Meantime, Hamas and other radical Palestinian groups reject Israels continued existence.

Among California voters, the two-state solution is backed by a large majority of those who have an opinion  47% prefer two states, while 25% have no opinion and the rest divide among other options.

Two states is what Rabbi Jonathan Klein hopes for.

As the leader of Temple Beth El in Bakersfield and a self-described lifelong liberal Zionist, Klein, 55, said he has kept a close watch on news out of Israel and Gaza.

My community is pretty universally supportive of Israels efforts to combat what they see as an existential threat, Klein said.

But I recognize that just because Jews have a historic tie to the area doesnt mean that other people dont. Do I think co-existence is possible? I hope it is, but I do not know at this point.

The poll finds significantly less support for an option espoused by some on the left  a unified bi-national state. One in eight voters said they would like to see a single state that would be neither Jewish nor Palestinian. Support for that comes mainly from the left, with just under 1 in 5 of the states liberals backing it.

Theres very little support for Hamas goal of an Arab state that would control all the territory between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. While that idea has been backed by demonstrators at some recent protests, just 3% of the states voters support it. Support rises to 7% among those under 30 and 8% of those who identify as strongly liberal.

Israel is an illegitimate state, said Reza Nekumanesh, a 47-year-old Iranian American who lives in Fresno. I dont believe that means any particular group of people does not have the right to live and exist there in peace and equity and justice, Nekumanesh said. But I dont believe any state should be founded and centered upon an ethnic or religious identity.

At the other end of the ideological spectrum, 11% of the states voters back a single Israeli state controlling all the territory  the goal of the Israeli right.

Netanyahu and his allies have strong backing within Republican ranks, however, and support for Israeli control over the entire region rises to 31% among the states Republican voters and 43% of those who identify as strongly conservative.

Divided Sympathies

The poll finds 30% of California voters saying they sympathize more with Israelis than Palestinians in the current conflict and a similar share, 28%, sympathizing with both sides equally.

Mordecai Miller, a 74-year-old resident of Redwood City, said he felt pain for both sides, but felt closer to the plight of Israelis after Oct. 7.

None of this war would have happened if Hamas had not intentionally attacked Israel and desired to eradicate it, said Miller. Israel has been forced to retaliate.

A slightly smaller share, 24%, say they sympathize more with the Palestinians.

That includes Rami Sultan, a Palestinian American in Santa Clara who has family in Gaza.

The 41-year-old tech worker said he was incensed by what he described as genocide.

This isnt a war on Hamas at all. This is a clear war against the Palestinian people, said Sultan.

Sympathies vary dramatically by age and ideology.

Among voters younger than 30, for example, 44% say they sympathize more with the Palestinians, while just 14% say they sympathize more with the Israelis and 21% with both equally.

Among those 65 and older, 46% sympathize more with the Israelis, 13% with the Palestinians and 32% with both equally.

Biden caught in middle

Divided opinion over the war has left President Biden vulnerable to criticism from both left and right.

Overall, 55% of the states voters disapprove of Bidens response, while 33% approve.

But 64% of voters who describe themselves as strongly liberal disapprove of Bidens response to the conflict, as do 67% of those who identify as strongly conservative.

The sharp division by age is a major factor, with 69% of voters younger than 30 and 65% of those 30-39 disapproving of how Biden has handled the conflict.

Melissa Brown, a 40-year-old conservative voter in San Diego, said Biden was very strong on Israel at first, as he should have been.

He still is strong, but you can see him caving to the pressure from the left, sending messages that Israel needs to tone down its self-defense, she said. I disagree.

Concern over antisemitism, Islamophobia

Despite their differences over the war and the underlying Israeli-Palestinian conflict, large majorities of California voters across party lines share a concern about a rise in anti-Jewish or anti-Arab violence or hate incidents.

Asked about antisemitic incidents, 80% of California voters say theyre concerned about them, 12% were not concerned. Similarly, 75% said they were concerned about anti-Arab or anti-Muslim incidents, compared with 17% who were not concerned.

The poll found very little division along ideological or party lines in concern about antisemitism, but a noticeable partisan difference over anti-Muslim incidents.

Among Democrats, the share who expressed concern about antisemitism and anti-Muslim hate were about equal. Among Republicans, 81% said they were concerned about antisemitism, while 13% were not. But 60% were concerned about anti-Muslim hate, compared to 31% who were not.

The Berkeley IGS pol l surveyed 8,199 California registered voters. It was conducted online in English and Spanish on Jan. 4-8. The results were weighted to match census and voter registration benchmarks, so estimates of the margin of error may be imprecise; however, the results have an estimated margin of error of 1.5 percentage points in either direction.

2024 Los Angeles Times.

Visit at latimes.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A video screen grab shows Hunter Biden, right, and his lawyer Abbe Lowell answering questions while at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024. (C-Span)

As House Republicans announced plans to hold a floor vote on the resolutions recommending Hunter Biden be held in criminal contempt of Congress, a lawyer for President Bidens son questioned the validity of the subpoenas issued by the House Oversight and Judiciary committees and said his client would appear for a deposition or hearing if a new subpoena is issued.

In a letter sent to House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and Oversight Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., on Friday, attorney Abbe Lowell argued that on the basis of a 2020 legal opinion issued by then-Attorney General William P. Barr, the subpoenas issued to Hunter Biden on Nov. 8 and 9, 2023, are invalid, as they were issued before the authorization of an impeachment inquiry against President Biden by a full House vote that followed in December.

Lowell went on to write that if lawmakers issue a new proper subpoena, now that there is a duly authorized impeachment inquiry, Mr. Biden will comply for a hearing or deposition, according to the letter provided to The Washington Post.

The offer proposed by Lowell, according to a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak candidly, is in line with the proposal discussed earlier this week by lawmakers during a House Judiciary hearing, in which Hunter Biden would appear for a public hearing under the rules of a deposition.

Republican lawmakers on the Judiciary Committee rejected the concession and ultimately advanced the contempt resolution for violating a subpoena seeking his closed-door testimony. GOP lawmakers on the Oversight Committee followed suit, voting along party lines after a contentious session where Hunter Biden made a surprise appearance - essentially daring lawmakers to invite him to publicly testify on the spot.

It remains unclear whether House Republicans have the votes to adopt the contempt measure next week, and refer it to the Justice Department, where the U.S. attorneys office would then determine whether to pursue the charges against the presidents son. Some GOP members have privately expressed concern about supporting the contempt resolution in light of Hunter Bidens repeated offers to testify publicly.

Lowell, who accompanied the presidents son to the hearing Wednesday along with his friend and benefactor Kevin Morris, told reporters after leaving the room partway through the hearing that his client was only willing to testify in a public setting due to concerns that Republicans would selectively leak his private remarks.

Hunter Biden was and is a private citizen, Lowell said on Wednesday. Despite this, Republicans have sought to use him as a surrogate to attack his father. And, despite their improper partisan motives, on six different occasions since February of 2023, we have offered to work with the House committees to see what and how relevant information to any legitimate inquiry could be provided.

Lowells offer to Comer and Jordan is the latest move deployed by his legal team as part of a more aggressive and offensive strategy to defend his father against so-far unsubstantiated allegations that Biden was directly involved with his sons foreign business dealings.

Hunter Bidens appearance on Capitol Hill this week was his second since December, when he defied a summons for a closed-door deposition. He delivered impassioned remarks not far from the steps of the Senate, taking accountability for his mistakes and stating clearly that his father had no financial involvement with his business.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin testifies March 23, 2023, before the House Appropriations Committee at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C. (Alexander Kubitza/U.S. Navy)

WASHINGTON  Lawmakers in the House are seeking to amend federal law to prevent the delays and lack of transparency that left top U.S. officials unaware of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austins recent hospitalization for days.

A bill introduced this week by Reps. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., and Don Davis, D-N.C., both members of the House Armed Services Committee, would require all members of the National Security Council to provide notification within 24 hours of any planned or emergency medical incapacitation.

The council assists the president with national security and foreign policy decisions and includes the defense secretary as a member.

At a time when our nation is facing threats around the world, we cannot afford for those who are critical to Americas national security to disappear without explanation and a clear delegation of their consequential responsibilities, said Kiggans, a former Navy helicopter pilot.

Agencies that fail to notify the presidents office, the nations comptroller general and both chambers of Congress would be required to submit a comprehensive report explaining the notification failure within 30 days, according to the bill.

The proposed bill would serve as an amendment to the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, which establishes requirements for temporarily filling vacant positions in top government posts.

The newly introduced legislation is the latest congressional response to the Pentagons mishandling of Austins ongoing hospitalization at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., for complications from prostate cancer surgery.

The White House was not told of Austins early December diagnosis or his late December surgery, which required him to go under general anesthesia, until this week. Austins hospitalization on Jan. 1 was not disclosed to top Pentagon officials, the White House, lawmakers or the public for several days.

Congress must require National Security Council agencies to provide a notice of the incapacitation of its agency head within 24 hours, said Davis, an Air Force veteran. We owe this to the American people.

Seven other lawmakers, all of them Republicans, are also cosponsoring the bill.

The legislation follows other efforts by Republicans and Democrats to hold the Pentagon accountable for communication lapses. The House Armed Services Committee has launched an official inquiry into what went wrong in Austins case while its Senate counterpart delivered a letter on Thursday urging the Pentagon to review its notification procedures.

Austin continues to retain the support of President Joe Biden despite calls from about a dozen lawmakers, including one Democrat, for him to resign over the incident.

shkolnikova.svetlana@stripes.com

Twitter: @svetashko
Former President Donald Trump and aide Navy veteran Walt Nauta arrive at the Waldorf Astoria hotel. Nauta is charged with Donald Trump in the classified documents case in Florida. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)

As former president Donald Trump prepares for somewhere between one and four criminal trials this year, the only thing certain about his court schedule is the profound uncertainty that hangs over all of it.

The diffuse nature of the U.S. court system, the uncharted legal territory of the cases against the former president and the roiling political debates around Trumps 2024 presidential campaign all add to the lack of clarity.

Legal experts caution that the actions that will determine precisely when Trump goes on trial have yet to happen. Judges in four different parts of the country - two federal, two state - often seem to be waiting for others to make key decisions, while Trumps lawyers have launched a flurry of appeals that could delay legal proceedings. Federal prosecutors, in turn, have stressed urgency without explaining a specific reason for speed.

Its not like theres one court system that can direct the sequence; there are four different jurisdictions operating independently, said Lisa Caldwell, former head of the Justice Departments criminal division. And the closer you get to the election, the bigger a challenge it is, because it becomes not just trying your case in court, but also becoming part of the campaign story.

Whats clear is that primary voting will start before any of the criminal trials. The Iowa caucuses are Monday, and the New Hampshire primary is a week later, with Trump as the Republican front-runner. Super Tuesday, the largest single day of primaries and the day that often reveals who the major party nominees will be, is March 5. That is a day after the scheduled opening date of Trumps first criminal trial, in Washington, D.C., but that trial may be delayed by ongoing appeals.

The March 4 case involves federal charges of 2020 election obstruction conspiracy. Trump also faces federal charges in Florida of mishandling classified documents, state charges in New York related to 2016 hush money payments, and state charges in Georgia of trying to obstruct the 2020 election results there.

Theres no way to predict all the moving pieces that is the Trump legal saga, former federal prosecutor Jim Walden said. In the history of mob prosecutions, I dont think we ever saw an organized crime boss with four active criminal cases at the same time, and in Trumps situation, its not just a matter of four cases and four judges.

He described Trump as a completely unpredictable defendant who is not motivated necessarily by vindication now as much as creating chaos so that he can eventually try to pardon himself if hes lucky enough to eventually win the political contest.

A judicial game of chicken

Multiple appellate courts are weighing pieces of the Trump prosecutions in ways that could drastically alter their courses.

Special counsel Jack Smith. (Tom Brenner for The Washington Post)

People close to the former president, speaking on the condition of anonymity to describe private discussions, say his legal strategy is focused on the two federal cases brought by special counsel Jack Smith. And the central target of the Trump strategy on those two cases is to delay them until after the election, these people said.

The dynamic is a tricky one, the Trump advisers say. They want to push the trials back as far as they can - preferably to after the election - but they also do not want a September or October court date, particularly in the D.C. election-obstruction case. While Trump has viewed going to court as a political benefit and a fundraising mechanism in the GOP primaries, some of his political and legal advisers fear the cases, and the damaging disclosures they are likely to bring, would be an albatross in a general election.

Trumps team has spent months plotting how to combine the political calendar and the potential legal one. You try to control what you can control, but with the courts, some of it is out of your hands, one of Trumps advisers said.

A Trump spokesman did not respond to requests for comment.

The U.S. Court of Appeals in D.C. heard arguments Tuesday on whether the charges should be dismissed because of presidential immunity or double jeopardy claims. While that panel has sent signals it intends to move quickly, the pretrial schedule is frozen until the appeal is resolved.

Those questions have never been directly addressed by the Supreme Court, which will probably have to decide the matter before Trump can be tried. Even assuming the high court allows the case to proceed, those deliberations could set the trial back months.

The second federal case, in Florida on charges of mishandling national security documents and obstructing government efforts to retrieve them, is slated to begin in late May. But U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon has set pretrial deadlines that make some lawyers skeptical the case will stay on schedule, particularly given the complex rules of classified evidence and Cannons relative lack of experience.

Any judge applying any procedure is going to do it more efficiently the second time than the first time, said David Aaron, a former federal prosecutor. The law for how to handle classified evidence is so nuanced and such a niche part of the law that a judge may want to take her time doing it, he said.

At a hearing last year in which Cannon expressed skepticism about the special counsels timeline for the trial, prosecutor Jay Bratt conceded: We dont know what is going to happen in this case. We dont know what is going to happen in the D.C. case. . . . That trial date could disappear. We understand that.

Like cars at a four-way stop sign, most of the judges overseeing Trumps cases seem to be seeking cues from the others to know when to proceed with their own cases.

In court hearings in the Georgia state case, Judge Scott F. McAfee has signaled he is looking for a clear opening in Trumps federal court calendar before picking a date for a sprawling trial with more than a dozen defendants that prosecutors say they expect will last four months. Trump filed an immunity-based appeal in that case last week.

All of which leaves a potential window for what many lawyers view as the least significant of the Trump criminal cases - the New York fraud charges surrounding 2016 hush money - to go to trial first.

The indictment was the first one brought against Trump, in March of last year, and New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan has set March 25 as the opening day for a trial.

But he has done little with the case over the last nine months. Merchan has scheduled a hearing in February that could reveal whether he plans to keep the trial date in late March - a decision that may well depend on the status of the appeal in Trumps D.C. case.

Prosecutorial discretion

Walden, the former federal prosecutor, worries that the potential for confusion and delay surrounding the Trump trials could wreck whats left of the publics view of the legitimacy of our law enforcement institutions and our courts, because in this whole saga, everyones got a political stake in either ensuring Donald Trump is vindicated or convicted.

Justice Department policy has long held that within a few months of an election, the department should not take overt steps that could be seen as trying to affect the outcome of the election. But that policy is not absolute and is meant primarily for indictments, searches and subpoenas - not a trial schedule imposed by a judge.

During the 2016 election, FBI officials were determined to reach a decision before the Democratic nominating convention on whether charges should be filed in the investigation of classified information found on a private email server used by presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Those same FBI officials, however, decided 11 days before the general election to publicly reveal they had reopened the case.

While Trumps legal team has made no secret of its desire to push the trials until after the election, the special counsel has argued for urgency in the two federal cases, without explicitly saying why.

In court filings, federal prosecutors have cited the exceptional national importance of a quick trial when it comes to Trumps charges - but have not mentioned the presidential nominating contests or the general election on Nov. 5.

Legal experts say prosecutors reticence to mention the election or the politics intertwined in Trumps cases is to be expected. Justice Department officials do not want to appear to be interfering in an election - but theres also a public interest in knowing whether Trump is guilty or innocent before voters head to the polls, lawyers said.

The unique situation that the Justice Department is in is an unprecedented one that no one ever expected. So there are no precise rules or traditions that cover this scenario, said Aaron, the former federal prosecutor. They are between a rock and a hard place on this.

Dan Schwager, a former federal prosecutor who handled public corruption cases, pushed back against the claim frequently made by Trump and his lawyers - that the criminal prosecutions amount to election interference. The government frequently indicts politicians, he said, and the fact that Trump has been charged does not mean prosecutors are interfering in an election.

Still, even while handling political cases, prosecutors have a responsibility to ensure that their work does not stoke divisions unnecessarily.

In the Trump case, Schwager said, the public - and Trump himself - dissect every filing and court hearing. The former president and his allies often misconstrue what happened and make routine court proceedings seem politically explosive. In that context, Schwager said, it makes sense that prosecutors would be extra careful to avoid mentioning politics in proceedings.

In part, it is because of how much spin and lies and hypocrisy are disseminated by Trump and his supporters, said Schwager, who as a lawyer in private practice has also defended public officials accused of wrongdoing. What prosecutors try to do is stay away from inflaming public passions - I think Jack Smith has done an incredibly good job of staying away from that while speaking in court in forceful, but tame, ways.

None of the 2024 election milestones - the primaries, the conventions or 90 days before the general election - are likely to serve as stop signs for a criminal trial, according to current and former law enforcement officials.

But as each of those milestones is reached, the risk and difficulty of conducting a trial increases, the current and former officials said. And its unclear how those concerns might weigh on the individual judges who are overseeing the cases.
Former federal minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shafqat Mahmood has announced to withdraw from the general election scheduled for February 8.

In a tweet on the social networking website X (Twitter) he said that he had submitted nomination papers from the National Assembly constituency NA-128 and the provincial assembly constituency PP-170 in Lahore, but now I have decided to withdraw from the election.

Shafqat Mahmood clarified that he is not a candidate from any constituency and prayed that Allah be the helper and supporter of us all.

On the other hand, the PTI announced the candidates for the provincial and national assembly seats from Khyber district.

Iqbal Afridi was given the party ticket from the National Assembly (NA-27) seat from the Khyber district, while Allama Adnan Qadri will be the partys candidate from the provincial assembly seat (PK-69).

Sohail Afridi and Abdul Ghani Afridi were given the party tickets from PK-70 and PK-71 respectively.

Meanwhile, talking to the media outside the Supreme Court, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar said that we want the elections to take place at all costs. We have no quarrel with anyone, we hope that the Supreme Court will ensure the holding of the elections on time.

Barrister Gohar said that from now on, any statement from the PTI founder (Imran Khan) will come through me. He said that this time ideological workers and leaders will get tickets.
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Analysts on Friday expected the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone to boost property demand in the southern Malaysian state of Johor.

Affin Hwang Investment Bank said in a note that it believes the economic zone will rejuvenate interest in the Johor property market, especially for industrial and data center development projects.

With the proposed passport QR code clearance system and the improvement in the railway public transport link between the two countries, the research house believes this will encourage the purchase of Johor property by Singaporeans in the long run, given the relatively cheap Johor property prices compared to Singapore.

Meanwhile, Maybank Investment Bank said in a note that it is positive on the economic zone, which is expected to create more job opportunities through investments from/via Singapore.

According to the research house, this will help drive demand for both residential and commercial properties, with the higher population requiring housing.

CGS CIMB said that the economic zone will positively complement the ongoing construction of the Rapid Transit System (RTS) project between Johor Bahru and Singapore, by means of facilitating more seamless connectivity and expediting clearance of people at land checkpoints.

RHB Investment Bank said in a note that it is upbeat on initiatives outlined in the economic zone as they will spur growth in Johor.

According to the research house, a few initiatives were mentioned including a one-stop center to facilitate business applications and approvals for licenses, implementation of a passport free QR code clearance system at both sides for clearance of people at land checkpoints, and the adoption of digitized processes for cargo clearance at land checkpoints.

In RHB's view, these are important steps to attract local and multinational corporations in Singapore to expand to Johor.

Malaysia and Singapore on Thursday agreed to jointly develop a special economic zone in Johor, aiming to strengthen economic connectivity between the two regions. 
The victim, who did not have to attend the hearing, suffered a punctured lung and bleeding into his chest cavity, and was hospitalised for 11 days

A teenage boy who stabbed a youth in the back and punctured his lung during a street brawl in Dublin has been remanded on bail pending sentence.

The 16-year-old, who cannot be identified because he is a minor, pleaded guilty at the Dublin Children's Court to assault causing harm and producing a weapon during an offence.

Detective Cathal Fitzpatrick told Judge Paul Kelly that the incident happened in north Co. Dublin on August 15, 2022, after another teenage boy left a train station followed by a group of three or four youths.

The boy rang the injured party because he feared they would rob him of his Canada Goose coat.

His friend, the victim, arrived and "a large fight broke out.

The victim was 16, and the attacker was 15 at the time.

The accused was "the main aggressor", throwing punches and kicks.

Detective Garda Fitzpatrick said that the injured party picked up a pipe to defend himself.

At this point, the accused pulled out a knife from his trousers and "took a wild swing at the injured party" and then "stabbed him in the back as he was falling to the ground".

The victim, who did not have to attend the hearing, suffered a punctured lung and bleeding into his chest cavity, and he was hospitalised for 11 days.

The court heard he had made a full recovery but was left with a small scar.

Judge Kelly noted the attacker, accompanied to court by his mother, co-operated fully with the investigation and made full admissions. The teen did not address the court.

Detective Garda Fitzpatrick played CCTV footage of the incident during the hearing.

He agreed with defence solicitor Brian Keenan that his client had no prior convictions.
Mr Ward and Mr ODriscoll, both from Finglas, were arrested yesterday and detained at Finglas garda station before being brought to court today

TWO brothers have been accused of firearms offences following the seizure of guns and ammunition by gardai in north Dublin two years ago.

Glen Ward (30) and Eric ODriscoll (22) appeared in Dublin District Court this evening charged with possession of guns and recklessly discharging firearms.

Judge Michele Finan remanded them in custody after no bail applications were made on their behalf. The court heard there would be bail applications next week.

Mr Ward and Mr ODriscoll, both from Finglas, were arrested yesterday and detained at Finglas garda station before being brought to court today.

Mr Ward is charged with possession of an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, as well as reckless discharge of a firearm at an address at Ratoath Drive, Finglas on or about January 1, 2022.

Mr ODriscoll is charged with reckless discharge of a firearm at the same address on the same date.

He is also charged with possession of an AR-15, as well as an Ingram sub-machine gun and ammunition at another address at Ratoath Drive on February 10, 2022.

Garda Dwayne OBrien said he arrested Mr Ward at Finglas garda station for the purpose of charging him at 2.24pm.

He said Mr Ward was cautioned in the usual manner, made no reply after caution and was handed copies of the charge sheets.

Garda Shane Gallagher gave evidence of Mr O'Driscoll's arrest, charge and caution at the same garda station at 3.45pm. Mr O'Driscoll also made no reply to his charges, he said.

The court heard there would be objections to bail but defence solicitor Niall OConnor said he was making no bail application today.

Applications would be made for both accused at their next court appearance next week, Mr O'Connor said.

The judge granted a defence request for the accused to be remanded to a particular prison due to genuine safety concerns for the accused "of which the prosecution are aware.

Judge Finan also said the date, prison and court venues stated in court should not be reported in the media.

Legal aid applications were deferred.

Mr Ward, dressed in a grey and black tracksuit stood with his arms folded during proceedings. Mr ODriscoll, whose hearing took place after Mr Ward's, was dressed in a blue Under Armour tracksuit and remained seated in the dock for his case. Neither accused was required to address the court during the hearings and they have not yet indicated how they intend to plead to the charges.
A Garda witness said absolutely not when asked if there was no objection to bail

A DUBLIN man charged with directing a crime group in Ireland and outside the State will move a bail application next week, a court has heard.

David Callaghan, 27, of Harelawn Park, Clondalkin, was arrested at a different address in west Dublin on Wednesday morning following an investigation by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.

He was charged under section 71A of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 for directing the activities of a criminal organisation in and outside the State from April 2021 to February 2022.

He was remanded in custody because the District Court did not have jurisdiction to consider bail due to the nature of the charge. He faced his second hearing today at Cloverhill District Court when defence solicitor Wayne Kenny complained that prosecutors have not yet completed a book of evidence for his clients trial.

He submitted that a four-week adjournment seemed unnecessary, adding that his client had been in the country for the past two years.

He told Judge Alan Mitchell that his client remains in custody but will bring a High Court bail application on Tuesday.

A garda witness said absolutely not when asked if there was no objection to bail.

Judge Mitchell remanded Mr Callaghan in custody to appear again in two weeks and remarked that it behoves the State to get the book of evidence sooner rather than later.

Mr Callaghan has yet to enter a plea.

Detective Garda Gavin Curran said earlier that the accused made no reply to the charge after caution.

Detective Garda Curran also said there would be an application under the Bail Act section with the cited section requiring the accused to provide a full statement with personal information, including income and property ownership.

The GNDOCB officer had put the defence on notice so they could liaise with the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Ironically, the brief mention of the case against Conway today comes on the anniversary of the gangland shooting and murder of Shane Whitla.

The case against alleged killer Kevin Conway, who was himself gunned down this week, is to be formally withdrawn by the PPS.

Lawyers for 26-year-old Conway were due to apply for a bail variation at Craigavon Magistrates today but instead, defence solicitor Patrick Madden confirmed that he was tragically murdered earlier this week.

Mr Madden suggested adjourning the case for a week before the murder against Conway can be formally withdrawn and the PPS lawyer agreed, adding that there are formal steps that need to be taken such as filing a death certificate.

Lurgan man Conway, from Deeny walk, had been on bail for almost a year accused of the murder of Shane Whitla when he was gunned down at his west Belfast bail address on Tuesday evening.

Appealing for information, Detective Inspector Gina Quinn said: Kevin  who was a father, a son and a brother  was brutally murdered in his own home. He was shot multiple times and, sadly, was pronounced dead at the scene. My thoughts are with Kevins family and loved ones, who are today left trying to come to terms with their loss. And I know the wider community remains in shock.

This was a horrific, calculated and ruthless murder, carried out in a busy residential area. Such cold-blooded brutality has absolutely no place in our society.

Shane Whitla

Our investigation is at an early stage, and I am appealing to anyone who was in the Greenan area yesterday evening, from 4pm onwards and who noticed anything suspicious, to contact us. Im especially keen to hear from anyone who may have CCTV or dash cam footage.

I understand that people are feeling afraid, but we can all agree those responsible for this shocking murder have no place in our society. The streets will be safer when they are behind bars. If you have any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, please contact us. Im appealing directly to local people to have the confidence to tell us anything they know. Kevins family deserve justice.

Ironically, the brief mention of the case against Conway today comes on the anniversary of the gangland shooting and murder of Shane Whitla.

Two other men, Joshua Cotter (29), from Madrid Street in Belfast and Jake OBrien, from Church Walk in Lurgan, are still charged with murder and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.

According to the police case there is a working hypothesis the trio of alleged killers are active members of an organised crime gang known as The Firm and that the shooting of Mr Whitla was as a result of a drugs feud over a debt.

Detectives have claimed that Conway called Mr Whitla four times on 12 January and it was those calls which caused the 39-year-old father-of-four to go to an alleyway off Woodville Street where he was shot, allegedly by Cotter and OBrien.

While the police believe they can link Conway to a mobile which was in contact with Mr Whitla before the murder and with OBrien both before and after the killing, detectives further claim CCTV evidence place OBrien and Cotter close to the scene.

The court has also heard however that a central pillar of the prosecution case against OBrien is unsustainable in that according to forensic findings, cartridge discharge residue found on clothing and items attributable to OBrien are very unlikelyto have originated from cartridges found near the deceased.

In court today, District Judge Francis Rafferty adjourned the case against Conway to next Friday.
In a victim impact statement handed in to the court, the prison officer said the assault left him in excruciating pain

A prisoner who head butted an officer in Mountjoy Prison, leaving him with bulging spinal discs and afraid to return to work, has been sentenced to two years and nine months imprisonment.

Bernard Corrigan (39), currently serving a sentence in Mountjoy Prison, appeared before Judge Orla Crowe in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today, having pleaded guilty to assault causing harm of a prison officer in Mountjoy Prison on December 27, 2021.

An investigating garda told Aideen Collard BL, prosecuting, that the prison officer had been called to a floor of the prison where a prisoner was banging on a door. Corrigan was standing nearby.

After dealing with the prisoner, he heard someone say something to him. He turned around and asked what had been said when all of a sudden Corrigan attacked him.

Corrigan head butted him and punched him numerous times. The assault was recorded on CCTV.

The prison officer suffered injuries and soreness to his left arm, torso and neck. Two discs in his spine were bruised and sore and an MRI revealed they were bulging.

In a victim impact statement handed in to the court, the prison officer said the assault left him in excruciating pain and that he wasn't able to work for six months after the incident.

He wrote: I was not sure if I'd ever return to work with the fear of being assaulted again.

"The longer I was off the greater the fear of something similar happening.

It has impacted my life in more ways than I thought, he wrote, and said that the assault left him and his family with a big financial cost.

Karl Monahan BL, defending, said the injured party made a full recovery and that Corrigan wishes to communicate an apology to him.

He said his client was going through a dark time at that particular time and that he felt he was being heckled for something he hadn't said.

Mr Monahan told the court his client has been effectively homeless from an early age and has been using heroin since the age of 15 or 16.

He said aside from this incident, he was always respectful of staff and that there was nothing that would indicate a violent disposition in his history.

Corrigan has 147 previous convictions. These were for burglary, theft, handling stolen property, possession of stolen property, failure to appear, road traffic offences and public order offences.

Sentencing Corrigan, Judge Crowe described the attack as utterly unprovoked and reprehensible.

She said the aggravating factors included that it was an unprovoked attack on a prison officer in a prison as well as the amount of Corrigan's previous convictions.

Mitigating factors included that Corrigan pleaded guilty, that the prison officer made a full recovery and that Corrigan made an apology, she said.

Judge Crowe sentenced him to two years and nine months imprisonment. This sentence was backdated to when Corrigan entered his guilty plea on October 25, 2023 and will run concurrently to the sentence he is already serving.

Corrigan's earliest release date is March 2, 2027, the court heard.
Mr Kirwan (62) was shot six times as he sat in his car on December 22, 2016 at St Ronan's Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.

A senior member of the Kinahan cartel, Declan 'Mr Nobody' Brady, has pleaded guilty to facilitating a criminal organisation in the murder of Noel 'Duck Egg' Kirwan, an innocent man who had no involvement in crime.

At a sitting of the Special Criminal Court today (FRI) Brady, who is in custody for other offences, pleaded guilty to the single charge against him. He will appear before the court again on Wednesday next week when a date will be set for his sentencing hearing.

Brady's co-accused, Michael Crotty, was due to go on trial today but his case was adjourned to Monday morning to allow Mr Crotty to consult with his lawyers.

Brady (56) was charged that between October 20, 2016 and December 22, 2016, within the State and with knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation did participate in, or contribute by activity, or by being reckless as to whether such participation or contribution could facilitate the commission by a criminal organisation or any of its members of a serious offence: to wit the murder of Christopher (aka Noel) Kirwan, contrary to Section 72 of the Criminal justice Act.

Noel Kirwan and Gerry The Monk Hutch

Brady replied "guilty" to the charge. Evidence relating to Brady's involvement in the murder will be heard at a sentencing hearing but a date has not yet been set.

Brady, of Wolstan Abbey, Celbridge, Co Kildare pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court in July 2019 to supervising a firearms arsenal including an assault rifle and thousands of rounds of ammunition that had been stashed in a Dublin business park. He was sentenced to 11.5 years in prison with the final year suspended for that offence.

While in prison in 2021 Brady pleaded guilty to laundering more than 400,000 in crime cash through multiple bank accounts in 2017.

Mr Crotty (40) of Sli Aonghusa, Aras na Ri, Cashel, Co Tipperary is also charged with facilitating Mr Kirwan's murder and has not yet been asked to enter a plea.

Mr Kirwan (62) was shot six times as he sat in his car on December 22, 2016 at St Ronan's Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.

During a hearing relating to a different person involved in the murder, the Special Criminal Court said it was "disturbing" that Mr Kirwan had apparently been shot for no reason other than that pictures of him had appeared in the media in the company of a man believed by members of the Kinahan cartel to have been involved in the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel in 2016.
Ryan Kelly also pleaded guilty to having in his possession five rounds of .38 special calibre ammunition

A second man has pleaded guilty before the Special Criminal Court to having a revolver in his possession in the capital in 2021.

At the non-jury court yesterday, Ryan Kelly (24) of Captains Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12, pleaded guilty to possessing a .38 special calibre Smith & Wesson revolver in such circumstances as to give rise to a reasonable inference that he did not have it in his possession for a lawful purpose at Captains Road on November 23, 2021.

Kelly also pleaded guilty to having in his possession five rounds of .38 special calibre ammunition in such circumstances as to give rise to a reasonable inference that he had not got it in his possession for a lawful purpose on the same occasion.

At a brief hearing yesterday, Kelly spoke only to answer "guilty" to the two charges when they were read to him by the court registrar.

Kelly is further charged that he did on the same date, within the State, with knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation, participate in, or contribute to, activity intending to, or being reckless as to whether such participation or contribution could, facilitate the commission of a serious offence by that criminal organisation or any of its members.

Anne Marie Lawlor SC, prosecuting, said that a nolle prosequi - a decision not to proceed with the prosecution - will be entered by the State regarding the final charge when Kelly appears for his sentencing in April.

Brendan Grehan SC, for Kelly, said his client had been fully compliant with his bail conditions ahead of a trial that had been listed to last up to four weeks.

Presiding judge Ms Justice Caroline Biggs extended Kellys bail conditions to April 8 when he and his co-accused will appear before the three-judge court for a sentence hearing.

Last December, co-accused Anthony Walker (53), with an address at Marrowbone Lane, Dublin 8, also appeared before the Special Criminal Court pleading guilty to a similar offence.

Walker admitted to having in his possession a firearm, to wit: a .38 special calibre Smith & Wesson revolver at Tallaght Road, Templeogue, Dublin 6, also on November 23, 2021.

A charge against Walker of having in his possession ammunition, to wit: five rounds of .38 special calibre ammunition on the same occasion, remains live.

Walker is similarly charged that he did on the same date within the State, with knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation, participate in, or contribute to, activity intending to, or being reckless as to whether such participation or contribution could, facilitate the commission of a serious offence by that criminal organisation or any of its members.

On that occasion, Ms Lawlor told the three-judge court that a further plea on count two - possession of ammunition - will be required from Walker on April 8.
Liu Chun, vice president of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products, speaks to Xinhua in an exclusive interview during the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the United States, Jan. 9, 2024. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua)

LAS VEGAS, United States, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Consumer Electronics Show (CES), once a showcase of global tech innovation, is overshadowed by uncertainty produced by the so-called "de-risking."

For Zhong Xiaojun, general manager of Allpowers, a firm based in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou and a Chinese exhibitor of green energy products at the 2024 show in Las Vegas held from Jan. 9 to 12, the supply chain web is tangled by tariffs and geopolitical tensions.

The difficulty stems from the United States and European politician's "de-risking" strategy aimed at reducing dependence on China in supply chains. But as Zhong and other business insiders have observed, the intended outcome isn't always the result.

Zhong's company has been designing and manufacturing solar products and batteries for 12 years in China. It has 60 overseas warehouses worldwide. Despite the U.S. tariffs and restrictions on certain products from China, there are ways to bypass them via warehouses in other countries, said Zhong.

Instead of building resilience as touted by politicians, "de-risking" might be lengthening and complicating the existing supply chains. He said a long supply chain means higher prices, and that the extra cost would be added to the prices for consumers in the U.S. market.

Research backs up these anecdotal experiences. A study by the Centre for Economic Policy Research, a European think tank, found that the United States' shift away from Chinese imports towards Vietnamese ones led to a nearly 10 percent price hike on Vietnamese imports.

Similarly, an October paper by the Bank for International Settlements revealed that cross-border supplier networks are lengthening but not becoming denser, suggesting increased complexity without necessarily enhanced resilience.

The study found that lengthening of supply chains is especially significant for supplier-customer linkages from China to the United States, where firms from other jurisdictions, notably in Asia, have interposed themselves in the supply chain.

The impact is felt across industries. Du Yongjie, another exhibitor at the CES, shared a similar experience. His company, an electric bicycle company in Suzhou, China, faces 25 percent tariffs from the United States.

But he expressed cautious optimism. "The tariffs have been postponed three times ... it proves that Chinese products can't be replaced," he told Xinhua. But the price is likely to increase for U.S. consumers once the postponement period ends in June.

The unintended consequences extend beyond price hikes. Zhong highlighted how "de-risking" would hinder green energy innovation. "If the United States wants to do it (building supply chains in the country), it must be fully automated, otherwise the cost will be too high," he said, adding that it's not easy to do.

The company's cost for talent is also high. Zhong said that a large share of the company's revenue is invested in retaining talent for research and development. The extra cost would certainly impact the investment in innovation.

He also expressed optimism, citing the clean energy industry. "Western companies are currently unable to achieve that because they lack a complete supply chain in their own countries, and it's expensive to source materials from other countries," he said.

Zhong's words encapsulated the paradox at the heart of "de-risking." This policy, aimed at reducing dependence on China in supply chains, is generating unintended consequences: higher consumer prices, more opaque and complex chains, and even stifled tech innovation.

His optimism is echoed by Liu Chun, vice president of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products.

"There is no doubt that 'Made in China' will play an increasingly important role in the industrial chain, supply chain, and value chain of the electronic consumer industry and even all industries," she told Xinhua.

"With the development of the Chinese economy, the expansion of the market scale, and the improvement of technological level, this status will be further consolidated," she noted. "As can be seen from CES, in recent years, more and more Chinese technology innovation enterprises have stood out by quality and technology."

In addition, more and more well-established Chinese suppliers have emerged in the global consumer electronics industry chain, especially in the upstream and midstream, making Chinese enterprises "an increasingly indispensable" force in the consumer electronics industry, she said.

"In the context of the Western countries' proposal of 'de-risking,' 'Made in China' provides an important foundation and confidence for opening up against closure, eliminating confrontation through cooperation, consolidating the foundation of industrial development and expanding international cooperation," said Liu. 
His convictions include two for rape, four for sexual assault and five for breach of the sex offenders act.

A 75-year-old man with 391 previous convictions has been sentenced to nine months in prison for engaging in offensive conduct of a sexual nature with a teenage boy.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Patrick McCann (75) of no fixed abode pleaded guilty to intentionally engaging in offensive conduct of a sexual nature at Applegreen petrol station, Stillorgan Rd, Co Dublin, on March 23, 2023.

He has 391 previous convictions, dating from the 1960s. His convictions include two for rape, four for sexual assault and five for breach of the sex offenders act.

Passing sentence, Judge Pauline Codd said the defendant made verbal remarks to a 15-year-old boy which were of a sexual nature. She said: This would have been uncomfortable and alarming to anyone, not to mention a young boy.

Judge Codd noted McCann's vast number of previous convictions with 11 offences of a sexual nature, which she said aggravated the offending conduct. She said the boy was alone at the time of the offence, which was also aggravating. She placed the offence in the mid-range of offending.

The judge said the mitigating factors in this case were the defendant's early guilty plea, his personal circumstances, his addiction to alcohol, that he has been homeless for a very long period of time and has suffered adversity in life, which was outlined in the probation report.

Judge Codd sentenced him to nine months in prison and backdated it to when he went into custody on this matter.

Garda Stephen Beirne told Diane Stuart, BL, prosecuting, that the defendant approached the teenager who was waiting for a lift at the Applegreen petrol station on Stillorgan Road on the date in question.

Gda Beirne said McCann asked the boy a number of questions, which included: Are you a virgin?

He said, Do you know what a virgin is? and, Do you know how to break it in? and told him he was a handsome boy.

The court heard that the boy told his mother what had happened, and the gardai were contacted. CCTV from the petrol station was obtained, and McCann was identified. He was arrested, cautioned and was unhelpful to gardai.

The mother of the boy told gardai that she did not wish for her son to make a victim impact statement as she did not want him to have to go through the events again.

Gda Beirne agreed with Michael Horrigan, BL, defending, that his client states he was drunk at the time of the incident and does not remember it.

The garda agreed with counsel that the guilty plea was of value to the injured party in this case. He further agreed that some of his client's previous convictions go back to the 1960s.

Mr Horrigan said his client is 75 years old and has significant health issues.

Counsel said there was a probation report before the court which outlined his client's difficult life, including the violent death of his wife 20 years ago.

He said McCann had a difficult upbringing and had been in several institutions growing up.

He asked the court to have regard to his difficult circumstances.
It was alleged that Mr Deegan kicked him to his head several times.

A MAN accused of attacking gunman Tristan Sherry in a Dublin restaurant where he suffered fatal injuries on Christmas Eve has claimed he acted in self-defence, a court has heard.

Sherry, 26, was killed following a shooting inside Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown in which another man, Jason Hennessy Snr, 48, was mortally wounded.

Wayne Deegan, accused of attacking Mr Sherry, violent disorder and producing a knife as a weapon, was refused bail when he appeared before Judge Alan Mitchell at Cloverhill District Court today.

Father of one, Sherry, 26, was attacked after opening fire and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Jason Hennessy Snr was shot in the neck and upper body while having a meal with family and friends. Mr Hennessy, from Corduff in west Dublin, was rushed to hospital, but his condition deteriorated, and he passed away on January 4, resulting in gardai commencing a separate murder probe.

Two men have been charged with the murder of Mr Sherry.

Tristan Sherry

But a third co-defendant, Wayne Deegan, 25, of Linnetsfield Avenue, Phibblestown, Dublin 15, was charged with producing a knife as a weapon during an offence, assault causing harm to Tristan Sherry, and violent disorder by using or threatening to use violence with David Amah and Michael Andrecut, which would cause another person present to fear for their safety, at Browne's Steakhouse on December 24.

He did not apply for bail after being charged last week and applied to be released on "stringent" terms when his case was called at Cloverhill District Court today.

Detective Garda Sean Kelly objected citing the seriousness of the offence and witnesses intimidation concerns. He said it was alleged that Mr Deegan was a member of a group in the restaurant when two gunmen entered and opened fire on a male.

One fled but the other, Mr Sherry, was grabbed and suffered injuries.

The court heard a firearm was picked up by another male and there was a sustained attack for five minutes by a number of people on Mr Sherry who was on the ground for five minutes.

It was alleged that Mr Deegan kicked him to his head several times.

The detective said other customers were in the restaurant at the time and the accused could be a risk to those witnesses and the second gunman.

However, the judge said the evidence was not specific enough and disregarded that evidence.

The garda agreed with defence solicitor Sandra Frayne the case was based on CCTV evidence and that the accused claimed he acted in self-defence and that there was no evidence that he had made a threat to anyone.

She submitted that he did not have a history of violence and it was unnecessary to refuse bail. The solicitor said the case had a devastating effect on her client and his family.

She said he was a patron in the restaurant and has raised self-defence. The solicitor submitted that he was on disability benefit and on medication which he has to take daily, and that there was no evidence he would commit a further offence or not turn up to court.

He would also abide by stringent bail terms including a curfew, specific residency conditions and an order to stay away from particular areas, she told Judge Mitchell.

While the judge accepted defence submissions on several points, and ruled against some of the objections to bail, he held that the garda had established grounds to deny the application. He remanded Mr Deegan, who did not address the court, in custody to appear again on January 26.

He said it was more likely the case would be dealt with in a higher court and noted gardai must obtain directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Co-defendants David Amah, 18, of Hazel Grove, Portrane Road, Donabate, Dublin and Michael Andrecut, 22, with an address at Sheephill Avenue in Dublin 15, have been charged with the murdering Sherry. They have been remanded in custody and are due back in court later this month.

Earlier this week, a man aged 18 was also arrested and later released from Garda custody pending a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

A fifth male, in his teens was arrested on Friday and has been detained for questioning.
A man has been given an 18 month suspended sentence for an assault in Ballymun.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Aaron Costello (24) of Dame Close, Ballymun, Dublin 11, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to another male in the Ballymun area on October 12, 2022. He has no previous convictions.

Passing sentence today, Judge Pauline Codd said this was a brief encounter but could have had very serious consequences.

She said the aggravating factor in this case is that the injured party was struck from behind, and was kicked twice while on the ground. She placed the offence in the upper mid-range of offending.

Judge Codd said she takes into consideration that Costello has no previous convictions, which she said was significant. She said he would now have to live with a criminal conviction for the rest of his life. She said the court considered his expression of remorse as genuine.

The judge said, having seen the CCTV footage, the assault was an unnecessary action by Costello. She said the injured party has dealt with this matter in a generous and spirited manner, and he has fully accepted the defendant's apology.

Judge Codd sentenced him to 18 months in prison but suspended it in full for two years.

Detective Garda John Pirollo told Diane Stuart, BL, prosecuting, that on the day in question, the injured party had left his home to go to the local shop. On his way to the shop, he exchanged words with a group of men, one of whom was the defendant.

CCTV was played to the court, which showed Costelloe running up behind the injured party and striking him on the side of his head.

Det Gda Pirollo said the injured party was then knocked to the ground, where Costello kicked him twice in the ribs.

The injured man was brought to the hospital, where he received sixteen stitches on the face and was admitted for two days. He also suffered from pain in his ribs.

The court heard that the injured party held no animosity towards the defendant and told Det Gda Pirollo that he did not wish for the defendant to go to jail. Costello brought 5,000 to court as a token of his remorse for the injured man.

Det Gda Pirollo agreed with Keith Spencer, BL, defending, that there is no bad blood between the parties.

The garda agreed with counsel that Costello was a pleasure to deal with and entered an early guilty plea.

Mr Spencer said his client acted in a moment of madness, and he knows he should not have done so.

Counsel said his client has a good work history and is in a long-term relationship.

He said his client came before the court as a first-time offender and had expressed shame and remorse.
In an update this morning, gardai said: Gardai are continuing to investigate all the circumstances surrounding a serious incident at a premises on Main Street, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, at approximately 8 pm on Sunday, December 24th, 2023, which resulted in the death of two males.

Gardai have arrested a fifth person in relation to the killing of Tristan Sherry at a restaurant in Blanchardstown, west Dublin, after he launched a gun attack in a restaurant on Christmas Eve.

Sherrys target, Jason Hennessy Senior also died two weeks after he was shot during the raid.

In an update this morning, gardai said: Gardai are continuing to investigate all the circumstances surrounding a serious incident at a premises on Main Street, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, at approximately 8 pm on Sunday, December 24th, 2023, which resulted in the death of two males.

This morning, Friday, January 12th, as part of this investigation, Gardai have arrested a male in his teens. He is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda Station in West Dublin.

This male is the fifth individual arrested as part of this investigation.

Earlier this week, a man aged 18 was also arrested and later released from Garda custody. The teenager is suspected of taking the high velocity weapon that was used in the attack on Hennessy Snr (48) in a Browne's Steakhouse on Christmas Eve.

Mr Sherry (26) entered the restaurant shortly after 8pm and opened fire at a group with a sub-machine gun, hitting Mr Hennessy Snr three times in the upper body including once in the neck.

Sherry, a father-of-one, was subsequently allegedly assaulted and sustained fatal injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr Hennessy Snr was taken to hospital from the scene for treatment, but died in the Mater Hospital on Thursday January 4.

Three other men have been charged and have appeared in court in relation to the double murder investigation.

Jason Hennessy Snr

Meanwhile, the fact that the machine gun used to kill Mr Hennessy has not been recovered by gardai is understood to be a matter of grave concern amid fears of reprisal attacks

The funerals of Hennessy Snr and Sherry (26) are expected to take place later this week.

A daughter-in-law of Hennessy Snr has paid tribute to him online in recent days  describing the 48-year-old as our hero for protecting his family during the gun attack that claimed his life.

More arrests are expected in the massive investigation which is being led by Blanchardstown gardai.

Michael Andrecut (22) with an address at Sheephill Avenue in Dublin 15, was the first to be charged with Mr Sherry's murder.

He was remanded in custody on December 30 and is back in court on January 16.

David Amah (18) of Hazel Grove, Portrane Road, Donabate, Dublin, has also been further remanded in custody to appear again in court in two weeks.

He had been charged at Blanchardstown District Court two weeks ago with Mr Sherrys murder.

A third defendant, Wayne Deegan, 25, of Linnetsfield Avenue, Phibblestown, Dublin 15, was charged with producing a knife as a weapon during an offence, assault causing harm to Tristan Sherry, and violent disorder by using or threatening to use violence with David Amah and Michael Andrecut, which would cause another person present to fear for their safety, at the steakhouse.

He has reserved his position on bail and will appear again at Cloverhill District Court on Friday.
The hide in Malushis car was ultimately a futile attempt to conceal his criminality

Some of the cash seized in the flat

Two drug dealers who stashed two-and-a-half kilos of cocaine in a secret compartment of a car glove box in a "futile" bid to conceal their criminality have been jailed in the UK.

Albanian nationals Orest Malushi (44) from Barnet, and Olsian Vogli (31) from Birmingham, have been jailed for a total of almost eight years after cops found the drugs as well as 100,000 in cash inside a flat.

Officers from the Organised Crime Partnership (OCP)  a joint National Crime Agency and Metropolitan Police Service unit  arrested the pair beside Malushis car in Hendon, north London, in July last year.

OCP officers who had them under surveillance watched as Vogli entered and left a flat on Caversham Road that he used as a stash house shortly before the arrest.

When officers moved in and searched a black rucksack he was carrying, they discovered it contained half a kilo of cocaine.

Some of the cash seized in the flat

They also found three mobile phones and another two-and-a-half kilos of cocaine which had been hidden inside a specially adapted compartment in the glovebox of Malushis car.

More than 100,000 in cash and a mobile phone with several SIM cards were found in a search of the apartment.

Malushi and Vogli were sentenced to two years and six months and five years and four months respectively at Harrow Crown Court (sitting at Willesden Magistrates Court), having pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine with intent to supply during previous hearings at St Albans Crown Court.

Andrew Tickner, from the Organised Crime Partnership, said the cocaine supplied by Olsian Vogli and Orest Malushi was clearly generating large profits for the organised crime group they belonged to, as shown by the amount of cash we found in the apartment.

The hide in Malushis car was ultimately a futile attempt to conceal his criminality, but shows the time and attention that drug suppliers will put into their criminal profession, Tickner added.

The class A drugs trade fuels gang violence and suffering in the UK, which is why the NCA and Met Polices strong partnership is at the forefront of dismantling the organised criminal groups behind it.
The group has now had a record-breaking start to 2024, selling a bottle of whiskey to American collector Mike Daley, for the mammoth sum.

Mike Daley and The Emerald Isle, the most expensive bottle of whiskey ever sold

Daley has one of the largest private collections of whiskey in the United States

A bottle of single malt Irish whiskey has sold for 2.55 million to an American collector, making it the priciest bottle ever sold.

The Craft Irish Whiskey Co., who are based in Dublin city centre, sell the rarest whiskeys on the planet, with the tag line of Before whiskey was anything else, it was Irish.

The group has now had a record-breaking start to 2024, selling a bottle of whiskey to American collector Mike Daley, for the mammoth sum.

The sale makes The Emerald Isle, already the rarest triple-distilled single malt in existence, the most expensive bottle of whiskey on earth.

"Irish is the future of whiskey. I'm excited to be part of it, as a collector, but most importantly as a drinker, Mr Daly said today.

Daley has one of the largest private collections of whiskey in the United States

The price he paid was roughly 100 grand more than a bottle of The Macallan 1926 which fetched a similarly large sum at auction last autumn.

Mr Daley is one of the US' most prolific collectors of the spirit, with a vast collection consisting of several thousand bottles of Irish, American, and Scotch whiskeys.

His latest record-breaking purchase is one of only seven sets in existence; a liquid which was three decades maturing in a variety of casks.

The Emerald Isle's case includes a single decanter, alongside a Faberge egg  containing an emerald gem  a custom timepiece, and a pair of Cohiba cigars.

Mike Daley and The Emerald Isle, the most expensive bottle of whiskey ever sold

Daley also said: "The rebirth of Irish whiskey is relatively new, so I feel like I'm getting in on the ground floor. Luxury scotch, to me, is already a crowded type of market. But we're 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."

Jay Bradley, founder and CEO of The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. said: "A bottle of The Emerald Isle becoming the most expensive whiskey or whisky ever sold is a monumental achievement for my business, and an incredibly proud moment for me.

"I started The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. with the goal of making Irish whiskey the most coveted luxury spirit and restoring Ireland's reputation for crafting the finest whiskeys in the world, this brings us several steps closer to achieving that, and we're only six years into the journey.

"There's a lot more to come from us, and I'm excited for our customers and competitors to see what we have in store."

Formed in 2018, Mr Bradleys company have won 44 awards to date, including Gold and Silver at the IWSC Taste Awards, Gold, Silver, and Bronze at the World Whiskey Awards, and a prestigious Master Medal for The Donn at The Drinks Business Autumn Bling Tasting.
Protest started at Roscreas Racket Hall Hotel on Thursday night, with larger gathering planned for Saturday

The Racket Hall Hotel in Roscrea is to accept 160 Ukrainian nationals under the Temporary Protection Application process.

Over 200 people attended protests at the Racket Hall Hotel on Thursday night after news emerged that it was to house 160 international protection applicants

More than 200 protesters demonstrated at the Roscrea Racket Hall in Tipperary on Thursday night, after news emerged that the 40-bedroom hotel has been earmarked to house 160 International Protection Applicants (IPAs).

A group called Pro-Justice Roscrea Nenagh and North Tipp Open Forum was involved.

Protestors said they would block vehicles transporting the IP applicants to the hotel on the outskirts of the north Tipperary town.

Its understood that the owners, Swiftcastle Roscrea Ltd, have signed a contract with the Department for 12 months.

A briefing note shown to local Councillors indicates that there will be self-catering service provided at the hotel, with a weekly voucher or debit card issued for purchases in local shops.

Gardai confirmed that they attended the protest at the Roscrea hotel on Thursday night, with a spokesperson saying that the gathering passed off without incident.

Following a lengthy phone conversation with Minister Roderick OGorman on Thursday evening, Deputy Jackie Cahill said he would like to clarify that families of International Protection Applicants will be availing of the accommodation being provided in the Racket Hall in Roscrea, rather than Ukrainian families under the Temporary Protection Applicants system.

I spoke to Minister OGorman directly on the phone this afternoon to clarify some points on todays announcement, said Deputy Cahill on Thursday.

I can confirm that the Minister informed me that families of International Protection Applicants will be provided with accommodation in the Racket Hall in Roscrea.

I also stressed to the Minister the urgent need for additional resources and services for the town of Roscrea to accommodate these additional numbers moving into the town.

"I informed the Minister that I was of the view that Roscrea deserved further funding under the Community Recognition Fund and I will be working with officials to secure funding for Roscrea under this in future rounds of funding.

A group called Roscrea Stands Up said the Racket Hall hotel has now been closed to the people of Roscrea and the surrounding areas, our only functioning hotel, with no active hotel in Roscrea for weddings, parties, dinner dances.

The group is planning to stage at protest at 3.30pm on the Main Street on Saturday, January 13. We need everyone in Roscrea and the surrounding areas to attend.

We need people who live in other parts of Ireland that are originally from Roscrea to attend. We need to come out and protest peacefully, a spokesperson stated.

Roscrea has lost huge employers. Roscrea hasn't enough of doctors. Roscrea hasn't facilities for our own people. Roscrea hasn't half enough gardai.

"Roscrea people have been very accepting of our new non Nationals. We have done our fair share. All our TDs will be invited to attend our protest on Saturday. All our County Councillors will be invited to attend on Saturday. It will be a sad reflection on them if they don't attend, added the spokesperson.

Roscrea-based Independent County Councillor Shane Lee said he just learned that the Racket Hall in Roscrea is going to accommodate 160 International Protection Applicants under the Temporary Protection Application scheme on Thursday evening.

I was not aware of this decision, and I am shocked to find out that such a large number of people are being relocated to our town without proper consultation and planning.

I have contacted the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to obtain more information about this situation and to express my concerns about the impact it will have on our community.

I will update you as soon as I receive any response from them. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Sinn Fein local election candidate for the Roscrea Templemore LEA Breandan O Conchuir has written to the Minister for Integration to express his concern over the recent decision to house ayslum seekers in the Racket Hall hotel and asked what increased funding has been made available to ensure local services can meet the needs of both locals and those being kept in the Racket Hall.

The Racket Hall Hotel in Roscrea is to accept 160 Ukrainian nationals under the Temporary Protection Application process.

Breandan O Conchuir said: This is yet another example of the failed asylum policy of Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, and the Greens, who are continuing to house asylum seekers in privately owned and ran direct provision centre whose owners make substantial profits from the state. Sinn Fein has always opposed this system and continue to do so.

Less than a year on from the decision to house Ukrainians in the old convent, yet it appears the government has learned nothing from that experience and once again is making decisions without informing locals or ensuring services are in place.

I raised these concerns around the unsuitability of direct provision, the need for improved services, and community engagement with the Minister back in May in relation to the Convent and none of these concerns have been addressed. It simply isnt good enough from the government

Roscrea has welcomed people from all over the world into their community over the years, the last census showed 17pc of the population of Roscrea was from non-Irish ethnic backgrounds, these people live and work locally and have by and large integrated into the community. However you cannot have integration without honesty, and it is clear the government is not interested in honesty.

I also would have concerns as to the change of the Racket hall from a hotel to a direct provision centre, it is the only hotel in the town and any effort to develop tourism in the area will suffer if we do not have accommodation. And of course the hotel is almost 3 kilometres from the town along a road without a footpath. Weve already seen in Dundrum in the south of the county where Ukrainians are being accommodated in a similar situation the council has refused to install a footpath.

Once again we are seeing a lack of planning and a lack of communication from the government. communities deserve better, added Mr O Conchuir.
The Sunday World has learned a new book will contain never-before-published details about 46-year-old Hegartys murder, including the roles allegedly played in the killing by McGuinness and Freddie Stakeknife Scappaticci,

A young Martin McGuinness sits behind his desk in the Republican Information Centre office in Derry with a poster of Bobby Sands, the famous hunger striker, on the wall behind him in 1985

Martin McGuinness was an elected Sinn Fein Assembly member when Hegarty was abducted and shot dead in 1986

New evidence has been uncovered which allegedly reveals why Martin McGuinness was never prosecuted in connection with the murder of an IRA informer.

Frank Hegartys body was found on a roadside in Co Tyrone in 1986 shortly after his family claimed they were assured by republican leader McGuinness he would not be killed if he returned home from his safe house in England.

The Sunday World has learned a new book will contain never-before-published details about 46-year-old Hegartys murder, including the roles allegedly played in the killing by McGuinness and Freddie Stakeknife Scappaticci, a long-time British agent within the IRA.

Four Shots in the Night, which has been written by London-based journalist Henry Hemming, will be published in March and looks in-depth at yet another dark episode of the Troubles.

A request for an interview with Hemming was turned down this week and the books publishers are keeping a tight lid on its contents.

However, it is believed it will also reveal more about the British intelligence operation against the IRA and Sinn Fein.

Freddie Stakeknife Scappaticci

Scappaticci, who died last year and whose activities as an agent are being investigated as part of Operation Kenova, was arrested but never charged as part of the probe into the Hegarty murder.

The investigating team believed they had enough evidence to charge Martin McGuinness, who died in 2017, with conspiracy to murder.

However, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) disagreed and the McGuinness file was closed.

Hegarty, who was a senior member of the IRA team tasked with looking after weapons in Derry, was recruited in the late 1970s by the Force Research Unit (FRU), a secret intelligence unit within the British army.

The father of two was originally approached by a plain-clothes soldier as he walked with his greyhounds on the outskirts of Derry.

In 1985 and 1986, the IRA received a huge boost when several shipments of guns, ammunition and explosives were sent to Ireland by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

McGuinness is alleged to have asked Hegarty to establish a series of dumps on the southern side of the border in which the new haul of weaponry could be hidden. Hegarty told his handlers about the dumps and the information was passed on to the Irish government.

In January 1986, gardai moved in on some of the dumps and made their biggest ever haul of IRA weapons, including almost 100 rifles and 21,000 rounds of ammunition.

The night before the raids, Hegarty received a call from his handler and left Derry in a hurry. He was driven to Aldergrove military airport where he was flown in a British government jet to England.

Hegarty was said to have been angry with his handlers for telling the Irish authorities and exposing the arms dumps.

Former Sinn Fein leader Martin McGuinness at the 1987 funeral of IRA man Larry Marley

However, despite his role as an informant, Hegarty stayed in telephone contact with his family in the hope he would be able to return to Derry.

McGuinness started visiting Hegartys mother, Rose, and, according to several sources, eventually persuaded her to let him speak to Hegarty during on one of his calls home.

During their conversation, it was alleged McGuinness told Hegarty everything could be sorted out if he would only come home and talk.

After several months in hiding, in April 1986, Hegarty walked out of his safe house in England and arrived at his mothers house the following evening.

He was allegedly told that he would be allowed to stay in Derry if he signed an affidavit stating any information he had ever passed on to FRU was given under duress, and agreeing to never give evidence in court.

Hegarty was driven to Buncrana, Co Donegal, by a relative to meet with IRA leaders to tie up the agreement.

The Hegarty family claimed McGuinness visited Rose Hegarty the next day and said her son was safe.

However, on May 25, 1986, Hegartys body was found on a remote roadside near Castlederg, Co Tyrone.

His hands had been bound behind his back, his eyes were taped and he had been shot four times through the back of the head.

In a statement, the IRA said: We have now executed Frank Hegarty. Responsibility for the danger in which he placed himself rests not just with his handlers, or the British government, but with the Dublin government, now a partner with Britain in the recruiting of agents and spies.

The killing was widely condemned, including by SDLP leader and Foyle MP John Hume.

Can those who support the so-called armed struggle point to any consequence from such acts other than grief, fear and bitterness? said Hume.

A young Martin McGuinness sits behind his desk in the Republican Information Centre office in Derry with a poster of Bobby Sands, the famous hunger striker, on the wall behind him in 1985

In an interview with the BBC in 2015, Hegartys son, Ryan, speaking for the first time about his fathers murder, said McGuinness should be questioned in connection with the killing.

He was around when things were happening. He was a regular visitor to my grandmothers house. Im not implicating him but he was there, said Mr Hegarty.

However, in a statement to the BBC, McGuinness said he had absolutely no role in the death of Frank Hegarty.

At the time of these events, I was an elected Sinn Fein Assembly member, having been elected to the Assembly in 1982.

I became involved with the family on being told that Frank Hegarty  a well-known Derry republican  had informed them that he had been abducted and taken to England by British intelligence agents. It was my duty as a public representative to assist the family. I did this to the best of my ability, but there was little I could do.

There are questions to be answered in relation to Mr Hegartys death by those with detailed knowledge of this event, including British intelligence.

Operation Kenova has been investigating the activities of Scappaticci in his role as agent Stakeknife for many years within the IRA. At the time of Hegartys murder, Scappaticci was a senior member of the IRAs internal security unit known as the nutting squad.

It was their job to find and kill informers in the IRA.

Scappaticci is alleged to have been involved in multiple murders while also working for British intelligence.

After being exposed by the media in 2003, the west Belfast man denied being Stakeknife but later fled Northern Ireland and remained in hiding until his death.

Operation Kenova was set up in 2016 to address what was and was not happening between organisations  the IRA and its internal security unit, the police, the army, the intelligence services and agents and informers  in relation to the activities of Stakeknife.

The Kenova team has been investigating whether the state did not protect people before abductions and murders were committed and the approach to investigating the crimes.

Last month, the DPP said evidence submitted as part of Operation Kenova to its office in relation to 15 people was insufficient to take them to court.

The DPP said a significant part of the evidence against the 15, who include ex-IRA members and security force personnel, were intelligence records which cannot be used to bring prosecutions.

The recent DPP decision covered cases including three murders between 1981 and 1993.

A total of seven individuals were considered for prosecution for murder.
Adams was able to paddle in and scale the cliff despite heavy bleeding, when a friend drove him to the local hospital before he was flown to Adelaide.

The latest shark attack was widely covered in Australia

Friends of a school teacher who was bitten in the leg by a shark while surfing off South Australia's Eyre Peninsula have said he is lucky to have survived.

Murray Adams underwent surgery to save his life after suffering serious wounds to his upper leg near Elliston, north west of Port Lincoln.

The 64-year-old maths teacher is reportedly "doing well" after emergency surgery following the terrifying incident.

He had been surfing at a local break called Blacks, which has been notorious for shark sightings when yesterdays attack happened about 1pm, a few hundred metres off shore.

Adams was able to paddle in and scale the cliff despite heavy bleeding, when a friend drove him to the local hospital before he was flown to Adelaide.

"He got attacked after he caught a wave at the end of the wave," friend Geoff Goulden told 9News.

"He yelled out to the other bloke shark, shark."

Another friend, Chad Fleming, said he was lucky to be alive.

"Thankfully Murray doesn't have too serious injuries and he's going to make a full recovery," he said.

The attack is the sixth incident in the state in less than a year.

Two weeks ago 15-year-old Khai Cowley died at Yorke Peninsula's Ethel Beach after being attacked by a white pointer while surfing.

9News reported that two teachers from the same school were attacked in a matter of months.

Last May local teacher Simon Baccanello, who was Adams' colleague, was killed by a shark in Elliston.

"It is close to home," Fleming said.

"Shark attacks are never nice, it certainly does feel like there's a bit of a trend at the moment."
"No, no, hes not coming on our show.

Patrick Kielty has recorded a video hinting at the superstar guest due to appear on the Late Late this evening.

American talk show host and comic Conan OBrien is currently touring Ireland whilst tracing his ancestors following a DNA test that revealed he is 100pc Irish.

Referencing the visit, comedian Kielty was filmed strolling along an RTE corridor, taking a call.

"Yeah, yeah, hes in Ireland, says Patrick.

"No, no, hes not coming on our show. I have no idea where you heard that. I mean, absolutely not.

Star guest

The camera then cuts to the Irish Americans name on a dressing room door, indicating an entertaining Friday evening in store for viewers.

Earlier in the week, Conan posted an emotional and humble video from Galbally, Co Limerick, where he stood facing a scenic mountain view.

"Hey, I found my piece of the Auld Sod! This is pretty cool, I'm just outside the town of Galbally, the talk show superstar said.

Conan in Limerick

"This is where my great-grandfather, Thomas O'Brien, lived. This was actually his view.

"He left this piece of land, came to America, moved to central Massachusetts and, well, the rest is a disaster.

"But anyway, cool to be back, he added.

O'Brien was raised Catholic and served as president of The Harvard Lampoon while attending Harvard University. He went on to be a writer for the sketch comedy series Not Necessarily the News.

After writing for several comedy shows in Los Angeles, he joined the famous show Saturday Night Live.

O'Brien was a writer and producer for The Simpsons for two seasons until he was selected to take over David Letterman's position as host of Late Night in 1993.

Conan O'Brien tracing his Irish ancestry. Source: teamcoco Instagram

O'Brien became world famous on that show, earning a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing. He hosted Late Night for 16 years, and as of 2023 is still the longest-serving host in the history of the franchise.

Back in 2019, the hilarious broadcaster revealed that during a routine physical exam, his doctor offered to run a DNA test and called him two weeks later to deliver interesting results.

Ive never, ever, ever had a DNA result like this before and Ive been doing this for ten years, OBrien recalled on The Late Show.

I've never seen a 100 percent anything, the doctor told OBrien. I've been doing this a lot, I've seen 93.5 [percent], I've seen 96.1, I've seen 97. No one is 100 percent Irish.

The doctor apparently told OBrien that people in Ireland arent even 100% Irish.

The Lucky Charms leprechaun - true fact! - 11% Spanish, OBrien joked.

Viewers can expect more of the same humorous quips this evening as the six foot four inches tall funny man goes head to head with the equally talented Patrick Kielty.
SANAA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group on Friday vowed to continue attacks against Israel-bound commercial ships in the Red Sea, following the U.S.-Britain airstrikes on its military sites.

"Yemen (Houthi sites) was subjected to a blatant U.S.-British aggression to protect Israel and to stop Yemen's (Houthi group) operations in support of Gaza," Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

"They committed foolishness with this treacherous aggression, and they were wrong if they thought that they would deter Yemen from supporting Palestine and Gaza," he said, adding that the Houthi group will continue its attacks on Israeli ships or those heading to Israel's ports.

The United States and Britain announced their attack hours before they carried it out. The Houthis were seen evacuating their camps in the capital Sanaa and other provinces hours before the U.S.-Britain warplanes came to strike.

The Houthi group has escalated their attacks on Israel-linked ships since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7 to protest Israel's offensive in Gaza. 
This is believed to be the first time in 22 years the Australian has been filming in Ireland, having then shot Veronica Guerin here.

Cate hasn't filmed in Ireland since she played murdered journalist Veronica Guerin 22 years ago

CATE Blanchett looks almost unrecognisable in these world exclusive pictures taken yesterday afternoon while filming in Dublin.

Double Oscar winner Cate (54) was snapped wearing a wig and glasses as her character talked on a mobile phone in a 1997 registered metallic blue Toyota Corolla parked in Stoneybatter Dublins north inner city.

A body double perched herself nearby, while members of crew and security also flanked the scene.

This is believed to be the first time in 22 years the Australian has been filming in Ireland, having then shot Veronica Guerin here.

That movie about the murdered Sunday Independent journalist also starred Ciaran Hinds, Brenda Fricker and a young Colin Farrell.

When the acclaimed film about the crusading investigative reporter was released in 2003 Cate attended a gala premiere for it in Dublin Castle.

Cate hasn't filmed in Ireland since she played murdered journalist Veronica Guerin 22 years ago

Her latest flick to be shot in Ireland is believed to be called Father, Mother, Sister, Brother.

It is being directed by legendary American indie film maker Jim Jarmusch.

Scenes have already been shot for the same film in New Jersey and is due to move to Paris soon after it has wrapped up here.

Blanchett won the Oscar for Best Actress at the 2013 Oscars for the 2012-released Blue Jasmine.

She last worked with Jarmusch in the 2003 anthology, Coffee & Cigarettes, in which she had dual roles (including one as herself).

Little has emerged about their latest collaboration, but Jarmusch (70) did describe it as a funny and sad film.

Mum-of-four Cate won her first Oscar, for Best Supporting Actress, back in 2004 for The Aviator, in which she played Katherine Hepburn.

She recently wrapped filming in Hungary the film Rumors, which also stars among other Charles Dance and Alicia Vikander.

It is about the leaders of the seven nations comprising G7 who meet for their annual summit but get lost in the woods and must still draft up a statement addressing a worldwide crisis.
Some of New Zealands top shearers will have their hand piece ready to race this Saturday, January 13, as the 22nd Te Puna Speed Shear gets underway 5.30pm.

Spokesperson Maree Morton says after a few years missed and venue changes, the event is back tomorrow at The Point Ale House, 17 Plummers Point Rd, Whakamarama.

Shearing a lamb in 16 seconds can you believe it? This event is not for beginners. Shearers that compete travel far and wide to test their skills in shearing a lamb really quickly.

Maree says Te Puna Speed Shear is a not-for-profit event run by a small group of people  this years fundraiser recipients are Assistance Dogs New Zealand and the local rescue helicopter.

We have great sponsors plus an army of amazing volunteers who donate their time to make this event happen.

Te Puna Speed Shear is on Saturday, January 13 at The Point Ale House, Whakamarama, from 5.30pm with prizegiving to follow once shearing is finished.

Entry is gold coin, with spot prizes, raffles, a chiller  donated by Spencer Contractors  to be sold on the night. There will be a food and chilled drinks to purchase  so come and see some of NZs top shearers compete! More information, at Te Puna Speed Shear on Facebook.
Rotorua Lakes Councils new chief executive is Andrew Moraes.

Mayor Tania Tapsell this afternoon told staff that Moraes was the successful applicant and advised Local Democracy Reporting in a statement.

Our chief executive plays a crucial role in ensuring that we can deliver a better future for Rotorua. We are excited to have a leader as competent as Andrew joining us to do so.

Moraes is the current Taupo District Council operations and delivery general manager and will move to Rotorua with his family by March 11  his start date.

Tapsell said Moraes is a chartered engineer and a graduate of the INSEAD Global Executive MBA Programme.

Before moving to New Zealand, his professional career included extensive international experience in business, commercial development and organisational leadership.

We had strong interest in this role from across the country from a number of very well-qualified candidates, Tapsell said.

The council and I are confident Andrew will serve our organisation and our community well as we manage a diverse range of upcoming challenges and unlock better opportunities for our district.

In the same statement, Moraes said he was delighted by the opportunity in what was a pivotal position.

Im only one part of a dedicated team that includes the staff, mayor and elected members whose mahi will address the challenges and opportunities we all face in making Rotorua an even better place to live and work.

Manahautu Te Arawa Hourua  Te Arawa Partnership group manager Gina Rangi was interim chief executive following Geoff Williams departure in September last year.

Tapsell said she was grateful for Rangis invaluable leadership and support during the recruitment process. Rangi will return to her group manager role when Moraes starts in March.

The new chief executives salary would be set by elected members based on the remuneration adviser Strategic Pays job evaluation framework methodology.

Elected members also appoint the chief executive.

Williams was the chief executive for 10 years and his resignation came two years ahead of his contract expiring.

At the time, Tapsell said as well as leading staff and the organisation, he also developed positive and constructive relationships with iwi, government agencies, and other community partners.

We thank Geoff for his contribution to our community, and support his decision to retire.

Williams remuneration in the past financial year was $408,270, including $17,371 for a vehicle.

Kevin Winters was the mayor at the time of his appointment. Williams joined the council from a senior role in an Auckland Council-controlled organisation.

His leaving the council was not the only major change at the executive level last year at the council.

The month before, the council axed its six deputy chief executive roles - ending the controversial leadership structure that sparked a nationwide debate more than two years ago. It reverted to a format that included group managers.

The council previously said his resignation was unrelated.

- LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
SUR in English Gibraltar Friday, 12 January 2024, 12:52 Compartir Copiar enlace

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HMS Richmond, a type 23 frigate originally designed to hunt submarines but which now takes on a more varied role within the Royal Navy, arrived at the naval base in Gibraltar on Tuesday.

It left its home port in Devonport, UK, at the beginning of January to start deployment in the Red Sea.

The warship will be taking on stores and refuelling before heading across the Mediterranean to the Red Sea, via the Suez Canal, and joining other forces already operating in the region to help safeguard shipping.
Regina Sotorrio Malaga Friday, 12 January 2024, 13:42 Compartir Copiar enlace

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He's dressed in vintage Levis, original Chicago ankle boots and a 1950s-style denim shirt bought in Japan. She does not shy away from the current brands we all know but she styles them to give a retro look. They pose for the photo next to a record player, a Hofner guitar from the '60s, vinyl records and posters of Johnny Cash in what is their second home - Sleazy Records. There is nothing pretentious or stilted about this couple - they are rock 'n' rollers, heart and soul. Guillermo Jimenez and Vivi Milla have made their passion for music and the American look of the '50s and '60s their lifestyle. What's more, they share that passion with the world. For 30 years the couple have been the promoters of the Rockin' Race Jamboree, the festival that every winter transforms Torremolinos into the Memphis of 70 years ago. For 2024 they will work their magic once again from 1st to 4th February.

Each year the Rockin' Race Jamboree kicks off the global rockabilly festival circuit. Not only is it the first festival of the year but it is also one that hardcore rockers most relish due to the great atmosphere and the mild climate on the Costa del Sol. The image of '50s-style girls with their feet in the pool in the middle of winter is already an event classic. Many book their stay from one year to the next without even knowing the line-up. After 30 rounds they know the music will always be of a certain quality.

Thirtieth anniversary

This February the rock and roll festival celebrates its 30th anniversary by hosting 42 bands, mostly international, spread over four days on four different stages. There will be a lot of rockabilly, of course, but also some garage, punk and rhythm and blues.

"We are one of the most daring on the European scene. Bands want to come because they'll get discovered here," says Guille. There is room too for homegrown nostalgia with Los Sirex, Barcelona-based suit-clad rockers who go back to the sixties. Also appearing will be some big names in US rock 'n' roll who have never set foot in Spain before, such as Texan trio Reverend Horton Heat. Linda Gail Lewis, Jerry Lee Lewis's sister, will also be there. Current bands will appear too, such as The Surfrajettes, four girls from Toronto who exude the 1960s Californian vibe, as well as more traditional ones, such as the bluegrass band The Po' Ramblin' Boys.

Global family of rockers

For just a few days Torremolinos turns into the meeting point for this global family of rockers, "where you meet up with your Mexican, Japanese or Australian friend who you only see from festival to festival", says Vivi. The musicians meet up with friends too. "And you have a drink next to the person who just sang. They don't play the star card by scuttling back to their hotel," she adds.

Up to 5,000 people a day will pass through the different Rockin' venues: the Barracuda Hotel with its morning pool party (the hotel rooms are always fully booked for this event), the Principe de Asturias municipal auditorium for the evening concerts, the Plaza del Remo for free performances and the Paradiso Dancing Hall, complete with its retro wooden dance floor with velvet drapes and mirrors brought over especially last year for the first time from Holland.

Small beginnings

This all started as a gathering of friends that quickly got out of hand. More than 30 years ago, when rockers and mods were great rivals, the Rock and Roll Club was formed in Calle Beatas in Malaga. It brought together fans of 1950s music who exchanged records and organised concerts featuring bands who, would never have set foot in Malaga otherwise. "We had to set it up ourselves or they wouldn't have come."

As more fans appeared, they needed more space. "A mod friend of ours gave us the contact details of Torremolinos bar where they held their gatherings. In the end, we rockers got to have a festival thanks to the mods," recalls Guille.

One of life's ironies. They were barely 18 years old and promo posters were sent by snail mail. With time, and plenty of word of mouth, the event grew. Around the same time the demands on, responsibilities of and tensions within the group increased. The original club was dissolved and Vivi and Guille took up the mantle to continue with the venture that has not stopped expanding in response to demand as much from the public as from the bands.

Retro record store

Just over the road from their old secondary school in central Malaga where they first met stands their record store and record label, Sleazy Records, weathering all storms and vagaries in fashion, politics and the economy.

Theirs is a success story of hard work and perseverance but also of a timeless music genre with an extremely loyal audience that values the hard product over the digital. They only sell records on first release, reissues of classics and albums by bands they like and which they themselves edit and distribute globally. "Some bands that play the festival go to Hollers Studio straight after to record in analogue and release the album with us." Their days are filled with rock 'n' roll. "That's why sometimes, when we get home at night, we put on a jazz record," they joke.
Eugenio Cabezas Torrox-Costa Friday, 12 January 2024, 13:19 Compartir Copiar enlace

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"When we were approaching Fuerteventura, one of the bosses in the boat threatened us with a machete to rob us all of our passports and money. As I resisted at first, he cut my arm". With these words, Lassano Dianoko, a 30-year-old from Mali, explained to SUR on Wednesday 10 January, his experience during the crossing from his hometown of Kakoy. "I only managed to keep my mobile phone, they took all the money I was carrying and my passport, he said.

Along with Lassano, 259 other African migrants are staying at the Urban Beach Hotel in El Morche, Torrox-Costa, where they arrived early on Wednesday morning by bus from Madrid. They were flown from the Canary Islands to the city by Spains central government, as a new record in the number of migrants have been arriving to the Spanish archipelago.

This time all the men staying in El Morche are originally from Mali. Dianoko explained to this newspaper that he left his country and crossed Mauritania and Morocco, until he reached Western Sahara, where he was able to get on a boat. It then took five days to reach Fuerteventura. Lassano says the crossing was "very difficult, everyone was sick, because there were big waves, we were very scared, but luckily, thank God, we all made it there alive".

Work in commerce

Lassano told SUR that he studied Commerce back in Mali and worked as a shop assistant but that it was not enough to live on". He added, "I have no contacts in Europe, but I would like to stay here in Spain and do the same job", he said in French. Marc, one of the Red Cross volunteers who are assisting the migrants in El Morche translated Lassanos words as well as those of other migrants who were also keen to share their experiences.

The Red Cross has pointed out that these migrants are "in an irregular situation" in Spain the Interior Ministry has ordered their deportation. However, in almost all cases, it is not possible to repatriate the migrants immediately because their countries of origin do not recognise them and do not want to accept responsibility for them. The Red Cross gives advice on contacting family and/or friends and provides them with food and clothing for a month, which is paid for by the Ministry for Migration.

The migrants are free to move around Spain and Europe. However, they still have to wait at least a year before they can obtain documentation that allows them to work in Spain, which is the minimum legal period established by the law for foreigners to obtain a residence permit. This is why many migrants are forced to work illegally and end up involved in illegal street vending, so-called 'top-manta', because they sell things on a blanket (manta), or in agriculture, according to the Red Cross.

An open town

Mayor of Torrox, Oscar Medina thanked the Red Cross for the work carried out with the migrants and highlighted "the absolute absence of incidents" with local residents. He reiterated the "unfortunate and unacceptable" words of his councillor for culture and popular traditions, Salvador Escudero, who compared the migrants to animals and said on local radio in October, when the first migrants arrived in the town: "We don't know if they are going to steal a car, it's like putting a time bomb on you".

Medina has expressed his solidarity with the Canary Islands as they deal with a new wave of migrants and wished "the migrants the best of luck". He said he hopes the Spanish government, together with the European Union, will solve the issue of illegal migration".

He concluded, "Torrox, as an open town that has more than a hundred nationalities on its census, will once again rise to the occasion.
Lorena Cadiz Benalmadena Friday, 12 January 2024, 13:06 Compartir Copiar enlace

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Demba Diop has been in Spain now for nearly 12 years. He has been in Benalmadena ever since he arrived from Senegal. His story is different from that of many of his compatriots in that he did not have to risk his life at sea to get here. He arrived with a tourist visa and a suitcase full of dreams and ambitions.

Demba is a tailor and dressmaker and when he arrived in Spain in 2012, he had been running a business in Dakar for ten years where he worked and trained other young tailors from his country. He was keen to discover other cultures to enhance his profession. When he arrived in Benalmadena he fell in love with the place: "A place by the sea, like Senegal," he said, speaking with the support of his friend Djidril Balde, on hand to help with translation when his Spanish dries up.

Designs entered in Benalmadena Dmoda by Diop. SUR

The harsh reality hit him soon after arriving in Spain, when he realised that the doors of fashion workshops were not opening for him and that it would be impossible to make a living from his profession, which he says is also his passion. So he became a street vendor, like many of his fellow Senegalese in Benalmadena. "I didn't want to sell things in the streets; I wanted to earn a living with my profession," he said.

His future changed radically when he came across Maria, a dressmaker with her own workshop, who was looking for someone to help with some work she had to do for a religious brotherhood. Someone had told her about Demba and she called him for a trial. "The first day she told me to cut out a pattern. When I did it she was happy and so was I," he said. "The second day she told me to use the sewing machine; I did and we were both happy," he explained.

In the end Maria, whom he refers to as "la senora Maria", took him on and they started to work together.

The job meant that he could get his residence papers and bring his family over from Senegal. "I worked with her for six years and it changed my life," Demba says. But when the pandemic came, Maria retired and offered him the chance to take over the workshop, "but I couldn't afford it", he explained.

His former boss did, however, give him her equipment and he took it home from where now he sews to order, mainly for his own compatriots. This, however, is not enough to live off and he also works in the kitchen of a local restaurant.

Last summer local business association ACEB launched a campaign to collect CVs from the Senegalese people working as street vendors in an attempt to connect them with business owners in need of workers. Demba handed in his CV, quoting his profession as a tailor and dressmaker, which caught the attention of the association's president Rosa Gonzalez.

Later, when she was approached by the town hall to support the organisation of the first Benalmadena Dmoda fashion show, Gonzalez remembered Demba and encouraged him to take part in the young talent competition, held in Puerto Marina in December.

A 'crazy' fortnight

At first Demba, who is now 44 and has two children, one at university and the other three years old, thought that he was being invited to take part in a television competition. "I don't speak Spanish well enough," he told Rosa. She explained that what he had to do was prepare a collection to show on the catwalk two weeks later.

With the support of his friend Djidril and his family, he set the sewing machine that Maria had given him to work and, after a "crazy fortnight", managed to present a collection that the competition judges considered "impeccable" both in design and sewing.

"I thought I would enter a collection with a western and African touch and the truth is that it surprised everyone. The way we sew, the fabric, the way women wear scarves is different in Senegal and the judges liked it."

In fact they liked it so much that Demba Diop was declared the winner of the competition. The result has revived his hopes of being able to make a living from his profession. All he needs now is a job opportunity that allows him to continue working magic with his hands.
Maria Albarral Marbella Friday, 12 January 2024, 13:06 | Updated 16:48h. Compartir Copiar enlace

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Owners of restaurants, bars and cafes on the Costa del Sol have expressed their concerns at the effect any possible water cuts might have on the hospitality industry. This comes after the authorities said that measures would be required if it doesn't rain enough to relieve the drought situation before March.

"The coffee machine runs on water, the dishwasher, cisterns, taps... everything we need to run our business", Ana Fernandez, manager of Bar Bartolo in Marbella, told SUR, adding, that even though they have a water tank, they fear that if there are cuts "this will affect their business activity because they won't be able to cope with the amount of time the cut lasts" or that the tank "will not refill as it should".

In the same vein, Francisco Ortiz, owner of Laura Veronica coffee shop, has also expressed his concern about the electrical appliances needed in the business.

"The coffee machine is directly connected to the water mains in the same way as a washing machine or dishwasher in a house. In order to make coffee with bottled water, a new installation would be needed, as it isn't possible," he told this newspaper, while stressing "the problems that could arise in terms of cleaning, as the cafe is very busy and has to be constantly cleaned, as is the case with the toilets".

For her part, Yolanda Rendon, manager of Taberna Casablanca, expressed her fear that it would affect tourism. "We are businesses that live off the people who come and eat in our restaurants and we are worried that the drought could affect tourism," she said, pointing out that "cleaning is the area that worries us most".
Juan Cano Malaga Friday, 12 January 2024, 13:37 Compartir Copiar enlace

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A court in Coin is investigating the death of Maria del Carmen Fernandez, a 51-year-old local woman who died while waiting for an ambulance to take her to hospital, which, according to her husband, took more than five hours.

It all happened on the morning of 19 September 2023. Carmen was at home with Inma, a good friend who helped her with the housework and looked after her - she was "in delicate health" - when her partner, Cayetano Garcia, travelled around Spain to see clients, as he is a consultant in the food sector.

Carmen, who was originally from Valencia, had overcome two tumours, depression and was currently complaining of severe chest pain. After "six or seven" visits to the hospital, doctors identified the chest pressure as Tietze's syndrome, an inflammatory process in the rib cartilages which, they were told, was not serious.

"The specialists said that they were small heart attacks, nerves, stress.... They told her to go for walks and lead a quiet life, but what stress? Carmen did handicrafts at home," said Garcia, who had been with his wife for 22 years, but they had never had children.

On the day of the incident, Cayetano was working in Barcelona. At 8.30am, he phoned his wife to see how she was and how she had spent the night. An hour and a bit later, he received a call from Inma, who told him that Carmen was not looking well. "I called the emergency services and went to El Prat airport to catch the first plane," he said.

"I told the neighbours," said the caregiver, who said that the first ambulance soon arrived with a doctor, a nurse and a driver. "Their diagnosis was that she was suffering from gastroenteritis and was very dehydrated, and they told us to give her oral saline solution," she explained

Inma and the neighbours were not convinced by the solution - or the diagnosis - and asked why Carmen was not taken to hospital or at least given an IV. According to the witnesses, who have already given statements to the Guardia Civil, the paramedics explained that the ambulance was not equipped to transfer her, that they would send in a report with the situation and that they should wait for a transfer ambulance.

With Inma was Mar, a neighbour who speaks with great affection for Carmen and who cannot help but be moved by the memory of that day. "I tried to make her [the doctor] see that it was urgent, that they couldn't leave her like that because she was very ill, and she suggested that we take her ourselves because there was only one ambulance for the whole district."

They couldn't even move her, because Carmen, who lay prostrate in bed, was in pain all over her body and very weak. "Between the three of us," Inma continued, "we were trying to see what we could do." She doesn't have a car and the other two neighbours had dependent family members, which also prevented them from being away. The solution: keep calling the emergency services. "I couldn't imagine that an ambulance could take so long," added the carer.

The couple, during one of their trips. Sur

Mar said that the emergency services - she doesn't know if it was 061 or 112 - told her that the alert had already been given and that there was nothing more they could do. "Then a woman got on the phone with me and asked me how Carmen was, if she was breathing. She told me to put her on the floor and do a cardiac massage," she said.

As the time passed, the woman on the phone, said Mar, recommended that they take turns so as not to exhaust themselves, because it was "super important" that they not stop. "It was desperate. We would ask her how long the ambulance would be and she would tell us that it was coming. We were like that for hours."

Mar and Inma said that the ambulance arrived at around 4 or 5 pm. They were asked to stand back and stayed for a while trying to assist Carmen, who by then was dead. The autopsy confirmed that she had suffered pericarditis. "I will always wonder if she could have been saved if she had been taken in the first ambulance," said Mar, very upset.

"I still wake up seeing Carmen's face," added Inma, who bitterly recalls the impotence she felt. For her, she was "like a sister". For Mar, her best friend: "She was a very, very dear person. She was an animal lover, a rescuer... She was well known by associations and animal shelters. She helped in the fight against cancer and was very involved in everything. It is a shame that she has left us before her time."

Inma, like Mar, agreed to talk for one reason only. "They won't give her back to us, but at least this won't happen to someone else," said the carer. That same idea is what drives Cayetano. "They didn't give her a chance at life. It's very sad the way everything happened," said Carmen's husband, who turned to lawyer Francisco Damian Vazquez, of the Asociacion El Defensor del Paciente, to denounce what happened. "I'm not looking for money, I just want justice."

This newspaper sought the version of the Empresa Publica de Emergencias Sanitarias (061). The response was as follows: "As this is a case in judicial proceedings, we will attend to all requests that reach us through that channel, collaborating as always to clarify what happened. 061 regrets the death of the patient and we would like to convey our condolences to the family."
Juan Cano Friday, 12 January 2024, 12:01 Compartir Copiar enlace

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Local Police officers in Malaga have arrested a 38-year-old Spanish man accused of holding and sexually assaulting his ex-partner in a hotel in the city. The arrested man has a restraining order against the victim, who was in a hostel in Barcelona.

The incident allegedly happened at around 11am on Wednesday 10 January. The receptionist of a hotel in Malaga city centre phoned the 092 control room of the Local Police of Malaga to alert them that a woman was crying for help. She woman claimed that she had been held against her will for two days and that she had been raped.

The woman, aged 40, also of Spanish nationality, was on her way to a police station when a Local Police patrol found her and interviewed her. The victim told them that she was living in a hostel in Barcelona when she received a call from the now arrested man.

In that call, which happened on Monday 8 January, the man allegedly told her that he was in Malaga and that if she did not travel to meet him immediately, he would call the police and tell them that she had approached him and had broken the restraining order against him.

The woman told the Local Police that she was frightened because she thought she might be arrested and agreed to meet him in Malaga, which led her to leave the shelter where she was staying. She did not say where she was going, so she was reported missing and the Catalan police, the Mossos d'Esquadra, had started an investigation to locate her, as, according to the sources consulted, she is within the Viogen system for victims of gender violence.

The complainant explained that, as soon as she arrived in Malaga, her ex-partner took her to the hotel room where he was staying and, according to the victim's version, did not let her leave for two days. During this time, she claimed, her ex-partner sexually assaulted her. She escaped using the excuse of going to withdraw money from a cash machine.

The woman told the Local Police that she had suffered injuries and even showed them some photos taken with her mobile phone of blood stains she had left on the sheets. The bed linen has been seized by investigators and is awaiting analysis.

Officers from the Operational Support Group (GOA) and the Investigation and Protection Group (GIP) of the Local Police, who were involved in the incident, went to the hotel in search of the suspect. The officers surrounded the establishment and monitored all the doors and windows of the establishment to prevent his escape.

At that moment, the individual left via the front door with the intention of leaving the hotel. The hotel staff recognised him and pointed him out so that the officers could arrest him immediately, the same sources explained.

The Local Police activated the protocol for suspected cases of crimes against sexual freedom and transferred the victim to the Hospital Materno Infantil so that she could be examined by a specialist.
HANGZHOU, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- East China's Zhejiang Province saw a new energy development boom in 2023, as part of the country's commitment to delivering on its dual carbon promises.

According to State Grid Zhejiang Electric Power Co., Ltd., the province's installed solar photovoltaic capacity totaled 33.57 GW and its installed wind power capacity totaled 5.84 GW at the end of 2023.

Zhejiang's installed new energy capacity, which increased by nearly 10 GW last year, accounted for over 30 percent of its total installed power generation capacity, standing at 130.77 GW, for the first time, the State Grid branch said.

New energy is playing an increasingly significant role in ensuring a stable energy supply. Amid the investment boom, the province's power generation from new energy sources soared 31 percent year on year to 40.6 billion kWh in 2023, it said.

In recent years, the coastal economic powerhouse province has strived to build itself into a demonstration region for clean energy development, unveiling policies to encourage enterprises and residents, particularly those in rural areas, to join in the green drive.

China has made a commitment to the dual carbon goals of peaking carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. 
Lorena Cadiz Fuengirola Friday, 12 January 2024 | Updated 15/01/2024 12:03h. Compartir Copiar enlace

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The company that supplies Fuengirolas water, Gestagua, is going to apply a reduction in the pressure of the water supply to the entire town from Monday (15 January).

This will mean that between midnight and seven in the morning there will be homes and commercial premises that "will not have water supply, mainly buildings that lack a water tank, but also those located in higher areas of the town," the council said in a statement. The town hall said that there is no estimate of the total number of homes that will be subjected to a total cut; the current population of the town exceeds 85,000 inhabitants.

It is a decision that we don't like to take, but we have had no choice but to implement it due to the lack of rain," said the councillor for infrastructures, Jose Sanchez, who announced the measures and appealed to the public to cooperate. He referenced the limitations on consumption that have been in force since last summer and the awareness campaigns that have been launched by the town hall before reaching this point.

The councillor and the head of Gestagua, Enrique Sanchez, pointed out that the service operators are studying the towns underground water sources to assess the possibility of sinking boreholes to access this water resource. The town hall has also started the tendering process to modernise and digitise the remote management of the network.

Water tanks

Councillor Sanchez emphasised the importance of having a water tank to be able to deal with the period of reduced pressure at night, "as only those buildings or commercial premises that have one will not see their supply affected". For this reason, he recommended installing one of these tanks, as well as checking its condition.

He also stressed that establishments in the hotel and catering industry are legally obliged to have water reserve systems to guarantee their self-sufficiency for at least 24 hours, although it is believed that many do not comply.

Sanchez also called on all residents not to store water unnecessarily. "If we do so, we will be harming those who do not have [tanks] and will cause the next measures to be more severe. It is vital that we all practise responsible consumption and heed the advice we offer on the Gestagua website and in the municipal media," the councillor said.

The councillor added that the local government team is working with Acosol (the water supply company) and the Junta de Andalucia, in order to speed up other solutions and improve the existing water infrastructure.
Tony Bryant Mijas Friday, 12 January 2024, 16:21 Compartir Copiar enlace

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The Mijas Costa branch of the Royal British Legion is appealing for volunteer case workers as part of its "surge of good will" to continue offering help and assistance to those in need throughout 2024. Candidates will be trained to cope with a variety of situations, offering support in crises such as death - funeral arranging or repatriation - and mental health issues. Duties will also include offering advice on subjects such as loneliness and pension applications, along with hospital and care home visits, among other things.

The campaign is spearheaded by Andy Nye, founder of the recently formed Mijas Costa Veterans Group. Nye, who served in the Royal Irish Regiment for 22 years, is also the welfare coordinator at the Mijas branch of the RBL.

"We only have one or two case workers in this area at the moment. We normally work in pairs, so this would be good for couples, but this is not exclusive. The key word here is volunteers, because everyone who is involved is a volunteer. Case workers, who must be RBL members, will receive training. They will have one case per year, unless they want to take on more. We work on a pyramid structure, so there is always someone with experience in this work who can help out," Nye explained.

The half-day training sessions will begin next month at Club Naranja in Calahonda from 11am. For more information, phone Andy Nye on 711 002 569.
Jennie Rhodes Friday, 12 January 2024, 14:06 Compartir Copiar enlace

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British citizens living in Spain will be able to register to vote again in UK national elections from 16 January. The so-called 15-year rule, introduced in 2002, prevented British citizens who had lived outside the UK for more than 15 years from voting.

However, after many years of campaigning by groups representing Britons' abroad, the Elections Act 2022 repealed the rule and it was implemented into UK law on 18 December 2023.

Jane Golding, Co-Chair of campaign group British in Europe, said, "This is a historic change after years of campaigning by ourselves and others to get the right to vote for all British citizens, regardless of where they live. The change means that all British citizens abroad will now have a constituency MP and someone to write and ask what they are going to do on the issues that they care about."

Any British citizen, including Irish citizens who also have British citizenship aged 18 and over who have previously been registered or lived in the UK, even only as a child, have the right to vote in general and by-elections.

Eligible citizens do not need to have been previously registered to vote before leaving the UK. Voters may register either in the last place they were registered to vote or in their last place of residence before emigrating.

Next general election

For UK citizens who have lived outside the country for more than 15 years or never registered to vote in the UK when they lived there, registration opens on 16 January. Those who have lived outside the UK for less than 15 years and were previously on the electoral roll can already apply at any time.

There will be a cutoff date for registration to vote in the next parliamentary elections but that will depend on the date set for polling day, which is expected to be later this year. If registering in England, Wales or Scotland this can be done online or by post. Postal and proxy voting are both possible and the information on how to arrange both options is available on the UK government website. For further information, to register and to make a declaration as an overseas elector, visit the UK government website: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

This change of law does not apply to UK local (town hall) elections, although British citizens who are resident in Spain and registered on their town hall padron can sign up to vote in local elections in Spain each time they are held.
Spanish government saves votes at 11th hour with support of Catalan nationalist party In its first test the fragile coalition led by Socialist Pedro Sanchez needed to get three decrees approved by MPs

SUR Madrid Friday, 12 January 2024, 13:43 Compartir Copiar enlace

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The new, minority Spanish government faced the first major test of its fragile coalition of support in parliament on Wednesday when trying to get three royal decrees, passed by ministers before Christmas, approved by MPs.

With MPs sitting in the Senate upper house chamber while their Congreso building is part refurbished, ministers had been expecting up to the last minute to lose the votes as the Catalan nationalists Junts were refusing support.

Two of the laws - on extending anti-crisis measures and a package of administrative reforms - passed after extra concessions for Catalonia were promised to Junts. But Podemos refused to support its old ally Sumar on the third law on employment.
Beatrice Lavalle Malaga Friday, 12 January 2024, 13:53 Compartir Copiar enlace

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Despite their age difference and their completely different characters, you can tell at first glance that the two musicians Alexander Kilian and Jan Pascal harmonise well. Neither tries to push himself to the fore and both speak with admiration of the other's work. The musicians who form guitar duo Cafe del Mundo say that in the 16 years they have been performing together, they have never once argued, and when you see them interacting, you believe them to the letter.

Both have pursued a career in classical music. Alexander Kilian (born in Bad Mergentheim, Germany, in 1987) began a classical music education, which he completed with a jazz music diploma. The young musician, who actually had a penchant for punk and metal, learned about Eastern music from his Georgian master. He came to flamenco via the traditional music of Georgia - the Iberia of the East - which has links to the original Spanish genre. Jan Pascal (born Wurzburg, 1975) underwent classical guitar training at music school. The talented musician, who was already composing his own pieces as a teenager, did not fulfil the path of a classical concert guitarist, for which he seemed predestined. As he had always been fascinated by the sound of the flamenco guitar, which he had learnt about during stays in Spain, he finally followed "the call of Paco de Lucia".

Kilian and Pascal met at a flamenco workshop in 2007 and knew immediately that they could work well together.

A vocation for world music

They stress that although they use the flamenco guitar, they do not play flamenco in the true sense of the word, but use the sound of the Spanish guitar to combine classical, jazz, pop and flamenco to create a musical experience that appeals to a wide variety of audiences.

The two musicians describe one of their main aims as "to present the soulful primal forces inherent in the flamenco guitar to an international audience". They want to work on the evolution of an instrument that, in their opinion, offers "possibilities of articulation" far beyond folklore. They see the "fusion of different cultures, as practised in Andalucia as a living example" as one of the "privileged tasks of music". And so their works, whether their own compositions or versions of classical, flamenco and pop music, unite the most diverse musical influences.

The fact that two such virtuoso artists can play together without their egos getting in the way is due to their differences: "Alex is more of a virtuoso soloist, I'm more of a composer and the one who articulates the melodies," explains Pascal. Kilian admires his colleague's compositional talent. "It's a great gift, like a spring that never runs dry. When we have an idea in our heads, I know that it will bubble up from Jan and he knows exactly what works in my hands. I don't think anyone else could write pieces for me as perfectly as he does," he enthuses.

Their fruitful collaboration is also helped by their shared musical vision and the goal of making international music with the sound of the flamenco guitar. They admit that there is competition, "but a positive one that helps us get the best out of each other," says Pascal.

The response from the audience is particularly satisfying for the two musicians when they see that the joie de vivre inherent in flamenco has spread to other countries. "People leave the concert with a smile on their faces and you can see that they have been transported for a moment and have been able to leave their grey everyday lives behind," says Pascal.

In Spain, the 'Holy Grail of flamenco', they didn't want to perform at all at first, as they felt it was inappropriate to present themselves as German musicians in the land of the flamenco guitar. But Volker Bahmann, who organises their concerts in Spain, was convinced that their playing would go down well here too. And ultimately Kilian believes that they also have something to contribute to flamenco, as they are doing something completely new. And this has earned them the respect of Spanish flamenco artists. They have performed on stage with Spanish flamenco stars such as Estrella Morente and have performed in the flamenco caves of Granada, where they enjoy jam sessions with Spanish musicians after their concerts. "It's as if time stands still, there's no before and no after, just the moment," Pascal recalls of this experience.

To create an international sound with the flamenco guitar, any piece that reflects the poetry of flamenco and that radiates spiritual freedom will work. They might be pieces by Piazzolla, Bach and Enrique Granados or even bands such as U2 or Coldplay.

Attracting young people

For this project, they found an arranger who worked on the pieces in such a way that they were neither too difficult nor too easy and could appeal to both a classically educated audience and an audience more orientated towards lighter music. The aim is to attract young people who don't normally go to classical concerts to their music.

The two German guitarists will be performing this album, composed entirely of their own songs, on 22 January at 8pm in the Cervantes Theatre, accompanied by the Jopma. Here you can get to know the cultural crossover of this extraordinary guitar duo. Tickets are available for 15 euros at www.unientradas.es.

And with Symphonic still on tour, Kilian and Pascal are already thinking about their next project: a recording with film soundtracks by Hans Zimmer and an album dedicated to the music of the 1980s.
Morocco has joined UAE, Jordan, Egypt and Bahrains Integrated Industrial Partnership for Sustainable Economic Development at a key event held in Bahrain. With this, Morocco has become the fifth country to join the partnership aimed at strengthening regional industrial integration.

The announcement was made during the fourth meeting of the Higher Committee of the Industrial Partnership for Sustainable Economic Development which began today (January 11) at Manama in the presence of Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The meetings were held with the participation of Abdullah bin Adel Fakhro, Bahrains Minister of Industry and Commerce, Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, the UAEs Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Engineer Ahmed Samir Saleh, Egypts Minister of Industry and Trade, Yousef Al Shamali, Jordans Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply, and Riyad Mazour, Moroccos Minister of Industry and Trade.

The Executive Committee held meetings with officials, including industry and trade undersecretaries from the partner countries, yesterday (January 10) to discuss the progress of current projects and new proposals.

The industrial partnership has received robust support from member countries since its launch in Abu Dhabi in May 2022.

HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, praised the partnerships role as a framework for cooperation and integration in the region, accelerating sustainable development, strengthening crisis resilience and increasing self-sufficiency in critical areas such as food, health, energy and industry among others.

The launch ceremony was witnessed by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, Dr. Bisher Al-Khasawneh, Prime Minister of Jordan and His Excellency Dr. Moustafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt.

Agreements worth $2.2 billion were announced during fourth Higher Committee meeting across the metals, EV, and food sectors.

The biggest one was inked by Bahrain Steel valued at $2 billion under which Emirates Steel will purchase 2 million tonnes of raw materials over the next five years.

A major deal was struck between UAEs W Motors, the strategic partner of NWTN Motors, and Jordans Manaseer Group to establish an electric car manufacturing plant in Jordan, with an investment value of $80 million.

Additionally, Manaseer Group and Bahrains Alba signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to supply 13,000 tons of aluminum fluoride annually, contributing to an import substitution value of $20 million.

Bahrains Alba also signed an MoU with Jordan Phosphate Mines for silica supply, contributing to an import substitution value of $66 million.

A MoU was also signed between the UAEs Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) and Bahrains Ministry of Industry and Commerce leveraging the UAEs National In-Country Value (ICV) Program. The initiative is aimed at sharing best practices with respect to local content programs.

Adel Fakhro stressed upon the Bahraini government's commitment to the development of the industrial sector, embodied by the event being hosted in Manama under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

He highlighted the events role in achieving industrial integration among the member countries in line with Bahrain's Industrial Sector Strategy 2022-26.

"The meeting saw the signing of a memorandum of cooperation under the National In-Country Program between the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the UAEs Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, a key industrial enabler for procurement competitiveness and import substitution in both countries," he noted.

Adel Fakhro welcomed the addition of Morocco to the partnership, which is a key industrial and economic player in the region.

In his opening remarks at the meeting, Dr Al Jaber said: "In the UAE, we believe that forming strategic partnerships is a fundamental pillar of achieving national economic, social, and developmental objectives. This integrated industrial partnership, originating in Abu Dhabi in May 2022, is a model of successful regional partnerships."

"We welcome the Kingdom of Moroccos addition to the partnership, given its leading industrial and economic status, and achievements across various sectors  particularly industry  which is vital to supporting investment opportunities," he stated.

"We are pleased to witness the announcement and signing of five new projects and export agreements in priority sectors, with a total value of approximately $2.2 billion, enhancing cooperation between the UAEs Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and Bahrains Ministry of Industry and Commerce in line with the National ICV Program," he added.

Al Jaber said the new projects solidify the countries' ability to integrate, build a common industrial base, support the flexibility of supply chains, reduce production costs, enhance research and development, and train a new generation in the industrial and technological fields.

"Additionally, they contribute to creating thousands of jobs in the industrial sector. We look forward to launching more innovative projects to achieve the partnerships strategic goals," he noted.

"The partnership has made significant progress in encouraging cooperation and boosting industrial partnership opportunities. We are confident that it will contribute to enhancing integration and growth in the industrial sector on the regional level, supporting efforts for sustainable economic development," he added.

Al Jaber said: "Strengthening industrial cooperation and coordination efforts between our countries achieves several goals, including supporting sustainable economic development, creating more investment opportunities in the region, increasing the industrial sectors contribution to our countries' GDP, supporting import substitution, promoting self-sufficiency, and empowering future industries through advanced technologies, research and development."

The UAE had hosted COP28 in December, which achieved unprecedented success, embodied by the historic UAE Consensus, which signaled a new era in global climate action, stated the minister.

The plan aims to keep 1.5C within reach by reducing emissions while creating opportunities for sustainable economic and social growth. Here, I would like to emphasize the importance of our collective role in supporting this agreement by decarbonizing the industrial sector, adopting renewable energy solutions, promoting the adoption of clean technology solutions in our projects and leveraging significant opportunities in sustainable manufacturing."

Al Shamali emphasized the partnerships importance in accelerating sustainable economic development in the region.

"The partnership is a regional model for enhancing sustainable economic growth and development through strategic planning. A key aspect of the partnership is leveraging raw materials in Arab countries, which represent 75% of their global exports, to build an industrial system that uplifts economies," he added.

Welcoming Morocco's membership, Samir Saleh said Egypt was looking forward to the cooperation and to building upon the countrys competitive advantages, vision and investments.

"We are committed to the projects launched under the partnership, which will benefit from each partner countries industrial capabilities and contribute to sustainable economic growth amid a turbulent global economy," stated the

Egyptian minister.

On Moroccos decision, Mazour said: "Joining the industrial partnership is in line with the vision of King Mohammed VI of Morocco, to strengthen cooperation and achieve greater economic development."

"It will contribute to sustainable economic development; it also represents an opportunity for us to further integrate and develop projects that generate growth and employment opportunities for national talent," stated the Moroccan minister.

Morocco is expected to bring significant value to the partnership, given the countrys advanced industrial capabilities, particularly in the automotive, renewable energy, aviation, textiles, pharmaceuticals, phosphate, mining and food industries, in addition to its strong talent base, advanced infrastructure, and global partnerships.

Morocco's GDP exceeded $134 billion in 2022. The countrys industrial sector provides more than 1 million jobs, through some 121,000 companies. Additionally, there has been an increase in foreign direct investment (FDI) in the manufacturing sector.

Morocco has entered several strategic agreements with other countries, including free trade agreements providing access to more than 100 countries representing 2.3 billion consumers.

Ongoing industrial modernization and development plans have enhanced its competitiveness, boosting investor confidence and establishing Morocco as a regional destination for manufacturing and industrial investment.

Industry is a key sector in Morocco and has seen significant development in recent years with a focus on automotive, renewable energy, aviation, textiles, pharmaceuticals, phosphates, mining, and food industries, said Mazour.

Morocco is accelerating the sectors development, implementing a new industrial policy aimed at increasing its contribution to GDP to 23% by 2030, creating more than 500,000 new job opportunities, and investing billions of dollars in renewable energy projects, he added.
SINGAPORE, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Singapore's maritime container throughput reached a new high of 39.01 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2023, said acting Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat Friday.

Addressing the Singapore Maritime Foundation New Year Conversations, Chee noted that annual vessel arrival tonnage in Singapore set a high of 3.09 billion gross tons last year, an increase of 9.4 percent from 2022.

Singapore's maritime terminal handled 591.70 million tons of cargo in 2023, and the total tonnage of ships under the Singapore flag reached 99.56 million gross tons, Chee added.

The acting minister also called for upgrading the port with digital and environment-friendly technologies and building a local maritime talent pool to satisfy the need for a rapidly transforming maritime industry. 
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Charity in Syracuse-The Hearts of the Poor Made Glad.

Thus, read the headline on the front page of the New York Times on January 2, 1870.

Amidst a severe post-Civil War economic depression, John Greenway, president of J & G Greenway & Company hosted a free barbeque for the benefit of the 43,000 residents of the city of Syracuse that was held in Clinton Square on New Years Day 1870.

According to press accounts, people came from as far away as Albany and Rochester to attend the massive fete.

The north bank of the Erie Canal, just two blocks from Greenways massive brewery and malthouse, was the site where two immense ovens  each nine feet high - were constructed out of sheet metal.

- Invitation to Greenway's Barbecue on New Year's Day 1870 in Syracuse. Onondaga Historical SocietyOnondaga Historical Association

The barbecue itself began the previous evening around midnight when the cooking began.

Hardwood logs were piled on iron grates and burned for 12 hours before two enormous beef cattle weighing almost 750 pounds were arranged on heavy spits, some 14 feet in length.

The beef was turned slowly while huge basting pans measuring 12 feet long caught all the delectable drippings underneath.

A third head of cattle weighing nearly 900 pounds was left uncooked and carved into steaks for folks to take home. A staggering 5,000 loaves of bread were placed in pyramid stacks eight feet high on a long 100-foot table for what has to be one of the longest sandwich lines in recorded history.

Considering the size of the crowd, many well-warmed with Mr. Greenways delicious libations, the Grand Barbecue saw only one serious injury.

Unfortunately, while the beef was being carved, one of the butchers, Mr. George Hancock, slipped and fell into one of the basting pans. Luckily, he slid in feet first and his thick leather boots prevented him from being severely scalded by the hot drippings. He was rescued immediately by his fellow carvers and escorted to his nearby home where he made a full recovery.

Despite the accident, the juices were subsequently used for the hot roast beef sandwiches served to the hungry masses. This was long before health codes, after all.

According to contemporary newspaper accounts - and there were many as the tale of Greenways generosity was reprinted in newspapers across the country from Cincinnati to Indiana, Chicago to Pittsburgh - upwards of 30,000 people turned out on that mild New Years Day for The Grand Barbecue.

Such was the fascination leading up to the event, that Frank Leslie, publisher of Leslies Illustrated Newspaper, sent an illustrator and a reporter to the event so that he could include it in his popular and influential periodical.

- Greenways Brewery and Malthouse, circa 1875. Greenways massive brewery and malthouse complex on West Water Street on the southern side of the Erie Canal. It was the largest brewery west of New York City for several decades in the 19th century. It was gutted by a massive fire in 1913. Onondaga Historical AssociationOnondaga Historical Association

The festivities began at 10:00 in the morning and crowds enjoyed music from several bands while they waited in lines to be fed. By 1:30, the ravenous crowd had consumed every last bit of beef.

At that point, Greenway sent in dessert consisting of 12 enormous plum puddings, each weighing about 200 pounds. The puddings had been pulled into the square on festive evergreen-laden sleighs pulled by 12 horses and decorated with banners emblazoned with Happy New Year.

The pudding, however, was not a hit with all of the attendees. Luckily for posterity, several members of the Oneida Community travelled to Syracuse for the barbecue, apparently intrigued by Mr. Greenways largesse and the sheer scope of the event.

Oneida Community Members, Mr. F. Wayland and C.W. Underwood took excellent notes and provided one of the most detailed accounts of the gathering, which was reprinted in the Oneida Daily Circular.

Apparently, several of the members hoped that their reconnaissance party might bring back some of the plum pudding. As such, they nominated Mr. Underwood to join the group and do the deed.

Mr. Underwood replied, I do not know that I am particularly fond of plum-pudding.

To wit, his colleague, a Mr. Hamilton quipped, Then you will be more likely to bring some of it home.

Mr. Underwood succeeded in his mission.

In the archives of the Oneida Community Mansion house there is a pencil drawing of Mr. Underwood, apparently vomiting in front of a small crowd in the main hall. The speech bubble reads, taste of that nasty pudding.

He tried to warn them.

- John Greenway (1821-1887): Greenway built an incredibly successful brand and business, and he became one of Central New Yorks wealthiest men. His mansion on the corner of James and Manlius Streets in Syracuse was one of the finest homes in the city. His legendary "barbeque" was only one example of John Greenways benevolence. In 1877, he opened a soup kitchen for the citys indigent population that operated until his death in 1887.He is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery. Onondaga Historical AssociationOnondaga Historical Association

Robert Searings weekly articles are supported by the William G. Pomeroy Public History Media Series. To learn more about the William G. Pomeroy Foundations work to promote public history, visit wgpfoundation.org.
New York  When New York City officials erected a sprawling tent complex on a remote former airport in Brooklyn to house asylum-seeking migrants this fall, many of the recent arrivals and their advocates questioned the wisdom of placing thousands of people in a flood zone, miles from schools and other services, just as winter set in.

Those worries became reality this week when forecasts of a storm packing drenching rains and punishing winds forced a hasty evacuation Tuesday of the complex built on Floyd Bennett Fields Runway 19.

Nearly 2,000 people, many of them families with children, were loaded onto city buses just as the storm hit and sent to a nearby high school, prompting school administrators to close the building and switch to remote classes for students the next day.

The situation quickly became a flashpoint in the national debate over migrants entering the countrys southern border. Conservative politicians and pundits seized on the issue, and the school received threatening phone calls. It also renewed criticism over how New York and other big cities are responding to the immigration surge, with many turning to makeshift accommodations to house the growing numbers.

Chicago, which had used police stations and airports to temporarily house migrants, is now turning to city buses as a stopgap. Migrants in Massachusetts have had to bed down in airport lounges, hospital waiting rooms and churches. Earlier this week, New York City began enforcing 60-day limits for migrant families on stays in city shelters, many of which are converted hotels in midtown Manhattan.

Luis Lopez, a 40-year-old from Ecuador who has been living at the Brooklyn camp for nearly a month, said his family of five slept on the floor of the school cafeteria Tuesday, only to be roused in the middle of the night to return to the camp once the worst of the high winds had passed.

After the ordeal, Lopez said he let his three exhausted children skip school, which is nearly a hours drive from the encampment.

It was a little adventure, he said in Spanish with a weary shrug the next day.

But it wasnt just the migrants and their advocates grumbling.

Local politicians and parents in the relatively suburban, southeastern corner of Brooklyn -- about 25 miles from midtown Manhattan -- held a protest the next day in front of the school, irate that students were forced to switch to remote learning to accommodate the migrants. The school itself received hate calls and a bomb threat, officials said Wednesday.

Prominent conservatives pointed to the incident to suggest the needs of foreign migrants were being prioritized over American children. Entrepreneur Elon Musk posted to his more than 168 million followers on his social media platform X that after cities run out of schools, they will come for your homes.

But critics and many migrants agree the city needs to find a better solution than the current setup at Floyd Bennett Field.

We warned about this. Floyd Bennett Field is susceptible to flooding, storms, winds, New York City Councilor Inna Vernikov, a Republican who represents the area, said in video posted on X this week. Its not an acceptable place to house people, but neither are public schools.

Mayor Eric Adams administration announced the opening of the tent facility in mid-October, saying the city was past its breaking point with more than 170,000 migrants arriving since the crisis began in 2022.

Located on Jamaica Bay, between seaside Coney Island and Rockaway Beach, Floyd Bennett Field was New Yorks first airport and later served as a naval station during World World II.

The migrant complex, which has been closed to the media since migrants moved in, includes two large tents for bedrooms, a lounge tent and a dining tent filled with rows of long plastic tables and folding chairs.

Rooms are semi-enclosed, with wall partitions but no ceiling, according to videos and images provided by residents and their advocates. There is no furniture in the rooms, which are just large enough to fit the beds. Bathrooms and showers are in trailers outside the tents.

Yeisi Chirinos, a 25-year-old from Venezuela with three young children, says the beds arent even mattresses, but cots that arent comfortable and are easy for small children to tumble off.

Chirinos also worries about the sites remote location. If one of her children gets sick and needs something from the pharmacy, for example, she would need to head into the neighborhood center a few miles away.

This isnt an acceptable place for a family, Chirinos said in Spanish as she trekked home from a shopping mall late Wednesday. The city needs to move us somewhere else.

Andres Sanchez, a 34-year-old from Colombia, said he never envisioned spending winter in a tent after making the harrowing overland journey through the Americas. But after living at the airfield for more than a month with his wife and three young children, he remained upbeat.

The conditions arent great, but its not worse than sleeping in the street, Sanchez said in Spanish as he stood outside the gates of the camp Wednesday afternoon. We have a place to live and sleep and eat, and for that, we are thankful.

Among the chief safety concerns when the makeshift shelter was erected was that the airfields white tent structures are only anchored to the runway by cement blocks. The city wasnt allowed to fasten them to the ground with stakes because of the sites federal historic designation.

Zachary Iscol, Adams emergency management commissioner, stressed after Tuesdays storm that the administration has long known the makeshift airfield encampment would be tested as winter arrived in earnest.

City officials, he noted, weighed evacuating the camp at least three times ahead of potentially extreme weather events.

All of us in the city understand that Floyd Bennett Field is not an ideal place to be housing families with children, Iscol said Wednesday. This is what was given to us. It was provided by the state and federal government, and its fallen on our shoulders to make and to make it safe.

Lopez, the migrant father from Ecuador, suggested that some of the complaints from residents are overblown, even as he conceded he shared their concerns about the facilitys ability to withstand the weather.

During recent storms, he said, the sound of rain pounding on the roof echoed loudly inside the tent and the bitter coastal winds rattled the structures white outside covering, which is held up by a metal frame.

The children, they dont worry. Theyre happy. They can sleep through anything, Lopez said. But I dont. I stay awake because I worry.
The Onondaga County Conservative Party has ousted Tom Dadey as a party leader, capping a fall for a former top political power broker in Central New York politics.

The Conservative Partys executive committee voted 13-9 Wednesday night to expel Dadey on charges of disloyalty to the party, said Bernie Ment, the party chairman.
One person was injured in a fight at a Walmart in Central New York, according to reports.

WKTV reports a fight broke out at the Walmart Supercenter in Rome, N.Y., just before closing time on Tuesday night. Two males and two females were involved in the altercation around 10:45 p.m. in the stores food section, according to the Oneida County Sheriffs Office.

Walmart employees said the two men started arguing with each other when one man pulled a knife out. The other man then picked up a bottle and threw it, hitting the man with the knife.

Both men then started throwing bottles and cans at each other until being separated by store employees. One of them suffered a cut that was non-life threatening, according to sheriffs deputies; he refused medical treatment. No stabbing occurred in the incident, deputies said after reviewing security footage.

All parties involved left before sheriffs deputies arrived at the scene, but were later located in Rome with the assistance of New York State Police and Rome Police. The subjects were uncooperative and refused to answer questions, according to NewsChannel 9 WSYR.

No arrests have been made due to a lack of cooperation, the Oneida County Sheriffs Office said. No other details about the subjects were released.

Anyone who was in the store at the time of the incident is asked to call investigators at 315-765-2226.
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Workers work at the Great Wall Motors (GWM) manufacturing plant in Rayong, Thailand, Jan. 12, 2024.

China's carmaker GWM sees the first electric vehicle roll off the production line in Thailand on Friday, making a significant breakthrough as the first locally produced pure electric vehicle. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)

RAYONG, Thailand, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- China's carmaker Great Wall Motors (GWM) sees the first electric vehicle (EV) roll off the production line in Thailand on Friday, making a significant breakthrough as the first locally produced pure electric vehicle.

GWM, China's largest SUV and pickup maker, owning multiple brands including HAVAL, ORA, TANK and WEY, initiated its car production at the Rayong factory in Thailand in November 2020.

Its EV model ORA Good Cat soon became popular among Thai consumers, and the cumulative sales have exceeded 11,000 units since it was launched in Thailand in October 2021.

Pimphattra Wichaikul, Minister of Industry, said at the ceremony that GWM was one of the first two companies to sign an agreement to support the government's policy to promote the use of EVs.

He added that the Ministry of Industry is ready to continuously support the EV industry, promoting Thailand as a base for EV and component production in the ASEAN region, and fostering sustainable development on a global scale.

Thailand has long been a major automobile production base in Southeast Asia due to its industrial chain and geographical advantages. Under the government's investment promotion, the country aims to produce EVs for 30 percent of all vehicles in the country by the year 2030.

"Since entering into the Thai market, GWM has actively helped Thailand to build an EV hub in alignment with the Thai government's goal. And the launch of ORA Good Cat from local production makes Thailand the first market of GWM globally to start local production of our EV models," said Clyde Cheng, president of GWM ASEAN.

He noted that this also shows the importance of Thailand in GWM's global strategy and will propel the country to become a pivotal hub for EV manufacturing in the region. 

A worker works at the Great Wall Motors (GWM) manufacturing plant in Rayong, Thailand, Jan. 12, 2024.

China's carmaker GWM sees the first electric vehicle roll off the production line in Thailand on Friday, making a significant breakthrough as the first locally produced pure electric vehicle. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)

A worker works at the Great Wall Motors (GWM) manufacturing plant in Rayong, Thailand, Jan. 12, 2024.

China's carmaker GWM sees the first electric vehicle roll off the production line in Thailand on Friday, making a significant breakthrough as the first locally produced pure electric vehicle. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)

Workers work at the Great Wall Motors (GWM) manufacturing plant in Rayong, Thailand, Jan. 12, 2024.

China's carmaker GWM sees the first electric vehicle roll off the production line in Thailand on Friday, making a significant breakthrough as the first locally produced pure electric vehicle. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)

The ORA Good Cat electric cars are seen at the Great Wall Motors (GWM) manufacturing plant in Rayong, Thailand, Jan. 12, 2024.

China's carmaker GWM sees the first electric vehicle roll off the production line in Thailand on Friday, making a significant breakthrough as the first locally produced pure electric vehicle. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)

Workers work at the Great Wall Motors (GWM) manufacturing plant in Rayong, Thailand, Jan. 12, 2024.

China's carmaker GWM sees the first electric vehicle roll off the production line in Thailand on Friday, making a significant breakthrough as the first locally produced pure electric vehicle. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)

A worker works at the Great Wall Motors (GWM) manufacturing plant in Rayong, Thailand, Jan. 12, 2024.

China's carmaker GWM sees the first electric vehicle roll off the production line in Thailand on Friday, making a significant breakthrough as the first locally produced pure electric vehicle. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)

Workers work at the Great Wall Motors (GWM) manufacturing plant in Rayong, Thailand, Jan. 12, 2024.

China's carmaker GWM sees the first electric vehicle roll off the production line in Thailand on Friday, making a significant breakthrough as the first locally produced pure electric vehicle. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)

Workers work at the Great Wall Motors (GWM) manufacturing plant in Rayong, Thailand, Jan. 12, 2024.

China's carmaker GWM sees the first electric vehicle roll off the production line in Thailand on Friday, making a significant breakthrough as the first locally produced pure electric vehicle. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)

A worker works at the Great Wall Motors (GWM) manufacturing plant in Rayong, Thailand, Jan. 12, 2024.

China's carmaker GWM sees the first electric vehicle roll off the production line in Thailand on Friday, making a significant breakthrough as the first locally produced pure electric vehicle. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)

A worker works at the Great Wall Motors (GWM) manufacturing plant in Rayong, Thailand, Jan. 12, 2024.

China's carmaker GWM sees the first electric vehicle roll off the production line in Thailand on Friday, making a significant breakthrough as the first locally produced pure electric vehicle. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)

Workers work at the Great Wall Motors (GWM) manufacturing plant in Rayong, Thailand, Jan. 12, 2024.

China's carmaker GWM sees the first electric vehicle roll off the production line in Thailand on Friday, making a significant breakthrough as the first locally produced pure electric vehicle. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)
Stipend for Walsh Scholars Increased

Teagasc has announced that it will increase the annual stipend for Walsh Scholars to 25,000 from the 1st January 2024. The Teagasc Authority approved the increase at their board meeting this week.

The increased stipend will provide much needed support for graduates to meet increased cost of living expenses, as they pursue their PhD and masters qualifications.

The Teagasc Walsh Scholarships Programme is a postgraduate programme for graduates to undertake postgraduate research in agriculture, food, environmental science, agri-food economics, rural development, horticulture and other related disciplines.

This decision means that all current and future Teagasc funded Walsh Scholars will receive an annual stipend of 25,000, plus a contribution towards the cost of their university fees up to a maximum of 6,000.

An independent national review of State supports for PhD researchers last May, recommended increasing the level to 25,000.

Professor Frank OMara, Teagasc Director said; the Walsh Scholarships Programme is one of the most important programmes in Teagasc, as it develops the next generation of young researchers, as they pursue their post-graduate studies. It creates a flow of well-trained graduates up to doctoral level, thus providing high calibre individuals to work in the agri-food and related sectors in Ireland and abroad.

Jane Kavanagh, Head of Research Development and Walsh Scholarships in Teagasc welcomed the decision saying; the increased stipend will provide much needed support for graduates to meet increased cost of living expenses, as they pursue their PhD and masters qualifications.

Administrators of the Walsh Scholarships Programme in both Teagasc and the Universities/Technological Universities will commence the task of implementing the new rates, and its expected students will receive the increase in the March stipend. The stipends will be backdated to the 1st January.

For Walsh Scholars funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), the Irish Research Council (IRC) and the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), the increased stipends are being processed and, it is expected the increase will be paid in the January stipend.
Upcoming Teagasc National Sheep Conferences

Teagasc are hosting two National Sheep Conferences, taking place at 7pm on Tuesday, 23 January in the Athlone Springs Hotel, County Roscommon, and Thursday, 25 January in the Clanree Hotel, Letterkenny, County Donegal. The sheep conference will focus on nutrition management in the run up to lambing, the process of transferring the family farm, and diagnosing and managing flock health issues.

Flock health status is key to achieving high animal welfare, performance and high levels of profitability in Irish lamb production systems.

Dr Tim Keady, Teagasc Researcher, will discuss the importance of properly managing ewe nutrition during pregnancy including the consequences on subsequent flock performance.

Martin Clarke from IFAC will discuss the succession challenges facing Irish farm families covering a range of issues that will include tax, structures, income security and opportunities for planning. He will outline the key considerations and strategies to simplify the process of farm transfers.

Flock health status is key to achieving high animal welfare, performance and high levels of profitability in Irish lamb production systems. Occasionally flocks will face various flock health challenges and how the owners deal with these challenges in terms of diagnosis and management differs widely. In this session, chaired by Darren Carty of the Irish Farmers Journal, we will hear first-hand from both farmers and Seamus Fagan from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) Regional Vet Lab Athlone about the steps involved in diagnosing and managing these issues on farm. Three sheep farmers, John O Connell, Leitrim; Patrick Dunne, Wicklow; and Brian Keane, Wexford will share their on-farm experiences of three different flock health issues they encountered on their farms.

The opening address at the sheep conference in Letterkenny will be delivered by Charlie McConalogue TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine, while the conference in Athlone will be opened by Professor Frank O'Mara, Teagasc Director.

Speaking in advance of the events, Michael Gottstein, Head of Sheep Knowledge Transfer in Teagasc said; we have put together an exciting programme for these conferences, which promises to be very informative and interesting for sheep farmers and all are welcome to attend.

For more details on the sheep conferences visit the Teagasc website at www.teagasc.ie/sheepcon24
The aptly named Ambient Photonics wants to end the reliance of low-power devices on batteries, and the company is showcasing a solar cell at CES that it believes is up to the job.

With its dye-sensitive solar cell (DSSC), Ambient Photonics thinks it can harvest enough power from ambient light (thats why I called the company aptly named) to greatly limit the use ofor even replacethe batteries in such low-power devices as TV remotes, wireless computer peripherals, smart home doorbells, and door locks.

The companys new solar cells are said to require far less light than existing types, while as much as tripling the output of current amorphous silicon-based cells.

Doubling down on the concept, Ambient Photonics is delivering two-sided, or bi-facial, versions of its photovoltaic (PV) cells. Yup, youll be able to toss your DSSC-equipped remote on the couch and not have to worry which side lands up.

Low battery warnings from your wireless smart home devices may soon be a thing of the past if Ambient Photonics has anything to say about it.

Many folks have long wondered when this tech would spread. Solar-powered calculators first appeared in the 70s, for goodness sake. I still have one, it still works, and I still use it. Thats a testament to the concept.

Ambient Photonics technology has stirred a lot of interest and appears to work. Keyboard-maker Chicony, Universal Electronics (a manufacturer of remote controls), and E Ink have all either announced or are planning to roll out products sporting the companys PV cells. And at CES, Primax, the maker of smart-home and computer hardware, unveiled a battery-free PC mouse powered by the tiny light-harvesting chips.

There are many types of solar cells, utilizing a wide variety of materials, though the most common leverage some form of silicon: monocrystalline, polycrystalline, or amorphous (thin film). The first two are generally what you see on rooftops and are relatively expensive to produce.

Other semiconductors with even better efficiency (the record is still under 50 percent) are relegated to solar farms due to the toxic compounds they employ, including gallium arsenide (which is classified as a carcinogen by the state of California) and cadmium telluride.

This TV remote from Universal Electronics employs Ambient Photonicss DSSC solar capture unit.

Most of the commonly used solar cells drop tremendously in efficiency as available light diminishes. As noted, Ambient Photonics claims that its DSSCs thrive (relatively speaking, at least) in low-light environments, such as indoors.

The icing on the cake is Ambient Photonics revolutionary printing-to-glass process, which (according to the company) is far cheaper than the vacuum production commonly used for thin-film amorphous silicon.

Combine good low-light performance, higher output than amorphous, bifacial collection, low production costs, and a relatively friendly environmental impact, and you have a winning product. At least we hope so.

The proof is in the pudding, and we cant wait to get our hands on the first DSSC-enabled products to see if the tech lives up to the hype.

(Thanks to Homer Antoniadis for his knowledge and insight on this subject.)
Something to look forward to: The primary advantage of AMD's super resolution and frame generation technologies is that, unlike Nvidia's, they support GPUs from all vendors. Later this month, the company will launch a second option for frame generation that works on virtually any recent game. However, there are some caveats compared to FSR 3, which AMD introduced last year and competes with Nvidia's DLSS.

Eagle-eyed viewers may have noticed that the fine print in one of AMD's CES presentation slides (shown below) confirmed that the company's Fluid Motion Frames technology (AFMF) is set to exit beta on January 24. Although inferior to FSR 3 and DLSS 3, the feature implements frame generation at the driver level, letting users apply it to virtually any DirectX 11 or 12 game.

AFMF debuted in preview drivers last fall, shortly after developers began implementing AMD's FSR 3 in Immortals of Aveum, Forspoken, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Like a Dragon Gaiden, and other titles. Although AFMF doesn't require developer intervention, it can't use motion vectors. This limitation results in a less stable image compared to FSR 3.

Nevertheless, beta testers have reported satisfactory results in games such as Cyberpunk 2077 (which will soon support FSR 3) and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. These results suggest that AFMF is an acceptable alternative for games that don't officially support frame generation. AFMF is particularly beneficial for CPU-bound titles like Starfield and Microsoft Flight Simulator.

AMD's Aaron Steinman predicts that Nvidia will eventually adopt a similar approach to AMD's driver-level frame generation, but maybe that's too optimistic of an opinion. Something similar did occur when Nvidia Image Scaling was introduced  a driver-level spatial upscaling solution for users with GTX 10 series GPUs and games that don't support DLSS.

However, these days the full implementation of DLSS 2/3 is present in many triple-A game releases, and also Nvidia just happens to have deeper pockets than ever before (to keep sponsoring more games if they wanted to go that route).

Intel is also developing a frame generation solution called ExtraSS. A paper from the company explains that the technology opts for extrapolation instead of interpolation as used by Nvidia and AMD. It's unclear how Intel's choice will affect image quality, but it could result in less input latency than DLSS 3 and AFMF. When ExtraSS arrives, it could make for interesting comparisons with AFMF, as both will support integrated graphics from their respective companies.

Meanwhile, another new image scaling tool called LSFG 1.0 is making the rounds, offering frame generation that supports most games, media, and hardware, including integrated graphics. A new update for Lossless Scaling introduces an ML-based frame generator that users have successfully tested on Tekken 8, Street Fighter 6, Alan Wake 2, Cyberpunk 2077, and many others. User reports indicated that ghosting in present some instances, but the feature works surprisingly well, depending on the source content.

Notably, LSFG also works on emulators, remote play, and videos. It can double frame rates for retro console titles, PS5 games, and movies. Games running LSFG must be locked to half the display's refresh rate though. Lossless Scaling is a paid tool available on Steam for $6.99 and includes system-level options for AI upscaling and integer scaling.
A hot potato: It used to be that becoming a software engineer virtually guaranteed a high salary and job security, but the market has slumped as companies continue to make mass layoffs and AI threatens to replace many workers. It's led to a situation where there is massive competition for jobs and low confidence within the profession.

Software engineering has long been a lucrative career for the majority who enter it. Google once offered $200,000 per year plus perks for those at the entry level, while an L5 engineer at OpenAI could make over $900,000 a year.

Despite being so well-paid, most software engineers are worried about the way the market is heading, writes Motherboard. The number of layoffs in the tech world may have slowed down slightly, but plenty of people are still losing their jobs.

The tech industry saw almost 165,000 people laid off in 2022, according to layoffs.fyi. The following year was one of the worst, with 262,682 being laid off from technology companies. We've not even reached the first two weeks of 2024 and already 27 tech firms have laid off 4,541 people, including the hundreds that were let go from Amazon this week.

Another major concern for software engineers is generative AI. The technology has been hailed as a new co-worker for those in the profession, able to drastically cut down project times. We've also heard companies such as IBM pledge not to get rid of programmer roles due to AI. But as with so many professions, artificial intelligence's impact on jobs in this field can't be understated; Emad Mostaque, CEO of Stability AI, believes most of India's outsourced coders will see their positions wiped out by 2025 due to generative AI.

According to a survey of 9,338 software engineers performed by Blind, an online anonymous platform for verified employees, 9 out of 10 believe it is more difficult to find a job now than before the pandemic. Sixty-six percent say it's "much harder."

Almost eight out of ten participants agree that the job market has become much more competitive over the last year. Only six percent of software engineers are "extremely confident" that they could find another job with the same compensation if they lost their current one, while 32 percent are not at all confident about doing so.

An unemployed software engineer told Motherboard that since losing his job in March, he has applied for over 250 jobs without success. Another said the job offers from recruiters have dried up, and that his decision to major in computer science at college now feels "very naive." He summed the situation up in one sentence: "There's just so much f**king competition."
In context: Apple achieved a groundbreaking milestone in August 2018 by becoming the first ever company to surpass the $1 trillion market capitalization. Since then, its market value has experienced substantial growth, with a notable surge that momentarily reached the $3 trillion threshold in June 2023. Following this peak, Apple's market cap stabilized in the upper $2 trillion range, consistently maintaining its status as the world's most valuable company and outpacing Big Tech competitors.

That status quo changed temporarily this week when fellow tech giant Microsoft briefly overtook the iPhone maker as the world's most valuable company, marking the first time since 2021 that Apple was removed from its perch. Microsoft has surpassed Apple's market cap multiple times in recent years, including in 2018, 2020, and 2021. Every time, Apple has managed to regain its leading position.

Also read: Biggest Rivalries in Computing History

Microsoft managed to once again overtake Apple's market value this week after its shares rose around 1 percent in early trading on January 11, increasing its market value to $2.903 trillion, while Apple's shares fell almost 1 percent. By the end of the day, however, Apple had regained its position at the top, with the company's shares recovering somewhat, while Microsoft's stock corrected marginally. At the close of trading in New York, Apple was valued at $2.886 trillion and Microsoft's market cap closed at $2.859 trillion.

Microsoft's most recent stock surge is attributed to ongoing investments in generative AI, a sector considered by many analysts as the tech industry's future. Microsoft is a significant investor in OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT and AI image generator Dall-E.

In contrast, Apple's involvement in AI appears more conservative. The lion's share of the company's revenue still come from hardware sales and related services, with iPhones remaining its bread and butter. However, weaker iPhone sales, especially in China, have led a number of leading Wall Street analysts to downgrade the company's stock in recent weeks.

While Microsoft is betting big on artificial intelligence and the cloud, Apple remains focused on consumer hardware, and is set to throw its hat into the VR ring with the launch of its Vision Pro mixed reality headset next month. The company also plans to launch a slew of new Macs, iPads, and iPhones later this year, while Microsoft is tipped to release the next version of Windows, provisionally named Windows 12, in June 2024.
Yemen's Houthi group says five of its fighters were killed during the U.S.-Britain airstrikes, adding six others were injured. It vows to continue attacks against Israel-bound commercial ships in the Red Sea following the airstrikes.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
In context: In a not-so surprising move, Google is backing a new right-to-repair law. The move is part of a continuing erosion of Big Tech's iron fist of proprietary repair and outright opposition to the right-to-repair movement (R2R).

On Thursday, Google published a blog post endorsing a proposed law in Oregon that would force manufacturers to allow customers access to the tools and parts required to fix their devices. Lawmakers modeled the bill after legislation passed in other states like California and New York.

"This legislation represents an inclusive compromise that brings tech companies, small repair companies, environmental leaders and legislators to the table to find common ground and support the repair movement," said Google Devices and Services Director of Operations Steven Nickel.

If passed, DIYers and independent repair shops would have access to tools, parts, instructions, and schematics for various equipment, from phones to computers. It's worth mentioning that Google has sold parts and tools through IFixIt's online store since 2022.

Big Tech has a long history of lobbying against the consumer's right to repair. Only in the last few years have we started seeing companies loosen their grip on the matter. Google, along with other Big Tech firms like Apple, Microsoft, Lenovo, Nokia, Tesla, and others, have recently spun a 180 on the issue of self-repair.

Part of the turnaround has been pressure from lawmakers. However, a bigger push comes from internal activism. Many manufacturers have entered a game of one-upmanship regarding sustainability and environmental-friendliness. Climate change concerns have many companies rushing to be "carbon-neutral" by 20XX.

This race has forced them to rethink their repair policies, as pointed out in a white paper by Google Strategy & Sustainability head Ted Briggs.

"We're now pursuing an ambitious goal of net-zero emissions across our operations and value chain by 2030," wrote Briggs. "To meet this 2030 net-zero goal, our devices must be built to last ... [So] we're working to empower everyone with more repair options to extend the useful lifespan of the hardware technology that has become so important in everyday life."

The paper suggests some common sense approaches lawmakers in Oregon and elsewhere can use to strengthen consumers' right to repair without hampering manufacturer innovation. Briggs says that laws should address "repair outcomes" rather than mandate companies change their designs.

He also suggests that laws or regulations should restrict companies from developing software roadblocks to repair. This comment might have been a retort to Apple famously breaking third-party screen replacements with iOS tweaks.

To be fair, some of Google's biggest rivals have shown a similar pivot in their stance. Apple, which once sued states to block R2R laws, supported California's R2R bill last year. Similarly, Levono pledged to have 80 percent of its devices user-repairable by next year, and Microsoft has begun offering replacement parts for its Surface devices and Xbox controllers.

The only thing left is to get self-repair costs down to a reasonable level. It is still more cost-effective to have Google or Apple do the repair, thanks to sky-high prices on parts and tools.

Image credit: Shutterstock
In the fast-paced world of the internet, where every second counts and interruptions are a no-go, imagine a behind-the-scenes wizard making sure everything runs smoothly. That wizard is the Open Source Load Balancer - the unsung hero of the online world.

These load balancers aren't just tools; they're like conductors in a music band, making sure all the internet traffic moves gracefully between servers, creating a smooth experience for users. In this digital journey, open source load balancers are like experts, turning internet chaos into a well-organized dance. Join us as we explore the top performers in this digital dance, each playing its unique role in keeping the online show running seamlessly.

What is an Open Source Load Balancer?

At its core, an Open Source Load Balancer is a digital traffic controller. It acts like a wise traffic cop, directing the flow of data coming into a website or application across multiple servers. This balancing act ensures that no single server is overwhelmed, preventing slowdowns, crashes, and ensuring that users experience optimal performance.

What makes them 'open source' is that their underlying code is freely accessible, customizable, and transparent. This openness empowers developers and organizations to tailor the load balancer to their specific needs, fostering innovation and adaptability.

Top 5 Open Source Load Balancers

Open Source Load Balancers ensure that the digital highways remain congestion-free, reliable, and responsive. By efficiently managing the ebb and flow of digital traffic, they play a pivotal role in delivering a seamless and enjoyable online experience for users worldwide. Now, let's take a closer look at the top 5 open source load balancers that are making waves in 2024:

1. SKUDONET

(Photo: Taken from SKUDONET Website)

From its public release in October 2010, Zen Load Balancer has been on a continuous journey of evolution, refining security, scalability, and high availability technologies. This relentless pursuit of excellence has laid the foundation for SKUDONET, now standing as a significant player in the application delivery market.

The journey of SKUDONET is rooted in the ethos of innovation. Over the years, a robust structure has been meticulously built, empowering SKUDONET to become a cornerstone of the application delivery landscape. The philosophy is clear: the right tools in the hands of the right people can make anything possible. With a commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology, SKUDONET constantly strives to be at the forefront of innovation.

Key Features

Discover SKUDONET ADC Load Balancing Solutions, one of the formidable forces in the field of load balancing. The brand brings together a trusted team under a new brand. This forward-thinking company takes pride in its steadfast dedication to delivering unmatched performance and security at a vast scale. At the heart of SKUDONET's mission lies its state-of-the-art application delivery controller, meticulously designed to embody resilience, simplicity, and flexibility. These qualities are recognized as essential in today's fast-paced digital landscape, and SKUDONET is committed to meeting these challenges head-on.

(Photo: Taken from SKUDONET Website)

Cutting-Edge ADC Technology:

SKUDONET's Application Delivery Controller (ADC) is at the forefront of technological advancement, reflecting resilience, simplicity, and flexibility. It stands as a testament to the company's commitment to addressing the unique demands of modern digital environments.

Enterprise Trial Experience:

SKUDONET invites users to experience the full capabilities of its Enterprise version for 30 days. During this trial period, dedicated engineers are on hand to assist with questions and guide users through the initial configuration. This hands-on approach ensures a seamless onboarding experience.

Community Free Open Source Balancer:

For those seeking an exploration of possibilities, SKUDONET offers a Community Free Open Source Balancer edition. This allows users to discover the full potential of the solution, emphasizing the company's commitment to accessibility and innovation.

What Makes SKUDONET Different

1.User-Friendly Design

SKUDONET's product is meticulously crafted with simplicity in mind. With a minimal learning curve, the solution seamlessly integrates into workflows without requiring extensive training, ensuring a user-friendly experience.

2. Developed by IT Experts, for IT Experts

The ADC is not just a product; it's a solution developed by IT professionals for IT professionals. This approach ensures that SKUDONET's ADC aligns precisely with the intricate needs and expectations of those working in the information technology field.

3. Inherent Security

Security is a fundamental aspect, not an afterthought. SKUDONET ADC is inherently secure, providing a robust defense against potential threats in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

4. Full Licensing System

SKUDONET operates on a "full" licensing system, meaning there are no limitations or compromises on product features. This commitment sets SKUDONET apart, providing a comprehensive, user-friendly, and secure solution that seamlessly adapts to the evolving digital landscape.

Choose SKUDONET for a transformative integration of cutting-edge technology into your IT infrastructure. With a focus on user experience, security, and innovation, SKUDONET stands as a reliable partner in navigating the complexities of the digital landscape. Try SKUDONET to experience the top 1 open source load balancer in 2024.

(Photo: Taken from HAPRoxy Website)

Widely regarded as a stalwart in the open source community, HAProxy has evolved into a versatile and powerful load balancing solution. HAProxy stands as a silent sentinel, orchestrating the seamless flow of data for some of the world's most visited websites. As a free, exceptionally fast, and reliable reverse-proxy, HAProxy is not just a load balancer; it's a digital maestro offering high availability, load balancing, and proxying services for both TCP and HTTP-based applications.

Key Features

Over the years, HAProxy has earned its stripes as the de facto standard open-source load balancer, quietly powering the backend of numerous high-traffic websites. Embedded within mainstream Linux distributions and often deployed by default in cloud platforms, HAProxy operates incognito - you only know it's there when administrators report its invaluable contributions.

Continuous Evolution:

The HAProxy core team maintains a forward-looking approach, with multiple versions running in parallel. Major versions, emitted twice a year since version 1.8, signify not only breaking changes but also introduce new features. Each version is a branch, and while the first digit indicates substantial modifications, the second digit marks feature enhancements. An additional number after these digits denotes bug fix releases.

Stability and Support:

Branches with even numbers are tagged as "LTS" (long term support) and boast a maintenance span of five years after release. Designed for users prioritizing extreme stability, these LTS branches receive bug fixes throughout their lifecycle. In contrast, branches with odd numbers, termed "stable," cater to adept users who embrace frequent upgrades for modern features. These versions are maintained between 12 and 18 months, allowing flexibility in maintenance cycles based on user feedback.

User-Centric Upgrade Philosophy:

Recognizing the challenges of upgrading components in live production environments, the HAProxy core team takes a user-centric approach. Users are not pressured to switch branches unless seeking specific features. While upgrades are not mandated, users are encouraged to troubleshoot with the latest version within their branch to streamline support processes.

Tailored Update Strategies:

Given the variability in stability requirements and exposure levels, HAProxy users are offered nuanced advice on updating. Some may opt to use versions provided by the operating system, aligning with official maintenance cycles. Depending on the desired balance between staying current and ensuring reliability, users may choose to update promptly or adopt a more cautious approach, waiting to ensure the reliability of each update.

HAProxy is not just a load balancer; it's a digital guardian that adapts to the diverse needs of its users. Its unobtrusive yet powerful presence reflects a commitment to stability, flexibility, and continuous improvement - qualities that make it an indispensable tool in the intricate tapestry of modern web infrastructure.

(Photo: Taken from NGINX Website)

While NGINX is renowned for its prowess as a web server, its load balancing capabilities are equally commendable. NGINX, also known as "engine x," stands as a multifaceted powerhouse, excelling as an HTTP and reverse proxy server, mail proxy server, and a generic TCP/UDP proxy server. Originally crafted by Igor Sysoev, NGINX has a storied history, having long powered heavily-loaded Russian sites like Yandex, Mail.Ru, VK, and Rambler.

Key Features

Impressive Market Presence:

According to Netcraft's data in December 2023, NGINX played a crucial role in serving or proxying for a remarkable 20.72% of the busiest websites. Its stellar performance extends beyond Russia, as demonstrated by its successful implementation by globally recognized entities such as Dropbox, Netflix, Wordpress.com, and FastMail.FM.

Robust Functionality:

NGINX offers an array of features that contribute to its widespread adoption:

Basic HTTP Server Capabilities: From serving static and index files to autoindexing, NGINX ensures efficient and reliable delivery of web content.

Accelerated Reverse Proxying: With caching, load balancing, and fault tolerance, NGINX acts as a high-performance intermediary between clients and servers.

FastCGI, uwsgi, SCGI, and Memcached Support: NGINX accelerates support for these server types while providing caching, load balancing, and fault tolerance.

Modular Architecture: NGINX's flexibility shines through its modular design. Filters, including gzipping, byte ranges, chunked responses, XSLT, SSI, and image transformation, empower users to tailor the server to their needs.

SSL and TLS SNI Support: NGINX ensures secure communication with support for SSL and TLS Server Name Indication (SNI).

Cutting-edge Protocols: The server stays ahead of the curve with support for HTTP/2, offering weighted and dependency-based prioritization, and the latest HTTP/3 protocol.

Open Source Roots and Commercial Support:

NGINX operates under a 2-clause BSD-like license, emphasizing its commitment to open source principles. For those seeking additional support, Nginx, Inc. provides commercial support, ensuring users have access to expertise when needed.

NGINX transcends the role of a conventional web server. Its versatility, speed, and adaptability have positioned it as a linchpin in the digital infrastructure of both regional giants and global tech leaders, showcasing its prowess in handling the diverse demands of the modern online landscape.

(Photo: Taken from Traefik Website)

In the dynamic world of reverse proxies and load balancers, Traefik stands out as a leader, offering seamless microservices deployment with unmatched simplicity. Its distinctive strength lies in effortless integration with existing infrastructure, dynamically configuring itself to meet the diverse demands of contemporary application architectures.

Key Features

Simplicity and Scalability:

Traefik strikes a balance between user-friendly simplicity and the capacity to manage large, intricate deployments across public, private, and hybrid clouds. Its versatility extends to various protocols, making it a reliable choice for diverse deployment scenarios.

Middleware Mastery:

Traefik's prowess extends beyond the conventional, equipped with a robust set of middlewares that elevate its capabilities. Going beyond load balancing and reverse proxy roles, Traefik serves as a comprehensive solution for modern cloud-native applications, including API gateway, orchestrator ingress, east-west service communication, and more.

Production-Grade Features:

Traefik ensures a production-hardened feature set to meet the demands of contemporary applications. It supports flexible layer 4 and layer 7 routing for a range of protocols, advanced deployment strategies, and features like stickiness and active health checks for robust service delivery.

Security at the Core:

Prioritizing security, Traefik offers features such as automatic HTTPS, Let's Encrypt support for seamless certificate management, and provisions for custom certificates. Authentication needs are addressed, seamlessly weaving security into its operational fabric.

Versatility Across Environments:

Traefik is environment-agnostic, effortlessly navigating multi-cloud, hybrid-cloud, and on-premises deployments. Its ability to integrate with legacy systems positions it as a bridge between past and future application deployment.

Traefik is a beacon in microservices orchestration, embodying simplicity without compromising power. Its adaptability, rich feature set, and commitment to security make it a go-to solution for organizations navigating the complexities of modern application deployment.

(Photo: Taken from Neutrino Website)

Faced with the challenge of replacing costly and underperforming hardware load balancers, eBay embarked on a quest for a more agile and customizable solution. The two options at hand were either adopting an open-source product like HAProxy or developing an in-house solution. It boasts the following tailored features:

Key Features

Language and Architecture:

Neutrino is crafted in Scala, utilizing the Netty Server. Its JVM runtime environment enables developers to use either Java or Scala for module development.

Extensibility:

Neutrino boasts a highly extensible pipeline architecture. Developers can seamlessly add new modules for switching rules, load balancing options, logging to API endpoints, or reading configurations from a DB or API.

L7 Routing Capabilities:

Neutrino excels in L7 routing using canonical names, URL context, and rule-based switching. This flexibility addresses eBay's intricate routing needs.

Scalability and Adaptability:

The load balancer is designed to run on various environments, from Bare Metal and VMs to containers, providing the versatility needed for eBay's dynamic infrastructure.

Neutrino was conceived and built to be eBay's answer to the complexities of modern load balancing. It is not just a replacement for hardware load balancers; it is a tailor-made solution, ensuring scalability, adaptability, and the precise feature set required to meet eBay's evolving demands.

Conclusion

As we traverse the bustling digital landscape in 2024, the realm of open source load balancers stands as a beacon of innovation and efficiency. Each of the open source solutions above plays a unique note, catering to the varied needs of organizations navigating the complexities of digital infrastructure.

These top 5 open source load balancers illuminate the path forward, promising organizations not just a smoother flow of digital traffic but a strategic advantage in the orchestration of their online presence. The journey continues, with open source innovation at the helm, steering us toward a more connected and optimized digital future.

 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 a distinctive marketing move, Tropicana has taken an unconventional approach by temporarily rebranding itself as 'Tropcn'. The company intentionally omitted the letters 'AI' from its name to underscore its commitment to using natural ingredients in its orange juice.

Removing AI in Tropicana

As the world's leading orange juice maker, Tropicana is distributing limited edition Tropicn bottles at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and concealing a hundred bottles across the US at Kroger-owned grocery stores, including Fry's and Fred Meyer.

Interesting Engineering reported that Tropicana emphasized its dedication to providing orange juice free from artificial elements, stating that it has never incorporated any artificial ingredients.

The company enumerated the benefits of its fruit juice, highlighting features such as no added sugar and 100 percent of your daily dose of vitamin C. Concluding with a lighthearted touch, the company bid farewell to AI, stating, "As for AI? Bye for now. Sorry, you weren't a natural fit."

Artificial intelligence garnered significant attention last year, notably with the introduction of ChatGPT, an AI language model credited with displacing various job roles. This prevailing theme has extended into this year's CES in Las Vegas, where numerous companies are emphasizing AI's pivotal role in their latest products.

Also Read: AI Deepfake: Celebrities, Including Messi, Embrace Hyper-Realistic Avatars in Advertising Amid Concerns

Highlighting Tropicana's rich history since 1954, Monica McGurk, the CEO of Tropicana Brands Group's North American business unit, expressed the company's dedication to providing top-tier 100 percent orange juice through the exclusive release of 'Tropcn' bottles.

PR Newswire reported that McGurk emphasized the brand's ongoing commitment to innovating and delivering fresh-tasting orange juice sourced from natural oranges to households across the United States. She affirmed that artificial elements are not part of Tropicana's identity and ethos.

Facing Challenges Over the Years

Tropicana finds itself in a challenging position compared to PepsiCo's major soft drink brands.

During 2021, PepsiCo made a strategic move by divesting a majority stake in Tropicana to a private equity firm in a significant $3.3 billion deal. This decision aligns with PepsiCo's heightened emphasis on lower-calorie beverages such as sodas and water.

The juice business, encompassing Tropicana and Naked, had proven to be a financial burden for PepsiCo. The orange juice segment, in particular, witnessed a consistent decline in sales over the past decade, although there was a slight uptick last year attributed to pandemic-related factors.

According to CNN, Neil Saunders, a retail analyst and managing director at GlobalData Retail noted that Tropicana remains a significant player in the juice market, but it has experienced a decline in market share over time, losing ground to private label products and niche brands perceived as more natural.

Given these challenges, Tropicana's marketing move prompts considerations about its effectiveness. It appears to be either a clever strategy to capture attention at CES this year or a somewhat intricate and potentially desperate attempt to align with both the AI and natural drinks trends.

Related Article: PepsiCo CEO Plans to Overhaul Popular Snacks with New Healthy Twist, How?

 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) has once again astounded us with its display of the most dazzling and groundbreaking television technologies at CES 2024.

This year, the spotlight is on the largest and brightest TVs to hit the market, promising an immersive visual experience like no other.

From transparent displays to glare-free OLEDs, here's a comprehensive list of the most notable TV innovations unveiled at CES this year (via CNET).

LG's Transparent OLED TV (OLED T)

LG's Transparent OLED TV, a revolutionary 77-inch display set to transform how we perceive television, is first on this list.

Unlike previous transparent displays, LG's OLED T is a consumer-ready product rather than a concept. The OLED T seamlessly switches between transparent and conventional TV modes. A black film rises behind the transparent window with the touch of a button, creating a traditional TV appearance.

Transparent TVs aren't a new concept, but LG's has something different about it: you can actually buy it later this year!



The OLED Signature T is a transparent and wireless OLED TV. It's 77", there are speakers built-in, and everything is wirelessly played to the TV. pic.twitter.com/lruJe6r5Bh January 9, 2024

The OLED T, which is expected to hit the market this summer, is set to redefine the concept of unobtrusive TV design.

Samsung S95D Glare-Free OLED TV

Samsung addresses glare, a persistent issue with TV displays. The S95D Glare-Free OLED TV features a new screen finish that reduces reflections and glare significantly.

Samsung introduces the new 77" S95D OLED TV.



The biggest improvement about this TV is that it incorporates the new "OLED Glare Free" technology that reduces reflections significantly while maintaining the picture quality.



This is the brightest OLED TV from Samsung yet, with a pic.twitter.com/Zp2tvbDOCe January 8, 2024

While a full launch is not expected until later this year, the initial hands-on test at CES shows a promising solution to a common problem in standard glossy screens, particularly in OLED TVs.

TCL 115-inch Mini-LED TV

With its massive 115-inch Mini-LED TV, TCL takes the spotlight, which sets a new standard for mass-market displays. This TV is large and extremely bright, with 5,000 nits of peak brightness and 20,000 local dimming zones.

TCL's new TV lineup for 2024 is topped by a super-bright 115-inch mini-LED model https://t.co/E6Th88yMKN January 8, 2024

TCL aims to redefine the large-screen TV market with a $20,000 price tag, offering a brighter and more vibrant viewing experience than micro-LED models.

Read Also: Lenovo Unveils Hyper-Realistic AI Avatar for ALS Patients at CES 2024





Hisense 110-inch Mini-LED TV

Hisense introduces the 110UX, a 110-inch Mini-LED TV that claims to be twice as bright as its competitors in the race for bigger and brighter TVs.

Hisense is showing its biggest mini-LED TV yet at CES, a monster-size 110-inch model with 40,000 dimming zones that's capable of 10,000 nits brightness https://t.co/p43si4VBEc  TechRadar (@techradar) January 10, 2024

Hisense sets the bar for picture quality and contrast with an astounding 10,000 nits of peak brightness and 40,000 local dimming zones.

While pricing has yet to be announced, it is expected to compete with, if not outperform, its competitors.

Roku Pro Series Mini-LED TV

Roku enters the TV market with the Pro Series Mini-LED TV, which features a mini-LED backlight and QLED color. Roku, known for its user-friendly interface and frequent updates, aims to impress with promising specifications.

A thorough examination is awaited to see how it compares to the competition in terms of performance and user experience.

Samsung's Transparent Micro-LED Display

Samsung challenges LG's transparent display supremacy with its transparent micro-LEDs. While still in the concept phase, Samsung's transparent micro-LEDs appear brighter and more colorful, utilizing the inherent brightness advantage of micro-LED technology. However, the cost remains a significant hurdle for this innovative display. (Photo : Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 10: Attendees look at the world's first transparent MicroLED display at the Samsung booth during CES 2024 at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 10, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

TCL QM851 Series Mini-LED TV

TCL continues to refine its mini-LED technology with the QM851 Series, succeeding the highly regarded QM850. Doubling the brightness and adding more local dimming zones, TCL aims to deliver better picture quality without compromising on the affordable pricing that made its predecessor a favorite among consumers.

LG M4 Series Wireless OLED TV

LG introduces the M4 Series, a wireless OLED TV building on the success of its predecessor. Featuring wireless connectivity and improved brightness, the M4 Series uses MLA technology to enhance the picture quality, making it comparable to LG's acclaimed OLED G3 series.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: CES 2024: This 'Magic' Glove Makes Life Easier For People With Parkinson's

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World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus attributed a spike in COVID-19 transmission to holiday gatherings and the global predominance of the JN.1 strain.

Speaking of the terrible toll recorded, Ghebreyesus emphasized how unacceptable it was that nearly 10,000 COVID-19 deaths transpired in December."Although 10,000 deaths a month is far less than the peak of the pandemic, this level of preventable deaths is not acceptable," the WHO chief told members of the press in the agency's Geneva headquarters, per AP News.

The UN health organization reported that hospital admissions rose by about 42% in approximately 50 countries, especially in Europe and the Americas, prompting Ghebreyesus to encourage increased adherence to treatments and vaccine access.

JN.1 Variant to Continue Spreading

The JN.1 variant, an omicron strain, is now the dominant one all over the world, with existing vaccines still offering some immunity. Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO technical chief for COVID-19, highlighted the increase in respiratory diseases worldwide caused by COVID, along with flu, rhinovirus, and pneumonia. She predicted these trends to persist even during the winter in the northern hemisphere and that there would be a rise in COVID-19 cases, especially over the summer in the southern hemispheres.

"Almost 10,000 deaths from #COVID19 were reported to WHO in December, and there was a 42% increase in hospitalizations and a 62% increase in intensive care units admissions, compared with November.



However, these trends are based on data from less than 50 countries, mostly in  World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) January 10, 2024

To combat these global health threats, WHO officials suggested vaccination, wearing masks, and ensuring proper ventilation in indoor spaces. Dr. Michael Ryan, the head of emergencies at WHO, said that while vaccines may not stop one from getting infected with coronavirus, they significantly decrease the chances of landing in a hospital or even dying.

In the United States, recent data from the CDC shows that numerous individuals contracted sickness, mainly flu and respiratory infections; 38 states have indicated high or very high rates of respiratory illnesses, such as COVID-19, RSV, and other viruses, per USA Today.

Read Also: Med Spa Boom in the US Sparks Federal Warnings: Unlicensed Practices Pose Health Risks

Although COVID-19-related deaths, hospitalizations, and emergency room visits increased, the CDC noted that the figures were not as high as in previous years. The JN.1 variant accounted for almost 61% of cases in the US, with the CDC highlighting its potential for easier spread.

Both the WHO and the CDC advocated preventive measures, including vaccination, mask-wearing, and ensuring adequate indoor ventilation, to combat the transmission of various viruses amid the challenges posed by widespread illnesses and the dominance of the JN.1 variant.

Fauci Admits Social Distancing Not Based on Science

In a related update, Dr. Anthony Fauci, a former White House medical consultant, faced 14 hours during questioning from the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic. He eventually admited that some of the recommendations issued by authorities concerning fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic, such as adherence to the "six feet" social distancing rule, may not be based on robust scientific principles.

(Photo : Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, arrives at the U.S Capitol for the first of two days of interviews before of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic on January 8, 2024 in Washington, DC.

Fauci said the strength of distance recommendations "just sort of appeared," and there might be a lack of scientific data on this topic. He also admitted that the lab leak hypothesis on COVID-19 is not a conspiracy theory, as per a report from the Hindustan Times. The ex-White House health adviser worried that his promoted policies might lead to future vaccine hesitancy.

The chairman of the committee, Rep. Brad Wenstrup, emphasized views on how future pandemic responses must be based on proper scientific effects and closed data while shining light on system failures in the public health sector.

Related Article: New AI Tool Can Detect COVID-19 From Chest X-Rays With Over 98% Accuracy

 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Japanese startup One By One Music presented a unique solution for dog separation anxiety at CES 2024. This gains attention for its innovative approach to this widespread concern among global pet owners.

(Photo : Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 13: Two dogs that are up for adoption sleep together at the Humane Society of Greater Miami on December 13, 2023 in Miami, Florida.

Mitigating Prevalent Issue of Separation Anxiety in Dogs

One By One Music, a Japanese startup founded by Sho Hatakeyama, showcased a distinctive solution aimed at mitigating the prevalent issue of separation anxiety in dogs. The startup has gained notable attention for its innovative approach to addressing the growing concern shared by pet owners globally.

With a somber expression, Interesting Engineering reported that the representative emphasized that dogs experience separation anxiety, shedding light on a prevalent issue affecting pets in the evolving landscape of post-pandemic routines.

Sho Hatakeyama and his team delved into extensive research on music, identifying melodies and tempos proven to be the most soothing for dogs. Leveraging their findings, they trained an AI model dedicated to generating music tailored specifically to calm canines.

One By One Music provides its product through three distinct subscription options: an individual plan priced at approximately $7 (980 Japanese Yen) per month, a corporate plan available at around $20.5 (2980 Japanese Yen) per month, and a complimentary special protection plan exclusively designed for animal welfare facilities, shelters, and foster families.

The company emphasizes its commitment to animal welfare by donating a portion of its revenue. Additionally, they are currently offering a free trial of their services.

Conducting Experiments

Over a span of two years, Engadget reported that One By One Music conducted experiments in partnership with Katsuji Uetake, a Professor of Veterinary Medicine at Azabu University, Japan.

The team scientifically measured cortisol levels in dogs' saliva to validate the effectiveness of their product. The results were noteworthy, showcasing an impressive 84 percent reduction in anxiety-related behaviors when dogs listened to the specially crafted music.

Also Read: Dogs May Have Been Domesticated Earlier than Previously Believed: 17,000 Years Ago

The surge in dog ownership during the pandemic, when people sought companionship while staying at home, has led to an unprecedented number of pet owners. As restrictions eased and individuals returned to their workplaces, a significant challenge arose, leaving dogs alone at home for extended periods.

Dogs, inherently social animals, often struggle with prolonged loneliness, exhibiting signs of nervousness, and in some cases, developing depression and anxiety.

Personal Experience

Music Ally reported that Hatakeyama's childhood fondness for animals, particularly his Pomeranian named Pal, carried into his adult life. With the end of the remote work period, he resumed working in the office, leaving his dog home alone.

Observing the evident stress and discomfort his dog-faced in isolation, he delved into the issue. Discovering a growing number of dogs experiencing separation anxiety disorder, Hatakeyama felt compelled to find ways to alleviate the stress induced by anxiety, sparking his determination to take action.

Related Article: Dogs Can Detect COVID-19 Better Than Common Tech, New Study Claims

 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The rise of deepfake porn has been a problem since last year, but now, it is continuing its trend as it tops search results from renowned search engine platforms including Google and Microsoft's Bing. Through the massive advancements of generative AI, it was made possible to create more realistic images of renowned personalities or of regular people to appear as if they were engaging in lewd acts.

AI's power has made it create virtually unlimited content to appease the imagination of users, with some going as far as sexualizing others for their consumption.

Deepfake Porn Rise to Top of Search Results on Google, Bing

NBC News has shared a report regarding the availability of deepfake porn on top search engines in the world, and that is with Google and Bing. The news agency claimed that this content is rising to the top of search results whenever looking for one in the platforms, and these are nonconsensual edits of the victimized individuals.

In their investigation, NBC News found as many as 36 female celebrities to have deepfake pornography content about them from the Bing and Google search. This centers on keywords like "deepfakes," "deepfake porn," and fake nudes combined with the celebrities' names.

Apart from images, NBC also found that Bing supplied deepfake videos of this explicit content to the top of the results 35 times, while Google displayed it 34 times. There are also underaged celebrities appearing in deepfake porn via Bing.

Google said that it is working on ways to add more safeguards and protections for Search.

Read Also: No Fake Act: New Bipartisan Bill is Against Generative AI Using Artists, Singers to Create Unconsented Content

Here's How to Submit a Report of Deepfake Porn

At present, Google is the only platform that has a removal request page that will help in removing said deepfake porn from its search results.

Victims and/or their representatives may head to this website to submit a request to take down this nonconsensual content from Google's search engines.

AI, Deepfake, and Generated Pornography

Generative AI has made way for the world to create content easily, and it has both a good and bad side.

While some are using it to better their works, others have been utilizing it negatively, going as far as to exploit and/or sexualize people on the internet.

One of the most famous examples here is for the Twitch streamers who found deepfake pornographic images of themselves online, and this was done without their consent, taking their photos from various social media platforms, and using AI to transform them into vulgar content.

However, it was not only this community that suffers from deepfake porn, with the United Kingdom sharing a discovery regarding AI-generated child sexual abuse images being rampant on the web. Several watchdogs and human rights agencies are now growing concerned about this rise, especially as other AI generators make these creations possible.

While one could expect that top search engines will help block out these explicit media to circulate online, they are wrong, as a recent report discovered the massive availability of these types of deepfake porn online. For now, affected individuals and their representatives may seek to remove them from search engines, with Google pledging to issue more safeguards to stem this problem on its platform.

Related Article: AntiFake: New Tool Aims to Protect Your Voice Recordings Against Deepfakes

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1X, the humanoid robot developer backed by none other than OpenAI, has reportedly announced its fundraising has added another $100M, now totalling to approximately $125M, as reported by Tech Crunch.

Bloomberg adds to the story reporting that 1X technologies said on Thursday the funds from the most recent equity round, in which EQT Ventures served as the lead investor, will be utilized to introduce NEO to the market.

As per 1X's announcement, the company has already received over $125 million in less than a year after closing a successful Series A investment round spearheaded by ChatGPT-maker OpenAI and Tiger Global.

(Photo : GERARD JULIEN/AFP via Getty Images)

A man approaches a plastic ball toward the finger of humanoid robot iCub during the 2014 IEEE-RAS International Conference on Humanoid Robots in Madrid on November 18, 2014.

1X's humanoid robot officially called NEO shares a similar visual structure with other humanoid robots available on the market. The robot's main goal is reportedly solving the worldwide labor shortage problem.

This latest model is in development and is reportedly using two feet to walk and move like a person. It can organize and clean at home. NEO is also supposedly "safe to work among people" and may be used to run machines and conduct difficult jobs in industrial environments, according to the manufacturer.

Read Also: Amazon Tests Out Humanoid Robot 'Digit' For Warehouse Automation

1X's Funding Allocation

CEO Bernt ivind Brnich had a rather sincere reaction as per the Tech Crunch report, when asked where the big quantity of money will go, The CEO stated that this is the first time they will be able to offer a payout for the company's dedicated team while simultaneously lauding the team's assistance to be essential to the company's success.

The money will also reportedly be used to improve the company's go-to-market strategy for NEO and its Embodied AI service.

Bloomberg adds that the funds will also be used to help the company fulfill their goal of commercially producing safe and sophisticated androids, said Brnich in an email. While continuing to bring on additional employees, the business added that it will be able to increase its production capacity as it aims to produce hundreds of androids each month.

A Booming Humanoid Robot Market

Aside from the company's NEO, 1X is already selling a different humanoid robot, EVE, that Yahoo News described as a robot that utilizes a customized version of GPT-4, the software that powers ChatGPT, the Norwegian startup's EVE Android can scan shelves and generate recipes depending on what it 'sees'. With the help of GPT-4V, EVE may "think up" meals based on its observations, such as the items on a shelf.

This latest development in the humanoid robot market proves to show a competitive industry with no signs of stopping. Bloomberg reports that several humanoid robots have already been introduced by notable brands in recent year.

This includes Tesla Inc.'s "Optimus," Sanctuary Cognitive Systems Corp.'s "Phoenix," and Figure AI Inc.'s "Figure 01." Additionally, Amazon.com Inc. has started the first commercial testing of an Agility Robotics Inc.-built humanoid robot named "Digit."

Related Article: AI Gaming Buddy: This Robot Is Designed to Combat Loneliness Experienced by Gamers

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Several months after OSIRIS-REx's sample container arrived on the planet, it is only now that scientists and researchers were able to fully open the capsule that holds most of the collected space debris from asteroid Bennu. The contents of this capsule are the first-ever asteroid sample return from NASA's mission to collect cosmic materials for further studies.

For about 4 months, NASA struggled to remove two fasteners that held the samples securely, preventing the team from accessing the highly valuable space debris for their studies.

NASA Opens Asteroid Bennu's Sample Container

Earlier today, NASA shared significant news with the world, and it is their successful removal of the "hurdle" that prevented them from opening the OSIRIS-REx's sample capsule. There were two final fasteners that refused to budge despite using the tools from the spacecraft's glovebox, best known for being the approved instruments for opening the said capsule.

"Our engineers and scientists have worked tirelessly behind the scenes for months to not only process the more than 70 grams of material we were able to access previously, but also design, develop, and test new tools that allowed us to move past this hurdle," said Eileen Stansbery, division chief for ARES (Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science) at Johnson.

Read Also: NASA's OSIRIS-REx Mission Surpasses Its Goal of Bringing 60 Grams of Asteroid Bennu Sample to Earth

Bennu's Space Debris Soon Fully Extracted

According to NASA, the next step in their asteroid study is the full extraction of the space debris left inside the Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM), which contains most of the collected materials from Bennu. For now, the team would focus on completely disassembling the head after seeing massive delays to its extraction.

It is known that in mid-October, the team paused the disassembly after facing the challenges.

NASA's OSIRIS-REx Mission

After a long journey for NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission, the spacecraft made its way back home last September 2023, ending the mission that spanned for years. NASA prepared for this exact moment before it arrived, with the space agency completing several drop tests for the delivery of the sample capsule that the spacecraft sent down to Utah last year.

While the most important aspect of the mission was the return of the capsule to the planet safely, there have been significant discoveries by researchers along the way, and it helped us learn more about the ancient asteroid. It took the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft two years to study Bennu before it proceeded with its touch-and-go landing to collect the samples and head back to the planet.

Four months later after developing new multi-tools to safely open OSIRIS-REx's capsule, the scientists have finally loosened the final two fasteners that seemed to be stuck on the container. Being one of the most crucial aspects of this recovery, NASA researchers are now on their way to completing the extraction and learn more about the colossal asteroid.

Related Article: Asteroid Bennu: What NASA Knows About the Most Studied Space Rock Ever

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Astronomers utilizing 13 years of data from NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope have made an unexpected and unexplained discovery - a gamma-ray signal outside our galaxy.

'Completely Serendipitous'

Presenting their findings at the 243rd meeting of the American Astronomical Society in New Orleans, Alexander Kashlinsky, a cosmologist at the University of Maryland and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, described the discovery as "completely serendipitous."

The gamma-ray signal, detected in a different part of the sky than initially sought, shares a direction and nearly identical magnitude with another unexplained feature generated by some of the most energetic cosmic particles ever recorded.

Initially, astronomers sought a gamma-ray feature associated with the cosmic microwave background (CMB), the universe's oldest light, originating from the cooling of the hot, expanding universe. Detected in 1965 as faint microwaves across the sky, the CMB's dipole structure was precisely measured by NASA's COBE mission in the 1970s.

This dipole pattern in the CMB is unique due to our solar system's motion at 230 miles per second with a 0.12% temperature difference. Scientists aim to verify or challenge this by searching for a similar pattern in other forms of light.

Fernando Atrio-Barandela, a co-author and a professor of theoretical physics at the University of Salamanca in Spain, emphasized the importance of such a measurement.

A disagreement with the size and direction of the CMB dipole could offer insight into physical processes in the very early universe, potentially back to when it was less than a trillionth of a second old.

The team added many years of data from Fermi's Large Area Telescope (LAT) to detect a related dipole emission pattern in gamma rays. The gamma-ray dipole should be amplified by as much as five times over the currently seen CMB due to the effects of relativity.

Read Also: NASA Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope's Captured Dying Star Radiation Blast Turns Out To Be Shortest One To Hit Earth

13 Years' Worth of Fermi Observations

Combining 13 years of Fermi-LAT observations data, researchers excluded resolved and identified sources, concentrating on the extragalactic gamma-ray background with gamma rays above approximately 3 billion electron volts.

The resultant gamma-ray dipole exhibited its peak in the southern sky, distinctly distant from the CMB's peak. Based on our solar system's motion, it also manifested a magnitude 10 times larger than anticipated.

Co-author Chris Shrader, an astrophysicist at the Catholic University of America in Washington and at Goddard, expressed surprise at the discovery, saying that although it wasn't what they were looking for, they suspect it may be related to a similar feature reported for the highest-energy cosmic rays.

The researchers hypothesize a probable connection between the two phenomena, gamma rays, and ultrahigh-energy particles, suggesting they may originate from as-yet-unidentified sources.

To decipher this cosmic puzzle, astronomers need to pinpoint these enigmatic sources or propose alternative explanations for both observed phenomena.

Related Article: Enigmatic 'Heartbeat' from Cosmic Gas Cloud Powered by a Black Hole? Could It Be Marvel-Baddie Galactus

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This photo taken on Nov. 14, 2023 shows the opening ceremony of the 2nd Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Agriculture in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

Since the resumption of diplomatic ties 30 years ago, China and Lesotho have supported each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns.

BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and Lesotho's King Letsie III exchanged congratulations on Friday over the 30th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Xi pointed out that since the resumption of diplomatic ties 30 years ago, China and Lesotho have supported each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, joined hands on the journey of national development and revitalization, and helped each other in tackling challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, setting a good example of friendly coexistence and common development for large and small countries.

Xi said that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Lesotho relations and is ready to work with King Letsie III to take the 30th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic ties as a new starting point to further elevate bilateral relations, expand practical cooperation areas, and push for greater development of China-Lesotho friendly cooperative relations.

King Letsie III said that both Lesotho and China have achieved leapfrog development in the past 30 years, adding that the two countries have established a solid diplomatic relationship based on peaceful coexistence, mutual respect and win-win benefits, significantly promoting the well-being of people of the two countries.

He reiterated that Lesotho stands ready to coordinate closely with China to continually strengthen Lesotho-China friendship and friendly cooperation, and to support the development and prosperity of both nations.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane also exchanged congratulations to each other on the same day. Li said China-Lesotho relations have maintained a good development momentum in recent years.

China stands ready to take the 30th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to make concerted efforts with Lesotho to promote the sustainable development of bilateral ties, he added.

For his part, Matekane said China is not only Lesotho's strategic partner, but also its all-weather friend, adding that Lesotho will continue to firmly support and participate in the Belt and Road Initiative and China-Africa Cooperation Forum.
Google Play Store, in a groundbreaking move, is poised to usher in significant changes by expanding the availability of real-money gaming (RMG) apps beyond the confines of existing government regulations (via Engadget).

The impending change promises a seismic shift in the app marketplace, with a wide range of game types and operators gaining access to the platform, signaling a departure from the previous, more restrictive policies.





Google to Welcome More Real-Money Gaming Apps

This seismic shift follows Google's initial foray into allowing RMG apps in 2021, a move contingent on compliance with government-regulated game types.

The tech giant is now redefining its rules to include a broader range of games, including those not popular enough to warrant regulatory frameworks.

Google aims to broaden the range of real-money gaming experiences available on the Play Store while acknowledging the constraints imposed by existing government regulations.

In response to rising demand, Google has conducted extensive pilot programs worldwide since 2021 to learn how to support a broader range of RMG operators and game types.

Notably, India served as a pilot program testing ground, with apps offering Rummy card games and Daily Fantasy Sports. The company has set June 30, 2024, as the implementation date for the new policy in India, Mexico, and Brazil, allowing pilot program operators to release their applications in accordance with local laws (via 9to5Google).

Read Also: Google Assistant: Here's the Features Removed Amid Layoffs, Restructuring

Safety Measures

Notably, Google remains committed to upholding safety measures, such as age restrictions for accessing RMG apps. Developers must use geo-fencing to ensure that their apps are only available in areas where they comply with local regulations. These safety policies, which include age-gating and geo-gating, will be strengthened further to protect users.

Engadget tells us that developers working in the RMG space, particularly those involved in pilot programs, can exhale a sigh of relief. The grace period for existing pilot apps in India is extended until June 30, 2024, giving developers plenty of time to update their products to comply with the new policy.

This policy update goes beyond geographical considerations, emphasizing the importance of developers adhering to both local and Google Play guidelines. This ensures that the availability of RMG apps is not only broad but also by regulatory standards, striking a balance between innovation and responsibility.

What's Next?

Furthermore, Google Play intends to evolve its service fee model for RMG to reflect its value while also aiming to sustain the Android and Play ecosystems.

RMG apps were previously barred from using Google Play Billing, but with the upcoming policy changes, Google is poised to take a cut of developers' earnings, further cementing its position in the RMG landscape.

As the expanded RMG support prepares to launch in June, initially in India, Mexico, and Brazil, Google plans to expand its availability to users in additional countries in the future.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

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Instagram has recently made significant cuts in line with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg's "Year of Efficiency," eliminating 60 technical program manager positions.

The decision, which is part of Meta's larger restructuring efforts, not only streamlines the company's management layers but also highlights the ongoing challenges the tech titan faces in terms of regulatory scrutiny and societal impact.

Efficiency Mandate and Job Cuts

The efficiency mandate introduced by Mark Zuckerberg in March 2023 continues to shape Meta's operational landscape into 2024.

TechCrunch reports that Instagram, a flagship platform under Meta's umbrella, recently informed a large number of technical program managers that their positions would be eliminated (via Business Insider).

These layoffs affect technical program managers across the organization, according to sources and a post on the Blind app.

The move is consistent with Meta's initiative to "flatten" its management structure, evident since last year's layoffs and reduction in management ranks.

Technical program managers, who sit between engineers and product managers, will have two months to reapply and reinterview for available product manager positions. Failure to find a new job within this timeframe will result in termination by March.

Read Also: YouTube Unveils Instant Access to First Aid Videos - Emergency Care Videos Instantly at the Top of Search Results

Instagram's Content Creation, Teen Engagement Strategy

Concurrently, Instagram is reorganizing its product teams, signaling a shift in focus to three new areas: Creation, Creators, and Friend Sharing. This strategic move seeks to strengthen support for creators deemed most influential in driving teen engagement on the platform.

Despite legal challenges from over 40 states alleging a negative impact on young users' mental health, Instagram remains committed to teen engagement.

Meta and other tech giants, including X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, Snap, and Discord, are preparing to testify before the Senate on child safety at the end of the month.

Dealing with Regulatory Pressure

The upcoming Senate hearing is expected to question Meta and its peers about their platforms' ability to protect children online.

Meta recently announced changes aimed at improving teen safety on Instagram and Facebook in response to these concerns. Content that is automatically restricted for teen accounts includes posts about self-harm, graphic violence, and eating disorders.

The company's proactive approach to teen safety appears to be an attempt to appease regulators while also addressing the ongoing lawsuit, which claims that Meta has profoundly altered the psychological and social realities of a generation of young Americans.

Ongoing Restructuring and Staff Reduction at Meta

As Instagram continues to streamline its overall structure, Meta's efficiency-driven approach is not limited to Instagram. Last year's layoffs and reduction in management ranks were just the beginning, and in a meeting with employees, Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg hinted at more changes.

As the company evaluates projects and teams in order to "wind down," Meta is eager to bring its overall headcount closer to 2020 levels following a massive hiring spree.

Related Article: Meta Enhances Teen Safety on Facebook, Instagram: Expands Restrictions on Self-Harm, Eating Disorders

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US lawmakers demand an evaluation of the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) cybersecurity measures following the recent breach of the agency's X account that led to a false post proclaiming bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETF) approval, creating a price spike.



The SEC confirmed the unauthorized access to its X (formerly Twitter) account, leading to the dissemination of misleading information about the approval of Bitcoin ETFs.

While the SEC did approve the first US-listed Bitcoin ETFs on Wednesday, the earlier false announcement on X led to a sudden rise in Bitcoin's price to around $48,000 before quickly dropping to below $45,000. (Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images)U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chairman Gary Gensler attends a meeting of the Financial Stability Oversight Council at the U.S. Department of Treasury on December 14, 2023, in Washington, DC.

SEC Failed to Use MFA

Reacting to the hacking incident, Democratic Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon and Republican Senator Cynthia Lummis from Wyoming wrote a letter to the SEC calling for an investigation into the issue. They warned that the SEC appears to have not followed best cybersecurity practices like multi-factor authentication (MFA).

"We urge you to investigate the agency's practices related to the use of MFA, and in particular, phishing-resistant MFA, to identify any remaining security gaps that must be addressed," the lawmakers said, as quoted by Reuters.



The commission, already working with law enforcement to investigate the hack, revealed that the SEC X account hacking was done by an "unknown individual" installing themselves into control over a phone number associated with the agency's account.

Notably, X discovered that the commission was not using two-factor authentication at the time when it had been breached, according to a report from The Guardian.



Two-factor authentication is a security measure that forces users to provide a passcode and a special key sent via email or over the phone before accessing their online account.

Read Also: Google Plans to Support More Real-Money Games on the Play Store



The lawmakers called on the SEC to take a closer look at its MFA practices, especially phishing-resistant ones, to check for and rectify any remaining security weaknesses. This hacking incident has emphasized the necessity of strong cybersecurity measures, especially for financial regulatory bodies that handle market-sensitive information.

SEC OKs Rule on Bitcoin ETFs

The SEC approved rule changes to enable the creation of bitcoin ETFs in the US, a development that allows mainstream investors to gain exposure to bitcoin through regulated channels.

The landmark decision is expected to lead to the conversion of existing funds, such as the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, into ETFs and the launch of competing funds by major issuers like BlackRock and Fidelity.



The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has been averse to the idea of allowing an investment fund in Bitcoin for quite some time now, dismissing all applications filed over the years regarding creating exchange-traded funds based on it.

SEC Chair Gary Gensler highlighted that the latest approval relates to ETPs holding Bitcoin as a commodity non-security. He made it clear that the decision to approve or disapprove listing standards for crypto asset securities should not be viewed as an effort on their part to satisfy the SEC's requirements in this regard.

"Nor does the approval signal anything about the Commission's views as to the status of other crypto assets under the federal securities laws or about the current state of non-compliance of certain crypto asset market participants with the federal securities laws," he said in a statement, per CNBC.

Related Article: Scam Alert: Cybercriminals Exploit Ram Temple Consecration with Fake VIP Entry

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MOSCOW, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Recent airstrikes against Houthi military sites in Yemen by the United States and Britain pose a direct threat to global peace and security, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Friday.

"We call on the international community to strongly condemn the attack that was carried out by a group of countries without a mandate from the United Nations," Zakharova said during her weekly briefing.

"We share the concerns that have been expressed by our regional partners, in particular Saudi Arabia, and call for intensified international efforts to prevent a further escalation of the situation," she added.

Zakharova said Moscow strongly condemns such actions, which are both illegal and irresponsible.

She noted that a large-scale military escalation in the Red Sea region could offset the positive trends that have recently emerged in the Yemeni settlement process, and undermine stability in the Middle East.

The United States and Britain launched several airstrikes on Houthi military sites around the Yemeni capital Sanaa before dawn Friday, according to the Houthi-controlled Saba news agency. 
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Death and stuff, the worst series of the week: the copy of a copy of a copy of Agatha Christie

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Alaska Airlines passenger about hole in plane wall: "I kept staring into the hole and hoping it wouldn't tear any further"

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 Communities 2019 - Privacy

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NANJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- German auto parts supplier Mubea on Thursday signed an agreement with the city of Taicang in east China's Jiangsu Province, pledging to invest 100 million U.S. dollars to build an electric vehicle (EV) campus.

Covering an area of 60 mu (about 4 hectares), the new project is expected to generate an annual production value of 1 billion yuan (about 141 million U.S. dollars).

Established in Taicang in 2004, Mubea Automotive Components (Taicang) Co., Ltd. now has three factories, reporting an overall output value of 2.45 billion yuan in 2023.

"Taicang is a city which has a good environment for foreign-invested companies. Over the years, we have very good development here with preferential support from the government," said Joerg Brecht, managing director of Mubea China, noting that Mubea plans to go further in Taicang.

"More than 30 German enterprises opened branches in Taicang last year," said Wang Xiangyuan, Party chief of Taicang, promising that the city will work to foster a sound business environment to guarantee the new project's construction.

Taicang is a small city that hosts over 500 German companies and has German investment totaling more than 6 billion U.S. dollars, leading many to refer to it as "Little Germany." 
BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese research team has developed an artificial intelligence (AI) technology that addresses crucial challenges in accurately detecting animal social behavior, according to the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The most difficult part of multi-animal social behavior analysis is to distinguish between animals that look very similar at the same time.

The new technology, Social Behavior Atlas (SBeA), developed by researchers from the SIAT, can identify similar-looking animals with more than 90 percent accuracy, eliminating the need to define social behavior categories in advance, which may help discovery new, undefined differences in animal social behavior.

The new algorithm can also effectively synthesize a large volume of new data and train models with higher accuracy, thus obtaining more accurate 3D social gesture estimation results, said Wei Pengfei, correspondence author of the study.

SBeA is suitable for accurately calculating 3D social posture, identity and fine social modules in mice, birds and domestic dogs, with potential for cross-species applications, Wei said.

The study was recently published in the journal Nature Machine Intelligence. 
ADEN, Yemen, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The internationally recognized government of Yemen issued a statement on Friday strongly condemning recent military actions by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea near the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait.

In a press statement released by the state-run Saba news agency, the government said it is "following with great concern the military escalation in the country, particularly in the Red Sea, by the Houthi rebels."

It referred to a recent military operation carried out by the United States and its allies against Houthi-controlled Yemeni areas, saying it came as a response to the "Houthi militias' continued targeting and threatening the security and safety of international navigation in the Red Sea."

It blamed the Houthis for "dragging the country into a military confrontation arena for propaganda purposes" and "misleadingly linking it to support for Palestinians."

The government reaffirmed its sovereign right to enhance security in the Red Sea region, saying stability there and globally "cannot be achieved except by restoring the legitimate state institutions in Yemen."

While reaffirming its support for the Palestinian cause, the Yemeni government warned that "the Israeli aggression in occupied territories risks further destabilizing the region and threatening international peace and security."

Earlier on Friday, the United States together with Britain and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands, launched a series of strikes on Houthi targets in the Yemeni capital city of Sanaa and other provinces under the group's control.

In a defiant response, the Houthis declared that it would not allow the aggressors to escape punishment, and "all American and British interests have become legitimate targets."

For several weeks, the Houthi group has intensified military operations in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, targeting commercial ships "in connecting with Israel" with armed boats, drones, and sea missiles, in response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

The Houthis have controlled the capital Sanaa and much of northern Yemen since ousting the internationally recognized government in 2014. The conflict has drawn in a Saudi-led coalition fighting on the side of the government. 
The board overseeing hunting and fishing in the state has elected its first Black leader, a Baton Rouge attorney and longtime outdoorsman who hopes to represent Louisianans like him who grew up fishing from the banks of bayous rather than Bayliners.
This file photo pictures Sen. Alan Seabaugh, R-Shreveport. As the Louisiana Legislature is set to take up Supreme Court redistricting in a special session, Seabaugh has proposed increasing the number of justices on the state's highest court from seven to nine.
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.
There was always something special about Mary Donaldson, who on Sunday will become queen of the Danes. And now she has a cocktail to prove it.

On Saturday, the El Loco Slip Inn pub in Sydney where a young real estate agent caught the eye of a prince nearly 24 years ago, will be the centre of international media attention.

Mary is pictured with Crown Prince Frederik early in their relationship. Credit: AP

Television crews, including the Danish broadcaster DK Nyheder and the BBC, are planning live crosses from the spot, thought to be near the front bar of the 130-year-old maritime pub on Sussex Street, where the royal romance began.

Its crazy, said a staff member from Merivale, which owns the hotel.
Shameful statistics

Tim Costello once again highlights the plethora of shocking and shameful statistics around gambling in Australia. Our political leaders like comparing Australia favourably with other countries on many measures, but when it comes to gambling they are silent because here we rank as the worst in the world  75 per cent of the worlds pokies are in Australian pubs and clubs. We average 743 sports bets ads on free-to-air TV every day (Britain has 11 a week) Our primary-age children have never watched AFL or NRL without associating it with betting. We are allowing the gambling lobby to groom our children to become life-long gamblers.

We often scorn the power of the National Rifle Association in the US while all the while the gambling lobby has become our NRA. Just as tobacco advertising was banned so, too, should we ban all gambling advertising.

Bryan Long, Balwyn Time to take a stand

Tim Costello is on the money when he says, Australia has a huge blind spot when it comes to gambling and the harm it causes in the community. It also has a deaf ear when it comes to listening to the experts about the desperate need for gambling reform. Like the US gun lobby, vested interests in the gambling industry here seem to have the ear of the government ahead of its response to the late Peta Murphy gambling inquiry findings. Costello makes that clear. Its time for the Albanese government to stand up to these vested interests and ban advertising gambling online. Seventy per cent of Australians support such a ban. Its odds-on to be a winner with voters.

Nick Toovey, Beaumaris Pill-testing benefits

There is more to the issue of the cost of pill testing at dance parties.

Any reduction in death or injury from taking pills at dance parties reduces the government-health fund costs of hospitalisation and subsequent care. These costs may well exceed the cost of pill testing. The social costs arising from death or injury are also reduced.

Doug Walter, Camberwell Prayer challenge

Im not surprised that parliamentarians would rather not hear the Lords Prayer. Your kingdom come, your will be done is a way of saying, Let all our decisions and actions come from loving intentions (Letters, 12/1). A very challenging statement to make at the beginning of each new day, but what a difference if we made this our purpose.

Helen Creed, Camberwell Flood of events

I agree with your correspondent (Letters, 11/1) about the unnecessary and overuse of the word event, which seems especially beloved of news readers and commentators. Even the PM has been using it. A flood is a flood is a flood. It is not a flood event, nor do we need to be told of rain, hail and snow events. And in any event, dont let us forget the Black Friday and January sale events.

Brenda Mentz, Mornington

Let this eventuality go

The community impact of recent storms and resulting floods has been devastating. However, regarding media coverage and trends in general, Im in complete agreement with your correspondent (Letters, 11/1) regarding the mystifying tagging of these storms and floods, even concerts, as events.

Is this an inevitable spin-off from social media?

Oh well, my day so far has been too full of events (all my good fortune) to list in full, but has included awakening, breakfasting and gardening events just for starters. As a patron of life, these customer experiences have been awesome.

David Cramond,

Mornington The ducks are waiting

Your correspondent (Letters, 11/1) is right. Today very few Victorians would consider recreational duck shooting wise use of our previous Ramsar wetlands. Alarmingly, despite widespread rain and significant breeding, the scientists say the worrying long-term decline of native waterbirds has not been reversed. After the hottest year on record and climate change causing havoc, our precious Ramsar wetlands and all native waterbirds urgently require permanent protection from duck shooters, as the Victorian parliamentary inquiry recommended.

The public eagerly awaits Labors decision.

Lynn Trakell, Somers Fitting alternative

Can I suggest the Desiderata for the opening of parliament? Its timeless words are about peace, co-operation, love, fear, awareness, humility and caution. They are non-partisan and non-religious.

Warwick Spinaze, Tootgarook A miracle indeed

Im no expert on religious doctrine or procreation, but wasnt the mother of Jesus a surrogate? Or was the miraculous pregnancy a product of IVF?

Susan Spencer, Birregurra Will of the people

Our father who art in heaven, thy will be done. No, thank you. Politicians are supposed to enact the will of the people, not that of a mythical father figure. We may be better served if they reminded themselves of that before each sitting.

Peter Rushen, Carnegie

The garden is alive

Megan Backhouses column reminds us to garden to suit the (ever changing) environment and reap the rewards (Subtle beauty of coastal gardens, 12/1).

Even in harsh coastal environments, getting into the brains of our plants, and working together with understanding and care for each plant can create beautiful spaces offering shade, shelter, and love. Sometimes its not immediately obvious, but our gardens all live and breathe.

Time spent visiting and nurturing gardens and nature reminds us this is so.

Isabelle Henry, Ascot Vale Nurture the planet

Its an old-fashioned word but it could be so helpful in thinking about how we relate to our planet. Any gardener will appreciate it: Planet Earth needs us to nurture it much more attentively.

Jim Spithill, Glen Waverley We need high taxes

Your correspondent (Letters, 12/1) observes that until we are prepared to vote in politicians honest enough to espouse tax increases for improved government services we can only expect things to get worse. In Scandinavia taxes are high. They echo the ethos of the late American jurist Oliver Wendell Holmes who said, Taxes are the price we pay for a civilised society. Scandinavian politicians who run on a platform to cut taxes do not win elective office.

Ken Feldman, Sandringham Just supply and demand

Peter Dutton has called for a boycott of Woolworths after it said it was stopping sales of Australia Day-themed merchandise. Woolworths said: There has been a gradual decline in demand for Australia Day merchandise from our stores over recent years.

Can Dutton not understand it is a simple case of supply and demand? I applaud the lack of supermarket plastic junk (made in China) that will end up in landfill after Australia Day. I would also like to think, naively as it may be, that people find our current Australia Day calendar date as a time for deep reflection, about what it symbolises, not one for tokenistic disposable paraphernalia.

Ken Booth, Bangholme Dutton, we can choose

Peter Dutton, were a democracy, we are free to make their own decisions, be it where to shop, or at the ballot box.

Mary Cole, Richmond

Dressed for the day

Cant wait to see Peter Dutton in his made-in-China, Australian flag-inspired gear on Australia Day. Hat, sun glasses, T-shirt, board shorts finished off with thongs and matching beach towel.

Anne Maki, Alphington AND ANOTHER THING Woolworths

Crikey! When did declining to stock single use plastic novelty items manufactured overseas become unAustralian?

Melanie Carter, Largs Bay, SA Peter Dutton might have a point if cheap and cheesy Australia Day merchandise wasnt made overseas.

Denis Liubinas, Blairgowrie I still call thongs emblazoned with the Australian flag, made in China, home.

Paul Custance, Highett

Perhaps Woolworths marketing may know more about the market and marketing than Peter Dutton. I wonder what his response might be if they added the Indigenous flag to their Australia Day regalia?

Kim Kaye, Surrey Hills Heres hoping that Woolworths will now stop stocking Halloween merchandise. In the meantime, Ill be boycotting Peter Dutton and the Liberal Party.

Philip West, Jan Juc A boycott! Will Peter Dutton be organising picket lines next?

Joan Segrave, Healesville Furthermore

If rising sea levels are going to affect the CBD, maybe the AUKUS subs when they arrive can be used as transport in the train and road tunnels being built under Melbourne.

Paul Chivers, Box Hill North The bayside climate change chicken has come home to roost. Turns out its a duck.

Greg Curtin, Nunawading
This is why we work so hard to build and maintain such an experienced and skillful team of sports journalists: it is a topic not only of interest to the public but also in the public interest.

Led by our sports editor Chloe Saltau, The Age is blessed with some of the best sports journalists in the business. On football, we have the peerless Caroline Wilson, who was recently honoured with a Walkley Award for Outstanding Contribution to Journalism and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Melbourne Press Club. We boast news breakers like Jake Niall and magnificent writers like Greg Baum, both also Walkley winners. On cricket, we benefit from the insights of reporters like Dan Brettig, whose great knowledge of the game itself is complemented by his nose for the business and politics behind it.

As we move into the opening weekend of the Australian Open and our first sporting infection of the year takes hold, I hope you will pay close attention to the depth of our sports reporting which, I believe, is unmatched. Our team has spent much of the summer  and some of spring  preparing tennis stories we hope you will find interesting and surprising.

On my recommended reading list for tomorrow is Rachael Dexter and Carla Jaegers examination of the bitter fight for the future of the Melbourne Park precinct where the Open and many other sporting and cultural events of significance take place. You should also read tennis reporter Marc McGowans exclusive interview with Ajla Tomljanovic, who is returning to tennis for her adoptive home Australia after being injured at the peak of her powers and seemingly on the cusp of a grand slam win. In the coming days we will also hear from the injured showman Nick Kyrgios and take a deep dive into the data that shows what makes Novak Djokovic so hard to beat.
PHNOM PENH, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia reported 1,384 malaria cases in 2023, down about 66 percent from a year earlier, marking significant progress in the fight against the disease, a health official said on Friday.

"There were no fatalities reported among the cases," Huy Rekol, director of the National Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, told Xinhua.

He said the Southeast Asian country has achieved a major milestone in eliminating malaria deaths since 2018, a target it aimed to achieve three years later.

According to Rekol, malaria diagnostic tests and treatments have been highly effective in Cambodia, with Artesunate-Mefloquine, or ASMQ, being 100 percent safe and efficacious against malaria.

Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease typically found in forest and mountainous provinces, especially during rainy seasons.

To avoid being bitten by malaria-carrying mosquitoes, Rekol advises people living in malaria-risk areas to always sleep under insecticide-treated mosquito nets. 
Asking rents increased in nearly every Melbourne suburb during 2023, stretching the limits of what tenants can afford to pay for housing.

In the majority of suburbs, asking rents recorded a double-digit increase over the past 12 months. The largest increase was for units in Ivanhoe East, where the median asking rent jumped by 46.3 per cent to $600 per week in the 12 months to December, according to Domain data.

For houses, the biggest jumps were in Kew East, up 34.6 per cent to $875, and Aberfeldie, up 33.9 per cent to $750 over the same period.

Domain chief of research and economics Dr Nicola Powell said the suburbs with the largest movement had a relatively low number of rentals listed over the three months to December, which would make median price movements more volatile.
Malacca, Malaysia: Ethnic Chinese devotees towed a giant replica of a royal barge on a wheeled platform through a Malaysian city on Thursday in a rare and colourful procession aimed at collecting and banishing evil spirits.

Steeped in religious and cultural rites, the Wangkang  or royal ship  procession snaked along a nine-kilometre route in the historic city of Malacca with 22 stops where priests performed cleansing rituals to command evil spirits and other negative influences to board the boat. It was accompanied by various floats and performers.

Ethnic Chinese devotees prepare a Wangkang ship during night culminating in a send-off ceremony. Credit: AP

The Wangkang festival was brought to Malacca by Hokkien traders from China and first took place in 1854. It is only organised when mediums at the Yong Chuan Tian Temple in Malacca receive a command from the Ong Yah deities. Processions have been held in 1919, 1933, 2001, 2012 and 2021.

After Thursdays procession, another shorter parade was held at night, culminating in a send-off ceremony where the barge was set alight so the collected spirits could symbolically sail into another realm. Organisers said the aim of the festival was to bring health, peace, prosperity and happiness to the state and the world.
Australias support for the attacks on Yemens Houthis by a coalition of countries led by the US and the UK contributes to several Australian government objectives. Perhaps foremost among them is trying to silence critics who said Australia went missing when the US sought allies to send ships to the Red Sea. Other objectives were made clear by the prime minister: protecting lives, the global economy and international commerce.

It is early days, but the coalition is well-placed to achieve the latter tranche of objectives.

The Houthis are, at best, an impoverished, improvised military force that has been at war with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. It was not long ago that attacks by those countries were thought by some to be war crimes, given the disproportionate capabilities and wealth of Saudi Arabia and the UAE compared with Yemen.

Yemen has not improved since then, registering a modest $US21 billion GDP ($31 billion). By contrast, the coalition it now faces has a combined GDP of over $US33 trillion ($49 trillion). By any standards, that is a mismatch of major proportions. The desired outcome  suppressing the Houthi attacks  is likely not in doubt. However, the Houthis success at impeding international shipping underscores the threat that determined adversaries can pose when they occupy geography of strategic importance.
PHNOM PENH, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet will attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting 2024 in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 16-17, said a foreign ministry's press statement on Friday.

His attendance will be made at the invitation of Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the WEF, the statement said.

It added that world leaders and top corporate executives will take part in the forum along with heads of major international organizations, civil society and youth representatives, social entrepreneurs, and media leaders.

"Under the theme of Rebuilding Trust, the meeting will focus on principles such as transparency, consistency, and accountability," the statement said.

Hun Manet is scheduled to speak about restoring faith in the global system at an informal lunch for world economic leaders, focusing on win-win approaches to address global concerns and foster peaceful engagement and dialogue, it added. 
Chinese, Canadian FMs hold phone talks on ties

Xinhua) 08:32, January 12, 2024

BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday held a phone conversation with his Canadian counterpart Melanie Joly at the latter's request.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that both China and Canada are countries with important influence in the Asia-Pacific region.

The two countries have neither historical rows nor realistic conflicts of interests, and share many common interests and enjoy complementary advantages, he said.

Wang noted that the current challenging China-Canada relationship is not what China desires, nor is caused by China, while China is open to maintain contact and dialogue with Canada.

Wang put forward three points on improving and developing China-Canada relations:

Firstly, correct cognition. The root cause of the downturn of China-Canada relations in recent years is the serious deviation of the Canadian side's perception of China.

China hopes that the Canadian side can objectively, rationally and correctly interpret China's domestic and foreign policies. China neither exports ideology nor challenges the international order, but has consistently upheld the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, the international system with the UN at its core and the international order based on international law. At the same time, China must firmly safeguard its own sovereignty, security and development interests and never allow the Chinese people to be deprived of their legitimate rights to development, Wang said.

Secondly, mutual respect. The differences in social systems and ideologies between China and Canada stem from their respective histories, cultures, national conditions and people's choices. The two sides should respect each other, engage in dialogue on an equal footing, increase trust, dispel misgivings and strengthen communication responsibly and constructively, so as not to let differences dominate bilateral relations, Wang said.

He also urged the Canadian side to earnestly implement its commitment to the one-China policy, preserve the political foundation of China-Canada relations, and not send any wrong signal to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

Thirdly, win-win cooperation. China will continue to expand high-level opening-up, and Chinese-style modernization will surely bring important development opportunities to Canada and other countries in the world, Wang said.

As promoters and beneficiaries of free trade, China and Canada should jointly oppose the politicization and pan-security of economic issues and create a fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for business development, he added.

Joly, for her part, said that healthy and stable Canada-China relations serve the fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples.

Despite the difficulties in bilateral relations, Canada is willing to bring bilateral relations back to the right track with a more open, practical and constructive attitude, and is willing to strengthen communication and dialogue with China, promote personnel exchanges, deepen economic and trade cooperation, and maintain close coordination and cooperation on environmental protection, biodiversity and international and regional issues, Joly said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Fifteen Saudi companies, specialising in the plastic and petrochemical industries, are participating in the 19th edition of plastics and rubber exhibition, Plastex 2024, being held at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in Cairo, a report said.

The exhibition, where more than 500 companies from 50 Arab and other countries, are taking part, is showcasing modern plastic and rubber products, Saudi Press Agency said.

The participants will seek access to the Egyptian and African markets, knowledge exchange, better cooperation, and explore the latest innovations and technologies in the plastics and petrochemical industry.

The exhibition also aims to shed light on sustainable and environment friendly products, establish partnerships and open new markets in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as to review the latest technologies, sustainable practices, and leading trends in the plastics and rubber market.
BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- In its ongoing effort to improve grassroots healthcare infrastructure and accessibility, China has made significant strides in developing closely integrated medical and health consortia at the county level.

In 2019, the National Health Commission (NHC) launched a medical consortia pilot program, which has seen the participation of 828 county-level regions across the country to date, Fu Wei, an NHC official told a press conference on Friday.

The program aims to establish a triage system that is led by county-level hospitals and improve the capacity of medical and health institutions at the township and village levels. The end goal is to ensure that common diseases are treated at the city or county level while routine health concerns are managed at the grassroots level, according to the NHC.

Over the past five years, China has seen improvements in its county-level medical resource distribution, medical services and overall service capacity at the county level, Fu said.

The Chinese government recently released a comprehensive set of guidelines in this regard, setting the goal of ensuring that medical consortia "basically achieve full coverage" in all county-level regions by the end of 2027.

ENHANCED SERVICE

Luxian County in Sichuan Province, southwest China, started to pilot county-level medical consortia reform in 2019.

According to Ma Jinyu, the county's deputy head, three such consortia have been created in the county based on local features, as well as the public's needs.

With the development of such medical consortia, measures, such as analysis and discussion on complicated cases and personnel training, have been made to direct personnel, technology, services and management to the primary level, said Ma.

People are now able to enjoy better quality medical services at the grassroots, Ma noted.

In 2023, the number of patients referred to branch hospitals from general hospitals saw a 61-percent year-on-year increase, he said, adding that general hospitals have assisted branch hospitals with remote consultation, imaging diagnosis, and ECG diagnostics, among others.

The development of the consortia allows for more sophisticated medical services for the people, according to Ma. For example, patients with specific requirements can pay bills and fees at branch hospitals before undergoing exams or tests at general hospitals, reducing their financial load and waiting time.

POLICY SUPPORT

Fu noted at the press conference that government support will be necessary for this endeavor, highlighting the central government's financial support for rural medical services and institutions as well as local governments' preference for grassroots medical institutions when allocating new financial expenditure on health.

The government also introduced medical bill reimbursement policies that encourage people to use grassroots medical services. For example, differentiated medical insurance payment policies have been implemented for medical institutions at different levels in terms of inpatient services, said Huang Xinyu, an official with the National Healthcare Security Administration.

Speaking at the press conference, he noted that the lower the level of the medical institution, the higher the reimbursement rate and the lower the deductible.

According to the NHC, the purpose of establishing closely integrated medical and health consortia at the county level is to systematically reorganize and optimize the allocation of medical resources within counties.

Accordingly, the initiative requires efforts to optimize medical resources in county-level areas and to make quality medical workers, technologies and services more accessible at the county level, Fu said.

She said that authorities in charge of healthcare and medical institutions at the county level should enhance their capability of serving residents, including strengthening cooperation with urban hospitals for better handling of major diseases, medical emergencies and other issues, expanding family doctor services, and making it more convenient for patients to be examined at grassroots medical institutions and diagnosed at higher-level institutions.

"County-level areas constitute the foundation of the national governance system. If each county has a well-established integrated medical and health consortia, the foundation of the grassroots network becomes more solid, therefore, providing a robust basis for building a healthy China," Fu said. 
Chen Xi, president of the Party School of the Communist Party of China Central Committee (National Academy of Governance), attends a graduation ceremony for the 2023 autumn semester and presents certificates to graduates on Jan. 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Gao Jie)

BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Party School of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee (National Academy of Governance) held a graduation ceremony on Friday for the 2023 autumn semester.

Chen Xi, president of the school and academy, presented certificates to 901 graduates.

Nine graduate representatives made speeches at the ceremony, saying that the program's systematic education on the Party spirit and training for relevant capabilities had helped them acquire more theoretical knowledge and enhanced their ability to perform their duties.

The students pledged to leverage the knowledge they have gained to fulfill their duties in an improved manner, and to make more contributions to building China into a strong country and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts. 
ADEN, Yemen, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Houthi group declared Friday that all American and British interests have become "legitimate targets," as a strong and defiant response to the recent military operation launched by the United States and the United Kingdom against Houthi targets in Yemen.

The statement was made by the Supreme Political Council, the highest body of the Houthi group, which was broadcast by the group's official media.

Describing the military operation as "treacherous and blatant American-British aggression," the Houthi statement condemned the attack as an unlawful act that violated international laws.

The group argued that "this aggression posed a real threat to international peace and security, and warned of the consequences that would be borne by the Americans, the British, and the Zionists."

The Houthi statement emphasized that the group's response was "legitimate and justified within the context of defending Yemen's sovereignty, independence, and freedom of decision-making."

It made it clear that the armed forces of Yemen would not allow the aggressors to escape punishment.

The Houthi group claimed that the presence of American and British forces, as well as their allies, in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait was a threat to international navigation and vowed to deal with it "appropriately."

Its leadership urged neighboring Arab countries and all other countries to refrain from involvement and highlighted the potential consequences of siding with the aggressors.

Earlier in the day, the United States and the United Kingdom launched a series of strikes on Houthi targets in the Yemeni capital city of Sanaa and other provinces under the group's control.

The strikes came in response to the Houthis' recent strikes in the Red Sea targeting what it called Israeli ships and those destined for Israel. 
After warm meeting with Sunak, Rajnath concludes UK visit





By Aditi Khanna

LONDON,

DEFENCE Minister Rajnath Singh concluded his visit to the UK on Thursday after a warm meeting with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and interacting with members of the Indian diaspora at a community reception. Singh called on Prime Minister Sunak at 10 Downing Street here on Wednesday evening for discussions on a wide range of issues across bilateral defence and economic ties. He also gifted a Ram Darbar statue to Sunak, Britains first Hindu Prime Minister, during the meeting also attended by UK National Security Adviser (NSA) Sir Tim Barrow.

Had a very warm meeting with the UK Prime Minister, Shri Rishi Sunak in London, Rajnath Singh said in a statement on social media. I had the opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues with him. We discussed issues pertaining to defence, economic cooperation and how India and the UK could work together for strengthening a peaceful and stable global rules-based order, he said. According to the Indian Ministry of Defence readout of the meeting, Sunak agreed with the minister on the need for the UK and India to work in tandem and expressed hope that the ongoing free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations could be brought to a successful conclusion soon.
Ahmad Faraz: An alchemist of words





BY HANNAH SHARIQ

FOR THE world, Ahmad Faraz was particularly known for his romantic and revolutionary verses and a symbol of resistance through his powerful poetry that often critiqued social and political injustices. Many revered him as a luminary in the realm of Urdu poetry who left an indelible mark on the literary landscape through his poignant verses. But for me, Faraz will always be a poetic sorcerer who, with his language, invited me into a world where emotions cascaded like a gentle river. Before encountering his enchanting words, Urdu language seemed like an uncharted territory. Little did I know that Faraz would be the alchemist who would transform my indifference into an enduring love affair with Urdu. His verses; suna hai us ko bhi hai sher o shaayri se shaghaf, so hum bhi mojize apne hunar ke dekhte hain. (Shaghaf : interest; mojaze : miracles) Aptly describes my newly-found (hopefully everlasting) love for the language and my awe for the poet. I distinctively recall my failed endeavour to paint vivid images of passion, pain through words. What a disastrous attempt it was! However, in the process, Ahmad Faraz - with his poetic prowess - became an architect of my admiration for Urdu.

It was as if each ghazal was a key unlocking the door to a realm where emotions created a bond between my soul and the rich tapestry of Urdu expression. After listening to his poetries in his warm and painful voice, an emotional alchemy occurred that made me an ardent admirer of Urdus lyrical charm. Farazs literary journey unfolded during a tumultuous period in Pakistans history.. Throughout his career, Ahmad Faraz remained committed to social causes. His works often addressed issues like censorship, dictatorship, and the suppression of freedom. Farazs outspokenness resulted in periods of exile and imprisonment, as he fearlessly criticised authoritarian regimes. Faraz was arrested for writing poems that criticised military rulers and later he went into a self-imposed exile. However, after returning to Pakistan he was appointed on several important positions. Despite facing adversity, his resolve to speak truth to power remained unwavering. Unlike other poets of his time, he detested and refrained from endorsing any religious ideology. Some of Farazs compositions articulate his fearless critique of societal injustice, using poetic metaphors to reveal the scars of solitude.

His unwavering commitment to social justice is well reflected in his verses; Mera Qalam Nahi Tasbeeh Us Muballigh Ki, Jo Bandagi Ka Bhi Her Dum Hisaab Rakhta Hai. (Blasphemy unintended). His contributions to Urdu literature are immortalised in classics such as Suna hai log, Ranjish Hi Sahi, Ab ke hum beechde, Isse pehle ke bewafaa hojaye that articulate the pain of unrequited love, and Mera Qalam, was undisputedly an anthem of resilience in the face of political oppression. Farazs exploration of the complexities of love extends to Samne uske kabhi uski sataesh na ki, where he unveils the layers of the human heart. His legacy is not confined to the pages of books but resides in the emotions stirred, the tears shed, and the laughter echoed. Through his verses, he has bridged the gap between language and emotion.
CG bags national awards





Staff Reporter

RAIPUR,

Chhattisgarh bagged national awards for exemplary contribution in the field of sanitation and cleanliness on Thursday. The State was awarded the third rank in the category of best-performing states in Swachh Survekshan Awards-2023 and Patan became the second cleanest city in the country in less than 1 lakh population category. Four urban bodies of the state, Raipur, Kumhari, Mahasamund and Arang also received awards for their good performance in the Swachh Survekshan-2023 organised by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai along with Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao received the awards at the hands of Honble President Droupadi Murmu at Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre in New Delhi. Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri and Secretary of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs Manoj Joshi were present at the event. Raipur has been awarded in the category of 5-star clean city within Chhattisgarh with a population of more than 1 lakh. Whereas, Mahasamund, Kumhari and Arang have been awarded in the category of clean city (East Zone) with population between 50 thousand to 1 lakh, in the category of clean city (East Zone) with population between 25 thousand to 50 thousand and in the category of clean city (East Zone) with population between 15 thousand to 25 thousand respectively.

On this occasion, Secretary to CM P Dayanand, Secretary of the Urban Administration Department, Dr Basavaraju S, elected public representatives, officers, coordinators and sanitation workers of many urban bodies of State also participated in the function. The annual awards were launched in 2016 as a part of the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban. The 2023 awards covered 4,416 urban local bodies, 61 cantonments and 88 Ganga towns. According to the Ministry, 1.58 crore online citizen feedback and 19.82 lakh faceto-face views were received as a part of the ranking exercise.
Congress decision to decline Ram temple invite exposes its opposition to Hindu religion: BJP





NEW DELHI,

THE BJP on Thursday slammed the Congress decision to decline the invitation to its three top leaders to attend the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya, claiming it has exposed the partys inherent opposition to Indias culture and Hindu religion. Due to its feelings of jealousy, malice and inferiority complex towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress had gone to the extent of opposing the country and is now opposing God, BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi told reporters. The Ram temple in Ayodhya symbolises the highest values of Indian traditions and culture, he said, but for the Congress and other Opposition parties with a similar mindset extremist politics is more important, he alleged.

Like Pt Nehru did with Somnath Temple: Himanta: ASSAM Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said that the Congress was given an opportunity to reduce its sin but with the party declining the invitation to the Ram temple consecration ceremony, history will continue to judge it as anti-Hindu. The @VHPDigital (Vishva Hindu Parishad) had given the Congress party a golden opportunity to reduce its sin by extending their leadership an invitation to attend the Shri Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha Mahotsava, he posted on X. ...Although, in my humble view, they did not deserve such an invitation at the first place for their views against the Ram Mandir from the very beginning, he added.

Sarma said that by accepting this invitation, the Congress could have symbolically offered an apology to the Hindu Samaj However, like Pt Nehru did with the Somnath Temple, the Congress leadership did the same with the Ram Temple. History will continue to judge them as an anti-Hindu party, he said. Ktaka CM Siddaram-aiah backs Cong: KARNATAKA CM Siddaramaiah on Thursday endorsed the Congress high commands decision not to attend the consecration ceremony of Ram temple in Ayodhya, saying the BJP has turned a religious event into a political affair.
Congress has vast scope in Chhattisgarh: Pilot





Staff Reporter

RAIPUR,

Sachin Pilot, All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary for Chhattisgarh, conveyed his optimism about the significant potential for the Congress party in Chhattisgarh. Pilot emphasised the partys commitment to strengthening its presence in every block to secure success in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2024. Addressing a press conference at the state Congress party office Rajiv Bhawan, Pilot said that winning candidates would be nominated for the 11 Lok Sabha constituencies in Chhattisgarh, with the final selection to be determined by the party in the near future. He underlined the importance of this strategic move to ensure a strong Congress representation in the region. Pilot also shared details about the upcoming Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, set to commence from Manipur on January 14 and concluding in Mumbai on March 20.

This nationwide journey, initiated by former Congress National President Rahul Gandhi, is scheduled to traverse 14 states, including Chhattisgarh, where it will travel for five to six days. Pilot assured that preparations for the Nyay Yatra were well under way. During his two-day maiden visit to Raipur as the Chhattisgarh Congress In-charge, Pilot stated that the executive body of the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee (CPCC) convened at Rajiv Bhawan, delved into various topics, including preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, arrangements for the Nyay Yatra, and an analysis of the partys performance in the recent assembly elections. Pilot further announced that the Pradesh Congress Election Committee would convene at Rajiv Bhawan on Friday.

Responding to questions regarding the BJPs allegations about the Congress boycotting the consecration ceremony of the Shri Ram temple in Ayodhya, Sachin Pilot emphasised the separation of religion and politics. He accused the BJP of politicising the Shri Ram Mandir consecration ceremony for political gains and reiterated that the BJP should not judge individuals as good Hindus or bad Hindus. The press conference was attended by prominent leaders, including Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader Dr Charan Das Mahant, CPCC President Deepak Baij, and other key figures from the Congress party.
ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has said funding shortfall is hampering its humanitarian response in Ethiopia as the country encounters mounting humanitarian needs.

UNICEF, in its latest Ethiopia humanitarian situation report released Wednesday, said its 674.3 million U.S. dollars Humanitarian Action for Children (HAC) 2023 Appeal for Ethiopia remains 71 percent unfunded.

It said the funding shortfall is hampering its response in Ethiopia as humanitarian needs persist among vulnerable populations across the East African country, particularly children, women and those in hard-to-reach locations.

"UNICEF continues to appeal for critical funding to meet the humanitarian needs of children, adolescents, women, and men in Ethiopia," it stressed.

Out of a total appeal of 674.3 million dollars, including 255.7 million dollars for the Northern Ethiopia response and 345.4 million dollars for the drought response, only 29 percent of the total funding requirement is available to date, UNICEF said. "To ensure that children and their caregivers receive lifesaving support in 2024 and beyond, UNICEF appeals to all donor partners to help close the remaining gaps."

UNICEF warned that ongoing conflict, drought, flood, and other humanitarian calamities that are occurring in different regions of the East African country are impacting the lives of people, especially women and children. The drought in northern Ethiopia, exacerbated by climate change-induced El Nino situation, conflict, socioeconomic deterioration, and failed harvest, continues to have a severe impact on the nutritional situation of mothers and children in Afar, Amhara and Tigray.

An ongoing cholera outbreak is further exacerbating the humanitarian situation, affecting 65 districts across the country, with more than 30,000 cases and 449 deaths reported so far, according to UNICEF. 
Crackdown on crime syndicate NIA raids 32 places in 6 States





NEW DELHI,

THE National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday seized several illegal arms and ammunition, along with incriminating documents, digital devices and cash, in a massive multi-State crackdown in connection with cases relating to conspiracies and activities of the banned Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and the Lawrence Bishnoi crime syndicate. A total of 32 locations in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, as well as the Union Territory of Chandigarh, were raided by NIA teams as part of the mega operation that began early on Thursday morning, a spokesperson of the premier investigating agency said.

The seizures during the searches carried out in connection with three cases included two pistols, two magazines and ammunition, along with cash amounting to Rs 4.6 lakh, besides documents and digital devices. The three cases are related to the terror activities being carried out by the BKI, which was banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and the terrorist-gangster networks operating in the country. Such activities include smuggling and induction of terrorist hardware, such as arms and ammunition, explosives, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) etc., from across the borders, the NIA spokesperson said. The terror hardware is being used by the operatives of terror outfits and organised criminal syndicates for carrying out bomb blasts, targeted killings, extortions and funding of such outfits in various parts of the country.

The NIA, which had registered the case suo motu on July 10, 2023, has identified Harwinder Singh alias Rinda and Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias Landa as among the key conspirators involved in hatching terror conspiracies as well as smuggling of arms and ammunition into Punjab. They have also been sending funds to their associates through various money transfer service scheme channels for carrying out terrorist acts, according to the NIAs investigations. A total of seven locations were raided in the second case registered by the NIA against the organised crime syndicate being run on the directions of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and his associates, including Goldy Brar, under UAPA.
Deputy CM Sharmas cold shoulder to ASPs, DSPs





Staff Reporter

RAIPUR,

Deputy Chief Minister and State Home Minister Vijay Sharma gave a cold shoulder to the Additional Superintendents of Police (ASPs) and Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) after they submitted a memorandum regarding salary hikes, promotions and land allotment. Chhattisgarhs Deputy Chief Minister, Vijay Sharma, was showered with bouquets and congratulatory letters by officers of the Chhattisgarh State Police Service, along with a list of demands for salary hikes, promotions, and land. Despite the Association expressing optimism that their demands would be met, the Home Minister Vijay Sharma, responded firmly, stating, My priority is constables and head constables.

Vijay Sharma has been appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister in the BJP-led government in Chhattisgarh. He has been assigned the portfolios of Home, Panchayat, and Technical Education. Known for his strong and assertive demeanor, Vijay Sharma is proficient in both Hindi and English. After taking charge of the Home Ministry, officers of the State Police Service visited him for the first time, presenting books and extending their congratulations. However, the atmosphere changed when they handed over a letter requesting land, salary increments, and promotions. Vijay Sharma, in response, maintained a stern expression and told the police officers, I know very well that you are not weak; you are financially strong despite thousands of deficiencies. Even after facing shortages, constables and head constables are working day and night. Many constables are our friends; they dont have a home to stay in. The Deputy Chief Ministers remarks left the officers startled; and discussions ensued.

Their demands included residential plots at concessional rates in Sector-18 of Nava Raipur for State Police Service officers, expediting the process of time scale pay, saying even after completing the prescribed qualifications, there is a huge delay in the process of providing time scale pay. Demand of grant of rank equivalent to Superintendent of Police (Ashok Stambh plus one star) after acceptance of Senior Senior Category Pay Scale (Grade Pay Rs 8,700) and notifying the proposal to provide the provisional pay scale (promotional category pay scale Rs 37,400-67,000, grade pay Rs 8,900 pay level-16) approved in Chhattisgarh Police Executive (Gazetted) Service Recruitment and Promotion Rules-2005.
From Times Square to Lucknows Chowk Consecration ceremony set to resonate globally





LUCKNOW :

11 days to go for consecration

FROM the Times Square in New York to Chowk in Lucknow, the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram temple is set to resonate globally. UP officials are collaborating with national agencies and the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and are identifying the key locations for coverage on January 21 and 22. A senior official said meticulous preparations include live streaming of the ceremony across the various cities for comprehensive coverage. Rallies and shows supporting the temple are scheduled in California, Washington, New York, Chicago, and various European and Canadian cities.

Times Square billboard will also feature the event to attract a vast audience. Iconic global landmarks like the Eiffel Tower in Paris and Times Square in New York are expected to draw large crowds tuning into the ceremony. Parisian viewers will experience the event in the early morning, while those in New York will gather around midnight for this grand spectacle. The live broadcast of the celebrations will be disseminated worldwide. On January 22, followers of Lord Ram can participate in the ceremony from anywhere, as the event will be showcased by the national broadcaster and will also be accessible online, the official informed. In Lucknow, traders associations led by the UP Adarsh Vyapar Mandal (UPAVM) have decided to embellish the city with Hindu-themed banners, hoardings, and flags. The initiative, known as Shri Ram Campaign, will extend to various markets in the city and along the routes connecting Lucknow with Ayodhya. Traders aim to instill a sense of festivity reminiscent of Diwali, to celebrate the homecoming of Lord Ram.

UPAVM president and UP head of CAIT, Sanjay Gupta, emphasised the collective effort of traders to adorn major markets with flags and banners depicting their devotion to Lord Ram. In addition to beautifying markets with large cutouts of Lord Ram and replicas of the Ram temple, traders plan to install LED screens at various locations. These screens will broadcast live coverage of the grand Pran Pratishtha ceremony scheduled for January 22, including the Saryu River aarti. Traders will also organise hymn recitals at marketplaces and make provisions to provide food to devotees enroute to Ayodhya.
Guj aims to become a global hub for semiconductor: CM Patel





GANDHINAGAR,

CHIEF Minister Bhupendra Patel, on the second day of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, expressed an unwavering commitment to transforming Gujarat into a Global Hub for Semiconductor and Electronics Manufacturing. According to a press release, with Prime Minister Narendra Modis guidance, the Chief Minister outlined a roadmap for the States pivotal role in the semiconductor sector. Addressing the Semiconductor and Electronics Seminar, Chief Minister Patel emphasised Gujarats pioneering status as the first State in the nation to announce a semiconductor policy. As technology becomes increasingly integrated into sectors like health, agriculture, and logistics, semiconductor chips play a vital role in powering electronic devices, reflecting the rapid technological advancements across India. Recognising the global demand for a reliable chip supply chain, Chief Minister Patel stated that Gujarat is poised to play a crucial role in meeting this global need.

...We are committed to encouraging and promoting semiconductor sector. Within a week, we allocated the land to Micron in Sanand and presented an example of this commitment...Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, Gujarat is ready to be the semiconductor hub of the country to make the semiconductor programme in India successful... the Gujarat CM said. Outlining the States roadmap for this ambitious initiative, the Chief Minister affirmed Gujarats commitment to emerging global sectors such as AI, IT, Biotech, Fintech, Drones, and Semiconductors. Inspired by the success of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, the Government aims to position the state as a Gateway to the Future, focusing on the evolving world ahead. Expressing determination to establish a Future-Ready Gujarat for a Future-Ready India, Chief Minister Patel highlighted their dedication to realising Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of AatmaNirbhar Bharat, with a specific emphasis on emerging sectors like semiconductors and electronics.

The Union Minister of Electronics and Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, commended the visionary model of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit initiated by the Prime Minister. He emphasised the significance of the agreements signed during this edition, marking the beginning of Viksit Bharat, with Gujarat positioned to effectively realise the Prime Ministers vision. In a significant announcement, Ashwini Vaishnaw declared that Gujarat is set to manufacture the countrys first Make in India chip in 2024. The CEO of Micron, Sanjay Mehrotra, praised the exceptional cooperation from the state government and the Government of India, highlighting Indias imminent establishment of a robust semiconductor supply chain. During the Semiconductor and Electronics Seminar, crucial MoUs were signed between the Gujarat Government and the Korean company Syntech.
Indore bags cleanest city tag for 7th time





NEW DELHI :

INDORE bagged the cleanest city of India title for the seventh time in a row while Surat came out a joint winner for the top rank in the Central Governments annual cleanliness survey, the results of which were announced on Thursday. Navi Mumbai retained the third position in the Swachh Survekshan Awards 2023. In the best-performing States category, Maharashtra was named the cleanest State in the country, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. In the last annual survey, Madhya Pradesh bagged the cleanest State title. Three cities of West Bengal -- Madhyamgram (444th rank), Kalyani (445th rank) and Haora (446th rank) -- occupied the bottom rankings. Among the bottom three in the state category includes Rajasthan, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh. According to the survey results, Maharashtras Sasvad got the cleanest city award among 3,970 cities with less than one lakh population. Chhattisgarhs Patan and Lonavala in Maharashtra got the second and third positions respectively while Nagalands Pungro city is ranked the last in this category. Varanasi is the cleanest Ganga town, followed by Prayagraj, Bijnor, Haridwar, Kannauj, Patna, Rishikesh, Kanpur, Rajmahal and Sahiganj.

Among the 88 Ganga towns, Chhapra is ranked the last. In the category of cleanest cantonment boards, Madhya Pradeshs Mhow topped the chart while Deolali in Nashik and Ahmedabad were on other two spots. President Droupadi Murmu gave away the awards to the winners at an event held here. Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri attended the event. According to the data, 4,477 urban local bodies participated in the Swachh Survekshan 2023 and 12 core citizen responses were received. 92,720 municipal wards, 61 cantonment boards, 88 Ganga towns and 18,980 commercial areas participated in the survey. The Government claims it to be the worlds largest cleanliness survey. Speaking at the event, Murmu said that the Swachh Survekshan conducted with wide participation is an important step towards raising the level of cleanliness.

The President said that about one-third of Indias population live in urban areas, adding that cleanliness of cities and towns is essential for their health and development. Besides Indore and Surat, the list of top 10 cleanest cities with more than one lakh population includes Navi Mumbai, Greater Visakhapatnam, Bhopal, Vijayawada, New Delhi, Tirupati, Greater Hyderabad and Pune. In the State category, Odisha is ranked fourth, followed by Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Sikkim, Karnataka, Goa, Haryana and Bihar. The Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry said that the clean city awards prioritise addressing legacy dumpsites, managing plastic waste, implementing the principles of reduce-reuse-recycle, and ensuring the safety of safaimitras. The Swachh Survekshan 2023 focused on transforming waste into valuable resources and was evaluated by a team of over 3,000 assessors. As many as 110 awards were bestowed during the ceremony.

Evaluation parameters gave 51 per cent weightage to service level progress (segregated collection of waste, processing & disposal and safaimitra suraksha), 26 per cent to certification (ODF and other things) and 23 per cent to citizens voice. Union Minister Puri said, I am proud to say that all urban local bodies are open defecation free in India because swachhata has become a peoples movement. According to the Ministry, the primary goal of Swachh Survekshan is to encourage large scale citizen participation and create awareness among all sections of society about the importance of working together towards making towns and cities better places to live in.
PM presents chadar to be placed at Ajmer Sharif





NEW DELHI,

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi met a delegation of Muslim community members on Thursday and presented them with a chadar that will be placed at the Ajmer Sharif Dargah during an event to commemorate the death anniversary of revered Sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti. Met a Muslim community delegation. During our interaction, I presented the sacred Chadar, which will be placed during the 812th Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti at the esteemed Ajmer Sharif Dargah, Modi said on X here on Thursday.

Minority Affairs Minister Smriti Irani and the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) minority morcha president, Jamal Siddiqui, were also present during the meeting. The BJP leader said that the Prime Minister has once again given the message to Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians to work together to make India a global leader and set an example of peace and brotherhood in the country. The delegation will visit Ajmer and offer the chadar on behalf of PM Modi. The Urs festival is an annual festival held at Ajmer in Rajasthan which commemorates the death anniversary of Sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti.
Rokde Jewellers to open showroom in Koradi tomorrow





Business Reporter

THE leading and trusted jewellery brand of people in and around Nagpur is all set to open its fifth showroom in the region on January 13. The new showroom is coming up at Koradi near Haldirams on Chhindwara Road. Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari; and State President of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Chandrashekhar Bawankule will inaugurate the showroom while MLA Tekchand Sawarkar will be the guest of honour at the inaugural function.

To mark the inauguration, Rokde Jewellers has announced a special discount that will be available on January 13 and 14. The customers will get 50 per cent off on making charges of gold diamond and silver jewellery. In addition to this, the customers will also get gift vouchers under which they can avail 25 per cent discount on making charges on their next purchases. The vouchers will be valid for six months, said Rajesh Rokde, Director, Rokde Jewellers, at a press

conference held on Thursday. Bhaiyaji Rokde, Sarang Rokde, Vandana Rokde, Anamika Rokde, Sanskriti Rokde and Paras Rokde were also present at the press meet.

The Koradi showroom will cater to the needs of customers in the nearby colonies as well as those in the adjoining places like Saoner, Khaparkheda and Patansavangi among others, he said. As of now Rokde Jewellers has four branches, they are located at Laxmi Nagar, Mahal, Itwari and at Sonegoan airport. Every showroom of Rokde Jewellers is an exemplary example of great craftsmanship, attention to details and perfection. Since its inception in 1920 by Bhaiyaji Rambhauji Rokde, Rokde Jewellers has been synonymous with top-notch quality jewellery, class-leading hospitality and timeless craftsmanship. One of the most important features of Rokde Jewellers is the making charges, which are irresistibly lowest when compared to the others.
Stable but sensitive Situation along Northern border: Army chief





NEW DELHI :

ARMY Chief General Manoj Pande on Thursday said the situation along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh is stable but sensitive, and asserted that Indian troops are maintaining a high state of preparedness to deal with any challenge. Addressing a press conference ahead of Army Day, General Pande also said that both India and China continue to hold talks at military and diplomatic levels to find a resolution to the remaining issues. Our operational preparedness continues to be at a high level, he said, noting that the Indian Army is maintaining adequate reserves to confront any security challenge in the region. We have restructured our artillery unit. We also have restructured units of electronic warfare and electronic intelligence, to make them more cohesive.

We have started the process of reducing animals in our animal transport units and they are being replaced by drones...We have made a plan and optimise our strength by significant numbers and by 2027 we will achieve an optimisation of 1 lakh numbers. We have internally commenced the process. We have given the proposal to the Government, he added. Indian and Chinese troops are locked in an over three-year confrontation in certain friction points in eastern Ladakh even as the two sides completed disengagement from several areas following extensive diplomatic and military talks. On the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, General Pande said the ceasefire understanding with Pakistan is holding along the Line of Control (LoC) though there have been infiltration attempts. We are foiling infiltration attempts along the LoC, he said. General Pande said there has been a drop in overall incidents of violence in Jammu and Kashmir but such incidents have increased in Rajouri-Poonch sector. Terror infra continues to thrive across the border, he said in an apparent reference to Pakistans support to various terrorist groups. This is an area where our adversary is active in abetting terrorism, he said referring to Rajouri-Poonch sector.

The situation in Jammu and Kashmirs Rajouri-Poonch region is a matter of concern and enhancing deployment of troops, boosting intelligence apparatus and reaching out to local people are part of measures being initiated to contain terrorist activities in the area, he said. Asked about talks between Bhutan and China to resolve their boundary dispute, General Pande suggested the developments having bearing on Indias security are being monitored. We have robust military engagement with Bhutan and closely monitoring developments, he said The Army Chief described the situation along the Indo-Myanmar border as a matter of concern. About 416 Myanmarese soldiers crossed over to India in view of the situation arising out of the fighting between Myanmars armed ethnic groups and the Government forces, and Indian military is closely watching the unfolding developments, Army Chief General Manoj Pande said. We are closely watching developments there, he said. He also said that integration of Agniveers into the Army is moving forward well.
THE verdict of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Mr. Rahul Narwekar that the faction led by Chief Minister Mr. Eknath Shinde is the real Shiv Sena, has come as a setback for former Chief Minister Mr. Uddhav Thackeray. However, there is more to the verdict than triggering jubilation in Mr. Shindes camp and angry reactions in Mr. Thackerays group. Coming to the law part of it, Mr. Narwekar gave his verdict on the basis of the Shiv Sena party constitution dating back to 1999 as the amended constitution of 2018 was not available in the records of the Election Commission of India. Also, he has mentioned that the party did not submit amended constitution to the Speaker as per the rules. Hence, he considered the old constitution of 1999 while deciding the disqualification pleas. This observation indicates that Shiv Sena under Mr. Thackeray, before the split orchestrated by Mr. Shinde, was poor on legal compliances. Or, the party before the split was too naive that it did not pay proper heed to meeting the requirements so that the amendments to its constitution stood legal scrutiny. This reflects poorly on the working of Shiv Sena before 2022 split. Earlier also, the lack of awareness about proper functioning and administration of a party in politics was revealed when Mr. Uddhav Thackeray resigned voluntarily as Chief Minister, bringing an end to Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) rule in Maharashtra.

While hearing the petition that followed dramatic turn of events in Maharashtra, the Supreme Court made it clear that it could not restore the MVA Government in the State as Mr. Thackeray did not face floor test before tendering resignation. Mr. Thackerays style of functioning was more of a political kind than systematically legal and well-reasoned. It cost the MVA dear as it lost power. No wonder that he was treated more as a party heir than as a matured leader with understanding of various dimensions of politics. Speaking of politics, the verdict by Mr. Narwekar has held Mr. Shinde-led faction as the real Shiv Sena, but has not disqualified the MLAs of Mr. Thackeray-led faction. This has left many perplexed. Mr. Shinde and MLAs of his faction will continue to be in power, but only till the matter is heard in the Supreme Court. For, Mr. Thackeray-led faction has already declared to challenge the Speakers verdict. The Speaker of Maharashtra Assembly appears to have played the ball off smartly for the time being, but his verdict is not conclusive and clear to say the least. Still, this gives advantage to Mr. Shindes faction in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections as it will go to the electorate with Shiv Senas original party symbol.

But, Mr. Thackerays group will find it difficult to popularise the new symbol. Mr. Thackeray-led faction may continue playing the victim card, which Mr. Shinde-led faction has been countering. The matter is likely to go to the Supreme Court, where even the words and expressions in the Speakers verdict will be examined minutely. Even if the Speakers decision is overturned in the Supreme Court, the timing of such a development will be politically important to both the factions. If it is done before the Maharashtra Assembly elections scheduled later this year, Mr. Shindes group may have to work harder to make its presence felt. But, if the court verdict comes after the Assembly polls, Mr. Thackerays group may face a severe setback. In sum, the verdict of the Speaker has not ended the disqualification row for Shiv Sena factions. It has only completed one stage in the protracted legal battle. It will get more colourful politically in days to come, that is for sure.
Union Minister Giriraj Singh to reach Raipur tomorrow





Staff Reporter :

RAIPUR,

Union Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department Giriraj Singh will be on a three-day visit to Chhattisgarh from January 13 to 15. Giriraj Singh will leave Delhi for Raipur by a place at 9 am on Saturday. He will reach Swami Vivekananda Airport Raipur at 11.45 am on the day. The Union Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department will hold a meeting with the officials of the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department in the state capital from 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm on Saturday. After attending the meeting, Giriraj Singh will leave Raipur for Korba at 2 pm. He will take a night halt at NTPC Guest House in Korba on Saturday night. The Union Minister will participate in a cleanliness campaign in a temple in Korba town on January 14.

Later, Giriraj Singh will participate in Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, Dongdarha in Korba district and Viksit Sankalp Yatra Shivir at Ranjana village under Katghora block of Korba district. He will take a night halt at NTPC Guest House Korba on Sunday night. The Union Minister will participate in the launching of PM Janman Yojana at Eklavya Adarsh Residential School Chhurikala, Katghora in Korba district on January 15. After attending the programme, he will leave Korba for Raipur. Giriraj Singh will leave Raipur for Delhi by a plane at 8.25 pm on Monday.
Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, meets with Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium Alexander De Croo in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)

BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Zhao Leji met with Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium Alexander De Croo in Beijing on Friday, calling for enhanced exchanges between the legislative bodies of the two countries.

Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said that under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, China-Belgium relations have maintained a steady momentum of development, with fruitful practical cooperation and deepening cultural and people-to-people exchanges, which have brought tangible benefits to the two peoples.

Noting that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Belgium all-round friendly cooperative partnership, Zhao said the two sides should continue to respect each other's core interests and major concerns, boost cooperation in various fields and push for the steady and long-term development of bilateral relations.

Zhao also expressed the hope that Belgium will play a constructive role in the European Union (EU) to promote positive interaction and common development of the EU and China.

The NPC of China is willing to strengthen friendly exchanges with the Belgian parliament, carry out exchanges of experience in governance and legislation, and provide legal guarantee for cooperation in various fields, Zhao said.

De Croo said that Belgium attaches importance to bilateral relations between the two countries and hopes to have close communication with China, enhance mutual trust, expand cooperation in economy and trade and other fields, and promote the sustainable development of Belgium-China and EU-China relations. 

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, meets with Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium Alexander De Croo in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)
Well done jabalpurClimbs up to 13th positionin cleanliness survey





Staff Reporter

Jabalpurs journey towards urban cleanliness has taken a giant leap and the city has much to celebrate. In the highly-anticipated Swachh Survekshan Abhiyan 2023, Jabalpur has secured a phenomenal 13th position across the country, a remarkable climb from its previous ranking. The Mayor and Municipal Commissioner have credited the citizens of Jabalpur for this remarkable achievement, expressing gratitude and acknowledging their contribution. They said with due cooperation of the citizens, further improvements and better rankings can be achieved in the Swachh Survekshan Abhiyan. For the first time, Jabalpur, under the category of a population of over 10 million, has secured the 13th position nationwide. In comparison to last years 82nd position among cities with a population exceeding one million, Jabalpur has now secured the 22nd position.

They said such a significant achievement for the Jabalpur Municipal Corporation would not have been possible without the positive cooperation of the citizens. Expressing gratitude to the Jabalpurians, they urged them to continue providing positive support to the JMC administrations on-going campaigns. They said the initiation of micro-planning for ongoing efforts to enhance cleanliness in the city would lead to further improvements in ranking. They also expressed confidence that Jabalpur would achieve a better ranking in the Swachh Survekshan, aiming for a 5-star rating.
ISTANBUL, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday accused the United States and Britain of using disproportionate force in the region after the two countries and its allies launched air attacks on Houthi targets in Yemen.

"First of all, they are not proportional. All of these constitute disproportionate use of force," he told reporters in Istanbul, commenting on the strikes.

"They are eager to turn the Red Sea into a bloodbath," Erdogan said.

He added that "we learn from different channels that the Houthis are responding successfully against the United States or Britain."

The allied airstrikes came hours after the Houthi fighters launched a ballistic missile at a cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden, according to a post by the U.S. Central Command on social media platform X on Thursday.

Yemen's Houthi group said five of its fighters were killed and six others injured in the airstrikes, vowing retaliation. 
So far, it's on! Houstonians Invited to The Original MLK Day Parade
THE HAGUE, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The International Court of Justice (ICJ) concluded on Friday its two-day public hearings here on South Africa's genocide case against Israel and demand for the court's urgent intervention to stop Israel's military operation in Gaza.

On Thursday, during the hearing held at the Peace Palace, the seat of the ICJ in The Hague, the South African side accused Israel of the "deliberate" and "systemic" genocide against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip by citing reports and data from the United Nations and other international agencies, and representing video evidence.

"The Palestinians have experienced systematic oppression and violence for the last 76 years," South African Justice and Correctional Service Minister Ronald Lamola told the judges.

South African lawyer Adila Hassim delivered a detailed argument over Israel's "genocidal intent," saying that "For the past 96 days, Israel has subjected Gaza to what has been described as one of the heaviest conventional bombing campaigns in the history of modern warfare."

She said: "23,210 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces during the sustained attacks over the last three months. At least 70 percent of whom I believed to be women and children. Some 7,000 Palestinians are still missing, presumed dead under the rubble."

"It's my task to address the court on the genocidal acts that have led to this urgent request for provisional measures" against Israel's violation of the convention, said Hassim, referring to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Genocide Convention).

"The actions show a systematic pattern of conduct from which genocide can be inferred," she added.

Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, also a South African lawyer, said that "Israel has a genocidal intent against the Palestinians in Gaza, that is evident from the way in which Israel's military attack is being conducted."

Since Oct. 7, 2023, 1 percent of the Palestinian population in Gaza has been "systematically decimated," and one in four Gazans have been injured, he said. "These two elements alone are capable of evidencing Israel's genocidal intent in relation to the whole or part of the Palestinian population in Gaza."

To protect Palestinians from "further, severe and irreparable harm," the South African side demanded that the court should "indicate provisional measure" for Israel to "immediately suspend its military operations in and against Gaza" and refrain from all actions that endanger the Palestinians in Gaza.

On Friday, Israeli representatives argued that Israel's military operation in Gaza was an act of self-defense and denied South Africa's genocide accusation.

Israeli lawyer Tal Becker stressed that South Africa has "regrettably engaged in a transparent attempt to abuse" the Genocide Convention's compulsory jurisdiction mechanism.

The UN court "lacks jurisdiction" to consider the "provisional measure phase of proceedings," he said, calling on the court to dismiss South Africa's request for an order to stop its military campaign in Gaza.

On Thursday night, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a video statement, slamming South Africa over the accusation. He said Israeli army is doing everything to avoid harming civilians during its operations.

This is his second statement in less than 24 hours. On Wednesday night before the ICJ hearing, Netanyahu also published a statement in English, emphasizing that Israel has no intention of permanently occupying Gaza or displacing its civilian population, and Israel is acting in full compliance with international law.

As the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, the ICJ was established by the UN Charter in June 1945 and began its activities in April 1946. The court is composed of 15 judges elected for a nine-year term by the General Assembly and the UN Security Council.

According to the Statute of the International Court of Justice, the ICJ has the power "to indicate, if it considers that circumstances so require, any provisional measures" while resolving legal disputes submitted by countries. Its judgment is final and without appeal. 
by Murad Abdo

ADEN, Yemen, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- A geopolitical storm is brewing in the Red Sea after U.S.-led strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen on Friday sparked a strong reaction from the Iran-backed militia, who immediately condemned the "brutal aggression" and vowed retaliation.

In a defiant response, the Houthi's top ruling body the Supreme Political Council declared that it would not allow the aggressors to escape punishment and "all American and British interests have become legitimate targets."

Meanwhile, the internationally recognized government of Yemen issued a statement on the same day, strongly condemning recent military actions by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, blaming the Houthis for "dragging the country into a military confrontation arena for propaganda purposes."

Salah Bin Laghbar, a political analyst based in Yemen's southern port city of Aden, said that the strikes mainly targeted weapons stores and drone assembly workshops to "intentionally avoid a direct impact on senior Houthi leaders."

Laghbar suggested that the primary message behind the strikes was to convey that "the Houthi piracy in the Red Sea would not go unpunished," while the United States, being in an election year, may "seek to project power through such military actions against Houthis in Yemen."

Yemeni political observer Ibrahim Jalal echoed that the strikes were a U.S. attempt to project strength, protect prestige, and address concerns about a potential rise in energy prices, but it fell short of addressing the root causes of the threat.

Internally, Jalal said the U.S.-led attack will instill fear and increase anti-American and anti-Western sentiments among civilians as well as enhance Houthi domestic support due to its opposition to foreign intervention, while externally, Jalal points out the likelihood of the Houthis continuing and expanding the scope of their attacks, including "American interests in the region."

Yemenis are expressing widespread disapproval of the U.S.-led military actions. A prevailing sentiment among the population is rooted in a deep-seated resistance to foreign intervention in Yemen's internal affairs. Many Yemenis argue that Western involvement only exacerbates the complex socio-political dynamics in the war-torn country.

For his part, Yemeni researcher Adel Dashela said the actions are more likely to escalate the tension, which may "transform the Red Sea region into a battleground for international and regional conflicts, ultimately destabilizing the area."

He argues that the key to regional stability lies in addressing broader issues, such as "halting Israeli military aggression and lifting the siege on the Gaza Strip, as well as working towards establishing a Palestinian state."

"The stability in the region will not be achieved by violating the sovereignty of Yemen, a UN member state, through military interventions," he noted.

For several weeks, the Houthi group has intensified military operations in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, targeting commercial ships "in connecting with Israel" with armed boats, drones, and sea missiles, in response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

The Houthis have controlled the capital Sanaa and much of northern Yemen since ousting the internationally recognized government in 2014. The conflict has drawn in a Saudi-led coalition fighting on the side of the government. 
This file photo taken on May 30, 2023 shows workers of the German company Big Dutchman making poultry and livestock feeding equipment at a workshop in north China's Tianjin Municipality. (Xinhua)

TIANJIN, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- In an automotive factory in north China's Tianjin Municipality, automobile chassis and body-structure parts roll off the assembly lines one after another.

The factory belongs to BENTELER Automotive Component (Tianjin) Co., Ltd., one of BENTELER Group's 16 plants in China, manufacturing automotive components and modules for high-end car companies.

Klaus Hansmeier, the company's launch manager, who has been working in China for 11 years, said that the company had invested 260 million yuan (about 36.6 million U.S. dollars) in Tianjin to build new production lines as of March 2023, with an additional 100 million yuan of investment at the site in 2023.

"The overall sales in 2023 have doubled compared with the previous year," said Hansmeier, adding that the company plans to invest another 300 million yuan before 2027 to upgrade the production lines.

"We see the Asia-Pacific business as the backbone of our group's development, and China is the heart," said Hansmeier.

The company is one of a cluster of more than 10 German companies in the Tianjin Beichen Economic and Technological Development Area (BEDA), covering an area of about 50 square km.

Also located in the BEDA is mechanical drive systems supplier Flender that has launched the 10th phase of its capital increase and expansion project for upgrading the production line structure of its Tianjin enterprise.

"We know that half of the world's wind turbine market is here in China. That requires even more investment," said Martin Kaufung, director and CFO of Flender Ltd., China. "The localization rate of our company has reached more than 90 percent, and the indicator continues to rise."

The China subsidiary has become Flender's largest gearbox manufacturing base outside Germany, according to Kaufung.

Not far from Flender's Tianjin enterprise lies Leybold Vacuum Equipment (Tianjin) Co., Ltd., which has been developing rapidly since it entered the Chinese market in 1997.

"After entering China, our annual sales growth peaked at 52 percent. For more than 20 years, our average annual sales growth rate has remained about 10 percent," said Cho Yun-soo, the company's general manager.

In the near future, the company plans to increase the proportion of local support equipment to more than 92 percent. Thanks to China's industrial and logistics systems, this goal is not difficult to achieve, Cho said.

German company Big Dutchman, one of the world's largest suppliers of feeding systems and housing equipment for modern pig and poultry production, has a 12,000-square-meter manufacturing plant in the BEDA, and it is in full swing.

As the company's only production base and logistics center in China, the Tianjin facility, founded in 1997, is involved in marketing, production, services, procurement and logistics.

After 30 years of development in China, Big Dutchman's business in China is on the up-and-up, with an average annual output value of around 1 billion yuan, contributing one-eighth of the company's total global output.

"China is a pillar market for the company's business growth. We still have great development potential in China in the future," said Walter Benz, president of Big Dutchman China.

In the next five years, the company is looking forward to increasing its output value in China to 1.5 billion yuan and will continue to share the growth potential of the Chinese market, Benz added.

Wang Yongping, deputy general manager of the BEDA Co., Ltd., said China's advantages, such as complete industrial chains and ample technical talent, enable many foreign enterprises to enjoy long-term development in China.

According to statistics from the Tianjin municipal bureau of commerce, as of October 2023, Tianjin had 481 German-invested enterprises in the fields of equipment manufacturing, automobile manufacturing, and electrical and mechanical manufacturing.

Nationwide, Germany's actual investment in China increased by 21 percent year on year in the first eight months of 2023, according to statistics from China's Ministry of Commerce. Meanwhile, the actual investment of German enterprises in China in the fields of motor equipment manufacturing and chemical manufacturing increased by 172 percent and 91 percent, respectively.

According to a survey released by the German Chamber of Commerce in China in 2023, more than half of the 288 German companies surveyed planned to increase their investment in China in the next two years. 

Klaus Hansmeier, launch manager of the BENTELER Automotive Component (Tianjin) Co., Ltd., checks the operation of equipment in Tianjin, north China, April 26, 2023. (Xinhua)
That release could not be found.
Fire is seen after an airstrike launched by the United States and Britain near Sanaa in Yemen, Jan. 12, 2024. The United States and Britain launched several airstrikes on Houthi military sites around the Yemeni capital Sanaa before dawn Friday, Houthi-controlled Saba news agency and residents said. (Xinhua)

by Murad Abdo

ADEN, Yemen, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- A geopolitical storm is brewing in the Red Sea after U.S.-led strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen on Friday sparked a strong reaction from the Iran-backed militia, who immediately condemned the "brutal aggression" and vowed retaliation.

In a defiant response, the Houthi's top ruling body the Supreme Political Council declared that it would not allow the aggressors to escape punishment and "all American and British interests have become legitimate targets."

Meanwhile, the internationally recognized government of Yemen issued a statement on the same day, strongly condemning recent military actions by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, blaming the Houthis for "dragging the country into a military confrontation arena for propaganda purposes."

Salah Bin Laghbar, a political analyst based in Yemen's southern port city of Aden, said that the strikes mainly targeted weapons stores and drone assembly workshops to "intentionally avoid a direct impact on senior Houthi leaders."

Laghbar suggested that the primary message behind the strikes was to convey that "the Houthi piracy in the Red Sea would not go unpunished," while the United States, being in an election year, may "seek to project power through such military actions against Houthis in Yemen."

Yemeni political observer Ibrahim Jalal echoed that the strikes were a U.S. attempt to project strength, protect prestige, and address concerns about a potential rise in energy prices, but it fell short of addressing the root causes of the threat.

Internally, Jalal said the U.S.-led attack will instill fear and increase anti-American and anti-Western sentiments among civilians as well as enhance Houthi domestic support due to its opposition to foreign intervention, while externally, Jalal points out the likelihood of the Houthis continuing and expanding the scope of their attacks, including "American interests in the region."

A Yemeni flag is seen in Sanaa, the capital of Yemen on May 22, 2021. Saturday marks Yemen's National Unity Day, a holiday commemorating the unification of North Yemen and South Yemen, which took place on this date in 1990. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua)

Yemenis are expressing widespread disapproval of the U.S.-led military actions. A prevailing sentiment among the population is rooted in a deep-seated resistance to foreign intervention in Yemen's internal affairs. Many Yemenis argue that Western involvement only exacerbates the complex socio-political dynamics in the war-torn country.

For his part, Yemeni researcher Adel Dashela said the actions are more likely to escalate the tension, which may "transform the Red Sea region into a battleground for international and regional conflicts, ultimately destabilizing the area."

He argues that the key to regional stability lies in addressing broader issues, such as "halting Israeli military aggression and lifting the siege on the Gaza Strip, as well as working towards establishing a Palestinian state."

"The stability in the region will not be achieved by violating the sovereignty of Yemen, a UN member state, through military interventions," he noted.

For several weeks, the Houthi group has intensified military operations in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, targeting commercial ships "in connecting with Israel" with armed boats, drones, and sea missiles, in response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

The Houthis have controlled the capital Sanaa and much of northern Yemen since ousting the internationally recognized government in 2014. The conflict has drawn in a Saudi-led coalition fighting on the side of the government. 
UAE and Costa Rica have ratified the terms of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) under which both the countries will eliminate or lower tariffs, reduce barriers to trade, promote private-sector collaboration and create pathways for investment, a report said.

Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, and Manuel Tovar, Minister of Foreign Trade of Costa Rica, have officially approved the terms of the CEPA, Emirates News Agency, Wam, said.

Bilateral non-oil trade between the UAE and Costa Rica has been growing consistently year-on-year, climbing 23% in 2022 to reach $60.4 million  which is more than double the value recorded in 2018.

Costa Ricas economy has demonstrated resilience amid global challenges, growing by 4.7% in the first half of 2023, with services contributing 66.9% to the countrys GDP. It is also a regional leader in clean energy, with hydropower the dominant source of energy in the country, which offers considerable scope for investment.

Al Zeyoudi said: The UAE and Costa Rica are both nations that see the immense benefits of open trade, and the opportunities for further economic collaboration in key sectors such as tourism, renewable energy, food security, ICT and manufacturing.

Costa Rica is one of the most promising, investment-friendly economies in Latin America and we look forward to building on our positive relationship to accelerate trade flows and establish platforms for investment and joint-ventures.

We are both committed to developing resilient, future-proof and sustainable economies and this partnership will enable us to support each others efforts.

Manuel Tovar, Minister of Foreign Trade of Costa Rica, said: It fills me with satisfaction and pride to have reached the closure of this negotiation. A CEPA with the United Arab Emirates marks a milestone for Costa Rica, as it is the first time that Costa Rica has signed an agreement with a Middle Eastern and Gulf country.

I am certain that the future entry into force of the CEPA will consolidate the relationship between Costa Rica and the UAE, a long-standing partner and friend, as it would expand and diversify opportunities for our exportable supply and for consumers and producers, provide legal certainty for trade and investment activities and promote economic cooperation among our countries.

The UAE launched its CEPA programme in September 2021 and has successfully concluded deals with India, Indonesia, Israel, Turkiye, South Korea, Cambodia, Colombia, Georgia, Mauritius and Congo-Brazzaville. The first four agreements have already come into effect.
BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- China calls on relevant parties to exercise calm and restraint to avoid further escalation of tensions in the Red Sea region, a foreign ministry spokesperson said Friday.

Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a daily press briefing replying to a query about an attack upon Yemen's Houthis by the United States, which was launched as a response to the assaults by the Houthis on a merchant ship in the Red Sea.

The Red Sea is an important international trade route for goods and energy, Mao said, expressing the hope that all relevant parties will play a constructive and responsible role in safeguarding security and stability in the region, which serves the common interests of the international community. 
Today

Sunny skies. Becoming windy late. High 68F. NW winds at 5 to 10 mph, increasing to 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.

Tonight

Clear skies. Low around 35F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.

Tomorrow

Plentiful sunshine. High 64F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph.
BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- China has seen progress in addressing prominent problems in regulations, such as violations of higher-level legislation, ensuring unity in the country's rule of law, the Ministry of Justice said on Friday.

Last year, the ministry examined 3,021 sets of regulations which include 1,967 local regulations, 873 local government regulations and 181 departmental regulations.

It has also received 46 review proposals from citizens and successfully processed 44 of them.

Since the start of 2023, the ministry has preliminarily identified and addressed inconsistencies in 75 regulations with higher-level laws, and made corrections to 23 regulations.

The ministry has also instructed five departments to repeal or modify provisions that include unreasonable fines in six regulations. 
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee today wrote to the Prime Minister seeking the official recognition of Bengali as a classical language. I have written a letter to the Prime Minister. We have done research and assembled scientific facts that show that the Bengali language originated over 2.5 thousand years ago.

We feel that this deserves to be classified as a classical language by the government, Miss Banerjee said in a Press conference on Friday. She also took take a dig at the Centre for discriminating against the Bengali language. Though they have given the acknowledgement of a classical language to several languages, they have deprived Bengali of that respect. 2.5 thousand years is not a joke, Miss Banerjee said.

Bengali is already acknowledged as an international language. If languages from other states are notified as classical languages, why cant our language? asked. The Union ministry of home affairs had earlier recognised six languages viz. Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Odiya as classical languages. Lashing out at the Communist Party of India (Marxist) government that had ruled the state before Mamata Banerjee came to power, she said, Those who were in government earlier had not thought of it and did not discuss it. They had not shown any interest.

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The Chief Minister said that if Bengali is given the acknowledgement of a classical language, a Centre of Excellence will be set up in the state. Miss Banerjee also asked what was still preventing the Centre to give its nod to the proposal for changing the name of the state from West Bengal to Bangla, for which the state Assembly already passed the requisite Bills. (With agency inputs)
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee today asked the private nursing homes to exercise utmost carefulness and put in place proper steps to keep their ICCU units spic and span and infection-free in the face of covid infections, which was spreading in other states.

Calling upon the private nursing homes, the chief minister said, I will request the private nursing home authorities to keep its ICCU units clean and infection-free. Though there is no such alarming threat as yet like the US or Spain, my concern is for those who have co-morbidities, who I think should wear masks, if they go to crowded places.

She also said that she was not trying to impose anything on the people but as it was highly contagious she advocated that those who have comorbidities, they should not venture out without wearing masks. Hence, this exhortation for taking precautionary steps! Meanwhile, in a cabinet meeting held at Nabanna today, the state cabinet has decided to rename the refugee colony as Sthai Thikana (permanent address) in the mould of Uttaran, which replaced the name of slum colony, said the state minister Arup Biswas.

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Another minister Manas Bhunia said that the cabinet today also decided to distribute pattas among one per cent left behind as the state government had already distributed pattas among 99 per cent of people in 6,652 gram panchayat level and at 564 panchayat samity level in the three-tier panchayati system. State minister Shashi Panja said that in the cabinet meeting today the state has decided to set up 3,615 hosiery parks on 3.6 acres of land at Jagadishpur, Howrah.
The Calcutta High Court (HC) on Thursday has passed a stay on the FIRs lodged by West Bengal Police against the Enforcement Directorate (ED), probing the alleged ration distribution scam in the state. Justice Rajasekhar Mantha of the High Court ordered the interim stay on proceedings in connection with the FIRs till 31 March.

No investigation against the ED can be made till then. Justice Mantha directed the state government to submit an affidavit along with the case diary. Earlier in the day, another single Bench of Justice Jay Sengupta verbally directed that state police cannot take any coercive actions against the ED officials till Monday on the basis of the FIRs by this period.

Praying for quashing of the FIRs, the ED moved a petition before the HC alleging that the central investigating agencys officers who were members of a team that raided the house of Trinamul Congress strongman and local leader Sheikh Shahjahan at Sarberia in Sandeshkhali of North 24- Parganas district on 5 January are now facing criminal cases registered by the state police on last Saturday. Sheikh Shahjahan is still absconding despite a lookout notice against him by the ED.

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The investigating agency also stated that the belongings of their officials were also snatched during the attack. The ED sought the intervention of the HC and alleged that the state had not shared any copy of the FIRs that had been drawn up against the central agency. On 5 January, a violent mob beat up the ED officials and CRPF jawans when the investigators raided Shahjahan house at Sandeshkhali.

Three ED officials sustaining severe injuries were rushed to a private hospital at Salt Lake for emergency treatment. The state police lodged an FIR against the ED officials with the local Nazat police station. During the hearing, the ED lawyers alleged that police intentionally filed criminal cases against the investigating officers though they were attacked severely in Sandeshkhali. On the other hand, the state BJP unit, led by its president Sukanta Mazumder staged a protest on Thursday against the Sandeshkhali incident demanding arrest of Shahjahan immediately.

BJP supporters got into a scuffle with the police when the latter prevented them from marching towards the police station. Police claimed that the agitators were trying to march towards the police station, violating Section 144, imposed in the area.
In the first episode of Jan ki Baat series by the Trinamul Congress, the party voices concerns of the youth, plaguing the nation. Raising the promise by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the jobs for the youth, it asks where are the promised 20 crore jobs, PM Modi?

Upping its attack on the BJP, a day after chairperson Mamata Banerjees organisational meeting at her residence, the Trinamul Congress on Thursday launched the first episode of its campaign Jan ki Baat questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modis policy failures and the growing unemployment in the country. Questioning the missing 20 crore jobs, the party posted on X: Millions of unemployed in India bear the brunt of the BJP-led Centres baseless economic decisions.

Youth, women, rural India  unemployments monster leaves no one aside! PM @narendramodi, promising 2 crore jobs a year translates to 20 crore jobs in 10 years! Where are these jobs? In 2023, a report revealed that over 40 per cent of Indian graduates under-25 remain unemployed. While the BJPled Centre claimed that the unemployment rate stood at 3.2% in 2022, CMIE data reveals that Indias unemployment rate soared to a twoyear high of 10.09 per cent in Oct 2023. Incidentally, it was under the Modi government that unemployment reached its highest in 45 years.

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The Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao government has not been able to do anything to secure our women other than spend money on unnecessary advertisements. The share of women in regular wage work has declined sharply to 15.9 per cent in 2022. Women are compelled to work to support their households, rather than pursuing jobs that match their skills. On Tuesday, TMC released a teaser of the digital campaign on its social media platforms. Designed to expose the false claims made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the past 10 years, the party aims to raise awareness on the BJP governments failures since 2014. Bohot hui MANN KI BAAT, Ab hogi JAN KI BAAT, the party had posted on X, referring to the PMs radio show Mann Ki Baat.
SHENZHEN, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- During the recent New Year holiday, Zeng Bin experienced a unique takeout service in the southern Chinese metropolis of Shenzhen, with his order delivered to him by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

The entire process of placing the order and receiving two cups of tea-based beverages took only about 15 minutes, while the actual flight time amounted to less than five minutes.

The flight route used for this tea delivery is one of 23 drone delivery routes established by the internet platform Meituan in Shenzhen. This experience offers a glimpse of the role of low-altitude logistics in urban life in Shenzhen.

According to statistics from the Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Transportation, the city had opened 77 new UAV routes and completed over 600,000 UAV cargo transport flights in 2023.

As an important driving force of new economic momentum, the low-altitude economy is viewed by many as a key strategic emerging industry.

Shenzhen's low-altitude economy industry, leveraging research and market application advantages, has taken off in recent times, injecting powerful impetus into high-quality economic development.

Over the years, Shenzhen has released several industry plans and regulations, formulating rules and operational standards for civilian UAV management, and providing strong policy and legal support for the development of its low-altitude economy.

At the end of 2023, Shenzhen issued 20 specific support measures for the low-altitude economy, including ones nurturing enterprises in the supply chain, encouraging technological innovation, expanding applications for low-altitude flights, and improving the industrial supporting environment.

In addition to new low-altitude services supported by drones, Shenzhen's traditional general aviation industry has consistently maintained a leading position nationwide.

During recent years, helicopter flights between Shenzhen airport and the central business district in Futian, known as "air taxis," have been operational, with over 20,000 flights recorded in 2023.

Latest statistics show that Shenzhen is home to more than 1,500 enterprises in the low-altitude economy industry chain. DJI, an industry leader in civilian-use drones, was first established in Shenzhen and now holds a global market share of over 70 percent.

Shenzhen's soaring low-altitude economy has also helped to further facilitate logistics and the flow of people in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

"Located in the core of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Shenzhen is economically active and has a strong market demand," said an official of the Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Transportation. "As low-altitude infrastructure continues to improve and economies of scale expand, the market size for urban commuting is expected to significantly increase."

Currently, Shenzhen is accelerating the construction of infrastructure and supporting facilities for its low-altitude economy.

By 2025, Shenzhen plans to deploy more than 600 low-altitude drone launch and landing platforms and operate over 220 urban drone routes. The city also plans to nurture more than 1,700 enterprises in the low-altitude economy industrial chain, and aims to achieve a low-altitude economy output of over 100 billion yuan (about 13.9 billion U.S. dollars). 
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday accused the BJP-ruled government at the Centre of hatching a conspiracy to demolish all slum colonies in Delhi in a systematic way.

The party also assured the slum-dwellers of fighting the Centres policy tooth and nail.

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, senior AAP leader and Delhi minister Atishi said, Before the elections, the BJP promises houses to people in slums near the slum clusters, but after the elections, they show their true colours that they do not like slum dwellers. Consequently, they either demolish the slums, relocate them to footpaths, or send them to places 50 kilometres away where there are no jobs for them, no schools for their children, and no means of transportation. The BJP-led central government is conspiring to completely remove slums from Delhi under a conspiracy in a systematic way.

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On November 9, there was a meeting at the Prime Ministers Office under the chairmanship of his advisor Tarun Kapoor. This meeting was attended by officials from all land-owning agencies in Delhi, such as the MCD (Municipal Corporation of Delhi), Railways, DDA, etc. They were sternly instructed to completely remove jhuggis from Delhi, ensuring that no slums remained on any land, she claimed.

Atishi further said, For the past several months, we have been observing the systematic demolition of slums in Delhi one by one. In November, the agencies of the central government, during a crackdown, issued a special order during GRAP (graded response action plan to mitigate air pollution) and demolished the slums behind the DPS Mathura Road at Sunder Nagar against the rules.

Taking a swipe at Prime Minister , she said, The conspiracy to demolish the slums is being carried out because Prime Minister Modi does not want slums in Delhi. When his friends and foreign leaders visit, PM Modi feels ashamed that there are slums in Delhi. Thats why, during the G-20 Summit, many slums in Delhi were covered with green fabric from the outside. Several slums were hidden from the eyes of visiting foreign leaders by covering them with green fabric.

Assuring full support of the party to those residing in the slums in Delhi, Atishi said, But as long as, Arvind Kejriwals government is in power in Delhi, the AAP will continue to fight for the rights of every slum dweller in Delhi. Whether we have to move court, take to the streets, or go to Parliament, we will not allow a single slum to be demolished in Delhi. We will put in all our efforts to ensure that the BJP-led central government does not make these slum-dwellers to be on the streets in the biting cold, by demolishing their homes.

Echoing similar sentiments, senior AAP leader and Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said, Flouting rules with impunity, the Central government is demolishing jhuggi jhopri (JJ) colonies under a conspiracy.
Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon have set the dance floor ablaze with their sizzling chemistry in the latest track, Laal Peeli Akhiyaan, from the much-anticipated film Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya. This marks Shahid Kapoors triumphant return to the dance floor after nearly a decade, and he doesnt disappoint.

Known for his electrifying dance skills, Shahid Kapoor once again proves why hes a force to be reckoned with on the dance floor. The teaser had already sparked immense excitement among fans, especially the female audience, and the full song has not just met but surpassed their expectations.

Watch the song here

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The dance number is a visual treat, with Shahid and Kritis on-screen chemistry adding an extra layer of charm. The duo makes for a stunning pair, and their dynamic performance is sure to leave audiences captivated. Laal Peeli Akhiyaan is not just a song. Its an infectious energy bomb that will claim the top spot at parties, making it the go-to track for celebrations.

Choreographed by Shaik Jani Basha, the song comes to life with vibrant beats crafted by Tanishk Bagchi. Sung by Romy and Tanishk, with lyrics penned by Neeraj Rajawat, the song seamlessly blends rhythm and lyrics. It creates a perfect harmony that resonates with listeners.

As anticipation continues to build, the trailer of Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya will drop on the 18th of January. Scheduled for release during Valentines week on the 9th of February 2024, the film promises to be a delightful treat for audiences, offering a perfect blend of romance, dance, and visual spectacle. Get ready to witness Shahid Kapoors dazzling return to the dance floor. Experience the fresh, enchanting chemistry between him and Kriti Sanon on the big screen.
Actor Sonam Kapoor, who made a comeback to movies last year post-pregnancy, has expressed her readiness to explore streaming platforms if approached for a tentpole film or series.

Sonam was recently featured in the film Blind, directed by Shome Makhija, alongside Purab Kohli, Vinay Pathak, and Lillete Dubey in prominent roles.

The film marked Sonams return to acting after a maternity break. She gave birth to Vayu in August 2022.

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In a statement, Sonam explained, For me, being a part of good content and good cinema is all that matters. The platform where its releasing is immaterial because the world has changed. Im excited to lead a project on streaming that captivates people. Im thoroughly enjoying the diversity of content out there.

Sonam, an avid consumer of streaming content, is pleased with how these platforms have transformed peoples content preferences.

She said, I have always wanted to make my foray into streaming, provided Im headlining a tentpole film or a series on a global streaming platform. I have been a binge-watcher of the outstanding content that streaming platforms have been creating for years now.

She added, I believe streaming platforms have pushed the content envelope of our country, making it more creatively disruptive and dynamic. The bar that streaming content has set globally, as well as in India, is incredible. Streaming allows you to experiment a lot as an artist. It is a very exciting medium for me. So, Im all game to make my debut on streaming.

Sonam stated, I know my debut on streaming has been a long time coming, and I hope people will really love what Im going to offer.

Meanwhile, Sonam has signed two new projects, one of them being Battle for Bittora. The details of the other project are being kept under wraps currently. (ANI)
In a heartfelt journey of spirituality, television actress Hina Khan recently embarked on a pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to offer prayers at the revered Makka Masjid-al-Haram. The actress took to social media to share glimpses of her sacred pilgrimage, expressing profound gratitude and emotions.

Sharing a series of captivating images on her Instagram account, Khan conveyed the essence of her spiritual experience. Accompanying the visuals, she wrote, Jumma Mubarak. Blessed Alhamdullilah. MAKE DUA.

See the post here:

Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hina Khan (@realhinakhan)

In a subsequent Instagram story, Khan reflected on the intensity of her emotions, stating, It was not my first time. But the anxiety, nervousness, emotions are exactly like the first time. You weep and weep and only weep like a little girl. She went on to describe the overwhelming sensation when beholding the majestic Kaaba, noting, You feel hypnotized, your lips freeze, you get chills.

In another post, Khan shared a captivating image of a sea of people in safa-marwa from around the globe, emphasizing the inclusive nature of the sacred place. Expressing her inner tranquility, she captioned a picture of herself in a peaceful corner of safa-marwa, stating, A peaceful corner in safa-marwa and my zamzam thats all you need.

Khan also shed light on the challenges faced by worshippers, especially women, in finding a place in the Mataf area of Haram Sharif to offer prayers. Undeterred by the bustling crowds, she expressed gratitude for being able to offer all her salahs in the first row in Mataf, considering it a blessed experience.

Through her social media updates, Hina Khan not only shared the visual tapestry of her pilgrimage but also provided an intimate glimpse into the profound spiritual and emotional impact the journey had on her. The actress radiated gratitude, reflecting on the peace and calmness that Mecca brought to her soul. Her words and images echoed the universal sentiments of reverence and humility experienced by millions during their pilgrimage to this sacred Islamic site.
A massive cordon and search operation was launched in Khanetar area of the border Poonch district this evening when an Army convoy, including the vehicle of a commanding officer, was attacked by terrorists.

Terrorists tried to ambush the convoy near the Line of Control (LoC) by firing from the hilltop where they had taken up positions, reports said. Two to three rounds were fired at the convoy and the terrorists fled after the troops retaliated.

As per the reports, the convoy was moving from Daradhullian Khwadia area of Poonch and the commanding officer of Armys Rashtriya Rifles (RR) was also travelling in his vehicle when terrorists fired bullets at them. Reinforcements of security forces have reached the spot.

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A statement issued by the White Knight Corps said; At around 6 pm today, a security forces convoy of vehicles was fired upon by suspected terrorists from a jungle near Krishna Ghati in Poonch Sector. No casualties to own troops. Joint search operations by Indian Army and J&K Police are in progress.

The attack came hours after the Northern Army Commander Lt General Upendra Dwivedi and GOC of 16 Corps Lt General Navin Sachdeva visited forward areas of Rajouri district to finalise the strategy to tackle with terrorism in the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch.

It is worth mentioning that in a similar modus operandi, terrorists had on 21 December ambushed Army vehicles in the Rajouri Sector and killed four soldiers. Earlier they ambushed an Army truck in Poonch and killed five soldiers.

Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in separate meetings recently reviewed the situation in the twin districts. Army Chief General Manoj Pande visited the area recently.

Northern Army Commander Lt General Dwivedi this morning visited forward areas in the Rajouri Sector to review the operational preparedness in light of the prevailing security situation.

A comprehensive review was carried out with the officers of Counter Insurgency Force (R), CIF (R), CIF (D) and Ace of Spades Division on the operational dynamics of 2023 and the prevailing security situation along the LOC and the hinterland at HQ CIF (R) and Reasi.

Reviewing the complete pattern of terrorism, the Army Commander underscored the need for a deep understanding of the evolving landscape. He also outlined the Strat 24 for operational focus in the year 2024 to defeat the inimical designs of our adversary and sponsored terrorists.

He also chaired a Security Review Meeting wherein, he appreciated the excellent synergy among security forces, J&K Police, CRPF, Intelligence Agencies and Civil Administration. Noteworthy discussions with DGP J&K, RR Swain, ADG Law & Order, Vijay Kumar, ADGP (Jammu) Anand Jain & IG CRPF Sanjeev Khirwar took place, contributing to the revitalization of operations planned for 2024.

All stakeholders assured to work in synergy to achieve the desired end state, eradicating roots of terrorism in the Poonch  Rajouri Area.

Accompanied by White Knight Corps Commander Lt General Sachdeva, the Army Commander also visited a forward post in the Rajouri Sector where he was briefed on the operational preparedness of the units deployed along LoC.

He urged the troops to continue working with zeal and dedication to ensure a stable security environment for the developmental activities to continue at the same pace.
Reiterating that religion is a personal matter, the Congress on Friday accused the BJP of doing politics over the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Uttar Pradeshs Ayodhya, and said the date January 22 was decided keeping in view the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The party said nobody has any right to interfere in each others faith.

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, Congress chairman of media and publicity department Pawan Khera said, There are rules and regulations and set of rituals for the consecration of any temple. Shankaracharyas of the four Peeths have clearly said that an incomplete temple cannot be consecrated. In such a situation, if this programme is not religious, then it is political.

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Attacking the BJP, he said, Will a political party decide who will visit the temple? Will it decide when I will go to meet my God? Neither a human being can invite anyone to the temple nor stop anyone from going to the temple. We will not tolerate that workers of a political party act as middlemen between me and my God in a political programme.

Religion is a personal matter. Nobody has any right to interfere in each others faith, he said.

Khera further said, Religion and faith are not visible anywhere in this event, only politics is visible. The date 22nd January (for the ceremony) was decided keeping in view the elections (Lok Sabha). This is not a religious event at all, it is a completely political event.

Without naming anyone, he said, For the political tamasha of a person, how can we allow to play with our aastha (faith).

He also asserted that the invitation was sent to top party leaders and not the party.

Notably, Congress president Mallikarjun Khargem Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chairperson Sonia Gandhi and partys Leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury had declined the invitation for the consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir calling it clearly an RSS and BJP event and brought for electoral gain.

Echoing similar sentiments, Congress social media chairperson Supriya Shrinate said, Religion is a matter of personal belief. It is completely wrong to do politics in religious programmes. We have refused to go only on 22nd January. We can go anytime.

She also informed that the leaders of the partys Uttar Pradesh unit will visit Ayodhya on January 15.
The Congress announced that the meeting of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) will be held on Saturday.

The party informed on Friday that issues including seat sharing for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections would be discussed by the leaders of the constituent parties during the virtual meeting.

The INDIA is an umbrella of Opposition parties formed to take on the ruling BJP in the general polls.

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INDIA party leaders will be meeting over Zoom tomorrow January 13th, 2023 at 11:30 am. They will review various issues like seat-sharing talks that have begun, participation in Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra that will begin from Thoubal near Imphal day after tomorrow, and other important matters, said Congress general secretary in-charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh in a post on X.

The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, to be led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, is scheduled to take off from Imphal on January 14 and conclude in Maharashtra. It will cover 6,700 km distance in 66 days passing through 110 districts across 15 states.

It may be mentioned here that in the fourth meeting of the INDIA last month, the leaders of the Opposition bloc discussed how to give a united fight to the BJP and its alliance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections besides resolving issues related to seat sharing.

The leaders had unanimously decided that they would unitedly fight the general elections focusing on winning the polls.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here on Friday that India is among the top 5 economies of the world, and stands among the worlds top three startup ecosystems. The driving force behind these achievements is the vigour and capabilities of our youth, he highlighted.

Addressing the Rashtriya Yuva Mahotsav at Tapovan Ground in Nashik, the PM said that the youth power has propelled India to stand out as the powerhouse of innovation and register unprecedented levels of patent filings, thereby making India emerge as a global manufacturing hub.

Highlighting the thoughts of eminent spiritual leaders Sri Aurobindo, and Swami Vivekananda, Modi said: Sri Aurobindo believed that if India wants to achieve her goals, the youth of India will have to move forward with independent thinking. Swami Vivekananda too used to say that Indias hopes rest on the character and commitment of her youth.

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The guidance of Sri Aurobindo and Swami Vivekananda serves as a great inspiration for the countrys youth in 2024, he added.

Earlier in the day, the PM paid tributes to Swami Vivekananda on his Jayanti to mark the National Youth Day. He also shared a video of his views on Swami Vivekananda.

His thoughts and messages, full of energy and enthusiasm, will continue to inspire the youth to do something from time to time, Modi said in a post on X.

In his address, Modi said, Swami Vivekananda ji also used to say that Indias hopes rest on the character of Indias youth, their commitment, and their intellectuality.

This guidance of Swami Vivekananda is a great inspiration for the youth of India today in 2024.

Highlighting the work of the NDA government in the last 10 years, the PM said: In these 10 years, we strived to provide open skies to the youth and remove obstacles in their way. Be it education, employment, entrepreneurship or emerging sectors, startups, skills or sports, a modern dynamic ecosystem is being created in every field today to support the youth of the country.

The PM Vishwakarma Yojana has been started to help the youth who do wonders with their hand skills. With the help of the PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana, crores of youth have been linked with various kinds of skills. New IITs and NITs are continuously opening in the country.

The whole world is looking at India as a skilled force. To enable our youth to showcase their skills abroad, the government is also providing training to the youth going abroad. Our youth will benefit greatly from the mobility agreements that the government has signed with many countries like France, Germany, UK, Australia, Italy, and Austria, he added.

This is the time for you to expand your dreams. Now we do not just have to find solutions to problems or just have to overcome challenges, but we have to set new challenges for ourselves.

We have set a target of a Rs 5 trillion economy, and become the third largest economy in the world to fulfil the dream of the Self-Reliant India campaign, Modi said.

Betting high on the manufacturing sector, the PM said like the IT sector, India needs to be made the manufacturing hub of the world. Along with these aspirations, we also have responsibilities towards the future, he added.
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Friday declared that India is destined to become the third largest economy in the world during the third term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Political stability, corruption-free set-up, investment-friendly agenda and peaceful environment will give an impetus to investments, thereby helping the country become the third largest economy in the next few years, he said, addressing the valedictory session of the three-day Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit (VGGS) here.

Shah said India was considered a fragile economy just 10 years back. It used to be considered a dark spot but things have changed drastically over the past decade and the country has now become an attractive destination for investments, he added.

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The home minister said a new beginning has been made in structural reforms under the leadership of PM Modi. We are transforming the economy of Indiathere is a new confidence in our entrepreneurs as we embark on our journey during the Amrit Kaal to make India a developed nation by 2047, he added. He said he was, in fact, confident that India would achieve the goal of becoming a developed nation much before 2047.

Shah noted that the VGGS initiative was also conceptualised by Modi in 2003 when he was the chief minister of Gujarat. He said the critics were not convinced about the success of the VGGS initiative at that time. However, everybody was now acknowledging that Gujarat has become the gateway of future in India because of the huge success of the VGGS initiative. He noted that the VGGS initiative is now being replicated by other states too.

Shah appealed to the captains of industry to invest in the education sector in India and lay the foundation stone of making the country a global education hub again.

He agreed with Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, who also was present at the concluding session, that investments in Jammu and Kashmir will strengthen the unity and integrity of India.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel told the gathering that Gujarat is the first state in the country which has made its own roadmap for making India a developed nation.

Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Parshottam Rupala said Gujarat has become one of the most attractive investment destinations in the world. The credit for it must go to Modi for launching the VGGS initiative in 2003, he added.
Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday appealed to the captains of industry to liberally invest in the region, saying terrorism is taking its last breaths there despite Pakistans efforts to continue to create trouble.

He commended the people of J & K for their contribution in taking the region on the path of normalcy.

Investments in Jammu and Kashmir means strengthening the unity and integrity of India, Mr Sinha said at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit (VGGS) here.

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He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were committed to the speedy development of J & K and they were taking every step in this direction. Things have changed in J & K after August 5, 2019 (when Article 370 of the Constitution was abrogated) while we continue to tackle whatever challenges are there, he added.

The LG said the state administration is trying to create a conducive environment in the region so that it can also contribute like other states in the countrys journey towards becoming a developed nation.

He said connectivity between J & K and the rest of the country through rail, road and air has improved considerably in the last four years and there has been a dramatic increase in the number of tourists visiting the region.  I invite everyone to consider investing in J & Kwe will provide you with a conducive atmosphere and economic stability. We have the best infrastructure in J & K and complete transparency. Also, J & K provides you a good environment for work as well as for physical health, he added.

Mr Sinha pointed out that J & K was the most searched destination on Google after Switzerland a few days back. The curiosity about J & K both within the country and abroad has increased considerably, he added.

The LG pointed out that Jammu is the only city in the country which has different types of institutions, like an IIT, IIM, AIIMS and a central university. Be it Delhi, Mumbai or Ahmedabad, you dont have educational institutions for all streams in one single cityJammu is the only such city, he said. The investors in J & K could also take advantage of this fact.
This file photo taken on Jan. 8, 2024 shows Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani speaking at a press conference in Tehran, Iran. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani on Friday strongly condemned the military attacks by the United States and Britain on several Yemeni cities.

In a statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Kanaani described the attacks as an "arbitrary action and clear violations of Yemen's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as international law, regulations and rights." (Xinhua/Shadati)

TEHRAN, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani on Friday strongly condemned the military attacks by the United States and Britain on several Yemeni cities.

In a statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Kanaani described the attacks as an "arbitrary action and clear violations of Yemen's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as international law, regulations and rights."

He added that these military attacks were carried out in line with the ongoing full support of the United States and Britain over the past 100 days for Israel's "war crimes" against Palestinians and Gaza's "oppressed" civilians, who were under a complete siege.

Kanaani emphasized that these "arbitrary attacks" would only fuel insecurity and instability in the region, adding that "the United States and Britain sought to distract peoples' attention from the Israeli 'crimes' by broadening the scope of their support for Israel."

He expressed concern over the consequences of such arbitrary recurring attacks for regional and international peace and security, calling on the international community to prevent escalating the conflict as well as countering instability and insecurity in the region by taking "responsible" measures.

The United States and Britain launched several airstrikes on Houthi military sites around the Yemeni capital Sanaa before dawn on Friday, Houthi-controlled Saba news agency and local residents said.

"The American-Israeli-British aggression launched several raids on the capital Sanaa, and the governorates of Hodeidah, Saada, and Dhamar," the news agency reported.

The allied airstrikes came hours after the Houthi fighters launched a ballistic missile at a cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden, according to a post by the U.S. Central Command on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday.

The Houthis said they only attack Israel-affiliated or Israel-bound ships to compel Israel to stop its war on Gaza. 
Three persons have been arrested in Karnatakas Haveri for alleged gang rape, Karnataka police said on Friday.

This comes a day after a group of men barged into the room of a lodge at Hangal in Karnatakas Haveri district and allegedly thrashed a couple for the crime of being together despite practicing different faiths.

As per the police, the woman later said she had been a victim of gang rape.

The victims statement has been recorded under 164 of the CrPC after producing her before the magistrate, Haveri Superintendent of Police, Anshu Kumar, said.

According to the Haveri police, the victim has accused seven people in her statement, of whom three have already been arrested.

She has accused seven people in her statement. Three of them have already been arrested. One is in the hospital. The other three are on the run. We will arrest the remaining accused as well, the SP said.

The incident has sparked outrage, with senior BJP leaders, including former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, targeting the Congress-led state government.

Speaking on the incident, Bommai questioned the Chief Ministers silence over the matter and demanded immediate action.

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Why the CM is quiet on this issue. We are going to take this very seriously and I want the police to act independently and judiciously. They should take immediate action, Bommai said.

They have arrested some people but they have not arrested everyone. So, immediate action should be taken and no one should be spared, whether they belong to the ruling party or opposition party, he added.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi urged the state government to conduct a serious inquiry into the matter.

This is a very serious issue, I request the state government conduct a serious inquiry into the matter and whoever is involved should be arrested, the Union Minister said.

Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka slammed the Congress government and alleged that the law and order in the state under the Siddaramaiah government have completely broken down.

There is no fear in people. The Chief Minister is only thinking of politics and Lok Sabha elections, not of the public, Ashoka said.

He attacked the Congress government for the repeat of such incidents and the breakdown of law and order.

I condemn the Haveri incident, as rape has happened. This kind of incident is recurring in Karnataka. In Belagavi, also, one Dalit lady was insulted. There is no law and order in the state, Asoka said while speaking to ANI.

BJP Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala has also targeted the State Government for its failure on law and order

The incident of moral policing that came to light in Karnataka in which 7 people like Aftab, Abdul along with an inter-religious couple, entered the room of a Hindu boy and a Muslim girl, beat them up, made a video and posted it on the streets. Pushed. Another serious issue has come up in this, the woman has told that she was gang-raped. What kind of attitude is there towards women and law and order in Karnataka, has come to the fore today. People who scream and fight for women Why is there silence among them today?

As per the Police FIR the accused are Aftab Makabul, Madarsab Mohammad, Samiulla and three unidentified men. Three of these men have now been arrested and the Police are on the lookout for the others. They face charges of Rape, unlawful assembly and rioting, criminal intimidation, causing hurt, and assault or criminal force against woman, with the intention to outrage their modesty. All the accused are from Akki Alur in Haveri district.
Veteran Malayalam novelist and Jnanpith laureate M T Vasudevan Nairs remarks on totalitarianism, personality cult and corruption in power politics have sparked a widespread debate in Kerala.

Delivering the key note address at the inaugural session of the Kerala Literary Festival (KLF) in Kozhikode on Thursday, the writer popularly known as MT came down heavily on ritualistic worship of political leaders in power while recalling the position taken by first chief minister of Kerala, E M S Namboodripad.

MT said EMS tried to demolish the notion that some people were destined to be leaders and the rest remained as followers forever.

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MT delivered his speech laced with attacks on authoritarianism in the presence of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who inaugurated the function.

The novelist denounced the misuse of power and corruption of authority that has given rise to dictatorship. He said becoming a member of the Assembly or Parliament is seen as an opportunity to attain power. He said governance is no longer a public service as it has become more dictatorial.

We have buried the notion that being in power means an opportunity to serve the people. This notion was forgotten in Russia where the Tsarist rule was overthrown through a historic revolution, he said, adding that the people who participate in a revolution are simply a crowd, you can easily provoke or convert them as fans or warriors.

The crowd should be converted to a responsible society and earn freedom through self-fortification. Freedom is not the charity offered by the rulers, he said.

MT said a true leader is someone who is unafraid and prepared to devote all his efforts to freeing the oppressed and improving the society at large.

While Vijayans detractors said the novelists speech was against the chief ministers style of functioning which they alleged is marked by arrogance and autocracy, many Left loyalists scrambled to interpret the remarks as against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Opposition leader V D Satheesan said the remarks were a befitting reply to those hero-worshipping Vijayan. Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said he expects that the comments would open the eyes of the chief minister.

Geevarghese Mor Coorilos, Metropolitan of Niranam Diocese of Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church, said he was hearing a strong remark with teeth from a prominent cultural personality after a long time

Film personality Joy Mathew also praised MT for his bold statements. MT becomes an exemplary figurehead because he directly poses questions to authorities who consider themselves omnipotent and hide from people out of fear. If there is a writer with backbone in Malayalam, it is MT, he said.

Writer N S Madhavan said he expects that the ruling CPI(M) in the southern state will do a self-examination by taking the criticism into account.

LDF convener E P Jayarajan said MTs remarks were not against the chief minister and alleged that the media was trying to twist the facts. He claimed that MT was actually pointing fingers at the BJP government at the Centre through his speech.

CPI(M) mouthpiece Desabhimani also said the remarks of MT were not intended towards the chief minister.

As his remarks raised eyebrows, MT clarified that he never intended to criticize anyone but only talked about the current reality.
National Conference leader and former chief minister Omar Abdullah strongly criticised the Jammu and Kashmir administration for allowing shooting of a commercial TV serial inside the legislative assembly complex here.

What an absolute shame, wrote Abdullah in his post on X and also shared pictures of the serial Maharani .

The TV serial Maharani  in Hindi and Bhojpuri  starring Huma Qureshi as a protagonist is partly inspired by several incidents that took place in Bihar in 1990 when the then chief minister Lalu Prasad made his wife Rabri Devi his successor after he faced the fodder scam and had to step down.

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Abdullah wrote, The true face of the mother of democracy, where once elected representatives of the people from all parties, religions, backgrounds & parts of J&K legislated on matters of great importance now actors & extras use it as a set for TV dramas. What a shame that the BJP driven government in J&K has reduced the symbol of democracy, where they once sat & governed, to this sorry state of affairs.

They even have a fake CM coming out of an office I was privileged to occupy for 6 years. What an absolute shame!!!!

For the first time in the history of J&K, the doors of the legislative assembly in the civil secretariat complex here were thrown open for the Bollywood for shooting of a TV serial in 2021. The series is being telecast on TV.

The Legislative assembly stood dissolved before the serial was shot. J&K is under the Central rule since June 2018 when the PDP-BJP coalition government led by Mehbooba Mufti fell after the latter withdrew support to her.
As the pran pratishtha ceremony of Ayodhyas Ram Lalla temple comes close, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said he was initiating a strict regimen prescribed by the shastras for the occasion and to effectively represent all Indians at the ceremony.

In a message for the upcoming consecration ceremony, the prime minister said he was fortunate to begin his strict regimen from Nashik, the holy Maharashtra city, where Lord Ram had spent considerable time in Panchvati. He would be following all the guidance he had received from sages prescribed for the occasion.

Modi said while being physically present at the Pran Pratishtha ceremony, he would feel the presence of all 140 crore people of the country in his heart. Every Ram Bhakt would be close to him and everyone would experience the moment of realisation.

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The Prime Minister said although he would be following the strict regimen personally, it was his request that everyone should associate with him emotionally, and he would offer their obeisance at the feet of Ram Lalla.

Modi said he was unable to express his emotions on the occasion fully as he would be present at the moment which was dreamt of by generations.

He said that for him God becomes evident in the form of common people, and he had felt the experience. He said he gets energised when the common people bless him and express their emotions. Today, this was that occasion when he needed their blessings.

He said people can express their feelings in writing and convey them to him through the NaMo App. Every word of their expressions would work like holy mantras for him and give power, the Prime Minister said.

Modi said he was happy that he was initiating following the strict rules of the regimen on the birth anniversary of the great philosopher Swami Vivekananda. The day also marked the birth anniversary of Jijabai, the mother of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. While remembering Jijabai, he recalled his mother too, who chanted Sita-Ram till her end, he said.

The Prime Minister said there are moments in life which turn into reality only with divine blessings. The sacred occasion had come close for all Ram Bhakts across the world. From every corner, one can hear the divine music and an incredible devotion towards Lord Ram is evident, he said.
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, currently behind bars on corruption charges, has sounded a clarion call, warning that the upcoming elections in the nation could be nothing short of a farce. From his prison cell, Mr Khan paints a bleak picture, pointing fingers at caretaker governments, a tainted Election Commission, and a web of interference that stretches across borders. Mr Khans assertion that the current caretaker administrations are constitutionally illegal due to delayed elections raises critical questions about the foundations of democracy in Pakistan. The absence of timely polls has left the nation governed by questionable authorities, creating a breeding ground for scepticism among the populace. The purported February 8 election date is met with widespread doubt, particularly in provinces like Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where Supreme Court orders demanding swift votes have been ignored.

The accusations against the Election Commission add another layer to the crisis. Mr Khan claims bias against his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, citing rejected nominations, hindrances in internal elections, and contempt cases against party leaders. If the body responsible for overseeing democratic processes is compromised, the very essence of free and fair elections is undermined, casting a shadow over the legitimacy of any outcome. The former Prime Ministers narrative takes a dramatic turn when he implicates the establishment, including the army and security agencies, in orchestrating his governments ouster under pressure from the United States. He reveals a cryptic message from a State Department official, allegedly urging the termination of his Prime Ministership through a vote of no confidence. While both the Pakistani government and the US State Department have denied these allegations, Mr Khans claims suggest a labyrinth of international intrigue influencing domestic politics. The implications of such interference are severe, challenging the sovereignty of Pakistans political decision-making. The alleged role played by former army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and security agencies in influencing allies and backbenchers paints a disconcerting image of shadowy forces shaping the destiny of a nation. Mr Khans narrative transcends the political chessboard, delving into the personal and party hardships faced during and after his tenure.

He highlights not just political manoeuvring but also assassination attempts, abductions, and legal persecution. The attacks on PTIs leaders, workers, and media activists, coupled with efforts to intimidate women leaders, expose the dark underbelly of power dynamics. Mr Khan insists that democratic governance, backed by a popular mandate, is the sole path towards political stability, the rule of law, and much-needed reforms. As we dissect these claims, it becomes apparent that Pakistan stands at a crossroads, where the fragility of democratic processes and the spectre of external influence threaten the very foundations of its governance. The nation must navigate these treacherous waters with caution, ensuring that the upcoming elections become a beacon of hope rather than a symbol of disillusionment.

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In a strategic move, the Congress party has not just renamed Rahul Gandhis upcoming Bharat Nyay Yatra but has rebranded it with a renewed focus ~ the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. The shift in nomenclature signifies more than a mere change of name; it represents a deliberate effort to align the march with the broader goal of uniting the nation through justice. The decision to rename the yatra was announced following a meeting in New Delhi, where discussions about the upcoming Lok Sabha elections were held.

The partys general secretary media in-charge, Jairam Ramesh, highlighted the transformative impact of Mr Gandhis previous Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, characterising it as a milestone in both the partys and Indias history. The emphasis on issues like economy, political justice, and authoritarianism across 12 states during the earlier yatra set the stage for the rebranding, reinforcing the message of justice embedded in the Preamble to the Constitution, the Congress says. This yatra, spanning 6,713 kilometres across 110 districts from Imphal to Mumbai over 66 days, is not just a political journey but a quest for justice ~ economic, social, and political, according to the party. The decision to conduct the majority of the yatra by bus, with occasional walks by Mr Gandhi to engage with people and civil society organisations, reflects a practical approach to reach a wider audience.

Crucially, the invitation extended to members of the INDIA alliance, along with other parties and civil society organisations, adds a fresh dimension to this political odyssey. In a political landscape often marred by division, the move underscores an inclusive approach, signalling that the goals of the march should be a collective endeavour transcending party lines. At the same time, it is a subtle effort to claim pole position in the alliance, when some members have raised questions about the Congress relevance. As discussions about seat-sharing within the INDIA alliance unfold, the Congress invitation serves as a diplomatic gesture. It not only aims to dispel speculation about the alliance losing momentum but also underscores the importance of solidarity in the face of electoral challenges. The decision to conduct this yatra mostly by bus might be pragmatic, considering the geographical expanse it covers and the time available.

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The Congress has clearly stepped away from the historical symbolism of a padayatra for more practical considerations, even though a walk allows a greater personal connection than a drive. The Congress clearly believes the focus on justice aligns with the core principles of the Indian constitution, emphasising equality, liberty, justice, and fraternity. In essence, the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra seeks to transcend its political significance and become a journey of national importance, symbolising a commitment to justice and unity. But, of course, it is in the ultimate analysis, a political ploy and will be seen as many as another desperate roll of the dice in the face of adversity by a party playing on the back foot.
A new deadly bat virus with potential to spillover to humans have been discovered in Thailand by a controversial research group previously linked to experiments in Wuhan, media reports said.

Dr Peter Daszak, head of the New York based non-profit EcoHealth Alliance, reported the discovery of a never-before-seen virus with almost as much potential to infect humans as Covid, the Daily Mail reported.

EcoHealth has been linked with controversial experiments in Wuhan which some fear started the pandemic.

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We found a lot of SARS-related coronaviruses, but one in particular we found was quite common in bats where people were commonly exposed, Daszak, a zoologist, said while describing his findings in bats at an event held by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on future pandemic research preparedness.

He said the new virus, which is yet to be named, was found in a Thai cave where local farmers source bat faeces to fertilise their fields.

Further, the newly discovered virus is a close relative of Covid-19 and has almost the same potential of infecting humans as coronavirus does, he was quoted as saying.

We consider this to be a potential zoonotic pathogen. Here we have a virus in bats, right now in a cave used by people highly exposed to bat faeces, Daszak said.

And this virus is shed in bat faeces, so there is a real potential for emergence.

The findings come as the WHO reported a surge in coronavirus globally, with hospitalisations jumping 42 per cent across 50 countries. The fresh surge in cases, majorly driven by the highly transmissible JN.1 variant, has also brought in mask mandates in several US states.

JN.1, classified as a variant of interest (VOI) by the WHO is becoming the dominant variant globally, causing spikes in infections, hospitalisations as well as deaths in some countries. JN.1 is similar to its parent BA.2.86, but has an additional mutation (L455S) in the spike protein, which has immune-evasion properties.

According to the CDC, JN.1s continued growth suggests that the variant is either more transmissible or better at evading our immune systems than other circulating variants. However, it added that it is too early to know whether or to what extent JN.1 will cause an increase in infections or hospitalisations.

As per the CDC, existing vaccines, tests, and treatments work against JN.1.
Amid tight vigil under stepped-up security by the Delhi Police ahead of Republic-Day celebrations, with the arrested of three of its members, the forces Special Cell has busted a Madhya Pradesh-based arms syndicate arms syndicate active in the national capital.

A cache of firearms, including semi-automatic pistols, were recovered from the possession of the three arrested members of the arms syndicate identified as Pushpendra Singh, Naeem, and Manish Bhati, who were natives of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. They disclosed that the consignment of illegal firearms was to be delivered at Hapur (UP) and Shaheen Bagh in Delhi.

After the disclosure, the police are investigating the forward and backward linkages of the accused.

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According to the police, the three men procured arms from Sendhwa, Khargone, Dhar, and other districts of Madhya Pradesh. Pushpendra Singh, who is a key member of the group, was supposed to arrive in Delhi to deliver the weapons to his associates on January 7.

On his arrival, a raiding party spotted Singh near Kalindi Kunj Road, Okhla on January 7. Soon after he handed the consignment to Naeem and Manish Bhati, all the three were intercepted and asked to surrender. They tried to flee but the police party overpowered them and recovered six sophisticated pistols from Pushpendra Singh and four pistols from Naeem and two semi-automatic pistols from Manish Bhati.

A case under relevant sections of law was registered against them in this regard.

During interrogation, the trio revealed that they used to purchase a semi-automatic pistol for Rs 9,000 to 12,000 from MP and sell it for Rs 20,000 to 30,000 to gangsters and criminals in Delhi/NCR and UP (West).

According to a senior police official, the accused are being questioned further and efforts are on to identify and arrest the remaining members of this arms syndicate are being made.

A police official informed that a special drive has been launched by the Special Cell against the supply and circulation of firearms in the national capital.

Meanwhile on Thursday, during the intensive picketing around the New Delhi area, 45 live rounds of ammunition were recovered from a man identified as Ehit Sham UL, who was driving around in a SUV at 1.30 am and failed to produce valid documents with regard to the cartridges, and accordingly a case was registered while police are probing the matter.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday spoke with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller informed on Thursday, adding that the two leaders discussed the recent attacks on merchant ships by the Yemen-backed Houthi groups in the Red Sea.

The two leaders also reaffirmed their maritime cooperation in the region, the State Department spokesperson informed.

The Secretary and External Affairs Minister discussed the United States and Indias shared concerns over reckless Houthi attacks in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, which threaten the free flow of commerce, endanger innocent mariners, and violate international law, Miller said.

During their telephonic conversation, the US Secretary of State emphasised that the Red Sea is a major commercial corridor that facilitates international trade and welcomed increased cooperation with India in defending freedom of navigation in the region.

The US Secretary and EAM also spoke about the Israel-Hamas conflict, efforts to prevent the conflicts escalation and increase the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza andBlinken also discussed Russias war of aggression against Ukraine.

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Earlier on Wednesday, the EAM posted from his official X handle, A good discussion this evening with my friend US @SecBlinken. Our conversation focused on maritime security challenges, especially the Red Sea region. Appreciated his insights on ongoing situation in West Asia, including Gaza. Exchanged perspectives on developments pertaining to the Ukraine conflict. Looking forward to realizing our extensive cooperation agenda for 2024.

Earlier in December, Blinken said the US has deepened its partnership with India, adding that his country has elevated cooperation with New Delhi, Japan and Australia through the Quad.

Weve deepened our partnership with India. Weve elevated cooperation through the Quad with India, Japan, Australia, the US State Secretary said at an end-of-year press availability on Wednesday (US local time).

The Quad is a diplomatic network between Australia, India, Japan and the US.

According to a press release issued by the US State Department, Blinken said the US partnerships in the Indo-Pacific have never been stronger.

He said the US was working with the United Kingdom and Australia to produce nuclear-powered submarines. We launched new comprehensive strategic partnerships with Vietnam and Indonesia, a new Defense Cooperation Agreement with the Philippines, new trilateral initiatives with the Philippines and Japan, new embassies in the Solomon Islands and Tonga.
Samajwadi Party President and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Friday said that he was yet to get the invitation for Ram Lalla consecration ceremony to be held in Ayodhya on January 22.

I have come to know that the invitation for January 22 was sent to me through courier but I have not received this courier till date. Media people should provide me with the receipt of the courier sent, he told reporters here.

He also claimed that no arrangement has been made for the disabled, elderly and children to go to the Ayodhya temple.

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Yadav also said that the way the news of the invitation is being spread, he is being insulted in the same way as the Chief Ministers residence was insulted by washing it with Ganga water when he left the office.

We should not insult in the name of Lord Shri Ram. I did not receive any invitation till date. No courier has come either at home or in the office, he said.
HANOI, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- China and Vietnam pledged to strengthen exchanges and deepen cooperation, said Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong and visiting member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Li Shulei here on Thursday.

Li, also head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, led a CPC delegation to visit Vietnam and attend the 18th theory seminar between the CPC and the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV).

He said while meeting with Thuong that China is willing to work with Vietnam to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two parties and countries, further strengthen exchanges and deepen cooperation, and promote the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.

For his part, Thuong said Vietnam takes developing relations with China as a top priority and strategic choice, and is ready to strengthen exchanges at all levels with China, deepen cooperation in various fields and consolidate public support for bilateral relations.

During his visit to Vietnam, Li also met with Nguyen Xuan Thang, a member of the Politburo of the CPV Central Committee and chairman of the Central Theoretical Council, Nguyen Van Nen, a member of the Politburo of the CPV Central Committee and secretary of Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, and Nguyen Trong Nghia, secretary of the CPV Central Committee and chairman of the Party Central Committee's Commission of Popularisation and Education. 
South Koreas science ministry on Thursday said it aims to launch a full-fledged space agency in May, with the nation seeking to join the ranks of advanced nations of spaceflight.

The planned launch of the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA), which came as the National Assembly passed a set of Bills this week, was one of President Yoon Suk Yeols campaign promises, Yonhap news agency reported.

In line with the planned launch of KASA, the Ministry of Science and ICT said it set an ambitious target of capturing 10 per cent of the global spaceflight market in 2045.

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Science Minister Lee Jong-ho told reporters that KASA is expected to help South Korea find a new growth engine by facilitating the aerospace industry.

Lee called the planned launch of KASA a great step to send a spacecraft to the Moon in 2032 and explore Mars in 2045, the report said.

KASA will be in charge of leading the countrys space programmes as well as aeronautics and space research, including the Moon and Mars exploration projects.

In 2022, South Korea announced its plan for spaceflight, including a project to land a spacecraft on the Moon in 2032 and on Mars in 2045.

With the establishment of KASA, South Korea plans to foster more than 2,000 space-related companies and create about 500,000 new jobs, the ministry said in a statement.
Saint-Laurent, CA (H4T1V6)

Today

A mixture of rain and snow showers. High around 40F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Cloudy with snow showers mainly during the evening. Low 26F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 50%.
Have an interesting bit of news youd like to see mentioned in the Along the Way column? Email it to Natasha Connolly at news@thesunchronicle.com.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani said his country welcomes investment and diverse forms of economic cooperation.
Donald Trump would like whomever holds the presidency to be able to purge any bureaucrat who doesnt agree with the office. Its a scary thought for a democracy indeed.
BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The State Council has approved a general plan for building a pioneering zone for in-depth China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, a circular said on Friday.

While implementing the plan, practical measures under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation will play a leading role in nurturing the complementarity between the two parties' respective development strategies, innovating the economic and trade cooperation mechanism, and improving the China-Africa modern industrial chain and supply chain.

The circular also stressed more coordinated cooperation in trade, industries, finance, and cultural exchanges. More efforts are required to boost the high-quality development of Belt and Road cooperation and build a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future. 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Mumbai Trans-Harbour link (MTHL), now named Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewari-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, on Friday. The bridge tagged the longest sea bridge in India, has been built at Rs 17,840 crore.

The bridge, which the state government calls a game-changer, will connect Sewri in Mumbai to Chirle on NH-4B in Navi Mumbai and will further connect to Mumbai-Pune Express Highway via a separate project. It will also provide faster connectivity to the Mumbai International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport and reduce the travel time from Mumbai to Pune, Goa and South India. It will also improve connectivity between Mumbai Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port.



Longest sea bridge



The MTHL, the foundation stone of which was laid in December 2016, is 21.8 km long. Of the 21.8 km, 16.5 km length is over over sea and about 5.5 km on the land.



According to Maharastra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the bridge could solve the traffic snarls on both sides of the Mumbai Harbour. "The MTHL links Navi Mumbai, Raigad and other cities which would result in attracting new development projects and big corporations to this area, and the entire region will progress and prosper," said Shinde.



The bridge also has an advanced traffic management system which can detect fog, visibility and vehicles crossing the speed limit. On the ascending and descending ramps, the speed limit will be restricted to 40kmph.



The state government has fixed a toll charge of Rs 250 per car for a one-way trip on the MTHL. There will be no entry for vehicles like motorcycles, mopeds, three-wheelers, autos, tractors, animal-drawn vehicles and slow-moving vehicles.



The convoy of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde arrives at the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) ahead of its opening in Mumbai | PTI

An engineering marvel



While being an engineering marvel, the bridge has also been constructed in an eco-friendly way. According to Sanjay Mukherjee, the metropolitan commissioner of MMRDA, the steel used for the construction of the bridge is 17 times that of the Eiffel Tower and equivalent to the weight of 500 Boeing aeroplane. "The structural steel used is four times that of the Howrah Bridge. The concrete used is six times that of the Statue of Liberty in the US," he said.



Mukherjee added that the bridge is equipped with the latest technology. Besides the use of orthotropic steel decks that help provide huge spans, river circulation rings have also been used to minimise sound and vibrations to safeguard marine life. The lights used in the bridge don't disturb the aquatic environment around it.



"One of its important features is its environmental sustainability. The Bombay Natural History Society, an organisation that works for the environment has given a certificate of appreciation," Mukherjee added.


Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi will hold consultations for the party's manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, with the plans already firmed up for the interactions to be held in Guwahati and Ranchi.

According to Congress sources, during the course of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra which will start from Imphal on January 14, national consultations will be held to seek from the civil society organisations and different sections of the society their inputs for the party's manifesto for the general elections.

The first such consultation will be held in Guwahati around January 23. A second consultation has been planned in Ranchi around February six. As per sources, the focus of the interaction in Guwahati would be to seek views on issues pertaining to the northeastern region. The aim of the meeting in Ranchi would be to focus on issues closer home to the tribal community.

The members of the national manifesto committee will be present in these meetings. A 16-member manifesto committee was announced on December 22. It is headed by veteran Congress leader P. Chidambaram, and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister T.S. Singh Deo is the convener of the panel.

The panel is learnt to have already decided to hold meetings with representatives of civil society organisations who had met Rahul during his Kanyakumari-to-Kashmir Bharat Jodo Yatra.

During the course of the upcoming yatra, Rahul, as was the case during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, will hold interactions with civil society members everyday. However, due to logistical issues, since the yatra will be on a bus, the meetings will be held with more compact groups.
Goa police have recovered a handwritten note from Bengaluru techie Suchana Seth, accused of murdering her four-year-old son during their vacation in Goa. Police have sent the note to the Forensic Science Laboratory for examination by handwriting experts.

According to police, in the note, written on a tissue paper using eyeliner, Seth mentions about her bitter relationship with her husband, NDTV reported. A senior police official told PTI that they recovered a crumbled note from Seths bag. The officer said the contents on the note indicate she was upset over the custody of her child.

A senior police official said that a crumpled note, scribbled with eyeliner on a tissue paper, was found in her bag. We would not like to disclose the content of the note but it indicates that she was upset over the custody of her child, he said. According to police, the Court had granted visitation rights to her estranged husband Venkat Raman and it had not gone down well with the accused. Seth will be undergoing medical examination and psychological evaluation, police said.

The Goa police on Monday arrested Suchana Seth, the Chief Executive Officer of a Bengaluru-based artificial intelligence startup for murdering her four-year-old son. The body of the child was recovered from a bag carried by the accused Suchana Seth.

The Goa police nabbed her with the support of Karnataka police in Chitradurga, Karnataka, while she was trying to flee with the body of her son. According to police, Seth, who checked into a Goa hotel along with her son on January 6 got noticed by hotel staff after she checked out from the hotel alone and staff noticed blood stains in the room.
Another incident of suspected terrorist firing has been reported in Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch district on Friday evening. Reportedly, the incident took place in Krishnagati sector of Poonch.

No causalities were reported so far.

At around 1800h today, a Security Forces convoy of vehicles was fired upon by suspected terrorists from a jungle near Krishna Ghati #Poonch sector. No casualties to own troops. Joint search

Operations by #IndianArmy and #JKP are in progress.@adgpi @NorthernComd_IA pic.twitter.com/jR0ytWRy88  White Knight Corps (@Whiteknight_IA) January 12, 2024

The security forces had launched an investigation into the incident. According to officials, the firing was aimed at a security forces convoy in Poonch sector. Operations by Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police are in progress.

A defence spokesperson said details of the incident were being ascertained.

The vehicles that came under attack were carrying security personnel back to the camp, the officials said.

The incident comes in the wake of a high-level security meeting chaired by Nothern Army Commander Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi to chart out an anti-terror operation plan for the new year to foil design of terrorists in the region.



In December, two army vehicles were ambushed by terrorists in Dhatyar Morh of Surankote, which had left four soliders dead and three injured.

Chief of Army Staff Gen Manoj Pande had expressed concern over the situation prevailing in Rajouri-Poonch region. Measures including deployment of more troops, boosting intelligence apparatus and reaching out to local people were adopted to improve the situation.

While addressing a press conference on Thursday, Pande said the terrorists operating in the Rajouri-Poonch area are very well-trained in carrying out terror attacks and ambushes.

"Our counter-terror operation in those areas will continue in a relentless fashion so that normalcy returns to the area at the earliest," the Army Chief said.

The Chief of Army Staff said the Army is also looking at strengthening the ability to use technology to gather intelligence. As many as 45 terrorists were killed in Jammu and Kashmir in the last three years, he said.
His vision has suffered significant damage due to glaucoma and ocular hypertension in recent years, prompting R.S. Sasikumar to undergo laser therapy to address these issues. Despite the procedure, the 75-year-old continues to grapple with challenges when attempting to read or use a phone or laptop for writing.

He now relies on audio transcription tools to generate write ups for his whistleblower collective in the higher education sector, known as the Save University Campaign Committee (SUCC).

While THE WEEKs interview with Sasikumar was progressing, the septuagenarian received a call, bringing news of the latest triumph in his organisation's ongoing battle against alleged favouritism and nepotism in Keralas higher education realm. With pride in his voice, Sasikumar shared, The Kerala High Court issued a stay on the last appointment made by former Kannur University Vice Chancellor Professor Gopinath Ravindran. Ravindran made this appointment on the same day his reappointment as VC was quashed by the Supreme Court [on a case filed by academicians associated with SUCC]. Please bear with me; I have to release a statement about this case.

THE WEEK bore witness to the troubles Sasikumar faced with the transcription tool as he rendered audio descriptions in Malayalam and the app frequently produced inaccurate results. However, Sasikumar meticulously ensured the precision of all wording before disseminating it to the media.

Over the past six years, Sasikumar and his organisation have given full support to more than 100 aggrieved academicians in cases alleging favouritism and nepotism within Kerala's higher education institutions. These cases have not only resonated within the realms of Kerala politics and the higher education sector but have also emerged as crucial junctures in the ongoing tussle between the Kerala governorwho holds the position of chancellor in majority of universities in the stateand the Pinarayi Vijayan government. Consequently, this senior citizen, who could have opted for a tranquil retirement life with a service pension for his extensive service in Kerala University, is now seen as a symbol of the fight against malpractices in the higher education domain.

Recently, Sasikumar intensified the challenges for the Pinarayi government by submitting a petition to the Kerala governor, urging him to recommend declaring a financial emergency in the state, citing that the states financial position is now deemed "precarious and beyond redemption." This petition stemmed from the revelation made by Kerala's chief secretary to the High Court in November, acknowledging a severe financial crisis within the state government. This disclosure occurred during the hearing of a contempt of court petition filed by retired KSRTC pensioners, who raised concerns about the government's failure to adhere to court directives regarding timely pension disbursement.

While critics allege extravagance as well as financial mismanagement of the Pinarayi government for the financial troubles of the state, the ruling dispensation put the entire blame on the Union government for its troubles. On Sasikumars petition, the governor requested a detailed report from the state's chief secretary regarding the current financial condition. As of now, the chief secretary has not yet submitted this report.

As Sasikumar continues to force the state government into a defensive posture with his petitions and legal battles, another senior citizen86-year-old Mariyakuttygarnered public attention and positioned herself as an unlikely opponent of the ruling front through a distinctive protest involving a begging bowl in Adimali town, Idukki district.

Her unique protest happened when Pinarayis controversial public outreach programme, Nava Kerala Sadas, was in progress. The octogenarian, whose formal education extended only up to the 4th standard, initiated a 'begging strike' against the government when it failed to disburse the welfare pension for five consecutive months. Mariyakutty, along with her acquaintance Anna, donned placards around their necks and embarked on a unique form of protest, begging for alms at government offices and the police station.

This unconventional demonstration was born out of Mariyakutty's personal struggles to afford essential items, as she revealed during THE WEEK's visit to her modest house in Irunoorekkar near Adimaly in Kerala's Idukki district.

Mariyakutty subsequently approached the High Court in December to seek a directive for the release of her overdue widow pension payments. However, during the court proceedings, the state government conveyed to the High Court that the prevailing financial conditions in the state posed challenges in fulfilling substantial financial commitments related to social security pension schemes. Furthermore, they asserted that Mariyakutty's petition was politically motivated, and aimed at disparaging the government and Chief Minister Pinarayi. Nevertheless, the High Court inquired whether the government had suspended any festivitiesreferring to the Keraleeyam branding event organised by the state government in Novemberdue to the financial crisis.

Under mounting pressure, the state government initiated steps to ensure the distribution of August pension arrears before last Christmas. However, the state finance ministry, grappling with a severe fund shortage, has not yet found a solution to disburse both the outstanding pension arrears and upcoming monthly pensions. The financial strain worsened due to the Union government slashing Kerala's borrowing limit in the last quarter of this fiscal year. State Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal lamented, "We expected Rs 7,000 crore, but the Union government cut our borrowing limit to Rs 1,838 crore. The last quarter, especially March, requires Rs 20,000 crore. This unfriendly action occurs as Kerala seeks more funds. Deductions, including from the treasury, are made despite an empty public account."

Mariyakutty's outspoken criticism of the Vijayan administration and sharp statements have earned her both bouquets and brickbats. Nevertheless, her weathered and aged visage unmistakably became a symbol of the concerns of over 60 lakh social security pensioners in the state.

'Magistrate' on duty

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited Kerala and addressed a massive womens conference in Thrissur organised by the Kerala BJP unit, Mariyakutty was one of the celebrities on stage along with figures like actor Shobhana. Wearing the traditional attire of Kerala Christian women, chatta and mundu, she attended the event.

A week before the event, THE WEEK had visited her single-storey house in Adimaly that stands on a five-cent plot. During heavy rains, this roof leaks. But the chief ministers party men have no shame in spreading the stories that I am living in a palatial house, she had said then while showing the old-fashioned house with congested rooms.

Princy Shan, the youngest among the four daughters of Mariyakutty, said that even at this advanced age, her mother remains super active. She will not sit idle for a moment. She will go visit the neighbourhood and the Irunoorekkar city and will talk to people. Whether it is tending to tasks within our house premises or simply clearing grass from the sidewalks along the public road, she stays occupied and involved, said the 37-year-old who runs a Kerala Lotteries retail shop.

Mariyakutty, however, pointed out that these walks and visits to the neighbourhood are where she forms political opinions. I talk to people, and also sit in tea shops and hear people discussing politics. I do not have newspaper subscriptions, every evening I watch news and debates on TV. I do not watch any soap serials, she added.

Shan emphasised that once her mother makes a decision, she will work for it no matter what. She said: "The placards for her begging bowl protests were created without informing any of us." When THE WEEK inquired with Anna, an 81-year-old who had previously worked with Mariyakutty in bamboo cutting, she also revealed that she was unaware of the placards until Mariyakutty had personally designed and brought them for the protest.

Nevertheless, Shan admires her strong mother. Arguably, Mariyakutty drew strength from her own life experiences. My parents migrated to high ranges of Idukki from Koothattukulam when I was 12 years old; we cleared the forested areas to build a small house and start farming, recalled Mariyakutty. There was no school here, thus ended my formal education in Class IV. We fought many odds including attacks from wildlife animals and abject poverty.

Mariyakutty got married when she was 23. It was a registered marriage, she says. A man named Chacko from Rajakumari. He was a druggie who would not look after his family. I wanted to see my children get proper education. So, I went to work in Thrissur as an assistant to a homeopathy doctor, and put my children in Christian convents until they completed 10th grade. Interestingly, Mariyakutty was more or less like a bodyguard also for the doctor. He was a pedichuthoori (coward) and was fearful of walking alone in the night. So, I used to walk in the front and he would follow, she chuckled.

Once her children grew up, Mariyakutty came back to the high ranges and started working on construction sites. It was during this period that people started referring to her as 'magistrate' Mariyakutty. According to Shan, a neighbour coined this nickname because Mariyakutty frequently went to court as a witness in various cases. Shan explained, "If my mother witnessed an injustice, she would stand by the victim and testify in court. Her experience with legal battles motivated her to file a complaint against the CPI(M) mouthpiece for spreading allegedly false stories about her following the begging bowl protests.

Though unaffiliated with any political party, Mariyakutty has historically inclined towards a pro-Congress position. Reflecting on her past, she recalled joining a Congress rally in her school days, earning a scolding from her parents for arriving home late. However, after gaining widespread recognition for her begging bowl protest, Mariyakutty received visits from BJP leaders, including actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi, who is expected to become BJP candidate in Thrissur in the upcoming general elections. That visit finally culminated in Mariyakutty sharing a stage with Modi also in Thrissur.

For Mariyakutty, this fight is real, and to serve as a constant reminder about it, she keeps her begging bowl and placard as mementos at home.

Legal tussles

Sasikumar is also someone who adheres to the principle of a continuous fight. In the initial stage [of Save University Campaign Committee], I was eager to get a positive result in every case we bring forth, said the activist. But I understood that sometimes the results can be negative also. Now, I am not concerned about the result, but bringing the facts before the public. Sasikumar, who retired from Kerala University as a joint registrar in 2003, is well-versed in university laws and claims a wide range of sources within the higher education domain. It was a female students suicide attempt, allegedly because of the harassment from CPI(M)-affiliated students organisation, SFI, that triggered us to form the SUCC, said Sasikumar.

"Interestingly, many of the discrepancies our organisation exposed were forwarded to us by academicians and university staff associated with CPI(M)-affiliated unions themselves," he added. He cited the case of the appointment of Priya Varghese, wife of the CM's private secretary and party leader K.K. Ragesh, as an associate professor at Kannur University. The case involving Varghese's appointment, allegedly in violation of UGC teaching experience norms, is currently under Supreme Court review.

Sasikumar revealed that on the day Varghese appeared in front of the interview board, leftist academicians informed him that she had been given the first rank. He added that since 2016, CPI(M)-affiliated staff or teachers' organisations have controlled the primary files in Kerala universities.

Joining the Kerala University in 1968, Sasikumar was at the forefront of organising a pro-Congress employees organisation at the university. Though Sasikumar is technically a Congress member, he stresses on SUCC's non-political affiliation. Post-retirement, he served as a syndicate member at CUSAT and Kerala University. In the late 2000s, he initiated the Higher Education Protection Council, exposing irregularities in 2008 Kerala University Assistant Grade-II appointments. Almost a decade later, SUCC emerged from the Higher Education Protection Council.

In a significant legal battle, Sasikumar faced a setback in November last year when the Kerala Lokayukta dismissed his petition against CM Pinarayi and 18 former ministers for alleged misuse of the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF). "In 2017, we submitted a complaint to the chief minister seeking financial aid for three impoverished college students for their education. However, the response stated that CMDRF is intended only for disaster-related issues, not educational matters, he said.

Despite this, he later learned that CMDRF funds were allocated to the families of two deceased political leaders and the family of a civil police officer killed in an accident involving former CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. Sasikumar approached the Lokayukta, prompting the ruling front to amend the Lokayukta rules (although the amendment did not receive the governor's approval and was sent to the President).

Following the loss in the CMDRF case, CPI(M) cadres erected a flex board at the entrance of Sasikumar's lane, mocking him. But Sasikumar is undeterred and not ready to hang his activist boots any time soon, and has taken up the case to the High Court. Incidentally on January 8, a division bench of the High Court ordered to send notice to the chief minister, Lokayukta as well as former ministers.
Israel on Friday defended its actions in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) following the Hamas strike against the nation in October last year. South Africa has accused Israel of committing genocide against Gazans.

Tal Becker, the Israeli foreign ministry legal adviser said that South Africa's genocide case is "profoundly distorted".

Becker argued that his nation is fighting a war which it did not start and did not want. Israel blamed Hamas guilty of genocide.

"The civilian suffering in this war, like in all wars, is tragic. It is heartbreaking. The harsh realities of the current hostilities are made especially agonising for civilians given Hamas reprehensible strategy of seeking to maximise civilian harm to both Israelis and Palestinians, even as Israel seeks to minimise it," he said during the Hague hearing in Netherlands.

Israel also asked the judges to drop the genocide case as it lacked any merit.

The genocide convention was not designed to address the brutal impact of intensive hostilities on the civilian population, even when the use of force raises, quote, very serious issues of international law and involves enormous suffering and continuing loss of life, end quote, said Becker.

However, the convention was set apart to address a malevolent crime of the most exceptional severity.

In an age of social media and identity politics, the temptation to reach for the most outrageous term to vilify and demonise, has become for many irrisistable, he added.

South Africa on Thursday had asked the court to order to immediately halt Israeli military operations in Gaza. It also said that Israel plans to destroy Gaza.

Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, a lawyer for the High Court of South Africa, told the ICJ Israel's genocidal intent was evident from the way in which this military attack is being conducted.

Israel had accused South Africa for functioning as the legal arm of the Hamas.

According to the health ministry, over 23,000 people in Gaza have been killed during the Israel's military campaign.
Accused of committing genocide against Palestinians, Israel planned to defend its war in Gaza in front of the United Nations' highest court Friday, a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blasted the allegations as hypocrisy that screams to the heavens.

Israel, which was founded in the aftermath of the Holocaust, has vehemently denied the accusations brought by South Africa in one of the biggest cases ever to come before an international court. South African lawyers asked the court Thursday to order an immediate halt to Israeli military operations in the besieged coastal territory that is home to 2.3 million Palestinians.



Israel often boycotts international tribunals and U.N. investigations, saying they are unfair and biased. But, in a sign of how seriously they regard the case, Israeli leaders have taken the rare step of sending a legal team and engaging with the International Court of Justice to defend their reputation.



South African lawyers argued that the war is part of decades of Israeli oppression of Palestinians.



"The scale of destruction in Gaza, the targeting of family homes and civilians, the war being a war on children all make clear that genocidal intent is both understood and has been put into practice. The articulated intent is the destruction of Palestinian life," lawyer Tembeka Ngcukaitobi said in opening statements Thursday.



The case's distinctive feature was the reiteration and repetition of genocidal speech throughout every sphere of the state in Israel, he said.



"This is an upside-down world, the state of Israel is accused of genocide while it is fighting genocide," Netanyahu said Thursday in a video statement. "The hypocrisy of South Africa screams to the heavens."



The case strikes at the heart of Israel's national identity and goes to the core of one of the world's most intractable conflicts.



More than 23,000 people in Gaza have died during the military campaign, according to the Health Ministry in the territory, which is run by Hamas. "Nothing will stop the suffering except an order from this court," South African lawyer Adila Hassim told the judges in a packed room of the Peace Palace in The Hague.

A decision on South Africa's request for provisional measures will probably take weeks. The full case is likely to last years.



The White House declined to comment on how it might respond if the court determines Israel committed genocide. But National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby called the allegations unfounded. "That's not a word that ought to be thrown around lightly, and we certainly don't believe that it applies here," Kirby said.



Israel says it is battling a fierce enemy that carried out the deadliest attack on its territory since the country was founded in 1948. Israeli leaders insist they are following international law and doing their utmost to avoid harm to civilians. Israel blames Hamas for the high death toll, saying the militants operate in residential areas.



In a post on X after the hearing, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lior Haiat called South Africa's presentation one of the greatest shows of hypocrisy and referred to the legal team as Hamas' representatives in court. He said South African lawyers distorted the reality in Gaza through a series of baseless and false claims. He did not elaborate.



South Africa sought to broaden the case beyond the Israel-Hamas war. "The violence and the destruction in Palestine and Israel did not begin on Oct. 7, 2023. The Palestinians have experienced systematic oppression and violence for the last 76 years," said South African Justice Minister Ronald Lamola.



"Mothers, fathers, children, siblings, grandparents, aunts, cousins are often all killed together. This killing is nothing short of destruction of Palestinian life. It is inflicted deliberately. No one is spared. Not even newborn babies," said South African lawyer Hassim.


The Iran-backed militia group Houthis warned that the US, UK and allies will have to pay a "heavy price" for the attack on Yemen on Thursday night. The rebel group called the attack "a blatant aggression" that will have far-reaching consequences.

In what the US called a "direct response to Houthi attacks against maritime vessels in the Red Sea," the US and UK forces launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets at Houthi targets, including their logistical hubs, air defence systems and weapons storage and launching locations.



Though the Houthis are yet to launch a retaliatory action, the group has vowed to launch more attacks on vessels. Yemens Houthis spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam posted on X that the group will continue targeting ships heading towards Israel and that there was no justification for the US-Britain attack on Yemen, according to the Reuters news agency.



He described the U.S. and Britain as having committed foolishness with this treacherous aggression. "They were wrong if they thought that they would deter Yemen from supporting Palestine and Gaza," he wrote online. "Houthi targeting will continue to affect Israeli ships or those heading to the ports of occupied Palestine," he wrote.



Houthi deputy foreign minister Hussein Al-Ezzi has warned of a heavy price to be paid by the US and the UK, according to official Houthi media."Our country was subjected to a massive aggressive attack by American and British ships, submarines and warplanes. America and Britain will have to prepare to pay a heavy price and bear all the dire consequences of this blatant aggression," he said.Iran too condemned the strikes. Tehran's foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani issued a statement saying that it considers the strike a clear violation of Yemens sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a breach of international laws, regulations, and rights.

Meanwhile, Russia has hit out at the United States and Britain for strikes on Yemen while calling for an urgent UN Security Council meeting.



"The U.S. air strikes on Yemen are another example of the Anglo-Saxons' perversion of UN Security Council resolutions," Maria Zakharova, Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman, said. Zakharova said the strikes showed a "complete disregard for international law" and were "escalating the situation in the region".



The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, also backed by Iran and engaged in cross-border fire with Israel, criticised the strikes as showing America as being a "full partner in catastrophes and massacres committed by the Zionist entity in Gaza.


MOGADISHU, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations in Somalia on Friday condemned a mortar attack on an international airport in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, which killed a member of the UN Guard Unit Thursday night.

UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia Catriona Laing said several mortar rounds landed inside the Aden Adde International Airport area, in which the UN compound is located.

"The UN Guard Unit plays an integral role in ensuring the safety and security of UN staff working in support of Somali peace- and state-building," Laing said in a statement issued in Mogadishu.

The UN in Somalia said the mortar rounds damaged infrastructure in addition to the death of a UN Guard Unit member.

Al-Shabab extremist group which has engaged the government in almost daily attacks reportedly claimed responsibility for the latest attack on the heavily fortified facility.

"We condemn this act of violence, and our thoughts are with the family and colleagues of the victim during this difficult time," Laing said.

The UN called for those responsible to be brought to justice, and expressed its commitment to supporting the people and government of Somalia in their efforts to build peace and stability in the country.

Al-Shabab often stages gun and bomb attacks on government officials, Somali security forces, and African Union mission facilities to topple the internationally recognized government and impose its own brand of government on Somalia. 
The United States has welcomed the "increased cooperation" with India in defending freedom of navigation in the Red Sea as the two countries discussed "shared concerns" over the reckless Houthi attacks in the region.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke Thursday and "discussed the United States and India's shared concerns over the reckless Houthi attacks in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, which threaten the free flow of commerce, endanger innocent mariners, and violate international law".



State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement that Blinken emphasised the Red Sea is a major commercial corridor that facilitates international trade and "welcomed increased cooperation with India in defending freedom of navigation in the region".



Jaishankar and Blinken also discussed the Israel-Hamas conflict, efforts to prevent the escalation and increase the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza. Blinken also discussed Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, the statement said.



In a post on X, Jaishankar said he had a "good discussion" with "my friend" Blinken.



"Our conversation focused on maritime security challenges, especially the Red Sea region. Appreciated his insights on ongoing situation in West Asia, including Gaza," Jaishankar said.



The Indian leader added that they exchanged perspectives on developments pertaining to the Ukraine conflict. "Looking forward to realizing our extensive cooperation agenda for 2024," Jaishankar said.



In a post on X, Miller said Blinken had a "productive call" with Jaishankar, "discussing U.S.-India partnership for protecting freedom of navigation in critical waterways".


The US and British militaries conducted retaliatory strikes on multiple Houthi targets in Yemen on Thursday, in what the US called a "direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea."

Warship and submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets pounded Houthi targets, including logistical hubs, air defense systems and weapons storage and launching locations.



A statement by US President Joe Biden read: "Today, at my direction, U.S. military forcestogether with the United Kingdom and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlandssuccessfully conducted strikes against a number of targets in Yemen used by Houthi rebels to endanger freedom of navigation in one of the worlds most vital waterways."



Biden added that he will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.



The attacks came after US and its allies made attempts at diplomatic negotiations and careful deliberation, the statement added.



Global media reports said four explosions were heard early Friday local time in Yemen's capital Sanaa but saw no warplanes. Two residents of Hodieda told Associated Press that they heard five strong explosions hit the western port area of the city, which lies on the Red Sea and is the largest port city controlled by the Houthis. Explosions also were heard by residents of Taiz, a southwestern city near the Red Sea.



This is the first response from the allies against the continious drone and missile attacks carried out on cargo vessels since the start of Israel-Hamas war. The Houthi have attacked 27 ships to date, disrupting international commerce on the key route between Europe and Asia that accounts for about 15% of the world's shipping traffic, according to Reuters.

Last week, the US had issued a final warning to the Houthis to cease the attacks or face potential military action. Though the attacks seemed to stop for several days, Houthi rebels fired their largest-ever barrage of drones and missiles targeting shipping in the Red Sea on Tuesday.



The US and UK warships deployed in the region responded by shooting down 18 drones, two cruise missiles and an anti-ship missile. On Thursday, the Houthis fired an anti-ship ballistic missile into the Gulf of Aden, which was seen by a commercial ship but did not hit the ship.



In a separate statement, U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the Royal Air Force carried out targeted strikes against military facilities used by the Houthis. "Noting the militants have carried out a series of dangerous attacks on shipping. This cannot stand," Sunak said. He said the U.K. took limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defense to degrade Houthi military capabilities and protect global shipping.



Meanwhile, Houthis on Thursday said that any attack by American forces on its sites in Yemen will spark a fierce military response. "The response to any American attack will not only be at the level of the operation that was recently carried out with more than 24 drones and several missiles," said Abdel Malek al-Houthi, the group's supreme leader, during an hour-long speech. "It will be greater than that."



No retaliatory action by the Houthis had occurred yet.


Mumbai, Jan 12 (PTI) Business solutions provider Quess Corp on Friday said it has signed an agreement with the Gujarat Technical University (GTU) for skill development and employment generation in the state.

This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aims to contribute to the forecast, development, and identification of programmes to meet the skill requirement of the state, contributing to the increased investments and Gujarat's Sustainable Vision for 2030, Quess Corp said in a statement.

Under the MoU, Quess Corp will operate the Center of Excellence (COE) at multiple locations and establish a framework to forecast the demands in technology and industry areas, based on supply from formal education and similar ecosystems.

The focus would be on services of skill assessment, employment enablement, entrepreneurship development programme, and technology integration to bridge the skill gap of the employee in line with the industry requirement.

"This is also how our government, industry, and academia can come together to bridge the skill gap and create a talent pool that is ready to meet the growing demands.

"Through the Center of Excellence, skill assessment, and employment enablement programmes, we aim to empower students with marketable skills and connect them with the right job opportunities within Gujarat's thriving industrial ecosystem," Quess Corp ED and CEO Guruprasad Srinivasan added.
Johri is the former chairman of Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs
Gandhinagar, Jan 12 (PTI) Zydus Group on Friday announced plans to invest Rs 5,000 crore in Gujarat in various sectors, including new generation biotechnology products and hospitals, its Chairman Pankaj Patel said.

Speaking at the 10th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit here, Patel said his group has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the state for the investments.

"We have signed MoUs of over Rs 5,000 crore. We'll be investing into next generation biotechnology products, new medical device initiatives and hospitals for the healthcare sector," he said.

Patel said he has been attending the biennial summit since its inception and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for helping businesses when it needs it the most.

He said business needs leadership with a vision and the one that pushes it to think bigger, which is offered in Gujarat.

Earlier, Nayara Energy's head of refinery Prasad Panicker said the company will be expanding its refinery at Vadinar and also upping its retail network in the country by 50 per cent.

A USD 800 million investment in a plant announced at the summit's 2019 edition will get operational in a couple of months, he added.

Torrent Group's Sudhir Mehta reiterated its plans to invest nearly Rs 48,000 crore in the state in the energy generation and distribution businesses.

These include Rs 30,000 crore for a 3,450 MW solar plant and a 1,045 MW hydel plant, Rs 4,500 crore for a 7,000 mw solar plant and Rs 7,200 crore for green hydrogen production.

Welspun Group's Chairman Balkrishan Goenka said the conglomerate will be investing Rs 40,000 crore in the state over the next five years.
New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) NTPC Green Energy Ltd (NGEL) on Friday announced the signing of two initial pacts for the development of green hydrogen projects in Gujarat.

The NTPC's arm signed the Memoranda of Understandings (MoUs) with Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation Ltd (GSPC) and Gujarat Pipavav Port Ltd (GPPL)

These pacts were signed at the Vibrant Gujarat Summit in Gandhinagar.

In a statement, NTPC said the pact with GSPC is for the blending of green hydrogen in the gas networks of GSPC and green hydrogen mobility by setting up of green hydrogen fuelling stations in Gujarat.

The MoU with GPPL aims to develop green hydrogen ecosystem, including production of Green Ammonia at the land provided by GPPL for export and domestic market, according to the statement.

NGEL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NTPC with an operational capacity of over 3.4 GW and 26 GW in pipeline, including 7 GW under implementation.
New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) Torrent Group has signed four MoUs to invest Rs 47,350 crore in areas of solar energy, green hydrogen, and power distribution in Gujarat, its Chairman Emeritus Sudhir Mehta said on Friday.

"In line with our strategic priorities and encouraged by our positive experience of working in Gujarat, I am pleased to share that Torrent Group has signed 4 MoUs during Vibrant Gujarat 2024, entailing a total investment of Rs 47,350 crore," Mehta said in a statement.

The group entity Torrent Power signed four non-binding Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Gujarat government across areas of renewable generation, pump storage hydro projects, green hydrogen production and power distribution.

The first MoU comprises setting up of 3,450 MWs of solar projects and 1,045 MWs of hybrid power projects entailing a proposed investment of Rs 30,650 crore.

Another MoU entails investment of Rs 4,500 crore in development of infrastructure of a solar park for 7,000 MW capacity in Banaskantha district, as per the statement.

The third MoU is for setting up a green hydrogen production facility with a capacity of 100 KTPA (kilo tonne per annum) entailing an investment of Rs 7,200 crore.

The fourth MoU pertains to investment of Rs 5,000 crore in Torrent Power's distribution business in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Surat, Dahej SEZ, and Mandal Becharaji SIR.

Torrent Group is one of the largest investors in Gujarat across pharmaceuticals, power generation, power distribution, and gas distribution sectors, Mehta said.

These MoUs are expected to create over 26,000 direct and indirect jobs in Gujarat, he added.
New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) SpiceJet will operate a special flight from the national capital to Ayodhya on January 21 to fly people attending the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple.

The 'Pran Pratishta' ceremony at the temple will be held on January 22.

The Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 30.

The airline will operate a "special flight operation from Delhi to Ayodhya on January 21, 2024, catering to passengers attending the auspicious 'Pran Pratishta' ceremony at the Shri Ram temple on January 22. The airline will also operate a return flight on the same day to ensure a seamless travel experience for devotees," a release said on Friday.

The special flight is scheduled to depart from the national capital at 1.30 pm and reach Ayodhya by 3 pm on January 21. The return flight on the following day is scheduled to take off at 5 pm and land at Delhi at 6.30 pm.

On Thursday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that around 100 chartered flights are expected at the Ayodhya airport for the consecration ceremony on January 22.
New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) IT company Wipro on Friday posted an 11.74 per cent decline in its consolidated net profit to Rs 2,694.2 crore in the third quarter ended December 31, 2023.

The company posted a profit of Rs 3,052.9 crore in the year-ago period.

The consolidated revenue from operations of Wipro also fell 4.4 per cent to Rs 22,205.1 crore during the December quarter as against Rs 23,229 crore a year ago.

The company's IT Services segment revenue dropped 4.5 per cent on a year-over-year basis to Rs 22,150.8 crore during the reported quarter from Rs 23,196 crore during the same period of 2022.

Wipro said that it expects revenue from the IT Services business segment to be in the range of USD 2,615 million (around Rs 21,845 crore) to USD 2,669 million (about Rs 22,296 crore) in March 2024 quarter.
New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) Cracking the whip for hiding the beneficial ownership links to a Chinese group, the Registrar of Companies (RoC) has slapped penalties totalling more than Rs 21 lakh on an Indian company and its related individuals as well as entities.

Besides, the Indian company Metec Electronics Pvt Ltd has been directed not to enter into fresh agreements with entities of Metec Group of Companies in China and Hong Kong.

An official in the know on Friday said Metec Electronics Pvt Ltd had portrayed itself as a standalone entity, with shareholdings held by two foreign nationals -- Chen Feiyan and Yang Wen -- and an Indian national.

The company had denied any relationship with China's Metec Group of companies and claimed that the relationship was limited to buying goods only, the official said.

However, the official said the company was "actually operating as a group company of the Metec Group of companies of China".

For the violations, RoC, NCT of Delhi and Haryana have imposed penalties on the company and various entities, including individuals. RoC comes under the corporate affairs ministry.

Under Section 89 of the companies law that pertains to the declaration of beneficial interest in shares, the RoC has slapped penalties totalling Rs 10,21,600 on China's Metec Electronics and three individuals -- Chen Feiyan, Yang Wen, and Vikash Bhardwaj. Each of them has to pay a penalty of Rs 2,55,400, according to an order dated January 8.

Besides, fines amounting to Rs 11,16,200 have been imposed for violating section 90, which relates to the requirement for an individual to declare that he or she is a significant beneficial owner.

As per the order, a total fine of Rs 5 lakh on the Indian company Metec Electronics Pvt Ltd, Rs 3 lakh on Jiangping Hu and Rs 1 lakh on Vikash Bhardwaj.

Jiangping Hu is the significant beneficial owner of Metec Electronics Pvt Ltd.

Besides, there is a fine of Rs 1 lakh on Chen Feiyan, Rs 83,400 on Subodh Kumar and Rs 32,800 on Mohd Rafeek Saifi, the order said.

Bhardwaj, Kumar and Saifi are former directors of the company. Chen Feiyan is a director, according to the order.

Metec Electronics Pvt Ltd -- which is in the business of assembling/ manufacturing sound bars, among others, after procuring goods from China.

The RoC has barred the company from entering into any fresh agreements with Shenzen Beyear Appliances Co Ltd, Shenzen Applessun Electronic Co Ltd, Dongguan Meisen Electronics Co Ltd or any other entity or person of the Metec Group of Companies in China/Hong Kong.

Further, RoC said Metec Electronics Pvt Ltd cannot make any payments to these entities, except in case of goods already received or goods in transit as of the date of the January 8 order. The restriction will be in place till the Indian company declares the names of the registered and beneficial owners of the shares.

The company's links to the Chinese group were found after gathering various details, including from applications made for trademarks and financial statements.

The official said the company in India was applying for the same trademarks which were being applied by the Chinese companies of the group, and the disclosures made to the Indian trademark authorities showed that the Indian company -- Metec Electronics Pvt Ltd -- had expressly stated that it was using the trademark of Meisen in China, the official added.

Further, the official said the registry information of the Chinese companies showed that the foreign nationals who were working as employees in Metec in India were actually holding significant positions in the Chinese companies.

The financial statements of the Indian company showed that the Metec group of companies of China as entities under common control. Also, the sole foreign director of the company was clearly linked to the Chinese group, the official added.

In the past few years, the government has taken action against various Chinese entities for alleged misdoings.
BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Friday said that China hopes the United States will honor commitments, handle Taiwan-related issues prudently and properly, and refrain from interfering in the elections of the Taiwan region in any form.

It is reported that recently the National Security Council of the White House held a press call on Taiwan elections via teleconference. An anonymous official from the White House said that the United States is committed to the one-China policy, does not support "Taiwan independence" and supports cross-Strait dialogue. The official added that the United States does not take a position on the ultimate resolution of cross-Strait differences, provided they are resolved peacefully.

In response to a related query, spokesperson Mao Ning told a daily news briefing that China noted the remarks of the U.S. official. The one-China principle is a prevailing international consensus and the political foundation of the China-U.S. relationship. "Taiwan independence" is the biggest threat to cross-Strait peace and stability and is doomed to failure.

U.S. leaders have repeatedly said that they are committed to the one-China policy, do not support "Taiwan independence," do not support "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan," and do not seek to use the Taiwan question as a tool to contain China, Mao noted.

China hopes the United States will honor these commitments, handle Taiwan-related issues prudently and properly, stop official interactions with Taiwan, stop sending wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, and refrain from interfering in the elections of the Taiwan region in any form, Mao said.

If the United States truly hopes to safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, it needs to explicitly oppose "Taiwan independence" and support China's peaceful reunification, she added. 
New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) India and the US on Friday discussed ways to further boost trade and investment ties between the two countries during the Trade Policy Forum (TPF) meet here.

The 14th TPF meet was co-chaired by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and United States Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai.

"Amidst productive deliberations, both sides reiterated their commitment to enhance trade and investment ties for adding further momentum to the growing India-US partnership," Goyal said in a post on social media platform X.

Officials had on Thursday said India would raise a number of issues with the US, such as inking social security pact, and greater market access for products like mangoes and pharma in America during the TPF meet.

India has also planned to raise issues pertaining to delay in visa; increasing exports of table grapes, pharma goods, and marine products like wild caught fish and shrimp; reinstating the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) status to India; and export control regulations for high-tech products and technologies.

Social security, or totalisation agreement, is a long-pending demand of the country, as it will provide social security to Indian professionals in America. This would eliminate dual social security deduction, both in the home country and in the nation where an employee works.

Under this, an expatriate in either country need not contribute to the social security scheme of the host country.

It will benefit a number of Indians, particularly from the IT sector, who are working in America and paying social security but are unable to get any benefit out of it.

India is also seeking fast-tracking American health regulator's USFDA inspections, or audit of domestic pharma firms.

United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) approval is required to sell medicines in the US market. Before giving the approval, the USFDA authorities visit premises of manufacturing units for checking quality standards.

The last TPF meeting was held in Washington in January 2023.

TPF is a platform to resolve trade and investment issues between the two countries. It has five focus groups -- agriculture, investment, innovation, and creativity (intellectual property rights), services, and tariff and non-tariff barriers.

The US is the largest trading partner of India. America accounts for about 20 per cent of India's total exports in goods and is a key market for services sectors like IT.

The bilateral trade between the countries has increased to USD 129.4 billion in 2022-23 from USD 120 billion in 2021-22. India received USD 6 billion in foreign direct investment from the US in 2022-23.
Colombo, Jan 12 (PTI) The visiting Japanese Finance Minister Suzuki Shunichi on Friday expressed hope that the ongoing debt restructuring in cash-strapped Sri Lanka could be finalised soon for Japan to resume its stalled projects in the island nation.

Shunichi, who is on a two-day visit, met President Ranil Wickremesinghe and emphasised the value of transparent and comparable debt restructuring. The bilateral relationship was under stress for a period with Sri Lankas unilateral cancellation of a Japanese-funded project in 2020.

He (Shunichi) has assured that the recent suspension of Yen loans due to Sri Lankas debt crisis could be reversed pending the conclusion of an MoU at the Official Creditor Committee (OCC) and continued debt sustainability monitored by the IMF, a statement from the Presidents office said.

The President expressed profound appreciation for Japan's lead role in addressing Sri Lanka's debt issues. The talks encompassed future collaborations, emphasising areas such as information technology cooperation, maritime security collaboration, resumption of stalled projects, long-term bilateral cooperation, finalisation of debt restructuring agreements and pipeline projects, the release said.

In 2020, Wickremesinghes predecessor Gotabaya Rajapaksa had cancelled a USD 1.5 billion Japanese Light Rail (LRT) project for the city of Colombo to be funded through a soft loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Wickremesinghe publicly apologised to the Japanese upon succeeding Rajapaksa in 2023.

Japanese engineering group Taisei also suspended the contract it won in 2020 to expand the Colombo International Airport.

Sri Lankas debt restructuring with external creditors has meandered along even after the International Monetary Funds (IMF) December 2023 approval of the release of the second tranche worth USD 337 million to Sri Lanka after it had concluded its first review of the USD 2.9 billion bailout.

Sri Lankan officials say the debt restructuring could be completed during the first quarter of this year.

After it was hit by its worst economic crisis in history in 2022 when its foreign exchange reserves fell to a critical low, Sri Lanka went in for what the World Bank described as foundational reforms to restore macroeconomic stability and mitigate the impacts on the poor and vulnerable aided by private sector-led recovery.
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 12 (PTI) In a path-breaking initiative, the Kerala Government has proposed to come out with a comprehensive policy on AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics and Extended Reality), a cutting-edge technology domain with immense potential for the state to emerge as a knowledge-based economy.

The draft AVGC-XR policy will be put out in the public domain to elicit views and suggestions from the public, including experts, professionals and investors, before it is finalised, the Kerala Startup Mission said in a statement on Friday.







Kerala has huge scope to emerge as a global AVGC-XR hub, considering its capabilities in the technology domain and the governments far-sighted and transformational initiatives, it said.







As a trailblazer in most critical aspects of educational, scientific and technological advancements -- having cent per cent literacy, universal education and a strong public healthcare infrastructure -- the state is eminently qualified to emerge as a AVGC-XR hub, the statement added.





Building on its strong social development base, Kerala in recent years has emerged as the countrys startup powerhouse, it claimed.







The government aims to make the proposed policy a well-defined and transformational framework to take the state forward by eliciting and compiling the views and suggestions of a wide range of informed persons including CEOs of global companies, investors, professionals, academics, and students, the statement explained.







This endeavour makes use of the combined expertise of agencies such as Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), KSIDC, KSFDC, Kerala Digital University, C-DIT, Kerala Fibre Optic Network (K-FON), Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council (K-DISC) and Kerala Knowledge Economy Mission.







The policy will set a target of creating 50,000 jobs in AVGC-XR in the state by 2029, by facilitating at least 250 firms, including multinational companies, it said.







The policy aims to equip the state to be capable of claiming at least 10 per cent of the export of AVGC-XR-based products and services from the country. Each year, at least 10,000 professionals would be identified and brought into this fast growing sector.







KSUMs Emerging Technology Hub will be expanded by including e-game and XR as part of it. As many as 150 AVGC-XR startups will be incubated. AVGC-XR labs will also be incorporated in the work-near-home project of K-DISC.







A Centre of Excellence will be developed in Thiruvananthapuram at a 20-acre site as the base for AVGC-XR activities. Also, AVGSC-XR parks and labs will be set up and spaces will be earmarked for this domain in technology parks.





Facilities of institutions like Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC) will be encouraged to leverage AVGC-XR technologies.







The policy also aims to bring in AVGC-XR technologies into academic programmes.





As part of this, programmes on a range of subjects such as Animation, Visual Effects, e-Sports, Games Development, Editing, Quality Evaluation, Sound Design and Engineering, VR and AR Marketing and Consumer Experience Analysis would be launched.





Qualified professionals will be appointed as trainers with the designation 'Professor of Practice' to conduct these programmes, the statement added.
Kolkata, Jan 12 (PTI) Veteran actor Mamata Shankar said Mrinal Sen had got upset with her during one shoot of Telugu film 'Oka Oori Katha' (The Outsiders).

Shankar also the niece of Pt Ravi Shankar said Sen was very caring, understanding and also a hard taskmaster.

Shankar had worked with Mrinal Sen in 'Mrigaya' (The royal hunt) in 1976, Oka Oori Katha in 1977, 'Ek Din Pratidin' (And quiet rolls the dawn) in 1979, Kharji (the case is closed) in 1982, said she has very pleasant memories while working with Sen.

"In Oka Ori Katha, I remember Mrinal da became quite upset as my face repeatedly went out of the frame during a scene where the faces of me and the hero would have to be closer. After several cuts, he asked me what was wrong.

"I told him that my male co-actor had eaten garlic before the shoot and the overbearing smell forced me to keep my face off. He said oh, that is the point! Finally, we managed to take the shot somehow. He was so caring, and understanding but was a hard taskmaster," Shankar added.

Oka Oorie Katha, had Pradeep Kumar, G V Narayana Rao, G Narayana Rao, M V Vasudeva Rao, Krishna A R Chintapally Bhadra Reddy among the cast.

Shankar whose upcoming film 'Bijoyer Pare' is awaiting release this month, told PTI on Thursday there are several feature film-makers in Bengal who are very competent and sensitive but she is yet to get any offer for any suitable role in OTT in Bengali.

On her first co-actor Mithun Chakraborty in Mrigaya, Shankar recalled "After 47 years (Mrigaya) director Abhijit Sen thought about casting us together in 'Projapoti'. Mithun is basically a very good human being. We are very very good friends. In a book gifted recently, Mithun had scribbled 'my dearest Mamo.' He is a person with a beautiful heart. And he is a fantastic actor. We hope to do more work in future.

Asked about Anjan Dutt, her co-actor in Ek Din Pratidin (And quiet rolls the dawn) and Kharij (The case is closed), with whom she recently acted in Palan, a sequel of Ek Din Pratidin, Shankar said "I have very good understanding with Anjan. I know how he will deliver a shot, what he will do, he also knows how I will give expressions in a similar way. I enjoy to give shots with Anjan before the camera.

Talking about Dipankar Dey, with whom she had also done several films including Ray's Agantuk (The Stranger), Shakha Proshakha (The Branches of the Tree) and Ganashatru (An enemy of the people), Mamata Shankar said "I have also done many films with Titoda (Dipankar Dey). Whenever I work with any of these three actors (Mithun, Anjan or Dipankar) I thought about surpassing myself, giving my best to match them."

Shankar said about the Palan, a sequel to Sen's Cannes jury award winner Kharij, "I was very happy working in Palan and as far as audience response goes, they all liked the film - maybe one or two did not like it. Barring a few everyone liked Palan, they loved the way Kharij was brought, the way the two were merged. Palan retained the names of the characters we portrayed in Kharij. And me, Anjan, and Srila Majumder had revisited those days when Kharij was shot".
New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) Veteran lyricist-writer Javed Akhtar says he has to write Hindi dialogues in the Roman script for the new generation of actors today because "they can't read anything else".

The 79-year-old poet was speaking at a session titled 'Hindi & Urdu: Siamese Twins', held on Thursday evening at the India International Centre here.

"In the film industry, we write (Hindi) dialogues in Roman (English script) for most of the new crop of actors today. They can't read anything else," Akhtar told a packed house at the CD Deshmukh Auditorium.

The industry veteran, who was in conversation with professor Alok Rai, said language belongs to a region and has nothing to do with religion.

"It's been about 200 years since the separation of Hindi and Urdu was accepted by the authorities. But they were always one. The Bengalis of the erstwhile East Pakistan said, 'We'll die but not study Urdu, we want another country (Bangladesh).' Who were these 10 crore people, did they speak Urdu?

"Do the Arabs in the Middle East speak Urdu? Urdu is the language of only the Indian subcontinent. This has nothing to do with religion. You go and tell people of Tamil Nadu that Hindi is the language of Hindus, see what happens then," he added.

Akhtar later advocated that there is a need for a dictionary of Hindustani words.

"You can't speak any Urdu phrase without using Hindi terms. The syntax is the same, 90 per cent vocabulary is the same, why can't some of us scholars, writers and researchers put together a common dictionary in the forgotten language which we call Hindustani? A dictionary with some of the excellent words of the both languages Hindi and Urdu in one place. Imagine how rich our vocabulary will be!"

Akhtar, one-half of the successful screenwriter duo Salim-Javed and a lyricist who has moved with the times, said as a film writer, he knows when to use a word of Hindi or Urdu.

"That's because I'm writing Hindustani for Hindustanis (Indians). I'm not writing for Urdu wallahs and Hindi wallahs. I'm writing for Hindustanis. The day Hindustanis develop an interest, the language will automatically become fine."

Language, culture, values, and aesthetics are "dynamic in nature", said Akhtar, adding they would die if they became stagnant.

"A river will keep expanding if it keeps including other streams into it. What will you keep removing from culture? It's not possible because a day will come when someone will say that what is left is also from outside and not needed."

Citing the example of Pakistan's formation on the basis of the two-nation theory, the veteran quipped: "The ones who removed something are right here, our neighbours, look at them. They wanted to be pure, the name of their very country is 'Pak'. It's for everyone to see how 'pak' (pure) they have become. If you think they are right, you also become 'pak'."

For people related to the field of communication, including the film industry, there is no concept of pure Urdu or pure Hindi, explained Akhtar using an onion analogy.

"You take an onion and start peeling off its layers with the aim of finding where the real onion is. The onion lies in the peels. That's how words keep getting included in the language from different sources and the language keeps getting richer," he said.

The session, which ran for over two hours, also veered towards ghazals (a form of poetry).

Akhtar said he considers Raghupati Sahay 'Firaaq' (Firaaq Gorakhpuri) as the greatest poet of ghazals, after Mir Taqi Mir and Mirza Ghalib.

"Once Amitabh Bachchan asked me, 'Why are you such a big fan of Firaaq?' I told him, 'Since you are an actor, I'll share this with you.' Firaaq and his poet-father Harivansh Rai Bachchan were close because of their Allahabad connection.

"I told him (Amitabh Bachchan) that I can give you several examples of Firaaq's 'shers' that if you read them with correct expressions, you'll think I haven't given these expressions in any of my films. That's because the way he wrote those 'shers', no other writer can capture that mood," he recalled.

Except former vice-president of India Hamid Ansari, who was sitting in the audience, Akhtar said he had never heard any political leader recite a 'sher' (a pair of verse lines) correctly.

"I've been here for such a long time but I've never heard any political leader from any party recite a 'sher' correctly. They recite them invariably wrong. Aur iss maamle mein sab ek jhande ke neeche hain (In that manner, all of them belong to the same party)" he said.

Last year, the Delhi Police had issued a circular asking the police personnel to avoid using complex Urdu/Persian words such as 'zakhm', 'hidaayat', 'mujrim', and 'bayaan'.

Akhtar read out a few words from the circular which lists a total of 383 common Urdu/Persian words/phrases and took a swipe at the authorities for doing a bad job with their translation into simple Hindi/English words.

"If you have to simplify the language, find some people who know it. If there's something I can do, let me know. I'd be happy to help. This list has many wrong words in it," he said.
Mumbai, Jan 12 (PT)I) Actor Riteish Deshmukh has joined the cast of Ajay Devgn's "Raid 2", the makers announced on Friday.

The upcoming movie is the sequel of the 2018 film "Raid" that saw Devgn play the role of IRS officer Amay Patnaik.

Deshmukh, known for movies such as "Housefull" series, "Dhamaal" and "Ek Villain", will play the role of the antagonist in the movie.

"Get ready for a face-off! Riteish Deshmukh takes on the role of the antagonist in 'Raid 2'," T-Series posted on Instagram.

Raj Kumar Gupta, who helmed the first "Raid" film, is returning to the director's chair for the follow-up, which will also feature actor Vaani Kapoor.

"Raid 2" is backed by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, and Kumar Mangat Pathak and Abhishek Pathak under their banners T-Series and Panorama Studios, respectively.

The production of the movie is underway and it will be released in theatres on November 15, 2024.
Mumbai, Jan 12 (PTI) Filmmaker Nag Ashwin's sci-fi film "Kalki 2898-AD", starring Prabhas and Deepika Padukone, will now release in the theatres on May 9, 2024, the makers announced on Friday.

Production banner Vyjayanthi Movies shared the news of the multilingual big-budget movie's new release date on its social media pages along with a brand new poster featuring Prabhas.

"The story that ended 6000 years ago. Begins May 9th, 2024. The future unfolds. #Kalki2898AD," the studio posted on Instagram.

Also starring Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan and Disha Patani, the movie was earlier scheduled for release on January 12.

The magnum opus, which was greenlit as "Project K" in 2020, promises to transport audiences to a world never seen before in Indian cinema, according to the makers.

The film's official title, "Kalki 2898-AD", was announced by the makers at the San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) in July 2023. It is produced by Aswini Dutt, the founder of Vyjayanthi Movies.
The Hague (Netherlands), Jan 12 (AP) Accused of committing genocide against Palestinians, Israel planned to defend its war in Gaza in front of the United Nations' highest court Friday, a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blasted the allegations as hypocrisy that screams to the heavens.

Israel, which was founded in the aftermath of the Holocaust, has vehemently denied the accusations brought by South Africa in one of the biggest cases ever to come before an international court. South African lawyers asked the court Thursday to order an immediate halt to Israeli military operations in the besieged coastal territory that is home to 2.3 million Palestinians.

Israel often boycotts international tribunals and U.N. investigations, saying they are unfair and biased. But, in a sign of how seriously they regard the case, Israeli leaders have taken the rare step of sending a legal team and engaging with the International Court of Justice to defend their reputation.

South African lawyers argued that the war is part of decades of Israeli oppression of Palestinians.

The scale of destruction in Gaza, the targeting of family homes and civilians, the war being a war on children  all make clear that genocidal intent is both understood and has been put into practice. The articulated intent is the destruction of Palestinian life, lawyer Tembeka Ngcukaitobi said in opening statements Thursday.

The case's distinctive feature was the reiteration and repetition of genocidal speech throughout every sphere of the state in Israel, he said.

Netanyahu vowed to continue fighting Hamas, the militant group whose fighters stormed through Israeli communities on Oct. 7 and killed some 1,200 people, mainly civilians. The assailants also abducted around 250 people, nearly half of whom have been released.

This is an upside-down world  the state of Israel is accused of genocide while it is fighting genocide, Netanyahu said Thursday in a video statement. The hypocrisy of South Africa screams to the heavens."

The case strikes at the heart of Israel's national identity and goes to the core of one of the world's most intractable conflicts.

More than 23,000 people in Gaza have died during the military campaign, according to the the Health Ministry in the territory, which is run by Hamas.

Nothing will stop the suffering except an order from this court, South African lawyer Adila Hassim told the judges in a packed room of the Peace Palace in The Hague.

A decision on South Africa's request for provisional measures will probably take weeks. The full case is likely to last years.

Israel launched its massive air and ground assault on Gaza soon after Hamas' deadly attack. Three months later, the offensive has driven nearly 85% of Gaza's population from their homes.

With only a trickle of food, water, medicine and other supplies entering through an Israeli siege, a quarter of the territory's residents face starvation. And much of northern Gaza, including Gaza City, has been reduced to a moonscape.

Although the court's findings are considered binding, it was unclear whether Israel would heed any order to halt the fighting. If it doesn't, it could face U.N. sanctions, although those may be blocked by a United States veto.

The White House declined to comment on how it might respond if the court determines Israel committed genocide. But National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby called the allegations unfounded.

That's not a word that ought to be thrown around lightly, and we certainly don't believe that it applies here, Kirby said.

Israel says it is battling a fierce enemy that carried out the deadliest attack on its territory since the country was founded in 1948. Israeli leaders insist they are following international law and doing their utmost to avoid harm to civilians. Israel blames Hamas for the high death toll, saying the militants operate in residential areas.

In a post on X after the hearing, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lior Haiat called South Africa's presentation one of the greatest shows of hypocrisy and referred to the legal team as Hamas' representatives in court. He said South African lawyers distorted the reality in Gaza through a series of baseless and false claims. He did not elaborate.

The case targets the center of Israeli identity, which is rooted in the country's creation as a Jewish state after the Nazi slaughter of 6 million Jews during World War II.

It also evokes issues central to South Africa's own identity: Its governing party, the African National Congress, has long compared Israel's policies in Gaza and the West Bank to its own history under the apartheid regime of white minority rule, which restricted most Black people to homelands before ending in 1994.

South Africa sought to broaden the case beyond the Israel-Hamas war.

The violence and the destruction in Palestine and Israel did not begin on Oct. 7, 2023. The Palestinians have experienced systematic oppression and violence for the last 76 years, said South African Justice Minister Ronald Lamola.

Mothers, fathers, children, siblings, grandparents, aunts, cousins are often all killed together. This killing is nothing short of destruction of Palestinian life. It is inflicted deliberately. No one is spared. Not even newborn babies, said South African lawyer Hassim.

About two-thirds of the dead in Gaza are women and children, according to health officials there. The death toll does not distinguish between combatants and civilians.

The world court, which rules on disputes between nations, has never judged a country to be responsible for genocide. The closest it came was in 2007, when it ruled that Serbia violated the obligation to prevent genocide" in the July 1995 massacre by Bosnian Serb forces of more than 8,000 Muslim men and boys in the Bosnian enclave of Srebrenica.

The nearby International Criminal Court prosecutes individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

Israel will be back on the International Court of Justice's docket in February, when hearings open into a U.N. request for an advisory opinion on the legality of Israeli policies in the West Bank and east Jerusalem. (AP)

NSA

NSA
Kyiv (Ukraine), Jan 12 (AP) UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is visiting Kyiv on Friday to announce a new package of support for Ukraine, including an increase in military funding for its war with Russia, a statement from his office said.

Sunak is expected to announce that military funding for Ukraine for the next financial year will be 2.5 billion pounds (USD 3.2 billion), the statement said. The funding would cover long-range missiles, air defense, artillery ammunition and maritime security.

I am here today with one message: the UK will also not falter," Sunak said. We will stand with Ukraine, in their darkest hours and in the better times to come.

Sunak first visited Ukraine in November 2022, soon after he became prime minister. Britain has been one of Ukraine's most vocal backers.

Britain is the second-biggest donor of military aid to Ukraine after the US, giving a total of 4.6 billion pounds (USD 3.3 billion) in 2022 and 2023.

Sunak's visit came hours after the British and US militaries bombed Yemen, hitting more than a dozen sites used by the Iranian-backed Houthis.

Thursday's strikes were a reminder of another war, which has raged for years in the Arab world's poorest nation. The attack also risked triggering a wider regional conflict over Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Those concerns have drawn attention away from Ukraine's struggle  a shift that Zelenskyy is trying to counter through diplomacy.

Both Ukraine and Russia are scrambling to replenish their weapons after 22 months of fighting and the potential for a protracted conflict. The roughly 1,500-kilometre (930-mile) front line has been largely static during winter, and both Ukraine and Russia require artillery shells, missiles and drones that enable long-range strikes.

Ukraine says Moscow is receiving artillery shells and missiles from North Korea and drones from Iran. On January 4, the White House cited US intelligence officials as saying that Russia acquired ballistic missiles from North Korea and is seeking them from Iran.

Ukraine's leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is pushing Kyiv's Western allies to provide Ukraine with more support on top of the billions of dollars in military aid the country has already received.

This week he visited three small Baltic countries  Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia  in search of new pledges. The eastern European countries, which are also amongst Kyiv's staunchest supporters, promised more missiles, drones, howitzers and artillery shells.

Zelenskyy has warned that Ukraine particularly needs air defense systems to fend off Russian aerial barrages. Recent massive Russian barrages  more than 500 drones and missiles were fired between December 29 and January 2, according to officials in Kyiv  are using up Ukraine's air defense resources and leaving it vulnerable.

Sunak said that the UK recognises that Ukrainian security is our security.

Today we are going further  increasing our military aid, delivering thousands of cutting-edge drones, and signing a historic new Security Agreement to provide Ukraine with the assurances it needs for the long term, he said.

Support for Ukraine's war effort is sputtering. A plan by the administration of US President Joe Biden to send USD 60 billion in new funding to Kyiv is being held up in Congress. Europe's pledge in March to provide 1 million artillery shells within 12 months has also fallen short, with only about 3,00,000 delivered by the end of last year. (AP) NPK

NPK
BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) said Friday it had responded to emergencies 21 times in the course of 2023, dispatching 172 rescue teams to emergency front lines and allocating over 1.53 billion yuan (about 215 million U.S. dollars) in terms of money and supplies for disaster relief.

The society added that as a result of RCSC efforts to improve the regional cooperation mechanism for Red Cross emergency rescue, a new emergency rescue pattern featuring unified command from the RCSC, as well as coordination and cooperation among Red Cross organizations of different Chinese regions, had been established.

This improved regional cooperation mechanism played a crucial role in relief operations last year, including the geological disaster in Wanzhou in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, the floods in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, and the 6.2-magnitude earthquake in Jishishan in the northwestern province of Gansu, the RCSC said.

The Red Cross network across the country now boasts over 1,000 rescue teams at various levels with a total of around 100,000 members, making it an essential part of China's national emergency rescue system. 
Islamabad, Jan 12 (PTI) A week after Pakistans Senate passed a resolution to postpone the February 8 general elections, a similar resolution was submitted to the upper house of the Parliament while two prominent parties unanimously filed a requisition for the Senate session for timely polls.

Moving the resolution, independent Senator Hidayat Ullah on Friday called for postponing the February 8 general elections given the security challenges.

It said the upper house calls upon the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the Supreme Court to consider holding peaceful elections and postpone the polls for three months in the view of the security challenges, Geo News reported.

On Thursday, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) unanimously filed a requisition for the Senate session for timely polls.

Quoting sources, The News International newspaper said that PTI Senator Ali Zafar took signatures from other members on a requisition demanding a discussion on the issue of general elections. "Besides, PPP and Jamaat-e-Islami senators have also supported the move, it added.

The requisition contends that Pakistan cannot afford political uncertainty; therefore, to strengthen the democratic process and under Article 224 (2) of the Constitution, the general elections should have been held within 90 days.

There were only 14 members out of the 100-strong Senate when on January 5 the resolution, moved by independent lawmaker Senator Dilawar Khan, to delay the polls was passed in the light of extreme weather in hilly areas and the deteriorating security situation. It was slammed as unconstitutional by major political parties.

Information Minister Murtaza Solangi and Senator Afnanullah Khan of three-time Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party opposed the move.
New York, Jan 12 (PTI) The United States has welcomed the "increased cooperation" with India in defending freedom of navigation in the Red Sea as the two countries discussed "shared concerns" over the reckless Houthi attacks in the region.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke Thursday and "discussed the United States and India's shared concerns over the reckless Houthi attacks in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, which threaten the free flow of commerce, endanger innocent mariners, and violate international law".

State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement that Blinken emphasised the Red Sea is a major commercial corridor that facilitates international trade and "welcomed increased cooperation with India in defending freedom of navigation in the region".

Jaishankar and Blinken also discussed the Israel-Hamas conflict, efforts to prevent the escalation and increase the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza. Blinken also discussed Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, the statement said.

In a post on X, Jaishankar said he had a "good discussion" with "my friend" Blinken.

"Our conversation focused on maritime security challenges, especially the Red Sea region. Appreciated his insights on ongoing situation in West Asia, including Gaza," Jaishankar said.

The Indian leader added that they exchanged perspectives on developments pertaining to the Ukraine conflict. "Looking forward to realizing our extensive cooperation agenda for 2024," Jaishankar said.

In a post on X, Miller said Blinken had a "productive call" with Jaishankar, "discussing U.S.-India partnership for protecting freedom of navigation in critical waterways".
Dubai, Jan 12 (AP) Yemen's Houthi rebels vowed fierce retaliation on Friday for American and British strikes against them, further raising the prospect of a wider conflict in a region already beset by Israel's war in Gaza.

The bombardment  launched in response to a recent campaign of drone and missile attacks on commercial ships in the vital Red Sea  killed at least five people and wounded six, the Houthis said.

As the bombing lit the predawn sky over multiple sites held by the Iranian-backed rebels, it forced the world to again focus on Yemen's yearslong war, which began when the Houthis seized the country's capital.

Since November, the rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea, saying they were avenging Israel's offensive in Gaza against Hamas. But they have frequently targeted vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, imperiling shipping in a key route for global trade and energy shipments.

Though the Biden administration and its allies have tried to calm tensions in the Middle East for weeks and prevent any wider conflict, the strikes threatened to ignite one.

Saudi Arabia  which supports the government-in-exile that the Houthis are fighting  quickly sought to distance itself from the attacks as it seeks to maintain a delicate detente with Iran and a cease-fire it has in Yemen.

The Houthis' military spokesman, Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, said in a recorded address that the strikes would "not go unanswered or unpunished.

He said strikes on regions of Yemen under their control killed five and wounded six from the rebels' military forces. It remained unclear how extensive the damage was, though the Houthis said at least five sites, including airfields, had been attacked.

The United Kingdom said strikes hit a site in Bani allegedly used by the Houthis to launch drones and an airfield in Abbs used to launch cruise missiles and drones.

Hussein al-Ezzi, a Houthi official in their Foreign Ministry, that America and Britain will undoubtedly have to prepare to pay a heavy price and bear all the dire consequences of this blatant aggression.

The Red Sea route is a crucial waterway, and attacks there have caused severe disruptions to global trade. Benchmark Brent crude oil traded up some 4 per cent Friday at over USD 80 a barrel. Tesla, meanwhile, said it would temporarily halt most production at its German factory because of attacks in the Red Sea.

Meanwhile, the US Navy acknowledged an attack days earlier on a ship in the far reaches of the Indian Ocean  an attack that may signal Iran's willingness to strike vessels as part of a wider maritime campaign over the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Tehran on Thursday separately seized another tanker.

In Saada, the Houthis' stronghold in northwest Yemen, hundreds gathered for a rally Friday, denouncing the US and Israel. Another drew thousands in Sanaa, the capital.

Yemen has been targeted by US military action over the last four American presidencies. A campaign of drone strikes began under President George W. Bush to target the local affiliate of al-Qaida, attacks that have continued under the Biden administration.

Meanwhile, the US has launched raids and other military operations amid the ongoing war in Yemen.

That war began when the Houthis swept into Sanaa in 2014. A Saudi-led coalition including the United Arab Emirates launched a war to back Yemen's exiled government in 2015, quickly morphing the conflict into a regional confrontation as Iran backed the Houthis with weapons and other support.

That war, however, has slowed as the Houthis maintain their grip on the territory they hold. In March, Saudi Arabia reached a Chinese-mediated deal to restart relations with Iran in hopes of ultimately withdrawing from the war.

However, an overall deal has yet to be reached, likely sparking Saudi Arabia's expression Friday of great concern over the airstrikes.

While the kingdom stresses the importance of preserving the security and stability of the Red Sea region ... it calls for restraint and avoiding escalation, its Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Iran condemned the attack in a statement from Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani.

Arbitrary attacks will have no result other than fuelling insecurity and instability in the region," he said.

In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning called on nations not to escalate tensions in the Red Sea.

Oman, long a regional interlocutor for the US and the West with Iran, condemned the airstrikes. It called the attack a great concern while Israel continued its brutal war and siege of the Gaza Strip without accountability or punishment.

Meanwhile Friday, the US Navy confirmed an attack days earlier near the coasts of India and Sri Lanka. The chemical tanker Pacific Gold was struck January 4 by what the Navy called an Iranian one-way attack drone, causing some damage to the vessel but no injuries.

The Pacific Gold is managed by Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping, a company that is ultimately controlled by Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer. Iran itself has not acknowledged carrying out the attack. (AP) RUP

RUP
London, Jan 12 (PTI) British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Friday travelled to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv on a surprise visit after unveiling GBP 2.5 billion for 2024-25 in military aid to the country locked in conflict with Russia, an increase of GBP 200 million on the previous two years.

Sunak met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to sign a historic UK-Ukraine Agreement on Security Cooperation, intended as the first step in developing what Downing Street described as an unshakeable 100-year partnership with Ukraine.

The pact commits the UK to consult with Ukraine in the event it is ever attacked by Russia again, and to provide swift and sustained assistance for their defence.

I am here today with one message: the UK will also not falter. We will stand with Ukraine, in their darkest hours and in the better times to come, said Sunak in Kyiv.

For two years, Ukraine has fought with great courage to repel a brutal Russian invasion. They are still fighting, unfaltering in their determination to defend their country and defend the principles of freedom and democracy, said Sunak from Kyiv.

The UK is already one of Ukraines closest partners, because we recognise their security is our security. Today we are going further  increasing our military aid, delivering thousands of cutting-edge drones, and signing a historic new security agreement to provide Ukraine with the assurances it needs for the long term, he added.

Of the GBP 2.5 billion ear-marked for 2024-25, at least GBP 200 million will be spent on a major push to rapidly procure and produce thousands of military drones for Ukraine, including surveillance, long-range strike and sea drones.

The technology will give Ukraine cutting edge, battle-tested capabilities to defend their citizens and target the invading Russian forces on land and sea, the British government said.

Most of the drones are expected to be manufactured in the UK, with the Ministry of Defence working with international partners to significantly scale up the number of drones provided for Ukraines defence.

During his visit to Kyiv, Sunak met emergency workers responding to the aftermath of Russian airstrikes.

According to 10 Downing Street, the UK PM announced a further GBP 18 million in aid for Ukraine, building on almost GBP 340 million already provided. Some of that funding will support organisations like the UN and Red Cross to provide humanitarian aid on the frontline, and GBP 8 million will go to fortify Ukraines energy infrastructure against further Russian attacks.

As part of efforts to cement the close bond between our two nations and Ukraines place at the heart of Europe, the UK will also provide additional funding and resources for English language training in Ukraine, Downing Street said.

The Ukrainian government has proposed legislation to promote English in Ukraine, boosting economic competitiveness and diplomatic ties. The latest announcement will see the UK fund online English lessons for Ukrainians of all ages, as well as providing resources and teacher training.

The UK government said Fridays visit builds on months of direct diplomacy between Sunak and Zelenskyy, as well as a world-leading record of UK military, diplomatic and economic support for Ukraine during the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Islamabad, Jan 12 (PTI) A week after Pakistans Senate passed a resolution to postpone the February 8 general elections, a similar resolution was submitted to the upper house of the Parliament while two prominent parties unanimously filed a requisition for the Senate session for timely polls.

Moving the resolution seeking a three-month delay, independent Senator Hidayat Ullah on Friday called for postponing the February 8 general elections given the security challenges given the increase in the terrorist attacks in different parts of the country.

This has created an atmosphere of fear and lack of security in the country, the resolution said, adding that threatening pamphlets were being sent to candidates homes and election officers.

Where the Constitution emphasises that elections must be free and fair, it also ensures the fundamental right of protecting peoples lives and property, it said.

The resolution urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the Supreme Court to delay general elections for three months due to current security challenges.

On Thursday, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) unanimously filed a requisition for the Senate session for timely polls.

Quoting sources, The News International newspaper said that PTI Senator Ali Zafar took signatures from other members on a requisition demanding a discussion on the issue of general elections. "Besides, PPP and Jamaat-e-Islami senators have also supported the move, it added.

The requisition contends that Pakistan cannot afford political uncertainty; therefore, to strengthen the democratic process and under Article 224 (2) of the Constitution, the general elections should have been held within 90 days.

There were only 14 members out of the 100-strong Senate when on January 5 the resolution, moved by independent lawmaker Senator Dilawar Khan, to delay the polls was passed in the light of extreme weather in hilly areas and the deteriorating security situation. It was slammed as unconstitutional by major political parties.

Information Minister Murtaza Solangi and Senator Afnanullah Khan of three-time Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party opposed the move.

The move received wide coverage in the media, prompting major parties to condemn the efforts to delay the elections. A counter resolution was submitted in the Senate by Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, emphasising the need to adhere to constitutional requirements and ensure the timely conduct of the polls.

Resolutions passed by the Senate are non-binding and can only be used as a moral force to mobilise support for any political action.
New York, Jan 11 (AP) Barred from giving a formal closing argument, Donald Trump still got a brief chance to speak in court at the conclusion of his New York civil trial on Thursday, calling the proceedings a fraud on me" before the judge cut him off.

We have a situation where I am an innocent man, the former president said. I'm being persecuted by someone running for office and I think you have to go outside the bounds.

After about six minutes, Judge Arthur Engoron  who had denied Trump permission earlier to give a closing statement at the trial  cut him off and recessed for lunch.

The exchange took place hours after authorities responded to a bomb threat at the judge's house.

Police checked out the threat at Engoron's Long Island home, which came a day after he denied the former president's extraordinary request to deliver his own courtroom close, officials said. The proceedings were not delayed.

Trump, the leading contender for the Republican presidential nomination, has repeatedly disparaged Engoron, accusing him in a social media post on Wednesday night of working closely with the New York attorney general to screw me.

At this moment the judge is not letting me make the summation because I'll bring up things he doesn't want to hear," Trump said as he walked into the courtroom, characterising the decision as political interference.

Forty-four days of trial  not one witness came into this courtroom, your honour, and said there was fraud, Trump lawyer Christopher Kise said, contending his client should get a medal for his business acumen instead of punishment he deemed the corporate death penalty.

At 5:30 a.m. on Thursday, hours before the trial's final day was to begin, Nassau County police said they responded to a swatting incident at Engoron's Great Neck home. Nothing amiss was found at the location, officials said.

The false report came days after a fake emergency call reporting a shooting at the home of the judge in Trump's Washington, D.C. criminal case. The incidents are among a recent spate of similar false reports at the homes of public officials.

Taking the bench a few minutes late, Engoron made no mention of the incident at his home.

On Wednesday, Engoron had nixed an unusual plan by Trump to deliver his own closing remarks in the courtroom, in addition to summations from his legal team, after lawyers for the former president would not agree to the judge's demand that he stick to relevant matters."

That left the last words to the lawyers in a trial over allegations that Trump exaggerated his wealth on financial statements he provided to banks, insurance companies and others.

New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, wants the judge to impose USD 370 million in penalties. Trump says he did nothing wrong. He contends outside accountants that helped prepare the statements should've flagged any discrepancies and that the documents came with disclaimers that shield him from liability.

The former president had hoped to make that argument personally, but the judge  initially open to the idea  said no after a Trump lawyer missed a deadline for agreeing to ground rules. Among them, Engoron warned that Trump couldn't use his closing remarks to "deliver a campaign speech or use the opportunity to impugn the judge and his staff.

This entire case is a manufactured claim to pursue a political agenda, Kise said in his closing argument. It has been press releases and posturing but no evidence.

Lawyers from James' office were to deliver their closing argument Thursday afternoon.

Trump returned to court as a spectator Thursday despite the death of his mother in-law, Amalija Knavs, and the launch of the presidential primary season Monday with the Iowa caucus.

Since the trial began October 2, Trump has gone to court nine times to observe, testify and complain to TV cameras about the case, which he called a witch hunt and a disgrace.

He clashed with Engoron and state lawyers during 3 hours on the witness stand in November and remains under a limited gag order after making a disparaging and false social media post about the judge's law clerk.

Thursday's arguments were part of a busy legal and political stretch for Trump.

On Tuesday, he was in court in Washington, D.C., to watch appeals court arguments over whether he is immune from prosecution on charges that he plotted to overturn the 2020 election  one of four criminal cases against him. Trump has pleaded not guilty.

In New York, James sued Trump in 2022 under a state law that gives the state attorney general broad power to investigate allegations of persistent fraud in business dealings.

Kise argued the case amounted to the weaponisation of a consumer protection statute and, urging Engoron to consider his legacy as a judge, warned that a ruling in the state's favour would have a chilling effect on every company doing business in the state.

Engoron decided some of the key issues before testimony began. In a pretrial ruling, he found that Trump had committed years of fraud by lying about his riches on financial statements with tricks like claiming his Trump Tower penthouse was nearly three times its actual size.

The trial involves six undecided claims, including allegations of conspiracy, insurance fraud and falsifying business records.

Trump's company and two of his sons, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., are also defendants. Eric Trump was also in court for closing arguments.

Besides monetary damages, James wants Trump and his co-defendants barred from doing business in New York.

State lawyers say that by making himself seem richer, Trump qualified for better loan terms from banks, saving him at least USD 168 million.

Kise, however, said the bank didn't lose out on anything.

He pointed to testimony from bank officials that the former president more than qualified for special services afforded to ultra-rich people, and that the bank adjusted his numbers downward and still loaned him hundreds of millions of dollars.

Kise, praising Trump as part of the fabric of the commercial real estate industry for a half-century, pointed to Trump's testimony that he intended lenders to do their own research and vetting after receiving his financial statements.

The lawyer also argued that the documents understated  rather than overvalued  the former president's net worth.

Kise acknowledged that some holdings may have been listed higher by immaterial amounts, but he added there's plenty of assets that were undervalued by substantial sums.

Engoron said he is deciding the case because neither side asked for a jury and state law doesn't allow for juries for this type of lawsuit. He said he hopes to have a decision by the end of the month.

Last month, in a ruling denying a defense bid for an early verdict, the judge signalled he's inclined to find Trump and his co-defendants liable on at least some claims.

Valuations, as elucidated ad nauseum in this trial, can be based on different criteria analyzed in different ways," Engoron wrote in the Dec. 18 ruling. "But a lie is still a lie." (AP)





GRS

GRS
Ranchi, Jan 12 (PTI) Jharkhand Governor CP Radhakrishnan on Friday appealed to youths to follow the path of Swami Vivekananda, whose life inspires to work with confidence and dedication for the development of the nation.

The governor made these remarks at the Tribal Youth, Art and Culture Samagam organised by Vikas Bharti Bishunpur here to commemorate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda and National Youth Day.

Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda, Ranchi MP Sanjay Seth, and Rajya Sabha MP Samir Oraon were also present at the event.

Radhakrishnan praised the tribal community for their love of nature and knowledge of herbs. He emphasized the need to further develop their traditional skills.

He said holistic development can only be achieved through economic, social, and cultural progress in remote villages.

Munda, in his address, highlighted how Swami Vivekananda showcased the strength of India spiritually, culturally, and socially to the world.

He also mentioned the ongoing efforts, under the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to develop the 75 primitive tribal communities that were previously neglected.

Munda commended the secretary of Vikas Bharti, Padmashri Ashok Bhagat, for his work in tribal development.

Around 10,000 tribal youths from different parts of Jharkhand participated in the two-day festival organized by Vikas Bharti Bishunpur.
Itanagar, Jan 12 (PTI) The Arunachal Pradesh Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure (CCI) has approved a total of 2,816 project proposals under the State Infrastructure Development Fund (SIDF) phase-1 during 2023-24, a senior official said.

Project proposals amounting to over Rs 1,253 crore, restricting the current years expenditure within Rs 626 crore for taking up under SIDF have been approved recently, state's Finance, Planning and Investment department principal commissioner Sharat Chauhan said in an official order.

The projects are under various departments including, Health and Family Welfare, Higher and Technical Education, Home, Indigenous Affairs, Panchayati Raj, Tourism, Environment and Forests, he said.

Chauhan said the allocation is purely indicative in nature and shall be utilised by the departments only after verifying the actual requirement and observance of guidelines of SIDF and other codal formalities.

All works will be awarded on the basis as per prevailing rules, government order and observance of all GFR/CVC guidelines, Chauhan said, adding that the department shall incur expenditure only after necessary budgeting in consultation with the Finance, Planning and Investment department of Budget Division, which will be regularised at the time of finalisation of Revised Estimate 2023-24.

He also said that the nodal department and the executing agency (wherever applicable) shall maintain proper coordination and ensure that works are executed as per the prescribed norms and specifications.

"All schemes should be completed as per the timeline so that there is no cost or time overrun," the official said, adding, "The change in projects shall not be entertained unless duplicity is detected.

He also stated that no revised estimate or cost escalation and change of scheme would be allowed.

Chauhan also directed the commissioners and secretaries of the departments to monitor and review the progress of implementation of various schemes and projects at regular intervals and to ensure timely submission of quarterly progress reports, utilisation certificates, photographs and completion certificates, as applicable only after necessary review and verification at their level.

He said the violation of instructions and guidelines will be the sole responsibility of the officers concerned.
Hazaribag, Jan 12 (PTI) A class 11 student, who went missing last week, was found dead in a well in Jharkhand's Hazaribag district on Friday, police said.

The boy, who was a student of a well-known English-medium school, was allegedly killed by his classmates over some disputes, and the body was dumped in the well in the Ichak area, they said.

He went out with some of his classmates on January 6 to sort out the disputes with them but he did not return home, said Nishi Kumari, the officer-in-charge of the Korra police station.

His parents lodged a missing person's complaint with the police, following which an investigation was started.

The body was found after six days in the well, and his parents identified it, police said.

It is suspected that he was strangulated, but the exact cause of the death could be ascertained after the post-mortem examination, they said.

The body was dumped in the well to mislead the investigation, they added.

Two of his classmates have been apprehended in connection with the murder, police said, adding that a search was on for the other students involved.
New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) President Droupadi Murmu Friday greeted people on the eve of harvest festivals and wished that these occasions foster the spirit of love and harmony besides making the country more peaceful and prosperous.

According to a statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President greeted her fellow citizens on the eve of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Magh Bihu and Pongal, which fall on January 13, 14 and 15 respectively.

These festivals are living forms of the country's cultural heritage as well as the symbols of unity in diversity, she said.

"On these occasions, we bathe in holy rivers and undertake charity and other cultural activities. These festivals, celebrated in different manifestations across the country, forge social amity, unity and brotherhood," the president said.

These agricultural festivals also promote environment conservation, she said.

"We also recognise the hard work of our farmers by celebrating these festivals. May these festivals foster the spirit of love and harmony and contribute in making our country more peaceful and prosperous," Murmu added.
The UAE revealed, at a key conference in Dubai, its aim to be one of the most-friendly tourist destinations for differently-abled people with strategic initiatives that will consolidate its achievements in accessible tourism.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, patron of the 4th Accessible Travel and Tourism International Conference, said: The UAE is a pioneering country in which people of determination receive special priority.

The UAE is on the path to becoming the best destination in the world for tourism services, and I call for concerted international efforts to ensure the provision of accessible tourism for more than a billion people around the world.

Dubai continues its efforts and initiatives to bring together decision-makers and experts in the field of facilitated tourism under one roof to share minds, learn about best practices, inform the world of its exceptional efforts to support this large segment of the local and international community, and highlight its achievements, he added.

The conference, taking place from January 11-12 at the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel in Business Bay, is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman of Emirates Airline and Group.

The conference highlighted the need for making cities more comprehensive and inclusive of people with special needs, under the title, Let's make all cities friendly to tourists of special needs. It explored ways to strengthen legislation, policies, infrastructure and services, especially in the areas of air, land and sea transport, in addition to accommodation and hospitality services, to help the differently-abled discover the world easily and conveniently.

In partnership with the Italian Civil Aviation Authority, dnata, Istanbul Airport, British Airways, and PRM assist, IATA will host a workshop on mobility assistance.

Travellers may need help navigating busy airports, have difficulty with stairs, or be visually impaired. It is critical to provide the right options and assistance that meet the specific requirements of each traveller, but at present, wheelchair services are often provided by default, and this may not be the ideal solution for the traveller, said Linda Ristagno, IATAs Assistant Director for External Affairs.

According to WHO, the percentage of persons with disabilities worldwide ranges between 15% and 16%, which translates to roughly 1.2 billion to 1.3 billion people, 50 million of whom live in the Middle East and travel as residents, visitors, or tourists around the worlds cities.

Approximately 15% of persons with disabilities want to travel and see the world. Added to this big number is the large number of senior citizens who are potential tourists.

The 50 million people of determination living in the Middle East represent a promising opportunity to enhance the tourism sector in the countries of the region and provide thousands of new job opportunities.

His Excellency Majid Abdullah Al Usaimi, Member, Higher Committee for the People of the Rights of Persons with Disability at Dubai Executive Council and President of the Asian Paralympic Committee, said in his keynote address: We must invest in this sector to attract people with all categories of disabilities and make Dubai the main and first destination for them due to the availability of world class infrastructure and services safe for them and their families.

His Royal Highness Prince Mired Raad bin Zeid Al-Hussein, President of the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Jordan, in his virtual Keynote Address, said: Tourism industry must widen its scope and target persons with disabilities and the elderly as potential customers as tourists.

As we become more and more engaging society, there were approximately 800 million people aged 65 years and older globally, accounting for almost 10% of world population. This segment has been growing at an increasing rate and is expected to hit 16% in 2050.

The conference is sponsored and supported by Emirates Airlines as the Official Airline, Dubai Economy and Tourism as the Destination Partner and Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) as a Strategic Partner, Dubai Duty Free as Silver Sponsor and JW Marriott Marquis Hotel as the Official Host. Several senior officials and experts from local government agencies like the Dubai Municipality, Roads and Transport Authority, and the Dubai Economy and Tourism, along with international organizations like the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), UNESCO, and Airports Council International (ACI-World).

Ghassan Suleiman, Secretary-General of the Conference, said: The tourism sector needs more than ever to adopt the concept of comprehensive tourism that meets the aspirations of millions of people with special needs.

This is based on the application of a series of relevant legislation, smart solutions and applications, and distinguished services in the transportation, hospitality, and communications sectors, and qualified human competencies, in order to continue growth and double the size of this sector in the coming years.

Eng. Meera Al Ameri, Head of Research and Building Systems Section, Dubai Municipality, made a presentation on Dubai Universal Building Code that defines how the built environment and transportation systems in Dubai be designed, constructed and managed to enable them to be accessible to people with disabilities.

Evan Hall, Chairman of the Tourism Industry Council of Western Australia, Salah Khaled, Director of the UNESCO Office for the Gulf States and Yemen in Doha, Daniela Bas (former Director of the Division for Comprehensive Social Development, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs) and other senior officials and experts discussed the best practices in stimulating accessible tourism,.

Jean-Sebastien Pard, Senior Manager Facilitation, Passenger Services and Operations, Airports Council International (ACI World) Canada, said: Despite airports and their aviation partners strive to make air travel accessible, several challenges still remain to make air travel accessible for all.

Eric Lipp, Executive Director, Open Doors Organization, USA, made a presentation on how Universal Design helping destinations become accessible to all.

Accessible Travel and Tourism International Conference is organised annually by Nadd Al Shiba PR & Event Management in Dubai.  TradeArabia News Service
GENEVA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Families in the Gaza Strip are facing the "triple threat" of conflict, disease from a lack of safe water, and hunger due to food shortages, a United Nations (UN) official warned Friday.

Meanwhile, the nightmare continues for the remaining Israeli children held hostage in Gaza, she said, and the situation is rapidly deteriorating.

Lucia Elmi, UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) Special Representative to Palestine, told a press briefing from Jerusalem via video-link that she had just returned from spending a week in Gaza.

Thousands of children have already died, and thousands more will follow if three urgent problems are not immediately addressed, she said. These are safety from bombardments, logistics for aid delivery, and the resumption of the commercial sector.

Elmi told reporters that in the last two weeks alone, cases of diarrhea among children in Gaza had almost doubled to 70,000. Some 135,000 children are also at risk of severe malnutrition.

The official noted that an immediate and long-lasting ceasefire is the only way to end the killing and wounding of children and families, and to enable the urgent delivery of desperately-needed humanitarian aid.

Elmi said that all crossings into the Gaza Strip should re-open, the approval process for aid needs to be faster, civilian infrastructure such as schools and hospitals must be protected, and access granted to the north of the Gaza Strip so as to reach vulnerable children and families.

The abducted Israeli children should also be unconditionally and safely released, she added.

This Sunday will mark 100 days since Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups launched their attack on Israel. So far, 1,200 Israelis have been killed and around 250 taken hostage. Since Israel launched its military response, in 14 weeks more than 23,000 Palestinians have been killed, around two-thirds of them women and children. 
Srinagar, Jan 12 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Police is committed to ending the menace of narco-terror and such cases are being pursued on priority, a senior officer said on Friday.

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, V K Birdi called on people to help police in the fight against drug abuse.

"J&K Police is committed to controlling such things (narco-terror). Police have pursued such cases on priority and acted against drug peddlers under PIT-NDPS Act and NDPS Act," Birdi told reporters in Baramulla during a visit to a drug de-addiction centre.

He lauded Baramulla police's action against drug peddlers.

"A lot has been done but we need to do a lot more and (do it) strictly so that the drug menace is uprooted from society," the IGP Kashmir said.

Before legal intervention, Birdi said, there is a need for societal intervention.

"I also appeal to the people to bring it to our notice if anyone is indulging in such activities. We need the cooperation of society to uproot this menace," he said.
New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) The Centre has asked retiring and retired employees to share their experience while in service, a move aimed at bringing in future governance reforms, according to an official statement issued on Friday.

On the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare (DoPPW) had launched an on-line platform entitled 'Anubhav portal' in March 2015 for sharing experiences of retiring/retired central government employees while working with the government.

It is envisaged that this culture of leaving notes by retirees will become the foundation stone of good governance and administrative reforms in future, the statement said.

Government has notified the Anubhav awards scheme 2024, it said.

To participate in the scheme, retiring central government employees/pensioners are required to submit their Anubhav write ups, 8 months prior to retirement and up to one year after their retirement, the statement said.

Thereafter, the write-ups will be published after assessment by concerned ministries/departments, it added.

The published write-ups will be shortlisted for Anubhav awards and jury certificates.

The last date for submission under Anubhav awards scheme 2024 is March 31.

Till date, 54 Anubhav awards have been conferred from 2016 to 2023.

According to the scheme, all the Anubhav write-ups published on the Anubhav portal, with effect from July 31, 2023 to March 31, 2024 will be considered for five Anubhav awards and 10 jury certificates, the statement said.

To encourage the broader participation in the Anubhav awards scheme, 2024, the DoPPW has undertaken an outreach campaign to reach out to every pensioner to submit his experience.

In this regard, meetings have been held with nodal officers of ministries/ departments and central armed police forces, it said.

"Ministries/departments have been requested to reach out to pensioners for timely submission of Anubhav experiences. Knowledge-sharing sessions on the format of documentation of award-winning nominations have also been convened," the statement said.

The Anubhav awardees share their experiences in a national forum under the "Anubhav Awardees Speak Webinar Series", it added.
Lucknow, Jan 12 (PTI) The best marching contingent in this year's Army Day Parade in Lucknow will be selected using artificial intelligence, a senior officer said on Friday.

Briefing reporters at his office, Army Day Parade Commander Major General Salil Seth said, "Artificial Intelligence is being used for the first time to identify the best marching contingent. As you know all the marching contingents do drills and do drills correctly."

"There is a correct pattern of doing the drills -- raising your hands to a certain level, raising your legs to a certain level, doing your movement with the weapon within a certain timeframe. We are capturing the individual movement with a camera and then the computer software using the AI will give marks for each and every movement. This will also be supervised by humans. We have done two to three practices," he added.

The Surya Command said in a post on X on Thursday, "#ArmyDay2024. Witness the synergy of tradition & innovation at the #ArmyDayParade2024, as cutting edge #AI joins the ranks, elevating precision & coordination of marching contingents to new levels. #IndianArmy... relentlessly marching towards a new Era!"

Major Seth, who is the General Officer Commanding of Madhya UP Sub Area, Lucknow, said the Indian Army is celebrating its 76th Army Day at Lucknow on January 15.

"The event is being conducted out of the national capital for the second time as part of the Government of India's initiative to take major events away from the national capital region to different parts of the country. This will lead to greater visibility for these events and larger involvement of the local citizens," he added.

The last Army Day Parade was held in Bengaluru on January 15.

Major Seth further said that every year January 15 is observed as the Army Day to commemorate the occasion when General (later Field Marshal) KM Cariappa took over command of the Indian Army from General Sir Francis Roy Bucher, the last British Commander-in-Chief in 1947, thus becoming the first Indian Commander-in-Chief post-Independence.

"Towards fulfilling the aim of the Army Day being conducted here in Lucknow, we have reached out to the general public to increase awareness about the army and the significance of the Army Day wherein starting November 2023 onwards various events were organised in the complete Central Command Area of Responsibility (AOR) so far," he added.

It included various school outreach programmes where the army gallantry award winners spoke to generation next and motivated them. In addition, blood donation camps were organised for the masses, tree plantation drives have been conducted at various stations within Headquarter Central Command and Army-based quiz competition has been conducted for the local populace through the radio.

One of the major events conducted was Know Your Army Festival at Surya Khel Parisar, Lucknow, from January 5 to 7. The event graced by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was open to the public and over 10,000 people attended it.

The Army Day Parade will commence with a wreath-laying ceremony at the SMRITIKA War Memorial by Army Chief General Manoj Pande to pay homage to all the personnel, who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.

He will then review the Army Day Parade at the parade ground of 11 Gorkha Rifles Regimental Centre at Lucknow and will present gallantry awards for individual acts of bravery and sacrifice.

In addition, Unit Citations will also be awarded to units for their exceptional performance under active operational circumstances.

The parade this year will witness six marching contingents, a military band comprising five regimental brass bands and three pipe bands.

The marching contingents are 50 (I) PARA Brigade, SIKH LIGHT Infantry Regiment Centre, JAT Regiment Centre, Garhwal Rifle Regiment Centre, Bengal Engineer Group Centre and Army Air Defence Centre.

The five regimental brass/military bands are Punjab Regiment Centre, Grenadier Regimental Centre, BIHAR Regiment Centre, SIKH LI Regiment Centre, KUMAON Regimental Centre and SIKH Regimental Centre.

The five regimental pipe bands are SIKH Regiment Centre, SIKH LI Regiment Centre, JAT Regiment Centre, KUMAON Regimental Centre and 1 Signal Training Centre.
Lucknow, Jan 11 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday directed officials to make thorough security preparations in the state, noting that there are several events of importance during January, including the Ram temple consecration ceremony, UP Diwas and Republic Day.

In a meeting with divisional commissioners of Ayodhya, Gorakhpur and Prayagraj, the chief minister said that this period is also an opportunity to "enhance the global branding of the state".

From India as well as abroad, distinguished people from fields such as spirituality, politics, industry, science, cinema, literature and arts are expected to attended the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22, the chief minister said, according to an official statement issued here.

"Concurrently, events like the Khichdi Mela in Gorakhpur and Magh Mela in Prayagraj are poised to commence from Makar Sankranti. The tradition of Kalpavas is observed in Farrukhabad and the Uttar Pradesh Diwas will be celebrated on January 24. These will be followed by Republic Day on January 26," he said.

"Given the importance of law and order during this time, it is crucial to make thorough preparations. This period also presents an opportunity for us to enhance the global branding of the state," Adityanath said.

Referring to the Ram temple event, he said to celebrate the occasion, people will perform bhajans and kirtans in temples during the day and celebrate "deepotsav by lighting 'Shri Ram Jyotis' in the evening".

Directing officials to ensure timely completion of all preparations for the Magh Mela at the Triveni Ghat in Prayagraj, he said the first holy bath of the mela will take place on January 15.

"We need to make good arrangements and consider needs of every devotee. Engage in discussions with seers and devotees. This event is a rehearsal for the Prayagraj Kumbh-2025. Make efforts in the Magh Mela to minimise the need for devotees to travel long distances on foot," he directed officials.

He said security at the Khichdi Mela in Gorakhpur is important and asked officials to implement an action plan by dividing the entire area into zones. The chief minister added that an ASP-rank official should be deployed in each of the zones and public address systems, fire safety systems and CCTV cameras installed at various places.

Adityanath said that a special state-wide cleanliness campaign is starting from Ayodhya on January 14. "I will personally be present in Ayodhya to inaugurate the initiative," he said and added that active participation of all, including teachers, students and social workers, should be facilitated.

He said after January 22, an estimated two to three lakh devotees are anticipated to arrive in Ayodhya daily.

There should be adequate preparations, including for parking and cleanliness. The transport department should arrange a minimum of 500 additional buses to cater to the people visiting the city, Adityanath.

He also directed the installation of at least 10,000 CCTV cameras in Ayodhya and make roads leading to the city as "Green Corridors".

There is also a need to further improve lodging facilities such as hotels, dharamshalas, tent cities and homestays in Ayodhya, the chief minister said.
Kannur (Kerala), Jan 11 (PTI) The father-in-law of the prime suspect in the 2010 palm-chopping case of a college professor in Kerala claimed on Thursday that his family became aware of the Popular Front of India sympathiser's involvement in the case through news reports.

Savad was arrested in the case by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday.

Recounting his first encounter with Savad at a shrine in Ullal in Karnataka, the father-in-law said at that time he identified himself as Shajahan and said he was from a humble family in Kannur district in Kerala. Savad had made a lasting impression, said the Kasaragod resident.

Claiming that he is poor, the man said as Savad did seek any dowry, he married off one of his four daughters in 2016 to Savad.

During the marriage too, Savad had told local mosque authorities that his name was Shajahan, his father-in-law said.

Following the wedding, Savad spent a month at "my house before moving into a rented accommodation in Kannur district", he said.

Known for his transient lifestyle, Savad reportedly changed jobs and avoided settling in one place for a long period. He had two children, one aged four years and the other nine months, and resided in a rented house in Mattannur in Kannur district for over a year.

In the guise of a carpenter, the accused introduced himself to his neighbours as Shajahan, maintaining a discreet profile and refraining from close interactions with locals.

Savad, who had been on the run for the past 13 years, carried a reward of Rs 10 lakh.

The NIA has revealed that the accused was involved in severing the palm of T J Joseph, allegedly in response to the professor ridiculing Prophet Mohammed in a Malayalam question paper for the internal examination of B.Com students at Newman College in Idukki district's Thodupuzha.

Nineteen accused have so far been convicted for various offences under Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in the case.

Of them, three have been convicted for life and 10 others sent to eight years imprisonment.

The accused in the case were either leaders, activists or members of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) and the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI). They were actively involved in the criminal conspiracy relating to the lethal attack on Professor Joseph at Muvattupuzha.

The accused had carried out the barbaric daylight attack on the professor in the presence of his family members on July 4, 2010, when he was returning from church after the Sunday morning mass. They had also hurled a bomb to spread terror among the people before escaping from the spot.
Haveri (Karnataka), Jan 12 (PTI) Seven men who allegedly barged into a hotel room and attacked an interfaith couple during their stay in this district have been charged with gangrape after the victim complained that she was sexually assaulted by them, police said on Friday.

In the case of moral policing, three men, who also belong to a minority community, have been arrested in connection with the incident that happened on January 8, they said.

"On Thursday afternoon, the victim's statement was recorded in front of a magistrate wherein she alleged that she was gang raped by seven men who also abused and assaulted her. So, based on her claim, we have added section 376 D (gangrape) to the existing FIR. We have arrested three men in connection with the incident so far," a senior police officer said.

"Another suspect is hospitalised due to an accident he met a day after the alleged incident. So, once he is discharged, he will be taken into custody. Our teams are trying to trace the remaining suspects in the case. We have identified all of them," he said.

Earlier, the woman alleged the involvement of six men, and later she also mentioned other suspects who were accomplices, so the police were trying to secure all of them, he added.

According to the police, on January 8, at 1 pm, a 26-year-old married woman who belongs to a minority community checked into the hotel room with a KSRTC driver aged 40, with whom she has been in a relationship for the past three years.

The entire assault which happened inside the hotel room was filmed by the gang. The videos later became viral after they got circulated on social media platforms, police said.

In one of the videos, six men could be seen knocking on the door of a room. When a man opens the door, the assailants could be seen barging in and heading towards the woman. The gang verbally abused the couple, assaulted them and filmed the woman while she tried to cover her face with a burqa.

According to police, when the couple entered the hotel, they were spotted by an auto rickshaw driver. Seeing the woman clad in a burqa with a man from another community, he immediately alerted the gang of local men who also belonged to the minority community.

They allegedly barged into the hotel room and started attacking the couple. They also eventually dragged them out of the room, a senior police officer said.

The gang who arrived on three motorcycles drove the couple to an isolated place which was about a kilometer away from the hotel. Upon reaching there, they started thrashing the couple. They also abused the woman and hit her with sticks, he said.

The woman alleged she was also gangraped by them, he added.

Thereafter, the gang gave her Rs 500 and told her to go to her native place. She later went to Sirsi where her husband lives, the police officer said.

The accused members are not affiliated to any organisation, police said, adding that those arrested so far do not have any criminal background, but that needs to be verified.

Besides gangrape, other IPC sections included in the FIR are those pertaining to kidnap and assault, according to the police.
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 12 (PTI) In an effort to counter the BJP's claims that Congress is anti-Hindu, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Friday highlighted a speech made two decades ago by Sonia Gandhi at the Ramakrishna Mission, emphasising how Hindu liberal thoughts contributed to India's secular identity.



The Thiruvananthapuram MP's move came a day after the BJP criticised the grand old party's decision to decline the invitation to its three top leaders to attend the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya, claiming it exposed the party's inherent opposition to India's culture and Hindu religion.



In a post on social media platform X, where he attached Gandhi's speech highlighting Swami Vivekananda's views on Hinduism, the Congress Working Committee member expressed his belief that the teachings of Vivekananda carry a highly relevant and impactful message for the present day.



Sonia Gandhi, in her speech on January 12, 1999, when the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government was in power, had expressed concern and sadness over the "appropriation" of Swami Vivekananda -- who had admired "India's pluralistic and composite heritage" -- by certain sections of society.



Tharoor, in his post, said the Indian National Congress's (INC) association with Hindu liberalism is not a recent response to events over the past decade but rather a longstanding and deeply held conviction.



He wrote, "25 years ago today, then Congress President Sonia Gandhiji delivered this thoughtful address at the #NationalYouthDay function at the Ramakrishna Mission, New Delhi on 12th January 1999.



Gandhi had lamented that Swami Vivekananda's appreciation for India's diverse heritage and the message of Hinduism, emphasising tolerance and harmony, was being distorted and appropriated by groups promoting hate and antagonism, rejecting the secular foundations of ancient civilisation.



"It is hard to imagine a more effective message about Swami Vivekanandas teachings today. And good to recall that @INCIndias identification with Hindu liberalism is not a reaction to events in the last ten years, but a long-held conviction," Tharoor said in the post on 'X'.



Gandhi had also said India is secular primarily because Hinduism, both as a philosophy and as a way of life, has been based on what our ancients said, "Ekam Sat, Vipraha Bahudha Vadanti (truth is one, the wise pursue it variously)."



To criticise the ideology of the right wing, Gandhi had also recalled Vivekananda's speech in Chicago, where he emphasised his pride in belonging to a religious tradition that taught people to accept all religious opinions as true, stating, "We do not merely tolerate all religions but accept them all to be true."



AICC General Secretary Jairam Ramesh hailed Tharoor's efforts, terming it "amazing archival research" and said it was timely too.



Sharing Tharoor's post on 'X,' he said it was then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi who declared 12th January as National Youth Day in honour of Swami Vivekananda, in 1985.
Pilibhit (UP), Jan 11 (PTI) A tiger was spotted on the outskirts of Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday, officials said.

A video of the big cat walking on the Bisalpur road near Roop Pur Kripa village surfaced on social media.

Sub Divisional Officer, Social Forestry, Anjani Srivastava told PTI that the tiger which came very close to the city was from the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve.

There is a possibility that it lost its way, he added.

The area was cordoned off after the tiger was spotted in the evening. Police officers along with a forest department team reached the area to prevent any wildlife-human conflict, Srivastava said.

Permission is awaited for further operation to rescue the tiger. The forest department and police teams are on alert, he said.

A crowd had gathered to catch a glimpse of the tiger.
Hyderabad, Jan 12 (PTI) The body of a woman which was found burning at Moinabad on the city outskirts four days ago was a case of suicide as per available evidence, police said on Friday.



Police received information while the body was burning at Moinabad on January 8 and her identity was not known initially, they said.

Based on technical evidence, the woman was found to be a 22-year-old city resident and that it was a case of suicide, police added.
CAIRO, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Egypt on Friday called for unifying international and regional efforts to ease tensions in the region and ensure the safety of navigation in the Red Sea.

In a statement, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry voiced Egypt's deep concern over the escalation of military operations in the Red Sea and the airstrikes on parts of Yemen.

Egypt noted that the dangerous developments taking place in the southern Red Sea region and Yemen are clear indications of the dangers of the regional conflict's expansion as a result of the ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip.

Egypt also stressed the "inevitability of a comprehensive ceasefire" and an end to the ongoing war against Palestinian civilians to avoid further regional instability and conflicts, as well as threats to international peace and security.

For several weeks, the Houthi group in Yemen has been conducting military operations in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, sending armed boats, drones, and missiles to attack commercial ships that have links to Israel.

Early Friday, the United States and Britain launched several airstrikes on Houthi military sites in the Yemeni capital Sanaa and other provinces under the group's control in response to attacks carried out by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. 
Welcome to CES 2024. This multi-day trade event put on by the Consumer Technology Association is expected to bring some 130,000 attendees and more than 4,000 exhibitors to Las Vegas. The latest advances and gadgets across personal tech, transportation, health care, sustainability and more will be on display, with burgeoning uses of artificial intelligence almost everywhere you look.

The Associated Press will keep a running report of everything we find interesting from the floor of CES, from the latest announcements to most quirky smart gadgets.

GYROGLOVE WORKS TO HELP THOSE WITH HAND TREMORS

Roberta Wilson-Garrett used to be a morning person who would leap out of bed at dawn. Until, that is, she was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease six years ago.

Now her hands twist and tremor, making the morning time, when her medicine is wearing off, especially difficult. It takes hours for her to get ready for the day. All her coffee mugs have lids on them now.

Boston-based GyroGear, a medical tech startup, debuted a hand-stabilizing glove at CES 2024 that it hopes will help people like Wilson-Garrett regain control of their lives.

It makes life normal for me again. The things that you take for granted, I dont take for granted anymore, Wilson-Garrett told AP on the show floor as her right hand shook. It gives me back a piece of my old life when I have the glove on.

When Wilsgon-Garrett slipped on the black glove, her right hand relaxed, and she was able to hold a pen and write her name.

The GyroGlove is now available for $5,899.

ADVANCING AI WITH FORTUNE TELLING

Can generative AI tell your future? A fortune teller showcased by South Korean manufacturing and IT services giant SK Group at CES this week gives us a glimpse.

SKs AI Fortune Teller, which is powered by high-bandwidth memory technology, claims that it can tell users their fortune by reading their emotions. The machine snaps a photo of your face and, naturally, asks you to select a card from an on-screen deck. Within moments, the AI analyzes facial characteristics and produces an Tarot card-like print with a short, future-looking message or piece of advice.

This AI fortune teller isnt available to consumers outside of CES. Organizers note that its featured in the Las Vegas show to help display SKs latest tech and sustainability advances  noting that the HBM3, for example, helps reduce energy use. Other attractions advertised at the SK Wonderland interactive exhibit include a fully-electric dancing car and train thats capable of being powered by hydrogen energy

HYUNDAIS NEW FLYING TAXI CONCEPT LANDS AT CES

A new flying taxi concept, dubbed the S-A2 by Hyundai, made its debut at CES 2024.

The South Korean vehicle manufacturer envisions the electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle as a commuter solution for urban areas with heavy traffic.

Hyundai claims the vehicle will be able to cruise at 120 mph (190 kph) at a 1,500-foot (460-meter) altitude while operating as quietly as a dishwasher.

The S-A2 builds on Hyundais S-A1 concept, which made its debut at CES in 2020. Company officials say they are working to get the vehicle ready to meet flight standards set by nations around the world.

A NO SMOKE INDOOR SMOKER

GE Appliances is looking to change the way you smoke food with its new $1,000 indoor smoker.

About the size of a toaster oven or microwave, the GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker can fit a full brisket cut in half, 40 chicken wings or three racks of ribs. It still uses wood pellets to achieve a smokey flavor, but its technology traps the smoke inside, making it perfect for people who live in urban environments, like high-rise apartments, said Whitney Welch, a spokesperson for GE Appliances

GAMING ACCESSIBILITY FOR INCLUSION

A focus on accessibility in the gaming industry is on the rise. Just this October, Sony launched the Access controller for Playstation.

To talk the wins so far and the road ahead, CES 2024 featured a panel of four players for The Evolution of Accessible Gaming: Mark Barlet, Founder of AbleGamers, Liz Schmidlin, PhD, Lead User Research at PlayStation, Michele Zorrilla, Adv. Sr. UX Researcher at Insomniac Games, moderated by Paul Amadeus Lane, an accessibility consultant and broadcaster.

For Lane, gaming is a lifelong passion, but when he got in a car accident that left him unable to use his fingers, he first thought his gaming days were over.

It was like I lost a good friend. But then that good friend got reunited when I found out about all these accessibility features, Lane said during the panel.

Bartlet said people with disabilities are 56% more likely to be socially isolated, and combatting that is what drives his organization. Further, he says its smart business.

20% of the population has some sort of disability and you start looking at game companies competing for eyeballs  all of a sudden, talking about, Hey, would you like to sell more games? becomes a really powerful conversation.

When asked what advice theyd give to game developers, Zorrilla and Schmidlin echoed a similar statement: Start working accessibility conversations in early on in the design process.

Bartlet added, Good accessibility is good design.

YOUR OWN PERSONAL ROBOTIC MASSEUSE

Artificial intelligence has been seen powering smart home hubs, cars, TVs, medical devices and even fingernail printers at CES 2024. Now its giving massages.

Created by French company Capsix Robotics, iYU uses artificial intelligence to perform a real-time body scan and recommend the best kind of experience for the user. A robotic arm then performs a variety of massage techniques.

WANT A PHYSICAL KEYBOARD FOR YOUR iPHONE?

Its a new product but the functionality might ring familiar  Clicks Technologies iPhone keyboard is making a splash at CES 2024.

According to co-founder Johnathan Young, the smartphone accessory is aimed at three core audiences: iPhone users with dexterity or accessibility issues, the younger generation looking to stand out, and people who miss their previous smartphone keyboards.

Prices range from $139 to $159.

GETTING YOUR VOICE BACK

Dutch startup Whispp aims to use AI to help millions of people suffering from vocal impairments speak again in their natural voices.

While many current technologies focus on speech-to-text or text-to-speech, Whispp is using audio-to-audio-based AI, resulting in almost real-time speech conversion.

Users also have the unique ability to recreate their distinct voice by providing recordings of their current or past voice, adding a personalized touch to their own communication.

At CES 2024, Whispp launched an AI-powered assistive speech and phone-calling app.

MARTHA STEWART, TECHNOLOGIST

On Tuesday, businesswoman and media personality Martha Stewart took to the kitchen stage at the Samsung CES booth to craft her Martha-tini and smashed potatoes using the companys SmartThings technology.

As a bonus, the famed cooking, entertaining and homemaking celebrity revealed how she first got hooked on the tech culture scene.

Well, I got my first computer in 1982. An IBM. I still have it.  and all my friends and I would sit up all night long trying to figure out what the computer could do for us.

(AP)
After months of campaigning, the Republican candidates vying to unseat President Joe Biden in November will face their first formal test at the ballot box in the Iowa caucuses on Monday.

The Hawkeye state once again kicks off the presidential primary season, at least on the Republican side, where former president Donald Trump seeks his first win in a contested Iowa caucus against an ever-shrinking field of candidates that includes Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, among others.

At stake in the caucuses are Iowas 40 delegates to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee this summer, and perhaps more importantly, bragging rights and momentum heading into the New Hampshire primary the following week.

Polling in the state has shown Trump with a substantial lead, with DeSantis and Haley in a tight race for second place. The caucuses could cement Trumps status as the overwhelming frontrunner, but they could also reveal opportunities for other candidates if he fails to meet expectations. For DeSantis and Haley, even if they dont win outright, a strong second-place caucus performance could establish them as the leading alternative to Trump.

Iowa often has a winnowing effect on the field, nudging underperforming candidates out of the race. In the 2016 Republican caucuses, 2008 caucus winner Mike Huckabee and 2012 winner Rick Santorum both ended their campaigns shortly after their ninth and eleventh places finishes.

The Republican caucus process closely resembles a party-run primary. Voters cast a ballot for their preferred candidate, and those votes are tallied. There is no formation of groups or elimination of candidates who dont reach a certain percentage of the vote. Those were features of Iowas Democratic caucuses through 2020, although the party has abandoned those practices for 2024.

Trump placed second in the 2016 Republican caucuses, receiving 24% of the vote compared to 28% for Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas. Trump initially congratulated Cruz in a concession speech, but later said Cruz stole the election and demanded a revote.

Heres a look at what to expect on Monday:

CAUCUS NIGHT

The Iowa Republican caucuses will be held on Monday, January 15. The caucuses begin at 7:00 p.m. local time, which is 8:00 p.m. ET. Iowa Democrats will also hold caucuses that day, but they will meet only to conduct party business and will not hold a presidential preference vote.

WHATS ON THE BALLOT

The Associated Press will provide coverage for the Iowa Republican caucuses. The race for the GOP presidential nomination will be the only contest on the ballot. There is no set list of authorized candidates, meaning that caucus-goers may vote for any candidate they prefer. The state party will track votes for Ryan Binkley, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who ended his campaign Wednesday night, DeSantis, Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, Trump and Other.

WHO GETS TO VOTE

Only Iowa residents who are registered Republicans and will be 18 years old by the November general election may participate in the GOP caucuses. However, Iowans who are not registered to vote or are registered with another political party may still participate in the GOP caucuses if they register or change their party affiliation on caucus day at their precinct caucus location. Voters may only participate in the caucus in their home precinct and must be there in person.

DELEGATE ALLOCATION RULES

Proportional by statewide vote with no threshold. Statewide caucus results will be used to determine how many of Iowas 40 Republican National Convention delegates each candidate has won. Delegates are allocated to candidates in direct proportion to their share of the statewide vote. Unlike some other states, Iowa delegates are not allocated by congressional district, and candidates do not have to reach a certain vote threshold in order to qualify for delegates.

DECISION NOTES

The AP does not make projections and will declare a winner only when its determined no scenario would allow the trailing candidates to close the gap.

The AP will declare a winner in the Republican caucuses based on its analysis of tabulated vote data, aided by an analysis of AP VoteCast, which will survey Iowa caucus-goers in the days leading up to and through caucus day, and other available vote and demographic data.

If the race has not been called, the AP will continue to cover any newsworthy developments, such as candidate concessions, declarations of victory or announcements from caucus organizers. In doing so, the AP will make clear that it has not yet declared a winner and explain why.

AP will also explain when it has determined who will place second in Iowa, as the order of finish might have an impact on the shape of the race.

Trump received 24% of the 2016 caucus vote against a historically large field of candidates. He carried 37 of the states 99 counties, compared to 57 for caucus-winner Cruz and five for Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida. Polling suggests the former president enjoys a far broader and deeper base of support heading into the 2024 caucuses.

If the 2016 results offer any clues, it may be in the states metropolitan areas, where Trump fared the worst eight years ago. Trump placed third in the states most populous counties, including Polk, Linn, Story, Dallas, Johnson and Black Hawk. Strong wins by Trump in those counties on Monday would be an indication that he has since won over Republicans who didnt support him in 2016, just as hes consolidated his support among the party establishment throughout the country.

In traditional primaries, AP does not declare a winner in any race before the last polls are scheduled to close in the contest. Its sometimes possible to declare a winner in those races immediately after polls close, before any vote results are released. AP does so only when its VoteCast survey of voters and other evidence, including the history of a states elections, details about ballots cast before Election Day and pre-election polling, provide overwhelming evidence of who has won.

The Iowa caucuses are different. There are no polls to close. Instead, there is an 8 p.m. ET deadline for voters taking part to arrive at their caucus site, at which point deliberations among caucus-goers begin behind closed doors. Some caucus sites might complete their business in a few minutes, while others can take some time to determine the outcome.

While AP and other media organizations treat the hour that caucusing begins as the equivalent of a poll closing time, theres an important difference. In a primary, thats the moment all voting is complete. At the Iowa caucuses, thats the moment it begins.

For that reason, following past practice, AP will not make a poll close declaration of the winner of Iowas GOP caucus on Monday night. Instead, AP will review returns from caucus sites across Iowa and declare a winner only after those results, along with VoteCast and other evidence, make it unquestionably clear who has won.

Severe weather and its impact on voter turnout may be a wildcard in the race. There is no recount or challenge provision for Iowas Republican caucuses.

WHAT DO TURNOUT AND ADVANCE VOTE LOOK LIKE

As of Jan. 2, there were more than 752,000 registered Republicans in Iowa, about 34% of the states 2.2 million registered voters.

The last contested GOP caucuses in 2016 had the highest turnout in the events history, with about 187,000 votes cast, or about 29% of registered Republicans at the time. The 2012 GOP caucuses had a voter turnout of almost 122,000, or about 19% of registered Republicans. Turnout in the 2008 GOP caucuses was almost 119,000, or about 20% of registered Republicans.

Caucus-goers must attend their precinct caucus meeting in person to vote for a presidential nominee. Early or absentee voting is not permitted, except for a small handful of overseas and military votes the state party has allowed to be cast by mail.

HOW LONG DOES VOTE-COUNTING USUALLY TAKE?

The length of the caucus meetings will vary from location to location, with most lasting about one hour to 90 minutes. Caucuses in some precincts have lasted up to three hours. However, voting for presidential candidates will be one of the first items of business at every caucus site, with votes counted and announced at each precinct immediately afterward.

In the 2016 GOP caucuses, the AP first reported results at 8:32 p.m. ET, or 32 minutes after the caucuses convened. The caucus night tabulation ended at 12:50 a.m. ET with 99.9% of total votes counted.

(AP)
A New York City public school is facing allegations of Jewish erasure due to a map displayed in one of its classrooms that excludes Israel from the Middle East countries, instead labeling it as Palestine.

The Free Press said it was given access to a photograph of this map, which was found in the art classroom of PS 261, a public elementary school located in Brooklyn. The classroom is used by Rita Lahoud to provide lessons to pre-K and elementary students as part of the Arab Culture Arts program, funded by Qatar Foundation International (QFI). QFI is the American arm of the Qatar Foundation, a nonprofit organization associated with the ruling family of Qatar, which has ties to the terrorist group Hamas.

Tova Plaut, an instructional coordinator for pre-K through fifth grade classrooms in New York City public schools, expressed her concern about the map, telling TFP, Its not just that were experiencing Jewish hate in NYC public schools, were actually experiencing Jewish erasure, and here is proof of that.

Rita Lahoud did not respond to a request for comment from TFP, and the principal of PS 261 referred inquiries to the Department of Education. When The Free Press questioned whether the map remained in the classroom after Hamass October 7 attack on Israel, a Department of Education spokesperson replied, Why would it not be?

Nathaniel Styer, a DOE spokesperson, further said that the map represents countries where Arabic is spoken, conveniently ignoring the fact that two million people in Israel are Arab, comprising just over 20 percent of the countrys population, and many of them speak Arabic.

The map controversy comes in the wake of a Free Press investigation that revealed a growing trend of educators in American public schools teaching students to harbor negative sentiments towards Jews. One such curriculum, the Brown University Choices Program, which portrays Israel as an apartheid state and a military occupier, has been distributed to one million public school students nationwide, courtesy of QFI.

QFI initially posted a photo of the map at PS 261 on social media in April 2023, celebrating it as Arabic classroom decorations. The map, produced by the Arab education company Ruman, purportedly displays all the countries of northern Africa and the Middle East, complete with photos of landmarks from each nation.

At PS 261, the map is labeled Arab World, with hand-drawn labels for each nation. However, the space where Israel is situated, between Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt, is marked as Palestine, despite the absence of an internationally recognized Palestinian state. Rumans Instagram account contains posts condemning Israels actions in Palestine.

Tova Plaut, who is also the founder of the New York City Public Schools Alliance, a group formed to combat antisemitism and other forms of hate in NYC public schools after the October 7 incident, expressed her concern, said, The fact that there is a map out there that does not represent what the world actually looks like is troubling. Were giving children misinformation.

Shortly after The Free Press contacted the NYC Department of Education for comment, QFIs post featuring the map at PS 261 was removed from social media. Meanwhile, it was discovered that QFI had donated over $1 million to the NYC Department of Education between 2019 and 2022.

QFI began its donations to the NYC Department of Education in 2015, as per public disclosure records. In 2019 and 2020, QFI allocated over $241,000 to support dual language Arabic programs at PS 261 and PS 30, a K8 school in Brooklyn. In 2021, QFI contributed more than $275,000 to the NYC Department of Education, with the amount increasing to over $513,000 in 2022. However, the forms for these last two years do not specify how the funds were utilized, and records for 2023 are not yet publicly available.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Delivered By Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Rosh Yeshiva of Slabodka in Bnei Brak

Recently, in light of the economic situation brought about by the Gaza War, the Rosh Yeshiva delivered at an assifa in Binyanei HaUmma, a new emphasis on an important point of Hashkafa

Prior to Matan Torah, Hashem told Moshe Rabeinu, to convey to Klal Yisroel (Shmos 19:5), And now, if you obey Me and keep My covenant, you shall be to Me a treasure out of all peoples, for Mine is the entire earth.

Chazal, in Mechilta DRabi Yishmael (Parshas Yisro) interpret the phrase   to mean that the bnei yisroel should be entirely devoted to Hashem and engage solely in Torah study, and not in other matters.

Based upon this, Harav Aharon Kotler ztl, said that ideally, the ideal situation is for all of klal yisroel to study Torah all their lives and not be involved in anything else but Torah study. However, since this is not attainable, since people need to earn a living and engage in worldly matters in order to sustain themselves. However, in order to ensure the survival of klal yisroel, it is essential that at least a significant part of them be engaged in Torah study with no other concerns.

In Eretz Yisroel, for the past century, it was known that her Bnei Torah were engaged in Torah study for their entire lives. Even though there were also some kollelim and yeshivos abroad, when people came to Eretz Yisroel, they knew that the primary goal was to study Torah all their lives without being involved in other matters.

However, in the past twenty years, it has become clear that it is no longer possible for all avreichim to learn for their entire lives even in Eretz Yisroel, as Harav Aharon Kotler, ztl mentioned regarding the general population of Klal yisroel. Obviously, there are those who need to be involved in other aspects to earn a living, etc.

Although initially there was no special focus on these individuals, and many fell between the cracks. However, today, this matter has expanded, and although Baruch Hashem the great majority of the Bnei Torah population remain within the category of   , likewise, there are those who also work and are unable to engage solely in Torah study for their entire lives.

It is imperative, however, that our attitude toward them should not be that they are balei batimwho merely have a connection to the Torah, rather, our attitude must be the exact opposite:

They are Bnei Torah who had to engage in earning a living.

This is both how they must view themselves, and this is how they must be viewed by all Bnei Torah.

This is not merely a turn of phrase or a characterization in semantics or language. They are truly Bnei Torah and that must be seen and expressed in three ways:

In thought: Understanding and knowing that these bnei torah wish they could study Torah all their lives, and what other activates they engage in besides Torah study is only a necessity because they have no choice.

Understanding and knowing that these bnei torah wish they could study Torah all their lives, and what other activates they engage in besides Torah study is only a necessity because they have no choice. In the observance of Halacha : The observance of Halacha at home and at work should be exactly like a full-time Ben Torah, including all other matters such as tefilah, tznius, and other Halachic issues. Regarding material matters, those who work for their livelihood can elevate their conditions according to their means above the simplicity that avreichim There is no reason for any difference between them.

: The observance of Halacha at home and at work should be exactly like a full-time Ben Torah, including all other matters such as tefilah, tznius, and other Halachic issues. Regarding material matters, those who work for their livelihood can elevate their conditions according to their means above the simplicity that avreichim There is no reason for any difference between them. Limud haTorah: Even those who work for their livelihood need to set aside specific times for Torah. The Chafetz Chayim, ztl, writes extensively on the matter of keviaas itim, and of the importance of establishing regular study times for Torah study for each individual.

Kovaya Itim for Torah study has three aspects to it:

Kvias Itim  means studying each and every day on a regular basis. There is no day that can go by devoid of Torah study.

Kvias Itim means setting aside a specific amount of time, an hour or two each night, as many hours as one can.

Kvias Itim also means that they should not think that, since they are not avreichim, they do not need to delve deeply and understand what they are studying on a very deep level. They erroneously think that they should learn quickly with little understanding, this is actually incorrect. They are Bnei Torah who had to become involved in other things. However, when they are learning, they need to learn with a full depth of understanding according to their particular talents.

I know avreichim Talmidei chachamim in America who work for their livelihood. When they return from their jobs at four or five PM, they go directly to the Beis medrash for second seder.

I also know an individual who even published a sefer; he studies complex topics and publishes seforim. In America today, this has become widespread, with some following a simple daily daf gemara and others delving more biyun, resembling the bnei torah in yeshivas.

In conclusion, the Chafetz Chaim cites Rabbeinu Yonah in a letter who states, People who neglect their work and go home when they are idle or occupy themselves with trivial matters, their iniquity is great, and their sin is severe, as they belittle the Torah. If only they understood that there is no end to the reward for Torah study, they would surely return to the beis medrash!

This fundamental point must be remembered  even those who work for their livelihood remain Bnei Torah. They are workers yet are still Bnei Torah in all aspects. Therefore, Bnei Torah who work should be collectively included in the category of Avreichim and not as simple balei batim.

Each and every one should study according to his own particular ability. Various inclusive frameworks should be established within the kollelim. They should include those who study more analytically, as well as those who study ingreat depth, and those who focus on Halacha and similar subjects.

By achieving this, we will be mekadesh shem shamyim, those who work for their livelihood will not depart from the category of Bnei Torah. May the ribono shel olam grant strength to these Bnei Torah to achieve the maximum that they can as true Bnei Torah in all the aforementioned aspects. May Hashem grant them the special strength needed to face the challenges that come from their involvement in work, and succeed in both areas. Amain!

The editor can be reached at [email protected]

Please note: The Rosh Yeshiva shlita will be in the United States for the dinner on January 28th at the Marriot for more information email [email protected] Rav Yeruchem Olshin shlita will be the guest speaker.
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U.S. intelligence agencies are growingly fearful about the potential for Lebanese Hezbollah terrorists to strike American targets, both in the Middle East and possibly on U.S. soil, according to a new report by POLITICO. According to four officials familiar with the intelligence, while the primary threat remains in the Middle East, the possibility of an attack within the United States is increasingly plausible amidst rising regional tensions.

Iran-backed Hezbollah, which unlike other terrorist groups has an extensive international network, could potentially leverage this to orchestrate attacks in the U.S., a capability that lone-wolf attackers inspired by groups like the Islamic State or al-Qaeda lack, according to intelligence officials. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the intelligence, did not specify the nature of the potential attacks but noted Hezbollahs unique capabilities.

This development poses a significant challenge for the Biden administration, which has been striving to prevent the Israel-Hamas conflict from escalating into a broader regional war and to minimize the involvement of American forces. A Hezbollah-initiated attack, whether on U.S. troops or diplomats abroad or domestically, could compel the U.S. to re-engage more deeply in Middle Eastern affairs, a scenario the administration has been keen to avoid amidst its focus on countering China and Russia.

Hezbollahs restraint from major attacks on Israel or U.S. troops since the recent conflict contrasts with its history of targeting Americans, including the 1983 U.S. embassy bombing in Beirut and surveillance activities in the U.S. in 2011 and 2012.

Amidst these concerns, U.S. officials are actively working to deescalate tensions and keep American forces disengaged from the conflict. The Biden administration has supported a plan to relocate Hezbollah forces from Israels northern border to facilitate the return of displaced Israelis, although recent talks have stalled.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, acknowledging the delicate situation during his Middle East visit, remarked, This is a moment of profound tension in the region. This is a conflict that could easily metastasize.

FBI Director Chris Wray, in a November congressional hearing, underscored Hezbollahs capabilities and interest in U.S.-based activities, particularly following the 2020 U.S. strike that killed IRGC chief Qassem Soleimani.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi wrote a guest essay for the New York Times entitled The Agony and Determination of Sderot.

Read his words below:

Until the morning of Oct. 7, the town of Sderot in southern Israel was a parable of hope and success. Less than a mile from the Gaza border, it emerged a few years after the 1948 Arab-Israeli war as a haven for Jewish refugees fleeing antisemitic persecution  from North Africa, Kurdish lands, Ethiopia and the former Soviet Union. I am a second-generation Israeli; my parents found refuge in Israel from Iran.

Those people forged a city brimming with cultural richness, industrial vitality and a spirit of coexistence.

The trials of those who built Sderot were indeed traumatic but did not define them. The citys residents devoted themselves to moving on and forging a flourishing future built on educating the next generation.

Our path was never easy, especially after Israels withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, which marked the beginning of a never-ending struggle for Sderots residents. Rocket attacks from Gaza-based terrorist groups became the new normal. Air raid sirens and rushed trips to bomb shelters invaded our days and nights. Over the years, 10 of our residents were killed. The children of Sderot grew up in an atmosphere of perpetual danger. The continuous state of fear led to widespread anxiety and trauma.

Despite these challenges, Sderot displayed resilience. We not only endured these threats but we also flourished, even attracting new residents inspired by our survival and success.

Our experience was also part of a larger narrative of suffering on both sides of the border at the hands of the brutal Hamas terrorist group. Along with Sderot and the surrounding region, Gazas more than two million residents have been subject since 2007 to the authoritarian rule of Hamas. Their overlords, some of whom took up residence in Qatar and elsewhere, didnt seem to care much when their hostility toward Israel resulted in wars and economic hardship for their own people.

Nevertheless, the Israeli government, alongside municipalities from our region, tried to help Gazans where we could, embarking on projects to ease those hardships. These initiatives included offering job opportunities in agriculture and industry within Israel and a proposed, but unrealized, industrial zone aimed at providing jobs for thousands of Gazan residents.

Everything changed on Oct. 7. Nothing in our history could have prepared us for that day, when Hamas launched an unprecedented assault against the population of Israel, killing about 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals in a brutal rampage that included taking about 240 hostages back to Gaza and systematic sexual assaults.

Our region was devastated. My friend and colleague Ofir Libstein, the head of the Shaar HaNegev Regional Council, who spearheaded the industrial zone project, was slain defending his town, Kfar Aza. Sderot lost at least 50 people, including eight members of our police department who died that day trying to protect our city.

As Israel fought to recover control of the area and as Hamas rocket attacks on southern Israel intensified, my administration and I were faced with the gut-wrenching decision to evacuate our city and its 36,000 inhabitants. In just a few days, we relocated men, women and children to shelters all over Israel. Some 6,000 residents remain amid an excruciating silence, punctured by still-recurring alerts for Hamas rockets overhead.

As mayor, I face an overwhelming task while forced to work out of a hotel in Jerusalem: ensuring the provision of essential public services like education, after-school programs and social services for our citys residents at 110 locations across the nation. We made sure that Sderots children continued to be taught by teachers they already knew and trusted.

Apart from the logistical ordeals, the emotional cost of this displacement was huge and is growing. The tragedy has reopened wounds of our families collective displacement and loss, a pain seared all too well into residents consciousness. Once again, they were forced out of their homes simply for being Jewish.

Sderot became a ghost town, with most small businesses shuttered. Yet in an example of our resilience, some factories and businesses in Sderot continued to operate, producing mattresses, auto parts and other goods. The volunteer efforts that have sprung up among our people, offering food, medicine and psychological care, are powerful demonstrations of our strength, compassion and unity.

What sustains us through these difficult times is the hope that Oct. 7 was a turning point, igniting global awareness of the need to end the Hamas nightmare. As mayor, I am committed to ensuring the safety of my people and will not allow them to return to the site of such trauma without guarantees of basic security.

It is undeniable that this war has brought a heavy cost to both sides. We trust the Israel Defense Forces commitment to minimizing civilian casualties and safeguarding our soldiers and hostages, but even the most ethical and advanced military cannot avoid tragic outcomes when facing an enemy that uses its own people as human shields.

The world must understand that Israels fight is existential, that we will not cease until the Hamas threat is eradicated. The collective memory of Sderots people as refugees, the roots they planted and the homes they built are powerful testaments to our existence  we have no place else to go.

Equally important is our commitment to rescue the hostages languishing in captivity in Gaza  136, although two dozen are presumed dead  including Sderots Michel Nisenbaum, who was abducted while trying to save his granddaughter from the Hamas onslaught.

As we move forward, I urge the world to recognize our agony and resolve to ensure it is never repeated. Our community has suffered immensely, and its time to guarantee us the basic security that every human being deserves.

Let us uphold the dreams of the refugees who built Sderot, to build better lives for themselves and for their children. We hope for the same for Gazans, who must also recognize that the people of Sderot will not bow to adversity. Conflicts end once we all recognize each others humanity and strive to uphold it.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
The U.S. and British militaries bombed more than a dozen sites used by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen on Thursday, in a massive retaliatory strike using warship-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets, several U.S. The military targets included logistical hubs, air defense systems and weapons storage and launching locations, they said.

Associated Press journalists in Yemens capital, Sanaa, heard four explosions early Friday local time but saw no sign of warplanes. Two residents of Hodieda, Amin Ali Saleh and Hani Ahmed, said they heard five strong explosions hitting the western port area of the city, which lies on the Red Sea and is the largest port city controlled by the Houthis. Explosions also were heard by residents of Taiz, a southwestern city near the Red Sea.

American-Zionist-British aggression against Yemen launches several raids on the capital, Sanaa, Hodeidah governorate, Saada, and Dhamar, Houthi official Abdul Qader al-Mortada says on X.

The strikes marked the first U.S. military response to what has been a persistent campaign of drone and missile attacks on commercial ships since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. And the coordinated military assault comes just a week after the White House and a host of partner nations issued a final warning to the Houthis to cease the attacks or face potential military action. The officials confirmed the strikes on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations. Members of Congress were briefed earlier Thursday on the strike plans.

The head of the Houthi terror organization in Yemen issued a statement declaring that no attack will go unanswered.

Any American aggression will not go unanswered, says Abdul Malik Al-Houthi in a statement.

Whoever wants to get involved and attack our dear people and target our naval forces is putting [their countrys] navigation and commercial ships at risk, he adds in the video address where a sign featuring the Houthis slogan  God is the Greatest, Death to America, Death to Israel, A Curse Upon the Jews, Victory to Islam  can be seen in the background.

The rebels, who have carried out 27 attacks involving dozens of drones and missiles just since Nov. 19, said Thursday that any attack by American forces on its sites in Yemen will spark a fierce military response.

The response to any American attack will not only be at the level of the operation that was recently carried out with more than 24 drones and several missiles, said Abdel Malek al-Houthi, the groups supreme leader, during an hour-long speech. It will be greater than that.

The Houthis say their assaults are aimed at stopping Israels war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. But their targets increasingly have little or no connection to Israel and imperil a crucial trade route linking Asia and the Middle East with Europe.

Meanwhile, the U.N. Security Council passed a resolution Wednesday that demanded the Houthis immediately cease the attacks and implicitly condemned their weapons supplier, Iran. It was approved by a vote of 11-0 with four abstentions  by Russia, China, Algeria and Mozambique.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC / AP)
BEIRUT, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese armed group Hezbollah announced on Friday that it had conducted 692 offensive operations against Israel along Lebanon's southern border over the past three months.

In a statement, the Iran-backed group said it had targetted 48 Israeli border sites, 12 rear sites, and 50 new military points since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October last year.

The Lebanon-Israel border witnessed increased tension since Oct. 8 after 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.

Confrontations continued on the Lebanon-Israel border on Friday, with Israeli forces firing from the Motella settlement at a Lebanese civilian, injuring him seriously, a Lebanese military source told Xinhua.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the injured Lebanese had been transferred to the Marjeyoun Governmental Hospital in southern Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah said its fighters targeted gatherings of Israeli soldiers in the vicinity of the Hadab Al-Bustan site.

The confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel have so far killed 217 on the Lebanese side, including 158 Hezbollah members and 37 civilians, according to Lebanese security sources. 
Bitcoin raced to its highest level in two years yesterday after US regulators gave the worlds most popular crypto-currency a toehold in the mainstream financial world.

The approval by Americas Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track the crypto-currencys price was hailed as a breakthrough.

Yet sceptics maintain that bitcoin, which unlike other popular assets has no inherent value, could drain your bank account.

Approval: Bitcoin soared to $49,000, the highest since December 2021, and prompted extravagant predictions that it could rise as high as $1.5m

Yesterday was a day for bitcoin bulls, however, as its price soared to $49,000, the highest since December 2021, and prompted extravagant predictions that it could rise as high as $1.5million.

It later fell back, but that did little to dent enthusiasm for an industry critics maintain is akin to the Wild West.

The SEC approved 11 ETFs with big mainstream financial institutions such as Blackrock and Fidelity among those behind them.

It was seen as a watershed moment for an asset that has lacked an endorsement by the authorities.

The SECs authorisation was not exactly that. Chairman Gary Gensler said: Investors should remain cautious about the myriad risks associated with bitcoin and products whose value is tied to crypto.

> Will bitcoin ETFs send prices higher - and what does this mean? Watch Lunch Money on This is Money's YouTube channel

'Fraud, given a veneer of respectability'

But there was anger in the City that the SEC went too far. Fraud. Now given a veneer of respectability, said Panmure Gordons chief economist Simon French.

He said it was a shocking dereliction of duty from regulators.

Bitcoin is derided by mainstream financial commentators because it holds no inherent value.

And it has often been associated with shady practices such as usage by criminals to move money around covertly.

Key ruling: SEC Chairman Gary Gensler

Yet there are those who argue that it shares some similarities with gold  an investment that does not yield any earnings but may be held as part of a portfolio of investments which holds value at times of volatility.

Unlike gold, bitcoin does not exist in any physical form. Bitcoin, which came into existence in 2008, has also been volatile.

It hit a high of nearly $69,000 in 2021 before sinking as low as $16,000 in 2022 after the implosion of crypto exchange FTX.

But in recent months its value has surged amid speculation the SEC decision was coming.

$200,000 next year... $1.5million by 2030 - the wild bitcoin predictions

Standard Chartered analyst Geoff Kendrick thinks it could hit $100,000 this year and could double 12 months after that.

In a note this week, he said: If ETF-related inflows materialise as we expect, we think an end-2025 level closer to $200,000 is possible.

Cathie Wood, founder of Ark Investments, which is behind one of the funds, said it could reach $1.5million by 2030.

In Britain, regulators have yet to soften their resistance.

Last year, Sheldon Mills, executive director for consumers and competition at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), said crypto remains largely unregulated and high risk and that those who invest should be prepared to lose all their money.

What the bitcoin ETF approval means

The SEC approval does not mean the ETFs can be marketed or made available in the UK.

It would be unlikely to be available to ordinary investors. But it is possible for UK investors to buy it through a trading platform.

FCA figures from 2022 suggest nearly 5m UK adults own crypto assets  10 per cent of adults.

An ETF is a simple way for investors to gain exposure to an asset, such as gold, without having to buy them and can be traded like stocks.

Until now, US investors have had to buy bitcoin either using a secure cold wallet that allows crypto to be held offline, or by opening a trading account with a platform such as Coinbase or Binance.

The approval has the potential to simplify and secure bitcoin investments for a broader investor base, said Rajeev Bamra, at Moodys Investors Service.

Yet while the approval seemed to mark a coming of age as a financial asset, it arrived in characteristically chaotic style  after the SEC Twitter/X account was hacked and announced approval a day early.

Bitcoin may be gaining a shade more legitimacy, but its still showing all the hallmarks of a troublesome teenager, said Susannah Streeter, at Hargreaves Lansdown.

Its an unpredictable and volatile investment that could drain your bank account.
London's stock market was boosted yesterday as two companies revealed plans to float.

London Tunnels and Kazakhstani carrier Air Astana both said they will list on the London Stock Exchange this year.

The announcements signal hope for a revival in listings after a tough year.

New dawn? London Tunnels is floating on the London Stock Exchange

The City was dealt several blows in 2023, including Cambridge-based chipmaker Arm's decision to float in New York.

A parade of firms left the exchange after being snapped up or moving their listings to other financial hubs.

London Tunnels, which plans to turn unused Second World War walkways and shelters into a tourist attraction with 2million visitors a year, hopes to raise 30million through its stock market debut this month.

The firm, which has already raised 10million from investors, is targeting a market capitalisation of 123million and will price its stock a 2 per share.

It hopes to open the 1940s Kingsway Exchange Tunnels in central London in 2027. It envisions 'achieving the same iconic status' as the London Eye.

Chief executive Angus Murray said: 'This unique set of tunnels, owned by a British company, built by the British Government, for the defence of Britain, that can further enhance London's reputation as a leading tourist destination, should be listed in London.'

Meanwhile, Air Astana, which is owned by British defence giant BAE Systems and the Kazakh sovereign wealth fund, plans to raise 94million through listing in both Kazakhstan and London.

AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould said the announcements showed the 'IPO machine has whirred back into action'.

Figures showed 2023 was the quietest year for Initial Public Offerings in more than a decade. According to accountancy firm EY, there were just 23 listings in 2023  a 49 per cent drop on the previous year  making it the slowest year since 2010.

Arm's decision to float in New York in September was viewed as a snub of London.

The British tech firm had been a member of the blue-chip FTSE 100 index before it was taken private in 2016.

Irish building products group CRH and Smurfit Kappa have both moved their primary listings across the Atlantic. Dublin-based gambling giant Flutter is preparing for a secondary listing in the US this month.

Holiday operator Tui said last week it will press ahead with plans to move its primary listing to Frankfurt. If passed, the company will delist in London in June.

Meanwhile, education publisher Pearson has suggested it may move to New York.

'There has been minimal IPO activity for the last two years. We believe this needs to be actively addressed,' Peel Hunt analysts said this month.
After a good year for Premium Bonds when the only way was up for the prize fund rate, savers got a blow this week as a cut arrived.

The prize fund rate is being cut to 4.4 per cent from 4.65 per cent.

That edges the average return - which you may or may not get - from Premium Bonds further below the best savings deals, so should you save instead?

Or would many Premium Bond holders be better off investing?

On this podcast episode, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert discuss whether Premium Bonds stack up.

Plus, as the US securities regulator aproves bitcoin ETFs, is the price now headed for $200,000 as some suggest, or could this be enticing more naive investors into the volatile world of crypto that's been dogged by fraud?

Later, Lee reveals his car insurance woes - and shares tips on how to deal with your own renewal quite pain.

And finally, find out who on the podcast team is not drinking for January, who is taking an extremely haphazard approach to it, and who is planning to go all the way to Easter, as Georgie, Lee and Simon discuss the no and low-alcohol beer boom - and the ones they rate the best.
The UK withdrew 81billion from cash machines in 2023, new data from ATM operator Link has revealed.

It marks a fall in total yearly cash withdraws compared to 2022, when UK banking customers withdrew 83billion from cash machines.

Adults over the age of 16 made 975million visits to cash machines last year, amounting to an average of 15 trips per person, withdrawing a total of 1,484 - less than the average of 1,564 in 2022.

Cash is king: Northern Ireland had an average ATM withdrawal per adult of 2,340

The figures show differences in consumers' cash usage depending where they are based in the UK.

Cash is still king in Northern Ireland, where banking customers withdrew an average of 2,340. This was the only part of the UK to see an increase in cash withdrawals per person in 2023.

The second and third cash-heaviest regions are the North-East, with people there making average withdrawals per person of 1,718, and London where average withdrawals per person totalled 1,684.

ATM usage was lowest in the South West, where the average customer withdrawal was 1,064, followed closely by the South-East, with average customer withdrawals of 1,145.

London is the region with the highest average single withdrawal value at 93, and the second highest part of the UK was Northern Ireland at 91, compared to a UK average of 81.

Graham Mott, director of strategy at Link, says: 'This is probably because Northern Ireland remains a very high cash use area and it was the only part of the UK to see an increase in cash withdrawn per person last year.

'This shows that while some people may be using cash less often, most of us still use it occasionally, or keep some for emergencies or special occasions.

'It's important to remember that while card and phone payments are convenient for some, there are still around five million people who rely on cash, many of whom will be on low incomes.'

Cashing out: Some people are using cash less often, but many still take it out occasionally or keep some on hand for emergencies

Number of free cash machines plummets

As cash use continues to decline, the number of ATMs has fallen. By the end of 2023, there were five per cent less cash machines than at the end of 2022 and Link expects this number to continue to decrease.

There are currently 38,480 free-to-use machines, down from 40,869 at the end of 2022. There are also 9,921 fee-charging ATMs, down from 10,384 the previous year.

In an average week in 2023, 1.5billion was withdrawn from UK cash machines. This is a sharp drop on pre-pandemic numbers, where 2.2billion was withdrawn in 2019 and LINK does not expect to see a return to these levels.

But there has been a growing trend for increased use of cash in the UK.

Data from industry body UK Finance found that cash usage grew for the first time in a decade last year, and Nationwide Building Society recorded a second annual spike in cash withdrawals from its ATMs.

One reason for the resurgence in cash is that many have returned to budgeting with physical money during the cost of living crisis the British Retail Consortium says.

Despite debit cards being the most popular form of payment, 70 per cent of UK adults say they regularly use cash.

Long term, the trend away from cash is set to continue, though.

Mott adds: We are seeing a steady shift away from cash. Back in 2012 over half of all payments were made in cash but 10 years later, its only around 15 per cent.

'That's a big change in consumers' behaviour and as a result we have seen cash machines starting to close in areas where there is a surplus.

'We would expect this trend to continue. However, Link's job is to make sure that we protect the overall coverage of ATMs.

What's important is that we protect the last ATM in the smallest town or village

'High streets that may have had 20 ATMs may now only have five to ten. Likewise, you may notice that at supermarkets, three machines have been reduced to one or two.

'What's more important is that we protect the last ATM in the smallest town and village. We protect more than 2,500 ATMs in some of the most deprived and rural areas across the UK.'

The Financial Conduct Authority recently proposed new rules to protect access to cash in Britain.

Under the proposals, designated banks and building societies will have to assess gaps in access to cash.

Where the assessments show there is a significant gap in a town or that there could be in the future, banks and building societies will be required to deliver additional cash services to fill gaps.

Banks and building societies will need to ensure they do not close cash facilities, including bank branches, until any additional cash services identified are available.
Yu Cheng, who is responsible for managing the Hanfu costume society, shows a set of Hanfu costume at the China Cultural Center in Valletta, Malta, on Jan. 12, 2024. Enthusiasts of Chinese culture in Malta can now immerse themselves in the secrets of Hanfu costumes, a style of clothing traditionally worn by the Han people, thanks to a new cultural platform dabbed "Hanfu costume society" that was launched at the China Cultural Center in Malta on Friday. (Xinhua/Chen Wenxian)

VALLETTA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Enthusiasts of Chinese culture in Malta can now immerse themselves in the secrets of Hanfu costumes, a style of clothing traditionally worn by the Han people, thanks to a new cultural platform dabbed "Hanfu costume society" that was launched at the China Cultural Center in Malta on Friday.

The initiative is expected to further enhance cultural exchanges between China and Malta and showcase the richness of traditional Chinese culture, Yuan Yuan, director of the China Cultural Center, told Xinhua at Friday's launch event.

Hanfu clothing is renowned for its distinctive design, exquisite craftsmanship, and its profound cultural significance. It has been re-discovered by young Chinese people, with more and more of them opting to wear it.

Yu Cheng, who has lived in Malta for nearly five years, has decided to share her carefully collected more than 40 exquisite Hanfu sets when the China Cultural Center hosts Hanfu-themed activities. On such occasions, participants will have a chance to time-travel by trying on these rare traditional garments.

"This is my opportunity to actively participate in the dissemination of Chinese culture, allowing more people to understand and fall in love with Chinese culture through the allure of traditional Chinese clothing," Yu, who is responsible for managing the Hanfu society, told Xinhua.

Her passion for Hanfu has led Yu to include styles from the Western Han Dynasty, the Tang Dynasty, the Song Dynasty, and the Ming Dynasty in her collection. About half of her collection is custom-made, with some pieces being made from silk and prepared by people who continue to practice the art of making kesi, a kind of Chinese silk tapestry, and Suzhou embroidery.

Hanfu has already become Yu's daily attire. She wears various styles of Hanfu when she goes out for a stroll or shopping, inevitably drawing the curiosity of onlookers.

"Gradually, more and more people realize that our traditional Chinese clothing is rich and beautiful. Many people are attracted to it, and I feel very proud," she said. "I aspire to contribute with my efforts to preserving and promoting traditional Chinese culture."

The China Cultural Center will take Yu's initiative to the next level by getting some more Hanfu sets from China, some for exhibition purposes and some for people to try on. 

Yu Cheng, who is responsible for managing the Hanfu costume society, shows a set of Hanfu costume at the China Cultural Center in Valletta, Malta, on Jan. 12, 2024. Enthusiasts of Chinese culture in Malta can now immerse themselves in the secrets of Hanfu costumes, a style of clothing traditionally worn by the Han people, thanks to a new cultural platform dabbed "Hanfu costume society" that was launched at the China Cultural Center in Malta on Friday. (Xinhua/Chen Wenxian)
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday urged all parties involved to adhere to UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution 2722 following the U.S.-led airstrikes on the Houthis.

Through a statement, the top UN official expressed deep concern over attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea, stating, "Attacks against international shipping in the Red Sea area are not acceptable as they endanger the safety and security of global supply chains and negatively impact the economic and humanitarian situation worldwide."

He reiterated the Security Council's demand from resolution 2722 for the Houthis to "immediately cease all such attacks," underscoring the necessity of full compliance with the resolution.

The UN chief called on all member states defending their vessels from attacks to ensure their actions align with international law, as outlined in the resolution.

Moreover, Guterres urged all parties involved to refrain from escalating the situation, prioritizing peace and stability in the Red Sea and the broader region.

He stressed the importance of avoiding actions that could further deteriorate the situation in Yemen.

Guterres appealed for continued efforts towards peace, emphasizing that "the work undertaken thus far to end the conflict in Yemen should not be lost."

The Security Council on Wednesday adopted resolution 2722 to condemn the attacks by the Houthi militia on merchant and commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

The resolution condemns "in the strongest terms" the Houthi attacks on Red Sea vessels since Nov. 19, 2023, when they attacked and seized the Galaxy Leader and its crew.

The United States and Britain launched several airstrikes on Houthi military sites around the Yemeni capital Sanaa before dawn Friday. 
by Burak Akinci

ANKARA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye is pondering whether to approve Sweden's accession to NATO and put an end to a lengthy strife with the United States over the alliance's enlargement and the purchase of U.S.-made weapons, experts said.

Turkiye is one of the two countries with Hungary which has still not ratified Sweden's membership status to NATO despite piling pressure from its allies, especially the United States.

The Turkish parliament's foreign affairs commission approved the bid last December after more than a year and a half delay.

A vote in the parliament's general assembly is the next step as lawmakers are due to return from recess on Tuesday.

While the exact date for the parliament debate has yet to be announced, there are positive statements from Turkish officials.

On Wednesday, Turkish parliament speaker Numan Kurtulmus stated that the country "is not against the policy of the alliance's enlargement" and that Sweden has fulfilled a "significant part of its obligations."

He was referring to demands made by Ankara for Sweden to act against anti-Turkish groups, namely Kurdish, considered "terrorists" by Turkiye.

Ankara has stalled the accession process for security reasons but at the same time called on the U.S. Congress to lift its opposition to the sale of 40 F-16 fighters and 79 upgrade packages for existing aircraft.

Serkan Demirtas, a foreign policy specialist and journalist, told Xinhua that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants a "simultaneous approval of Sweden's bid in exchange for the sale of the warplanes."

Even if Turkish lawmakers ratify NATO expansion, the Turkish leader may wait until the multi-billion-U.S. dollar arms purchase is secured to sign the bill into law, Demirtas said.

While U.S. President Joe Biden is favorable to this deal, the country's lawmakers are reluctant because of concerns regarding other issues. These are Turkiye's rapprochement with Russia, tensions in the Agean with Greece, and Syria, where Ankara and Washington have opposing interests.

Erdogan's virulent criticism of Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip has added fuel to the fire, Demirtas said.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken raised the Swedish bid last week in Istanbul during his week-long regional tour to address the Gaza conflict. Later, in remarks reported by the press in Athens, he said that Ankara may finalize Sweden's stalled accession "in the coming weeks."

In Demirtas's view, Sweden is not in the picture anymore and NATO growth is now a Turkish-American issue. "As Sweden has fulfilled Turkish demands, the last remaining obstacle to its NATO membership is the F-16 issue with the United States."

However, some analysts think that the U.S. Congress will not approve the sale of additional warplanes despite Ankara's overtures.

"Strategically, Washington considers Turkiye more a foe than an ally, and even if the Biden administration greenlights the sale, it will eventually be refused by Congress," Volkan Ozdemir, head of ATASAM Center for Strategic Research, a think-tank based in Ankara, told Xinhua.

This analyst recalled that Turkiye was removed from the U.S.-led F-35 stealth fighter project in 2019 because it acquired Russian S-400 air defense systems.

He also pointed out that Washington backs militarily Kurdish fighters in northern Syria considering the security threat by Ankara as one of the current points of tension between the two allies.

"It doesn't seem possible that Turkiye will receive the F-16 jets as well as part of this strategical approach from the American side," Ozdemir said. 
JUBA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan said Friday that it's seeking 1.8 billion U.S. dollars to support the settlement of about half a million people displaced by the conflict in neighboring Sudan and returnees from Ethiopia.

Michael Makuei Lueth, the minister for Information, Communications Technology, and Postal Services, said since the conflict broke out in Sudan in April 2023, more than 460,000 people have crossed into South Sudan, and over 100,000 have also entered South Sudan from the Gambella region of Ethiopia.

Makuei said the funds they are looking for will be used to transport the returnees and settle them.

"For the humanitarian affairs to cover all the needs, they need about 1.8 billion dollars to cover all the costs for the refugees, returnees, host communities and for the transportation of those who have been stranded at the border to be transported to their respective home areas so that they can settle," he told reporters in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, after the cabinet meeting.

The minister said the government will raise the funds and part of it will be raised by the international community and the humanitarian organizations.

Deadly clashes have been going on between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary forces Rapid Support Forces (RSF), rival factions of the military government of Sudan, since April 15.

The conflict has killed more than 9,000 people, displacing over 6 million others within and outside Sudan and leaving 25 million in need of aid, according to the UN. 
CAIRO, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Countries in the Middle East expressed grave concern about the security situation in the Red Sea and called for restraint from all parties after joint overnight strikes led by the United States hit Houthi targets in Yemen, in retaliation for attacks on vessels by the Iran-backed militia in the key waterway.

Houthi military spokesman General Yahya Sarea, in a sternly worded statement on Friday, revealed that 73 raids targeted key areas, including the Yemeni capital Sanaa, as well as the provinces of Hodeidah, Taiz, Hajjah, and Saada.

Five people were killed and six others injured in the attack, said Sarea, stressing the "American-British aggression will not go unanswered and unpunished."

In a defiant response on Friday, the Supreme Political Council, Houthi's top ruling body, declared that "all American and British interests have become legitimate targets."

Sarea reiterated the group's unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, emphasizing their commitment to preventing Israeli ships from navigating in the Arabian and Red Seas.

Earlier in the day, U.S. President Joe Biden confirmed that the United States and its allies have conducted targeted strikes against sites in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

They were launched together with Britain and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands, Biden said in a statement, adding they were "in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea."

The strikes came after the UN Security Council on Wednesday adopted a resolution to condemn the attacks by the Houthi militia on merchant and commercial vessels in the Red Sea, an important international trade route for goods and energy.

The internationally recognized government of Yemen on Friday blamed the Houthi rebel group for "dragging the country into confrontation arena."

In a press statement released by the state-run Saba news agency, it said the strikes on Houthi-controlled Yemeni areas were a response to the rebel group's continued actions of threats to navigation safety in the Red Sea.

Strongly condemning Houthi's recent military operations in international waters, the Yemeni government said the group "misleadingly linking it (its moves) to support for Palestinians."

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani on Friday strongly condemned the military attacks by the United States and Britain on several Yemeni cities.

Kanaani said the attacks were an "arbitrary action and clear violations of Yemen's sovereignty and territorial integrity" and were carried out in line with the full support of the United States and Britain for Israel's aggression against Palestinians and Gaza.

"Saudi Arabia is following with great concern the military operations in the Red Sea region and the airstrikes that a number of sites in Yemen have been subjected to," the Saudi foreign ministry said in a statement posted on social media X account on Friday.

The kingdom stressed the importance of maintaining the security and stability of the Red Sea region, where the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea should be guaranteed to serve the interests of the world. It called on all parties to exercise restraint and avoid escalating the situation.

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry on Friday said the airstrikes are "an aggression" against Yemeni sovereignty. The ministry said it believed that "expanding the attack (in the region) on targets does not represent a solution to the problem, but rather will lead to expanding the scope of the war."

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters in Istanbul on Friday that the United States and Britain launched a disproportionate attack, reflecting "eagerness for turning the Red Sea into a bloodbath."

In a strongly-worded statement Friday, the Syrian Foreign Ministry said the attack poses a threat to the peace and stability in the Red Sea region and its maritime activities.

The attacks were a "desperate attempt" to divert global public opinion from the Israeli military action in Gaza, it added.

For several weeks, the Houthi group has intensified military operations in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, targeting commercial ships "in connecting with Israel" with armed boats, drones, and sea missiles, in response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

The Houthis have controlled the capital city of Sanaa and much of northern Yemen since ousting the internationally recognized government in 2014. The conflict has drawn in a Saudi-led coalition fighting on the side of the government. 
A protest outside the gates of Roscrea's only hotel against the decision to accommodate asylum seekers is continuing this morning.

Protestors say they have no plans to abandon their demonstration and plan to attempt to block any vehicles carrying international asylum applicants from entering the premises.

Last night, only hours after the Department of Integration and Equality informed local representatives about Racket Hall, protestors mounted a barricade and lit bonfires in barrels at the hotel car-park entrance.

Over 200 people attended the demonstration and protestors have arranged shifts to keep the barricade manned.

A further protest is planned in the town centre for tomorrow at 3:30pm. The demonstration is organised by local activist group Roscrea Stands Up, who have invited local representatives to attend.

The decision to close the hotel to the public and accommodate 160 international protection applicants has drawn strong condemnation from local elected representatives and was described as a "tipping point" for Roscrea by Deputy Michael Lowry.

Roscrea's Garda Station is closed at night and the heritage town's healthcare services are overburdened elected representatives have pointed out and the town is already struggling with the dramatic influx in population last year.

400 Ukrainian nationals fleeing the war in their home country will be accommodated at a former Convent in the town centre and over 150 international asylum seekers are already accommodated at a direct provision facility located in the repurposed Corville House at Sean Ross Abbey.

Students Workers in Racket Hall, Ciara Kirwan and Kate Maloney are pictured voicing their concerns about their jobs. Photo: PJ Wright

People in Roscrea have flooded social media with their concerns, with some revealing staff at the hotel contacted them yesterday to inform them that weddings and family events have been cancelled.

Roscrea based Councillor, Shane Lee, addresses the crowd at the protest at Racket Hall in Roscrea. Photo: PJ Wright

More on this story as it happens.
A former leader of the Labour party has said that a merger with the Social Democrats will ultimately happen.

Pat Rabbitte, who was leader of the Labour Party from 2002 until 2007, said that personalities were the obstacle to a merger, and there was no policy difference between them.

The former climate and communications minister also said the claim that the Social Democrats would act differently in government compared to Labour was untested.

Labour leader Ivana Bacik has said a merger with the Social Democrats is possible, as she claimed there were no ideological differences between the two parties.

Her predecessor Alan Kelly also said a merger was a possibility, while the party leader between 2016 and 2020, Brendan Howlin, said the combination should happen.

However, Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said she believes Labours approach to government is not compatible with her party.

After becoming leader in March last year, she said there would be no merger and she believed trust has been broken between people and the Labour party.

Ms Cairns told the PA news agency before Christmas that Labour in government supported the privatisation of Bord Gais and penalised lone-parent families.

Its all well and good to say: Oh they think they have the same policies as us, she said.

They dont have the same practices. Thats the overall difference between us.

The Social Democrats are on around 5% based on opinion polls while Labour is on around 3%.

Speaking on RTEs Drivetime on Thursday, Mr Rabbitte said: The social democratic space in Irish politics is already very small.

Ultimately, of course, there will be a coming together but the question is when.

Personalities and so on are the impediment rather than policy.

There is no policy difference and the insinuation that some of the Social Democrat personalities would do better in government after the financial crash is something that hasnt been tested.

He added that the merger would not happen before the next general election but that it would happen down the road, based on his observations.

Mr Rabbitte was speaking after he was reappointed as the chairperson of Tusla, with his second term to conclude on December 30 2025.
JERUSALEM, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Israel's military said on Friday that its troops shot dead three Palestinian men who allegedly entered a West Bank settlement and opened fire.

The military said in a statement that the three men "infiltrated" into the settlement of Adora in the southern occupied West Bank and opened fire at soldiers who were on patrol in the area.

The troops conducted extensive searches in the area to chase the suspects, the military reported.

"During the searches, three assailants were identified and neutralized by the security forces," according to the military. The searches in the area continue as authorities look for more suspects.

Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service said in a statement that a 34-year-old Israeli man sustained a light-to-moderate injury in his leg as a result of the shooting. 
JERUSALEM, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Israel reached an agreement with Qatar to allow the delivery of vital prescription drugs to Israeli hostages in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement on Friday.

"The medication will be delivered in the next few days," it noted.

David Barnea, Israel's Mossad intelligence agency chief, led the talks with Qatar on the Israeli side, the office added.

The high-level negotiations included talks about increasing the quantity of medicines that Israel allows into the besieged enclave for Gaza civilians. However, the statement did not mention whether progress has been achieved on the issue.

About 132 people are still held in Gaza by Hamas and other militant groups after being kidnapped during Hamas's surprise attack on Oct. 7.

The Israeli bombardment and siege have created a severe humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, killing more than 23,000 people, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry. 
BERLIN, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- American electric car manufacturer Tesla will temporarily halt production at its German plant due to supply chain disruptions caused by attacks by Yemeni Houthi rebels on ships in the Red Sea.

Production at the Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg location will be suspended from Jan. 29 until Feb. 12, except for a "few sub-areas," Tesla said in a statement released on Thursday.

Since the outbreak of the Gaza war between Israel and the Islamist Hamas, the Houthi rebels have repeatedly attacked ships in the Red Sea, claiming that their targets have a connection to Israel.

In a bid to protect cargo ships traveling via the Red Sea route, the United States and the United Kingdom have carried out air strikes on Houthi positions in Yemen. China has called on all parties to exercise calm and restraint to avoid further escalation of tensions in the region.

The Red Sea is an important global trade route for many goods, including oil. In light of the attacks, large shipping companies, however, are increasingly avoiding this route, opting for a longer route that takes European ships around the Cape of Good Hope on the way to Asia.

Tesla confirmed that "the armed conflicts in the Red Sea and the associated shifts in transport routes ... are also having an impact on production in Gruenheide (a municipality in Brandenburg)."

The company has been producing at the German plant since 2022. It announced recently that it seeks to double the plant's capacity to one million vehicles per year. 
At the outset of this year, once again, our www.TonysKansasCity.com blog community notices that social justice advocacy leads the way for Kansas City elected officials.

Today on social media, for better or worse, this event was celebrated by diverse communities and there seems to be hope that this legislation will make KCMO a more accepting, tolerant and peaceful place.

A local news quote . . .



"Four KCMO council members Crispin Rea, Eric Bunch, Jonathan Duncan and Lindsey French co-sponsored Ordinance 231032.



"The ordinance enhances municipal offenses that are motivated by bias against race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability of a victim."

Another perspective . . .

Here's a statement from activist Justice Horn who worked a great deal on this legislation . . .



For even more detail, we share this press release from the LGBT Commish:

Kansas City Council enacts hate crimes ordinance in the City of Kansas City, Missouri



Ordinance 231032 establishes a hate-offense at the municipal level and creates a penalty for certain municipal offenses motivated by hate and/or bias.



KANSAS CITY, MO. (January 11, 2023)  In August of this year, the LGBTQ Commission wrote a letter to the City of Kansas City urging them to create policy around hate crimes in the City of Kansas City. After several months of meetings and city staff meeting with stakeholders, a hate crimes ordinance was enacted in the City of Kansas City Thursday, January 11th in a unanimous vote by the city council.

Ordinance 231032 establishes a hate offense at the municipal level and creates a penalty for certain municipal offenses motivated by hate and/or bias. If a city prosecutor believes an offense is motivated by hate, they can pursue a conviction of the underlying offense, and then make their case to prove a bias-motivational factor to obtain an enhanced sentence. The enhancement would be for up to an additional 60 days and would run consecutive, not concurrent, to the sentence for the underlying charge. This ordinance was championed by Councilwoman Andrea Bough (6th District At-Large) and was co-sponsored by Councilman Duncan (6th District), Councilman Rea (4th District At-Large), Councilwoman Lindsay French (2nd At-Large), Councilman Wes Rogers (2nd In-District), and Councilman Bunch (4th District In-District).



From our commission chair, Justice Horn: May this send a clear signal to those who may seek to harm and cause terror to any community in Kansas Cityyou will be held accountable under the law in the City of Kansas City.

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Developing . . .
Longtime readers amongst our blog community know that hottie CoCo is one of our faves given her hip-hop connection and gaudy style. Tonight, even amid controversy she inspires our peek at pop culture, community news and top headlines.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Riding It Out

Ways to prepare your car for the extreme cold to hit Kansas City this weekend With extreme cold temperatures expected in the Metro over the next several days, a mechanic is recommending doing some basic checks on your car.

Golden Ghetto Opt Out

Shawnee Mission superintendent announces retirement later this year Shawnee Mission School District Superintendent Dr. Michelle Hubbard announced her retirement Thursday night

Rock Chalk Stinky Tree Crackdown

Kansas could be the next state to stop people from planting Bradford pears At least three states have banned these trees outright, and others discourage the public from adding them to their yards.

Show-Me Swan Song

Over 4,000 swans set record at Missouri wildlife refuge Nearly 4,200 trumpeter swans were recorded at the Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge. It's a new record for the northern Missouri refuge.

Arctic Foodie Celebration

Local restaurants give a taste of what to expect for KC Restaurant Week Local restaurants preview dishes

Hottie Endures Online Parenting Advice

Coco Austin faces backlash for letting daughter Chanel play beer pong After the 44-year-old television personality took to Instagram to show off daughter Chanel's 'hidden talent' last Thursday, fans flooded her comments section and criticized her for her parenting.

Latest War Underway

U.S. and Britain launch strikes against targets in Houthi-controlled Yemen The United States and British military launched strikes against targets in Houthis Controlled Yemen, two U.S. officials said Thursday.

Progressive Push Back Against White House

Democrats slam Biden for bypassing Congress to strike Yemen Just after news broke of the U.S. and U.K.'s airstrikes in Yemen, some House Democrats began criticizing President Biden for not seeking Congressional authorization.

Everybody Watching MAGA

Trump town hall on Fox News nearly doubles audience of CNN's GOP debate A town hall from Iowa featuring former President Trump that aired on Fox News outpaced the fifth Republican presidential primary debate in the ratings on Wednesday evening. Fox's town hall with Trump averaged 4.3 million viewers between 9 and 10 p.m., according to early data from Nielsen Media Research, while the CNN debate featuring...

Hater Opinions Reported

Neo-Nazis in the US no longer see backing Ukraine as a worthy cause Like mainstream Republicans blocking military aid, American rightwing extremists are disavowing a war they once admired

Problematic Conversations Amongst Democratic Party Persist



Dean Phillips says he had a 'very difficult episode' with friend Rashida Tlaib over Israel's right to exist 2024 hopeful Dean Phillips spoke about his "complicated" relationship with colleague Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., during an appearance on Bari Weiss' podcast.

Far East Vote Amid Flexing

Taiwan election: China warns voters then condemns US 'brazen chattering' China says the ruling party candidate is a risk to relations, then condemns US "brazen chattering".

Q39 Expands Waistlines & Territory

Popular Kansas City barbecue restaurant expanding to Lawrence Q39, one of Kansas City's top barbecue restaurants, is planning to open a third location in Lawrence at a new development project.

Winter Blast In Kansas City

A dangerous stretch of ice and cold begins This one will have vastly different impacts for the metro compared to Tuesday's winter storm.

And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
Granola bars and cereals sold across Canada are being recalled due to the potential exposure to salmonella.

Quaker Canada issued the voluntary recall Thursday (Jan. 11) due to the possible "health risk" and said it is the direct result of a recall initiated in the United States by the Quaker Oats Company.

"This action is being taken in Canada out of an abundance of caution and commitment to the wellbeing of our Canadian consumers," the company said in a release.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is also warning residents through a food recall warning that was posted Thursday.

Here are all the affected products:

Salmonella is a bacterium that can possibly cause diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. Most individuals recover without treatment, Quaker states, adding that in some cases, diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. The elderly, infants and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness, the company added.

"The recalled products listed below have been distributed across Canada. Consumers should check their pantries for any of the products listed below and dispose of them. Do not consume the recalled products," the statement reads.

They can also contact Quaker Consumer Relations at 1-800-532-4004 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, or visit www.QuakerRecall.ca for additional information or product reimbursement.

Quaker Canada is working closely with the CFIA to ensure the recalled products are removed from the marketplace.
The second major winter storm in a week is set to hit a wide swath of Ontario and Quebec this weekend, and it will start for some areas as soon as Fridays rush hour.

How much snow can we expect?

Another winter storm moves across Ontario and Quebec this evening into Sunday, said Environment and Climate Change meteorologist Gerald Cheng, during a zoom media briefing Friday afternoon.

Snow, he said, will be particularly heavy throughout a long corridor stretching from Lake Huron in the west to eastern Quebec, with up to 25 cm of snow forecast for Ontario.

What areas will be hit the hardest?

Toronto and other areas that hug Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, including southern portions of Durham, Peel and Halton regions, will be cushioned a bit.

For the Toronto area its only 5 to 10 cm of snow, he said. For areas north of that, even north of Markham or Thornhill, youre talking up to 25 cm of snow. So it really depends on where you are in the Golden Horseshoe.

It will start affecting southwestern Ontario by later this afternoon and slowly by this evening it will also affect the Greater Golden Horseshoe.

The slight uptick in temperatures overnight into Saturday will only be brief and in its wake will bring in the coldest spell of this relatively warm fall and winter starting Saturday. Any remaining precipitation will transition to snow for all areas.

As we move ahead into Saturday afternoon, the cold air creeps in behind this system and we see that snow will once again come back for southern Ontario, but it will also be easing from east to west, said Cheng.

The dropping temperatures, he said, will bring windy conditions that will blow around the snow already on the ground as well as generate more snow to the usual snow squall areas for the Great Lakes region.

Stay up to date

Check Environment Canadas weather alerts for Canada here.

Check Environment Canadas forecast for your community here (just plug in your community name in the find a city search option).
Want to spice up your travel diary? Seoul food markets are a must-visit for any traveler! Think of a lively scene filled with stands, each offering a peek into the heart of Korean cuisine. These markets are not just places to eat but vibrant displays of Seoul's culture and history.

In Seoul, you will find age-old recipes passed down through generations alongside innovative dishes that modern chefs have dreamt up. This blend of tradition and innovation makes Seoul's food scene incredibly dynamic and exciting. From sizzling street snacks to comforting soup bowls, there is something to satisfy every craving.

These seven Seoul food markets will spice up your travel diary and leave you craving more!

1. Gwangjang Market

When you enter Gwangjang Market, one of the oldest Seoul food markets, prepare for an exciting experience. This active market is renowned for its genuine Korean street food. Picture bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes) cooking on the grill, and numerous stalls featuring freshly made kimbap (Korean sushi rolls). The atmosphere is infectious, and the tastes are memorable. This market is an ideal place to explore local food and culture.

2. Namdaemun Market

Namdaemun Market, a paradise for food lovers, presents a collection of traditional Korean dishes. From hotteok (sweet pancakes filled with honey, nuts, and cinnamon) to savory galchi-jorim (braised cutlassfish), these flavors will delight you. The ambience of the market, with vendors eagerly preparing and selling their specialties, enhances the lively experience. It is a place for a true food exploration, not just shopping.

Related Article: These Are the Local Foods You Should Try If You Visit South Korea

3. Mangwon Market

Mangwon Market, perhaps less famous than other Seoul food markets, is a destination every food fan should visit. Here, a diverse range of old-school and contemporary Korean dishes await. The market is smaller, offering a more personal experience. Be sure to try the tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) and freshly fried donuts. Mangwon Market offers a distinctly local, less crowded experience.

4. Noryangjin Fish Market

Noryangjin Fish Market is a dream come true for seafood aficionados. Here, you can pick your seafood and have it prepared fresh for you. The sight of live octopus, king crabs, and various fish is spectacular. This market provides a special experience where you can observe the busy seafood trade and enjoy some of the freshest seafood in the city.

5. Tongin Market

At Tongin Market, experience the traditional Korean lunchbox meal, dosirak. This distinctive approach allows you to use tokens to exchange for different dishes at various stalls, letting you create your own meal. It's a fantastic way to try a range of foods, from crispy fried chicken to savory Korean pancakes. Tongin Market is an enjoyable way to delve into Korean food culture.

6. Dongdaemun Night Market

Dongdaemun Night Market becomes lively as night falls, ideal for those who stay up late. The market provides a selection of street food, from spicy rice cakes to Korean BBQ skewers. Its energetic atmosphere, combined with delicious food, draws both locals and visitors. It's a prime location to experience Seoul's active nightlife and delectable snacks.

7. Yeongdong Market

Finally, Yeongdong Market is celebrated for its spicy food offerings. If spicy flavors are your preference, you'll find bliss here. The market is famed for its fiery chicken dishes and spicy seafood soups. The intense flavors and friendly local vendors make Yeongdong Market an unforgettable part of your Seoul food market journey.

Read Also: These are the Customs and Etiquette You Should Remember When Visiting South Korea
MOROGORO, Tanzania, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- At least 1,200 train passengers were stranded in the Morogoro region, eastern Tanzania, after heavy rains washed away a rail track Thursday night, an official said Friday.

The Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) director general Masanja Kadogosa said the train was heading to Kigoma region in western Tanzania from the country's commercial hub of Dar es Salaam.

"Engineers are working around the clock to restore the washed away rail track," Kadogosa told Xinhua when reached on the phone.

Herman Ngonyani, TRC acting regional manager for Morogoro, said two other passenger trains were also stranded in Dodoma and Singida regions as the rains washed away rail tracks. He didn't give the number of passengers affected.

Ngonyani said TRC is making arrangements to ferry the stranded passengers by buses. 
Northern Ireland's tourism sector is facing a potential threat from the United Kingdom's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme. This scheme is expected to be mandatory for travelers who do not require a visa to enter the UK, excluding Irish citizens due to the Common Travel Area agreement.

Northern Ireland Tourism Faces Risk from UK's ETA Scheme

Speaking at a tourism event in Belfast, Ian Snowden, the permanent secretary at Northern Ireland's Department for the Economy, acknowledged the tourism industry's recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic but raised concerns about the challenges ahead.

According to The Independent, Snowden emphasized the importance of addressing the potential impact of the UK Government's proposed ETA scheme on tourism. He stated that there is a "real risk" that the requirement for an ETA might discourage tourists, including those visiting Northern Ireland as part of their itinerary.

Since the majority of overseas visitors to Northern Ireland travel through the Republic of Ireland, effective communication about the scheme is crucial.

The Department for the Economy has been in close communication with the UK Home Office to ensure that the unique situation of Northern Ireland is considered when developing the communications strategy and implementing the ETA scheme.

Related Article: 'Game of Thrones' Helps Boost Ireland Tourism Again

Alice Mansergh, the chief executive designate of Tourism Ireland, praised Snowden's remarks regarding the ETA and stressed the importance of working closely with relevant government departments to mitigate any potential risks to tourism.

As per the news report, the UK Government has defended the ETA scheme, stating that it is intended to enhance security by preventing the entry of individuals who pose a threat to the UK. Travelers, including those arriving in Northern Ireland, must comply with the UK's immigration framework, which may include obtaining an ETA when necessary.

The government expressed its commitment to collaborating with various stakeholders to communicate the ETA requirement effectively and ensure it does not impede cross-border tourism on the island of Ireland.

Tourism Boost Plan for Northern Ireland in 2024

Tourism Ireland is launching a big plan in 2024 to bring more visitors to Northern Ireland. They want to make the tourism industry grow by 6.5% each year until 2030. This is a bigger goal than for the whole island of Ireland, which is 5.6%.

Alice Mansergh, the new boss of Tourism Ireland, shared these plans. She said that 2023 was the first year without COVID-19 limits, and things like hotel stays and flights are now even better than in 2019.

The plan is to show off Northern Ireland all over the world. The News Letter mentioned that Tourism Ireland will work hard to tell people about all the great places to see in Northern Ireland. They want to make people excited about visiting not just famous spots, but also less-known places. They are also focusing on making tourism good for local areas and the environment.

Mansergh also talked about making the tourism season longer in Northern Ireland. She wants to use the popularity of Halloween and the beauty of spring to bring more people. The Londonderry Halloween festival is already a big hit in Europe, and they want to make it even more popular.

Read Also: Here's Why the Wild Atlantic Way is Ireland's Ultimate Road Trip
Exploring the heart of Dublin's history, the Old Library of Trinity College stands as a remarkable testament to Ireland's enduring cultural heritage. This impressive library, with its storied past and architectural beauty, attracts everyone. It represents a significant chapter in the history of Trinity College, one of Ireland's most respected institutions of higher learning.

As you start this exploration through the pages of history, the Old Library of Trinity College emerges as a key point. Established centuries ago, it has seen the evolution of academic and cultural life in Dublin. This library is a storehouse of knowledge, holding some of the rarest and oldest manuscripts in the world.

With this guide, we will uncover the many aspects of the Old Library. From its historical background to the best times for visiting and the remarkable treasures it holds, our exploration will shed light on the significance of this iconic establishment.

History of the Old Library of Trinity College

The Old Library of Trinity College, a historic highlight in Dublin, was established in the early 18th century. It is a symbol of long-standing academic achievement and cultural history. When you enter this respected place, you step through centuries of stories.

The building of the Old Library started in 1712 and was finished in 1732. It was made in a grand, classic style, which today is a fine example of traditional architecture. This historical spot is home to over 200,000 of Trinity College's oldest books, covering various knowledge from different times, as shared by Go to Ireland.

Related Article: What Makes Donegal, Ireland Irresistible to Travelers - Find Out Here

Over the years, the Old Library of Trinity College has gone through many updates and repairs, changing to meet the needs of its visitors while keeping its historical character. Visiting this library connects you with Ireland's intellectual and cultural past, offering an experience like no other.

When is the Best Time to Visit the Library

Deciding when to visit the Old Library of Trinity College can greatly enhance your experience of this historic treasure. The best time to visit is during the off-peak tourist seasons, typically May - September and October-April. During these months, the crowds are fewer, allowing for a more relaxed exploration of the library's rich collections and architecture.

Also, consider visiting on weekdays when the flow of visitors tends to be lower compared to weekends. This way, you have the opportunity to appreciate the library's details and exhibits without the rush.

Special exhibitions and events often occur throughout the year, offering unique experiences. Keep an eye on the library's official website for updates on these special occasions. They provide a wonderful opportunity to see rare displays and learn more about the library's history and collections.

What Can We See in the Old Library of Trinity College

A key feature of the Old Library is its Long Room, one of the most stunning libraries globally. This room, with its high ceiling and rows of old books, offers an impressive sight that captures the attention of everyone who visits. Here, you find the famous Book of Kells, an elaborately illustrated manuscript made by Celtic monks around 800 AD.

Also, do not miss the display of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic and the 15th-century harp, a symbol of Ireland. These exhibits give you a deep insight into Irish heritage.

Read Also: These are the Best Irish Towns for Winter Activities and Festivities
All over the world, the former homes and properties of distinguished writers, artists, and other notable individuals have become tourist destinations through the years. Such is the case with the House of Aspazija, one of the must-visit attractions in Latvia.

Located in the city of Jurmala, it once served as the home to, as its name suggests, Aspazija. But who exactly is Aspazija?

Who is Aspazija?

Aspazija is a celebrated Latvian poet and playwright. It is actually just a pen name. The real name of the poet is Elza Johanna Emilija Lizete Plieksane.

"The poetess-rebel stood for the woman of the new age - fiery, proud, independent, one who wants to shape her own life, be faithful to herself and her voice," the official travel website for Latvia says of Aspazija. "Together with her husband - poet and public figure Rainis, Aspazija brings modern spirit, new language, new symbols and sensuality to Latvian literature."

Related Article: Where to Find Art Nouveau Architecture in Riga, Latvia

What to Expect

When visiting the House of Aspazija, you can expect a home-turned-museum that has remained largely unchanged through the decades. Given this, you can expect to be transported back to the 1930s once you enter the premises. You also get to meet Aspazija herself thanks to the museum's use of digital technology.

Original wprks of art as well as a guest salon, verandas, personal library, and memorial rooms dedicated to Aspazija and Rainis can be found in the museum. Aside from these, an interactive table can also be found in the home's dining room that includes games for both children and adults. These games are meant to introduce guests to Aspazija and her work.

Latvia Travel recommends the guests to use the audio guide, which allows "the poetess herself to introduce you to the secrets of her house." There is also a guided tour of the house that must be booked in advance by those who are interested to avail of the service.

Read Also: These Architectural Sites in Ljubljana are a Must Visit for Admirers of Joze Plecnik
The different countries in the African continent has much to offer any traveler who heads their way. Ethiopia, in particular, has much to offer when it comes to nature and outdoor activities. It also has a number of cultural experiences that will delight any traveler who wants to learn more about the country.

Planning a trip to Ethiopia is surely an exciting experience. However, there are certain things visitors must know that can help guide the travel planning.

Here are five things you should know before heading Ethiopia

Peak Tourist Season

The best time to visit Ethiopia is from mid-October to January. According to Ethiopia's travel website, this is because, during this period, "the rains are over but the countryside is still quite green."

However, this period also happens to be the country's peak tourist season. If large numbers of tourists aren't really your thing, you might want to avoid traveling to Ethiopia during this time.

For those looking for an alternative time period to visit, February to May can be considered. It should be noted that these months are considered a dry season, and might not be suitable for those who don't like such weather.

Opening Hours of Shops

If you plan on doing some shopping at night, you might want to reconsider. While store opening hours in Ethiopia are by no means rigid or fixed, they are typically from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Yes, they close rather early. Stores are also typically open from Mondays to Saturdays.

There are some establishments that are open until the evening and on Sundays and holidays. Despite this, it is best not to assume that all shops have this schedule.

Related Article: 5 General Facts About Lalibela, Ethiopia

Power Interruptions

Unfortunately, power cuts are rather normal in Ethiopia, and this is something that is important to know for travelers. However, large hotels as well as restaurants known to cater to international tourists typically have generators.

As for sockets, Type C (European two-pin) and Type L (Italian three-pin) are the most common in Ethiopia.

Bird Watching

Earlier in this article, we talked about how Ethiopia offers a number of nature and outdoor experiences for its visitors. One of such activities is bird watching as the country is home to 860 species. 18 of them cannot be found anywhere else.

To fully enjoy your bird watching experience, consider scheduling your trip during the European winter months, which are from November to March. It's during these months that travelers can witnes Palaearctic migrants.

Visa Requirement

Ethiopia's travel website notes that all visitors, except those from Djibouti and Kenya, are required to have visas. Those who enter the country due to connecting flights are not required to have one.

While visas can be collected from Ethiopian embassies, it can also be received upon arrival. To know more about the visa, its requirements, and its procedures, click here.

Read Also: Where in Ethiopia: Addis Ababa versus Axum
Myanmar Fam Trip



(TRAVPR.COM) MYANMAR - January 12th, 2024 - PRESS RELEASE

Myanmar Shalom Travels

Yangon, Myanmar

Shalom Travel to host Myanmar FAM Trip

Myanmar Shalom has been hosting Magical Myanmar FAM Trip  Ambassador Program since 2017 but the past three years have been challenging times for the hospitality and tourism industry.

After closing its door for more than 2 years, Myanmar Shalom Travels reopens its office on 1st June, 2023. Myanmars tourism industry was battered by the pandemic and politics. Even with this double crisis, the resilience shown by Myanmars people is remarkable, said Sammy Samuels founder of Shalom Travels.

This Magical Myanmar FAM Trip is highly recommended for Travel Agents/Tour Operators/DMC/Tour Leaders and also the first time travelers to Myanmar. During 4 FAM Trips (from 2017 to 2019) - Myanmar Shalom has appointed 122 Ambassadors from 24 countries through the Ambassador FAM Trip Program.

We have created this unique FAM Trip with a focus on the culture, people, arts and sights of Myanmar. Our local guides, sightseeing tour programs are carefully chosen to provide an insightful, authentic and meaningful connection to Myanmars people and to directly benefit the local economy. The date of the FAM Trip will be from 10th to 18th May, 2024. More details information can found on our website: https://myanmarshalom.com/fam-trips-to-magical-myanmar/

Many tour guides, boat/car drivers have lost their jobs for more than 3 years due to lack of tourists. We hope this FAM trip can have a positive impact to the people of Myanmar and to experience this culturally diverse country.

About Myanmar Shalom Travels

Myanmar Shalom, formed in 2006, is a bespoke travel designer focused exclusively on Myanmar. We provide the very finest that Myanmar has to offer, from Luxury villas and river cruise trip to unique experiences among remote cultures off the beaten path. Our attention to detail, tailor-made service, to provide positive impact to local communities set us apart. Visit

Myanmar Shalom Travels

No 70, 31st Street, Yangon, Myanmar

E-mail: info@myanmarshalom.com

Website: www.myanmarshalom.com

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DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Serengeti National Park (SENAPA) in Tanzania has donated 300 honey beehives to community cooperatives in three villages in the Simiyu region that will help to deter elephants from invading farms and destroying crops, an official said Friday.

Constructed beehives on fence posts could reduce elephant raids, said Joseph Mpangala, SENAPA senior conservation officer for communications at a news conference in the Simiyu region.

Mapunda said that buzzing bee sounds disturb elephants and force them to quickly leave the area when they hear the sound of bees, adding the 300 beehives will be distributed to Itilima, Meatu and Busega districts whose villages that are adjacent to the national park face frequent raids by the elephants.

Anita Kaesha, Itilima district social welfare officer, said the initiative will help curb human-wildlife conflict in the three districts. 
India's official language, Hindi, transcends borders, resonating in various corners of the world. If you're a Hindi speaker, the global stage offers you not just a chance to communicate but to truly immerse yourself in diverse cultures. Let's explore the countries where Hindi finds a home, inviting you to plan your next travel adventure.

United States: A Surprising Haven

In the land of the free, Hindi is finding its voice. With a significant Indian diaspora, especially in states like California and New Jersey, you'll be pleasantly surprised at the ease of finding Hindi speakers. Cultural events and local gatherings often become a linguistic melting pot, creating an environment where Hindi feels right at home.

United Kingdom: Hindi on the Thames

The United Kingdom, with its vibrant multicultural tapestry, has embraced Hindi as part of its linguistic diversity. London, with its bustling streets and diverse neighborhoods, becomes a hub for Hindi conversations. Whether you're strolling along the Thames or sipping chai in a local cafe, the traces of Hindi dialogue may be closer than you think.

Canada: From Toronto to Vancouver

In the vast expanse of Canada, Hindi echoes from coast to coast. Cities like Toronto and Vancouver, known for their cultural mosaic, welcome Hindi speakers with open arms. Local events and community gatherings provide ample opportunities to engage in Hindi conversations while exploring the breathtaking Canadian landscapes.

Australia: Hindi Down Under

Down under, Hindi adds a unique flavor to the linguistic palette. Australia, with its thriving Indian community, fosters an environment where Hindi speakers feel connected. From Sydney to Melbourne, you'll find events, restaurants, and cultural spaces where Hindi is not just a language but a bridge between cultures.

South Africa: Hindi in the Rainbow Nation

In the Rainbow Nation, Hindi becomes a thread in the rich tapestry of South Africa's languages. With a history entwined with Indian migration, South Africa hosts a vibrant Hindi-speaking community. From Durban to Johannesburg, you'll encounter a warm reception for those conversing in Hindi.

Fiji: Islands of Hindi Serenity

Far away in the South Pacific, the islands of Fiji resonate with the melody of Hindi. With a significant Indian population, Fijian cities like Suva and Nadi offer a unique fusion of cultures. Engage in Hindi conversations as you explore the stunning landscapes and embrace the hospitality of the Fijian people.

Mauritius: A Hindi Haven in the Indian Ocean

Nestled in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius becomes a haven for Hindi speakers. With a multicultural society, this island paradise celebrates its linguistic diversity. Whether you're strolling on the beaches of Grand Baie or exploring the vibrant markets of Port Louis, Hindi becomes a familiar companion.

Singapore: Hindi Amidst the Lion City's Roar

In the heart of Southeast Asia, Singapore welcomes Hindi into its linguistic mosaic. Amidst the towering skyscrapers and bustling streets, you'll find spaces where Hindi speakers gather. From Little India to cultural festivals, the Lion City offers a taste of Hindi in its cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Trinidad and Tobago: A Caribbean Rhapsody in Hindi

In the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago embrace Hindi as part of their cultural symphony. With a blend of Indian and Caribbean influences, the islands offer a unique space for Hindi speakers. Engage in conversations while enjoying the vibrant Carnival or exploring the scenic beauty of Maracas Bay.

Kenya: Hindi in the Heart of Africa

East Africa becomes a surprising destination for Hindi enthusiasts. In Kenya, where diverse cultures converge, Hindi finds a place in the linguistic mosaic. Nairobi, with its cosmopolitan vibe, becomes a hub where Hindi speakers share stories against the backdrop of Kenya's natural wonders.

Guyana: Hindi in the Guyanese Melting Pot

In South America, Guyana opens its arms to Hindi speakers. With a diverse population, the country celebrates its multicultural roots. Engage in Hindi conversations as you explore the lush landscapes and historical sites that make Guyana a hidden gem.

Suriname: A Dutch-Indian Fusion

In the northeastern corner of South America, Suriname presents a unique blend of Dutch and Indian influences. Hindi, interwoven with Surinamese culture, becomes a language of connection. Paramaribo, the capital, invites you to explore its streets and engage in Hindi conversations with the friendly locals.

Nepal: A Himalayan Echo of Hindi

Beyond its proximity to India, Nepal embraces Hindi as a language of connection. In the backdrop of the majestic Himalayas, cities like Kathmandu offer a space for Hindi speakers to share their stories. Explore the cultural heritage and natural beauty while engaging in conversations that bridge borders.

Hindi Diaspora: A Global Tapestry

As you plan your travels, remember that Hindi isn't confined to India's borders. It's a global language, weaving through the stories of diverse communities. Embrace the opportunity to connect with people, share experiences, and make your journey not just a physical exploration but a linguistic adventure.

Beyond Boundaries, Hindi Blooms

In conclusion, the global presence of Hindi is a testament to its enduring charm and the interconnectedness of cultures. From the Americas to the islands of the Pacific, Hindi speakers find a welcoming embrace. So, pack your bags, embark on a journey, and let Hindi be your guide to a world where language knows no boundaries.

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AJIRA ZA UHAKIKA NJE NJE, BONYEZA HAPA





Walioitwa Interview Serikalini, Call For Interview PSRS, January 2024

The Public Service Recruitment Secretariat (PSRS) is a government organ with a status of independent Department established specifically to facilitate the recruitment process of employees to the Public Service. Public Service Recruitment Secretariat was established by the Public Service Act No. 8 0f 2002 as amended by Act No. 18 of 2007, section 29(1). Our Vision is To be a Centre of Excellence in Public Service Recruitment in the region. Our mission is to To undertake recruitment of Public servants using modern approaches by adhering to principles of equity, transparency and merits as well as providing advice to employers on employment related matters. Human resource is an ankle and significant factor in public service delivery, thus, PSRS has been given a role of recruiting public servants in fair, transparent, and timely manner; while observing and guaranteeing quality and access to all applicants in order to deliver equitable Public Service in Tanzania. Our aim is to improve government public Service on issues concerning recruitment process According to our rules and regulations and at the same time enhance good relations with Our stakeholders. The Utumishi interview call for 2024 will be publicly announced to eligible applicants. Instructions for scheduling interview slots will be provided to applicants. The announcement and scheduling process will follow clear guidelines.

CALL FOR INTERVIEW PUBLIC SERVICE RECRUITMENT SECRETARIAT AT SEVERAL INSTITUTIONS, 2024

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ALSO READ:Tangazo la Kuitwa Kazini UTUMISHI, January 2024
The Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan, Arman Shakkaliev, assured that not a single case of sanctioned dual-purpose goods being sent by Kazakh companies to Russia was exposed in six months.

This was reported by Vlast magazine, Ukrinform saw.

According to Shakkaliev, the EU's international special representative on sanctions, David O'Sullivan, who was on a visit to Kazakhstan, remained satisfied with the level of fulfillment of international export control obligations by Kazakh companies. The minister noted that the country is witnessing a decrease in the supply of goods, put on sanctions lists, from Kazakhstan to Russia.

The head of the Ministry of Trade said there were no companies that violate restrictions and were monitored by Western partners in the last six months.

"That's why there were no such companies that emerged (and supplied sanctioned goods to Russia - ed.) in six months," Shakkaliev told reporters.

The politician emphasized that the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Industry have a special commission that monitors compliance with international restrictions, and that "today, Kazakhstan fulfills its obligations properly."

At the same time, Shakkaliev admitted that there was trade between Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation, but the lists of goods banned for export are adjusted in accordance with the relevant Western sanctions.

"There was turnover, we dont hide it, but our Western partners and integration associations are adjusting the lists. So they are being adjusted and we have a list of goods subject to export control," he said.

In October 2023, Kazakhstan introduced a ban on the export to Russia of 106 types of goods, including tech goods that can be used by Russians for military purposes.
Representatives of the customs and border administrations of Ukraine and Moldova have signed an act on the readiness of a checkpoint for the Kuchurhan-Novosavytske rail link for the implementation of joint control.

This was announced by the press service of the State Customs Service of Ukraine, Ukrinform reports.

It is noted that at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, this checkpoint was closed by order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. However, last autumn, it resumed operations thanks to a project that provides for simultaneous control measures by the services of neighboring countries.

The State Customs Service underscored that the introduction of joint control at checkpoints is one of the agency's priorities in the short term.
The Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Mykola Solskyi discussed with the Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry of the Republic of Moldova Vladimir Bohl the issue of increasing the efficiency of transportation of Ukrainian agricultural products and increasing the volume of cargo.

According to Ukrinform, this was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine.

It is noted that the ministers discussed the current state of transit of Ukrainian agricultural products by rail through Moldova in the direction of the ports of Reni, Giurgiulesti and Galati.

The parties considered the issue of increasing the efficiency of transportation of Ukrainian agricultural products and increasing the volume of cargo. In particular, the prospects of using the route through Mohyliv-Podilskyi to Giurgiulesti. In addition, they discussed the possibility of forming an individual approach to providing discounts on transportation for Ukrainian agricultural producers.

Volodymyr Bola said he would discuss the proposal with the relevant government agencies.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, the Moldovan Railways provides a discount for the transit transportation of grain and sunflower oil from Ukraine to the ports of Reni, Giurgiulesti and Galati. The new tariff conditions are effective from July 15, 2023.
The allure of the Maldives, once considered a luxury destination, has become even more irresistible. The travel landscape is changing, and so are the costs associated with visiting this tropical paradise. Here's a breakdown of how the Maldives has become more affordable, with flight fares witnessing a significant decline.

1. Tropical Temptations Within Reach

The Maldives, known for its pristine beaches and overwater bungalows, is now within reach for budget-conscious travelers. The reduced overall cost makes it an attractive option for those seeking a dreamy escape without breaking the bank.

2. Dive into Savings: Accommodation Deals

Luxury resorts in the Maldives are now offering competitive deals, making it feasible for a broader audience to experience the charm of these island retreats. Keep an eye out for special promotions and discounted packages.

2.1 Overwater Bungalows on a Budget

Yes, you heard it right! Overwater bungalows, once reserved for the elite, now come with more budget-friendly options. Dive into the crystal-clear waters without diving deep into your pockets.

3. Airfare Plunge: A Boon for Travelers

The costs of flights to the Maldives have taken a nosedive, making it a double win for travelers. Airlines are offering more affordable options, making the dream of a Maldivian getaway closer to reality.

3.1 Exclusive Flight Deals

Keep an eye on airline promotions and seasonal discounts. Many carriers are now providing exclusive deals to the Maldives, making the journey as thrilling as the destination.

3.2 Budget Airlines Join the Fray

The entry of budget airlines into the Maldives route has intensified the competition, resulting in lower fares. It's time to explore the skies without burning a hole in your pocket.

4. Off-Peak Pleasures: Timing Matters

Choosing the right time to visit can significantly impact your budget. Off-peak seasons often come with more affordable rates for both accommodations and flights.

4.1 Monsoon Myths Busted

Contrary to popular belief, the monsoon season might be the perfect time for a budget-friendly Maldivian holiday. Embrace the occasional rain for a unique and economical experience.

5. All-Inclusive Appeal

Opting for all-inclusive packages can be a smart move. Not only does it provide convenience, but it also helps in managing and controlling your expenses.

5.1 Culinary Delights Without the Surprises

Enjoy the local and international cuisine without worrying about the bill. All-inclusive packages often cover meals, allowing you to savor the flavors guilt-free.

6. Explore Beyond the Resorts: Local Gems

Venture beyond the luxurious resorts and explore the local islands. Guesthouses and smaller accommodations offer a more authentic experience at a fraction of the cost.

6.1 Local Hospitality Unveiled

Engage with the warm-hearted locals and immerse yourself in the Maldivian way of life. It's not just a journey; it's a cultural experience that won't dent your wallet.

7. Seize the Moment: Limited-Time Offers

Many travel companies and tour operators roll out limited-time offers. Keep your eyes peeled for flash sales and promotional periods, providing an excellent opportunity to seize a great deal.

7.1 Act Fast, Travel Smart

In the dynamic world of travel, opportunities don't wait. Act fast when you spot a fantastic deal, and embark on your Maldivian adventure without delay.

8. Points and Miles: Smart Traveler's Currency

Leveraging travel rewards, loyalty programs, and accumulated miles can be a game-changer. Use them strategically to offset costs and make your Maldivian escape even sweeter.

8.1 Loyalty Rewarded

If you're a frequent traveler, your loyalty to specific airlines or hotel chains might just pay off. Explore options to redeem points and enjoy significant savings.

9. Plan Ahead, Save More

The early bird catches the worm, and in the case of a Maldivian vacation, planning ahead can lead to substantial savings. Book in advance to secure the best deals.

9.1 The Strategic Advantage of Early Bookings

Lock in lower rates by planning your trip well in advance. Early bookings not only save you money but also provide peace of mind, ensuring a stress-free getaway.

10. The Road Less Traveled: Emerging Atolls

While the popular atolls are a perennial favorite, consider exploring lesser-known and emerging atolls. These hidden gems offer unique experiences without the premium price tags.

10.1 Uncharted Beauty Awaits

Escape the crowds and discover the untouched beauty of lesser-explored atolls. Your journey might just lead you to pristine beaches and untouched coral reefs. In conclusion, the Maldives has shed its exclusive image and embraced a more inclusive approach, inviting travelers from all walks of life. With reduced costs, enticing flight fares, and a plethora of options, a Maldivian adventure is now more accessible than ever. So, pack your bags, buckle up for a budget-friendly escape, and let the turquoise waters of the Maldives work their magic on you.

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The United States and Ukraine have held two meetings to discuss security guarantees.

U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink said this at a meeting of U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine's Economic Recovery Penny Pritzker with journalists in Kyiv on Friday, January 12, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"As President Biden said, we, the United States, are committed to helping Ukraine defend itself and deter future aggression. And a key part of that is your security," the ambassador said, adding that in addition to the security assistance Washington has provided to Ukraine today, the United States is "also committed to thinking in the longer term."

Brink noted that the U.S. had also committed widely in a strategic sense to Ukraine's membership in NATO. Until that time, she said, there needs to be a bridge to the security guarantees that Washington wants to provide to Ukraine, and for this purpose, the G7 countries announced their security guarantees at the NATO summit in Vilnius.

"We have already started a bilateral conversation with your government, including the Office of the President and various parts of the government, where we are discussing what that bilateral security commitment would be from our side. We've had two meetings so far. Those are going to continue. The Biden administration is deeply committed to this," Brink said.

She expressed confidence that the parties would reach the announcement of guarantees, but it was still necessary to get there.

Earlier reports said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who arrived on a visit to Kyiv on Friday, had held negotiations and signed an agreement on security cooperation.
In a revolutionary partnership poised to revolutionize the financial dynamics of rural Rajasthan,and Hindustan Zinc Limited have come together to spearhead inclusive. This alliance aims to bring about a meaningful transformation in the lives of community beneficiaries residing in and around. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) between IPPB and HZL was formalized by Gursharan Rai Bansal, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer of IPPB, and Arun Misra, CEO of Hindustan Zinc.Joining hands with Hindustan Zinc to provide financial inclusion services to its beneficiaries will help IPPB foray into the domain of serving the population benefitted by the corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities by prominent corporates in India. This alliance with HZL marks a very important milestone for us to expand our ambit of doorstep banking service delivery to the unserved and underserved people in this country", said Bansal.On the occasion, HZL's CEO Arun Misra shared, This transformative alliance with India Post Payments Bank reflects our dedication to empowering communities. By merging our strengths with IPPB, we aim to redefine financial inclusion and empower our community beneficiaries with access to advanced financial services. This collaboration exemplifies our commitment to making a meaningful impact on lives, fostering economic resilience, and driving positive change in the communities we serve".IPPB's core services are geared towards fostering financial inclusion by facilitating the opening of bank accounts, offering access to pension products, and providing options for long-term savings and investment schemes. Moreover, these services play a crucial role in supporting and empowering over 3.5 lakh beneficiaries, including self-help group women, farmers, and youth, enabling them to serve as Individual Business Correspondents for a variety of IPPB services. Additionally, IPPB actively promotes government social welfare schemes through its banking channels and assists beneficiaries in accessing income-generating loans through collaborations with IPPB'sThrough this partnership, IPPB, a publicly traded company under the Department of Posts, reiterates its dedication to extending top-notch digital banking services to the farthest corners. This collaboration also emphasizes Hindustan Zinc's steadfast commitment to social responsibility, actively contributing to the sustainable development of the regions it operates in and reinforcing its position as a leader in driving positive change. The signing ceremony of the MoU took place in the presence of distinguished representatives from both India Post Payments Bank and Hindustan Zinc, including Vishwanath Divya (AGM Marketing) and Anupam Nidhi, Head CSR (HZL).
In a bid to revolutionize the on-campus experience for first-year college students, Chartwells Higher Education has introduced "First Year Eats." This innovative program, tailored specifically for freshmen, seeks to create a transformative and inclusive environment, fostering connections that extend beyond the dining hall. Chartwells, a leader in contract foodservice management, aims to address the holistic needs of students by incorporating social, academic, and personal aspects into the college journey.

Understanding the Student Experience: The Foundation of First Year Eats

A recent survey conducted by Chartwells revealed that 62% of students believe that dining plays a crucial role in enabling them to spend more time with friends. Leveraging this insight, "First Year Eats" focuses on the pivotal first-year experience, recognizing the challenges and adjustments that students face as they embark on their college journey. Lisa McEuen, CEO of Chartwells Higher Education, emphasizes the program's broader goals, stating, "We strive to not only meet the culinary needs of students but also their academic and social needs."

The program aims to alleviate the stress and uncertainty that often accompany the transition to college life. Through engaging events and strategic initiatives, "First Year Eats" seeks to empower first-year and first-generation students to thrive academically, socially, and personally. The multifaceted approach acknowledges that a positive college experience extends beyond the classroom.

READ ALSO: Revitalizing New York's Tuition Assistance Program: Legislators Call For Reforms To Aid Lower And Middle-Class Students

Components of "First Year Eats": Nurturing Holistic Growth

The program comprises several components designed to create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere:

1. Monthly Activations

"First Year Eats" introduces monthly exclusive events, such as "Mix & Mingle," to connect first-year students with each other and the campus community. These events provide opportunities for socialization, engagement, and interaction with dining team members or campus groups. Examples include innovative initiatives like a Coffee Walk and Talk at Wichita State University, fostering intimate connections among students.

2. Partnerships

Collaborative efforts between Chartwells and campus units are encouraged to enhance student support and well-being. The program acknowledges the importance of partnerships by citing instances like Florida Fresh Dining at the University of Florida working with the Machen Florida Opportunity Scholars Program to engage first-generation students. These collaborations help students learn more about campus resources and dining options.

3. Customized Plans

Recognizing the unique needs of each campus, "First Year Eats" allows for customized plans. For example, George Washington University implemented a themed meal series incorporating international cultural elements, creating a distinctive dining experience. This customization ensures that the program aligns with the specific requirements and preferences of the student body.

4. Year Two and Beyond

The program doesn't end with the first year; instead, schools aim to work with students to become ambassadors in their second year. This continuity ensures that the positive impact of "First Year Eats" extends beyond the initial transitional period.

Assessing Impact and Future Expansion

Schools implementing "First Year Eats" are committed to conducting regular surveys throughout the year to evaluate the program's impact and gather feedback for continual enhancements. Currently available at 11 schools, the program is poised for further expansion in the coming year, reflecting the positive response and the growing recognition of its significance in enhancing the college experience.

"First Year Eats" stands as a testament to Chartwells Higher Education's commitment to redefining the on-campus dining experience and fostering a sense of community that transcends traditional boundaries. As students continue to navigate the complexities of college life, initiatives like these play a pivotal role in shaping a positive and inclusive campus environment.

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Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has historically been a daunting task for students and their families, with financial and asset questions causing stress.

The introduction of the redeveloped FAFSA under the federal FAFSA Simplification Act was aimed at simplifying this process. However, as the soft launch of the 2024-2025 FAFSA took place, technical glitches and obstacles have emerged, adding a layer of complexity for applicants.

Common Problems with the New FAFSA

Despite the intentions to streamline the FAFSA process, several technical issues have surfaced, creating challenges for students and their families. Problems range from difficulties in selecting the correct school due to the full name not displaying, to issues faced by parents without Social Security numbers and students incorrectly selecting their citizenship status. Some applicants have reported issues with signing the form, requiring them to sign out and sign back in to complete it.



While these problems are certainly frustrating, it's essential to recognize that many students have successfully submitted their applications. The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency suggests that if the site is down for maintenance, applicants should check back later.

READ ALSO: New FAFSA Officially Open Full-Time, Business As Usual

The Redesigned FAFSA: A Bumpy Start

The Department of Education launched the newly redesigned FAFSA on December 31, with a soft launch period that included planned outages to maintain and update the site for a better user experience. The form, which has been reduced from 108 questions to around 36, offers the advantage of linking to the IRS for automatic tax information transfer. This feature significantly reduces the financial questions that were previously challenging for families.



Tips for successfully completing the FAFSA include creating a StudentAid.gov account at least four days prior to attempting to fill out the form. This allows for necessary security checks to verify identity information. Students and contributors, such as parents or spouses, are advised to be prepared to complete the FAFSA together for a more seamless user experience. Importantly, there's no rush to complete the FAFSA, as the Department of Education will not transmit information to schools or agencies until late January 2024.

Sources for Free FAFSA Help

Acknowledging the challenges, families are encouraged to seek help if needed. Numerous resources are available for free FAFSA assistance. College access professionals in local areas often host events to assist families with FAFSA completion. Organizations like the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency have teams strategically located throughout the state, partnering with schools and community organizations to guide families through the FAFSA process.



These events provide step-by-step assistance, often accompanied by college financial aid professionals to answer questions. Access partners also conduct financial aid nights, offering insights into financial aid options and the FAFSA and state grant application process. Families across the U.S. can find similar entities and nonprofits dedicated to assisting with the FAFSA process.

The Importance of Completing the FAFSA

Despite the initial challenges with the redesigned FAFSA, its significance in securing financial assistance for college cannot be overstated. Students are urged to complete the FAFSA every year they anticipate needing financial aid. While the Department of Education is actively addressing issues and providing workarounds, users experiencing difficulties should report them to the Federal Student Aid information center.

The FAFSA has undergone a significant transformation from its previous cumbersome version, aiming to simplify the financial aid application process and broaden access to federal student aid. While the new system may have encountered a rocky start, the commitment to providing accessible and streamlined financial assistance remains at the forefront of these changes. As students navigate this crucial application, the emphasis on perseverance and seeking available support becomes paramount.

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In a bid to address years of enrollment declines and financial pressures, Clinton Community College has announced plans to integrate with SUNY Plattsburgh by the 2025-26 academic year.

The move comes as a strategic response to declining enrollment at the two-year college, falling from 2,249 students in 2012 to 994 students in 2022-23. This shift aims to streamline operations, reduce costs, and provide students with enhanced amenities.

Challenges Leading to Integration

The enrollment decline at Clinton Community College has resulted in dwindling tuition revenues and a budget shortfall of $850,000. The college's President, John Kowal, highlighted the impact of a changing demographic landscape, with the number of traditional-age students in rural New York declining. The move is seen as a strategy to tackle financial challenges and provide students with additional amenities available at a university.

Despite a recent increase in overall enrollment to 1,015 students in fall 2023, a significant portion is attributed to high school students taking dual-enrollment courses. Full-time first-year student enrollment has seen a 7.1% decrease, contributing to the college's financial concerns. Additionally, the institution has been under a warning status by its accreditor, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, since summer 2022.

READ ALSO: Navigating Higher Education Challenges With Assembly's Higher Education Committee Head Pat Fahy

The Relocation Strategy and Shared Services

The integration plan involves Clinton Community College relocating to SUNY Plattsburgh, but Kowal emphasized that it is not a merger. The community college will maintain its autonomy, with its own buildings, signs, funding structure, governance, and programs. The relocation aims to reduce operational costs and provide students access to resources at SUNY Plattsburgh that were previously unavailable, including campus housing and meal plans.

The two institutions are set to develop a shared services agreement, exploring opportunities to collaborate and share resources to benefit both student bodies. While the move was met with mixed reactions from faculty and staff, Kowal highlighted the importance of the integration in ensuring the college's sustainability and avoiding potential accreditation challenges.

Broader Systemwide Enrollment Challenges

The integration of Clinton Community College and SUNY Plattsburgh reflects broader challenges faced by the State University of New York (SUNY) system. Systemwide, total enrollment has seen a significant decline from 461,816 students in 2012 to 363,312 in 2022. Governor Kathy Hochul recently celebrated a modest systemwide enrollment increase of 1.2%, marking a positive shift after a decade of declines.

SUNY Plattsburgh's President, Alex Enyedi, acknowledged the challenges but highlighted the university's financial strength, emphasizing that it is being called upon to assist Clinton Community College. The move underscores a larger trend within higher education systems, where institutions are exploring creative solutions, including shared services and strategic partnerships, to navigate financial challenges and demographic shifts.

Navigating the Future: Shared-Services as a Model for Sustainability

While the SUNY system grapples with demographic changes and economic challenges, the integration of Clinton Community College and SUNY Plattsburgh offers a model for maintaining institutional mission-specific activities while optimizing shared services and reducing costs. Jason Lane, President and CEO of the National Association of System Heads, sees this approach as emblematic of the creative thinking required to ensure the viability of institutions in the face of evolving higher education landscapes.

As systems across the country explore shared-service arrangements, campus leaders are recognizing the need for strategic collaboration to ensure sustainability. The integration of Clinton Community College into SUNY Plattsburgh represents a forward-thinking initiative, where institutions work together to preserve access, student support, and community engagement while navigating the complexities of the modern higher education landscape.





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In a proactive move against antisemitism on college campuses, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and State University System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues have announced measures to welcome Jewish students facing discrimination.

During Governor DeSantis's recent State of the State speech, he extended an open invitation, stating that Florida would embrace Jewish students nationwide. This initiative is part of a broader effort to create a safe haven for students encountering antisemitism at their current institutions.

Governor DeSantis's Pledge and Chancellor Rodrigues's Emergency Order

Governor DeSantis's commitment to fostering a welcoming environment for Jewish students was a focal point in his State of the State address. Encouraging them to consider Florida universities, he emphasized the state's commitment to providing a secure and inclusive space for students of all backgrounds.

Following this, Chancellor Ray Rodrigues swiftly implemented an emergency order aimed at facilitating the transfer of undergraduate students facing antisemitism. The order is designed to remove barriers for students seeking to transfer to a Florida university due to a well-founded fear of religious discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or violence at their current out-of-state institution.

READ ALSO: Georgia's Bold Fiscal Move: Governor Kemp Breaks Tradition With A $5 Billion Boost

Key Provisions of the Emergency Order

The emergency order signed by Chancellor Rodrigues includes several provisions to streamline the transfer process for affected students:

1. Suspension of Admissions Requirements

Certain admissions requirements will be temporarily suspended for transferring students.

2. Waiver of Application Deadlines

Universities are mandated to waive application deadlines, ensuring a smooth and expedited application review process.

3. Out-of-State Tuition and Fee Waivers

Financial barriers will be addressed by allowing universities to offer qualifying students out-of-state tuition and fee waivers if needed.

These measures collectively aim to create an accessible pathway for students seeking refuge from discrimination, fostering an environment where they can pursue their education free from fear or bias.

Verification Process for Antisemitic Experiences

To ensure the legitimacy of transfer requests, the emergency order outlines a verification process. Each institution will be responsible for confirming that a transferring student has either experienced, is currently experiencing, or reasonably fears future discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or violence based on religion. The verification process may involve the submission of evidence such as written statements, recordings, photographs, official records, or any relevant materials detailing discriminatory treatment.

This stringent yet necessary verification process seeks to address concerns about the potential misuse of the order while prioritizing the safety and well-being of students facing antisemitism.

Creating a Safe Haven for Jewish Students

Florida's initiative is not only a response to the rising instances of antisemitism but also a proactive effort to position the state's universities as safe havens for students seeking refuge from discrimination. Governor DeSantis's invitation goes beyond rhetoric, signaling a commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive educational environment.

Chancellor Rodrigues emphasized that the emergency order does not compromise the integrity of Florida's admissions process. Instead, it seeks to provide a compassionate response to a critical issue affecting students' well-being. The suspension of certain admissions requirements and expedited application reviews is a pragmatic approach to facilitate the swift transfer of affected students.

National and Institutional Responses to Antisemitism

The move by Florida reflects a growing concern about antisemitic incidents on college campuses nationwide. While universities are spaces for intellectual growth and cultural exchange, instances of discrimination undermine the core values of higher education. Several states and institutions have been grappling with ways to address and combat antisemitism, with varying approaches.

Florida's proactive stance aligns with broader efforts to create an environment that champions diversity, equity, and inclusion. It sends a powerful message that discrimination has no place in educational institutions, and students facing such challenges will find support and understanding.

The Future of Florida's Inclusive Approach

As Florida opens its doors to Jewish students seeking a supportive educational environment, the state's universities are poised to play a pivotal role in challenging discrimination and fostering understanding. The emergency order serves as a blueprint for addressing instances of discrimination on campuses, offering a model that other states and institutions may consider as they confront similar challenges.

By prioritizing the safety and well-being of students, Florida is not only addressing a pressing issue but also reinforcing its commitment to providing an education that is free from bias and discrimination. As the verification process unfolds and students begin to explore the welcoming campuses of Florida, the impact of this initiative will likely extend beyond the state's borders, setting a precedent for a more inclusive approach to combating discrimination in higher education.

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In a successful operation, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in Peshawar on Friday announced the arrest of two alleged suicide bombers affiliated with Daesh Khorasan (ISIS) from the Matni area

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jan, 2024) In a successful operation, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in Peshawar on Friday announced the arrest of two alleged suicide bombers affiliated with Daesh Khorasan (ISIS) from the Matni area.

CTD Superintendent of Police (SP) Najam-ul-Hussain told the media persons that the apprehended terrorists were planning suicide attacks targeting key political figures.

According to SP CTD, the arrested individuals were plotting a suicide attack on Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. Furthermore, it was disclosed that the terrorists had intentions to target Awami National Party (ANP) President Aimal Wali through a suicide bombing.

The arrested suspects had reportedly visited the JUI-Fs center and investigations revealed that they had undergone training in the Paktia region of Afghanistan.

During the security operation, authorities recovered suicide jackets, three hand grenades, and propaganda material associated with Daesh. The Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU) has successfully neutralized the weapons and explosive devices.

SP CTD Najam-ul-Hussain disclosed that the outlawed ISIS had previously been linked to targeted killings of individuals representing various schools of thought in the region six months ago.

In a related development, authorities have made progress in identifying the individual responsible for planting a bomb on the Warsak Road. SP CTD assured that the arrest of the terrorist involved in the Warsak Road bomb blast was imminent.
As an important step towards good governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Caretaker Chief Minister Justice (R) Syed Arshad Hussain Shah on Friday launched a Digital Dashboard under the "Khushal Khyber Pakhtunkhwa" Initiative for real time monitoring of provincial departments, and other public service delivery outlets at divisional and district levels

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jan, 2024) As an important step towards good governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Caretaker Chief Minister Justice (R) Syed Arshad Hussain Shah on Friday launched a Digital Dashboard under the "Khushal Khyber Pakhtunkhwa" Initiative for real time monitoring of provincial departments, and other public service delivery outlets at divisional and district levels.

A ceremony, for launching Khushal Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Dashboard, was held here at Chief Ministers House Peshawar, which was attended by Caretaker Provincial Ministers Syed Masood Shah, Barrister Feroz Jamal Shah Kakakhel, Ahmed Rasool Bangash, Engr. Ahmed Jan, Dr. Najeeb Ullah, Principal Secretary to CM Amjad Ali Khan, concerned administrative secretaries and other senior officials.

As per details, alongside live monitoring of public service delivery centres across the province, the performance of provincial departments, district administrations and police department will be assessed through Khushal Khyber Pakhtunkhwa dashboard on daily basis.

Moreover, keeping in view the public service delivery of government entities, 27 key performance indicators (KPIS) including Blocked Khewats, Demarcation Cases, Pending Mutation cases, revenue collection and retrieval of state land have been identified for district administrations while Nine KPIS including actions against drug peddlers, street crimes, murders and theft cases have been identified for Police.

Furthermore, in the first phase KPIs have also been identified for different provincial departments including Health, Home and Tribal Affairs, Excise and Narcotics Control, Local Government, Energy and Power, Livestock and Dairy Development, Mines and Minerals, Relief and Rehabilitation and Public Health Engineering.

Addressing the ceremony, the Caretaker Chief Minister lauded the efforts of cabinet members, the Chief Secretary and his entire team for materializing this flagship project in an effective and timely manner.

Touching upon the major initiatives being taken under the Khushhal Khyber Pakhunkhwa Program he said that zero tolerance against corruption, maintaining law & order, good governance, improving public service delivery, human resource export strategy, holding Khuli Kachehries, addressing public complaints and action against narcotics and encroachments are amongst the important components of the program.

Besides monitoring of patwar khanas, police stations and other public service outlets are also a part of this program.

Responding to the questions of the media on this occasion, the Chief Minister made it clear that due to insufficient job opportunities within the country, the caretaker provincial government has devised its Human Capital Export Strategy, under which youth of this province would be imparted with crash courses in different fields and sent abroad for employment.

In response to a question regarding general elections, the Chief Minister said that the provincial government is fully committed to hold upcoming general elections in a peaceful manner adding that the government will extend every possible support within the available resources in this regard.

Responding to another question, Syed Arshad Hussain Shah said that keeping in view the current financial situation of the province, the funding issue of merged districts especially the matter of NFC share have been taken up with the caretaker Prime Minister and as a result, the Prime Minister has constituted a committee headed by the secretary finance division to resolve this long standing issue.
(@FahadShabbir)

Expressing concern over escalation of tensions in the Red Sea, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Friday called on all sides to prevent the Yemen conflict from expanding

BEIJING, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jan, 2024) Expressing concern over escalation of tensions in the Red Sea, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Friday called on all sides to prevent the Yemen conflict from expanding.

"We urge the relevant parties to keep calm and exercise restraint to prevent the conflict from expanding," Mao Ning said during her regular briefing.

The spokesperson stressed that the Red Sea was an important corridor for international trade in goods and energy.

Mao Ning voiced the hope that all parties concerned would play a constructive and responsible role in maintaining the security and stability of the Red Sea region. "This is in the common interest of the international community."

She added that China was willing to work with all parties to maintain communication, push for the situation to cool down and work together to maintain the security of international shipping lanes.

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Bogota, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jan, 2024) Colombian President Gustavo Petro's eldest son was indicted Thursday on charges of money laundering involving funds from a drug lord that allegedly went to the president's election campaign.

The trial of Nicolas Petro, 37, will begin April 29, prosecutor Mario Burgos said after a court hearing.

The case stems from claims by the younger Petro's ex-wife that he accepted a large amount of money from a man named Samuel Santander Lopesierra, who is serving time in the United States for cocaine trafficking.

Prosecutors say Nicolas Petro, who was arrested last July, received the equivalent of $102,000 from Santander Lopesierra. Some of it went into the 2022 campaign of the elder Petro and the son used the rest to pay for an opulent lifestyle, these prosecutors say.

The president has denied that he won the election with the help of drug money. He is Colombia's first leftist president.

Nicolas Petro had initially said he would collaborate with prosecutors but then backtracked and denied all the charges against him.

The younger Petro was a legislator from Atlantico department, and helped his father gain support in the Caribbean region, historically opposed to leftist politicians.

Nicolas Petro's lawyers tried in vain Thursday to have the charges dropped.

He has denied his father knew of shady money going into his election campaign.

Prosecutors say that as he enjoyed a life of luxury Nicolas Castro bought himself a $50,000 Mercedes-Benz, a stunning purchase given his salary as a lawmaker.
In this article, we will cover the 15 best health insurance companies heading into 2024. If you want to skip our detailed analysis of the health insurance market, you can go directly to 5 Best Health Insurance Companies Heading into 2024.

Global Health Insurance Market: Key Trends

The global health insurance market is rapidly growing and is driven by factors such as rising disposable incomes, increased healthcare expenditure, and elderly populations. In one of our previous articles about the healthiest cities in the US, we mentioned that the global population of people aged 65 or over is expected to reach 1.6 billion by 2050.

According to a report by Research and Markets, the global health insurance market reached a value of more than $1.71 trillion in 2022. Looking forward, the market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.19% during 2022-2028, pushing the health insurance market to reach a value of $2.6 trillion by the end of the forecast period. The report also mentions that the North American region accounts for the largest market share.

The COVID-19 crisis highlighted the importance of health insurance. There is a growing awareness of the importance of health and wellness, which is also driving the demand for health insurance. Personalization and customization of insurance products to meet the needs of every customer are expected to further augment market growth.

The rise in adoption of digital health technologies, such as telemedicine and wearables, is changing the way healthcare is delivered. This is also creating new opportunities for insurance providers. Innovative insurance products as well as increased M&A activity in the industry are expected to influence the global health insurance market in a positive manner during the forecast period.

What are Some of the Biggest Companies in the Health Insurance Industry Up To?

Some of the most prominent names in the health insurance industry are UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:UNH), Elevance Health Inc. (NYSE:ELV), and Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM).

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Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM) is one of the most well-known health insurance providers in America. It also ranks high among the biggest health insurance companies in the US. On November 1, 2023, Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM) reported strong earnings for the fiscal third quarter of 2023, reflecting strong demand for health insurance products and services in North America. The company reported earnings per share (EPS) of $7.78, surpassing EPS estimates by $0.61. Humana Inc.s (NYSE:HUM) revenue for the quarter grew by 15.9% year-over-year and amounted to $26.42 billion, ahead of market consensus by $847 million.

Elevance Health Inc. (NYSE:ELV), previously known as Anthem Inc., is an American health insurance provider. The company offers managed healthcare-related products and services. On January 4, Elevance Health Inc. (NYSE:ELV) announced an agreement to acquire Paragon Healthcare Inc., a company that is known for delivering life-saving and life-giving infusible and injectable therapies. For over two decades, Paragon Healthcare has offered infusion services to patients through its network of ambulatory infusion centers, home infusion pharmacies, and specialty pharmacy services. This acquisition is expected to help expand Elevance Health Inc.s (NYSE:ELV) ability to provide affordable, convenient access to specialty medications and high-quality care to patients with a broad range of chronic and acute conditions. According to the announcement, the transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2024 and is subject to customary closing conditions.

UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:UNH) is an American multinational health insurance and services company. It is also one of the largest US companies by revenue. On December 12, 2023, UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:UNH) reported that its pharmacy care business, Optum Rx, has launched a comprehensive weight management and wellness support program by the name of Optum Rx Weight Engage. This program is designed to provide plan sponsors with weight management and cardiometabolic disease solutions to support better health outcomes for consumers and manage coverages. The Optum Rx Weight Engage program will improve overall affordability, including that of weight loss medications, some of which now exceed $10,000 per year in drug manufacturer pricing. Dr. Patrick Conway, CEO of UnitedHealth Group Inc.s (NYSE:UNH) Optum Rx, said:

We will continue our work to lower drug costs while also helping our clients manage an important population need and consumer demand with comprehensive solutions.

Now that we have looked at whats going on in the health insurance industry, lets take a look at the 15 best health insurance companies heading into 2024.

15 Best Health Insurance Companies Heading into 2024

Valeri Potapova/Shutterstock.com

Methodology

For this article, we compiled a list of the 15 best health insurance companies heading into 2024. Choosing the best health insurance companies requires a number of factors to be taken into consideration and it can still be a matter of personal preference. To provide the readers with an accurate representation, we used consensus picks from different insurance, finance, and review websites that ranked the best health insurance companies based on factors such as available coverage options, market share, customer service, overall satisfaction, claims filing process, and other related services and products.

We analyzed rankings on Forbes, Insurance.com, ValuePenguin, and PeopleKeep. We counted the number of times each health insurance company was listed in these sources. We then also calculated the Insider Monkey Ranking for all the insurance companies by adding up their rankings in each of the sources and then dividing that figure by the number of times each companys name came up. We then ranked the 15 best health insurance companies heading into 2024 based on how many times their name came up in the sources as well as their average rankings.

The number of mentions is our primary metric and the Insider Monkey Ranking is our secondary metric. A lower Insider Monkey Ranking is better since it means that the insurance company had a better overall ranking among our sources. In the case where multiple companies had the same number of mentions across our sources, tie-breaking was done on the basis of the Insider Monkey Rankings. The 15 best health insurance companies heading into 2024 are listed below in ascending order.

By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.

15 Best Health Insurance Companies Heading into 2024

15. Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina

Number Of Mentions: 2

Insider Monkey Ranking: 14.5

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, or simply Blue Cross NC, is one of the independent and locally operated companies that form the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA). The BCBSA is a national association of 34 independent, locally operated BCBS companies that provide health insurance to more than 100 million people in the US. As one of the top 15 best health insurance companies heading into 2024, Blue Cross NC offers a variety of health insurance plans based on the type of coverage you need. With Blue Cross NC, some of the benefits that you can get include three free primary care visits, health and well-being programs to support a healthy lifestyle, online tools to meet all your healthcare needs, and maternity, newborn, and pediatric care.

14. Highmark

Number Of Mentions: 2

Insider Monkey Ranking: 11

Highmark is an American healthcare company and as a large health insurer, it owns and operates several subsidiaries. It offers health plans for Medicare, businesses, individuals, and families. Highmark offers ACA-qualified coverage which includes outpatient care, emergency services, hospitalization, laboratory services, prescription drugs, pregnancy, maternity, and newborn care, among others.

13. Cigna Corporation (NYSE:CI)

Number Of Mentions: 3

Insider Monkey Ranking: 15

Cigna Corporation (NYSE:CI) is an American multinational managed healthcare and insurance company that offers medical, dental, disability, life and accident insurance and related products and services. With Cigna Corporation (NYSE:CI), health insurance plans and related products and services can vary by state. However, it is known for providing affordable health insurance plans that come with $0 preventive care, personalized digital tools, and 24/7 service and support.

12. Blue Shield of California

Number Of Mentions: 3

Insider Monkey Ranking: 13.66

Blue Shield of California, previously known as California Physicians' Service, is a health plan and mutual benefit corporation that ranks 12th on our list of best health insurance companies heading into 2024. Founded in 1939 by the California Medical Association, it was one of the founders of the National Association of Blue Shield Plans, which later became the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Blue Shield of California offers HMO and PPO health insurance plans as well as dental coverage, vision coverage, and life insurance coverage. Health insurance will include preventive and event-based care.

11. Independence Health Group

Number Of Mentions: 3

Insider Monkey Ranking: 11.66

Independence Blue Cross is the largest health insurer in the Philadelphia area, where it serves nearly 3 million people. Independence Health Group offers a wide variety of health plans, including HMO, PPO, and EPO health plans, and has a network of healthcare providers that includes more than 60,000 doctors and 180 hospitals. It also offers a childrens health insurance program as well as low-income health plans.

10. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Number Of Mentions: 3

Insider Monkey Ranking: 9.66

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is a health insurance company that ranks among the top 10 on our list of best health insurance companies heading into 2024. As an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, it offers HMO and PPO health insurance plans as well as medical, dental, vision, Medicaid, and international plans. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan health insurance plans include access to their Well-Being website, with online tools and resources for a healthier lifestyle. Moreover, members of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan can also unlock discounts and save on gyms, food delivery, health and wellness resources and personal care products.

9. Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC)

Number Of Mentions: 3

Insider Monkey Ranking: 5.33

Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), previously known as Hospital Service Corporation, is a licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and a health insurance company in the US. As one of the best health insurance companies heading into 2024, Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) offers coverage options for large and small employers, plans for individuals and families, as well as Medicare and Medicaid coverage and care coordination.

8. Centene Corporation (NYSE:CNC)

Number Of Mentions: 3

Insider Monkey Ranking: 4.33

Centene Corporation (NYSE:CNC) is a managed care company that provides health insurance and healthcare services. Through the Ambetter Health marketplace, Centene Corporation (NYSE:CNC) offers health insurance plans across the US. Offering a variety of health insurance plans and healthcare services, it serves more than 3 million members. Ambetter Health offers an impressive selection of affordable health insurance plans, and also offers optional dental and vision coverage.

7. Molina Healthcare Inc. (NYSE:MOH)

Number Of Mentions: 4

Insider Monkey Ranking: 10

Molina Healthcare Inc. (NYSE:MOH) is an American managed care company that provides health insurance products and services. Committed to serving underserved populations with quality healthcare, Molina Healthcare Inc. (NYSE:MOH) provides affordable healthcare coverage for low-income individuals and families. It offers a variety of products and services, including Medicaid, Medicare, and marketplace plans. As one of the best health insurance companies heading into 2024, it also offers comprehensive benefits with its plans, including preventive care and prescription drug coverage.

6. GuideWell (Florida Blue)

Number Of Mentions: 4

Insider Monkey Ranking: 8.75

GuideWell is a mutual insurance holding company that ranks high among the best health insurance companies heading into 2024. It is the holding company for Florida Blue, a member company of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association that focuses on health insurance in Florida. GuideWell is also the holding company for Triple-S Salud, which is the largest health insurance company in Puerto Rico. In the US state of Florida, Florida Blue offers medical care, mental well-being, and preventive care, as well as a variety of insurance plans and coverages for businesses, individuals, and families.

Click to continue reading and see 5 Best Health Insurance Companies Heading into 2024.

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Disclosure: None. 15 Best Health Insurance Companies Heading into 2024 is published on Insider Monkey.
Troops patrolled the streets of Papua New Guinea's capital on Friday, under a state of emergency following riots that killed 16 across the country's two largest cities

Port Moresby, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jan, 2024) Troops patrolled the streets of Papua New Guinea's capital on Friday, under a state of emergency following riots that killed 16 across the country's two largest cities.

Prime Minister James Marape has pledged to restore calm after angry crowds swelled in Port Moresby on Wednesday evening, smashing windows, pillaging shops and setting buildings ablaze.

Marape said rioters would "pay the price" for the outbreaks of "lawlessness", declaring a 14-day state of emergency for the capital on Thursday evening.

With 1,000 soldiers placed on standby to bolster security, many of the city's bank branches, petrol stations and grocery stores began re-opening Friday.

"Shops have opened, fuel stations have opened, public transportation is open. People are moving again. There's been a sense of peace," Port Moresby resident Maho Laveil told AFP.

"There's an increased level of police and military around the city," the economics lecturer added.

"I think the risk is at night."

Violence first broke out in Port Moresby after a group of soldiers, police officers and prison guards went on strike after noticing unexplained deductions in their pay.

With disgruntled citizens joining the fray, the unrest soon spread to the city of Lae about 300 kilometres (186 miles) to the north.

Police and health officials said at least 16 people had been killed across the two cities, according to updated figures released Friday.

Marape conceded security forces had a "genuine cause of concern", and his government swiftly promised to fix what it described as a payroll "glitch".

But he warned that "lawlessness and recklessness" would not be tolerated.

"This is not the first time members of our disciplinary forces have gone rogue," he told reporters Thursday evening, referencing a 2018 pay dispute that ended with security staff smashing up the country's parliament.

"I want to indicate to our country enough is enough. Enough is enough."

AFPTV footage showed looters in the capital dashing into stores through smashed glass windows, stuffing stolen goods into cardboard boxes, plastic buckets and shopping trolleys.

One man was seen lugging an entire chest freezer away on his shoulders.

Buildings and cars were set alight, AFPTV footage showed, stirring up thick plumes of black smoke that hung over the worst-hit parts of the city.

City Pharmacy Limited, one of Papua New Guinea's largest retail chains, said prescription medicines had been stolen from its ransacked stores.

"We urge the public not to buy these products. If anybody uses these products, it will be at your own risk," the company said in a statement.

It also made an "urgent appeal" for Port Moresby residents to return stolen shopping trolleys.

Port Moresby General Hospital said it was inundated by "waves of casualties", including 30 people with gunshot wounds, six others with "bush knife" lacerations, and five people with burns.

The US embassy in Port Moresby said shots were fired near its compound as police tried to "disperse groups of looters".

China's foreign ministry complained to Papua New Guinea's government, following reports that some rioters had targeted Chinese-owned businesses.
London, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jan, 2024) The United States, UK and eight allies said Friday their joint air strikes on rebel targets in Yemen were aimed at restoring "stability in the Red Sea".

"Our aim remains to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea," the governments of the US, UK, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand and South Korea said in a joint statement.

"But let our message be clear: we will not hesitate to defend lives and ensure the free flow of commerce in one of the world's most critical waterways in the face of continued threats."

The strikes came after weeks of attacks on Red Sea shipping by Huthi forces acting in solidarity with fighter group.

The statement issued by the 10 countries said that the "precision strikes were intended to disrupt and degrade the capabilities the Huthis use to threaten trade and the lives of international mariners."

"The Huthis' more than two dozen attacks on commercial vessels since mid-November constitute an international challenge. "Today's action demonstrated a shared commitment to freedom of navigation, international commerce, and defending the lives of mariners from illegal and unjustifiable attacks," it added.

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London, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jan, 2024) The surprise abdication of Danish Queen Margrethe II has sparked speculation about Britain's King Charles III, who is being urged in some quarters to follow the Scandinavian royal's example.

Margrethe, 83, hands over the crown to her son Frederik on Sunday after 52 years on the throne, becoming the latest European monarch to step down in favour of a younger successor.

Spain's King Juan Carlos I abdicated in 2014, while Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and King Albert II of Belgium both renounced their thrones in 2013.

Charles became king in September 2022 at the age of 73 after the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II. He is also head of state of 14 other countries around the world, a hangover from Britain's colonial past.

He was the oldest heir apparent in British history and is now 75, with his age prompting inevitable questions about how long he will sit on the throne.

His heir, the more popular Prince William, will be 42 in June.

The Guardian newspaper called Margrethe's abdication "a sign of a sensible constitutional monarchy".

"He (Charles) is certainly entitled to a substantial reign after waiting so long. But not to death," it added.

Abdication, the newspaper wrote, indicates a nation able to keep its institutions "fit for purpose".

Royal biographer Phil Dampier believes Charles would be influenced by events in Denmark, especially if it protects the monarchy's future.

"It must make you wonder if in five or 10 years' time King Charles might think about doing the same if his health suffers or he just thinks it is a good time to pass on to William and (his wife) Kate while they are still young," he told the Daily Mail.

Royal observers say one reason Charles may want to remain on the throne longer is his eagerness to pursue his environmental agenda.

British monarchs are largely ceremonial figureheads and are not expected to intervene in political matters.

They have retained some constitutional powers including appointing a government, opening and dissolving parliament, and giving royal assent to new laws.

But they are in a position to influence world leaders.

Before his accession, Charles was accused of using his position to lobby government ministers on everything from alternative medicine to badger culls and helicopters in the Iraq War.

Royal historian Ed Owens said Charles -- unlike his mother -- appears to see himself as having a more "dynamic" style in which he "coaxes" change-makers and other heads of state into action.

"He's in his middle 70s, but he's still relatively fit, he's got his health -- as far as we know -- and I think he foresees that he's got to push his agenda in these first years of his reign," he told AFP.

Apart from the questions over his age Charles is under scrutiny about how he handles royal scandals, not least the fall-out of allegations about his younger brother Prince Andrew.

Andrew has been sidelined since defending his friendship with the convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and settling a US civil claim for sexual assault without admitting liability.

There is also regular chatter about how Charles has dealt with his younger son Prince Harry's public criticisms of royal life after he and his wife Meghan moved to the United States.

A Savanta poll in January suggested that support in the UK for having a royal family had fallen to 48 percent in January from 52 percent in November.

Pressure group Republic, which campaigns for an elected head of state, said the scandals had taken a toll on the popularity of the king who was "ultimately responsible" for the royal family.

"Andrew has done significant damage to the monarchy, but Charles is the one responsible," said chief executive Graham Smith.

The monarchy, according to Smith, "is on borrowed time".

Yet a poll by YouGov in September suggested that 55 percent of Britons had a positive opinion of their new head of state compared to 44 percent 12 months previously.

Owens believes there is "a strong likelihood" that Charles, who has made efforts to appear more publicly accessible, will reign until he dies, like his mother who saw being queen as a lifelong duty.

But he said the king would be wise to set out a definitive endpoint for his reign.

"I don't think an abdication is inevitable," Owens said.

"Although, in the longer term, it would be a sensible option to try and bring in fresh blood like many of the European royal families have done."
Draft Rooftop Solar Decree Overview

With the Power Development Plan 8 approved, the next step is to develop supporting legislation. With this in mind, a draft decree on rooftop solar has been disseminated. Here are the details.

In early December, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) released a draft decree that would, if enacted, govern the development of Vietnams solar industry. The decree lists several important changes for the sector.

Who does it apply to?

The decree would apply to individuals and businesses installing solar panels on their premises for their own needs as opposed to selling excess power for profit.

Decree development guidelines

Vietnams electricity demand is growing rapidly and as a result, its power generation sector is very dynamic. With this in mind, the draft decree provides guidelines that will connect the new decree with other key power generation legislation. These include:

Rooftop solar development needs to be in line with the Power Development Plan 8 (PDP8);

The amount of rooftop solar that is connected to the grid must not be more than what is outlined in the PDP8;

The development of rooftop solar must be safe, with consideration given to the impact on the environment and fire safety regulations; and

Ultimately it needs to make it easier for businesses and individuals to develop rooftop solar in line with the goal of ensuring energy security through clean and environmentally friendly power production.

Specific policies

Its within the aforementioned guidelines that the MoIT has developed several key policies to guide rooftop solar development.

Rooftop solar connected to the grid.

Firms and individuals who develop rooftop solar will not be able to sell excess electricity to other businesses. This includes selling electricity to the state power provider. Should a grid-connected rooftop solar system produce more power than it consumes this can be delivered to the grid but will not be paid for. Firms that choose not to take up this option will be responsible for managing their excess power. That said, the approved capacity of rooftop solar must be commensurate with the size of the land or project.

Rooftop solar not connected to the grid.

In the event a firm or individual wishes to develop a solar power system that they do not want to connect to the grid the capacity is at the discretion of the developer.

Rooftop solar power development guidelines

All rooftop solar projects that are grid-connected need to be in line with the PDP8. This means ensuring that the rooftop solar quota outlined in the planan additional 2,400 megawatts by 2030is not exceeded.

Rooftop solar installations on homes do not need approval from the authorities if they do not intend to sell their excess power.

Implementation

Per the draft decree, firms and individuals required to submit a development application will need to do so to the local power utility. In theory, the local power utility would then provide the outcome of their assessment in seven days. This would then be forwarded to the provincial Peoples Committee to approve after soliciting opinions from other relevant departments in things like fire prevention, environment, and construction.

The decree is slated to be effective from its approval to December 2030.

Context

Vietnams solar sector has experienced a number of challenges in its development.

Specifically, over 2020 and 2021 Vietnam experienced a rapid explosion in renewable energy generation. Most notably solar power. Favorable policies, specifically generous feed-in-tariffs for new solar projects in Vietnams central region, drove investment sky-high. In 2018 Vietnam had just 105 MW of installed solar power capacity but by the end of 2020 that number had ballooned to 16 GW.

But there was a problem. Too many projects had been approved without consulting the electricity regulators, leading to an increasingly overloaded grid, Tran Dinh Long, Vice President of the Vietnam Electricity Association remarked in May of 2021.

In recent months, further light has been shed on this challenge with the Government Inspectorate releasing a report that revealed an additional 168 solar projects had been approved outside of the Power Development Plan 7 (PDP7). This resulted in an extra 8,600 MW beyond what had been outlined in the PDP7.

Its with this in mind that there appears to be some trepidation with respect to allowing excess power to be sold to the grid.

For more information on Vietnams solar power industry, contact the business advisory experts at Dezan Shira and Associates.
A Bottle of The Emerald Isle, from The Craft Irish Whiskey Co., has sold for $2.8m - $100k more than a bottle of The Macallan 1926 fetched at auction last autumn

LONDON, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. has seen a record-breaking start to 2024, selling a bottle of whiskey to American collector Mike Daley, for $2.8m. This world-first sale makes The Emerald Isle, already the rarest triple-distilled single malt in existence, the most expensive bottle of whiskey, or whisky, ever sold.

Mike Daley and The Emerald Isle, the most expensive bottle of whiskey ever sold

Historically, the most sought-after bottles of the spirit have been Scotch whiskies. Last November, a bottle of The Macallan 1926 fetched $2.7m at auction, briefly becoming the world's most expensive bottle, a title that has now been usurped by The Emerald Isle, representing a shift in luxury collectors' interests, many of whom feel the Scotch market has become too crowded.

Mike Daley said: "Irish is the future of whiskey. I'm excited to be part of it, as a collector, but most importantly as a drinker."

Daley is one of the US' most prolific collectors of the spirit, with a vast collection consisting of several thousand bottles of Irish, American, and Scotch whiskeys/whiskies. His latest record-breaking purchase is one of only seven sets in existence; a liquid which three decades of maturation in a variety of casks, have imbued with an unrivalled intensity of flavour. The Emerald Isle's stunning walnut case includes a single decanter, alongside a bespoke Faberge egg  containing an actual emerald gem  a custom timepiece, and a pair of Cohiba cigars.

Daley also said: "The rebirth of Irish whiskey is relatively new, so I feel like I'm getting in on the ground floor. Luxury scotch, to me, is already a crowded type of market. But we're 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."

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Daley's predictions have proved accurate in the past, he made his fortune investing heavily in hyaluronic acid long before the pharmaceutical industry caught up. His thoughts about Irish whiskey's increasing value are supported by data from the Distilled Spirits Council, showing that some super premium spirits within the category have soared by nearly 2,800% in price in the past two decades.

While there are some critics who claim that that The Emerald Isle's value is bolstered by the luxury items included within the box, this criticism falls flat when considered alongside the fact that The Macallan 1926 that claimed the most expensive title last November, was one of only 12 bottles covered with a label designed by Italian painter Valerio Adami, adding considerable value to its auction price.

Jay Bradley, founder and CEO of The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. said: "A bottle of The Emerald Isle becoming the most expensive whiskey or whisky ever sold is a monumental achievement for my business, and an incredibly proud moment for me. I started The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. with the goal of making Irish whiskey the most coveted luxury spirit and restoring Ireland's reputation for crafting the finest whiskeys in the world, this brings us several steps closer to achieving that, and we're only six years into the journey. There's a lot more to come from us, and I'm excited for our customers and competitors to see what we have in store."

ABOUT THE CRAFT IRISH WHISKEY CO.:

The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. is on a mission to restore Ireland's reputation for crafting the finest whiskeys in the world, elevating its potential as a luxury product. Formed in 2018 by Irish entrepreneur Jay Bradley, The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. was born from a desire to return premium Irish whiskey to the heights it once enjoyed. To achieve such a goal has taken a complete reimagining of the craft; honouring centuries of tradition but questioning convention and adding scientific understanding to reinvent the maturation of the whiskey. No expense is spared, no corners are cut.

In 2021, The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. became the most highly awarded new company of the year, amassing a total of 12 awards across both Taste and Design for four of its ultra-rare whiskey releases. In 2022, the company continued this award-winning streak, with 22 awards across Taste and Design, including the world's Best Irish Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards for The Devil's Keep, and a perfect score to achieve Platinum at the A'Design Awards for The Emerald Isle. The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. was also the exclusive Michelin Plaque Distribution Partner for The Michelin Guide Star Revelation Great Britain and Ireland 2022.

In 2023, the business has continued to go from strength to strength, with a total of 44 awards won to date, including Gold and Silver at the IWSC Taste Awards, Gold, Silver, and Bronze at the World Whiskey Awards, and a prestigious Master Medal for The Donn at The Drinks Business Autumn Bling Tasting.

Partnerships evolved with both The Michelin Guide Star Revelation Great Britain and Ireland 2023, at which The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. and Michelin shone a spotlight on truly remarkable mixology, with the 2023 Exceptional Cocktail Award; and World's 50 Best Restaurants, partnering with the prestigious awards as its Official Whiskey of the World Partner.

Michelin UK venue partners include: Hakkasan London, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, The Waterside Inn, Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, Grantley Hall, City Social, Kitchen Table and Frog by Adam Handling.

Other partner venues include Scott's Richmond, Nobu Hotel Portman Square, Park Row, Adam Handling's Ugly Butterfly and The Ned.

For more information visit www.craftirishwhiskey.com

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A law firm representing passengers onboard Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, which was forced to make an emergency landing January 5 after a door detached midflight, has filed a lawsuit against Boeing aircraft company for negligence.

Flight 1282  a Boeing 737 Max 9  took off from the western U.S. city of Portland, Oregon, a week ago headed for Ontario, California, with 171 passengers and six crew members on board. Shortly after takeoff, the plane experienced a "critical failure," as a left-side door plug detached mid-flight, leading to rapid depressurization of the cabin.

Witnesses say the loss of the door panel left a "gaping hole" in the side of the plane, but it was able to return to Portland. None of the 171 passengers or six crew on board were seriously injured, but many were shaken by the experience.

The incident prompted U.S. regulators to ground 171 Max 9 planes for inspections.

In a press release, one of the lawyers representing the passengers, attorney Daniel Laurence from the Stritmatter law firm, said their clients are seeking unspecified "fair compensation for their injuries and those of all other passengers" for the economic, physical and ongoing emotional consequences of the experience.

The lawsuit was filed in a Seattle court.

Also Friday, the Federal Aviation Administration  the FAA  announced what it called "new and significant actions" designed to increase the regulator's oversight of Boeing's production and manufacturing practices regarding the grounded Boeing 737 Max 9 planes.

In a statement, the FAA said the actions include an audit of the plane's production line to evaluate for the manufacturer's compliance with FAA quality procedures, and increased monitoring of the plane's "in-service" events.

In the statement, FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said the grounding of the planes, as well as "multiple production-related issues identified in recent years, require us to look at every option to reduce risk."

The FAA action Friday comes a day after the agency announced an investigation to determine if Boeing failed to ensure completed products conformed to its approved design and were in a condition for safe operation in compliance with FAA regulations.

Some information for this story was provided by The Associated Press and Reuters.
An estimated 130,000 people have descended on Las Vegas for CES 2024, the consumer technology show that attracts big and small companies alike. VOAs Tina Trinh met with some of the more than 4,000 exhibitors for a look at emerging trends in artificial intelligence, digital health and more. Camera: Tina Trinh
After leaving a movie theater in Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, freelance writer Alexander Thatcher was greeted with a flurry of anxious text messages from his roommate.

Someone had broken into their apartment, she told him, and taken their passports. When Thatcher arrived home, he said it didn't seem like a typical break-in.

"Things immediately seemed very, very weird about the theft, about the way the apartment looked," Thatcher told VOA. For starters, nothing of significant value  iPads and recording equipment  had been stolen, he said.

Thatcher suspects that the early December break-in was connected to his work covering Azerbaijani politics.

An American based in Tbilisi, Thatcher is a graduate student at Central European University and writes for regional news sites EVN Report and Open Caucasus Media.

Over the years, Thatcher has faced significant online harassment from pro-Baku accounts over his critical writing, he said. He had published an article about Armenophobia in Azerbaijan just a few weeks before the incident.

"I suspect the intent was to be as disconcerting as possible. Moving furniture around, visibly leaving evidence that the apartment had been searched in its entirety while ignoring very valuable possessions," Thatcher said. "It's to make me uneasy. To make me worry about my safety and that of my roommate."

A wave of media arrests

The break-in comes amid a wave of media arrests inside Azerbaijan. At least eight journalists have been jailed in Azerbaijan since late November in a move that press freedom groups characterized as politically motivated and retaliatory.

Azerbaijan's embassy in Washington told VOA it rejected those claims.

However, two cases involving critics of Azerbaijan in neighboring Georgia have raised questions about whether the government's crackdown may be extending beyond its borders.

Azerbaijani journalist Elmaddin Shamilzade told VOA that on December 15, three men harassed him at a Tbilisi bar. One man threatened him with a knife, he said, and the men berated Shamilzade with questions about Azerbaijan.

Shamilzade, who is editor in chief of the news site Avasor TV, said he has been followed multiple times since moving to Tbilisi for graduate school last year. He believes the bar incident was a warning.

"I think that the government of Azerbaijan wants to tell me that even though you are outside the country, you are in the region under our control. Think about the steps you take," Shamilzade told VOA.

Shamilzade has clashed previously with Azeri police over his reporting.

In June 2023, police in Baku detained and assaulted Shamilzade when he refused to delete a video showing police officers at an environmental protest, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, or CPJ.

In an emailed statement to VOA, Jamila Mammadova, a public affairs officer at Azerbaijan's embassy in Washington, said the country "has never targeted its critics."

"It is obvious that such groundless claims against Azerbaijan do not reflect the facts and reality on the ground," Mammadova said. "This baseless statement is another attempt to distort the reality, and intervention into the internal affairs of Azerbaijan, and the legal investigation process."

Group documents harassment of journalists

While it's difficult to prove whether Azerbaijan was behind these two incidents in Tbilisi, it's not out of the realm of possibility, regional analysts said.

"It's unfortunate that the first thing I would think is that the state is potentially behind such an insidious act," Arzu Geybulla, founder of Azerbaijan Internet Watch, told VOA from Istanbul.

The organization, which tracks surveillance and censorship in Azerbaijan, has documented widespread state-sponsored harassment of journalists both online and offline.

The New York-based CPJ has also noted incidents of Baku seemingly operating outside its borders.

"Unfortunately, in recent years Azerbaijan has gained a reputation as a significant perpetrator of transnational repression, particularly involving journalists and bloggers," Gulnoza Said, the Europe and Central Asia program coordinator at the CPJ, told VOA.

In 2017, CPJ and others documented two separate cases in which a journalist and a blogger were forcibly returned to Azerbaijan from abroad.

The targeting of journalists in Georgia underscores the precarious balancing act the former Soviet state is undertaking between the West and Russia and its allies like Azerbaijan, according to Georgi Derluguian, a professor at New York University Abu Dhabi who specializes in the Caucasus region.

"I do worry for many Westerners and especially for brave Azerbaijani dissidents and journalists who find themselves in Georgia  not exactly quite in safety, not far enough from the Azerbaijani region," he told VOA. "And there is quite little that can be done about it, frankly."

Thatcher and Shamilzade reported their incidents to Tbilisi police, but both said the investigations appear to be slow-moving.

Georgia's Washington embassy and Ministry of Internal Affairs did not reply to VOA's emails requesting comment.

When it comes to transnational repression, "the main goal is to silence criticism or dissent among diaspora communities," according to Grady Vaughan, who researches transnational repression at Freedom House. "The crackdown on freedom of expression in Azerbaijan is reflected in transnational repression."

The situation for media in Azerbaijan has prompted an increase in journalists fleeing, according to CPJ's Said. She added that CPJ is aware of multiple incidents of apparent harassment or surveillance of exiled journalists.

"At present, there's not enough evidence to assert that there's a concerted campaign underway as there is inside the country. But it's something that we're monitoring with concern, especially in the light of the upcoming presidential elections," Said added.

Azerbaijan is set to hold presidential elections in February.

By making it all but impossible for independent media to operate inside the country, Azerbaijan's government is forcing journalists into exile, where they often regroup in a more critical form that again draws Baku's ire, according to Said.

"If the authorities continue to set the apparent goal of suppressing any form of reporting that does not conform to the government line, then they are condemning themselves to never-ending cycles of repression," she said.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks with veteran Chinese diplomat Liu Jianchao on Friday morning, a day before Taiwan's presidential and legislative elections  a test for efforts to stabilize tensions between the United States and China.

Washington has cautioned Beijing against using the elections as a pretext for instability in the Taiwan Strait.

In keeping with a long-standing precedent, the United States is sending a bipartisan delegation to Taiwan after the election.

The U.S. delegation includes members of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus; Laura Rosenberger, who chairs the American Institute in Taiwan; and former officials who served under both Democratic and Republican administrations.

Direct message

Liu, who heads the Chinese Communist Party's International Liaison Department, is the highest-ranking Chinese official to visit the United States since U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit south of San Francisco on November 15.

A source familiar with the meeting said that in diplomacy, it is crucial to convey messages directly to China on "the importance of peace and stability in the region ahead of the Taiwan elections, and in light of recent PRC provocations in the South China Sea."

In a statement, the State Department said Blinken "reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the South China Sea."

"The two sides had a constructive discussion on a range of bilateral, regional and global issues, including areas of potential cooperation and areas of difference," said State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.

"The secretary emphasized the importance of resolving the cases of American citizens who are wrongfully detained or subject to exit bans in China and raised U.S. concerns about PRC human rights abuses," Miller said in a statement late Friday.

The sending of the U.S. delegation to Taipei after the elections is perceived as an effort to preempt a strong reaction from Beijing.

A Chinese spokesperson repeated Beijing's assertion on Friday that Taiwan's elections are China's internal affairs, and that China opposes any form of official contact between the U.S. and Taiwan.

China claims sovereignty over the self-ruled democracy. The U.S. acknowledges but has never endorsed Beijing's position.

The winner of Taiwan's presidential election will be inaugurated on May 20. The transition period in the coming months is seen as sensitive in cross-strait relations.

Liu is seen as a leading contender to be China's next foreign minister, according to some media reports and analysts.

It is unusual for the minister of the International Liaison Department, a unit under the Communist Party's Central Committee, to visit the United States, according to Bonnie Glaser, managing director of the Indo-Pacific Program at the German Marshall Fund.

"The most likely explanation for this visit, and the reason that he is being received by Blinken, is that Liu is likely to be China's next foreign minister. The visit provides an opportunity for the U.S. to take his measure in advance of his formal appointment, likely at the upcoming National People's Congress" in early March, Glaser told VOA.

In a blog post by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, or CSIS, Liu was described as China's "shadow foreign minister."

"China still has the same leader, Xi Jinping, whose overall views and vision have not changed. Shifts in other personnel or a more engaging tone may not make a huge difference in the content of China's foreign policy," said the CSIS blog.

Senior U.S. officials attending Friday's meeting include the State Department's top diplomat on East Asian and Pacific affairs, Daniel Kritenbrink, and its China coordinator, Mark Lambert.

World Economic Forum

Communication between the world's two largest economies will continue after Taiwan's elections, as senior U.S. and Chinese officials are to attend next week's World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Blinken and Chinese Premier Li Qiang will attend the annual economic meetings at the Swiss mountain resort.

Blinken's talks with Chinese officials are described as efforts to maintain open lines of communication, responsibly manage differences between the two nations and address various issues. These include global and regional security concerns, such as Russia's war against Ukraine, as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

According to some estimates, about half of all global trade flows through the Taiwan Strait, and its stability is critical to the global economy.

VOAs Cindy Saine contributed to this report.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak traveled to Kyiv Friday, where he unveiled nearly $3.2 billion in new military funding for Ukraine, Britains largest annual commitment since Russia first invaded the country.

Speaking at a joint news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Sunak said the two countries also signed a long-term bilateral security agreement that he said will form the core of a partnership between their countries that will last a hundred years or more.

Sunak said the agreement was the first in a series of security assurances promised by NATO allies during the alliances summit last year in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Zelenskyy said with the signing of the agreement that the history of Europe changed today. He called it unprecedented and said it will provide a basis for working with other partners in the future.

Sunak said the military aid package will include air defense equipment, anti-tank weapons, long-range missiles, ammunition and artillery shells, along with training for Ukrainian servicemen and women.

The British prime minister said it also includes $255 million for drones  what he said was the single largest package of drones given to Ukraine by any nation.

Sunak said he sought to send a message to Ukraine on behalf of his nation and Ukraine's allies around the world that they will never be alone. He said the war in Ukraine is about the nations right to defend itself and to be an independent democracy.

If [Russian President Vladimir] Putin wins in Ukraine, he will not stop there, Sunak said. He said wavering in support of Ukraine will embolden Putin and his allies in North Korea, Iran and elsewhere.

Zelenskyy seeks support in Baltics

Sunaks visit comes a day after Zelenskyy made a tour of Baltic nations Estonia, Lativa and Lithuania, where he sought support for Ukraines ongoing war with Russia.

In the Latvian capital of Riga on Thursday, Zelenskyy said that Moscows plan was to make tactical advances on the battlefield ahead of the presidential election and that Russia would then take larger military action.

Earlier on Thursday during his visit to Estonia, Zelenskyy said a pause in Russias war against Ukraine would benefit only Russia by allowing it to boost its supply of munitions and run us over.

A pause on the battlefield on the territory of Ukraine is not a pause in war. It is not the end of war, Zelenskyy said.

It doesnt lead to political dialogue with the Russian Federation or with someone else. This pause will only benefit the Russian Federation, he said.

The Ukrainian leader said Wednesday in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, that his countrys forces have shown the world that Russias military can be stopped but that the Kyiv government badly needs Western allies to send it more air defense systems to shoot down an increased barrage of Russian drones and missiles.

He acknowledged, however, that the stockpiles are low in countries that could assist Ukraine.

Warehouses are empty, Zelenskyy said. And there are many challenges to world defense.

U.S. aid still on hold

In the United States, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby on Thursday said U.S. assistance for Ukraines war effort has stopped amid ongoing negotiations in Washington over an aid package.

The assistance that we provided has now ground to a halt, Kirby said.

Although U.S. aid to Ukraine has stopped for the time being, the U.S. State Department on Thursday imposed sanctions over the transfer of North Korean ballistic missiles to Russia for use in its war against Ukraine, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

We will not hesitate to take further actions, Blinken said in a statement announcing the sanctions against three Russian entities and one individual.

Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
Gaza Strip telecom provider Paltel reported Friday that fighting in the enclave had caused all communications services to be cut across the territory.

From its official X social media account, formerly Twitter, Paltel said, "Dear people in our beloved homeland, we regret to announce a complete interruption of all services [cellular, landline and internet] with the Gaza Strip, due to the ongoing aggression."

Meanwhile, the United Nations expressed concern about new evacuation orders issued Thursday in southern Gaza by the Israeli military. The office of humanitarian affairs said the residents in a 4.6 square-kilometer area in Al Mawasi and several blocks near Salah Ad Deen Road had been told to move to Deir al Balah, where the Israel Defense Forces continue to conduct airstrikes.

More than 18,000 people and nine shelters, accommodating an unknown number of internally displaced people, are expected to be affected by this latest round of orders, U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters Friday.

A journalist for Agence France-Presse reported that strikes and artillery shelling had hit areas between the southern cities of Khan Younis and Rafah, which is crowded with people who fled from the north.

The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry reported Friday that about 151 Palestinians had been killed and 248 more wounded in Israeli airstrikes in the past 24 hours. In a statement, the ministry said at least 23,708 people  two-thirds of them women and children  have been killed since the conflict started.

Forced displacement concerns

The October 7 Hamas terror attack inside southern Israel triggered the war. Fighters killed 1,200 people and kidnapped about 240 others. Since then, Israel has told Palestinians in northern Gaza to move south as it launched a ground invasion to decapitate Hamas, which is an EU- and U.S.-designated terror group.

The United Nations has said 1.9 million people  nearly 85% of Gazas population  are now crammed into an ever-shrinking area in the central and southern Gaza Strip and living in horrific conditions. Food, clean water, medical supplies, even toilets are in short supply. Malnutrition is rising, and humanitarians cannot get adequate aid supplies into Gaza.

Providing humanitarian assistance across Gaza is almost impossible, U.N. humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths told a Security Council meeting Friday.

He and other U.N. officials are also concerned about statements from some Israeli political figures urging the mass transfer of Palestinians from Gaza to third countries.

These statements raise grave concerns about the possible forcible mass transfer or deportation of the Palestinian population from the Gaza Strip, something that would be strictly prohibited, of course, under international law, Griffiths said.

The head of the U.N. Human Rights New York office told the meeting that Israels evacuation orders failed to meet the necessary conditions for lawfulness, therefore potentially amount to forcible transfer  a war crime.

Ilze Brands Kehris said Palestinians must have an ironclad guarantee that they will be able to return home. She underscored that Israel, as the occupying power, must support their return by restoring essential services and facilitating the necessary reconstruction of Gaza.

The U.S. ambassador to the U.N. was also clear that civilians must not be forced to leave Gaza under any circumstances. Linda Thomas-Greenfield said Washington rejects statements by Israeli ministers and lawmakers calling for their resettlement outside Gaza.

These statements, along with statements by Israeli officials calling for the mistreatment of Palestinian detainees or the destruction of Gaza, are irresponsible, inflammatory and only make it harder to secure a lasting peace, Thomas-Greenfield said.

VOA Correspondent Margaret Besheer contributed to this report from the United Nations. Some information came from Agence France-Presse.
2023 was a consequential year for human rights suppression and wartime atrocities, especially in the Horn of Africa, according to a new report by Human Rights Watch published Thursday. The rights group blames regional blocs and the international community for not doing enough to protect civilians.

Governments in the Horn of Africa dealt with large-scale humanitarian crises in 2023. With no checks on abuses in Sudan and Ethiopia, civilians withstood the worst of atrocities committed in the name of war, the report by Human Rights Watch says.

"We  saw blatant flouting of very basic laws of war, human rights laws, by governments," said Laetitia Bader, deputy director in the Africa division at the rights group.

In Sudan, a war that broke out last April between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has killed thousands and displaced millions of civilians, sparking a humanitarian crisis.

The report says the warring parties repeatedly used heavy weapons in densely populated areas and that instead of treating this crisis as a priority, influential governments and regional bodies have pursued short-term gains at the expense of rights-driven solutions.

"Time and time again, we saw how there was limited diplomatic willingness at the regional level but also at the international level to really press for a sort of accountability, which is needed to end these cycles of impunity," Bader said.

Several countries, including the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, tried to broker cease-fires in Sudan but werent successful.

In Ethiopia, after parties to the conflict in the northern part of the country signed a cessation of hostilities agreement in late 2022  which Bader says resulted in improvement in the human rights and humanitarian situation in parts of Tigray  the limited international efforts to promote meaningful accountability and an end to abuses quickly dissipated, the report says.

"Over the last six months in particular, weve seen a deteriorating rights situation and fighting in the Amhara region," Bader said. "And again, weve seen the impact on the civilian community. Weve documented extrajudicial killings, sexual violence, but also the devastating impact that this ongoing cycle of fighting is having on civilians ability to access basic care."

Fighting erupted in Tigray in late 2020 after the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) attacked army bases across the region. The attacks initially overwhelmed the federal military, which later mounted a counteroffensive alongside Eritrean soldiers and forces from the neighboring region of Amhara.

In 2021 alone, 5.1 million Ethiopians became internally displaced, a record for the most people internally displaced in any country in any single year at the time, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.
Disputes in the South China Sea and how Indonesia should deal with China was a key focus at a nationally televised presidential debate earlier this week. Indonesians will elect a new president on February 14, and during the latest debate, the country's three candidates exchanged views on security, geopolitics and international relations.

When it comes to how they will deal with China, analysts tell VOA's Indonesian service that all three candidates' different experiences with Beijing are likely to have an impact on the way they handle bilateral relations, including disputes in the South China Sea.

"The various steps taken to resolve disputes in the South China Sea, including the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea that led to the arrangement of a code of conduct document, have failed," said Ganjar Pranowo, candidate of the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle.

Ganjar proposed three solutions: endorsing a temporary agreement with China, strengthening Indonesia's naval capacity and patrols, and starting the exploitation of gas reserves in the North Natuna Sea, which is between Indonesia and Vietnam and south of the South China Sea. He said Indonesia needs to prioritize developing its naval weaponry and resupplying naval ships patrolling the region.

"Allocating [a defense budget] of 1 to 2% of GDP, I believe, is a strong necessity," Ganjar said.

Similarly, third-time candidate Prabowo Subianto, a former special forces commander and current defense minister who has been leading in the polls, said disputes in the South China Sea underline the need for a strong defense force, platforms for patrols and additional satellites.

"We understand our country is very huge and rich; hundreds of years ago, countries from far away came to this archipelago to intervene and pit us against each other, to fight and to steal our wealth, until we became independent. And now we have to deal with our natural wealth being taken cheaply," Prabowo said.

Meanwhile, candidate Anies Baswedan, a former Jakarta governor, said that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations needs to play a bigger role in resolving disputes, including those in the South China Sea.

"Instead of acting as a single nation, we should stand together as ASEAN. We should deal with other countries as a unified region, and Indonesia must lead the way for ASEAN," he said.

According to Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat, a researcher on China-Indonesia-Middle Eastern studies at the Center of Economic and Law Studies, of the three candidates, Ganjar is likely to be more aligned with China.

During his term as governor of Central Java, Ganjar dealt with Chinese investment in manufacturing towns such as Tegal and Batang. China invested heavily to develop the Batang Integrated Industrial Zone, with investments valued at $1.5 billion.

Zulfikar added that Prabowo would also likely continue the current pro-China policies of President Joko Widodo.

Prabowo believes China's expansive maritime claim in the South China Sea is inconsistent with international law, and he wants to keep Indonesia as a nonaligned country amid the power struggle in the region between the U.S. and China.

As Indonesia's defense minister, Prabowo met with his Chinese counterpart on five occasions from 2019 to 2023 and sought to enhance bilateral ties in defense and security through the 2+2 Indonesia-China forum and the Defense Industry Cooperation Meeting in June 2023.

Meanwhile, Anies Baswedan, from his time as governor of Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, has stronger relations with Western countries than with China and had the fewest meetings with Chinese representatives, said Zulfikar.

Wahyu Dhyatmika, a senior journalist and chairman of the Indonesia Cyber Media Association, said that if Anies is elected as president, big development projects such as the plan to relocate and establish a new capital and plans to expand Indonesia's high-speed railway will be reevaluated.

"Chinese government projects will be under threat of further scrutiny," he said.

While Indonesia is not a territorial claimant in the South China Sea, its exclusive economic zone around the Natuna Islands overlaps with Beijing's territorial claims. Bilateral diplomatic tensions have grown in recent years as Chinese naval patrols have been more aggressive and encroached into Indonesia's exclusive economic zone.

At a news conference in Manila, ahead of a visit by Indonesia's current president, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said Tuesday that Indonesia is ready to work with ASEAN, to finalize a long-delayed code of conduct for the South China Sea, where many of its neighbors have overlapping claims with China.
The U.S. and Britain strike the Houthis in Yemen in response to their repeated attacks on Red Sea shipping. Taiwan prepares for Saturdays elections. And the annual meeting in Davos is about to get underway  the guest list includes the most important political and economic figures in the world.
Iran condemned strikes on Yemen by U.S. and British forces Friday, saying that the attacks against Tehran-backed Houthi rebels were "arbitrary" and a violation of international law.

The overnight strikes followed weeks of missile and drone attacks by the Houthis against Red Sea shipping, which they say have been in solidarity with Palestinians in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanani said Iran "strongly condemns the military attacks of the United States and the United Kingdom this morning on several Yemeni cities."

He said the strikes were "an arbitrary action, a clear violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Yemen, and a violation of international laws and regulations."

The United States, Britain and their allies said in a joint statement after the airstrikes that their goal "remains to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea."

The attacks by the Houthis have disrupted traffic along the vital trade route, with many firms rerouting their vessels around the tip of Africa, with knock-on effects for the world economy.

Kanani warned that the attacks "will have no result other than fueling insecurity and instability in the region," as well as "diverting the world's attention from the crimes" in Gaza, where Israel has been fighting the Palestinian territory's Hamas rulers.

The spokesperson urged the international community to take action "to prevent the spread of war."

Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian voiced support for the Houthis' campaign in support of the Palestinians.

"Yemen's action in supporting the women and children of Gaza and confronting the Israeli regime's genocide is commendable," he said on X, formerly Twitter.

Hundreds rallied after Friday prayers in Tehran in support of the people of Gaza and Yemen, chanting slogans against the United States, Britain and Israel, an AFP journalist reported.

State television aired footage of similar rallies in other Iranian cities, and later broadcast images from a protest outside the British Embassy in Tehran with people waving the Palestinian and Yemeni flags.

Protesters chanted "Down with Israel," "Down with the U.S." and "Down with Britain" as they burned the three countries' flags, an AFP journalist said.

The Israel-Hamas war erupted with attacks by Palestinian militants on southern Israel on October 7, that resulted in about 1,200 deaths, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.

Iran, which supports Hamas financially and militarily, has hailed the attack but denied any involvement.

Israel has responded with a relentless military campaign that has killed more than 23,700 people in Gaza, the majority of them women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-ruled territory.

Yemen's Houthi rebels  part of a Tehran-aligned "axis of resistance" against Israel and its allies  seized the capital, Sanaa, in 2014 and still control large swaths of the country despite a protracted Saudi-led military intervention.

Washington had said Iran was "deeply involved" in the Houthis' maritime attacks, a claim Tehran has denied.

President Ebrahim Raisi has said Iran sees it as "its duty to support the resistance groups," but insisted that they "are independent in their opinion, decision and action."
Allied Analytics LLP

The growth of the global aerostructures market is driven by factors such as surge in global air passenger traffic, increase in aircraft demand and production, and advancements in materials engineering.

Wilmington, Delaware:, Jan. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled,  Aerostructures Market by Component (Wings, Fuselage, Empennage, Control Surfaces, and Others), Material (Metals, Composites, and Alloys), and Aircraft Type, (Commercial Aircraft, Military Aircraft, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20232032.

According to the report, the global aerostructures industry size generated $62.0 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to generate $114.8 billion by 2032, witnessing a CAGR of 6.6% from 2023 to 2032.

(We are providing aerostructures industry report as per your research requirement, including the Latest Industry Insight's Evolution, Potential and Russia-Ukraine War Impact Analysis)

128 - Tables

85 - Charts

276 - Pages

Download Sample Pages - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/127217

Prime determinants of growth

The growth of the global aerostructures market is driven by factors such as surge in global air passenger traffic and increase in aircraft demand and production, and advancements in materials engineering. However, regulatory compliance and the disruption in the supply chain hamper the growth of the market. On the contrary, rise in demand for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for aging aircraft and surge in the development and adoption of electric aircraft are expected to offer remunerative opportunities for the expansion of the aerostructures market during the forecast period.

Aerostructures Report Coverage and Details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20232032 Base Year 2022 Market Size In 2022 $62.0 Billion Market Size In 2032 $114.8 Billion CAGR 6.6 % No. Of Pages in Report 276 Segments Covered Component, Material, Aircraft Type, And Region. Drivers Surge In Global Air Passenger Traffic



Increase In Aircraft Demand and Production



Advancements In Materials Engineering Opportunities Rise In Demand for Maintenance, Repair, And Overhaul (MRO) Services for Aging Aircraft



Surge In the Development and Adoption of Electric Aircraft Restraints Regulatory Compliance



The Disruption in The Supply Chain

Impact of Russia-Ukraine War Scenario

On February 24, 2022, Russia initiated an invasion of Ukraine, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War that commenced in 2014. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the subsequent sanctions imposed on the country have introduced numerous challenges for the aviation industry. For instance, as of March 25, 2022, 36 countries, including members of the European Union, the UK, and the U.S., have implemented airspace closures for Russian airlines.

Moreover, uncertainty in financial markets caused by geopolitical tensions can impact investment decisions and consumer confidence. Aerospace firms may postpone or reassess expansion plans, research and development investments, or the initiation of new projects due to the unpredictable geopolitical landscape. Such tensions can also sway the demand for air travel and aviation services. Heightened uncertainty and security considerations might result in a decreased demand for new aircraft, prompting aerostructure manufacturers to adapt production levels in response to shifts in orders.

Story continues

The wings segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period.

Based on component, the wings segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than one-fourth of the global aerostructures market revenue , and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period, as manufacturers receive contracts from prominent aircraft makers to build and supply critical parts such as aerostructures for aircraft. However, the empennage segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 8.3% from 2023 to 2032, owing to increase in focus on the development of aircraft and aerostructure components that are made up of environmentally friendly materials and technologies.

Recent Aerostructures Developments in the Industry:

Supernal LLC and GKN Aerospace collaborate on high-voltage wiring and lightweight aerostructures (June 2023).

Saab AB partners with Boeing for Boeing 787 Dreamliner cargo doors (September 2023).

ELBIT SYSTEMS LTD. secures Boeing contract for large cargo doors (January 2023).

Spirit AeroSystems partners with Honda Aircraft for composite fuselage (June 2023).

Leonardo S.P.A. collaborates with Vertical Aerospace on carbon composite fuselage (February 2022).

FACC AG expands Airbus partnership for A220 empennage components (September 2021).

Boeing and Tata Boeing Aerospace develop complex vertical fin for 737 airplanes (February 2021).

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The metals segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period.

Based on the material, the metals segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than half of the global aerostructures market revenue, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period as there is a continued demand for traditional materials such as aluminum and titanium in aerostructures. Moreover, the composites segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 7.7% from 2023 to 2032, owing to rise in the production of composite aerostructures due to their advantages such as lightweight, high strength, and corrosion resistance.

The commercial segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

Based on aircraft type, the commercial segment accounted for the largest share in 2022, accounting for nearly three-fifths of the global aerostructures market revenue, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period as there is a rise in the use of advanced manufacturing technologies, including additive manufacturing, to make certain components of commercial aircraft aerostructure. Moreover, the commercial segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 7.2% from 2023 to 2032, owing to the need for new commercial aircraft due to rise in global air travel and increase in passenger demand.

Asia-Pacific to maintain its dominance by 2032

Based on region, Asia-Pacific held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2022, accounting for more than one-fourth of the aerostructures market revenue, and is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period, as there is rise in aircraft production, and increase in new aircraft orders. However, Europe is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 8.2% from 2023 to 2032, owing to increased demand for various components, including aerostructures due to rise in the number of orders for new aircraft to expand the fleet and increase the capacity of the airlines.

Key Report Highlights:

Analysis spans 16+ countries, breaking down values ($ million) by country (2022-2032).

Methodology blends robust data, expert opinions, ensuring a holistic market perspective.

Thorough review of 3,700+ product catalogs, reports, and industry sources enhance market insights.

Aerostructures market, led by key players like Airbus, Boeing, exhibits slight fragmentation.

Ongoing monitoring of major strategiescontracts, partnerships, expansionsby industry leaders.

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Leading Market Players: -

Airbus SE

ELBIT SYSTEMS LTD.

Saab AB

Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.

Leonardo S.p.A.

Triumph Group, Inc.

AAR Corporation

GKN Aerospace Services Limited.

Boeing

FACC AG

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global aerostructures market. These players have adopted various strategies such contract, partnership, agreement, expansion, product launch, and others to increase their market penetration and strengthen their position in the industry. The report is helpful in determining the business performance, operating segments, developments, and product portfolios of every market player.

Similar Reports We Have on Aviation Industry:

Fuselage Market Research Report 2023-2032

Aircraft Control Surface Market Research Report 2023-2032

Commercial Aircraft Wing Market Research Report 2023-2032

Aero Wing Market Research Report 2023-2032

Winglets Market Research Report 2023-2032

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We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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Bomb threats and false reports of shootings at the homes of public officials, state capitols and courthouses have surged in recent weeks, including some connected to court cases against former President Donald Trump.

The judges overseeing the civil fraud case against Trump in New York and the criminal election subversion case against him in Washington, D.C., have both been targeted in recent days. Also, Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith was the subject of a fake emergency call Christmas Day.

A series of public officials from across the political spectrum were targeted by swatting over the holidays, and capitol buildings and courthouses in states across the U.S. were locked down and evacuated last week after receiving bomb threats. No explosives were found, and no one was hurt.

The FBI said Thursday that investigators have seen a widespread increase in threats of violence and take them seriously. "When the threats are made as a hoax, it puts innocent people at risk, is a waste of law enforcements limited resources and costs taxpayers," the agency said in a statement.

Here's a look at the spike in threats:

What is 'swatting'?

Swatting is the act of making a prank call to emergency services to prompt a response at a particular address. The goal is to get authorities, particularly a special weapons and tactics (SWAT) team, to show up.

Some of the recent calls have featured the voice of a man calling himself Jamal, claiming he had shot his wife because she was sleeping with another man and saying he was holding the boyfriend hostage, demanding $10,000.

Who in the courts has been targeted?

In New York, authorities responded to a bomb threat at the Long Island home of Judge Arthur Engoron early Thursday morning, the day after the judge issued a ruling preventing the former president from delivering his own closing statements in the civil fraud case against him. Nothing amiss was found.

The false report came days after a fake emergency call reporting a shooting at the home of U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is overseeing Trumps Capitol attack criminal case in Washington, D.C.

Smith was also the target of fake shooting report at his home, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the investigation. Smith and his family have been the subject of numerous threats and intimidating messages since he was appointed and Trump began posting messages about them online, prosecutors have said in court documents.

What other public officials have been targeted?

Public officials targeted by swatting range from Republican U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia to Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat who removed Trump from the states presidential primary ballot under the Constitutions insurrection clause.

Other high-profile targets in recent days include U.S. Senator Rick Scott of Florida, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.

In Greene's case, a man called the Georgia suicide hotline Christmas morning, claiming that he had shot his girlfriend at Greenes home and was going to kill himself next, police said. The call was quickly transferred to police, who determined it was a swatting attempt after contacting a private security detail for Greene, who has been targeted multiple times.

In Wu's case, a male caller on the same day claimed he had shot his wife and had tied her and another man up at the Boston mayor's address. Wu, a Democrat, has also been targeted by many swatting calls since she took office in 2021.

How widespread is the problem?

Hundreds of cases of swatting occur annually, with some using caller ID spoofing to disguise their number. And those targeted extend far beyond public officials.

Police have for months reported a huge surge in fake claims about active shooters at schools and colleges. There have also been reports of hundreds of swatting incidents and bomb threats against synagogues and other Jewish institutions since the Israel-Hamas war began.

The FBI said earlier this year that it had begun to create a database to track swatting incidents nationwide.

Do false threats pose other risks?

Such calls have proven dangerous, even deadly.

In 2017, a police officer in Wichita, Kansas, shot and killed a man while responding to a hoax emergency call. Earlier this year, the city agreed to pay $5 million to settle a related lawsuit, with the money to go to the two children of Andrew Finch, 28.

In 2015, police in Maryland shot a 20-year-old man in the face with rubber bullets after a fake hostage situation was reported at his home.

In addition to putting innocent people at risk, police and officials say they worry about diverting resources from real emergencies.

What kind of response could this prompt?

No arrests have been made in the recent threats, but some lawmakers have moved for heftier penalties.

Ohio earlier this year made it a felony offense to report a false emergency that prompts response by law enforcement. And Virginia increased the penalties for swatting to up to 12 months in jail. Similar bills are pending in other states and Congress.

In Georgia, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones promised an end to this madness after his home in a small town south of Atlanta was swatted on Wednesday, only to have a bomb threat called in to his office on Thursday.

Let me be clear  I will not be intimidated by those attempting to silence me, Jones wrote on social media platform X.
An award-winning journalist and documentary filmmaker was sentenced to life in prison in Myanmar on Wednesday, according to media reports, marking yet another assault on press freedom by the countrys military since the 2021 coup.

Shin Daewe was sentenced to life in prison for allegedly violating Myanmars anti-terrorism law, her husband told the Burmese Service of VOAs sister outlet Radio Free Asia.

Shin Daewe was arrested October 15 while picking up a video drone she had ordered online to use for filming a documentary, her husband, Ko Oo, said.

Police then interrogated the 50-year-old for almost two weeks before charging her and moving her to Myanmars infamous Insein Prison, Ko Oo said.

Shin Daewe was eventually tried by a secret military tribunal, her husband said, and was denied legal representation. He also told RFA that Shin Daewe appeared to have been tortured.

"When she returned, I didn't get access to her. But I heard that she had injured her head," Ko Oo said. "She had stitches on her head and welts on her arms. That means she was beaten.

Shin Daewe is known for her coverage of environmental issues in Myanmar, as well as the toll conflict takes on the countrys civilians.

She previously reported for the independent outlet Democratic Voice of Burma, including during Myanmars Saffron Revolution in 2007, before turning to make documentaries full-time starting in 2010.

Press freedom and human rights groups condemned Shin Daewes arrest and called for her immediate release.

"By sentencing a documentary film director to a life in prison under the pretext of terrorism, the military junta shows the extent of its arbitrariness and ruthlessness," Cedric Alviani, the Asia-Pacific director at Reporters Without Borders, told RFA.

Out of 180 countries, Reporters Without Borders ranks Myanmar 173 in terms of press freedom.

The post-coup crackdown on independent media in Myanmar has taken place against the backdrop of extreme violence perpetrated by the countrys military, which the U.N. Human Rights Office has said may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Myanmar's military has reached a cease-fire agreement with an alliance of ethnic minority guerrilla groups it has been battling in the country's northeast, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Friday. Myanmar's military government confirmed the development.

The agreement was brokered at talks mediated by China on Wednesday and Thursday in Kunming, a Chinese provincial capital about 400 kilometers from the border with Myanmar, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said.

"China hopes the relevant parties in Myanmar can conscientiously implement the agreement, exercise maximum restraint toward each other and solve the issues through dialogue and consultations," she said at a daily briefing in Beijing.

Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, the spokesperson of Myanmar's ruling military council, said in an audio note to journalists that the two sides had met in Kunming and after talks, agreed on a temporary cease-fire agreement.

"We will continue discussions We will continue to work for the strengthening of the cease-fire." Zaw Min Tun said.

A previous cease-fire pact reached in mid-December was not honored by either side.

Chinese spokesperson Mao said the military and the Three Brotherhood Alliance  which comprises the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, the Ta'ang National Liberation Army and the Arakan Army  agreed to an immediate cease-fire, the disengaging of military personnel and the settlement of their disputes through negotiations.

"The two sides promised not to undermine the safety of Chinese people living in the border area and Chinese projects and personnel in Myanmar," she said.

Independent Myanmar media and foreign media with Myanmar-language news services reported similar details, but there was no immediate direct word from the alliance about the cease-fire development.

The media reports said the military agreed to stop aerial bombing and artillery shelling in northern Shan state, which abuts China, and the Three Brotherhood Alliance agreed to halt its offensive and not seek to capture more towns and army encampments.

The reports said the cease-fire would not apply to fighting in other regions of Myanmar.

Myanmar has been wracked by violence that began after the army ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021. The Three Brotherhood Alliance launched an offensive against the military in October and took control of Laukkaing, a key city on the border with China, last week.

Their attacks have posed the greatest battlefield challenge to Myanmar's military rulers since the army takeover.

Much of the fighting is along Myanmar's border with China, blocking cross-border trade and threatening further political destabilization of Myanmar, a strategic ally of China that is already tangled in civil war in many parts of the country.

China is concerned about the rising violence and the safety of Chinese citizens in northern Myanmar, China has also been cracking down on cyberscam operations that have trafficked Chinese workers into Myanmar and forced them to work, including in Laukkaing.

The alliance has claimed widespread victories, including the seizure of more than 250 military posts, about a dozen towns and five major border crossing points controlling crucial trade with China.

Zaw Min Tun said Myanmar and China will continue to negotiate reopening the border trading gates, which were closed after combat began and most or all of which are now in the hands of the Three Brotherhood Alliance.
Russian tourists reportedly going on a ski trip to North Korea will be the first international travelers to visit the country since its borders closed in 2020 amid the global pandemic lockdown.

The report, published Wednesday by the Russian state-run Tass news agency, underscores deepening cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. It also follows the meeting last September between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin at a cosmodrome in Russia's Far East.

Tass did not specify a timeframe but the report brought some surprise to Asia observers who had expected the first post-pandemic tourists to North Korea to come from China, the North's biggest diplomatic ally and economic pipeline.

According to Tass, an unspecified number of tourists from Russia's far eastern region of Primorye will first fly to the North Korean capital of Pyongyang, where they will visit monuments such as the Tower of Juche Idea, named after the North's guiding philosophy of "juche" or self-reliance.

The tourists will then travel on to the North's Masik Pass on the east coast, where the country's most modern ski resort is located, Tass said. It said the trip was arranged under an agreement reached between Oleg Kozhemyako, governor of the Primorye region, and North Korean authorities.

Kozhemyako traveled to Pyongyang in December for talks on boosting economic ties as part of a flurry of bilateral exchanges since the Kim-Putin summit. Ahead of the trip, he told Russian media he expected to discuss tourism, agriculture and trade cooperation.

The Kim-Putin summit deepened outside belief that North Korea is supplying conventional arms to Russia for its war in Ukraine, in return for high-tech Russian weapons technologies.

The White House said last week that it has evidence Russia fired additional North Korea-provided missiles at Ukraine. The United States, South Korea, Japan and others issued a joint statement condemning the missies transfer.

North Korea and Russia are locked in separate confrontations with the United States and its allies  North Korea for its advancing nuclear program and Russia for its protracted war with Ukraine.

North Korea has been slowly easing pandemic-era curbs and opening its international borders as part of its efforts to revive its economy devastated by the lockdown and persistent U.S.-led sanctions. Its reputation also suffered a blow in August 2022, when Pyongyang made a highly dubious claim that it had beaten a domestic COVID-19 outbreak.

"For North Korea, tourism is the easiest way to earn foreign currency under the international sanctions regime," said Koh Yu-hwan, former president of Seoul's Korea Institute for National Unification.

Koh said he expects Pyongyang to eventually also open North Korea to Chinese tourists.

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said "visitors from Russia are unlikely to be as financially lucrative for North Korea as the return of more numerous visitors from China."

"But the domestic political risk is relatively low while providing symbolism of revitalized relations with Moscow in line with Pyongyang's current geopolitical narrative," he added.
When it comes to gender equality in Turkish media, men are still dominating managerial roles, research by a journalist union has found.

The Journalists' Union of Turkey, known as the TGS, released its latest findings on gender disparities in Turkish media to mark the country's Working Journalists' Day on Wednesday.

"Once again, we see that those who produce, go after and edit news stories are women, and those who manage media institutions are men in Turkish media," Banu Tuna, the TGS secretary-general, told VOA.

The union analyzed 10 newspapers, 10 TV channels, four news agencies and six news websites.

Nearly half of the journalists in Turkey are women, but the survey showed that only four women hold senior positions such as editor in chief or managing editor among Turkey's leading newspapers.

The research also showed that only a few women hold senior positions in the TV channels' organizational structures, and those who do tend to work in advertising or public relations departments.

The gender imbalance in managerial positions was lower in Turkey's digital media, where the report found websites doing "relatively better" than TV and print.

"While the presence of female journalists among the editor and reporter staff is undeniable, we saw once again that there is literally 'no name of a woman' in the mastheads and in the senior management staff," the TGS wrote.

The union said that when female journalists cannot progress in their careers, they "move away from the profession due to the glass ceiling."

A call for more inclusive media

The World Economic Forum's 2023 Global Gender Gap Report ranks Turkey 129th among 146 countries for gender equality  where 1 shows the best environment  and 133rd out of 146 in economic participation and opportunity.

The gender imbalance adds to challenges for Turkish journalists, who watchdogs already say contend with censorship and political and legal pressure.

"We are in an increasingly authoritarian environment. There are very challenging conditions for both journalism and women's struggle," said Evin Baris Altintas. "There is a need to fight for a more inclusive media for both women and different groups, but the lack of awareness on this issue is obvious."

A co-chair of the Istanbul-based Media and Law Studies Association, Altintas has worked in journalism since 2005.

Another issue is the cost of living, with most media outlets based in Istanbul, the largest and most expensive Turkish city.

Work/family life challenges women

Ceren Sozeri, an associate professor of communication at Galatasaray University in Istanbul, said that women often have to balance their journalism career with domestic roles.

"In Turkey, women are responsible for the care, domestic labor and raising children," Sozeri told VOA. "Women journalists are forced to make choices in the dilemma of marriage and raising their children."

He For She Turkey, a United Nations-initiated project, states that women do three times as much unpaid house and care work as men worldwide, while this discrepancy reaches almost five times more unpaid house and care work for women in Turkey.

Tuna, who has worked in journalism for 25 years, said that the media sector is male-dominated.

"I have heard many male executives say that the editorial desk is not for women. They again blamed women for the lack of women in managerial positions," she told VOA.

"According to them, working in the editorial office is a very arduous job that requires long hours, and women do not want it," Tuna added.

Cultural norms can also make it harder for women to progress.

"While a man can go to dinner or a tavern with his boss or manager after work, women have less room here, as a woman's going out to dinner with her manager can also be interpreted as an affair," Sozeri said.

"Therefore, when favoritism comes before merit, men again have room for career advancement," Sozeri noted.

To close the gender gap in Turkish media management, Sozeri thinks that "working conditions, overtime working and domestic labor roles must change."

Tuna of TGS said having more women in leadership in media would be a positive move.

"If there were more women in executive positions, if the few rising women were not expected to become masculinized, I'm sure a lot would change in the Turkish media," Tuna told VOA.

"The biggest problems today are not getting equal pay for equal work, not being able to work in managerial positions, and all kinds of gendered violence. If the media were not a boys' club, all these problems would be improved."

This story originated in VOA's Turkish Service.
Russia said it had requested an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Friday to discuss military strikes on Yemen by the United States and Britain.

"Russia has requested an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council on January 12 in connection with the U.S. and UK strikes on Yemen," Russia's permanent mission to the United Nations said.

The United States and Britain launched strikes from the air and sea against Houthi military targets in Yemen in response to the movement's attacks on ships in the Red Sea, a dramatic regional widening of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

A spokesperson for Yemen's Houthis said there was no justification for the U.S.-British attack and said the Iran-backed group will continue targeting ships heading towards Israel.
Thursdays retaliatory attacks by U.S. and British forces on Iranian-backed Houthis inside Yemen have prompted support and condemnation from the international community. The retaliation follows weeks of Houthi attacks against vessels in the Red Sea.

U.S. defense officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the U.S. and British attacks were launched from fighter jets, surface vessels and submarines. The attacks were carried out with the help of Australia, Canada, the Netherlands and Bahrain.

In a statement, a NATO spokesperson said the strikes were defensive and designed to preserve freedom of navigation in one of the world's most vital waterways.

Likewise, the French Foreign Ministry issued a statement, noting a January 10 U.N. resolution that said navigational rights and freedoms must be respected and that states have the right to respond to these attacks, in accordance with international law.

The statement added, France will continue shouldering its responsibilities and contributing to maritime security in the area in conjunction with its partners.

The Houthi rebels issued a video statement, featuring Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree, who called the attacks brutal aggression carried out as part of U.S. and British support for the continuation of Israeli crimes in Gaza. He said the attacks killed five people and wounded six others.

The American and British enemy bears full responsibility for its criminal aggression against our Yemeni people, and it will not go unanswered and unpunished," he said.

Irans foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani strongly slammed the military strikes by the U.S. and Britain, in a statement, calling it an arbitrary move that clearly breached Yemens sovereignty and territorial integrity, and was against international laws and regulations.

NATO ally Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called the strikes a disproportionate use of force, just as Israel is doing in Gaza, and accused the U.S. and Britain of trying to turn the Red Sea into a sea of blood. He accused both countries of escalating tensions in the region.

Russia also condemned the attacks, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmtry Peskov calling the strikes illegitimate, and accused the United States and Britain of trying to adjust the international law system to its actions.
The latest calculations from several science agencies showing Earth obliterated global heat records last year may seem scary. But scientists worry that what's behind those numbers could be even worse.

The Associated Press asked more than three dozen scientists in interviews and emails what the smashed records mean. Most said they fear acceleration of climate change that is already right at the edge of the 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) increase since pre-industrial times that nations had hoped to stay within.

The heat over the last calendar year was a dramatic message from Mother Nature, said University of Arizona climate scientist Katharine Jacobs. Scientists say warming air and water is making deadly and costly heat waves, floods, droughts, storms and wildfires more intense and more likely.

Average global temperatures broke the previous record by a little more than a quarter of a degree (0.15 degrees Celsius), a big margin, according to calculations Friday from two top American science agencies, the British meteorological service and a private group founded by a climate skeptic.

Several of the scientists who made the calculations said the climate behaved in strange ways in 2023. They wonder whether human-caused climate change and a natural El Nino were augmented by a freak blip or whether there's something more systematic afoot, as NASA climate scientist Gavin Schmidt put it  including a much-debated acceleration of warming.

A partial answer may not come until late spring or early summer. That's when a strong El Nino  the cyclical warming of Pacific Ocean waters that affects global weather patterns  is expected to fade away. If ocean temperatures, including deep waters, keep setting records well into the summer, like in 2023, that would be an ominous clue, they say.

Nearly every scientist who responded to AP's questions blamed greenhouse gases from the burning of fossil fuels as the overwhelmingly largest reason the world hit temperatures that human civilization has not likely seen before. El Nino, which is bordering on very strong, is the second-biggest factor, with other conditions far behind, they said.

The trouble with 2023, NASA's Schmidt said, is it was a very strange year. ... The more you dig into it, the less clear it seems.

One part of that is the timing for when 2023's big burst of heat began, according to Schmidt and Samantha Burgess, deputy director of Europe's Copernicus Climate Service, which earlier this week put warming at 1.48 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times.

Temperatures are typically highest above normal in late winter and spring, they said. But 2023's highest heat kicked in around June and lingered at record levels for months.

Former NASA climate scientist James Hansen, often considered the godfather of global warming science, theorized last year that warming was accelerating. While many of the scientists contacted by AP said they suspect it is happening, others were adamant that evidence so far supports only a steady and long-predicted increase.

There is some evidence that the rate of warming over the past decade or so is slightly faster than the decade or so previous  which meets the mathematical definition of acceleration, said UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain. However, this too is largely in line with predictions that warming would accelerate at a certain point, especially when particle pollution in the air decreases.

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration calculated that Earth in 2023 had an average temperature of 59.12 degrees (15.08 degrees Celsius). Thats 0.27 degrees (0.15 degrees Celsius) warmer than the previous record set in 2016 and 2.43 degrees (1.35 degrees Celsius) warmer than pre-industrial temperatures.

NASA and the United Kingdom Meteorological Office had the warming since the mid-19th century a bit higher at 2.5 degrees (1.39 degrees Celsius) and 2.63 degrees (1.46 degrees Celsius) respectively. Records go back to 1850.

The World Meteorological Organization, combining the measurements announced Friday with Japanese and European calculations released earlier this month, pegged 2023 at 1.45 degrees Celsius (2.61 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than pre-industrial temperatures.

Many of the climate scientists saw little hope of stopping warming at the 1.5-degree goal called for in the 2015 Paris agreement that sought to avert the worst consequences of climate change.

I do not consider it realistic that we can limit warming [averaged over several years] to 1.5C, wrote Woodwell Climate Research Center scientist Jennifer Francis in an email. It is technically possible but politically impossible.

Katharine Hayhoe, chief scientist at The Nature Conservancy, agreed. The slow pace of climate action and the continued disinformation that catalyzes it has never been about lack of science or even lack of solutions; it has always been, and remains, about lack of political will.

NASA and NOAA said the last 10 years, from 2014 to 2023, have been the 10 hottest years theyve measured. Its the third time in the last eight years that a global heat record was set.

Randall Cerveny, an Arizona State University scientist who helps coordinate record-keeping for the WMO, said the big worry isnt that a record was broken last year, but that they keep getting broken so frequently.
Officials in Pakistan have cautioned that relentless cross-border militancy is testing bilateral relations with Afghanistan's Taliban and could eventually push Islamabad to scale back support for the de facto Kabul rulers.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan provinces, both lining Pakistan's 2,600-kilometer (1,600-mile) border with Afghanistan, have experienced almost daily attacks since the Taliban returned to power in Kabul in August 2021, killing hundreds of Pakistani security forces and civilians.

The violence is mostly being carried out or claimed by the outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP. The group, listed as a global terrorist organization, is believed to be operating out of Afghan sanctuaries, allegedly with the support of Taliban authorities.

Both countries have recently held repeated formal talks to discuss the issue, with the latest engagement occurring in early January when Islamabad hosted a high-powered Taliban delegation. But neither side has reported any breakthrough, nor has the diplomatic effort brought about a reduction in TTP-led extremist violence.

"Don't expect immediate results; it's a process with pitfalls. However, continuous interaction can help galvanize the process," a senior Pakistani diplomat told VOA, speaking anonymously because he was not authorized to interact publicly with the media.

Already-troubled relationship

The official said that Pakistan's stepped-up diplomatic engagement with the Taliban stems from concerns the TTP could be planning to intensify violence in the upcoming spring and target national elections scheduled for next month. He warned that the increase in violence could deal a critical blow to an already-troubled relationship between the two countries.

"That could certainly be a turning point, and the government of Pakistan may also run second thoughts about maintaining their support level with the Taliban," the official cautioned.

The United States this week repeated its concerns about an uptick in TTP attacks against Pakistani security forces from the group's bases in Afghanistan, saying the violence has led to a deterioration in bilateral ties.

"The relationship between Pakistan and the Taliban at the moment is not good. ... This security issue is dominating the Taliban's relationship with Pakistan," Thomas West, the U.S. special Afghan envoy, told a congressional hearing Thursday while discussing the growing TTP threat to regional stability.

"I am very worried about that group. I spoke about it with Pakistani leaders when I visited last month. For regional stability and our own interests and Pakistan's stability, we should hope for concerted efforts to eliminate that group inside Afghanistan," West said.

Visit by prominent Pakistani leader

A prominent Pakistani religious party leader, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who is known for his traditionally close ties with the Taliban, traveled to Afghanistan this week and held meetings with the leaders of the de facto authorities. He reportedly discussed the TTP, among other issues facing the two countries.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid had confirmed in the run-up to the visit that Kabul had officially invited Rehman to promote better ties between the two countries.

Multiple sources confirmed to VOA that Rehman also met with reclusive Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada in his southern Kandahar headquarters, although neither side commented on the reported meeting.

The Pakistani cleric also reportedly met with TTP leaders at an undisclosed location in Afghanistan. The host Taliban government reportedly arranged the meeting, but neither side confirmed that this happened.

However, Islamabad distanced itself from Rehman's nearly weeklong trip, saying he traveled in "his individual capacity" and not "as an emissary of the government of Pakistan."

No peace talks

On Thursday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch told reporters in Islamabad that her government had no intention to engage in peace talks with the TTP.

"Our demands from the Afghan authorities haven't changed; they remain the same, which is that the Afghan authorities should take action, effective action, against terrorist elements inside Afghanistan, including TTP leadership," she said.

Kabul hosted and mediated talks between Pakistan and the TTP in mid-2022, but the group withdrew from the process later that year and has since renewed its attacks, killing hundreds of security forces and civilians last year alone. Pakistani officials allege Afghan Taliban members also facilitated and joined the TTP in some of the attacks.

Taliban authorities reject the charges, advising Pakistan against externalizing its "internal security problems."

The violence has also led to a government crackdown on undocumented Afghans in Pakistan, forcing more than half a million to return to their home country in the past few months and straining bilateral relations.

No foreign country has recognized the Taliban government in Kabul, but Pakistan is among several neighboring countries, including China and Russia, that have informally maintained ties with Afghanistan's de facto authorities. The landlocked nation has traditionally relied on Pakistani land routes and seaports to conduct bilateral and international trade.
Relations between Jewish and Arab citizens of Israel have become more fraught since the Hamas attack of October 7 and the ensuing war in Gaza. Many Arab citizens say they worry they could be penalized if they speak freely. Linda Gradstein reports for VOA from Tel Aviv. VOA footage by Ricki Rosen.
SINGAPORE, January 12, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of "a-" (Excellent) of Etiqa General Insurance Berhad (EGIB) (Malaysia). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect EGIBs balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strong, as well as its strong operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM). In addition, the ratings factor in a neutral impact from the companys ultimate majority ownership by Malayan Banking Berhad (Maybank group), one of the largest financial services groups incorporated, listed and domiciled in Malaysia.

EGIBs balance sheet strength is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation, which was at the strongest level at year-end 2022, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), and is expected to remain at that level over the near to medium term. AM Best views the company as having a moderate-risk investment strategy, which is made up of a combination of low-risk assets of cash, deposits and bonds, as well as higher-risk assets including equities and real estate. In addition, the company has a high dependence on reinsurance, with a net retention ratio of 33% in 2022. As a result, the companys reinsurance recoverables are a large balance sheet item, equal to three times its shareholders equity at the end of 2022.

AM Best assesses EGIBs operating performance as strong, with a five-year average combined ratio of 87% (2018-2022). Overall earnings have been supported by favourable underwriting performance and stable investment income. Low net loss experience in the companys core business lines of fire and personal accident, as well as favourable reinsurance commission income from ceded risks, have been the key drivers of technical profitability over recent years. Although the ongoing phased liberalisation of motor and fire insurance pricing in Malaysia and the companys business initiatives may constrain future underwriting margins, AM Best expects EGIB to maintain its strong operating performance over the medium term, underpinned by underwriting and pricing discipline.

Story continues

AM Best views EGIBs business profile as neutral. The company is a mid-sized non-life insurer in Malaysia, with a market share of over 8%, based on 2022 gross direct premium. The companys underwriting portfolio is diversified moderately by line of business and distribution channel, albeit with all business originating from Malaysia. As part of the Maybank group, EGIB benefits from good distribution capabilities with preferential access to business through its parents banking network.

AM Best views EGIBs ERM approach as appropriate given the current size and complexity of its operations. Risk management capabilities typically are considered appropriate relative to the profile of the companys key risks, although reinsurance credit/dispute risk is viewed to be elevated given the companys exposure to some non-rated reinsurance counterparties, including captives.

Ratings are communicated to rated entities prior to publication. Unless stated otherwise, the ratings were not amended subsequent to that communication.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Bests website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Bests Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Bests Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Bests Credit Ratings, Bests Performance Assessments, Bests Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Bests Ratings & Assessments.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright  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/20240112479625/en/

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The United Nations' top court began hearings Thursday on South Africa's case against Israel for genocide  a case that Israel and its top ally, the U.S., flatly refute  raising the stakes for U.S. relations with nations that disagree.

South Africa's legal team on Thursday launched their argument before a panel of judges that Israel's actions amount to a "pattern of genocide." They are seeking an emergency suspension of the Israeli campaign that started after the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a stunning October 7 attack on Israeli civilians that killed about 1,200 people and took 240 hostages.

Israel will present its arguments Friday. Judges could take years to rule.

"Our government has approached the International Court of Justice to prevent the unfolding genocide in Gaza," said South African Justice Minister Ronald Lamola, speaking outside the court. "We have also asked for provisional measures, which include an immediate suspension of Israel's military operations in and against Gaza. The commitment to justice and bring an end to the humanitarian atrocities in Palestine resonate deeply with the collective consciousness of the global community."

South Africa argues that Israel has violated the 1948 Genocide Convention and compared the situation to one closer to home.

"The scale of these actions is reminiscent of the Rwandan genocide 30 years ago," Lamola said.

Israel has dismissed the accusations as baseless.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said late Wednesday that Israeli forces are doing all they can to minimize civilian casualties, and he accused Hamas militants of using civilians as human shields.

"Israel is fighting Hamas terrorists, not the Palestinian population, and we are doing so in full compliance with international law," Netanyahu said.

Officially, Israel's top ally is standing firm.

"We have said repeatedly that we believe these allegations, this case, is unfounded and that there's no basis for accusations of genocide against Israel," said John Kirby, National Security Council spokesperson. "That's not a word that I want to be thrown around lightly."

But there is no consensus in Washington, with some politicians and labor leaders supporting South Africa's call for a cease-fire and accusing Israeli forces of being overzealous.

The Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry says Israel's counteroffensive has killed more than 23,300 Palestinians, with vast swaths of Gaza left in rubble and 85% of its population of 2.3 million displaced.

Josh Paul, a former director in the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Political and Military Affairs, resigned in protest in October and recently filed a document with the court in support of South Africa.

"I'm not arguing that there should be a special standard for Israel, a higher one or a lower one. I'm simply arguing that there is a global standard, and we need to hold all of our partners to it," he told VOA. "And we need to hold ourselves to it. And in the case of Israel, there are laws that are simply being set aside, overlooked, interpreted differently, or acted upon differently, and that does not seem to be in accordance with the U.S. approach to the international rule of law."

South Africa has long supported the Palestinian cause, with former President Nelson Mandela famously saying, "our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians."

But analysts say this is about much more than just Israel's conduct. With a growing list of countries and entities supporting Pretoria's view over Washington's, this could have major diplomatic fallout  especially if the U.N.-backed court renders a judgment against Israel.

"It also brings into question the countries that are continuing to support Israel and provide weapons to Israel and provide intelligence to Israel, and doing all these other things," said Michael Walsh, a senior fellow in the Africa Program at the Foreign Policy Research Institute. "So that has huge implications for U.S. relations with other countries around the world, not just in the short term, but also in the long term. And it also undermines the U.S. leadership on human rights in the world moving forward, if there's any grounds that are found."

Patsy Widakuswara contributed to this report from Washington. Some information came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania on Thursday signed an agreement to jointly tackle drifting sea mines that have threatened Black Sea shipping since the start of the Ukraine war.

Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler said the agreement establishes a Mine Countermeasures Task Group among the three NATO allies to deal with the mines.

"We jointly decided to sign a protocol between three countries in order to fight more effectively against the mine danger in the Black Sea by improving our existing close cooperation and coordination," Guler said at a news conference in Istanbul with Romanian Defense Minister Angel Tilvar and Bulgarian Deputy Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov.

Zapryanov said mines pose a "danger to ports, communication networks and key water infrastructure. It is in our interest and NATO's interest to develop countermeasures against this danger."

Tilvar added that Russia's "disdain for the norms of international law and its aggression in the Black Sea is not only a regional problem but also a problem with global consequences."

The deal comes after Ankara last week refused entry to the Black Sea for two minesweeping vessels donated to Ukraine by Britain.

At the start of the war in February 2022, Turkey enacted the 1936 Montreux Convention to block the passage of Russian or Ukrainian ships through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits. It also told non-Black Sea states not to send warships.

Guler said implementation of the Montreux Convention was important for regional security. He suggested that other countries could participate in mine-clearing at the end of the war.

Moscow and Kyiv have blamed each other for stray mines that have washed up near the Black Sea coast.

The initiative aims to make shipping safer, including for vessels transporting grain from Ukraine.

Turkey and the United Nations brokered a deal in July 2022 to ensure the free passage of Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea but Russia abandoned the deal a year later. Since then, Ukraine has shipped grain along a corridor through the western Black Sea.
Five Turkish soldiers were killed Friday in an attack on a military base in northern Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region, the Turkish Defense Ministry said. Authorities blamed Kurdish militants.

Eight soldiers were wounded, three of them seriously, when the attackers attempted to infiltrate the base, the ministry said on social media. It indicated 12 militants had been killed and that operations were continuing in the area. The wounded troops were hospitalized for treatment.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan later expressed condolences for the families of the slain soldiers.

"We will fight to the end against the PKK terrorist organization within and outside our borders," he said, referring to militants affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers' Party.

The clashes follow a similar attack in northern Iraq three weeks ago that led to the deaths of 12 Turkish soldiers.

PKK-affiliated militants tried to break into a Turkish base in northern Iraq on December 22, according to Turkish officials. Six soldiers were killed in the ensuing firefight. The following day, six more Turkish soldiers were killed in clashes with the Kurdish militants.

Turkey responded by launching strikes against sites that officials said were associated with the PKK in Iraq and Syria. Defense Minister Yasar Guler said at the time that dozens of Kurdish militants were killed in airstrikes and land assaults.

It wasn't immediately clear if Friday's attack and the one three weeks earlier were at the same base or not.

The PKK, which maintains bases in northern Iraq, has led a decades-long insurgency in Turkey and is considered a terror organization by Turkey's Western allies, including the U.S. Tens of thousands of people have died since the start of the conflict in 1984.

Turkey and the U.S., however, disagree on the status of the Syrian Kurdish groups, which have been allied with Washington in the fight against the Islamic State group in Syria.
He defended the Azovstal steel plant, survived Russian captivity in occupied Olenivka and Donetsk, as well as torture and starvation. Anton Shtukin, a 20-year-old fighter with the National Guard of Ukraine, was released after a year of Russian captivity on May 6, 2023. Anna Kosstutschenko met with him and talked about his liberation. Camera and video edit: Pavel Suhodolskiy
United Nations officials say Palestinians in Gaza are in a state of desperation after nearly three months of being militarily battered and left without sufficient supplies of food, water and medicine.

"The level of desperation of people is palpable and breathable. It is a situation of desperation that you can feel it, that you can really touch it with your hands," said Andrea De Domenico, head of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Speaking from Jerusalem to journalists in Geneva on Friday, De Domenico said hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are crammed into ever smaller spaces and forced to set up makeshift shelters in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions, with no toilets or basic amenities.

"There is no public service. There is a lack of shelter, a lack of water, a lack of food, and a lack of health.  This high pressure is turning more and more into increasing tension vis-a-vis the U.N. and vis-a-vis the humanitarian community who are unable to address their basic needs.

"[The desperate Palestinians in Gaza] are not aggressive so far, but this tension will increase if we do not scale up our operations," he said, noting that when supply trucks cross the border into Gaza, Palestinians go to the trucks, thank the U.N. for coming and then "take whatever they can for them and their families to survive."

The OCHA representative said his team has told him that "the faces of the people who are coming to the trucks  are clearly the faces of people who are starving."

This Sunday will mark 100 days since Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups launched their attack on Israel, in which 1,200 people, mostly Israeli, were killed and around 240 hostages taken, among them children.

The brutal assault unleashed a ferocious response by Israel's military, reportedly resulting in the deaths of more than 23,000 Palestinians, about two-thirds of them women and children, and the massive destruction of civilian infrastructure, including homes, hospitals, schools and places of worship.

"As U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has repeatedly urged, there must be an immediate cease-fire on human rights and humanitarian grounds," said Turk's spokeswoman, Liz Throssell.

It is more urgent than ever that there be "a cease-fire to end the appalling suffering and loss of life, and to allow the prompt and effective delivery of humanitarian aid to a population facing shocking levels of hunger and disease," she said, adding that Israeli Defence Forces "must take immediate measures to protect civilians fully in line with Israel's obligation under international law."

The U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) echoed this plea for an immediate and long-lasting cease-fire, stressing that this "is the only way to end the killing and injuring of children and their families and enable the urgent delivery of desperately needed aid."

Speaking from Jerusalem, Lucia Elmi, UNICEF's special representative in the Palestinian territories, warned that conditions in the Gaza strip  especially for children  continue to deteriorate rapidly.

"Children in Gaza are running out of time, while most of the lifesaving humanitarian aid they desperately need remains stranded between insufficient access corridors and protracted layers of inspections," she said.

"Thousands of children have already died and thousands more will quickly follow" if the problems of conflict, disease and malnutrition are not quickly addressed, she added.

By way of illustration, she noted that in the past two weeks, the number of diarrhea cases among children under five has almost doubled from 40,000 to 70,000.

The conflict, along with the increased burden of disease and the increasing severity of malnutrition, is putting at risk over 135,000 children of severe acute malnutrition.

"The combination of these three problems plus the lack of water and sanitation in terms of malnutrition is one of the key concerns at the moment," she said.
The United Nations' top court began hearings this week on South Africa's case against Israel for genocide  a bid to both stop the current conflict in Gaza and document what the longtime Palestinian ally sees as "a pattern of genocidal conduct" by Israeli forces. Israel's top ally, the U.S., has dismissed the case as "meritless"  raising the stakes for U.S. relations with nations that disagree. VOA's Anita Powell reports from Washington. Patsy Widakuswara contributed to the report.
The United States, Britain and a handful of other allies answered dozens of Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden with a series of powerful airstrikes designed to severely degrade the Iranian-backed groups capabilities.

U.S. Central Command late Thursday said the series of strikes hit more than 60 targets at 16 locations in Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen, including command and control nodes, munitions depots, launching systems, and production facilities.

"We hit them pretty hard, pretty good," a U.S. defense official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss details of the operation, told VOA, adding the strikes also targeted Houthi radar installations and air defense systems which did not fire back.

A spokesperson for the Houthi rebel group said the strikes killed at least five fighters and wounded six others, without specifying the targets that were hit.

The U.S. and British strikes, carried out with the help of Australia, Canada, the Netherlands and Bahrain, were launched from fighter jets, surface vessels and submarines, the defense official said.

The U.S. alone, dropped more than 100 precision guided munitions on the Houthi installations, officials said, with the naval vessels and submarines firing Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles to take out the intended targets.

The official also said the targets were chosen both because of their threat to shipping and the lack of a civilian presence.

In a statement from the White House late Thursday, U.S. President Joe Biden called the strikes a "direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks" on international shipping, saying they were necessary after attempts at diplomacy were ignored.

"These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the worlds most critical commercial routes," Biden said. "I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary."

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak likewise condemned the Houthi attacks as destabilizing, confirming the participation of British fighter jets in Thursdays strikes.

"Their reckless actions are risking lives at sea and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Yemen," Sunak said in a statement. "This cannot stand."

It is the first time Houthi targets inside Yemen have been struck since the militants began attacking ships in the Red Sea following Hamas' assault on Israel on October 7.

U.S. officials late Thursday were still studying the impact of the strikes against the Houthis, but an initial assessment suggested the damage to Houthi capabilities is "significant."

"We were going after very specific capability in very specific locations with precision munitions," said a senior U.S. military official, who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss the operation.

"This was a significant action," added a senior U.S. administration official. "[We have] every expectation that it will degrade in a significant way, the Houthis, a capability to launch exactly the sorts of attacks that they have conducted over the period of recent weeks."

There have been 27 attacks launched from Houthi-held areas of Yemen since mid-November, impacting citizens, cargo and vessels from more than 50 countries, according to the U.S.

U.S. officials said in one instance last month, U.S. defensive action prevented a Houthi attack from hitting and likely sinking a commercial ship full of jet fuel.

The most recent Houthi attack, involving the launch of an anti-ship ballistic missile, took place earlier Thursday. The missile landed in the Gulf of Aden near a commercial vessel, causing no injuries or damage.

On Tuesday, U.S. Central Command, which oversees U.S. forces in the Middle East and South Asia, said the Houthis launched a complex attack using 18 one-way attack drones, two cruise missiles and one ballistic missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward Red Sea shipping lanes where dozens of merchant vessels were transiting.

U.S. combat jets, along with U.S. and British military vessels, responded by shooting down the drones and missiles, averting any damage to ships or injuries to their crews in the area.

The senior U.S. administration official said it was Tuesdays massive attack by the Houthis that prompted Biden to order Thursday strikes.

Before the U.S. and British-led strikes late Thursday, multiple U.S. officials warned both the Houthis and Iran against what they described as reckless and illegal behavior.

"There will be consequences," Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder said Thursday in response to a question from VOA.

"The Houthis are funded, trained, equipped by Iran to a large degree. And, so, we know that Iran has a role to play in terms of helping to cease this reckless, dangerous and illegal activity," he said.

Last week, the United States and 12 allies issued a statement warning the Houthis of unspecified consequences if their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea continued.

"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 included Britain, Australia, Canada, Germany and Japan.

The statement followed the launch in mid-December of Operation Prosperity Guardian by the United States, Britain and nearly 20 other countries to protect ships from Houthi attacks.

Since the launch of Prosperity Guardian, at least 1,500 vessels have passed safely through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.

The commander of U.S. Navy operations in the Middle East last week called it "the largest surface and air presence in the southern Red Sea in years."

The U.N. Security Council issued its own resolution Wednesday, calling on the Houthis to stop the attacks immediately.

There are questions, however, as to whether the statements, backed now by the U.S. and British strikes against the Houthis, will do anything to deter Tehran.

"Iran has the luxury of really fighting a, what I would call, a hidden-hand operation with very few Iranians on the ground," the former commander of U.S. Central Command, retired General Kenneth "Frank" McKenzie, told a webinar on Wednesday.

"They're choking world shipping in the Bab el-Mandeb [Strait] at a very low, very low price for Iran," he said.

But McKenzie argued that even if Iran continues to encourage the Houthis, the risk of a wider regional escalation is slim.

"I do not believe the escalation ladder leads out of Yemen. I believe it stays in Yemen," he said. "And I believe Iran will leave their partners down there, their proxies down there, to their fate."

U.S. officials said while they were bracing for the Houthis to try to mount some sort of response to the strikes, a slew of initial claims of attacks late Thursday appeared to be nothing more than disinformation.

This is not the first time the U.S. military has targeted Houthi launch sites in Yemen in response to militant attacks against vessels in nearby waters. In October 2016, the American destroyer USS Nitze launched Tomahawk cruise missiles at three radar sites along Yemen's Red Sea coast in order to degrade the Houthi's ability to track and target ships.

Ostap Yarysh with VOA's Ukrainian Service contributed to this report.
House Speaker Mike Johnson insisted Friday he is sticking with the bipartisan spending deal he struck with the other congressional leaders, but he offered no clear path for overcoming hard-right opposition within his own party to prevent a partial government shutdown next week.

Johnson emerged from days of testy meetings behind closed doors at the Capitol to read a terse statement. Just months on the job, the new speaker is trying to set the record straight that he will not renege on the budget deal he made earlier this week. But in his first big test as the new leader, he has yet to show how he will quell the revolt from his right flank that ousted his predecessor.

Our top-line agreement remains, Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, said, referring to the budget accord reached January 7.

We are getting our next steps together, and we are working toward a robust appropriations process, he said. "So, stay tuned for all that.

It's the same intractable political dilemma that led a core group of right-flank Republicans to boot Representative Kevin McCarthy from the speaker's office last year as they revolted against the deal he struck with the other congressional leaders and President Joe Biden signed into law.

Lawmakers during the first work week of the new year are furious that, after spending much of 2023 watching hard-right Republicans fight the leaders, they are quickly careening toward another crisis with just a week to go before the January 19 deadline to fund parts of the government or risk a shutdown yet again.

As some Republicans from the Freedom Caucus again raise the threat of a motion to oust the speaker over the deal, other Republicans are furious they are starting 2024 with the same problems of governing.

In the morning before Johnson made his statement, he met with about two dozen House Republicans, more of them centrist-leaning voices, urging him not to go back on his word and stick with the deal.

The centrists assured Johnson they have his back.

"I just cant imagine the House wants to relive the madness, said Representative French Hill of Arkansas, who had helped McCarthy negotiate the initial agreement with Biden and the other leaders.

"This concept of trying to break a deal that was negotiated, its a foreign concept," said Republican Representative Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida. What you would be asking is for the speaker to basically break his word and lie. Thats just something you cant ask him to do.

Since Congress resumed from the holiday break, Johnson has been holed up in his office at the Capitol receiving a steady stream of Republican lawmakers trying to force his hand.

Just two days into the workweek, the House hit a crisis Wednesday when hard-right Republicans forced the chamber to a standstill. They voted against a routine procedural rules package as a way to demand the speaker's attention.

They are pressing Johnson to refuse the deal, with its $1.66 trillion in spending for the year, and to instead consider a temporary measure that would keep the government open but force 1% across-the-board cuts that are required to kick in if the broader package falls apart.

The hard-right flank is also insisting that new immigration policies be included, which they say would stop the record flow of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Republican Representative Andy Biggs of Arizona said in floor remarks that Republicans should "shut the government down until you shut the border down."

But by Friday it was more centrist lawmakers making their way to Johnson's office, many of them who serve on the appropriations panels writing the spending bills, urging him to hold firm to the deal he struck.

Some have suggested that Johnson should consider trying to pass a temporary measure that would fund the government for several more weeks, into March.

Biden signed the spending framework into law as part of a deal he struck last spring with McCarthy. It was agreed to by the other congressional leaders from both parties and approved by the House and Senate as part of an effort to raise the nation's debt limit to avert a federal default.

In the time since, congressional leaders have been working to devise the top-line spending numbers. McCarthy could never deliver on the final numbers before he was ousted after reaching across the aisle to pass a temporary measure in September and prevent a shutdown at that time.

Johnson and the other leaders, Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate, picked up where they left off and reached a top-line deal at the start of the year that the speaker is now trying to have approved.
U.S. officials overseeing assistance to Afghanistan told U.S. lawmakers Thursday that aid is rigorously monitored to prevent financial benefits from reaching the Taliban.

"We remain extremely vigilant against attempts to divert and interfere with assistance delivery. USAID takes its duty as a steward of U.S. taxpayer dollars extremely seriously, and we hold implementing partners to the highest standards," said Michael Schiffer, assistant administrator, Bureau for Asia, U.S. Agency for International Development.

Assurances from the U.S. State Department and USAID came after the U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) said in a January 8 letter that there were still unanswered questions about $3.5 billion in funds controlled by the Switzerland-based Afghan Fund.

SIGAR told Congress that more than a year after the Afghan Fund's creation it had not made any disbursements for its intended purpose of benefiting the Afghan people.

According to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, "an estimated 23.7 million people  more than half of Afghanistan's population  will require humanitarian assistance to survive in 2024."

The Taliban took back control of Afghanistan in August 2021 following the chaotic U.S. evacuation of Kabul that ended the 20-year conflict. The United States has provided more than $2 billion in aid since that takeover.

"The Taliban is benefiting more than ever from U.S. taxpayer dollars," said Representative Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. "They steal from NGOs to enrich their fighters and to solidify their power."

McCaul said the Taliban demand payoffs from NGOs, create fake NGOs to receive aid money and embed Taliban officials within U.N. agencies.

An October 2023 SIGAR report found evidence of that infiltration, leading to lawmaker concerns about potential corruption in the Afghan Fund.

McCaul said Thursday that SIGAR has 30 outstanding requests awaiting an answer from the State Department regarding the disbursement of aid in Afghanistan.

Thomas West, special representative for Afghanistan and deputy assistant secretary, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs at the U.S. State Department, told the House panel that the State Department has spent more than 13,000 hours cooperating with SIGAR on its requests about aid oversight.
The United States and Britain have launched a massive attack against Iranian-backed Houthis inside Yemen in retaliation for more than two dozen recent attacks against vessels transiting international shipping lanes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press, said American and British military assets struck more than a dozen Houthi targets Thursday, ranging from radar systems and airfields to drone and missile storage sites.

"We hit them pretty hard, pretty good," a U.S. defense official, likewise talking on the condition of anonymity, told VOA, adding the strikes also targeted Houthi radar installations and air defense systems which did not fire back.

The U.S. and British strikes, carried out with the help of Australia, Canada, the Netherlands and Bahrain, were launched from fighter jets, surface vessels and submarines, the defense official said.

The official also said the targets were chosen both because of their threat to shipping and the lack of a civilian presence.

In a statement from the White House late Thursday, U.S. President Joe Biden called the strikes a "direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks" on international shipping, saying they were necessary after attempts at diplomacy were ignored.

"These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the worlds most critical commercial routes," Biden said. "I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary."

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak likewise condemned the Houthi attacks as destabilizing, confirming the participation of British fighter jets in Thursdays strikes.

"Their reckless actions are risking lives at sea and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Yemen," Sunak said in a statement. "This cannot stand."

It is the first time Houthi targets inside Yemen have been struck since the militants began attacking ships in the Red Sea following Hamas' assault on Israel on October 7.

U.S. officials late Thursday were still studying the impact of the strikes against the Houthis, but an initial assessment suggested the damage to Houthi capabilities is "significant."

"We were going after very specific capability in very specific locations with precision munitions," said a senior U.S. military official, who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss the operation.

"This was a significant action," added a senior U.S. administration official. "[We have] every expectation that it will degrade in a significant way, the Houthis, a capability to launch exactly the sorts of attacks that they have conducted over the period of recent weeks."

There have been 27 attacks launched from Houthi-held areas of Yemen since mid-November, impacting citizens, cargo and vessels from more than 50 countries, according to the U.S.

U.S. officials said in one instance last month, U.S. defensive action prevented a Houthi attack from hitting and likely sinking a commercial ship full of jet fuel.

The most recent Houthi attack, involving the launch of an anti-ship ballistic missile, took place earlier Thursday. The missile landed in the Gulf of Aden near a commercial vessel, causing no injuries or damage.

On Tuesday, U.S. Central Command, which oversees U.S. forces in the Middle East and South Asia, said the Houthis launched a complex attack using 18 one-way attack drones, two cruise missiles and one ballistic missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward Red Sea shipping lanes where dozens of merchant vessels were transiting.

U.S. combat jets, along with U.S. and British military vessels, responded by shooting down the drones and missiles, averting any damage to ships or injuries to their crews in the area.

The senior U.S. administration official said it was Tuesdays massive attack by the Houthis that prompted Biden to order Thursday strikes.

Before the U.S. and British-led strikes late Thursday, multiple U.S. officials warned both the Houthis and Iran against what they described as reckless and illegal behavior.

"There will be consequences," Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder said Thursday in response to a question from VOA.

"The Houthis are funded, trained, equipped by Iran to a large degree. And, so, we know that Iran has a role to play in terms of helping to cease this reckless, dangerous and illegal activity," he said.

Last week, the United States and 12 allies issued a statement warning the Houthis of unspecified consequences if their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea continued.

"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 included Britain, Australia, Canada, Germany and Japan.

The statement followed the launch in mid-December of Operation Prosperity Guardian by the United States, Britain and nearly 20 other countries to protect ships from Houthi attacks.

Since the launch of Prosperity Guardian, at least 1,500 vessels have passed safely through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.

The commander of U.S. Navy operations in the Middle East last week called it "the largest surface and air presence in the southern Red Sea in years."

The U.N. Security Council issued its own resolution Wednesday, calling on the Houthis to stop the attacks immediately.

There are questions, however, as to whether the statements, backed now by the U.S. and British strikes against the Houthis, will do anything to deter Tehran.

"Iran has the luxury of really fighting a, what I would call, a hidden-hand operation with very few Iranians on the ground," the former commander of U.S. Central Command, retired General Kenneth "Frank" McKenzie, told a webinar on Wednesday.

"They're choking world shipping in the Bab el-Mandeb [Strait] at a very low, very low price for Iran," he said.

But McKenzie argued that even if Iran continues to encourage the Houthis, the risk of a wider regional escalation is slim.

"I do not believe the escalation ladder leads out of Yemen. I believe it stays in Yemen," he said. "And I believe Iran will leave their partners down there, their proxies down there, to their fate."

U.S. officials said while they were bracing for the Houthis to try to mount some sort of response to the strikes, a slew of initial claims of attacks late Thursday appeared to be nothing more than disinformation.

This is not the first time the U.S. military has targeted Houthi launch sites in Yemen in response to militant attacks against vessels in nearby waters. In October 2016, the American destroyer USS Nitze launched Tomahawk cruise missiles at three radar sites along Yemen's Red Sea coast in order to degrade the Houthi's ability to track and target ships.

Ostap Yarysh with VOA's Ukrainian Service contributed to this report.
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Security researchers warned Apple as early as 2019 about vulnerabilities in its AirDrop wireless sharing function that Chinese authorities claim they recently used to track down users of the feature, the researchers told CNN, in a case that experts say has sweeping implications for global privacy.

The Chinese governments actions targeting a tool that Apple customers around the world use to share photos and documents  and Apples apparent inaction to address the flaws  revive longstanding concerns by US lawmakers and privacy advocates about Apples relationship with China and about authoritarian regimes ability to twist US tech products to their own ends.

AirDrop lets Apple users who are near each other share files using a proprietary mix of Bluetooth and other wireless connectivity without having to connect to the internet. The sharing feature has been used by pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong and the Chinese government has cracked down on the feature in response.

A Chinese tech firm, Beijing-based Wangshendongjian Technology, was able to compromise AirDrop to identify users on the Beijing subway accused of sharing inappropriate information, judicial authorities in Beijing said this week.

Although Chinese officials portrayed the exploit as an effective law enforcement technique, internet freedom advocates are urging Apple to address the issue quickly and publicly.

Apples response to this situation is crucial, said Benjamin Ismail, campaign and advocacy director of Greatfire.org, a group that monitors internet censorship in China. They should either refute the claim or confirm it and immediately work on securing AirDrop against such vulnerabilities. Its imperative that Apple is transparent about their response to these developments.

The Chinese claim has alarmed top US lawmakers. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, the leading Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, called on Apple to act swiftly.

Story continues

Anyone using an iPhone should be concerned with the security of Apples AirDrop function, Rubio told CNN. This breach is just another way for Beijing to target any Apple user it perceives to be an opponent. The time to act is now, and Apple must be held accountable for failing to safeguard its users against such blatant security breaches.

An Apple spokesperson did not respond to multiple emails and phone calls seeking comment.

A group of Germany-based researchers at the Technical University of Darmstadt, who first discovered the flaws in 2019, told CNN Thursday they had confirmation Apple received their original report at the time but that the company appears not to have acted on the findings. The same group published a proposed fix for the issue in 2021, but Apple appears not to have implemented it, the researchers said.

One of the researchers, Milan Stute, shared an email with CNN showing a representative of Apples product security team acknowledging the researchers report in 2019.

Precautions not taken

Chinese authorities claim they exploited the vulnerabilities by collecting some of the basic identifying information that must be transferred between two Apple devices when they use AirDrop  data including device names, email addresses and phone numbers.

Ordinarily, this information is scrambled for privacy reasons. But, according to a separate 2021 analysis of the Darmstadt research by the UK-based cybersecurity firm Sophos, Apple appeared not to have taken the extra precaution of adding bogus data to the mix to further randomize the results  a process known as salting.

That apparent failure allowed the Chinese tech firm to more easily reverse-engineer the original information from the encrypted data, in what seems to be kind of an amateur mistake by Apple, said Sascha Meinrath, the Palmer chair in telecommunications at Penn State University. It certainly merits an explanation from Apple since it would point to a serious flaw in their technology.

While AirDrops device-to-device communications channel is typically protected from third-party snooping by its own layer of security, that wouldnt shield someone who may have been tricked into connecting with a stranger, perhaps by tapping on a deceptively named device in a list of contacts or by thoughtlessly accepting an unsolicited connection request. This step is required for the sender to be identified, according to security experts.

Once the device-identifying information is exchanged and obtained by an unauthorized third party, the lack of salting would make it straightforward to guess at the correct codes that would unscramble the data, the experts said.

The Chinese tech firm, Wangshendongjian Technology, that claimed to have exploited AirDrop appeared to have used some of the same techniques first identified by the Darmstadt researchers in 2019, said Alexander Heinrich, one of the German researchers.

As far as we know, Apple did not address the issue so far, Heinrich told CNN.

Kenn White, an independent security researcher specializing in digital forensics, agreed that what Chinese authorities disclosed about their hack is consistent with what the German researchers found.

On my read, Id say this is almost certainly using the same techniques that Heinrich et al published, White said. Three plus years and this design flaw appears not to have been addressed.

Apple under pressure

On the heels of the Chinese claim, Sen. Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat and a vocal privacy advocate in Congress, blasted Apple over a blatant failure to protect its customers.

Apple has had four years to fix the security hole in AirDrop that put the privacy and safety of its users at risk, Wyden said in a statement to CNN. Apple sat on its hands and did nothing, rather than protect human rights activists who depend on iPhones to share messages the Chinese government doesnt want people to see.

The tech firm behind the AirDrop exploit has a history of working closely with Chinese law enforcement and security authorities.

Its parent company is the powerful Chinese cybersecurity firm Qi An Xin, according to corporate database Aiqicha. Qi An Xin was hired to protect the Beijing Winter Olympic Games in 2022 from cyberattacks, according to the official Xinhua news agency.

Time and again, the Chinese government turns to the private sector to augment its technical capabilities, Dakota Cary, a China-focused consultant at US cybersecurity firm SentinelOne, told CNN. This is an important reminder of the offensive role that ostensibly defensive Chinese cybersecurity companies can play.

It is rare, however, for a government actor such as China to publicly disclose its capabilities, suggesting that the intentional reveal this week speaks to some other motive.

Its very much in their interests not to spill their techniques, White said.

One reason Chinese officials may have wanted their exploit known, said Ismail, is that it could scare dissidents away from using AirDrop.

And now that the Beijing authorities have announced it exploited the vulnerability, Apple may face retaliation from Chinese authorities if the tech firm tries to fix the issue, multiple experts said.

China is the largest foreign market for Apples products, with sales there representing about a fifth of the companys total revenue in 2022. Most of its iPhones are produced in Chinese factories, and Apple could face blowback from Beijing if it moves to close off the loophole.

The revelation of the hack could also give China even more leverage to force Apple to cooperate with the countrys security or intelligence demands, said Ismail, because China can argue Apple is already complicit.

If Apple had fixed it when it was reported in 2019, it wouldve been a challenging technical problem, said Matthew Green, a cryptography expert and professor at Johns Hopkins University. Now that Chinese security agencies are exploiting this vulnerability, its a tough political problem for Apple.

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The United States, Britain and a handful of other allies answered dozens of Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden with a series of powerful airstrikes designed to severely degrade the Iranian-backed groups capabilities.

U.S. Central Command late Thursday said the series of strikes hit more than 60 targets at 16 locations in Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen, including command and control nodes, munitions depots, launching systems, and production facilities.

"We hit them pretty hard, pretty good," a U.S. defense official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss details of the operation, told VOA, adding the strikes also targeted Houthi radar installations and air defense systems which did not fire back.

The U.S. and British strikes, carried out with the help of Australia, Canada, the Netherlands and Bahrain, were launched from fighter jets, surface vessels and submarines, the defense official said.

The U.S. alone, dropped more than 100 precision guided munitions on the Houthi installations, officials said, with the naval vessels and submarines firing Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles to take out the intended targets.

The official also said the targets were chosen both because of their threat to shipping and the lack of a civilian presence.

In a statement from the White House late Thursday, U.S. President Joe Biden called the strikes a "direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks" on international shipping, saying they were necessary after attempts at diplomacy were ignored.

"These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the worlds most critical commercial routes," Biden said. "I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary."

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak likewise condemned the Houthi attacks as destabilizing, confirming the participation of British fighter jets in Thursdays strikes.

"Their reckless actions are risking lives at sea and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Yemen," Sunak said in a statement. "This cannot stand."

It is the first time Houthi targets inside Yemen have been struck since the militants began attacking ships in the Red Sea following Hamas' assault on Israel on October 7.

U.S. officials late Thursday were still studying the impact of the strikes against the Houthis, but an initial assessment suggested the damage to Houthi capabilities is "significant."

"We were going after very specific capability in very specific locations with precision munitions," said a senior U.S. military official, who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss the operation.

"This was a significant action," added a senior U.S. administration official. "[We have] every expectation that it will degrade in a significant way, the Houthis, a capability to launch exactly the sorts of attacks that they have conducted over the period of recent weeks."

There have been 27 attacks launched from Houthi-held areas of Yemen since mid-November, impacting citizens, cargo and vessels from more than 50 countries, according to the U.S.

U.S. officials said in one instance last month, U.S. defensive action prevented a Houthi attack from hitting and likely sinking a commercial ship full of jet fuel.

The most recent Houthi attack, involving the launch of an anti-ship ballistic missile, took place earlier Thursday. The missile landed in the Gulf of Aden near a commercial vessel, causing no injuries or damage.

On Tuesday, U.S. Central Command, which oversees U.S. forces in the Middle East and South Asia, said the Houthis launched a complex attack using 18 one-way attack drones, two cruise missiles and one ballistic missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward Red Sea shipping lanes where dozens of merchant vessels were transiting.

U.S. combat jets, along with U.S. and British military vessels, responded by shooting down the drones and missiles, averting any damage to ships or injuries to their crews in the area.

The senior U.S. administration official said it was Tuesdays massive attack by the Houthis that prompted Biden to order Thursday strikes.

Before the U.S. and British-led strikes late Thursday, multiple U.S. officials warned both the Houthis and Iran against what they described as reckless and illegal behavior.

"There will be consequences," Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder said Thursday in response to a question from VOA.

"The Houthis are funded, trained, equipped by Iran to a large degree. And, so, we know that Iran has a role to play in terms of helping to cease this reckless, dangerous and illegal activity," he said.

Last week, the United States and 12 allies issued a statement warning the Houthis of unspecified consequences if their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea continued.

"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 included Britain, Australia, Canada, Germany and Japan.

The statement followed the launch in mid-December of Operation Prosperity Guardian by the United States, Britain and nearly 20 other countries to protect ships from Houthi attacks.

Since the launch of Prosperity Guardian, at least 1,500 vessels have passed safely through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.

The commander of U.S. Navy operations in the Middle East last week called it "the largest surface and air presence in the southern Red Sea in years."

The U.N. Security Council issued its own resolution Wednesday, calling on the Houthis to stop the attacks immediately.

There are questions, however, as to whether the statements, backed now by the U.S. and British strikes against the Houthis, will do anything to deter Tehran.

"Iran has the luxury of really fighting a, what I would call, a hidden-hand operation with very few Iranians on the ground," the former commander of U.S. Central Command, retired General Kenneth "Frank" McKenzie, told a webinar on Wednesday.

"They're choking world shipping in the Bab el-Mandeb [Strait] at a very low, very low price for Iran," he said.

But McKenzie argued that even if Iran continues to encourage the Houthis, the risk of a wider regional escalation is slim.

"I do not believe the escalation ladder leads out of Yemen. I believe it stays in Yemen," he said. "And I believe Iran will leave their partners down there, their proxies down there, to their fate."

U.S. officials said while they were bracing for the Houthis to try to mount some sort of response to the strikes, a slew of initial claims of attacks late Thursday appeared to be nothing more than disinformation.

This is not the first time the U.S. military has targeted Houthi launch sites in Yemen in response to militant attacks against vessels in nearby waters. In October 2016, the American destroyer USS Nitze launched Tomahawk cruise missiles at three radar sites along Yemen's Red Sea coast in order to degrade the Houthi's ability to track and target ships.

Ostap Yarysh with VOA's Ukrainian Service contributed to this report.
The White House is sidestepping questions concerning efforts by Democrat lawmakers to strengthen congressional oversight over U.S. arms transfers to Israel.

"Broadly speaking, we obviously take the oversight responsibilities of Congress very, very seriously," the National Security Council's John Kirby said in response to VOA's question during a White House news briefing Thursday. "We do the best we can to appropriately inform and consult with Congress as we provide foreign military assistance to other countries including Israel."

A group of senators from President Joe Biden's own party, led by Senator Tim Kaine, is working to amend a provision in the national security supplemental funding bill. That provision waives oversight requirements for U.S. assistance for Israel under the Foreign Military Financing Program.

Kaine wants to block a request by the administration that would allow the sale of up to $3.5 billion in military equipment and weapons to Israel without notifying lawmakers. It is part of the $106 billion supplemental national security funding request sent to Congress on October 20.

If the administrations request is approved, the exemption from the requirement to notify Congress would further reduce lawmakers' power of oversight over arms transfers to Israel. The administration has already bypassed the standard required 15-day period of congressional review twice since the Gaza war broke out, on December 9 covering $147.5 million and on December 29 covering $106 million. In each case, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken invoked a rarely used "emergency authority" to approve the immediate sale of weapons.

Separate from Kaine's amendment is a resolution introduced by Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders mandating that the Biden administration report whether Israel has committed any human rights violations in Gaza to ensure that arms transfers and military aid provided are consistent with U.S. law and international law. Congress will vote on the resolution next week.

No indication of violation

Kirby insisted that the administration's foreign military assistance to Israel is done in accordance with "the intent and the spirit of the law." He reiterated that while the administration urges Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to reduce civilian casualties, Washington is not actively assessing whether Israel is violating laws of armed conflict as it "sees no indication" of such violation by the Israel Defense Forces in conducting its military campaign against Hamas.

He would not confirm whether Israel is being held to the same standard of accountability as other countries receiving U.S. weapons but said the administration has "been very clear" about its expectations of how American weapons are being used.

The Biden administration has set up guidelines to improve mechanisms to ensure that U.S. weapons are not used to harm civilians, in part as a response to the Trump administration's use of emergency authority in 2019 to bypass Congress in selling arms to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan. The Trump administration then argued that the threat from Iran constituted an appropriate emergency.

Guidelines established by the Biden administration include 2023 Conventional Arms Transfer policy that stipulates Washington to consider the risk that "the recipient may use the arms transfer to contribute to a violation of human rights or international humanitarian law, based on an assessment of the available information and relevant circumstances," and the 2023 Civilian Harm Incident Response Guidance that sets up a framework for investigating reports of civilian harm by partner governments using U.S. weapons. Administration critics say those guidelines are not applied to American weapons sent to Israel.

Under pressure

In December, 77 groups  representing tens of thousands of lawyers, civil society leaders and activists from various countries  filed an amicus brief to support a lawsuit brought by Palestinian human rights organizations and U.S. citizens with family members affected by Israel's ongoing assault. The lawsuit accuses Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin for failing to "prevent an unfolding genocide" in Gaza.

Biden political appointees and administration officials have resigned in protest over Biden's staunch support of Israel, including Josh Paul, a former director of congressional and public affairs at the State Department bureau that handles arms transfers, who left office in October.

"If you look at the U.S. position on Russia's invasion of Ukraine and their use of weapons to strike hospitals, to strike the electric power grid, the U.S. rushes to issue statements condemning such attacks," Paul told VOA. "In the case of Israel, well, these are of course our weapons being used. It is unthinkable that we are not conducting the same sort of analysis."

Swift arms transfers to Israel are supported by Michael Makovsky, president of the Jewish Institute for National Security of America, a group aiming to advance "a robust U.S.-Israel security relationship."

"Israel's most pressing need is time," Makovsky said. "Israel also needs a great deal of ammunition. To maintain its campaign against Hamas and to be ready should Hezbollah, the Lebanon-based terrorist Iran proxy, increase the severity of its already daily attacks, Israel needs more bombs."

Katherine Gypson contributed to this report.
When U.S. and U.K. warships and aircraft launched waves of missiles at Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen early Friday in Sanaa, it capped weeks of warnings to the group to cease their drone and missile attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea or face severe consequences.

Previously the U.S. had withheld striking back, reflecting larger U.S. concerns about upending the shaky truce in Yemen and triggering a wider conflict in the region. But on Tuesday the Houthis launched their largest-ever barrage of 18 one-way attack drones, anti-ship cruise missiles and an anti-ship ballistic missile at a host of international commercial vessels and warships in the Red Sea.

While the U.S. and partner military ships and aircraft now protecting the waterways were able to deflect Tuesday's attack, the scope and severity of the launch drew international condemnation and left few options other than to carry through with international warnings that any further attacks would draw a substantial response.

In response, the U.S. and U.K. struck Houthi missile, radar and drone capabilities to degrade the group's ability to conduct more attacks like Tuesday's barrage.

In response to the strikes, which occurred in Yemen just before Friday 3 a.m. local time, the rebel group has already pledged to retaliate. Later in the day, the Houthis said the strikes killed five people and wounded six, without elaborating on who the casualties were.

Here's a look at the Houthis and their increasing attacks, and why the U.S. believes it is more acceptable to bomb some Iranian-linked targets than others.

Who are the Houthis?

Houthi rebels swept down from their northern stronghold in Yemen and seized the capital, Sanaa, in 2014, launching a grinding war. A Saudi-led coalition intervened in 2015 to try to restore Yemen's exiled, internationally recognized government to power.

Years of bloody, inconclusive fighting against the Saudi-led coalition settled into a stalemated proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, causing widespread hunger and misery in Yemen, the Arab world's poorest country. The war has killed more than 150,000 people, including fighters and civilians, and created one of the world's worst humanitarian disasters, killing tens of thousands more.

A cease-fire that technically ended more than a year ago is still largely being honored. Saudi Arabia and the rebels have done some prisoner swaps, and a Houthi delegation was invited to high-level peace talks in Riyadh in September as part of a wider detente the kingdom has reached with Iran. While they reported "positive results," there is still no permanent peace.

Attacks on ships

The Houthis have sporadically targeted ships in the region over time, but the attacks have increased since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas and spiked after an explosion October 17 at a hospital in Gaza killed and injured many. That hospital blast marked the beginning of an intense militant campaign against U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria, and on many commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea. The attacks have damaged commercial ships and forced international shipping companies to divert their vessels around the Cape of Good Hope.

As of Thursday the Houthis had launched 27 different attacks on vessels transiting the Southern Red Sea, Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said at a Pentagon press conference.

Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree has said the group wants to "prevent Israeli ships from navigating the Red Sea (and Gulf of Aden) until the Israeli aggression against our steadfast brothers in the Gaza Strip stops."

But few of the ships targeted have had direct links to Israel. In a recent attack, one of the commercial ships hit  the Unity Explorer  had a tenuous Israeli link. It is owned by a British firm that includes Dan David Ungar, who lives in Israel, as one of its officers. Israeli media identified Ungar as being the son of Israeli shipping billionaire Abraham "Rami" Ungar. But any Israel connections to other ships are unclear.

U.S. officials have argued that the Houthis haven't technically targeted U.S. military vessels or forces  a subtlety that Navy ship captains watching the incoming drones may question.

In response to the attacks, last month Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced Operation Prosperity Guardian, where the U.S. and more than 20 other countries have created a protective umbrella for the commercial vessels that are not re-routing and decide to transit the Red Sea.

If that operation had not provided escort the commercial vessels and intercepted the incoming fire, "we have no doubt that ships would have been struck, perhaps even sunk, including in one case a commercial ship full of jet fuel," a senior administration official told reporters late Thursday, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the strikes. "We've had extremely close calls."

To date Operation Prosperity Guardian has helped more than 1,500 commercial vessels safely transit the Red Sea.

The US calculus

While the U.S. has carried out airstrikes on Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria that have targeted American troops in 130 different attacks since October 17, until Thursday the military had not yet retaliated against the Houthis.

That reluctance reflects political sensitivities and stems largely from broader Biden administration concerns about upending the shaky truce in Yemen and triggering a wider conflict in the region. The White House wants to preserve the truce and is wary of taking action that could open up another war front.

Iran-backed militias have launched one-way attack drones, rockets or close-range ballistic missiles at bases in Iraq 53 times and in Syria 77 times. Dozens of troops have suffered injuries as a result of the attacks, in many cases traumatic brain injuries.

In response, the U.S. has retaliated with airstrikes multiple times in Syria since October 17, targeting weapons depots and other facilities linked directly to Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps and the militias. And it struck multiple sites in Iraq late last month after a militia group for the first time fired short-range ballistic missiles at U.S. forces at Al-Asad air base.

But until Thursday, striking the Houthis had been a different calculus.

In one breath, Pentagon officials had said Navy ships shot down Houthi drones heading toward them because they were deemed "a threat." But in the next breath officials said the U.S. had assessed that the ships were not the target. That determination often comes later after intelligence assessments review telemetry and other data.

That, however, is certainly no comfort to sailors on the ships who watch the radar track of incoming drones and must make rapid decisions about whether they represent threats to the ship.

At the same time, the U.S. has consistently said it wants to protect free navigation of the seas. But the Houthi actions have prompted the International Maritime Security Construct to issue a warning for ships transiting the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb. It says ships should choose routes as far from Yemeni waters as possible, travel at night and not stop, because that makes them an easier target.

The Biden administration has talked persistently about the need to avoid escalating the Israel-Hamas war into a broader regional conflict. So far, strikes on the Iranian-backed groups in Iraq and Syria have not broadened the conflict, said Ryder.

It's not clear if targeted strikes against Houthi weapons depots or similar sites  which also have Iranian support  would cross a line and trigger a wider war.

"We will continue to consult with international allies and partners on an appropriate way to protect commercial shipping going through that region, and at the same time ensuring we do what we need to do to protect our forces," said Ryder.
THE PENTAGON 

The United States, Britain and a handful of other allies answered dozens of Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden with a series of powerful airstrikes designed to severely degrade the Iranian-backed groups capabilities.

U.S. Central Command late Thursday said the series of strikes hit more than 60 targets at 16 locations in Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen, including command and control nodes, munitions depots, launching systems, and production facilities.

"We hit them pretty hard, pretty good," a U.S. defense official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss details of the operation, told VOA, adding the strikes also targeted Houthi radar installations and air defense systems which did not fire back.

A spokesperson for the Houthi rebel group said the strikes killed at least five fighters and wounded six others, without specifying the targets that were hit.

The U.S. and British strikes, carried out with the help of Australia, Canada, the Netherlands and Bahrain, were launched from fighter jets, surface vessels and submarines, the defense official said.

The U.S. alone, dropped more than 100 precision guided munitions on the Houthi installations, officials said, with the naval vessels and submarines firing Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles to take out the intended targets.

The official also said the targets were chosen both because of their threat to shipping and the lack of a civilian presence.

In a statement from the White House late Thursday, U.S. President Joe Biden called the strikes a "direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks" on international shipping, saying they were necessary after attempts at diplomacy were ignored.

"These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the worlds most critical commercial routes," Biden said. "I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary."

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak likewise condemned the Houthi attacks as destabilizing, confirming the participation of British fighter jets in Thursdays strikes.

"Their reckless actions are risking lives at sea and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Yemen," Sunak said in a statement. "This cannot stand."

It is the first time Houthi targets inside Yemen have been struck since the militants began attacking ships in the Red Sea following Hamas' assault on Israel on October 7.

U.S. officials late Thursday were still studying the impact of the strikes against the Houthis, but an initial assessment suggested the damage to Houthi capabilities is "significant."

"We were going after very specific capability in very specific locations with precision munitions," said a senior U.S. military official, who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss the operation.

"This was a significant action," added a senior U.S. administration official. "[We have] every expectation that it will degrade in a significant way, the Houthis, a capability to launch exactly the sorts of attacks that they have conducted over the period of recent weeks."

There have been 27 attacks launched from Houthi-held areas of Yemen since mid-November, impacting citizens, cargo and vessels from more than 50 countries, according to the U.S.

U.S. officials said in one instance last month, U.S. defensive action prevented a Houthi attack from hitting and likely sinking a commercial ship full of jet fuel.

The most recent Houthi attack, involving the launch of an anti-ship ballistic missile, took place earlier Thursday. The missile landed in the Gulf of Aden near a commercial vessel, causing no injuries or damage.

On Tuesday, U.S. Central Command, which oversees U.S. forces in the Middle East and South Asia, said the Houthis launched a complex attack using 18 one-way attack drones, two cruise missiles and one ballistic missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward Red Sea shipping lanes where dozens of merchant vessels were transiting.

U.S. combat jets, along with U.S. and British military vessels, responded by shooting down the drones and missiles, averting any damage to ships or injuries to their crews in the area.

The senior U.S. administration official said it was Tuesdays massive attack by the Houthis that prompted Biden to order Thursday strikes.

Before the U.S. and British-led strikes late Thursday, multiple U.S. officials warned both the Houthis and Iran against what they described as reckless and illegal behavior.

"There will be consequences," Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder said Thursday in response to a question from VOA.

"The Houthis are funded, trained, equipped by Iran to a large degree. And, so, we know that Iran has a role to play in terms of helping to cease this reckless, dangerous and illegal activity," he said.

Last week, the United States and 12 allies issued a statement warning the Houthis of unspecified consequences if their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea continued.

"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 included Britain, Australia, Canada, Germany and Japan.

The statement followed the launch in mid-December of Operation Prosperity Guardian by the United States, Britain and nearly 20 other countries to protect ships from Houthi attacks.

Since the launch of Prosperity Guardian, at least 1,500 vessels have passed safely through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.

The commander of U.S. Navy operations in the Middle East last week called it "the largest surface and air presence in the southern Red Sea in years."

The U.N. Security Council issued its own resolution Wednesday, calling on the Houthis to stop the attacks immediately.

There are questions, however, as to whether the statements, backed now by the U.S. and British strikes against the Houthis, will do anything to deter Tehran.

"Iran has the luxury of really fighting a, what I would call, a hidden-hand operation with very few Iranians on the ground," the former commander of U.S. Central Command, retired General Kenneth "Frank" McKenzie, told a webinar on Wednesday.

"They're choking world shipping in the Bab el-Mandeb [Strait] at a very low, very low price for Iran," he said.

But McKenzie argued that even if Iran continues to encourage the Houthis, the risk of a wider regional escalation is slim.

"I do not believe the escalation ladder leads out of Yemen. I believe it stays in Yemen," he said. "And I believe Iran will leave their partners down there, their proxies down there, to their fate."

U.S. officials said while they were bracing for the Houthis to try to mount some sort of response to the strikes, a slew of initial claims of attacks late Thursday appeared to be nothing more than disinformation.

This is not the first time the U.S. military has targeted Houthi launch sites in Yemen in response to militant attacks against vessels in nearby waters. In October 2016, the American destroyer USS Nitze launched Tomahawk cruise missiles at three radar sites along Yemen's Red Sea coast in order to degrade the Houthi's ability to track and target ships.

Ostap Yarysh with VOA's Ukrainian Service contributed to this report.
A Russian politician hoping to run against President Vladimir Putin in the country's upcoming presidential election characterized the Kremlin's decision to go to war against Ukraine as a "big mistake" on Thursday when he spoke with the wives of soldiers.

Boris Nadezhdin told the soldiers' wives that the war was "a big mistake by Putin, of course, and the consequences will be very grave."

Soldiers at the front were "fulfilling their debt, really spilling their blood there and risking their life  we want them simply to come back," he said.

Nadezhdin represents the center-right party Civic Initiative, which has no seats in parliament. He is trying to gather 100,000 signatures from people across the country to run against Putin, who has led Russia for more than two decades.

Putin is all but guaranteed to win reelection in March.

In the Latvian capital of Riga on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Moscow's plan was to make tactical advances on the battlefield ahead of the presidential election and that Russia would then take larger military action.

The comments came during Zelenskyy's last stop on a tour of the three Baltic nations.

Earlier on Thursday, during his visit to Estonia, Zelenskyy said a pause in Russia's war against Ukraine would only benefit Russia by allowing it to boost its supply of munitions and "run us over."

"A pause on the battlefield on the territory of Ukraine is not a pause in war. It is not the end of war," Zelenskyy said. "It doesn't lead to political dialogue with the Russian Federation or with someone else. This pause will only benefit the Russian Federation."

Zelenskyy's regional tour also included a stop in Lithuania.

The Ukrainian leader said Wednesday in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, that his country's forces have shown the world that Russia's military can be stopped, but said the Kyiv government badly needs Western allies to send it more air defense systems to shoot down an increased barrage of incoming Russian drones and missiles.

He acknowledged, however, that the stockpiles are low in countries that could assist Ukraine.

"Warehouses are empty," Zelenskyy said. "And there are many challenges to world defense."

In the United States, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby on Thursday said U.S. assistance for Ukraine's war effort has stopped amid ongoing negotiations in Washington over an aid package.

"The assistance that we provided has now ground to a halt," Kirby said.

Although U.S. aid to Ukraine has stopped for the time being, the U.S. State Department on Thursday imposed sanctions over the transfer of North Korean ballistic missiles to Russia for use in its war against Ukraine, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

"We will not hesitate to take further actions," Blinken said in a statement announcing the sanctions against three Russian entities and one individual.

North Korea's "transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia supports Russia's war of aggression, increases the suffering of the Ukrainian people, and undermines the global nonproliferation regime," Blinken said.
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The United States says Zimbabwe continues to violate the rights of local opposition members following disputed 2023 general elections. Charge d'Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Harare Ms. Elaine French told Studio 7 there is need for the government to stop brutalizing opponents. (video: VOA)
Authorities say a 41-year-old man from west central Minnesota is in custody after he allegedly made a threat to shoot multiple people on the campus of the University of Minnesota on Thursday. The man was arrested at his home in Watson, and is being held for probable cause of making violent threats.
The Biden administration will wipe out another batch of student loans in February 2024  whos in line for loan forgiveness?

Another year, another round of student loan forgiveness  whether the U.S. is sinking in national debt or not.

The Biden administration announced on Thursday it will wipe out a fresh batch of student loans  this time, targeting borrowers who took on small debts of $12,000 or less for college.

Dont miss

To qualify, borrowers must have made at least 10 years of repayments and be enrolled onto the governments new Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan.

Borrowers enrolled in SAVE who are eligible for early forgiveness will have their debts canceled immediately starting next month, with no action on their part, according to the Jan.11 statement by the Department of Education (DoE).

Helping community college borrowers

The majority of federal student loan borrowers in default originally borrowed $12,000 or less, according to the DoE.

In particular, this new wave of SAVE Plan relief  which is coming months ahead of schedule  is expected to help people who borrowed smaller amounts to attend community colleges. The DoE estimated the SAVE Plan will make 85% of future community college borrowers debt free within 10 years.

U.S. Under Secretary of Education, James Kvaal, said the action will help struggling borrowers who have been making loan payments for years, including many who never graduated from college. Giving borrowers with smaller loans a faster path to being debt free will help many borrowers avoid financial distress and have peace of mind.

Read more: Millions of Americans are in massive debt in the face of rising rates. Here's how to take a break from debt this month

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The SAVE Plan

To help borrowers benefit from this debt relief, the Biden administration has launched an outreach and email campaign to encourage Americans to sign up for the SAVE Plan  especially those who may be eligible for immediate student loan forgiveness.

As of early January, 6.9 million borrowers were enrolled in the SAVE Plan, which U.S. Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona, deemed the most affordable student loan repayment plan ever available.

Of SAVE enrollees, 3.9 million have a $0 payment  because they are single borrowers earning less than $32,800 per year or a family of four making less than $67,500  while borrowers who owe a payment are saving an estimated $117 a month (just over $1,400 a year) compared to their previous REPAYE Plans.

With lower monthly payments, protection from runaway interest, and faster timelines to debt forgiveness, President Bidens SAVE plan is not only benefiting millions of current borrowers but also providing the students of today and tomorrow with a more affordable pathway to college degrees and credentials, Cardona added.

What to read next

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Photo: Jesse Grant/Peacock

One of the most precious things in this business we call show is the special relationship between a creator and their frequent collaborator. An actor that keeps popping up, a good luck charm, a muse. Scorsese has Leonardo DiCaprio, Gary Marshall had Hector Elizondo, and Seth MacFarlane has Leonardo DiCaprios Critters 3 co-star Scott Grimes. Grimes has been with MacFarlane since American Dad, playing teen dweebus Steve. First and foremost, hes one of my best friends, Grimes told Vulture on Ted red carpet. We were friends first, and he said You wanna do American Dad? From there, Grimes also came aboard The Orville as the ships helmsman. Hes now on the Ted TV series as Matty, the cantankerous head of household, dealing with teen and talking bear shenanigans with an equal lack of grace. MacFarlane said that the collaboration works so well because they hear the script with the same music. When you put something on the page, they know exactly how youre hearing it in your head. He is one of those actors, MacFarlane told Vulture. Every word that I write, he knows how Im hearing it, because hes hearing it exactly the same way.

Grimes said that, originally, there was no plan to include him in the Ted fam. He would bring me over to his house, and show me auditions of who he wanted. I wasnt even thought of, he said. We werent talking about that. MacFarlane wasnt thinking of Grimes in the role of Matty, an angry and pretty racist drunk. Im nothing like this guy, and he knew it. So thats why he didnt want me at first, Grimes said. I said Well, thats what we do as actors. Give me a shot to create something.
Phenomenological New York, 1970s. Art: Courtesy of Ulrik, New York; Photo: Stephen Faught

The best exhibition in New York consists of 50-year-old works that have hardly ever been seen by anyone: sculpture and photography by the mysterious, and glamorously mononymous, Bettina. New York: 196586, now on view at the Canal Street gallery Ulrik, is the first solo presentation of the late artists work in this city since 1980. Its a concise and modest selection from an artist whose estate was very nearly lost to oblivion; parts of this archive were thrown into, then rescued from, the trash.

The gallery walls are hung with selections from her photography series Phenomenological New York (1970s1980s), which takes the city as subject. Five small black-and-white prints offer varying interpretations of constellated lines, warped streetscapes, and architectural surfaces. In a few larger works, photographs are patterned into a grid, each image showing taxicabs, figures, sidewalks, and buildings touched by striated light. Rendered in a soft palette of browns and yellows, theyre reminiscent of the establishing montages of 70s and 80s movies, where crowds of commuters navigate traffic and public space. The artists compulsion to repeat, expand, and exhaust comes across in her sculptural work, too, such as in One Constant. Euclidean to Non-Euclidean Curve (197273), where circles of wooden slats curl into the shapes of conches or waves.

Work from One Constant. Euclidean to Non-Euclidean Curve, 197273, and Phenomenological New York, 1970s. Photo: Courtesy of Ulrik, New York; Photo: Stephen Faught

But who was Bettina? A lifelong New Yorker  one difficult to insert into the citys known histories of art. Born Bettina Grossman in Brooklyn in 1927, she lived in the Chelsea Hotel until her death in 2021 in proximity to celebrated artists and intellectuals. Her work dealt in the visual languages of her contemporaries: Op Art, conceptualism, minimalism. And yet its not clear she had meaningful relationships with any of the better-known artists around her. Alex Fleming, who co-owns Ulrik with Anya Komar, says Bettina was surrounded by these people and still never in dialogue with or a part of these scenes that were threaded through the space that she lived in for 50 years.

What we do know is that in her 20s she undertook a career in textile design which would take her to Europe. She returned to New York in 1966, setting up an art studio in Brooklyn Heights that was then destroyed in a fire. Every existing history of her life places the studio fire at its psychic center. It destroyed the entire archive of her work from the first four decades of her life. It killed her cat. Had she been home, she said, she would have been killed. Following the fire, she undertook to reproduce her lost artworks, sometimes using materials such as marble. A small selection of these works are on view at Ulrik: cubic objects rendered in graphic black-and-white stone. The fire seemed to provoke what Fleming calls a state of hyperproduction, alongside rigorous and methodical documentation  as Fleming puts it, She was vigilant about keeping her practice alive.

From left: Bettina, 1960s. Photo:  Estate of Bettina Grossman Phenomenological New York. Art: Courtesy of Ulrik, New York; Photo: Stephen Faught From top: Bettina, 1960s. Photo:  Estate of Bettina Grossman Phenomenological New York. Art: Courtesy of Ulrik, New York; Photo: Stephen Faught

She moved into the Chelsea in 1972, setting up in an apartment that she called The Institute for Noumenological Research (after Kant). She worked prodigiously and in private, such that over the five decades of her residence, she was known to sleep on a chair in the hallway, her apartment being too full of artwork that she rarely allowed others to see. Her isolation allowed her to live and produce work on her own terms; an acquaintance remembered Bettina telling her, Im eating an onion, and a slice of bread, and it tastes good because Im hungry.

What else transpired over her life is in the process of being recovered, chiefly by the artist Yto Barrada, the director of her estate, and by curator Marina Caron. Barrada met Bettina in 2015, as the latter was nearing 90, after watching a documentary about her by filmmaker Corinne van der Borch. She became a dedicated advocate for and caretaker of her work, inviting Bettina to exhibit alongside her in a two-person show in 2019. She and Caron, who was then Barradas studio manager, began working with Bettina on a comprehensive inventory of her work, unpacking and cataloguing stores of boxes from her apartment. Barrada also produced the first monograph of Bettinas work, published by Aperture shortly after Bettinas 2021 death, and on January 20, shell perform at Ulrik in conjunction with the gallery show.

Mass Levitation. Concrete Space. Where Space Becomes Matter, Matter Becomes Volume, 196575. Art: Courtesy of Ulrik, New York; Photo: Stephen Faught

Bettinas ambition, like her artworks themselves, was pure and mathematical: It exceeded recognition. Her ambition was completion. Her only duty as an artist was to herself. When a person is given this reward of seeing something changing before their eyes and being able to capture it and make it concrete so that others may understand also, then this is a responsibility, she said in an interview. And you are giving up your food, your necessities, for something like that, because it becomes an overpowering commitment. And you must pursue it!
Hiam Abbass will break your heart in this documentary portrait of her Palestinian family, filmed by her daughter Lina Soualem. Photo: Frida Marzouk/Beall Productions

In the documentary Bye Bye Tiberias, Palestinian-born actress Hiam Abbass (whose knowing gaze has put people in their place in Paradise Now, Blade Runner 2049, Ramy, Succession, and dozens more projects over her decades-long career) cant stand to look into her daughter Lina Soualems camera for too long. Some of that reticence is inherited, molded by generations of uncertainty and heartache; Bye Bye Tiberias tells a story about Palestinian displacement and diaspora through anecdotes from the women in Abbasss family, whove held tightly to the secrets of what they struggled with and lived through after the 1948 Nakba, when Israel displaced more than 700,000 Palestinians from their homes. Its rare that these women have been asked directly about their memories, relationships, regrets, and joys. Soualem draws out their admissions with gentle prodding and teasing, and contextualizes their stories with personal home videos from the 1980s and 1990s and archival footage, generating the documentarys poignant and melancholy tone.

Yet its not always introspective hesitation that gives Abbass pause. The omnipresent roar of Israeli planes overhead draws Abbasss irritation more than once as she visits her mother Nemats home in Deir Hanna. When Abbass takes Nemat to Tiberias, the village from which her grandmother Um Ali along with her husband and their eight children were expelled when Israel was created, they cant track down the places Um Ali remembers. Her family home was demolished long ago, and the dawning realization of how unrecognizable Tiberias is now  with its neon storefronts, a boardwalk blasting dance music, and groups of IDF trainees walking around  plays out on Abbasss face. The documentary may be understated, with its long dialogue-free stretches. But the distractions that pull Abbasss stare away from her daughters lens give Bye Bye Tiberias a pointedly political backbone that the documentary buoys with clever editing and a tangible self-assuredness.

Four years ago, Soualem dove into her father Zinedine Soualems family with Leur Algerie. The documentary focused on her Algerian grandparents experiences moving to France in the early 1950s, around the same time as the Algerian Revolution, and their separation after more than 60 years together; love as a way to endure tumult and exile was a central theme. Its now Abbasss turn, and there are broad similarities between Leur Algerie and Bye Bye Tiberias in how they consider the connections, both helpful and harmful, between immigration and identity. But Tiberias also rests on Abbasss inimitable screen presence, and how open she makes herself to this process: letting Soualem film her as she weeps over a close relatives death, answering her daughters sometimes-obtrusive questions about her romantic history (Your mom was a Don Juan  a different guy every day, three of Abbasss sisters tease), and sharing stacks of family photographs and journals of her teenage poetry.

Bye Bye Tiberias makes good use of how easily Abbass can slip into performer mode by using her talent as an actress to interrogate her former selves, including two standout scenes where she enlists her sisters and a former colleague at the Palestinian National Theatre to act out monumental events in her life. Abbass laughs as she directs them, but little moments of brusque honesty, even discontent, slip through, like when her sister Diana says, You went to Hollywood alone. You could have taken me with you, or when the same sisters who razzed her for her dating choices remind Abbass that her rebellions against their fathers rules meant that We all paid for your misdeeds. This is the picking-at-a-scab, poking-at-a-bruise language of a family who were expected to stick together after the history-wiping impact of banishment and war, and while Abbass takes the familys teasing in stride, Soualem captures the wistfulness of being the one who left, too.

Hiam is centered here, but Soualem also places her grandmother Nemat, grand-aunt Hosnieh, and great-grandmother Um Ali within the larger Palestinian community via stark, emotionally laden sequences. Abbasss evocative poems, delivered in melodic Arabic, about traveling to unexpected lands are paired with the awestruck way the actress talks about exploring the Arab world in her 40s, when she could finally travel on a French passport. (Palestinians are considered stateless under international law.) Home videos of family weddings that show the boisterous, patriotic pride of Palestinians dancing and singing in Deir Hanna are contrasted with footage of Israeli soldiers rolling through streets in tanks, taking panopticon positions in upper-level windows, patrolling sidewalks, and stopping cars. Bye Bye Tiberias doesnt invite outside voices to speak about how widespread the Abbass family experienced is, nor does it load itself down with discussions of Israeli-versus-Palestinian geography or details about conflicts over the decades. It provides just enough detail to communicate a sense of mourning; one long archival swivel pan that shows the streets of an abandoned village, with walls that were once marked in Arabic now papered with posters in Hebrew, gets the point across.

It just so happens that Bye Bye Tiberias, with its images of Palestinians in all manner of traditional and Western dress shopping at a bazaar in 1940 and then, barely a decade later, digging through homes reduced to rubble and carrying all their belongings to places they dont yet know, is particularly felicitous right now. But it would be a mistake to think that the other story this documentary is telling  about feeling suffocated by borders, history, and tradition, and yearning for kinship, opportunity, and freedom from other peoples judgments  is somehow separate from that. They exist together, like the present, past, and future; time and opportunities for connection and understanding, Bye Bye Tiberias warns us, are slipping away.
Secret Saunas

Sheridan, Wyoming, Jan. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Secret Saunas, an online-only retailer of award-winning sauna heaters, saunas, and hot tubs, is excited to announce the launch of its new website and goal to bring the authentic sauna tradition to American homes.

Created by couple Jasper and Imogen after a trip to Finland and experiencing the health and relaxation benefits of saunas, Secret Saunas hopes its new website will encourage more people to try the healing ritual that is deeply woven into the cultural fabric of the happiest people on the planet.

It was like each drop of sweat released a kind of tension wed been holding onto, Jasper commented on his Sauna experience. I suddenly thought how odd it was that we all seem to walk around holding onto stress, never thinking it might be a good idea to let go; the sauna really helps you do that.

Endeavoring to build a cultural bridge to connect continents through wellness, Secret Saunas offers customers sustainably constructed saunas from reputable North American and European manufacturers handcrafted from quality wood by masters of the trade. This unwavering commitment to authentic materials and construction methods is key to Secret Saunas goal of not just sharing the health benefits but continuing to uphold the communal traditions that Finns have perfected over centuries.

Recent studies have demonstrated saunas positive impact on cardiovascular health, reducing the risk of hypertension and dementia and even improving longevity. As one study from 2021 explains, high heat exposure increases the production of heat-shock proteins, which shield cells against stress. The premium home saunas available on the trusted retailers website offer families a space to de-stress and be fully present with others without the distraction of technology or lifes worries.

Our customers are anyone looking to bring that cozy, unwinding sauna vibe right into their own homes. Some of them are after a super convenient spot to chill out after a hectic day, while others might be hunting for a secret little escape where the worlds noise just fades away. Whether theyre looking to have a heart-to-heart with their partner, a relaxed giggle with friends, or simply enjoy some precious me-time, our mission is all about making that happen. Were here, helping them create not just a place but their very own snug corner where memories are made, and life just gets that bit sweatier, continued Jasper.

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Some of the saunas at Secret Saunas include:

Outdoor Saunas: No more shared spaces with strangers; this is a private haven designed to rejuvenate both mind and body. Regardless of a backyards dimensions, Secret Saunas have the perfect fit, from compact barrel saunas to expansive cabin retreats.

Electric Sauna Heaters: The perfect solution for those focused on simplicity and functionality. Electric sauna heaters offer the greatest convenience and ease of use. Simply flip a switch, and an outdoor sauna will rapidly heat up without any hassle. These heaters require far less maintenance than wood-burning stoves and also offer more precise temperature control throughout a sauna.

Wood Burning Sauna Stoves: For a traditionalist wanting that authentic Finnish sauna, with the cracking sound of burning wood and the gentle scent of smoke, the wood-burning sauna heater is ideal. Although these require some extra maintenance and a steady supply of firewood, the experience achieved is simply unparalleled.

For those interested in finding out more about Secret Saunas range of high-quality, traditional saunas, the website invites them to call its friendly customer service team, where they can book a free phone consultation.

More Information

To learn more about Secret Saunas and the launch of its new website, please visit https://www.secretsaunas.com.

Source: https://thenewsfront.com/bringing-authentic-sauna-traditions-to-american-homes-secret-saunas-launch-new-website/

CONTACT: Secret Saunas 30 North Gould Street, Ste R Sheridan Wyoming 82801 United States +1 (833) 944-2021 https://www.secretsaunas.com




Pompeii director thanks visitor for returning stones and wishes her well.

A tourist who removed pumice stones from Pompeii has returned them by mail to the Italian archaeological site after blaming her illicit souvenirs for causing her cancer.

Pompeii director Gabriel Zuchtriegel published a picture of the stones on social media alongside the unsigned note, written in English.

"I didn't know about the curse" - the note read - "I didn't know that I should not take any rocks. Within a year, I got a breast cancer. I am a young and healthy female, and doctors said it was just 'bad luck'. Please accept my apology and these pieces. Mi dispiace."

Dear anonymous sender of this letter  the pumice stones arrived in Pompeii now good luck for your future & in bocca al lupo, as we say in Italy pic.twitter.com/vaYlqUudke  Gabriel Zuchtriegel (@GZuchtriegel) January 9, 2024

"Dear anonymous sender of this letter" - Zuchtriegel wrote on X " the pumice stones arrived in Pompeii now good luck for your future & in bocca al lupo, as we say in Italy."

It is far from the first time that repentent tourists have returned looted stones or artefacts to the ancient city buried in volcanic ash after the eruption of Vesuvius almost 2,000 years ago, often blaming them on bad luck.

Pompeii even has a special display area to exhibit returned artefacts alongside remorse-laden letters, such as one from a Spanish tourist who had stolen a piece of decorated plaster that became "a harbinger of family misadventures and misfortunes."

This morning I discovered the little display in the office of material taken from but eventually returned to #Pompeii by guilt-ridden visitors over the years. #sorry pic.twitter.com/8gRONB5jAy  Dr Sophie Hay (@pompei79) May 29, 2023

Three years ago a parcel arrived in Pompeii containing a terracotta fragment of antesissa, portraying the face of a woman, traditionally used as a decorative element on the roof of an ancient domus.

Inside the package was a short note, written in Italian, containing an apology and the words "50 years ago I removed this fragment from a building. I am ashamed and I return it to the owner. Sorry".

Although most tourists return stolen items out of guilt, others do so for superstitious reasons.

In 2020 a Canadian tourist returned artefacts stolen from Pompeii 15 years earlier, to shake off the curse that has fallen on me and my family."

The 36-year-old woman, identified only as Nicole, sent a package to a Pompeii travel agent containing two mosaic tiles, ceramic fragments and parts of an amphora which she stole during a visit to the archaeological park in 2005.

In addition to the looted artefacts, which the travel agent handed over to police, the package contained a letter of confession in which Nicole expressed regret for her actions.

"I was young and stupid"  she wrote  "I wanted to have a piece of history that nobody could have."

However she feared that the artefacts were possessed of "so much negative energy" linked to "that land of destruction."

Nicole blamed the relics looted from Pompeii for years of serious health problems and financial woes.

I have had breast cancer twice, the last time ending in a double mastectomy"  she wrote  "My family and I also had financial problems. Were good people and I dont want to pass this curse on to my family or children.

She concluded by saying that she has learnt her lesson and is seeking "forgiveness from the gods."

The display area of "sorry" letters in Pompeii includes a message from an English woman who in 2015 sent back a piece of mosaic stolen in the 1970s by her parents and which she believed was a bad omen.

One of the most dramatic letters on show came from a Canadian woman who recounted how years ago she had stolen a figurine from Pompeii during her honeymoon.

As the newly-weds travelled home the husband died of a heart attack. The little figurine was in his suitcase.

Photo Gabriel Zuchtriegel
Every day thousands of tourists in Rome toss coins into the Trevi Fountain.

One of the most popular traditions for tourists visiting Rome involves throwing a coin into the waters of the Trevi Fountain in the hopes of returning to the Italian capital once more.

According to tradition, tourists who toss coins into the basin of the Baroque monument - right hand over left shoulder with eyes closed - are guaranteed a return trip to the Eternal City.

But where do all the coins end up?

Since 2001 the Catholic charity Caritas has been the beneficiary of the swept-up coinage which it uses to provide help to Rome's homeless people and families in financial difficulty.

This arrangement was introduced by former mayor Walter Veltroni, before being continued by subsequent administrations, and was renewed recently for three years under the city's present mayor Roberto Gualtieri.

So how much money are we talking about?

The coins thrown into the Trevi Fountain add up to the princely sum of around 1.5 million each year, working out at roughly 3,000 a day.

2023 was a record year for Caritas, which was founded in Rome in 1971, with around 1.6 million swept out of the fountain for charity according to local newspaper Il Messaggero.

Not just coins

And it's not just coins that end up in the waters of the 18th-century monument which was immortalised in a famous scene from Fellini's classic movie La Dolce Vita.

Some of the more unexpected items fished out of the water include glasses and even dentures, Caritas volunteer Fabrizio Marchioni told Il Messaggero.

"Bracelets are the objects we find most often" - Marchioni said - "When people throw the coin sometimes the bracelets comes loose and falls into the water."

About three times a week municipal workers rake up the cash which is taken to a warehouse to be washed and sorted.

Coin theft

Periodically police catch people in the act of stealing the coins from the fountain.

The most infamous coin thief was Roberto Cercelletta, known as D'Artagnan, who died in 2013.

D'Artagnan usually struck at dawn and was arrested numerous times over the years, receiving hundreds of warnings from police to stop stealing the coins.

In 2002 he even appeared in The New York Times and in 2011 he staged a protest at the landmark fountain, his "place of work", claiming that collecting the coins was his official "profession" for years. He was arrested on that occasion too.

Trevi Fountain on Sunday morning #Rome pic.twitter.com/0IP1z8amLe  Wanted in Rome (@wantedinrome) November 5, 2023

Giustino Trincia, director of Caritas of Rome, has managed the Trevi funds since 2006.

"The coins come from all over the world" - Trincia told Il Messaggero - "Not only euros but also dollars and pounds. Foreign currencies are separated from euros to be exchanged."

Thanks to the work of its volunteers, Caritas only spends about six per cent of the total annual amount of raked-up coins on costs related to sorting and managing the money.

The charity channels the funds into running canteens, helping poor people to buy their groceries, assisting people wih Alzheimer's and providing help to children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

So when tourists throw coins into the Trevi Fountain - in addition to hoping that their wish comes true - they are in fact helping people that need it the most.
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.
A WA Police investigation into a former Perth teachers alleged digital trove of child exploitation material has led to a child being abused overseas being removed from danger.

On November 30 child exploitation operations squad detectives raided the home of 51-year-old John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School maths teacher Roberto Messina and seized several electronic devices.

Messina was arrested in December. Credit: Facebook/ Google Street View

It was alleged that Messina used various websites to communicate with a person he believed was a young boy and sent images of a sexual nature.

He was arrested on December 1 on the Mirrabooka schools grounds and was charged with intent to procure a person under 13 for sexual activity, possessing child exploitation material and distributing child exploitation material.
Soldiers and police patrolled the quiet streets of Port Moresby on Friday morning as people joined long lines for petrol, a day after Papua New Guinea declared a state of emergency in response to a massive outbreak of rioting and violence.

Prime Minister James Marape declared a 14-day state of emergency late on Thursday, suspending several officials and putting more than 1000 soldiers on standby, after a police and public sector protest over pay on Wednesday descended into rioting and looting that killed at least 16 people.

Officials later blamed the pay cut on an administrative glitch.

Within hours, thousands thronged the streets looting and rioting against a backdrop of smoke and burning buildings. A mob also tried to break through the gates outside the prime ministers office.
(Bloomberg) -- The Canadian government is joining forces with the cybersecurity ratings firm SecurityScorecard Inc. to bolster defenses for that countrys critical infrastructure.

Most Read from Bloomberg

SecurityScorecard provides letter grades to businesses and organizations based on cyber resilience. The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security plans to use that information to address where there may be vulnerabilities in critical areas of the economy.

Companies and organizations are routinely hit by cyber breaches, typically from criminal groups seeking to extort them for money. But attacks against critical infrastructure  everything from energy and finance to agriculture and health care  are particularly worrisome because they can disrupt the economy, threaten national security and endanger lives. Hackers backed by foreign adversaries have also broken into companies in key sectors to spy, steal intellectual property or prepare for future attacks.

The consequences of these breaches became clear in 2021 after a ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline Co. squeezed fuel supplies along the US East Coast.

Since then, the Biden administration has pushed to improve cybersecurity in other critical sectors. Anne Neuberger, deputy national security adviser for cyber and emerging technology, raised the idea in September of a rating system for critical infrastructure companies in the US. She described a letter grading system as game changing.

Sami Khoury, head of Canadas cyber center, said the country faces many of the same digital threats as the US. Its critical infrastructure providers are moving in the right direction, he said, but added, I dont think we will find ourselves in a state of saying, Job done.

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The partnership with SecurityScorecard began at the beginning of the year, and Khoury said the companys intelligence provides an outside-in view of an organizations cyber preparedness. His staff is working to understand what goes into the grades and using that information to raise the resilience of Canadian critical infrastructure providers, he said.

The grades wont be used to shame companies with poor security but rather as a tool to help them improve, he said. If several utilities were found to be relatively weak in one area, like network security, they could be provided with tailored guidance to fix it, he said.

SecurityScorecard analyzes publicly available risk factors for companies and organizations, including checking for high risk or open areas within an organizations network and how fast it patches its systems when updates are made available.

Its giving them real-time, continuous visibility into critical infrastructure, said Sachin Bansal, SecurityScorecards chief business officer.

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Texas state Atty. Gen. Ken Paxton, a Republican, has threatened pharmacies with prosecution for shipping abortion pills through the mail. (Eric Gay / Associated Press)

The American legal system has a message for women concerned about their abortion rights: Don't make the mistake of thinking that your pharmacist is your friend.

Thanks to a gaping loophole in federal healthcare regulations, some of our leading drug store chains turn over customers' most sensitive private healthcare information to law enforcement agencies, even without a warrant.

That's the finding of a subcommittee headed by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), which learned that all eight of the nation's largest pharmacy chains have routinely turned over prescription records of thousands of Americans to law enforcement agencies or other government entities secretly without a warrant.

Medical care procured outside a patient's home state increasingly leaves a digital trail that will easily make its way back to the patient's domicile.

Carleen M. Zubrzycki, University of Connecticut

The chains are CVS, Walgreens, Cigna, Optum Rx, Walmart, Kroger, Rite Aid and Amazon. CVS, Kroger and Rite Aid, which have a total of about 11,000 locations nationwide, don't require store staff to run the requests past company lawyers before complying.

Only Amazon notifies customers that it received a subpoena or warrant for their prescription data.

Wyden's committee sought briefings from the pharmacy chains after the Supreme Court's 2022 Dobbs decision overturned nationwide abortion rights.

Since then, Wyden told me by email, "Republican states across the country have criminalized abortion." That placed privacy "under threat like never before." He said his goal is to urge "the executive branch to do everything in its power to stop far-right prosecutors and politicians from using womens private records against them.

The briefings, Wyden and fellow subcommittee Democrats informed Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in a Dec. 12 letter, "made clear that these companies privacy practices vary widely, in ways that seriously impact patient privacy."

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None of the pharmacies require a warrant before turning over requested data; all "will turn medical records over in response to a mere subpoena," which often doesn't have to be signed by a judge.

Read more: Column: Red states are threatening to criminalize out-of-state abortions. These blue states are fighting back

That's a flaw in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA, which purports to protect individuals' health information from disclosure by providers except in narrow circumstances.

CVS spokeswoman Amy Thibault told me by email, "HIPAA does not require law enforcement to obtain a warrant or judge-issued subpoena before they make a lawful request for records containing PHI." She said that CVS staff "are trained how to appropriately respond to lawful requests from regulatory agencies and law enforcement."

HIPAA applies to pharmacies as well as physicians and hospitals. What sets them apart, however, is the breadth of their networks it's a rare hospital or physician's practice that maintains a database that can be accessed coast to coast.

Wyden and his colleagues urged Becerra to tighten HIPAA regulations to require pharmacies to "insist on a warrant" before turning over private health data, so that law enforcement agencies have to defend their demands in court.

Some of America's leading drug store chains turn over customers medical records to law enforcement agencies without even requiring a warrant, exposing women seeking abortions to prosecution by anti-abortion states. (Senate Finance Committee)

Health and Human Services isn't the only agency concerned with the misuse of personal data. The Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday charged the data broker Outlogic with selling consumers' location information extracted from smartphone apps without their permission.

The geolocation data, the FTC said, "could be used to track peoples visits to sensitive locations such as medical and reproductive health clinics, places of religious worship and domestic abuse shelters." According to a statement by FTC Chair Lina Khan, in at least one contract the company had tracked "Ohio residents who visited specific doctors, including cardiologists, gastroenterologists, or endocrinologists, and then pharmacies or specialty infusion centers."

The FTC's legal complaint said the result could include "loss of privacy, exposure to discrimination, physical violence, emotional distress, and other harms."

In a settlement with Outlogic reached Tuesday, the FTC prohibited the company from selling or sharing any "sensitive location data," including data involving "locations that provide services to LGBTQ+ people such as bars or service organizations," "locations of public gatherings of individuals at political or social demonstrations or protests" and data that could be used "to determine the identity or location of a specific individual."

Read more: Column: Conservative attacks on abortion depend on a law that courts have snubbed for 150 years

Outlogic will also have to delete or destroy any such data already collected, and provide consumers with easy ways to refuse permission for their data to be sold and to find out to whom it has already been sold.

Becerra hasn't responded to the committee's letter, but his agency did launch a rule-making procedure in April aimed at prohibiting the disclosure of personal information about a person's reproductive healthcare by a provider, including a pharmacy, in a state where the healthcare is legal, but sought for an investigation or prosecution in a state where it's banned.

But the Health and Human Services initiative is still only a proposal, not a rule. Several factors have made it more urgent.

The so-called interoperability of medical data is generally reckoned to be a good thing. Pharmacists should have access to the full range of a customer's prescriptions, for example, so they can watch out for dangerous interactions among medicines that may have been missed by doctors, especially if one patient is treated by multiple physicians.

Those checks have been made even easier by the growth of national drug chains, which have supplanted the mom-and-pop drugstores that used to be common in America. Now one database can provide patient information to thousands of affiliated pharmacists coast to coast.

But the Supreme Court's overturning of abortion rights in 2022 converted that boon into a potential peril by turning judgments about medical procedures over to the states.

"There are now categories of care in which states have taken dramatically different approaches to whether that care should be available," says Carmel Shachar, an expert on health law and policy at Harvard Law School. Abortion is the most evident area, but divergences in state law increasingly apply to gender-affirming care and substance abuse treatment.

Those divergences, Shachar told me, make the relevant medical records especially sensitive to the point where they need to be protected from law enforcement.

Read more: Column: A spineless Walgreens bows down to antiabortion crusaders

But expansive databases may make that difficult  a prosecutor in antiabortion Texas might be prevented by a medical shield law from accessing data about a Texan's legal treatment in Massachusetts, but theoretically could subpoena it from a pharmarcy chain's branch in Texas.

The challenge goes beyond simply shielding direct evidence of a legal abortion  such as a prescription for mifepristone  from prying law enforcement eyes in an antiabortion state.

"There's a perception that abortions or gender-affirming care exist on their own islands separate from other medical care," Shachar says. "But somebody who is medically literate can read between the lines of a medical record to see if an abortion happened."

For instance, consider if a medical record showed that a woman was pregnant and records show a bit later that she's begun to take chemotherapy treatment for cancer that would be incompatible with pregnancy.

"That might be suggestive that she was pregnant and is no longer pregnant, with no baby to show for it," Shachar says. "How much of a medical record you need to protect to truly protect the privacy of people who have had abortions or gender-affirming care is murky."

Read more: Column: As professionals flee antiabortion policies, red states face a brain drain

Placing a legal moat around medical records of an out-of-state abortion may be difficult. "Medical care procured outside a patient's home state increasingly leaves a digital trail that will easily make its way back to the patient's domicile," observed Carleen M. Zubrzycki of the University of Connecticut in a 2022 law review paper.

When any such patient "receives any subsequent medical care  abortion-related or not  in her state of residence," she wrote, "the odds are high that her home-state providers will access and incorporate her entire medical record into their own records." That would undermine the efforts of safe-haven states to protect visiting patients by providing "slam-dunk evidence that could be used in out-of-state litigation to punish abortions."

The determination of antiabortion activist politicians to narrow women's reproductive healthcare options is explicit and persistent.

On July 7, 2022  just two weeks after the Supreme Court handed down the Dobbs decision  a dozen right-wing Texas state legislators warned the Dallas law firm Sidley Austin that it might face criminal charges for having "decided to reimburse the travel costs of employees who leave Texas to murder their unborn children"  i.e., who leave Texas to obtain legal abortions elsewhere.

Last February, the attorneys general of 20 red states, led by Missouri Atty. Gen. Andrew Bailey, sent threatening letters to CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Albertsons, Walmart, Kroger and Costco warning them that federal law prohibited them from using the mail to distribute drugs for medication abortion, such as mifepristone.

The letters cited the antique and long-discredited 1873 statute known as the Comstock Act after its bluenosed progenitor. The law's applicability to abortion rights has long been dismissed by legal scholars. But it was at the core of a ruling by U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk of Texas invalidating the Food and Drug Administration's approval of mifepristone.

The FDA's rules on mifepristone, which allow the drug to be taken by patients outside a hospital or doctor's office, are currently before the Supreme Court.

The quest by antiabortion prosecutors for data pertaining to out-of-state medical procedures is destined to grow. The proportion of patients traveling out of their home states to obtain abortions has doubled over the last three years to 20% in the first six months of 2023 from 10% in the same period in 2020, according to the Guttmacher Institute.

The rate is especially high in safe-haven states bordered by antiabortion states, such as Illinois, where out-of-state patients increased in early 2023 to 18,870 from 5,570 three years earlier. New Mexico and Colorado experienced sharp increases for the same reason. In California, where abortions increased by 15,200 in the statistical period, only 16% of the increase was due to out-of-state patients  presumably because abortion is legal in the nearby states of Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

What is becoming clear as state legislators take advantage of the Supreme Court's evisceration of medical privacy rights in the Dobbs decision, is that the stakes are destined to become magnified in the absence of federal action. People suffering from infectious diseases linked to what legislators disdain as immoral behavior such as HIV or hepatitis C might face increased discrimination or limits on access to public healthcare programs, for example.

"In terms of states diverging in what medical care is allowed or isn't allowed," Shachar says, "abortion and gender-affirming care might be the tip of the iceberg."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Domestic extremists who receive and send money via cryptocurrency are using major online exchange companies, and those platforms put almost no limits on the activities of hate groups or their sympathizers.

Thats the key finding of a new report from the Anti-Defamation Leagues Center on Extremism, provided exclusively to USA TODAY.

The advocacy organization found users sent money to white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups including the Goyim Defense League, NSC-131 and the National Socialist Movement, and to online extremist propaganda outlets like Counter-Currents and Radio Albion, all using major cryptocurrency exchanges.

The report focuses on only a small number of extremists and extremist groups, which the ADL said it could track because they had posted their cryptocurrency information publicly. But it raises larger questions about the extent to which extremists thrive on cryptocurrency without significant pushback.

Those groups have been subject to deplatforming or constraints in other areas of online technology where they once flourished, such as social media platforms and payment apps. The ADL says cryptocurrency exchanges  which transfer funds that can then flow untracked into private bank accounts  merit similar scrutiny.

The ADL tracked 15 extremist individuals and organizations that last year moved cryptocurrency into or out of 22 service providers, including mainstream companies like Binance and Coinbase, the report said. That represents a small sample of the hundreds of extremists and groups the ADL is monitoring.

As of Dec. 1, 2023, only one of those service providers has an explicit policy banning the funding of hateful or extremist activity, the ADL report says. Though several other providers prohibit hateful or extremist postings on their sites, they dont specifically prohibit extremists using their platforms to raise money for their activities, the ADL report concludes.

Cryptocurrency experts say they are seeing an increase in transactions from known extremists.

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Extremists, terrorists and criminals of all stripes seem to be turning increasingly to cryptocurrency exchanges for raising, transferring and disseminating funds, said Eswar Prasad, a Cornell University professor and author of The Future of Money.

Its impossible to know what these extremists eventually spent this money on, just as its hard to tell how many fringe groups are reaping windfalls from cryptocurrencies.

As antisemitic incidents, hate crimes and other acts of hatred surge in the U.S, Jonathan Greenblatt, ADLs CEO, says cryptocurrencys laissez faire approach poses a significant danger. He called on exchanges to develop policies that counter the financing of hate and extremism and on regulators to provide guidance to the industry.

It is more important than ever to identify and disrupt the funding underpinning hateful actors and their bigotry, Greenblatt told USA TODAY in a statement. The surge in hate demands not just awareness but uncompromising action to dismantle the financial infrastructure that fuels extremist agendas.

ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt

Representatives of the Goyim Defense League and the National Socialist Movement did not respond to requests for comment for this story.

Cryptocurrency emerged as a safe haven for white supremacists and other extremists after a crackdown by internet payment processors such as like Stripe and PayPal following the deadly white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in August 2017.

Far-right agitators have pushed back against debanking  turning off the financial spigot because of extremist speech or activities  and say it violates their free speech rights.

Christopher Pohlhaus, who runs a Northeastern U.S. neo-Nazi group and has marched with NSC-131, told USA TODAY the ADL would try to get us banned from a racquetball tournament.

More: Antisemitism tallies, and questions for Anti-Defamation League

How extremists use crypto, and how to track it

Counter demonstrators face off with white supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia. After the deadly rally there in 2017, some internet payment processors cracked down on white supremacists and other extremists using their services. As a result, more extremists moved to cryptocurrency.

The ADL said the report is a preliminary assessment of a complex and sprawling ecosystem.

Through a cryptocurrency exchange, digital currency can be converted to a traditional currency like U.S. dollars and transmitted to a debit card, credit card or bank account.

Unlike a bank account, where any individual extremist might deposit or withdraw money with relative privacy, the groups tracked by the ADL use their accounts on the crypto exchanges to transfer money  and, in some cases, to solicit it.

When these groups solicit contributions, they disclose their cryptocurrency wallet identity publicly, making it possible to track the money they're getting and moving, the ADL said. And that allows greater scrutiny of what the exchanges are  or aren't  doing about extremists on their platforms.

Indeed, some extremists take steps to warn their donors how to avoid such scrutiny. The ADL report notes the white supremacist propaganda network Radio Albion advises its followers to donate using Monero, an almost-untraceable cryptocurrency, or to use an intermediary wallet to transfer the money.

The actual dollar amounts tracked in the report are a sliver of the total cryptocurrency market, which may be tens of billions of dollars worldwide. It is also only a snapshot of the total domestic extremist crypto funding. One expert told USA TODAY that some extremists are sitting on millions.

"Some of these guys have real wealth, said John Bambenek, a cybersecurity expert who built a real-time automated tracker of neo-Nazi fundraising and expenditures.

A visual representation of the digital cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, alongside U.S. dollars.

Of the approximately $150,000 the ADL tracked, the largest amount was found on Kraken, which was used to move nearly $80,000, the report says. White nationalist publisher Counter-Currents conducted more than $61,800 worth of cryptocurrency transactions, the most of any extremist group or individual in the sample.

Supporters of the white supremacist Goyim Defense League, which organizes antisemitic protests and spreads antisemitic propaganda, sent the group more than $3,000 in cryptocurrency last year, the ADL found.

What are cryptocurrency exchanges rules on extremism?

Representatives of Kraken and Coinbase said the companies have protections against clients using their exchanges for money laundering, terrorist financing or other illegal activity. But neither company has a policy that specifically addresses hate speech or other extremist activity by their customers.

A spokesperson for Kraken told USA TODAY a section of the companys terms of service dont specifically call out hate speech but the company maintains the ability to close an account for activities on any platform.

Kraken uses screening tools that check new clients and existing users daily to identify connections with terrorist or extremist organizations, the company spokesperson told USA TODAY, saying, We have an established framework and process by which alerted accounts are reviewed and actioned to ensure we act responsibly.

Both companies said they are investigating the claims in the ADL report.

Though cryptocurrency leaves a trail of transactions, money can be moved with some degree of anonymity. Prasad said tracking and verifying the identities of cryptocurrency account holders can be difficult. So is gauging the number and value of transactions that subsidize illicit activities or that support extremist groups.

In principle, the exchanges should meet the regulatory requirement of knowing exactly who their customers are, but many take the view that they have a limited obligation to do so, and others operate outside the jurisdiction of U.S. regulators, he said.

This clearly opens them up to being used for illicit financial transactions by users who cannot or dont want to use traditional financial channels, Prasad said. Ultimately, it is only tight regulation and stricter oversight by regulators that will help discipline the cryptocurrency ecosystem, including mainstream exchanges.

How cryptocurrency became a favorite of extremists

Hate-filled websites like the neo-Nazi blog Daily Stormer were early adopters of cryptocurrency, and domestic extremists have been seeking contributions in cryptocurrency for years.

In a link for donations on Stormfront's homepage, it says Bitcoin is its preferred payment method.

The ADL report notes that part of the attraction of cryptocurrency for neo-Nazis and white supremacists is the notion that crypto is free from the alleged constraints of the banking system  an industry that antisemitic tropes falsely claim is Jewish-controlled.

More recently, domestic extremists have also flocked to video streaming sites with cryptocurrency-based revenue systems such as Odysee and DLive to rake in hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations and operate mostly beyond government oversight.

Cryptocurrency fights deplatforming, cites free speech

Kraken, the exchange, publicizes its mission to encourage global adoption of cryptocurrency so that everyone can achieve financial freedom and inclusion.

Bambenek says that while crypto exchanges may not roll out the welcome mat for extremists, the attitude equals a hands-off approach.

Cryptocurrency exchanges tend to adopt a fairly strong, somewhat libertarian mindset of Not my problem. Im not responsible for the speech, Bambenek said..

Without evidence of criminal wrongdoing, exchanges avoid taking action, he said.

If you can point to human trafficking? Fine, they will do something about that. If you can point to actual violence of significance, if they are gunrunning using the crypto exchange or narcotics, they can do something, Bambenek said. You get a couple of mole whacks here and there, but people can set up other wallets. They can move their cryptocurrency around. There is always another exchange.

Will regulators, Congress crack down on crypto?

The ADL report comes amid a push to tighten rules governing the crypto industry.

Since the implosion of FTX, federal authorities have filed criminal charges against a number of crypto executives, and the Securities and Exchange Commission has filed lawsuits against some of the industrys largest players.

Changpeng Zhao, founder of Binance, recently pleaded guilty to money laundering violations. Binance, the worlds largest cryptocurrency exchange, agreed to pay $4.3 billion in fines and restitution. Court documents showed Zhao and other employees attempted to evade laws including the Bank Secrecy Act that require that financial institutions learn the true identities of their customers.

Binance did not respond to a request for comment.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., is building bipartisan support for a tougher stance on money laundering, drug trafficking and sanctions evasion. The Treasury Department has called on the industry to work with the government to prevent illicit activity by transnational criminal organizations, terrorists, and rogue states.

Crypto is responding to intensifying scrutiny by going on the offensive in the run-up to the 2024 elections. Three super PACs backed by industry executives and investors said last month that they have raised $78 million to back crypto-friendly candidates running for seats in the House and Senate.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How white supremacists and Nazis use crypto to fundraise for hate
A Westport resident, who was caught with a haul of cannabis, has received a five-month suspended prison sentence.

Alin Lucan of Bruach na hAbhainn, Westport, pleaded guilty at Castlebar District Court to possessing drugs for sale or supply on April 4, 2021, at Tesco Apartments, Westport.

The court heard that Gardai from the Mayo Divisional Drugs Unit searched the defendants then residence at Tesco Apartments on the date in question and found cannabis with a street value of 1,600 along with paraphernalia such as a weighing scales that were used for preparing the drugs for distribution.

Lucan has no previous convictions.

Solicitor Tom Walsh said his client, a chef, had been addicted to cannabis at the time and was also supplying the drugs to friends.

He is now clean, and he has learned his lesson, he said. He is a Romanian national who has been 12 years in Ireland, and he is gainfully employed and is contributing to society.

Mr Walsh said his client is adamant he will not be before the courts again and Sgt McShane agreed that Lucan had cooperated with Gardai.

Judge Vincent Deane imposed a five-month jail term which he agreed to suspend on condition there are no offences in the next two years. He also warned the defendant he was lucky not to be going straight to prison.
Rethink Retail has recently announced that Melissa Moore, the founder of Cong based business The Retail Advisor, has been honoured with the prestigious 2024 Top Retail Experts award. The global accolade is a testament to Melissa's significant role in steering the retail industry's future.

Melissa is a multi-award-winning Retail Consultant, Mentor and Educator with over 24 years experience, working with national and international retail brands. As founder of The Retail Advisor, she empowers retailers and creators to reach their potential through sales growth and excellence in customer experience.

I am so passionate about retail and am delighted to accept this prestigious award, Melissa said.

As host of Irelands biggest retail podcast, The Retail Tea Break, Melissa brings together industry experts, retailers and brands. Her aim is to decode myths, share knowledge and give her audience an insight into the industry. With over 60 episodes, guests have included Mayo based retailer, Portwest, Circle K, Kilkenny Design, Lidl, Brown Thomas alongside global experts from Salesforce and many more.

In a training capacity, Melissa delivers retail workshops to an international audience motivating customer facing teams to deliver sensational service through sales, standards and customer experience. She currently lectures in Founder Selling at J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics, University of Galway. She delivers modules on both the Apprenticeship in Retail Supervision and the Apprenticeship in Sales.

Chosen from an impressive roster of over 400 nominees, Melissa now joins an elite group of visionaries and leaders in the retail realm globally. This recognition is not merely a symbol of distinction but a celebration of her innovative approaches, influential insights, and their pivotal role in driving transformative change in the retail world.

Melissa is the former President of Network Ireland Mayo, an organisation that leads, supports and collaborates with employers, business owners, employees, solopreneurs. She will remain on the national Network Ireland committee in 2024.
James Cox

People Before Profit has called on all TDs to boycott St Patrick's Day trips, including the Taoiseach's visit to the White House.

They also criticised Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald for plans to visit the United States for St Patrick's Day.

The party claims US president Joe Biden has the blood of Palestinians on his hands.

Deputy Brid Smith said Leo Varadkar should not go to the US to meet Mr Biden.

"The relevance is to say: Boycott Washington, do not share the bowl of Shamrock, do not visit 'genocide Joe' on that day... and isolate them from what is an important day in the calendar for the Irish Diaspora everywhere."

Ms Smith added: "Well not only do we want the Taoiseach to boycott the St Patrick's Day visit... we want all elected Dail Eireann deputies to boycott St Patrick's Day [visits].

"That includes the leader of the Opposition Mary Lou McDonald, who has said she will go. We think that this is wrong. Joe Biden is now known commonly throughout the world as the killer, 'genocide Joe' they call him."
Former President of Ireland and current chair for elders Mary Robinson will speak to over 3,000 female teenage students at the 10th annual I Wish Showcase at the RDS Dublin on 8 February. Joining her at the annual event that inspires teenage girls towards careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) will be Irish science communicator, scientist and entrepreneur Ciara Judge, who spoke at the first I Wish event in 2015 after her BT Young Scientist Award and Google Science Fair wins.

Over the last 10 years, I Wish has engaged with over 60,000 students along with partnering with over 50 industry partners and 80 I Wish ambassadors. Female students in County Mayo are encouraged to sign up for the I Wish STEM Showcase 2024, with registration for the free event still open at iwish.ie/register.

Speaking ahead of the event, Ciara Judge said: As a young girl I benefitted hugely from my involvement in youth science. I found my passion and future career and have had the opportunity to travel the world and make a difference. Showing these young women that there is so much more to careers in STEM than just being stuck in a lab all day, is an absolute privilege and I am so grateful that I Wish has invited me back.

Multi-award-winning diversity and inclusion speaker and author, Furkan Karayel will also speak at the event while MC is 2FM DJ and the new host of Ireland's Fittest Family, Laura Fox. More speakers will be announced in the coming weeks. There will also be over 30 exhibitors including Deloitte.

The upcoming 2024 I Wish Showcase aims to shift the narrative surrounding careers in STEM. In their recent Report, I Wish identified a significant gap where many girls struggle to connect their work-related values with the perceived values of a STEM career. The Showcase will address this by featuring inspiring STEM role models who exemplify how careers in STEM can fulfil the work-related values these young women seek, including opportunities to travel, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and making a positive contribution to the world they inhabit.

Speaking on the event, I Wish co-founder Gillian Keating said: Just weeks out from our 10th Showcase, we reflect on how far we have come in the past decade. We started with a dream to deliver change by positively influencing the next generation of young women to increase female participation in STEM. We never thought I Wish would evolve in the way that it did.

We have seen significant positive change, we have seen increases in uptake in STEM college courses, and we have seen improvement in gender equality in STEM. However, it is clear that we need to continue to deliver I Wish to girls  both in secondary school and in primary  to ensure they make an informed choice about their future. Knowledge is key to the gateway to their future. How we deliver it to the next generation is certainly on us.

Beginning with an annual showcase, I Wish has now expanded its activities to a year-round suite of programmes, including a Tech for Good programme and entrepreneurship programmes. This year it will pilot an I Wish Primary programme.

I Wish has extended its partnership with Iarnrod Eireann and Bus Eireann for 2024, with complimentary train services from multiple locations across Ireland along with busses from Cork and Kildare. Busses will also be transporting students to and from Heuston Station on the day.
Knockmore

Fond memories of Martin (Marty) Lally

Many fond memories were recalled during the week of the late Marty Lally, Tavanaghmore, whose unexpected death took place at his residence on Friday, December 29, following an illness. Marty was a much loved brother, uncle, cousin and friend and was highly thought of by his former colleagues with Mayo County Council. Marty was born in 1953 to parents Patrick and Kathleen Lally and was a member of a family of twelve, 7 boys and 5 girls.

At an early age Marty had to take on responsibility of caring for his younger family siblings following the death of both his parents within ten months of each other in the mid 1970s. Marty was a retired member of the staff of the Swinford area of Mayo Co Council, having given forty-two years service there before taking early retirement a few years back to care for his brother Francis.

Marty reposed in Clarkes Funeral Home on the Sunday evening before his removal to Christ the King Church, Knockmore. His 11am con-celebrated Mass was celebrated on the Monday where a large numbers of family, relatives and friends gathered to pay their final respects to a much-loved member of the community. In the homily Marty was remembered as a loving and caring brother, uncle, and friend. A person of great faith and devotion to his Mass and the sacraments.

In his early years he was involved with many organisations in the parish, helping to run the local bingo and was a member of the local branch of the Legion of Mary. Despite his many crosses in life Marty maintained a great sense of humour and in his own quiet manner had a quick word and answer for all. Marty will be remembered by all as a sincere good person but to his family he was their beloved brother, uncle, and carer for many years.

Deepest sympathy is extended to his sisters Helen, Bridget, Ann and Orla, his brothers Michael, Gerard, Brendan and John, to his many nephews and nieces, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, neighbours and friends. He was pre-deceased by his parents, brothers Tommy and Francis and his sister Mary. May he now rest in peace.

Knockmore Ladies 30th Anniversary

Knockmore Ladies Group are celebrating their 30th Anniversary on Friday evening, January 26, commencing with Mass in Rathduff Church at 7pm, followed by music and refreshments in The Lodge, Cloghans. All past and present members are welcome, together with family members and friends.

The Late Michael Reddington

The late Michael Reddington, Enniscrone, whose death took place following an illness on Tuesday, December 19, was son of the late Anthony and Nora Reddington (nee Nallon), Runagry, Knockmore. Many recalled memories of Mike (as he was fondly known as) growing up in the parish and remembered him with great fondness and as a kind and loyal friend.

Mike always stayed connected with his many cousins and friends in the Knockmore area and returned regularly for many funerals and other occasions. He was pre-deceased by his wife Tess and daughter Mary, and he is survived by his sons Seamus, Tony, Michael, John and David, his daughter Nora, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, in-laws , cousins and many friends to whom deepest sympathy is extended. At his request, his body was donated for research to University Hospital, Galway. May his soul now rest in peace.

Used stamps

Dont forget to collect your used stamps after your Christmas mail. They will be of great help for the Medical Missionaries of Mary Missions in Africa. They can be left in the porch of Knockmore Church from where they will be forwarded.

Knockmore GAA Lotto

The numbers drawn in the Knockmore GAA lotto on December 16, were 7, 8, 18 and 66. There was no jackpot winner. Weekly winners were Alan Duggan and Mick Healy. Season ticket winners were PJ Flynn and Finnuala Murphy. Lucky dip winner was Johnny Flynn. The latest jackpot was 4,900. Your support as always is much appreciated.

Local Text Alert

With the long nights with us please keep an eye out for the vulnerable and those living on their own. All are asked also to be extra vigilant and report any unusual sightings or activities in the area. Nothing is too small to report and could be of great help to the Garda in curbing crime.

Adoration

Adoration/Holy Hour takes place on Wednesday mornings in Knockmore church after 10am Mass, from 10.30-11.30am. All are welcome to call in at any time.

Knockmore Bingo

Bingo continues every Monday night at 8.30pm in the Community Hall in Knockmore with valuable prizes to be won every night. Refreshments are also served . It is a lovely night to meet up with neighbours and friends.

Enjoying the Christmas Party in Hiney's were Micheal Judge, Frances Browne, Caroline Lavin, Bea Judge and Maureen Moyles.

Conn Rangers FC Lotto

The numbers drawn in the Conn Ranger lotto, which was held on December 27, were 17, 22, 29 and 33. There was no jackpot winner. 20 winners were Fergal Breslin, Sylvie Kelly, Laoise OHora, Mary Robinson, Jarlath Corcoran and Des Sweeney. Lucky dip winner was Denise McMahon. The latest jackpot was 3,300. Thank you for your continued support.

Currabaggan School Online Lotto

The numbers drawn in the Currabaggan NS online lotto recently were 2, 7, 13 and 17. There was no jackpot winner. 25 winner was Roisin Walshe. If you would like to join their weekly online lotto visit https:/www.ourfundraiser.ie/org/currabagganns. Your support would be much appreciated.

Grow Group

Grow Group Ballina have self-help meetings for people suffering with depression, loneliness, anxiety, etc. on Tuesdays at 8pm in the Ballina Community Centre. Call Cecelia on 086 1074695 for further details.

Personal Alarm

If you are 65 or over, living alone or with another eligible person in the Ballina and surrounding areas, you may be entitled to apply for the Senior Alert Scheme which is a personal alarm connected to a monitoring station, if you or someone you know matches this criteria, call 096 75573.

Alone

Would you be willing to provide companionship or make calls to older people for 1 hour, once a week?. Alone are seeking volunteers in your area. Full training and support provided. If interested, please sign up at; https://alone.ie/volunteers. For more information contact Paul Stafford (Mayo)at Paul.Stafford@alone.ie or phone 086 013504.

Unwanted Clothing

If you have any unwanted clothing in good condition, please drop into the centre in Knockmore. Bags can be left at the back door. They will be very much appreciated as a fundraiser for the centre.

Legion of Mary meetings

The Legion of Mary Senior Praesidium hold their meetings in the sacristy on Tuesday mornings following 10am Mass in Knockmore Church and on Wednesday evenings at 6.30pm for the Junior meetings. If you are interested and would like to find out more about their works, please contact any of its members.

Dinners from the Centre

Dinners continue to be available from the centre in Knockmore on weekdays Monday to Friday. This is proving a very popular service in the community and is used by a cross section of people. If you are living alone, or too busy to cook lunch, the dinners can be delivered, collected, or eaten at the centres dining room. Contact the centre on 094 9258016 for full details.
By Rajesh Kumar Singh

CHICAGO (Reuters) -Delta Air Lines on Friday unveiled an order for up to 40 new Airbus A350-1000 widebody aircraft, with deliveries of the first 20 jets are scheduled to begin in 2026.

The order, which Reuters this week reported was imminent, is likely to make Delta the first U.S. carrier to operate the model. Delta said it had options for a further 20 planes.

The long-range A350-1000 can comfortably accommodate 350 to 410 passengers and has a large amount of space for premium cabins, according to the European planemaker.

Delta's CEO Ed Bastian said the planes will replace Boeing 767s.

"These planes complement our fleet strategy and will offer a world-class customer experience for international travelers with more premium seats, higher gauge and great customer amenities," he said on the company's earnings call.

Delta has positioned itself as a premium airline and seeks to attract travelers willing to pay for something other than just a seat. Its revenue from premium cabins has been outpacing those from low-cost seats since the pandemic.

While the Atlanta-based carrier placed an order for 100 Boeing 737 MAX 10 jets in 2022, it has primarily been an Airbus customer.

At the end of September, the company had 65 Airbus A330 and 28 A350-900 widebodies, with commitments to purchase another 16 each.

The twin-aisle jets are expected to help the company to grow its network in the Asia-Pacific region, which has lagged behind the U.S. and Europe in a global travel demand recovery after the pandemic.

Delta also announced a service agreement with Rolls-Royce to service Trent XWB-97 engines that power A350-1000 jets.

United Airlines is the only other U.S. carrier to have ordered the A350 so far, in its case 45 of the smaller A350-900s. However, none have yet been delivered.

Current A350-1000 operators globally include British Airways, Qatar Airways and Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways.

On Thursday, Airbus reported record annual jet orders and confirmed an 11% rise in 2023 deliveries, maintaining the top manufacturing spot against rival Boeing for a fifth year.

(Reporting by Rajesh Kumar Singh; Editing by Jamie Freed and David Gregorio)
Gurteen

The late May Wynne nee OGrady

The death took place on December 27 of May Wynne nee O'Grady, Cuilmore, Gurteen. A quiet unassuming and friendly member of the parish she was held in high esteem by all who knew her. Age ninety six May was one of the older people in the community and she will be sadly missed by her family and many neighbours and friends. Her remains reposed at O'Dowd's Funeral Home on Friday evening, December 29, and were removed from her daughter Mary's home on Saturday for Mass of the Resurrection celebrated by Fr Joe Caulfield with burial afterwards in Gurteen Cemetery. Predeceased by her husband John Patrick and brother John, May is survived by her sons Gerard and Joseph, daughter Mary O'Hara, daughter-in-law Janie, son-in-law Seamus, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends to whom deepest sympathy is extended. May she rest in peace.

The late Caolan ODowd

The death took place suddenly on December 25 of Caolan O'Dowd age twenty nine, Boyle Road, Gurteen. News of his untimely passing was received with shock and deep sadness in the community where he was well-known and popular. His remains reposed at his residence and were removed to St Patrick's Church, Gurteen, on Friday for Mass of the Resurrection celebrated by Fr James McDonagh with burial afterwards in Gurteen Cemetery. Predeceased by his grandparents Wish and Betty O'Dowd and Paddy Kane, he is survived by his parents Padraig and Catherine, sister Andrea, brother Donal and partner Karen, grandmother Jean Kane, uncles and aunts, cousins and a large circle of friends to whom deepest sympathy is extended. May he rest in peace.

Well done to Cloonloo NS

Well done to the pupils of Cloonloo NS who sent over three hundred Christmas cards to each resident in Boyle's Nursing Homes and also raised money for Focus Ireland homeless charity by Christmas jumpers day in school.

Wedding Bells

Congratulations and best wishes to Catriona McDonagh, Cuilmore and James McHugh, Carrigart, Donegal who married in St. Brigid's Church, Ballisodare, on December 22 last.

Mass for Bingo patrons

Gurteen Bingo committee have organised a remembrance Mass for all deceased and bereaved patrons in St Patrick's Church, Gurteen, on Friday, January 12, at 7pm. Refreshments will be served in the Hall afterwards. All welcome.

Bingo

Bingo is held in Gurteen Hall every Friday night at 8pm, with a jackpot of 3200 in forty eight calls or less. The lotto raffle jackpot is 250, and there is also a 50/50 split. Support is greatly appreciated.

Money from crib

A total of 1,225 from the cribs in the three churches last year was sent to 'Aid to Church in Need' for nuns in Ukraine who care for orphans and refugees. This year the money donated will also go to Aid to Church in Need to Nuns in Ukraine.

Eastern Harps 50/50 draw

The Eastern Harps Christmas 50/50 draw on Wednesday night, December 27, with a Jackpot of 1039 was won by Peggy Gaffney, Gurteen. There were five other prizes as well. The following weeks draw was on Tuesday night, January 2, with a jackpot of 616 and the winner was Sylvia Casey, Culfadda. The Eastern Harps Club is very appreciative of all the support throughout the year.

Gurteen Celtic lotto

The numbers drawn in the Gurteen Celtic draw recently were 3, 6,8 and 17. Kelly Mullen won the 50. The following weeks draw had the numbers 17, 19, 27 and 28 drawn and the 50 winner was Declan O'Dowd, Gurteen. Many thanks for your support.

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Kilmovee

The late Margaret Creaton

The death took place of Margaret Creaton (nee Morrissey), Loughglynn, Castlerea, Co Roscommon and formerly of Clonshee Trench, Ahascragh, Co. Galway, peacefully at her home in her 94th year, surrounded by her family. Margaret was predeceased by her husband Denis, infant daughter Anne, brothers Mikie-Joe, and Bill and her sisters Frances, Mary and Bridie. Margaret is survived by her heartbroken family, her sons James, and Denis, daughters Mary and Mairead, sisters Katie, Annie and Eileen, brothers Sean, Mikie and Joe, grandchildren Denis, Sean, Jack, Katie, Shane, Shelly, Tisha, Hannah, Denis, Jamie, Christina, Grainne and Roisin, great-grandchildren Ryan, Daniel, Senan, Caleb, Donnacha and Teddy, sons-in-law Patsy Barron and Patsy McNulty, daughters-in-law Kathleen and Bridie, nephews, nieces, grand-nephews, grand-nieces, extended family, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

Margaret reposed in her home on Wednesday and Thursday from 4 until 7.30pm. Removal took place on Thursday evening to the Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Loughglynn, arriving at 8pm. Mass of the Resurrection was held on Friday at 12 noon, followed by interment in Cuiltyboe Cemetery. May Margaret rest in peace as sincere sympathy is offered to all who are bereaved.

Bingo

Kilmovee bingo returned on Sunday, January 7, at 8.30pm and the committee thanked their loyal patrons for their support over the last year and wish them health and happiness in the coming year.

Offertory Collection Envelopes

Thank you to all those who use the offertory envelopes and also contribute online for the upkeep of the parish. Please collect this years boxes in each of the four churches. Thank you.

Sympathy

Deepest sympathy is offered to the family and relatives of Jimmie Caulfield, High St, Kilkelly, and Kathleen Randle, Jersey UK, (sister of John Behan, Glann) and all who are bereaved at this time. May they all rest in peace.

Pilates class

Pilates class will commence on Wednesday, January 10, at the Old Courthouse, Kilkelly. It is ideal for breathing, core strength and relaxation. Booking is essential, call Mary at 085 2150781.

Kilmovee Active Age/Thursday Club

The Kilmovee Active Age/Thursday Club reopens on Thursday, January 11, and the committee look forward to welcoming all their members back and new members are welcome.

St Vincent de Paul

The phone numbers for the local St Vincent De Paul areas are: Glann 085 210 8472, Kilmovee 086 8892098, Kilkelly 086 889 9077, Urlaur 086 922 7552.

Accord

Accord Ballaghaderreen offers marriage and relationship guidance in a secure setting, facilitating couples and individuals to explore, reflect upon and work to resolve difficulties that arise in their relationship. Contact on 094 902 2214 for further details.

Newsletter items

Items for inclusion in the weekly parish newsletter should be community based or from voluntary organisations. Please submit items for inclusion by lunchtime on Thursday. Some items may have to be edited for space purposes. Where possible, please send in your news items, including contact details, by email to news@kilmoveeparish.org.

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Bohola

An Evening of Song

An Evening of Song with Cill Aodain Choral Society will take place in the Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar, on Wednesday and Thursday, January 10 and 11 at 8pm. Musical director will be Finola Higgins and special guest is tenor Cathal Gavin. Tickets costing 20 are available on the door or booking at 094 9023733, or www.thelinenhall.com.

Wedding Bells

Congratulations to Lorna Malee, Shanaghy, and Thomas Fitzgerald, Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick, who were married in Bohola, on Sunday, December 31. They are wished every blessing and many happy years of married life together.

Epilepsy Ireland thanks

Epilepsy Ireland wish to express sincere thanks to all who contributed to their recent church gate collection and to those who took up the collection. A total of 255 was raised in Bohola/Shraheens and Straide realised 220. May God reward your generosity and a Happy New year to everybody.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness weekly classes with Maura Horkan start on Tuesday, January 16, at Castlebar Social Services Centre at 10.30am for 6 weeks and Balla Community Centre at 7.30pm for 4 weeks. Pay as you go option is available. There is also private counselling and self care sessions and Saturday retreats available. Booking is essential and to book or enquire email maurahorkanmia@gmail.com or tel 086 8237230.
Today

Partly sunny, breezy, and noticeably colder; gusty winds add a chill. A sprinkle or flurry possible, mainly north and west.

Tonight

Partly cloudy, windy, and cold. Brisk winds add a chill. There could be an early flurry, especially north and west.

Tomorrow

Partly sunny but brisk and chilly with wind chills near or below freezing for much of the day. A sprinkle or flurry possible, mainly north and west.
"Oppenheimer has dominated the Golden Globe Awards, taking home the night's top honor. Yorgos Lanthimos Poor Things has won best comedy or musical at the 81st Golden Globes, an upset victory over the category favorite, Barbie. Emma Stone also won for her performance in Poor Things. On the television side, Succession and The Bear are took multiple honors. Christopher Nolans epic American drama Oppenheimer picked up five big awards including best drama film, best director for Nolan, best actor for Cillian Murphy, best supporting actor for Robert Downey Jr. and for Ludwig Goranssons score. Paul Giamatti and Da'Vine Joy Randolph both won for their performances in The Holdovers.
FLEETWOOD, Pa.  The community is mourning the death of a Fleetwood Area High School student.

Fleetwood police said 18-year-old Benjamin Miller lost control of his car and crashed into a tree on Richmond Road in Richmond Township around 7:30 a.m. Thursday.

Miller was taken to Reading Hospital where he later died.

Officials said Miller was not wearing a seatbelt.

Teen killed in Richmond Township crash Police were called to the 1000 block of Richmond Road around 7:30 a.m. Thursday for a report of a single vehicle accident.

"The car looked like it hit the tree, slid sideways and knocked out the mailbox here," said Owen Boyd. "Almost hit the sign, but not quite."

There was visible damage in front of a local auto shop business's sign.

Boyd works at Restored Auto and saw the aftermath of the crash.

"It's kind of shocking," he said. "I didn't think the car looked that bad. I mean, it was hit pretty hard, definitely totaled."

Police said the road was partially closed for a short amount of time.

Boyd said this was not the first incident he has seen on this street.

"A couple of weeks ago, maybe a month ago, there was skid marks off the road, like right next to where this accident happened," he said. "They didn't hit the tree that time, but they went out in the field. So yeah, it happens."

The Fleetwood Area School District released a statement saying, in part, "During this difficult time, it is important that we come together as a community to support one another. Our thoughts and condolences go out to Ben's family, friends, and all those affected by his loss."

The district is also offering school counselors and additional support services for students and staff members.

"Please wear your seatbelts, people," Boyd said. "It makes a difference."

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Alert Berks County or the Fleetwood Police Department at 610-944-7011 as they investigate.

UPDATE: A GoFundMe set up for Miller's family has raised more than $14,000 of its $25,000 goal as of 12:45 p.m. Friday.
READING, Pa. - The Berks County Commissioners have authorized letters of support for several projects that are seeking financial help from the state's Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP).

They gave the projects a thumbs up at Thursday morning's meeting.

"This is a state program run through the legislature and the governor's office that annually allocates millions of dollars for a variety of projects statewide," said Commissioner Christian Leinbach.

Leinbach said the state recommends that applicants get support from their local officials.

"By endorsing these projects, we're making no financial commitment on behalf of county taxpayers. And we're taking no liability for the project," said Leinbach. "Just simply saying 'Yes, we think this is good for Berks County'."

The projects include redeveloping a vacant property in Spring Township for a retail and other business space and the Perry Commercial Center along Route 61.

"It's next to the CVS and the former Boyer's that recently was renovated and is a Tractor Supply. And that I believe is going to be bringing in some retail. I believe also a Wawa," explained Leinbach.

Plans at the township building show a new traffic light and new road called Moceri Drive off of Route 61, with a Wawa, CVS, bank and another retailer.

Other projects seeking state funding include: Rose Corporation's expansion of the industrial fabrication facility, Alvernia University's renovations to the American House building on Penn Street and Our City Reading's plans for a commercial kitchen at the GoggleWorks complex.

The application deadline for the funding is Friday, January 12th.
5:50 p.m. - Air Force One departs LVIA, after an hours-long visit to the Lehigh Valley that included stops at three businesses in Emmaus and a visit to Mack Southside Fire Station And Training Academy in Allentown.

5:15 p.m. Biden departed Mack Southside Fire Station And Training Academy in Allentown. Biden has been making stops in the Lehigh Valley since around 1:15 p.m., when Air Force One landed at LVIA.

5:07 p.m. - Biden is taking questions from reporters at the fire station. He is addressing questions about citizens' feelings about the economy and the country's military operation in Yemen.

5:05 p.m. - Biden highlighted manufacturing and job growth in remarks at the fire station. He said having a job is about having dignity and opportunity, not just about a paycheck. The administration still "has more to do," Biden said.

5:00 p.m. - In remarks at the fire station, Biden said he spoke with the coffee shop owner in Emmaus about how at one point she struggled with losing her hope and faith, but that she and her husband wanted to invest in the community. He said his administration's policies helped her and other small-business owners.

Biden said funding under his administration helped in hiring more firefighters.

4:55 p.m. - We will have a roundup of Biden's visit to some Emmaus businesses on 69 News at 5.

4:28 p.m. - Biden visits Mack Southside Fire Station And Training Academy in Allentown. American Rescue Plan funds helped pay for some upgrades at the fire station.

Protesters are gathered near the area. They are protesting the Israel-Gaza war.

Biden visited Montgomery County last Friday. Pa. is going to be a battleground state in this year's presidential election. The state has the fifth most electoral votes up for grabs in the country.

4:25 p.m. - Mack Southside Fire Station And Training Academy on Lehigh Street in Allentown awaits an expected visit from President Biden.

3:50 p.m. - During his Emmaus visit, a member of the White House press corps asked Biden about his defense secretary, Lloyd Austin, who's being treated for prostate cancer. Austin drew criticism earlier this week for not immediately telling the White House about his hospitalization. In his first public comment on the issue, Biden said it was a lapse in judgment on Austin's part, but he still has confidence in him as defense secretary.

The president also addressed the military operation in Yemen. Officials say U.S. and U.K. forces struck more than 60 Houthi targets last night. It was in response to the Iran-backed group's attacks on commercial shipping vessels along the Red Sea trade route. Those threaten to drive up the cost of oil, gas and other goods around the world. Biden called the operation a success, especially since there have been no reports of civilian casualties. He told reporters in Emmaus that Iran "does not want a war with us."

3:28 p.m. - During his visit to Emmaus, Biden said it was a lapse in judgment for his Defense Secretary, Lloyd Austin, to not tell him about his hospitalization last week, but that he still has confidence in his defense chief.

3:09 p.m. - Anyone want a coffee?" Biden asks people at the coffee shop. A person at the coffee shop mentions food has been sent to firefighters at Mack Southside Fire Station And Training Academy in Allentown.

2:58 p.m. - Employees at Nowhere Coffee Company in Emmaus chat with President Joe Biden. Biden joked, "You're not going to make the president make his own espresso, are you?" Biden asked employees about the most popular coffees they sell.

2:42 p.m. - Biden visits Nowhere Coffee Company in Emmaus.

2:38 p.m. - Biden continues to speak with employees at South Mountain Cycle in Emmaus.

2:15 p.m. - People were seen protesting across the street from Mack Southside Fire Station And Training Academy in Allentown, as Biden visits the area.

2:06 p.m. - Biden visits South Mountain Cycle bicycle shop, on Main Street in Emmaus. He appears to be shaking hands with employees. Gov. Josh Shapiro, Sen. Bob Casey and Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk are also visiting Emmaus as part of the president's delegation.

2:04 p.m. - Biden's motorcade arrives in Emmaus. There is a large crowd in the area.

1:50 p.m. - Exactly where he will visit is still under wraps, but there is a police and Secret Service presence in downtown Emmaus. Crowds have been gathering since Friday morning. Barricades were set up in the area starting Thursday night. Some roads in the area are closed Friday afternoon.

Temporary no parking signs have been placed in parts of Emmaus.

Biden is expected to deliver a message about how small businesses have fared under his administration over the last three years. The Biden administration has previously touted the number of small-business applications over the last three years. The administration has also talked about manufacturing growth in the Lehigh Valley.

1:35 p.m. - Biden's motorcade leaves LVIA.

1:15 p.m. President Joe Biden lands at LVIA. Biden is arriving ahead of the November election. Pennsylvania is expected to be a battleground state.

Several school districts dismissed early Friday in anticipation of Biden's arrival, and 69 News reported Thursday that a general sense of energy had filled the air in Emmaus.
The European Union is not in the "Champions League of economic security", and even "struggles to perform at Europa League level".

That was the withering assessment of a senior representative of ASML, Europe's most valuable technology company, who used a football analogy to attack Brussels' efforts to de-risk its relations with China.

"If you think about the Champions League of economic security and geoeconomic statecraft, we have to think of the United States, we have to think of China, and we also have to think of Japan," said Wouter Baljon, the Dutch company's top EU lobbyist, referring to Europe's premier football tournament.

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"If you think of the Europa League, or tier two, we look at countries particularly in our industry, like [South] Korea, like Taiwan, and at best Europe, the EU as a collective.

"The EU clearly ... aspires to be in the Champions League, but for high technology, they struggled to perform at Europa League-level," said Baljon at an event in Brussels on Wednesday, referring to the continent's inferior competition.

ASML, valued at US$285 billion, is the world leader in the chipmaking equipment essential for manufacturing advanced semiconductors and considered the crown jewel in Europe's tech sector.

Its executives should have a good idea of who's who in the pantheon of geopolitical arm-twisting, having been caught in the cross hairs of a fierce US-China tech war.

ASML has been forced to stop selling some advanced precision lithography machines to Chinese buyers at the behest of the Biden administration.

The American policy was "all about curtailing the ability of China to make industrial progress", Baljon said, adding that the EU was living in "la-la land" if it thought otherwise.

Story continues

"We haven't acknowledged that export controls have become an industrial policy instrument. We still live in this la-la land that it's about dual-use goods, it's military-civil fusion."

Baljon delivered his comments in Brussels during an event hosted by the European Policy Centre on the EU's capacity to act as an economic security power as it looks to reduce its dependencies on Beijing.

Earlier in the day, EU industry chief Thierry Breton described Europe as a "third bloc" in a multipolar world.

Thierry Breton, the European commissioner for the EU's internal market, Thierry Breton, has described Europe as a 'third bloc' in a multipolar world. Photo: EPA-EFE alt=Thierry Breton, the European commissioner for the EU's internal market, Thierry Breton, has described Europe as a 'third bloc' in a multipolar world. Photo: EPA-EFE>

"We need to continue to promote Europe as a third bloc, a balancing force between the US and China," the commissioner said at the event. "Of course, we will remain an open continent, but on our terms, more assertive than ever."

However, ASML's representative was less confident, saying the European Commission would struggle to define an economic security strategy without the buy-in of powerful member states, which have pushed back against the policy.

"A certain humbleness might certainly help the EU to act as a collective, particularly in high technology," said Baljon. "We are not an incumbent unfortunately. As the EU 27, we are a challenger, and we need the instruments and the approaches to reflect this."

"We might speak of the 'geopolitical commission', but at this point, I think it's only as geopolitical as [the] Franco-German axis allows it to be, and you also don't have the manpower to really be in this Champions League."

The EU will present an "initiative" on screening outbound investments and a proposal on export controls for four crucial technologies, including microchips, on January 24. These form part of a package of tools aimed at de-risking its trading ties with China.

Baljon's remarks were among a series of broadsides voiced at the event as businesses lined up to criticise the EU's plans.

Malte Lohan, director general of Orgalim, a trade association representing Europe's tech industries, said firms in his sector were facing "a tsunami of regulation".

"You can't just regulate your way to economic security from a few office blocks in Brussels," Lohan said, adding he was "very nervous" about an "unprecedented shift to public intervention in our supply chains".

"If you look at any one of the instruments in isolation, of course there's always a very good reason for it ... I think we need to accept that this is a completely new paradigm in terms of how supply chains are regulated through public-sector intervention."

Luisa Santos, deputy director general at BusinessEurope, another lobby group, said the EU endangered its competitiveness by putting security concerns ahead of economic growth.

The war in Ukraine had "created a new consensus in the business community" on the security issues Europe faces, she said.

"But we should not overdo it also, because we have other problems that we need to deal with and we have not dealt with yet, including our competitiveness ... what we have seen in these last years is that compared to other partners in terms of overall competitiveness ... we [in Europe] are not in such good shape."

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2024 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2024. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
Several area school districts  Catasauqua, East Penn, Parkland, Salisbury Township and Whitehall-Coplay  announced they will be dismissing students early on Friday due to President Joe Biden's expected visit.

Check our STORMCENTER UPDATE page for the very latest info

Catasauqua Area

Catasauqua Area School District says it is dismissing students early Friday due to "unforeseen circumstances." It did not specifically mention Biden's visit.

The middle school will dismiss at 10:30 a.m., the high school will dismiss at 10:45 a.m., and students will be dismissed from Sheckler Elementary School at 11:15 a.m. No lunches will be served, and offices will close early.

East Penn

East Penn School District also said students will dismiss early Friday, though it did not mention Biden's visit.

"Due to unforeseen circumstances that will impact our local area, East Penn students will be dismissed early on Friday," according to a message from the district.

All EHS and middle school students will dismiss at 10:30 a.m., and elementary schools will dismiss at 11:15 a.m., the district said.

Parkland

Parkland School District said it will dismiss students early on Friday to avoid transportation issues during President Joe Biden's visit to the Allentown area.

In a message to families, the district said it has been notified that serious traffic pattern adjustments and road closures will occur throughout the Lehigh Valley due to Biden's visit.

Some of the most heavily traveled roads and corridors in Parkland will be closed, the district said.

Secondary schools and non-public school students who use Parkland transportation will be dismissed at 10:30 a.m., according to the district.

Elementary schools will be dismissed at 11:15 a.m. This is four hours and 15 minutes earlier than the regular dismissal time. Parents/guardians should therefore arrange to have an adult meet young children at the bus stop four hours and 15 minutes earlier than usual, the district said.

Lunch will not be served Friday. Offices will remain open all day.

Salisbury Township

Salisbury Township School District says on its webpage that its early dismissal times will be adjusted due to road closures and traffic delays for Biden's visit. The high school and middle school will dismiss at 11 a.m., and the elementary school will dismiss at noon, according to the district's website.

Whitehall-Coplay

Also, the Whitehall-Coplay School District says in a message on its website that it will dismiss students early Friday. The message on the website did not mention the president's visit.

The exact location of Biden's Friday visit has not yet been announced.
S. WHITEHALL TWP., Pa.  The South Whitehall Township Planning Commission granted an extension for a preliminary/final plan for an outdoor truck-trailer storage facility Thursday night at the administration building.

The proposal, on a 5.11-acre parcel offered for 1429 Eck Road, calls for the construction of a 103-space outdoor center featuring a 79-trailer space parking area, 24 vehicle parking spaces and a 100-square foot guard booth. The site is in the Industrial Commercial zoning district and TND-Industrial Retrofit and Infill overlay district.

The proposed development includes about 113,000 square feet of new impervious area on site, in addition to 11,000 square feet of impervious area associated with the proposed widening of Eck Road and the sidewalk along Eck Road. Additional right-of-way and street trees will also be dedicated along Eck Road.

The applicant, Triple Net Investments CI, also sought six waivers and one deferral for the project.

Thursday night's extension was requested by the applicant. This was due partly to its efforts in acquiring additional right-of-way from a neighboring property.

Attorney Erich Schock, representing the applicant, noted the plan should be back before the planning commission next month.

South Cedar Crest Boulevard

In other business, the commission reviewed a sketch plan for a major plan on South Cedar Crest Boulevard.

The proposal, offered for 81 and 111 S. Cedar Crest Blvd., involves property north of Cedar Crest College and south of Cedar Creek Park.

The plan calls for 11 single-family homes on the 8.4-acre combined properties. The homes would be set on a 400-linear-foot cul-de-sac with access from South Cedar Crest Boulevard directly across from Chestnut Drive.

Each lot should be a minimum of 9,600 square feet with the area surrounding the lots remaining as open space.

As it was a sketch plan, no formal action was required or was taken by the planning commission.
SLATINGTON, Pa.  Pennsylvania State Police have offered a $5,000 reward for new information on a homicide in the early 1970s.

According to police, the body of 49-year-old Richard Stewart Wimbish was discovered wrapped in a sleeping bag and floating in Trout Creek on Jan. 13, 1973. That's in Slatington Borough, Lehigh County.

Police said Wimbish was last seen on Dec. 29, 1972 as he was leaving his job as a truck driver in Philadelphia. He was supposed to spend New Year's Eve that year with a "female friend" in Pleasantville, N.J., but never showed up.

Wimbish's vehicle, a 1967 green Cadillac sedan, was found several blocks from his Philadelphia apartment on Jan. 23, 1973, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 4PA-TIPS or online.
HARRISBURG, Pa. - In February 2023 the Commonwealth Court made a historic ruling that Pennsylvania's system of funding education was unconstitutional. It is now up to lawmakers to fix it.

The Basic Education Funding Commission took a huge step on Thursday to address it. The commission is comprised of 15 members: six Democrats, six Republicans, and three members of Gov. Josh Shapiro's administration.

"Really this is the end of the beginning. There's still a whole lot of work to do, a whole lot to happen between now and the passing of the next budget," said Rep. Mike Sturla of Lancaster County.

In a hearing, two reports were presented. One put forth by Republicans failed. The second put forth by Democrats barely passed. The endorsed report recommends that the state should begin to close the school funding gap of more than $5 billion, phasing in the increased funding over seven years.

Dan Urevick-Ackelsberg, one of the attorney's who represented the districts that sued the state, said "The vision that it lays out for the Commonwealth is a transformative one."

The lawsuit maintained the property-tax system of funding schools undercuts districts in less wealthy areas.

In a news conference following the decision, Urevick-Ackelsberg said his team is happy overall with the endorsed report, but they believe it did not go far enough.

"We want to encourage the timeline to be moved up," said Urevick-Ackelsberg.

Meanwhile, Republicans did not endorse this report. Republican House Leader Bryan Cutler, said in part, "Pennsylvania's system of basic education is fundamentally broken, but it is a false choice to continually double down on a funding-only approach to improve the inadequacies of our system."

But, Lehigh Valley Democratic Rep. Peter Schweyer, who is a member of the Commission, said in a statement, "We are investing $5 billion per year to level the playing field for districts being left behind."

Shapiro says he is pleased with the report's recommendations and will work to adjust the state's budget.
CRESSONA, Pa. -- The search is on for a house cat in Cressona, Schuylkill County, that's been missing for over a week, though it didn't just venture off. Three men are now facing theft and animal cruelty charges.

Dawn Troutman and Todd McShaw thought it was unusual their family cat Catalina ran away.

"We searched our videos just to see if I could see Catalia, if she passed somebody in the doorway," said Todd McShaw.

Catalina didn't, though what their Blink camera captured outside their Cressona home sent them to police: a bag that moved and meowed.

"The second video was when the bag was sitting there and the one individual walked out and you could hear her screaming in distress," said McShaw. "The third video is when the next individual came out and took the bag, then left."

An affidavit said that man was 25-year-old Andrew Huber, boyfriend of the couple's daughter, who also lived at the home. It said the others were his friends, 19-year-olds Ayden Spantak and Nathan Youst, who were visiting on New Year's.

Police say Huber told troopers he didn't know where the cat was.

Investigators say the daughter got a call from Youst saying the men threw Catalina out of a vehicle, but wouldn't say where.

The Ruth Steinert Memorial SPCA, where the family first adopted the cat, quickly joined the search.

"It is sickening," said Tandi Kashner, the dog manager at the Ruth Steinert Memorial SPCA.

"She's just quiet and didn't deserve this, because she's not a vicious cat," said Dawn Troutman. "She's just a house cat. She just was lovable and we can't wrap our heads around why anyone would do this to her or any animal."

The SPCA said the men bragged to coworkers that they threw the cat out the back of the truck along Berne Drive. That road is where a lot of the search efforts have been centered.

"Try and take a picture," said Kashner. "Contact us. Get ahold of the family. Contact the Schuylkill Haven State Police. Our end goal is to ultimately bring her home to the family."

"We've been having various tips...currently, the Schuylkill River," said McShaw.

"The last potential sighting of her was at Turkey Hill," said Troutman. "Our home has been tainted."

Catalina, around 8-years-old, is microchipped.
DOYLESTOWN, Pa.  The Central Bucks Board of School Directors voted 6-3 Thursday night to appoint Jim Scanlon as acting superintendent through a staffing agreement with the Bucks County Intermediate Unit.

Scanlon is a former principal within the district and most recently served as the superintendent of schools for the West Chester Area School District from 2009 until 2021.

Scanlon will be paid a rate of $1,713.15 per day.

The agreement with Bucks IU, provided through Educational Staffing Solutions LLC, states that the Scanlon will serve the district beginning Jan. 12 and may extend until Sept. 30, but the district is stating the appointment will be for six months until July 12.

In accordance with the Pennsylvania Public School Code, an acting superintendent may not serve for more than a one-year period.

As with many past decisions, the appointment of Scanlon was not without controversy.

Several audience members made allegations regarding Scanlon's tenure with West Chester.

Buckingham Township resident Tanya Kovacs questioned the board whether any of the majority members had vetted his career.

"We found a website that had five articles posted which call into question the behavior of Dr. Scanlon as behaving unethically and illegally," Kovacs said.

Other residents alleged that Scanlon was known to have spied on parents through a private Facebook account.

The board's conservative minority  Debra Cannon, Jim Pepper and Lisa Sciscio  voted against the appointment.

Cannon told board President Karen Smith that it was shocking how hastily she acted to make the appointment and criticized her for holding the interview with Scanlon on the last day of Hanukkah.

Cannon also opposed making the appointment through Bucks IU, which describes itself as a "regional educational service agency to provide cost-effective, management-efficient programs to public and private K-12 schools, school districts, and the community of Bucks County."

"We're basically outsourcing it," Cannon said. "It does sound, as a public commenter mentioned, that it's like a good old boys' network; you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours."

Sciscio asked Smith whether she had even bothered to directly ask Charles Malone, the assistant superintendent, if he would be interested in the job.

"Did you ask Dr. Malone directly if he felt that he couldn't handle the job and that we needed to spend an exorbitant amount of money to hire someone retired and go through the process in this manner?" Sciscio asked Smith.

Smith said that soon after the new board terms began, she was made aware that a majority of the board supported hiring an acting superintendent.

"There was concern that asking Dr. Malone to cover both the assistant superintendency and the superintendency did not best serve the district," Smith explained.

"We also learned Dr. Malone was covering two supervisory roles as well," she said. "We have these full-time roles in our district because they're necessary, vital roles, particularly during this time when the district is facing multiple lawsuits and a large, very complex realignment project."

"Temporarily filling in the superintendent role with an experienced superintendent and maintaining our assistant superintendents and their current roles allows for consistency," Smith added.

Solicitor appointment

The board minority also objected to the appointment of attorney David Conn with Sweet, Stevens, Katz & Williams LLP as the new district solicitor.

The objection stemmed from the appearance that Conn was acting as the district solicitor since Dec. 4 without official board approval.

Conn said it did not matter if there were a question of whether he was solicitor at that time, providing the board ratified the appointment effective Dec. 4 at a subsequent meeting.

The board minority also accused Smith of not inviting them to interviews for a solicitor.

Suspended policies

The board also voted Thursday night to continue the suspension of several controversial policies which were approved by the former board.

Suspended: Central Bucks keeps controversial policies inactive The school board voted to continue the suspension of certain policies approved by the former board, but some are claiming there was a violation of the Sunshine Act.

Smith introduced agenda items on Dec. 4, which included suspending the policies. She explained at the start of Thursday's meeting that there had been questions regarding adding the agenda items, and said there is now a legal action regarding them, alleging a Sunshine Act violation.

Cannon objected to the approval of the minutes from the Dec. 4 meeting, calling it a false meeting in violation of the Sunshine Act.
PHILADELPHIA - What's being called a measles outbreak in Philadelphia has health officials in our region on high alert.

They say an infected patient visited at least two health care locations in southern Montgomery County earlier this month. There are currently eight confirmed cases in Philadelphia.

The highly contagious disease was basically nonexistent for decades. However, more cases are popping up, as health officials say not as many parents are vaccinating their kids, and it's kids who are most vulnerable to the disease. One to three out of 1,000 kids who get measles die from the disease.

This disease is one of the most contagious infectious diseases that is known to man," said St. Luke's University Health Network infectious disease specialist Dr. Jeffrey Jahre.

He adds their urgent and primary care centers and ER's have been alerted to look for measles. This, as Montgomery County health officials are tracking residents who may have been exposed to a patient from Philadelphia at two locations.

Having relatively close contact or being in the same room with someone who has measles may easily result in you getting measles if you're unvaccinated, he said of the airborne disease.

Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. White spots on your cheek and palate, and a rash usually starting at the hairline and spreading down through the body are also key indicators.

Common complications are ear infections, diarrhea, and pneumonia.

One out of five people who get measles and are unvaccinated end up being hospitalized.

A small segment of individuals early on who might develop infections of their brain known as encephalitis, Jahre said.

If you do have measles, health experts say you should quarantine for 21 days.

Those born before 1957, have already had it, or received two doses of measles-containing vaccine are safe.

If you or your kids have not been vaccinated, doctors say do it right away. It is 97% effective.
HILLTOWN TWP., Pa. - Authorities in Bucks County say a 50-year-old man has been charged in a 2013 homicide.

Thomas Delgado, 50, faces multiple charges, including homicide, rape, robbery, burglary, kidnapping, and criminal conspiracy, according to a news release from the Bucks County District Attorney's Office.

Detectives with the Bucks County District Attorneys Office and the Hilltown Township Police Department arrested Delgado, of Philadelphia, on Wednesday, the DA's office said.

After being arraigned, he was sent to Bucks County Correctional Facility and denied bail.

The DA's office says he is being charged in the 2013 Hilltown Township murder of Joseph Canazaro.

Bucks County and Hilltown Detectives were able to identify Delgado as one of the two men who broke into Canazaros home, according to the news release. During the home invasion robbery, police say the men tied up Canazaro, his girlfriend, and his juvenile son and ransacked the home, taking guns, money, jewelry, and other items.

While inside the home, Delgado sexually assaulted the female, according to the DA's office. The woman and the boy managed to escape, and she called 911. When police arrived, they found Canazaro, 48, dead inside the garage, the DA's office said.

An autopsy concluded the cause of death was multiple stab wounds, and the manner of death was homicide.

It would be wrong to call this a cold case. These detectives have spent more than a decade seeking justice for these victims, District Attorney Jen Schorn said. Like they always do, detectives never relented in the pursuit for justice, and now, we are able to announce an arrest.

We are continuing to investigate this murder and are asking for the publics help for information, she said.

Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact Bucks County Detectives at 215-348-6354 or the Hilltown Township Police Department at 215-435-6011.

Tips can also be left at www.bucksda.org. This case was investigated by Detectives with the Bucks County District Attorneys Office and the Hilltown Township Police Department, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Bucks County Sheriffs Office.
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Dublin, Jan. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Forestry Equipment Market Report" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The US and Canada will account for 31% of absolute gains through 2027, the largest share of any region. Forestry operations in the area will boost output in response to improving conditions in the manufacturing and construction sectors and high e-commerce activity. They will also continue to benefit from sanctions imposed on Russia and counter-sanctions imposed by Russia in the near term. Finally, forestry companies in the US and Canada will increase their use of newly developed, state-of-the-art forestry equipment as they confront a variety of workforce issues and cope with increasing competition from abroad and the adoption of new regulations. However, they will have to cope with a variety of challenges, such as infestations, climate change, wildfires, and mill closures.

Eastern Europe Outlook Will Improve Following Near-Term Declines Due to Ukraine Conflict

Market conditions in Eastern Europe deteriorated sharply in 2022 because of the conflict in Ukraine, which led to economic turmoil, a drop in regional forestry activity, deteriorating conditions in key end use markets, rising energy costs, and supply chain disruptions. As many US, Canadian, and West European suppliers pulled out of the Russian and Belarussian markets, equipment availability decreased dramatically and the region experienced delivery delays. However, suppliers in Russia, Belarus, and China began to develop new models to replace equipment from foreign multinationals that withdrew. The conflict continued to restrain forestry equipment sales growth in Eastern Europe in 2023.

Market conditions are expected to improve significantly during the second half of the forecast period as the conflict stabilizes, the regional economy grows, manufacturers gradually return to the Russian and Belarussian markets, and forestry activity in Eastern Europe rises. Foreign investment in the regional forestry sector will rebound, helping to drive technological innovation.

Story continues

This study analyzes the $9 billion global forestry equipment market. It provides supply and demand figures for 2012, 2017, and 2022, and forecasts for 2027 and 2032, as well as annual data for the 2019-2026 period and historical forestry equipment demand charts for the 2000-2022 period for all countries.

In addition, this study offers a competitive analysis of industry leaders and provides market share for 23 key manufacturers including Caterpillar, CNH Industrial, Deere, Eco Log Sweden, Hitachi Construction Machinery, Kesla, Komatsu, Makita, Minsk Tractor Works, Oregon Tool, Ponsse, Rottne Industri, SENNEBOGEN, STIHL, Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Tigercat Industries, Volvo, Weiler Forestry, and Yamabiko.

Historical Market Trends



Global demand for forestry equipment tends to be quite cyclical because of multiple factors, including:

The large amount of forestry equipment in use worldwide

Product demand being heavily concentrated in mature markets, such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the US, and Western Europe

The high forestry sector mechanization rates of Brazil and Russia relative to other developing nations

The intensive use of forestry equipment (often exacerbated by difficult conditions and/or climates) by logging operations, meaning these machines must be regularly replaced

Myriad factors impact spending on forestry machines, attachments, and parts around the world. Among the most important are changes in the incomes of forestry operations, which directly affects their expenditures. This is particularly important for small and mid-sized operations that are unable to finance major equipment purchases and technology investments. The financial positions of forestry companies are largely determined by levels of output, wood prices, labor and material costs, borrowing costs, and related factors. New government regulations targeting forestry activity can also influence the profitability of logging operations, as can government programs designed to bolster the forestry sector.

At the macro level, forestry activity in a given country is impacted by:

Macroeconomic factors such as GDP and fixed investment spending

Availability of large amounts of forested land (that is also concentrated enough to make logging profitable)

A shift from manual to machinery-intensive logging techniques and degree of forestry sector mechanization

Fires, weather (including extreme weather events such as drought), flooding and cyclones, and pests targeting trees

The nation's regulatory framework for the forestry sector and enforcement practices

Environmental concerns and those involving illegal logging and the destruction of forests (e.g., Brazil) at home and abroad

Access to capital

Government support for forestry activities and regulatory changes

Demand by Product

Individual countries tend to differ, often quite significantly, in their respective forestry equipment needs, as well as their ability to support domestic forestry machinery manufacturing industries. Differences are largely determined by the size and the mechanization of their forestry industry.

Global forestry equipment demand is projected to expand 4.0% annually to $10.8 billion in 2027, an improvement over the 2017-2022 performance. Demand in unit terms (excluding parts and attachments) is expected to climb 1.1% per year to 3.1 million units in 2027. Because the global forestry equipment market experienced significant volatility between 2019 and 2023, most product segments have favorable growth prospects through 2027. A number of trends - such as technological innovation and the growing use of more mechanized logging techniques in developing markets - will fuel growth in multiple segments.

Mechanization affects demand globally and varies from country to country. While mechanization is an ongoing and accelerating process in the developing world, a sizable share of the global logging industry uses manual logging methods. Mechanization is a major opportunity for growth, especially in the developing world where equipment sales rise from a low base. However, lack of financial resources and knowledge about higher value logging will continue to prevent more widespread adoption of higher value machinery to an extent.

Within individual categories, rising demand for newer and increasingly sophisticated models that cost more is consistent among all products. However, some segments will benefit to a somewhat lesser extent, most notably chainsaws, which feature less room for improvement and which tend to be a commodity-like product. Furthermore, demand for all products will be supported by new regulations (e.g., emissions regulations, technical standards) that mandate the purchase of new equipment to meet these requirements. The growing use of most types of forestry equipment will stimulate sales of numerous attachments and parts worldwide.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Executive Summary

2. Short-Term Analysis

Economic Forecast

Short-Term Forestry Industry Outlook

Short-Term Forestry Equipment Trends

3. Overview

4. Factors Impacting Forestry Equipment Demand

Global Forested Land

Global Roundwood Production

Harvesting Methods in Use

Wood Prices

Regulations

Worker & Product Safety

Emissions

Sustainability Initiatives

Deforestation & Illegal Logging

Forest Management & Sustainable Harvesting

Biolubricants

Wildfires & the Impact of Climate Change

Technology & Innovation

Competition from Used, Remanufactured, & Leased Machinery

5. Felling Equipment

Chainsaws

Harvesters

Feller Bunchers & Other Felling Equipment

6. Extracting Equipment

Forwarders

Skidders

Other Extracting Equipment

7. On-Site Processing Equipment

Chippers & Grinders

Other On-Site Processing Equipment

8. Other Equipment, Parts, & Attachments

Loaders

Mulchers & All Other Forestry Equipment

Suppliers

Parts & Attachments

Saw Chains, Guide Bars, Blades, & Teeth

Harvesting & Other Cutting Heads

All Other Parts & Attachments

9. United States & Canada

10. Latin America

11. Western Europe

12. Eastern Europe

13. Asia/Pacific

14. Africa/Mideast

15. Industry Structure

Key Findings & Industry Composition

Market Share

Mergers, Acquisitions, & Divestitures

List of Industry Participants

Companies Mentioned

Caterpillar

CNH Industrial

Deere

Eco Log Sweden

Hitachi Construction Machinery

Kesla

Komatsu

Makita

Minsk Tractor Works

Oregon Tool

Ponsse

Rottne Industri

SENNEBOGEN

STIHL

Sumitomo Heavy Industries

Tigercat Industries

Volvo

Weiler Forestry

Yamabiko

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/3z76mq

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

CONTACT: CONTACT: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900




House Republican hardliners are pressing Speaker Mike Johnson to back out of the $1.66 trillion spending deal he cut with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, fueling a sense of chaos in Congress just days away from deadlines to fund the government and keep agencies from shutting down.

Schumer said Thursday that he would start the Senate process for passing a short-term spending bill, setting up a vote next week to keep departments and agencies open while lawmakers work on longer-term appropriations. Schumer did not say how long the stopgap would last, but the two upcoming funding deadlines are January 19 and February 2 and Republican leaders have floated the idea of extending funding into or past March.

For the most part, both parties  Democrats and Republicans  agree we dont want a shutdown Schumer said. Instead, we want to work together to pass the twelve appropriations bills based off topline funding levels that congressional leadership agreed to last Sunday.

A band of House conservatives vehemently disagrees with that approach. Those lawmakers have voiced their disgust at the spending deal and, after a dozen members staged a revolt on the House floor Wednesday, some members on Thursday urged the speaker to renege on his agreement and push for steeper spending cuts and tougher restrictions on immigration.

After meeting with GOP hardliners in his office, Johnson told reporters that he was having thoughtful conversations about funding options and priorities. But he squelched rumors that he was going to back out of his deal, saying he had made no commitments to do so.

Mr. Johnson has told critics of his deal that he would consider dropping it, but only if they could come up with an alternative that could draw a majority in the House, where the party has just a two-seat edge, The New York Times reported. Such a plan would need to draw the backing of both the far right and more mainstream Republicans in competitive districts who have balked at the scope of the spending cuts and conservative policy dictates that their colleagues have demanded.

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Democrats warned Johnson against trying to change the terms of the deal. We have publicly and clearly and unequivocally reached an agreement on the top-line spending number, said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. To the extent that House Republicans back away from an agreement that was just announced a few days ago, it will make clear that House Republicans are determined to shut down the government, crash the economy and hurt the American people.

Some Republicans opposed the idea, too.

"The speaker either gave his word and made an agreement or he didnt, Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina said, according to CNN. So hes got to decide whether or not he gave his word. And if he gave his word hes got to fulfill his word. Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma, a veteran appropriator, echoed the point: I dont know how you cut a deal and then go back to change the deal. The speaker already cut it, he said, according to Politico. And Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina slammed the notion of backing out, telling Punchbowl News: If Republicans want to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in the election this year, fail to fund the government.

The bottom line: As previous Republican speakers have found out, its not possible to appease all factions of a sharply divided GOP conference. It has long been clear that Johnson would need to rely on Democratic votes to pass a spending package in the House or accept a shutdown to satisfy his right flank. If Johnson backs out of his deal, it would significantly boost the odds of a shutdown and all but ensure trouble in any future dealmaking with Democrats. As Johnson weighs his choices  and frustrates both hardliners and moderates  the odds of a shutdown appear to be growing. A partial shutdown would start on January 20.

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According to U.S. Census Bureau data, Florida is home to 22.61 million people  and 12.7% of them live in poverty. Thats more than 2.87 million Floridians.

A higher percentage of Sunshine State residents languish in poverty than in the country as a whole. Nationally, the rate is 11.5% according to 2022 Census data, the latest on record.

More: 5 Things the Middle Class Cant Afford Anymore

Next: How To Get $340 a Year in Cash Back  for Things You Already Buy

Even so, Florida is moving in the right direction.

In 2012, 17.1% of the states residents lived below the poverty line. Five years later in 2017, it was 15.5% before reaching 12.7% in 2022. Thats a 10-year decline of 25.7%.

But what income meets the official definition of poverty in Florida and how does it compare to other states?

Sponsored: Owe the IRS $10K or more? Schedule a FREE consultation to see if you qualify for tax relief.

There Are Only 3 Income Standards: Hawaii, Alaska and Everywhere Else

Although the same salary goes much further in some states than others, the Census Bureau uses the same income-based poverty thresholds for all 50 states and Washington, D.C., and does not adjust its standards to account for cost-of-living variations.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issues poverty guidelines  which are a simplified version of the Census Bureaus thresholds  that vary according to household size. Each year, the HHS issues three sets of updated poverty guidelines, one for Alaska, one for Hawaii and one for the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia.

Here are the current income guidelines for Florida and the other 47 contiguous states according to the number of people per household, up to five. The full list goes up to 14 household members.

1: $14,580

2: $19,720

3: $24,860

4: $30,000

5: $35,140

Americans Are Struggling To Buy Groceries: Heres How Theyre Cutting Costs

In Terms of Living Costs, Florida Is Near the Middle of the Pack

According to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, the cost of living in Florida is just 1% higher than the national average. Only Delaware, which is 0.8% higher, is closer to the center. Therefore, Florida is one of the few states where the federal poverty guidelines track fairly equitably.

Story continues

For example, the cost of living in Mississippi is 13.3% below the national average, which means the poverty threshold should be $26,010 for a family of four instead of $30,000 because Magnolia State residents can spread their dollars so much further. Even so, 19.1% of Mississippi residents live below the poverty line, the highest share among all 50 states.

On the other hand, the cost of living in pricey Massachusetts is 48% higher than the national average. If federal guidelines were indexed to reflect state living costs, the income threshold for Bay State residents would be $44,400 for a family of four instead of $30,000. Despite this disadvantage, just 10.4% of Massachusetts residents live below the poverty line.

Safety Net Programs Reveal More Than Poverty Guidelines

Although federal poverty guidelines are homogenous and dont account for state-based cost-of-living variations, programs for low-income residents offer a window into Floridas unique poverty standards.

Medicaid

Medicaid, which provides health insurance to low-income households, is a joint state-federal program funded by both and administered by the states according to federal guidelines.

According to Covering Central Florida, the income eligibility standards for Medicaid in Florida by household size are:

1: $21,870

2: $29,580

3: $37,290

4: $45,000

5: $52,710

As you can see, Floridians can earn up to 150% of the federal poverty level and still qualify for Medicaid as a low-income household.

Section 8 Housing

The Section 8 housing program sheds even more light on what it means to live in poverty in Florida because its income thresholds are highly local and highly specific. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) develops Section 8 income limits according to local median incomes and fair market rent values.

To qualify for Section 8, residents can earn no more than 80% of their local median income, which varies from metro to metro. But in Florida as a whole, the median family income is $85,500. HUD uses that benchmark to determine Section 8 eligibility across three poverty tiers according to household size in Florida:

Low-Income Limit (80% of the Median)

1: $46,450

2: $53,050

3: $59,700

4: $66,350

5: $71,650

Very Low-Income Limit (50% of the Median)

1: $29,000

2: $33,150

3: $37,300

4: $41,450

5: $44,750

Extremely Low-Income Limit (30% of the Median)

1: $17,400

2: $19,900

3: $22,400

4: $24,850

5: $26,850

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: What Income Is Considered Poverty Level in Florida in 2024?
Huang Xiaowei, Vice-President and First Member of the Secretariat of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF), and Vice-Chairperson of the National Working Committee on Children and Women under the State Council, met Rachel Ruto, wife of Kenyan President William Ruto, on October 16. The First Lady of Kenya accompanied her husband to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF 2023), which opened in Beijing on October 18. Huang accompanied Kenya's First Lady as she visited the China Women's University (CWU).

Huang outlined the concept raised by Chinese President Xi Jinping of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and a series of proposals including the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Huang introduced comprehensively the historic progress China has reached in the development of women, children and families under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core. She also briefed ACWF's major work and reviewed the history of China-Kenya relations and women's exchanges. Huang expressed her sincere wish for the ACWF to deepen communications and cooperation with women's organizations from African countries, including Kenya, and from other countries, as well to build and share a better world for women and for all.

In particular, Huang highlighted the Spring Bud Project, which recently received the 2023 UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Prize for Girls' and Women's Education. Huang explained that Peng Liyuan, wife of President Xi and a UNESCO Special Envoy for the Advancement of Girls' and Women's Education, highly values the project and for years has been a Special Envoy for the Spring Bud Project to Promote Girls' Education in China. Huang noted Peng had attended and addressed the award ceremony (held in Beijing on September 28), and Peng's attendance had motivated the Spring Bud Project to boost its innovative development.

Mrs Ruto spoke highly about China's achievements in advancing women's development. She expressed her willingness to learn from China's good practices, deepen practical cooperation in women's affairs, and make contributions to strengthen the bilateral friendship, enhance women's development and build a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.

Huang accompanied Mrs Ruto as she visited CWU's history hall and women's library. They attended a calligraphy class, during which they wrote a banner with Chinese and international students, witnessing the deep friendship between China and Kenya.

Lin Yi, Vice-President and Member of the Secretariat of the ACWF, attended the meeting and visit.

(Source: Liaison Department of the All-China Women's Federation)
Infosys CEO and Managing Director Salil Parekh speaks during the press conference announcing the company's quarterly results in Bengaluru

Infosys CEO and Managing Director Salil Parekh speaks during the press conference announcing the company's quarterly results in Bengaluru

BENGALURU (Reuters) -Indian IT companies rallied 5% on Friday after market leaders Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys posted better-than-feared quarterly reports and gave optimistic forecasts that eased concerns about a sector grappling with sluggish demand.

Market leader TCS rose more than 4%, while No.2 Infosys jumped around 8% after they reported third-quarter revenue growth that beat expectations and indicated the overall demand situation had not deteriorated further.

The 10-member Nifty IT index jumped 5% to a 21-month high, on track for its best day since July 2020 and powered the benchmark Nifty 50 to a record high.

Wipro and HCLTech, due to report results later in the day, were up about 4% and 3%, respectively.

"The results at Infosys and TCS came in a lot better than initially feared by the Street," said Apurva Prasad, vice president of institutional research at HDFC Securities.

Even their forecasts were considerably upbeat after months of warning that clients were cutting back on spending, leading to scaled-back contracts or even delays and cancellations.

Infosys said that while its total contact value fell slightly to $3.2 billion in the quarter, the share of new contracts hit a near three-year high of 71%.

"The large deals really give us good confidence of revenue over the next several periods in terms of the wins, both for net new and renewals," CEO Salil Parekh said in a post-earnings call.

TCS, meanwhile, indicated a revival in demand from banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) clients, who account for roughly a third of revenue at top IT companies and have been their biggest pain point in recent quarters.

TCS said it expects "positive momentum" in the sector in the current quarter, given some of the deals it has won.

"With the trajectory of worst (in demand) bottoming out, and a ramp up in major deals, TCS and Infosys' exit for the fiscal year could look better," HDFC's Prasad said.

Infosys' shares rose 7.7% and were set for their best day since 2020, while TCS rose over 4% for only the third time since 2020.

(Reporting by Nandan Mandayam, Manvi Pant and Haripriya Suresh in Bengaluru; Editing by Savio D'Souza)
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.
Insider transactions often influence stock prices, with insider buys moving shares higher and insider sales pushing prices lower. But in reality, many insider transactions mean very little about the prospects of a company.

In general, insider purchases are more significant than insider sales because purchases are almost always made when the insider feels the stock will go higher based on their knowledge of better earnings, new contracts in discussion or new products or services.

In contrast, an insider may sell stock for any number of reasons that have nothing to do with the company's fortunes. The insider may need funds to pay for a family wedding or college tuition. Perhaps they're getting divorced or want to take an expensive trip.

When more than one insider is buying or selling, that is often more significant than if just one insider initiates a transaction. It's important to note the small print at the bottom of the Securities And Exchange Commission (SEC) Form 4, which is the form used for all insider stock transactions. The small print often denotes the real reason behind the transaction.

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Take a look at some recent insider sales at some well-known real estate investment trusts (REITs) and see why they're probably insignificant to the company's present or future performance.

Iron Mountain Inc. (NYSE:IRM) is a Portsmouth, New Hampshire-based specialty REIT with a focus on information management and storage, data center infrastructure and asset lifecycle management. Iron Mountain was founded in 1951 and has more than 225,000 customers worldwide. In recent years, it has shifted its focus from paper storage to data storage.

On Jan. 4, a national newswire article with the headline, "Iron Mountain Insider Sold Shares Worth $795,182, According To a Recent SEC Filing" stated that "Mark Kidd, Executive Vice President & General Manager, Data Centers & Asset Lifecycle Management, on January 02, 2024, sold 11,376 shares in Iron Mountain (IRM) for $795,182."

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But what the article doesn't note is the small print at the bottom of Form 4, which states, "This stock option was granted on February 13, 2014. This stock option has fully vested and has been fully exercised as of January 2, 2024." That's important information for Investors.

Camden Property Trust (NYSE:CPT) is a Houston-based residential REIT that owns and manages apartment complexes. As of June 30, it held 172 properties with 58,961 units of apartment complexes in major cities across the U.S. Its strategy is to focus on high-growth markets with a diverse portfolio of assets. Some of its apartment complexes also contain ground-floor retail space, offices or mixed-use space. Camden Property Trust is a member of the S&P 500. Its third-quarter occupancy rate was 95.6%.

On Jan. 4, Executive Vice President of Real Estate Investments William W. Sengelmann disposed of 6,493 shares of Camden Property stock for $98.208 per share. The sale was reported by a newswire with the headline, "Camden Property Trust Insider Sold Shares Worth $962,733, According to a Recent SEC Filing."

What the article failed to report was the small print at the bottom of Form 4, which stated, "The reporting person's shares are held by the issuer's executive deferred compensation plan for the benefit of the reporting person who, in prior years, made an irrevocable election to receive payment in 2024, pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 409A."

In other words, this was a planned sale from prior years, not some recent decision based on how Camden Property Trust is or will be performing in 2024.

Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc. (NYSE:MAA) is a self-administered residential REIT that specializes in purchasing and leasing apartment complexes. It owns just under 102,000 units in 300 communities across 16 states and Washington, D.C. Most of Mid-America Apartment Communities' properties are in the Southeast, Southwest and Mid-Atlantic states.

Mid-America Apartment Communities is a member of the S&P 500 and has been a public company for 28 years. The Atlanta and Dallas areas comprise over 22% of its same-store net operating income.

On Jan. 4, President and CEO H. Eric Bolton, Jr. disposed of 1,367 shares of his companys common stock for $132.16 per share. But the fine print at the bottom of Form 4 revealed that "Disposals are being withheld to cover taxes related to vesting pursuant to shares earned and issued under a prior year restricted stock plan."

On the same day, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Albert M. Campbell III disposed of 518 shares at the same $132.16 price per share. But the fine print revealed it was done for the same reasons as Bolton.

Executive Vice President Robert J. DelPriore disposed of 511 shares at the same $132.16 share price and another 7,211 shares at $131.33. Again, the reason for the disposals was to cover taxes related to a prior years stock plan. Several company executives are on the same stock plan.

Again, headlines reported, "Mid America Apartment Communities Insider Sold Shares Worth $947,021, According to a Recent SEC Filing." And while the headline was true, nowhere in the brief article did it explain DelPriore's reason for the sale.

As it turns out, not one of the insider sales shown above was the act of a terrified executive, bailing out before the company stock plunges. The headlines may not say so, but the inference is often there when it's a large transaction.

If an investor reads the SEC Form 4, they will see boxes with codes in them next to the transactions. Here is a list of the various codes found on the form and their meanings:

Image source: Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website

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The lesson for investors is to look beyond the headlines and read Form 4, which is available to the public through the SEC's EDGAR database at www.sec.gov/edgar or may be available in the company's news section on various brokerage websites.

Weekly REIT Report: REITs are one of the most misunderstood investment options, making it difficult for investors to spot incredible opportunities until it's too late. Benzinga's in-house real estate research team has been working hard to identify the greatest opportunities in today's market, which you can gain access to for free by signing up for the Weekly REIT Report.

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Key Insights

Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Jet2 fair value estimate is UK20.23

Current share price of UK12.52 suggests Jet2 is potentially 38% undervalued

Our fair value estimate is 10% higher than Jet2's analyst price target of UK18.31

Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of Jet2 plc (LON:JET2) as an investment opportunity 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. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward.

We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model.

View our latest analysis for Jet2

The Model

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) UK456.7m UK314.4m UK309.8m UK308.2m UK308.5m UK310.1m UK312.7m UK315.9m UK319.7m UK323.8m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Est @ -0.50% Est @ 0.10% Est @ 0.53% Est @ 0.83% Est @ 1.03% Est @ 1.18% Est @ 1.28% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 8.4% UK421 UK268 UK243 UK223 UK206 UK191 UK178 UK166 UK155 UK145

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = UK2.2b

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The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (1.5%) 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 8.4%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = UK324m (1 + 1.5%)  (8.4% 1.5%) = UK4.8b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= UK4.8b ( 1 + 8.4%)10= UK2.1b

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is UK4.3b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of UK12.5, the company appears quite undervalued at a 38% 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.

AIM:JET2 Discounted Cash Flow January 12th 2024

The Assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Jet2 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 8.4%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.160. 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 Jet2

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded its 5-year average.

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Weakness

Earnings growth over the past year underperformed the Airlines industry.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Airlines market.

Opportunity

Annual revenue is forecast to grow faster than the British market.

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Annual earnings are forecast to decline for the next 3 years.

Next Steps:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. 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. What is the reason for the share price sitting below the intrinsic value? For Jet2, we've put together three essential aspects you should consider:

Risks: We feel that you should assess the 2 warning signs for Jet2 (1 is potentially serious!) we've flagged before making an investment in the company. Management:Have insiders been ramping up their shares to take advantage of the market's sentiment for JET2's future outlook? Check out our management and board analysis with insights on CEO compensation and governance factors. 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 British 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.
The price paid by Israelis for the Netanyahu governments genocidal assault on Gaza is being concealed to shore up public support for the mass murder and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians.

The mounting toll of deaths and severe injuries in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) threatens public confidence in the governments declared military objectives of eradicating Hamas, securing the return of the remaining 140 hostages and forever ending any security threat to Israel.

Israeli soldiers preparing for the ground invasion of the Gaza Strip on October 29, 2023 [Photo by IDF Spokesperson's Unit / CC BY-SA 3.0

Public confidence in the government is already rock bottom. These is widespread anger over the exposure of claims that it received no warnings of Hamass October 7 attack, the fact that military forces were stood down to facilitate this and provide a justification for moving against the Palestinians, and that the IDFs helicopter and tank assault on Hamas fighters was responsible for killing hundreds of Israeli civilians and soldiers.

As of last Monday, at least 185 Israeli soldiers had been killed since the ground invasion of Gaza began on October 27, including nine reservists, combat engineers, killed when a tank stationed nearby fired shells at a building as the soldiers were assembling explosives to demolish a tunnel. This is already nearly three times the 67 soldiers killed in the month-long assault on Gaza in 2014, but there is a growing belief that IDF deaths have been underreported, given the governments tight censorship of information related to military casualties, with every press release regarding wounded soldiers requiring approval.

On November 18, when the military claimed that a total of 60 soldiers had died in Gaza, David Oren Baruch, the director of Israels military cemetery on Mount Herzl, Jerusalem, said that 50 Israeli soldiers had been buried there in the previous 48 hours, We are now going through a period every hour there is a funeral, every hour and a half a funeral.

Adding to suspicions of underreporting, the IDF had initially, unlike in previous wars, refused to disclose the number of wounded soldiers. Only in December, when Haaretz planned to publish its report on the number of soldier casualties based on hospital sources, did this change. Haaretz reported a considerable and unexplained gap between the data reported by the military and that from the hospitals, with hospital data showing the number of wounded soldiers was twice as high as the armys numbers.

Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the cumulative numbers since October 7 are astronomical: More than 2,000 soldiers, policemen and other members of the security forces have been officially recognized as disabled.

Limor Luria, head of the rehabilitation department at the Ministry of Defense, said, We have never been through anything even similar to this. More than 58 percent of the wounded who are taken in by us have severe injuries of arms and legs, including those that require amputations. About 12 percent are internal injuriesspleen, kidney, tearing of internal organs. There are also head and eye injuries.

On Monday, the IDF released data showing that nearly 13,000 soldiers have required some level of medical care since the start of the war, with 2,335 transferred for treatment in hospitals, including 155 soldiers who suffered eye injuries and 298 who suffered damage to their hearing. The data revealed that about 9,000 soldiers have received psychiatric treatment since the start of the war, with nearly one quarter unable to return to combat, and 275 soldiers are receiving treatment at a rehabilitation centre for significant mental health complications.

The daily losses at the front take place amid mounting economic and social dislocation within Israel itself.

The mass call-up of reservists, amounting to nearly 10 percent of the workforce, has impacted Israels high-tech industries, public services and small, family-run businesses, while the displacements and knock-on effects of the war have idled up to 20 percent of the workforce.

The October 7 attack led to mass evacuations from Israels southern towns and villages, while the fighting in the north has displaced tens of thousands more, as Lebanons Hezbollah has forced Israel to move all civilians from the border area. As a result, some 175,000 people are now living in hotels and temporary accommodation. Schools were closed for weeks, leaving parents scrambling for childcare, while the opening of the new academic year at universities was postponed to January 1.

Israels gas fields in the Mediterranean Sea, shut down early in the war, are only now beginning to operate.

Tourism has all but collapsed, with the Old City in Jerusalem bereft of foreigners and Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem cancelled. Construction, which relies on Palestinians in the West Bank, has ground to a near-halt after Israel suspended the work permits of more than 100,000 Palestinians after October 7.

A poll by the charity group Latet found that 45 percent of Israelis admit they are worried the war will bring economic hardship. According to the Bank of Israel, there has been a 20 percent rise in late mortgage payments since the war began.

Israels own Palestinian citizens have been particularly badly affected: they have seen a 10-percentage point rise in unemployment from 5 percent to 15 percent.

According to Yedioth Ahronoth, the cost of Israels war on Gaza is running at $272 million a day and will cost at least $60 billion, more than 10 percent of the countrys GDP, even before a wider war with Lebanons Hezbollah or Iran and Syria is factored in. It said, After tabulating every aspect of the war thus far, the price tag stands at around $60 billion. This includes the war budget itself as well as the various forms of financial aid for every civilian that saw his income dwindle because of the conflict.

The newspaper added, State budget is looking at a $30 billion deficit as is, which will require both budget cuts and tax hikes to the tune of over $18 billion, which will be felt keenly in terms of quality of life and reduced services for the Israeli public at large.

This takes place as tax revenues have plummeted and Israels credit ratings are set to fall. The Bank of Israel has forecast lower rates of growth, falling from 3 percent in 2023 to 1 percent in 2024, with some economists predicting contraction.

The IDFs announcement that it is to scale back its ground and air campaign in Gaza to a more targeted phase that will require fewer ground troops, and will be carried out by brigades of the regular army, is in part a response to this mounting crisis. Reservists serving near the border with Lebanon will also be discharged and replaced by regular units.

IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said the return of some of the reservists to their families and their jobs, at least temporarily, will allow significant relief for the economy. With reservists notified they must serve at least another month later in the year, this is already the largest burden since the 1982 Lebanon War even as Netanyahu warns that the offensive isnt close to finished. On Saturday, he said, The war will last for many more months.
Britain is suffering another wave of COVID-19, fuelled by the recently identified JN.1 variant, as well as the winter season. Case numbers and hospitalisations are rising rapidly and on track to match those from the Omicron outbreak of early 2022, if not surpass them.

According to the latest Office of National Statistics (ONS) data, approximately 2.5 million people were infected as of December 13, 4.3 percent of the British populationmore than double the level at the start of the month. The record was set in April 2022, when 7.6 percent of the population was infected.

Clinical staff care for a patient with coronavirus in the intensive care unit at the Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge, England, May 5, 2020 [AP Photo/Neil Hall Pool via AP]

Since the mid-December data was published, numbers are expected to have increased considerably due to Christmas socialising, meaning the 2022 highs may have been exceeded.

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) figures show that the hospitalisation rate was 5.21 per 100,000 in week ending December 31, up from the 4.8 per 100,000 the previous week.

The JN.1 mutation of SARS-CoV-2 is a subvariant of BA.2.86 (named Pirola) and is by far the most infectious of all the variants circulating in the UK, and the world at the moment. It has evolved to be more infectious while not losing the genes that made it adept at circumventing the immunity conferred by the existing vaccines.

Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist from Warwick University, told the i newspaper, the rapid rise of infections with the JN.1 variant in the UK and across the world is yet another reminder that the pandemic is far from over. JN.1 is one of the most immune-evading variants to date and is likely to be the lineage from which new variants will evolve.

Professor Peter Openshaw, a virus expert at Imperial College London told The Sun, We're going to see quite a major surge in infections over the coming weeksthe wave could be bigger than anything we've seen before. To help stop the spread, those who havent had the COVID booster should consider wearing face masks in public places, like on trains, when shopping and at large events.

If the rate of patients developing Long COVID following infection remains the same (around one in 10), then hundreds of thousands will be left debilitated for months or even years following this winter surge.

Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, assistant professor of medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and director of the clinical epidemiology center at the VA St. Louis Health Care System, who studies Long COVID, recently told Time magazine, Reinfection remains consequential.

He published a paper in Nature Medicine in 2022 which found that those infected twice by COVID suffered higher rates of short- and long-term health effects than those infected once.

Time summarised, People who had multiple infections were three times more likely to be hospitalized for their infection up to six months later than those who only got COVID-19 once, and were also more likely to have problems with clotting, gastrointestinal disorders, kidney, and mental-health symptoms. The risks appeared to increase the more infections people experienced.

I wish we lived in a world where getting repeat infections doesnt matter, Al-Aly told the magazine, but the reality is thats not the case.

The impact of COVID is compounded by the increased circulation of flu and other viruses. 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. This is currently below the record numbers seen last year, when the rate stood at 12.8 per 100,000 but is still a significant burden on the National Health Service (NHS).

Norovirus has seen a resurgence this winter, with 49 percent more cases reported in the two-week period ending on December 24 than the past five-year average for the same two-week period. Around 450 beds were occupied by norovirus patients in the second of those weeks, about two-thirds higher than the levels seen last winter.

UKHSA data also shows that more people were hospitalised with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in the final week of the year compared to the same period in any other year since the pandemic began. There were 2.2 admissions per 100,000 in the week to December 31, a 10 percent increase over the previous year.

The surge is part of an international trend, with the United States and Europe seeing sharp increases in these cases of these viruses. Nearly half of all flu tests came back positive in Spain in the last week of December. RSV has caused a rise in hospitalisations of children under one and hospitalisations for COVID are increasing among the elderly.

In Italy, two million people came down with flu, COVID and RSV in the final two weeks of the year, overfilling some hospitals.

Mary Ramsay, director of public health programmes at the UKHSA, warned in comments to the Financial Times that, in the UK, The winter peak for flu is still to come and may coincide with high levels of COVID-19.

With hospitals struggling even during normal times due to decades of underfunding and a chronic lack of staff, the present surge in illness and hospitalisations has left several trusts unable to cope with the influx of patients. The Nottingham and Nottinghamshire NHS Trust declared a critical incident in the first days of January after all A&E services were reportedly full and under pressure.

Portsmouth Hospitals University did the same, citing a combination of delays across our system and an increase in demand for services.

The Conservative government, agreed with by the Labour Party, refuses to take even the most elementary public health measures such as mandating masks in healthcare settings, as was the case from June 2020 until June 2022.

Some hospitals have taken matters into their own hands, with United Lincolnshire Hospitals Foundation Trust, Sherwood Forest Hospitals, Barnsley Hospital and Chesterfield Royal Hospital among a rising number to reintroduce mask requirements. Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust already did so last October, as did Royal Stoke University Hospital, Staffords County Hospital and the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton.

The ruling classs only concern is keeping profits flowing to the banks and corporations, unimpeded by any public health measures. To that end, the Sunak government is responding to increase in infections with a nationwide marketing campaign aimed at convincing parents to ensure their children go to school, even if they are sick. The government advice reads, It is usually appropriate for parents and carers to send their children to school with mild respiratory illnesses.

While this is cynically justified with phrases like, There is wide agreement among health professionals and educational professionals that school attendance is vital to the life chances of children and young people, the true motivation is to ensure workers are not preoccupied with childcare duties so they can get on with generating profits for the super-rich.

The Labour Party has jumped on board, with Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson urging parents on Sunday not to take children out of school in an interview with the Telegraph.

The evolution and rapid global spread of JN.1 is a product of the ruling classs refusal to address the pandemic.

Workers in Britain and internationally must take heed of the ongoing dangers posed by the virus and fight for a preventive strategy against COVID-19 and other public health threats. Such a strategy must be funded by the hoarded wealth of the corporations and the super-rich, and organised democratically and scientifically, not subordinated to the demands of the capitalist labour market.
The far-right National Party-led New Zealand coalition government has integrated the countrys foreign policy even more closely with Washington as the US-Israeli assault on Gaza threatens to expand into a disastrous region-wide conflagration.

Royal New Zealand Navy Frigate HMNZS Te Mana sails alongside USS Abraham Lincoln during joint operations in the North Arabian Sea in July 30, 2008 [Photo: US Navy/N. Brett Morton]

On January 3, the White House released a belligerent statement warning Yemens Houthi rebels over their escalating attacks on commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea. It denounced the Houthis attacks as illegal, unacceptable, and profoundly destabilizing and deemed them a direct threat to the freedom of navigation that serves as the bedrock of global trade in one of the worlds most critical waterways.

The statement was released in the names of the imperialist Five Eyes intelligence partnersthe US, Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealandas well as Bahrain, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands and Singapore.

The statement declared the Red Sea, which accounts for about 15 percent of global shipping, to be vital for international commercethat is for capitalist financial interests. 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, and ultimately jeopardizing the movement of critical food, fuel, and humanitarian assistance throughout the world, it declared.

As in every situation, the US seeks to impose its hegemony in all corners of the globe, including by military force. The White House-led final warning concluded with the ultimatum: We remain committed to the international rules-based order and are determined to hold malign actors accountable for unlawful seizures and attacks.

Following the statements release, the UN Security Council scheduled a vote yesterday on a US draft resolution that would condemn and demand an immediate halt to attacks by the Houthis on merchant and commercial vessels in the Red Sea area. The resolution passed, and the US and Britain now appear to be moving towards an imminent military action against Yemen.

Claiming justification under international conventions designed to prevent genocide, the Iran-aligned Houthis have been seeking to prevent ships registered to Israeli owners from passing through the Red Sea until Israel stops its attack on Gaza.

They have targeted at least 25 cargo ships with missiles, drones and small boats. Confronted with this new challenge to its support of Israels war, the Biden administration sought to organise an international naval operation, ostentatiously dubbed Operation Prosperity Guardian, but failed to get significant support after several nations withdrew.

On 31 December, US military helicopters responded to a call from a Singapore-flagged container ship that was being attacked by Houthi boats. The US forces sank three of the four fragile Houthi craft, killing 10 fighters. The incident prompted fresh threats from US and UK officials, who declared they were considering airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen.

The statement is another turn in the escalating international confrontation. Justifying New Zealands involvement, Defence Minister Judith Collins told Radio NZ it was important to condemn the attacks because New Zealand is so dependent on supply lines. The Houthi attacks were a direct threat to New Zealand interests, she claimed. Collins would not be drawn on what any consequences might be but warned: clearly something is being contemplated.

Collins added that a dozen NZ Defence Force personnel are already deployed to a multinational force in Bahrain that protects maritime security across the Middle East. Meanwhile, NZs corporate media is clamouring for a vast increase in military spending from the current 1.3 percent of GDP to 2 percent.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters followed up Collins comments with a call with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, announcing on X/Twitter on January 5 that they had discussed the importance of the US-NZ strategic partnership, strengthening cooperation to address regional and global challenges, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

Peters, who is leader of the far-right populist NZ First Party in the coalition, is a long-time Washington asset. He was first installed as foreign minister by Labour following the inconclusive 2017 election, during which US Ambassador Scott Brown publicly declared the National Party government had been too soft on China. Under the Labour-NZ First government, Peters led a Pacific Reset policy to encourage greater US involvement in the region.

Washington and its allies have far-reaching plans to attack mainland Yemen as the Middle East spirals into a wider war. With Israels Defense Minister Yoav Gallant claiming that Tel Aviv is at war with multiple countries, it has attacked Lebanon, Syria and Iran. The US maintains a massive offensive military force in the Middle East, including an aircraft carrier strike group with more than 4,000 sailors and 50 aircraft. The ultimate target of this build-up is Iran.

Minor imperialist powers including New Zealand are aligning themselves with the war drive, which marks a new redivision of the world, threatening global conflict. With the support of every parliamentary party, New Zealand sent troops to the UK to assist in training Ukrainians to serve as cannon fodder in the US-NATO war with Russia. Last year, Labours then defence minister Andrew Little declared that New Zealand had to prepare its military in case it was called on to join a war against China.

There is, however, growing alarm in sections of the ruling elite over the massive popular opposition at home and abroad to the US-Israeli slaughter in Gaza, including New Zealands complicity with it, and the implications of the eruption of the wider Middle East conflagration.

On X/Twitter retired senior diplomat Carl Worker warned that by associating so directly and publicly with the US threat against the Houthis, New Zealand is liable to be seen by many in the global community as aligning with the Israel/US position on Gaza, to the extent of declaring willingness to involve itself militarily in Yemen if required. The Otago Daily Times similarly warned that the stakes are high and it could end up being a mistake.

Former Labour prime minister and ex-UN official Helen Clark called the NZ-endorsed statement a slippery slope and urged the West to seek a political solution to the Gaza situation.

Clark, who sent New Zealand troops to the illegal US-led wars against Afghanistan and Iraq, continues to promote the myth of the countrys independent foreign policy. In December she urged the incoming government to stay in a dialogue with Israel and Palestine to find peace, not protract war. Clark did not condemn the US and Israel but blamed the extremes on both sides who were talking about having everything from the river to the sea. If those are the positions, theyll fight for the rest of my lifetime and everybody elses, she cynically declared.

As elsewhere, tens of thousands of ordinary people have taken part in weekly protests around New Zealand over the past two months demanding a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the slaughter. Many have responded to the governments joint statement with blunt disdain. A widespread criticism on social media is that New Zealand has placed more value on shipping containers than the lives of Gazan children.

On Wednesday, the Houthis attempted their largest attack yet, targeting a US ship in retaliation for the earlier killing of rebels. Carrier-based jets and warships from the US and UK navies shot down 21 drones and missiles. Asked about possible strikes on targets in Yemen in response, UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said: Watch this space, adding he had no doubt Iran was behind such attacks.

New Zealand is being placed at the service of US imperialism for a much wider regional war ultimately targeting Iran. As the WSWS has pointed out, Iran is not looking for war with the United States, but Washington is looking for war with Iran. For the Biden administration, the Middle East is another front in what is a developing world war aimed at ensuring US global hegemony, the main targets of which are Russia and China.
The legal case about last years violent assault on Sri Lankan Socialist Equality Party (SEP) members Dehin Wasantha and Lakshman Fernando was presented to a judge at the Moratuwa Magistrate Court on January 8.

Wasantha, who works at Moratuwa University, is well known among non-academic employees for his intransigent fight for the interests of working class and socialist policies; Lakshman Fernando is a fulltime SEP worker.

The accusedIndika Perera and Suranga Piyawardena who are on bailboth appeared at the Moratuwa Magistrate Court. They are the president and secretary respectively of the Podujana Pragathishili Sevaka Sangamaya (PPSS) or Peoples Progressive Employees Union branch at Moratuwa University.

Dehin Wasantha, SEP member who was injured in the attack

The attack occurred on November 30, when a SEP team, including Wasantha and Fernando, was campaigning at the rear gate of the Moratuwa University. The team was campaigning for public meetings to be addressed by SEP (US) national secretary Joseph Kishore.

As stated in a formal complaint to the police lodged on November 30, Perera and Piyawardena ordered the SEP campaigners to leave the rear gate. The two PPSS officials returned shortly after in a three-wheeler taxi. Armed with long wooden clubs, they violently attacked the SEP campaigners, grievously injuring Wasanthas left hand. Lakshman suffered a neck injury with bruises and scratches to the back of his body.

Perera and Piyawardena were taken into custody by Moratuwa police the next day and brought before the Moratuwa acting magistrate on December 2. After an initial inquiry, the accused were granted bail, subject to strict conditions, including two 500,000-rupee ($US1,523) deposits in personal sureties and weekly reporting to the police.

On January 8, the police outlined to the magistrate the complaint made by SEP member Dehin Wasantha and the progress of their investigation into the assault. While police investigators have visited the crime scene and recorded statements from witnesses, they requested further time to obtain and produce relevant medical reports from the hospitals where the victims were treated.

The attorney appearing for the SEP highlighted the grave nature of the attack. He outlined what a report on Wasanthas injuries will say, including fractures to two fingers of his left hand. The lawyer said that Wasantha could not work for about one month because of the fractures.

Lawyers for the accused complained that the SEP had issued a leaflet describing the incident as a provocation. They did not comment on its contents, however.

The magistrate concluded the hearing and ordered the case to be referred to a mandatory Mediation Board. The case will be recalled to court on May 20.

The SEP and its sister parties in the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) around the world have launched a campaign in defence of Fernando and Wasantha and the SEPs democratic right to conduct political campaigns.

Workers, young people, academics, and their organisations internationally have sent protest letters to the Sri Lankan attorney general and the vice chancellor of the University of Moratuwa, with copies to the SEP, demanding maximum legal actions against the accused. Some of the most recent protest letters are published below.

Jerry White, a leading SEP member in the US:

I emphatically denounce the violent attack on Socialist Equality Party members Dehin Wasantha and Lakshman Fernando by leading officials of the Podujana Pragathishili Sevaka Sangamaya (PPSS) union at Moratuwa University on Thursday evening, November 30. Comrades Wasantha and Fernando were seriously injured in the attack.

As a member of the Socialist Equality Party in the US and the SEPs former US presidential candidate who traveled to Sri Lanka in 2012 as part of a worldwide campaign tour, I demand that the two assailants, PPSS branch president Indika Perera and branch secretary Suranga Piyawardena, be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

The SEP in Sri Lanka has a long and proud history of fighting for the working class and socialism and its members have every right to freely engage in political activities. The violent assault on our comrades was a premeditated crime, which was aimed at silencing and intimidating all workers and young people who oppose austerity, social inequality, and war. Such methods are not exclusive to Sri Lanka. In every country, capitalist governments are attemptingand failingto suppress the mass protests against the Israeli genocide in Gaza.

The PPSS is backed by the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) whose hated former President Gotabhaya Rajapakse was driven out of power in 2022 by a popular uprising of millions of workers, rural poor and youth. Now, President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the SLPP are implementing a brutal IMF austerity program and think that they can suppress opposition with threats and violence from their PPSS thugs.

Wasantha has been a non-academic employee at Moratuwa University for more than 25 years. He is a member of the Sri Lanka Technical Officers Union and well known among workers and students in the university as a fighter for socialist policies and their rights. Because of this, PPSS bureaucrats have repeatedly tried to prevent him speaking at union meetings and have threatened him with physical violence.

At the time of the assault, Wasantha and Fernando were campaigning at the rear gate of the Moratuwa campus for upcoming public meetings to be addressed by Joseph Kishore, the national secretary of the SEP (US). Kishore visited Sri Lanka to speak on the centenary of the founding of the Left Opposition by Leon Trotsky and the need to develop an international anti-war movement to stop the genocide in Gaza and US imperialism's threat of a new world war.

The SEP in the US and the International Committee of the Fourth International will not tolerate this blatant act of political repression and censorship against members of our sister party in Sri Lanka. American workers are very familiar with goon attacks by trade union bureaucrats. We will inform them about the assault at Moratuwa University and the complicity of the police. At the same time, we will also inform workers and young people protesting the US-backed Israeli slaughter of Palestinian men, women, and children.

Once again, I demand that the authorities immediately prosecute the assailants and uphold the right of the SEP to freely engage in political activity.

Your truly,

Jerry White

SEP member, United States

H. Jowsey, from the US:

I condemn in the strongest terms the November 30, 2023 assault by Podujana Pragathishili Sevaka Sangamaya (PPSS) union officials Indika Perera and Suranga Piyawardena against Socialist Equality Party (SEP) campaigners Dehin Wasantha and Lakshman Fernando, which caused grievous injuries and could have had fatal consequences.

The union thugs assaulted SEP comrades with bats to stop them campaigning for an international meeting by US SEP national secretary Joseph Kishore at Peradeniya University on December 7 and in Colombo on December 10.

Workers in Sri Lanka and around the world must come to the defense of SEP members against the thugs of the PPSS union bureaucracy & its political party the SLPP, which is responsible for the hated government of Ranil Wickremesinghe! We must defend the SEP & Fourth Internationals democratic right to freely engage in political activities!

The unelected Wickremesinghe government, with SLPP aid, is ruthlessly implementing the austerity program of the IMFslashing jobs, wages, and pensions, privatizing government bodies, cutting social programs, including public health and education, and increasing the prices of essentials to unbearable levels. The government is unleashing goon squads from the trade union bureaucracies and using the repressive police-military machinery to try to crush the opposition of workers, students, and the rural poor.

H. Jowsey,

Detroit, Michigan

* * * *

The SEP is calling on defenders of democratic rights and freedom of expression to register their opposition by sending protest letters to the following addresses of the relevant authorities with copies to the SEP (wswscmb@sltnet.lk).

Senior Professor N.D. Gunawardena, Vice Chancellor, University of Moratuwa

Email: vc@uom.lk or ndg@uom.lk

Attorney General, Mr. Sanjay Rajaratnam

Email: agdurgentmotions@gmail.com
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on Thursday a formal investigation into the midair blowout of a door plug on a Boeing 737 MAX 9 jetliner last Friday.

The Alaska Airlines flight from Portland, Oregon to Ontario, California was forced to turn around for an emergency landing after the door plug blew out at an altitude of 16,000 feet as the plane was still climbing. Miraculously, no one was seriously injured in the failure, which resulted in a rapid loss of cabin pressure and caused oxygen masks to drop, while passengers and crew members endured a terrifying descent and landing.

This photo released by the National Transportation Safety Board shows a gaping hole where the paneled-over door had been at the fuselage plug area of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Portland, Ore. [AP Photo/National Transportation Safety Board]

In a press statement accompanying the official FAA letter to Boeing, the US agency wrote, This incident should have never happened and it cannot happen again. FAA formally notified Boeing that it is conducting an investigation to determine if Boeing failed to ensure completed products conformed to its approved design and were in a condition for safe operation in compliance with FAA regulations.

In its letter, the FAA said it had been notified of additional discrepancies on other Boeing 737-9 airplanes, although it did not disclose details of these issues. The rest of the letter contains boilerplate text about the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations and Boeings noncompliance with its own inspection and testing requirements.

Airline experts have said that by formally notifying Boeing of the investigation, the FAA is setting into motion a process that could result in enforcement actions such as fines and other measures that require the company to fix the problems identified.

The FAA letter went on to state that the jet manufacturer may have failed to ensure its completed products conformed to its approved design and were in a condition for safe operation in accordance with quality system inspection and test procedures.

Door plugs are used by Boeing to seal unused plane exits on certain models. The Model 737 MAX 9 can hold anywhere from 162 to 220 seats, depending on the airline companys requirements. If the airline uses the maximum number of seats, an additional exit is required between the wings and the rear doors.

The door plugs are only visible from outside the plane. On the inside, by row 26 of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, the door plug is hidden by the cabin wall. According to a diagram released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the door plug is attached to the plane by a series of bolts, cables and stop pads.

The NTSB is investigating why the Alaska Airlines door panel separated from the plane. It is currently unclear as to whether the bolts that hold the panel in place were either missing or installed incorrectly. Both Alaska Airlines and United Airlines, which operate the majority of the MAX 9s in the US, said on Monday they had discovered loose hardware on the panel when conducting preliminary inspections on their planes.

There are 171 MAX 9s grounded in the US as a result of the investigations underway, including 65 at Alaska Airlines and 79 at United Airlines, which cancelled 8 percent of its total schedule, or 225 flights, on Tuesday. Other airlines with grounded MAX 9 models include Copa Airlines (21), Aeromexico (19) and Turkish Airlines (5).

Two days after the blowout, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun announced he would cancel a two-day leadership summit and instead hold an all-employee safety meeting from the 737 factory in Renton, Washington on Tuesday. Calhoun also sent out a company-wide memo to staff, which made carefully vetted and pro forma comments, such as, When it comes to the safety of our products and services, every decision and every action matters.

Boeing Co. CEO Dave Calhoun in Everett, Wash, Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023, [AP Photo/John Froschauer]

At the employee meeting on Tuesday, Calhoun said the company was acknowledging our mistake, and added, Were going to approach it with 100 percent and complete transparency every step of the way. We are going to work with the NTSB, who is investigating the accident itself, to find out what the cause is.

Calhoun came to Boeing from the private equity division of The Blackstone Group, which has $42.5 billion in assets under management. After serving on the Boeing Board of Directors since 2009, Calhoun was brought on as CEO after Dennis Muilenburg was fired following the catastrophic crashes of 737 MAX 8 planes in Indonesia in 2018 and Ethiopia in 2019, which killed a total of 346 passengers and crew.

Between those disasters and now, following an initial flurry of corporate hand-wringing and regulatory noise-making in Washington, D.C., Boeing has been repeatedly given a pass on its shirking of safety requirements in the interests of speeding production, cutting costs and boosting profits. Throughout the process, Senator Maria Cantwell, Democrat from Boeings home state of Washington and a recipient of $200,000 in campaign contributions from the airplane manufacturers political action committee (PAC), has assisted the company in avoiding government safety requirements and deadlines.

As chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, Cantwell worked with other Democrats in 2022 to provide Boeing with an exemption to the requirement that airlines upgrade their crew alert systems on all MAX airplanes. Over the opposition of 921 friends and family members of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash, Boeing advocated and received an FAA approved exception from the flight crew alert rule for the MAX 8 and 9 aircraft, according to a letter sent to Democratic Party leaders. The Senate overlooked the letter from past victims of Boeings malfeasance and passed the exemption.

Less than a month before Fridays blowout failure, former employees at Boeings subcontractor, Spirit AeroSystems, filed a class action lawsuit documenting that they repeatedly warned corporate officials about safety problems and were told to falsify records.

One of the employees at Spirit, which is apparently the manufacturer of the door plug that blew off of the Alaska Airlines flight over Portland, told company officials about an excessive amount of defects. Among the known defects that were ignored by Spirit were mis-drilled holes in the aft pressure bulkhead. These errors were the worst findings ever made by a lead Core Quality Auditor.

According to the lawsuit, another employee struggled with Spirits culture, which placed an emphasis on pushing out product over quality, and he later told a fellow employee that he believed it was just a matter of time until a major defect escaped to a customer.

Representative Ron Estes, Republican from Kansasand one of the top recipients of Spirit-affiliated campaign donationshas complained that the FAAs grounding of the 737 MAX 9 jets has negative repercussions. He warned that until recertification [of the Boeing 737 MAX] is complete, Spirit and its workers would suffer.

According to US lobbying disclosures, over the last four years, Boeing and Spirit PACs and individual employees have spent more than $65 million on lobbying and federal campaign contributions.
The latest biopic of Napoleon, directed by 85-year old Ridley Scott, attempts to tackle the rise and fall of Napoleon Bonaparte, the military officer who rose on the crest of the French Revolution, orchestrated a coup detat in 1799 and went on to crown himself Emperor in 1804. Napoleon was eventually defeated by the combined forces of a number of European powers at Waterloo (now Belgium) in June 1815. He died in exile, on the island of Saint Helena, in the Atlantic Ocean, six years later.

Bonaparte (1769-1821) was a complex, world-historical figure. The era of the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815), which originated in the great revolution of 1789 and the revolutionary wars fought from 1792-1802, was critical in the development of modern society.

Scott, however, does not indicate in his public comments or in the body of the film itself any great interest in history and historical processes. His Napoleon is a shallow collection of impressions, psychological insight of the dime-store variety and brief battle scenes, which are not even presented so as to explain Napoleons military prowess.

Napoleon opens with the following titles: 1789Revolution in France, People are driven by misery to revolution  and brought back by revolution to misery. This profound insight seems to sum up the filmmakers view, that the Revolutionand perhaps history in generalis rather a waste of time. The Revolution was a pointless event, everybody ended up just as badly off as they started out. All in all, they should have simply stayed in bed.

In any event, as the films action begins, the viewer is rushed headlong into a sequence depicting the execution of Queen Marie Antoinette (Catherine Walker) in October 1793. We see the bloodthirsty mob taunting the monarch as she stoically raises her head up in defiance walking to the guillotine, pelted by rotten vegetables. Where Scotts sympathies lie here are evident. The young Bonaparte (Joaquin Phoenix) is an aloof and cold onlooker, his presence a taking of artistic liberty that has no basis in fact.

We then witness the Jacobin revolutionary Maximilien Robespierre (Sam Troughton) addressing the question of the queens execution before the National Convention. Terror is nothing more than justiceprompt, severe, inflexible, asserts Robespierre, portrayed unsympathetically.

Napoleon

Napoleon watches the Conventions session. He meets with Paul Barras (Tahar Rahim), a powerful politician and later a member of the ruling Directory, who is seeking to recapture the southern French city of Toulon from the royalist forces aligned with the British. Capture the fort that dominates the harbor and you have the city, the young artillery officer tells Barras. After storming the city and routing the British navy, the success of Napoleons victory in Toulon elevates his rank and stature.

Following the military triumph, Barras tells Napoleon that Robespierre is unfit to rule because of his lawless terror. Napoleon, previously a supporter of Robespierre, who helped promote the younger man to the rank of brigadier-general, swiftly moves to the side of reaction. Robespierre finds himself denounced and deposed in a turbulent gathering of the Convention in the Thermidorian Reaction of July 1794 (Thermidor was the 11th month in the new French Republican Calendar). He is sent to the guillotine, with a bloodthirsty mob cheering the execution on, just as it cheered the death of Marie Antoinette. Thus ends the radical phase of the French Revolution, and the consolidation of the new bourgeois state and society is set in motion.

The rest of the two-and-a-half hour film jumps along from one event or episode to the next, often with little dramatic or historical coherence. We follow Napoleons courtship of the aristocratic widow Josephine de Beauharnais (Vanessa Kirby) and later his 1798 campaign in Egypt, a foreign escapade the Directory hoped would reduce his stature and popularity at home. The events in Egypt are somewhat ludicrously portrayed, with the French troops bombarding the Pyramids, an invention of the film.

Returning to France, Napoleon accuses the leaders of the Directory of corruption and incompetence: I have returned to France to find her bankrupt. He begins to conspire against the ruling group with figures such as Emanuel Sieyes (Julian Rhind-Tutt), Charles Maurice de Talleyrand (Paul Rhys) and Joseph Fouche (John Hodgkinson), the Minister of Police, who has previously helped plot Robespierres downfall.

The fateful coup of 18th Brumaire (November 9, 1799) is carried out, which leads to Napoleons coming to power. The film is relatively accurate here. Bonaparte apparently lost his nerve and nearly failed in the coup attempt against the Council of Five Hundred. The boisterous deputies derided Napoleon as an outlaw and a power-hungry upstart, and assaulted him. He was only able to succeed ultimately, with the help of his brother Lucien and soldiers armed with bayonets, in a bloodless coup. Napoleon becomes the First Consul of France.

Scotts Napoleon proceeds to charge ahead through the rest of the principal events of its subjects life. In 1804, he crowns himself Emperor, an act that famously enraged Ludwig van Beethoven, whose Symphony No. 3 (Eroica) was initially dedicated to Napoleon.

Vanessa Kirby and Joaquin Phoenix

Over the course of the subsequent decade of war, the film provides glimpses of various battles, including the famed French victory over the Austrians and Russians at Austerlitz (1805).

Finally, there is Bonapartes fateful decision to invade Russia, and its consequences. The Battle of Borodino (1812), a pyrrhic victory for Napoleon in which his army sustains colossal losses, is followed by the occupation of Moscow by French forces. The Russians largely abandon the city and set it ablaze, depriving Napoleons forces, far from home, of food and other supplies.

Not surprisingly, the films quasi-denouement takes place at Waterloo in 1815, where French troops are defeated by two armies, one of them a British-led force commanded by the Duke of Wellington (Rupert Everett). Napoleon is sent into a much more severe second exile, on Saint Helena, where he passes his final days.

As a whole, Scotts film leaves the viewer interested in history none the wiser for the experience. It provides little insight, aside from the most superficial, into Napoleon as a personality and historical figure, or the French Revolutionincluding its earthshaking intellectual sources in the Enlightenmentand its aftermath.

The work devotes a good deal of its time to the relationship between Napoleon and Josephine, their sexual issues and jealousies, and her childlessness (and the couples consequent splitting up), to no great effect. The focus feels forced, in part driven by contemporary gender politics. Josephine is obliged by the latter to be a decisive force in Napoleons life and career. This Napoleon even rather foolishly hints that Bonapartes invasion of Russia was driven in part by his jealousy over his former wifes flirtation with the youthful Tsar Alexander I (Edouard Philipponnat).

The acting in general is decent, although Phoenix is over his head attempting to play a substantial personality. The limitations of his performance are the limitations of the script and direction. He treats the character largely as a desperate loner and upstart, someone trying to prove himself to the European upper echelons, bumbling and mumblingin unconvincing method acting stylehis way through.

Joaquin Phoenix

As noted, many of the events in Napoleon are rushed past, hardly giving the viewer the ability to register them or consider their significance. The technical elements, and the cinematography and spectacle, are all impressive, but they add little to ones knowledge.

Scott presumably admires Napoleon as a military genius, which he certainly was, but this was rooted in large part in the social transformations set in motion by the 1789 Revolution, which receives no discussion whatsoever. Frederick Engels observed that the science of war created by the revolution and Napoleon was the necessary result of the new relations brought about by the revolution. The two characteristics of Napoleons magnificent discoveries, mass warfare and mobility, presuppose the degree of civilisation of the bourgeois epoch.

Ultimately, we gather, Scott views the French Revolution and the entire epoch as not much more than gigantic mistakes leading to millions of dead. Napoleon ends with a lengthy list of deaths in the various conflicts after 1789. History, according to this philistine conception, is just one pointless thing after the other.

The Napoleonic era has been the subject of serious literature and art in the past. Some of the most remarkable novels of the 19th century represent the period, including Stendhals The Charterhouse of Parma, Thackerays Vanity Fair and Hugos unabridged Les Miserables, all of which treat the Battle of Waterloo, and, of course, Tolstoys monumental War and Peace, which recounts Napoleons invasion of Russia. All of these works, and many others, attempted to make sense of the events in relation to the existing European society and its dynamics.

Ridley Scott has never demonstrated such an interest or ability (Alien, Blade Runner, Gladiator, etc.), and doesnt demonstrate it here. One even suspects that Scott may be nervous about the prospects of revolution today, however justified such an event might be as a response to widespread social misery.

Moreover, Scott, who favors spectacle over substance in his filmmaking, adopts a distinctly cavalier attitude in response to criticisms of the films inaccuracies. Scott commented, When I have issues with historians, I ask, Excuse me, mate, were you there? No? Well, shut the fk up then. Artistic liberties are inevitable, but the latter need to correspond in an important, constructive manner to the spirit and substance of the content under examination. Unfortunately, Scott is out of his depth here.

Vanessa Kirby and Joaquin Phoenix in Napoleon

French director Abel Gance famously created his silent, 330-minute epic Napoleon in 1927.

Stanley Kubrick intended to tackle the life of Napoleon and carried out extensive research. He was unable to make the film, instead directing Barry Lyndon (1975), set in part during the Seven Years War. Kubricks project has apparently been taken up by Steven Spielberg in the form of an HBO television series. Sergei Bondarchuks Waterloo (1970), featuring Rod Steiger as Napoleon and Christopher Plummer as Wellington, with a brief appearance by Orson Welles as Louis XVIII, is also worth noting.

Napoleon Bonapartes historical role has long been subjected to Marxist analysis, which has unraveled its contradictions, as both a figure of reaction in relation to the radical, egalitarian impulses of the French Revolution, and as a terrifying Jacobin abomination to feudal Europe and the British ruling class.

The French Revolution, Engels argued, was the victory of the great masses of the nation, working in production and in trade, over the privileged idle classes, the nobles and the priests. But that triumph soon revealed itself as exclusively the victory of a smaller part of this estate, as the conquest of political power by the socially privileged section of iti.e., the propertied bourgeoisie.

Bonaparte, Trotsky once wrote, halted the Revolution by means of a military dictatorship. However, when the French troops invaded Poland, Napoleon signed a decree: Serfdom is abolished. This measure was dictated not by Napoleons sympathies for the peasants, nor by democratic principles but rather by the fact that the Bonapartist dictatorship based itself not on feudal, but on bourgeois property relations.

On another occasion, Trotsky pointed out that Robespierre sought his support among the artisans, the Directory among the middle bourgeoisie. Bonaparte allied himself with the banks. All these shiftswhich had, of course, not only a political but also a social significanceoccurred, however, on the basis of the new bourgeois society and state.

These are complex, but not esoteric or inaccessible analyses. The artist who starts out by turning a deliberately blind eye to serious historical study and research, who decides to fly by the seat of his pants when taking on epochal events, is unlikely to come up with a compelling or enduring work. Scotts Napoleon is one such result.
The Appeals Court hearing Tuesday on ex-president Donald Trumps claim of absolute immunity from prosecution for anything he did while in the White House led to a remarkable discussion of the presidents supposed power to order the assassination of political and business rivals, or foreigners targeted by the vast US military-intelligence apparatus.

Trumps own lawyer John Sauer raised the issue at the opening of the hearing before a three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, the highest federal court below the US Supreme Court. Trump is appealing the decision by federal district Judge Tanya Chutkan, who held that he was not immune from the charges of obstruction and conspiracy related to the January 6, 2021 attack on Capitol Hill, brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith.

Practically the first words out of Sauers mouth were to warn the judges that if Trump could be held criminally liable for his actions in the White House, so could previous presidents. To authorize the prosecution of a president for his official acts would open up a pandoras box which this nation may never recover, he said.

Former President Donald Trump speaks during a commit to caucus rally, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, in Waterloo, Iowa. [AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall]

Could George W. Bush be prosecuted for allegedly giving false information to Congress to induce the nation to go to war in Iraq under false pretenses? Could President Obama for allegedly [authorizing] drone strikes targeting US citizens?

Judge Florence Pan, a Biden appointee, responded, I understand your position that a president is immune from criminal prosecution from any official act that he takes as president, even if that action is unlawful or unconstitutional purpose, is that correct?

The discussion continued:

JUDGE PAN: Could a president order Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival?

SAUER: He would have to be and be impeached and convicted.

JUDGE PAN: If there werent, there would be no criminal prosecution and no criminal liability for that?

SAUER: Chief Justices opinion and the plain language of the impeachment judgment clause clearly presuppose, what the founders were concerned about...

JUDGE PAN: I asked you a yes or no question. Could a president who ordered Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival, who was not impeached, could he be subject to criminal prosecution?

SAUER: If he were impeached and convicted first...

JUDGE PAN: So your answer is no.

SAUER: My answer is a qualified yes. There is a political process that would have to occur... which would require impeachment and conviction by the Senate.

Leaving aside the legalistic maneuvering, the position of Trumps lawyer is that a president could not be prosecuted for any crime unless he was impeached by the US House and convicted by the Senate first.

The lawyer representing Smiths office, James Pearce, later referred to this exchange and suggested that, under Sauers doctrine, if a president ordered an opponent assassinated, and then resigned to avoid impeachment, he would escape scot-free. He could not be impeached because he was no longer presidentthe argument made by the Republicans who acquitted Trump after he was impeached for the January 6 attack. He could not be prosecuted because he had not been impeached. Thus he would get away with murder.

Just as remarkable as the doctrine advanced by Trumps lawyer of absolute immunity was the quickness of all sidesdefense, prosecution and the judgesto embrace the possibility of a president ordering the killing of a political opponent in the United States.

A presidential right to assassinate was already implicit in the legal rationale advanced by then-Attorney General Eric Holder after the drone missile assassination of Anwar al-Awlaki, a US citizen, in Yemen in 2011. The US military-intelligence apparatus declared Awlaki, an Islamist preacher, to be a terrorist threat, and President Obama approved placing him on a CIA kill list in 2010. After he was located a year later in Yemen, a US missile was fired, incinerating him and several companions.

US citizen Anwar al-Awlaki in Yemen, October 2008 [Photo by Muhammad ud-Deen / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

When Holders memo justifying Obamas order to kill Awlaki became public, it caused a storm of anger among civil liberties groups, but did not raise an eyebrow in the US political establishment. The WSWS wrote at the time:

The assertion of the presidential power to unilaterally order the murder of US citizens represents an abrogation of the entire structure of constitutional principles upon which hundreds of years of democratic jurisprudence has rested. With the assertion of that power, the US government moves into new and uncharted territory.

We also pointed out that this supposed power was not limited to foreign countries, but could sanction military-intelligence murders of targets designated and approved by the president within the United States as well. Nor was there any requirement that the targeted individual be actually engaged in a terrorist plot.

The legal case presented by the Obama administration in the white paper is remarkable for its unwillingness to concede any limits whatsoever to the asserted power of the executive to kill US citizens. For example, after an extended argument for the legality of killing individuals who present an imminent threat to national security, and an extended discussion regarding the concept of imminence in which the term is defined so broadly as to permit virtually anything, the administration declares that it may assassinate even when there is no imminent threat.

Thus, when Trumps lawyer cited the Awlaki casewithout mentioning the victims nameand the judge responded by suggesting the possibility of a presidential order to the Navys Seal Team 6 death squad to kill a political rival, they were not citing wild hypotheticals. They were reviewing issues that have long been the subject of discussion within the American capitalist state.

Moreover, given the elastic use of the term terrorist, like the current distortion of the term antisemitic, so that it is applied to virtually any opponent of the operations of the US military-intelligence apparatus, a presidential power to kill terrorists on American soil could apply to antiwar protesters, workers striking in critical defense industries, or political opponents of any kind.

The judges question clearly struck a nerve with Justice Department attorney Pearce, representing Special Counsel Jack Smith. He returned to the subject during the second half of the Appeals Court hearing, which was allotted to him to present the administrations case for prosecuting Trump over the January 6 insurrection.

He seemed concerned that the position of Trumps lawyer differed significantly from that of Eric Holder a decade ago. Trumps attorney did not assert that a presidential assassination order was legal, but that the president was immune from criminal prosecution for such an illegal order unless he had been impeached first.

The president might enjoy such immunity, Pearce said, but only in the case of very difficult, national security decisions, operating under extraordinary time pressure when the president would be confronted with the question, Do I go in and commit thisorder the drone strike under these circumstances?

He continued:

A president will often have a cadre of lawyers to advise him or her. The lawyers say, madam president, well get you a memo in two months. Thats not going to be enough in that situation. If there were a drone strike, civilians were killed, that there theoretically could be subject to some court of prosecution as murder. That might be a place which the court would properly recognize some kind of immunity. Thats nothing like what we have here.

Pearce was clearly seeking to distinguish between the hypothetical crimes posed in the judges question to Trumps lawyer and the actual crimes already committed by Obama, as well as by Trump (the killing of Iranian General Suleimani, for example), as well as, no doubt, by Biden over the last three years, about which comparatively little is known as yet.

If Trump reenters the White House a year from now, however, the line between hypothetical and actual could well be swiftly erased. It was reported this week by Mediaite that some of Trumps closest cronies discussed possible assassinations of prominent Democratic Party opponents of Trump during the period before the November 2020 election.

The muckraking website reported that Roger Stone, a longtime right-wing political operative pardoned by Trump in the final days of his administration, discussed killing two House Democrats, Jerry Nadler and Eric Swalwell, with New York Police Department officer Sal Greco, who was working as his security aide at the time. Mediaite said it had obtained a tape recording of the conversation from a source it would not identify, and that Stone was clearly serious.

According to the Mediaite account:

Its time to do it, Stone told Greco. Lets go find Swalwell. Its time to do it. Then well see how brave the rest of them are. Its time to do it. Its either Nadler or Swalwell has to die before the election. They need to get the message. Lets go find Swalwell and get this over with. Im just not putting up with this shit anymore.

Nadler and Swalwell were both members of the House Judiciary Committee, which had voted to impeach Trump in 2019. Nadler had announced the committee would investigate Trumps pardon of Stone for lying to the investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller into Trumps alleged links to Russian officials, and for seeking to obstruct the special counsels work.

There are other indications that can be cited of the role of assassination in the unrestrained operations of the US national-security terror machine. It has been widely reported that under the Trump administration, CIA Director Mike Pompeo discussed the possible assassination of WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange, who was then under effective house arrest in the Ecuadorian embassy in London.

In the US-NATO proxy war against Russia in Ukraine, the US-backed regime in Kiev has carried out a number of high-profile assassinations in Russia, including that of Darya Dugina, daughter and co-thinker of ultra-right Russian nationalist Alexander Dugin, and other supporters of Putin and the war against Ukraine.

And of course the government that gave the world the term targeted assassination, and carried out many of them over the past 30 years, the government of Israel, is both the leading recipient of US military aid and a test bed for the most savage military methods, now on display in the genocide in Gaza. Every technique of torture and murder empoyed by the Zionist regime has been embraced by the senior partner in that relationship, American imperialism. This is true under Bush, Obama, Trump and Biden, without distinction.
Palestinians in the remains of Gaza City on Jan. 3, 2024. [AP Photo/Mohammed Hajjar]

Israels three-month genocidal onslaught on the Palestinian population in Gaza is the deadliest conflict of the 21st century, according to an OXFAM report. Israel is killing Palestinians at a rate of more than 250 per day, based on a UN reported death toll of 23,074 fatalities in Gaza and 330 in the West Bank between October 7, 2023 and January 7, 2024.

The intensity of the Zionist regimes bombardment has claimed the lives of Palestinians at a pace many times higher than NATOs war on Russia in Ukraine, the Syrian civil war, the US-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and wars in Sudan and Yemen. Even allowing for the longer duration of these other conflicts, which reduces the daily rate of casualties somewhat, Oxfams figures expose the unprecedented savagery of the Israeli state, which enjoys the unrestrained support of US imperialism and its European allies.

The scale and atrocities that Israel is visiting upon Gaza are truly shocking. For 100 days the people of Gaza have endured a living hell. Nowhere is safe and the entire population is at risk of famine, commented Sally Abi Khalil, Oxfams Middle East director. It is unimaginable that the international community is watching the deadliest rate of conflict of the 21st century unfold, while continuously blocking calls for a ceasefire.

The reality is that the international community, led by US imperialism, is not merely watching the conflict, but supplying Israel with the weaponry it needs to slaughter Palestinian men, women, and children. Moreover, Washington and its British ally have recklessly escalated the conflict with air strikes on the Houthis in Yemen early Friday. This escalation is bound up with US-led plans for a region-wide war with Iran aimed at consolidating its unchallenged domination over the energy-rich Middle East.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus far-right government believes it can act with impunity due to its alliance with Washington. This fact was underscored as Israels savage bombing campaign continued unabated even as South African lawyers presented devastating evidence of the Zionist regimes commission of genocide in Gaza. In the first day of hearings at the International Court of Justice, the South African legal team cited the statements of Netanyahu, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and others to demonstrate the Israeli governments intent to carry out a genocide, and documented the horrific consequences of Gazas destruction by the Israel Defence Forces.

None of this had an impact on the imperialists support for Israel. The US State Department described the accusations against Israel as unfounded. Germanys Economy Minister Robert Habeck declared, Accusing Israel of genocide distorts the victims and perpetrators.

In Gaza, Thursday saw another air strike on the southernmost city of Rafah, where over a million people, about half of Gazas pre-war population, are now crowded. The strike on a residential building killed nine people and injured several more. Strikes were also reported in Khan Younis, where IDF ground operations continue alongside the aerial bombardment.

Over the preceding 24 hours, Israeli air strikes killed 112 people and injured 194, according to Gazas Health Ministry. This took the official death toll to 23,469 and the number injured to 59,604. In addition, around 7,000 people remain missing and are presumed dead under the rubble.

Attacks in central and southern Gaza threaten to lead to the closure of another three hospitals, further restricting the availability of even the most basic medical care to the population. At one of these facilities, Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, Israeli forces intensified shelling of the hospital over recent days. One doctor reported a direct attack on the intensive care unit, while civilians sheltering in the vicinity of the hospital were shot at by Israeli helicopters in scenes reminiscent of the storming of the al-Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza.

One strike near the gates of the Al-Aqsa Hospital killed and injured at least 40 people Wednesday. Another strike elsewhere in Deir el-Balah on Wednesday killed six people in a Palestinian Red Crescent Society ambulance. The casualties included four medics and two injured Palestinians being transported to a hospital.

Fighting is also intensifying in Khan Younis, where IDF soldiers are reportedly stepping up above-ground and underground operations in the citys central areas. Hundreds of thousands of people remain trapped in Khan Younis, the largest city in southern Gaza prior to Israels onslaught.

The Gaza Media Office released a statement declaring that a total of 380 mosques have been destroyed since October 7. Among them are religious sites that have stood for over 1,000 years.

Israel is persisting in its use of food as a weapon of war by deliberately withholding aid supplies. On Wednesday, the World Health Organisation announced the cancellation of the sixth aid delivery to northern Gaza since December 26 because Israel refused to provide assurances of safe passage. Hundreds of thousands of civilians remain trapped in the area, which has no functioning hospitals.

Oxfams report made dire warnings about an impending famine throughout Gaza if the restrictions placed on aid deliveries persist. There are also shortages of blankets, no fuel for heating, and no hot water under conditions of cold and rainy winter weather. Cases of diarrhea are 40 times higher than they were at the same time last year, although Oxfam acknowledges the figure is likely a vast underestimation of the true number of cases.

Human Rights Watch became the latest human rights organisation to accuse Israel of war crimes in its annual World Report released Thursday. Israels moves to cut off essential services like water, electricity, and fuel were acts of collective punishment that amount to war crimes. The report continued, Israeli air strikes incessantly pounded Gaza, hitting schools and hospitals and reducing large parts of neighborhoods to rubble, including in attacks that were apparently unlawful. Israeli forces also unlawfully used white phosphorous in densely populated areas.

Beyond Gaza, the IDF continues to provocatively escalate its strikes on southern Lebanon. A strike on a civil defence centre Thursday destroyed an ambulance and killed two medical workers. On Wednesday evening, War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz made an explicit threat to launch an onslaught on southern Lebanon comparable to the bombardment of Gaza. If Hizbollah continues, Gantz said, referring to the groups firing of rockets into northern Israel, we will act in southern Lebanon as we act in the northern Gaza Strip.
We are publishing here the tribute to Helen Halyard written by Ed Bergonzi, a member of the Trotskyist movement in the US for more than 50 years. Comrade Helen, a leader of the Socialist Equality Party (US) and the International Committee of the Fourth International for more than half a century, died suddenly on November 28 at the age of 73.

I am shocked and aggrieved by the sudden passing of Comrade Helen. I have known Helen for more than 50 years. She has been a dear friend and comrade, and her death leaves an empty space that will not easily be filled. Helen joined the Workers League during campaigns among urban working class black and Hispanic youth who were becoming radicalized by the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and the deteriorating social conditions they confronted.

Helen Halyard in the 1990s

From the beginning, Comrade Helen stood out. I recall her determination to develop herself politically. She recognized that she had to assimilate the lessons of the history of the Trotskyist movement, and to educate herself in the fundamentals of Marxism, as both a theoretical orientation to the objective crisis of capitalism, and as a guide to practice. In particular, Helen was won to the perspective of building the revolutionary proletarian party, against all forms of opportunism, the liquidationist outlook of Pabloite revisionism foremost among them.

It was this strength and determination, attributes she shared with many of the younger comrades who had joined the Workers League during this formative period, that fortified her against the political collapse of its national secretary, Tim Wohlforth, and a decade later in the fight against the national opportunist degeneration of the Workers Revolutionary Party in Britain. It has been said that revolutionists are not born, they are forged. This is certainly true for Comrade Helen, who became, as a result of these seminal experiences, a recognized leader of the international Trotskyist movement.

I have had ample opportunity to work with Comrade Helen over the years, and I will always cherish those experiences. Helen was always rock solid on questions of political principle, while projecting an accessibility and a patience which gained the respect and admiration, even a certain endearment, from the workers and youth she encountered.

It is a cruel fate that has deprived you, Helen, from witnessing the revolutionary upsurge of the working class in this the decade of World Socialist Revolution. However, you have played a central role in laying the foundation for these coming great events. I will always remember your intelligence, humanity and irrepressible spirit. We in the International Committee of the Fourth International will keep your memory fresh, as we lead the working class to put an end to this rotten capitalist system.
Boasting an elaborate lounge and a resort-like swimming pool deck, Detroit's newest upscale and amenity-filled housing development is now officially open.

The Perennial Corktown, 1611 Michigan Ave., directly across from the former site of Tiger Stadium and not far from Ford's nearly finished Michigan Central Station rehab, is a newly constructed seven-story, 188-unit apartment building along with seven new three-story town homes.

The asking rents are at the high end of the market, starting at $1,650 per month for studio units, about $2,000 for one bedrooms and the mid-$3,000s for two bedrooms with two baths. However, 10% of the apartments are set aside at significantly below-market rates for those with qualifying incomes.

The living and dining space in a one-bedroom apartment in the newly completed Perennial Corktown upscale housing development in Corktown on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024.

Rents for the townhomes start at $7,525 per month. Starting in 2031, the homes could be sold to individual homebuyers.

The development is a sister project for the nearby Godfrey Hotel Detroit, 1401 Michigan Ave., which opened last fall and was built by the same development team: Farmington Hills-based Hunter Pasteur Homes, Chicago-based Oxford Capital Group and Southfield-based The Forbes Co. The Perennial's apartment building broke ground in fall 2021.

During a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday afternoon in the building's lobby, Hunter Pasteur CEO Randy Wertheimer told a crowd of several dozen that the building contains "the nicest amenity space in the downtown Detroit market.

Hunter Pasteur CEO Randy Wertheimer speaks during a ribbon-cutting event for the newly completed Perennial Corktown upscale housing development in Corktown on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024.

That space includes an expansive fitness center with a yoga room, a coworking space wing, a game room and a well-appointed residents' lounge like that often found in boutique hotels.

What's more, there is a 10,000-square-foot outdoor pool deck that  when it's swimming pool season  will feature cabanas and fire pits.

It will be like you live in a resort," Wertheimer said.

A rendering of the pool and courtyard area is shown during a ribbon-cutting event for the newly completed Perennial Corktown upscale housing development in Corktown on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and City Council President Mary Sheffield attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony and praised the inclusion of "affordable" housing within such a high-end building.

Story continues

Setting aside 10% of the units at below-market rents for those earning no more than 60% of area median income, or $39,780 per year for a single person, was one request that emerged from the project's Community Benefits ordinance process.

The Community Benefits process is mandatory in Detroit for large developments seeking significant incentives.

More: New and upscale Perennial Corktown apartments and townhomes opening soon in Detroit

"What is near and dear to my heart is mixed-income housing, because we know that when we have higher incomes mixed with lower incomes, it really creates stronger communities," Sheffield said. So I commend you Randy and the team for making it happen. I know it is not always easy incorporating affordability into these projects, but you honored the voice and the desire of this community, and I think that should be commended.

A game area is seen in a space to hangout during a ribbon-cutting event for the newly completed Perennial Corktown upscale housing development in Corktown on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024.

Duggan noted how the project is one of numerous big developments to happen in Corktown in recent years, including many new apartments and town homes that have opened  or soon will open  across Michigan Avenue at the former Tiger Stadium site.

I look across the street and I think, 25 years ago, I was the chair of the Stadium Authority that built Comerica Park and Ford Field," Duggan said. "And I think about the gloom and doom predictions: 'Once Tiger Stadium leaves, this neighborhood, Corktown is dead. The property values are going to decline, people have no future'  as if a neighborhood was best served by having activities 80 days a year and 260 days a year having the entire area shut down.

And if you look at where we are today, it is remarkable," he said.

Perennial Corktown was built over what was mostly surface parking lots and a former Bucharest Grill location. The development also includes a new parking deck.

A view of the lobby during a ribbon-cutting event for the newly completed Perennial Corktown upscale housing development in Corktown on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024.

The ground floor of the apartment building will soon house Haraz Coffee and a bodega-style convenience store, Corktown Market, that could open in roughly a month.

Wertheimer, the Hunter Pasteur CEO, said the building welcomed its first residents Dec. 15.

Leasing has been going well," he said. "I think weve leased 30 units or so since weve opened, maybe half of them have already moved in. And, hopefully, we lease 15 units a month from here on out until were full.

The development team last month began interior demolition work on a separate but nearby project, called Red Arrow Lofts, which will convert the former Downtown Self-Storage Co. building at 1551 Church St. into a 28-unit apartment building. The rehab is expected to be complete by January 2025.

The name honors the building's history as a former Red Arrow soda factory.

Contact JC Reindl: 313-222-6631 or jcreindl@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @jcreindl

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Latest upscale Detroit development features resort-like pool deck
Ahead of the 2024 election, billionaire Elon Musk is using the social media website he owns, X, formerly known as Twitter, to provide neo-Nazis a platform to unleash a geyser of antisemitic, racist and anti-immigrant bile, enabling them to receive millions of views.

Elon Musk, CEO of X, the company formerly known as Twitter, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023. [AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin]

The fascists, and fascistic content, Musk is promoting and allowing to proliferate is the same propaganda and lies used by the Nazis prior to and during the Holocaust.



Virtually every day, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX engages with far-right accounts that launder versions of QAnon or the Great Replacement Theory (GRT). At their core, both conspiracieswhich claim adherents in the Republican Party, including ex-president Donald Trumpallege that Democrats and an elite (Jewish) cabal is seeking to annihilate (white) Christian American families.



QAnon cultists believe a deep state, with Democrats such as former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at its center, maintains supreme control through child sacrifice and rape. To break the grip of the satanic deep state, QAnon cultists have elevated ex-president Donald Trump as their savior. In this warped reality, Trump will lead a fascist storm that will end with the execution of his political enemies inside the Democratic Party and the deep state.

Fascist supporters of President Donald Trump inside the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. At center is Jacob Chansley, wearing fur hat with horns: a regular at pro-Trump events and a follower of QAnon. [AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta]

Far from disavowing QAnon, Trump cultivates and encourages this delusion among his followers. Trump regularly pipes in lighting, sound effects and dramatic music linked to the movement at the conclusion of his rallies. Asked to disavow the conspiracy theory in an October 2020 town hall on NBC, Trump refused, replying, I dont know about QAnon. What I do hear about it, they are very strongly against pedophilia.



Another tenet of the modern Republican Party, the Great Replacement Theory or GRT, posits that Democratic Party politicians, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and their (Jewish) donors are purposely flooding the United States with migrants from the third world, in order to carry out a demographic change that will ensure Democratic Party electoral victories and the eventual elimination of the white race.



Republican politicians openly and regularly regurgitate GRT to justify their anti-immigrant polices, including the continued militarization of the border and the elimination of the right to claim asylum. The WSWS has written previously on Trumps Hitlerian comments concerning poisoning the blood of our country. Neo-Nazi adherents of GRT have carried out deadly mass shootings in recent years, including at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh (2018), the Christchurch massacre in New Zealand (2019), and the Buffalo grocery store shooting (2022).



Musk, who has 168.8 million followers on X/Twitter, regularly promotes and engages with accounts that traffic in both fascist conspiracy theories. On January 10, Chaya Raichik, creator of Libs of TikTok (a social media account that spotlights LGBTQ people and places for her fascist followers to target), posted a truncated version of the QAnon conspiracy, writing, The media is complicit in covering up sex trafficking to protect democrats and elites.



Musk responded, Exactly.

Musk responding to Chaya Raichik, January 9, 2024. [Photo: Twitter/X]

In the last two weeks, Musk has specifically and repeatedly attacked immigrants. He has shared bogus graphs made by fascist accounts specifically aimed at providing succor for GRT promoters.



In a post that has garnered over 31 million views as of this writing, on January 10, Elon Musk wrote, New York City just forced kids out of their school to house illegals. The post was retweeted by neo-Nazi Ryan Dawson, whose Twitter/X account was reinstated in January 2023.



The day before, Musk tweeted, This is what happens when you run out of hotel rooms. Soon, cities will run out of schools to vacate. Then they will come for your homes. He tweeted two hours later, Theyve run out of hotel rooms, are kicking kids out of school for illegal housing and now they want your homes too.

Musk stoking fear against immigrants. [Photo: Twitter/X]

In a December 29, 2023 post, Musk retweeted a graph from a fascist account comparing American Births vs. Illegal Immigrants Oct. 2019Oct. 2023, with illegal supposedly surpassing the former.



Musk retweeted the graph, and said: To give you a sense of the immense and growing size of illegal immigration.



In the previous 72 hours, the fascist account Musk retweeted to his 160 million+ followers had shared racist graphs purporting to show percent of Black Men who commit murder before turning 50 and other race-based crime statistics.



Musk, enamored with the anti-immigrant graph, retweeted it again on December 30, 2023 and wrote, Almost no one seems to be aware of the immense size and lightning growth of this issue. Musk made this post his pinned tweet for several days, meaning it was the first tweet one would see when viewing his profile.



On January 4, Musk tweeted another graph from the same fascist account that purported to show a jump in encounters along the US-Mexico border. Fear-mongering against immigrants, the fascist account warned of a flood [of] humans. Musk retweeted the post, adding, there is no question that this administration is actively facilitating illegal immigration. The numbers speak for themselves.



Questioned why the Biden administration would do this, Musk doubled down on the GRT: They view them as future Dem voters.



While dozens of left-wing and, in recent days, anti-genocide accounts have been suspended by X/Twitter, which Musk acquired in 2022, the billionaire has welcomed previously suspended neo-Nazis back on the site under the guise of free speech. Fascists/white supremacists who have had their accounts reinstated include the aforementioned Ryan Dawson, as well as Keith Woods, Stew Peters and Vincent James.



In recent days, many of these accounts have used an odd incident that occurred in New York City on Monday to launder ancient antisemitic conspiracy theories. On Monday, at least nine Hasidic Jewish worshipers were arrested for trespassing at the Chabad-Lubavitch world headquarters in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Roughly 200,000 Hasidic Jews, a sizeable fraction of the Jewish population in New York City, live in Crown Heights.



The building where the arrests occurred is popularly referred to as 770 due to its address, 770 Eastern Parkway. Police were called to the site after some of the worshipers refused to allow workers commissioned by the leadership of Chabad to fill in an illegal cellar that had apparently been dug by some members of the community and had previously been discovered under the synagogue.



As of this writing it is unclear exactly what the purpose of the passageway was. Some reports indicate it was an attempt by more extremist members of the Lubavitcher sect to expand the synagogue. The building has been subject to court battles over ownership rights for years. Forward reported that the subterranean corridor connected to a defunct Chabad mikvah around the corner. A mikvah is a bath used for religious ceremonies.

A fracas occurred within the synagogue when police attempted to remove from the building some of the Chabad men who objected to the filling in of the cellar. No felony charges have been filed, and on Wednesday the cellar was filled in with cement.



Nevertheless, social media video of young Jewish men arguing with police and occupying part of the dug-out cellar quickly spread on Twitter/X, prompting Woods, Peters, James, Nick Fuentes and other fascists to uncork an avalanche of antisemitic propaganda.



Since Monday, thousands of blatantly antisemitic posts, accusing Jewish people of tunneling under the city in order to facilitate child rape and sacrifice, have garnered millions of views. This reporter has flagged several of them to Twitter for removal, but so far none have been taken down.

An example of the fascistic content that has proliferated on Twitter/X. [Photo: Twitter/X]

The above post by fascist @spaghettiboyx69 ranting about Sewer Jews, while depicting an evil stereotypical hook-nosed Jewish person with a red balloona reference to the child-murdering killer space clown from Stephen Kings Ithasnt broken our safety policies, Twitter said in a January 10 email.

Twitter confirming that antisemitic content does not violate their policies, January 10, 2024.



Despite being banned on the platform, videos of Fuentes ranting about Jewish people are being posted by his supporters on the website every day, garnering millions of views.

Videos of Hitler-lover Nick Fuentes ranting against Jewish people freely spread on Twitter/X. [Photo: Twitter/X]

Neo-Nazi Keith Woods, who spearheaded the #BanTheADL campaign last year with Musk, Fuentes and far-right MMA fighter Jake Shields, has posted multiple times about the tunnels, insinuating that they are used for child rape/molestation, also accumulating millions of views.

A fascist post from Keith Woods. [Photo: Twitter/X]

A video interview featuring Stew Peters and Vincent James pontificating about Jewish people raping children, as it says in the Talmud, has been viewed over 2.6 million times as of this writing. James pinned tweet is a video featuring recorded tapes of former President Richard Nixon ranting about disloyal Jews.

Video interview featuring antisemites Stew Peters and Vincent James which has been viewed over 2.6 million times. [Photo: Twitter/X]

A fascist meme shared by Andrew Torba featuring the Chabad-Lubavitch headquarters as a Shrine to Moloch and stained mattresses, implying child rape, has been viewed over 1.3 million times on Twitter/X. Torba is the founder and CEO of far-right social media website Gab. Gab was the preferred social media network of Tree of Life Synagogue shooter Robert Bowers.



Bowers used Gab to make his final post before murdering 11 Jews in the largest antisemitic mass shooting in US history. HIAS likes to bring invaders in that kill our people, Bowers wrote on Gab, referring to the Jewish American nonprofit that provides humanitarian assistance to refugees. I cant sit by and watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics, Im going in.

In this Oct. 29, 2018, file photo, a person pauses in front of Stars of David with the names of those killed in a deadly shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue, in Pittsburgh. [AP Photo/Matt Rourke]

On January 11, Musk responded to a post from @TheRabbitHole84 purporting to show the percentage of Marxist professors teaching at US universities. Musk responded, Dang, that is a lot of Marxists! It is easy to live in a fake communist reality when colleges have massive endowments that insulate them from reality.



College donors need to become a *lot* more stringent in their requirements or stop donating, Musk concluded.



Torba replied to Musk with a picture that featured Jewish intellectuals.

Musk rails against Marxist professors prompting fascist Andrew Torba to reply with pictures of "Jewish intellectuals." [Photo: Twitter/X]
More than 15,000 asylum seekers are currently in Chicago shelters, a makeshift camp in the airport, or waiting on buses to enter shelter buildings. The newest arrivals are currently living on warming buses while they wait for a spot in a shelter to open up, a process that can take several days. Migrant families speaking to local media say it is impossible to sleep on these buses, they do not have food or shower facilities, and they worry for the health of their children.

Since August 2022, the fascistic Republican governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, has shipped about 100,000 asylum seekers to Chicago, New York City and Denver, Colorado. Busloads, and sometimes planeloads, of asylum seekers arrive into Chicago and its suburbs at all hours on the orders of the Texas Division of Emergency Management.

On several occasions this winter, scores of people have been deposited on the side of a suburban highway or at a train station some 40 to 50 miles from Chicago and told to make their way in. Some suburbs have passed ordinances blocking efforts to shelter asylum seekers in local hotels.

These horrific conditions are part of a bipartisan assault on immigrants and refugees at a national and local level.

The Democratic Party has collaborated with the far right on immigration policy, as it has with virtually every other social issue in the US. The Democrats have agreed to Republican demands to virtually shut down the southern US border and severely limit asylum rights in exchange for more than $60 billion in funding for the US-NATO proxy war in Ukraine. Last year the Biden administration carried out more than 142,000 deportations, the highest number of any of his years in office.

Senate Republicans, convinced the Democrats will do anything to secure war funding, are now moving to cap the number of immigrants allowed into the country through parole.

Throughout these talks, the most prominent Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) member in the US, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, has remained silent on the bipartisan plan to eviscerate the rights of migrants and shut down the border.

The approach taken by Democratic mayors in New York and Chicago has been to do as little as possible and as late as possible, to rely in all areas of response on volunteer networks, and to publicly plead for help and, in Chicago, cry poor while giving hundreds of millions in contracts to for-profit staffing firms. The predictable result has been intolerable conditions for asylum seekers, including humiliation, illness and death, for which no one in any position of political leadership is officially responsible.

In the Chicago city council, six of 50 alderpersons are members of the DSA, and a number of others identify as progressive, but no statement opposing this criminal policy has been issued by the Chicago organization, which has all but completely retreated from public view. The DSA city council caucus has not issued a press release since July 2021.

Brutal conditions aimed at discouraging asylum seekers

In both Chicago and New York, Democratic mayors are moving to escalate the attack on asylum seekers. New York City Mayor Eric Adams is in the process of evicting more than 3,000 migrants from city shelters. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, a former Cook County Commissioner and Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) lobbyist, will oversee the first evictions after a 60-day shelter limit period is scheduled to end next week, as winter temperatures dip into the single digits.

The citys 60-day time limit for shelter stays means asylum seekers must immediately locate housing and work. Late last year, the state limited the available rental assistance for asylum seekers to three months, down from six, and it is only available to those who made it into shelters by November or earlier.

According to CBS2, city data indicates that only 284 of the 26,000 migrants sent to Chicago by Abbott since August 2022 have been given federal work permits allowing them to legally seek employment. Worse, city data suggests applications did not start processing until the week of Nov. 9,  the outlet reported. Only those who arrived before August 1, 2023 currently qualify for work permits, leaving thousands with no legal form of income.

Immigrants stand outside a shelter in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago, Tuesday, December 19, 2023 [AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast]

Food and supplies in the shelters are inadequate, and migrant families can be seen begging in main thoroughfares and in grocery store parking lots in many neighborhoods.

Families have been warehoused in horrific conditions in police stations and disused warehouses.



Last month, five-year-old Jean Carlos Martinez Rivero died after a short illness in a warehouse shelter on the southwest side of the city that is currently housing more than 2,000 peopledouble its intended capacityhalf of whom are children. The family of Martinez Rivero, who include the young boys parents and infant sibling, are taking GoFundMe donations to allow them to remain in temporary housing, without which they will be placed back in a city shelter.

Last year, the Johnson administration announced plans for a large detention camp to be built by the private security company Gardaworld, which met with immediate protest. In response, DSA Alderman Carlos Ramirez Rosa took to social media to denounce critics of the plan as full of hyperbole and misinformation.

Just weeks later, leaked documents revealed that an environmental survey determined the land was an unofficial brownfield, contaminated with heavy metals and petroleum products, and unfit for such use. Democratic Governor JB Pritzker, billionaire scion of the Hyatt Hotels fortune, stepped in to announce no permit would be issued for the camp, and construction was halted, but the city continues to pay rent to the landowners at more than $90,000 per month.

Still, Sigcho Lopez, who heads the city council housing and real estate committee, defended Johnsons aborted decision to build on the site, saying, The mayor of Chicago had no choice but to take whats available. But whats available is unacceptable.

Democrats promote racial and ethnic conflict

Last fall, right-wing Democratic aldermen, with the support of the far righta political amalgam found in the mayoral campaign of Democrat Paul Vallasmoved to place an anti-immigrant referendum on the March 2024 election ballot aimed at revoking Chicagos sanctuary city status. This status protects undocumented immigrants, but not asylum seekers, from arrest by local law enforcement on behalf of immigration authorities. This measure was defeated 16-31.

Readily adapting to the promotion of anti-immigrant sentiment, however, Mayor Johnson proposed his own version, which read: Should the city of Chicago impose reasonable limits on the citys providing resources for migrant sheltering, such as funding caps and shelter occupancy time limits, if necessary to prevent a substantial negative impact on Chicagos current residents?

Appealing to a foul racial chauvinism, Ald. Ray Lopez, the sponsor of the earlier referendum, said, Vote this down  we know, and what so many in this room fear, is that the true coalition between the African American and Latino communities does exist around this question because both communities want an end to it, referring to asylum seekers in Chicago.

Neither version of the referendum managed to pass the city council and so will not appear on the March ballot, but only because the two right-wing factions could not find agreement between them. Neither does this put the poison gas back in the tank. Chicago Democrats and the media aired these views, legitimized them, and continue to promote an atmosphere of racial and ethnic conflict in order to block and undermine the class struggle.

The DSAs complicity

DSA alderpersons have either issued apologetics for the horrific conditions migrants are being held in, as in the case of Byron Sigcho Lopez, or joined in the reactionary racialist tirades.

Jeanette Taylor, the DSAs 2023 national conference keynote speaker, flatly demanded the city keep asylum seekers out of her ward: Stop putting them in our community.

We need to say we cant take no more. Why wont nobody say that out of their mouth out of this administration? What yall doing is youre going to start a race war. Thats what youre doing. This is going to be a race war because yall choosing who youre taking care of.

Brandon Johnson and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders at a rally during the 2023 mayoral election campaign. [Photo: Brandon Johnson/@BrandonJohnson]

Recently Taylor appeared on a local political podcast where she was invited to elaborate on her views. She took back nothing, and shied only from the inevitable consequences of her statements: ... [N]one of my coworkers with the exception of maybe three or four came to my rescue. So when youre under attack, you do what you have to, you get people off of you. So a lot of the things that were said and done, hindsight being 20-20, I may haveand I dont take back what I said, I said what I saidbut I didnt want to create a bigger divide in the black and brown community.

No public statement opposing any of Taylors statements have been issued by Chicago DSA, which can only be interpreted as support for the sharp shift to the right being made by the Democratic Party as a whole.

Johnson too has made xenophobic statements portraying migrants as a danger to be kept sequestered from the rest of the city: If we do not create an infrastructure where were able to support, and quite frankly, contain these individuals who have experienced a great deal of harm, individuals who are desperateif we do not provide support for these individuals and these families, that type of desperation will lead to chaos.

During his mayoral campaign, Johnson was promoted as a left-wing and even a labor candidate, due to his role as a CTU lobbyist. But this was quickly exposed. Like Lori Lightfoot before him, his political supporters simply allowed his race to stand in for an examination of his actual political views.

Johnsons election was supported by the five incumbent DSA alderpersonsCarlos Ramirez Rosa, Byron Sigcho Lopez, Jeanette Taylor, Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez and Dan La Spata. Subsequently, all DSA alderpersons were awarded leadership positions on the city council, with Ramirez Rosa initially taking the position of floor leader, responsible for pushing through the mayors agenda. Ramirez Rosa was later removed from those positions as Johnson made a political shift to the right, involving even closer collaboration with the Biden administration and New York City Mayor Adams.

Instead of fighting for affordable housing on the basis of class needs as socialists, DSA alderpersons are promoting Johnsons Bring Chicago Home referendum. This raises the real estate transfer tax rates a bit for homes sold at over $1 million and $1.5 million, while slightly lowering the tax for homes sold under that value. According to the Johnson administrations Brandie Knazze, the funding level that legislation establishes will continue to provide housing for about 500 people per year. But if it fails, and the funding drops, that number will drop to half or lower, according to a report in Block Club.



Such token efforts do not even approach the scale of the problem, as the official homeless population in Chicago is reportedly over 65,000, a number which does not include asylum seekers. And there is no reason to think even this will become a reality under the Johnson administration, which is moving further to the right.

There is in fact no lack of funding or actual housing capacity. The central issue is that the Democratic Party, including its DSA faction, are opposed to policies that meet the most basic needs of the population, immigrant or native born. For both capitalist parties, there is only funding available for big businesses, repression and war.



Meeting the enormous social need in society is impossible without the expropriation of the ill-gotten wealth of the capitalist class and the reorganization of society along socialist lines, bringing an end to austerity and war. For this to succeed, the working classblack, white, immigrant and native bornin the US and around the world must be united in struggle and guided by a genuine socialist program.



Read the 2024 New Year statement of the Socialist Equality Party, The working class, the fight against capitalist barbarism, and the building of the World Party of Socialist Revolution and contact the Socialist Equality Party today.
The following statement was adopted by the UPS Workers Rank-and-File Committee, founded last year to oppose the sellout contract pushed by the Teamsters bureaucracy. To contact the Committee, email upsrankandfilecommittee@gmail.com or fill out the form at the bottom of this page.

* * *

UPS management is celebrating the new year with hundreds of job cuts. Day sort shifts are already being cut at the Centennial ground hub in Louisville and at the 81st Street hub in Indianapolis. A day sort shift in Portland, Oregon was also briefly eliminated over the holidays before being reinstated.

UPS Worldport workers in Louisville, Kentucky on July 20, 2023

This is not a one-off that will not seriously impact most of us, as the Teamsters bureaucracy would have us believe. This is the new beginning of a massive attack on jobs. The company intends to maximize profits and offset the minor wage increases under the new contract by cutting thousands of jobs.

A key role in this attack is being played by automation. This technology, which could and ought to be used to make life easier, is instead being used by major corporations to cut jobs and increase the exploitation of workers. New technologies are being rolled out that can eliminate almost all of the work inside the warehouses. The jobs of nearly 200,000 part-timers at UPS are at risk.

This is not something coming down the pike. It is here, it is happening now, and we have to organize ourselves now to fight it.

The first step is to arm ourselves with information. The Teamsters officials are helping make sure these cuts, which have been long planned, take place under a veil of total silence. They said nothing about the potential for these cuts while we were voting on their so-called historic contract last summer.

The UPS Workers Rank-and-File Committee, on the other hand, is fighting to puncture this veil of silence and give workers the facts they must know, and have the right to know.

Here are the seven most important things to understand about the new round of layoffs:

1. UPS has already opened automated facilities across the country. The centerpiece is the Velocity hub in Louisville which opened in November. It handles 350,000 packages a day with 3,000 robots and 200 people. But there are seven facilities utilizing automation in UPSs eastern region alone, including hubs in Harrisburg and Atlanta. In fact, 57 percent of all US packages pass through automated facilities at some point.

2. UPS says they want to TRIPLE the use of robotics over the course of 2024. We plan to triple [robots] across our network in the next year. Goods-to-person technology uses AI to arrange space for optimal speed and can even pick up inventory, an article in Robot IQ quoted a UPS official as saying. Its a linchpin of our strategy. Its important to be able to deliver best-in-class cost and best-in-class service for your customers, one UPS executive said of the automation in the Velocity hub.

3. This new technology has the potential to cut 80 percent of warehouse labor. Here is how one insider recently described to us how the new automation works:

About 90 percent of the existing UPS facilities are conventional, meaning a single package might be touched by 10 people as it goes from truck to truck. The unloading, sorting, bagging, sorting for re-load, and physically loading a truck again are all done by union employees in a conventional building, so it is much slower and way more error prone. In an automated facility, the unloading is done by hand. Everything in between, the sorting, scanning, routing, et cetera, is all done by computers, and finally it is re-loaded by hand. Thats 2 people touching a package; not 10.

He concluded: This aint nothing yet  There are hundreds of sorts closing in the 1st quarter as more volume moves to automated buildings.

4. The Teamsters bureaucracy is concealing the job cuts from the membership. Neither the International nor General President Sean OBrien have even publicly acknowledged the cuts at Centennial and in Indianapolis. Local 89 in Louisville issued a letter claiming to be blindsided by the cuts, but that they will likely not impact workers anyway because the jobs will be shifted to the night sort or to other facilities. This is a lie: they did not even acknowledge that all the work being performed by hand on the sort shifts in Centennial is being performed by robots at Velocity only a few miles away.

A UPS Rank-and-File Committee member described the situation at his hub: The union barely adheres to their own rules and has no accountability. The members have been trying to make things work so that theres enough work for everyone and nobody gets laid off  Theres constant rumors of layoffs and the union isnt doing much to keeping the company from doing so.

5. The new contract has no safeguards against job losses due to new technologies. The deal only requires that management give the Teamsters 45 days notice before implementing the cuts. There are no limits to the number of jobs they can cut as long as they meet this worthless requirement. During the contract vote, the bureaucracy bragged that the agreement committed UPS to creating 7,500 new full-time jobs over five years. But even this pathetic number will be more than offset by cuts to part-time jobs.

6. UPS executives and analysts knew that the new contract would lead to job cuts. As wages rise, the relative cost of technology drops. I expect you will see accelerated investments in technology that help employees become more productive, and in some cases, replace them, one former UPS executive told industry outlet FreightWaves. After the contract passed, CEO Carol Tome gloated that the Teamsters had bargained away thousands of jobs: We can put together plans to mitigate that cost, plans to drive productivity inside of our business through automation, which, oh by the way, we retained the ability to do so.

7. The cuts at UPS are part of a worldwide jobs bloodbath. Thousands of jobs are also being cut in the auto industry, months after UAW President Shawn Fain, another so-called reformer, orchestrated the passage of another contract that the union also called historic. The shift towards electric vehicles, which require far fewer moving parts, is being used to permanently eliminate tens of thousands of jobs. At the US Postal Service, tens of thousands more jobs are being cut under the Delivering for America restructuring program. A thousand maintenance jobs are being cut in the railroad industry, which has cut a third of its workforce in the last three years.

Automation is even being used to eliminate the jobs of actors and writers through ChatGPT and other platforms. According to a survey by ResumeBuilder.com, 38 percent of business leaders think layoffs are likely in 2024 and 39 percent cite the replacement of workers with AI as reasons for potential layoffs.

The situation calls for the independent organization of the rank and file. It cannot be left in the hands of the bureaucracy. Everything the Teamsters said in order to pass the contract last summer is now being exposed as the pack of lies it was. Nobody can doubt that they knew these cuts were coming all along and kept quiet about it.

As far as the bureaucracy is concerned, as long as whoever is left continues to pay dues to finance their six-figure salaries, they will let UPS do whatever they want. That is the only quibble they have with nonunion Amazon, which for years has set the standard for hi-tech exploitation but whose methods are now being replicated and even surpassed at UPS.

The Teamsters bureaucrats are in bed with the government as well as the company. In 2022, OBrien kept engineers and maintenance of way workers on the job in the railroad industry while Biden and Congress prepared to ban a strike. Now, the Teamsters are continuing to help secure supply chains by eliminating whole sections of the logistics workforce. OBriens recent meeting with Trump shows the bureaucracy is not particular about who it maintains these corrupt ties with.

The central demand of the rank-and-file movement must be that not a single job be lost due to automation. We are not against new technology, which could and should be used to make our lives easier instead of throwing us out on the street. Instead of losing our jobs, the huge efficiencies promised by automation should be used to reduce the length of our work schedule, while increasing our total take-home pay. It should also be used to fund badly needed infrastructure such as HVAC systems in the warehouses and air conditioning in delivery vehicles.

We propose a counter-campaign by UPS workers be guided by the following three principles:

First, the maximum initiative must remain in the hands of rank-and-file workers. We must not be chained to a perspective of pressuring this or that union bureaucrat or waiting on the outcome of backroom talks. We insist we have the right and the duty to take all actions which we deem necessary to defend our jobs, regardless of whether the bureaucracy sanctions them or not. If they refuse to do so, they only further expose themselves as pro-company stooges.

Second, we must reject the right of UPS and other corporations to a profit at our expense. Everyone knows there is enough money to secure good-paying jobs. In 2022, UPS made $13 billion in profit off of $100 billion in revenue created by our labor. The problem is not a lack of money but the domination of the logistics and delivery networks at the heart of the modern economy by massive corporations run by super-wealthy oligarchs. Their domination over society must be ended if we are to make any headway in defense of jobs and living standards. This requires the public ownership of UPS and other huge corporations, run democratically by workers themselves as public utilities.

Third, we must unite with workers in logistics and other industries around the US and the world. Everywhere the policy of the major multinational corporations are the same: endless job and wage cuts to pay for profits, and for wars in defense of profits. We must meet their global strategy with a global movement uniting workers across all countries in defense of our common interests.

If you agree with this strategy, then join the UPS Workers Rank-and-File Committee and fight for it. Contact us today by emailing upsrankandfilecommittee@gmail.com. Alternatively, you can fill out the form below.
A US Navy guided-missile destroyer launches an attack towards Yemen, January 11, 2024. [Photo: US Central Command]

The US and UK began bombing Yemen tonight, including strikes in the countrys densely-populated cities. While the scale of the assault is still emerging, the bombardment is an illegal act of war targeting an oppressed and impoverished nation that had already been ravaged by a years-long onslaught by Saudi Arabia, backed by the US and its allies.

The attack highlights the growing danger of a broad Middle Eastern conflict, as the US seeks to transform Israels genocide in Gaza into a regionwide offensive, particularly targeting Iran.

In a statement to Reuters, a Houthi official confirmed that strikes had hit the capital city, Sanaa, which has an estimated population of more than three million, as well as Dhamar in the southwest, Sadda in the northwest, and Al Hudaydah, the largest Yemeni port city adjacent to the Red Sea.

Associated Press journalists reported hearing five airstrikes in Sanaa. Footage posted to X/Twitter shows large explosions in Al Hudaydah.

A US military statement proclaimed that the attack hit 60 targets and involved Over 100 precision-guided munitions. As of this writing, the toll of dead and injured is unknown.

In comments cited by the Al Mayadeen news agency, Hussein al-Ezzi, the Houthi deputy foreign minister, said: Our country was subjected to a massive aggressive attack by American and British ships, submarines and warplanes, and they will have to prepare to pay a heavy price and bear all the dire consequences of this blatant aggression.

The US and the UK have effectively launched a new war without even a figleaf of Congressional or parliamentary approval. Amid widespread and ongoing popular anger over the Gaza genocide, US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak did not front the press to announce the operation or to answer questions about the bombing.

Instead, the White House issued a statement in Bidens name confirming that strikes had begun.

It declared: Today, at my direction, U.S. military forcestogether with the United Kingdom and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlandssuccessfully conducted strikes against a number of targets in Yemen used by Houthi rebels to endanger freedom of navigation in one of the worlds most vital waterways.

Biden concluded by threatening a further escalation. These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the worlds most critical commercial routes. I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.

The attempt to present the bombardment as a defensive action, upholding international law, is a fraud on the scale of the lies about weapons of mass destruction used to justify the illegal 2003 invasion of Iraq.

The clear aim of the bombardment is to ensure that nothing obstructs the now three-month long US-Israeli genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. Since mid-November, Houthi forces have carried out a number of operations in the Red Sea, with the stated aim of blocking war materiel and military-related supplies from being delivered to Israel and used against Gaza.

The US-led bombing campaign is thus of a piece with the Biden administrations funding of the Gaza genocide, to the tune of tens of billions of dollars, and its repeated urgent deliveries of munitions to the Zionist regime to ensure that the mass slaughter continues.

The war has been in preparation for weeks. In December, the Biden administration unveiled Operation Prosperity Guardian, an international coalition to enforce de facto US and Israeli control over the Red Sea. That included public lobbying of European and allied states to commit warships to the region.

On January 3, a US-orchestrated statement signed by 13 of its partners included bellicose threats of conflict with the Houthis. On Wednesday, the US successfully moved a resolution in the United Nations Security Council condemning the Houthis and setting the stage for an attack on Yemen.

The US and the UK are bombing a country that has already been decimated by imperialist-backed war.

In 2014 and 2015, the Houthi movement took over large swathes of Yemen, in a mass struggle against the government of then President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi. Hadi had come to power in the wake of a popular uprising in 2011 against the dictatorial regime of Ali Abdullah Saleh, but had resolved none of the social issues that gave rise to that upheaval.

Saudi Arabia responded to the advance of the Houthis by launching a brutal war in March, 2015 aimed at restoring Hadi. At the start of 2022, the United Nations estimated that the Saudi onslaught had claimed 377,000 lives.

In the course of the war, Saudi Arabia carried out actions of a genocidal character, in some instances paralleling what Israel is now inflicting on Gaza. That included a blockade of all supplies, initiated in 2015 and then intensified in 2017. Saudi Arabia later claimed to have lifted the siege, but continued to hinder and delay supplies to the country.

Saudi Arabia systematically bombed Yemens agricultural crops and foodstuffs, in a policy aimed at deliberately orchestrating a famine. Estimates indicate that up to 60 percent of the death toll is the result of starvation. The onslaught contributed to mass disease outbreaks, including a cholera epidemic that infected a million people in a country of 34 million.

In 2019, the United Nations warned that Yemen had the highest number of people requiring urgent humanitarian aid in the world. That cohort included an estimated 75 percent of the entire population. The following year, Yemen was the second-worst placed country in the world on the Global Hunger Index, as well as the highest on the Fragile States Index.

The war crimes were funded by successive US administrations, beginning with that of Obama. Between 2015 and 2021, the Defence Department allocated $54.6 billion of military support to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which also played a central role in the bombardment. The US, together with its allies including Britain, trained Saudi pilots, provided intelligence and politically defended the onslaught.

In bombing Yemen, the US and the UK are not so much returning to the scene of a previous crime, as continuing one that never ended. Notably, Al Hudaydah, one of the cities bombed tonight, was a particular target of Saudi Arabia, because it is a port. Denying Houthi access to the Red Sea was also a key component of the Saudi Arabian blockade.

US backing for the Saudi onslaught was bound up with the fact that the Houthis are a Shia movement with ties to Iran. By taking power, they had threatened the imperialist-dominated status quo as well as the protracted US moves against Iran.

The current attack, occurring as it does amid full-scale US-Israeli genocide in Gaza, Zionist bombing operations targeting Lebanon and Syria, and threats from Washington against Iran, underscores the danger of a massive conflagration throughout the region and more broadly.
Judges and parties stand at the opening of the hearings at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands, Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. [AP Photo/Patrick Post]

On Thursday, lawyers representing the government of South Africa gave extraordinary arguments before the International Court of Justice in The Hague, arguing that Israel is guilty of perpetrating genocide in violation of the 1948 Genocide Convention.

The factual material that was contained in the presentations, followed throughout the world, has a significance that goes beyond the character and motives of the governments and institutions involved in the proceedings. It gathered into one place a catalogue of systematic atrocities and war crimes perpetrated by Israel since October 7, which the whole world has followed to varying degrees on social media.

As Irish lawyer Blinne Ni Ghralaigh stated in her presentation, Gaza represents the first genocide in history where its victims are broadcasting their own destruction in real time in the desperateso far vainhope that the world might do something.

This objective catalogue of atrocities and war crimes was tied together with the genocidal rhetoric coming directly out of the mouths of Israeli state officials, military leaders, and other leading personalities.

The presentations described callous and systematic brutality reminiscent of the Nazis, on the one hand, and bloodthirsty racist incitement reminiscent of the Nazis, on the other hand. On this basis, the attorneys invoked the 1948 Genocide Convention, which was introduced and ratified in the aftermath of the Second World War and the Holocaust.

Adila Hassim, a South African High Court advocate, made the first of the substantive presentations on Thursday. For the past 96 days, she said, Israel has subjected Gaza to what has been described as one of the heaviest conventional bombing campaigns in the history of modern warfare.

Palestinians in Gaza are subjected to relentless bombing wherever they go, she argued, pointing to evidence that they are killed in their homes, in places where they seek shelter, in hospitals, in schools, in mosques, in churches and as they try to find food and water for their families. They have been killed if they failed to evacuate, in the places to which they have fled and even while they attempted to flee along Israeli declared safe routes.

The level of killing is so extensive that those whose bodies are found are buried in mass graves, often unidentified, she continued. More than 1,800 Palestinian families in Gaza have lost multiple family members and hundreds of multigenerational families have been wiped out, with no remaining survivors  mothers, fathers, children, siblings, grandparents, aunts, cousins  often all killed together. This killing is nothing short of destruction of Palestinian life. It is inflicted deliberately. No one is spared, not even newborn babies.

Alongside the tens of thousands killed, she pointed to tens of thousands more maimed, disfigured and traumatized. Meanwhile, large numbers of Palestinian civilians, including children, are being arrested, blindfolded, forced to undress and loaded onto trucks, taken to unknown locations.

Referring to Israels evacuation order from northern Gaza in the opening stages of the military onslaught, Hassim argued, The order itself was genocidal. It required immediate movement, taking only what could be carried, while no humanitarian assistance was permitted, and fuel, water and food and other necessities of life had deliberately been cut off. It was clearly calculated to bring about the destruction of the population.

A key feature of Israels genocidal operation was, Hassim argued, its deliberate assault on Gazas healthcare system.

As a deliberate consequence of the Israeli blockade, out of all the people currently suffering from acute hunger in the world, 80 percent are in Gaza. Hundreds of thousands of people are now more at risk of death from hunger, thirst and disease than from bombs.

The arguments by the assembled team of lawyers and jurists were delivered with factual and legal precision. Refuting the efforts of the Biden and Netanyahu regimes to cast doubt on Palestinian casualty figures as having come from Hamas sources, Hassim pointed out that all of the statistics in her presentation were from the UN itself, and were up to date as of 9 January 2024.

While the charge of genocide was formally presented against Israel, it is well understood that the US government also stands accused, as Israels chief imperialist patron and supplier of war materials. When Hassim made a subtle reference to Israels armed forces as one of the worlds most resourced armies, everybody in the courtroom understood that she meant the United States.

Referring to the long list of genocidal statements by Israeli officials that were included in South Africas December 27 complaint, South African High Court advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi argued that Israels political leaders, military commanders and persons holding official positions have systematically and in explicit terms declared their genocidal intent; and these statements are then repeated by soldiers on the ground in Gaza as they engage in the destruction of Palestinians and the physical infrastructure of Gaza.

This includes repeated references to Palestinians as human animals who represent Amalek. These references are characteristic of a specifically fascistic ideology and theology. In the biblical story of Amalek, God commands Saul to destroy an entire group of people known as the Amalekites, declaring: Put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.

These statements, Ngcukaitobi continued, are not open to neutral interpretations, or after-the-fact rationalizations and reinterpretations by Israel. The statements were made by persons in command of the state. They communicated state policy. It is simple. If the statements were not intended, they would not have been made.

Ngcukaitobi, in his presentation, connected these incitements to genocide with the genocidal actions of Israeli soldiers, who have been filmed chanting that they will wipe off the seed of Amalek in Gaza. There is now a trend among the soldiers to film themselves committing atrocities against civilians in Gaza, in a form of snuff video, Ngcukaitobi said. One recorded himself detonating over 50 houses in Shujaiya.

Soldiers obviously believe that this language and their actions are acceptable because the destruction of Palestinian life in Gaza is articulated state policy, Ngcukaitobi said.

One particular episode described by Ngcukaitobi bears recounting in full: Senior political and military officials encouraged without censure the 95-year-old Israeli army reservist Ezra Yachin  a veteran of the Deir Yassin massacre against the Palestinians in 1948  to speak to the soldiers ahead of the ground invasion in Gaza, Ngcukaitobi said. In this tour, Yachin was driven around in an official Israeli army vehicle, dressed in Israeli army fatigues.

Be triumphant and finish them off, Yachin said in his speech, and dont leave anyone behind. Erase the memory of them. Erase them, their families, mothers and children. These animals can no longer live . . . If you have an Arab neighbor, dont wait, go to his home and shoot him . . . We want to invade, not like before, we want to enter and destroy whats in front of us, and destroy houses, then destroy the one after it. With all of our forces, complete destruction, enter and destroy. As you can see, we will witness things weve never dreamed of. Let them drop bombs on them and erase them.

South African law professor and attorney Max du Plessis, in his presentation, argued that what is happening in Gaza now is not correctly framed as a simple conflict between two parties. It entails, he said, destructive acts perpetrated by an occupying power against a subjugated and oppressed population. For years, he said, Israel has regarded itself as beyond and above the law.

Du Plessis presented reports of field executions, torture, and images of decomposing bodies of Palestinian men, women and children, left unburied where they were killed  some being picked upon by animals. It is becoming ever clearer, he continued, that huge swathes of Gaza  entire towns, villages, refugee camps  are being wiped from the map.

The factual material that has been presented is more than sufficient to warrant the immediate arrest, indictment and prosecution of the entire Israeli government.

But it is also, and even more importantly, an indictment of the United States government and US-NATO imperialism. Among those who must be prosecuted for the horrific crimes carried out by the Netanyahu government are the leaders of the imperialist powers who have supported, financed, justified and directed the genocide: Sunak in the UK, Scholz in Germany, Macron in France, Meloni in Italy, and, above all, Genocide Joe Biden in the US.

In the minds of hundreds of millions of people, the ongoing genocide in Gaza will more and more come to be seen as an indictment of imperialism and the global capitalist system, together with all of its politicians, parties and institutions.

The ICJ proceedings themselves will likely drag on for years. The proceedings this week relate to South Africas request for preliminary measures, or an unenforceable order for Israel to cease hostilities. The Israeli government, for its part, has been ignoring UN resolutions by the dozens for years, and is expected to give a full-throated defense of its operations in its own presentation today.

It is necessary to draw the opposite conclusion from Thursdays proceedings than those who are now encouraging illusions that they herald some rebirth of democratic, humane and rational sentiments in the halls of the United Nations, or that well-prepared lawsuits can in themselves serve as a reliable vehicle for halting the genocide.

To express any such illusions in the institutions of the United Nations would only be, at best, wishful thinking.

Millions of people around the world support South Africas efforts to hold Israel to account, Jeremy Corbyn wrote on Monday, referring to the ICJ proceedings, asking, Why cant our government? The fact that Mr. Corbyn even asks this absurdly naive question demonstrates that he has learned nothing from history, let alone his own dismal experience as a member of Parliament for over 40 years and his expulsion from the Labour Party.

But to answer Mr. Corbyns question: The UK government represents the oldest imperialist ruling class in the world; and, in relation to the present legal process, its leading personnel know full well that they themselves could be arraigned as accomplices in Israeli war crimes.

Even as the proceedings at the ICJ were being held, the US and UK launched a major escalation in the Middle East with the bombing of Yemen. The support of the imperialist powers for the genocide in Gaza is bound up with an expanding global war, including the US-NATO war against Russia and the preparations for war against China.

The Gaza genocide has been a significant factor in an ongoing, massive radicalization of the worlds population, together with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, escalating global war, widening social inequality, runaway climate change, the abrogation of democratic rights, and rise of far-right and fascistic movements and governments.

The material presented at the ICJ deserves to be studied and shared widely. It is proof that the most horrific forms of imperialist barbarism of the last century are being normalized again. And it is a warning: behind their phrases about human rights and democracy, this is what the imperialist governments are capable of doing, both in Gaza and within their own borders.

The Gaza genocide can be halted, future genocides can be prevented, imperialist war can be opposed, and all of the butchers and war criminals can be be held to account only by mobilizing the independent power of the international working class--the only class which has common interests objectively opposed to imperialist war and capitalist oppression, which is coming into sharper and sharper conflict with the capitalist system in struggles breaking out around the world, and which must urgently be armed with a historically conscious and socialist strategy.
One Act Play Clinic



February 1- 29, 2024

9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m.

Fine Arts Theater, Building 19

Don't miss this opportunity for a fun, educational experience!

The theater faculty at Western Texas College invites high schools to participate in our annual theater clinic.

The clinic runs Monday-Friday from February 1 - February 29, 2024.

We critique four schools per day at the following times:



9:00 AM

12:00 PM

3:00 PM

& 6:00 PM.

Only a few slots are taken at this time, but you need to act soon! We accommodate people as best we can on a first-requested, first-confirmed basis.

The fee to participate in the clinic is only $100. Reserve your slot by contacting:

Ray Newton

WTC Drama Professor

rnewton@wtc.edu

325-574-7652.

Please note that you cannot come into the space before your appointed time. Within the alotted time, your show will be critiqued.
TruBlu Logistics of Waltham, Massachusetts, is making major changes to its transportation network in February. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

Waltham, Massachusetts-based TruBlu Logistics, a subsidiary of Fresenius Medical Care North America, says it is divesting its private long-haul fleet in early February and will transition cross-dock shuttle operations to another logistics company by the end of February. The moves are expected to affect over 600 trucking jobs.

TruBlu Logistics is a leading provider of dialysis equipment, medicines and supplies for kidney care, according to its website.

In a statement, TruBlu Logistics confirmed the news, stating that after evaluating the companys North American supply chain operations, We are implementing strategic changes to increase efficiency and better serve our patients and customers.

Effective Feb. 2, TruBlu will be divesting its long-haul resupply, private fleet resources and converting to a purchased one-way transportation network.

Today, we ship about 80% of our resupply freight with contract carriers. A cost analysis shows that we operate more economically using contract carriers to transport long-haul loads instead of our TruBlu fleet, Kirsten Stratton, senior media relations manager for Fresenius Medical Care, said in a statement to FreightWaves.





(Chart: TruBlu Logistics)

Stratton said the company will transition its cross-dock shuttle operations to Penske Logistics, a diversified international transportation services company, to increase efficiency and reduce operating costs.

The agreement with Penske Logistics gives our North American Supply Chain access and exposure to equipment, knowledge, and technology that will drive transportation efficiencies and sustain high-quality service deliveries, Stratton said. These steps are in alignment with our FME25 transformation program aiming to increase profitability, efficiency, and productivity.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrations SAFER website, TruBlu Logistics had 614 drivers and 673 power units as of its latest MCS-150 form it filled out in September 2023.

Story continues

The company operates 14 distribution centers in the U.S., along with over 50 cross-dock locations. All but four cross-dock shuttle operations will be transferred to Penske Logistics. Stratton said those employees will have the opportunity to obtain employment with Penske effective Feb. 29.

The remaining four cross-dock shuttle operations will be closed. They are in Marlborough, Massachusetts; Ogden, Utah; Tempe, Arizona; and Hazelwood, Missouri.

These drivers are eligible for severance under the companys severance plan as they are not part of the transfer agreement with Penske Logistics, Stratton said. Employees who are laid off as a result of our divestment of TruBlu Logistics will be eligible to receive a severance package and have an opportunity to use outplacement services that can help them update their skills and find other jobs. Our intention is to provide resources that can help people successfully transition to another job opportunity as soon as possible.

Do you have a news tip to share? Send me an email or message me @cage_writer on Twitter. Your name will not be used without your permission.

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Shuttered California trucking company files for Chapter 7

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Oil surged on Friday as tensions in the Red Sea escalated following attacks by the US and its allies against Yemeni sites controlled by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

West Texas Intermediate (CL=F) crude went as high as 4% during trading but settled 0.9% higher at just over $72 per barrel. Brent (BZ=F) crude oil, the international benchmark, closed up more than 1%, above $78 per barrel after surpassing $80 per barrel during Friday's session.

Over the last month, the price for both WTI and Brent has risen more than 6%.

In a statement delivered on Thursday, President Biden said, "These strikes are in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea."

Oil has been seesawing as traders weigh geopolitical risks against growing supplies from the US and other countries.

"While higher global stocks of oil provide a buffer to small disruptions, the escalation of conflict on the Arabian Peninsula itself with a US-led military strike against Houthi rebels is shaking the crude oil market out of complacency," Peter McNally, global sector lead for industrials, materials, and energy at Third Bridge, told Yahoo Finance on Friday.

A further escalation of tensions in the region could amplify fears of a broader war with Iran, which produces close to 3 million barrels of production per day.

"If Iranian production was interrupted, there could be a rise in global prices of up to $30 per barrel," Jay Hatfield, CEO at Infrastructure Capital Advisors, told Yahoo Finance.

Cargo ships enter the Mersin port in Mersin, Turkiye, on Jan. 5, 2024. (Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua via Getty Images) (Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images)

Vessels have been advised by the global shipping industry to avoid the Red Sea region that connects to the Suez canal, a critical pathway between Asia and Europe.

On Friday, Danish oil tanker group Torm (TRMD) said it was pausing all shipments through the southern Red Sea, Bloomberg reported. The company owns more than 80 vessels that transport refined energy products and chemicals.

For the last month, Houthis have been targeting vessels as a sign of support for Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas war. Since mid-November "at least 23 commercial vessels have been targeted," according to Freightos Terminal, a shipping data platform.

Story continues

In response, shipping rates have soared, data from Bank of America shows.

Global freight rates have increased amid disruptions in the Red Sea. Source: BofA

Last week cargo giants Maersk (MAERSK-A.CO, MAERSK-B.CO) and German shipment company Hapag-Lloyd (HLAG.DE) said they would pause voyages through the region until further notice.

Goldman Sachs analysts estimate at least 70%-80% of vessels have been rerouted as of last month, making their journeys 30% longer and more expensive.

"Re-routing of vessels from Suez via the Cape in response to recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea is significantly reducing available space on container ships," Goldman analyst Patrick Creuset wrote in a note to investors. "Depending on how long the disruption lasts, it could lead to supply chain disruptions and significantly higher transport costs, especially on Asia-Europe trades."

Ines Ferre is a senior business reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on X at @ines_ferre.
Disclaimer: This article contains mentions of murder and assault. Readers discretion is advised.

ABC 20/20 takes a look at the murder of Dru Sjodin and the case against her killer, Alfonso Rodriguez Jr. The upcoming all-new episode titled Missing From The Mall premieres on Friday, January 12, 2024, at 9 p.m. ET on the network.

His daughter went missing after working her shift at a North Dakota mall. Now, Dru Sjodins dad speaks about the impact of the case and how police found the killer, in a new interview with @JujuChangABC.



Missing From The Mall premieres Friday on ABC. Stream later on Hulu. pic.twitter.com/51Qbq3wBPk  20/20 (@ABC2020) January 11, 2024

In November 2003, Dru Sjodin, a 22-year-old senior at the University of North Dakota, disappeared while leaving Grand Forks Columbia Mall. Investigators tracked her phone location near Crookston, Minnesota, per ABC News.

A police reservist and a retired deputy found Sjodins body months later in April 2004, per CNN. Before that, law enforcement had already arrested Alfonso Rodriguez Jr., a known sex offender. Rodriguez Jr. was reportedly shopping in Grand Forks the day Sjodin went missing. They also found other physical evidence linking him to the crime. The sex offender had reportedly served multiple prison sentences and was released in May 2023.

Sjodins killer, Alfonso Rodriguez Jr., received the death penalty following his conviction in Sjodins federal case in September 2006, per the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website. However, in September 2021, Federal Judge Ralph Erickson threw out his death sentence in an appeal ruling.

Where is Dru Sjodins killer, Alfonso Rodriguez Jr. now?

According to the Federal Department of Corrections, Dru Sjodins killer, Alfonso Rodriguez Jr., is now serving a life sentence at the United States Penitentiary Coleman II in Florida. Pioneer Press reported that he was moved to the facility from death row in Indianas Terre Haute after Judge Ralph Erickson threw out his death sentence in September 2021.

Rodriguez Jr., originally from Minnesota, had received the death penalty following his conviction for raping and murdering Dru Sjodin. The outlet noted that he kidnapped the 22-year-old college student on November 22, 2003, from the parking lot of Grand Forks Columbia Mall.

ABC News stated that authorities arrested Alfonso Rodriguez Jr., then 50, on December 1, 2003, on charges of kidnapping. He had previously served prison time for rape, attempted kidnapping, and aggravated assault. Dru Sjodins remains were only found on April 17, 2004, months after Rodriguezs arrest.

ABC 20/20s episode on Dru Sjodins murder and her killer, Alfonso Rodriguez Jr., airs on January 12, 2024. Sjodins case led to the introduction of Drus Law. This changed the name of the National Sex Offender Public Registry to the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website.

The post ABC 20/20: Where Is Dru Sjodins Killer Alfonso Rodriguez Jr. Now? appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
One passenger is weighing his legal options for the price the airline put on passengers' trauma, he told 'the Washington Post'

NTSB via Getty

Alaska Airlines is offering compensation to passengers who survived a recent emergency after a portion of the aircraft they were traveling on blew out mid-flight.

On Thursday, the company issued a statement to PEOPLE, saying, Alaska Airlines provided a full refund to each guest on Flight 1282. As an immediate gesture of care, within the first 24 hours, we also provided a $1,500 cash payment to cover any incidental expenses to ensure their immediate needs were taken care of." The airline also offered "24/7 access to mental health resources and counseling sessions, and noted they will "continue to work with them to address their specific needs and concerns.

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.

All 177 passengers aboard Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 from Portland, Oregon to Ontario, California, survived the Jan. 5 emergency landing, which occurred after a plug door towards the rear of the aircraft blew out at 16,000 feet, leaving a gaping hole in the side.

Many passengers were understandably left extremely shaken up. Now, some who experienced the traumatic event are expressing their disapproval of the airlines reimbursement fee.

I havent fully processed if that payment is enough or not, passenger Nicholas Hoch, 33, told the Washington Post on Wednesday regarding the $1,500. I dont know how this is going to affect me in the coming weeks and months, you know?

NTSB via Getty

Hoch told the outlet that in addition to the terror of the airplanes fuselage being ripped off during the flight, he spent two hours in line, waiting for a customer service agent to issue him a ticket for a new way home.

He said he's cautiously considering his legal options after wondering how the airline calculated $1,500 as a decent amount for the trauma.



Related: Alaska Airlines Passenger Shares How Mid-Air Blow Out Ripped Shirt Off 15-Year-Old Boy: 'Chaos'

Mathieu Lewis-Rolland/Getty Alaska Airlines N704AL Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft

Passenger Jessica Montoia previously spoke with the BBC, calling her flight the trip from hell.



Another customer named Evan Smith recalled the details of the incident to the outlet: There was a really loud bang towards the left rear of the plane and a woosh noise, he said, adding that all the air masks dropped afterward.

He also claimed there was a young passenger whose shirt was sucked off him and out of the plane, and the childs mom was holding onto him to make sure he didn't go with it.



NTSB via Getty

This past weekend, a media brief from the National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy revealed that the missing airplane part that caused the incident had been found.

The door plug was recovered in a teacher's backyard in the Portland area.

Alaska Airlines has since canceled all flights on 737-9 MAX aircraft through Jan. 13 as they conduct inspections and prepare to return to service, per the companys website. The grounding of aircrafts has impacted approximately 110-150 flights per day.

I am personally committed to doing everything we can to conduct this review in a timely and transparent way, company CEO Ben Minicucci said in a statement.

My heart goes out to those who were on this flight  I am so sorry for what you experienced. I am so grateful for the response of our pilots and flight attendants. We have teams on the ground in Portland assisting passengers and are working to support guests who are traveling in the days ahead, he added.



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Read the original article on People.
The Alexander: The Making of a God Netflix release date is closing in, and viewers are wondering when they can start streaming the drama docuseries. As the title says, the historical series showcases the rise of an exiled man with the obsession of defeating the Persian Emperor Darius. This obsession made him conquer the world in under six years.

Heres when Alexander: The Making of a God is coming out on Netflix.

When is Alexander: The Making of a God Netflix release date?

The Alexander: The Making of a God Netflix release date is Wednesday, January 31, 2024.

The historical drama docuseries more or less sticks to facts and academic insights, apart from the story being told dramatically. It also covers the ground-breaking archeological research and ongoing excavation in Alexandria, Egypt, led by Calliope Limneos-Papakosta.

The cast features Buck Braithwaite as Alexander, Steven Hartley as General Memnon, and Mido Hamada as King Darius. Other supporting cast members include Jadran Malkovich, Kosha Engler, Christopher Sciueref, James Oliver Wheatley, Waleed Elgadi, Dino Kelly, Alain Ali Washnevsky, and Marie-Batoul Prenant.

When is Alexander: The Making of a God coming out via streaming?

Alexander: The Making of a God will be available to watch via streaming on Netflix on Wednesday, January 31, 2024. Viewers will be able to stream it at this time.

Current Netflix subscribers will be able to watch the series when it airs, and if you havent already subscribed to the service, you can do so by choosing one of the membership plans offered by the streaming platform:

$6.99 per month (standard with Ads)

$15.49 per month (Standard)

$22.99 per month (Premium)

The Alexander: The Making of a God official synopsis reads:

Combining interviews with gripping reenactments, this docudrama explores the life of Alexander the Great during his conquest of the Persian Empire.

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Artist Pat Williams, right, is owner of Tranquil Bay Art Studio. Paul Murphy, left, is owner of Pyro Graphic Art.

In last weeks column, Paul Murphy, owner of Pyro Graphic Art, shared his story on becoming a well-known artist. The other part of his story is his partner, Pat Williams, owner of Tranquil Bay Art Studio.

Together, they operate two galleries in Abrams that showcase their art. While Murphy features his pyro graphic art and wood crafts, Williams is mostly a wildlife painter.

A lifelong Wisconsin resident, Williams lived in Antigo and Milwaukee before moving to Howard with her five children. Having lived with an abusive husband, she was a survivor. She was also a creative person with the mindset of an entrepreneur.

While in Howard, relatives and friends began to note that she had a talent for making cakes, and requests began pouring in. That led to opening her first business, The Cake Gallery, in Suamico.

My cake shop was a one-of-a-kind bakery and everything I did was artistic. I designed something special with every cake I made. Everything was from scratch in the New England style with fondant and fancy icing, Williams said.

The bakery specialized in custom orders and was not open to walk-in customers.

I got so busy that I was working seven days a week and put my kids to work, she said. It was wonderful and I loved every minute of it.

She boasts that one Christmas week she made five wedding cakes, 20 large gingerbread houses, dozens of cookies, fruit breads and other baking.

Every cake design allowed Williams to use her creative abilities. But, with a growing business and volunteer activities that included 18 years as an EMT on the Howard-Suamico Rescue Squad, it left little time for her other passion, painting.

That changed when she and her husband (she had remarried) moved to Presque Isle and lived in a home on Annabelle Lake where she studied and painted the wildlife.

One of her pieces featured a pond scene.

A work of art by Pat Williams of Abrams.

Williams said, I remember this piece of art. It was a frog by a pond that was in 3D. It came out so good that I painted it in oil; it looked like the frog could jump. I entered it into a show in Muncie, Indiana, and got second place out of 400 entries.

Story continues

She continued to hone her skill while living by the lake. When her husband died after 33 years of marriage, she decided to move back to the area and settled in Luxemburg.

Her home had a porch that she converted into a studio and gallery.

When I moved back, I joined the art studio tour and became chairman of the tour and got really involved. From there, on my porch, I went in full bore, she said.

It was during one of the tours that she met Murphy, and as the relationship developed, she moved to Abrams to be with him.

Together, they went to numerous art shows to sell their work, but discovered that the best marketing came from word-of-mouth.

The shows arent very profitable; it is mostly like advertising to get your name out," Williams said. "The best way to sell is to be in a few other galleries where people get to know your work.

And Williams has created quite a name for herself.

In 2012, one of her paintings was accepted into the George Bush Library and she received a note of thanks from the president. She says that it is on her bucket list to be able to visit the library and see the painting hanging there.

Another painting, one that she is the proudest of, was having the bishop of the Green Bay Catholic Diocese, in 2014, select her work, Our Lady of Good Help, for display at the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help in Champion, Wisconsin, where people visit from around the world.

The day I presented the painting to Father Peter at the shrine, we both felt spirituality from the image, she said.

That painting, she says, has increased her faith and love for painting. She continues to win awards, and now much of her work is commissioned.

But that doesnt mean that she and Murphy arent continuing to work on marketing; something that they consider a weakness.

Williams said, If you want to earn a living from art, I think you would have to be online, on the web, on the computer. I dont think you would have a lot of time to do your art because youd be spending all of your time there. We like to create more than sell.

With that in mind, they have hired a family member to do that for them in 2024. That person will be responsible for social media and other marketing so that they can continue to create. It is a mission that they want to share.

Art is the window of the soul. Art matters. My art always has a story, which I use to deliver a message or inspire the viewer, Williams said. And the quality of your work matters  whether its a cake or a painting, your reputation leads you.

The reputation has led them both as volunteers (the list of volunteer activities is huge) and artists. Williams says that business is business, but the main difference between having an art gallery or a bakery is that a bakery is far more profitable. Artists still strive to get compensated fairly for the hours of time in each piece.

Yet, regardless of compensation, she is driven by her love for art and the satisfaction she gets from teaching eager students in the classes she holds or when a customer receives a painting, sometimes with tears in their eyes.

She said, Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body. But rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming, WOO-HOO  what a ride!

To visit the galleries located at 5420 Kruegers Quarry Road, call 920-883-6089 for hours.

Tina Dettman-Bielefeldt is co-owner of DB Commercial Real Estate in Green Bay and Past District Director for SCORE, Wisconsin.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Artist Pat Williams of Abrams driven by her love for art
On November 24, 1971, an unidentified man, who later came to be known as D. B. Cooper, hijacked a place and disappeared after procuring a ransom amount from the airlines. Cooper threatened the passengers and the pilot with a bundle of red sticks and wires. He demanded a ransom amount and promised to free some passengers. After he received the ransom, he asked the pilot to head to Mexico City and parachuted out of the plane after the take-off.

D. B. Cooper or his body, as many suggest he might not have survived the jump, remains a mystery even half a century after the incident occurred. He left behind a clip-on tie before he jumped off. The accessory became a central piece of physical evidence in the case. It was a steep jump from 10,000 feet over southern Washington, and Larry Carr, a former FBI agent who worked closely on the case, told CNN that there are multiple reasons to believe D. B. Cooper is dead.

It was a stormy night when Cooper decided to skydive off the plane with a parachute. Moreover, D. B. Cooper reportedly didnt ask the pilot on board for any updates on the location of the plane. He was seemingly inexperienced when it came to skydiving or any kind of parachuting. However, the allegations of Coopers inexperience are only suspicions.

Although the ransom money he demanded and the gravity of the crime doesnt make D. B. Coopers hijack an inherently bizarre one, his grand escape and the mystery make it one of the most popular crimes.

How much did D. B. Cooper Steal?

Photo Credit: Bettmann | Getty Images

D. B. Cooper demanded a total of $200,000 and four parachutes as ransom money and set 36 passengers free in return. He then ordered the pilot to fly to Mexico City, and after the plane took off, he strapped the money to his waist and parachuted off. Authorities could not recover the full amount stolen by Cooper. However, the New York Times reported that a sum of $6000 from the total cash was released by the FBI in 1986.

14-year-old Brian Ingram of El Reno, Oklahoma, reportedly found the bunch of $20 bills stolen by D. B. Cooper. He found the notes water-stained and partially decomposed on the banks of the Columbia River in southwestern Washington in 1980. As a reward, Brian was offered $3000, half of the total amount he found. The remaining was paid back to the Royal Globe Insurance Company, the insurance company that backed Northwest Orient Airlines.

The tie that D. B. Cooper left behind and the ransom money the river found remain the central evidence in finding the mysterious hijacker. The river was 40 feet deep and half a mile wide at the time of D. B. Coopers escape, leading many to believe that Cooper did not survive the jump.

The rest of the $194,000 paid by the Airlines in 1971 remains unrecovered. It is suspected that the money is still tied to D. B. Coopers waist in case he didnt make it alive after disappearing into the night on Thanksgiving Eve in 1971.

The Mystery of D. B. Cooper is a 2020 true-crime documentary that explores the legend of Cooper and the investigation to find the unidentified hijacker that began in 1971 and continues even to this day. The docufilm is streaming on Max.

The post Did D. B. Cooper Ever Get Caught? appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
Disclaimer: The article contains mentions of crime, abuse and murder. Readers discretion is advised.

Keith Jesperson, popularly known as the Happy Face Killer, is a serial killer and is known to have murdered at least 8 women during the early 1990s. In 1995, when he was being questioned for the murder of Julie Winningham, he confessed to his crimes and turned himself in. He was a long-haul truck driver and a divorced father of three when he came out to authorities.

In 1990, when Taunja Bennett, a 23-year-old woman was found murdered in Portland, Oregon, Laverne Pavlinac was convicted of the crime following her confession that she helped her boyfriend John Sosnovske rape and murder Bennett. They both were sentenced to life in prison after Sosnovske denied the allegations but was convicted. As it happened to be, Taunja Bennett was the Happy Face Killers first known victim and Pavlinacs confession was false.

According to ABC News, Pavlinac seemed to know some very particular and intricate details of the case, making her confession extremely believable. However, her false confession didnt just lead to the wrongful conviction of two people. This conviction was followed by the investigation getting derailed and the Happy Face Killer walking free to kill seven more people in the coming 5 years.

Keith Jesperson came to be known as the Happy Face Killer because he left letters with a smiley face at the end. He wrote of his first murder on the bathroom wall at a bus terminal in Montana and signed it off with a happy face. Subsequently, in 1994, he wrote to the Oregonian and described details of his crime in the letter. He signed that off too, similarly, pushing reported Phil Stanford to name him the Happy Face Killer.

Where is the Happy Face Killer now?

The Happy Face Killer is currently serving three consecutive life sentences in prison. He is at the Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem, according to the U. S. Sun. In 2009, Jesperson was charged with murder once again. He was convicted for the third time in 2010, leading to him serving three consecutive sentences.

As late as 2023, authorities reportedly identified Keith Jespersons last known victim, Suzanne Kjellenberg. She was the only unidentified victim of the Happy Face Killer until then. Most of his victims were strangers to him and despite all of them being women, there wasnt any specific age group for the victims. Winningham was the first known victim he was reportedly close to.

To come clean get it all over, the record straight. I had been worried about this for a long time. I wanted to get those two people out of prison, Keith Jesperson reportedly said in his confession to authorities, according to ABC News. The Happy Face Killer was being questioned for the murder of Julie Winnigham who he had been dating by then.

Jesperson was known to suffer from a narcissistic personality and might have killed for pleasure. He allegedly took pride in his crimes and bragged about them in his confession. Although he initially took pride in the fact that he was free and someone else was framed for the case. He included in his confession that he felt remorse over the false convictions of others. The reason behind the false confession that led to the wrongful conviction, remains. mystery.

The Amazon Documentary series Mind of a Monster has this story as an episode titled The Happy Face Killer. It studies the evidence that led to Keith Jesperson being convicted of the series of murders. It is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

The post Happy Face Killer: When & How Was Keith Jesperson Caught? appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
Lawsuits challenging book bans in Florida and Iowa are proving to play a key role in the growing fight for student's access to literature.

On Wednesday, a U.S. District Judge ruled that the federal lawsuit challenging Escambia County School Board for censoring library shelves can move forward. The publishing conglomerate Penguin Random House, alongside free-speech advocacy group PEN America as well as banned authors and parents, filed the lawsuit against the Florida school district last May.

Judge Kent Wetherell said the plaintiffs have standing to pursue their claims that the school district is violating the 1st Amendment by scrubbing library shelves of books based on a political or ideological disagreement with the ideas the books express. Judge Wetherell also shot down the states argument that its decisions to ban books are immune from the 1st Amendment.

In May, Dan Novack, Penguin Random House vice president and associate general counsel, told The Times the publishing house was suing to stop one of the most unsubtle attempts at viewpoint discrimination they'd ever seen.

Read more: Why the world's largest publisher found a book-ban lawsuit in Florida 'irresistible'

Shalini Goel Agarwal, counsel at Protect Democracy, said in a statement that after targeting books centering people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals and ignoring its own review committees recommendations, the government baldly asserted that this could not be viewpoint discrimination because the 1st Amendment does not apply to school libraries. Todays ruling makes clear that they are wrong.

The suit also alleged a 14th Amendment violation citing the Equal Protection Clause, because the challenged books are disproportionately titles by nonwhite and/or LGBTQ+ authors. Judge Wetherell denied the 14th Amendment claim, but ruled that 1st Amendment protections are implicated when the school district removes books based on ideology or viewpoint.

The books challenged in Escambia County include Toni Morrison's classic novel "The Bluest Eye" and Kurt Vonnegut's "Slaughterhouse-Five" as well Anne Franks "Diary of a Young Girl." According to a list obtained by the Florida Freedom to Read Project, picture books, middle grade books, young adult titles and even five dictionaries have been banned by the county.

Since the lawsuit was filed last spring, the district has removed additional books due to new state laws, including HB 1069  an education law, which became effective July 1, that restricts books depicting sexual conduct from grades deemed age-inappropriate. Recent titles affected ranged from "The Teen Vogue Handbook: An Insiders Guide to Careers in Fashion" to a biography of the nation's first Black United States Supreme Court justice, Thurgood Marshall.

On Tuesday, PEN America released a list of more than 1,600 challenged titles pending investigation in Escambia County.

Read more: School book bans have increased 33% since last year, but hope is not lost

Today, we urged the court to vindicate the constitutional rights of students, parents, authors and publishers," said Katie Blankenship, the director of PEN America, Florida. "We are heartened that Judge Wetherell agreed and that our case can proceed."

"These books need to be returned to the shelves where they belong, and every day that students are refused access is a day theyre not getting the high-quality education they deserve," she continued.

While Florida and Texas have become the epicenters of book banning in recent years, many other states have seen similar efforts. And one Iowa law has become another national flashpoint.

Two weeks ago, U.S. District Judge Stephen Locher granted an injunction against Iowa Senate File 496 and its book-banning provisions  just days before penalties for violating the law were planned to take effect. Enacted in May 2023, SF 496 prohibits K-12 students from accessing books including any description of sex and forbids discussing or reading about gender identity or sexual orientation through sixth grade.

Penguin Random House, again citing 1st and 14th Amendment violations, filed a lawsuit Nov. 30  alongside the Iowa State Education Assn., critically acclaimed authors Laurie Halse Anderson, John Green, Malinda Lo and Jodi Picoult as well as a high school student, her parent and three educators.

Read more: A new report shows how corrosive book banning is. Novelist Lauren Groff is fighting back

Books pulled from libraries as a result of SF 496 included three novels by Toni Morrison, "Ulysses" by James Joyce, "As I Lay Dying" by William Faulkner, "Forever" by Judy Blume and more. The student who joined the suit is a senior at Urbandale High School who, as a result of SF 496, lost access to books including Alice Walker's "The Color Purple" and Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaids Tale."

Our mission of connecting authors and their stories to readers around the world contributes to the free flow of ideas and perspectives that is a hallmark of American democracy  and we will always stand by it, said Nihar Malaviya, chief executive at Penguin Random House.

We know that not every book we publish will be for every reader, but we must protect the right for all Americans, including students, parents, caregivers, teachers, and librarians, to have equitable access to books and to continue to decide what they read.

Get the latest book news, events and more in your inbox every Saturday.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Warner Chappell Music has signed Kenya Grace to a global publishing administration agreement. Known best for her breakout single Strangers, she was the first to top Billboards Hot Dance/Electronic Songs Chart for a song written, produced and performed by a woman.

A self-taught talent, Grace was born in South Africa and raised in Southampton, England. In 2022, she released her first singles, including Oranges, Afterparty Lover and Meteor, and signed a deal with Warner Records dance label, Major Recordings. Strangers was her major label debut.

More from Billboard

Im delighted to be working with Warner Chappell Music, said Grace in a statement. Songwriting is the most important part of my creativity, and Im obsessed with great songs. The process of writing is my joy, art, and at times, therapy. There is so much I want to achieve as a writer, and with the Warner Chappell team behind me, I feel like I can achieve so much.

Warner Chappells Gabz Landman, vp of A&R, and Xavier Champagne, senior director of urban A&R, added, Kenya has set a remarkable path for herself, writing and producing her own music in its entirety. To be a record-breaking female producer, songwriter, artist, and DJ is a special and rare achievement. Her music is honest and true, and we couldnt be more excited to join her on this journey.

Kenya is an incredible talent  highlighted by her global hit Strangers,' says Amber Davis, senior vp at Warner Chappell Music UK. She is a special artist and has enjoyed a brilliant year breaking in the UK and around the world. Were delighted to be working with her at Warner Chappell Music as we help her continue to develop into a leading songwriter.

Best of Billboard
Though Margot Robbies delightful tributes to Barbie on the red carpet have become a fun staple this season, seeing a possible homage to Barbie on a presidential debate stage this year was definitely a surprise. During the final, pivotal primary debate on Jan. 10, five days before the Republican Iowa Caucus, former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley sported a dress that could be described as blush pink topped off with pearls. That wasnt an accident and she could just ride the Barbie wave all the way to the White House.

Heres what I mean.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

While I havent come across data indicating that Hillary Clintons famous pantsuits cost her the 2016 election, there is plenty of data confirming that men like women who epitomize traditional attractiveness and femininity, particularly women candidates. Theres no perfect formula for achieving this, but Haleys campaign has been sending signals that they at least know that for women candidates to have any chance at the presidency, there is a formula  and it does not involve pantsuits.

Others have previously dissected Haleys style choices in far more detail than I will here. For me the real story is why her sartorial preferences matter  particularly for women and specifically women of color.

In a nutshell, women of color must spend lots of energy achieving an appearance that will help us succeed at work, but even more importantly, will not hinder us. CBS personality Julie Chen, who is Chinese American, has talked openly about being spurred by racially biased criticism to have surgery on her eyes to advance her on-camera career. As Ive previously written, my transition from appearing on cable news to becoming a screenwriter, was driven in part by the constant pressures I faced as a Black woman because of my hair texture.

It is even more grueling for women in politics. Hillary Clinton has talked about how much earlier she had to rise before her male opponents due to her hair and makeup routine. (Ironically, I volunteered to discuss the Clinton study on air, makeup-free, for a cable network but was blocked from doing so. Go figure.)

Nikki Haley during a Fox News town hall in Iowa moderated by Martha MacCallum and Bret Baier on Monday

Then theres the wardrobe issue. While men in politics can get away with wearing versions of the same exact suit each and every day, female candidates not only have to worry about what clothes to wear (pants, dress or skirt), but also what shoes to wear (heels, flats or sneakers); which labels are appropriate (wearing high-end designers may signal either that you have taste or that you are out of touch with the average voter); and what color to wear or not to wear. (White is a nod to the suffragettes. Black is dignified, serious and safe and blue and red are safe standbys when color is preferred.)

Even for women who are not candidates, it can matter. Michelle Obama relied on sheaths and fit-and-flare dresses, as well as sweater sets, to soften her image and make her more relatable to a wider swath of Americans who may have found her earlier persona as a power-suit-wearing wife with a Harvard Law degree intimidating. So it is no coincidence that at the most pivotal debate in Iowa, Haley sported a ladylike dress that bore just enough pink to be noteworthy to little girls who may like Barbie and aspire to be president someday, as well as adult women columnists who write about such things. But neither was it the kind of pink that screams: I care too much about fashion for you to take me seriously! (For the record, I take fashion seriously, but plenty of serious people do not.)

Earlier in January, Haley similarly wore an elegant dress at a CNN town hall, following her biggest campaign gaffe to date (regarding the cause of the Civil War). She wore another at her recent Fox News town hall. In each case, she looked appropriate, but she also didnt look like her predecessors. Hillary Clinton, Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris  all formidable, substantive female presidential candidates before her  have been known for pants uniforms that seemed to signal, I can compete with the boys. Instead, Haley has been using fashion markers of traditional femininity to signal that she can perhaps do something more effective: tame the boys.

Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton and Elizabeth Warren

When Vivek Ramaswamy tried to dismiss her as Dick Cheney in three-inch heels back in November, she pithily replied, Id first like to say, theyre five-inch heels, and I dont wear em unless you can run in em. And she wasnt wearing a pantsuit when she said it either. Though wearing the color white, which Clinton also wore in key moments to pay homage to the suffragists, Haley was wearing a suit that showed her legs  or perhaps more importantly her stilettos.

Even for those of us who may disagree with Haley on many things (in my case, her clumsy discussion of race recently), it is refreshing to see a woman who is rewriting the rules on what a leader can look like.

Of the many challenges women presidential candidates continue to face, the biggest perhaps is the image Americans have of a president. A 2022 survey about the ideal president found that 55 percent of Americans said a presidents gender doesnt matter, but that leaves a large number of Americans who believe that it does. When asked directly about gender preferences, those preferring a male president outnumbered those preferring a woman by a 2-to-1 margin. (Apparently these people missed Issa Raes pitch perfect President Barbie!)

Its not that shocking. Voters are being asked to move beyond more than a century of status quo. Yes Abraham Lincoln and Richard Nixon were quite different, but if you ask someone who knows nothing about American history to distinguish the 46 portraits of our countrys leaders over the years, they might be stumped at seeing any difference at all. The exception of course would be the portrait of President Obama.

So now Haley finds herself in the unenviable position of trying to do what Obama did. Namely, she must challenge ethnic and racial stereotypes but without calling out the bigots espousing them  such as the birthers attacking her that previously attacked Obama  because if she goes too far, then the bigots friends wont vote for her. Only unlike Obama she must do it, like Ginger Rogers, backwards and in high heels.

Some say shes threading the worlds smallest needle. I say shes walking the worlds skinniest tightrope, in the highest heels on a windy day. Though being attractive is helpful to all candidates, data indicates it matters much more for women. A well-known Northwestern study found that male and female voters were more likely to vote for women who were seen as attractive and competent. For men, competence was the priority, followed by being seen as approachable. Yet another recent study found that being seen as too beautiful is a liability for women business leaders.

So all Haley has to do to get to the White House is be attractive, but not too attractive, competent, yet approachable, while defying every single negative stereotype held about women, racial minorities and those from immigrant families, without ever acknowledging that most of those stereotypes are rooted in prejudice, so as not to offend those voters who espouse them. Most of all, she must never display public displeasure at any of those stereotypes, prejudices or indignities and she just has to do that in high heels and a smile.

Its an awfully tall order, but so far the boys havent knocked her off that tight rope yet and as Barbie reminded us, never underestimate the power of a well-dressed woman.

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erea Barros, both make their market debut at next Marchs Malaga Festival Fund & Co-Production Event (MAFF), one of the top forums for arthouse projects in the Spanish-speaking world.

Some seven further projects have been added to the initial opine announced at Decembers Ventana Sur, including a pair from Paraguay, Malagas country of honour, and Women in the City, a doc feature exec produced by Rafael Cobos, creator, director and showrunner of the Canneseries-awarded show, El hijo zurdo.

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Proving the possibility to carve out an international film career based out of Panama, The Simple Life (La Vida Simple) marks the sixth feature from Benaim, Oscar shortlisted for Plaza Catedral.

Marking a departure, The Simple Life looks like a more personal turn, about a film director, sans camera and crew, in Panama, compelled by unforeseen circumstances to live the very movie hes longed to capture on film, suffering existential crisis.

The Coast (La Costa), which Barros calls an experimental film, follows up Memory, nominated for a 2023 best doc short Spanish Academy Goya Award, also directed by Barros, who scored a Spanish Academy supporting actress Goya Award for Marshland. The Coast turns on what she calls two obsessions, the legacy of the elderly, and climate change.

In another high-profile MAFF entry, Chiles Box 205 marks a major industry undertaking  a four-part series and feature film  and the debut feature of producer Pablo del Rio and first TV series from Storyboard Media, winning a major $600,000 endowment from the Chilean National TV Council (CNTV).

Most titles come with something to recommend themselves, however, whether its directors shorts or the projects development trophies, or their producers track record.

Resistencia: When Rain Falls, for example, won Locarnos Open Doors World Cinema Fund Award in 2022. Its director, the Dominican Republics Yanillys Perez, scooped a Discovery Filmmaker Award at the 2016 Toronto Festival for Jeffrey. Lais Santos Araujo was selected last year among Varietys 10 Brazilian Next Gen Talents to Track. Directed by Tocco, whose short, The Anniversary, won at Guadalajara, Lleida and Vina del Mar. Passengers for the Last Trip has been put through a near dozen development programs, including Guadalajaras Co-Production Meeting and Ventana Surs Punto Genero, winning at least six prizes. Infantry has won at Bogota BrLab Fast Track and took BrLab Cine Development Toulouse and BrLab Vitrine National Distribution Prizes as well as the Mafiz Prize at CineMundi.

MAFF remains a mostly new talent showcase: Nine of the 14 titles are first or first-fiction features; four more are second features. So it delivers a snapshot of the key ambitions  artistic and industrial  of a new generation of Latin American filmmakers.

As a producer Im interested in talking about present-day problems in Latin America and the artistic and identity values of our culture, says Dany Celeiro Rodriguez, producer of Passengers. Most other projects are also urgent social-issue tales.

It is estimated that by 2100 more than half of the [worlds] languages will disappear. Every time a language is lost, a way of seeing the world also disappears, says director Jeissy Trompiz of The Language of Water.

The Queens of La Praviana aims to re-write history.Unearthing the tragic massacre of unknown and disregarded trans women in official historical records sparked the urgency to shed light on their plight through fiction. This film is a compelling opportunity to rewrite history and honor their lives and struggles on screen, director Brenda Vanegas tells Variety.

Two projects are eco dramas. We have normalized the destruction of the earth, the annihilation of natural resources, and the extermination of animals as an improvement in our lives. The desolation of nature in the name of progress. Only a few keep the legacy in their memory, our elders, says Barros.

I know that this film will not only achieve changes in the local community but also open up a new universe of connection with the sea, something I owe to my inner child, helmer Florez told Variety of Ever & the Sharks.

A breakdown of MAFF titles:

Allqu, (Dir: Teo Belton; Prod: Macarena Coello, Peru)

A new package: From Chumbivilcas, Cusco, Cesar is a fervent fighter of the Takanakuy, an Andean fist fight ritual battle. Forced to migrate to Lima, he is embroiled in clandestine fights, leading him to find his destiny in a world of violence, a synopsis says. Allqu is a story of resistance, an ancestral essence of Perus Andes, resisting in the face of a suburban, capital culture, says Coello.

An Amputee, (Un Amputado, Ignacio Pavez, Chile)

Pavezs sophomore pic after Vieja Viejo, a docu-fiction drama: Raul, 35, a junkie, suffers an accident, loses a hand. Sunk in depression, he discovers some truths that will lead him to find his place in the world once more. My intention is not to create a film solely centered on individuals with disabilities. Instead, I aim to delve into the mechanisms of exclusion, Pavez told Variety.

An Amputee

Aurelia, (Diego Manuel Mauro, Paraguay)

Executive produced by Patricia Sanchez who worked on some of Paraguays biggest box office hits, including 7 Cajas, the feature debut of Diego Mauro is a horror film that turns on Aurelia who is raped by her father and dies at childbirth, to be later buried in the forest. Her younger brother hides the baby from their father who sets out to find it and is attacked by supernatural forces in the forest.

Blanca, (Dora Gomez Paiva, Paraguay, Spain)

Written and directed by Gomez, also a political scientist and social researcher, the titular Blanca has a month to convince the 15-year-old daughter she left at birth to come live with her in Spain. Produced by upstart Sembradora Guion & Cine, which took Blanca to Ventana Surs Punto Genero, Entre Fronteras Audiovisual Market, and the ASUFICC Lab.

Box 205, (Habitacion 205, Pablo Diaz del Rio, Chile, Argentina)

The story of a daughters love who fights a two-decade legal battle to prove that her father, former Chilean President Eduardo Frei Montalva, was killed by Augusto Pinochets secret services. Lead produced by Diaz del Rios Rio Studios in Chile, and announced in October, co-produced by Chiles Storyboard Media and Argentinas Magma Cine.

Box 205

The Coast, (La Costa, Nerea Barros, Spain)

Bridging action and non-fiction, an exploration of the legacy of a natural coast transformed into asphalt and brick, that legacy embodied in its elders, engaged in traditional crafts or pursuits, or members of Indigenous communities and played by non-pro actors; or by its animals, sometimes on the verge of extinction. An ambitious first feature giving full-voice to a new Spanish auteur.

The Docile Meat, (La Carne Docil, Pedro Gusmao, Spain)

Roberto, an on-the-rise Brazilian cook, starts working at Saturnia, northern Spains most exclusive restaurant, where he is embroiled in labor exploitation and cannibalism. A social-issue horror film about class struggle and fable about the horrors of capitalism, says Gusmao.

Ever & the Sharks, (El nino y el tiburon, Lucia Florez; Prod: Chemi Perez; Peru, Spain)

A Locarno Match Me! standout, part coming-of-age tale, part high-seas adventure, part eco-drama as marine biologist Alejandra Mendoza Pfennig and Ever Apolo, a grieving teen boy, set off together to geotag for the first time whale sharks off the Peruvian coast. Produced by Perez at Cabo Sur Films in the Canary Island Las Palmas.

Ever And The Sharks

For Gods Sake, (El Milagro del Suburi, Lorenzo Tocco, Uruguay)

The mayor of El Surubi, fast disappearing off the map, claims a series of religious miracles around the village, in an attempt to turn it into a new Holy Land. Directed by Tocco, whose short, The Anniversary, won at Guadalajara, Lleida and Vina del Mar. Set up at Uruguays Montelona Cine, whose credits take in Ariel Rotters A Blue Bird, Lucia Garibaldis The Sharks and Clever, by Federico Borgia y Guillermo Madeiro.

Infantry, (Infantaria, Lais Santos Araujo, Brazil)

Potentially the sophomore feature from Santos Araujo whose debut, Marina, scored Hubert Bals Development Fund backing, an expansion of the directors short of the same title which won a Berlin Generation 14plus Special Prize this year. Unaware that they are digging their own graves, two children try, in opposite ways, to unravel their mothers secrets.

Infantry

The Language of Water, (La Lengua del Agua, Jeissy Trompiz, Dominican Republic)

Jofris is the last speaker of his indigenous language, having fled his community many years before. Then his grandmother manifests in dreams, asking him to return. Produced by Casa Latina (Dominican Republic), Alamar Films (Venezuela), Hutong Productions (France).

The Language of Water

The Loss of the Magic, (Silvia Rey Canudo, Spain, Mexico)

Docu-fiction hybrid backed by the Basque govt and Ibermedia. In Tepoztlan, accusations of homophobia at a local restaurant spark national outrage. Conflicting narratives surface, leaving the owner, Natalia, baffled. Seeking resolution, she seeks help from a renowned local medium. Produced by San Sebastian-based Limbus Filmak, founded by Iban del Campo, producer of 2019 Malaga-winning docu, Glittering Misfits.

The Outside, (El Exterior, Victor Moreno, Spain, Germany)

Morenos feature debut turns on astronauts Ana and Alexander who are preparing for a mission to Mars. To escape from the pressure, Ana flees and meets an old woman who changes her perspective on the planet and her place in the universe. Produced by Kino Pravda, which backed short, Lovebirds, that had its world premiere at the 2021 Malaga Film Fest.

Passengers for The Last Trip, (Los pasajeros del ultimo viaje, Marta Maria Borras, Colombia, France)

A young single mother on the brink impersonates the daughter of an elderly neighbor who has Alzheimers. This film talks about memory. The characters have forgotten their past, and have wanted to erase their memories, says Cubas Borras, who produces with Dany Celeiro, backed by Colombias Galaxia 311 and Frances Temps Noir.

Passengers for The Last Trip

The Queens of La Praviana, (Las Locas de la Praviana, Brenda Vanegas, El Salvador, Spain)

At the height of the 1979-92 Civil War in San Salvadors La Praviana neighborhood, transgender woman Viento seeks revenge for the murder of her partner and the disappearance of her fellow trans sisters. Inspired by Vanegas work. preserving LGBTQ+ memories in El Salvador, a highlight at Augusts Sanfic Industria, Chiles main industry meet.

Resistencia: When Rain Falls, (Resistencia: Cuando cae la lluvia, Yanillys Perez, Dominican Republic)

Marta, a single mother, works at a mine, selling products and food, leaving Resistencia, 9, to parent Esperanza (7) and Mia, 5. A humble broken family portrait, set against a spectacular landscape, and laced with characters fantasies.

The Simple Life, (La vida simple, Abner Benaim, Panama, Uruguay)

The highest-profile project at MAFF and the latest from Benaim, director of Panamas first Oscar shortlisted movie (Plaza Catedral), and a departure for him after an early career of comedy-laced social issue titles: Chance, (2009), Invasion (2014) and Ruben Blades Is Not My Name (2018) and drama Plaza Catedral (2021). This ones more personal, however: a tropical existential road movie, says Benaim.

The Seventh Son, (Septimo Hijo Varon, Fernanda Rossi, Argentina)

A drama based on actual events that centers on Gaston Castillo who finds out, at 12, that his father, Roberto, had been kidnapped before he was born. To save Roberto, his mother had invoked an Argentine law where the president becomes the godfather of the seventh child, to protect him from becoming a werewolf, per an ancient legend. Backed by INCAA, slated to shoot late 2024.

Switzerland, (Suiza, Maria Fernanda Gonzales, Peru, Argentina)

A Peruvian mean streets social drama thriller. Thrown out by her parents after an abortion, Lucia survives with her g.f.s thanks to shoplifting and illegal errands until, desperate, she plans one last violent job  a jewellery heist to allow her to escape and live in Switzerland. Switzerland is about friendship and the desires of three young girls to continue having hope. And a decision that changes the course of their lives, like Thelma & Louise, says producer Norma Velasquez C.

Women in the City, (Ellas en la ciudad, Reyes Gallegos Rodriguez, Spain)

Documentary by director-architect Reyes Gallegos spotlights Sevilles suburban women as unsung heroes, addressing gender dynamics, urban issues, and cultural transformation over 50 years. Through five stories, it highlights their struggles, achievements, and the overlooked role of women in city planning. Executive produced by Rafael Cobos (El hijo zurdo).

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Miss Universe from Nicaragua, Sheynnis Palacios, made history in the 72nd edition.

The beauty queen has now opened up about her battle with anxiety since age 18, noting that it once got so bad for her that she couldn't "get out of bed."

According to Palacios, she regained control of her life with the help of a therapist and a good fitness routine.

Sheynnis Palacios Says She 'Didn't Want To Get Out Of Bed' Because Of Anxiety

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe (@missuniverse)

On November 18, Miss Universe made history as Sheynnis Palacios from Nicaragua secured the crown in the 72nd edition held in El Salvador among 84 contestants, becoming the first from Nicaragua to achieve this feat.

In an interview with Fox News, Palacios revealed that she aims to leverage her platform to raise awareness about mental health, mainly focusing on her struggles with anxiety.

The Miss Universe candidly revealed her battle with anxiety, which began at the age of 18. She detailed the challenges, saying, "It's not a secret that I have anxiety episodes. I couldn't manage my emotions," she said. "I didn't want to get out of bed."

She described how anxiety manifested with symptoms such as uncontrollable shaking, shortness of breath, intense emotional episodes, and pulling her acrylic nails.

Palacios likened anxiety to a burdensome chain, stating, "Anxiety was a weight, she said, that became "like a chain."

Sheynnis Palacios On The Importance of Therapy

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe (@missuniverse)

During the conversation, Palacios revealed that with the support of a therapist, she has regained control of her life and is determined to inspire others facing similar struggles to seek help.

Expressing a sense of responsibility, the beauty Queen said she aims to break the silence surrounding mental health challenges.

"A lot of people feel the same. Maybe people [feel they] don't have the money, don't have the tools or the time [to get help]. I'm here to say it's possible" Palacios said.

She emphasized that access to mental health resources is possible, adding: "A lot of people don't know they have the right to [address] their mental health, to go to a therapist, to get an appointment with a psychologist or to talk about it without fear or without feeling like people are going to laugh because you feel that way."

Palacios underscored the importance of sharing her experience, noting: "So, I need to share my experience, my story,"

She continued. "It's important for people to connect with me, connect with my legacy, with what I do as Miss Universe. And not only as Miss Universe, because my reign is just one year. But my life depends on me."

The Beauty Queen Shares' Tools' To Maintain Her Well-Being

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sheynnis Palacios (@sheynnispalacios_of)

In her effort to promote mental health awareness, Palacios is eager to share the "tools" that have been integral to her well-being.

The reigning Miss Universe emphasized the role of fitness in her daily routine, stating: "I love to dance all the time. I dance and listen to music until I sweat enough that I have to take a shower. Honestly, I don't exercise, but I hope to this year. I want to start a new workout routine because it helps me feel better. It helps me feel strong. But dancing is a part of my life. It makes me happy.  Sometimes I even like to do TikToks."

As she embraces her reign, Palacios said she feels gratitude for the interest in her story, especially from young admirers. "I feel so grateful because many people want to learn about my story," she said. "And it's funny, when little girls look up to you, they say, 'I want to be just like you.' I tell them, 'No, I don't want you to be like me. I want you to be a better version of me because you can do everything you want.' You have control of your life. You can manage your history and change your future. And that's what's truly beautiful."

Sheynnis Palacios Says Winning Miss Universe Was 'Like A Dream Come True'

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sheynnis Palacios (@sheynnispalacios_of)

During her chat with Fox News, the 23-year-old recalled being overwhelmed by the victory.

She shared her immediate thoughts, recalling, "In that moment, I was like, 'Oh my goodness. It's real? It's real. I can't believe it. I told the girls, 'This is not real.' And they told me, 'Yes, girl, you won.' I thought of my mom and my family, Nicaragua, all the people in my country  and, of course, all the work I did before I started the competition.  It was like a dream come true."

Palacios recognized the responsibility that comes with the title, stating, "It's time to work because [this] is a job for you. It's a responsibility for all the little girls watching you right now."
Shannon Beador is back on Real Housewives of Orange County just in time to resume filming season 18 of the reality show. Beadors return comes months after her infamous DUI arrest in September 2023.

She was also investigated for endangering her dog and eventually sentenced to three years probation, community service, and an alcohol program.

Beador isnt the only reality star returning to "RHOC," as alum, Alexis Bellino has also received a formal offer, which shes yet to accept.

Shannon Beador Has Returned To 'RHOC'

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shannon Storms Beador (@shannonbeador)

Beador is back on the set of season 18 of Real Housewives of Orange County. Her return comes about four months after being arrested for a DUI and animal endangerment in September 2022.

She announced her comeback with an Instagram post on Wednesday, which featured herself, her daughters Stella, Adeline, and Sophie, and some of the Bravo crew. She captioned the post with a red heart and a clapperboard.

A source from the studio told People Magazine that although filming for season 18 begins next week, they wanted some content of Beador and her kids at home before they return to school.

Although Beador restricted the comments on the Instagram post, there were a few supportive comments from friends and fans. One read, You look amazing!!!!! Another commented, We get out of life what we put into it! Lookin mighty good, my friend. The light shines from within.

Shannon Beador Was Convicted On DUI Charges

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In September, news broke that Beador was arrested after allegedly driving into the side of a home in Newport Beach, California.

When police arrived on the scene, they found a trail of debris and the reality star with a blood alcohol content level that was three times the legal limit. Beadors dog was also in the car with her, which led to an investigation for animal endangerment.

After the incident, Beador was charged with two misdemeanors for driving under the influence and a hit-and-run. In November, she was convicted and sentenced to three years probation, nine months of compulsory alcohol program, and 40 hours of community service.

Shannon Beador Felt Ashamed About The Incident

MEGA

After the incident, Beador released a statement to Page Six through her lawyer, Mike Fell. She expressed her shame about her actions and said shes extremely apologetic and remorseful.

She said, I am grateful that no one else was injured besides me in this incident. I have learned so much from my terrible mistake that night and realize that driving any distance while impaired is too far.

The lawyer stated that Beador was prepared to accept full responsibility for her actions. He also noted that they would await and release any official information on the case as it became available to the public.

One of Beadors close friends, radio host Jeff Lewis, revealed that the reality star reflected on her actions and sought treatment. During an episode of his SiriusXM show, Jeff Lewis Live, he said, I am happy to say that she is gonna be entering counseling this week, so Im happy about that.

Speaking further on the DUI incident, Lewis defended Beador and said shes not an alcoholic. He added, I think, as her close friend, I think shes going through a lot of personal struggles right now, and I think that she probably has been leaning on alcohol, but I dont believe shes an alcoholic.

Alexis Bellino Might Also Return To RHOC

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Beador isnt the only reality star returning to the RHOC fold. According to Page Six, Alum Alexis Bellino has reportedly received a formal offer to rejoin the cast for season 18, which shes yet to accept. The rumors are that Bellinos offer comes as her romance with John Janssen (Beadors ex-boyfriend) gets more serious.

One source told the publication, Her relationship with John is certainly interesting, but its not the only reason producers want Alexis back. Shes a dynamic personality who has [a] history with a good portion of the cast. Bellino featured in Seasons 5 to 8 of RHOC, spanning 2009 to 2013, and was at the center of lots of drama.

Bellino herself previously said shed be open to returning to the housewife reality series. During a conversation with the news outlet at a Kathy Hilton Christmas party in Los Angeles, she said, Ill never say never. The reality star also admitted that her return would definitely cause a little drama with Beador over Janssen, but she doesnt care.
Usually, when one insider buys stock, it might not be a monumental event. But when multiple insiders are buying like they did in the case of Kearny Financial Corp. (NASDAQ:KRNY), that sends out a positive message to the company's shareholders.

While insider transactions are not the most important thing when it comes to long-term investing, we would consider it foolish to ignore insider transactions altogether.

Check out our latest analysis for Kearny Financial

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Kearny Financial

In the last twelve months, the biggest single purchase by an insider was when insider Curtland Fields bought US$86k worth of shares at a price of US$8.45 per share. That means that even when the share price was higher than US$8.20 (the recent price), an insider wanted to purchase shares. While their view may have changed since the purchase was made, this does at least suggest they have had confidence in the company's future. In our view, the price an insider pays for shares is very important. As a general rule, we feel more positive about a stock if insiders have bought shares at above current prices, because that suggests they viewed the stock as good value, even at a higher price.

In the last twelve months insiders purchased 56.98k shares for US$454k. But they sold 9.20k shares for US$77k. Overall, Kearny Financial insiders were net buyers during the last year. You can see the insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year depicted in the chart below. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below!

Kearny Financial is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket.

Kearny Financial Insiders Bought Stock Recently

We saw some Kearny Financial insider buying shares in the last three months. insider Melvina Wong-Zaza shelled out US$11k for shares in that time. We like it when there are only buyers, and no sellers. However, in this case the amount invested recently is quite small.

Story continues

Insider Ownership Of Kearny Financial

Many investors like to check how much of a company is owned by insiders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. It appears that Kearny Financial insiders own 5.0% of the company, worth about US$26m. While this is a strong but not outstanding level of insider ownership, it's enough to indicate some alignment between management and smaller shareholders.

So What Does This Data Suggest About Kearny Financial Insiders?

Our data shows a little insider buying, but no selling, in the last three months. The net investment is not enough to encourage us much. But insiders have shown more of an appetite for the stock, over the last year. Insiders do have a stake in Kearny Financial and their transactions don't cause us concern. So while it's helpful to know what insiders are doing in terms of buying or selling, it's also helpful to know the risks that a particular company is facing. Case in point: We've spotted 3 warning signs for Kearny Financial you should be aware of, and 1 of these is a bit concerning.

If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions of direct interests only, but not derivative transactions or indirect interests.

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 former Biden strategist, who was tapped to co-host MSNBC's new politics show "The Weekend," tells PEOPLE which key election variables might determine our next president

William B. Plowman/NBC via Getty Symone Sanders-Townsend on "Meet the Press"

In United States politics "unprecedented" has become the norm, and the 2024 presidential election appears to be no exception. MSNBC's Symone Sanders-Townsend  who served as a senior adviser to Joe Biden's 2020 campaign  has been following the race closely from day one, looking for any clues as to how things might shake out in the chaotic months ahead.

The upcoming election and its implications for American democracy will be a central focus of Sanders-Townsend's new politics show, The Weekend, which she'll co-host alongside Alicia Menendez and Michael Steele. But before she turns her focus to the show's premiere on Saturday morning, PEOPLE caught up with her directly to get her thoughts on this hard-to-predict election season.

Sanders-Townsend told PEOPLE the top four things she's keeping an eye on in 2024: Biden's campaign messaging, Trump's stealthy primary strategy, whether Black women show up for Biden again, and how anti-Trump Republicans react if he gets the GOP nomination.

Below, she answers our questions about each  and explains why they're so important.

NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris

You were on the campaign trail with Biden in 2020 when he successfully appealed to voters' concerns with then-President Trump. How has his campaign messaging shifted this time around, and what does it mean for a possible 2024 rematch?

In 2020, Bidens main theme of his campaign  known as the theory of the case  was the battle for the soul of the nation. In 2024, President Biden seems to have amended that theory of the case to preserving and strengthening democracy.

The Biden campaign released their first ad of 2024 where President Biden noted he has made the preservation of our democracy the central issue of his presidency and all of us are being asked right now, 'What will we do to maintain our democracy?'

One day after this ad was released, Biden marked the third anniversary of the insurrection at the capitol on January 6th with a campaign speech at Valley Forge further teasing out his democracy message. Flanked by a sea of American flags, Biden sought to draw a contrast using Trumps own words about destroying the Constitution and revenge if he is reelected. Biden declared your freedom is on the ballot, citing choice and voting rights, and noted the alternative to democracy is dictatorship.

Related: President Biden Denounces Donald Trump and MAGA 'Extremism' in Rare Primetime Address

So many questions: How will this amended theory of the case play out with voters? Is this a message that will resonate with some Republican primary voters or is this the opening salvo for a general election message only? How does the democracy argument sound to the base voters of the Democratic Party  especially some Black voters who may feel democracy never truly benefited them in the first place?

JOED VIERA/AFP via Getty Presidential candidate Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, in July 2023

You've said that Trump has been working to reshape the GOP delegation in the 2024 primaries. What has that looked like, and how could it help him clinch the Republican nomination?

Former President Trump has spent a lot of time working to get rules changed around delegates and whats needed to accomplish a nomination. Delegates are important because hitting a magic number of delegates is how one becomes the Republican or Democratic nominee.

To be the Republican nominee in 2024, a candidate needs 1,235 delegates. Some of the Trump campaigns efforts include Trump spending a lot of time schmoozing with state party chairs like the chair of the Nevada Republican party who  after having dinner with Trump  made a lot of changes to the way Republicans run their nominating contest in the state. One of those changes: This year the Nevada Republican Party is hosting a caucus, and made candidates choose between participating in their caucus or the Nevada secretary of staterun primary. Caucuses benefit candidates with some of the most dedicated supporters  like Trump.

Trumps campaign also pushed for changes in Californias primary process this year, and they are quite significant. California previously had what was known as proportional delegate allocation, which means candidates were awarded delegates depending on how well they did in each district. So, a candidate could come in second or third overall, but still receive a sizable number of delegates that could make a difference. Well, this year, the California Republican Party changed their system to a winner-take-all allocation. This means the overall winner of the primary (as long as they get over 50%) takes all of the delegates. There are 169 delegates up for grabs in California on Super Tuesday (the most of any state in the country) and Donald Trump is polling well above 55% in the primary.

Related: Chris Christie Caught on Hot Mic Saying Nikki Haley Will Get Smoked by Trump: Shes Not Up for This

Given these changes and more, will Donald Trump  who is currently facing 91 felony charges across 4 criminal cases  have enough delegates by March 5th that no other candidate in the race would be able to catch up?

Trumps campaign has his serious legal situation on their mind and are organizing allies within the Republican National Committees Rules and Bylaws Committee to make sure there arent any rules proposed or passed at convention that could bar Trump from officially being the nominee. Rules such as the nominee cannot be facing felony charges, have been indicted or convicted.

Primary elections for president are not piecemeal folks. You have to take the first batch of states as a set and factor in Super Tuesday. What happens in Iowa affects what happens in New Hampshire and what happens in Nevada and South Carolina can dictate a sea of change on Super Tuesday. How will the landscape change between now and March 5th?

Related: Michigan Supreme Court Allows Trump to Stay on Primary Ballot After Colorado Disqualifies Him from Race

Alex Wong/Getty Supporters cheer for Joe Biden at a Virginia campaign rally in 2020

Black women played a key role in getting Biden to the White House. Should we expect the same level of support in November?

Ninety-five percent of Black women cast ballots in favor of Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election. This year, Black women leaders across the country are collectively concerned about turnout in the 2024 election and they are sounding the alarm for the Biden campaign.



A November 2023 NBC News poll found 61% of Black voters approve of Biden, versus 34% who say they disapprove of the president. When it comes to Black women specifically, like other groups of voters, their top issues range from the economy to health care including reproductive freedom.

Related: Why Joe Biden's Surprising Georgia Lead Has So Many People Talking About Stacey Abrams

Disproportionately, Black women continue to face economic hardship and in a recent survey, 71% of Black women said they feel they live paycheck to paycheck. In an economy that is doing well, but where many voters are still feeling the squeeze of higher prices, these numbers matter as do the candidates work to address these and many other issues.

Will Black women overwhelmingly decide to cast ballots for the Republican nominee for president in 2024? That seems very unlikely, but a real possibility is Black women could decide not to participate in 2024 at 2020 levels. President Biden cannot win reelection without the totality of his 2020 coalition. So how will the Biden campaign seek to communicate the real economic wins of the Biden administration to Black women under the democracy frame? It's doable and I will be watching!

Related: MSNBC's Symone Sanders Shares the Advice Kamala Harris Gave Her When She Left Politics

Brandon Bell/Getty Cassidy Hutchinson hugs Liz Cheney after testifying about Donald Trump's behavior after losing the 2020 election. Hutchinson and Cheney became two of the most outspoken Republican voices against Trump

You're keeping an eye on the Cassidy Hutchinsons of the GOP  the never-Trump Republicans who feel strongly that our last president was a threat to democracy. What options do they have, if Trump keeps up this lead in the Republican primaries?

There have been many members of the Republican Party who voted for Trump in 2016 but did not support him in 2020. They wont vote for Trump, but who are they going to vote for in the primaries and in the general election?

Cassidy Hutchinson, the former Trump White House aide who courageously testified before the January 6th Committee, told my colleague Joy Reid in December, If Trump is elected, this will be the last election under our constitution. Hutchinson isnt out campaigning for President Biden just yet, but she has said this:







"I will say that my door is completely shut to voting for Donald Trump  And the only reason that I will not endorse a candidate right now is because I still am hopeful that Donald Trump does not end up being the nominee next year  But what I will say, too, though, is I think everybody should vote for Joe Biden if they want our democracy to survive.









That is an endorsement!

Related: Cassidy Hutchinson Refuses to Respond to Donald Trumps Insults: Being Ignored Drives Him Mad (Exclusive)

Then you have folks like Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Christie, the most notable former supporter of Trump who regularly provided the most salient and poignant criticism of Trump in the 2024 primary, dropped out of the race on Jan. 11. He notably did not endorse any of his former opponents and said anyone who is unwilling to say "Trump is unfit to serve as president" is unfit to be president themselves  a knock on just about everyone else still left in the primary. Christie, though, did not endorse Biden in his speech. Maybe President Biden will call him and we will see him at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this summer?

All in all, Republicans who now are hopping off the Trump train have a decision to make about what they will do if Donald Trump is their partys nominee this year. Are they concerned enough about a second Trump presidency to put country over party and vote for Joe Biden? Will they make the calculation Cassidy Hutchinson and Liz Cheney have made? That they may disagree with Biden on policy, but democracy is more important? There are two viable political parties in this country, will they pick a side?

MSNBC's The Weekend, hosted by Symone Sanders-Townsend, Alicia Menendez and Michael Steele, premieres Saturday, Jan. 13  two days before the consequential Iowa caucus. The new program will air 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. ET on Saturdays and Sundays.

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Ever since Scandoval broke, Tom Sandovals actions have been placed under the highest scrutiny. That said, no one needs to scrutinize too hard to understand why his recent tiger debacle was so controversial.

On his recent trip to Thailand, the Vanderpump Rules star took photos and videos with the headlining animals at Tiger World Thailand. Of course, as many know, animals in captivity used for photo ops are treated almost as poorly as it gets.

Lala Kent and PETA blasted Tom for his ignorance (assuming he was merely ignorant). Given the risk this situation posed to Toms reputation, especially ahead of VPR Season 11, it was only a matter of time before he responded.

Tom admits his ignorance and lack of research

On the latest episode of Toms podcast, Tom said, I guess we should address the tiger in the room. He was joined by Tom Schwartz who also sought to provide some context on the trip to Thailand.

Tom began by saying, I was too distracted by it being like a face your fear kind of moment and obviously this wasnt something we had planned. We were out at the boat market, and one of our tour guides showed us a picture of him with a tiger, and I was like, Whoa, thats so cool! And basically, it was across the street from the boats.

Schwartz added, In Toms defense, your first question was, Is this ethical? Because I think we were all aware that it can be a dubious  at best  industry.

Schwartz further claimed that the sanctuary workers said they donated funds to conservation efforts. They said none of the animals were sedated or given corporal punishment.

Tom continued, Ive not really done a lot of research. If we wouldve rolled up to a place of some guys trailer, and hes got like lions caged up

As for Lala and PETAs responses, Schwartz said, I like that they were constructive in their criticism of you.

Vanderpump Rules returns to Bravo on Tuesday, January 30 at 8/7c.

TELL US  WHAT DO YOU THINK OF TOMS RESPONSE AND SCHWARTZS ADDED CONTEXT?

The post Tom Sandoval Reflects on Backlash To Captive Tiger Photos appeared first on Reality Tea.
The U.S. Embassy is asking citizens to refrain from using dating apps in Colombia after the suspicious deaths of eight people.

Issuing a warning for American citizens, the U.S. Embassy in Bogota said that the deaths of eight "private U.S. citizens in Medellin" occurred between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31, 2023. It's alleged that these deaths may have been caused by "involuntary drugging overdose or are suspected homicides," while several involve the use of dating applications.

Those using dating applications, mainly tourists and foreigners, are lured victims through robbery and sedatives. The perpetrators meet with victims in public locations like hotels, restaurants, and bars before they're assaulted or robbed.

"The Embassy regularly receives reports of these types of incidents occurring in major cities, including, but not limited to, Medellin, Cartagena, and Bogota," the U.S. Embassy stated in a press release. "These types of crimes routinely go underreported as victims are embarrassed and do not want to follow through with the judicial process."

More on this

The statement continued, "U.S. citizens should be vigilant, maintain heightened situational awareness, and incorporate strong personal security practices into their activities."

Among those killed was 50-year-old Minnesota comedian and activist Tou Ger Xiong, who was kidnapped and murdered in Medellin last month after going on a date with a woman he met online, per CBS News. Xiong was held for a $2,000 ransom which the alleged kidnappers didn't receive, and his body was later discovered in a wooded area with stab wounds.

Thefts against Colombia visitors have risen 200 percent in the third trimester of 2023 in comparison to the previous year. The country now has a Level 3 advisory, with travelers being asked to reconsider visiting due to "crime and terrorism."
SAG-AFTRA received the complaints in November 2023 and has launched an investigation into the casting process

Presley Ann/Getty Vincent Gallo on March 9, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.

Actor Vincent Gallo has been accused of making sexually explicit and threatening comments by two actresses, according to a report from Rolling Stone.

In November 2023, the two women were auditioning for The Policeman when Gallo allegedly made sexually explicit comments. The two auditioned for the film's roles of victims opposite Gallos character, Golden State Killer Joseph James DeAngelo.

The actresses then filed complaints to the SAG-AFTRA union about Gallos behavior during the casting process. The union then responded by launching an investigation into the casting of the movie.

A spokesperson for SAG-AFTRA confirms with PEOPLE that an investigation began after the complaints were filed.

We are aware of these complaints and are investigating. We extensively engaged with production regarding the complaints and, while shooting has wrapped, we continue to monitor and investigate. We also reaffirm our commitment to ensuring a safe and respectful environment on set," they said.

Additionally, Gallo did not respond to multiple requests for comment, per Rolling Stone.

Representatives for Pacific Media Productions and director Jordan Gertner told the publication, The production of the picture was carried out in a safe, protective, and respectful environment." They also shared that a SAG-AFTRA intimacy coordinator was hired for the production.

Representatives for Pacific Media Productions did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. Contact information for Gallo was not available.

Tommaso Boddi/WireImage Vincent Gallo on July 7, 2015 in Hollywood, California.

The actresses provided pseudonyms Emily and Jane to Rolling Stone in an effort to keep their anonymity.

Emily reportedly claimed that Gallo told her during her callback that the movie was seeking an actor with absolutely no boundaries as he, while playing DeAngelo, could decide at any moment during the shoot to improvise lines and sexual acts.

Per Rolling Stones report, Gallo allegedly told Emily that he would make sure that everything is simulated and would be created to look real.

I will also make sure that it feels real for you," Gallo said, per Emily's complaint. "I may also notice something about your body and comment on it, and it could be positive or negative, and it wont be personal, but it will be something real, so that it feels personal.

Gallo allegedly told Emily that during the production, We dont want to see any acting. If DeAngelo says, 'Dont scream,' or 'Ill kill you,' you do not scream, because if you do, you die.

According to Rolling Stone, Emily claimed that Gallo told her if she abided by his requests she would have been cast in the role.

Alex Berliner/BEI/Shutterstock Vincent Gallo on Jan. 12, 2007 in Los Angeles, CA.

Related: Actors Approve SAG-AFTRA Deal That Ended 118-Day Strike: Its an Enormous Victory'

Jane alleged in her complaint, as reported by Rolling Stone, that Gallo detailed torture porn fantasies. He also allegedly informed Jane he wanted the film to be improvised and that the script would bear very little resemblance to what was going to be filmed.

Per Janes complaint, the actor shared that improvisations could include simulating rape, murder or physical assault as well as pushing her, pulling her hair and hog-tying her with shoelaces.

Similar to Emily, Jane alleged she was informed by Gallo that if she took the role, she would have to consent to everything, and there would be zero negotiations about what was being done to her on set, or she would be fired, according to the report.

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If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.



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Being an actor in Hollywood is a very busy job. It involves long hours of filming, travel, and press tours.

For actor Juan Pablo Raba, This means time away from his favorite hobby. Thankfully, he was recently reunited with his bike after a long month apart.

In his caption, Raba thanked the e-bike for helping him.

First ride of the year. One month off the bike. Thank you E-Bikes!

When you are forced to take a month off, pedal assistance can be a nice way to ease back into it!

Juan Pablo Raba is a Colombian actor perhaps best known for his role as Pablo Escobars Cousin Gustavo in the Netflix show Narcos. Juan Pablo has long been an avid rider and even competed in the 40+ division when the Enduro World Series visited Manizales, Colombia in 2018. Watch him show off his skills for the YouTube channel Mo and Hannah below.

Raba works closely with multiple brands, including YT cycles.

It is always cool to find out when famous people share a passion for our wonderful sport.

Related: Actor Jason Momoa Shows Off Beautiful Custom Bike

Don't miss another headline from Bike Mag! Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of bike riding.

We're always on the lookout for amusing, interesting, and engaging bike-related videos to feature on our channels. Whether you're a professional rider 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 Bike Mag and our social channels. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch high-quality bike videos.
If you inherited $27 million dollars, what would you do? For Austrian heiress Marlene Engelhorn, 31, she's determined to give it all away.

"I have inherited a fortune, and therefore power, without having done anything for it," she said in a statement, per BBC. "And the state doesn't even want taxes on it." (In 2008, Austria got rid of its inheritance tax.)

Engelhorn is descended from Friedrich Engelhorn, a German industrialist who, in 1865, founded BASF, a chemical and pharmaceutical company. Engelhorn's grandmother, Traudl Engelhorn-Vechiatto, was estimated to have a net worth of around $4.2 billion.

This week, Engelhorn began inviting people to take part in her initiative for the public to decide what to do with her fortune. Called the Good Council for Redistribution, Austrians can register online or by phone, with 50 people being chosen.

"If politicians don't do their job and redistribute, then I have to redistribute my wealth myself," she said. "Many people struggle to make ends meet with a full-time job, and pay taxes on every euro they earn from work. I see this as a failure of politics, and if politics fails, then the citizens have to deal with it themselves."

In 2021, Engelhorn co-founded Tax Me Now, which the Washington Post describes as "a collective of wealthy people in German-speaking countries, to address extreme inequality resulting from tax policies."

It's unclear how much of her fortune Engelhorn will keep, though it is understood she will keep some of it.

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Scientists from Columbia University are raising alarm bells about the amount of small flecks of plastic  known as nanoplastics  in bottled drinking water. Their research, which was published on Jan. 8 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that three popular plastic water bottle brands (which went unnamed in the research) had 10 to 100 times greater amounts of nanoplastics than previously estimated.

Thats not good news, especially since many people pick bottled water over tap assuming that its the safer, cleaner option. Nanoplastics  which are tiny plastic particles that are smaller than .001 millimeters, as well as the larger microplastics, which are particles smaller than 5 millimeters (about the size of pencil eraser)  are potentially a threat to our health. Heres what to know about these plastics  and what you can possibly do to avoid them.

Why are microplastics and nanoplastics potentially harmful?

Microplastics and nanoplastics occur when larger pieces of plastic are broken down into small pieces. These plastic particles are now ubiquitous  found in our water supply, in soil, in the air and in the food we eat. These particles are also now in us.

Several recent studies have documented the accumulation of microplastics in the human body, including the placenta, heart tissue, lung tissue and others, Tasha Stoiber, a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group, tells Yahoo Life. This is a problem, she notes, because microplastics can be carriers for chemical contaminants. Recent studies are now documenting the potential harms from microplastics exposure, which include inflammation in the body, changes in metabolism and damage to reproductive health.

Nanoplastics, specifically, are a cause for concern. Because of their small size, nanoplastics can be absorbed into human cells and are capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier, which, according to Cleveland Clinic, is a protective barrier made of cells that "defend your brain from harmful substances, germs and other things that could cause damage." A December 2023 study from Duke University found that nanoplastics may interact with brain proteins, leading to changes linked to Parkinsons disease.

In laboratory settings, nanoplastics have been found to bypass the [gastrointestinal tract] or lungs and have been found to migrate to systemic tissues, Phoebe Stapleton, associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Rutgers University, tells Yahoo Life. In vitro studies done on cells have shown that the cells can take the nanoplastics and internalize them, which can lead to DNA damage and cellular death.

How concerned should you be about nanoplastics and microplastics?

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that there is no reliable information that suggests microplastics in drinking water are a human health concern. However, the WHO also points to the limited research on the topic.

Experts agree that more research needs to be done on the potential health harms caused by microplastics and nanoplastics, but the fact that they are everywhere is a problem. Erika Veidis, the human and planetary health program manager at Stanford Universitys Center for Innovation in Global Health, says that 80% of tap water samples globally were found to have some level of microplastics.

That is dangerous in itself, she tells Yahoo Life. In the event that additional health impacts are uncovered, removing such a pervasive contaminant is an incredibly difficult task  one that I can't imagine being able to comprehensively address.

The other problem? Were not slowing down our use of plastic, which will lead to more microplastics and nanoplastics in the water we drink, products we use and food we eat. In fact, demand for some of the most common types of plastic, including ones used to make plastic bottles, is expected to skyrocket by 90% by 2050.

Is there a way to avoid nanoplastics and microplastics in drinking water?

Unfortunately, its virtually impossible to completely eliminate microplastics and nanoplastics from our lives  the horse is already out of the barn, even if we completely stopped all plastic production today. However, that doesnt mean there arent better options when it comes to drinking water at least.

A 2018 study found that tap water has fewer microplastics than bottled water, making it a likely better bet. Filtering your water is another possible way to decrease microplastics in drinking water. To reduce exposure to microplastics, opt for filtered water and use a refillable stainless-steel water bottle, steering clear of plastic water bottles, says Stoiber. (Yes, that's your permission to purchase one of those ever-popular Stanley Cups.)

However, there is still work to be done to get water filters to the point where they are completely removing these small plastics. Filters will thus far work only on microplastics, as unfortunately, we cannot filter out the nanoplastics, says Stapleton. Nanoplastics are about the size of a virus and they are too small to be caught in most filters.

Since microplastics are everywhere, the best way to avoid them is to limit your exposure where you realistically can. Experts agree that, in general, the less plastic you use, the better. That doesnt mean never drinking from a plastic water bottle again, however. If you grab a bottle of water at the gym or the office daily, swap it out for a reusable water bottle that you fill up from home with filtered water. That way, when you are in a pinch and do need to purchase a plastic water bottle  say, at the airport  you can do so knowing youve at least cut back in other ways.
A few years ago, a new Danish brand called Another Aspect reached out to me to photograph something. I hadnt heard of them but I was quickly taken with the product assortment they had available. It was nothing crazy, but it was all wearable, timeless, and, best of all, affordable. I stayed in touch with the founders, and when I started this column, I knew Id want to feature them in some capacity.

I met up with one of the co-founders, Daniel Brndt, back when they hosted a pop-up a couple of months ago at New York Citys Colbo on the Lower East Side. Below, he and I discuss Another Aspects foundations, the brands unique value proposition and release schedule, why Colbo was the perfect space for their pop-up, and plenty more.

Fit One

Christopher Fenimore

Christopher Fenimore

Christopher Fenimore

Christopher Fenimore

Can you tell me a bit about Another Aspect, what you do for the company, and how it came to be?

We started four years ago and it's me, Anders [Poulsen], and Nicolaj [Thomsen] who started it. We wanted to take a different approach to making clothing, so don't base it on trends, but more like an ongoing collection where we do the classic menswear staples. We do it in a real nice quality and put a lot of effort into choosing the right fabrics. It's all made in Europe. We do all knits and tailoring in Italy. We thought if we wanted to start a brand when we started, we needed to have a sustainable approach too, and sustainability for us was more making garments that people want to wear again and again; pieces that stood the test of time. In that journey, I'm taking care of the brand direction. We are still a small team, so we still wear a lot of different hats, but it's mainly my role.

What was your career path before the brand, and did that inform how you approached Another Aspect?

I worked at a store called Goods, a menswear institution in Copenhagen, where I was also doing art direction and e-commerce, and it was where I got the basic building blocks for starting Another Aspect. I took a lot of the learnings from that experience into building a brand, so it was a really nice school in that way.

Fit Two

Christopher Fenimore

Christopher Fenimore

Christopher Fenimore

Christopher Fenimore

You guys make beautiful, relatively affordable clothing, but the silhouettes are all familiar. What do you think makes Another Aspect special, and why do you release clothing in the way that you do?

We make staples, but with our contemporary twist to them. I think that when we started there were not a lot of [brands] with a green agenda, so it was our unique selling point: making garments that stood the test of time. Mainly, we didnt need to reinvent the wheel every time. We have the silhouettes and library that we work from. That's what people are buying into when they buy Another Aspect. And the whole universe, of course. We put a lot of effort into not only the productof course the product needs to be really goodbut it's also the community that we want to tap into, that we want to be a big part of, for sure.

How do you release product?

We do seasonal stuff, but we try to work with a core collection, so 60 percent of our collection is the same over and over again, and then we maybe do some adjustments to that staples and update them once in a while. We of course do 40 percent that's more seasonal, so we do work with two collections every year, because we also work with retailers so we need to. We call them collections. Now we are on Collection 8.0. Well do heavy knits in the winter, shorts and [light] shirts in the summer.

Fit Three

Christopher Fenimore

Christopher Fenimore

Christopher Fenimore

Christopher Fenimore

What are some sources of inspiration for you, either visually or product-wise?

Big brands like Nike or Applebrands that have been growing but becoming more sustainable. That's also what we want to do with Another Aspect. We also look a lot to architecture. We are looking a lot to the Italians and the way they do things. They set the bar high in whatever they do, so we take a lot of inspiration from that.

With clothing?

It could be food, cuisine, it could be the auto industry, it could be architecture, but also of course, the clothing. I think we take the Danish approach to making pieces that are functional. We are famous for really good design, but we also very famous for functionality. I think we try to implement that as well.

Can you remember the first time you fell in love with clothing or style?

I have an aunt living in the States, and she always used to bring me home old J.Crew and Brooks Brothers, so I think she formed that sense in me. American heritage brands are where I got that first sense for well-made clothingclassic staples.

Fit Four

Christopher Fenimore

Christopher Fenimore

Christopher Fenimore

Christopher Fenimore

You're here in New York doing a pop-up at Colbo. How did the idea come about, and why did you choose Colbo as a space for a pop-up?

Through multiple friends, we got in contact with Tal Silberstein, the owner of Colbo, and then we had a meeting. We just wanted to bring Copenhagen to New York in a way. We have quite a big community in New York, so we want to activate that. We have a really good partnership with La Cabra, the Danish coffee brand that's also operating here in New York. We wanted to merge all that together and do a fun pop-up. We did one before during Covid, but we werent able to travel, so it's nice to be able to be in New York. Colbo is a really good match for usthe way they activate their community and the way they [put their personal touches] on things.

Are you on the hunt for anything at the moment?

I want to find a really nice pair of loafers from one of the English heritage brands, so I'm actually looking for a pair here in New York if I can find the right ones.

What are some brands outside of your own that you're loving?

A lot of the Scandinavian brands like Our Legacy are doing great and have been doing great for the last 10 years, which does really well for Scandinavia and putting Sweden and Denmark on the map. If I'm not wearing Another Aspect, I try to buy vintage clothing, because I think there's so much good clothing out there that still have a high value. I think its easy to find really good vintage stuff.

Fit Five

Christopher Fenimore

Christopher Fenimore

Christopher Fenimore

Christopher Fenimore

Does that tie in to the green agenda you mentioned Another Aspect adheres to?

A big part of it, also, is that I don't need much clothing and I don't want to buy a lot of new stuff. It's more like I want to buy what's already out there. That's also what we do in Another Aspect: work a lot with that stuff, so 25 percent of our collection is that stuff, so we use what's already out there. I think that's a good thing to keep in mind. Of course, I'm selling new clothing, so we need people to buy our stuff.

If you had to wear one outfit for the rest of your life, what would it consist of?

A pair of jeans, a blue oxford, and a pair of loafers.

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Melissa Wood-Tepperberg recently traveled to Costa Rica, and the 2023 SI Swimsuit rookie shared plenty of sunny pics with her 1.1 million Instagram followers after the fact.

The workout and wellness leaders Jan. 6 post began with a serene photo of Wood-Tepperberg out on the water aboard a boat. She sprawled out in the next slide, offering fans a better view of her animal print bikini, chic accessories and ultra-toned abs.

The 41-year-old MWH founder was also photographed with her family, including husband Noah Tepperberg and her two children, Benjamin and Elanor. It appears that the four had a great time exploring caves, soaking up the sun, and of course, squeezing in some movement on their trip.

It also seems that the trip to Central America provided Wood-Tepperberg with some valuable perspective that she plans to embrace in 2024.

Bringing the Pura Vida energy of embracing the positive spirit and philosophy of living a pure life you feel in Costa Rica back home with me. , she wrote in her caption, and tagged luxury resort Four Seasons Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo as her location.

The pics have since racked up more than 19,000 likes and tons of feedback from Wood-Tepperbergs followers.

Looks amazing and the fam is so beautiful!, Karina Freedman gushed.

Im getting married in Costa Rica in two months for this exact reason! a fan shared.

One of my favorite places on earth, Lois Robbins concurred. Happy New Year! Enjoy!.

Make sure to follow SI Swimsuit on YouTube!
Qualcomm Inc (NASDAQ:QCOM), a leader in the development and commercialization of foundational technologies for the wireless industry, including mobile communications, networking, and other related technologies, has reported an insider sale according to a recent SEC filing. The insider, Chief Commercial Officer James Cathey, sold 1,000 shares of the company on January 11, 2024.James Catheys transaction was executed at an average price of $139 per share, resulting in a total value of $139,000. This sale has contributed to the insider's total of 6,000 shares sold over the past year, with no recorded purchases in the same period.The insider transaction history at Qualcomm Inc shows a pattern of insider sales over the past year, with 15 insider sells and no insider buys. This could suggest a trend among insiders in their trading activities, although it is essential to consider the broader context of the market and the company's performance when interpreting these transactions.

Qualcomm Inc's Chief Commercial Officer James Cathey Sells 1,000 Shares

On the valuation front, Qualcomm Inc's shares were trading at $139 on the day of the insider's sale, giving the company a market capitalization of $152.563 billion. The price-earnings ratio of the stock stands at 21.66, which is below the industry median of 27.71, indicating a potentially lower valuation compared to its peers. However, it is higher than the company's historical median price-earnings ratio.The stock's price-to-GF-Value ratio is 0.99, with a GF Value of $139.92, suggesting that Qualcomm Inc is Fairly Valued according to GuruFocus's intrinsic value estimate. The GF Value is determined by historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor based on past returns and growth, and future business performance estimates from Morningstar analysts.

Qualcomm Inc's Chief Commercial Officer James Cathey Sells 1,000 Shares

Investors and analysts often monitor insider trading patterns for insights into a company's internal perspectives. While the sale of shares by the insider does not necessarily indicate a negative outlook, it is one of many factors that shareholders may consider when assessing their investment in Qualcomm Inc.

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Paul-Louis and Elina hired Pierre-Louis Gerlier , of Atelier Pierre-Louis Gerlier , to remodel the ground floor of their three-story house built around 1850. Credit: Ercole Salinaro

One of the unique things about the home is the living room, which Gerlier says was "organized into two spaces, divided by an openwork bookcase designed by the architect." Credit: Ercole Salinaro Credit: Ercole Salinaro

"On one side, we have a space for getting together, and on the other side of the library, a space for sharing a film with the family," he continues. The living room sofa is from Maison du Monde. Credit: Ercole Salinaro Credit: Ercole Salinaro

"It was important to my clients that the furniture should be convivial and at the same time resistant to the use of a family with four children!" Gerlier explains. Credit: Ercole Salinaro Credit: Ercole Salinaro

Gerlier reports that the homeowners love the kitchen, "which was enclosed in a corner and far too small, was moved into a large room with a very generous volume to make it a place of great conviviality. You can gather around the person preparing the meals while enjoying the fire." Credit: Ercole Salinaro Credit: Ercole Salinaro

Gerlier says that the biggest challenge as a design professional was that even though the house is spacious, it was very "compartmentalized. They wanted a place that would respect everyone's privacy while still being convivial." Credit: Ercole Salinaro Credit: Ercole Salinaro

"The challenge was to create a space that could be open and closed at the same time: in other words, to maintain a visual link with each of the rooms while at the same time being isolated from noise," he continues. Credit: Ercole Salinaro Credit: Ercole Salinaro



Credit: "The glass wall was the perfect answer to this dual requirement, since the view can circulate freely even when the door is closed, just like the light that diffuses from one room to another, compensating for the loss of light from the pretty windows with their small colored panes."Credit: Ercole Salinaro Credit: Ercole Salinaro

"The heart of the house was occupied by an enclosed cloakroom, which took up a lot of space and was not used by guests," Gerlier describes. "We made this room the heart of the project by transforming it into a visual crossroads thanks to this large glass wall that visually links all the rooms." Credit: Ercole Salinaro Credit: Ercole Salinaro

"The choice of colors and materials is a team effort with my clients. I made them several (and very different) suggestions to find out what they liked," Gerlier describes of the homeowners' styles. Credit: Ercole Salinaro Credit: Ercole Salinaro

"Then I suggested materials (oak for the living room and meranti for the kitchen). I also showed them fabrics for the bench," he continues. "My clients suggested colors that would go well together. They also chose themselves the furniture." Credit: Ercole Salinaro Credit: Ercole Salinaro

"It was also important to preserve all the old details that make this house so charming, while bringing a real modernity to its use," Gerlier writes. Credit: Ercole Salinaro Credit: Ercole Salinaro

"When I work in an old house, I try to highlight everything that gives the old house its charm (cement tiled floors, moldings, stained glass windows) and my work seeks to echo what already exists in a form of continuity that should not be a pastiche but a modern reinterpretation." Credit: Ercole Salinaro Credit: Ercole Salinaro

When Paul-Louis and Elina bought this three-story house built around 1850 for themselves and their four children, there was a lot of space, but it was very closed-off and feeling oddly cramped. So they hired Pierre-Louis Gerlier, who has a degree in architecture, a masters in town planning, and a vocational training certificate in carpentry, to take on the renovation of the ground floor.

It was spacious but very compartmentalized. They wanted a place that would respect everyones privacy while still being convivial, describes Gerlier, who owns Atelier Pierre-Louis Gerlier, and also managed the project.

The challenge was to create a space that could be open and closed at the same time: In other words, to maintain a visual link with each of the rooms while at the same time being isolated from noise. The glass wall was the perfect answer to this dual requirement, as the view can circulate freely even when the door is closed, just like the light that diffuses from one room to another, compensating for the loss of light from the pretty windows with their small colored panes.

The home, which the couple purchased three years ago, is located in a residential suburb close to the center of Paris, and Gerlier describes the neighborhood as being filled with houses from the early 20th century and a few buildings from the 1930s, and Paul-Louis and Elinas house had an extension built around 1900. Each project is an opportunity to work not only on its integration into the urban landscape, but also on attention to the smallest detail, with the complicity of the client, Gerlier says of his approach to design.

Resources

PAINT & COLORS

Kitchen and Dining Room  Painting Ballerina by Flamant

Wallpaper  Lago Di Garda by Au Fil des Couleurs

Entrance  Hague Blue by Farrow and Ball

ENTRY

Ceiling Light  Caravane

LIVING ROOM

Sofa  Maison du Monde

DINING ROOM

Ceiling Light  Bolia

Chair  Sarah Lavoine

KITCHEN

Chair  Sarah Lavoine

Thanks, Paul-Louis and Elina!

This tours responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.

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People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, better known as PETA, has filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission to accuse the Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA) of misleading consumers with its Cashmere Standard certification, which claims to minimize the luxury fibers environmental impact, protect livelihoods and ensure high animal welfare standards.

But the animal rights organization said that the U.K. and Mongolia-based nonprofit, which lists brands such as Burberry, J.Crew and Madewell on its website, allows many cruel industry-standard practices, including the castration and slaughter of goats and the use of sharp metal combs for hair removal. PETA said that its complaint follows a recent expose in Mongolia that revealed rampant cruelty, including by SFA-certified producers.

More from Sourcing Journal

We take animal welfare very seriously, which is why it is a main pillar of our standard, an SFA spokesperson said. A previous statement by the organization addressed PETAs undercover footage of alleged SFA-certified producer sites, which it said includes evidence of some practices that are in clear violation of our standard requirements. An investigation is ongoing, it said, adding that any findings will inform appropriate actions, including stripping the certification from any producers in violation of its standard.

Burberry did not respond to a request for comment. While J.Crew Group, which owns J.Crew and Madewell declined to provide a statement, a 2022 ESG report from the company noted that its relationship with the SFA involves womens empowerment in Mongolia, not sourcingthat would be the Good Cashmere Standard by the Aid by Trade Foundation. The regulatory body referred to more commonly as the FTC did not answer an email seeking comment.

PETAs complaint cites animal welfare experts from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Australia, who have the employment of sharp metal combs a prolonged procedure that can lead to bruising and skin injuries, and cause unnecessary and extended pain, suffering and distress in goats.

The SFAs standard, PETA said, doesnt require pain relief for castration or injuries that occur during combing. Neither does it bar the slaughter of goats no longer desired for cashmere production, including kid goats. PETA also criticized the fact that the SFA recommends, rather than requires, the humane treatment of animals before slaughter, permitting, for instance, the blunt-force trauma to stun goats.

If consumers knew how goats suffer as theyre pinned down while workers painfully tear out their hair and bash them over the head before theyre slaughtered, theyd never touch cashmere, said Tracy Reiman, executive vice president at PETA. PETA is urging the FTC to prevent the Sustainable Fibre Alliance from duping consumers with misleading labels.

The SFA says that it remains steadfast in its mission to use the standard as a tool for positive change and that it will continuously strive to improve its standards and assurance process.

We are convinced that the SFA cashmere standard provides us with one of the most effective mechanisms for incentivizing the large-scale adoption of welfare-friendly practices across Mongolia and China, it added. We are always grateful for any information that helps us identify and change bad behaviors within the cashmere industry.

PETA has used the threat of regulatory action as a cudgel before. Last February, the organization sent a cease-and-desist letter to cashmere purveyor Naadam, demanding that it stop advertising its products as cruelty-free. The FTC Act, it wrote in its missive, prohibits unfair methods of competition, which includes false and misleading advertising and Naadams claims that its cashmere products are cruelty-free and without cruelty assert without qualification that the goats did not experience anything that a reasonable consumer would consider to be cruel.

However, PETA added, cruelty is inherent in cashmere production, including painful and distressing combing, castration without pain relief and violent slaughter. The gambit worked. Naadam, which did not respond to a request for comment, dropped the verbiage from its website, even as it chose not to give up the goatso to speakas the welfare watchdog wanted.

Removing false claims about the hair torn from goats skin is right to do, but Naadam must now stop selling goods that involve cruelty towards animals and switch to selling items made of luxurious animal-free materials instead, Reiman said.

In 2022, PETA hailed Victorias Secrets decision to join the likes of Asos, Columbia Sportswear, Johnston & Murphy, Icebreaker, Sorel, The North Face and Timberland in dropping cashmere, if not its less expensive and more commonly used counterpart, wool from sheep, which has dealt with its share of controversy. Most cashmere is produced by nomadic farmers in China and Mongolia, though additional herds roam the wilds of Afghanistan, Iran and Tibet as well. Overgrazing leading to desertification is a problem that standards like the SFA seek to alleviate through responsible rangeland management.

But cashmere isnt the only target currently in the sights of PETA, whose motto includes the phrase, Animals are not ours to wear. Earlier this week, the group plastered the area surrounding the United Nations headquarters in Manhattan with messages denouncing another animal-derived material, one that it says conjures images of dictators like Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un: leather.

People who wear leather are more dangerous than you think, proclaimed posters featuring the Russian and North Korean strongmens unsmiling visages. Animal agriculturewhich includes the leather tradefuels the climate catastrophe and deforestation. Were on the brink of irreversible environmental collapse.

This year, the FTC is poised to release a new version of its Green Guides, with updated definitions for terms such as sustainability-linked terms like recyclable and biodegradable and advice for how companies can back up their environmental claims and prevent deceptive practices. It will have been more than 10 years since the guidance was last renewed, during which time such assertions have proliferated.
Smooth, shiny, and vividly shaded with a vibrant green hue, Makrut lime leaves are simply bursting with freshness. Also known as Kaffir leaves, Makrut lime leaves are traditionally used throughout Southeast Asian cooking, particularly in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia. While these small leaves may resemble the peppery and bitter bay leaf, they are intrinsically more citrusy and floral, making them an excellent seasoning for soups.

Makrut leaves are available frozen, dried, or fresh. If using fresh leaves, they can be incorporated in a similar way to bay leaves, where they are left to imbue the dish with flavor before being removed and discarded before serving. They can also be finely sliced and mixed through the broth for a mega-flavor punch. However, the leaves are pretty tough, so the former method may be preferable to avoid a chewy bite.

Frozen leaves can be used immediately by simply placing them into the soup or thawed under hot water to revive some of the preserved flavors. Dried Makrut leaves can be rehydrated or ground. Although, like many spices, they may present a duller flavor profile than their fresh forms.

Read more: 12 Vegetables And Fruits That Used To Look Very Different

Which Soups These Leaves Are Best In

Tom yum soup with seafood - niindo/Shutterstock

Some soups may demand a more robust Makrut lime leaf flavor, while others will simply flirt with the floral aromas. For instance, a creamy coconut pumpkin soup that needs brightening may incorporate a handful of fresh Makrut leaves into the broth while the pumpkin softens. They can then be removed before the soup is blended. If you want to experiment with a more intense citrusy flavor, you may wish to gently crush each leaf before adding it to the pot.

Naturally, the more leaves used in any soup, the more intense the flavor. For Thai recipes like Tom Yum soup or Tom Kha Gai, you may instead wish to keep the Makrut lime leaves inside for serving, similar to the lemongrass and other seasonings that are added; they remain in the broth as it's consumed.

For a punchy miso broth, the Makrut lime leaves can be crushed or chopped and simmered with warm ginger, citrusy lemongrass, pungent garlic, and a little chili. Once the soup has been imbued with all these glorious flavors, it can be strained so the tough pieces of leaf are removed. Using the Makrut leaves like this would accentuate their flavor, which works incredibly well when pairing it with a strong flavor like miso.

Other Dishes To Use Makrut Lime Leaves In

Panang curry topped with sliced Makrut leaves - Spmemory/Getty Images

Soups are one thing, but other common uses for Makrut lime leaves in Asia may provide more inspiration for how these glorious leaves can be used. Panang Gai, a spicy and sour Thai chicken curry, uses shredded Makrut lime leaves to add a zesty punch to the sauce or extremely thin pieces as a garnish for color and freshness.

Makrut lime leaves can also be ground into a paste, as is the case with the incredibly delicious chargrilled chicken, which is popular in Vietnam. It's blended with garlic, chile, galangal, lemongrass, shallots, and spices to create a flavor-exploding marinade for the chicken.

These types of leaves can also be fried, as is the case with Cambodia roasted peanuts. They are shredded and added to a wok with peanuts, chili, lemongrass, and garlic. They take on this crispy texture that's gloriously sweet and lemony  blending well with the savory aroma of the nuts.

Ultimately, whether you use Makrut lime leaves in soups or other types of meals, they are exceptionally versatile. They're sure to open an aromatic gateway that will leave you going back for more.

Read the original article on Daily Meal.
Chicken Salad Chick is crossing the road into Windsor later this year.

The Alabama-born fast-casual chicken salad chain  known for serving its salad by the scoop and sandwich-full  is planning to open a new location in Windsor's growing East Pointe Business Park late this spring, according to franchisee Jessica Zumbrun.

The 2,600-square-foot restaurant, which will feature both a drive-thru and dining room, will be located at 475 E. Main St., just east of Freddy's Frozen Custard and Windsor's newly-opened Baskin-Robbins ice cream shop. Its development is currently neck-in-neck with Chicken Salad Chick's Johnstown location, which is also gearing up for a late-spring opening near the town's Scheels store, Jessica said.

Still hungry? Here are 17 more Fort Collins, Windsor eateries to look forward to in 2024

Jessica and her husband, David Zumbrun, signed a development deal for five Northern Colorado Chicken Salad Chick locations in 2022. They opened their first location in Greeley last spring. After that shop's warm reception, including from Windsor residents who drove east to try it, Jessica said they jumped at the chance to expand into Windsor when a newly-built space became available on the east side of town.

"We've had a lot of requests and interest in Windsor," Jessica said. "With the growing population, we really think that (Chicken Salad Chick) offers something unique to people in that area."

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This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Chicken Salad Chick to open new restaurant in Windsor
On Sunday 14 January, there will be a new king and queen of Denmark after the current ruler, Queen Margrethe of Denmark, steps down.

On New Years Eve, Queen Margrethe II announced she was abdicating the throne and her son Crown Prince Frederik would become King Frederik X, while his wife Crown Princess Mary, his queen consort, will be known as Queen Mary.

Unlike King Charles IIIs coronation, the Danish royal household will be opting for a simple ceremony. Instead of having a formal coronation, there will be a proclamation ceremony at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen on 14 January, exactly 52 years after Margrethes coronation.

Denmarks Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen will announce the royal couple at the palace, and the pair will appear on the balcony in front of the public.

A special cannon salute will celebrate the occasion, and the national flag is lowered and raised again at the royal palaces.

Prior to the unveiling of the new monarchy on the balcony, the new king and queen, in addition to Queen Margrethe, will join the Danish Government, Council of State Secretary in the Council of State for the formal transfer of power and the queen will sign an official declaration of her abdication.

The royal family will also participate in a special session of parliament on 15 January, as well as a celebratory church service at Aarhus Cathedral on Sunday 21 January.

Royal festivities will kick off midday in Denmark on 14 January, around 7.30am ET. There will be no television broadcast of the events, but many news outlets will be reporting live throughout the day.

The newly appointed King Frederik is also expected to make a speech to the public, after which the king and queen will hold an event with a small number of guests.

Another person in attendance will be Frederiks brother Prince Joachim of Denmark, who is set to attend his mothers abdication without his wife and children, nearly two years after his wife and children were stripped of their royal titles.

Prince Joachim will be there, but the children go to school, there is no special reason, a palace spokesperson told Hello Magazine.

Last year, Prince Joachim and Princess Marie relocated to the United States, just nine months after the monarch stripped the princes four children, Nikolai, Felix, Henrik and Athena, of their His/Her Highness royal titles.

Queen Margrethes second son shares Count Henrik and Countess Athena with Marie, and his older sons Count Felix and Count Nikolai with his first wife, Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg.

At the time, Queen Margrethe apologised to the members of her family who were left saddened by her decision.

In recent days, there have been strong reactions to my decision about the future use of titles for Prince Joachims four children. That affects me, of course, she wrote.

My decision has been a long time coming. With my 50 years on the throne, it is natural both to look back and to look ahead. It is my duty and my desire as Queen to ensure that the monarchy always shapes itself in keeping with the times.

She continued: Sometimes, this means that difficult decisions must be made, and it will always be difficult to find the right moment.
Tasting around the Cote dOr at the end of last year, Burgundy importer Jason Haynes repeatedly pulled a mystery bottle from his car to show to some of the hot-ticket growers he represents at Flint Wines. The wine was a still English chardonnay from Danbury Ridge in Essex. It went down a storm.

The word bluffant was used more than once as we tasted it blind. I guess an astonishing surprise is the best translation, says Haynes, who is renowned for his sharp palate and ability to talent-spot ahead of the competition.

Ive been cautious about getting caught up in the buzz around English still wines. Its easy to be buoyed by the gust of novelty and, frankly, surprise that a still wine from England might taste OK. Yet English chardonnay looks increasingly impressive.

My reservations around its price (its not cheap) began to break down when I was served what turned out to be a very good chardonnay from Kent, Simpsons Gravel Castle, at a drinks reception last spring. With no idea what might be in my glass I played a mental game of guess the grape, country and cost and pretty much nailed the 18-ish price.

essex chardonnay

If you compare English chardonnay to Chilean its going to look expensive. But thats not what is happening in

Norway, says Charles Simpson, co-owner of Simpsons. If youre thinking, Norway?, the country is a big English wine customer, buying a lot of still as well as sparkling. Husband-and-wife team Charles and Ruth Simpson sell so much Gravel Castle there theyve had to plant another vineyard. [In Norway] theyre comparing our Gravel Castle to chablis and were good value, explains Charles. And theyre comparing our Roman Road chardonnay to Chassagne- Montrachet, and were good value.

The Simpsons work in the Elham Valley on the Kent North Downs. The Kits Coty vineyard, from which Chapel Down makes a good, linear, still chardonnay, is also on the North Downs. But most English chardonnay excitement centres on estuarine Essex, the area around the mouths of the Blackwater and Crouch and the Thames, where sunlight is plentiful. Its as warm now as Burgundy was in 1961-1990, says John Atkinson, a Master of Wine and consultant for Danbury Ridge.

Quantities are currently an issue, though: Essex production is best described as boutique. There are just 1,800 bottles of Althorne Estate Chardonnay Crouch Valley 2021 (see Wines of the Week), a lovely wine and worthy of the lobster that Robin Davis, founder of swig.co.uk, caught on his local beach in West Kilbride, Scotland, to eat with it.

But growth is happening. Jackson Family Wines, which is headquartered in California and has estates in prime locations around the world, has invested in Essex, buying 67 acres of land looking out over the River Crouch. Charlie Holland, lured from Gusbourne to oversee this new operation, says the intention is to focus on Crouch Valley fruit for still and other soils for sparkling wine.

Chardonnay isnt easy but its more reliable than pinot noir, he notes. If youre committed you can achieve great things because you have a lovely long growing season. No wonder I hear whispers of a potential project here with some of the cream of Burgundys producers. Watch this space.

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TAMPA (WFLA)  The United States Coast Guard announced Thursday that crews rescued nine migrants near the coast of Punta Cana around 8 p.m. on Jan. 3.

The Coast Guard said aircrews responded to a call of a vessel in distress and an unknown number of people in the water approximately 40 miles offshore.

United Airlines flight makes emergency landing in Tampa after door indicator light turns on

Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napiers crew, along with help from the Dominican Republic Navy, were able to rescue all migrants on board. The Coast Guard said some of the survivors were treated for chemical burns likely caused by coming into contact with the sinking ships fuel.

You often hear us say that unlawful maritime migration is always dangerous and very often deadly. That is not rhetoric or hyperbole, as our Coast Guard crews all too regularly respond to rescue migrants in dire medical need or distress who attempted the journey, said Lieutenant Commander John W. Beal, Coast Guard District Seven public affairs officer. Coast Guard crews and our partners in Homeland Security Task Force-Southeast will continue to rescue and repatriate anyone attempting to enter the U.S. unlawfully by sea. Do not take to the sea and risk your life just to be sent back. Use the safe, orderly and lawful pathways DHS and the State Department made available.

The migrants were placed on the Dominican Republic Navy vessel and returned to the Dominican Republic for repatriation and further medical treatment, according to the Coast Guard.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Rishi Sunak arrives by train in Kyiv ahead of his meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky - Stefan Rousseau/PA

Abandoning Ukraine will only embolden Vladimir Putins allies such as Iran and North Korea, Rishi Sunak warned on Friday.

Arriving for a surprise visit to Kyiv, the Prime Minister announced Britains military funding to Ukraine would be increased to 2.5 billion and signed a new security pact, the first step in a 100-year partnership.

Our actions right now will determine the future path of the war, Mr Sunak said, at a time when support packages from Washington and Brussels are snarled up in political bickering.

If Putin wins in Ukraine, he will not stop there. And our opponents around the world believe that we have neither the patience nor resources for long wars. So waver now, and we embolden not just Putin but his allies in North Korea, Iran and elsewhere.

The military support promised by Britain is its largest annual package of artillery ammunition, air defence missiles and military training.

It includes an extra 200 million worth of drones, most of which will be manufactured in the UK, to support Volodymyr Zelenskys drive to procure one million extra UAVs this year.

Swift and sustained

While in Ukraine, Mr Sunak signed off on a 10-year security package for the war-torn nations, becoming the first G7 leader to deliver on the deals promised at a Nato summit last year.

The 16-page document promises a swift and sustained response if Russia attacks again in the future.

It also pledges Britains future role in using its expertise to develop Kyivs navy after a series of successes in pushing Russias fleet out of the Black Sea, a move first reported by the Telegraph last month.

It read: The UK will jointly lead the Maritime Security Capability Coalition and will make significant contributions to Ukraines maritime fleet development.

Britain hopes that the promise will transform Ukraine into a net contributor to security in both the Black Sea and Sea of Azov by the end of the 10-year deal.

It will also further formalise intelligence sharing, cyber security, military training and defence-industrial co-operation.

Mr Zelensky praised Mr Sunak for his personal leadership in supporting the war-torn nations armed struggle against the Russian invasion, awarding the Prime Minister with the Ukrainian Order of Freedom.

Volodymyr Zelensky awarded the Prime Minister with the Ukrainian Order of Freedom - Efrem Lukatsky/AP

The Ukrainian president added: Today marks a watershed moment in European history. Ukraine and the United Kingdom signed a new, unprecedented security agreement.

This is not simply a declaration. This is a reality that will come to fruition as a result of our cooperation, including security commitments from a major global power, the United Kingdom.

More than 30 nations are seeking to replicate Britains long-term promise to support Kyiv in the wake of it not being offered Nato membership last summer and access to the alliances iron-clad mutual defence clause  Article 5.

The announcement was designed to maintain pressure on both the US and European Union to continue providing aid for Ukraine.

Focus minds in Washington

Joe Biden, the US president, was said to be watching closely as he works to secure backing from Congress for a $61 billion (47.8 billion) support package, which is being blocked by Republican lawmakers.

He hopes the signing of the UK-Ukraine will focus minds in Washington, sources from his administration said.

The EU is also working to find secure backing for its own 50 billion (52.4 billion) aid package for Kyiv, which was blocked by Viktor Orban, the Hungarian prime minister, at a summit in Brussels last month.

On his one-day visit to Kyiv, the Prime Minister visited an apartment block that was recently hit by debris in a Russian missile attack on the capital, meeting emergency workers who hauled survivors out of the rubble. Three people were killed, 50 hospitalised and 400 made homeless in the strike.

He also joined Mr Zelensky at a military hospital in the capital to award Order of Courage medals to soldiers injured on the front lines.

Downing Street will hope the visit cements Britains position as one of Ukraines most ardent backers, having donated 2.3 billion in military support in the first two years of conflict.

Mr Sunak was also the first world leader to sign off on shipments of modern main battle tanks and long-range missiles.

But the UK has slipped down to Europes second-largest backer for Kyiv, with Germany promising to deliver 8 billion in weaponry this year.

03:16 PM GMT

This live blog has now closed

Thanks for following our live coverage of developments in Ukraine, as Rishi Sunak made a surprise visit to Kyiv to announce a 2.5bn aid package. Well be back on Monday with all the latest news.

03:13 PM GMT

Pictured: Sunak and Zelensky meet in Kyiv

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak walks with President Volodymyr Zelensky during a visit to the Presidential Palace in Kyiv - Stefan Rousseau/Pool via REUTERS

02:38 PM GMT

Abandoning Ukraine will embolden Putin and Iran, Sunak warns

Rishi Sunak has urged other countries to follow Britains lead and provide support to Ukraine as an investment in our own collective security.

He said: For the free nations of the world, aid to Ukraine is also an investment in our own collective security.

Because if Putin wins in Ukraine he will not stop there and our opponents around the world believe we have neither the patience nor resources for long wars.

So waver now and we embolden not just Putin but his allies in North Korea, Iran and elsewhere.

Thats why the United Kingdom and the free world will continue to stand with Ukraine as we have since the beginning of this war.

Aid from the US has dried up amid resistance from Congress, while a European support package was vetoed by the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

02:32 PM GMT

Zelensky presents Sunak with order of Ukraine

Volodymyr Zelensky has awarded Rishi Sunak with the state order of Ukraine as he thanked his dear friend for supporting Ukraine.

He said: Id like to thank the whole of the UK all of its citizens all of its people, Id like to thank everyone who believed that life and justice have to prevail.

The UK really ranks first, for it has ranked first throughout history in many respects... Id like to present the state order of Ukraine, the order of freedom, Id like to present it to Rishi, my dear friend.

02:27 PM GMT

'Today the history of Europe changed'

Sunak and Zelenskyy hold a news conference

Ukraines independence from Russia would have been guaranteed if countries had brought in security agreements earlier, Volodymyr Zelensky has said.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Rishi Sunak, the Ukrainian President said: Today the history of Europe changed and Ukraine and the UK have entered into a new unprecedented security agreement.

This is a reality that will come to life thanks to our cooperation, thanks to security guarantees from a prominent global force: Great Britain.

If this level of guarantees would be guaranteed after 1991 with the UK and the other countries there would not be Russian aggression.

Addressing Mr Sunak directly, he added: Rishi, dear prime minister, thank you for your personal leadership... we reached a new level of relations between our countries.

02:07 PM GMT

British support is 'unprecedented', says Zelensky

Volodymyr Zelensky has described the security agreement announced by Rishi Sunak as unprecedented and says it will continue until Ukraine joins Nato.

The pact sets out the intelligence sharing, cyber security, medical and military training that Britain will provide for Ukraine, along with a pledge to lend swift support in the event of another Russian invasion.

01:37 PM GMT

Ukraine: Russian attacks on Dnipro River bridgehead fading

Russian assaults on the left bank of the Dnipro River are dropping in intensity while Ukraine targets enemy artillery, according to reports.

A spokeswoman for Ukraines southern defence forces said three enemy assaults were recorded yesterday, compared to 10-12 attempts previously.

Kyiv established a bridgehead on the left bank in November. Britains defence ministry has suggested Moscow was forced to cancel planned offensives after losing fighter jets that left it without air support.

01:25 PM GMT

Sunak: 'Our support cannot and will not falter'

I am in Ukraine to deliver a simple message.



Our support cannot and will not falter.



To all Ukrainians, Britain is with you  for as long as it takes  pic.twitter.com/1ya8m2seiJ  Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) January 12, 2024

12:50 PM GMT

Medvedev lashes out at 'the arrogant British'

Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev has hit out at Britain, our eternal enemies, after Rishi Sunak announced a multi-billion-pound support package for Kyiv.

He wrote on Telegram: How would the Western public react to the fact that the British delegation came under fire from cluster munitions in the centre of Kyiv, as happened to the civilians of our Belgorod.

And one more thing: I hope that our eternal enemies, the arrogant British, understand that the deployment of their official military contingent in Ukraine will mean a declaration of war on our country.

12:11 PM GMT

Sunak visiting Kyiv after announcing 2.5bn support package

Rishi Sunak is making a surprise visit to Ukraine today to meet with Volodymyr Zelensky after unveiling a 2.5bn military aid package for Ukraine.

The Prime Minister pledged to stand with Ukraine in its darkest hour after Mr Zelensky urged western nations to maintain support as the war drags towards its second anniversary.

Britain will provide 2.5bn 2024-25, an increase of 200m from the previous two years, supplying drones, long-range missiles, air defences and artillery shells.

Mr Sunak said: For two years, Ukraine has fought with great courage to repel a brutal Russian invasion. They are still fighting, unfaltering in their determination to defend their country and defend the principles of freedom and democracy.

I am here today with one message: the UK will also not falter. We will stand with Ukraine, in their darkest hours and in the better times to come.

11:45 AM GMT

Shapps: UK is displaying 'uwavering' support for Ukraine

The UK has proved its unwavering support of Ukraines fightback against Russia with a 2.5 billion in military aid package, Grant Shapps has said.

In a post Twitter, the Defence Secretary said: We said our support would be unwavering and today weve proved it.

Putin hoped the West would be distracted by events in the Middle East but today weve taken the critical step to increase our military support to Ukraine, to get them more of what they need to win.

10:47 AM GMT

Reports: Sunak has arrived in Kyiv

Rishi Sunak has arrived in Kyiv, according to Ukrainian state broadcaster Suspilne. It has published a picture of the Prime Minister disembarking from a train.

Rishi Sunak, right, arrives in Kyiv, Ukraine, to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky - Stefan Rousseau/Pool via AP

10:45 AM GMT

Listen to The Telegraph's Ukraine: The Latest podcast here

10:03 AM GMT

Authoritarian nations are weaponising the Wests weak stance on human rights abuses

Authoritarian countries including Russia, China and Rwanda have been emboldened by the Wests weak stance on human rights abuses, a new major report has warned.

Britain and its allies are picking and choosing which injustices to challenge and refraining from criticising certain offenders to avoid disrupting diplomatic relations, said Human Rights Watch (HRW) in its annual, 735-page report.

This includes silence on the disappearance of Rwandas political opponents, Indias increasingly transnational repression of critics, or a reluctance to upset countries such as Libya, Turkey and Mexico.

These nations are considered vital migration and trade partners for Britain, the European Union and the United States.

Read the full article from Sarah Newey here.

09:29 AM GMT

Kyiv is in 'acute' need of US support, says White House

Ukraine desperately needs US funding as Russia ramps up its attacks and bombards regions with North Korean missiles, the White House has said.

John Kirby, the White House national security council coordinator, told reporters: Its critical that Congress move on that national security supplemental request and we get more funding.

The assistance that we provided has now ground to a halt. The attacks that the Russians are conducting are only increasing.

And now, as I talked about earlier this week, theyre using North Korean ballistic missiles to do their dirty work. So the need is acute right now, particularly in these winter months.

09:14 AM GMT

British support 'will give Ukrainians certainty'

James Heappey, the armed forces minister, has said there will be no loss in patience among Ukraines allies as he was questioned why the Government had not provided a longrunning support package.

Ministers and senior military figures are reported to have urged the Government to commit to a military aid running over several years. The 2.5bn in support announced today will provide Kyiv with air defences, artillery shells and drones for the next year.

Mr Heappey told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: There is 2.5 billion that effectively is the funding for tactical activity in this next year, follows 2.3 billion last year and the 2.3 billion the year before.

These capability coalitions, there are a number of them led by different countries, but the ones that the UK are leading is principally in the maritime domain.

They are exactly the multi-year capability development programmes that give the Ukrainians that certainty around the development of their capabilities over the arc of a decade, and equally importantly, give [Vladimir] Putin the certainty that there is no loss in patience and commitment from their [Ukraines] Western supporters.

08:36 AM GMT

Ukraine package is 'vital support to fight Putin's invasion'

John Healey has backed the Governments military aid package and pledged there would be no change in Britains resolve to stand with Ukraine if Labour took office.

The shadow defence secretary wrote on Twitter:

This is vital support for Kyiv's fight against Putin's illegal invasion.



There may be a change in government to Labour this year, but there will be no change in Britain's resolve to stand with Ukraine, confront Russian aggression and pursue Putin for his war crimes. 2/2  John Healey MP (@JohnHealey_MP) January 12, 2024

08:31 AM GMT

'Favourable terrain for mechanised manoeuvre warfare' as ground freezes

Freezing conditions across the frontline as the Ukrainian winter takes hold will create favourable terrain as Russia attempts to gain ground near Kupyansk, a think tank has said.

The Institute for the Study of War cites Ukrainian officials who say Moscow is concentrating armoured units around the Kharkiv settlement, including the 47th and 4th Tank Divisions.

Freezing temperatures in Ukraine are likely constraining operations along the front but will likely create more favorable terrain for mechanised manoeuvre warfare as the ground freezes in the coming weeks, it said.

08:11 AM GMT

EU to bend to Orban demands to secure support package

The EU is preparing to bow to some of Viktor Orbans demands to secure a 50bn support package for Ukraine, according to reports.

The Hungarian prime minister vetoed the military aid package on November, depriving Kyiv of key supplies amid a stalemate in the US Congress that has seen Washingtons support dry.

In a bid to convince him to drop his opposition, the European Commission is open to giving Mr Orban an opportunity to stop the four-year deal in 2025, three officials told the Financial Times.

07:55 AM GMT

'An unshakeable hundred-year partnership': What else has been agreed?

Rishi Sunak will sign a security agreement later today guaranteeing will provide swift and sustained support from Britain if Russia attempts another invasion.

It will also set out the intelligence sharing, cyber security, medical and military training that the UK will provide for Ukraine, along with cooperation between their defence industries.

The agreement is the result of last years Nato summit in Vilnius, and the first step in developing an unshakeable hundred-year partnership between Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

07:32 AM GMT

What is being provided by the multi-billion aid package?

Some 200m of the aid package is being spent on providing thousands of drones  the largest delivery of drones to Ukraine from any nation, according to a government statement.

This will include surveillance, long-range strike and sea drones, which will predominantly be manufactured in the UK.

The technology will give Ukraine cutting edge, battle-tested capabilities to defend their citizens and target the invading Russian forces on land and sea, the statement continues.

The rest of the package will be made up of long-range missiles, air defences  something Kyiv has been appealing for amid Russian airstrikes  artillery ammunition and maritime security.

07:27 AM GMT

'Their security is our security': Rishi Sunak's remarks in full

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

For two years, Ukraine has fought with great courage to repel a brutal Russian invasion. They are still fighting, unfaltering in their determination to defend their country and defend the principles of freedom and democracy. I am here today with one message: the UK will also not falter. We will stand with Ukraine, in their darkest hours and in the better times to come. The UK is already one of Ukraines closest partners, because we recognise their security is our security. Today we are going further - increasing our military aid, delivering thousands of cutting-edge drones, and signing a historic new Security Agreement to provide Ukraine with the assurances it needs for the long term.

07:25 AM GMT

Good morning

Hello and welcome to the liveblog. Benedict Smith here. Well be guiding you through all of the updates today, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks surprise visit to Kyiv after announcing a multi-billion aid package.

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[Source]

Aulii Cravalho has opened up about her choice to opt out of reprising her titular role in Disneys upcoming live-action adaptation of Moana.

What shes saying: Cravalho, 23, first announced her decision last April after co-star Dwayne Johnson revealed that he will return as Maui for the live-action movie. In a new interview with The Wrap, she explained why she has chosen to turn the role over and work behind the scenes as executive producer instead.

It feels really important to me to pass the baton to the next young woman of Pacific Island descent, and I say that with my whole chest, the Hawaii-born actress said, lamenting the lack of and often inaccurate representation of Pacific Islanders. We are used. And I want to tell our own stories. I want to be behind the camera as much as I am in front of it.

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Cravalho stressed that when she talks about representation, it includes the writers rooms and directors and showrunners as well. She said Taika Waititi  who wrote the original script for Moana  advocates for the same.

And if it has to start with me  Im 23, but if it starts with me, so be it. I want that door to swing wide open, and I cannot wait to meet the next Moana, she told The Wrap.

About the live-action film: Directed by Thomas Kail (Hamilton), the live-action Moana is scheduled to hit theaters on June 27, 2025. Johnson will also serve as co-producer alongside Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia of their Seven Bucks Productions and Beau Flynn via Flynn Picture Co. Cravalho will executive produce with Scott Sheldon of Flynn Picture Co.

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Weeks after the announcement, a purported Disney casting call for a 16-year-old actor to play the films heroic, bold, adventurous, [and] never selfish protagonist who is also determined to fulfill the quest of her ancestors and save her people made rounds online.

For now: Cravalho is currently involved in the Mean Girls remake, where she stars as Janis Imiike, a character based on the original's Janis Ian but whose last name was changed to reflect her own heritage. In this musical version, Janis is an out-and-proud lesbian, marking a significant shift from the 2004 cult classic that used the identity pejoratively.

Previously, in our '04 version, lesbian for Janis was used kind of as a slur, and were taking that back. Absolutely not, Cravalho told Screen Rant. I am a pyro-lez, loud and proud. I will light your backpack on fire if you talk sh*t about me.

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The Maldives is facing a boycott by Indian tourists after three of the island nation's junior ministers made derogatory remarks about Narendra Modi's holiday photos.

The ministers, who have since been suspended, called India's prime minister a "clown", a "terrorist" and a "puppet of Israel", after Modi posted pictures on X of his holiday in Lakshadweep, an archipelago in the southern Indian Ocean. The comments caused widespread upset in India, with reports that "thousands of Indian travelers have canceled trips" and a major booking site has suspended flights to the Maldives, said CNBC.

Indian tourists are "one of the largest contributors" to the income of the Maldives, with the sector as a whole contributing to a third of its economy, said the BBC. And the Maldives also relies on its neighbour for "food, infrastructure building, and technological advancement".

Although Modi did not mention the Maldives in his holiday post from the "lesser-known" Lakshadweep, it may have been seen as a "charm offensive to draw people" there rather than the Maldives itself that caused upset with ministers, said CNN. The Maldives government was quick to distance itself from the comments.

But the row comes at a "sensitive time" for Indian-Maldivian relations. The Maldives had already fallen out of favour since the election of President Mohamed Muizzu in October 2023, after he campaigned on an "'India out' policy" and looked to enhance relations with China, where he is making a state visit this week, said CNBC. The hope is to convince Beijing to resume flights to Maldives, which have not operated since the Covid-19 pandemic, and bring back the Chinese tourists that used to "dominate" Maldives tourism, said the BBC.

The Maldives cannot "afford to alienate its closest neighbour" given its economic reliance on India, said CNN. But any "coercive diplomatic action by Delhi could backfire" too, added the BBC, as it would push the Maldives closer to China and enhance Beijing's influence in the region.
A Skokie woman who co-founded the group Abolition Coalition to advocate for racial equity is facing a judges deadline to pay $38,000 in attorney fees for an Awake Illinois leader whom she sued unsuccessfully for defamation and other matters.

Cook County Judge Daniel Kubasiak on Dec. 14 ordered Jasmine Sebaggala, who works as an assistant principal for Evanston/Skokie District 65 schools, to pay the $38,000 after he dismissed her lawsuit. Sebaggala had sued Helen Levinson, vice president of the board of the conservative group Awake Illinois and, according to her Facebook page, chair of Moms For Liberty Cook County, for defamation and intentionally causing her emotional distress in 2022.

The lawsuit was a reaction to Levinson writing a 2021 letter to District 65 accusing Sebaggala of using heavy-handed tactics in her work with the Abolition Coalition and asking that the letter be placed in her employment file.

On May 16, 2023, Kubasiak dismissed Sebaggalas lawsuit and ordered the reimbursement for legal expenses in the amount of $38,000. Sebaggala and her attorney requested an extension to pay until Jan. 24, but that came at a $2,000 cost, leaving her liable for $40,000.

We were denied access to a legal system that should protect teachers and children, said Sebaggala, who is Black, at a virtual Abolition Coalition press conference Dec. 29. To me, its really a shame that almost 70 years after the Brown vs. Board of Education decision in 1954, I am still advocating for my daughters to receive equal education opportunities free from racial harm and trauma.

Maggie Vandermeer, a co-founder with Sebaggala of the Skokie Schools for Equity Collaborative, said Sebaggala is appealing both the dismissal of her lawsuit and the order to pay for Levinsons legal defense. An online fundraising appeal had produced more than $38,000 in donations as of Jan. 11 to pay the judges order. If the legal appeal should succeed, Sebaggala would be refunded the money and plans to offer donors an option to get their funds back, Vandermeer said.

Story continues

Levinson referred requests for comment to her lawyers, and her attorney Sorin Leahu declined to comment. She is also represented by America First Legal, organized by Stephen Miller, who served as senior adviser for policy in the Trump administration. America First Legal did not respond to a request for comment.

The matter started Aug. 31, 2021, when Levinson wrote to School District 65 administrators questioning Sebaggalas activities at public school board meetings in the Evanston and Skokie areas, particularly School District 72, in which Levinson said she resided.

Levinson said Sebaggalas behavior included berating parents online via social media platforms, posting anti-white rhetoric, posting anti-police rhetoric, holding signs in the faces of board members, holding fists in the air during board meetings, calling parents and board members racists, white supremacists, white nationalists, bigots and misogynists. She wrote that some board members asked to be escorted to their cars for security reasons after a controversial Niles Township High School District 219 board meeting.

Sebaggala and the Abolition Coalition, as plaintiffs, filed a lawsuit Dec. 19, 2022, with Levinson and the Niles Township Accountability Coalition as defendants. It said Levinsons accusations against Sebaggala in her 2021 letter were false and defamatory, and included examples of other accusations Levinson had leveled at Sebaggala, including falsely stating that (Sebaggala) had abused white children.

The lawsuit asserted Levinson wanted to damage Sebaggalas career for the sole reason that Sebaggala is a Black teacher who supports Black Lives Matter. It also includes the text of a Sept. 29 letter to Sebaggala from her teachers union representative, Maria Barrosa, who wrote that Levinsons letter is defamatory and can impact your profession. Such actions by this person can cause harm to your livelihood and this should be addressed.

The lawsuit also contained counts on intentional infliction of emotional distress and appropriation of Sebaggalas image, alleging Levinson used it in social media to stir outrage among her followers and generate donations.

Judge Kubasiak dismissed Sebaggalas lawsuit saying it had failed to state a sufficient cause of action under Illinois law.

Levinsons statements and concerns which she expressed to the school board are protected by the Citizen Participation Act... (CPA) known as the anti-SLAPP Act (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) which allows citizens to exercise their First Amendment rights without fear of retaliatory lawsuits, he wrote in the discussion portion of his opinion.

He also ruled that Sebaggalas attorney failed to cite specific facts and evidence for their allegation that the defendant had inflicted emotional distress.

Cassie Creswell, director of Illinois Families for Public Education, said there has been increased opposition to racial and equity policies in schools across the state stemming from guidelines put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abolition Coalition of Skokie co-founder Angela Sangha Gadsen argued the case is about intimidation and creating an exclusive education that touts misinformation.

District 65 responded earlier this week to an email from Pioneer Press/Chicago Tribune asking about the lawsuit, stating this is the first they had heard of the suit.

As the District is not a party to the lawsuit, we have no comment, said a District 65 spokesperson.
MADISON - A Wisconsin judge on Wednesday ruled that a former Catholic cardinal is not competent to stand trial, due to a diagnosis of dementia, suspending charges of sexually assaulting a boy in the 1970s.

Theodore McCarrick, the defrocked former cardinal, will not have to go before a jury in the case, but the decision will be reviewed at the end of the year, according to online court records. He did not appear in person for the hearing, but did dial in by phone.

Prosecutors in Walworth County and the Department of Justice in April charged McCarrick with sexual assault in a 1977 incident. He was charged with fourth-degree sexual assault, and if convicted, McCarrick would have faced up to nine months in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Peter Isely, a member of Ending Clergy Abuse, said the charge would have brought some sort of justice for survivors of McCarrick's abuse. The survivor in this case likely won't see that justice, he said.

"For a victim to see his offender before a judge  even if that appearance is by phone  it can be a day of emancipation and liberation from carrying the awful burden of shame and secrecy that are an inevitable consequence of these crimes," Isely said in a release. "Inexplicably, Judge Reddy did not give the victim that day.

In the incident for which he is charged, prosecutors said McCarrick groped an 18-year-old while they were both staying as guests at a residence on Geneva Lake. According to documents, the teen was in the lake off a dock when McCarrick and another adult man entered the water. Both groped him and discussed his genitals, the complaint alleges.

The teen tried to get away from the men and splashed and made noise, he said, according to the complaint. He got out of the lake with one leg in his swim trunks and ran to the house. He got dressed and asked for a ride to the train station, according to the complaint.

More: Wisconsin prosecutors charge defrocked former cardinal Theodore McCarrick with sexual assault

The complainant said McCarrick began sexually assaulting him at age 11. According to the complaint, he reported several incidents in which McCarrick inappropriately touched or assaulted him before he was 18 years old.

McCarrick took the teen to lavish parties and events, the complaint said. The accuser also reported that McCarrick had taken him to an event where several adult men assaulted him. The accuser also said McCarrick had sex with him the day before the incident on Geneva Lake.

In 1977, McCarrick would have been 46 years old. He was a priest in the Archdiocese of New York and was working as the private secretary to Cardinal Terence Cooke. The incident is said to have occurred a month before McCarrick was named auxiliary bishop of New York. He would go on to become the bishop of Metuchen, New Jersey, then the archbishop of Newark and the archbishop of Washington. He was named cardinal in 2001.

McCarrick never lived or worked in Wisconsin but made visits to the state. He was able to be charged because the statute of limitations on child sexual abuse tolls, or pauses, if the perpetrator leaves the state and does not return, meaning a case can be charged at any point, instead of within a limited number of years.

The Walworth County charge is the latest development in a years-long fall from grace for the once-powerful cardinal. He was also charged in a Massachusetts case, which alleged he assaulted a teenage boy at a wedding in 1974. He pleaded not guilty in 2021. That case was dismissed last year, because McCarrick, who lives at a residence for troubled priests in Missouri, has dementia and was deemed not competent to stand trial.

McCarrick is the only U.S. Catholic cardinal, current or former, ever to be criminally charged with child sex crimes.

More: Theodore McCarrick, age 93, ruled not competent to stand trial on teen sexual abuse charges in Massachusetts

McCarrick's legal issues began in 2017 when a former altar boy came forward to report the priest had groped him when he was a teenager in New York. The next year, the Archdiocese of New York announced that McCarrick had been removed from ministry after finding the allegation to be "credible and substantiated," and two New Jersey dioceses revealed they had settled claims of sexual misconduct against him in the past involving adults.

Pope Francis defrocked McCarrick in 2019 after a Vatican investigation determined he sexually abused minors, as well as adults.

The two-year internal investigation into McCarrick found that three decades of bishops, cardinals and popes downplayed or dismissed reports of sexual misconduct. Correspondence showed they repeatedly rejected the information outright as rumor and excused it as an "imprudence."

More: Pope Francis defrocks ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick over sex abuse allegations

The investigative findings released in 2020 pinned much of the blame on Pope John Paul II, who appointed McCarrick archbishop of Washington, D.C., despite having commissioned an inquiry that confirmed McCarrick slept with seminarians.

Prosecutors in Wisconsin charged McCarrick after someone reported the abuse to the state Department of Justice's ongoing clergy abuse investigation.

Since launching the investigation in 2021, Attorney General Josh Kaul's office has forwarded two other cases to local law enforcement for charges: 33-year-old Remington Jon Nystrom in Waushara County for a 2019 incident and 61-year-old Jeffrey Anthony Charles in Douglas County for incidents that occurred between 2005 and 2010.

The investigation is still ongoing, with no end date set at this point.

Laura Schulte can be reached at leschulte@jrn.com and on X at @SchulteLaura.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Case against disgraced Catholic cardinal McCarrick suspended
Robin Hsu at work in his car - Nicola Smith for The Telegraph

A silver Ford with homemade antennae poking out from its roof pulled up on the southernmost tip of Taiwan last week.

It was driven by Robin Hsu, a former navy radar operator, and the front seat of the vehicle was stuffed with portable radio equipment.

Mr Hsu, 50, has spent the past three years on a lonely quest to document the Chinese militarys growing aggression, recording a war-of-words on military radio frequencies.

Puffing on one cigarette after another, Mr Hsu documents any interactions between Chinese, Taiwanese and US jets and posts the results on Facebook  hoping to warn the world of the seriousness of the threat from Beijing.

On Wednesday, he captured the Taiwanese Air Force warning off a Chinese Y-8 antisubmarine jet as it was approaching Taiwans airspace.

To the PRC [Peoples Republic of China] military aircraft at an altitude of 7,000 metres in the southwestern airspace of Taiwan, be advised that you have entered our ADIZ [air defence identification zone], affecting our flight safety. Turn immediately and leave, a voice says above the static.

Mr Hsu had travelled to Hengchun township as the Chinese planes headed for Taiwan, and his quest to capture Beijings grey zone warfare has taken him to remote hilltops and beaches across the country.

In one of Mr Hsus recordings from November, a US officer can be heard telling his Chinese interlocutors that his US aircraft is operating in international airspace, ending with an exasperated: Cmon man!

Chinas escalating military and political pressure on Taiwan forms the backdrop of its presidential and parliamentary elections this weekend as the island nation decides how best to stand up to Beijing.

One of worlds biggest potential flashpoints

The new president selected by some 19 million Taiwanese voters will be tasked with maintaining peace and stability in one of the worlds biggest potential flashpoints. His leadership will not only set the tone for Taipeis ties with Beijing but could have profound consequences for Chinas relationship with the US.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which has warned it will invade Taiwan if it refuses to sign up to peaceful annexation, has repeatedly been accused of trying to manipulate and shape the elections to favour its sovereignty claims.

Yesterday, it said it hoped the majority of Taiwanese make the right choice, warning of the extreme danger of a victory for Lai Ching-te, the presidential candidate of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), in triggering a cross-strait conflict.

During the DPPs tenure, China has ramped up its efforts to psychologically intimidate the Taiwanese public and undermine the government by flying military aircraft into Taiwans ADIZ  the buffer zone next to its territorial airspace  on a nearly daily basis.

Mr Hsu finds the brazen operations maddening.

If China is trying to scare us it will only bring the Taiwanese together. It will make us stronger, Mr Hsu told The Telegraph this week as he drove through Hengchuns patchwork of onion fields, scanning the airwaves.

Stopping his car at the side of a narrow lane cutting across the fresh green crops, he lit a cigarette as a Blackhawk helicopter suddenly came into view.

Its arrival signalled the start of a drill by a local military unit that had lined up amphibious assault vehicles and Humvees on a nearby stretch of waste ground.

Loud booms pierced the air as the assault vehicles fired rounds at red and yellow targets on a nearby hill overlooking Hengchun airport. Its runway, only 50 miles from the major city of Kaohsiung, would be a prized conquest in an invasion scenario, and the hill would be crucial to holding it, explained Mr Hsu.

We need to be ready to fight if war happens, he said. If China really brings war here, they will have to pay a huge price.

The blasts of the munitions mixed with the steady hum of a farmer spraying pesticides along neat rows of onions.

Local people have learned to live with the thunder of regular military exercises, a constant reminder of the potential for conflict.

I support the drills. Its like an athlete  you have to train every day, said Wu Xuan-qing, a mechanic who owns a nearby repair workshop.

China and Taiwans opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party have framed the poll as a choice between war and peace. The DPP has criticised the KMT for parroting Chinas line, and argued voters face a decision between democracy and autocracy.

Maverick former mayor

On Thursday, Hou Yu-ih, the KMTs presidential candidate, who trails Mr Lai by only a few points, charged that he was a danger to cross-strait relations and the DPP had failed over eight years in office to de-escalate tensions with China.

Pledging that Taiwans future would be decided by its own people, he said he would strengthen deterrence both militarily and through dialogue with Beijing.

The third candidate, Ko Wen-je, a maverick former mayor who founded the centrist Taiwan Peoples Party (TPP), has emerged as an unexpected political force who offers a middle path out of the deadlock of the two establishment parties.

All three have vowed to bolster Taiwans military and defence capabilities and to protect Taiwans tight bond with Washington, the islands main arms supplier.

The question facing Taiwans voters is who they trust most to safeguard their cherished freedoms and democratic way of life from being crushed by authoritarian China.

The Hengchun peninsula would hold a unique strategic position in a future military confrontation with Beijing. Jutting out from the bottom of the island, it faces the Pacific Ocean to the east, the Bashi Channel separating Taiwan and the Philippines, and the Taiwan Strait to the west.

People have learned to live with the thunder of Taiwan military drills - Nicola Smith for The Telegraph

Chuang Shu-ping, the owner of the Hai De Yanse hotel in Hengchun town, said that while the threat of conflict was unpredictable, she had more immediate concerns arising from Chinas economic coercion strategy.

The tourism-reliant region took a hit in 2019 when China banned permits for its citizens to visit Taiwan, in what Taipei called a politicised move.

Ms Chuang said the loss of Chinese income may prompt people to vote for the candidate they believed could bring the tourists back.

The relationship with China matters a lot. People are so afraid of that, especially business people, because when the political situation is not stable it will affect them a lot, she said.

Beyond the domestic impact of Taipeis fraught relations with Beijing, the eyes of the world will be on Taiwans elections.

Any annexation of the island would have major economic and security repercussions.

Taiwan produces 90 per cent of the worlds most advanced semiconductor microchips, which are vital to household goods and every industry including artificial intelligence.

A blockade of the Taiwan Strait would affect the transport of 50 per cent of the worlds containers and cost the global economy at least $2 trillion (1.6 trillion), according to Rhodium Group.

From a hard, strategic point of view, occupying Taiwan would grant China much desired open access to the Pacific coastline, presenting an additional challenge to Washingtons free and open Indo-Pacific strategy.

Beijing is highly opposed towards any interaction between the US and Taiwanese governments.

On Thursday, it called on the US to refrain from intervening in the elections, to avoid causing serious damage to China-US relations after Washington said it would send a delegation there following this weeks polls.

Amanda Hsiao, International Crisis Groups senior China analyst, said it was vital for the Biden administration at such a fragile time to carefully communicate the intentions of the delegation, both publicly and privately with Beijing.

China would likely step up its economic and military intimidation of Taiwan in the event of a Lai victory, she said.

She added: They have already said he is essentially a troublemaker. Beijing will have to follow through on that, to show to its domestic audience it has a grasp on the situation and also to make clear to the Taiwanese population the consequences of their choice.

A Hou win could lead to less military activity around the island, a pause in economic penalties and resumed dialogue in the near term. But it was unclear how long that potential honeymoon period would actually last before he faced renewed pressures, she said.

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Virginia Giuffre previously alleged she had sex with the Duke of York three times between 1999 and 2002 in London, New York and on a private Caribbean island

Alexander Koerner/Getty; Emily Michot/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Prince Andrew and Virginia Roberts Giuffre.

Virginia Giuffre claimed that she was paid thousands of dollars by convicted sex offender Jeffery Epstein to have sex with Prince Andrew, according to court documents unsealed in New York City on Tuesday.

Giuffre made the allegation during a videotaped January 2016 deposition in Florida court as part of a lawsuit against former Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz. She spoke as a non-party in a lawsuit filed against Dershowitz, Epsteins former attorney, by her lawyers Bradley J. Edwards and Paul G. Cassell.

In court documents obtained by PEOPLE, Giuffre was asked if she was paid 10 to $15,000 by or on behalf of Jeffrey Epstein for having sex with Prince Andrew? in a time frame identified as 2011.

Yes, I did receive $15,000. I don't know what equivalent that is to pounds. I received it in American dollars, she replied, referring to the difference in British and American currency.

Alexander Koerner/Getty; Emily Michot/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty

Giuffre was then asked if she paid taxes on the money, and she said no.

Prince Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

Giuffre, now 40, has previously said her first experience with Prince Andrew took place at the London home of Ghislaine Maxwell when she was 17. Maxwell has denied the allegations and is currently serving a 20-year sentence in federal prison for her role in sex trafficking girls alongside Epstein. The disgraced financier died while awaiting trial on federal conspiracy and sex trafficking charges in 2019.

HANDOUT/US District Court - Southern Dis/AFP via Getty In this file undated handout photo taken at an undisclosed location and released on August 9, 2021 by the United States District County for the Southern District of New York shows (left to right) Prince Andrew, Virginia Giuffre, and Ghislaine Maxwell.

Related: Prince Andrew's Uncomfortable Encounter with Well-Wishers on Christmas Caught on Camera

Giuffre previously alleged she was forced to have sex with the Duke of York three times between 1999 and 2002 in London, New York and on a private Caribbean island owned by Epstein. It was not clear which instance she referred to regarding the $15,000 payment.

Elsewhere in the deposition, she talked about an undated visit to Club Tramp with Prince Andrew, where he ordered them clear drinks from the bar and said that her drink contained alcohol. The Telegraph identified the hub as a members-only club in London.

Giuffres deposition is part of the final round of documents released relating to a defamation lawsuit she filed against Maxwell in 2015, which was settled in 2017, the Associated Press reported. The release of the documents, which began last week, was ordered on Dec. 18, 2023, and did not contain the explosive revelations or new identities of abusers that some had predicted, the AP said.

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty; Neil Rasmus/Patrick McMullan via Getty Prince Andrew at Ascot Racecourse in July 2019: Jeffrey Epstein in May 2005.

Related: U.K. Police Say There's No Investigation as Prince Andrew Named in Epstein Files

Prince Andrew stepped back from his royal role in 2019 following his bombshell interview with the BBC about his ties to convicted sex offender Epstein and was stripped of his military titles and patronages by his mother Queen Elizabeth in January 2022 after Giuffre filed a civil sexual assault lawsuit. He settled with Giuffre out of court for an undisclosed amount in February 2022.

While calls for an investigation into King Charles' younger brother intensified after he was named in the court filings linked to Epstein unsealed last week, British police say there are no plans for a probe at this time. Last Friday, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement, "We are aware of the release of court documents in relation to Jeffrey Epstein. As with any matter, should new and relevant information be brought to our attention we will assess it. No investigation has been launched," according to Sky News.

Prince Andrew, 63, previously admitted to knowing Epstein but has denied any wrongdoing.

In 2019, the Duke of York sat for an interview with the BBC, where he also said he had no recollection of ever meeting" Giuffre. When journalist Emily Maitlis raised the issue of a photo showing the royal with his arm around Giuffre's waist, he claimed, "I have absolutely no memory of that photograph ever being taken."

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Then-Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Andrew on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping the Colour in June 2019.

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Following the interview (which has inspired the upcoming Netflix film Scoop and Amazon limited series A Very Royal Scandal, per Variety), Prince Andrew announced his decision to "step back from public duties."

It has become clear to me over the last few days that the circumstances relating to my former association with Jeffrey Epstein has become a major disruption to my familys work and the valuable work going on in the many organisations and charities that I am proud to support, he said in the statement at the time. Therefore, I have asked Her Majesty if I may step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, and she has given her permission.

I continue to unequivocally regret my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein. His suicide has left many unanswered questions, particularly for his victims, and I deeply sympathise with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure. I can only hope that, in time, they will be able to rebuild their lives. Of course, I am willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required."

Prince Andrew retained his title as the Duke of York and place in the line of succession to the throne, which is currently eighth behind Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's two children. However, he no longer uses the style "His Royal Highness" in any official capacity.

Samir Hussein/WireImage Prince Andrew attends the Christmas service in Sandringham on Dec. 25, 2023.

He recently stepped out for the royal familys annual Christmas Day church outing to St. Mary Magdalene near Sandringham House in Norfolk, where he asked a group of well-wishers why they were filming and said they should see what its like on this side. The footage obtained by the Daily Mail captured the awkward conversation with Prince Andrew on camera.

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The Osage Nation is signing up for a federal program to help families cover the costs of feeding children in the summer.

A fourth Oklahoma tribe is signing up for a federal program to feed children in the summer, after Gov. Kevin Stitt opted out of providing the assistance statewide.

The Osage Nation will open the program up to all children who live in Osage County and qualify for the program, which provides monthly payments to families in low-income homes to make sure kids don't go hungry.

The Cherokee, Chickasaw and Choctaw nations have also said they plan to offer the assistance.

Families whose children qualify for free or reduced lunches can receive up to $120 per child, divided into $40 increments in June, July and August. The money is uploaded to electronic benefits transfer cards, commonly referred to as EBT cards, that families can use to buy groceries.

More: Opting out of federal summer food program bad decision for Oklahoma children, readers say

Geoffrey Standing Bear, the principal chief of the Osage Nation, could not be reached to discuss the tribe's decision to opt in to the program.

Why Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt says he chose not to enroll in USDA summer food program

Stitt's choice not to enroll Oklahoma in the program has drawn widespread criticism in a state where nearly 200,000 children live in poverty. A 2023 nationwide study of child wellbeing concluded Oklahoma was one of the worst states for children, ranking it ahead of only four other states. Researchers noted that rates of childhood poverty, death and obesity were getting worse in Oklahoma, instead of better.

The governor said he was uncertain how the U.S. Department of Agriculture would administer the program, and the state already has ways to help families pay for food.

Stitt joined several GOP governors in rejecting the aid, including Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. Other states opting out include Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming.

Oklahoma is one of two states where tribal nations have signed up for the program. The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians plans to offer the funding to families who live in its region of Mississippi.

Molly Young covers Indigenous affairs. Reach her at mollyyoung@gannett.com or 405-347-3534.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Osage Nation will offer child food assistance rejected by Oklahoma
France failed to sign a statement of support for the US and UK air strikes on the Houthis after it said it would not take part in bombing raids to protect Red Sea shipping.

Washington and London took action on Thursday after the Houthis attacked ships, including the destroyer Diamond, with drones on Tuesday.

Germany, Denmark, The Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Korea and Bahrain signed a joint statement backing the US-UK strikes and warning of further action.

The Dutch also provided logistical help during the strikes but other major European powers including France, Spain and Italy did not offer military or political support.

Paris was joined by Italy and Spain in not only refusing to take part in the strikes, but eschewing the chance to sign a statement in support of them.

Emmanuel Macrons government has ruled out joint action with its Western allies, unlike in Libya in 2011 and against Islamic State in Syria in 2015, when its military took part.

Rear Admiral Emmanuel Slaars, the countrys naval commander in the area, said on Thursday that Pariss current mandate did not include striking Houthis directly.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a French official said Paris feared that by joining the US-led strikes, it would have lost any leverage it had in talks to defuse tensions between Hezbollah and Israel. France has focused much of its diplomacy in recent weeks on avoiding an escalation in Lebanon.

Rear Admiral Emmanuel Slaars said French warships did not have a mandate to directly attack the Houthis

Frances warships are active in the Red Sea region, protecting French shipping. They also patrol maritime zones where the Iran-backed rebels are active as part of the US-led Prosperity Guardian mission.

Prosperity Guardian was set up in December 2023 and members of the coalition include France and Italy as well as the UK, Canada and Netherlands.

On Friday, the French foreign ministry said it condemned the Houthi attacks on commercial shipping and said states had the right, in accordance with international law, to react to these attacks.

Through these armed actions, the Houthis bear an extremely heavy responsibility for the regional escalation, a spokesman said.

France will continue to assume its responsibilities and contribute to maritime security in this zone in conjunction with its partners, as it was called upon to do on 9 and 11 December last year when the frigate Languedoc was called upon to destroy drones.

Julien Barnes-Dacey, director of the Middle East and North Africa programme at the European Council on Foreign Relations think tank, said France wanted to keep a degree of distance from US-led operations in the region.

He said this would preserve some space to play a mediating role with Iran and its allies, which has been a consistent feature of Macrons regional agenda.

The French fear getting pulled into American-Iran polarisation and conflict, which would reduce their own space for influence, Mr Barnes-Dacey added.

We also saw this in recent years when Paris didnt join the US-led naval operation in the Persian Gulf and instead pushed a more inclusive European-led effort.

The French frigate Languedoc is in the zone to help ensure maritime security - Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images

Eloise Fayet, a research fellow at the French Institute of International Relations, agreed.

She said, France is very insistent on the concept of acting as a balancing power and a third way. This stance is maintained by France and is therefore incompatible with such strikes, threats of strikes against the Houthis. For the moment, France prefers to stick to what it is already doing, namely operations to reassure and protect commercial vessels crossing the Red Sea.

Italy said it was not asked to take part in the Anglo-American attacks on Thursday night.

The government, led by Giorgia Meloni, the prime minister, said that even if a request had been made, it would have required a debate in parliament for military force to be authorised.

Mr Tajani, who is also deputy prime minister in the Meloni coalition, said Italy could not have participated at such short notice because the constitution does not allow us to commit acts of war without a debate in parliament.

However, a government source told Reuters that Rome had been asked to take part but refused because it preferred a calming policy.

Spain has no plans to join any mission to protect shipping from Houthi attacks in the Red Sea area and has appeared to distance itself from Washingtons approach to the problem.

The Left-wing government of Pedro Sanchez, the prime minister, has avoided involvement in any show of strength against the Houthis while publicly denying any rift with the US government.

But there have been signs of tension between Madrid and Washington.

Spain blocked anti-piracy proposal

In December 2023 Spains government was forced to deny that it was joining the Prosperity Guardian mission in the Red Sea after Washington officials had announced that the Spanish navy would be taking part.

Then, while still holding the rotating presidency of the EU Council until the end of 2023, Spain blocked a proposal by other European states to repurpose the unions Atalanta anti-piracy mission in the Indian Ocean to address the Houthi threat. Spain is a major contributor of naval force to the mission, whose command centre is hosted at the Rota naval base in Andalusia.

Mr Sanchez has been one of the most outspoken critics of Israels military operation in Gaza, accusing the Israel Defence Forces of causing unbearable and unacceptable suffering to civilians that the international community must bring to an end.

Germany is meanwhile pushing to expand a French-led EU anti-piracy mission in the region to take on the Houthi threat.

Annalena Baerbock, the German foreign minister, said the Houthis were contributing to the destabilisation of an already tense regional situation and called on them to stop these attacks immediately.

On Thursday Mark Rutte, the Dutch prime minister, said: The US-British action is based on the right of self-defence, aims to protect free passage and is focused on de-escalation, said .

The Netherlands, with its long history as a seafaring country, places significant importance on the right of free passage and supports this targeted operation.

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A New Mexico police officer who allegedly fatally shot a woman as she tried to drive away while he was questioning her has been charged with murder.

Felipe Hernandez is accused of shooting Teresa Gomez, 45, three times in Las Cruces last October and handed himself into authorities earlier this week.

From the very beginning of Mr Hernandezs interaction with Ms Gomez, the ability to manage protocol is non-existent, Dona Ana County District Attorney Gerald Byers told reporters on Tuesday.

His interactions with her, just on a human level, was exceptionally subpar and did not meet the standards that LCPD demands of its officers.

Mr Byers also said that there was no necessity for him to use deadly force on the woman and that there was no reason for self-defence as he was not in the zone of danger.

On 3 October at around 4.45am, the officer made contact with Teresa Gomez, 45, along with a passenger, Jesus Garcia, in her vehicle while they were parked outside a public housing complex.

In a nine-minute body cam video, the officer asked the woman to step out of her car so he could ask her some questions, which she was at first reluctant to do but eventually complied.

Mr Hernandez told Ms Gomez that she and her passenger were trespassing, but Ms Gomez said repeatedly she was unaware of any visitor rules.

Ms Gomez said had just been visiting someone at the address and was looking for keys she had just lost.

Throughout the video, Mr Hernandez is shouting comments and threatening to arrest her and to make her life a living hell if she did not comply with his orders.

Step out now, or Im going to pull you out, he said at one point, also threatening to stun her with a taser. The woman finally stepped out of the car.

He also noticed the passenger in the car, Mr Garcia, who was allegedly ordered by a judge not to be on the property.

Jesus Garcia! Holy f***! Youre back on the f***** property, the officer said in the footage in one instance.

The woman questioned the officer why he needed her identification, to which Hernandez started to explain the trespassing policies. Ms Gomez said she was unaware of the rules.

Can you just shut the f*** up, lady, for 10 f******seconds? Hernandez said at one point in the footage, to which the woman replied, Why are you talking to me like that?

Ms Gomez asked if she could sit back down in the car, and the officer agreed while he was writing down her information.

However, Ms Gomez started her car and tried to drive away from the scene when the officer shot at least three rounds towards the vehicle.

Bodycam footage showed Mr Hernandez yelling at them to stop before he shot at Ms Gomez as she was trying to get away.

Ms Gomez was taken to hospital and later died. The passenger was not injured but was later arrested on misdemeanour and felony warrants, KFOX14 reports.

Mr Hernandez, who was with the police for eight years, is currently on administrative leave until the investigation continues.
Income and geographic restrictions would be loosened for a tax-credit program that provides scholarships to help pay for private school tuition under a bill debated Wednesday by the Senates education committee.

Sen. Andrew Koenig, a Manchester Republican and the committees chairman, is sponsoring the legislation seeking to expand MoScholars. Koenig is running this year to become state treasurer, the office that oversees the MoScholars program.

Sen. Andrew Koenig, R-Manchester, answers questions about his bill that would expand MOScholars during a committee meeting Wednesday Jan. 10, 2024.

This is a win for everybody in the situation for kids, and it provides parents options, Koenig told the committee.

The bill, which could cost the state an estimated $9.2 million, would allow students throughout Missouri to enroll in the program and raise the maximum family income from 200% of the amount needed to qualify for free or reduced lunch to 400%.

In 2024, the maximum family salary for a family of four that would be eligible under Koenigs bill is $220,000.

Sen. Tracy McCreery, a Democrat from St. Louis, questioned why the legislation allowed more affluent families to access money that otherwise would go toward the states general fund, asking Koenig why he chose this amount.

Koenig said he would prefer to remove the income cap completely.

When someone is going to a traditional public school, we dont means-test them, he said. All kids should have this option. Obviously, thats not what I filed because I thought that might be difficult to pass.

Currently, the students eligible have difficulty obtaining the tax-credit scholarships because funding lags behind the school year and student demand. Some of the educational assistance organizations, which grant the scholarships, are back-funding renewal scholarships.

Audrey Baker, a parent from Kansas City who testified on Wednesday, said the program is important for students like her daughter, a young student with health issues. Her daughter received interventions in her public school during kindergarten but found more stability in her private school, Baker said.

She applied for a scholarship through the Herzog Tomorrow Foundation, one of the MOScholars providers, and didnt receive the funds because the foundation was short on money, she said. She drained an educational savings account to pay for her daughters tuition.

State Treasurer Vivek Malek testifies in support of a bill by Sen. Andrew Koenig that would expand the MOScholars program on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024. Both are campaigning for the 2024 State Treasurer's election.

McCreery asked Koenig why he would expand the program given its current challenges. She also requested the program prioritize students in unaccredited and provisionally accredited schools.

Weve got more demand for these vouchers than money, she said. So why wouldnt we be focusing on where the need is.

Koenig said the program was new, and he hoped more money would come into MOScholars.

If your concern is that some kids might not have access to this who really need it, we can always make it part of the foundation formula and do direct funding, he said.

His legislation does not include a state appropriation, but it would expand the cap on the amount of tax credits the program can receive. It also would increase the scholarship amount for students with poor English language skills, who qualify for free or reduced lunch or have an individualized education plan.

State Treasurer Vivek Malek testified in favor of the bill, focusing on the geographic expansion, saying that he believes students should have the opportunity enroll whether they live in Ladue or in Laddonia, or in St. Louis City or in Sikeston.

He did not comment on the provision that would allow families making 400% of the amount to qualify for free or reduced lunch to be eligible.

Sen. Doug Beck questions State Treasurer Vivek Malek during a Senate Education and Workforce Development Committee hearing Wednesday Jan. 10, 2024.

Sen. Doug Beck, an Affton Democrat, asked Malek and MOScholars program administrator David Masterson whether student achievement was being recorded. Malek said that data is collected after the third year of the program, or school year 2024-25.

Beck questioned expanding the program before this data is available.

We raised $9 million last year. This year, we raised $17 million, Malek said. And as the program is expanding, I think it is more wise to expand it now than to wait.

Opposition to the bill included education groups like Missouri Council for School Administrators and the Missouri National Education Association, a teachers union.

A new system

Koenig presented a second bill to the committee Wednesday that would remove the need for the MOScholars program, allowing educational expenses to be reimbursed through a tax credit if a student attends a school outside of their home district.

The bills fiscal note estimates that it would cost around $900 million to $1.5 billion. Koenig said Wednesday that he believes excluding homeschooled students could shave off $700 million.

Families would be able to receive up to the amount of the state adequacy target for each student, which is the amount the state calculates in state aid per pupil.

Sen. Elaine Gannon, a Republican from De Soto, asked Koenig where the money would come from.

Koenig said parents would be reimbursed for the expenses when they do their taxes. He said some of the money comes from Proposition C, a sales tax approved by voters in 1982 for schools and highways.

You want to take funding thats been designated for the public school system since 1982? Gannon asked.

She accused the bill of draining the public school money away.

Koenig said he doesnt think Proposition C money belongs solely to the public school system.

I dont view that money as owned by the institutions, he said. It is there to educate the children of the state of Missouri, and thats the purpose behind it.

Gannon pushed back, saying it belongs to the schools.

This money was designated in 1982 for public schools, and now youre wanting to take that money and spend it where it should not be spent, she said, banging her hand against the desk.

Sen. Greg Razer, a Kansas City Democrat, said he wanted more information from homeschool families if they were to receive public dollars.

Ive always been bothered that we dont have oversight over homeschools to make sure that the kids are getting taught, he said. I suspect most are. I suspect some are not.

This story was first published at www.missouriindependent.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri bills would expand tax credits for private school tuition
Nikki Haley could beat Ron DeSantis in Iowa, leaving her as the sole challenger to Donald Trump - Andrew Harnik/AP

Nikki Haley has finally worked out how to deal with Donald Trump.

The former South Carolina governor, who served in Mr Trumps administration as his UN ambassador, has always been uneasy about criticising her former boss.

But like all of Mr Trumps challengers she must strike a delicate balance between poaching supporters from his enormous polling lead and disastrously upsetting the Make America Great Again wing of the party.

As the clock ticks down to the Iowa caucus on Monday  the first round of state-by-state voting to decide the Republican presidential nominee  Ms Haley has a new message about the former president: he might have good ideas, but he is more trouble than hes worth.

I think president Trump was the right president at the right time to break the things that we needed, she told a packed room of voters in Ankeny, near Des Moines, on Thursday.

I agreed with a lot of his policies. But rightly or wrongly, chaos follows him.

We cant be a country in disarray and have a world on fire, and go to four more years of chaos because we wont survive it.

The message is designed to smooth over the differences between Ms Haleys establishment wing of the GOP and Mr Trumps anarchic supporters. And it appears to be landing, to an extent. Polls last night showed Ms Haley leapfrogging her rivals to take second place in Iowa.

Candidates are criss-crossing a rural state the size of England, cars skidding on ice and snow with temperatures lower than -20C, to meet voters wherever they can find warmth.

I have people in my family who are on opposite ends of the political spectrum, and I feel like shes somebody who can start to bring us back together, said Anne Darby, on the first floor of a nondescript office block for Ms Haleys latest campaign stop.

The retired teacher and former Trump supporter who runs a childrens riding school added: I agree with a lot of what Trump did, but I feel like hes an alienator. I dont want him back in office. I dont like him. I want somebody who can talk to both sides.

Tom Agnigsch, a retired IT director, agrees. I supported Trump last time, but never again, he said.

Chaos follows. We need somebody with higher moral conviction, better character. Somebody that we can respect and look up to as well as the rest of the world.

Anne and Tom will likely meet again on Monday to debate and vote behind closed doors, district by district  an odd quirk of the US primary election season.

Hedging her bets

Unlike Ron DeSantis, who has thrown almost all of his campaigns resources into the Iowa caucus, Ms Haley is playing a longer game.

Her campaign team expected to perform poorly in Iowa  a socially conservative, rural state where Mr Trump and Mr DeSantis poll well  and have focussed on building a ground campaign in the next two primaries, New Hampshire and South Carolina.

In New Hampshire, she is now in with a serious chance of overtaking Mr Trump, after the withdrawal of Chris Christie, her main rival on the moderate wing of the race.

Prior to his decision to suspend his campaign, Mr Christie had 12 per cent support in the Granite State  enough to give Ms Haley the edge on Mr Trump if all of his supporters switch to her.

Her supporters hope that Mr Christies unfortunate hot mic moment on Tuesday, in which he revealed he thought she would be smoked by Mr Trump in the primary, does not prove accurate.

South Carolina, her home state, votes at the end of February, when Ms Haleys team hope she will have built enough momentum to switch from underdog to frontrunner.

What her team never expected was that she would overtake Mr DeSantis in Iowa, where the Florida governor has spent weeks tirelessly travelling through almost every town in the state.

A new poll released on Friday showed she is now in second place, with the support of 20 per cent of GOP voters to Mr Trumps 54 per cent.

The survey is a major boost for her campaign, and those close to her hope that beating Mr DeSantis in Iowa could knock him out altogether, leaving her as the sole challenger.

There are major policy differences between Haley and Trump  particularly on Ukraine - Andrew Harnik/AP

Trump sees Haley as a threat

I think Monday is the end of the DeSantis campaign, and then its just Haley versus Trump, said Eric Levine, a Haley campaign fundraiser in New York.

I think this potentially becomes a long drawn out slugfest between Trump and Nikki Haley. And I think at the end of the day, I remain hopeful that she can pull it off.

All of a sudden now, Trump is focussed on her. He was attacking DeSantis, he was attacking Biden.

Now hes just focussed exclusively on her. He obviously sees her as a threat. He wouldnt be wasting his breath on her if he didnt think she was a threat to him.

Challenges remain

For all the good news in the polls for Ms Haley, there are some who remain sceptical about her ability to overtake Mr Trump on a national scale.

There are major policy differences between the pair on key issues, like the war in Ukraine.

Mr Trump has said he would end US support for Kyiv, and end the war in one day, while Ms Haley, whose husband was deployed in Afghanistan, has been a vocal supporter of more muscular American involvement in global affairs.

The last thing I want any military man or woman to have to do is have to go fight a war, she told voters on Thursday. But you have to understand your enemies before you know how you can defeat them.

On abortion, one of the trickiest issues for Republicans, Ms Haley has dodged difficult questions about nationwide bans and says she would leave the decisions to individual states. Mr Trump has hinted he would look at federal action, if broad support could be found.

Ms Haley prefers not to discuss these policy differences, instead pointing to polls showing that of the two candidates, she would beat Joe Biden by a much larger margin  paving the way for a four-year Republican domination of political institutions.

Thats bigger than the presidency, she said. You go into DC with a double digit win  thats a mandate, to stop the wasteful spending, get our economy back on trackto get our kids reading again and go back to the basics on education.

Reaching the crescendo of her stump speech, she finishes: No more excuses. A mandate to bring life back to our country and a mandate for a strong America we can be proud of. Dont you want that again?

With the Iowa caucuses imminent, it increasingly feels like they do.

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Members of a rally, which was led by the Loyal White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, a group from Pelham, North Carolina, stand in front of the South Carolina State House, July 18, 2015, in Columbia, South Carolina; the rally was held to protest the removal of a Confederate battle flag from the State House grounds. Photo by Veasey Conway/UPI

Jan. 11 (UPI) -- A North Carolina jury on Thursday convicted 52-year-old Marian Hudak of hate crimes against a Black man and Hispanic man in different incidents.

Evidence in the trial proved that in October, Hudak encountered a black man identified in court documents as J.S., while driving in Concord, N.C., and shouted racial slurs at him. Hudak yelled "come here, boy," to J.S. then swerved his car into the lane occupied by J.S.'s vehicle.

Hudak then got out of his car, approached J.S.'s car and punched the driver's side window several times. After J.S. fled, Hudak proceeded to follow J.S. to his home where Hudak continued to shout racial slurs and threatened to shoot and kill J.S., according to evidence presented at trial.

Evidence presented at trial also proved that in November 2021, Hudak attacked his Hispanic neighbor, J.D., outside J.D.'s home because of his nationality.

"Hudak shouted racially charged insults at J.D. before attacking him. Hudak punched and tackled J.D., causing J.D. to suffer bodily injury," the court documents said.

Witnesses testified at trial about Hudak's frequent anti-Hispanic comments, both before and after the attack on J.D., and about other instances where Hudak shouted slurs at, gave the middle finger to and drove aggressively near other minority motorists in the Concord area. Other evidence included a KKK flag, a racist publication and Nazi memorabilia found in Hudak's residence.

"It's one thing to use racial slurs and harbor the KKK's flag, but carrying out acts of violence fueled by naked racial animus and hatred violates the law and core principles of our democracy," a release from The Justice Department said.

Hudak was charged in June with willfully injuring, intimidating or interfering with J.S. because of J.S.'s race and color and because J.S. was using a public facility. Hudak was charged with willfully injuring, intimidating or interfering with J.D. because of J.D.'s race and national origin and because J.D. was occupying a dwelling.

"The defendant was held accountable for his violent and unlawful attacks on Black and Hispanic members of his community," said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division.

"The Justice Department will vigorously investigate and prosecute violence targeting people because of their race or national origin. All community members should be able to live in and move about their neighborhoods without fear of attack because of how they look or where they are from."

Hudak is scheduled to be be sentenced May 1.
The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, her husband, on the second day of their visit to Sri Lanka - PA

The Princess Royal and  the Beatles. They are unlikely fashion bedfellows and yet the Princess bore a striking resemblance to Paul, George, Ringo and Johns 1968 appearance in Rishikesh on the second day of her tour to Sri Lanka on Thursday.

Visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, the Princess Royal wore head-to-toe white, down to her socks, as a mark of respect to the Buddhist faith.

Like the Fab Four, her look was enlivened by a customary garland of jasmine flowers, which she wore around her neck. Her signature chignon hairstyle remained as firmly pinned in place as ever.

The Princess Royal visits a resettlement village at the Halo Trust in Muhamalai - PA

The Beatles became enamoured by Indian dress during their time studying at an ashram in the country in the 1960s. If you go to India, you cant wear Western clothes. Thats one of the best bits about India  having these cool clothes: big baggy shirts and pyjama trousers, George Harrison once said. Their adoption of kurta pyjamas sparked trends back in the UK for similar styles.

The Beatles and their wives at Rishikesh, India, with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in March 1968 - HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY

Fifty-six years later, the Princess Royals white look consisted of a blouse featuring a round collar and pair of straight-cut cotton trousers.

Whether she will be setting trends like the Beatles remains to be seen, but it was an exemplary display of diplomatic royal dressing.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin. Contributor#8523328

Russia's tax revenue from its oil and gas sectors fell 24% in 2023, Bloomberg reported.

Its Urals crude blend averaged $62.99 per barrel, a 17% decline for the year.

Gas export revenue dropped 65% after Russia cut off shipments to Europe.

Russia's tax revenue from its energy sector dropped 24% in 2023 as oil prices and Moscow's natural gas exports fell.

The Kremlin generated 8.82 trillion rubles ( $99.3 billion) last year, according to Bloomberg, citing new data from the Russian Finance Ministry.

That came as Russia's benchmark Ural crude blend averaged $62.99 per barrel, down 17% for the year, though it's above the G7's $60 price cap imposed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Still, the US Treasury Department has grown more aggressive in enforcing sanctions, and the Urals price discount versus benchmark Brent crude has widened, reaching $14 per barrel in December.

Meanwhile, Russia largely cut off pipeline gas exports to Europe in response to earlier sanctions. This decision sent Russia's gas export revenue down more than 65% in 2023.

To replace its traditional trade partnership with Europe, Russia has rerouted energy exports towards alternative markets, such as China and India. However, outflows headed to these countries came with a discount, providing Moscow with less revenue upside.

The strain on the Kremlin's finances was also worsened by its use of stimulus, paying out $32.6 billion worth of subsidies to its oil industry. Though policymakers attempted to pull back some of this spending, doing so resulted in a late 2023 fuel shortage throughout the country.

Spending pressures look to be mounting in 2024, with nearly a third of Russia's budget allocated for defense. Social spending will account for one-fifth of the budget, especially as President Vladimir Putin gears up for his fifth election run.

In December, a US official said that sanctions on Russia's oil and gas industries will remain in place for years to come, with the goal of halving energy revenues by 2030.

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A group of puppies is in need of new homes in North Carolina after a cross-country journey, an animal shelter said.

Four Belgian shepherds  two 12-week old puppies, a 9-month-old and a 1-year-old  were all surrendered to animal control after coming from California, according to a Jan. 12 Facebook post from the Humane Society of Eastern Carolina, based in Greenville.

After a house fire devastated their familys home, the puppies were moved to North Carolina and surrendered due to no fault of their own, the shelter said. They came from a family struck by tragedy after tragedy, according to the shelter.

All of the dogs were in rough shape, the shelter said, and their need for medical care and new homes is urgent.

These dogs deserve a second chance at a better life, and we need your help to make that happen, the shelter said in its post.

One of the dogs, the 9-month-old, was taken to a veterinarian at Firetower Animal Clinic in Winterville, according to the shelter.

Thank you so much for making room for this little guy, the shelter wrote, expressing its gratitude to the clinic.

Several Facebook users expressed their sympathy for the puppies, wishing them well on their road to recovery.

Oh my goodness! Breaks my heart for those babies! one user wrote.

Adoptions with the Humane Society of Eastern Carolina require those interested to fill out an application, according to their website. Then, after reviewing the application, a staff member will contact the applicant to set up an appointment.

Belgian shepherds are also known as Belgian malinois.

Greenville is about 85 miles southeast of Raleigh and about 10 miles north of Winterville.

Dog known as professional troublemaker survives 60-foot fall from cliff in Michigan

Hero the dog leads rescuers to other animals in need of help. Now, she has a new home

Dog named Disco was missing for days  until shes found 1,000 miles from home in NC
Houthi rebels in Yemen have warned the West to expect bloody retaliation after a series of UK and US-led airstrikes against them, amid fears of dramatically escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Rishi Sunak said the action showed that the militants attacks on ships in the Red Sea could not be carried out with impunity, while foreign secretary Lord Cameron said they sent a very clear message to their backers, Iran.

British and American forces hit 60 targets in 16 locations in the early hours, taking out command centres and drone and missile sites. In response, the Houthis promised reprisals and said that UK and US interests were now legitimate targets.

It came as:

Iran described the overnight strikes as a clear violation of Yemens sovereignty

Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan accused the US and the UK of trying to turn the Red Sea into a sea of blood

General Sir Richard Barrons, a former chief of joint operations who served in Afghanistan, said the West should expect a defiant response

Experts warned the move had put the both the US and UK on riskier terrain

A fresh missile attack against a vessel was reported on Friday evening, with British maritime security firm Ambrey saying Houthi militants mistakenly targeted a tanker carrying Russian oil

Rishi Sunak during a visit to Ukraine, hours after the overnight strikes in Yemen (AFP via Getty Images)

The Hamas-backing Houthis claim they are targeting vessels linked to Israel in one of the worlds busiest shipping routes, because of the war in Gaza. As the world waited for the Houthi response, a defiant Mr Sunak, speaking during a visit to Ukraine, did not rule out further military action in Yemen, saying attacks on ships cant be met without a response.

Downing Street denied the UK was at war with the Iran-backed group and said the strikes, targeting military facilities used by rebels, had been proportionate and carried out in self-defence.

President Joe Biden, who green-lit the attacks on Tuesday, has also said he would not hesitate to take further action if necessary.

Houthi rebels said the strikes killed at least five people and wounded six, and would not go unanswered and unpunished. Turkey also criticised the US and the UK, accusing them of trying to turn the Red Sea into a sea of blood, while the strikes were also condemned by Russia.

At home, Labour leader Keir Starmer backed the government, but demanded a statement to MPs at the first opportunity.

However, a political row erupted over the PMs failure to seek the approval of parliament for the strikes  despite briefing the Labour leader ahead of time and holding a late-night cabinet meeting.

People take to the streets of the Yemeni Red Sea city of Hudeida, to condemn the overnight attacks (AFP via Getty Images)

The Lib Dems foreign affairs spokesperson, Layla Moran, said it was shameful for Mr Sunak to bypass parliament. No 10 said MPs would not get a retrospective vote, but did not rule out further strikes.

Meanwhile, General Sir Richard Barrons said the UK must be prepared to attack Yemen again as he warned the West should expect a defiant response, which will most likely include at least some further attacks to show the rebels are not defeated. He added: Things might then settle down.

That view was echoed by former defence secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind who told The Independent he believed there would be further strikes.

The Houthis will want to prove we cannot be deterred, he said. So I will be very surprised if theres not at least one further incident. It might not even be immediate, it might be in a weeks time or 10 days. Or it might be in the next 48 hours. When it does happen there will be a further American strike. And then there wont be any more after that, at least for some period of time.

Former British military intelligence officer Philip Ingram warned the critical period was the next 12 to 48 hours, to see how the Houthis respond.

He said British military vessels could be swarmed by drones, adding that while he was confident there was the manpower to shoot them down, its (still) hugely dangerous. And nothing is 100 per cent. That means theres always a percentage chance that something will get through.

And Major General Tim Cross, who served in Iraq, the Balkans and Northern Ireland, warned it would be a natural tactic for the Houthis to try to swarm a warship with drones.

An RAF Typhoon returning to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus after joining the US-led coalition conducting airstrikes against military targets in Yemen (PA Media)

We know from experience in places like Ukraine that if you send enough drones then there are chances of a small number getting through  90 per cent can be shot down, but the rest may get through, he told The Independent. A small drone wouldnt sink a ship, but it can cause damage, and will be a great propaganda victory for the Houthis.

But Lord West, the chief of UK naval staff from 2002 to 2006, played down the chances of a wider escalation with Iran. I think the strikes will make Iran think, Oh hang on  they do take it seriously. I dont believe it will escalate, he said.

He warned, however, that Mr Sunak would have to be prepared to strike again if necessary. What do we do if they [the Houthis] do the next attacks? Do we up the ante? Thats the next difficult decision. If they keep attacking innocent merchant ships and our warships then I think we will have to do something.

Sophia Gaston, head of foreign policy at the think tank Policy Exchange, also warned of a wider conflict in the region following the strikes.

Houthi supporters rally after U.S. and Britain carry out strikes in Yemen (via Reuters)

She added that retaliation in the form of intensified attacks on ships in the Red Sea could push the US and UK into areas that theyre not going to feel very comfortable with.

We are moving into a much riskier terrain because the US and the UK certainly do not want to be in a situation where we are required to engage beyond a limited targeted strike capacity and certainly not one that may invite the participation of other regional powers, she said.

She added that the existence of so many proxies for different states, such as the Houthis and Hezbollah for Iran, necessarily makes this a kind of tinderbox. And I think there are a lot of these players who believe that the stakes at the moment are becoming existential. So I think that always is a recipe for a higher risk of conflict.

Backing Mr Sunaks airstrikes, former prime minister Boris Johnson stressed that what happens in Yemen affects us all, with disruption to shipping routes adding to everyday costs in the west.

The spate of Houthi attacks on shipping, if it continues, has the potential to do incalculable damage to the world economy  and to the UK, he said in his Daily Mail column on Friday. The madness of the Houthis will ultimately affect you  your mortgage, your cost of living; and we cannot allow them to continue as they are.

Lord Ricketts, who served as the UKs first national security adviser, warned that the conflict in the Red Sea was already having a major disruptive effect on this big maritime artery which carries 20 per cent of all the worlds container traffic, as well as a lot of oil and gas exports.

Huge explosions were seen in Yemeni cities in the early hours of Friday.

The Ministry of Defence said four Royal Air Force jets struck two Houthi facilities involved in their targeting of HMS Diamond and US Navy vessels on Tuesday.

One was a site at Bani and the other the Abbs airfield, used to launch drones and cruise missiles.

Dr Tobias Borck, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) think tank, said the threat of a wider regional war had existed since Hamass deadly 7 October attack on Israel.

However, escalation can happen as a result of accidents and miscalculation, or as a simple compounding of risk, a normalisation of an extremely high level of violence, he said.
Houthi fighters protest in Yemen's capital Sana'a following the US and British forces' strikes - AFP

Grant Shapps has warned Iran that the world is running out of patience after Britain and America launched air strikes against Tehran-backed Houthi rebels.

In an interview with The Telegraph, the Defence Secretary said the Iranian regime must tell the Houthis and other Middle Eastern proxies to cease and desist, warning that a limit has been truly crossed.

On Thursday night, RAF Typhoon jets launched Paveway IV laser-guided bombs at two Houthi-controlled sites in Yemen, in a raid that the Government believes has significantly reduced the groups ability to attack commercial ships in the Red Sea.

The mission was undertaken with US forces, who used air, sea and submarine assets in the Red Sea to target more than 60 Houthi sites linked to 27 attacks since November.

Early on Saturday, news agencies reported the US military was carrying out an additional strike against the Houthis in Yemen, according to US officials, a day after launching attacks. One official said the additional target was a radar site.

Asked what his message to Iran would be, Mr Shapps said: You must get the Houthi rebels, others who are acting as proxies for you, Lebanese Hezbollah are obvious examples, [and] some in Iraq and Syria, you must get these different organisations to cease and desist because we are, the world is, running out of patience.

We see you, we see through what youre doing. We see how youre doing it, particularly the Houthi rebels, and no good can come from it.

Rishi Sunak said on Friday that the strikes were intended to warn the Houthis that further attacks would lead to reprisals from the West. This type of behaviour cant be met without a response, he said on a visit to Kyiv. We need to send a strong signal that this breach of international law is wrong. People cant act like this with impunity.

On Friday night Lt Gen Douglas Sims, a senior US army officer, said the US and UK deployed more than 150 munitions against command and control nodes, munitions depots, launching systems, production facilities and air defence radar systems.

At this point, we continue to conduct battle damage assessment of the various targets, he said. We feel very confident about where our munitions struck.

The Pentagon said it was confident the strikes had harmed the Houthis ability to conduct attacks in the Red Sea.

The Telegraph can reveal that Britains aircraft carriers are not ready to be sent to the region because of the recruitment crisis engulfing the Armed Forces. Despite calls to send HMS Queen Elizabeth, the UKs 3 billion aircraft carrier, to the Red Sea, it cannot be deployed because its support ship, RFA Fort Victoria, is operating on a skeleton crew and remains in a Liverpool shipyard.

Although RFA Fort Victoria remains in Birkenhead, defence sources insisted there would be other ways of supporting the aircraft carriers if the warship were to be sent to the region.

It is understood this could include working with other nations to ensure solid supplies such as obtaining more ammunition.

It has been suggested that naval chiefs could move sailors to RFA Fort Victoria from other merchant navy vessels, but they would need time to be trained.

Mr Shapps said: We are acting in self-defence because of the shipping situation, because of HMS Diamond being attacked. Iran has an important part to play here and needs to understand that it needs to be clearer with its many proxies in the region that no good can come from this and everyone loses if they carry on going down this track.

We cant have thugs, essentially, harassing international shipping and running the risks. Its only a matter of time before there are deaths of entirely innocent people [who are] completely disconnected to whats going on in the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Mr Shapps also defended the decision not to allow MPs to vote on the strikes before they took place. He said: If you had to go through a parliamentary process then it would... potentially degrade the quality of the operation itself.

The Defence Secretarys comments came after the US insisted that the strikes were not an attack on Iran.

Joe Biden wrote in a statement delivered to the leaders of both houses of Congress: The strikes were taken to deter and degrade Houthi capacity to conduct future attacks and were conducted in a manner designed to limit the risk of escalation and avoid civilian casualties.

Asked if the air strikes would continue, Mr Biden said:  We will make sure that we respond to the Houthis if they continue this outrageous behaviour, along with our allies.

On Friday, a split emerged between EU countries over the attacks on Yemen, with Italy and France refusing to join the military action or endorse a statement on their justification. The Netherlands along with Australia, Canada and Bahrain added logistical and intelligence support to the US and UK strikes.

An Italian government source told Reuters that Giorgia Melonis administration had refused to participate because the country wanted to pursue a calming policy in the Red Sea.

Antonio Tajani, the deputy prime minister, said Italy could not have participated at such short notice because the constitution does not allow us to commit acts of war without a debate in parliament.

The French government is understood to have thought striking the Houthis would have hindered its attempts to de-escalate conflict in Lebanon. Rear-Adml Emmanuel Slaars, the French naval commander in the region, said he did not have a mandate to attack Houthis directly.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the president of Turkey, accused the UK-US alliance of turning the Red Sea into a sea of blood with a disproportionate use of force.

The UK and US insist that the strikes were in self-defence, on behalf of naval and commercial shipping vessels from various countries that have been attacked in recent weeks.

Warning of retaliation

Houthi commanders have vowed to retaliate against the US and UK for the strikes, which the rebels said had killed five fighters and injured another six.

The American and British enemy bears full responsibility for this criminal aggression against our Yemeni people, and it will not go unanswered and unpunished, a statement by the group said.

On Friday, a British maritime security firm said that Houthi militants had mistakenly targeted a tanker carrying Russian oil in a missile attack off Yemen.

A missile was reported to have been fired at the vessel but there were no injuries or damage.

Security firm Ambrey said it believed it had been mistakenly targeted because outdated information suggested it was linked to the UK.

A US assessment of the strikes released on Friday morning said they had been a success.

However, despite London and Washington issuing strong warnings to the Houthis, the White House said it was not looking for conflict with Iran and hoped the situation could now be resolved through diplomatic means.

Were not looking to escalate and theres no reason for it to escalate beyond what happened over the last few days, John Kirby, the US national security spokesman, told MSNBC.

We know that Iran supports the Houthis. We know that theyre supplying them with the missiles and the drones, the same things theyve used to attack shipping, and we have made it very clear Iran should stop that support.

Grant Shapps visited BAE Systems in Warton on Thursday - Ministry of Defence

We cant let thugs harass shipping

By Ben Riley-Smith

Grant Shapps was in bed at his constituency home in Hertfordshire when the news came through that the British mission to strike Houthi sites in Yemen had succeeded.

The Defence Secretary had been monitoring the operation via his phone, secure messages pinging with updates, stepping out of the bedroom to take calls periodically.

One word sprang to mind when hearing British pilots were back at base in Cyprus in the early hours of Friday morning, having pulled the trigger at 11.30pm on Thursday.

I cant think of a better word than relief to see all our crews had returned, Mr Shapps told The Telegraph in an exclusive interview on Friday, discussing the previous nights raids.

The sensation must have been shared by Rishi Sunak, who then was somewhere en route to Ukraine for a secret trip to Kyiv to unveil a new Ukrainian military aid package.

Thursday nights bombing was the first known military strike signed off by Mr Sunak.

For Mr Shapps, 55, the operation came just five months into his tenure heading up the Ministry of Defence  though he has a host of other Cabinet roles under his belt.

Britains Armed Forces were responsible for two of the 16 Yemeni sites struck: an airfield at Abs and a site at Bani, which the UK said had been used for drone attacks.

So was the mission a success? All of our targets across two different locations were hit, Mr Shapps says.

We wont see all the reconnaissance for 24 or 48 hours. But weve every reason to believe that all of our intended targets were successfully diminished.

The British military personnel who took part were also unscathed. All returned to base and no injuries at all, Mr Shapps says.

If the US-led raid appears to have gone without a hitch in operational terms, the merits of the decision itself are sure to be the point of heated debate the world over.

The Houthis, a pro-Palestinian Shia Islamist group who control Yemen, have been firing rockets in increasingly escalating attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea since the Israel-Gaza conflict broke out.

The Defence Secretary has confidence in the decision taken to return fire, pointing to the warning statement from the US, UK and other allies issued on Jan 3 and the attempted Houthi attack on US and UK vessels that followed on Tuesday.

I think we made it very, very clear that the freedom of navigation in international waterways is an absolute guaranteed right, Mr Shapps says.

It should be an absolute guaranteed right across all our oceans around the world. The UK actually hosts the International Maritime Organisation to the UN. So, in a sense, we have a special interest in responsibility and that ability of freedom of navigation was being impeded.

Wed issued all the warnings and there comes a point where you simply have to act in self defence, which is what we did, because our own shipping was being fired upon.

Houthi supporters burn US and Israeli flags - REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah

In a precarious situation in the Middle East, with different nations and factions lined up on opposing sides in the Israel-Gaza conflict, the possibility of violence escalating hangs heavy.

The true nature of the relationship between the Houthis, who took control of Yemen in an ongoing civil war kick-started in 2014, and the Iranians remains a point of debate.

Mr Shapps is explicit, delivering a clear message to Iranian leaders to intervene to make sure there are no more attacks from Houthi thugs, as he brands them.

No one wants to see escalation, Mr Shapps says. We are acting in self-defence because of the shipping situation, because of HMS Diamond [the UK vessel fired at on Tuesday] being attacked.

But Iran has an important part to play here and needs to understand that it needs to be clearer with its many proxies in the region that no good can come from this and everyone loses if they carry on going down this track.

We cant have thugs, essentially, harassing international shipping and running the risks. Its only a matter of time before there are deaths of entirely innocent people [who are] completely disconnected to whats going on in the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Over 50 countries have now been affected by this with their shipping. This has lost all connection to the Israel-Gaza conflict and Iran absolutely needs to send a message to the Houthis that they have gone too far.

The comments were similar in tone to ones he gave on Thursday, as strikes were being prepared, when The Telegraph accompanied him on a missile factory visit.

Asked what his message to Iran was, Mr Shapps told this newspaper on Thursday: You must get the Houthi rebels, others who are acting as proxies for you, Lebanese, Hezbollah are obvious examples, some in Iraq, Syria, you must get these different organisations to cease and desist because we are  the world is  running out of patience. We see you, we see through what youre doing.

We see how youre doing it, particularly the Houthi rebels, and no good can come from it.

Concerning the question of Houthis failing to back down, Mr Shapps expressed his hope that Britain would not have to strike again.

He said: Look, I just very much hope that theres an understanding now that there is a limit that has been truly crossed.

We cannot have a situation where international waterways are too dangerous for ships to pass. We will obviously keep the situation under review, but were realistic and understand were dealing with pretty unreasonable people.

A Houthi fighter stands guard in front of Sanaa's Al-Saleh Grand Mosque - MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP via Getty Images

Government ministers have faced criticism from some political opponents for not holding a vote in Parliament before launching the strike on Houthi sites.

Such a move has become convention for military operations since Tony Blair secured the backing of the House of Commons before approving the invasion of Iraq, but there is no legal or constitutional requirement to do so.

Mr Shapps defends the decision, deploying an eye-catching argument: The effectiveness of the military operation itself could have been undermined by giving MPs a vote.

He explains: Our constitutional position is absolutely clear in this country that its done by a prerogative power which actually goes straight from the King, essentially, to the defence secretary.

So theres a power of prerogative and there are times where you just need to be able to act, and unfortunately, if you had to go through a parliamentary process then it would degrade, potentially degrade the quality of the operation itself.

So thats one aspect of it. But secondly, Parliament will be back on Monday, the Prime Minister will make a statement. No ones trying to avoid parliamentary scrutiny.

He declines to promise a parliamentary vote if the one-off strike on Houthi targets becomes a more prolonged military engagement  a likely point of debate next week in the Commons.

There is barely time to discuss the new military aid package for Ukraine, with Mr Sunak announcing 2.5 billion worth of support during a visit to Kyiv on Friday.

The Defence Secretary saw for himself how the Storm Shadow long-range missile the UK has given Ukraine is made during a visit to a factory run by the company MBDA near Bolton on Thursday.

Mr Shapps believes Fridays funding announcement should be seen by Vladimir Putin, as a sign of the UKs deep commitment to supporting Ukraine in its attempt to repel the Russian invasion.

If Putin thought that events in the Middle East would distract us from his evil war in Europe, hes absolutely wrong, Mr Shapps says.

I think actually, by chance, the fact that we had both British military action in the Red Sea overnight at the same time as the Prime Minister going to Ukraine and announcing an increased amount of money to Ukraine very strongly demonstrates that point.

On Saturday, hundreds of police officers will be on alert in London as people attending a pro-Palestine protest who intentionally push the limit on placards and slogans are warned they may face arrest.

Hundreds of thousands of protesters are expected to gather at Bank Junction, in central London, at midday on Saturday as part of a global day of action for Palestine involving 30 countries, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign said.

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 company that rents property in State College and offers management services to Penn State students will pay $10,000 to settle claims it improperly collected administrative fees against tenants security deposits at the end of their lease.

The Pennsylvania attorney generals office wrote in the settlement that Greek Housing Services Inc. failed to give students detailed information about actual damages.

The company was also accused of not telling tenants what was charged against their security deposit, leaving them in the dark with only general summaries.

Students are often under financial restraints, and they do not expect their landlord to increase that burden by charging unlawful fees, state Attorney General Michelle Henry said in a statement. This landlord took advantage of students by requiring that tenants waive rights to which they were lawfully entitled, then proceeded to charge illegal fees.

The settlement barred the company from collecting any administrative fees against tenants security deposits. It also required it to give tenants a detailed invoice about damages and accompanying charges within 30 days of the lease ending.

The restitution payment is set to go to those who file a valid complaint. The amount, timing and manner of payment is set to be decided by the attorney generals office.

Complaints may be submitted online at attorneygeneral.gov/submit-a-complaint. They must be filed before March 18.

If the $10,000 payment is less than what is claimed by consumers, the settlement is set to be paid out on a per person basis. Greek Housing Services admitted no wrongdoing in the settlement.

The business owned or managed 328 E. Fairmount Ave., 329 E. Fairmount Ave. and 420 E. Prospect Ave.  all of which operated as fraternities or sororities  between 2019 and 2022.

The building at 329 East Fairmount Avenue in State College on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. Greek Housing Services will pay $10,000 to settle claims it took advantage of student renters at the property, among others.

Administrative fees charged to tenants ranged from $22 to $67.50 any time a tenant had at least one reportable security deposit infraction, a prosecutor wrote in the settlement.

In a written statement, Greek Housing Services said it strongly refutes the allegations detailed in the settlement.

However, GHS must also consider the time, energy, and expense of defending itself in what would certainly be lengthy, complex litigation, the company wrote. The (assurance of voluntary compliance) allows GHS to make a minimal payment and return to focusing on other business matters.

The settlement is one of more than a handful of legal filings that alleged similar improper security deposit practices by State College landlords, dating back to 2019.

Most have settled, but one company largely won at trial. Centre County Judge Katherine Oliver ruled in favor of Associated Realty Property Management, writing in November 2022 that the attorney generals office lacked evidence with several of its accusations.

Most of the litigation was brought by now-Governor Josh Shapiro, who took office as attorney general in 2017. He said in January 2020 that his office received more student housing and landlord complaints from State College than anywhere else in the state.
On the evening of Jan. 9, off the coast of Alaska, a boat capsized. There were five people on board, and the water near Chichagof Island was 44 degrees.

At 4:48 pm, the Sitka Police Department called the Coast Guard with word of an overturned vessel west of Juneau, according to a news release. The Coast Guard and partner agencies rushed to the scene.

In icy water rescues, timing is of the essence. In water thats 44 degrees, humans can only survive one to three hours.

About 25 minutes after the initial call, a helicopter hovered above the wreck. Three of the five passengers were in the water below. It took the helicopter crew 35 minutes to pull the three to safety. They were rushed to the Sitka airport to await EMS care.

But questions as to where the other two passengers were remained unanswered. The Coast Guard searched into the night and the following morning. The next day, the fire department came to the scene and deployed an underwater drone to look for the others.

As the drone searched the boat, it entered the cabin and found the bodies of the missing passengers.

It was with a heavy heart that we received news about the two people inside the cabin from our Sitka Fire Department search partners, Coast Guard Capt. Darwin Jensen said in the release. We send our support and strength to the family members at this time and thank our partner agencies for their assistance in this case.

Hiker trapped in wilderness spends night in frigid temperatures, Washington rescuers say

Mom, son dolphins get trapped in shallow water with limited food, Texas photos show

Hikers spend night in Tahoe forest after getting lost in heavy snowfall, CA cops say
The United States and its allies on Thursday launched air and missile strikes at Houthi rebel targets across Yemen after the Iran-backed militia staged multiple drone and missile attacks on ships traversing the Red Sea.

The joint assault, which involved U.S. aircraft, ships and submarines, came after the Houthis ignored weeks of warnings by Washington and its allies to stop their attacks on vessels in the commercially important waterway. The U.S. and the U.K., with support from Australia, Canada, the Netherlands and Bahrain, conducted the strikes.

The response of the international community to these reckless attacks has been united and resolute, President Joe Biden said. These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the worlds most critical commercial routes.

The strikes targeted radar systems, as well as storage and launch sites for drones, cruise and ballistic missiles across a large area of Yemen, according to a Defense Department official, who was granted anonymity to discuss the operation ahead of the announcement. The targets were chosen to degrade the Houthi ability to continue endangering mariners in the Red Sea. No civilians were assessed to be present at the sites, the official said.

The Biden administration has been under intensifying pressure to respond to the attacks, even as it already faces other major foreign policy challenges, including aiding Ukraine after Russias invasion and, more recently, helping Israel fight Hamas since its Oct. 7 attack in Gaza. The Houthi attacks have repeatedly drawn in American warships. U.S. destroyers have shot down dozens of drones and missiles that posed a threat to their sailors since November.

On Wednesday, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby called on the Houthis to halt the attacks, warning that if they continued they would bear the consequences.

Biden in his statement emphasized the joint nature of the attacks and the international communitys condemnation of the Houthis assaults on international shipping. He also noted that the Houthis directly targeted American warships in a Tuesday attack, the largest to date.

This cannot stand, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement. The United Kingdom will always stand up for freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade.

Still, the multinational strikes risked escalating a simmering Middle Eastern conflict sparked by Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel. President Joe Bidens national security team has considered options for striking back at the Houthis in the last few weeks, but had until this point decided to hold off.

The latest Houthi attack came on Thursday morning, when the Iran-backed group fired an anti-ship ballistic missile into international shipping lanes in the Gulf of Aden. This was the 27th such attack since Nov. 19, the Pentagon said.

All national security committees in Congress were notified about the U.S. and U.K. plans to strike the Houthis in Yemen, according to a congressional aide. Some Democrats were quick to criticize the move, saying Biden should have requested authorization from Congress.

The Houthis, a Yemen-based movement, are among several armed groups in the region that have gone after Israeli, U.S. or other targets as Israel has retaliated against Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip.

The Biden administrations No. 1 objective since Oct. 7 has been to keep the Israel-Hamas fight contained and prevent a broader regional war. But Biden has been under increasing political pressure to respond to the Houthi attacks.

Iran itself signaled it could get more directly involved in the conflict at sea on Thursday, when an Iranian navy ship unlawfully seized a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker while it was transiting the Gulf of Oman. The Iranian crew boarded and took control of the vessel, forcing it to change course toward Iranian territory, the Pentagon said. Its status is now unknown.

Thursdays strike marks yet another attack by the U.S. on Iranian proxies since the war in Gaza broke out, and it raises questions about how much further the administration is willing to go to deter future assaults on U.S. troops and international commercial freighters.

In recent weeks, the United States had pulled together an alliance of countries to help police the affected waterways and deter the Houthis under Operation Prosperity Guardian. The U.S. and its partners have shot down over 80 drones and several Houthi ballistic and anti-ship missiles, which were aimed primarily at commercial shipping.

The U.S. and U.K. have deployed warships to the Red Sea as part of that effort, and each ship is capable of using missiles or air defense guns to knock down the drones and missiles. None of the warships has been struck, despite military officials from both countries saying some of the drones were likely aiming for the vessels.

In late December, U.S. Navy helicopters sank three Houthi boats, killing several fighters in the process. The Houthis were attempting to attack a commercial ship and had fired on the American helicopters.

Intelligence officials have closely monitored the situation in the region, collecting information about potential plans by various Iranian-backed rebel groups, including the Houthis, to directly target American forces or personnel stationed overseas, according to a senior intelligence official who, like others in this story, was granted anonymity to discuss sensitive national security operations.

Congressional Republicans have criticized the Biden administration for not taking tougher action to deter Tehran and its proxies.

On Thursday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said Irans seizure of an oil tanker off the coast of Oman is a further reminder that the Biden administration's failure to impose serious costs and restore credible deterrence is emboldening Tehran.

As the Houthis have targeted international commercial freighters, Israeli troops and Hezbollah militants have exchanged fire along Israels border with Lebanon. Iran-backed militias in Iraq also have launched attacks on U.S. forces, and the U.S. has responded by bombing storage sites.

The Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have sparked worries in Washington because of their impact on international trade, including severely delaying shipments and raising insurance rates, another senior official said.

Already, a number of major shipping companies have halted traffic through the Red Sea, instead directing ships to transit the Cape of Good Hope  adding weeks to the journey.

Thanks in part to Iran, the Houthis have grown in prominence and military strength as they fought a lengthy war with Saudi-led forces for control over Yemen. That war, which sparked a humanitarian catastrophe, had in recent years reached an uneasy truce.

It was not immediately clear if that truce inside Yemen would collapse in the face of the U.S. moves, but Saudi and American officials have tried to ensure that it does not.

Joe Gould, Paul McLeary, Erin Banco and Nahal Toosi contributed to this report.
The Scoop

Simmering differences between the Biden administration and key Arab states over Yemen  ironically, tied to successful ceasefire talks over the past three years  are complicating U.S. efforts to neutralize Houthi rebel attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea.

On Thursday, a U.S.-led coalition struck Houthi targets inside Yemen that the White House said were involved in a string of attacks on commercial shipping. These strikes are in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Seaincluding the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history, the administration said in a statement.

But U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken failed during a Mideast swing this week to sign regional heavyweights like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Egypt onto the coalition of a dozen nations  called Operation Prosperity Guardian  that began policing the Red Sea last month. U.S. officials said its chief mission is to guard against Houthi attacks emanating from Yemen that are imperiling 20% of the worlds shipping that transits through the Suez Canal. On Tuesday, the Houthi militia launched its largest ever drone and missile strike on Red Sea shipping, which the U.S. and British navies shot down.

The U.S. and allied attack Thursday could be undermined by a lack of regional support for the operation, both operationally and rhetorically. To date, the only regional state to join Operation Prosperity Guardian is Bahrain, which hosts the U.S. Navys Fifth Fleet in the Persian Gulf.

U.S. and Mideast officials said Saudi Arabia and the UAE would be particularly important partners for any operation against the Houthis, given their extensive knowledge of the militia and Yemen. Both nations fought a brutal war against the Houthis over the past decade to try and dislodge its army from controlling the Yemeni capital, Sanaa. But the Biden administration opposed the war upon taking office in 2021 and initially banned the sale of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia for use in Yemen. The White House also stopped designating the Houthis as a terrorist organization, despite strong opposition from Riyadh and Abu Dhabi. And it helped broker a formal ceasefire between the Saudis and the Houthis.

Arab officials said neither Saudi Arabia nor the UAE is interested in supporting renewed military operations against the Houthis in any major way. Other key Arab states, such as Qatar and Egypt, are also reluctant to join any operation, in part because they could be seen as siding with the West in Israels war against the militant Palestinian group Hamas. The Houthis have publicly described their attacks as aimed at undermining Israels ability to conduct international trade and restock its military.

We never see a military action as a resolution, Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said Sunday in Doha during a press conference with Blinken. So, we hope that we see a stop to whats happening to the civilian ships as soon as possible through our diplomatic means. That would be the best way possible.

Jays view

The Biden administration made stopping the war in Yemen, which left hundreds of thousands dead and spurred a famine, one of its top foreign policy objectives after taking office. But its success, including the lasting ceasefire between the Saudis and Houthis, is now complicating its efforts to safeguard global shipping lanes.

The White House has prioritized preventing a broader Middle East war since Hamas launched its terrorist attack against Israel on Oct. 7. This policy has included supporting Israel Defense Force operations in the Gaza Strip, but also seeking to staunch the spread of fighting into other theaters. Iranian proxies and military allies, in an effort to support Hamas, have launched hundreds of missile and drone attacks against Israeli and American targets over the past three months, including in Syria, Iraq, and the Persian Gulf. But the Pentagon has only retaliated a few times, citing the Biden administrations desire to contain the Gaza conflict.

But Yemen has emerged as a unique threat given that Houthi attacks are now undermining global trade. Secretary Blinken, during stops in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Qatar, Israel, Greece, and Turkiye over the past week, stressed that the Houthis are not just an American problem but also threaten the global economy. When ships have to reroute to avoid danger, when insurance rates go up, when the cost of shipping goes up, that means that people are going to be paying more, he said in Crete.

A number of former U.S. defense officials are publicly criticizing the White House for not already striking Houthi positions in Yemen. Theyve stressed that Washingtons failure to deter Iran and its closest allies so far could lead to even more devastating attacks in the future and significant loss of American life. Typically, appeasement is not an effective long-term solution, the former commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East, retired General Kenneth McKenzie, said Wednesday.

U.S. and Mideast officials told Semafor this week that they believe American and allied strikes against the Houthis are still almost inevitable, given whats at stake. But the Biden administrations inability so far to build an Arab coalition to support this cause will serve as a significant challenge.

The View From Sanaa

Houthi leaders remain defiant in response to U.S. and allied warnings about the attacks in the Red Sea. Last week, the U.S. and 12 partners issued a joint statement calling for an end of the attacks from Yemen.

On Wednesday, Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al Houthi said his forces would retaliate against the U.S. if there are strikes. Any American attack will not remain without a response. The response will be greater than the attack that was carried out with 20 drones and a number of missiles, al Houthi told Yemen television, referring to the militias latest operation. We are more determined to target ships linked to Israel, and we will not back down from that, al Houthi said.

The Houthis have displayed increasingly sophisticated drone and missile capabilities in recent months, much of the technology believed to have been provided by Iran. In September, the Yemeni force staged a massive military parade in Sanaa, which showcased kamikaze drones, medium-range ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles. U.S. officials say Tehran is providing logistical and intelligence support to the Houthis to aid its attacks in the Red Sea.

Notable

Michael Knights of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy argues that Iran has modeled its support for the Houthis on its development of the Hezbollah militia and political movement in Lebanon. But he says the Houthis could potentially surpass Hezbolllahs capabilities.
The US and UK have begun airstrikes against Houthi rebel targets in Yemen in response to more than two dozen attacks by the Iran-backed group on commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea, US officials have said.

The strikes on Thursday and the early hours of Friday targeted roughly a dozen sites used by the Houthis in Yemen with warship-launched Tomahawk cruise missiles as well as fighter-launched weapons.

According to a senior Biden administration official, the strikes were aimed specifically to disrupt and degrade Houthi capabilities to threaten global trade and freedom of navigation in one of the worlds most critical waterways.

The official said the targets focused specifically on Houthi missile radar and UAV capabilities, as well as capabilities that are essential to the Houthis campaign against commercial shipping in international waters.

Todays collective action comes against a broad diplomatic backdrop and global condemnation of his ongoing attacks, including the largest attack to date just three days ago, specifically targeting US vessels, the official added.

Journalists located in Yemens capital, Sanaa, heard four explosions early on Friday local time but saw no sign of warplanes.

Two residents of Hodieda, Amin Ali Saleh and Hani Ahmed, said they heard five strong explosions. Hodieda lies on the Red Sea and is the largest port city controlled by the Houthis.

An RAF Typhoon aircraft takes off from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus to join the US-led coalition in conducting air strikes against military targets in Yemen (via REUTERS)

An official from the Houthi movement claimed raids were also conducted on several Yemeni cities in the early hours of Friday,

American-Zionist-British aggression against Yemen launches several raids on the capital, Sanaa, Hodeidah governorate, Saada, and Dhamar, Houthi official Abdul Qader al-Mortada said on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

In a statement, President Joe Biden confirmed the collaborative action by American and British forces, along with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands.

The president vowed to take further measures, if necessary, to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce.

Mr Biden said the strikes were in direct response to what he described as unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Seaincluding the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history.

HMS Diamond in the Red Sea ((LPhot Chris Sellars/MoD/Crown Copyright/PA))

These attacks have endangered U.S. personnel, civilian mariners, and our partners, jeopardized trade, and threatened freedom of navigation, he said.

More than 50 nations have been affected in 27 attacks on international commercial shipping and crews from more than 20 countries have been threatened or taken hostage in acts of piracy, according to Mr Biden.

He added: These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the worlds most critical commercial routes. I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also confirmed the involvement of the Royal Air Force in a statement.

In recent months, the Houthi militia have carried out a series of dangerous and destabilising attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea, threatening UK and other international ships, causing major disruption to a vital trade route and driving up commodity prices. Their reckless actions are risking lives at sea and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, he said.

Despite the repeated warnings from the international community, the Houthis have continued to carry out attacks in the Red Sea, including against UK and US warships just this week, he continued, before adding: This cannot stand.

The strikes marked the first US military response against the Houthis for what has been a persistent campaign of drone and missile attacks on commercial ships since November, following the outbreak of the war in Israel.

The Houthis initially began targeting vessels linked to Israel, but in recent weeks they have broadened their attacks to the point of severely disrupting international commerce on the key route between Europe and Asia that accounts for about 15 per cent of the worlds shipping traffic.

The coordinated military assault comes just a week after the White House and a host of partner nations issued a final warning to the Houthis to cease the attacks or face potential military action.

Despite the warnings, Houthi rebels fired their largest-ever barrage of drones and missiles targeting shipping in the Red Sea on Tuesday, prompting an immediate defensive responses from US and British ships and American fighter jets.

The forces shot down 18 drones, two cruise missiles and an anti-ship missile. On Thursday, the Houthis fired an anti-ship ballistic missile into the Gulf of Aden, which was seen by a commercial ship but did not hit the ship.

The rebels, who have carried out 27 attacks involving dozens of drones and missiles just since 19 November, said on Thursday that any attack by American forces on its sites in Yemen would spark a fierce military response.

The coordinated strikes by the UK and US are believed to be the first the American military has carried out against the Houthis in Yemen since 2016.

Earlier on Thursday Mr Sunak held an emergency cabinet meeting. He had faced calls to recall Parliament after the Cabinet gathered to discuss potential action.

Britains participation in the strikes underscored the Biden administrations effort to use a broad international coalition to battle the Houthis.

More than 20 nations are already participating in a US-led maritime mission to increase ship protection in the Red Sea.

US officials for weeks had declined to signal when international patience would run out and they would strike back at the Houthis, even as multiple commercial vessels were struck by missiles and drones, prompting companies to look at rerouting their ships.

However, on Wednesday, officials again warned of consequences, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken telling reporters: Im not going to telegraph or preview anything that might happen.

Speaking in Bahrain Mr Blinken said the US had made clear that if this continues as it did yesterday, there will be consequences. And Im going to leave it at that.

A senior White House official said President Biden had been deeply engaged in developments leading up to the joint British-American strikes, including having directed the initial diplomatic response and then the formation of Operation Prosperity Guardian as a defensive measure.

After continued attacks over the New Years holiday weekend, Mr Biden met with his national security team on 1 January to discuss options and the way forward, the official said, adding that Mr Biden also directed his team to continue assembling a multinational coalition for potential military action, and to refine the possible targets of such action.

The President directed his team to further develop military options should they be required, but to first issue a final warning statement, together with close partners and allies, the official said.

After the further attacks on Tuesday, the official said Mr Biden convened his team once more and was briefed on military options for a collective response in concert with the multinational coalition.

The official added that Mr Biden approved the strikes at that Tuesday meeting and directed Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin to carry them out.

The Associated Press contributed reporting from Yemen
In the video, a spotted lanternfly is clinging to the hood of a car with its wings fluttering from the wind. A moment later, the wind blows the invasive bug off the car.

Experiments show the spotted lanternfly, often referred to as SLF by folks researching it, can stay on a vehicle traveling at up to about 65 mph, particularly when they are in window wells or on wipers, U.S. Department of Agriculture research entomologist Tracy Leskey said.

They also often survive if they hit a windshield on a trailing vehicle, Leskey told about 100 people attending her spotted lanternfly talk Wednesday night at the National Conservation Training Center north of Shepherdstown, W.Va. The talk was co-sponsored by the Potomac Valley Audubon Society.

The pest's ability to cling to a moving vehicle and survive being blown off are among the reasons it can spread and colonize in other areas, said Leskey, who is station director at the Appalachian Fruit Research Station in Kearneysville, W.Va. Spotted lanternflies hitchhike along major transportation corridors like Interstate 81 and rail lines.

Tracy Leskey, research entomologist and station director at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Appalachian Fruit Research Station in Kearneysville, W.Va. This photo was taken Jan. 10, 2024, shortly before Leskey's talk at the National Conservation Training Center near Shepherdstown, W.Va., about spotted lanternflies.

The agriculture department and several partners continue to do research and experiments, like the wind-related ones, about the spotted lanternfly because of concerns regarding the ecological and economic harm the bug can cause. Those partners have included universities like Penn State, Virginia Tech, Rutgers and the University of Maryland, as well as Fort Detrick in Frederick County, Md. The Army base hosted a quarantine greenhouse for research about spotted lanternflies and host plants, Leskey said.

Among the plants it feeds on are grape vines, particularly wine grape vines, Leskey said. That feeding causes wilting, stunting and fungal problems.

Some vineyard owners reported yield losses up to 90% from spotted lanternfly infestation. The pests do "quite well on wine grapes" putting those particular varieties at risk, she said.

This map from the Cornell University Integrated Pest Management Program shows the reported distribution of spotted lanternflies as of Nov. 9, 2023. An online interactive map showing the greater distribution of reported infestations is available at https://lookerstudio.google.com/reporting/b0bae43d-c65f-4f88-bc9a-323f3189cd35/page/QUCkC.

A brief history of the spotted lanternfly

The spotted lanternfly is native to China, India and Vietnam. Before arriving in the U.S. in Berks County, Pa., in 2014, it was invasive in South Korea and Japan, Leskey said.

SLF likely arrived in the U.S. via a decorated stone shipment from China, she said. Pennsylvania officials immediately put a quarantine and mitigation plan in place to stem the pest's spread and try to eradicate it.

While those efforts slowed the spread, spotted lanternfly infestations have reached most counties in Maryland and Pennsylvania, all of New Jersey, and as far west as a county in Iowa, according to a New York State Integrated Pest Management map updated last fall. West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle, Northern Virginia and Delaware are among other areas with infestations.

Spotted lanternflies on a grapevine.

Leskey said she first encountered the spotted lanternfly when an entomology colleague at Penn State asked her to come look at a new invasive species spreading in eastern Pennsylvania. They went to a vineyard and saw egg masses at the end of vineyard rows.

It reminded her of the 2010 outbreak of the brown marmorated stink bug, another pest Leskey has talked about at the conversation and training center. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Historian Mark Madison, a representative for the lecture series, said the stink bug talk drew about 350 people, the lecture series' largest crowd in its 27 years.

After that visit to Pennsylvania, Leskey committed to working on the spotted lanternfly with her team. This included looking at reports from its native area and other places it invaded, even a visit to South Korea.

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Researching natural ways to deal with spotted lanternfly

The encouraging news is South Korea saw the spotted lanternfly population crash between 2012 to 2018 after exponential growth.

Leskey said South Korean officials think a natural enemy curbed the spotted lanternfly population. That enemy is an egg parasitoid, Anastatus orientalis. It is a non-stinging wasp that lays its eggs in the eggs of the spotted lanternfly.

Research is being done in the U.S. on Anastatus orientalis and the spotted lanternfly  under quarantine conditions, Leskey said.

Hundreds, if not thousands, of adult spotted lanternflies congregating on the water tower at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Appalachian Fruit Research Station in Kearneysville, W.Va., during the summer of 2023.

Speaking about spotted lanternfly predators that aren't native to the U.S, Leskey said researchers can't just release those nonnative predators into the environment. A lot of research has to be done and there is a regulatory process to go through as officials have to be careful about the potential impact on local species.

Other "biological control agents"  or natural predators, parasites and pathogens  of the spotted lanternfly include:

A microscopic roundworm that infects juvenile spotted lanternflies, releasing a symbiotic bacteria that causes septicemia and results in death in 48 hours. Leskey said, so far, the roundworm is not as effective against SLF eggs or adults. In early nymphs, there has been up to 44% reduction.

Orb- and funnel-weaver spiders, though Leskey said they haven't affected spotted lanternfly to the point researchers are seeing a complete reduction.

A non-stinging parasitic wasp called Dryinus sinicus lays its eggs under the wingpad of developing spotted lanternfly nymphs. Leskey said that can lead to a "gruesome death" for the lanternfly when the pupa burst out of its side.

In 2018, a natural infection of the native fungi Beauveria bassiana was effective against SLF nymphs and adults, but not against the eggs. The fungi that rainy summer turned spotted lanternflies into "little pom pom puff balls" and killed them, she said. That fungi works better when applied when its kind of rainy and wet, she said.

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What about that sticky honeydew left behind?

When spotted lanternflies feed intensely, sucking on plant sap, they leave behind a honeydew that is sticky and sugary. That honeydew leaves a sooty mold on plants and can reduce photosynthesis and be a problem for fruit trees, Leskey said.

What residents, including some who asked questions after Wednesday's talk, have also noticed is the honeydew attracts other insects like yellow jackets, wasps and ants.

When an audience member commented on the aggressiveness of yellow jackets, Leskey said that occurs more heading into winter as yellow jacket workers start to starve and are competing for resources.

Some beekeepers are bottling SLF honey, from bees that feed on spotted lanternfly honeydew.

After the lecture, a local beekeeper gifted Leskey with a bottle of such honey.

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What can you do to curb spotted lanternfly population?

The basic answer to this question is kill them. Squash them when you see them.

They are strong jumpers and the adults can fly. so getting them on the first attempt doesn't always work. Researchers tracked those jumping distances, discovering a nymph can jump more than 20 inches while an adult can leap as far as 8 feet, Leskey said.

Attendees at the lecture shared some of their own experiences, including spraying the bugs with neem oil or a mix of vinegar and water. Another person asked about using Windex.

Leskey said she didn't know about Windex, but said soapy water can probably kill spotted lanternflies, as they are not hard to kill.

Spotted lanternfly egg masses on a red maple branch in Hagerstown on Jan. 11, 2024.

Studies about several tree varieties spotted lanternflies feed on showed tree of heaven best supports their "survivorship," Leskey said.

One way the U.S. Department of Ag's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, or APHIS, reduced SLF spread is by hatcheting tree of heaven and squirting a herbicide into that cut, Leskey said. A couple tree of heavens are left behind, treated with a systemic insecticide to kill spotted lanternfly that feed on the remaining trees.

The Delaware Department of Agriculture has more info online on managing SLF with "trap trees" like this.

The Penn State Extension has information online about building circle traps on trees to capture spotted lanternflies, nabbing the pests without using insecticide to trap them.

This is the time of year to destroy egg masses, which each can contain 30 to 50 eggs. The masses look like silly putty smears, which cover rows of eggs. A female can lay five egg masses, Leskey said.

Mating behavior begins in early to mid-September, peaks in October, and continues until major frost kills the adults, Leskey said. Those eggs will start to hatch as early as late April, with many hatching in May and early June.

A spotted lanternfly in its last, or fourth, nymphal stage with black stripes and white spots. At this stage they are roughly a half-inch long.

Check surfaces around your home and property for egg masses. Spotted lanternflies will lay eggs on just about anything, including bark, concrete blocks, a rusty barrel and lampposts, Leskey shared.

An APHIS video recommends scrapping the egg masses into a bag containing rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer and sealing the bag.

Another video by the Penn State Extension says to press down on the egg masses when scraping to kill the nymphs. Otherwise viable ones could survive. That's one reason to drop the scrapings into a bag with alcohol or hand sanitizer and press against the bag so the alcohol touches the eggs.

Leskey said there are even apps people can download to play a game with other people, seeing who can squash the most spotted lanternflies.

This map from the Cornell University Integrated Pest Management Program shows the reported distribution of spotted lanternflies as of Nov. 9, 2023, in the Tri-State region and neighboring areas. An online interactive map showing the greater distribution of reported infestations is available at https://lookerstudio.google.com/reporting/b0bae43d-c65f-4f88-bc9a-323f3189cd35/page/QUCkC.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Spotted lanternflies can cling to vehicles going 65 mph
Russia and Iran are closely aligned - Sputnik/Sergei Bobylev/Pool via REUTERS

Russian ships are continuing to travel through the Red Sea despite escalating Houthi attacks on commercial vessels.



Tankers carrying Russian oil and container ships bound for Russian ports have not changed their paths through the Bab El-Mandeb Strait since attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels began in October.

The Russian response is in stark contrast to that of Western shipping companies, many of whom are redirecting ships around the Cape of Good Hope at significant extra cost and time. Danish fuel tanker company Torm became the latest company to halt all transits through the Red Sea on Friday.

It followed earlier decisions from oil and gas giant BP, as well as container shipping giants Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd and MSC.

Experts said the Russian response suggested they believed they had immunity from the Houthis.

Simon Johnson, professor at MITs Sloan School of Management and former chief economist at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), said: The Russians are quite closely aligned with the Iranians on various issues. It would make a lot of sense that Iran would not want the Houthis to attack the Russians.

Eight tankers loaded in Russia were travelling through the Red Sea on Friday, according to Byron McKinney at S&P Global Market Intelligence. A likely shadow fleet tanker, used by Vladimir Putin to ship Russian oil above the Western price cap, was also about to transit.

Just one tanker loaded in Russia between December 1 and January 12 has been diverted, Mr McKinney added.

Michelle Bockmann, principal analyst at Lloyds List Intelligence, a maritime data business, said there has also been little impact on container ships travelling to Russia.

She said: China-controlled container ships destined for Russian ports continue to use the Suez Canal.

Overall container freight through the Red Sea has plunged by 66pc compared to normal levels, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. Western ships are avoiding the key waterway as attacks on commercial vessels ramp up.



One tanker travelling from Russian ports was targeted by the Houthis in December, but this may have been a mistake, Ms Bockmann said.



She said: What we are discovering with the Houthis is that their capabilities in terms of accuracy are not that great.

Story continues

Mr Johnson said: Iran and Russia are closely aligned primarily because they both really dont like the West, including the United States and Europe at this point.

Theyre both significant oil exporters subject to sanctions or restrictions on what they can sell, and theyre both closely aligned with China.

He added: I think the Russians are only going to take a calculated risk. The people driving the ships wouldnt want to put themselves in the line of fire, and if one of them goes down then that would be very expensive.

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Voters will head to the polls in Taiwan on January 13 to elect a new president and parliament amid increasing tensions between the self-governing island and China, which has ramped up its military presence in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea in recent years.

Taiwanese voters will choose a new leader to succeed Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwans first female president who is finishing her second term after winning elections in 2016 and 2020. Tsai is a member of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which is loathed by Chinas Communist leaders because it views Taiwan as a sovereign nation  instead of being part of China as claimed by Beijing. She cannot run again due to term limits.

The candidates

Voters will be choosing their president from three candidates. A fourth potential contender, billionaire Terry Gou, the founder of Apples major supplier Foxconn, withdrew hours before the deadline to formally register as a candidate.

The opposition comprises Kuomintang (KMT), the Chinese nationalist party that fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war and ruled the island with an iron fist for almost 40 years, and the Taiwan Peoples Party (TPP), a centrist alternative party founded only in 2019. They failed to join forces to run against the ruling DPP after their leaders quarreled on live television and ended up registering separate presidential bids.

Past elections

After shaking off decades of KMT-imposed martial law, Taiwan held its first direct presidential election in 1996. Since then, only candidates from the two major parties  the KMT and the DPP  have captured the presidency.

Taiwans presidential elections are won by simple majority of votes and take place every four years. The presidency has a two-term limit.

On Saturday, citizens will choose their president for the eighth time in a three-way race without a clear favorite.

Taiwanese election base

Nearly 20 million people in Taiwan are eligible to cast their ballots in the presidential election across almost 18,000 voting stations. Around 1 million will be first-time voters.

The issue of identity  tied to Taipeis tense relationship with Beijing  has been one of the most significant political divisions on the island, and studies show it was closely linked to voting patterns in previous elections.

Chinas ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) views Taiwan as part of its territory, despite having never controlled it. The CCP has long vowed to reunify the island with the Chinese mainland, by force if necessary.

Since 1992, the National Chengchi Universitys Election Study Center conducted polls asking adult residents about their national identity. Over the past decade, a growing majority of respondents have identified solely as Taiwanese.

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Why is the EU mostly silent on South Africa's genocide case against Israel?

The case, filed to the top UN court by South Africa last month, claims Israel's siege of Gaza amounts to genocide and breaches the post-Holocaust 1948 Genocide Convention.

The Convention gives party countries, which include both Israel and South Africa, the collective right to prevent and stop crimes of genocide. Such crimes are defined as acts "committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group."

The high-stakes legal battle marks the first time Israel defends its war campaign in the Gaza Strip before a court of law since the conflict erupted on October 7. The criminal charge is also highly symbolic for a country that was created to provide security for Jewish survivors of the Holocaust, the largest genocide in history.

As ICJ cases traditionally take years before a ruling is reached, South Africa has asked the Court to provisionally call for a ceasefire to appease suffering in the besieged Gaza Strip, where, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, more than 23,000 people have been killed since October.

Israel has vowed to contest the case which it says amounts to "blood libel." Its Western allies, the United Kingdom and the United States, have also chimed in with vehement criticism.

By contrast, other nations, including Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Jordan, Malaysia, the Maldives, Turkey, Venezuela as well as the 57-country Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC), have formally backed the move.

So where does the European Union stand?

'Not for the EU to comment'

The EU, whose efforts to mediate in the Israel-Hamas war have been plagued by its 27 member states' incoherent positions, has mostly maintained silent on the case.

A European Commission spokesperson this week reaffirmed the bloc's support to the ICJ but stopped short of backing the genocide case against Israel.

"Regarding this specific case, countries have the right to submit cases or lawsuits. The European Union is not part of this lawsuit," Peter Stano, spokesperson for foreign affairs, said on Tuesday. "This is not for us to comment at all."

The tight-lipped response follows the EU's efforts to tread a neutral line on the conflict, endorsing Israel's right to self-defence while calling for the protection of civilian life in Gaza and unhindered provisions of humanitarian aid.

But Brussels has so far refrained from collectively calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, opting rather to urge for "humanitarian pauses" to ensure critical aid reaches civilians in need.

In a sign the bloc is slowly gravitating towards sharper calls for Israeli restraint, a majority of EU countries backed a UN General Assembly resolution calling for a cease in hostilities in December. Countries including Germany, seen as a staunch ally of Israel, have also recently condemned far-right Israeli ministers' calls to resettle Palestinians out of Gaza.

Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic - all considered staunch allies of Israel - have voiced scepticism about the case.

Speaking from Israel on Thursday as the hearing took place in the Hague, Germany's Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck said: "You can criticise the Israeli army for acting too harshly in the Gaza strip, but that is not genocide."

"Those who would commit or want to commit genocide, if they could, are Hamas," Habeck added. "Their agenda is to wipe out the State of Israel."

In a joint statement issued Thursday, the Austrian Chancellor and Czech Prime Minister expressed similar doubts.

"We oppose any attempts to politicize the ICJ," the leaders said in a joint statement.

Hungary is the only country that has explicitly condemned South Africa's ICJ case, with foreign minister Peter Szijjarto denouncing the "legal attack launched against Israel" on social media platform Facebook.

"To accuse a country that has suffered a terrorist attack of genocide is obviously nonsense," Szijjarto said. "We believe that it is in the interest of the whole world that the current anti-terrorist operations are successfully completed in order to prevent such a brutal terrorist attack from happening anywhere in the world ever again."

Supporters isolated

EU voices endorsing South Africa's lawsuit are so far sparse and isolated.

Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister Petra De Sutter, whose government is seen as the most supportive of Palestinians in Europe, said on Tuesday she would urge Belgium to formally back South Africa's case.

The Belgian government, a complex coalition of seven parties, has not yet endorsed de Sutter's call but has committed 5 million in additional funding for the International Criminal Court (ICC) - another international court based in the Hague often confused for the ICJ - to investigate possible war crimes in the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, whose government has been hailed as one of the most supportive of Palestinian statehood across Europe, has ruled out any possibility Ireland would join the case, despite pressure from Irish lawmakers.

"I really think this is an area where we need to be very careful," Varadkar told RTE Radio over the weekend.

"Hamas went into Israel (on October 7), killed 1,400 people (...) essentially because they were Israelis, because they were Jews, because they lived in Israel. Was that not also genocide?" Varadkar questioned.

Spain, also an outspoken critic of Israel's war campaign in Gaza, has also refrained from commenting despite 250 legal experts submitting a petition calling for the government's backing on Wednesday.

Speaking to Euronews, Philippe Dam, EU Director for Advocacy at Human Rights Watch, said that the ICJ case is an opportunity for the EU to "reaffirm its attachment to justice and accountability" in the context of the conflict in Gaza.

"It's essential for the European Union and its member states to be really clear that they do support judiciary and judicial processes at the international level," he said.

"They should urgently back up the initiative at the court," Dam added, "but also make sure that they will spare no effort to ensure that provisional measures from the court - that we hope will come up in a few weeks - will be complied with by Israel."
Reality Check is a Star series holding those in power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email realitycheck@kcstar.com.

With snow, ice and bitterly cold temperatures, Kansas City area schools closed their doors on Friday for the third day this week.

Some districts have held typical snow days, allowing students to kick back and take the day off. Others, though, have kept students at home but still required them to log in to virtual classes. A few districts have done both.

And parents across the Kansas City metro have asked, why is that?

Districts mastered quickly pivoting to virtual classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, and they also provided all students with laptops or Chromebooks to learn from home when needed. After months of school closures, both Missouri and Kansas placed new restrictions on remote learning.

Missouri schools

In Missouri, districts are now granted 36 hours (about five school days) of alternative instruction, such as remote learning, when schools close due to weather or other emergencies. Those days count as regular school hours, so districts dont have to make up lost instructional time by tacking on extra days to the end of the school year.

When districts decide to implement remote learning, teachers either prepare online lessons or send students home with packets of assignments.

On Friday, some Missouri districts, like Blue Springs and Lees Summit, opted for a remote learning day. But others, including Kansas City Public Schools and Independence, held regular snow days. Some districts, like Raytown, used both regular snow days and remote learning days this week.

The choice comes down to how districts build their school calendars to meet the states requirements for instructional hours, said Katy Bergen, spokeswoman for the Lees Summit district.

Lees Summit has decided to use all of its alternative instruction hours first, holding five remote learning days when theres inclement weather. Then it would revert back to traditional snow days if we hit a sixth inclement weather day, which would mean adding days to the school calendar.

Some districts have built make-up days for inclement weather into their calendars, so theyve went ahead with regular snow days this week. Remote learning days take planning, requiring teachers to plan ahead and send students home with assignments or laptops, so the traditional snow day can be an easier option.

Kansas schools

In Kansas, area districts are largely sticking with regular snow days when students cant make it to school safely.

The state allows a student to receive up to 40 hours of remote education during the school year, including for weather or other emergencies. Districts do have plans in place to pivot to virtual learning if needed but are mostly saving those restricted hours in case of an emergency.

Remote learning is something that, to do it well, takes a significant amount of planning and preparation that youd really want to have done in advance, Shawnee Mission spokesman David Smith said. For teachers to have everything, for children to have devices at home, that takes a fair amount of planning. Well have snow days when we need them.

On days like Friday, when schools didnt call off until early in the morning, Smith said that switch to remote learning would have been especially difficult.

Our hope was that we would be able to have more days of school this week than we actually had, he said. This morning was a case where at 4:30 a.m. when staff was out, there was significant black ice on our parking lot. We didnt think wed be able to address that by the time school started, so we had to make the decision at that point.
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Unpacking the Dividend Profile of Sabine Royalty Trust (NYSE:SBR)

Sabine Royalty Trust (NYSE:SBR) recently announced a dividend of $0.44 per share, payable on 2024-01-30, with the ex-dividend date set for 2024-01-12. As investors look forward to this upcoming payment, the spotlight also shines on the company's dividend history, yield, and growth rates. Using the data from GuruFocus, let's look into Sabine Royalty Trust's dividend performance and assess its sustainability.

What Does Sabine Royalty Trust Do?

Warning! GuruFocus has detected 6 Warning Sign with SBR.

High Yield Dividend Stocks in Gurus' Portfolio

This Powerful Chart Made Peter Lynch 29% A Year For 13 Years

How to calculate the intrinsic value of a stock?

Sabine Royalty Trust is an express trust which is formed to receive Sabine Corporation's royalty and mineral interests, including landowner's royalties, overriding royalty interests, minerals production payments, and any other similar, non-participatory interest, in certain Royalty Properties. The trust's producing and proved undeveloped oil and gas royalty properties are located in Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Sabine Royalty Trust's Dividend Analysis

A Glimpse at Sabine Royalty Trust's Dividend History

Sabine Royalty Trust has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 1985. Dividends are currently distributed on a monthly basis. Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends.

Breaking Down Sabine Royalty Trust's Dividend Yield and Growth

As of today, Sabine Royalty Trust currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 9.82% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 9.55%. This suggests an expectation of decreased dividend payments over the next 12 months.

Over the past three years, Sabine Royalty Trust's annual dividend growth rate was 40.70%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate decreased to 20.20% per year. And over the past decade, Sabine Royalty Trust's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at 2.80%.

Story continues

Based on Sabine Royalty Trust's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Sabine Royalty Trust stock as of today is approximately 24.64%.

Sabine Royalty Trust's Dividend Analysis

The Sustainability Question: Payout Ratio and Profitability

To assess the sustainability of the dividend, one needs to evaluate the company's payout ratio. The dividend payout ratio provides insights into the portion of earnings the company distributes as dividends. A lower ratio suggests that the company retains a significant part of its earnings, thereby ensuring the availability of funds for future growth and unexpected downturns. As of 2023-09-30, Sabine Royalty Trust's dividend payout ratio is 1.00, which may suggest that the company's dividend may not be sustainable.

Sabine Royalty Trust's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks Sabine Royalty Trust's profitability 9 out of 10 as of 2023-09-30, suggesting good profitability prospects. The company has reported positive net income for each of year over the past decade, further solidifying its high profitability.

Growth Metrics: The Future Outlook

To ensure the sustainability of dividends, a company must have robust growth metrics. Sabine Royalty Trust's growth rank of 9 out of 10 suggests that the company's growth trajectory is good relative to its competitors.

Revenue is the lifeblood of any company, and Sabine Royalty Trust's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. Sabine Royalty Trust's revenue has increased by approximately 39.10% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 88.21% of global competitors.

The company's 3-year EPS growth rate showcases its capability to grow its earnings, a critical component for sustaining dividends in the long run. During the past three years, Sabine Royalty Trust's earnings increased by approximately 40.70% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 69.67% of global competitors.

Lastly, the company's 5-year EBITDA growth rate of 20.40%, which outperforms approximately 68.59% of global competitors, further underscores its strong growth potential.

Engaging Conclusion

In conclusion, Sabine Royalty Trust's upcoming dividend, historical payouts, and growth rates paint a complex picture for investors. While the trust's dividend history is robust, the payout ratio raises questions about sustainability. However, the strong profitability and growth metrics provide a counterbalance, suggesting that Sabine Royalty Trust may continue to deliver value to its shareholders. As value investors look to balance yield with security, it's essential to consider all these factors. Will Sabine Royalty Trust's dividends continue to be a lighthouse for income-focused investors in the choppy waters of the market? Only time will tell.

GuruFocus Premium users can screen for high-dividend yield stocks using the High Dividend Yield Screener.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


From left, Tacoma police officers Christopher Burbank, Timothy Rankine and Matthew Collins leave Pierce County Superior Court on Dec. 6. The three officers were acquitted last month of manslaughter and murder charges stemming from Manuel Ellis death in 2020. (Ellen M. Banner / The Seattle Times)
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Update: Jan. 18, 2023

One week after Snipes SE founder Sven Voth stepped down from his role as CEO, the chief merchandising officer of the retailers U.S. business has retired.

More from Footwear News

Snipes USA confirmed in a statement on Thursday that chief merchandising officer Brian Forde, a 40-year sneaker industry veteran, has retired. In 2017, Forde joined KicksUSA, which was acquired by Snipes in 2019 as the German retailer looked to make inroads in the U.S. market. During Fordes tenure with Snipes USA credited Forde via statement for playing a pivotal role in building the brand stateside, which has grown from 64 to more than 350 stores.

Succeeding Forde is 30-year sneaker industry veteran Dimitrios Jimmy Lessen, who will assume the chief marketing officer role as of Feb. 13. Prior to joining Snipes USA, Lessen most recently served as the VP and general merchandising manager of Foot Locker North America. Lessen also held the general merchandising manager role at Foot Locker Europe for seven years.

Snipes USA chief merchandising officer Brian Forde (L) and his successor, Dimitrios Jimmy Lessen. Courtesy of Snipes USA

Lessen will report to Snipes USA president Jim Bojko. The retailer confirmed Forde will support the transition in an advisory function until he steps down in June.

For 40 years, Brian has been at the heart of sneaker culture. Im thankful for his deep experience and charismatic leadership in helping fine-tune our go-to-market approach to the US sneaker and streetwear consumer, Bojko said in a statement. At the same time, Im excited to welcome Jimmy to the Snipes team. He is highly trusted with our vendor partners and brings deep product passion and knowledge. Jimmy will ensure we stay at the cutting edge of sneaker and streetwear fashion.

What We Reported on Jan. 12, 2023

Snipes SE founder Sven Voth is stepping down from his role as CEO, effective on Friday.

Story continues

Moving ahead, Voth will remain with the German footwear retailer as founder and will primarily focus on expansion, wholesale, product trends and innovation, collaborations, and the U.S. business in a two-year transition before moving into a consultancy role on Jan. 1, 2026.

And as Voth prepares for his next face, Dennis Schroder, who has been the general manager of the company since April, will take over responsibility for the sneaker and streetwear retailer as CEO.

In a statement on Friday, Voth called Snipes his lifes work. Snipes will always be a part of me, Voth said. I realize that it is time to hand over the baton and Dennis Schroder already enjoys the recognition of all colleagues in the company after a very short time. He brings experience from the retail business and a lot of brand knowledge and is already noticeably enriching the company with his expertise and ideas in a very short space of time.

Prior to joining Snipes last year, Schroder most recently served as general manager at 11teamsports and founded the start-up Teamsports.ai. Previously, he held strategic roles at Nike, including global strategic account director, and Puma.

The Snipes storefront near the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. Courtesy of Snipes

As the founder and long-standing CEO, Sven Voth has shaped Snipes for over 25 years and uniquely positioned it strategically. Sven Voth has made Snipes what it is today. Im looking forward to continuing the history of this great company in my new role, said Schroder, who now chairs the board of managing directors.

It was only in 2023 when Snipes appointed three additional managing directors  Dennis Schroder (now CEO), Peter Buse (COO), and Daniel Bontjer (CRO)  alongside Tim Spickenbom (CFO) and Voth.

Snipes is a company with a great philosophy, an incomparable USP, and employees who are keen to be more than a retailer and help shape the future of Snipes and its role in the global street culture cosmos, Schroder added. All this certainly comes with a lot of responsibility and a lot of work  Im not afraid of this situation, because thats exactly what I set out to do.

Voth, who sold the majority stake of the Snipes SE to the Deichmann Group in 2011, founded the company in 1998 and has developed it over the years into a billion-dollar group with over 750 stores in 12 countries.

Snipes first entered the U.S. market in 2019 with the acquisition of KicksUSA. The company further cemented its American footing with the acquisition of Jimmy Jazz in 2021.

Best of Footwear News
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(VIDEO) Protest 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]
Pentru credinciosii crestini ortodocsi astazi a inceput Postul mare

Pentru credinciosii crestini ortodocsi astazi a inceput Postul mare, de dinaintea sarbatorilor de Pasti  perioada de 40 de zile asociata cu anumite restrictii alimentare, dar care ar trebui sa fie mai ales un prilej de a adopta o atitudine care sa duca spre [citeste mai departe]
PARIS (Reuters) - Stellantis announced on Friday that it is investing in French sodium-ion battery startup Tiamat to diversify its portfolio and mass-produce electric vehicles while reducing exposure to scarce resources.

The exact amount of the investment, which is part of an initial fundraising of 150 million euros from Tiamat, was not disclosed.

The funds will be used in part for the construction of a battery factory in northern France, Tiamat Chief Executive Herve Beuffe told journalists.

This site, the fifth so-called gigafactory for the electric vehicle supply chain in the region, should have an initial capacity of 0.7 gigawatt-hours by 2026, which could be increased to 5 GWh by 2029, he added.

Born out of France's state institute for scientific research CNRS in 2017, Tiamat claims it can produce competitive batteries without lithium, a metal highly sought after due to the global electrification boom, which it replaces with far more abundant sodium.

Its batteries, which are cheaper but also offer less mileage, will be suited to small vehicles. Their reduced reach can be compensated for by faster charging capacity, Tiamat says.

"Exploring new options for more sustainable and affordable

batteries that use widely available raw materials is a key part of our ambitions of the Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan that will see us reach carbon net zero by 2038," said Ned Curic, Director of Engineering and Technology at Stellantis.

(Reporting by Gilles Guillaume, writing by Tassilo Hummel, editing by Nick Macfie)
Icelandic novelist Jon Kalman Stefansson and France will be the guests of honour at the 29th Budapest International Book Festival to be held from Sept 26 to 29, organisers announced.

Jon Kalman is a world-renowned figure of contemporary Icelandic literature with multiple international accolades to his name, the Hungarian Publishers and Booksellers Association said in a statement. In 2011, he was awarded the Per Olov Enquist Literary Prize.



In 2017, his novel Fish Have No Feet was nominated for the International Booker Prize, and in 2022, it won Frances Prix du Meilleur Livre Etranger for best foreign book. Jon Kalman first attended the Budapest International Book Festival in 2018.



The Budapest International Book Festival, which will be held for the 28th time this year, is a noted event of the international book world, a defining professional and cultural forum of the region. The Book Festival will take place between 28th of September and 1st of October 2023 at Millenaris, Budapest.



This year's Festival awaits its visitors with 140 exhibitors and more than 40 foreign authors at the Millenaris - in the Park, buildings B (Great Hall) and D (Glass Hall), Europa Point and the National Dance Theater.



In addition to popularizing children's books and reading, there will be a separate section for children - called Gyerek(b)irodalom (Childrens Lit Kingdom) - awaiting family visitors in building D, with a wide variety of programs.



From Hungarian Publishers and Booksellers Association:

The Budapest International Book Festival traditionally hosts the world's most prestigious writers and poets. The guest of honour of this year's Festival is the popular American science fiction writer - John Scalzi, who will receive the Budapest Grand Pize from the Mayor of Budapest.



This year, we welcome the Netherlands as the guest of honour country. It is typical of recent years that an exceptionally high number (even in Central Europe) of Dutch books have been published in Hungarian translation, which is also reflected in the slogan of the Dutch pavilion: "on the sea of books".



Visitors to the Book Festival can meet dozens of famous Dutch writers, poets, and illustrators - among them Arnon Grunberg, writer and journalist, author of The Man Without Disease, Abram de Swaan, essayist, sociologist, Martin Michael Driessen, writer, theatre and opera director, and Annamarie Bon, popular youth author. At the guest of honour stand there will be a round table and thematic discussions, book signings and readings.



The Book Festival will be opened by Ildiko Boldizsar, a Jozsef Attila Prize winner writer, ethnographer, who is celebrating her 60th birthday this year.



On behalf of the Dutch guest of honourship, Desiree Bonis, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Budapest, and Arnon Grunberg will be addressing the audience. The venue of the opening event will be the National Dance Theatre.



The cooperation between PesText and the Book Festival will continue in 2023: visitors to the Book Festival can also meet the writers coming to the PesText Autumn Literary and Cultural Festival. Unfortunately, for personal reasons, the acclaimed Italian artist Alessandro Baricco cannot be with us this year.



Among the authors participating in the organization of PesText are - among others - Janne Teller, author of the world-famous novel Nothing; Bergsveinn Birgisson, one of the most popular contemporary Icelandic authors; Gwenda Bond, creator of the first Stranger Things novel, Suspicious Minds, and Mathias Enard, winner of the Goncourt Prize.



Two talented young writers are coming to Budapest and visiting the Book Festival: Nicholas Binge from the United Kingdom, who works in the science fiction genre, and Marisha Rasi-Koskinen from Finland, author of The Dark Side of the Sun.



Within the framework of the Book Festival, the European Writers' Meeting will take place on Friday, September 29 at the Europa Point. At the all-day event, we welcome those interested in European literature with round table discussions, they will be able to follow the various themed events with English-Hungarian simultaneous interpretation.



The program of the Writers' Meeting includes - among other things - the round table of Dutch writers (participants: Arnon Grunberg, Roxane Van Iperen, Jamal Ouarachi, Manon Uphoff), and the discussion of European Literature Prize winners (participants: Federico Pedreira, Piia Leino, Peter Karoshi, Anja Mugerli, Richard Pupala).



Every year at the International Book Festival, the Budai Prize is awarded for the book and CD that best supports the upbringing of teens and education in secondary schools. The award was founded in 1994, the donor is the 2cond District of Budapest.



This year the jury consists of teachers from Moricz Zsigmond High School. The award ceremony traditionally takes place on the last day of the Book Festival.



The 28th Budapest International Book Festival offers a multitude of cultural programs with the participation of outstanding representatives of world literature and domestic intellectual life.



Readings, book signings, literary evenings, book premieres, round table discussions, and exhibitions await those interested during the four days of the event. All programs at the exhibition can be visited free of charge.



More:

International Book Festival Budapest
Guest nights spent at Hungarian accommodations rose by 21% at Christmas and were up by 20% at New Years Eve from a year earlier, the Hungarian Tourism Agency (MTU) said.

Guest nights spent by foreign tourists climbed 27% on New Years Eve, it added. Between December 24 and 26 last year, 243,000 guest nights were spent in Hungary.



Foreign visitors spent 25% more guest nights and Hungarians spent 18% more than a year earlier. Three-quarters of Hungarian tourists spent the festive season at hotel accommodations.



Revenue of commercial accommodations increased above expectations. Outside of Budapest, revenues climbed by 23%. Budapest attracted the most foreign visitors  mainly Italian, Greek and German tourists  during the Christmas festivities.



At New Years Eve, it was also Italians, Germans and French visitors who spent the most guest nights. Outside of the capital, mostly Austrian, Czech and German tourists spent Christmas at commercial accommodations in Hungary, and Romanian, Czech and Austrian visitors spent the days around New Years Eve.



Outside of Budapest, Lake Balaton, the Matra-Bukk hills, the cities of Debrecen and Szeged, and spa towns Buk, Sarvar, Hajduszoboszlo, Zalakaros and Eger were the most popular destinations.



Hungarian Tourist Numbers In Croatia Break 2019 Record



The number of Hungarian tourists visiting Croatia last year increased by 13% to a record 728,000 compared with 2019, the last record year, the Croatian National Tourism Board Office in Hungary said on Wednesday.



The number of guest nights spent by Hungarians in the neighbouring country last year went up by 10% to 3.6 million compared with 2019, the office said in a statement.



The increase in the number of Hungarian tourists was 30% in the months of February and May, and during the last three months of 2023, which shows that Croatia attracts Hungarians throughout the year for city visits, cultural programmes and active leisure activities, it said.



The most popular destinations included the regions of Kvarner, Istria, Zadar and Split with the cities of Crikvenica, Medulin, Opatija, Porec, Rovinj and Vir.





MTI Photo: Bea Kallos
Director: Sriram Raghavan

Cast: Katrina Kaif, Vijay Sethupathi, Radhika Apte, Sanjay Kapoor, Tinnu Anand, Vinay Pathak

Stars: 3.5/5 Stars

The bulk of Merry Christmas covers the Christmas Eve in a lit Bombay, long before it was renamed Mumbai. Two strangers, Katrina Kaif (Maria) and Vijay Sethupathi (Albert), meet amid the festive cheer they dance, let loose and get cozy. All seems romantically well.

But its not, of course.

The Plot

Right when things are about to turn raunchy  Katrinas suspenseful husband arrives in the frame  so dead and soaked in blood. But why is he lying murdered out of nowhere? You know the drill. Book your tickets to find out.

Sriram Raghavan's Master Stroke

Following the classic formula for suspense genre, Merry Christmas is based in a creaky old Bombay house that enables its inhabitants to do something sinful. There is something so intriguing about the space that it frequently feels as if something sinister is lurking around every corner.

In Sriram Raghavans script, the spoken words are often deep, laced with cute punches sprinkled throughout. The voice of both the characters is mellow and almost artificial. The results are not kind to Katrina Kaif or Vijay Setupathi but its Raghavans tight plot that makes Merry Christmas taut and thrilling. From the first shot, its evident that something is seriously wrong with both Albert and Maria.

Katrina Kaif

Its certain that Katrinas porcelain beauty will leave you gasping for air. Nostalgia hits when Katrinas Christian outlook reminds of her innocent-looking character Jenny from Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahaani. She is now a full-blown mother, juggling her life amid the death of her turbulent husband in Merry Christmas. She is caring who is outwardly giving, but inwardly troubled.

Vijay Sethupathi

Re-defining heroism, South Indian cinema Superstar Vijay Sethupathi is winning hearts! From the moment he shows up, dressed in a simple blazer, Sethupathis smile is little too polite that is bound to cast a spell. Hes a man with something to prove. However, you just know someone that debonair must be hiding something  but he keeps you guessing about what it could be.

A heartfelt shoutout to actors Sanjay Kapoor, Tinnu Anand, Pratima Kazmi, Vinay Pathak and other supporting cast. They're the 'Merry' to this almost Christmas-ey tale.

If you dig suspense thrillers like Andhadhun, its going to be a pure pleasure to watch a film like Merry Christmas. It leaves you wondering about all the right questions that filmmaker has planted in your head. Merry Christmas deserves your time and attention. When it comes to messy families, there are no easy solutions. After all, Albert says with absolute conviction, Sometimes violence is better than sacrifice.
Life is about opportunities and how you take the big leap. And todays success story is on Bipin Hadvani, who started from nothing and amassed a multi-crore business empire.

Together with his wife, Bipin Hadvani founded Gopal Snacks Limited with just Rs 2.5 lakh. What started in 1994 with Rs 2.5 lakh grew to a Rs 1,306 crore business in FY22. Hadvani turned the Gopal brand into the fourth largest ethnic savory brand in India.

During the initial years of their business, the duo Hadvani and his wife Daxa-- used to prepare the snacks in their home. Hadvani used to fan out across Rajkot on his cycle, interacting with shopkeepers to gauge the tempo of the market. He was the son of the soil who understood the nerves of the customers which made him the quintessential producer of Indian ethnic snacks.

Bipin Hadvani Sets Up A Business Where He Incurs Losses

The namkeen business that his father used to operate out of a small shop in his village had always captivated Hadvani. His father would make the traditional Gujarati snacks at home, load them onto his bicycle, and pedal through the villages to sell them. Hadvani used to help his father after his school times. He always wanted to launch his own business. In 1990, he used the Rs 4,500 that his father had given him to co-find a snack business. However, after four years he separated with his partner and using his Rs 2.5 lakh stake in the joint venture he to start a solo business.

With His Wife Daxa, Hadvani Starts Gopal Snacks Limited

In 1994, after the business split up, Hadvani bought a home and launched Gopal Snacks. Daxa, his wife, joined him in business this time. Hadvani's father used to tell him that whatever you eat is what you must sell. These words from his father were forever ingrained in his memory. With that in mind, he started making snacks that would be relatable to consumers. The husband wife duo started making snacks in their home in the traditional way. However, the business journey was very challenging. Hadvani used to ride his cycle around Rajkot and interact with dealers, retailers, and shopkeepers to get a sense of the local market.

The Ideology That Serves As The Catalyst For Hadvani's Business Plan

Hadvani's business model was built on the invaluable words of his father who would ask him to grow the business instead of raising prices if he wanted to make more money. Thus, Hadvani ensured that the product prices were as reasonable as possible and kept on growing his business.

Sales began to rise as a result of Hadvani's efforts. Encouraged by a consistent increase in demand, he purchased land outside of the city and established a factory. But because the plant was located in a remote area, it had to be closed. Then he took more loans and opened a small unit inside the city. This new plant was productive and Hadvani benefitted greatly from it.

As the self-proclaimed "son of the soil," Hadvani had an advantage over his competitors because he was aware of the subtle differences in regional or state-specific tastes. He attended to the customers' needs based on their ethnicity. He began serving his customers authentically flavored Indian snacks. And that paid off! His earnings began to double, reaching Rs 1,306 crore in FY22.

How Hadvani Was Greeted With Success And Became A Multimillionaire

Today, the Gopal Snacks Limited is well-established in the market and offers a broad range of savory products thanks to Hadvani's innovative business strategy. Hadvani turned the Gopal brand into India's largest producer of snack pellets and gathiya. The life of this billionaire businessman gives us a lesson that all it takes to succeed is a strong will and determination rather than financial resources.
Delhi Nursery Admission 2024-25: The Directorate of Education Delhi is poised to unveil the initial merit list for admission to pre-school (Nursery), pre-primary (KG), and Class 1 in private, unaided schools today, January 12. Parents can check the list on respective school websites by following the provided steps. Following the release of the first list, addressing parental queries regarding the allocation of points to their children will be carried out through written/email/verbal interactions between January 13 and January 22, 2024.

The second list is scheduled for release on January 29, 2024. Any subsequent admission lists, if needed, will be published on February 2, 2024. Schools have received strict instructions to conclude the admission process by March 8, 2024.

Delhi Nursery Admission 2024-25: Steps to apply here

Visit the official websites of the schools to which you've submitted admission applications.

On the homepage, locate the admission or admission-related section within the school's website.

Search for a specific link or section pertaining to the merit list, often labeled as "Admission Merit List" or "Selected Candidates."

Upon accessing the merit list, locate your child's name or application number.

Verify the dates carefully and capture a screenshot of the PDF for reference.

According to the Delhi Department of Education, the minimum age for admission to Nursery is three years, KG is four years, and Class 1 is five years. The age restriction is set to be determined on March 31, 2024.
JEE Main 2024: The National Testing Agency (NTA) is set to release the test city slip and admit card for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2024 session 1 shortly. Aspiring candidates, who have applied for this engineering entrance exam, can obtain the JEE Main 2024 city intimation slip and admit card through the official JEE website at jeemain.nta.ac.in. The inaugural session of JEE Main 2024 is scheduled to commence on January 24. As per the JEE Main 2024 information bulletin, the city intimation slip is expected to be available in the second week of January. This slip will provide details about the candidate's examination center location.

JEE Main 2024 Exam Date

The Testing agency will conduct the engineering entrance test between January 24 to February 1, 2024. Drawing from the National Education Policy (NEP), the examination is being conducted in English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.

JEE Main City Intimation Slip 2024: Steps To Download

Step 1: Visit the official website of the National Testing Agency (NTA) at https://jeemain.nta.nic.in/

Step 2: Click on the "Download Advance City Intimation Slip" link on the home page.

Step 3: Enter your Application Number, Date of Birth, and Security Pin in the required fields.

Step 4: Click on the "Submit" button.

Step 5: Your Advance City Intimation Slip will be displayed on the screen.

Step 6: Download and take a printout of the slip for future reference.

The results for this session are expected to surface in February, marking the culmination of an examination conducted in 13 languages. It's a computer-based test spanning two shifts - the first from 9 am to 12 noon and the second from 3 pm to 6 pm. For further details, the NTA website remains a comprehensive resource hub.
New Delhi: 65, 60 or 55? How many seats will Akhilesh Yadav agree to? The minds of Uttar Pradesh Congress leaders are stuck at this question amid seat-sharing talks. There is another meeting on Friday. Meanwhile, Akhilesh has asked the Samajwadi Party leaders to be fully prepared for every seat. In a meeting of party legislators in Lucknow, Yadav also discussed the names of probable candidates. The I.N.D.I.A. parties have suggested many formulas for seat-sharing in UP, but no consensus has been reached. Being the largest opposition party in UP, SP wants as many seats as possible.

In the Lucknow meeting, Akhilesh took suggestions from the legislators in sealed envelopes. Akhilesh also showed some softness towards BSP chief Mayawati during that meeting. Despite this, he is apprehensive that Congress might spoil SPs game in the seat-sharing deal.

With the support of new Hindutva, BJP has made Uttar Pradesh a strong fortress. The faces of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath fetch votes. The I.N.D.I.A. parties feel that BJP can only be defeated by fighting together. In such a situation, Congress or SP, both are ready to soften a bit. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had said in an internal meeting a few days ago that the party would focus on 255 seats. That is, Congress is ready to make room for the I.N.D.I.A. allies.

Meanwhile, after the meeting of Congress and SP on Tuesday, a SP leader told The Indian Express that the party is flexible and will make room for winnable candidates. In that meeting, it was decided that the parties would give the list of seats from where they can win, along with the names of probable candidates. Then it will be decided which partys candidate is most beneficial according to the social situation of the region.

A SP leader explained, If there is more OBC population on a seat, we will see which partys OBC candidate is more popular.

Akhileshs party is constantly in touch with Congress but also a bit skeptical. The reason is- Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). In 2019, BSP and SP had formed an alliance and fought the Lok Sabha elections, but performed poorly. This time Mayawati has announced to fight alone but now the partys command is in the hands of new blood- Akash Anand.

BSPs core vote bank has shifted to BJP rapidly. In such a situation, Anands challenge is to save the partys existence. In the 2022 assembly elections, BSP won only one seat. Congress wants BSP to also become a part of I.N.D.I.A.

UP Congress chief Ajay Rai had said on 10 January that BSP should think about joining hands with the opposition for the 2024 elections. This is why Akhilesh wants to keep his preparations complete. The names of probable candidates are being finalized. After the seat-sharing talks are finalized, SP will withdraw from the seats that will have to be left.

Akhilesh Yadav had earlier said that SP would contest on 65 seats. However, in a meeting of legislators in Lucknow on Tuesday, Akhilesh indicated to contest on 60 seats. He said that Jayant (RLD leader) is asking for 8 seats. They are trustworthy allies, they will be given 8 seats. Congress can be given 10 seats and other allies 2-3 seats.

Most of the seats of Congress and RLD will fall in West UP. Congress is preparing to focus on those seats through Rahul Gandhis Bharat Nyay Yatra. RLDs traditional vote bank is in this region. SP has thought of giving at least two seats to its faction (Kamervadi) and others. If the seat-sharing talks are settled before Rahuls yatra enters UP, SP and RLD can also join it. This will also send a message of opposition unity.
Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (MTHL), now named 'Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewari-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu', constructed at a cost of over Rs 17,840 crore. PM Modi, after inaugurating the Atal Setu Bridge, said that it ''shows India's infrastructural prowess and march towards being a developed nation.'' "Today is a historic day for Mumbai and Maharashtra, along with the resolve for 'Viksit Bharat'. Today, the nation has received Atal Setu, one of the longest sea bridges in the world. I dedicate Atal Setu to the people," the PM said in his speech.

PM Modi also laid the foundations for multiple developmental projects including the Uran-Kharkopar EMU train service, in Navi Mumbai.

Atal Setu is the longest bridge in India and also the longest sea bridge in the country. It will provide faster connectivity to Mumbai International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport and will also reduce the travel time from Mumbai to Pune, Goa and South India.

#WATCH | PM Modi inaugurates Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewari - Nhava Sheva Atal Setu in Maharashtra



Atal Setu is the longest bridge in India and also the longest sea bridge in the country. It will provide faster connectivity to Mumbai International Airport and Navi Mumbai pic.twitter.com/2GT2OUkVnC  ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2024

Atal Setu

The Atal Setu is in line with the Prime Minister's vision to improve the 'ease of mobility' of citizens by strengthening urban transport infrastructure and connectivity. The Mumbai Trans-Harbour link (MTHL), now named 'Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri - Nhava Sheva Atal Setu' has been built in line with this vision. The foundation stone of the bridge was laid by PM Modi in December 2016. Atal Setu has been constructed at a total cost of more than Rs 17,840 crore. It is about 21.8 km long six-lane bridge with about 16.5 km length over the sea and about 5.5 km of length on the land.

It will provide faster connectivity to Mumbai International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport and will also reduce travel time from Mumbai to Pune, Goa and South India. It will also improve connectivity between Mumbai Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port.

Navi Mumbai Development Projects

At Navi Mumbai, the Prime Minister also unveiled development projects worth more than Rs 12,700 crore in the public programme. Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of the underground road tunnel connecting Eastern Freeway's Orange Gate to Marine Drive.

The 9.2 km tunnel will be built at a cost of more than Rs 8700 crore and will be a significant infrastructure development in Mumbai which will reduce travel time between Orange Gate and Marine Drive.

Besides, the Prime Minister dedicated phase 1 of the Surya regional bulk drinking water project to the nation. The project, developed at a cost of more than Rs 1,975 crore, will provide drinking water supply to the Palghar and Thane districts of Maharashtra, benefiting about 14 lakh people.

During his day-long programme, the Prime Minister also dedicated about Rs 2000 crore of railway projects to the nation. The Prime Minister inaugurated the 'Bharat Ratnam' (Mega Common Facilitation Centre) for the gems and jewellery sector at Santacruz Electronic Export Processing Zone- Special Economic Zone (SEEPZ SEZ), which is first of its kind in India with "best available machines in the world including 3D Metal printing".

This will house a training school for the skilling of the workforce for this sector, including specially-abled students. The Mega CFC will transform the export sector in the gems and jewellery trade and will also help domestic manufacturing.

Speed Limits Set For Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL)

In a bid to ensure safety and streamline traffic on the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), authorities have established specific speed limits for different vehicles.

Maximum Speed For Four-Wheelers: 100 Kmph

The maximum speed allowed for four-wheelers, including cars, taxis, light motor vehicles, minibuses, and two-axle buses, on the MTHL is set at 100 kilometres per hour. However, this limit undergoes variation during the ascent and descent of the bridge, where the speed is restricted to 40 kilometres per hour.

Vehicle Restrictions On The Sea Bridge

Mumbai Police have outlined a comprehensive list of vehicles not permitted on the sea bridge. Motorbikes, auto rickshaws, tractors, motorcycles, mopeds, three-wheelers, animal-drawn vehicles, and slow-moving vehicles fall under the category of restricted vehicles.

Multi-axle heavy vehicles, trucks, and buses heading towards Mumbai are barred from entry on the Eastern Freeway. These vehicles are directed to take the Mumbai Port-Sewri Exit (Exit 1C) and utilize the MBPT Road near 'Gadi Adda' for further movement.

Enforcing Speed Limits For Safety

The implementation of speed limits on the MTHL by the Mumbai Police is a strategic move aimed at curbing potential dangers, obstructions, and inconveniences to the public. The restrictions not only ensure the safety of commuters but also contribute to the efficient functioning of one of India's longest sea bridges.
New Delhi: The Himachal police and health department have taken swift action after a sensational sting operation by Zee News that exposed the dark reality of counterfeit drugs. The Una police have raided properties that were involved in manufacturing fake medicines. In a sensational Sting Operation, Zee News, led by its journalists Abhishek Kumar and Shivank Mishra, exposes the dark reality of counterfeit drugs.

This exclusive investigation, codenamed Operation D, reveals the manufacturing, supply chain, and modus operandi of the flourishing underworld of fake medicines in India. The investigation shifts its focus to Unnao, a city in Himachal Pradesh notorious as the centre of counterfeit drug production. Zee News journalists infiltrate the world of Balram Singh Chauhan, a key figure in the counterfeit drug trade. The investigation uncovers the demand for fake medications for common ailments like cold, fever, blood pressure, and diabetes.

Chauhan, the dealer of fake medicines, openly admits his willingness to supply counterfeit drugs imitating famous brands. Detailed discussions reveal delivery schedules and the profit margins in this profitable business. Shockingly, Chauhan claims that making copies of vital medicines for serious illnesses is completely possible, confessing that every fourth medicine sold in India is a fake, known as D in the pharmaceutical underworld.

The investigation goes beyond Chauhans statements, shedding light on the huge network of counterfeit drug operations across the country. The complex web involves plots, secret deliveries, and even the hiring of scientists to ensure that counterfeit drugs evade detection. Despite alarming revelations, Zee News contacts regulatory bodies, including the Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) and the State Drug Controller. However, responses are elusive, raising questions about the effectiveness of the existing regulatory framework. Sun Pharma, one of Indias multinational pharmaceutical giants, responds to allegations of counterfeit drug production under its name.

While not addressing the specific claims in Himachal Pradesh, Sun Pharma stresses its commitment to stopping counterfeit drugs and highlights its enforcement teams efforts. Zee News, through Operation D, aims to raise awareness about the serious threat posed by counterfeit drugs to public health. The investigation calls for immediate and strict actions from regulatory authorities and pharmaceutical companies to eliminate the fake drug menace from the roots. It is a plea for a safer and healthier India.
New Delhi: A Goa police official said on Friday that a crumpled note, written with eyeliner, was recovered from a bag belonging to Suchana Seth, who allegedly killed her four-year-old son over custody issues. Seth (39) was nabbed on Monday night for murdering her son in a service apartment at Candolim in North Goa. She and her husband are separated and their divorce proceedings are ongoing.

A senior police official said that a crumpled note, written with eyeliner on a tissue paper, was found in her bag. We would not like to disclose the content of the note but it indicates that she was upset over the custody of her child, he said.

The note was not found in the bag where she had hidden her sons body after killing him, he said.

Police said that a court had given visitation rights to her husband Venkat Raman, which had angered the accused. Seth was caught in Chitradurga district of Karnataka while trying to reach Bengaluru in a taxi.
SHAWN THEW / EPA-EFE / Shutterstock.com

The Biden administration announced on Jan. 12 that it would cancel further debt  months ahead of schedule  for certain borrowers who have enrolled in the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan.

See: You Can Get These 3 Debts Canceled Forever

Find: Pocket an Extra $400 a Month With This Simple Hack

I am proud that my Administration is implementing one of the most impactful provisions of the SAVE plan nearly six months ahead of schedule, President Joe Biden said in a statement on the White House website. This action will particularly help community college borrowers, low-income borrowers, and those struggling to repay their loans, he added.

The Department of Education stated that borrowers enrolled in SAVE who are eligible for early forgiveness will have their debts cancelled starting next month, with no action on their part, according to a press release.

In addition, the Department said it was launching an outreach and email campaign to encourage borrowers who are not currently enrolled in SAVE to sign up, because they may benefit from this shortened repayment period.

Borrowers should carefully review their eligibility for the program. This announcements goal is to help low balance borrowers to pay off their debt as soon as possible, said Dror Liebenthal, CEO and co-founder of Bold.org.

Also: 9 Frugal Habits Dave Ramsey Swears By

Sponsored: Owe the IRS $10K or more? Schedule a FREE consultation to see if you qualify for tax relief.

Who Is Eligible For SAVE Plan Debt Reduction?

Borrowers enrolled in SAVE who have made at least 10 years of monthly payments  and originally took out $12,000 or less for undergraduate or graduate postsecondary studies  are eligible for forgiveness. For every $1,000 borrowed above $12,000, a borrower can receive forgiveness after an additional year of payments.

That means a borrower who originally borrowed less than $21,000 will be eligible for forgiveness faster than the 20-year timeline for undergraduate borrowers on SAVE, the Department said in the release, adding that it was accelerating this benefit months ahead of the date previously laid out for implementing the SAVE plan, which is July 1, 2024.

Story continues

As of January, there are 6.9 million borrowers enrolled in the SAVE Plan  more than double the enrollment on the Revised Pay As You Earn (REPAYE) plan it replaced in August.

This effort seems relatively simple and beneficial to many, said Jay Zigmont, PhD, CFP and founder of Childfree Wealth. The key behind this new forgiveness program is that it is based on the initial amount borrowed, not the current loan amount. For people on an income-based repayment program, it is common that their current balance may be higher than their original loan, even after making a decade of payments.

As Zigmont noted, the initial outline is that the program will forgive loans where less than $12,000 was borrowed and 10 years of payments were made. If your initial loan was over $12,000, you will need an extra year of payments for each additional $1,000 borrowed.

It will be interesting to see which payments are counted or not. The Biden administration has been very lenient in counting payments with other programs, but certain forbearances or missed payments will likely not count, he said, adding that as an added benefit, this program should be federally tax-free. However, it may be taxed as income in some states.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Student Loan Forgiveness: Biden To Cancel Debt For Certain Borrowers  Heres the Catch To Qualify
New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday conducted raids at the properties of West Bengal minister and Trinamool Congress leader Sujit Bose in Kolkata in relation to a scam in municipal jobs. The locations where the raids are taking place have been cordoned off by tight security. Further details are expected to emerge soon. The scam in municipal recruitments came to light when the ED nabbed Ayan Sheel, a builder based in Kolkata, on March 19 for his involvement in a school jobs scam.

The ED alleged that they found OMR (answer) sheets of applicants for various positions in several municipalities at Ayans office in Salt Lake during a raid. In August last year, the CBI had also questioned Bose in the ongoing investigation into the alleged irregularities in municipal hirings between 2014 and 2016.

The state governments plea to halt the CBI probe into the alleged municipal scam was dismissed by the Kolkata High Court. The CBI and ED had told the Kolkata high court that there was a link between the scam in civic body recruitments and the scam in school education department jobs, in which Partha Chatterjee, the former education minister, has been arrested.

Bose served as the vice chairman of South Dum Dum Municipality from 2010 to 2021, during which nearly 250 people were hired. He is the first cabinet minister to be summoned in this case.
SRINAGAR: A vehicle belonging to the Indian Army was reportedly targeted by suspected terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Friday. However, no casualties to the troops were reported. The incident evoked a strong response from the Indian Army, which retaliated with full force. The security forces also launched a massive joint search operation in the area after the firing incident.

According to the reports, the firing incident was reported at the Dhara Dhullian area in the Lower Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch.

''At around 1800 hours today, a Security Forces convoy of vehicles was fired upon by suspected terrorists from a jungle near Krishna Ghati in Poonch sector. No casualties to own troops. Joint search operations by the Indian Army and Jammu & Kashmir Police are in progress,'' the White Knight Corps of the Indian Army said in a post on X.

At around 1800 hours today, a Security Forces convoy of vehicles was fired upon by suspected terrorists from a jungle near Krishna Ghati in Poonch sector. No casualties to own troops. Joint search Operations by Indian Army and Jammu & Kashmir Police are in progress: White Knight pic.twitter.com/Khk7GmIK9O January 12, 2024

A Defence spokesperson said that they are in the process of ascertaining the details of the incident. This development follows closely on the heels of a terrorist ambush on two army vehicles in Dhatyar Morh of Surankote in December. The attack resulted in the tragic loss of four soldiers' lives and left three others injured. The responsibility for the December assault was claimed by the Peoples Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF), an offshoot of the Jaish-e-Mohammad.

The incident was thoroughly discussed during a review of the ongoing counter-terror operations by Northern Army Commander Upendra Dwivedi in Jammu recently.

During the review meeting, all stakeholders pledged to work in synergy to achieve the desired outcome, with a specific focus on eradicating the roots of terrorism in the PoonchRajouri region. This marks the fourth high-level review meeting held in response to the evolving situations in the Rajouri-Poonch region.
NEW DELHI: In a significant development, leaders of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc are set to hold a crucial meeting on Saturday to deliberate on pressing issues, primarily revolving around seat-sharing arrangements and the selection of a convener for the alliance.

Mamata's Trinamool To Skip Virtual Meeting

While the meeting is expected to see the active participation of various prominent leaders, notably absent will be Mamata Banerjee, the leader of the Trinamool Congress. Sources have cited her prior commitments as the reason for her absence from the virtual gathering scheduled for Saturday morning.

Convenor Tussle: JDU Favors Nitish Kumar, TMC Opposes

Insiders reveal that a key agenda on the meeting's docket is the appointment of a convenor for the opposition alliance. The Janata Dal (United) advocates for Nitish Kumar to assume this role, a proposition met with opposition from Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress.

Spotlight On Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra

Besides the internal matters of the alliance, the leaders are slated to discuss the participation of member parties in the upcoming Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. This nationwide journey is set to kick off on January 14 in Manipur and holds significance in the opposition's collective strategy.

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh shared the details on X, stating, "INDIA party leaders will be meeting over Zoom tomorrow, January 13th, 2024, at 11:30 am. They will review various issues like seat-sharing talks that have begun, participation in the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra that will begin from Thoubal near Imphal, the day after tomorrow, and other important matters. Badlega Bharat Jeetega INDIA!"

This marks the second endeavour to conduct a virtual meeting, with a previous attempt a few days ago facing logistical challenges. The alliance is navigating the complexities of coordinating discussions among diverse political entities.

INDIA Bloc Vs NDA In 2024 Elections

INDIA, an acronym for the 'Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance,' comprises opposition parties, including the Congress, uniting against the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Their common objective is to thwart the NDA from securing a third consecutive term in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Giriraj Singh Criticizes Opposition Alliance

Taking a critical stance, Union Minister and BJP leader Giriraj Singh commented on the alliance, suggesting it was formed for "selfish motives" rather than a shared ideology. He emphasized the disparate nature of the alliance partners and questioned the electoral benefits that Congress would derive from aligning with them. "There is the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh, JDU in Bihar, AAP in Delhi and Punjab, and Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress in West Bengal. However, these are disparate alliance partners and allying with them wouldn't help the Congress much," Singh said.

As the INDIA bloc gears up for its pivotal meeting, the political landscape anticipates the outcomes that will shape the opposition's strategy in the upcoming elections.
New Delhi: The US has expressed its appreciation for Indias increased cooperation in protecting the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, where the two countries share a common concern over the Houthi attacks that endanger the region. On Thursday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had a phone conversation and discussed the United States and Indias shared concerns over the reckless Houthi attacks in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, which threaten the free flow of commerce, endanger innocent mariners, and violate international law, according to a statement by State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller.

Blinken highlighted the importance of the Red Sea as a vital commercial route that supports international trade and welcomed increased cooperation with India in defending freedom of navigation in the region, the statement said.

Jaishankar and Blinken also talked about the Israel-Hamas conflict, efforts to prevent the escalation and increase the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza. Blinken also discussed Russias war of aggression against Ukraine, the statement said.

In a post on X, Jaishankar said he had a good discussion with my friend Blinken.

Our conversation focused on maritime security challenges, especially the Red Sea region. Appreciated his insights on ongoing situation in West Asia, including Gaza, Jaishankar said.

The Indian leader added that they exchanged perspectives on developments pertaining to the Ukraine conflict. Looking forward to realizing our extensive cooperation agenda for 2024, Jaishankar said.

In a post on X, Miller said Blinken had a productive call with Jaishankar, discussing U.S.-India partnership for protecting freedom of navigation in critical waterways.
AYODHYA: Veteran BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani is set to embark on a journey to Ayodhya on January 22 to witness the consecration of the idol of Shri Ram Lalla at the grand temple. He also congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for realizing the vision of millions of Indians for constructing the magnificent temple. In an exclusive conversation with the monthly magazine 'Rashtra Dharma,' Advani reflected on the unforgettable moments of his historic Rath Yatra, initiated 33 years ago on September 25, 1990.

However, at that time, little did they know that the journey, inspired by the faith in Lord Rama, would evolve into a nationwide movement, with the current Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, standing by his side as a supportive ally, he recalled.

A Historic Journey: The 33-Year Saga Of Rath Yatra

Advani acknowledged PM Modi's instrumental role during the 10,000-kilometer journey, symbolizing the unwavering commitment to the construction of Shri Ram Lalla's temple. Now, as the idol's consecration approaches, PM Modi, who once assisted his mentor Advani during the Rath Yatra, will stand witness to the realization of their shared commitment.

Advani's Role In Rath Yatra

The monumental journey of Rath Yatra ignited the suppressed faith of millions of Ram Bhakts across the nation. Advani, a former BJP president and a key figure in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, played a crucial role in awakening the devotion and belief in the hearts of the people. Now, on January 22, he is likely to be present in Ayodhya to witness the grandeur of the temple and the Pran Pratistha ceremony.

As PM Modi transitions from being a supporter in the 10,000-kilometer Rath Yatra to witnessing the consecration of Ram Lalla's idol, the significance of their joint efforts in realizing the temple project becomes even more apparent. The momentous occasion will mark the culmination of a historic journey that started with a yatra and will end with the Pran Pratistha of the idol, symbolizing the fulfilment of the collective aspirations of millions.

VHP Confirms Advani's Presence

International Working President of Vishva Hindu Parishad, Alok Kumar, has confirmed Advani's presence at the Pran Pratistha ceremony. Prime Minister Modi is also scheduled to attend the event, emphasizing the grandeur and national significance of the occasion.

Invitations have also been extended to saints from all traditions, showcasing the inclusivity of the ceremony. However, the Congress leaders have declined the invitation, highlighting the diverse perspectives surrounding the event.

Preparations For Ram Temple Ceremony In Full Swing

The seven-day Pran Pratistha ceremony, commencing on January 16, will witness Vedic rituals led by priest Lakshmi Kant Dixit from Varanasi. Ayodhya, resonating with spiritual, historical, and cultural significance, is gearing up for the Amrit Mahotsav from January 14 to January 22.

As the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust prepares for the momentous occasion, Ayodhya eagerly awaits the historic Pran Pratistha ceremony, where the dreams and aspirations of millions will find expression in the consecration of Shri Ram Lalla's idol.
New Delhi: Will Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar go to Ayodhya on January 22 or not? The decision to attend the idol installation ceremony of Ram temple will be his own. JD(U) leader KC Tyagi said this on Thursday, increasing the suspense. Most of the opposition leaders have declined the invitation of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust for January 22. These include Congress Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Samajwadi Partys Akhilesh Yadav, CPI (M)'s Sitaram Yechury. Congress has announced not to go, calling it a BJP-RSS program.

Will Nitish also refuse to go to Ayodhya like Sonia-Akhilesh or will JD(U)'s stand be different from the allies? On this question, Tyagi said, Nitish ji has received the invitation as the chief minister and the party president. Nitish ji has to decide on this and we will inform you of his decision.

On January 22, Ram Lallas idol will be installed in Ayodhya in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. All the big leaders of BJP and RSS will participate in that program. In addition, famous personalities from India and abroad have also been invited. Opposition parties leaders were also invited. However, most of them decided to stay away from the program on January 22.

Congress Jairam Ramesh accused BJP and RSS of making the temple installation a political project for electoral gains. Congress also raised questions on the governments intention over the inauguration of the incomplete temple. Some Congress leaders will surely be present in Ayodhya on January 22, but on a personal level.

Unlike other opposition parties, JD(U) had earlier also expressed its desire to participate in the temple inauguration. JD(U) spokesperson had told The Indian Express on Monday, Ram belongs to everyone. We respect all religions.

If we get the invitation for the temple inauguration in Ayodhya, we will definitely send someone. Tyagi had said, It does not matter who goes to Ayodhya on January 22. If we do not get the invitation, we will go according to our own account.

Will Nitish Anger Allies By Going To Ayodhya?

If Nitish decides to go to Ayodhya on January 22, it may upset the allies of I.N.D.I.A. Most of the opposition alliance parties have distanced themselves by calling it a political program. However, this has given BJP another opportunity to call the opposition parties anti-Hindu.

BJP has opened a front against Congress. If Nitish does not come, BJP will also project him as anti-Hindu. In such a situation, it is possible that Nitish may not go himself, but send some other leader of the party to Ayodhya. After all, JD(U) leaders call secularism half of Nitishs politics.
In a dramatic turn of events on Bigg Boss 17, actor Abhishek Kumar's mother has come out in staunch support of her son, exposing the alleged falsehoods spread by co-contestant and ex-girlfriend Isha Malviya. Abhishek's mother, who's to make a one-day appearance in the Bigg Boss house, used her time effectively, confronting Isha about the rumors she had been circulating.

The latest promo revealed a conversation between Abhishek's mother and Isha in the therapy room, where Isha was confronted about her claim that Abhishek had broken a television set. Abhishek's mother boldly declared it a lie, leaving Isha speechless.

In a subsequent interview, Abhishek's mother emphasized that Isha's attempts to tarnish Abhishek's image had backfired, stating, "Isha didn't destroy Abhishek. She destroyed herself. She thought her lies would damage Abhishek, but she only invited hate for herself."

Also read: Merry Christmas Review: Katrina Kaif, Vijay Sethupathi Impress In Andhadhun-Style Taut Thriller

Abhishek, known for his honest, genuine, and fearless nature, has garnered immense support from fans. With the public rallying behind him, speculation is rising that Abhishek might be a strong contender for the Bigg Boss 17 trophy.

As the tensions escalate within the Bigg Boss house, Abhishek's unwavering demeanor and his mother's outspoken defense add an intriguing twist to the unfolding drama, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the next episode.
New Delhi: Kangana Ranaut, a prominent Bollywood actress, director, and three-time National Film Award winner, has become an emblem of tenacity and success in the Indian film industry. Born on March 23, 1987, in Himachal Pradesh, India, Kangana's journey from a small-town girl to a powerhouse in Indian cinema is an inspiring saga of talent, determination, and resilience.

Early Struggles And Entry Into Bollywood:

Kangana faced formidable challenges during her early days in the film industry. Arriving in Mumbai with dreams in her eyes, she initially struggled to make a mark. Battling nepotism and rejection, she persisted, landing her debut role in the critically acclaimed film "Gangster" (2006). Her nuanced performance immediately garnered attention, setting the stage for her ascent.

Breakthrough Performances And Critical Acclaim:

Following her debut, Kangana delivered compelling performances in films like "Woh Lamhe" (2006) and "Life in a... Metro" (2007), earning critical acclaim. However, it was her portrayal of Rani in "Queen" (2013) that marked a turning point. The film not only resonated with audiences but also earned her the National Film Award for Best Actress.

Versatility And Award-Winning Streak:

Known for her versatility, Kangana seamlessly transitioned between genres, delivering memorable performances in films like "Tanu Weds Manu" (2011) and its sequel, and "Krrish 3" (2013). Her prowess was consistently recognized, earning her additional National Film Awards for her roles in "Fashion" (2008) and "Tanu Weds Manu Returns" (2015).

Directorial Debut And Entrepreneurial Ventures:

In a bold move, Kangana made her directorial debut with "Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi" (2019), a biopic on the legendary Rani Laxmi Bai. Her directorial skills were widely appreciated, cementing her status as a multifaceted artist. Beyond cinema, Kangana ventured into entrepreneurship with her production house, contributing to the narrative shift in Bollywood.

Controversies And Fearless Advocacy:

Unafraid to voice her opinions, Kangana became a vocal advocate for issues such as nepotism and the treatment of outsiders in the film industry. While her candidness stirred controversies, it also solidified her image as a fearless individual unafraid to challenge the status quo.

Her success story not only inspires aspiring actors but also challenges industry norms. Kangana's unwavering determination continues to shape her legacy in Indian cinema.
New Delhi: Ahead of the presentation of the Interim Budget by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, the Indian realty sector has pinned high hopes on housing segment.

For Manoj Gaur, CMD, Gaurs Group and Chairman CREDAI, reintroduction of interest subvention scheme and redefinition of affordable housing are among the prime demands that the realty sector would put forth in the upcoming budget.

Gaur said, "The real estate has pinned high hopes on the forthcoming budget. First of all, the sector is looking for the reintroduction of the interest subvention scheme to revive mass housing. Secondly, we are also seeking a redefinition of affordable housing, and the limit for it should be raised from 90 sq mtr in terms of space and 45 lakh in case of pricing. It will be a much-needed intervention as a considerable demand exists in the affordable housing segment."

Nayan Raheja of Raheja Developers has demanded single-window clearance system and industry status for the real estate.

"The demand for industry status for the real estate sector has been long-standing, and it is a major expectation from the upcoming budget. A single-window clearance system, a perennial request, is also seen as a time-saving measure for developers. Amidst a backdrop of high demand and limited new launches, a push for affordable housing is deemed crucial," said Raheja.

Mohit Goel, MD, Omaxe Group and Amit Modi, Director, County Group have also espoused the voice on granting industry status to housing sector.

"The status of the industry would help in availing better financing," Goel added.

Rajesh K Saraf, MD, Axiom Landbase and Yash Miglani, MD, Migsun Group have demanded that government must consider reducing the GST rate on cement and initiatives to promote affordable housing through tax incentives.

Amrita Gupta, Director of Manglam Group and Founder President of CREDAI Rajasthan Women's Wing has demanded that maximum deduction for home loans be raised.

"Raising the maximum deduction for home loans under Section 24 of the Income Tax Act from INR 2 lakh to at least INR 5 lakh is crucial. This adjustment has the potential to reinvigorate the housing market," Gupta said.
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New Delhi: Google plans to improve user experience and prioritize quality and reliability by removing various features from its Assistant. The tech giant announced that the changes will come into effect starting January 26, 2024.

The American tech giant stated that these adjustments are geared towards streamlining the Assistants functions, giving priority to frequently used features and allocating resources to enhance their performance.

A significant change includes ending support for less-used features. Users activating these features will be notified that the functionalities will no longer be available after a designated date.

Some affected functionalities include using voice commands to play and control audiobooks on Google Play Books, setting media alarms on Assistant-enabled devices, and managing cookbooks or instructional recipe videos.

The option to manage stopwatches on Smart Displays and Speakers through their voice would no longer be available for the users. However, they can still set timers and alarms. Additionally, voice commands for calling devices or broadcasting messages to Google Family Groups will no longer be supported, though users can still broadcast messages within their homes.

The capability to send emails, video, or audio messages via voice commands will be gradually discontinued. However, users can still make calls and send text messages. Voice commands for rescheduling events in Google Calendar will no longer be available, but users can use alternative methods to schedule new events.

Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 voice controls will no longer be accessible, necessitating users to utilize device buttons for starting, stopping, pausing, and resuming activities. Sleep summaries will be exclusively visible on Google Smart Displays, while third-party smart clocks will continue to enable users to inquire about sleep details using voice commands.

Voice commands for certain tasks, such as sending payments, making reservations, or posting on social media, will be discontinued. Users are recommended to direct Assistant to open their installed apps for executing these activities.

Moreover, caller IDs for calls made from speakers and Smart Displays won't be shown unless Duo is being used. Smart Displays won't display ambient "Commute to Work" time estimates, but users can still inquire about commute times and directions using voice commands. Users are advised to request flight statuses as checking personal travel itineraries through voice commands will be phased out.

Although the users can still make calls to contact, they wont be able to request information about their contacts through voice commands. Voice commands for specific activities like sending payments, making reservations, or posting on social media won't be available. Instead, users are recommended to direct Assistant to open their installed apps for these tasks.

The microphone icon will solely prompt search results in response to user queries emphasizing its most common usage apart from features adjustments. Users can still initiate Assistant by saying "Hey Google" or using the conventional long press on the home or power button.

However, the microphone icon in the Search bar will no longer perform actions like activating lights or sending messages. Users using older versions of the Google app (v12 and earlier) will be advised to update to ensure access to the latest version of Google Assistant.
New Delhi: If you been searching for the opportunity to upgrade your old phones and to take the latest iPhone model, but your pocket not allowing it? Don't worry! Flipkart has come up with a solution for iPhone enthusiasts. This might be the perfect time to make that purchase because of the significant discount available on the platform.

Apple iPhone 15: Price

The iPhone 15, originally priced at Rs 79,900, is now listed at Rs 72,999 on Flipkart. But wait, there's more to this deal that could make it even sweeter and take the price down. (Also Read: 11 Big Companies That Have Fired Employees In Latest Lay-Off Spree)

Apple iPhone 15: Discount Details

For those looking to snag the iPhone 15 at an even lower price, Flipkart is offering a notable discount. By using an HDFC Credit Card during checkout, buyers can enjoy an instant cashback of Rs 4,000. (Also Read: Decoding Budget Terms: What Is Direct Tax? Definition, Types, And More - Check Here)

Apple iPhone 15: Total Savings

This brings the effective price down to a tempting Rs 68,999. Combining the bank offers, one can easily avail a saving of Rs 10,901.

Apple iPhone 15: Steps To Avail Discount Offer

- The first thing you need to do is open the Flipkart app or visit the website.

- Search for iPhone 15 which is listed at Rs 72,999 on the platform

- Use an HDFC Credit Card during checkout for an instant cashback of Rs 4,000.

- Make final payment.

Offers Applicability

This discounted deal applies to the base 128GB model of the iPhone 15. For those needing more storage, there's an option to explore the 256GB model.

Apple iPhone 15: Features

The latest model of the iPhone is equipped with a 48-megapixel primary camera. This device allows high-quality 4K video recording from both the front and back dual camera setup.
The US and UK militaries have carried out joint strikes on several sites used by the Houthi rebels in Yemen, following their repeated attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, officials from both countries said. The strikes involved fighter jets and Tomahawk missiles, and targeted more than a dozen Houthi facilities, including radar systems, drone and missile launch and storage sites, a US official told CNN.

The official said the strikes were aimed at degrading the Houthis ability to threaten international shipping in the Red Sea, a vital waterway for global trade and security. The strikes were a significant escalation of the US and UK involvement in the Yemen conflict, and came after the Biden administration and its allies warned the Iran-backed militants to stop their attacks or face consequences.

The US and UK had previously avoided direct strikes on Yemen, fearing they could spark a wider regional conflict in an already volatile area. But they decided to act after the Houthis continued to launch drones and missiles at ships in the Red Sea, forcing some of the worlds largest shipping companies to divert their routes around Africa, adding thousands of miles and costs to their operations.

The strikes also came as US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin was recovering from a surgery for prostate cancer in a hospital.

The US official said this was the first known strike against the Houthis in Yemen, although the US had previously struck Iranian proxies in Iraq and Syria since the war in Gaza erupted. The official said the strikes were a sign of the USs determination to prevent the war in Gaza from spilling over into the wider region.

The US official said senior administration officials had briefed Congressional leaders on the US plans earlier on Thursday. The UK official confirmed the UKs participation in the strikes, and said they were coordinated with the US and other allies.

The official said the UK was concerned about the Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea, and supported the USs efforts to deter them. The official said the UK was also committed to finding a political solution to the Yemen crisis, and urged all parties to engage in the UN-led peace process.

The Houthi rebels, who control most of northern Yemen, have been fighting a civil war against a Saudi-led coalition that backs the internationally recognised government of Yemen since 2015. The rebels have said they are launching attacks on shipping in the Red Sea in solidarity with Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that fought a 11-day war with Israel in May.

The Houthi leader, Abdul Malek Al-Houthi, warned on Thursday that any US attack on Yemen would not go unpunished, and hinted that the rebels had more capabilities than attacking US ships in the sea, CNN reported.

The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, who was travelling in the region, said on Thursday that the Houthi attacks had to stop, or there would be consequences. He also said he did not think the war in Gaza was escalating into a regional conflict, but cautioned that there were a lot of danger points.

Blinken visited Bahrain, where the US Naval Forces Central Command and the Navys Fifth Fleet are based, and met with the Bahraini king and other officials.

A senior State Department official said Blinkens message to the regional leaders was that the USs military action against the Houthis was defensive, not escalatory, and that the US was still seeking a diplomatic solution to the Yemen conflict.

The official said Blinken also discussed the USs efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, which the Houthis main backer, and the need for Iran to play a constructive role in the region.

US and UK hit Houthi sites in Yemen after Red Sea attacks

US and UK launch joint strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen

US and UK escalate involvement in Yemen conflict with strikes on Houthi targets

US and UK respond to Houthi attacks on shipping with strikes on Yemen

US and UK strike Houthi facilities in Yemen to deter Red Sea attacks
In Texas, The Full-Time MBA Flexes Some Muscle

McCombs School of Business at University of Texas-Austin saw a modest increase in applications to its full-time MBA in 2023  and a less modest increase in applications to its MBA programs overall. Courtesy photo

Applications are down at MBA programs, big and small, all over the world. But not at the premier program in Texas.

The University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business, ranked No. 19 in the United States by Poets&Quants and No. 20 by U.S. News & World Report, joined only one other elite U.S. MBA program in reporting application growth in its full-time MBA program in 2023. And though the increase was modest  about 1.2%, to 1,889  it serves as a tonic to the prevailing pall over the future of the MBA.

More importantly from Texas McCombs perspective, the app growth underscores our status as a top choice for business education, says Rodrigo Malta, McCombs managing director of MBA recruiting and admissions, pointing out that the school saw a substantial jump in interest across its five MBA programs on three Texas campuses.

We are very excited about the strong momentum of our MBA program at Texas McCombs, Malta says. One of the reasons our MBA program is so attractive is its strong return on investment. Prospective students are likely recognizing the tangible benefits and value of the education they receive in terms of more affordable tuition (when compared to other top-20 MBA programs), strong career outcomes and the long-term benefits of being associated with the brand and reputation of Texas McCombs.

In Texas, The Full-Time MBA Flexes Some Muscle

DECLINES (MOSTLY) ACROSS THE BOARD

Playing a pivotal role in the increased interest in McCombs full-time MBA program: The attractiveness of Austin as a study destination, Malta says. The citys vibrant and dynamic ecosystem, coupled with its thriving business environment, cultural diversity, and quality of life, may be contributing to McCombs appeal. As students increasingly seek not only a top-tier education but also an enriching overall experience, the combination of a strong MBA program, robust ROI and the allure of Austin could be a significant driving force behind the heightened interest in McCombs.

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Not every B-school is so fortunate. The Graduate Management Admission Council reported in October that business school applications worldwide declined about 5% in 2022-2023. The slump was not hard to see coming. In 2021, 19 of the top 25 U.S. B-schools reported application growth in their flagship full-time MBA programs; a year later, that number had declined to just nine schools. This year, among elite MBA programs, besides Texas McCombs, only one other has reported application growth: the MBA program at Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Some of the cycle-to-cycle declines were significant: a 30% cratering at UCLA Anderson School of Management, a major drop-off for a second straight year at Columbia Business School. The downturn afflicted the elite of the elite, the M7, as well as the second tier of schools to which Texas McCombs belongs. Chicago Booth, Wharton, and Harvard Business School all reported drop-offs of varying severity; so did Yale School of Management. Virginia Darden, Michigan Ross, NYU Stern, and Duke Fuqua had declines, too. Many schools saw declines for a second straight year; some, like Wharton, for a third.

Some, of course, were minor: At MIT Sloan School of Management, apps declined by just 32 from the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 cycles. And Cornell Johnson School of Management reported the smallest decline possible: a year-over-year drop of exactly one application to its full-time MBA.

HUGE JUMP IN FIRST-GEN STUDENTS

In Texas, The Full-Time MBA Flexes Some Muscle

Rodrigo Malta: New MBA class members are unafraid to confront challenges and, at the same time, are enthusiastic about collaborating to make a meaningful impact on the world

An increase in applications  even a minor one  can lead to all kinds of happy outcomes, or at least help bring attention to them. Though cause-and-effect is hardly definitive in any case, in addition to its app boost Texas McCombs in 2023 reported a significant increase in enrollment (9.5%) to 241, while growing domestically 74% (up from 72% in the Class of 2024) and welcoming a record-setting 20% of first-generation college students (up from 11% in the Class of 2024).

This class brings with them a blend of experiences, Malta tells P&Q, pointing out that McCombs maintained or exceeded its previous classs academic benchmarks including a Graduate Record Exam average of 321, up from 319, and a class average GPA of 3.46, down insignificantly from 3.48. The class Graduate Management Admission Test average of 704 is down from 706 but well in line with McCombs historical trend.

Moreover, and perhaps most importantly, the class is highly diverse, with 18% as U.S. under-represented minorities (up from 16%) and 35% identifying as U.S. minorities (down from 36%). Thirty-five percent of students identify as female, same as last year, and 8% as LGBTQIA+ (up from 7%); 26% come from international backgrounds (down from 28%), representing 31 countries (up from 28). Additionally, 14% of students have U.S. military service backgrounds (up from 13% in the Class of 2024.

McCombs welcomed 37 Consortium members, 60 Forte Fellows, and 15 dual-degree students in the Class of 2025, further enriching the diversity and breadth of experiences within our class, Malta says. According to a blog post on the school website, The Texas McCombs MBA Class of 2025 is not merely a reflection of our programs excellence, but an embodiment of our vision for the future. The increase in applications and class size, coupled with the growth in underrepresented minorities, women, and military veterans, showcases the programs appeal and its role as a leader in the ever-competitive MBA landscape.

POISED TO LEAVE A POSITIVE, LASTING IMPACT AT McCOMBS

Its not only McCombs full-time MBA that got a boost in 2023. Its entire portfolio of graduate business offerings, which includes Working Professional and Executive MBA programs across campuses in Austin, Dallas, and Houston, saw an overall increase in applications in the last cycle, exceeding 2,300 total apps. Overall graduate business class size also expanded, by 9%, up to 509 incoming students in fall 2023.

Among this flood of new learners, 25% are composed of under-represented minorities, a 7-percentage-point increase. Women in the class also grew substantially, rising to 33% (up 4 percentage points), while the proportion of military veterans grew to 15% (up 3 percentage points). First-generation students climbed to 20% of the class, up 7 percentage points)  demonstrating our commitment to providing accessible and impactful education, particularly to aspiring business leaders who are the first in their families to attend college, the blog post reads.

I frequently mention at our admissions events that orientation and graduation stand out as my favorite moments of the year, Malta says. The orientation for the class of 2025 surpassed my already high expectations. Our intelligent, talented, and diverse students not only connected with each other instantaneously openly sharing their aspirations and areas of improvement. They are unafraid to confront challenges and, at the same time, are enthusiastic about collaborating to make a meaningful impact on the world.

The Class of 2025 has started with great momentum and is poised to leave a positive, lasting impact at McCombs, the University of Texas, and the vibrant city of Austin.

DONT MISS HOW CMU TEPPER CONFRONTED  AND OVERCAME  A CHALLENGING 2023 MBA JOB MARKET and 2023 MBA CLASS PROFILES & EMPLOYMENT REPORTS

The post Texas McCombs Full-Time Program Counters Gloom & Doom About The MBA appeared first on Poets&Quants.
So far this week, spot prices for yellowcake - uranium concentrate used in nuclear power generation - reached a new 16-year high, climbing to $92.45 per pound. Reflecting on our December 2020 note to readers in "Buy Uranium: Is This The Beginning Of The Next ESG Craze," yellowcake prices have risen 217%.

The uranium market is only getting hotter, and continued tightness could push prices over $100, analysts from Bank of America and Berenberg Bank wrote in two separate notes.

BofA's metals and mining team said tightness in uranium markets could extend well into 2025, indicating that prices could run higher through this year. The team of analysts has increased their uranium spot price price targets to $105 per pound in 2024 and $115 in 2025.

They outlined three near-term catalysts that could propel prices higher:

Higher electricity prices make higher uranium prices more absorbable Investment fund volumes continue to increase Inventories are lower than previously thought while production slippages also remain a risk

The analysts pointed out: "Uanium's third bull market set up for a promising 2024."

On a separate note, Berenberg analysts said the requirement for some uranium users to diversify away from Russian supply could be a major price driver. They said prices will likely normalize around $70 per pound for the long term.

Soaring prices have buoyed stocks of mining companies like Cameco up nearly 300% since December 2020. The Sprott Uranium Miners ETF (URNM is also up almost 300%. And supplier Uranium Energy Corp is up 416%.

According to uranium market data firm UxC, uranium demand is surging as contracts signed by utilities reached 160 million pounds last year - the highest annual volume since 2012.

"The uranium market is only getting tighter," Jonathan Hinze, president of UxC, told The Wall Street Journal.

It only took 13 years after the Fukushima disaster to put nuclear energy back into the spotlight as the world races to decarbonize power grids.

Story continues

By Zerohedge.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:

Read this article on OilPrice.com
An employee works at the assembly line of jerked beef at a plant of JBS S.A, the world's largest beef producer, in Santana de Parnaiba

By Leah Douglas

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The New York share listing of Brazilian meat company JBS SA would expose investors to risk and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission should closely scrutinize the company's criminal and environmental track record, a bipartisan group of senators said in a letter to the agency on Thursday.

JBS, the world's largest meat packer, in July revived a decade-plus-long effort to list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange in hopes of accessing cheaper capital and more investors.

Its earlier attempt was delayed in part by a 2017 Brazilian bribery scandal. In 2020, the SEC fined JBS $27 million to resolve other bribery charges related to its 2009 acquisition of Pilgrim's Pride, another top U.S. meat company.

Those events, plus allegations by environmental activists that the company's cattle sourcing practices contribute to Amazon deforestation, present "deep concerns" about the potential listing, said the 15 senators, who include Democrats Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker, and Republicans Marco Rubio and Josh Hawley.

"Approval of JBS' proposed listing would subject U.S. investors to risk from a company with a history of blatant, systemic corruption, and further entrench its monopoly power and embolden its monopoly practices," they wrote in the letter first reported by Reuters.

JBS did not immediately respond to a request for comment but has said the listing will "enhance its corporate governance and transparency."

The SEC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

JBS is one of the United States' four largest meat companies which together slaughter about 85% of U.S. grain-fattened cattle.

Environmental groups have urged the SEC to deny JBS's listing on the grounds that the company's cattle purchasing practices encourage deforestation of the Amazon rainforest.

An October report by Brazilian federal prosecutors found that about 6% of the company's cattle was bought from ranches with "irregularities" like illegal deforestation, down from 17% the year prior. JBS has said that it has fixed prior issues with its sourcing practices.

Before JBS can present its listing deal for shareholder approval, the SEC must determine that its offering complies with U.S. regulations.

(Reporting by Leah Douglas in Washington; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
By Daniel Wiessner

(Reuters) -The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear a challenge by Starbucks to a judicial decision that required the coffee chain to rehire seven employees at one of its cafes in Memphis, Tennessee who a federal agency determined were fired for supporting unionization.

The justices took up a Starbucks appeal of a lower court's ruling that found that the company likely discouraged other employees from exercising their rights under U.S. labor law by firing the Memphis workers in 2022. This is the first case to reach the Supreme Court involving an ongoing nationwide campaign to unionize Starbucks stores.

The Memphis store is one of more than 370 Starbucks locations in the United States to unionize since 2021. The Seattle-based company was non-union for decades.

The U.S. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) concluded that Starbucks unlawfully fired the Memphis employees for supporting the union drive and to send a message to other workers.

The NLRB sought an injunction to compel Starbucks to rehire the employees, which Memphis-based U.S. District Judge Sheryl Lipman granted. The Cincinnati, Ohio-based 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Lipman's decision in 2023, faulting the actions of Starbucks.

Starbucks has said it fired the workers for violating a company safety policy by opening their store without consent and allowing journalists inside. The company last year said it rehired the seven employees to comply with Lipman's order, but still pursued the appeal of the 6th Circuit decision to the Supreme Court.

The company has said the 6th Circuit applied too low of a bar by requiring the NLRB to show only that there was "reasonable cause" to believe the company committed labor law violations. Major business groups, in urging the Supreme Court to hear the Starbucks appeal, argued that the 6th Circuit and other federal courts have made it too easy for the NLRB to win judicial orders requiring businesses to take steps to address allegedly illegal labor practices.

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More than 700 complaints have been filed with the NLRB accusing Starbucks of unlawful labor practices such as firing union supporters, spying on workers and closing stores during labor campaigns.

The 6th Circuit is considering a Starbucks appeal of an NLRB ruling in a separate case barring the company from firing or disciplining employees at a location in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Other U.S. appeals courts are reviewing NLRB rulings that Starbucks illegally fired union organizers in Philadelphia and has refused to bargain with unionized workers in Seattle.

The company has denied wrongdoing and said it offers employees competitive wages and benefits and respects their rights under federal labor law.

(Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York; Additional reporting by Andrew Chung in New York; Editing by Will Dunham, Alexia Garamfalvi and Daniel Wallis)
Vanguard Blocks Spot Bitcoin ETF Trading, Prompting Some Investors to Close Accounts

Asset management giant Vanguard has banned trading of the newly approved spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on its platform, a controversial move that has frustrated some customers and led them to transfer funds elsewhere.

Vanguard confirmed to media outlets that spot Bitcoin ETFs will not be available for purchase on the Vanguard platform. A spokesperson said these products do not align with the asset classes that Vanguard views as the building blocks of a well-balanced, long-term investment portfolio like stocks and bonds.

The policy change has sparked outrage among Bitcoin investors who were hoping to gain spot ETF exposure through Vanguard. Multiple customers have reported being unable to trade Grayscales Bitcoin Trust or BlackRocks iShares Bitcoin Trust on Vanguards platform, receiving error messages stating buy orders are not currently accepted for this security.

Some have vowed to close their Vanguard accounts as a result. Senior engineering manager at Coinbase Yuga Cohler announced plans to convert his Roth 401(k) savings at Vanguard to Fidelity, which offers spot Bitcoin ETF trading. Bitcoin commentator Neil Jacobs also said he would transfer funds out of Vanguard due to the terrible business decision.

The SEC greenlit several spot Bitcoin ETFs on Wednesday after years of anticipation. Trading volumes topped $4.5 billion on the first day, led by BlackRock, Grayscale and Fidelitys offerings. But Vanguards hardline stance shows that regulatory approval does not guarantee unconditional market acceptance.

Let us know what you loved about this article, what could be improved, or share any other feedback by filling out this short form.
Red Arrow Park is among the downtown Milwaukee public spaces that are part of a new $6 million improvements plan.

Improvements to Vel R. Phillips Plaza, Red Arrow Park and other downtown Milwaukee public spaces totaling nearly $6 million are part of a new city financing proposal.

Also, nearly $12 million would help bail out a stalled city-led industrial park on the north side.

The money would come from a tax incremental financing district on downtown's northern edge near the former Park East Freeway.

That freeway was demolished in 2003, with the tax district used to pay for a replacement Milwaukee River bridge and other new streets. New neighborhood commercial developments continue generating property tax revenue to pay for other public projects.

Mayor Cavalier Johnson's administration is proposing a tax district amendment, which needs Common Council approval, to spend $5.75 million on various projects.

That includes up to $1.9 million for improvements to North Water Street from East Pleasant Street to East Kilbourn Avenue; $1.3 million for improvements to West Kilbourn Avenue from the river to North Sixth Street; $1.5 million to help pay for Vel R. Phillips Plaza, under construction at 401 W. Wisconsin Ave.; $500,000 to design Red Arrow Park improvements, and $50,000 to design City Hall Square improvements.

Red Arrow Park's improvements could include more trees, sheltered seating and an overlook above the future Biggby Coffee shop. The street work is to improve safety for bikers, pedestrians and drivers, while Phillips Plaza is a new public square near the Baird Center.

The proposal, which the Redevelopment Authority board will review at its Thursday meeting, features a $500,000 contingency and $250,000 budgeted for administrative costs.

The plan also calls for spending up to $11.8 million to pay down the $19 million debt of another tax district used to help finance Century City Business Park.

The Common Council and then-Mayor Tom Barrett in 2020 approved spending $13.4 million from three tax districts to help pay down debt owed by Century City's district.

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The financing district at Century City, created at the former A.O. Smith Corp./Tower Automotive Inc. site, has generated little property tax revenue.

That's due to mainly a lack of new construction at the business park south of Capitol Drive and west of Hopkins Street. The only development so far is a 53,400-square-foot light industrial building anchored by Good City Brewing LLC's distribution center and office.

The council and Barrett in 2009 approved plans to buy the vacant industrial site, demolish most of its buildings, do an environmental cleanup and build new streets and other public improvements.

Tom Daykin can be emailed at tdaykin@jrn.com and followed on Instagram, X and Facebook.

Subscribe to get the BusinessWatch email newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Downtown Milwaukee plaza, park part of $6 million spending plan
Earlier this week, Internet Brands, the parent company of WebMD, Fodors, Lawyers.com, and CarsDirect, shared an unusual and discomfiting video announcing its plans to formally order workers back to the officeand mocking those who havent done so of their own accord.

The internal video was erroneously shared publicly on the companys Vimeo page, according to Vices Maxwell Strachan. Since the Vice write-up, the video garnered some online jeering, and Internet Brands amended the video to include an opening disclaimer.

Wow, this video has gotten a lot of attention! it reads. Our return to office policy is a hybrid one. Weve been rolling out these hybrid policies for over a year. As to comments/criticism on the tone/style, Yeah corporate videos are corporate videos! It then included a shrugging emoji.

Regardless, we strongly believe that we are better together! the message concludes, before launching into a montage of scenes from Internet Brands office in Californiaone of the most remote-work-friendly states.

WebMDs video runs about two minutes and features a smattering of Internet Brands senior executivesmost prominently longtime CEO Bob Briscorattling off the benefits of in-person work and admonishing the company holdouts. We arent asking or negotiating at this point, Brisco said. We are informing you of how we need to work together going forward.

The video features, at one point, a stock image of a man ostensibly working at his laptop in his kitchen wearing a collared shirt and, out of view, boxers.

Toward the end of the video, Lynn Tokeshi, Internet Brands senior vice president of HR, tells viewers that their manager will be in touch shortly about how this will be implemented and tracked.

While many workers have returned to the companys Los Angeles office, too big of a group hasnt returned, Blake DeSimone, WebMDs CFO, said. Were getting more serious about getting everyone back into the office for the simple reason that were better when were together.

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We need you ready and present, and we need it now, DeSimone went on. We have been slow in getting back with some people and in some places. Thats about to change.

The video concludes with a familiar Google Meet log-in page and a memo saying that no one is on the call because Everyone is in person now!

Asked about WebMDs actual return to office playbookand how the video is meant to differentiate from its supposedly existing hybrid arrangementa spokesperson told Fortune only that the company has had an evolving hybrid strategy in place for more than a year, which will continue in place going forward.

Our executive team feels strongly that both our company and our employees are more successful when they can collaborate in person, the spokesperson said. The tone of the video was an intentional decision to keep the topic light and somewhat ironic, in the context of knowing very well that the return to office issue can be emotionally charged.

Across the U.S., workers bristle at being told what to do. Indeed, experts say the best hybrid work plans are the ones that lead with employee sentiment, and focus on each individual worker and teams preferences, autonomy, and desired balance.

On company review site Blind, WebMD employees likened the Vimeo to a hostage video. This is like when teachers scolded the class for misbehaving, one commenter said. If I worked here and was on the fence about leaving, that video alone would motivate me to start sending out resumes.

Given the broad unpopularity of return to office mandates that dont consider employee choice or input, its unlikely that WebMDs workers caught the lightness or the irony.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
Shares of Chevron (NYSE: CVX) slumped 16.9% in 2023, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence. That vastly underperformed the broader market, with the S&P 500 gaining 24% last year.

A few issues weighed on the oil stock last year. Falling oil prices were the most notable issue, impacting its earnings and cash flow. On top of that, Chevron went on an acquisition spree, which added some integration risk.

Chevron went shopping as oil prices slumped

Crude oil prices cooled off in 2023. Brent, the primary global oil price benchmark, fell 10.3% for the year, closing at $77.04 per barrel. That was the first down year for oil since 2020.

Falling oil prices cut into Chevron's earnings and cash flow. The oil company's adjusted earnings totaled $18.2 billion through the third quarter, a more than $10 billion decline from the year-ago period. Meanwhile, Chevron's cash flow from operations tallied $23.2 billion over the first nine months of last year, a nearly $14 billion decline from the prior-year period.

However, Chevron capitalized on the more challenging market conditions by making several acquisitions last year. It bought PDC Energy in a $7.6 billion deal, enhancing its DJ and Permian basin positions. The company expects that acquisition to add $1 billion to its annual free cash flow this year, assuming oil prices average $70 a barrel, right around current prices. Chevron also bought a majority stake in ACES Delta, the country's largest green hydrogen production and storage hub, further advancing Chevron's lower-carbon investment strategy.

Meanwhile, Chevron unveiled an even bigger transaction in October, agreeing to buy fellow oil producer Hess in a $60 billion all-stock deal that could close this year. The deal will add two new regions to Chevron's portfolio (Bakken and offshore Guyana) while bolstering its operations in the Gulf of Mexico.

The oil company believes the deal will enhance and extend its free-cash-flow growth profile into the 2030s. That drives the company's plans to increase its dividend by 8% this year and ramp its repurchase rate to the top end of its $10 billion-$20 billion range.

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However, the deal adds some risk. Bakken and Guyana are new areas for Chevron, adding potential integration issues. Further, Guyana is in a border dispute with Venezuela, which could impact Chevron's growth.

Is Chevron stock a buy after last year's slump?

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The expected approval of a bid for the architectural designs of the new Fremont Police Station did not happen at the Tuesday, Jan. 9, meeting of the city council after the item was removed from the agenda with no explanation.

In an initial agenda for the meeting released on Thursday, Jan. 4, officials from the City of Fremont placed an item on the Jan. agenda for the approval of a bid for the design firm that city officials hope will make the architectural designs and plans for the citys new police station and 911 dispatch center.

According to the original agenda for the Tuesday, Jan. 9, meeting, the firm chosen was listed as Police Facilities Design Group of Kansas City, Missouri. The company was chosen from a pool of four different companies that submitted bids for the project.

To award the contract to PFDG, the city council must vote to OK the agreement. The other three companies in the running for the design of the new station and dispatch center were Prochaska & Associates of Omaha, Carlson West Povondra of Omaha and MO BRW Architects of College Station, Texas.

It is not known when the issue will return to the council in the future.

The plans for the station call for an estimated 30,000-square-feet facility that could cost anywhere between $14 million to $17 million, a price tag that was fit into the 2024-2025 fiscal years city budget in September.

On Nov. 15, Mayor Joey Spellerberg and other city officials hosted an open house where the plans for the police station were revealed to the public. Standing amid numerous renderings of hopes for the northern downtown area of the city, Spellerberg told about two dozen local residents and business owners that over the next 10 to 12 years, he and other city leaders hope to transform the area north of Military Avenue with the new police station and other developments.

On Thursday, Nov. 9, city officials issued a press release announcing the location of the new police station, which is planned for a strip of land along Eighth Street, between Main and D streets. The area is just to the north of Military Avenue and a few blocks from both the Fremont Municipal Building and the current police station.

Council approves series of mayoral appointments

During the Jan. 9 meeting, the city council approved a series of three mayoral appointments.

Becky Pence, a longtime member of the five-person Keene Memorial Library Advisory Board, was reappointed to another term, which ends in January 2028.

Pence, who is a manager of the Big Red Keno restaurant in Fremont and the founder of Catz Angels CARE, Inc.,, has been a stalwart supporter of LGBTQ+ and sexual education books in the city library that were contested by a large group of book removal activists throughout 2023.

In a second appointment, newly appointed Ward 2 Council Member Blair Horner was appointed in a 7-0 vote  Horner abstained  to the unexpired term of former council member Glen Ellis on the Public Service Answering Point Governing Board. That term ends in December 2024.

The third appointment was for a mass appointment of 12 members of the Business Improvement District No. 1, which serves the downtown Fremont area.

Eleven of the members were re-appointments to the board, including: Tom Coday, Sam Heineman, Vince OConnor, Howard Krasne, Kevin Main, Roxie Kracl, Brendan Murray, Daniel Cech, Berta Quintero and JJ Bixby.

The lone newcomer to the BID No. 1 board was Lindi Janulewicz. All were approved in a unanimous vote.

Third, final vote on Hills Farm Lake area OKd

The council on Tuesday also unanimously approved the third and final reading of the rezoning request for the new 147-home residential, lakefront development called Hills Farm Lake being planned for south of the U.S. Highway 77 Southeast Beltway.

The Fremont City Council OKd in early December a series of items related to the development that Planning Director Jennifer Dam said the citys Planning Commission had approved, and which would move the project ahead.

The land is being rezoned from general industrial to rural to pave the way for the new residential development. The neighborhood will be unique in Fremont in that it will only have one entrance and exit point, will not have any sidewalks or street lights and all homes are being built at a raised elevation because the area is a flood plain.
Do you have questions about Medicare coverage?

Mary Loftis, a trained Nebraska State Health Insurance Assistance Program counselor, will be offering a Welcome to Medicare Information program on Thursday, Jan. 25, at the UNL Extension office in Dodge County, 1206 W. 23rd St., in Fremont.

There will be a meeting at 4 p.m. and it will be repeated at 7 p.m. Anyone in any county is welcome to attend this free program. Absolutely nothing will be marketed or sold.

Pre-registration is requested so enough materials are available for everyone. Call UNL Extension in Dodge County at 402-727-2775 or Loftis Medicare phone at 402-380-9554 to register.

Future Welcome to Medicare programs will be offered March 28 in Tekamah, June 20 in Blair, and Sept. 19 in Fremont.
A Democratic legislator wants to increase the prerequisites for minors getting a learner's permit or driver's license in Colorado.
One person has been transported to the hospital following a structure fire in Colorado Springs Friday morning.

According to a social media announcement by the department, crews arrived on the scene of the fire at 2610 East Bijou Street in Colorado Springs just after 7 a.m.

At 7:19 a.m., the fire was announced to be under control.

Officials said at least one person has been transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The Colorado snow globe keeps getting stirred by Ullr and the accumulations keep adding up. Crested Butte skiers and riders enjoyed 8 inches of fresh snow Thursday as the northern and central mountains received the most snow on average; Wolf Creek received 21 inches over the 24-hour total it uses for its daily report.

The temperatures Friday morning are rather cold in locales in the southwest, south central and central parts of Colorado. Alamosa's temperature currently is -15 degrees and areas around Wolf Creek and Crested Butte are showing temperatures -20 degrees and below; today is going to be a cold ski and ride day.

For Friday's first chairs, Colorado's mountains received snow accumulations of between 1-9 inches (Powderhorn 9" for the win), with most heavier snows staying south of Interstate 70 on Thursday.

 The weather story Friday and Saturday will be the wind. The European model forecasts high wind gusts between 70-80 mph in the Front Range, Ten Mile, southern Sawatch and Elk mountains today, with gusts between 30-60 mph in nearly all other mountain ranges from Wyoming to New Mexico.

Similar wind gusts between 70-80 mph are forecast for Saturday, with the highest wind gusts in the Front Range, Ten Mile, and entire Sawatch ranges, and gusts between 35-55 mph in the Park, Flattops, Elks and San Juan mountains.

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center issued an avalanche warning for mountains northwest of Crested Butte at 1 p.m. Thursday, and all mountain ranges in Colorado are under a 'special avalanche advisory' until 4:30 p.m., Monday, for high avalanche potential on any aspect slope, even below treeline.

 The ECMWF high resolution model forecast for Saturday has snow accumulating in most central and northern mountain ranges all day before snow begins to work its way into the southern mountains.

On Saturday the European model forecasts 4-8 inches of snow in the northern and west central mountains by Sunday first chair, making for another powder day. The Park (Steamboat), Flattops, northern Front Range (Eldora, and Rocky Mountain National Park) and around the Williams Fork (Winter Park to Keystone) ranges are forecast to receive the most snow, with rest of the state receiving 2-5 inches.

 Bigger snow continues into Sunday, with additional snow accumulations between 5-24 inches, with all three mountain zones receiving good totals. Winds are forecast to blow from the west and resorts like Beaver Creek, Steamboat, Irwin, Aspen/Snowmass, Crested Butte could receive higher totals as the storm pushes moisture into Colorado.

Regardless of location, the forecast from Sunday's storm is going to add the most amount of snow across all resorts and mountains in the last week.

 Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, is going to be another powder day, this time nearly everywhere. The three-day accumulation totals should range between 18-40 inches, locally more.

The higher snow accumulations still appear to be in the northern and northwest mountains, 12-20 inches, but the central and southern will still receive between 8-16 inches of snow, and the southern mountains between 6-12 inches as well.

It will snow on Monday as well with an additional 4-12 inches, higher totals north of I-70 before a short break in the action from Monday night to Wednesday.

The next storm takes aim at Colorado Thursday into Friday morning. A dry or drier period is on the horizon from after Jan. 19 to approximately Jan. 22/23, and more details will emerge for that time period as it approaches.

Today's 24 hour snow total from Colorado resorts:

Arapahoe Basin - 1"

Aspen Mountain - 7"

Featured Local Savings

Aspen Highlands - 8"

Beaver Creek - 4"

Breckenridge - 3"

Buttermilk - 3"

Cooper - 0"

Copper Mountain - 3"

Crested Butte - 1"

Echo Mountain - 2"

Eldora Mountain - 1"

Granby Ranch - 2"

Hesperus - Closed for season

Howelsen Hill - 5"

Kendall Mountain - 6", open weekends

Keystone - 3"

Loveland - 5"

Monarch - 0"

Powderhorn - 9"

Purgatory - 2"

Silverton - 4"

Snowmass - 4"

Steamboat - 6"

Sunlight - 0"

Telluride - 5"

Vail - 5"

Winter Park - 1"

Wolf Creek - 8"
Jimmy Sengenberger is an investigative journalist, public speaker, and host of The Jimmy Sengenberger Show Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on News/Talk 710 KNUS. Reach Jimmy online at Jimmysengenberger.com or on X (formerly Twitter) @SengCenter.
Gov. Jared Polis greets lawmakers as hes escorted into the House chambers to deliver his State of the State address Thursday at the Colorado state Capitol building in Denver.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston points at the updated homeless housing dashboard next to his senior homeless adviser, Cole Chandler, during a meeting last month at Denvers City and County Building.
An award-winning journalist, Luige serves as editor of Colorado Politics and The Denver Gazette. He previously covered politics in Arizona and wrote about national security in the Philippines, where he began his career in journalism.
Gov. Jared Polis on Tuesday offered a diagnosis of the problems facing the state  housing, public safety, education, among others  and proposed a set of prescriptions, urging lawmakers to draw from what he described as Colorado's history of "blazing new trails, turning our dreams into reality."
Senior Chinese political advisor meets with Cuban ambassador

Xinhua) 08:36, January 12, 2024

Shi Taifeng, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, meets with Cuban Ambassador to China Alberto Blanco Silva in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Shi Taifeng, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), met with Cuban Ambassador to China Alberto Blanco Silva in Beijing on Thursday.

Shi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Cuba relations have been maintained at a high level, seeing frequent high-level exchanges and close strategic coordination.

The CPPCC is willing to carry out exchanges and cooperation in various forms with relevant Cuban institutions, strengthen the exchange of governance experience, provide greater support for the continuous growth of friendly relations between the two countries, and promote the steady and long-term development of China-Latin America relations in the new era, Shi said. China stands ready to work with Cuba to create a better future, he added.

Alberto Blanco Silva expressed willingness to strengthen exchanges with the CPPCC continuously, and to push for new development in Cuba-China relations.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The city of Colorado Springs and El Paso County parks departments have collaborated on a project aimed at improving trail accessibility and connectivity at a beloved recreation hub.

Set to start this spring, trail construction and realignment will be focused in an area where the county's Bear Creek Regional Park blends with the city's Bear Creek Canyon Park. The job will entail about 4,500 feet of new trail  close to a mile  said the project manager with city parks, Dan Allen.

"The big focus," he said, will be a rerouted stretch connecting up to Gold Camp Road, which runs on to North Cheyenne Canon Park. It's among trail reroutes said to address steep, eroding segments harmful to the environment.

The Gold Camp Road connector trail is depicted in pink on a conceptual map. On one end of it is another trail connecting to Bear Creek Road and Red Rock Canyon Open Space's Section 16 trailhead  a stretch that will also see reroutes  and on the other end a connection with Stephanie's Trail, the popular mountain bike trail that will be untouched by the project.

Allen said the "impetus" of the project came from El Paso County parks' Theresa Odello, who oversees Terrain Hoppers based at Bear Creek Nature Center. As part of the county's Trailability Program, people with disabilities have rented those one-seat, all-terrain vehicles for tours around Bear Creek Regional Park alongside knowledgeable staff and volunteers.

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In a city parks board presentation showing the Gold Camp Road connector trail, Odello called it a "huge connection" for "people coming down from North Cheyenne Canon to Bear Creek." A new, wide alignment would allow Terrain Hoppers "all the way to the top of Gold Camp Road and (allow) us to talk about Gold Camp Road and the history there," Odello said.

Allen said the opportunity could be shared with the city's still-developing Trackchair program. The city acquired two Trackchairs last year to run a program similar to El Paso County's, with the same type of vehicles that for years have roamed Staunton State Park.

A previously closed parking lot in the vicinity could serve as a launch point to the new trail, Allen said. (The city has also eyed Red Rock Canyon Open Space for the Trackchairs.)

Allen called the project "an exciting opportunity for us to increase accessibility in our parks." He added: "But really, the benefits are improving connectivity and really putting a great trail product and experience on the ground."

The project area is around "a maze of rogue trails," Allen said. While new trail is built, Allen said crews would close and revegetate several of those unsanctioned, user-made portions.

The city has said "minimal" trail closures are expected during the project, with a goal to finish by the end of the year.
Each year on the third Monday of January, Americans celebrate the federal holiday known as Martin Luther King Jr. Day. King was born Jan. 15, 1929.

On this day, people are encouraged to give back to the community through acts of service to others to uphold the sense of justice and kindness embodied by the late civil rights leader.

The time is always right to do the right thing, said King.

It is the only federal holiday designated by Congress as a national day of service  a day on, not a day off. Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. Harris Wofford and Georgia U.S. Rep. John Lewis, now both deceased, co-authored the King Holiday and Service Act.

Mason City also will celebrate Kings legacy at 3 p.m. Feb. 18 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 100 First St. S.E., at the second annual MLK/Black History Celebration.

Music will be provided by the Mens Gospel Choir from Des Moines and Marilyn Brown of New Bethel Baptist Church in Manly. The Rev. Robert Emery from New Bethel will give the benediction. Erick Nganyange and Regan Banks will recite Kings I Have A Dream speech, and attendees will also honor the living history-makers in the community.

Kings first national speech was given at the Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., in 1957. In August 1963, King gave his widely-quoted I Have a Dream address, also at the Lincoln Memorial. On that day, King spoke to more than 200,000 demonstrators participating in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The following year, 1964, King was recognized for his work and honored with a Nobel Peace Prize.

On April 4, 1968, while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, King was shot and mortally wounded. He was pronounced dead that evening at St. Joseph Hospital. James Earl Ray was later convicted of his murder.

U.S. Rep. John Conyers and U.S. Sen. Edward Brooke first introduced a bill in Congress to make Kings birthday a national holiday. It came to a vote in the House in 1979, but was narrowly defeated. On Nov. 2, 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill, proposed by Rep. Katie Hall, to create a federal holiday honoring King.
By the end of his ninth-grade year, Harry Siraj knew he wanted to leave his hometown of Calicut, India, to pursue a higher education and become a lawyer.

Despite never even hearing of Iowa before he began his international college search, Siraj applied and enrolled at the University of Iowa because of its reputation as a premiere law and writing school and the scholarship funds he would receive. Before he even accepted, the university mailed him a Hawkeyes T-shirt from 9,000 miles away.

University of Iowa sophomore Harry Siraj (Photo courtesy of Harry Siraj)

While the sophomore said he did his own research rather than attend university fairs and the like when finding a college, he knew institutions and third-party organizations would visit other schools to recruit students. Representatives would encourage students to study abroad in disciplines like business and STEM fields.

Siraj said he has friends who are studying in different areas of the U.S., Australia and the United Kingdom.

India is a big country and its got a strong economy, but  countries like the U.S., the job opportunities are just, there are more, Siraj said. And theres more room to gain experience.

Many students decide to leave home for school in order to experience different environments and put roots down in a place that may have more career opportunities. The U.S. can be seen as a gold standard for receiving an education, Siraj said, and studying abroad in general is considered a big deal. With travel open once again after the pandemic and fewer issues with student visas, Siraj is part of a growing population of students leaving their home countries for school.

After almost a decade of declining numbers of international students coming to Iowas public universities, more students are again starting to pick Iowa and the U.S. as a whole as in-person recruitment picks up.

All three of the regents universities saw increases in international student enrollment for the first time in years, according to the Iowa Board of Regents Fall 2023 Enrollment Report. Across the universities, international student enrollment increased by 352 students, led by people coming from India as numbers of Chinese students continue to decline.

I think the political environment for a few years there was a little detrimental to numbers, not only at UNI but all around the U.S., and then we hit COVID and that really finished us off there as far as seeing our numbers decline, University of Northern Iowa Director of International Recruitment and Admissions Kristi Marchesani said. But we are happy that were back heading in the right direction.

UNI Director of International Recruitment and Admission Kristi Marchesani (Photo via the University of Northern Iowa)

The University of Northern Iowa had the largest jump in international student enrollment with a 20.7% increase. Iowa State Universitys international enrollment increased by 11.3%, and the University of Iowa saw the smallest increase at 3.2%.

Part of this increase is due to university recruiters once again being able to travel to other countries and meet prospective students, Marchesani said, which goes a long way in convincing them and their families that UNI would be a good choice. The networking and relationship building that comes with in-person meetings is helpful in creating partnerships and put UNI on the global map, and other colleges have similar practices.

I see them sometimes overseas, were recruiting (from) some of the same regions, Marchesani said. So we definitely know that were all out there trying to spread the good word about the state of Iowa.

The decline in students coming from China is due in part to smaller population increases and more internal investment in higher education infrastructure, University of Iowa Associate Provost and Dean of International Programs Russell Ganim said. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this, but he said China and India are still tied for the most-represented foreign countries at the university.

In response to this, the UI started broadening its recruitment efforts to Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia and the Middle East, Ganim said. With the increase in international enrollment and 44 countries represented in the universitys Class of 2027, Ganim said their efforts are starting to bear fruit.

The University of Iowa also showcases its strong research infrastructure and status as an Research-1 university to help recruit graduate and professional students, Ganim said. These students make up about two-thirds of international students on campus. According to the universitys 2023 international programs report, 2,063 students from 110 foreign countries and territories studied or conducted post-graduate research at the UI in fall 2023.

We are in the process of trying to recruit for more countries, and I think that that approach has paid off, Ganim said.

When travel was difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic, Marchesani said the university did what it could online to keep promoting UNI with webinars, virtual campus visits and connecting with potential students through social media. Online efforts have since slowed down some as travel has picked back up.

University of Iowa Associate Provost and Dean of International Programs Russell Ganim (Photo via University of Iowa)

The University of Iowa implemented a similar strategy, holding virtual recruitment sessions and workshops in countries including China, India, Nigeria, Kenya and the United Arab Emirates.

Once travel restrictions were lifted, Ganim said the university sent representatives to recruitment fairs and schools in those countries to recruit current students and establish relationships with counselors. These would hopefully turn into a pipeline for future international interest.

Iowa university enrollment hikes are reflected nationally, according to the Open Doors 2023 Report on International Educational Exchange, an annual report sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. In the 2022-2023 academic year, a total of about 858,000 international students were enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities, an increase of almost 100,000 students from last year.

This is the highest number of international students the U.S. has housed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and only the second year of increased enrollment since numbers started declining after the 2016-2017 academic year. China and India are the top two countries for students studying in the U.S., each with more than 250,000 students.

Siraj said when preparing to study abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was at its height during his last two years of high school, he was less worried about enrolling than about travel, as India was one country where travel to the U.S. was restricted. Once that was lifted, his concerns shifted to getting his student visa approved alongside the larger number of international students trying to do the same. In the end, he had no issues.

Because of the pandemic, a lot of the students couldnt travel to the U.S., they had to stay back home, so they didnt have their visa stamp, Siraj said. So all those students decided to enroll the next year. So when I applied, there were like nearly double the amount of students they had the previous year because they all got backlogged because of the pandemic.

Student visa approvals had slowed down in the past few years, Ganim said, but processing them seems to have sped up again, making him more optimistic about the future of international recruitment.

Marchesani said UNI has seen big leaps in the number of applicants hailing from African countries, as well as increases from India and somewhat of a resurgence from China. UNI and its peer institutions sometimes fall behind the national enrollment trends, which may be a reason why Iowas universities saw increases this fall rather than last.

Marchesani said it looks like the U.S. is once again becoming a top destination for international students.

However, even with these increases in international student enrollment, Marchesani said U.S. universities still need to pay attention to the competition. Countries such as Australia and Canada are both very popular countries to receive an international education, and universities in Germany and China are starting to increase their global recruitment efforts.

Im optimistic that we are going to continue to see a flow of interest, but I also think we need to continue to advocate for policies that make sure that it allows international students to be able to get here and pursue their studies here in the U.S., Marchesani said.

Its important that American policies and people ensure students across the world are able to apply for and attend universities without unnecessary difficulties or feeling unwelcome, Marchesani said. That can make college campuses and educations better for domestic students, as well as financially benefit the universities themselves because international students pay out-of-state tuition.

Ganim said the University of Iowa wants its campus to look like the world, so students, staff and faculty can benefit from the strong academic and cultural environment that comes with interacting with people from different backgrounds.

A lot of careers that our students are going into, are going to require that they have an understanding of the global economy or how to work in an intercultural type of environment, Marchesani said. So we must prepare them in a lot of ways by making sure that we have those types of classroom discussions and chances for interaction with international students.

Siraj, who is studying political science on the pre-law track, said he planned on staying in Iowa for two years before transferring to a different school but he fell in love with the University of Iowa and Iowa City soon after he arrived.

One thing universities could do to improve their recruiting of international students is to showcase their amenities beyond just college rankings and academics, he said, like student life and extracurriculars. One concern his family had before Siraj moved here was about campus life and whether he would be supported while living away from his siblings, who live in Canada, and his parents. Knowing more about the dorms, dining and other services might have alleviated some worries, he said.

Im going to graduate from here and stay as long as I can because its actually a great place, and I feel like with international students, their families will be more comfortable sending their children to these universities if they know that their living conditions are up to the mark as well, Siraj said. Its not just the academic programs that are attractive, but the daily living.
Pittsylvania County is planning a public forum Jan. 18 to gather input on a master plan for the countys parks and recreation.

The recreation department itself was formed in 2011 following the first master plan launched in 2010. In October, the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors awarded a contract for a new plan.

The most critical aspect of the roughly yearlong process will be to hear the voices of the residents.

I think one of the coolest things about that master plan update is going to be the community engagement and stakeholder engagement part, Justin Price told the Register & Bee last year.

A forum will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18 at the Pittsylvania County Community Center in Chatham.

BerryDunn was awarded the contract to conduct the master plan. The firm, located in Portland, Maine, works in the areas of parks, recreation and libraries.

The endeavor will cost a little more than $100,000. The Danville Regional Foundation is providing a $25,000 grant and a nearly $24,000 grant is coming from the Virginia Department of Forestry.

The balance  about $55,000  is coming from carryover funds from the parks and recreation department.

The county is looking to hear from residents, business owners, special-interest groups or just about anyone else who wants to have a say in the future of parks and recreation.

Specifically, the new master plan will evaluate the existing things like parks, facilities and programs to see whats needed for the future.

The 2010 Master Plan provided Pittsylvania County with an initial roadmap for the formation of its current Parks and Recreation Department, as well as indicated the types of activities our citizens are interested in, Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors Chair Darrell Dalton said in a statement last year. This update will give the county additional insight and direction on where we can further grow our recreational programs to better address the health and wellbeing of our citizens.

In addition to the master plan, the department routinely looks for ways to connect residents with the natural resources available.

Last year, the Pittsylvania County Parks and Recreation hosted a first-of-its-kind fishing event for children at Wayside Park in Hurt.

With the background sound of a babbling Sycamore Creek, dozens of young children spent a November morning fishing for rainbow trout.

About 60 children 15 and under tightly held their fishing rods and kept an eye on the moving water on the fall morning. Some only deviated to take a pointer or two from a parent or grandparent alongside them.

Once a fish was caught, some would hold it for a moment while an adult snapped a photo.

Photos: Youth Fishing Day lures children to Hurt's Wayside Park
City of High Point MLK Day of Service: 9 a.m.-noon Jan. 12. City employees can participate in service activities across the city while receiving their regular pay.

Carl Chavis YMCA MLK Black and White Minority Achievers Award Gala: 7-11 p.m. Jan. 12, High Point Country Club, 800 Country Club Drive. Live music and food. $65. Semi-formal attire. 336-434-4000 or hpymca.org/mlkgala.

MLK Parade and Inauguration Celebration: 1 p.m. Jan. 13, parade on Main Street in High Point. Celebration follows at 2 p.m. at Truist Point, 301 N. Elm St. www.hpymca.org.

UNCGs Annual MLK Day of Service: 1-5 p.m. Jan. 13, Cone Ballroom, Elliott University Center, UNCG, 507 Stirling St., Greensboro. Begins on-campus where students will assemble in teams and move to buses for transportation to various nonprofits. Students will spend the afternoon volunteering at Barnabas Furniture Bank, Backpack Beginnings, Reading Connections, Higher GroundTriad Health Project, Outdoor AdventuresBuffalo Creek, Project Linus, New Arrivals Institute, Spartan Open Pantry and FaithAction International.

Inauguration Prayer Service: 3-5 p.m. Jan. 14, High Point Theatre, 200 E. Commerce St. For new city council. www.hpymca.org.

MLK Day of Service: 1-4 p.m. Jan. 14, Barber Park, 1500 Barber Park Drive, Greensboro. The Volunteer Centers annual event. Service projects, nonprofit fair, a childrens area, community art and more. 336-373-1633 or volunteercentertriad.org.

Greensboros Human Rights Commissions 38th Annual Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. Jan. 15, Koury Convention Center, 3121 W. Gate City Blvd. Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives co-founder and President Kenneth B. Morris Jr. is the featured speaker at this years breakfast, which is themed, Inspired to Dream. $20. https://form.jotform.com/232424345814150 or 336-373-2038.

Ministers Conference of High Point & Vicinitys MLK Celebration: 6 p.m. evening worship Jan. 15, Williams Memorial CME Church, 3400 Triangle Lake Road, Greensboro. Theme: Lets Chat for Change in an AI World.

MLK Breakfast and Service: 8 a.m. Jan. 15, Qubein Conference Center, High Point University. $20. kdryedan@highpoint.edu.

Ask-a-Lawyer Day: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Jan. 15, Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, 111 W. February One Place, Greensboro. In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Bring questions and concerns to volunteer attorneys who can then discuss the legal aspects. With Greensboro Bar Association.

HPUs Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Worship Service: 11 a.m. Jan. 15, High Point Universitys Hayworth Chapel. Free. Open to the public. With the Rev. Cynthia L. Hale, the founder and senior pastor of the Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, Ga.

NAACP March: 10 a.m. Jan. 15, Benbow Center, 2031 Martin Luther King Drive, Greensboro. Public Service Workers Union, UE Local 150, is calling all workers, allies and UE 150 chapters to join them in planning political direct actions, workers rights petition signing efforts, press conferences, action events, teach-ins, sing-ins for justice, etc. 704-576-0010.

Greensboro NAACPs MLK Parade: 11 a.m. Jan. 15, Benbow Professional Center Building, 2031 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Greensboro. 336-272-5779.

MLK Day at the Museum: begins 10:30 a.m. Jan. 15, International Civil Rights Center & Museum, 134 S. Elm St., Greensboro. Re-enactments of the I Have a Dream Speech, arts and crafts, singing, film screenings, exhibit showings of the March on Washington and I Am a Man Exhibits. Also, Promissory NoteA Countrys Right to Exist is Conditional follows from 2:30-4:30 p.m. on-site and online. With Professor Will Harris of the University of Pennsylvania. 336-274-9199 or https://sitinmovement.org/.

MLK Day of Service: Jan. 15. High Point University students will serve the community through projects to revitalize local organizations, clean areas of the city of High Point, pack thousands of seeds for the community, assemble care kits for veterans and more. Public welcome to come help. www.highpoint.edu/servicelearning/mlk-day/.

Second Annual MLK Freedom Walk: 11 a.m. Jan. 15, Country Park, Shelter #1, 4301 Lawndale Drive, Greensboro. Rain or shine. Recognition of local leaders, a Day of Service activity and a walk/stroll/run. Free. Paper towels, toilet paper, diapers, sanitary napkins and food gift cards will be collected to support children experiencing homelessness in Guilford County. Drive-through donation drop off will be available. With Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the Mid-Atlantic Region. biopublicrelations@gmail.com.

MLK Day of Service: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 15, parking lot between 201 Fourth St. and 215 Fourth St. in High Point. With Bold 2 B U Community and the Washington Street community in High Point. Fun activities, games, community cookout, free produce, free hygiene kits, voter registration and more. https://bold2bu.wixsite.com/community.

Dove Release: 10:30 a.m. Jan. 15, Washington Terrace Community Center, 101 Gordon St., High Point. Brief program and continental breakfast. 336-883-8599.

Free Dental Care to Veterans, Teachers and First Responders: Jan. 15, HPU Randolph Dental, 511 Greensboro St., Asheboro and HPU Hillandale Dental, 1904 Front St., Suite 530, Durham. More than a dozen Workman School of Dental Medicine faculty and staff members from High Point University will provide free oral exams, head-and-neck exams, limited same-day care and information about their oral health needs. Walk-ins are welcomed. Individuals can make an appointment by visiting www.highpoint.edu/randolph/ or www.highpoint.edu/hillandale/.

42nd Martin Luther King Jr. Coalition Breakfast Celebration: 7:30 a.m. Jan. 16, Occasions Restaurant, 286 E. Front St., Burlington. The Rev. Kendall McBroom, director of civil and human rights at the general board of the church and society, The United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C., will speak. $30. 336-264-5769.

MLK Celebration: Dream it. Believe it. Do it. Developing Leaders for Tomorrow: 7-8:30 p.m. Jan. 24, UNCG Elliott University Center, Cone Ballroom, 507 Stirling St., Greensboro. Free. ASL interpreters. Free parking in the Walker Parking Deck at 506 Stirling St, Greensboro. Visitors will receive a parking pass for free exit when they check in at the event. With UNCG, N.C. A&T and GTCC. Interactive discussion about Black activism today. 336-334-5090 or engage@uncg.edu.

Reading Keepsakes: Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: 3 p.m. Jan. 24, Roy B. Culler Center, 921 Eastchester Drive, Suite 1230, High Point. Will feature readings of Kings letters advocating for civil rights, narrated by a librarian from the High Point Public Library. 336-883-3584.

Send press releases to people@greensboro.com.
GREENSBORO  At the conclusion of the funeral service honoring her husband, Kelly Nix took a folded American flag from Police Chief John Thompson and bowed her head.

Before offering words to her that were imperceptible to the multitudes gathered in Westover Church, Thompson shed tears in his speech to honor slain Sgt. Philip Dale Nix, who he called a devoted guardian to Greensboro with an unwavering commitment to duty.

Know that Sgt. Nix will forever be remembered as a hero, a guardian of peace, a beacon of hope and a true embodiment of service, Thompson told those in attendance. We will honor his memory by continuing to work together for the betterment of our community.

Rest in peace, brother. You will never be forgotten.

A lasting legacy

The funeral took place the same day that an annual report released by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund showed that 136 police professionals died in the line of duty during 2023.

Ironically, Nix wasn't even working on Dec. 30  a Saturday  when he spotted two men leave a Sheetz convenience store in Colfax with what appeared to be 10 cases of stolen beer.

Nix approached the perpetrators as they were attempting to make their escape.

And he was gunned down.

A city has been grieving ever since over what many view as a "senseless" killing.

On Thursday afternoon under a crisp, blue sky, thousands gathered for the funeral at Westover Church, a building where the late U.S. Congressman Howard Coble was eulogized in 2015.

Dignitaries such as Gov. Roy Cooper and Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson attended the service, along with Greensboro officials and police from across North Carolina.

Before the service began, an assorted collection of law enforcement vehicles extended on Muirs Chapel Road at least half a mile in front of the church.

Hundreds of officers arrived at the house of worship, a black band positioned over their badges to honor Nix.

Cooper said although he had met Nix at the Family Justice Center, which renders aid to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and other crimes, he had gotten to know him better through the stories told during the service.

We have to find a way to stop the violence in our community and we should all be resolved to do that," Cooper said. "I think thats something that Sgt. Nix would want us to do."

During the service, colleagues and friends of Nix reflected on his accomplishments as a police officer, which they say were "transformational" for both the department and the city.

A member of the departments honor guard, M.S. Allison, said that he adopted a boy from a case that Nix assisted with during his time with the Family Victims Unit.

I talked to him about it, and he said I think youre the family for him, Allison recounted. When I picked up my son from the hospital, I was told that he would never walk, talk or feed himself. As the years went on he did walk, he did talk and he did feed himself. Every time training started, I would walk up and Nix would stop everything and ask 'How is little man doing?'"

Allison said as he was having a proud dad moment showing Nix the pictures, a smile would stretch across the longtime law enforcement officer's face.

The only thing bigger than his smile," Allison said, "was his heart for other people."

He had a presence

Nix began his career as a 911 operator. After that he served in various positions ranging from being a detective in the Criminal Investigations Division to a training officer.

As a police sergeant, Nix was with the Greensboro Police Departments Family Victims Unit, which investigates cases of domestic violence, sexual assault and crimes against juveniles.

Nix led the unit for the past six years, proud of his longevity as the departments longest-serving sergeant.

Catherine Johnson, the director of the Guilford County Family Justice Center, said that Nix "charted a new era" during his time with the unit.

One of the survivors that Nix worked with once told Johnson that Nix gave them courage when they had none.

"I was so afraid of my abuser," Johnson recalled the victim telling her. "I was so nervous about working with the police because of my past. But when Sgt. Nix walked into the room, I immediately felt safe."

Caroline Holliday, a Greensboro police officer and member of the Family Victims Unit, spoke about how she had known Nix for almost 24 years.

Dales love for this career, his passion for making this community a better place and his leadership qualities were obvious from the beginning, Holliday said. Those shoes will never be able to be filled.

J.L. Young, another officer in the unit, said that Nix would give tours around the Family Justice Center, stopping at each one of the officers' doors to present a short biography on them. "He was able to brag about each one of his children."

Young, Holiday and others spoke about how Nix would constantly volunteer to attend victims first appearances in court, speaking passionately for the justice of those involved.

Sonya Desai, the manager of the Family Justice Center, said she had known Nix for 16 years and that he had unique success with helping victims.

"It was often that Dale would sit with victims of abuse, look them in the eye and say, 'Your life matters.' He had a presence that could calm a victim down in a heartbeat," Desai said.

As the service concluded and the honor guard departed the church building, a radio broadcast could be heard near the display of Nixs badges:

Communications, calling badge 8-7-3, Sgt. Dale Nix. All units, Sgt. Dale Nix has 10-42d for the final time. End of watch, Dec. 30th, 2023. Thank you for your service.

PHOTOS: Funeral service for Greensboro Police Sgt. Philip Dale Nix
Unusually low temperatures hit the Helena area and are likely to continue through the holiday weekend as the National Weather Service warns people to be cautious during their daily tasks.

NWS meteorologist Amanda Wilson said the colder temperatures are normal to see in Montana, but not this cold.

The weather group's data showed that on Friday night the low can be minus 35 degrees with a wind chill of minus 37 degrees.

Temperatures this low, according to Wilson, can offer a high risk of hypothermia and cases of frostbite if people are not prepared or mindful of their time outside.

The storm was stalled briefly in central Montana, but the lower temperatures are a statewide issue, according to Wilson.

As the storm moves farther south, temperatures are expected to rise after the weekend.

Wilson also said the weather service recommends people cover up any exposed skin and limit their time outdoors when temperatures are this low.

The weather service recommends that anyone wishing to go outside be wearing three to five layers of clothing to prevent any unfortunate incidents.

This arctic cold front not only affects people, but animals and vehicles.

According to Wilson, the temperatures can cause vehicles to break down much quicker and easier.

Fluids in the vehicle can become more viscous and cause engines to stall and not restart, and the cold can also negatively affect car batteries because they cannot gather adequate energy to keep everything running.

Pets are impacted and are recommended to be kept indoors, but if they do need to go outside the time should be short and monitored, Wilson said.

Within residences people should be mindful of their heater conditions and keep their cars with at least a quarter of a tank of gas at all times in case of an emergency.

NorthWestern Energy recommends that people make sure all electronic/mobile devices are fully charged; charge portable charging devices, such as battery banks; know how to use an emergency power source properly; prepare an emergency outage kit; keep necessary food, medicine and other supplies on hand, including batteries for flashlights; and have a portable radio, TV or NOAA Weather Radio on hand to monitor important information.

Helena Assistant Fire Chief Mike Chambers said that the department "probably won't get broken pipe calls until it warms up."

Chambers added that most people understand what the weather is like right now so they typically know to "hunker down" and stay home.

For those traveling, Wilson said to make sure people have emergency kits in their vehicles and notify others that they will be traveling.

Tire pressure is another factor impacted by the colder temperatures because the air can cause the tire pressure to drop.

The temperatures have also caused stalls in the Helena Public Schools district.

The district said Thursday afternoon that attendance Friday would be optional even though the schools would remain open.

The district also announced Friday morning on its Facebook page that some bus routes would be delayed by 20 minutes or more.

Theresa Ortega, executive director of Good Samaritan Ministries, said that their shelter is working with God's Love and coordinating hours of opening and closing to provide round the clock shelter.

She said that the shelter opens when God's Love closes and God's Love opens when Good Samaritan closes.

Recently, the city commission OK'd a permit for a 26-bed women's winter shelter to be run by Good Samaritan at 648 Jackson St., which is expected to open as early as February.

Thursday, the Helena Regional Airport recorded about 3 inches of snow and about 1 1/2 inches into Friday morning.

"There has been a lighter snowfall over the past couple of days," Wilson said.

The arctic cold front is coming from the West Coast and some of it from Canada.

There is a possibility of a minus 40 degree wind chill, which is not usually common according to Wilson.

This wind chill and lower temperatures are caused from the storm moving south, while drawing cold air from Canada.

Wilson said the main difference between a wind chill and temperature is that the temperature is the actual conditions and the wind chill is something that makes it feel much colder than the actual air temperature.
LOS ANGELES  President Joe Biden's son pleaded not guilty Thursday to federal tax charges filed after the collapse of a plea deal that could have spared him the spectacle of a criminal trial during the 2024 campaign.

Hunter Biden has been accused of nine felony and misdemeanor tax offenses. The charges stem from what federal prosecutors say was a four-year scheme to skip out on paying the $1.4 million he owed to the IRS and instead use the money to fund an extravagant lifestyle that by his own admission included drugs and alcohol.

Were here today because youve been accused by the United States of a criminal offense, Judge Mark Scarsi said to Biden, who entered the not guilty plea himself.

The judge set a tentative trial date of June 20 during the half-hour-long hearing.

Meanwhile, Hunter Biden has also been charged in Delaware with lying in October 2018 on a federal form for gun purchasers when he swore he wasn't using or addicted to illegal drugs. He was addicted to crack cocaine at the time. He's also accused of possessing the gun illegally and has pleaded not guilty in that case.

The accusations all come from a yearslong federal investigation into Hunter Biden's tax and business dealings that had been expected to wind down over the summer with a plea deal in which he would have gotten two years probation after pleading guilty to misdemeanor tax charges. He also would have avoided prosecution on the gun charge if he stayed out of trouble.

The deal unraveled when a federal judge who had been expected to approve the deal instead began to question it. Now, the tax and gun cases are moving ahead as part of an unprecedented confluence of political and legal drama: As the 2024 election draws closer, the Justice Department is actively prosecuting both the presidents son and Donald Trump, the Republican front-runner.

Hunter Bidens original proposed plea deal with prosecutors had been pilloried as a sweetheart deal by Republicans, including Trump. The former president is facing his own criminal problems  91 charges across four separate cases, including that he plotted to overturn the results of the 2020 election, which he lost to Biden, a Democrat. He too appeared in court Thursday, in New York for closing arguments in his civil fraud trial.

Hunter Bidens attorney Abbe Lowell referenced the failed deal to the judge on Thursday, suggesting there had been Congressional interference. Lowell had previously accused special counsel David Weiss of bowing to Republican pressure.

We had a resolution of this case in the summer of 2023, and then things happened, Lowell told the judge.

Prosecutor Leo Wise told the judge there was no need for additional hearings on the failed deal.

"Pleas fall apart all the time, Weiss said.

Hunter Biden's criminal proceedings are also happening in parallel to so far unsuccessful efforts by congressional Republicans to link his business dealings to his father. Republicans are pursuing an impeachment inquiry into President Biden, claiming he was engaged in an influence-peddling scheme with his son. Hunter Biden defied a congressional subpoena to appear for closed-door testimony, insisting he wanted to testify in public. He made a surprise appearance at a congressional hearing Wednesday as House Republicans took steps to file contempt of Congress charges.

No evidence has emerged so far to prove that Joe Biden, in his current or previous office, abused his role or accepted bribes, though questions have arisen about the ethics surrounding the Biden familys international business dealings.

In an interview that aired Thursday on MSNBC's Morning Joe, first lady Jill Biden said she thought the GOP's treatment of her son was cruel.

And Im really proud of how Hunter has rebuilt his life after addiction. You know, I love my son, she said. And its had  its hurt my grandchildren. And thats what Im so concerned about, that its affecting their lives as well.

If convicted of the tax charges, Hunter Biden, 53, could receive a maximum of 17 years in prison. Following the collapse of the plea deal, Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed a special counsel to handle the matter. A special counsel is tapped to handle cases in which the Justice Department perceives itself as having a conflict or where its deemed to be in the public interest to have someone outside the government step in.

Hunter Biden's defense attorney, Abbe Lowell, has accused special counsel David Weiss of bowing to Republican pressure."

Based on the facts and the law, if Hunters last name was anything other than Biden, the charges in Delaware, and now California, would not have been brought, Lowell has said.

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Photos: Hunter Biden through the years
A celebrated legislative effort to encourage school districts to pay new teachers more might not be the potent remedy for Montanas educator shortage it was hoped to be.

Just 99 of Montanas 399 school districts increased starting teacher salaries enough by the start of this school year to receive the states financial incentive for doing so. Thats down from 109 districts last year.

I have a feeling that these are going to be issues that are churning for the next year into the next session, legislative research analyst Pad McCracken told lawmakers during an interim legislative meeting this week. This is really just getting the conversation started.

The TEACH Act, House Bill 143 from the 2021 legislative session, subsidizes districts that bump starting pay for teachers clear of certain benchmarks. For every full-time educator hired at a salary of $35,660 or more, the state gives $3,566 to the district for three years to help reduce the cost burden.

Larger school districts  those with total populations above 6,500 residents  must also ensure base pay is no less than 70% of the average teacher pay in the district to be eligible.

Montana has the worst starting teacher pay of any state in the country and Washington, D.C., according to an April 2023 National Education Association report. First-year teachers earn an average of $33,568, which is between $6,000 and $13,000 less than neighboring states. Average pay for all teachers isnt much better. Montana ranks 44th with an average $53,628, according to the same report.

This is not acceptable, Rep. Linda Reksten, R-Polson, said in the Jan. 9 Education Interim Committee Meeting. Something has to be done here. You cant live off that.

Amanda Curtis, a former teacher in Butte who now leads the Montana Federation of Public Employees, said public educators and elected officials agree theres an issue with teacher pay that needs fixing.

But she told the Missoulian the TEACH Act was emblematic of a larger tendency of lawmakers to dabble at the very edges of public school funding rather than go after sweeping change.

Theres just no way to get around the fact that paying teachers more is going to require increased school funding, Curtis said. I think teachers are beyond asking; we are really in a crisis mode.

The slow trickle of change is perhaps best illustrated by the relatively small number of districts and counties who determined that the TEACH Act financial incentive is worth the cost of upping teacher pay.

Of the states 56 counties, 36 have at least one district eligible for and receiving the subsidy. Yellowstone County tops the list with 10, closely followed by Missoula and Gallatin counties with nine apiece, according to records from the Office of Public Instruction.

For others, the numbers just dont pencil out.

Jordan Public Schools in Garfield County would have to increase its starting pay by $5,187  a change that isnt covered by the payment proffered by the TEACH Act.

OPI spokesperson Brian OLeary said in an email that more needs to be done to increase teacher wages, but the authority lies with local districts budgeting.

The 2021 legislation was also designed to address recruitment and retention issues.

And while architects of the bill are quick to say its too soon to see its real impact, entering the most recent academic year there was a 12% turnover rate among teachers; over 1,000 positions remained vacant; 918 teachers were teaching with an emergency provisional license; and over half of newly licensed teachers leave either the state or the profession  or both  within three years.

The truth is its not enough and its not fast enough, Curtis said. If we are going to plug this hemorrhaging hole of teacher candidates, and if we are going to retain our highest-qualified professionals, weve got to immediately find a way to better fund public education, and that money needs to be in the pocket of employees.

Montanas $40 million plan to create a statewide insurance trust for public school employees is expected to reduce health care costs borne by districts. Curtis hopes these savings are spent on personnel.

That would go a long way in fixing this issue, she said.

Along with low pay, teachers face rising burnout and more challenging work environments, Curtis says. Plus, the pipeline of homegrown Montana educators is shrinking.

Across all the four-year campuses in the Montana University System, only 644 bachelors or graduate degrees were awarded in education in the 2023-2023 academic year, the lowest in the last decade and an 18% drop from 2013-2014.

University of Montana has experienced the largest drop  a 50% decline since its peak during the 2017-2018 academic year. Montana State University now hands out more education-related degrees  266 in the last school year  but its down 23% from its highest point seven years ago.

The total number of bachelor and graduate degrees awarded at Montanas four-year institutions have remained far more consistent, decreasing this year by only 5.5% from the high point in 2018-2019.

In other words, fewer education degrees isnt simply a reflection of declines in higher education overall.

I think we should be framing this around students, Curtis said. This is about fulfilling our constitutional commitment to providing a quality public education for every kid regardless of where they live, and if we cant recruit and retain quality educators, we are doing a disservice to our kids.
Scott Sales handed in his resignation early last week as director of the Montana Lottery, a governor-appointed position.

In a conversation with the Montana State News Bureau on Thursday, Sales said his last day will be March 11 and he is considering running for the statehouse in House District 68.

Sales said nothing happened to spur or force his decision to resign, other than his desire to spend more time with his children and grandchildren.

"When you get into your 60s you start to realize that the runway is getting a little shorter," he said.

Sales was appointed as director, whose duties are spelled out in statute, in 2021 by Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte.

"The governor was very gracious and thanked me for giving plenty of notice," Sales said. "We're parting on very good terms."

Gianforte expressed a similar sentiment.

"Under Scotts leadership, the Montana Lottery team has more than doubled the general fund transfer in three years and improved citizens experience with its games," the governor said in a statement. "I appreciate Scotts leadership and service to Montana.

The Montana Lottery was created via popular vote in 1986 and is technically a branch of the state government, according to its website. After business costs and prizes have been covered, the rest of the group's revenues mostly go to Montana's general fund, which is essentially the state's checking account that the Legislature has discretion over. For instance, the lottery transferred nearly $13 million to the general fund in fiscal year 2021. Some Montana Lottery revenues also go to state college and university scholarships.

"I think the Lottery is in a better position than when I left it," Sales said, pointing out that general fund transfers went up during his tenure.

Before assuming his role as director, Sales served as Republican Speaker of the Montana House of Representatives from 2007 to 2008 and President of the Senate from 2017 to 2020. In total, he served in the Legislature for over a decade.

If Sales does jump into the statehouse race, House District 68 will likely be hotly contested. Incumbent Republican Reps. Caleb Hinkle and Jennifer Carlson are already vying for that seat, because the redistricting process forced the two into the same district based on where they live.

The Montana Lottery did not immediately respond to request for comment.

This story will be updated.
Luxury hotels often outfit rooms and pillows with some sort of memorable confection.

Now, Synergy Global Housing, a high-end temporary housing company with global reach, will rely on Yellowstone Foods in Uptown Butte for these sorts of edible amenities for customers in California.

Yellowstone Foods, launched two years ago, is headquartered in the former Gamers Cafe building on Park Street and typically employs nine people.

In a recent news release, Debra Christopher, president of Synergy, weighed in about working with Yellowstone Foods.

Partnering with Yellowstone Foods is a natural fit because we believe its the little things  like providing a delicious and eco-conscious chocolate chip cookie from Big Sky Country  that impact the guest experience the most, Christopher said.

Yellowstone Foods supply role with Synergy could expand. The California snacks will include its Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookie and Hazelnut Espresso Bar. Beyond that, Synergy plans to offer Yellowstone Food snacks at its other U.S.-based locations in the near future, according to the news release.

Synergy, headquartered in San Ramon, California, reports that it offers extended-stay housing in more than 220 cities and more than 40 countries.

The company said Yellowstone Foods commitment to sustainability, including local sourcing of key ingredients, fits with Synergys target of enacting a more environmentally conscious approach to business.

Honor Mann, marketing director at Yellowstone Foods, described specifics about local sourcing.

We have five main ingredients we source locally: honey from Alberton, huckleberries are wild harvested across western Montana, eggs from Drummond, flour from Three Forks, and wagyu beef from Belgrade, Mann said.

We are also always on the lookout for local suppliers for our other ingredients, she said.

Quinn Harp is the chef at Yellowstone Foods, which was co-founded by Steve Guggenheimer and Ted ONeal.
SPRINGFIELD  Twenty-five Illinois community colleges, including three in Central Illinois, have been awarded funds to drive job training and other programs in the development of electric vehicle technology.

The Illinois Community College Board, through its Rev Up EV! Community College Initiative, granted $9.4 million to help prepare students for careers in EV technology and advanced manufacturing fields, according to a news release from the ICCB.

Lake Land College in Mattoon was awarded $89,999.56 to build capacity and prepare for future needs of the EV industry.

Heartland Community College in Normal was awarded $525,000 and Richland Community College in Decatur was awarded $502,000 for technology development and expansion, including the expansion of job training from development and production to maintenance of EVs and installation of critical infrastructure.

The competitive grant program is meant to support the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, which established Illinois policy to transition to 100% clean energy by 2050, the news release said.

Grantees must participate in the Illinois Green Economy Network's IL EV Network, which is working to guide the expansion of light and heavy-duty EV training to meet industry demand for high-skill individuals, the news release continued.

Thanks to Governor Pritzkers leadership, Illinois is at the forefront of change to vehicle electrification and continues to attract new EV industry companies," ICCB Executive Director Brian Durham stated. "This funding will allow our community college system to increase the trained workforce and create new technology that will support the growing needs of the industry for years to come.
SHELBYVILLE  After months of mostly staying silent, a Shelby County Board member at the center of heated controversy over the status of the county's dive team defended himself Thursday evening from relentless attacks while acknowledging that he "did a few things wrong."

Board Member Sonny Ross, R-Windsor, has caught the ire of a significant swath of county residents since issuing a "stand down" order of questionable validity to the county dive team over concerns that the team did not have proper insurance coverage under county policies. But many dive team members viewed the boards meddling as retribution over a previous dispute involving a mutual aid request from the Illinois State Police.

Though the board voted to formally "establish" the dive team under the county's umbrella, every member resigned one-by-one in a dramatic display this past July when Ross refused to step down from his role as a member of the county board committee that would oversee the team.

Ross has been steadfast in his refusal to step aside. And he was defiant Thursday night as the board faced another round of relentless criticism from assembled county residents.

"It's sad and it's quite ridiculous, just to be honest with you," Ross said, speaking towards the end of the board's January meeting. "I've been accused of inappropriately making keys and illegally entering the dive shed and stealing WEX cards. I've been accused of stealing county-owned property. And the county board tries to take action to investigate that and there's this massive outcry from the public not to investigate. I say bring it on. Investigate me. I have nothing to hide."

"And just because you want to sit in the pew and you want to hurl bombs doesn't mean you're telling the truth," he continued. "I did not do everything right with regards to the dive team."

"I had all the right intentions. But it didn't matter. I still did a few things wrong. And it blew up," he said. "Now if anybody in this room or online or anywhere in the United States thinks for one second that this is what I wanted, you are sadly mistaken."

Chris Boehm, a frequent attendee of board meetings and critic of Ross, said that board member's words rang hollow.

"I've seen Sonny do this on a number of occasions. He says that he's made mistakes, but he never says specifically what those mistakes are," Boehm said. "And in my world, an apology for specific and it addresses specific harm, it makes restitution for that harm, and it commits not to doing it again. I haven't seen anything like that."

Shelby County Board meetings over the past half-year have been the main venue for several separate but interrelated battles over the future direction of the county, which have included the dive team brouhaha and the status of the countys long-held farmland.

At Thursday's meeting, board members briefly discussed the possibility of approving a resolution asking the county sheriff's office and State's Attorney Robert Hanlon to investigate various allegations made at county board meetings during the public comment period.

Among the allegations: that Ross illegally had keys made to the dive team building and stole WEX cards stored in there. There is also a question of ownership of the materials within, many of which were bought with donated funds.

However, the resolution was quickly withdrawn after Sheriff Brian McReynolds told board members that his office has "received no complaints or statements of information" alleging that crimes were committed. He added that he did not "have enough information to say one way or the other" whether a crime was committed.

McReynolds said that any information would likely be referred it to the Illinois State Police due to conflict-of-interest concerns.

Next, the board approved the timeline for a forensic audit of the dive team that was previously OK'd at its November meeting. The audit will look at financials from fiscal year 2021 through Oct. 31 of last year.

But as has been the case at most meetings for the past several months, public comment took longer than the board's actual agenda items.

Though several frustrated county residents once again showed up en masse, there was more pushback from county board members than has been displayed in the past.

And there was some reflection on the recent events that have defined the county, with board chair Bobby Orman stating his belief that they were at an "impasse" that has threatened to prevent the board from moving forward.

"If there's anything we've learned from this whole dive team thing, it's that we inherited problems, we're still inheriting problems and we're still trying to fix problems," Orman said. "And when we try to fix them, we get kicked in the face. And that's the agonizing part."

Orman was criticized by members of the public for dragging his feet on a proposed intergovernmental agreement with Shelbyville, which established a dive team with former county dive team members after their mass resignation.

The board's public safety committee tabled a proposal in October. Orman, who received an updated proposal in late November, said on Thursday said that he "won't present it to the board" as-is.

Boehm said the proposed agreement "seems like the quickest path to putting this team back to work."

"And there seems to be no interest on the part of Shelby County Board to do that," Boehm said.

GALLERY: Lake Shelbyville through the years
A Burke County resident who works in Valdese took new Valdese Town Council members to task during a meeting Monday for what he said is a plan by them to de-annex the Valdese campus of UNC Health Blue Ridge.

Michael Farris, whose ancestors were part of the settlement of the town, said the three newest council members are not as transparent as they claim. He said they didnt have transparency when they chose to appoint interim town manager Edward Perrou at a December meeting when it wasnt on the agenda. The process wasnt followed the way it should have been, he said.

He also called into question why the campaign Facebook page, Citizens for a Better Valdese, is now deleted when it had a laundry list of items that Council Member Glenn Harvey planned to do. He said they should keep the page up so residents can audit their work while they do it.

But Farris said the final straw for him with regard to transparency was the three members using personal email accounts to discuss the de-annexation of the Valdese campus of UNC Health Blue Ridge out of town limits. He called using personal email accounts a slippery slope to backroom deals and pre-arranged dialogue before coming to meetings.

The people of this town will not allow anyone to settle personal scores from the galley, Farris said. When you say transparent, mean it. Otherwise, youre no better than the crooks in Washington.

Harvey later in the meeting denied there is a plan to de-annex the Valdese hospital campus but went on to say that it came from an email sent to the other council members, but that the email was marked confidential.

The News Herald has requested city council emails using both personal and town email addresses to do town business, which are subject to North Carolina open records law. Marking an email confidential or saying it is does not keep it from being a public record, according to state law.

Harvey said there are several zoning things theyre going to look at. He said there are several million dollars worth of property that dont pay property taxes but pay inside water/sewer rates.

He went on to deny that any council member has advocated for de-annexing the Valdese hospital campus from the town limits.

Were just going to throw these out to the citizens next fall and when weve done a survey again, think about these things, Harvey said. Are there some ways that we can help spread out the economic load of what Valdese does for the region a little more fairly than just putting it on the back of all these taxpayers, thats all.

Harvey made available a handout titled, Valdese path to transparency in government  Let the citizens decide.

One of the items on it is Potential zoning consideration, and it points out four properties located in the Rutherford College area that have, at some point, been annexed by the town of Valdese.

The document says, in part, There are four owners on the property, three of whom pay no property taxes, yet Valdese services those properties with police and fire protection and other services as if that acreage were right amid downtown Valdese.

It goes on to list the four properties, the number of acres of each and their owners.

The town annexed what was at the time called Valdese General Hospital in 1977, the same year the town of Rutherford College was re-incorporated. At the time, the town of Valdese could provide water and sewer, as well as police and fire protection, which Rutherford College could not offer.

The hospital campus is among three of the properties, the document says, whose owners dont pay taxes. Those properties and owners are the Valdese hospital campus owned by UNC Health Blue Ridge, College Pines Health and Rehabilitation owned by SanStone and Burke County EMS. Nonprofit hospitals and health facilities are exempt from paying property taxes in North Carolina, as are local governments.

The College Pines nursing home building and land is exempt from property taxes, said John Bridger, tax administrator with the Burke County Tax Office. It does pay business and personal taxes, he said.

And de-annexing a property out of town limits is not as simple as the council voting to do it. It would take state legislative action with a local bill, said Frayda Bluestein with the UNC School of Government in a Coates Cannon blog on Jan. 9, 2013. She said a municipality has no authority to de-annex a property.

If the council decides to pursue de-annexation of the hospital campus, UNC Health Blue Ridge says it would determine the appropriate next steps at that point.

Danette Brackett, a spokesperson for UNC Health Blue Ridge said no council members have approached hospital leadership about the possibility and the hospital hasnt reached out to any council members about it.

Brackett said the Valdese hospital campus serves the entire community of Valdese by providing the services of emergency care, Cancer Center, radiology services, outpatient surgery, family medicine, express care, wound care and a Pain Center.

She said the hospital has been a part of Valdese for decades, and its unclear how a potential de-annexation of the hospital campus from the town limits would impact the health care system.
One nondairy milk option is having a disappointing start to the new year. Coconut milk has been removed from menus at Dunkin locations nationwide.



The countrys largest donut restaurant chain operates more than 9,500 locations across 43 states and Washington, D.C. It offers a variety of coffee and non-coffee drinks, which, until recently, included a line of drinks that blended coconut milk with flavored iced teas.

A number of coffee establishments have long charged customers extra for substituting some plant-based milk alternatives in their drinks because those beverages are generally more expensive than real milk. Dunkin has not specified the reason for removing the coconut option from their nondairy lineup, but one factor could be because it is often the most expensive of the common plant-based alternatives.

It is also not as popular as the others. Almond, by far, tops the plant-based milk beverage category in the U.S. by sales numbers, followed by oat, soy, and then coconut. The coconut beverage was just added to the Dunkin menu in 2021. But data from the market research company Technomic suggests that only about 1% of the restaurants customers had tried it. Comparatively, about 5% to 7% have ordered the almond option, and 3% have opted for oat.



Plant-based milk sales have expanded in recent years, though the markets of some individual products have gyrated as consumers are exposed to a variety of options that may rise and then quickly fall. Data shows that many of the households that purchase plant-based milks also purchase real milk.

Dunkin will continue to offer almond and oat alternatives. Still, it is satisfying for the dairy community to see a large company take this step that supports real dairy products.





To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com.

(c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2023

January 11, 2024
Old Dominion Freight Line did not participate in the landmark auctioning of the now-defunct Yellow Corp.s assets despite submitting a $1.5 billion stalking horse bid, a transportation analyst said Thursday.

Benchmark Research analyst Christopher Kuhn said in his investors note that Old Dominion was notably absent from the auction despite having a stalking horse bid. In our conversation with the company, they believe the bids were too high for them on a per terminal and per door basis.

Kuhn said Old Dominion management wants to have more control over their investments and prudently did not want to be burdened with further debt and excess capacity.

Old Dominion could not be immediately reached for comment on the Benchmark report. The company is scheduled to release its fourth-quarter financial report on Jan. 31.

Yellow Corp. filed for federal bankruptcy protection in Delaware during the late summer, confirming plans for a total shutdown of operations that put nearly 30,000 employees out of work  including at least 145 at its Kernersville terminal and 893 overall in North Carolina.

Yellow Corp. was the third-largest less-than-truckload operator in the United States just behind Old Dominion.

On Aug. 18, Old Dominion placed an initial stalking-horse bid  which is typically on the low end  of $1.5 billion for 119 Yellow terminals. In September, Estes Express Lines topped Old Dominion with a $1.52 billion bid.

In December, a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge approved the sale of 128 Yellow Corp. freight terminals for a combined $1.8 billion. There were 21 successful bidders, led by XPO Inc. being approved to pay $870 million for 26-owned terminals and two leased properties, including the Kernersville terminal.

At the time, Old Dominion communications manager Patrick Budd said we do not have anything to add at the moment.

Adam Satterfield, Old Dominions chief financial officer, told analysts in the companys Oct. 25 third-quarter conference call that our long-term strategic plan didnt depend on one competitor going out of business and our ability to obtain real estate from them.

In terms of fourth-quarter projections, Kuhn said the companys operating data is generally in line with our expectations, so our revenue estimates are unchanged.

Kuhn projected that the companys workforce reductions during 2023 are near an end and the company will start hiring at a measured pace.

Old Dominion listed 22,284 full-time employees as of Sept. 30. Thats down 2,303  or 9.4%  over the year.

By comparison, the full-time workforce was at 20,479 as of March 31, 2021, which was when Old Dominion cut back on services during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At last count, Old Dominion had 1,318 employees at its Thomasville headquarters, 668 at its Greensboro service center and 107 at the Kernersville service center that became operational in December.

Satterfield has told analysts the company is just balancing our number of employees with the freight volumes that exist. Weve had to work through those on a case-by-case basis throughout our 255 locations.
The state Local Government Commission approved Wednesday funding for two projects involving the Triad and Northwest North Carolina.

The commission approved allowing Beech Mountain, affecting Avery and Watauga counties, to issue $15 million in general obligation bonds.

The town plans to use the proceeds to pay the capital costs of improving the towns water system, including building a reservoir and a pumping station as a secondary source of water. Aging, leaking water and sewer lines will be replaced.

A tax increase of 11 cents per $1,000 of assessed property is planned to pay for the work. The referendum was passed by 84.7% of voters in November.

Liberty in Randolph County was approved for a $214,122 installment purchase. The town will enter into a lease-to-purchase agreement for public safety radios for the fire and police departments. Current radios will not be compatible with its communications system beginning in 2025.

The largest project involves the town of Holly Springs, which the commission approved $100 million in general obligation bonds toward expanding its parks and recreation offerings at the 56-acre Cass Holt Road Park. Voters overwhelmingly approved the funding in a November referendum.
A jury on Thursday, Jan. 11, in Greensboro convicted Marian Hudak, 52, for committing a hate crime against a Black man and a Hispanic man on separate occasions.

Its one thing to use racial slurs and harbor the KKKs flag, but carrying out acts of violence fueled by naked racial animus and hatred violates the law and core principles of our democracy. The defendant was held accountable for his violent and unlawful attacks on Black and Hispanic members of his community, said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division. The Justice Department will vigorously investigate and prosecute violence targeting people because of their race or national origin. All community members should be able to live in and move about their neighborhoods without fear of attack because of how they look or where they are from.

All people  regardless of the color of their skin or their nationality  are entitled to travel on public roads and enjoy their homes without fear of being threatened, harassed or intimidated, said U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Hairston for the Middle District of North Carolina. We appreciate the law enforcement agencies who diligently sought justice in this case. The Concord community is safer and more peaceful as a result of todays verdict.

Investigating civil rights violations is some of the most important work we do, said Special Agent in Charge Robert M. DeWitt of the FBI Charlotte Field Office. No one should be afraid to drive down the street, fill their car with gas or take their children to the bus stop because of someones intolerance and racial hatred. The FBI hopes this guilty verdict can give Mr. Hudaks victims some sense of peace.

Evidence at trial proved that, on Oct. 13, 2022, Hudak encountered a Black man, identified as J.S., while driving in Concord, and shouted racial slurs at him. After telling J.S. to come here, boy, Hudak swerved into J.S.s lane, got out of his vehicle and punched J.S.s drivers side window multiple times. When J.S. fled, Hudak chased him to his home where he continued shouting racial slurs and threatened to shoot and kill him.

Evidence at trial also proved that on Nov. 27, 2021, Hudak attacked his Hispanic neighbor, J.D., outside J.D.s home because of his nationality. Hudak shouted racially charged insults at J.D. before attacking him. Hudak punched and tackled J.D., causing J.D. to suffer bodily injury. Additional trial witnesses testified about Hudaks frequent anti-Hispanic comments, both before and after the attack on J.D., and about other instances where Hudak shouted slurs at, gave the middle finger to and drove aggressively near other minority motorists in the Concord area. Other evidence included a KKK flag, a racist publication and Nazi memorabilia found in Hudaks residence.

On June 26, 2023, Hudak was charged with willfully injuring, intimidating or interfering with J.S. because of J.S.s race and color and because J.S. was using a public facility. Hudak was charged with willfully injuring, intimidating or interfering with J.D. because of J.D.s race and national origin and because J.D. was occupying a dwelling.

A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for May 1. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI Charlotte Field Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ashley Waid and JoAnna McFadden for the Middle District of North Carolina and Trial Attorney Daniel Grunert of the Civil Rights Divisions Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.
North Carolina is nearing 100 flu-related deaths for the 2023-24 season with the state having seven confirmed fatalities involving children.

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services updated its weekly respiratory virus dashboard late Wednesday, reflecting a delay in reporting data over the holiday period.

DHHS does not provide the region of the state in which flu-related deaths occur, citing patient privacy policies.

The dashboard lists 96 flu-related deaths, including four involving children ages 5 to 17 and three ages 4 and under.

Thats up from 52 overall deaths and five children in the previous report.

Similar to COVID-19 reporting, DHHS cautions that its weekly totals are subject to revision, including factoring in cases and deaths that occurred weeks or months ago, but were only recently confirmed as related to influenza.

The latest update lists 25 deaths, including two children, being confirmed as occurring during the week that ended Jan. 6.

The dashboard adjusted the death total for the week that ended Dec. 30 from 11 to 23 and the total for the week that ended Dec. 23 from 11 to 16.

The state also has recorded 62 deaths among those 65 and older, 18 for ages 50 to 64 and nine ages 25 to 39.

We are approaching the peak of winter respiratory virus season and encourage people to get tested early and seek treatment as soon as they begin to develop symptoms, said Dr. Elizabeth Cuervo-Tilson, the states health director and chief medical officer.

Dont wait to seek treatment if you test positive for the flu or COVID-19, as treatments can help prevent severe illness, especially for those who are high risk of serious complications based on their age or medical conditions.

DHHS advised that people with mild symptoms should seek testing and treatment from their regular health care provider, urgent care or a telehealth provider instead of going to the emergency department.

Flu vaccinations are especially important for children who are at higher risk of developing severe disease or complications, including those younger than age 5, especially those under age 2, or those with chronic health problems like asthma, diabetes or a weakened immune system.

Dashboard update

DHHS continues to monitor respiratory virus-related emergency department visits and hospital admissions, and it tracks the virus in wastewater.

Until Wednesdays update, cases of influenza and COVID-19 had been on the upswing since early November, while RSV cases had dropped since late November.

RSV is a common virus that can cause severe infections in children and adults over age 60. RSV symptoms typically include a runny nose, cough and low-grade fever that can be treated in many cases with over-the-counter pain relievers.

As of Saturday, 17.2% of emergency department visits statewide involved a respiratory virus. Thats compared with 22.2% in the previous report, which was the highest level in more than a year.

Patients with COVID-19 symptoms represented 4.9%, down from 6.8%, which was the most since 7.3% for the week that ended Jan. 7, 2023.

Meanwhile, influenza was at 3.1% last week compared with 4.6% in the previous report. RSV cases slipped from 1.7% to 1.2%.

In terms of hospital admissions, influenza dropped from 1,055 to 763 in the previous report, while COVID-19 related admissions was 896, down from 923.

Dr. David Priest, an infectious diseases expert with Novant Health Inc., has said that most new COVID-19 variants are more contagious than previous versions, while the flu and RSV continue to circulate in the Triad.

All three major Triad healthcare systems have implemented visitor restrictions for those under age 13.

At Novant Health Inc. hospitals  Clemmons, Forsyth, Kernersville and Thomasville medical centers and Medical Park Hospital  children under 13 are barred from the hospital unless theyre seeking care or there are other special family circumstances.

For Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, the tighter visitor restrictions are in effect at the Ardmore campus, as well as Brenner Childrens Hospital and in Bermuda Run, High Point, Lexington and Wilkesboro.

For Cone, those restrictions are at Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro and Alamance Medical Center in Burlington.

Meanwhile, masking remains optional for visitors at all three systems.
Global sales of electric vehicles have been predicted to hit 17.5 million units this year, meaning growth of 27.1% year-on-year, with the technology analyst firm Canalys adding that in 2023, sales grew by 29% and reached 13.7 million units.

The company said Greater China was the biggest EV market, shipping 7.6 million cars or 55.5% market share. Europe (3.2 million units) and North America (1.8 million cars) rounded off the top three markets in 2023.

Canalys analyst Alvin Liu said a number of appealing new EVs had been launched at the end of 2023, setting the stage for sales growth in 2024.

EVs are the core growth driver for the vehicle market in Greater China. EVs from Chinese carmakers, which are expected to take up 78% of the market in 2024, are pulling ahead, widening the user experience gap compared to internal combustion engine vehicles," he explained.

"The latest battery technologies and improving infrastructure address charging anxiety. The formation of charging ecosystems, such as NIOs Battery Swap Alliance, Mercedes-Benz and BMWs Super Charging Network and Lotuss Flash Charging Alliance, will further grow BEVs market share.

"However, maintaining a growth rate of over 50% this year is impossible as EVs have reached a critical mass and convincing the remaining EV sceptics will be a growing challenge.

Canalys forecast that the 2024 European light vehicle market would sustain growth of 2% to 3%, with EVs taking up 24.2% of market share, shipping 3.9 million units.

It said slowing demand for battery electric vehicles would lead to a shift to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles which could ease market pressures, despite the EUs push for an aggressive combustion engine phase-out.

Europes EV market has started transitioning from policy-driven to product-driven in 2024, a necessary phase in the industrys transformation, said Canalys principal analyst Jason Low.

The subsidy restriction will slow down EV demand and the looming price war will threaten not just EV goals but carmakers electric transition confidence.

"To counter such challenges, carmakers in Europe are set to make the EV market more affordable by releasing new models such as the KIA Niro EV, BMW IX2, Renault 5, Citroen e-C3 and others.

"European carmakers should be aware of Chinese carmakers eyeing Europe, as they are expected to deploy similar product and pricing strategies while continuing their efforts to establish local production in the region, like that of BYD, SAIC and other positive OEMs.
The Suffolk University poll of 500 likely caucus-goers finds 54 percent saying Trump is their first choice, followed by Haley at 20 percent, DeSantis at 13 percent and Vivek Ramaswamy at 6 percent.

Polls in the state last month found DeSantis about even or ahead of Haley among. Nearly all have found Trump leading with over 50 percent support.

In the Suffolk poll, Haley's support rises to 28 percent among independents and to 42 percent among moderate and liberal likely caucus-goers, the only group where any candidate leads Trump (who received 31 percent support with this group). However, these voters make up a small share of the Iowa electorate: 15 percent of Iowa Republican caucus-goers in 2016 identified as moderate or liberal, the lowest in any caucus or primary exit poll that year.

DeSantis has tried to appeal to strong conservatives in Iowa, yet Trump dominates among this segment of the electorate. Seventy percent of "very conservative" voters back the former president compared with 14 percent for DeSantis and 11 percent for Haley.

Haley is even better positioned for New Hampshire's Jan. 23 primary, and a strong performance in Iowa could help her mount a challenge to Trump in the Granite State. A USA Today-Boston Globe-Suffolk poll this week found 26 percent of likely primary voters in New Hampshire supporting Haley, while a CNN-UNH poll found Haley with 32 percent support there. Trump's support was 39 percent in the CNN-UNH poll and 46 percent in the USA Today-Boston Globe-Suffolk poll.

Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie's withdrawal from the race Wednesday could also help Haley, particularly among moderate voters. In New Hampshire, Christie received 12 percent support in the polls mentioned above, including roughly a quarter of moderate primary voters. Haley led among moderates in both polls.

Despite a few positive patterns for Haley, Trump remains the heavy favorite to win the GOP presidential nomination, with about 6 in 10 Republicans nationwide supporting him for the party's nomination, according to a Post average of public polls.

(COMMENT, BELOW)
CHARLESTON  Cadet Christian Wood enrolled in Eastern Illinois University's ROTC Panther Battalion in fall of 2022 after having already served as both an infantryman and field artillery fire support officer with the U.S. Army.

Maj. Michael Andersen, who became the new commander for EIU ROTC this year, said the Terrell, Texas native has been putting his years of experience as a non-commissioned officer to work on campus.

"Cadet Wood has been a stalwart leader in the Panther Battalion," Andersen said. He added as examples that Wood has, "served as a formal and informal mentor and leader to the cadets and is currently serving as the cadet battalion commander."

Those mentorship and leadership traits were among the factors that led to Wood being presented with the Legion of Valor Bronze Cross Award for Achievement during a ceremony on Thursday in Eastern's Coleman Auditorium.

Andersen said the Legion of Valor of the United States of America, founded in 1890, is the oldest veteran service organization in the nation. He said the Legion of Valor awards the Bronze Cross to ROTC and Junior ROTC cadets from the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Only 60-80 cadets, less than .004% of the 20,000 cadets nationwide, per year receive Bronzes Cross Awards, Andersen said.

Wood, a senior interdisciplinary studies major, said after the ceremony that he is grateful to be recognized by the Legion of Valor, a group that includes those who have earned the nation's highest recognitions for valor in combat  the Congressional Medal of Honor and Individual Armed Services awards.

"I would not have been able to achieve this recognition without the support of my family, the mentorship I have received throughout the years from great leaders, and the trust and confidence that EIU Army ROTC has placed upon me," Wood said.

EIU College of Health and Human Services Dean John Storsved presented the Bronze Cross to Wood during the ceremony before an audience of his fellow JROTC cadets and other well-wishers.

"We are all very, very proud of him," Storsved said. "He represents the best of this program here at Eastern."

Wood joined the Army after graduating in 2011 from Terrell High School. His military schools include Army basic training, infantry advanced individual training, basic and advanced leaders courses, air assault course, joint fires observer course, and special forces assistance advisor course.

Andersen said Wood's accomplishments with the EIU ROTC Panther Battalion have included being a member and team captain of the ranger challenge team, placing fourth in the brigade. He also has been a member of the northern warfare team, color guard, and cannon crew.

Wood completed advanced cadet summer training last summer with the highest rating, reserved for the top 15% of cadets in the country. He has maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average, plus physical excellence with the second-highest score in the battalion.

"Cadet Wood will graduate this May and commission as a second Lieutenant in the infantry and will leave us, but the impact and example he has set will last for years after his departure," Wood said.

Close Eastern Illinois University studio art master's students Lilly Lee of Toledo and Peyton Morrow of Mattoon stand on the "Art 13" exhibit floor Monday morning in the Lone Elm Room at the Mattoon train depot. The exhibit features the work of Lee, Morrow and 11 of their classmates in the studio art program. Lake Land College President Josh Bullock, at left, and Eastern Illinois University President David Glassman sign an agreement on Thursday to help students who have paused their education complete degrees. EIU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Jay Gatrell, who will become the university's next president this summer after Glassman's retirement, sits to the right watching the signing in the Foundation and Alumni Center at Lake Land's campus in Mattoon. English professor Jeannie Ludlow greets her students at the start of a Spanish literature class Friday afternoon in Coleman Hall as Eastern Illinois University's classes resumed after the faculty and academic support professionals union suspended its strike that morning. Economic professor Teshome Abebe, at left, elementary education major Joshua Doty, and mathematics and computer science professor Bogdan Petrenko get pizza as striking Eastern Illinois University faculty and academic support professionals, along with student supporters, shared a meal Wednesday afternoon at Morton Park in Charleston. Teaching, learning and foundations instructor Denise Reid serves as a pivot point in the picket line as striking Eastern Illinois University faculty and academic supporter professionals, along with student supporters, march Wednesday afternoon in front of EIU's Old Main in Charleston. Union members hold signs of support for striking Eastern Illinois University faculty and academic support professionals on Thursday in Charleston. Rocco, 14, is bundled up by his owner, Eastern Illinois University student Bella Manrique of Champaign, during the Charleston Parks and Recreation Department's Easter egg hunt for dogs Saturday morning at Morton Park. Eastern's chapter of University Professionals of Illinois (UPI), also held informational informational pickets Thursday morning and late afternoon in front of Old Main and its administrative offices. Eastern Illinois University professor of Spanish Carlos Amaya, left, prepares to cast a ballot Wednesday in Booth Library in the EIU University Professionals of Illinois' strike authorization vote. Eastern Illinois University beach volleyball player Emily Wilcox of Fort Wayne, Indiana, leaps for the ball alongside Panther teammate Ella Collins of Lake Mills, Wisconsin, during a match with Missouri Baptist on Monday afternoon at Sister City Park in Charleston. Eastern Illinois University students D'Ajanae Jackson, at left, Aryanna Southworth and Danielle Frank make a knotted fleece blanket during the annual MLK Jr. Day of Service on Monday in the University Ballroom in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union. Fall 2022 Eastern Illinois University graduate Benjamin Ellison of Pekin tries on his graduation gown with the help of Herff Jones employee Mark Krevin in the Student Recreation Center before the commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday in adjacent Lantz Arena. Eastern Illinois University graduate student Victoria Tegge is shown Friday night looking over stacks of knotted fleece blankets that student volunteers assembled in preparation for the annual One Stop Community Christmas on Saturday in Lake Land College's West Building in Mattoon. Eastern Illinois University President David Glassman, at left, and Lake Land College President Josh Bullock speak during the Community Update Breakfast held by the Charleston and Mattoon Chambers of Commerce on Friday at the Unique Suites Hotel in Charleston. The Eastern Illinois University College of Education covered its float Saturday morning with 1990s and 2000s pop culture imagery to go with the "Bring the Beat Back" theme of EIU's 2022 homecoming. Elise Warner and Taylor Sprenkle, freshmen at Eastern Illinois University, read stories about individuals who lost their lives to suicide. The stories came from loved ones who wanted to share information about those who died and were attached to bookbags spread around the Library Quad at EIU. Warner said the display was very impactful. The display, titled Send Silence Packing, was creating by the organization Active Minds and sponsored by Aetna and the State of Illinois Central Management Services. Grand-daughter of Zella Powell, Carla Wright, and Stephanie Wright-Griggs speak on Friday during a dedication and ribbon-cutting of Powell-Norton Hall on the campus of Eastern Illinois University. In this file photo, Eastern Illinois University student photographer Jessica Nantes takes a photo of Ceci Brinker, the university's director of student life. "EIU" letters and props were set up for students to mark their first day of the semester with a photo. Eastern Illinois University, 2022-2023 Eastern Illinois University's 2022-2023 academic year included the announcement of the next president, a faculty and academic support staff strike, a new partnership with Lake Land College, and more. Eastern Illinois University studio art master's students Lilly Lee of Toledo and Peyton Morrow of Mattoon stand on the "Art 13" exhibit floor Monday morning in the Lone Elm Room at the Mattoon train depot. The exhibit features the work of Lee, Morrow and 11 of their classmates in the studio art program. Lake Land College President Josh Bullock, at left, and Eastern Illinois University President David Glassman sign an agreement on Thursday to help students who have paused their education complete degrees. EIU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Jay Gatrell, who will become the university's next president this summer after Glassman's retirement, sits to the right watching the signing in the Foundation and Alumni Center at Lake Land's campus in Mattoon. English professor Jeannie Ludlow greets her students at the start of a Spanish literature class Friday afternoon in Coleman Hall as Eastern Illinois University's classes resumed after the faculty and academic support professionals union suspended its strike that morning. Economic professor Teshome Abebe, at left, elementary education major Joshua Doty, and mathematics and computer science professor Bogdan Petrenko get pizza as striking Eastern Illinois University faculty and academic support professionals, along with student supporters, shared a meal Wednesday afternoon at Morton Park in Charleston. Teaching, learning and foundations instructor Denise Reid serves as a pivot point in the picket line as striking Eastern Illinois University faculty and academic supporter professionals, along with student supporters, march Wednesday afternoon in front of EIU's Old Main in Charleston. Union members hold signs of support for striking Eastern Illinois University faculty and academic support professionals on Thursday in Charleston. Rocco, 14, is bundled up by his owner, Eastern Illinois University student Bella Manrique of Champaign, during the Charleston Parks and Recreation Department's Easter egg hunt for dogs Saturday morning at Morton Park. Eastern's chapter of University Professionals of Illinois (UPI), also held informational informational pickets Thursday morning and late afternoon in front of Old Main and its administrative offices. Eastern Illinois University professor of Spanish Carlos Amaya, left, prepares to cast a ballot Wednesday in Booth Library in the EIU University Professionals of Illinois' strike authorization vote. Eastern Illinois University beach volleyball player Emily Wilcox of Fort Wayne, Indiana, leaps for the ball alongside Panther teammate Ella Collins of Lake Mills, Wisconsin, during a match with Missouri Baptist on Monday afternoon at Sister City Park in Charleston. Eastern Illinois University students D'Ajanae Jackson, at left, Aryanna Southworth and Danielle Frank make a knotted fleece blanket during the annual MLK Jr. Day of Service on Monday in the University Ballroom in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union. Fall 2022 Eastern Illinois University graduate Benjamin Ellison of Pekin tries on his graduation gown with the help of Herff Jones employee Mark Krevin in the Student Recreation Center before the commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday in adjacent Lantz Arena. Eastern Illinois University graduate student Victoria Tegge is shown Friday night looking over stacks of knotted fleece blankets that student volunteers assembled in preparation for the annual One Stop Community Christmas on Saturday in Lake Land College's West Building in Mattoon. Eastern Illinois University President David Glassman, at left, and Lake Land College President Josh Bullock speak during the Community Update Breakfast held by the Charleston and Mattoon Chambers of Commerce on Friday at the Unique Suites Hotel in Charleston. The Eastern Illinois University College of Education covered its float Saturday morning with 1990s and 2000s pop culture imagery to go with the "Bring the Beat Back" theme of EIU's 2022 homecoming. Elise Warner and Taylor Sprenkle, freshmen at Eastern Illinois University, read stories about individuals who lost their lives to suicide. The stories came from loved ones who wanted to share information about those who died and were attached to bookbags spread around the Library Quad at EIU. Warner said the display was very impactful. The display, titled Send Silence Packing, was creating by the organization Active Minds and sponsored by Aetna and the State of Illinois Central Management Services. Grand-daughter of Zella Powell, Carla Wright, and Stephanie Wright-Griggs speak on Friday during a dedication and ribbon-cutting of Powell-Norton Hall on the campus of Eastern Illinois University. In this file photo, Eastern Illinois University student photographer Jessica Nantes takes a photo of Ceci Brinker, the university's director of student life. "EIU" letters and props were set up for students to mark their first day of the semester with a photo.
SHELBYVILLE  After months of mostly staying silent, a Shelby County Board member at the center of heated controversy over the status of the county's dive team defended himself Thursday evening from relentless attacks while acknowledging that he "did a few things wrong."

Board Member Sonny Ross, R-Windsor, has caught the ire of a significant swath of county residents since issuing a "stand down" order of questionable validity to the county dive team over concerns that the team did not have proper insurance coverage under county policies. But many dive team members viewed the boards meddling as retribution over a previous dispute involving a mutual aid request from the Illinois State Police.

Though the board voted to formally "establish" the dive team under the county's umbrella, every member resigned one-by-one in a dramatic display this past July when Ross refused to step down from his role as a member of the county board committee that would oversee the team.

Ross has been steadfast in his refusal to step aside. And he was defiant Thursday night as the board faced another round of relentless criticism from assembled county residents.

"It's sad and it's quite ridiculous, just to be honest with you," Ross said, speaking towards the end of the board's January meeting. "I've been accused of inappropriately making keys and illegally entering the dive shed and stealing WEX cards. I've been accused of stealing county-owned property. And the county board tries to take action to investigate that and there's this massive outcry from the public not to investigate. I say bring it on. Investigate me. I have nothing to hide."

"And just because you want to sit in the pew and you want to hurl bombs doesn't mean you're telling the truth," he continued. "I did not do everything right with regards to the dive team."

"I had all the right intentions. But it didn't matter. I still did a few things wrong. And it blew up," he said. "Now if anybody in this room or online or anywhere in the United States thinks for one second that this is what I wanted, you are sadly mistaken."

Chris Boehm, a frequent attendee of board meetings and critic of Ross, said that board member's words rang hollow.

"I've seen Sonny do this on a number of occasions. He says that he's made mistakes, but he never says specifically what those mistakes are," Boehm said. "And in my world, an apology for specific and it addresses specific harm, it makes restitution for that harm, and it commits not to doing it again. I haven't seen anything like that."

Shelby County Board meetings over the past half-year have been the main venue for several separate but interrelated battles over the future direction of the county, which have included the dive team brouhaha and the status of the countys long-held farmland.

At Thursday's meeting, board members briefly discussed the possibility of approving a resolution asking the county sheriff's office and State's Attorney Robert Hanlon to investigate various allegations made at county board meetings during the public comment period.

Among the allegations: that Ross illegally had keys made to the dive team building and stole WEX cards stored in there. There is also a question of ownership of the materials within, many of which were bought with donated funds.

However, the resolution was quickly withdrawn after Sheriff Brian McReynolds told board members that his office has "received no complaints or statements of information" alleging that crimes were committed. He added that he did not "have enough information to say one way or the other" whether a crime was committed.

McReynolds said that any information would likely be referred it to the Illinois State Police due to conflict-of-interest concerns.

Next, the board approved the timeline for a forensic audit of the dive team that was previously OK'd at its November meeting. The audit will look at financials from fiscal year 2021 through Oct. 31 of last year.

But as has been the case at most meetings for the past several months, public comment took longer than the board's actual agenda items.

Though several frustrated county residents once again showed up en masse, there was more pushback from county board members than has been displayed in the past.

And there was some reflection on the recent events that have defined the county, with board chair Bobby Orman stating his belief that they were at an "impasse" that has threatened to prevent the board from moving forward.

"If there's anything we've learned from this whole dive team thing, it's that we inherited problems, we're still inheriting problems and we're still trying to fix problems," Orman said. "And when we try to fix them, we get kicked in the face. And that's the agonizing part."

Orman was criticized by members of the public for dragging his feet on a proposed intergovernmental agreement with Shelbyville, which established a dive team with former county dive team members after their mass resignation.

The board's public safety committee tabled a proposal in October. Orman, who received an updated proposal in late November, said on Thursday said that he "won't present it to the board" as-is.

Boehm said the proposed agreement "seems like the quickest path to putting this team back to work."

"And there seems to be no interest on the part of Shelby County Board to do that," Boehm said.
CHICAGO  First Lady Jill Biden traveled to the University of Illinois at Chicago Thursday to tout a White House initiative to expand research on womens health issues that include menopause.

Biden was joined by actress Halle Berry in speaking about the historical lack of investment in womens health research nationwide.

The visit comes during an election year in which womens health issues continue to be a hot-button political issue pushed by Democrats due to the 2022 Supreme Court ruling that sent the issue of legalized abortion to the states, and the importance of women, particularly suburban women, to the elections outcome.

In a roundtable conversation at UIC, Biden and Berry were joined by Democratic U.S. Reps. Lauren Underwood of Naperville and Robin Kelly of Matteson, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and UIC graduate students.

Every woman will be affected by menopause, yet theres a stunning lack of information about how to manage and treat its symptoms, Biden said during the discussion.

Berry said she became passionate about menopause as a political issue after finding that the options her doctor provided for treating her own symptoms were just not good enough.

I think money needs to be raised  so that every woman has an opportunity to get quality premium care and not just told you have to just white-knuckle it, that it will eventually pass, Berry said.

The White House launched its Initiative on Womens Health Research in November to allocate federal and private investments toward the issue.

During the roundtable talk, the first lady stressed President Joe Bidens support of the initiative.

Thats what he does, she said. He learns about a problem and then he gets to work tackling it. He doesnt waste any time.

The Biden reelection campaign repeatedly stopped in Illinois and Chicago last year, an indication of the administrations concern about motivating voters ahead of the November election even in a solidly blue state.

UIC is working to add to the existing body of information on menopause through its long-standing Center for Research on Women and Gender. Among research underway is a search for links between estrogen levels and brain health and determining specific impacts of menopausal symptoms on women of color.

Pauline Maki, a UIC professor of psychiatry, psychology, and obstetrics and gynecology, called the presidential interest in womens health concerns ranging from migraines to heart attacks a game changer.

Maki said while there has been a lack of information about menopause treatment, the issue has recently drawn more attention through publicity including a pharmaceutical commercial in last years Super Bowl and a New York Times article that went viral.

Women are demanding that we do better, she said. Half of the population goes through this. Shouldnt we have a firm scientific understanding of what happens to these bodies? What happens to their brains? Because without that, they cant get the personalized care that they need.

Chicago Tribunes Rick Pearson contributed.
URBANA  As the 2024 election season draws near, voters in Illinois will once again choose whether they want to cast their ballots in person or by mail.

But one lawmaker is proposing a bill in the Illinois House that could make that decision a lot easier, making voting by mail the default option for people in counties and cities that choose to go that route.

State Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, said voting by mail has been shown to be a more convenient and efficient way of running elections.

Vote-by-mail has been proven by way of court order, as well as people's utilization of vote-by-mail  I vote by mail  that it has been safe, she said during an interview. There have been no problems. I have not missed a single election. And people who use it increase their voter participation.

Voting by mail, often referred to as absentee voting, was originally intended for people who planned to be away from home on Election Day, particularly military personnel, as well as college students and people whose jobs required them to travel. That often required voters to ask their state or local election official for an absentee ballot and, in some cases, explain why they wanted to vote by mail.

In more recent years, Illinois and other states have made voting by mail an option for anyone by adopting no-excuse absentee voting laws, meaning anyone could request a mail ballot without giving a reason.

Illinois also gives voters the option of asking to be placed on a permanent vote-by-mail list so they can automatically receive a mail-in ballot without having to fill out a new request for one each election cycle.

And in 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the General Assembly passed a law requiring local election officials automatically send vote-by-mail applications to every voter in their jurisdiction, instead of requiring voters to ask for one.

During a special meeting of the House Ethics and Elections Committee Wednesday in her hometown of Urbana, Ammons said voting by mail has become increasingly popular. But she said the multi-step process of voting by mail is still inefficient because it requires voters to fill out and send in a vote-by-mail application to receive a ballot.

But when we went back to look at the utilization of the ballots, the number that came back, and the cost associated with mailing a ballot, we realized as we talked to other jurisdictions that you would actually save the money if you simply mailed them the ballot, she said.

Ammons is the sponsor of House Bill 4198, which would allow county clerks and other local election authorities to make voting by mail the default option in their jurisdiction. It would give them the option of mailing ballots to all registered voters in their jurisdiction, without requiring voters to ask for one. But it would still require local election authorities to offer in-person voting as well for those who prefer to cast their ballot in person.

Currently, eight states and Washington, D.C., operate elections almost entirely by mail. William Cavecche, an election administrator in King County, Washington, which includes the city of Seattle, said that state passed a similar law in 2005 and immediately, two-thirds of the counties in the state shifted to vote-by-mail systems.

Speaking to someone who has run both polling-place elections and vote-by-mail elections, I can tell you from experience that vote-by-mail elections are significantly easier to administer, he said.

Among other benefits, Cavecche said, in a vote-by-mail election, there is no need to worry about problems that commonly occur at in-person polling places such as running out of ballots, voting machines breaking down or poll workers failing to show up.

He also said vote-by-mail elections are more secure because all ballots can be counted in a centralized location. He said ballot counting can also be livestreamed on the internet to provide more public transparency.

Wednesdays meeting was a subject matter hearing, meaning the committee only heard testimony and did not take action on the bill. But Rep. Maurice West, D-Rockford, who chairs the panel, said he intends to hold additional hearings during the upcoming legislative session, which begins Tuesday, and its possible lawmakers could vote on the measure in time to take effect for the 2024 general election in November.
Traditional cigarette smokers are facing yet another increase in prices, this time between 15 and 20 cents per pack involving Philip Morris USA brands, according to a leading tobacco industry analyst.

The list price increases  the first in 2024 after four hikes in 2023  are set to go into effect Sunday, according to Goldman Sachs analyst Bonnie Herzogs Thursday report to investors.

The list price is what wholesalers pay manufacturers for their traditional cigarette products. The increase typically is passed on to customers at retail.

A 15-cent per-pack covers Marlboro non-menthol styles, along with Basic, L&M and L&M Simple Tobacco.

Going up 20 cents per pack are Marlboro Mainline Menthol & Marlboro 72s Menthol, Benson & Hedges, Merit, Nats, Parliament and Virginia Slims.

Philip Morris USAs list price increases follow a similar move taken by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. on Jan. 1. Reynolds raised its prices three times during 2023.

For Reynolds top-selling brand Newport, the list price rose 15 cents per pack for menthol and nonmenthol styles. The 15-cent per-pack increase also covers select brands of No. 3 Camel, No. 4 Pall Mall Box and all styles of No. 5 Natural American Spirit.

Other list price increases includes 25 cents on 12 SKUs of Camel, while some Lucky Strike and Pall Mall styles did not have an increase. Theres also a 10-cent per pouch on Natural American Spirits Ryo rolling tobacco.

Altogether, Reynolds has raised its list price by between $1.62 and $1.87 over the two years for many of its top brands, as well as between a combined $2.17 and $2.42 since January 2020.

Herzog said Philip Morris USAs latest price hike is a bit of a surprise ... suggesting to us that volume pressures continue. Having said that, we believe it has become more sophisticated and targeted with its pricing strategies, as well as promotional spending to offset these more frequent list price increases, especially for price-sensitive consumers.

Herzog said she expects additional rounds of list price increases during 2024 despite the pressures on the low-income consumer, increased risk from downtrading pressures and a widening relative price gap between Marlboro and the lowest effective cigarette on the market.

We will be watching to see whether deep discount cigarette manufacturers also move on price, she said. If they dont, the relative price gap could widen further. We believe brands, like Marlboro with a very loyal customer base and strong/effective promotions, should be able to keep those consumers within the franchise, (such as) by leveraging Marlboro Special Select.

As such, Herzog said the list price increase continue to be viewed favorably and are a critical driver of tobacco manufacturers revenue and earnings growth, particularly as manufacturers realize almost three times the leverage on earnings from a point of pricing than a point of volume.

Both BAT and Altria Group Inc. seem to be fairly comfortable with the elasticity as they continue to raise prices.

The four price increases by Altria last year amounted to 63 cents a pack, said David Sweanor, an adjunct law professor at the University of Ottawa and the author of several e-cigarette and health studies.

Which is, in a single year, over twice the estimated cost (about 30 cents per pack) of manufacturing a pack of cigarettes, Sweanor said. That selling the countrys leading cause of preventable death can become ever more profitable, even as it is already massively more profitable than any other consumer product, and not attract scrutiny is simply baffling.

Sweanor said the ability to consistently increase prices also explains the reluctance of Big Tobacco to go beyond stating a commitment to product transformation and actively assisting a market transition.
School board members who voted on Thursday to start the 2024-25 school year earlier in August said that while the new academic calendar breaks the law, it is in the best interest of students.

The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education voted 6-3 to ignore a state mandate that says that public schools in North Carolina must start no earlier than the Monday before Aug. 26 and end no later than the Friday closest to June 11. The next school year will start on Aug. 12, with the final day on May 20.

Board members Robert Barr, Richard Watts and Leah Crowley voted against the new academic calendar.

The change means that the coming summer vacation will be about two weeks shorter than usual.

With the vote, the school district now joins more than a dozen school districts in the state that have chosen to defy the law. It is the largest of the school districts to do so.

Stokes County Schools Board of Education voted on Monday to start its school year on Aug. 14. Other local districts that open early include Yadkin County Schools, Surry County Schools, Mount Airy Schools and Elkin Schools.

No school districts have been penalized for ignoring the mandate.

However, Union Countys school board reversed its decision to start earlier after it faced lawsuits from businesses that said an early start would harm its business.

Many educators have pushed for the earlier calendar because it means first-semester exams can be given before the two-week holiday break. This years calendar has high-school students taking first semester exams next week.

Brad Rice, the superintendent of Stokes County Schools, told his board on Monday that he believes more school districts will follow suit.

We say were student-centered, Rice said. But everyone knows if we did what was best for students, wed start earlier.

On Thursday, at the WS/FCS school board meeting, board member Trevonia Brown-Gaither, a retired teacher, said that where the break falls now is hard for students and teachers.

It is so difficult to come back after break and do any kind of learning and reviewing in those three weeks, she said. Its impossible.

Crowley mentioned the hardships this will create for people who have already made plans for mid-August. She said her understanding was that the board was going to look at changing the calendar for the 2025-26 school year.

So Im wondering, typically how much notice is considered fair notice for what I see as a major shift in what were expecting from our families? Crowley said.

Superintendent Tricia McManus said the board will get tons of notice for the 2025-26 school year.

Board member Sabrina Coone told Crowley that the board did discuss making the change for the 2024-25 school year and the implications of breaking the law.

Its been requested for years and years and years, she said. Ive heard the same arguments and Ive read a lot of emails, and I understand that pulling the Band-aid off is going to hurt and there may be some challenges and struggles. Some of the arguments for (this) are kids not going back stressed after holiday break, concerns about testing, and we dont have to think about learning loss. And those are things that are important that we have to think about as well.

A survey sent out to staff, students and family members showed overwhelming support for an early return. According to survey results, there were 2,758 votes for the earlier school year, with a combined 1,428 votes for two other options, both of which followed the state mandate.

The state took control of school calendars in 2004, driven in part by pressure from the tourism industry, which said that returning to school earlier in August means fewer trips to the beach and mountains, resulting in fewer tourism dollars.

School districts can apply for waivers from the state if they can prove that severe weather regularly forces them to cancel school. The local school district has never met that criteria and has not applied for a waiver.

Legislation to give WS/FCS and other districts flexibility in their calendar have stalled in committee.
In defiance of state law, the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education voted 6-3 Thursday to start the 2024-25 school year earlier in August.

The first day of school for students will now be on Aug. 12 and the final day will be May 20, ignoring a nearly 20-year state law that mandates school districts start no earlier than the Monday before Aug. 26 and end no later than the Friday closest to June 11.

The school district now joins more than a dozen school districts in the state that have chosen to defy the law. It is the largest of the school districts to do so.

None of the school districts have been penalized.

The move means that the summer break will be two weeks shorter.

The state took control of school calendars in 2004, driven in part by pressure from the tourism industry, which said that returning to school earlier in August means fewer trips to the beach and mountains, resulting in fewer tourism dollars.
Officers with the U.S. Transportation Security Administration seized 15 guns from passengers at Piedmont Triad International Airport in 2023, the agency said Thursday.

The firearms were all found by TSA officers during the routine screening of carry-on property.

Three firearms were confiscated at the Greensboro airport during the second half of 2023, compared with 12 in the first half.

The 15 confiscations in 2023 matches the total for 2022 at the airport. The highest number for a year was 18 in 2019.

TSA and PTI typically do not provide comment on the reports.

For the 10 commercial airports in the state, 236 firearms were discovered in carry-on luggage, compared with 250 in 2022, 254 in 2021, 105 in 2020, 194 in 2019 and 180 in 2018.

A record 124 firearms were found at Charlotte-Douglas, up from 117 firearms in 2022, TSA said.

Meanwhile, 76 firearms were confiscated at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, compared with 74 in 2022 and a record 100 in 2021.

When a TSA officers sees the image of a firearm on the X-ray screen, they immediately notify the local airport law enforcement agency, which responds to the security checkpoint.

A law enforcement officer removes the firearm from the X-ray tunnel and makes contact with the traveler.

In addition to potential criminal citations, travelers face civil penalties for bringing firearms to the security checkpoint.

TSA said it evaluates each firearm incident on a case-by-case basis. Among the factors TSA considers when determining the civil penalty are whether the firearm was loaded and whether there was accessible ammunition.

The civil penalty can go up to a maximum of nearly $15,000 per violation.

Firearms can be transported on a commercial aircraft only if they are unloaded, packed in a locked, hard-sided case and placed in checked baggage. Any type of replica firearm is prohibited in carry-on baggage and must be transported in checked luggage.

Even if a traveler has a concealed weapons permit, firearms are not permitted in carry-on luggage.

People who violate rules regarding traveling with firearms will also have Trusted Traveler status and TSA PreCheck expedited-screening benefits revoked for a period of time.

The duration of the disqualification will depend upon the seriousness of the offense and if there is a repeated history of violations.
Triad residents may get their first snowfall this winter as the forecast calls for a 30% to 40% chance of snow Monday night into Tuesday in Forsyth and Guilford counties.

The Triad might get a trace to up to 2 inches of snow depending on the track of the storm system through North Carolina, said Tom Kines, a senior meteorologist with Accuweather in State College, Pa.

If the storm moves south of the Triad, then it may produce a period of snow in the region, Kines said. If the storm moves further north, the Triad might get a cold rain or no precipitation at all, he said.

Thats the way it looks now, Kines said. Any time theres frozen precipitation in the South, its a big deal.

Neither Forsyth County nor Guilford County had any measurable snowfall in 2023, said Tom Green, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Raleigh.

The last measurable snowfall in Greensboro happened when 1.8 inches of snow fell Jan. 29, 2022 as recorded at Piedmont Triad International Airport, Green said.

Earlier in January 2022, Greensboro received a total of 8.2 inches of snow, Green said.

The storm Monday night into Tuesday will be a companion to this weekends major winter storm, which will bring frigid temperatures, heavy snow and blizzard conditions to the Midwest and Great Lakes regions.

The weekend weather will also result in heavy rain, coastal flooding and severe weather for the Southeast and East Coast, the weather service said.

Dangerously cold Arctic air will spread southward through the central United States this weekend, the weather service said.

The conditions for snow Monday night into Tuesday in the Triad and Northwest North Carolina are the result of cold air combining with a low-pressure system that will develop over the Carolinas coastline, said Ben Gruver, a weather-service meteorologist in Blacksburg, Va.

There is a chance of accumulating snow for the North Carolina mountains, Gruver said.

Monday nights forecast calls for a 30% to 40% chance of snow in Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Mount Airy, North Wilkesboro and Boone with low temperatures ranging from around 28 degrees in Forsyth County, around 29 degrees in Guilford and Surry counties, and around 24 degrees in Watauga County.

Tuesdays forecast calls for 30% chance of snow in Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Mount Airy and North Wilkesboro as well as a 40% chance of snow in Boone.

High temperatures will range from 39 degrees in the Triad, near 37 degrees in Surry and Wilkes counties and near 28 degrees in Watauga County.
Sydney Favors went to SUNY  Buffalo State College to study political science with the idea of becoming a prosecutor.

Then, in her senior year, she had a change of heart.

I began to think about, What if I put someone in prison unjustly?  she said. So, I decided, What if I became a teacher? That way I could prevent people from going to jail.' 

Favors heard the University at Buffalos Graduate School of Education was launching a year-long Teacher Residency Program to increase the ranks, diversity and retention of teachers in Buffalo amid a looming teacher shortage. She joined the pilot program weeks after graduating from Buffalo State.

Three years later, Favors has her masters in education from UB and is entering her second year as a social studies teacher at Frederick Law Olmsted High School in Buffalo. She plans to stay.

The Buffalo Public Schools made me, said Favors, an alum of Hutchinson Central Technical High School. I come from this community, and I want to support it.

That's exactly the type of commitment officials from UB and the city schools were hoping for when UB modeled its Teacher Residency Program after the medical student experience. The idea was to give aspiring teachers a deeper classroom experience and better mentoring than the traditional 15 weeks of student teaching, usually split between 7 to 8 weeks each in two different schools.

In contrast, the program allows anyone with a qualifying bachelors degree to spend a year of intensive training to be a teacher, including co-teaching and being mentored by a veteran teacher in a Buffalo public school classroom for the full school year. The program assists residents with an $18,000 stipend and requires they commit to three years of teaching in city schools afterward.

Favors was among the first 13 residents in 2019-20. Since then, the program has placed 70 new teachers in city school classrooms and demonstrated that residencies are the best way to train teachers and serve students, said Julie Gorlewski, senior associate dean for academic affairs and teacher education at UB Graduate School of Education.

Because its a full year, you dont have that situation where you are student teaching for eight weeks, and just when youre starting to hit your stride, you go to another school, Gorlewski said. In this model, the students also benefit from having better prepared teachers all year long.

The model has proven so successful that UB is moving to replace its student teaching requirement with year-long residencies for all students in its teacher education programs.

UB piloted the new requirement with five students last year, and this year upped it to 24.

That represents more than half of our student teachers for this year, and next year we will fully implement the residency requirement for more than 100 students, Gorlewski said.

The school isnt able to offer stipends to residents outside the Teacher Residency Program, but sees that as a goal, Gorlewski said.

We have applied for grant funding, and we are looking into apprenticeship models, as well as substitute teaching, to provide funding for these residencies, she said.

The Teacher Residency Program is funded by the Cullen Foundation, Oishei Foundation, U.S. Department of Education Teacher Quality Partnership Program and the National Science Foundations Noyce Scholars Program, said Amanda Winkelsas, director of the UB program.

Besides the pilot group of 13, another 15 completed the program in 2020-21, and 23 completed it last year. Nineteen start their residencies this week.

The initiative also is training more teachers from linguistically and ethnically diverse backgrounds that reflect the city student body, better preparing them to teach in an urban setting and retaining them to stay in the profession, Winkelsas said.

The 2022-23 cohort is the most diverse ever  32% are white, 47% are Black/African American, 11% are Hispanic/Latinx, and 11% are Asian or multiracial. Nearly half are first-generation college graduates. The residents include students who are bilingual or have advanced proficiency in Spanish, French, Urdu, Arabic, Brazilian, Portuguese, Swahili, Kinyarwanda, and Kirundi, Winkelsas said.

The program has also strengthened the partnership between UB and the Buffalo Public Schools with the goal of giving historically marginalized city school students the attention they need to succeed and producing learner-ready teachers with the support they need to do the work.

We have built a community of 70 residents, 60 mentors and more than 40 UB faculty, Winkelsas told a gathering of past and current residents and mentors at UBs Teacher Residency Summer Institute last month. We are doing hard work together and moving closer to the educational spaces that matter to students.

Favors and her friend Caitlin Orgek bonded as the first two social studies residents in 2019-20, and still rely on each other to plan curriculum and discuss ways to make their subject relevant to their students.

The students we serve need to know, Why are we learning this?  Favors said. Were teaching history and the Tops massacre, George Floyd, Asian hate, Covid and the Jan. 6 insurrection all happened while we were teaching in Buffalo public schools. We have to have those discussions.

In Orgeks residency at South Park High School, she experienced every aspect of the school year. This week, she starts teaching global history at East Community High School.

As residents, we were able to see from the beginning of the year to the end how teachers get to know their students, how they build on their curriculum and how they change and differentiate throughout the year and get students ready for a big exam, the Regents at the end of the year, she said.

You also form relationships with the students that you wouldnt with student teaching, she added. I have a student from two years ago who just graduated high school and I still keep in touch with her.

Gary Crump came through the program in 2020-21 and now teaches social studies at Olmsted High School. He changed his career from law to education for reasons similar to Favors.

I was working in criminal defense, and we had one particular case with an FBI sting operation involving young people from the South Bronx, Crump said. They were found guilty and the leader was sentenced to 75 years in prison, and his two lieutenants each received 50 years. And at that point I decided to pivot to education to provide young people, especially those in urban settings, with a different option.

Crump moved from New York City to Buffalo to attend the UB program, and plans to stay well beyond his three-year commitment. He knows he is making a difference to students here.

After the Tops shooting, I stopped instruction for two days and created a big circle where students could express their feelings and ask anything they wanted to, he said. They had become aware in a New York minute about the segregation that enabled the alleged perpetrator to come here and do what he did.

Crump said he sees the programs biggest benefit as UBs commitment to having a diverse cadre of teachers dedicated to making change and bringing joy to the classroom."

This is the future of teacher education, said Will Keresztes, the Buffalo schools' chief of administration, public affairs and planning. This is the deepest dive in New York State into teacher residencies.

Buffalo Schools Superintendent Tonja Williams said the Maasai people of East Africa greet one another with the question, How are the children?

That is the priority and the pulse in the community, she said.

Our children have experienced a lot in the last couple years, including a pandemic that has led them to experience isolation, grief, trauma  and sometimes the child who needs the most love asks for it in the most unloving ways, Williams added. So its a challenge to be a teacher, but this is also a time when its possible to really make a difference.

This program seems built just for this moment.
OPENING

American Fiction. Jeffrey Wright is a professor who drunkenly writes a parody of the "Black misery porn he hates and becomes a sensation in this crowd-pleaser that's both funny and smart in its satire of race, media, artists, identity politics and Hollywood. R. (Grand). Grade: B.

The Beekeeper. Jason Statham's brutal campaign for vengeance takes on national stakes after he is revealed to be a former operative of a powerful and clandestine organization in this action thriller that was not screened in advance for critics. R. Grand, East Park, Edgewood, SouthPointe).

The Book of Clarence. British musician-turned-filmmaker Jeymes Samuel has created an off-beat messiah story with a newly invented tale that runs parallel to the life and death of Jesus in ways both blithely blasphemous and sincerely Christian. It was not screened in time for Ground Zero deadlines. PG-13. (Grand).

Mean Girls. Writer Tina Fey presents a new twist on the comedy classic "Mean Girls" that finds a high school girl, who's welcomed into the top of the social food chain by the popular girls and has to fend off the "queen bee" when she starts dating her ex. PG-13. (Grand, East Park, Edgewood, SouthPointe). Grade: B-.

Monster. This superb Rashomon-like film from Japanese master Kore-eda Hirokazu presents a sadly beautiful story of a single mother accusing a teacher of abusing her son through each of their perspectives. PG-13. (Ross). Grade: A.

Soul. The Pixar 2020 Best Animation Oscar winner about a teacher and aspiring pianist who falls into a coma and tries to reunite his separated soul and body in time for his big break as a jazz musician returns to theaters. PG. (Grand, Edgewood). Grade: A.

ONGOING

Anyone But You. This romantic comedy is about a pair that breaks up after a few dates but has to pretend to be a couple at a destination wedding. R. (Grand, East Park, SouthPointe). Grade: C+.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Aquaman teams up with his brother, the former king of Atlantis, to protect their kingdoms and save the world from Black Manta in this superhero picture. PG-13. (Grand). Grade: B-.

The Boys In The Boat. Director George Clooney's tale of a University of Washington rowing crew that defies the odds to row for the United States in the 1936 Berlin Olympics is sweet, old-fashioned and, ultimately, good. PG-13. (Grand, Edgewood). Grade: B.

Fallen Leaves. An alcoholic construction worker and lonely woman who's been fired from her supermarket job come together in director Aki Kaurismaki's bleak, deadpan, sweetly funny romance that's one of the best pictures of 2023. Not rated. (Ross). Grade: A.

The Iron Claw. Zac Efron gives his best-ever performance in this bloody, devastating biopic about the Von Erich wrestling family. R. (Grand). Grade: B+.

Migration. A feathered family goes on a vacation like no other in the action-packed animated comedy. (East Park, Edgewood, SouthPointe). Grade: B.

Night Swim. This supernatural thriller that finds a family's backyard swimming pool unleashing a malevolent force is persuasively acted and quite effective in its first half, scattered and woozy in its second. PG.13. (Grand, East Park, Edgewood, SouthPointe). Grade: C.

Poor Things. Emma Stone gives a stunning performance as a woman created from scratch in this sometimes creepy, perpetually surprising black comedy. R. (Grand). Grade: A.

Wonka. This playful and heartstring-tugging musical take on the beloved Roald Dahl character  played by Timothee Chalamet  is smarter than it lets on. PG-13. (Grand, East Park, Edgewood, SouthPointe). Grade: B.

10 trending travel destinations inspired by TV shows and movies 10 trending travel destinations inspired by TV shows and movies Busteni, Romania: "Wednesday" Scottish Highlands: "Outlander" Richmond, UK: "Ted Lasso" Bath, UK: "Bridgerton" Pasadena, California: "Twilight" Brisbane, Australia: "Thor: Ragnarok" Budapest, Hungary: "The Witcher" Taormina, Sicily: "The White Lotus" Petra, Jordan: "Star Wars" Astoria, Oregon: "The Goonies"
A former longtime mentor of gifted students at Lincoln Public Schools pleaded guilty Thursday to receiving images of child sexual abuse.

In a deal with the U.S. Attorney's Office, Joseph Maciarz Jr., 62, agreed to a prison sentence of up to 12 years and seven months at his sentencing in April.

There is no parole in federal court.

Nebraska State Patrol troopers arrested Maciarz in February 2023 on state charges. He was later indicted on the allegations and is out of jail under federal supervision with the condition that he not use computers or any devices with internet access or have any contact with minors.

At Thursday's hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Molsen said on Nov. 5, 2022, a State Patrol investigator discovered files depicting child sexual abuse that had been shared through a peer-to-peer network online.

The IP address tracked back to Maciarz's home in Lincoln, where law enforcement served a search warrant on Jan. 19, 2023.

Molsen said investigators found more than 4,000 files depicting minors, victims ranging from infants to 9-year-olds, engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

He said Maciarz, who was home when investigators came, said he had been downloading and uploading child pornography off and on for the past 20 years.

Magistrate Judge Cheryl Zwart asked Maciarz if everything Molsen said was true, to which he answered "yes."

Maciarz had been a contracted gifted mentor for LPS since December 1994, and most recently assigned to Sheridan Elementary School and Scott Middle School.

His employment with the district ended in January 2023.

Top Journal Star photos for January 2024
An inmate at a Lincoln prison who was serving a life sentence for a 2006 murder in Douglas County died Friday, according to the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services.

Ryan Poe, 39, of Omaha, was sentenced in July 2006 for the murder of 23-year-old Trever Lee in Douglas County during a robbery.

Poe was serving a life sentence and being treated for a medical condition at the Reception and Treatment Center in Lincoln.

Poe was one of three men who broke into Lee's Omaha townhouse. Lee attempted to fight off the robbers and was shot six times, according to trial testimony.

Out of the three men involved in the crime, Poe was the only one convicted of the murder.

Poe tried to appeal his case to the Nebraska Supreme Court, saying his original defense lawyer was inept. The court rejected the argument, finding no justification to proceed with the appeal.

A grand jury will investigate Poe's death, as is procedure with any inmate who dies while in custody.

Top Journal Star photos for January 2024
Lincoln Public Schools called off classes Friday  the third snow day this week  ahead of another round of winter expected to bring dangerously cold wind chills and more snow to Lincoln.

Superintendent Paul Gausman made the decision to close schools at about 7:20 p.m. Thursday.

LPS also called snow days on Monday and Tuesday.

Lincoln is under a winter storm warning until 9 p.m. Friday with 4-7 inches of snow possible. A wind chill advisory will go into effect from midnight until noon Friday, with wind chills of minus-20 degrees possible.

Photos: Lincoln students enjoy second snow day sledding at Holmes Lake
While Attorney General Hilgers has shown great skill at legislating on behalf of executive priorities, I prefer my elected representative  state senators  to do the lawmaking.

Hilgers has already successfully steered the Legislature away from its oversight mission by defanging inspectors general offices via his "non-binding" opinion on the offices' originating legislation. No law was changed, but the access to two executive-run agencies is now limited.

Next, we were treated to the slathering of First Amendment legal theories on Second Amendment yearnings, as expressed in another "non-binding" opinion by AG Hilgers on the reach of Sen. Tom Brewer's ill-advised concealed carry law. As Hilgers sees it, Supreme Court opinions that limit the government's ability to prohibit speech in "quintessentially public" spaces also apply to limiting guns in those spaces.

Uh, no.

Urban senators, I support the mayors of Lincoln and Omaha and their police forces on sensible guardrails around Sen. Brewer's Wild West fantasy. You should too. It's time to defend the text of the law from "non-binding" opinions that obscure it.

Now, Hilgers wishes to insert himself in the ongoing legislative debate over cannabis prohibitions. Because why not? The Nebraska courts have signaled that even the people themselves, via their so-called petition rights, are powerless to break that conservative taboo.

Like they say, nature abhors a vacuum. Perhaps it especially abhors a power vacuum. Senators need to get it together on behalf of us, the increasingly powerless public.

Right now.

Gregory Wees, Omaha
The extreme cold forecast for this weekend will bring with it risks to homeless people, travelers, homeowners and others.

Wind chills had already dropped below zero Thursday in advance of a winter storm that was expected to bring another 4-7 inches of snow to the Lincoln area.

Lincoln Public Schools called off classes Friday, the district's third snow day of the week. Monday and Tuesday were also snow days.

A winter storm warning went into effect at 3 p.m. Thursday and the city declared a snow emergency for the second time this week. A parking ban on arterial streets, emergency snow routes and school and bus routes was set to go into effect at 8 p.m.

Once the snow moves out, Lincoln will be facing extreme cold, with wind chills below minus 20 from early Saturday morning into Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service office in Valley.

Lincoln is in a wind chill advisory from 12 a.m.-noon Friday and again from 9 p.m. Friday-6 a.m. Saturday, at which point a wind chill warning kicks in and goes until noon Tuesday.

The weather service forecasts that wind chills could fall as low as minus 40 in Lincoln Sunday morning.

Frostbite is possible within 15 minutes when wind chill temperatures reach minus 25 degrees.

Those in most danger are people with no place to stay. Tom Barber, CEO of the People's City Mission, said those who have no shelter should come to the mission at 110 Q St.

"If you do not have a place to stay, come to the mission. We will find the room," said Barber.

Barber said he is even telling the unhoused community to spread the word among themselves about the mission. He said he doesn't want to hear about dead bodies being found over the weekend.

In addition to LPS, Doane and Southeast Community Colleges closed their Lincoln campuses.

With temperatures dropping to single-digit highs Friday through Monday, the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department is reminding residents about the dangers of carbon monoxide.

Approximately 420 Americans die yearly from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. During winter storms, carbon monoxide poisoning can result from people trying to heat their homes.

The Health Department recommends checking smoke alarms, not warming up vehicles inside garages, not using gas ovens or other gasoline- and charcoal-burning devices to heat your home, and never operating a portable generator inside any indoor space.

Travelers also could be at risk from the extreme cold if they become stranded.

The Nebraska State Patrol recommends any motorist who becomes stranded during the winter storm should stay with their vehicle and wait for help.

While this storm brings another blast of snow for most of Nebraska, an added danger comes from the extremely cold temperatures were expecting, said Colonel John Bolduc, superintendent of the State Patrol. If youre traveling during this storm or over the next several days, its critical to be prepared in the event you become stranded.

Top Journal Star photos for January 2024
The University of Nebraska finalized a plan to cut $12 million from its budget by trimming areas related to instruction and operations, as well as reducing its budget for diversity and inclusion.

Chancellor Rodney Bennett announced the finalized budget cuts, which were made public last November, in a message to UNL faculty, students and staff on Thursday.

The need to enact budget cuts stems from a $23 million structural deficit created by dwindling enrollment and increased costs. UNL previously finalized nearly $11 million in cuts last June.

"This is an essential step to remain good stewards of the resources entrusted to us by the people of Nebraska," Bennett wrote in his email.

The chancellor said last year the cuts, which will eliminate 30 staff positions and move others off state funding, were designed to increase efficiencies while avoiding impacts to programs.

But the Academic Planning Committee, which reviews budget-cutting proposals put forward by the administration, recommended against UNL making two of the suggested cuts.

First, the Academic Planning Committee advised against cutting $800,000 from the university's budget for diversity and inclusion programs, citing in part the comments submitted by more than 100 people.

In its recommendation, the committee said the amount targeted by administrators was "disproportional to the other proposed reductions" considered by UNL.

The reduction accounted for 6.7% of UNL's total budget cuts, while the Office of Diversity and Inclusion makes up 0.1% of the campus's total operating budget.

The letter from the Academic Planning Committee also outlined concerns about how the cuts would be perceived on and off campus.

"Since the announcement of the proposed reductions, APC has been informed that this issue currently dominates student discussions across the campuses, indicating a serious concern about the university's commitment to DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion)," chair Mehmet Can Vuran wrote.

The planning committee also took issue with administrators identifying $2 million in savings by reducing funds for instructional efficiency, many of which help graduate teaching assistants.

"The committee has received significant feedback from our faculty, students, and alumni through the public feedback process, providing strong support for UNL's graduate teaching assistantship practices," the committee said.

Grad students teach courses, conduct research and "provide a welcoming environment for all students," the committee told UNL's administration.

Moving those positions to other funds was "not a fiscally strategic option," Can Vuran wrote, but one which could make UNL less competitive for graduate students in the future.

Bennett, in a Jan. 11 letter to the Academic Planning Committee, said he engaged university leaders to find alternatives to proposed cuts, but that effort was unsuccessful, meaning the reductions would go into effect as proposed.

"I do not take this action lightly," the chancellor wrote. "I understand the concerns about these reductions raised by both the APC and some members of our campus community."

He said it was important UNL remain a good steward of its limited resources.

"Eliminating the $12M deficit that has been carried forward from the previous fiscal year is one important way to do that," Bennett said.

The cuts finalized by UNL include:

* $2.9 million in reductions to administrative positions, money pools and stipends.

* $2.9 million from units managed by the executive vice chancellor's office.

* $1.4 million from information technology, communications, business services and student services.

* $1.2 million from the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

* $800,000 from the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

* $460,000 to state-aided programming in the offices of undergraduate education and student success.

* $194,000 from the Office of Research and Economic Development's state-aided budget.

* $139,500 from Student Affairs' state-aided budget.

Top Journal Star photos for January 2024
Preston Love Jr. plans to make another run for the U.S. Senate.

The longtime North Omaha community and civil rights advocate is expected to formally announce Jan. 17 that he will seek the Democratic Party nomination in the special election this fall to finish the last two years of former U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse's Senate term.

Incumbent GOP Sen. Pete Ricketts, who was appointed to Sasse's open seat, launched his campaign in August for election to the seat.

Love confirmed his plans Thursday, saying he wants to represent all Nebraskans, not only North Omaha.

"I know I'm an underdog, but we're going to run at it real strongly," Love said.

He said he will place "people over privilege and people over politics" and will bridge economic, geographic, racial and other gaps.

"I'm running a lot to bridge the gaps," said Love, 81. "I've been about that my whole career."

Democrat Todd Newbold of Omaha also has filed for the seat.

Love launched a late write-in Senate candidacy in September 2020 with the backing of the Nebraska Democratic Party after scandal engulfed the Democratic nominee, Chris Janicek. Love received 58,411 votes.

Sasse won that 2020 election, but resigned from the Senate in 2022, about two years into his six-year term. Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, Ricketts' successor in the governor's office, appointed Ricketts in January to Sasse's open seat.

The Nov. 5 election will determine who will finish the final two years of Sasse's six-year term. The seat will be up for election again in 2026.

Love, 81, has long been active in politics and civil rights and community advocacy in Omaha, where he grew up and has lived since returning in 2006, and elsewhere, including working as deputy campaign manager for Jesse Jackson's 1984 presidential campaign.

In Omaha, Love started and runs the Black Votes Matter Institute of Community Engagement, a nonprofit organization that aims to educate and mobilize voters. He teaches a class at the University of Nebraska at Omaha on the African American experience in politics.

Top Journal Star photos for January 2024
Some of Nebraska's top law enforcement officers and other state officials gathered Thursday at the Capitol to continue sounding the alarm on what the attorney general described as "the scourge of human trafficking around the state of Nebraska."

Flanked at a ceremony by Lt. Gov Joe Kelly and the head of the Nebraska State Patrol, Attorney General Mike Hilgers exalted the work of law enforcement, lawmakers, nonprofit advocates and vigilant residents who, he said, have worked together to combat the transportation and coercion of victims of forced labor or sexual exploitation.

And Kelly, a former prosecutor, read a proclamation signed ahead of time by Gov. Jim Pillen declaring January 2024 as "Human Trafficking Awareness Month" in the state. Pillen issued a similar proclamation last year.

The ceremony  held on National Human Trafficking Awareness Day and attended by dozens of state senators, advocates and law enforcement officers  marked the state's latest effort to spotlight the issue, even as criminal prosecutions of alleged traffickers remain rare in Nebraska.

Thursday's ceremony coincided with a report released by Hilgers' office that showed there were nine sex trafficking defendants convicted of felonies in Nebraska in 2023. Their sentences "varied from probation to imprisonment," according to the report.

That sum is the lowest annual total since 2020. There were 11 sex trafficking defendants convicted of felonies in 2021 and another 13 statewide in 2022.

And the State Patrol's human trafficking hotline, launched in October 2022, received 98 calls last year, leading to 67 law enforcement tips and 21 police dispatches.

Tips from the hotline prompted law enforcement inquiries in parts of the state as far west as Morrill County and as far east as the Nebraska-Iowa border, "some of which have already led to investigations and prosecutions," according to the report.

"People think it happens only in Omaha, it happens only in Lincoln, it happens only in the big cities," Hilgers said. "It happens everywhere. No matter what the community is in the state of Nebraska, it will touch those places. So we have to open our eyes to everything around the state."

Col. John Bolduc, who leads the State Patrol, said there "have been very high profile cases" in rural communities, where he said traffickers seem to have "some notion that they're immune from detection."

"It's really happening in very rural communities just as well as it's happening in the population centers," Bolduc said.

Among Hilgers' top legislative priorities this year is a bill introduced by Sen. Christy Armendariz of Omaha that would allow Hilgers' office to pursue legal action against internet content providers when those websites allow depiction of seemingly non-consensual sex to be shared on or distributed through their websites.

Hilgers has said the first-of-its-kind proposal (LB1096) will give his office another tool to combat human trafficking. At Thursday's ceremony, he called it "maybe one of the most consequential bills that we can bring to help victims in Nebraska, but also around the country."

The proposed legislation would be the latest in a series of new laws in Nebraska meant to help authorities fight trafficking.

The Legislature has twice raised criminal penalties for traffickers in the last decade and in 2016 immunized trafficking victims from prostitution charges, among other changes to state law outlined in Hilgers' office's report.

Nebraska's Human Trafficking Hotline, where the public can report suspected sex or labor trafficking, can be reached 24 hours per day at 833-PLS-LOOK (833-757-5665).

Photos: Nebraska Legislature gavels in for first day of 2024 session
PARENTING | ADVICE

Shared or personal-use electric scooters (e-scooters) are common in cities and on college campuses across the United States. Much like bike shares, you can find them on the street, unlock them with a smartphone app and leave them at your destination. But there is a cost to convenience: E-scooter-related emergency room visits have spiked.

It is important to be aware of dangers and regulations surrounding e-scooters and how to keep kids safe as riders or pedestrians.

Common injuries

If you fall off an e-scooter, which can travel up to 20 miles per hour, you are going to get hurt.

The most common injuries are cuts, fractures and head injuries. Some of these injuries are severe. Many of these injuries are caused by incidents with motor vehicles or user-control issues of the e-scooter.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under 16  who are too young to have a driver's license  should not operate or ride on motorized or e-scooters.

Helmets are recommended

All scooters pose a similar risk of head injury compared with bikes. Helmets are the best way to prevent serious head injuries, but usage remains low.

A 2017 survey found that parents were less likely to make their child or adolescent wear a helmet while riding a scooter when compared with riding a bike. Only 57% of parents said they would make their child or adolescent wear a helmet while riding a scooter.

When signing up on the apps to rent e-scooters, riders are asked to wear helmets; yet helmets are not provided.

Always make sure to wear a helmet when using an e-scooter; parents also should wear helmets to model this positive behavior to children.

Risks of injury or death

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a recent study showing that there are about 14 injuries per 100,000 trips on motorized scooters. Some of these injuries were severe.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission in 2021, there were an estimated 42,200 emergency-room visits due to e-scooter injuries. This number shows a 66% increase from 2020.

E-scooters were responsible for 68 deaths from 2017 through 2021.

E-scooter injuries in children are increasing, which is likely due to the rising popularity of e-scooter sharing apps. It is important that parents are aware of the dangers and regulations surrounding e-scooters.

Other things to keep in mind

Understand that e-scooters are easily accessible to minors. Many cities set an age restriction of 16 years and up to operate e-scooters, but most do not have a way to verify a user's age, so children and teenagers are able to sign up on an app without parental consent.

Make sure your children know the rules and your expectations. Check their phones if you have concerns.

Law enforcement can issue traffic violations to those who break those rules. A juvenile age 16 or over is treated as an adult for traffic offenses. For younger offenders, however, a court can require a parent or guardian to appear personally at court hearings and pay a fine.

Make sure you understand how to operate an e-scooter safely before riding it. They accelerate without you pedaling, and they have a different center of balance that takes getting used to.

Talk with your college-aged children about the dangers of operating e-scooters while texting, listening to music, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

10 safety guidelines for e-scooter riders

1 children under 16 should not operate or ride on motorized or e-scooters. in some cities, it is illegal for kids under 16 to use an e-scooter.

2 Wear a helmet and closed-toe shoes.

Wearing a helmet may prevent or reduce the severity of e-scooter injuries. an adult who falls off an e-scooter is just as likely to hit their head as a child.

3 Wear protective gear. this includes elbow pads and kneepads and reflective gear when riding at night.

4 Start slow. the accelerator and braking tabs on the handles can take getting used to.

5 no texting and riding. use both hands to operate the scooter.

6 no earbuds in. Be aware of your surroundings.

7 use bike lanes when available. if they're not available, riders should stay on the right side of the road.

8 do not ride e-scooters on sidewalks, beach paths or parks. this puts pedestrians at risk of injury as well as riders.

9 do not operate an e-scooter while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or even some prescription medicines. Parents should set an example for their children in this regard.

10 E-scooters are not allowed on highways. Many e-scooter accidents involve motor vehicles. Be aware when riding an e-scooter on busy streets.
NEW YORK  Snapchat will now give parents the option to block their teens from interacting with the apps My AI chatbot following some questions about the tools safety for young people.

The change will mean that if parents opt to turn off the tool, teens can message My AI but the chatbot will respond only with a note that it has been disabled.

Thursdays announcement is part of a broader set of additions to Snapchats parental oversight tool Family Center.

Snap rolled out My AI in April, a launch that was quickly met with worries from parents about whether it was healthy for their children to be conversing with a highly personalized computer chatbot.

Snapchat said in a blog post Thursday that My AI already included protections against inappropriate or harmful responses, temporary usage restrictions if Snapchatters repeatedly misuse the service, and age-awareness.

Snapchat will also now offer parents visibility into their teens safety and privacy settings in the Family Center. A parent can see who their child shares their Stories posts with, who is able to contact their child on the app and whether their child is sharing their location with friends on the apps live Snap Map feature.

The changes are just the latest updates to Family Center, which lets parents supervise the behavior of 13- to 17-year-old users. The feature launched in 2022 amid widespread concerns about the safety of young users on Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and other social media platforms.

A federal judge in November ruled that Snapchat parent company Snap, along with Google, Meta and TikTok, must face a lawsuit alleging that their services addicted teen users and caused other mental health harms. The companies had moved to dismiss the lawsuit on First Amendment grounds and cited the legal shield known as Section 230.

Since the Family Center launch, Snapchat has continued to roll out various youth safety measures, including a strike system introduced in September for accounts promoting content inappropriate for teens in its Stories and Spotlight sections, where users can share content publicly on the app.

Family Center reflects the dynamics of real-world relationships between parents and teens, where parents have insight into who their teens are spending time with, while still respecting the privacy of their personal communications, the company said in its post.

The platform is also aiming to make Family Center easier to find. The feature can now be accessed in the settings section, or by tapping near the bitmoji icon at the top left of the apps home screen and searching relevant terms such as safety, family or parent.

Thursdays update comes ahead of a planned appearance by Snap CEO Evan Spiegel at a Senate subcommittee hearing later this month about youth safety on social media. Spiegel will be joined by executives from Meta, TikTok, X and Discord.

___

How to take a break from social media Be easy on yourself and ask for help about social media use Helpful exercise to remind you what you're missing by scrolling Use your phone's screen-time tracking feature and limit social media use Physically distance yourself from your phone and apps Benefits of taking a social media break Reevaluate what you want out of social media Two and a half hours.
Meteorologist Sean Sublette examines the timing of the heavier snow, how long it will last, and how much will fall.
While travel is not advised, thats not the case for one set of winter enthusiasts.

The Dane County Council of Snowmobile Clubs announced Friday that the snowmobile season has begun.

All 500 miles of trail in the county were set to be open at 3 p.m. Friday, meaning trails in southern Wisconsin are opening before those in the states northern reaches, where snowfalls have been sparse. But unlike the Northwoods, where much of the trail network uses public forest land and frozen lakes, about 75% the Dane County trail system uses seasonal easements over private property.

The trail groomer for the Waunakee Winter Wanderers Snowmobile Club began working the clubs trail Thursday night and came in Friday morning.

We just had to run the system to see if we had any downed trees, said Sam Landes, one of the clubs members, and president of the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs. Theyre beautiful. I shouldnt even be talking to you. I should be on my sled.

The countys 17 snowmobile clubs hold organized rides and radar runs, set up the trail markers, groom the trails and hold chili suppers, pancake breakfasts and other events to raise funds. Clubs also receive funds from trail passes and state registration fees.

Wisconsin is home to 25,000 miles of snowmobile trails, but only trails in all or parts of eight southern and southwestern counties in the state were open or planning to open on Friday.

In Iowa County, all trails are open and have been groomed at least once with a 7- to 11-inch base, according to the Travel Wisconsin snow report.

Columbia County trails were schedule to open at 3 p.m. Friday, but riders are being asked to use extreme caution.

Conditions can change from field to field quickly, so be careful, the report states. All lakes, rivers, streams and ponds are not safe. Safety and good judgment is the riders responsibility.

All trails also are open in Green County and are in fair condition, while in Crawford County, trails from Gays Mills east to Rolling Ground and Boscobel are now open. The trails from Gays Mills west and south to Prairie du Chien are being inspected and will hopefully be ready by the weekend, according to the report.

Grant Countys 408 miles of trail are all open and groomers have been out in some areas, according to reports. However, in all counties, trail conditions can change due to blowing and drifting snow and downed trees.

Richland County officials are hoping to have their trail system open by Saturday, as long as cattle have been moved off areas where trails are located, they said, while in Juneau County, all trails are open and in fair condition.

Oxford trails are open in Marquette County, but all other trails remain closed due to low snow totals and base conditions. Meanwhile a lack of frost is causing mud and slush conditions in most areas. The 224-mile Jefferson County trail system was scheduled to open at 3 p.m. Friday, according to a press release issued shortly after noon.

Photos: Grooming the snowmobile trail in northern Dane County Grooming the snowmobile trail Grooming the snowmobile trail Grooming the snowmobile trail Grooming the snowmobile trail Grooming the snowmobile trail Grooming the snowmobile trail Grooming the snowmobile trail Grooming the snowmobile trail Grooming the snowmobile trail Grooming the snowmobile trail Grooming the snowmobile trail Grooming the snowmobile trail Grooming the snowmobile trail Grooming the snowmobile trail Grooming the snowmobile trail Grooming the snowmobile trail Grooming the snowmobile trail
The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a Republican bid to reconsider the courts decision finding the GOP-drawn legislative maps unconstitutional.

The courts affirmation of its December decision keeps the case on the fast track, with proposed legislative maps due Friday. The maps that the court picks, which are highly likely to give Democrats more legislative seats in both chambers, are due to be in place for the 2024 elections.

Republicans asked the court to reconsider its December decision, saying the timeline for submitting new maps was too short and that the court didnt properly heed their arguments throughout the case.

In response, attorneys for Democratic Gov. Tony Evers said the Republican request was nothing more than an attempt to rehash and reframe arguments they lost.

Conservative justices Annette Ziegler, Brian Hagedorn and Rebecca Bradley dissented from the court decision rejecting Republicans motion to reconsider.

Democrats filed the lawsuit challenging the Republican-drawn legislative maps in August, one day after liberals gained a Wisconsin Supreme Court majority. The lawsuit alleged the states legislative maps approved in 2022, which are largely similar to previous maps drawn in 2011, are unconstitutional and must be redrawn.

In a 4-3 decision, the court ruled the current Republican-drawn maps violate the Wisconsin Constitutions requirement that legislative districts be contiguous, and ordered new boundaries by the 2024 election. The justices identified several districts, including in the Madison area, that are dotted with small, Swiss cheese-like holes that represent neighborhoods assigned to different representatives.

The decision called for new maps whose districts include contiguous territory. The majority also said the maps should not favor one party over the other, a decision that amounts to a big Democratic win because experts say the current legislative maps have a baked-in Republican advantage.

Clock ticking

Additionally, the December decision called for parties to propose new remedial maps by Friday. It will then have two court-hired redistricting consultants evaluate the maps by Feb. 1. The court would then choose maps unless the Legislature first proposes new maps that Evers signs into law.

The courts order, lawyers for the Republican defendants and intervenors said in late December, is geared toward delivering new maps by the 2024 elections, without regard to existing district lines, and thereby changing the outcome of the 2024 election, as promised.

In response, Democratic plaintiffs said mere disagreement with the courts decision isnt a proper basis for the court to rethink its December order.

Other issues

The GOP motion also raised two potential issues that will likely be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court: liberal Justice Janet Protasiewicz not recusing herself from the case despite receiving funds from Democrats and calling the current maps rigged while she was a candidate for the court, and an alleged violation of the 14th Amendments due process guarantee that deprives the parties of a full and fair opportunity to litigate this case.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs called the motion to reconsider a ploy to turn the state court decision about the application of state constitutional law into a federal issue.

Respondents attempt to charge this Court with federal due process violations because its Decision does not cement their partisan advantage, attorneys for Evers said. Due process cannot be stretched so far.
The four liberal justices on the Wisconsin Supreme Court didnt improperly hire the current director of state courts, the Wisconsin Judicial Commission told Justice Rebecca Dallet on Wednesday after the former court director filed several complaints alleging wrongdoing.

In response, three of the four liberal justices on the states highest court urged the Wisconsin Judicial Commission to process meritless complaints faster, saying it has been hijacked by partisan actors. They also accused former state court director Randy Koschnick of breaking the law by making the complaints public.

We implore the Commission to take all steps necessary to ensure that it does not continue to be used as a weapon against judicial independence, justices Dallet, Janet Protasiewicz and Jill Karofsky told the commission Thursday, according to letters obtained by the Wisconsin State Journal.

Frivolous complaints must be dismissed with expediency and those who violate the rules and statutes governing the Commission must be held to account, they continued.

After liberals assumed the Wisconsin Supreme Court majority in August, one of the justices first moves was to fire Koschnick, a reserve judge, who was known to be a conservative.

The justices then hired Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Audrey Skwierawski as the interim, then permanent, director of state courts.

Key position

The state court director is Wisconsins top nonjudicial court officer, helping maintain the statewide computer system for the courts, hiring state court personnel and directing judicial education.

Soon after his firing, Koschnick announced he filed several complaints against the justices and his replacement with the Wisconsin Judicial Commission, alleging the hiring of Skwierawski wasnt constitutional. He pointed to a section of the state Constitution prohibiting judges from obtaining another office of public trust.

Five months after the complaints were filed, Judicial Commission executive director Jeremiah Van Hecke told Dallet that there was no evidence of misconduct within the jurisdiction of the Commission to warrant further action or consideration by the Commission.

In response, attorneys for Skwierawski said she feels gratified and vindicated by the commissions finding.

An admonition

Dallet, Protasiewicz and Karofsky said they appreciate the commission dismissing the complaints. But they added that the commission could do better to protect judicial independence in Wisconsin, alleging that Koschnick violated a state law requiring matters before the commission to be confidential unless the judges involved make it public.

Judge Koschnicks antics were nothing more than a partisan attempt to undermine the courts authority to hire his successor, they said. We are disappointed that it took five months to address these meritless complaints and there is seemingly no consequence for Judge Koschnicks actions.

The justices further encouraged the commission to signal both to Judge Koschnick, and any others tempted to flout the confidentiality laws, that such violations will bring swift and sure public admonition and discipline.

In an interview, Koschnick said the confidentiality law doesnt apply to talking about the complaint that he filed, adding that it only limits discussing proceedings related to the complaint. He said he had a First Amendment right to talk about the complaints, as well as a moral civic duty to expose corrupt public officials, especially when those officials are justices on the state Supreme Court.
1. Yes. It will be convenient and the fares are cheap. I plan to use the transit system often.

2. Yes. I have a vehicle, but I may still use the service now and then, especially in bad weather.

3. No. I dont use the current bus service, and I dont plan to use the micro-transit service either.

4. No. It may be fine in town, but it still involves a transfer for longer trips. That wont work.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say. It depends on how well the service works once its in place.

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Kearney resident, 79

KEARNEY  Monty L. Splitter, 79, of Kearney, went to his eternal home on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, surrounded by family at CHI Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Kearney. Pastor John Rasmussen will officiate and private family burial will be at a later date. Family will greet friends one hour prior to services at the church on Monday. Memorials are suggested to the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department. Please visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a tribute or message of condolence. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services of Kearney is in charge of arrangements.

Monty was born on Dec. 20, 1944, in Julesburg, Colorado, to Delmont and Lois (Johnson) Splitter. He grew up in Big Springs, Nebraska, until graduating from Big Springs High School in May 1963. After graduation, Monty enrolled at Kearney State College and worked part time for Kearney Plumbing and Heating, kickstarting a 45-year career in the plumbing and building inspection field. His invaluable knowledge was recognized and appreciated, retiring in 2010 as the Master Plumber and Building Inspector for the City of Kearney. Monty also proudly served the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department from 19781993 where he became an EMT, rescue and recovery diver and a captain. Monty was a jack of all trades and continued to provide service to the community and surrounding area with his skills doing plumbing and building inspections, teaching classes, and was a proud member of the Holy Cross Lutheran Church.

In March of 1997 Monty met Brenda Sue Pierce and July 18, 1998, they were united in marriage. Monty had many fond memories of his youth he would share from time to time. From age 6-13 he and his sister, Janet, ages 4-11, would ride the Greyhound bus from Big Springs to Burns Junction, Wyoming. Their Aunt Ople would meet them at the bus station to go to the ranch in Carpenter, Wyoming, where they would spend their summers with her and Robert Rochilitz. Monty never met a stranger and could strike up a conversation easily with his humor and wit. In his spare time, he enjoyed woodworking, scuba diving, trapshooting, and home brewing beer and wine.

Monty will be remembered for all the heart he shared with his friends and family. He truly loved each of them  and if you knew him, you knew it. When his time came, he carried himself with dignity, strength, and full of love for those who went before him and those he left behind. He will be missed dearly.

Monty was preceded in death by his grandpa Joe Johnson, sister Janet Splitter, mother Lois Splitter, father Delmont Splitter, Minnie Splitter, and grandson Joshua Pierce.

He is survived by his loving wife, Brenda Sue Splitter; siblings, Sue Campton (Chuck) of Canon City, Colorado, and Diana Kellermeyer, of Sahuarita, Arizona. Donald Kuskie (Susan) of Littleton, Colorado, Susan Klemme (Bruce) of Greeley, Colorado, Ann Stanley of Glasgow, Montana. Son, Mike Splitter of Beatrice. Brian Pierce (Debi) of Omaha. Laura Dragoo (Ruben) of Shawnee, Kansas. Grandson, Bradly Pierce (Sarah) of Omaha. Granddaughters, Casee Viger (Casey) of Wilber, Carlie Dragoo of Hallam, and Danielle Dragoo (Josiah) of Clatonia. Great-grandchildren, Mason, Blair and Callan Pierce of Omaha. Many cousins, nieces, and nephews as well as extended family.
A 39-year-old La Crosse man is being held in the La Crosse County Jail on a $10,000 cash bond after he was accused of battering a woman.

Odell A. Thompson was charged in La Crosse County Circuit Court with felony counts of strangulation/suffocation, false imprisonment and battery/intent to cause bodily harm and a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct.

According to the criminal complaint, police were called Jan. 4 to a Cameron Avenue address in La Crosse, where police were tipped off to a domestic violence incident in progress. A witness told police she was on the phone with a woman who could be heard saying, Dont hit me before a loud thud occurred.

The complaint says the woman ran out the back door as police arrived. She was described as hysterical and emotional and couldnt speak clearly. Thompson opened the front door and was reportedly upset by the presence of law enforcement. The complaint says Thompson told police he hadnt seen the woman in the past 45 minutes.

The woman was taken to the police station, where she was interviewed. She told police about a Nov. 3 assault Thompson committed against her and showed photos of herself with multiple bruises and scratches. Police determined the injuries were consistent with being struck by a hand and strangled.

A warrant was issued Jan. 11 for Thompsons arrest, and he turned himself in less than 24 hours later.

La Crosse County assistant District Attorney Nick Passe asked for the $10,000 cash bond. He said there is evidence that Thompson is intimidating the victim into recanting her story.

Judge Mark Huesmann rejected defense counsels request for a signature bond. He cited Thompsons criminal record.

The defendant has a long and demonstrated history of assaultive behavior, Huesmann said.

Thompson returns to court Jan. 18 for a preliminary hearing.
Bernard Cecil Cohen, the former acting chancellor of UW-Madison and a groundbreaking political scientist who helped reform and expand the universitys political science department, died Tuesday after a brief health decline. He was 97.

Cohen, who studied foreign policy and mass medias role in shaping it, spent three decades at UW-Madison, first joining the faculty in 1959 and later serving as chair of the political science department. Cohen then transitioned into administrative roles, including associate dean of the graduate school in the 1970s and vice chancellor of academic affairs in the 1980s.

Cohen was the acting chancellor in January 1987 after the retirement of former Chancellor Irving Shain. Cohen returned to the position of vice chancellor for academic affairs in January 1988, when former Chancellor Donna Shalala was appointed. Cohen retired from UW-Madison in 1990.

Born Feb. 22, 1926, to Louis Cohen and Lena Slotnick Cohen in Northampton, Massachusetts, Cohen spent his childhood years there and attended Yale University, where he earned his bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees, all in international relations, between 1948 and 1952, according to a UW-Madison obituary. Cohen met his wife, Laura, of 77 years in 1945 while she was attending Womens College of the University of North Carolina and he was at the nearby Fort Bragg Army base; they married Sept. 1, 1947, in Philadelphia.

Cohen then taught at Princeton University for eight years before joining UW-Madison.

In a 2018 interview with UW-Madison, Cohen said his time as chancellor was meant to keep the university afloat as it searched for its next leader.

In a social media post, UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin remembered Cohen as wise, funny and an excellent storyteller.

Professor Cohen was a highly regarded political scientist of national prominence who served with distinction in many roles at UWMadison, including acting chancellor, Mnookin said in a statement. At a lunch we spent together, I especially appreciated his warmth and wisdom. He was full of great stories about UWMadison, an institution that benefitted so much from his scholarship and leadership.

Cohen was a pioneer in the intersection of foreign policy and mass media, said Professor Emeritus Edward Friedman. Hired by Cohen in the late 1960s, Friedman said Cohens leadership as the political science department chair transformed the department into what it is today.

Cohen had an interest in hiring excellent people who had previously been shut out of academia, Friedman said. That involved hiring more women at a time when the old boys club still ran rampant in academia, Friedman explained.

It was under Bernie that (the political science department) moved out into international relations and comparative politics and became the much fuller department that it is today, Friedman said. I end up thinking that he did more for this department as a whole, for the university as a whole, rather than that in his own scholarship.

War protests

Cohens studies came at a time when the traditional wisdom insisted the American public didnt care much, if at all, about foreign policy, UW-Madison Political Science Department Chair Jon Pevehouse said. But Pevehouse suspects Cohen saw the public unrest that accompanied the Vietnam War and thought differently.

He saw other manifestations of public opinion really seeming to matter for the conduct of American foreign policy. And so, in that way, he very much pushed back against the received wisdom, Pevehouse said.

Cohen wrote four books and edited a fifth examining foreign policy and how public opinion shaped it. One of his best-known works, The Press and Foreign Policy, analyzed the power dynamic between Washington, D.C., news correspondents and foreign policy agenda-setters in the U.S. government. In it, Cohen studied the influence news media had in setting foreign policy based on the ways reporters could shape public opinion.

Next generation

A giant in political science and at UW-Madison, Cohen was humble, Pevehouse said. The twos academic careers never crossed, but Pevehouse got to know Cohen as he would look to UW-Madison for speakers as part of his current events lecture series at the Capitol Lakes retirement community in downtown Madison.

Cohen also taught the next generation of thinkers in foreign policy and international relations but wouldnt brag about his students accomplishments. Instead, Cohen always insisted he simply tried his best, Pevehouse said.

I enjoyed that about him ... I knew how important he was to the university and the field (of political science), and the department, and yet, if you just met him on the street, you would just have absolutely no idea, Pevehouse said.

40 notable people who attended UW-Madison Virgil Abloh Shirley Abrahamson Stephen Ambrose Don Ameche Carol Bartz Steve Bornstein Laurel Clark Barbara Crabb Joan Cusack Ron Dayne Ada Deer Hector DeLuca August Derleth Andre De Shields Conrad Elvehjem William T. Evjue Jeff Greenfield Lorraine Hansberry Kevin Henkes Mary Hinkson bell hooks Jane Kaczmarek Robert M. La Follette Charles Lindbergh Karl Paul Link James Lovell David Maraniss Steve Miller John Morgridge Errol Morris John Muir Gaylord Nelson Joyce Carol Oates Vel Phillips George Poage Tommy Thompson Al Toon Greta Van Susteren Russell Wilson Frank Lloyd Wright
Gov. Tony Evers on Jan. 9 announced that seven agencies across the state will receive more than $750,000 in grant funding through the Recovery Voucher Program to provide access to affordable, safe, and stable housing in recovery residences for individuals and their families who are experiencing homelessness and have been diagnosed with opioid use disorder (OUD).

The Recovery Voucher Program was developed in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) in 2022. The effort is supported by a portion of Wisconsins McKinsey & Company Opioid Settlement Funds, which provided the state with $11 million to address the effects of the opioid epidemic. Created with an initial $2 million investment, the Recovery Voucher Program served more than 150 people in its first year.

Wisconsinites and their families in every corner of our state have experienced the opioid epidemic firsthand, and they need our help, Evers said. This is a crisis that requires our urgent attention and action, and these funds will continue our efforts to help folks who are struggling regain their hope, dignity, and health, providing them with the safe, stable housing they need to recover.

We are pleased the Recovery Voucher Program offers safe and stable housing, a basic need often taken for granted, to people in treatment and recovery of an opioid use disorder, said DHS Secretary Kirsten Johnson. We are grateful for Gov. Evers support and for our recovery residence partners who are providing the safe housing and care management necessary for healing.

Were once again proud to partner with DHS and local agencies to ensure that basic housing needs are met for people across the state through the Recovery Voucher program, said DOA Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld. Safe housing and shelter are critical for recovery, as they are for every Wisconsinite.

DOAs Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources (DEHCR) is administering the program, leveraging supportive housing expertise and strong existing partnerships with the Continuum of Care (CoC) Program in Milwaukee, Dane and Racine counties, as well as local homeless coalitions serving the other 69 counties across the state. The seven agencies funded to administer the program have a primary focus area covering 30 counties; however, all people within the state can access the program through any of the agencies.

More information on the program is available online at https://energyandhousing.wi.gov/Pages/AgencyResources/RecoveryVoucherGrant.aspx.

Learn how to become an approved recovery residence at https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/regulations/aoda/recovery-registry.htm.

View the statewide registry at https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/guide/recovresdir.pdf.
Today's other top stories include Trump not being allowed to give his own closing argument at his civil fraud trial, Hunter Biden's, federal tax charges, and South Africa's genocide allegations against Israel.
Consider a time when you heard or read news about business, investments, or politics.

Now consider a happy time when you gathered with friends or family. You ate food, had something to drink, and perhaps smiled and laughed.

What word might appear often in discussions about our two situations  the news and the family meal?

The answer is one word that comes in a verb or noun form: share.

Share will be the subject of todays Everyday Grammar. You will learn about the words meanings as well as commonly used structures in everyday situations.

Lets start with some definitions.

Definitions

As we said before, the word share has both a noun and verb form.

We can compare it to a superhero. Consider Peter Parker. He is a normal young man. But sometimes he becomes Spiderman - and Spiderman is all about action!

Just as Peter Parker has a normal side and an active side, the word "share" has a noun form and an active verb form.

Noun form

Let's start with the noun form.

When you read business or even political news, you are highly likely to see the noun form.

Share suggests the idea of division or splitting something.

So, a share can involve value, interest or ownership that has been divided into parts.

For example, a person might buy stock shares in a company. This means that a person is buying partial ownership of a business.

Any time you read news about the stock market, for example, the value of the shares of businesses is a central point of interest.

Now consider a story about a political dispute. A scandal might happen, and one politician might be forced to accept his or her share of the blame for something that went wrong. In this usage, the politician is getting an amount of something - blame - that he or she deserves or is responsible for.

You might use the noun form of "share" when you talk about gatherings with family and friends. For example, friends might get together and decide to pay their share of the bill for a meal at a restaurant.

In this case, the friends might divide the bill and pay what they owe individually.

Verb form

What about the verb form of share, you might ask?

We often use it to talk about politics.

Political parties might share power in a country, for example.

We also might use the verb share to describe social gatherings.

Family or friends might share food. In this case, the family or friends are coming together and dividing or splitting food among themselves. Everyone gets to eat and drink.

Common structures

Now we can ask the question: What are the most commonly used structures with both the noun and verb forms of share?

The most common words that come before "share" are "to" and "a." That is what Google's Ngram Viewer tells us. It is a database that contains information from thousands of books.

But Ngram Viewer also gives us an important finding: "to share" is far more common than "a share."

So, we are very likely to read a sentence like this:

The two sides agreed to share power.

Or

The children decided to share the toys.

We are somewhat less likely to read a sentence like this:

He bought a share of Microsoft stock.

What words are likely to come after "share?"

The two most common structures, Google's Ngram Viewer tells us, are "share of" and "share the."

So, think back to our earlier examples:

He bought a share of Microsoft stock.

The children decided to share the toys.

Quiz:

Lets end this lesson with a quiz. Fill in the blank with the correct word or words.

The countries agreed ___________ the profits made from the shipping canal.

Here is one possible answer:

The countries agreed to share the profits made from the shipping canal.

Im John Russell.

John Russell wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English.

_______________________________________________

Words in This Story

stock  n. a share of the value of a company which can be bought, sold, or traded as an investment

scandal  n. an occurrence in which people are shocked and upset because of behavior that is morally or legally wrong
The United States Congress has voted to authorise the use of military force against Iraq to end its occupation of neighbouring Kuwait.

The vote seals the United Nations 15 January deadline for the Iraqi President, Saddam Hussein, to order his troops out of Kuwait, or face military action.

After three days of sometimes heated debate, the House of Representatives passed the motion authorising use of force by 250 votes to 183.

The Democrat-controlled Senate vote was far closer, at 52 to 47, but was not as narrow as had been feared.

It is the first time Congress has approved military action since the Gulf of Tonkin resolution in 1964 at the start of the Vietnam War, and it was by no means a foregone conclusion.

At times the Senate vote was too close to call, and some were predicting the president would be forced to go to war without Congressional backing.

The House of Representatives added one condition to the motion: that all diplomatic and peaceful means of averting war should be exhausted.

It has also made it clear it will withdraw its support if the war becomes prolonged or results in heavy casualties.

President Bush welcomed the votes, saying they represented the last best chance for peace and sent the clearest message to Iraq that it cannot scorn the January 15 deadline.

He said he had not yet made a final decision to launch an attack on Iraq, but warned it would be sooner rather than later if Saddam Hussein did not withdraw.

Senior Washington sources said the president had obtained permission from the British, Saudi Arabian and Egyptian governments to launch an attack at only a few minutes notice.

The tough line was reinforced by the British foreign secretary, Douglas Hurd, in Abu Dhabi on a trip to the Gulf.

He [Saddam] will be forced out, he said. We are coming to a decision on this. There is no reason for a long delay.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

The last-minute diplomacy by Perez de Cuellar and others came to nothing.

Iraq continued to refuse to comply with the UN ultimatum for its troops to withdraw from Kuwait, and at 2330 GMT on 16 January 1991, Operation Desert Storm began with a devastating aerial bombardment of Baghdad.

After more than a month of intensive air attacks, the Allies began a land offensive on 24 February. One day later, the Iraqi army began retreating.

On 28 February, President George Bush declared victory. In Memoriam.

Kuwait was liberated, but the Gulf War left Saddam Hussein in power.

The US and Britain launched a second war against Iraq in 2003. Saddam Hussein was overthrown and captured. He was later tried for war crimes by an Iraqi court, sentenced to death and executed.

A democratically-elected government was sworn in after elections in 2005.
The 7.6 magnitude earthquake that hit the western coastline of Japan on New Years has killed 213 people as of yesterday. Eight of the deaths were at evacuation centers, where rescued people died from injuries and sickness.

Such deaths werent directly caused by the quakes, fires and mudslides. They happened in alleged safety.

The pressures and stress of living in a place you arent used to lead to such deaths, said Shigeru Nishimori, a disaster official in Ishikawa prefecture, the hardest-hit region.

Some 26,000 people whose homes were destroyed or deemed unsafe are staying at schools and other makeshift facilities. Even minor rain and snow can set off landslides where the ground is loose from the more than 1,000 aftershocks that rattled the region for more than a week. Half-collapsed homes might flatten.

Shinichi Kuriyama, director at the International Research Institute of Disaster Science, who has studied the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster that hit northeastern Japan in 2011, warned that the chances for death double among populations undergoing a disaster.

He said the number of deaths in Ishikawa evacuation centers surprised him.

Im really shocked, he said. Communication is key and it appears to be sorely lacking.

Kuriyama said the most vulnerable can be overlooked, missing food thats being distributed, for instance, because they are unaware or cant reach it. He added that Japanese tend to suffer in silence, which can make things worse.

Deaths from the New Years temblor centered on Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa have climbed daily, as rescue teams pull more bodies from the rubble. Of the deaths, 98 were in Suzu city, 83 in Wajima and 20 in Anamizu, with the rest in smaller numbers among four other towns. The number of missing people declined in recent days and now stands at 52.

Those injured totaled 567, and 1,830 homes were destroyed or seriously damaged, according to Ishikawa officials. More than 14,000 homes were without electricity, and nearly 59,000 homes had no running water.

A tsunami reaching as high as about 3 meters (10 feet) spewed into coastal homes after last weeks biggest quake. A fire destroyed part of Wajima city. A search began Tuesday into the remains of the fire for bodies.

Authorities warned about the raised risk of infectious diseases breaking out among people crammed into shelters. MDT/AP
False and misleading information supercharged with cutting-edge artificial intelligence that threatens to erode democracy and polarize society is the top immediate risk to the global economy, the World Economic Forum said in a report this week.

In its latest Global Risks Report, the organization also said an array of environmental risks pose the biggest threats in the longer term. The report was released ahead of the annual elite gathering of CEOs and world leaders in the Swiss ski resort town of Davos and is based on a survey of nearly 1,500 experts, industry leaders and policymakers.

The report listed misinformation and disinformation as the most severe risk over the next two years, highlighting how rapid advances in technology also are creating new problems or making existing ones worse.

The authors worry that the boom in generative AI chatbots like ChatGPT means that creating sophisticated synthetic content that can be used to manipulate groups of people wont be limited any longer to those with specialized skills.

AI is set to be a hot topic next week at the Davos meetings, which are expected to be attended by tech company bosses including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and AI industry players like Metas chief AI scientist, Yann LeCun.

AI-powered misinformation and disinformation is emerging as a risk just as a billions of people in a slew of countries, including large economies like the United States, Britain, Indonesia, India, Mexico, and Pakistan, are set to head to the polls this year and next, the report said.

You can leverage AI to do deepfakes and to really impact large groups, which really drives misinformation, said Carolina Klint, a risk management leader at Marsh, whose parent company Marsh McLennan co-authored the report with Zurich Insurance Group.

Societies could become further polarized as people find it harder to verify facts, she said. Fake information also could be used to fuel questions about the legitimacy of elected governments, which means that democratic processes could be eroded, and it would also drive societal polarization even further, Klint said.

The rise of AI brings a host of other risks, she said. It can empower malicious actors by making it easier to carry out cyberattacks, such as by automating phishing attempts or creating advanced malware.

With AI, you dont need to be the sharpest tool in the shed to be a malicious actor, Klint said.

It can even poison data that is scraped off the internet to train other AI systems, which is incredibly difficult to reverse and could result in further embedding biases into AI models, she said.

The other big global concern for respondents of the risk survey centered around climate change.

Following disinformation and misinformation, extreme weather is the second-most-pressing short-term risk.

In the long term  defined as 10 years  extreme weather was described as the No. 1 threat, followed by four other environmental-related risks: critical change to Earth systems; biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse; and natural resource shortages.

We could be pushed past that irreversible climate change tipping point over the next decade as the Earths systems undergo long-term changes, Klint said. KELVIN CHAN, LONDON, MDT/AP
A veteran Laotian diplomat recently appointed the Association of Southeast Asian Nations  special envoy to Myanmar arrived this week on his first mission to the strife-torn nation, meeting with the head of the ruling military council and other top officials, state television MRTV reported.

Diplomat Alounkeo Kittikhoun faces the tough challenge of promoting the regional groups peace plan for Myanmar to quell the violence between the military government, which seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, and an armed pro-democracy resistance movement that is assisted by ethnic minority fighting forces.

Almost 2 million people have been displaced by years of fighting in Myanmar, according to the U.N., and the 10-member ASEAN regional grouping is concerned that the destabilization could have regional consequences, including generating large numbers of refugees. Neither the military government nor its pro-democracy government foes have shown any inclination to compromise.

Alounkeos visit comes just ahead of a meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers scheduled for Jan. 28-29 in Luang Prabang, the old capital of Laos. It is the turn this year of Laos to act as chair of the bloc, which includes Myanmar.

ASEAN has been seeking to implement a five-point consensus it reached on Myanmar just a few months after the armys takeover. It called for the immediate cessation of violence, a dialogue among all concerned parties, mediation by an ASEAN special envoy, provision of humanitarian aid through ASEAN channels, and a visit to Myanmar by the special envoy to meet all concerned parties.

MRTV reported that Alounkeos meetings included discussions about the implementation of the five-point consensus, the military governments efforts at providing humanitarian assistance and plans for the militarys promised election. Bilateral relations and Laos role as ASEAN chair were also discussed, it said.

Myanmars military government initially agreed to the consensus but has since made little effort to implement it, even as the country has slipped into a situation that U.N. experts have characterized as a civil war. Its stonewalling led fellow ASEAN members to block key leaders of the military government from attending major meetings of the regional grouping.

Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia, all electoral democracies, are known to have taken a strong stand against any engagement that could be perceived as favoring the Myanmars generals claims to be the countrys legitimate leaders. Authoritarian nations such as Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos are less critical of the ruling generals, as is Thailand, whose military retains strong influence over security matters.

Some members of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement  Signatories, Ethnic Armed Organizations, a group established nine years ago to pursue ways of ending decades of armed conflict with the military, also held a meeting with Alounkeo.

MRTV reported they also discussed the five-point consensus and humanitarian assistance. However, since none of the seven groups that attended are currently at war with the military, the relevance of their participation for peacemaking appeared to be minimal.

It was not immediately known if Alounkeo would meet with Suu Kyi, who was arrested when the military seized power. The 78-year-old Suu Kyi is now serving a 27-year prison term in Naypyitaw after being convicted in a series of politically tinged prosecutions brought by the military.

The military government has refused to allow her to meet with any previous ASEAN special envoys, who came in turn from Brunei, Cambodia and Indonesia.

Alounkeo, 72, is a former minister in Laos prime ministers office and has also served as his countrys ambassador at the United Nations. GRANT PECK, BANGKOK, MDT/AP
Beijings threats to use force to claim self-governed Taiwan arent just about missiles and warships. Hard economic realities will be at play as voters head to the polls tomorrow, though the relationship is complicated.

The economy has slowed since the pandemic, with growth in 2023 estimated at only 1.4%. That partly reflects inevitable ups and downs in demand for computer chips and other exports, and a slowing of the Chinese economy. But longer-term challenges such as inequality, housing affordability and unemployment are especially vital for younger voters, but often are eclipsed by Chinas looming presence.

The two sides split in 1949 after a civil war and have no official relations but are linked by tens of billions of dollars in trade and investment.

Beijing has been courting Taiwan investment, while at the same time flying fighter planes and sailing warships near the island to enforce its stance that the island must eventually unite with the mainland, by force if necessary.

Taiwan imports nearly all its energy, leaving it vulnerable to blockades.

The elections outcome could impact relations between China and the United States and also affect decisions on investment and manufacturing far into the future. The Chinese mainland and Hong Kong buy about 35% of Taiwans exports, though their share has been falling, and account for about one-quarter of its imports.

Despite Beijings muscle flexing, any overt military action would come at a huge cost to China itself. The Taiwan Strait plays a vital role in Chinas trade with the world. Bloomberg Economics calculated the potential cost to the world economy at $10 trillion.

So far, Chinas moves have been piecemeal. At times it has banned imports of hundreds of Taiwan products, including grouper fish, cookies and pineapple. On Jan. 1, China ended preferential tariffs on some Taiwan exports, including chemicals, that had been part of a 2010 trade pact.

On Tuesday, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said it was considering suspending other tariff concessions on farm products, fish, machinery, auto parts and textiles from Taiwan. Taiwans government condemned that as using trade as a weapon to manipulate the election.

Taiwan has imposed bans on hundreds of mainland exports, and it holds an ace card of its own: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. is the worlds largest supplier of computer chips, providing more than 90% of leading-edge chips.

Taiwans dominance of chip fabrication, which constitutes a global strategic industry, gives it geopolitical influence far beyond its size, economy and population, Richard Cronin, a fellow at the Stimson Center, a Washington think tank, wrote in a recent report. Chinas dependence on Taiwan to cover its chip deficit has been called its Silicon shield.

TSMC operates two plants in mainland China, in Nanjing and Songjiang, making less advanced computer chips. But it has been complying with demands from the United States and other trading partners to restrict exports of equipment and technology for leading edge semiconductors.

Like many other Taiwan companies wary of geopolitical and trade tensions with Washington, TSMC has been shifting some production further offshore  to Japan, Germany and Arizona. Such investments also reflect moves to diversify supply chains after the COVID-19 pandemic caused massive disruptions for automakers and many other industries that depend on chips.

Taiwans 23.5 million residents enjoy an enviable standard of living, with per-capita GDP at about $33,000, more than double that in the Chinese mainland.

To insulate Taiwans economy from retaliatory moves by Beijing, Tsai Ing-wens government has been boosting trade with the rest of Asia and other regions. Taiwan also restricts investments by mainland Chinese businesses on the island, to limit what it calls economic coercion by Beijing.

Even when tensions have surged, Chinese authorities have largely refrained from targeting the thousands of Taiwanese companies that operate on the mainland  in the past few decades, hundreds of thousands of Taiwanese have moved to China to work, start small businesses or set up factories, though investments in the mainland have fallen steadily for more than a decade.

In various charm offensives, Beijing has rolled out a plan for an integrated development demonstration zone in Fujian province, the closest to Taiwan and only 160 kilometers away. Its encouraging Taiwan companies to list on Chinese stock exchanges and has promised better conditions for Taiwanese investors and a more relaxed environment for travel.

But Foxconn, a Taiwan-headquartered Fortune-500 company known for making Apple iPhones that employs hundreds of thousands of people in China, felt the heat in October when tax and other Chinese officials searched its offices in several places.

That followed an announcement by Foxconns billionaire founder Terry Gou that he was running to replace leader Tsai Ing-wen. Gou was seen as a China-friendly candidate but his candidacy could have further split opposition to Tsais Democratic Progressive Party, which Beijing reviles. Gou later withdrew, saying it was for the sake of Taiwans future.

The front-runner to take over from Tsai when she steps down after her maximum two terms is deputy leader and DPP candidate William Lai, the son of a coal miner. Beijing has refused to negotiate with the DPP, which maintains that Taiwan is in effect independent but does not need to make a formal declaration that could draw greater military, economic and diplomatic pressure from China.

Chinas leaders will feel compelled to signal to the Taiwanese public that voting against Beijings preferences carries consequences. Both military exercises and new coercive economic measures are therefore likely, Gabriel Wildau, a political risk analyst for the consultancy Teneo, said in a recent report.

Hou Yu-ih is the candidate for the Nationalists, also known as the Kuomintang or KMT. It agrees with Beijings stance that the mainland and Taiwan are part of the same country, though under separate governments. Ko Wen-je, the candidate for another opposition group, the Taiwan Peoples Party, also favors building friendlier relations with China. Both have said they would try to restart trade talks with Beijing if elected.

Tsai has struck a precarious equilibrium between Beijing and Washington. With so much at stake, whatever the votes outcome, her successor will face the same balancing act.

ELAINE KURTENBACH, BANGKOK, MDT/AP
Lawmaker Ella Lei has called on the government to review existing laws on illegal work and expand the authorized actions that local authorities can take to monitor these cases effectively.

The lawmaker called for modifications to be made to the laws and greater emphasis placed on the rules and regulations for non-resident workers. In addition, it was suggested that more stringent punishments be implemented to deter future cases.

By addressing these issues, it is hoped that Macau will be able to curb the prevalence of illegal work and protect the rights and opportunities of both resident and non-resident workers alike.

Over the years, cases of illegal work have been detected in various sectors in Macau, particularly in construction, transport, and catering. In many of these cases, non-resident workers have been found to be performing unauthorized work.

Lei notat that due to the lack of fixed workplaces for many of these workers, the government and local authorities struggle to enforce existing laws and regulations effectively. This inability to combat the ever-increasing number of cases has become a pressing issue.

Previously, authorities only imposed fines  around 8,800 patacas per person  on those caught engaging in illegal work.

However, according to the lawmaker, locals have questioned the seemingly ineffective measures against these workers, as well as how these workers are able to illegally perform functions outside the scope of their work visas.

For Lei, the existing laws are perceived as weak by the public. Due to the leniency of these laws, illegal workers are not deterred by the risk of what fines and sanctions they might be charged with.

Staff Reporter
Germanys top diplomat said yesterday that Chinas actions in the South China Sea violate the rights of Asian coastal states like the Philippines and threaten freedom of navigation, but added that territorial disputes have to be resolved peacefully because the world doesnt need another crisis.

Annalena Baerbock, who held talks with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and other top officials while visiting Manila, said Germany was ready to help de-escalate growing tensions and added that it was crucial to set up mechanisms to resolve the disputes peacefully and foster dialogue.

There are truly rough winds blowing across the South China Sea and this is happening in the middle of one of the most dynamic economic regions of the world, she told a news conference in Manila, speaking through an interpreter.

It is now important to set up mechanisms to solve tensions together in a peaceful way, she said without elaborating. I think we all agree that the world doesnt need another crisis. There are too many crises at once.

In a symbolic gesture of Germanys support for the Philippines, Baerbock visited the coast guard headquarters in Manila and boarded a patrol ship, where she briefly flew one of a number of surveillance drones that Germany donated to the Philippines.

Philippine coast guard officials said the drones would help the country defend its territorial interests in the South China Sea, enforce maritime laws and undertake search and rescue missions during accidents at sea.

Chinese officials did not immediately issue a reaction.

The decades-long territorial dispute escalated last year between Beijing and Manila, sparking fears it could degenerate into a major conflict that could involve the United States, a longtime treaty ally of the Philippines.

Chinese coast guard ships and accompanying vessels used military-grade laser and water cannons against Philippine coast guard and supply vessels and undertook dangerous maneuvers near disputed shoals, prompting the Philippines to file a large number of diplomatic protests against China, Philippine officials said.

Chinas actions in the South China Sea, which have led to minor collisions with Philippine vessels, are of concern to Germany and other European countries, Baerbock said, because such risky maneuvers violate rights and opportunities for economic development of your own country and other littoral states.

Baerbock held the news conference with her Philippine counterpart, Enrique Manalo.

They also put into question the freedom of navigation and international law, affecting all countries worldwide, she said, adding that Chinas claims are not covered by international law.

The German foreign minister, the first to visit the Philippines in about a decade to bolster ties, cited a 2016 ruling by a United Nations-backed arbitration panel that invalidated Chinas extensive territorial claims on historical grounds. China refused to participate in the arbitration, dismissed its ruling as a sham and continues to defy it.

Baerbock said the arbitration ruling was crystal clear. JIM GOMEZ, MANILA, MDT/AP
Irans navy seized an oil tanker yesterday in the Gulf of Oman that once was at the center of a major crisis between Tehran and Washington, officials said, a seizure that further escalates tensions in the Mideast waterways.

The vessel was once known as the Suez Rajan and was involved in a yearlong dispute that ultimately saw the U.S. Justice Department seize 1 million barrels of Iranian crude oil on it.

The seizure also comes after weeks of attacks by Yemens Iranian-backed Houthi rebels on shipping in the Red Sea, including their largest barrage ever of drones and missiles launched late Tuesday. That has raised the risk of possible retaliatory strikes by U.S.-led forces now patrolling the vital waterway, especially after a United Nations Security Council vote on Wednesday condemning the Houthis and as American and British officials warned of potential consequences over the attacks.

Irans state-run television acknowledged the seizure late yesterday, hours after armed men boarded it.

The violating oil tanker Suez Rajan  stole Iranian oil by leading it to the Americans and delivered it to the Americans, state TV said. It said Irans navy, rather than its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, conducted the seizure. Past tense incidents at sea have largely involved the Guard.

The British militarys United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, which provides warnings to sailors in the Middle East, said the seizure began early in the morning in the waters between Oman and Iran in an area transited by ships coming in and out of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all traded oil passes.

The U.K. military-run group described receiving a report from the ships security manager of hearing unknown voices over the phone alongside with the ships captain. It said further efforts to contact the ship had failed and that the men who boarded the vessel wore black military-style uniforms with black masks.

The private security firm Ambrey said that four to five armed persons boarded the ship, which it identified as the oil tanker St. Nikolas. It said the men covered the surveillance cameras as they boarded.

The tanker had been off the city of Basra, Iraq, loading crude oil bound for Aliaga, Turkey, for the Turkish refinery firm Tupras. Satellite-tracking data analyzed by The Associated Press last showed the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker had turned and headed toward the port of Bandar-e Jask in Iran.

The St. Nikolas was earlier named the Suez Rajan, associated with the Greek shipping company Empire Navigation. In a statement to the AP, Athens-based Empire Navigation acknowledged losing contact with the vessel, which has a crew of 18 Filipinos and one Greek national.

Empire have no such knowledge of a court order or the Iranian navy having seized their vessel, and have still not been contacted by anyone, the company said.

Attention began focusing on the Suez Rajan in February 2022, when the group United Against Nuclear Iran said it suspected the tanker carried oil from Irans Khargh Island, its main oil distribution terminal in the Persian Gulf. Satellite photos and shipping data analyzed at the time by the AP supported the allegation.

For months, the ship sat in the South China Sea off the northeast coast of Singapore before suddenly sailing for the Texas coast without explanation. The vessel discharged its cargo to another tanker in August, which released its oil in Houston as part of a Justice Department order.

In September, Empire Navigation pleaded guilty to smuggling sanctioned Iranian crude oil and agreed to pay a $2.4 million fine over a case involving the tanker.

The U.S. Navys 5th Fleet, which patrols the Mideast, did not respond to a request for comment over the incident.

After the vessel, then-Suez Rajan, headed for America, Iran seized two tankers near the Strait of Hormuz, including one with cargo for major U.S. oil company Chevron Corp. In July, the top commander of the Revolutionary Guards naval arm threatened further action against anyone offloading the Suez Rajan, with state media linking the recent seizures to the cargos fate.

Since the collapse of Irans nuclear deal, waters around the strait have seen a series of ship seizures by Iran, as well as assaults targeting shipping that the U.S. Navy has blamed on Tehran. Iran and the Navy also have had a series of tense encounters in the waterway, though recent attention has been focused on the Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea.

The U.S. and its allies also have been seizing Iranian oil cargoes since 2019. That has led to a series of attacks in the Mideast attributed to the Islamic Republic, as well as ship seizures by Iranian military and paramilitary forces that threaten global shipping.

The Houthis say their attacks are aimed at halting the suffering of Palestinians in Israels war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. However, the rebels have increasingly targeted ships with tenuous or no ties to Israel.

Meanwhile, satellite tracking data analyzed by the AP yesterday showed that an Iranian cargo vessel suspected of being a spying platform in the Red Sea had left the waterway. The data showed the Behshad had transited through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait into the Gulf of Aden.

The Behshad has been in the Red Sea since 2021 off Eritreas Dahlak archipelago. It arrived there after Iran removed the Saviz, another suspected spy base in the Red Sea that had suffered damage in an attack that analysts attributed to Israel amid a wider shadow war of ship attacks in the region. JON GAMBRELL, DUBAI, MDT/AP
The near-future is bleak for the working class of London in The Kitchen, a well-executed film about a familiar kind of urban dystopian nightmare. It is, ironically, sunnier than the Los Angeles of Blade Runner, but the mood is as dire.

In this world, the have-nots are crammed together in hellish Brutalist high-rises, a slum-like development that its residents call The Kitchen. With frequent police raids and constant monitoring, there is the whiff of rebellion in the air. But at least for the purposes of this story, tensions have not yet boiled over into a proper revolution  the rage is manifested in smaller, petty crimes, like a smash-and-grab jewelry raid.

Our protagonist Izy (rapper Kane Robinson) has a stable job, selling eco and humane burial plans to the desperate, grieving poor. Everything is whitewashed and slick and just a little sinister there  its called life after life after all. He and his colleagues wear clinical scrubs as they sell people on the idea of turning their deceased loved ones into plants.

He also has a plan: To get out. Hes saved enough money to escape The Kitchen and has finally broken through the logjam of a waitlist to get into one of the luxury apartment buildings in town. A single occupancy for a single guy. Naturally the film wont let him go that easy, but the complication isnt just financial: A kid enters the picture.

One day at work he notices that a woman he once dated is being given a funeral on the premises. Inside, he discovers her son Benji (Jedaiah Bannerman), a teen who doesnt know who his father is. The two dance around the obvious question, and Benji ends up on Izys doorstep in need of something  help, lodging, care  but again, these things go largely unspoken. Benji is at a sliding doors kind of moment in which the fast cash from the dangerous smash-and-grabs seems almost worth the risk. What does he have to lose anyway?

The Kitchen was directed by Get Outs Daniel Kaluuya and Kibwe Tavares, who has turned his gaze before on the intersection of architecture, race and class in Robots of Brixton.

It is quite a pleasure to watch Izy and Benji navigate this awkward relationship, both wondering how much they should trust one another. But in this world of urban isolation its clear, at least to us, that they need each other  no matter how much youre rooting for Izy to make it out. There are also moments of humor in this rather serious affair, including Izys frustrating conversation with an AI customer service representative.

Like so many futuristic dystopias, The Kitchen is really about the present  about class divides and wealth gaps and unaffordable housing and the ways in which its all getting worse so quickly. This is one of those films that would have been fun on the big screen with its urgent action sequences and propulsive nightclub scenes, but its a perfect small-screen watch, too. And, hopefully, the beginning of a big directing career for Kaluuya and Tavares, who have proved that they have something worthwhile to say and the vision to make it entertaining as well. LINDSEY BAHR, Film Writer, MDT/AP

The Kitchen, a Netflix release streaming Friday, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America for language. Running time: 107 minutes.
One of Taiwans leading opposition party candidates in tomorrows major election has promised to boost the islands defense capabilities while restarting dialogue with Beijing, which claims the island as its own.

Hou Yu-ih, the leading candidate from the opposition Kuomintang, or Nationalist Party, said yesterday he wants to strengthen Taiwans ability to protect itself to deter a potential attack from China.

As part of its military pressure, China sends warships and military jets near the island of 23 million almost daily. Taiwans Defense Ministry has also reported Chinese balloons, which could be used for spying, flying in its vicinity over the past month.

Hou, 66, said he strongly condemned Chinas military provocations.

We have to let them know they have to bear the cost of the war, Hou said during a news conference in New Taipei City, a municipality bordering the capital, Taipei. He was joined by his running mate, former legislator and TV commentator Jaw Shau-kong.

Hou is mayor of New Taipei, a position from which he took leave to run for leader.

Besides bolstering defense, Hou pledged to restart dialogue with Beijing  first through cultural and civil society exchanges  as part of his so-called 3D strategy, which stands for deterrence, dialogue and de-escalation.

Most pre-election polls place Hou second after the governing Democratic Progressive Partys candidate, William Lai, poised to succeed current leader Tsai Ing-wen who is barred by law from running a third term.

A third candidate, Ko Wen-je from the smaller Taiwan Peoples Party, is also running in the election.

Beijing is believed to favor Hou as an alternative to Lai, whom it has criticized as a separatist trying to provoke a Chinese attack on Taiwan.

All three candidates have said they were open to speaking to Beijing, which has refused to hold talks with Lai and Tsai. Tsais predecessor, Ma Ying-jeou of the KMT, was the last Taiwan leader to meet with President Xi Jinping, in 2015 in Singapore.

The vast majority of Taiwanese people favor maintaining the status quo in relations with Beijing as opposed to unification. The KMT has historically endorsed unification with China but has shifted its stance in recent years.

Hou, who described himself yesterday as an atypical KMT member, promised he would not address the issue of unification during his tenure because Taiwans future should be decided by the [23.5 million] people of Taiwan.

I want to use dialogue to minimize the risks, he said.

Differences over Taiwan are a major flashpoint in U.S.-China relations. U.S. relations with the island are governed by the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, which makes it American policy to ensure Taiwan has the resources to defend itself and to prevent any unilateral change of status by Beijing. SIMINA MISTREANU, TAIPEI, MDT/AP

The US plans unofficial delegation to Taiwan to meet new leader

The Biden administration will send an unofficial delegation comprised of former senior officials to Taiwan shortly after the self-governed island holds an election for a new leader this weekend, a move that could upset Beijing in an already-fragile bilateral relationship.

A senior administration official confirmed the plan yesterday [Macau time] without offering more details but said such a face-to-face meeting was the most effective way to engage the new Taiwanese government and convey U.S. policy in the region.

The official, briefing reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive plans, said the administration believed the move would contribute to peace and stability in the region.
Lawmakers Ma Io Fong and Ron Lam are concerned with the future role and operational approach of the Light Rapid Transit (LRT) system.

The two separately submitted spoken inquiries on these matters prior to the agenda of yesterdays plenary session of the Legislative Assembly.

Citing recent news about the LRT system and the Commission of Audit (CA) report highlighting past flaws, Lawmaker Ma noted that, according to recent government information, the lines may be operated by different companies. He believed that this could potentially create difficulties in the integration of the system, as well as decision-making.

He said that the government must seriously consider and evaluate how will it ensure the quality and coordination of services in general, questioning when Macau would be able to autonomously operate the Light Rail services.

To ensure the systems smooth operation in the future, Ma called on the government to establish an accountability regime for contractor supervision, in line with the conclusions of the CA report.

Additionally, he urged the government to prepare a detailed plan to serve as a basis for operational contracts. These contracts consider all the lines and services of the LRT as one entity, ensuring that whichever company operates them always abides by a standardized set of rules and regulations.

Included among these rules would be provisions governing correspondence between LRT and Bus transportation. Requirements concerning electronic payment methods, as well as more-detailed and accurate statistical analyses of matters concerning passengers and revenue, will also be included.

To allow for the local operation of the entire LRT, Ma called for the government to accelerate the training of local personnel to staff the systems main operational areas.

Lam echoed similar concerns about the integration of the LRT and the bus systems. He also highlighted the high price of tickets, the poor pedestrian facilities between stations, and the lack of timetabling and available information as factors that deter passengers from the LTR.

The same lawmaker noted that the current public bus service contracts are due to expire in 2026. For this reason, he argued, the government should take the time to consider and enforce new contracts to negotiate and resolve the many transfers between systems.

Lam criticized poor planning in the LRT system, specifically in the Taipa Line section. The flaws identified included the lack of connections to commercial and tourism-related buildings, forcing passengers to walk around them and cross streets to reach their intended destinations.

The same lawmaker also noted that the same issue would arise with the Seac Pai Van Station currently under construction. He noted that there is a pedestrian flyover that connects to the original pedestrian flyover of the Seac Pai Van public housing area, but these are not systematically interconnected, which does not facilitate the use of the light rail by the residents of this area.

Looking at the design of the current pedestrian system in the vicinity of the light rail, we can see immediately that it cannot facilitate passengers direct arrival to their destinations, he said, further noting that a single-platform monorail model was chosen for the Hengqin Line without public consultation.

The lawmaker also claimed that officials have recently considered the possibility of extending the East Line up to Qingmao Border Post, but there is no concrete plan, timeline, or guarantee that this will happen.

Lam claimed that all these issues and the lack of clarity surrounding them do not imbue the public with confidence in the public transport system. He also noted that there is much work required of the government to clean up the systems current image.
The Papua New Guinea government worked to restore order yesterday after at least 15 people were reportedly killed during rioting and looting that left the countrys two biggest cities in flames.

The unrest began in the capital, Port Moresby, on Wednesday after hundreds of police officers, soldiers, prison staff and public servants walked off their jobs in protest over a pay dispute.

The Papua New Guinea government attributed the pay cut to an administrative glitch.

Similar riots also caused damage in Lae, the second-biggest city in the southwestern Pacific country. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that at least 15 people died in Port Moresby and Lae.

An additional 180 defense personnel flew into Port Moresby yesterday.

Tensions in the country have risen amid high unemployment and increased living costs.

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape said Port Moresby was under stress and duress but that violence had eased.

Police were not at work yesterday in the city and people resorted to lawlessness  not all people, but in certain segments of our city, Marape said in a news conference yesterday (The) situation report as of this morning shows tension in the city has subsided.

Many shops and banking services were closed as business owners repaired damage.

Papua New Guinea is a diverse, developing nation of mostly subsistence farmers where some 800 languages are spoken. It is in a strategically important part of the South Pacific. With 10 million people, it the most populous South Pacific nation after Australia, which is home to 26 million.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese appealed for calm. He said his government had not received any requests for help from its closest neighbor.

Papua New Guinea and Australia last month signed a bilateral security pact.

Our high commission in Port Moresby are keeping a very close eye on what is occurring there, making sure Australians are looked after, Albanese told reporters.

Papua New Guinea struggles to contain escalating tribal violence and civil unrest in remote regions and has a long-term aim to increase its police numbers from 6,000 officers to 26,000. MDT/AP
China sees surging road, waterway passenger trips

Xinhua) 08:40, January 12, 2024

BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- China's road and waterway passenger trips saw a steady increase in the first 11 months of 2023, official data shows.

The country's road network facilitated approximately 4.19 billion passenger trips during the period, up 26.5 percent year on year, according to the Ministry of Transport.

Some 244.91 million passenger trips were made via China's waterways in the same period, skyrocketing 121.4 percent from the same period of 2022, per the data.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The University of Macau (UM) will offer a Master of Science (MSc) in Business Analytics program in the 2024/25 academic year. In a statement, the university said that the program aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills required to make data-driven decisions in the business sector. According to UM, the MSc in Business Analytics is a two-year program where students can delve into the fields of statistical analysis, data mining, predictive modelling, machine learning, and optimization.

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Surprised by a price tag nearly $15 million over budget, the Fitchburg City Council has delayed voting on a proposed stand-alone police services facility while officials explore ways to bring the cost down or get buy-in from the community for the extra spending.

I feel like we missed a step in the process. We didnt engage the community and ask them what they wanted, Ald. Gabriella Gerhardt said. From my perspective, I approved a $35 million project, and what weve been presented with is a $50 million project.

The proposed 74,560-square-foot facility at the intersection of Fish Hatchery Road and Lacy Road would replace the current police station in the basement of City Hall at 5520 Lacy Road.

The citys 10-year Capital Improvement Plan anticipated the facility would cost about $35 million. But the plan presented to the city last month by FGM Architects came in at $49.2 million.

Last week, Mayor Julia Arata-Fratta proposed postponing the vote until Feb. 13.

This is one of the most expensive facilities that the city is going build, so Im willing to do the due diligence until all of our questions are answered, Arata-Fratta told the Wisconsin State Journal ahead of Wednesdays meeting.

Much of the discussion Wednesday night surrounded the addition of a training facility in the design, which added $3.9 million to the cost. The facility would include a multipurpose room, a defense tactic room and a tactical training bay that would allow for live firearm training. Some other highlights of the design include three wellness rooms for officer use, sustainability features and a room for community programming.

Police Chief Alfonso Morales emphasized the importance of training, citing Fitchburgs rapid population growth and the relative youth of the citys police force.

We have to take ownership that we are the fastest-growing city, and we have to take ownership of training, Morales said. With as young as our department is, we arent prepared to handle a chaotic situation. We need to train them.

Ald. Joe Maldonado asked whether the training facility could be a joint project involving surrounding municipalities, something Deputy Police Chief Matthew Laha said hasnt been explored.

I think for the city of our size and municipality of our size to add that component is something that we need to think about in other ways, Maldonado told the Wisconsin State Journal before Wednesdays meeting. I dont think that has been properly fleshed out, not just from a financial standpoint, but also from a data standpoint.

Lt. Edward Hartwick said the department is already applying for a state grant that may help cover the cost of the training facility and is working with the architect on changes that may bring the cost down.

Weve already identified some aspects of the design that are going to reduce that number, Hartwick said. Were looking at things like exterior finishes to make modifications that dont have a significant impact on the design.

A clear need

Generally, the mayor and council members said, there is strong council support for a new facility. Along with giving the police department more space, a stand-alone building would free up space in City Hall for other city employees. At its current location, the department has run out of lockers in the mens locker room, and equipment and vehicle storage options are limited, Hartwick said.

Were trying to put a bunch of people in a small space, he said.

Fitchburg resident Nicole Vafadari said she supports building a stand-alone facility, but you need to be fiscally responsible with what youre asking the tax base to fund. I think were building too big, and I think were not being smart about our money.

Arata-Fratta pledged to ramp up community engagement on the facility between now and the vote in February. During the first week in January, Fitchburgs police department held four public information meetings about the facility, but some council members argued many residents remain unaware of the project.

I think people are only starting to hear about the facility, Gerhardt said.

The Fitchburg Police Department plans to host two more public information meetings in January, although dates and times have not yet been set.

Also on Wednesday, the council adopted an amendment by Arata-Fratta to allocate $12,000 to send postcards with information about the new building to 15,000 Fitchburg residences. Residents can stay updated on upcoming public information meetings by following the Fitchburg Police Departments social media pages, Hartwick said, or at go.madison.com/psfacility.
A Sun Prairie man was sentenced Thursday to 18 years in federal prison for making child pornography, the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin announced.

Robert D. Sutton Jr., 52, pleaded guilty Oct. 3 after investigators, acting on a tip in May 2021, searched Sutton's phone and found images of him assaulting two children, then 13 and 15.

Sutton was convicted of assaulting a different minor in 2007 and required to register as a sex offender. He was in violation of that requirement when he assaulted the 13- and 15-year-olds.

Sentencing Judge William Conley said Sutton was calculating and manipulative, and that the most disturbing part of the case was Suttons willingness and ability to manipulate adults and children in order to use the children for sexual gratification, according to the U.S. attorney's news release. Conley was also troubled that Sutton did not seem to recognize the lifelong injury he'd caused his victims.

Once released, Sutton would be on federal supervision for the rest of his life.

Who are they? WI children reported missing as of December 30 These are recent reports of missing children made to local law enforcement. If you think you have seen a missing child, contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).
Rebecca Cameron Valcq, who joined Wisconsins Public Service Commission five years ago as one of Democratic Gov. Tony Evers first administrative appointees, will leave the utility regulation agency early next month, the governor announced Thursday.

Valcq, who has spent much of the last five years as the three-member commissions chair, will step down on Feb 2. Commissioner Summer Strand, who Evers appointed to the commission last March, will take on the role of PSC chair, Evers said in a statement.

Now is the right time for me to pass the baton as I leave the agency in very capable hands, Valcq said in a statement. The PSC is a more transparent and accessible agency than it was when I arrived and that is evidenced by the robust engagement and participation from stakeholders, community members, and our employees. I want to thank my fellow commissioners and PSC employees for their work and service to the state. I will miss them dearly.

Under Valcqs leadership, Evers said, the PSC has ushered through efforts to transition our states energy industry to zero carbon electricity and made transformational investments to expand access to high-speed internet in every corner of our state.

The commission also approved nearly 4,000 megawatts of solar projects, awarded more than $300 million in broadband expansion projects and approved 10 utility programs that have or are in the process of removing more than 16,000 customer-sided lead service lines during Valcqs tenure.

The governor has not yet named a commissioner to fill the seat.

Strand, former administrator of the state Department of Administrations Division of Facilities Development, was appointed to the commission last year, marking the first time since Evers took office that the PSC has consisted entirely of Democratic appointees. In addition to Strand, Tyler Huebner, who was appointed by Evers in March 2021, also serves on the commission.

Due to (Valcqs) exemplary leadership, the Commission is well-positioned for continued success, Strand said in a statement. This is also bittersweet for me as I will miss working alongside Becky. I am grateful for the opportunity to follow in the role as chairperson, and I look forward to the important work ahead.

Today in history: Jan. 11 1908: The Grand Canyon 1935: Amelia Earhart 1963: The Beatles 1964: Luther Terry 1989: Ronald Reagan 2010: Mark McGwire 2020: Coronavirus 2021: Pope Francis
The four liberal justices on the Wisconsin Supreme Court didnt improperly hire the current director of state courts, the Wisconsin Judicial Commission told Justice Rebecca Dallet on Wednesday after the former court director filed several complaints alleging wrongdoing.

In response, three of the four liberal justices on the states highest court urged the Wisconsin Judicial Commission to process meritless complaints faster, saying it has been hijacked by partisan actors. They also accused former state court director Randy Koschnick of breaking the law by making the complaints public.

We implore the Commission to take all steps necessary to ensure that it does not continue to be used as a weapon against judicial independence, justices Dallet, Janet Protasiewicz and Jill Karofsky told the commission Thursday, according to letters obtained by the Wisconsin State Journal.

Frivolous complaints must be dismissed with expediency and those who violate the rules and statutes governing the Commission must be held to account, they continued.

Wisconsin Supreme Court rejects Republican motion to reconsider redistricting ruling The court's affirmation of its December decision keeps the case on the fast track, with proposed legislative maps due Friday.

After liberals assumed the Wisconsin Supreme Court majority in August, one of the justices first moves was to fire Koschnick, a reserve judge, who was known to be a conservative.

The justices then hired Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Audrey Skwierawski as the interim, then permanent, director of state courts.

Key position

The state court director is Wisconsins top nonjudicial court officer, helping maintain the statewide computer system for the courts, hiring state court personnel and directing judicial education.

Soon after his firing, Koschnick announced he filed several complaints against the justices and his replacement with the Wisconsin Judicial Commission, alleging the hiring of Skwierawski wasnt constitutional. He pointed to a section of the state Constitution prohibiting judges from obtaining another office of public trust.

Five months after the complaints were filed, Judicial Commission executive director Jeremiah Van Hecke told Dallet that there was no evidence of misconduct within the jurisdiction of the Commission to warrant further action or consideration by the Commission.

In response, attorneys for Skwierawski said she feels gratified and vindicated by the commissions finding.

An admonition

Dallet, Protasiewicz and Karofsky said they appreciate the commission dismissing the complaints. But they added that the commission could do better to protect judicial independence in Wisconsin, alleging that Koschnick violated a state law requiring matters before the commission to be confidential unless the judges involved make it public.

Judge Koschnicks antics were nothing more than a partisan attempt to undermine the courts authority to hire his successor, they said. We are disappointed that it took five months to address these meritless complaints and there is seemingly no consequence for Judge Koschnicks actions.

The justices further encouraged the commission to signal both to Judge Koschnick, and any others tempted to flout the confidentiality laws, that such violations will bring swift and sure public admonition and discipline.

In an interview, Koschnick said the confidentiality law doesnt apply to talking about the complaint that he filed, adding that it only limits discussing proceedings related to the complaint. He said he had a First Amendment right to talk about the complaints, as well as a moral civic duty to expose corrupt public officials, especially when those officials are justices on the state Supreme Court.
There were teddy bears galore when a nonprofit organization made a couple of visits to Gooding this month. But handing out stuffed animals isnt all the organization does.

McCall-based Courageous Kids Climbings primary mission is to travel throughout the western United States while sharing rock wall climbing with people with special needs. They will be at Gemstone Climbing in Twin Falls this spring and fall to help with that goal.

But Courageous Kids Climbing also gives out teddy bears to first responders, who then give them to kids involved in traumatic events. They are great for calming kids, the nonprofit says.

On a Monday visit to Gooding, Gooding County EMS received 20 teddy bears, while the Gooding Fire District got 30. Fifty stuffed animals were provided to the Gooding County Sheriffs Office and another 50 to Gooding County Juvenile Probation.

The organization paid a visit to the Idaho School for the Deaf and the Blind before leaving town. Here, they provided 20 patient mover rescue chairs to the schools special education department.

The lifting devices are provided to children with mobility issues as a Plan B should they experience a situation in which their wheelchair breaks down or other situations in which the child must be carried, said Jeff Riechmann, executive director of Courageous Kids Climbing.

The lifting device is made of vinyl and fits in a backpack or bag on the wheelchair. With the assistance of two or more helpers, the child can be carried comfortably and safely, Riechmann said.

The funding to purchase the chairs was provided by the Payette Lakes Progressive Club in McCall and the Boise Sunrise Rotary, and the teddy bears were provided by PetSmart and other Boise businesses.

Adaptive Recreation Fair looks to connect people of all abilities TWIN FALLS  Eight-year-old Kathryn Krieck is eager to show off her hands. After climbing for an hour a week every summer at Gemstone Climbing

After delivering the lifting devices, Riechmann was invited to visit the special education classes and meet some of the students. They also received teddy bears.

Courageous Kids Climbing returned to Gooding on Wednesday. During this visit, they provided an additional six patient mover rescue chairs to the Idaho School for the Deaf and the Blind. These additional lifting devices will be placed on the school buses and will provide a means of safely removing students from the school bus in the event the wheelchair lift becomes inoperable.

Bank foundation focuses on community well-being, quality of life Content by First Federal Bank. Established in 2003, this foundation is part of First Federal Banks deep commitment to the well-being and quality of life of people who live and work in the communities the bank serves.

That evening, Riechmann spent about two hours training with members of the Gooding Fire District. Training included a presentation on rescuing someone suspended in a fall-arrest harness. Riechmann also shared some of his experiences from working with kids with special needs.

For more information on Courageous Kids Climbing, contact Riechmann at courageouskidsclimbing@gmail.com.

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Your news on your smartphone Your story lives in the Magic Valley, and our new mobile app is designed to make sure you dont miss breaking news, the latest scores, the weather forecast and more. From easy navigation with the swipe of a finger to personalized content based on your preferences to customized text sizes, the Times-News app is built for you and your life. Dont have the app? Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
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Riga, Latvia  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on partners to provide decisive political and military support during a visit Thursday to his staunch Baltic allies, as other backers waver on aid.

Zelensky wrapped up his tour of the Baltic states in Latvia, after earlier visiting Lithuania and Estonia, in a bid to counter war fatigue as the bloody conflict nears its second anniversary.

Throughout the trip, the Ukrainian leader pleaded for more air defense systems amid an escalation of deadly Russian strikes.

Zelensky said Ukraine was grateful for the already-delivered Patriot air defence systems, without which it would be impossible to survive during some massive attacks, but asked for more deliveries.

How can you live and sleep peacefully, if you have dozens of such systems, he asked during a press conference in Latvias capital Riga.

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Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics announced a new aid package, saying Riga will deliver artillery shells, anti-aircraft weapons, grenades, drones to Kyiv this year.

Zelenskys trip comes as support from other Western backers is wavering, with decisions on fresh aid packages to Kyiv stalled in the US and the European Union.

He asked for military as well as political support to deter Russia, which launched its full-scale invasion almost two years ago.

We would like to see a real step from NATO countries to bring Ukraine closer, he asked in Riga, adding the allies must not show fear.

Ukraine has acknowledged it would be tricky to join NATO before the war is over, but asked for a clear timeframe to join the security alliance.

Earlier in Estonias capital Tallinn, Zelensky argued his country would bring an army with military experience to the bloc.

Estonia, one of Ukraines main allies and a NATO member, has called for continued support for Kyiv.

In Tallinn, Zelensky warned that any pauses in Ukraines defence against the Russian invasion would only help Moscow to re-arm.

Give the Russian Federation two to three years, then they will simply run us over, he said at a news conference with Estonian President Alar Karis.

Karis in turn called for no limits on providing Ukraine with arms.

Zelensky also met with Estonian premier Kaja Kallas.

Freedom should be better armed than tyranny, Kallas told reporters.

She reiterated her governments pledge to spend 0.25 percent of the countrys Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on military aid to Ukraine over the next four years.

We hope that this will be an example to everyone else, Kallas added.

NATO members Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania meanwhile on Thursday signed an agreement in Istanbul on demining the Black Sea to ensure safe waters once the war is over.

The Russian navy mined Ukraines Black Sea coastline in the early stages of its invasion nearly two years ago.

On Wednesday, Zelensky was in Lithuania, which according to the German-based Kiel Institute for the World Economy is the biggest donor to Ukraine in terms of GDP.

There he appealed for badly needed air-defense systems and warned that Western hesitation on aid was emboldening Russia.

Ukraine has come under intense Russian shelling in recent weeks, and Ukraine has warned it needs more weapons to defend itself. A missile attack on a hotel in the north-eastern city of Kharkiv wounded 13 people including two foreign journalists late Wednesday, Ukrainian officials said.

In retaliation, Ukraine has shelled Russias border city of Belgorod, leaving over two dozen dead.

Hundreds of residents including children have already left Belgorod following the attacks. AFP
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Top government officials, cyber experts, and stakeholders are coming together for the first major cybersecurity event of 2024 organized by international think tank the Stratbase Institute.

The two-day conference, entitled, Fortifying Cyber Cooperation Towards Digital Security, will be held from Jan. 16-17 in Makati City, in partnership with the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines.

Among the attendees are Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman, Head of Canadian Centre for Cyber Security Sami Khoury, Information and Communications Technology Undersecretary Jeffrey Ian Dy, Justice Undersecretary Geronimo Sy, Commission on Elections Commissioner Nelson Celis, and key officials from the Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, National Security Council, Department of Energy, National Privacy Commission, PLDT Group and Smart Communications, Globe Telecom, and Fintech Philippines Association.

Also attending are Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Jesus Gary Domingo, Makati Mayor Mar-Len Abigail Binay, Microsoft Philippines Chief Executive Officer Peter Maquera, and key officials and experts from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation, Orbis Operations, Australia National University, National University of Singapore, and leading innovators in cybersecurity technologies.

Key leaders and experts from the private sector, academe, diplomatic community, and civil society organizations are also expected to join the conference.

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Stratbase Institute President Professor Dindo Manhit explained that the conference emphasizes the need for a whole-of-society approach to ensure that the Philippines economic and national defense systems are resilient from cyberattacks this 2024 and beyond.

The Philippines is expected to continue its pursuit of digital transformation with a focus on promoting inclusive economic growth and safeguarding cyberspace. But it takes a whole-of-society to do this.

The public and the private sector must be actively engaged to achieve a digitally transformed and competitive Philippines. That is the whole idea behind the conference, Manhit said.

A whole-of-Philippine society approach is critical to fully participate in the global digital economy and ensure cyber resilience. This approach opens the space for cooperation and innovation between the public and private sectors, and with like-minded partners, he added.

Manhit noted that the National Security Policy Framework 2022  2028 has identified cyber, information, and cognitive security as a national security interest and a national security agenda.

Hence, Manhit said, the first day of the conference will focus on examining the current cybersecurity landscape of the Philippines, including policies and strategies to manage cyber risks, and different cyber-related issues in various sectors of the country including cybercrimes and disinformation.

Collaboration between the public and private sectors is paramount. Working together in the pursuit of digital transformation offers a more promising platform for the Philippines. The private sector, as a key player in the emergence and development of technology, may lend its technological expertise and resources to contribute to the digital transformation agenda, Manhit said.

On the second day, the conference will explore how the Philippines can work with the international community on cybersecurity and discuss recommendations on how to strengthen cyber resiliency to achieve digital security in the Philippines.

A whole-of-society approach to ensure cyber resilience also requires investing in people and processes, not just technology. Building the capacities of the Filipino workforce require strengthening ICT training through upskilling and reskilling as well as providing opportunities for professional development, Manhit explained.

More importantly, engaging in bilateral, minilateral, and multilateral partnerships is essential to creating a safe and secure cyber domain for the Philippines. The Philippines may look towards the cybersecurity strategies of partners such as Canada and tailor such strategies to the needs of the country Hopefully, after we spend two days in this conference, we can achieve and protect our national interest and realize accelerating systemic digital transformation in 2024, he added.
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GERMANY has expressed willingness to help the Philippines in tapping the Loss and Damage Fund that aims to address the impact of climate change.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it has strengthened cooperation with the Federal Republic of Germany on law enforcement and anti-piracy training, as well as person-to-person exchange.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock made the statement during her courtesy call on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday.

According to Baerbock, the Philippines and Germany could strengthen ties to address climate change.

This is also something which we believe can be a next step in our cooperation on the climate issue, even mentioning the loss and damage fund. This is really dear to my heart because I was doing a lot of policy beforehand. We said we have to do something about loss and damage, Baerbock said.

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The German official cited the interest of large German companies in investing in the Philippines renewable energy sector.

Baerbock said this would involve discussions on raw materials and skilled labor. This is really a field where its a win-win situation or even a triple win situation for employees, for workers, also for our countries, she added.

President Marcos expressed gratitude to Germany for its willingness to help the Philippines in addressing climate change as he stressed that the country has been a vital partner in this area.

It can be recalled that Environment Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga disclosed that the Philippines has gained a seat on the board of the Loss and Damage Fund.

Marcos earlier said allowing the Philippines to host the Loss and Damage Fund would symbolize inclusivity and will also ensure that the needs of the countries most affected by climate change would be addressed.

PCG Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, shared this latest development with local and foreign media partners after the courtesy of Baerbock, at the PCG national headquarters in Port Area, Manila.

We talk broadly about three things. One is their increasing support for the development of drones for the Philippine Coast Guard. We will also be pursuing more training opportunities to broaden skills the Coast Guard would need. We would also be increasing our person-to-person exchange to further deepen the relationship between Germany and the Philippine Coast Guard, Gavan shared.



He said the PCG will utilize at least four more drones that Germany will donate to enhance the performance of its mandated functions.



Currently, the PCG uses two drones donated by Germany in 2022, specifically in training Coast Guard Aviation Force pilots.



We will use it in search and rescue operations so that we can more easily find missing persons or missing vessels. We will use it in marine pollution response. We will also use it in the West Philippine Sea, Benham Rise, in our areas in the South to improve maritime domain awareness, so that operations are more efficient and more targeted., Gavan said.



While the Coast Guard Commandant and German Foreign Minister Baerbock did not specifically discuss having joint patrols in the WPS, CG Admiral Gavan said he is not discounting that the PCG and Germany may

want to tackle and pursue this capability building initiative in the future.



It is important to us that we have big economies with us that give us support so that we can maintain the rules-based peace and order, for the peace of the whole world, Gavan stressed.
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China called for accelerated negotiations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations for the conclusion of a binding Code of Conduct (COC) on the South China Sea.

Chinese Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing is committed to meet the set target for the conclusion of the COC negotiations as she lamented the interference of a non-regional country in the maritime disputes between Beijing and Manila.

We hope ASEAN countries will work with us toward the set target and speed up consultations for the early adoption of the COC, she said in a press briefing, adding that the issue of the South China Sea is highly complex and faces external interference.

The Chinese official said the second reading of the COC draft was already completed, and that the third reading has commenced.

China and ASEAN countries are working toward the adoption of the COC, which is an important measure in implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. The consultations on the COC are going smoothly, Mao said.

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China and the ASEAN members, including the five other claimant states the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Bruneihave been working on the COC for many years now.

It has been a perennial agenda item for China and ASEAN since 2002, when the two sides signed the non-binding DOC.

Mao stressed that no non-regional country should interfere in the South China Sea, including disputes with the Philippines.

No non-regional country has the right to interfere in the maritime disputes between China and the Philippines, Mao said after German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock criticized Beijings behavior in the disputed waters during a visit to Manila.

Baerbock lamented Chinas dangerous maneuvers violate international laws and impede freedom of navigation.

I think we all agree that the world doesnt need another crisis.

There are rough winds blowing across the South China Sea, and this is happening in the middle of one of the most dynamic economic regions of the world, Baerbock said.

She said recent incidents where the Chinese Coast Guard used lasers and water cannons against Philippine vessels are of concern for us in Europe even though we are thousands of kilometers away.

Such risky maneuvers violate the rights opportunities for economic development of your own country and other littoral states as well, Baerbock said.
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Canada is augmenting its official development assistance (ODA) to the Philippines as it fully implements its Indo-Pacific Strategy, its visiting development minister said Thursday night.

During his official visit to the Philippines, Canadas Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen announced that Ottawa has earmarked 15 million Canadian dollars, or approximately P627 million in new investments to improve climate adaptation and expand access to health services in the Philippines.

Hussen said the approved funding is expected to get underway in 2024.

Of the total, Canada will provide 8 million Canadian dollars over five years in grant financing to build the resilience of vulnerable communities by supporting nature-based solutions, such as reforestation and coastal wetlands restoration for climate adaptation. The project targets six regions across the country representing key biodiversity or protected areas.

On health services, Canada will provide 7 million Canadian dollars over six years in grant financing to help the country implement its Universal Health Care Act and strengthen the capacity of local governments.

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The project, Hussen said, would target vulnerable populations, including women and girls and indigenous people, in four geographically isolated and disaster-prone provinces.

Canadian overseas development assistance is meant to be deployed in the Philippines in a manner that compliments, supplements, and supports Philippine national priorities, he told reporters in a media roundtable in Makati City.

As part of our Indo-Pacific strategy, which is Canadas way to focus in this region in terms of diplomacy, trade and investment, and development, the Philippines is central to that strategy.

Canadas annual ODA to the Philippines is valued at 24 million Canadian dollars to 25 million Canadian dollars and focuses on peace and security, inclusive economic growth, and health, among others.

Hussen said Ottawa also wants to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Manila to further align its ODA more deliberately with the countrys development priorities.

Apart from health and climate adaptation, the concluded MOU will enhance Canadian support in areas of renewable energy and food security, among others.

Canada said the signing of the MOU would also ensure policy alignment and complementarity between the Philippine needs and the Canadian supply side.

As development ties with Manila grow, Hussen highlighted the potential for more investments to come in from its private sector.

If were talking about more resources, its not just us (Canadian government) picking up our game and increasing resources through the Indo-Pacific Strategy, he said.

We have the opportunity to leverage some of those additional dollars to also unlock private sector dollars from Canada and beyond to really deploy that in the Philippines. So, Im quite excited about the opportunities.

Hussen has met with Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga and National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.
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Colombian President Gustavo Petros eldest son was indicted Thursday on charges of money laundering involving funds from a drug lord that allegedly went to the presidents election campaign.

The trial of Nicolas Petro, 37, will begin April 29, prosecutor Mario Burgos said after a court hearing.

The case stems from claims by the younger Petros ex-wife that he accepted a large amount of money from a man named Samuel Santander Lopesierra, who is serving time in the United States for cocaine trafficking.

Prosecutors say Nicolas Petro, who was arrested last July, received the equivalent of $102,000 from Santander Lopesierra. Some of it went into the 2022 campaign of the elder Petro and the son used the rest to pay for an opulent lifestyle, these prosecutors say.

The president has denied that he won the election with the help of drug money. He is Colombias first leftist president.

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Nicolas Petro had initially said he would collaborate with prosecutors but then backtracked and denied all the charges against him.

The younger Petro was a legislator from Atlantico department, and helped his father gain support in the Caribbean region, historically opposed to leftist politicians.

Nicolas Petros lawyers tried in vain Thursday to have the charges dropped.

He has denied his father knew of shady money going into his election campaign.

Prosecutors say that as he enjoyed a life of luxury Nicolas Castro bought himself a $50,000 Mercedes-Benz, a stunning purchase given his salary as a lawmaker.
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We join the family of Mary Jane Veloso, in jail on Indonesias death row over drug related charges since April 2010, in hoping for a positive result as regards President Joko Widodos assurance Jakarta will re-examine her case.

Veloso was arrested at Yogyakartas Adisucipto International Airport on April 25, 2010 when authorities found in her suitcase 2.6 kg of heroin in her suitcase and was sentenced to death six months later.

She won a last-minute reprieve in 2015, when seven foreigners and an Indonesian were executed, after Velosos recruiter turned herself in to the Philippines police on allegations of people trafficking and the government in Manila under then President Benigno Aquino III asked for Velosos case to be reviewed.

We agree with her supporters the 39-year-old Nueva Ecija mother of two sons is a victim of human trafficking, whose case mirrors the plight of millions of Filipino overseas workers who often face injustice in their adopted country.

President Widodo was in Manila this week for a three-day official visit and assured President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. the Indonesian government will reexamine her case.

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Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said Widodo made the commitment during his meeting with President Marcos at Malacanan Palace on Wednesday, the eve of his departure for home.

The 66-year-old Marcos, four years Widodos senior, earlier in May last year asked the latter on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Indonesia to reexamine Velosos case as a favor to the Philippines.

The Filipino leader was hoping clemency would be given to Veloso at the appropriate time, as he relayed the progress on the case filed against her recruiters in the Philippines, Foreign Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said.

During his meeting with Widodo on Wednesday, President Marcos reported the legal interrogatories required from the Philippine Regional Trial Court on Velosos case have been sent to Jakarta for her to answer.

President Marcos said while he respected the prevailing laws in Indonesia as far as illegal drug charges were concerned, the Philippine government was working hard on Velosos case.

We see the Philippine government has not given up on Veloso, with authorities saying it is pursuing all legal remedies including asking for her pardon, commutation of sentence, or even extradition to serve her sentence in the Philippines.

According to the National Union of Peoples Lawyers, which is raising awareness about Velosos case, the drugs were secretly stashed in a bag given to her by the brother of Tintins [Sergios] boyfriend in Malaysia without Mary Janes knowledge, consent or intention.

Hope remains high the reassurance committed by President Widodo to President Marcos will result in a positive result.
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LAWYER Juan Paolo Villonco, the first Filipino Stanford Law graduate and President of Astro Robotics, is resolute in his mission to establish the Philippines on the global technology map.

He joins forces with Jin Tomioka, CEO and Co-founder of Telexistence, a global leader in Robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Virtual Reality (VR) technology.

Villonco and Tomioka, both Asian graduates of Stanford University, share a common vision: to leverage their education and expertise to impact the Philippines and Japan positively. Inspired by their experiences at Stanford, where innovation and collaboration were nurtured, they have come together to translate their shared vision into a meaningful partnership.

We met through common friends, said Villonco of how he and Tomioka, who were in different graduate programs, met at Stanford. We share in the belief that to build a better world, we must embrace technology and inclusive growth.

Empowered by Stanford Excellence

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As proud alumni of Stanford University, Villonco and Tomioka embody the pinnacle of innovation and leadership. Villonco expressed that a Stanford education was a long-standing goal of his.

I admire their interdisciplinary approach to learning, problem-solving, and to life in general, he explained. Their open-mindedness and pursuit of excellence through innovation and acceptance of disruption as a natural part of evolution greatly influenced my thinking and attitude towards work and life.

Tomioka, on the other hand, had a 10-year career with Mitsubishi Corporation and decided to venture into early-stage businesses. I wanted to get myself involved more in the process of building businesses by commercializing game-changing unproven technologies, he said.

He added, Stanford and communities around it, as known by the world, is the center of tech business and startups. Thus, it would be the best choice for my needs.

Both Stanford alums were profoundly influenced by their experiences at the esteemed institution. The university, renowned for promoting a culture of innovation and encouraging a mindset that encourages thinking beyond conventional boundaries, shaped Villoncos perspectives on challenges and overcoming the stigma of failure.

I come from a traditional Filipino family and corporate background. I was once averse to thinking outside the box, shared Villonco. Stanford taught me that difficulty is part of the path to success. It gave me the courage to (go) against the grain.

Tomioka found that the most remarkable lessons he learned were ones he picked up outside the corners of the lecture halls. (Things that shaped my perspectives came) more from the tech start-up communities around the university, especially from entrepreneurs and VCs I met, he explained. These experiences made me think that there is no big difference between those entrepreneurs and myself.

A Collaborative Journey Transcending Borders

Forged during their years at Stanford, the friendship between Villonco and Tomioka, coupled with their shared aspiration to make a positive impact on the Philippines and Japan, catalyzed the collaboration between Astro Robotics and Telexistence.

Our shared vision helps achieve a common goal of employment mobility in a new and exciting way, said Villonco. Our collaboration helps in providing jobs, but more importantly, upskilling Filipino workers for the digital economy. At the same time, we complement Japans immediate need for a younger workforce.

What we want to achieve is to provide opportunities for remote work even to physical workers (by) leveraging robots and VR, stated Tomioka. In other words, we want essential workers like people working in offline retail stores to work without actually being there.

This vision was made possible in Japan by Telexistence in 2022. Featured in Bloomberg as a global leader in the AI and robotics sector, Telexistence rolled out a fleet of robots designed to replenish shelves in convenience stores in Japan.

When we apply this vision to the Philippines and Japan, it seems it is a perfect combination, said the Telexistence CEO. One big innovation is that people in the Philippines do not have to move to Japan. They can work remotely from their home country through our technologies including robots.

Education, Innovation, Impact

For Villonco, the partnership between Astro Robotics and Telexistence is not merely about technology; its one initiative aimed at unlocking the full potential of the Philippines. There is an opportunity for Filipinos to be a global leader in tech, but we need to upskill our workforce on a massive scale and provide technology jobs for our new workforce, said Villonco.

He added, Through this partnership, we hope to expand more technology job opportunities locally and bring the global technology ecosystem to the Filipino workforce.

Astro Robotics is the exclusive Philippine partner of Telexistence, a collaboration spearheaded by Villonco and Tomioka with a shared goal of commercializing robotics, AI, AR, and VR technology services. With a commitment to inclusive growth, Astro Robotics intends to encourage the participation of young Filipinos in the global shift toward the fourth industrial revolution.

Villonco aspires to secure a place for the Philippines within the expansive landscape of the global tech workforce. We continue to explore opportunities with various institutions to help determine how our technology can develop the robotics/AI/VR industry further and help educate and upskill Filipinos through internship programs in the emerging tech industry, he said.
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Driven by the Asia Pacifics (APAC) rapid digitalization movement and known geopolitical frictions, experts at Kaspersky predict the upcoming cybersecurity threat landscape in the region this year.

Global cybersecurity company reveals that, in particular, the dangers of phishing, scams, data breaches, and geo politically-motivated cyberattacks are seen to continue targeting organizations and individuals from the region.

Asia Pacifics digital economy continues to grow exponentially and is expected to keep its momentum in the next five years. With digitalisation efforts including adoption of technologies like digital payments, Super Apps, IoT, smart cities, and now generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity will be key to ensuring the resilience of the regions overall defenses against potentially damaging cyberattacks, says Vitaly Kamluk, Head of Research Center for Asia Pacific, Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT) at Kaspersky.

When it comes to sophisticated Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), we have seen that cyber espionage remains to be the main objective of Asian groups. We expect this trend to continue in 2024 due to the existing geopolitical tensions in the region, Kamluk adds.

Kasperskys GReAT researchers have also specified the key cyberthreat predictions in 2024 for the key countries and territories in APAC.

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South East Asia (Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia)

The scale of scam in Southeast Asia

According to a report by the UN, hundreds of thousands of people from Southeast Asia (SEA) were recruited to join online-scam operations such as romance-investment scams, crypto fraud, money laundering and illegal gambling. Recruitment to these criminal operations are mostly done via advertised professional roles such as programmers, marketers or human resource specialists, through what appear to be legitimate and even elaborate procedures.

Increased usage and trust in digital payment methods, lack of regulations protecting the rights of users online and large numbers of people forced into joining online-scam operations add complexity to this major issue in SEA and in resolving it.

Law enforcement is working on many of those cases, involving scam and phishing attacks and we have seen successful operations in 2023, such as a joint operation of Australian Federal Police (AFP), and United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Malaysian Police which led to the arrest of 8 individuals behind a syndicate running a phishing-as-a-service campaign online, says Kamluk.

Nevertheless, we think that the scale of online scam and phishing attacks in Southeast Asia will only continue growing in the coming years due to technical and legal illiteracy of many people involved in such attacks from operators to victims, he adds.Singapore

Major technology safety and security highlights in Singapore in 2023 were related to data breaches and outages.

Financial service outages

In October 2023, DBS, one of the largest Singapore banks, experienced an operational failure due to datacenter outage, which resulted in 2.5 million failed transactions. Although, the reason for failure was not to be associated with a cyberattack at the time, given a prior history of outages, it will have implications on the banks strategies and priorities among which shall be increased reliability and safety of the services. As reported by the media, Citibank operations were also affected. While we embrace attention to improving the reliability and security of the infrastructure, its still the time of changes, which always opens a window of opportunities for the attackers.

DDoS attacks

Another highlight was related to web service outages of several public hospitals and polyclinics due to a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack: the attackers flooded servers with internet traffic to prevent users from accessing online services. The disruption did not result in a compromise of data or internal networks according to publicly known information. This incident tells us that while the websites demonstrated resilience against potential compromises, they were unfortunately unprepared to a DDoS attack.

Website defacements

A number of Singapore websites suffered from politically motivated defacement attacks in late 2023. Those attacks affected a historical temple website, a retirement info website, a tourism agency and other businesses located in Singapore.

The bottom line is that the trend for future attacks in Singapore will likely be related to denial of service attacks, politically motivated compromises, defacements, and data leaks. Targeted ransomware threat is still real too, but will adopt the newest trend of pressuring the victim through regulator complaints, explains Kamluk.

South Korea

Prominent political event and cybersecurity threats

In the upcoming year of 2024, South Korea is poised to hold a significant general election. Historically, major political events such as this have consistently attracted the attention of threat actors, who view them as prime opportunities for launching direct cyberattacks with the intent of disrupting the political proceedings. Furthermore, these threat actors often employ sophisticated social engineering techniques to achieve their goals. Thus, it is our firm belief that this impending major event will serve as a catalyst, intensifying the frequency and complexity of cyberattacks.

Customized Cyber Threats Targeting the Local IT Environment

Over the past several years, alleged state-sponsored threat actors have systematically infiltrated numerous entities within South Korea, employing widely adopted software solutions that are integral to the countrys IT infrastructure. These adversaries adeptly exploited vulnerabilities specific to the local, well-known software and IT ecosystem, thereby facilitating the successful dissemination of their malicious software to their unsuspecting targets. This nefarious activity wreaked havoc across various industries, causing extensive damage.

As we look ahead to the year 2024, it is evident that these customized threats, meticulously tailored to exploit South Koreas unique software landscape and IT environment, are poised to persist and pose an ongoing challenge, adds Kamluk.



China

Telecom fraud activity will decrease, but phishing attacks may increase

In the past year, the Chinese government has been trying to find ways and even seek international cooperation to combat telecom fraud. In this high-pressure environment, the telecom fraud groups, known to be located in northern Myanmar, may soon collapse.

However, Kaspersky researchers still have seen a wave of phishing attacks from unidentified groups over the past year launching frantic QR code phishing attacks on Chinese citizens, targeting personal credit card information. This groups operations do not appear to be affected by the situation in northern Myanmar, and based on Kaspersky statistics and observed behavioral patterns, attacks may peak again at the end of the year and early next year.

APT attacks on high profile targets will become increasingly active

Earlier this year, Chinese authorities reported cyberattacks on various national institutions and organizations. The CVERC reported isolating a spyware artifact named Second Date. This advanced cyber-espionage tool can fully control targeted network devices and enable prolonged data theft.

Targets that were compromised include a university developing military-industrial projects and government departments that maintain basic geographic data. In addition, Kaspersky have also noticed that some long-term active APT organizations have launched APT attacks against Chinese nuclear energy companies and unknown targets.

Given Chinas geopolitical prominence, Kaspersky experts expect that the number of APT attacks targeting the country will only increase in the future.

India

India has been traditionally suffering from a number of low skill but high scale scam and fraud cases. Typical threats include the following:

Illegal or fake digital loan apps

Income tax refund services

Real estate fraud

Investment scam

Ponzi schemes online

Job fraud

Sextortion

The rise of technologies and digitalization of the Indian economy, such as increased use of the sophisticated Unified Payments Interface (UPI), the software from the National Payments Corporation of India, will lead to a wave of related scams. Another opportunity for scammers is the ever-rising popularity of cryptocurrencies, which may lead to a new generation of scam apps, explains Kamluk.

Also, a growing popularity of micro-loan apps has resulted in new schemes to target users in India through unexpected inflated premiums and personal threats.

In addition, with Indias move towards smart cities, IoT vulnerabilities pose serious security challenges for the country.

For organizations in APAC, Kaspersky shares the tips below to keep safe from these upcoming threats in 2024:

Always keep software updated on all the devices you use to prevent attackers from infiltrating your network by exploiting vulnerabilities.

Establish the practice of using strong passwords to access corporate services. Use multi-factor authentication for access to remote services.

Choose a proven endpoint security solution such as Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Business that is equipped with behavior-based detection and anomaly control capabilities for effective protection against known and unknown threats.

Use a dedicated set for effective endpoint protection, threat detection and response products to timely detect and remediate even new and evasive threats. Kaspersky Optimum Security the essential set of endpoint protection empowered with EDR and MDR.

Use the latest Threat Intelligence information to stay aware of actual TTPs used by threat actors.

About Kaspersky

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Piedmont Community Services program Too Good for Drugs will be replaced in Henry County Public Schools after survey results said teachers wanted something new.

PCS was formed as a state Community Service Board to serve the counties of Franklin, Patrick, Henry and the city of Martinsville. It provides mental health, developmental and intellectual disabilities and substance use disorder services to its service region.

The organization provides multiple services and programs to the school division  one of which is the drug prevention program Too Good for Drugs.

It was announced publicly that Drug Abuse Resistance Education, or DARE, would be reintroduced into HCPS toward the end of last year during Henry County Sheriff Wayne Daviss campaign.

This change was not made without asking teachers and principals in the school division what their opinion on the topic was, HCPS Superintendent Amy Blake-Lewis said.

The Too Good for Drug program was supported through three-year grant funding that comes to an end at the beginning of the next school year. When the time to reapply, both an older survey and a recent survey of teachers unanimously said they wanted to go stop using Too Good for Drugs, and HCPS listened to that feedback.

There were many difficulties with the program [Too Good for Drugs], Blake-Lewis said. She added that though there was some good feedback about the program, the bad heavily outweighed it.

When she asked what program the teachers would prefer, multiple people responded with DARE. Blake-Lewis has worked for school systems where both DARE and Too Good for Drugs have been used previously and seen great results from each program, she said.

Its all about the quality of the implementation, she added.

At the January school board meeting, three representatives from PCS signed up to speak during the public comment portion of the meeting including Bonnie Favero, Regina Clark and PCS Executive Director Greg Preston.

The public comment portion of the meeting is intended as a listening time only, meaning the board or any other school representative is not able to engage, answer questions or debate. This, along with a set time restraint of three minutes per speaker, is always read aloud before speakers talk during public comment by the board chair.

Preston proceeded to talk for just under 11 minutes, using the first portion of his allotted time to tell the board that he had provided them with prevention fact sheets, pamphlets, youth risk behavior survey results, a portion of the Code of Virginia on community service boards, data from the Too Good for Drugs program and an article about the high rate of overdose deaths before he told them the reason he was there to speak.

Today my purpose is not only to talk about Piedmont [PCS], give you a quick overview, but also to provide some helpful data for the school board, Preston said. To stress to the school board ... to Dr. Blake-Lewis that we are your partner.

He said part of PCSs 2024 mission is to educate citizens and community partners on what a community service board is and that one of the purposes of PCS as a community service board is to enhance prevention services while also providing treatment services.

He added that on the treatment side, PCS has nailed it in HCPS and he wants to focus on prevention services to combat substance abuse.

Its our job to make sure that we are working for and supporting communities to make sure that were working with our local partners, especially the school system, Preston said.

We have strong prevention programs, great staff, he added.

But, according to the surveys conducted with teachers and principals in HCPS, that is not the case with Too Good for Drugs.

She said the survey feedback was that presenters were not engaging students, multiple times presenters did not show up when a session was scheduled, the material was duplicative from fourth to fifth grade and some teachers thought the content of the program was not age appropriate for the students.

Preston also said that it is the time to expand services, not stop them but HCPS is not stopping prevention services, they are simply bringing them to the schools in another way.

Blake-Lewis said that once DARE has been implemented with fourth and fifth grade, the only grades Too Good for Drugs covered, HCPS would be looking into expanding the program to cover kindergarten through 12th grade as the curriculum is already in existence through DARE.

We still have a partnership with Piedmont Community Services, Blake-Lewis said. I think that their comments made it appear that we have eliminated the partnership altogether, which is simply not the case.

If I ask for teacher feedback, I solicit teacher feedback, solicit principal feedback and then Im not responsive to that feedback, what does that say about me and how I value teachers and their professional opinion? Blake-Lewis said.

Im being responsive to my teachers, Im being responsive to my principals, she said.
The Ugandan authorities are to destroy 5.6 million out-of-date doses of Covid-19 vaccine, worth an estimated 6.7 million euros, according to a report presented to parliament and consulted on Wednesday January 10.

The vaccines had been imported by the East African country as part of a World Bank loan.

Out of 12,595,920 doses of Covid-19 vaccine in stock, 5,619,120 doses have expired. The value of expired Covid-19 vaccines at the date of the report was 28.159 billion Ugandan shillings, or around 6.7 million euros, writes Auditor General John Muwanga in his annual report on finances 2023 submitted to parliament on Tuesday.

The managing director of the National Medical Stores (NMS), Moses Kamabare, told media on Wednesday that the authorities would soon embark on the destruction of expired vaccines.

We havent received any orders for Covid-19 vaccines recently. If there is no demand from health facilities, we expect more vaccines to expire () and unfortunately, this involves large sums of money, he explained. The report assures us that funds have been obtained from Gavi (the Vaccine Alliance, a public-private partnership designed to improve access to vaccines in disadvantaged countries) for the recovery of all expired Covid-19 vaccines and their destruction.

In October, Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng told parliament that 59% of the eligible population had been fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Uganda has officially recorded 170,775 cases of coronavirus infection and 3,632 deaths since the start of the pandemic in 2020, according to Ministry of Health data.
The Prime Minister of Sao Tome on Wednesday January 10 denied the annulment of the concession contract for port services to the French company Africa Global Logist, denying the workers union, but said that the agreement is under review and does not exist legally.

Patrice Trovoada said that the contract has shortcomings that need to be clarified and errors that the government is analyzing.

According to the head of government, this was exactly what he told the workers union of the National Port Administration Company (Enaport) at their meeting last week.

The Prime Minister added that as long as the contract has not been amended, revised, in perfect agreement and openness with Africa Global Logist (AGL), which also wants to clarify a few things, and as long as the contract has not gone to the Court of Auditors for approval, legally this contract does not exist.

Patrice Trovoadas clarification was made during a press conference, when asked about the statements made by the president of the Enaport workers union, Hermes Carvalho, who said he had been informed by the prime minister, after a meeting, that the government had annulled the operational management contract for this infrastructure signed with AGL because there were some clauses that were not known to them.

I havent annulled it, its not annulled. It will be worked on [] it will be improved, clarified, the Prime Minister stressed. Patrice Trovoada assured that the former Minister of Infrastructure, Adelino Cardoso, who resigned last week after controversies over the contract, had the go-ahead to sign this agreement within the framework of a term of reference that needed to be obtained, but in the term of reference something got away.

The text of the agreement states that the President of the Republic, Carlos Vila Nova, the Prime Minister, Patrice Trovoada, and Enaport recognize the need to modernize and manage the port and have identified the operator, the French company AGL, as the best candidate to carry out the project.
The Mozambican ministry of Health on Wednesday January 10 recommended reinforcing preventive measures against flu-like illness in the country, warning of a growing trend in the positivity rate.

In a statement, the ministry recommends reinforcing flu prevention measures, namely: cough etiquette, reinforcing individual and collective hygiene, regular hand washing or disinfection and the use of masks for individuals with acute respiratory symptoms.

According to the same source, in Mozambique, the positivity rate for the influenza virus, one of the causes of acute respiratory infections, has tended to increase since the end of December, rising from 12% to 20% in the last two weeks, although clinical data does not yet report alarming figures in health units.

The above positivity rates are within the expected limits for this time of year, says Misau, which is implementing a flu syndrome surveillance system to monitor epidemiological trends, seasonality and the circulation of variants of the causative viruses.

In Mozambique, infections by these viruses occur throughout the year and the number of cases increases in the months of January to April, with a peak in March, and between the months of June and September, with a peak in August, says the ministry.
Nothing goes well between Gitega and Kigali Burundi announced mid-afternoon on Thursday January 11 that it was closing all its land borders with Rwanda, according to the countrys Minister of the Interior, because of Paul Kagames bad neighborliness, who, according to him, harbors all the countrys enemies.

This decision was taken a few days after Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye accused neighboring Rwanda of harboring, financing and arming Burundian rebels of the RED-Tabara, responsible for an attack that left some 20 civilians dead in Gatumba, on the border with the DRC. Kigali regrets Burundis unilateral decision to close their border.

The first rumors of the closure of border crossings between Burundi and Rwanda had begun to circulate in Burundian WhatsApp groups by mid-day, with testimonials from travelers stranded at the common border.

Confirmation of this information was not long in coming. Burundis powerful Minister of the Interior and Public Security announced two hours later from Kayanza province, bordering Rwanda, that Burundi had decided to close its borders with its northern neighbor. He accused the Rwandan president of harboring Burundis enemies, and said he would only resume direct relations with him if he decided to return to better feelings.

After noticing that we had a bad neighbor, Paul Kagame, we stopped all relations with him until he returned to better feelings. Because he has ulterior motives, he is the one who harbors the criminals who harm Burundians. Almost all of them come to him. Today, we have closed our borders, and anyone who tries to go there will not get through. Never! Similarly, we dont want Rwandan nationals. Even those who were on our soil have been expelled.

Another announcement from Martin Niteretse: the expulsion of Rwandan nationals who are on our soil and whom we dont want, in his own words in Kirundi, the countrys national language, without giving any further details.

The honeymoon between the two countries did not last long. Gitega only officially reopened its border with Kigali a little over a year ago, after seven years of closure, with each country accusing the other of supporting its enemies.

Its the logical consequence, explains a senior Burundian official, of the Burundian presidents accusations against Rwanda at the end of last year. At the time, Evariste Ndayishimiye accused Kigali of harbouring, feeding and training Burundian rebels from RED-Tabara, accused of killing 20 civilians during an attack in Gatumba, a town on the DRC border near Goma.
Ten civilians were killed on Thursday January 11 in an exchange of artillery fire in a residential area of Khartoum, the capital of Sudan torn apart since April 2023 by a war between rival generals, pro-democracy activists announced.

Ten civilians were killed in an exchange of artillery fire in a residential neighborhood and in the local market, reports the Resistance Committee of Khartoums southern belt, a neighborhood organization that manages mutual aid between residents.

Launched on April 15, the war between the army led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhane and the dreaded paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of General Mohamed Hamdane Daglo, has claimed more than 12,000 lives, according to a highly underestimated estimate by the NGO Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (Acled).

It has also displaced more than seven million people, according to the UN. Diplomatic efforts for peace negotiations, notably by the USA, Saudi Arabia and, more recently, the East African regional bloc Igad, have so far failed.

Before their confrontation, Generals Burhane and Daglo had joined forces to carry out a putsch and oust civilians from power in October 2021, ending two years of democratic transition.

Unable to gain the upper hand since the start of the war, both sides are stalling, but neither intends to make any concessions at the negotiating table. On the ground, however, the RSF seems to have been taking over new swathes of the country for months in the face of weak resistance from the army.

They now control the streets of Khartoum, almost all of the vast western region of Darfur, and have penetrated the state of al-Jazira, in the east-central part of the country, which hosts a large proportion of the displaced population.
On Thursday January 11, China called for Somalias territorial integrity to be respected, following a resurgence of tension triggered by a maritime agreement signed between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland.

Under this memorandum of understanding signed on January 1, the Somaliland region  a former British protectorate which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, but is not recognized by the international community  intends to grant Ethiopia access to 20 kilometers of its coastline for a period of 50 years, via a leasing agreement.

Addis Ababa has indicated that this will enable it to benefit from a permanent naval base () and commercial maritime services on the Gulf of Aden.

The Somali government, which has little authority over Somaliland, has vowed to use all legal means to oppose what it regards as aggression and a flagrant violation of its sovereignty.

Somaliland is part of Somalia. China supports the Federal Government of Somalia in safeguarding national unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to a message posted on X from the Chinese Embassy in Somalia, quoting Mao Ning, a spokeswoman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

China also hoped that tensions would be managed by countries in the region through diplomatic dialogue. The Igad bloc of East African countries announced on Thursday that it would be holding an extraordinary meeting on January 18 in Uganda to discuss tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia, as well as the situation in Sudan, which has been torn apart since April by a war between rival generals.

The United States, the European Union, the African Union, the Arab League, Egypt and Turkey had already called for Somalias sovereignty to be respected.
New tensions, a new stage in the tense relations between the Vatican and bishops Conferences in Africa. Last December, the Vatican authorized blessings for so-called irregular couples, notably homosexual couples.

At the time, many of the continents bishops, notably from Cameroon and Nigeria, voiced their rejection of this decision. A week ago, the Vatican explained its position in a lengthy press release. This Thursday, January 11, the shepherds answer to the shepherdess the bishops conferences meeting in Accra announced their categorical refusal to perform these blessings.

Entitled No blessings for homosexual couples in the Churches of Africa, the four-page summary of the arguments put forward by the African bishops conferences is signed by their president, the influential Cardinal Ambongo, Archbishop of Kinshasa.

While they reaffirm their communion with Pope Francis, the religious leaders point out that the proposed blessings cannot be carried out in Africa without exposing themselves to scandal.

In their conclusions, the bishops state in our context, this would cause confusion and be at odds with the cultural image of African communities.

The bishops conferences also believe that the language used by the Vatican remains subtle to understand for simple people.

Concluding their statement, the bishops point out that the Pope is vehemently opposed to any form of cultural colonization and then remind us that some countries prefer to have more time to study the declaration, which in fact proposes the possibility of these blessings, but does not impose them.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The NHS must treat at least 10% more non-emergency hospital cases a month if it is to successfully start reducing the hefty backlog caused by the pandemic, according to a new analysis.

From February 2020 to October 2022, the waiting list for non-urgent care grew by 2.6 million casesa projected 1.8 million more than if the pandemic had not hit.

Experts say the build-up of cases will not be cleared before the end of 2025 even if capacity is increased by the 30% compared to pre-pandemic levels outlined in NHS England's recovery plan.

In the early stages of the pandemic, the NHS was forced to postpone elective, or non-urgent, treatments to focus resources on patients seriously unwell with COVID-19. This has led to a backlog of people waiting to receive care, with many requiring several referrals for multiple conditions.

To estimate the extent of disruption, researchers from the Universities of Edinburgh and Strathclyde looked at the number of referrals waiting to be treated each month in England from January 2012 to October 2022.

The waiting list rose from 2.4 million in January 2012 to 4.6 million at the start of the pandemic in February 2020, increasing by about 275,000 referrals per year. This steady rise suggests the service was already gradually declining before the pandemic.

COVID-19 then intensified the decline, researchers say. By October 2022, there were more than 7.2 million referrals waiting to receive non-urgent treatment.

Experts warn this is likely to be a substantial under-estimate of the backlog because of the anticipated large numbers of people yet to come forward for care following the pandemic.

An estimated 10.2 million fewer referrals were made to elective care from the beginning of the pandemic to 31 October 2022, according to the study.

How many of these missing patients return for care is one of the biggest unknowns when predicting future waiting list numbers.

The research team simulated a range of scenarios based on between 25% and 75% of missing patients seeking health care. This allowed scientists to model the outcome of several increases in capacity on waiting list numbers.

The findings illustrate the importance of resilience within the health care system to minimize the impact of any future emergencies on the provision of routine care, researchers say.

Dr. Syed Ahmar Shah from the University of Edinburgh's Usher Institute, who led the study, said, "The health care system was struggling to keep up with the demand many years before the pandemic, and the COVID-19 pandemic only aggravated the problem. Moving ahead, it is evident that we cannot afford to leave our health care systems strained; instead, we must enhance their resilience to ensure better preparedness for any future emergencies."

The study is published in The Lancet journal.

More information: Syed Ahmar Shah et al, Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on NHS England waiting times for elective hospital care: a modelling study, The Lancet (2024). DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(23)02744-7 Journal information: The Lancet
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: Function (2023). DOI: 10.1093/function/zqad061

A group of Chinese researchers has conducted a mouse study to determine the role of Orai1, a membrane calcium-selective ion channel protein, in pancreatitis-associated acute lung injury.

Their findings, published in the journal Function, reveal that Orai1 in pancreatic parenchymal cells (cells responsible for detoxification in the liver and filtering toxins in the kidneys) mediates pancreatic acute lung injury in acute pancreatitis.

Mice without Orai1 lose protection against localized pancreatic injury during acute pancreatitis. However, the protein does protect against pancreatitis-associated acute lung injury by blocking white blood cell-intrinsic functions.

"This study provided invaluable preclinical evidence for the feasibility of targeting ORAI1 in two distinct cellular sources," said Li Wen, MD, Ph.D., a professor and principal investigator at Peking Union Medical College Hospital in China, and lead author of the study. "This further emphasizes that systemic administration of Orai1 inhibitors is a promising therapeutic strategy as an early treatment of acute pancreatitis. We believe this will also help accelerate the clinical development of Orai1 inhibitors."

More information: Mengya Niu et al, Neutrophil-specific ORAI1 Calcium Channel Inhibition Reduces Pancreatitis-associated Acute Lung Injury, Function (2023). DOI: 10.1093/function/zqad061
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Venn diagram showing the number of miRNAs expressed in sperm samples from mice aged 3 M, 12 M and 20 M. A total of 447 miRNAs were expressed, and about half of them are common. Credit: Kazusa Miyahara et al.

A recent study has reported that changes in mice sperm microRNAs brought about by aging may affect the growth and development of offspring. The finding adds to the growing literature on the effects of paternal aging on offspring.

Details of the study were published in the journal Scientific Reports on December 7, 2023.

Marriages and childbearing later in life are increasingly becoming the norm. While the impacts of maternal age on offspring, such as a higher risk of miscarriage and Down syndrome, are widely understood, the impacts from the paternal side are less so.

Yet this is changing. Recent epidemiological studies have demonstrated that paternal aging exerts a more substantial influence on the heightened risk of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder.

A research team led by Professor Noriko Osumi from the Department of Developmental Neuroscience at the Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine has previously revealed that epigenetic factors, including histone modifications in spermatogenesis and DNA methylation in mice sperm, undergo changes with age. These alterations might lead to transgenerational effects.

However, the impact of paternal aging on microRNAs (miRNAs), small, non-coding RNA molecules that play a crucial role in regulating gene expression, remains under-explored.

Correlation analyses between genes associated with ASD whose expression levels varied between groups and their regulatory miRNAs. Two genes important for brain function, Oxtr and Gabrb2, are regulated by miR-466j (left) and miR-24-3p (right), microRNAs whose expression levels change with aging. Credit: Kazusa Miyahara et al.

To rectify this, the same research team has conducted a comprehensive analysis of age-related variations in microRNAs in mice sperm. They compared microRNAs in sperm from mice aged 3, 12, and 20 months and identified the microRNAs that had changed in quantity.

The researchers discovered significant age-associated differences in the microRNAs. Some changes were in microRNAs responsible for regulating the nervous system and genes related to autism spectrum disorder, and these altered microRNAs included those transferred to fertilized eggs.

"Our study reveals the potential association between alteration in sperm microRNAs caused by paternal aging, underscoring the significance of investigating the impact of sperm microRNAs on offspring, an aspect that has been relatively overlooked in previous research," states Osumi.

The anticipation is that further exploration of epigenetic factors, specifically microRNAs, will not only contribute to unraveling the pathogenic mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders but will also offer insights into promoting the health and disease prevention of successive generations.

The expression levels of miR-10a-5p (left) and miR-146a-5p (right), microRNAs reported to be transferred to the fertilized egg, changes with age. Credit: Kazusa Miyahara et al.

Osumi points out that their study widens the net when it comes to exploring the link between paternal age and potential health complications in children. "While the age-related changes in oocytes are well-documented, the focus has predominantly centered on the fertility of sperm. Recognizing the myriad epigenetic transformations associated with sperm aging, as exemplified by the microRNAs examined in this study, becomes imperative."

The findings also gain relevance in the context of Japan's rapidly declining birthrate, which necessitates incorporating the perspective on sperm-related factors in advancing reproductive medicine.

More information: Kazusa Miyahara et al, Investigating the impact of paternal aging on murine sperm miRNA profiles and their potential link to autism spectrum disorder, Scientific Reports (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47878-z Journal information: Scientific Reports
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:

Cyclone Freddy devastated Malawi in March 2023, impacting over 2.2 million people and displacing around 600,000 individuals who are now faced with malnutrition. Credit: GovernmentZA (CC BY-ND 2.0 DEED)

Plates and spoons designed to help people better feed their children are helping reverse malnutrition in the wake of Cyclone Freddy in Malawi.

Cyclone Freddy devastated Malawi in March 2023, impacting more than 2.2 million people and displacing about 600,000 individuals who sought refuge in more than 700 overcrowded camps across the country.

Malnutrition contributes to an estimated 23% of deaths of children under 5 each year in Malawi, according to Unicefthe UN agency for children. Natural disasters like Cyclone Freddy impact on the ability of displaced people to access nutritious foods.

To effectively respond to the impact of Cyclone Freddy, Unicef supported the Ministry of Health in Malawi to screen 2.4 million children for acute malnutrition.

They identified and treated more than 25,000 children for severe acute malnutrition and educated almost half a million caregivers of children aged up to 23 months on better infant and child feeding practices.

Workers also provided iron and folic acid supplements to more than 54,000 adolescent girls to prevent anemia.

John Kadulila, a local promoter of the projectknown as Chithandofrom the Nsanje district in Malawi, highlighted the significance of the feeding and learning sessions, where parents with malnourished children in villages come together to participate in cooking lessons.

Plates and spoons

The sessions involve preparing special meals using maize, groundnuts (peanuts), pumpkin leaves, and eggs. Specially designed plates and spoons with metrics and labels assist parents in following instructions for meal preparation.

Kadulila told SciDev.Net that while some parents do not have enough food in their homes, other just need to be taught to prepare balanced meals.

He said the specially designated plates show what type of food should be given to various age groups, the frequency, how to clean the plates, a picture of six food groups and a special spoon to show how thick the porridge should be.

"The sessions have proved essential," said Kadulila. "It has turned into an oasis for many families facing food insecurity."

Grace Takomana, the health, nutrition and gender focal person for the Hunger Project-Malawi, implementing the Scale UP Nutrition project, said the complementary feeding and learning sessions significantly reduced the risk of malnutrition and have also proven to treat moderate acute malnutrition.

Takomana said that the intervention takes 12 days to kick in.

"It starts with a nutrition screening exercise for admission into the feeding and learning sessions," she said.

"It is then followed by cooking demonstrations, feeding sessions and subsequent nutrition assessments to monitor changes in nutrition status."

When the weight of her baby drastically dropped following the floodswhich wiped out her possessions, including crops at the farm, Lucia Samikuta, one mother, struggled to feed her 5-month-old baby who was becoming malnourished.

Samikuta told SciDev.Net that the Chithando projectthe food and the lessonshave assisted her in managing the condition of her 5-month-old baby.

"I think after 12 days, the child will be fine," she said, smiling while feeding the baby from the yellow plate. "I am very confident about that."

Provided by SciDev.Net
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:

Comparison of subcutaneous (s.c.) and intradermal (i.d.) JYNNEOS vaccination routes. Pan-pox-specific interferon- (IFN-) enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot) (A), Th1 CD4+ (B), and Th1 CD8+ (C) T-cell responses after i.d. or s.c. JYNNEOS vaccination of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) hiCD4 group individuals. Pan-pox-specific 47+ CD4+ (D) or CD8+ (E) T-cell responses for HC and HIV-1-infected individuals after s.c. or i.d. JYNNEOS vaccination. Given are the differences in percentages to the prevaccination time point. Individual values for IFN- ELISpots and intracellular cytokine staining (ICS) assays are shown. Statistically significant differences between the groups were calculated using a one-way analysis of variance test for parametric data or a KruskalWallis test for nonparametric data. Nonsignificant differences were indicated as ns and differences with p values Journal of Medical Virology (2023). DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29317

Researchers from the Infection Biology Lab at the Department of Medicine and Life Sciences (MELIS) at Pompeu Fabra University and the HIV Unit at Hospital del Mar Research Institute have shown that intradermal vaccination with the JYNNEOS vaccine against smallpox is the best option to protect people living with HIV from contracting the monkeypox virus.

This route of vaccine administration requires less material to inject each patient, extending the available vaccine doses by a factor of five. The results of this observational study also indicate that individuals with a low level of CD4 T cells, a type of white blood cell essential to properly fight new infections, need a booster dose 28 days after the first dose to compensate for their immunosuppressed status.

Monkeypox (mpox) is a zoonotic virus of the variola virus family that causes smallpox. Mpox causes an infectious disease that can spread autochthonously between humans through direct contact and respiratory routes. The most common symptoms of monkeypox infection are fever, headache, muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes, rash, respiratory and rectal symptoms, and exhaustion. Its severity depends on age and the response of the immune system to resist pathogens and parasites.

Prior to the spring of 2022, monkeypox used to appear in the form of single outbreaks in endemic areas of Central and West Africa, but at this time a global outbreak occurred that facilitated human-to-human transmission. Transmission was mainly between men who had sex with men, a population group with many HIV-infected individuals, who are particularly susceptible to monkeypox virus infection and pathogenicity.

Although there is no specific vaccine against monkeypox, the smallpox vaccine protects eight out of ten people from monkeypox infection due to the antigenic relatedness between the two viruses.

Fighting monkeypox while living with HIV

Results of the study published in the Journal of Medical Virology indicate that the activity of T cells, responsible for the response against pathogens, homeostasis and the system's memory, in HIV-1-infected individuals, whose viral load was controlled by antiretroviral therapy, was enhanced after vaccination with the JYNNEOS smallpox vaccine. T cell responses were equivalent to those of healthy control individuals.

Among individuals living with HIV infection, there is an at-risk group that deserves special attention. It comprises so-called immunological non-responders (INR), individuals who control their viral loads after antiretroviral therapy but only partially recover their CD4 T-lymphocyte count.

"Our study shows that these INRs may need a booster dose 28 days after the first vaccination to generate an efficient T cell response and thus be protected against monkeypox," explains Robert Guerri, the Hospital del Mar clinician who coordinated the vaccination study and is also an associate professor at UPF. Together, the new findings underscore the importance of specific studies on the immune response among people with HIV, especially those with lower CD4 white blood cells.

Vaccine administration routes modulate the immune response

Before the monkeypox outbreak in the spring of 2022, the JYNNEOS vaccine was administered subcutaneously to protect the population. However, due to the increased vaccine demands, in August 2022, American and European health authorities proposed the intradermal administration route of the JYNNEOS vaccine.

Via this route, the vaccine is released into the upper layer of the skin, where many immune cells are located. Most importantly, this procedure extends the available vaccine doses by a factor of five, increasing vaccine availability without compromising its efficacy.

In contrast to the T-cell response of HIV-1-infected individuals who received the JYNNEOS vaccine subcutaneously, all individuals who received the vaccine intradermally generated a significant T-cell response. Therefore, intradermal vaccination was more effective in activating specific antiviral immunity.

"Our results clearly support the proposed dose-sparing vaccination route also for the protection of immunocompromised individuals who need the vaccine the most," adds Andreas Meyerhans, an ICREA researcher and UPF full professor, who coordinated the experimental part of the study.

This study provides an early indication of how best to proceed with preventive vaccination against monkeypox in a group of individuals at high risk of infection. However, further studies should confirm and expand on the observations derived from a small number of vaccinated individuals.

More information: Marta SistereOro et al, Panpoxspecific Tcell responses in HIV1infected individuals after JYNNEOS vaccination, Journal of Medical Virology (2023). DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29317
Correction: The original version of this story incorrectly referred to the "Good Jobs, Better Cities" program. The program is called "Good Jobs, Great Cities." The story was also unclear about federal infrastructure spending directed to cities and counties. The federal government is spending trillions of dollars on infrastructure, but only part of that is going to cities and counties. The story has been updated.

Workers in the trades are often referred to as "tradesmen" because, well, they usually are men. A new workforce program under development aims to change that by helping more women enter trade jobs alongside their male counterparts.

With trillions of dollars flowing into infrastructure projects around the country that also bolster energy efficiency and renewable energy use, communities like Missoula find themselves needing more workers to actually carry out the projects they have funding for. In Missoula, a forthcoming pre-apprenticeship program seeks to help build that workforce by offering young and low-income women a pathway to trade jobs in which women have historically been underrepresented.

By coupling baseline training programs with supportive services like child care, transportation, housing and health care, the program could remove or lessen barriers that often keep young, low-income women  particularly single moms  out of jobs that pay enough to support their families. The idea is to prep women to enter a trade-job apprenticeship or even go straight to work in fields like construction, energy efficiency, plumbing or heating and air conditioning. And, if all goes to plan, the increase in women entering the workforce could mean that jobs created by infrastructure spending are employing local residents who need it the most.

The pre-apprenticeship project is a collaboration between Missoula city and county, the U.S. Department of Labor, the National League of Cities and a slew of private, nonprofit or collaborative entities around Missoula like Climate Smart Missoula, Mountain Home and the Missoula Economic Partnership. It was kickstarted about six months ago when the Department of Labor and League of Cities selected Missoula as one of 16 small to midsize U.S. cities for the new "Good Jobs, Great Cities" program. The program offers technical assistance and guidance to cities that are developing novel ways to bolster their workforce as they spend the federal dollars that flowed to them in recent years from Congress and the Biden administration.

The National League of Cities connected Missoula with pre-apprenticeship curriculum, and the league and Department of Labor are advising the city on how to fund the future program with public and private philanthropic dollars. The Good Jobs, Great Cities program ends after a year, this upcoming July. It's unclear how long a future pre-apprenticeship program developed during the year would take to launch, but it would likely be housed within Missoula College with supporting services from groups like Mountain Home and coordination by the Missoula Economic Partnership.

At a two-day summit for Missoula's program that kicked off Tuesday, Britt Stich, a senior adviser at the Department of Labor, said that "good jobs" are ones with competitive pay, benefits, access to child care, transportation and training opportunities.

But, according to federal data, about 6 million young people  or 15% of the country's youth population  became "disconnected" from education and work because of the coronavirus pandemic. Meanwhile, infrastructure job vacancies take an average of 20% longer to fill than jobs in other sectors. The problem is exacerbated as a projected 1.7 million workers retire from infrastructure jobs each year. Those jobs generally pay good wages and often offer employment to people without college degrees.

But despite the vacancies and the disconnected potential workers, about half of Americans believe a good job is out of their reach. A pre-apprenticeship program in Missoula, those gathered at the summit believe, could help mend that mismatch. The program would essentially expand drastically on work already performed at Mountain Home, a Missoula shelter for single moms age 16 to 29 that also offers mental health care with therapy and case management for women and children, child care, community events and education and employment programs. It would also build upon and expand trade education already offered at Missoula College through the Job Site Ready program.

"Theres two key things, or problems, that this program is helping us with," said Nicole Rush, deputy director of the Missoula Economic Partnership. "One is around our renewable energy goals as a community and our goal to be supported by 100% clean electricity in Missoula. Thats going to take an expanded workforce of folks in the clean energy sector, and it means anything from plumbers to electricians, people to install heat pumps, people who can weatherize your house to make it more energy efficient. So we know were going to need a lot of workers there, and we want to make sure that the jobs that will be created through that initiative will help the most disadvantaged in our community.

"The other aspect that this is helping us with is infrastructure jobs in general, and just the need to work on our highways and our bridges, expand access to broadband, all of that, again, requires a huge expanded workforce."

But getting young and low-income women into that workforce comes with its own challenges, she said. Trade apprenticeship trainings are offered more commonly in Helena or Butte, although a few are offered in Missoula. And many women lack baseline skills to enter such a program.

"I think especially for women theres a barrier just in that women dont tend to receive the same type of learning that men do in having maybe some basic knowledge of construction," she said. "A lot of apprentices may already have some experiences working construction or working a trades job, and women generally dont come in with that same level of experience.

"The pre-apprenticeship program is designed to give them those basic skills. It teaches them how to get along on the job site, what equipment they need to wear, how to use basic tools, basic construction math, safety, of course  so, kind of all the basic skills that they would need in order to either enter into one of those apprenticeship programs or just take a job in construction."

Underlying that would be a foundation of services like those Mountain Home provides, said Kelsie Severson, the shelter's director of development and impact.

"So many of our moms are pretty vulnerable populations," she said. "Not only are they young, we have about 90% of our clients that have a severe, disabling mental illness. We also have women in kind of the lowest forms of poverty in our community  single moms  trying to make a living. They have so many barriers to access in health care, in child care, in all of these things that you need to be able to get a job.

"So much of this coalition has been great because weve been able to build that partnership between Mountain Home where youre saying, first, what do you need to be able to participate in that training, and then what training do you need to be able to get into that trade."
Montana's first medical school announced plans Thursday morning to launch a new veterinary medicine school at its Billings campus.

Rocky Vista University, which opened the RVU Montana College of Medicine in July, plans to develop the Rocky Vista University College of Veterinary Medicine in Billings. The college will be the first of its kind in the state.

The college will offer a comprehensive Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program to train future veterinarians. RVU has been working on this project for the past 18 months and while this new program is still in the process of becoming accredited, it has the potential of helping to solve the critical veterinary care shortage in Montana and the Mountain West region.

There is currently no other veterinary school within 400 miles of Billings. Local students who want to attend veterinary medical school have to pay out-of-state tuition fees elsewhere or vie for a limited number of slots to participate in programs that help Montana residents pay in-state tuition at neighboring state universities. A college of veterinary medicine located in Billings could help meet that need.

The community needs it. The state needs it, and we can fill that need, said Dr. David Forstein, president of RVU. As a clinician myself, I understand that we don't have enough doctors, we don't have enough veterinary positions, and nothing is more important to me than solving that need.

The program is seeking accreditation through the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education and the Higher Learning Commission. If approved by the accreditors, RVU will proceed with planned construction of a veterinary medicine academic building on a parcel that has already been acquired adjacent to its existing campus located on Billings West End.

Steve Arveschoug of Big Sky Economic Development in Billings said that local contractors will be instrumental in constructing the Veterinary school and grounds.

Robert Murtaugh, a doctor of veterinary medicine, has been appointed as the founding Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. Murtaugh is currently working with senior university leadership and other academic veterinary experts on curriculum development, faculty planning, clinical relationships, and other major steps to develop this new program.

I ran for president of the American Veterinary Medical Association a year ago, on a platform of We have a veterinary shortage, and we need to do things to make a difference, said Murtaugh. Here's an opportunity for me to work with a great team at Rocky Vista University to make it tangible.

The College of Veterinary Medicine is projected to open in mid-2026. The first class, anticipated to be 125 students, will graduate in the summer of 2029.

Graduates will be ready for the workforce upon graduation, from treatment of companion animals to working and agricultural animals.

Theres a veterinary shortage across the country, said Murtaugh. So, every new graduate that we can put into the job market, whether it's in Billings or Montana, or the Big Sky region or across the country is going to help.

In addition to helping solve the shortage of veterinary medicine providers in Montana, the College of Veterinary Medicine is expected to have a positive economic impact in Billings, Yellowstone County, and Montana.

Every time we have an opportunity to help a business grow in our community that diversifies our economy in the state and creates jobs, that is so important, said Arveschoug. Animals are part of the agricultural industry here in Billings. We also engage with animals on a personal level, they add joy to our life.
A rather most unusual statue was dedicated on todays date, Jan. 11. It was in the year of 1919 and is yet on Main Street of a small town. It is a monument to, of all things, an insect, specifically the Boll Weevil. Having seen it, I can verify that while it is realistic, it is certainly not attractive. An insect! A hideous, ugly insect! What could have inspired them? As it turns out, history has proven that the destructive little anthonomos grandis saved the agricultural economy of that area of the South, and did so by destroying the cash crop on which all too many people depended. In fact, at the base of the memorial is the following inscription: In profound appreciation of the Boll Weevil and what it has done as the herald of prosperity this monument was erected by the citizens of Enterprise, Coffee County, Alabama.

A simple lesson that the Boll Weevil taught to the rural population of the South was that everything in life that appears to be a travesty, is not necessarily so.

Lets face it, calamities and bad luck are simply part and parcel to life  everyones life. As Tennyson penned the words, Never morning wore to evening, but that some heart did not break. You may have heard an unknown philosopher once said, Be kind to everyone you meet, for everyone is carrying a heavy load.

Most people who read the Bible frequently know how to easily find the 119th Psalm. It is not only the longest chapter in the Bible but it is also right square in the middle of the vast sacred writing that focuses upon human life and our relationship with the Creator. It seems quite appropriate that the author of that one writing goes to great lengths to describe a range of unfortunate experiences and gloomy emotions. Most people can readily identify with the writers spiritual perplexity, but in the midst of the enunciation of his woes (almost in the middle of the chapter that is in the middle of the book about life), he says something almost fabulously confounding: I find comfort in my afflictions.

Now the psalmist was not a person who enjoyed being on the receiving end of torture, but rather he was recognizing essentially the truth that Paul would write centuries later to the church in Rome: All things work together for the good of those who love the Lord ... That spiritual maxim is that God can bring about His desired results regardless of whatever circumstances we encounter.

Perhaps along with tragedies being a realistic expectation in life there is also wisdom in recognizing that misfortune has its own unique way of teaching us coping mechanisms for lifes road. One way of interpreting the psalmists line of comfort in afflictions is rather bluntly stated, It is good that I have been afflicted. The poet Robert Hamilton wrote: I walked a mile with pleasure, She chatted all the way./ But left me none the wiser, For all she had to say./ I walked a mile with Sorrow/ And not a word said she;/ But, oh, the things I learned from her when Sorrow walked with me.

C.S. Lewis wrote of the same sapience, God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain. It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.

Back to the Boll Weevil. Before it arrived in the South in 1919, cotton was king all over the South. The economy depended upon it. Not just the farmers, but also for beauticians, druggists, grocers, butchers and store keepers where the farmers shopped. All forms of financial undertaking. When the Boll Weevil wrecked havoc on their livelihoods, the people were forced to turn to alternative farming and industry. A scientist by the name of George Washington Carver came up with the brilliant idea of peanuts. It was not long before cotton gins were replaced with peanut warehouses and the economy was improved immensely over what had been before. And all of us are the recipients of the good fortunes that men like Carver and later a Sunday school teaching peanut farmer named Jimmy Carter brought out of what the world saw as a devastation.

Yes, all things can work for the good of those who love the Lord.
A Connelly Springs man has been charged after deputies say a mentally disabled person was raped last summer.

Wesley Andrew Neece, 47, was charged with one count of first-degree forcible sex offense, two counts of second-degree forcible sex offense and misdemeanor sexual battery, according to a news release from the Burke County Sheriffs Office.

Investigators first started investigating Neece on Aug. 2 after receiving a report of an alleged sexual assault, the release said.

Findings of the investigation were turned over to the district attorneys office, and Neece was indicted in November, according to the release and court documents filed at the Burke County Courthouse.

The indictment said the victim in the case was about 21 years old at the time of the alleged crimes. The victim is mentally disabled, according to the indictment.

Neece has a previous conviction of possession of a schedule VI controlled substance, according to records from the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.

Hes being held under no bond at the Burke County Jail. His next court date is Feb. 26.
A woman is asking for answers after she said her boyfriend was shot and killed at home by bail bondsmen Sunday.

Gary David Ritch, 57, was shot around 4:10 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 7, at home on Pax Hill Road near Piney Road, according to a release from the Burke County Sheriffs Office. Ritch was transported to a hospital where he later died from his injuries, the release said.

The sheriffs office said there were bail bonding agents on scene at the time of the shooting.

Ritchs girlfriend, Polly Moretz, said it was the bail bonding agents who shot Ritch.

Moretz was home when she said bail bond agents knocked on the front door. They walked around to the back door, where Moretz said they asked Ritch why he wouldnt come to the door. She said Ritch told them he wouldnt answer the door because it wasnt his house.

When the bail bond agents came back to the front door, Moretz said another person in the house heard the bail bond agents yell for Ritch, who was in a back bedroom in the mobile home.

The next thing she knew, the front door had been kicked in and the bail bond agents were in the house and headed toward the back bedroom. She said moments later, shots were fired. She said she didnt hear anything else that was said once the bail bond agents made it into the house.

Moretz said the only gun in the house was a BB gun  a Wildcat Whisper air rifle that she said fired one .177 caliber pellet at a time. She said she wasnt sure if Ritch had reached for the gun during the incident.

Sitting in her living room, just down the hall from where her boyfriend was shot and killed Sunday, Moretz was in tears while she talked to a News Herald reporter Monday morning.

It was wrong, Moretz said. For the amount of money and the charge, it was wrong.

The bond

Ritch was out of jail on a $5,000 bond for a driving while impaired case, along with a slew of other traffic charges related to the DWI, according to court records.

He skipped a Nov. 17 court hearing, leading a judge to forfeit the bond and issue an order for his arrest, according to officials with the Burke County Clerk of Courts office.

When Ritchs bond was forfeited, the clock would have started for either law enforcement or the bail bondsmen to find him.

An official with the Burke County Clerk of Courts office explained to The News Herald that when a bond is forfeited, bondsmen have 180 days for the person to be brought into custody so they wont be responsible for the full bond amount.

If the person is not found within that timeframe, a judgement is entered for the amount of the bond. If the judgement is executed, the bonding company is on the line for the bail money plus 8% interest per day, the clerks office said. The bond company cannot post any other bonds in the state until that money is paid.

It had been about 51 days since Ritch failed to appear in court.

He had previously been convicted of 13 counts of driving while impaired, along with driving while license revoked, misdemeanor damage to property, larceny and reckless driving, according to records from the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.

Bonding practices

Bail bonding agents are allowed to force entry into homes in specific situations, said Rick Hasson, a retired sheriffs deputy who has worked as a bondsman since he retired more than five years ago.

Hasson said if a bond has been forfeited, like Ritchs, a bondsman can enter the residence provided to them by the offender on their paperwork.

Im surprised this has not happened before, Hasson said. You hear about it happening in other places. Im surprised it hadnt happened before now, here, because there is so many bondsmen now and theyre getting new ones every day of the week.

He said the North Carolina Department of Insurance, which regulates bail bonding in the state, does a good job, but training is limited. He said bondsmen go through a weekend of training, then take a series of tests. If they pass the tests, they must work under another bondsman for a year before they can work on their own. After that, bail bonds agents complete about three hours of training a year.

Hasson said in general, he felt the industry needs more training.

Investigation continues

No charges had been issued in the case by Monday afternoon, but the incident remains under investigation.

The sheriffs office said it is working in conjunction with NCDOI to complete the investigation.

Burke County EMS, Chesterfield Fire Rescue, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and the North Carolina Wildlife Commission all responded to the scene.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. shakes his fist during a speech in Selma, Ala., Feb. 12, 1965. King was engaged in a battle with Sheriff Jim Clark over voting rights and voter registration in Selma. (AP Photo/Horace Cort) (HORACE CORT/AP)

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a time of celebration, commemoration and community service.

This upcoming Monday, Jan. 15, marks the nations most notable civil rights activists 95th birthday, and throughout New Jersey various events will be held to honor King and his legacy.

Over 55 years ago, King was assassinated, and nearly immediately after his untimely death his wife, Coretta Scott King, celebrities and activists called for a national holiday to be declared in his honor.

In 1970, several states and cities made his birthday, January 15, a holiday. Finally, 15 years after Kings murder, legislation declaring the third Monday in January a federal holiday finally was passed, and the first observance nationwide was in 1986.

From making posters, lectures, to acts of service, here are 21 events you can attend:

Volunteers assemble t-shirt dog toys for local animal shelters during the 37th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service at Rowan University in Glassboro, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023. (Edi Doh | For NJ Advance Media)

Mosaic staff writer Vashti Harris can be reached at vharris@njadvancemedia.com.

Welcome to Mosaic. Follow us on Instagram at @MosaicNJcom and on Facebook at MosaicNJcom.
Montana Technological University in Butte is sending out a reminder for high school seniors that the deadline for many major scholarships awarded by the university is Jan. 15, according to a news release from Tech.

Montana Tech awards more than $1 million in scholarships to students annually, the release said.

All scholarship applications are located in the students personal URL (PURL page), which is generated when they submit their application for admission. Scholarship applications will only appear on the PURL pages of students who meet the eligibility criteria for the scholarship. If students need help obtaining their PURL login information, they can reach out to admissions@mtech.edu or 406-496-4791.

Scholarships with deadlines closing soon include:

Marie Moebus Presidential Award: This is Montana Techs premier four-year scholarship for incoming freshmen. It is a combination scholarship with a tuition waiver plus cash and is renewable for up to four years.

Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered:

Must be an incoming first-time student

Cumulative high school GPA of 3.75 or higher

ACT at least 30 or SAT at least 1410

Actively engaged in community and school

Must be pursuing a bachelors degree at Montana Tech

Items needed to apply include:

A resume of school and community activities

Two letters of recommendation from teachers, employers or mentors

600-word essay about an accomplishment, event or realization that sparked personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. How will you apply this experience to the next chapter of your life at Montana Tech?

Shirley Paxson Endowed Scholarship: This is awarded to a graduate of Butte High School or Butte Central High School who demonstrates leadership and merit measured by community and school involvement.

To apply, you will need two recommendation letters from teacher and a resume of your school and community activities.

Robert Toshoff Alumni Association Scholarship: This is awarded to a Montana resident who will be entering their first year at Montana Tech and intends to graduate from Montana Tech.

To apply, you will need to submit a one-page essay outlining how family values, community involvement and volunteer activities have been an important part of your life, and how they have influenced your life decisions.

Solvay Engineering for Environmental Protection Scholarship: This is awarded to a Butte High School or Butte Central student who will be entering their first year at Montana Tech in an engineering program. The student must demonstrate leadership, community and school involvement.

To apply, you will need to submit:

A resume of activities

A 500-word essay on the topic: What role should engineers play in protecting and improving the environment?

Other scholarships: Montana Tech also awards several Oredigger Merit Scholarships based on GPA and test scores. No scholarship application is necessary, and award announcement letters are mailed upon acceptance.

This year, the university is launching the Lance Scholars Program, which will provide 50 in-state students with the opportunity to receive a $4,000 per year scholarship, renewable for up to an additional three years (up to $16,000 total). Applicants will be asked in three to five sentences to answer the question: During your time at Montana Tech, what is one thing you would like to learn or experience that has the ability to effect change in the world? This scholarship has a March 1 deadline.
Ben Krakowka is seeking a fourth term as county attorney in Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, and this time he will face at least one challenger.

Morgan Smith, an Anaconda native who is now managing attorney for State Public Defender offices in Anaconda and Butte, also is running.

Smith said through her current position and work as a trial attorney, she has seen first-hand the impacts of the criminal justice system on our community and serving would be an honor.

My courtroom and trial experience, coupled with my professional relationships with local law enforcement, courthouse personnel and the community at large, will be an asset to the community of Anaconda in the role of county attorney, Smith said.

Krakowka won his first term as county attorney in 2012, capturing 61% of the vote to 39% for James Dolan. Krakowka was re-elected in 2016 and 2020, both times going unchallenged.

The county attorney oversees legal matters involving the city-county, advises county officials and commissioners on issues affecting the consolidated local government, and also serves as a prosecutor.

Over the last 12 years, my office has taken a hard stance on protecting our community from the spread of dangerous drugs, drinking and driving, abuse of the elderly, sexual abuse of children and other violent crime, Krakowka said.

At the same time, my office has significantly reduced successful civil lawsuits against Anaconda-Deer Lodge County to reduce tax burden on our citizens, he said. I am seeking another four-year term to continue to work with our citizens, law enforcement and local government to keep our community moving forward in its current successful direction.

Smith was born and raised in Anaconda and her family owned and operated Pad N Pencil from 1974 until its sale in late 2021. She graduated from Anaconda High School, got her undergraduate degree from the University of Montana and earned her law degree from the University of Montana Law School.

She said Anaconda deserves someone who is zealous in prosecuting criminal offenses, is an advocate for children in situations of abuse and neglect, and can file involuntary commitment proceedings for individuals suffering from severe mental health issues.

She said she would also advise and collaborate with county departments for the betterment of the community.

The filing period for political and judicial offices in Montana opened on Thursday and runs through March 11. Krakowka filed Thursday, making his bid official.

Smith said she planned to file on Friday in honor of her late grandfather, Ed Forwood, whose birthday is Jan. 12.

My grandpa was the epitome of a proud Anaconda community man, Smith said in an email to The Montana Standard.

She said he owned multiple small businesses, served on countless community organizations and boards, volunteered time doing payroll for local nonprofits and was primary advice giver to his lifelong best friend, the late state Sen. Gene Vukovich.

My grandfather would be the first to celebrate my choosing to run for office, so to be able file to do just that on his birthday was really a no-brainer for me, Smith said.

The primary election this year is June 4, and the general election is Nov. 5.
Border security and immigration are among the top issues motivating Republican voters in the upcoming presidential primary and general elections.

Republican candidates have been campaigning in Iowa for more than a year ahead of the first-in-the-nation caucuses on Monday, making frequent promises to secure the border and crack down on immigration. Here's what candidates have to say about how they would approach border security.

Donald Trump

Former President Donald Trump was first elected in 2016 taking a hard-line immigration stance and promising to build a wall at the southern U.S. border.

While president, Trump imposed policies that required some asylum seekers to remain in Mexico while awaiting their trial dates, ramped up deportations and implemented a zero tolerance policy that led to hundreds of children being separated from their parents at the border. He also built around 500 miles of new border wall, with much of it replacing existing structures.

Border security and immigration is again a central piece of Trumps campaign this year, as he frequently paints a picture of chaos at the southern border under President Joe Biden. Trump says he will reinstate those policies in a second term and take more dramatic action to crack down on illegal immigration.

Those plans include implementing a mass deportation policy, empowering federal officials to aggressively seek out undocumented immigrants and expel them from the country.

At a rally in Newton in January, Trump said he would orchestrate the largest deportation in history.

Trump has also called for ending birthright citizenship to the children of undocumented immigrants. The 14th Amendment to the U.S. The Constitution grants citizenship to anyone born in the United States.

Trump frequently refers to undocumented immigrants as criminals and says they are poisoning the blood of the United States, a line that has received comparisons to the writings of Adolf Hitler.

A vote for Donald Trump in these caucuses is a vote to secure our border, he said in Newton. Its a vote to stop the invasion, the biggest invasion of our country ever.

Ron DeSantis

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says he will declare a national emergency at the southern border and allow state and local law enforcement to carry out immigration enforcement.

DeSantis has been critical of Trump for failing to build the southern border wall while president. DeSantis says he will build the wall and charge remittances on money workers send overseas in order to pay for it.

We're going to declare the border to be a national emergency, Ill mobilize resources, he said We'll stop the invasion into the country  well designate the cartels to be foreign terrorist organizations.

In a Des Moines Register op-ed, DeSantis said he would block a swath of asylum cases and end the abuse of parole authority. He also said he would authorize the deportation of millions of undocumented migrants.

DeSantis has said he would authorize the use of deadly force on people smuggling drugs into the United States through the southern border.

DeSantis has also said he would cancel the student visas of people who he deems to be supportive of Hamas. Like Trump, he said he would move to end birthright citizenship.

Nikki Haley

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley has called for bolstering federal agencies and implementing stricter border policies to stem the flow of migrants at the southern border.

She says as governor of South Carolina she passed the toughest illegal immigration law in the country.

During a debate on CNN this week, she called for adding thousands of new agents to the Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as well as pulling funding from sanctuary cities.

We need to make sure we go back to the remain-in-Mexico policy, so that no one even steps foot on U.S. soil, she said at the debate. And instead of catch-and-release, we need to go to catch-and-deport. That's the only way we will stop the incentives of these illegal immigrants coming across.

Haley has also signaled she will take action to deport the millions of undocumented migrants living in the U.S. During the debate, she said you have to deport them.

Vivek Ramaswamy

Ohio biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has called for deporting undocumented immigrants and using the military to secure the southern border.

He has called for using military force on Mexican drug cartels as a response to the trafficking of fentanyl into the U.S.

What we need to do is stop using our military to protect somebody elses border halfway around the world when were short right here at home, get serious about protecting this border, he said in a November debate.

Ramaswamy has also called for ending birthright citizenship.

Asa Hutchinson

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson led the Department of Homeland Securitys border security division shortly after its creation under George W. Bush. The experience, he says, makes him uniquely qualified to deal with immigration and border security.

Hutchinson said in an interview with the Quad-City Times he would meet with leaders in South and Latin America to partner on slowing the traffic of migrants at the southern border.

We cannot invade Mexico, we have to partner with them, and thats how you address border security, he said. I obviously would continue to build infrastructure. Not just the wall, but the infrastructure through technology.

Ryan Binkley

Ryan Binkley, a Texas pastor and CEO, says he will reorganize the Department of Homeland Security and shift resources into the essential operating components.

He also calls for billions of dollars to build border infrastructure and update ports of entry.

At an event in December, Binkley called it a true plan for security, but also that meets the strict worker needs that we have.
A celebrated 20th century humorist drew much of his material from memories of growing up in Muscatine. Ellis Parker Butler (1869-1937) struck gold in 1906 with Pigs Is Pigs, then kept American laughing for three decades.

He married his hometown sweetheart, went to New York, and there succeeded as a publisher and banker. Always a part-time author, he wrote at least 32 books and more than 2,000 stories and essays.

When he died, a tribute in the New York Herald-Tribune described him as a shooting star in the literary firmament,  a meteor of such magnitude and brilliance, however, that 30 years after its publication, Pigs Is Pigs still wakens cheerful chuckles.

Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune (Sept.14, 1937): The pen, with which he brought smiles to brighten the faces of countless readers from coast to coast, will write no more. The clean humor he created however, remains. He scattered sunshine while he lived.

Which brings me to his yarn based on Alexander Clarks appointment as U.S. ambassador to Liberia. Then 21, Butler had worked as a bill clerk at Muscatine Spice Mills, and some of his first fiction had been published in the Muscatine News.

The Clark yarn makes up about one-sixth of an essay published in Success Magazine in December 1923 Beloved Humans: Its Going to Be a Great Life. I would recite the passage in full, but its longer than the space allowed for my column.

After the opening Butler goes into a long, hilarious riff on postage stamps as the main business of the place President Harrison sent Clark.

However that may be, it does seem to be a fact that the United States Minister to Liberia is not as important as the Ambassador to (Great Britain) . His speeches do not get in the papers as often. Nobody knows whether he wears knee breeches or none. He does not have to lie awake at night wondering how to prevent Liberia from declaring war on the United States (and he does not have to worry about Ireland). It looks like a one-horse job.

But, to return to Muscatine  although this man was quite an important political figure among the (Black) voters of Muscatine, Iowa, he did not say: I won't take a ministerial position until I can go to the Court of St. James.  The minute he was offered the ministership to Liberia he took it  and in two weeks he was on his way to Monroviaand in less than two months he was on his way home again, soldered in a lead coffin  and the entire round trip was at the governments expense. It did not cost him a cent!

Hold on. Is this mockery or all in good fun? How shall we read Mr. Butler? Remember, we are 100 years later. In a more enlightened time? No Jim Crow. No minstrelsy. No writing in demeaning dialect.

Butlers humor is loaded with dialect. Not only for people of color; he caricatures Germans and Irish and others. In the same year as Pigs Is Pigs, he argues for creative spelling: No man who devotes the fiery days of his youth to learning to spell has time to be a genius. (The Atlantic Monthly, June 1906)

Back to the Black ambassador: Now, somebody may scoffingly say: That just shows! If that man had stayed at home he would not have got swamp fever, or whatever killed him. And he would not have needed a coffin  not even an expensive soldered one the angel Gabriel will have to open with a can-opener!

But that is all wrong. If my old ... friend had hesitated and wondered and worried, instead of telegraphing in haste (collect) accepting that Liberian job, there would have been a Democratic administration come in and he would have fretted and worried for eight years moremighty unhappy all the time.

Then  when he was so old he could not really enjoy Liberian postage stamps with lizards on them, or any of the other Liberian advantages, such as bare feet and silk hats at the same time, the Republicans would have come in again and he would have been made Minister to Liberia just the same  and the swamp fever would have got him just the same  and he would have come home in a non-refillable waterproof container just the same! The only difference would have been that he would have had eight years of needless worryand would have had to pay for food and taxes and rent and upkeep during the entire interim. And at the end of the period he would have been dead just the same!

Call it clean humor and sunshine.

# # #

Daniel G. Clark is a former Muscatine Journal reporter and student of Iowa history.
Starting next month, Kenyan employees will see an increase in the deductions made by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).

A recent notice by the pensions body reveals that the deductions will range between Ksh.420 and Ksh.1,740, depending on the employees salary. The increase is a result of adjustments to the lower and upper earnings limits for pensionable salaries.

The lower earnings limit, which is the minimum pensionable salary, has been revised upwards from Ksh.6,000 to Ksh.7,000.

Employees falling within this category will see their contributions increase from the current Ksh.360 to Ksh.420.

On the other hand, the upper earnings limit has been raised from Ksh.18,000 to Ksh.29,000. Consequently, workers earning within this bracket will now contribute Ksh.1,740, a rise from the previous Ksh.1,080.

Just like before, each employees contribution will be matched by their employer.

This adjustment is part of a new deduction plan initiated last year by NSSF, which aims to progressively increase rates over a five-year period.

This plan was set in motion following the enactment of the NSSF ACT in 2013, which called for a six percent deduction from workers salaries each month.

Although the new contribution rates were initially slated for implementation in 2014, legal challenges delayed their execution. The Court of Appeal eventually sanctioned the new deductions in a judgment delivered in September 2022.

The first phase of this new deduction scheme began last year, with NSSF setting the lower earnings limit at Ksh.6,000 and the upper limit at Ksh.18,000, as announced in a public notice in January.

A table from the NSSF Act 2013 shows that the lower earnings limit is expected to reach Ksh.8,000 by 2025, with the upper limit set to double the national average earnings to improve savings for Kenyans.

From the fifth year onwards, the Labour Cabinet Secretary is expected to announce new rates, taking into account the prevailing minimum monthly wage.

However, there are questions about how the current minimum wage will influence these adjustments.

The lower earnings limit set last year at Ksh.6,000 was based on the minimum wage of 2013. With the minimum wage having increased since then, it is yet to be determined how this will be factored into the NSSF and the Ministry of Labours future rate determinations.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Singoei on Thursday cautioned that the legal action initiated by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague might not succeed due to the complexity of the situation.

The lawsuit, filed by South Africa at the end of December 2023, accuses Israel of committing genocide in its conflict in Gaza, which has resulted in over 23,000 Palestinian deaths. Israel launched the offensive following the October 7th attack by Hamas.

South Africa seeks to compel Israel to halt its military activities in Gaza through this legal action.

Korir Singoei, while acknowledging South Africas attempt to address the ongoing three-month conflict, suggested that the issue might not find resolution through judicial means.

He expressed his personal appreciation for South Africas initiative but noted that the complexity of the issue requires different approaches.

He stated that Kenya would collaborate with United Nations political bodies to find more sustainable solutions.

Although he did not spell it out, the PS hinted that Kenya was against the process, and would not be joining a group of nations that have joined South Africa at the ICJ.

It is worth noting that Kenya has in fact voted to condemn Israel, although it has not gone as far as accusing it of committing genocide.

South Africas allegations in the lawsuit include accusations that Israels response to attacks has breached the 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention, to which both Israel and South Africa are signatories.

South Africas Justice Minister Ronald Lamola emphasized that no armed attack justifies or defends breaches of the convention, and that Israels actions have crossed a line, leading to these breaches.

PS Korir said that he is personally sympathetic of the cause, but expressed reservations when it comes to dragging Kenyas entire foreign policy into it.

At a personal level, I appreciate the approach by South Africa and laud its leadership. However, a complex issue of this magnitude, will certainly not find resolution through judicialization. Consequently, we will continue to work through the political organs of the United Nations to seek more sustainable remedies, he posted on X.

Waikwa, at a personal level, I appreciate the approach by South Africa and laud its leadership. However, a complex issue of this magnitude, will certainly not find resolution through judicialization. Consequently, we will continue to work through the political organs of the https://t.co/bGyEidQP6C  Korir Sing'Oei (@SingoeiAKorir) January 11, 2024

Some Kenyans on X were not buying into that position, particularly Miguna Miguna who replied, Like what, Dr. @SingoeiAKorir? Mention one little political effort Kenya has initiated at the

@UN to address the unfolding genocide. Just one. It would have cost Kenya nothing by standing in solidarity with South Africa the way many countries have done. It would have placed Kenya in good standing with countries that are attempting to uphold international law and international humanitarian law. Kenya has no vote at the UN Security Council and cannot influence any significant political decisions taken there. However, we can have our voices heard at the ICJ, no matter how limited its impact.

The international community has shown mixed reactions to South Africas lawsuit, with some countries supporting it and others, like the UK and the United States, dismissing the charges as baseless

The case has raised questions about Kenyas position, with some suggesting that supporting South Africa would enhance Kenyas standing in the international community, while others believe Kenya might align with Western countries supporting Israel.

However, only a handful of nations have expressed support for South Africa at the ICJ.

Some major Arab countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE are notable exceptions, which waters down international commitment to prosecuting Israel at the worlds highest court.

Other than humanitarian support, few of those tagging the PS explained the strategic benefit for Kenya if it were to join such an effort.

Kenya and Israel have enjoyed a cordial relationship over the decades, and the government recently announced a bilateral labour agreement between the two countries, which will see thousands of Kenyans employed in Israels agricultural sector.

The United States is also quite protective of Israel, and is known to occasionally blackmail countries that take anti-Israel positions.

In 2020 for example, the US told Kenya to publicly support Israels political and commercial interests, or forget a free trade agreement that was in the works.

The State of Israel has an impressive lobbying mechanism in the US Congress that ensures perpetual support from Uncle Sam irrespective of who the US president is.
Kenya will host the forthcoming Centre for Anti-Corruption Studies and Research in Africa, a decision reached during the Meeting of the General Assembly of the African Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (AAACA) held on Tuesday, 10th January 2024.

In an effort to strengthen the fight against corruption, the AAACA has set up a regional anti-corruption body to facilitate studies and research aimed at enhancing good governance across the continent.

Twalib Mbarak, Chief Executive Officer of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), expressed appreciation for the trust placed in Kenya by its regional counterparts in assigning the pivotal role of hosting the Centre.

The decision has been welcomed as a significant opportunity for Kenya, particularly in reinforcing collaborations, strategies, and opportunities in the fight against corruption, said the anti-graft watchdog.

Commissioner Mbarak emphasized the crucial role the Centre will play in fostering the development and harmonization of strategies for preventing, detecting, investigating, and controlling corruption and related offenses in Africa.

The General Assemblys resolution praised Kenya for its commitment to international and regional anti-corruption frameworks, as well as its initiatives in establishing essential anti-corruption structures.

The African Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities operates in alignment with the African Union Convention and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, both of which Kenya is a signatory.

The meeting saw attendance from EACC members representing Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Uganda, and South Sudan.
Azimio spokesperson Makau Mutua has come out in defense of Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, addressing the controversy surrounding Musyokas recent statements about the Kamwene faction within the Azimio coalition.

Mutua, speaking on Friday, dismissed those criticizing Kalonzo over his comments about the faction, which he referred to as a tribal outfit.

Mutua emphasized that real change in Kenya depends on unity, not tribal divisions. Those attacking Kalonzo Musyoka for criticizing their tribal outfit are spent forces. Kenyas salvation doesnt lie in the tribe but in forging a common national zeitgeist, Mutua remarked.

THOSE attacking @skmusyoka for criticizing their tribal outfit are spent forces. Kenyas salvation doesnt lie in the tribe but in forging a common national zeitgeist.  Prof Makau Mutua (@makaumutua) January 12, 2024

His remarks were seen to be targeting Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua, who on Wednesday questioned why Kalonzo was scared of the Kamwene outfit.

What about kamwene scares my brother @skmusyoka that he must drag it in every conversation he has ? https://t.co/cB9eivptUX  Martha Karua SC (@MarthaKarua) January 9, 2024

Kalonzo Musyoka, in a Tuesday night interview with KTN News, described the Kamwene faction as a flawed political concept. He characterized Kamwene as an idea dead on arrival and advised its proponents, including Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua, to abandon it in favor of unity within the Azimio coalition.

I dont want to pass judgement on that issue but have you heard of things like dead on arrival? This thing means individualism. Its a terrible political philosophy. I would advise my friends to leave it and we stick together in Azimio, Kalonzo stated.

Kamwene is a faction that unites opposition leaders from the Mount Kenya region in support of Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance.

Mutua has criticized the group as well, labeling it an ethnic-centric organization.

Despite Kalonzos and Mutuas criticisms, the Kamwene group claim that they maintain their strong affiliation with Azimio and insists on its relevance within the coalition.
Detectives have arrested Newton Paul Kengere, a 29-year-old suspect accused of impersonating former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko. It is alleged that Kengere deceived unsuspecting members of the public by posing as the wealthy businessman and claiming to provide educational loans.

Detectives arrested Kengere in Kisiis Riokindo Ward within Kenyenya sub-county, and recovered the handset used by the imposter to send deceptive messages to vulnerable targets, along with several SIM cards.

The DCI said Mike Sonko reported the fraudulent activities to the Capital Hill Police Station, detailing multiple Facebook accounts operated by the suspect.

Kengere reportedly masqueraded as a member of the Sonko Rescue Team and falsely claimed to coordinate an initiative assisting needy parents with school fees challenges.

Crafty Messages

The suspect crafted messages instructing interested individuals to register with a fee of Sh1,000 for an interest-free advance loan. To secure the loan, applicants were required to provide their ID numbers, full names, location, and state the purpose.

Upon receiving the registration fees, Kengere would evade contact, leaving victims with the simplistic adage, Patience pays.

The DCI Nairobi Area Crime Research & Intelligence Unit traced him to his village, and he is currently being processed for arraignment on January 19.

Responding to the arrest, former Governor Mike Sonko stated: I wish to convey my sincere appreciation to the DCI and his entire teams both from Kiambu Road Hqs and Nairobi Area regional hqs for the job well job done.

Hawa wezi niliwaambia ziko zao haziko mbali. Boss, I still need your help in the apprehension of the other suspects who are still at large and busy swindling unsuspecting members of the public. Sonko added.

Below are some of the WhatsApp messages recovered by DCI.
Education officials have identified and rectified an error that caused the placement of a Form 1 girl at a boys boarding school.

Gloria Adhiambo Owino, who ranked first in her class at Nyalgunga Primary School in Alego Usonga Sub County, was admitted to Lenana Boys High School, confusing both the student and her parents.

Hours after the media brought attention to her plight, Siaya Sub-County Director of Education Maurice Saka and Deputy County Commissioner Robert Ngetich rushed to the students rescue.

They transported the candidate and her parents to Ngiya Girls High School, another national school in Siaya. The schools headmistress, Hellen Owino, stated that she had officially requested that Gloria be placed at Ngiya.

I have already requested and possibly it will be granted. For national schools, all the placements are done at the ministry head offices in Nairobi, said Owino.

I am confident that she will receive an official calling letter from Ngiya Girls.

Error Leading to Placement at Lenana

The 14-year-old, who scored 389 points in KCPE, had expressed a wish to study at Alliance, Kisumu, or Starehe Girls Schools.

Siaya Sub-County Director of Education Maurice Saka revealed that the error occurred during the registration process.

When she was registered, there was a mistake in the gender. Instead of registering her as female, she was mistakenly registered as male, which led to the confusion. However, we want to assure the candidate and her parents that she will be placed in a national school for which she is qualified, said Saka.

The familys biggest challenge now is figuring out how to raise the fees required for the national school.

My daughter is bright and has a promising future, but I dont have the financial means to keep her in a national school where she will be admitted, said Mr Fredrick Owino, Glorias father.

The student may not have gotten her wish, but she was nonetheless happy about joining Ngiya.

Ngiya is a beautiful school and I am looking forward to learning and fulfilling my dreams here, Adhiambo said.
By the Presidential Communication Service

The Government will intensify its focus on the last mile road connectivity to boost access to resources and services.

President William Ruto said more funds will be put in the upgrading of roads in a move that will also spur trade at the grassroots.

He said better roads will guarantee farmers, especially of fresh produce, better income.

When we trade more it means more employment opportunities for our youth, he explained.

The President spoke on Thursday in Boiman in Ol Joro Orok where he launched the tarmacking of the Boiman  Kwa Mumbi roads.

He said the 44-Kilometre stretch is a lifeline to the milk, vegetables and potatoes farmers in the County as it connects them to better markets.

He noted that the last mile connectivity that Kenya Rural Roads Authority is driving will ensure that no part of the country is left behind.

With better roads, Kenyans will easily access resources, crucial services and opportunities.

The President said other ongoing works in the county include the 55-Kilometre Captain Ndemi  Ndunyu Njeru, 41-Kilometre Engineer  Gathera, 45-Kilometre Maili Kumi  Shameta, 55-Kilometre Shamata  Uruku, 23-Kilometre Gilgil  Machinery and the 28-Kilometre Tumaini -Kabazi roads.

Those that have been earmarked for rehabilitation, he added, are the 14-Kilometre Nyahururu  Boiman, 14-Kilometre Maili Nne  Maili Kumi and the 8-Kilometre Kirasha  Sulmac roads.

Present were Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Governor of Nyandarua County Moses Badilisha, MPs and MCAs.
Updated at 3 p.m. Friday  A media report has identified the police officer who shot and wounded a suspect at the end of a vehicle pursuit Thursday as American Canyon Police Officer Josh Coleman  one of several former Vallejo Police officers to be linked to a badge bending ritual marking fatal shootings on duty.

The Vallejo Sun, a news website covering the Solano County city, reported Friday morning that Coleman fired at one of two men who had been inside a car that police pursued after an attempted roadside stop at about 3:15 p.m. Thursday in American Canyon.

The Sun cited a source with knowledge of the incident, which occurred near where the vehicle became disabled near Souza Way and Cronin Drive in north Vallejo. Helicopter video from Bay Area television stations showed a sedan that had crashed into a fence in the neighborhood.

The passenger, an 18-year-old man, was shot and hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, and the driver was detained by officers, the Solano County District Attorneys Office said in a statement Friday afternoon. The identities of the two men were not immediately released.

The pursuit began after an American Canyon officer tried to stop a vehicle for a code violation on southbound Highway 29 near American Canyon Road, on the citys south side, American Canyon Police said in a statement Thursday night. The driver did not stop and a pursuit ensued about three miles south into Vallejo.

Two men fled the vehicle on foot while carrying loaded firearms, and shots were fired by one of the responding officers, who then immediately rendered aid to the person, according to the Solano County news release.

The shooting is being investigated by the Solano County Major Crimes Task Force, headed by the district attorneys office.

Napa County sheriffs spokesperson Henry Wofford, reached on Friday, declined to confirm the report or provide additional information regarding the shooting, the pursuit or the officer involved. An email inquiry to Rick Greenberg, chief of American Canyon Police, did not receive a reply. (The sheriffs office staffs the citys police department.)

On Friday, the Vallejo Sun reported that Coleman, who served with Vallejo Police from 2003 to 2018, was involved in four previous on-duty shootings. By contrast, the Pew Research Center reported in 2017 that only 27% of U.S. police officers ever fire their service weapons on the job.

The Sun reported that Coleman had his badge bent by a Vallejo Police lieutenant after he and two fellow officers shot and killed William Heinze on March 20, 2013. Coleman was also involved in shootings later in 2013, 2014 and 2016.

Court testimony in 2022 implicated Coleman for taking part in the bending of police badges to mark fatal shootings. Coleman testified that his badge was bent against his will, but a department superior testified that Coleman was more deeply involved and may have helped carry the custom to other officers, the report stated.

Former Vallejo Police Lt. Kent Tribble testified in Solano County Superior Court in 2022 that he bent the badges of Coleman and other officers after the 2016 shooting, and that he saw Coleman bend the badge of an officer after a fatal shooting in 2017.

Coleman, under oath, denied ever bending officers badges, the report said.

American Canyon Police posted a photo of Coleman in his role as the citys school resource officer earlier Thursday. A Facebook post on the departments page showed him with an American Canyon High School student and his cellphone, which the student had lost until Coleman helped him find it, according to the agency.

The picture was posted about 2  hours before the vehicle pursuit began.

Photos: Napa Valley Faces and Places, January 6, 2024
Napas old downtown wasnt concerned about cultural uplift. It was a place for essential shopping and non-fancy eating. To sip wine, you had to go Upvalley.

Howd we get the flashy downtown we have today? When did everything began to change?

It happened in the 70s when the city bulldozed much of the old in the name of urban renewal and decided to celebrate with public art.

Thats right, public art!

Before public art, sidewalks had parking meters. Today every block resembles an extension of SFMOMA.

We have benches made out of old library bookends, gussied up utility boxes, a parking garage adorned with hubcaps, construction pipes tricked out with ceramics and murals that wrap around vacant lots. It all reaches a feverish pitch this month with the Lighted Arts Festival which will wrap a defunct bus station in a poppin ultraviolet mural.

Its a lot to process. These days Im more likely to go downtown to gawk than shop.

I was present at the birth of Napas commitment to public art. The year was 1975. To celebrate new homes for Carithers and Mervyns department stores and the upcoming Americas Bicentennial, the Community Redevelopment Agency held a competition.

There were 124 entries. Five were selected, including two sculptures by Hungarian immigrant Shari Kadar, now a Napan. Each had a poignant backstory.

Last week I realized Id lost track of those first pieces of public art pieces. I knew some had been relocated. Perhaps some had been retired as not snazzy enough for todays upscale shopping environment. I went downtown to hunt them down.

I managed to find all five, although only one remained in a nominally prominent location.

An untitled cube featuring abstract landscapes by Tom Martin Browne had been relegated to a quiet patio between City Hall and the Police Station.

Two other small works now sat next to each other along the east side of Kohls: the Great Eye by Peter Bulger and a marble sculpture, Cat Washing, by Norma J. Anderson.

None of the three were ever my favorites, although my kids had liked Cat Washing. My faves were the Kadar bronzes, The Immigrants and The Teenager.

The Teenager depicts a male adolescent, hands in pockets, killing time. It once stood under a streetlight on First Street. Today it sits further back against the wall connecting Oenotri and Norman Rose. It still gives off what Kadar had called a punkish vibe.

The image was inspired by a scene she witnessed while waiting to pick up her son at the Napa High pool. A young male, standing near a fence, was giving off an attitude of boredom and cool that caught her imagination.

The Immigrants, for which Kadar received the competitions top prize of $14,000, is still located in Dwight Murray Plaza. Its an autobiographical work. Kadar was an immigrant. Her family had fled Communist Hungary after World War II, living for 10 years in Australia before arriving in Napa.

Standing 6 feet tall and weighing nearly 700 pounds, the sculpture depicts a man, a pregnant woman and their two children. The father and children look straight ahead, ready for their new life, while the mother glances over her shoulder at what shes leaving behind. The child in her womb represents the future.

Theyre not good-looking, fashionable people. They are big, bulky shapes because really when you arrive in a new country you are strange and strange-looking, Kadar said in an 1975 interview.

Murray Plaza isnt as prominent a public space as it was in the 70s. Back then The Immigrants played second fiddle to a 72-foot clocktower that often told the incorrect time in four directions. The tower was razed long ago as a civic embarrassment.

Today Kadars unfashionable bronze family feels lost in a plaza that awaits redesign and repurposing. Last week I found it carelessly bordered by four furled umbrellas against a restaurants floral dining patio wall. As I read the sculptures somber plaque, I was bathed in the music of Nina Simone singing Feeling Good.

Kadar, who died in 2018, sensed early on that downtowns commercial success would relegate her punkish teenager and her dowdy immigrant family to the shadows. Her works were never particularly fashionable. Shoppers have other things on their minds.

We are geared toward advertising, she said in a 1995 interview. What isnt advertising doesnt exist.
Armenian economist Suren Parsyan's article on "Dramatic growth in the amount of Armenia-Iran trade and development of bilateral relations" was published in Persian in the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).

Below we present the English version of this article.

Armenia and the Islamic Republic of Iran have millennia of diplomatic, political, and economic relations, and an inviolable border which has been one of the important factors of the region's stability and prosperity. Of course, the mutually beneficial relations and projects between the two countries always need improvement, and one of them was announced on December 27, 2023. During a news conference in Yerevan, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian announced the opening of the Consulate General of the Republic of Armenia in Tabriz. The possibility of opening an Armenian consulate in Tabriz proves once again that the Iranian authorities tend to conduct a multi-vector and long-term foreign and domestic policy.

By founding the Consulate General of the Republic of Armenia in Tabriz, in addition to the Eastern Azerbaijan, it will be possible to expand the consular service area to other regions adjacent to the Republic of Armenia, including the Western Azerbaijan, Ardabil, Gilan, and Mazandaran Provinces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which will contribute to the development and strengthening of economic, cultural, and educational ties between these regions. Currently, two consulates have the opportunity to provide consular services in such a wide area: the consulates general of Turkey and Azerbaijan.

It is worth reminding that after the establishment of the Soviet power in 1920, Armenia also had a consulate in Tabriz, but it was dissolved after the formation of the Soviet Union. Therefore, the opening of a consulate can also be considered an important step towards the restoration of historical and traditional ties between the two brotherly peoples.

The opening of the Armenian consulate in Tabriz should be viewed as a mirror response to the opening of the Consulate of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Kapan (Syunik, Armenia) (2022). First and foremost, the opening of the Armenian and Iranian consulates has a political and security component and is aimed at ensuring the north-south corridor. Certainly, it can prevent the opening of the Turkish-Azerbaijani so-called "Zangezur corridor." The territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Armenia and the Islamic Republic of Iran are a red line, the destructive and aggressive behavior and propaganda of other countries directed against Armenia and Iran must be stopped by all possible means, including diplomatic ones. And in general, are the countries that want a corridor through the territory of Armenia ready to give such corridors through the territory of their country to other countries? I think not.

The consulates operating in Tabriz and Kapan can contribute directly or indirectly to the construction of the North-South road corridor. In particular, on October 23, 2023, a new contract was signed between the Armenian government and three Iranian companies, in accordance with which the Iranian side will build the Agarak (Iranian border)-Vardanidzor-Kajaran tunnel road section: 32 km (Syunik, Armenia). The activities of Iranian construction companies in this region of Armenia has not only economic, but also security and political significance. Let me remind that according to the Turkish-Azerbaijani plan, it was through Agarak (Meghri) that they planned to pass the so-called "corridor." Iranian construction companies can include workforce, equipment, tools, and building materials from Tabriz and other bordering regions in the construction of this road section, and this will stimulate economic activity in this region.

It is also clear that the opening of the Consulate General of the Republic of Armenia in Tabriz can be a new impetus for the development of trade and economic relations between the two countries. It should be noted that the trade between Armenia and Iran has increased dramatically in recent years. In particular, in 2022, about $526 million worth of goods were imported from Iran to Armenia, which is three times more than in 2017, and 20 percent more than in 2021. Natural gas, construction materials, ironware, dairy products, dry and fresh fruits, tomatoes, etc. are mainly exported from Iran to Armenia. In 2022, exports from Armenia to Iran amounted to $102.3 million, which is 56.1 percent more than in 2021. Electricity, scrap metal, cigarettes, beef, lamb, etc. are mainly exported from Armenia to Iran.

That is, it can be recorded that the rate of growth of the export of Iranian goods is greater than that of the Armenian one. Certainly, the export of Iranian goods has been considerably facilitated by the temporary free trade agreement signed between the Eurasian Economic UnionEAEU, of which Armenia is also a member and the only one that has a land connection with Iranand the Islamic Republic of Iran, thanks to which 306 Iranian goods can be exported to Armenia, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan with zero customs duties. It is planned that this free trade agreement with Iran will become permanent in 2024.

At the same time, the permanent free trade agreement and the opening of consulates in both countries will contribute to the development of cooperative relations. In particular, in recent years, Iranian tomatoes and dairy products are being processed in Armenia and exported to the EAEU and other European countries. It is appropriate to note that Armenia has free trade agreements also with the European Union, the USA, Japan, and [several] other countries; that is, the goods processed in Armenia can be exported to countries that have closed or limited the import of Iranian goods.

Of course, the Armenian consulate in Tabriz can also serve the visits of Iranian and Armenian tourists, providing them with information and other consular services. Every year, more than 200,000 Iranians arrange their vacations in Armenia, while Iranin particular, Tabrizcan be one of the preferred destinations for Armenian tourists, considering the Armenian-Iranian historical and rich heritage. This will become a new impetus for the development of tourism infrastructure between the two countries.

In parallel with the active and effective programs being implemented by Iranian Armenians, steps should be taken now towards developing educational and cultural ties between Armenia and Iran. In particular, consulates should assemble around them intellectuals, teachers, lecturers, university students and schoolchildren, organize mutual visits, and implement joint programs that will enable to communicate with each other not as tourists, but in a practical way.

Summing up, it should be recorded that the deepening of political, socioeconomic, and diplomatic relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Islamic Republic of Iran is not directed against third countries, an these relations are based on the principles of dignity, wisdom, and mutual benefit. The results of joint Armenian-Iranian programs can be used not only by the region, but also by other countries.
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Ararat Mirzoyan: All Armenia authorities have negotiated on territorial concessions to Azerbaijan

FM: Deepening of Armenia's relations with the West, EU not directed against Russia

Mirzoyan: Unprecedented number of senior French officials visited Armenia in 2023

Ararat Mirzoyan: Armenia, Azerbaijan are close to mutual understanding on recognition of 1991 borders

Armenia made very active efforts to have minimal mutually acceptable wording with CSTO partners, FM assures

FM: Georgia ready to contribute to process of establishing peace in South Caucasus

Armenia FM: Events have occurred that have made it impossible to do certain things

Armenia FM: Ultimate goal not materialized yet in relations with Turkey

FM: There are international players interested in Armenia ceasing to exist

Mirzoyan: No agreement between Armenia, Azerbaijan to withdraw international lawsuits against each other

Armenia FM reiterates PM's arguments on handover of 4 villages in Tavush Province to Azerbaijan

FM: Armenia still doesnt understand how CSTO partners present their area of responsibility in South Caucasus

Mirzoyan: EU monitoring mission in Armenia has become factor of stability on Azerbaijan border

Dennis Francis: UN hopes for signing of Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty

FM: 23 Armenians still kept in custody in Azerbaijan

Armenia FM: Still not many tangible results on fundamental issues, we are still negotiating with Azerbaijan

European Commission official underscores provision of assistance to people affected by Karabakh conflict

Peter Stano: Armenia can apply for EU membership

MFA: Genocide prevention agenda is among Armenias priorities

Russia holding presidential elections

US intelligence warns of potentially devastating new pandemic

Newspaper: Birth rate in Armenia 19% lower than last year

Stoltenberg: NATO sought to maintain stronger relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan

Georgian Prime Minister to visit Armenia

Premier receives IMF Armenia mission chief

Anne-Laurence Petel-led delegation to arrive in Armenia

FM: Armenia looks into prospects of further deepening partnership with EU

New technologies at the core of rural infrastructure development

Russia is world leader in nuclear technology, Putin says

Vardges Sureniants Salome painting returns to National Gallery of Armenia exhibition

Dollar drops, euro rises in Armenia

Sunak: There is historic opportunity to put an end to Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict

Armenia authorities, who paid $6M for Snoop Dogg concert, still dont know when this postponed event will be held

Deputy economy minister: Matter of opening India-Iran-Armenia trade corridor being discussed

Armenia official: Trade with India amounted to $380M in 2023

ICC NCA head: India considers Armenia an important bridge to enter larger markets

Anne-Laurence Petel welcomes resolution on EU-Armenia relations

India ambassador: We are happy that our relations with Armenia are developing in defense sector also

Indians are now 2nd largest community in Armenia after Russians, envoy says

India-Armenia business forum kicks off in Yerevan

Armenia parliament speaker on European Parliament resolution: We thank European partners for this important step

PM: European Parliament resolution is another opportunity to discuss vision of Armenia's future

Azerbaijans next target in Karabakh is Artsakh State University

Russia deputy FM in Turkey, discusses process of normalizing Armenia-Azerbaijan relations

14-karat gold LEGO piece sells for over $18,000

Newspaper: Armenia to leave CSTO on Putin's reelection day?

Young lords 1,200-year-old tomb with treasure discovered in Panama

European Parliament resolution demands Azerbaijan troops withdrawal from Armenia territory

European Parliament adopts resolution proposing to consider possibility of Armenia's candidacy for EU membership

Russia MFA spox: We are concerned by Armenia leaderships sometimes offensive rhetoric on CSTO topics

Armenia government plans to have Kapan city airport serve international flights as well

Zakharova on Russian border guards removal from Yerevan airport: Hardly meets Armenia security interests

Armenia defense minister, Austria envoy, military attache discuss enhancing cooperation (PHOTOS)
The United States has handed to Ukraine the last package of military aid for which funding was allocated. John Kirby, US National Security Council Coordinator For Strategic Communications, announced this at Thursdays White House press briefing.

According to Kirby, the money being allocated for such programs has been used up.

"Yes, wewe have issued the last drawdown package thatthat we had funding to support, he said.

Kirby said the US aid to Ukraine in its war against Russia has been suspended as Washington negotiates an aid package that could include a review of border security measures.

"And thats why itsits critical thatthat [the US] Congress move on that national security supplemental request and we get more funding," he explained.

Kirby emphasized that Ukraine has an especially urgent need for supply of weapons during the winter months.
Can iPhone smartphones be hacked?

Seven Visions, The Dvin wins in 6 categories at the prestigious World Travel Awards Europe Gala Ceremony 2024

DailyMail: excessive smartphone use can lead to blindness in children

Apple may use Google's Gemini neural network in the next generation iPhone

Putin: Russia may create a "sanitary zone" in Ukraine

Hulu to release series about Karl Lagerfeld, starring Daniel Bruhl

Czech Rep. parliament speaker sends EU flag to Armenia colleague as token of support

Premier on Tavush Province meeting: I also showed here Armenia outline that I showed at press conference

Secretary General Stoltenberg's visit to Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia is historic NATO says

Russian doctors removed a child's gills

Francesco Acerbi has been dropped from the Italy national team

Aliyev renames Revival Square in occupied Stepanakert

Armenia opposition MP: PM told Tavush Province residents that 4 villages must be handed over to Azerbaijan immediately

Videos of Armenia PM Pashinyan's meetings in Tavush Province to be publicized later, spokesperson says (PHOTOS)

Kim Kardashian jokes about Kate Middleton, but not everyone likes it

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Armenia premier meets with Kirants village residents of Tavush Province (PHOTOS)

RFE/RL: Putin loses in Armenias Yerevan, wins in Gyumri in Russia presidential election

High-tech minister on removing Russia TV channels from multiplex: Armenia's dignity is at core of decisions

Photos taken by Armenian satellite are used by various departments of Armenia: Minister

Kazakhstan FM considers it necessary to increase trade with Armenia

Researchers find increased risk of memory problems in children with eczema

Apple has already started production of new generation AirPods When will they go on sale?

Serie A: All goals of Matchday 29 (video)

Armenia, Kazakhstan FMs discuss new logistical opportunities

Armenia 2041 Foundation launches Galvanizing Diaspora program

Kazakhstan FM notes Armenias Crossroads of Peace projects importance for Middle Corridor

Armenia, Kazakhstan FMs sign 2024/25 action plan

Armenia PM is in Tavush Province, meeting with residents of Voskepar, Baghanis, neighboring villages

Mkhitaryan was not satisfied with the result of match against Napoli (photo)

Archaeologists find inscription of King Antiochus I of Armenian Yervanduni Dynasty, in Turkey

Kazakhstan FM is in Armenia (PHOTOS)

Kim, Kourtney, Khloe Kardashian congratulate brother Rob on birthday: The best brother in the world

It works for 744 hours without recharging and costs $96: Blackview introduced Oscal Modern 8 smartphone

Armenia boxers win 4 medals in Serbia

Rolls-Royce Ghost to be retired and replaced by new Alpina sedan

Ardshinbank cardholders can now enjoy a 10% cashback!

Celine Dion does not give up, continues to fight rare disease

Withdrawal from lawsuits against Azerbaijan in international courts will cause irreparable damage to Armenia, Armenians

165 cases of measles recorded in Armenia so far in 2024

Barely dressed Bianca Censori goes for walk with her mother

EU Council to discuss assistance to Armenia, Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization

SpaceX is building network of hundreds of spy satellites for US intelligence

7,825 Karabakh residents who left Armenia since September 2023 have not returned, new data say

Armenia to submit application for EU membership?

Turkey Super Lig: Fenerbahce footballers, Trabzonspor fans clash

La Liga: Barca beat Atletico

Ligue 1: PSG win 6-2, Mbappe scores hat-trick

Serie A: Inter, with Mkhitaryan, play draw with Napoli

Archaeologists discover where legendary British warship that disappeared in 17th century sank

Large number of Russians came from Georgia to Armenia to vote in presidential election, envoy says

Stoltenberg: NATO hopes to have stable peace between Azerbaijan, Armenia

"Girona" lost to "Getafe" and 10 points behind Real Madrid (video)

"Tottenham" suffered a defeat (video)

FA Cup: Manchester City reach the semi-finals (video)

Belgorod attacked by two rockets during the day: there are dead and injured

Media: Elon Musk's company is building a network of hundreds of spy satellites for US intelligence

Premier League: Ten most expensive clubs

Shooting in Pennsylvania: at least three dead, gunman took hostages

"Real" was stronger than "Osasuna", Vinicius' double (video)

MEPs appeal to EU leadership to protect cultural heritage of Artsakh Armenians

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New talks between Israel and Hamas are scheduled in Qatar on Sunday

FA Cup Coventry's sensational win (video)

Mobile app that helps prevent diabetic ulcers is developed

"Pyunik" defeated BKMA and became the first (video)

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India's national elections will be held from 19 April to 1 June

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Aliyev: Azerbaijan and Georgia have always supported each other's sovereignty

Iran calls for formation of international coalition against Israel

Biden told Aliyev of US commitment to peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Khachanov and Agassi meet in Glendale (photo)

Stoltenberg will meet in Yerevan with the President and Prime-minister of Armenia

America's Cup. Levon Aronian advances to the final

Turkish Foreign Ministry issues anti-Russian statement on Crimea issue

How Armenian Vardavar became topic for Disney? Kathleen Sarnelli Kapukchyan on Mickey Mouse Funhouse's recent episode, her inspirations

Zakharova: There is a historical answer to Armenia's doubts about sincerity of Russia's intentions

Zakharova: Moscow discusses with Armenia dragging Yerevan into anti-Russian course

Zakharova: Armenia's withdrawal from CSTO should be based on real needs of the country, not on "flirting" with West

An American man has a tapeworm in his brain

Arsen Zakharyan's first goal for Real Sociedad (video)

Ronaldo's goal brings victory for Al Nasr (video)

Amazon and Microsoft suspend their cloud products in Russia

NASA completes tests of 3 lunar probes that will be sent to Moon together with Nova-C module

James Webb discovers the first pair of merging galaxies, a phenomenon that should not have happened at the time

Dollar, euro lose value in Armenia

Armenia deputy FM: There has been considerable regress regarding visa facilitation with EU

Deputy FM: As landlocked country, Armenia recognizes vital importance of inclusive connectivity, open borders

FM: Armenia made every effort to prevent de-Armenianization in Karabakh

Painter Frida Kahlos personal notes used in new documentary about her

Brain Communications journal: Improving sleep quality reduces migraine frequency, research shows

What should you pay attention to when buying a smartphone?

FM to reporters: You will be the first to know when Armenia intends to apply for EU membership

Champions League: Quarterfinal pairs are known

Ararat Mirzoyan: All Armenia authorities have negotiated on territorial concessions to Azerbaijan

Google mocks iPhone for not having Circle to Search feature

Jessica Biel prefers to tell sons the truth about periods
Fruit Stripe Gum, something of a childhood icon for many gum chewers over the past five decades, will soon head over the rainbow with its multicolored zebra mascot Yipes  seemingly for good.

The manufacturer of Fruit Stripe Gum, the Chicago company Ferrara Candy Co., said in a statement it had made the difficult decision to discontinue the product, but that customers may still be able to find it at select retailers across the country.

The decision to sunset this product was not taken lightly, and we considered many factors before coming to this decision, including consumer preferences, and purchasing patterns  and overall brand trends for Fruit Stripe Gum, the company said.

Fruit Stripe may have been best known for its oversized packs of spectral-striped gum sticks, each bearing a distinct fruit flavor that typically faded away quickly upon chewing. For years, the packs contained temporary tattoos of brand mascot Yipes the rainbow zebra that kids could apply to their arms, legs and faces; gum chewers often joked that the tattoos lasted far longer than the gums flavor did.

So notorious was the gums ephemeral taste that it ended up in a fittingly brief gag on the animated sitcom Family Guy.

Yipes also had a minor cult following, especially once the company coined Yipes! Stripes! as a commercial catchphrase.

The gum was first launched by bygone candy maker Beech-Nut in 1969, but ended up at Ferrara following a series of corporate handoffs and mergers.

Ferrara logos are seen at the Sweets & Snacks Expo at McCormick Place in Chicago on Tuesday, May 23, 2023.

Ferrara, which was founded in Chicagos Little Italy in 1908, was acquired by Italian candy giant Ferrero in 2017. Ferrero, which has in recent years also acquired chocolatier Fannie May and Nestles U.S. candy business, has said it has about 1,500 employees in Illinois spread across manufacturing facilities, downtown offices and Fannie May retail locations.

Ferrero makes Crunch bars, 100 Grand and Raisinets products in downstate Bloomington while Butterfinger and Baby Ruth chocolate bars are manufactured in Franklin Park. Keebler brand products are produced at a 110th Street facility in Pullman. Ferrara brands include Lemonheads, Sweet Tarts, Laffy Taffy and Nerds.

In September, Ferrero opened new innovation labs in the historic Marshall Field & Co. building on State Street, where research teams will develop new product recipes. Ferrero corporate employees work out of offices in the Marshall Field building, while about 500 Ferrara employees continue to work in the Old Post Office.

Chicago Tribune reporter Talia Soglin contributed.
The warm Armenian-Iranian relations, which have a centuries-old history and are based on mutual respect, are of particular importance for Armenia and the Armenian people, that are still dynamically developing today. Gevorg Papoyan, Head of the Armenia-Iran Friendship Group of the Republic of Armenia National Assembly (RA NA), stated this while welcoming the ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Armenia, Mehdi Sobhani, in the RA NA, the latter informs Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Touching upon the bilateral cooperation, which includes economic, energy, transport, high-tech and many other fields, Gevorg Papoyan underlined the efforts aimed at increasing the volumes of bilateral trade turnover. The Head of the Friendship Group considered the extension of the Gas for Electricity contract an important achievement, expressing his conviction that tangible progress will be made as a result of joint steps in the near future.

Speaking about important infrastructural issues, Gevorg Papoyan underscored the necessity for the full operation of the North-South Road Corridor project and the international transport routes connecting the Persian Gulf to the Black Sea. He emphasized the involvement of Iranian companies in the construction work of the 32 km Agarak-Kajaran road section in the Syunik province. As a parliamentarian and Head of Armenia-Iran Friendship Group, Gevorg Papoyan stressed the role of inter-parliamentary ties in strengthening the foundations of mutually beneficial cooperation. According to him, platforms with different parliamentary formats provide an opportunity to discuss many issues of bilateral interest.

Gevorg Papoyan also spoke about the Armenian community living and working in Iran, which actively participates in the countrys social and political life. He noted that Iran had always been a special partner for Armenia, which promotes the establishment and strengthening of peace and stability in the region with a balanced policy.

Today, Armenia is at the sensitive turns of history, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Armenia Mehdi Sobhani said, thanking for the warm reception and words. He emphasized the priority of economic cooperation, noting that political relations should pave the way for economic relations. The Ambassador pointed out the right operation of the infrastructures.

The parties discussed regional security issues, the Crossroads of Peace project. Gevorg Papoyan noted that the policies and approaches adopted by Armenia and Iran regarding the full operation of regional communication channels are basically consistent. In this regard, he emphasized the clear position of the Republic of Iran regarding the territorial integrity, inseparability of borders, and sovereignty of Armenia.

I am sure that as a result of joint efforts, we will be able to strengthen our interstate cooperation in the near future for the benefit of the well-being of the two friendly peoples and the strengthening of regional stability, Gevorg Papoyan said.

We want to have long-term strategic relations with Armenia, Ambassador Mehdi Sobhani mentioned.

Also, the members of the Friendship Group highlighted the necessity to develop and deepen the relations with Iran. Issues regarding the development of bilateral economic relations, expansion of cooperation in agriculture, energy, education and a number of other fields were discussed.
Armenian and Azerbaijani authorities should ensure focus on human rights protection in their peace talks and establish strong human rights safeguards for all persons affected by the conflict. Council of Europe (CoE) Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatovic, said this as she published her Observations following her visit to Armenia and Azerbaijan, including the Karabakh region, from 16 to 23 October 2023. It was the first time in decades that a human rights mission of this kind was able to visit the Karabakh region, the CoE informed. It added as follows:

The visit was prompted by the mass displacement of over 101,000 Karabakh Armenians who fled to Armenia in the space of only a few days at the end of September. It followed Azerbaijans military action on 19 and 20 September, its subsequent full control over the region and the prolonged disruption in the movement of people and access to essential goods, services and energy supplies experienced by Karabakh Armenians as a result of a nine-month blocking of the road along the Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan. In Armenia, the Commissioner spoke with Karabakh Armenians who had left and were staying in shelters provided by the authorities. In Khankendi (referred to as Stepanakert by Karabakh Armenians) in Azerbaijan, following the departure of its population, the Commissioner witnessed empty streets, abandoned premises and almost no sign of the presence of civilians. On the basis of what she could hear and see, the Commissioner concluded that at the end of September 2023, Karabakh Armenians found themselves abandoned without any reliable security or protection guarantees by any party, and that, for them, leaving home was the only reasonable option available.

While welcoming the efforts made by the Armenian authorities to provide all those in need who arrived from the Karabakh region with the first basic assistance, the Commissioner stressed that Karabakh Armenians who fled to Armenia, and in particular those belonging to vulnerable groups, should be guaranteed access to all necessary support in the immediate, medium and long term. Council of Europe member states should maintain a focus on providing financial support to ensure that the humanitarian needs of displaced persons and their host populations can be fully met, added the Commissioner.

The Commissioner stressed that recently-displaced Karabakh Armenians in Armenia should be given the possibility of returning in safety and dignity  even if it seems hypothetical for most at the moment  including by finding flexible solutions, in particular as concerns their citizenship and legal status. Pending a possible return, ways should be promptly found, including by establishing security guarantees, for Karabakh Armenians to temporarily access their homes or places of habitual residence, and visit graveyards where loved ones are buried. It is incumbent on the Azerbaijani authorities to ensure that property left behind by Karabakh Armenians is protected from looting, theft or being taken over. The few ethnic Armenians who have stayed in the Karabakh region should also benefit from all human rights protection, including by having their freedom of movement secured.

Welcoming the steps taken by the Azerbaijani government to facilitate the return of internally displaced persons to the Karabakh region, the Commissioner expressed the hope that all internally displaced persons who so wish will be able to return as soon as possible in safety and dignity. More generally, the Commissioner stressed that all persons displaced by the long-lasting conflict have the right to return to their homes or places of habitual residence voluntarily and under conditions of safety and dignity, regardless of whether they have been displaced internally or across borders.

All allegations of breaches of international humanitarian law and serious human rights violations reported in relation to the conflict need to be effectively and promptly investigated, the perpetrators brought to justice and if found guilty after a fair, independent and impartial trial, sentenced and punished. This includes allegations relating to the circumstances of the blocking of the Lachin corridor, the mass displacement of Karabakh Armenians and the military operation of 19 to 20 September, said the Commissioner. She added that this must be done through a victim-centred approach that treats the victims and their families with sensitivity and compassion. A comprehensive approach to dealing with the past and addressing the serious human rights violations committed in the context of the conflict over the Karabakh region should also be put in place.

Other human rights issues addressed in the Commissioners Observations include the need to protect people from mines and explosive remnants of war; the situation of persons detained in connection with the conflict, including the conditions of their detention and level of contact with their families; and the importance of clarifying the fate of missing persons throughout the region and to provide answers to their families. Lastly, the Commissioner called on the authorities in both countries to combat hate speech and promote mutual understanding and trust, including by involving civil society in establishing human rights-compliant memorialisation and reconciliation processes.
Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev has become active again and started talking about the so-called "Zangezur corridor." But the Iranian ambassador to Armenia responded to these claims, saying that Iran opposes the corridor and supports the territorial integrity of Armenia. Analyst Pooya Hosseini, head of the "Armenia-Iran Strategic Cooperation Development Center" foundation, told Armenian News-NEWS.am about this.

"There are other forces behind Aliyev that use him to keep the region in constant tension and prevent from achieving real peace. Its about Turkey, Israel, and [several] other countries. Connecting Azerbaijan and Nakhichevan through Iran gives Tehran leverage over Ankara and Baku. This is in the interests of both Iran and Armenia. This is exactly the alternative that Tehran proposed to Azerbaijan," the Iranian analyst noted.

According to him, Baku, advancing the idea of the so-called "Zangezur corridor" via Armenia, is trying to prevent the opening of transit roads through Armenia, but wants them to pass only through Azerbaijan.
Each year, Emorys King Week is a series of programs to honor the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement. This year's events are set for Jan. 13-24 and The King Centers 2024 theme is It Starts with Me: Shifting the Cultural Climate through the Study and Practice of Kingian Nonviolence.

King Week is a great way to begin the academic semester, says Carol E. Henderson, vice provost for diversity and inclusion, chief diversity officer and adviser to the president at Emory University. Henderson points out how this week leads into the National Day of Racial Healing (Jan. 16) and International Holocaust Day of Remembrance (Jan. 27), among others.

This week doesnt only honor Dr. King. Its also about his wife, Mrs. Coretta Scott King, his family and many others who took that journey with him, says Henderson. No one person is a movement. This moment is an opportunity to reflect on how we enter communities and consider: What is my responsibility as a human on this planet to create a better world for all?

It starts right here at Emory.

In service of humanity

Oxford College hosts the Oxford MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 15, which will give faculty, staff and students the opportunity to choose between two projects. For one, volunteers will pull invasive species from along Dried Indian Creek Trail with the Oxford Organic Farm staff and in partnership with the city of Oxford. Volunteers helping with the other project will assemble care packages, including menstruation kits for Clements Middle School, weekend food kits for Giving Hands Food Pantry/Newton County Schools and craft kits for Newton County Libraries. Volunteers should meet at 10:30 a.m. in the Greer Forum of the Oxford Student Center.

Then, the annual Emorys Day On takes place Saturday, Jan. 20, to honor King's work, legacy and values through a variety of community service projects. Sponsored by Emorys Center for Civic and Community Engagement, projects are scheduled from 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Participants should meet at 11 a.m. in the Emory Student Center to enjoy a kickoff with food, T-shirts, speeches and project check-ins.

This years projects include everything from supporting those battling cancer to maintaining facilities for homeless and low-income individuals throughout metro Atlanta and more. Faculty, staff and students are invited to find a project they care about and secure a spot via Emory OPEN today.

National Day of Racial Healing

On Tuesday, Jan. 16, join the livestream lunch and learn National Day of Racial Healing: The Journey to Healing for One Emory with keynote speaker Tia Brown McNair. McNair is a vice president in the Office of Diversity, Equity and Student Success and executive director for the Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation (TRHT) Campus Centers at the American Association of Colleges and Universities in Washington, D.C. She oversees both funded projects and the AAC&Us continuing programs on equity, inclusive excellence, high-impact practices and student success.

Sharon Stroye, Emorys inaugural director of truth, racial healing and transformation, explains that the National Day of Racial Healing  and the efforts of Emorys Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Center  all tie in with Emorys mission statement and Kings focus on service to humanity.

Our goal is to create the next generation of leaders who will dismantle structural, institutional racism through a shared humanity perspective, Stroye says.

And for individuals who are interested but dont know what to expect, or are nervous about attending such an event?

Come in with an open mind, its not what you think. Its an opportunity to connect with people in our humanity, Stroye says. We create brave, safe and responsible spaces to engage in authentic storytelling about our human, lived experiences.

Inspiring insights and lectures

King is well remembered for his inspiring words, and that tradition will be carried on throughout King Week 2024, from sermons to film screenings and panel discussions.

On Friday, Jan. 12, the School of Nursing will host a field event at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. The event, which is open to Emory nursing faculty and staff, starts at 9 a.m. and will provide the opportunity to further explore Kings work and its relevance today. The School of Nursing will also have an interactive learning experience centered around social justice and human rights. For more information and to register, contact Stella Clarke-Dubose.

Emory Cares presents an inspiring webinar on Wednesday, Jan. 17, at 12 p.m. via Zoom. Alumni Shaping Atlantas Future through Community Engagement will spotlight Emory University alumni who are making a significant impact in the Atlanta community and will delve into their stories, journeys, achievements and influence. Attendees can engage with the panelists and hear firsthand accounts of innovative projects, initiatives and collaborations that have had a positive, lasting impact on Atlanta.

At 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 17, join the Department of African American Studies in Convocation Hall for a documentary film and panel discussion about The Cost of Inheritance. Panelists include Emory faculty Carol Anderson, Robert W. Woodruff Professor of African American Studies; Janeria Easley, assistant professor of African American studies; and Jessica Lynn Stewart, assistant professor of African American studies. Cynthia Spence, co-chair and associate professor of sociology and anthropology at Spelman College, and Spelman College Quarterman-Keller Scholars will also be panelists. Reserve your spot online.

From 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 18, join Equitable Dinners Atlanta at Emory" hosted by the Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Initiative at Emory in collaboration with Equitable Dinners Atlanta and Out of Hand Theater. The dinner and performance is open to the entire Emory community, but registration is required. The program will be held in the Joseph W. Jones Room of the Robert W. Woodruff Library.

At 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 18, the School of Medicine will host the Community Engagement Champion Awards. This webinar will honor exceptional community partners who are engaged longitudinally with Emorys medical students through the Community Learning and Social Medicine course.

On Friday, Jan. 19, join a virtual video screening and reflections on the Kingian Nonviolence 365 Initiative, starting at 12 p.m. Online registration is required. Sponsored by the School of Nursing, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory Healthcare and Winship Cancer Institute, the program is open to the entire Emory community.

At 4:30 p.m. Jan. 19, All Black Emory will present a panel-based dialogue called King Week Feature Episode, exploring the civil rights movement through the lens of Black women and the diurnal challenges they faced in maintaining the vitality of their families, the movement and their intersectional politics. Join the event at the Emory Black Student Union, located in Cox Hall.

On Wednesday, Jan. 24, join Emory author Valerie Babb, Andrew Mellon Professor of Humanities in African American Studies and English, for a discussion and book signing. Focused on her recent publication, The Book of James: The Power, Politics and Passion of LeBron, the event starts at 5 p.m. in the Margaret H. Rollins Room and Foyer of the Randall R. Rollins building and advance registration is required.

Worship services

The Oxford Campus Celebration of Kings life takes place at the Old Church on Wednesday, Jan. 17, at 7:30 p.m. The event will be a celebration of music with the community choir, a cappella group, chamber ensemble and the new Oxford group Soul Collective; readings will be interspersed throughout the service.

This year, instead of a keynote speaker, were focusing on music with a few readings and reflections interspersed, says Oxford College Chaplain Lyn Pace. Having music, which brings hope and unity, felt like a good way to go this year.

The Oxford celebration is free and open to everybody. Even though it can be a little haul for Atlanta folks to get out here, its going to be well worth it. If you love music, and you want to experience different types of music plus a fantastic gospel choir that always brings down the house, this is the year to do it, says Pace. Come out early and see the campus if youve never been here, get dinner at the square in Covington and then enjoy the celebration.

The event is sponsored by the Oxford Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, and is free and open to all. For more information, contact Oxford College Chaplain Lyn Pace.

On Sunday, Jan. 21, all are invited to attend the King Sunday Worship Service, starting at 11 a.m. in Cannon Chapel and online via Zoom. Carol E. Henderson, vice provost for diversity and inclusion, chief diversity officer, and adviser to the president at Emory University, will be preaching. The service will be followed by lunch at 12 p.m. in Brooks Commons. For more information, please contact Religious Life.

Emory King Week is a truly collaborative effort of all schools and units of Emory that each make their own contributions to the spiritual, educational and service dimensions of King Week, says Rev. Gregory McGonigle, university chaplain and dean of spiritual and religious life. This year, we are especially excited for the new offerings on the National Day of Racial Healing, and that Dr. Carol Henderson will be bringing an inspirational word at the King Week Beloved Community worship service. But each event  from the awards ceremonies to film screenings and panels to service projects  makes a valuable contribution.

And with so many great events to choose from, theres something for everyone at Emory.

I want the Emory community to show up with an open mind and an open heart and a willingness to listen. Thats it, says Stroye, referring to each event. Look at the events and go wherever you feel comfortable, but also challenge yourself to step out of that comfort zone just a little bit. Youll be amazed at what you will walk away with.

For a full list of Emory King Week events and more information, view the website.
Our picks this time around include a number of concerts and get-togethers for the long holiday weekend.

MLK Day 2024: Yesterdays, Todays, and Tomorrows

This Hyde Park Art Center event celebrates the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Activities include folklore storytime, shadow puppets and printmaking. Semicolon Bookstore & Gallery will have a pop-up shop focused on Afrofuturism and science fiction and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago Chamber Ensemble will perform music by Black composers.

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S. Cornell Ave.; free, registration is recommended at hydeparkart.org

Fillet of Solo

Opening this weekend, Lifeline Theatres 27th annual Fillet of Solo Festival is two weeks of storytelling and live lit at a pair of venues in Rogers Park, with performances by Jonathan Pitts (My Dad, His Chimp, and A Serial Killer), Nestor Gomez (80 Minutes Around the World), Shalaka Kulkarni (Nyras Dreams) and dozens of others. Stories will range from comedy to tragedy, personal to universal, local to international.

Jan. 12-24 at Lifeline Theatre (6912 N. Glenwood Ave.) and South of the Border (1416 W Morse Ave.); tickets from $12 (single admission) to $45-$60 (festival pass) at lifelinetheatre.com

Nestor Gomez, here on the North Side of Chicago on June 28, 2021, is part of Lifeline Theatres 27th annual Fillet of Solo Festival.

Jeezy

The prolific rapper and trap pioneer is on the UIC campus with Chicago Winterjam.

8 p.m. Jan. 12 at UIC Dorin Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Road; tickets from $89 at www.ticketmaster.com

Music Institute MLK Celebration

The Music Institute of Chicago presents its 21st annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, a free concert featuring violinist Hannah White, a new work from Nyandeng Juag from the Hearing in Color Young Composer Residency, a performance by the Music Institute of Chicago Chorale and others. (Also livestreamed.)

3 p.m. at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston; free reservations required at musicinst.org

Black Creativity Family Day

Guests can explore the Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition, which includes works from professional and amateur Black artists from across the country. Artist Raven Smith will leave an activity about color psychology.

9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive; events and activities are included with museum entry, more information at msichicago.org

Oliver Tree is coming with his Alone in a Crowd tour to the Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom in Chicago.

Oliver Tree

The California musician is part DJ, part online provocateur, part dance-pop artist, part a lot of things. Hes bringing his Alone in a Crowd tour to the Aragon Ballroom.

8 p.m. Jan. 13 at the Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom, 1106 W. Lawrence Ave.; tickets $60.75 (ages 17+) at www.livenation.com

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Family Event

This family-friendly event at the Chicago History Museum will include musical performances and interactive activities. Therell be a screening of Mighty Times: The Childrens March, typewritten poems by Poems While You Wait and button making with Busy Beaver Button Co.

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St.; included with general admission, which is free for Illinois residents on Jan. 15, more information at chicagohistory.org

2024 Cubs Convention

The 37th Cubs Con brings fans, players and front office faces for all kinds of events, including panel conversations, autograph sessions, merch sales and auctions and more.

Jan. 12-14 at Sheraton Grand Chicago, 301 E. North Water St.; weekend passes $125 at www.mlb.com

Chicago Travel & Adventure Show

Scratch your adventure itch this weekend at the annual expo focusing on all things travel. Keynote speakers include travel writer Rick Steves, Phil Rosenthal (Netflixs Somebody Feed Phil) and Pauline Frommer of the Frommers Guides.

Jan. 13-14 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 North River Road, Rosemont; tickets $13-$26 at travelshows.com
Three Emory University faculty members have been elected to the American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI), one of the nations oldest and most respected medical honor societies for physician-scientists. ASCI supports the scientific efforts, educational needs, and clinical aspirations of physician-scientists in the advancement of clinical practice. The 100 new inductees come from 50 different institutions and represent excellence across the breadth of academic medicine according to ASCI. Elected to the society from Emory are:

Nadine Rouphael, MD

An infectious diseases physician and researcher, Rouphael is a professor of medicine in the Emory University School of Medicine. She serves as the executive director of the Hope Clinic, the clinical arm of the Emory Vaccine Center, and is the Emory principal investigator for the NIH funded Vaccine Treatment and Evaluation Unit (VTEU). She has an outstanding record of scholarship, mentorship and leadership in building Emorys nationally recognized translational vaccinology and therapeutic clinical trials program.

Sarita Shah, MD

Shahs research and public health efforts have focused on drug-resistant TB and TB/HIV co-infection in multiple high-burden settings throughout sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. She serves as a professor of epidemiology and global health in the Rollins School of Public Health and the co-director of the Clinical & Population Science Core for the Emory/Georgia Tuberculosis Research Advancement Center.

Jindan Yu, MD, PhD

In her lab, Yu seeks to understand the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms underlying prostate cancer progression using cutting-edge genomics and bioinformatics approaches. She is an acting professor and serves as Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Urology at Emory University School of Medicine. Yu also serves as scientific director for Prostate and GU Cancers Research at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University.

New members will be officially inducted into the Society at the ASCI Dinner and New Member Induction Ceremony on April 5, 2024, in Chicago.
The NDB, headquartered in China and established by BRICS countries, focuses on developing infrastructure and sustainable projects in emerging markets and developing countries.

The Indian regional office of NDB operates from GIFT City, Gandhinagar.

The discussions during the meeting centred around potential collaborations to further enhance infrastructure and sustainable development in Gujarat.

Key topics included funding opportunities for investors interested in green hydrogen projects within the state.

Green hydrogen, being a crucial aspect of sustainable energy, has gained significant attention globally, and Gujarat aims to be at the forefront of such initiatives.

Additionally, the meeting delved into strategies to assist Gujarat in bolstering its infrastructure for the effective management of solid and liquid waste in rural areas.

Waste management has become a critical aspect of sustainable development, and the collaboration with NDB could provide valuable insights and financial support for such projects.

One of the significant points explored during the meeting was the possibility of formulating joint programmes and schemes for socio-economic development in rural regions.

Gujarat, with its diverse rural landscape, can benefit from collaborative efforts with the NDB to implement initiatives that foster socio-economic growth and address the unique challenges faced by rural communities.

The New Development Bank, as a financial institution established by BRICS nations, has the mandate to support sustainable development initiatives.

The meeting between Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Vladimir Kazbekov signifies the commitment to exploring avenues that align with the state's developmental goals and contribute to the broader objectives of sustainable and inclusive growth.

As Gujarat continues to position itself as a leader in economic and infrastructural development, partnerships with international financial institutions like NDB play a pivotal role in realising these aspirations.

The collaborative efforts discussed in this meeting reflect a shared commitment to building a more sustainable and prosperous future for the people of Gujarat. (ANI)
The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) delegation led by its President and CEO Mukesh Aghi explored investment opportunities in the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) and International Financial Services Centre (GIFT IFSC).

According to a press release, the delegation members also discussed potential collaborations in Gujarat's major industrial, business, IT, and FinTech sectors.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel expressed enthusiasm about the ongoing collaboration between USISPF and Vibrant Gujarat, noting the consistent efforts since 2017 in leading high-level industry delegations to the summit.

As per a press release, emphasising the significance of the US-India relationship, the Gujarat Chief Minister Patel highlighted on X that USA remains Gujarat's major export destination.

The Chief Minister said that over 120 American companies have established their bases in Gujarat currently.

He stated, "Had a fruitful meeting with the delegation of USISPF. Showcased the potential of GIFT IFSCA and the investment opportunities in this smart city."

President and CEO of USISPF, said he was honoured to lead a delegation of American companies to invest in and contribute to Gujarat's development.

He said, "It's an honour for USISPF to lead a delegation of American companies to invest in and contribute to the development of Gujarat, a state that epitomises India's entrepreneurial spirit and can-do attitude. Our engagement at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit reaffirms our commitment to fostering economic ties and exploring avenues for mutual growth and development between the United States and Gujarat."

He highlighted the state's entrepreneurial spirit and can-do attitude. The engagement at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit reaffirms the commitment to fostering economic ties and exploring avenues for mutual growth and development between the United States and Gujarat.

The meeting underscores USISPF's ongoing dedication to boosting US-Gujarat economic ties and unlocking avenues for shared prosperity.

The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) is an independent not-for-profit institution dedicated to strengthening the US-India partnership in Washington, D.C., and in New Delhi. USISPF is the trusted partner for businesses, non-profit organisations, the diaspora, and the governments of India and the United States. (ANI)
PNN New Delhi [India], January 12: Progression Global, a leading advocate for environmental stewardship and sustainability, marked a momentous occasion celebrating environmental excellence at the India Green Awards held on January 11th. It is one of the most prominent Environment Awards in India. The event served as a platform to honor outstanding contributions to environmental conservation and sustainability practices in India. The India Green Award is one such sustainability award in India that brings together individuals, organizations, and communities dedicated to fostering a greener, more sustainable future. Highlighting exceptional initiatives, the event recognized exemplary achievements that have significantly contributed to environmental protection across various sectors. "Our collective commitment to a greener, more sustainable future has been exemplified by the remarkable initiatives showcased here tonight," said Ashish Nandan Shrivastava, CEO of Progression Global. "The India Green Award serves not only as a recognition of outstanding achievements but also as a catalyst for further innovation and dedication to environmental sustainability." The event celebrated inspiring stories of change, honoring individuals and organizations who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to the well-being of our planet. These stories stand as a testament to the transformative power of collective action and the impact of small steps when magnified across communities and industries. "While we applaud the winners and commend all participants, let us remember that the journey towards sustainability is ongoing," added Ashish Nandan Shrivastava. "It requires continuous collaboration, shared knowledge, and a steadfast commitment to responsible practices, extending beyond this ceremony into our daily lives, businesses, and communities." The India Green Awards align with Progression Global's vision and mission, aiming to foster a culture of environmental responsibility, innovation, and sustainability in India and beyond. The platform seeks to acknowledge, celebrate, and share remarkable efforts, inspiring others to join the movement towards a more eco-conscious and sustainable world. The prestigious event was graced by esteemed guests including the Guest of Honor- Founding Chancellor of Rishihood University and former Union Minister, Shri Suresh Prabhu, who joined the event virtually, and Chief Guest- Dr. Chetan Singh Solanki, Professor at IIT Bombay and a leading advocate for solar energy. Dr. Chetan is also known as the "Solar Man of India," and "Solar Gandhi." The list of winners at the event included Tata Projects Ltd, Sabic Specialties, L&T Construction & Transportation (MAHSR C6 Project), L&T Heavy Civil IC MAHSR- C4, Mr. Vinod Agrawal (L&T Heavy Civil IC MAHSR- C4), L&T Construction MAGRP, Jindal Stainless Steel Hisar, Prakash Sponge Iron & Power, Dr. Unmesh Jagtap, Sonnenschein Engineering & Infra LLP, Mr. Taorem Leikhendra Singh, Secretary CRED Centre for Research on Environmental Development, Afcons Infrastructure Ltd, Kanpur Metro Project- UG, Mr. Gyanendra Pratap Singh (Afcons Infrastructure limited Kanpur Metro Project- UG), JSW Coated Product Ltd, Kamleshwar, K Raheja Corp, K. Vengatagiri Afcons Infrastructure Ltd, Bangalore Metro Rail (3025), Mr. Pradeep Muchukundha (Knight Frank India Pvt. Ltd.), Mr. Ram Milan Singh (Synergy Steels Limited), Synergy Steels Ltd, Mr. Ravi Soin (Edifecs Technologies), Edifecs Technologies, Ahmedabad Elevated Metro Package C1 2463, Dr. Nisanth Thulasidas Madhavan (Afcons Infrastructure limited), Mr. Sudhir Balkrishna More (HOD HSE) (Afcons Infrastructure Ltd), Dr. Shambhu Nautiyal, Pratiks Enviro Solutions, Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project UG-1(GMRCL), Prof. Dinabandhu Sahoo- University of Delhi, Dr. Sanjukta Sahoo- KIIT Bhubaneshwar, and Dr. Chetan Singh Solanki- Energy Swaraj Yatra For more information or nomination for the next India Green Awards, please contact- Ashish Nandan Shrivastava at 9304117765 or visit www.indiagreenawards.com (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Boeing's new widebody 777-9 jet will touch down in India for the first time, as the global aerospace company brings the newest member of its widebody family to Wings India 2024 in Hyderabad. The 777-9 flight test airplane is expected to arrive in Hyderabad on January 16 and will be on static display for Wings visitors from January 18-19. Air India will receive ten 777-9s, as part of the carrier's "substantial order" placed in 2023, aimed at bolstering its fleet strategy and meeting the growing demand for international air travel in the rapidly expanding South Asian market, Boeing said in a press release. Based on the successful twin-aisle airplane ever, the 777, and with advanced technologies from the 787 Dreamliner family, the 777-9 will be the world's largest and amongst efficient twin-engine jet. Boeing has booked more than 450 orders for the 777X family, which includes the 777-8 and 777-9 passenger models and 777-8 Freighter. "We welcome the opportunity to introduce the state-of-the-art 777-9 to India and look forward to its induction in our customers' fleets over the coming years. The 777-9 will become the flagship of many airlines around the world," said Ryan Weir, Boeing vice president, Commercial Sales and Marketing for India. At Wings India 2024, Boeing will showcase its cutting-edge technologies, services, top-tier sustenance, and training capabilities. Besides, it will engage with customers and industry partners on the growth trajectory of India's aviation sector. "Our dedication to bolstering India's civil aviation growth remains unwavering, providing efficient aircraft, top-notch services, and innovative solutions in line with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision," said Salil Gupte, president, Boeing India. "We are excited to reinforce our commitment to India's aerospace industry and showcase our leading products and services at Wings India 2024." Among its investments aimed at bolstering the growth of India's civil aviation industry, Boeing has partnered with GMR Aero Technic to establish a Boeing Converted Freighter line in Hyderabad and established a Global Support Center in Gurgaon. Additionally, the Boeing release said it has committed a USD 100 million investment in infrastructure and pilot training programs to support India's growing demand for pilots in the coming two decades. (ANI)
PNN Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 12: Bank of Baroda (Bank), one of India's leading public sector banks, today announced the launch of the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) RuPay Reloadable Prepaid Card. Aligned with the "One Nation, One Card" initiative, the Bank of Baroda NCMC RuPay Platinum EMV chip-enabled Contactless Prepaid card is an inter-operable and multi-purpose transport card that can be used across the country to pay for public transport on the Metro and upcoming use cases for Bus, Train, Cab, Ferry, tolls and parking as well. The card can also be used for day-to-day ATM cash withdrawals and payments through POS and E-commerce. The card can be availed by both customers and non-customers at Bank of Baroda branches, and will be immediately activated for real-time use. The card supports both online transactions as well as offline transactions at NCMC-specific terminals. The maximum online wallet balance allowed is Rs 1,00,000/- (Rs One Lakh only) and the maximum offline wallet balance allowed is Rs 2,000/- (Rs Two Thousand only) at any point of time. Lal Singh, Executive Director, Bank of Baroda said, "The Bank of Baroda NCMC RuPay Prepaid card adds a new dimension to cashless, on-the-go transactions and has the potential to transform the public transport commuting experience for users. With multiple use cases, the card offers enormous convenience, flexibility and security to cardholders." Cardholders can load/reload money in the online wallet through a dedicated portal provided by the Bank. The offline wallet can be reloaded at designated NCMC terminal operators at transit locations. The card is accepted at all RuPay ecommerce and POS terminals and ATM machines. Customers will receive transaction notifications through SMS on their registered mobile number. Founded on 20th July, 1908 by Sir Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, Bank of Baroda is one of the leading commercial banks in India. At 63.97% stake, it is majorly owned by the Government of India. The Bank serves its global customer base of ~165 million through over 70,000 touch points spread across 17 countries in five continents and through its various digital banking platforms, which provide all banking products and services in a seamless and hassle-free manner. The Bank's vision matches the aspirations of its diverse clientele base and seeks to instil a sense of trust and security in all their dealings with the Bank. Visit us at www.bankofbaroda.in * Facebook https://www.facebook.com/bankofbaroda/ * Twitter https://twitter.com/bankofbaroda * Instagram https://www.instagram.com/officialbankofbaroda/ * YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdf14FHPLt7omkE9CmyrVHA * LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/bankofbaroda/ For media queries, please contact: Bank of Baroda: Phiroza Choksi | +91 9820363681 | corp.pr@bankofbaroda.com Perfect Relations: Sneha Joshi | +91 9833004482 | Sneha.Joshi@dentsu.com (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Celebrating eight years of the Startup India programme, the 'Startup India Innovation Week 2024' commenced this week with an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session with ecosystem enablers. Eight virtual Ask Me Anything (AMA) live sessions are planned to be conducted from January 10-17 with relevant stakeholders to celebrate the spirit of entrepreneurship in India. The Ask Me Anything session focused on 'Opportunities for Budding Startups through Incubators', giving startups and entrepreneurs insights on various sources of seed funding available. The session also provided valuable guidance on the different stages of the startup journey, from the initial spark of an idea to finally entering the market. It was live-streamed on Startup India's social media channels. The first mentorship session under the MAARG Mentorship Series for budding entrepreneurs focused on 'From Idea to Execution: Building a Solid Business Plan'. The session shared insights into the process of transforming entrepreneurial ideas into a well-structured business plan, engaging the participants and explaining the fundamentals using case studies depicting challenging scenarios. The session was also hosted on the MY Bharat portal for aspiring entrepreneurs. Further, 'Startup Shala', Startup India's flagship accelerator programme, was launched for extensive handholding of startups at the scaleup stage. The initiative is a three-month-long accelerator programme for early-stage startups to provide them access to knowledge, networks, funds, or guidance required to scale up. Each programme cohort will focus on a particular sector, the first one being the clean-tech sector. The applications have been opened on the Startup India portal from January 10, 2024. Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, while addressing the India-UAE Business Summit during the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024, highlighted India's booming startup landscape and the way ahead for the growth of the startup ecosystem. Joint Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Sanjiv, participated in various engagements and also addressed and highlighted the importance of international exposure for Indian startups and the crucial role a startup bridge plays in easing international market access. Celebrating Indian innovations across the country, incubators organised startup-related events at their centres as well. On January 10, 2024, nine such engaging events took place physically in seven different states across nine cities. Over 800 entrepreneurs and student entrepreneurs attended the events. The events provided opportunities for startup showcases, mentorship sessions, and engaging panel discussions, among others. (ANI)
Actor Sanjay Kapoor, who is known for his work in 'The Fame Game', 'Bloody Daddy' and many more, is recently seen in Sriram Raghavan's 'Merry Christmas', starring Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi in lead roles. Kapoor shared his working experience with the director and what made him say, 'yes' to the film. He said, "I got a call from Sriram sir regarding a film which he wanted me to be a part of called 'Merry Christmas', and on my way to his office, I was hoping my role is good because I love him and the work he has done, be it 'Badlapur', 'Johnny Gaddaar', 'Ek Hasina Thi' or 'Andhadhun'. I have been an ardent fan of Sriram Raghavan kind of cinema." While sharing what made him join the cast of the movie, he added, "When he narrated to me the script of 'Merry Christmas' and my character in the film, I knew it's a thriller but once my character comes in the second half, he changes the course of the film. It's a very colourful role and I knew it would benefit me. I was very confident about the way it would be directed by Sriram sir. So, I immediately said yes to the film." He expressed his gratitude towards the director and said, "Today, when the people are loving my work and performance in 'Merry Christmas', I knew Sriram sir wanted me to do the role that he offered me. I am glad that I am a part of this fabulous project and I got the chance to work with one of my favourite directors." 'Merry Christmas' has been shot in two languages, with different supporting actors. The Hindi version also features Sanjay Kapoor, Vinay Pathak, Pratima Kannan, and Tinnu Anand. On the other hand, the Tamil version stars Radhika Sarathkumar, Shanmugaraja, Kevin Jay Babu, and Rajesh Williams in the same roles. Sharing the experience of working with director Sriram Raghavan, actor Katrina Kaif earlier said that working with Sriram Raghavan was a dream come true for her. "I feel incredibly fortunate to have had that opportunity. He's a phenomenal director with an incredible mind, and being on his set is like entering a whole different world." "He's an amazing collaborator, both as a filmmaker and as a person. It was a very intense experience, especially doing the film in two languages. All of us have been very passionate about making this film from day 1 and are very excited for the release," she added. 'Merry Christmas' released in theatres today. (ANI)
Ahead of the upcoming Jallikattu competitions that are going to be held in Madurai, close to the local harvest festival Pongal, a consultative meeting on the scheduled bull-taming events was held at the Madurai District Collectorate under the leadership of state minister Moorthy on Thursday. Addressing media persons after the meeting, the minister said, "Jallikattu events are scheduled to be held at Avaniyapuram on January 15. There is also the Palamedu Jallikattu competition at Palamedu village on January 16 and the world-renowned Alanganallur Jallikattu competition on the 17th." The best bull and the best bull-tamer in the three Jallikattu events would stand to win a car each, the minister added. "12,176 bulls and 4,514 bull tamers across the state have been enlisted online to participate in Jallikattu competitions in the district. The entries would be scrutinised. Those who had made double entries and those who had applied without proper documents would be rejected," the minister said. A total of 2,400 bulls and 1,318 tamers have been registered for Avaniapuram Jallikattu; 3,677 bulls and 1,412 tamers for Palamedu Jallikattu; and 6,099 bulls and 1,784 tamers for the Alanganallur event, he informed. Sri Lanka recently hosted its first Jallikattu event in Triconmalee, with the country's Eastern Province Governor Senthil Thondaman and Malaysia's member of parliament Saravanan Murugan flagging off the event on January 6. Jallikattu is a popular bull-embracing sport traditionally played in Tamil Nadu during the Pongal harvest festival in the second week of January. In 2014, the Supreme Court imposed a ban on Jallikattu but in 2017, the Tamil Nadu government passed an ordinance to allow the event while introducing certain regulations to ensure the safety of both participants and bulls. After strident protests by the people against the ban, the Supreme Court in India in May 2023 upheld the Tamil Nadu government's law allowing the bull-taming sport 'Jallikattu' in the state. A five-judge Constitution bench of Justices KM Joseph, Ajay Rastogi, Aniruddha Bose, Hrishikesh Roy and CT Ravikumar heard a batch of petitions challenging the Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra governments' laws allowing the bull-taming sport 'Jallikattu' and bullock cart races. The Tamil Nadu government had defended the event, telling the apex court that sporting events can also be cultural events and there is no cruelty on bulls involved in Jallikattu competitions. (ANI)
Questioning the timing of the 'Pran Patishtha' ceremony at the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya, close to the next Lok Sabha elections, senior Congress leader TS Singh Deo on Thursday claimed that the event is not 'purely religious' and has distinct 'political undertones'. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will preside over the 'Pran Pratistha' and ceremonial opening of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22. Earlier this week, Congress bigwigs--national president Mallikarjun Kharge, former president Sonia Gandhi and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury--turned down the invitation to the Ram Temple opening, labelling it as an event of the BJP and the RSS. Speaking to ANI on Thursday, the former Chhattisgarh deputy chief minister claimed that the temple was being inaugurated even before completion, with an eye on the upcoming general elections. Asserting that no leader in the Opposition has any objection to the opening of the Ram Temple and is respectful of the deity and the public sentiments around him, the Congress leader said, "If this ('Pran Pratishtha) was purely religious then nobody would have had any objection. But this is totally political. Why did they (BJP) have to schedule the ceremonial function on January 22, before the completion of the temple construction? It has all been done with an eye on the (Lok Sabha) elections. Why was the event scheduled for January 22? Why is it being done with the elections around the corner? That is what people have objections to. Nobody objects to Lord Ram." Meanwhile, on the Congress declining the invitation to the ceremonial 'Pran Patishtha' of Ram Lalla at the grand temple on January 22, the party's Haryana chief Uday Bhan, on Thursday, dismissed allegations of the party boycotting the Ram Janmabhoomi and the Ram temple. However, he added that the Congress objects to the scheduling of the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony and the manner in which it is being conducted by the BJP. "The Congress isn't boycotting the Ram Janmabhoomi or the Ram Temple. However, we don't agree with how the 'Pran Pratistha' ceremony is being conducted by the BJP," Uday Bhan told ANI. He added that spiritual leaders across faiths have said holding the 'Pran Pratishtha' event at a time when "40 per cent of the construction work" remains is not right. "Spiritual leaders across faiths have said 40 per cent work on the Ram temple is yet to be completed. So, the Pran Pratistha ceremony has been scheduled before the temple is ready to be thrown open to devotees. This is not right," the Congress's Haryana president said. Bhan said religious leaders told him that it is not right to hold a 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony at a "half-finished temple". "One of our religious leaders (Shankaracharya Swami Shri Nischalananda Saraswati of Purvaamnaya Govardhanmath Puri Peeth in Odisha), who is an expert on scriptures, said that it is not right to have Pran Pratishtha at a half-finished temple," the Congress leader said. He claimed the Shankaracharya to have said that the 'Pran Pratishtha' was a 'political move'. "The Shankaracharya, who is revered by one and all and whose views on religious matters are never questioned, has said there's politics behind the event. I also subscribe to this view," Uday Bhan said. (ANI)
Taking to social media, the spokesperson for the Indian Navy posted on X, "MoU signed between Indian Navy and M/s Arvind Limited for supply of a technically advanced uniform fabric for Navy. Specifications of the new anti-fungal, anti-microbial, and anti-bacterial fabric specially developed for tropical conditions with improved moisture management technology and a higher whiteness index lasting multiple washing cycles."

Meanwhile, the Royal Saudi Naval Forces Chief of Staff, Admiral Fahad Abdullah S Al-Ghofaily, called on Admiral R Hari Kumar, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy, on Thursday in New Delhi and held discussions on collaborative mechanisms and measures to further strengthen naval cooperation.

Admiral Al-Ghofaily is on a four-day official visit to India from January 10-13.

Earlier in the day, he was accorded a Guard of Honour at South Block Lawns in the national capital.

Al-Ghofaily's visit is a testimony to the longstanding relationship between the navies of Saudi Arabia and India.

Indian Navy ships have been regularly undertaking port calls at various Saudi Arabian ports.

India and Saudi Arabia enjoy cordial and friendly relations reflecting centuries-old economic and socio-cultural ties. The diplomatic ties between India and Saudi Arabia were established in 1947, according to the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia. (ANI)
The DRI, acting on reliable information, detained the woman upon her arrival from Addis Ababa.

According to the Directorate of Revenue, during an extensive search, the individual's examination yielded no suspicious findings. However, a closer inspection of her trolley bag uncovered multiple packets containing a white powder-like substance. Subsequent testing confirmed the substance as cocaine, boasting an estimated international market value of a staggering 40 crore.

The arrested woman has been booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

Further information is awaited. (ANI) (ANI)
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha slammed the Congress party for turning down the Ram Mandir inauguration invitation. Slamming the party for doing 'divisive' politics in the country, Saha said that "Congress in wake of politics of appeasement, has forgotten the basic glories & culture of our country". "At the time, when the barriers of social harmony were removed by both Hindu & Muslim communities, Indian National Congress is trying to sow the seeds of hatred," he said. Saha claimed that the party has historically opposed the 'Ram Mandir' on all fronts. "Shamelessness has also a limit but those who have blindfolded themselves what could be said to them. Congress top leaders should see their sins & introspect what they have done to this country. Whenever there had been an initiative of historical significance to the Ram Mandir, they had boycotted themselves and tried to create factions in society," he added. The Congress party on Wednesday, 'respectfully' declined the invitation to attend the inauguration ceremony of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya on January 22. The grand old party accused the BJP of using Ayodhya as a 'political project' and called it a 'BJP/RSS' event. The Congress said that Lord Ram is worshipped by millions of people in the country and religion is a personal matter. "But the RSS/BJP have long made a political project of the temple in Ayodhya. The inauguration of the incomplete temple by the leaders of the BJP and the RSS has been obviously brought forward for electoral gain," the party said. "While abiding by the 2019 Supreme Court judgment and honouring the sentiments of millions who revere Lord Ram, Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury have respectfully declined the invitation to what is clearly an RSS/BJP event," it added. Meanwhile, Congress party's "respectful" decline to the inauguration ceremony did not do well with the BJP. BJP leader BS Yediyurappa on Thursday slammed the party, calling its decision "unforgivable" which "has hurt sentiments of millions of Hindus". "Rama idol is being installed on a special occasion in Ram Mandir. It is a bad thing that they are refusing to attend special occasion," the former Karnataka Chief Minister said. (ANI)
The pontiff of Karnataka's Sringeri mutt has requested people to disregard "false propaganda" over the upcoming Pran-Pratishtha ceremony of Ayodhya's Ram Temple and consider only what has been published by the official website. Sringeri Mutt, in its statement, ebunked false information circulating on social media, claiming that it has expressed its 'displeasure' over the pran-pratishtha of the Ram Temple. "...A social media post, which carries a photo of Dakshinamnaya Sringeri Sharada Peethadheeshwara, His Holiness Paramapujya Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji, conveys that the Sringeri Shankaracharya, in a message, has expressed displeasure over the Prana-pratishtha. However, the Sringeri Shankaracharya has not given any such message," it said. It further requested people to 'disregard such false propaganda' and take note of what has only been published by the official website. "...This is merely a false propaganda by ill-wishers of our Dharma. All Astikas are hence requested to disregard such false propaganda and take note of what has only been published by the official website (www.sringeri.net) and official social media platforms of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham," the mutt said. It further said that the Pran-Pratishtha of Ram Janmabhoomi is a matter of joy for all the 'astikas'. "It has to be noted here that on the occasion of Deepavali (12-11-2023), the "sharadapeetham" youtube channel of the Peetham had published the message of the Sringeri Jagadguru conveying that all Astikas engage in the chanting of the Rama Taraka Mahamantra keeping in mind the upcoming Prana-Pratishtha at Ayodhya. Accordingly, Astikas have been chanting the Mahamantra in large numbers" the statement said. Gujarat's Dwarka Sharada Peetham has also said that the reports published in some newspapers regarding the mutt's stand on Ram Temple has been published without the permission of Jagadguru Shankaracharya and are misleading. "The news published in some newspaper has been published without the permission of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Ji Maharaj which is misleading. Our Gurudev Bhagwan had made many efforts for the Ramjanmabhoomi through Ramalaya Trust and Ramjanmabhoomi Revival Committee. The dispute of about 500 years has ended, this is an occasion of happiness for the followers of Sanatan Dharma. We want that all the programs of the Pran Pratishta ceremony of Lord Shri Ram, which is going to be held in Ayodhya, should be conducted duly as per the Vedas and following the," the statement from the Dwarka Peeth said. Notably, in the midst of preparations for the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of Ayodhya's Ram Mandir, various spiritual leaders have voiced their perspectives on the event, highlighting differing stances and beliefs. Swami Nishchalanand Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of Puri Govardhan Peeth on Thursday, while emphasising the importance of adhering to scriptural guidelines for the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony, expressed concerns about maintaining Lord Ram's honour and insisted that the worship should align with traditional practices. "It should be done according to scriptural guidelines, and the worship should be conducted in accordance to the belief that Ram is not secular. According to scripture, Pran Pr and worship programmes should be conducted; otherwise, the deity's radiance diminishes, and demonic entities enter, causing havoc" Swami Nishchalanand Saraswati said. Declining the invitation, Swami Nishchalanand stood firm in his decision not to attend, citing it as a matter of principle. "I received an invitation, and with a smile, the person said I can bring someone along. I am not upset. It's just my policy and principle, otherwise I keep going to Ayodhya" he said. He also asserted that the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony has been given a political hue. "The country's Prime Minister will reside in the sanctum sanctorum, touch the idol, and perform the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony. This has been given a political hue, if there is to be the Pran Pratishta of Lord Rama, it should be according to scriptural guidelines. I won't oppose it, nor will I attend. I have taken my stance. Let's not mix half-truths and half-lies; everything should align with scriptural knowledge" he said. On the other hand, Swami Avimukteshwaranand, Shankaracharya of Jyotish Peeth Math took a different approach, asserting that he won't be visiting Ayodhya's Ram Mandir on January 22. He emphasised that the construction of the temple doesn't signify a victory for Sanatan Dharma. "Ayodhya already had a Ram Mandir before, and its construction isn't a gift or triumph for the religion. Political leaders not going to Ayodhya on January 22 may be due to their political constraints, but no such constraints bind me. When cow slaughter ends in the country, I will visit Ayodhya's Ram Mandir, celebrating with enthusiasm. Since the honourable court's decision, the land belongs to Hindus, and its use or misuse depends on their discretion" Swami Avimukteshwaranand said. (ANI)
National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) had informed Maharashtra Cyber that content like child pornography has been uploaded on a YouTube channel, after which Cyber Police started its investigation on the matter.

Maharashtra Cyber cell said that a video with a four-year-old girl was uploaded on a YouTube channel which was obscene, after which the Maharashtra Cyber

Police registered a case against the channel and others involved in the video, under section 509 of the IPC, IT Act (sexual harassment by electronic mode) and POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences)

Maharashtra Cyber Police officials investigated and found that the YouTube channel was being operated by a resident of Palghar district of Maharashtra.

So far, no arrest has been made in the case, an official of the Maharashtra cyber cell informed. (ANI)
A day after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said her party is not in favour of the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal, Legislative Assembly Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari took a jibe at the Trinamool Congress Chief, saying that she should stop 'thinking' about the issue. Adhikari, while speaking to ANI said that it is not the job of Mamata Banrjee to think about the implementation of 'one nation, one election'. "That means nothing. PM Modi will do what the nation wants. What is she? She is the owner of a Private Limited party. PM Modi is there to think about the nation. 'Abki baar, 400 ke paar'. Mamata should stop thinking about all of this. This is not her job," he said. He further took a swipe at the Bengal CM and said that Mamata's job is to 'let Rohingyas trespass' in the state and rob. "Her job is to let Rohingyas trespass in West Bengal and rob. Let her rob..." Adhikari said. Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said that her party is not in favour of the 'One Nation One Election' proposal as it imposed a structure against "federalism". In her letter, Banerjee said she suspected that the proposal was backed by a "design to convert India's polity to a Presidential system". In her letter addressed to Dr Nitin Chandra, secretary of the Centre's high-level committee on 'One Nation One Election', Banerjee highlighted issues ranging from the meaning of 'One nation One Election' to the proposed "premature dissolution" of the Lok Sabha or Assemblies to the committee's methodology of writing letters to political parties instead of consulting state governments. Her letter was in response to a letter dated October 18, 2023, sent to her by the high-level committee. "I incidentally suspect that the instant design to subvert the basic structure of the Indian Constitutional arrangements is aimed at converting the polity of ours into a Presidential system. With profound considerations, the Constituent Assembly of India had presented us with a Parliamentary / Cabinet system of government, keeping in view the diversities and pluralities of our great country. But now your design seems to be to tilt the system in favour of Presidentialisation. The design is kept covert, seemingly because autocracy wants a democratic grab now to enter the national public arena. I am against autocracy, and hence I am against your design," Banerjee wrote. Banerjee wrote that she has "basic conceptual difficulties in agreeing" with the proposal. (ANI)
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw offered prayers at the Govind Dev Ji Temple, Jaipur, on Friday. Vaishnaw also inspected Jaipur Railway Junction. "A complete reconstruction and redevelopment of Jaipur Railway Station is underway... It is a campaign to make it world-class. There is an underground basement parking facility. The building is being constructed with a heritage look. There will be a huge roof plaza covering all the platforms. PM Modi had instructed to create a facility that connects both parts of the city," said Vaishnaw. Earlier the Union Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronic and Information Technology introduced 'The Indian Railways Construction Manual, 2023,' marking a significant step towards streamlining construction activities within the railway sector. Addressing a gathering of Railway officials across India, Vaishnaw emphasized the manual's pivotal role in diverse construction-related endeavours. "The construction manual will help in many activities, including land acquisition, forest clearance, bridge design, contract management, tunnel construction, and road flyover/ underbridges. This manual would help us to achieve and become the world's fastest-growing rail network," he said. The Minister stated that it is a real pleasure that the construction manual is now in a new form and in tune with the times. "Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken charge, railways have been its focus, including the construction of new tracks and stations and in this mission, this manual will play a key role as the previous version of the manual was old (around 1960) and now new reforms have been incorporated, including EPC contracts, bridge construction, execution of signalling, electrical and non-interlocking works etc. which have now been standardized through the new manual," he said. Highlighting the collaborative effort, Vaishnaw commended Roop Narayan Sunkar, a former Member (Infrastructure), of the Railway Board and the entire team for their contributions in preparing the manual. The manual's release aligns with the National Rail Plan, as Indian Railways aims to bolster its capacity by 2030 to meet demands up to 2050. With a focus on critical projects, new lines, gauge conversion, multi-tracking, automatic signalling and traffic facility works, the construction manual stands as a guide to empower officials in achieving these ambitious targets. Developed in simple language for easy comprehension by field officials, 'The Indian Railways Construction Manual, 2023' represents a forward leap in the quest for an efficient and robust railway infrastructure. (ANI)
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his scheduled visit to Kalaram Temple in Nashik amid Shiv Sena's plans. Raut claimed that the Prime Minister's initial schedule did not include the visit to the temple but was later listed following Shiv Sena's announcement to visit on January 22. "Narendra Modi is in Nashik today. His initial plans didn't include a Kalaram Temple visit. But as Shivsena has announced, we will do Pooja in Kalaram Temple on January 2. So they planned PM's visit to Kalaram Temple," Raut said. He further said that the party will plan a visit to the Ram temple in Manipur and urged the Prime Minister to follow suit. "It's like we have announced to go there so PM is going so If we go to a Ram Temple of Manipur then PM Modi will go there also," he said. "We are planning to go to Ayodhya after January 22 and a Ram temple of Manipur also. We hope that after we visit Manipur, the PM will also visit Manipur and solve its problems too where he is not going despite so many issues awaiting his attention," he added. The Shiv Sena MP further questioned the alleged delay in opening Atal Setu which the Prime Minister is set to inaugurate today. "The inauguration of this bridge (Atal Setu) was pending for a long time. The Prime Minister does not get time until the elections come," Raut said. "We had asked this question again and again. If the work is completed and the PM does not have time, then you open it for the public. But BJP has a role when the PM does not have time, no scheme is for the people," he added. PM Modi is scheduled to visit Maharashtra today and attend several events across the state. Heavy security has been deployed in and around the venue in Nashik, where the Prime Minister will inaugurate and address the 27th National Youth Festival. During his visit, PM Modi will offer prayers at the Shree Kalaram Mandir in Nashik. He will also inaugurate the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, built at a cost of about Rs 17,840 crore. During the programme, the Prime Minister will also dedicate about Rs 2000 crore railway projects to the nation. The Prime Minister will also launch Namo Mahila Shashaktikaran Abhiyaan. The Abhiyaan aims to empower women in the state of Maharashtra by providing skill development training and exposure to entrepreneurship development. (ANI)
Questioning the timing of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Temple, Congress leader Pawan Khera on Friday queried whether the event would be held under the guidance of the Shankaracharyas of the four peeths- the major shrines in the country. "There is a system and set of rituals to perform Pran Pratishtha... If this event is religious, then is it happening under the guidance of the Shankaracharyas of the four Peeths? All four Shankaracharyas have said clearly that the Pran Pratishtha of an incomplete temple cannot be done. If this event is not religious, then it is political... It is not acceptable that people of a political party are sitting as middlemen between me and my God... A political group is acting like a 'Thekedar'... Which 'Panchang' has the BJP referred to before finalising the date? The date has been chosen keeping the elections in mind" said Congress leader Pawan Khera. Senior Congress leader TS Singh Deo had on Thursday questioned the timing of the 'Pran Patishtha' ceremony at the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya, close to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. He alleged that the event is not 'purely religious' and has distinct 'political undertones'. Speaking to ANI on Thursday, former Chhattisgarh deputy chief minister claimed that the temple was being inaugurated even before completion, with an eye on the upcoming general elections. Asserting that no leader in the opposition has any objection to the opening of the Ram Temple and is respectful of the deity and the public sentiments around him, the Congress leader said, "If this ('Pran Pratishtha) was purely religious then nobody would have had any objection. But this is totally political. Why did they (BJP) have to schedule the ceremonial function on January 22, before the completion of the temple construction? It has all been done with an eye on the (Lok Sabha) elections. Why was the event scheduled for January 22? Why is it being done with the elections around the corner? That is what people have objections to. Nobody objects to Lord Ram." Earlier this week, Congress bigwigs--national president Mallikarjun Kharge, former president Sonia Gandhi and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury--turned down the invitation to the Ram Temple opening, labelling it as an event of the BJP and the RSS. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to preside over the 'Pran Pratistha' and ceremonial opening of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22. Vedic rituals for the 'Pran-Pratishtha' ceremony of Ram Lalla (infant Lord Ram) in Ayodhya will begin on January 16, a week before the main ceremony. A priest from Varanasi, Lakshmi Kant Dixit, will perform the main rituals of the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of Ram Lalla on January 22. From January 14 to January 22, Ayodhya will mark the Amrit Mahotsav. A 1008 Hundi Mahayagya will also be organised, in which thousands of devotees will be fed. Several tent cities are being erected in Ayodhya to accommodate thousands of devotees, who are expected to arrive in the temple town of Uttar Pradesh for the grand 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony. According to the Sri Ram Janambhoomi Trust, arrangements will be made for 10,000-15,000 people. Local authorities are also gearing up for the anticipated surge in visitors around the grand ceremony and are in the process of implementing enhanced security measures and making logistical arrangements to ensure a smooth and spiritually enriching experience for all attendees. (ANI)
Bhartiya Janta Party Rajya Sabha MP Deepak Prakash from Jharkhand has written a letter to state Chief Minister Hemant Soren, demanding a "ban on the sale of liquor" and meat on the occasion of the historic 'Pran Pratishtha' of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya on January 22. In a letter to the Jharkhand CM, Prakash said, "I would like to respectfully say that a grand program of Ramlala 'Pran Pratishtha' is scheduled in Ayodhya on January 22. Lord Shri Ram is called an ideal man and Maryada Purushottam due to his nature, qualities and command. He left the kingdom and spent 14 years in exile. But still he is called a great king because he ruled following the path of truth, mercy, compassion, religion and dignity. Even today, when it comes to culture and morality, we all take the name of Lord Shri Ram". Rajya Sabha MP Prakash further stated in his letter that the Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh governments have declared January 22 as dry day in their respective states. "There will be no sale of liquor and meat there on January 22. Through this letter, I demand from you that the sale of liquor and meat should be banned in Jharkhand on 22 January." Speaking to ANI, Deepak Prakash told ANI," We leave it to the discretion of the Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Hemant Soren Ji as to what decision he takes... whether he believes in appeasement politics or takes decisions based on the wish of the people of the country and people of Jharkhand" Prime Minister Narendra Modi will preside over the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony at the Ram Temple on January 22. The event has garnered significant global attention, with several VVIP guests from India and abroad receiving invitations to attend the ceremony. Vedic rituals for the 'Pran-Pratishtha' ceremony of Ram Lalla (infant Lord Ram) in Ayodhya will begin on January 16, a week before the main ceremony. (ANI)
WASHINGTON  As Speaker Mike Johnson gathered House Republicans behind closed doors Wednesday to sell the spending deal he reached with Democrats, one thing quickly became clear: many GOP lawmakers werent buying it.

Rep. Warren Davidson of Ohio left early, saying hed had enough.

Im not going to sit there and listen to that drivel, because he has no plans to do anything but surrender, Davidson said.

In the afternoon, 13 Republicans refused to support a routine procedural vote setting the stage for considering three GOP-led bills. A similar revolt occurred in June when, for the first time in some 20 years, such a routine vote was defeated, essentially grinding the House to a halt.

We needed to send a message that whats going on with this announced agreement is unacceptable, said Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., the chairman of House Freedom Caucus, made up many of the Houses most conservative lawmakers.

House Republicans are off to a raucous start in their first week back in Washington after an extended holiday break. The open criticism of the speaker and the parliamentary standoff reflects deep divisions within the party that have continued despite new leadership, raising questions about his ability to unite the conference.

Most Republicans are still voicing support for Johnson, saying he is doing the best he can with such a slim majority and Democrats in control of the Senate and White House. But it took only eight Republicans to oust Rep. Kevin McCarthy as speaker last year  along with 208 Democrats. A similar revolt from just a handful of Republicans would leave Johnson vulnerable as well.

Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, told Fox News hes not going to say what would trigger a motion by him to seek Johnsons removal, but weve got to do better than this. Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., said a lot of people are talking about a motion to vacate Johnson from the speakership. But the Tennessee Republican who helped oust McCarthy said hes personally not there yet.

There is a lot of division with the conference. Weve got a brand new leader, but its kind of the same ol song and dance, Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., told reporters upon exiting Wednesdays closed-door meeting of House Republicans.

Facing reporters afterward, Johnson said he was not concerned about losing his job.

Look, leadership is tough. You take a lot of criticism, but remember, I am a hardline conservative. Thats what they used to call me, Johnson said. I come from that camp.

He called the spending deal a down payment on restoring us to fiscal sanity in this country. He also said that if Republicans demonstrate we govern well it would help them grow their majority in the next Congress, which could help them get more of the spending cuts they want down the road.

Were going to turn this thing completely around, and I cant wait to do it, Johnson said.

Many Republicans doubt that colleagues would want to put the House through more of the chaos that erupted when McCarthy was ousted. It took nearly three tense weeks to land on Johnson as a replacement for McCarthy. Johnson has been on the job for less than three months, having just recently filled out his staff.

The reality is nobody wants to go through another speakers campaign, said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla. You can take somebody down once and say youre killing a tyrant. When you do it twice, you become an assassin. So I think the speaker is much more secure than people realize.

Government funding expires Jan. 19 for about 20% of the federal government, while the rest of the government is funded only through Feb. 2. The agreement that McCarthy negotiated with the White House called for capping defense spending at $886 billion and non-defense spending at about $704 billion for the current fiscal year, which began in October. A series of side agreements made as part of the debt ceiling deal lifts the non-defense spending to about $772 billion.

In recent months, lawmakers have been working to incorporate that agreement into the spending bills that will fund the federal government for the year. House and Senate leaders announced their agreement on overall spending levels Sunday.

Johnson said when announcing the overall spending numbers that he was able to speed up the roughly $20 billion in cuts already agreed to for the Internal Revenue Service in the debt ceiling deal and rescind about $6 billion in COVID relief money not yet spent. He called it the most favorable budget agreement Republicans have achieved in over a decade.

However, McCarthys debt ceiling deal was not popular with many House Republicans and contributed to his ouster. They were hoping Johnson would gain more non-defense spending cuts and do more to deter the historic number of people arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border from countries all over the world.

Were not addressing the two greatest crises facing the country, Good said.

The GOP infighting gives Democrats that chance to highlight the division going into an election year.

These guys are unable to govern and theyre unfit to govern and thats what you saw today, said Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass.

The debate over this years spending bills is separate from the negotiations that are taking place to secure additional funding for Israel and Ukraine. That funding is a top priority of the Biden administration, but Republicans are insisting that such a package contain tougher immigration restrictions.

Johnson met for nearly two hours after the floor debacle with hard-right Republicans, who emerged satisfied afterward that the new speaker was considering their frustrations and changing course. Good left saying they were on a better path forward.

Many Republicans believe Johnson got what he could given the slim majority and debt ceiling agreement he inherited.

Hes doing the best he can under the circumstances, said Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn.

When you barely control one house of Congress and you dont control the executive branch, youre not dealing with the strongest hand to begin with. I think most people who are practical understand that. Well just see how many practical people there are in the next few days, said Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Okla.

Associated Press Congressional Correspondent Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report.
Asserting that the Pran-Pratishtha ceremony at Ram temple in Ayodhya is an event of the entire society, former MP of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Ram Vilas Das Vedanti has hit out at the Congress after its veteran Digvijay Singh dubbed the ceremony scheduled to be held later this month as 'BJP/RSS event'. Speaking to ANI, the former BJP MP said that Congress has boycotted 'Hindutva, Sanatan Dharma and nationalism' after declining the invitation to attend the pran-pratishtha at Ram Temple. "This is not an event of any party but of the entire society. Nobody has been stopped, and invitations have been extended to every party. This is a religious, devotional, cultural and historical event...Congress has boycotted Hindutva, Sanatan Dharma and nationalism," Vedanti said. He further came down heavily on Congress and said, "People have identified Congress correctly that they are anti-religion, anti-Hindu and anti-Sanatana. People should not support such Congress, the party has proven it by itself..." Earlier on Thursday, Digvijay Singh said that the ceremony at the Ayodhya's temple has been created like an event of the BJP and RSS. "Who is going there? Not only the Congress, but Shiv Sena, RJD, CPI (M), JDU, TMC which have got the invitation, are not going there. We will be happy to go to the temple, but let the temple's construction be completed. They have made it an event of the BJP and RSS," Singh said. Referring to VHP leader Champat Rai, who was made the head of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust, the Congress leader said, "Champat Rai is the promoter of VHP who has done a land scam. Why is the PM silent on this? Who is Champat Rai to say, 'If Shankaracharyas do not want to come, then let them not to'. Does this temple belong to you? This is the national temple and whoever is interested can come to visit." He also said that the event is a crooked attempt to benefit by making this an election issue. Congress MP Digvijaya Singh also questioned why Nirmohi Akhada's rights have been taken away. "Forget the invitation. What we are objecting to is that the construction (of Ram Temple) is not complete. When the construction is not complete, what is the 'pranpratishtha' about? This is against the holy scriptures and religion...This is a crooked attempt to benefit by making this an election issue..." he added. (ANI)
Over 550 cadets are participating in the All India NCC Trekking Camp being organised at Japfu Christian College, Kigwema, Kohima district, from January 11 to 18, said PRO, Ministry of Defence on Friday. The trekking camp is the first of its kind being held in Nagaland, in which over 550 NCC cadets along with instructor staff from the states of Rajasthan, West Bengal, Sikkim, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and North Eastern Region are participating, added the statement. The camp was inaugurated at the Japfu Christian College, Kegwema, on January 12, 2024, by Brig Dipankar Saha, Group Commander, NCC Group, Kohima and Kethosituo Sekhose, Director, Youth Resources & Sports, Government of Nagaland. A trek was also flagged off jointly by both dignitaries. While addressing the cadets, K Sekhose welcomed the cadets to the serene and culturally rich state of Nagaland. He asked the cadets to make full use of their time and enjoy the pleasant weather and warmth of the state. The group commander emphasised the role of the youth in nation-building while interacting with the cadets, as mentioned in the statement. The camp is designed to give exposure to adventure to the cadets, coming from various diverse parts of the country to the wilderness around the urban centres, and push them out of their comfort zones in a controlled manner, said the statement further. The idea is to develop resilience and inculcate in the cadets a love for outdoor activities, along with a sense of accomplishment that follows the successful completion of any challenging activity. The cadets are organised in four groups for a full-day daily hike in the vicinity of Kigwema and adjoining areas. The second highest peak of Nagaland, Mount Japfu, provides a scenic backdrop to the trekking camp, and the cadets will also be hiking towards this peak. They will be exposed to the cultural heritage and historical significance of the state through a visit to the Kisama Heritage Village. The camp will culminate on January 18, 2024. (ANI)
Principal Sessions Judge declined to grant the relief, stating that 'there is no change in the circumstances'.

Senthil Balaji was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case.

Earlier on November 28, the Supreme Court declined to grant bail to DMK minister V Senthil Balaji, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case, on medical grounds.

A bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and Satish Chandra Sharma refused to entertain Balaji's bail plea, saying the condition doesn't seem to be "very serious" to get bail.

Balaji was arrested on June 14 in connection with a money laundering case linked to an alleged cash-for-jobs scam when he was the Transport Minister during an earlier AIADMK regime.

The Enforcement Case Information Register (ECIR) was registered on the basis of three FIRs lodged against him by the local police in 2018 for his alleged involvement in a cash-for-job case when he was the Transport Minister in Jayalalithaa's Cabinet in 2015.

The charges date back to his tenure as transport minister during the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) government from 2011 to 2015.

He joined the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in December 2018 and assumed office as the electricity minister after the party came to power in May 2021. (ANI)
Amid the ongoing military operations in Gaza, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday said the best way for Israel to normalise regional ties and isolate Iran is to agree on a Palestinian state for the resolution of the conflict, The Jerusalem Post reported on Thursday. "One can have an integrated region with Israel--integrated with security assurances and commitments from regional countries, as well as from the United States--and a Palestinian state, or one can continue to see the terrorism, the nihilism, the destruction by Hamas, by the Houthis, by Hezbollah--all backed by Iran," Blinken said. The US Secretary of State made these remarks while addressing media persons in Egyptian capital, Cairo, as he wrapped up a week-long trip that also included visits with top officials in Turkey, Greece, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Israel, the West Bank, and Bahrain. "If you build that integration, if you bring Israel in, if you make the necessary commitments to security, and you move down the path to a Palestinian state, that's the single best way to isolate, to marginalise Iran and the proxies," Blinken said. "The choice between these two paths is clear to many leaders in the region. It's also the path that we fully intend to pursue with American diplomacy in the weeks and months ahead," he added. During his trip, Blinken focussed on the details specific to the war on Hamas, which broke out after terrorists crossed over into southern Israel from Gaza on October 7, last year, killing an estimated 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and sneaking back with about 250 hostages, The Jerusalem Post reported. Blinken backed Israel's military campaign to oust Hamas from Gaza and emphasised the significance of ensuring its security. He also emphasised the importance of freeing the hostages and spoke of the US work on that effort with Egypt and Qatar, which are mediating release efforts. Blinken, however, also took issue with the high fatality count in Gaza, based on Hamas assertions that over 23,000 Palestinians have been killed in the ongoing military operations. The fatality count, however, was quoted by Hamas-run Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between terrorists and civilians killed. Israel has asserted that it has killed more than 8,000 Hamas combatants in Gaza. (ANI)
Taiwan is all set to elect its next president, vice president and legislative representative on January 13, Al Jazeera reported, adding that the elections will be closely watched by the US and China amid geopolitical tensions in the region. According to the report, the polls in the country with population of 23.5 million carries an outsized importance due to its disputed political status. While de facto independent since the 1940s, the island and its outlying territories are still claimed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which all Taiwanese resent and reject but fear saying in the open because of the risk of war. Taiwan's 113-person legislature is made up of 73 legislators based on geographic constituencies, 34 based on party lists and six seats reserved for Indigenous Taiwanese representatives, all of whom will serve four-year terms. Polling will open from 8 am (00:00 GMT) and close at 4 pm (08:00 GMT), the report said, adding that the voters will cast paper ballots that will be counted by hand. About 19.5 million people are registered to vote and the results should be out by the end of the voting day. According to Al Jazeera, in the last two elections, the turnout was relatively high, at 66.27 per cent in 2016 and 74.9 per cent in 2020. The voters will vote to choose between the more conservative and Beijing-friendly Kuomintang (KMT) or the more centre-left and US-friendly Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which has ruled Taiwan for the past eight years. There is also the smaller Taiwan's People Party (TPP), which lies somewhere between both parties on the political spectrum. Since its first democratic elections in 1996, Taiwan's two major political parties have alternated leadership every eight years. Significantly, the Taiwanese voters are unhappy with key domestic issues such as Taiwan's stagnant economy, the high cost of housing and the future of the island's energy policies, the presidential election is often overshadowed by the bigger question of Taiwan's political status, Al Jazeera reported. The KMT, the oldest political party in East Asia, ruled Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China, as a single-party state. Taiwanese lived under martial law until 1987, with political, economic and social preference given to the families of those who had fled China with the KMT, rather than the established population descended from Hakka and Hokkien Chinese settlers or Indigenous Taiwanese. Despite the political repression that marked the post-war years, a democratic movement began to emerge in the 1970s, leading to the formal founding of the DPP in 1986. As one of the region's most vibrant democracies, Taiwan is now home to many more small political parties but the KMT and DPP have continued to dominate politics. The ruling Chinese Communist Party, however, continues to assert its claims over Taiwan and has threatened to 'unify' the two sides by peace or by force. Chinese President Xi Jinping has set a deadline for 2049, the year he has designated for the "rejuvenation of the Chinese nation". Lai Ching-te, the 64-year-old incumbent Vice President, is considered to the frontrunner in the Presidential elections. Lai is a trained physician and longtime member of the DPP who, before becoming vice president, was known for his outspoken views on Taiwan's independence. Since rising in the ranks, however, Lai has shifted more towards supporting Taiwan's 'status quo'--de facto independence. Al Jazeera reported that if the DPP and Lai win the election, observers say it is likely that China will stage military exercises in the Taiwan Strait in protest. Beijing has deployed this tactic twice in the past two years: in protest at a historic visit by then-US speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, to Taiwan in August 2022 and when President Tsai met top US officials while "transiting" through the US in April last year. In August last year, on his way to Paraguay, where Lai witnessed Santiago Pena's inauguration as president, Lai made a stopover in New York. Paraguay is Taiwan's sole ally in South America. In a statement shared on X, Lai said he was "happy to arrive" in New York - an "icon of liberty, democracy and opportunities." The KMT's presidential candidate, Hou Yu-ih, 66, is the former mayor of New Taipei. Hou comes from a humbler background than other KMT leaders and began his professional life as a police officer in the 1980s. The third candidate in the presidential election is Ko Wen-je, 64. His running mate is Cynthia Wu, a politician and the 45-year-old daughter of one of Taiwan's top tycoons. Ko founded the TPP in 2014 in opposition to the KMT but has since drifted closer to the party during the recent election. Additionally, in a New Year's message, Zhang Zhijun, the head of China's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait, a quasi-official body that handles ties with Taiwan, urged the people of Taiwan to make the "correct choice" on January 13. According to Al Jazeera, Beijing has also been engaged in its usual online misinformation campaigns to stir up controversy. Its more analogue tactics include reaching out to voters through religious networks for prominent Taiwanese temples and deities, relying on shared cultural and historic ties to sway voters' minds. (ANI)
According to the report, unidentified assailants riding a motorcycle fired shots at Khalid's car at Swabi Assa, resulting in the death of the Opposition leader on the spot.

The police added that the suspects who fired at the vehicle escaped unchallenged. However, the police have launched a search operation for them. The officials have yet to ascertain the motive behind the murder.

The incident comes hours after an election hopeful and two other people were shot dead in North Waziristan when unknown assailants opened fire on them, according to local police officials.

With the general elections drawing near, the menace of violence is rearing its head in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), as another local political leader was gunned down in the province over the past 24 hours, The News International reported.

The independent candidate, identified as Kaleemullah Khan, was looking at contesting the general elections from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly's PK-104 segment.

In a separate incident on the same day, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's (PML-N) candidate for NA-258 Aslam Buledi sustained injuries during a firing incident in Turbat City, officials said.

The deadly attacks on Opposition candidates and Independents come as the country gears up for the February 8 general elections.

Last week, former member of the National Assembly and National Democratic Movement (NDM) leader, Mohsin Dawar's convoy came under attack by terrorists in Tappi village.

The News International reported that the convoy of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) supremo Maulana Fazlur Rehman had also come under attack on December 31 in Dera Ismail Khan; however, he remained safe.

Political leaders, including Fazl, have raised concerns and cast doubts over the staging of polls due to the "unstable" security situation in some parts of the province.

Pakistan has witnessed an alarming surge in terror incidents in the outgoing year, reaching the highest level since 2014. (ANI)
Pakistan's caretaker government clamped down on dissenting media, the political opposition, and nongovernmental organisations in 2023, Human Rights Watch said in its World Report 2024 on Wednesday. Amid one of Pakistan's worst economic crises in its history, the government's failure to ensure adequate social security jeopardised Pakistanis' rights to health, food, and an adequate standard of living. Mass deportations of undocumented Afghans, including those with refugee claims, occurred without safeguards to protect them against police abuses. "The Pakistani government has failed to take adequate measures to assist the millions of Pakistanis who have been pushed into poverty this past year," said Elaine Pearson, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "The authorities appeared more focused on muzzling dissenting voices than protecting the rights of everyone in Pakistan." In the 740-page World Report 2024, its 34th edition, Human Rights Watch reviews human rights practices in more than 100 countries. In her introductory essay, Executive Director Tirana Hassan says that 2023 was a consequential year not only for human rights suppression and wartime atrocities but also for selective government outrage and transactional diplomacy that carried profound costs for the rights of those not in on the deal. But she says there were also signs of hope, showing the possibility of a different path, and calls on governments to consistently uphold their human rights obligations. The Pakistani authorities increased pressure on media outlets for perceived criticism of the government. Journalists reported government intimidation, harassment, and surveillance. The government used laws regulating international organisations to impede the registration and functioning of humanitarian and human rights groups. On May 11, journalist Imran Riaz Khan was arrested as he was attempting to take a flight to Oman and detained arbitrarily for four months before being released without charge in September. After protesters carried out violent attacks on military facilities on May 9, the government cracked down on members and supporters of opposition political parties. Lawyers and rights groups alleged that the authorities denied due process and fair trial rights to opposition leaders and activists who were arrested on allegations of corruption and rioting. Some politicians and journalists were charged under Pakistan's vague and overly broad sedition law, based on colonial-era legislation, and dozens were tried in military courts in violation of international law. In March, the Lahore High Court declared the sedition law unconstitutional, but the government appealed the decisions and the law remained in force. In August, Imaan Mazari-Hazir, a lawyer and a political activist, was charged with sedition for a speech he gave in Islamabad. The report read, "The government failed to amend or repeal blasphemy law provisions that provide a pretext for violence against religious minorities, as well as arbitrary arrests and prosecution. In August, several hundred people attacked a Christian settlement in Faisalabad district, Punjab province, after two members of the community were accused of committing "blasphemy." The mob, armed with stones and sticks, vandalised several churches, dozens of houses, and a cemetery." The report said that the Pakistan government used threats, abuse, and detention to coerce Afghans without legal status to return to Afghanistan or face deportation by November 1. By December, more than 327,000 Afghans had been expelled, among them tens of thousands of refugees and asylum seekers. (ANI)
Amid the crippling economic woes in Pakistan, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed its first review of the country's economic reform programme and allowed the immediate disbursement of USD 700 million, ARY News reported on Thursday. The report, quoting a release by the Pakistan Finance Ministry, stated, "The Board's approval allows for an immediate disbursement of SDR 528 million (around US$ 700 million), bringing the total disbursements under the SBA to US$ 1.9 billion." The IMF's nod follows the staff-level agreement reached between the IMF and Pakistan on November 15, 2023, emphasising the nation's commitment to implementing key reforms. The IMF executive board's approval came amid continued efforts of caretaker Finance Minister Shamshad Akhtar and Army Chief General Asim Munir to revive the country's sputtering economy. The current IMF programme of USD 3 billion is scheduled to end in the second week of April 2024, with around USD 8 billion remaining undisbursed. The IMD released its first tranche of USD 1.2 billion in July. With the approval of the IMF board, Pakistan will receive a further installment of about 700 million US dollars. Officials in the Finance ministry said Pakistan has achieved all IMF targets and, 'hopefully', will be able to get the required results. The officials said Pakistan strictly implemented the economic reforms as advised by the world body. On November 16, last year, Pakistan and IMF reached a staff-level agreement on the first review under the SBA. The agreement supports the authorities' commitment to advance the planned fiscal consolidation, accelerate cost-reducing reforms in the energy sector, complete the return to a market-determined exchange rate, and pursue state-owned enterprise and governance reforms to attract investment and support job creation, while continuing to strengthen social assistance. The total debt burden on Pakistan rose to a whopping 63,399 trillion Pakistani Rupees (PKR) by the end of November last year in the financial year 2023-24, ARY News reported citing an official report. According to the report, the country's total debt increased by over 12.430 trillion PKR during the tenure of the PDM and the caretaker government. Pakistan's overall debt burden surged to PKR 63.390 trillion including PKR 40.956 trillion in domestic loans and PKR 22.434 trillion in international loans. The report stated further that the country's overall debt stood at PKR 50.959 trillion in November 2022. The burden of the loan was recorded at PKR 63.390 trillion in November 2023, ARY News reported. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday spoke with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller informed on Thursday, adding that the two leaders discussed the recent attacks on merchant ships by the Yemen-backed Houthi groups in the Red Sea. The two leaders also reaffirmed their maritime cooperation in the region, the State Department spokesperson informed. "The Secretary and External Affairs Minister discussed the United States and India's shared concerns over reckless Houthi attacks in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, which threaten the free flow of commerce, endanger innocent mariners, and violate international law," Miller said. During their telephonic conversation, the US Secretary of State emphasised that the Red Sea is a major commercial corridor that facilitates international trade and welcomed increased cooperation with India in defending freedom of navigation in the region. The US Secretary and EAM also spoke about the Israel-Hamas conflict, efforts to prevent the conflict's escalation and increase the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza and Blinken also discussed Russia's "war of aggression" against Ukraine. Earlier on Wednesday, the EAM posted from his official X handle, "A good discussion this evening with my friend US @SecBlinken. Our conversation focused on maritime security challenges, especially the Red Sea region. Appreciated his insights on ongoing situation in West Asia, including Gaza. Exchanged perspectives on developments pertaining to the Ukraine conflict. Looking forward to realizing our extensive cooperation agenda for 2024." Earlier in December, Blinken said the US has deepened its partnership with India, adding that his country has elevated cooperation with New Delhi, Japan and Australia through the Quad. "We've deepened our partnership with India. We've elevated cooperation through the Quad with India, Japan, Australia," the US State Secretary said at an end-of-year press availability on Wednesday (US local time). The Quad is a diplomatic network between Australia, India, Japan and the US. According to a press release issued by the US State Department, Blinken said the US' partnerships in the Indo-Pacific have never been stronger. He said the US was "working with the United Kingdom and Australia to produce nuclear-powered submarines. We launched new comprehensive strategic partnerships with Vietnam and Indonesia, a new Defense Cooperation Agreement with the Philippines, new trilateral initiatives with the Philippines and Japan, new embassies in the Solomon Islands and Tonga". (ANI)
US President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, pleaded not guilty on Thursday (local time) to the tax fraud charges that he faces in California for allegedly failing to pay more than a million dollars in taxes, according to CNN. In the lawsuit launched by special counsel David Weiss, Hunter Biden made his initial appearance on Thursday in a federal courtroom in Los Angeles. Nine charges against Hunter Biden are linked to a tax evasion scheme that authorities claim he carried out over a number of years while leading an opulent and occasionally scandalous lifestyle, according to CNN. They are nothing more than a political hit piece, according to Hunter Biden's lawyer. Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed David Weiss, the US attorney for Delaware, as special counsel in August, and he conducted a year-long investigation that led to the accusations against Hunter Biden. The California court presiding over Hunter Biden's case moved swiftly to schedule the trial and establish the filing and hearing deadlines following Biden's not-guilty plea. "I'm kind of keeping you on a tight schedule," federal Judge Mark Scarsi said after setting the trial in the case for June 20, 2024, and stated, "We like to move things along," according to CNN. The prosecutor, Leo Wise, informed the court that much of the information in the case had already been turned over and that some of it would be utilised in the California case as well as the Delaware case, in which Hunter Biden is accused of three charges relating to guns Although dates in the Delaware case have not yet been scheduled, Hunter Biden's attorney, Abbe Lowell, did not object to the dates set by the judge. The next hearing in the California case is set for late March. Hunter Biden faces up to 17 years in prison if convicted. (ANI)
China hits fast-forward button for commercialization of autonomous driving

08:51, January 12, 2024 By Han Xin ( People's Daily

An autonomous delivery vehicle of Meituan runs in the Shougang Park in Beijing. (People's Daily Online/Du Jianpo)

In recent years, with the rapid development of new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), 5G, and big data, autonomous driving has been increasingly applied in the transportation sector in China. From being tested in closed test fields and on designated roads, it is now being piloted and employed in commercial trial operations.

China's Ministry of Transport recently issued a trial safety guideline on the use of driverless vehicles in the public transportation sector. It marked the first time for China to state in a national policy that intelligent connected vehicles can be used for commercial transportation, and is believed to accelerate the commercialization of self-driving technology across the country.

In recent years, the autonomous driving industry in China has experienced rapid growth, along with an expanding market. Currently, there are 17 national-level autonomous driving demonstration zones and 7 national-level pilot zones for intelligent connected vehicles across the country. These zones have opened up over 22,000 kilometers of roads for testing, accumulating a total test mileage of over 70 million kilometers.

Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and some other cities have introduced policies allowing autonomous vehicles to engage in commercial trial operations in specific areas and during specific time periods, including urban public transportation, taxi services, and logistics delivery. The scale of application continues to expand in these cities.

It is reported that in Shunyi district of Beijing, the autonomous delivery vehicles of Meituan, a Chinese shopping platform for locally found consumer products and retail services, are delivering thousands of orders per day.

With an Apollo Go mobile application, passengers in Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Zone, central China's Hubei province, can hail a fully autonomous vehicle after a few taps on their phones to set their pick-up and drop-off locations in the app.

Once a destination is confirmed, the vehicle will drive according to the predetermined route. Equipped with fisheye cameras and laser sensors, the vehicle can accurately avoid obstacles and automatically adjust its speed based on traffic conditions.

An autonomous bus runs on a test road in the Western (Chongqing) Science City, southwest China's Chongqing municipality. (People's Daily Online/Long Fan)

Wuhan has launched 300 unmanned vehicles since it initiated the fully driverless robotaxi service in August 2022, which serves a population of over 4 million people.

Currently, there are over 200 autonomous city buses, more than 1,500 autonomous taxis, and approximately 1,000 autonomous trucks operating nationwide. Apollo autonomous driving, developed by Chinese tech giant Baidu, has accumulated a test mileage of over 78 million kilometers, providing transportation services in over 10 cities.

Continuously enhancing safety capabilities is the primary goal of transportation services and a fundamental requirement for the widespread application of autonomous vehicles in the transportation sector. The concept of safety is consistently emphasized in the measures proposed by the guideline.

Overall, the guideline has established a safety assurance system from six aspects: safety production system, transportation safety protection, operational status information management, vehicle dynamic monitoring, safety notification, and emergency response. This provides regulatory compliance for autonomous vehicles to engage in road transportation operations safely.

The guideline specifically proposed the concept of "security inspector" - the person responsible for overseeing the safe operation of an autonomous vehicle in-cabin or remotely.

Li Bin, deputy director of the Research Institute of Highway under China's Ministry of Transport, noted that the guideline fully considers the commercial models of autonomous driving in different forms. While ensuring safety, the guideline sets regulations on the allocation of safety personnel, skills, and qualifications for different transportation operations.

According to the guideline, the safe operation of fully autonomous taxis can be ensured by remote security inspectors. The guideline said that with the approval of local governments, fully autonomous taxis could be operated over designated areas with one security inspector overseeing them remotely, and the ratio of remote security inspectors to taxis shall not be lower than 1:3.

A citizen gets off an autonomous bus in Deqing county, Huzhou, east China's Zhejiang province. (People's Daily Online/Wang Shucheng)

The guideline specifies the application scenarios for autonomous driving vehicles to provide road transportation services.

For autonomous city buses, relevant passenger transport operations can be carried out in physically enclosed, relatively enclosed, or fixed routes with simple traffic conditions where traffic safety is controllable.

Autonomous taxis are allowed to carry out passenger transport operations in scenarios with good traffic conditions and controllable traffic safety.

Besides, autonomous vehicles are prohibited from engaging in road transportation operations for dangerous goods.

The guideline also clarifies the responsibilities for the providers of autonomous transport services. For instance, the operators of autonomous taxis and other passenger vehicles should purchase carrier's liability insurance according to laws.

"The increasingly improved environment for industrial development provides possibilities for the accelerated application of autonomous vehicles in the transportation service sector," said Wang Xianjin, vice-president of the China Academy of Transportation Sciences, which is a part of the Ministry of Transport.

The release of the guideline has laid a solid foundation for the safe application of autonomous driving vehicles and also leaves ample room for innovative applications, Wang said, adding that this will further promote the application of autonomous driving technology in the transportation sector.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Thursday called for setting up a statutory national commission for the rights of minorities according to the recommendation of the 2014 Supreme Court Jillani judgement, Pakistan-based Dawn reported. The demand was raised during a national roundtable held by the HRCP. HRCP's director Farah Zia recalled that the national commission for minorities that was established in 2020 failed to meet the demands of minorities. She stressed the need for an autonomous commission formed along the lines of the Paris Principles. In a statement, HRCP said that representatives from minority groups, government departments, political parties, the Ministry of Human Rights, the National Commission for Human Rights, and rights organisations have given several suggestions regarding the establishment of such a commission. Pritam Das Rathi, from the Hindu community, said that most of the members must be from minority communities. The commission must report on the state of minorities' rights to the Pakistan Prime Minister on a quarterly basis. Meanwhile, Professor Mehar Dad from the Bahai community said that the commission's role must extend to all regions. Father Sarfraz Simon from the Christian community said that the curriculum of the school must be reformed to remove hate speech and showcase the role of minorities in the formation of Pakistan, according to Dawn report. Mahmood Iftikhar from the Ahmadiyya community stressed that the commission must be inclusive of the rights of vulnerable groups like Ahmadis, who had faced numerous desecrations of their sites of worship in 2023. Rights activist Peter Jacob said that the Jillani judgement addressed majoritarian imbalances in institutions. Jacob called on political parties to include the implementation of the Jillani judgement in their election manifestos. JUI-F representative Aasia Nasir stated that the national commission for minorities must be people-oriented, with separate budgetary allocations and a clear mandate, Dawn reported. Shoaib Suddle from the Suddle Commission spoke on how societal attitudes must change. Furthermore, HRCP council member Farhatullah Babar called addressing majoritarian bias necessary considering the refusal to accept the validity of such a commission. HRCP council member Hina Jilani suggested developing a statute for a commission after a wide discussion. Jilani called for the inclusion of Ahmadi representatives in the commission to uphold their rights, Dawn reported. HRCP's secretary-general, Harris Khalique, said that the national commission for the rights of minorities must meet internal accountability mechanisms and the Paris Principles in terms of its formation, mandate, resources and authority. Earlier in November, Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) demanded justice for Mehwish Iram and Irfan Tariq Masih, who belonged to the Christian minority and faced religious persecution at their workplaces. According to the allegations, Mehwish was harassed and blackmailed, while Irfan was subjected to violence. "HRFP is raising and concerned on growing incidents of discrimination, violence and harassment of minority employees at workplaces. Even in high profile jobs, like Shaukat Masih a deputy Commissioner of Jaranwala faced discrimination, he got attacked on August 16, 2023, and his house was burnt but he escaped with his family," the release stated. HRFP cited multiple case studies and said that there are a number of examples that have faced the "biased behaviours of employers" due to their belief and religious discrimination and with personal grudges by co-workers many have been victimized. In a statement, HRFP said, "In the cases of lower grade jobs, the mostly issues don't come to record as the employers, coworkers, and consumers keep minority workers under their pressure." "The Christian, Hindu, Sikhs, Ahmdiyya's and other minorities have been victimized through different ways, like accusing them of blasphemy and sexual harassments; the theft allegations are the most common on minority employees at minor jobs places, HRFP cases studies revealed," it added. The HRFP said Christian girl Mehwish Iram and Christian boy Irfan Masih are the "victims of same, theft allegations with harassments, forcefully conversions and threats as well." According to HRFP, Mehwish Iram has been alleged for theft of PKR 100000 and stealing valuables like color machine and other items from beauty salon and attached home worth PKR 200000. In the statement, HRFP said, "In Irfan Masih case, due to religious discrimination and subjected him to violence for quitting job, on 18 May 2023 a landlord Athar Bukhari complaints police that Irfan has theft their valuables. Bukhari alleged Irfan for stealing 8 tola gold (93.6 grams) from their house and not coming more from 12 April 2023." It said Ifran Masih got bail as non-guilty on August 25. However, it had said that the case was still in a court trials. HRFP team fact findings both cases, gathered the information and evidence said that the cases are based of their religion persecution. (ANI)
Russia has requested the United Nations Security Council to convene on January 12 in connection with strikes carried out by the United States and the United Kingdom in Yemen, the Russian Permanent Mission to the UN said on its Telegram channel, Russia-based agency TASS reported. In a statement, Russia's Permanent Mission to the UN said, "Russia has requested an urgent UN Security Council meeting on January 12 in connection with US and UK strikes on Yemen." In a statement to TASS, the mission said the meeting was scheduled for 10 am (local time) (3 pm GMT) Russia's decision comes after US military forces, along with the United Kingdom and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands, carried out strikes against a number of targets used by Houthi rebels in Yemen in the early hours of January 12. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said that the Royal Air Force has conducted targeted strikes against military facilities used by Houthi rebels in Yemen, calling it "limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence." Rishi Sunak said the UK will always stand up for "freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade." He stated that the Houthis, despite the repeated warnings from the international community, continue to conduct attacks in the Red Sea, including against UK and US warships just this week. In a statement, Rishi Sunak said, "Despite the repeated warnings from the international community, the Houthis have continued to carry out attacks in the Red Sea, including against UK and US warships just this week." "This cannot stand. The United Kingdom will always stand up for freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade. We have therefore taken limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence, alongside the United States with non-operational support from the Netherlands, Canada and Bahrain against targets tied to these attacks, to degrade Houthi military capabilities and protect global shipping," he added. Rishi Sunak stated that the Royal Navy continues to patrol the Red Sea as part of the multinational Operation Prosperity Guardian to deter further Houthi aggression. He urges the Houthis to cease their attacks and take steps to de-escalate. Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden said that the targeted strikes were a clear message that the escalation of attacks by the Houthi rebels against commercial vessels would not be tolerated. "Today, at my direction, US military forces--together with the United Kingdom and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands--successfully conducted strikes against a number of targets in Yemen used by Houthi rebels to endanger freedom of navigation in one of the world's most vital waterways," the US President said in a statement. In his statement, Biden said these strikes were in direct response to "Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea, including the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history." He noted that these attacks have endangered US personnel, civilian mariners, and our partners, jeopardised trade, and threatened freedom of navigation. Biden said, "Today's defensive action follows this extensive diplomatic campaign and Houthi rebels' escalating attacks against commercial vessels." "These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the world's most critical commercial routes. I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary," he added. On Wednesday, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution calling for an immediate end to attacks on ships in the Red Sea. As many as 11 UNSC members voted for the document. Meanwhile, four nations - Russia, China, Algeria and Mozambique abstained from voting. Before this, the UNSC rejected three Russian proposals to modify the text of the draft resolution, including the one that mentioned the conflict between Palestine and Israel as the reason behind the recent escalation in the Red Sea, according to TASS report. The Houthi rebels started the strikes in retaliation for Israel's conflict with Gaza. After the war between Israel and Hamas started, the Houthis claimed that they would launch strikes on Israeli territory and would not allow ships associated with it to pass through the waters of the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait until the operation in the Palestinian enclave stopped, TASS reported. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said more than 20 commercial carriers and ships have been attacked in these waters since mid-November, TASS reported. In response, the US government announced it was launching Operation Prosperity Guardian to ensure the safety of navigation and protect ships in the Red Sea. (ANI)
Thousands of Greek students demonstrated against proposed education changes that would permit the establishment of private institutions in the nation in Athens and other towns on Thursday, according to Al Jazeera. This month, a measure allowing private universities to operate in Greece is anticipated to be submitted to parliament by the conservative administration led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who was elected to a second term last year. The institutions will function as overseas university branches, according to the administration. Many think that the move will make degrees from Greece's public universities less valuable and that those who cannot afford the private system will be excluded, Al Jazeera reported. According to Al Jazeera, a student named Christina Iliopoulou, who participated in the demonstration in Athens, stated that the reform would "tear apart the public university as we knew it." "It will completely ruin our everyday lives and make it impossible for us to find employment once we graduate." Although most of the protests were nonviolent, there was a brief altercation in Athens between demonstrators and police during which tear gas was used. Greece's universities are publicly sponsored establishments where admission has long been free. However, Greece has previously enacted a number of educational changes in face of strong opposition from faculty and staff. With a parliamentary majority, the government has maintained that the reform will boost the economy by bringing back some of the approximately 40,000 students who are now studying abroad and halting the academic brain drain that was brought on by the debt crisis of 2010-2018, reported Al Jazeera. The government said last week that the curriculum of private colleges would adhere to extremely strict academic requirements. It also added that the reform would relieve public universities of bureaucracy and improve their self-governance. (ANI)
NBC News is a US-based media publication.

According to the NBC report, the photos of Altmann and his partner portrayed the couple at an unidentified exotic beach spot with approximately a dozen guests and surrounded by palm trees.

Born and raised in the St. Louis region, Altman spent years eschewing the limelight while he gained prominence in the tech sector as the CEO of Y Combinator, a renowned software startup accelerator and investment organisation, according to NBC News.

However, he increased his public appearances and media exposure as CEO of OpenAI, including testifying before US Congress. In 2023, Time magazine named him "CEO of the Year."

Whereas, Mulherin is an Australian software programmer who lives in San Francisco and owns a ranch in Napa, California, with Altman, according to The New York Times.

Altman and Mulherin, his partner attended the White House state dinner last year, when US President Joe Biden welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US in June 2023.

As the CEO of OpenAI, the artificial intelligence startup that created ChatGPT, the sophisticated chatbot that upended Silicon Valley a year ago and motivated tech firms of all sizes to invest in rival AI projects, Altman has quickly become well-known. (ANI)
Nine Ministers of Parliament (MP) across various parties from the UK Parliament have expressed support for a motion addressing the human rights situation in Balochistan, as reported by the Balochistan Post. Labour MP John McDonnell tabled the motion on December 19, 2023. It further appreciated the bravery of Baloch women, who are leading a march to Islamabad in protest against enforced disappearances, abductions, and killings associated with the operations of Pakistan's Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in Balochistan. Moreover, the motion, titled "Long March in Balochistan," has received backing from various MPs. Additionally, co-sponsors included former UK Shadow Minister of Defence Rachael Maskell, Jim Shannon from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), Labour MPs Mary Kelly Foy and Nadia Whittome, and Alison Thewliss from the Scottish National Party (SNP), the Balochistan Post reported. Meawhile, Chris Stephens from SNP, Apsana Begum from the Labour Party, and Independent MP Jonathan Edwards have also expressed additional support, demonstrating a bipartisan acknowledgement of the Balochistan issue. The motion called on the UK government to express its concerns about the violation of fundamental human rights in Balochistan and the violent attacks on Baloch protesters by the Islamabad police. The cross-party support from Labour, SNP, and DUP proves to be a crucial step in drawing global attention to the Balochistan issue. It further signified a rising global concern over the state's reported response to the protests and the broader human rights situation in Balochistan. Earlier today, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) said that the sit-in against the Baloch genocide continues for the 50th day and added that they have travelled from Turbat to Islamabad not only for the love of their loved ones but to put an end to "dehumanising genocidal policies of the State practised in Balochistan with brute force and violence." In a post shared on X, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee said they need the support of people from all backgrounds and regions to unite and stand against the "mighty forces of tyranny" and send a clear message that they are ready to sacrifice everything for the basic right to live and exist. The video and pictures shared by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee showed people participating in the sit-in being held outside the National Press Club in Islamabad. They also appealed for international support, further claiming that a government-sponsored sit-in, which includes purported members of "state-sponsored death squads," is opposing their demonstration. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, in a significant diplomatic encounter, expressed delight at meeting the United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Katherine Tai in Delhi on Friday. The meeting focused on the substantial progress in bilateral trade between India and the United States in recent years. On social media platform X, EAM Jaishankar shared his appreciation for the positive trajectory of economic collaboration between the two nations. The post on X read, "Delighted to meet USTR @AmbassadorTai today in Delhi. Appreciate the tremendous progress in our bilateral trade in recent years." Minister Jaishankar also expressed gratitude for Ambassador Tai's valuable insights into challenges facing the international economy. "Also value @USTradeRep's perspective on challenges to the international economy," his post added. United States Trade Representative Tai arrived in New Delhi to co-chair the 14th ministerial-level meetings of the United States-India Trade Policy Forum with Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal. US Trade Representative Tai will be in New Delhi from January 12 to January 14. On her first day of the visit, Tai will meet with Piyush Goyal, following which she will co-chair the 14th ministerial-level meetings of the United States-India Trade Policy Forum with Minister Goyal. The United States-India Trade Policy Forum was established in 2010 and plays an important role in strengthening and expanding the bilateral economic and trade relationship. Moreover, under both ministers' leadership, the Trade Policy Forum has helped remove trade barriers and facilitate cooperation on key issues. During this year's meeting of the Trade Policy Forum, Ambassador Tai and Minister Goyal will discuss a broad set of issues to enhance the resiliency of the trade relationship, including agriculture, industrial products, services, and the protection of intellectual property, among other topics. Later, Ambassador Tai will meet with India's Minister of External Affairs, S Jaishankar. On January 13, Ambassador Tai will meet with civil society representatives, business leaders, and stakeholders to discuss the Biden-Harris Administration's engagement and commitment to fostering closer ties between the two countries. The United States-India trade relationship has continued to grow stronger and benefit both nations throughout the past year as Ambassador Tai and Minister Goyal reached several milestone agreements that deliver crucial market access for American farmers and producers and high-quality products to Indian consumers. These included a 70 per cent reduction of the tariff on pecans and the removal of retaliatory tariffs on almonds, apples, chickpeas, lentils and walnuts, boric acid, and diagnostic reagents. Moreover, it included commitments for additional tariff reductions on frozen turkey and frozen duck, as well as fresh, frozen, dried, and processed blueberries and cranberries. Furthermore, the US and India have also reached agreements to resolve all seven of their outstanding World Trade Organisation disputes. Additional details on Ambassador Tai's schedule will be provided at a later date. India and the US are natural partners and have trade complementarities, long-standing strategic and economic relationships, and people-to-people contact, and both are vibrant democracies too. The two nations are also collaborating under other frameworks, such as QUAD and I2U2 (India-Israel, UAE-US). Regular exchanges at the leadership level have been an integral element of the expanding bilateral engagement. (ANI)
Thailand's new government is pushing to ban cannabis for recreational use; however, it has allowed the use of weed for medical purposes. They have moved to pass new legislation banning cannabis for recreational use in a major reversal 18 months after the country became the first in Asia to decriminalize the plant, as reported by CNN. The newly appointed coalition government that came to power last year aimed to tighten the rules and only allow cannabis for medical use. The relaxed laws saw a lucrative cannabis industry catering to locals and foreigners alike boom across the Southeast Asian nation, according to CNN. Thailand's health ministry released a draft bill on Tuesday, stating hefty fines or prison sentences for up to one year for offenders, or both. It further welcomed feedback from the public. Cannabis and cannabis-related products will be limited to medical and health purposes only, the bill states, echoing Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's pledge in September that his new government will "rectify" laws on cannabis within the next six months. Even with the relaxed laws, smoking Marijuana in public was illegal, but the proposed new laws will ban advertising and marketing campaigns for cannabis bus extracts, and other cannabis products, as reported by CNN. However, earlier, a draft bill failed to win parliamentary approval in November. Thavisin has been vocal about banning recreational cannabis and stated in several media interviews that drug abuse is "a big problem for Thailand." Notably, Thailand became the first country in Asia to fully decriminalise cannabis in June 2022, a move years in the making and a rarity in a region where many countries give long jail terms and even death sentences for people convicted of marijuana possession, consumption or trafficking, according to CNN. In Hong Kong, even non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD) is outlawed. Moreover, Singapore maintained the death penalty for trafficking drugs, and residents travelling to Thailand are warned they could still be prosecuted on return if they smoke weed overseas. Medical marijuana has been legal in Thailand since 2018, but decriminalisation in 2022 took a major turn, making it no longer a crime to grow and trade marijuana and hemp products or to use any parts of the plant to treat illnesses. Since then, thousands of cannabis dispensaries have sprung up across Thailand, as well as other cannabis-themed businesses like weed cafes, hemp spas and beauty treatments, CNN reported. However, cities like Chiang Mai and the capital, Bangkok have even held weed festivals, and decriminalisation has set a major drawback for tourists. But Anutin Charnvirakul, the former health minister who strongly lobbied for cannabis legalisation in the country, previously told CNN that the intention was never to allow Thais and tourists to smoke weed recreationally in public. "Thailand will promote cannabis policies for medical purposes. There has never once been a moment that we would think about advocating for people to use cannabis in terms of recreation--or use it in a way that it could irritate others," Anutin said. "We emphasised using cannabis extractions and raw materials for medical purposes and for health," he added. Moreover, pro-legislation advocates have argued that the cannabis boom across Thailand has helped many Thais, from farmers to small business owners and workers behind the counter, as reported by CNN. Earlier, cannabis entrepreneurs emphasised that they were strongly against any legalisation that would hurt the growing multi-billion-dollar industry. The Future Cannabis Network, an advocacy group in Thailand, expressed disappointment at the government's actions and stressed the importance of "public involvement." Kitty Chopaka, a Bangkok-based cannabis entrepreneur who has pushed for cannabis legalisation for years, called it a "knee-jerk reaction" from the government and said that it was "not unexpected." "But no matter what happens with the incoming cannabis regulations, it is now too late for cannabis to go back to being classified as narcotics," she added. (ANI)
One person was killed when the vehicle they were driving plunged off a bridge and into an icy river in New Hampshire on Thursday, officials said.

Emergency crews responding to a report of a crash with entrapment in the area of 171 Hilldale Avenue in South Hampton, New Hampshire, shortly before 4:45 p.m. encountered good Samaritans who were working to free the driver of a vehicle that was submerged in the Powwow River, according to the South Hampton Police Department.

The driver, a South Hampton resident, was removed from the vehicle and rushed to Exeter Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

A preliminary investigation indicated that the mans vehicle struck a guardrail, which gave way, causing him to crash off the bridge, according to police. The rivers swift current then swept the vehicle under the bridge.

The bridge has since been closed to traffic due to extensive damage and its not clear when the area will be reopened.

Anyone with information on the crash is urged to contact South Hampton police at 603-394-0105.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Press release from Chief Roy regarding the accident on Hilldale Ave. Posted by South Hampton NH Police Department on Thursday, January 11, 2024

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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10 of the most beautiful places in the US, according to someone who's been to all 50 states

I'm a solo traveler who's been to all 50 US states and nearly every US national park.

The beauty of Glacier National Park has brought me to tears on several occasions.

I've also loved traveling to gorgeous places such as Grand Teton National Park and Sedona, Arizona.

Growing up in the Midwest, I often saw photos on calendars or computer-screen wallpapers that seemed like they couldn't be real.

The towering mountain peaks, jagged coastlines, and unique rock formations were so different from what I saw in my daily life that I couldn't imagine they existed.

As I started to travel more in my 30s, eventually to all 50 states and nearly every United States national park, I found that not only did they all exist, but that there was an almost never-ending list of beautiful places.

Here are the 10 most beautiful spots I've visited in the US.

Ive been to Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming more than a dozen times.

There are more than 200 miles of hiking trails in Grand Teton National Park. Emily Hart

From my first glimpse of the Teton Range nearly a decade ago, I've never gotten over its beauty.

The jutting peaks, ample wildlife, and clear blue lakes make this park stunning from all vantage points and have led to me coming back more than a dozen times.

The String, Jackson, and Jenny lakes are some of my favorite accessible viewpoints, and the more than 200 miles of hiking trails take visitors to vistas that feel like a mirage.

Seward, Alaska, offers both stunning views and lots to do.

Seward, Alaska, is on the Kenai Peninsula. Emily Hart

I once spent a few weeks in the summer traveling solo in a van through Alaska.

Although the views throughout the state were some of the most beautiful I've ever seen, Seward was the place I never wanted to leave.

The port city is on the Kenai Peninsula and serves as the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park.

Seward is the perfect place to enjoy the mountains and the sea.

Camp on the beach, kayak in the bay, or take a sightseeing tour to spot puffins, humpback whales, and sea otters.

The Georgia coast is full of unique beauty.

Cumberland Island is one of my favorite places to visit. Emily Hart

People are sometimes surprised when I list the Georgia coast high on the list of the most beautiful places I've traveled to in the US.

Although not as obviously awe-inspiring or in-your-face as the dramatic Western vistas and mountaintops often seen as bucket-list locations, the Georgia coast has a truly unique beauty.

I love visiting Cumberland Island to admire the wild horses, walk below the live oak trees, and relax on more than 17 miles of uninterrupted and undeveloped beach.

Visiting California's Yosemite National Park is at the top of many people's bucket lists.

Yosemite National Park is in California's Sierra Nevada mountains. Emily Hart

I wouldn't trust a list of the most beautiful places in the US that didn't include Yosemite National Park.

Located in California's Sierra Nevada mountains, the towering granite and impressive waterfalls of the Yosemite Valley are bucket-list items for a reason.

Watch the sunset at Tunnel View, hike on some of the roughly 800 miles of hiking trails, or relax next to the Merced River, which runs through the valley.

In Yosemite, you'll be surrounded by beauty that can't be captured or described.

Telluride, Colorado, offers adventure, luxury, and stunning views.

Telluride is one of many beautiful places in Colorado. Emily Hart

Colorado, my home state, is full of indescribable beauty. But with so many gorgeous areas, the one that always stands out is Telluride.

In a box canyon surrounded by the up to 14,000-foot mountains the state is known for, the small town offers adventure, luxury, and views you won't find anywhere else.

Sedona, Arizona, is known for its impressive red rocks.

Sedona, Arizona, is just two hours north of Phoenix. Emily Hart

Just two hours north of Phoenix and two hours south of the Grand Canyon lies the spiritual and adventure mecca of Sedona, Arizona.

Sedona is known for its impressive red rocks, energy vortexes, bucket-list hiking, mountain biking, and stargazing.

In my opinion, there's no place as peaceful and spectacular in the Southwest as this town of just under 10,000 people.

North Cascades National Park in Washington is a true hidden gem.

North Cascades is typically one of the least-visited US national parks. Emily Hart

North Cascades National Park is one of the most stunning places I have ever visited, yet it's typically one of the least-visited US national parks.

Despite being just hours from Seattle, the lesser-known national park still flies somewhat under the radar despite its remarkable beauty.

Take a scenic drive, visit Diablo Lake, and hike on one of the park's 400 miles of trails.

New Hampshire's White Mountains are especially beautiful in the fall.

Franconia Notch State Park is in New Hampshire's White Mountains. Emily Hart

The Northeast doesn't always get the praise that outdoor areas in the West might, but it has no shortage of remarkable landscapes.

One of my favorite places to visit  specifically in the fall  is the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

Hike Artists Bluff Trail in Franconia Notch State Park before walking through Flume Gorge for more impressive views.

California's Highway 1 to Big Sur makes for a stunning road trip.

Bixby Creek Bridge is a great spot to stop for a photo. Emily Hart

With many scenic roadways throughout the country, the US has become synonymous with road trips.

Although there are many impressive drives, my trip along California's Highway 1 to Big Sur and San Simeon was the most scenic and jaw-droppingly beautiful I've encountered.

Here, the coast dramatically meets the sea, with impressive cliffs, views, and beaches.

Be sure to stop at Bixby Creek Bridge for a photo op and continue to Pfeiffer Beach to see the unique purple sand.

The beauty of Montana's Glacier National Park has brought me to tears.

Glacier National Park stretches across more than 1 million acres of land. Emily Hart

I've visited Glacier National Park several times, and each trip has brought tears to my eyes.

Driving the nearly 50-mile scenic Going-to-the-Sun Road is a feast for the senses, with imposing mountains surrounding waterfalls.

Take your time at this more than 1 million-acre park, where each view somehow tops the last.

The park is known for its stunning glacial lakes and wildlife such as mountain goats, grizzly bears, and bighorn sheep.

Read the original article on Business Insider
As insurance costs skyrocket across Florida, some Miami-Dade residents will soon see a significant break on their annual flood insurance payments.

Due to a change in how the Federal Emergency Management Agency looks at Miami-Dades flood risk, about 100,000 residents will see a 35% discount in their flood insurance premiums starting April 1, the agency announced Friday.

Of course, national flood insurance typically costs a fraction of hurricane windstorm coverage, but the change could still save many people hundreds of dollars or more a year. Its estimated the designated residents and business owners in Miami-Dade will save $12 million a year overall.

Flooding is obviously a top concern to our residents, to our businesses. It affects all of us, said Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. We know people are not taking insurance because of the cost, so we really hope this will be an inducement for them to protect their homes and businesses.

Who qualifies? The new discount applies to anyone in unincorporated Miami-Dade who has a flood insurance policy, both inside the flood zones  where its mandatory  and everywhere else.

The county earned the new discount after proving to FEMA that it had done a lot in recent years to address flooding risk, including better warnings for residents, new development rules that take flooding into account and better mapping of the risks across the county.

One big change was to the countys flood criteria, which now requires all properties in unincorporated Miami-Dade  and some cities  to elevate the ground level of their properties to at least six feet above sea level.

We were able to demonstrate were serious about making the changes to resilience, said Marina Blanco-Pape, the countys floodplain manager.

Another key change was in how Miami-Dade warns its residents about their current and future flood risk. The county has several publicly available maps of local flood zones and recently completed a new plan to better warn residents of imminent floods, like the massive thunderstorms that often swamp Brickell.

Part of that is communication, getting the message out, said Pete Gomez, head of the countys department of emergency management. Well be messaging that stronger.

Miami-Dade is now one of only 19 communities across the country that have received a class 3 designation in FEMAs community rating system, an opt-in program designed to reward communities for going above and beyond the basic FEMA flood guidelines with insurance discounts. Monroe County, Pinellas County and Cutler Bay also have class 3 ratings.

Its a really big deal that they have been able to do the hard work and make sure they have all the measures in place to help their community, said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, who came to Miami-Dade County on Friday to announce the unprecedented upgrade from class 5.

Criswell said her visit to South Florida to tout Miami-Dades accomplishment is part of the Biden-Harris administrations push to move FEMA from an agency that reacts to disasters after they happen to one that helps protect communities before a disaster even happens. That involves getting more places involved in the community rating system and breaking the rinse and repeat cycle of building in the same place, the same way after disaster strikes.

We have the resources and tools to get ahead of that, to help communities build back better and more resilient, she said. At the end of the day, its going to save lives and its going to help save money.
Chicago rapper G Herbo was sentenced Thursday in Massachusetts to three years probation on federal wire fraud charges in a conspiracy to use stolen identities to fund private jets, a Jamaican villa, designer puppies, and other exotic services and lied about it to authorities.

G Herbo, whose real name is Herbert Wright III, was ordered to pay restitution and forfeiture, as well as a $5,500 fine.

The sentence marks a win for his defense team, who had asked for a probationary period after the music artist pleaded guilty in the case. The prosecution requested a sentence of one year and one day in prison, along with 36 months of supervised release.

The sentencing comes more than three years after the Tribune first reported Wright had been indicted on conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges.

The 28-year-old was again indicted in 2021 for lying about the scheme to federal agents.

Wright grew up on the South Side before his rap career took off. In 2021, he was named on Forbes 30 under 30 musicians list.

Wright eventually admitted in his plea to over a million dollars of fraudulent purchases for goods and services  including private chefs, car rentals and the puppies. As part of the plea, prosecutors dismissed two counts of identity theft.

Five others were charged as alleged co-conspirators, including his promoter and manager Antonio T-Glo Strong. Wrights main involvement, the prosecution said, was paying Strong to arrange flights and other accommodations that he knew were bought through stolen credit card information.

Strong has pleaded not guilty. The defense contended that Wrights contact with him was minimal.

In their sentencing memo, the defense noted that Wright fully accepts responsibility in the case. The memo painted his troubled childhood in a Chicago neighborhood plagued by gang violence and dubbed by police as Terror Town.

Wright was 9 years old when he first witnessed a murder. A group of men gathered on his street as he was moving with his family to another apartment, the filing said.

The groups conversation became heated before someone approached and shot one of the men, according to the document. Wright still went to school the next morning, his defense said.

By the time he was 17, Wright had lost 17 friends and family members to gun violence. He later developed post-traumatic stress disorder, and turned to substance abuse in his teens.

Wright feared for his life, and the lives of those he loved, everyday, the defense said.

Along with his childhood, the defense stressed Wrights commitment to his community and family to justify a lesser sentence.

The father of three has established a nonprofit, Swervin Through Stress, to provide mental health resources to young people of color in Chicago. Wright is also willing to undergo substance abuse treatment, the defense said.

Initially, Wright had denied the charges against him  even mocking the investigation in a song he released in 2020. Ask about me, I aint never been a fraud, he rapped.

Wright also was hit withgun charges after he and three others were stopped by Chicago police, who allegedly found four firearms in the vehicle.
11 of the best breakfasts you can make in an air fryer, according to chefs

Business Insider asked three chefs about their favorite breakfast dishes to make in an air fryer.

Air-fried doughnuts can be just as tasty without the added mess of deep-frying.

The countertop appliance is perfect for making crispy breakfast burritos and home fries.

Air-frying may be a shortcut to perfect bacon.

Bacon can get nice and crispy in the air fryer. JimDPhoto/Getty Images

Chef Meredith Laurence of Blue Jean Chef told Business Insider that bacon and air fryers are a perfect match.

"There's no tidier way to cook bacon than in an air fryer," she said. "The air fryer limits the splatter around your kitchen and makes the bacon crispy."

You can air-fry it on a flat tray, but using a wire rack will allow the excess fat to drip away and may result in crispier bacon.

It's a great way to make mini egg frittatas.

Air-fried mini frittatas are a quick and protein-packed breakfast. Elena Shashkina/Shutterstock

Christina Stanco, executive chef at Central Kitchen and Bar in Detroit, told BI that she loves making mini egg frittatas in the air fryer.

"Mini egg frittatas are quick and easy in the air fryer," she said. "Just pour whisked eggs and diced peppers into cupcake papers, top with cheese, and air-fry."

You can experiment with adding your own favorite toppings to the mini frittatas, like bacon bits or fresh herbs.

Try using an air fryer to make crispy breakfast burritos.

Breakfast burritos are sometimes filled with eggs, meat, and cheese. MSPhotographic/ iStock

Breakfast burritos are the ultimate portable morning meal, and they're easy to make in the air fryer.

"Air-fryer breakfast burritos are a favorite of mine," Stanco told BI. "Just roll up scrambled eggs, sausage, and cheese into a flour tortilla and cook it in the air fryer."

She suggested trying to avoid adding wet ingredients like salsa or sliced tomato before cooking as excess moisture may result in less crispy burritos.

French-toast sticks are usually a hit with kids.

Fluffy French-toast sticks can be achieved with an air fryer. Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock

French-toast sticks are a fun breakfast treat that you can throw together with common kitchen staples.

"Simply cut bread slices into fingers and then soak them in a French-toast egg mixture before coating them in crushed Corn Flakes or other cereal flakes," Laurence told BI.

Air-fry the sticks at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for eight to nine minutes so they're crispy but not dry, and serve them with maple syrup or Greek yogurt and berries.

Cinnamon rolls are a sweet way to use the countertop appliance.

You can use homemade or premade pastry dough. Marie C Fields/Shutterstock

For a decadent morning treat, Laurence suggested baking a few cinnamon rolls in your air fryer.

"Roll out the dough, brush it with butter, and sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top," she said. "After forming the rolls and letting them rise, pop them in the air fryer for 10 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit."

You can use your own homemade dough or opt for a premade variety to save time. Finish off the cinnamon rolls with a sweet glaze or cream-cheese frosting.

Air-fried home fries are a flavorful breakfast side.

Potatoes are a fan-favorite air-fryer dish. Dima Aslanian/Shutterstock

Home fries are seasoned and fried potato chunks often served alongside eggs or meat at breakfast.

"Home fries are a must in the air fryer," Stanco told BI. "Be sure to season the chopped potatoes with herbs and spices before cooking them."

She suggested using a "floury" variety of potato, such as an Idaho russet, for the best texture and flavor.

Eggs in a basket are a fun and easy breakfast dish to try.

The base of the dish contains a fried egg nestled into a piece of toast. Leigh Anne Meeks/Shutterstock

Eggs in a basket  also known as egg in a hole  is a quick breakfast dish that looks a lot fancier than it is.

"You can make 'eggs in a basket' very easily in the air fryer by making indentations in a few slices of bread, cracking eggs into the indents, and air frying," Laurence said.

The chef recommended cooking the eggs for five to seven minutes at about 380 degrees Fahrenheit.

For a twist on this recipe, swap the slices of toast for hollowed-out bread rolls.

Breakfast sausages cook up nicely in an air fryer.

The air fryer allows for crispier and less greasy sausage links or patties. Joshua Resnick/Shutterstock

Using an air fryer to cook your breakfast sausages can help you avoid excess fat and grease.

"Placing the sausages in a perforated or mesh basket allows the fat to drip away, helping them crisp up faster," Laurence told BI.

You can also use an air fryer to add a bit of extra crispiness to vegetarian or vegan sausages. The plant-based varieties usually have less fat, so give them a light spray of oil before air-frying.

Switch things up with some sweet-potato fries for breakfast.

Crispy sweet-potato fries are easy to achieve in an air fryer. Getty

Chef Hayato Yoshida, cofounder of Wagyu Beef, told BI that an air fryer can easily turn sweet potatoes into a tasty morning meal.

"Instead of throwing them in the oven or microwave  which might make them soggy  put them in the air fryer instead," he said.

You can also shred your sweet potatoes and air-fry them as hash browns or nests.

Doughnuts are surprisingly easy to make right at home.

Air-frying doughnuts can be less messy. Quanthem / iStock

Skip the line at the coffee shop and make your own fresh doughnuts at home.

"Instead of going through the hassle of deep-frying, consider air-frying a couple of fluffy doughnuts," Yoshida told BI. "They're delicious and will definitely help satisfy your morning sweet tooth."

Try using canned biscuit dough shaped or cut into rings if you're short on time.

You can add a glaze to your doughnuts by dipping them in a mixture of powdered sugar and water or milk, but be sure to wait until they've fully cooled before glazing.

Air-fried egg rolls are a quick and portable breakfast.

Breakfast egg rolls are a different take on the traditional dish. yuliang11/ iStock

If you're looking to break out of a breakfast rut, consider using an air fryer to make breakfast egg rolls.

"Breakfast egg rolls are a great handheld breakfast option for those on the move," Yoshida told BI. "I love air-frying egg rolls and enjoying them as a treat in the morning."

To make them, scramble eggs with your choice of chopped vegetables or meats, portion the mixture into egg-roll wrappers, fold and roll them up, and air-fry until golden.

This story was originally published on January 6, 2021, and most recently updated on January 12, 2024.

Looking to get an air fryer of your own? We test and recommend the best air fryers:

Best overall: Philips Premium Digital Airfryer - See at Amazon

Best on a budget: Dash Compact Air Fryer - See at Amazon

Read More:

Read the original article on Business Insider
An 11-year-old girl was arrested at school after cameras recorded her using a box cutter to terrorize another student, according to investigators in southwest Florida.

It happened Thursday, Jan. 11, at Manatee Elementary School in Naples, the Collier County Sheriffs Office reported in a news release. Naples is about 170 miles south of Tampa.

Deputies were summoned after a student told school administrators he had been threatened between classes, officials said.

Detectives interviewed both students. The victim said the student approached him from behind in the school cafeteria and poked him in the neck with the knife several times, while whispering a threat, the sheriffs office said.

School security footage reviewed by detectives and the school Youth Relations Deputy corroborated the victims account.

A search revealed the 11-year-old girl had a box cutter concealed in her waistband, officials said.

She was taken into custody and charged with possession of a weapon on school property and aggravated battery.

Investigators did not report why the two students were at odds, or if the boy suffered injuries.

Manatee Elementary has about 590 students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.

Chaos erupts as groups of brawling students pile up in hall of Florida high school

13-year-old stabbed teacher with pencil, then smacked her in head, Florida cops say

Agitated mom tries to run down high school staffer in parking lot, Florida cops say
A 19-year-old from Arkansas was sentenced to 50 years in prison after pleading guilty to murder charges, according to court documents. He was accused of killing four people between 2020 and 2022, court documents show.

Freddrick Jackson, 19, of Little Rock, was arrested in April 2022 on murder charges and has been in jail since, Pulaski County jail records show.

Jacksons attorney did not respond Jan. 12 to McClatchy News request for comment.

According to court records and KARK, Jackson is accused of killing two people in 2020 when he was 15 years old.

Jackson is accused of killing a third person in February 2021, when he was 16 years old, court records show.

He was 17 years old when authorities say he shot and killed 26-year-old Dolan Goff in April 2022, according to KARK.

Jackson was arrested five days after the April 7 incident, on April 12, 2022, court records show.

At the time, Jackson had been on parole for drug charges, according to KARK.

The defendant was a teenager when senseless acts of violence destroyed multiple families, prosecuting attorney Will Jones told KATV. This reaffirms that more community resources are needed to intercept at-risk juveniles before lives are impacted.

Arkansass firearm death rate was one of the highest in the country in 2020 and 2021, according to the most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. In 2020, the firearm death rate was 22.6 and rose to 23.3 per 100,000 people in 2021.

In 2022, Little Rock declared firearm violence a public health emergency.

Man accused of terror threat after cooler, note left outside Tarrant County offices

Man pleads guilty in 2022 knifing of NYPD officers on New Years Eve

21-year-old shot in stomach left dying in the street, NC cops say. 18-year-olds charged
Two brothers fell through a frozen pond while ice fishing on a New York lake, injuring one and killing the other, authorities say.

The brothers were fishing on Jan. 6 in the town of Burlington, which is part of Otsego County and sits about 80 miles southeast of Syracuse, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation said in a news release.

The incident happened around 2:45 p.m. and involved a 42-year-old man and his brother. Someone walking a dog called 911 after seeing the brothers fall through the ice on Basswood Pond.

Forest Ranger Nate Laymon was about a minute away from the pond and responded to the scene. He saw one of the men treading water but lost sight of the other. According to the department, the ice was about one inch thick, which is unsafe for fishing.

Thin ice at Basswood Pond on Jan. 6, 2024.

Ranger Laymon crawled onto the ice toward the 42-year-old. He used a throw bag to help the man get out of the water. The man was able to grab the rope, allowing Laymon to pull him out of the water and eventually, onto a sled the 911 caller had at the scene.

Laymon pulled the sled to shore, where members of the Edmeston Fire Department were waiting and began to dry the man off and help warm him. By then, he was suffering from hypothermia.

Deadly icy plunge: 2 young boys, brothers ages 6 and 8, die after falling into icy pond in Wisconsin: Police

Ranger, fire department tried to rescue both brothers after plunge through ice

Ranger Nate Laymon during an ice rescue on Jan. 6, 2024 in Basswood Pond in New York.

The ranger headed back to the ice to find the mans 41-year-old brother, only this time he had help from the Edmeston Volunteer Fire Department.

Instead of going out with what I just had, I got tethered onto one of their ropes so if I did get ahold of him or something happened, they could pull me out pretty quick, Laymon said in a video about the rescue.

He began scanning the water near the hole where the men fell in and around 3:05 p.m., found the man in 7 to 8 feet of water. He spotted his red, white and black reflective coat. He had to dip his head under the water, reach down and grab the man to bring him up to the surface of the water.

His biggest obstacle, Laymon said, was trying to get him out of the water over the ice. Laymon was getting tired but there was a state police diver in the water working his way to the man, as well as a few other people.

They were able to put a flotation device around the man and then pulled him out of the water and onto the ice.

Its just a little bit of a process to get him across but eventually we got him across the ice, Laymon said.

The volunteer fire departments took over once the second man was pulled to shore. There were at least 20 people on the shore waiting to help, Laymon said.

Rescuing the second man took a group effort which included New York State Police, Otsego County Emergency Services and Edmeston, Fly Creek, Schuyler Lake and West Edmeston volunteer fire departments.

EMTs performed CPR on the man at 3:23 p.m.

'We all did the best we could': 1 brother survives, 1 brother dies

Both brothers were taken to the hospital where the younger brother died that night. His brother, the 42-year-old, was treated and released from the hospital.

Laymon said as he was trying to rescue the men, the hole in the ice that they fell through gradually got bigger.

It has been warm recently and the ponds and lakes just arent ready to be out on yet, down in this part of the state, Laymon said.

He said hes grateful for the agencies who helped rescue the brothers and if youre going to be out and about, have a plan in case things go awry.

We all did the best we could, he said. Know the conditions. Know what you're getting into. Obviously, the ice isn't ready to be out on.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2 brothers fall through ice on New York lake, plunge in frozen pond
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)  Norfolk-based ships helped shoot down Iranian-backed Houthis attacks on merchant vessels Tuesday.

It was the 26th Houthi attack since Nov. 19.

On Jan. 9, around 9:15 p.m., Sanaa time, Iranian-backed Houthis launched an attack from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen into the Southern Red Sea, toward international shipping lanes where dozens of merchant vessels were transiting, according to the U.S. Central Command.

Eighteen OWA UAVs, two anti-ship cruise missiles and an anti-ship ballistic missile were shot down by a combined effort of F/A-18s from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, USS Gravely, USS Laboon, USS Mason and the United Kingdoms HMS Diamond. There were no injuries or damage reported.

On Jan. 3, 14 countries, including the U.S, issued a joint statement stating:

The Houthis will bear the responsibility for the consequences should they continue to threaten lives, the global economy, or the free flow of commerce in the regions critical waterways.

Keep up to date with the latest news on WAVY.com.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG)  A Pensacola man was arrested Thursday morning on sex offender charges, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement confirmed.

Charles Alvey, 51, of Pensacola, was arrested for the alleged use of a computer to seduce a minor, transmission of material harmful to a minor, use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, failure to register an internet identifier and failure to register a phone number.

Body found in Santa Rosa County woods  what we know

He is charged with two sex offender violations, obscene communication, cruelty toward a child and public order crimes.

Alvey was put on the Florida Sex Offender Registry in 2023 after he was convicted of using a computer to solicit a minor in Okaloosa County.

Charles Bernard Alvey. (Photo courtesy of the Escambia County Sheriffs Office)

FDLE began an investigation in November 2023 when Alvey allegedly began communicating with an undercover agent posing as a 13-year-old girl. He engaged in sexually explicit conversations and sent pornography to the agent, posing as a child.

FDLE, the Escambia County Sheriffs Office, Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI served a search warrant at Alveys Pensacola home on Olive Road. They were assisted by the Florida Department of Corrections and the Office of Probation Services.

Second man found guilty of murdering Pensacola football star

Jeffrey Aaron Gunter, 33, of Pensacola, was also arrested on Thursday morning. The Department of Corrections had a warrant for his arrest for violation of probation. Gunter has been on the Sex Offender Registry since 2022 for using a computer to solicit a minor.

Jeffrey Aaron Gunter. (Photo courtesy of the Escambia County Sheriffs Office)

Alvey and Gunter were both booked in the Escambia County Jail on Thursday morning.

The Office of the State Attorney, First Judicial Court, will prosecute the case.

FDLE agents believe Alvey may have been communicating with juvenile victims. Those with information on Alvey can call FDLE Pensacola at 800-226-8574.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
Out of the UKs military aid package, 200 million will go toward purchasing long-range, maritime, and reconnaissance drones for Ukraine.

Source: Rustem Umierov, Ukraines Defence Minister, on Facebook

Quote: "Prime Minister Sunak also announced a new 2.5 billion package of defence assistance to Ukraine. It is the largest aid package since the start of the full-scale invasion.

At least 200 million of this package will be allocated for the production of combat drones for Ukraine, in particular for reconnaissance, long-range and naval drones. This will be the largest supply of drones for Ukraine amongst all countries."

In addition, Umierov said that the UK will also provide an additional 18 million worth of humanitarian assistance, in addition to the already allocated 340 million. This support package is aimed at helping Ukraine overcome the aftermath of Russian aerial attacks and strengthening the protection of Ukraines energy infrastructure.

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John Hogan was a news reporter for both WGN TV and radio who left journalism to become a spokesman for Commonwealth Edison and later wrote or co-authored several books on Chicago history.

Hogan, 82, died of a cerebral injury caused by cardiac arrest on Dec. 10 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, said his wife of 35 years, Judy E. Brady. He was a longtime resident of East Lakeview.

Born in Evergreen Park, Hogan was the son of a Chicago police officer and a schoolteacher. He grew up in the South Side Roseland neighborhood and graduated from Mount Carmel High School.

Hogan received a bachelors degree in journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and was hired by WGN as a news writer and producer. As the joint newsroom for WGNs TV and radio stations grew, Hogan was promoted to general assignment reporter.

He loved covering the city and he knew his city  he knew the pols, cops and other people from the neighborhood who were involved, and he had a great sense for news, said retired WGN-AM news director Bob Manewith.

Hogan had an interest in environmental issues and also enjoyed covering politics, colleagues said. He interviewed three U.S. presidents and covered the corruption trial of Gov. Otto Kerner, the trial of mass murderer Richard Speck, the 1967 McCormick Place fire and the 1968 Democratic National Convention.

He was a good guy and a tenacious reporter, said former WGN reporter Chuck Shriver. He talked with a South Side Chicago accent, which I always got a kick out of, and he liked to think of himself as a guy who knew how the Chicago system worked.

Hogan did a hitch in the Army while still at WGN, his family said.

Back at WGN, which broadcast Blackhawks games, he occasionally filled in as the Hawks public address announcer when the regular announcer, Harvey Wittenberg, was unavailable.

In 1978, Hogan left WGN to become director of corporate communications for Commonwealth Edison. He regularly was the public face of the electric utility, particularly during power disruptions.

Overseeing internal and external communications, he helped create the companys first employee video newscast. For ComEds centennial in 1987, Hogan wrote his first book, the 450-page A Spirit Capable, a history of the utility.

He was a hands-on director particularly in a crisis situation, which was wonderful, said Barbara Arnold, who worked in ComEds news information department with Hogan. And he excelled at synthesizing complex information into sentences, and dare I say sound bites, that could be easily understandable and digestible by the general public. With rate increases and nuclear power programs, there was a lot of complex information to synthesize.

Arnold recalled Hogan regularly giving her rides to and from work after she broke her ankle.

What kind of boss does that? A very compassionate and kind person, thats who, and that was John, though he may have appeared gruff and growly on the outside from time to time, Arnold said.

Hogan retired from ComEd in 1997. He soon devoted himself to researching and writing fiction and nonfiction books.

He wrote two books on fires and firefighting, one involving the Chicago Stock Yards, with former colleague Alex Burkholder; and another book about a violent 1937 strike at Republic Steels South Chicago plant. He also wrote a book about riots after Chicagos mayor barred the Sunday sales of alcohol in 1855, and one on a 19th-century political scandal involving then-Mayor John P. Hopkins.

Hogans final two published books were 2019s Chicago Water Tower, about the venerable castle-like landmark, and a book on Chicagos Motor Row with John Maxson, also a former colleague.

He was a delight to collaborate with on the Motor Row book because he was very particular about trying to characterize things in a way that would engage people and be a book that would really be the standard for anybody interested in that area down there, Maxson said.

Hogan also self-published a family history in 2023, titled The Hogans of Cashel and Chicago.

Writing books gave him an opportunity to pursue his favorite things at the same time  Chicago history, the city he grew up in and loved dearly and writing, said Hogans daughter, Kathleen Hogan Cox.

A first marriage to Joyce Harvey ended in divorce. In addition to his wife and daughter, Hogan is survived by a son, Michael; a brother, James; four grandchildren; two stepsons, Marc Hoffman and Christopher Hoffman; and two step-grandsons.

A funeral mass will take place at 11 a.m. March 23 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 708 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago.

Goldsborough is a freelance reporter.

To purchase a death notice, visit https://placeanad.chicagotribune.com/death-notices. To suggest a staff-written obituary on a person of local interest, email chicagoland@chicagotribune.com.
The question of what the post-war security architecture around Ukraine will look like is becoming increasingly acute. This will determine how the current war will end and how likely a new one will be.

The main challenge is to prevent security guarantees for Ukraine from becoming a bargaining chip in a hypothetical settlement with Russia.

The NATO summit in Vilnius in July 2023 showed that some key members are not yet ready to take practical steps to ensure Ukraine's accession to the Alliance. That starts with the United States, which the vast majority of members of the pro-Ukrainian international coalition look up to in this matter. However, the problem is not so much the absence of an invitation as the context. First, there was the expectation of how Ukraine's counteroffensive would end, and now, there is political disappointment in the West with its results. Against this backdrop, voices favoring a possible return to negotiations with Russia are becoming increasingly prominent.

Therefore, there are well-founded fears that the topic of Ukraine's potential accession to NATO may be included in the agenda of these talks, even if Ukraine does not officially abandon its Euro-Atlantic aspirations. Three main factors evidence this.

The main challenge is to prevent security guarantees for Ukraine from becoming a bargaining chip

The first is the situation on the battlefield. Exaggerated expectations of a counteroffensive with limited resources and untimely deliveries of weapons led to dissatisfaction with the results. However, instead of reassessing the course of action for the 2024 campaign, the West is growing increasingly confident that changes on the battlefield are unlikely to be achieved. For many, the current situation already looks like a certain stabilization of the front line.

The second factor is the complications for further support of Ukraine. A striking example is the pre-election turbulence in the United States and the EU's unwillingness to take on the role of leader, even temporarily.

The third factor is the need for a strategy for future relations with Russia. The West is still wary of any escalation between NATO and Russia. A cautious policy of weakening instead of defeating Russia automatically limits the ambitiousness of negotiations with Ukraine on its security future.

In this situation, proposals are being made to think about possible accession to NATO without the liberation of the occupied territories. However, for Ukraine, such discussions are counterproductive.

The main risk is that there are no guarantees that these discussions will result in Ukraine joining NATO. However, the consequences for support for Ukraine will be immediate: both military and financial assistance will steadily decline. Those who fear the infamous NATO-Russia escalation now will be equally wary of disrupting the talks once they begin.

Moreover, such a discussion would automatically freeze the contact line. It will be almost impossible to resume hostilities and attempts at de-occupation with the already reduced supply of weapons. It is hard to imagine that Western partners will not try to impose a political and, of course, implicit veto on Ukraine's offensive campaigns to liberate the territories.

Ukraine's attempts to sign so-called bilateral security guarantees deserve special attention on this diplomatic chessboard. The good news is that, in 2024, this process will take on a practical form, and the first agreements should be signed. However, it is essential that Ukraine and its partners still have different views on the function of these agreements.

Ukraine sees them as an intermediate step towards NATO membership, not instead of it. In light of all the reservations about Ukraine's membership in the Alliance, our partners may increasingly see this as an alternative to NATO. The difference here is fundamental: signing an interstate security cooperation agreement with a future NATO member is one thing, and another to sign one with a country that will remain outside of NATO.

The year 2024 will be decisive here. Despite the loud name, none of the future treaties will contain guarantees in the sense of NATO's basic principle of collective security and defense. Therefore, they cannot be an alternative a priori.

Illusions in the West must be dispelled: it is impossible to end or even freeze this war by creating analogs of the Budapest Memorandum or hoping for Minsk 3.0. Such "sacrifices" will automatically lead to a new stage of aggression: when armed support for Ukraine is minimal, the West will be relaxed by the "stabilization" of the front line, and the NATO issue will de facto be removed from the agenda again.

The text was published in the special issue of NV magazine, The World Ahead 2024, under the exclusive license of The Economist. Reproduction is prohibited.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Win or lose in Iowa, the field of GOP White House hopefuls is receiving a distinctive honor: their own bobbleheads.

The Republican presidential candidates, along with President Biden, are depicted as mini, head-shaking figures as part of a lineup announced Friday by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum.

Former President Trump, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and Chris Christie are among the five Republican contenders featured. Although Christie, New Jerseys former governor, exited the race earlier this week, a National Bobblehead Hall of Fame rep told ITK he would stay in the mix, as we think hell continue to be a talking head when it comes to the 2024 election.

The $30 bobbleheads  a complete set of six candidates will set customers back $175  are individually numbered to 2,024 for the election year, according to the company. Each bobblehead version of the presidential candidates is smiling and waving while standing behind a replica yard sign bearing their name.

While the Iowa caucuses are being held Monday, the bobbleheads are expected to ship in May.

The historic 2024 presidential election is expected generate a lot of conversation leading up to the big day, National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said in a news release. What a better way to support your favorite candidate or follow along with the process than with a bobblehead!

Its far from the first time that the Milwaukee-based company has drawn some bobblehead-sized inspiration from political and pop culture figures.

The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum has created bobbleheads resembling special counsel Jack Smith, a talking figure of former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) that played some of his biggest lies, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, and the Bidens cat, Willow, among others.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
From our nations earliest days, making the world safe for American commerce has been the foundation of our foreign policy. The first Barbary War at the start of the 19th century was one of our first overseas interventions, in which the Marine Corps took on pirates from the Barbary states of North Africa who had been raiding U.S. ships, stealing cargo and ransoming crews.

To the shores of Tripoli, the famous second line of the The Marines Hymn, recalls the Battle of Derna when Marines captured a Libyan fortress to restore security to the Mediterranean Sea.

At the same time, Americas early leaders were wary of becoming too beholden to other states specifically. President George Washingtons farewell address warned of this very risk: The nation which indulges toward another an habitual hatred or an habitual fondness is in some degree a slave.

President Joe Bidens administration, in its current Middle East policy, could take a lesson or two from our countrys early approach to foreign affairs priorities. Our no-strings-attached support for Israel in the Gaza crisis is hamstringing our attempts to stop Houthi terrorist attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. These attacks threaten our national interest. For all our commitments to Israel, the latest war between Israel and Hamas doesnt.

Since Hamas horrific assault on Israel on Oct. 7, the Biden administration has maintained steadfast support for Israel, and that has come at the cost of the U.S. reputation and interests in the region and globally. While Israel had widespread support in the immediate aftermath of the attacks, that dissipated as its punishing campaign in Gaza caused massive civilian casualties with no consideration of what happens next.

U.S. officials have pressed the Israeli government to reduce civilian harm and increase humanitarian assistance in Gaza, to avoid unnecessarily perpetuating a cycle of violence. But they have also made clear that Israel will face no consequence for ignoring our advice, so that is how Israel has responded.

By continuing to support Israels approach anyway, the United States has contributed to an outcome that serves neither Israeli, Palestinian nor American interests in a more peaceful future and raises serious risk of escalation beyond Gaza.

While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government flirts with expanding the war north to Lebanon, as its skirmishes with Hezbollah heat up too, the Iran-backed Houthis, who control most of Yemen, have been attacking ships in the Red Sea with drones and anti-ship missiles. The Houthis claim to be targeting ships coming to or from Israel, in retaliation for the ongoing operations in Gaza, but their attacks have been far less discriminating. This has led many major shippers, including Maersk, to reroute their fleets, going around the continent of Africa instead, adding 10 days of travel each way.

With about 15% of global trade relying on this trade route, the Houthis Red Sea attacks have implications far beyond the region. Consumers the world over will likely start feeling the impact soon.

In response, the United States launched Operation Prosperity Guardian, a coalition of states to counter the Houthi threat and ensure safe transit through the region. While the coalition has successfully shot down Houthi missiles and sunk several of their boats, the Houthis remain undeterred, and attacks continue.

This is, in part, because the coalition has struggled to gain support. The Pentagon claims 20 nations have joined so far, but many have chosen to remain unnamed or commit only minimal personnel and resources. Close U.S. partners such as Germany and Japan have not been named, and others such as India and France are sending ships on their own, choosing not to align publicly with the U.S. initiative. Americas unflinching support for Israel has made it hard for even our allies to stand by our side on issues of mutual interest in the region.

The idea was to take on the Houthis like the international community took on pirates off the coast of Somalia just over a decade ago. That operation garnered real global support, with even the Russian and Chinese navies coordinating with the United States and its allies. While the Houthis are a very different foe than ragtag Somali pirates, the interest in securing safe shipping lanes should still be a global one, and the weak international support for U.S. efforts should be a red flag.

Concern about how Israels actions risk an expanding conflict also hampered our initial response, even as it became clear that patrolling the Red Sea was insufficient to secure the sea lanes. This is why the Biden administration ultimately decided to escalate its response to strike Houthi military targets inside Yemen. A limited escalation of this kind is justified to secure the global commons, but with greater multilateral support to address the Houthi threat otherwise, we might have been able to avoid this riskier action.

The U.S. government often overstates the American interests at stake that drive our interventions. Our unflinching commitment to this Israeli government is a good example of that. But, in our globalized world where we depend on free trade for both essential needs and prosperity, freedom of navigation is a concrete interest we must preserve.

Placating Israels maximalist ambitions simply isnt worth the cost.

Elizabeth Shackelford is a foreign affairs columnist for the Chicago Tribune. She was previously a U.S. diplomat and is the author of The Dissent Channel: American Diplomacy in a Dishonest Age.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
A majority of Americans in a new survey say they would support the Supreme Court either disqualifying former President Trump from presidential ballots across the country or letting states decide whether to include him on their ballots.

Nearly one-third  30 percent  of respondents in the ABC News/Ipsos survey said they think the justices should order that Trump be removed from ballots across the country, and 26 percent said they believed the matter should be left up to election officials in each state. Additionally, 39 percent of Americans surveyed said they think the Supreme Court should order Trump be kept on the ballot in all states.

More than half of the surveys respondents, 53 percent, said they believe the justices in the nations highest court will rule on the basis of law on the matter, while 43 percent said they think they will rule based on their political views on Trump.

The Colorado Supreme Court and Maines secretary of state each ruled last month to bar Trump from appearing on their respective state ballots under the 14th Amendments insurrection clause, citing his actions surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to take up whether the former president can be disqualified in Colorado, and a decision is expected shortly after arguments are heard Feb. 8.

Trump has appealed the Maine secretary of states ruling, which will now head to the Kennebec County Superior Court. The case could also ultimately reach the U.S. Supreme Court.

Oregon Supreme Court wont remove Trump from ballot, for now

Dozens of other challenges to Trumps eligibility to appear on ballots in the 2024 election under the 14th Amendment have been filed around the country, but many have been rejected by lower courts.

Slightly more respondents in the new survey said they support the criminal charges Trump is facing over his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election than they do the decisions kicking him off the primary ballot.

Among the respondents, 56 percent said they support the criminal charges brought against the former president, while just less than half, at 49 percent, support the Colorado and Maine rulings.

The survey was conducted Jan. 4-8 in English and Spanish among 2,228 adults and has a margin of error of 2.5 percentage points.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WCMH)  A 73-year-old man was arrested in relation to a murder in Scioto County on Thursday.

The Scioto County Sheriffs Offices 911 communication center received a call from a woman at 11:55 a.m. claiming she found her daughter dead on the floor of a friends home, the sheriffs office said.

Dozens of cars broken into, vandalized in Italian Village

Within minutes, deputies and detectives arrived and were able to detain a male who was inside of the house. Detectives interviewed several witnesses, including the male found inside the home. He was identified as being a friend of the victims mother for the last 30 years and was arrested without incident, according to the sheriffs office.

Danny Vanhoose, 73, of West Portsmouth has been charged with aggravated murder and is being held without bond. He will appear in Portsmouth Municipal Court on Jan. 12.

The victim has been identified as Shurvonn Byrd, 40, of West Portsmouth. Her remains have been sent to the Montgomery County Coroners Office for an autopsy, the sheriffs office said.

Sheriff Thoroughman stated that this is still an ongoing investigation that could result in more charges. The sheriffs office asks anyone with information to contact Detective Sergeant Jodi Conkel at 740-351-1091.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Preparing for their first election in the middle of the presidential pecking order in decades, Iowa Democratic Party leaders hope they can convince national officials to return them to a prominent position.

Mondays unusual caucuses  when Iowa Democrats will not declare a presidential preference  could help make the state partys case for a better spot in the order. The events could also hurt Iowa Democrats argument.

During a news conference Friday, party officials announced they have begun to mail presidential preference cards for this years election. Thus far, about 8,000 Iowa Democrats have requested the cards.

That number indicates a fraction of the turnout from past caucuses. In 2012, when then-President Barack Obama ran for re-election, about 15,000 Democrats voted at their caucus sites, the Iowa Democratic Party said in a news release Friday. Turnout may have been higher back then. In January 2012, citing the state party, NPR reported that 25,000 Iowans attended the Democratic caucuses.

Still, party leaders have time to increase participation. Unlike in the past, the state partys election will occur entirely by mail. Democrats have until Feb. 19 to request preference cards, and the party will announce results March 5.

An image of what the Iowa Democrats' mail-in presidential preference cards look like. Cards are due back March 5, when results will be announced.

During a Friday news conference, Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart said she hopes Monday will be a catalyst for enthusiasm. The party will still host caucuses around the state that night. Democrats will elect delegates and central committee members. They also will choose a party platform.

Hart said Democrats may then remember to request preference cards so they can cast a vote.

Were just all natural procrastinators, she said. The caucus gives us an opportunity to really impress upon people that not only do they need to sign up, but they need to get their friends, their family, their neighbors to also sign up.

More: Where do I caucus? Iowa Democrats release 2024 sites for party business on caucus night

A big turnout is important to the partys leaders, as they continue to argue that the Democratic National Committee should place Iowa higher in the partys primary calendar.

The state began hosting the first-in-the-nation caucuses in 1972. But some Democrats criticized Iowas lack of diversity, given that 83% of the states population is white. (About 58% of the country overall is white.)

After the 2020 caucuses, when an application failed and the state party couldnt report a winner for more than a week, the national party demoted Iowa. This year, Iowa Democrats follow New Hampshire, South Carolina, Nevada and Michigan in the Democratic primary calendar.

Iowa remains first on the Republican calendar, with caucusgoers making their decisions Monday.

Iowa Democrats will announce election results on Super Tuesday, the busiest day on the primary calendar. In total, 15 states will announce results that evening. In the weeks running up to the vote, political operatives will likely dedicate their attention to bigger Super Tuesday states with more delegates, including California and Texas.

Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart speaks at the Iowa Democrats Liberty and Justice Celebration on Nov. 4, 2023.

Hart and Scott Brennan, an Iowan and member of the Democratic National Committees Rules and Bylaws Committee, said the state can return to the first-in-the-nation status in 2028. But they said the party needs strong participation in this years mail-in election.

The way we get to that better position with the DNC is to have some success here in Iowa, Hart said.

She added that the party will lean on volunteers, committee members and social media posts to motivate Democrats to request their cards.

"Its a new process, she said. So were bound to have to work really hard at this.

More: Who won past Republican, Democratic Iowa Caucuses? See 2020, 2016 and earlier results

Brennan said more people will be able to participate in this years election than in the Iowa Democratic Partys traditional caucuses, satisfying a request from the national party. Hart added that some people who cant show up to a caucus in person, such as those working at night or retired Iowans spending the winter in warmer states, can participate this year.

Even so, the party faces strong headwinds  literally. Monday's forecast calls for a windchill of minus 26 degrees at 7 p.m., when Democrats will gather for what is expected to be the coldest caucus ever.

But, Hart said, Here in Iowa, were used to cold temperatures and snowy weather. And people will still show up.

How to request a presidential preference card:

Democrats can ask for a card by filling out a form at https://iowademocrats.org/caucus/. They can submit the form online.

Democrats can also print the form out and mail it to 5661 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, Iowa 50321. In addition, they can email the filled-out form to preferencecardrequest@iowademocrats.org.

When is the latest an Iowa Democrat can request a presidential preference card?

5 p.m. Feb. 19

Who is on the card?

In addition to President Joe Biden, Democrats can vote for author Marianne Williamson and U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota.

Voters can also select uncommitted.

Tyler Jett is an investigative reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at tjett@registermedia.com, 515-284-8215, or on Twitter at @LetsJett. He also accepts encrypted messages at tjett@proton.me.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa Democrats begin mailing caucus cards for 2024 presidential race
A 78-year-old North Carolina man is accused of injuring his wife on multiple occasions when he duct taped her to a bed, according to investigators.

The Iredell County Sheriffs Office says the investigation began Wednesday, Jan. 10, when a healthcare worker reported seeing suspicious injuries on the victim while visiting a home near Mooresville.

When (deputies) arrived, they spoke with home health workers, who told the deputies that they discovered the victim, who is 80 years old, had injuries possibly sustained while being forcibly restrained, the sheriffs office reported in a news release.

After additional investigation and interviews, it was determined (the suspect) had tied the victim to a bed with duct tape on several different occasions.

Details of the womans injuries were not released.

Deputies arrested her husband and charged him with felony neglect of a disabled or elderly person with injury, misdemeanor false imprisonment, and misdemeanor domestic abuse, the sheriffs office said.

He is being held without bond, due to the victim being his wife, officials said.

Mooresville is about 25 miles north of Charlotte.

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A 9-year-old boy with Type 1 diabetes died after an Arizona group home allowed him to refuse his insulin, according to a legal claim filed by his father. His dad now has filed a wrongful death lawsuit.

Before Jakob Blodgett died of diabetes complications on Dec. 23, 2022, he was in the custody of the Arizona Department of Child Safety, according to the lawsuit filed Dec. 19. The state then placed him with Sunshine Residential Homes, a group home for children in Glendale.

The boy had been in state custody since Dec. 9, 2022, after his father, Richard Blodgett, was accused of drug possession and arrested, the Associated Press reported.

When asked why Jakob was allowed to refuse his insulin, the director of Sunshine Residential Homes told an investigator they had a policy not to force medicate any of the children under their care, according to an incident report by the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office.

The sheriffs office opened an investigation into the boys death, and that investigation is ongoing, Sgt. Monica Bretado confirmed to McClatchy News on Jan. 12.

The group home essentially shirked its responsibility to care for this child, attorney Robert E. Pastor, one of the attorneys representing the lawsuit, told McClatchy News in a statement.

Its policy is indicative of the fact that Arizona DCS did not impress upon the group home the importance of insulin for a type 1 diabetic and that the group (home) did not understand the life-threatening consequences when it decided to follow its policy instead of doctors orders, Pastor said.

Diabetic ketoacidosis was listed as a contributing cause to Jakobs death, according to a report by the Maricopa County medical examiner, which lists the manner as natural.

When a person doesnt have enough insulin, it can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis, a potentially life-threatening complication.

Blodgett, of Pinal County, is suing the state of Arizona and Sunshine Residential Homes, accusing them of negligence and causing his sons death.

Darren DaRonco, a spokesman for the state DCS, told McClatchy News the agency doesnt comment on pending litigation.

McClatchy News contacted Sunshine Residential Homes and state Gov. Katie Hobbs office for comment on Jan. 12 and didnt receive immediate responses.

What led up to the boys death?

Jakob would be alive today if he was placed in a foster setting that could properly care for his diabetes, the notice of claim filed June 20, before the lawsuit, says.

This provided photo shows Richard Blodgett and his son, Jakob.

Arizona DCS is required by federal and state law to promote placing a child with a family member or another appropriate person who knows the child, the lawsuit notes.

According to a DCS memo, the agency should make reasonable efforts to identify a grandparent, member of the childs extended family, or person who has significant relationship with the child who can provide care and meet the childs needs, according to the lawsuit.

Jakob had a grandmother, Cheryl Doenges, who told ABC 15 the state never reached out to her about caring for her grandson. The outlet first reported the wrongful death lawsuit.

Doenges wasnt contacted by DCS until Dec. 22, 2022, when doctors believed Jakob was brain dead, Pastor told McClatchy News.

Nearly two weeks earlier  and one day after Jakob entered the states custody  he was taken to Phoenix Childrens Hospital for insulin deficiency symptoms on Dec. 10, a complaint says.

He was admitted at the hospital again on Dec. 12, when staff noted he had an insulin pump, the complaint says.

Staff noted Jakob was at high risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) given his current living situation while in Arizona DCS care.

On Dec. 15, 2022, Jakob was discharged, and DCS placed him in the care of Sunshine Residential Homes, according to the complaint.

Days later, an employee of the group home reported Dec. 20 that Jakob refused his insulin the night before, the complaint says.

The morning of Dec. 21, the same employee called 911 because Jakob was having a diabetic episode, according to the complaint.

He was admitted to the hospital vomiting and in an altered mental state, the complaint says.

Imaging showed Jakobs brain swelled and he was diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis, according to the complaint.

The condition typically develops slowly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. When untreated, severe symptoms, including nausea and vomiting, occur.

Blodgett traveled from northern Arizona to Phoenix to be with his son at his bedside before he died, Pastor said.

I dont understand how they could be so negligent, so cavalier with a little boys life, Doenges told ABC 15.

Issues with the states child welfare system

Arizonas child welfare system has a long history of systemic issues, including a shortage of case workers who arent provided with enough training or resources, Pastor told McClatchy News.

These systemic problems have persisted year-after-year, in part, because Arizona continues to underfund and under protect our most vulnerable populations: children, Pastor said.

A recent audit of DCS, which was established in 2014, found the agency didnt investigate foster care and group home complaints in a timely manner, in addition to other findings, The Arizona Republic reported in October.

At a hearing held Jan. 3, two state legislators voted against supporting DCS continued operation, the Arizona Capitol Times reported.

Meanwhile, two committee chairs of the states House and Senates Health and Human Services Committees recommended DCS to continue to operate for four more years, according to the newspaper.

Arizonas children, and the people of Arizona, deserve better, Pastor said.

Its time for Governor Hobbs and the Arizona legislature to take a serious look at the problems facing Arizona DCS because no child should die because a case worker did not understand the importance of life-saving medication, he added.

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During a radio interview last week, Gov. Greg Abbott said that Texas has used every tool to control the border short of ordering officers to shoot migrants crossing over illegally, once again drawing concerns about the potential impact of his rhetoric around immigration.

The only thing that we're not doing is we're not shooting people who come across the border, because of course, the Biden administration would charge us with murder, Abbott said during the Jan. 5 radio interview with Dana Loesch, a former editor at Breitbart News and spokesperson for the National Rifle Association.

His comment came after Loesch asked Abbott: But for the people who don't live in border states, explain the hierarchy and the process. Like what can be done like right up to the line, where maybe they would come and say, Governor, you're breaking the law, we got to arrest you for trying to enforce the law at the border. Like what is the maximum amount of pressure that you as governor can implement to protect the border?

Abbott responded: We are using every tool that can be used, from building a border wall to building these border barriers, to passing this law that I signed that led to another lawsuit by the Biden administration, where I signed a law making it illegal for somebody to enter Texas from another country. And they're subject to arrest and subject to deportation.

So, we are deploying every tool and strategy that we possibly can, Abbott continued. The only thing that we're not doing is we're not shooting people who come across the border, because of course, the Biden administration would charge us with murder.

Abbott didnt respond to emailed questions from The Texas Tribune on Thursday asking for clarification on the comment. But on Friday, during a news conference about an arctic blast expected to sweep through Texas this weekend, Abbott said he was simply distinguishing between what Texas legally can and cannot do in its efforts to deter illegal immigration.

"I was asked to point out where the line is drawn about what would be illegal and I pointed out something that is obviously illegal," Abbott said.

Texas Democrats immediately raised alarm after the comment was shared on social media by Heartland Signal, a Chicago-based website tied to the WCPT radio station.

U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, replied to the social media post, saying: I can't believe I have to say 'murdering people is unacceptable.' @GregAbbott_TX. Its language like yours that left 23 people dead and 22 others injured in El Paso.

Mexico's secretary of foreign relations said that Abbott's comment is concerning.

"Mexico condemns and expresses its absolute concern at any type of expression that encourages violent acts and the dehumanization of the migrant community," the office said in a written statement. "We wish to respect human rights and denounce all types of aggressive insinuations against a person's life."

Abbott has been previously criticized for his rhetoric on immigration. The day before 23 people died in a 2019 mass shooting in El Paso at the hands of a gunman who railed about a Hispanic invasion in a document published online, Abbotts campaign sent out a two-page fundraising mailer that spoke in alarmist terms about the need to defend the border.

The national Democrat machine has made no secret of the fact that it hopes to turn Texas blue. If they can do it in California, they can do it in Texas  if we let them, Abbott wrote in the fundraising appeal.

Though only U.S. citizens can vote, the governor signed off with another pointed warning: Unless you and I want liberals to succeed in their plan to transform Texas  and our entire country  through illegal immigration, this is a message we MUST send.

At the time, Abbott said that mistakes were made, and after meeting with El Paso lawmakers, he emphasized the importance of making sure that rhetoric will not be used in any dangerous way. But he has used that invasion language" multiple times since the shooting, including in the interview with Loesch.

Last weeks comments came as concern continues to grow around the language Republican politicians are using when they discuss immigration. Former President Donald Trump said last month that immigrants were poisoning the blood of America, words that the Biden campaign pointed out were similar to language that Adolf Hitler used about Jews in his manifesto Mein Kampf. Trump later said he didnt mean the words that way, and that he didnt know Hitler had said that.

Any discussion of shooting migrants at the border is particularly sensitive after Michael Sheppard, a former warden of an immigration detention center, was accused of shooting at a group of 13 Mexican immigrants who had crossed the Texas-Mexico border through the desert. One migrant was killed and another was wounded in the shooting, which happened in September 2022 in Hudspeth County, east of El Paso.

Sheppard, along with his brother Mark, were released from jail on bond and each face charges of manslaughter and aggravated assault.

Abbott has been particularly aggressive in his approach to the border in recent years. He has deployed the Department of Public Safety and the National Guard to the region to boost security. And he recently obtained $1.5 billion from the Legislature to build more border barriers.

In December, he signed into law a bill that would make it a state crime to cross the border between a port of entry into Texas and allow police officers to arrest people they suspect crossed the border illegally.

Immigrant rights organizations, El Paso County and the U.S. Department of Justice have filed two separate lawsuits asking a judge to prevent the state from enforcing the new law, which is scheduled to take effect in March.

Abbott has said the state actions are necessary because the Biden administration is not doing enough to secure the border, noting that border crossings are on the rise in recent years.
Abbott: Were not shooting people who cross the border because feds would charge us with murder

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said shooting people who cross the border is the only tool the state is not using to deter migrants because the Biden administration would sue the state for murder.

We are using every tool that can be used from building a border wall, to building these border barriers, to passing this law that I signed that led to another lawsuit by the Biden administration where I signed a law making it illegal for somebody to enter Texas from another country, Abbott said on The Dana Loesch Show last week.

The only thing that were not doing is were not shooting people who come across the border, because of course the Biden administration would charge us with murder, Abbott later added.

Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa blasted Abbotts remarks in a statement issued Thursday.

The only thing stopping Greg Abbott from ordering law enforcement to shoot migrant women and children are murder charges. Time and time again, Greg Abbott and Texas Republicans have made it abundantly clear they have no morality or humanity, Hinojosa said in a lengthy statement.

Abbotts administration has focused heavily on its border policies and has repeatedly accused the federal government of not doing enough to control the border. Texas has installed razor wire barriers alongside its border, which the Biden administration asked the Supreme Court to weigh in on last week.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott endorses Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump during an event at the South Texas International Airport Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Edinburg, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott endorses Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump during an event at the South Texas International Airport Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Edinburg, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Abbott also defended the decision to lay down razor wire in his state.

In the history of America, have you ever seen a president tried to prevent a state from securing his own safety? We laid down this razor wire, hundreds of miles of it that was an effective deterrent and repelled migrants from entering the state of Texas, Abbott told host Dana Loesch.

And because it was so effective, Biden ordered the Border Patrol to either cut it or to lift it, he added.

The Biden administration has sparred frequently with Abbotts administration about Texass authority to enact policies on immigration  a power that the White House argues belongs with the federal government. Last month, Abbott signed the bill allowing Texas law enforcement officers to arrest migrants that enter the U.S. illegally and gave local judges the power to order migrants be removed from the country.

The Justice Department already filed a lawsuit against Texas last week after warning the state not to enforce the new law.

Heartland Signal first highlighted Abbotts remarks.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Editors note: This is Part 3 in a series about cities and sustainability.

Cities are hubs for growth and innovation, but stereotypes of urban decay and depravity have long been red meat for Republicans. Right-wing populism in the United States is rooted in the antagonism of rural voters to cities, which they almost uniformly view as liberal havens for unhoused people, criminals and deviants. In 2020, 65% of rural voters voted for Donald Trump, according to the Pew Research Center.

The directing of anger and fear toward cities dates to President Ronald Reagans conjuring of an image of welfare queens who own Cadillacs. Trump has disparaged cities as disgusting places infested with crime, rodents and political enemies he has characterized as vermin.

Rural and working-class voters  dispossessed and looking for those at fault  are not voting for their own interests when they embrace the messaging of Trump and the Republican Party. Rather, they are voting against cities and everything cities represent. What is new in this urban-centered antipathy is the specific scorn reserved for educated and wealthy elites in cities.

In 2017, Trump claimed the greatest domestic threats dont come from domestic terrorists but from the three most dangerous voices in America: academic elites, political elites and media elites. That view appears to have resonated among the disaffected. From 2015 to 2023, for instance, the percentage of Republicans with a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in higher education plunged from 56% to 19%, according to Gallup polling.

Some of this anger comes from anti-intellectual cultural currents and a broad suspicion of experts that is ingrained in populist movements. However, much of it has emerged from the perception that the Democratic Party has abandoned the working class and become the province of professional urban elites in the United States who are arrogant, entitled and dismissive of their less educated counterparts in the heartland.

Complexity scientist Peter Turchin, in his new book End Times: Elites, Counter-Elites and the Path of Political Disintegration, looks at these populist-versus-elite and rural-versus-urban dynamics in our nation as it struggles to maintain its democratic institutions and avoid political violence and collapse. His historical research spotlights the impact of urban elites who enrich themselves and consolidate power via parasitic relations with other social classes.

Complex societies across thousands of years have experienced recurring cycles of intense conflict and instability, driven by the same sets of forces, according to Turchin. When a society impoverishes its workers through stagnating and declining wages and overproduces its elites, generating a surplus of young people with advanced degrees, public trust crumbles. Institutional and legal norms collapse.

In these moments, a counter-elite emerges, made up of alienated parts of the elite surplus.

Under these conditions, Turchin tells us, nation-states will often descend into long periods of civil conflict between these competing groups of elites, leading to political violence, civil war and collapse. Consider the American Civil War, the Russian Revolution and the Cultural Revolution in China.

According to Turchin, the United States, following decades of economic prosperity that Americans shared, entered a disintegrative phase during the 1970s. At that time, a counter-elite group of right-wing businessmen, lawyers and politicians  many from rural states  systematically began to shred the social contract between elites and everyday Americans that had been in place since the New Deal.

Throughout the next three decades  regardless of which political party was in power  economic and environmental regulations were loosened, taxes on the rich and on corporations were cut, companies moved factories overseas, union membership plunged and real wages declined. The fruits of the labor of American workers increasingly became concentrated in the hands of the wealthy. The fabled American middle class hollowed out. A widening gap emerged between the rich and everyone else.

Turchin profiles counter-elite conservatives such as Steve Bannon, Tucker Carlson, J.D. Vance and Peter Thiel who use populist rhetoric that idealizes small-town life and demonizes cities as violent, decaying, depraved, multicultural hellholes governed by the graduates of elite schools.

Turchin only briefly discusses the political impact of climate change. However, he leaves no doubt that its destabilizing effects geopolitically have intensified conspiracy theory thinking and political divisions in the United States, accelerating the threat of civil conflict and political violence that the counter-elites and their supporters almost seem to hunger for.

Turchin cites the influence of the Heartland Institute, which undermines the science behind climate change. Climate denialism correlates closely with the ethnic nationalism, institutional distrust and the propensity for political violence of Trumps base of supporters.

Turchins belief that the United States will slide into authoritarianism and experience civil conflict  perhaps on a scale unprecedented since the Civil War  does not preclude less stark and disturbing outcomes. But these less extreme outcomes require elites to enact reforms that sacrifice their short-term interests for long-term benefits, such as what happened during the Progressive Era and the New Deal.

Unfortunately, these are sacrifices that we do not see ruling elites in the Democratic Party contemplating on a scale that could prevent a political crisis. And these are reforms that the Republican counter-elite absolutely do not favor because this would render them inconsequential.

Environmental sustainability is about adaptation. The capacity of elites in the United States to bridge the gap between them and the masses who live outside cities also calls for adaptive skills. Without adaptation, the sustainability, not merely of our environment but of this privileged class itself, is doubtful.

Peter H. Schwartz writes at the broad intersection of philosophy, politics, history and religion. He publishes the Wikidworld newsletter on Substack.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
On October 7, Hamas and its associates slipped into Israel, massacred more than 1,200 people and kidnapped about 240 more. As they did so, they shouted Allahu Akbar! (God is Great!) and called down curses on Jews (they did not use the word Israelis) and dogs as they shot them and dishonoured their bodies.

Most victims were unarmed. Some were tiny children, or very old. Many were teenagers. Rape and other sexual indignities were committed against women.

I generally dislike the use of the word innocent in media reports of terrorist attacks on civilians: it implies that soldiers killed in such incidents are guilty. But perhaps the word is worth using in this case. Hamass victims were innocent, not only in having committed no wrong, but in the looser sense  innocent of politics, extremism and of the utter wickedness that lurks in some human hearts. Many were kibbutz residents or a young music festival crowd. Their innocence was part of what their murderers wanted to destroy, like wolves on the fold.

Hamass greatest joy came because the great majority were Jewish. That was the victims only guilt. That was why Hamas exterminated (or kidnapped for future bargaining and torment) everyone they could find.

For a few days, the world seemed to understand this. There was no limit to what such killers would do, so people acknowledged that Israel must fight back. It was self-defence, or death.

But only for a very few days. On October 9, for example, the UN Human Rights Council met, and  before Israel had counterattacked  held a moment of silence for the loss of innocent lives in the occupied Palestinian territory and elsewhere. Elsewhere was the only word that hinted at what had actually happened two days earlier. The suppression of the truth had already begun.

It was a quick move from truth-suppression to truth-inversion. As soon as Israel went after Hamas in Gaza, international bodies, pressure groups, hostile powers and much of the media assailed the disproportionate response. Within a fortnight, the Muslim Council of Britain was urging its followers to write to their MP to stop the Gaza genocide. On Thursday, South Africas case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague began, presenting as legal fact the idea that Israel is committing genocide.

The South African delegation includes Jeremy Corbyn, who, famously, was present but not involved for a wreath-laying ceremony which included tributes to the terrorists who killed Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics. He seems to be playing a similarly decorative political role on this occasion. One of the luminaries in the South African legal team is John Dugard, a former Cambridge law professor who once chaired the UNHCRs special commission on human rights in the Palestinian territories. He is a leading advocate of the idea that Israel is an apartheid state.

Listening to the BBC radio news report of South Africas case on Thursday, I heard its diplomatic correspondent, Paul Adams, begin his analysis thus: The last three months have been shocking enough, but hearing it all summed up by South Africas lawyers is devastating. How, many wonder, can this not be a story of genocide? Many will indeed wonder that if they rely on the BBC for information. Adamss frail sandcastle of many wonder is no defence against his own propagandist tide.

Genocide arose as a concept in international law because Hitler killed Jews. There is sadistic bad taste in using the term against the state created to prevent the repetition of such a policy. What does it say about our Holocaust education that this sly libel can be believed?

A recent press release from the Islamic Human Rights Commission describes Israels actions in Gaza as textbook genocide. What textbook? You can consult the rule itself. The Genocide Convention of 1948 identifies genocide as the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, religious or racial group, as such. Israels sole battle aim is to destroy Hamas in Gaza. If the ICJ decides to regard Hamas as a group such as the Convention describes, then genocide will have become a human right, with its victims rebadged as its perpetrators.

The ICJ is a body in which states may arraign other states. In the immediate post-war world, the framers of the Genocide Convention probably did not foresee the problem of non-state actors  such as Hamas, IS and Hezbollah  who, unlike Israel, sign no convention but fight wars and grab territory, as has been the case in Gaza for many years. Such actors are beyond the reach of international law. States ill-intentioned towards Israel are hoping to achieve by politicised lawfare what a group such as Hamas attempts by unrestrained warfare. South Africa is thus the ally of Hamas.

The ICJ will take years to decide if genocide has been committed, but if it demands interim provisional measures, such as a ceasefire, because it suspects genocide, it could help make Israel a pariah nation if it refuses and an endangered one if it agrees.

Imagine such law being applied to Britain during the Second World War. There were powerful arguments against our bombing of German cities, which was far bloodier than anything Israel has done to Gaza. But it would have been a travesty if some non-combatant authority had told us, who were fighting a dictatorship animated by race hatred, that we were committing genocide.

If you look at the current composition of the 15-judge court, you will find plenty of judges from jurisdictions  China, Russia, Uganda, Lebanon, Somalia  where the separation between law and politics barely exists and whose undemocratic politics is anti-Israel. Israel, by contrast, operates in a law-based democracy. Aharon Barak, the judge representing his country at the Hague, is perhaps the leading jurisprudential adversary of its prime minister, Benyamin Netanyahu.

Last month, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) compiled a 45-minute film of the October 7 massacres, not for general release. I was invited to a showing in Parliament. I refused, thinking it would be almost voyeuristic to watch such horrors. But as truth-inversion became so extreme that even some quite moderate people were denying atrocities, I changed my mind, and went to a later showing this week.

The film has no commentary. It simply reproduces, with factual captions, visual (and some audio) recordings from the day. This includes GoPro film from Hamas fighters, dashcam, mobile phone and social-media footage from the same, and a couple of intercepted phone conversations; dashcam and mobile footage from survivors and first responders; CCTV film which catches the murderous intruders, and their terrified victims failing to escape. The atrocities are explicit, but the faces of the victims are pixillated to spare the bereaved families. In some cases, pixillation is unnecessary, the faces being so mutilated by burning, beating or shooting as to be unrecognisable.

The most chilling scenes, even worse than the whooping celebrations of blood, are those in which the gunmen search to kill, stalking the little houses, shooting at torso height through a row of portaloos in which festival-goers are hiding, unearthing with head torches an entire family hiding under a table and then murdering them.

This was the worst day in the history of the state of Israel. When the victorious powers permitted Israels creation in 1948 (the same year as the Genocide Convention), they could not guarantee eternal protection for the Jews, but they did at least give them a fighting chance. Now many want to make their fight illegal. The grim reality is  no fighting, no chance.

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Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) offered Donald Trump a reminder that even presidents have limits to their power.

Trumps attorneys argued in court this week that presidents have absolute immunity even in cases where they order the assassination of a political rival  and cant be prosecuted unless impeached and convicted first.

Asked about it on Thursday, Trump insisted that any president has to have immunity or else they will be totally ineffective.

Most legal observers arent buying that argument.

And Schiff isnt either, writing on X that the U.S. Constitution is not a suicide pact and no one has immunity for murder.

Not even a president:

Shouldnt be necessary to say this, but apparently it is:



The Constitution is not a suicide pact.



And there is no immunity for murder.



No matter who you are. https://t.co/cUjLMloiMF  Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) January 11, 2024

Schiff, who was a manager in Trumps first impeachment trial, is currently running for U.S. Senate in California.
You cannot pass legislation to secure our borders three times, fail on each occasion, and retain the confidence of the public. Its three strikes and youre out.

So the Conservative Party has one last chance to stop the endless small boat crossings that are doing untold damage to this country. And one last opportunity to prove to the rest of the Western world, who are watching the outcome of the Rwanda policy with their fingers crossed, that it truly is a blueprint for establishing border security in this age of mass migration.

The device we have at present to fix this problem is the Safety of Rwanda Bill. As the Government has boasted, it does indeed go further than ever before to try to solve the problem. But where this Bill ranks against the two prior Bills that tried to stop the boats is frankly irrelevant. The only question that matters  one that has been largely absent from the debate so far  is: will the Bill enable the Rwanda policy to work? Does it end the merry-go-round of legal challenges that prevent small boat arrivals being swiftly removed in sufficient numbers to create a meaningful deterrent?

Having done as much as I could as immigration minister to strengthen the legislation, I concluded, regrettably, the answer is no. I therefore resigned and set out at length the principal flaws that needed correcting.

In short, as currently drafted, every single small boat arrival will be able to concoct a personal reason for why Rwanda is unsafe for them and they cant be removed. This will lead to individuals being taken off flights, the courts being overwhelmed and the operational collapse of the policy, with illegal arrivals being released on bail from detention as the backlog of hearings grow.

As night follows day, the Strasbourg Court will again issue interim judgments of the sort that grounded the first attempted Rwanda flight in the summer of 2022. Currently, ministers are only permitted to ignore such measures in a very limited set of circumstances and the highly contested legal advice ministers are bound by is that even to exercise such power would be a breach of international law. In practice, I know the instances this will be used are vanishingly rare, if ever, and so the policy will fail upon first contact with reality.

Despite attempts from concerned MPs to strengthen the Bill, the Government has failed to make the necessary improvements. Consequently, Sir Bill Cash and I have tabled 16 amendments, backed by well over 50 parliamentarians and climbing, with the aim to fix the Bill when it returns to the Commons next week.

The test the Prime Minister has set for the Government to accept amendments to the Bill is that they must have a respectable international law argument. I would argue that, on an issue like border security, the Government must place this vital national interest above contested notions of international law or our reputation on the international circuit.

It will become clearer to the public with time that the UKs membership of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is unsustainable and the convention unreformable. But it is important to stress that this is not the question being debated in parliament next week, nor the purpose of these amendments.

My amendments have been carefully drawn up in collaboration with distinguished lawyers to meet the Prime Ministers threshold, with a legal opinion accompanying them by the former attorney general for Northern Ireland and professor of law, John Larkin KC.

For now, I seek to correct the worst excesses of the overtly political Strasbourg Court, namely its propensity to issue interim measures like the one that derailed the flights in the summer of 2022. Commencing the Rwanda scheme without addressing the activism of the Strasbourg Court is like pulling the pin out of a grenade, but not having the foresight to throw it. The former Supreme Justice, Lord Sumption, puts it more elegantly: if interim measures are available in cases like this, it is probable that no legislative scheme for the prompt removal of illegal immigrants can succeed.

Crucially, the Court only granted itself the power to issue these binding interim orders in the case of Mamatkulov and Askarov v Turkey (2005), despite the UK and every other original signatory deliberately not providing this power in the founding charter back in 1949. In international law, a court only has the powers that member states have given to it: in the absence of such a power, the Strasbourg Court has no authority to issue such measures and we have no obligation to comply.

As Richard Ekins, professor of law and constitutional government at the University of Oxford, has argued, in refusing to comply with these rule 39 rulings, the UK would be vindicating the rule of law, not flouting it. My amendments make clear in law that these orders are simply advisory and are not in any way binding on the Government, meaning the default for ministers is that they will ignore the foreign court and flights are guaranteed to get off.

But symbolic flights that are largely empty will not provide a credible or sustainable deterrent to those in the safety of France considering crossing. The policy intent must be to ensure that recent illegal arrivals are being removed swiftly and at scale. That is why my second set of amendments maximise the number of small boat arrivals eligible for removal by significantly limiting the ability for illegal arrivals to make individualised claims they cannot be removed.

Currently the Bill is operationally unworkable as these claims will significantly reduce the number of illegal arrivals on removal flights and will take months to consider. And in this respect the Bill is also intellectually incoherent  if the fundamental premise of the Bill is that Rwanda is safe, it follows that any claims it is unsafe for a specific individual could be heard once in Rwanda. Under my amendments, only in the exceedingly rare instances where medical issues mean someone is unfit to fly would removals to Rwanda be suspended, thus creating the most powerful deterrent possible.

Lastly I seek to broaden the exclusions of Labours Human Rights Act. Before my resignation, I secured the disapplication of large parts of the Human Rights Act (which gives effect to the ECHR in English law), but under sections 4 and 10 of the Human Rights Act, which are retained, a court could swiftly issue a declaration of incompatibility with the ECHR.

At such a stage, the Government would not be obliged to amend the legislation; however it would come under immense pressure to do so from operational partners and the government legal service. If the Government intends to ignore such a ruling, it should accept my amendment which excludes sections 4 and 10 of the Human Rights Act. If not, we can only deduce that it will be willing to suspend the Rwanda policy.

To reject these amendments, and proceed with a Bill that the Government knows from ample internal advice will not work, would be a betrayal of the British public. It would be utterly corrosive to trust in democratic politics given the promises that have been continually made for the last five years. And it would be disastrous for the country, leaving communities exposed to the damage of illegal migration, with the poorest, who are most exposed, suffering most. If there have been 100,000 illegal arrivals in the last five years, such are the macro trends and such is the impotence of the EU, I see no reason why we wont see another 100,000 in the years ahead.

As legislators, we have the power to avert this catastrophe, for in our sovereign parliament the law is our servant, not our master. We owe it to our constituents  whose interests we are sent to Parliament to advance  to deliver. They will tolerate nothing less.

Robert Jenrick MP is a former immigration minister

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A refined palate, years of training and access to the finest vintages made are the requirements for being a master sommelier, but now scientists are giving the profession a run for its money.

Information about vineyards, grapes and vintages has for several years been collated by various apps for people to look up and compare bottles. But now a team of Danish scientists have created a taste map of the notes and flavours that connect different wines using AI.

The system, called WineSensed, can then provide drinkers with recommendations of bottles that are very similar to a specific wine they may enjoy.

Prof Sren Hauberg, a computer scientist at the Technical University of Denmark and the studys author said: Participants in the study were asked to compare different wines so that we get information about which taste similarly.

Since we are asking participants to compare not-too-dissimilar wines, we get a glimpse of a small piece of the mentioned map of the universe of taste. (e.g. we do not ask participants to compare one red wine to champagne, but only to other reds).

The team recruited 256 people for the study who were each given a range of wines they had to separate into groups of similar tastes. They did this on A3 paper, which is called a napping process, named after the traditional wine-tasting practice which involved doing this on a table cloth, known as a nappe de table in French.

Low-cost alternative for your favourite wine

The data was then fed into an algorithm which the AI used to create a full map of flavour profiles across red, white and rose wines to offer up options a person may also like when they input a particular bottle.

Our algorithm takes many of these and constructs this map of the universe of taste, Prof Hauberg added.

Once we have such a map, it is relatively easy to make recommendations.

The scientists created the WineSensed platform by adding the flavour profiles to existing data from the Vivino app, and say the taste map aspect provided by the AI is better able to choose recommendations.

The system will look for other bottles which are nearby on the map and similar in taste before suggesting them as possible options.

Imagine you are at the store trying to pick out a wine you like, faced with a variety of options, said study lead author Thoranna Bender, a graduate student at DTU.

You might want to identify a low-cost alternative for your favourite wine that still shares the same flavour characteristics.

This would be possible by simply finding the most similar wine in terms of flavour within your budget.

Democratisation of the connoisseur experience

The work has been published as a pre-print and is being investigated further to see if it can be applied to more topics, such as beer or coffee.

Prof Serge Belongie, study co-author and director of the Pioneer Centre for AI at the University of Copenhagen, added that the food and drink industry could use a similar system to detect counterfeits.

Another possible use, he said, is the identification of low-cost alternatives, such as identifying coffee beans from a lesser-known region that share a flavour profile with prestige beans.

This work also has an element of democratisation of the connoisseur experience, he said.

People often assume that to appreciate wine fully, you need to know a lot of fancy terminologies, but with the techniques introduced in this study, laypeople can use their sensory experiences to navigate complex flavour landscapes, discovering the fancy terminology on the fly, rather than needing to know it upfront.

The data has been published on an open platform for others to access and add to in the hope that a comprehensive encyclopaedia of wine, and recommendations, can be curated.

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To add to the recent air travel mayhem, an Air Canada passenger plummeted onto the tarmac after opening the planes door during boarding.

Air Canada told Global News that on 8 January, as passengers were boarding the aircraft, which was parked at the gate, one passenger who had boarded the aircraft normally opened a cabin door on the opposite side of the plane, rather than going to their designated seat.

The flight was scheduled to fly from Toronto to Dubai, and was delayed six hours due to the incident, according to the airlines flight tracker.

Peel Regional Police told Global News that the unidentified traveller was in a state of crisis. The passenger suffered relatively minor injuries from falling onto the tarmac, the authorities added.

The airline told the outlet, We can confirm all of our approved boarding and cabin operating procedures were followed.

The Independent has reached out to Air Canada.

The airline has been making headlines in recent months over a variety of incidents and scandals.

Just last month, Air Canada faced a steep fine of C$97,500 after a disabled passenger had to drag himself off a plane because the airline neglected to provide him with wheelchair assistance.

Months ago, Air Canada made waves after its passengers were allegedly kicked off a plane after being forced to sit in vomit-covered seats. The airline apologised after the incident, admitting the affected passengers clearly did not receive the standard of care to which they were entitled.

There has been no shortage of air travel news lately. Last week, a door plug on one of Alaksa Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 planes blew out shortly after takeoff. No one was injured.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis has stressed that rotating air defence in the regions of the Black and Baltic Seas would be an adequate response to the Russian threat.

Source: Landsbergis during a press conference with his Romanian counterpart Luminita Odobescu in Vilnius, as reported by European Pravda, citing LRT, a Lithuanian public broadcaster

Details: Last June, NATO allies agreed to create such a model, but it has not yet been implemented. The Baltic states are currently negotiating with countries that could deploy their air defence systems in the region.

"I believe air defence rotation, which could be exercised both in the Black Sea and Baltic regions, would be an adequate response to the Russian escalation that is already taking place," the Lithuanian minister said.

The official mentioned the incidents of drones crashing in Romania, and the case when a Russian missile had entered Polish airspace.

"The escalation is already happening, and these actions, the drone crashes, no matter how unintentional they may seem, are an escalation. They would not have happened if Russia had not waged war against Ukraine," Landsbergis said.

At the same time, Odobescu noted that such incidents demonstrate how serious the security situation is not only in Ukraine but also in the Black Sea region.

Earlier, Landsbergis urged the West not to expect a "Pearl Harbor effect" and warned against "repeating mistakes".

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Russia didn't carry out any air strikes against Ukraine overnight on Jan. 12, making it the "calmest night in recent times," Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat said on national television.

Ihnat's statement comes just four days after Russia launched another mass air attack against Ukraine on Jan. 8, killing at least five people and wounding 45 more, according to Ukrainian authorities.

"I've never seen reports like this before... there was not a single aircraft or a single air attack vehicle in the country overnight," Ihnat said on air on Jan. 12.

According to the military official, such a quiet night could be the result of adverse weather conditions as some Ukrainian regions have recently faced snowstorms and freezing temperatures.

In the morning, Russia's military reportedly renewed its aerial activity in Ukraine. At the time of the broadcast, 10 Russian fighter jets and between five to seven reconnaissance drones were flying over the country, Ihnat added.

In late December and early January, Moscow intensified its air attacks against Ukraine's cities and critical infrastructure, echoing its winter strategy from last year.

Russia unleashed on Dec. 29 its largest air strike against Ukraine, targeting multiple cities, killing over 50 people and injuring over 160 nationwide.

Six more Ukrainians were killed and over 100 injured when Russian forces launched over 135 missiles and drones at Ukraine on Jan. 2.

Read also: Im in shock: Russias mass attack on Kyiv shatters lives and dreams

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Alabama may enforce its felony ban on gender-affirming health care for minors, a federal court ruled Thursday, granting the states request to stay a preliminary injunction that had blocked state officials from enforcing the ban for more than a year.

In a two-page order on Thursday, the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals lifted a lower courts injunction against the 2022 law, which makes it a felony for physicians to prescribe puberty blockers or hormones to transgender individuals under 19. Those convicted can face up to a decade in prison.

In issuing the 2022 injunction, U.S. District Judge Liles C. Burke wrote that Alabama had produced no credible evidence to show that gender-affirming treatments are experimental.

A federal appeals court reversed that decision in August. The use of these medications in general  let alone for children  almost certainly is not deeply rooted in our nations history and tradition, a three-judge panel for the 11th Circuit wrote in its 59-page ruling, citing the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

In November, attorneys for Alabama also requested that the 11th Circuit stay the enforcement of the district courts preliminary injunction, which the court granted Thursday in a brief unsigned order.

A September request for a rehearing made by the Alabama families challenging the law is still pending, and a full trial on the constitutionality of the ban is slated for August.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall praised Thursdays decision as a significant victory for our country, for children, and for common sense.

In a joint statement, lawyers representing the families challenging the law said the ruling will cause significant harm to children and parents in Alabama.

Alabamas transgender healthcare ban will harm thousands of transgender adolescents across the state and will put parents in the excruciating position of not being able to get the medical care their children need to thrive, according to the statement, issued Thursday by the National Center for Lesbian Rights, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Human Rights Campaign.

Including Alabama, 23 states have enacted laws or policies that heavily restrict or ban gender-affirming health care for transgender minors. Laws passed in five states  Alabama, Florida, Oklahoma, North Dakota and Idaho  include provisions that make it a felony crime to provide treatment to trans youth under 18.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
As he exits the stage before any votes are cast, Chris Christie deserves credit and thanks for repeatedly saying what Republican primary voters need to hear.

Donald Trump is unfit for office.

Christie preached it wide and far, eloquently, reasonably and courageously.

The former New Jersey governor, who backed Trumps campaign when the real estate mogul improbably won the presidency in 2016, refashioned himself for this cycle as a GOP voice in the wilderness, speaking harsh truths both to the primary electorate and to rivals vying for the nomination. There were some who looked upon his campaign as nothing but a crusade to damage Trump rather than a real run for the office. He denied that and spoke knowledgeably and reasonably about many of the other issues facing this nation. But even if it were true, so what?

Christie performed a needed service for American democracy. And he did so in hostile arenas, refusing to back down in the face of choruses of boos. He surely has lost a few friends along the way.

In opting to drop out before the New Hampshire primary on which hed pinned his hopes, Christie said doing so now was a simple matter of concluding he had no chance to win.

Supporters of former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, such as New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, had called on Christie to exit and endorse Haley.

But Christie understood the danger of backing Haley and then having her agree to serve as Trumps running mate.

You know, I made that mistake once, eight years ago, he told a crowd in New Hampshire. I made an endorsement decision based on politics  when I supported Trump. Im not going to make the same mistake again.

Hes called repeatedly on Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, the two primary contenders to upset Trump for the GOP nod, to repudiate Trump the way he has. So far, theyve refrained, afraid to anger the millions of GOP voters enthralled with him.

A particularly memorable moment in his short campaign was Christies dogged insistence, like the prosecutor he used to be, on a debate stage in December that DeSantis and Haley answer whether they considered Trump unfit to hold office. The cringeworthy few minutes featured Christie at his best. Asked repeatedly to answer that question directly, neither Haley nor DeSantis would.

It may be fruitless. It may be politically reckless. But if youre someone other than Trump running for president as a Republican in 2024, you cant sidestep or tippy-toe around the elephant (whos not) in the room. You have to make the case forcefully to Republican voters that hes unacceptable. The primary race is a referendum on Trump and his pernicious effect on the party, as well as his threat to the country. Theres no getting around that.

Christie was the only one on the GOP side who made that abundantly clear to the people who really ought to be the ones ending Trumps disastrous political career and sparing the country a mind-numbing rerun of 2020: Republicans.

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As it approaches the halfway mark of its five-year plan, We Rise Together, an initiative of the Chicago Community Trust, is checking off its accomplishments while staying laser-focused on its upcoming efforts.

We Rise Together: For an Equitable and Just Recovery is an economic recovery accelerator aiding Black and Latinx communities hit hardest by the pandemic.

We have to create an imagination for what Chicago would look like if every community was thriving, said program director Christen Wiggins.

The endeavor has yielded funding and support for 35 neighborhood real estate projects since September 2021  an investment of more than $38 million on properties that are now worth more than $366 million.

In that time, 12 of those neighborhood investments opened their doors, including Justice of the Pies in the Avalon Park neighborhood, PODER Learning Center (a community hub where immigrants receive education and resources) in the Gage Park community, and Studio Yogi in South Shore, a center that aims to build a health and wellness space for the area.

To be able to see 12 projects already open in two years, that is real change, Wiggins said. Sometimes people dont understand that an investment in any part of the city benefits the whole city. We Rise Together, its an idea, an aspiration, but truthfully, theres decades of research that shows you cant leave a part of the city behind and think its gonna just stay over there. What happens if we all live in thriving communities? The whole Chicago gets better. You have to keep convincing people of that over and over again.

Julia Perkins got $400,000 from We Rise Together for Studio Yogi. After renovations at 1840 E. 71st St., the yoga studio opened in February 2023. There are now 22 classes a week with myriad styles of yoga. Perkins said she designed the fee structure to be inclusive for individuals and families by offering memberships and drop-in rates.

For 2024, Perkins looks forward to increasing memberships and focusing on getting more of a younger demographic into her doors. Studio Yogi has already seen people from Whiting and Humboldt Park. With the majority of her clientele coming from South Shore, Perkins said she continually partners with area organizations for events and wants to deepen the business footprint in the area.

The design truly embraced the atmosphere that I wanted people to encounter when they walked into the studio in terms of being welcoming and inclusive, she said. I think word-of-mouth is getting out. CBS did a story on us where a couple of people that were interviewed said it felt like family here and thats the feel that I wanted, because community is family.

With one tenant already lined up for the 6,500 square feet building, Perkins is looking for another, a wellness business that fits into the remaining 799 square feet.

Julia Perkins teaches a yoga class at her business, Studio Yogi, on East 71st Street on Dec. 13, 2023.

We have been so accustomed to accepting substandard service, substandard quality. What does that convey, that thats what we deserve? Thats just not true. We are deserving of having high-quality services within our community, Perkins said. She is thankful to We Rise Together for helping her manifest that deservedness and adding value to the area.

Last month, We Rise Together spoke about its progress at its Loop office. Data was shared about credit card spending in the Austin area after the opening of the North Austin Community Center in February. According to Jennifer Axelrod, senior director of learning and impact at the Chicago Community Trust, after seven months of the community center opening, businesses within a mile of the site saw a nearly $1.8 million spike in consumer spending.

Wiggins said this shows how such investments are game-changers for areas that have long experienced disinvestment. Nedra Sims Fears, executive director of the Greater Chatham Initiative and the head of the nonprofit FoodLab Chicago, a resource for the South Side restaurant community, shared that the Greater Chatham area is the capital of soul food, and Caribbean and West African food in Chicagoland.

We have data that shows 2 million people come and eat in Chatham. We need help to support our restaurateurs and our bakeries  because they are a destination, she said.

We made a very intentional decision to lean into the intelligence from community leaders and move forward projects led by community leaders, and we have not been disappointed, Wiggins said.

Another We Rise Together project is the Xquina Incubator and Cafe in South Lawndale. Breaking ground in December, the 13,000-square-foot property is being renovated to house a business incubator, a co-working office space, a cafe and a shared commercial kitchen. Kim Close, executive director of the Foundation of Little Village, the organization behind the project, said We Rise Togethers assistance sustained the project. The first phase of construction is expected to be completed by this summer.

There are incredible hurdles that you have to overcome and an endless amount of red tape and without flexible capital from a partner like We Rise, I dont know what we would have done. We would have come up with something  probably more loans, Close said. We Rise and Christen (Wiggins), theyre true partners that stuck with us. We tell them the problems that we are having and they are supportive instead of being like, Whats wrong with you?'

When finished, Xquina, which has a Spanish-language focus, will be an integral piece of the Little Village business ecosystem, offering retail space, programming and services for entrepreneurs in the area. Close said the group behind Xquina also wants to expand its micro-grant program and its financial literacy boot camp, and attract investment to Little Village.

Spanish-speaking adult students hone their English language skills during a class at PODER learning center on April 19, 2023.

We Rise is investing in real estate projects on the South and West sides so nonprofits that are running them can create real impact in the community, Close said. That is the real value that we are trying to bring to the community, that were working on delivering  part of our corridor revitalization and community wealth-building pillars  because we want to see increased investment in ownership and also in the businesses to help them grow capacity and grow their revenue.

Luis Gutierrez, CEO of Latinos Progresando, said when We Rise Together funds were available to his organization, it was able to attract other funders. Latinos Progresando is centered on rehabilitating a former Chicago Public Library branch building vacant since 2009, to serve as a community resource. The property will be occupied by Latinos Progresando and partner tenants, Esperanza Health Centers and Lincoln Park Zoo. Gutierrez said more outside investment needs to be put into community nonprofits, organizations that know the environments, issues, leaders and peoples needs.

We need to be looking at our commercial corridors in all of our neighborhoods and figuring out how do we build a sustainable corridor that offers a little bit of everything so that you can shop within our community? he said.

Wiggins said by the time the initiative sunsets, about $50 million will have been distributed among Chicagoland neighborhood projects. Wiggins said putting a firm end date on We Rise Together has gotten the team to move quickly and to trust the community more.

Weve got more to do  workforce grants, a final round of neighborhood anchor grants that were going to be announcing in February, Wiggins said. Were going to continue to provide more resources into those same communities around the workforce and small businesses to continue building the ecosystem of a healthy local economy.

drockett@chicagotribune.com
Officials reported an avalanche on the Alpine Meadows side of Palisades Tahoe on Thursday afternoon, just one day after an avalanche killed one man and injured three others on the other mountain of the popular Sierra Nevada ski resort.

The snowslide happened near Wolverine Bowl at about 12:30 p.m., Palisades Tahoe spokesman Patrick Lacey wrote in an email. No one was injured following a search that involved dogs, beacons and probes.

Ski patrols had conducted avalanche hazard mitigation prior to opening that area, but immediately closed the Summit Express lift due to Thursdays incident, Lacey wrote.

The lift was reopened after the search was complete, Lacey said.

Ski Patrol conducted avalanche hazard mitigation prior to opening the ski area, including shots from a 105mm howitzer and ski cutting through the area, Lacey wrote Thursday, referring to cannons used for avalanche control. We also did avalanche mitigation work on the entire resort.

Wednesdays avalanche struck Palisades Tahoe on the Palisades side of the ski resort around 9:30 a.m. It killed 66-year-old California resident Kenneth Kidd and injured three others with non-life threatening injuries on KT-22, an expert-level slope.

The ski resort reopened Thursday morning, though the KT-22 lift remained closed and openings of other lifts were delayed.

The KT-22 Express ski lift is empty after an avalanche at Palisades Tahoe on Thursday, a day after a deadly avalanche buried multiple people and killed a 66-year-old man. Another avalanche, Thursday on the Alpine Meadows mountain at the resort, resulted in no injuries.

A debris field  which Placer County sheriffs deputies said was 150 feet wide, 450 feet long and 10 feet deep  spread just 30 minutes after KT-22 opened Wednesday morning for the first time in the 2023-24 ski season.

Michael Gross, the vice president of mountain operations for Palisades Tahoe, said there were four total people that were extracted from Wednesdays avalanche.

There were two people that were caught (in the snowslide) and two people that were buried, Gross said during a Wednesday news conference. He said one of the persons who was buried was believed to have been extracted by her skiing partner, and the other was assisted by some other guests.

Were all in shock

Craig Hamilton spotted Thursdays avalanche a mere 30 minutes after skiing down Wolverine Bowl.

The Olympic Valley resident, sitting on lift Summit Express, said he noticed a debris field and began pointing out piles of snow to his friend. It was the second reported avalanche at Palisades Tahoe.

Nobody could believe it, Hamilton said, while adding many fellow adventure seekers were on edge after Wednesdays incident. Its kind of like shock  were all in shock up here.

Hamilton and others made their way to Wolverine Bowl and asked if they could help. About 50 of them worked with probe poles to search deep snow for missing people, he said.

The second slide in two days has made Hamilton more careful he said  he will carry an avalanche beacon and avoid steeper pitches are certain times.

But he still remains upbeat about shredding through fresh powder.

I dont know if I will ski less, Hamilton added. I probably wont.

More heavy snow expected this weekend

The second reported avalanche to hit Palisades Tahoes Alpine Meadows unfolded as snow continues to fall in the region.

By 11:15 a.m., Alpine Meadows had seen 14 inches of snow in 24 hours, according to the National Weather Services Reno station.

Late Thursday into Friday morning, Alpine Meadows is forecast to experience gusts ranging from 30 to 45 mph with temperatures hovering around 14 degrees, the weather service said.

Theres a 30% chance of snow after 4 p.m., with an increasing likelihood after 7 p.m. Friday, the weather service said. Fresh powder could tally 1 to 3 inches with a 60% chance of precipitation at night.

But throughout Saturday, snow intensity is set to increase with strong gales up to 60 mph buffeting Alpine Meadows, weather officials said.

Its a 100% chance of precipitation, with snow expected to pile between 10 and 16 inches, the weather service added.

The snow could be heavy at times, NWS Reno wrote.

Powder will continue to fall through Saturday night, with lows reaching around 25 degrees and wind as high as 70 mph, the weather service said. Overnight, 3 to 5 inches of snow are predicted.

The heavy storm predictions are prompted the weather service to declare a winter storm warning, in place from 7 p.m. Friday through 4 a.m. Sunday across the western slope of most of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

By Sunday, theres a 30% chance of snow before 10 a.m. with little or no powder expected after, the weather service said. It will be mostly sunny, with a high temperature of 32 degrees.
Sohail Biary, of Simi Valley, expressed his sorrow and grief for his family in Gaza. He escaped the war-torn region in November. His father, Said Biary, 84, was recently found dead near his home in Gaza.

Correction: An earlier version of this story named the wrong Biary whose death The Star tried to verify. It should have named Said Biary.

They feel guilt. Survivors remorse haunts them. And trauma is an ever-present companion.

Sohail Biary and Naela Elshorafa were visiting their families in Gaza when Israels military campaign in the region ensued after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas. The Ventura County residents were trapped for a month.

Since all-out war erupted, more than 23,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 58,000 have been injured, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Hamas-run Gaza, making the offensive one of the deadliest in recent history.

Israel has continued bombardment, saying it wants to eliminate Hamas after the militant groups cross-border onslaught that killed 1,200 people and took 250 others hostage.

In November, the two American citizens finally crossed the Gaza-Egypt border and made their way back to the United States. Recently, they shared their experiences during that month and what it's been like since, trying to cope with news of death and destruction.

Elshorafa, of Camarillo, and Biary, of Simi Valley, have lived in California for most of their adult lives.

Biary, 53, first left Gaza by coming to the U.S. as a student in his early 20s and seeking asylum. He took a job with the city of Los Angeles in 2000 as an assistant electrician, and he was named district supervisor for the city's general services in early 2023.

The father of four had only visited Gaza once since moving to California. He left his homeland after surviving torture and beatings in jail at age 19. Biary said he had been imprisoned for 13 months after he posted a flyer to encourage people to demonstrate against the occupation.

It took years of therapy for him to get back to feeling normal again. His October 2023 visit to Gaza not only left him feeling guilty for leaving his family but also reopened old wounds.

I never witnessed something like this, he said. A lot of killing, a lot of destruction. The bomb comes, and it's like a horrific earthquake. It lifts the whole house. And just the bricks, the windows, everything. We close our ears. I remember I just put my head on the ground.

The cost of escaping a war zone

Sohail Biarys eyes glistened as he held back tears. His voice trembled and his hands shook as he talked about the recent death of his father, Said Biary. He found out in December through acquaintances still in the Al-Remal neighborhood. They had contacted his family in Gaza to deliver the news.

Since the bombing started, Said Biary, 84, had refused to leave his home near Palestine Square, according to his son. Even when evacuation orders came, he wouldn't budge. When the military left the area, Biary said, his father was found by neighbors, shot dead in the middle of the street.

When they found him, his body was all gone. They recognized him from his hair and from his coat, he said.

The Star tried to reach authorities in Palestine and contacted multiple nonprofits working in the war-torn region to try to verify Said Biary's death but was unable to independently confirm it.

Said Biary 84, is the father of Simi Valley resident Sohail Biary, who carries this photo on his smart phone. Said Biary was killed recently in Gaza.

Said Biary was born in Jaffa, an old city that became part of Tel Aviv. He went through war and displacement, his son said.

As a child, Said Biary witnessed the first Nakba, "catastrophe" in Arabic, which was the mass displacement and dispossession of Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. He was forced to leave Jaffa in 1967 and resettled in the Gaza Strip. Biary said his father built their house himself and couldn't be persuaded to leave.

Biarys eldest brother is currently missing as well. The familys last contact with him was in early December.

We don't know if he's alive or not. We sent his pictures to the local hospital, and they have no news, Biary said.

His mother, Khadija Biary, does not yet know about his fathers death. They were separated when the rest of the family moved to shelters and friends homes across the city. The family doesnt know how to tell her. She was recently diagnosed with Alzheimers and that is why Biary went to Gaza after 12 years  to see her.

Another reason for his visit was his younger sister's wedding. The 32-year-old married an Egyptian man before the war and was preparing to move to Cairo to live with her husband, but she got stuck on the wrong side of the border and wasn't allowed through despite having all the marriage documents.

Biary shared that his mother and another sister, 38, were able to cross the border into Egypt and he has been trying to get them visas to come to the U.S.

Since his return to Simi Valley, he has struggled to feel comfortable with everyday basics: food, running water, electricity.

In Gaza, those basics were missing. Hunger was a constant, and water was scarce. Biary was always on the move. His mother cried inconsolably. He couldn't convince his father to leave their house. At night, he listened and waited for the next missile to drop.

'Mom, are you alive?'

Naela Elshorafa, 66, arrived in California in 1990 and now lives in Camarillo with her daughters family. Most of her family remained in Gaza  her brothers, parents and around 25 other relatives. Her father died two years ago and the next year, Elshorafa lost her husband as well.

When she got word that her mother, Hind Elshorafa, was sick, she made plans for a 10-day visit to Gaza. The women comforted each other after the loss of their husbands. But then war broke out and there was no comfort for anyone.

Naela Elshorafa had initially planned to head back to Camarillo through Cairo International Airport on Oct. 14. After the attacks began, the important thing was to make it to safety. They moved from their home seeking shelter in the south and left all their belongings, not knowing there would be no going back.

With more than 50 people crammed together in one shelter, Elshorafa kept her 86-year-old mother by her side. Her mom has high blood pressure and diabetes. They survived on small cans of nonperishables, but there was no medication available.

Camarillo resident Naela Elshorafa with her mother Hind Elshorafa before war broke out in Gaza in 2023.

Like Biary, Elshorafa also recalled a lack of water and electricity.

We just picked up water from here and there and put it in the sun to get it warm to try to take a little shower, she said. After one week, it also started to be like no bread, no flour.

Internet was inaccessible most days and her children had a hard time contacting her from the U.S.

When I answered, they were crying, Mom, are you alive? Mom, are you alive? she said. They tried hard here to get me out from there.

Her kids needed their mother, and she needed her mother. It was an impossible situation.

I really didnt want to leave, but I also wanted to come back to my kids and my grandkids. My kids just lost their dad. They cannot lose their mom, too, Elshorafa said.

She was able to get her mother out of Gaza into Egypt but is still trying to get her paperwork sorted so she can permanently move to the U.S. Currently, her mother is staying in a rented place with a caretaker.

I need help to get my mom to the United States to stay with me, she said. I cannot cook. I cannot eat. Anytime I do anything I feel guilty. Im thinking about them.

Getting out through Egypt was wrought with dangers as well. Making her way to the border with her mother and sibling, she had to turn back four times until she was finally let through.

Biary had a similar experience at the border  seeing bombs drop as he tried to make it out and trying repeatedly over several weeks to find a way. He hopes for a permanent cease-fire but is disappointed with the governments response, referring to the U.S. vetoing a United Nations resolution demanding a humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza.

He feels he is still living through the war despite being back in California.

I died a thousand times every day. I feel like I'm dead. Even now, when I'm back here in my home, I wake up in the morning and I feel like I'm not alive, Biary said.

With much of his family still in Gaza, the war is "not in the past" for him.

Associated Press reports contributed to this story.

Dua Anjum is an investigative and watchdog reporter for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at dua.anjum@vcstar.com. This story was made possible by a grant from the Ventura County Community Foundation's Fund to Support Local Journalism.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Gaza evacuees face survivors guilt when back in Ventura County
Ethnic Chinese devotees pierce with a metal rod as they prepare for a procession during Wangkang or "royal ship" festival at Yong Chuan Tian Temple in Malacca, Malaysia, Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. The Wangkang festival was brought to Malacca by Hokkien traders from China and first took place in 1854. Processions have been held in 1919, 1933, 2001, 2012 and 2021. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

MALACCA, Malaysia (AP)  Ethnic Chinese devotees towed a giant replica of a royal barge on a wheeled platform through a Malaysian city on Thursday in a rare and colorful procession aimed at collecting and banishing evil spirits.

Steeped in religious and cultural rites, the Wangkang  or royal ship  procession snaked along a 9-kilometer (6-mile) route in the historic city of Malacca with 22 stops where priests performed cleansing rituals to command evil spirits and other negative influences to board the boat. It was accompanied by various floats and performers.

The Wangkang festival was brought to Malacca by Hokkien traders from China and first took place in 1854. It is only organized when mediums at the Yong Chuan Tian Temple in Malacca receive a command from the Ong Yah deities. Processions have been held in 1919, 1933, 2001, 2012 and 2021.

After Thursdays procession, another shorter parade was held at night culminating in a send-off ceremony where the barge was set aflame so the collected spirits could symbolically sail into another realm. Organizers said the aim of the festival is to bring health, peace, prosperity and happiness to the state and the world.

Malaysia and China jointly gained UNESCO recognition of the Wangkang festival as an intangible cultural heritage in 2020. According to UNESCO, the ceremony and related practices are rooted in folk customs of worshipping Ong Yah, a deity believed to protect people and their lands from disasters.

It was developed in Chinas Minnan region between the 15th and 17th centuries and is now centered in Chinas coastal areas of Xiamen Bay and Quanzhou Bay as well as in Malacca.
Devotees raise their hands during the annual Black Nazarene procession which was resumed after a three-year suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024 in Manila, Philippines. A mammoth crowd of mostly barefoot Catholic devotees joined a chaotic procession through downtown Manila Tuesday to venerate a centuries-old black statue of Jesus Christ with many praying for peace in the Middle East where Filipino relatives work. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Jan. 4-11, 2024

This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images in the Asia-Pacific region made or published by The Associated Press in the past week.

Devotees crowd during the annual Black Nazarene procession in Manila, Philippines, supporters of the Democratic Progressive Party candidate cheer during a rally in Taipei, Taiwan, ahead of Saturday's presidential election, and a man reads a Bangladeshi newspaper that has the news of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas election victory in Dhaka.

The selection was curated by AP photo editor Masayo Yoshida in Tokyo.

___

Follow AP visual journalism:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apnews

AP Images on X: http://twitter.com/AP_Images

AP Images blog: http://apimagesblog.com
Trains are parked outside the central train station in Frankfurt, Germany, Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, as the German Train Drivers' Union (GDL) started a strike on Wednesday to Friday in a dispute with the main national railway operator over working hours and pay. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

Jan. 5-11, 2024

Greek Orthodox faithful celebrate Epiphany in Istanbul, farmers rally with hundreds of tractors protesting against the governments austerity plans in Germany, and women gather in Jos, Nigeria, to commemorate the victims of a Christmas Eve attack, where more than 140 people were killed by gunmen in remote villages.

This gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published in the past week by Associated Press photographers in Europe and Africa.

The selection was curated by AP chief photographer Jerome Delay in South Africa.

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Follow AP visual journalism:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apnews

AP Images on X: http://twitter.com/AP_Images

AP Images blog: http://apimagesblog.com
Atlanta police say they are looking for a man who broke into a vehicle and stole a womans government credentials during the holidays.

Police say they were called to Lorenzo Drive around 3:35 p.m. on the afternoon of Dec. 26 to respond to a reported vehicle larceny.

When officers met with the victim, she told them an unknown man had broken into her vehicle on Christmas morning.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

A preliminary investigation indicated that he entered the vehicle and took her ID and government credentials.

Officers later confirmed to Channel 2 Action News that the victim is an active Drug Enforcement agent.

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As a result, APD investigators notified the U.S. Department of Homeland Security while they worked to learn more about the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Police say the investigation is highly active and ongoing.

To help in their search to identify the man, police released pictures of the suspect and issued a BOLO.

Anyone with information on the case can submit a tip anonymously to the Crime Stoppers Atlanta tip line at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or by texting CSA and the tip to CRIMES (274637). Tips can also be submitted online.

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Apopka city leaders have taken the first step toward changing the way the citys government functions, which would remove much of the mayors powers if voters approve.

At least some council members would like the city to transition from a strong mayor form of government into a council-manager format, which would replace the mayor with a professional administrator as the citys CEO.

Council members had their first meeting to review the citys charter Wednesday night after spending the past year locking horns with Mayor Bryan Nelson over the fallout from the death of firefighter Austin Duran in 2022, especially the mayors refusal to fire the fire chief.

Council members have also generally felt left out of the decision-making process, and in the past have complained that the mayor wont loop them in until the 11th hour.

Commissioner Kyle Becker pointed out that only six cities in Central Florida had a strong mayor government, with Orlando being the only major city other than Apopka.

Read: New Space Florida CEO outlines 2024 legislative priorities

I think theres a lot more benefit to having a city manager run things that way, Becker told council members. The politics as much as possible stays up here on the dais.

Nelson did not commit to supporting or opposing the change during an interview with WFTV Thursday, and said hiring a city manager would not automatically give council members the ability to fire employees other than the manager.

He said a strong mayor government gave cities more leverage over developers, since winning his approval as the CEO also meant a developer earned one of three needed votes.

Read: Busy DCF phone lines tell SNAP applicants to try again later as need increases

Let the voters decide, he said. Weve got some other issues.

Nelson said he wanted the voters to enact single-member districts for at least some of the council seats, possibly leaving two at-large seats available.

He said that would avoid a repeat of a situation where three council members lived in the same neighborhood.

Read: Report: Spirit passenger arrested in Orlando after asking flight crew to join mile high club

Council members also talked about expanding the number of seats, but there appeared to be less support for that idea, including with Nelson.

The citys attorney is now tasked with drafting the proposed city charter for council members to review.

If the changes receive approval at a future meeting, which hasnt been set, then the issue will head to the ballot.

Personally, I dont want our form of government to change based on the current leadership, councilwoman Diane Velazquez said. Let us work and set our council up for success for the future.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
First lady Jill Biden traveled to the University of Illinois at Chicago Thursday to tout a White House initiative to expand research on womens health issues that include menopause.

Biden was joined by actress Halle Berry in speaking about the historical lack of investment in womens health research nationwide.

The visit comes during an election year in which womens health issues continue to be a hot-button political issue pushed by Democrats due to the 2022 Supreme Court ruling that sent the issue of legalized abortion to the states, and the importance of women, particularly suburban women, to the elections outcome.

In a roundtable conversation at UIC, Biden and Berry were joined by Democratic U.S. Reps. Lauren Underwood of Naperville and Robin Kelly of Matteson, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and UIC graduate students.

Every woman will be affected by menopause, yet theres a stunning lack of information about how to manage and treat its symptoms, Biden said during the discussion.

Berry said she became passionate about menopause as a political issue after finding that the options her doctor provided for treating her own symptoms were just not good enough.

I think money needs to be raised  so that every woman has an opportunity to get quality premium care and not just told you have to just white-knuckle it, that it will eventually pass, Berry said.

Toni Preckwinkle, president of the Cook County Board, second from left, talks during a roundtable discussion that also included actor Halle Berry and U.S. first lady Jill Biden, on the right. It was part of the White House Initiative on Womens Health Research at the University of Illinois at Chicago Neuropsychiatric Institute on Jan. 11, 2024.

The White House launched its Initiative on Womens Health Research in November to allocate federal and private investments toward the issue.

During the roundtable talk, the first lady stressed President Joe Bidens support of the initiative.

Thats what he does, she said. He learns about a problem and then he gets to work tackling it. He doesnt waste any time.

The Biden reelection campaign repeatedly stopped in Illinois and Chicago last year, an indication of the administrations concern about motivating voters ahead of the November election even in a solidly blue state.

UIC is working to add to the existing body of information on menopause through its long-standing Center for Research on Women and Gender. Among research underway is a search for links between estrogen levels and brain health and determining specific impacts of menopausal symptoms on women of color.

Pauline Maki, a UIC professor of psychiatry, psychology, and obstetrics and gynecology, called the presidential interest in womens health concerns ranging from migraines to heart attacks a game changer.

Maki said while there has been a lack of information about menopause treatment, the issue has recently drawn more attention through publicity including a pharmaceutical commercial in last years Super Bowl and a New York Times article that went viral.

Women are demanding that we do better, she said. Half of the population goes through this. Shouldnt we have a firm scientific understanding of what happens to these bodies? What happens to their brains? Because without that, they cant get the personalized care that they need.

Chicago Tribunes Rick Pearson contributed.

ostevens@chicagotribune.com
CAMDEN - A city man is charged in connection with a fatal shooting last month in the Whitman Park neighborhood.

Isaac Santiago, 21, allegedly shot 35-year-old Esterlin Torres while the victim was at the wheel of an SUV at Louis Street and Lansdowne Avenue on Dec. 27, authorities said.

Surveillance video showed the SUV arriving at the intersection shortly after 6 p.m., says a probable cause statement.

Several men were standing in the area, and one opened fire on the vehicle.

Prisoner wins potential reprieve NJ Supreme Court limits 'mugshot exposure' in ruling on Willingboro shooting

Torres fell from the vehicle, but passengers put him on a rear seat and the SUV sped away. Torres, who was taken to a city hospital, died that night, the statement says.

It says police stopped Santiago and two other individuals who were leaving an alley near the crime scene a few minutes after the shooting.

The individuals, who identified themselves and were not armed, were released.

But investigators then compared video from officers' body-worn cameras outside the alley to footage from the crime scene. They realized the three men appeared in each video, and that Santiago was dressed like the man who shot Torres, the statement claims.

A ballistics K9 searched the alley and found two guns hidden under a shovel.

One was a 9mm gun with an extended magazine capable of holding 31 rounds.

A round in the gun was stamped "Blazer," as were some of the 15 9mm shell casings recovered at the crime scene. the statement says.

Santiago was charged with murder and weapons offenses on Dec. 28, and was arrested in Camden on Jan. 3.

He was being held at Camden County Jail.

The charges are only allegations. Santiago has not been convicted in the case.

Anyone with information is asked to call Prosecutor's Detective Allison Dube-Smith at 856-225-7105 and Camden County Police Detective Brian Ford at 609-519-6927.

Jim Walsh is a senior reporter for the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email: Jwalsh@cpsj.com.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Isaac Santiago charged with the murder of Esterlin Torres
GASTONIA, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A Gastonia restaurant celebrated its reopening Wednesday nine months after a fire destroyed the building.

Locally owned Sake Express reopened its doors last month in its original location on East Franklin Blvd. On Wednesday there was ribbon cutting for the casual Japanese restaurant with the Gaston Business Association and the Montcross Area Chamber of Commerce.

Stanley names permanent fire chief following departments staffing shakeup

Were so happy to swing the doors of our Gastonia restaurant back open and welcome our loyal, excited, eager customers for a meal, said Lisa Nguyen, co-owner of Sake Express with her sister, Linda Nguyen.

Fire devastated Sake Express Gastonia restaurant in March 2023, as owners celebrated 25 years of business. Montcross leaders said the Nguyens were determined to come back and they reopened the location at the anniversary years end.

(Photo: Montcross Area Chamber of Commerce)

(Photo: Montcross Area Chamber of Commerce)

Calling the restoration a total gut job, Lisa Nguyen said repairs were extensive following the March 31 grease fire. There was structural damage to the roof in addition to smoke and water damage throughout the building. Renovations neared $1 million, which included new kitchen equipment, roofing beams and HVAC units. The cost also helped to pay loss of wages for several displaced employees.

Sake also has a location on Park Street in Belmont. Firefighters responded there in early November, but there was no fire or damage to the business.

Two charged in vicious attack on Indian Land Chipotle employee: Sheriff

The Nguyens said the reopening would make their father proud.

Our father showed us how to be resilient and strong, how to tackle problems head-on and never give up, Linda Nguyen said about the restaurants founder Phat Nguyen. Hed be glad that we worked hard to make Gastonia rise again from the ashes.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Gov. Henry McMasters office slammed the town of Atlantic Beach over its handling of election proceedings, calling the process an embarrassing episode.

The governors office denied in a Jan. 10 letter the towns request for the South Carolina Election Commission to take over the towns election results. The letter was sent on Jan. 5 by Atlantic Beachs attorney Joseph Dickey.

It has been more than 60 days since the municipal election in Atlantic Beach and the town is still without a new mayor and a town council.

In November, while trying to recount and certify 18 challenged votes, Atlantic Beach Mayor Jake Evans fired the entire election commission. This left the town unable to authenticate its election results.

That action led to mayoral candidate John David Jr. filing a lawsuit against the town with the South Carolina Supreme Court over the dissolution of the election commission. The lawsuit asked the Supreme Court to decide if politics had a role in the dissolution.

Atlantic Beach officials and their lawyer did not respond Thursday to requests for comment. When a Sun News reporter called Josephine Isom, mayoral candidate and current councilwoman, Thursday seeking comment, Isom said, Girl, get off my phone, and then hung up.

The towns letter to the governors office asking that the state take over the administration of the municipal election, included counting of the votes. The letter cited reasons such as allegations of voter fraud, alleged illegal and improper conduct by a municipal election official, and various legal actions that are now pending before the Supreme Court of South Carolina.

Thomas Limehouse Jr., chief legal counsel for the governors office, wrote in a Jan. 10 response that the Office cannot accommodate your request for Governor McMaster to end this embarrassing episode. . . by resorting to a procedure that is not authorized by state law.

The Sun News received both of these letters in an email from the governors office.

Limehouse said that the state can only take over the election in two situations: If a town did not hold an election or if a competent authority finds the election to be void. Since neither of those apply, it is not the states responsibility.

The letter recommends that Atlantic Beach transfer authority to the Horry County Board of Voter Registration and Elections.

The letter also mentioned that the South Carolina Supreme Court has declined to review Davids case about the election and said the case could be brought to a lower court.

David did not immediately return a message seeking comment. Ian Duggan, Davids attorney, said he would prefer to go through the election board over filing Davids lawsuit with a circuit court.

While were disappointed with the Supreme Courts decision to decline to consider this recent election dispute in Atlantic Beach in the Courts original jurisdiction, John Davids suit brought needed attention to the Town Councils efforts to, among other things, dissolve the Towns Election Commission and terminate Joe Montgomery from his position as the Chair of the Towns Election Commission, Dugan said in an email Thursday. Town Council has an opportunity to fix this issue, though. We hope (Jake) Evans, (Josephine) Isom, and (Jacqueline) Gore will heed the Governors good advice and immediately transfer all authority for conducting elections in Atlantic Beach to Horry County.

How could votes be counted?

If Atlantic Beach does decide to hand over authority of its elections to the Horry County Board of Voter Registration and Elections, it wont be a fast fix.

Sandy Martin, Horry County Board of Voter Registration and Elections director, said in order for that to happen, the town will need to write a letter to the board requesting for it to take over. If the board says yes, Atlantic Beach and the board would have to agree on terms.

Once an agreement is reached, the Horry County Administration Committee has to approve it, followed by the Horry County Council. Overall, Martin said it could take a few months.

A repeating pattern for Atlantic Beach

The latest Atlantic Beach municipal election dispute boils down to 18 disputed votes. On Election Day, it appeared that Isom won the seat, but later that week, a tally of the challenged votes showed David winning by one vote - 65 to 64.

When the election commission met to count the challenged votes on Nov. 10, Mayor Evans fired all the commission members. On Nov. 25, he reinstated the commission but fired its head, Joe Montgomery, for prohibited political activity.

This is not the first time Atlantic Beach struggled to determine the results of a municipal election. The Sun News reported that between 2005 and 2011, the South Carolina Supreme Court had to step in for an election dispute three times.

One of the times was during a 2009 election when two write-ins won seats on the town council. This was overturned when town officials determined the winners were not Atlantic Beach residents. The Supreme Court overruled this and allowed them to serve on the council but not until the summer of 2011.

The Towns repeated inability to conduct such elections in compliance with South Carolina law is equal parts embarrassing and inexcusable, Limehouse wrote in the Jan. 10 letter.
DES MOINES, Iowa  Campaign events are falling as swiftly as the Iowa snow as wintry weather hampers both Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis as they clamor for support in the days before Mondays leadoff presidential caucuses.

Prolonged freezing temperatures, combined with strong winds, foreshadow possibly life-threatening conditions on the night that Republican voters are set to gather to make their pick for their 2024 nominee.

Iowans are accustomed to the cold, though the latest winter wave, combined with temperatures that threaten to dip deeper into negative territory in the coming days, could mean unprecedented conditions for caucus night itself. Early into next week, forecasters said significant winds would make things feel as cold as 45 degrees below zero, a record-breaking forecast that could keep potential voters at home.

This is kind of what it means to live in Iowa, in the middle of winter, but two snowstorms back-to-back feels like a little much, said Jillian McKee, of Des Moines, as she walked her Shiba Inu named Bear on Friday morning in the pouring snow. Usually, Im just used to one a week.

McKee said she still plans to show up on Monday night and is leaning toward caucusing for Haley.

Haley pulled down a trio of events that had been slated for Friday in central and eastern areas of the state, shifting them instead to tele-town halls. Doorknockers from AFP Action, a group supporting the former United Nations ambassadors campaign, were out despite the storm.

Senior adviser Tyler Raygor noted that knocking doors in snow takes more time but that it also made it more likely that people were at home.

DeSantis postponed four events on Friday that had been planned for cities further from Des Moines, citing unsafe weather conditions. He did campaign earlier Friday north of the capital city with Gov. Kim Reynolds, saying he was impressed with those who turned out.

Less than an hour before DeSantis event with Reynolds, Iowas state patrol posted a warning about the weather on social media. Please, dont put yourself or others in danger, it said, adding that road conditions were extremely dangerous!

The National Weather Services Des Moines office, meanwhile, posted white-out conditions of jack-knifed tractor-trailers littering interstates as much of the state was under a blizzard warning.

GOP front-runner Donald Trump  who has not stumped in Iowa in the closing week, instead choosing to make court appearances in Washington and New York  planned to hold a handful of rally events over the weekend in central and western Iowa.

His campaign is determined to hold the rallies as scheduled, though it did have to cancel some events earlier in the week with surrogates advocating for the former president.

Wear a coat, Trump senior adviser Chris LaCivita quipped when asked about concerns about the weather over the next few days. He also noted that the campaign has contingencies in place, including drivers to get people to caucus sites.

Its old school, you know  poll workers and people who pick up people and drive em to the polls, so we have all of that stuff planned, he said.

Another presidential candidate, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, canceled an event Tuesday morning, saying it was effectively impossible to safely get from Des Moines to Coralville  hours after criticizing Haley for calling off her Monday event in Sioux City.

On Friday, Ramaswamy appeared poised to keep to his campaign schedule, posting on X that George Washington braved the weather to cross the Delaware and that he would stay on the trail for as long as we can (asterisk)physically(asterisk) make it.

The scheduling of the caucuses has thrown the time-tested process more to natures whims than others in the past. Last summer, the Iowa Republican Partys state central committee voted unanimously for the third Monday in January. The 15th, which falls on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, is earlier by several weeks than the past three caucuses, though not as early as 2008, when they were held just three days into the new year.

With the storm bearing down and the almost other-worldly cold predicted to set in thereafter, Iowa Republicans said Friday said there were no plans to change the timing of this years caucuses.

Iowa GOP spokesperson Kush Desai said the party has held caucuses through all sorts of weather events before. Desai said state Republicans were keeping an eye on things but not entertaining anything drastic yet in terms of postponing any votes.

Theres no doubt on our end about our commitment to keeping Iowa first in the nation and maintaining Iowas critical voice, not just for Iowa but for the heartland, in the presidential nominating process, Desai said. Even through the winter.

National Weather Service data shows there has never been a colder Iowa caucus night than whats forecast for Jan. 15. The previous coldest was in 2004, when the high temperature for that years Jan. 19 caucuses was 16 degrees.

McKee, who was walking her dog outside Friday, had words of apology to the visiting journalists and politicos who traveled to Iowa, only to get socked with the torrential snow and bone-chilling temperatures.

This is definitely making it a little more complicated for everybody, especially all the out-of-towner people, McKee said as wind and snow whipped around her. Im sorry that youre coming into the Iowa caucuses in a big ol Iowa snowstorm, but it seems right on brand.
Atmos Energy said Friday it had wrapped up its investigation into the Monday explosion at Sandman Signature Hotel explosion in downtown Fort Worth, saying it found no indication its gas lines and equipment caused the blast.

Fort Worth officials have pointed to natural gas as a likely cause for the explosion on the lower level of the historic tower, in the Musume restaurant, but investigators have yet to announce their findings.

At least 21 people were injured by the powerful blast that caused significant damage to the basement and first two floors of the century-old tower. The basement collapsed, briefly trapping workers at the Musume restaurant underneath the rubble.

Restaurant worker Maite Karen Lopez, 27, sustained serious burns after being trapped in the basement. Other restaurant and hotel employees were hospitalized with a range of injuries.

Atmos Energy is responsible for the gas lines and infrastructure that are largely in public right-of-ways, such as under streets and sidewalks downtown. Property owners are generally responsible for gas lines on their land or in their buildings.

We appreciate the partnership with the Fort Worth Fire and Police Departments and all officials participating in the response and will continue to assist their investigation, Atmoss statement said.

Representatives for the city of Fort Worth did not immediately respond to Star-Telegram requests for comment on Atmos statement Friday.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
A new Taylor Sheridan show set in West Texas about life in the oilfields is once again seeking real-life roughnecks to play background roles.

Scenes where the real-life actors could appear will be filmed in and around Fort Worth and Weatherford. Local agency Legacy Casting is putting out the casting call.

At the moment, Legacy is looking for workers with oil, gas and pumpjack experience. Specifically, Legacy is seeking to cast Latino guys between 20-40.

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Land Man is co-created and executive produced by Sheridan and Christian Wallace. The show, which stars Billy Bob Thornton, is based on Texas Monthlys podcast Boomtown that Wallace wrote and hosted.

Per Variety, the shows synopsis reads, Land Man is set in the proverbial boomtowns of West Texas and is a modern day tale of fortune seeking in the world of oil rigs. The series is an upstairs/downstairs story of roughnecks and wildcat billionaires fueling a boom so big, its reshaping our climate, our economy and our geopolitics.

Interested applicants, should email Legacy with their photos and contact information at extras@legacycasting.com. The agency could need people as early as Jan. 19, as well as attending a costume fitting in Fort Worth next week.

This is the second time Legacy has put out as casting call for Land Man.

In late November, the agency first announced that casting was underway for Sheridans new show and that real-life oilfield workers should apply to be background actors.

Land Man was first announced in February 2021 and will air on Paramount+. Billy Bob Thornton joined the cast in February 2022, along with Michelle Randolph, Jacob Lofland and Ali Larter who were cast in May 2023.

The oilfield show is the latest from Sheridan, who remains one of the busiest guys in Hollywood. Sheridans latest show Lawmen: Bass Reeves premiered in November, which filmed scenes in and around North Texas.
Channel 2 Action News has obtained new information about the court motion in the Georgia election interference case alleging Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and the special prosecutor overseeing the case have been engaged in an improper personal relationship.

The defense attorney who made those explosive allegations told Channel 2 investigative reporter Mark Winne that she has eyewitnesses.

The spokesman for the DAs office said the prosecution has won every major motion and every appeal in the election interference case so far -- then came this motion making incendiary allegations about one of the most prominent prosecutors in America.

Now, people want to know from the lawyer making these allegations  what do you have to back it up?

I would never have filed something like this if I didnt have multiple sources to corroborate, Ashleigh Merchant said about the motion she filed on behalf of her client, Michael Roman, alleging an improper relationship between Willis and special prosecutor Nathan Wade, possibly tainting the case.

Merchant told Winne that she has documentary evidence.

We look forward to litigating this motion in court where we can bring forward all of our evidence, Merchant said.

She told Winne that she expects to put up eyewitness testimony about the alleged relationship between Willis and Wade.

Fulton County District Attorneys Office spokesman Jeff DiSantis said the office will respond to Merchants allegations in court filings and in court We look forward to addressing the matter.

Merchant maintains she has witnesses who did not want to provide written affidavits but indicated they would testify in court if subpoenaed.

She said she has talked to a former DAs office employee who believed it was common knowledge Willis and Wade were dating.

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DiSantis said as a DAs office employee, he never heard of such a thing and there was no common knowledge in the office about such a relationship.

Merchant said her client, Roman, is innocent of the RICO conspiracy and other charges pertaining to the alleged fake electors scheme he faces.

She said Roman rejected an offer to plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge in return for straight probation

DiSantis said Wade has been paid $250 an hour for his work, which DiSantis considers a below-market rate for a lawyer of his experience.

He said Wades role in the election interference case is managing a team of investigators and lawyers working on the matter.

Im leery to move and adopt motions that make such allegations without having a better understanding or substantiation of the allegation, former President Donald Trumps Georgia attorney Steve Sadow said during a court hearing Friday.

Obviously, my plan with this was to allow the state an opportunity to respond before setting a hearing date, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee said during that hearing.

It appears Wades role in the election interference case has taken on a role in his divorce case which a document indicates started in November 2021.

A filing by Joycelyn Wades side says Nathan Wade is a partner at his own law firm and has also been employed by Fulton County District Attorneys Office since November 1, 2021, as the anti-corruption special prosecutor in the matter of the state of Georgia v. Donald John Trump et al. Earning almost $700,000 since May of 2022 alone.

It alleges, while earning such substantial sums, Nathan Wade has provided nearly nothing to Joycelyn Wade for her support and survival.

A filing by Nathan Wades side said he has provided means of financial support to Joycelyn Wade and continues to provide financial support.

The DAs office confirms some investigators at the office had recently been asked to sign confidentiality agreements about matters theyre working on, but Willis did not know about it until we reached out to the office, and upon learning of it, she ordered the agreements retracted and clarified there is no new confidentiality requirement.

DiSantis said the agreements had been requested by two supervisors in the office updating personnel files and have no connection whatsoever to anything involving Willis and Wade.

DiSantis said the almost $700,000 Wade has been paid goes back to October 2021.

RELATED NEWS:




An Auburndale man has been given six months of probation for failing to safely store a firearm, resulting in the accidental shooting death of a 12-year-old boy in December 2022.

Michael K. Louis pleaded no contest last week to the charge, a second-degree misdemeanor, court records show. Judge Mary Catherine Green signed off on the agreement, in which the adjudication of guilt is withheld and the State Attorneys Office pledges to file no further charges.

Greens order says that Louis may not possess weapons or ammunition during the probation period. He also must attend a parenting class and a firearm safety class and pay court fees and $370 for investigation costs.

Mail and electronic devices: Judge denies defense attorney's motion challenging Polk County jail policies

Louis, 30, lived in Lakeland at the time of the incident. The Lakeland Police Department reported that the 12-year-old boy was visiting a 13-year-old friend for a sleepover at Louis home on Starling Loop in North Lakeland.

The two boys found a loaded handgun inside a vehicle parked in the garage, LPD said, and as the 12-year-old was handling the weapon the gun fired one round, hitting him. The boy died after being transported to Tampa General Hospital, LPD reported.

A charging document says that Louis should have known that someone younger than 16 was likely to gain access to the gun without a parents permission and without adult supervision. Florida law requires gun owners to keep weapons in a locked container or in a location that a reasonable person would consider to be secure.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Auburndale man gets 6 months' probation in boy's accidental shooting
Newly released body camera footage shows Aurora, Colorado, police forcing 44-year-old Teddy Pittman to the ground at gunpoint after mistaking him for a fugitive. After searching the terrified Pitman and his car, the cops eventually let him gobut not without giving him a ticket for driving with a suspended license and making a bad turn.

"I was shocked," Pittman told 9News, a local news station. "I was just minding my own business."

The incident occurred in April 2020. According to a lawsuit Pittman has filed against the officers, he left a friend's house on the afternoon of April 24 when the FBI Rocky Mountian Safe Streets Task Force began following him. The task force is a group designed to track down violent fugitives and is comprised of Aurora and Denver police officers as well as FBI agents and U.S. Marshals.

A few miles later, one of the task force vehicles pulled Pittman over, when he complied, Pittman says that the officers approached his car with their weapons drawn and ordered him to exit his vehicle with his hands visible.

Body camera footage shows officers ordering Pittman to lie facedown in the road. Over the next several minutes, the officers patted Pittman down and searched his car. One officer even falsely claimed Pittman had a gun in his car.

After seizing Pittman's wallet and checking his driver's license, the officers realized that Pittman wasn't the fugitive they were looking for and that there were no warrants out for his arrest. But the officers kept searching Pittman's car for guns and drugs.

"It's not our target.It's not our guy," one of the officers says near the end of the video."Push it as far as you want or don't want."

After coming up empty-handed, the task force let Pittman gobut not without slapping him with a traffic ticket for driving with a suspended license and making a faulty left turn. A judge eventually dismissed the ticket.

This is far from the first time Aurora police have made this kind of mistake. An almost identical case occurred in 2020 when police forced a familyincluding a 6-year-old girlto lie facedown on the pavement at gunpoint after officers mistook their car for a stolen vehicle. In addition, multiple reports on the Aurora Police Department revealed extensive misconduct and constitutional violations.

According to one 2021 report, after Aurora police killed 23-year-old Elijah McClain, racial profiling is a major issue in the city's police department. "Aurora Police used force against 1.5% of Black subjects who had at least one interaction with police from 2018 to 2021," the report read. "That is nearly double the corresponding figure for white subjects. Racial differences in arrest ratescannot explain the use-of-force disparity, at least as to Black individuals."

The post Aurora, Colorado, Police Detained the Wrong Guy at Gunpoint. They Gave Him a Ticket Anyway. appeared first on Reason.com.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Mayor Kirk Watson will bring forth a resolution aimed at creating stability around police pay in lieu of a police contract.

Mayor Kirk Watson discusses the police contract with KXANs Brianna Hollis. (KXAN Photo/Brianna Hollis)

Want to send a message to our police officers that weve got your back,' he said.

Last year, while the Austin Police Association (APA) and the City of Austin came to an agreement on contract conditions, council voted not to accept the agreement until a May 2023 vote on a police oversight provision. Following that downvote, council adopted a resolution  similar to the one Watson announced Friday  that guaranteed police pay and offered recruitment incentives. It expires this March.

Why does the police contract matter to you?

Solidified contracts indicate stability for officers, and former police Chief Joseph Chacon said the absence of a long-term deal can exacerbate the already crisis-level staffing issue, which has an impact on response times and the departments ability to proactively police.

Austin Police oversight vote: What it means

In Austin, the police contract also has specific measures outlined for police oversight and details provisions on external police accountability. For example, the last long-term deal reached in 2018 created the Office of Police Oversight.

Whats in Watsons new resolution?

Watsons resolution, which has four co-sponsors, includes police pay increases, as well as incentives for reaching a contract agreement.

Below are some elements of the resolution:

Guarantee current salaries, benefits and the October bonus and hold the police force harmless until we can get to a contract;

Maintain the financial incentives paid when new cadets join and matriculate through their training;

Increase the incentive to make it all the way through that training and probationary period;

Provide each officer a $500 bonus if APA comes to the table and at least another $2,500 bonus if a contract is completed by June 30;

Guarantee that, if there is a contract, officers will receive at least a 2.5% pay raise in the first year. That can be negotiated up, but it will start with that assurance of a raise.

Watson told KXAN he has full confidence Austin City Council will pass this when its set to go to a vote on Feb. 1.

Why dont we have a police contract yet?

Michael Bullock, the newly elected APA president, said advocacy group Equity Actions current lawsuit against the city over a police oversight measure is a serious obstacle in the way of achieving an agreement.

However, the APA is working diligently to see what all we can do to work towards a contract, he said.

The lawsuit includes arguments over something called a g-file. A g-file is an internal, confidential file that contains complaints against officers that have not been substantiated and did not result in any form of punishment.

In May 2023, voters passed a resolution creating the Austin Police Oversight Act. The ordinance, among other things, disallows the existence of a g-file and states a police contract cannot contain anything related to the preservation of a g-file.

Previous APA officials explained eliminating the presence of a g-file would violate state law. City officials are still working on obtaining more clarity on that front.

I believe firmly that its in the best interest of our police, and therefore in the best interest of the residents of Austin, is to have a longer term contract, Watson said.

KXAN will have more insight from the APA late this afternoon. Check back for updates.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Austin and Travis County leaders joined together Thursday in urging residents to ensure they are prepared for and exercise caution during the arctic blast that's expected to hit the region Sunday through Tuesday.

"This is the type of cold snap that can be dangerous for long exposures to what we refer to as the four P's," meaning people, pipes, pets and plants, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said at a news conference. "Please, make sure that you have what you need to be prepared during this very cold time."

Austin's cold blast comes nearly a year after hundreds of thousands of Austin Energy customers were left without power following an icy winter storm last year that caused tree branches to snap and knock down power lines. This year will also mark three years since the deadly February 2021 winter storm that caused the state's power grid to nearly collapse, resulting in the deaths of hundreds.

"Please, make sure that you have what you need to be prepared during this very cold time," Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said at a news conference Thursday about next week's blast of arctic cold. Freezing temperatures and extreme wind chills are forecast for the early part of next week.

Although the chances of freezing rain currently aren't considered high in the upcoming cold wave, frigid temperatures can still be deadly to people who are exposed to it for long periods. Additionally, freezing temperatures can put a strain on the electric grid, increasing the risk of power outages, as more people blast their heat, along with increasing the risks of water pipes bursting.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas issued a weather watch ahead of the arctic blast but noted that it expects grid conditions to remain "normal."

With staffing issues affecting both Austin-Travis County EMS and the Austin Police Department, both department heads said at Thursday's press conference they would be adequately staffed both on the streets and in the 911 call center to help deal with a possible influx of calls.

Austin-Travis County EMS Chief Robert Luckritz said the agency will continue to use telehealth services to ensure ambulances are sent out only for the most critical incidents. During last year's storm, Luckritz said EMS was able to divert more than 300 calls using its telehealth services.

Interim Police Chief Robin Henderson said with recent staff increases at the 911 call center, there should be adequate staffing during the arctic blast unless weather conditions make travel challenging.

The city will also open an emergency shelter from Sunday through Tuesday for people experiencing homelessness.

Travis County Judge Andy Brown said that while ice isn't expected, county services will be ready to keep the roads clear in case the forecast changes.

What precautions should you take to keep pipes from bursting?

To keep your pipes from freezing, Austin Water Director Shay Ralls Roalson said people should plan to keep cabinets in their kitchens and bathrooms open, with the thermostat set to 65 degrees, to keep the pipes warm. She also suggested insulating pipes in drafty places, such as crawl spaces and attics.

Roalson also suggested keeping the faucet farthest away from the home's main valve dripping to prevent the pipes from bursting. People with automatic sprinklers should drain that system ahead of the freezing temperatures.

What happens if the power goes out?

While storms aren't in the forecasts and ERCOT expects grid conditions to remain "normal," many officials still urged people to take precautions in case the power does go out. This includes stocking up on nonperishable food, water and medications in addition to having a plan if you or a loved one requires a medical device.

Austin Energy General Manager Bob Kahn discusses preparations for the expected cold wave.

If you do lose power, do not use appliances such as your stove, oven or barbecue grill to heat the house, and if you have a generator, keep it outside, as all of these methods can cause carbon monoxide to build up in the home, which can be deadly. Additionally, if you're using a vehicle to stay warm, don't run it in the garage without opening the garage door, as that can cause carbon monoxide to build up.

For people with a fireplace, Austin Fire Chief Joel Baker said ensure the chimney's flue is open before lighting a fire and only use firewood, as burning pressure-treated wood can release toxic chemicals according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

What other steps should I take to prepare?

Sign up for emergency text notifications at warncentraltexas.org.

Officials also advised people to keep up to date on the latest information through news media outlets, the city's official social media pages and Austin's emergency alerts webpage.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin, Travis County warn residents to prepare for arctic cold front
An RAF Voyager aircraft takes off to join the U.S.-led coalition from RAF Akrotiri

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia provided personnel support to the U.S. and UK in their strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen, Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Friday.

"Australia's support of these actions came in the form of personnel in the operational headquarters," Marles told a news conference.

"Australia will continue to support any actions which assert the global rules-based order."

The United States and Britain launched strikes from the air and sea against Houthi military targets in Yemen in response to the movement's attacks on ships in the Red Sea, a dramatic regional widening of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

(Reporting by Alasdair Pal; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)
In Austria, they demand to reduce the quotas for the import of Ukrainian sugar

Austrian food company Agrana, which continues to operate in Russia, has claimed that duty-free sugar imports from Ukraine to the European Union cuts into the companys profits, Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform reported on Jan. 12, citing the companys CEO, Stefan Buttner.

"This (large volumes of duty-free sugar imports from Ukraine to the EU - ed.) is a significant loss for us, because we have lost a significant amount of sales, as well as lost margins and have higher storage costs," Buttner said.

Read also: Slovakia extends and expands ban on agricultural imports from Ukraine

These criticisms specifically apply to the companys sugar, fruit, and starch production in Romania, Bulgaria, and Hungary. Buttner also claimed that the status quo actually benefits the sugar traders who export sugar to Europe, not the Ukrainian producers.

Ukraine could export only about 20,000 tons of sugar per year to the EU until June 2022. In order to support Ukrainian agriculture, which is suffering from Russian aggression, the bloc canceled some agricultural tariffs until June 2024. Ukraine is thus expected to expert up to 700,000 tons of sugar in the current 2023/24 marketing year. The CEO of Agrana suggested that the quota for Ukrainian sugar should be set at a maximum of 200,000 tons per year.

Read also: Global beverage giant PepsiCo bans mention of war and Ukrainian Armed Forces in ads

However, Agrana continues to operate in Russia, where Agrana has its own plant, and is not considering plans to the Russian market.

"Withdrawal from Russia is neither legally nor economically possible from our point of view," Buttner said.

Agrana is primarily known to end consumers for its Wiener Zucker brand. The group employs about 9,000 people at 55 production sites around the world.

French sugar beet and sugar producers demanded at the end of November 2023 that Ukrainian sugar be re-exported outside the EU.

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
An avalanche trapped motorists and closed a stretch of Idaho 21 as winter weather continued to create difficult driving conditions across the state.

In a news release Thursday night, Idaho Transportation Department officials said an avalanche prompted a 12-mile closure between Grandjean and Banner Summit. That stretch of Idaho 21, about halfway between Lowman and Stanley, is nicknamed Avalanche Alley and frequently closes during winter storms.

An initial ITD report said two vehicles were involved in the avalanche, though few other details were available. About an hour later, officials said the vehicles occupants had been safely escorted from the canyon and were uninjured.

Last nights avalanche cycle was driven by a perfect storm of weather, Bill Nicholson, leader of the ITD avalanche team, said in a news release. We had very high precipitation intensity, increasing temperature and extremely high winds from the southeast. These are very unusual conditions for this zone.

ITD will keep Idaho 21 between Grandjean Junction and Banner Summit closed through the weekend as teams work to clear the avalanche.

Weather permitting, ITDs avalanche team plans to drop explosives along the 11-mile Avalanche Alley stretch to test snowpack behavior and identify any further slides.

Once the snowpack is deemed to be stable, a maintenance team will begin cleanup.

An even lengthier closure blocked off Idaho 21 for 24 miles due to deep, drifting snow, according to the Transportation Departments 511 road condition map. That closure begins 8 miles north of Idaho City and continues to Lowman, where Idaho 21 meets Banks-Lowman Road.

Other roads are closed across Southern Idaho. A 50-mile stretch of U.S. 20 between Mountain Home and Fairfield remained closed Friday due to heavy, drifting snow. Other closures include a portion of U.S. 93 from Jerome to Shoshone and part of Idaho 75 from Shoshone near the junction with U.S. 20. Idaho 46 is closed from the Camas-Gooding county line to the intersection with U.S. 20.

In eastern Idaho, where forecasts are predicting blizzard conditions, multiple sections of highways are closed.

Across the state, snow, wind and cold temperatures have created potentially dangerous driving conditions. Most major routes around the state were categorized as difficult or fair on the 511 map Friday morning, with road conditions ranging from snow-covered to icy.

Current road conditions can be found online at 511.idaho.gov.
A former Batavia resident has been sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to child pornography, officials said.

Kane County Judge David Kliment accepted the guilty plea of David L. Newtoff, 31, now of Manhattan and formerly of Batavia, according to a press release from the Kane County States Attorneys Office.

In court, Kane County Assistant States Attorney Matt Rodgers stated that prior to November 2022, Newtoff disseminated a child pornography video, according to the press release.

In addition to the prison term, Newtoff must register for life as a sexual offender in accordance with the Illinois Sexual Offender Registration Act, officials said.

The Kane County Child Exploitation Unit, a collaboration of the Kane County States Attorneys Office and Kane County Sheriffs Office, conducted the investigation, according to the release.
Federal courts have not yet resolved the important question of whether former President Donald Trump has immunity from being prosecuted for his role in trying to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

But the legal battle has incidentally revealed something else: How to get away with murderat least according to Trump's lawyers.

As Reason's Jacob Sullum detailed earlier this week, one of the more alarming moments during the hearing over Trump's immunity claim occurred when Judge Florence Pan asked whether a president could be "subject to criminal prosecution" if he'd ordered the assassination of a political rival. "According to Trump's lawyers, a former president can be prosecuted for 'official acts,'" Sullum explains, "only if he is first impeached by the House and convicted by the Senate based on the same underlying conduct."

Trump was, of course, impeached by the House for his role in trying to overturn the election, but he was not convicted by the Senate.

But if a president ordered the assassination of a political rival, surely he or she would be impeached and convicted, right?

Not necessarilyat least according to Trump's legal team.

As Cato Institute legal expert Walter Olson pointed out on X (formerly Twitter) this week: Recall that during Trump's second impeachment trial, part of the former president's defense was the claim that he literally couldn't be impeached because he was no longer presidenteven though the underlying, potentially impeachable conduct occurred while he was in office.

Thankfully, the federal judges hearing Trump's immunity claim seemed to be pretty skeptical of the idea that a president is immune from prosecution without having been previously convicted by the Senate. But let's assume they end up buying that bit of convoluted reasoning. The result would be a wild legal loophole that could allow anyoneyes even youto get away with murder.

Here's how to do it.

First, become president. This is almost certainly the most difficult step in the process.

Second, order the assassination of your political rivalsor annoying neighbors, anyone who has ever wronged you, Mike Pence, random people in the middle of 5th Avenue, and so on. This legal paradox means there are effectively no limits on how much murdering you do, and the crimes don't even have to be done secretly. You can tell the whole world that you, the current president of the United States, ordered a bunch of assassinations.

(And keep in mind: there are more than 200,000 armed federal agents under your command. Many would likely object, but surely you'd be able to find a few who are willing to just follow orders.)

Third, and here's the key part: Immediately resign from the presidency.

You'll likely be arrested and arraigned on a wide variety of charges carrying the possibility of many, many years in prison. Ah, but have you been impeached by Congress for this conduct? Nope, and that means (according to Trump's legal team) that you can't be convicted.

And you're no longer president! Therefore, according to Trump's legal team, you can't be hauled in front of Congress to be impeached and convicted so you can later face criminal charges. Congratulations, you've gotten away with murder.

It's almost as if it's a bad idea to grant immunity to someone solely on the basis that their potentially criminal conduct occurred while they were acting in an official capacity.

The post How To Get Away With Murder (According to Trump's Lawyers) appeared first on Reason.com.
Former President Obamas senior adviser David Axelrod said it is unhelpful to dismiss concerns about President Bidens poor marks in major polls, defending his recent criticism of the presidents reelection campaign.

Axelrod said in an interview with Politico that he finds it aggravating that people who air their concerns about the Biden campaigns strategy are called bed-wetters.

Politico asked him if hes referring to Obamas 2012 campaign manager Jim Messina, who often shares his support for Biden through social media and punditry and has dismissed polls as this far out from the election as silly.

I think thats deeply, deeply unhelpful, because sometimes theres reason to be concerned. And there are a lot of really smart and committed supporters of Biden who have concerns, Axelrod said in the interview, which published Friday.

What you need to do is contemplate what it is that is concerning people, and decide what is legitimate and what needs to be done. There are people who are really, really committed to Joe Biden who felt a sense of concern and urgency  particularly because Donald Trump is on the other side of this race. So I thought it was extraordinarily tone-deaf and unhelpful, he said.

Axelrod, who is a political commentator on CNN and hosts podcasts, recently received a political pin in the mail with the message Pricks for Biden, Politico reported.

He defended his decision to point out challenges for Biden, especially when his suggestion in November that it was the last moment for Biden to check if he should drop out.

I know that people expect 100 percent loyalty, but thats not my job, Axelrod said. Its pretty obvious that there are challenges here, and it seemed pretty obvious to me when I suggested in early November that he think hard about what hes doing. I was 99 percent sure that that would not mean anything, but I thought there was a 1 percent chance that he would actually rethink the thing.

He prefaced his comments, like he has other criticism, by saying he thinks Biden has done great things with his first three years in office, pointing especially to the infrastructure law and leading the U.S. out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Biden campaign has largely responded to negative polling by saying that, this far out, polls typically arent predictive of voters in November. The Biden campaign did not immediately respond to request for comment on Axelrods comments Friday.

A source close to the Biden campaign told The Hill that unlike the 2012 campaign, were coming off of the strongest midterm performance of a president since FDR.

White House aides often point out that Obama was in a difficult polling situation a year ahead of his reelection race and still won. Democrats, meanwhile, had stronger-than-expected midterm results in 2022, similar to when President Franklin D. Roosevelt picked up seats for the party in the 1934 midterm elections after guiding the U.S. through the Great Depression.

The aggregation of polls kept by The Hill and Decision Desk HQ shows former President Trump, the GOP front-runner, with a lead of 1.2 percentage points over Biden.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock speaks during a press statement after a meeting with her counterpart, Mohamad Hasan, Foreign Minister of Malaysia. Michael Kappeler/dpa

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock reiterated Berlin's staunch support for Israel during her visit on Friday to Malaysia, a Muslim-majority country that advocates for the Palestinian cause and maintains ties with Hamas.

Baerbock said that, in the German government's view, peace would only come to Gaza if foreign supporters of the Palestinians do not take "unilateral" positions.

She said Hamas, which is considered a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States and the European Union, must "lay down its weapons so that we can really come to a sustainable peace agreement."

Germany's top diplomat spoke after meeting with Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said in November that even possible US sanctions on Hamas' foreign supporters, which could include his country, would not dissuade him.

"We do not see Hamas as a terrorist organization," he said at the time.

Baerbock was expected to meet with the prime minister on Friday.

She said she had made it clear in the meeting with her Malaysian counterpart that in order to shore up international law, "it is crucial to condemn such a barbaric terrorist attack and it is therefore crucial for us to do this together everywhere."

She also said that "it is crucial for us to contain the catastrophic situation in Gaza as quickly as possible and that humanitarian aid must be brought into the country."

The suffering of the Palestinians can only be ended "if the suffering of the Israelis is ended," Baerbock said.

This requires "a universal perspective," she said. "I very much hope that we can make progress on precisely this path together as an international community."

Prior to the meeting with Hasan, Baerbock had met with representatives of Muslim organizations.
Yemeni demonstrators hold placards during a protest after US and British forces struck rebel-held Yemen following weeks of disruptive attacks on Red Sea shipping by the Iran-backed Houthis, who say they act in solidarity with Gaza. - MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP

In this episode of Battle Lines, Defence Editor Danielle Sheridan and Telegraph writer Tom Sharpe bring the latest news and analysis from the Red Sea, as Britain and America strike Houthi positions after months of attacks on civilian and military vessels.

Then Middle East Correspondent Nataliya Vasilyeva updates us from Israel as the IDF continues to battle Hamas across Gaza, and Senior Foreign Correspondent Sophia Yan describes how the Chinese state forced ethnic Kazakhs to round up Muslim families in Xinjiang who were then never seen again.

Finally, journalist and academic Mathew Charles speaks about the internal conflict in Ecuador, where government forces battle drug gangs for control of the country.

Across the world, from Europe to Asia, from the Americas to the Middle East, tensions are rising between nation states as the traditional alliances and alignments evolve in the 21st century.

2024 sees war in Europe and Israel, and elections in major economies, from the US and the UK to Taiwan. Insurgencies flare in Yemen and Burma, tensions escalate in East Africa, and all around the world the international security architecture buckles under increasing pressure.

Battle Lines, a new podcast from The Telegraph, combines on-the-ground reporting with analytical expertise to help the listener to better understand the course of world politics, wars and tensions, as fault lines grind and slip in an increasingly dangerous and confusing multipolar world.

Listen to Battle Lines using the audio player in this article or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or your favourite podcast app.

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.